miss heck's thanksgiving party or, topsy up to date. [illustration] by ida hamilton munsell. [illustration] dedicated to the woman's club of evanston, illinois. miss heck's thanksgiving party or topsy up to date (copyrighted by the author.) _to the woman's club of evanston_: devoted, as it is, to "mutual helpfulness in all the affairs of life," and to a union of effort towards attaining the "higher development of humanity," this little brochure is dedicated by one of its members. miss heck's thanksgiving party; or, topsy up to date ida hamilton munsell, b. m. any person with but half an eye could recognize at a glance the extraordinary character of miss myra heck! and furthermore, if novelists did not show such decided preferences for white-skinned heroines, miss heck would long since have won the world-wide renown which of right belongs to her. but, unfortunately, miss myra was born of black parents away down in the sunny southland, and the dark hue of skin and wisps of woolly curls which are characteristic of the negro race have descended upon their offspring. this is the more unfortunate in that this daughter--now a young woman of twenty-four or thereabouts--is possessed of really uncommon talents, while her brain teems at all times with schemes worthy of a french diplomat; and were she fair and dainty as to exterior, she would not now be occupying the situation of "maid of all work" in the little town where we first discovered her. yet, notwithstanding the accidental disadvantages which hamper this bright maid, she has managed to achieve at least local distinction in more directions than one. few families are there in rexville who have not at one time or another availed themselves of miss heck's services. servants of any degree of ability are exceedingly rare in rexville, so that miss myra could easily reign as the bright particular star in the domestic firmament of the universe, were it not for certain peculiarities of temperament, added to an ugly habit of prevaricating, together with a too confident disposition to presume upon her mistress' willingness to permit her cook to parade the streets dressed in silks and satins from her own wardrobe. but, because of this scarcity of help, and in view of the general ability possessed by miss heck, her employers have shut their eyes to such peccadillos as these so often, that by dint of much experience the young woman has at last possessed herself of such power that she rules the mistresses of rexville with a rod of iron. she has indeed reached the conclusion that although one family may decide to forego the benefit of her assistance in their household because of some little peculiarity of hers, nevertheless she is sure of a position with some other lady on the street before twenty-four hours shall have sped. so she oscillates back and forth--like a pendulum--from one kitchen to another throughout the length and breadth of rexville. her period of tarrying varies according to the blindness of her mistress and the condition of the master's pocket-book, for this latter article shortly feels the drain of miss myra's extravagant habits, and sooner or later collapses into empty space. then self-defense demands that the sable goddess of the cuisine depart to new fields and pastures green until such time as self-denial and rigid economy shall have once more filled the purse, and brought a return of the prosperity which had been temporarily suspended. thus you see that even though miss heck has not attained the national reputation of which she is worthy, she has at least in one small corner of the earth won for herself glory and renown. in this little town, if nowhere else, her name is a household word. it is difficult to draw a correct word picture of this wily maid; her talents, too, are so numerous and varied that one hesitates which to portray first. possibly, we can convey a better idea of her personality if we describe one particular scheme of hers and its outcome. * * * * * it was the day before thanksgiving, in the year of our lord 1892, and miss myra sat upon the floor of her mother's dingy little parlor deeply absorbed in thought. she was working just at present for banker holmes' people, but fortunately for herself the entire family had gone east a week before thanksgiving in order to eat turkey in good old-fashioned comfort with relatives not seen for months. this left miss myra free to enjoy life to the uttermost. to be sure she carried the key to the big house in her pocket, and daily went through the pretense of airing and then dusting the premises. she also had access to the cold storage room, which privilege augmented greatly the bill of fare at her father's shanty. her parents had since earliest childhood greatly admired their offspring, and this ability of hers to vary the supply and quality of their edibles on occasion did not at all diminish this fond regard. miss myra had enjoyed her freedom now for seven whole days; she had walked the streets at morning, noon and night, dressed always in her best, and this best was no mean style, for the young woman was possessed of a figure neat and trim, while every cent of her earnings went into clothes with which she might easily outshine the rest of the working girl population of rexville. she had, during these past seven days, neither baked nor swept, set the table, or made the beds for anybody. in fact, she had lived an existence of unalloyed pleasure which comes from that idleness so dear to the african heart. but now she owned--to herself, at least--that she was tired. the dull monotony wearied her. what could she do to create a new sensation? she asked herself, while she sat with her feet crossed under her, tailor-fashion, upon the bare floor. one dingy brown hand, with its hue of pallor on the palm, moved restlessly to and fro through her crown of wool and roughened its carefully plastered locks until they stood out in grotesque tangles all about her head. at length a bright idea occurred to her; she laughed aloud; a merry chime of bells could not make sweeter music. "i'se hit it this time, sure, mammy," she called out to the woman who was bending over a steaming tub in an outer room. her mother wiped her hands hastily upon the skirt of her gown and went into the parlor where miss myra yet sat upon the floor. "hit what, chile? what mischief has you got in dat hed of yourn dis time, i'd like to know?" she asked eagerly, as she threw her ponderous body into a chair. "grand scheme, mammy; the best i'se had yet," announced the girl, as she slowly untangled her feet from beneath her dress and rose from the floor. "it's bound ter be a first rate one den shuah enough, myrie," the woman said admiringly, as she watched the supple form stretch itself to relieve the cramped feeling of the limbs caused by her long continued crouching attitude. "what you goin' do dis time, chile? tell your poor old mammy," the negress went on, seeing the young woman made no haste to unbosom herself of her scheme. "wall, then, old lady, if you _must_ know, here goes! but don't let it take your bref away," the girl replied with provoking deliberateness, and she crossed the room to where a small cracked mirror hung upon the wall; here she proceeded to re-arrange her hair, holding the pins in her mouth as she did so, tantalizing yet further the anxious mother. "the longer you wait, the better it'll seem, mammy," miss myra said after a few moments. the old lady made no reply; she always let "myrie" have her own way; she had found by experience that it was not easy to do otherwise. at length even the critical taste of miss myra seemed satisfied with the vision she beheld in the little glass, for she turned away with a contented sigh, as she did so exclaiming, "i'se gwine to give a thanksgiving party here, mammy, tomorrer night! and it'll be a swell affair, tew, take my wurd for it!" then she put on her coat and hat, blew a kiss from the ends of her fingers toward the old negress yet sitting stupid with amazement in the rickety rocking-chair, and with another ringing, happy laugh went out into the storm. the sky was lead-colored, the wind blew fiercely and flung the snowflakes which were falling rapidly with spiteful force against the girl, until her heavy garments were soon hidden by a soft covering of white. but not even the fleecy crystals of snow had power to change the hue of the ebony face, and miss myra, who was a sensitive young woman, could not but feel a sensation of disgust as she thought, "i must look blacker than ever by contrast." on down the street she walked rapidly; here and there she paused long enough at some house to leave an invitation for the cook or coachman to attend her thanksgiving party; but at the end of two hours this part of her preparation was ended. it was time, then, she decided, to turn her attention to further details of her audacious plan; and retracing her steps she soon found herself at banker holmes' door. here she entered, and for a long time busied herself with necessary preparations for the morrow's festivities. as twilight fell, she closed the house once more and walked rapidly homeward. that she had not been idle, the next night's feast would show. * * * * * any one passing by jim heck's tumbled-down cottage thanksgiving night would have been astonished at the number of gleaming lights flashing out upon the snow through the cracked and grimy window-panes, and would have stopped for a moment to listen to the sounds of revelry within doors. a fiddle squeaked in a lively, even if discordant fashion, while a banjo made frantic efforts to keep it company. there was a sound, too, as if of many feet dancing an old-fashioned break-down, which made the shanty fairly tremble under the unwonted strain upon its frail supports. the aroma of hot coffee also floated out upon the crisp air, mingled with an odor of more substantial viands, which appealed strongly to the imagination of a passing tramp who had paused to look through a window void of shade or curtain. suddenly the dance ended; the music ceased with one last unearthly squeak, and for the space of a single moment almost perfect silence reigned, and then it seemed as though just previously a cyclone of noise had been running riot. at this juncture from the doorway of the combined dining-room and kitchen the host himself announced in his most gracious manner, "supper am suhved, ladies and gemmin; choose youah pardners and walk out!" with one hand he pulled down the draperies which had been improvised for the occasion, and which had so far kept the glories of the feast hidden from view; whilst with the other he politely motioned his guests to cross the hospitable threshold. for a second nobody stirred; a bashfulness as sudden as it was unusual seemed to have seized old and young alike. then a tall mulatto took his late "partner" by the arm and made a hasty exit into the supper room. this was the signal for a general stampede for seats; but when the full glories of the scene impressed themselves upon the senses of the bewildered guests, each and all stood as if rooted to the spot, staring with eyes and mouth wide open at the unexpected grandeur. at the head of the table stood miss myra herself. but such a miss myra! accustomed to see her always in the latest style, they had, "up to date," never beheld her attired like this. solomon in all his glory, the lilies of the field in their beauty, were as nothing compared to her! she wore a trained robe of richest ivory satin, elaborately trimmed with point lace; the dusky neck and arms shone like polished ebony against the glimmering sheen of the satin. she stood perfectly silent for a moment, her head uplifted, and with a haughty smile upon her lips, did her utmost to impress these humble admirers with this transitory grandeur. "yes, it jis' is indeed mis holmes' weddin' dress, nuffin' else, you simpletons," she said calmly, as if announcing the most commonplace fact. "an' dis yeah is her linen, and dat's her coffee; and it's her silber, too," she added calmly, as she moved her hands here and there, pointing out the objects which she named. "but dat is nobody's business but mine; you uns has nuffin' to do but enjoy de good things i'se provided. sit down, goosies, and let der feast proceed," she commanded in an imperious manner, and set the example by seating herself--with due regard for her long-trained gown--at the head of the table. this proceeding elicited tumultuous applause, and from that moment until the gray dawn began to lighten the east, the fun was fast and furious. of all races in the world none can equal the african in its abandon of enjoyment. from the far-off homes of their ancestors, where the tropical sun forces vegetation into luxuriance and raises the blood to well-nigh fever heat, the negroes of the south have derived the power to live in and for the present only. "foolish!" you say? well, probably. yet, after all, how much of human wretchedness results from either idle regrets for an unalterable past, or causeless care for an undiscoverable future? be this as it may, at miss myra's thanksgiving party shouts of laughter, bursts of negro melody, the shuffling of feet, all these sounds became more and more tumultuous as the night waned. in the early morning dusky forms might have been seen entering many a back or side door in rexville, and many a mistress complained that day of inattention to duty; but the darkies never told the secret of their all-night festivities. for many and many a day the glories of miss heck's thanksgiving party lingered in the minds and on the tongues of the favored guests. upon the return of the banker's wife, that worthy lady found all her belongings in the same condition, apparently, as when she left home. miss myra was shrewd enough to skillfully effect this result, and if ever her conscience troubled her in reference to her late "grand ball," she always quieted its qualms by saying: "what mis holmes don't know ain't gwine ter hurt her none! 'tain't right ter be selfish in dis wurld noway! if der lawd don't make no ekal division of things, why i'll jes have ter help, an' dat's all ther is about hit!" * * * * * it must have been at least a year after the occurrence before the banker's wife learned of the party at which her possessions had played so very conspicuous and magnificent a part; and by this time miss heck had left her employ, being maid of all work at the parsonage, and hence beyond all need of censure from outsiders, since it was perfectly evident that her reverend employer was trying to convert this topsy (up to date) from the error of her ways and to pluck one more brand from the burning, adding yet another jewel to his anticipated dazzlingly brilliant crown. but at last accounts the worthy man's efforts had not met with that measure of success which usually have crowned his ministrations. miss heck appears to be a rather difficult "subject." topsy yet reigns over all the mistresses of rexville, and condescends to work for them all in turn. her impartiality is sublime! evanston, november, 1895. _press of w. b. conkey company, chicago._ struggles for freedom. [illustration: (signed) yours truly, lucy a. delaney] from the darkness cometh the light or struggles for freedom. [illustration] st. louis, mo. publishing house of j. t. smith, no. 11, bridge entrance. dedication. to those who by their valor have made their name immortal, from whom we are daily learning the lessons of patriotism, in whom we respect the virtues of charity, patience and friendship as displayed towards the colored race and to those "whose deeds crowd history's pages and time's great volume make," is this little volume reverently dedicated-the grand army of the republic. preface. so many of my friends have urged me to give a short sketch of my varied life that i have consented, and herewith present it for the consideration of my readers. those who were with me in the days of slavery will appreciate these pages, for though they cannot recur with any happiness to the now "shadowy past, or renew the unrenewable," the unaccountable longing for the aged to look backward and review the events of their youth will find an answering chord in this little book. those of you who have never suffered as we have, perhaps may suppose the case, and therefore accept with interest and sympathy the passages of life and character here portrayed and the lessons which should follow from them. if there is a want of unity or coherence in this work, be charitable and attribute it to lack of knowledge and experience in literary acquirements. as this is a world of varied interests and many events, although we are each but atoms, it must be remembered, that we assist in making the grand total of all history, and therefore are excusable in making our affairs of importance to ourselves, and endeavoring to impress them on others. with this reason of my seeking your favor, i leave you to the perusal of my little tale. l. a. d. struggles for freedom. chapter i. "soon is the echo and the shadow o'er, soon, soon we lie with lid-encumbered eyes and the great fabrics that we reared before crumble to make a dust to hide who dies." in the year 18--, mr. and mrs. john woods and mr. and mrs. andrew posey lived as one family in the state of illinois. living with mrs. posey was a little negro girl, named polly crocket, who had made it her home there, in peace and happiness, for five years. on a dismal night in the month of september, polly, with four other colored persons, were kidnapped, and, after being securely bound and gagged, were put into a skiff and carried across the mississippi river to the city of st. louis. shortly after, these unfortunate negroes were taken up the missouri river and sold into slavery. polly was purchased by a farmer, thomas botts, with whom she resided for a year, when, overtaken by business reverses, he was obliged to sell all he possessed, including his negroes. among those present on the day set apart for the sale was major taylor berry, a wealthy gentleman who had travelled a long distance for the purpose of purchasing a servant girl for his wife. as was the custom, all the negroes were brought out and placed in a line, so that the buyers could examine their good points at leisure. major berry was immediately attracted by the bright and alert appearance of polly, and at once negotiated with the trader, paid the price agreed upon, and started for home to present his wife with this flesh and blood commodity, which money could so easily procure in our vaunted land of freedom. mrs. fanny berry was highly pleased with polly's manner and appearance, and concluded to make a seamstress of her. major berry had a mulatto servant, who was as handsome as an apollo, and when he and polly met each other, day after day, the natural result followed, and in a short time, with the full consent of major berry and his wife, were married. two children were the fruit of this marriage, my sister nancy and myself, lucy a. delaney. while living in franklin county, major berry became involved in a quarrel with some gentleman, and a duel was resorted to, to settle the difficulty and avenge some fancied insult. the major arranged his affairs and made his will, leaving his negroes to his wife during her life-time and at her death they were to be free; this was his expressed wish. my father accompanied major berry to new madrid, where the fatal duel was fought, and stayed by him until the end came, received his last sigh, his last words, and closed his dying eyes, and afterwards conveyed the remains of his best friend to the bereaved family with a sad heart. though sympathizing deeply with them in their affliction, my father was much disturbed as to what disposition would be made of him, and after major berry was consigned with loving hands to his last resting place, these haunting thoughts obtruded, even in his sleeping hours. a few years after, major berry's widow married robert wash, an eminent lawyer, who afterwards became judge of the supreme court. one child was born to them, who, when she grew to womanhood, became mrs. francis w. goode, whom i shall always hold in grateful remembrance as long as life lasts, and god bless her in her old age, is my fervent prayer for her kindness to me, a poor little slave girl! we lived in the old "wash" mansion some time after the marriage of the judge, until their daughter frances was born. how well i remember those happy days! slavery had no horror then for me, as i played about the place, with the same joyful freedom as the little white children. with mother, father and sister, a pleasant home and surroundings, what happier child than i! as i carelessly played away the hours, mother's smiles would fade away, and her brow contract into a heavy frown. i wondered much thereat, but the time came--ah! only too soon, when i learned the secret of her ever-changing face! chapter ii. mrs. wash lost her health, and, on the advice of a physician, went to pensacola, florida, accompanied by my mother. there she died, and her body was brought back to st. louis and there interred. after mrs. wash's death, the troubles of my parents and their children may be said to have really commenced. though in direct opposition to the will of major berry, my father's quondam master and friend, judge wash tore my father from his wife and children and sold him "way down south!" slavery! cursed slavery! what crimes has it invoked! and, oh! what retribution has a righteous god visited upon these traders in human flesh! the rivers of tears shed by us helpless ones, in captivity, were turned to lakes of blood! how often have we cried in our anguish, "oh! lord, how long, how long?" but the handwriting was on the wall, and tardy justice came at last and avenged the woes of an oppressed race! chickamauga, shiloh, atlanta and gettysburgh, spoke in thunder tones! john brown's body had indeed marched on, and we, the ransomed ones, glorify god and dedicate ourselves to his service, and acknowledge his greatness and goodness in rescuing us from such bondage as parts husband from wife, the mother from her children, aye, even the babe from her breast! major berry's daughter mary, shortly after, married h. s. cox, of philadelphia, and they went to that city to pass their honeymoon, taking my sister nancy with them as waiting-maid. when my father was sold south, my mother registered a solemn vow that her children should not continue in slavery all their lives, and she never spared an opportunity to impress it upon us, that we must get our freedom whenever the chance offered. so here was an unlooked-for avenue of escape which presented much that was favorable in carrying out her desire to see nancy a free woman. having been brought up in a free state, mother had learned much to her advantage, which would have been impossible in a slave state, and which she now proposed to turn to account for the benefit of her daughter. so mother instructed my sister not to return with mr. and mrs. cox, but to run away, as soon as chance offered, to canada, where a friend of our mother's lived who was also a runaway slave, living in freedom and happiness in toronto. as the happy couple wandered from city to city, in search of pleasure, my sister was constantly turning over in her mind various plans of escape. fortune finally favored nancy, for on their homeward trip they stopped at niagara falls for a few days. in her own words i will describe her escape: "in the morning, mr. and mrs. cox went for a drive, telling me that i could have the day to do as i pleased. the shores of canada had been tantalizing my longing gaze for some days, and i was bound to reach there long before my mistress returned. so i locked up mrs. cox's trunk and put the key under the pillow, where i was sure she would find it, and i made a strike for freedom! a servant in the hotel gave me all necessary information and even assisted me in getting away. some kind of a festival was going on, and a large crowd was marching from the rink to the river, headed by a band of music. in such a motley throng i was unnoticed, but was trembling with fear of being detected. it seemed an age before the ferry boat arrived, which at last appeared, enveloped in a gigantic wreath of black smoke. hastily i embarked, and as the boat stole away into the misty twilight and among crushing fields of ice, though the air was chill and gloomy, i felt the warmth of freedom as i neared the canada shore. i landed, without question, and found my mother's friend with but little difficulty, who assisted me to get work and support myself. not long afterwards, i married a prosperous farmer, who provided me with a happy home, where i brought my children into the world without the sin of slavery to strive against." on the return of mrs. cox to st. louis she sent for my mother and told her that nancy had run away. mother was very thankful, and in her heart arose a prayer of thanksgiving, but outwardly she pretended to be vexed and angry. oh! the impenetrable mask of these poor black creatures! how much of joy, of sorrow, of misery and anguish have they hidden from their tormentors! i was a small girl at that time, but remember how wildly mother showed her joy at nancy's escape when we were alone together. she would dance, clap her hands, and, waving them above her head, would indulge in one of those weird negro melodies, which so charm and fascinate the listener. mrs. cox commenced housekeeping on a grand and extended scale, having a large acquaintance, she entertained lavishly. my mother cared for the laundry, and i, who was living with a mrs. underhill, from new york, and was having rather good times, was compelled to go live with mrs. cox to mind the baby. my pathway was thorny enough, and though there may be no roses without thorns, i had thorns in plenty with no roses. i was beginning to plan for freedom, and was forever on the alert for a chance to escape and join my sister. i was then twelve years old, and often talked the matter over with mother and canvassed the probabilities of both of us getting away. no schemes were too wild for us to consider! mother was especially restless, because she was a free woman up to the time of her being kidnapped, so the injustice and weight of slavery bore more heavily upon her than upon me. she did not dare to talk it over with anyone for fear that they would sell her further down the river, so i was her only confidant. mother was always planning and getting ready to go, and while the fire was burning brightly, it but needed a little more provocation to add to the flames. chapter iii. mrs. cox was always very severe and exacting with my mother, and one occasion, when something did not suit her, she turned on mother like a fury, and declared, "i am just tired out with the 'white airs' you put on, and if you don't behave differently, i will make mr. cox sell you down the river at once." although mother turned grey with fear, she presented a bold front and retorted that "she didn't care, she was tired of that place, and didn't like to live there, nohow." this so infuriated mr. cox that he cried, "how dare a negro say what she liked or what she did not like; and he would show her what he should do." so, on the day following, he took my mother to an auction-room on main street and sold her to the highest bidder, for five hundred and fifty dollars. oh! god! the pity of it! "in the home of the brave and the land of the free," in the sight of the stars and stripes--that symbol of freedom--sold away from her child, to satisfy the anger of a peevish mistress! my mother returned to the house to get her few belongings, and straining me to her breast, begged me to be a good girl, that she was going to run away, and would buy me as soon as she could. with all the inborn faith of a child, i believed it most fondly, and when i heard that she had actually made her escape, three weeks after, my heart gave an exultant throb and cried, "god is good!" a large reward was offered, the bloodhounds (curse them and curse their masters) were set loose on her trail. in the day time she hid in caves and the surrounding woods, and in the night time, guided by the wondrous north star, that blessed lodestone of a slave people, my mother finally reached chicago, where she was arrested by the negro-catchers. at this time the fugitive slave law was in full operation, and it was against the law of the whole country to aid and protect an escaped slave; not even a drink of water, for the love of the master, might be given, and those who dared to do it (and there were many such brave hearts, thank god!) placed their lives in danger. the presence of bloodhounds and "nigger-catchers" in their midst, created great excitement and scandalized the community. feeling ran high and hundreds of people gathered together and declared that mother should not be returned to slavery; but fearing that mr. cox would wreak his vengeance upon me, my mother finally gave herself up to her captors, and returned to st. louis. and so the mothers of israel have been ever slain through their deepest affections! after my mother's return, she decided to sue for her freedom, and for that purpose employed a good lawyer. she had ample testimony to prove that she was kidnapped, and it was so fully verified that the jury decided that she was a free woman, and papers were made out accordingly. in the meanwhile, miss martha berry had married mr. mitchell and taken me to live with her. i had never been taught to work, as playing with the babies had been my sole occupation; therefore, when mrs. mitchell commanded me to do the weekly washing and ironing, i had no more idea how it was to be done than mrs. mitchell herself. but i made the effort to do what she required, and my failure would have been amusing had it not been so appalling. in those days filtering was unknown and the many ways of clearing water were to me an unsolved riddle. i never had to do it, so it never concerned me how the clothes were ever washed clean. as the mississippi water was even muddier than now, the results of my washing can be better imagined than described. after soaking and boiling the clothes in its earthy depths, for a couple of days, in vain attempt to get them clean, and rinsing through several waters, i found the clothes were getting darker and darker, until they nearly approximated my own color. in my despair, i frantically rushed to my mother and sobbed out my troubles on her kindly breast. so in the morning, before the white people had arisen, a friend of my mother came to the house and washed out the clothes. during all this time, mrs. mitchell was scolding vigorously, saying over and over again, "lucy, you do not want to work, you are a lazy, good-for-nothing nigger!" i was angry at being called a nigger, and replied, "you don't know nothing, yourself, about it, and you expect a poor ignorant girl to know more than you do yourself; if you had any feeling you would get somebody to teach me, and then i'd do well enough." she then gave me a wrapper to do up, and told me if i ruined that as i did the other clothes, she would whip me severely. i answered, "you have no business to whip me. i don't belong to you." my mother had so often told me that she was a free woman and that i should not die a slave, i always had a feeling of independence, which would invariably crop out in these encounters with my mistress; and when i thus spoke, saucily, i must confess, she opened her eyes in angry amazement and cried: "you _do_ belong to me, for my papa left you to me in his will, when you were a baby, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself to talk so to one that you have been raised with; now, you take that wrapper, and if you don't do it up properly, i will bring you up with a round turn." without further comment, i took the wrapper, which was too handsome to trust to an inexperienced hand, like mrs. mitchell very well knew i was, and washed it, with the same direful results as chronicled before. but i could not help it, as heaven is my witness. i was entirely and hopelessly ignorant! but of course my mistress would not believe it, and declared over and over again, that i did it on purpose to provoke her and show my defiance of her wishes. in vain did i disclaim any such intentions. she was bound to carry out her threat of whipping me. i rebelled against such government, and would not permit her to strike me; she used shovel, tongs and broomstick in vain, as i disarmed her as fast as she picked up each weapon. infuriated at her failure, my opposition and determination not to be whipped, mrs. mitchell declared she would report me to mr. mitchell and have him punish me. when her husband returned home, she immediately entered a list of complaints against me as long as the moral law, including my failure to wash her clothes properly, and her inability to break my head for it; the last indictment seemed to be the heaviest she could bring against me. i was in the shadow of the doorway as the woman raved, while mr. mitchell listened patiently until the end of his wife's grievances reached an appeal to him to whip me with the strength that a man alone could possess. then he declared, "martha, this thing of cutting up and slashing servants is something i know nothing about, and positively will not do. i don't believe in slavery, anyhow; it is a curse on this land, and i wish we were well rid of it." "mr. mitchell, i will not have that saucy baggage around this house, for if she finds you won't whip her, there will be no living with her, so you shall just sell her, and i insist upon it." "well, martha," he answered, "i found the girl with you when we were married, and as you claim her as yours, i shall not interpose any objections to the disposal of what you choose to call your property, in any manner you see fit, and i will make arrangements for selling her at once." i distinctly overheard all that was said, and was just as determined not to be sold as i was not to be whipped. my mother's lawyer had told her to caution me never to go out of the city, if, at any time, the white people wanted me to go, so i was quite settled as to my course, in case mr. mitchell undertook to sell me. several days after this conversation took place, mrs. mitchell, with her baby and nurse, lucy wash, made a visit to her grandmother's, leaving orders that i should be sold before her return; so i was not surprised to be ordered by mr. mitchell to pack up my clothes and get ready to go down the river, for i was to be sold that morning, and leave, on the steamboat alex. scott, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. "can't i go see my mother, first?" i asked. "no," he replied, not very gently, "there is no time for that, you can see her when you come back. so hurry up and get ready, and let us have no more words about it!" how i did hate him! to hear him talk as if i were going to take a pleasure trip, when he knew that if he sold me south, as he intended, i would never see my dear mother again. however, i hastily ran up stairs and packed my trunk, but my mother's injunction, "never to go out of the city," was ever present in my mind. mr. mitchell was superintendent of indian affairs, his office being in the dwelling house, and i could hear him giving orders to his clerk, as i ran lightly down the stairs, out of the front door to the street, and with fleet foot, i skimmed the road which led to my mother's door, and, reaching it, stood trembling in every limb with terror and fatigue. i could not gain admittance, as my mother was away to work and the door was locked. a white woman, living next door, and who was always friendly to mother, told me that she would not return until night. i clasped my hands in despair and cried, "oh! the white people have sold me, and i had to run away to keep from being sent down the river." this white lady, whose name i am sorry i cannot remember, sympathized with me, as she knew my mother's story and had written many letters for her, so she offered me the key of her house, which, fortunately, fitted my mother's door, and i was soon inside, cowering with fear in the darkness, magnifying every noise and every passing wind, until my imagination had almost converted the little cottage into a boat, and i was steaming down south, away from my mother, as fast as i could go. late at night mother returned, and was told all that had happened, and after getting supper, she took me to a friend's house for concealment, until the next day. as soon as mr. mitchell had discovered my unlooked-for departure, he was furious, for he did not think i had sense enough to run away; he accused the coachman of helping me off, and, despite the poor man's denials, hurried him away to the calaboose and put him under the lash, in order to force a confession. finding this course unavailing, he offered a reward to the negro catchers, on the same evening, but their efforts were equally fruitless. chapter iv. on the morning of the 8th of september, 1842, my mother sued mr. d. d. mitchell for the possession of her child, lucy ann berry. my mother, accompanied by the sheriff, took me from my hiding-place and conveyed me to the jail, which was located on sixth street, between chestnut and market, where the laclede hotel now stands, and there met mr. mitchell, with mr. h. s. cox, his brother-in-law. judge bryant mullanphy read the law to mr. mitchell, which stated that if mr. mitchell took me back to his house, he must give bond and security to the amount of two thousand dollars, and furthermore, i should not be taken out of the state of missouri until i had a chance to prove my freedom. mr. h. s. cox became his security and mr. mitchell gave bond accordingly, and then demanded that i should be put in jail. "why do you want to put that poor young girl in jail?" demanded my lawyer. "because," he retorted, "her mother or some of her crew might run her off, just to make me pay the two thousand dollars; and i would like to see her lawyer, or any other man, in jail, that would take up a d---nigger case like that." "you need not think, mr. mitchell," calmly replied mr. murdock, "because my client is colored that she has no rights, and can be cheated out of her freedom. she is just as free as you are, and the court will so decide it, as you will see." however, i was put in a cell, under lock and key, and there remained for seventeen long and dreary months, listening to the "----foreign echoes from the street, faint sounds of revel, traffic, conflict keen- and, thinking that man's reiterated feet have gone such ways since e'er the world has been, i wondered how each oft-used tone and glance retains its might and old significance." my only crime was seeking for that freedom which was my birthright! i heard mr. mitchell tell his wife that he did not believe in slavery, yet, through his instrumentality, i was shut away from the sunlight, because he was determined to prove me a slave, and thus keep me in bondage. consistency, thou art a jewel! at the time my mother entered suit for her freedom, she was not instructed to mention her two children, nancy and lucy, so the white people took advantage of this flaw, and showed a determination to use every means in their power to prove that i was not her child. this gave my mother an immense amount of trouble, but she had girded up her loins for the fight, and, knowing that she was right, was resolved, by the help of god and a good lawyer, to win my case against all opposition. after advice by competent persons, mother went to judge edward bates and begged him to plead the case, and, after fully considering the proofs and learning that my mother was a poor woman, he consented to undertake the case and make his charges only sufficient to cover his expenses. it would be well here to give a brief sketch of judge bates, as many people wondered that such a distinguished statesman would take up the case of an obscure negro girl. edward bates was born in belmont, goochland county, va., september, 1793. he was of quaker descent, and inherited all the virtues of that peace-loving people. in 1812, he received a midshipman's warrant, and was only prevented from following the sea by the influence of his mother, to whom he was greatly attached. edward emigrated to missouri in 1814, and entered upon the practice of law, and, in 1816, was appointed prosecuting lawyer for the st. louis circuit. toward the close of the same year, he was appointed attorney general for the new state of missouri, and in 1826, while yet a young man, was elected representative to congress as an anti-democrat, and served one term. for the following twenty-five years, he devoted himself to his profession, in which he was a shining light. his probity and uprightness attracted to him a class of people who were in the right and only sought justice, while he repelled, by his virtues, those who traffic in the miseries or mistakes of unfortunate people, for they dared not come to him and seek counsel to aid them in their villainy. in 1847, mr. bates was delegate to the convention for internal improvement, held in chicago, and by his action he came prominently before the whole country. in 1850, president fillmore offered him the portfolio of secretary of war, which he declined. three years later, he accepted the office of judge of st. louis land court. when the question of the repeal of the missouri compromise was agitated, he earnestly opposed it, and thus became identified with the "free labor" party in missouri, and united with it, in opposition to the admission of kansas under the lecompton constitution. he afterwards became a prominent anti-slavery man, and in 1859 was mentioned as a candidate for the presidency. he was warmly supported by his own state, and for a time it seemed that the opposition to governor seward might concentrate on him. in the national republican convention, 1860, he received forty-eight votes on the first ballot, but when it became apparent that abraham lincoln was the favorite, mr. bates withdrew his name. mr. lincoln appointed judge bates attorney general, and while in the cabinet he acted a dignified, safe and faithful part. in 1864, he resigned his office and returned to his home in st. louis, where he died in 1869, surrounded by his weeping family. "----loved at home, revered abroad. princes and lords are but the breath of kings, 'an honest man's the noblest work of god.'" on the 7th of february, 1844, the suit for my freedom began. a bright, sunny day, a day which the happy and care-free would drink in with a keen sense of enjoyment. but my heart was full of bitterness; i could see only gloom which seemed to deepen and gather closer to me as i neared the courtroom. the jailer's sister-in-law, mrs. lacy, spoke to me of submission and patience; but i could not feel anything but rebellion against my lot. i could not see one gleam of brightness in my future, as i was hurried on to hear my fate decided. among the most important witnesses were judge robert wash and mr. harry douglas, who had been an overseer on judge wash's farm, and also mr. mackeon, who bought my mother from h. s. cox, just previous to her running away. judge wash testified that "the defendant, lucy a. berry, was a mere infant when he came in possession of mrs. fannie berry's estate, and that he often saw the child in the care of its reputed mother, polly, and to his best knowledge and belief, he thought lucy a. berry was polly's own child." mr. douglas and mr. mackeon corroborated judge wash's statement. after the evidence from both sides was all in, mr. mitchell's lawyer, thomas hutchinson, commenced to plead. for one hour, he talked so bitterly against me and against my being in possession of my liberty that i was trembling, as if with ague, for i certainly thought everybody must believe him; indeed i almost believed the dreadful things he said, myself, and as i listened i closed my eyes with sickening dread, for i could just see myself floating down the river, and my heart-throbs seemed to be the throbs of the mighty engine which propelled me from my mother and freedom forever! oh! what a relief it was to me when he finally finished his harangue and resumed his seat! as i never heard anyone plead before, i was very much alarmed, although i knew in my heart that every word he uttered was a lie! yet, how was i to make people believe? it seemed a puzzling question! judge bates arose, and his soulful eloquence and earnest pleading made such an impression on my sore heart, i listened with renewed hope. i felt the black storm clouds of doubt and despair were fading away, and that i was drifting into the safe harbor of the realms of truth. i felt as if everybody _must_ believe _him_, for he clung to the truth, and i wondered how mr. hutchinson could so lie about a poor defenseless girl like me. judge bates chained his hearers with the graphic history of my mother's life, from the time she played on illinois banks, through her trials in slavery, her separation from her husband, her efforts to become free, her voluntary return to slavery for the sake of her child, lucy, and her subsequent efforts in securing her own freedom. all these incidents he lingered over step by step, and concluding, he said: "gentlemen of the jury, i am a slave-holder myself, but, thanks to the almighty god, i am above the base principle of holding anybody a slave that has as good right to her freedom as this girl has been proven to have; she was free before she was born; her mother was free, but kidnapped in her youth, and sacrificed to the greed of negro traders, and no free woman can give birth to a slave child, as it is in direct violation of the laws of god and man!" at this juncture he read the affidavit of mr. a. posey, with whom my mother lived at the time of her abduction; also affidavits of mr. and mrs. woods, in corroboration of the previous facts duly set forth. judge bates then said: "gentlemen of the jury, here i rest this case, as i would not want any better evidence for one of my own children. the testimony of judge wash is alone sufficient to substantiate the claim of polly crockett berry to the defendant as being her own child." the case was then submitted to the jury, about 8 o'clock in the evening, and i was returned to the jail and locked in the cell which i had occupied for seventeen months, filled with the most intense anguish. chapter v. "there's a joy in every sorrow, there's a relief from every pain; though to-day 'tis dark to-morrow he will turn all bright again." before the sheriff bade me good night he told me to be in readiness at nine o'clock on the following morning to accompany him back to court to hear the verdict. my mother was not at the trial. she had lingered many days about the jail expecting my case would be called, and finally when called to trial the dear, faithful heart was not present to sustain me during that dreadful speech of mr. hutchinson. all night long i suffered agonies of fright, the suspense was something awful, and could only be comprehended by those who have gone through some similar ordeal. i had missed the consolation of my mother's presence, and i felt so hopeless and alone! blessed mother! how she clung and fought for me. no work was too hard for her to undertake. others would have flinched before the obstacles which confronted her, but undauntedly she pursued her way, until my freedom was established by every right and without a questioning doubt! on the morning of my return to court, i was utterly unable to help myself. i was so overcome with fright and emotion,--with the alternating feelings of despair and hope--that i could not stand still long enough to dress myself. i trembled like an aspen leaf; so i sent a message to mrs. lacy to request permission for me to go to her room, that she might assist me in dressing. i had done a great deal of sewing for mrs. lacy, for she had showed me much kindness, and was a good christian. she gladly assisted me, and under her willing hands i was soon made ready, and, promptly at nine o'clock, the sheriff called and escorted me to the courthouse. on our way thither, judge bates overtook us. he lived out a short distance in the country, and was riding on horseback. he tipped his hat to me as politely as if i were the finest lady in the land, and cried out, "good morning miss lucy, i suppose you had pleasant dreams last night!" he seemed so bright and smiling that i was imbued with renewed hope; and when he addressed the sheriff with "good morning sir. i don't suppose the jury was out twenty minutes were they?" and the sheriff replied "oh! no, sir," my heart gave a leap, for i was sure that my fate was decided for weal or woe. i watched the judge until he turned the corner and desiring to be relieved of suspense from my pent-up anxiety, i eagerly asked the sheriff if i were free, but he gruffly answered that "he didn't know." i was sure he did know, but was too mean to tell me. how could he have been so flinty, when he must have seen how worried i was. at last the courthouse was reached and i had taken my seat in such a condition of helpless terror that i could not tell one person from another. friends and foes were as one, and vainly did i try to distinguish them. my long confinement, burdened with harrowing anxiety, the sleepless night i had just spent, the unaccountable absence of my mother, had brought me to an indescribable condition. i felt dazed, as if i were no longer myself. i seemed to be another person--an on-looker--and in my heart dwelt a pity for the poor, lonely girl, with down-cast face, sitting on the bench apart from anyone else in that noisy room. i found myself wondering where lucy's mother was, and how she would feel if the trial went against her; i seemed to have lost all feeling about it, but was speculating what lucy would do, and what her mother would do, if the hand of fate was raised against poor lucy! oh! how sorry i did feel for myself! at the sound of a gentle voice, i gathered courage to look upward, and caught the kindly gleam of judge bates' eyes, as he bent his gaze upon me and smilingly said, "i will have you discharged in a few minutes, miss lucy!" some other business occupied the attention of the court, and when i had begun to think they had forgotten all about me, judge bates arose and said calmly, "your honor, i desire to have this girl, lucy a. berry, discharged before going into any other business." judge mullanphy answered "certainly!" then the verdict was called for and rendered, and the jurymen resumed their places. mr. mitchell's lawyer jumped up and exclaimed: "your honor, my client demands that this girl be remanded to jail. he does not consider that the case has had a fair trial, i am not informed as to what course he intends to pursue, but i am now expressing his present wishes?" judge bates was on his feet in a second and cried: "for shame! is it not enough that this girl has been deprived of her liberty for a year and a half, that you must still pursue her after a fair and impartial trial before a jury, in which it was clearly proven and decided that she had every right to freedom? i demand that she be set at liberty at once!" "i agree with judge bates," responded judge mullanphy, "and the girl may go!" oh! the overflowing thankfulness of my grateful heart at that moment, who could picture it? none but the good god above us! i could have kissed the feet of my deliverers, but i was too full to express my thanks, but with a voice trembling with tears i tried to thank judge bates for all his kindness. as soon as possible, i returned to the jail to bid them all good-bye and thank them for their good treatment of me while under their care. they rejoiced with me in my good fortune and wished me much success and happiness in years to come. i was much concerned at my mother's prolonged absence, and was deeply anxious to meet her and sob out my joy on her faithful bosom. surely it was the hands of god which prevented mother's presence at the trial, for broken down with anxiety and loss of sleep on my account, the revulsion of feeling would have been greater than her over-wrought heart could have sustained. as soon as she heard of the result, she hurried to meet me, and hand in hand we gazed into each other's eyes and saw the light of freedom there, and we felt in our hearts that we could with one accord cry out: "glory to god in the highest, and peace and good will towards men." dear, dear mother! how solemnly i invoke your spirit as i review these trying scenes of my girlhood, so long agone! your patient face and neatly-dressed figure stands ever in the foreground of that checkered time; a figure showing naught to an on-looker but the common place virtues of an honest woman! never would an ordinary observer connect those virtues with aught of heroism or greatness, but to me they are as bright rays as ever emanated from the lives of the great ones of earth, which are portrayed on historic pages--to me, the qualities of her true, steadfast heart and noble soul become "a constellation, and is tracked in heaven straightway." chapter vi. after the trial was over and my mother had at last been awarded the right to own her own child, her next thought reverted to sister nancy, who had been gone so long, and from whom we had never heard, and the greatest ambition mother now had was to see her child nancy. so, we earnestly set ourselves to work to reach the desired end, which was to visit canada and seek the long-lost girl. my mother being a first-class laundress, and myself an expert seamstress, it was easy to procure all the work we could do, and command our own prices. we found, as well as the whites, a great difference between slave and free labor, for while the first was compulsory, and, therefore, at the best, perfunctory, the latter must be superior in order to create a demand, and realizing this fully, mother and i expended the utmost care in our respective callings, and were well rewarded for our efforts. by exercising rigid economy and much self-denial, we, at last, accumulated sufficient to enable mother to start for canada, and oh! how rejoiced i was when that dear, overworked mother approached the time, when her hard-earned and long-deferred holiday was about to begin. the uses of adversity is a worn theme, and in it there is much of weak cant, but when it is considered how much of sacrifice the poverty-stricken must bear in order to procure the slightest gratification, should it not impress the thinking mind with amazement, how much of fortitude and patience the honest poor display in the exercise of self-denial! oh! ye prosperous! prate of the uses of adversity as poetically as you please, we who are obliged to learn of them by bitter experience would greatly prefer a change of surroundings. mother arrived in toronto two weeks after she left st. louis, and surprised my sister nancy, in a pleasant home. she had married a prosperous farmer, who owned the farm on which they lived, as well as some property in the city near-by. mother was indescribably happy in finding her child so pleasantly situated, and took much pleasure with her bright little grandchildren; and after a long visit, returned home, although strongly urged to remain the rest of her life with nancy; but old people are like old trees, uproot them, and transplant to other scenes, they droop and die, no matter how bright the sunshine, or how balmy the breezes. on her return, mother found me with mrs. elsie thomas, where i had lived during her absence, still sewing for a livelihood. those were the days in which sewing machines were unknown, and no stitching or sewing of any description was allowed to pass muster, unless each stitch looked as if it were a part of the cloth. the art of fine sewing was lost when sewing machines were invented, and though doubtless they have given women more leisure, they have destroyed that extreme neatness in the craft, which obtained in the days of long ago. time passed happily on with us, with no event to ruffle life's peaceful stream, until 1845, when i met frederick turner, and in a few short months we were made man and wife. after our marriage, we removed to quincy, ill., but our happiness was of short duration, as my husband was killed in the explosion of the steamboat edward bates, on which he was employed. to my mind it seemed a singular coincidence that the boat which bore the name of the great and good man, who had given me the first joy of my meagre life--the precious boon of freedom--and that his namesake should be the means of weighting me with my first great sorrow; this thought seemed to reconcile me to my grief, for that name was ever sacred, and i could not speak it without reverence. the number of killed and wounded were many, and they were distributed among friends and hospitals; my husband was carried to a friend's, where he breathed his last. telegraphs were wanting in those times, so days passed before this wretched piece of news reached me, and there being no railroads, and many delays, i reached the home of my friend only to be told that my husband was dead and buried. intense grief was mine, and my repining worried mother greatly; she never believed in fretting about anything that could not be helped. my only consolation from her was, "'cast your burden on the lord.' _my_ husband is down south, and i don't know where he is; he may be dead; he may be alive; he may be happy and comfortable; he may be kicked, abused and half-starved. _your_ husband, honey, is in heaven; and mine--god only knows where he is!" in those few words, i knew her burden was heavier than mine, for i had been taught that there was hope beyond the grave, but hope was left behind when sold "down souf"; and so i resolved to conceal my grief, and devote myself to my mother, who had done so much and suffered so much for me. we then returned to st. louis, and took up the old life, minus the contentment which had always buoyed us up in our daily trials, and with an added sorrow which cast a sadness over us. but time, the great healer, taught us patience and resignation, and once more we were "waiting when fortune sheds brightly her smile, there always is something to wait for the while." chapter vii. four years afterward, i became the wife of zachariah delaney, of cincinnati, with whom i have had a happy married life, continuing forty-two years. four children were born to us, and many were the plans we mapped out for their future, but two of our little girls were called from us while still in their childhood. my remaining daughter attained the age of twenty-two years, and left life behind, while the brightest of prospects was hers, and my son, in the fullness of a promising youth, at the age of twenty-four, "turned his face to the wall." so my cup of bitterness was full to the brim and overflowing; yet one consolation was always mine! our children were born free and died free! their childhood and my maternity were never shadowed with a thought of separation. the grim reaper did not spare them, but they were as "treasures laid up in heaven." such a separation one could accept from the hand of god, with humble submission, "for he calleth his own!" mother always made her home with me until the day of her death; she had lived to see the joyful time when her race was made free, their chains struck off, and their right to their own flesh and blood lawfully acknowledged. her life, so full of sorrow, was ended, full of years and surrounded by many friends, both black and white, who recognized and appreciated her sufferings and sacrifices and rejoiced that her old age was spent in freedom and plenty. the azure vault of heaven bends over us all, and the gleaming moonlight brightens the marble tablet which marks her last resting place, "to fame and fortune unknown," but in the eyes of him who judgeth us, hers was a heroism which outvied the most famous. * * * * * i frequently thought of father, and wondered if he were alive or dead; and at the time of the great exodus of negroes from the south, a few years ago, a large number arrived in st. louis, and were cared for by the colored people of that city. they were sheltered in churches, halls and private houses, until such time as they could pursue their journey. methought, i will find him in this motley crowd, of all ages, from the crowing babe in its mother's arms, to the aged and decrepit, on whom the marks of slavery were still visible. i piled inquiry upon inquiry, until after long and persistent search, i learned that my father had always lived on the same plantation, fifteen miles from vicksburg. i wrote to my father and begged him to come and see me and make his home with me; sent him the money, so he would be to no expense, and when he finally reached st. louis, it was with great joy that i received him. old, grizzled and gray, time had dealt hardly with him, and he looked very little like the dapper master's valet, whose dark beauty won my mother's heart. forty-five years of separation, hard work, rough times and heart longings, had perseveringly performed its work, and instead of a man bearing his years with upright vigor, he was made prematurely old by the accumulation of troubles. my sister nancy came from canada, and we had a most joyful reunion, and only the absence of our mother left a vacuum, which we deeply and sorrowfully felt. father could not be persuaded to stay with us, when he found his wife dead; he longed to get back to his old associations of forty-five years standing, he felt like a stranger in a strange land, and taking pity on him, i urged him no more, but let him go, though with great reluctance. * * * * * there are abounding in public and private libraries of all sorts, lives of people which fill our minds with amazement, admiration, sympathy, and indeed with as many feelings as there are people, so i can scarcely expect that the reader of these episodes of my life will meet with more than a passing interest, but as such i will commend it to your thought for a brief hour. to be sure, i am deeply sensible that this story, as written, is not a very striking performance, but i have brought you with me face to face with but only a few of the painful facts engendered by slavery, and the rest can be drawn from history. just have patience a little longer, and i have done. i became a member of the methodist episcopal church in 1855; was elected president of the first colored society, called the "female union," which was the first ever organized exclusively for women; was elected president of a society known as the "daughters of zion"; was matron of "siloam court," no. 2, three years in succession; was most ancient matron of the "grand court of missouri," of which only the wives of masons are allowed to become members. i am at present, past grand chief preceptress of the "daughters of the tabernacle and knights of tabor," and also was secretary, and am still a member, of col. shaw woman's relief corps, no. 34, auxiliary to the col. shaw post, 343, grand army of the republic. considering the limited advantages offered me, i have made the best use of my time, and what few talents the lord has bestowed on me i have not "hidden in a napkin," but used them for his glory and to benefit those for whom i live. and what better can we do than to live for others? except the deceitfulness of riches, nothing is so illusory as the supposition of interest we assume that our readers may feel in our affairs; but if this sketch is taken up for just a moment of your life, it may settle the problem in your mind, if not in others, "can the negro race succeed, proportionately, as well as the whites, if given the same chance and an equal start?" "the hours are growing shorter for the millions who are toiling; and the homes are growing better for the millions yet to be; and we all shall learn the lesson, how that waste and sin are spoiling the fairest and the finest of a grand humanity. it is coming! it is coming! and men's thoughts are growing deeper; they are giving of their millions as they never gave before; they are learning the new gospel; man must be his brother's keeper, and right, not might, shall triumph, and the selfish rule no more." finis. * * * * * =transcriber's notes= spelling variations have been retained for: chapter i, page 10: polly crocket (living with mrs. posey was a little negro girl, named polly crocket, who had made it her home there, in peace and happiness, for five years.) chapter iv, page 43: polly crockett berry (the testimony of judge wash is alone sufficient to substantiate the claim of polly crockett berry to the defendant as being her own child.) other minor typographical and punctuation errors have been corrected from the original to reflect the author's intent. women of achievement written for the fireside schools under the auspices of the woman's american baptist home mission society by benjamin brawley dean of morehouse college author of "a short history of the american negro," "the negro in literature and art," "your negro neighbor," etc. copyright, 1919 by the woman's american baptist home mission society. contents i. introduction.--the negro woman in american life. ii. harriet tubman. iii. nora gordon. iv. meta warrick fuller. v. mary mcleod bethune. vi. mary church terrell. [illustration: joanna p. moore] the fireside schools the work of the fireside schools was begun in 1884 by joanna p. moore, who was born in clarion county, pennsylvania, september 26, 1832, and who died in selma, alabama, april 15, 1916. for fifty years miss moore was well known as an earnest worker for the betterment of the negro people of the south. beginning in the course of the civil war, at island no. 10, in november, 1863, she gave herself untiringly to the work to which she felt called. in 1864 she ministered to a group of people at helena, arkansas. in 1868 she went to lauderdale, mississippi, to help the friends in an orphan asylum. while she was at one time left temporarily in charge of the institution cholera broke out, and eleven children died within one week; but she remained at her post until the fury of the plague was abated. she spent nine years in the vicinity of new orleans, reading the bible to those who could not read, writing letters in search of lost ones, and especially caring for the helpless old women that she met. in 1877 the woman's american baptist home mission society gave her its first commission. the object of the fireside schools is to secure the daily prayerful study of god's word by having this read to parents and children together; to teach parents and children, husbands and wives, their respective duties one to another; to supply homes with good reading matter; and also to inculcate temperance, industry, neighborly helpfulness, and greater attention to the work of the church. the publication of _hope_, the organ of the fireside schools, was begun in 1885. closely associated with the schools are the bible bands, a single band consisting of any two or three people in the same church or neighborhood who meet to review the lessons in _hope_ and to report and plan christian work. all the activities are under the general supervision of the woman's american baptist home mission society, though the special fireside school headquarters are at 612 gay street, nashville, tennessee. the present work is dedicated to the memory of joanna p. moore, and to the wives and mothers and sisters, now happily numbered by the thousands, who are engaged in the work of the fireside schools. i. introduction. the negro woman in american life in the history of the negro race in america no more heroic work has been done than that performed by the negro woman. the great responsibilities of life have naturally drifted to the men; but who can measure the patience, the love, the self-sacrifice of those who in a more humble way have labored for their people and even in the midst of war striven most earnestly to keep the home-fires burning? even before emancipation a strong character had made herself felt in more than one community; and to-day, whether in public life, social service, education, missions, business, literature, music, or even the professions and scholarship, the negro woman is making her way and reflecting credit upon a race that for so many years now has been struggling to the light. it was but natural that those should first become known who were interested in the uplift of the race. if we except such an unusual and specially gifted spirit as phillis wheatley, we shall find that those who most impressed the american public before the civil war were the ones who best identified themselves with the general struggle for freedom. outstanding was the famous lecturer, sojourner truth. this remarkable woman was born of slave parents in the state of new york about 1798. she recalled vividly in her later years the cold, damp cellar-room in which slept the slaves of the family to which she belonged, and where she was taught by her mother to repeat the lord's prayer and to trust god at all times. when in the course of the process of gradual emancipation in new york she became legally free in 1827, her master refused to comply with the law. she left, but was pursued and found. rather than have her go back, however, a friend paid for her services for the rest of the year. then there came an evening when, searching for one of her children that had been stolen and sold, she found herself without a resting-place for the night. a quaker family, however, gave her lodging. afterwards she went to new york city, joined a methodist church, and worked hard to improve her condition. later, having decided to leave new york for a lecture tour through the east, she made a small bundle of her belongings and informed a friend that her name was no longer _isabella_, as she had been known, but _sojourner_. afterwards, as she herself said, finding that she needed two names she adopted _truth_, because it was intended that she should declare the truth to the people. she went on her way, lecturing to people wherever she found them assembled and being entertained in many aristocratic homes. she was entirely untaught in the schools, but tall and of commanding presence, original, witty, and always suggestive. the stories told about her are numberless; but she was ever moved by an abiding trust in god, and she counted among her friends many of the most distinguished americans of her time. by her tact and her gift of song she kept down ridicule, and by her fervor and faith she won many friends for the anti-slavery cause. it was impossible of course for any single woman to carry on the tradition of such a character as sojourner truth. she belonged to a distinct epoch in the country's history, one in which the rights of the negro and the rights of woman in general were frequently discussed on the same platform; and she passed--so far as her greatest influence was concerned--with her epoch. in more recent years those women who have represented the race before the larger public have been persons of more training and culture, though it has been practically impossible for any one to equal the native force and wit of sojourner truth. outstanding in recent years have been mrs. booker t. washington and mrs. mary church terrell. the spread of culture, however, and the general force of the social emphasis have more and more led those who were interested in social betterment to come together so that there might be the greater effect from united effort. thus we have had developing in almost all of our cities and towns various clubs working for the good of the race, whether the immediate aim was literary culture, an orphanage, an old folks' home, the protection of working girls, or something else similarly noble. prominent among the pioneers in such work were mrs. josephine st. pierre ruffin, of boston, and mrs. john t. cook, of washington, d. c. no one can record exactly how much has been accomplished by these organizations; in fact, the clubs range all the way in effectiveness from one that is a dominating force in its town to one that is struggling to get started. the result of the work, however, would in any case sum up with an astonishing total. a report from illinois, fairly representative of the stronger work, mentioned the following activities: "the cairo hospital, fostered and under the supervision of the yates club of cairo; the anna field home for girls, peoria; lincoln old folks' and orphans' home, founded by mrs. eva monroe and assisted by the women's club of springfield; the home for aged and infirm colored people, chicago, founded by mrs. gabrella smith and others; the amanda smith orphans' home, harvey; the phillis wheatley home for wage-earning girls, of chicago." in alabama the state federation of colored women's clubs has established and is supporting a reformatory at mt. meigs for negro boys, and the women are very enthusiastic about the work. a beautiful and well ordered home for negro girls was established a few years ago in virginia. of the white rose mission of new york we are told that it "has done much good. a large number of needy ones have found shelter within its doors and have been able to secure work of all kinds. this club has a committee to meet the incoming steamers from the south and see that young women entering the city as strangers are directed to proper homes." all such work is touching in its tenderness and effectiveness. the national association of colored women's clubs was founded in 1896. the organization has become stronger and stronger until it is now a powerful and effective one with hundreds of members. one of its recent activities has been the purchase of the home of frederick douglass at anacostia, d. c. in education, church life, and missions--special forms of social service--we have only to look around us to see what the negro woman is accomplishing. not only is she bearing the brunt of common school education for the race; in more than one instance a strong character, moved to do something, has started on a career of success a good secondary or industrial school. representative are the voorhees normal and industrial school, at denmark, s. c., founded by elizabeth c. wright; the daytona normal and industrial institute for negro girls, founded by mrs. m. m. bethune; and the mt. meigs institute, mt. meigs, alabama, founded by miss cornelia bowen. noteworthy for its special missionary emphasis is the national training school of washington, of which miss nannie h. burroughs is the head. one of the most important recent developments in education has been the appointment of a number of young women as supervisors in county schools under the terms of the will of anna t. jeanes, a quaker lady of philadelphia who left a considerable sum of money for the improvement of the rural schools of the south. in church work we all know the extent to which women have had to bear the burden not only of the regular activities but also of the numerous "rallies" that still so unfortunately afflict our churches. deserving of special mention in connection with social service is the work of those who have labored under the auspices of the young women's christian association, which has done so much for the moral well-being of the great camps in the war. in foreign mission work one of the educational institutions sustained primarily by northern baptist agencies--spelman seminary--stands out with distinct prominence. not only has spelman sent to africa several of her daughters from this country, the first one being nora gordon in 1889; she has also educated several who have come to her from africa, the first being lena clark, and for these the hope has ever been that they would return to their own country for their largest and most mature service. in the realm of business the negro woman has stood side by side with her husband in the rise to higher things. in almost every instance in which a man has prospered, investigation will show that his advance was very largely due to the faith, the patience, and the untiring effort of his wife. dr. b. t. washington, in his book _the negro in business_, gave several examples. one of the outstanding instances was in the story of junius g. groves, famous potato grower of edwardsville, kansas. this man moved from his original home in kentucky to kansas at the time of the well-known "exodus" of 1879, a migration movement which was even more voluntary on the part of the negro than the recent removal to the north on the part of so many, this latter movement being in so many ways a result of war conditions. mr. groves in course of time became a man of large responsibilities and means. it is most interesting, however, to go back to his early days of struggle. we read as follows: "soon after getting the crop planted mr. groves decided to marry. when he reached this decision he had but seventy-five cents in cash, and had to borrow enough to satisfy the demands of the law. but he knew well the worth and common sense of the woman he was to marry. she was as poor in worldly goods as himself; but their poverty did not discourage them in their plans. * * * * during the whole season they worked with never-tiring energy, early and late; with the result that when the crop had been harvested and all debts paid they had cleared $125. notwithstanding their lack of many necessaries of life, to say nothing of comforts, they decided to invest $50 of their earnings in a lot in kansas city, kansas. they paid $25 for a milk cow, and kept the remaining $50 to be used in the making of another crop." in the course of a few years mr. groves, with the help of his wife, now the mother of a large family, gathered in one year hundreds of thousands of bushels of white potatoes, surpassing all other growers in the world. similarly was the success of e. c. berry, a hotel-keeper of athens, ohio, due to his wife. "at night, after his guests had fallen asleep, it was his custom to go around and gather up their clothes and take them to his wife, who would add buttons which were lacking, repair rents, and press the garments, after which mr. berry would replace them in the guests' rooms. guests who had received such treatment returned again and brought their friends with them." in course of time mr. and mrs. berry came to own the leading hotel in athens, one of fifty rooms and of special favor with commercial travelers. such examples could be multiplied indefinitely. it is not only in such spheres that the worth of the negro woman has been shown, however. daily, in thousands of homes, in little stores and on humble farms, effort just as heroic has been exerted, though the result is not always so evident. on their own initiative also women are now engaging in large enterprises. the most conspicuous example of material success is undoubtedly mme. c. j. walker, of the mme. c. j. walker manufacturing company, of indianapolis and new york, a business that is now conducted on a large scale and in accordance with the best business methods of america. important also in this connection is the very great contribution that negro women--very often those without education and opportunity--are making in the ordinary industrial life of the country. according to the census of 1910, 1,047,146, or 52 per cent. of those at work, were either farmers or farm laborers, and 28 per cent. more were either cooks or washerwomen. in other words, a total of exactly 80 per cent. were doing some of the hardest and at the same time some of the most necessary work in our home and industrial life. these are workers whose worth has never been fully appreciated by the larger public, and who needed the heavy demands of the great war to call attention to the actual value of the service they were rendering. the changes in fact brought about within the last few years, largely as a result of war conditions, are remarkable. as mary e. jackson, writing in the _crisis_, has said: "indiana reports [negro women] in glass works; in ohio they are found on the night shifts of glass works; they have gone into the pottery works in virginia; wood-working plants and lumber yards have called for their help in tennessee." she also quotes rachel s. gallagher, of cleveland, ohio, as saying of the negro women in that city: "we find them on power sewing-machines, making caps, waists, bags, and mops; we find them doing pressing and various hand operations in these same shops. they are employed in knitting factories as winders, in a number of laundries on mangles of every type, and in sorting and marking. they are in paper box factories doing both hand and machine work, in button factories on the button machines, in packing houses packing meat, in railroad yards wiping and cleaning engines, and doing sorting in railroad shops. one of our workers recently found two colored girls on a knotting machine in a bed spring factory, putting the knots in the wire springs." in the professions, such as medicine and law, and in scholarship as well, the negro woman has blazed a path. one year after oberlin college in ohio was founded in 1833, thirty years before the issuing of the emancipation proclamation, the trustees took the advanced ground of admitting negro men and women on equal terms with other students. of the northern colleges and universities oberlin still leads in the number of its negro women graduates, but in recent years other such institutions as radcliffe, wellesley, columbia, and chicago have been represented in an increasing number by those who have finished their work creditably and even with distinction in many instances. more and more each year are young women at these institutions going forward to the attainment of the higher scholastic degrees. in connection with medicine we recall the work in the war of the negro woman in the related profession of nursing. it was only after considerable discussion that she was given a genuine opportunity in red cross work, but she at once vindicated herself. in the legal profession she has not only been admitted to practice in various places, but has also been appointed to public office. it must be understood that such positions as those just remarked are not secured without a struggle, but all told they indicate that the race through its womanhood is more and more taking part in the general life of the country. in keeping with the romantic quality of the race it was but natural that from the first there should have been special effort at self-expression in literature, music, and other forms of art. the first negro woman to strike the public imagination was phillis wheatley, who even as a young girl wrote acceptable verse. her _poems on various subjects_ published in 1773 at once attracted attention, and it was fitting that the first negro woman to become distinguished in america should be one of outstanding piety and nobility of soul. just a few years before the civil war frances ellen watkins, better known as mrs. f. e. w. harper, entered upon her career as a writer of popular poetry. at the present time attention centers especially upon mrs. georgia douglas johnson, who early in 1918 produced in _the heart of a woman_ a little volume of delicate and poignantly beautiful verse, and from whom greater and greater things are expected, as she not only has the temperament of an artist but has also undergone a period of severe training in her chosen field. in the wider field of prose--including especially stories, essays, and sketches--mrs. alice moore dunbar-nelson is prominent. in 1899 she produced _the goodness of st. rocque, and other stories_, and since then has continued her good work in various ways. the whole field of literature is a wide one, one naturally appealing to many of the younger women, and one that with all its difficulties and lack of financial return does offer some genuine reward to the candidate who is willing to work hard and who does not seek a short cut to fame. in music the race has produced more women of distinction than in any other field. this was natural, for the negro voice is world famous. the pity is that all too frequently some of the most capable young women have not had the means to cultivate their talents and hence have fallen by the wayside. some day it is to be hoped that a great philanthropist will endow a real conservatory at which such persons may find some genuine opportunity and encouragement in their development in their days of struggle. in spite of all the difficulties, however, there have been singers who have risen to very high things in their art. even before the civil war the race produced one of the first rank in elizabeth taylor greenfield, who came into prominence in 1851. this artist, born in mississippi, was taken to philadelphia and there cared for by a quaker lady. the young woman did not soon reveal her gift to her friend, thinking that it might be frowned upon as something too worldly. her guardian learned of it by accident, however, and one day surprised her by asking, "elizabeth, is it true that thee can sing?" "yes," replied the young woman in confusion. "let me hear thee." and elizabeth sang; and her friend, realizing that she had a voice of the first quality, proceeded to give her the best instruction that it was possible to get. elizabeth taylor greenfield had a marvelous voice embracing twenty-seven notes, reaching from the sonorous bass of a baritone to the highest soprano. a voice with a range of more than three octaves naturally attracted much attention in both england and america, and comparisons with jenny lind, then at the height of her great fame, were frequent. in the next generation arose madame selika, a cultured singer of the first rank, and one who by her arias and operatic work generally, as well as by her mastery of language, won great success on the continent of europe as well as in england and america. the careers of some later singers are so recent as to be still fresh in the public memory; some in fact may still be heard. it was in 1887 that flora batson entered on the period of her greatest success. she was a ballad singer and her work at its best was of the sort that sends an audience into the wildest enthusiasm. in a series of temperance meetings in new york she sang for ninety consecutive nights, with never-failing effect, one song, "six feet of earth make us all one size." her voice exhibited a compass of three octaves, but even more important than its range was its remarkable sympathetic quality. early in the last decade of the century appeared also mrs. sissieretta jones, whose voice at once commanded attention as one of unusual richness and volume, and as one exhibiting especially the plaintive quality ever present in the typical negro voice. at the present time there are several promising singers; and there are also those who in various ways are working for the general advancement of the race in music. mrs. e. azalia hackley, for some years prominent as a concert soprano, has recently given her time most largely to the work of teaching and showing the capabilities of the negro voice. possessed of a splendid musical temperament, she has enjoyed the benefit of three years of foreign study and generally inspired many younger singers or performers. prominent among many excellent pianists is mrs. hazel harrison anderson, who also has studied much abroad and who has appeared in many noteworthy recitals. mrs. maud cuney hare, of boston, a concert pianist, has within the last few years given several excellent lecture-recitals dealing with afro-american music. as between painting and sculpture the women of the race have shown a decided preference for sculpture. while there are some students of promise, no woman has as yet achieved distinction on work of really professional quality in the realm of painting. on the other hand there have been three or four sculptors of genuine merit. as early as 1865 edmonia lewis began to attract attention by her busts of prominent people. within the last few years the work of mrs. may howard jackson, of washington, has attracted the attention of the discerning; and that of mrs. meta warrick fuller is reserved for special comment. any such review as this naturally has its limitations. we can indicate only a few of the outstanding individuals here and there. at least enough has been said, however, to show that the negro woman is making her way at last into every phase of noble endeavor. in the pages that follow we shall attempt to set forth at somewhat greater length the life and work of a few of those whose achievement has been most signal and whose interest in their sisters has been unfailing. [illustration: in memory of harriet tubman born a slave in maryland about 1821 died in auburn, n.y. march 10th, 1913 called the "moses" of her people. during the civil war, with rare courage, she led over three hundred negroes up from slavery to freedom, and rendered invaluable service as nurse and spy. with implicit trust in god she braved every danger and overcame every obstacle, withal she possessed extraordinary foresight and judgment so that she truthfully said-"on my underground railroad i nebber run my train off de track and i nebber los' a passenger." * * * * * this tablet is erected by the citizens of auburn â·1914â· used through courtesy of john williams, inc., bronze foundry and iron works, new york, n. y.] harriet tubman ii. harriet tubman[a] greatest of all the heroines of anti-slavery was harriet tubman. this brave woman not only escaped from bondage herself, but afterwards made nineteen distinct trips to the south, especially to maryland, and altogether aided more than three hundred souls in escaping from their fetters. araminta ross, better known by the christian name _harriet_ that she adopted, and her married name of _tubman_, was born about 1821 in dorchester county, on the eastern shore of maryland, the daughter of benjamin ross and harriet greene, both of whom were slaves, but who were privileged to be able to live their lives in a state of singular fidelity. harriet had ten brothers and sisters, not less than three of whom she rescued from slavery; and in 1857, at great risk to herself, she also took away to the north her aged father and mother. when harriet was not more than six years old she was taken away from her mother and sent ten miles away to learn the trade of weaving. among other things she was set to the task of watching muskrat traps, which work compelled her to wade much in water. once she was forced to work when she was already ill with the measles. she became very sick, and her mother now persuaded her master to let the girl come home for a while. soon after harriet entered her teens she suffered a misfortune that embarrassed her all the rest of her life. she had been hired out as a field hand. it was the fall of the year and the slaves were busy at such tasks as husking corn and cleaning up wheat. one of them ran away. he was found. the overseer swore that he should be whipped and called on harriet and some others that happened to be near to help tie him. she refused, and as the slave made his escape she placed herself in a door to help to stop pursuit of him. the overseer caught up a two-pound weight and threw it at the fugitive; but it missed its mark and struck harriet a blow on the head that was almost fatal. her skull was broken and from this resulted a pressure on her brain which all her life left her subject to fits of somnolency. sometimes these would come upon her in the midst of a conversation or any task at which she might be engaged; then after a while the spell would pass and she could go on as before. after harriet recovered sufficiently from her blow she lived for five or six years in the home of one john stewart, working at first in the house but afterwards hiring her time. she performed the most arduous labor in order to get the fifty or sixty dollars ordinarily exacted of a woman in her situation. she drove oxen, plowed, cut wood, and did many other such things. with her firm belief in providence, in her later years she referred to this work as a blessing in disguise as it gave her the firm constitution necessary for the trials and hardships that were before her. sometimes she worked for her father, who was a timber inspector and superintended the cutting and hauling of large quantities of timber for the baltimore ship-yards. her regular task in this employment was the cutting of half a cord of wood a day. about 1844 harriet was married to a free man named john tubman. she had no children. two years after her escape in 1849 she traveled back to maryland for her husband, only to find him married to another woman and no longer caring to live with her. she felt the blow keenly, but did not despair and more and more gave her thought to what was to be the great work of her life. it was not long after her marriage that harriet began seriously to consider the matter of escape from bondage. already in her mind her people were the israelites in the land of egypt, and far off in the north _somewhere_ was the land of canaan. in 1849 the master of her plantation died, and word passed around that at any moment she and two of her brothers were to be sold to the far south. harriet, now twenty-four years old, resolved to put her long cherished dreams into effect. she held a consultation with her brothers and they decided to start with her at once, that very night, for the north. she could not go away, however, without giving some intimation of her purpose to the friends she was leaving behind. as it was not advisable for slaves to be seen too much talking together, she went among her old associates singing as follows: when dat ar ol' chariot comes i'm gwine to leabe you; i'm boun' for de promised land; frien's, i'm gwine to leabe you. i'm sorry, frien's, to leabe you; farewell! oh, farewell! but i'll meet you in de mornin'; farewell! oh, farewell! i'll meet you in de mornin' when you reach de promised land; on de oder side of jordan, for i'm boun' for de promised land. the brothers started with her; but the way was unknown, the north was far away, and they were constantly in terror of recapture. they turned back, and harriet, after watching their retreating forms, again fixed her eyes on the north star. "i had reasoned dis out in my min'," said she; "there was one of two things i had a right to, liberty or death. if i could not have one, i would have de other, for no man should take me alive. i would fight for my liberty as long as my strength lasted, and when de time came for me to go, the lord would let them take me." "and so without money, and without friends," says mrs. bradford, "she started on through unknown regions; walking by night, hiding by day, but always conscious of an invisible pillar of cloud by day, and of fire by night, under the guidance of which she journeyed or rested. without knowing whom to trust, or how near the pursuers might be, she carefully felt her way, and by her native cunning, or by god-given wisdom she managed to apply to the right people for food, and sometimes for shelter; though often her bed was only the cold ground, and her watchers the stars of night. after many long and weary days of travel, she found that she had passed the magic line which then divided the land of bondage from the land of freedom." at length she came to philadelphia, where she found work and the opportunity to earn a little money. it was at this time, in 1851, after she had been employed for some months, that she went back to maryland for her husband only to find that he had not been true. in december, 1850, she had visited baltimore and brought away a sister and two children. a few months afterwards she took away a brother and two other men. in december, 1851, she led out a party of eleven, among them being another brother and his wife. with these she journeyed to canada, for the fugitive slave law was now in force and, as she quaintly said, there was no safety except "under the paw of the british lion." the winter, however, was hard on the poor fugitives, who unused to the climate of canada, had to chop wood in the forests in the snow. often they were frost-bitten, hungry, and almost always poorly clad. but harriet was caring for them. she kept house for her brother, and the fugitives boarded with her. she begged for them and prayed for them, and somehow got them through the hard winter. in the spring she returned to the states, as usual working in hotels and families as a cook. in 1852 she once more went to maryland, this time bringing away nine fugitives. it must not be supposed that those who started on the journey northward were always strong-spirited characters. the road was rough and attended by dangers innumerable. sometimes the fugitives grew faint-hearted and wanted to turn back. then would come into play the pistol that harriet always carried with her. "dead niggers tell no tales," said she, pointing it at them; "you go on or die!" by this heroic method she forced many to go onward and win the goal of freedom. unfailing was harriet tubman's confidence in god. a customary form of prayer for her was, "o lord, you've been with me in six troubles; be with me in the seventh." on one of her journeys she came with a party of fugitives to the home of a negro who had more than once assisted her and whose house was one of the regular stations on the so-called underground railroad. leaving her party a little distance away harriet went to the door and gave the peculiar rap that was her regular signal. not meeting with a ready response, she knocked several times. at length a window was raised and a white man demanded roughly what she wanted. when harriet asked for her friend she was informed that he had been obliged to leave for assisting negroes. the situation was dangerous. day was breaking and something had to be done at once. a prayer revealed to harriet a place of refuge. outside of the town she remembered that there was a little island in a swamp, with much tall grass upon it. hither she conducted her party, carrying in a basket two babies that had been drugged. all were cold and hungry in the wet grass; still harriet prayed and waited for deliverance. how relief came she never knew; she felt that it was not necessarily her business to know. after they had waited through the day, however, at dusk there came slowly along the pathway on the edge of the swamp a man clad in the garb of a quaker. he seemed to be talking to himself, but harriet's sharp ears caught the words: "my wagon stands in the barnyard of the next farm across the way. the horse is in the stable; the harness hangs on a nail;" and then the man was gone. when night came harriet stole forth to the place designated, and found not only the wagon but also abundant provisions in it, so that the whole party was soon on its way rejoicing. in the next town dwelt a quaker whom harriet knew and who readily took charge of the horse and wagon for her. naturally the work of such a woman could not long escape the attention of the abolitionists. she became known to thomas garrett, the great-hearted quaker of wilmington, who aided not less than three thousand fugitives to escape, and also to grit smith, wendell phillips, william h. seward, f. b. sanborn, and many other notable men interested in the emancipation of the negro. from time to time she was supplied with money, but she never spent this for her own use, setting it aside in case of need on the next one of her journeys. in her earlier years, however, before she became known, she gave of her own slender means for the work. between 1852 and 1857 she made but one or two journeys, because of the increasing vigilance of slaveholders and the fugitive slave law. great rewards were offered for her capture and she was several times on the point of being taken, but always escaped by her shrewd wit and what she considered warnings from heaven. while she was intensely practical, she was also a most firm believer in dreams. in 1857 she made her most venturesome journey, this time taking with her to the north her old parents who were no longer able to walk such distances as she was forced to go by night. accordingly she had to hire a wagon for them, and it took all her ingenuity to get them through maryland and delaware. at length, however, she got them to canada, where they spent the winter. as the climate was too rigorous, however, she afterwards brought them down to new york, and settled them in a home in auburn, n. y., that she had purchased on very reasonable terms from secretary seward. somewhat later a mortgage on the place had to be lifted and harriet now made a noteworthy visit to boston, returning with a handsome sum toward the payment of her debt. at this time she met john brown more than once, seems to have learned something of his plans, and after the raid at harper's ferry and the execution of brown she glorified him as a hero, her veneration even becoming religious. her last visit to maryland was made in december, 1860, and in spite of the agitated condition of the country and the great watchfulness of slaveholders she brought away with her seven fugitives, one of them an infant. after the war harriet tubman made auburn her home, establishing there a refuge for aged negroes. she married again, so that she is sometimes referred to as harriet tubman davis. she died at a very advanced age march 10, 1913. on friday, june 12, 1914, a tablet in her honor was unveiled at the auditorium in albany. it was provided by the cayuga county historical association, dr. booker t. washington was the chief speaker of the occasion, and the ceremonies were attended by a great crowd of people. the tributes to this heroic woman were remarkable. wendell phillips said of her: "in my opinion there are few captains, perhaps few colonels, who have done more for the loyal cause since the war began, and few men who did before that time more for the colored race than our fearless and most sagacious friend, harriet." f. b. sanborn wrote that what she did "could scarcely be credited on the best authority." william h. seward, who labored, though unsuccessfully, to get a pension for her granted by congress, consistently praised her noble spirit. abraham lincoln gave her ready audience and lent a willing ear to whatever she had to say. frederick douglass wrote to her: "the difference between us is very marked. most that i have done and suffered in the service of our cause has been in public, and i have received much encouragement at every step of the way. you, on the other hand, have labored in a private way. i have wrought in the day--you in the night. i have had the applause of the crowd and the satisfaction that comes of being approved by the multitude, while the most that you have done has been witnessed by a few trembling, scarred, and footsore bondmen and women, whom you have led out of the house of bondage, and whose heartfelt 'god bless you' has been your only reward." of such mould was harriet tubman, philanthropist and patriot, bravest and noblest of all the heroines of freedom. footnote: [a] while this sketch is drawn from various sources, i feel specially indebted to sarah h. bradford's "harriet, the moses of her people." this valuable work in turn includes a scholarly article taken from the "boston commonwealth" of 1863 and loaned to mrs. bradford by f. r. sanborn. this article is really the foundation of the sketch.--b. b. [illustration: nora a. gordon] nora gordon iii. nora gordon this is the story of a young woman who had not more than ordinary advantages, but who in our own day by her love for christ and her zeal in his service was swept from her heroic labor into martyrdom. when nora gordon went from spelman seminary as a missionary to the congo, she had the hope that in some little way she might be used for the furtherance of the master's kingdom. she could hardly have foreseen that she would start in her beloved school a glorious tradition; and still less could she have seen the marvellous changes taking place in the africa of the present. she had boundless faith, however,--faith in god and in the ultimate destiny of her people. in that faith she lived, and for that faith she died. nora antonia gordon was born in columbus, georgia, august 25, 1866. after receiving her early education in the public schools of la grange, in the fall of 1882 she came to spelman seminary. it was not long before her life became representative of the transforming power of christianity. being asked, "do you love christ?" she answered "yes"; but when there came the question, "are you a christian?" she replied "no." it was not long, however, before she gained firmer faith, and two months after her entrance at spelman she was definitely converted. now followed seven years of intense activity and growth--of study, of summer teaching, of talks before temperance societies, of service of any possible sort for the master. she brought to christ every girl who was placed to room with her. a classmate afterwards testified of her that the girls always regarded nora somewhat differently from the others. she was the counsellor of her friends, ever ready with sweet words of comfort, and yet ever a cheerful companion. in one home in which she lived for a while she asked the privilege of having prayer. the man of the house at first refused to kneel and the woman seemed not interested. in course of time, however, the wife was won and then the man also knelt. at another time she wrote, "twenty-six of my scholars were baptized to-day;" and a little later she said, "ten more have been added." in 1885 nora gordon completed her course in the industrial department, in 1886 the elementary normal, and in 1888 the higher normal course. her graduation essay was on the rather old and sophomoric subject, "the influence of woman on national character;" but in the intensity of her convictions and her words there was nothing ordinary. she said in part: "let no woman feel that life to her means simply living; but let her rather feel that she has a special mission assigned her, which none other of god's creatures can perform. it may be that she is placed in some rude little hut as mother and wife; if so, she can dignify her position by turning every hut into a palace, and bringing not only her own household, but the whole community, into the sunlight of god's love. such women are often unnoticed by the world in general, and do not receive the appreciation due them; yet we believe such may be called god's chosen agents." finally, "we feel that woman is under a twofold obligation to consecrate her whole being to christ. our people are to be educated and christianized and the heathen brought home to god. woman must take the lead in this great work." after her graduation in 1888 nora gordon was appointed to teach in the public schools of atlanta. she soon resigned this work, however, in the contemplation of the great mission of her life. the secretary of the society of the west wrote to spelman to inquire if there was any one who could go to assist miss fleming, a missionary at work in palabala in the congo. four names were sent, and the choice of the board was nora a. gordon. the definite appointment came in january, 1889. on sunday evening, february 17, an impressive missionary service was held in the chapel at spelman. interesting items were given by the students with reference to the slave-trade in east africa and the efforts being made for its suppression, also with reference to mohammedanism, the spiritual awakening among the zulus, and the mission stations established, especially those on the congo. several letters were read, one from miss fleming exciting the most intense interest; and throughout the meeting was the thought that nora gordon was also soon to go to africa. on march 6 a farewell service was held, and attended by a great crowd of people, among them the whole family of the consecrated young woman; and she sailed march 16, 1889. first of all she went to london, tarrying at the missionary training institute conducted by rev. and mrs. h. grattan guinness. under date april 11 she wrote: "it has been so trying to remain here so long waiting. i feel that this is the dear lord's first lesson to me in patience. i am thankful to say that i feel profited by my stay. * * * * yesterday coming from the city we saw a number of flags hanging across the street, and among them was the united states flag. never before did the stars and stripes seem so beautiful. i am glad miss grover put one in my box. * * * * i do praise god for every step i get nearer to my future home. we expect to sail next wednesday, april 17, from rotterdam on the steamer _african_, dutch line. we hope to get to the congo in three weeks." for two years she labored at palabala, frequently writing letters home and occasionally sending back to her beloved spelman a box of curios. said she of those among whom she worked: "when the people are first gathered into a chapel for school or religious services, it is sad and amusing to see how hard they try to know just what to do, a number sitting with their backs to the preacher or teacher. when the teacher reproves a child, every man, woman, and child feels it his or her duty to yell out too at the offender and tell him to obey the teacher. often in the midst of a sermon a man in the congregation will call out to the preacher, 'take away your lies,' or 'we do not believe you,' or 'how can this or that be?' one of the first workers, after speaking to a crowd of heathen, asked them all to close their eyes and bow their heads while he would pray to god. when the missionary had finished his prayer and opened his eyes, every person had stealthily left the place." then followed a detail of the atrocities in the congo and of the encounters between the natives and the belgian officers, and last of all came the pertinent comment: "the congo missionary's work is twofold. he must civilize, as well as christianize, the people." early in 1891 nora gordon, sadly in need of rest and refreshment, went from palabala for a little stay at lukungu. hither had come clara a. howard, spelman's second representative, under appointment of the woman's foreign missionary society of the east. lukungu is a station two hundred and twenty miles from the mouth of the congo, in a populous district, and was the center from which numerous other schools and churches sprang. the work was in charge of mr. hoste, an englishman, who, when miss gordon wrote of him in 1894, had spent ten years on the congo without going home. other men were associated with him, while the elementary schools, the care of the boys and girls, and work among the women, naturally fell to the women missionaries. a little later in 1891 nora gordon left palabala permanently to engage in the work at lukungu. under date september 25 she wrote to her friends back home: "doubtless clara has told you of my change to this place. you can not imagine how glad we are to be together here. i have charge of the printing-office and help in the afternoon school. i am well, happy, and am enjoying my work. in the office i have few conveniences and really not the things we need. mr. hoste has written the first arithmetic in this language and i am now putting it up. i was obliged to stop work on it to-day because my figures in type gave out, and you know we have no shops in this land. my boys in the office are doing nicely." thus she worked on for two years more--hoping, praying, trusting. by 1893 her health was in such condition that it was deemed wise for her to return to america. so she did, and she brought back two native girls with her. all the while, however, her chief thought was upon the work to which she had given herself, and she constantly looked forward to the time when she might be able to go back to africa. in 1895 she became the wife of rev. s. c. gordon, who was connected with the english baptist mission at stanley pool. she sailed with her husband from boston in july and reached the congo again in august. the station was unique. it was an old and well established mission, the center of several others in the surrounding country. it had excellent brick houses, broad avenues and good fruit-trees, and the students were above the average in intelligence. but soon the shadow fell. nora gordon herself saw much of the well known belgian atrocities in the congo. she saw houses burned and the natives themselves driven out by the state officials. they crossed over into the french congo; but hither protestants were not allowed to come to preach to them. in spite of the great heartache, however, and declining health the heroic woman worked on, giving to those for whom she labored her tenderest love. seven months after the death of her second child a change was again deemed necessary, and she once more turned her face homeward. after two months in belgium and england she came again to america, and to spelman. but her strength was now all spent. she died at spelman january 26, 1901. she was only thirty-four; but who can measure in years the love and faith, the hope and sorrow, of such a life? nora gordon started a tradition, spelman's richest heritage. three other graduates followed her. clara howard was in course of time forced by the severe fevers to give up her work, and she now labors at home in the service of her alma mater. ada jackson became the second wife of rev. s. c. gordon and also died in service. emma b. delany was commissioned in 1900 and still labors--in recent years with larger and larger success--in liberia. within two or three years of nora gordon's return in 1893, moreover, not less than five native african girls had come to spelman. the spirit still abides, and if the way were just a little clearer doubtless many other graduates would go. even as it is, however, the blessing to the school has been illimitable. * * * * * such have been the workers, such the pioneers. to what end is the love, the labor--the loneliness, the yearning? it is now nearly five hundred years since a prince of portugal began the slave-trade on the west coast of africa. within two hundred years all of the leading countries of western europe had joined in the iniquitous traffic, and when england in 1713 drew up with france the peace of utrecht she deemed the slave-trade of such importance that she insisted upon an article that gave her a practical monopoly of it. before the end of the eighteenth century, however, the voice of conscience began to be heard in england, and science also began to be interested in the great undeveloped continent lying to the south. it remained for the work of david livingstone, however, in the middle of the nineteenth century really to reveal africa to the rest of the world. this intrepid explorer and missionary in a remarkable series of journeys not only traversed the continent from the extreme south to loanda on the west coast and quilimane on the east coast; he not only made known the great lake system of central africa; but he left behind him a memory that has blessed everyone who has followed in his steps. largely as a result of his work and that of his successor, stanley, a great congress met in berlin in 1884 for the partition of africa among the great nations of europe. unfortunately the diplomats at this meeting were not actuated by the noble impulses that had moved livingstone, so that more and more there was evident a mad scramble for territory. france had already gained a firm foothold in the northwest, and england was not only firmly intrenched in the south but had also established a rather undefined protectorate over egypt. germany now in 1884 entered the field and in german east africa, german southwest africa, kamerun, and the smaller territory of togoland in the west ultimately acquired a total of nearly a million square miles, or one-eleventh of the continent. all of this she lost in the course of the recent great war. naturally she has desired to regain this land, but at the time of writing (november, 1918) there is no likelihood of her doing so, a distinguished englishman, mr. balfour, the foreign secretary, having declared that under no circumstances can germany's african colonies be returned to her, as such return would endanger the security of the british empire, and that is to say, the security of the world. this problem is but typical of the larger political questions that press for settlement in the new africa. whatever the solution may be, one or two facts stand out clearly. one is that africa can no longer rest in undisturbed slumber. a terrible war, the most ruinous in the history of humanity, has strained to the utmost the resources of all the great powers of the world. where so much has been spent it is not to be supposed that the richest, the most fertile, land in the world will indefinitely be allowed to remain undeveloped. along with material development must go also the education and the spiritual culture of the natives on a scale undreamed of before. in this training such an enlightened country as england will naturally play a leading role, and america too will doubtless be called on to help in more ways than one. it must not be supposed, however, that the task is not one of enormous difficulties. as far as we have advanced in our missionary activities in america, we have hardly made a beginning in the great task of the proper development of africa. here are approximately 175,000,000 natives to be trained and christianized. let us not make the common mistake of supposing that they are all ignorant and degraded savages. nothing could be farther from the truth. many individuals have had the benefit of travel and study in europe and more and more are themselves appreciating the great problems before their country. it is true, however, that the great mass of the population is yet to be reached. in the general development delicate questions of racial contact are to be answered. unfortunately, in the attitude of the european colonist toward the native, south africa has a race problem even more stern than that of our own southern states. as for religion we not only find paganism and mohammedanism, but we also see catholicism arrayed against protestantism, and perhaps most interesting of all, a definite movement toward the enhancement of a native ethiopian church, with the motto "africa for the africans." let us add to all this numerous social problems, such as polygamy, the widespread sale of rum, and all the train of african superstition, and we shall see that any one who works in africa in the new day must not only be a person of keen intelligence and christian character, but also one with some genuine vision and statesmanship. workers of this quality, if they can be found, will be needed not by the scores or hundreds, but by the thousands and tens of thousands. no larger mission could come to a young negro in america trained in christian study than to make his or her life a part of the redemption of the great fatherland. the salvation of africa is at once the most pressing problem before either the negro race or the kingdom of christ. such a worker as we have tried to portray was nora gordon. it is to be hoped that not one but thousands like her will arise. even now we can see the beginning of the fulfilment of the prophecy, "princes shall come out of egypt; ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto god." [illustration: meta warrick fuller] meta warrick fuller iv. meta warrick fuller[b] the state of massachusetts has always been famous for its history and literature, and especially rich in tradition is the region around boston. on one side is charlestown, visited yearly by thousands who make a pilgrimage to the bunker hill monument. across the charles river is cambridge, the home of harvard university, and longfellow, and lowell, and numerous other men whose work has become a part of the nation's heritage. if one will ride on through cambridge and north cambridge and arlington, he will come to lexington, where he will find in the little lexington common one of the most charming spots of ground in america. overlooking this he will see the harrington house, and all around other memorials of the revolution. taking the car again and riding about seven miles more he will come to concord, and here he will catch still more of the flavor of the eighteenth century. walking from the center of the town down monument street (he _must_ walk now; there is no trolley, and a carriage or automobile does not permit one to linger by the wayside), he will come after a while to the old manse, once the home of emerson and of hawthorne, and then see just around the corner the concord bridge and the statue of the minute man. there is a new bridge now, one of concrete; the old wooden one, so long beloved, at length became unsafe and had to be replaced. in another direction from the center of the town runs lexington road, within about half a mile down which one will see the later homes of emerson and hawthorne as well as that of louisa may alcott. near the alcott house, back among the trees, is a quaint little structure much like a southern country schoolhouse--the so-called concord school of philosophy, in which emerson once spoke. it is all a beautiful country--beautiful most of all for its unseen glory. one gives himself up to reflection; he muses on evangeline and the great stone face and on the heroic dead who did not die in vain--until a lumbering truck-car on the road calls him back from it all to the workaday world of men. it is in this state of massachusetts, so rich in its tradition, that there resides the subject of the present sketch. about halfway between boston and worcester, in the quiet, homelike town of framingham, on a winding road just off the main street, lives meta warrick fuller, the foremost sculptor of the negro race. there are three little boys in the family. they keep their mother very busy; but they also make her very happy. buttons have to be sewed on and dinners have to be prepared for the children of an artist just as well as for those of other people; and help is not always easy to get. but the father, dr. s. c. fuller, a distinguished physician, is also interested in the boys, so that he too helps, and the home is a happy one. at the top of the house is a long roomy attic. this is an improvised studio--or, as the sculptor would doubtless say, the workshop. hither, from the busy work of the morning, comes the artist for an hour or half an hour of modeling--for rest, and for the first effort to transfer to the plastic clay some fleeting transient dream. meta warrick fuller was born in philadelphia, pennsylvania, june 9, 1877. for four years she attended the pennsylvania school of industrial art, and it was at this institution that she first began to force serious recognition of her talent. before very long she began to be known as a sculptor of the horrible, one of her first original pieces being a head of medusa, with a hanging jaw, beads of gore, and eyes starting from their sockets. at her graduation in 1898 she won a prize for metal work by a crucifix upon which hung the figure of christ in agony, and she also won honorable mention for her work in modeling. in a post-graduate year she won a much coveted prize in modeling. in 1899 meta warrick (then best known by her full name, meta vaux warrick) went to paris, where she worked and studied three years. her work brought her in contact with many other artists, among them augustus st. gaudens, the sculptor of the robert gould shaw monument at the head of boston common. then there came a day when by appointment the young woman went to see auguste rodin, who after years of struggle and dispraise had finally won recognition as the foremost sculptor in france if not in the world. the great man glanced one after another at the pieces that were presented to him, without very evident interest. at length, thrilled by the figure in "silent sorrow," sometimes referred to as "man eating his heart out," rodin beamed upon the young woman and said, "mademoiselle, you _are_ a sculptor; you have the sense of form." with encouragement from such a source the young artist worked with renewed vigor, looking forward to the time when something that she had produced should win a place in the salon, the great national gallery in paris. "the wretched," one of the artist's masterpieces, was exhibited here in 1903, and along with it went "the impenitent thief." this latter production was demolished in 1904, after meeting with various unhappy accidents. in the form as presented, however, the thief, heroic in size, hung on the cross torn by anguish. hardened, unsympathetic, and even defiant, he still possessed some admirable qualities of strength, and he has remained one of the sculptor's most powerful conceptions. in "the wretched" seven figures greet the eye. each represents a different form of human anguish. an old man, worn by hunger and disease, waits for death. a mother yearns for the loved ones she has lost. a man bowed by shame fears to look upon his fellow-creatures. a sick child suffers from some hereditary taint. a youth is in despair, and a woman is crazed by sorrow. over all is the philosopher who suffers perhaps more keenly than the others as he views the misery around them, and who, powerless to relieve it, also sinks into despair. other early productions were similarly characterized by a strongly romantic quality. "silent sorrow" has already been remarked in passing. in this a man, worn and gaunt and in despair, is represented as leaning over and actually eating out his own heart. "man carrying dead body" is in similar vein. the sculptor is moved by the thought of one who will be spurred on by the impulse of duty to the performance of some task not only unpleasant but even loathsome. she shows a man bearing across his shoulder the body of a comrade that has evidently lain on the battlefield for days. the thing is horrible, and the man totters under the great weight; but he forces his way onward until he can give it decent burial. another early production was based on the ancient greek story of oedipus. this story was somewhat as follows: oedipus was the son of laius and jocasta, king and queen of thebes. at his birth an oracle foretold that the father laius would be killed by his son. the child was sent away to be killed by exposure, but in course of time was saved and afterwards adopted by the king of corinth. when he was grown, being warned by an oracle that he would kill his father and marry his mother, he left home. on his journey he met laius and slew him in the course of an altercation. later, by solving the riddle of the sphinx, he freed thebes from distress, was made king of the city, and married jocasta. eventually the terrible truth of the relationship became known to all. jocasta hanged herself and oedipus tore out his eyes. the sculptor portrays the hero of the old legend at the very moment that he is thus trying to punish himself for his crime. there is nothing delicate or pretty about all such work as this. it is grewsome in fact, and horrible; but it is also strong and intense and vital. its merit was at once recognized by the french, and it gave meta warrick a recognized place among the sculptors of america. on her return to america the artist resumed her studies at the school of industrial art, winning in 1904 the battles first prize for pottery. in 1907 she produced a series of tableaux representing the advance of the negro for the jamestown tercentennial exposition, and in 1913 a group for the new york state emancipation proclamation commission. in 1909 she became the wife of dr. solomon c. fuller, of framingham, massachusetts. a fire in 1910 unfortunately destroyed some of her most valuable pieces while they were in storage in philadelphia. only a few examples of her early work, that happened to be elsewhere, were saved. the artist was undaunted, however, and by may, 1914, she had sufficiently recovered from the blow to be able to hold at her home a public exhibition of her work. after this fire a new note crept into the work of meta warrick fuller. this was doubtless due not so much to the fire itself as to the larger conception of life that now came to the sculptor with the new duties of marriage and motherhood. from this time forth it was not so much the romantic as the social note that was emphasized. representative of the new influence was the second model of the group for the emancipation proclamation commission. a recently emancipated negro youth and maiden stand beneath a gnarled, decapitated tree that has what looks almost like a human hand stretched over them. humanity is pushing them forth into the world while at the same time the hand of destiny is restraining them in the full exercise of their freedom. "immigrant in america" is in somewhat similar vein. an american woman, the mother of one strong healthy child, is shown welcoming to the land of plenty the foreigner, the mother of several poorly nourished children. closely related in subject is the smaller piece, "the silent appeal," in which a mother capable of producing and caring for three sturdy children is shown as making a quiet demand for the suffrage and for any other privileges to which a human being is entitled. all of these productions are clear cut, straightforward, and dignified. in may, 1917, meta warrick fuller took second prize in a competition under the auspices of the massachusetts branch of the woman's peace party, her subject being "peace halting the ruthlessness of war." war is personified as on a mighty steed and trampling to death numberless human beings. in one hand he holds a spear on which he has transfixed the head of one of his victims. as he goes on his masterful career peace meets him and commands him to cease his ravages. the work as exhibited was in gray-green wax and was a production of most unusual spirit. among other prominent titles are "watching for dawn," a conception of remarkable beauty and yearning, and "mother and child." an early production somewhat detached from other pieces is a head of john the baptist. this is one of the most haunting creations of mrs. fuller. in it she was especially successful in the infinite yearning and pathos that she somehow managed to give to the eyes of the seer. it bears the unmistakable stamp of power. in this whole review of this sculptor's work we have indicated only the chief titles. she is an indefatigable worker and has produced numerous smaller pieces, many of these being naturally for commercial purposes. as has been remarked, while her work was at first romantic and often even horrible, in recent years she has been interested rather in social themes. there are those, however, who hope that she will not utterly forsake the field in which she first became distinguished. through the sternness of her early work speaks the very tragedy of the negro race. in any case it is pleasant to record that the foremost sculptor of the race is not only an artist of rank but also a woman who knows and appreciates in the highest possible manner the virtues and the beauties of the home. footnote: [b] for the further pursuit of this and related subjects the attention of the reader is invited to the author's "the negro in literature and art" (duffield & co., new york, n. y., 1918). [illustration: mary mcleod bethune] mary mcleod bethune v. mary mcleod bethune on october 3, 1904, a lone woman, inspired by the desire to do something for the needy ones of her race and state, began at daytona, florida, a training school for negro girls. she had only one dollar and a half in money, but she had faith, energy, and a heart full of love for her people. to-day she has an institution worth not less than one hundred thousand dollars, with plans for extensive and immediate enlargement, and her school is one of the best conducted and most clear-visioned in the country. such has been the result of boundless energy and thrift joined to an unwavering faith in god. mary mcleod was born july 10, 1875, in a three-room log cabin on a little cotton and rice farm about three miles from mayesville, south carolina, being one in the large family of samuel and patsy mcleod. ambitious even from her early years, she yearned for larger and finer things than her environment afforded; and yet even the life that she saw around her was to prove a blessing in disguise, as it gave to her deeper and clearer insight into the problems, the shortcomings, and the needs of her people. in course of time she attended a little mission school in mayesville, and she was converted at the age of twelve. later she was graduated at scotia seminary, concord, north carolina, and then she went to the moody bible institute in chicago. in the years of her schooling she received some assistance from a scholarship given by miss mary chrisman, a dressmaker of denver, colorado. mary mcleod never forgot that she had been helped by a working woman. some day she intended to justify that faith, and time has shown that never was a scholarship invested to better advantage. in 1898 mary mcleod was married. she became the mother of one son. not long after, the family moved to palatka, florida. now followed the hard years of waiting, of praying, of hoping; but through it all the earnest woman never lost faith in herself, nor in god. she gained experience in a little school that she taught, she sang with unusual effect in the churches of the town, and she took part in any forward movement or uplift enterprise that she could. all the while, however, she knew that the big task was yet to come. she prayed, and hoped, and waited. by the fall of 1904 it seemed that the time had come. in a little rented house, with five girls, mrs. bethune began what is now the daytona normal and industrial institute for negro girls. by means of concerts and festivals the first payment of five dollars was made on the present site, then an old dump-pile. with their own hands the teacher and the pupils cleared away much of the rubbish, and from the first they invited the co-operation of the people around them by lending a helping hand in any way they could, by "being neighborly." in 1905 a board of trustees was organized and the school was chartered. in 1907 faith hall, a four-story frame house, forty by fifty feet, was "prayed up, sung up, and talked up;" and we can understand at what a premium space was in the earlier days when we know that this building furnished dormitory accommodations for teachers and students, dining-room, reading room, storerooms, and bathrooms. to the rear of faith hall was placed a two-story structure containing the school kitchen and the domestic science room. in 1909 the school found it necessary to acquire a farm for the raising of live stock and vegetables and for the practical outdoor training of the girls. after six weeks of earnest work the twelve-acre tract in front of the school was purchased. in 1914 a model home was built. in this year also an additional west farm of six acres, on which was a two-story frame building, was needed, asked for and procured. in march, 1918, the labors of fourteen years were crowned by the erection and dedication of a spacious auditorium; and among the speakers at the dedication were the governor of florida and the vice-president of the united states. efforts now look forward to a great new dormitory for the girls. such a bare account of achievements, however, by no means gives one an adequate conception of the striving and the hopings and the praying that have entered into the work. to begin with, daytona was a strategic place for the school. there was no other such school along the entire east coast of florida, and as a place of unusual beauty and attractiveness the town was visited throughout the winter by wealthy tourists. from the very first, however, the girls were trained in the virtues of the home, and in self-help. great emphasis was placed on domestic science, and not only for this as an end in itself, but also as a means for the larger training in cleanliness and thrift and good taste. "we notice strawberries are selling at fifty and sixty cents a quart," said a visitor, "and you have a splendid patch. do you use them for your students or sell them?" "we never eat a quart when we can get fifty cents for them," was the reply. "we can take fifty cents and buy a bone that will make soup for us all, when a quart of berries would supply only a few." for one interested in education few pictures could be more beautiful than that of the dining-room at the school in the morning of a day in midterm. florida is warm often even in midwinter; nevertheless, rising at five gives one a keen appetite for the early breakfast. the ceiling is low and there are other obvious disadvantages; but over all is the spirit of good cheer and of home. the tablecloths are very white and clean; flowers are on the different tables; at the head of each a teacher presides over five or six girls; the food is nourishing and well-prepared; and one leaves with the feeling that if he had a sister or daughter he would like for her to have the training of some such place as this. of such quality is the work that has been built up; and all has been accomplished through the remarkable personality of the woman who is the head and the soul of every effort. indomitable courage, boundless energy, fine tact and a sense of the fitness of things, kindly spirit, and firm faith in god have deservedly given her success. beyond the bounds of her immediate institution her influence extends. about the year 1912 the trustees felt the need of so extending the work as to make the school something of a community center; and thus arose the mcleod hospital and training school for nurses. in 1912, moved by the utter neglect of the children of the turpentine camp at tomoka, mrs. bethune started work for them in a little house that she secured. the aim was to teach the children to be clean and truthful and helpful, to sew and to sweep and to sing. a short school term was started among them, and the mission serves as an excellent practice school for the girls of the senior class in the training school. a summer school and a playground have also been started for the children in daytona. nor have the boys and young men been neglected. here was a problem of unusual difficulty. any one who has looked into the inner life of the small towns of florida could not fail to be impressed by the situation of the boys and young men. hotel life, a shifting tourist population, and a climate of unusual seductiveness, have all left their impress. on every side to the young man beckons temptation, and in town after town one finds not one decent recreation center or uplifting social influence. pool-rooms abound, and the young man is blamed for entering forbidden paths; but all too often the christian men and women of the community have put forth no definite organized effort for his uplift. all too often there results a blasted life--a heartache for a mother, or a ruined home for some young woman. in daytona, in 1913, on a lot near the school campus, one of the trustees, mr. george s. doane, erected a neat, commodious building to be used in connection with the extension work of the institution as a general reading-room and home for the young men's christian association; and this is the only specific work so being done for negro boys in this section of the state. a debating club, an athletic club, lecture club, and prayer-meetings all serve as means toward the physical, intellectual, and spiritual development of the young men. a "better boys movement" is also making progress and the younger boys are becoming interested in canning and farming as well as being cared for in their sports and games. no sketch of this woman's work should close without mention of her activities for the nation at large. red cross work or a liberty loan drive has alike called forth her interest and her energy. she has appeared on some great occasions and before distinguished audiences, such as that for instance in the belasco theatre in washington in december, 1917, when on a noteworthy patriotic occasion she was the only representative of her race to speak. her girls have gone into many spheres of life and have regularly made themselves useful and desirable. nearly two hundred are now annually enrolled at the school. the demand for them as teachers, seamstresses, or cooks far exceeds the supply. in great homes and humble, in country or in town, in daytona or elsewhere--north, south, east, west--they remember the motto of their teacher and of the master of all, "not to be ministered unto but to minister;" and year after year they accomplish better and better things for the school that they love so well and through it for the kingdom of god. * * * * * two thousand years ago the savior of mankind walked upon the earth, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and the people hid as it were their faces from him. but one day he went into the home of a pharisee and sat him down to meat. and a woman of the city, when she knew that jesus sat at meat in the pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, exceeding precious, and began to wash his feet with her tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. and there were some that had indignation among themselves, and said, why was this waste of the ointment made? but jesus said, let her alone. she hath wrought a good work on me. she hath done what she could. verily, i say unto you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. to-day as well as centuries ago the christ is before us, around us, waiting. we do not always know him, for he appears in disguise, as a little orphan, or a sick old woman, or even perhaps as some one of high estate but in need of prayer. let us do what we can. let each one prove herself an earnest follower. to such end is the effort of mary mcleod bethune; and as we think of all that she has done and is doing let us for our own selves once more recall the beautiful words of sister moore: "there is no place too lowly or dark for our feet to enter, and no place so high and bright but it needs the touch of the light that we carry from the cross." [illustration: mary church terrell] mary church terrell vi. mary church terrell with the increasingly complex problems of american civilization, woman is being called on in ways before undreamed of to bear a share in great public burdens. the recent great war has demonstrated anew the part that she is to play in our factories, our relief work, our religious organizations--in all the activities of our social and industrial life. the broadening basis of the suffrage in some states and the election of a woman to a seat in congress have also emphasized the fact that in the new day woman as well as man will have to bear the larger responsibilities of citizenship. in all this intense life the negro woman has taken a part, and she will have to do still more in the future. even before the civil war there were women of the race who labored, sometimes in large ways, for the influencing of sentiment and the salvation of their people. in the present period of our country's history new problems arise, sometimes even more delicate than those that went before them and even more difficult of solution--problems of education, readjustment, and of the proper moulding of public opinion. they call for keen intelligence, broad information, rich culture, and the ability to meet men and women of other races and other countries on the broad plane of cosmopolitanism. in public life and in the higher graces of society no woman of the race has commanded more attention from the american and the international public than mary church terrell. the life of this woman is an example of the possibilities not only of negro but of american womanhood. she has appeared on platforms with men and women of other races, sometimes sturdy opponents on public questions, and more than held her own. she has attended an international congress in europe and surpassed all the other women from her country in her ability to address audiences in languages other than english. with all this she has never forgotten the religious impulse that is so strong in the heart of her people and that ultimately is to play so large a part in their advancement. one admirer of her culture has said, "she should be engaged to travel over the country as a model of good manners and good english." mary church was born in memphis, tennessee, the daughter of robert r. and louisa ayres church. when she was yet very young her parents sent her to ohio to be educated, and here she remained until she was graduated from the classical course in 1884. then for two years she taught at wilberforce university in ohio, and for one year more in a high school in washington. desirous of broadening her attainments, however, she now went to europe for a period of study and travel. she remained two years, spending the time in france, switzerland, germany, and italy, generally improving herself in language. on her return she resumed her work in washington, and she was offered the registrarship at oberlin college, a distinct compliment coming as it did from an institution of such high standing. she declined the attractive position, however, because of her approaching marriage to robert h. terrell, a graduate of harvard college and formerly principal of a high school in washington, who was appointed to a judgeship in the district of columbia by president roosevelt. since her marriage mrs. terrell has written much on topics of general interest and from time to time has formally appeared as a public lecturer. one of her strongest articles was that on lynching in the _north american review_ for june, 1904. the centenary of the birth of harriet beecher stowe in 1912 found her unusually well posted on the life and work of the novelist, so that after she lectured many times on the subject she brought together the results of her study in an excellent pamphlet. she was the first president of the national association of colored women's clubs, was twice re-elected, and, declining to serve further, was made honorary president for life. she was chosen as one of the speakers at the international congress of women held in berlin in june, 1904. said the _washington post_ of her performance on this occasion: "the hit of the congress on the part of the american delegates was made by mrs. mary church terrell of washington, who delivered one speech in german and another in equally good french. mrs. terrell is a colored woman who appears to have been beyond every other of our delegates prominent for her ability to make addresses in other than her own language." in a letter to some of the largest newspapers in the country mrs. ida husted harper said further: "this achievement on the part of a colored woman, added to a fine appearance and the eloquence of her words, carried the audience by storm and she had to respond three times to the encores before they were satisfied. it was more than a personal triumph; it was a triumph for her race." mrs. terrell has ever exhibited an intense interest in public affairs. on the occasion of the discharge of the negro soldiers in brownsville, texas, in 1906, she at once comprehended the tremendous issues involved and by her interviews with men high in the nation's life did much for the improvement of a bad situation. when, some years ago, congress by resolution granted power to the commissioners of the district of columbia to appoint two women upon the board of education for the public schools, mrs. terrell was one of the women appointed. she served on the board for five years with signal ability and unusual success, and on the occasion of her resignation in 1912 was given a magnificent testimonial by her fellow-citizens. it would be difficult to record all the different things that mary church terrell has done or the numerous ways in which she has turned sentiment on the race problem. in recent years she has been drawn more and more to her own home. she is in constant demand as a speaker, however, and one or two experiences or incidents must not pass unremarked. in 1906 she was invited by prof. jeremiah w. jenks to come to cornell university to deliver her address on the bright side of the race problem. she was introduced by prof. f. a. fetter of the department of economics. when she had finished her lecture she was greeted by deafening applause, and then she was surrounded by an eager crowd desirous of receiving an introduction. one enthusiastic woman exclaimed, as she warmly shook the speaker's hand, "i was so glad to hear you say something about the bright side, and--do you know?--every southern faculty woman was here." a little later she was the guest of honor at a reception in the home of ex-ambassador andrew d. white, the first president of cornell university. just what mary church terrell means as an inspiration to the young women of the negro race one might have seen some years ago if he could have been present at spelman seminary on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of this the largest school for negro girls in the world. she was preceded on the program by one or two prominent speakers who tried to take a broad view of the race problem but who were plainly baffled when they came face to face with southern prejudice. when mrs. terrell rose to speak the air was tense with eagerness and anxiety. how she acquitted herself on this occasion, how eloquently she plead, and how nimbly and delicately she met her opponents' arguments, will never be forgotten by any one who was privileged to hear her. the compliments that have been paid to the eloquence, the grace, the culture, the tact, and the poise of this woman are endless. she exhibits exceptional attainments either on or off the platform. her words bristle with earnestness and energy, quickly captivating an audience or holding the closest attention in conversation. her gestures are frequent, but always in sympathetic harmony. her face is inclined to be sad in repose, but lights quickly and effectively to the soul of whatever subject she touches. her voice is singularly clear and free from harsh notes. she exhibits no apparent effort in speaking, and at once impresses an audience by her ease, her courage, and her self-abnegation. through all her work moreover constantly thrills her great hope for the young men and women of her race, so many of whom she has personally inspired. such a woman is an asset to her country and an honor to the race to which she belongs. our nig; or, sketches from the life of a free black, in a two-story white house, north. showing that slavery's shadows fall even there. by "our nig." dedicated to pauline augusta coleman gates and henry louis gates, sr. in memory of marguerite elizabeth howard coleman, and gertrude helen redman gates "i know that care has iron crowns for many brows; that calvaries are everywhere, whereon virtue is crucified, and nails and spears draw guiltless blood; that sorrow sits and drinks at sweetest hearts, till all their life is dry; that gentle spirits on the rack of pain grow faint or fierce, and pray and curse by turns; that hell's temptations, clad in heavenly guise and armed with might, lie evermore in wait along life's path, giving assault to all."--holland. preface. in offering to the public the following pages, the writer confesses her inability to minister to the refined and cultivated, the pleasure supplied by abler pens. it is not for such these crude narrations appear. deserted by kindred, disabled by failing health, i am forced to some experiment which shall aid me in maintaining myself and child without extinguishing this feeble life. i would not from these motives even palliate slavery at the south, by disclosures of its appurtenances north. my mistress was wholly imbued with southern principles. i do not pretend to divulge every transaction in my own life, which the unprejudiced would declare unfavorable in comparison with treatment of legal bondmen; i have purposely omitted what would most provoke shame in our good anti-slavery friends at home. my humble position and frank confession of errors will, i hope, shield me from severe criticism. indeed, defects are so apparent it requires no skilful hand to expose them. i sincerely appeal to my colored brethren universally for patronage, hoping they will not condemn this attempt of their sister to be erudite, but rally around me a faithful band of supporters and defenders. h. e. w. our nig. chapter i. mag smith, my mother. oh, grief beyond all other griefs, when fate first leaves the young heart lone and desolate in the wide world, without that only tie for which it loved to live or feared to die; lorn as the hung-up lute, that ne'er hath spoken since the sad day its master-chord was broken! moore. lonely mag smith! see her as she walks with downcast eyes and heavy heart. it was not always thus. she had a loving, trusting heart. early deprived of parental guardianship, far removed from relatives, she was left to guide her tiny boat over life's surges alone and inexperienced. as she merged into womanhood, unprotected, uncherished, uncared for, there fell on her ear the music of love, awakening an intensity of emotion long dormant. it whispered of an elevation before unaspired to; of ease and plenty her simple heart had never dreamed of as hers. she knew the voice of her charmer, so ravishing, sounded far above her. it seemed like an angel's, alluring her upward and onward. she thought she could ascend to him and become an equal. she surrendered to him a priceless gem, which he proudly garnered as a trophy, with those of other victims, and left her to her fate. the world seemed full of hateful deceivers and crushing arrogance. conscious that the great bond of union to her former companions was severed, that the disdain of others would be insupportable, she determined to leave the few friends she possessed, and seek an asylum among strangers. her offspring came unwelcomed, and before its nativity numbered weeks, it passed from earth, ascending to a purer and better life. "god be thanked," ejaculated mag, as she saw its breathing cease; "no one can taunt her with my ruin." blessed release! may we all respond. how many pure, innocent children not only inherit a wicked heart of their own, claiming life-long scrutiny and restraint, but are heirs also of parental disgrace and calumny, from which only long years of patient endurance in paths of rectitude can disencumber them. mag's new home was soon contaminated by the publicity of her fall; she had a feeling of degradation oppressing her; but she resolved to be circumspect, and try to regain in a measure what she had lost. then some foul tongue would jest of her shame, and averted looks and cold greetings disheartened her. she saw she could not bury in forgetfulness her misdeed, so she resolved to leave her home and seek another in the place she at first fled from. alas, how fearful are we to be first in extending a helping hand to those who stagger in the mires of infamy; to speak the first words of hope and warning to those emerging into the sunlight of morality! who can tell what numbers, advancing just far enough to hear a cold welcome and join in the reserved converse of professed reformers, disappointed, disheartened, have chosen to dwell in unclean places, rather than encounter these "holier-than-thou" of the great brotherhood of man! such was mag's experience; and disdaining to ask favor or friendship from a sneering world, she resolved to shut herself up in a hovel she had often passed in better days, and which she knew to be untenanted. she vowed to ask no favors of familiar faces; to die neglected and forgotten before she would be dependent on any. removed from the village, she was seldom seen except as upon your introduction, gentle reader, with downcast visage, returning her work to her employer, and thus providing herself with the means of subsistence. in two years many hands craved the same avocation; foreigners who cheapened toil and clamored for a livelihood, competed with her, and she could not thus sustain herself. she was now above no drudgery. occasionally old acquaintances called to be favored with help of some kind, which she was glad to bestow for the sake of the money it would bring her; but the association with them was such a painful reminder of by-gones, she returned to her hut morose and revengeful, refusing all offers of a better home than she possessed. thus she lived for years, hugging her wrongs, but making no effort to escape. she had never known plenty, scarcely competency; but the present was beyond comparison with those innocent years when the coronet of virtue was hers. every year her melancholy increased, her means diminished. at last no one seemed to notice her, save a kind-hearted african, who often called to inquire after her health and to see if she needed any fuel, he having the responsibility of furnishing that article, and she in return mending or making garments. "how much you earn dis week, mag?" asked he one saturday evening. "little enough, jim. two or three days without any dinner. i washed for the reeds, and did a small job for mrs. bellmont; that's all. i shall starve soon, unless i can get more to do. folks seem as afraid to come here as if they expected to get some awful disease. i don't believe there is a person in the world but would be glad to have me dead and out of the way." "no, no, mag! don't talk so. you shan't starve so long as i have barrels to hoop. peter greene boards me cheap. i'll help you, if nobody else will." a tear stood in mag's faded eye. "i'm glad," she said, with a softer tone than before, "if there is one who isn't glad to see me suffer. i b'lieve all singleton wants to see me punished, and feel as if they could tell when i've been punished long enough. it's a long day ahead they'll set it, i reckon." after the usual supply of fuel was prepared, jim returned home. full of pity for mag, he set about devising measures for her relief. "by golly!" said he to himself one day--for he had become so absorbed in mag's interest that he had fallen into a habit of musing aloud--"by golly! i wish she'd marry me." "who?" shouted pete greene, suddenly starting from an unobserved corner of the rude shop. "where you come from, you sly nigger!" exclaimed jim. "come, tell me, who is't?" said pete; "mag smith, you want to marry?" "git out, pete! and when you come in dis shop again, let a nigger know it. don't steal in like a thief." pity and love know little severance. one attends the other. jim acknowledged the presence of the former, and his efforts in mag's behalf told also of a finer principle. this sudden expedient which he had unintentionally disclosed, roused his thinking and inventive powers to study upon the best method of introducing the subject to mag. he belted his barrels, with many a scheme revolving in his mind, none of which quite satisfied him, or seemed, on the whole, expedient. he thought of the pleasing contrast between her fair face and his own dark skin; the smooth, straight hair, which he had once, in expression of pity, kindly stroked on her now wrinkled but once fair brow. there was a tempest gathering in his heart, and at last, to ease his pent-up passion, he exclaimed aloud, "by golly!" recollecting his former exposure, he glanced around to see if pete was in hearing again. satisfied on this point, he continued: "she'd be as much of a prize to me as she'd fall short of coming up to the mark with white folks. i don't care for past things. i've done things 'fore now i's 'shamed of. she's good enough for me, any how." one more glance about the premises to be sure pete was away. the next saturday night brought jim to the hovel again. the cold was fast coming to tarry its apportioned time. mag was nearly despairing of meeting its rigor. "how's the wood, mag?" asked jim. "all gone; and no more to cut, any how," was the reply. "too bad!" jim said. his truthful reply would have been, i'm glad. "anything to eat in the house?" continued he. "no," replied mag. "too bad!" again, orally, with the same inward gratulation as before. "well, mag," said jim, after a short pause, "you's down low enough. i don't see but i've got to take care of ye. 'sposin' we marry!" mag raised her eyes, full of amazement, and uttered a sonorous "what?" jim felt abashed for a moment. he knew well what were her objections. "you's had trial of white folks any how. they run off and left ye, and now none of 'em come near ye to see if you's dead or alive. i's black outside, i know, but i's got a white heart inside. which you rather have, a black heart in a white skin, or a white heart in a black one?" "oh, dear!" sighed mag; "nobody on earth cares for me--" "i do," interrupted jim. "i can do but two things," said she, "beg my living, or get it from you." "take me, mag. i can give you a better home than this, and not let you suffer so." he prevailed; they married. you can philosophize, gentle reader, upon the impropriety of such unions, and preach dozens of sermons on the evils of amalgamation. want is a more powerful philosopher and preacher. poor mag. she has sundered another bond which held her to her fellows. she has descended another step down the ladder of infamy. chapter ii. my father's death. misery! we have known each other, like a sister and a brother, living in the same lone home many years--we must live some hours or ages yet to come. shelley. jim, proud of his treasure,--a white wife,--tried hard to fulfil his promises; and furnished her with a more comfortable dwelling, diet, and apparel. it was comparatively a comfortable winter she passed after her marriage. when jim could work, all went on well. industrious, and fond of mag, he was determined she should not regret her union to him. time levied an additional charge upon him, in the form of two pretty mulattos, whose infantile pranks amply repaid the additional toil. a few years, and a severe cough and pain in his side compelled him to be an idler for weeks together, and mag had thus a reminder of by-gones. she cared for him only as a means to subserve her own comfort; yet she nursed him faithfully and true to marriage vows till death released her. he became the victim of consumption. he loved mag to the last. so long as life continued, he stifled his sensibility to pain, and toiled for her sustenance long after he was able to do so. a few expressive wishes for her welfare; a hope of better days for her; an anxiety lest they should not all go to the "good place;" brief advice about their children; a hope expressed that mag would not be neglected as she used to be; the manifestation of christian patience; these were all the legacy of miserable mag. a feeling of cold desolation came over her, as she turned from the grave of one who had been truly faithful to her. she was now expelled from companionship with white people; this last step--her union with a black--was the climax of repulsion. seth shipley, a partner in jim's business, wished her to remain in her present home; but she declined, and returned to her hovel again, with obstacles threefold more insurmountable than before. seth accompanied her, giving her a weekly allowance which furnished most of the food necessary for the four inmates. after a time, work failed; their means were reduced. how mag toiled and suffered, yielding to fits of desperation, bursts of anger, and uttering curses too fearful to repeat. when both were supplied with work, they prospered; if idle, they were hungry together. in this way their interests became united; they planned for the future together. mag had lived an outcast for years. she had ceased to feel the gushings of penitence; she had crushed the sharp agonies of an awakened conscience. she had no longings for a purer heart, a better life. far easier to descend lower. she entered the darkness of perpetual infamy. she asked not the rite of civilization or christianity. her will made her the wife of seth. soon followed scenes familiar and trying. "it's no use," said seth one day; "we must give the children away, and try to get work in some other place." "who'll take the black devils?" snarled mag. "they're none of mine," said seth; "what you growling about?" "nobody will want any thing of mine, or yours either," she replied. "we'll make 'em, p'r'aps," he said. "there's frado's six years old, and pretty, if she is yours, and white folks'll say so. she'd be a prize somewhere," he continued, tipping his chair back against the wall, and placing his feet upon the rounds, as if he had much more to say when in the right position. frado, as they called one of mag's children, was a beautiful mulatto, with long, curly black hair, and handsome, roguish eyes, sparkling with an exuberance of spirit almost beyond restraint. hearing her name mentioned, she looked up from her play, to see what seth had to say of her. "wouldn't the bellmonts take her?" asked seth. "bellmonts?" shouted mag. "his wife is a right she-devil! and if--" "hadn't they better be all together?" interrupted seth, reminding her of a like epithet used in reference to her little ones. without seeming to notice him, she continued, "she can't keep a girl in the house over a week; and mr. bellmont wants to hire a boy to work for him, but he can't find one that will live in the house with her; she's so ugly, they can't." "well, we've got to make a move soon," answered seth; "if you go with me, we shall go right off. had you rather spare the other one?" asked seth, after a short pause. "one's as bad as t'other," replied mag. "frado is such a wild, frolicky thing, and means to do jest as she's a mind to; she won't go if she don't want to. i don't want to tell her she is to be given away." "i will," said seth. "come here, frado?" the child seemed to have some dim foreshadowing of evil, and declined. "come here," he continued; "i want to tell you something." she came reluctantly. he took her hand and said: "we're going to move, by-'m-bye; will you go?" "no!" screamed she; and giving a sudden jerk which destroyed seth's equilibrium, left him sprawling on the floor, while she escaped through the open door. "she's a hard one," said seth, brushing his patched coat sleeve. "i'd risk her at bellmont's." they discussed the expediency of a speedy departure. seth would first seek employment, and then return for mag. they would take with them what they could carry, and leave the rest with pete greene, and come for them when they were wanted. they were long in arranging affairs satisfactorily, and were not a little startled at the close of their conference to find frado missing. they thought approaching night would bring her. twilight passed into darkness, and she did not come. they thought she had understood their plans, and had, perhaps, permanently withdrawn. they could not rest without making some effort to ascertain her retreat. seth went in pursuit, and returned without her. they rallied others when they discovered that another little colored girl was missing, a favorite playmate of frado's. all effort proved unavailing. mag felt sure her fears were realized, and that she might never see her again. before her anxieties became realities, both were safely returned, and from them and their attendant they learned that they went to walk, and not minding the direction soon found themselves lost. they had climbed fences and walls, passed through thickets and marshes, and when night approached selected a thick cluster of shrubbery as a covert for the night. they were discovered by the person who now restored them, chatting of their prospects, frado attempting to banish the childish fears of her companion. as they were some miles from home, they were kindly cared for until morning. mag was relieved to know her child was not driven to desperation by their intentions to relieve themselves of her, and she was inclined to think severe restraint would be healthful. the removal was all arranged; the few days necessary for such migrations passed quickly, and one bright summer morning they bade farewell to their singleton hovel, and with budgets and bundles commenced their weary march. as they neared the village, they heard the merry shouts of children gathered around the school-room, awaiting the coming of their teacher. "halloo!" screamed one, "black, white and yeller!" "black, white and yeller," echoed a dozen voices. it did not grate so harshly on poor mag as once it would. she did not even turn her head to look at them. she had passed into an insensibility no childish taunt could penetrate, else she would have reproached herself as she passed familiar scenes, for extending the separation once so easily annihilated by steadfast integrity. two miles beyond lived the bellmonts, in a large, old fashioned, two-story white house, environed by fruitful acres, and embellished by shrubbery and shade trees. years ago a youthful couple consecrated it as home; and after many little feet had worn paths to favorite fruit trees, and over its green hills, and mingled at last with brother man in the race which belongs neither to the swift or strong, the sire became grey-haired and decrepit, and went to his last repose. his aged consort soon followed him. the old homestead thus passed into the hands of a son, to whose wife mag had applied the epithet "she-devil," as may be remembered. john, the son, had not in his family arrangements departed from the example of the father. the pastimes of his boyhood were ever freshly revived by witnessing the games of his own sons as they rallied about the same goal his youthful feet had often won; as well as by the amusements of his daughters in their imitations of maternal duties. at the time we introduce them, however, john is wearing the badge of age. most of his children were from home; some seeking employment; some were already settled in homes of their own. a maiden sister shared with him the estate on which he resided, and occupied a portion of the house. within sight of the house, seth seated himself with his bundles and the child he had been leading, while mag walked onward to the house leading frado. a knock at the door brought mrs. bellmont, and mag asked if she would be willing to let that child stop there while she went to the reed's house to wash, and when she came back she would call and get her. it seemed a novel request, but she consented. why the impetuous child entered the house, we cannot tell; the door closed, and mag hastily departed. frado waited for the close of day, which was to bring back her mother. alas! it never came. it was the last time she ever saw or heard of her mother. chapter iii. a new home for me. oh! did we but know of the shadows so nigh, the world would indeed be a prison of gloom; all light would be quenched in youth's eloquent eye, and the prayer-lisping infant would ask for the tomb. for if hope be a star that may lead us astray, and "deceiveth the heart," as the aged ones preach; yet 'twas mercy that gave it, to beacon our way, though its halo illumes where it never can reach. eliza cook. as the day closed and mag did not appear, surmises were expressed by the family that she never intended to return. mr. bellmont was a kind, humane man, who would not grudge hospitality to the poorest wanderer, nor fail to sympathize with any sufferer, however humble. the child's desertion by her mother appealed to his sympathy, and he felt inclined to succor her. to do this in opposition to mrs. bellmont's wishes, would be like encountering a whirlwind charged with fire, daggers and spikes. she was not as susceptible of fine emotions as her spouse. mag's opinion of her was not without foundation. she was self-willed, haughty, undisciplined, arbitrary and severe. in common parlance, she was a scold, a thorough one. mr. b. remained silent during the consultation which follows, engaged in by mother, mary and john, or jack, as he was familiarly called. "send her to the county house," said mary, in reply to the query what should be done with her, in a tone which indicated self-importance in the speaker. she was indeed the idol of her mother, and more nearly resembled her in disposition and manners than the others. jane, an invalid daughter, the eldest of those at home, was reclining on a sofa apparently uninterested. "keep her," said jack. "she's real handsome and bright, and not very black, either." "yes," rejoined mary; "that's just like you, jack. she'll be of no use at all these three years, right under foot all the time." "poh! miss mary; if she should stay, it wouldn't be two days before you would be telling the girls about our nig, our nig!" retorted jack. "i don't want a nigger 'round me, do you, mother?" asked mary. "i don't mind the nigger in the child. i should like a dozen better than one," replied her mother. "if i could make her do my work in a few years, i would keep her. i have so much trouble with girls i hire, i am almost persuaded if i have one to train up in my way from a child, i shall be able to keep them awhile. i am tired of changing every few months." "where could she sleep?" asked mary. "i don't want her near me." "in the l chamber," answered the mother. "how'll she get there?" asked jack. "she'll be afraid to go through that dark passage, and she can't climb the ladder safely." "she'll have to go there; it's good enough for a nigger," was the reply. jack was sent on horseback to ascertain if mag was at her home. he returned with the testimony of pete greene that they were fairly departed, and that the child was intentionally thrust upon their family. the imposition was not at all relished by mrs. b., or the pert, haughty mary, who had just glided into her teens. "show the child to bed, jack," said his mother. "you seem most pleased with the little nigger, so you may introduce her to her room." he went to the kitchen, and, taking frado gently by the hand, told her he would put her in bed now; perhaps her mother would come the next night after her. it was not yet quite dark, so they ascended the stairs without any light, passing through nicely furnished rooms, which were a source of great amazement to the child. he opened the door which connected with her room by a dark, unfinished passage-way. "don't bump your head," said jack, and stepped before to open the door leading into her apartment,--an unfinished chamber over the kitchen, the roof slanting nearly to the floor, so that the bed could stand only in the middle of the room. a small half window furnished light and air. jack returned to the sitting room with the remark that the child would soon outgrow those quarters. "when she does, she'll outgrow the house," remarked the mother. "what can she do to help you?" asked mary. "she came just in the right time, didn't she? just the very day after bridget left," continued she. "i'll see what she can do in the morning," was the answer. while this conversation was passing below, frado lay, revolving in her little mind whether she would remain or not until her mother's return. she was of wilful, determined nature, a stranger to fear, and would not hesitate to wander away should she decide to. she remembered the conversation of her mother with seth, the words "given away" which she heard used in reference to herself; and though she did not know their full import, she thought she should, by remaining, be in some relation to white people she was never favored with before. so she resolved to tarry, with the hope that mother would come and get her some time. the hot sun had penetrated her room, and it was long before a cooling breeze reduced the temperature so that she could sleep. frado was called early in the morning by her new mistress. her first work was to feed the hens. she was shown how it was always to be done, and in no other way; any departure from this rule to be punished by a whipping. she was then accompanied by jack to drive the cows to pasture, so she might learn the way. upon her return she was allowed to eat her breakfast, consisting of a bowl of skimmed milk, with brown bread crusts, which she was told to eat, standing, by the kitchen table, and must not be over ten minutes about it. meanwhile the family were taking their morning meal in the dining-room. this over, she was placed on a cricket to wash the common dishes; she was to be in waiting always to bring wood and chips, to run hither and thither from room to room. a large amount of dish-washing for small hands followed dinner. then the same after tea and going after the cows finished her first day's work. it was a new discipline to the child. she found some attractions about the place, and she retired to rest at night more willing to remain. the same routine followed day after day, with slight variation; adding a little more work, and spicing the toil with "words that burn," and frequent blows on her head. these were great annoyances to frado, and had she known where her mother was, she would have gone at once to her. she was often greatly wearied, and silently wept over her sad fate. at first she wept aloud, which mrs. bellmont noticed by applying a raw-hide, always at hand in the kitchen. it was a symptom of discontent and complaining which must be "nipped in the bud," she said. thus passed a year. no intelligence of mag. it was now certain frado was to become a permanent member of the family. her labors were multiplied; she was quite indispensable, although but seven years old. she had never learned to read, never heard of a school until her residence in the family. mrs. bellmont was in doubt about the utility of attempting to educate people of color, who were incapable of elevation. this subject occasioned a lengthy discussion in the family. mr. bellmont, jane and jack arguing for frado's education; mary and her mother objecting. at last mr. bellmont declared decisively that she should go to school. he was a man who seldom decided controversies at home. the word once spoken admitted of no appeal; so, notwithstanding mary's objection that she would have to attend the same school she did, the word became law. it was to be a new scene to frado, and jack had many queries and conjectures to answer. he was himself too far advanced to attend the summer school, which frado regretted, having had too many opportunities of witnessing miss mary's temper to feel safe in her company alone. the opening day of school came. frado sauntered on far in the rear of mary, who was ashamed to be seen "walking with a nigger." as soon as she appeared, with scanty clothing and bared feet, the children assembled, noisily published her approach: "see that nigger," shouted one. "look! look!" cried another. "i won't play with her," said one little girl. "nor i neither," replied another. mary evidently relished these sharp attacks, and saw a fair prospect of lowering nig where, according to her views, she belonged. poor frado, chagrined and grieved, felt that her anticipations of pleasure at such a place were far from being realized. she was just deciding to return home, and never come there again, when the teacher appeared, and observing the downcast looks of the child, took her by the hand, and led her into the school-room. all followed, and, after the bustle of securing seats was over, miss marsh inquired if the children knew "any cause for the sorrow of that little girl?" pointing to frado. it was soon all told. she then reminded them of their duties to the poor and friendless; their cowardice in attacking a young innocent child; referred them to one who looks not on outward appearances, but on the heart. "she looks like a good girl; i think _i_ shall love her, so lay aside all prejudice, and vie with each other in shewing kindness and good-will to one who seems different from you," were the closing remarks of the kind lady. those kind words! the most agreeable sound which ever meets the ear of sorrowing, grieving childhood. example rendered her words efficacious. day by day there was a manifest change of deportment towards "nig." her speeches often drew merriment from the children; no one could do more to enliven their favorite pastimes than frado. mary could not endure to see her thus noticed, yet knew not how to prevent it. she could not influence her schoolmates as she wished. she had not gained their affections by winning ways and yielding points of controversy. on the contrary, she was self-willed, domineering; every day reported "mad" by some of her companions. she availed herself of the only alternative, abuse and taunts, as they returned from school. this was not satisfactory; she wanted to use physical force "to subdue her," to "keep her down." there was, on their way home, a field intersected by a stream over which a single plank was placed for a crossing. it occurred to mary that it would be a punishment to nig to compel her to cross over; so she dragged her to the edge, and told her authoritatively to go over. nig hesitated, resisted. mary placed herself behind the child, and, in the struggle to force her over, lost her footing and plunged into the stream. some of the larger scholars being in sight, ran, and thus prevented mary from drowning and frado from falling. nig scampered home fast as possible, and mary went to the nearest house, dripping, to procure a change of garments. she came loitering home, half crying, exclaiming, "nig pushed me into the stream!" she then related the particulars. nig was called from the kitchen. mary stood with anger flashing in her eyes. mr. bellmont sat quietly reading his paper. he had witnessed too many of miss mary's outbreaks to be startled. mrs. bellmont interrogated nig. "i didn't do it! i didn't do it!" answered nig, passionately, and then related the occurrence truthfully. the discrepancy greatly enraged mrs. bellmont. with loud accusations and angry gestures she approached the child. turning to her husband, she asked, "will you sit still, there, and hear that black nigger call mary a liar?" "how do we know but she has told the truth? i shall not punish her," he replied, and left the house, as he usually did when a tempest threatened to envelop him. no sooner was he out of sight than mrs. b. and mary commenced beating her inhumanly; then propping her mouth open with a piece of wood, shut her up in a dark room, without any supper. for employment, while the tempest raged within, mr. bellmont went for the cows, a task belonging to frado, and thus unintentionally prolonged her pain. at dark jack came in, and seeing mary, accosted her with, "so you thought you'd vent your spite on nig, did you? why can't you let her alone? it was good enough for you to get a ducking, only you did not stay in half long enough." "stop!" said his mother. "you shall never talk so before me. you would have that little nigger trample on mary, would you? she came home with a lie; it made mary's story false." "what was mary's story?" asked jack. it was related. "now," said jack, sallying into a chair, "the school-children happened to see it all, and they tell the same story nig does. which is most likely to be true, what a dozen agree they saw, or the contrary?" "it is very strange you will believe what others say against your sister," retorted his mother, with flashing eye. "i think it is time your father subdued you." "father is a sensible man," argued jack. "he would not wrong a dog. where is frado?" he continued. "mother gave her a good whipping and shut her up," replied mary. just then mr. bellmont entered, and asked if frado was "shut up yet." the knowledge of her innocence, the perfidy of his sister, worked fearfully on jack. he bounded from his chair, searched every room till he found the child; her mouth wedged apart, her face swollen, and full of pain. how jack pitied her! he relieved her jaws, brought her some supper, took her to her room, comforted her as well as he knew how, sat by her till she fell asleep, and then left for the sitting room. as he passed his mother, he remarked, "if that was the way frado was to be treated, he hoped she would never wake again!" he then imparted her situation to his father, who seemed untouched, till a glance at jack exposed a tearful eye. jack went early to her next morning. she awoke sad, but refreshed. after breakfast jack took her with him to the field, and kept her through the day. but it could not be so generally. she must return to school, to her household duties. he resolved to do what he could to protect her from mary and his mother. he bought her a dog, which became a great favorite with both. the invalid, jane, would gladly befriend her; but she had not the strength to brave the iron will of her mother. kind words and affectionate glances were the only expressions of sympathy she could safely indulge in. the men employed on the farm were always glad to hear her prattle; she was a great favorite with them. mrs. bellmont allowed them the privilege of talking with her in the kitchen. she did not fear but she should have ample opportunity of subduing her when they were away. three months of schooling, summer and winter, she enjoyed for three years. her winter over-dress was a cast-off overcoat, once worn by jack, and a sun-bonnet. it was a source of great merriment to the scholars, but nig's retorts were so mirthful, and their satisfaction so evident in attributing the selection to "old granny bellmont," that it was not painful to nig or pleasurable to mary. her jollity was not to be quenched by whipping or scolding. in mrs. bellmont's presence she was under restraint; but in the kitchen, and among her schoolmates, the pent up fires burst forth. she was ever at some sly prank when unseen by her teacher, in school hours; not unfrequently some outburst of merriment, of which she was the original, was charged upon some innocent mate, and punishment inflicted which she merited. they enjoyed her antics so fully that any of them would suffer wrongfully to keep open the avenues of mirth. she would venture far beyond propriety, thus shielded and countenanced. the teacher's desk was supplied with drawers, in which were stored his books and other et ceteras of the profession. the children observed nig very busy there one morning before school, as they flitted in occasionally from their play outside. the master came; called the children to order; opened a drawer to take the book the occasion required; when out poured a volume of smoke. "fire! fire!" screamed he, at the top of his voice. by this time he had become sufficiently acquainted with the peculiar odor, to know he was imposed upon. the scholars shouted with laughter to see the terror of the dupe, who, feeling abashed at the needless fright, made no very strict investigation, and nig once more escaped punishment. she had provided herself with cigars, and puffing, puffing away at the crack of the drawer, had filled it with smoke, and then closed it tightly to deceive the teacher, and amuse the scholars. the interim of terms was filled up with a variety of duties new and peculiar. at home, no matter how powerful the heat when sent to rake hay or guard the grazing herd, she was never permitted to shield her skin from the sun. she was not many shades darker than mary now; what a calamity it would be ever to hear the contrast spoken of. mrs. bellmont was determined the sun should have full power to darken the shade which nature had first bestowed upon her as best befitting. chapter iv. a friend for nig. "hours of my youth! when nurtured in my breast, to love a stranger, friendship made me blest:- friendship, the dear peculiar bond of youth, when every artless bosom throbs with truth; untaught by worldly wisdom how to feign; and check each impulse with prudential reign; when all we feel our honest souls disclose- in love to friends, in open hate to foes; no varnished tales the lips of youth repeat, no dear-bought knowledge purchased by deceit." byron. with what differing emotions have the denizens of earth awaited the approach of to-day. some sufferer has counted the vibrations of the pendulum impatient for its dawn, who, now that it has arrived, is anxious for its close. the votary of pleasure, conscious of yesterday's void, wishes for power to arrest time's haste till a few more hours of mirth shall be enjoyed. the unfortunate are yet gazing in vain for goldenedged clouds they fancied would appear in their horizon. the good man feels that he has accomplished too little for the master, and sighs that another day must so soon close. innocent childhood, weary of its stay, longs for another morrow; busy manhood cries, hold! hold! and pursues it to another's dawn. all are dissatisfied. all crave some good not yet possessed, which time is expected to bring with all its morrows. was it strange that, to a disconsolate child, three years should seem a long, long time? during school time she had rest from mrs. bellmont's tyranny. she was now nine years old; time, her mistress said, such privileges should cease. she could now read and spell, and knew the elementary steps in grammar, arithmetic, and writing. her education completed, as she said, mrs. bellmont felt that her time and person belonged solely to her. she was under her in every sense of the word. what an opportunity to indulge her vixen nature! no matter what occurred to ruffle her, or from what source provocation came, real or fancied, a few blows on nig seemed to relieve her of a portion of ill-will. these were days when fido was the entire confidant of frado. she told him her griefs as though he were human; and he sat so still, and listened so attentively, she really believed he knew her sorrows. all the leisure moments she could gain were used in teaching him some feat of dog-agility, so that jack pronounced him very knowing, and was truly gratified to know he had furnished her with a gift answering his intentions. fido was the constant attendant of frado, when sent from the house on errands, going and returning with the cows, out in the fields, to the village. if ever she forgot her hardships it was in his company. spring was now retiring. james, one of the absent sons, was expected home on a visit. he had never seen the last acquisition to the family. jack had written faithfully of all the merits of his colored protege, and hinted plainly that mother did not always treat her just right. many were the preparations to make the visit pleasant, and as the day approached when he was to arrive, great exertions were made to cook the favorite viands, to prepare the choicest table-fare. the morning of the arrival day was a busy one. frado knew not who would be of so much importance; her feet were speeding hither and thither so unsparingly. mrs. bellmont seemed a trifle fatigued, and her shoes which had, early in the morning, a methodic squeak, altered to an irregular, peevish snap. "get some little wood to make the fire burn," said mrs. bellmont, in a sharp tone. frado obeyed, bringing the smallest she could find. mrs. bellmont approached her, and, giving her a box on her ear, reiterated the command. the first the child brought was the smallest to be found; of course, the second must be a trifle larger. she well knew it was, as she threw it into a box on the hearth. to mrs. bellmont it was a greater affront, as well as larger wood, so she "taught her" with the raw-hide, and sent her the third time for "little wood." nig, weeping, knew not what to do. she had carried the smallest; none left would suit her mistress; of course further punishment awaited her; so she gathered up whatever came first, and threw it down on the hearth. as she expected, mrs. bellmont, enraged, approached her, and kicked her so forcibly as to throw her upon the floor. before she could rise, another foiled the attempt, and then followed kick after kick in quick succession and power, till she reached the door. mr. bellmont and aunt abby, hearing the noise, rushed in, just in time to see the last of the performance. nig jumped up, and rushed from the house, out of sight. aunt abby returned to her apartment, followed by john, who was muttering to himself. "what were you saying?" asked aunt abby. "i said i hoped the child never would come into the house again." "what would become of her? you cannot mean that," continued his sister. "i do mean it. the child does as much work as a woman ought to; and just see how she is kicked about!" "why do you have it so, john?" asked his sister. "how am i to help it? women rule the earth, and all in it." "i think i should rule my own house, john,"-"and live in hell meantime," added mr. bellmont. john now sauntered out to the barn to await the quieting of the storm. aunt abby had a glimpse of nig as she passed out of the yard; but to arrest her, or shew her that she would shelter her, in mrs. bellmont's presence, would only bring reserved wrath on her defenceless head. her sister-inlaw had great prejudices against her. one cause of the alienation was that she did not give her right in the homestead to john, and leave it forever; another was that she was a professor of religion, (so was mrs. bellmont;) but nab, as she called her, did not live according to her profession; another, that she would sometimes give nig cake and pie, which she was never allowed to have at home. mary had often noticed and spoken of her inconsistencies. the dinner hour passed. frado had not appeared. mrs. b. made no inquiry or search. aunt abby looked long, and found her concealed in an outbuilding. "come into the house with me," implored aunt abby. "i ain't going in any more," sobbed the child. "what will you do?" asked aunt abby. "i've got to stay out here and die. i ha'n't got no mother, no home. i wish i was dead." "poor thing," muttered aunt abby; and slyly providing her with some dinner, left her to her grief. jane went to confer with her aunt about the affair; and learned from her the retreat. she would gladly have concealed her in her own chamber, and ministered to her wants; but she was dependent on mary and her mother for care, and any displeasure caused by attention to nig, was seriously felt. toward night the coach brought james. a time of general greeting, inquiries for absent members of the family, a visit to aunt abby's room, undoing a few delicacies for jane, brought them to the tea hour. "where's frado?" asked mr. bellmont, observing she was not in her usual place, behind her mistress' chair. "i don't know, and i don't care. if she makes her appearance again, i'll take the skin from her body," replied his wife. james, a fine looking young man, with a pleasant countenance, placid, and yet decidedly serious, yet not stern, looked up confounded. he was no stranger to his mother's nature; but years of absence had erased the occurrences once so familiar, and he asked, "is this that pretty little nig, jack writes to me about, that you are so severe upon, mother?" "i'll not leave much of her beauty to be seen, if she comes in sight; and now, john," said mrs. b., turning to her husband, "you need not think you are going to learn her to treat me in this way; just see how saucy she was this morning. she shall learn her place." mr. bellmont raised his calm, determined eye full upon her, and said, in a decisive manner: "you shall not strike, or scald, or skin her, as you call it, if she comes back again. remember!" and he brought his hand down upon the table. "i have searched an hour for her now, and she is not to be found on the premises. do you know where she is? is she your prisoner?" "no! i have just told you i did not know where she was. nab has her hid somewhere, i suppose. oh, dear! i did not think it would come to this; that my own husband would treat me so." then came fast flowing tears, which no one but mary seemed to notice. jane crept into aunt abby's room; mr. bellmont and james went out of doors, and mary remained to condole with her parent. "do you know where frado is?" asked jane of her aunt. "no," she replied. "i have hunted everywhere. she has left her first hiding-place. i cannot think what has become of her. there comes jack and fido; perhaps he knows;" and she walked to a window near, where james and his father were conversing together. the two brothers exchanged a hearty greeting, and then mr. bellmont told jack to eat his supper; afterward he wished to send him away. he immediately went in. accustomed to all the phases of indoor storms, from a whine to thunder and lightning, he saw at a glance marks of disturbance. he had been absent through the day, with the hired men. "what's the fuss?" asked he, rushing into aunt abby's. "eat your supper," said jane; "go home, jack." back again through the dining-room, and out to his father. "what's the fuss?" again inquired he of his father. "eat your supper, jack, and see if you can find frado. she's not been seen since morning, and then she was kicked out of the house." "i shan't eat my supper till i find her," said jack, indignantly. "come, james, and see the little creature mother treats so." they started, calling, searching, coaxing, all their way along. no frado. they returned to the house to consult. james and jack declared they would not sleep till she was found. mrs. bellmont attempted to dissuade them from the search. "it was a shame a little nigger should make so much trouble." just then fido came running up, and jack exclaimed, "fido knows where she is, i'll bet." "so i believe," said his father; "but we shall not be wiser unless we can outwit him. he will not do what his mistress forbids him." "i know how to fix him," said jack. taking a plate from the table, which was still waiting, he called, "fido! fido! frado wants some supper. come!" jack started, the dog followed, and soon capered on before, far, far into the fields, over walls and through fences, into a piece of swampy land. jack followed close, and soon appeared to james, who was quite in the rear, coaxing and forcing frado along with him. a frail child, driven from shelter by the cruelty of his mother, was an object of interest to james. they persuaded her to go home with them, warmed her by the kitchen fire, gave her a good supper, and took her with them into the sitting-room. "take that nigger out of my sight," was mrs. bellmont's command, before they could be seated. james led her into aunt abby's, where he knew they were welcome. they chatted awhile until frado seemed cheerful; then james led her to her room, and waited until she retired. "are you glad i've come home?" asked james. "yes; if you won't let me be whipped tomorrow." "you won't be whipped. you must try to be a good girl," counselled james. "if i do, i get whipped," sobbed the child. "they won't believe what i say. oh, i wish i had my mother back; then i should not be kicked and whipped so. who made me so?" "god," answered james. "did god make you?" "yes." "who made aunt abby?" "god." "who made your mother?" "god." "did the same god that made her make me?" "yes." "well, then, i don't like him." "why not?" "because he made her white, and me black. why didn't he make us both white?" "i don't know; try to go to sleep, and you will feel better in the morning," was all the reply he could make to her knotty queries. it was a long time before she fell asleep; and a number of days before james felt in a mood to visit and entertain old associates and friends. chapter v. departures. life is a strange avenue of various trees and flowers; lightsome at commencement, but darkening to its end in a distant, massy portal. it beginneth as a little path, edged with the violet and primrose, a little path of lawny grass and soft to tiny feet. soon, spring thistles in the way. tupper. james' visit concluded. frado had become greatly attached to him, and with sorrow she listened and joined in the farewells which preceded his exit. the remembrance of his kindness cheered her through many a weary month, and an occasional word to her in letters to jack, were like "cold waters to a thirsty soul." intelligence came that james would soon marry; frado hoped he would, and remove her from such severe treatment as she was subject to. there had been additional burdens laid on her since his return. she must now milk the cows, she had then only to drive. flocks of sheep had been added to the farm, which daily claimed a portion of her time. in the absence of the men, she must harness the horse for mary and her mother to ride, go to mill, in short, do the work of a boy, could one be procured to endure the tirades of mrs. bellmont. she was first up in the morning, doing what she could towards breakfast. occasionally, she would utter some funny thing for jack's benefit, while she was waiting on the table, provoking a sharp look from his mother, or expulsion from the room. on one such occasion, they found her on the roof of the barn. some repairs having been necessary, a staging had been erected, and was not wholly removed. availing herself of ladders, she was mounted in high glee on the topmost board. mr. bellmont called sternly for her to come down; poor jane nearly fainted from fear. mrs. b. and mary did not care if she "broke her neck," while jack and the men laughed at her fearlessness. strange, one spark of playfulness could remain amid such constant toil; but her natural temperament was in a high degree mirthful, and the encouragement she received from jack and the hired men, constantly nurtured the inclination. when she had none of the family around to be merry with, she would amuse herself with the animals. among the sheep was a willful leader, who always persisted in being first served, and many times in his fury he had thrown down nig, till, provoked, she resolved to punish him. the pasture in which the sheep grazed was founded on three sides by a wide stream, which flowed on one side at the base of precipitous banks. the first spare moments at her command, she ran to the pasture with a dish in her hand, and mounting the highest point of land nearest the stream, called the flock to their mock repast. mr. bellmont, with his laborers, were in sight, though unseen by frado. they paused to see what she was about to do. should she by any mishap lose her footing, she must roll into the stream, and, without aid, must drown. they thought of shouting; but they feared an unexpected salute might startle her, and thus ensure what they were anxious to prevent. they watched in breathless silence. the willful sheep came furiously leaping and bounding far in advance of the flock. just as he leaped for the dish, she suddenly jumped to one side, when down he rolled into the river, and swimming across, remained alone till night. the men lay down, convulsed with laughter at the trick, and guessed at once its object. mr. bellmont talked seriously to the child for exposing herself to such danger; but she hopped about on her toes, and with laughable grimaces replied, she knew she was quick enough to "give him a slide." but to return. james married a baltimorean lady of wealthy parentage, an indispensable requisite, his mother had always taught him. he did not marry her wealth, though; he loved her, sincerely. she was not unlike his sister jane, who had a social, gentle, loving nature, rather too yielding, her brother thought. his susan had a firmness which jane needed to complete her character, but which her ill health may in a measure have failed to produce. although an invalid, she was not excluded from society. was it strange she should seem a desirable companion, a treasure as a wife? two young men seemed desirous of possessing her. one was a neighbor, henry reed, a tall, spare young man, with sandy hair, and blue, sinister eyes. he seemed to appreciate her wants, and watch with interest her improvement or decay. his kindness she received, and by it was almost won. her mother wished her to encourage his attentions. she had counted the acres which were to be transmitted to an only son; she knew there was silver in the purse; she would not have jane too sentimental. the eagerness with which he amassed wealth, was repulsive to jane; he did not spare his person or beasts in its pursuit. she felt that to such a man she should be considered an incumbrance; she doubted if he would desire her, if he did not know she would bring a handsome patrimony. her mother, full in favor with the parents of henry, commanded her to accept him. she engaged herself, yielding to her mother's wishes, because she had not strength to oppose them; and sometimes, when witness of her mother's and mary's tyranny, she felt any change would be preferable, even such a one as this. she knew her husband should be the man of her own selecting, one she was conscious of preferring before all others. she could not say this of henry. in this dilemma, a visitor came to aunt abby's; one of her boy-favorites, george means, from an adjoining state. sensible, plain looking, agreeable, talented, he could not long be a stranger to any one who wished to know him. jane was accustomed to sit much with aunt abby always; her presence now seemed necessary to assist in entertaining this youthful friend. jane was more pleased with him each day, and silently wished henry possessed more refinement, and the polished manners of george. she felt dissatisfied with her relation to him. his calls while george was there, brought their opposing qualities vividly before her, and she found it disagreeable to force herself into those attentions belonging to him. she received him apparently only as a neighbor. george returned home, and jane endeavored to stifle the risings of dissatisfaction, and had nearly succeeded, when a letter came which needed but one glance to assure her of its birthplace; and she retired for its perusal. well was it for her that her mother's suspicion was not aroused, or her curiosity startled to inquire who it came from. after reading it, she glided into aunt abby's, and placed it in her hands, who was no stranger to jane's trials. george could not rest after his return, he wrote, until he had communicated to jane the emotions her presence awakened, and his desire to love and possess her as his own. he begged to know if his affections were reciprocated, or could be; if she would permit him to write to her; if she was free from all obligation to another. "what would mother say?" queried jane, as she received the letter from her aunt. "not much to comfort you." "now, aunt, george is just such a man as i could really love, i think, from all i have seen of him; you know i never could say that of henry"-"then don't marry him," interrupted aunt abby. "mother will make me." "your father won't." "well, aunt, what can i do? would you answer the letter, or not?" "yes, answer it. tell him your situation." "i shall not tell him all my feelings." jane answered that she had enjoyed his company much; she had seen nothing offensive in his manner or appearance; that she was under no obligations which forbade her receiving letters from him as a friend and acquaintance. george was puzzled by the reply. he wrote to aunt abby, and from her learned all. he could not see jane thus sacrificed, without making an effort to rescue her. another visit followed. george heard jane say she preferred him. he then conferred with henry at his home. it was not a pleasant subject to talk upon. to be thus supplanted, was not to be thought of. he would sacrifice everything but his inheritance to secure his betrothed. "and so you are the cause of her late coldness towards me. leave! i will talk no more about it; the business is settled between us; there it will remain," said henry. "have you no wish to know the real state of jane's affections towards you?" asked george. "no! go, i say! go!" and henry opened the door for him to pass out. he retired to aunt abby's. henry soon followed, and presented his cause to mrs. bellmont. provoked, surprised, indignant, she summoned jane to her presence, and after a lengthy tirade upon nab, and her satanic influence, told her she could not break the bonds which held her to henry; she should not. george means was rightly named; he was, truly, mean enough; she knew his family of old; his father had four wives, and five times as many children. "go to your room, miss jane," she continued. "don't let me know of your being in nab's for one while." the storm was now visible to all beholders. mr. bellmont sought jane. she told him her objections to henry; showed him george's letter; told her answer, the occasion of his visit. he bade her not make herself sick; he would see that she was not compelled to violate her free choice in so important a transaction. he then sought the two young men; told them he could not as a father see his child compelled to an uncongenial union; a free, voluntary choice was of such importance to one of her health. she must be left free to her own choice. jane sent henry a letter of dismission; he her one of a legal bearing, in which he balanced his disappointment by a few hundreds. to brave her mother's fury, nearly overcame her, but the consolation of a kind father and aunt cheered her on. after a suitable interval she was married to george, and removed to his home in vermont. thus another light disappeared from nig's horizon. another was soon to follow. jack was anxious to try his skill in providing for his own support; so a situation as clerk in a store was procured in a western city, and six months after jane's departure, was nig abandoned to the tender mercies of mary and her mother. as if to remove the last vestige of earthly joy, mrs. bellmont sold the companion and pet of frado, the dog fido. chapter vi. varieties. "hard are life's early steps; and but that youth is buoyant, confident, and strong in hope, men would behold its threshold and despair." the sorrow of frado was very great for her pet, and mr. bellmont by great exertion obtained it again, much to the relief of the child. to be thus deprived of all her sources of pleasure was a sure way to exalt their worth, and fido became, in her estimation, a more valuable presence than the human beings who surrounded her. james had now been married a number of years, and frequent requests for a visit from the family were at last accepted, and mrs. bellmont made great preparations for a fall sojourn in baltimore. mary was installed housekeeper--in name merely, for nig was the only moving power in the house. although suffering from their joint severity, she felt safer than to be thrown wholly upon an ardent, passionate, unrestrained young lady, whom she always hated and felt it hard to be obliged to obey. the trial she must meet. were jack or jane at home she would have some refuge; one only remained; good aunt abby was still in the house. she saw the fast receding coach which conveyed her master and mistress with regret, and begged for one favor only, that james would send for her when they returned, a hope she had confidently cherished all these five years. she was now able to do all the washing, ironing, baking, and the common et cetera of household duties, though but fourteen. mary left all for her to do, though she affected great responsibility. she would show herself in the kitchen long enough to relieve herself of some command, better withheld; or insist upon some compliance to her wishes in some department which she was very imperfectly acquainted with, very much less than the person she was addressing; and so impetuous till her orders were obeyed, that to escape the turmoil, nig would often go contrary to her own knowledge to gain a respite. nig was taken sick! what could be done the work, certainly, but not by miss mary. so nig would work while she could remain erect, then sink down upon the floor, or a chair, till she could rally for a fresh effort. mary would look in upon her, chide her for her laziness, threaten to tell mother when she came home, and so forth. "nig!" screamed mary, one of her sickest days, "come here, and sweep these threads from the carpet." she attempted to drag her weary limbs along, using the broom as support. impatient of delay, she called again, but with a different request. "bring me some wood, you lazy jade, quick." nig rested the broom against the wall, and started on the fresh behest. too long gone. flushed with anger, she rose and greeted her with, "what are you gone so long for? bring it in quick, i say." "i am coming as quick as i can," she replied, entering the door. "saucy, impudent nigger, you! is this the way you answer me?" and taking a large carving knife from the table, she hurled it, in her rage, at the defenceless girl. dodging quickly, it fastened in the ceiling a few inches from where she stood. there rushed on mary's mental vision a picture of bloodshed, in which she was the perpetrator, and the sad consequences of what was so nearly an actual occurrence. "tell anybody of this, if you dare. if you tell aunt abby, i'll certainly kill you," said she, terrified. she returned to her room, brushed her threads herself; was for a day or two more guarded, and so escaped deserved and merited penalty. oh, how long the weeks seemed which held nig in subjection to mary; but they passed like all earth's sorrows and joys. mr. and mrs. b. returned delighted with their visit, and laden with rich presents for mary. no word of hope for nig. james was quite unwell, and would come home the next spring for a visit. this, thought nig, will be my time of release. i shall go back with him. from early dawn until after all were retired, was she toiling, overworked, disheartened, longing for relief. exposure from heat to cold, or the reverse, often destroyed her health for short intervals. she wore no shoes until after frost, and snow even, appeared; and bared her feet again before the last vestige of winter disappeared. these sudden changes she was so illy guarded against, nearly conquered her physical system. any word of complaint was severely repulsed or cruelly punished. she was told she had much more than she deserved. so that manual labor was not in reality her only burden; but such an incessant torrent of scolding and boxing and threatening, was enough to deter one of maturer years from remaining within sound of the strife. it is impossible to give an impression of the manifest enjoyment of mrs. b. in these kitchen scenes. it was her favorite exercise to enter the apartment noisily, vociferate orders, give a few sudden blows to quicken nig's pace, then return to the sitting room with such a satisfied expression, congratulating herself upon her thorough house-keeping qualities. she usually rose in the morning at the ringing of the bell for breakfast; if she were heard stirring before that time, nig knew well there was an extra amount of scolding to be borne. no one now stood between herself and frado, but aunt abby. and if she dared to interfere in the least, she was ordered back to her "own quarters." nig would creep slyly into her room, learn what she could of her regarding the absent, and thus gain some light in the thick gloom of care and toil and sorrow in which she was immersed. the first of spring a letter came from james, announcing declining health. he must try northern air as a restorative; so frado joyfully prepared for this agreeable increase of the family, this addition to her cares. he arrived feeble, lame, from his disease, so changed frado wept at his appearance, fearing he would be removed from her forever. he kindly greeted her, took her to the parlor to see his wife and child, and said many things to kindle smiles on her sad face. frado felt so happy in his presence, so safe from maltreatment! he was to her a shelter. he observed, silently, the ways of the house a few days; nig still took her meals in the same manner as formerly, having the same allowance of food. he, one day, bade her not remove the food, but sit down to the table and eat. "she will, mother," said he, calmly, but imperatively; i'm determined; she works hard; i've watched her. now, while i stay, she is going to sit down here, and eat such food as we eat." a few sparks from the mother's black eyes were the only reply; she feared to oppose where she knew she could not prevail. so nig's standing attitude, and selected diet vanished. her clothing was yet poor and scanty; she was not blessed with a sunday attire; for she was never permitted to attend church with her mistress. "religion was not meant for niggers," she said; when the husband and brothers were absent, she would drive mrs. b. and mary there, then return, and go for them at the close of the service, but never remain. aunt abby would take her to evening meetings, held in the neighborhood, which mrs. b. never attended; and impart to her lessons of truth and grace as they walked to the place of prayer. many of less piety would scorn to present so doleful a figure; mrs. b. had shaved her glossy ringlets; and, in her coarse cloth gown and ancient bonnet, she was anything but an enticing object. but aunt abby looked within. she saw a soul to save, an immortality of happiness to secure. these evenings were eagerly anticipated by nig; it was such a pleasant release from labor. such perfect contrast in the melody and prayers of these good people to the harsh tones which fell on her ears during the day. soon she had all their sacred songs at command, and enlivened her toil by accompanying it with this melody. james encouraged his aunt in her efforts. he had found the saviour, he wished to have frado's desolate heart gladdened, quieted, sustained, by his presence. he felt sure there were elements in her heart which, transformed and purified by the gospel, would make her worthy the esteem and friendship of the world. a kind, affectionate heart, native wit, and common sense, and the pertness she sometimes exhibited, he felt if restrained properly, might become useful in originating a self-reliance which would be of service to her in after years. yet it was not possible to compass all this, while she remained where she was. he wished to be cautious about pressing too closely her claims on his mother, as it would increase the burdened one he so anxiously wished to relieve. he cheered her on with the hope of returning with his family, when he recovered sufficiently. nig seemed awakened to new hopes and aspirations, and realized a longing for the future, hitherto unknown. to complete nig's enjoyment, jack arrived unexpectedly. his greeting was as hearty to herself as to any of the family. "where are your curls, fra?" asked jack, after the usual salutation. "your mother cut them off." "thought you were getting handsome, did she? same old story, is it; knocks and bumps? better times coming; never fear, nig." how different this appellative sounded from him; he said it in such a tone, with such a rogueish look! she laughed, and replied that he had better take her west for a housekeeper. jack was pleased with james's innovations of table discipline, and would often tarry in the dining-room, to see nig in her new place at the family table. as he was thus sitting one day, after the family had finished dinner, frado seated herself in her mistress' chair, and was just reaching for a clean dessert plate which was on the table, when her mistress entered. "put that plate down; you shall not have a clean one; eat from mine," continued she. nig hesitated. to eat after james, his wife or jack, would have been pleasant; but to be commanded to do what was disagreeable by her mistress, because it was disagreeable, was trying. quickly looking about, she took the plate, called fido to wash it, which he did to the best of his ability; then, wiping her knife and fork on the cloth, she proceeded to eat her dinner. nig never looked toward her mistress during the process. she had jack near; she did not fear her now. insulted, full of rage, mrs. bellmont rushed to her husband, and commanded him to notice this insult; to whip that child; if he would not do it, james ought. james came to hear the kitchen version of the affair. jack was boiling over with laughter. he related all the circumstances to james, and pulling a bright, silver half-dollar from his pocket, he threw it at nig, saying, "there, take that; 'twas worth paying for." james sought his mother; told her he "would not excuse or palliate nig's impudence; but she should not be whipped or be punished at all. you have not treated her, mother, so as to gain her love; she is only exhibiting your remissness in this matter." she only smothered her resentment until a convenient opportunity offered. the first time she was left alone with nig, she gave her a thorough beating, to bring up arrearages; and threatened, if she ever exposed her to james, she would "cut her tongue out." james found her, upon his return, sobbing; but fearful of revenge, she dared not answer his queries. he guessed their cause, and longed for returning health to take her under his protection. chapter vii. spiritual condition of nig. "what are our joys but dreams? and what our hopes but goodly shadows in the summer cloud?" h. k. w. james did not improve as was hoped. month after month passed away, and brought no prospect of returning health. he could not walk far from the house for want of strength; but he loved to sit with aunt abby in her quiet room, talking of unseen glories, and heart-experiences, while planning for the spiritual benefit of those around them. in these confidential interviews, frado was never omitted. they would discuss the prevalent opinion of the public, that people of color are really inferior; incapable of cultivation and refinement. they would glance at the qualities of nig, which promised so much if rightly directed. "i wish you would take her, james, when you are well, home with you," said aunt abby, in one of these seasons. "just what i am longing to do, aunt abby. susan is just of my mind, and we intend to take her; i have been wishing to do so for years." "she seems much affected by what she hears at the evening meetings, and asks me many questions on serious things; seems to love to read the bible; i feel hopes of her." "i hope she is thoughtful; no one has a kinder heart, one capable of loving more devotedly. but to think how prejudiced the world are towards her people; that she must be reared in such ignorance as to drown all the finer feelings. when i think of what she might be, of what she will be, i feel like grasping time till opinions change, and thousands like her rise into a noble freedom. i have seen frado's grief, because she is black, amount to agony. it makes me sick to recall these scenes. mother pretends to think she don't know enough to sorrow for anything; but if she could see her as i have, when she supposed herself entirely alone, except her little dog fido, lamenting her loneliness and complexion, i think, if she is not past feeling, she would retract. in the summer i was walking near the barn, and as i stood i heard sobs. 'oh! oh!' i heard, 'why was i made? why can't i die? oh, what have i to live for? no one cares for me only to get my work. and i feel sick; who cares for that? work as long as i can stand, and then fall down and lay there till i can get up. no mother, father, brother or sister to care for me, and then it is, you lazy nigger, lazy nigger--all because i am black! oh, if i could die!' "i stepped into the barn, where i could see her. she was crouched down by the hay with her faithful friend fido, and as she ceased speaking, buried her face in her hands, and cried bitterly; then, patting fido, she kissed him, saying, 'you love me, fido, don't you? but we must go work in the field.' she started on her mission; i called her to me, and told her she need not go, the hay was doing well. "she has such confidence in me that she will do just as i tell her; so we found a seat under a shady tree, and there i took the opportunity to combat the notions she seemed to entertain respecting the loneliness of her condition and want of sympathizing friends. i assured her that mother's views were by no means general; that in our part of the country there were thousands upon thousands who favored the elevation of her race, disapproving of oppression in all its forms; that she was not unpitied, friendless, and utterly despised; that she might hope for better things in the future. having spoken these words of comfort, i rose with the resolution that if i recovered my health i would take her home with me, whether mother was willing or not." "i don't know what your mother would do without her; still, i wish she was away." susan now came for her long absent husband, and they returned home to their room. the month of november was one of great anxiety on james's account. he was rapidly wasting away. a celebrated physician was called, and performed a surgical operation, as a last means. should this fail, there was no hope. of course he was confined wholly to his room, mostly to his bed. with all his bodily suffering, all his anxiety for his family, whom he might not live to protect, he did not forget frado. he shielded her from many beatings, and every day imparted religious instructions. no one, but his wife, could move him so easily as frado; so that in addition to her daily toil she was often deprived of her rest at night. yet she insisted on being called; she wished to show her love for one who had been such a friend to her. her anxiety and grief increased as the probabilities of his recovery became doubtful. mrs. bellmont found her weeping on his account, shut her up, and whipped her with the raw-hide, adding an injunction never to be seen snivelling again because she had a little work to do. she was very careful never to shed tears on his account, in her presence, afterwards. chapter viii. visitor and departure. --"other cares engross me, and my tired soul with emulative haste, looks to its god." the brother associated with james in business, in baltimore, was sent for to confer with one who might never be able to see him there. james began to speak of life as closing; of heaven, as of a place in immediate prospect; of aspirations, which waited for fruition in glory. his brother, lewis by name, was an especial favorite of sister mary; more like her, in disposition and preferences than james or jack. he arrived as soon as possible after the request, and saw with regret the sure indications of fatality in his sick brother, and listened to his admonitions--admonitions to a christian life--with tears, and uttered some promises of attention to the subject so dear to the heart of james. how gladly he would have extended healing aid. but, alas! it was not in his power; so, after listening to his wishes and arrangements for his family and business, he decided to return home. anxious for company home, he persuaded his father and mother to permit mary to attend him. she was not at all needed in the sick room; she did not choose to be useful in the kitchen, and then she was fully determined to go. so all the trunks were assembled and crammed with the best selections from the wardrobe of herself and mother, where the last-mentioned articles could be appropriated. "nig was never so helpful before," mary remarked, and wondered what had induced such a change in place of former sullenness. nig was looking further than the present, and congratulating herself upon some days of peace, for mary never lost opportunity of informing her mother of nig's delinquencies, were she otherwise ignorant. was it strange if she were officious, with such relief in prospect? the parting from the sick brother was tearful and sad. james prayed in their presence for their renewal in holiness; and urged their immediate attention to eternal realities, and gained a promise that susan and charlie should share their kindest regards. no sooner were they on their way, than nig slyly crept round to aunt abby's room, and tiptoeing and twisting herself into all shapes, she exclaimed,-"she's gone, aunt abby, she's gone, fairly gone;" and jumped up and down, till aunt abby feared she would attract the notice of her mistress by such demonstrations. "well, she's gone, gone, aunt abby. i hope she'll never come back again." "no! no! frado, that's wrong! you would be wishing her dead; that won't do." "well, i'll bet she'll never come back again; somehow, i feel as though she wouldn't." "she is james's sister," remonstrated aunt abby. "so is our cross sheep just as much, that i ducked in the river; i'd like to try my hand at curing her too." "but you forget what our good minister told us last week, about doing good to those that hate us." "didn't i do good, aunt abby, when i washed and ironed and packed her old duds to get rid of her, and helped her pack her trunks, and run here and there for her?" "well, well, frado; you must go finish your work, or your mistress will be after you, and remind you severely of miss mary, and some others beside." nig went as she was told, and her clear voice was heard as she went, singing in joyous notes the relief she felt at the removal of one of her tormentors. day by day the quiet of the sick man's room was increased. he was helpless and nervous; and often wished change of position, thereby hoping to gain momentary relief. the calls upon frado were consequently more frequent, her nights less tranquil. her health was impaired by lifting the sick man, and by drudgery in the kitchen. her ill health she endeavored to conceal from james, fearing he might have less repose if there should be a change of attendants; and mrs. bellmont, she well knew, would have no sympathy for her. she was at last so much reduced as to be unable to stand erect for any great length of time. she would sit at the table to wash her dishes; if she heard the well-known step of her mistress, she would rise till she returned to her room, and then sink down for further rest. of course she was longer than usual in completing the services assigned her. this was a subject of complaint to mrs. bellmont; and frado endeavored to throw off all appearance of sickness in her presence. but it was increasing upon her, and she could no longer hide her indisposition. her mistress entered one day, and finding her seated, commanded her to go to work. "i am sick," replied frado, rising and walking slowly to her unfinished task, "and cannot stand long, i feel so bad." angry that she should venture a reply to her command, she suddenly inflicted a blow which lay the tottering girl prostrate on the floor. excited by so much indulgence of a dangerous passion, she seemed left to unrestrained malice; and snatching a towel, stuffed the mouth of the sufferer, and beat her cruelly. frado hoped she would end her misery by whipping her to death. she bore it with the hope of a martyr, that her misery would soon close. though her mouth was muffled, and the sounds much stifled, there was a sensible commotion, which james' quick ear detected. "call frado to come here," he said faintly, "i have not seen her to-day." susan retired with the request to the kitchen, where it was evident some brutal scene had just been enacted. mrs. bellmont replied that she had "some work to do just now; when that was done, she might come." susan's appearance confirmed her husband's fears, and he requested his father, who sat by the bedside, to go for her. this was a messenger, as james well knew, who could not be denied; and the girl entered the room, sobbing and faint with anguish. james called her to him, and inquired the cause of her sorrow. she was afraid to expose the cruel author of her misery, lest she should provoke new attacks. but after much entreaty, she told him all, much which had escaped his watchful ear. poor james shut his eyes in silence, as if pained to forgetfulness by the recital. then turning to susan, he asked her to take charlie, and walk out; "she needed the fresh air," he said. "and say to mother i wish frado to sit by me till you return. i think you are fading, from staying so long in this sick room." mr. b. also left, and frado was thus left alone with her friend. aunt abby came in to make her daily visit, and seeing the sick countenance of the attendant, took her home with her to administer some cordial. she soon returned, however, and james kept her with him the rest of the day; and a comfortable night's repose following, she was enabled to continue, as usual, her labors. james insisted on her attending religious meetings in the vicinity with aunt abby. frado, under the instructions of aunt abby and the minister, became a believer in a future existence--one of happiness or misery. her doubt was, is there a heaven for the black? she knew there was one for james, and aunt abby, and all good white people; but was there any for blacks? she had listened attentively to all the minister said, and all aunt abby had told her; but then it was all for white people. as james approached that blessed world, she felt a strong desire to follow, and be with one who was such a dear, kind friend to her. while she was exercised with these desires and aspirations, she attended an evening meeting with aunt abby, and the good man urged all, young or old, to accept the offers of mercy, to receive a compassionate jesus as their saviour. "come to christ," he urged, "all, young or old, white or black, bond or free, come all to christ for pardon; repent, believe." this was the message she longed to hear; it seemed to be spoken for her. but he had told them to repent; "what was that?" she asked. she knew she was unfit for any heaven, made for whites or blacks. she would gladly repent, or do anything which would admit her to share the abode of james. her anxiety increased; her countenance bore marks of solicitude unseen before; and though she said nothing of her inward contest, they all observed a change. james and aunt abby hoped it was the springing of good seed sown by the spirit of god. her tearful attention at the last meeting encouraged his aunt to hope that her mind was awakened, her conscience aroused. aunt abby noticed that she was particularly engaged in reading the bible; and this strengthened her conviction that a heavenly messenger was striving with her. the neighbors dropped in to inquire after the sick, and also if frado was "serious?" they noticed she seemed very thoughtful and tearful at the meetings. mrs. reed was very inquisitive; but mrs. bellmont saw no appearance of change for the better. she did not feel responsible for her spiritual culture, and hardly believed she had a soul. nig was in truth suffering much; her feelings were very intense on any subject, when once aroused. she read her bible carefully, and as often as an opportunity presented, which was when entirely secluded in her own apartment, or by aunt abby's side, who kindly directed her to christ, and instructed her in the way of salvation. mrs. bellmont found her one day quietly reading her bible. amazed and half crediting the reports of officious neighbors, she felt it was time to interfere. here she was, reading and shedding tears over the bible. she ordered her to put up the book, and go to work, and not be snivelling about the house, or stop to read again. but there was one little spot seldom penetrated by her mistress' watchful eye: this was her room, uninviting and comfortless; but to herself a safe retreat. here she would listen to the pleadings of a saviour, and try to penetrate the veil of doubt and sin which clouded her soul, and long to cast off the fetters of sin, and rise to the communion of saints. mrs. bellmont, as we before said, did not trouble herself about the future destiny of her servant. if she did what she desired for her benefit, it was all the responsibility she acknowledged. but she seemed to have great aversion to the notice nig would attract should she become pious. how could she meet this case? she resolved to make her complaint to john. strange, when she was always foiled in this direction, she should resort to him. it was time something was done; she had begun to read the bible openly. the night of this discovery, as they were retiring, mrs. bellmont introduced the conversation, by saying: "i want your attention to what i am going to say. i have let nig go out to evening meetings a few times, and, if you will believe it, i found her reading the bible to-day, just as though she expected to turn pious nigger, and preach to white folks. so now you see what good comes of sending her to school. if she should get converted she would have to go to meeting: at least, as long as james lives. i wish he had not such queer notions about her. it seems to trouble him to know he must die and leave her. he says if he should get well he would take her home with him, or educate her here. oh, how awful! what can the child mean? so careful, too, of her! he says we shall ruin her health making her work so hard, and sleep in such a place. o, john! do you think he is in his right mind?" "yes, yes; she is slender." "yes, yes!" she repeated sarcastically, "you know these niggers are just like black snakes; you can't kill them. if she wasn't tough she would have been killed long ago. there was never one of my girls could do half the work." "did they ever try?" interposed her husband. "i think she can do more than all of them together." "what a man!" said she, peevishly. "but i want to know what is going to be done with her about getting pious?" "let her do just as she has a mind to. if it is a comfort to her, let her enjoy the privilege of being good. i see no objection." "i should think you were crazy, sure. don't you know that every night she will want to go toting off to meeting? and sundays, too? and you know we have a great deal of company sundays, and she can't be spared." "i thought you christians held to going to church," remarked mr. b. "yes, but who ever thought of having a nigger go, except to drive others there? why, according to you and james, we should very soon have her in the parlor, as smart as our own girls. it's of no use talking to you or james. if you should go on as you would like, it would not be six months before she would be leaving me; and that won't do. just think how much profit she was to us last summer. we had no work hired out; she did the work of two girls--" "and got the whippings for two with it!" remarked mr. bellmont. "i'll beat the money out of her, if i can't get her worth any other way," retorted mrs. b. sharply. while this scene was passing, frado was trying to utter the prayer of the publican, "god be merciful to me a sinner." chapter ix. death. we have now but a small portion of what men call time, to hold communion. spring opened, and james, instead of rallying, as was hoped, grew worse daily. aunt abby and frado were the constant allies of susan. mrs. bellmont dared not lift him. she was not "strong enough," she said. it was very offensive to mrs. b. to have nab about james so much. she had thrown out many a hint to detain her from so often visiting the sick-room; but aunt abby was too well accustomed to her ways to mind them. after various unsuccessful efforts, she resorted to the following expedient. as she heard her cross the entry below, to ascend the stairs, she slipped out and held the latch of the door which led into the upper entry. "james does not want to see you, or any one else," she said. aunt abby hesitated, and returned slowly to her own room; wondering if it were really james' wish not to see her. she did not venture again that day, but still felt disturbed and anxious about him. she inquired of frado, and learned that he was no worse. she asked her if james did not wish her to come and see him; what could it mean? quite late next morning, susan came to see what had become of her aunt. "your mother said james did not wish to see me, and i was afraid i tired him." "why, aunt, that is a mistake, i know. what could mother mean?" asked susan. the next time she went to the sitting-room she asked her mother,-"why does not aunt abby visit james as she has done? where is she?" "at home. i hope that she will stay there," was the answer. "i should think she would come in and see james," continued susan. "i told her he did not want to see her, and to stay out. you need make no stir about it; remember:" she added, with one of her fiery glances. susan kept silence. it was a day or two before james spoke of her absence. the family were at dinner, and frado was watching beside him. he inquired the cause of her absence, and she told him all. after the family returned he sent his wife for her. when she entered, he took her hand, and said, "come to me often, aunt. come any time,--i am always glad to see you. i have but a little longer to be with you,--come often, aunt. now please help lift me up, and see if i can rest a little." frado was called in, and susan and mrs. b. all attempted; mrs. b. was too weak; she did not feel able to lift so much. so the three succeeded in relieving the sufferer. frado returned to her work. mrs. b. followed. seizing frado, she said she would "cure her of tale-bearing," and, placing the wedge of wood between her teeth, she beat her cruelly with the raw-hide. aunt abby heard the blows, and came to see if she could hinder them. surprised at her sudden appearance, mrs. b. suddenly stopped, but forbade her removing the wood till she gave her permission, and commanded nab to go home. she was thus tortured when mr. bellmont came in, and, making inquiries which she did not, because she could not, answer, approached her; and seeing her situation, quickly removed the instrument of torture, and sought his wife. their conversation we will omit; suffice it to say, a storm raged which required many days to exhaust its strength. frado was becoming seriously ill. she had no relish for food, and was constantly overworked, and then she had such solicitude about the future. she wished to pray for pardon. she did try to pray. her mistress had told her it would "do no good for her to attempt prayer; prayer was for whites, not for blacks. if she minded her mistress, and did what she commanded, it was all that was required of her." this did not satisfy her, or appease her longings. she knew her instructions did not harmonize with those of the man of god or aunt abby's. she resolved to persevere. she said nothing on the subject, unless asked. it was evident to all her mind was deeply exercised. james longed to speak with her alone on the subject. an opportunity presented soon, while the family were at tea. it was usual to summon aunt abby to keep company with her, as his death was expected hourly. as she took her accustomed seat, he asked, "are you afraid to stay with me alone, frado?" "no," she replied, and stepped to the window to conceal her emotion. "come here, and sit by me; i wish to talk with you." she approached him, and, taking her hand, he remarked: "how poor you are, frado! i want to tell you that i fear i shall never be able to talk with you again. it is the last time, perhaps, i shall ever talk with you. you are old enough to remember my dying words and profit by them. i have been sick a long time; i shall die pretty soon. my heavenly father is calling me home. had it been his will to let me live i should take you to live with me; but, as it is, i shall go and leave you. but, frado, if you will be a good girl, and love and serve god, it will be but a short time before we are in a heavenly home together. there will never be any sickness or sorrow there." frado, overcome with grief, sobbed, and buried her face in his pillow. she expected he would die; but to hear him speak of his departure himself was unexpected. "bid me good bye, frado." she kissed him, and sank on her knees by his bedside; his hand rested on her head; his eyes were closed; his lips moved in prayer for this disconsolate child. his wife entered, and interpreting the scene, gave him some restoratives, and withdrew for a short time. it was a great effort for frado to cease sobbing; but she dared not be seen below in tears; so she choked her grief, and descended to her usual toil. susan perceived a change in her husband. she felt that death was near. he tenderly looked on her, and said, "susan, my wife, our farewells are all spoken. i feel prepared to go. i shall meet you in heaven. death is indeed creeping fast upon me. let me see them all once more. teach charlie the way to heaven; lead him up as you come." the family all assembled. he could not talk as he wished to them. he seemed to sink into unconsciousness. they watched him for hours. he had labored hard for breath some time, when he seemed to awake suddenly, and exclaimed, "hark! do you hear it?" "hear what, my son?" asked the father. "their call. look, look, at the shining ones! oh, let me go and be at rest!" as if waiting for this petition, the angel of death severed the golden thread, and he was in heaven. at midnight the messenger came. they called frado to see his last struggle. sinking on her knees at the foot of his bed, she buried her face in the clothes, and wept like one inconsolable. they led her from the room. she seemed to be too much absorbed to know it was necessary for her to leave. next day she would steal into the chamber as often as she could, to weep over his remains, and ponder his last words to her. she moved about the house like an automaton. every duty performed--but an abstraction from all, which shewed her thoughts were busied elsewhere. susan wished her to attend his burial as one of the family. lewis and mary and jack it was not thought best to send for, as the season would not allow them time for the journey. susan provided her with a dress for the occasion, which was her first intimation that she would be allowed to mingle her grief with others. the day of the burial she was attired in her mourning dress; but susan, in her grief, had forgotten a bonnet. she hastily ransacked the closets, and found one of mary's, trimmed with bright pink ribbon. it was too late to change the ribbon, and she was unwilling to leave frado at home; she knew it would be the wish of james she should go with her. so tying it on, she said, "never mind, frado, you shall see where our dear james is buried." as she passed out, she heard the whispers of the by-standers, "look there! see there! how that looks,--a black dress and a pink ribbon!" another time, such remarks would have wounded frado. she had now a sorrow with which such were small in comparison. as she saw his body lowered in the grave she wished to share it; but she was not fit to die. she could not go where he was if she did. she did not love god; she did not serve him or know how to. she retired at night to mourn over her unfitness for heaven, and gaze out upon the stars, which, she felt, studded the entrance of heaven, above which james reposed in the bosom of jesus, to which her desires were hastening. she wished she could see god, and ask him for eternal life. aunt abby had taught her that he was ever looking upon her. oh, if she could see him, or hear him speak words of forgiveness. her anxiety increased; her health seemed impaired, and she felt constrained to go to aunt abby and tell her all about her conflicts. she received her like a returning wanderer; seriously urged her to accept of christ; explained the way; read to her from the bible, and remarked upon such passages as applied to her state. she warned her against stifling that voice which was calling her to heaven; echoed the farewell words of james, and told her to come to her with her difficulties, and not to delay a duty so important as attention to the truths of religion, and her soul's interests. mrs. bellmont would occasionally give instruction, though far different. she would tell her she could not go where james was; she need not try. if she should get to heaven at all, she would never be as high up as he. he was the attraction. should she "want to go there if she could not see him?" mrs. b. seldom mentioned her bereavement, unless in such allusion to frado. she donned her weeds from custom; kept close her crape veil for so many sabbaths, and abated nothing of her characteristic harshness. the clergyman called to minister consolation to the afflicted widow and mother. aunt abby seeing him approach the dwelling, knew at once the object of his visit, and followed him to the parlor, unasked by mrs. b! what a daring affront! the good man dispensed the consolations, of which he was steward, to the apparently grief-smitten mother, who talked like one schooled in a heavenly atmosphere. such resignation expressed, as might have graced the trial of the holiest. susan, like a mute sufferer, bared her soul to his sympathy and godly counsel, but only replied to his questions in short syllables. when he offered prayer, frado stole to the door that she might hear of the heavenly bliss of one who was her friend on earth. the prayer caused profuse weeping, as any tender reminder of the heaven-born was sure to. when the good man's voice ceased, she returned to her toil, carefully removing all trace of sorrow. her mistress soon followed, irritated by nab's impudence in presenting herself unasked in the parlor, and upbraided her with indolence, and bade her apply herself more diligently. stung by unmerited rebuke, weak from sorrow and anxiety, the tears rolled down her dark face, soon followed by sobs, and then losing all control of herself, she wept aloud. this was an act of disobedience. her mistress grasping her raw-hide, caused a longer flow of tears, and wounded a spirit that was craving healing mercies. chapter x. perplexities.--another death. neath the billows of the ocean, hidden treasures wait the hand, that again to light shall raise them with the diver's magic wand. g. w. cook. the family, gathered by james' decease, returned to their homes. susan and charles returned to baltimore. letters were received from the absent, expressing their sympathy and grief. the father bowed like a "bruised reed," under the loss of his beloved son. he felt desirous to die the death of the righteous; also, conscious that he was unprepared, he resolved to start on the narrow way, and some time solicit entrance through the gate which leads to the celestial city. he acknowledged his too ready acquiescence with mrs. b., in permitting frado to be deprived of her only religious privileges for weeks together. he accordingly asked his sister to take her to meeting once more, which she was ready at once to do. the first opportunity they once more attended meeting together. the minister conversed faithfully with every person present. he was surprised to find the little colored girl so solicitous, and kindly directed her to the flowing fountain where she might wash and be clean. he inquired of the origin of her anxiety, of her progress up to this time, and endeavored to make christ, instead of james, the attraction of heaven. he invited her to come to his house, to speak freely her mind to him, to pray much, to read her bible often. the neighbors, who were at meeting,--among them mrs. reed,--discussed the opinions mrs. bellmont would express on the subject. mrs. reed called and informed mrs. b. that her colored girl "related her experience the other night at the meeting." "what experience?" asked she, quickly, as if she expected to hear the number of times she had whipped frado, and the number of lashes set forth in plain arabic numbers. "why, you know she is serious, don't you? she told the minister about it." mrs. b. made no reply, but changed the subject adroitly. next morning she told frado she "should not go out of the house for one while, except on errands; and if she did not stop trying to be religious, she would whip her to death." frado pondered; her mistress was a professor of religion; was she going to heaven? then she did not wish to go. if she should be near james, even, she could not be happy with those fiery eyes watching her ascending path. she resolved to give over all thought of the future world, and strove daily to put her anxiety far from her. mr. bellmont found himself unable to do what james or jack could accomplish for her. he talked with her seriously, told her he had seen her many times punished undeservedly; he did not wish to have her saucy or disrespectful, but when she was sure she did not deserve a whipping, to avoid it if she could. "you are looking sick," he added, "you cannot endure beating as you once could." it was not long before an opportunity offered of profiting by his advice. she was sent for wood, and not returning as soon as mrs. b. calculated, she followed her, and, snatching from the pile a stick, raised it over her. "stop!" shouted frado, "strike me, and i'll never work a mite more for you;" and throwing down what she had gathered, stood like one who feels the stirring of free and independent thoughts. by this unexpected demonstration, her mistress, in amazement, dropped her weapon, desisting from her purpose of chastisement. frado walked towards the house, her mistress following with the wood she herself was sent after. she did not know, before, that she had a power to ward off assaults. her triumph in seeing her enter the door with her burden, repaid her for much of her former suffering. it was characteristic of mrs. b. never to rise in her majesty, unless she was sure she should be victorious. this affair never met with an "after clap," like many others. thus passed a year. the usual amount of scolding, but fewer whippings. mrs. b. longed once more for mary's return, who had been absent over a year; and she wrote imperatively for her to come quickly to her. a letter came in reply, announcing that she would comply as soon as she was sufficiently recovered from an illness which detained her. no serious apprehensions were cherished by either parent, who constantly looked for notice of her arrival, by mail. another letter brought tidings that mary was seriously ill; her mother's presence was solicited. she started without delay. before she reached her destination, a letter came to the parents announcing her death. no sooner was the astounding news received, than frado rushed into aunt abby's, exclaiming:-"she's dead, aunt abby!" "who?" she asked, terrified by the unprefaced announcement. "mary; they've just had a letter." as mrs. b. was away, the brother and sister could freely sympathize, and she sought him in this fresh sorrow, to communicate such solace as she could, and to learn particulars of mary's untimely death, and assist him in his journey thither. it seemed a thanksgiving to frado. every hour or two she would pop in into aunt abby's room with some strange query: "she got into the river again, aunt abby, didn't she; the jordan is a big one to tumble into, any how. s'posen she goes to hell, she'll be as black as i am. wouldn't mistress be mad to see her a nigger!" and others of a similar stamp, not at all acceptable to the pious, sympathetic dame; but she could not evade them. the family returned from their sorrowful journey, leaving the dead behind. nig looked for a change in her tyrant; what could subdue her, if the loss of her idol could not? never was mrs. b. known to shed tears so profusely, as when she reiterated to one and another the sad particulars of her darling's sickness and death. there was, indeed, a season of quiet grief; it was the lull of the fiery elements. a few weeks revived the former tempests, and so at variance did they seem with chastisement sanctified, that frado felt them to be unbearable. she determined to flee. but where? who would take her? mrs. b. had always represented her ugly. perhaps every one thought her so. then no one would take her. she was black, no one would love her. she might have to return, and then she would be more in her mistress' power than ever. she remembered her victory at the wood-pile. she decided to remain to do as well as she could; to assert her rights when they were trampled on; to return once more to her meeting in the evening, which had been prohibited. she had learned how to conquer; she would not abuse the power while mr. bellmont was at home. but had she not better run away? where? she had never been from the place far enough to decide what course to take. she resolved to speak to aunt abby. she mapped the dangers of her course, her liability to fail in finding so good friends as john and herself. frado's mind was busy for days and nights. she contemplated administering poison to her mistress, to rid herself and the house of so detestable a plague. but she was restrained by an overruling providence; and finally decided to stay contentedly through her period of service, which would expire when she was eighteen years of age. in a few months jane returned home with her family, to relieve her parents, upon whom years and affliction had left the marks of age. the years intervening since she had left her home, had, in some degree, softened the opposition to her unsanctioned marriage with george. the more mrs. b. had about her, the more energetic seemed her directing capabilities, and her fault-finding propensities. her own, she had full power over; and jane after vain endeavors, became disgusted, weary, and perplexed, and decided that, though her mother might suffer, she could not endure her home. they followed jack to the west. thus vanished all hopes of sympathy or relief from this source to frado. there seemed no one capable of enduring the oppressions of the house but her. she turned to the darkness of the future with the determination previously formed, to remain until she should be eighteen. jane begged her to follow her so soon as she should be released; but so wearied out was she by her mistress, she felt disposed to flee from any and every one having her similitude of name or feature. chapter xi. marriage again. crucified the hopes that cheered me, all that to the earth endeared me; love of wealth and fame and power, love,--all have been crucified. c. e. darkness before day. jane left, but jack was now to come again. after mary's death he visited home, leaving a wife behind. an orphan whose home was with a relative, gentle, loving, the true mate of kind, generous jack. his mother was a stranger to her, of course, and had perfect right to interrogate: "is she good looking, jack?" asked his mother. "looks well to me," was the laconic reply. "was her father rich?" "not worth a copper, as i know of; i never asked him," answered jack. "hadn't she any property? what did you marry her for," asked his mother. "oh, she's worth a million dollars, mother, though not a cent of it is in money." "jack! what do you want to bring such a poor being into the family, for? you'd better stay here, at home, and let your wife go. why couldn't you try to do better, and not disgrace your parents?" "don't judge, till you see her," was jack's reply, and immediately changed the subject. it was no recommendation to his mother, and she did not feel prepared to welcome her cordially now he was to come with his wife. he was indignant at his mother's advice to desert her. it rankled bitterly in his soul, the bare suggestion. he had more to bring. he now came with a child also. he decided to leave the west, but not his family. upon their arrival, mrs. b. extended a cold welcome to her new daughter, eyeing her dress with closest scrutiny. poverty was to her a disgrace, and she could not associate with any thus dishonored. this coldness was felt by jack's worthy wife, who only strove the harder to recommend herself by her obliging, winning ways. mrs. b. could never let jack be with her alone without complaining of this or that deficiency in his wife. he cared not so long as the complaints were piercing his own ears. he would not have jenny disquieted. he passed his time in seeking employment. a letter came from his brother lewis, then at the south, soliciting his services. leaving his wife, he repaired thither. mrs. b. felt that great restraint was removed, that jenny was more in her own power. she wished to make her feel her inferiority; to relieve jack of his burden if he would not do it himself. she watched her incessantly, to catch at some act of jenny's which might be construed into conjugal unfaithfulness. near by were a family of cousins, one a young man of jack's age, who, from love to his cousin, proffered all needful courtesy to his stranger relative. soon news reached jack that jenny was deserting her covenant vows, and had formed an illegal intimacy with his cousin. meantime jenny was told by her mother-inlaw that jack did not marry her untrammelled. he had another love whom he would be glad, even now, if he could, to marry. it was very doubtful if he ever came for her. jenny would feel pained by her unwelcome gossip, and, glancing at her child, she decided, however true it might be, she had a pledge which would enchain him yet. ere long, the mother's inveterate hate crept out into some neighbor's enclosure, and, caught up hastily, they passed the secret round till it became none, and lewis was sent for, the brother by whom jack was employed. the neighbors saw her fade in health and spirits; they found letters never reached their destination when sent by either. lewis arrived with the joyful news that he had come to take jenny home with him. what a relief to her to be freed from the gnawing taunts of her adversary. jenny retired to prepare for the journey, and mrs. b. and henry had a long interview. next morning he informed jenny that new clothes would be necessary, in order to make her presentable to baltimore society, and he should return without her, and she must stay till she was suitably attired. disheartened, she rushed to her room, and, after relief from weeping, wrote to jack to come; to have pity on her, and take her to him. no answer came. mrs. smith, a neighbor, watchful and friendly, suggested that she write away from home, and employ some one to carry it to the office who would elude mrs. b., who, they very well knew, had intercepted jenny's letter, and influenced lewis to leave her behind. she accepted the offer, and frado succeeded in managing the affair so that jack soon came to the rescue, angry, wounded, and forever after alienated from his early home and his mother. many times would frado steal up into jenny's room, when she knew she was tortured by her mistress' malignity, and tell some of her own encounters with her, and tell her she might "be sure it wouldn't kill her, for she should have died long before at the same treatment." susan and her child succeeded jenny as visitors. frado had merged into womanhood, and, retaining what she had learned, in spite of the few privileges enjoyed formerly, was striving to enrich her mind. her school-books were her constant companions, and every leisure moment was applied to them. susan was delighted to witness her progress, and some little book from her was a reward sufficient for any task imposed, however difficult. she had her book always fastened open near her, where she could glance from toil to soul refreshment. the approaching spring would close the term of years which mrs. b. claimed as the period of her servitude. often as she passed the waymarks of former years did she pause to ponder on her situation, and wonder if she could succeed in providing for her own wants. her health was delicate, yet she resolved to try. soon she counted the time by days which should release her. mrs. b. felt that she could not well spare one who could so well adapt herself to all departments--man, boy, housekeeper, domestic, etc. she begged mrs. smith to talk with her, to show her how ungrateful it would appear to leave a home of such comfort--how wicked it was to be ungrateful! but frado replied that she had had enough of such comforts; she wanted some new ones; and as it was so wicked to be ungrateful, she would go from temptation; aunt abby said "we mustn't put ourselves in the way of temptation." poor little fido! she shed more tears over him than over all beside. the morning for departure dawned. frado engaged to work for a family a mile distant. mrs. bellmont dismissed her with the assurance that she would soon wish herself back again, and a present of a silver half-dollar. her wardrobe consisted of one decent dress, without any superfluous accompaniments. a bible from susan she felt was her greatest treasure. now was she alone in the world. the past year had been one of suffering resulting from a fall, which had left her lame. the first summer passed pleasantly, and the wages earned were expended in garments necessary for health and cleanliness. though feeble, she was well satisfied with her progress. shut up in her room, after her toil was finished, she studied what poor samples of apparel she had, and, for the first time, prepared her own garments. mrs. moore, who employed her, was a kind friend to her, and attempted to heal her wounded spirit by sympathy and advice, burying the past in the prospects of the future. but her failing health was a cloud no kindly human hand could dissipate. a little light work was all she could accomplish. a clergyman, whose family was small, sought her, and she was removed there. her engagement with mrs. moore finished in the fall. frado was anxious to keep up her reputation for efficiency, and often pressed far beyond prudence. in the winter she entirely gave up work, and confessed herself thoroughly sick. mrs. hale, soon overcome by additional cares, was taken sick also, and now it became necessary to adopt some measures for frado's comfort, as well as to relieve mrs. hale. such dark forebodings as visited her as she lay, solitary and sad, no moans or sighs could relieve. the family physician pronounced her case one of doubtful issue. frado hoped it was final. she could not feel relentings that her former home was abandoned, and yet, should she be in need of succor could she obtain it from one who would now so grudgingly bestow it? the family were applied to, and it was decided to take her there. she was removed to a room built out from the main building, used formerly as a workshop, where cold and rain found unobstructed access, and here she fought with bitter reminiscences and future prospects till she became reckless of her faith and hopes and person, and half wished to end what nature seemed so tardily to take. aunt abby made her frequent visits, and at last had her removed to her own apartment, where she might supply her wants, and minister to her once more in heavenly things. then came the family consultation. "what is to be done with her," asked mrs. b., "after she is moved there with nab?" "send for the dr., your brother," mr. b. replied. "when?" "to-night." "to-night! and for her! wait till morning," she continued. "she has waited too long now; i think something should be done soon." "i doubt if she is much sick," sharply interrupted mrs. b. "well, we'll see what our brother thinks." his coming was longed for by frado, who had known him well during her long sojourn in the family; and his praise of her nice butter and cheese, from which his table was supplied, she knew he felt as well as spoke. "you're sick, very sick," he said, quickly, after a moment's pause. "take good care of her, abby, or she'll never get well. all broken down." "yes, it was at mrs. moore's," said mrs. b., "all this was done. she did but little the latter part of the time she was here." "it was commenced longer ago than last summer. take good care of her; she may never get well," remarked the dr. "we sha'n't pay you for doctoring her; you may look to the town for that, sir," said mrs. b., and abruptly left the room. "oh dear! oh dear!" exclaimed frado, and buried her face in the pillow. a few kind words of consolation, and she was once more alone in the darkness which enveloped her previous days. yet she felt sure they owed her a shelter and attention, when disabled, and she resolved to feel patient, and remain till she could help herself. mrs. b. would not attend her, nor permit her domestic to stay with her at all. aunt abby was her sole comforter. aunt abby's nursing had the desired effect, and she slowly improved. as soon as she was able to be moved, the kind mrs. moore took her to her home again, and completed what aunt abby had so well commenced. not that she was well, or ever would be; but she had recovered so far as rendered it hopeful she might provide for her own wants. the clergyman at whose house she was taken sick, was now seeking some one to watch his sick children, and as soon as he heard of her recovery, again asked for her services. what seemed so light and easy to others, was too much for frado; and it became necessary to ask once more where the sick should find an asylum. all felt that the place where her declining health began, should be the place of relief; so they applied once more for a shelter. "no," exclaimed the indignant mrs. b., "she shall never come under this roof again; never! never!" she repeated, as if each repetition were a bolt to prevent admission. one only resource; the public must pay the expense. so she was removed to the home of two maidens, (old,) who had principle enough to be willing to earn the money a charitable public disburses. three years of weary sickness wasted her, without extinguishing a life apparently so feeble. two years had these maidens watched and cared for her, and they began to weary, and finally to request the authorities to remove her. mrs. hoggs was a lover of gold and silver, and she asked the favor of filling her coffers by caring for the sick. the removal caused severe sickness. by being bolstered in the bed, after a time she could use her hands, and often would ask for sewing to beguile the tedium. she had become very expert with her needle the first year of her release from mrs. b., and she had forgotten none of her skill. mrs. h. praised her, and as she improved in health, was anxious to employ her. she told her she could in this way replace her clothes, and as her board would be paid for, she would thus gain something. many times her hands wrought when her body was in pain; but the hope that she might yet help herself, impelled her on. thus she reckoned her store of means by a few dollars, and was hoping soon to come in possession, when she was startled by the announcement that mrs. hoggs had reported her to the physician and town officers as an impostor. that she was, in truth, able to get up and go to work. this brought on a severe sickness of two weeks, when mrs. moore again sought her, and took her to her home. she had formerly had wealth at her command, but misfortune had deprived her of it, and unlocked her heart to sympathies and favors she had never known while it lasted. her husband, defrauded of his last means by a branch of the bellmont family, had supported them by manual labor, gone to the west, and left his wife and four young children. but she felt humanity required her to give a shelter to one she knew to be worthy of a hospitable reception. mrs. moore's physician was called, and pronounced her a very sick girl, and encouraged mrs. m. to keep her and care for her, and he would see that the authorities were informed of frado's helplessness, and pledged assistance. here she remained till sufficiently restored to sew again. then came the old resolution to take care of herself, to cast off the unpleasant charities of the public. she learned that in some towns in massachusetts, girls make straw bonnets--that it was easy and profitable. but how should she, black, feeble and poor, find any one to teach her. but god prepares the way, when human agencies see no path. here was found a plain, poor, simple woman, who could see merit beneath a dark skin; and when the invalid mulatto told her sorrows, she opened her door and her heart, and took the stranger in. expert with the needle, frado soon equalled her instructress; and she sought also to teach her the value of useful books; and while one read aloud to the other of deeds historic and names renowned, frado experienced a new impulse. she felt herself capable of elevation; she felt that this book information supplied an undefined dissatisfaction she had long felt, but could not express. every leisure moment was carefully applied to self-improvement, and a devout and christian exterior invited confidence from the villagers. thus she passed months of quiet, growing in the confidence of her neighbors and new found friends. chapter xii. the winding up of the matter. nothing new under the sun. solomon. a few years ago, within the compass of my narrative, there appeared often in some of our new england villages, professed fugitives from slavery, who recounted their personal experience in homely phrase, and awakened the indignation of non-slaveholders against brother pro. such a one appeared in the new home of frado; and as people of color were rare there, was it strange she should attract her dark brother; that he should inquire her out; succeed in seeing her; feel a strange sensation in his heart towards her; that he should toy with her shining curls, feel proud to provoke her to smile and expose the ivory concealed by thin, ruby lips; that her sparkling eyes should fascinate; that he should propose; that they should marry? a short acquaintance was indeed an objection, but she saw him often, and thought she knew him. he never spoke of his enslavement to her when alone, but she felt that, like her own oppression, it was painful to disturb oftener than was needful. he was a fine, straight negro, whose back showed no marks of the lash, erect as if it never crouched beneath a burden. there was a silent sympathy which frado felt attracted her, and she opened her heart to the presence of love--that arbitrary and inexorable tyrant. she removed to singleton, her former residence, and there was married. here were frado's first feelings of trust and repose on human arm. she realized, for the first time, the relief of looking to another for comfortable support. occasionally he would leave her to "lecture." those tours were prolonged often to weeks. of course he had little spare money. frado was again feeling her self-dependence, and was at last compelled to resort alone to that. samuel was kind to her when at home, but made no provision for his absence, which was at last unprecedented. he left her to her fate--embarked at sea, with the disclosure that he had never seen the south, and that his illiterate harangues were humbugs for hungry abolitionists. once more alone! yet not alone. a still newer companionship would soon force itself upon her. no one wanted her with such prospects. herself was burden enough; who would have an additional one? the horrors of her condition nearly prostrated her, and she was again thrown upon the public for sustenance. then followed the birth of her child. the long absent samuel unexpectedly returned, and rescued her from charity. recovering from her expected illness, she once more commenced toil for herself and child, in a room obtained of a poor woman, but with better fortune. one so well known would not be wholly neglected. kind friends watched her when samuel was from home, prevented her from suffering, and when the cold weather pinched the warmly clad, a kind friend took them in, and thus preserved them. at last samuel's business became very engrossing, and after long desertion, news reached his family that he had become a victim of yellow fever, in new orleans. so much toil as was necessary to sustain frado, was more than she could endure. as soon as her babe could be nourished without his mother, she left him in charge of a mrs. capon, and procured an agency, hoping to recruit her health, and gain an easier livelihood for herself and child. this afforded her better maintenance than she had yet found. she passed into the various towns of the state she lived in, then into massachusetts. strange were some of her adventures. watched by kidnappers, maltreated by professed abolitionists, who didn't want slaves at the south, nor niggers in their own houses, north. faugh! to lodge one; to eat with one; to admit one through the front door; to sit next one; awful! traps slyly laid by the vicious to ensnare her, she resolutely avoided. in one of her tours, providence favored her with a friend who, pitying her cheerless lot, kindly provided her with a valuable recipe, from which she might herself manufacture a useful article for her maintenance. this proved a more agreeable, and an easier way of sustenance. and thus, to the present time, may you see her busily employed in preparing her merchandise; then sallying forth to encounter many frowns, but some kind friends and purchasers. nothing turns her from her steadfast purpose of elevating herself. reposing on god, she has thus far journeyed securely. still an invalid, she asks your sympathy, gentle reader. refuse not, because some part of her history is unknown, save by the omniscient god. enough has been unrolled to demand your sympathy and aid. do you ask the destiny of those connected with her early history? a few years only have elapsed since mr. and mrs. b. passed into another world. as age increased, mrs. b. became more irritable, so that no one, even her own children, could remain with her; and she was accompanied by her husband to the home of lewis, where, after an agony in death unspeakable, she passed away. only a few months since, aunt abby entered heaven. jack and his wife rest in heaven, disturbed by no intruders; and susan and her child are yet with the living. jane has silver locks in place of auburn tresses, but she has the early love of henry still, and has never regretted her exchange of lovers. frado has passed from their memories, as joseph from the butler's, but she will never cease to track them till beyond mortal vision. appendix. "truth is stranger than fiction;" and whoever reads the narrative of alfrado, will find the assertion verified. about eight years ago i became acquainted with the author of this book, and i feel it a privilege to speak a few words in her behalf. through the instrumentality of an itinerant colored lecturer, she was brought to w-----, mass. this is an ancient town, where the mothers and daughters seek, not "wool and flax," but straw,--working willingly with their hands! here she was introduced to the family of mrs. walker, who kindly consented to receive her as an inmate of her household, and immediately succeeded in procuring work for her as a "straw sewer." being very ingenious, she soon acquired the art of making hats; but on account of former hard treatment, her constitution was greatly impaired, and she was subject to seasons of sickness. on this account mrs. w. gave her a room joining her own chamber, where she could hear her faintest call. never shall i forget the expression of her "black, but comely" face, as she came to me one day, exclaiming, "o, aunt j-----, i have at last found a home,--and not only a home, but a mother. my cup runneth over. what shall i render to the lord for all his benefits?" months passed on, and she was happy--truly happy. her health began to improve under the genial sunshine in which she lived, and she even looked forward with hope--joyful hope to the future. but, alas, "it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." one beautiful morning in the early spring of 1842, as she was taking her usual walk, she chanced to meet her old friend, the "lecturer," who brought her to w-----, and with him was a fugitive slave. young, well-formed and very handsome, he said he had been a house-servant, which seemed to account in some measure for his gentlemanly manners and pleasing address. the meeting was entirely accidental; but it was a sad occurrence for poor alfrado, as her own sequel tells. suffice it to say, an acquaintance and attachment was formed, which, in due time, resulted in marriage. in a few days she left w-----, and all her home comforts, and took up her abode in new hampshire. for a while everything went on well, and she dreamed not of danger; but in an evil hour he left his young and trusting wife, and embarked for sea. she knew nothing of all this, and waited for his return. but she waited in vain. days passed, weeks passed, and he came not; then her heart failed her. she felt herself deserted at a time, when, of all others, she most needed the care and soothing attentions of a devoted husband. for a time she tried to sustain herself, but this was impossible. she had friends, but they were mostly of that class who are poor in the things of earth, but "rich in faith." the charity on which she depended failed at last, and there was nothing to save her from the "county house;" go she must. but her feelings on her way thither, and after her arrival, can be given better in her own language; and i trust it will be no breach of confidence if i here insert part of a letter she wrote her mother walker, concerning the matter. * * * "the evening before i left for my dreaded journey to the 'house' which was to be my abode, i packed my trunk, carefully placing in it every little memento of affection received from you and my friends in w-----, among which was the portable inkstand, pens and paper. my beautiful little bible was laid aside, as a place nearer my heart was reserved for that. i need not tell you i slept not a moment that night. my home, my peaceful, quiet home with you, was before me. i could see my dear little room, with its pleasant eastern window opening to the morning; but more than all, i beheld you, my mother, gliding softly in and kneeling by my bed to read, as no one but you can read, 'the lord is my shepherd,--i shall not want.' but i cannot go on, for tears blind me. for a description of the morning, and of the scant breakfast, i must wait until another time. "we started. the man who came for me was kind as he could be,--helped me carefully into the wagon, (for i had no strength,) and drove on. for miles i spoke not a word. then the silence would be broken by the driver uttering some sort of word the horse seemed to understand; for he invariably quickened his pace. and so, just before nightfall, we halted at the institution, prepared for the homeless. with cold civility the matron received me, and bade one of the inmates shew me my room. she did so; and i followed up two flights of stairs. i crept as i was able; and when she said, 'go in there,' i obeyed, asking for my trunk, which was soon placed by me. my room was furnished some like the 'prophet's chamber,' except there was no 'candlestick;' so when i could creep down i begged for a light, and it was granted. then i flung myself on the bed and cried, until i could cry no longer. i rose up and tried to pray; the saviour seemed near. i opened my precious little bible, and the first verse that caught my eye was--'i am poor and needy, yet the lord thinketh upon me.' o, my mother, could i tell you the comfort this was to me. i sat down, calm, almost happy, took my pen and wrote on the inspiration of the moment- "o, holy father, by thy power, thus far in life i'm brought; and now in this dark, trying hour, o god, forsake me not. "dids't thou not nourish and sustain my infancy and youth? have i not testimonials plain, of thy unchanging truth? "though i've no home to call my own, my heart shall not repine; the saint may live on earth unknown, and yet in glory shine. "when my redeemer dwelt below, he chose a lowly lot; he came unto his own, but lo! his own received him not. "oft was the mountain his abode, the cold, cold earth his bed; the midnight moon shone softly down on his unsheltered head. "but my head was sheltered, and i tried to feel thankful." *** two or three letters were received after this by her friends in w-----, and then all was silent. no one of us knew whether she still lived or had gone to her home on high. but it seems she remained in this house until after the birth of her babe; then her faithless husband returned, and took her to some town in new hampshire, where, for a time, he supported her and his little son decently well. but again he left her as before--suddenly and unexpectedly, and she saw him no more. her efforts were again successful in a measure in securing a meagre maintenance for a time; but her struggles with poverty and sickness were severe. at length, a door of hope was opened. a kind gentleman and lady took her little boy into their own family, and provided everything necessary for his good; and all this without the hope of remuneration. but let them know, they shall be "recompensed at the resurrection of the just." god is not unmindful of this work,--this labor of love. as for the afflicted mother, she too has been remembered. the heart of a stranger was moved with compassion, and bestowed a recipe upon her for restoring gray hair to its former color. she availed herself of this great help, and has been quite successful; but her health is again falling, and she has felt herself obliged to resort to another method of procuring her bread--that of writing an autobiography. i trust she will find a ready sale for her interesting work; and let all the friends who purchase a volume, remember they are doing good to one of the most worthy, and i had almost said most unfortunate, of the human family. i will only add in conclusion, a few lines, calculated to comfort and strengthen this sorrowful, homeless one. "i will help thee, saith the lord." "i will help thee," promise kind made by our high priest above; soothing to the troubled mind, full of tenderness and love. "i will help thee" when the storm gathers dark on every side; safely from impending harm, in my sheltering bosom hide. "i will help thee," weary saint, cast thy burdens all on me; oh, how cans't thou tire or faint, while my arm encircles thee. i have pitied every tear, heard and counted every sigh; ever lend a gracious ear to thy supplicating cry. what though thy wounded bosom bleed, pierced by affliction's dart; do i not all thy sorrows heed, and bear thee on my heart? soon will the lowly grave become thy quiet resting place; thy spirit find a peaceful home in mansions near my face. there are thy robes and glittering crown, outshining yonder sun; soon shalt thou lay the body down, and put those glories on. long has thy golden lyre been strung, which angels cannot move; no song to this is ever sung, but bleeding, dying love. allida. having known the writer of this book for a number of years, and knowing the many privations and mortifications she has had to pass through, i the more willingly add my testimony to the truth of her assertions. she is one of that class, who by some are considered not only as little lower than the angels, but far beneath them; but i have long since learned that we are not to look at the color of the hair, the eyes, or the skin, for the man or woman; their life is the criterion we are to judge by. the writer of this book has seemed to be a child of misfortune. early in life she was deprived of her parents, and all those endearing associations to which childhood clings. indeed, she may be said not to have had that happy period; for, being taken from home so young, and placed where she had nothing to love or cling to, i often wonder she had not grown up a monster; and those very people calling themselves christians, (the good lord deliver me from such,) and they likewise ruined her health by hard work, both in the field and house. she was indeed a slave, in every sense of the word; and a lonely one, too. but she has found some friends in this degraded world, that were willing to do by others as they would have others do by them; that were willing she should live, and have an existence on the earth with them. she has never enjoyed any degree of comfortable health since she was eighteen years of age, and a great deal of the time has been confined to her room and bed. she is now trying to write a book; and i hope the public will look favorably on it, and patronize the same, for she is a worthy woman. her own health being poor, and having a child to care for, (for, by the way, she has been married,) and she wishes to educate him; in her sickness he has been taken from her, and sent to the county farm, because she could not pay his board every week; but as soon as she was able, she took him from that place, and now he has a home where he is contented and happy, and where he is considered as good as those he is with. he is an intelligent, smart boy, and no doubt will make a smart man, if he is rightly managed. he is beloved by his playmates, and by all the friends of the family; for the family do not recognize those as friends who do not include him in their family, or as one of them, and his mother as a daughter--for they treat her as such; and she certainly deserves all the affection and kindness that is bestowed upon her, and they are always happy to have her visit them whenever she will. they are not wealthy, but the latch-string is always out when suffering humanity needs a shelter; the last loaf they are willing to divide with those more needy than themselves, remembering these words, do good as we have opportunity; and we can always find opportunity, if we have the disposition. and now i would say, i hope those who call themselves friends of our dark-skinned brethren, will lend a helping hand, and assist our sister, not in giving, but in buying a book; the expense is trifling, and the reward of doing good is great. our duty is to our fellow-beings, and when we let an opportunity pass, we know not what we lose. therefore we should do with all our might what our hands find to do; and remember the words of him who went about doing good, that inasmuch as ye have done a good deed to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me; and even a cup of water is not forgotten. therefore, let us work while the day lasts, and we shall in no wise lose our reward. margaretta thorn. milford, july 20th, 1859. feeling a deep interest in the welfare of the writer of this book, and hoping that its circulation will be extensive, i wish to say a few words in her behalf. i have been acquainted with her for several years, and have always found her worthy the esteem of all friends of humanity; one whose soul is alive to the work to which she puts her hand.. although her complexion is a little darker than my own, i esteem it a privilege to associate with her, and assist her whenever an opportunity presents itself. it is with this motive that i write these few lines, knowing this book must be interesting to all who have any knowledge of the writer's character, or wish to have. i hope no one will refuse to aid her in her work, as she is worthy the sympathy of all christians, and those who have a spark of humanity in their breasts. thinking it unnecessary for me to write a long epistle, i will close by bidding her god speed. c. d. s. * * * * * note of etext transcriber: joined contractions where separated, e.g., "do n't" has become "don't," and omitted the accent on "protege" on page 42; in addition i have made the following changes to the text: page line original changed to 11 1 uninten uninten 21 22 decrepid decrepit 44 4 anut aunt 47 9 mrs, mrs. 51 1 whipped;" whipped," 51 5 "god;" "god," 54 25 jumped one jumped to one 62 12 housekeper housekeeper 64 18 long, for? long for? 92 13 why "why 92 13 w at what 92 23 did want did not want 99 15 aunt aunt 121 23 she shall shall 130 7 symyathy, sympathy, [illustration: hazeley family. page 23.] the hazeley family by mrs. a. e. johnson _philadelphia_ american baptist publication society _1420 chestnut street_ the hazeley family by mrs. a. e. johnson _author of clarence and corinne_ philadelphia american baptist publication society 1420 chestnut street entered, according to act of congress, in the year 1894, by the american baptist publication society, in the office of the librarian of congress, at washington. contents. page chapter i. the hazeley home, 5 chapter ii. flora at home, 15 chapter iii. ruth rudd, 26 chapter iv. flora's first sunday, 37 chapter v. the beginning, 46 chapter vi. some results, 58 chapter vii. a visit to major joe, 67 chapter viii. more results, 79 chapter ix. ruth's new home, 89 chapter x. lottie piper, 97 chapter xi. changes, 106 chapter xii. led away, 117 chapter xiii. in the hospital and out again, 124 chapter xiv. a chapter of wonders, 132 chapter xv. going home, 142 chapter xvi. lottie's trials, 151 chapter xvii. more surprises, 162 chapter xviii. a christmas invitation, 171 chapter xix. a homely wedding, 180 the hazeley family. chapter i. the hazeley home. sixteen-year-old flora hazeley stood by the table in the dingy little dining room, looking down earnestly and thoughtfully at a shapely, yellow sweet potato. it was only a potato, but the sight of it brought to its owner, not only a crowd of pleasant memories, but a number of unpleasant anticipations. hence, the earnest, thoughtful expression on her young face. flora was the only daughter. she had two brothers, one older and one younger than herself, harry and alec, aged respectively, eighteen and thirteen. the mother was of an easy-going, careless disposition, and seemed indifferent to the management of her household. especially did she dislike responsibility of any kind. she was well pleased, therefore, to receive one day a letter from her sister, mrs. graham, a childless widow, offering to take flora, who was then just five years old, promising to rear her as if she had been her own daughter. mrs. graham was well off. in her case this meant that she lived in a pretty home of her own, with a nice income, not only supporting herself in comfort, but permitting her to provide a home for her elder sister for many years, who had entire charge of the housekeeping. this sister, mrs. sarah martin, was also a widow and childless. the resemblance went no further, for they differed, not only in manner, but opinions, thoughts, and character. mrs. graham, after a great deal of careful thought, had come to the conclusion to adopt her little niece. in fact she had often thought it over ever since the child first began to walk, and call her by name. she was a sensible woman, and it always annoyed her when she would visit her sister to see the careless way in which the children were being trained. seeing this, she had long wished to take and train flora according to her own idea of what constituted the education of a girl. "it will be so much worse for her than for the boys," she had said one day to mrs. martin. "i do dislike to see such a bright little child brought up to be good for nothing; and that is just the way in which it will be, if i do not take charge of her myself." the latter clause was intended to draw indirectly from her sister an opinion of such a proceeding, for mrs. martin was by no means partial to children. however, it was received with the indifferent observation: "esther never did have any interest in children anyhow. she never had any idea how to take care of herself, much less anybody else," to which was added a remark to the effect that if her sister bertha chose to burden herself with a troublesome child, she was sure she had nothing to do with the matter, and did not intend to have. mrs. graham was rather surprised to have her suggestion received so coolly. she had expected a great deal of trouble in getting sarah to consent, even provisionally. she was very glad to meet no more serious opposition, for, although she had fully decided in her own mind regarding the matter, yet her peace-loving nature dreaded unpleasant scenes. she purposely and entirely overlooked the expression of stern determination in the sharp-featured countenance of her sister, and forthwith resolved to send for flora without further loss of time. thus it was that flora hazeley changed homes. she was not legally adopted by her aunt, but was simply taken with the understanding she would be returned to her parents in case mrs. graham should in any way change her mind, or weary of her charge. this provision was inserted by mrs. martin, who determined, in spite of her seeming indifference, not to be ignored by her sister, upon whose bounty she considered she had a primary claim. for eleven years flora lived in the pretty home of her aunt bertha. her time was filled by various occupations, school, caring for the flowers in the garden, and dreaming under the old peach tree, which never bore any peaches, but grew on contentedly in the farthest corner of the yard. however, these were by no means the only ways in which flora spent her time, for mrs. martin, notwithstanding her stern resolve not to have anything to do with her, had suddenly taken an equally stern determination to do her share toward "bringing sister esther's child up properly." this was fortunate for flora. aunt sarah instructed her thoroughly and carefully in the details of housekeeping, cooking, serving, washing, in fact, everything she knew herself. how fortunate it was that she learned how to do these things, flora realized some time afterward, as mrs. martin had intended she should. while she was learning them, flora's progress was due rather more to the awe she felt of her stern aunt than to the desire to excel. mrs. martin was ever ready to scold and find fault. mrs. graham never criticised, but always had a bright smile and something pleasant to say. as a natural consequence, she was dearly loved by her niece. mrs. hazeley, flora's mother, delighted to be relieved of her troublesome little girl, settled down more contentedly than ever, to enjoy the quiet of her daughter's absence, and became daily more and more indisposed to exert herself in order to make her home attractive. it was usually pretty quiet now, because neither of the boys stayed in the house a moment longer than necessity demanded. mr. hazeley was employed on the railroad, and consequently was away from home a great deal. mrs. hazeley did little but turn aimlessly about, making herself believe that she was a very hard-working woman and then imagining herself much fatigued, found it necessary to rest often and long. she was at heart a good woman, when that organ could be reached, but possessed a weak, vacillating disposition, entirely lacking the gentle firmness of her sister, mrs. graham, or the uncompromising energy of mrs. martin. mr. hazeley had long ceased to complain of his home and its management, for his words had no further effect than to bring upon himself a storm of tearful scolding, which drove him out of the house to seek more genial quarters. he was by nature a peaceable man, and when he found that neither ease nor peace could be had at home, remained there as little as possible. in fact, as mrs. hazeley's sisters had often said, "if the whole family did not go to ruin, it would not be esther's fault." flora's life at her aunt's pleasant home had been a very happy one, and the time passed rapidly away. she was nearly through school, and looked eagerly forward into the future, that to her was so full of brightest hopes. it was her ambition to be of some use in the world. just what she wanted to do, she did not know--she had not yet determined; but that it was to be something great and good, she was confident, for small things did not enter into her conception of usefulness. aunt bertha was her confidante for all her plans, or rather, dreams; she could do nothing without aunt bertha, for had not she the means? flora felt sure nothing great could be done without money, that is, nothing she would care to do. but, alas! her summer sky, so promising and brilliant with hopes and indefinite plans, was suddenly overcast. aunt bertha was taken ill one day; the doctor said it was prostration, and he feared she might not rally. flora was told. her aunt bertha, whom she loved so dearly, and who loved her so much! must she die? "i love her far more than my mother," she whispered to herself. this seemed very disloyal in flora. but in truth, she had little cause to love the mother who had been so eager to relinquish her claim, and who, in all these years, had never expressed a wish to have her daughter at home. during her sister's illness, aunt sarah spent her time in constant attendance upon her. she was cold, stern, and unapproachable as ever, giving the child little information in regard to the sick one who had been so kind to her. she was not allowed to enter the sick room during the first of her aunt's illness, although mrs. graham had often asked to see her niece. one day, just before the spirit passed away, the sick woman called her sister, and said in a weak, trembling voice: "sister, i suppose you know i cannot live long, and that my will is made." mrs. martin silently nodded. "well," continued mrs. graham, "i have left everything to you--i thought it would be best." again a silent nod. "but, sarah, i want you to promise one thing; that you will see flora has what she needs to carry out her plans. the dear child has so longed to carry out some of her plans. i want her to have means to make whatever she may decide upon a success. and one more thing," she continued, pausing for breath, and looking pleadingly into the face above her, "i do hope, sarah, that you will keep flora here with you. do not send her back to her home. i have left all i own in your hands, and i trust to you, sister, to do what i wish." this long expression of her wishes had so taxed the fast-failing strength of the invalid, that she sank back, exhausted. no answer was expected, and mrs. martin was silent; and silent too, because she had not the slightest intention of doing as her sister wished. it was truly heartless; but mrs. martin was one of those people who do not present the harsh side of their nature in all its intensity until the reins of power are placed in their hands. so long as mrs. graham held the purse-strings, she acquiesced with as much grace as possible in her sister's plans. was not the money mrs. graham's to do with as she pleased? it was quite a different thing, however, to feel that now everything would be in her hands to use as she chose. no matter if the donor was still looking into her face, her mind was made up that things should be ordered in the future according to her good pleasure. it was not at all her wish to burden herself with esther's child, and forthwith she decided that back to her home flora should go. however, she did not allow these unworthy thoughts to disturb the last moments of her tender-hearted sister, by giving expression to them. so good mrs. graham passed peacefully away. flora was allowed to see her shortly before she died. the kind voice whispered words of comfort, telling her that aunt sarah would take care of her. these words fell unnoticed at the time upon the ear of the sobbing girl, who had been so accustomed to have aunt bertha think and plan for her. chapter ii. flora at home. mrs. graham's life had been a quiet, unobtrusive, but truly christian one. she had neglected no opportunity to implant in her young niece a love and reverence for holy things; and now that she was about to die, she felt that she had nothing to regret, that she had left no duty unfulfilled, so far as flora's training was concerned. it was with a heart full of peace that she commended her charge to the "one above all others" and took her leave of earth. flora was almost inconsolable. she had no one to comfort her, for aunt sarah was as distant as ever, being entirely too much occupied with plans for the future to care about flora. her mother came to the funeral, but neither was overjoyed to see the other after their long separation. it could scarcely be otherwise. natural affection had never been conspicuous in the hazeley home, and the influence of these years apart had not helped matters at all. indeed, they were little more to each other than strangers. after they returned from the cemetery, however, aunt sarah informed flora she was to return with her mother to her former, and as she deemed it, rightful home. the feelings with which the girl received this intelligence were by no means pleasant ones. but there was no use in crying or fretting about it, for when aunt sarah said a thing, she meant it, and could not be induced to alter her decision, even if flora had felt inclined to ask her to do so. this she had no thought of doing, for she was not at all anxious to make her home with her cold, distant aunt. "it is too bad!" she exclaimed, as she thought of all the bright helpful plans she and aunt bertha had made together, and which they had hoped to be able to carry out. "it is too bad!" she sobbed, as she bent over her trunk in her pretty little bedroom, the tears falling on the tasteful dresses, and the many loving tokens that had been given her by the dear hands now at rest beneath the unfeeling earth in the churchyard. mrs. martin was surprised that flora's mother made no objection to taking her daughter home. the truth was mrs. hazeley had been wanting this very thing for some time. it was not, however, because of any particularly affectionate or motherly feeling toward her child; but she had been thinking that flora, of whose ability she had heard much, would be a very great help to her in caring for the house. thus it was that flora returned to the home she had left eleven years before. just as the train was preparing to leave the station, lottie piper, one of flora's friends and admirers, came running to the car, and tossed something through the open window into flora's lap, saying hurriedly and pantingly, as she pressed the hand held out to her: "there, flora, take that. don't laugh. i raised it all myself, and i want you to have it; but don't eat it! keep it to remember me by. good-bye," she called, as the train moved off. flora waved her handkerchief out of the window to lottie, until her arm was tired. as she looked about the cars her attention was attracted by a titter from the opposite side. at first she could not understand why the girl who sat there should look at her and smile. as her neighbor gazed at her lap, flora's eyes followed, and there she saw the cause of the merriment in lottie's parting gift--a yellow sweet potato. at first she felt inclined to be provoked with lottie for bringing such a thing and causing her to be laughed at. however, the remembrance of her parting words, "i raised it all myself; but don't eat it!" made her smile in spite of herself. this encouraged the girl opposite to slip over to the seat beside flora, as mrs. hazeley was occupying the one in front, and the two girls, although entire strangers to each other, chatted away busily, until the train stopped at one of the stations, where the girl and her father, who sat farther back, left the car. soon after, flora found herself at home, bartonville and brinton being but a short distance apart. this brings us to the opening of our story. it was lottie's potato that lay upon the table, and flora had been wondering what to do with it. the memories it awakened were of brinton and the many pleasant strolls and romps she had enjoyed with lottie in her father's fields, which joined mrs. graham's, of aunt bertha herself, and much more. "but what am i to do with the potato?" she questioned. "i am not to eat it. i don't care to, either. oh! i know, i will plant it in a jar of water and let it grow. that would please lottie, i guess." she soon found a jar such as she wanted, and after washing it clean and bright, filled it full of clear water, and carefully placed the potato, end up, in it, and then looked about for a suitable place for it. "that window has a good broad seat," she said to herself; "and it is sunny, but the glass is so grimy! however, it will do. better yet, i will open the window." this was more easily said than done, for, although the weather was still warm--it being september--the window did not appear to have been opened for some time. flora struggled and pushed, and at length succeeded in opening it, making noise enough as she did so, to attract the attention of a young girl who was passing. she stopped, looking up, inquiringly. flora was heated with her exertions and the thought of having attracted attention, so that before she realized what she was doing, she was smiling and saying: "this old window was very hard to raise, but i was determined to do it." "no," said the girl, looking as if she was not quite sure that it was the right thing to say. "what is that in the jar?" she asked, as she came closer, and looked at the potato curiously, and then at flora in a friendly way that pleased her. "this," said flora, patting the vegetable; "it is a potato." "but what have you put it in there for?" persisted the girl. "to grow, to be sure." "will it grow?" "of course it will," replied flora, with an important air. "see! water is in this jar, and soon this potato will sprout, send roots down and leaves up, and then--and then--it will just keep on growing, you know." and flora felt sure that she had put quite an artistic finish to her description of potato culture. "oh, yes," cried her new acquaintance, with an intelligent light in her eyes; "i know very well what will happen then." "what?" asked flora, rather dubiously. "why, little sweet potatoes will grow on the roots, of course." "i--i don't think they will," said flora, hesitatingly, not being well versed on the subject. "yes; but they must--they always do," returned the girl, positively. "well, but there would be no room in the jar for potatoes to grow," said flora. "that's so." and the girl looked puzzled; then they both laughed, not knowing what else to do. "what is your name?" asked flora, by way of changing the subject, for she was a little fearful she might be asked to explain why little sweet potatoes would not grow in her jar. "my name is ruth rudd," was the answer. "what is yours?" "flora hazeley." "is it? well, i live just back of your house, on the next street. good-bye. i guess i will see you some other time." and she hurried away. "she is a real nice girl," flora thought, as she turned away from the window; "i hope i can see her again." she stood for an instant looking about the room. it was nicely furnished, but it looked neglected and untidy, and flora, having been so long accustomed to the attractiveness and order of her aunt's house, felt home-sick. her loneliness came over her in a great wave of feeling, and running through the kitchen, out of the door, went into the yard, which was a good-sized one, but so filled with rubbish and piles of boards, scarcely noticed through her tears, that she met with many a stumble before she reached the farther end. she wanted some quiet place in which to sit and think, as she used to do under the old peach tree at brinton. she was sure she "could think of nothing in that house," and the best she could do was to seat herself on an old block at the very back of the yard. she felt she could think better out in the open air, under the sky, for she was a great lover of nature, and loved to look at the blue sky. the sun was under a cloud, but the air was warm and pleasant. how different were her thoughts now from what they had been under the old peach tree! then she had reveled in rose-colored dreams; now she was confronted by gray realities. her thoughts went rapidly over her life since aunt bertha's death. she had been here not quite a week, and she found it such a different place from the home she had so lately left, that she was almost unwilling to call it "home." but while she considered her present home not very desirable, she had given no thought to the inmates, whether or not they had found in _her_ a very desirable addition to the circle. she was young, and she soon wearied of her sombre thoughts, which could avail her nothing, and she glanced at the houses on each side of her own. there was a marked difference. it was not in the style of the building, for hers was the most attractive. it was, however, in the general appearance, and flora felt she would like to begin at the topmost shingle and pull her home down to the ground. but the thought came to her that then she would have no home. she knew there was no room for her with aunt sarah, who was, no doubt, at this very moment enjoying her absence. "no, indeed, i do not want to live with aunt sarah," she thought; and then began to wonder vaguely if she had not better go to work and try to make her present home a more congenial one. the more she thought about it, the better the idea pleased her. just as she was endeavoring to decide upon something definite to do, she was startled by seeing a board in the fence, just behind her, pushed aside. before she could move, a round, fat, little face was thrust through the opening, and a pair of inquisitive brown eyes were fastened upon her. for a moment they looked, and then the owner squeezed through, and stood still, eyeing flora complacently. "well, and who are you? and what do you mean by coming in here that way?" asked flora, amused at the odd-looking little creature. "i'm jem," answered the midget, coolly; "and i didn't mean nuffing." "jem? i thought you were a girl," said flora, looking at the quaint, short-waisted dress, that reached almost down to the copper toed shoes, and the funny, little, short white apron, tied just under the fat arms, which were squeezed into sleeves much too tight for them. "so i am a girl," answered jem, indignantly; "don't you see i've gut a napron on wif pockets in?" and she thrust her chubby little fingers into one of them. "but you said your name was 'jem,' and that's a boy's name," persisted flora, enjoying her odd companion. "'tain't none," was the sententious reply; "it's short for 'jemima'; that's what my really name is." "well, jemima, what do you want in here?" "nuffing." "nothing? well, that isn't in here." "there ain't anythin' else's i can see," retorted jem, turning down the corners of her mouth very far, and looking about disdainfully. flora laughed outright at this, but her visitor's countenance lost none of its solemnity. "you do not seem to admire my yard, jem." "don't see anythin' to remire," retorted jem. "you'd just ought to peep in ours," and she moved over to the fence, and pulling away the board with a triumphant air, motioned flora to look. flora looked, but the first thing she saw was not the yard, but the young girl with whom she had been talking not an hour since. chapter iii. ruth rudd. ruth, standing by a long wooden bench, in the neat, brick-paved yard, was engaged in watering some plants that were her especial pride. hearing a noise at the fence, she turned, and recognizing flora, smiled and asked: "won't you come in?" "thank you," replied flora, smiling in return. "i think i will." jem looked on wonderingly as her sister and the visitor, whom she considered her especial property, chatted. she could not understand how they knew each other. at length, as they took no notice of her, she determined to assert herself; so, going up to flora, she demanded: "what do you think of _my_ yard?" "oh," said flora, recollecting for what purpose they had come, "i like it very much indeed, jem." "it's a pretty good yard, i think," said jem, with much emphasis on the pronoun. "come and look at the flowers, and i'll tell you the names of them." and she drew flora nearer the bench. "this is a gibonia," she continued, pointing with her fat finger to the flower named. "you mean a 'begonia,' don't you, jem?" said flora. "yes," answered jem, without changing countenance in the least, or seeming in any way abashed; "and this is a gerangum." "a geranium," corrected flora. "yes, i see." "and this is a chipoonia," pointing to a petunia, "and--oh, there's pokey!" and breaking away in the midst of her explanations, she gave chase to a fat little gray kitten that just then scampered across the yard, and into the house. "what a cute little girl jem is," said flora to ruth; "is she your sister?" "yes, that is, she is my half-sister; her mother was not my own mother, you know." "oh, she is your step-mother," said flora. "she was," corrected ruth; "but she has been dead ever since jem was a little baby. my own mother died when i was quite small," she added, with an elderly air. "who keeps house for you?" asked flora, in surprise. "i do," replied ruth. "i keep house for father, and take care of jem. she is all the company i have." "what a smart girl you are. how old are you, ruth?" "i'm sixteen, but i feel ever so much older. you see, it is a great responsibility to have everything at home resting upon one," and ruth looked very wise. "i should think so," said flora, thoughtfully. "i am sixteen too." "are you? that's nice. we ought to be good friends," returned ruth, smiling. "yes, i am sure we shall be," replied flora, earnestly. "i like you ever so much, ruth. i am very lonely here. i know nobody in this place except my home folks." "how strange," said ruth, in a puzzled way. "tell me about it." flora was glad to tell her story. "you poor child!" exclaimed matronly ruth, taking her hand between both her own, and pressing it. "how sorry i am for you." "are you?" said flora, laughing nervously, for she felt more like crying. "i was just feeling sorry for you." "sorry for me? why?" "because you have to live here all alone, or almost alone, and have so many responsibilities. you must get very lonely." "oh, but my responsibilities keep me so busy i have no time to be lonely. besides, i like responsibilities." "you do? perhaps if i had a few i wouldn't be so lonely either; but then you see i have none." "i think you have," returned ruth, soberly, and added, after a moment's thought, "i think you have a great many." "what are they?" "your mother, and father, and brothers, and your home. you are responsible for your conduct toward your parents. it is your duty to be a good daughter. there's your home, it is your duty to make it pleasant and comfortable. and there are your brothers----" "oh, do stop, ruth!" cried flora. "you have told me enough. you talk as if you were thirty years old instead of sixteen. no, no! i will not hear any more to-day about responsibilities; i have had enough for one day," and she playfully placed her hand over ruth's lips. "i wasn't going to say any more about them," said ruth. "i was only going to ask you to come into the house, for i must begin to prepare our supper." "no, thank you!" replied flora; "i must go now; but i should like to come again soon." "indeed, come as often as you please; the oftener you come the better i shall like it. come right through the fence whenever you want to; you will almost always find me here." "thank you," said flora. she bade ruth good-bye, and returned home the same way she had come, entirely unconscious of the look of disapproval with which little jem was regarding her from the window of an upper room, whither she had retreated with her precious pokey. jem felt quite slighted. flora and ruth had been so much occupied with each other as to forget entirely her important little self, and she determined to severely punish "sister ruth" for her conduct. she immediately proceeded to put her determination into execution by stowing herself and pokey away in the darkest corner under the bed, and there she remained in spite of ruth's coaxing calls. ruth found her there fast asleep, when she went to look for her at teatime. ruth was well acquainted with jem's various modes of punishing her, and she readily guessed the cause of her little sister's present displeasure; and likewise knowing her well, she decided to let her alone until she was ready to come down. at last jem came down while ruth was washing the dishes. she was in perfectly good spirits, for she felt satisfied that her sister had been sufficiently punished in having been deprived of her company for so long a time. she sat down quietly and ate her supper, which had been set aside for her. she did not say anything about the events of the afternoon and neither did ruth, who was busy thinking about flora. strangely enough, influenced by some unseen power, flora was at the same moment thinking of ruth. when our young friend entered her home, she found her father had returned in her absence. her mother was hurrying about in an aimless, impatient way, trying to get supper and at the same time set the table. these two occupations were not progressing very rapidly in her nervous hands. harry and alec were both in the dining room; the former sitting by the window reading, and the latter whittling a bit of wood with his pocket-knife, and letting the chips fly and settle where they would. it was not a very inviting picture, but with ruth's gentle face before her, and her words "it is your duty to be a good daughter" in her mind, flora stoutly determined she would begin immediately and undertake her responsibilities in the very best way she could. with these thoughts she quietly said to her mother she would finish setting the table. it was not much to do, but she felt a great deal better in making this first effort to be of use in her home. "what have i been thinking about not to have been doing this before? it is an actual treat to be busy," she continued to herself, as she placed the plates, cups, and saucers on the table. she did not know it, but both harry and alec were watching her whenever they were sure she was not looking. the boys had not paid any attention to their sister since her return home; in fact, they both thought it a bother to have a girl about the place. moreover, flora had made no effort to prove herself a very valuable addition to the little family. but this evening, as she moved back and forth, the neat and tasteful way in which she arranged the table, was so different from the usual careless manner, that both boys were favorably impressed. mrs. hazeley too, when she hurried in with the supper, gave a sigh of relief, as she noted that everything was ready. and the father, although preoccupied with his own thoughts, glanced about with a pleased look in his eyes. although flora was not aware of all this, she did not fail to notice there was a difference from the ordinary meal. the boys refrained from their usual snappish behavior, the mother was less peevish, and her father's face wore a look of quiet approval. on the whole, there was change enough to cause flora to determine she would follow out the suggestion of her friend ruth, and endeavor to make her home what she desired it to be. when supper was over, harry and alec took their hats and went out, no one asking where they were going, or when they would return. "how queer," thought flora, who had volunteered to clear the table and wash the dishes, "how queer, that neither mother nor father seems to care where the boys go, or what they do." and realizing the indifference of her parents, flora began to feel an interest in the pursuits of her brothers. when flora retired to rest that night, she felt quite pleased with her experience of the afternoon and evening, and she intended that this should be the beginning of a new departure in her life; and she felt glad that she had found such a friend as ruth. she arose early the next morning, and was downstairs before her mother was stirring. it was sunday, and the entire family were in the habit of rising later than usual on that day. "what a dingy old place this is, to be sure," said flora. "i'll make the fire and straighten things up a little." when she had finished she looked about, and shook her head. "it doesn't look a bit comfortable, or homelike. no wonder the boys go out every evening. i do wish i knew where to begin to improve things, but i don't, and i have no one to ask about it, except ruth; yes, i will talk to her about things. perhaps she can help me." when mrs. hazeley came downstairs, to her surprise and unbounded delight she found the fire burning, the kettle boiling, and the table daintily laid, ready for breakfast. "why, flora! i did not know you were up," she said, looking around, well-pleased with the generally improved condition of the room. "i do believe your aunt has made quite a housekeeper of you," she continued, a moment later, as she inwardly congratulated herself upon the circumstance which had sent her daughter home. flora flushed at this unexpected, and for her mother, somewhat unusual word of commendation, but made no reply, for the simple reason that she did not know what to say. in spite of this feeling of pleasure that her effort was appreciated, she could not help wishing herself back in her aunt's home,--not as it now stood, with aunt sarah at its head, but as it had been under aunt bertha's gentle control. the more she thought of it, the more intense became the longing to be there in the old, happy, care-free life at brinton. but there was nothing to be gained by wishing: aunt bertha was dead; aunt sarah was there, and there to stay; and she was at home, and here to stay; so there was nothing to do but to make the best of things, and get as much comfort out of life as she could. then she thought of ruth's life, and her brave effort to make a home for her father and jem, and inwardly flora determined to emulate her example. how well she succeeded the future will show. chapter iv. flora's first sunday. breakfast over, and the dishes cleared away, flora looked about, wondering what else there was for her to do. her father was reading a paper, and the boys had gone away. she went to the window where lottie's potato stood in its jar. the sight of it carried her thoughts back so vividly to the old days, that she half resolved to look at it no more. she felt dull and spiritless to-day; it was no wonder, for there was little to make her feel otherwise. at aunt bertha's, every one had been accustomed to attend church, and flora remained to sunday-school. she had been converted and received into the church about a year before her aunt's death. her sudden sorrow, her hasty trip from brinton, and her unfamiliar surroundings in her new home, caused her to feel as if she had been removed to a heathen land. none of the hazeley household attended church, and flora knew of no place to which she could go, for all was so new and strange to her, and being somewhat timid, she would not go alone. still standing at the window, and looking drearily out on the quiet street, she saw ruth and little jem passing, on their way to church. when they saw flora they stopped, and she, glad to see a friendly face, hastened to open the door. "would you not like to come with us to church, this morning?" asked ruth. "indeed i should," replied flora. "i was just wondering what i was going to do with myself to day. wait a minute; i will be ready in a very short time." as good as her word, she was soon ready. "i am so glad that you stopped for me, ruth," said she, as they walked along. "i know nothing about the churches here, and no one goes from our house." "that is too bad," returned ruth, sympathizingly. flora was indeed glad that she had come when, as they ascended the church steps, she heard the deep tones of the organ pealing out a welcome to all who entered. as they walked up the aisle, it seemed as if the sweet notes of the music twined around them, as though enfolding them in a loving embrace. a feeling of quiet content filled the heart of the young girl, and for a time the realities were forgotten in the soothing sense of rest that stole over her. nor did she attempt to arouse herself until the opening services were ended, and the minister arose to announce his text. in clear, distinct tones he read: "whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." twice he slowly read the words, until flora thought he surely must have pressed them right into her brain, for she felt that they were indelibly imprinted on her memory. whether the sermon was intended especially for young people, or not, she did not know, but she felt that it was peculiarly adapted to herself. i have no doubt that the older folks felt the same with regard to themselves. it was one of those texts and sermons that suit everybody. "i wonder how many of my hearers can say truthfully that they have done with their might 'whatsoever' their hands found to do," said the minister, looking, as flora thought, directly at her. she dropped her eyes uneasily to the floor, and mentally admitted, "i, for one, have not, unless it was to grumble and fret with all my might. i have done that, but nothing else, at least since i came home." "i am sure you cannot say that your hand has found nothing to do. you can perhaps say that your hand has not found what you wished it to do; but that is not what the words of the text teach. it says '_whatsoever_ thy hand finds to do.' then too, it is to be done 'with thy might'; not half-heartedly." "oh," commented flora to herself, "why _should_ he talk so straight at me? if he is not describing flora hazeley, i am mistaken." "did you ever notice," the minister continued, "that when you did a thing heartily, even though it was not the most agreeable occupation to you, it became more easy and pleasant to you?" flora thought of the little help she had voluntarily given her mother the previous evening, and again inwardly agreed with the speaker. the minister said a great many things that morning, some of which had never entered flora's mind, and they made her very thoughtful; so thoughtful that she paid but little attention to the strains of the organ that accompanied her out of the church. she remembered he had spoken of many kinds of work the hands might find to do, and which were to be done faithfully and heartily. perhaps it would be church work; perhaps professional work; perhaps mechanical work; and perhaps house-work and home-work. the last two, he thought, ought to go together, as neither could do very well without the other, although each differed in character. "house-work," he said, "as all knew, was sweeping, dusting, cooking, and the other duties connected with caring for the house; but home-work was the making and keeping a home; helping those in it to be contented and happy; brightening and making it cheery by both word and deed; shedding a healthful and inspiring influence, so that those around us may be the better for our presence." "according to that, we _all_ have a 'whatsoever,'" said flora, emphatically to herself; "and the sooner i decide to start on my own part, the better it will be for me." with her mind busy with many things, flora was very quiet on her way home. the sermon to which they had listened was plain and practical. it was not brilliant, but it was helpful. the ideas were not necessarily new, but the words fell upon at least one heart already prepared and softened by circumstances to receive and profit by them. to flora they were seed, falling upon the prepared ground of her heart, and in due time the fruit came forth. most of the suggestions were new to her, for never before had she viewed them in this particular light. ruth respected her friend's silence, for she saw that she was busy with her thoughts, and guessing something of what they were, she was also quiet. jem was unaffected by the silence of her elders. she walked along at ruth's side, with her hand closely holding her sister's. her happy life caused her every now and then to lapse from her dignified walk, and give a little jump and a skip. a continual volley of questions was thrown at ruth, whose replies were not always as obvious as occasion demanded. jem's quick retort, "no, it isn't, ruth," brought her to a realization of her abstractedness, and she resolved to be more attentive. they left flora at her door, ruth asking if she had enjoyed the service, and added: "will you not come to sunday-school with us this afternoon?" "i did enjoy the sermon very much," flora replied, "and i shall be pleased to go to sunday-school. if you will call for me, ruth, i will be ready when you come." a number of things grew out of flora's experience on this sunday. its influence stayed with her, and had no small part in shaping her future life. she soon became an earnest worker to make the world better for her living in it; striving patiently and faithfully to render her daily life a power for good to those around her. how she succeeded our story will tell. last, but not least, a strong affection sprang up between ruth and herself, which proved a blessing to both. ruth taught a class in the sunday-school, and persuaded flora to consent to take one also, if the necessity arose. she introduced her to the superintendent, who welcomed her cordially to the little band of christian toilers. "one class is in need of a teacher," he said; "will you not take it? it is composed of girls from ten to twelve years of age." "oh, i should not dare to undertake a class of girls so old!" exclaimed flora. "i am too young myself. give me little girls, such as ruth has." "but," said mr. gardiner, "there is no such class in need of a teacher. besides, it is not the age that has to do with your success as a teacher; it is the earnestness, perseverance, patience, and true piety which you bring to the work that will bring forth the results you desire." "i am so inexperienced," murmured flora. "neither has that anything to do with the matter," contended the gentleman, smiling. "experience will come, all in good time," he added. "well," said flora, "i will do my best." "that is right," answered mr. gardiner, heartily. he felt sure that the young girl before him would succeed, for energy, conscientiousness, and determination could be read plainly in her bearing, and these, he knew, were characteristics of a successful teacher. he was glad, therefore, he had persuaded her. ruth, also, was pleased, for now her friend would be also a co-worker. flora felt sad when she thought that her family were the only ones of those who knew her who were entirely indifferent as to what she did or where she went. "only think, ruth," she said to her friend, "it doesn't matter to them, whether i go wrong or right. what encouragement is there for a girl in my place to try to do right?" "it does seem hard, dear," the gentle friend replied; "but then you will shine out all the brighter in the end for doing right in the face of discouragements; and god cares, you know." they were at the gate, and bidding ruth good-bye, flora slowly went up the path to the house, her brain very active with new thoughts and purposes. "yes, god will help me, if i ask him," said flora, softly, as she went to her room, and after doffing her hat and jacket, she knelt beside her bed, and asked the dear lord to bless and strengthen her in her new surroundings, and let her life tell for him. chapter v. the beginning. monday morning was cloudy. flora felt gloomy and dispirited, and notwithstanding her good resolutions, not in a mood to make any extra exertion. mr. hazeley had gone to his work, harry and alec to school, and the mother was in bed with a sick headache. flora was lonely. there was much to be done, she realized, but just where to begin she did not know. there was no one to tell her what to do, and everything looked very dark to her on this monday morning. the dishes were nicely washed, and carefully put away. the little dining room had been swept and dusted, and looked somewhat more inviting. the window where the sweet potato, the last link binding her with the past at brinton, stood, had been washed until the glass fairly shone, and now she stood gazing listlessly out into the street. presently she saw ruth, on her way home from market. when in front of the house, ruth looked up, and saw flora's woe-begone face at the window. she stopped, and gave her a smiling little nod. flora's countenance brightened immediately, and she hastened to meet her. "you look lonely, this morning," was ruth's greeting. "indeed, i feel so," admitted flora. "if you are not busy come home with me for a while." "i should like nothing better," cried flora. "just wait until i tell mother." in a moment she was back, and the two walked on, flora insisting on helping ruth with her market-basket. jem met them at the door of the tiny house, and conducted them in with great dignity. flora was delighted with everything. "what a dear little house," she exclaimed, glancing about her admiringly. "i am glad you like it," said ruth, looking pleased. "and what a dear, little, old-fashioned housekeeper you make!" "do you really think so?" "of course i do," said flora, heartily. "ruth, dear," she continued, abruptly changing the subject, "i want a talk with you." "i shall be so glad to have you," said ruth, seating herself, with a pan of apples in her lap. "sit down beside me, and you can talk while i pare these apples." "i will help," replied flora. "run, jem dear, and get another knife for me, like a good girl." jem obeyed, and soon returning, brought with her a box filled with bits of calicoes, and various odds and ends, seated herself also, and proceeded to fashion what she was pleased to call "doll's clothes." "ruth," began flora, after they were all settled and busy, "i like you ever so much, and i hope we always will be friends. you seem to know so much, and you have had so much experience, that i am sure you can help me a great deal, if you will." "of course, dear," was her gentle reply, "i would be glad to help you all i can, and i shall be as pleased as possible for us to be friends. as to my knowing much, you are mistaken; i know but very little of anything; and experience,--well, i have had some, i suppose; but then, it isn't the sort that would help you, i am afraid. however, i shall be glad to do anything i can for you." "i am sure you can help me, ruth. you have helped me already," said flora, decidedly. "and i mean to do as you suggested, and try to make my home just what i would like to have it. i don't know how to begin exactly; and then, mother never seems to care how things go, and that makes me feel as if i did not care either." "i don't like to hear you talk about your mother so, flora dear," said roth, in a troubled tone. "how are you to help me, if i don't tell you just what i think and feel?" "perhaps, if you were to let your mother see and know that you wanted to help her, and make things bright, and talk with her----" "talk!" interrupted flora; "i don't believe she would do it, even if i were to try." "oh, but _have_ you tried yet?" asked ruth, looking up archly. "you cannot tell until you do." "very well," said flora, laughing, "i guess i shall try. but there is another thing," and the troubled look returned to her face. "it is about the boys, my brothers. they stay at home scarcely ever. i don't know where they go so often, and i am sure mother does not, and i don't believe she cares--you need not look grave again, ruth--i don't. harry and alec seem to be good boys, and it is a pity they are not restrained. they may get into bad company--if they are not in it already--and do something dreadful, and bring disgrace on us all. what can i do about that?" "it would take a wiser head than mine to tell you that," ruth answered; "but you might try and see if you could not make it so pleasant at home they would not care to be away so much." "it seems pretty plain to me that that is easier to say than to do," retorted flora, just a little impatiently. "yes, i know," assented ruth, meekly; "i don't pretend to be a solomon; i only said you might try." "i don't believe they would stay for me," contended flora, stubbornly. "that is another thing you have never tried yet," said ruth, smiling mischievously. "that is so," laughed flora, as she took two or three curly parings, and put them on ruth's hair, to show penitence for her contrariety. "i guess i had better not talk any more, until i have tried to do something. i don't know how to begin my reformatory measures, but i suppose all will be well if i start with 'whatsoever.'" by this time the apples were finished, and she rose to go. "you haven't remired my doll's things," said jem, reproachfully. "so i have not," said flora, and she sat down beside the little seamstress, and began to "remire" the various articles held up for inspection. she was compelled to see through jem's eyes, however, for the shapes of the garments were not so striking or familiar as to suggest their names. when at length she reluctantly took her leave, ruth invited her to come soon again, to which she laughingly replied she certainly should. after this, matters went on more pleasantly at flora's home. she busied herself with making the house look as cosy and as attractive as the shabby furniture and worn carpet would admit. she succeeded beyond her own expectations. she was gratified also that her brothers seemed to enjoy the improved condition of affairs, and so did her father when he was at home. lottie's potato was now adding its mite to the general reform, and was sprouting nicely, sending its delicate white roots downward into the clear water, and its closely folded leaflets upward, to grow green in the warm sunlight. it seemed to be quite at home in the bright window. flora had ceased to dream when she looked at her quaint friend. the days now, were too full to build air-castles. mrs. hazeley was pleased to shift her responsibility to flora, who enjoyed nothing better than to have all her time occupied. often, when tangles would come, flora would run over to the ever-sympathetic ruth, and receive advice from her. thus, in being busy, flora became more content, and often, as she thought of aunt sarah, she knew she would not be found fretting. she had not yet attempted to influence the boys by word, but they soon noticed the new air of homeliness pervading the rooms, and consequently did not go out so much as had been their custom. alec, the younger boy, was very mercurial and mischievous, while harry, the elder, was quiet, and fond of reading. one evening harry seemed to be more than usually inclined to be sociable, and gave his mother and sister an animated account of something that had happened "down town," that day. when he finished he took up his book, and was just preparing to read, when flora, eyeing the volume distrustfully, asked: "what are you reading, harry?" harry looked up at her quizzically, and answered her question by another. "why? what is it to you, anyway?" "nothing," said flora, rather disconcerted. she was unaccustomed to boys, and had but little tact in dealing with them. "i thought so," replied harry, coolly, returning to his book. "will you not tell me what you are reading?" again asked flora, not willing to be so easily vanquished. "why do you want to know?" demanded harry, looking at her suspiciously. flora's lips again framed "nothing," but no sound came, for like a flash she thought, "if i say that, he will say, 'i thought so,' as he did before. no, i will give a reason," so she said: "you seemed to be so interested in it, i thought it must be very entertaining." "so it is," replied harry, throwing a mischievous glance over to the corner at alec, where he sat thoroughly engrossed in his favorite pastime of whittling, and in serene thoughtlessness allowing the clippings to fall according to their own sweet will. harry was confident that flora intended to "read him a lecture upon trashy literature," as he afterward privately told alec. he replied: "it is interesting, flo, about murders, and bears, cut-throats and burglars, and other horrors that would make you nervous to read about." "i am not made nervous so easily as you may think, my dear boy," retorted flora, condescendingly, and at the same time glancing cautiously at harry, to see what effect this would have. she had determined to try and gain an influence over her brothers, and felt that to show an interest in their occupations would be a good beginning. she realized the task she thus imposed on herself, but she meant to do her best, for this was another "whatsoever." harry was for a moment too much surprised to speak. then he said, saucily: "ah, indeed! well, let me read some to you." "i shall be glad for you to read to me, if you will read a story i have just started. i feel sure you will enjoy it. if yours is a book for boys only, i fear i could not appreciate it." "oh, you couldn't?" said harry. "why not, may i ask?" but flora was up and away ere the sentence was completed. harry congratulated himself on having put her to flight, and returned to his book with a self-satisfied smile. flora, however, had only gone to her room for a paper. hurrying back, she spread it before astonished harry, and, pointing to its columns, said, in a peculiarly persuasive manner: "now, hal, i would be ever so glad if you would read that story aloud to us, while i crochet, and alec whittles on the floor." alec looked confused, and began to pick up some of the litter he had made. "never mind, alec," said flora, laughing, "i will clear it up this time. could you not put a newspaper under you to catch the cuttings, another time?" "all right," said alec, looking relieved. "we are all ready, harry," said flora, sitting down and taking up her work. "humph!" said harry, glancing carelessly down the page. "there's nothing in such a story. i don't want to read it. it is too flat." "you are mistaken," replied flora, spiritedly. "it's not a bit flat, and there is something in it. it is about a brave boy who saved a train." "oh, yes, i know," said harry, skeptically, "and was not hurt." "yes, but he did get hurt. why not read it, and see?" suggested flora. "yes, read it, hal," said alec; "let's see what it is, anyway." "all right," and harry began to read with a comical nasal twang, very rasping to flora's feelings, but she had the wisdom to say nothing. she was very glad, later, because harry gradually dropped the false tone, and she could see by his manner that he had become interested, in spite of himself. alec too, had ceased whittling, and was listening intently. forgetting to criticise, harry read the entire story, which, in truth, was a pathetic little incident, very gracefully and entertainingly told. he was silent, as he laid the paper on the table, but his thoughts were busy. "i was right, was i not, harry?" asked flora. "yes," drawled harry, smilingly, "you were. i did enjoy it, and i am glad you asked me to read it. but, let me see," he added, turning to the clock, "what time is it? well," and he laughed, "i was good. it is nearly ten. guess i will retire; i was going out, but it is too late." flora was secretly rejoiced to hear this, but she simply said, "good-night." she felt a glow of satisfaction as she realized a beginning had been made toward gaining the hold upon her brothers she so much desired. "flora, will you lend me that paper?" asked alec, as she was preparing to go to her room. flora willingly placed the paper in his hand, remarking, as she did so, "i am glad you like the story. i have others, if you want them. aunt bertha kept me well supplied." "good night," returned alec, and he was gone. flora was more nearly content than she had been for some time, as she sank into peaceful slumber that night. chapter vi. some results. "i believe i am going to realize some of the dreams i used to have, after all," flora said to herself, as she laid her head upon her pillow that night. she was right. the first step had been taken by her in the path of becoming an earnest worker, and to influence those about her as she had planned she would like to do, although not in such a way as this, nor in such surroundings. her cherished dream of being instrumental in leading others into a higher and better life was now, she began to realize, leading her into the lines of duty in her own home, and among her own people. she could not wish for more. she would not be like so many others, who in their desire to do great things, neglect the opportunities near at hand, and who, in longing to lead the heathen to a higher plane of life, forget those at home, who possibly for want of a word or act, have slipped, stumbled, and fallen on life's pathway. flora was growing, and with an earnest prayer to the christ for guidance, strength, and tact, she cheerfully assumed more duties in the home, and greater responsibility. her bright, sunny disposition, her pleasant face, her extreme willingness to respond to requests, gradually won a place for her in the hearts of those in her home. the class in sunday-school was assumed with a feeling of great apprehension. it was composed of five girls between the ages of ten and twelve. at first sight of their youthful teacher, these girls had been inclined to be displeased, but when they grew to know the sunny, sweet good-nature, born of the great desire to do them good, and which shone out of the earnest eyes, they loved her dearly. the teaching of this class was fraught with great good, both to the teacher and scholars, and this meeting with the eager, bright girls was soon eagerly looked forward to by flora from week to week. "how things have improved at mr. hazeley's!" soon grew to be a common remark among the neighbors. "yes, since flora came home, it has become very different from what it formerly was," would be the spirit, if not the words of the reply. flora overheard a similar remark one day, and it gave her a feeling of great joy to know the change was becoming apparent. her resolution was strengthened to sustain this newly made reputation. it must not be supposed that she always had an easy time. this was not so, for as she often said to ruth, "when mother and harry are not in a good humor, things do become tangled." however, to do the family justice, they were beginning to see and to more fully appreciate the changes made in their home since flora, who had left them a small maiden, had returned with her thoughtful ways and mature manner. they forgot sometimes that she was but sixteen, and would fancy she was older than she really was. in fact, almost imperceptibly, she assumed all responsibility, and they deferred to her judgment in many things. best of all, however, they began to love her. her younger brother alec seemed to have entirely surrendered to her gentle, loving rule, and was ever willing to listen to her advice. he was always ready to help her by running errands, chopping wood, drawing water, and performing a dozen other little tasks quite new to him, for he had never aided his mother in any way. in fact she had never asked her boys to assist her, or to save her extra steps or work, forgetting it ought to be required from them. mrs. hazeley also had changed under the magic wand of flora's sunny influence and determination to win the love of all. she had become at least a willing agent to the general change taking place in her home, and which recommended itself to her because her responsibilities were lightened and carried by other shoulders. the house itself was transformed. even cynical little jem was becoming satisfied with it. it still contained the same furniture, but there was an air of comfort and home life about it never there before, but introduced by the magic of flora's presence. lottie's sweet potato added its share to the general improvement which was going on. the long thread-like roots looked very white in the jar of water in which they were growing, and the graceful tendrils and light-green leaves were quite refreshing to the eyes. flora had trained the vine about the window on small cords, and already it had nearly covered the lower part with its delicate branches. flora would have felt lonely without it to care for; especially after being accustomed to have plants in profusion around her at her old home. then too, it carried her back to the happy days at aunt bertha's, bringing a feeling of joy that she had been permitted to live there so long, and to be trained in such a gentle, firm, loving manner. frequently she mentally contrasted her care-free life there, and her life of responsibility now, and she determined, with the help that is from above, she would not sink to her surroundings, but would elevate them to her level. bravely, patiently, hopefully did she go forward with this end in view. she was really surprised to find how fond she had grown of her brothers, and they of her. she could think of her mother very differently now, and she in turn began to show signs of an awakening affection for her daughter. as to ruth, she was ever the same, a quiet little home body, whose hands were always too full to allow her to come to flora, but whose demure little face never failed to smile a welcome to her friend, and whose wise brain could turn over flora's tangles and straighten them. the two girls loved each other dearly; and no safer, truer friend and guide could flora have found than ruth rudd, who, although no older than she herself, was very mature in thought, manner, and speech. her face however, was childlike and innocent, reflecting the pure soul within. flora was fortunate indeed in having her for a friend and confidante. harry hazeley was a manly fellow with fine qualities. he had been allowed to do as he pleased, and had not been greatly benefited by this freedom. no restraining hand or guiding voice had been held out to him, or to cheer him on his way. not being evil minded, he had taken but few wrong steps, and now his attention had been attracted to higher and better things. as i have said, harry had good qualities; one of which was a kind disposition, and although it was not always apparent to his every-day associates, was brought into play whenever he met any one who seemed in need of assistance. one morning, as he was walking through the market on his way to school, his attention was attracted by an old man. one of his feet was swathed in bandages, and he was hobbling painfully back and forth, from his wagon to the stall, where he was trying to arrange a quantity of vegetables and some flowering plants which formed his stock in trade. harry had a quarter of an hour to spare, and he immediately offered to help the old man, who was only too glad to accept the proffered assistance, and who introduced himself, between the journeys from stall to wagon, as "major joe benson, a gardener on a small scale." major joe was an old ex-soldier, who had been wounded, and later imprisoned. the title "major" was only a nominal one, and not indicative of any rank. his name, as he informed harry, was joseph major benson, major being his mother's maiden name. he preferred to transpose this and call himself major joseph benson, shortened for convenience to "major joe." "it sounded sort of big, you know," he said, drawing himself up and looking dignified, until reminded by a sharp twinge in his foot that "rheumatiz" and dignity did not agree. major joe was very talkative, and would not cease his persuasions until harry had promised to drive out to his home with him some day, and see his nice little farm and mrs. benson, and he added: "she will be delighted to see you, because you possess such a kind heart, and because you helped me. you must come." "yes, i will," returned harry, "but i must be off to school now. good-bye." and away he went, mentally pronouncing the major "a jolly old chap." the visit was made, and strange though it seemed, a fast friendship sprang up between the two, and the visits became quite frequent. harry had taken alec with him several times, and he too had greatly enjoyed the trip. major joe could tell any number of quaint tales and reminiscences of interest to the brothers. mrs. benson, who was more active than her husband, was always desirous for harry and alec to remain to tea. her heart had been reached by the kindness of harry to her "major," as she lovingly called him, and she could not do enough for them. harry had passed his old friend's stall a number of times since flora's return, and had of course told him about his sister. the major had a strong desire to see this wonderful girl, as he deemed her to be, from the glowing descriptions that came to him. finally he insisted, and mrs. benson sent in a kind invitation that the three, harry, flora, and alec must come home with him to spend the afternoon and take tea. he chose a beautiful day in early summer for the visit, and flora was anticipating it with no small degree of pleasure, for it would be the first real holiday she had had since coming home. the thought that the boys cared enough about her to plan a trip for her was a very pleasant one. her mother seemed as much pleased with the idea as the rest, and had insisted upon her going, so flora felt warranted in thoroughly enjoying her new experience. mrs. hazeley was daily becoming more energetic, and seemed really arousing to the fact that she had a place to fill in her home. major joe was to call for his three young friends on his way home from market. he had promised to be on hand by noon, and as punctuality was an economizer of time, in the old gentleman's opinion, it was barely twelve o'clock when he drew up with a great attempt at flourishing before the hazeleys' door. [illustration: hazeley family. page 67.] chapter vii. a visit to major joe. quite an effort was necessary in order to arrange the board for an extra seat for flora and alec. at length it was made ready, and flora was helped in, and alec followed, while harry took his place beside the major, who commented as follows: "so this is your sister, harry? well, well, she's a sister to be proud of; and i haven't a doubt but you are proud of her. here, you jacob, git up, will you?" and he shook the reins vigorously over his horse's back. "you never do come to a standstill but what you think it's meant for you to go to sleep." jacob, roused from his intended doze, lazily shook his fat sides, and slowly moved along. it was a lovely june day, and the little party had a very pleasant ride of about an hour and a half, jacob not being inclined to hurry. major joe was conversationally inclined, and nothing pleased him more than to hear the sound of his own voice. he chatted continually: now about the orchards they passed, and their probable yield of fruit; now about the styles of the houses, as they came into view, and interspersed these remarks with reminiscences of the time when he was in the army. the ride seemed quite a short one to flora, who had enjoyed it thoroughly. mrs. benson stood at the gate, watching for them; and in her white kerchief and neat cap, looked good-natured and comfortable. a saucy little spaniel sat in the middle of the road, watching too; and he was the first to catch sight of the wagon. he gave notice of the same by a sharp bark, and springing to his feet, doubled himself together, and bounded away, raising a cloud of dust in his haste to reach and greet his master. how happy he was when he reached the carriage! he sprang up at old jacob, who paid no attention to such a small animal, but merely turned away his head with an air of supreme indifference. "jump, dolby, jump!" said major joe. after several ineffectual trials, and two or three hard falls into the dusty road, dolby landed beside his owner, who had made room for him, and gave himself a vigorous shake, which sent the dust he had gathered in his long hair, over flora's clothes and into her face, causing her to choke, and a moment later to laugh. dolby concluded this was in recognition of himself, and turning around, eyed flora quizzically, and gave a satisfied little friendly bark. the garden and nursery belonging to major joe were not large, but they were very fruitful, enabling him to realize considerable from the sale of his flowers and vegetables. he did not carry on his trade in a scientific manner, but merely for his love of the beautiful and useful things of the vegetable kingdom, and because to be inactive was for him to be unhappy. his receipts from the sale of the products of his land, together with his pension, enabled himself and mrs. benson to live very comfortably in their own snug little cottage, and, in addition, to lay aside something for a rainy day. "well, mother, here we are," said major joe, throwing the reins over jacob's back. "so i see," answered mrs. benson, nodding smilingly to the entire party. "just come right in," she added, as alec sprang out on one side of the wagon, and harry helped flora from the other. the young people followed their hostess through the gate, and up the box-bordered walk into the cosy little cottage. flora was soon seated in a low rocking-chair by the window, whose broad sill was filled with potted plants. there harry and alec left her in good mrs. benson's care, while they went for a walk over the place. flora soon discovered that her hostess was as sociable as the major, and but a short time passed before they were chatting like old friends. by-and-by, alec thrust his merry face in at the door, and said: "come out here, flora; the major wants you to see his garden." "yes, dear, go, if you are perfectly rested," said mrs. benson. "i will stay here, and see about preparing our early tea." flora joined her brother out of doors, and found major joe and harry waiting. "come and see my little green-house," said the old man, waving his hand, and looking at them from over his spectacles with an important air. flora complied quite willingly, for she was very fond of flowers, and immediately won the major's good opinion with her enthusiasm over his pet plants, and the interest with which she listened while he enlarged upon his management of them. the care of his garden was a tax upon his time, and really constituted quite a little labor. then, outside, it was so pleasant to walk up and down among the neat flower-beds, in the small, but nicely kept orchard; and in the kitchen garden, for the major prided himself on his choice vegetables, some of which frequently took prizes at the county fair. the major himself was in his glory, for he had someone to whom he could talk. talking was an occupation of which he never wearied, and now he chatted about the various departments of his labors, and how pleasant it was to watch the growth and development of the plants. his tongue was still going very fast, when mrs. benson appeared in the doorway, and called to them that tea was ready. reluctantly the old gardener relinquished his young listeners, who were, however, quite willing to vary the program, for they were hungry. the sight of the pleasant room, neat tea-table, and their genial, motherly hostess, was a very inviting one. in a lull of the conversation, during the progress of the meal, mrs. benson remarked, with a sad little smile, that flora reminded her of her ruth. "so she does," exclaimed her husband. "i knew she made me think of somebody, but couldn't make it clear who it was." "is ruth your daughter?" asked flora. "she is, or leastways she was," said mrs. benson, heaving a sigh, and adding, in a low voice, "she's dead now." "i am very sorry," said flora, with ready sympathy. "yes, our ruth was a fine girl, but a little headstrong. we did all we could to make her happy and contented at home, but it seemed as if we did not succeed, and so, one day she ran off to marry a man we couldn't care for, because we were sure he wouldn't treat our girl kind--not that there was anything against him, but he was so cold and unfeeling. but she wouldn't listen to us, and went off, and we never saw her again." "how sad!" said flora; "but couldn't you go to see her?" mrs. benson shook her head. "no; he said we were not to have anything to do with ruthie, after he married her, and they moved away somewhere, we never knew where, until we heard in a roundabout way that she was dead." here mrs. benson paused to wipe away a tear. "i had hoped she would at least have stayed near home, and been a comfort to us in our old age; but, i suppose it's all right, and for the best. but excuse me for telling you so soon of our great sorrow. i should not have done it. have you ever heard," she continued--and soon all were laughing heartily at her quaint sayings. flora, however, could not send from her thoughts this sad story. when the pleasant visit was drawing to an end, and they all were bidding mrs. benson good-bye, promising to come again, it still lingered with her. as old jacob was soberly and deliberately trotting homeward, she revolved it over and over in her mind. somehow it fastened itself upon her in a way she did not understand, and not until she was home, and had retired to her room for the night, did she arrive at even a partial solution of the perplexing problem. then it dawned upon her with surprising clearness, that it certainly was because of the similarity of names in mrs. benson's daughter and her friend and adviser, ruth rudd. this was very slight ground on which even to build an air-castle, but flora did not stop to consider that, but in the midst of her dreaming resolved to go the next day, and rehearse to ruth the story she had heard from mrs. benson. accordingly, next morning, after the work was done, and her mother was seated with her sewing, flora donned her hat, and went to see her friend, expecting to find her busy as usual. she was, therefore, very much surprised to be met at the door, even before she had knocked, by ruth herself, whose gentle face wore a troubled, anxious look, and she spoke in a low tone, as she responded to flora's query: "what is it, ruthie?" "father is very sick." "oh, i am so sorry! what is the matter? when was he taken ill? was it suddenly?" "yes and no," said ruth, answering simply the last question put by flora. "he was compelled to stop work yesterday, and come home. he has been in poor health for a long time. i have been afraid, for quite a while, that he would break down." "the doctor does not think he will die, does he?" whispered flora, in an awed tone. "yes, he does," said ruth, as she wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron. the two girls, with their arms entwined, and a deep tenderness in their voices, then went into the little kitchen, where jem sat, holding her beloved kitten close to her for comfort. "yes, the doctor says that he cannot last long. but what bothers me is, there seems to be something on his mind, and i can see he is worried." "what about? do you know?" asked flora, sympathizingly. "well, i can guess," ruth answered, taking from a work-basket a stocking of jem's, and beginning to darn it in an abstracted, mechanical way. "you see," she continued, "father married my mother--my own mother, i mean--against her parents' wishes--she was young--and he never would be reconciled to them, because they had objected to him. neither would he allow them to have anything to do with each other afterward. he was very stern, and it all made mother so unhappy it just broke her heart, i am sure. she died when i was very small. he has told me, since jem's mamma died, he wished he had tried to pacify my grandparents. but he had moved far away from them, and now, if he should die, he has nobody with whom to leave jem and me. but he was always so proud; and now we shall be all alone," and she gave a sorrowful little sigh. "see here, ruth," exclaimed flora, a sudden thought flashing across her mind. "what was your mother's name?" "ruth, it was the same as mine," was the reply. "yes, but what was her last name?" "benson, i think." "well, then, i think i know your grandparents," cried flora. "you do? how? where?" returned ruth, in a puzzled, disjointed way. "wasn't, or isn't, your grandfather named joseph benson?" asked flora. "yes, joseph major benson; but how did you know?" "oh, i found out," was the answer. "and they live just a little way out in the country." "but, how do you know all that?" persisted ruth, incredulously. "because i was there yesterday." "oh, flora, are you sure? don't raise my hopes and then disappoint me." "my dear, you will not be disappointed; i should not like to do that," said flora, gravely; "but let me tell you, and you can see for yourself." and then she told the story mrs. benson had told her, ending with, "so, you see, there can be no mistake." ruth was delighted, and thanked her friend again and again. "just see how god works," she said. "who can tell what he will bring about. how glad i am! i must not tell father anything about it just yet. we must manage to send word to grandfather, and have him here before we tell. it would not do to excite father unnecessarily; he is so very weak." "that is so, ruthie," said flora; "you are wise, as usual, in thinking of that. i should have done quite differently. i should have rushed right in at once and told him." "not if you had been in my place," was the gentle answer. "you see, i have been accustomed to think about such things ever since jem's mother died, as father never took much interest in the management of our household affairs." after some more talk, it was arranged that flora should go and bring major joe to see his son-in-law in the morning, and then the friends parted, flora to hurry home and enlist her brothers' aid in her new project; and ruth to return to the bedside of her father, with the pleasant hope of not only easing his mind, but the feeling that should he die, she would not be left entirely alone in the world; a possibility which she had dreaded more because of her little sister, than on her own account. chapter viii. more results. when flora entered the house she found her brothers there before her, and both very quiet. it had grown to be such a pleasant thing to find their cheery sister at home when they came in, that they had almost unconsciously commenced to look forward to seeing her, and hearing her merry voice. they hastened home from school, and felt, but never expressed, disappointment when she was not there. flora, while not yet so wise and thoughtful as her friend ruth, was daily learning lessons of usefulness, and continually using and developing new powers heretofore latent, and with her natural tact refrained from commenting upon many changes easily observed, going on in the habits of her brothers. and now she simply smiled at harry, and pinched alec's ear playfully, as she passed him. then she went to her room to remove her hat, and hastened back to help her mother with the dinner. while putting the dishes on the table she imparted her news to harry and alec, between her trips from table to pantry. they were both well pleased to have the prospect of being able to brighten the lives of major joe and mrs. benson. they considered flora very bright to come to the conclusion she did. "i forgot all about that story soon after i heard it," said alec, conscious stricken. "didn't you, hal?" "i am afraid i did," laughed his brother. "but what else was there for me to do? i knew no way in which i might help, as flora did." "that's so," rejoined alec, in a relieved tone, willing to share in his brother's self-absolution. "of course neither of you could have done anything, for you did not know ruth. but tell me, what will be best to do?" asked flora, pausing with a dish she was carrying to the table. "i know," said harry. "to-morrow is saturday and market day also, and we all can go and see major joe in his stall, and tell him what we have heard, and what we think. if he is interested, one of us can stay at his stall while he goes and sees ruth." "how glad he will be; and how glad i am," said flora. "it would be dreadful for ruth and poor little jem to be left with no one to take care of them." thus the question was decided. the next morning major joe was surprised by a visit from all three of his young friends, and none the less delighted to see them, however, because they came unexpectedly, and he gave them a hearty welcome. it was understood beforehand that flora was to be the one to open the subject, and explain matters. she did not tell everything at once, as alec thought she ought to do, but approached the object of their visit in a delicate way. "major joe; guess what brought us here to-day." "i'm sure i can't say," answered the old man, rubbing his rough hands together, with a beaming smile. "maybe to see your old friend?" "to be sure; we're always glad to do that," replied flora, as she placed the little bunches of parsley and thyme in more perfect order. "we have come for something else. something very important," she added, seeing that major joe had no curiosity as to the nature of their errand with him. "what would you say if i told you we had found somebody who belongs to you?" "to me?" queried the puzzled man. "i don't see how you could do that." "yes, but i have," said flora. "i am sure of it." the old major shook his head doubtingly. "and i want you to come with me and see if what i said is not true," persisted flora, coaxingly. "but how can i?" questioned major joe in reply. "i cannot leave my stall--who would wait on my customers?" "why not let me take charge until you return," asked harry, speaking for the first time. "and i can help," added alec. "now you see it's all fixed," said flora. "surely you're not afraid to trust us, are you?" asked harry, as he saw his old friend still undecided. "no, no; it's not that, my boy; only----" "only nothing," interrupted flora, laughingly. "you must come, so say no more about it." and she caught his arm and led him away, an unwilling and unbelieving captive. ruth opened the door in answer to flora's gentle tap. the latter could no longer restrain her impatience. "now, major joe," she exclaimed, softly, for fear of disturbing the sick man, "whom does this little sobersides remind you of?" at first the old man looked from one to the other in a bewildered manner. then his eyes rested on ruth's face long and attentively. the tears gathered, and he involuntarily held out his hand, and said, softly, "ruthie." scarcely realizing what she was doing, ruth, probably drawn by the tender, loving tone that touched her heart, put her own in it. "who is she? what does it all mean?" asked the major, looking helplessly at flora. "it means," answered flora, softly, "that this is truly ruthie. not your own ruth, but her daughter and namesake--your grand-daughter ruth." "is that so? are you sure? don't say so if you ain't," pleaded the old man. and then the thought flashed across flora's mind that perhaps after all she was mistaken, and had only brought her old friend there to be disappointed. "ruth dear," she said, dropping into a chair, weakened by the very thought, "tell him--tell him all about yourself; your mother's name, and everything. do, please, quick!" ruth told the history of her dead mother's life, as she had heard it from her own lips. eagerly major joe listened, and when she was through, he held out his arms to her, saying: "you are my poor ruth's daughter," and the tears prevented him from adding more. ruth and flora wiped their eyes in sympathy: ruth rejoicing in the possession of a grandfather; flora, that provision was thus made for ruth. this tearful trio was interrupted a moment later by the entrance of jem, carrying her doll under one arm, and her beloved pokey under the other. "why, ruth rudd, i'm extonished at you, hugging a old market man!" and jem looked at her sister with unbounded disapproval. "hush jem, you must not talk so," said ruth. "this is our grandfather." "not mine," returned matter-of-fact jem, standing still in the middle of the room, and looking suspiciously at the visitor. "not mine. i never had any, and don't want one." "who is this?" asked major joe, looking at the defiant little figure dubiously. "she is my half-sister," answered ruth. "well, well," said her grandfather, "she ain't ruth's child, so i've no call to take her when i take you, ruth. her father can send her to his own people." "then, grandfather, i cannot go with you," said ruth, sadly, but firmly. "i will never leave jem." "ruth, you're not going to leave me, are you?" cried the little girl. "no, indeed, dear, i shall not leave you. it was not very nice for you to speak of grandpa as you did just now. you should always be polite to an old person. remember this, jem." "i don't care," said jem, defiantly. "he's horrid. he wants to take you away, and you're all i've got 'cept father, and--and he's going to die," she sobbed, hiding her face in ruth's arms. "don't cry, jem. i will not leave my little sister. what could i do without you?" "no, no, little one, ruth's grandfather won't part you, if you're so fond of each other." and the major came over and patted the sobbing child's head, soothingly. his was too tender a heart to withstand the sight of a child in distress, so it was soon settled that he was to be jem's grandfather also, which arrangement was accepted by the little girl as readily as she had rejected the idea a moment before. then the major, his heart made very tender by memories of the past, was ready to visit the invalid. john rudd had always been a quiet man, but willful and determined to succeed in whatever he undertook. he was not bad at heart, and when a wrong act was committed it was invariably caused by obstinacy. he usually quickly repented of his course, and made all reparation in his power. knowing that mr. and mrs. benson did not like him as well as he had hoped, he determined to marry ruth, and to prohibit all intercourse with her family. in everything else he was thoroughly honorable, but he tenaciously held to this point. ruth benson, loving him devotedly, and believing all he said or did was infallible, implicitly obeyed this strange request without a question, and neither did she hear of or from her parents. that the unnecessary sacrifice did not add to her happiness, was proven by the fact that she lost her free, light-hearted ways, and became quiet and melancholy, after a year or two of married life. her husband was proud--too proud to admit that he had made a mistake, until it was too late for such an admission to do any good, and so after a few years she died, leaving behind her little namesake, ruth. she seemed to have transmitted to the child in a large measure her own disposition, for ruth was always a grave, silent, little thing, entirely unlike other children, and quite old for her years. it was nice too, she possessed such a sweet disposition and even temper, for when her father brought home a new mother for the little ruth, many changes were made in the home, and great would have been the discord but for ruth's peaceful characteristics. shortly after his second marriage, john rudd moved to bartonville, whether for business openings, or to be near the early home of ruth's mother, no one ever knew. ruth knew the story of her mother's married life, of the home of her girlhood, and of the kind parents, but she did not know where the home was. whatever the reason for his coming, it was well for ruth and jem, for as i have said, provision was now made for them both at major joe's farm. ruth's life thus far, since the cares of the home were put upon her at the death of jem's mother, had been an uneventful one. she had no companion but her little sister, who so filled her brain, and heart, and time, that she had no opportunity to grow lonesome. personally, ruth would have felt happier if her father had allowed the love, she doubted not he held for her, to find expression in a word of praise, a tender kiss, or appreciation of her efforts. but her father never thought of this longing of his daughter: he was so self-contained himself, and unemotionally inclined, that he could not have understood this craving, even had he known of its existence, which it is needless to say, he did not. it was rather hard for so young a girl to persevere in her home-making with such a singleness of purpose as ruth displayed, to give up her beloved studies without a sigh of regret, and to strive to train her younger sister, knowing she would receive no word of approbation from her father. chapter ix. ruth's new home. flora was very glad to know that at last her tender-hearted, patient ruth had found some one to love her as well as to require of her duties. love is a lightener of labor, and flora felt that, in this respect at least, she was more fortunate than her friend. she felt sure, moreover, she was fast gaining the affection of her brothers and of her mother, who was gradually awaking to love for flora and the desire to make the home attractive. she had something to work for. but ruth--she had no one to whom to look for love, except jem, as it was impossible to think of their quiet, undemonstrative father ever expressing any of his love for his daughters. one could only judge from his manner, for he never said much, and that was the same as when she first knew them. john rudd apparently took it as a matter of course that major benson came to see him as he lay ill, and expressed neither pleasure nor displeasure when he stated that should he not recover ruth and jem would be well cared for. he accepted, without feeling, the heartily expressed forgiveness from the major, thinking that perhaps it was due in some degree to the presence of two faces standing near by with earnest, pleading looks at the newly found grandfather, who, deprived of his daughter, would fill the vacancy in his heart with ruth and jem. it was very difficult for major joe, with his tender heart, to leave his grandchildren. at last, however, he did, promising to return in the afternoon with mrs. benson, who would be overjoyed to see them, especially ruth, who was so like her mother at her age. as they returned to the market, major joe was prolific in his expressions of gratitude to flora for her part in bringing about this delightful re-union, for had this not been done, ruth and jem would have suffered, and would have been left without parents or home. harry and alec were well pleased with their new position, and because trade had been very flourishing during their period of power. major joe heartily thanked them all for their kind help to him this morning. flora then returned home, but harry and alec remained to do anything else possible for major joe, as he wished to go home at once, and must pack his wares. it is neither necessary to recount in detail all that pertained to the last hours of john rudd, nor how attentive grandfather joe was to his newly found grandchildren; nor how overjoyed mrs. benson was when she first saw them. it will be enough to say that all that could be done toward rendering the dying man's last moments peaceful was done. toward the last he roused, and in a simple, but earnest way, expressed himself content to die. he said that, although he had not spoken of the matter for fear of distressing the children, he had known for some time that it was to be so, and that long ago he had made his peace with god. he regretted his past careless life, both as to his duty to his maker and to the children intrusted to him; "but," he continued, "god is good, and ever willing to forgive, and to accept a truly contrite spirit, and my trust is stayed on him." he expressed himself as very grateful to him for his goodness in providing for his children. he blessed them all with his last breath and passed peacefully away. when the last sad rites had been performed, ruth's grandparents immediately began preparations to take her and jem home. the modest furniture of her home was entirely removed, although it somewhat crowded the cottage, but ruth could not now part with these mementos of her former life, which had been her mother's. at last, everything was ready, the little house was given up, and ruth was spending a few moments with flora, who, although instrumental in finding a new home for ruth and jem, was full of sorrow at the prospect of her loss in the parting with her friend. "don't look so sad, flora dear," said ruth. "think what a blessing it is that poor little jem and i have not been left altogether alone in the world. had god not led you to find our dear grandparents, how very wretched we should be now. besides, you know, we are not to be so far away; we can see each other often." "that is true," returned flora, brightening up; "i am glad of that; but it will be so lonely not to have you near me. besides, i don't know any other girl as intimately as i do you." "oh, you will," said ruth. "i am sure you will meet and become acquainted with some one as you did me. i hope, if you do, you may be permitted to do them as much good as you have done me." "and me too, ruth," said an unexpected voice behind them. both turned, and saw mrs. hazeley standing in the doorway with a smile upon her lips and tears in her eyes. "i used to be very unhappy, as you both know, and it was because i expected life to form itself for me--either for pleasure or unhappiness. then flora came," and she went over to her daughter and placed an arm about her, and looked lovingly in her eyes; "i watched her closely, and i soon discovered that she had determined to make this house a home, and a delightful one. no untoward circumstances seemed to discourage, but she was ever cheery and sprightly. we have gained by her home-coming--how much i cannot tell. she seems to have the mere power of will to mold circumstances as she chooses----" "not my will, mother," softly interrupted flora, her face suffused with happy smiles; "it is god's will." "yes, yes, my dear," said mrs. hazeley, "i believe it. i want his will to mold my life too. a godless life is a wretched life, my children." harry and alec had entered during the conversation, and were standing listening in amazement to what they heard from their mother. "and the boys too," continued mrs. hazeley; "i am sure they have been helped by their sister's example." "i know i have!" exclaimed alec. harry's only reply was to remark that the major was at the door waiting for ruth. then he turned and went out. flora felt a strange mixture of feelings at that moment. she was glad to know she had helped ruth; unutterably grateful for her mother's words; and hurt at the seeming indifference of her brother. it was not her way, however, to dwell on what she could not prevent, so she only determined to strive harder than before to penetrate the armor of cold indifference worn by harry of late. as harry left, they all went to the gate to wave a good-bye to ruth. in the wagon was jem, perched on a seat beside her grandfather, to whom she had clung with all the strength of her loving little heart. immediately after the funeral she had gone home with him, taking "pokey," and leaving ruth in peace to pack. this was really a comfort to ruth, as jem's presence would not have been of any great assistance. soon everything was settled, and with many injunctions to come soon, the party drove off, little jem holding the reins with a steady hand, and a determination to drive all the way home. a new life thus opened for the orphans, ruth and jem--a life of freedom from care, of joyous liberty to run at will in the garden of their grandfather, who delighted in the company of jem, and who returned his affection in full measure. the life at the cottage was blessed by the loving guardianship of the grandmother, who saw in ruth her own daughter of long ago. under this beneficent influence ruth lost some of her seriousness, becoming more like other girls, and grew rosy and stout. the life at the farm had so absorbed jem's mind and time that, for the time being, "pokey" was forgotten, much to the latter's satisfaction, for now she could lie in the sun and sleep in peace without fear of being unceremoniously awakened by her erratic little mistress. flora watched the wagon containing ruth and jem until it was out of sight, and then went into the house. alec and harry had gone away. mrs. hazeley was sewing, and flora, having no especial duty, and caring for none, went over and stood at the window, listlessly gazing into space. her eyes soon dropped, and her attention was attracted by the yellow leaves on the sweet-potato vine. flora felt as if all to which she had clung was leaving her in her loneliness. she looked closer. the potato was still firm and hard, and the jar was quite packed with roots, but the leaves on the vine were dying. chapter x. lottie piper. flora had stood for some little time, mechanically caressing the vine, when she was surprised to hear near at hand, in a voice strangely familiar, the words: "well, i declare!" looking up quickly, but scarcely crediting her own eyes, she exclaimed: "lottie piper!" "flora hazeley!" returned the voice, and in a moment the friends were locked in each other's arms. "where did you come from? what are you doing here?" asked flora, eagerly, in her desire to account for lottie's presence in the village. "only one question at a time, if you please," laughingly returned lottie. "can you not guess?" she added, glancing at her gown, and for the first time flora noticed it was black. the quick tears sprang to flora's eyes. "oh, lottie, who is it? not your mother?" she said, sympathetically, her arm tightening in its grasp, and her thoughts running back to her sorrow when aunt bertha passed away. "yes," returned lottie, sadly, "mother is dead. father felt that he could not be happy at home, and so he went away out west, and left me with my aunt, mrs. emmeline durand. and flora, if you want to know what misery is, just you come and take my place for a while." and she looked at flora with such a mingled expression of regret at her lot, and assumed resignation, that flora was tempted to laugh, in spite of her sorrow in learning of the death of mrs. piper. "if you want to laugh, you may," said lottie, seeing her difficulty, and appreciating it, as was shown by the merry twinkle in her bright black eyes. "no, no, i must not laugh," said flora, squeezing her friend's arm affectionately. "i'm so sorry that your mother is dead. where does your aunt live? i will come and see you." "no, you--i mean you--can't--that is, she won't let you," stammered lottie, blushing hotly. "yes, i understand. it is all right. it is not your fault," said flora, hastily, appreciating the situation; and wishing to relieve the embarrassment of the other, she added, "you can come and see me." "i don't know," answered lottie, glad to find that flora understood. "i hardly think she would let me come. i have not asked her to go anywhere, as yet. i have been with her about five weeks, and this is the first time i have been out, except on an errand. she says she doesn't approve of girls 'gadding the streets.' i must go now. i have stayed longer than i ought to already, for i had a long walk before i saw you. flora," she added, an instant later, as she glanced at the window, "isn't that a potato in that jar?" "yes," answered flora, "it is the same one you gave me when i was leaving brinton." "really? the very same?" "yes. you know you told me not to eat it, and i didn't know what to do with it at first. then i thought it would look very nice if i put it in the window; i did, and it has grown splendidly and has kept green all winter." "i am so glad you thought of that, flora, because that was what i first noticed as i passed. and i thought it looked like a sweet-potato vine. and then, you know," lottie continued, "if you hadn't i should not have stopped or seen you ever, because i did not know where you were going when you came away. but what will my aunt say? i guess i'll not get anything for supper but a bit of tongue, and i don't fancy that, i can tell you. good-bye." and with a hurried kiss, and a warm embrace, lottie hurried down the street. she was sorry to go, as it was so good to meet somebody she knew--somebody connected with the old, happy home-life, for while lottie's mother lived, she had been very happy. but now she was so lonely. she hurried along the streets until she came to one near the suburbs of the town. this street had trees on either side, and was very quiet. the houses were small and nearly all set back from the street. lottie walked along briskly, turning deftly in and out, and at length arrived safe and sound at the little gate leading into her aunt's yard. this gate opened upon a small space, which doubtless had been intended by the builder of the house to be beautified with flowers; but mrs. durand's front yard was closely paved with red brick. not a flower, or a vine, or a bush broke the monotony, which, however, was not wearisome, as the yard was small. a high board fence enclosed the little yard on each side. close to the gate stood a large, old poplar, strangely drawn toward the quiet narrow street, as if weary of the unattractiveness of the house. lottie was nervous; she dreaded the reception she felt sure awaited her. the only thing that occurred to her to do was to knock, and she did so. receiving no response, she knocked again and waited. there was still no response, and thinking she had not been heard, she knocked again and again. at length, just as she had decided that her aunt must be out, a calm voice from behind the door said in deliberate tones: "if you will take the trouble to turn the knob, the door might open." this idea had not occurred to lottie, and the knowledge that the door was not locked somewhat confused her. however, she opened the door, and went in. "there is a mat in front of the door," suggested the voice in the same slow, measured tones. after wiping off the infinitesimal amount of dust from her shoes, lottie timidly ventured into the room. "go to your room, if you will, and lay aside your wraps," came the voice, in an authoritative way. without speaking, lottie obeyed. she felt as she slowly climbed the stairs that she had become a veritable automaton, without volition or energy, and compelled to do certain things. this grated on the sensitive nature of the girl, to whom, in the happy days that had passed, freedom to live in and enjoy the open air was everything. and now--and lottie inwardly groaned at the thought--her actions were directed by one who seemed to forget her own girlhood, or that she had ever enjoyed the bright blue sky, the green fields, the merry, twittering birds, or the companionship of those who were of her own age. lottie had often wondered in her own mind if her aunt had ever been young, and if she had enjoyed her youth. there was no one to whom she could go for an answer. had there been, lottie would have been surprised to learn that she had been full of bright, merry fun, and had enjoyed life as she had at home. "at home," lottie thought, and paused, thinking of her mother, of the comforts and freedom of home, and then she looked in the glass to see if she was not old, for those happy days _did_ seem so far away. mrs. durand had met with many disappointments and a great deal of trouble in her life, of which lottie knew nothing, and which had embittered her disposition, making her crabbed and disagreeable. as she now was, lottie supposed she had ever been. for some moments lottie had looked in the glass, musingly. now, as her thoughts returned to herself and her surroundings, she saw a dreary, woe-begone face looking at her from the quaint, cracked, old-fashioned mirror on her bureau. it was so doleful and forlorn, that lottie nearly cried in sympathy with the miseries of the face before her. in a moment, realizing that it was her own reflection she saw, and enjoying her mistake, she laughed heartily, whereat the face in the mirror smiled pleasantly in return. "humph!" said the voice downstairs. "oh dear!" exclaimed lottie softly; "i have made her think that i don't care about staying out so long." and she slowly turned from the bureau and her mirth-provoking _vis ã  vis_, and leaving her room, slowly descended the stairs to her aunt. the room in which her aunt sat was furnished very plainly. some cane-bottomed chairs, a black horse-hair sofa, a small wooden stand, adorned with a red cloth on which was the family bible; two or three pictures upon the dingy walls, a pair of tall lamps with a bit of red flannel in the bottom, graced the mantelpiece. a dull ingrain carpet, and some home-made mats covered the floor. these, with a cloth-covered brick used to keep the door open, completed the furnishing of mrs. durand's parlor. mrs. durand herself was a small, thin, wiry woman. her features could hardly be called attractive; her lips were thin and tightly shut; her eyes were colorless, and she wore three stiff, little curls on each side of her face. she wore a dark gown, over which was a black apron, and on her head was a black lace cap. she was busily engaged in making another mat to adorn the floor, from long, bright-colored strips of cloth. for some time she continued her work in silence. lottie would have spoken had she had anything to say. presently, to lottie's great surprise and relief, her aunt remarked: "you may as well set the table, as you are here." lottie was glad to have something to do, as she was so much happier when employed. "she hasn't scolded me yet, but it will come, that's certain," she said to herself, as she placed the dishes on the little round table in the back room which answered for both kitchen and dining room. while at supper, mrs. durand questioned her niece about her walk, and lottie told her, not forgetting the chance meeting with her friend, flora hazeley. after supper, as was her duty, lottie washed and put away the dishes, without further conversation with her aunt. that done, she took up a book and began to read. chapter xi. changes. time passed on, and with it as usual came changes. the summer was gone and it was november, and the weather was cold and dreary. lottie's life was much the same from day to day; there was little variety to make the life of the young girl pleasant. true, she did not have a hard time, nor was she overworked, nor did she ever go hungry; but the atmosphere of the house was always chill and drear, and mrs. durand was as unsociable and unsympathetic as ever. it was perhaps true, that lottie was somewhat prone to slightly exaggerate her unhappiness, and to dwell upon it until it seemed almost unendurable. one morning, as she was dressing, she heard her aunt call, and upon going to her room, discovered that she was suffering from an attack of acute rheumatism. then, indeed, lottie was sure her misery was at such a height, that it could go no further. as may be supposed, the sharp pain she endured did not render mrs. durand a more pleasant companion, and lottie found that while it had been difficult to please her before it seemed utterly impossible to do so now. lottie did her best, with a determination pleasant to witness, and with the knowledge that it was her duty to care for her aunt under such painful conditions. lottie was lonely; she seemed to be entirely cut off from everybody she knew and cared for. she seldom heard from her father, and never from her brother, who had left his home when she was quite a little girl. she sometimes wondered if he was dead. she was industrious, and soon learned to keep house for her aunt very acceptably. she was not hard to please and was of a loving, sociable disposition. if her aunt had only made an effort to be agreeable and interested in her, lottie would have been perfectly content. if the months had brought but little change to lottie, they had wrought a number of very important ones in the life of our friend flora. first, the news had reached them one day that the husband and father was killed in a railroad accident. this, of itself, completely revolutionized affairs at the hazeleys'. and then, just as they were trying to become a little accustomed to the sad change in the household, harry disappointed them. this was indeed a great blow, for harry was, in a large measure, their main dependence. he was now about twenty years old and had been steadily at work for some time, and seemed on a good road to a successful business career. at first, he gave his earnings to his mother, only reserving enough to clothe himself neatly and comfortably, for he felt anxious to supply, as far as he could, her loss in the death of his father. this money, added to what mrs. hazeley and flora made by doing plain sewing, and what alec could earn out of school hours by keeping his eyes open, and his willingness to be of assistance to any one, was a great help toward keeping things going. for, although the little home was their own, of course there were the extra incidental expenses. mrs. hazeley and flora soon grew to depend on harry, far more than they realized, until taught by his increasing fondness for remaining from home in the evening, and not unfrequently, all night. great, indeed, was their sorrow when they learned how these evenings were spent--in the gambling house and the saloon. had it not been for their hope in the christ and his saving power, they would not have seen the faintest brightness in this cloud, which was a great burden to each, a sorrow about which they hardly dared speak. flora spoke earnestly and lovingly to her brother several times about the way he was conducting himself, but, as we have seen, he was not one to take this kindly, and knowing this, flora felt she could do nothing but pray for her erring brother, who was so young, and yet so willful. she never lost hope, nor did her firm belief that his better, nobler nature would prevail, weaken through those long, dark, hard days. mrs. hazeley and flora were compelled to devote all their attention to their work, as harry could no longer be trusted to aid them financially; and, despite their brave, uncomplaining efforts, it was ofttimes difficult to make both ends meet. aunt sarah had not visited them for some time, in fact, not since flora came home, nor did they hear from her; and though knowing she might help them in their need, they could not bring themselves to inform her of their condition. at length, one night they watched and waited for harry to come home. he did not come that night, nor the next, nor the one following; nor could they hear anything of him, except that he had not been around for days. where had he gone and what would he do? these were questions that flora asked herself with a sick heart. mrs. hazeley, with her naturally weak disposition, would have given way to despair under this new trouble and drifted back into the same condition in which we first found her, had it not been for her newly found trust and hope in her heavenly father, and the inspiring example of her courageous, self-reliant daughter. flora seemed to grow stronger and more dignified under the added trials, and her mother, now a true christian, was to her a great help and comfort; in fact, the two were all in all to each other, and the home that had at one time appeared to flora most miserable, was now a haven of rest; and the mother from whom she had once turned away coldly, was now warmly loved and loving. truly, there was sweetness mixed with her cup of bitterness. major joe benson, who had kept up his acquaintance with his young friends whom he greatly admired, and who by this time was considered quite a friend of the family, offered to take alec to live with him. there was a very good school, he said, at no great distance from his home, and he would be glad to have the boy's help on his little place, especially now that zeke was getting on in years, and had gotten above doing the many odd jobs he had performed when a boy, which state, while it was not many years distant, sufficed to make zeke act, as major joe said, "very mannish." no sooner was the proposition mentioned in alec's hearing, than he was all enthusiasm, for nothing did he desire more than to live in the country. his mind was fully made up to become a farmer, and no recital of the hardships connected therewith, could divest such a life of its charms for him. so it was settled, and it was really a great comfort to have at least one of the family well provided for, with the prospects of seeing him an upright and industrious man. now that provision was thus made for alec, and he was but little expense to them, flora and mrs. hazeley could manage very well by practising strict economy. life progressed very evenly and uneventfully, we might almost add happily, except for the sorrow caused by their ignorance of harry's whereabouts. one day, into their quiet and peaceful lives, very unexpectedly came mrs. sarah martin, who was surprised at their comfortable surroundings. she was greeted pleasantly by flora and mrs. hazeley, who were determined to forgive and forget her treatment of them, but the warmth, which affection gives, was lacking. this did not fail to make itself manifest to mrs. martin, and, strange to say, instead of displeasing her, it seemed to have quite a softening effect upon her callous heart. the memory of this visit, and the picture of her niece's heroic efforts to keep her mother and herself from want, proved a veritable ever-present and sharp thorn in the side. "here i am, alone in the world, with plenty to supply all my wishes and some to spare," she thought one evening. we must do her justice; she was not miserly, but she was selfish--she wished to insure for her lifetime comfort for herself, and the gratification of her desires. "here am i with plenty and to spare, while those of my own flesh and blood are struggling to keep the wolf from the door," she mused. having commenced to reproach herself she did not hesitate, for at every step seeing herself as others saw her, she discovered more cause to regret her attitude toward her sister. "have i been false to my trust?" she soliloquized, questioningly. "no--not exactly--because i gave no promise. and yet--bertha supposed i would follow her request. however, i am not bound to do as she wished. "bertha would not have left me in charge had she supposed i would not carry out her wishes," she continued. "probably she would not have given her property to esther. she is so careless and extravagant that such a course would have been equal to her throwing the money away. suppose the money had been left in trust to flora? would esther have done more than i have done? no, she would have wasted it. what is the difference? nothing; i am doing as esther would have done. anyway, i will leave all to flora, who will enjoy it after i am dead, and that will make it all right." another thing mrs. martin tried to argue in support of the idea that she had done all for the best, was that flora had developed such astonishing qualities of self-government and ability. "she has almost made another woman of that mother of hers," she said to herself. "one can easily see that the material for a real, sound, sensible, practical woman is not in esther, and if flora were not there with her she would be the same as before, only worse." there was a good deal of truth in what mrs. martin said. some people cannot do or be anything without a definite motive, or an active example. but what did all this arguing amount to? nothing at all, save to keep her mind in a constant state of turmoil, by her efforts to ease her conscience. at last, with the constant strain she became mentally exhausted, and in spite of her efforts to the contrary for a long time lay upon the bed, a sufferer from nervous prostration. her brain was unnaturally active, and she gained but little benefit from her enforced quiet. a neighboring physician was called, but found it impossible to benefit her in her present condition. he might prescribe medicines to meet certain symptoms in her case, but he could not reach the seat of the trouble. she did not consider that it was her business to add a description of her mental condition to that of her physical one. she grew no better, and finally she decided to take a course of heroic treatment. first, she proceeded to pay her physician and to inform him that she had no further need of his services, much to that gentleman's disgust, who left muttering that it was queer that the patient should be the one to decide whether or not the doctor had been of service to her. next, she wrote in a feeble, trembling, and unintelligible way, the following short, blunt note: "niece flora:--i am sick. i want to see you. "s. martin." flora and her mother were sitting sewing very busily that afternoon when the postman rapped on the door. the sun was streaming in at the window, no longer adorned by the sweet potato, which was long since dead, but touching brightly the green leaves and scarlet blossoms of some geraniums--some of ruth's "gerangums," according to jem, that held the place of honor. "from aunt sarah, mother," said flora, carelessly, handing it to mrs. hazeley, who in turn read the short note. "well, flora dear; what will you do about it?" she questioned, resuming her work. "oh, i guess i had better go and see her; hadn't i?" asked flora, as she cut her thread. "you may do as you please about the matter," returned mrs. hazeley, and there the matter dropped. they continued their work in silence, their thoughts as busy as their fingers. chapter xii. led away. and what had become of harry hazeley in all this time? let us go back a little. probably all would have gone well with the lad, who was beginning to see a new life stretching out before him under the sunny influence of his sister, had his father lived. while mr. hazeley exercised but little restraining power over his son during his life, the fact that he had a father had considerable influence over harry. when mr. hazeley was killed, harry realized that he was thrown on his own resources, and the fact that he was subject to no higher authority, took a firm hold upon him. at first, the idea aroused in him an innate, but undeveloped manliness, and he determined to stand by his mother and sister, and be a comfort to them as well as a support. but the inherent weakness in his character soon gained the supremacy, and for the time over-ruled all his resolutions, which had been made in his own strength. it was inevitable that he should mingle with his companions in work, and soon they gained an influence over him that was not for his highest good. being somewhat older than he himself was, they instilled into him a false idea of their superiority, and it was by this means they retained him in their "set"--a set of wild, dissipated young men. where was his judgment? alas! he had inherited sufficient of his mother's weak disposition to over-rule it, and consequently, he was one of the kind most easily deceived and led. one of the youths, whose name was edward hopkins, gained considerable influence over harry. he it was who persuaded him to leave his mother and sister, and seek employment in another town, where, he said, work could easily be secured, with shorter hours and greater pay. this seemed very inviting to harry, who, at that time, never thought of deserting his home, but was anxious to earn more money, and thus become better able to care for the family and have more for what he called pleasure--cards and gaming and wine, for he had now become addicted to the use of the latter, through whose insidious influence he was fast losing his manly bearing. poor boy! how many noble men has satan conquered and then cast off? how many homes has he ruined, and hearts broken, and hopes destroyed? but i am glad to say that i shall not be obliged to trace harry hazeley to the bottom of the pit into which he had fallen, for god had most graciously heard the prayers of his loving, trusting sister, who had first set the example of prayer to the mother, who now frequently joined her, and he was not permitted to reach its utmost depths. true, he went down pretty far, and his rescue was effected by rather severe means; but what mattered that, so he was saved? after leaving home, harry plunged into his new, reckless life, with a strength that not only surprised, but very soon disgusted hopkins, who wished to preserve the appearance, at least, of a gentleman. harry had been able to secure a first-class, remunerative position very readily, but so much went to satisfy his craving for excitement, that none was left to send home to make life a little easier for mrs. hazeley and flora. after a while, however, his increasing unsteadiness secured for him dismissal from the shop where he had been employed. he was fortunate in securing place after place, but unfortunate in being unable to retain them, until at length he did but little work and a good deal of gambling. the work he then did was around and about the saloons where he had chances to game and drink. one bitter cold night in december, a group of men stopped in front of one of these places, and after some discussion, entered. it proved to be harry's stopping place, and he was sitting by the fire, for the time being idle. to look at the sunken cheeks, restless eyes, and uncared-for appearance, one would never suppose this was the once straight, tall, active harry hazeley, so greatly was he changed. the leader of the group of young men who entered the bar-room appeared to be attracted by the forlorn figure near the stove, as soon as he came in. he seemed to know him, for presently he walked over to him and tapping him familiarly on the shoulder, cried: "why, hello, old chap! how are you?" harry immediately recognized his old acquaintance, edward hopkins. he did not appear particularly glad to see him, however. "say, old fellow, you don't seem ready to shed tears of joy at seeing your old chum," remarked ed, in a jovial tone, sitting down beside him. harry said nothing, but sat looking into the fire. "look here, now, hal; you do look a little hard up. haven't been getting along so well lately, i guess?" "no, i haven't," said harry, without turning around. "well, listen to me," resumed ed. "the old proverb, 'a friend in need is a friend indeed,' is true, isn't it?" "what of it?" questioned harry, still apathetic. "just this," replied ed, bringing his hand heavily down on his knee, "that i'm going to be a friend to you now." harry smiled incredulously. his confidence in the friendship of such a flashily-dressed fellow as ed was, had been shaken. "come, don't be so glum, hal. i've something to say to you," ed continued, glancing around the room. his comrades were all occupied in another part of the room. "now," went on hopkins, lowering his voice, "we fellows," nodding toward the group, "are planning a little business. and if you want to, you can help us." "what is it?" asked harry, indifferently. edward took no notice of his manner, but went on: "well, we're going to--er--ah--walk into a small establishment, you know," and he winked slyly at harry. "steal?" asked harry, in a cold tone. "if you like to put it that way, yes." "look here, ed hopkins," and harry turned in scorn upon this hypocritical friend, who seemed so desirous of ruining him entirely. "look here," he repeated, "let me tell you i don't want to share any of your 'little plans.' i've fallen low, i know, but i'm not a thief yet," and harry straightened himself up and looked with a flashing eye into the crafty face beside him. hopkins was angry, as much because he had partially let harry into his secret, as because he had refused to join him. however, he congratulated himself that he had not gone very far, and he left him abruptly, in a high temper, going over to the group at the other end of the room. a heated discussion was progressing there about something in connection with the game of cards they were playing. they appealed to hopkins as he joined the group. this did not seem to add peace to the scene, for the quarrel waxed hotter, and the voices grew louder. presently there was the sound of a scuffle, during which was heard the report of a pistol. immediately there was a stampede, and when the officer, who had been attracted to the spot by the noise, rushed in, followed by a small crowd of men and boys, no one was to be seen but harry hazeley. he was lying on the floor by the stove, and gave no sign of life as the officer rolled him over. whether the pistol had been fired accidentally or intentionally, nobody knew. the shot, however, was certainly not intended for the one who received it. it was found on examination that harry was wounded in the side. he had also, in falling struck his head against the edge of the stove, and cut it. "well," said the officer, "i guess we'll have to take this young fellow to the hospital. from his looks he'll not be likely to have a better place to go to, even if he could tell where he belonged." chapter xiii. in the hospital and out again. when harry hazeley returned to consciousness, he found himself in bed in one of the wards of a hospital, with his head bound up, and a dull aching in his side. he was in too much pain to wonder how he came there, so he closed his eyes and tried to go to sleep, but he could not. it seemed as if his mind had never been so active as it was now that he longed to forget everything, in the hope that this might ease his throbbing head. but that troublesome thing, memory, would assert itself, and his thoughts would travel back to the home he had left, and the sorrowing ones in it, and,--perhaps it was owing to the weak state of his system,--the tears forced themselves from underneath his eyelids, and rolled down his cheeks. but what is the good of thinking about these things? he mentally asked, and so he impatiently brushed the tears away. poor harry had a hard time of it. he did not improve very rapidly, although he had the best of attention and nursing. his system was so poisoned by the use of alcohol, and he was so weak from having been so long without nourishing food that, while his wound was not a very serious one, it nearly cost him his life. the pain from his wound, together with a low fever, racked his system until it was almost unbearable. his brain, however, was unusually active, and over and over again did he recall his life since he left home, and each time his repugnance grew; and when he began to convalesce, and he realized there was hope for him, he determined to lead a different life as soon as he was able to be around again. he sincerely and deeply repented of the past, and he felt the need of a saviour, as he had never done before. he longed for some one to come and tell him of the christ and of his saving power. he fully realized that he must have a helper, stronger than his will or his resolutions. one morning, when harry was getting a little more strength, there hobbled over to his bedside a crippled young man, who supported himself upon crutches. his body was distorted, and his legs were drawn up and twisted in a sad manner; but his face was bright and cheerful and intelligent, and his shoulders, arms, and hands had a look of manliness and strength about them that was greatly at variance with the feebleness of the rest of his frame. "well, friend," said this odd mixture of strength and weakness, as he seated himself slowly and cautiously by the bed. "well, friend, how goes the world with you?" "i'm sure i don't know," replied harry, drearily. "i haven't been caring much about the world lately. i ain't in much of a hurry to care either. there'll be time enough when i get out in it again." "time enough! time enough! yes, that's the cry," said the young man. "that's what has caused more misery in the world than anything else; it's a rope that has lost many a soul forever." harry turned away impatiently. he did not want to hear. "of course you don't want to hear me talk that way," said the lame man bluntly, divining his thought. "i didn't suppose you did. but, let me tell you, young fellow, there's enough of that rotten rope left for you to lose your soul with. will you turn your head away when you feel it snap, and find yourself dying, with nothing to hold on to, i wonder?" without more ado he grasped his crutches, and painfully hobbled away. harry tried to be glad he was gone. he did not succeed as easily, however, in dismissing from his mind the words he had heard. perhaps it was the odd, abrupt way in which they were spoken, that made them fasten themselves so tenaciously on his memory. certainly he would have been angry had any one else spoken so plainly and unceremoniously to him. the sight of his body, telling such an eloquent tale of suffering, made it almost impossible for any one to be angry with joel piper. harry presently found himself wondering about him, and wishing he would come back and talk to him again. he did not come, and one day harry found courage to ask the nurse, who was busied near him, to tell him the name of the lame young man who talked to him one day. "oh, do you mean joel piper?" she asked in return. "i didn't know that was his name," replied harry, looking amused. "yes, it is," replied the nurse. "it's an odd name, i know, but he is just as nice as he can be. he's had a world of trouble and pain; but he's come out pure gold." "wasn't he always that?" asked harry, curiously. "no, indeed, he wasn't. he was one of the wildest young men, and it was that which brought on the sickness--rheumatic fever--which twisted him up so. it was this illness too, that brought about his conversion; and now he likes to visit the hospitals and talk to all the young men he can find, and try to get them to turn about. he says he's trying to make up for lost time. some think he's crazy, but he isn't--only eccentric." "does he come here often?" asked harry. "well, sometimes he does," was the answer. "would you like to see him again?" "i wouldn't mind having a little talk with him," admitted harry. "i'll tell him," said the kind woman. joel came; but harry could not tell from his manner whether he was pleased or not at his having expressed a desire to see him. now that he was there, what should he say? harry asked this question, but no answer came. but joel seemed to understand all about the matter, and began right away: "you've had a rough time, eh? didn't expect it, now, did you, when you started out? going to have a good time, enjoy yourself, and all that? well, it's all right. you've had about enough of that sort of thing, i guess. you'd like to turn right about face now, and go back to your mother, perhaps?" "who told you i had a mother?" asked harry, sharply. "nobody," was the calm rejoinder. "how did you know?" "i didn't know; i only guessed. somehow or other, you look as if you had. have you?" "yes, i have," groaned harry, "and a sister too; but i came away and left them, and now i'm ashamed to go back." "well, if you're made of the right kind of stuff you'll go to work as soon as you're out of this, and fix things so you'll not be ashamed to go back," said joel. "between us," he went on, bending over and looking at harry with one eye shut up tightly, "i've got a mother and sister too. i did pretty much as you did, only worse, i guess. i've been working hard to make a man of myself before i go back to them. i'm going soon too." "to work!" exclaimed harry, looking at the crooked figure pityingly. "what can _you_ do?" "do?" repeated joel, raising his brows, and opening wide his eyes. "look," and he held up his long slim fingers. "i can write beautifully," he continued, with the simplicity of a child. "and i'm a clerk in a large clock and jewelry establishment. a good kind friend who came to see me at the hospital when i was so ill, secured the situation for me. and if you mean to turn about sure enough, and no going back about it, i will try and get you taken on as a salesman." harry was completely won by joel's plain, straight-forward manner and hearty kindness, and gave his promise to turn over a new leaf. what is of more importance he kept the promise faithfully. when harry was discharged from the hospital, he looked quite different from what he did when he first entered it, or rather when he was carried there. he was worn almost to a shadow, it is true; but his sickness had taken from him the look of the outcast, and his intercourse with his new friend, and the hopes he had for the future restored to him once more the ability to look the "whole world in the face." he was clad in a suit that had been worn by joel ere his body was so distorted by rheumatism. it was not a perfect fit, but it was clean and neat, and gave to harry a very presentable air. true to his promise, joel tried and succeeded in getting the situation he spoke of for his young friend toward whom he had been strongly attracted. harry was also naturally smart and intelligent, and now that he had put off the shackles of the false friends with whom satan had provided him, promised to do well in his new position. joel was determined that through no fault of his should harry fail. he never lost sight of him for any length of time. the two boarded at the same place, and joel insisted on his accompanying him to church. they read, talked, and walked together, and as a natural consequence became much attached to each other. chapter xiv. a chapter of wonders. it was a dull, gray, rainy morning when our friend flora found herself standing in front of the house that had been her home for so many years. what a flood of memories the sight of the familiar scene brought to her! she paused a moment or two to revel in the pleasure she thus felt. she did not feel at all excited, or even curious as to the cause for, or the probable result of her trip. turning to the house, she stepped to the door, and lifted the knocker. the door was opened by the neat, but uncommunicative maid, who was in charge of affairs during mrs. martin's illness; and who silently, and apparently acting on previous arrangement, led the way direct to the sick room. although the day was dark and cloudy, the window shades were down, and heavy curtains lent their aid to darken the room still more. mrs. martin's greeting was somewhat of a surprise to flora as she stood on the threshold, scarcely knowing whether to enter the darkened chamber or not. "why don't you come in and shut the door?" came in fretful tones from the bed. "i should like to do it, indeed, aunt sarah, if i could only see my way," returned flora, mischievously. she wondered at her own temerity. at one time she would not have dared use such liberty of speech with this punctilious aunt. but she had grown to be very independent since she had been thrown so entirely upon her own resources, and had become accustomed to think and act both for herself and others. she felt that she had grown, in that she no longer stood in awe of aunt sarah's cold tones. why should she? she had come to ask no favor. "well," came in questioning tones from the invalid. "may i draw up the shades, aunt sarah?" asked flora, advancing slowly into the room and closing the door softly. "i suppose so. you can draw up anything you like, it makes no difference to me," was the somewhat ungracious reply. flora paid no attention to the tone, but drew up the shades, making it possible to see what was in the room. "aunt sarah, how thin you are!" she cried, incautiously. "why, you have been sick." "of course i have. you didn't suppose i was pretending, did you?" retorted mrs. martin. "no," said flora, "i did not, nor did i know you were so ill. and now tell me, can i do anything to render you more comfortable?" "no, i think not," she replied. "yes, you might bring me some toast and a cup of tea," she added a moment later. as she turned at once to leave the room, flora wondered in her own mind, whether mrs. martin really wished for something to eat. the truth was, mrs. martin, now that flora was here in the house, even in her very room, wished to decide how she could broach the subject which had lain on her heart so long. she was thinking deeply, and did not notice flora's entrance until she heard: "here they are, aunt sarah, nice and hot." "what?" the invalid returned, in a surprised way. "the toast and tea," replied flora. "oh yes, put them on the table." flora did so, daintily arranging them so as to be inviting to the eye as well as the palate, and inwardly wondering what new caprice her aunt would develop next. however, she had decided to yield to all her peculiarities, and to bear with her whims, and so with unruffled face, she turned to arrange the room, as only a woman's hand can. the grace and care were not lost upon her aunt, whose eyes closely followed every motion as she moved silently about the room. "sit down," said mrs. martin, after a few moments' silence. flora did so; and after a slight hesitation, mrs. martin began, having concluded to open the subject at once, for nothing was to be gained by delay. "niece flora," she said, looking in the young girl's face, "i sent for you to tell you i feel that i have done what i had no business to do." "what have you done, aunt sarah?" asked flora, half suspecting what she wished to say to her. "i mean in sending you away from here as i did," was the blunt reply. "you had a right to do whatever you wanted to," stammered flora. she could stand unmoved before the cold, hard aunt sarah; aunt sarah repentant, she did not know how to meet. "no, i had no right to do it," continued mrs. martin. it was plain she did not intend to spare herself in the least. "i had no right to do it. sister bertha wanted you to stay, and i know she did. i had no right to take her money, and live in her home, and use her things when i knew she only left them to me because she trusted me to do what she wanted." "never mind, aunt sarah; i knew nothing about it, so do not worry. it is all right." and flora moved nearer the bed, and took her hand in her own and tenderly held it. instead of complying, mrs. martin seemed to gain strength, and she went on: "no; you knew nothing about her wishes, but i did. and, flora, i have not been happy in this house. in fact, i did not deserve to be." "you can talk about that when you get well." "i will never be well unless i make right what i have made wrong," returned mrs. martin. "i want to know, flora, if you can forgive your selfish old aunt for driving--yes, driving is the word," as flora started to speak--"you from the home which was intended for you? will you not come back to it?" and the tears began to gather in the eyes that had long been strangers to such an expression of emotion. flora felt very helpless now in the face of all these different moods. she could think of nothing else to do but stroke the sick woman's forehead gently and soothingly. after a moment or two of silence, she said: "i forgive you, aunt sarah, if you think there's anything to forgive. everything has turned out for the best, at least so far as i am concerned. as to coming back, i think i don't care to--that is, i couldn't leave mother, you know." "i don't want you to leave your mother, child. why can't she come too?" "do you mean to come here to live?" "yes; here to live." "she would like that, i know," said flora, adding mentally, "providing you were different." she soon discovered that her unspoken thought had been realized before it had been expressed. "now," said the sick woman, drawing a breath of relief, "i can be at peace. it is not too late for me to make amends and carry out sister bertha's wishes. ah, child, you do not know what i have suffered of late; but it's all right now." "try to go to sleep now, won't you?" asked flora, coaxingly, fearing the effect of the conversation upon the invalid. "no; i don't want to go to sleep," said mrs. martin, with a shade of her old firmness; "i just want to lie here and think." she did go to sleep, however, very soon, and awoke greatly refreshed, for her mind was at ease, and she was surprised to find how much more pleasant the prospect of recovery was since she had something to look forward to. and flora? she was delighted, for to her the old home had never lost its charm. faithfully she nursed the sick woman, who, in spite of her efforts to the contrary, now and then yielded to her old-time habit of fault-finding, when nothing pleased her. mrs. martin was very regretful for these outbursts, and after each, more carefully watched her own tongue, and the movements and manner of her young nurse and daily became more attached to her; and the more necessary it seemed to her to retain her sunshiny presence. flora was as happy in her present position, and at her future prospects, as it was possible for her to be with the ever-present feeling of uncertainty and sorrow at the absence of her dearly loved brother, from whom she had expected such great things. she was a very sensible girl, and had learned long before this that to waste her time in worriment over what she could not help in any way, would not enable her to discharge her present duties as she would wish. knowing this, as i say, so well, she put harry into the charge of the one "who never slumbers nor sleeps," and went about her daily duties with a light step and merry smile. for days she planned her mother's coming, and how she would enjoy the life here. her own pleasant little room was hers again, and many were the happy hours she passed there. every few moments throughout the day she would be in her aunt's room reading to her, or perhaps giving her a daintily arranged meal, or placing the pillows more comfortably. one of her greatest pleasures was in arranging her aunt bertha's old room, preparatory to the coming of her mother, to whom she had assigned it. very lovingly and carefully did she do this, for her heart was filled with tender memories of the past. mrs. martin had told her to fix everything to suit herself, and refused to have a word to say further than to heartily approve of all her arrangements. "i have been at the head of affairs a long time," she had said; "it is time now for us to change places." "i think you are trying to spoil me, aunt sarah," remarked flora, one day, when she had been told a number of times to do just as she liked. "i think there is no danger of that, my dear," said mrs. martin. she was right, for the experience flora had gained in the years since she had been home had so strengthened and developed her that it would have been well-nigh impossible to "spoil her," as she had termed it. as soon as her aunt was able to sit up, flora was to return home to get her mother, and in fact the whole family, if she could find them, and bring them to aunt sarah's, to live there. mrs. martin insisted that she wanted a house full; adding, smilingly: "the more, the merrier, my dear." flora wished this could be possible--she longed to be able to bring harry back with them; and, safe in that peaceful home, win him from his evil ways. she sighed, even as she thought, "that is quite impossible." she had forgotten for the moment that "with god, all things are possible." chapter xv. going home. during all these weary months, harry hazeley had not once written home; and neither his mother nor sister knew where he was. his friend, joel piper, had written to his mother, but to his regret, had as yet received no reply. this saddened him, as in his letter he had told of the changes in him, not only in his body, but in his heart and life, for he wished his mother, who had done so much for him, to know. harry as yet had no news to write home. joel was working slowly, it is true, to induce harry to attend some meetings which were being held successively in different churches. harry became interested, and later he had the happiness of knowing that he had accepted christ, and been received by him. in the meantime he had applied himself steadily and faithfully to his business, and not only earned the respect of his employers, but saved a good share of his money. "and now," he thought, triumphantly, "there is nothing to prevent me from going home." this thought took complete possession of him, and in his leisure moments he did little else than picture to himself his home-coming, and the sight of mother, sister, and brother. they would rejoice, he was sure, in his new life. he wondered if flora had changed much, and in what way alec passed away the days. these thoughts of home and home-folks, together with the great desire to see them again, gradually wore away the feeling of shame with which he had been assailed whenever his thoughts had turned that way before. "joel!" he exclaimed, as they were sitting together, one pleasant evening, "i see no other way but to do it!" "what is it you mean, my boy?" asked joel, as he looked at harry for a moment, and then returned to his book. "to go home, and see them all," returned harry. "believe i will too," said joel, slapping his book by way of emphasis. "by the way, harry," he continued, "my home isn't so very far from yours; only a couple of hours' ride. you live at bartonville and i live at brinton, or rather, i did." "is that so? well, then, let us go together." "what do you intend to do? give up your situation here for good, or just ask for leave of absence?" asked joel. "oh, i shall give it up entirely," was the answer. "i prefer to get something to do nearer home. what will you do?" "i shall come back," said joel, decidedly. "my people are farmers. i could be of no service now on a farm, you know, even if i cared for it, which i don't." thus the matter was decided, and arrangements were made accordingly. one evening, as mrs. hazeley sat in her home, all alone, stitching away busily, she was startled to hear a loud rap on the door. "who can it be?" she thought, rising to answer the knock. she found herself confronted by a tall, rather slight young man, with a grave face, which, however, was now illuminated by a smile of expectancy. "harry! harry! my boy harry!" she cried, holding open her arms. the mother's quick instinct and penetrating love could not be deceived by appearances, no matter how altered. the form might be changed, and the features matured, but there was something that brought to her the memory of her child, the baby of long ago. after the first greetings were over, harry settled down, and prepared to unburden his mind. his mother noticed that he glanced about him wistfully and inquiringly. "no," said mrs. hazeley, answering the query in his eyes, "flora is not here. she went to stay with your aunt sarah, who is very ill. i am expecting to go myself, whenever i hear from her to that effect. alec too, is away. he is living with that good old man, 'major benson,' you used to call him, you remember. alec enjoys a country life. he intends to be a farmer, he says. it was very kind of him to give the boy such an opening. the poor child was so afraid of being a burden to us. i have every reason to be grateful for my children." "except me, mother," said harry. "no, my boy," returned his mother, looking keenly at him. "i am sure i have reason to be grateful for you too. but tell me, harry, where have you been, and why did you not write to us, and keep us posted?" the entire absence of reproach or fault finding, and the warm affection with which he was received by his mother, touched the young man very deeply, and with his heart made tender with these thoughts, he determined to confide fully all his past to his mother, from whom he felt sure he would receive ready sympathy. when the story was told, mrs. hazeley could but exclaim, "bless the lord, oh my soul!" "and forget not all his benefits," added harry reverently. they were interrupted at that moment by a knock upon the door--a quick, business-like, energetic knock. "i know who that is," said mrs. hazeley, smilingly, as she arose to admit the new-comer. it was flora. "did ever returned prodigal receive a more hearty welcome than i?" exclaimed harry, laughingly, but gratefully. his old habit of reserve was being gradually overcome, and he was becoming accustomed to express his feelings quite freely, much to the present and subsequent delight of his family. this evening, a memorable one in the history of the little family, was by no means over. just as the happy trio were seated, with heads bowed reverently in thankfulness to the giver of all good, the knocker was raised another time. as the heads were lifted, and flora arose to open the door, she remarked, merrily: "that must be alec. i suppose the magnetism of our presence is drawing him to us." it was not alec it was our good friend joel piper. "i was told mrs. hazeley lived here," said he. "so she does," answered flora, trying to recall where she had seen the familiar face before her. joel was doing the same. he was the first to ask, however, "haven't i met you before?" "i was just thinking i had seen you somewhere," said flora, looking puzzled. "in brinton, perhaps?" suggested joel. "that is just it--you know--lottie piper," exclaimed flora disconnectedly. "yes, yes," said joel, eagerly; "i'm her brother. i remember now. you are flora hazeley. well, well," he cried, accepting flora's invitation to enter the room, where he saw his friend harry, for whom he was hunting. "i was just looking for you, hal," said he, having first been presented to mrs. hazeley, who was delighted to welcome the young man who had done so much for her harry. "i was looking for you, hal, but i had no idea i should meet an old acquaintance, in the shape of your sister. but that reminds me," he added, sadly, "i have been to the old home. no wonder i didn't hear from them. sickness, death, and desolation! i found the home, but no one in it." "how could that be?" asked harry. "i know," said flora, gently. "i saw lottie for a few moments the other day, and she told me all about it. i am so sorry." "is my sister here?" joel asked, eagerly. "yes, she is here--in bartonville; she is living with her aunt." "i know," said joel, "my father's sister. i shall be glad to see lottie; but mother is gone, and now it is too late." "no, no, joel, don't talk that way," said harry, soothingly. "you have no need to say that. you haven't come home as you left it. and suppose your mother is not here, don't you think she knows all about it? and then, there is your sister, you know." "that is all true, harry. it would have been hard to have come back as i went away, and found her gone. i could not have helped the little girl then. but one thing more," he said, turning to flora, who was wiping her eyes in sympathy. "where is my father?" "lottie says he went away somewhere, to work." "then i shall hope to see him, some day, and that will be one consolation." joel was comforted by his friends, and his own kind, helpful deeds were bearing fruit for him. it was arranged that joel should board--he would hear of no other arrangement--with mrs. hazeley until he should find his sister, and see how she was situated, before returning to his employment. flora's news was almost forgotten in the general rejoicing over harry's unexpected return and the equally unexpected addition to the little household in joel. but when things were somewhat quieted down, she had something wonderful to relate also. "well, well, well," said mrs. hazeley. "to think of sister sarah softening, at her age. when will wonders cease!" harry did not approve of this proposed breaking up of their own little home. he feared it might be but a passing whim of aunt sarah's. "oh, no," maintained flora, stoutly. "whatever else aunt sarah is, she is not fickle. when she says she means to do a thing, that thing is as good as done." "that's very true," said her mother. so it was settled that, after due preparation, the family should move to brinton. the only regret that flora felt at leaving her home in bartonville was that she would be obliged to part with her class of girls, whom she loved and who loved her. she comforted herself with the thought that she would have another, if possible, in brinton. the girls she left behind always cherished the memory of their young teacher, and strove to imitate her gentle, earnest ways, and noble traits. surely, the seed she had sown in their hearts would spring up, blossom, and bear fruit for the master's kingdom. chapter xvi. lottie's trials. "well! things have come to a pretty pass! here i've been running up and down, here and there and everywhere, like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to please aunt emmeline, and i'm just about as near doing it now as i was when i commenced. it's grumble, grumble, grumble, every minute in the day; and i will not stand it--not a day longer, now!" and lottie gave the fire a vigorous shake that sent the sparks darting hither and thither, in every direction. it was hard for her. lottie conscientiously did all she could for the fretful invalid upstairs. but her efforts were not appreciated. instead, mrs. durand seemed to grow more irritable daily. nothing lottie did pleased her; the tea was either too weak or too strong; the toast either too hot or too cold; the beef-tea was too highly seasoned, or not enough. thus the fault-finding continued, day in and day out. heretofore lottie had succeeded in bearing with her captious patient fairly well, her natural patience and sweetness of disposition being a great help to her. but this day her task seemed a little harder to bear than usual, and a short time before the outburst at the opening of the chapter the climax was reached, when her aunt struck her with the cane she used to aid her in getting about the room, for she was able to go about a very little during the day. lottie had been sent for some water, and in her zeal to please her aunt by being quick about it, had spilled a few drops in that good woman's lap, and she, without stopping to think, had given her niece a rap with her stick. "no, i shall not stand it another minute," muttered lottie, as she angrily paced the floor of the little room, whither she had rushed from her aunt's presence. apparently she had determined to do something, for she went to work energetically to put everything to rights. she put more coal on the fire, and, in fact, did everything she deemed necessary. then she stole quietly up to her room, packed some things in a bundle, and noiselessly left the house. [illustration: hazely family. page 153.] where was she going? she did not know. what was she going to do? she only knew that she was going far away from her aunt emmeline's, where she had been insulted. the old poplar solemnly waved its long, bare arms over her head, as if wishing her "good-bye." she had a vague idea she would go and find her friend flora; she would at least advise her what to do, for, after once fairly in the street, the fact that she had no home but the one she was leaving behind, made itself felt very plainly. she had not seen flora since that first day when they had met accidentally, and she had almost forgotten the way she had come, for she had been in such a hurry she gave little heed to anything. she would go as best she could remember. it seemed to her that she was walking a great distance, and when at length she came to a small public square, she sat down upon one of the cold, damp seats, almost discouraged, and utterly unhappy. no mother, no home--nothing but misery. the tears were very near the surface, when she heard her name called at no great distance. that was strange, though the voice sounded familiar. stranger still, however, was the sight of a young man making his way rapidly toward her with a shuffling gait, and leaning upon two canes. although the face seemed familiar, lottie was frightened, and was preparing to run away when her steps were arrested by the strange young man saying, in half-laughing, half-vexed tones: "why, lottie, girl, don't you know your brother joel?" "what? not my brother joel?" exclaimed lottie, joyously, yet distrustfully. "the very same, and yet not the same," replied joel, sadly, as he remembered how great was the physical change in him, and which was so apparent. "i was straight and strong when you last saw me, lottie," he said, looking down at his twisted limbs. "i was straight and strong when i left the old home, and now you see what i am." and he seated himself beside lottie, who had remained on the bench. "oh, joel, what made you so?" she cried, in a distressed voice. "never mind about that now, little sister. i will tell you all about it some time. but mother----" "didn't you know? she is dead." and lottie burst into tears, while the half-repressed sobs of the utterly miserable girl, shook her slender frame. "yes, i know," answered her brother, softly. "how did you know?" asked lottie, as she raised her tear-stained face in surprise at his knowledge, when she knew he had been away so long. "never mind that, either," returned joel; "but tell me everything." lottie told about the death of their mother, then added: "oh, joel, she so wanted to see you before she died, and now it's too late." "yes, too late." the words found an echo in the young man's own breast. he had put it off too long, this home-coming. hoping and wanting to come back to his home and parents, well able to take care of himself and to help them too, he had waited, and worked, and saved, and now she for whom he so longed was not here to bid him welcome. the thought also came to him that it was well this "too late" came only in the disappointment of earthly hopes. suppose it meant the loss of his soul as well? then another thought came, this time full of comfort and peace: "she will know i am changed, and i shall meet her in heaven." then he turned to his sister, feeling that here was a work for him--a legacy left him by his mother. "where is father, lottie?" he asked a moment later, inwardly wondering at her presence here. "father? oh, after mother's death he couldn't stay there any more, he said, and so he went away to work. out west, i believe," she added, rather glad than otherwise to break the silence that had followed her last words. "i haven't seen him since he brought me to live here." "live here? with whom?" inquired her brother. "with aunt emmeline." and then she poured forth into sympathetic ears a recital of her woes, inflicted largely by her aunt. "what are you going to do?" asked joel, when she finished. "are you going back?" "no, i am not. that settles it!" "never?" "no, never!" joel was amused. he well knew that the angry girl would be obliged, sooner or later, to modify her emphatic and hasty assertions. however, he thought it best to make no criticism, at least until she should see her folly and mistake herself; so he only said: "well, i guess you had better come with me just now. both of us will catch cold if we stay here much longer." unquestioningly, lottie arose. she did not care where she went, so long as she was with joel, who now was all she had to cling to. the sight of poor, deformed joel, hobbling painfully along, touched lottie's heart as nothing else could have done, as she contrasted his shrunken body with her own strong, robust self. she felt almost glad her mother could not see him now--she had been so proud of joel's strength. at length they halted before a small house that appeared strangely familiar to lottie, and joel rapped on the door. what was her surprise and delight to see the door opened by flora hazeley. "lottie!" the latter exclaimed. "flora!" joel stood by, smilingly, while lottie was introduced to the rest of the family. "it seems so strange that both your brother and mine should be returned runaways, doesn't it, flora?" remarked lottie, when all were seated. "how about lottie?" slyly whispered joel, as he sat by her side. lottie deigned no reply, but tossed her head willfully, while she thought: "no, i will never go back to aunt emmeline's." it was a very pleasant little home party that sat and chatted in the old dining room that evening, but it was not until lottie and flora were alone in the room which they were to share for the night, that lottie opened her heart, and poured out her woes into flora's sympathetic ear. "oh, lottie, how could you?" asked flora, when the recital was over. "oh, flora, of course i could do it, and so would you have done, in my place," returned lottie, in an injured tone. "is it possible that you have left your poor, sick aunt all alone?" "she isn't very sick; she only thinks she is," said lottie, sulkily. "she can get about her room well enough. it won't hurt her to go a bit farther, and go downstairs." flora, after a few more ineffectual words, saw lottie was feeling too bitter and hurt to be ashamed of her desertion of her poor, sick aunt, and, with her customary tact, dropped the subject entirely. for a few moments there was silence, each busy with her own thoughts. as flora was brushing her hair, of which she was justly proud, she said: "lottie, let us sit here in front of the fire. i often do, and watch the sparks as they flit here and there. i feel like talking to-night. i have listened to your story. now, you come here with me; i want to tell you mine." nothing loth, lottie seated herself, and listened attentively while her friend told of her own life, with all of its disappointments, hardships, and trials. "what has all this to do with me?" asked lottie, suspiciously, for she had a vague idea that flora had an object in view. "it has this to do with you, lottie dear," answered flora, as she put her own shapely hand, gently but firmly, over the rebellious one in lottie's lap. "it will show you that none of us can have things exactly as we want them, and we are cowards if we run away from our duties. had i been left to choose what i wished, i should not have chosen a single thing that came to me, and yet i am sure everything turned out for the very best. in the first place, aunt sarah's sending me home made me think and act for myself and others, and in doing so i became far stronger than i would have been had i stayed with, and depended on aunt bertha, if she had lived. in doing the second, i found pleasure, and now that after all our worrying harry has come back so changed, i am just as happy as i can be. but suppose i had run away, when things were dark and discouraging, would i now have anything to be happy over?" "but nobody ever struck you, flora. that is different," said lottie, looking less stubborn. "no," replied flora; "that is very true, dear; nobody ever struck me. but i have had other things quite as hard. indeed, things that i thought i could not possibly endure. but, you know who helped me bear them, don't you, lottie dear?" "yes," was the subdued reply. "you mean god helped you." "yes, and he will help you too, lottie, if you will let him. but you must take up your duties again, you know." "what? go back to aunt emmeline?" "yes, i mean just that. i am sure she did not intend to treat you badly. she will tell you so, i have no doubt, some day." "i don't know about that," said lottie; "but, i guess i ought to go. but, suppose she will not have me back again; what then?" "oh, don't borrow trouble. it will be time enough to think about that when it happens," replied flora. "but come, it's time we were asleep." sleep, however, did not come to lottie as soon as it did to her friend. her mind was too busy, turning over the events of the day, and anticipating the possible ones of the morrow. nevertheless, lottie was not really a coward, and when she had decided on a certain course, she kept to it, as we have already seen. chapter xvii. more surprises. next day, lottie informed her brother of her decision to return to her aunt, and apologize for her unceremonious departure. joel was very glad that she had come to this conclusion of her own free will, for he had feared he might have trouble in bringing her to it. he more than half-suspected that flora had a good deal to do with his sister's present submissive state, and was accordingly grateful. lottie bade her friends good-bye, and with joel to keep her courage up, turned her face determinedly toward her aunt's home, only making a comical grimace, as flora whispered to her some words of encouragement, adding the assurance that all would come out right. the brother and sister walked on together in silence, for some time; and then it was joel who talked, for lottie was too busy thinking to care for conversation. she acted as guide until they stood under the old poplar in front of the quiet little house, and then she took refuge behind her brother, who marched undauntedly up to the door, and gave a knock, which said plainly: "here are some people who mean business." the knock evidently surprised mrs. durand, for she opened the door herself, instead of telling them to "come in," as was her usual custom. at first she saw no one but joel, and seemed strongly inclined to close the door upon him; but when she caught sight of lottie, standing demurely behind him, she steadied herself firmly upon her canes, and inquired, "what do you want?" "in the first place, aunt emmeline," said joel, calmly, "i suppose you know me?" "no, i can't say i do," was the reply. "i am not much surprised. it has been some time since we met. i am joel piper, your nephew, and lottie's brother." mrs. durand said nothing, but only stood and looked. "lottie, come here; aunt emmeline, lottie has something to say to you." lottie came from behind her brother, and speaking rapidly, as if she were afraid she would lose courage if she did not talk fast, said: "i've come to say that i am sorry i acted so badly, aunt emmeline, and if you will let me, i'll come back again." "come in," was the brusque command. joel and lottie entered, and mrs. durand closed the door. then she turned to them, and said, simply: "if you want to come back, i guess you may." lottie shrugged her shoulders. she wanted so much to say that she did not come back because she wanted to, but because she thought she ought, and she bit her tongue, by way of admonishing that unruly member to keep still. joel guessed something of what was passing in his sister's mind, and hastened to engage mrs. durand in conversation. she seemed really touched as the young man recounted the history of his sickness and sufferings in a strange city; and lottie, sitting silently listening, was more than half convinced that she had judged her aunt too severely. by the time joel was ready to go, she was quite satisfied that she _did_ want to come back. then the old house really looked homelike, especially after the feeling of loneliness and homesickness she had experienced the day before as she walked the streets not knowing which way to look for shelter. that evening, after everything was done, as mrs. durand was seated by the fire in her easy chair, and lottie was hemming a table-cloth, mrs. durand asked abruptly: "why did you come back?" lottie looked up in astonishment, scarcely knowing what to say. but deeming it best to tell her exact reason, she said: "because i thought it was my duty to do it." for a while there was silence, during which lottie glanced up timidly to see the effect of her words upon her aunt, but she could discover nothing. "i suppose you were pretty angry with me, when you went?" was the next remark. "awful!" said lottie, catching her breath at her own temerity. again there was silence. "well," returned mrs. durand, "if you hadn't been in such a hurry, i should have told you i didn't mean to strike you; but, i suppose i can tell you so now, can't i?" "oh dear, aunt emmeline, you needn't say anything at all about it," said lottie, eagerly. "i acted just horrid; i know i did." "i can't blame you much, child. old people like me, with the rheumatism, are apt to be snappish. but i guess we both have had a lesson we will not be likely to forget. come, now, i think it is time you were in bed, so put away your sewing, and go." "can i get you anything, aunt?" asked lottie, as she prepared to obey. "nothing at all, my dear," was the soft reply, that sent lottie upstairs in a state of pleasurable surprise at the turn things had taken. never had she felt more glad of anything than she was to find herself in the little chamber again, because it was home. joel, in the meantime, after he had seen his sister fairly reinstated in her old place, returned to mrs. hazeley's, where he duly reported the success of his visit. flora was very glad things were straightening out for her young friend, lottie, for she was really fond of her, because of her open, truthful nature. a few days more joel spent with his friends, and then, after arranging with his aunt for his sister's future, insisting on supplying her needs outside of her board, for which mrs. durand would accept nothing, he left, to return to his work, feeling at least contented, if not carrying back with him the memory of a happy home welcome and reunion. it was good to have somebody to work for and care for, and joel was accustomed to placing full value upon present blessings or privileges, and his example had not been lost upon lottie, whose lot, while greatly changed and improved, was by no means entirely freed from thorns, for aunt emmeline was still aunt emmeline, and was likely to continue to be so. however, since lottie's return, she had treated the girl with a fair amount of consideration, much to her satisfaction and enjoyment. lottie was beginning to feel at home. in fact, as the months rolled by, and she grew in age and experience, lottie gradually became the household manager, and her aunt was content to oversee. after a time, mr. piper grew tired of "rolling around," as he informed his sister and daughter, and determined to marry a second time. he moreover informed lottie that it would be more agreeable to all concerned if she would conclude to remain with her aunt. "humph!" said that good woman. "it's well that it is agreeable to all; but suppose it wasn't? as it is, child," she added, "you know you are welcome to a home with me just as long as you want it. i have no wish to part with you. but i must say, your father is pretty cool." at one time lottie's heart would have beaten tumultuously at the prospect of a permanent home with aunt emmeline, but it was not so now, and she felt very grateful, when she lay down that night, that god had so cared for her, when she could not care for herself. to return to our friends, the hazeleys. they had all removed to brinton, all but alec, who seemed so well-contented with his quarters at major joe's, that he did not wish to change. there was really no necessity for him to do so. he was doing well at school, although he was by no means what might be considered a brilliant pupil. in fact, his own prediction that he would be no scholar, but a practical farmer, seemed likely to come true. major joe had other help now, and alec gave his time out of school and during holidays, to the owner of a large farm in the immediate neighborhood, where he was learning many things that were needful to know in his chosen calling. he always came home at night, and was known all around as a "fine lad." major joe had grown too feeble to attend market any longer, and so he had turned that part of his business over to the young man, who now had charge of his garden, and who, it seemed more than likely would have charge of ruth some time in the future, when he had grown able to do so. the major remained at home, alternately nursing his rheumatic limbs, and helping "mother" and ruth with the poultry, of which they raised a quantity, and, as jem said, were "getting awful rich off the eggs and things." ruth was a thrifty, thorough-going little housekeeper, one after her grandmother's own heart, while jem was just a lively little girl, who insisted on bestowing her help, which, however, usually proved more of a hindrance. she was, however, the pet of the old people, and made things merry in the little cottage. alec hazeley had gone to see his brother as soon as he had heard of his return, and had spent some days at home prior to the removal of the family. and he was the last object they saw as they steamed out of the station. mrs. martin was no longer the active, stirring woman she had been before her illness, but was now a confirmed invalid. she was much altered, in every way, and was very glad to have her sister and family with her; and they were altogether a peaceful, happy, little household. it was not harry's intention to remain at home long after he had seen his mother and sister settled. but, somehow--perhaps it was because every one seemed glad to have him there--he stayed longer than he had intended; and, surprising to himself, and altogether delightful to flora and his mother, he one day informed them that he felt he had received a decided call to the ministry. "oh, harry!" cried his sister. "how sudden! i wasn't dreaming of such a thing; but i am _so_ glad." "yes," answered harry, seriously, "i feel as if i must prepare myself to preach. something tells me, and i feel sure it is the voice of god, that i shall prosper at nothing else but winning souls for christ. as i was snatched from the toils of the evil one, so must i help save others. i believe that god rescued me for that very purpose." aunt sarah was delighted, and would hear of nothing but that he should immediately begin to fit himself for his new work. the family circle was again broken, but this time, how different the circumstances, and how hopeful the future appeared, with all united in the bond of love for christ and a hope for his re-appearing. chapter xviii. a christmas invitation. years have passed, and long since the grass was green over mrs. martin's grave. side by side she lay with her gentle sister, and over the two graves the graceful branches of the willow drooped, and in summer the sod was starred with daisies. it was december. the trees were bare of leaves, and the grass was withered. the weather was cold. the folks in brinton predicted a hard winter. in the cosy home where mrs. hazeley now presided with a calm demeanor, and flora flitted about happy and contented, there seemed no need to fear the searching winds of winter. flora was no longer a girl, but a well-grown young woman--changed, and yet not changed. she had matured with years; but it was easy to discern the same merry, thoughtful flora of the old days. shortly after his conversion, harry had heard and followed the voice of his master to "preach the gospel," and now he was the pastor of the church where aunt bertha had sat and listened to the gospel, eagerly taking in the blessed words of life--the same church where aunt sarah had listened, stern and cold, with her hard features turned upward to the minister; and the same church where two happy faces--one of a quiet and attractive-looking matron: the other of a fair, bright-eyed younger woman--were seen every lord's day. very proud was flora of her manly, earnest brother who had won so completely the hearts of the people; and equally proud was harry of his sister, who was loved and respected by all. they saw but little of alec, who had never outgrown his love for the country, and who still lived in brinton. he was industrious and economical, and his friends were sure he would some day be a wealthy man. it wanted but a few days to christmas, when, one afternoon, during a few idle moments, flora stood by the window lightly drumming against the pane, and smiling, as if her thoughts were very pleasant. she had not been standing there long when the front gate opened, and harry came toward the house. flora hurried to open the door for him, and pausing to remove his overcoat, he said: "here is a letter for you, flo." "a letter for me?" she repeated. "i wonder from whom it can be." she returned to the room with the letter in her hand. "a letter, flora?" inquired her mother. "who is writing to you, dear?" "it is from alec, mother," was the answer, a moment later. "what does the dear boy say--anything of importance?" asked mrs. hazeley. "it is a very short letter. shall i read it?" "never mind, flora; just tell us what he wants." "it is simply a very short, but very urgent, invitation for us all to spend christmas with him. you, especially, harry." "me? i wonder why?" "shall we go, mother?" "of course. i would not disappoint the boy for anything; besides, we have not seen him for so long." all were satisfied with this arrangement. christmas morning dawned bright and clear, but very cold. harry held service in the morning in his church, and of course mrs. hazeley and flora were present. everything was in readiness to start away immediately at its close. "it will not really matter; and we cannot miss seeing our harry conduct his first christmas service," said flora, positively. the exercises were simple but impressive; the singing sweet and solemn--the sermon earnest and tender. it seemed to flora as if she were shut in from everything, and that she really moved among the circumstances connected with the saviour's birth. it seemed to her that she was with the wise men who brought gifts, and came to worship the infant jesus; and the words of the anthem, "glory to god in the highest, peace on earth, good will to men," echoed and re-echoed through her whole being. "truly," she thought, "that peace has entered my soul, and how can i have aught but 'good will to men'?" mrs. hazeley's feelings found expression by the tears rolling down her cheeks under her veil. flora saw them, but knew they were for joy. never had harry spoken as he spoke that morning. he scarcely recognized himself in the preacher whose impassioned words were holding spell-bound the people who filled the church, drawing from them alternately tears of sympathy and smiles of joy. when the service was at an end, and the usual interchange of christmas wishes over, the young minister joined his mother and sister, who were waiting for him, and, with one upon each arm, directed his steps to the depot, where they boarded the cars for alec's home. flora felt too peaceful and happy to talk, and, in fact, they were all disinclined for conversation, and so the short journey was made in silence. true to his word, alec was at the station to welcome them, and delighted that they had all come. he conducted them to a carriage he had in waiting, and helped them in. "what do you want to ride to major joe's for?" asked harry. "it is such a short distance." "oh, i want you to ride to-day, so ask no more questions," was the saucy reply. "alec has some new project in his head," whispered flora to her mother, who nodded and smiled, as if anything and everything were in order, so far as she was concerned. harry asked no more questions, but was busy looking about him, and trying to decide where they were going; if to major joe's, why take such a roundabout course? all to no avail, however, and he abandoned the matter to the driver. there was no snow, to cover with its white, glittering blanket, the rough spots, but the brightness of the sun made amends for this lack by gilding the bare places. it was a green christmas, but there was a lurking promise of snows and storms yet to come, in the brisk, sharp wind, that drove the withered leaves--reminders of the summer's beauty--along, as flora remarked, "like little, old women dressed in brown, and caught in a wind-storm." alec noticed, as they drove along, that his brother still glanced about inquiringly, evidently not yet satisfied as to the road to major joe's from the station. alec was amused. it was so long since harry had been there, he felt sure he could not remember. it was with a view to drawing his attention from this, and thus prevent his asking more questions, that alec began to talk diligently. he pointed out the different objects of interest along the way, and then would branch off into a series of remarks or conjectures concerning them. "this now," he said, pointing to a pretty house they were passing, "is mrs. brown's new residence. isn't it tasteful? contains all the latest modern improvements--at least, so they say. and here is the homestead of a well-to-do widow. very benevolent. quite a good thing for widows." he was interrupted by flora's inquiry: "why widows especially?" "oh, because, you see, all they need is to have just enough to keep them comfortably while they live. they don't care about making improvements, and buying or speculating as a general thing, like----" "like what?" asked harry, drily, as his brother paused. "well, like me, for instance," returned alec. "so, i suppose you think there is no necessity for you to be benevolent." "it's not but that i should, so much as i cannot afford to be. you see, i am a young man, and i need to be very prudent about the way i invest what money i have, in order to accumulate a little more." "oh, alec," laughed flora, "you certainly have accumulated a pretty good stock of self-complacency, and have cultivated a fine opinion of yourself." "yes," returned alec, good-humoredly, touching up his horse with the end of his whip. "one must blow his own trumpet, if no one else will for him." "bad policy, my boy," interposed harry, who seemed for the time being, to feel himself a boy again. "bad policy. it is better not to have a trumpet blown at all, than to do it yourself. true worth will always receive its proper recognition." "not always; you are wrong there," said alec, his eyes twinkling mischievously at the success of his plan for diverting his brother's attention. "yes, always," persisted harry. "probably not from the direction you desire, or are looking toward; but, if one looks in the right direction, he will find that if he is worthy of esteem, honor, and respect, he will get it from those upon whom his course has made an impression. the trouble is, that people often look too far away. either they do not think to look among those immediately about them, and among whom they live, or they do not place the proper value upon their opinions and respect." "well, well," said alec, coolly, as he drew up before the gate of a new and very pretty cottage. "i am very much obliged to you for your valuable homily. i hope i shall profit by it. but, my dear brother, 'all is well that ends well'; and as my chief object in engaging you in conversation was to give you something to think about besides which way we were going, i am delighted that i was successful." and with a polite bow, the saucy fellow jumped down and proceeded to help his passengers to alight. chapter xix. a homely wedding. no sooner had the little party alighted, than the cottage door flew open, and a crowd of familiar faces met their astonished gaze. there was the old major, wrinkled and lame, leaning on his cane, but smiling as if he had forgotten that there was any "rheumatiz" in the world. there was the bright-faced little jem of long ago, now grown into a stout maiden, and looking as sober and matter-of-fact as ever. and motherly little ruth was there, with her face wreathed in smiles. there was good mrs. benson, busy and bustling with the weight of some unusual responsibility. such a royal welcome as our friends received. tongues were kept busy with stories of the generosity of the dear old saint nicholas, and wishes for the new year. "what a pretty house!" exclaimed flora, as the hum of voices was lessening. "i am glad you like it, sister mine," returned alec who was at her side, "because, you know, it belongs to me." "to you? then you have been industrious in all these years. are you going to live here all alone?" "yes, you are right there, flora," alec answered, totally ignoring her question. "i have worked hard, and saved too. but, there! i am blowing my own trumpet again, in spite of hal's lecture!" and he glanced roguishly at his brother. but harry only smiled. "what on earth do you want with a whole house?" asked flora, curiously. "are the major and mrs. benson going to live with you?" she added, wishing to understand it all. "no," said alec, "they are going back home." flora and harry were thoroughly puzzled, and from time to time glanced at their brother questioningly, as if they feared he was joking them. flora noticed, however, what the others were all too busy to see, that alec was constantly glancing out of the front window, as if expecting some one. at last her curiosity and his evident uneasiness were both satisfied; for a buggy drove up to the door, and from it alighted a young girl and an elderly woman, and--joel piper, who after dismissing the conveyance came toward the house, where they were met by alec, who presented them triumphantly to the rest. "lottie piper, is this you?" cried flora. the young girl was really lottie, and the elderly woman was mrs. emmeline durand, her aunt. "yes, it's me," answered lottie, serenely and ungrammatically. "this is a delightful surprise. what next?" exclaimed flora. "shall i tell you?" asked alec, coming forward and offering lottie his arm, who evidently understood the whole situation; "it is simply this,"--and the two fine-looking young people walked toward the window where harry was standing, and paused before him,--"i love lottie, and i think she loves me." lottie's bright eyes dropped to the floor, her face suffused with blushes, with a bright little smile trembling around her mouth. "i love lottie; and, harry, i want you to pronounce us husband and wife." mrs. hazeley and flora looked somewhat dazed, and then, turning to each other, locked arms and walked toward the bridal pair, each face showing surprise, but also betraying real joy at the event. the others were happy. all knew what the day would bring forth, and each had united with the others in mystifying mrs. hazeley, flora, and harry. the last named, while much surprised, as was but natural, understood the situation and the part he was expected to take, as alec and lottie stepped toward him. "very well, alec. i am glad you have made such a happy choice. are you both ready? please stand here. that is it. so." then, amid the hush that fell upon the little company, harry's voice was clearly heard, saying: "'what god hath joined together, let no man put asunder.'" at the close of the short, but very impressive service, harry offered a short prayer that the "great all-father would watch over, guard, and guide these two lives that had linked themselves together for all time." then came congratulations, and everybody tried to talk at once. then came dinner. this was in charge of mrs. benson, and it is only necessary to say that it was one long to be remembered; for she was an excellent cook. in the course of the dinner, alec was pressed by flora to tell how he had become acquainted with lottie. he quite willingly complied. "i first met her on the day i came down to see you off on the cars when you all left for brinton; and just as the train was disappearing around a curve, and i was turning about to go home, a girl came running up all out of breath. "'oh,' said she, 'has the train gone?' i said, 'yes; did you want to get on?' [illustration: hazeley family. page 184.] "'no,' said she; 'but my friend is on it, and i wanted to say good-bye.' 'i'm sorry,' said i, 'but who is your friend?' not that it was any of my business to know, but somehow or other i felt interested, and she didn't seem to mind, but said: 'flora hazeley.' 'that's my sister,' said i; 'do you know her?' 'i guess i do,' was the answer. 'it is too bad; but it can't be helped, i suppose. i'm always late when i should be early, and early when i should be late.' "this sounded so odd that we both laughed, and then she turned and was out of sight in a very few seconds. i didn't see her again until one day several years afterward, when i was doing business for myself--taking my vegetables and things to town to sell, you know. it happened on this morning i had some fine, fresh vegetables left over from market, and i wanted to sell them before going home. i went through several streets, knocking at the doors and asking if the folks would like to buy what i had. at one of the houses i met lottie again. she did not recognize me at first, but amused me very much by the close bargains she drove. 'well,' said i, 'you are a case.' she looked up at me suddenly, as if she would like to give me a bit of her mind, and she saw who i was. then, of course, she began to ask after you all; and that is the way we became acquainted. i always went there afterward when i had anything left over, and, when i saw what a close bargain she could drive, and what a good housekeeper she made for her aunt, i thought: 'lottie is the girl to help a fellow get on in the world.' so, after a while, with the consent of the good aunt and no objections from our brother joel here, to whom we wrote about the matter, and who came on to see us and give us his blessing, we made the arrangements that you see have been carried out to-day." "how about lottie's father?" said flora, slyly. "we wrote to him too, and he didn't object, either--that that is, he didn't answer--and silence is consent, you know." "alec," said harry, gravely, "i am glad, of course, to see you doing well; but it hurts me to hear you talk so much about getting rich and saying nothing about higher and better things. what is to become of you when you are called to lay aside the possessions you are striving so hard to get?" "now, never you mind alec, my good preacher brother," interposed lottie, looking at him with a complacent smile. "alec is fond of mystifying people. he is just as good a christian as ever a young man was. he and i both--to set your mind at rest--were converted over a year ago, at a revival in bartonville. we mean to try and live right--don't we, alec?" and she beamed on everybody, in no way abashed by her frank confession. it was plain that lottie would be matter-of-fact and practical to the end of her days. "my dear alec, give me your hand!" cried harry. and the two brothers clasped hands warmly, while joel nodded approvingly. flora, who sat next to lottie, slipped her arm around her waist and gave her a sisterly embrace; and mrs. hazeley exclaimed, wiping the tears away: "if ever a woman was blessed in her children, i am that one. truly, god is good." "that he is," rejoined mrs. benson. "my husband and i can testify to that." and her eyes rested lovingly upon ruth and little jem. "well," put in mrs. durand, lottie's aunt. "_you_ are all rejoicing; but i am not so sure that i can join you. i lose my housekeeper and the only companion i have when i lose lottie. one doesn't mind living alone so much when one is used to it; but when you have had company for so long, it comes awkward to go back to the old habits." "remember the old proverb, aunt emmeline, 'never cross the bridge until you come to it,'" laughed lottie. then, turning to alec, who sat quietly smiling, she said: "tell her, alec, do." "aunt emmeline, come with me a moment; i have something to show you," and offering her his arm they left the room. crossing the wide hall, they ascended the stairs, and stopping at a closed door, alec said, as he pushed it open: "this room is for aunt emmeline, as long as she will occupy it. we could not do without her." mrs. durand's fears were thrown to the wind when she heard this, and saw the dainty room. turning to alec, with her eyes bright with tears, she said, as she threw her arms around his neck: "oh, alec, i do not deserve this. but it makes me very happy to know you think enough of me to do this for me." as they entered the room, where all was gayety, her face wreathed in smiles, mrs. durand said: "now i can join in the general rejoicing. i have a new home--this one--with lottie and alec." everybody was pleased, and lottie looked her happiness; for her face was ever very expressive of her feelings. for a long time jem, who was as quiet and quaint in her ways as ever, had been occupied in the effort to make peace between dolby and pokey, who were now old and feeble, but very dear to the heart of their mistress, who had insisted that they must come to the wedding. during alec's story, flora had caught a look of decided disapproval on jem's face, and determining to ascertain the cause, she asked: "jem, dear, does anything trouble you? what do you think of this?" "do you mean the wedding?" jem questioned. "yes." "well, then,"--and the words came slowly, distinctly, and decisively,--"i think it was a very disinteresting one." "how would you have had things, if you could have had your way?" asked flora, much amused at jem's positive tone. "oh, _i'd_ have had white satin, and orange blossoms, and lots of presents, and a great big wedding cake, with a beautiful ornament on top, and all such, you know." in her earnestness she had forgotten that pokey was on her lap, hidden under the table-cloth, for fear her indulgent grandma would see her and be disgusted, and banish her from the room. pokey, feeling that the little hands were no longer pressing her down and reminding her that she must lie still, quietly dropped to the floor, and began cautiously to explore. "now, jem," went on flora, argumentatively, "suppose we did have all the fine things you named, how much happier would that make us all?" "oh, i don't know anything about that. i only know it would have been prettier, and more to my taste as a guest, you see," returned jem with dignity, much to the amusement of her listeners. "ah, jem," said harry, shaking his head at her, and pretending to be very serious: "ah, jem, you little know how much unhappiness often follows the orange blossoms and satin." "i don't know anything about that, either," was the cool rejoinder. "i only know they are prettier to look at." "everybody to his taste, say i, jem," remarked alec, solemnly; which bit of philosophy was promptly put into practice by dolby, who evidently found it to his taste just then to spring upon pokey while her young mistress was busy talking, and who received a sharp box on the ear for his pains. of course such behavior necessitated the removal of poor pokey in disgrace by jem. before anybody was ready for it, the hour of separation had come. after a great deal of talking and a good many "good-byes," the hazeleys were on the cars, being carried back to brinton, and the unique reunion was over. "what a queer christmas party we have been to!" laughed flora, when they were again at home. "but i enjoyed it." "yes," answered harry. "so did i." "and i," added his mother, "more than all. just to think, what wonderful things god does bring about!" "yes," said harry, reverently, "how well the words of isaiah apply to us: 'i will lead them in paths that they have not known. i will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.'" the end. transcriber's note: punctuation has been standardised. both "to day" and "to-day" have been retained as they appear in the original publication, as has "extonished". on page 132 "let the way direct" has been changed to "led the way direct". clotelle: a tale of the southern states by william wells brown contents i the slave's social circle. ii the negro sale. iii the slave speculator. iv the boat-race. v the young mother. vi the slave-market. vii the slave-holding parson. viii a night in the parson's kitchen. ix the man of honor. x the quadroon's home xi to-day a mistress, to-morrow a slave xii the mother-in-law. xiii a hard-hearted woman. xiv the prison. xv the arrest. xvi death is freedom. xvii clotelle. xviii a slave-hunting parson. xix the true heroine. xx the hero of many adventures. xxi self-sacrifice. xxii love at first sight and what followed. xxiii meeting of the cousins. xxiv the law and its victim. xxv the flight. xxvi the hero of a night. xxvii true freedom. xxviii farewell to america. xxix a stranger in a strange land. xxx new friends. xxxi the mysterious meeting. xxxii the happy meeting. xxxiii the happy day. xxxiv clotelle meets her father. xxxv the father's resolve. chapter i the slave's social circle. with the growing population in the southern states, the increase of mulattoes has been very great. society does not frown upon the man who sits with his half-white child upon his knee whilst the mother stands, a slave, behind his chair. in nearly all the cities and towns of the slave states, the real negro, or clear black, does not amount to more than one in four of the slave population. this fact is of itself the best evidence of the degraded and immoral condition of the relation of master and slave. throughout the southern states, there is a class of slaves who, in most of the towns, are permitted to hire their time from their owners, and who are always expected to pay a high price. this class is the mulatto women, distinguished for their fascinating beauty. the handsomest of these usually pay the greatest amount for their time. many of these women are the favorites of men of property and standing, who furnish them with the means of compensating their owners, and not a few are dressed in the most extravagant manner. when we take into consideration the fact that no safeguard is thrown around virtue, and no inducement held out to slave-women to be pure and chaste, we will not be surprised when told that immorality and vice pervade the cities and towns of the south to an extent unknown in the northern states. indeed, many of the slave-women have no higher aspiration than that of becoming the finely-dressed mistress of some white man. at negro balls and parties, this class of women usually make the most splendid appearance, and are eagerly sought after in the dance, or to entertain in the drawing-room or at the table. a few years ago, among the many slave-women in richmond, virginia, who hired their time of their masters, was agnes, a mulatto owned by john graves, esq., and who might be heard boasting that she was the daughter of an american senator. although nearly forty years of age at the time of which we write, agnes was still exceedingly handsome. more than half white, with long black hair and deep blue eyes, no one felt like disputing with her when she urged her claim to her relationship with the anglo-saxon. in her younger days, agnes had been a housekeeper for a young slaveholder, and in sustaining this relation had become the mother of two daughters. after being cast aside by this young man, the slave-woman betook herself to the business of a laundress, and was considered to be the most tasteful woman in richmond at her vocation. isabella and marion, the two daughters of agnes, resided with their mother, and gave her what aid they could in her business. the mother, however, was very choice of her daughters, and would allow them to perform no labor that would militate against their lady-like appearance. agnes early resolved to bring up her daughters as ladies, as she termed it. as the girls grew older, the mother had to pay a stipulated price for them per month. her notoriety as a laundress of the first class enabled her to put an extra charge upon the linen that passed through her hands; and although she imposed little or no work upon her daughters, she was enabled to live in comparative luxury and have her daughters dressed to attract attention, especially at the negro balls and parties. although the term "negro ball" is applied to these gatherings, yet a large portion of the men who attend them are whites. negro balls and parties in the southern states, especially in the cities and towns, are usually made up of quadroon women, a few negro men, and any number of white gentlemen. these are gatherings of the most democratic character. bankers, merchants, lawyers, doctors, and their clerks and students, all take part in these social assemblies upon terms of perfect equality. the father and son not unfrequently meet and dance alike at a negro ball. it was at one of these parties that henry linwood, the son of a wealthy and retired gentleman of richmond, was first introduced to isabella, the oldest daughter of agnes. the young man had just returned from harvard college, where he had spent the previous five years. isabella was in her eighteenth year, and was admitted by all who knew her to be the handsomest girl, colored or white, in the city. on this occasion, she was attired in a sky-blue silk dress, with deep black lace flounces, and bertha of the same. on her well-moulded arms she wore massive gold bracelets, while her rich black hair was arranged at the back in broad basket plaits, ornamented with pearls, and the front in the french style (a la imperatrice), which suited her classic face to perfection. marion was scarcely less richly dressed than her sister. henry linwood paid great attention to isabella which was looked upon with gratification by her mother, and became a matter of general conversation with all present. of course, the young man escorted the beautiful quadroon home that evening, and became the favorite visitor at the house of agnes. it was on a beautiful moonlight night in the month of august when all who reside in tropical climates are eagerly grasping for a breath of fresh air, that henry linwood was in the garden which surrounded agnes' cottage, with the young quadroon by his side. he drew from his pocket a newspaper wet from the press, and read the following advertisement:-notice.--seventy-nine negroes will be offered for sale on monday, september 10, at 12 o'clock, being the entire stock of the late john graves in an excellent condition, and all warranted against the common vices. among them are several mechanics, able-bodied field-hands, plough-boys, and women with children, some of them very prolific, affording a rare opportunity for any one who wishes to raise a strong and healthy lot of servants for their own use. also several mulatto girls of rare personal qualities,--two of these very superior. among the above slaves advertised for sale were agnes and her two daughters. ere young linwood left the quadroon that evening, he promised her that he would become her purchaser, and make her free and her own mistress. mr. graves had long been considered not only an excellent and upright citizen of the first standing among the whites, but even the slaves regarded him as one of the kindest of masters. having inherited his slaves with the rest of his property, he became possessed of them without any consultation or wish of his own. he would neither buy nor sell slaves, and was exceedingly careful, in letting them out, that they did not find oppressive and tyrannical masters. no slave speculator ever dared to cross the threshold of this planter of the old dominion. he was a constant attendant upon religious worship, and was noted for his general benevolence. the american bible society, the american tract society, and the cause of foreign missions, found in him a liberal friend. he was always anxious that his slaves should appear well on the sabbath, and have an opportunity of hearing the word of god. chapter ii the negro sale. as might have been expected, the day of sale brought an usually large number together to compete for the property to be sold. farmers, who make a business of raising slaves for the market, were there, and slave-traders, who make a business of buying human beings in the slave-raising states and taking them to the far south, were also in attendance. men and women, too, who wished to purchase for their own use, had found their way to the slave sale. in the midst of the throne was one who felt a deeper interest in the result of the sale than any other of the bystanders. this was young linwood. true to his promise, he was there with a blank bank-check in his pocket, awaiting with impatience to enter the list as a bidder for the beautiful slave. it was indeed a heart-rending scene to witness the lamentations of these slaves, all of whom had grown up together on the old homestead of mr. graves, and who had been treated with great kindness by that gentleman, during his life. now they were to be separated, and form new relations and companions. such is the precarious condition of the slave. even when with a good master, there is no certainty of his happiness in the future. the less valuable slaves were first placed upon the auction-block, one after another, and sold to the highest bidder. husbands and wives were separated with a degree of indifference that is unknown in any other relation in life. brothers and sisters were tom from each other, and mothers saw their children for the last time on earth. it was late in the day, and when the greatest number of persons were thought to be present, when agnes and her daughters were brought out to the place of sale. the mother was first put upon the auction-block, and sold to a noted negro trader named jennings. marion was next ordered to ascend the stand, which she did with a trembling step, and was sold for $1200. all eyes were now turned on isabella, as she was led forward by the auctioneer. the appearance of the handsome quadroon caused a deep sensation among the crowd. there she stood, with a skin as fair as most white women, her features as beautifully regular as any of her sex of pure anglo-saxon blood, her long black hair done up in the neatest manner, her form tall and graceful, and her whole appearance indicating one superior to her condition. the auctioneer commenced by saying that miss isabella was fit to deck the drawing-room of the finest mansion in virginia. "how much, gentlemen, for this real albino!--fit fancy-girl for any one! she enjoys good health, and has a sweet temper. how much do you say?" "five hundred dollars." "only five hundred for such a girl as this? gentlemen, she is worth a deal more than that sum. you certainly do not know the value of the article you are bidding on. here, gentlemen, i hold in my hand a paper certifying that she has a good moral character." "seven hundred." "ah, gentlemen, that is something like. this paper also states that she is very intelligent." "eight hundred." "she was first sprinkled, then immersed, and is now warranted to be a devoted christian, and perfectly trustworthy." "nine hundred dollars." "nine hundred and fifty." "one thousand." "eleven hundred." here the bidding came to a dead stand. the auctioneer stopped, looked around, and began in a rough manner to relate some anecdote connected with the sale of slaves, which he said had come under his own observation. at this juncture the scene was indeed a most striking one. the laughing, joking, swearing, smoking, spitting, and talking, kept up a continual hum and confusion among the crowd, while the slave-girl stood with tearful eyes, looking alternately at her mother and sister and toward the young man whom she hoped would become her purchaser. "the chastity of this girl," now continued the auctioneer, "is pure. she has never been from under her mother's care. she is virtuous, and as gentle as a dove." the bids here took a fresh start, and went on until $1800 was reached. the auctioneer once more resorted to his jokes, and concluded by assuring the company that isabella was not only pious, but that she could make an excellent prayer. "nineteen hundred dollars." "two thousand." this was the last bid, and the quadroon girl was struck off, and became the property of henry linwood. this was a virginia slave-auction, at which the bones, sinews, blood, and nerves of a young girl of eighteen were sold for $500; her moral character for $200; her superior intellect for $100; the benefits supposed to accrue from her having been sprinkled and immersed, together with a warranty of her devoted christianity, for $300; her ability to make a good prayer for $200; and her chastity for $700 more. this, too, in a city thronged with churches, whose tall spires look like so many signals pointing to heaven, but whose ministers preach that slavery a god-ordained institution! the slaves were speedily separated, and taken along by their respective masters. jennings, the slave-speculator, who had purchased agnes and her daughter marion, with several of the other slaves, took them to the county prison, where he usually kept his human cattle after purchasing them, previous to starting for the new orleans market. linwood had already provided a place for isabella, to which she was taken. the most trying moment for her was when she took leave of her mother and sister. the "good-by" of the slave is unlike that of any other class in the community. it is indeed a farewell forever. with tears streaming down their cheeks, they embraced and commanded each other to god, who is no respecter of persons, and before whom master and slave must one day appear. chapter iii the slave speculator. dick jennings the slave-speculator, was one of the few northern men, who go to the south and throw aside their honest mode of obtaining a living and resort to trading in human beings. a more repulsive looking person could scarcely be found in any community of bad looking men. tall, lean and lank, with high cheek-bones, face much pitted with the small-pox, gray eyes with red eyebrows, and sandy whiskers, he indeed stood alone without mate or fellow in looks. jennings prided himself upon what he called his goodness of heart and was always speaking of his humanity. as many of the slaves whom he intended taking to the new orleans market had been raised in richmond, and had relations there, he determined to leave the city early in the morning, so as not to witness any of the scenes so common the departure of a slave-gang to the far south. in this, he was most successful; for not even isabella, who had called at the prison several times to see her mother and sister, was aware of the time that they were to leave. the slave-trader started at early dawn, and was beyond the confines of the city long before the citizens were out of their beds. as a slave regards a life on the sugar, cotton, or rice plantation as even worse than death, they are ever on the watch for an opportunity to escape. the trader, aware of this, secures his victims in chains before he sets out on his journey. on this occasion, jennings had the men chained in pairs, while the women were allowed to go unfastened, but were closely watched. after a march of eight days, the company arrived on the banks of the ohio river, where they took a steamer for the place of their destination. jennings had already advertised in the new orleans papers, that he would be there with a prime lot of able-bodied slaves, men and women, fit for field-service, with a few extra ones calculated for house servants,--all between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five years; but like most men who make a business of speculating in human beings, he often bought many who were far advanced in years, and would try to pass them off for five or six years younger than they were. few persons can arrive at anything approaching the real age of the negro, by mere observation, unless they are well acquainted with the race. therefore, the slave-trader frequently carried out the deception with perfect impunity. after the steamer had left the wharf and was fairly out on the bosom of the broad mississippi, the speculator called his servant pompey to him; and instructed him as to getting the negroes ready for market. among the forty slaves that the trader had on this occasion, were some whose appearance indicated that they had seen some years and had gone through considerable service. their gray hair and whiskers at once pronounced them to be above the ages set down in the trader's advertisement. pompey had long been with jennings, and understood his business well, and if he did not take delight in the discharge of his duty, he did it at least with a degree of alacrity, so that he might receive the approbation of his master. pomp, as he was usually called by the trader, was of real negro blood, and would often say, when alluding to himself, "dis nigger am no counterfeit, he is de ginuine artikle. dis chile is none of your haf-and-haf, dere is no bogus about him." pompey was of low stature, round face, and, like most of his race, had a set of teeth, which, for whiteness and beauty, could not be surpassed; his eyes were large, lips thick, and hair short and woolly. pompey had been with jennings so long, and had seen so much of buying and selling of his fellow-creatures, that he appeared perfectly indifferent to the heart-rending scenes which daily occurred in his presence. such is the force of habit:- "vice is a monster of such frightful mien, that to be hated, needs but to be seen; but seen too oft, familiar with its face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace." it was on the second day of the steamer's voyage, that pompey selected five of the oldest slaves, took them into a room by themselves, and commenced preparing them for the market. "now," said he, addressing himself to the company, "i is de chap dat is to get you ready for de orleans market, so dat you will bring marser a good price. how old is you?" addressing himself to a man not less than forty. "if i live to see next sweet-potato-digging time, i shall be either forty or forty-five, i don't know which." "dat may be," replied pompey; "but now you is only thirty years old,--dat's what marser says you is to be." "i know i is more den dat," responded the man. "i can't help nuffin' about dat," returned pompey; "but when you get into de market and any one ax you how old you is, and you tell um you is forty or forty-five, marser will tie you up and cut you all to pieces. but if you tell urn dat you is only thirty, den he won't. now remember dat you is thirty years old and no more." "well den, i guess i will only be thirty when dey ax me." "what's your name?" said pompey, addressing himself to another. "jeems." "oh! uncle jim, is it?" "yes." "den you must have all them gray whiskers shaved off, and all dem gray hairs plucked out of your head." this was all said by pompey in a manner which showed that he know what he was about. "how old is you?" asked pompey of a tall, strong-looking man. "what's your name?" "i am twenty-nine years old, and my name is tobias, but they calls me toby." "well, toby, or mr. tobias, if dat will suit you better, you are now twenty-three years old; dat's all,--do you understand dat?" "yes," replied toby. pompey now gave them all to understand how old they were to be when asked by persons who were likely to purchase, and then went and reported to his master that the old boys were all right. "be sure," said jennings, "that the niggers don't forget what you have taught them, for our luck this time in the market depends upon their appearance. if any of them have so many gray hairs that you cannot pluck them out, take the blacking and brush, and go at them." chapter iv the boat-race. at eight o'clock, on the evening of the third day of the passage, the lights of another steamer were soon in the distance, and apparently coming up very fast. this was the signal for a general commotion on board the patriot, and everything indicated that a steamboat-race was at hand. nothing can exceed the excitement attendant upon the racing of steamers on the mississippi. by the time the boats had reached memphis they were side by side, and each exerting itself to get in advance of the other. the night was clear, the moon shining brightly, and the boats so near to each other that the passengers were within speaking distance. on board the patriot the firemen were using oil, lard, butter, and even bacon, with woody for the purpose of raising the steam to its highest pitch. the blaze mingled with the black smoke that issued from the pipes of the other boat, which showed that she also was burning something more combustible than wood. the firemen of both boats, who were slaves, were singing songs such as can only be heard on board a southern steamer. the boats now came abreast of each other, and nearer and nearer, until they were locked so that men could pass from one to the other. the wildest excitement prevailed among the men employed on the steamers, in which the passengers freely participated. the patriot now stopped to take in passengers, but still no steam was permitted to escape. on the starting of the boat again, cold water was forced into the boilers by the feed-pumps, and, as might have been expected, one of the boilers exploded with terrific force, carrying away the boiler-deck and tearing to pieces much of the machinery. one dense fog of steam filled every part of the vessel, while shrieks, groans, and cries were heard on every side. men were running hither and thither looking for their wives, and women wore flying about in the wildest confusion seeking for their husbands. dismay appeared on every countenance. the saloons and cabins soon looked more like hospitals than anything else; but by this time the patriot had drifted to the shore, and the other steamer had come alongside to render assistance to the disabled boat. the killed and wounded (nineteen in number) were put on shore, and the patriot, taken in tow by the washington, was once more on her journey. it was half-past twelve, and the passengers, instead of retiring to their berths, once more assembled at the gambling-tables. the practice of gambling on the western waters has long been a source of annoyance to the more moral persons who travel on our great rivers. thousands of dollars often change owners during a passage from st. louis or louisville to new orleans, on a mississippi steamer. many men are completely ruined on such occasions, and duels are often the consequence. "go call my boy, steward," said mr. jones, as he took his cards one by one from the table. in a few minutes a fine-looking, bright-eyed mulatto boy, apparently about sixteen years of age, was standing by his master's side at the table. "i am broke, all but my boy," said jones, as he ran his fingers through his cards; "but he is worth a thousand dollars, and i will bet the half of him." "i will call you," said thompson, as he laid five hundred dollars at the feet of the boy, who was standing, on the table, and at the same time throwing down his cards before his adversary. "you have beaten me," said jones; and a roar of laughter followed from the other gentleman as poor joe stepped down from the table. "well, i suppose i owe you half the nigger," said thompson, as he took hold of joe and began examining his limbs. "yes," replied jones, "he is half yours. let me have five hundred dollars, and i will give you a bill of sale of the boy." "go back to your bed," said thompson to his chattel, "and remember that you now belong to me." the poor slave wiped the tears from his eyes, as, in obedience, he turned to leave the table. "my father gave me that boy," said jones, as he took the money, "and i hope, mr. thompson, that you will allow me to redeem him." "most certainly, sir," replied thompson. "whenever you hand over the cool thousand the negro is yours." next morning, as the passengers were assembling in the cabin and on deck and while the slaves were running about waiting on or looking for their masters, poor joe was seen entering his new master's stateroom, boots in hand. "who do you belong to?" inquired a gentleman of an old negro, who passed along leading a fine newfoundland dog which he had been feeding. "when i went to sleep las' night," replied the slave, "i 'longed to massa carr; but he bin gamblin' all night an' i don't know who i 'longs to dis mornin'." such is the uncertainty of a slave's life. he goes to bed at night the pampered servant of his young master, with whom he has played in childhood, and who would not see his slave abused under any consideration, and gets up in the morning the property of a man whom he has never before seen. to behold five or six tables in the saloon of a steamer, with half a dozen men playing cards at each, with money, pistols, and bowie-knives spread in splendid confusion before them, is an ordinary thing on the mississippi river. chapter v the young mother. on the fourth morning, the patriot landed at grand gulf, a beautiful town on the left bank of the mississippi. among the numerous passengers who came on board at rodney was another slave-trader, with nine human chattels which he was conveying to the southern market. the passengers, both ladies and gentlemen, were startled at seeing among the new lot of slaves a woman so white as not to be distinguishable from the other white women on board. she had in her arms a child so white that no one would suppose a drop of african blood flowed through its blue veins. no one could behold that mother with her helpless babe, without feeling that god would punish the oppressor. there she sat, with an expressive and intellectual forehead, and a countenance full of dignity and heroism, her dark golden locks rolled back from her almost snow-white forehead and floating over her swelling bosom. the tears that stood in her mild blue eyes showed that she was brooding over sorrows and wrongs that filled her bleeding heart. the hearts of the passers-by grew softer, while gazing upon that young mother as she pressed sweet kisses on the sad, smiling lips of the infant that lay in her lap. the small, dimpled hands of the innocent creature were slyly hid in the warm bosom on which the little one nestled. the blood of some proud southerner, no doubt, flowed through the veins of that child. when the boat arrived at natches, a rather good-looking, genteel-appearing man came on board to purchase a servant. this individual introduced himself to jennings as the rev. james wilson. the slave-trader conducted the preacher to the deck-cabin, where he kept his slaves, and the man of god, after having some questions answered, selected agnes as the one best suited to his service. it seemed as if poor marion's heart would break when she found that she was to be separated from her mother. the preacher, however, appeared to be but little moved by their sorrow, and took his newly-purchased victim on shore. agnes begged him to buy her daughter, but he refused, on the ground that he had no use for her. during the remainder of the passage, marion wept bitterly. after a ran of a few hours, the boat stopped at baton rouge, where an additional number of passengers were taken on board, among whom were a number of persons who had been attending the races at that place. gambling and drinking were now the order of the day. the next morning, at ten o'clock, the boat arrived at new orleans where the passengers went to their hotels and homes, and the negroes to the slave-pens. lizzie, the white slave-mother, of whom we have already spoken, created as much of a sensation by the fairness of her complexion and the alabaster whiteness of her child, when being conveyed on shore at new orleans, as she had done when brought on board at grand gulf. every one that saw her felt that slavery in the southern states was not confined to the negro. many had been taught to think that slavery was a benefit rather than an injury, and those who were not opposed to the institution before, now felt that if whites were to become its victims, it was time at least that some security should be thrown around the anglo-saxon to gave him from this servile and degraded position. chapter vi the slave-market. not far from canal street, in the city of new orleans, stands a large two-story, flat building, surrounded by a stone wall some twelve feet high, the top of which is covered with bits of glass, and so constructed as to prevent even the possibility of any one's passing over it without sustaining great injury. many of the rooms in this building resemble the cells of a prison, and in a small apartment near the "office" are to be seen any number of iron collars, hobbles, handcuffs, thumbscrews, cowhides, chains, gags, and yokes. a back-yard, enclosed by a high wall, looks something like the playground attached to one of our large new england schools, in which are rows of benches and swings. attached to the back premises is a good-sized kitchen, where, at the time of which we write, two old negresses were at work, stewing, boiling, and baking, and occasionally wiping the perspiration from their furrowed and swarthy brows. the slave-trader, jennings, on his arrival at new orleans, took up his quarters here with his gang of human cattle, and the morning after, at 10 o'clock, they were exhibited for sale. first of all came the beautiful marion, whose pale countenance and dejected look told how many sad hours she had passed since parting with her mother at natchez. there, too, was a poor woman who had been separated from her husband; and another woman, whose looks and manners were expressive of deep anguish, sat by her side. there was "uncle jeems," with his whiskers off, his face shaven clean, and the gray hairs plucked out ready to be sold for ten years younger than he was. toby was also there, with his face shaven and greased, ready for inspection. the examination commenced, and was carried on in such a manner as to shock the feelings of anyone not entirely devoid of the milk of human kindness. "what are you wiping your eyes for?" inquired a fat, red-faced man, with a white hat set on one side of his head and a cigar in his mouth, of a woman who sat on one of the benches. "because i left my man behind." "oh, if i buy you, i will furnish you with a better man than you left. i've got lots of young bucks on my farm." "i don't want and never will have another man," replied the woman. "what's your name?" asked a man in a straw hat of a tall negro who stood with his arms folded across his breast, leaning against the wall. "my name is aaron, sar." "how old are you?" "twenty-five." "where were you raised?" "in ole virginny, sar." "how many men have owned you?" "four." "do you enjoy good health?" "yes, sar." "how long did you live with your first owner?" "twenty years." "did you ever run away?" "no, sar." "did you ever strike your master?" "no, sar." "were you ever whipped much?" "no, sar; i s'pose i didn't deserve it, sar." "how long did you live with your second master?" "ten years, sar." "have you a good appetite?" "yes, sar." "can you eat your allowance?" "yes, sar,--when i can get it." "where were you employed in virginia?" "i worked de tobacker fiel'." "in the tobacco field, eh?" "yes, sar." "how old did you say you was?" "twenty-five, sar, nex' sweet-'tater-diggin' time." "i am a cotton-planter, and if i buy you, you will have to work in the cotton-field. my men pick one hundred and fifty pounds a day, and the women one hundred and forty pounds; and those who fail to perform their task receive five stripes for each pound that is wanting. now, do you think you could keep up with the rest of the hands?" "i' don't know sar but i 'specs i'd have to." "how long did you live with your third master?" "three years, sar." "why, that makes you thirty-three. i thought you told me you were only twenty-five?" aaron now looked first at the planter, then at the trader, and seemed perfectly bewildered. he had forgotten the lesson given him by pompey relative to his age; and the planter's circuitous questions--doubtless to find out the slave's real age--had thrown the negro off his guard. "i must see your back, so as to know how much you have been whipped, before i think of buying." pompey, who had been standing by during the examination, thought that his services were now required, and, stepping forth with a degree of officiousness, said to aaron,-"don't you hear de gemman tell you he wants to 'zamin you. cum, unharness yo'seff, ole boy, and don't be standin' dar." aaron was soon examined, and pronounced "sound;" yet the conflicting statement about his age was not satisfactory. fortunately for marion, she was spared the pain of undergoing such an examination. mr. cardney, a teller in one of the banks, had just been married, and wanted a maid-servant for his wife, and, passing through the market in the early part of the day, was pleased with the young slave's appearance, and his dwelling the quadroon found a much better home than often falls to the lot of a slave sold in the new orleans market. chapter vii the slave-holding parson. the rev. james wilson was a native of the state of connecticut where he was educated for the ministry in the methodist persuasion. his father was a strict follower of john wesley, and spared no pains in his son's education, with the hope that he would one day be as renowned as the leader of his sect. james had scarcely finished his education at new haven, when he was invited by an uncle, then on a visit to his father, to spend a few months at natchez in mississippi. young wilson accepted his uncle's invitation, and accompanied him to the south. few young men, and especially clergymen, going fresh from college to the south, but are looked upon as geniuses in a small way, and who are not invited to all the parties in the neighborhood. mr. wilson was not an exception to this rule. the society into which he was thrown, on his arrival at natchez, was too brilliant for him not to be captivated by it, and, as might have been expected, he succeeded in captivating a plantation with seventy slaves if not the heart of the lady to whom it belonged. added to this, he became a popular preacher, and had a large congregation with a snug salary. like other planters, mr. wilson confided the care of his farm to ned huckelby, an overseer of high reputation in his way. the poplar farm, as it was called, was situated in a beautiful valley, nine miles from natchez, and near the mississippi river. the once unshorn face of nature had given way, and the farm now blossomed with a splendid harvest. the neat cottage stood in a grove, where lombardy poplars lift their tops almost to prop the skies, where the willow, locust and horse-chestnut trees spread forth their branches, and flowers never ceased to blossom. this was the parson's country residence, where the family spent only two months during the year. his town residence was a fine villa, seated on the brow of a hill at the edge of the city. it was in the kitchen of this house that agnes found her new home. mr. wilson was every inch a democrat, and early resolved that "his people," as he called his slaves should be well-fed and not over-worked, and therefore laid down the law and gospel to the overseer as well as to the slaves. "it is my wish," said he to mr. carlingham, an old school-fellow who was spending a few days with him,--"it is my wish that a new system be adopted on the plantations in this state. i believe that the sons of ham should have the gospel, and i intend that mine shall have it. the gospel is calculated to make mankind better and none should be without it." "what say you," said carlingham, "about the right of man to his liberty?" "now, carlingham, you have begun to harp again about men's rights. i really wish that you could see this matter as i do."' "i regret that i cannot see eye to eye with you," said carlingham. "i am a disciple of rousseau, and have for years made the rights of man my study, and i must confess to you that i see no difference between white and black, as it regards liberty." "now, my dear carlingham, would you really have the negroes enjoy the same rights as ourselves?" "i would most certainly. look at our great declaration of independence! look even at the constitution of our own connecticut and see what is said in these about liberty." "i regard all this talk about rights as mere humbug. the bible is older than the declaration of independence, and there i take my stand." a long discussion followed, in which both gentlemen put forth their peculiar ideas with much warmth of feeling. during this conversation, there was another person in the room, seated by the window, who, although at work, embroidering a fine collar, paid minute attention to what was said. this was georgiana, the only daughter of the parson, who had but just returned from connecticut, where she had finished her education. she had had the opportunity of contrasting the spirit of christianity and liberty in new england with that of slavery in her native state, and had learned to feel deeply for the injured negro. georgiana was in her nineteenth year, and had been much benefited by her residence of five years at the north. her form was tall and graceful, her features regular and well-defined, and her complexion was illuminated by the freshness of youth, beauty, and health. the daughter differed from both the father and visitor upon the subject which they had been discussing; and as soon as an opportunity offered, she gave it as her opinion that the bible was both the bulwark of christianity and of liberty. with a smile she said,-"of course, papa will overlook my difference with him, for although i am a native of the south, i am by education and sympathy a northerner." mr. wilson laughed, appearing rather pleased than otherwise at the manner in which his daughter had expressed herself. from this georgiana took courage and continued,-'"thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' this single passage of scripture should cause us to have respect for the rights of the slave. true christian love is of an enlarged and disinterested nature. it loves all who love the lord jesus christ in sincerity, without regard to color or condition." "georgiana, my dear, you are an abolitionist,--your talk is fanaticism!" said mr. wilson, in rather a sharp tone; but the subdued look of the girl and the presence of carlingham caused him to soften his language. mr. wilson having lost his wife by consumption, and georgiana being his only child, he loved her too dearly to say more, even if he felt disposed. a silence followed this exhortation from the young christian, but her remarks had done a noble work. the father's heart was touched, and the sceptic, for the first time, was viewing christianity in its true light. chapter viii a night in the parson's kitchen. besides agnes, whom mr. wilson had purchased from the slave-trader, jennings, he kept a number of house-servants. the chief one of these was sam, who must be regarded as second only to the parson himself. if a dinner-party was in contemplation, or any company was to be invited, after all the arrangements had been talked over by the minister and his daughter. sam was sure to be consulted on, the subject by "miss georgy," as miss wilson was called by all the servants. if furniture, crockery, or anything was to be purchased, sam felt that he had been slighted if his opinion was not asked. as to the marketing, he did it all. he sat at the head of the servants' table in the kitchen, and was master of the ceremonies. a single look from him was enough to silence any conversation or noise among the servants in the kitchen or in any other part of the premises. there is in the southern states a great amount of prejudice in regard to color, even among the negroes themselves. the nearer the negro or mulatto approaches to the white, the more he seems to feel his superiority over those of a darker hue. this is no doubt the result of the prejudice that exists on the part of the whites against both the mulattoes and the blacks. sam was originally from kentucky, and through the instrumentality of one of his young masters, whom he had to take to school, he had learned to read so as to be well understood, and, owing to that fact, was considered a prodigy, not only among his own master's slaves, but also among those of the town who knew him. sam had a great wish to follow in the footsteps of his master and be a poet, and was therefore often heard singing doggerels of his own composition. but there was one drawback to sam, and that was his color. he was one of the blackest of his race. this he evidently regarded as a great misfortune; but he endeavored to make up for it in dress. mr. wilson kept his house servants well dressed, and as for sam, he was seldom seen except in a ruffled shirt. indeed, the washerwoman feared him more than any one else in the house. agnes had been inaugurated chief of the kitchen department, and had a general supervision of the household affairs. alfred, the coachman, peter, and hetty made up the remainder of the house-servants. besides these, mr. wilson owned eight slaves who were masons. these worked in the city. being mechanics, they were let out to greater advantage than to keep them on the farm. every sunday evening, mr. wilson's servants, including the bricklayers, assembled in the kitchen, where the events of the week were fully discussed and commented upon. it was on a sunday evening, in the month of june, that there was a party at mr. wilson's house, and, according to custom in the southern states, the ladies had their maidservants with them. tea had been served in "the house," and the servants, including the strangers, had taken their seats at the table in the kitchen. sam, being a "single gentleman," was unusually attentive to the ladies on this occasion. he seldom let a day pass without spending an hour or two in combing and brushing his "har." he had an idea that fresh butter was better for his hair than any other kind of grease, and therefore on churning days half a pound of butter had always to be taken out before it was salted. when he wished to appear to great advantage, he would grease his face to make it "shiny." therefore, on the evening of the party, when all the servants were at the table, sam cut a big figure. there he sat, with his wool well combed and buttered, face nicely greased, and his ruffles extending five or six inches from his bosom. the parson in his drawing-room did not make a more imposing appearance than did his servant on this occasion. "i is bin had my fortune tole last sunday night," said sam, while helping one of the girls. "indeed!" cried half a dozen voices. "yes," continued he; "aunt winny tole me i's to hab de prettiest yallah gal in de town, and dat i's to be free!" all eyes were immediately turned toward sally johnson, who was seated near sam. "i 'specs i see somebody blush at dat remark," said alfred. "pass dem pancakes an' 'lasses up dis way, mr. alf, and none ob your sinuwashuns here," rejoined sam. "dat reminds me," said-agnes, "dat dorcas simpson is gwine to git married." "who to, i want to know?" inquired peter. "to one of mr. darby's field-hands," answered agnes. "i should tink dat gal wouldn't frow herseff away in dat ar way," said sally; "she's good lookin' 'nough to git a house-servant, and not hab to put up wid a field-nigger." "yes," said sam, "dat's a werry unsensible remark ob yourn, miss sally. i admires your judgment werry much, i 'sures you. dar's plenty ob susceptible an' well-dressed house-serbants dat a gal ob her looks can git widout takin' up wid dem common darkies." the evening's entertainment concluded by sam relating a little of his own experience while with his first master, in old kentucky. this master was a doctor, and had a large practice among his neighbors, doctoring both masters and slaves. when sam was about fifteen years old, his master set him to grinding up ointment and making pills. as the young student grew older and became more practised in his profession, his services were of more importance to the doctor. the physician having a good business, and a large number of his patients being slaves,--the most of whom had to call on the doctor when ill,--he put sam to bleeding, pulling teeth, and administering medicine to the slaves. sam soon acquired the name among the slaves of the "black doctor." with this appellation he was delighted; and no regular physician could have put on more airs than did the black doctor when his services were required. in bleeding, he must have more bandages, and would rub and smack the arm more than the doctor would have thought of. sam was once seen taking out a tooth for one of his patients, and nothing appeared more amusing. he got the poor fellow down on his back, and then getting astride of his chest, he applied the turnkeys and pulled away for dear life. unfortunately, he had got hold of the wrong tooth, and the poor man screamed as loud as he could; but it was to no purpose, for sam had him fast, and after a pretty severe tussle out came the sound grinder. the young doctor now saw his mistake, but consoled himself with the thought that as the wrong tooth was out of the way, there was more room to get at the right one. bleeding and a dose of calomel were always considered indispensable by the "old boss," and as a matter of course, sam followed in his footsteps. on one occasion the old doctor was ill himself, so as to be unable to attend to his patients. a slave, with pass in hand, called to receive medical advice, and the master told sam to examine him and see what he wanted. this delighted him beyond measure, for although he had been acting his part in the way of giving out medicine as the master ordered it, he had never been called upon by the latter to examine a patient, and this seemed to convince him after all that he was no sham doctor. as might have been expected, he cut a rare figure in his first examination. placing himself directly opposite his patient, and folding his arms across his breast, looking very knowingly, he began,-"what's de matter wid you?" "i is sick." "where is you sick?" "here," replied the man, putting his hand upon his stomach. "put out your tongue," continued the doctor. the man ran out his tongue at full length. "let me feel your pulse;" at the same time taking his patient's hand in his, and placing his fingers upon his pulse, he said,-"ah! your case is a bad one; ef i don't do something for you, and dat pretty quick, you'll be a gone coons and dat's sartin." at this the man appeared frightened, and inquired what was the matter with him, in answer to which sam said, "i done told dat your case is a bad one, and dat's enuff." on sam's returning to his master's bedside, the latter said, "well, sam, what do you think is the matter with him?" "his stomach is out ob order, sar," he replied. "what do you think had better be done for him?" "i tink i'd better bleed him and gib him a dose ob calomel," returned sam. so, to the latter's gratification, the master let him have his own way. on one occasion, when making pills and ointment, sam made a great mistake. he got the preparations for both mixed together, so that he could not legitimately make either. but fearing that if he threw the stuff away, his master would flog him, and being afraid to inform his superior of the mistake, he resolved to make the whole batch of pill and ointment stuff into pills. he well knew that the powder over the pills would hide the inside, and the fact that most persons shut their eyes when taking such medicine led the young doctor to feel that all would be right in the end. therefore sam made his pills, boxed them up, put on the labels, and placed them in a conspicuous position on one of the shelves. sam felt a degree of anxiety about his pills, however. it was a strange mixture, and he was not certain whether it would kill or cure; but he was willing that it should be tried. at last the young doctor had his vanity gratified. col. tallen, one of dr. saxondale's patients, drove up one morning, and sam as usual ran out to the gate to hold the colonel's horse. "call your master," said the colonel; "i will not get out." the doctor was soon beside the carriage, and inquired about the health of his patient. after a little consultation, the doctor returned to his office, took down a box of sam's new pills, and returned to the carriage. "take two of these every morning and night," said the doctor, "and if you don't feel relieved, double the dose." "good gracious," exclaimed sam in an undertone, when he heard his master tell the colonel how to take the pills. it was several days before sam could learn the result of his new medicine. one afternoon, about a fortnight after the colonel's visit sam saw his master's patient riding up to the gate on horseback. the doctor happened to be in the yard, and met the colonel and said,-"how are you now?" "i am entirely recovered," replied the patient. "those pills of yours put me on my feet the next day." "i knew they would," rejoined the doctor. sam was near enough to hear the conversation, and was delighted beyond description. the negro immediately ran into the kitchen, amongst his companions, and commenced dancing. "what de matter wid you?" inquired the cook. "i is de greatest doctor in dis country," replied sam. "ef you ever get sick, call on me. no matter what ails you, i is de man dat can cure you in no time. if you do hab de backache, de rheumaties, de headache, de coller morbus, fits, er any ting else, sam is de gentleman dat can put you on your feet wid his pills." for a long time after, sam did little else than boast of his skill as a doctor. we have said that the black doctor was full of wit and good sense. indeed, in that respect, he had scarcely an equal in the neighborhood. although his master resided some little distance out of the city, sam was always the first man in all the negro balls and parties in town. when his master could give him a pass, he went, and when he did not give him one, he would steal away after his master had retired, and run the risk of being taken up by the night-watch. of course, the master never knew anything of the absence of the servant at night without permission. as the negroes at these parties tried to excel each other in the way of dress, sam was often at a loss to make that appearance that his heart desired, but his ready wit ever helped him in this. when his master had retired to bed at night, it was the duty of sam to put out the lights, and take out with him his master's clothes and boots, and leave them in the office until morning, and then black the boots, brush the clothes, and return them to his master's room. having resolved to attend a dress-ball one night, without his master's permission, and being perplexed for suitable garments, sam determined to take his master's. so, dressing himself in the doctor's clothes even to his boots and hat, off the negro started for the city. being well acquainted with the usual walk of the patrols he found no difficulty in keeping out of their way. as might have been expected, sam was the great gun with the ladies that night. the next morning, sam was back home long before his master's time for rising, and the clothes were put in their accustomed place. for a long time sam had no difficulty in attiring himself for parties; but the old proverb that "it is a long lane that has no turning," was verified in the negro's case. one stormy night, when the rain was descending in torrents, the doctor heard a rap at his door. it was customary with him, when called up at night to visit a patient, to ring for sam. but this time, the servant was nowhere to be found. the doctor struck a light and looked for clothes; they too, were gone.--it was twelve o'clock, and the doctor's clothes, hat, boots, and even his watch, were nowhere to be found. here was a pretty dilemma for a doctor to be in. it was some time before the physician could fit himself out so as to mike the visit. at last, however, he started with one of the farm-horses, for sam had taken the doctor's best saddle-horse. the doctor felt sure that the negro had robbed him, and was on his way to canada; but in this he was mistaken. sam had gone to the city to attend a ball, and had decked himself out in his master's best suit. the physician returned before morning, and again retired to bed but with little hope of sleep, for his thoughts were with his servant and horse. at six o'clock, in walked sam with his master's clothes, and the boots neatly blacked. the watch was placed on the shelf, and the hat in its place. sam had not met any of the servants, and was therefore entirely ignorant of what had occurred during his absence. "what have you been about, sir, and where was you last night when i was called?" said the doctor. "i don't know, sir. i 'spose i was asleep," replied sam. but the doctor was not to be so easily satisfied, after having been put to so much trouble in hunting up another suit without the aid of sam. after breakfast, sam was taken into the barn, tied up, and severely flogged with the cat, which brought from him the truth concerning his absence the previous night. this forever put an end to his fine appearance at the negro parties. had not the doctor been one of the most indulgent of masters, he would not have escaped with merely a severe whipping. as a matter of course, sam had to relate to his companions that evening in mr. wilson's kitchen all his adventures as a physician while with his old master. chapter ix the man of honor. augustine cardinay, the purchaser of marion, was from the green mountains of vermont, and his feelings were opposed to the holding of slaves; but his young wife persuaded him in into the idea that it was no worse to own a slave than to hire one and pay the money to another. hence it was that he had been induced to purchase marion. adolphus morton, a young physician from the same state, and who had just commenced the practice of his profession in new orleans, was boarding with cardinay when marion was brought home. the young physician had been in new orleans but a very few weeks, and had seen but little of slavery. in his own mountain-home, he had been taught that the slaves of the southern states were negroes, and if not from the coast of africa, the descendants of those who had been imported. he was unprepared to behold with composure a beautiful white girl of sixteen in the degraded position of a chattel slave. the blood chilled in his young heart as he heard cardinay tell how, by bantering with the trader, he had bought her two hundred dollars less than he first asked. his very looks showed that she had the deepest sympathies of his heart. marion had been brought up by her mother to look after the domestic concerns of her cottage in virginia, and well knew how to perform the duties imposed upon her. mrs. cardinay was much pleased with her new servant, and often mentioned her good qualities in the presence of mr. morton. after eight months acquaintance with marion, morton's sympathies ripened into love, which was most cordially reciprocated by the friendless and injured child of sorrow. there was but one course which the young man could honorably pursue, and that was to purchase marion and make her his lawful wife; and this he did immediately, for he found mr. and mrs. cardinay willing to second his liberal intentions. the young man, after purchasing marion from cardinay, and marrying her, took lodgings in another part of the city. a private teacher was called in, and the young wife was taught some of those accomplishments so necessary for one taking a high position in good society. dr. morton soon obtained a large and influential practice in his profession, and with it increased in wealth; but with all his wealth he never owned a slave. probably the fact that he had raised his wife from that condition kept the hydra-headed system continually before him. to the credit of marion be it said, she used every means to obtain the freedom of her mother, who had been sold to parson wilson, at natchez. her efforts, however, had come too late; for agnes had died of a fever before the arrival of dr. morton's agent. marion found in adolphus morton a kind and affectionate husband; and his wish to purchase her mother, although unsuccessful, had doubly endeared him to her. ere a year had elapsed from the time of their marriage, mrs. morton presented her husband with a lovely daughter, who seemed to knit their hearts still closer together. this child they named jane; and before the expiration of the second year, they were blessed with another daughter, whom they named adrika. these children grew up to the ages of ten and eleven, and were then sent to the north to finish their education, and receive that refinement which young ladies cannot obtain in the slave states. chapter x the quadroon's home a few miles out of richmond is a pleasant place, with here and there a beautiful cottage surrounded by trees so as scarcely to be seen. among these was one far retired from the public roads, and almost hidden among the trees. this was the spot that henry linwood had selected for isabella, the eldest daughter of agnes. the young man hired the house, furnished it, and placed his mistress there, and for many months no one in his father's family knew where he spent his leisure hours. when henry was not with her, isabella employed herself in looking after her little garden and the flowers that grew in front of her cottage. the passion-flower peony, dahlia, laburnum, and other plant, so abundant in warm climates, under the tasteful hand of isabella, lavished their beauty upon this retired spot, and miniature paradise. although isabella had been assured by henry that she should be free and that he would always consider her as his wife, she nevertheless felt that she ought to be married and acknowledged by him. but this was an impossibility under the state laws, even had the young man been disposed to do what was right in the matter. related as he was, however, to one of the first families in virginia, he would not have dared to marry a woman of so low an origin, even had the laws been favorable. here, in this secluded grove, unvisited by any other except her lover, isabella lived for years. she had become the mother of a lovely daughter, which its father named clotelle. the complexion of the child was still fairer than that of its mother. indeed, she was not darker than other white children, and as she grew older she more and more resembled her father. as time passed away, henry became negligent of isabella and his child, so much so, that days and even weeks passed without their seeing him, or knowing where he was. becoming more acquainted with the world, and moving continually in the society of young women of his own station, the young man felt that isabella was a burden to him, and having as some would say, "outgrown his love," he longed to free himself of the responsibility; yet every time he saw the child, he felt that he owed it his fatherly care. henry had now entered into political life, and been elected to a seat in the legislature of his native state; and in his intercourse with his friends had become acquainted with gertrude miller, the daughter of a wealthy gentleman living near richmond. both henry and gertrude were very good-looking, and a mutual attachment sprang up between them. instead of finding fault with the unfrequent visits of henry, isabella always met him with a smile, and tried to make both him and herself believe that business was the cause of his negligence. when he was with her, she devoted every moment of her time to him, and never failed to speak of the growth and increasing intelligence of clotelle. the child had grown so large as to be able to follow its father on his departure out to the road. but the impression made on henry's feelings by the devoted woman and her child was momentary. his heart had grown hard, and his acts were guided by no fixed principle. henry and gertrude had been married nearly two years before isabella knew anything of the event, and it was merely by accident that she became acquainted with the facts. one beautiful afternoon, when isabella and clotelle were picking wild strawberries some two miles from their home, and near the road-side, they observed a one-horse chaise driving past. the mother turned her face from the carriage not wishing to be seen by strangers, little dreaming that the chaise contained henry and his wife. the child, however, watched the chaise, and startled her mother by screaming out at the top of her voice, "papa! papa!" and clapped her little hands for joy. the mother turned in haste to look at the strangers, and her eyes encountered those of henry's pale and dejected countenance. gertrude's eyes were on the child. the swiftness with which henry drove by could not hide from his wife the striking resemblance of the child to himself. the young wife had heard the child exclaim "papa! papa!" and she immediately saw by the quivering of his lips and the agitation depicted in his countenance, that all was not right. "who is that woman? and why did that child call you papa?" she inquired, with a trembling voice. henry was silent; he knew not what to say, and without another word passing between them, they drove home. on reaching her room, gertrude buried her face in her handkerchief and wept. she loved henry, and when she had heard from the lips of her companions how their husbands had proved false, she felt that he was an exception, and fervently thanked god that she had been so blessed. when gertrude retired to her bed that night, the sad scene of the day followed her. the beauty of isabella, with her flowing curls, and the look of the child, so much resembling the man whom she so dearly loved, could not be forgotten; and little clotelle's exclamation of "papa! papa" rang in her ears during the whole night. the return of henry at twelve o'clock did not increase her happiness. feeling his guilt, he had absented himself from the house since his return from the ride. chapter xi to-day a mistress, to-morrow a slave the night was dark, the rain, descended in torrents from the black and overhanging clouds, and the thunder, accompanied with vivid flashes of lightning, resounded fearfully, as henry linwood stepped from his chaise and entered isabella's cottage. more than a fortnight had elapsed since the accidental meeting, and isabella was in doubt as to who the lady was that henry was with in the carriage. little, however, did she think that it was his wife. with a smile, isabella met the young man as he entered her little dwelling. clotelle had already gone to bed, but her father's voice roused her from her sleep, and she was soon sitting on his knee. the pale and agitated countenance of henry betrayed his uneasiness, but isabella's mild and laughing allusion to the incident of their meeting him on the day of his pleasure-drive, and her saying, "i presume, dear henry, that the lady was one of your relatives," led him to believe that she was still in ignorance of his marriage. she was, in fact, ignorant who the lady was who accompanied the man she loved on that eventful day. he, aware of this, now acted more like himself, and passed the thing off as a joke. at heart, however, isabella felt uneasy, and this uneasiness would at times show itself to the young man. at last, and with a great effort, she said,-"now, dear henry, if i am in the way of your future happiness, say so, and i will release you from any promises that you have made me. i know there is no law by which i can hold you, and if there was, i would not resort to it. you are as dear to me as ever, and my thoughts shall always be devoted to you. it would be a great sacrifice for me to give you up to another, but if it be your desire, as great as the sacrifice is, i will make it. send me and your child into a free state if we are in your way." again and again linwood assured her that no woman possessed his love but her. oh, what falsehood and deceit man can put on when dealing with woman's love! the unabated storm kept henry from returning home until after the clock had struck two, and as he drew near his residence he saw his wife standing at the window. giving his horse in charge of the servant who was waiting, he entered the house, and found his wife in tears. although he had never satisfied gertrude as to who the quadroon woman and child were, he had kept her comparatively easy by his close attention to her, and by telling her that she was mistaken in regard to the child's calling him "papa." his absence that night, however, without any apparent cause, had again aroused the jealousy of gertrude; but henry told her that he had been caught in the rain while out, which prevented his sooner returning, and she, anxious to believe him, received the story as satisfactory. somewhat heated with brandy, and wearied with much loss of sleep, linwood fell into a sound slumber as soon as he retired. not so with gertrude. that faithfulness which has ever distinguished her sex, and the anxiety with which she watched all his movements, kept the wife awake while the husband slept. his sleep, though apparently sound, was nevertheless uneasy. again and again she heard him pronounce the name of isabella, and more than once she heard him say, "i am not married; i will never marry while you live." then he would speak the name of clotelle and say, "my dear child, how i love you!" after a sleepless night, gertrude arose from her couch, resolved that she would reveal the whole matter to her mother. mrs. miller was a woman of little or no feeling, proud, peevish, and passionate, thus making everybody miserable that came near her; and when she disliked any one, her hatred knew no bounds. this gertrude knew; and had she not considered it her duty, she would have kept the secret locked in her own heart. during the day, mrs. linwood visited her mother and told her all that had happened. the mother scolded the daughter for not having informed her sooner, and immediately determined to find out who the woman and child were that gertrude had met on the day of her ride. three days were spent by mrs. miller in this endeavor, but without success. four weeks had elapsed, and the storm of the old lady's temper had somewhat subsided, when, one evening, as she was approaching her daughter's residence, she saw henry walking, in the direction of where the quadroon was supposed to reside. feeling satisfied that the young man had not seen her, the old women at once resolved to follow him. linwood's boots squeaked so loudly that mrs. miller had no difficulty in following him without being herself observed. after a walk of about two miles, the young man turned into a narrow and unfrequented road, and soon entered the cottage occupied by isabella. it was a fine starlight night, and the moon was just rising when they got to their journey's end. as usual, isabella met henry with a smile, and expressed her fears regarding his health. hours passed, and still old mrs. miller remained near the house, determined to know who lived there. when she undertook to ferret out anything, she bent her whole energies to it. as michael angelo, who subjected all things to his pursuit and the idea he had formed of it, painted the crucifixion by the side of a writhing slave and would have broken up the true cross for pencils, so mrs. miller would have entered the sepulchre, if she could have done it, in search of an object she wished to find. the full moon had risen, and was pouring its beams upon surrounding objects as henry stepped from isabella's door, and looking at his watch, said,-"i must go, dear; it is now half-past ten." had little clotelle been awake, she too would have been at the door. as henry walked to the gate, isabella followed with her left hand locked in his. again he looked at his watch, and said, "i must go." "it is more than a year since you staid all night," murmured isabella, as he folded her convulsively in his arms, and pressed upon her beautiful lips a parting kiss. he was nearly out of sight when, with bitter sobs, the quadroon retraced her steps to the door of the cottage. clotelle had in the mean time awoke, and now inquired of her mother how long her father had been gone. at that instant, a knock was heard at the door, and supposing that it was henry returning for something he had forgotten, as he frequently did, isabella flew to let him in. to her amazement, however, a strange woman stood in the door. "who are you that comes here at this late hour?" demanded the half-frightened isabella. without making any reply, mrs. miller pushed the quadroon aside, and entered the house. "what do you want here?" again demanded isabella. "i am in search of you," thundered the maddened mrs. miller; but thinking that her object would be better served by seeming to be kind, she assumed a different tone of voice, and began talking in a pleasing manner. in this way, she succeeded in finding out the connection existing between linwood and isabella, and after getting all she could out of the unsuspecting woman, she informed her that the man she so fondly loved had been married for more than two years. seized with dizziness, the poor, heart-broken woman fainted and fell upon the floor. how long she remained there she could not tell; but when she returned to consciousness, the strange woman was gone, and her child was standing by her side. when she was so far recovered as to regain her feet, isabella went to the door, and even into the yard, to see if the old woman was not somewhere about. as she stood there, the full moon cast its bright rays over her whole person, giving her an angelic appearance and imparting to her flowing hair a still more golden hue. suddenly another change came over her features, and her full red lips trembled as with suppressed emotion. the muscles around her faultless mouth became convulsed, she gasped for breath, and exclaiming, "is it possible that man can be so false!" again fainted. clotelle stood and bathed her mother's temples with cold water until she once more revived. although the laws of virginia forbid the education of slaves, agnes had nevertheless employed an old free negro to teach her two daughters to read and write. after being separated from her mother and sister, isabella turned her attention to the subject of christianity, and received that consolation from the bible which is never denied to the children of god. this was now her last hope, for her heart was torn with grief and filled with all the bitterness of disappointment. the night passed away, but without sleep to poor isabella. at the dawn of day, she tried to make herself believe that the whole of the past night was a dream, and determined to be satisfied with the explanation which henry should give on his next visit. chapter xii the mother-in-law. when henry returned home, he found his wife seated at the window, awaiting his approach. secret grief was gnawing at her heart. her sad, pale cheeks and swollen eyes showed too well that agony, far deeper than her speech portrayed, filled her heart. a dull and death-like silence prevailed on his entrance. his pale face and brow, dishevelled hair, and the feeling that he manifested on finding gertrude still up, told henry in plainer words than she could have used that his wife, was aware that her love had never been held sacred by him. the window-blinds were still unclosed, and the full-orbed moon shed her soft refulgence over the unrivalled scene, and gave it a silvery lustre which sweetly harmonized with the silence of the night. the clock's iron tongue, in a neighboring belfry, proclaimed the hour of twelve, as the truant and unfaithful husband seated himself by the side of his devoted and loving wife, and inquired if she was not well. "i am, dear henry," replied gertrude; "but i fear you are not. if well in body, i fear you are not at peace in mind." "why?" inquired he. "because," she replied, "you are so pale and have such a wild look in your eyes." again he protested his innocence, and vowed she was the only woman who had any claim upon his heart. to behold one thus playing upon the feelings of two lovely women is enough to make us feel that evil must at last bring its own punishment. henry and gertrude had scarcely risen from the breakfast-table next morning ere old mrs. miller made her appearance. she immediately took her daughter aside, and informed her of her previous night's experience, telling her how she had followed henry to isabella's cottage, detailing the interview with the quadroon, and her late return home alone. the old woman urged her daughter to demand that the quadroon and her child be at once sold to the negro speculators and taken out of the state, or that gertrude herself should separate from henry. "assert your rights, my dear. let no one share a heart that justly belongs to you," said mrs. miller, with her eyes flashing fire. "don't sleep this night, my child, until that wench has been removed from that cottage; and as for the child, hand that over to me,--i saw at once that it was henry's." during these remarks, the old lady was walking up and down the room like a caged lioness. she had learned from isabella that she had been purchased by henry, and the innocence of the injured quadroon caused her to acknowledge that he was the father of her child. few women could have taken such a matter in hand and carried it through with more determination and success than old mrs. miller. completely inured in all the crimes and atrocities connected with the institution of slavery, she was also aware that, to a greater or less extent, the slave women shared with their mistress the affections of their master. this caused her to look with a suspicious eye on every good-looking negro woman that she saw. while the old woman was thus lecturing her daughter upon her rights and duties, henry, unaware of what was transpiring, had left the house and gone to his office. as soon as the old woman found that he was gone, she said,-"i will venture anything that he is on his way to see that wench again. i'll lay my life on it." the entrance, however, of little marcus, or mark, as he was familiarly called, asking for massa linwood's blue bag, satisfied her that her son-in-law was at his office. before the old lady returned home, it was agreed that gertrude should come to her mother's to tea that evening, and henry with her, and that mrs. miller should there charge the young husband with inconstancy to her daughter, and demand the removal of isabella. with this understanding, the old woman retraced her steps to her own dwelling. had mrs. miller been of a different character and not surrounded by slavery, she could scarcely have been unhappy in such a home as hers. just at the edge of the city, and sheltered by large poplar-trees was the old homestead in which she resided. there was a splendid orchard in the rear of the house, and the old weather-beaten sweep, with "the moss-covered bucket" at its end, swung majestically over the deep well. the garden was scarcely to be equalled. its grounds were laid out in excellent taste, and rare exotics in the greenhouse made it still more lovely. it was a sweet autumn evening, when the air breathed through the fragrant sheaves of grain, and the setting sun, with his golden kisses, burnished the rich clusters of purple grapes, that henry and gertrude were seen approaching the house on foot; it was nothing more than a pleasant walk. oh, how gertrude's heart beat as she seated herself, on their arrival! the beautiful parlor, surrounded on all sides with luxury and taste, with the sun creeping through the damask curtains, added a charm to the scene. it was in this room that gertrude had been introduced to henry, and the pleasant hours that she had spent there with him rushed unbidden on her memory. it was here that, in former days, her beautiful countenance had made her appearance as fascinating and as lovely as that of cleopatra's. her sweet, musical voice might have been heard in every part of the house, occasionally thrilling you with an unexpected touch. how changed the scene! her pale and wasted features could not be lighted up by any thoughts of the past, and she was sorrowful at heart. as usual, the servants in the kitchen were in ecstasies at the announcement that "miss gerty," as they called their young mistress, was in the house, for they loved her sincerely. gertrude had saved them from many a flogging, by interceding for them, when her mother was in one of her uncontrollable passions. dinah, the cook, always expected miss gerty to visit the kitchen as soon as she came, and was not a little displeased, on this occasion, at what she considered her young mistress's neglect. uncle tony, too, looked regularly for miss gerty to visit the green house, and congratulate him on his superiority as a gardener. when tea was over, mrs. miller dismissed the servants from the room, then told her son-in-law what she had witnessed the previous night, and demanded for her daughter that isabella should be immediately sent out of the state, and to be sure that the thing would be done, she wanted him to give her the power to make such disposition of the woman and child as she should think best. gertrude was mrs. miller's only child, and henry felt little like displeasing a family upon whose friendship he so much depended, and, no doubt, long wishing to free himself from isabella, he at once yielded to the demands of his mother-in-law. mr. miller was a mere cipher about his premises. if any one came on business connected with the farm, he would invariably say, "wait tin i see my wife," and the wife's opinion was sure to be law in every case. bankrupt in character, and debauched in body and mind, with seven mulatto children who claimed him as their father, he was badly prepared to find fault with his son-in-law. it was settled that mrs. miller should use her own discretion in removing isabella from her little cottage, and her future disposition. with this understanding henry and gertrude returned home. in the deep recesses of his heart the young man felt that he would like to see his child and its mother once more; but fearing the wrath of his mother-in-law, he did not dare to gratify his inclination. he had not the slightest idea of what would become of them; but he well knew that the old woman would have no mercy on them. chapter xiii a hard-hearted woman. with no one but her dear little clotelle, isabella passed her weary hours without partaking of either food or drink, hoping that henry would soon return, and that the strange meeting with the old woman would be cleared up. while seated in her neat little bedroom with her fevered face buried in her handkerchief, the child ran in and told its mother that a carriage had stopped in front of the house. with a palpitating heart she arose from her seat and went to the door, hoping that it was henry; but, to her great consternation, the old lady who had paid her such an unceremonious visit on the evening that she had last seen henry, stepped out of the carriage, accompanied by the slave-trader, jennings. isabella had seen the trader when he purchased her mother and sister, and immediately recognized him. what could these persons want there? thought she. without any parleying or word of explanation, the two entered the house, leaving the carriage in charge of a servant. clotelle ran to her mother, and clung to her dress as if frightened by the strangers. "she's a fine-looking wench," said the speculator, as he seated himself, unasked, in the rocking-chair; "yet i don't think she is worth the money you ask for her." "what do you want here?" inquired isabella, with a quivering voice. "none of your insolence to me," bawled out the old woman, at the top of her voice; "if you do, i will give you what you deserve so much, my lady,--a good whipping." in an agony of grief, pale, trembling, and ready to sink to the floor, isabella was only sustained by the hope that she would be able to save her child. at last, regaining her self-possession, she ordered them both to leave the house. feeling herself insulted, the old woman seized the tongs that stood by the fire-place, and raised them to strike the quadroon down; but the slave-trader immediately jumped between the women, exclaiming,-"i won't buy her, mrs. miller, if you injure her." poor little clotelle screamed as she saw the strange woman raise the tongs at her mother. with the exception of old aunt nancy, a free colored woman, whom isabella sometimes employed to work for her, the child had never before seen a strange face in her mother's dwelling. fearing that isabella would offer some resistance, mrs. miller had ordered the overseer of her own farm to follow her; and, just as jennings had stepped between the two women, mull, the negro-driver, walked into the room. "seize that impudent hussy," said mrs. miller to the overseer, "and tie her up this minute, that i may teach her a lesson she won't forget in a hurry." as she spoke, the old woman's eyes rolled, her lips quivered, and she looked like a very fury. "i will have nothing to do with her, if you whip her, mrs. miller," said the slave-trader. "niggers ain't worth half so much in the market with their backs newly scarred," continued he, as the overseer commenced his preparations for executing mrs. miller's orders. clotelle here took her father's walking-stick, which was lying on the back of the sofa where he had left it, and, raising it, said,-"if you bad people touch my mother, i will strike you." they looked at the child with astonishment; and her extreme youth, wonderful beauty, and uncommon courage, seemed for a moment to shake their purpose. the manner and language of this child were alike beyond her years, and under other circumstances would have gained for her the approbation of those present. "oh, henry, henry!" exclaimed isabella, wringing her hands. "you need not call on him, hussy; you will never see him again," said mrs. miller. "what! is he dead?" inquired the heart-stricken woman. it was then that she forgot her own situation, thinking only of the man she loved. never having been called to endure any kind of abusive treatment, isabella was not fitted to sustain herself against the brutality of mrs. miller, much less the combined ferociousness of the old woman and the overseer too. suffice it to say, that instead of whipping isabella, mrs. miller transferred her to the negro-speculator, who took her immediately to his slave-pen. the unfeeling old woman would not permit isabella to take more than a single change of her clothing, remarking to jennings,-"i sold you the wench, you know,--not her clothes." the injured, friendless, and unprotected isabella fainted as she saw her child struggling to release herself from the arms of old mrs. miller, and as the wretch boxed the poor child's ears. after leaving directions as to how isabella's furniture and other effects should be disposed of, mrs. miller took clotelle into her carriage and drove home. there was not even color enough about the child to make it appear that a single drop of african blood flowed through its blue veins. considerable sensation was created in the kitchen among the servants when the carriage drove up, and clotelle entered the house. "jes' like massa henry fur all de worl," said dinah, as she caught a glimpse of the child through the window. "wondah whose brat dat ar' dat missis bringin' home wid her?" said jane, as she put the ice in the pitchers for dinner. "i warrant it's some poor white nigger somebody bin givin' her." the child was white. what should be done to make it look like other negroes, was the question which mrs. miller asked herself. the callous-hearted old woman bit her nether lip, as she viewed that child, standing before her, with her long, dark ringlets clustering over her alabaster brow and neck. "take this little nigger and cut her hair close to her head," said the mistress to jane, as the latter answered the bell. clotelle screamed, as she felt the scissors going over her head, and saw those curls that her mother thought so much of falling upon the floor. a roar of laughter burst from the servants, as jane led the child through the kitchen, with the hair cut so short that the naked scalp could be plainly seen. "gins to look like nigger, now," said dinah, with her mouth upon a grin. the mistress smiled, as the shorn child reentered the room; but there was something more needed. the child was white, and that was a great objection. however, she hit upon a plan to remedy this which seemed feasible. the day was excessively warm. not a single cloud floated over the blue vault of heaven; not a breath of wind seemed moving, and the earth was parched by the broiling sun. even the bees had stopped humming, and the butterflies had hid themselves under the broad leaves of the burdock. without a morsel of dinner, the poor child was put in the garden, and set to weeding it, her arms, neck and head completely bare. unaccustomed to toil, clotelle wept as she exerted herself in pulling up the weeds. old dinah, the cook, was as unfeeling as her mistress, and she was pleased to see the child made to work in the hot sun. "dat white nigger 'll soon be black enuff if missis keeps her workin' out dar," she said, as she wiped the perspiration from her sooty brow. dinah was the mother of thirteen children, all of whom had been taken from her when young; and this, no doubt, did much to harden her feelings, and make her hate all white persons. the burning sun poured its rays on the face of the friendless child until she sank down in the corner of the garden, and was actually broiled to sleep. "dat little nigger ain't workin' a bit, missus," said dinah to mrs. miller, as the latter entered the kitchen. "she's lying in the sun seasoning; she will work the better by and by," replied the mistress. "dese white niggers always tink dey seff good as white folks," said the cook. "yes; but we will teach them better, won't we, dinah?" rejoined mrs. miller. "yes, missus," replied dinah; "i don't like dese merlatter niggers, no how. dey always want to set dey seff up for sumfin' big." with this remark the old cook gave one of her coarse laughs, and continued: "missis understands human nature, don't she? ah! ef she ain't a whole team and de ole gray mare to boot, den dinah don't know nuffin'." of course, the mistress was out of the kitchen before these last marks were made. it was with the deepest humiliation that henry learned from one of his own slaves the treatment which his child was receiving at the hands of his relentless mother-in-law. the scorching sun had the desired effect; for in less than a fortnight, clotelle could scarcely have been recognized as the same child. often was she seen to weep, and heard to call on her mother. mrs. miller, when at church on sabbath, usually, on warm days, took nancy, one of her servants, in her pew, and this girl had to fan her mistress during service. unaccustomed to such a soft and pleasant seat, the servant would very soon become sleepy and begin to nod. sometimes she would go fast asleep, which annoyed the mistress exceedingly. but mrs. miller had nimble fingers, and on them sharp nails, and, with an energetic pinch upon the bare arms of the poor girl, she would arouse the daughter of africa from her pleasant dreams. but there was no one of mrs. miller's servants who received as much punishment as old uncle tony. fond of her greenhouse, and often in the garden, she was ever at the gardener's heels. uncle tony was very religious, and, whenever his mistress flogged him, he invariably gave her a religious exhortation. although unable to read, he, nevertheless, had on his tongue's end portions of scripture which he could use at any moment. in one end of the greenhouse was uncle tony's sleeping room, and those who happened in that vicinity, between nine and ten at night, could hear the old man offering up his thanksgiving to god for his protection during the day. uncle tony, however, took great pride, when he thought that any of the whites were within hearing, to dwell, in his prayer, on his own goodness and the unfitness of others to die. often was he heard to say, "o lord, thou knowest that the white folks are not christians, but the black people are god's own children." but if tony thought that his old mistress was within the sound of his voice, he launched out into deeper waters. it was, therefore, on a sweet night, when the bright stars were looking out with a joyous sheen, that mark and two of the other boys passed the greenhouse, and heard uncle tony in his devotions. "let's have a little fun," said the mischievous marcus to his young companions. "i will make uncle tony believe that i am old mistress, and he'll give us an extra touch in his prayer." mark immediately commenced talking in a strain of voice resembling, as well as he could, mrs. miller, and at once tony was heard to say in a loud voice, "o lord, thou knowest that the white people are not fit to die; but, as for old tony, whenever the angel of the lord comes, he's ready." at that moment, mark tapped lightly on the door. "who's dar?" thundered old tony. mark made no reply. the old man commenced and went through with the same remarks addressed to the lord, when mark again knocked at the door. "who dat dar?" asked uncle tony, with a somewhat agitated countenance and trembling voice. still mark would not reply. again tony took up the thread of his discourse, and said, "o lord, thou knowest as well as i do that dese white folks are not prepared to die, but here is old tony, when de angel of de lord comes, he's ready to go to heaven." mark once more knocked at the door. "who dat dar?" thundered tony at the top of his voice. "de angel of de lord," replied mark, in a somewhat suppressed and sepulchral voice. "what de angel of de lord want here?" inquired tony, as if much frightened. "he's come for poor old tony, to take him out of the world" replied mark, in the same strange voice. "dat nigger ain't here; he die tree weeks ago," responded tony, in a still more agitated and frightened tone. mark and his companions made the welkin ring with their shouts at the old man's answer. uncle tony hearing them, and finding that he had been imposed upon, opened his door, came out with stick in hand, and said, "is dat you, mr. mark? you imp, if i can get to you i'll larn you how to come here wid your nonsense." mark and his companions left the garden, feeling satisfied that uncle tony was not as ready to go with "de angel of de lord" as he would have others believe. chapter xiv the prison. while poor little clotelle was being kicked about by mrs. miller, on account of her relationship to her son-in-law, isabella was passing lonely hours in the county jail, the place to which jennings had removed her for safe-keeping, after purchasing her from mrs. miller. incarcerated in one of the iron-barred rooms of that dismal place, those dark, glowing eyes, lofty brow, and graceful form wilted down like a plucked rose under a noonday sun, while deep in her heart's ambrosial cells was the most anguishing distress. vulgar curiosity is always in search of its victims, and jennings' boast that he had such a ladylike and beautiful woman in his possession brought numbers to the prison who begged of the jailer the privilege of seeing the slave-trader's prize. many who saw her were melted to tears at the pitiful sight, and were struck with admiration at her intelligence; and, when she spoke of her child, they must have been convinced that a mother's sorrow can be conceived by none but a mother's heart. the warbling of birds in the green bowers of bliss, which she occasionally heard, brought no tidings of gladness to her. their joy fell cold upon her heart, and seemed like bitter mockery. they reminded her of her own cottage, where, with her beloved child, she had spent so many happy days. the speculator had kept close watch over his valuable piece of property, for fear that it might damage itself. this, however, there was no danger of, for isabella still hoped and believed that henry would come to her rescue. she could not bring herself to believe that he would allow her to be sent away without at least seeing her, and the trader did all he could to keep this idea alive in her. while isabella, with a weary heart, was passing sleepless nights thinking only of her daughter and henry, the latter was seeking relief in that insidious enemy of the human race, the intoxicating cup. his wife did all in her power to make his life a pleasant and a happy one, for gertrude was devotedly attached to him; but a weary heart gets no gladness out of sunshine. the secret remorse that rankled in his bosom caused him to see all the world blood-shot. he had not visited his mother-in-law since the evening he had given her liberty to use her own discretion as to how isabella and her child should be disposed of. he feared even to go near the house, for he did not wish to see his child. gertrude felt this every time he declined accompanying her to her mother's. possessed of a tender and confiding heart, entirely unlike her mother, she sympathized deeply with her husband. she well knew that all young men in the south, to a greater or less extent, became enamored of the slave-women, and she fancied that his case was only one of the many, and if he had now forsaken all others for her she did not wish for him to be punished; but she dared not let her mother know that such were her feelings. again and again had she noticed the great resemblance between clotelle and henry, and she wished the child in better hands than those of her cruel mother. at last gertrude determined to mention the matter to her husband. consequently, the next morning, when they were seated on the back piazza, and the sun was pouring its splendid rays upon everything around, changing the red tints on the lofty hills in the distance into streaks of purest gold, and nature seeming by her smiles to favor the object, she said,-"what, dear henry, do you intend to do with clotelle?" a paleness that overspread his countenance, the tears that trickled down his cheeks, the deep emotion that was visible in his face, and the trembling of his voice, showed at once that she had touched a tender chord. without a single word, he buried his face in his handkerchief, and burst into tears. this made gertrude still more unhappy, for she feared that he had misunderstood her; and she immediately expressed her regret that she had mentioned the subject. becoming satisfied from this that his wife sympathized with him in his unhappy situation, henry told her of the agony that filled his soul, and gertrude agreed to intercede for him with her mother for the removal of the child to a boarding-school in one of the free states. in the afternoon, when henry returned from his office, his wife met him with tearful eyes, and informed him that her mother was filled with rage at the mere mention of the removal of clotelle from her premises. in the mean time, the slave-trader, jennings, had started for the south with his gang of human cattle, of whom isabella was one. most quadroon women who are taken to the south are either sold to gentlemen for their own use or disposed of as house-servants or waiting-maids. fortunately for isabella, she was sold, for the latter purpose. jennings found a purchaser for her in the person of mr. james french. mrs. french was a severe mistress. all who lived with her, though well-dressed, were scantily fed and over-worked. isabella found her new situation far different from her virginia cottage-life. she had frequently heard vicksburg spoken of as a cruel place for slaves, and now she was in a position to test the truthfulness of the assertion. a few weeks after her arrival, mrs. french began to show to isabella that she was anything but a pleasant and agreeable mistress. what social virtues are possible in a society of which injustice is a primary characteristic,--in a society which is divided into two classes, masters and slaves? every married woman at the south looks upon her husband as unfaithful, and regards every negro woman as a rival. isabella had been with her new mistress but a short time when she was ordered to cut off her long and beautiful hair. the negro is naturally fond of dress and outward display. he who has short woolly hair combs and oils it to death; he who has long hair would sooner have his teeth drawn than to part with it. but, however painful it was to isabella, she was soon seen with her hair cut short, and the sleeves of her dress altered to fit tight to her arms. even with her hair short and with her ill-looking dress, isabella was still handsome. her life had been a secluded one, and though now twenty-eight years of age, her beauty had only assumed a quieter tone. the other servants only laughed at isabella's misfortune in losing her beautiful hair. "miss 'bell needn't strut so big; she got short nappy har's well's i," said nell, with a broad grin that showed her teeth. "she tink she white when she cum here, wid dat long har ob hers," replied mill. "yes," continued nell, "missus make her take down her wool, so she no put it up to-day." the fairness of isabella's complexion was regarded with envy by the servants as well as by the mistress herself. this is one of the hard features of slavery. to-day a woman is mistress of her own cottage; to-morrow she is sold to one who aims to make her life as intolerable as possible. and let it be remembered that the house-servant has the best situation a slave can occupy. but the degradation and harsh treatment isabella experienced in her new home was nothing compared to the grief she underwent at being separated from her dear child. taken from her with scarcely a moment's warning, she knew not what had become of her. this deep and heartfelt grief of isabella was soon perceived by her owners, and fearing that her refusal to take proper food would cause her death, they resolved to sell her. mr. french found no difficulty in securing a purchaser for the quadroon woman, for such are usually the most marketable kind of property. isabella was sold at private sale to a young man for a housekeeper; but even he had missed his aim. mr. gordon, the new master, was a man of pleasure. he was the owner of a large sugar plantation, which he had left under the charge of an overseer, and was now giving himself up to the pleasures of a city life. at first mr. gordon sought to win isabella's favor by flattery and presents, knowing that whatever he gave her he could take from her again. the poor innocent creature dreaded every moment lest the scene should change. at every interview with gordon she stoutly maintained that she had left a husband in virginia, and could never think of taking another. in this she considered that she was truthful, for she had ever regarded henry as her husband. the gold watch and chain and other glittering presents which gordon gave to her were all kept unused. in the same house with isabella was a man-servant who had from time to time hired himself from his master. his name was william. he could feel for isabella, for he, like her, had been separated from near and dear relatives, and he often tried to console the poor woman. one day isabella observed to him that her hair was growing out again. "yes," replied william; "you look a good deal like a man with your short hair." "oh," rejoined she, "i have often been told that i would make a better looking man than woman, and if i had the money i might avail myself of it to bid farewell to this place." in a moment afterwards, isabella feared that she had said too much, and laughingly observed, "i am always talking some nonsense; you must not heed me." william was a tall, full-blooded african, whose countenance beamed with intelligence. being a mechanic, he had by industry earned more money than he had paid to his owner for his time, and this he had laid aside, with the hope that he might some day get enough to purchase his freedom. he had in his chest about a hundred and fifty dollars. his was a heart that felt for others, and he had again and again wiped the tears from his eyes while listening to isabella's story. "if she can get free with a little money, why not give her what i have?" thought he, and then resolved to do it. an hour after, he entered the quadroon's room, and, laying the money in her lap, said,-"there, miss isabella, you said just now that if you had the means you would leave this place. there is money enough to take you to england, where you will be free. you are much fairer than many of the white women of the south, and can easily pass for a free white woman." at first isabella thought it was a plan by which the negro wished to try her fidelity to her owner; but she was soon convinced, by his earnest manner and the deep feeling he manifested, that he was entirely sincere. "i will take the money," said she, "only on one condition, and that is that i effect your escape, as well as my own." "how can that be done?" he inquired, eagerly. "i will assume the disguise of a gentleman, and you that of a servant, and we will thus take passage in a steamer to cincinnati, and from thence to canada." with full confidence in isabella's judgment, william consented at once to the proposition. the clothes were purchased; everything was arranged, and the next night, while mr. gordon was on one of his sprees, isabella, under the assumed name of mr. smith, with william in attendance as a servant, took passage for cincinnati in the steamer heroine. with a pair of green glasses over her eyes, in addition to her other disguise, isabella made quite a gentlemanly appearance. to avoid conversation, however, she kept closely to her state-room, under the plea of illness. meanwhile, william was playing his part well with the servants. he was loudly talking of his master's wealth, and nothing on the boat appeared so good as in his master's fine mansion. "i don't like dese steamboats, no how," said he; "i hope when massa goes on anoder journey, he take de carriage and de hosses." after a nine-days' passage, the heroine landed at cincinnati, and mr. smith and his servant walked on shore. "william, you are now a free man, and can go on to canada," said isabella; "i shall go to virginia, in search of my daughter." this sudden announcement fell heavily upon william's ears, and with tears he besought her not to jeopardize her liberty in such a manner; but isabella had made up her mind to rescue her child if possible. taking a boat for wheeling, isabella was soon on her way to her native state. several months had elapsed since she left richmond, and all her thoughts were centred on the fate of her dear clotelle. it was with a palpitating heart that this injured woman entered the stage-coach at wheeling and set out for richmond. chapter xv the arrest. it was late in the evening when the coach arrived at richmond, and isabella once more alighted in her native city. she had intended to seek lodgings somewhere in the outskirts of the town, but the lateness of the hour compelled her to stop at one of the principal hotels for the night. she had scarcely entered the inn before she recognized among the numerous black servants one to whom she was well known, and her only hope was that her disguise would keep her from being discovered. the imperturbable calm and entire forgetfulness of self which induced isabella to visit a place from which she could scarcely hope to escape, to attempt the rescue of a beloved child, demonstrate that over-willingness of woman to carry out the promptings of the finer feelings of the heart. true to woman's nature, she had risked her own liberty for another's. she remained in the hotel during the night, and the next morning, under the plea of illness, took her breakfast alone. that day the fugitive slave paid a visit to the suburbs of the town, and once more beheld the cottage in which she had spent so many happy hours. it was winter, and the clematis and passion-flower were not there; but there were the same walks her feet had so often pressed, and the same trees which had so often shaded her as she passed through the garden at the back of the house. old remembrances rushed upon her memory and caused her to shed tears freely. isabella was now in her native town, and near her daughter; but how could she communicate with her? how could she see her? to have made herself known would have been a suicidal act; betrayal would have followed, and she arrested. three days passed away, and still she remained in the hotel at which she had first put up, and yet she got no tidings of her child. unfortunately for isabella, a disturbance had just broken out among the slave population in the state of virginia, and all strangers were treated with suspicion. the insurrection to which we now refer was headed by a full-blooded negro, who had been born and brought up a slave. he had heard the crack of the driver's whip, and seen the warm blood streaming from the negro's body. he had witnessed the separation of parents from children, and was made aware, by too many proofs, that the slave could expect no justice from the hands of the slave-owner. the name of this man was nat turner. he was a preacher amongst the negroes, distinguished for his eloquence, respected by the whites, loved and venerated by the negroes. on the discovery of the plan for the outbreak, turner fled to the swamps, followed by those who had joined in the insurrection. here the revolted negroes numbered some hundreds, and for a time bade defiance to their oppressors. the dismal swamps cover many thousand acres of wild land, and a dense forest, with wild animals and insects such as are unknown in any other part of virginia. here runaway negroes usually seek a hiding-place, and some have been known to reside here for years. the revolters were joined by one of these. he was a large, tall, full-blooded negro, with a stern and savage countenance; the marks on his face showed that he was from one of the barbarous tribes in africa, and claimed that country as his native land. his only covering was a girdle around his loins, made of skins of wild beasts which he had killed. his only token of authority among those that he led was a pair of epaulettes, made of the tail of a fox, and tied to his shoulder by a cord. brought from the coast of africa, when only fifteen years of age, to the island of cuba, he was smuggled from thence into virginia. he had been two years in the swamps, and considered it his future home. he had met a negro woman, who was also a runaway, and, after the fashion of his native land, had gone through the process of oiling her, as the marriage ceremony. they had built a cave on a rising mound in the swamp, and this was their home. this man's name was picquilo. his only weapon was a sword made from a scythe which he had stolen from a neighboring plantation. his dress, his character, his manners, and his mode of fighting were all in keeping with the early training he had received in the land of his birth. he moved about with the activity of a cat, and neither the thickness of the trees nor the depth of the water could stop him. his was a bold, turbulent spirit; and, from motives of revenge, he imbrued his hands in the blood of all the whites he could meet. hunger, thirst, and loss of sleep, he seemed made to endure, as if by peculiarity of constitution. his air was fierce, his step oblique, his look sanguinary. such was the character of one of the negroes in the southampton insurrection. all negroes were arrested who were found beyond their master's threshold, and all white strangers were looked upon with suspicion. such was the position in which isabella found affairs when she returned to virginia in search of her child. had not the slave-owners been watchful of strangers, owing to the outbreak, the fugitive could not have escaped the vigilance of the police; for advertisements announcing her escape, and offering a large reward for her arrest, had been received in the city previous to her arrival, and officers were therefore on the lookout for her. it was on the third day after her arrival in richmond, as the quadroon was seated in her room at the hotel, still in the disguise of a gentleman, that two of the city officers entered the apartment and informed her that they were authorized to examine all strangers, to assure the authorities that they were not in league with the revolted negroes. with trembling heart the fugitive handed the key of her trunk to the officers. to their surprise they found nothing but female apparel in the trunk, which raised their curiosity, and caused a further investigation that resulted in the arrest of isabella as a fugitive slave. she was immediately conveyed to prison, there to await the orders of her master. for many days, uncheered by the voice of kindness, alone, hopeless, desolate, she waited for the time to arrive when the chains should be placed on her limbs, and she returned to her inhuman and unfeeling owner. the arrest of the fugitive was announced in all the newspapers, but created little or no sensation. the inhabitants were too much engaged in putting down the revolt among the slaves; and, although all the odds were against the insurgents, the whites found it no easy matter, with all their caution. every day brought news of fresh outbreaks. without scruple and without pity, the whites massacred all blacks found beyond the limits of their owners' plantations. the negroes, in return, set fire to houses, and put to death those who attempted to escape from the flames. thus carnage was added to carnage, and the blood of the whites flowed to avenge the blood of the blacks. these were the ravages of slavery. no graves were dug for the negroes, but their bodies became food for dogs and vultures; and their bones, partly calcined by the sun, remained scattered about, as if to mark the mournful fury of servitude and lust of power. when the slaves were subdued, except a few in the swamps, bloodhounds were employed to hunt out the remaining revolters. chapter xvi death is freedom. on receiving intelligence of the arrest of isabella, mr. gordon authorized the sheriff to sell her to the highest bidder. she was, therefore, sold; the purchaser being the noted negro-trader, hope h. slater, who at once placed her in prison. here the fugitive saw none but slaves like herself, brought in and taken out to be placed in ships, and sent away to some part of the country to which she herself would soon be compelled to go. she had seen or heard nothing of her daughter while in richmond, and all hopes of seeing her had now fled. at the dusk of the evening previous to the day when she was to be sent off, as the old prison was being closed for the night, isabella suddenly darted past the keeper, and ran for her life. it was not a great distance from the prison to the long bridge which passes from the lower part of the city across the potomac to the extensive forests and woodlands of the celebrated arlington heights, then occupied by that distinguished relative and descendant of the immortal washington, mr. geo. w. custis. thither the poor fugitive directed her flight. so unexpected was her escape that she had gained several rods the start before the keeper had secured the other prisoners, and rallied his assistants to aid in the pursuit. it was at an hour, and in a part of the city where horses could not easily be obtained for the chase; no bloodhounds were at hand to run down the flying woman, and for once it seemed as if there was to be a fair trial of speed and endurance between the slave and the slave-catchers. the keeper and his force raised the hue-and-cry on her path as they followed close behind; but so rapid was the flight along the wide avenue that the astonished citizens, as they poured forth from their dwellings to learn the cause of alarm, were only able to comprehend the nature of the case in time to fall in with the motley throng in pursuit, or raise an anxious prayer to heaven as they refused to join in the chase (as many a one did that night) that the panting fugitive might escape, and the merciless soul-dealer for once be disappointed of his prey. and now, with the speed of an arrow, having passed the avenue, with the distance between her and her pursuers constantly increasing, this poor, hunted female gained the "long bridge," as it is called, where interruption seemed improbable. already her heart began to beat high with the hope of success. she had only to pass three-quarters of a mile across the bridge, when she could bury herself in a vast forest, just at the time when the curtain of night would close around her, and protect her from the pursuit of her enemies. but god, by his providence, had otherwise determined. he had ordained that an appalling tragedy should be enacted that night within plain sight of the president's house, and the capitol of the union, which would be an evidence wherever it should be known of the unconquerable love of liberty which the human heart may inherit, as well as a fresh admonition to the slave-dealer of the cruelty and enormity of his crimes. just as the pursuers passed the high draw, soon after entering upon the bridge, they beheld three men slowly approaching from the virginia side. they immediately called to them to arrest the fugitive, proclaiming her a runaway slave. true to their virginia instincts, as she came near, they formed a line across the narrow bridge to intercept her. seeing that escape was impossible in that quarter, she stopped suddenly, and turned upon her pursuers. on came the profane and ribald crew faster than ever, already exulting in her capture, and threatening punishment for her flight. for a moment she looked wildly and anxiously around to see if there was no hope of escape. on either hand, far down below, rolled the deep, foaming waters of the potomac, and before and behind were the rapidly approaching steps and noisy voices of her pursuers. seeing how vain would be any further effort to escape, her resolution was instantly taken. she clasped her hands convulsively together, raised her tearful and imploring eyes toward heaven, and begged for the mercy and compassion there which was unjustly denied her on earth; then, exclaiming, "henry, clotelle, i die for thee!" with a single bound, vaulted over, the railing of the bridge, and sank forever beneath the angry and foaming waters of the river! such was the life, and such the death, of a woman whose virtues and goodness of heart would have done honor to one in a higher station of life, and who, had she been born in any other land but that of slavery, would have been respected and beloved. what would have been her feelings if she could have known that the child for whose rescue she had sacrificed herself would one day be free, honored, and loved in another land? chapter xvii clotelle. the curtain rises seven years after the death of isabella. during that interval, henry, finding that nothing could induce his mother-in-law to relinquish her hold on poor little clotelle, and not liking to contend with one on whom a future fortune depended, gradually lost all interest in the child, and left her to her fate. although mrs. miller treated clotelle with a degree of harshness scarcely equalled, when applied to one so tender in years, still the child grew every day more beautiful, and her hair, though kept closely cut, seemed to have improved in its soft, silk-like appearance. now twelve years of age, and more than usually well-developed, her harsh old mistress began to view her with a jealous eye. henry and gertrude had just returned from washington, where the husband had been on his duties as a member of congress, and where he had remained during the preceding three years without returning home. it was on a beautiful evening, just at twilight, while seated at his parlor window, that henry saw a young woman pass by and go into the kitchen. not aware of ever having seen the person before, he made an errand into the cook's department to see who the girl was. he, however, met her in the hall, as she was about going out. "whom did you wish to see?" he inquired. "miss gertrude," was the reply. "what did you want to see her for?" he again asked. "my mistress told me to give her and master henry her compliments, and ask them to come over and spend the evening." "who is your mistress?" he eagerly inquired. "mrs. miller, sir," responded the girl. "and what's your name?" asked henry, with a trembling voice. "clotelle, sir," was the reply. the astonished father stood completely amazed, looking at the now womanly form of her who, in his happier days, he had taken on his knee with so much fondness and alacrity. it was then that he saw his own and isabella's features combined in the beautiful face that he was then beholding. it was then that he was carried back to the days when with a woman's devotion, poor isabella hung about his neck and told him how lonely were the hours in his absence. he could stand it no longer. tears rushed to his eyes, and turning upon his heel, he went back to his own room. it was then that isabella was revenged; and she no doubt looked smilingly down from her home in the spirit-land on the scene below. on gertrude's return from her shopping tour, she found henry in a melancholy mood, and soon learned its cause. as gertrude had borne him no children, it was but natural, that he should now feel his love centering in clotelle, and he now intimated to his wife his determination to remove his daughter from the hands of his mother-in-law. when this news reached mrs. miller, through her daughter, she became furious with rage, and calling clotelle into her room, stripped her shoulders bare and flogged her in the presence of gertrude. it was nearly a week after the poor girl had been so severely whipped and for no cause whatever, that her father learned of the circumstance through one of the servants. with a degree of boldness unusual for him, he immediately went to his mother-in-law and demanded his child. but it was too late,--she was gone. to what place she had been sent no one could tell, and mrs. miller refused to give any information whatever relative to the girl. it was then that linwood felt deepest the evil of the institution under which he was living; for he knew that his daughter would be exposed to all the vices prevalent in that part of the country where marriage is not recognized in connection with that class. chapter xviii a slave-hunting parson. it was a delightful evening after a cloudless day, with the setting sun reflecting his golden rays on the surrounding hills which were covered with a beautiful greensward, and the luxuriant verdure that forms the constant garb of the tropics, that the steamer columbia ran into the dock at natchez, and began unloading the cargo, taking in passengers and making ready to proceed on her voyage to new orleans. the plank connecting the boat with the shore had scarcely been secured in its place, when a good-looking man about fifty years of age, with a white neck-tie, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses on, was seen hurrying on board the vessel. just at that moment could be seen a stout man with his face pitted with the small-pox, making his way up to the above-mentioned gentleman. "how do you do, my dear sir? this is mr. wilson, i believe," said the short man, at the same time taking from his mouth a large chew of tobacco, and throwing it down on the ship's deck. "you have the advantage of me, sir," replied the tall man. "why, don't you know me? my name is jennings; i sold you a splendid negro woman some years ago." "yes, yes," answered the natchez man. "i remember you now, for the woman died in a few months, and i never got the worth of my money out of her." "i could not help that," returned the slave-trader; "she was as sound as a roach when i sold her to you." "oh, yes," replied the parson, "i know she was; but now i want a young girl, fit for house use,--one that will do to wait on a lady." "i am your man," said jennings, "just follow me," continued he, "and i will show you the fairest little critter you ever saw." and the two passed to the stern of the boat to where the trader had between fifty and sixty slaves, the greater portion being women. "there," said jennings, as a beautiful young woman shrunk back with modesty. "there, sir, is the very gal that was made for you. if she had been made to your order, she could not have suited you better." "indeed, sir, is not that young woman white?" inquired the parson. "oh, no, sir; she is no whiter than you see!" "but is she a slave?" asked the preacher. "yes," said the trader, "i bought her in richmond, and she comes from an excellent family. she was raised by squire miller, and her mistress was one of the most pious ladies in that city, i may say; she was the salt of the earth, as the ministers say." "but she resembles in some respect agnes, the woman i bought from you," said mr. wilson. as he said the name of agnes, the young woman started as if she had been struck. her pulse seemed to quicken, but her face alternately flushed and turned pale, and tears trembled upon her eyelids. it was a name she had heard her mother mention, and it brought to her memory those days,--those happy days, when she was so loved and caressed. this young woman was clotelle, the granddaughter of agnes. the preacher, on learning the fact, purchased her, and took her home, feeling that his daughter georgiana would prize her very highly. clotelle found in georgiana more a sister than a mistress, who, unknown to her father, taught the slave-girl how to read, and did much toward improving and refining clotelle's manners, for her own sake. like her mother fond of flowers, the "virginia maid," as she was sometimes called, spent many of her leisure hours in the garden. beside the flowers which sprang up from the fertility of soil unplanted and unattended, there was the heliotrope, sweet-pea, and cup-rose, transplanted from the island of cuba. in her new home clotelle found herself saluted on all sides by the fragrance of the magnolia. when she went with her young mistress to the poplar farm, as she sometimes did, nature's wild luxuriance greeted her, wherever she cast her eyes. the rustling citron, lime, and orange, shady mango with its fruits of gold, and the palmetto's umbrageous beauty, all welcomed the child of sorrow. when at the farm, huckelby, the overseer, kept his eye on clotelle if within sight of her, for he knew she was a slave, and no doubt hoped that she might some day fall into his hands. but she shrank from his looks as she would have done from the charm of the rattlesnake. the negro-driver always tried to insinuate himself into the good opinion of georgiana and the company that she brought. knowing that miss wilson at heart hated slavery, he was ever trying to show that the slaves under his charge were happy and contented. one day, when georgiana and some of her connecticut friends were there, the overseer called all the slaves up to the "great house," and set some of the young ones to dancing. after awhile whiskey was brought in and a dram given to each slave, in return for which they were expected to give a toast, or sing a short piece of his own composition; when it came to jack's turn he said,-"the big bee flies high, the little bee makes the honey: the black folks make the cotton, and the white folks gets the money." of course, the overseer was not at all elated with the sentiment contained in jack's toast. mr. wilson had lately purchased a young man to assist about the house and to act as coachman. this slave, whose name was jerome, was of pure african origin, was perfectly black, very fine-looking, tall, slim, and erect as any one could possibly be. his features were not bad, lips thin, nose prominent, hands and feet small. his brilliant black eyes lighted up his whole countenance. his hair which was nearly straight, hung in curls upon his lofty brow. george combe or fowler would have selected his head for a model. he was brave and daring, strong in person, fiery in spirit, yet kind and true in his affections, earnest in his doctrines. clotelle had been at the parson's but a few weeks when it was observed that a mutual feeling had grown up between her and jerome. as time rolled on, they became more and more attached to each other. after satisfying herself that these two really loved, georgiana advised their marriage. but jerome contemplated his escape at some future day, and therefore feared that if married it might militate against it. he hoped, also, to be able to get clotelle away too, and it was this hope that kept him from trying to escape by himself. dante did not more love his beatrice, swift his stella, waller his saccharissa, goldsmith his jessamy bride, or bums his mary, than did jerome his clotelle. unknown to her father, miss wilson could permit these two slaves to enjoy more privileges than any of the other servants. the young mistress taught clotelle, and the latter imparted her instructions to her lover, until both could read so as to be well understood. jerome felt his superiority, and always declared that no master should ever flog him. aware of his high spirit and determination, clotelle was in constant fear lest some difficulty might arise between her lover and his master. one day mr. wilson, being somewhat out of temper and irritated at what he was pleased to call jerome's insolence, ordered him to follow him to the barn to be flogged. the young slave obeyed his master, but those who saw him at the moment felt that he would not submit to be whipped. "no, sir," replied jerome, as his master told him to take off his coat: "i will serve you, master wilson, i will labor for you day and night, if you demand it, but i will not be whipped." this was too much for a white man to stand from a negro, and the preacher seized his slave by the throat, intending to choke him. but for once he found his match. jerome knocked him down, and then escaped through the back-yard to the street, and from thence to the woods. recovering somewhat from the effect of his fall, the parson regained his feet and started in pursuit of the fugitive. finding, however, that the slave was beyond his reach, he at once resolved to put the dogs on his track. tabor, the negro-catcher, was sent for, and in less than an hour, eight or ten men, including the parson, were in the woods with hounds, trying the trails. these dogs will attack a negro at their master's bidding; and cling to him as the bull-dog will cling to a beast. many are the speculations as to whether the negro will be secured alive or dead, when these dogs once get on his track. whenever there is to be a negro hunt, there is no lack of participants. many go to enjoy the fun which it is said they derive from these scenes. the company had been in the woods but a short time ere they got on the track of two fugitives, one of whom was jerome. the slaves immediately bent their steps toward the swamp, with the hope that the dogs, when put upon their scent would be unable to follow them through the water. the slaves then took a straight course for the baton rouge and bayou sara road, about four miles distant. nearer and nearer the whimpering pack pressed on; their delusion begins to dispel. all at once the truth flashes upon the minds of the fugitives like a glare of light,--'tis tabor with his dogs! the scent becomes warmer and warmer, and what was at first an irregular cry now deepens into one ceaseless roar, as the relentless pack presses on after its human prey. they at last reach the river, and in the negroes plunge, followed by the catch-dog. jerome is caught and is once more in the hands of his master, while the other poor fellow finds a watery grave. they return, and the preacher sends his slave to jail. chapter xix the true heroine. in vain did georgiana try to console clotelle, when the latter heard, through one of the other slaves, that mr. wilson had started with the dogs in pursuit of jerome. the poor girl well knew that he would be caught, and that severe punishment, if not death, would be the result of his capture. it was therefore with a heart filled with the deepest grief that the slave-girl heard the footsteps of her master on his return from the chase. the dogged and stern manner of the preacher forbade even his daughter inquiring as to the success of his pursuit. georgiana secretly hoped that the fugitive had not been caught; she wished it for the sake of the slave, and more especially for her maid-servant, whom she regarded more as a companion than a menial. but the news of the capture of jerome soon spread through the parson's household, and found its way to the ears of the weeping and heart-stricken clotelle. the reverend gentleman had not been home more than an hour ere come of his parishioners called to know if they should not take the negro from the prison and execute lynch law upon him. "no negro should be permitted to live after striking a white man; let us take him and hang him at once," remarked an elderly-looking man, whose gray hairs thinly covered the crown of his head. "i think the deacon is right," said another of the company; "if our slaves are allowed to set the will of their masters at defiance, there will be no getting along with them,--an insurrection will be the next thing we hear of." "no, no," said the preacher; "i am willing to let the law take its course, as it provides for the punishment of a slave with death if he strikes his master. we had better let the court decide the question. moreover, as a christian and god-fearing people, we ought to submit to the dictates of justice. should we take this man's life by force, an all-wise providence would hold us responsible for the act." the company then quietly withdrew, showing that the preacher had some influence with his people. "this" said mr. wilson, when left alone with his daughter,--"this, my dear georgiana, is the result of your kindness to the negroes. you have spoiled every one about the house. i can't whip one of them, without being in danger of having my life taken." "i am sure, papa," replied the young lady,--"i am sure i never did any thing intentionally to induce any of the servants to disobey your orders." "no, my dear," said mr. wilson, "but you are too kind to them. now, there is clotelle,--that girl is completely spoiled. she walks about the house with as dignified an air as if she was mistress of the premises. by and by you will be sorry for this foolishness of yours." "but," answered georgiana, "clotelle has a superior mind, and god intended her to hold a higher position in life than that of a servant." "yes, my dear, and it was your letting her know that she was intended for a better station in society that is spoiling her. always keep a negro in ignorance of what you conceive to be his abilities," returned the parson. it was late on the saturday afternoon, following the capture of jerome that, while mr. wilson was seated in his study preparing his sermon for the next day, georgiana entered the room and asked in an excited tone if it were true that jerome was to be hanged on the following thursday. the minister informed her that such was the decision of the court. "then," said she, "clotelle will die of grief." "what business has she to die of grief?" returned the father, his eyes at the moment flashing fire. "she has neither eaten nor slept since he was captured," replied georgians; "and i am certain that she will not live through this." "i cannot be disturbed now," said the parson; "i must get my sermon ready for to-morrow. i expect to have some strangers to preach to, and must, therefore, prepare a sermon that will do me credit." while the man of god spoke, he seemed to say to himself,-"with devotion's visage, and pious actions, we do sugar over the devil himself." georgiana did all in her power to soothe the feelings of clotelle, and to induce her to put her trust in god. unknown to her father, she allowed the poor girl to go every evening to the jail to see jerome, and during these visits, despite her own grief, clotelle would try to comfort her lover with the hope that justice would be meted out to him in the spirit-land. thus the time passed on, and the day was fast approaching when the slave was to die. having heard that some secret meeting had been held by the negroes, previous to the attempt of mr. wilson to flog his slave, it occurred to a magistrate that jerome might know something of the intended revolt. he accordingly visited the prison to see if he could learn anything from him, but all to no purpose. having given up all hopes of escape, jerome had resolved to die like a brave man. when questioned as to whether he knew anything of a conspiracy among the slaves against their masters, he replied,-"do you suppose that i would tell you if i did?" "but if you know anything," remarked the magistrate, "and will tell us, you may possibly have your life spared." "life," answered the doomed man, "is worth nought to a slave. what right has a slave to himself, his wife, or his children? we are kept in heathenish darkness, by laws especially enacted to make our instruction a criminal offence; and our bones, sinews, blood, and nerves are exposed in the market for sale. "my liberty is of as much consequence to me as mr. wilson's is to him. i am as sensitive to feeling as he. if i mistake not, the day will come when the negro will learn that he can get his freedom by fighting for it; and should that time arrive, the whites will be sorry that they have hated us so shamefully. i am free to say that, could i live my life over again, i would use all the energies which god has given me to get up an insurrection." every one present seemed startled and amazed at the intelligence with which this descendant of africa spoke. "he's a very dangerous man," remarked one. "yes," said another, "he got some book-learning somewhere, and that has spoiled him." an effort was then made to learn from jerome where he had learned to read, but the black refused to give any information on the subject. the sun was just going down behind the trees as clotelle entered the prison to see jerome for the last time. he was to die on the next day her face was bent upon her hands, and the gushing tears were forcing their way through her fingers. with beating heart and trembling hands, evincing the deepest emotion, she threw her arms around her lover's neck and embraced him. but, prompted by her heart's unchanging love, she had in her own mind a plan by which she hoped to effect the escape of him to whom she had pledged her heart and hand. while the overcharged clouds which had hung over the city during the day broke, and the rain fell in torrents, amid the most terrific thunder and lightning, clotelle revealed to jerome her plan for his escape. "dress yourself in my clothes," said she, "and you can easily pass the jailer." this jerome at first declined doing. he did not wish to place a confiding girl in a position where, in all probability, she would have to suffer; but being assured by the young girl that her life would not be in danger, he resolved to make the attempt. clotelle being very tall, it was not probable that the jailer would discover any difference in them. at this moment, she took from her pocket a bunch of keys and unfastened the padlock, and freed him from the floor. "come, girl, it is time for you to go," said the jailer, as jerome was holding the almost fainting girl by the hand. being already attired in clotelle's clothes, the disguised man embraced the weeping girl, put his handkerchief to his face, and passed out of the jail, without the keeper's knowing that his prisoner was escaping in a disguise and under cover of the night. chapter xx the hero of many adventures. jerome had scarcely passed the prison-gates, ere he reproached himself for having taken such a step. there seemed to him no hope of escape out of the state, and what was a few hours or days at most, of life to him, when, by obtaining it, another had been sacrificed. he was on the eve of returning, when he thought of the last words uttered by clotelle. "be brave and determined, and you will still be free." the words sounded like a charm in his ears and he went boldly forward. clotelle had provided a suit of men's clothes and had placed them where her lover could get them, if he should succeed in getting out. returning to mr. wilson's barn, the fugitive changed his apparel, and again retraced his steps into the street. to reach the free states by travelling by night and lying by during the day, from a state so far south as mississippi, no one would think for a moment of attempting to escape. to remain in the city would be a suicidal step. the deep sound of the escape of steam from a boat, which was at that moment ascending the river, broke upon the ears of the slave. "if that boat is going up the river," said he, "why not i conceal myself on board, and try to escape?" he went at once to the steamboat landing, where the boat was just coming in. "bound for louisville," said the captain, to one who was making inquiries. as the passengers were rushing on board, jerome followed them, and proceeding to where some of the hands were stowing away bales of goods, he took hold and aided them. "jump down into the hold, there, and help the men," said the mate to the fugitive, supposing that, like many persons, he was working his way up the river. once in the hull among the boxes, the slave concealed himself. weary hours, and at last days, passed without either water or food with the hidden slave. more than once did he resolve to let his case be known; but the knowledge that he would be sent back to natchez kept him from doing so. at last, with lips parched and fevered to a crisp, the poor man crawled out into the freight-room, and began wandering about. the hatches were on, and the room dark. there happened to be on board a wedding party, and, a box, containing some of the bridal cake, with several bottles of port wine, was near jerome. he found the box, opened it, and helped himself. in eight days, the boat tied up at the wharf at the place of her destination. it was late at night; the boat's crew, with the single exception of the man on watch, were on shore. the hatches were off, and the fugitive quietly made his way on deck and jumped on shore. the man saw the fugitive, but too late to seize him. still in a slave state, jerome was at a loss to know how he should proceed. he had with him a few dollars, enough to pay his way to canada, if he could find a conveyance. the fugitive procured such food as he wanted from one of the many eating-houses, and then, following the direction of the north star, he passed out of the city, and took the road leading to covington. keeping near the ohio river, jerome soon found an opportunity to cross over into the state of indiana. but liberty was a mere name in the latter state, and the fugitive learned, from some colored persons that he met, that it was not safe to travel by daylight. while making his way one night, with nothing to cheer him but the prospect of freedom in the future, he was pounced upon by three men who were lying in wait for another fugitive, an advertisement of whom they had received through the mail. in vain did jerome tell them that he was not a slave. true, they had not caught the man they expected; but, if they could make this slave tell from what place he had escaped, they knew that a good price would be paid them for the negro's arrest. tortured by the slave-catchers, to make him reveal the name of his master and the place from whence he had escaped, jerome gave them a fictitious name in virginia, and said that his master would give a large reward, and manifested a willingness to return to his "old boss." by this misrepresentation, the fugitive, hoped to have another chance of getting away. allured with the prospect of a large sum of the needful, the slave-catchers started back with their victim. stopping on the second night at an inn, on the banks of the ohio river, the kidnappers, in lieu of a suitable place in which to confine their prize during the night, chained him to the bed-post of their sleeping-chamber. the white men were late in retiring to rest, after an evening spent in drinking. at dead of night, when all was still, the slave arose from the floor, upon which he had been lying, looked around and saw that morpheus had possession of his captors. for once, thought he, the brandy bottle has done a noble work. with palpitating heart and trembling limbs, he viewed his position. the door was fast, but the warm weather had compelled them to leave the window open. if he could but get his chains off, he might escape through the window to the piazza. the sleepers' clothes hung upon chairs by the bedside. the slave thought of the padlock-key, examined the pockets, and found it. the chains were soon off, and the negro stealthily making his way to the window. he stopped, and said to himself, "these men are villains; they are enemies to all who, like me, are trying to be free. then why not i teach them a lesson?" he then dressed himself in the best suit, hung his own worn-out and tattered garments on the same chair, and silently passed through the window to the piazza, and let himself down by one of the pillars, and started once more for the north. daylight came upon the fugitive before he had selected a hiding-place for the day, and he was walking at a rapid rate, in hopes of soon reaching some woodland or forest. the sun had just begun to show itself, when the fugitive was astounded at seeing behind him, in the distance, two men upon horseback. taking a road to the right, the slave saw before him a farmhouse, and so near was he to it that he observed two men in front of it looking at him. it was too late to turn back. the kidnappers were behind him--strange men before him. those in the rear he knew to be enemies, while he had no idea of what principles were the farmers. the latter also saw the white men coming, and called to the fugitive to come that way. the broad-brimmed hats that the farmers wore told the slave that they were quakers. jerome had seen some of these people passing up and down the river, when employed on a steamer between natchez and new orleans, and had heard that they disliked slavery. he, therefore, hastened toward the drab-coated men, who, on his approach, opened the barn-door, and told him to "run in." when jerome entered the barn, the two farmers closed the door, remaining outside themselves, to confront the slave-catchers, who now came up and demanded admission, feeling that they had their prey secure. "thee can't enter my premises," said one of the friends, in rather a musical voice. the negro-catchers urged their claim to the slave, and intimated that, unless they were allowed to secure him, they would force their way in. by this time, several other quakers had gathered around the barn-door. unfortunately for the kidnappers, and most fortunately for the fugitive, the friends had just been holding a quarterly meeting in the neighborhood, and a number of them had not yet returned to their homes. after some talk, the men in drab promised to admit the hunters, provided they procured an officer and a search-warrant from a justice of the peace. one of the slave-catchers was left to see that the fugitive did not get away, while the others went in pursuit of an officer. in the mean time, the owner of the barn sent for a hammer and nails, and began nailing up the barn-door. after an hour in search of the man of the law, they returned with an officer and a warrant. the quaker demanded to see the paper, and, after looking at it for some time, called to his son to go into the house for his glasses. it was a long time before aunt ruth found the leather case, and when she did, the glasses wanted wiping before they could be used. after comfortably adjusting them on his nose, he read the warrant over leisurely. "come, mr. dugdale, we can't wait all day,"' said the officer. "well, will thee read it for me?" returned the quaker. the officer complied, and the man in drab said,-"yes, thee may go in, now. i am inclined to throw no obstacles in the way of the execution of the law of the land." on approaching the door, the men found some forty or fifty nails in it, in the way of their progress. "lend me your hammer and a chisel, if you please, mr. dugdale," said the officer. "please read that paper over again, will thee?" asked the quaker. the officer once more read the warrant. "i see nothing there which says i must furnish thee with tools to open my door. if thee wants a hammer, thee must go elsewhere for it; i tell thee plainly, thee can't have mine." the implements for opening the door are at length obtained and after another half-hour, the slave-catchers are in the barn. three hours is a long time for a slave to be in the hands of quakers. the hay is turned over, and the barn is visited in every part; but still the runaway is not found. uncle joseph has a glow upon his countenance; ephraim shakes his head knowingly; little elijah is a perfect know-nothing, and, if you look toward the house, you will see aunt ruth's smiling face, ready to announce that breakfast is ready. "the nigger is not in this barn," said the officer. "i know he is not," quietly answered the quaker. "what were you nailing up your door for, then, as if you were afraid we would enter?" inquired one of the kidnappers. "i can do what i please with my own door, can't i," said the quaker. the secret was out; the fugitive had gone in at the front door and out at the back; and the reading of the warrant, nailing up of the door, and other preliminaries of the quaker, was to give the fugitive time and opportunity to escape. it was now late in the morning, and the slave-catchers were a long way from home, and the horses were jaded by the rapid manner in which they had travelled. the friends, in high glee, returned to the house for breakfast; the man of the law, after taking his fee, went home, and the kidnappers turned back, muttering, "better luck next time." chapter xxi self-sacrifice. now in her seventeenth year, clotelle's personal appearance presented a great contrast to the time when she lived with old mrs. miller. her tall and well-developed figure; her long, silky black hair, falling in curls down her swan-like neck; her bright, black eyes lighting up her olive-tinted face, and a set of teeth that a tuscarora might envy, she was a picture of tropical-ripened beauty. at times, there was a heavenly smile upon her countenance, which would have warmed the heart of an anchorite. such was the personal appearance of the girl who was now in prison by her own act to save the life of another. would she be hanged in his stead, or would she receive a different kind of punishment? these questions clotelle did not ask herself. open, frank, free, and generous to a fault, she always thought of others, never of her own welfare. the long stay of clotelle caused some uneasiness to miss wilson; yet she dared not tell her father, for he had forbidden the slave-girl's going to the prison to see her lover. while the clock on the church near by was striking eleven, georgiana called sam, and sent him to the prison in search of clotelle. "the girl went away from here at eight o'clock," was the jailer's answer to the servant's inquiries. the return of sam without having found the girl saddened the heart of the young mistress. "sure, then," said she, "the poor heart-broken thing has made way with herself." still, she waited till morning before breaking the news of clotelle's absence to her father. the jailer discovered, the next morning, to his utter astonishment, that his prisoner was white instead of black, and his first impression was that the change of complexion had taken place during the night, through fear of death. but this conjecture was soon dissipated; for the dark, glowing eyes, the sable curls upon the lofty brow, and the mild, sweet voice that answered his questions, informed him that the prisoner before him was another being. on learning, in the morning, that clotelle was in jail dressed in male attire, miss wilson immediately sent clothes to her to make a change in her attire. news of the heroic and daring act of the slave-girl spread through the city with electric speed. "i will sell every nigger on the place," said the parson, at the break-fast-table,--"i will sell them all, and get a new lot, and whip them every day." poor georgiana wept for the safety of clotelle, while she felt glad that jerome had escaped. in vain did they try to extort from the girl the whereabouts of the man whose escape she had effected. she was not aware that he had fled on a steamer, and when questioned, she replied,-"i don't know; and if i did i would not tell you. i care not what you do with me, if jerome but escapes." the smile with which she uttered these words finely illustrated the poet's meaning, when he says,-"a fearful gift upon thy heart is laid, woman--the power to suffer and to love." her sweet simplicity seemed to dare them to lay their rough hands amid her trembling curls. three days did the heroic young woman remain in prison, to be gazed at by an unfeeling crowd, drawn there out of curiosity. the intelligence came to her at last that the court had decided to spare her life, on condition that she should be whipped, sold, and sent out of the state within twenty-four hours. this order of the court she would have cared but little for, had she not been sincerely attached to her young mistress. "do try and sell her to some one who will use her well," said georgiana to her father, as he was about taking his hat to leave the house. "i shall not trouble myself to do any such thing," replied the hard-hearted parson. "i leave the finding of a master for her with the slave-dealer." bathed in tears, miss. wilson paced her room in the absence of her father. for many months georgiana had been in a decline, and any little trouble would lay her on a sick bed for days. she was, therefore, poorly able to bear the loss of this companion, whom she so dearly loved. mr. wilson had informed his daughter that clotelle was to be flogged; and when felice came in and informed her mistress that the poor girl had just received fifty lashes on her bare person, the young lady fainted and fell on the floor. the servants placed their mistress on the sofa, and went in pursuit of their master. little did the preacher think, on returning to his daughter, that he should soon be bereft of her; yet such was to be his lot. a blood-vessel had been ruptured, and the three physicians who were called in told the father that he must prepare to lose his child. that moral courage and calmness, which was her great characteristic, did not forsake georgiana in her hour of death. she had ever been kind to the slaves under her charge, and they loved and respected her. at her request, the servants were all brought into her room, and took a last farewell of their mistress. seldom, if ever, was there witnessed a more touching scene than this. there lay the young woman, pale and feeble, with death stamped upon her countenance, surrounded by the sons and daughters of africa, some of whom had been separated from every earthly tie, and the most of whose persons had been torn and gashed by the negro-whip. some were upon their knees at the bedside, others standing around, and all weeping. death is a leveler; and neither age, sex, wealth, nor condition, can avert when he is permitted to strike. the most beautiful flowers must soon fade and droop and die. so, also, with man; his days are as uncertain as the passing breeze. this hour he glows in the blush of health and vigor, but the next, he may be counted with the number no more known on earth. oh, what a silence pervaded the house when this young flower was gone! in the midst of the buoyancy of youth, this cherished one had drooped and died. deep were the sounds of grief and mourning heard in that stately dwelling when the stricken friends, whose office it had been to nurse and soothe the weary sufferer, beheld her pale and motionless in the sleep of death. who can imagine the feeling with which poor clotelle received the intelligence of her kind friend's death? the deep gashes of the cruel whip had prostrated the lovely form of the quadroon, and she lay upon her bed of straw in the dark cell. the speculator had bought her, but had postponed her removal till she should recover. her benefactress was dead, and-"hope withering fled, and mercy sighed farewell." "is jerome safe?" she would ask herself continually. if her lover could have but known of the sufferings of that sweet flower,--that polyanthus over which he had so often been in his dreams,--he would then have learned that she was worthy of his love. it was more than a fortnight before the slave-trader could take his prize to more comfortable quarters. like alcibiades, who defaced the images of the gods and expected to be pardoned on the ground of eccentricity, so men who abuse god's image hope to escape the vengeance of his wrath under the plea that the law sanctions their atrocious deeds. chapter xxii love at first sight and what followed. it was a beautiful sunday in september, with a cloudless sky, and the rays of the sun parching the already thirsty earth, that clotelle stood at an upper window in slater's slave-pen in new orleans, gasping for a breath of fresh air. the bells of thirty churches were calling the people to the different places of worship. crowds were seen wending their way to the houses of god; one followed by a negro boy carrying his master's bible; another followed by her maid-servant holding the mistress' fan; a third supporting an umbrella over his master's head to shield him from the burning sun. baptists immersed, presbyterians sprinkled, methodists shouted, and episcopalians read their prayers, while ministers of the various sects preached that christ died for all. the chiming of the bells seemed to mock the sighs and deep groans of the forty human beings then incarcerated in the slave-pen. these imprisoned children of god were many of them methodists, some baptists, and others claiming to believe in the faith of the presbyterians and episcopalians. oh, with what anxiety did these creatures await the close of that sabbath, and the dawn of another day, that should deliver them from those dismal and close cells. slowly the day passed away, and once more the evening breeze found its way through the barred windows of the prison that contained these injured sons and daughters of america. the clock on the calaboose had just struck nine on monday morning, when hundreds of persons were seen threading the gates and doors of the negro-pen. it was the same gang that had the day previous been stepping to the tune and keeping time with the musical church bells. their bibles were not with them, their prayer-books were left at home, and even their long and solemn faces had been laid aside for the week. they had come to the man-market to make their purchases. methodists were in search of their brethren. baptists were looking for those that had been immersed, while presbyterians were willing to buy fellow christians, whether sprinkled or not. the crowd was soon gazing at and feasting their eyes upon the lovely features of clotelle. "she is handsomer," muttered one to himself, "than the lady that sat in the pew next to me yesterday." "i would that my daughter was half so pretty," thinks a second. groups are seen talking in every part of the vast building, and the topic on 'change, is the "beautiful quadroon." by and by, a tall young man with a foreign face, the curling mustache protruding from under a finely-chiseled nose, and having the air of a gentleman, passes by. his dark hazel eye is fastened on the maid, and he stops for a moment; the stranger walks away, but soon returns--he looks, he sees the young woman wipe away the silent tear that steals down her alabaster cheek; he feels ashamed that he should gaze so unmanly on the blushing face of the woman. as he turns upon his heel he takes out his white hankerchief and wipes his eyes. it may be that he has lost a sister, a mother, or some dear one to whom he was betrothed. again he comes, and the quadroon hides her face. she has heard that foreigners make bad masters, and she shuns his piercing gaze. again he goes away and then returns. he takes a last look and then walks hurriedly off. the day wears away, but long before the time of closing the sale the tall young man once more enters the slave-pen. he looks in every direction for the beautiful slave, but she is not there--she has been sold! he goes to the trader and inquires, but he is too late, and he therefore returns to his hotel. having entered a military school in paris when quite young, and soon after been sent with the french army to india, antoine devenant had never dabbled in matters of love. he viewed all women from the same stand-point--respected them for their virtues, and often spoke of the goodness of heart of the sex, but never dreamed of taking to himself a wife. the unequalled beauty of clotelle had dazzled his eyes, and every look that she gave was a dagger that went to his heart. he felt a shortness of breath, his heart palpitated, his head grew dizzy, and his limbs trembled; but he knew not its cause. this was the first stage of "love at first sight." he who bows to the shrine of beauty when beckoned by this mysterious agent seldom regrets it. devenant reproached himself for not having made inquiries concerning the girl before he left the market in the morning. his stay in the city was to be short, and the yellow fever was raging, which caused him to feel like making a still earlier departure. the disease appeared in a form unusually severe and repulsive. it seized its victims from amongst the most healthy of the citizens. the disorder began in the brain by oppressive pain accompanied or followed by fever. fiery veins streaked the eye, the face was inflamed and dyed of a dark dull red color; the ears from time to time rang painfully. now mucous secretions surcharged the tongue and took away the power of speech; now the sick one spoke, but in speaking had foresight of death. when the violence of the disease approached the heart, the gums were blackened. the sleep broken, troubled by convulsions, or by frightful visions, was worse than the waking hours; and when the reason sank under a delirium which had its seat in the brain, repose utterly forsook the patient's couch. the progress of the fever within was marked by yellowish spots, which spread over the surface of the body. if then, a happy crisis came not, all hope was gone. soon the breath infected the air with a fetid odor, the lips were glazed, despair painted itself in the eyes, and sobs, with long intervals of silence, formed the only language. from each side of the mouth, spread foam tinged with black and burnt blood. blue streaks mingled with the yellow all over the frame. all remedies were useless. this was the yellow fever. the disorder spread alarm and confusion throughout the city. on an average more than four hundred died daily. in the midst of disorder and confusion, death heaped victims on victims. friend followed friend in quick succession. the sick were avoided from the fear of contagion, and for the same reason the dead were left unburied. nearly two thousand dead bodies lay uncovered in the burial-ground, with only here and there a little lime thrown over them, to prevent the air becoming infected. the negro, whose home is in a hot climate, was not proof against the disease. many plantations had to suspend their work for want of slaves to take the places of those who had been taken off by the fever. chapter xxiii meeting of the cousins. the clock in the hall had scarcely finished striking three when mr. taylor entered his own dwelling, a fine residence in camp street, new orleans, followed by the slave-girl whom he had just purchased at the negro-pen. clotelle looked around wildly as she passed through the hall into the presence of her new mistress. mrs. taylor was much pleased with her servant's appearance, and congratulated her husband on his judicious choice. "but," said mrs. taylor, after clotelle had gone into the kitchen, "how much she looks like miss jane morton." "indeed," replied the husband, "i thought, the moment i saw her that she looked like the mortons." "i am sure i never saw two faces more alike in my life, than that girl's and jane morton's," continued mrs. taylor. dr. morton, the purchaser of maron, the youngest daughter of agnes, and sister to isabella, had resided in camp street, near the taylors, for more than eight years, and the families were on very intimate terms, and visited each other frequently. every one spoke of clotelle's close resemblance to the mortons, and especially to the eldest daughter. indeed, two sisters could hardly have been more alike. the large, dark eyes, black, silk-like hair, tall, graceful figure, and mould of the face, were the same. the morning following clotelle's arrival in her new home, mrs. taylor was conversing in a low tone with her husband, and both with their eyes following clotelle as she passed through the room. "she is far above the station of a slave," remarked the lady. "i saw her, last night, when removing some books, open one and stand over it a moment as if she was reading; and she is as white as i am. i almost sorry you bought her." at this juncture the front door-bell rang, and clotelle hurried through the room to answer it. "miss morton," said the servant as she returned to the mistress' room. "ask her to walk in," responded the mistress. "now, my dear," said mrs. taylor to her husband, "just look and see if you do not notice a marked resemblance between the countenances of jane and clotelle." miss morton entered the room just as mrs. taylor ceased speaking. "have you heard that the jamisons are down with the fever?" inquired the young lady, after asking about the health of the taylors. "no, i had not; i was in hopes it would not get into our street;" replied mrs. taylor. all this while mr. and mrs. taylor were keenly scrutinizing their visitor and clotelle and even the two young women seemed to be conscious that they were in some way the objects of more than usual attention. miss morton had scarcely departed before mrs. taylor began questioning clotelle concerning her early childhood, and became more than ever satisfied that the slave-girl was in some way connected with the mortons. every hour brought fresh news of the ravages of the fever, and the taylors commenced preparing to leave town. as mr. taylor could not go at once, it was determined that his wife should leave without him, accompanied by her new maid servant. just as mrs. taylor and clotelle were stepping into the carriage, they were informed that dr. morton was down with the epidemic. it was a beautiful day, with a fine breeze for the time of year, that mrs. taylor and her servant found themselves in the cabin of the splendid new steamer "walk-in-the-water," bound from new orleans to mobile. every berth in the boat wad occupied by persons fleeing from the fearful contagion that was carrying off its hundreds daily. late in the day, as clotelle was standing at one of the windows of the ladies' saloon, she was astonished to see near her, and with eyes fixed intently upon her, the tall young stranger whom she had observed in the slave-market a few days before. she turned hastily away, but the heated cabin and the want of fresh air soon drove her again to the window. the young gentleman again appeared, and coming to the end of the saloon, spoke to the slave-girl in broken english. this confirmed her in her previous opinion that he was a foreigner, and she rejoiced that she had not fallen into his hands. "i want to talk with you," said the stranger. "what do you want with me?" she inquired. "i am your friend," he answered. "i saw you in the slave-market last week, and regretted that i did not speak to you then. i returned in the evening, but you was gone." clotelle looked indignantly at the stranger, and was about leaving the window again when the quivering of his lips and the trembling of his voice struck her attention and caused her to remain. "i intended to buy you and make you free and happy, but i was too late," continued he. "why do you wish to make me free?" inquired the girl. "because i once had an only and lovely sister, who died three years ago in france, and you are so much like her that had i not known of her death i should certainly have taken you for her." "however much i may resemble your sister, you are aware that i am not she; why, then, take so much interest in one whom you have never seen before and may never see again?" "the love," said he, "which i had for my sister is transferred to you." clotelle had all along suspected that the man was a knave, and this profession of love at once confirmed her in that belief. she therefore immediately turned away and left him. hours elapsed. twilight was just "letting down her curtain and pinning it with a star," as the slave-girl seated herself on a sofa by the window, and began meditating upon her eventful history, meanwhile watching the white waves as they seemed to sport with each other in the wake of the noble vessel, with the rising moon reflecting its silver rays upon the splendid scene, when the foreigner once more appeared near the window. although agitated for fear her mistress would see her talking to a stranger, and be angry, clotelle still thought she saw something in the countenance of the young man that told her he was sincere, and she did not wish to hurt his feelings. "why persist in your wish to talk with me?" she said, as he again advanced and spoke to her. "i wish to purchase you and make you happy," returned he. "but i am not for sale now," she replied. "my present mistress will not sell me, and if you wished to do so ever so much you could not." "then," said he, "if i cannot buy you, when the steamer reaches mobile, fly with me, and you shall be free." "i cannot do it," said clotelle; and she was just leaving the stranger when he took from his pocket a piece of paper and thrust it into her hand. after returning to her room, she unfolded the paper, and found, to her utter astonishment that it contained a one hundred dollar note on the bank of the united states. the first impulse of the girl was to return the paper and its contents immediately to the giver, but examining the paper more closely, she saw in faint pencil-marks, "remember this is from one who loves you." another thought was to give it to her mistress, and she returned to the saloon for that purpose; but on finding mrs. taylor engaged in conversation with some ladies, she did not deem it proper to interrupt her. again, therefore, clotelle seated herself by the window, and again the stranger presented himself. she immediately took the paper from her pocket, and handed it to him; but he declined taking it, saying,-"no, keep it; it may be of some service to you when i am far away." "would that i could understand you," said the slave. "believe that i am sincere, and then you will understand me," returned the young man. "would you rather be a slave than be free?" inquired he, with tears that glistened in the rays of the moon. "no," said she, "i want my freedom, but i must live a virtuous life." "then, if you would be free and happy, go with me. we shall be in mobile in two hours, and when the passengers are going on shore, you take my arm. have your face covered with a veil, and you will not be observed. we will take passage immediately for france; you can pass as my sister, and i pledge you my honor that i will marry you as soon as we arrive in france." this solemn promise, coupled with what had previously been said, gave clotelle confidence in the man, and she instantly determined to go with him. "but then," thought she, "what if i should be detected? i would be forever ruined, for i would be sold, and in all probability have to end my days on a cotton, rice, or sugar plantation." however, the thought of freedom in the future outweighed this danger, and her resolve was taken. dressing herself in some of her best clothes, and placing her veiled bonnet where she could get it without the knowledge of her mistress, clotelle awaited with a heart filled with the deepest emotions and anxiety the moment when she was to take a step which seemed so rash, and which would either make or ruin her forever. the ships which leave mobile for europe lie about thirty miles down the bay, and passengers are taken down from the city in small vessels. the "walk-in-the-water" had just made her lines fast, and the passengers were hurrying on shore, when a tall gentleman with a lady at his side descended the stage-plank, and stepped on the wharf. this was antoine devenant and clotelle. chapter xxiv the law and its victim. the death of dr. morton, on the third day of his illness, came like a shock upon his wife and daughters. the corpse had scarcely been committed to its mother earth before new and unforeseen difficulties appeared to them. by the laws of the slave states, the children follow the condition of their mother. if the mother is free, the children are free; if a slave, the children are slaves. being unacquainted with the southern code, and no one presuming that marion had any negro blood in her veins, dr. morton had not given the subject a single thought. the woman whom he loved and regarded as his wife was, after all, nothing more than a slave by the laws of the state. what would have been his feelings had he known that at his death his wife and children would be considered as his property? yet such was the case. like most men of means at that time, dr. morton was deeply engaged in speculation, and though generally considered wealthy, was very much involved in his business affairs. after the disease with which dr. morton had so suddenly died had to some extent subsided, mr. james morton, a brother of the deceased, went to new orleans to settle up the estate. on his arrival there, he was pleased with and felt proud of his nieces, and invited them to return with him to vermont, little dreaming that his brother had married a slave, and that his widow and daughters would be claimed as such. the girls themselves had never heard that their mother had been a slave, and therefore knew nothing of the danger hanging over their heads. an inventory of the property of the deceased was made out by mr. morton, and placed in the hands of the creditors. these preliminaries being arranged, the ladies, with their relative, concluded to leave the city and reside for a few days on the banks of lake ponchartrain, where they could enjoy a fresh air that the city did not afford. as they were about taking the cars, however, an officer arrested the whole party--the ladies as slaves, and the gentleman upon the charge of attempting to conceal the property of his deceased brother. mr. morton was overwhelmed with horror at the idea of his nieces being claimed as slaves, and asked for time, that he might save them from such a fate. he even offered to mortgage his little farm in vermont for the amount which young slave-women of their ages would fetch. but the creditors pleaded that they were an "extra article," and would sell for more than common slaves, and must therefore be sold at auction. the uncle was therefore compelled to give them up to the officers of the law, and they were separated from him. jane, the oldest of the girls, as we have before mentioned, was very handsome, bearing a close resemblance to her cousin clotelle. alreka, though not as handsome as her sister, was nevertheless a beautiful girl, and both had all the accomplishments that wealth and station could procure. though only in her fifteenth year, alreka had become strongly attached to volney lapie, a young frenchman, a student in her father's office. this attachment was reciprocated, although the poverty of the young man and the extreme youth of the girl had caused their feelings to be kept from the young lady's parents. the day of sale came, and mr. morton attended, with the hope that either the magnanimity of the creditors or his own little farm in vermont might save his nieces from the fate that awaited them. his hope, however, was in vain. the feelings of all present seemed to be lost in the general wish to become the possessor of the young ladies, who stood trembling, blushing, and weeping as the numerous throng gazed at them, or as the intended purchaser examined the graceful proportions of their fair and beautiful frames. neither the presence of the uncle nor young lapie could at all lessen the gross language of the officers, or stay the rude hands of those who wished to examine the property thus offered for sale. after a fierce contest between the bidders, the girls were sold, one for two thousand three hundred, and the other for two thousand three hundred and fifty dollars. had these girls been bought for servants only, they would in all probability have brought not more than nine hundred or a thousand dollars each. here were two beautiful young girls, accustomed to the fondest indulgence, surrounded by all the refinements of life, and with the timidity and gentleness which such a life would naturally produce, bartered away like cattle in the markets of smithfield or new york. the mother, who was also to have been sold, happily followed her husband to the grave, and was spared the pangs of a broken heart. the purchaser of the young ladies left the market in triumph, and the uncle, with a heavy heart, started for his new england home, with no earthly prospect of ever beholding his nieces again. the seizure of the young ladies as slaves was the result of the administrator's having found among dr. morton's papers the bill-of-sale of marion which he had taken when he purchased her. he had doubtless intended to liberate her when he married her, but had neglected from time to time to have the proper papers made out. sad was the result of this negligence. chapter xxv the flight. on once gaining the wharf, devenant and clotelle found no difficulty in securing an immediate passage to france. the fine packet-ship utica lay down the bay, and only awaited the return of the lighter that night to complete her cargo and list of passengers, ere she departed. the young frenchman therefore took his prize on board, and started for the ship. daylight was just making its appearance the next morning when the utica weighed anchor and turned her prow toward the sea. in the course of three hours, the vessel, with outspread sails, was rapidly flying from land. everything appeared to be auspicious. the skies were beautifully clear, and the sea calm, with a sun that dazzled the whole scene. but clouds soon began to chase each other through the heavens and the sea became rough. it was then that clotelle felt that there was hope of escaping. she had hitherto kept in the cabin, but now she expressed a wish to come on deck. the hanging clouds were narrowing the horizon to a span, and gloomily mingling with the rising surges. the old and grave-looking seamen shook their weather-wise heads as if foretelling a storm. as clotelle came on deck, she strained her eyes in vain to catch a farewell view of her native land. with a smile on her countenance, but with her eyes filled with tears, she said,-"farewell, farewell to the land of my birth, and welcome, welcome, ye dark blue waves. i care not where i go, so it is 'where a tyrant never trod, where a slave was never known, but where nature worships god, if in the wilderness alone.'" devenant stood by her side, seeming proud of his future wife, with his face in a glow at his success, while over his noble brow clustering locks of glossy black hair were hanging in careless ringlets. his finely-cut, classic features wore the aspect of one possessed with a large and noble heart. once more the beautiful clotelle whispered in the ear of her lover,- "away, away, o'er land and sea, america is now no home for me." the winds increased with nightfall, and impenetrable gloom surrounded the ship. the prospect was too uncheering, even to persons in love. the attention which devenant paid to clotelle, although she had been registered on the ship's passenger list as his sister, caused more than one to look upon his as an agreeable travelling companion. his tall, slender figure and fine countenance bespoke for him at first sight one's confidence. that he was sincerely and deeply enamored of clotelle all could see. the weather became still more squally. the wind rushed through the white, foaming waves, and the ship groaned with its own wild and ungovernable labors, while nothing could be seen but the wild waste of waters. the scene was indeed one of fearful sublimity. day came and went without any abatement of the storm. despair was now on every countenance. occasionally a vivid flash of lightning would break forth and illuminate the black and boiling surges that surrounded the vessel, which was now scudding before the blast under bare poles. after five days of most intensely stormy weather, the sea settled down into a dead calm, and the passengers flocked on deck. during the last three days of the storm, clotelle had been so unwell as to be unable to raise her head. her pale face and quivering lips and languid appearance made her look as if every pulsation had ceased. her magnificent large and soft eyes, fringed with lashes as dark as night, gave her an angelic appearance. the unreserved attention of devenant, even when sea-sick himself, did much to increase the little love that the at first distrustful girl had placed in him. the heart must always have some object on which to centre its affections, and clotelle having lost all hope of ever again seeing jerome, it was but natural that she should now transfer her love to one who was so greatly befriending her. at first she respected devenant for the love he manifested for her, and for his apparent willingness to make any sacrifice for her welfare. true, this was an adventure upon which she had risked her all, and should her heart be foiled in this search for hidden treasures, her affections would be shipwrecked forever. she felt under great obligations to the man who had thus effected her escape, and that noble act alone would entitle him to her love. each day became more pleasant as the noble ship sped onward amid the rippled spray. the whistling of the breeze through the rigging was music to the ear, and brought gladness to the heart of every one on board. at last, the long suspense was broken by the appearance of land, at which all hearts leaped for joy. it was a beautiful morning in october. the sun had just risen, and sky and earth were still bathed in his soft, rosy glow, when the utica hauled into the dock at bordeaux. the splendid streets, beautiful bridges, glittering equipages, and smiling countenances of the people, gave everything a happy appearance, after a voyage of twenty-nine days on the deep, deep sea. after getting their baggage cleared from the custom-house and going to a hotel, devenant made immediate arrangements for the marriage. clotelle, on arriving at the church where the ceremony was to take place, was completely overwhelmed at the spectacle. she had never beheld a scene so gorgeous as this. the magnificent dresses of the priests and choristers, the deep and solemn voices, the elevated crucifix, the burning tapers, the splendidly decorated altar, the sweet-smelling incense, made the occasion truly an imposing one. at the conclusion of the ceremony, the loud and solemn peals of the organ's swelling anthem were lost to all in the contemplation of the interesting scene. the happy couple set out at once for dunkirk, the residence of the bridegroom's parents. but their stay there was short, for they had scarcely commenced visiting the numerous friends of the husband ere orders came for him to proceed to india to join that portion of the french army then stationed there. in due course of time they left for india, passing through paris and lyons, taking ship at marseilles. in the metropolis of france, they spent a week, where the husband took delight in introducing his wife to his brother officers in the french army, and where the newly-married couple were introduced to louis phillippe, then king of france. in all of these positions, clotelle sustained herself in a most ladylike manner. at lyons, they visited the vast factories and other public works, and all was pleasure with them. the voyage from marseilles to calcutta was very pleasant, as the weather was exceedingly fine. on arriving in india, captain devenant and lady were received with honors--the former for his heroic bravery in more than one battle, and the latter for her fascinating beauty and pleasing manners, and the fact that she was connected with one who was a general favorite with all who had his acquaintance. this was indeed a great change for clotelle. six months had not elapsed since her exposure in the slave-market of new orleans. this life is a stage, and we are indeed all actors. chapter xxvi the hero of a night. mounted on a fast horse, with the quaker's son for a guide, jerome pressed forward while uncle joseph was detaining the slave-catchers at the barn-door, through which the fugitive had just escaped. when out of present danger, fearing that suspicion might be aroused if he continued on the road in open day, jerome buried himself in a thick, dark forest until nightfall. with a yearning heart, he saw the splendor of the setting sun lingering on the hills, as if loath to fade away and be lost in the more sombre hues of twilight, which, rising from the east, was slowly stealing over the expanse of heaven, bearing silence and repose, which should cover his flight from a neighborhood to him so full of dangers. wearily and alone, with nothing but the hope of safety before him to cheer him on his way, the poor fugitive urged his tired and trembling limbs forward for several nights. the new suit of clothes with which he had provided himself when he made his escape from his captors, and the twenty dollars which the young quaker had slipped into his hand, when bidding him "fare thee well," would enable him to appear genteelly as soon as he dared to travel by daylight, and would thus facilitate his progress toward freedom. it was late in the evening when the fugitive slave arrived at a small town on the banks of lake erie, where he was to remain over night. how strange were his feelings! while his heart throbbed for that freedom and safety which canada alone could furnish to the whip-scarred slave, on the american continent, his thoughts were with clotelle. was she still in prison, and if so, what would be her punishment for aiding him to escape from prison? would he ever behold her again? these were the thoughts that followed him to his pillow, haunted him in is dreams, and awakened him from his slumbers. the alarm of fire aroused the inmates of the hotel in which jerome had sought shelter for the night from the deep sleep into which they had fallen. the whole village was buried in slumber, and the building was half consumed before the frightened inhabitants had reached the scene of the conflagration. the wind was high, and the burning embers were wafted like so many rockets through the sky. the whole town was lighted up, and the cries of women and children in the streets made the scene a terrific one. jerome heard the alarm, and hastily dressing himself, he went forth and hastened toward the burning building. "there,--there in that room in the second story, is my child!" exclaimed a woman, wringing her hands, and imploring some one to go to the rescue of her little one. the broad sheets of fire were flying in the direction of the chamber in which the child was sleeping, and all hope of its being saved seemed gone. occasionally the wind would lift the pall of smoke, and show that the work of destruction was not yet complete. at last a long ladder was brought, and one end placed under the window of the room. a moment more and a bystander mounted the ladder and ascended in haste to the window. the smoke met him as he raised the sash, and he cried out, "all is lost!" and returned to the ground without entering the room. another sweep of the wind showed that the destroying element had not yet made its final visit to that part of the doomed building. the mother, seeing that all hope of again meeting her child in this world was gone, wrung her hands and seemed inconsolable with grief. at this juncture, a man was seen to mount the ladder, and ascend with great rapidity. all eyes were instantly turned to the figure of this unknown individual as it disappeared in the cloud of smoke escaping from the window. those who a moment before had been removing furniture, as well as the idlers who had congregated at the ringing of the bells, assembled at the foot of the ladder, and awaited with breathless silence the reappearance of the stranger, who, regardless of his own safety, had thus risked his life to save another's. three cheers broke the stillness that had fallen on the company, as the brave man was seen coming through the window and slowly descending to the ground, holding under one arm the inanimate form of the child. another cheer, and then another, made the welkin ring, as the stranger, with hair burned and eyebrows closely singed, fainted at the foot of the ladder. but the child was saved. the stranger was jerome. as soon as he revived, he shrunk from every eye, as if he feared they would take from him the freedom which he had gone through so much to obtain. the next day, the fugitive took a vessel, and the following morning found himself standing on the free soil of canada. as his foot pressed the shore, he threw himself upon his face, kissed the earth, and exclaimed, "o god! i thank thee that i am a free man." chapter xxvii true freedom. the history of the african race is god's illuminated clock, set in the dark steeple of time. the negro has been made the hewer of wood and the drawer of water for nearly all other nations. the people of the united states, however, will have an account to settle with god, owing to their treatment of the negro, which will far surpass the rest of mankind. jerome, on reaching canada, felt for the first time that personal freedom which god intended that all who bore his image should enjoy. that same forgetfulness of self which had always characterized him now caused him to think of others. the thoughts of dear ones in slavery were continually in his mind, and above all others, clotelle occupied his thoughts. now that he was free, he could better appreciate her condition as a slave. although jerome met, on his arrival in canada, numbers who had escaped from the southern states, he nevertheless shrank from all society, particularly that of females. the soft, silver-gray tints on the leaves of the trees, with their snow-spotted trunks, and a biting air, warned the new-born freeman that he was in another climate. jerome sought work, and soon found it; and arranged with his employer that the latter should go to natchez in search of clotelle. the good scotchman, for whom the fugitive was laboring, freely offered to go down and purchase the girl, if she could be bought, and let jerome pay him in work. with such a prospect of future happiness in view, this injured descendant of outraged and bleeding africa went daily to his toil with an energy hitherto unknown to him. but oh, how vain are the hopes of man! chapter xxviii farewell to america. three months had elapsed, from the time the fugitive commenced work for mr. streeter, when that gentleman returned from his southern research, and informed jerome that parson wilson had sold clotelle, and that she had been sent to the new orleans slave-market. this intelligence fell with crushing weight upon the heart of jerome, and he now felt that the last chain which bound him to his native land was severed. he therefore determined to leave america forever. his nearest and dearest friends had often been flogged in his very presence, and he had seen his mother sold to the negro-trader. an only sister had been torn from him by the soul-driver; he had himself been sold and resold, and been compelled to submit to the most degrading and humiliating insults; and now that the woman upon whom his heart doted, and without whom life was a burden, had been taken away forever, he felt it a duty to hate all mankind. if there is one thing more than another calculated to make one hate and detest american slavery, it is to witness the meetings between fugitives and their friends in canada. jerome had beheld some of these scenes. the wife who, after years of separation, had escaped from her prison-house and followed her husband had told her story to him. he had seen the newly-arrived wife rush into the arms of the husband, whose dark face she had not looked upon for long, weary years. some told of how a sister had been ill-used by the overseer; others of a husband's being whipped to death for having attempted to protect his wife. he had sat in the little log-hut, by the fireside, and heard tales that caused his heart to bleed; and his bosom swelled with just indignation when he thought that there was no remedy for such atrocious acts. it was with such feelings that he informed his employer that he should leave him at the expiration of a month. in vain did mr. streeter try to persuade jerome to remain with him; and late, in the month of february, the latter found himself on board a small vessel loaded with pine-lumber, descending the st. lawrence, bound for liverpool. the bark, though an old one, was, nevertheless, considered seaworthy, and the fugitive was working his way out. as the vessel left the river and gained the open sea, the black man appeared to rejoice at the prospect of leaving a country in which his right to manhood had been denied him, and his happiness destroyed. the wind was proudly swelling the white sails, and the little craft plunging into the foaming waves, with the land fast receding in the distance, when jerome mounted a pile of lumber to take a last farewell of his native land. with tears glistening in his eyes, and with quivering lips, he turned his gaze toward the shores that were fast fading in the dim distance, and said,-"though forced from my native land by the tyrants of the south, i hope i shall some day be able to return. with all her faults, i love my country still." chapter xxix a stranger in a strange land. the rain was falling on the dirty pavements of liverpool as jerome left the vessel after her arrival. passing the custom-house, he took a cab, and proceeded to brown's hotel, clayton square. finding no employment in liverpool, jerome determined to go into the interior and seek for work. he, therefore, called for his bill, and made ready for his departure. although but four days at the albion, he found the hotel charges larger than he expected; but a stranger generally counts on being "fleeced" in travelling through the old world, and especially in great britain. after paying his bill, he was about leaving the room, when one of the servants presented himself with a low bow, and said,-"something for the waiter, sir?" "i thought i had paid my bill," replied the man, somewhat surprised at this polite dun. "i am the waiter, sir, and gets only what strangers see fit to give me." taking from his pocket his nearly empty purse, jerome handed the man a half-crown; but he had hardly restored it to his pocket, before his eye fell on another man in the waiting costume. "what do you want?" he asked. "whatever your honor sees fit to give me, sir. i am the tother waiter." the purse was again taken from the pocket, and another half-crown handed out. stepping out into the hall, he saw standing there a good-looking woman, in a white apron, who made a very pretty courtesy. "what's your business?" he inquired. "i am the chambermaid, sir, and looks after the gentlemen's beds." out came the purse again, and was relieved of another half-crown; whereupon another girl, with a fascinating smile, took the place of the one who had just received her fee. "what do you want?" demanded the now half-angry jerome. "please, sir, i am the tother chambermaid." finding it easier to give shillings than half-crowns, jerome handed the woman a shilling, and again restored his purse to his pocket, glad that another woman was not to be seen. scarcely had he commenced congratulating himself, however, before three men made their appearance, one after another. "what have you done for me?" he asked of the first. "i am the boots, sir." the purse came out once more, and a shilling was deposited in the servant's hand. "what do i owe you?" he inquired of the second. "i took your honor's letter to the post, yesterday, sir." another shilling left the purse. "in the name of the lord, what am i indebted to you for?" demanded jerome, now entirely out of patience, turning to the last of the trio. "i told yer vership vot time it vas, this morning." "well!" exclaimed the indignant man, "ask here what o'clock it is, and you have got to pay for it." he paid this last demand with a sixpence, regretting that he had not commenced with sixpences instead of half-crowns. having cleared off all demands in the house, he started for the railway station; but had scarcely reached the street, before he was accosted by an old man with a broom in his hand, who, with an exceedingly low bow, said,-"i is here, yer lordship." "i did not send for you; what is your business?" demanded jerome. "i is the man what opened your lordship's cab-door, when your lordship came to the house on monday last, and i know your honor won't allow a poor man to starve." putting a sixpence in the old man's hand, jerome once more started for the depot. having obtained letters of introduction to persons in manchester, he found no difficulty in getting a situation in a large manufacturing house there. although the salary was small, yet the situation was a much better one than he had hoped to obtain. his compensation as out-door clerk enabled him to employ a man to teach him at night, and, by continued study and attention to business, he was soon promoted. after three years in his new home, jerome was placed in a still higher position, where his salary amounted to fifteen hundred dollars a year. the drinking, smoking, and other expensive habits, which the clerks usually indulged in, he carefully avoided. being fond of poetry, he turned his attention to literature. johnson's "lives of the poets," the writings of dryden, addison, pope, clarendon, and other authors of celebrity, he read with attention. the knowledge which he thus picked up during his leisure hours gave him a great advantage over the other clerks, and caused his employers to respect him far more than any other in their establishment. so eager was he to improve the time that he determined to see how much he could read during the unemployed time of night and morning, and his success was beyond his expectations. chapter xxx new friends. broken down in health, after ten years of close confinement in his situation, jerome resolved to give it up, and thereby release himself from an employment which seemed calculated to send him to a premature grave. it was on a beautiful morning in summer that he started for scotland, having made up his mind to travel for his health. after visiting edinburgh and glasgow, he concluded to spend a few days in the old town of perth, with a friend whose acquaintance he had made in manchester. during the second day of his stay in perth, while crossing the main street, jerome saw a pony-chaise coming toward him with great speed. a lady, who appeared to be the only occupant of the vehicle, was using her utmost strength to stop the frightened horses. the footman, in his fright, had leaped from behind the carriage, and was following with the crowd. with that self-forgetfulness which was one of his chief characteristics, jerome threw himself before the horses to stop them; and, seizing the high-spirited animals by the bit, as they dashed by him, he was dragged several rods before their speed was checked, which was not accomplished until one of the horses had fallen to the ground, with the heroic man struggling beneath him. all present were satisfied that this daring act alone had saved the lady's life, for the chaise must inevitably have been dashed in pieces, had the horses not been thus suddenly checked in their mad career. on the morning following this perilous adventure, col. g----called at jerome's temporary residence, and, after expressing his admiration for his noble daring, and thanking him for having saved his daughter's life, invited him to visit him at his country residence. this invitation was promptly accepted in the spirit in which it was given; and three days after, jerome found himself at the princely residence of the father of the lady for whose safety he had risked his own life. the house was surrounded by fine trees, and a sweet little stream ran murmuring at the foot, while beds of flowers on every hand shed their odors on the summer air. it was, indeed, a pleasant place to spend the warm weather, and the colonel and his family gave jerome a most cordial welcome. miss g. showed especial attention to the stranger. he had not intended remaining longer than the following day: but the family insisted on his taking part in a fox-hunt that was to come off on the morning of the third day. wishing to witness a scene as interesting as the chase usually proves to be, he decided to remain. fifteen persons, five of whom were ladies, were on the ground at the appointed hour. miss g. was, of course, one of the party. in vain jerome endeavored to excuse himself from joining in the chase. his plea of ill-health was only met by smiles from the young ladies, and the reply that a ride would effect a cure. dressed in a scarlet coat and high boots, with the low, round cap worn in the chase, jerome mounted a high-spirited horse, whip in hand, and made himself one of the party. in america, riding is a necessity; in england, it is a pleasure. young men and women attend riding-school in our fatherland, and consider that they are studying a science. jerome was no rider. he had not been on horseback for more than ten years, and as soon as he mounted, every one saw that he was a novice, and a smile was on the countenance of each member of the company. the blowing of the horn, and assembling of the hounds, and finally the release of the fox from his close prison, were the signals for the chase to commence. the first half-mile the little animal took his course over a beautiful field where there was neither hedge nor ditch. thus far the chase was enjoyed by all, even by the american rider, who was better fitted to witness the scene than to take part in it. we left jerome in our last reluctantly engaged in the chase; and though the first mile or so of the pursuit, which was over smooth meadow-land, had had an exhilarating effect upon his mind, and tended somewhat to relieve him of the embarrassment consequent upon his position, he nevertheless still felt that he was far from being in his proper element. besides, the fox had now made for a dense forest which lay before, and he saw difficulties in that direction which to him appeared insurmountable. away went the huntsmen, over stone walls, high fences, and deep ditches. jerome saw the ladies even leading the gentlemen, but this could not inspire him. they cleared the fences, four and five feet high with perfect ease, showing they were quite at home in the saddle. but alas for the poor american! as his fine steed came up to the first fence, and was about to make the leap, jerome pulled at the bridle, and cried at the top of his voice, "whoa! whoa! whoa!" the horse at the same time capering about, and appearing determined to keep up with the other animals. away dashed the huntsmen, following the hounds, and all were soon lost to the view of their colored companion. jerome rode up and down the field looking for a gate or bars, that he might get through without risking his neck. finding, however, that all hope of again catching up with the party was out of the question, he determined to return to the house, under a plea of sudden illness, and back he accordingly went. "i hope no accident has happened to your honor," said the groom, as he met our hero at the gate. "a slight dizziness," was the answer. one of the servants, without being ordered, went at once for the family physician. ashamed to own that his return was owing to his inability to ride, jerome resolved to feign sickness. the doctor came, felt his pulse, examined his tongue, and pronounced him a sick man. he immediately ordered a tepid bath, and sent for a couple of leeches. seeing things taking such a serious turn, the american began to regret the part he was playing; for there was no fun in being rubbed and leeched when one was in perfect health. he had gone too far to recede, however, and so submitted quietly to the directions of the doctor; and, after following the injunctions given by that learned esculapius, was put to bed. shortly after, the sound of the horns and the yelp of the hounds announced that the poor fox had taken the back track, and was repassing near the house. even the pleasure of witnessing the beautiful sight from the window was denied to our hero; for the physician had ordered that he must be kept in perfect quiet. the chase was at last over, and the huntsmen all in, sympathizing with their lost companion. after nine days of sweating, blistering and leeching, jerome left his bed convalescent, but much reduced in flesh and strength. this was his first and last attempt to follow the fox and hounds. during his fortnight's stay at colonel g.'s, jerome spent most of his time in the magnificent library. claude did not watch with more interest every color of the skies, the trees, the grass, and the water, to learn from nature, than did this son of a despised race search books to obtain that knowledge which his early life as a slave had denied him. chapter xxxi the mysterious meeting. after more than a fortnight spent in the highlands of scotland, jerome passed hastily through london on his way to the continent. it was toward sunset, on a warm day in october, shortly after his arrival in france, that, after strolling some distance from the hotel de leon, in the old and picturesque town of dunkirk, he entered a burial ground--such places being always favorite walks with him--and wandered around among the silent dead. all nature around was hushed in silence, and seemed to partake of the general melancholy that hung over the quiet resting-place of the departed. even the birds seemed imbued with the spirit of the place, for they were silent, either flying noiselessly over the graves, or jumping about in the tall grass. after tracing the various inscriptions that told the characters and conditions of the deceased, and viewing the mounds beneath which the dust of mortality slumbered, he arrived at a secluded spot near where an aged weeping willow bowed its thick foliage to the ground, as though anxious to hide from the scrutinizing gaze of curiosity the grave beneath it. jerome seated himself on a marble tombstone, and commenced reading from a book which he had carried under his arm. it was now twilight, and he had read but a few minutes when he observed a lady, attired in deep black, and leading a boy, apparently some five or six years old, coming up one of the beautiful, winding paths. as the lady's veil was drawn closely over her face, he felt somewhat at liberty to eye her more closely. while thus engaged, the lady gave a slight scream, and seemed suddenly to have fallen into a fainting condition. jerome sprang from his seat, and caught her in time to save her from falling to the ground. at this moment an elderly gentleman, also dressed in black, was seen approaching with a hurried step, which seemed to indicate that he was in some way connected with the lady. the old man came up, and in rather a confused manner inquired what had happened, and jerome explained matters as well as he was able to do so. after taking up the vinaigrette, which had fallen from her hand, and holding the bottle a short time to her face, the lady began to revive. during all this time, the veil had still partly covered the face of the fair one, so that jerome had scarcely seen it. when she had so far recovered as to be able to look around her, she raised herself slightly, and again screamed and swooned. the old man now feeling satisfied that jerome's dark complexion was the immediate cause of the catastrophe, said in a somewhat petulant tone,-"i will be glad, sir, if you will leave us alone." the little boy at this juncture set up a loud cry, and amid the general confusion, jerome left the ground and returned to his hotel. while seated at the window of his room looking out upon the crowded street, with every now and then the strange scene in the graveyard vividly before him, jerome suddenly thought of the book he had been reading, and, remembering that he had left it on the tombstone, where he dropped it when called to the lady's assistance, he determined to return for it at once. after a walk of some twenty minutes, he found himself again in the burial-ground and on the spot where he had been an hour before. the pensive moon was already up, and its soft light was sleeping on the little pond at the back of the grounds, while the stars seemed smiling at their own sparkling rays gleaming up from the beautiful sheet of water. jerome searched in vain for his book; it was nowhere to be found. nothing, save the bouquet that the lady had dropped and which lay half-buried in the grass, from having been trodden upon, indicated that any one had been there that evening. the stillness of death reigned over the place; even the little birds, that had before been twittering and flying about, had retired for the night. taking up the bunch of flowers, jerome returned to his hotel. "what can this mean?" he would ask himself; "and why should they take my book?" these questions he put to himself again and again during his walk. his sleep was broken more than once that night, and he welcomed the early dawn as it made its appearance. chapter xxxii the happy meeting. after passing a sleepless night, and hearing the clock strike six, jerome took from his table a book, and thus endeavored to pass away the hours before breakfast-time. while thus engaged, a servant entered and handed him a note. hastily tearing it open, jerome read as follows:-"sir,--i owe you an apology for the abrupt manner in which i addressed you last evening, and the inconvenience to which you were subjected by some of my household. if you will honor us with your presence to-day at four o'clock, i shall be most happy to give you due satisfaction. my servant will be waiting with the carriage at half-past three. i am, sir, yours, &c, j. devenant. jerome fletcher, esq." who this gentleman was, and how he had found out his name and the hotel at which he was stopping, were alike mysteries to jerome. and this note seemed to his puzzled brain like a challenge. "satisfaction?" he had not asked for satisfaction. however, he resolved to accept the invitation, and, if need be, meet the worst. at any rate, this most mysterious and complicated affair would be explained. the clock on a neighboring church had scarcely finished striking three when a servant announced to jerome that a carriage had called for him. in a few minutes, he was seated in a sumptuous barouche, drawn by a pair of beautiful iron-grays, and rolling over a splendid gravel road entirely shaded by trees, which appeared to have been the accumulated growth of many centuries. the carriage soon stopped at a low villa, which was completely embowered in trees. jerome alighted, and was shown into a superb room, with the walls finely decorated with splendid tapestry, and the ceilings exquisitely frescoed. the walls were hung with fine specimens from the hands of the great italian masters, and one by a german artist, representing a beautiful monkish legend connected with the "holy catharine," an illustrious lady of alexandria. high-backed chairs stood around the room, rich curtains of crimson damask hung in folds on either side of the window, and a beautiful, rich, turkey carpet covered the floor. in the centre of the room stood a table covered with books, in the midst of which was a vase of fresh flowers, loading the atmosphere with their odors. a faint light, together with the quiet of the hour, gave beauty beyond description to the whole scene. a half-open door showed a fine marble floor to an adjoining room, with pictures, statues, and antiquated sofas, and flower-pots filled with rare plants of every kind and description. jerome had scarcely run his eyes over the beauties of the room when the elderly gentleman whom he had met on the previous evening made his appearance, followed by the little boy, and introduced himself as mr. devenant. a moment more and a lady, a beautiful brunette, dressed in black, with long black curls hanging over her shoulders, entered the room. her dark, bright eyes flashed as she caught the first sight of jerome. the gentleman immediately arose on the entrance of the lady, and mr. devenant was in the act of introducing the stranger when he observed that jerome had sunk back upon the sofa, in a faint voice exclaiming,-"it is she!" after this, all was dark and dreary. how long he remained in this condition, it was for others to tell. the lady knelt by his side and wept; and when he came to, he found himself stretched upon the sofa with his boots off and his head resting upon a pillow. by his side sat the old man, with the smelling-bottle in one hand and a glass of water in the other, while the little boy stood at the foot of the sofa. as soon as jerome had so far recovered as to be able to speak, he said,-"where am i, and what does all this mean?" "wait awhile," replied the old man, "and i will tell you all." after the lapse of some ten minutes, jerome arose from the sofa, adjusted his apparel, and said,-"i am now ready to hear anything you have to say." "you were born in america?" said the old man. "i was," he replied. "and you knew a girl named clotelle," continued the old man. "yes, and i loved her as i can love none other." "the lady whom you met so mysteriously last evening was she," said mr. devenant. jerome was silent, but the fountain of mingled grief and joy stole out from beneath his eyelashes, and glistened like pearls upon his ebony cheeks. at this juncture, the lady again entered the room. with an enthusiasm that can be better imagined than described, jerome sprang from the sofa, and they rushed into each other's arms, to the great surprise of the old gentleman and little autoine, and to the amusement of the servants who had crept up, one by one and were hid behind the doors or loitering in the hall. when they had given vent to their feelings and sufficiently recovered their presence of mind, they resumed their seats. "how did you find out my name and address?" inquired jerome. "after you had left the grave-yard," replied clotelle, "our little boy said, 'oh, mamma! if there ain't a book!' i opened the book, and saw your name written in it, and also found a card of the hotel de leon. papa wished to leave the book, and said it was only a fancy of mine that i had ever seen you before; but i was perfectly convinced that you were my own dear jerome." as she uttered the last words, tears--the sweet bright tears that love alone can bring forth--bedewed her cheeks. "are you married?" now inquired clotelle, with a palpitating heart and trembling voice. "no, i am not, and never have been," was jerome's reply. "then, thank god!" she exclaimed, in broken accents. it was then that hope gleamed up amid the crushed and broken flowers of her heart, and a bright flash darted forth like a sunbeam. "are you single now?" asked jerome. "yes, i am," was the answer. "then you will be mine after all?" said he with a smile. her dark, rich hair had partly come down, and hung still more loosely over her shoulders than when she first appeared; and her eyes, now full of animation and vivacity, and her sweet, harmonious, and well-modulated voice, together with her modesty, self-possession, and engaging manners, made clotelle appear lovely beyond description. although past the age when men ought to think of matrimony, yet the scene before mr. devenant brought vividly to his mind the time when he was young and had a loving bosom companion living, and tears were wiped from the old man's eyes. a new world seemed to unfold itself before the eyes of the happy lovers, and they were completely absorbed in contemplating the future. furnished by nature with a disposition to study, and a memory so retentive that all who knew her were surprised at the ease with which she acquired her education and general information, clotelle might now be termed a most accomplished lady. after her marriage with young devenant, they proceeded to india, where the husband's regiment was stationed. soon after their arrival, however, a battle was fought with the natives, in which several officers fell, among whom was captain devenant. the father of the young captain being there at the time, took his daughter-in-law and brought her back to france, where they took up their abode at the old homestead. old mr. devenant was possessed of a large fortune, all of which he intended for his daughter-in-law and her only child. although clotelle had married young devenant, she had not forgotten her first love, and her father-in-law now willingly gave his consent to her marriage with jerome. jerome felt that to possess the woman of his love, even at that late hour, was compensation enough for the years that he had been separated from her, and clotelle wanted no better evidence of his love for her than the fact of his having remained so long unmarried. it was indeed a rare instance of devotion and constancy in a man, and the young widow gratefully appreciated it. it was late in the evening when jerome led his intended bride to the window, and the magnificent moonlight illuminated the countenance of the lovely clotelle, while inward sunshine, emanating from a mind at ease, and her own virtuous thoughts, gave brightness to her eyes and made her appear a very angel. this was the first evening that jerome had been in her company since the night when, to effect his escape from prison, she disguised herself in male attire. how different the scene now. free instead of slaves, wealthy instead of poor, and on the eve of an event that seemed likely to result in a life of happiness to both. chapter xxxiii the happy day. it was a bright day in the latter part of october that jerome and clotelle set out for the church, where the marriage ceremony was to be performed. the clear, bracing air added buoyancy to every movement, and the sun poured its brilliant rays through the deeply-stained windows, as the happy couple entered the sanctuary, followed by old mr. devenant, whose form, bowed down with age, attracted almost as much attention from the assembly as did the couple more particularly interested. as the ceremonies were finished and the priest pronounced the benediction on the newly-married pair, clotelle whispered in the ear of jerome,- "'no power in death shall tear our names apart, as none in life could rend thee from my heart.'" a smile beamed on every face as the wedding-party left the church and entered their carriage. what a happy day, after ten years' separation, when, both hearts having been blighted for a time, they are brought together by the hand of a beneficent and kind providence, and united in holy wedlock. everything being arranged for a wedding tour extending up the rhine, the party set out the same day for antwerp. there are many rivers of greater length and width than the rhine. our mississippi would swallow up half a dozen rhines. the hudson is grander, the tiber, the po, and the minclo more classic; the thames and seine bear upon their waters greater amounts of wealth and commerce; the nile and the euphrates have a greater antiquity; but for a combination of interesting historical incidents and natural scenery, the rhine surpasses them all. nature has so ordained it that those who travel in the valley of the rhine shall see the river, for there never will be a railroad upon its banks. so mountainous is the land that it would have to be one series of tunnels. every three or four miles from the time you enter this glorious river, hills, dales, castles, and crags present themselves as the steamer glides onward. their first resting-place for any length of time was at coblentz, at the mouth of the "blue moselle," the most interesting place on the river. from coblentz they went to brussels, where they had the greatest attention paid them. besides being provided with letters of introduction, jerome's complexion secured for him more deference than is usually awarded to travellers. having letters of introduction to m. deceptiax, the great lace manufacturer, that gentleman received them with distinguished honors, and gave them a splendid soiree, at which the elite of the city were assembled. the sumptuously-furnished mansion was lavishly decorated for the occasion, and every preparation made that could add to the novelty or interest of the event. jerome, with his beautiful bride, next visited cologne, the largest and wealthiest city on the banks of the rhine. the cathedral of cologne is the most splendid structure of the kind in europe, and jerome and clotelle viewed with interest the beautiful arches and columns of this stupendous building, which strikes with awe the beholder, as he gazes at its unequalled splendor, surrounded, as it is, by villas, cottages, and palace-like mansions, with the enchanting rhine winding through the vine-covered hills. after strolling over miles and miles of classic ground, and visiting castles, whose legends and traditions have given them an enduring fame, our delighted travellers started for geneva, bidding the picturesque banks of the rhine a regretful farewell. being much interested in literature, and aware that geneva was noted for having been the city of refuge to the victims of religious and political persecution, jerome arranged to stay here for some days. he was provided with a letter of introduction to m. de stee, who had been a fellow-soldier of mr. devenant in the east india wars, and they were invited to make his house their home during their sojourn. on the side of a noble mountain, whose base is kissed by the waves of lake geneva, and whose slopes are decked with verdure to the utmost peak of its rocky crown, is situated the delightful country residence of this wealthy, retired french officer. a winding road, with frequent climbs and brakes, leads from the valley to this enchanting spot, the air and scenery of which cannot be surpassed in the world. chapter xxxiv clotelle meets her father. the clouds that had skirted the sky during the day broke at last, and the rain fell in torrents, as jerome and clotelle retired for the night, in the little town of ferney, on the borders of lake leman. the peals of thunder, and flashes of vivid lightening, which seemed to leap from mountain to mountain and from crag to crag, reverberating among the surrounding hills, foretold a heavy storm. "i would we were back at geneva," said clotelle, as she heard groans issuing from an adjoining room. the sounds, at first faint, grew louder and louder, plainly indicating that some person was suffering extreme pain. "i did not like this hotel, much, when we came in," i said jerome, relighting the lamp, which had been accidentally extinguished. "nor i," returned clotelle. the shrieks increased, and an occasional "she's dead!" "i killed her!" "no, she is not dead!" and such-like expressions, would be heard from the person, who seemed to be deranged. the thunder grew louder, and the flashes of lightning more vivid, while the noise from the sick-room seemed to increase. as jerome opened the door, to learn, if possible, the cause of the cries and groans, he could distinguish the words, "she's dead! yes, she's dead! but i did not kill her. she was my child! my own daughter. i loved her, and yet i did not protect her." "whoever he is," said jerome, "he's crack-brained; some robber, probably, from the mountains." the storm continued to rage, and the loud peals of thunder and sharp flashes of lightening, together with the shrieks and moans of the maniac in the adjoining room, made the night a fearful one. the long hours wore slowly away, but neither jerome nor his wife could sleep, and they arose at an early hour in the morning, ordered breakfast, and resolved to return to geneva. "i am sorry, sir, that you were so much disturbed by the sick man last night," said the landlord, as he handed jerome his bill. "i should be glad if he would get able to go away, or die, for he's a deal of trouble to me. several persons have left my house on his account." "where is he from?" inquired jerome. "he's from the united states, and has been here a week to-day, and has been crazy ever since." "has he no friends with him?" asked the guest. "no, he is alone," was the reply. jerome related to his wife what he had learned from the landlord, respecting the sick man, and the intelligence impressed her so strongly, that she requested him to make further inquiries concerning the stranger. he therefore consulted the book in which guests usually register their names, and, to his great surprise, found that the american's name was henry linwood, and that he was from richmond, va. it was with feelings of trepidation that clotelle heard these particulars from the lips of her husband. "we must see this poor man, whoever he is," said she, as jerome finished the sentence. the landlord was glad to hear that his guests felt some interest in the sick man, and promised that the invalid's room should be got ready for their reception. the clock in the hall was just striking ten, as jerome passed through and entered the sick man's chamber. stretched upon a mattress, with both hands tightly bound to the bedstead, the friendless stranger was indeed a pitiful sight. his dark, dishevelled hair prematurely gray, his long, unshaven beard, and the wildness of the eyes which glanced upon them as they opened the door and entered, caused the faint hope which had so suddenly risen in clotelle's heart, to sink, and she felt that this man could claim no kindred with her. certainly, he bore no resemblance to the man whom she had called her father, and who had fondly dandled her on his knee in those happy days of childhood. "help!" cried the poor man, as jerome and his wife walked into the room. his eyes glared, and shriek after shriek broke forth from his parched and fevered lips. "no, i did not kill my daughter!--i did not! she is not dead! yes, she is dead! but i did not kill her--poor girl look! that is she! no, it cannot be! she cannot come here! it cannot be my poor clotelle." at the sound of her own name, coming from the maniac's lips, clotelle gasped for breath, and her husband saw that she had grown deadly pale. it seemed evident to him that the man was either guilty of some terrible act, or imagined himself to be. his eyeballs rolled in their sockets, and his features showed that he was undergoing "the tortures of that inward hell," which seemed to set his whole brain on fire. after recovering her self-possession and strength, clotelle approached the bedside, and laid her soft hand upon the stranger's hot and fevered brow. one long, loud shriek rang out on the air, and a piercing cry, "it is she!---yes, it is she! i see, i see! ah! no, it is not my daughter! she would not come to me if she could!" broke forth from him. "i am your daughter," said clotelle, as she pressed her handkerchief to her face, and sobbed aloud. like balls of fire, the poor man's eyes rolled and glared upon the company, while large drops of perspiration ran down his pale and emaciated face. strange as the scene appeared, all present saw that it was indeed a meeting between a father and his long-lost daughter. jerome now ordered all present to leave the room, except the nurse, and every effort was at once made to quiet the sufferer. when calm, a joyous smile would illuminate the sick man's face, and a strange light beam in his eyes, as he seemed to realize that she who stood before him was indeed his child. for two long days and nights did clotelle watch at the bedside of her father before he could speak to her intelligently. sometimes, in his insane fits, he would rave in the most frightful manner, and then, in a few moments, would be as easily governed as a child. at last, however, after a long and apparently refreshing sleep, he awoke suddenly to a full consciousness that it was indeed his daughter who was watching so patiently by his side. the presence of his long absent child had a soothing effect upon mr. linwood, and he now recovered rapidly from the sad and almost hopeless condition in which she had found him. when able to converse, without danger of a relapse, he told clotelle of his fruitless efforts to obtain a clew to her whereabouts after old mrs. miller had sold her to the slave-trader. in answer to his daughter's inquiries about his family affairs up to the time that he left america, he said,-"i blamed my wife for your being sold and sent away, for i thought she and her mother were acting in collusion; but i afterwards found that i had blamed her wrongfully. poor woman! she knew that i loved your mother, and feeling herself forsaken, she grew melancholy and died in a decline three years ago." here both father and daughter wept at the thought of other days. when they had recovered their composure, mr. linwood went on again: "old mrs. miller," said he, "after the death of gertrude, aware that she had contributed much toward her unhappiness, took to the free use of intoxicating drinks, and became the most brutal creature that ever lived. she whipped her slaves without the slightest provocation, and seemed to take delight in inventing new tortures with which to punish them. one night last winter, after having flogged one of her slaves nearly to death, she returned to her room, and by some means the bedding took fire, and the house was in flames before any one was awakened. there was no one in the building at the time but the old woman and the slaves, and although the latter might have saved their mistress, they made no attempt to do so. thus, after a frightful career of many years, this hard-hearted woman died a most miserable death, unlamented by a single person." clotelle wiped the tears from her eyes, as her father finished this story, for, although mrs. miller had been her greatest enemy, she regretted to learn that her end had been such a sad one. "my peace of mind destroyed," resumed the father, "and broke down in health, my physician advised me to travel, with the hope o recruiting myself, and i sailed from new york two months ago." being brought up in america, and having all the prejudice against color which characterizes his white fellow-countrymen, mr. linwood very much regretted that his daughter, although herself tinctured with african blood, should have married a black man, and he did not fail to express to her his dislike of her husband's complexion. "i married him," said clotelle, "because i loved him. why should the white man be esteemed as better than the black? i find no difference in men on account of their complexion. one of the cardinal principles of christianity and freedom is the equality and brotherhood of man." every day mr. linwood became more and more familiar with jerome, and eventually they were on the most intimate terms. fifteen days from the time that clotelle was introduced into her father's room, they left ferney for geneva. many were the excursions clotelle made under the shadows of mont blanc, and with her husband and father for companions; she was now in the enjoyment of pleasures hitherto unknown. chapter xxxv the father's resolve. aware that her father was still a slave-owner, clotelle determined to use all her persuasive power to induce him to set them free, and in this effort she found a substantial supporter in her husband. "i have always treated my slaves well," said mr. linwood to jerome, as the latter expressed his abhorrence of the system; "and my neighbors, too, are generally good men; for slavery in. virginia is not like slavery in the other states," continued the proud son of the old dominion. "their right to be free, mr. linwood," said jerome, "is taken from them, and they have no security for their comfort, but the humanity and generosity of men, who have been trained to regard them not as brethren, but as mere property. humanity and generosity are, at best, but poor guaranties for the protection of those who cannot assert their rights, and over whom law throws no protection." it was with pleasure that clotelle obtained from her father a promise that he would liberate all his slaves on his return to richmond. in a beautiful little villa, situated in a pleasant spot, fringed with hoary rocks and thick dark woods, within sight of the deep blue waters of lake leman, mr. linwood, his daughter, and her husband, took up their residence for a short time. for more than three weeks, this little party spent their time in visiting the birth-place of rousseau, and the former abodes of byron, gibbon, voltaire, de stael, shelley, and other literary characters. we can scarcely contemplate a visit to a more historic and interesting place than geneva and its vicinity. here, calvin, that great luminary in the church, lived and ruled for years; here, voltaire, the mighty genius, who laid the foundation of the french revolution, and who boasted, "when i shake my wig, i powder the whole republic," governed in the higher walks of life. fame is generally the recompense, not of the living, but of the dead,--not always do they reap and gather in the harvest who sow the seed; the flame of its altar is too often kindled from the ashes of the great. a distinguished critic has beautifully said, "the sound which the stream of high thought, carried down to future ages, makes, as it flows--deep, distant, murmuring ever more, like the waters of the mighty ocean." no reputation can be called great that will not endure this test. the distinguished men who had lived in geneva transfused their spirit, by their writings, into the spirit of other lovers of literature and everything that treated of great authors. jerome and clotelle lingered long in and about the haunts of geneva and lake leman. an autumn sun sent down her bright rays, and bathed every object in her glorious light, as clotelle, accompanied by her husband and father set out one fine morning on her return home to france. throughout the whole route, mr. linwood saw by the deference paid to jerome, whose black complexion excited astonishment in those who met him, that there was no hatred to the man in europe, on account of his color; that what is called prejudice against color is the offspring of the institution of slavery; and he felt ashamed of his own countrymen, when he thought of the complexion as distinctions, made in the united states, and resolved to dedicate the remainder of his life to the eradication of this unrepublican and unchristian feeling from the land of his birth, on his return home. after a stay of four weeks at dunkirk, the home of the fletchers, mr. linwood set out for america, with the full determination of freeing his slaves, and settling them in one of the northern states, and then to return to france to end his days in the society of his beloved daughter. the end. note.--the author of the foregoing tale was formerly a kentucky slave. if it serves to relieve the monotony of camp-life to the soldiers of the union, and therefore of liberty, and at the same time kindles their zeal in the cause of universal emancipation, the object both of its author and publisher will be gained. j. r. note: project gutenberg also has an html version of this file which includes the original illustration. see 38029-h.htm or 38029-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38029/38029-h/38029-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38029/38029-h.zip) [illustration: "good-bye, baltie, dear"] three little women, a story for girls by gabrielle e. jackson 1913 contents chapter i--the carruths chapter ii--"baltie" chapter iii--the spirit of mad anthony chapter iv--baltie is rescued chapter v--a new member of the family chapter vi--blue monday chapter vii--mammy generalissimo chapter viii--chemical experiments chapter ix--spontaneous combustion chapter x--readjustment chapter xi--first ventures chapter xii--another shoulder is added chapter xiii--the battle of town and gown chapter xiv--the candy enterprise grows chapter xv--the reckoning chapter xvi--united we stand, divided we fall chapter xvii--a family council chapter xviii--"save me from my friends" chapter xix--"an auction extraordinary" chapter xx--constance b.'s venture chapter xxi--constance b.'s candies chapter xxii--first steps chapter xxiii--opening day chapter xxiv--one month later chapter i the carruths the afternoon was a wild one. all day driving sheets of rain had swept along the streets of riveredge, hurled against windowpanes by fierce gusts of wind, or dashed in miniature rivers across piazzas. at noon it seemed as though the wind meant to change to the westward and the clouds break, but the promise of better weather had failed, and although the rain now fell only fitfully in drenching showers, and one could "run between the drops" the wind still blustered and fumed, tossing the wayfarers about, and tearing from the trees what foliage the rain had spared, to hurl it to the ground in sodden masses. it was more like a late november than a late september day, and had a depressing effect upon everybody. "i want to go out; i want to go out; i want to go out, _out_, out!" cried little jean carruth, pressing her face against the window-pane until from the outside her nose appeared like a bit of white paper stuck fast to the glass. "if you do you'll get wet, _wet_, wet, as sop, _sop_, sop, and then mother'll ask what _we_ were about to let you," said a laughing voice from the farther side of the room, where constance, her sister, nearly five years her senior, was busily engaged in trimming a hat, holding it from her to get the effect of a fascinating bow she had just pinned upon one side. "but i haven't a single thing to do. all my lessons for monday are finished; i'm tired of stories; i'm tired of fancy work, and i'm tired of--_everything_ and i want to go _out_," ended the woe-begone voice in rapid crescendo. "do you think it would hurt her to go, eleanor?" asked constance, turning toward a girl who sat at a pretty desk, her elbows resting upon it and her hands propping her chin as she pored over a copy of the french revolution, but who failed to take the least notice of the question. constance made a funny face and repeated it. she might as well have kept silent for all the impression it made, and with a resigned nod toward jean she resumed her millinery work. but too much depended upon the reply for jean carruth to accept the situation so mildly. murmuring softly, "you wait a minute," she slipped noiselessly across the room and out into the broad hall beyond. upon a deep window-seat stood a papier-mâché megaphone. placing it to her lips, her eyes dancing with mischief above its rim, she bellowed: "eleanor maxwell carruth, do you think it would hurt me to go out now?" the effect was electrical. bounding from her chair with sufficient alacrity to send the french revolution crashing upon the floor, eleanor carruth clapped both hands over her ears, as she cried: "jean, you little imp of mischief!" "well, i wanted to make you hear me," answered that young lady complacently. "constance had spoken to you twice but you'd gone to france and couldn't hear her, so i thought maybe the megaphone would reach across the atlantic ocean, and it _did_. now can i go out?" "_can_ you or may you? which do you mean," asked the eldest sister somewhat sententiously. constance laughed softly in her corner. "o, fiddlesticks on your old english! i get enough of it five days in a week without having to take a dose of it saturday afternoon too. i know well enough that i _can_ go out, but whether you'll say yes is another question, and i want to," and jean puckered up her small pug-nose at her sister. "what a spunky little body it is," said the latter, laughing in spite of herself, for jean, the ten-year-old baby of the family was already proving that she was likely to be a very lively offspring of the carruth stock. "and where are you minded to stroll on this charming afternoon when everybody else is glad to sit in a snug room and take a saturday rest?" "mother isn't taking hers," was the prompt retort. "she's down helping pack the boxes that are to go to that girls' college out in iowa. she went in all the rain right after luncheon, and i guess if _she_ can go out while it poured 'cats and dogs,' i can when--when--when--well it doesn't even pour _cats_. it's almost stopped raining." "where _do_ you get hold of those awful expressions, jean? whoever heard of 'cats and dogs' pouring down? what _am_ i to do with you? i declare i feel responsible for your development and--" "then let me go _out_. i need some fresh air to develop in: my lungs don't pump worth a cent in this stuffy place. it's hot enough to roast a pig with those logs blazing in the fire-place. i don't see how you stand it." "go get your rubber boots and rain coat," said eleanor resignedly. "you're half duck, i firmly believe, and never so happy as when you're splashing through puddles. thank goodness your skirts are still short, and you can't very well get _them_ sloppy; and your boots will keep your legs dry unless you try wading up to your hips. but where are you going?" "i'm going down to amy fletcher's to see how bunny is. he got hurt yesterday and it's made him dreadfully sick," answered jean, as she struggled with her rubber boots, growing red in the face as she tugged at them. in five minutes she was equipped to do battle with almost any storm, and with a "good bye! i'll be back pretty soon, and then i'll have enough fresh air to keep me in fine shape for the night," out she flew, banging the front door behind her. eleanor watched the lively little figure as it went skipping down the street, a street which was always called a beautiful one, although now wet and sodden with the rain, for mr. carruth had built his home in a most attractive part of the delightful town of riveredge. maybe you won't find it on the map by that name, but it's _there_ just the same, and quite as attractive to-day as it was several years ago. bernard carruth had been a man of refined taste and possessed a keen appreciation of all that was beautiful, so it was not surprising that he should have chosen riveredge when deciding upon a place for his home. situated as it was on the banks of the splendid stream which had suggested its name, the town boasted unusual attractions, and drew to it an element which soon assured its development in the most satisfactory manner. it became noted for its beautiful homes, its cultured people and its delightful social life. among the prettiest of its homes was bernard carruth's. it stood but a short way from the river's bank, was built almost entirely of cobble-stones, oiled shingles being used where the stones were not practicable. it was made up of quaint turns and unexpected corners, although not a single inch of space, or the shape of a room was sacrificed to the oddity of the architecture. it was not a very large house nor yet a very small one, but as mr. carruth said when all was completed, the house sensibly and artistically furnished, and his family comfortably installed therein: "it is big enough for the big girl, our three little girls and their old daddy, and so what more can be asked? only that the good lord will spare us to each other to enjoy it." this was when jean was but a little more than two years of age, and for five years they _did_ enjoy it as only a closely united family can enjoy a charming home. then one of mr. carruth's college chums got into serious financial difficulties and bernard carruth indorsed heavily for him. the sequel was the same wretched old story repeated: ruin overtook the friend, and bernard carruth's substance was swept into the maelstrom which swallowed up everything. he never recovered from the blow, or false representations which led to it, learning unhappily, when the mischief was done, how sorely he had been betrayed, and within eighteen months from the date of indorsing his friend's paper he was laid away in pretty brookside cemetery, leaving his wife and three daughters to face the world upon a very limited income. this was a little more than two years before the opening of this story. little jean was now ten and a half, constance fifteen and eleanor, the eldest, nearly seventeen, although many judged her to be older, owing to her quiet, reserved manner and studious habits, for eleanor was, undoubtedly, "the brainy member of the family," as constance put it. she was a pupil in the riveredge seminary, and would graduate the following june; a privilege made possible by an aunt's generosity, since mrs. carruth had been left with little more than her home, which mr. carruth had given her as soon as it was completed, and the interest upon his life insurance which amounted to less than fifteen hundred a year; a small sum upon which to keep up the home, provide for and educate three daughters. constance was now a pupil at the riveredge high school and jean at the grammar school. both had been seminary pupils prior to mr. carruth's death, but expenses had to be curtailed at once. constance was the domestic body of the household; prettiest of the three, sunshiny, happy, resourceful, she faced the family's altered position bravely, giving up the advantages and delights of the seminary without a murmur and contributing to her mother's peace of mind to a degree she little guessed by taking the most optimistic view of the situation and meeting altered conditions with a laugh and a song, and the assurance that "_some_ day she was going to make her fortune and set 'em all up in fine shape once more." she got her sanguine disposition from her mother who never looked upon the dull side of the clouds, although it was often a hard matter to win around to their shiny side. eleanor was quite unlike her; indeed, eleanor did not resemble either her father or mother, for mr. carruth had been a most genial, warm-hearted man, and unselfish to the last degree. eleanor was very reserved, inclined to keep her affairs to herself, and extremely matured for her years, finding her relaxation and recreation in a manner which the average girl of her age would have considered tasks. jean was a bunch of nervous impulses, and no one ever knew where the madcap would bounce up next. she was a beautiful child with a mop of wavy reddish-brown hair falling in the softest curls about face and shoulders; eyes that shone lustrous and lambent as twin stars beneath their delicately arched brows, and regarded you with a steadfast interest as though they meant to look straight through you, and separate truth from falsehood. a mouth that was a whimsical combination of fun and resolution. a nose that could pucker disdainfully on provocation, and it never needed a greater than its owner's doubt of the sincerity of the person addressing her. this is the small person skipping along the pretty riveredge street toward the more sparsely settled northern end of the town, hopping _not from_ dry spot to dry spot _between_ the puddles, but _into_ and _into_ the deepest to be found. amy fletcher's home was one of the largest in the outskirts of riveredge and its grounds the most beautiful. between it and riveredge stood an old stone house owned and occupied by a family named raulsbury; a family noted for its parsimony and narrow outlook upon life in general. broad open fields lay between this house and the fletcher place which was some distance beyond. in many places the fences were broken; at one point the field was a good deal higher than the road it bordered and a deep gully lay between it and the sidewalk. when jean reached that point of her moist, breezy walk she stopped short. in the mud of the gully, drenched, cold and shivering lay an old, blind bay horse. he had stumbled into it, and was too feeble to get out. chapter ii "baltie" "when he's forsaken withered and shaken what can an old _horse_ do but die?" (with apologies to tom hood.) for one moment jean stood petrified, too overcome by the sight to stir or speak, then with a low, pitying cry of: "oh, baltie, baltie! how came you there?" the child tossed her umbrella aside and scrambled down into the ditch, the water which stood in it splashing and flying all over her, as she hastened toward the prone horse. at the sound of her voice the poor creature raised his head which had been drooping forward upon his bent-up knees, turned his sightless eyes toward her and tried to nicker, but succeeded only in making a quavering, shivering sound. "oh, baltie, dear, dear baltie, how did you get out of your stable and come way off here?" cried the girl taking the pathetic old head into her arms, and drawing it to her breast regardless of the mud with which it was thickly plastered. "you got out of the field through that broken place in the fence up there didn't you dear? and you must have tumbled right straight down the bank into this ditch, 'cause you're all splashed over with mud, poor, poor baltie. and your legs are all cut and bleeding too. oh, how long have you been here? you couldn't see where you were going, could you? you poor, dear thing. oh, what shall i do for you? what shall i? if i could only help you up," and the dauntless little body tugged with all her might and main to raise the fallen animal. she might as well have striven to raise gibraltar, for, even though the horse strove to get upon his feet, he was far too weak and exhausted to do so, and again dropped heavily to the ground, nearly over-setting his intrepid little friend as he sank down. jean was in despair. what _should_ she do? to go on to her friend amy's and leave the old horse to the chance of someone else's tender mercies never entered her head, and had any one been near at hand to suggest that solution of the problem he would have promptly found himself in the midst of a small tornado of righteous wrath. no, here lay misery incarnate right before her eyes and, of course, she must instantly set about relieving it. but how? "baltie," or old baltimore, as the horse was called, belonged to the raulsbury's. everybody within a radius of twenty miles knew him; knew also that the family had brought him to the place when they came there from the suburbs of baltimore more than twenty years ago. brought him a high-stepping, fiery, thoroughbred colt which was the admiration and envy of all riveredge. john raulsbury, the grandfather, was his owner then, and drove him until his death, when "baltimore" was seventeen years old; even that was an advanced age for a horse. from the moment of grandfather raulsbury's death baltimore began to fail and lose his high spirits. some people insisted that he was grieving for the friend of his colt-hood and the heyday of life, but jabe raulsbury, the son, said "the horse was gettin' played out. what could ye expect when he was more'n seventeen years old?" so baltimore became "old baltie," and his fate the plow, the dirt cart, the farm wagon. his box-stall, fine grooming, and fine harness were things of the past. "the barn shed's good 'nough fer such an old skate's he's gettin' ter be," said jabe, and jabe's son, a shiftless nonentity, agreed with him. so that was blue-blooded baltie's fate, but even such misfortune failed to break his spirit, and now and again, while plodding hopelessly along the road, dragging the heavy farm wagon, he would raise his head, prick up his ears, and plunge ahead, forgetful of his twenty years, when he heard a speedy step behind him. but, alas! his sudden sprint always came to a most humiliating end, for his strength had failed rapidly during the past few years, and the eyes, once so alert and full of fire, were sadly clouded, making steps very uncertain. an ugly stumble usually ended in a cruel jerk upon the still sensitive mouth and poor old baltie was reduced to the humiliating plod once more. yet, through it all he retained his sweet, high-bred disposition, accepting his altered circumstances like the gentleman he was, and never retaliating upon those who so misused him. during his twenty-third year he became totally blind, and when rheumatism, the outcome of the lack of proper stabling and care, added to his miseries, poor baltie was almost turned adrift; the shed was there, to be sure, and when he had time to think about it, jabe dumped some feed into the manger and threw a bundle of straw upon the floor. but for the greater part of the time baltie had to shift for himself as best he could. during the past summer he had been the talk of an indignant town, and more than one threatening word had been spoken regarding the man's treatment of the poor old horse. for a moment the little girl stood in deep, perplexing thought, then suddenly her face lighted up and her expressive eyes sparkled with the thoughts which lay behind them. "i know what i'll do, baltie: i'll go straight up to jabe raulsbury's and _make_ him come down and take care of you. good-bye, dear; i won't be any time at all 'cause i'll go right across the fields," and giving the horse a final encouraging stroke, she caught up her umbrella which had meantime been resting handle uppermost up in a mud-puddle, and scrambling up the bank which had been poor baltie's undoing, disappeared beneath the tumble-down fence and was off across the pasture heedless of all obstacles. jabe raulsbury's farm had once been part of riveredge, but one by one his broad acres had been sold so that now only a small section of the original farmstead remained to him, and this was a constant eyesore to his neighbors, owing to its neglected condition, for beautiful homes had been erected all about it upon the acres he had sold at such a large profit. several good offers had been made him for his property by those who would gladly have bought the land simply to have improved their own places and thus add to the attraction of that section of riveredge. but no; not another foot of his farm would jabe raulsbury sell, and if ever dog-in-the-manger was fully demonstrated it was by this parsimonious irascible man whom no one respected and many heartily despised. this wild, wet afternoon he was seated upon a stool just within the shelter of his barn sorting over a pile of turnips which lay upon the floor near him. he was not an attractive figure, to say the least, as he bent over the work. cadaverous, simply because he was too parsimonious to provide sufficient nourishing food to meet the demands of such a huge body. unkempt, grizzled auburn hair and grizzled auburn beard, the latter sparse enough to disclose the sinister mouth. eyes about the color of green gooseberries and with about as much expression. as he sat there tossing into the baskets before him the sorted-out turnips, he became aware of rapidly approaching footsteps, and raised his head just as a small figure came hurrying around the corner of the barn, for the scramble up the steep bank, and rapid walk across the wet pastures, had set jean's heart a-beating, and that, coupled with her indignation, caused her to pant. she had gone first to the house, but had there learned from mrs. raulsbury, a timid, nervous, woefully-dominated individual, who looked and acted as though she scarcely dared call her soul her own, that "jabe was down yonder in the far-barn sortin' turnips." so down to the "far-barn" went jean. "good afternoon, mr. raulsbury," she began, her heart, it must be confessed, adding, rather than lessening its number of beats, at confronting the forbidding expression of the individual with whom she was passing the time of day. "huh!" grunted jabe raulsbury, giving her one searching look from between his narrowing eyelids, and then resuming his work. most children would have been discouraged and dropped the conversation then and there. jean's lips took on a firmer curve. "i guess after all it _isn't_ a good afternoon, is it? it is a pretty wet, horrid one, and not a very nice one to be out in, is it?" "wul, why don't ye go home then?" was the gruff retort. "because i have an important matter to 'tend to. i was on my way to visit amy fletcher; her cat is sick! he was hurt dreadfully yesterday; she thinks somebody must have tried to shoot him and missed him, for his shoulder is all torn. if anybody _did_ do such a thing to bunny they'd ought to be ashamed of it, for he's a dear. if _i_ knew who had done it i'd--i'd--." "wal, what _would_ ye do to 'em, heh?" and a wicked, tantalizing grin overspread jabe raulsbury's face. "do? do? i believe i'd scratch his eyes out; i'd hate him so, for being so cruel!" was the fiery, unexpected reply. "do tell! would ye now, really? mebbe it's jist as well fer him that ye don't know the feller that did it then," remarked raulsbury, although he gave a slight hitch to the stool upon which he was sitting as he said it, thus widening the space between them. "well i believe i _would_, for i _despise_ a coward, and only a coward could do such a thing." "huh," was the response to this statement. then silence for a moment was broken by the man who asked: "wal, why don't ye go along an' see if the cat's kilt. it aint _here_." "no, i know _that_, but i have found something more important to 'tend to, and that's why i came up here, and it's something you ought to know about too: old baltie has tumbled down the bank at the place in the pasture where the fence is broken, and is in the ditch. i don't know how long he's been there, but he's all wet, and muddy and shivery and he can't get up. i came up to tell you, so's you could get a man to help you and go right down and get him out. i tried, but i wasn't strong enough, but he'll die if you don't go quick." jean's eyes shone and her cheeks were flushed from excitement as she described baltie's plight, and paused only because breath failed her. "wal, 'spose he does; what then? what good is he to anybody? he's most twenty-five year old an' clear played-out. he'd better die; it's the best thing could happen." the shifty eyes had not rested upon the child while the man was speaking, but some powerful magnetism drew and held them to her deep blazing ones as the last word fell from his lips. he tried to withdraw them, ejected a mouthful of tobacco juice at one particular spot which from appearances had been so favored many times before, drew his hand across his mouth and then gave a self-conscious, snickering laugh. "i don't believe you understood what i said, did you?" asked jean quietly. "i'm sure you didn't." "oh yis i did. ye said old baltie was down in the ditch yonder and like ter die if i didn't git him out. wal, that's jist 'zactly what i want him _to_ do, an' jest 'zactly what i turned him out inter that field fer him ter do, an' jist 'zactly what i hope he _will_ do 'fore morning. he's got the last ounce o' fodder i'm ever a'goin' ter give him, an' i aint never a'goin' ter let him inter my barns agin. now put _that_ in yer pipe an' smoke it, an' then git out durned quick." jabe raulsbury had partially risen from his stool as he concluded this creditable tirade, and one hand was raised threateningly toward the little figure standing with her dripping umbrella just within the threshold of the barn door. that the burly figure did not rise entirely, and that his hand remained suspended without the threatened blow falling can perhaps best be explained by the fact that the child before him never flinched, and that the scorn upon her face was so intense that it could be felt. chapter iii the spirit of mad anthony jean carruth stood thus for about one minute absolutely rigid, her face the color of chalk and her eyes blazing. then several things happened with extreme expedition. the position of the closed umbrella in her hands reversed with lightning-like rapidity; one quick step _forward_, _not_ backward, was made, thus giving the intrepid little body a firmer foothold, and then crash! down came the gun-metal handle across jabe raulsbury's ample-sized nasal appendage. the blow, with such small arms to launch it, was not of necessity a very powerful one, but it was the suddenness of the onslaught which rendered it effective, for not one sound had issued from the child's set lips as she delivered it, and jabe's position placed him at a decided disadvantage. he resumed his seat with considerable emphasis, and clapping his hand to his injured feature, bellowed in the voice of an injured bull: "you--you--you little devil! you--you, let me get hold of you!" but jean did not obey the command or pause to learn the result of her deed. with a storm of the wildest sobs she turned and fled from the barnyard, down the driveway leading to the road, and back to the spot where she had left baltie in his misery, her tears nearly blinding her, and her indignation almost strangling her; back to the poor old horse, so sorely in need of human pity and aid. this, all unknown to his little champion, had already reached him, for hardly had jean disappeared beneath the tumble-down fence, than a vehicle came bowling along the highway driven by no less a personage than hadyn stuyvesant, lately elected president of the local branch of the s. p. c. a. poor old baltie's days of misery had come to an end, for here was the authority either to compel his care or to mercifully release him from his sufferings. perhaps not more than twenty minutes had elapsed from the time jean started across the fields, to the moment of her return to the old horse, but in those twenty minutes mr. stuyvesant had secured aid from mr. fletcher's place, and when jean came hurrying upon the scene, her sobs still rendering breathing difficult, and her troubled little face bathed in tears, she found three men standing near baltie. "oh, baltie, baltie, baltie, i'm so glad! so glad! so glad!" sobbed the overwrought little girl, as she flew to the old horse's head. mr. stuyvesant and the men stared at her in astonishment. "why little girl," cried the former. "where in this world have _you_ sprung from? and what is the matter? is this your horse?" "oh, no--no; he isn't mine. it's old baltie; don't you know him? i went to tell jabe raulsbury about him and he--he--" and jean paused embarrassed. "yes? well? is this his horse? is he coming to get him? did you find him?" "yes, sir, i _found_ him," answered jean, trembling from excitement and her exertions. "and is he coming right down?" persisted mr. stuyvesant, looking keenly, although not unkindly, at the child. "he--he--, oh, _please_ don't make me tell tales on anybody--it's so mean--but he--" "you might as well tell it right out an' done with it, little gal," broke in one of the men. "it ain't no state secret; everybody knows that that old skinflint has been abusing this horse shameful, for months past, an' i'll bet my month's wages he said he wouldn't come down, an' he hoped the horse 'd die in the ditch. come now, out with it--_didn't_ he?" jean would not answer, but there was no need for words; her eyes told the truth. just then the other man came up to her; he was one of mr. fletcher's grooms. "aren't you mrs. carruth's little girl?" he asked. but before jean had time to answer jabe raulsbury came running along the road, one hand holding a handkerchief to his nose, the other waving wildly as he shouted: "just you wait 'till i lay my hands on you--you little wild cat!" he was too blinded by his rage to realize the situation into which he was hurrying. again anthony wayne's spirit leaped into jean's eyes, as the dauntless little creature whirled about to meet the enemy descending upon her. with head erect, and nostrils quivering she stood as though rooted to the ground. "great guns! how's _that_ for a little thoroughbred?" murmured the groom, laughing softly. reaching out a protecting hand, mr. stuyvesant gently pushed the little girl toward the man who stood behind him, and taking her place let jabe raulsbury come head-on to his fate. had the man been less enraged he would have taken in the situation at once, but his nose still pained severely from the well-aimed blow, and had also bled pretty freely, so it is not surprising that he lost his presence of mind. "go slow! go slow! you are exactly the man i want to see," said mr. stuyvesant, laying a detaining hand upon jabe's arm. "who 'n thunder air you?" demanded the half-blinded man. "someone you would probably rather not meet at this moment, but since you have appeared upon the scene so opportunely i think we might as well come to an understanding at once, and settle some scores." "i ain't got no scores to settle with you, but i have with _that_ little demon, an' by gosh she'll know it, when i've done with her! why that young 'un has just smashed me over the head with her umbril, i tell ye. _there_ it is, if ye don't believe what i'm a tellin' ye. i'm goin' ter have the _law_ on her and on her ma, i tell ye, an' i call you three men ter witness the state i'm in. i'll bring suit agin' her fer big damages--that's what i'll do. look at my _nose_!" as he ceased his tirade jabe removed his handkerchief from the injured member. at the sight of it one of the men broke into a loud guffaw. certainly, for a "weaker vessel" jean had compassed considerable. that nose was about the size of two ordinary noses. mr. stuyvesant regarded it for a moment, his face perfectly sober, then asked with apparent concern: "and this little girl hit you such a blow as that?" poor little jean began to tremble in her boots. were the tables about to turn upon her? even anthony wayne's spirit, when harbored in such a tiny body could hardly brave _that_. the fletcher's groom who stood just behind her watched her closely. now and again he gave a nod indicative of his approval. "yes she did. she drew off and struck me slam in the face with her umbril.," averred jabe. "had _you_ struck her? did she strike in self-defense?" mr. stuyvesant gave a significant look over jabe's head straight into the groom's eyes when he asked this question. the response was the slightest nod of comprehension. "strike her? _no_," roared jabe. "i hadn't teched her. i was a-sittin' there sortin' out my turnips 's peaceful 's any man in this town, when that little rip comes 'long and tells me i must go get an old horse out 'en a ditch: _that_ old skate there that's boun' ter die _any_ how, an' ought ter a-died long ago. i told her ter clear out an' mind her own business that i hoped the horse _would_ die, an' that's what i'd turned him out _to_ do. then she drew off an' whacked me." "just because you stated in just so many words that you meant to get rid of the old horse and had turned him out to die on the roadside. is _that_ why she struck you?" had jabe been a little calmer he might have been aware of a change in hadyn stuyvesant's expression and his tone of voice, but men wild with rage are rarely close observers. "yis! yis!" he snapped, sure now of his triumph. "well i'm only sorry the blow was such a light one. i wish it had been struck by a man's arm and sufficiently powerful to have half killed you! even _that_ would have been _too_ good for you, you merciless brute! i've had you under my eye for your treatment of that poor horse for some time, and now i have you under my _hand_, and convicted by your own words in the presence of two witnesses, of absolute cruelty. i arrest you in the name of the s. p. c. a." for one brief moment jabe stood petrified with astonishment. then the brute in him broke loose and he started to lay about him right and left. his aggressiveness was brought to a speedy termination, for at a slight motion from mr. stuyvesant the two men sprang upon him, his arms were held and the next second there was a slight click and jabe raulsbury's wrists were in handcuffs. that snap was the signal for his blustering to take flight for he was an arrant coward at heart. "now step into my wagon and sit there until i am ready to settle your case, my man, and that will be when i have looked to this little girl and the animal which, but for her pluck and courage, might have died in this ditch," ordered mr. stuyvesant. no whipped cur could have slunk toward the wagon more cowed. "now, little lassie, tell me your name and where you live," said mr. stuyvesant lifting jean bodily into his arms despite her mortification at being "handled just like a baby," as she afterwards expressed it. "i am jean carruth. i live on linden avenue. i'm--i'm terribly ashamed to be here, and to have struck him," and she nodded toward the humbled figure in the wagon. "you need not be. you did not give him one-half he deserves," was the somewhat comforting assurance. "o, but what _will_ mother say? she'll be _so_ mortified when i tell her about it all. it seems as if i just _couldn't_," was the distressed reply. "must you tell her?" asked mr. stuyvesant, an odd expression overspreading his kind, strong face as he looked into the little girl's eyes. jean regarded him with undisguised amazement as she answered simply: "why of _course_! that would be deceit if i _didn't_. i'll have to be punished, but i guess i _ought_ to be," was the naïve conclusion. the fine face before her was transfigured as hadyn stuyvesant answered: "good! _your_ principles are all right. stick to them and i'll want to know you when you are a woman. now i must get you home for i've a word to say to your mother, to whom i mean to introduce myself under the circumstances," and carrying her to his two-seated depot wagon, he placed her upon the front seat. jabe glowered at him from the rear one. his horse turned his head with an inquiring nicker. "yes, comet, i'll be ready pretty soon," he replied, pausing a second to give a stroke to the satiny neck. then turning to the men he said: "now, my men, let's on with this job which has been delayed too long already." he did not spare himself, and presently old baltie was out of the ditch and upon his feet--a sufficiently pathetic object to touch any heart. "shall i have the men lead him up to your barn?" asked hadyn stuyvesant, giving the surly object in his wagon a last chance to redeem himself. "no! i'm done with him; do your worst," was the gruff answer. "very well," the words were ominously quiet, "then _i_ shall take him in charge." "oh, _where_ are you going to take him, please?" asked jean, her concern for the horse overcoming her embarrassment at her novel situation. "i'm afraid he will have to be sent to the pound, little one, for no one will claim him." "is that the place where they _kill_ them? _must_ baltie be killed?" her voice was full of tears. "unless someone can be found who will care for him for the rest of his numbered days. i'm afraid it is the best and most merciful fate for him," was the gentle answer. "how long may he stay there without being killed? until maybe somebody can be found to take him." "he may stay there one week. but now we must move along. fasten the horse's halter to the back of my wagon, men, and i'll see to it that he is comfortable to-night anyway." the halter rope was tied, and the strange procession started slowly back toward riveredge. chapter iv baltie is rescued "how old are you, little lassie?" asked hadyn stuyvesant, looking down upon the little figure beside him, his fine eyes alive with interest and the smile which none could resist lighting his face, and displaying his white even teeth. "i'm just a little over ten," answered jean, looking up and answering his smile with one equally frank and trustful, for little jean carruth did not understand the meaning of embarrassment. "are you mrs. bernard carruth's little daughter? i knew her nephew well when at college, although i've been away from riveredge so long that i've lost track of her and her family." "yes, she is my mother. mr. bernard carruth was my father," and a little choke came into jean's voice, for, although not yet eight years of age when her father passed out of her life, jean's memory of him was a very tender one, and she sorely missed the kind, cheery, sympathetic companionship he had given his children. hadyn stuyvesant was quick to note the catch in the little girl's voice, and the tears which welled up to her eyes, and a strong arm was placed about her waist to draw her a little closer to his side, as, changing the subject, he said very tenderly: "you have had an exciting hour, little one. sit close beside me and don't try to talk; just rest, and let _me_ do the talking. we must go slowly on baltie's account; the poor old horse is badly knocked about and stiffened up. suppose we go right to mr. pringle's livery stable and ask him to take care of him a few days any way. don't you think that would be a good plan?" "but who will _pay_ for him? don't you have to pay board for horses just like people pay their board?" broke in jean anxiously. hadyn stuyvesant smiled at the practical little being his arm still so comfortingly encircled. "i guess the society can stand the expense," he answered. "has it got _lots_ of money to do such things with?" asked jean, bound to get at the full facts. "i'm afraid it hasn't got 'lots of money'--i wish it had,--but i think it can pay a week's board for old baltie in consideration of what you have done for him. it will make you happier to know he will be comfortable for a little while any way, won't it?" "oh, yes! yes! and, and--perhaps _i_ could pay the next week's if we didn't find somebody the first week. i've got 'most five dollars in my christmas bank. i've been saving ever since last january; i always begin to put in something on new year's day, if it's only five cents, and then i never, never take any out 'till it's time to buy our next christmas presents. and i really _have_ got 'most five dollars, and would _that_ be enough for another week?" and the bonny little face was raised eagerly to her companion's. hadyn stuyvesant then and there lost his heart to the little creature at his side. it is given to very few "grown-ups" to slip out of their own adult years and by some magical power pick up the years of their childhood once more, with all the experiences and view-points of that childhood, but hadyn stuyvesant was one of those few. he felt all the eagerness of jean's words and his answer held all the confidence and enthusiasm of _her_ ten years rather than his own twenty-three. "fully enough. but we will hope that a home may be found for baltie before the first week has come to an end. and here we are at mr. pringle's. raulsbury i shall have to ask you to get out here," added mr. stuyvesant, as he, himself, sprang from the depot wagon to the sidewalk. raulsbury made no reply but stepped to the sidewalk, where, at a slight signal from hadyn stuyvesant, an officer of the society who had his office in the livery stable came forward and motioned to raulsbury to follow him. as they disappeared within the stable, mr. stuyvesant said to the proprietor: "pringle, i've got a boarder for you. don't know just how long he will stay, but remember, nothing is too good for him while he does, for he is this little girl's protégé, and i hold myself responsible for him." "all right, mr. stuyvesant. all right, sir. he shall have the best the stable affords. come on, old stager; you look as if you wanted a curry-comb and a feed pretty bad," said pringle, as he untied baltie's halter. with all the gentleness of the blue-blooded old fellow he was, baltie raised his mud-splashed head, sniffed at mr. pringle's coat and nickered softly, as though acknowledging his proffered hospitality. the man stroked the muddy neck encouragingly, as he said: "he don't look much as he did eighteen years ago, does he, mr. stuyvesant?" "i'm afraid i don't remember how he looked eighteen years ago, pringle; there wasn't much of me to remember _with_ about that time. but i remember how he looked _eight_ years ago, before i went to europe, and the contrast is enough to stir me up considerable. it's about time such conditions were made impossible, and i'm going to see what i can do to start a move in that direction," concluded mr. stuyvesant, with an ominous nod toward the stable door, through which raulsbury had disappeared. "i'm glad to hear it, sir. we have had too much of this sort of thing in riveredge for the past few years. i've been saying the society needed a _live_ president and i'm glad it's got one at last." "well, look out for old baltie, and now i must take my little fellow-worker home," said mr. stuyvesant. "oh, may i give him just _one_ pat before we go?" begged jean, looking from baltie to mr. stuyvesant. "lead him up beside us, pringle," ordered mr. stuyvesant smiling his consent to jean. "good-bye baltie, dear. good-bye. i won't forget you for a single minute; no, not for one," said the little girl earnestly, hugging the muddy old head and implanting a kiss upon the ear nearest her. "baltie you are to be envied, old fellow," said hadyn stuyvesant, laughing softly, and nodding significantly to pringle. "she was his first friend in his misery. i'll tell you about it later, but i must be off now or her family will have me up for a kidnapper. i'll be back in about an hour." ten minutes' swift bowling along behind hadyn stuyvesant's beautiful "comet" brought them to the carruth home. dusk was already beginning to fall as the short autumn day drew to its end, and mrs. carruth,--mother above all other things--stood at the window watching for this youngest daughter, regarding whom she never felt quite at ease when that young lady was out of her sight. when she saw a carriage turning in at her driveway and that same daughter perched upon the front seat beside a total stranger she began to believe that there had been some foundation for the misgivings which had made her so restless for the past hour. opening the door she stepped out upon the piazza to meet the runaway, and was greeted with: "oh mother, mother, i've had such an exciting experience! i started to see amy fletcher, but before i got there i found him in the ditch and lame and muddy and dirty, and i went up to tell jabe he _must_ go get him out and then i got awful angry and banged him with my umbrella, and then i cried and _he_ found me," with a nod toward her companion, "and he got him out of the ditch and gave jabe _such_ a scolding and took him to mr. pringle's and he's going to curry-comb him and get the mud all off of him and take care of him a week any way, and two weeks if i've got enough money in my bank and--and--" "mercy! mercy! mercy!" cried mrs. carruth, breaking into a laugh and raising both hands as though to shield her head from the avalanche of words descending upon it. hadyn stuyvesant strove manfully to keep his countenance lest he wound the feelings of his little companion, but the situation was too much for him and his genial laugh echoed mrs. carruth's as he sprang from the depot wagon and raising his arms toward the surprised child said: "let me lift you out little maid, and then i think perhaps you can give your mother a clearer idea as to whether it is jabe raulsbury, or old baltie which is covered with mud and about to be curry-combed. mrs. carruth, let me introduce myself as hadyn stuyvesant. i knew your nephew when i was at college, and on the strength of my friendship for him, must beg you to pardon this intrusion. i came upon your little daughter not long since playing the part of the good samaritan to raulsbury's poor old horse. she had tackled a job just a little too big for her, so i volunteered to lend a hand, and together we made it go." as he spoke hadyn stuyvesant removed his hat and ascended the piazza steps with hand outstretched to the sweet-faced woman who stood at the top. she took the extended hand, her face lighting with the winning smile which carried sunshine to all who knew her, and in the present instance fell with wonderful warmth upon the man before her, for barely a year had passed since his mother had been laid away in a beautiful cemetery in switzerland, and the tie between that mother and son had been a singularly tender one. "i have often heard my nephew speak of you, mr. stuyvesant, and can not think of you as a stranger. i regret that we have not met before, but i understand you have lived abroad for several years. i am indebted to you for bringing jean safely home, but quite at a loss to understand what has happened. please come in and tell me. will your horse stand?" "he will stand as long as i wish him to. but i fear i shall intrude upon you?" and a questioning tone came into his voice. "how could it be an intrusion under the circumstances? come." "in a moment, then. i must throw the blanket over comet," and running down the steps he took the blanket from the seat and quickly buckled it upon the horse which meanwhile nosed him and nickered. "yes; it's all right, old man. just you _stand_ till i want you," said his master, giving the pretty head an affectionate pat which the horse acknowledged by shaking it up and down two or three times. hadyn stuyvesant then mounted the steps once more and followed mrs. carruth and jean into the house, across the broad hall into the cheerful living-room where logs blazed upon the andirons in the fire-place, and constance was just lighting a large reading lamp which stood upon a table in the center of the room. "constance, dear, this is mr. stuyvesant whom your cousin knew at princeton. my daughter, constance, mr. stuyvesant. and this is my eldest daughter, eleanor," she added as eleanor entered the room. constance set the lamp shade upon its rest and advanced toward their guest with hand extended and a smile which was the perfect reflection of her mother's. eleanor's greeting although graceful and dignified lacked her sister's cordiality. "now," added mrs. carruth, "let us be seated and learn more definitely of jean's escapade." "but it _wasn't_ an escapade _this_ time, mother. it was just an unhelpable experience, _wasn't_ it, mr. stuyvesant?" broke in jean, walking over to hadyn stuyvesant's side and placing her hand confidingly upon his shoulder, as she peered into his kind eyes for his corroboration of this assertion. "_entirely_ 'unhelpable,'" was the positive assurance as he put his arm about her and drew her upon his knee. "suppose you let me explain it, and then your mother and sisters will understand the situation fully," and in as few words as possible he gave an account of the happenings of the past two hours, jean now and again prompting him when he went a trifle astray regarding the incidents which occurred prior to his appearance upon the scene, and making a clean breast of her attack upon jabe raulsbury. when _that_ point in the narration was reached mrs. carruth let her hands drop resignedly into her lap; constance laughed outright, and eleanor cried: "oh, mr. stuyvesant, what _must_ you think of jean's training?" jean's eyes were fixed upon his as though in his reply rested the verdict, and her fingers were clasped and unclasped nervously. it had been more than two years since a man had set judgment upon her. hadyn stuyvesant looked keenly into the big eyes looking so bravely and frankly into his own, drew the little girl close to him, rested his lips for a moment upon the silky curls and said: "sometimes we can hardly be held accountable for what we do; especially when our sense of justice is sorely taxed. i believe i should have done the same. but since you love horses so dearly, won't you run and give comet a lump of sugar? he has not had one to-day and will feel slighted unless he gets it. hold it upon the palm of your hand and he will take it as gently as a kitten. tell him i am coming right away," and placing jean upon the floor, he gave an encouraging pat upon the brown curls. "i'll give it to him right away, quick," she cried delightedly as she ran from the room. "good!" then rising he extended his hand, saying, as he clasped mrs. carruth's: "she is a little trump, mrs. carruth. jove! if you could have been there and seen her championship of that old horse, and her dauntless courage when that old rascal, jabe, bore down upon her, you would be so set up that this house would have to expand to hold you. please don't reprove her. i ask it as favor, although i have no right to do so. she has a fine spirit and a finer sense of duty, mrs. carruth, for she gave me a rare call-down when i tested it by hinting that she'd best keep mum on the subject if she was likely to come in for a wigging. she is a great little lassie and i am going to ask you to let me know her better." "jean is about right, _i_ think, mr. stuyvesant," said constance, as she shook hands good-bye. "she is peppery and impulsive, i know, but it would be a hard matter to make her tell an untruth, or go against what she considered her duty." "i'm _sure_ of it, miss constance," was the hearty answer. "and now good-bye. you will let me come again, mrs. carruth?" "we will be very pleased to welcome you," was the cordial reply. "good! i'll come." chapter v a new member of the family "has you-all done 'cided to do wid out yo' suppers dis yer night? 'cause if you _is_ i 'spec's i kin clar away," was the autocratic inquiry of mammy melviny as she stood in the doorway of the living-room, her ample proportions very nearly filling it. hadyn stuyvesant's call had been of longer duration than mammy approved, for her hot corn cakes were being rapidly ruined by the delayed meal, and this was an outrage upon her skill in cooking. mammy had been mrs. carruth's nurse "down souf" and still regarded that dignified lady as her "chile," and subject to her dictation. she was the only servant which mrs. carruth now kept, the others having been what mammy stigmatized as "po' northern no 'count niggers" who gave the minimum of work for the maximum of pay, and were prompt to take their departure when adversity overtook their employer. not so mammy. when the crisis came mrs. carruth stated the case to her and advised her to seek another situation where she would receive the wages her ability commanded, and which mrs. carruth, in her reduced circumstances, could no longer afford to pay her. the storm which the suggestion produced was both alarming and amusing. placing her arms upon her hips, and raising her head like a war-horse scenting battle, mammy stamped her foot and cried: "step down an' out? get out 'en de fambly? go wo'k fer some o' dese hyer strange folks what aint keer a cent fo' me, an' aint know who i _is_? _me?_ a blairsdale! huh! what sort o' fool talk is _dat_, baby? yo' cyant _git_ me out. yo' need 'n ter try, kase 'taint gwine be no good ter. i's hyer and hyer i's gwine _stay_, no matter _what_ come. 'taint no use fer ter talk ter _me_ 'bout money and wages an' sich truck. what i kerrin' fer dem? i'se got 'nough, an' ter spare. what yo' t'ink i'se been doin' all dese years o' freedom? flingin' my earnin's 'way? huh! you _know_ i aint done no sich foolishness. i'se got a pile--yis, an' a _good_ pile too,--put 'way. i need n't ter ever do a stroke mo' work long 's i live if i don't wantter. i'se _rich_, i is. but i _gwine_ ter work jist 's long's i'se mind ter. ain't i free? who gwine ter say i cyant wo'k? now go long an' tend ter yo' business and lemme lone ter tend ter mine, and dat's right down wid de pots and de kettles, and de stew pans, an' de wash biler and de wash tubs, an' i reckon i kin do more 'n six o' dese yer norf niggers put togedder when i set out ter good an' hard if i _is_ most sixty years old. hush yo' talk chile, an' don't let me ketch you a interferin' wid _my_ doin's agin. you heah _me_?" and at the end of this tirade, mammy turned sharply about and marched off like a grenadier. mrs. carruth was deeply touched by the old woman's loyalty, but knowing the antebellum negro as she did, she realized how wounded mammy had been by the suggestion that she seek a more lucrative situation among strangers. mammy had been born and raised a slave on mrs. carruth's father's plantation in north carolina, and would always consider herself a member of mrs. carruth's family. alas for the days of such ties and such devotion! so mammy was now the autocrat of the household and ruled with an iron hand, although woe to anyone who dared to overstep the bounds _she_ had established as her "miss jinny's" rights, or the "chillen's" privileges as "old marster's gran'-chillern." "old marster" was mammy's ideal of what a gentleman should be, and "de days befo' de gre't turmoil" were the only days "fitten for _folks_ (always to be written in italics) to live in." she was an interesting figure as she stood in the doorway, and snapped out her question, although her old face, surmounted by its gay bandanna turban was the personification of kindliness, and her keen eyes held only love for her "white folks." she was decidedly corpulent and her light print gown and beautifully ironed white apron stood out from her figure until they completely filled the doorway. mrs. carruth turned toward her and asked with a quizzical smile; "what is spoiling, mammy?" "huh! ain't nuffin spilin's i knows on, but dat miss nornie done say she ain't had no co'n cakes 'n 'bout 'n age an' if she _want_ 'em so turrible she'd better come and _eat_ 'em,"--and with a decisive nod mammy stalked off toward the dining-room. "come, girls, unless you want to evoke the displeasure of the presiding genius of the household," said mrs. carruth smiling, as she led the way in mammy's wake. it was a pleasant meal, for mammy would not countenance the least lapse from the customs of earlier days, and the same pains were taken for the simple meals now served as had been taken with the more elaborate ones during mr. carruth's lifetime. the linen must be ironed with the same care; the silver must shine as brightly, and the glass sparkle as it had always done. miss jinny must not miss any of the luxuries to which she had been born if mammy could help it. "isn't he splendid, mother?" asked jean, as she buttered her third corn cake. "he was _so_ good to baltie and to me." "i am very glad to know him, dear, for lyman was much attached to him." "where has he been all these years, mother, that we have never met him in riveredge?" asked eleanor. "he has lived abroad when not at college. he took his degree last spring. his mother died there a little more than a year ago, i understand. she never recovered from the blow of his father's death when hadyn was about fifteen years of age. she went abroad soon after for her health and never came back. he came over for his college course at princeton, but always rejoined her during his holidays." "how old a man is he, mother? he seems both young and old," said constance. "i am not sure, but think he must be about lyman's age--nearly twenty-four. but the society seems to have made a wise choice in electing him its president; he has certainly taken energetic measures in this case and i am glad that he has, for it is disgraceful to have such a thing occur in riveredge. poor old horse! it would have been more merciful to shoot him. how could jabe raulsbury have been so utterly heartless?" "but, mother, suppose no one will take old baltie and give him a home?" persisted jean, "will he _have_ to be shot then?" "would it not be kinder to end such a hapless existence than to leave it to an uncertain fate, dear?" asked mrs. carruth gently. "well, maybe, but _i_ don't want him killed. he _loves_ me," was jean's answer and the little upraising of the head at the conclusion of the remark conveyed more to constance than to the others. constance understood jean better than any other member of the family, and during the summer just passed jean had many times gone to the field in which baltie was pastured to carry some dainty to the poor old horse and her love for him and compassion for his wretchedness were deep. no more was said just then, but constance knew that the subject had not passed from jean's thoughts and one afternoon, exactly two weeks from that evening, this was verified. mrs. carruth had gone to sit with a sick friend. eleanor was in her room lost to everything but a knotty problem for monday's recitation, and mammy was busily occupied with some dainty dish against her miss jinny's home-coming. constance was laying the tea-table when the crunch-crunch, crunch-crunch, upon the gravel of the driveway caused her to look up, there to behold jean with old baltie in tow. "merciful powers, what _has_ the child done now?" she exclaimed as she let fall with a clatter the knife and fork she was about to place upon the table and flew to the front door, crying as she hastily opened it: "jean carruth what in this world _have_ you been doing?" "i've brought him home. i _had_ to. i went down to ask mr. pringle if anybody had come to take him, but he wasn't there. there wasn't _any_body there but old deaf mike who cleans the stable and i couldn't make _him_ understand a single thing i said. he just mumbled and wagged his head for all the world like that china mandarin in the library, and didn't do a thing though i yelled at him as hard as i could." "but _how_ did you get baltie and, greater marvel, _how_ did you bring him all this way home?" persisted constance, bound to get to the bottom of facts. "i went into the box-stall--it's close to the door you know--and got him and led him here." "but where was mike, and what was he doing all that time to _let_ you do such a thing?" "o, he went poking off down the stable and didn't pay any attention to me. it wouldn't have made any difference if he _had_; i had gone there to rescue baltie and save him from being shot, and i didn't mean to come away without doing it. the two weeks were up to-day and he was _there_. if any one had been found to take him he _wouldn't_ have been there yet, would he? so _that_ settled it, and i wasn't going to take any chances. if i'd let him stay one day longer they might have shot him. if i could have found mr. pringle i'd have told him, but i couldn't, and i didn't dare to wait. i left my bank money, almost five dollars, to pay for this week's board--mr. stuyvesant said it would be enough--and a little note to tell him it was for baltie; i wrote it on a piece of paper in his office, and then i came home as fast as baltie could walk, and here we are." jean had talked very rapidly and constance was too dumfounded for the time being, to interrupt the flow of words. presently however, she recovered her speech and, resting one hand on baltie's withers and the other on jean's shoulder, asked resignedly: "and now that you've got him, may i ask what in this world you propose to _do_ with him?" "take him out to the stable of course and take care of him as long as he lives," was the uncontrovertible reply. "mother will _never_ let you do such a thing, jean, and he must be taken back to pringle's at once," said constance, with more emphasis than usually entered her speech toward this mad-cap little sister. "i won't! i won't! i _won't_ let him go back!" broke out jean, a storm of sobs ending the protest and bringing mammy upon the scene hot-foot, for mammy's ears were keen for notes of woe from her baby. "what's de matter, honey? what done happen ter yo'?" she cried as she came hurrying across the little porch upon which the dining-room opened. "bress gawd what yo' got dere, chile? huccum dat old horse here?" "oh mammy, mammy, its baltie, and she says i can't keep him, and they are going to _kill_ him, 'cause he's old and blind and hasn't anyone to take care of him. and mammy, mammy, _please_ don't let 'em 'cause i _love_ him. i do, i do, mammy," cried jean as she cast baltie's leader from her and rushed to mammy, to fling herself into those protecting arms and sob out her woes. "wha', wha', wha', yo' say, baby?" stammered mammy, whose tongue sometimes became unruly under great excitement. "somebody gwine tek away dat old horse dat yo' love, an' breck yo' heart? huh! who gwine do dat when mammy stan' by? i like 'er _see_ 'em do it! _co'se_ i knows baltie. ain' i seen him dese many years? an' yo' gwine pertec' him an' keer fer him in his discrepancy? well, ef yo' wantter yo' _shall_, an' dat's all 'bout it." "but mammy, mammy, she can't; she mustn't; what will mother say?" remonstrated constance smiling in spite of herself at the ridiculous situation for mammy had promptly put on her war-paint, and was a formidable champion to overcome. "an' what yo' _ma_ gotter say 'bout it if _i_ sets out ter tak' care of an' old horse? 'taint _her_ horse. _she_ aint got nothin' 'tall ter _do wid_ him. he's been a lookin', an' a waitin'; and de lawd knows but he's been _a-prayin'_ fer a pertecter----how _we-all_ gwine know he aint _prayed_ ter de lawd fer ter raise one up fer him in his mis'ry? an' now he's _got_ one an' it's _me_ an' dis chile. go 'long an' set yo' table an' let us 'lone. come on honey; we'll take old baltie out yonder ter de stable an' bed him _down_ an' feed him _up_ twell he so sot up he like 'nough bus' wid pride, an' i just like ter see who gwine _stop_ us. hi yah-yah, yah," and mammy's wrath ended in a melodious laugh as she caught hold of the leader and stalked off with this extraordinary addition to her already manifold duties, jean holding her free hand and nodding exultingly over her shoulder at constance who had collapsed upon the lower step. chapter vi blue monday october, with its wealth of color, its mellow days, and soft haze was passing quickly and november was not far off: november with its "melancholy days" of "wailing winds and wintry woods." baltie had now been a member of the carruth family for nearly a month and had improved wonderfully under mammy melviny's care. how the old woman found time to care for him and the means to provide for him was a source of wonder not only to mrs. carruth, but to the entire neighborhood who regarded the whole thing as a huge joke, and enjoyed many a hearty laugh over it, for mammy was considered a character by the neighbors, and nobody felt much surprised at any new departure in which she might elect to indulge. two or three friends had begged mrs. carruth to let them relieve her of the care of the old horse, assuring her that they would gladly keep him in their stables as long as he needed a home, and ended in a hearty laugh at the thought of mammy turning groom. but when mrs. carruth broached the subject to mammy she was met with flat opposition: "send dat ole horse off ter folks what was jist gwine tek keer of him fer cha'ity? _no_ i aint gwine do no sich t'ing. de lawd sartin sent him ter me ter tek keer of an' i'se gwin ter _do_ it. aint he mine? didn't jabe raulsbury say dat anybody what would tek keer of him could _have_ him? well i'se tekin' keer of him so _co'se_ he's _mine_. i aint never is own no live stock befo' an now i _got_ some. go 'long, miss jinny; you'se got plenty ter tend ter 'thout studyin' 'bout my _horse_. bimeby like 'nough i have him so fed up and spry i can sell him fer heap er cash--dough i don' believe anybody's got nigh 'nough fer ter buy him whilst baby loves him." and so the discussion ended and baltie lived upon the fat of the land and was sheltered in mrs. carruth's unused stable. dry leaves which fell in red and yellow clouds from the maple, birch and oak trees made a far softer bed than the old horse had known in many a day. a bag of bran was delivered at mrs. carruth's house for "mammy melviny," with hadyn stuyvesant's compliments. mammy herself, invested in a sack of oats and a bale of cut hay, to say nothing of saving all bits of bread and parings from her kitchen, and baltic waxed sleek and fat thereon. jean was his devoted slave and daily led him about the grounds for a constitutional. up and down the driveway paced the little girl, the old horse plodding gently beside her, his ears pricked toward her for her faintest word, his head held in the pathetic, listening attitude of a blind horse. he knew her step afar off, and his soft nicker never failed to welcome her as she drew near. to no one else did he show such little affectionate ways, or manifest such gentleness. he seemed to understand that to this little child, which one stroke of his great hoofs could have crushed, he owed his rescue and present comforts. and so the weeks had slipped away. the money which jean had left for mr. pringle had been promptly refunded with a note to explain that the society had borne all the expenses for baltie's board. mrs. carruth sat in her library wrinkling her usually serene brow over a business letter this chilly monday morning, and hurrying to get it completed before the arrival of the letter carrier who always took any letters to be mailed. her face wore a perplexed expression, and her eyes had tired lines about them, for the past year had been harder for her than anyone suspected. her income, at best, was much too limited to conduct her home as it had always been conducted, and the general expenses of living in riveredge were steadily increasing. true, mammy was frugality itself in the matter of providing, and mrs. carruth often marveled at the small amounts of her weekly bills. but the demands in other directions were heavy, and the expenses of the place itself were large. more than once had she questioned the wisdom of striving to keep the home, believing that the tax upon her resources, and her anxiety, would be less if she gave it up and removed to town where she could live for far less than in riveredge. then arose the memory of the building of the home, the hopes, the plans, and the joys so inseparable from it, the children's well-being and their love for the house their father had built; their education, and the environment of a home in such a town as riveredge. now, however, new difficulties were confronting her, for some of her investments were not making the returns she had expected and her income was seriously affected. in spite of the utmost frugality and care the outlook was not encouraging, and just now she had to meet the demand of the fire insurance upon the home and its contents, and just how to do so was the question which was causing her brows to wrinkle. she had let the matter stand until the last moment, but dared to do so no longer for upon that point mr. carruth had always been most emphatic; the insurance upon his property must never lapse. he had always carried one, and since his death his wife had been careful to continue it. but _now_ how to meet the sum, and meet it at once, was the problem. she had completed her letter when mammy came to the door. "is yo' here, miss jinny? is yo' busy? i wants to ax you sumpin'," she said as she gave a quick glance at mrs. carruth from her keen eyes. "come in, mammy. what is it?" the voice had a tired, anxious note in it which mammy was quick to catch. "wha' de matter, honey? wha's plaguin' you dis mawnin'?" she asked as she hurried across the room to rest her hand on her mistress' shoulder. like a weary child mrs. carruth let her head fall upon mammy's bosom--a resting place that as long as she could remember had never failed her--as she said: "mammy, your baby is very weary, and sorely disheartened this morning, and very, very lonely." the words ended in a sob. instantly all mammy's sympathies were aroused. gathering the weary head in her arms she stroked back the hair with her work-hardened hand, as she said in the same tender tones she had used to soothe her baby more than forty years ago: "dere, dere, honey, don' yo' fret; don' yo' fret. tell mammy jist what's pesterin' yo' an' she'll mak' it all right fer her baby. hush! hush. mammy can tek keer of anythin'." "oh, mammy dear, dear old mammy, you take care of so much as it is. what _would_ we do without you?" "hush yo' talk chile! what i gwine do widout yo' all? dat talk all foolishness. don't i b'long ter de fambly? now yo' mind yo' mammy an' tell her right off what's a frettin' yo' dis day. yo' heah _me_?" mammy's voice was full of forty-five years of authority, but her eyes were full of sympathetic tears, for her love for her "miss jinny" was beyond the expression of words. "o mammy, i am so foolish, and i fear so pitifully weak when it comes to conducting my business affairs wisely. you can't understand these vexatious business matters which i must attend to, but i sorely miss mr. carruth when they arise and _must_ be met." "huccum i cyan't understand 'em? what massa bernard done tackle in his business dat i cyan't ef _yo'_ kin? tell me dis minute just what you' gotter do, an' i bate yo' ten dollars i c'n _do_ it." "i know there isn't anything you would not try to do, mammy, from taking care of an old horse, to moving the contents of the entire house if it became necessary," replied mrs. carruth, smiling in spite of herself, as she wiped her eyes, little realizing how near the truth was her concluding remark regarding mammy's prowess. "i reckon i c'd move de hull house if i had _time_ enough, an' as fer de horse--huh! ain't he stanin' dere a livin' tes'imony of what a bran-smash an' elbow-grease kin do? 'pears lak his hairs rise right up an' call me bres-sed, dey's tekin' ter shinin' so sense i done rub my hans ober 'em," and mammy, true to her racial characteristics, broke into a hearty laugh; so close together lies the capacity for joy or sorrow in this child race. the next instant, however, mammy was all seriousness as she demanded: "now i want yo' ter tell me all 'bout dis bisness flummy-diddle what's frettin' yo'. come now; out wid it, quick." was it the old habit of obedience to mammy's dictates, or the woman's longing for someone to confide in during these trying days of loneliness, that impelled mrs. carruth to explain in as simple language as possible the difficulties encompassing her? the burden of meeting even the ordinary every-day expenses upon the very limited income derived from mr. carruth's life insurance, which left no margin whatsoever for emergencies. of the imperative necessity of continuing the fire insurance he had always carried upon the home and its contents, lest a few hours wipe out what it had required years to gather together, and his wife and children be left homeless. how, under their altered circumstances this seemed more than ever imperative, since in the event of losing the house and its contents there would be no possible way of replacing either unless they kept the insurance upon them paid up. mammy listened intently, now and again nodding her old head and uttering a um-uh! um-uh! of comprehension. when mrs. carruth ceased speaking she asked: "an' how much has yo' gotter plank right out dis minit fer ter keep dis hyer as'sur'nce f'om collaps'in', honey?" "nearly thirty dollars, mammy, and that seems a very large sum to me now-a-days." "hum-uh! yas'm. so it do. um. an' yo' aint got it?" "i have not got it to-day, mammy. i shall have it next week, but the time expires day after to-morrow and i do not know whether the company will be willing to wait, or whether i should forfeit my claim by the delay. i have written to ask." "huh! wha' sort o' compiny is it dat wouldn't trus' a _blairsdale_, i like ter know?" demanded mammy indignantly. mrs. carruth smiled sadly as she answered: "these are not the old days, mammy, and you know 'corporations have no souls.'" "no so'les? huh, _i'se_ seen many a corpo'ration dat hatter have good thick _leather_ soles fer ter tote 'em round. well, well, times is sho' 'nough changed an' dese hyer norf ways don't set well on my bile; dey rises it, fer sure. so dey ain't gwine _trus'_ you, baby? where dey live at who has de sesso 'bout it all?" "the main office is in the city, mammy, but they have, of course, a local agent here." "wha' yo' mean by a locum agen', honey?" "a clerk who has an office at 60 state street, and who attends to any business the firm may have in riveredge." "is yo' writ yo' letter ter him? who _is_ he?" "no, i have written to the new york office, because mr. carruth always transacted his business there. i thought it wiser to, for this mr. sniffins is a very young man, and would probably not be prepared to answer my question." "wha' yo' call him? yo' don' mean dat little swimbly, red-headed, white-eyed sumpin' nu'er what sets down in dat basemen' office wid his foots cocked up on de rail-fence in front ob him, an' a segyar mos' as big as his laig stuck in he's mouf all de time? i sees _him_ eve'y time i goes ter market, an' he lak' ter mek me sick. is _he_ de agen'?" "yes, mammy, and i dare say he is capable enough, although i do not care to come in contact with him if i can avoid it." "if i ketches yo' in dat 'tater sprout's office i gwine smack yo' sure's yo' bo'n. yo' heah _me_? why _his_ ma keeps the _sody_-fountain on main street. wha-fo you gotter do wid such folks, baby?" "but, mammy, they are worthy, respectable people,"--protested mrs. carruth. "hush yo' talk, chile. _i_ reckon i knows de diff'rence twixt quality an' de _yether_ kind. dat's no place fer yo' to go at," cried mammy, all her instincts rebelling against the experiences her baby was forced to meet in her altered circumstances. "gimme dat letter. i'se gwine straight off ter markit dis minit and i'll see dat it get sont off ter de right pusson 'for i'se done anudder ting." "but what did you wish to ask me, mammy?" "nuffin'. 'taint no 'count 'tall. i'll ax it when i comes back. go 'long up-stairs and mek yo' bed if yo pinin' for occerpation," and away mammy flounced from the room, leaving mrs. carruth more or less bewildered. she would have been completely so could she have followed the old woman. chapter vii mammy generalissimo half an hour later a short, stout colored woman in neat, print gown, immaculate white apron, gorgeous headkerchief and gray plaid shawl, entered the office of the red star fire insurance company, at no. 60 state street, and walking up to the little railing which divided from the vulgar herd the sacred precincts of mr. elijah sniffins, representative, rested her hand upon the small swinging gate as she nodded her head slightly and asked: "is yo' mister sniffins, de locum agen' fer de fire insur'nce comp'ny?" "i am," replied that gentleman,--without removing from between his teeth the huge cigar upon which he was puffing until he resembled a small-sized locomotive, or changing his position--"mr. elijah sniffins, representative of the red star insurance company. are you thinkin' of taking out a policy?" concluded that gentleman with a supercilious smirk. mammy's eyes narrowed slightly and her lips were compressed for a moment. "no, sir, i don' reckon i is studyin' 'bout takin' out no pol'cy. i jist done come hyer on a little private bisness wid yo'." mammy paused, somewhat at a loss how to proceed, for business affairs seemed very complicated to her. mr. elijah sniffins was greatly amused and continued to eye her and smile. he was a dapper youth of probably twenty summers, with scant blond hair, pale blue, shifty eyes, a weak mouth surmounted by a cherished mustache of numerable hairs and a chin which stamped him the toy of stronger wills. mammy knew the type and loathed it. his smirk enraged her, and rage restored her self-possession. raising her head with a little sidewise jerk as befitted the assurance of a blairsdale, she cried: "yas--sir, i done come to ax yo' a question 'bout de 'surance on a place in riveredge. i hears de time fer settlin' up gwine come day atter to-morrer an' if 'taint settled up de 'surance boun' ter collapse. is dat so?" "unless the policy is renewed it certainly _will_ 'collapse,'" replied mr. sniffins breaking into an amused laugh. "huh! 'pears like yo' find it mighty 'musin'," was mammy's next remark and had mr. elijah sniffins been a little better acquainted with his patron he would have been wise enough to take warning from her tone. "well, you see i am not often favored with visits from ladies of your color who carry fire insurance policies. a good many carry _life_ insurance, but as a rule they don't insure their estates against _fire_, an' the situation was so novel that it amused me a little. no offense meant." "an' none teken--from _your_ sort," retorted mammy. "but how 'bout dis hyer pol'cy? what i gotter do fer ter keep it f'om collapsin' ef it aint paid by day atter to-morrer?" "pay it _to-day, or_ to-morrow," was the suave reply accompanied by a wave of the hand to indicate the ultimatum. "'spose dey ain't got de money fer ter pay right plank down, but kin pay de week atter? could'n' de collapse be hild up twell den?" "ha! ha!" laughed mr. elijah. "i'm 'fraid not; i've heard of those 'next week' settlements before, and experience tells me that 'next week' aint never arrived yet. ha! ha!" "den yo' won't trus' de ca-de fambly?" mammy had very nearly betrayed herself. "well, if it was the rogers, or the wellmans, or the stuyvesants, or some of them big bugs up yonder on the hill, that everybody knows has got piles of money, and that everybody knows might let the policy lapse just because it had slipped their memory--why, that 'd be a different matter. we'd know down in this here office that it was just an oversight, yer see; not a busted bank account. so, of course, we'd make concessions; just jog 'em up a little and a check 'd come 'long all o.k. and no fuss. but these small policies--why--well, i've got ter be more careful of the company's interests; i hold a responsible position here." "de good lawd, yo' don' sesso!" exclaimed mammy, turning around and around to scrutinize every corner of the tiny office, and then letting her eyes rest upon the being whose sense of responsibility was apparently crushing him down upon his chair, if one could judge from his semi-recumbent position. "dat's shore 'nough a pity. look lak it mought be mos' too much fer yo'. don' seem right fer a comp'ny ter put sich a boy as yo' is in sich a 'sponsible 'sition, do it now?" mammy's expression was solicitude personified. mr. elijah sniffins' face became a delicate rose color, and his feet landed upon the floor with emphasis as he straightened in his chair, and dragged nervously at the infinitesimal mustache, meanwhile eying mammy with some misgivings. mammy continued to smile upon him benignly, and her smile proved as disconcerting as she meant it should. she resolved to have her innings with the smug youth who had begun by slighting her race and ended by doing far worse; failing to class the carruths among those whom everyone trusted as a matter of course. the former slight might have been disregarded; the latter? _never._ consequently mammy had instantly decided "ter mak' dat little no'count sumpin 'er ner'er squirm jist fer ter te'ch him what's due de quality," and the process had begun. poor mammy! she would never learn that in the northern world where her lot was now cast the almighty dollar was king, queen and court combined. that its possession could carry into high places bad manners, low birth, aye actual rascality and hold them up to the shallow as enviable things when veneered with golden luster. that "de quality" without that dazzling reflector were very liable to be cast aside as of no value, as the nugget of virgin gold might be tramped upon and its worth never suspected by the unenlightened in their eagerness to reach a shining bit of polished brass farther along the path. but mammy's traditions were deeply rooted. "i think i can take care of the position. what can i do for you? my time is valuable," snapped mr. elijah sniffins, rising from his chair and coming close to the dividing railing, as a hint to mammy to conclude her business. "de lawd er massy! is dat so? now i ain't never is 'spitioned dat f'om de looks ob t'ings. 'pears lak yo' got a sight o' time on han'. wal i 'clar fo' it i do'n un'nerstan' dese hyer bisness places no how. well! well! so yo' want me fer ter state mine an' cl'ar long out, does yo' mr. 'lijah? 'lijah; _'lijah_. was yo' ma a studyin' 'bout yo' doin's when she done giv' yo' dat name? sort o' fits yo' pine blank, don' it now? like 'nuf de cha'iot 'll come kitin' 'long one o' dese hyer days an' hike yo' inter de high places. yah! yah!" and mammy's mellow laugh filled the office. "see here, old woman, if you've got some little picayune payment to make, _make_ it and clear out. i ain't got time ter stand here talkin' ter niggers," cried the agent, his temper taking final flight. mammy eyed him steadily as she said: "wall _dis yere_ time yo's gwine deal wid a nigger, an' yo's gwine do lak _she say_. dis yere comp'ny 'sures de carruth house an' eve'y last t'ing what's inside it, an' de policy yo' say 's gotter be settled up when it's gotter be, or de hul t'ing 'll collapse? now miss jinny ain't never _is_ had no dealin's wid _yo'_, case i don' _let_ her have dealin's wid no white trash--_i_ handles _dat_ sort when it has ter be handled--an' i keeps jist as far f'om it as ever i kin _while_ i handles it. but i'se gotter settle up dis policy fer de fambly so what is it? how much is i gotter pay yo'?" the varying expressions passing over mr. sniffins' countenance during mammy's speech would have delighted an artist. "what er? what er? what er you telling me?" he stammered. "de ain't no 'watter' 'bout it; it's _fire_, an' i done come ter settle up," asserted mammy. "have you brought the necessary papers with you? have we a record in this office?" "don' know nuffin' 'tall 'bout no papers nor no records. jist knows dat miss jinny's insured fer $15,000," said mammy, causing the youth confronting her to open his eyes. "dis hyer letter what she done wrote dis mawn'in tells all 'bout it i 'spec'. she tol' me pos' it ter de comp'ny an' i reckons _yo'll_ do fer de comp'ny _dis_ time when de time's pressin' an' der ain't nuffin' _better_ ter han'." the contempt in mammy's tone was tangible, as she held the letter as far from her as possible. mr. sniffins took it, noted the address and broke the seal. when he had read the letter he said with no little triumph in his voice: "but in this letter mrs. carruth says distinctly that she is not prepared to pay the sum which falls due day after to-morrow, and asks for an extension of time. i am not prepared to make this extension. _that's_ up to the company," and he held the letter toward mammy as though he washed his hands of the whole affair. mammy did not take it. instead she said very much as she would have spoken to a refractory child who was not quite sure of what he could or could _not_ do: "la honey, don' yo' 'spose i sensed _dat_ long go? co'se i knows _yo'_ cyant do nuffin' much; yo's only a lil' boy, an' der cyant no boy do a man's wo'k. yo's hyer fer ter tek in de _cash_, an' so _dat's_ what i done come ter pay. miss jinny she done mek up her mine dat she better pay dat policy dan use de money fer frolic'in'. i reckons yo' can tek cyer of it an' sen' it long down yonder whar de big comp'ny 's at. dat's all i want _yo'_ ter do, so now go 'long an' git busy an' _do_ it. _dere's_ thirty dollars; count it so's yo's suah. den write it all out crost de back ob miss jinny's letter so's i have sumpin fer ter show dat it's done paid." "but i'll give you a regular receipt for the amount," said the clerk, now eager to serve a customer whose premium represented so large a policy. "yo' kin give me dat too if yo' wantter, but i wants de sign on de letter too, an' yo' full name, mr. elijah sniffins, ter boot, you knows what yo' jist done said 'bout trus'in' folks, an' _yo'_ don' berlong ter de rogersers, ner de wellmans, ner de stuyvesants, but _i_ berlongs ter de _blairsdales_!" mammy grew nearly three inches taller as she made this statement, while her hearer seemed to grow visibly shorter. the receipt was duly filled out, likewise an acknowledgment written upon the blank side of mrs. carruth's letter and elijah sniffins' name signed thereto. mammy took them scrutinized both with great care (she could not read one word) nodded and said: "huh, um. yas, sir. i reckon _dat_ all squar'. if de house burn down ter night _we_ all gwine git de 'surance sure 'nough. yas--yas." "you certainly could collect whatever was comin' to you," mr. sniffins assured her, his late supercilious smile replaced by a most obsequious one for this representative of the possessors of the dollars he worshiped. mr. sniffins meant to have a good many dollars himself some day and the luxuries which dollars stand for. mammy nodded, and placing the receipt and letter in her bag gave a slight nod and turned to leave the office. mr. sniffins hurried to open the door for her. as she was about to cross the threshold she paused, eyed him keenly from the crown of his smoothly brushed head to his patent-leather-shod feet and then asked: "huccum yo' opens de do' fer niggers? ef yo' b'longed ter de quality yo'd let de niggers open de do's fer _yo_. yo' better run 'long an' ten' yo' ma's sody foun'in 'twell yo' learns de quality manners." an hour later mammy was busy in her kitchen, the receipts safely pinned within her bodice and no one the wiser for the morning's business transaction. chapter viii chemical experiments "eleanor! eleanor! where are you?" cried constance at the foot of the third-story stairs the following day after luncheon. blue monday had passed with its dull gray clouds and chill winds to give place to one of those rare, warm days which sometimes come to us late in october, as though the glorious autumn were loath to depart and had turned back for a last smile upon the land it loved. the great river lay like shimmering liquid gold, the air was filled with the warm, pungent odors of the late autumn woods, and a soft haze rested upon the opposite hills. "here in my room," answered eleanor. "what is it? what do you want? i can't come just this minute. come up if it's important." the voice was somewhat muffled as though the speaker's head were covered. constance bounded up the stairs, hurried across the hall and entered the large third-story front room which eleanor occupied. there was no sign of its occupant. "more experiments i dare say," she murmured as she entered, crossed the room and pushed open the door leading into a small adjoining room whereupon her nostrils were assailed by odors _not_ of araby--the blessed. "phew! ugh! what an awful smell! what under the sun are you doing? if you don't blow yourself to glory some day i shall be thankful," she ended as she pinched her nostrils together. "shut the door quick and don't let the smell get through the house or mother will go crazy when she gets home. yes, it _is_ pretty bad, but tie your handkerchief over your nose and then you won't mind it so much. as for blowing myself to glory, perhaps that will be my only way of ever coming by any, so i ought to be willing to take that route. but what do you want?" concluded eleanor, pouring one smelly chemical into a small glass which contained another, whereupon it instantly became a most exquisite shade of crimson. constance watched her closely without speaking. presently she said: "well i dare say it is 'everyone to her fancy,' as the old lady said when she kissed her cow (jean could appreciate that, couldn't she? she kisses baltie often enough) but _i'd_ rather be excused when chemical experiments are in order. don't for the life of me understand how you endure the smells and the mess. what is _that_ horrid looking thing over there?" and constance pointed to a grewsome-looking object stretched upon a small glass table at the farther side of the room. "my rabbit. i got it at the school laboratory and i've been examining its respiratory organs. they're perfectly wonderful, constance. want to see them? i'll be done with this in just a minute." "_no i don't!_" was the empathic negative. "i dare say it's all very wonderful and interesting and i ought to know all about breathing apparatus----_es_, or apparatti, or whatever the plural of our wind-pump machine _is_, but if i've got to learn by hashing up animals i'll never, _never_ know, and that's all there is about it. i'll take my knowledge on theory or supposition or whatever you call it. but i've nearly forgotten to tell you the news. i've had a letter from mrs. hadyn, mr. stuyvesant's aunt, the one he is named for you know, asking me to help at the candy counter at the memorial hospital fair, week after next, and, incidentally, contribute some of my 'delicious pralines and nut fudge'--that's in quotes remember,--and remain for the dance which will follow after ten-thirty on the closing evening. she will see that i reach home safely. how is _that_ for a frolic? i've been wild for a dance the past month." "is mother willing? what will you wear?" was the essentially feminine inquiry which proved that eleanor, even though absorbed in her sciences and isms, was a woman at heart. "what is the use of asking that? you know i've got to wear whatever is on hand to be utilized into gay and festive attire. i can't indulge in new frocks now-a-days when the finances are at such a low ebb. need all we've got for necessities without thinking of spending money for notions. but i'll blossom out gloriously; see if i don't. that was one reason i came up to talk to you. can you tear yourself away from your messes long enough to come up to the attic with me? i've been wanting to rummage for days, but haven't been able to get around to it. so tidy up, and come along. you've absorbed enough knowledge to last you for one while." eleanor wavered a moment and then began to put aside her materials, and a few moments later the two girls were up in the attic. "do you know what i believe i'll do?" said constance, after a half hour's rummaging among several trunks had brought forth a perplexing array of old finery, winter garments and outgrown apparel. "i believe i'll just cart down every solitary dud we've got here and have them all aired. i heard mother say last week that they ought to be, and she would have it done the first clear, dry day, and this one is simply heavenly. come on; take an armful and get busy. they smell almost as abominably from tar camphor as your laboratory smells of chemicals." "think i'd rather have the chemicals if my choice were consulted," laughed eleanor as obedient to instructions, she gathered up an armful of clothing and prepared to descend the stairs. "thanks, i'll take the tar. go on; i'll follow." little was to be seen of either girl as she moved slowly down the stairs. at the foot stood mammy. "fo' de lawd sake wha' yo' chillen at _now_?" she demanded as she stood barring their progress. "bringing out our winter wardrobes, mammy. good deal of it as to quantity; what it will turn out as to quality remains to be seen," cried constance cheerily. "lak' 'nough mos' anyt'ing if yo' had de handlin' ob it. yo' sartin' _is_ de banginest chile wid yo' han's," was mammy's flattering reply. "perhaps if i could 'bang' as well with my brains as with my hands i might amount to something, mammy. but nornie has all the brains of the family. _she_'ll make our fame and fortune some day; see if she doesn't." "guess i'll have to do something clever then if i am to become famous in _this_ day and age," said eleanor, as she made her way past mammy. "thus far i haven't given very noble promise." "who sesso?" demanded mammy. "ain' yo' de fust and fo'most up dere whar de school's at? what fur ole miss sendin' yo' dar fer den? huh, i reckon _she_ know whar ter spen' her money, an' gawd knows she ain' spendin' none what ain' gwine ter pintedly make up fer all she gin out. _she_ no fool, i tell yo'." the girls broke into peals of laughter, for mammy's estimation of "ol' miss," as she called mr. carruth's aunt by marriage, was a pretty accurate one, "aunt eleanor" being a lady who had very pronounced ideas and no hesitation whatever in giving expression to them, as well as a very strong will to back them up. she also had a pretty liberally supplied purse, the supply being drawn from a large estate which she had inherited from her father, a central new york farmer, who had made a fortune in fruit-growing and ended his days in affluence, although he had begun them in poverty. she had no children, her only son having died when a child, and her husband soon afterward. bernard carruth had always been a favorite with her, although she never forgave him for what she pronounced his "utter and imbecilic folly." it was aunt eleanor who made the seminary possible for the niece who had been named for her; a compliment which flattered the old lady more than she chose to let others suspect, for the niece was manifesting a fine mind, and the aunt had secretly resolved to do not a little toward its development although she took pains to guard the fact. "go along up-stairs and get an armful of things, mammy. that will keep you from flattering me and making me conceited," cried eleanor, when the laugh ended. "huh! mek a blairsdale 'ceited?" retorted mammy, as she started up to the attic. "dey's got too much what dey _knows_ is de right stuff fer ter pester dey haids studyin' 'bout it; it's right dar all de endurin' time; dey ain' gotter chase atter it lessen dey loses it." "was there ever such a philosopher as mammy?" laughed constance as they got beyond hearing. "wish there were a few more with as much sound sense--black or white--" answered eleanor as she shook out one of jean's frocks and hung it across the clothes-line. a moment later mammy joined them with more garments which cried aloud for the glorious fresh air and sunshine. she hung piece after piece upon the line, giving a shake here, a pat there, or almost a caress upon another, for each one recalled to her loving old heart the memory of more prosperous days, and each held its story for her. when all were swinging in the sunshine she stepped back and surveyed the array, her mouth pursed up quizzically, but her eyes full of kindness. "what are you thinking of mammy?" asked constance, slipping her fingers into mammy's work-hardened hand very much as she had done when a little child. "hum; um: what's i t'inkin' of? i'se t'inkin' dat ar lot ob clo'se supin lak we-all here: de'y good stuff in um, an' i reckon dey c'n stan' 'spection, on'y dey sartin _do_ stan' in need ob jist a _leetle_ spondulix fer ter put em in shape. dar's _too much_ ob em spread all _ober_. what dey needs is ter rip off some o' dem _ruffles_ and jis hang ter de plain frocks ter tek keer ob. we spen's a heap ob time breshin' ruffles dat we better spen' tekin' keer ob de frocks in," concluded mammy with a sage nod as she turned and walked into the house. "upon my word i believe mammy's pretty near right eleanor. we _have_ got a good many _ruffles_ to take care of on this big place and i sometimes feel that mother is wearing herself out caring for them. perhaps we would be wiser to give them up." "perhaps we would," agreed eleanor, "but where will we go if we give up the home? we have hardly known any other, for we were both too little to think much about homes or anything else when we came into this one. for my part, i am ready to do whatever is best and wisest, although i love every stick and stone here. mother has looked terribly worried lately although she hasn't said one word to me. has she to you? "no, nothing at all. but i know what you mean; her eyes look so tired. i wonder if anything new has arisen to make her anxious. she says so little at any time. i mean to have a talk with her this evening if i can get a chance. do you get jean out of the way. she is such an everlasting chatterbox that there is no hope of a quiet half hour while she is around. now let's take an inventory of this array and plan my frivolity frock," and constance drew eleanor down upon a rustic seat at one side of the lawn to discuss the absorbing question of the new gown to be evolved from some of the old ones which were swaying in the wind. perhaps a half hour passed, the girls were giving little heed to time, for the drowsy dreamy influence of the afternoon was impressing itself upon them. constance had planned the gown to the minutest detail, eleanor agreeing and secretly marveling at her ability to do so, when both became aware of a strong odor of smoke. "what is burning, i wonder?" said constance, glancing in the direction of a patch of woodland not far off. "leaves, most likely. the henrys' gardener has burned piles and piles of them ever since they began falling. i shouldn't think there would be any left for him to burn," answered eleanor, looking in the same direction. "it doesn't smell like leaves, it smells like wood, and--oh! eleanor, eleanor, look! look at your window! the smoke is just pouring from it! the house is a-fire! run! run! quick! quick!" chapter ix spontaneous combustion had the ground opened and disgorged the town, men, women and children could hardly have appeared upon the scene with more startling promptitude than they appeared within five minutes after constance's discovery of the smoke. how they got there only those who manage to get to every fire before the alarm ceases to sound can explain, and, as usual, there arrived with them the over-officious, and the over-zealous. as constance and eleanor rushed into the house, the multitude rushed across the grounds and followed them hotfoot, while one, more level-headed than his fellows, hastened to the nearest fire-box to turn in an alarm. meanwhile mammy had also smelt the smoke, and as the girls ran through the front hall she came through the back one crying: "fo' de lawd's sake wha' done happen? de house gwine burn down on top our haids?" "quick, mammy. it's eleanor's room," cried constance as she flew up the stairs. mammy needed no urging. in one second she had grasped the situation and was up in mrs. carruth's room dragging forth such articles and treasures as she knew to be most valued and piling them into a blanket. there was little time to waste for the flames had made considerable headway when discovered and were roaring wildly through the upper floor when the fire apparatus arrived. mrs. carruth was out driving with a friend and jean was off with her beloved amy fletcher. only those who have witnessed such a scene can form any adequate idea of the confusion which followed that outburst of smoke from eleanor's windows. men ran hither and thither carrying from the burning house whatever articles they could lay their hands upon, to drop them from the windows to those waiting below to catch them. firemen darted in and out, apparently impervious to either flames or smoke, directing their hose where the streams would prove most effectual and sending gallons of water upon the darting flames. the fact that the fire had started in the third-story saved many articles from destruction by the flames, although the deluge of water which flooded the house and poured down the stairways like miniature niagaras speedily ruined what the flames spared. eleanor rushed toward her room but was quickly driven back by a burst of flames and smoke that nearly suffocated her, while constance flew to jean's and her own room, meanwhile calling directions to mammy. five minutes, however, from the time they entered the house they were forced to beat a retreat, encountering as they ran miss jerusha pike, a neighbor who never missed any form of excitement or interesting occurrence in her neighborhood. "what can i do? have you saved your ma's clothes? did you get out that mirror that belonged to your great-grandmother?" she cried, as she laid a detaining hand upon constance's arm. "i don't know, miss pike. come out quick. it isn't safe to stay here another second. we must let the men save what they can. come." "no! no! i _must_ save your grandmother's mirror. i know just where it hangs. you get out quick. i won't be a second. go!" "never mind the mirror, there are other things more valuable than that," cried eleanor as she tugged at the determined old lady's arm. but miss pike was not to be deterred and rushed away to the second story in spite of them. "she'll be burned to death! i _know_ she will," wailed constance, as a man ran across the hall calling: "miss carruth, miss constance, where are you? you must get out of here instantly!" "oh, mr. stuyvesant, miss pike has gone up to mother's room and i must go after her." "you must do nothing of the sort. come out at once both of you. i'll see to her when i've got you to a place of safety," and without more ado hadyn stuyvesant hurried them both from the house to the lawn, where a motley crowd was gathered, and their household goods and chattels were lying about in the utmost confusion, while other articles, escorted by various neighbors, were being borne along the street to places of safety. one extremely proper and precise maiden lady was struggling along under an armful of mr. carruth's dress-shirts and pajamas brought forth from nobody knew where. a portly matron, with the tread of a general, followed her with a flatiron in one hand and a tiny doll in the other, while behind her a small boy of eight staggered beneath the weight of a wash boiler. "where is mammy? o _where_ is mammy?" cried eleanor, clasping her hands and looking toward the burning building. "here me! here me!" answered mammy's voice as she hurried toward them with a great bundle of rescued articles. "i done drug dese yer t'ings f'om de burer in yo' ma's room an' do you keep tight fas' 'em 'twell i come back. mind now what i'se telling' yo' kase dere's t'ings in dar dat she breck her heart ter lose. i'se gwine back fer sumpin' else." "o mammy! mammy, _don't go_. you'll be burned to death," cried constance, laying her hand upon mammy's arm to restrain her. "you mustn't mammy! you mustn't," echoed eleanor. "stay here with the girls, mammy, and let me get whatever it is you are bent upon saving," broke in hadyn stuyvesant. "aint no time for argufying," cried mammy, her temper rising at the opposition. "you chillun stan' _dar_ an' tek kere ob _dat_ bundle, lak i tell yo' an' yo', massa stuyv'sant, come 'long back wid me," was the ultimatum, and, laughing in spite of the gravity of the situation, hadyn stuyvesant followed mammy whom he ever afterward called the general. as they hurried back to the kitchen entrance the one farthest removed from the burning portion of the building, mammy's eyes were seemingly awake to every thing, and her tongue loosed of all bounds. as they neared the dining-room someone was dropping pieces of silver out of the window to someone else who stood just below it with skirts outspread to catch the articles. "ain' dat de very las' bit an' grain o' nonsense?" panted mammy. "dey's a-heavin' de silver plate outen de winder, an' bangin' it all ter smash stidder totin' it froo' de back do', and fo' gawd's sake look dar, massa stuyv'sant! dar go de' lasses!" cried mammy, her hands raised above her head as her words ended in a howl of derision, for, overcome with excitement the person who was dropping the pieces of silver had deliberately turned the syrup-jug bottom-side up and deluged the person below with the contents. had he felt sure that it would have been his last hadyn stuyvesant could not have helped breaking into peals of laughter, nor was the situation rendered less absurd by the sudden reappearance of miss pike clasping the treasured mirror to her breast and crying: "thank heaven! thank heaven i'm alive and have _saved_ it. _where_, where are those dear girls that i may deliver this priceless treasure into their hands?" "out yonder near the hedge, miss pike. i'm thankful you escaped. they are much concerned about you. better get along to them quick; i'm under mammy's orders," answered hadyn when he could speak. off hurried the zealous female while hadyn stuyvesant followed mammy who was fairly snorting with indignation. "dat 'oman certain'y _do_ mak' me mad. dat lookin' glass! huh! i reckons when miss jinny git back an' find what happen she aint goin' ter study 'bout no lookin' glasses. no suh! she be studyin' 'bout whar we all gwine put our _haids_ dis yere night. an' dat's what _i_ done plan fer," concluded mammy laying vigorous hold of a great roll of bedding which she had carried to a place of safety just outside the kitchen porch. "please, suh, tek' holt here an' holp me get it out yander ter de stable, i'se done got a sight o' stuff out dere a-reddy," and sure enough mammy, unaided, had carried enough furniture, bedding and such articles as were absolutely indispensable for living, out to the stable to enable the family to "camp out" for several days, and with these were piled the garments hastily snatched from the clothes-lines, baltie mounting guard over all. mrs. carruth had not been so very far wrong when she told mammy she believed she could move the house if necessity arose. meanwhile miss pike and her rescued mirror had reached the hedge, the girls breathing a sigh of relief when they saw her bearing triumphantly down upon them. "there! there! if i never do another deed as long as i live i shall feel that i have _not_ lived in vain! what _would_ your poor mother have said had she returned to find this priceless heirloom destroyed," she cried, as she rested the mirror against a tree trunk and clasped her hands in rapture at sight of it. "perhaps mother _might_ ask first whether _we_ had been rescued," whispered constance, but added quickly, "_there_ is mother now. o i wonder who told her," for just then a carriage was driven rapidly to the front gate and as the girls ran toward it mrs. carruth stepped quickly from it. she was very white and asked almost breathlessly, "girls, girls, is anyone hurt? are you _all_ safe? where's mammy?" "we are all safe mother, mammy is here. don't be frightened. we have done everything possible and the fire is practically out now," said constance, passing her arm about her mother who was trembling violently. "don't be alarmed, mother. it isn't really so dreadful as it might have been; it truly isn't," said eleanor soothingly. "loads of things have been saved." "yes, mammy has outgeneraled us all, mrs. carruth," cried hadyn stuyvesant, who now came hurrying upon the scene. "i guess she has shown more sense than all the rest of us put together, for she's kept her head." "and oh, my dear! my dear, if all else were lost there is one invaluable treasure spared to you! come with me. i saved it for you with my own hands. come!" cried miss pike, as she slipped her arm through mrs. carruth's and hurried her willy-nilly across the lawn. there was the little round mirror in its quaint old-fashioned frame leaning against the tree and reflecting all the weird scene in its shining surface, and there, too, directly in front of it, strutted a lordly game cock which belonged to the carruths' next door neighbor. how he happened to be there, in the midst of so much excitement and confusion no one paused to consider, but as miss pike hurried poor mrs. carruth toward the spot, sir chanticleer's burnished ruff began to rise and the next instant there was a defiant squawk, a frantic dash of brilliantly iridescent feathers, and the cherished heirloom lay shattered beneath the triumphant game-cock's feet as he voiced a long and very jubilant crow. it was the stroke needed, for in spite of the calamity which had overtaken her this was too much for mrs. carruth's sense of humor and she collapsed upon the piano stool which stood conveniently at hand, while miss pike bewailed chanticleer's deed until one might have believed it had been her own revered ancestor's mirror which had been shattered by him. just then mammy came hurrying upon the scene and was quick enough to grasp the situation at a glance. "bress de lawd, honey, ain' i allers tol' ye' chickens got secon' sight? dat roos'er see double suah. he see himself in dat lookin' glass an' bus' it wide open, an' he see we-all need ter laf stidder cry, an' so he set out ter mek us." at sight of her mrs. carruth stretched forth both hands like an unhappy child and was gathered into her faithful old arms as she cried: "but oh, mammy; mammy, the insurance; the insurance. if i had _only_ been able to pay it yesterday." "huh! don't you fret ober de 'surance. jis clap yo' eyes on _dat_," and mammy thrust into her miss jinny's hands a paper which she hastily drew from the bosom of her frock. chapter x readjustment it was all over. the excitement had subsided and all that remained to tell the story of the previous afternoon's commotion was a fire-scorched, water-soaked dwelling with a miscellaneous collection of articles decorating its lawn. when the early morning sunshine looked down upon the home which for eight years had sheltered the carruths, it beheld desolation complete. alas for eleanor's chemicals! her experiments had cost the family dear. the only living being in sight was a policeman mounting guard over the ruins. a staid and stolid son of the vatterland who had spent the wee sma' hours upon the premises and now stood upon the piazza upright and rigid as the inanimate objects all about him. beside him was a small, toy horse "saddled and bridled and ready to ride," and anything more absurd than the picture cut by this guardian of the law and his miniature charger it would be hard to imagine. meanwhile the family was housed among friends who had been quick to offer them shelter, mr. stuyvesant insisting that mrs. carruth and constance accept his aunt's hospitality through him, while the next door neighbor, mr. henry, harbored eleanor, jean and mammy, who refused point blank to go beyond sight of the premises and her charge--baltie. mammy was the heroine of the hour; for what the old woman had not thought of when everyone else's wits were scattered was hardly worth thinking of. in the blanket which she had charged the girls to guard were all of mrs. carruth's greatest treasures, among them a beautiful miniature of mr. carruth of which no one but mammy had thought. jewelry which had belonged to her mother was there, valuable papers hastily snatched from her desk, and many of the girl's belongings which would never have been saved but for mammy's forethought. at seven o'clock, when all was over, the crowd dispersed and the family gathered together in mr. henry's living-room to collect their wits and draw a long breath, mrs. carruth drew mammy to one side to ask: "mammy, what is the meaning of this receipt? i cannot understand it. who has paid this sum and where was it paid?" "baby, dere comes times when 'taint a mite er use ter tell what we gwine _do_. dat 'surance hatter be squar'd up an' dat settled it. so _i_ squar'd it--." "oh, mammy! mammy!" broke in mrs. carruth, almost in tears. "hush, chile! pay 'tention ter _me_. what would a come of we-all if i hadn't paid dat bill den an' dar? bress de lawd i had de cash an' don' pester me wid questions. ain' i tole yo' i'se _rich_? well den, dat settles it. when _yo_ is, yo' kin settle wid _me_. _dat_ don' need no argufyin' do it? now go long wid miss constance an' massa stuyvesant lak dey say an' git yo' sef ca'med down. yo' all a shakin' an' a shiverin' lak yo' got de ager, an' dat won' never do in de roun' worl'. yo'll be down sick on my han's." and that was all the old woman would ever hear about it. when the thirty dollars were returned to her in the course of a few days she took it with a chuckle saying: "huh! reckons _i_ knows wha' ter investigate _my_ money. done git my intrus so quick it like ter scar me." after the first excitement was over came the question of where the family was to live, and it was hadyn stuyvesant who settled it forthwith by offering the home which had been his mother's; a pretty little dwelling in the heart of riveredge which had been closed since his mother's death and his own residence with his aunt. so in the course of the next week the carruths were installed therein and began to adjust themselves to the new conditions the first question to be answered was the one concerning their home. should it be rebuilt with the money to be paid by the insurance company, or should it be sold? it was hard to decide, for sentiment was strongly in favor of returning to the home they all loved, while sound sense dictated selling the land and thus lessening expenses. sound sense carried the day, and the little house on hillside street became home, and in the course of a few weeks the machinery ran along with its accustomed smoothness, although it was some time before the family recovered from the shock of realizing how close they had come to losing all they possessed, and also keenly alive to the fact that what _had_ been saved must be carefully guarded. fifteen thousand was not an alarming sum to fall back upon and the rent for the new home although modest, compared with what their own would have commanded, had to be considered. meanwhile the girls had returned to their school duties, the older ones working harder than ever, especially eleanor, whose conscience troubled her not a little at thought of her carelessness which had caused all the trouble, for well she realized that her failure to care properly for the powerful acids with which she had been experimenting when constance appeared upon the scene had started the fire. constance had immediately set to work to evolve from the apparel rescued a winter wardrobe for the family, and displayed such ingenuity in bringing about new gowns and headgear from the old ones that the family flourished like green bay trees. still constance was not satisfied, and one afternoon said to eleanor, who now shared her room, but who had _not_ laid in a new supply of chemicals: "nornie, put down that book and listen to me, for i'm simmering with words o' wisdom and if i don't find a vent i'll boil over presently." eleanor laid aside the book she was poring over, laughing as she asked: "what is it--some new scheme for making a two-pound steak feed five hungry mouths, or a preparation to apply to the soles of shoes to keep them from wearing out?" "it has more to do with the stomach than the feet, but i'm not joking. i want to take account of stock and find out just where we are _at_ and just what we _can_ do. mother has her hands and head more than full just now, and i think _i_ ought to give a pull at the wheel too." "and what shall _i_ be about while you are doing the pulling? it seems to me a span can usually pull harder than a single horse. by-the-way, apropos of horses, what _has_ mammy done to poor old baltie? do you realize that she has not yet had him two months, but no one would ever recognize the old horse for the decrepit creature jean led home that afternoon." "i know it! isn't she a marvel? i believe she is half witch. why, blind and twenty-five years old as he is, old baltie to-day would bring jabe raulsbury enough money to make the covetous old sinner smile, i believe; if anything on earth could make him smile. i thought i should have screamed when she started off with her steed the other day. that old phaeton and harness she found in the barn here were especially sent by providence, i believe. i never expect to see a funnier sight if i live to be a hundred years old than mammy driving off down the road with that great basket of apples by her side and jean perched behind in the rumble. mammy was simply superb and proud as the african princess she insists she is," and constance laughed heartily at the picture she made. "what did she do with her apples? i wish i could have seen her," cried eleanor. "she had them stored away in our cellar. she had gathered them herself from mother's pet tree and packed them carefully in a couple of barrels. how on earth she finds time to do all the things she manages to i can't understand. she took that basket out to mrs. fletcher. you remember mrs. fletcher once said there were no apples like ours and mammy remembered it. still, i am afraid mrs. fletcher would never have seen that basket of apples if her home had not adjoined the raulsbury place. you know jabe had to pay a large fine before he could get free. such an hour of triumph rarely comes to two human beings as came to mammy and jean when they drove that old horse past jabe's gateway and kind fate drew him to that very spot at the moment. mammy is still chuckling over it, and jean isn't to be lived with. but enough of mammy and her charger, let's get to stock-taking." "yes, do," said eleanor. "i've been putting things down in black and white and here it is," said practical constance, opening a little memorandum book and seating herself beside her sister. "you see mother has barely fifteen hundred dollars a year from father's life insurance and even _that_ is somewhat lessened by the slump in those old stocks. now comes the fire insurance settlement and the interest on that won't be over seven hundred at the outside, will it?" "i'm afraid not," said eleanor with a doubtful shake of her head. "but suppose we are able to sell the old place?" "yes, 'suppose.' if we _do_, well and good, but supposes aren't much account for immediate needs, and those are the things we've got to think about now." "then let me think too," broke in eleanor. "you may _think_ all you've a mind to; that's exactly what your brains are for, and some day you'll astonish us all. meanwhile _i'll_ work." "now, constance, what are you planning? you know perfectly well that if you leave school and take up something that _i_ shall too. i _won't_ take all the advantages." "who said i had any notion of leaving school? not a bit of it. my plan won't affect my school work. but of that later. now to our capital. mother will have at the outside nineteen hundred a year, and out of that she will have to pay five hundred rent for this house. that leaves fourteen hundred wherewith to feed and clothe five people, doesn't it? now, she can't possibly _feed_, let alone clothe, us for less than twenty dollars a week, can she? and out of that must come fuel which is no small matter now-a-days. that leaves only three hundred and sixty dollars for all the other expenses of the year, and, nornie, it isn't enough. we _could_ live on less in town i dare say, but town is no place for jean while she's so little. she'd give up the ghost without a place to romp in. then, too, mother loves every stone in riveredge, and she is going to _stay_ here if i can manage it. so listen: you know what a fuss everybody at the fair made over my nut-fudge and pralines. well, i'm going to make candy to sell----." "oh, constance, you can't! you mustn't!" interrupted eleanor whose instincts shrank from any member of her family launching upon a business enterprise. "i can and i _must_," contradicted constance positively. "and what is more, i shall. so don't have a conniption fit right off, because i've thought it all out and i know just exactly what i can do." "mother will _never consent_," said eleanor firmly, and added, "and i hope she won't." "now nornie, see here," cried constance with decided emphasis. "what _is_ the use of being so ridiculously high and mighty? we aren't the first people, by a long chalk, that have met with financial reverses and been forced to do something to earn a livelihood. the woods are full of them and they are none the less respected either. for my part, i'd rather hustle round and earn my own duddies than settle down and wish for them, and wail because i can't have them while mother strives and struggles to make both ends meet. i haven't _brains_ to do big things in the world, but i've got what mammy calls 'de bangenest han's' and we'll see what they'll bang out!" concluded constance resolutely. "mammy will never let you," cried eleanor, playing what she felt to be her trump card. "on the contrary, mammy is going to _help_ me," announced constance triumphantly. "_what_, mammy consent to a blairsdale going into trade?" cried eleanor, feeling very much as though the foundations of the house were sinking. "even so, lady," answered constance, laughing at her sister's look of dismay. "old baltie was not rescued for naught. his days of usefulness were not ended as you shall see. but don't look so horrified, and, above all else, don't say one word to mother. there is no use to worry her, and remember she _is_ a blairsdale and it won't be so easy to bring her to my way of thinking as it has been to bring _you_; you're only half one, like myself, and remember we've got carruth blood to give us mercantile instincts." "as though the carruths were not every bit as good as the blairsdales," brindled eleanor indignantly. "cock-a-doodle! see its feathers ruffle. you are as spunky as the henry's game cock," cried constance laughing and gathering eleanor's head into her arms to maul it until her hair came down. "well," retorted eleanor, struggling to free herself from the tempestuous embrace, "so they are." "yes, my beloved sister. i'll admit all that, but bear in mind that _their_ ancestors were born in pennsylvania _not_ in 'ole caroliny, and that's the difference 'twixt tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee. i don't believe mad anthony stopped to consider whether he was a patrician or a plebeian when he was storming old stony point, or getting fodder for valley forge, so i don't believe _i_ will, when i set out to hustle for frocks and footgear for his descendants. so put your pride in your pocket, nornie, and watch me grow rich and the family blossom out in luxuries undreamed of. i'm going to _do_ it: you'll see," ended constance in a tone so full of hope and courage that eleanor then and there resolved not to argue the point further or discourage her. "when are you going to begin this enterprise?" she asked. "this very day. i'm only waiting for mammy to come back from market with some things i need, and there she is now. good-bye. go look after the little mumsie, or jean; you'd find your hands full with the last undertaking, no doubt," and with a merry laugh constance ran down-stairs to greet mammy who was just entering the back door. chapter xi first ventures "did you get all the things, mammy?" cried constance, as she flew into the kitchen where mammy stood puffing and panting like a grampus, for the new home was at the top of a rather steep ascent and the climb took the old woman's breath. "co'se ise got 'em," panted mammy, as she untied the strings of her bright purple worsted hood. "dar dey is, all ob 'em, eve'y one, an yo' kin git busy jes' as fas' as yo's a mind ter. but, la, honey, don' yo' let yo' _ma_ know nothin' 'tall 'bout it, 'cause she lak 'nough frail me out fer lettin' yo' do hit. but sumpin 's gotter be done in dis yere fambly. what wid de rint fer _dis_ place, an' de taxes for de yether, an' de prices dey's teken' ter chargin', fer t'ings ter _eat_, i 'clar' ter goodness dar ain't gwine be nuffin 'tall lef' fer we-all ter fall back on ef we done teken sick, er bleeged ter do sumpin' extra," ended mammy as she bustled about putting away her things and untying the packages as constance lifted them from the basket. "yes, you've got every single thing i need, mammy, and now i'll begin right off. which kettles and pans can you spare for my very own? i don't want to bother to ask every time and if i have my own set at the very beginning that saves bother in the end," cried constance, as she slipped her arms through the shoulder straps of a big gingham apron and after many contortions succeeded in buttoning it back of her shoulders. "dar you is!" said mammy, taking from their hooks, above her range two immaculate porcelain saucepans, and standing them upon the well-scrubbed kitchen table with enough emphasis to give the transfer significance. "dey's yours fer keeps, but don' yo' let me ketch yo' burnin' de bottoms of 'em." mammy could not resist this authoritative warning. then bustling across to her pantry she took out three shining pans and placed them beside the saucepans, asking: "now is yo' fixed wid all de impert'nances ob de bisness?" "all but the fire, mammy," laughed constance, rolling up her sleeves to disclose two strong, well-rounded arms. "well yo' fire's gwine ter be gas _dis_ time, chile'. yo' kin do what yo's a-mind ter wid dat little gas refrig'rator, what yo' turns on an' off wid de spiggots; _i_ aint got er mite er use fer hit. it lak ter scare me mos' ter deaf de fust mawnin' i done try ter cook de breckfus on it,--sputterin' an' roarin' lak it gwine blow de hull house up. no-siree, i ain' gwine be pestered wid no sich doin's 's _dat_. stoves an' wood 's good 'nough fer _dis_ 'oman," asserted mammy with an empathic wag of her head, for she had never before seen a gas range, and was not in favor of innovations. "then i'm in luck," cried constance, as she struck a match to light up her "gas refrigerator," mammy meanwhile eying her with not a little misgiving, and standing as far as possible from the fearsome thing. "tek keer, honey! yo' don' know what dem new-fangled mak'-believe stoves lak ter do. fust t'ing yo' know it bus' wide open mebbe." "don't be scared, mammy. they are all right, and safe as can be if you know how to handle them, and lots less trouble than the stove." "dat may be too," was mammy's skeptical reply. "but _i'll_ tek de trouble stidder de chance of a busted haid." before long the odor of boiling sugar filled the little kitchen, the confectioner growing warm and rosy as she wielded a huge wooden spoon in the boiling contents of her saucepans, and whistled like a song thrush. constance carruth's whistle had always been a marvel to the members of her family, and the subject of much comment to the few outsiders who had been fortunate enough to hear it, occasionally, for it was well worth hearing. it had a wonderful flute-like quality, with the softest, tenderest, low notes. moreover, she whistled without any apparent effort, or the ordinary distortion of the mouth which whistling generally involves. the position of her lips seemed scarcely altered while the soft sounds fell from them. but she was very shy about her "one accomplishment," as she laughingly called it, and could rarely be induced to whistle for others, though she seldom worked without filling the house with that birdlike melody. as she grew more and more absorbed with her candy-making the clear, sweet notes rose higher and higher, their rapid _crescendo_ and increasing _tempo_ indicating her successful progress toward a desired end. while apparently engaged in preparing a panful of apples, mammy was covertly watching her, for, next to her baby, jean, constance was mammy's pet. when the candy was done, constance poured it into the pans. "now in just about two jiffies that will be ready to cut. keep one eye on it, won't you mammy, while i run up-stairs for my paraffin paper," she said, as she set the pans outside to cool and whisked from the kitchen, mammy saying under her breath as she vanished: "if folks could once hear dat chile _whis'le_ dey'd hanker fef ter hear it agin, an' dey'd keep on a hankerin' twell dey'd _done_ hit. she beat der bu'ds, an' dat's a fac'." "now i guess i can cut it," cried constance, as she came hurrying back. the sudden chill of the keen november air had made the candy the exact consistency for cutting into little squares, and in the course of the next half hour they were all cut, carefully wrapped in bits of paraffin paper and neatly tied in small white paper packages with baby-ribbon of different colors. four dozen as inviting parcels of delicious home-made candy as any one could desire, and all made and done up within an hour and a half. "there, mammy! what do you think of _that_ for my initial venture?" asked constance, looking with not a little satisfaction upon the packages as they lay in the large flat box into which she had carefully packed them. "bate yo' dey hits de markit spang on de haid," chuckled mammy. "an' now _i'se_ gwine tek holt. la, ain' i gwine cut a dash, dough! yo' see _me_," and hastily donning her hood and shawl, and catching up an apple from her panful, off mammy hurried to the little stable which stood in one corner of the small grounds, where baltie had lived, and certainly flourished since the family came to dwell in this new home. mammy never entered that stable without some tidbit for her pet, for she had grown to love the blind old horse as well as jean did, and was secretly consumed with pride at his transformation. as she entered the stable, baltie greeted her with his soft nicker. "yas, honey, mammy's comin'; comin' wid yo' lolly-pop, kase she want yo' ter step out spry. yo's gwine enter a pa'tner-ship, yo' know _dat_, baltie-hawse? yo' sure _is_. yo's de silen' pa'tner, yo' is, an' de bline one too. jis as well ter hab one ob 'em bline mebbe," and mammy chuckled delightedly at her own joke. "now come 'long out an' be hitched up, kase we's gwine inter business, yo' an' me' an' we gotter do some hustlin'. come 'long," and opening the door of the box-stall in which old baltie now-a-days luxuriated, mammy dragged him forth by his forelock and in less time than one could have believed it possible, had him harnessed to the old-fashioned basket phaeton which during mrs. stuyvesant's early married life had been a most up-to-date equipage, but which now looked as odd and antiquated as the old horse harnessed to it. but in mammy's eyes they were tangible riches, for hadyn stuyvesant had presented her with both phaeton and harness. opening wide the stable doors, mammy clambered into her chariot, and taking up the reins, guided her steed gently forward. baltie ambled sedately up to the back door where constance was waiting to hand mammy the box. "mind de do' an' don' let my apples bake all ter cinders," warned mammy. "i will. i won't. good luck," contradicted constance, as she ran back into the house, and mammy drove off toward south riveredge; a section of the town as completely given over to commercial interests as riveredge proper was to its homes. there a large carpet factory throve and flourished giving employment to many hands. there, also, stood a large building called the central arcade in which many business men had their offices. it was about a mile from the heart of riveredge proper and as mammy jogged along toward her destination, she had ample time to think, and chuckle to herself at her astuteness in carrying out her own ideas of the fitness of things while apparently fully concurring with constance's wishes. mammy had no objections to constance _making_ all the candy she chose to make; that could be done within the privacy of her own home and shock _no_ one's sensibilities. but when the girl had announced her intention of going among her friends to secure customers, mammy had descended upon her with all her powers of opposition. the outcome had been the present compromise. very few people in south riveredge knew the carruths or mammy, and this was exactly what the old woman wished. driving her "gallumping" steed to the very heart of the busy town she drew up at the curbstone in front of the arcade just a few moments before the five o'clock whistles blew. stepping from her vehicle she placed a campstool upon the sidewalk beside it, and lifting her box of candy from the seat established herself upon her stool with the open box upon her lap. within two minutes of the blowing of the whistles the streets were alive with people who came hurrying from the buildings on every side. mammy was a novelty and like most novelties took at once, so presently she was doing a thriving business, her tongue going as fast as her packages of candy. people are not unlike sheep; where one leads, all the others follow. "home-made candy, sah! fresh f'om de home-kitchen; jis done mek hit. ain' hardly col'. ten cents a package, sah. yes _sah_, yo' better is bleeve hit's deleshus. yo' ain' tas' no pralines lak dem in all yo' bo'n days," ran on mammy handing out her packages of candy and dropping her dimes into the little bag at her side. "here, aunty, give me four of those packages of fudge," cried a genial, gray-haired, portly old gentleman with a military bearing. "porter, here, has just given me some of his and they're simply great! did you make 'em? they touch the spot." "la, suh, i ain' _got_ four left: i ain', fer a fac'. tek some of de pralines; deys mighty good, suh," bustled mammy, offering her dainties. "take all you've got. did _you_ make 'em?" persisted her customer. "my _pa'tner_ done mak 'em," said mammy with dignity, as she handed over her last package. "well you darkies _can_ cook," cried the gentleman as he took the candy. for a moment it seemed as though mammy were about to fly at him, and her customer was not a little astounded at the transformation which came over her old face. then he concluded that the term "darkie" had been the rock on which they had split, and smiled as he said: "better set up business right here in the arcade. buy you and your _partner_ out every day. good-bye, auntie." "good-bye, suh! good-bye," responded mammy, her equanimity quite restored, for her good sense told her that no reflections had been cast upon her "pa'tner" in riveredge, or her identity suspected. moreover, her late customer had put a new idea into her wise old head which she turned over again and again as she drove back home. constance was waiting with the lantern, and hurried out to the stable as mammy turned in at the gate. "oh, mammy, did you _sell_ some?" she asked eagerly. "sell some! what i done druv dar fer? co'se i sell some; i sell eve'y las' bit an' grain. tek dat bag an' go count yo' riches, honey. _sell some!_ yah! yah!" laughed mammy as she descended from her chariot and began to unharness her steed, while constance hugged the bag and hurried into the house. "what are you hiding under your cape?" demanded jean as her sister ran through the hall, and up the stairs. jean's eyes did not often miss anything. "my deed to future wealth and greatness," answered constance merrily, as she slipped into her room and locked the door, where she dumped the contents of the bag, dimes, nickels, and pennies, into the middle of the bed. "merciful sakes! who would have believed it?" she gasped. "four dollars and eighty cents for one afternoon's work, and at least three-eighty of it clear profit, and mammy has _got_ to share some of it. mumsie, dear, i think i can keep the family's feet covered at all events," she concluded in an ecstatic whisper. chapter xii another shoulder is added thanksgiving and christmas had come and passed. constance's "candy business" as she called it, throve and flourished spasmodically. could she have carried out her wishes concerning it, the venture might have been more profitable, but mammy, the autocrat, insisted that it should be kept a secret, and the habit of obedience to the old woman's dictates was deeply rooted in the carruth family, even mrs. carruth yielding to it far more than she realized. so constance made her candy during her free hours after school and mammy carried it into south riveredge when opportunity offered. this was sometimes twice, but more often only once, a week, for the faithful old soul had manifold duties and was too conscientious to neglect one. sometimes all the packages were sold off as quickly as they had been on that first red-letter day, but at other times a good many were left over. could they again have been offered for sale upon the following day they might easily have been disposed of, but mammy could not go to south riveredge two days in succession and, consequently, the candy grew stale before another sale's day arrived, was a loss to its anxious manufacturer, and caused her profits to shrink very seriously. things had been going on in this rather unsatisfactory manner for about six weeks when one saturday morning little miss paulina pry, as constance sometimes called jean, owing to her propensity to get to the bottom of things in spite of all efforts to circumvent her, came into her sister's room to ask in the most innocent manner imaginable: "connie, who does mammy know in south riveredge?" "nobody, that i know of," answered constance unsuspectingly. "i thought she had a cousin living there," was the next leader. "a cousin, child! why mammy hasn't a relative this side of raleigh and i don't believe she has two to her name down there. if she has, she hasn't seen them since mother brought her north before we were born." "i knew it!" was the triumphant retort, "and _now_ i'll get even with her for telling me fibs." "jean, what do you mean?" cried constance now fully alive to the fact that she had fallen into a trap. "i mean just this: i've been watching mammy drive off to south riveredge every solitary week since before thanksgiving, and i've asked her ever so many times to take me with her; she lets me go everywhere else with her and baltie. but she wouldn't take me there and when i asked her why not, she always said because she was going to visit with her cousins in-the-lord, and 'twan't no fit place for white folks. i _knew_ she was telling a fib, and _now_ i'm going right down stairs to tell her so," and jean whirled about to run from the room. constance made a wild dive and caught her by her sleeve. "jean, stop! listen to me. you are not to bother mammy with questions. she has a perfect right to do or go as she chooses," said constance with some warmth, and instantly realized that she had taken the wrong tack, for the little pepper-pot began to liven up. jerking herself free she struck an attitude, saying: "you are just as bad as mammy! _you_ know where she goes, and what she goes for, but you won't tell me. keep your old secrets if you want to, but i'll find out, see if i don't. and i'll get even too. you and mammy think i'm nothing but a baby, but you'll see. i'm most eleven years old, and if i can't be told the truth about things now, i'd like to know why," and with a final vigorous wrench jean freed herself from her sister's grasp and fled down the stairs, constance murmuring to herself as the little whirlwind disappeared: "i wonder if it wouldn't be wiser to let her into the secret after all? in the first place it is all nonsense to _keep_ it a secret, and just one of mammy's high-falutin ideas of what's right and proper for a blairsdale. fiddlesticks for the blairsdales say i, when certain things should be done. i'm going to tell that child anyway. she is ten times easier to deal with when she knows the truth, and she can keep a secret far better than some older people i might mention. jean; jean; come back; i want to tell you something." but jean had gone beyond hearing. "never mind; i'll tell her by-and-by," resolved constance and soon forgot all about the matter while completing her english theme for monday. could she have followed her small sister her state of mind would have been less serene. jean's first reconnoiter was the dining-room. all serene; nothing doing; mother up in her room. eleanor gone out. mammy in the kitchen stirring quietly about. jean slipped into the butler's pantry. there on a shelf stood a big white box marked "lord & taylor, ladies' suit dept." jean's nose rose a degree higher in the air as she drew near it and carefully raised the lid. "ah-hah! didn't i know it! i guess her cousins-in-the-lord must like candy pretty well, for she has taken that box with her every single time she's gone to south riveredge," whispered this astute young person. now it so happened that as mammy had advanced in years, she had grown somewhat hard of hearing, and had also developed a habit quite common to her race; that of communing aloud with herself when alone. jean was quite alive to this and more than once had caused the old woman to regard her with considerable awe by casually mentioning facts of which mammy believed her to be entirely in ignorance, and, indeed, preferred she _should_ be, little guessing that her own monologues had given the child her cue. clambering softly upon the broad shelf which ran along one side of the pantry, jean gently pushed back the sliding door made to pass the dishes to and from the kitchen, and watched mammy's movements. the kitchen was immaculate and mammy was just preparing to set forth for her saturday morning's marketing, a task she would not permit any one else to undertake, declaring that "dese hyer norf butcher-men stood ready fer ter beat folks outen dey eyesight ef dey git er chance." as usual mammy was indulging in a soliloquy. "dar now. dat's all fix an' right, an' de minit i gits back i kin clap it inter de oven," she murmured as she set her panfuls of bread over the range for their second rising. "i gotter git all dis hyer wo'k off my han's befo' free 'clock terday ef i gwine get ter souf riveredge in time fer ter sell all dat mes o' candy." behind the window a small body's head gave a satisfied nod. "'taint lak week days. de sto'es tu'n out mighty early on sattidays. hopes i kin sell eve'y bit and grain _dis_ time. i hates ter tote any home agin, an' dat chile tryin' so hard ter holp her ma." over little paulina pry's face fell a shadow, and for a moment the big eyes grew suspiciously bright. then wounded pride caused them to flash as their owner whispered to herself, "she _might_ have told me the truth." then the kitchen door was shut, locked from the outside, and mammy departed. jean got down from her perch and stood for a few moments in the middle of the pantry floor in deep meditation. then raising her head with a determined little nod she said under her breath, "_i'll_ show 'em." to hurry out to the hall closet where her everyday hat, coat and gloves were kept, took but a moment. in another she had put them on, and was on her way to the stable. to harness baltie was somewhat of an undertaking, but by the aid of a box which raised her to the necessary height this was done, the old horse nickering softly and rubbing his head against her as she proceeded. "yes baltie, dear. _you_ and _i_ have a secret now and _don't_ you _tell_ it. if _they_ think they are so smart, _we'll_ show them that _we_ can do something too." at length the harnessing was done, and slipping back to the house jean went into the pantry, lifted up the box so plainly labeled "ladies' suits" and sped away to the stable where she placed it carefully upon the bottom of the phaeton, tucking the carriage rug around and about it in such a manner that even the liveliest suspicion would have nothing to feed upon. then opening the double doors she led baltie through them, and out of the driveway to the side street on which it opened, and which could not be seen from the front of the house where the young lady knew her mother and sister to be at this critical moment. only a second more was needed to run back and close the stable doors and the gates, and all tracks were covered. in that immediate vicinity the queer turnout was well-known by this time, so no curiosity was aroused by its appearance. as usual, jean had not paused to mature her plans. their inception was enough for the time being; details could follow later. plod, plod, fell baltie's hoofs upon the macadamized street as jean guided him slowly along. the day was cold, but clear and crisp, with just a hint of wind or snow from the mare's tails overhead in the blue. jean had no very clear idea of what her next step would be, and was rather trusting to fate to show her. perhaps baltie had a better one than his driver, or perhaps it was sense of direction and force of habit which was heading him toward south riveredge; baltie's intelligence did not appear to wane with his years. at all events, he was going his usual route when jean spied mammy far ahead and in a trice fate had stepped in to give things a twist. to pull baltie around and guide him into a street which led to east instead of south riveredge was the work of a second. jean thought she could go back by another street which led diagonally into south riveredge but when she reached it she found it closed for repairs. turning around involved more or less danger and she had a thought for that which lay at her feet. so on she went, hoping to get into south riveredge sooner or later. like many suburban towns, riveredge had certain sections which were given over to the poorer element, and in such sections could always be found enough idle, mischievous youngsters to make things interesting for other people, particularly on saturdays when they were released from the restraint of school. jean had proceeded well along upon her way when she was spied by two or three urchins upon whose hands time was hanging rather heavily, and to whom the novel sight of a handsome, neatly-clad child, perched in a phaeton which might have been designed for noah, and driving a blind horse, was a vision of joy. "hi, billy, get on ter de swell rig," bawled one worthy son of mckim's hollow. "gee! aint he a stunner! say, where did yer git him?" yelled billy, prompt to take up the ball, and give it a toss. "mebbe he's de ghost av yer granfather's trotter," was the next salute. "hi, what's his best time. forty hours fer de mile?" asked a larger lad, hanging on to the back of the phaeton and winding his heels into the springs. "get down! go away!" commanded jean. "couldn't," politely replied her passenger. "say yer oughter have a white hawse wid all dat red hair," yelled a new addition to the number already swarming after her. "git a move on," was the next cry, as a youth armed with a long stick joined the crowd. things were growing decidedly uncomfortable for jean whose cheeks were blazing, and whose eyes were flashing ominously. just then one urchin made a grab for the whip but she was too quick for him, and once having it in her hand was tempted to lay about vigorously. as though divining her thoughts, the smaller boys drew off but he of the stick scorned such an adversary, although discretion warned him not to lay it upon her. the old horse, however, was not so guarded by law and the stick descended upon his flanks with all the strength of the young rowdy's arms. he would better have struck jean! never since coming to live in his present home had baltie felt a blow, but during all those four months had been petted, loved and cared for in a manner to make him forget former trials, and in spite of his age, renew his strength and spirits. true, he was never urged to do more than jog, jog, jog along, but under the spur of this indignity some of his old fire sprung up and with a wild snort of resentment he plunged forward. as he did so, down came the whip across his assailant's head, for jean had forgotten all else in her wrath; she began to lay about her with vigor, and the battle was on in earnest. perhaps john gilpin cut a wilder dash yet it is doubtful. chapter xiii the battle of town and gown jean had come about a mile from riveredge before encountering her unwelcome escort, and a mile for old baltie was considered a good distance by mammy who always blanketed him carefully and gave him a long rest after such exertion. the sight of the old woman's care for her horse had won her more than one feminine customer in south riveredge and not infrequently they entered into conversation with her regarding him. mammy needed no greater encouragement to talk, and baltie's history became known to many of her customers. could mammy have witnessed baltie's wild careerings as he pounded along to escape his tormentors, while jean strove desperately to beat them off, she would probably have expired upon the spot. but baltie's strength was not equal to any long-sustained effort and his breath soon became labored. the shouting cavalcade had gone about half a mile at its wild pace and jean had done her valiant best, but the numbers against her had been steadily augmented as she proceeded, and the situation was becoming really dangerous. she stood up in the phaeton, hat hanging by its elastic band, hair flying and eyes flashing as she strove to beat off her pursuers. most of them, it must be admitted, were good-natured, and were simply following up their prank from a spirit of mischief. but two or three had received stinging lashes from the whip and the sting had aroused their ire. jean's strength as well as old baltie's was giving out when from the opposite side of a high arbor-vitæ hedge arose a cry of: "gown to the rescue! gown to the rescue!" and the next second the road seemed filled with lads who had apparently sprung from it, and a lively scrimmage was afoot. the boys who had so lately been making things interesting for jean and baltie, turned to flee precipitately, but were pretty badly hustled about before they could escape; he of the stick being captured red-handed as he launched a blow that came very near proving a serious one for jean since it struck the whip from her hands and landed it in the road. the poor child collapsed upon the seat, and strove hard to suppress a sob, for she would have died sooner than cry before the boys of the "irving preparatory school." baltie needed no second hint to make him understand that the time had come to let his friends take up the battle, and bracing his trembling old legs he stood panting in the middle of the road. "i say, what did this fellow do to you, little girl?" demanded a tall, fine-looking lad, whose dark gray eyes were flashing with indignation, and whose firm mouth gave his captive reason to know that he meant whatever he said. at any other time jean would have resented the "little girl," but during the past fifteen minutes she had felt a very small girl indeed. "he's a coward! a great, hulking coward!" she blazed at the hapless youth whom her champion held so firmly by his collar as he stood by the phaeton. the other lads who had now completely routed jean's tormentors were gathering about her, some with looks of concern for her welfare, some with barely restrained smiles at her plight and her turnout. "what'll i do to him? punch his head?" demanded knight errant. "no, shake it most off!" commanded jean. "he nearly made mine shake off," she concluded, as she pushed her hair from her eyes and jerked her hat back into place. "my goodness just look at the state i'm in and look at baltie; i don't know what mammy will say. aren't you ashamed of yourself, you great big bully, to torment a girl and a poor old blind horse. oh, i _wish_ i were a boy! if i wouldn't give you bally-whacks." a smile broke over knight errant's face, but his victim trembled in his boots. "all right then, here goes, since you won't let me punch it," and jean's injunctions to shake her tormentor's head "most off" seemed in a fair way to be obeyed, for the next second its owner was being shaken very much as a rat is shaken by a terrier and the head was jerked about in a most startling manner. "now get out! skiddoo! and if we catch you and your gang out this way again you'll have a pretty lively time of it, and don't you forget it either," said knight errant with a final shake, and long stick was hustled upon his way toward his friends who had not paused to learn his fate. this boy who acted as spokesman, and who appeared to be a leader among his companions, then said: "i say, your old horse is pretty well knocked up, isn't she? how far have you come? better drive into the school grounds and rest up a bit before you go back. come on!" and going to baltie's head the lad took hold of the rein to lead him through the gateway. baltie never forgot his manners, however great the stress under which he was laboring, so turning his sightless eyes toward his new friend, he nickered softly, and rubbed his muzzle against him. the lad laughed and raising his hand stroked the warm neck as he said: "found a friend at last, old boy? well, come on then, for you needed one badly." "guess he _did_!" said jean. "my gracious, i don't know what we would have done if you boys hadn't come out to help us. how did you happen to hear us?" "we were out on the field with the ball. i guess it's lucky for you we were, too, for there's a tough gang up there near riveredge. we're always on the lookout for some new outbreak, and we make it lively if they come up this way, you'd better believe. they don't try it very often, but you were too big a chance for 'em this time, and they sailed right in. but they sailed at the wrong time for we are never happier to exchange civilities with them than when we have on our togs," ended the lad, as he glanced at the foot-ball suits which he and a number of his chums were wearing. "oh, are you playing foot-ball? i wish i could see you," cried jean eagerly, all thoughts of her late plans flying straight out of her head. "better come over to the field then," laughed her escort. "i'd love to but i guess i can't to-day. i'm on important business. i'm going to south riveredge," she said, suddenly recalling her errand. "south riveredge!" echoed a lad who walked at the other side of the phaeton. "why it's nearly four miles from here. it's almost two to riveredge itself. what brought you out this way if you were going to south riveredge?" but to explain just why she had turned off the direct road to south riveredge would be a trifle embarrassing, so jean decided to give another reason: "i thought i knew my way but i guess i must have missed it, those boys tormented me so." "i guess you did miss it, but i don't wonder. well, rest here a little while, and then we'll start you safely back. guess one of us better go along with her hadn't we, ned?" he asked of the gray-eyed boy. "if we want her to get back whole i guess we had," was the laughing answer, as baltie's guide led him up to a carriage step and stopped. baltie's coat was steaming. "got a blanket? better let me put it on your horse. he's pretty warm from his race and the day is snappy." jean bounded up from the seat and pulled the blanket from it. it was not a very heavy blanket and when the boy had put it carefully upon the old horse, it seemed hardly thick enough to protect him. "let me have the rug too," he ordered, and without a second's thought jerked up the rug and gave it a toss. up came the box of candy with it, to balance a second upon one end as daintily as a tight-rope dancer balances upon a rope, then keel gracefully over and land bottom-side-up, upon the tan-bark of the driveway, the packages of candy flying in twenty different directions. jean's cry of dismay was echoed by the boys' shouts as their eyes quickly grasped the significance of those dainty white parcels. a wild scramble to rescue her wares followed, as jean was plied with questions. "are they yours? what are you going to do with them?" "are they for sale?" "can we buy some?" "how much are they?" "lend me some cash, bob?" never was an enterprising merchant so suddenly plunged into a rushing business. jean's head whirled for a moment. how much were the packages of candy? she hadn't the vaguest idea, and circumstances had not made it convenient to ascertain before she set forth. however, her wits came to her rescue and she recalled the little packages which constance had made for the fair, and which had sold for ten cents each. so ten cents _she_ would charge, and presently was doling out her rescued packages of fudge and dropping dimes into her box to take the place of the packages which were so quickly disappearing from it. given four dozen packages of exceptionally delicious home-made candy, and twenty or thirty boys, after an hour's foot-ball exercise, upon a crisp january morning, each more or less supplied with pocket money, and it is a combination pretty sure to work to the advantage of the candy-maker. jean's eyes danced, and her face was radiant. her business was in its most flourishing stage when she became aware that another actor had appeared upon the scene, and was regarding her steadily through a pair of very large, very round, and very thick-lensed eye-glasses, and with the solemn expression of a meditative owl. how long he had been a silent observer of her financial operations jean had no idea. his presence did not appear to embarrass the boys in any way; indeed, when they became aware of it two or three of them promptly urged him to partake of their toothsome dainties. this he did in the same grave, absorbed manner. "great, aint they, professor?" asked one lad. "quite unusual. who is the juvenile vender?" he asked. "we don't know. she was out yonder in the road with half mckim's hollow after her when we fellows rallied to the rescue. she was as plucky as any thing, and was putting up a great standoff when we got in our licks." "ah! indeed! and how came she to have such a feast along with her. i'll take another, thank you, ned. they are really excellent," and instead of "another" the last three of "ned's" package were calmly appropriated and eaten in the same abstracted manner that the other pieces had been. ned looked somewhat blank and turning toward one of his companions, winked and smiled slyly, then said to the professor: "better buy some quick. they are going like hot cakes." chapter xiv the candy enterprise grows "i believe i shall," and drawing closer to the phaeton the professor peered more closely at its occupant as he said: "i say, little girl, i think i'll take all you have there. they are exceedingly palatable. and i would really like to know how it happens that a child apparently so respectable as yourself should be peddling sweets. you--why you might really be a gentleman's daughter," he drawled. now it had never for a moment occurred to jean that appearances might prove misleading to those whose powers of observation were not of the keenest, or that a much disheveled child driving about the country in an antiquated phaeton, to which was harnessed a patriarchal horse, might seem to belong to a rather lower order in the social scale than her mother had a right to claim. so the near-sighted professor's remark held anything but a pleasing suggestion. for a moment she hardly grasped its full significance, then drawing up her head like an insulted queen, she regarded the luckless man with blazing eyes as she answered: "i am a carruth, thank you, and the carruths do as they _please_. you need not buy these candies if you don't wish to. i can get plenty of customers among my friends--the boys." when did unconscious flattery prove sweeter? those same "friends--the boys" would have then and there died for the small itinerant whose wares had so touched their palates, and who was openly choosing their patronage over and above that of an individual who had now and again caused more than one of them to pass an exceedingly bad quarter of an hour. a suppressed giggle sounded not far off, but the professor's face retained its perfect solemnity as he bent his head toward jean to get a closer view. "hum; ah; yes. i dare say you are quite right. i was probably over hasty in drawing conclusions," was the calm response. "_mammy_ says a _gentleman_ can always rec'o'nize a lady," flashed jean, unconsciously falling into mammy's vernacular. "and who is mammy, may i inquire?" asked the imperturbable voice, its owner absently eating lumps of fudge and pralines at a rate calculated to speedily reduce the supply he had on hand, the lads meanwhile regarding the vanishing "lumps of delight" with longing eyes. "why she's _mammy_," replied jean with considerable emphasis. "mammy _what_?" was the very unprofessional question which followed. "mammy blairsdale, of course. _our_ mammy." there was no answer for a moment as the candy continued to melt from sight like dew before the morning sun. then the professor looked at her steadily as he slowly munched his sweets, causing jean to think of the henrys' cow when in a ruminative mood. "little girl, are you from the south?" "don't _call_ me 'little girl' again!" flared jean, bringing her foot down upon the bottom of the phaeton with a stamp. "i just naturally despise to be called 'little girl.' i'm jean, and i want to be called jean." "jean, jean. pretty name. well _miss_ jean, are you from the south?" "my _mother is_. she was a _blairsdale_," replied "miss" jean, much as she might have said she is the daughter of england's queen, much mollified at having the cognomen added. "do you happen to know which part of the south you come from?" "_i_ don't come from the south at all. i was born right here in riveredge. my mother came from forestvale, north carolina." "i thought i knew the name. yes, it is very familiar. blairsdale. yes. quite so. quite so. rather curious, however. so many years. my grandmother was a blairsdale too. singular coincidence, _she_ had red hair, i'm told, yes, really. think i must follow it up. very good, indeed. did _you_ make them? i judge not. who did? i must know where to get more when i have a fancy for some," and having eaten the last praline the professor absent-mindedly put into his mouth the paper in which they had been wrapped, having unconsciously rolled it into a nice little wad while talking. a funny twinkle came into his eyes when his mistake dawned upon him and turning to the grinning boys he said: "i have heard of men putting the lighted end of a cigar into their mouths by mistake. this was less unpleasant at all events," and the wad was tossed to the driveway. the boys burst into shouts of laughter and the ice was broken. crowding about the phaeton they asked: "who makes the candy? do you always sell it? when can we get some more? say, professor, do you really know her folks? who _is_ she any how?" "i told you my name, and i live in riveredge. my sister makes the candy, but she doesn't know i'm selling it. maybe she'll let me bring you some more, and maybe she won't. i don't know. and maybe i'll catch hail-columbia-happy-land when i get back home," concluded the young lady, her lips coming together with decision and her head wagging between doubt and defiance. "but i don't care one bit if i do. i've sold _all_ the candy, and i've got just piles of money; so _that_ proves that i _can_ help as well as the big girls even if _i_ am too little to be trusted with their old secrets. and now i've got to go straight back home or they'll all be scared half to death. perhaps they won't want to scold so hard if they are good and scared." "one of us will go with you till you get past mckim's hollow," cried the boys. "ned can, can't he, professor?" "i believe i'll go myself," was the unexpected reply. "i was about to walk over to riveredge, but i think perhaps miss jean will allow me to ride with her," and without more ado professor forbes, b.a., b.c., b.m., and half a dozen other bachelors, gravely removed the coverings from old baltie, folding and carefully placing the blanket upon the seat and laying the rug over jean's knees. after he had tucked her snugly in, he took his seat beside her. "now, miss jean, i think we are all ready to start." if anything could have been added to complete jean's secret delight at the attention shown her, it was the dignified manner in which the professor raised his hat, the boys as one followed his example, as baltie ambled forth. "that is the way i _like_ to be treated. i _hate_ to be snubbed because i'm only ten years old," thought she. as they turned into the road the distant whistles of south riveredge blew twelve o'clock. jean started slightly and glanced quickly up at her companion. "the air is very clear and still to-day," he remarked. "we hear the whistles a long distance." "it's twelve o'clock. i wonder what mammy is thinking," was jean's irrelevant answer. "does mammy think for the family?" asked the professor, a funny smile lurking about the corners of his mouth. jean's eyes twinkled as she answered: "she was _mother's_ mammy too." "ah! i think i understand. i lived south until i was fifteen." "did you? how old are you now?" was the second startling question. "how old should you think?" was the essentially yankee reply, which proved that the southern lad had learned a trick or two from his northern friends. jean regarded him steadily for a few moments. "well, when you raised your hat a few minutes ago your hair looked a little thin on _top_, so i guess you're going to be bald pretty soon. but your eyes, when you laugh, look just about like the boys'. perhaps you aren't so very old though. maybe you aren't much older than mr. stuyvesant. do you know him?" "yes, i know him. he is younger than i am though." the professor did not add "exactly six months." "yes, i thought you were lots older. he's the kind you _feel_ is young and you're the kind you feel is old, you know." "oh, am i? wherein lies the difference, may i inquire?" the voice sounded a trifle nettled. "why i should think anyone could understand _that_," was the surprised reply. "mr. stuyvesant is the kind of a man who knows what children are thinking right down inside themselves all the time. they don't have to explain things to _him_ at all. why the day i found baltie he knew just as well how i felt about having him shot, and i knew just as well as anything that _he'd_ take care of him and make it all right. we're great friends. i love him dearly." "whom? baltie?" "now there! what did i tell you? _that's_ why _you_ are _years_ and _years_ older than mr. stuyvesant. he _would'nt_ have had to say 'whom? baltie?' he'd just know such things without having to ask." the tone was not calculated to inspire self-esteem. "hum," answered the man who could easily have told anyone the distance of mars from the earth and many another scientific fact. "i think i'm beginning to comprehend what constitutes age." "yes," resumed jean as she flapped the reins upon baltie who seemed to be lapsing into a dreamy frame of mind. "you can't always tell _how_ old a person is by just looking at 'em. maybe you aren't nearly as old as i think you are, though i guess you can't be far from forty, and that's pretty bad. but if you'd sort of get gay and jolly, and try to think how you felt when you were little, or maybe even as big as the boys back yonder, you wouldn't seem any older to me than mr. stuyvesant." the big eyes were regarding him with the closest scrutiny as though their owner wished to avoid falling into any error concerning him. "think perhaps i'll try it. it may prove worth while," and the professor fell into a brown study while old baltie plodded on and jean let her thoughts outstrip his slow progress. at the other end of her commercial venture lay a reckoning as well she knew, and like most reckonings it held an element of doubt as well as of hope. it was nearly one o'clock when they came to the outskirts of riveredge. the pretty town was quite deserted for it was luncheon hour. when they reached the foot of hillside street, jean said: "this is my street; i have to go up here," and drew up to the sidewalk for her passenger to descend. he seemed in no haste to take the hint, and jean began to wonder if he would turn out a regular old man of the sea. before she could frame a speech both positive and polite as a suggestion for his next move, her ears were assailed by: "bress gawd, ef dar aint dat pesterin' chile dis very minit! what i gwine _do_ wid yo'? jis' tell me dat?" and mammy came puffing and panting down the hill like a runaway steam-roller. professor forbes roused himself from the reverie in which he had apparently been indulging for several moments, and stepping from the phaeton to the sidewalk, advanced a step or two toward the formidable object bearing down upon him, and raising his hat as though saluting a royal personage, said: "i think i have the pleasure of addressing mammy----_blairsdale_." chapter xv the reckoning the descending steam-roller slowed down and finally came to a standstill within a few feet of the professor, too non-plussed even to snort or pant, while that imperturbable being stood hat in hand in the sharp january air, and smiled upon it. there was something in the smile that caused the steam-roller to reconsider its plan of action, rapidly formed while descending the hill, for great had been the consternation throughout the dwelling which housed it, and the cause of all that consternation was now within reach of justice. "mammy blairsdale?" repeated the professor suavely. "mammy blairsdale," echoed that worthy being, although the words were not quite so blandly spoken. "i am glad to make your acquaintance, mammy. i have taken the liberty of escorting this young lady back home. she is very entertaining, and extremely practical, as well as enterprising. i am sure you will find her a successful coöperator. she has done a most flourishing business this morning." "b'isness! b'isness! for de lawd's sake wha' dat chile been at now, an' we all cl'ar 'stracted 'bout her? whar yo' bin at? tell me dis minute. an' yo' ma, and miss constance and me jist plumb crazy 'bout you and dat hawse." the professor attempted to put in a word of explanation, but a wave of mammy's hand effectually silenced him and motioned him aside, as she stepped closer to the phaeton. baltie had instantly recognized her voice and as she drew nearer, nickered. "yas, baltie hawse, what dat chile been doin' wid yo'?" she said softly as she laid her hand upon the old horse's neck. but the more resolute tone was resumed as she turned again to the phaeton, and demanded: "i wanter know wha' yo's been. you hear me? we's done chased de hull town ober fer yo' an' dat hawse, an' yo' ma done teken de trolley fer souf riveraige, kase someone done say dey seed yo' a gwine off dat-a-way. now whar in de name o' man _is_ yo' been ter?" "i've been out to the irving school selling your old _candy_, and your cousins-in-the-lord, over in south riveredge, can _wait_ a while for some. you and connie thought you could fool me with your old talk but you couldn't; i found out _all_ about it. _she_ makes it and _you_ sell it, and now _i've_ sold it--yes every single package--and there's your money; i don't want it, but i've proved that i _can_ help mother, so there now!" and, figuratively speaking, jean hurled at mammy's feet the gauntlet, in the shape of her handkerchief, in which she had carefully tied the proceeds of her morning's sale, a no mean sum, by the way. then, bounding out of the old phaeton, tore up the hill like a small whirlwind, leaving mammy and the professor to stare after her open-mouthed. the latter was the first to recover his speech. "well, really! quite vehement! good deal of force in a small body." "fo'ce! well yo' ain' know dat chile ten years lak _i_ is. she cl'ar break loose some times, an' dis hyre's one ob 'em. but i 'spicioned dat she's done teken dat box o' candy. minit my back turned out she fly wid it. an' sell hit, too? what _yo'_ know 'bout it, sar? is yo' see her?" "i certainly did, and i haven't seen such a sight in some time. she's a good bit of a metaphysician into the bargain," and in a few words professor forbes told of the morning's business venture, and the lively experiences of the young merchant, mammy listening attentively, only now and again uttering an expressive "um-m! uh-h!" when he had finished she looked at him sharply and said: "you know what dat chile' oughter be named? wal, suh, scape-many-dangers would fit her pine blank. de lawd on'y knows what she gwine tu'n out, but hits boun' ter be one ting or turrer; she gwine be de banginest one ob de hull lot, or she gwine be jist nothin' but a little debbil. now, suh, who is _yo'_?" the concluding question was sprung upon the professor so suddenly that he nearly jumped. he looked at the old woman a moment, the suggestion of a twinkle in the eyes behind the big glasses, then answered soberly: "i might be termed a knight errant i presume; i've been guarding a young lady from the perils of the highway." "night errand? 'tain't no night errand as _i_ kin see. can't be much broader day dan tis dis minute," retorted mammy, looking up at the blazing luminary directly over her head by way of proving her assertion. "if you's on a errand dat's yo' b'isness; 'taint mine. but i'd lak ter know yo' name suh, so's i kin tell miss jinny." "is miss jinny the older sister who manufactures that delicious candy?" asked the professor, as he drew his card case from his pocket and handed mammy his card. "no, suh, she's _my_ miss jinny: miss jinny blairsdale; i mean carruth. my mistis. dat chile's mother. thank yo', suh. i'll han' her dis cyard. is she know yo', suh?" "no, i haven't the pleasure of mrs. carruth's acquaintance though i hope to before long. (mammy made a slight sound through her half-closed lips.) my grandmother was a blairsdale." "open sesame" was a trifling talisman compared with the name of blairsdale. "wha', wha', wha', yo say, suh?" demanded mammy, stammering in her excitement. "yo's a blairsdale?" "no, i am homer forbes. my mother's mother was a blairsdale. i cannot claim the honor." "yo' kin claim de _blood_ dough, an' dat's all yo' hatter claim. yo' don' need ter claim nuttin' else ef yo' got some ob _dat_. but i mustn't stan' here talkin' no longer. yo' kin come an' see my miss jinny ef yo' wantter. if yo's kin ob de blairsdales' she'll be pintedly glad fer ter know yo'," ended mammy, courtesying to this branch of the blood royal, and turning to lead baltie up the hill. "thank you. i think i'll accept the invitation before very long. i'd like to know miss jean a little better. good-day mammy _blairsdale_." "good-day, suh! good-day," answered mammy, smiling benignly upon the favored being. as she drew near the house a perplexed expression overspread her old face. she still held the handkerchief with its weight of change; earnest of the morning's good intentions. yet what a morning it had been for her and the others! "i clar ter goodness dat chile lak ter drive us all 'stracted. fust she scare us nigh 'bout ter death, an' we ready fer ter frail her out fer her doin's. den she come pa'radin' home wid a bagful ob cash kase she tryin' fer ter help we-all. _den_ what yo' gwine 'do wid her? smack her kase she done plague yo', or praise her kase she doin' her bes' fer ter mek t'ings go a little mite easier fer her ma?" ended mammy, bringing her tongue against her teeth in a sound of irritation. meanwhile the cause of all the commotion had gone tearing up the hill and into the house where she ran pell-mell into eleanor who had just come home, and who knew nothing of the excitement of the past few hours. constance had gone over to amy fletcher's to inquire for the runaway. jean was on the border land between tears and anger, and eleanor was greeted with: "now i suppose _you_ are going to lecture me too, tell me i'd no business to go off. well you just needn't do any such a thing, and i don't care if i _did_ scare you. it was all your own fault 'cause you wouldn't let me into your old secret, and i'm _glad_ i scared you. yes i am!" the words ended in a storm of sobs. for a moment eleanor stood dumfounded. then realizing that something more lay behind the volley of words than she understood, she said: "come up to my room with me, jean. i don't know what you are talking about. if anything is wrong tell me about it, but don't bother mother. the little mumsey has a lot to bother her as it is." jean instantly stopped crying and looked at this older sister who sometimes seemed very old indeed to her. "_you_ don't know what all the fuss is about, and why mammy is waiting to give me hail columbia?" she asked incredulously. "i have just this moment come in. i have been out at aunt eleanor's all the morning, as you know quite well if you will stop to think," answered eleanor calmly. "then come up-stairs quick before mammy gets in; i see her coming in the gate now. i did something that made her as mad as hops and scared mother. come i'll tell you all about it," and jean flew up the stairs ahead of eleanor. rushing into her sister's room she waited only for eleanor to pass the threshold before slamming the door together and turning the key. eleanor dropped her things upon the bed and sitting down upon a low chair, said: "come here, jean." jean threw herself upon her sister's lap, and clasping her arms about her, nestled her head upon her shoulder. eleanor held her a moment without speaking, feeling that it would be wiser to let her excitement subside a little. then she said: "now tell me the whole story, jean." jean told it from beginning to end, and ended by demanding: "don't you really, truly, know anything about the candy constance is making to sell?" "i know that she is making candy, and that she contrives somehow to sell a good deal of it, but she and mammy have kept the secret as to _how_ it is sold. they did not tell me, and i wouldn't ask," said eleanor looking straight into jean's eyes. "oh!" said jean. "mammy has rather high ideas of what we ought or ought not to do, you know, jean," continued eleanor, "and she was horrified at the idea of constance making candy for money. and yet, jean, both constance and i _must_ do something to help mother. you say we keep you out of our secrets. we don't keep you _out_ of them, but we see no reason _why_ you should be made to bear them. constance and i are older, and it is right that we should share some of the burden which mother must bear, but you are only a little girl and ought to be quite care-free." jean's head dropped a trifle lower. "but since you have discovered so much, let _me_ tell you a secret which only mother and i know, and then you will understand why she is so troubled now-a-days. even connie knows nothing of it. can i trust you?" "i'd _die_ before i'd tell," was the vehement protest. "very well then, listen: you know our house was insured for a good deal of money--fifteen thousand dollars. well, mother felt quite safe and comfortable when she found that mammy had paid the premium just before the house burned down, and we all thought we would soon have the amount settled up by the company and that the interest would be a big help--" "what is the interest?" demanded jean. "i can't stop to explain it all now, but when people put money in a savings bank a certain sum is paid to them each year. the bank pays the people the smaller sum each year because it--the bank, i mean--has the use of the larger amount for the time being. do you understand?" "yes, it's just as if i gave you my five dollars to use and you gave me ten cents each week for lending you the five dollars till i wanted it, isn't it?" "yes, exactly. well mother thought she would have about six hundred dollars each year, and everything seemed all right, and so we came to live here because it was less expensive. but, oh, jean, my miserable experiments! my dreadful chemicals! when the insurance company began to look into the cause of the fire and learned that i had gasoline, and those powerful acids in my room, and the box of excelsior in which they had been sent out from the city was in the room where the fire started, they--they would not settle the insurance, and _all_ the money we had paid out was lost, and we could hardly collect anything. and it was _all_ my fault. _all_ my fault. but i did not know it! i did not guess the harm i was doing. i only thought of what i could learn from my experiments. and _see_ what mischief i have done," and poor eleanor's story ended in a burst of sobs, as she buried her head against the little sister whom she had just been comforting. jean was speechless for a moment. then all her sympathies were alert, and springing from eleanor's lap she flung her arms about her crying: "don't cry, nornie; don't cry! you didn't _mean_ to. you didn't know. you were trying to be good and learn a lot. you didn't know about those hateful old companies." "but i _ought_ to have known! i ought to have understood," sobbed eleanor. "how _could_ you? but don't you cry. i'm glad now i _did_ run away with the box, 'cause i've found a way to make some money every single saturday and i'm going to _do it_, mammy or no mammy. baltie is just as much my horse as hers, and if he can't help us work i'd like to know why. now don't you cry any more, 'cause it isn't your fault, and i'm going right straight down stairs to talk with mother, and tell her i'm sorry i frightened her but _i'm not_ sorry i went," and ending with a tempestuous hug and an echoing kiss upon her sister's cheek, little miss determination whisked out of the room. chapter xvi united we stand, divided we fall it need hardly be stated that mrs. carruth had passed anything but a tranquil morning. indeed tranquillity of mind was almost unknown to her now-a-days, and her nights were filled with far from pleasant dreams. from the hour her old home had burned, disasters had crowded upon her. her first alarm lest the insurance upon her property had lapsed, owing to her inability to meet the premium punctually, had been allayed by mammy's prompt action and all seemed well. no one had given a thought to the conditions of the agreement, and, alas! no one had thought of eleanor's laboratory. indeed, had she done so, mrs. carruth was not sufficiently well informed upon such matters to have attached any importance to it. but one little clause in the policy had expressly prohibited the presence of "gasoline, excelsior or chemicals of any description upon the premises," and all three had been upon it when the house burned; and, fatal circumstance, had been the _cause_ of the fire. such investigations move slowly, and weeks passed before these facts were brought to light and poor mrs. carruth learned the truth. she strove in every way to realize even a small proportion of the sum she could otherwise have claimed, and influential friends lent their aid to help her. but the terms of the contract had, unquestionably, been broken, even though done in ignorance--and the precautions taken for so many years ended in smoke. mrs. carruth had not meant to let the girls learn of it until, if worse came to worst, all hope of recovering something had to be given up. but, several days before, eleanor had found her mother in a state of nervous collapse over the letter which brought the ultimatum, and had insisted upon knowing the truth. mrs. carruth confessed it only upon the condition of absolute secrecy on eleanor's part, for constance was in the midst of mid-year examinations and her mother would not have an extra care laid upon her just then. eleanor had kept the secret until this morning when jean's outbreak seemed to make it wiser to tell the truth, and, if the confession must be made, poor eleanor could no longer conceal her remorse for the mischief her experiments had brought upon them all. she had gone that morning to her aunt eleanor's home to confess the situation to her, and to ask if she might leave school and seek some position. the interview had been a most unpleasant one, for mrs. eleanor carruth, senior, never hesitated to express her mind, and having exceptional business acumen herself, had little patience with those who had less. "your mother has no more head for business than a child of ten. not as much as _some_, i believe. and, your father wasn't much better. good heavens and earth! the idea of a man in his sane senses agreeing to pay another man's debts. i don't believe he _was_ in his senses," stormed mrs. eleanor. "please, aunt eleanor, don't say such things to me about father and mother," said eleanor, with a little break in her voice. "perhaps mother doesn't know as much about business matters as she ought, and father's heart got the better of his good sense, but they are father and mother and have always been devoted to us. i don't want to be rude to you, but i _can't_ hear them unkindly spoken of," she ended with a little uprearing of the head, which suddenly recalled to the irate lady a similar mannerism of her late husband who had been a most forebearing man up to a certain point, but when that was reached his wife knew a halt had been called; the same sudden uplifting of the head now gave due warning. however, eleanor was only a child in her aunt's eyes, and, fond as she was of her, in her own peculiar way, she could not resist a final word: "well, i've no patience with such goin's on. and now here's a pretty kettle of fish and no mistake. you've taken hadyn stuyvesant's house for a year, and of course you've got to _keep_ it, yet every cent you've got in this world to live on is twelve hundred dollars a year. that means less than twenty-five dollars a week to house, clothe and feed five people. i 'spose it can be done--plenty do it--but they're not carruths, with a carruth's ideas. and now _you_ want to quit school and go to work? well, i don't approve of it; no, not for a minute. you'll do ten times better to stay at school and then enter college next fall. _you've_ got the ability to do it, and it's flyin' in the face of providence _not_ to." aunt eleanor might just as well have added, "i representing providence," since her tone implied as much. "now run along home and leave me to think out this snarl. i can think a sight better when i'm alone," and with that summary and rather unsatisfactory dismissal, eleanor departed for her own home to be met by jean with her trials and tribulations. meanwhile mrs. carruth had gone in quest of that young lady, for upon mammy's return from market, jean, baltie and the box of candy had been missed, and the old woman had raised a hue and cry. at first they believed it to be some prank, but as the hours slipped away and jean failed to reappear, mrs. carruth grew alarmed and all three set forth in different directions to search for her. constance going to amy fletcher's home. mammy to their old home, or at least all that was left of it, for jean frequently went there on one pretext or another, and mrs. carruth down town, as the marketing section of riveredge was termed. while there, one of the shopkeepers told her that jean had driven by, headed for south riveredge. upon the strength of this vague information mrs. carruth had 'phoned home that she was setting out for south riveredge by the trolley and hoped to find the runaway. but the search, naturally, was unavailing and she was forced to return in a most anxious state of mind. as she turned into hillside street and began to mount the steep ascent, her limbs were trembling, partly from physical and partly from nervous exhaustion. before she reached the top she saw the object of her quest bearing down upon her with arms outstretched and burnished hair flying all about her. jean had not paused for the hat or coat, which she had impatiently flung aside upon entering eleanor's room. her one impulse after learning of the calamity which had overtaken them was to offer consolation to her mother. the impact when she met that weary woman came very near landing them both in the gutter, and nothing but the little fly-away's agility saved them. jean was wonderfully strong for her age, her outdoor life having developed her muscles to a most unusual degree. "oh, mother, mother. i'm _so_ sorry i frightened you. i didn't mean to; truly i didn't. i only wanted to prove i _could_ help, and now i _can_, 'cause i've got a _lot_ of new customers and made most four dollars. i could have made more if some of the papers hadn't bursted and spilt the candy in the road. we got some of it up, but it was all dirty and i couldn't take any money for _that_, though the boys _ate_ it after they'd washed if off at the hose faucet. it wasn't so very dirty, you know. and now i'm going out there every single saturday morning, and connie and i--" "jean; jean; stop for mercy's sake. what _are_ you talking about? have you taken leave of your senses, child?" demanded poor mrs. carruth, wholly bewildered, for until this moment she had heard absolutely nothing of the candy-making, mammy and constance having guarded their secret well. it had never occurred to jean that even her mother was in ignorance of the enterprise, and now she looked at her as though it had come her turn to question her mother's sanity. they had now reached the house and were ascending the steps, jean assisting her mother by pushing vigorously upon her elbow. "come right into the living-room with me, jean, and let me learn where you've been this morning. you have alarmed me terribly, and mammy has been nearly beside herself. she was sure you and baltie were both killed." "pooh! fiddlesticks! she might have known better. she thinks baltie is as fiery as mr. stuyvesant's comet, and that nobody can drive him but herself. i've been to east riveredge with the candy--" "_what_ candy, jean? i do not know what you mean." "_constance's_ candy!" emphasized jean, and then and there told the whole story so far as she herself knew the facts regarding it. mrs. carruth sat quite speechless during the recitation, wondering what new development upon the part of her offspring the present order of things would bring to light. "and mumsey, darling," continued jean, winding her arms about her mother's neck and slipping upon her lap, "i'm going to help _now_; i really am, 'cause nornie has told me about that horried old insurance and i know we haven't much money and--" "nornie has told _you_ of the insurance trouble, jean? how came she to do such a thing?" asked mrs. carruth, at a loss to understand why eleanor had disobeyed her in the matter. "she told me 'cause i was so mad at her and connie for having secrets, and treating me as if i hadn't the least little bit of sense, and couldn't be trusted. i am little, mumsey, dear, but i can help. you see if i can't, and the boys were just splendid and want me to come every saturday. please, please say i may go," and jean kissed her mother's forehead, cheeks and chin by way of persuasion. it must be confessed that mrs. carruth responded to these endearments in a rather abstracted manner, for she had had much to think of within the past few hours. "please say yes," begged jean. "childie, i can not say yes or no just this moment. i am too overwhelmed by what i have heard. i must know _all_ now, and learn it from mammy and constance. i cannot realize that one of my children had actually entered upon such a venture. what _would_ your father say?" ended mrs. carruth, as though all the traditions of the carruths, to say nothing of the blairsdales, had been shattered to bits and thrown broadcast. "but you'll tell me before _next_ saturday, won't you? you know the boys will be on the lookout for their candy and will be _so_ disappointed if i don't take it." "i can not promise _anything_ now. the first thing to do is to eat our luncheon; it is long past two o'clock. _then_ we will hold a family council and i hope i shall recover my senses; i declare i feel as though they were tottering." mrs. carruth rose from her chair and with jean dancing beside her entered the dining-room to partake of a very indifferent meal, for mammy had been too exercised to give her usual care and thought to its preparation. chapter xvii a family council luncheon was over and mrs. carruth, the girls and mammy were seated in the library; mammy's face being full of solicitude for her miss jinny. mammy could no more have been left out of this family council than could eleanor. "an' you haint got dat 'surance money and cyant git hit, baby?" she asked, when mrs. carruth had finished explaining the situation to them. "no, mammy; it is impossible. i have hoped until the last moment, but now i must give up all hope." "but--but i done _paid_ de prem'ym ter dat little sniffin's man, an' _he_ say we _git_ de money all right an' straight," argued mammy, loath to give up _her_ hope. "i know that, mammy. he told you so in all good faith. it is not his fault in the least. it would have been settled at once, had we not--had we not--" mrs. carruth hesitated. she was reluctant to lay the blame upon eleanor. "oh, it is _all_ my fault! all. if i had not brought those hateful acids into the house we would _never_ have had all this trouble. i shall never forgive myself, and i should think you'd all want to kill me," wailed the cause of the family's misfortune, springing to her feet to pace rapidly up and down the room, quite unconscious that a long feather boa which happened to have been upon the back of her chair, had caught upon her belt-pin and was trailing out behind in a manner to suggest darwin's theory of the origin of man. "my child you need not reproach yourself. you were working for our mutual benefit. you knew nothing of the conditions--" "knew nothing! knew nothing!" broke in eleanor. "that's just _it_. it was my business to know! and i tell you one thing, in future i _mean_ to know, and not go blundering along in ignorance and wrecking everybody else as well as myself. i'm just no better than a fool with _all_ my poring over books and experimenting. after this i'll find out where my _feet_ are, even if my head _is_ stuck in the clouds. and now, mother, listen: since i _am_ responsible for this mess it is certainly up to me to help you to pull out of it, and i'm going to _do_ it, i've spoken to mr. hillard, and asked him about coaching, and he says he can get me plenty of students who will be only too glad if i can give them the time. and i'm going to do it three afternoons a week. i shall have to do it between four and six, as those are my only free hours, and if i can't coach better than some i've known to undertake it, i'll quit altogether." as eleanor talked, mammy's expression became more and more horrified. when she ceased speaking the old woman rose from the hassock upon which she sat, and crossing the room to mrs. carruth's side laid her hand upon her shoulder as she asked in an awed voice: "baby you won't _let_ her do no sich t'ing as dat? cou'se you won't. wimmin folks now-a-days has powerful strange ways, dat i kin see myse'f, but we-all don' do sich lak. miss nornie wouldn't never in de roun' worl' do _dat_, would she, honey? she jist a projectin', ain't she?" mammy's old face was so troubled that mrs. carruth was much mystified. "why mammy, i don't know of anything that eleanor is better qualified to do than coach. and mammy, dear, we _must_ do something--every one of us, i fear. we can not all live on the small interest i now have, and i shall never touch the principal if i can possibly avoid doing so. eleanor can materially help by entering upon this work, and constance has already shown that she can aid also. even baby has helped," added mrs. carruth, laying her arm caressingly across jean's shoulders, for jean had stuck to her side like a burr. "then you _will_ let me go to east riveredge with the candy?" cried jean, quick to place her entering wedge. "we will see," replied mrs. carruth, but jean knew from the smile that the day was won. "i know all dat, honey," resumed mammy, "but dis hyer coachin' bisness. i ain' got _dat_ settle in my mind. hit just pure scandal'zation 'cordin' ter my thinkin'. gawd bress my soul what we-all comin' to when a blairsdale teken ter drive a nomnibus fer a livin'? tck! tck!" and mammy collapsed upon a chair to clasp her hands and groan. then light dawned upon the family. "oh, mammy! i don't intend to become a stage-coach driver," cried eleanor, dropping upon her knees beside the perturbed old soul, and laying her own hands upon the clasped ones as she strove hard not to laugh outright. "you don't understand at _all_, mammy. a coach is someone who helps other students who can't get on well with their studies. who gives an hour or two each day to such work. and it is very well paid work, too, mammy." mammy looked at her incredulously as though she feared she was being made game of. then she glanced at the others. their faces puzzled her, as well they might, since the individuals were struggling to repress their mirth lest they wound the old woman's feelings, but still were anxious to reassure her. "miss jinny, is dat de solemn prar-book truf?" "it surely is mammy. we are not quite so degenerate as you think us," answered mrs. carruth soberly, although her eyes twinkled in spite of her. "well! well! jes so; jes so. i sutin'ly is behine de times. i speck i ain' unnerstan dese yer new-fangled wo'ds no mor'n i unnerstan de new-fangled stoves. if coachin' done tu'ned ter meanin' school marmin' i hatter give up. now go on wid yo' talkin': i gwine tek a back seat an' listen twell i knows sumpin'," and, wagging her head doubtingly, mammy went back to her hassock. "well _two_ of us have settled upon our plan of action, now what are _you_ going to do, connie? you said you were determined to make your venture a paying one. what is your plan?" asked eleanor, turning to constance, who thus far had said very little. "i can't tell you right now. i've had so many plans simmering since i began to make my candy, but mammy has always set the kettle on the back part of the stove just as it began to boil nicely, haven't you mammy?" asked constance, smiling into mammy's face. "'specs i's 'sponsuble fer a heap o' unbiled kittles, dough hits kase i hates p'intedly ter see de blairsdales fixin' ter bu'n dey han's," was the good soul's answer. "our hands can stand a few burns in a good cause, mammy, so don't worry about it. we're healthy and they'll heal quickly," was constance's cheerful reply. "mebbe so," said mammy skeptically. "seriously, constance, what have you thought of doing, dear?" asked mrs. carruth, a tender note coming into her voice for this daughter who had been the first to put her shoulder to the wheel for them all. "well, you let me answer that question day after to-morrow, mumsey? or, perhaps, it may take even a little longer. but i'll tell you all about my simmering ideas when i have had time to make a few inquiries. don't grow alarmed, mammy; i'm not going to apply for a position as motor-girl on a trolley car," said constance, as she laughingly nodded at mammy. "aint nothin' ever gwine 'larm me no mo', i reckons. speck some day i fin' dat chile stanin' down yonder on de cawner sellin' candy an' stuff. mought mos' anyt'ing happen," answered mammy, as she rose from her hassock. "well, if _yo'_-all gwine go inter bisness, i specs _i_ gotter too, so don' be 'sprised ef yo' see me. now i'se gwine ter get a supper dat's fitten fer ter _eat_; dat lunch weren't nothin' but a disgrace ter de hull fambly," and off she hurried to the kitchen to prepare a supper that many would have journeyed far to eat. "children," said mrs. carruth, as mammy disappeared, "whatever comes we must try to keep together. we can meet almost any difficulty if we are not separated, but _that_ would nearly break my heart, i believe; father so loved our home and the companionship of his family, that i shall do my utmost to keep it as he wished. we may be deprived of the major portion of our income, and find the path rather a stony one for a while, but we have each other, and the affection which began more than twenty years ago, when i came north to make my home has grown deeper as the years have passed. each new little form in my arms made it stronger, and the fact that father is no longer here to share the joys or sorrows with us can never alter it. in one sense he is always with us. his love for us is manifested on every hand. we will face the situation bravely and try to remember that never mind what comes, we have each other, and his 'three little women,' as he used to love to call you, are worthy of that beautiful name. he was very proud of his girls and used to build beautiful 'castles in spain' for them. if he could only have been spared to realize them." mrs. carruth could say no more. the day had been a trying one for her, and strength and voice failed together as she dropped upon a settee and the girls gathered about her. jean with her head in her lap as she clasped her arms around her; eleanor holding her hands, and constance, who had slipped behind the settee, with the tired head clasped against her breast and her lips pressed upon the pretty hair with its streaks of gray. for a few moments there was no sound in the room save mrs. carruth's rapidly drawn breaths as she strove to control her feelings. she rarely gave way in the presence of her children, but they knew how hard it was for her to maintain such self-control. it was very sweet to feel the strength of the young arms about her, and the presence of the vigorous young lives so ready to be up and doing for her sake. "come up-stairs and rest a while before supper," said constance, softly. "will you? do, please. we'll be your handmaidens." "yes do, mumsey, dear. i'll tuck you all up 'snug as a bug in a rug,'" urged jean. "and i'll go make you a cup of tea just as you love it," added eleanor hurrying from the room. as mrs. carruth rose from the settee constance slipped her strong arm about her to lead her up to her own room, jean running on ahead to arrange the couch pillows comfortably. presently mrs. carruth was settled in her nest with jean upon a low hassock, at her feet, patting them to make her "go byelow," she said. in a few moments eleanor came back with a dainty little tray and tea service, which she set upon the taborette constance had placed for it, and proceeded to feed her mother as she would have fed an invalid. "do you want to quite spoil me?" asked mrs. carruth, from her nest of pillows. "not a bit of it! we only want to make you realize how precious you are, don't you understand?" said eleanor, kissing her mother's forehead. "there! that is the last bite of cracker and the last drop of tea. now take 'forty winks' and be as fresh as a daisy for supper. come on, jean, let mumsey go to sleep." "oh, please let me stay here cuddling her feet. i'll be just as quiet as a mouse," begged jean. "please _all_ stay; and connie, darling, whistle me to the land o' nod," said mrs. carruth, slipping one hand into constance's and holding the other to eleanor, who dropped down upon the floor and rested her cheek against it as she nestled close to the couch. only the flickering flames of the logs blazing upon the andirons, lighted the room as the birdlike notes began to issue from the girl's lips. she whistled an air from the burgomeister, its pretty melody rippling through the room like a thrush's notes. presently mrs. carruth's eyelids drooped and, utterly wearied by the day's exciting events, she slipped into dreamland upon the sweet melody. chapter xviii "save me from my friends" "miss jinny! miss jinny! wait a minit. dar's a man yander at de back do' dat wants fer ter ax yo' sumpin' he say," called mammy, as she hurried through the hall just as mrs. carruth was leaving the house upon the following monday morning. "what is it, mammy?" asked mrs. carruth, pausing. "he say he want ter see yo' pintedly." mrs. carruth retraced her steps and upon reaching the back porch found mr. pringle waiting to see her. "hope i haven't delayed you, mrs. carruth, but i wanted to see you on a matter of business which might help both of us, you see. ah, i thought--i thought mebbe you'd like to hear of it." "i certainly should like to if it is to my advantage, mr. pringle," replied mrs. carruth, with a pleasant smile for the livery stable keeper, who stood self-consciously twirling his cap. "yes, ma'am. i thought so, ma'am. well it's this: your stable, ma'am, up at the old place, are you usin' it at all?" "not as a stable. it is more like a storehouse just now, for many things saved from the fire are stored there." "could you put them somewhere else and rent the stable to me, ma'am? i'm much put to it to find room for my boarding horses, and the carriages; my place is not big, and i thought could i rent your stable i'd keep most of my boarding horses up there; it's nearer to their owners you see, ma'am." mrs. carruth thought a moment before replying. "i shall have to think over your proposal, mr. pringle. there is a great deal of stuff stored in the stable and i am at a loss to know what we could do with it. however, i will let you know in a day or two if that will answer." "take your own time, ma'am. take your own time. there's no hurry at all. i'll call round about thursday and you can let me know. i'd be willing to pay twenty-five dollars a month for it, ma'am." pringle did not add that the step had been suggested to him by hadyn stuyvesant, or that he had also set the figure. when they were all gathered in the pleasant living-room that evening, she spoke of the matter, ending with the question: "but _where_ can we put all that furniture? _this_ house will not hold another stick i'm afraid; we are crowded enough as it is." for a few moments no one had a suggestion to offer, then constance cried: "mother couldn't we _sell_ a good many of the things? people do that you know. the boyntons did when they left riveredge." "yes, they had a private sale and disposed of many things. they advertised for weeks. i am afraid that would delay things too much." "why not have an auction then? _that_ moves quickly enough. the things go or they _don't_ go, and that is the end of it." "oh, i should dislike to do that. so many of those things hold very tender associations for me," hesitated mrs. carruth. "yet i am sure there are many things there which can't possibly have, mother. that patent washing machine, for example, that is as big as a dining-room table, and mammy 'pintedly scorns,'" laughed eleanor. "and jean's baby carriage. and the old cider-press, and that noah's ark of a sideboard that we never _can_ use," added constance. "and my express-wagon. i'll never play with _that_ again you know; i'm far too old," concluded jean with much self-importance. "i dare say there are a hundred things there we will never use again, and which would better be sold than kept. come down to the place with us to-morrow afternoon, mumsey, and we will have a grand rummage," said eleanor. and so the confab ended. the following afternoon was given over to the undertaking, and as is invariably the case, they wondered more than once why so many perfectly useless articles had been so long and so carefully cherished. among them, however, were many which held very dear memories for mrs. carruth, and with which she was reluctant to part. among these was a small box of garden-tools, which had belonged to her husband, and with which he had spent many happy hours at work among his beloved flower beds. also a reading lamp which they had bought when they were first married, and beneath whose rays many tender dreams had taken form and in many instances become realities. to be sure the lamp had not been used for more than ten years, as it had long since ceased to be regarded as either useful or ornamental, and neither it nor the garden tools were worth a dollar. but wives and mothers are strange creatures and recognize values which no one else can see. the girls appreciated their mother's love for every object which their father's hands had sanctified, and urged her to put aside the things she so valued, arguing that the proceeds could not possibly materially increase the sum they might receive for the general collection. but mrs. carruth insisted that if one thing was sold all should be, and that her personal feelings must not influence or enter into the matter. so in time all was definitely arranged; the auctioneer was engaged and the sale duly advertised for a certain saturday morning. no sooner were the posters in evidence than miss jerusha pike, likewise, became so. she swept in upon mrs. carruth one morning when the latter was endeavoring to complete a much-needed frock for jean, as that young lady's elbows were as self-assertive as herself, and had a trick of appearing in public when it was most inconvenient to have them do so. between letting down skirts and putting in new sleeves mrs. carruth's hands were usually kept well occupied. "morning, mammy," piped miss pike's high-pitched voice, as mammy answered her ring at the front door. "what's the meaning of these signs i see about town. you don't mean to tell me you are going to sell _out_? i couldn't believe my own eyes, so i came right straight here to find out. _where_ is that dear, dear woman?" "she up in her room busy wid some sewin'," stated mammy, with considerable emphasis upon the last word as a hint to the visitor. "well, tell her not to mind _me_; i'm an old friend, you know. i'll go right up to her room; i wouldn't have her come down for the world." "hum! yas'm," replied mammy, moving slowly toward the stairs. too slowly thought miss pike, for, bouncing up from the reception-room chair, upon which she had promptly seated herself, she hurried after the retreating figure saying: "now don't you bother to go way up-stairs. i don't doubt you have a hundred things to do this morning, and i've never been up-stairs in this house, anyway. go along out to your kitchen, mammy, and i'll just announce myself." and brushing by the astonished old woman she rushed half way up the stairs before mammy could recover herself. it was a master coup de main, for well miss pike knew that she would never be invited to ascend those stairs to the privacy of mrs. carruth's own room. mammy knew this also, and the good soul's face was a study as she stared after her. miss pike disappeared around the curve of the stairs calling as she ascended: "it's only _me_, dear. don't mind me in the least. go right on with your work. i'll be charmed to lend you a hand; i'm a master helper at sewing." mammy muttered: "well ef yo' aint de banginest han' at pokin' dat snipe nose o' yours inter places whar 'taint no call ter be _i'd_ lak ter know who _is_. i'se jist a good min' ter go slap bang atter yo' an' hustle yo' froo' dat front door; i is fer a fac'." meanwhile, aroused from her occupation by the high-pitched voice, mrs. carruth dropped her work and hurried into the hall. she could hardly believe that this busy-body of the town had actually forced herself upon her in this manner. she had often tried to do so, but as often been thwarted in her attempts. "oh, _why did_ you get up to meet me? you shouldn't have done it, you dear thing. i know how valuable every moment of your time is now-a-days. dear, dear, how times have changed, haven't they? now go right back to your room and resume your sewing and let me help while i talk. i _felt i must_ come. those awful signs have haunted me ever since i first set my eyes upon them. _don't_ tell me you are going to sell anything! surely you won't leave riveredge? why i said to miss doolittle on my way here, well, if the carruths have met with _more_ reverses and have got to sell out, _i'll_ clear give up. you haven't, have you? but this house must be an awful expense, ain't it? how much does hadyn stuyvesant ask you for it anyway? i'll bet he isn't _giving_ it away. his mother was rather near, you know, and i dare say he takes after her. _do_ you pay as much as fifty a month for it? i said to miss doolittle i bet anything you didn't get it a cent less. now do you? it's all between ourselves; you know i wouldn't breathe it to a soul for worlds." if you have ever suddenly had a great wave lift you from your feet, toss you thither and yonder for a moment, and then land you high and dry upon the beach when you have believed yourself to be enjoying a delightful little dip in an apparently calm ocean, you will have some idea of how mrs. carruth felt as this tornado of a woman caught her by her arm, hurried her back into her quiet, peaceful bedroom, forced her into her chair, and picking up her work laid it upon her lap, at the same time making a dive for an unfinished sleeve, as she continued the volley. "oh, i see just _exactly_ what you're doing. i can be the greatest help to you. go right on and don't give this a thought. i've been obliged to do so much piecing and patching for the family that i'm almost able to patch _shoes_. now _what_ did you say haydn stuyvesant charged you for this house?" the sharp eyes were bent upon the sleeve. "i don't think i said, miss pike. and, thank you, it is not necessary to put a patch upon the elbow of that sleeve as you are preparing to do; i have already made an entire new one. as to our leaving riveredge i am sorry you have given yourself so much concern about it. when we decide to do so i dare say _you_ will be the first to learn of our intention. yes, the auction is to take place at our stable as the announcement states. you learned all the particulars regarding it from the bills, i am sure. if you are interested you may find time to be present that morning. and now, since i am strongly averse to receiving even my most intimate friends in a littered-up room i will ask you to return to the reception room with me," and rising from her chair this quiet, unruffled being moved toward the door. "but your work, my dear. your work! you can't afford to let me interrupt it, i'm afraid. your time must be so precious." "it seems to have been interrupted already, does it not? sometimes we would rather sacrifice our time than our temper, don't you think so?" and a quizzical smile crept over mrs. carruth's face. "well, now, i hate to have you make company of me. i really do. i thought i'd just run in for a little neighborly chat and i seem to have put a stop to everything. dear me, i didn't think you'd mind _me_ a mite. are you going to sell this set of furniture? 'taint so very much worn, is it? only the edges are a little mite frayed. some people mightn't notice it, but my eyesight's exceptional. well, do tell me _what's_ goin'." as though fate had taken upon herself the responsibility of answering that question, the door-bell rang at the instant and when it was answered by mammy, mrs. eleanor carruth stalked into the hall. mrs. carruth rose to greet her. _miss pike rose to go._ if there was one person in this world of whom jerusha pike stood in wholesome awe it was mrs. eleanor carruth, for the latter lady had absolutely no use for the former, and let her understand it. madam carruth, as she was often called, shook her niece's hand, looked at her keenly for a moment and then said: "my stars, jenny, what ails you? you look as though you'd been blown about by a whirlwind. oh, how do _you_ do, miss pike. just going? you're under too high pressure, jenny. we must ease it up a little, i guess. good-bye, miss pike. my niece has always been considered a most amiable woman, hasn't she? i think she hasn't backbone enough at times. that is the reason i happen along unexpectedly to lend her some. fine day, isn't it?" two minutes later miss pike was in close confab with her friend miss doolittle. aunt eleanor was up in her niece's room putting in the neglected sleeve and saying: "if _i'd_ been in that front hall i'll guarantee she would never have clomb those stairs. now tell me all about this auction." chapter xix "an auction extraordinary" "my! just look at them perfec'ly good, new window screens. it _does_ seem a shame to sell 'em, don't it now? they might come in real handy sometime," cried one eager inspector of the collection of articles displayed for sale in the carruths' barn the following saturday morning. that the house for which those screens had been made lay almost in ashes not a hundred feet from her, and that the chances of their ever fitting any other house, unless it should be expressly built for them, did not enter that lady's calculations. "yes, and just look at his elergant sideboard. my! it must have cost a heap o' money. say, don't you think them carruths were just a little mite extravagant? seems ter me they wouldn't a been so put to it after carruth's death if they hadn't a spent money fer such things as them. but i wonder what it'll bring? 'tis elergant, aint it? i'm just goin' ter keep my eyes peeled, and maybe i c'n git it." "why what in this world would you do with it if you _did_? you haven't a room it would stand in," cried the friend, looking first at the huge, old-fashioned, walnut sideboard, that constance had called a noah's ark, and then at its prospective purchaser as though she questioned her sanity. "yes, it _is_ big, that's so," agreed that lady, "but it's _so_ elergant. why it would give a real air to my dining-room, and i guess i could sell our table if both wouldn't stand in the room. we could eat in the kitchen fer a spell, you know, till maybe jim's wagers were raised an' we could go into a bigger house. anyway i'm goin' ter _bid_ on it. it's too big a chanst ter let slip." "yes, it _is_ pretty big," replied her friend, turning away to hide a slight sneer, for _she_ was a woman of discretion. "now, ladies and gentlemen," called the auctioneer at that moment, "may i claim your attention for this most unusual sale; a sale of articles upon which you would never have had an opportunity to bid but for the 'calamity at your heels'--to quote the immortal william." the people massed in front of him, for riveredge had turned out en masse, started and glanced quickly over their shoulders. "but for the tragedy of them ashes these elegant articles of furniture would never have been placed on sale; your opportunity would never have been. alas! 'one man's meat is ever another man's poison.' now what am i offered for this roll of fine japanese matting? yards and yards of it as you see; all perfectly new; a rare opportunity to secure a most superior floor covering for a low figure. what am i bid, ladies and gentlemen?" "one dollar," ventured a voice. "_one dollar!_ did i hear right? surely not. one dollar for at least fifteen yards of perfectly new japanese matting? never. who will do better 'n that? two? two--two--" "two-fifty!" "good, that's better, but it's a wicked sacrifice come now--two-fifty--two-fifty--" "three. three-fifty. four," ran up the bids in rapid competition until seven dollars were bid for the roll. it was bought by the discreet lady. at that moment jean, who had been everywhere, appeared upon the scene. "oh, did you buy those pieces of matting?" she observed. "mother told me to tell the auctioneer not to bother with them 'cause she didn't think there were two yards of any single pattern. i didn't get here in time though, i'm sorry, but i had to stop on my way." "not two yards of any one pattern? why there's yards and yards in this roll. do you mean to tell me 'taint all alike?" "i guess not. it's pieces that were left from our house and all the rest was burned up." just then jean spied constance and flew toward her leaving the discreet lady to discover just what she _had_ paid seven dollars for. on her way she ran into jerusha pike, who laid upon her a detaining hand. "jean, you're exactly the child i want. where is your sister constance? i want to see her. is your mother here?" "no, miss pike, mother didn't come. connie is right yonder. see her?" off hurried miss pike to the tree beneath which constance stood watching the progress of the sale, which was now in full swing; the auctioneer feeling much elated at the returns of his initial venture, was warming up to his work. eleanor, with her aunt eleanor, who was much in evidence this day, was seated behind the auctioneer's raised stand, and thus quite sheltered from observation. "constance carruth, you are the very girl i must see. _you_ can and will tell me what i wish to know, i am sure," cried miss pike, in a stage whisper. "if i can i will, miss pike," answered constance with a mental reservation for the "can." "i want you to tell me what your poor dear mother most values among the things she has here. there _must_ be some treasures among them which she cherishes for sweet associations' sake. name them, i implore you. i have never forgiven myself for the accident which befell that priceless mirror. if i can bid in something here for her let me do it, i beg of you. there is no one else to do it, and _you_ are far too young to be exposed to the idle gaze of these people." "but miss pike, eleanor and----" "no! no! i cannot permit either of you to do this thing. your dear mother would be shocked. _i'll_ attend to it for you, if you will only tell me." "but," began constance, and was interrupted by the auctioneer's voice calling: "_now_, ladies and gentlemen, here is a _fine_ set of garden tools in perfect order." "oh, they were daddy's. that is the set mother felt so bad about selling, isn't it, connie?" broke in jean, who had not been paying much attention to the conversation between her sister and miss pike. "there! what did i say! i was confident of it! _now_ is my opportunity to make reparation. _nothing_ shall balk me." "but miss pike; miss pike; you must not. aunt eleanor----" but miss pike had rushed toward the auction stand. meanwhile eleanor had been saying: "i wish we had not offered that garden set at all. it was father's and mother really felt dreadful about selling it. i fully intended to have it put aside without saying anything to mother, but there was so much to attend to that i forgot it, and now it is too late." "not in the least, _i'll_ bid it in," and rising from her chair, madam carruth prepared to do her duty by her niece. just then miss pike appeared from the opposite direction. "how much am i bid for this garden set? all in perfect condition." "ten cents," replied a strident voice. "scandalous!" cried miss pike. "_i'll_ bid one dollar. it is sanctified by the touch of a vanished hand." "indeed," murmured madam carruth, who could see miss pike, although that lady could not be seen by _her_. "well, i guess _not_. one-fifty." miss pike was too intent upon securing the object to give heed to the speaker's voice or recognize it. "one-seventy-five! one-seventy-five! one-seventy-five! going, going at one-seventy-five." "two-seventy-five!" "ah! that's better. it would be a shame to sacrifice this set for a song. it is no ordinary set of garden implements, but a most superior quality of steel. two-seventy-five; two-seventy-five--" "three! i must have them." the last words were spoken to a bystander, but madam carruth's ears were sharp. "must you? indeed! we'll see." one or two others, who began to believe that a rare article was about to slip from their possible grasp, now started in to bid, and in a few moments the price had bounded up to five dollars. the original cost of the set had been three. then it went gayly skyward by leaps and bounds until in a reckless instant miss pike capped the climax with ten. "well if she wants to be such a fool she may," exclaimed madam carruth. "i could buy four sets for that money and sometimes even sentiment comes too high. i'd save 'em for your mother if i could, but sound sense tells me she can make better use of a ten-dollar bill than of a half-dozen pieces of old ironmongery. that pike woman always _was_ a fool." "gone for ten dollars!" cried the auctioneer at that instant. miss pike's face was radiant. she was about to turn away when jean made her way through the crowd to her side crying: "did you really get them, miss pike? mother'll be so glad. when we were talking about selling these things she almost cried when she spoke about the garden tools and the lamp----" "_what_ lamp, child? oh these heartrending changes! tell me what the lamp is like. if it can be saved i'll save it for her. i can't understand _why_ your sisters permitted the objects, around which the tendrils of your mother's heart were so entwined, to be put up for sale. to me it seems a positive sacrilege." "but mother made them do it. she wouldn't let----and, oh, there's the lamp now. that one with the bronze bird on it, see?" "oh, the tender memories that must cluster about it. i will hold them sacred for her. they shall not be desecrated. stand beside me, child. i shall bid that in for your dear mother." again the lively contest for possession was on, although the sums named did not mount by such startling bounds as in the case of the garden tools. still, more than four dollars had been offered before miss pike, in flattering imitation of a large new york department store, offered $4.99, and became the triumphant owner of it. miss pike had a small income, but was by no means given to flinging her dollars to the winds. so it was not surprising that many who knew her marveled at the sums she was spending for her two purchases. having paid her bill she promptly took possession of her lamp and her case of garden tools and stalked off through the throng of people in quest of constance whom she found talking to a group of schoolmates near the ruins of the old home. "congratulate me! congratulate me! i've saved the treasures from the vandals! i've rescued them from sacrilegious hands. behold! take them to your mother with my dearest love. i had a struggle to get them, for some woman was determined to secure that garden set but _i_ came off victorious. i had to do battle royal, but i conquered. now, my dear, when you go home take them with you. they _did_ come rather high; i had to pay ten dollars for the garden set, but i got the lamp for less than five!--four ninety-nine. but you need not pay me until it is _perfectly_ convenient. don't let it worry you for a moment. i am repaid for the time being in the thought that i secured them for your mother. i knew she would rather pay twice the sum than see them fall into the hands of utter strangers. good-bye, my dear, i must hurry home, for i have been absent too long already." as miss pike departed, constance dropped upon the carriage step, which, being of stone, had survived flame and flood. upon the ground before her lay their own garden set, and stood their own lamp for which her mother would have to return to jerusha pike, fourteen dollars and ninety-nine cents owing to that lady's unbridled zeal. she looked at them a moment, then glancing up at her friends whose faces were studies, the absurdity of the situation overcame her and them also, and peals of laughter echoed upon the wintry air. "who was it that said 'save me from my friends!' connie?" asked a girl friend. constance looked unspeakable things. then bounding to her feet she cried: "well, it's lucky we can return her own money to her, but that settles it. it might have been worse anyway. i've been on the fence for several days without knowing which way to jump. _now_ i do know, and miss pike has given the push. it's been a case of: 'our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.' "there, belle, is a quotation to match yours, and bear in mind what i say: i'm going to live up to it. now i'm going home. come on, you people, and help me lug these treasures there," and off the laughing procession set, each girl or lad burdened with some article of the purchases, constance leading the way with the lamp, and all singing: 'doubt thou the stars are fire, doubt that the sun doth move; doubt truth to be a liar, doubt _not_ jerusha's love.' "i don't think i ever shall, but perhaps she has helped in one way, since she has settled _my_ doubts, and the next thing you people hear of me may make you open your eyes. no, i won't tell you a single thing. just wait until next week, then you'll see." chapter xx constance b.'s venture owing to the stirring events at home, jean had not set forth that morning, but the first excitement, incident to the sale of their belongings over, she prepared to drive out to east riveredge, with her box of candies. mrs. carruth entertained some misgivings regarding the wisdom of letting her again pass through mckim's hollow, but a compromise was effected by jean agreeing to take a different road. it made the trip a trifle longer, but was free from dangers, and jean set forth in high feather and bursting with importance. having seen her off, constance flew to her room, and within half an hour emerged therefrom dressed all in soft brown. little brown toque, with a modest brown quill stuck through the folds of the cloth. brown kilted skirt and box coat, brown furs and brown gloves. she looked almost as sedate as a little quakeress, although her cheeks were rosy from excitement and her eyes shone. "mother, i have a little matter to attend to in south riveredge. you won't feel anxious if i am not back before dark will you?" she asked as she paused at her mother's door, on her way down-stairs. mrs. carruth looked at her a moment before replying and wondered if the girl had any idea how attractive she was. then she asked: "am i to refrain from making inquiries?" "please don't ask a single question, for even if i wanted to answer them i couldn't," said constance, as she kissed her mother good-bye. half an hour later she was at the arcade in south riveredge, asking the elevator man to direct her to the office of the superintendent of the building. "room 16, fourth floor," directed the man. so to the fourth floor went constance. opening the door of no. 16, she entered, but stood for a second upon the threshold rather at a loss how to proceed. seated at a large rolltop desk was a man wearing a brisk, wide-awake air which instantly reminded her of her father. gaining confidence from that fact, so often are we swayed by trifles, she advanced into the room, saying: "good afternoon. are you the superintendent of the building?" "i am," answered the gentleman, smiling pleasantly, and rising from his chair. "what can i do for you, young lady?" now that she had actually come to the point of stating her errand, constance hardly knew where to begin. the superintendent noticing her hesitancy said kindly: "won't you be seated? it is always easier to talk business when seated, don't you think so?" and placing a chair near his desk, he motioned her toward it. mr. porter did not often have calls from such youthful business women, and was somewhat at a loss to understand the meaning of this one. constance was not aware that in placing the chair for her he had put it where the light from the window just back of him would fall full upon _her_ face. taking the chair she looked at him smiling half-doubtfully, and half-confidently as she said: "maybe you will think i am very silly and inexperienced, and i know i _am_, but i'd like to know whether you have any offices to rent in this building, and how much you charge for them?" the big eyes looked very childish as they were turned upon him, and mr. porter could not help showing some surprise at the question. he had a daughter about this girl's age, and wondered how he would feel if she were in her place. "yes, we have one unoccupied office on the eighth floor, in the rear of the building. it is divided into two fair-sized rooms and the rental is four hundred dollars a year." constance jumped. "four hundred a year! why that is almost as much as we pay for our _whole_ house! my goodness, isn't that a lot? i had no idea they cost so much. dear me, i'm afraid i can never, never do it," and her words ended with a doubtful shake of her head. "do you object to telling me just what you wish to do and why you need an office?" asked mr. porter kindly. "perhaps i could offer some suggestions. sometimes our tenants like to rent desk room, and if you needed no more than a desk----why----." "but i couldn't use a desk for a counter, could i?" hesitated constance. "that depends upon what the counter had to hold. suppose you tell me. then we will see." the deep blue eyes behind the glasses regarded her very encouragingly. constance's eyebrows were raised doubtfully as she replied: "i'm afraid you will think me very foolish and unsophisticated, and of course i am, but i just _know_ i can succeed if i once get started right. besides i _won't_ give up unless i _have_ to. other girls do things and there is no reason _i_ shouldn't. i know my candy is good, 'cause if it wasn't mammy could not sell it so easily, and--" "candy? are you planning to sell candy? if it's half as good as the candy an old colored woman sells around here you'll sell all you can make. i buy some of her every time she comes here, and my girls ask every day if she has been around with it. it's great candy." as mr. porter talked constance's cheeks grew rosier and rosier, and her eyes danced with fun. of this he speedily became aware, and looking at her keenly he asked: "have you ever eaten any of the old auntie's candy? does she make it herself? i've asked her a dozen times, but i can't get her to commit herself! she always gets off a queer rigmarole about her 'pa'tner,'" ended mr. porter, smiling as he recalled mammy's clever fencing with words. "yes, i've eaten it. no, she doesn't make it; she only sells it. _i_ make it," confessed constance, nervously toying with the ends of her fur collar. "you don't say so! why it's the best candy i've ever tasted. well, really! and you think of opening a _stand_?" concluded mr. porter, a little incredulously, for the girl before him did not seem to be one who would venture upon such an enterprise. "well yes, and no. i want to have a place to sell it here in south riveredge, but i can't exactly have a counter you see, because i am still in school the greater part of the day. so i thought up a plan and--and i want to try it. would you mind if i told you about it?" the sweet voice and questioning look with which the words were spoken would have won the ear of a less interested man than robert porter. more than an hour passed before this plan which had been simmering in the girl's active brain, was laid before the practical business man, and he was amazed at what he afterwards pronounced its "level-headedness." when the conversation ended, constance was wiser by many very sane suggestions made by her listener, and more than ever determined to carry her plan through. "now, young lady, by-the-way, do you mind letting me know your name? we can talk better business if i do. mine's porter." "i am constance carruth," said constance. "carruth? not bernard carruth's daughter?" "yes." "you don't say so! why i knew your father well, little girl, and respected him more than any man i've ever known. he was a fine man. bernard carruth's daughter? well i declare." constance's cheeks glowed more than ever. praise of her father was sweet to her ears. "well, well, bernard carruth's daughter," repeated mr. porter, as though he could not quite make it true. "well, come with me. i've an idea for this candy selling scheme and we'll see what we can do." rising from his chair he led the way to the elevator. upon reaching the main floor he walked to the rear of the building where the stairway was situated. in the alcove made by the box-stairs stood the public telephone switch board and two booths. at the right, close under the stairs, was an empty space too low for the booths, and yet of no use to the operator, since while she might be able to occupy it when sitting at a desk, she was very likely to encounter a cracked crown if she rose too quickly from her chair. all was enclosed with a little wooden railing and well lighted by the electric lights. "now i am wondering if we couldn't rig up a tempting little booth in this unoccupied space. good afternoon, miss willing. how would you like to share your quarters with this enterprising young lady? she has a mighty clever idea in that logical head of hers and i'm going to do my best to help her make it a success. how about _you_?" he ended, making a mental contrast between the strikingly handsome, dark-haired, dark-eyed girl at the telephone booth, whose glances flashed back at him so boldly, and whose toilet would have been better suited to an afternoon function than a telephone booth, and the modest, well-gowned, young girl beside him. "i guess i won't bother her, and i'm sure she won't bother _me_," was the reply which proved the speaker's fiber, and caused constance to look at her and wonder that any one _could_ be so lacking in refinement. little connie had many things to learn in the business world into which she was venturing. but the knowledge would do her no harm. she was well equipped to stand the test. the girl saw the look of surprise and no rebuke could have been keener. with a little resentful toss of her head, for this girl who had so innocently made her aware of her shortcomings, she turned to answer a call upon the 'phone, and constance to listen to mr. porter's words. "now, miss carruth, my idea is this: suppose we have this little space fitted up with attractive cases, and the necessary shelves. it is not very large, but neither is the venture--yet. when it grows bigger we will find a bigger cubby for it. the thing to do now is to find the _right_ one; one where you can make a good show, and be sure of catching your customers, and where the customers are likely to come to be _caught_. i don't know of any place where, in the long run, more are likely to come than to a 'phone booth. what do you think of it?" "it's just _splendid_!" cried constance. "i couldn't have found a better place no matter how long i tried. i'm _so_ much obliged to you, mr. porter." "better wait until you see how it pans out--the booth, not the candy. i can speak for the panning of that," laughed mr. porter, then added: "well, that is step no. 1 taken. now for no. 2, and that is stocking up. have you thought about that?" "yes, i've thought. my goodness! i've thought until my wits are fairly muddled with thinking, but that is the part that bothers me most. i can make the candy easily enough after school hours, and i can manage to send it here, but i'm dreadfully afraid i haven't as much capital on hand as i ought to have to get all the boxes i need. they are very expensive i find. i wrote to two firms who make them, but it seems to me they charged me dreadful prices. perhaps they suspected from my letter that i wasn't much of a business woman," confessed constance, looking frankly into the friendly eyes. mr. porter laughed in spite of himself, then sobering down again asked: "have you time to come back to my office? i would like to make a proposition to you." "why yes, mr. porter, i have time enough," hesitated constance. "but i am afraid i am taking a good deal more of yours than i ought to." "am i not working in the interests of the owner of this building? i'm trying to secure a new tenant for him. what more could i do?" "i don't believe their income will be materially increased by _this_ tenant," answered constance much amused at the thought. "every one counts, you know. but now to business." entering his office with a brisk air, he again motioned constance to the chair by his desk, and asked: "are you willing to discuss all the details with me? you know i do not ask from idle curiosity, i am sure. i am interested; very deeply interested. i want to see this thing succeed. you have outlined your plan and it is all right. all it needs now is a little capital to carry it through successfully. now let us see if we can't _secure_ that." chapter xxi constance b.'s candies "now, miss carruth, tell me the prices quoted for the boxes, and how many you had thought of ordering," said mr. porter, in the voice so encouraging when used by older people to younger. "well, if i order _any_ i suppose i ought to order a hundred," began constance. "one hundred!" echoed mr. porter. "why, little girl, that would not be a flea-bite. you ought to order five hundred at least." "_five hundred!_" cried constance, in dismay. "why, mr. porter, i'm afraid i've hardly enough money to order one hundred at the rate they charge," and she named the sums asked by the firms to which she had written. "bosh! nonsense! that's downright robbery. you let _me_ write to a firm _i_ know of and we'll see what we'll see. and now i'm going to take some stock in this company right off. i'm going to invest one hundred dollars in it to be used as a working capital--there--don't say a word of protest," as constance voiced an exclamation. "_i_ know what i'm up to, and--i love sweets. if you can't pay back in any other way you can keep me supplied for a year. just now you've got to start out in good shape, and there is no use doing things half way. but you haven't asked me what i'm going to charge you for your booth?" concluded mr. porter, with a merry twinkle in his blue eyes. "why i forgot all about the price," said constance in confusion. "oh, dear, how stupid i am." "well, since it is a space we never thought to rent anyway, and couldn't use for anything else if we wished to, suppose we say five dollars a month? i think those are pretty good returns for a cubby. if i do as well in proportion with all the other offices i'll make the owners rich." "i'm afraid it is _very_ low. i think you are only letting me have it so cheap just because you liked father. don't you think i ought really to pay more? i didn't think i could get _any_ sort of a place for _less_ than ten dollars a month," was constance's most unbusinesslike speech. mr. porter looked at the earnest face regarding him so frankly and confidingly, and a very suspicious moisture came into his eyes. rising from his chair he laid his hand kindly upon her shoulder as she arose and stood before him, and said very gently: "don't worry yourself on _that_ score, little girl, and--don't mind it if i _do_ call you little girl; you seem that to me spite of your business aspirations. i am asking you a fair price because i know you would rather feel that you are _paying_ a fair price for what you get, and would prefer beginning your business venture on such a basis. i am also advancing this sum of money because i am confident you will succeed. it is purely a business speculation. i would do it for your father's sake, but i know you would rather i did it upon strictly business principles. i can not lose my money in any case, because if i do not get the actual cash, i know i shall get my sweets--a whole hundred dollars' worth. it fairly makes my mouth water to think of them, and my girls will go wild when i tell them. keep up a brave heart, and, above all, keep that pretty modesty you have, for it will carry you farther than any amount of audacity. it is your best armor. there is nothing a man respects more than a brave and modest woman, my dear. nothing in this world. now, little woman, go home and think up the style and sizes of the boxes you will need and let me know at once. 'phone me early monday morning. design something yourself if you can; it will take quicker. next week i'll have your stall put into shape and you can make your candies and stock up as soon as your boxes come. _then_ we will soon learn whether your faith in your fellow-beings is justified or misplaced. i believe you will find it justified; upon my soul i do; though i have never before seen such a scheme put to the test. now good-bye; good-bye, and god bless you," ended mr. porter, warmly shaking the small gloved hand. "good-bye, mr. porter, and, oh, thank you _so_ much for your kind interest. i feel so brave and encouraged to begin now," cried constance, her eyes confirming her words, and her cheeks glowing. mr. porter accompanied her to the elevator, and with another hearty farewell, sped her upon her way brimful of enthusiasm, and more than ever resolved to carry into effect the scheme which had entered her head many weeks before, and which was now taking definite form and shape. the trolley car seemed fairly to crawl along, so did her desire to reach home and tell of the afternoon's undertaking outstrip its progress. it was quite dark when she alighted and climbed the hill at her home, thinking, as she ascended the steps, how sweet and cheerful the little home looked, for her mother, in spite of the warnings volunteered by some of her friends that some day she would be robbed as the outcome of letting all the world look in upon her, would never have the shades drawn. mrs. carruth always replied: "for the sake of those to whom a glimpse of our cheery hearth gives pleasure, and there are more than you guess, as i have learned to my own surprise, i shall take my chances with the possible unscrupulous ones." and so the window shades remained raised after the lamps were lighted, and many a passer-by was cheered along his way by a peep at the sweet, home-like picture of a gentle-faced woman, and three bright-faced girls, gathered around the blazing hearth, and reading or sewing in the soft lamp-light. "dear little mumsey," said constance, softly, as she paused a moment before crossing the piazza. "your girlie is going to help you keep just such a sweet home forever and ever, and ever." then giving the whistling bird-call by which the members of the family signaled to each other, she went close to the window and looked smilingly in. up bounced jean to fly to the door; eleanor raised her head from the book over which she was, as usual, bent, and nodded; mrs. carruth waved her hand and wafted a kiss. "oh, come in quick, and tell us where you have been, and what you have done," cried jean, opening the door with a whirl. "hello, baby! give me a big hug first," cried constance, and jean bounded into her arms. mrs. carruth had crossed the room to welcome the tardy one, and as soon as she was released from jean's tempestuous embrace, took the glowing face in both her hands gently to kiss the cheeks as she said: "what a bonny, bonny glow the cheeks wear, sweetheart. something very lovely must have happened." "oh, mother, i've had such a perfectly splendid afternoon and feel so brave and proud about it all. let me get my things off and i'll tell you all about it. but is supper almost ready? i'm half-starved? excitement sharpens one's appetite doesn't it? heigh-ho. nornie. what news of the ponies? if you're to be a coach-woman you've got to have some sort of an equine creature to hustle along, haven't you? did you have time to go and see the prospective ones this afternoon? and oh, _how_ did the auction turn out, mother? gracious, what stirring people the carruths are getting to be compared with the common-place, slow-going ones they were." "jean, dear, run out and tell mammy that constance is home, and we will have supper at once. you can tell us all the news at the table, dear." jean flew for mammy's quarters, quite as eager as constance to have the supper served. "mammy! mammy! connie's got back, and she's starved _dead_! mother says have supper right off quick," burst out jean, as she whisked through the butler's pantry. "jes so. whar dat chile been? go 'long back an' tell 'em de supper 'ready an' a waitin', as de hyme book say, an' i got sumpin' dat dat chile pintedly love." "what is it, mammy? what is it?" cried jean, eagerly, as she ran over to inspect the dishes upon the range. "get out! clear 'long! yo' keep yo' little nose outen my dishes!" cried mammy, with assumed wrath, as she pounced upon little miss inquisitive. "yo' go right 'long an' tell her i'se got lay-over-catch-meddlers in hyer an' lessen yo' take keer you'll turn inter one." "fiddlestick!" retorted jean, as she flew back. a few moments later the family had gathered about the delightful supper table and constance was relating the experiences of the afternoon, while first one and then another exclaimed over her venture, mammy crying as she urged her to take another of the dainty waffles she had made especially for her. "honey, what i tol' yo'? ain' i perdic' dat yo' boun' ter hit de tack spang on de right en'? i say dat dem pralines and fudges de banginest candies i ever _is_ see, an' de folks what done buy 'em--huh! my lan' dey fair brek dey necks fallin' ober one an'ner ter git _at_ 'em de minit i sot myse'f on dat ar camp stool. an' now yo' gwine open a boof an' 'splay 'em fer sale? but yo' aint gwine stan' behin' de counter is yo'? yo' better _not_ set out ter do no sich t'ing as _dat_, chile, whilst _i'se yo'_ mammy. no-siree! i ain' gwine stan' fer no sich gwines-on as dat--in a blairsdale. yo' kin hab yo' cubby, as yo' calls hit, an' take yo' chances wedder yo' gits cheated or wedder yo' meets up with hones' folks, but yo' cyant go behin' no counter, an' dats flat. when yo' gwine begin makin' all dat mess o' candy?" "just as soon as i have some boxes to sell it in, mammy, and those i must design. at least must suggest something pretty for the covers." "have a picture of baltie on the cover, connie. he was the first one to take your candies to south riveredge," cried jean, with thoughts ever for the faithful old silent partner. "no, baltie belongs to you and mammy. by-the-way, how did you get on at the school to-day? you haven't told me yet." "just _splendiferous_! the boys bought every bit i took; i mean every bit that was _left_ after professor forbes got all _he_ wanted. he was at the gate when i drove up, and what do you think he did? made me stop until he had bought six packages of fudge and six packages of pralines, and then made me promise always to save them for him. my goodness if that man doesn't have _one_ stomachache," ended this sage young lady speaking from bitter experiences of her own. "jean!" cried eleanor. "well, it's true. twelve whole packages of candy all for _himself_, greedy old thing! and he asked me if i couldn't come _twice_ a week. i told him i guessed not, and if he wanted it oftener than once a week he'd have to come after it. and he said that was precisely what he _would_ do, and to ask my sister to please to have twelve packages for him on wednesday afternoon. _that_ man's teeth will need a dentist just you see if they don't," ended jean with an ominous wag of the head for the sweet-toothed professor, while the rest of the family shrieked with laughter. "what do _you_ suggest for my boxes, mother?" asked constance, when the laugh had subsided. "how about little white moire paper boxes with some pretty flower on the cover?" "pretty, but not very distinctive i'm afraid," said constance, doubtfully. "how about those pretty japanese boxes they have at bailey's?" ventured eleanor. "still less distinctive. no; i must have some design that suggests _me_. don't think me conceited, but i want people to know that the candy is made and sold by a school-girl, who cannot be there to look after her counter, and must trust to their honesty. i've got an idea about my _sign_, but, somehow, i don't seem to be able to get one that is worth a straw for the boxes, yet i've been thinking as hard as i could think." "wait a minit, baby," said mammy, and hurried from the room. she came back in about ten minutes holding a small box in her hand. placing it upon the table before constance, she said: "now, honey, mebbe dis yere idee ob mine ain' nothin' in de worl' but foolishness, but seems ter me ef yo' want distincshumness you's got hit _dar_. i ain' half lak ter let yo' _do_ hit, but dey's _yo'_ candies, so i spec' yo' might as well let folks unnerstan' hit." the box was one which jean had given mammy the previous christmas. it was made of white moire paper with a small medallion in gilt in the left-hand upper corner, the medallion being in the shape of a little gold frame formed of gold beads. originally there had been a colored picture of santa claus's face within it, but over this mammy had carefully pasted a small photo of constance; one taken several years before. in the center of the box was written in gold script "merry christmas," and just beneath that the word "bonbons." "couldn't you have yo' name whar de merry christmas stan' at an' 'candies' whar de bong bongs is?" asked mammy. "mammy, you old dear!" cried constance, springing to her feet to throw her arms about the wise old creature. "you've hit it exactly. why i couldn't have anything better if i thought for a whole year. i'll have some pictures taken right off and the boxes shall be just exactly like this. hurrah for 'constance b.'s candies!' come on mammy, we've got to celebrate the brilliant idea!" and catching the astonished old woman by the arms, constance whirled her off on a lively two-step, whistling the accompaniment, while mammy cried: "gawd bress my soul, is yo' gone stark crazy, chile!" and at length broke away to vanish protesting within the privacy of her kitchen. chapter xxii first steps during the ensuing week it would have been hard to find a busier household than the carruths'. instead of telephoning to mr. porter on monday morning, as he had suggested, constance wrote a long letter saturday evening, giving accurate directions for the boxes, and enclosing a paper design to be sent to the manufacturers. the letter reached him by the early mail, causing him to exclaim: "george, what a level little head she _has_ got! she shall have those boxes before next saturday, if i have to go after them myself. why the idea is simply great!" going to his 'phone he called up mrs. carruth's home. constance had already gone to school, but mrs. carruth answered the 'phone. she was quite as delighted as constance would have been, and promised to deliver the message to her upon her return. when she heard it constance's cheeks glowed. "isn't he a _dear_, mother, to take so much trouble for me? and now i must get _busy, busy, busy_. i've pounds and pounds of candy to make between this and saturday, and i must make it afternoons." "i can not bear to think of you doing this, dear," said mrs. carruth, laying her hand tenderly upon the soft brown hair. "why not, i'd like to know?" cried constance. "because it takes the time you should spend in outdoor exercise. you work hard in school, and that has always seemed to me to be quite enough for any girl to undertake. yet here you and eleanor are about to give up your afternoons for this work and the coaching." mrs. carruth sighed, for it was hard for her to adjust herself to the new order of things in her family. raised upon a large plantation, where she, the only daughter, was her father's idol, for whom everything must be done, and whose every wish must be considered, she shrank from the thought of her girls laboring for their daily bread, or stepping out into the world beyond their own thresholds. her father would have felt that the world was about to cease revolving had _she_ been obliged to take such a step. indeed it would have quite broken his heart, for never had any woman of _his_ household been forced to do aught toward her own maintenance. but times had changed since reginald blairsdale had been laid away in the little burial plot upon the plantation, where his wife had slept for so many years, and his daughter had lived to see many changes take place which would have outraged all his traditions. "now, mother, _please_ listen to me," said constance, earnestly, as she slipped her arm about her mother's waist. "i am _not_ going to give up all my afternoons, and neither is eleanor. as to the exercise, we each have a pretty long walk to and from school mornings and afternoons, and, in addition to that, eleanor will go to her pupils' houses to do her coaching. that gives her a good bit of exercise three afternoons each week, and she has _all_ her saturdays free. i shall give little more than two hours a day to my candy making, and i know you and jean will gladly help me do the packing and tying up. just how i shall send it over, i haven't decided yet; that can be settled later when i send a ton or so each day," laughed constance. "meanwhile mammy will take it over, or _i_ can. only _please_ don't dampen my enthusiasm or worry because i am undertaking this step. i am perfectly well and strong, and i'll promise not to do anything to endanger that health and strength. so smile upon my venture, mumsey, dear, and make up your mind that it _is_ going to be a _great_ success,--because it _is_," ended constance, with a rapturous hug. "you are my brave, sweet girl!" said mrs. carruth, very tenderly. "yes, i'll put my blairsdale pride in my pocket--or rather my hand-bag, since pockets are no longer in fashion, and try to be a full-fledged, twentieth-century woman. now what is the first step?" "the first step is to make my candies before i try to sell 'em. no, the first is to order the stuff sent home to make them of. i'll 'phone right down to van dorn's this minute. i've plenty on hand for this afternoon's candy, but i'll lay in a big supply ahead." the 'phoning was soon done, and then constance hurried to the kitchen where for the two ensuing hours she worked like a beaver. at the end of that time several pounds of tempting sweets were made and ready to be wrapped in paraffin paper. when this was done all was packed carefully into tin boxes to await the arrival of the paper ones. constance surveyed the candy with much satisfaction, as indeed she well might, for no daintier sweets could have been found. turning to the others she cried: "i feel as self-satisfied and self-righteous as though i'd just put a new skirt braid on my skirt, and i don't know of anything that makes one feel more so. if i can make five pounds a day for six days i'd have a pretty good supply on hand for saturday, my 'opening day.' my, doesn't that sound business-like? nornie, don't you wish _you'd_ taken to a commercial rather than a professional life? come on jean, the others will die of envy when they see our candy booth spread and spread until it swallows up all the office space in the arcade," and catching up the saucepan in which she had made her candy, constance began to beat a lively tattoo upon the bottom of it, as an accompaniment to her whistling, as, still enveloped in her big apron, she pranced about the kitchen. jean, also in gingham array, promptly joining in, for jean's resentment had vanished since she had been taken into the girls' confidence and "entered the partnership" as she called it. in a day or two another message came over the 'phone to constance, asking her to call at the arcade, the following afternoon. upon reaching there at three o'clock, she was met by mr. porter, who had been on the lookout for her. "glad you've come, little girl! glad to see you," he said heartily. "come and look at your cubby and tell me what you think of it. _i_ think it great." while he talked mr. porter led the way to the rear of the arcade. as they drew near the stairway, miss willing glanced up, gave an indifferent nod in answer to constance's "how do you do, miss willing?" and turned to her 'phone. miss willing much preferred being the center of attraction beneath the stairs, and was not enthusiastic over the thought of sharing her corner with "one of them big-bugs, as they think themselves." could she have known it, this girl, whom she was so stigmatizing, felt herself a very tiny bug indeed in the world in which miss willing dwelt, and secretly stood in considerable awe of the young lady who could look with so much self-assurance into the eyes of the patrons of her 'phone booth, and smile and joke with old and young men alike. there were always several around the booth. constance wondered why they seemed to have to wait so long to have their calls answered. her own 'phone calls at home were answered so promptly. however, while these sub-conscious thoughts passed through her brain, the more wide-awake portion of it was taking in the changed appearance of her cubby's corner. mr. porter had lost no time and spared no trouble, and the arcade's carpenter to whom he had given instructions to "do that job in shape and mighty quick," had followed those instructions to a dot. there was the cubby, the wood all carefully painted in white enamel, the portable shelves made of sheets of heavy glass. a high railing and gate shut off one end, giving ingress to the proprietor, and privacy if she wished at any time to stay at her counter for awhile. on the lower shelf of the counter stood a little cash box divided into two sections: one for bills the other for silver. just above it was a small white sign upon which was plainly painted in dark blue letters: "constance b.'s candies." take what you wish. leave cost of goods taken. make your change from my cash box. respecting my patrons' integrity, constance b. c. kindly close the door. constance clasped her hands and gave a little cry of delight. all her ideas were so perfectly carried out. "oh, mr. porter, it is perfectly fascinating! how good you are! how am i ever going to pay for it though? i had no idea you were going to so much trouble and expense." "but you don't _have_ to pay for it. every office has to be fitted up for its tenant's needs you know, or he wouldn't rent it. so i had to have your cubby fitted up for yours. now you can stock up as soon as you're a mind to. and, by-the-way, those boxes will be along to-morrow morning. i told them they must hustle, and they have. are your photos ready to paste on 'em?" "yes, they came home last evening; at least six dozen of them did, and the rest will come next week. i'll send them to the box manufacturers for the next lot and they can be put right on there. it will save our time." "good! twelve dozen boxes will be delivered this time, and the rest will be along pretty soon. send your photos to them as quickly as you can. i'm glad you like your cubby." "like it! why i'd be the most ungrateful girl that ever lived if i didn't like it. it's just simply _splendid_! but a whole year's rent won't pay you back i'm afraid." "don't care whether it does or not. mean to make you sign a _five_ years' lease next time. when will you stock up?" "mammy is coming over with me early saturday morning. just think we have already made over twenty-five pounds of candy. i want to have fifty on hand to start with. do you think i'll _ever_ sell it?" and the pretty girlish face was raised to mr. porter's with the most winning of smiles. "little flirt! i wonder if she knows he has daughters as old as _she_ is," muttered the girl at the 'phone. constance was quite unconscious of either look or comment. "of course you'll sell it. mark my word it will go like hot cakes," was the encouraging answer. "i hope so. and thank you again and again for _all_ you have done. good-bye. please tell your daughters what a proud girl you have made me," and the little gloved hand was held toward him. he shook it warmly and walked with her to the front door. as he turned to go back a man who occupied a cigar stand near the door nodded and said with a laugh: "got a new tenant, mr. porter? goin' to let us have another pretty girl to talk to?" "i've got a new tenant, yes, breckel, but, unless i am very much mistaken, you will not talk to her a great deal, and when you _do_ you'll take your hat off, and toss away your cigar. it's a pity we can't have a few more such girls in our business world. it would raise the standard considerably. men would find a better occupation than making fool speeches to them then. mark my word that little woman will succeed." "i'm sure i hope she will if she's the right stuff," answered breckel, the laugh giving place to a more earnest expression and tone of voice, which proved that the man, like most of his stamp, had something good in him to be appealed to. chapter xxiii opening day at last the eventful morning arrived. constance and mammy were astir long before the clock struck six, and the candy kettles were bubbling merrily. constance was pulling her big lump of molasses candy when jean came bounding into the kitchen arrayed in her little night toga. "bress my soul!" cried mammy. "wha' yo' doin' down hyer? kite long back dis minit. does yer want ter kitch yo' deaf cold?" "but connie didn't call me, and i said i'd help," protested jean. "he'p! he'p! yo' look lak yo' could he'p, don't yo'? stannin' dar dressed in nuffin in de worl' but yo' nightie an' yo' _skin_. clar out dis minit befo' i smack yo' wid dis hyer gre't spoon," and mammy made a dive for the culprit as she darted away. a few hours later the candy boxes were in the bottom of the phaeton, constance mounting guard over them while mammy acted as jehu. when the arcade was reached mammy descended from the phaeton, blanketed baltie, and then taking one of the large boxes in which the smaller ones were packed, said: "now honey, yo' tek anodder--_no, not two_ of 'em--dey's too heavy fo' you; i'll come back fo' dose. now walk 'long head ob me, kase i want dese hyer folks what's a-starin' at us lak dey aint neber _is_ seen anybody befo', ter unnerstan' dat i'se _yo' sarvint_, an' here fer ter pertec' yo'. _an' i ain' gwine stan' no nonsense needer._" "you need not be afraid mammy. everybody is just as kind and lovely as possible." "huh! dey'd _better_ be," retorted mammy, with a warning snort. in a short time the little booth made a brave showing with its quarter-pound, half-pound, and pound boxes of candy, each tied with pretty ribbon, and each bearing upon its cover the smiling face of its young maker. when miss willing found a chance to take a sly peep at them she turned her head and sneered as she murmured: "well, of all the conceit. my! ain't she just stuck on that face of hers though." scarcely was all arranged, when mr. porter appeared upon the scene. "just in time to be the first customer," he cried gayly. "how are you this morning? how-de-do, auntie? ah, you see i know your partner now. what all have you got here anyhow?" he continued as he peered into the cases. "pralines, plain fudge, nut fudge, molasses candy, cream walnuts, caramels, butter-scotch. i say! you've been working, little girl, haven't you?" "lak ter wo'k her finges mos' off," asserted mammy. "they're none of them missing, though," laughed constance, holding up the pretty tapering fingers to prove her words. "then give me my candies, quick! i can't wait another minute. you can almost see my mouth water like my old hunting dog's." "which kind will you have mr. porter?" "_all_ kinds of course!" "not really?" "yes, _really_. do you think i'm going to miss any of the treat? biggest boxes, please." constance lifted from the case a pound box of each variety. "how much?" asked mr. porter. "why nothing to _you_? how _could_ i?" she asked, coloring at the thought of accepting more from him. "now see here, young lady, that won't do. you can't begin _that_ way. your business has got to be spot cash. don't forget that, or you'll get into difficulties," said her customer with a warning nod of his head. "as near as i can make out mr. porter, it's just the other way about; i'm getting my cash in advance. now please listen to me," said constance very seriously, an appealing look in her expressive eyes. "you have done a great deal for me in arranging this booth so attractively, and encouraging me in every way. in addition to that you have 'taken stock,' as you call it, in the venture. very well, _i_ call it simply advancing capital. now i shall never feel at ease until that sum is paid off, and one way for me to do it is to let you have all the candy you want. no--wait a minute; i haven't finished," as mr. porter raised his hand in protest. "if you will promise to come to the booth for all the candy you want, i will charge you just the same for it as i charge the others, but it must go toward canceling my obligation _so far as money_ can cancel it. now, _please_, say yes, and make my opening day a very happy one for me. otherwise i shall have to refuse to let you have _any_ candy until i have paid back the hundred dollars. isn't that right and fair, mammy?" she asked, turning to look into the kind old face beside her. "hits jist de fa'r an' squar' livin' truf. hit suah is, massa potah. ain' no gittin' roun' dat. we-all cyant tek no mo' 'vestments 'dout we gibs somepin fer ter mak hit right. miss constance, know what she a-sayin'." the gay bandanna nodded vigorously to emphasize this statement. mr. porter looked at them for a moment, and then broke into a hearty laugh. "i give it up!" he cried. "have it your own way, but if i eat sweets until i lose all my teeth, upon your heads be the blame. it isn't every man who has a hundred dollars worth to pick from as he chooses." "_you_ won't have very long, because i expect to pay back in more ways than just candies," cried constance, merrily. "but you surely don't want _all_ that?" she added, laying her hands upon the seven boxes lying upon the counter. "yes, i do! my soul, if she isn't trying to do me out of my own purchases. here, young lady, give me those boxes. i want them right in my own hands before you have some new protest to put forth," and hastily piling his seven pounds of candy upon his arm, mr. porter fled for the elevator, leaving mammy and constance to laugh at his speedy departure. at length all was arranged, the booth with its array of dainty boxes making a brave display. constance and mammy stood for a moment looking at it before taking their departure, well pleased with the result of their undertaking. then with a pleasant good morning to miss willing, whose eyes and ears had been more than busy during the past hour, they departed, leaving the little candy booth, its cash box, and its very unusual announcement upon the sign which swung above it, to prove or disprove the faith which one young girl felt in her fellow beings. chapter xxiv one month later one month had passed since the eventful opening day. a month of hard, incessant work for constance, mammy and jean, who insisted upon doing her share. it was nearly march, and the air already held a hint of spring. the pussy-willows were beginning to peep out upon the world, and in sheltered spots far away in the woodland the faint fragrance of arbutus could be detected. from her opening day, constance's venture had prospered, and the little candy booth's popularity became a fact assured. up betimes every morning, constance had her kettles boiling merrily and by seven o'clock many pounds of candy were ready to be packed in the dainty boxes. then came jean's part of the work and never had she failed to come to time. true to her word to be a "sure-enough partner," she was up bright and early and had her candies wrapped and packed before her breakfast was touched. mammy and baltie, soon became familiar figures in south riveredge, and many of constance's patrons believed the old woman to be the real mover of the enterprise. how she found time to convey the candy boxes to the booth, arrange them with such care, collect the money deposited there the previous day by the rapidly increasing number of customers, and still reach home in time to prepare the mid-day meal with her usual care, was a source of wonder to all. yet do it she did, and her pride and ambition for the success of the venture rivaled constance's. failure was not even to be dreamed of. no one ever guessed the hours stolen from her sleep by the good soul to make up for the hours stolen from her daily duties, but many a night after bidding the family an ostentatious "good-night, ladies," and betaking herself to her bedroom above stairs, did she listen until every sound was hushed and then creep back to her kitchen and work softly until everything was completed to her satisfaction. friday afternoons and saturdays, constance took matters into her own hands, and she soon discovered that another mode of transportation for her candy would be imperative, so rapidly was the demand for constance b.'s candies increasing. so after the first two weeks the local expressman was pressed into service, and the old colored man, who for years had run the elevator in the arcade, received the boxes upon their delivery. the way in which the old man had scraped acquaintance with mammy, caused mr. porter considerable amusement. mammy's intercourse with the colored people she had met since coming north, had not been calculated to increase her respect for her race. finding "uncle rastus" at the north, she instantly concluded that he had been born and raised there. that, like herself, he might have been transplanted, she did not stop to argue. but one day when mammy was struggling with an unusually large consignment of candy, uncle rastus hurried to offer his services "to one ob de quality colored ladies," as he gallantly expressed it. this led to a better understanding between the two old people, and when mammy discovered that rastus had been born and raised in the county adjoining her own, and that his old master and hers had been warm friends, rastus' claim to polite society was indisputable, and from that moment, mammy and rastus owned the arcade, and the courtly old negro, and dignified old negress caused not a little amusement to constance b.'s customers, and the people who frequented the arcade. it would be hard to tell which grew to take the greater pride in the venture, for rastus had all the old antebellum negro's love and respect for his white folks and mammy lost no opportunity for singing the praises of hers. and thus another member was added to the firm and constance's interests were well guarded. not once since launching upon her venture had constance met with any loss. the little cash box invariably held the correct amount to balance the number of boxes taken from the booth, and the returns surprised constance more than anyone else. "i tell you i'm going to be a genuine business woman, see if i'm not," she cried, after balancing her accounts one saturday evening. "why just think of it mumsey, dear, here are fifteen dollars over and above _all_ expenses for the week. if i continue like this i'll be a million_nairess_ before i know what has happened. how are you flourishing, nornie? are your pegasus ponies as profitable?" "not quite, but i'm hopeful," laughed eleanor. "some of them are spavined in their minds, i fear. at any rate they don't 'arrive' as quickly as i'd like to have them in spite of all my efforts. however, they are not going backward, and i dare say that ought to gratify me, especially when they are willing to pay me two dollars an hour for helping them to stand _still_. i can't make such a showing from driving my coach as you can make from wielding your big spoon, connie dear, but ten dollars added to your fifteen will keep the wolf from the door, won't it little mother?" ended eleanor, laying her hand upon her mother's shoulder. mrs. carruth rested her cheek upon it as she replied: "what should i do without my girls? i am _so_ proud of my girls! so proud!--yet i cannot realize it all." "you haven't got to do without us. we're here to be done _with_, aren't _we_, nornie?" cried constance, gayly. "we certainly _are_," was the hearty response. "then why don't you add my part?" demanded jean, who had faithfully made her journeys to the irving school each saturday morning, and upon each occasion returned triumphant with her candy box empty, but her little coin bag well filled with dimes, for her customers were always on the lookout for her. "i have, honey. it is all included in the amounts set down here," answered constance. "yes, but i want to know just which part of it is mine. how much did i sell last saturday and how much to-day?" persisted jean. "twenty-five packages last saturday and eighteen this. forty-three in all. four dollars and thirty cents in two weeks, and four dollars in your first two weeks. eight dollars and thirty cents all told, little girl. two dollars seven and a half cents a week. i call that pretty good for a ten-year-old business woman, don't you, mumsey, dear?" "i call it truly wonderful," was mrs. carruth's warm reply. "what do _you_ think of it, mammy?" cried constance. "aren't we here to be done with after that showing?" "done wid _what_?" promptly demanded mammy, who had no intention of committing herself before becoming fully informed of all the facts. "done _everything_ with. made use of. worked for all there is in us. made to pay for ourselves. isn't that right, mammy? say 'yes' right off. say 'yes' mammy, because that's why we are big, and young, and strong, and happy, and anxious to prove that we are the 'banginest chillern' that _ever_ were. you've said so hundreds of times, you know you have, so don't try to go back on it now. aren't we _just right_, mammy? successful business women and a firm of which you are proud to be a member? the carruth corporation, _bound_ to succeed because, unlike other corporations, it has a _soul_, yes, _four_ of 'em, and can prove that a corporation with four souls can outstrip any other ever associated. _mine's_ as light as a feather this minute, so let's prance," ended constance, springing toward mammy, to catch her hardened hands in her own warm ones, and give a beckoning nod to jean and eleanor, who were quick to take her hint. the next instant a circle was formed around mrs. carruth's chair, the girls singing in voices that made the room ring. "mammy, dear, listen here, isn't this a lark? every day, work and play, and each to do her part." while poor old mammy sputtered and protested as she pounded around with them willy-nilly. "bangin'est chillern! _bangin'est_ chillern! huh! i reckons you _is_! huh! let me go dis _minit_! miss jinny! miss jinny! please ma'am, make 'em quit. make 'em let loose ob me! dar! you hear dat? eben baltie heer yo'in' holler. bres gawd, i believes he's 'fronted kase he lef' outen de cop'ration. dat's hit! he's sure _is_. let me go dis minit, i say. he gotter be part ob it," and giving a final wrench from the detaining hands, mammy rushed away crying in answer to old baltie's neigh, which had reached her ears from his stable: "yas, yas, baltic hawse, mammy done heard yo' a-callin' an' she's a-comin'; comin' to passify yo' hurt feelin's case you's been left outen de cop'ration. comin', honey, comin'." about this book: original publication data: title: three little women, a story for girls author: gabrielle e. jackson publisher: john c. winston company copyright: 1913, by john c. winston company the house behind the cedars by charles w. chesnutt contents i a stranger from south carolina ii an evening visit iii the old judge iv down the river v the tournament vi the queen of love and beauty vii 'mid new surroundings viii the courtship ix doubts and fears x the dream xi a letter and a journey xii tryon goes to patesville xiii an injudicious payment xiv a loyal friend xv mine own people xvi the bottom falls out xvii two letters xviii under the old regime xix god made us all xx digging up roots xxi a gilded opportunity xxii imperative business xxiii the guest of honor xxiv swing your partners xxv balance all xxvi the schoolhouse in the woods xxvii an interesting acquaintance xxviii the lost knife xxix plato earns half a dollar xxx an unusual honor xxxi in deep waters xxxii the power of love xxxiii a mule and a cart the house behind the cedars i a stranger from south carolina time touches all things with destroying hand; and if he seem now and then to bestow the bloom of youth, the sap of spring, it is but a brief mockery, to be surely and swiftly followed by the wrinkles of old age, the dry leaves and bare branches of winter. and yet there are places where time seems to linger lovingly long after youth has departed, and to which he seems loath to bring the evil day. who has not known some even-tempered old man or woman who seemed to have drunk of the fountain of youth? who has not seen somewhere an old town that, having long since ceased to grow, yet held its own without perceptible decline? some such trite reflection--as apposite to the subject as most random reflections are--passed through the mind of a young man who came out of the front door of the patesville hotel about nine o'clock one fine morning in spring, a few years after the civil war, and started down front street toward the market-house. arriving at the town late the previous evening, he had been driven up from the steamboat in a carriage, from which he had been able to distinguish only the shadowy outlines of the houses along the street; so that this morning walk was his first opportunity to see the town by daylight. he was dressed in a suit of linen duck--the day was warm--a panama straw hat, and patent leather shoes. in appearance he was tall, dark, with straight, black, lustrous hair, and very clean-cut, high-bred features. when he paused by the clerk's desk on his way out, to light his cigar, the day clerk, who had just come on duty, glanced at the register and read the last entry:- "'john warwick, clarence, south carolina.' "one of the south ca'lina bigbugs, i reckon--probably in cotton, or turpentine." the gentleman from south carolina, walking down the street, glanced about him with an eager look, in which curiosity and affection were mingled with a touch of bitterness. he saw little that was not familiar, or that he had not seen in his dreams a hundred times during the past ten years. there had been some changes, it is true, some melancholy changes, but scarcely anything by way of addition or improvement to counterbalance them. here and there blackened and dismantled walls marked the place where handsome buildings once had stood, for sherman's march to the sea had left its mark upon the town. the stores were mostly of brick, two stories high, joining one another after the manner of cities. some of the names on the signs were familiar; others, including a number of jewish names, were quite unknown to him. a two minutes' walk brought warwick--the name he had registered under, and as we shall call him--to the market-house, the central feature of patesville, from both the commercial and the picturesque points of view. standing foursquare in the heart of the town, at the intersection of the two main streets, a "jog" at each street corner left around the market-house a little public square, which at this hour was well occupied by carts and wagons from the country and empty drays awaiting hire. warwick was unable to perceive much change in the market-house. perhaps the surface of the red brick, long unpainted, had scaled off a little more here and there. there might have been a slight accretion of the moss and lichen on the shingled roof. but the tall tower, with its four-faced clock, rose as majestically and uncompromisingly as though the land had never been subjugated. was it so irreconcilable, warwick wondered, as still to peal out the curfew bell, which at nine o'clock at night had clamorously warned all negroes, slave or free, that it was unlawful for them to be abroad after that hour, under penalty of imprisonment or whipping? was the old constable, whose chief business it had been to ring the bell, still alive and exercising the functions of his office, and had age lessened or increased the number of times that obliging citizens performed this duty for him during his temporary absences in the company of convivial spirits? a few moments later, warwick saw a colored policeman in the old constable's place--a stronger reminder than even the burned buildings that war had left its mark upon the old town, with which time had dealt so tenderly. the lower story of the market-house was open on all four of its sides to the public square. warwick passed through one of the wide brick arches and traversed the building with a leisurely step. he looked in vain into the stalls for the butcher who had sold fresh meat twice a week, on market days, and he felt a genuine thrill of pleasure when he recognized the red bandana turban of old aunt lyddy, the ancient negro woman who had sold him gingerbread and fried fish, and told him weird tales of witchcraft and conjuration, in the old days when, as an idle boy, he had loafed about the market-house. he did not speak to her, however, or give her any sign of recognition. he threw a glance toward a certain corner where steps led to the town hall above. on this stairway he had once seen a manacled free negro shot while being taken upstairs for examination under a criminal charge. warwick recalled vividly how the shot had rung out. he could see again the livid look of terror on the victim's face, the gathering crowd, the resulting confusion. the murderer, he recalled, had been tried and sentenced to imprisonment for life, but was pardoned by a merciful governor after serving a year of his sentence. as warwick was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, he could not foresee that, thirty years later, even this would seem an excessive punishment for so slight a misdemeanor. leaving the market-house, warwick turned to the left, and kept on his course until he reached the next corner. after another turn to the right, a dozen paces brought him in front of a small weather-beaten frame building, from which projected a wooden sign-board bearing the inscription:- archibald straight, lawyer. he turned the knob, but the door was locked. retracing his steps past a vacant lot, the young man entered a shop where a colored man was employed in varnishing a coffin, which stood on two trestles in the middle of the floor. not at all impressed by the melancholy suggestiveness of his task, he was whistling a lively air with great gusto. upon warwick's entrance this effusion came to a sudden end, and the coffin-maker assumed an air of professional gravity. "good-mawnin', suh," he said, lifting his cap politely. "good-morning," answered warwick. "can you tell me anything about judge straight's office hours?" "de ole jedge has be'n a little onreg'lar sence de wah, suh; but he gin'ally gits roun' 'bout ten o'clock er so. he's be'n kin' er feeble fer de las' few yeahs. an' i reckon," continued the undertaker solemnly, his glance unconsciously seeking a row of fine caskets standing against the wall,--"i reckon he'll soon be goin' de way er all de earth. 'man dat is bawn er 'oman hath but a sho't time ter lib, an' is full er mis'ry. he cometh up an' is cut down lack as a flower.' 'de days er his life is three-sco' an' ten'--an' de ole jedge is libbed mo' d'n dat, suh, by five yeahs, ter say de leas'." "'death,'" quoted warwick, with whose mood the undertaker's remarks were in tune, "'is the penalty that all must pay for the crime of living.'" "dat 's a fac', suh, dat 's a fac'; so dey mus'--so dey mus'. an' den all de dead has ter be buried. an' we does ou' sheer of it, suh, we does ou' sheer. we conduc's de obs'quies er all de bes' w'ite folks er de town, suh." warwick left the undertaker's shop and retraced his steps until he had passed the lawyer's office, toward which he threw an affectionate glance. a few rods farther led him past the old black presbyterian church, with its square tower, embowered in a stately grove; past the catholic church, with its many crosses, and a painted wooden figure of st. james in a recess beneath the gable; and past the old jefferson house, once the leading hotel of the town, in front of which political meetings had been held, and political speeches made, and political hard cider drunk, in the days of "tippecanoe and tyler too." the street down which warwick had come intersected front street at a sharp angle in front of the old hotel, forming a sort of flatiron block at the junction, known as liberty point,--perhaps because slave auctions were sometimes held there in the good old days. just before warwick reached liberty point, a young woman came down front street from the direction of the market-house. when their paths converged, warwick kept on down front street behind her, it having been already his intention to walk in this direction. warwick's first glance had revealed the fact that the young woman was strikingly handsome, with a stately beauty seldom encountered. as he walked along behind her at a measured distance, he could not help noting the details that made up this pleasing impression, for his mind was singularly alive to beauty, in whatever embodiment. the girl's figure, he perceived, was admirably proportioned; she was evidently at the period when the angles of childhood were rounding into the promising curves of adolescence. her abundant hair, of a dark and glossy brown, was neatly plaited and coiled above an ivory column that rose straight from a pair of gently sloping shoulders, clearly outlined beneath the light muslin frock that covered them. he could see that she was tastefully, though not richly, dressed, and that she walked with an elastic step that revealed a light heart and the vigor of perfect health. her face, of course, he could not analyze, since he had caught only the one brief but convincing glimpse of it. the young woman kept on down front street, warwick maintaining his distance a few rods behind her. they passed a factory, a warehouse or two, and then, leaving the brick pavement, walked along on mother earth, under a leafy arcade of spreading oaks and elms. their way led now through a residential portion of the town, which, as they advanced, gradually declined from staid respectability to poverty, open and unabashed. warwick observed, as they passed through the respectable quarter, that few people who met the girl greeted her, and that some others whom she passed at gates or doorways gave her no sign of recognition; from which he inferred that she was possibly a visitor in the town and not well acquainted. their walk had continued not more than ten minutes when they crossed a creek by a wooden bridge and came to a row of mean houses standing flush with the street. at the door of one, an old black woman had stooped to lift a large basket, piled high with laundered clothes. the girl, as she passed, seized one end of the basket and helped the old woman to raise it to her head, where it rested solidly on the cushion of her head-kerchief. during this interlude, warwick, though he had slackened his pace measurably, had so nearly closed the gap between himself and them as to hear the old woman say, with the dulcet negro intonation:-"t'anky', honey; de lawd gwine bless you sho'. you wuz alluz a good gal, and de lawd love eve'ybody w'at he'p de po' ole nigger. you gwine ter hab good luck all yo' bawn days." "i hope you're a true prophet, aunt zilphy," laughed the girl in response. the sound of her voice gave warwick a thrill. it was soft and sweet and clear--quite in harmony with her appearance. that it had a faint suggestiveness of the old woman's accent he hardly noticed, for the current southern speech, including his own, was rarely without a touch of it. the corruption of the white people's speech was one element--only one--of the negro's unconscious revenge for his own debasement. the houses they passed now grew scattering, and the quarter of the town more neglected. warwick felt himself wondering where the girl might be going in a neighborhood so uninviting. when she stopped to pull a half-naked negro child out of a mudhole and set him upon his feet, he thought she might be some young lady from the upper part of the town, bound on some errand of mercy, or going, perhaps, to visit an old servant or look for a new one. once she threw a backward glance at warwick, thus enabling him to catch a second glimpse of a singularly pretty face. perhaps the young woman found his presence in the neighborhood as unaccountable as he had deemed hers; for, finding his glance fixed upon her, she quickened her pace with an air of startled timidity. "a woman with such a figure," thought warwick, "ought to be able to face the world with the confidence of phryne confronting her judges." by this time warwick was conscious that something more than mere grace or beauty had attracted him with increasing force toward this young woman. a suggestion, at first faint and elusive, of something familiar, had grown stronger when he heard her voice, and became more and more pronounced with each rod of their advance; and when she stopped finally before a gate, and, opening it, went into a yard shut off from the street by a row of dwarf cedars, warwick had already discounted in some measure the surprise he would have felt at seeing her enter there had he not walked down front street behind her. there was still sufficient unexpectedness about the act, however, to give him a decided thrill of pleasure. "it must be rena," he murmured. "who could have dreamed that she would blossom out like that? it must surely be rena!" he walked slowly past the gate and peered through a narrow gap in the cedar hedge. the girl was moving along a sanded walk, toward a gray, unpainted house, with a steep roof, broken by dormer windows. the trace of timidity he had observed in her had given place to the more assured bearing of one who is upon his own ground. the garden walks were bordered by long rows of jonquils, pinks, and carnations, inclosing clumps of fragrant shrubs, lilies, and roses already in bloom. toward the middle of the garden stood two fine magnolia-trees, with heavy, dark green, glistening leaves, while nearer the house two mighty elms shaded a wide piazza, at one end of which a honeysuckle vine, and at the other a virginia creeper, running over a wooden lattice, furnished additional shade and seclusion. on dark or wintry days, the aspect of this garden must have been extremely sombre and depressing, and it might well have seemed a fit place to hide some guilty or disgraceful secret. but on the bright morning when warwick stood looking through the cedars, it seemed, with its green frame and canopy and its bright carpet of flowers, an ideal retreat from the fierce sunshine and the sultry heat of the approaching summer. the girl stooped to pluck a rose, and as she bent over it, her profile was clearly outlined. she held the flower to her face with a long-drawn inhalation, then went up the steps, crossed the piazza, opened the door without knocking, and entered the house with the air of one thoroughly at home. "yes," said the young man to himself, "it's rena, sure enough." the house stood on a corner, around which the cedar hedge turned, continuing along the side of the garden until it reached the line of the front of the house. the piazza to a rear wing, at right angles to the front of the house, was open to inspection from the side street, which, to judge from its deserted look, seemed to be but little used. turning into this street and walking leisurely past the back yard, which was only slightly screened from the street by a china-tree, warwick perceived the young woman standing on the piazza, facing an elderly woman, who sat in a large rocking-chair, plying a pair of knitting-needles on a half-finished stocking. warwick's walk led him within three feet of the side gate, which he felt an almost irresistible impulse to enter. every detail of the house and garden was familiar; a thousand cords of memory and affection drew him thither; but a stronger counter-motive prevailed. with a great effort he restrained himself, and after a momentary pause, walked slowly on past the house, with a backward glance, which he turned away when he saw that it was observed. warwick's attention had been so fully absorbed by the house behind the cedars and the women there, that he had scarcely noticed, on the other side of the neglected by-street, two men working by a large open window, in a low, rude building with a clapboarded roof, directly opposite the back piazza occupied by the two women. both the men were busily engaged in shaping barrel-staves, each wielding a sharp-edged drawing-knife on a piece of seasoned oak clasped tightly in a wooden vise. "i jes' wonder who dat man is, an' w'at he 's doin' on dis street," observed the younger of the two, with a suspicious air. he had noticed the gentleman's involuntary pause and his interest in the opposite house, and had stopped work for a moment to watch the stranger as he went on down the street. "nev' min' 'bout dat man," said the elder one. "you 'ten' ter yo' wuk an' finish dat bairl-stave. you spen's enti'ely too much er yo' time stretchin' yo' neck atter other people. an' you need n' 'sturb yo'se'f 'bout dem folks 'cross de street, fer dey ain't yo' kin', an' you're wastin' yo' time both'in' yo' min' wid 'em, er wid folks w'at comes on de street on account of 'em. look sha'p now, boy, er you'll git dat stave trim' too much." the younger man resumed his work, but still found time to throw a slanting glance out of the window. the gentleman, he perceived, stood for a moment on the rotting bridge across the old canal, and then walked slowly ahead until he turned to the right into back street, a few rods farther on. ii an evening visit toward evening of the same day, warwick took his way down front street in the gathering dusk. by the time night had spread its mantle over the earth, he had reached the gate by which he had seen the girl of his morning walk enter the cedar-bordered garden. he stopped at the gate and glanced toward the house, which seemed dark and silent and deserted. "it's more than likely," he thought, "that they are in the kitchen. i reckon i'd better try the back door." but as he drew cautiously near the corner, he saw a man's figure outlined in the yellow light streaming from the open door of a small house between front street and the cooper shop. wishing, for reasons of his own, to avoid observation, warwick did not turn the corner, but walked on down front street until he reached a point from which he could see, at a long angle, a ray of light proceeding from the kitchen window of the house behind the cedars. "they are there," he muttered with a sigh of relief, for he had feared they might be away. "i suspect i'll have to go to the front door, after all. no one can see me through the trees." he retraced his steps to the front gate, which he essayed to open. there was apparently some defect in the latch, for it refused to work. warwick remembered the trick, and with a slight sense of amusement, pushed his foot under the gate and gave it a hitch to the left, after which it opened readily enough. he walked softly up the sanded path, tiptoed up the steps and across the piazza, and rapped at the front door, not too loudly, lest this too might attract the attention of the man across the street. there was no response to his rap. he put his ear to the door and heard voices within, and the muffled sound of footsteps. after a moment he rapped again, a little louder than before. there was an instant cessation of the sounds within. he rapped a third time, to satisfy any lingering doubt in the minds of those who he felt sure were listening in some trepidation. a moment later a ray of light streamed through the keyhole. "who's there?" a woman's voice inquired somewhat sharply. "a gentleman," answered warwick, not holding it yet time to reveal himself. "does mis' molly walden live here?" "yes," was the guarded answer. "i'm mis' walden. what's yo'r business?" "i have a message to you from your son john." a key clicked in the lock. the door opened, and the elder of the two women warwick had seen upon the piazza stood in the doorway, peering curiously and with signs of great excitement into the face of the stranger. "you 've got a message from my son, you say?" she asked with tremulous agitation. "is he sick, or in trouble?" "no. he's well and doing well, and sends his love to you, and hopes you've not forgotten him." "fergot him? no, god knows i ain't fergot him! but come in, sir, an' tell me somethin' mo' about him." warwick went in, and as the woman closed the door after him, he threw a glance round the room. on the wall, over the mantelpiece, hung a steel engraving of general jackson at the battle of new orleans, and, on the opposite wall, a framed fashion-plate from "godey's lady's book." in the middle of the room an octagonal centre-table with a single leg, terminating in three sprawling feet, held a collection of curiously shaped sea-shells. there was a great haircloth sofa, somewhat the worse for wear, and a well-filled bookcase. the screen standing before the fireplace was covered with confederate bank-notes of various denominations and designs, in which the heads of jefferson davis and other confederate leaders were conspicuous. "imperious caesar, dead, and turned to clay, might stop a hole to keep the wind away," murmured the young man, as his eye fell upon this specimen of decorative art. the woman showed her visitor to a seat. she then sat down facing him and looked at him closely. "when did you last see my son?" she asked. "i've never met your son," he replied. her face fell. "then the message comes through you from somebody else?" "no, directly from your son." she scanned his face with a puzzled look. this bearded young gentleman, who spoke so politely and was dressed so well, surely--no, it could not be! and yet-warwick was smiling at her through a mist of tears. an electric spark of sympathy flashed between them. they rose as if moved by one impulse, and were clasped in each other's arms. "john, my john! it is john!" "mother--my dear old mother!" "i didn't think," she sobbed, "that i'd ever see you again." he smoothed her hair and kissed her. "and are you glad to see me, mother?" "am i glad to see you? it's like the dead comin' to life. i thought i'd lost you forever, john, my son, my darlin' boy!" she answered, hugging him strenuously. "i couldn't live without seeing you, mother," he said. he meant it, too, or thought he did, although he had not seen her for ten years. "you've grown so tall, john, and are such a fine gentleman! and you are a gentleman now, john, ain't you--sure enough? nobody knows the old story?" "well, mother, i've taken a man's chance in life, and have tried to make the most of it; and i haven't felt under any obligation to spoil it by raking up old stories that are best forgotten. there are the dear old books: have they been read since i went away?" "no, honey, there's be'n nobody to read 'em, excep' rena, an' she don't take to books quite like you did. but i've kep' 'em dusted clean, an' kep' the moths an' the bugs out; for i hoped you'd come back some day, an' knowed you'd like to find 'em all in their places, jus' like you left 'em." "that's mighty nice of you, mother. you could have done no more if you had loved them for themselves. but where is rena? i saw her on the street to-day, but she didn't know me from adam; nor did i guess it was she until she opened the gate and came into the yard." "i've be'n so glad to see you that i'd fergot about her," answered the mother. "rena, oh, rena!" the girl was not far away; she had been standing in the next room, listening intently to every word of the conversation, and only kept from coming in by a certain constraint that made a brother whom she had not met for so many years seem almost as much a stranger as if he had not been connected with her by any tie. "yes, mamma," she answered, coming forward. "rena, child, here's yo'r brother john, who's come back to see us. tell 'im howdy." as she came forward, warwick rose, put his arm around her waist, drew her toward him, and kissed her affectionately, to her evident embarrassment. she was a tall girl, but he towered above her in quite a protecting fashion; and she thought with a thrill how fine it would be to have such a brother as this in the town all the time. how proud she would be, if she could but walk up the street with such a brother by her side! she could then hold up her head before all the world, oblivious to the glance of pity or contempt. she felt a very pronounced respect for this tall gentleman who held her blushing face between his hands and looked steadily into her eyes. "you're the little sister i used to read stories to, and whom i promised to come and see some day. do you remember how you cried when i went away?" "it seems but yesterday," she answered. "i've still got the dime you gave me." he kissed her again, and then drew her down beside him on the sofa, where he sat enthroned between the two loving and excited women. no king could have received more sincere or delighted homage. he was a man, come into a household of women,--a man of whom they were proud, and to whom they looked up with fond reverence. for he was not only a son,--a brother--but he represented to them the world from which circumstances had shut them out, and to which distance lent even more than its usual enchantment; and they felt nearer to this far-off world because of the glory which warwick reflected from it. "you're a very pretty girl," said warwick, regarding his sister thoughtfully. "i followed you down front street this morning, and scarcely took my eyes off you all the way; and yet i didn't know you, and scarcely saw your face. you improve on acquaintance; to-night, i find you handsomer still." "now, john," said his mother, expostulating mildly, "you'll spile her, if you don't min'." the girl was beaming with gratified vanity. what woman would not find such praise sweet from almost any source, and how much more so from this great man, who, from his exalted station in the world, must surely know the things whereof he spoke! she believed every word of it; she knew it very well indeed, but wished to hear it repeated and itemized and emphasized. "no, he won't, mamma," she asserted, "for he's flattering me. he talks as if i was some rich young lady, who lives on the hill,"--the hill was the aristocratic portion of the town,--"instead of a poor." "instead of a poor young girl, who has the hill to climb," replied her brother, smoothing her hair with his hand. her hair was long and smooth and glossy, with a wave like the ripple of a summer breeze upon the surface of still water. it was the girl's great pride, and had been sedulously cared for. "what lovely hair! it has just the wave that yours lacks, mother." "yes," was the regretful reply, "i've never be'n able to git that wave out. but her hair's be'n took good care of, an' there ain't nary gal in town that's got any finer." "don't worry about the wave, mother. it's just the fashionable ripple, and becomes her immensely. i think my little albert favors his aunt rena somewhat." "your little albert!" they cried. "you've got a child?" "oh, yes," he replied calmly, "a very fine baby boy." they began to purr in proud contentment at this information, and made minute inquiries about the age and weight and eyes and nose and other important details of this precious infant. they inquired more coldly about the child's mother, of whom they spoke with greater warmth when they learned that she was dead. they hung breathless on warwick's words as he related briefly the story of his life since he had left, years before, the house behind the cedars--how with a stout heart and an abounding hope he had gone out into a seemingly hostile world, and made fortune stand and deliver. his story had for the women the charm of an escape from captivity, with all the thrill of a pirate's tale. with the whole world before him, he had remained in the south, the land of his fathers, where, he conceived, he had an inalienable birthright. by some good chance he had escaped military service in the confederate army, and, in default of older and more experienced men, had undertaken, during the rebellion, the management of a large estate, which had been left in the hands of women and slaves. he had filled the place so acceptably, and employed his leisure to such advantage, that at the close of the war he found himself--he was modest enough to think, too, in default of a better man--the husband of the orphan daughter of the gentleman who had owned the plantation, and who had lost his life upon the battlefield. warwick's wife was of good family, and in a more settled condition of society it would not have been easy for a young man of no visible antecedents to win her hand. a year or two later, he had taken the oath of allegiance, and had been admitted to the south carolina bar. rich in his wife's right, he had been able to practice his profession upon a high plane, without the worry of sordid cares, and with marked success for one of his age. "i suppose," he concluded, "that i have got along at the bar, as elsewhere, owing to the lack of better men. many of the good lawyers were killed in the war, and most of the remainder were disqualified; while i had the advantage of being alive, and of never having been in arms against the government. people had to have lawyers, and they gave me their business in preference to the carpet-baggers. fortune, you know, favors the available man." his mother drank in with parted lips and glistening eyes the story of his adventures and the record of his successes. as rena listened, the narrow walls that hemmed her in seemed to draw closer and closer, as though they must crush her. her brother watched her keenly. he had been talking not only to inform the women, but with a deeper purpose, conceived since his morning walk, and deepened as he had followed, during his narrative, the changing expression of rena's face and noted her intense interest in his story, her pride in his successes, and the occasional wistful look that indexed her self-pity so completely. "an' i s'pose you're happy, john?" asked his mother. "well, mother, happiness is a relative term, and depends, i imagine, upon how nearly we think we get what we think we want. i have had my chance and haven't thrown it away, and i suppose i ought to be happy. but then, i have lost my wife, whom i loved very dearly, and who loved me just as much, and i'm troubled about my child." "why?" they demanded. "is there anything the matter with him?" "no, not exactly. he's well enough, as babies go, and has a good enough nurse, as nurses go. but the nurse is ignorant, and not always careful. a child needs some woman of its own blood to love it and look after it intelligently." mis' molly's eyes were filled with tearful yearning. she would have given all the world to warm her son's child upon her bosom; but she knew this could not be. "did your wife leave any kin?" she asked with an effort. "no near kin; she was an only child." "you'll be gettin' married again," suggested his mother. "no," he replied; "i think not." warwick was still reading his sister's face, and saw the spark of hope that gleamed in her expressive eye. "if i had some relation of my own that i could take into the house with me," he said reflectively, "the child might be healthier and happier, and i should be much more at ease about him." the mother looked from son to daughter with a dawning apprehension and a sudden pallor. when she saw the yearning in rena's eyes, she threw herself at her son's feet. "oh, john," she cried despairingly, "don't take her away from me! don't take her, john, darlin', for it'd break my heart to lose her!" rena's arms were round her mother's neck, and rena's voice was sounding in her ears. "there, there, mamma! never mind! i won't leave you, mamma--dear old mamma! your rena'll stay with you always, and never, never leave you." john smoothed his mother's hair with a comforting touch, patted her withered cheek soothingly, lifted her tenderly to her place by his side, and put his arm about her. "you love your children, mother?" "they're all i've got," she sobbed, "an' they cos' me all i had. when the las' one's gone, i'll want to go too, for i'll be all alone in the world. don't take rena, john; for if you do, i'll never see her again, an' i can't bear to think of it. how would you like to lose yo'r one child?" "well, well, mother, we'll say no more about it. and now tell me all about yourself, and about the neighbors, and how you got through the war, and who's dead and who's married--and everything." the change of subject restored in some degree mis' molly's equanimity, and with returning calmness came a sense of other responsibilities. "good gracious, rena!" she exclaimed. "john 's be'n in the house an hour, and ain't had nothin' to eat yet! go in the kitchen an' spread a clean tablecloth, an' git out that 'tater pone, an' a pitcher o' that las' kag o' persimmon beer, an' let john take a bite an' a sip." warwick smiled at the mention of these homely dainties. "i thought of your sweet-potato pone at the hotel to-day, when i was at dinner, and wondered if you'd have some in the house. there was never any like yours; and i've forgotten the taste of persimmon beer entirely." rena left the room to carry out her hospitable commission. warwick, taking advantage of her absence, returned after a while to the former subject. "of course, mother," he said calmly, "i wouldn't think of taking rena away against your wishes. a mother's claim upon her child is a high and holy one. of course she will have no chance here, where our story is known. the war has wrought great changes, has put the bottom rail on top, and all that--but it hasn't wiped that out. nothing but death can remove that stain, if it does not follow us even beyond the grave. here she must forever be--nobody! with me she might have got out into the world; with her beauty she might have made a good marriage; and, if i mistake not, she has sense as well as beauty." "yes," sighed the mother, "she's got good sense. she ain't as quick as you was, an' don't read as many books, but she's keerful an' painstakin', an' always tries to do what's right. she's be'n thinkin' about goin' away somewhere an' tryin' to git a school to teach, er somethin', sence the yankees have started 'em everywhere for po' white folks an' niggers too. but i don't like fer her to go too fur." "with such beauty and brains," continued warwick, "she could leave this town and make a place for herself. the place is already made. she has only to step into my carriage--after perhaps a little preparation--and ride up the hill which i have had to climb so painfully. it would be a great pleasure to me to see her at the top. but of course it is impossible--a mere idle dream. your claim comes first; her duty chains her here." "it would be so lonely without her," murmured the mother weakly, "an' i love her so--my las' one!" "no doubt--no doubt," returned warwick, with a sympathetic sigh; "of course you love her. it's not to be thought of for a moment. it's a pity that she couldn't have a chance here--but how could she! i had thought she might marry a gentleman, but i dare say she'll do as well as the rest of her friends--as well as mary b., for instance, who married--homer pettifoot, did you say? or maybe billy oxendine might do for her. as long as she has never known any better, she'll probably be as well satisfied as though she married a rich man, and lived in a fine house, and kept a carriage and servants, and moved with the best in the land." the tortured mother could endure no more. the one thing she desired above all others was her daughter's happiness. her own life had not been governed by the highest standards, but about her love for her beautiful daughter there was no taint of selfishness. the life her son had described had been to her always the ideal but unattainable life. circumstances, some beyond her control, and others for which she was herself in a measure responsible, had put it forever and inconceivably beyond her reach. it had been conquered by her son. it beckoned to her daughter. the comparison of this free and noble life with the sordid existence of those around her broke down the last barrier of opposition. "o lord!" she moaned, "what shall i do with out her? it'll be lonely, john--so lonely!" "you'll have your home, mother," said warwick tenderly, accepting the implied surrender. "you'll have your friends and relatives, and the knowledge that your children are happy. i'll let you hear from us often, and no doubt you can see rena now and then. but you must let her go, mother,--it would be a sin against her to refuse." "she may go," replied the mother brokenly. "i'll not stand in her way--i've got sins enough to answer for already." warwick watched her pityingly. he had stirred her feelings to unwonted depths, and his sympathy went out to her. if she had sinned, she had been more sinned against than sinning, and it was not his part to judge her. he had yielded to a sentimental weakness in deciding upon this trip to patesville. a matter of business had brought him within a day's journey of the town, and an over-mastering impulse had compelled him to seek the mother who had given him birth and the old town where he had spent the earlier years of his life. no one would have acknowledged sooner than he the folly of this visit. men who have elected to govern their lives by principles of abstract right and reason, which happen, perhaps, to be at variance with what society considers equally right and reasonable, should, for fear of complications, be careful about descending from the lofty heights of logic to the common level of impulse and affection. many years before, warwick, when a lad of eighteen, had shaken the dust of the town from his feet, and with it, he fondly thought, the blight of his inheritance, and had achieved elsewhere a worthy career. but during all these years of absence he had cherished a tender feeling for his mother, and now again found himself in her house, amid the familiar surroundings of his childhood. his visit had brought joy to his mother's heart, and was now to bring its shrouded companion, sorrow. his mother had lived her life, for good or ill. a wider door was open to his sister--her mother must not bar the entrance. "she may go," the mother repeated sadly, drying her tears. "i'll give her up for her good." "the table 's ready, mamma," said rena, coming to the door. the lunch was spread in the kitchen, a large unplastered room at the rear, with a wide fireplace at one end. only yesterday, it seemed to warwick, he had sprawled upon the hearth, turning sweet potatoes before the fire, or roasting groundpeas in the ashes; or, more often, reading, by the light of a blazing pine-knot or lump of resin, some volume from the bookcase in the hall. from bulwer's novel, he had read the story of warwick the kingmaker, and upon leaving home had chosen it for his own. he was a new man, but he had the blood of an old race, and he would select for his own one of its worthy names. overhead loomed the same smoky beams, decorated with what might have been, from all appearances, the same bunches of dried herbs, the same strings of onions and red peppers. over in the same corner stood the same spinning-wheel, and through the open door of an adjoining room he saw the old loom, where in childhood he had more than once thrown the shuttle. the kitchen was different from the stately dining-room of the old colonial mansion where he now lived; but it was homelike, and it was familiar. the sight of it moved his heart, and he felt for the moment a sort of a blind anger against the fate which made it necessary that he should visit the home of his childhood, if at all, like a thief in the night. but he realized, after a moment, that the thought was pure sentiment, and that one who had gained so much ought not to complain if he must give up a little. he who would climb the heights of life must leave even the pleasantest valleys behind. "rena," asked her mother, "how'd you like to go an' pay yo'r brother john a visit? i guess i might spare you for a little while." the girl's eyes lighted up. she would not have gone if her mother had wished her to stay, but she would always have regarded this as the lost opportunity of her life. "are you sure you don't care, mamma?" she asked, hoping and yet doubting. "oh, i'll manage to git along somehow or other. you can go an' stay till you git homesick, an' then john'll let you come back home." but mis' molly believed that she would never come back, except, like her brother, under cover of the night. she must lose her daughter as well as her son, and this should be the penance for her sin. that her children must expiate as well the sins of their fathers, who had sinned so lightly, after the manner of men, neither she nor they could foresee, since they could not read the future. the next boat by which warwick could take his sister away left early in the morning of the next day but one. he went back to his hotel with the understanding that the morrow should be devoted to getting rena ready for her departure, and that warwick would visit the household again the following evening; for, as has been intimated, there were several reasons why there should be no open relations between the fine gentleman at the hotel and the women in the house behind the cedars, who, while superior in blood and breeding to the people of the neighborhood in which they lived, were yet under the shadow of some cloud which clearly shut them out from the better society of the town. almost any resident could have given one or more of these reasons, of which any one would have been sufficient to most of them; and to some of them warwick's mere presence in the town would have seemed a bold and daring thing. iii the old judge on the morning following the visit to his mother, warwick visited the old judge's office. the judge was not in, but the door stood open, and warwick entered to await his return. there had been fewer changes in the office, where he had spent many, many hours, than in the town itself. the dust was a little thicker, the papers in the pigeon-holes of the walnut desk were a little yellower, the cobwebs in the corners a little more aggressive. the flies droned as drowsily and the murmur of the brook below was just as audible. warwick stood at the rear window and looked out over a familiar view. directly across the creek, on the low ground beyond, might be seen the dilapidated stone foundation of the house where once had lived flora macdonald, the jacobite refugee, the most romantic character of north carolina history. old judge straight had had a tree cut away from the creek-side opposite his window, so that this historic ruin might be visible from his office; for the judge could trace the ties of blood that connected him collaterally with this famous personage. his pamphlet on flora macdonald, printed for private circulation, was highly prized by those of his friends who were fortunate enough to obtain a copy. to the left of the window a placid mill-pond spread its wide expanse, and to the right the creek disappeared under a canopy of overhanging trees. a footstep sounded in the doorway, and warwick, turning, faced the old judge. time had left greater marks upon the lawyer than upon his office. his hair was whiter, his stoop more pronounced; when he spoke to warwick, his voice had some of the shrillness of old age; and in his hand, upon which the veins stood out prominently, a decided tremor was perceptible. "good-morning, judge straight," said the young man, removing his hat with the graceful southern deference of the young for the old. "good-morning, sir," replied the judge with equal courtesy. "you don't remember me, i imagine," suggested warwick. "your face seems familiar," returned the judge cautiously, "but i cannot for the moment recall your name. i shall be glad to have you refresh my memory." "i was john walden, sir, when you knew me." the judge's face still gave no answering light of recognition. "your old office-boy," continued the younger man. "ah, indeed, so you were!" rejoined the judge warmly, extending his hand with great cordiality, and inspecting warwick more closely through his spectacles. "let me see--you went away a few years before the war, wasn't it?" "yes, sir, to south carolina." "yes, yes, i remember now! i had been thinking it was to the north. so many things have happened since then, that it taxes an old man's memory to keep track of them all. well, well! and how have you been getting along?" warwick told his story in outline, much as he had given it to his mother and sister, and the judge seemed very much interested. "and you married into a good family?" he asked. "yes, sir." "and have children?" "one." "and you are visiting your mother?" "not exactly. i have seen her, but i am stopping at a hotel." "h'm! are you staying long?" "i leave to-morrow." "it's well enough. i wouldn't stay too long. the people of a small town are inquisitive about strangers, and some of them have long memories. i remember we went over the law, which was in your favor; but custom is stronger than law--in these matters custom is law. it was a great pity that your father did not make a will. well, my boy, i wish you continued good luck; i imagined you would make your way." warwick went away, and the old judge sat for a moment absorbed in reflection. "right and wrong," he mused, "must be eternal verities, but our standards for measuring them vary with our latitude and our epoch. we make our customs lightly; once made, like our sins, they grip us in bands of steel; we become the creatures of our creations. by one standard my old office-boy should never have been born. yet he is a son of adam, and came into existence in the way ordained by god from the beginning of the world. in equity he would seem to be entitled to his chance in life; it might have been wiser, though, for him to seek it farther afield than south carolina. it was too near home, even though the laws were with him." iv down the river neither mother nor daughter slept a great deal during the night of warwick's first visit. mis' molly anointed her sacrifice with tears and cried herself to sleep. rena's emotions were more conflicting; she was sorry to leave her mother, but glad to go with her brother. the mere journey she was about to make was a great event for the two women to contemplate, to say nothing of the golden vision that lay beyond, for neither of them had ever been out of the town or its vicinity. the next day was devoted to preparations for the journey. rena's slender wardrobe was made ready and packed in a large valise. towards sunset, mis' molly took off her apron, put on her slat-bonnet,--she was ever the pink of neatness,--picked her way across the street, which was muddy from a rain during the day, traversed the foot-bridge that spanned the ditch in front of the cooper shop, and spoke first to the elder of the two men working there. "good-evenin', peter." "good-evenin', ma'm," responded the man briefly, and not relaxing at all the energy with which he was trimming a barrel-stave. mis' molly then accosted the younger workman, a dark-brown young man, small in stature, but with a well-shaped head, an expressive forehead, and features indicative of kindness, intelligence, humor, and imagination. "frank," she asked, "can i git you to do somethin' fer me soon in the mo'nin'?" "yas 'm, i reckon so," replied the young man, resting his hatchet on the chopping-block. "w'at is it, mis' molly?" "my daughter 's goin' away on the boat, an' i 'lowed you would n' min' totin' her kyarpet-bag down to the w'arf, onless you'd ruther haul it down on yo'r kyart. it ain't very heavy. of co'se i'll pay you fer yo'r trouble." "thank y', ma'm," he replied. he knew that she would not pay him, for the simple reason that he would not accept pay for such a service. "is she gwine fur?" he asked, with a sorrowful look, which he could not entirely disguise. "as fur as wilmin'ton an' beyon'. she'll be visitin' her brother john, who lives in--another state, an' wants her to come an' see him." "yas 'm, i'll come. i won' need de kyart--i'll tote de bag. 'bout w'at time shill i come over?" "well, 'long 'bout seven o'clock or half pas'. she's goin' on the old north state, an' it leaves at eight." frank stood looking after mis' molly as she picked her way across the street, until he was recalled to his duty by a sharp word from his father. "'ten' ter yo' wuk, boy, 'ten' ter yo' wuk. you 're wastin' yo' time--wastin' yo' time!" yes, he was wasting his time. the beautiful young girl across the street could never be anything to him. but he had saved her life once, and had dreamed that he might render her again some signal service that might win her friendship, and convince her of his humble devotion. for frank was not proud. a smile, which peter would have regarded as condescending to a free man, who, since the war, was as good as anybody else; a kind word, which peter would have considered offensively patronizing; a piece of mis' molly's famous potato pone from rena's hands,--a bone to a dog, peter called it once;--were ample rewards for the thousand and one small services frank had rendered the two women who lived in the house behind the cedars. frank went over in the morning a little ahead of the appointed time, and waited on the back piazza until his services were required. "you ain't gwine ter be gone long, is you, miss rena?" he inquired, when rena came out dressed for the journey in her best frock, with broad white collar and cuffs. rena did not know. she had been asking herself the same question. all sorts of vague dreams had floated through her mind during the last few hours, as to what the future might bring forth. but she detected the anxious note in frank's voice, and had no wish to give this faithful friend of the family unnecessary pain. "oh, no, frank, i reckon not. i'm supposed to be just going on a short visit. my brother has lost his wife, and wishes me to come and stay with him awhile, and look after his little boy." "i'm feared you'll lack it better dere, miss rena," replied frank sorrowfully, dropping his mask of unconcern, "an' den you won't come back, an' none er yo' frien's won't never see you no mo'." "you don't think, frank," asked rena severely, "that i would leave my mother and my home and all my friends, and never come back again?" "why, no 'ndeed," interposed mis' molly wistfully, as she hovered around her daughter, giving her hair or her gown a touch here and there; "she'll be so homesick in a month that she'll be willin' to walk home." "you would n' never hafter do dat, miss rena," returned frank, with a disconsolate smile. "ef you ever wanter come home, an' can't git back no other way, jes' let me know, an' i'll take my mule an' my kyart an' fetch you back, ef it's from de een' er de worl'." "thank you, frank, i believe you would," said the girl kindly. "you're a true friend, frank, and i'll not forget you while i'm gone." the idea of her beautiful daughter riding home from the end of the world with frank, in a cart, behind a one-eyed mule, struck mis' molly as the height of the ridiculous--she was in a state of excitement where tears or laughter would have come with equal ease--and she turned away to hide her merriment. her daughter was going to live in a fine house, and marry a rich man, and ride in her carriage. of course a negro would drive the carriage, but that was different from riding with one in a cart. when it was time to go, mis' molly and rena set out on foot for the river, which was only a short distance away. frank followed with the valise. there was no gathering of friends to see rena off, as might have been the case under different circumstances. her departure had some of the characteristics of a secret flight; it was as important that her destination should not be known, as it had been that her brother should conceal his presence in the town. mis' molly and rena remained on the bank until the steamer announced, with a raucous whistle, its readiness to depart. warwick was seen for a moment on the upper deck, from which he greeted them with a smile and a slight nod. he had bidden his mother an affectionate farewell the evening before. rena gave her hand to frank. "good-by, frank," she said, with a kind smile; "i hope you and mamma will be good friends while i'm gone." the whistle blew a second warning blast, and the deck hands prepared to draw in the gang-plank. rena flew into her mother's arms, and then, breaking away, hurried on board and retired to her state-room, from which she did not emerge during the journey. the window-blinds were closed, darkening the room, and the stewardess who came to ask if she should bring her some dinner could not see her face distinctly, but perceived enough to make her surmise that the young lady had been weeping. "po' chile," murmured the sympathetic colored woman, "i reckon some er her folks is dead, er her sweetheart 's gone back on her, er e'se she's had some kin' er bad luck er 'nuther. w'ite folks has deir troubles jes' ez well ez black folks, an' sometimes feels 'em mo', 'cause dey ain't ez use' ter 'em." mis' molly went back in sadness to the lonely house behind the cedars, henceforth to be peopled for her with only the memory of those she had loved. she had paid with her heart's blood another installment on the shylock's bond exacted by society for her own happiness of the past and her children's prospects for the future. the journey down the sluggish river to the seaboard in the flat-bottomed, stern-wheel steamer lasted all day and most of the night. during the first half-day, the boat grounded now and then upon a sand-bank, and the half-naked negro deck-hands toiled with ropes and poles to release it. several times before rena fell asleep that night, the steamer would tie up at a landing, and by the light of huge pine torches she watched the boat hands send the yellow turpentine barrels down the steep bank in a long string, or pass cord-wood on board from hand to hand. the excited negroes, their white teeth and eyeballs glistening in the surrounding darkness to which their faces formed no relief; the white officers in brown linen, shouting, swearing, and gesticulating; the yellow, flickering torchlight over all,--made up a scene of which the weird interest would have appealed to a more blase traveler than this girl upon her first journey. during the day, warwick had taken his meals in the dining-room, with the captain and the other cabin passengers. it was learned that he was a south carolina lawyer, and not a carpet-bagger. such credentials were unimpeachable, and the passengers found him a very agreeable traveling companion. apparently sound on the subject of negroes, yankees, and the righteousness of the lost cause, he yet discussed these themes in a lofty and impersonal manner that gave his words greater weight than if he had seemed warped by a personal grievance. his attitude, in fact, piqued the curiosity of one or two of the passengers. "did your people lose any niggers?" asked one of them. "my father owned a hundred," he replied grandly. their respect for his views was doubled. it is easy to moralize about the misfortunes of others, and to find good in the evil that they suffer;--only a true philosopher could speak thus lightly of his own losses. when the steamer tied up at the wharf at wilmington, in the early morning, the young lawyer and a veiled lady passenger drove in the same carriage to a hotel. after they had breakfasted in a private room, warwick explained to his sister the plan he had formed for her future. henceforth she must be known as miss warwick, dropping the old name with the old life. he would place her for a year in a boarding-school at charleston, after which she would take her place as the mistress of his house. having imparted this information, he took his sister for a drive through the town. there for the first time rena saw great ships, which, her brother told her, sailed across the mighty ocean to distant lands, whose flags he pointed out drooping lazily at the mast-heads. the business portion of the town had "an ancient and fishlike smell," and most of the trade seemed to be in cotton and naval stores and products of the sea. the wharves were piled high with cotton bales, and there were acres of barrels of resin and pitch and tar and spirits of turpentine. the market, a long, low, wooden structure, in the middle of the principal street, was filled with a mass of people of all shades, from blue-black to saxon blonde, gabbling and gesticulating over piles of oysters and clams and freshly caught fish of varied hue. by ten o'clock the sun was beating down so fiercely that the glitter of the white, sandy streets dazzled and pained the eyes unaccustomed to it, and rena was glad to be driven back to the hotel. the travelers left together on an early afternoon train. thus for the time being was severed the last tie that bound rena to her narrow past, and for some time to come the places and the people who had known her once were to know her no more. some few weeks later, mis' molly called upon old judge straight with reference to the taxes on her property. "your son came in to see me the other day," he remarked. "he seems to have got along." "oh, yes, judge, he's done fine, john has; an' he's took his sister away with him." "ah!" exclaimed the judge. then after a pause he added, "i hope she may do as well." "thank you, sir," she said, with a curtsy, as she rose to go. "we've always knowed that you were our friend and wished us well." the judge looked after her as she walked away. her bearing had a touch of timidity, a shade of affectation, and yet a certain pathetic dignity. "it is a pity," he murmured, with a sigh, "that men cannot select their mothers. my young friend john has builded, whether wisely or not, very well; but he has come back into the old life and carried away a part of it, and i fear that this addition will weaken the structure." v the tournament the annual tournament of the clarence social club was about to begin. the county fairground, where all was in readiness, sparkled with the youth and beauty of the town, standing here and there under the trees in animated groups, or moving toward the seats from which the pageant might be witnessed. a quarter of a mile of the race track, to right and left of the judges' stand, had been laid off for the lists. opposite the grand stand, which occupied a considerable part of this distance, a dozen uprights had been erected at measured intervals. projecting several feet over the track from each of these uprights was an iron crossbar, from which an iron hook depended. between the uprights stout posts were planted, of such a height that their tops could be easily reached by a swinging sword-cut from a mounted rider passing upon the track. the influence of walter scott was strong upon the old south. the south before the war was essentially feudal, and scott's novels of chivalry appealed forcefully to the feudal heart. during the month preceding the clarence tournament, the local bookseller had closed out his entire stock of "ivanhoe," consisting of five copies, and had taken orders for seven copies more. the tournament scene in this popular novel furnished the model after which these bloodless imitations of the ancient passages-at-arms were conducted, with such variations as were required to adapt them to a different age and civilization. the best people gradually filled the grand stand, while the poorer white and colored folks found seats outside, upon what would now be known as the "bleachers," or stood alongside the lists. the knights, masquerading in fanciful costumes, in which bright-colored garments, gilt paper, and cardboard took the place of knightly harness, were mounted on spirited horses. most of them were gathered at one end of the lists, while others practiced their steeds upon the unoccupied portion of the race track. the judges entered the grand stand, and one of them, after looking at his watch, gave a signal. immediately a herald, wearing a bright yellow sash, blew a loud blast upon a bugle, and, big with the importance of his office, galloped wildly down the lists. an attendant on horseback busied himself hanging upon each of the pendent hooks an iron ring, of some two inches in diameter, while another, on foot, placed on top of each of the shorter posts a wooden ball some four inches through. "it's my first tournament," observed a lady near the front of the grand stand, leaning over and addressing john warwick, who was seated in the second row, in company with a very handsome girl. "it is somewhat different from ashby-de-la-zouch." "it is the renaissance of chivalry, mrs. newberry," replied the young lawyer, "and, like any other renaissance, it must adapt itself to new times and circumstances. for instance, when we build a greek portico, having no pentelic marble near at hand, we use a pine-tree, one of nature's columns, which grecian art at its best could only copy and idealize. our knights are not weighted down with heavy armor, but much more appropriately attired, for a day like this, in costumes that recall the picturesqueness, without the discomfort, of the old knightly harness. for an iron-headed lance we use a wooden substitute, with which we transfix rings instead of hearts; while our trusty blades hew their way through wooden blocks instead of through flesh and blood. it is a south carolina renaissance which has points of advantage over the tournaments of the olden time." "i'm afraid, mr. warwick," said the lady, "that you're the least bit heretical about our chivalry--or else you're a little too deep for me." "the last would be impossible, mrs. newberry; and i'm sure our chivalry has proved its valor on many a hard-fought field. the spirit of a thing, after all, is what counts; and what is lacking here? we have the lists, the knights, the prancing steeds, the trial of strength and skill. if our knights do not run the physical risks of ashby-de-la-zouch, they have all the mental stimulus. wounded vanity will take the place of wounded limbs, and there will be broken hopes in lieu of broken heads. how many hearts in yonder group of gallant horsemen beat high with hope! how many possible queens of love and beauty are in this group of fair faces that surround us!" the lady was about to reply, when the bugle sounded again, and the herald dashed swiftly back upon his prancing steed to the waiting group of riders. the horsemen formed three abreast, and rode down the lists in orderly array. as they passed the grand stand, each was conscious of the battery of bright eyes turned upon him, and each gave by his bearing some idea of his ability to stand fire from such weapons. one horse pranced proudly, another caracoled with grace. one rider fidgeted nervously, another trembled and looked the other way. each horseman carried in his hand a long wooden lance and wore at his side a cavalry sabre, of which there were plenty to be had since the war, at small expense. several left the ranks and drew up momentarily beside the grand stand, where they took from fair hands a glove or a flower, which was pinned upon the rider's breast or fastened upon his hat--a ribbon or a veil, which was tied about the lance like a pennon, but far enough from the point not to interfere with the usefulness of the weapon. as the troop passed the lower end of the grand stand, a horse, excited by the crowd, became somewhat unmanageable, and in the effort to curb him, the rider dropped his lance. the prancing animal reared, brought one of his hoofs down upon the fallen lance with considerable force, and sent a broken piece of it flying over the railing opposite the grand stand, into the middle of a group of spectators standing there. the flying fragment was dodged by those who saw it coming, but brought up with a resounding thwack against the head of a colored man in the second row, who stood watching the grand stand with an eager and curious gaze. he rubbed his head ruefully, and made a good-natured response to the chaffing of his neighbors, who, seeing no great harm done, made witty and original remarks about the advantage of being black upon occasions where one's skull was exposed to danger. finding that the blow had drawn blood, the young man took out a red bandana handkerchief and tied it around his head, meantime letting his eye roam over the faces in the grand stand, as though in search of some one that he expected or hoped to find there. the knights, having reached the end of the lists, now turned and rode back in open order, with such skillful horsemanship as to evoke a storm of applause from the spectators. the ladies in the grand stand waved their handkerchiefs vigorously, and the men clapped their hands. the beautiful girl seated by warwick's side accidentally let a little square of white lace-trimmed linen slip from her hand. it fluttered lightly over the railing, and, buoyed up by the air, settled slowly toward the lists. a young rider in the approaching rear rank saw the handkerchief fall, and darting swiftly forward, caught it on the point of his lance ere it touched the ground. he drew up his horse and made a movement as though to extend the handkerchief toward the lady, who was blushing profusely at the attention she had attracted by her carelessness. the rider hesitated a moment, glanced interrogatively at warwick, and receiving a smile in return, tied the handkerchief around the middle of his lance and quickly rejoined his comrades at the head of the lists. the young man with the bandage round his head, on the benches across the lists, had forced his way to the front row and was leaning against the railing. his restless eye was attracted by the falling handkerchief, and his face, hitherto anxious, suddenly lit up with animation. "yas, suh, yas, suh, it's her!" he muttered softly. "it's miss rena, sho's you bawn. she looked lack a' angel befo', but now, up dere 'mongs' all dem rich, fine folks, she looks lack a whole flock er angels. dey ain' one er dem ladies w'at could hol' a candle ter her. i wonder w'at dat man's gwine ter do wid her handkercher? i s'pose he's her gent'eman now. i wonder ef she'd know me er speak ter me ef she seed me? i reckon she would, spite er her gittin' up so in de worl'; fer she wuz alluz good ter ev'ybody, an' dat let even me in," he concluded with a sigh. "who is the lady, tryon?" asked one of the young men, addressing the knight who had taken the handkerchief. "a miss warwick," replied the knight pleasantly, "miss rowena warwick, the lawyer's sister." "i didn't know he had a sister," rejoined the first speaker. "i envy you your lady. there are six rebeccas and eight rowenas of my own acquaintance in the grand stand, but she throws them all into the shade. she hasn't been here long, surely; i haven't seen her before." "she has been away at school; she came only last night," returned the knight of the crimson sash, briefly. he was already beginning to feel a proprietary interest in the lady whose token he wore, and did not care to discuss her with a casual acquaintance. the herald sounded the charge. a rider darted out from the group and galloped over the course. as he passed under each ring, he tried to catch it on the point of his lance,--a feat which made the management of the horse with the left hand necessary, and required a true eye and a steady arm. the rider captured three of the twelve rings, knocked three others off the hooks, and left six undisturbed. turning at the end of the lists, he took the lance with the reins in the left hand and drew his sword with the right. he then rode back over the course, cutting at the wooden balls upon the posts. of these he clove one in twain, to use the parlance of chivalry, and knocked two others off their supports. his performance was greeted with a liberal measure of applause, for which he bowed in smiling acknowledgment as he took his place among the riders. again the herald's call sounded, and the tourney went forward. rider after rider, with varying skill, essayed his fortune with lance and sword. some took a liberal proportion of the rings; others merely knocked them over the boundaries, where they were collected by agile little negro boys and handed back to the attendants. a balking horse caused the spectators much amusement and his rider no little chagrin. the lady who had dropped the handkerchief kept her eye upon the knight who had bound it round his lance. "who is he, john?" she asked the gentleman beside her. "that, my dear rowena, is my good friend and client, george tryon, of north carolina. if he had been a stranger, i should have said that he took a liberty; but as things stand, we ought to regard it as a compliment. the incident is quite in accord with the customs of chivalry. if george were but masked and you were veiled, we should have a romantic situation,--you the mysterious damsel in distress, he the unknown champion. the parallel, my dear, might not be so hard to draw, even as things are. but look, it is his turn now; i'll wager that he makes a good run." "i'll take you up on that, mr. warwick," said mrs. newberry from behind, who seemed to have a very keen ear for whatever warwick said. rena's eyes were fastened on her knight, so that she might lose no single one of his movements. as he rode down the lists, more than one woman found him pleasant to look upon. he was a tall, fair young man, with gray eyes, and a frank, open face. he wore a slight mustache, and when he smiled, showed a set of white and even teeth. he was mounted on a very handsome and spirited bay mare, was clad in a picturesque costume, of which velvet knee-breeches and a crimson scarf were the most conspicuous features, and displayed a marked skill in horsemanship. at the blast of the bugle his horse started forward, and, after the first few rods, settled into an even gallop. tryon's lance, held truly and at the right angle, captured the first ring, then the second and third. his coolness and steadiness seemed not at all disturbed by the applause which followed, and one by one the remaining rings slipped over the point of his lance, until at the end he had taken every one of the twelve. holding the lance with its booty of captured rings in his left hand, together with the bridle rein, he drew his sabre with the right and rode back over the course. his horse moved like clockwork, his eye was true and his hand steady. three of the wooden balls fell from the posts, split fairly in the middle, while from the fourth he sliced off a goodly piece and left the remainder standing in its place. this performance, by far the best up to this point, and barely escaping perfection, elicited a storm of applause. the rider was not so well known to the townspeople as some of the other participants, and his name passed from mouth to mouth in answer to numerous inquiries. the girl whose token he had worn also became an object of renewed interest, because of the result to her in case the knight should prove victor in the contest, of which there could now scarcely be a doubt; for but three riders remained, and it was very improbable that any one of them would excel the last. wagers for the remainder of the tourney stood anywhere from five, and even from ten to one, in favor of the knight of the crimson sash, and when the last course had been run, his backers were jubilant. no one of those following him had displayed anything like equal skill. the herald now blew his bugle and declared the tournament closed. the judges put their heads together for a moment. the bugle sounded again, and the herald announced in a loud voice that sir george tryon, having taken the greatest number of rings and split the largest number of balls, was proclaimed victor in the tournament and entitled to the flowery chaplet of victory. tryon, having bowed repeatedly in response to the liberal applause, advanced to the judges' stand and received the trophy from the hands of the chief judge, who exhorted him to wear the garland worthily, and to yield it only to a better man. "it will be your privilege, sir george," announced the judge, "as the chief reward of your valor, to select from the assembled beauty of clarence the lady whom you wish to honor, to whom we will all do homage as the queen of love and beauty." tryon took the wreath and bowed his thanks. then placing the trophy on the point of his lance, he spoke earnestly for a moment to the herald, and rode past the grand stand, from which there was another outburst of applause. returning upon his tracks, the knight of the crimson sash paused before the group where warwick and his sister sat, and lowered the wreath thrice before the lady whose token he had won. "oyez! oyez!" cried the herald; "sir george tryon, the victor in the tournament, has chosen miss rowena warwick as the queen of love and beauty, and she will be crowned at the feast to-night and receive the devoirs of all true knights." the fair-ground was soon covered with scattered groups of the spectators of the tournament. in one group a vanquished knight explained in elaborate detail why it was that he had failed to win the wreath. more than one young woman wondered why some one of the home young men could not have taken the honors, or, if the stranger must win them, why he could not have selected some belle of the town as queen of love and beauty instead of this upstart girl who had blown into the town over night, as one might say. warwick and his sister, standing under a spreading elm, held a little court of their own. a dozen gentlemen and several ladies had sought an introduction before tryon came up. "i suppose john would have a right to call me out, miss warwick," said tryon, when he had been formally introduced and had shaken hands with warwick's sister, "for taking liberties with the property and name of a lady to whom i had not had an introduction; but i know john so well that you seemed like an old acquaintance; and when i saw you, and recalled your name, which your brother had mentioned more than once, i felt instinctively that you ought to be the queen. i entered my name only yesterday, merely to swell the number and make the occasion more interesting. these fellows have been practicing for a month, and i had no hope of winning. i should have been satisfied, indeed, if i hadn't made myself ridiculous; but when you dropped your handkerchief, i felt a sudden inspiration; and as soon as i had tied it upon my lance, victory perched upon my saddle-bow, guided my lance and sword, and rings and balls went down before me like chaff before the wind. oh, it was a great inspiration, miss warwick!" rena, for it was our patesville acquaintance fresh from boarding-school, colored deeply at this frank and fervid flattery, and could only murmur an inarticulate reply. her year of instruction, while distinctly improving her mind and manners, had scarcely prepared her for so sudden an elevation into a grade of society to which she had hitherto been a stranger. she was not without a certain courage, however, and her brother, who remained at her side, helped her over the most difficult situations. "we'll forgive you, george," replied warwick, "if you'll come home to luncheon with us." "i'm mighty sorry--awfully sorry," returned tryon, with evident regret, "but i have another engagement, which i can scarcely break, even by the command of royalty. at what time shall i call for miss warwick this evening? i believe that privilege is mine, along with the other honors and rewards of victory,--unless she is bound to some one else." "she is entirely free," replied warwick. "come as early as you like, and i'll talk to you until she's ready." tryon bowed himself away, and after a number of gentlemen and a few ladies had paid their respects to the queen of love and beauty, and received an introduction to her, warwick signaled to the servant who had his carriage in charge, and was soon driving homeward with his sister. no one of the party noticed a young negro, with a handkerchief bound around his head, who followed them until the carriage turned into the gate and swept up the wide drive that led to warwick's doorstep. "well, rena," said warwick, when they found themselves alone, "you have arrived. your debut into society is a little more spectacular than i should have wished, but we must rise to the occasion and make the most of it. you are winning the first fruits of your opportunity. you are the most envied woman in clarence at this particular moment, and, unless i am mistaken, will be the most admired at the ball to-night." vi the queen of love and beauty shortly after luncheon, rena had a visitor in the person of mrs. newberry, a vivacious young widow of the town, who proffered her services to instruct rena in the etiquette of the annual ball. "now, my dear," said mrs. newberry, "the first thing to do is to get your coronation robe ready. it simply means a gown with a long train. you have a lovely white waist. get right into my buggy, and we'll go down town to get the cloth, take it over to mrs. marshall's, and have her run you up a skirt this afternoon." rena placed herself unreservedly in the hands of mrs. newberry, who introduced her to the best dressmaker of the town, a woman of much experience in such affairs, who improvised during the afternoon a gown suited to the occasion. mrs. marshall had made more than a dozen ball dresses during the preceding month; being a wise woman and understanding her business thoroughly, she had made each one of them so that with a few additional touches it might serve for the queen of love and beauty. this was her first direct order for the specific garment. tryon escorted rena to the ball, which was held in the principal public hall of the town, and attended by all the best people. the champion still wore the costume of the morning, in place of evening dress, save that long stockings and dancing-pumps had taken the place of riding-boots. rena went through the ordeal very creditably. her shyness was palpable, but it was saved from awkwardness by her native grace and good sense. she made up in modesty what she lacked in aplomb. her months in school had not eradicated a certain self-consciousness born of her secret. the brain-cells never lose the impressions of youth, and rena's patesville life was not far enough removed to have lost its distinctness of outline. of the two, the present was more of a dream, the past was the more vivid reality. at school she had learned something from books and not a little from observation. she had been able to compare herself with other girls, and to see wherein she excelled or fell short of them. with a sincere desire for improvement, and a wish to please her brother and do him credit, she had sought to make the most of her opportunities. building upon a foundation of innate taste and intelligence, she had acquired much of the self-possession which comes from a knowledge of correct standards of deportment. she had moreover learned without difficulty, for it suited her disposition, to keep silence when she could not speak to advantage. a certain necessary reticence about the past added strength to a natural reserve. thus equipped, she held her own very well in the somewhat trying ordeal of the ball, at which the fiction of queenship and the attendant ceremonies, which were pretty and graceful, made her the most conspicuous figure. few of those who watched her move with easy grace through the measures of the dance could have guessed how nearly her heart was in her mouth during much of the time. "you're doing splendidly, my dear," said mrs. newberry, who had constituted herself rena's chaperone. "i trust your gracious majesty is pleased with the homage of your devoted subjects," said tryon, who spent much of his time by her side and kept up the character of knight in his speech and manner. "very much," replied the queen of love and beauty, with a somewhat tired smile. it was pleasant, but she would be glad, she thought, when it was all over. "keep up your courage," whispered her brother. "you are not only queen, but the belle of the ball. i am proud of you. a dozen women here would give a year off the latter end of life to be in your shoes to-night." rena felt immensely relieved when the hour arrived at which she could take her departure, which was to be the signal for the breaking-up of the ball. she was driven home in tryon's carriage, her brother accompanying them. the night was warm, and the drive homeward under the starlight, in the open carriage, had a soothing effect upon rena's excited nerves. the calm restfulness of the night, the cool blue depths of the unclouded sky, the solemn croaking of the frogs in a distant swamp, were much more in harmony with her nature than the crowded brilliancy of the ball-room. she closed her eyes, and, leaning back in the carriage, thought of her mother, who she wished might have seen her daughter this night. a momentary pang of homesickness pierced her tender heart, and she furtively wiped away the tears that came into her eyes. "good-night, fair queen!" exclaimed tryon, breaking into her reverie as the carriage rolled up to the doorstep, "and let your loyal subject kiss your hand in token of his fealty. may your majesty never abdicate her throne, and may she ever count me her humble servant and devoted knight." "and now, sister," said warwick, when tryon had been driven away, "now that the masquerade is over, let us to sleep, and to-morrow take up the serious business of life. your day has been a glorious success!" he put his arm around her and gave her a kiss and a brotherly hug. "it is a dream," she murmured sleepily, "only a dream. i am cinderella before the clock has struck. good-night, dear john." "good-night, rowena." vii 'mid new surroundings warwick's residence was situated in the outskirts of the town. it was a fine old plantation house, built in colonial times, with a stately colonnade, wide verandas, and long windows with venetian blinds. it was painted white, and stood back several rods from the street, in a charming setting of palmettoes, magnolias, and flowering shrubs. rena had always thought her mother's house large, but now it seemed cramped and narrow, in comparison with this roomy mansion. the furniture was old-fashioned and massive. the great brass andirons on the wide hearth stood like sentinels proclaiming and guarding the dignity of the family. the spreading antlers on the wall testified to a mighty hunter in some past generation. the portraits of warwick's wife's ancestors--high featured, proud men and women, dressed in the fashions of a bygone age--looked down from tarnished gilt frames. it was all very novel to her, and very impressive. when she ate off china, with silver knives and forks that had come down as heirlooms, escaping somehow the ravages and exigencies of the war time,--warwick told her afterwards how he had buried them out of reach of friend or foe,--she thought that her brother must be wealthy, and she felt very proud of him and of her opportunity. the servants, of whom there were several in the house, treated her with a deference to which her eight months in school had only partly accustomed her. at school she had been one of many to be served, and had herself been held to obedience. here, for the first time in her life, she was mistress, and tasted the sweets of power. the household consisted of her brother and herself, a cook, a coachman, a nurse, and her brother's little son albert. the child, with a fine instinct, had put out his puny arms to rena at first sight, and she had clasped the little man to her bosom with a motherly caress. she had always loved weak creatures. kittens and puppies had ever found a welcome and a meal at rena's hands, only to be chased away by mis' molly, who had had a wider experience. no shiftless poor white, no half-witted or hungry negro, had ever gone unfed from mis' molly's kitchen door if rena were there to hear his plaint. little albert was pale and sickly when she came, but soon bloomed again in the sunshine of her care, and was happy only in her presence. warwick found pleasure in their growing love for each other, and was glad to perceive that the child formed a living link to connect her with his home. "dat chile sutt'nly do lub miss rena, an' dat's a fac', sho 's you bawn," remarked 'lissa the cook to mimy the nurse one day. "you'll get yo' nose put out er j'int, ef you don't min'." "i ain't frettin', honey," laughed the nurse good-naturedly. she was not at all jealous. she had the same wages as before, and her labors were materially lightened by the aunt's attention to the child. this gave mimy much more time to flirt with tom the coachman. it was a source of much gratification to warwick that his sister seemed to adapt herself so easily to the new conditions. her graceful movements, the quiet elegance with which she wore even the simplest gown, the easy authoritativeness with which she directed the servants, were to him proofs of superior quality, and he felt correspondingly proud of her. his feeling for her was something more than brotherly love,--he was quite conscious that there were degrees in brotherly love, and that if she had been homely or stupid, he would never have disturbed her in the stagnant life of the house behind the cedars. there had come to him from some source, down the stream of time, a rill of the greek sense of proportion, of fitness, of beauty, which is indeed but proportion embodied, the perfect adaptation of means to ends. he had perceived, more clearly than she could have appreciated it at that time, the undeveloped elements of discord between rena and her former life. he had imagined her lending grace and charm to his own household. still another motive, a purely psychological one, had more or less consciously influenced him. he had no fear that the family secret would ever be discovered,--he had taken his precautions too thoroughly, he thought, for that; and yet he could not but feel, at times, that if peradventure--it was a conceivable hypothesis--it should become known, his fine social position would collapse like a house of cards. because of this knowledge, which the world around him did not possess, he had felt now and then a certain sense of loneliness; and there was a measure of relief in having about him one who knew his past, and yet whose knowledge, because of their common interest, would not interfere with his present or jeopardize his future. for he had always been, in a figurative sense, a naturalized foreigner in the world of wide opportunity, and rena was one of his old compatriots, whom he was glad to welcome into the populous loneliness of his adopted country. viii the courtship in a few weeks the echoes of the tournament died away, and rena's life settled down into a pleasant routine, which she found much more comfortable than her recent spectacular prominence. her queenship, while not entirely forgiven by the ladies of the town, had gained for her a temporary social prominence. among her own sex, mrs. newberry proved a warm and enthusiastic friend. rumor whispered that the lively young widow would not be unwilling to console warwick in the loneliness of the old colonial mansion, to which his sister was a most excellent medium of approach. whether this was true or not it is unnecessary to inquire, for it is no part of this story, except as perhaps indicating why mrs. newberry played the part of the female friend, without whom no woman is ever launched successfully in a small and conservative society. her brother's standing gave her the right of social entry; the tournament opened wide the door, and mrs. newberry performed the ceremony of introduction. rena had many visitors during the month following the tournament, and might have made her choice from among a dozen suitors; but among them all, her knight of the handkerchief found most favor. george tryon had come to clarence a few months before upon business connected with the settlement of his grandfather's estate. a rather complicated litigation had grown up around the affair, various phases of which had kept tryon almost constantly in the town. he had placed matters in warwick's hands, and had formed a decided friendship for his attorney, for whom he felt a frank admiration. tryon was only twenty-three, and his friend's additional five years, supplemented by a certain professional gravity, commanded a great deal of respect from the younger man. when tryon had known warwick for a week, he had been ready to swear by him. indeed, warwick was a man for whom most people formed a liking at first sight. to this power of attraction he owed most of his success--first with judge straight, of patesville, then with the lawyer whose office he had entered at clarence, with the woman who became his wife, and with the clients for whom he transacted business. tryon would have maintained against all comers that warwick was the finest fellow in the world. when he met warwick's sister, the foundation for admiration had already been laid. if rena had proved to be a maiden lady of uncertain age and doubtful personal attractiveness, tryon would probably have found in her a most excellent lady, worthy of all respect and esteem, and would have treated her with profound deference and sedulous courtesy. when she proved to be a young and handsome woman, of the type that he admired most, he was capable of any degree of infatuation. his mother had for a long time wanted him to marry the orphan daughter of an old friend, a vivacious blonde, who worshiped him. he had felt friendly towards her, but had shrunk from matrimony. he did not want her badly enough to give up his freedom. the war had interfered with his education, and though fairly well instructed, he had never attended college. in his own opinion, he ought to see something of the world, and have his youthful fling. later on, when he got ready to settle down, if blanche were still in the humor, they might marry, and sink to the humdrum level of other old married people. the fact that blanche leary was visiting his mother during his unexpectedly long absence had not operated at all to hasten his return to north carolina. he had been having a very good time at clarence, and, at the distance of several hundred miles, was safe for the time being from any immediate danger of marriage. with rena's advent, however, he had seen life through different glasses. his heart had thrilled at first sight of this tall girl, with the ivory complexion, the rippling brown hair, and the inscrutable eyes. when he became better acquainted with her, he liked to think that her thoughts centred mainly in himself; and in this he was not far wrong. he discovered that she had a short upper lip, and what seemed to him an eminently kissable mouth. after he had dined twice at warwick's, subsequently to the tournament,--his lucky choice of rena had put him at once upon a household footing with the family,--his views of marriage changed entirely. it now seemed to him the duty, as well as the high and holy privilege of a young man, to marry and manfully to pay his debt to society. when in rena's presence, he could not imagine how he had ever contemplated the possibility of marriage with blanche leary,--she was utterly, entirely, and hopelessly unsuited to him. for a fair man of vivacious temperament, this stately dark girl was the ideal mate. even his mother would admit this, if she could only see rena. to win this beautiful girl for his wife would be a worthy task. he had crowned her queen of love and beauty; since then she had ascended the throne of his heart. he would make her queen of his home and mistress of his life. to rena this brief month's courtship came as a new education. not only had this fair young man crowned her queen, and honored her above all the ladies in town; but since then he had waited assiduously upon her, had spoken softly to her, had looked at her with shining eyes, and had sought to be alone with her. the time soon came when to touch his hand in greeting sent a thrill through her frame,--a time when she listened for his footstep and was happy in his presence. he had been bold enough at the tournament; he had since become somewhat bashful and constrained. he must be in love, she thought, and wondered how soon he would speak. if it were so sweet to walk with him in the garden, or along the shaded streets, to sit with him, to feel the touch of his hand, what happiness would it not be to hear him say that he loved her--to bear his name, to live with him always. to be thus loved and honored by this handsome young man,--she could hardly believe it possible. he would never speak--he would discover her secret and withdraw. she turned pale at the thought,--ah, god! something would happen,--it was too good to be true. the prince would never try on the glass slipper. tryon first told his love for rena one summer evening on their way home from church. they were walking in the moonlight along the quiet street, which, but for their presence, seemed quite deserted. "miss warwick--rowena," he said, clasping with his right hand the hand that rested on his left arm, "i love you! do you--love me?" to rena this simple avowal came with much greater force than a more formal declaration could have had. it appealed to her own simple nature. indeed, few women at such a moment criticise the form in which the most fateful words of life--but one--are spoken. words, while pleasant, are really superfluous. her whispered "yes" spoke volumes. they walked on past the house, along the country road into which the street soon merged. when they returned, an hour later, they found warwick seated on the piazza, in a rocking-chair, smoking a fragrant cigar. "well, children," he observed with mock severity, "you are late in getting home from church. the sermon must have been extremely long." "we have been attending an after-meeting," replied tryon joyfully, "and have been discussing an old text, 'little children, love one another,' and its corollary, 'it is not good for man to live alone.' john, i am the happiest man alive. your sister has promised to marry me. i should like to shake my brother's hand." never does one feel so strongly the universal brotherhood of man as when one loves some other fellow's sister. warwick sprang from his chair and clasped tryon's extended hand with real emotion. he knew of no man whom he would have preferred to tryon as a husband for his sister. "my dear george--my dear sister," he exclaimed, "i am very, very glad. i wish you every happiness. my sister is the most fortunate of women." "and i am the luckiest of men," cried tryon. "i wish you every happiness," repeated warwick; adding, with a touch of solemnity, as a certain thought, never far distant, occurred to him, "i hope that neither of you may ever regret your choice." thus placed upon the footing of an accepted lover, tryon's visits to the house became more frequent. he wished to fix a time for the marriage, but at this point rena developed a strange reluctance. "can we not love each other for a while?" she asked. "to be engaged is a pleasure that comes but once; it would be a pity to cut it too short." "it is a pleasure that i would cheerfully dispense with," he replied, "for the certainty of possession. i want you all to myself, and all the time. things might happen. if i should die, for instance, before i married you"-"oh, don't suppose such awful things," she cried, putting her hand over his mouth. he held it there and kissed it until she pulled it away. "i should consider," he resumed, completing the sentence, "that my life had been a failure." "if i should die," she murmured, "i should die happy in the knowledge that you had loved me." "in three weeks," he went on, "i shall have finished my business in clarence, and there will be but one thing to keep me here. when shall it be? i must take you home with me." "i will let you know," she replied, with a troubled sigh, "in a week from to-day." "i'll call your attention to the subject every day in the mean time," he asserted. "i shouldn't like you to forget it." rena's shrinking from the irrevocable step of marriage was due to a simple and yet complex cause. stated baldly, it was the consciousness of her secret; the complexity arose out of the various ways in which it seemed to bear upon her future. our lives are so bound up with those of our fellow men that the slightest departure from the beaten path involves a multiplicity of small adjustments. it had not been difficult for rena to conform her speech, her manners, and in a measure her modes of thought, to those of the people around her; but when this readjustment went beyond mere externals and concerned the vital issues of life, the secret that oppressed her took on a more serious aspect, with tragic possibilities. a discursive imagination was not one of her characteristics, or the danger of a marriage of which perfect frankness was not a condition might well have presented itself before her heart had become involved. under the influence of doubt and fear acting upon love, the invisible bar to happiness glowed with a lambent flame that threatened dire disaster. "would he have loved me at all," she asked herself, "if he had known the story of my past? or, having loved me, could he blame me now for what i cannot help?" there were two shoals in the channel of her life, upon either of which her happiness might go to shipwreck. since leaving the house behind the cedars, where she had been brought into the world without her own knowledge or consent, and had first drawn the breath of life by the involuntary contraction of certain muscles, rena had learned, in a short time, many things; but she was yet to learn that the innocent suffer with the guilty, and feel the punishment the more keenly because unmerited. she had yet to learn that the old mosaic formula, "the sins of the fathers shall be visited upon the children," was graven more indelibly upon the heart of the race than upon the tables of sinai. but would her lover still love her, if he knew all? she had read some of the novels in the bookcase in her mother's hall, and others at boarding-school. she had read that love was a conqueror, that neither life nor death, nor creed nor caste, could stay his triumphant course. her secret was no legal bar to their union. if rena could forget the secret, and tryon should never know it, it would be no obstacle to their happiness. but rena felt, with a sinking of the heart, that happiness was not a matter of law or of fact, but lay entirely within the domain of sentiment. we are happy when we think ourselves happy, and with a strange perversity we often differ from others with regard to what should constitute our happiness. rena's secret was the worm in the bud, the skeleton in the closet. "he says that he loves me. he does love me. would he love me, if he knew?" she stood before an oval mirror brought from france by one of warwick's wife's ancestors, and regarded her image with a coldly critical eye. she was as little vain as any of her sex who are endowed with beauty. she tried to place herself, in thus passing upon her own claims to consideration, in the hostile attitude of society toward her hidden disability. there was no mark upon her brow to brand her as less pure, less innocent, less desirable, less worthy to be loved, than these proud women of the past who had admired themselves in this old mirror. "i think a man might love me for myself," she murmured pathetically, "and if he loved me truly, that he would marry me. if he would not marry me, then it would be because he didn't love me. i'll tell george my secret. if he leaves me, then he does not love me." but this resolution vanished into thin air before it was fully formulated. the secret was not hers alone; it involved her brother's position, to whom she owed everything, and in less degree the future of her little nephew, whom she had learned to love so well. she had the choice of but two courses of action, to marry tryon or to dismiss him. the thought that she might lose him made him seem only more dear; to think that he might leave her made her sick at heart. in one week she was bound to give him an answer; he was more likely to ask for it at their next meeting. ix doubts and fears rena's heart was too heavy with these misgivings for her to keep them to herself. on the morning after the conversation with tryon in which she had promised him an answer within a week, she went into her brother's study, where he usually spent an hour after breakfast before going to his office. he looked up amiably from the book before him and read trouble in her face. "well, rena, dear," he asked with a smile, "what's the matter? is there anything you want--money, or what? i should like to have aladdin's lamp--though i'd hardly need it--that you might have no wish unsatisfied." he had found her very backward in asking for things that she needed. generous with his means, he thought nothing too good for her. her success had gratified his pride, and justified his course in taking her under his protection. "thank you, john. you give me already more than i need. it is something else, john. george wants me to say when i will marry him. i am afraid to marry him, without telling him. if he should find out afterwards, he might cast me off, or cease to love me. if he did not know it, i should be forever thinking of what he would do if he should find it out; or, if i should die without his having learned it, i should not rest easy in my grave for thinking of what he would have done if he had found it out." warwick's smile gave place to a grave expression at this somewhat comprehensive statement. he rose and closed the door carefully, lest some one of the servants might overhear the conversation. more liberally endowed than rena with imagination, and not without a vein of sentiment, he had nevertheless a practical side that outweighed them both. with him, the problem that oppressed his sister had been in the main a matter of argument, of self-conviction. once persuaded that he had certain rights, or ought to have them, by virtue of the laws of nature, in defiance of the customs of mankind, he had promptly sought to enjoy them. this he had been able to do by simply concealing his antecedents and making the most of his opportunities, with no troublesome qualms of conscience whatever. but he had already perceived, in their brief intercourse, that rena's emotions, while less easily stirred, touched a deeper note than his, and dwelt upon it with greater intensity than if they had been spread over the larger field to which a more ready sympathy would have supplied so many points of access;--hers was a deep and silent current flowing between the narrow walls of a self-contained life, his the spreading river that ran through a pleasant landscape. warwick's imagination, however, enabled him to put himself in touch with her mood and recognize its bearings upon her conduct. he would have preferred her taking the practical point of view, to bring her round to which he perceived would be a matter of diplomacy. "how long have these weighty thoughts been troubling your small head?" he asked with assumed lightness. "since he asked me last night to name our wedding day." "my dear child," continued warwick, "you take too tragic a view of life. marriage is a reciprocal arrangement, by which the contracting parties give love for love, care for keeping, faith for faith. it is a matter of the future, not of the past. what a poor soul it is that has not some secret chamber, sacred to itself; where one can file away the things others have no right to know, as well as things that one himself would fain forget! we are under no moral obligation to inflict upon others the history of our past mistakes, our wayward thoughts, our secret sins, our desperate hopes, or our heartbreaking disappointments. still less are we bound to bring out from this secret chamber the dusty record of our ancestry. 'let the dead past bury its dead.' george tryon loves you for yourself alone; it is not your ancestors that he seeks to marry." "but would he marry me if he knew?" she persisted. warwick paused for reflection. he would have preferred to argue the question in a general way, but felt the necessity of satisfying her scruples, as far as might be. he had liked tryon from the very beginning of their acquaintance. in all their intercourse, which had been very close for several months, he had been impressed by the young man's sunny temper, his straightforwardness, his intellectual honesty. tryon's deference to warwick as the elder man had very naturally proved an attraction. whether this friendship would have stood the test of utter frankness about his own past was a merely academic speculation with which warwick did not trouble himself. with his sister the question had evidently become a matter of conscience,--a difficult subject with which to deal in a person of rena's temperament. "my dear sister," he replied, "why should he know? we haven't asked him for his pedigree; we don't care to know it. if he cares for ours, he should ask for it, and it would then be time enough to raise the question. you love him, i imagine, and wish to make him happy?" it is the highest wish of the woman who loves. the enamored man seeks his own happiness; the loving woman finds no sacrifice too great for the loved one. the fiction of chivalry made man serve woman; the fact of human nature makes woman happiest when serving where she loves. "yes, oh, yes," rena exclaimed with fervor, clasping her hands unconsciously. "i'm afraid he'd be unhappy if he knew, and it would make me miserable to think him unhappy." "well, then," said warwick, "suppose we should tell him our secret and put ourselves in his power, and that he should then conclude that he couldn't marry you? do you imagine he would be any happier than he is now, or than if he should never know?" ah, no! she could not think so. one could not tear love out of one's heart without pain and suffering. there was a knock at the door. warwick opened it to the nurse, who stood with little albert in her arms. "please, suh," said the girl, with a curtsy, "de baby 's be'n oryin' an' frettin' fer miss rena, an' i 'lowed she mought want me ter fetch 'im, ef it wouldn't 'sturb her." "give me the darling," exclaimed rena, coming forward and taking the child from the nurse. "it wants its auntie. come to its auntie, bless its little heart!" little albert crowed with pleasure and put up his pretty mouth for a kiss. warwick found the sight a pleasant one. if he could but quiet his sister's troublesome scruples, he might erelong see her fondling beautiful children of her own. even if rena were willing to risk her happiness, and he to endanger his position, by a quixotic frankness, the future of his child must not be compromised. "you wouldn't want to make george unhappy," warwick resumed when the nurse retired. "very well; would you not be willing, for his sake, to keep a secret--your secret and mine, and that of the innocent child in your arms? would you involve all of us in difficulties merely to secure your own peace of mind? doesn't such a course seem just the least bit selfish? think the matter over from that point of view, and we'll speak of it later in the day. i shall be with george all the morning, and i may be able, by a little management, to find out his views on the subject of birth and family, and all that. some men are very liberal, and love is a great leveler. i'll sound him, at any rate." he kissed the baby and left rena to her own reflections, to which his presentation of the case had given a new turn. it had never before occurred to her to regard silence in the light of self-sacrifice. it had seemed a sort of sin; her brother's argument made of it a virtue. it was not the first time, nor the last, that right and wrong had been a matter of view-point. tryon himself furnished the opening for warwick's proposed examination. the younger man could not long remain silent upon the subject uppermost in his mind. "i am anxious, john," he said, "to have rowena name the happiest day of my life--our wedding day. when the trial in edgecombe county is finished, i shall have no further business here, and shall be ready to leave for home. i should like to take my bride with me, and surprise my mother." mothers, thought warwick, are likely to prove inquisitive about their sons' wives, especially when taken unawares in matters of such importance. this seemed a good time to test the liberality of tryon's views, and to put forward a shield for his sister's protection. "are you sure, george, that your mother will find the surprise agreeable when you bring home a bride of whom you know so little and your mother nothing at all?" tryon had felt that it would be best to surprise his mother. she would need only to see rena to approve of her, but she was so far prejudiced in favor of blanche leary that it would be wisest to present the argument after having announced the irrevocable conclusion. rena herself would be a complete justification for the accomplished deed. "i think you ought to know, george," continued warwick, without waiting for a reply to his question, "that my sister and i are not of an old family, or a rich family, or a distinguished family; that she can bring you nothing but herself; that we have no connections of which you could boast, and no relatives to whom we should be glad to introduce you. you must take us for ourselves alone--we are new people." "my dear john," replied the young man warmly, "there is a great deal of nonsense about families. if a man is noble and brave and strong, if a woman is beautiful and good and true, what matters it about his or her ancestry? if an old family can give them these things, then it is valuable; if they possess them without it, then of what use is it, except as a source of empty pride, which they would be better without? if all new families were like yours, there would be no advantage in belonging to an old one. all i care to know of rowena's family is that she is your sister; and you'll pardon me, old fellow, if i add that she hardly needs even you,--she carries the stamp of her descent upon her face and in her heart." "it makes me glad to hear you speak in that way," returned warwick, delighted by the young man's breadth and earnestness. "oh, i mean every word of it," replied tryon. "ancestors, indeed, for rowena! i will tell you a family secret, john, to prove how little i care for ancestors. my maternal great-great-grandfather, a hundred and fifty years ago, was hanged, drawn, and quartered for stealing cattle across the scottish border. how is that for a pedigree? behold in me the lineal descendant of a felon!" warwick felt much relieved at this avowal. his own statement had not touched the vital point involved; it had been at the best but a half-truth; but tryon's magnanimity would doubtless protect rena from any close inquiry concerning her past. it even occurred to warwick for a moment that he might safely disclose the secret to tryon; but an appreciation of certain facts of history and certain traits of human nature constrained him to put the momentary thought aside. it was a great relief, however, to imagine that tryon might think lightly of this thing that he need never know. "well, rena," he said to his sister when he went home at noon: "i've sounded george." "what did he say?" she asked eagerly. "i told him we were people of no family, and that we had no relatives that we were proud of. he said he loved you for yourself, and would never ask you about your ancestry." "oh, i am so glad!" exclaimed rena joyfully. this report left her very happy for about three hours, or until she began to analyze carefully her brother's account of what had been said. warwick's statement had not been specific,--he had not told tryon the thing. george's reply, in turn, had been a mere generality. the concrete fact that oppressed her remained unrevealed, and her doubt was still unsatisfied. rena was occupied with this thought when her lover next came to see her. tryon came up the sanded walk from the gate and spoke pleasantly to the nurse, a good-looking yellow girl who was seated on the front steps, playing with little albert. he took the boy from her arms, and she went to call miss warwick. rena came out, followed by the nurse, who offered to take the child. "never mind, mimy, leave him with me," said tryon. the nurse walked discreetly over into the garden, remaining within call, but beyond the hearing of conversation in an ordinary tone. "rena, darling," said her lover, "when shall it be? surely you won't ask me to wait a week. why, that's a lifetime!" rena was struck by a brilliant idea. she would test her lover. love was a very powerful force; she had found it the greatest, grandest, sweetest thing in the world. tryon had said that he loved her; he had said scarcely anything else for several weeks, surely nothing else worth remembering. she would test his love by a hypothetical question. "you say you love me," she said, glancing at him with a sad thoughtfulness in her large dark eyes. "how much do you love me?" "i love you all one can love. true love has no degrees; it is all or nothing!" "would you love me," she asked, with an air of coquetry that masked her concern, pointing toward the girl in the shrubbery, "if i were albert's nurse yonder?" "if you were albert's nurse," he replied, with a joyous laugh, "he would have to find another within a week, for within a week we should be married." the answer seemed to fit the question, but in fact, tryon's mind and rena's did not meet. that two intelligent persons should each attach a different meaning to so simple a form of words as rena's question was the best ground for her misgiving with regard to the marriage. but love blinded her. she was anxious to be convinced. she interpreted the meaning of his speech by her own thought and by the ardor of his glance, and was satisfied with the answer. "and now, darling," pleaded tryon, "will you not fix the day that shall make me happy? i shall be ready to go away in three weeks. will you go with me?" "yes," she answered, in a tumult of joy. she would never need to tell him her secret now. it would make no difference with him, so far as she was concerned; and she had no right to reveal her brother's secret. she was willing to bury the past in forgetfulness, now that she knew it would have no interest for her lover. x the dream the marriage was fixed for the thirtieth of the month, immediately after which tryon and his bride were to set out for north carolina. warwick would have liked it much if tryon had lived in south carolina; but the location of his north carolina home was at some distance from patesville, with which it had no connection by steam or rail, and indeed lay altogether out of the line of travel to patesville. rena had no acquaintance with people of social standing in north carolina; and with the added maturity and charm due to her improved opportunities, it was unlikely that any former resident of patesville who might casually meet her would see in the elegant young matron from south carolina more than a passing resemblance to a poor girl who had once lived in an obscure part of the old town. it would of course be necessary for rena to keep away from patesville; save for her mother's sake, she would hardly be tempted to go back. on the twentieth of the month, warwick set out with tryon for the county seat of the adjoining county, to try one of the lawsuits which had required tryon's presence in south carolina for so long a time. their destination was a day's drive from clarence, behind a good horse, and the trial was expected to last a week. "this week will seem like a year," said tryon ruefully, the evening before their departure, "but i'll write every day, and shall expect a letter as often." "the mail goes only twice a week, george," replied rena. "then i shall have three letters in each mail." warwick and tryon were to set out in the cool of the morning, after an early breakfast. rena was up at daybreak that she might preside at the breakfast-table and bid the travelers good-by. "john," said rena to her brother in the morning, "i dreamed last night that mother was ill." "dreams, you know, rena," answered warwick lightly, "go by contraries. yours undoubtedly signifies that our mother, god bless her simple soul! is at the present moment enjoying her usual perfect health. she was never sick in her life." for a few months after leaving patesville with her brother, rena had suffered tortures of homesickness; those who have felt it know the pang. the severance of old ties had been abrupt and complete. at the school where her brother had taken her, there had been nothing to relieve the strangeness of her surroundings--no schoolmate from her own town, no relative or friend of the family near by. even the compensation of human sympathy was in a measure denied her, for rena was too fresh from her prison-house to doubt that sympathy would fail before the revelation of the secret the consciousness of which oppressed her at that time like a nightmare. it was not strange that rena, thus isolated, should have been prostrated by homesickness for several weeks after leaving patesville. when the paroxysm had passed, there followed a dull pain, which gradually subsided into a resignation as profound, in its way, as had been her longing for home. she loved, she suffered, with a quiet intensity of which her outward demeanor gave no adequate expression. from some ancestral source she had derived a strain of the passive fatalism by which alone one can submit uncomplainingly to the inevitable. by the same token, when once a thing had been decided, it became with her a finality, which only some extraordinary stress of emotion could disturb. she had acquiesced in her brother's plan; for her there was no withdrawing; her homesickness was an incidental thing which must be endured, as patiently as might be, until time should have brought a measure of relief. warwick had made provision for an occasional letter from patesville, by leaving with his mother a number of envelopes directed to his address. she could have her letters written, inclose them in these envelopes, and deposit them in the post-office with her own hand. thus the place of warwick's residence would remain within her own knowledge, and his secret would not be placed at the mercy of any wandering patesvillian who might perchance go to that part of south carolina. by this simple means rena had kept as closely in touch with her mother as warwick had considered prudent; any closer intercourse was not consistent with their present station in life. the night after warwick and tryon had ridden away, rena dreamed again that her mother was ill. better taught people than she, in regions more enlightened than the south carolina of that epoch, are disturbed at times by dreams. mis' molly had a profound faith in them. if god, in ancient times, had spoken to men in visions of the night, what easier way could there be for him to convey his meaning to people of all ages? science, which has shattered many an idol and destroyed many a delusion, has made but slight inroads upon the shadowy realm of dreams. for mis' molly, to whom science would have meant nothing and psychology would have been a meaningless term, the land of dreams was carefully mapped and bounded. each dream had some special significance, or was at least susceptible of classification under some significant head. dreams, as a general rule, went by contraries; but a dream three times repeated was a certain portent of the thing defined. rena's few years of schooling at patesville and her months at charleston had scarcely disturbed these hoary superstitions which lurk in the dim corners of the brain. no lady in clarence, perhaps, would have remained undisturbed by a vivid dream, three times repeated, of some event bearing materially upon her own life. the first repetition of a dream was decisive of nothing, for two dreams meant no more than one. the power of the second lay in the suspense, the uncertainty, to which it gave rise. two doubled the chance of a third. the day following this second dream was an anxious one for rena. she could not for an instant dismiss her mother from her thoughts, which were filled too with a certain self-reproach. she had left her mother alone; if her mother were really ill, there was no one at home to tend her with loving care. this feeling grew in force, until by nightfall rena had become very unhappy, and went to bed with the most dismal forebodings. in this state of mind, it is not surprising that she now dreamed that her mother was lying at the point of death, and that she cried out with heart-rending pathos:-"rena, my darlin', why did you forsake yo'r pore old mother? come back to me, honey; i'll die ef i don't see you soon." the stress of subconscious emotion engendered by the dream was powerful enough to wake rena, and her mother's utterance seemed to come to her with the force of a fateful warning and a great reproach. her mother was sick and needed her, and would die if she did not come. she felt that she must see her mother,--it would be almost like murder to remain away from her under such circumstances. after breakfast she went into the business part of the town and inquired at what time a train would leave that would take her toward patesville. since she had come away from the town, a railroad had been opened by which the long river voyage might be avoided, and, making allowance for slow trains and irregular connections, the town of patesville could be reached by an all-rail route in about twelve hours. calling at the post-office for the family mail, she found there a letter from her mother, which she tore open in great excitement. it was written in an unpracticed hand and badly spelled, and was in effect as follows:-my dear daughter,--i take my pen in hand to let you know that i am not very well. i have had a kind of misery in my side for two weeks, with palpitations of the heart, and i have been in bed for three days. i'm feeling mighty poorly, but dr. green says that i'll get over it in a few days. old aunt zilphy is staying with me, and looking after things tolerably well. i hope this will find you and john enjoying good health. give my love to john, and i hope the lord will bless him and you too. cousin billy oxendine has had a rising on his neck, and has had to have it lanced. mary b. has another young one, a boy this time. old man tom johnson was killed last week while trying to whip black jim brown, who lived down on the wilmington road. jim has run away. there has been a big freshet in the river, and it looked at one time as if the new bridge would be washed away. frank comes over every day or two and asks about you. he says to tell you that he don't believe you are coming back any more, but you are to remember him, and that foolishness he said about bringing you back from the end of the world with his mule and cart. he's very good to me, and brings over shavings and kindling-wood, and made me a new well-bucket for nothing. it's a comfort to talk to him about you, though i haven't told him where you are living. i hope this will find you and john both well, and doing well. i should like to see you, but if it's the lord's will that i shouldn't, i shall be thankful anyway that you have done what was the best for yourselves and your children, and that i have given you up for your own good. your affectionate mother, mary walden. rena shed tears over this simple letter, which, to her excited imagination, merely confirmed the warning of her dream. at the date of its writing her mother had been sick in bed, with the symptoms of a serious illness. she had no nurse but a purblind old woman. three days of progressive illness had evidently been quite sufficient to reduce her parent to the condition indicated by the third dream. the thought that her mother might die without the presence of any one who loved her pierced rena's heart like a knife and lent wings to her feet. she wished for the enchanted horse of which her brother had read to her so many years before on the front piazza of the house behind the cedars, that she might fly through the air to her dying mother's side. she determined to go at once to patesville. returning home, she wrote a letter to warwick inclosing their mother's letter, and stating that she had dreamed an alarming dream for three nights in succession; that she had left the house in charge of the servants and gone to patesville; and that she would return as soon as her mother was out of danger. to her lover she wrote that she had been called away to visit a sick-bed, and would return very soon, perhaps by the time he got back to clarence. these letters rena posted on her way to the train, which she took at five o'clock in the afternoon. this would bring her to patesville early in the morning of the following day. xi a letter and a journey war has been called the court of last resort. a lawsuit may with equal aptness be compared to a battle--the parallel might be drawn very closely all along the line. first we have the casus belli, the cause of action; then the various protocols and proclamations and general orders, by way of pleas, demurrers, and motions; then the preliminary skirmishes at the trial table; and then the final struggle, in which might is quite as likely to prevail as right, victory most often resting with the strongest battalions, and truth and justice not seldom overborne by the weight of odds upon the other side. the lawsuit which warwick and tryon had gone to try did not, however, reach this ultimate stage, but, after a three days' engagement, resulted in a treaty of peace. the case was compromised and settled, and tryon and warwick set out on their homeward drive. they stopped at a farm-house at noon, and while at table saw the stage-coach from the town they had just left, bound for their own destination. in the mail-bag under the driver's seat were rena's two letters; they had been delivered at the town in the morning, and immediately remailed to clarence, in accordance with orders left at the post-office the evening before. tryon and warwick drove leisurely homeward through the pines, all unconscious of the fateful squares of white paper moving along the road a few miles before them, which a mother's yearning and a daughter's love had thrown, like the apple of discord, into the narrow circle of their happiness. they reached clarence at four o'clock. warwick got down from the buggy at his office. tryon drove on to his hotel, to make a hasty toilet before visiting his sweetheart. warwick glanced at his mail, tore open the envelope addressed in his sister's handwriting, and read the contents with something like dismay. she had gone away on the eve of her wedding, her lover knew not where, to be gone no one knew how long, on a mission which could not be frankly disclosed. a dim foreboding of disaster flashed across his mind. he thrust the letter into his pocket, with others yet unopened, and started toward his home. reaching the gate, he paused a moment and then walked on past the house. tryon would probably be there in a few minutes, and he did not care to meet him without first having had the opportunity for some moments of reflection. he must fix upon some line of action in this emergency. meanwhile tryon had reached his hotel and opened his mail. the letter from rena was read first, with profound disappointment. he had really made concessions in the settlement of that lawsuit--had yielded several hundred dollars of his just dues, in order that he might get back to rena three days earlier. now he must cool his heels in idleness for at least three days before she would return. it was annoying, to say the least. he wished to know where she had gone, that he might follow her and stay near her until she should be ready to come back. he might ask warwick--no, she might have had some good reason for not having mentioned her destination. she had probably gone to visit some of the poor relations of whom her brother had spoken so frankly, and she would doubtless prefer that he should not see her amid any surroundings but the best. indeed, he did not know that he would himself care to endanger, by suggestive comparisons, the fine aureole of superiority that surrounded her. she represented in her adorable person and her pure heart the finest flower of the finest race that god had ever made--the supreme effort of creative power, than which there could be no finer. the flower would soon be his; why should he care to dig up the soil in which it grew? tryon went on opening his letters. there were several bills and circulars, and then a letter from his mother, of which he broke the seal:-my dearest george,--this leaves us well. blanche is still with me, and we are impatiently awaiting your return. in your absence she seems almost like a daughter to me. she joins me in the hope that your lawsuits are progressing favorably, and that you will be with us soon. . . . on your way home, if it does not keep you away from us too long, would it not be well for you to come by way of patesville, and find out whether there is any prospect of our being able to collect our claim against old mr. duncan mcswayne's estate? you must have taken the papers with you, along with the rest, for i do not find them here. things ought to be settled enough now for people to realize on some of their securities. your grandfather always believed the note was good, and meant to try to collect it, but the war interfered. he said to me, before he died, that if the note was ever collected, he would use the money to buy a wedding present for your wife. poor father! he is dead and gone to heaven; but i am sure that even there he would be happier if he knew the note was paid and the money used as he intended. if you go to patesville, call on my cousin, dr. ed. green, and tell him who you are. give him my love. i haven't seen him for twenty years. he used to be very fond of the ladies, a very gallant man. he can direct you to a good lawyer, no doubt. hoping to see you soon, your loving mother, elizabeth tryon. p. s. blanche joins me in love to you. this affectionate and motherly letter did not give tryon unalloyed satisfaction. he was glad to hear that his mother was well, but he had hoped that blanche leary might have finished her visit by this time. the reasonable inference from the letter was that blanche meant to await his return. her presence would spoil the fine romantic flavor of the surprise he had planned for his mother; it would never do to expose his bride to an unannounced meeting with the woman whom he had tacitly rejected. there would be one advantage in such a meeting: the comparison of the two women would be so much in rena's favor that his mother could not hesitate for a moment between them. the situation, however, would have elements of constraint, and he did not care to expose either rena or blanche to any disagreeable contingency. it would be better to take his wife on a wedding trip, and notify his mother, before he returned home, of his marriage. in the extremely improbable case that she should disapprove his choice after having seen his wife, the ice would at least have been broken before his arrival at home. "by jove!" he exclaimed suddenly, striking his knee with his hand, "why shouldn't i run up to patesville while rena's gone? i can leave here at five o'clock, and get there some time to-morrow morning. i can transact my business during the day, and get back the day after to-morrow; for rena might return ahead of time, just as we did, and i shall want to be here when she comes; i'd rather wait a year for a legal opinion on a doubtful old note than to lose one day with my love. the train goes in twenty minutes. my bag is already packed. i'll just drop a line to george and tell him where i've gone." he put rena's letter into his breast pocket, and turning to his trunk, took from it a handful of papers relating to the claim in reference to which he was going to patesville. these he thrust into the same pocket with rena's letter; he wished to read both letter and papers while on the train. it would be a pleasure merely to hold the letter before his eyes and look at the lines traced by her hand. the papers he wished to study, for the more practical purpose of examining into the merits of his claim against the estate of duncan mcswayne. when warwick reached home, he inquired if mr. tryon had called. "no, suh," answered the nurse, to whom he had put the question; "he ain't be'n here yet, suh." warwick was surprised and much disturbed. "de baby 's be'n cryin' for miss rena," suggested the nurse, "an' i s'pec' he'd like to see you, suh. shall i fetch 'im?" "yes, bring him to me." he took the child in his arms and went out upon the piazza. several porch pillows lay invitingly near. he pushed them toward the steps with his foot, sat down upon one, and placed little albert upon another. he was scarcely seated when a messenger from the hotel came up the walk from the gate and handed him a note. at the same moment he heard the long shriek of the afternoon train leaving the station on the opposite side of the town. he tore the envelope open anxiously, read the note, smiled a sickly smile, and clenched the paper in his hand unconsciously. there was nothing he could do. the train had gone; there was no telegraph to patesville, and no letter could leave clarence for twenty-four hours. the best laid schemes go wrong at times--the stanchest ships are sometimes wrecked, or skirt the breakers perilously. life is a sea, full of strange currents and uncharted reefs--whoever leaves the traveled path must run the danger of destruction. warwick was a lawyer, however, and accustomed to balance probabilities. "he may easily be in patesville a day or two without meeting her. she will spend most of her time at mother's bedside, and he will be occupied with his own affairs." if tryon should meet her--well, he was very much in love, and he had spoken very nobly of birth and blood. warwick would have preferred, nevertheless, that tryon's theories should not be put to this particular test. rena's scruples had so far been successfully combated; the question would be opened again, and the situation unnecessarily complicated, if tryon should meet rena in patesville. "will he or will he not?" he asked himself. he took a coin from his pocket and spun it upon the floor. "heads, he sees her; tails, he does not." the coin spun swiftly and steadily, leaving upon the eye the impression of a revolving sphere. little albert, left for a moment to his own devices, had crept behind his father and was watching the whirling disk with great pleasure. he felt that he would like to possess this interesting object. the coin began to move more slowly, and was wabbling to its fall, when the child stretched forth his chubby fist and caught it ere it touched the floor. xii tryon goes to patesville tryon arrived in the early morning and put up at the patesville hotel, a very comfortable inn. after a bath, breakfast, and a visit to the barbershop, he inquired of the hotel clerk the way to the office of dr. green, his mother's cousin. "on the corner, sir," answered the clerk, "by the market-house, just over the drugstore. the doctor drove past here only half an hour ago. you'll probably catch him in his office." tryon found the office without difficulty. he climbed the stair, but found no one in except a young colored man seated in the outer office, who rose promptly as tryon entered. "no, suh," replied the man to tryon's question, "he ain't hyuh now. he's gone out to see a patient, suh, but he'll be back soon. won't you set down in de private office an' wait fer 'im, suh?" tryon had not slept well during his journey, and felt somewhat fatigued. through the open door of the next room he saw an inviting armchair, with a window at one side, and upon the other a table strewn with papers and magazines. "yes," he answered, "i'll wait." he entered the private office, sank into the armchair, and looked out of the window upon the square below. the view was mildly interesting. the old brick market-house with the tower was quite picturesque. on a wagon-scale at one end the public weighmaster was weighing a load of hay. in the booths under the wide arches several old negro women were frying fish on little charcoal stoves--the odor would have been appetizing to one who had not breakfasted. on the shady side stood half a dozen two-wheeled carts, loaded with lightwood and drawn by diminutive steers, or superannuated army mules branded on the flank with the cabalistic letters "c. s. a.," which represented a vanished dream, or "u. s. a.," which, as any negro about the market-house would have borne witness, signified a very concrete fact. now and then a lady or gentleman passed with leisurely step--no one ever hurried in patesville--or some poor white sandhiller slouched listlessly along toward store or bar-room. tryon mechanically counted the slabs of gingerbread on the nearest market-stall, and calculated the cubical contents of several of the meagre loads of wood. having exhausted the view, he turned to the table at his elbow and picked up a medical journal, in which he read first an account of a marvelous surgical operation. turning the leaves idly, he came upon an article by a southern writer, upon the perennial race problem that has vexed the country for a century. the writer maintained that owing to a special tendency of the negro blood, however diluted, to revert to the african type, any future amalgamation of the white and black races, which foolish and wicked northern negrophiles predicted as the ultimate result of the new conditions confronting the south, would therefore be an ethnological impossibility; for the smallest trace of negro blood would inevitably drag down the superior race to the level of the inferior, and reduce the fair southland, already devastated by the hand of the invader, to the frightful level of hayti, the awful example of negro incapacity. to forefend their beloved land, now doubly sanctified by the blood of her devoted sons who had fallen in the struggle to maintain her liberties and preserve her property, it behooved every true southron to stand firm against the abhorrent tide of radicalism, to maintain the supremacy and purity of his all-pervading, all-conquering race, and to resist by every available means the threatened domination of an inferior and degraded people, who were set to rule hereditary freemen ere they had themselves scarce ceased to be slaves. when tryon had finished the article, which seemed to him a well-considered argument, albeit a trifle bombastic, he threw the book upon the table. finding the armchair wonderfully comfortable, and feeling the fatigue of his journey, he yielded to a drowsy impulse, leaned his head on the cushioned back of the chair, and fell asleep. according to the habit of youth, he dreamed, and pursuant to his own individual habit, he dreamed of rena. they were walking in the moonlight, along the quiet road in front of her brother's house. the air was redolent with the perfume of flowers. his arm was around her waist. he had asked her if she loved him, and was awaiting her answer in tremulous but confident expectation. she opened her lips to speak. the sound that came from them seemed to be:-"is dr. green in? no? ask him, when he comes back, please, to call at our house as soon as he can." tryon was in that state of somnolence in which one may dream and yet be aware that one is dreaming,--the state where one, during a dream, dreams that one pinches one's self to be sure that one is not dreaming. he was therefore aware of a ringing quality about the words he had just heard that did not comport with the shadowy converse of a dream--an incongruity in the remark, too, which marred the harmony of the vision. the shock was sufficient to disturb tryon's slumber, and he struggled slowly back to consciousness. when fully awake, he thought he heard a light footfall descending the stairs. "was there some one here?" he inquired of the attendant in the outer office, who was visible through the open door. "yas, suh," replied the boy, "a young cullud 'oman wuz in jes' now, axin' fer de doctuh." tryon felt a momentary touch of annoyance that a negro woman should have intruded herself into his dream at its most interesting point. nevertheless, the voice had been so real, his imagination had reproduced with such exactness the dulcet tones so dear to him, that he turned his head involuntarily and looked out of the window. he could just see the flutter of a woman's skirt disappearing around the corner. a moment later the doctor came bustling in,--a plump, rosy man of fifty or more, with a frank, open countenance and an air of genial good nature. such a doctor, tryon fancied, ought to enjoy a wide popularity. his mere presence would suggest life and hope and healthfulness. "my dear boy," exclaimed the doctor cordially, after tryon had introduced himself, "i'm delighted to meet you--or any one of the old blood. your mother and i were sweethearts, long ago, when we both wore pinafores, and went to see our grandfather at christmas; and i met her more than once, and paid her more than one compliment, after she had grown to be a fine young woman. you're like her! too, but not quite so handsome--you've more of what i suppose to be the tryon favor, though i never met your father. so one of old duncan mcswayne's notes went so far as that? well, well, i don't know where you won't find them. one of them turned up here the other day from new york. "the man you want to see," he added later in the conversation, "is old judge straight. he's getting somewhat stiff in the joints, but he knows more law, and more about the mcswayne estate, than any other two lawyers in town. if anybody can collect your claim, judge straight can. i'll send my boy dave over to his office. dave," he called to his attendant, "run over to judge straight's office and see if he's there. "there was a freshet here a few weeks ago," he want on, when the colored man had departed, "and they had to open the flood-gates and let the water out of the mill pond, for if the dam had broken, as it did twenty years ago, it would have washed the pillars from under the judge's office and let it down in the creek, and"-"jedge straight ain't in de office jes' now, suh," reported the doctor's man dave, from the head of the stairs. "did you ask when he'd be back?" "no, suh, you didn't tell me ter, suh." "well, now, go back and inquire. "the niggers," he explained to tryon, "are getting mighty trifling since they've been freed. before the war, that boy would have been around there and back before you could say jack robinson; now, the lazy rascal takes his time just like a white man." dave returned more promptly than from his first trip. "jedge straight's dere now, suh," he said. "he's done come in." "i'll take you right around and introduce you," said the doctor, running on pleasantly, like a babbling brook. "i don't know whether the judge ever met your mother or not, but he knows a gentleman when he sees one, and will be glad to meet you and look after your affair. see to the patients, dave, and say i'll be back shortly, and don't forget any messages left for me. look sharp, now! you know your failing!" they found judge straight in his office. he was seated by the rear window, and had fallen into a gentle doze--the air of patesville was conducive to slumber. a visitor from some bustling city might have rubbed his eyes, on any but a market-day, and imagined the whole town asleep--that the people were somnambulists and did not know it. the judge, an old hand, roused himself so skillfully, at the sound of approaching footsteps, that his visitors could not guess but that he had been wide awake. he shook hands with the doctor, and acknowledged the introduction to tryon with a rare old-fashioned courtesy, which the young man thought a very charming survival of the manners of a past and happier age. "no," replied the judge, in answer to a question by dr. green, "i never met his mother; i was a generation ahead of her. i was at school with her father, however, fifty years ago--fifty years ago! no doubt that seems to you a long time, young gentleman?" "it is a long time, sir," replied tryon. "i must live more than twice as long as i have in order to cover it." "a long time, and a troubled time," sighed the judge. "i could wish that i might see this unhappy land at peace with itself before i die. things are in a sad tangle; i can't see the way out. but the worst enemy has been slain, in spite of us. we are well rid of slavery." "but the negro we still have with us," remarked the doctor, "for here comes my man dave. what is it, dave?" he asked sharply, as the negro stuck his head in at the door. "doctuh green," he said, "i fuhgot ter tell you, suh, dat dat young 'oman wuz at de office agin jes' befo' you come in, an' said fer you to go right down an' see her mammy ez soon ez you could." "ah, yes, and you've just remembered it! i'm afraid you're entirely too forgetful for a doctor's office. you forgot about old mrs. latimer, the other day, and when i got there she had almost choked to death. now get back to the office, and remember, the next time you forget anything, i'll hire another boy; remember that! that boy's head," he remarked to his companions, after dave had gone, "reminds me of nothing so much as a dried gourd, with a handful of cowpeas rattling around it, in lieu of gray matter. an old woman out in redbank got a fishbone in her throat, the other day, and nearly choked to death before i got there. a white woman, sir, came very near losing her life because of a lazy, trifling negro!" "i should think you would discharge him, sir," suggested tryon. "what would be the use?" rejoined the doctor. "all negroes are alike, except that now and then there's a pretty woman along the border-line. take this patient of mine, for instance,--i'll call on her after dinner, her case is not serious,--thirty years ago she would have made any man turn his head to look at her. you know who i mean, don't you, judge?" "yes. i think so," said the judge promptly. "i've transacted a little business for her now and then." "i don't know whether you've seen the daughter or not--i'm sure you haven't for the past year or so, for she's been away. but she's in town now, and, by jove, the girl is really beautiful. and i'm a judge of beauty. do you remember my wife thirty years ago, judge?" "she was a very handsome woman, ed," replied the other judicially. "if i had been twenty years younger, i should have cut you out." "you mean you would have tried. but as i was saying, this girl is a beauty; i reckon we might guess where she got some of it, eh, judge? human nature is human nature, but it's a d--d shame that a man should beget a child like that and leave it to live the life open for a negro. if she had been born white, the young fellows would be tumbling over one another to get her. her mother would have to look after her pretty closely as things are, if she stayed here; but she disappeared mysteriously a year or two ago, and has been at the north, i'm told, passing for white. she'll probably marry a yankee; he won't know any better, and it will serve him right--she's only too white for them. she has a very striking figure, something on the greek order, stately and slow-moving. she has the manners of a lady, too--a beautiful woman, if she is a nigger!" "i quite agree with you, ed," remarked the judge dryly, "that the mother had better look closely after the daughter." "ah, no, judge," replied the other, with a flattered smile, "my admiration for beauty is purely abstract. twenty-five years ago, when i was younger"-"when you were young," corrected the judge. "when you and i were younger," continued the doctor ingeniously,--"twenty-five years ago, i could not have answered for myself. but i would advise the girl to stay at the north, if she can. she's certainly out of place around here." tryon found the subject a little tiresome, and the doctor's enthusiasm not at all contagious. he could not possibly have been interested in a colored girl, under any circumstances, and he was engaged to be married to the most beautiful white woman on earth. to mention a negro woman in the same room where he was thinking of rena seemed little short of profanation. his friend the doctor was a jovial fellow, but it was surely doubtful taste to refer to his wife in such a conversation. he was very glad when the doctor dropped the subject and permitted him to go more into detail about the matter which formed his business in patesville. he took out of his pocket the papers concerning the mcswayne claim and laid them on the judge's desk. "you'll find everything there, sir,--the note, the contract, and some correspondence that will give you the hang of the thing. will you be able to look over them to-day? i should like," he added a little nervously, "to go back to-morrow." "what!" exclaimed dr. green vivaciously, "insult our town by staying only one day? it won't be long enough to get acquainted with our young ladies. patesville girls are famous for their beauty. but perhaps there's a loadstone in south carolina to draw you back? ah, you change color! to my mind there's nothing finer than the ingenuous blush of youth. but we'll spare you if you'll answer one question--is it serious?" "i'm to be married in two weeks, sir," answered tryon. the statement sounded very pleasant, in spite of the slight embarrassment caused by the inquiry. "good boy!" rejoined the doctor, taking his arm familiarly--they were both standing now. "you ought to have married a patesville girl, but you people down towards the eastern counties seldom come this way, and we are evidently too late to catch you." "i'll look your papers over this morning," said the judge, "and when i come from dinner will stop at the court house and examine the records and see whether there's anything we can get hold of. if you'll drop in around three or four o'clock, i may be able to give you an opinion." "now, george," exclaimed the doctor, "we'll go back to the office for a spell, and then i'll take you home with me to luncheon." tryon hesitated. "oh, you must come! mrs. green would never forgive me if i didn't bring you. strangers are rare birds in our society, and when they come we make them welcome. our enemies may overturn our institutions, and try to put the bottom rail on top, but they cannot destroy our southern hospitality. there are so many carpet-baggers and other social vermin creeping into the south, with the yankees trying to force the niggers on us, that it's a genuine pleasure to get acquainted with another real southern gentleman, whom one can invite into one's house without fear of contamination, and before whom one can express his feelings freely and be sure of perfect sympathy." xiii an injudicious payment when judge straight's visitors had departed, he took up the papers which had been laid loosely on the table as they were taken out of tryon's breast-pocket, and commenced their perusal. there was a note for five hundred dollars, many years overdue, but not yet outlawed by lapse of time; a contract covering the transaction out of which the note had grown; and several letters and copies of letters modifying the terms of the contract. the judge had glanced over most of the papers, and was getting well into the merits of the case, when he unfolded a letter which read as follows:-my dearest george,--i am going away for about a week, to visit the bedside of an old friend, who is very ill, and may not live. do not be alarmed about me, for i shall very likely be back by the time you are. yours lovingly, rowena warwick. the judge was unable to connect this letter with the transaction which formed the subject of his examination. age had dimmed his perceptions somewhat, and it was not until he had finished the letter, and read it over again, and noted the signature at the bottom a second time, that he perceived that the writing was in a woman's hand, that the ink was comparatively fresh, and that the letter was dated only a couple of days before. while he still held the sheet in his hand, it dawned upon him slowly that he held also one of the links in a chain of possible tragedy which he himself, he became uncomfortably aware, had had a hand in forging. "it is the walden woman's daughter, as sure as fate! her name is rena. her brother goes by the name of warwick. she has come to visit her sick mother. my young client, green's relation, is her lover--is engaged to marry her--is in town, and is likely to meet her!" the judge was so absorbed in the situation thus suggested that he laid the papers down and pondered for a moment the curious problem involved. he was quite aware that two races had not dwelt together, side by side, for nearly three hundred years, without mingling their blood in greater or less degree; he was old enough, and had seen curious things enough, to know that in this mingling the current had not always flowed in one direction. certain old decisions with which he was familiar; old scandals that had crept along obscure channels; old facts that had come to the knowledge of an old practitioner, who held in the hollow of his hand the honor of more than one family, made him know that there was dark blood among the white people--not a great deal, and that very much diluted, and, so long as it was sedulously concealed or vigorously denied, or lost in the mists of tradition, or ascribed to a foreign or an aboriginal strain, having no perceptible effect upon the racial type. such people were, for the most part, merely on the ragged edge of the white world, seldom rising above the level of overseers, or slave-catchers, or sheriff's officers, who could usually be relied upon to resent the drop of black blood that tainted them, and with the zeal of the proselyte to visit their hatred of it upon the unfortunate blacks that fell into their hands. one curse of negro slavery was, and one part of its baleful heritage is, that it poisoned the fountains of human sympathy. under a system where men might sell their own children without social reprobation or loss of prestige, it was not surprising that some of them should hate their distant cousins. there were not in patesville half a dozen persons capable of thinking judge straight's thoughts upon the question before him, and perhaps not another who would have adopted the course he now pursued toward this anomalous family in the house behind the cedars. "well, here we are again, as the clown in the circus remarks," murmured the judge. "ten years ago, in a moment of sentimental weakness and of quixotic loyalty to the memory of an old friend,--who, by the way, had not cared enough for his own children to take them away from the south, as he might have done, or to provide for them handsomely, as he perhaps meant to do,--i violated the traditions of my class and stepped from the beaten path to help the misbegotten son of my old friend out of the slough of despond, in which he had learned, in some strange way, that he was floundering. ten years later, the ghost of my good deed returns to haunt me, and makes me doubt whether i have wrought more evil than good. i wonder," he mused, "if he will find her out?" the judge was a man of imagination; he had read many books and had personally outlived some prejudices. he let his mind run on the various phases of the situation. "if he found her out, would he by any possibility marry her?" "it is not likely," he answered himself. "if he made the discovery here, the facts would probably leak out in the town. it is something that a man might do in secret, but only a hero or a fool would do openly." the judge sighed as he contemplated another possibility. he had lived for seventy years under the old regime. the young man was a gentleman--so had been the girl's father. conditions were changed, but human nature was the same. would the young man's love turn to disgust and repulsion, or would it merely sink from the level of worship to that of desire? would the girl, denied marriage, accept anything less? her mother had,--but conditions were changed. yes, conditions were changed, so far as the girl was concerned; there was a possible future for her under the new order of things; but white people had not changed their opinion of the negroes, except for the worse. the general belief was that they were just as inferior as before, and had, moreover, been spoiled by a disgusting assumption of equality, driven into their thick skulls by yankee malignity bent upon humiliating a proud though vanquished foe. if the judge had had sons and daughters of his own, he might not have done what he now proceeded to do. but the old man's attitude toward society was chiefly that of an observer, and the narrow stream of sentiment left in his heart chose to flow toward the weaker party in this unequal conflict,--a young woman fighting for love and opportunity against the ranked forces of society, against immemorial tradition, against pride of family and of race. "it may be the unwisest thing i ever did," he said to himself, turning to his desk and taking up a quill pen, "and may result in more harm than good; but i was always from childhood in sympathy with the under dog. there is certainly as much reason in my helping the girl as the boy, for being a woman, she is less able to help herself." he dipped his pen into the ink and wrote the following lines:-madam,--if you value your daughter's happiness, keep her at home for the next day or two. this note he dried by sprinkling it with sand from a box near at hand, signed with his own name, and, with a fine courtesy, addressed to "mrs. molly walden." having first carefully sealed it in an envelope, he stepped to the open door, and spied, playing marbles on the street near by, a group of negro boys, one of whom the judge called by name. "here, billy," he said, handing the boy the note, "take this to mis' molly walden. do you know where she lives--down on front street, in the house behind the cedars?" "yas, suh, i knows de place." "make haste, now. when you come back and tell me what she says, i'll give you ten cents. on second thoughts, i shall be gone to lunch, so here's your money," he added, handing the lad the bit of soiled paper by which the united states government acknowledged its indebtedness to the bearer in the sum of ten cents. just here, however, the judge made his mistake. very few mortals can spare the spring of hope, the motive force of expectation. the boy kept the note in his hand, winked at his companions, who had gathered as near as their awe of the judge would permit, and started down the street. as soon as the judge had disappeared, billy beckoned to his friends, who speedily overtook him. when the party turned the corner of front street and were safely out of sight of judge straight's office, the capitalist entered the grocery store and invested his unearned increment in gingerbread. when the ensuing saturnalia was over, billy finished the game of marbles which the judge had interrupted, and then set out to execute his commission. he had nearly reached his objective point when he met upon the street a young white lady, whom he did not know, and for whom, the path being narrow at that point, he stepped out into the gutter. he reached the house behind the cedars, went round to the back door, and handed the envelope to mis' molly, who was seated on the rear piazza, propped up by pillows in a comfortable rocking-chair. "laws-a-massy!" she exclaimed weakly, "what is it?" "it's a lettuh, ma'm," answered the boy, whose expanding nostrils had caught a pleasant odor from the kitchen, and who was therefore in no hurry to go away. "who's it fur?" she asked. "it's fuh you, ma'm," replied the lad. "an' who's it from?" she inquired, turning the envelope over and over, and examining it with the impotent curiosity of one who cannot read. "f'm ole jedge straight, ma'm. he tole me ter fetch it ter you. is you got a roasted 'tater you could gimme, ma'm?" "shorely, chile. i'll have aunt zilphy fetch you a piece of 'tater pone, if you'll hol' on a minute." she called to aunt zilphy, who soon came hobbling out of the kitchen with a large square of the delicacy,--a flat cake made of mashed sweet potatoes, mixed with beaten eggs, sweetened and flavored to suit the taste, and baked in a dutch oven upon the open hearth. the boy took the gratuity, thanked her, and turned to go. mis' molly was still scanning the superscription of the letter. "i wonder," she murmured, "what old judge straight can be writin' to me about. oh, boy!" "yas 'm," answered the messenger, looking back. "can you read writin'?" "no 'm." "all right. never mind." she laid the letter carefully on the chimney-piece of the kitchen. "i reckon it's somethin' mo' 'bout the taxes," she thought, "or maybe somebody wants to buy one er my lots. rena'll be back terreckly, an' she kin read it an' find out. i'm glad my child'en have be'n to school. they never could have got where they are now if they hadn't." xiv a loyal friend mention has been made of certain addressed envelopes which john warwick, on the occasion of his visit to patesville, had left with his illiterate mother, by the use of which she might communicate with her children from time to time. on one occasion, mis' molly, having had a letter written, took one of these envelopes from the chest where she kept her most valued possessions, and was about to inclose the letter when some one knocked at the back door. she laid the envelope and letter on a table in her bedroom, and went to answer the knock. the wind, blowing across the room through the open windows, picked up the envelope and bore it into the street. mis' molly, on her return, missed it, looked for it, and being unable to find it, took another envelope. an hour or two later another gust of wind lifted the bit of paper from the ground and carried it into the open door of the cooper shop. frank picked it up, and observing that it was clean and unused, read the superscription. in his conversations with mis' molly, which were often about rena,--the subject uppermost in both their minds,--he had noted the mystery maintained by mis' molly about her daughter's whereabouts, and had often wondered where she might be. frank was an intelligent fellow, and could put this and that together. the envelope was addressed to a place in south carolina. he was aware, from some casual remark of mis' molly's, that rena had gone to live in south carolina. her son's name was john--that he had changed his last name was more than likely. frank was not long in reaching the conclusion that rena was to be found near the town named on the envelope, which he carefully preserved for future reference. for a whole year frank had yearned for a smile or a kind word from the only woman in the world. peter, his father, had rallied him somewhat upon his moodiness after rena's departure. "now 's de time, boy, fer you ter be lookin' roun' fer some nice gal er yo' own color, w'at'll 'preciate you, an' won't be 'shamed er you. you're wastin' time, boy, wastin' time, shootin' at a mark outer yo' range." but frank said nothing in reply, and afterwards the old man, who was not without discernment, respected his son's mood and was silent in turn; while frank fed his memory with his imagination, and by their joint aid kept hope alive. later an opportunity to see her presented itself. business in the cooper shop was dull. a barrel factory had been opened in the town, and had well-nigh paralyzed the cooper's trade. the best mechanic could hardly compete with a machine. one man could now easily do the work of peter's shop. an agent appeared in town seeking laborers for one of the railroads which the newly organized carpet-bag governments were promoting. upon inquiry frank learned that their destination was near the town of clarence, south carolina. he promptly engaged himself for the service, and was soon at work in the neighborhood of warwick's home. there he was employed steadily until a certain holiday, upon which a grand tournament was advertised to take place in a neighboring town. work was suspended, and foremen and laborers attended the festivities. frank had surmised that rena would be present on such an occasion. he had more than guessed, too, that she must be looked for among the white people rather than among the black. hence the interest with which he had scanned the grand stand. the result has already been recounted. he had recognized her sweet face; he had seen her enthroned among the proudest and best. he had witnessed and gloried in her triumph. he had seen her cheek flushed with pleasure, her eyes lit up with smiles. he had followed her carriage, had made the acquaintance of mimy the nurse, and had learned all about the family. when finally he left the neighborhood to return to patesville, he had learned of tryon's attentions, and had heard the servants' gossip with reference to the marriage, of which they knew the details long before the principals had approached the main fact. frank went away without having received one smile or heard one word from rena; but he had seen her: she was happy; he was content in the knowledge of her happiness. she was doubtless secure in the belief that her secret was unknown. why should he, by revealing his presence, sow the seeds of doubt or distrust in the garden of her happiness? he sacrificed the deepest longing of a faithful heart, and went back to the cooper shop lest perchance she might accidentally come upon him some day and suffer the shock which he had sedulously spared her. "i would n' want ter skeer her," he mused, "er make her feel bad, an' dat's w'at i'd mos' lackly do ef she seed me. she'll be better off wid me out'n de road. she'll marry dat rich w'ite gent'eman,--he won't never know de diffe'nce,--an' be a w'ite lady, ez she would 'a' be'n, ef some ole witch had n' changed her in her cradle. but maybe some time she'll 'member de little nigger w'at use' ter nuss her w'en she woz a chile, an' fished her out'n de ole canal, an' would 'a' died fer her ef it would 'a' done any good." very generously too, and with a fine delicacy, he said nothing to mis' molly of his having seen her daughter, lest she might be disquieted by the knowledge that he shared the family secret,--no great mystery now, this pitiful secret, but more far-reaching in its consequences than any blood-curdling crime. the taint of black blood was the unpardonable sin, from the unmerited penalty of which there was no escape except by concealment. if there be a dainty reader of this tale who scorns a lie, and who writes the story of his life upon his sleeve for all the world to read, let him uncurl his scornful lip and come down from the pedestal of superior morality, to which assured position and wide opportunity have lifted him, and put himself in the place of rena and her brother, upon whom god had lavished his best gifts, and from whom society would have withheld all that made these gifts valuable. to undertake what they tried to do required great courage. had they possessed the sneaking, cringing, treacherous character traditionally ascribed to people of mixed blood--the character which the blessed institutions of a free slave-holding republic had been well adapted to foster among them; had they been selfish enough to sacrifice to their ambition the mother who gave them birth, society would have been placated or humbugged, and the voyage of their life might have been one of unbroken smoothness. when rena came back unexpectedly at the behest of her dream, frank heard again the music of her voice, felt the joy of her presence and the benison of her smile. there was, however, a subtle difference in her bearing. her words were not less kind, but they seemed to come from a remoter source. she was kind, as the sun is warm or the rain refreshing; she was especially kind to frank, because he had been good to her mother. if frank felt the difference in her attitude, he ascribed it to the fact that she had been white, and had taken on something of the white attitude toward the negro; and frank, with an equal unconsciousness, clothed her with the attributes of the superior race. only her drop of black blood, he conceived, gave him the right to feel toward her as he would never have felt without it; and if rena guessed her faithful devotee's secret, the same reason saved his worship from presumption. a smile and a kind word were little enough to pay for a life's devotion. on the third day of rena's presence in patesville, frank was driving up front street in the early afternoon, when he nearly fell off his cart in astonishment as he saw seated in dr. green's buggy, which was standing in front of the patesville hotel, the young gentleman who had won the prize at the tournament, and who, as he had learned, was to marry rena. frank was quite certain that she did not know of tryon's presence in the town. frank had been over to mis' molly's in the morning, and had offered his services to the sick woman, who had rapidly become convalescent upon her daughter's return. mis' molly had spoken of some camphor that she needed. frank had volunteered to get it. rena had thanked him, and had spoken of going to the drugstore during the afternoon. it was her intention to leave patesville on the following day. "ef dat man sees her in dis town," said frank to himself, "dere'll be trouble. she don't know he's here, an' i'll bet he don't know she's here." then frank was assailed by a very strong temptation. if, as he surmised, the joint presence of the two lovers in patesville was a mere coincidence, a meeting between them would probably result in the discovery of rena's secret. "if she's found out," argued the tempter, "she'll come back to her mother, and you can see her every day." but frank's love was not of the selfish kind. he put temptation aside, and applied the whip to the back of his mule with a vigor that astonished the animal and moved him to unwonted activity. in an unusually short space of time he drew up before mis' molly's back gate, sprang from the cart, and ran up to mis' molly on the porch. "is miss rena here?" he demanded breathlessly. "no, frank; she went up town 'bout an hour ago to see the doctor an' git me some camphor gum." frank uttered a groan, rushed from the house, sprang into the cart, and goaded the terrified mule into a gallop that carried him back to the market house in half the time it had taken him to reach mis' molly's. "i wonder what in the worl 's the matter with frank," mused mis' molly, in vague alarm. "ef he hadn't be'n in such a hurry, i'd 'a' axed him to read judge straight's letter. but rena'll be home soon." when frank reached the doctor's office, he saw tryon seated in the doctor's buggy, which was standing by the window of the drugstore. frank ran upstairs and asked the doctor's man if miss walden had been there. "yas," replied dave, "she wuz here a little w'ile ago, an' said she wuz gwine downstairs ter de drugsto'. i would n' be s'prise' ef you'd fin' her dere now." xv mine own people the drive by which dr. green took tryon to his own house led up front street about a mile, to the most aristocratic portion of the town, situated on the hill known as haymount, or, more briefly, "the hill." the hill had lost some of its former glory, however, for the blight of a four years' war was everywhere. after reaching the top of this wooded eminence, the road skirted for some little distance the brow of the hill. below them lay the picturesque old town, a mass of vivid green, dotted here and there with gray roofs that rose above the tree-tops. two long ribbons of streets stretched away from the hill to the faint red line that marked the high bluff beyond the river at the farther side of the town. the market-house tower and the slender spires of half a dozen churches were sharply outlined against the green background. the face of the clock was visible, but the hours could have been read only by eyes of phenomenal sharpness. around them stretched ruined walls, dismantled towers, and crumbling earthworks--footprints of the god of war, one of whose temples had crowned this height. for many years before the rebellion a federal arsenal had been located at patesville. seized by the state troops upon the secession of north carolina, it had been held by the confederates until the approach of sherman's victorious army, whereupon it was evacuated and partially destroyed. the work of destruction begun by the retreating garrison was completed by the conquerors, and now only ruined walls and broken cannon remained of what had once been the chief ornament and pride of patesville. the front of dr. green's spacious brick house, which occupied an ideally picturesque site, was overgrown by a network of clinging vines, contrasting most agreeably with the mellow red background. a low brick wall, also overrun with creepers, separated the premises from the street and shut in a well-kept flower garden, in which tryon, who knew something of plants, noticed many rare and beautiful specimens. mrs. green greeted tryon cordially. he did not have the doctor's memory with which to fill out the lady's cheeks or restore the lustre of her hair or the sparkle of her eyes, and thereby justify her husband's claim to be a judge of beauty; but her kind-hearted hospitality was obvious, and might have made even a plain woman seem handsome. she and her two fair daughters, to whom tryon was duly presented, looked with much favor upon their handsome young kinsman; for among the people of patesville, perhaps by virtue of the prevalence of scottish blood, the ties of blood were cherished as things of value, and never forgotten except in case of the unworthy--an exception, by the way, which one need hardly go so far to seek. the patesville people were not exceptional in the weaknesses and meannesses which are common to all mankind, but for some of the finer social qualities they were conspicuously above the average. kindness, hospitality, loyalty, a chivalrous deference to women,--all these things might be found in large measure by those who saw patesville with the eyes of its best citizens, and accepted their standards of politics, religion, manners, and morals. the doctor, after the introductions, excused himself for a moment. mrs. green soon left tryon with the young ladies and went to look after luncheon. her first errand, however, was to find the doctor. "is he well off, ed?" she asked her husband. "lots of land, and plenty of money, if he is ever able to collect it. he has inherited two estates." "he's a good-looking fellow," she mused. "is he married?" "there you go again," replied her husband, shaking his forefinger at her in mock reproach. "to a woman with marriageable daughters all roads lead to matrimony, the centre of a woman's universe. all men must be sized up by their matrimonial availability. no, he isn't married." "that's nice," she rejoined reflectively. "i think we ought to ask him to stay with us while he is in town, don't you?" "he's not married," rejoined the doctor slyly, "but the next best thing--he's engaged." "come to think of it," said the lady, "i'm afraid we wouldn't have the room to spare, and the girls would hardly have time to entertain him. but we'll have him up several times. i like his looks. i wish you had sent me word he was coming; i'd have had a better luncheon." "make him a salad," rejoined the doctor, "and get out a bottle of the best claret. thank god, the yankees didn't get into my wine cellar! the young man must be treated with genuine southern hospitality,--even if he were a mormon and married ten times over." "indeed, he would not, ed,--the idea! i'm ashamed of you. hurry back to the parlor and talk to him. the girls may want to primp a little before luncheon; we don't have a young man every day." "beauty unadorned," replied the doctor, "is adorned the most. my profession qualifies me to speak upon the subject. they are the two handsomest young women in patesville, and the daughters of the most beautiful"-"don't you dare to say the word," interrupted mrs. green, with placid good nature. "i shall never grow old while i am living with a big boy like you. but i must go and make the salad." at dinner the conversation ran on the family connections and their varying fortunes in the late war. some had died upon the battlefield, and slept in unknown graves; some had been financially ruined by their faith in the "lost cause," having invested their all in the securities of the confederate government. few had anything left but land, and land without slaves to work it was a drug in the market. "i was offered a thousand acres, the other day, at twenty-five cents an acre," remarked the doctor. "the owner is so land-poor that he can't pay the taxes. they have taken our negroes and our liberties. it may be better for our grandchildren that the negroes are free, but it's confoundedly hard on us to take them without paying for them. they may exalt our slaves over us temporarily, but they have not broken our spirit, and cannot take away our superiority of blood and breeding. in time we shall regain control. the negro is an inferior creature; god has marked him with the badge of servitude, and has adjusted his intellect to a servile condition. we will not long submit to his domination. i give you a toast, sir: the anglo-saxon race: may it remain forever, as now, the head and front of creation, never yielding its rights, and ready always to die, if need be, in defense of its liberties!" "with all my heart, sir," replied tryon, who felt in this company a thrill of that pleasure which accompanies conscious superiority,--"with all my heart, sir, if the ladies will permit me." "we will join you," they replied. the toast was drunk with great enthusiasm. "and now, my dear george," exclaimed the doctor, "to change one good subject for another, tell us who is the favored lady?" "a miss rowena warwick, sir," replied tryon, vividly conscious of four pairs of eyes fixed upon him, but, apart from the momentary embarrassment, welcoming the subject as the one he would most like to speak upon. "a good, strong old english name," observed the doctor. "the heroine of 'ivanhoe'!" exclaimed miss harriet. "warwick the kingmaker!" said miss mary. "is she tall and fair, and dignified and stately?" "she is tall, dark rather than fair, and full of tender grace and sweet humility." "she should have been named rebecca instead of rowena," rejoined miss mary, who was well up in her scott. "tell us something about her people," asked mrs. green,--to which inquiry the young ladies looked assent. in this meeting of the elect of his own class and kin warwick felt a certain strong illumination upon the value of birth and blood. finding rena among people of the best social standing, the subsequent intimation that she was a girl of no family had seemed a small matter to one so much in love. nevertheless, in his present company he felt a decided satisfaction in being able to present for his future wife a clean bill of social health. "her brother is the most prominent lawyer of clarence. they live in a fine old family mansion, and are among the best people of the town." "quite right, my boy," assented the doctor. "none but the best are good enough for the best. you must bring her to patesville some day. but bless my life!" he exclaimed, looking at his watch, "i must be going. will you stay with the ladies awhile, or go back down town with me?" "i think i had better go with you, sir. i shall have to see judge straight." "very well. but you must come back to supper, and we'll have a few friends in to meet you. you must see some of the best people." the doctor's buggy was waiting at the gate. as they were passing the hotel on their drive down town, the clerk came out to the curbstone and called to the doctor. "there's a man here, doctor, who's been taken suddenly ill. can you come in a minute?" "i suppose i'll have to. will you wait for me here, george, or will you drive down to the office? i can walk the rest of the way." "i think i'll wait here, doctor," answered tryon. "i'll step up to my room a moment. i'll be back by the time you're ready." it was while they were standing before the hotel, before alighting from the buggy, that frank fowler, passing on his cart, saw tryon and set out as fast as he could to warn mis' molly and her daughter of his presence in the town. tryon went up to his room, returned after a while, and resumed his seat in the buggy, where he waited fifteen minutes longer before the doctor was ready. when they drew up in front of the office, the doctor's man dave was standing in the doorway, looking up the street with an anxious expression, as though struggling hard to keep something upon his mind. "anything wanted, dave?" asked the doctor. "dat young 'oman's be'n heah ag'in, suh, an' wants ter see you bad. she's in de drugstore dere now, suh. bless gawd!" he added to himself fervently, "i 'membered dat. dis yer recommemb'ance er mine is gwine ter git me inter trouble ef i don' look out, an' dat's a fac', sho'." the doctor sprang from the buggy with an agility remarkable in a man of sixty. "just keep your seat, george," he said to tryon, "until i have spoken to the young woman, and then we'll go across to straight's. or, if you'll drive along a little farther, you can see the girl through the window. she's worth the trouble, if you like a pretty face." tryon liked one pretty face; moreover, tinted beauty had never appealed to him. more to show a proper regard for what interested the doctor than from any curiosity of his own, he drove forward a few feet, until the side of the buggy was opposite the drugstore window, and then looked in. between the colored glass bottles in the window he could see a young woman, a tall and slender girl, like a lily on its stem. she stood talking with the doctor, who held his hat in his hand with as much deference as though she were the proudest dame in town. her face was partly turned away from the window, but as tryon's eye fell upon her, he gave a great start. surely, no two women could be so much alike. the height, the graceful droop of the shoulders, the swan-like poise of the head, the well-turned little ear,--surely, no two women could have them all identical! but, pshaw! the notion was absurd, it was merely the reflex influence of his morning's dream. she moved slightly; it was rena's movement. surely he knew the gown, and the style of hair-dressing! she rested her hand lightly on the back of a chair. the ring that glittered on her finger could be none other than his own. the doctor bowed. the girl nodded in response, and, turning, left the store. tryon leaned forward from the buggy-seat and kept his eye fixed on the figure that moved across the floor of the drugstore. as she came out, she turned her face casually toward the buggy, and there could no longer be any doubt as to her identity. when rena's eyes fell upon the young man in the buggy, she saw a face as pale as death, with starting eyes, in which love, which once had reigned there, had now given place to astonishment and horror. she stood a moment as if turned to stone. one appealing glance she gave,--a look that might have softened adamant. when she saw that it brought no answering sign of love or sorrow or regret, the color faded from her cheek, the light from her eye, and she fell fainting to the ground. xvi the bottom falls out the first effect of tryon's discovery was, figuratively speaking, to knock the bottom out of things for him. it was much as if a boat on which he had been floating smoothly down the stream of pleasure had sunk suddenly and left him struggling in deep waters. the full realization of the truth, which followed speedily, had for the moment reversed his mental attitude toward her, and love and yearning had given place to anger and disgust. his agitation could hardly have escaped notice had not the doctor's attention, and that of the crowd that quickly gathered, been absorbed by the young woman who had fallen. during the time occupied in carrying her into the drugstore, restoring her to consciousness, and sending her home in a carriage, tryon had time to recover in some degree his self-possession. when rena had been taken home, he slipped away for a long walk, after which he called at judge straight's office and received the judge's report upon the matter presented. judge straight had found the claim, in his opinion, a good one; he had discovered property from which, in case the claim were allowed, the amount might be realized. the judge, who had already been informed of the incident at the drugstore, observed tryon's preoccupation and guessed shrewdly at its cause, but gave no sign. tryon left the matter of the note unreservedly in the lawyer's hands, with instructions to communicate to him any further developments. returning to the doctor's office, tryon listened to that genial gentleman's comments on the accident, his own concern in which he, by a great effort, was able to conceal. the doctor insisted upon his returning to the hill for supper. tryon pleaded illness. the doctor was solicitous, felt his pulse, examined his tongue, pronounced him feverish, and prescribed a sedative. tryon sought refuge in his room at the hotel, from which he did not emerge again until morning. his emotions were varied and stormy. at first he could see nothing but the fraud of which he had been made the victim. a negro girl had been foisted upon him for a white woman, and he had almost committed the unpardonable sin against his race of marrying her. such a step, he felt, would have been criminal at any time; it would have been the most odious treachery at this epoch, when his people had been subjugated and humiliated by the northern invaders, who had preached negro equality and abolished the wholesome laws decreeing the separation of the races. but no southerner who loved his poor, downtrodden country, or his race, the proud anglo-saxon race which traced the clear stream of its blood to the cavaliers of england, could tolerate the idea that even in distant generations that unsullied current could be polluted by the blood of slaves. the very thought was an insult to the white people of the south. for tryon's liberality, of which he had spoken so nobly and so sincerely, had been confined unconsciously, and as a matter of course, within the boundaries of his own race. the southern mind, in discussing abstract questions relative to humanity, makes always, consciously or unconsciously, the mental reservation that the conclusions reached do not apply to the negro, unless they can be made to harmonize with the customs of the country. but reasoning thus was not without effect upon a mind by nature reasonable above the average. tryon's race impulse and social prejudice had carried him too far, and the swing of the mental pendulum brought his thoughts rapidly back in the opposite direction. tossing uneasily on the bed, where he had thrown himself down without undressing, the air of the room oppressed him, and he threw open the window. the cool night air calmed his throbbing pulses. the moonlight, streaming through the window, flooded the room with a soft light, in which he seemed to see rena standing before him, as she had appeared that afternoon, gazing at him with eyes that implored charity and forgiveness. he burst into tears,--bitter tears, that strained his heartstrings. he was only a youth. she was his first love, and he had lost her forever. she was worse than dead to him; for if he had seen her lying in her shroud before him, he could at least have cherished her memory; now, even this consolation was denied him. the town clock--which so long as it was wound up regularly recked nothing of love or hate, joy or sorrow--solemnly tolled out the hour of midnight and sounded the knell of his lost love. lost she was, as though she had never been, as she had indeed had no right to be. he resolutely determined to banish her image from his mind. see her again he could not; it would be painful to them both; it could be productive of no good to either. he had felt the power and charm of love, and no ordinary shook could have loosened its hold; but this catastrophe, which had so rudely swept away the groundwork of his passion, had stirred into new life all the slumbering pride of race and ancestry which characterized his caste. how much of this sensitive superiority was essential and how much accidental; how much of it was due to the ever-suggested comparison with a servile race; how much of it was ignorance and self-conceit; to what extent the boasted purity of his race would have been contaminated by the fair woman whose image filled his memory,--of these things he never thought. he was not influenced by sordid considerations; he would have denied that his course was controlled by any narrow prudence. if rena had been white, pure white (for in his creed there was no compromise), he would have braved any danger for her sake. had she been merely of illegitimate birth, he would have overlooked the bar sinister. had her people been simply poor and of low estate, he would have brushed aside mere worldly considerations, and would have bravely sacrificed convention for love; for his liberality was not a mere form of words. but the one objection which he could not overlook was, unhappily, the one that applied to the only woman who had as yet moved his heart. he tried to be angry with her, but after the first hour he found it impossible. he was a man of too much imagination not to be able to put himself, in some measure at least, in her place,--to perceive that for her the step which had placed her in tryon's world was the working out of nature's great law of self-preservation, for which he could not blame her. but for the sheerest accident,--no, rather, but for a providential interference,--he would have married her, and might have gone to the grave unconscious that she was other than she seemed. the clock struck the hour of two. with a shiver he closed the window, undressed by the moonlight, drew down the shade, and went to bed. he fell into an unquiet slumber, and dreamed again of rena. he must learn to control his waking thoughts; his dreams could not be curbed. in that realm rena's image was for many a day to remain supreme. he dreamed of her sweet smile, her soft touch, her gentle voice. in all her fair young beauty she stood before him, and then by some hellish magic she was slowly transformed into a hideous black hag. with agonized eyes he watched her beautiful tresses become mere wisps of coarse wool, wrapped round with dingy cotton strings; he saw her clear eyes grow bloodshot, her ivory teeth turn to unwholesome fangs. with a shudder he awoke, to find the cold gray dawn of a rainy day stealing through the window. he rose, dressed himself, went down to breakfast, then entered the writing-room and penned a letter which, after reading it over, he tore into small pieces and threw into the waste basket. a second shared the same fate. giving up the task, he left the hotel and walked down to dr. green's office. "is the doctor in?" he asked of the colored attendant. "no, suh," replied the man; "he's gone ter see de young cullud gal w'at fainted w'en de doctah was wid you yistiddy." tryon sat down at the doctor's desk and hastily scrawled a note, stating that business compelled his immediate departure. he thanked the doctor for courtesies extended, and left his regards for the ladies. returning to the hotel, he paid his bill and took a hack for the wharf, from which a boat was due to leave at nine o'clock. as the hack drove down front street, tryon noted idly the houses that lined the street. when he reached the sordid district in the lower part of the town, there was nothing to attract his attention until the carriage came abreast of a row of cedar-trees, beyond which could be seen the upper part of a large house with dormer windows. before the gate stood a horse and buggy, which tryon thought he recognized as dr. green's. he leaned forward and addressed the driver. "can you tell me who lives there?" tryon asked, pointing to the house. "a callud 'oman, suh," the man replied, touching his hat. "mis' molly walden an' her daughter rena." the vivid impression he received of this house, and the spectre that rose before him of a pale, broken-hearted girl within its gray walls, weeping for a lost lover and a vanished dream of happiness, did not argue well for tryon's future peace of mind. rena's image was not to be easily expelled from his heart; for the laws of nature are higher and more potent than merely human institutions, and upon anything like a fair field are likely to win in the long ran. xvii two letters warwick awaited events with some calmness and some philosophy,--he could hardly have had the one without the other; and it required much philosophy to make him wait a week in patience for information upon a subject in which he was so vitally interested. the delay pointed to disaster. bad news being expected, delay at least put off the evil day. at the end of the week he received two letters,--one addressed in his own hand writing and postmarked patesville, n. c.; the other in the handwriting of george tryon. he opened the patesville letter, which ran as follows:-my dear son,--frank is writing this letter for me. i am not well, but, thank the lord, i am better than i was. rena has had a heap of trouble on account of me and my sickness. if i could of dreamt that i was going to do so much harm, i would of died and gone to meet my god without writing one word to spoil my girl's chances in life; but i didn't know what was going to happen, and i hope the lord will forgive me. frank knows all about it, and so i am having him write this letter for me, as rena is not well enough yet. frank has been very good to me and to rena. he was down to your place and saw rena there, and never said a word about it to nobody, not even to me, because he didn't want to do rena no harm. frank is the best friend i have got in town, because he does so much for me and don't want nothing in return. (he tells me not to put this in about him, but i want you to know it.) and now about rena. she come to see me, and i got better right away, for it was longing for her as much as anything else that made me sick, and i was mighty mizzable. when she had been here three days and was going back next day, she went up town to see the doctor for me, and while she was up there she fainted and fell down in the street, and dr. green sent her home in his buggy and come down to see her. he couldn't tell what was the matter with her, but she has been sick ever since and out of her head some of the time, and keeps on calling on somebody by the name of george, which was the young white man she told me she was going to marry. it seems he was in town the day rena was took sick, for frank saw him up street and run all the way down here to tell me, so that she could keep out of his way, while she was still up town waiting for the doctor and getting me some camphor gum for my camphor bottle. old judge straight must have knowed something about it, for he sent me a note to keep rena in the house, but the little boy he sent it by didn't bring it till rena was already gone up town, and, as i couldn't read, of course i didn't know what it said. dr. green heard rena running on while she was out of her head, and i reckon he must have suspicioned something, for he looked kind of queer and went away without saying nothing. frank says she met this man on the street, and when he found out she wasn't white, he said or done something that broke her heart and she fainted and fell down. i am writing you this letter because i know you will be worrying about rena not coming back. if it wasn't for frank, i hardly know how i could write to you. frank is not going to say nothing about rena's passing for white and meeting this man, and neither am i; and i don't suppose judge straight will say nothing, because he is our good friend; and dr. green won't say nothing about it, because frank says dr. green's cook nancy says this young man named george stopped with him and was some cousin or relation to the family, and they wouldn't want people to know that any of their kin was thinking about marrying a colored girl, and the white folks have all been mad since j. b. thompson married his black housekeeper when she got religion and wouldn't live with him no more. all the rest of the connection are well. i have just been in to see how rena is. she is feeling some better, i think, and says give you her love and she will write you a letter in a few days, as soon as she is well enough. she bust out crying while she was talking, but i reckon that is better than being out of her head. i hope this may find you well, and that this man of rena's won't say nor do nothing down there to hurt you. he has not wrote to rena nor sent her no word. i reckon he is very mad. your affectionate mother, mary walden. this letter, while confirming warwick's fears, relieved his suspense. he at least knew the worst, unless there should be something still more disturbing in tryon's letter, which he now proceeded to open, and which ran as follows:-john warwick, esq. dear sir,--when i inform you, as you are doubtless informed ere the receipt of this, that i saw your sister in patesville last week and learned the nature of those antecedents of yours and hers at which you hinted so obscurely in a recent conversation, you will not be surprised to learn that i take this opportunity of renouncing any pretensions to miss warwick's hand, and request you to convey this message to her, since it was through you that i formed her acquaintance. i think perhaps that few white men would deem it necessary to make an explanation under the circumstances, and i do not know that i need say more than that no one, considering where and how i met your sister, would have dreamed of even the possibility of what i have learned. i might with justice reproach you for trifling with the most sacred feelings of a man's heart; but i realize the hardship of your position and hers, and can make allowances. i would never have sought to know this thing; i would doubtless have been happier had i gone through life without finding it out; but having the knowledge, i cannot ignore it, as you must understand perfectly well. i regret that she should be distressed or disappointed,--she has not suffered alone. i need scarcely assure you that i shall say nothing about this affair, and that i shall keep your secret as though it were my own. personally, i shall never be able to think of you as other than a white man, as you may gather from the tone of this letter; and while i cannot marry your sister, i wish her every happiness, and remain, yours very truly, george tryon. warwick could not know that this formal epistle was the last of a dozen that tryon had written and destroyed during the week since the meeting in patesville,--hot, blistering letters, cold, cutting letters, scornful, crushing letters. though none of them was sent, except this last, they had furnished a safety-valve for his emotions, and had left him in a state of mind that permitted him to write the foregoing. and now, while rena is recovering from her illness, and tryon from his love, and while fate is shuffling the cards for another deal, a few words may be said about the past life of the people who lived in the rear of the flower garden, in the quaint old house beyond the cedars, and how their lives were mingled with those of the men and women around them and others that were gone. for connected with our kind we must be; if not by our virtues, then by our vices,--if not by our services, at least by our needs. xviii under the old regime for many years before the civil war there had lived, in the old house behind the cedars, a free colored woman who went by the name of molly walden--her rightful name, for her parents were free-born and legally married. she was a tall woman, straight as an arrow. her complexion in youth was of an old ivory tint, which at the period of this story, time had darkened measurably. her black eyes, now faded, had once sparkled with the fire of youth. high cheek-bones, straight black hair, and a certain dignified reposefulness of manner pointed to an aboriginal descent. tradition gave her to the negro race. doubtless she had a strain of each, with white blood very visibly predominating over both. in louisiana or the west indies she would have been called a quadroon, or more loosely, a creole; in north carolina, where fine distinctions were not the rule in matters of color, she was sufficiently differentiated when described as a bright mulatto. molly's free birth carried with it certain advantages, even in the south before the war. though degraded from its high estate, and shorn of its choicest attributes, the word "freedom" had nevertheless a cheerful sound, and described a condition that left even to colored people who could claim it some liberty of movement and some control of their own persons. they were not citizens, yet they were not slaves. no negro, save in books, ever refused freedom; many of them ran frightful risks to achieve it. molly's parents were of the class, more numerous in north carolina than elsewhere, known as "old issue free negroes," which took its rise in the misty colonial period, when race lines were not so closely drawn, and the population of north carolina comprised many indians, runaway negroes, and indentured white servants from the seaboard plantations, who mingled their blood with great freedom and small formality. free colored people in north carolina exercised the right of suffrage as late as 1835, and some of them, in spite of galling restrictions, attained to a considerable degree of prosperity, and dreamed of a still brighter future, when the growing tyranny of the slave power crushed their hopes and crowded the free people back upon the black mass just beneath them. mis' molly's father had been at one time a man of some means. in an evil hour, with an overweening confidence in his fellow men, he indorsed a note for a white man who, in a moment of financial hardship, clapped his colored neighbor on the back and called him brother. not poverty, but wealth, is the most potent leveler. in due time the indorser was called upon to meet the maturing obligation. this was the beginning of a series of financial difficulties which speedily involved him in ruin. he died prematurely, a disappointed and disheartened man, leaving his family in dire poverty. his widow and surviving children lived on for a little while at the house he had owned, just outside of the town, on one of the main traveled roads. by the wayside, near the house, there was a famous deep well. the slim, barefoot girl, with sparkling eyes and voluminous hair, who played about the yard and sometimes handed water in a gourd to travelers, did not long escape critical observation. a gentleman drove by one day, stopped at the well, smiled upon the girl, and said kind words. he came again, more than once, and soon, while scarcely more than a child in years, molly was living in her own house, hers by deed of gift, for her protector was rich and liberal. her mother nevermore knew want. her poor relations could always find a meal in molly's kitchen. she did not flaunt her prosperity in the world's face; she hid it discreetly behind the cedar screen. those who wished could know of it, for there were few secrets in patesville; those who chose could as easily ignore it. there were few to trouble themselves about the secluded life of an obscure woman of a class which had no recognized place in the social economy. she worshiped the ground upon which her lord walked, was humbly grateful for his protection, and quite as faithful as the forbidden marriage vow could possibly have made her. she led her life in material peace and comfort, and with a certain amount of dignity. of her false relation to society she was not without some vague conception; but the moral point involved was so confused with other questions growing out--of slavery and caste as to cause her, as a rule, but little uneasiness; and only now and then, in the moments of deeper feeling that come sometimes to all who live and love, did there break through the mists of ignorance and prejudice surrounding her a flash of light by which she saw, so far as she was capable of seeing, her true position, which in the clear light of truth no special pleading could entirely justify. for she was free, she had not the slave's excuse. with every inducement to do evil and few incentives to do well, and hence entitled to charitable judgment, she yet had freedom of choice, and therefore could not wholly escape blame. let it be said, in further extenuation, that no other woman lived in neglect or sorrow because of her. she robbed no one else. for what life gave her she returned an equivalent; and what she did not pay, her children settled to the last farthing. several years before the war, when mis' molly's daughter rena was a few years old, death had suddenly removed the source of their prosperity. the household was not left entirely destitute. mis' molly owned her home, and had a store of gold pieces in the chest beneath her bed. a small piece of real estate stood in the name of each of the children, the income from which contributed to their maintenance. larger expectations were dependent upon the discovery of a promised will, which never came to light. mis' molly wore black for several years after this bereavement, until the teacher and the preacher, following close upon the heels of military occupation, suggested to the colored people new standards of life and character, in the light of which mis' molly laid her mourning sadly and shamefacedly aside. she had eaten of the fruit of the tree of knowledge. after the war she formed the habit of church-going, and might have been seen now and then, with her daughter, in a retired corner of the gallery of the white episcopal church. upon the ground floor was a certain pew which could be seen from her seat, where once had sat a gentleman whose pleasures had not interfered with the practice of his religion. she might have had a better seat in a church where a northern missionary would have preached a sermon better suited to her comprehension and her moral needs, but she preferred the other. she was not white, alas! she was shut out from this seeming paradise; but she liked to see the distant glow of the celestial city, and to recall the days when she had basked in its radiance. she did not sympathize greatly with the new era opened up for the emancipated slaves; she had no ideal love of liberty; she was no broader and no more altruistic than the white people around her, to whom she had always looked up; and she sighed for the old days, because to her they had been the good days. now, not only was her king dead, but the shield of his memory protected her no longer. molly had lost one child, and his grave was visible from the kitchen window, under a small clump of cedars in the rear of the two-acre lot. for even in the towns many a household had its private cemetery in those old days when the living were close to the dead, and ghosts were not the mere chimeras of a sick imagination, but real though unsubstantial entities, of which it was almost disgraceful not to have seen one or two. had not the witch of endor called up the shade of samuel the prophet? had not the spirit of mis' molly's dead son appeared to her, as well as the ghostly presence of another she had loved? in 1855, mis' molly's remaining son had grown into a tall, slender lad of fifteen, with his father's patrician features and his mother's indian hair, and no external sign to mark him off from the white boys on the street. he soon came to know, however, that there was a difference. he was informed one day that he was black. he denied the proposition and thrashed the child who made it. the scene was repeated the next day, with a variation,--he was himself thrashed by a larger boy. when he had been beaten five or six times, he ceased to argue the point, though to himself he never admitted the charge. his playmates might call him black; the mirror proved that god, the father of all, had made him white; and god, he had been taught, made no mistakes,--having made him white, he must have meant him to be white. in the "hall" or parlor of his mother's house stood a quaintly carved black walnut bookcase, containing a small but remarkable collection of books, which had at one time been used, in his hours of retreat and relaxation from business and politics, by the distinguished gentleman who did not give his name to mis' molly's children,--to whom it would have been a valuable heritage, could they have had the right to bear it. among the books were a volume of fielding's complete works, in fine print, set in double columns; a set of bulwer's novels; a collection of everything that walter scott--the literary idol of the south--had ever written; beaumont and fletcher's plays, cheek by jowl with the history of the virtuous clarissa harlowe; the spectator and tristram shandy, robinson crusoe and the arabian nights. on these secluded shelves roderick random, don quixote, and gil blas for a long time ceased their wanderings, the pilgrim's progress was suspended, milton's mighty harmonies were dumb, and shakespeare reigned over a silent kingdom. an illustrated bible, with a wonderful apocrypha, was flanked on one side by volney's ruins of empire and on the other by paine's age of reason, for the collector of the books had been a man of catholic taste as well as of inquiring mind, and no one who could have criticised his reading ever penetrated behind the cedar hedge. a history of the french revolution consorted amiably with a homespun chronicle of north carolina, rich in biographical notices of distinguished citizens and inscriptions from their tombstones, upon reading which one might well wonder why north carolina had not long ago eclipsed the rest of the world in wealth, wisdom, glory, and renown. on almost every page of this monumental work could be found the most ardent panegyrics of liberty, side by side with the slavery statistics of the state,--an incongruity of which the learned author was deliciously unconscious. when john walden was yet a small boy, he had learned all that could be taught by the faded mulatto teacher in the long, shiny black frock coat, whom local public opinion permitted to teach a handful of free colored children for a pittance barely enough to keep soul and body together. when the boy had learned to read, he discovered the library, which for several years had been without a reader, and found in it the portal of a new world, peopled with strange and marvelous beings. lying prone upon the floor of the shaded front piazza, behind the fragrant garden, he followed the fortunes of tom jones and sophia; he wept over the fate of eugene aram; he penetrated with richard the lion-heart into saladin's tent, with gil blas into the robbers' cave; he flew through the air on the magic carpet or the enchanted horse, or tied with sindbad to the roc's leg. sometimes he read or repeated the simpler stories to his little sister, sitting wide-eyed by his side. when he had read all the books,--indeed, long before he had read them all,--he too had tasted of the fruit of the tree of knowledge: contentment took its flight, and happiness lay far beyond the sphere where he was born. the blood of his white fathers, the heirs of the ages, cried out for its own, and after the manner of that blood set about getting the object of its desire. near the corner of mackenzie street, just one block north of the patesville market-house, there had stood for many years before the war, on the verge of the steep bank of beaver creek, a small frame office building, the front of which was level with the street, while the rear rested on long brick pillars founded on the solid rock at the edge of the brawling stream below. here, for nearly half a century, archibald straight had transacted legal business for the best people of northumberland county. full many a lawsuit had he won, lost, or settled; many a spendthrift had he saved from ruin, and not a few families from disgrace. several times honored by election to the bench, he had so dispensed justice tempered with mercy as to win the hearts of all good citizens, and especially those of the poor, the oppressed, and the socially disinherited. the rights of the humblest negro, few as they might be, were as sacred to him as those of the proudest aristocrat, and he had sentenced a man to be hanged for the murder of his own slave. an old-fashioned man, tall and spare of figure and bowed somewhat with age, he was always correctly clad in a long frock coat of broadcloth, with a high collar and a black stock. courtly in address to his social equals (superiors he had none), he was kind and considerate to those beneath him. he owned a few domestic servants, no one of whom had ever felt the weight of his hand, and for whose ultimate freedom he had provided in his will. in the long-drawn-out slavery agitation he had taken a keen interest, rather as observer than as participant. as the heat of controversy increased, his lack of zeal for the peculiar institution led to his defeat for the bench by a more active partisan. his was too just a mind not to perceive the arguments on both sides; but, on the whole, he had stood by the ancient landmarks, content to let events drift to a conclusion he did not expect to see; the institutions of his fathers would probably last his lifetime. one day judge straight was sitting in his office reading a recently published pamphlet,--presenting an elaborate pro-slavery argument, based upon the hopeless intellectual inferiority of the negro, and the physical and moral degeneration of mulattoes, who combined the worst qualities of their two ancestral races,--when a barefooted boy walked into the office, straw hat in hand, came boldly up to the desk at which the old judge was sitting, and said as the judge looked up through his gold-rimmed glasses,-"sir, i want to be a lawyer!" "god bless me!" exclaimed the judge. "it is a singular desire, from a singular source, and expressed in a singular way. who the devil are you, sir, that wish so strange a thing as to become a lawyer--everybody's servant?" "and everybody's master, sir," replied the lad stoutly. "that is a matter of opinion, and open to argument," rejoined the judge, amused and secretly flattered by this tribute to his profession, "though there may be a grain of truth in what you say. but what is your name, mr. would-be-lawyer?" "john walden, sir," answered the lad. "john walden?--walden?" mused the judge. "what walden can that be? do you belong in town?" "yes, sir." "humph! i can't imagine who you are. it's plain that you are a lad of good blood, and yet i don't know whose son you can be. what is your father's name?" the lad hesitated, and flushed crimson. the old gentleman noted his hesitation. "it is a wise son," he thought, "that knows his own father. he is a bright lad, and will have this question put to him more than once. i'll see how he will answer it." the boy maintained an awkward silence, while the old judge eyed him keenly. "my father's dead," he said at length, in a low voice. "i'm mis' molly walden's son." he had expected, of course, to tell who he was, if asked, but had not foreseen just the form of the inquiry; and while he had thought more of his race than of his illegitimate birth, he realized at this moment as never before that this question too would be always with him. as put now by judge straight, it made him wince. he had not read his father's books for nothing. "god bless my soul!" exclaimed the judge in genuine surprise at this answer; "and you want to be a lawyer!" the situation was so much worse than he had suspected that even an old practitioner, case-hardened by years of life at the trial table and on the bench, was startled for a moment into a comical sort of consternation, so apparent that a lad less stout-hearted would have weakened and fled at the sight of it. "yes, sir. why not?" responded the boy, trembling a little at the knees, but stoutly holding his ground. "he wants to be a lawyer, and he asks me why not!" muttered the judge, speaking apparently to himself. he rose from his chair, walked across the room, and threw open a window. the cool morning air brought with it the babbling of the stream below and the murmur of the mill near by. he glanced across the creek to the ruined foundation of an old house on the low ground beyond the creek. turning from the window, he looked back at the boy, who had remained standing between him and the door. at that moment another lad came along the street and stopped opposite the open doorway. the presence of the two boys in connection with the book he had been reading suggested a comparison. the judge knew the lad outside as the son of a leading merchant of the town. the merchant and his wife were both of old families which had lived in the community for several generations, and whose blood was presumably of the purest strain; yet the boy was sallow, with amorphous features, thin shanks, and stooping shoulders. the youth standing in the judge's office, on the contrary, was straight, shapely, and well-grown. his eye was clear, and he kept it fixed on the old gentleman with a look in which there was nothing of cringing. he was no darker than many a white boy bronzed by the southern sun; his hair and eyes were black, and his features of the high-bred, clean-cut order that marks the patrician type the world over. what struck the judge most forcibly, however, was the lad's resemblance to an old friend and companion and client. he recalled a certain conversation with this old friend, who had said to him one day: "archie, i'm coming in to have you draw my will. there are some children for whom i would like to make ample provision. i can't give them anything else, but money will make them free of the world." the judge's friend had died suddenly before carrying out this good intention. the judge had taken occasion to suggest the existence of these children, and their father's intentions concerning them, to the distant relatives who had inherited his friend's large estate. they had chosen to take offense at the suggestion. one had thought it in shocking bad taste; another considered any mention of such a subject an insult to his cousin's memory. a third had said, with flashing eyes, that the woman and her children had already robbed the estate of enough; that it was a pity the little niggers were not slaves--that they would have added measurably to the value of the property. judge straight's manner indicated some disapproval of their attitude, and the settlement of the estate was placed in other hands than his. now, this son, with his father's face and his father's voice, stood before his father's friend, demanding entrance to the golden gate of opportunity, which society barred to all who bore the blood of the despised race. as he kept on looking at the boy, who began at length to grow somewhat embarrassed under this keen scrutiny, the judge's mind reverted to certain laws and judicial decisions that he had looked up once or twice in his lifetime. even the law, the instrument by which tyranny riveted the chains upon its victims, had revolted now and then against the senseless and unnatural prejudice by which a race ascribing its superiority to right of blood permitted a mere suspicion of servile blood to outweigh a vast preponderance of its own. "why, indeed, should he not be a lawyer, or anything else that a man might be, if it be in him?" asked the judge, speaking rather to himself than to the boy. "sit down," he ordered, pointing to a chair on the other side of the room. that he should ask a colored lad to be seated in his presence was of itself enough to stamp the judge as eccentric. "you want to be a lawyer," he went on, adjusting his spectacles. "you are aware, of course, that you are a negro?" "i am white," replied the lad, turning back his sleeve and holding out his arm, "and i am free, as all my people were before me." the old lawyer shook his head, and fixed his eyes upon the lad with a slightly quizzical smile. "you are black." he said, "and you are not free. you cannot travel without your papers; you cannot secure accommodations at an inn; you could not vote, if you were of age; you cannot be out after nine o'clock without a permit. if a white man struck you, you could not return the blow, and you could not testify against him in a court of justice. you are black, my lad, and you are not free. did you ever hear of the dred scott decision, delivered by the great, wise, and learned judge taney?" "no, sir," answered the boy. "it is too long to read," rejoined the judge, taking up the pamphlet he had laid down upon the lad's entrance, "but it says in substance, as quoted by this author, that negroes are beings 'of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white race, either in social or political relations; in fact, so inferior that they have no rights which the white man is bound to respect, and that the negro may justly and lawfully be reduced to slavery for his benefit.' that is the law of this nation, and that is the reason why you cannot be a lawyer." "it may all be true," replied the boy, "but it don't apply to me. it says 'the negro.' a negro is black; i am white, and not black." "black as ink, my lad," returned the lawyer, shaking his head. "'one touch of nature makes the whole world kin,' says the poet. somewhere, sometime, you had a black ancestor. one drop of black blood makes the whole man black." "why shouldn't it be the other way, if the white blood is so much superior?" inquired the lad. "because it is more convenient as it is--and more profitable." "it is not right," maintained the lad. "god bless me!" exclaimed the old gentleman, "he is invading the field of ethics! he will be questioning the righteousness of slavery next! i'm afraid you wouldn't make a good lawyer, in any event. lawyers go by the laws--they abide by the accomplished fact; to them, whatever is, is right. the laws do not permit men of color to practice law, and public sentiment would not allow one of them to study it." "i had thought," said the lad, "that i might pass for white. there are white people darker than i am." "ah, well, that is another matter; but"-the judge stopped for a moment, struck by the absurdity of his arguing such a question with a mulatto boy. he really must be falling into premature dotage. the proper thing would be to rebuke the lad for his presumption and advise him to learn to take care of horses, or make boots, or lay bricks. but again he saw his old friend in the lad's face, and again he looked in vain for any sign of negro blood. the least earmark would have turned the scale, but he could not find it. "that is another matter," he repeated. "here you have started as black, and must remain so. but if you wish to move away, and sink your past into oblivion, the case might be different. let us see what the law is; you might not need it if you went far enough, but it is well enough to be within it--liberty is sweeter when founded securely on the law." he took down a volume bound in legal calf and glanced through it. "the color line is drawn in north carolina at four generations removed from the negro; there have been judicial decisions to that effect. i imagine that would cover your case. but let us see what south carolina may say about it," he continued, taking another book. "i think the law is even more liberal there. ah, this is the place:-"'the term mulatto,'" he read, "'is not invariably applicable to every admixture of african blood with the european, nor is one having all the features of a white to be ranked with the degraded class designated by the laws of this state as persons of color, because of some remote taint of the negro race. juries would probably be justified in holding a person to be white in whom the admixture of african blood did not exceed one eighth. and even where color or feature are doubtful, it is a question for the jury to decide by reputation, by reception into society, and by their exercise of the privileges of the white man, as well as by admixture of blood.'" "then i need not be black?" the boy cried, with sparkling eyes. "no," replied the lawyer, "you need not be black, away from patesville. you have the somewhat unusual privilege, it seems, of choosing between two races, and if you are a lad of spirit, as i think you are, it will not take you long to make your choice. as you have all the features of a white man, you would, at least in south carolina, have simply to assume the place and exercise the privileges of a white man. you might, of course, do the same thing anywhere, as long as no one knew your origin. but the matter has been adjudicated there in several cases, and on the whole i think south carolina is the place for you. they're more liberal there, perhaps because they have many more blacks than whites, and would like to lessen the disproportion." "from this time on," said the boy, "i am white." "softly, softly, my caucasian fellow citizen," returned the judge, chuckling with quiet amusement. "you are white in the abstract, before the law. you may cherish the fact in secret, but i would not advise you to proclaim it openly just yet. you must wait until you go away--to south carolina." "and can i learn to be a lawyer, sir?" asked the lad. "it seems to me that you ought to be reasonably content for one day with what you have learned already. you cannot be a lawyer until you are white, in position as well as in theory, nor until you are twenty-one years old. i need an office boy. if you are willing to come into my office, sweep it, keep my books dusted, and stay here when i am out, i do not care. to the rest of the town you will be my servant, and still a negro. if you choose to read my books when no one is about and be white in your own private opinion, i have no objection. when you have made up your mind to go away, perhaps what you have read may help you. but mum 's the word! if i hear a whisper of this from any other source, out you go, neck and crop! i am willing to help you make a man of yourself, but it can only be done under the rose." for two years john walden openly swept the office and surreptitiously read the law books of old judge straight. when he was eighteen, he asked his mother for a sum of money, kissed her good-by, and went out into the world. when his sister, then a pretty child of seven, cried because her big brother was going away, he took her up in his arms, gave her a silver dime with a hole in it for a keepsake, hugged her close, and kissed her. "nev' min', sis," he said soothingly. "be a good little gal, an' some o' these days i'll come back to see you and bring you somethin' fine." in after years, when mis' molly was asked what had become of her son, she would reply with sad complacency,-"he's gone over on the other side." as we have seen, he came back ten years later. many years before, when mis' molly, then a very young woman, had taken up her residence in the house behind the cedars, the gentleman heretofore referred to had built a cabin on the opposite corner, in which he had installed a trusted slave by the name of peter fowler and his wife nancy. peter was a good mechanic, and hired his time from his master with the provision that peter and his wife should do certain work for mis' molly and serve as a sort of protection for her. in course of time peter, who was industrious and thrifty, saved enough money to purchase his freedom and that of his wife and their one child, and to buy the little house across the street, with the cooper shop behind it. after they had acquired their freedom, peter and nancy did no work for mis' molly save as they were paid for it, and as a rule preferred not to work at all for the woman who had been practically their mistress; it made them seem less free. nevertheless, the two households had remained upon good terms, even after the death of the man whose will had brought them together, and who had remained peter's patron after he had ceased to be his master. there was no intimate association between the two families. mis' molly felt herself infinitely superior to peter and his wife,--scarcely less superior than her poor white neighbors felt themselves to mis' molly. mis' molly always meant to be kind, and treated peter and nancy with a certain good-natured condescension. they resented this, never openly or offensively, but always in a subconscious sort of way, even when they did not speak of it among themselves--much as they had resented her mistress-ship in the old days. for after all, they argued, in spite of her airs and graces, her white face and her fine clothes, was she not a negro, even as themselves? and since the slaves had been freed, was not one negro as good as another? peter's son frank had grown up with little rena. he was several years older than she, and when rena was a small child mis' molly had often confided her to his care, and he had watched over her and kept her from harm. when frank became old enough to go to work in the cooper shop, rena, then six or seven, had often gone across to play among the clean white shavings. once frank, while learning the trade, had let slip a sharp steel tool, which flying toward rena had grazed her arm and sent the red blood coursing along the white flesh and soaking the muslin sleeve. he had rolled up the sleeve and stanched the blood and dried her tears. for a long time thereafter her mother kept her away from the shop and was very cold to frank. one day the little girl wandered down to the bank of the old canal. it had been raining for several days, and the water was quite deep in the channel. the child slipped and fell into the stream. from the open window of the cooper shop frank heard a scream. he ran down to the canal and pulled her out, and carried her all wet and dripping to the house. from that time he had been restored to favor. he had watched the girl grow up to womanhood in the years following the war, and had been sorry when she became too old to play about the shop. he never spoke to her of love,--indeed, he never thought of his passion in such a light. there would have been no legal barrier to their union; there would have been no frightful menace to white supremacy in the marriage of the negro and the octoroon: the drop of dark blood bridged the chasm. but frank knew that she did not love him, and had not hoped that she might. his was one of those rare souls that can give with small hope of return. when he had made the scar upon her arm, by the same token she had branded him her slave forever; when he had saved her from a watery grave, he had given his life to her. there are depths of fidelity and devotion in the negro heart that have never been fathomed or fully appreciated. now and then in the kindlier phases of slavery these qualities were brightly conspicuous, and in them, if wisely appealed to, lies the strongest hope of amity between the two races whose destiny seems bound up together in the western world. even a dumb brute can be won by kindness. surely it were worth while to try some other weapon than scorn and contumely and hard words upon people of our common race,--the human race, which is bigger and broader than celt or saxon, barbarian or greek, jew or gentile, black or white; for we are all children of a common father, forget it as we may, and each one of us is in some measure his brother's keeper. xix god made us all rena was convalescent from a two-weeks' illness when her brother came to see her. he arrived at patesville by an early morning train before the town was awake, and walked unnoticed from the station to his mother's house. his meeting with his sister was not without emotion: he embraced her tenderly, and rena became for a few minutes a very niobe of grief. "oh, it was cruel, cruel!" she sobbed. "i shall never get over it." "i know it, my dear," replied warwick soothingly,--"i know it, and i'm to blame for it. if i had never taken you away from here, you would have escaped this painful experience. but do not despair; all is not lost. tryon will not marry you, as i hoped he might, while i feared the contrary; but he is a gentleman, and will be silent. come back and try again." "no, john. i couldn't go through it a second time. i managed very well before, when i thought our secret was unknown; but now i could never be sure. it would be borne on every wind, for aught i knew, and every rustling leaf might whisper it. the law, you said, made us white; but not the law, nor even love, can conquer prejudice. he spoke of my beauty, my grace, my sweetness! i looked into his eyes and believed him. and yet he left me without a word! what would i do in clarence now? i came away engaged to be married, with even the day set; i should go back forsaken and discredited; even the servants would pity me." "little albert is pining for you," suggested warwick. "we could make some explanation that would spare your feelings." "ah, do not tempt me, john! i love the child, and am grieved to leave him. i'm grateful, too, john, for what you have done for me. i am not sorry that i tried it. it opened my eyes, and i would rather die of knowledge than live in ignorance. but i could not go through it again, john; i am not strong enough. i could do you no good; i have made you trouble enough already. get a mother for albert--mrs. newberry would marry you, secret and all, and would be good to the child. forget me, john, and take care of yourself. your friend has found you out through me--he may have told a dozen people. you think he will be silent;--i thought he loved me, and he left me without a word, and with a look that told me how he hated and despised me. i would not have believed it--even of a white man." "you do him an injustice," said her brother, producing tryon's letter. "he did not get off unscathed. he sent you a message." she turned her face away, but listened while he read the letter. "he did not love me," she cried angrily, when he had finished, "or he would not have cast me off--he would not have looked at me so. the law would have let him marry me. i seemed as white as he did. he might have gone anywhere with me, and no one would have stared at us curiously; no one need have known. the world is wide--there must be some place where a man could live happily with the woman he loved." "yes, rena, there is; and the world is wide enough for you to get along without tryon." "for a day or two," she went on, "i hoped he might come back. but his expression in that awful moment grew upon me, haunted me day and night, until i shuddered at the thought that i might ever see him again. he looked at me as though i were not even a human being. i do not love him any longer, john; i would not marry him if i were white, or he were as i am. he did not love me--or he would have acted differently. he might have loved me and have left me--he could not have loved me and have looked at me so!" she was weeping hysterically. there was little he could say to comfort her. presently she dried her tears. warwick was reluctant to leave her in patesville. her childish happiness had been that of ignorance; she could never be happy there again. she had flowered in the sunlight; she must not pine away in the shade. "if you won't come back with me, rena, i'll send you to some school at the north, where you can acquire a liberal education, and prepare yourself for some career of usefulness. you may marry a better man than even tryon." "no," she replied firmly, "i shall never marry any man, and i'll not leave mother again. god is against it; i'll stay with my own people." "god has nothing to do with it," retorted warwick. "god is too often a convenient stalking-horse for human selfishness. if there is anything to be done, so unjust, so despicable, so wicked that human reason revolts at it, there is always some smug hypocrite to exclaim, 'it is the will of god.'" "god made us all," continued rena dreamily, "and for some good purpose, though we may not always see it. he made some people white, and strong, and masterful, and--heartless. he made others black and homely, and poor and weak"-"and a lot of others 'poor white' and shiftless," smiled warwick. "he made us, too," continued rena, intent upon her own thought, "and he must have had a reason for it. perhaps he meant us to bring the others together in his own good time. a man may make a new place for himself--a woman is born and bound to hers. god must have meant me to stay here, or he would not have sent me back. i shall accept things as they are. why should i seek the society of people whose friendship--and love--one little word can turn to scorn? i was right, john; i ought to have told him. suppose he had married me and then had found it out?" to rena's argument of divine foreordination warwick attached no weight whatever. he had seen god's heel planted for four long years upon the land which had nourished slavery. had god ordained the crime that the punishment might follow? it would have been easier for omnipotence to prevent the crime. the experience of his sister had stirred up a certain bitterness against white people--a feeling which he had put aside years ago, with his dark blood, but which sprang anew into life when the fact of his own origin was brought home to him so forcibly through his sister's misfortune. his sworn friend and promised brother-in-law had thrown him over promptly, upon the discovery of the hidden drop of dark blood. how many others of his friends would do the same, if they but knew of it? he had begun to feel a little of the spiritual estrangement from his associates that he had noticed in rena during her life at clarence. the fact that several persons knew his secret had spoiled the fine flavor of perfect security hitherto marking his position. george tryon was a man of honor among white men, and had deigned to extend the protection of his honor to warwick as a man, though no longer as a friend; to rena as a woman, but not as a wife. tryon, however, was only human, and who could tell when their paths in life might cross again, or what future temptation tryon might feel to use a damaging secret to their disadvantage? warwick had cherished certain ambitions, but these he must now put behind him. in the obscurity of private life, his past would be of little moment; in the glare of a political career, one's antecedents are public property, and too great a reserve in regard to one's past is regarded as a confession of something discreditable. frank, too, knew the secret--a good, faithful fellow, even where there was no obligation of fidelity; he ought to do something for frank to show their appreciation of his conduct. but what assurance was there that frank would always be discreet about the affairs of others? judge straight knew the whole story, and old men are sometimes garrulous. dr. green suspected the secret; he had a wife and daughters. if old judge straight could have known warwick's thoughts, he would have realized the fulfillment of his prophecy. warwick, who had builded so well for himself, had weakened the structure of his own life by trying to share his good fortune with his sister. "listen, rena," he said, with a sudden impulse, "we'll go to the north or west--i'll go with you--far away from the south and the southern people, and start life over again. it will be easier for you, it will not be hard for me--i am young, and have means. there are no strong ties to bind me to the south. i would have a larger outlook elsewhere." "and what about our mother?" asked rena. it would be necessary to leave her behind, they both perceived clearly enough, unless they were prepared to surrender the advantage of their whiteness and drop back to the lower rank. the mother bore the mark of the ethiopian--not pronouncedly, but distinctly; neither would mis' molly, in all probability, care to leave home and friends and the graves of her loved ones. she had no mental resources to supply the place of these; she was, moreover, too old to be transplanted; she would not fit into warwick's scheme for a new life. "i left her once," said rena, "and it brought pain and sorrow to all three of us. she is not strong, and i will not leave her here to die alone. this shall be my home while she lives, and if i leave it again, it shall be for only a short time, to go where i can write to her freely, and hear from her often. don't worry about me, john,--i shall do very well." warwick sighed. he was sincerely sorry to leave his sister, and yet he saw that for the time being her resolution was not to be shaken. he must bide his time. perhaps, in a few months, she would tire of the old life. his door would be always open to her, and he would charge himself with her future. "well, then," he said, concluding the argument, "we'll say no more about it for the present. i'll write to you later. i was afraid that you might not care to go back just now, and so i brought your trunk along with me." he gave his mother the baggage-check. she took it across to frank, who, during the day, brought the trunk from the depot. mis' molly offered to pay him for the service, but he would accept nothing. "lawd, no, mis' molly; i did n' hafter go out'n my way ter git dat trunk. i had a load er sperrit-bairls ter haul ter de still, an' de depot wuz right on my way back. it'd be robbin' you ter take pay fer a little thing lack dat." "my son john's here," said mis' molly "an' he wants to see you. come into the settin'-room. we don't want folks to know he's in town; but you know all our secrets, an' we can trust you like one er the family." "i'm glad to see you again, frank," said warwick, extending his hand and clasping frank's warmly. "you've grown up since i saw you last, but it seems you are still our good friend." "our very good friend," interjected rena. frank threw her a grateful glance. "yas, suh," he said, looking warwick over with a friendly eye, "an' you is growed some, too. i seed you, you know, down dere where you live; but i did n' let on, fer you an' mis' rena wuz w'ite as anybody; an' eve'ybody said you wuz good ter cullud folks, an' he'ped 'em in deir lawsuits an' one way er 'nuther, an' i wuz jes' plum' glad ter see you gettin' 'long so fine, dat i wuz, certain sho', an' no mistake about it." "thank you, frank, and i want you to understand how much i appreciate"-"how much we all appreciate," corrected rena. "yes, how much we all appreciate, and how grateful we all are for your kindness to mother for so many years. i know from her and from my sister how good you've been to them." "lawd, suh!" returned frank deprecatingly, "you're makin' a mountain out'n a molehill. i ain't done nuthin' ter speak of--not half ez much ez i would 'a' done. i wuz glad ter do w'at little i could, fer frien'ship's sake." "we value your friendship, frank, and we'll not forget it." "no, frank," added rena, "we will never forget it, and you shall always be our good friend." frank left the room and crossed the street with swelling heart. he would have given his life for rena. a kind word was doubly sweet from her lips; no service would be too great to pay for her friendship. when frank went out to the stable next morning to feed his mule, his eyes opened wide with astonishment. in place of the decrepit, one-eyed army mule he had put up the night before, a fat, sleek specimen of vigorous mulehood greeted his arrival with the sonorous hehaw of lusty youth. hanging on a peg near by was a set of fine new harness, and standing under the adjoining shed, as he perceived, a handsome new cart. "well, well!" exclaimed frank; "ef i did n' mos' know whar dis mule, an' dis kyart, an' dis harness come from, i'd 'low dere 'd be'n witcheraf' er cunjin' wukkin' here. but, oh my, dat is a fine mule!--i mos' wush i could keep 'im." he crossed the road to the house behind the cedars, and found mis' molly in the kitchen. "mis' molly," he protested, "i ain't done nuthin' ter deserve dat mule. w'at little i done fer you wa'n't done fer pay. i'd ruther not keep dem things." "fer goodness' sake, frank!" exclaimed his neighbor, with a well-simulated air of mystification, "what are you talkin' about?" "you knows w'at i'm talkin' about, mis' molly; you knows well ernuff i'm talkin' about dat fine mule an' kyart an' harness over dere in my stable." "how should i know anything about 'em?" she asked. "now, mis' molly! you folks is jes' tryin' ter fool me, an' make me take somethin' fer nuthin'. i lef' my ole mule an' kyart an' harness in de stable las' night, an' dis mawnin' dey 're gone, an' new ones in deir place. co'se you knows whar dey come from!" "well, now, frank, sence you mention it, i did see a witch flyin' roun' here las' night on a broom-stick, an' it 'peared ter me she lit on yo'r barn, an' i s'pose she turned yo'r old things into new ones. i wouldn't bother my mind about it if i was you, for she may turn 'em back any night, you know; an' you might as well have the use of 'em in the mean while." "dat's all foolishness, mis' molly, an' i'm gwine ter fetch dat mule right over here an' tell yo' son ter gimme my ole one back." "my son's gone," she replied, "an' i don't know nothin' about yo'r old mule. and what would i do with a mule, anyhow? i ain't got no barn to put him in." "i suspect you don't care much for us after all, frank," said rena reproachfully--she had come in while they were talking. "you meet with a piece of good luck, and you're afraid of it, lest it might have come from us." "now, miss rena, you oughtn't ter say dat," expostulated frank, his reluctance yielding immediately. "i'll keep de mule an' de kyart an' de harness--fac', i'll have ter keep 'em, 'cause i ain't got no others. but dey 're gwine ter be yo'n ez much ez mine. w'enever you wants anything hauled, er wants yo' lot ploughed, er anything--dat's yo' mule, an' i'm yo' man an' yo' mammy's." so frank went back to the stable, where he feasted his eyes on his new possessions, fed and watered the mule, and curried and brushed his coat until it shone like a looking-glass. "now dat," remarked peter, at the breakfast-table, when informed of the transaction, "is somethin' lack rale w'ite folks." no real white person had ever given peter a mule or a cart. he had rendered one of them unpaid service for half a lifetime, and had paid for the other half; and some of them owed him substantial sums for work performed. but "to him that hath shall be given"--warwick paid for the mule, and the real white folks got most of the credit. xx digging up roots when the first great shock of his discovery wore off, the fact of rena's origin lost to tryon some of its initial repugnance--indeed, the repugnance was not to the woman at all, as their past relations were evidence, but merely to the thought of her as a wife. it could hardly have failed to occur to so reasonable a man as tryon that rena's case could scarcely be unique. surely in the past centuries of free manners and easy morals that had prevailed in remote parts of the south, there must have been many white persons whose origin would not have borne too microscopic an investigation. family trees not seldom have a crooked branch; or, to use a more apposite figure, many a flock has its black sheep. being a man of lively imagination, tryon soon found himself putting all sorts of hypothetical questions about a matter which he had already definitely determined. if he had married rena in ignorance of her secret, and had learned it afterwards, would he have put her aside? if, knowing her history, he had nevertheless married her, and she had subsequently displayed some trait of character that would suggest the negro, could he have forgotten or forgiven the taint? could he still have held her in love and honor? if not, could he have given her the outward seeming of affection, or could he have been more than coldly tolerant? he was glad that he had been spared this ordeal. with an effort he put the whole matter definitely and conclusively aside, as he had done a hundred times already. returning to his home, after an absence of several months in south carolina, it was quite apparent to his mother's watchful eye that he was in serious trouble. he was absent-minded, monosyllabic, sighed deeply and often, and could not always conceal the traces of secret tears. for tryon was young, and possessed of a sensitive soul--a source of happiness or misery, as the fates decree. to those thus dowered, the heights of rapture are accessible, the abysses of despair yawn threateningly; only the dull monotony of contentment is denied. mrs. tryon vainly sought by every gentle art a woman knows to win her son's confidence. "what is the matter, george, dear?" she would ask, stroking his hot brow with her small, cool hand as he sat moodily nursing his grief. "tell your mother, george. who else could comfort you so well as she?" "oh, it's nothing, mother,--nothing at all," he would reply, with a forced attempt at lightness. "it's only your fond imagination, you best of mothers." it was mrs. tryon's turn to sigh and shed a clandestine tear. until her son had gone away on this trip to south carolina, he had kept no secrets from her: his heart had been an open book, of which she knew every page; now, some painful story was inscribed therein which he meant she should not read. if she could have abdicated her empire to blanche leary or have shared it with her, she would have yielded gracefully; but very palpably some other influence than blanche's had driven joy from her son's countenance and lightness from his heart. miss blanche leary, whom tryon found in the house upon his return, was a demure, pretty little blonde, with an amiable disposition, a talent for society, and a pronounced fondness for george tryon. a poor girl, of an excellent family impoverished by the war, she was distantly related to mrs. tryon, had for a long time enjoyed that lady's favor, and was her choice for george's wife when he should be old enough to marry. a woman less interested than miss leary would have perceived that there was something wrong with tryon. miss leary had no doubt that there was a woman at the bottom of it,--for about what else should youth worry but love? or if one's love affairs run smoothly, why should one worry about anything at all? miss leary, in the nineteen years of her mundane existence, had not been without mild experiences of the heart, and had hovered for some time on the verge of disappointment with respect to tryon himself. a sensitive pride would have driven more than one woman away at the sight of the man of her preference sighing like a furnace for some absent fair one. but mrs. tryon was so cordial, and insisted so strenuously upon her remaining, that blanche's love, which was strong, conquered her pride, which was no more than a reasonable young woman ought to have who sets success above mere sentiment. she remained in the house and bided her opportunity. if george practically ignored her for a time, she did not throw herself at all in his way. she went on a visit to some girls in the neighborhood and remained away a week, hoping that she might be missed. tryon expressed no regret at her departure and no particular satisfaction upon her return. if the house was duller in her absence, he was but dimly conscious of the difference. he was still fighting a battle in which a susceptible heart and a reasonable mind had locked horns in a well-nigh hopeless conflict. reason, common-sense, the instinctive ready-made judgments of his training and environment,--the deep-seated prejudices of race and caste,--commanded him to dismiss rena from his thoughts. his stubborn heart simply would not let go. xxi a gilded opportunity although the whole fabric of rena's new life toppled and fell with her lover's defection, her sympathies, broadened by culture and still more by her recent emotional experience, did not shrink, as would have been the case with a more selfish soul, to the mere limits of her personal sorrow, great as this seemed at the moment. she had learned to love, and when the love of one man failed her, she turned to humanity, as a stream obstructed in its course overflows the adjacent country. her early training had not directed her thoughts to the darker people with whose fate her own was bound up so closely, but rather away from them. she had been taught to despise them because they were not so white as she was, and had been slaves while she was free. her life in her brother's home, by removing her from immediate contact with them, had given her a different point of view,--one which emphasized their shortcomings, and thereby made vastly clearer to her the gulf that separated them from the new world in which she lived; so that when misfortune threw her back upon them, the reaction brought her nearer than before. where once she had seemed able to escape from them, they were now, it appeared, her inalienable race. thus doubly equipped, she was able to view them at once with the mental eye of an outsider and the sympathy of a sister: she could see their faults, and judge them charitably; she knew and appreciated their good qualities. with her quickened intelligence she could perceive how great was their need and how small their opportunity; and with this illumination came the desire to contribute to their help. she had not the breadth or culture to see in all its ramifications the great problem which still puzzles statesmen and philosophers; but she was conscious of the wish, and of the power, in a small way, to do something for the advancement of those who had just set their feet upon the ladder of progress. this new-born desire to be of service to her rediscovered people was not long without an opportunity for expression. yet the fates willed that her future should be but another link in a connected chain: she was to be as powerless to put aside her recent past as she had been to escape from the influence of her earlier life. there are sordid souls that eat and drink and breed and die, and imagine they have lived. but rena's life since her great awakening had been that of the emotions, and her temperament made of it a continuous life. her successive states of consciousness were not detachable, but united to form a single if not an entirely harmonious whole. to her sensitive spirit to-day was born of yesterday, to-morrow would be but the offspring of to day. one day, along toward noon, her mother received a visit from mary b. pettifoot, a second cousin, who lived on back street, only a short distance from the house behind the cedars. rena had gone out, so that the visitor found mis' molly alone. "i heared you say, cousin molly," said mary b. (no one ever knew what the b. in mary's name stood for,--it was a mere ornamental flourish), "that rena was talkin' 'bout teachin' school. i've got a good chance fer her, ef she keers ter take it. my cousin jeff wain 'rived in town this mo'nin', f'm 'way down in sampson county, ter git a teacher fer the nigger school in his deestric'. i s'pose he mought 'a' got one f'm 'roun' newbern, er goldsboro, er some er them places eas', but he 'lowed he'd like to visit some er his kin an' ole frien's, an' so kill two birds with one stone." "i seed a strange mulatter man, with a bay hoss an' a new buggy, drivin' by here this mo'nin' early, from down to'ds the river," rejoined mis' molly. "i wonder if that wuz him?" "did he have on a linen duster?" asked mary b. "yas, an' 'peared to be a very well sot up man," replied mis' molly, "'bout thirty-five years old, i should reckon." "that wuz him," assented mary b. "he's got a fine hoss an' buggy, an' a gol' watch an' chain, an' a big plantation, an' lots er hosses an' mules an' cows an' hawgs. he raise' fifty bales er cotton las' year, an' he's be'n ter the legislatur'." "my gracious!" exclaimed mis' molly, struck with awe at this catalogue of the stranger's possessions--he was evidently worth more than a great many "rich" white people,--all white people in north carolina in those days were either "rich" or "poor," the distinction being one of caste rather than of wealth. "is he married?" she inquired with interest? "no,--single. you mought 'low it was quare that he should n' be married at his age; but he was crossed in love oncet,"--mary b. heaved a self-conscious sigh,--"an' has stayed single ever sence. that wuz ten years ago, but as some husban's is long-lived, an' there ain' no mo' chance fer 'im now than there wuz then, i reckon some nice gal mought stan' a good show er ketchin' 'im, ef she'd play her kyards right." to mis' molly this was news of considerable importance. she had not thought a great deal of rena's plan to teach; she considered it lowering for rena, after having been white, to go among the negroes any more than was unavoidable. this opportunity, however, meant more than mere employment for her daughter. she had felt rena's disappointment keenly, from the practical point of view, and, blaming herself for it, held herself all the more bound to retrieve the misfortune in any possible way. if she had not been sick, rena would not have dreamed the fateful dream that had brought her to patesville; for the connection between the vision and the reality was even closer in mis' molly's eyes than in rena's. if the mother had not sent the letter announcing her illness and confirming the dream, rena would not have ruined her promising future by coming to patesville. but the harm had been done, and she was responsible, ignorantly of course, but none the less truly, and it only remained for her to make amends, as far as possible. her highest ambition, since rena had grown up, had been to see her married and comfortably settled in life. she had no hope that tryon would come back. rena had declared that she would make no further effort to get away from her people; and, furthermore, that she would never marry. to this latter statement mis' molly secretly attached but little importance. that a woman should go single from the cradle to the grave did not accord with her experience in life of the customs of north carolina. she respected a grief she could not entirely fathom, yet did not for a moment believe that rena would remain unmarried. "you'd better fetch him roun' to see me, ma'y b.," she said, "an' let's see what he looks like. i'm pertic'lar 'bout my gal. she says she ain't goin' to marry nobody; but of co'se we know that's all foolishness." "i'll fetch him roun' this evenin' 'bout three o'clock," said the visitor, rising. "i mus' hurry back now an' keep him comp'ny. tell rena ter put on her bes' bib an' tucker; for mr. wain is pertic'lar too, an' i've already be'n braggin' 'bout her looks." when mary b., at the appointed hour, knocked at mis' molly's front door,--the visit being one of ceremony, she had taken her cousin round to the front street entrance and through the flower garden,--mis' molly was prepared to receive them. after a decent interval, long enough to suggest that she had not been watching their approach and was not over-eager about the visit, she answered the knock and admitted them into the parlor. mr. wain was formally introduced, and seated himself on the ancient haircloth sofa, under the framed fashion-plate, while mary b. sat by the open door and fanned herself with a palm-leaf fan. mis' molly's impression of wain was favorable. his complexion was of a light brown--not quite so fair as mis' molly would have preferred; but any deficiency in this regard, or in the matter of the stranger's features, which, while not unpleasing, leaned toward the broad mulatto type, was more than compensated in her eyes by very straight black hair, and, as soon appeared, a great facility of complimentary speech. on his introduction mr. wain bowed low, assumed an air of great admiration, and expressed his extreme delight in making the acquaintance of so distinguished-looking a lady. "you're flatt'rin' me, mr. wain," returned mis' molly, with a gratified smile. "but you want to meet my daughter befo' you commence th'owin' bokays. excuse my leavin' you--i'll go an' fetch her." she returned in a moment, followed by rena. "mr. wain, 'low me to int'oduce you to my daughter rena. rena, this is ma'y b.'s cousin on her pappy's side, who's come up from sampson to git a school-teacher." rena bowed gracefully. wain stared a moment in genuine astonishment, and then bent himself nearly double, keeping his eyes fixed meanwhile upon rena's face. he had expected to see a pretty yellow girl, but had been prepared for no such radiant vision of beauty as this which now confronted him. "does--does you mean ter say, mis' walden, dat--dat dis young lady is yo' own daughter?" he stammered, rallying his forces for action. "why not, mr. wain?" asked mis' molly, bridling with mock resentment. "do you mean ter 'low that she wuz changed in her cradle, er is she too good-lookin' to be my daughter?" "my deah mis' walden! it 'ud be wastin' wo'ds fer me ter say dat dey ain' no young lady too good-lookin' ter be yo' daughter; but you're lookin' so young yo'sef dat i'd ruther take her fer yo' sister." "yas," rejoined mis' molly, with animation, "they ain't many years between us. i wuz ruther young myself when she wuz bo'n." "an', mo'over," wain went on, "it takes me a minute er so ter git my min' use' ter thinkin' er mis' rena as a cullud young lady. i mought 'a' seed her a hund'ed times, an' i'd 'a' never dreamt but w'at she wuz a w'ite young lady, f'm one er de bes' families." "yas, mr. wain," replied mis' molly complacently, "all three er my child'en wuz white, an' one of 'em has be'n on the other side fer many long years. rena has be'n to school, an' has traveled, an' has had chances--better chances than anybody roun' here knows." "she's jes' de lady i'm lookin' fer, ter teach ou' school," rejoined wain, with emphasis. "wid her schoolin' an' my riccommen', she kin git a fus'-class ce'tifikit an' draw fo'ty dollars a month; an' a lady er her color kin keep a lot er little niggers straighter 'n a darker lady could. we jus' got ter have her ter teach ou' school--ef we kin git her." rena's interest in the prospect of employment at her chosen work was so great that she paid little attention to wain's compliments. mis' molly led mary b. away to the kitchen on some pretext, and left rena to entertain the gentleman. she questioned him eagerly about the school, and he gave the most glowing accounts of the elegant school-house, the bright pupils, and the congenial society of the neighborhood. he spoke almost entirely in superlatives, and, after making due allowance for what rena perceived to be a temperamental tendency to exaggeration, she concluded that she would find in the school a worthy field of usefulness, and in this polite and good-natured though somewhat wordy man a coadjutor upon whom she could rely in her first efforts; for she was not over-confident of her powers, which seemed to grow less as the way opened for their exercise. "do you think i'm competent to teach the school?" she asked of the visitor, after stating some of her qualifications. "oh, dere 's no doubt about it, miss rena," replied wain, who had listened with an air of great wisdom, though secretly aware that he was too ignorant of letters to form a judgment; "you kin teach de school all right, an' could ef you didn't know half ez much. you won't have no trouble managin' de child'en, nuther. ef any of 'em gits onruly, jes' call on me fer he'p, an' i'll make 'em walk spanish. i'm chuhman er de school committee, an' i'll lam de hide off'n any scholar dat don' behave. you kin trus' me fer dat, sho' ez i'm a-settin' here." "then," said rena, "i'll undertake it, and do my best. i'm sure you'll not be too exacting." "yo' bes', miss rena,'ll be de bes' dey is. don' you worry ner fret. dem niggers won't have no other teacher after dey've once laid eyes on you: i'll guarantee dat. dere won't be no trouble, not a bit." "well, cousin molly," said mary b. to mis' molly in the kitchen, "how does the plan strike you?" "ef rena's satisfied, i am," replied mis' molly. "but you'd better say nothin' about ketchin' a beau, or any such foolishness, er else she'd be just as likely not to go nigh sampson county." "befo' cousin jeff goes back," confided mary b., "i'd like ter give 'im a party, but my house is too small. i wuz wonderin'," she added tentatively, "ef i could n' borry yo' house." "shorely, ma'y b. i'm int'rested in mr. wain on rena's account, an' it's as little as i kin do to let you use my house an' help you git things ready." the date of the party was set for thursday night, as wain was to leave patesville on friday morning, taking with him the new teacher. the party would serve the double purpose of a compliment to the guest and a farewell to rena, and it might prove the precursor, the mother secretly hoped, of other festivities to follow at some later date. xxii imperative business one wednesday morning, about six weeks after his return home, tryon received a letter from judge straight with reference to the note left with him at patesville for collection. this communication properly required an answer, which might have been made in writing within the compass of ten lines. no sooner, however, had tryon read the letter than he began to perceive reasons why it should be answered in person. he had left patesville under extremely painful circumstances, vowing that he would never return; and yet now the barest pretext, by which no one could have been deceived except willingly, was sufficient to turn his footsteps thither again. he explained to his mother--with a vagueness which she found somewhat puzzling, but ascribed to her own feminine obtuseness in matters of business--the reasons that imperatively demanded his presence in patesville. with an early start he could drive there in one day,--he had an excellent roadster, a light buggy, and a recent rain had left the road in good condition,--a day would suffice for the transaction of his business, and the third day would bring him home again. he set out on his journey on thursday morning, with this programme very clearly outlined. tryon would not at first have admitted even to himself that rena's presence in patesville had any bearing whatever upon his projected visit. the matter about which judge straight had written might, it was clear, be viewed in several aspects. the judge had written him concerning the one of immediate importance. it would be much easier to discuss the subject in all its bearings, and clean up the whole matter, in one comprehensive personal interview. the importance of this business, then, seemed very urgent for the first few hours of tryon's journey. ordinarily a careful driver and merciful to his beast, his eagerness to reach patesville increased gradually until it became necessary to exercise some self-restraint in order not to urge his faithful mare beyond her powers; and soon he could no longer pretend obliviousness of the fact that some attraction stronger than the whole amount of duncan mcswayne's note was urging him irresistibly toward his destination. the old town beyond the distant river, his heart told him clamorously, held the object in all the world to him most dear. memory brought up in vivid detail every moment of his brief and joyous courtship, each tender word, each enchanting smile, every fond caress. he lived his past happiness over again down to the moment of that fatal discovery. what horrible fate was it that had involved him--nay, that had caught this sweet delicate girl in such a blind alley? a wild hope flashed across his mind: perhaps the ghastly story might not be true; perhaps, after all, the girl was no more a negro than she seemed. he had heard sad stories of white children, born out of wedlock, abandoned by sinful parents to the care or adoption of colored women, who had reared them as their own, the children's future basely sacrificed to hide the parents' shame. he would confront this reputed mother of his darling and wring the truth from her. he was in a state of mind where any sort of a fairy tale would have seemed reasonable. he would almost have bribed some one to tell him that the woman he had loved, the woman he still loved (he felt a thrill of lawless pleasure in the confession), was not the descendant of slaves,--that he might marry her, and not have before his eyes the gruesome fear that some one of their children might show even the faintest mark of the despised race. at noon he halted at a convenient hamlet, fed and watered his mare, and resumed his journey after an hour's rest. by this time he had well-nigh forgotten about the legal business that formed the ostensible occasion for his journey, and was conscious only of a wild desire to see the woman whose image was beckoning him on to patesville as fast as his horse could take him. at sundown he stopped again, about ten miles from the town, and cared for his now tired beast. he knew her capacity, however, and calculated that she could stand the additional ten miles without injury. the mare set out with reluctance, but soon settled resignedly down into a steady jog. memory had hitherto assailed tryon with the vision of past joys. as he neared the town, imagination attacked him with still more moving images. he had left her, this sweet flower of womankind--white or not, god had never made a fairer!--he had seen her fall to the hard pavement, with he knew not what resulting injury. he had left her tender frame--the touch of her finger-tips had made him thrill with happiness--to be lifted by strange hands, while he with heartless pride had driven deliberately away, without a word of sorrow or regret. he had ignored her as completely as though she had never existed. that he had been deceived was true. but had he not aided in his own deception? had not warwick told him distinctly that they were of no family, and was it not his own fault that he had not followed up the clue thus given him? had not rena compared herself to the child's nurse, and had he not assured her that if she were the nurse, he would marry her next day? the deception had been due more to his own blindness than to any lack of honesty on the part of rena and her brother. in the light of his present feelings they seemed to have been absurdly outspoken. he was glad that he had kept his discovery to himself. he had considered himself very magnanimous not to have exposed the fraud that was being perpetrated upon society: it was with a very comfortable feeling that he now realized that the matter was as profound a secret as before. "she ought to have been born white," he muttered, adding weakly, "i would to god that i had never found her out!" drawing near the bridge that crossed the river to the town, he pictured to himself a pale girl, with sorrowful, tear-stained eyes, pining away in the old gray house behind the cedars for love of him, dying, perhaps, of a broken heart. he would hasten to her; he would dry her tears with kisses; he would express sorrow for his cruelty. the tired mare had crossed the bridge and was slowly toiling up front street; she was near the limit of her endurance, and tryon did not urge her. they might talk the matter over, and if they must part, part at least they would in peace and friendship. if he could not marry her, he would never marry any one else; it would be cruel for him to seek happiness while she was denied it, for, having once given her heart to him, she could never, he was sure,--so instinctively fine was her nature,--she could never love any one less worthy than himself, and would therefore probably never marry. he knew from a clarence acquaintance, who had written him a letter, that rena had not reappeared in that town. if he should discover--the chance was one in a thousand--that she was white; or if he should find it too hard to leave her--ah, well! he was a white man, one of a race born to command. he would make her white; no one beyond the old town would ever know the difference. if, perchance, their secret should be disclosed, the world was wide; a man of courage and ambition, inspired by love, might make a career anywhere. circumstances made weak men; strong men mould circumstances to do their bidding. he would not let his darling die of grief, whatever the price must be paid for her salvation. she was only a few rods away from him now. in a moment he would see her; he would take her tenderly in his arms, and heart to heart they would mutually forgive and forget, and, strengthened by their love, would face the future boldly and bid the world do its worst. xxiii the guest of honor the evening of the party arrived. the house had been thoroughly cleaned in preparation for the event, and decorated with the choicest treasures of the garden. by eight o'clock the guests had gathered. they were all mulattoes,--all people of mixed blood were called "mulattoes" in north carolina. there were dark mulattoes and bright mulattoes. mis' molly's guests were mostly of the bright class, most of them more than half white, and few of them less. in mis' molly's small circle, straight hair was the only palliative of a dark complexion. many of the guests would not have been casually distinguishable from white people of the poorer class. others bore unmistakable traces of indian ancestry,--for cherokee and tuscarora blood was quite widely diffused among the free negroes of north carolina, though well-nigh lost sight of by the curious custom of the white people to ignore anything but the negro blood in those who were touched by its potent current. very few of those present had been slaves. the free colored people of patesville were numerous enough before the war to have their own "society," and human enough to despise those who did not possess advantages equal to their own; and at this time they still looked down upon those who had once been held in bondage. the only black man present occupied a chair which stood on a broad chest in one corner, and extracted melody from a fiddle to which a whole generation of the best people of patesville had danced and made merry. uncle needham seldom played for colored gatherings, but made an exception in mis' molly's case; she was not white, but he knew her past; if she was not the rose, she had at least been near the rose. when the company had gathered, mary b., as mistress of ceremonies, whispered to uncle needham, who tapped his violin sharply with the bow. "ladies an' gent'emens, take yo' pa'dners fer a fuhginny reel!" mr. wain, as the guest of honor, opened the ball with his hostess. he wore a broadcloth coat and trousers, a heavy glittering chain across the spacious front of his white waistcoat, and a large red rose in his buttonhole. if his boots were slightly run down at the heel, so trivial a detail passed unnoticed in the general splendor of his attire. upon a close or hostile inspection there would have been some features of his ostensibly good-natured face--the shifty eye, the full and slightly drooping lower lip--which might have given a student of physiognomy food for reflection. but whatever the latent defects of wain's character, he proved himself this evening a model of geniality, presuming not at all upon his reputed wealth, but winning golden opinions from those who came to criticise, of whom, of course, there were a few, the company being composed of human beings. when the dance began, wain extended his large, soft hand to mary b., yellow, buxom, thirty, with white and even teeth glistening behind her full red lips. a younger sister of mary b.'s was paired with billy oxendine, a funny little tailor, a great gossip, and therefore a favorite among the women. mis' molly graciously consented, after many protestations of lack of skill and want of practice, to stand up opposite homer pettifoot, mary b.'s husband, a tall man, with a slight stoop, a bald crown, and full, dreamy eyes,--a man of much imagination and a large fund of anecdote. two other couples completed the set; others were restrained by bashfulness or religious scruples, which did not yield until later in the evening. the perfumed air from the garden without and the cut roses within mingled incongruously with the alien odors of musk and hair oil, of which several young barbers in the company were especially redolent. there was a play of sparkling eyes and glancing feet. mary b. danced with the languorous grace of an eastern odalisque, mis' molly with the mincing, hesitating step of one long out of practice. wain performed saltatory prodigies. this was a golden opportunity for the display in which his soul found delight. he introduced variations hitherto unknown to the dance. his skill and suppleness brought a glow of admiration into the eyes of the women, and spread a cloud of jealousy over the faces of several of the younger men, who saw themselves eclipsed. rena had announced in advance her intention to take no active part in the festivities. "i don't feel like dancing, mamma--i shall never dance again." "well, now, rena," answered her mother, "of co'se you're too dignified, sence you've be'n 'sociatin' with white folks, to be hoppin' roun' an' kickin' up like ma'y b. an' these other yaller gals; but of co'se, too, you can't slight the comp'ny entirely, even ef it ain't jest exac'ly our party,--you'll have to pay 'em some little attention, 'specially mr. wain, sence you're goin' down yonder with 'im." rena conscientiously did what she thought politeness required. she went the round of the guests in the early part of the evening and exchanged greetings with them. to several requests for dances she replied that she was not dancing. she did not hold herself aloof because of pride; any instinctive shrinking she might have felt by reason of her recent association with persons of greater refinement was offset by her still more newly awakened zeal for humanity; they were her people, she must not despise them. but the occasion suggested painful memories of other and different scenes in which she had lately participated. once or twice these memories were so vivid as almost to overpower her. she slipped away from the company, and kept in the background as much as possible without seeming to slight any one. the guests as well were dimly conscious of a slight barrier between mis' molly's daughter and themselves. the time she had spent apart from these friends of her youth had rendered it impossible for her ever to meet them again upon the plane of common interests and common thoughts. it was much as though one, having acquired the vernacular of his native country, had lived in a foreign land long enough to lose the language of his childhood without acquiring fully that of his adopted country. miss rowena warwick could never again become quite the rena walden who had left the house behind the cedars no more than a year and a half before. upon this very difference were based her noble aspirations for usefulness,--one must stoop in order that one may lift others. any other young woman present would have been importuned beyond her powers of resistance. rena's reserve was respected. when supper was announced, somewhat early in the evening, the dancers found seats in the hall or on the front piazza. aunt zilphy, assisted by mis' molly and mary b., passed around the refreshments, which consisted of fried chicken, buttered biscuits, pound-cake, and eggnog. when the first edge of appetite was taken off, the conversation waxed animated. homer pettifoot related, with minute detail, an old, threadbare hunting lie, dating, in slightly differing forms, from the age of nimrod, about finding twenty-five partridges sitting in a row on a rail, and killing them all with a single buckshot, which passed through twenty-four and lodged in the body of the twenty-fifth, from which it was extracted and returned to the shot pouch for future service. this story was followed by a murmur of incredulity--of course, the thing was possible, but homer's faculty for exaggeration was so well known that any statement of his was viewed with suspicion. homer seemed hurt at this lack of faith, and was disposed to argue the point, but the sonorous voice of mr. wain on the other side of the room cut short his protestations, in much the same way that the rising sun extinguishes the light of lesser luminaries. "i wuz a member er de fus' legislatur' after de wah," wain was saying. "when i went up f'm sampson in de fall, i had to pass th'ough smithfiel', i got in town in de afternoon, an' put up at de bes' hotel. de lan'lo'd did n' have no s'picion but what i wuz a white man, an' he gimme a room, an' i had supper an' breakfas', an' went on ter rolly nex' mornin'. w'en de session wuz over, i come along back, an' w'en i got ter smithfiel', i driv' up ter de same hotel. i noticed, as soon as i got dere, dat de place had run down consid'able--dere wuz weeds growin' in de yard, de winders wuz dirty, an' ev'ything roun' dere looked kinder lonesome an' shif'less. de lan'lo'd met me at de do'; he looked mighty down in de mouth, an' sezee:-"'look a-here, w'at made you come an' stop at my place widout tellin' me you wuz a black man? befo' you come th'ough dis town i had a fus'-class business. but w'en folks found out dat a nigger had put up here, business drapped right off, an' i've had ter shet up my hotel. you oughter be 'shamed er yo'se'f fer ruinin' a po' man w'at had n' never done no harm ter you. you've done a mean, low-lived thing, an' a jes' god'll punish you fer it.' "de po' man acshully bust inter tears," continued mr. wain magnanimously, "an' i felt so sorry fer 'im--he wuz a po' white man tryin' ter git up in de worl'--dat i hauled out my purse an' gin 'im ten dollars, an' he 'peared monst'ous glad ter git it." "how good-hearted! how kin'!" murmured the ladies. "it done credit to yo' feelin's." "don't b'lieve a word er dem lies," muttered one young man to another sarcastically. "he could n' pass fer white, 'less'n it wuz a mighty dark night." upon this glorious evening of his life, mr. jefferson wain had one distinctly hostile critic, of whose presence he was blissfully unconscious. frank fowler had not been invited to the party,--his family did not go with mary b.'s set. rena had suggested to her mother that he be invited, but mis' molly had demurred on the ground that it was not her party, and that she had no right to issue invitations. it is quite likely that she would have sought an invitation for frank from mary b.; but frank was black, and would not harmonize with the rest of the company, who would not have mis' molly's reasons for treating him well. she had compromised the matter by stepping across the way in the afternoon and suggesting that frank might come over and sit on the back porch and look at the dancing and share in the supper. frank was not without a certain honest pride. he was sensitive enough, too, not to care to go where he was not wanted. he would have curtly refused any such maimed invitation to any other place. but would he not see rena in her best attire, and might she not perhaps, in passing, speak a word to him? "thank y', mis' molly," he replied, "i'll prob'ly come over." "you're a big fool, boy," observed his father after mis' molly had gone back across the street, "ter be stickin' roun' dem yaller niggers 'cross de street, an' slobb'rin' an' slav'rin' over 'em, an' hangin' roun' deir back do' wuss 'n ef dey wuz w'ite folks. i'd see 'em dead fus'!" frank himself resisted the temptation for half an hour after the music began, but at length he made his way across the street and stationed himself at the window opening upon the back piazza. when rena was in the room, he had eyes for her only, but when she was absent, he fixed his attention mainly upon wain. with jealous clairvoyance he observed that wain's eyes followed rena when she left the room, and lit up when she returned. frank had heard that rena was going away with this man, and he watched wain closely, liking him less the longer he looked at him. to his fancy, wain's style and skill were affectation, his good-nature mere hypocrisy, and his glance at rena the eye of the hawk upon his quarry. he had heard that wain was unmarried, and he could not see how, this being so, he could help wishing rena for a wife. frank would have been content to see her marry a white man, who would have raised her to a plane worthy of her merits. in this man's shifty eye he read the liar--his wealth and standing were probably as false as his seeming good-humor. "is that you, frank?" said a soft voice near at hand. he looked up with a joyful thrill. rena was peering intently at him, as if trying to distinguish his features in the darkness. it was a bright moonlight night, but frank stood in the shadow of the piazza. "yas 'm, it's me, miss rena. yo' mammy said i could come over an' see you-all dance. you ain' be'n out on de flo' at all, ter-night." "no, frank, i don't care for dancing. i shall not dance to-night." this answer was pleasing to frank. if he could not hope to dance with her, at least the men inside--at least this snake in the grass from down the country--should not have that privilege. "but you must have some supper, frank," said rena. "i'll bring it myself." "no, miss rena, i don' keer fer nothin'--i did n' come over ter eat--r'al'y i didn't." "nonsense, frank, there's plenty of it. i have no appetite, and you shall have my portion." she brought him a slice of cake and a glass of eggnog. when mis' molly, a minute later, came out upon the piazza, frank left the yard and walked down the street toward the old canal. rena had spoken softly to him; she had fed him with her own dainty hands. he might never hope that she would see in him anything but a friend; but he loved her, and he would watch over her and protect her, wherever she might be. he did not believe that she would ever marry the grinning hypocrite masquerading back there in mis' molly's parlor; but the man would bear watching. mis' molly had come to call her daughter into the house. "rena," she said, "mr. wain wants ter know if you won't dance just one dance with him." "yas, rena," pleaded mary b., who followed miss molly out to the piazza, "jes' one dance. i don't think you're treatin' my comp'ny jes' right, cousin rena." "you're goin' down there with 'im," added her mother, "an' it 'd be just as well to be on friendly terms with 'im." wain himself had followed the women. "sho'ly, miss rena, you're gwine ter honah me wid one dance? i'd go 'way f'm dis pa'ty sad at hea't ef i had n' stood up oncet wid de young lady er de house." as rena, weakly persuaded, placed her hand on wain's arm and entered the house, a buggy, coming up front street, paused a moment at the corner, and then turning slowly, drove quietly up the nameless by-street, concealed by the intervening cedars, until it reached a point from which the occupant could view, through the open front window, the interior of the parlor. xxiv swing your partners moved by tenderness and thoughts of self-sacrifice, which had occupied his mind to the momentary exclusion of all else, tryon had scarcely noticed, as he approached the house behind the cedars, a strain of lively music, to which was added, as he drew still nearer, the accompaniment of other festive sounds. he suddenly awoke, however, to the fact that these signs of merriment came from the house at which he had intended to stop;--he had not meant that rena should pass another sleepless night of sorrow, or that he should himself endure another needless hour of suspense. he drew rein at the corner. shocked surprise, a nascent anger, a vague alarm, an insistent curiosity, urged him nearer. turning the mare into the side street and keeping close to the fence, he drove ahead in the shadow of the cedars until he reached a gap through which he could see into the open door and windows of the brightly lighted hall. there was evidently a ball in progress. the fiddle was squeaking merrily so a tune that he remembered well,--it was associated with one of the most delightful evenings of his life, that of the tournament ball. a mellow negro voice was calling with a rhyming accompaniment the figures of a quadrille. tryon, with parted lips and slowly hardening heart, leaned forward from the buggy-seat, gripping the rein so tightly that his nails cut into the opposing palm. above the clatter of noisy conversation rose the fiddler's voice:- "swing yo' pa'dners; doan be shy, look yo' lady in de eye! th'ow yo' ahm aroun' huh wais'; take yo' time--dey ain' no has'e!" to the middle of the floor, in full view through an open window, advanced the woman who all day long had been the burden of his thoughts--not pale with grief and hollow-eyed with weeping, but flushed with pleasure, around her waist the arm of a burly, grinning mulatto, whose face was offensively familiar to tryon. with a muttered curse of concentrated bitterness, tryon struck the mare a sharp blow with the whip. the sensitive creature, spirited even in her great weariness, resented the lash and started off with the bit in her teeth. perceiving that it would be difficult to turn in the narrow roadway without running into the ditch at the left, tryon gave the mare rein and dashed down the street, scarcely missing, as the buggy crossed the bridge, a man standing abstractedly by the old canal, who sprang aside barely in time to avoid being run over. meantime rena was passing through a trying ordeal. after the first few bars, the fiddler plunged into a well-known air, in which rena, keenly susceptible to musical impressions, recognized the tune to which, as queen of love and beauty, she had opened the dance at her entrance into the world of life and love, for it was there she had met george tryon. the combination of music and movement brought up the scene with great distinctness. tryon, peering angrily through the cedars, had not been more conscious than she of the external contrast between her partners on this and the former occasion. she perceived, too, as tryon from the outside had not, the difference between wain's wordy flattery (only saved by his cousin's warning from pointed and fulsome adulation), and the tenderly graceful compliment, couched in the romantic terms of chivalry, with which the knight of the handkerchief had charmed her ear. it was only by an immense effort that she was able to keep her emotions under control until the end of the dance, when she fled to her chamber and burst into tears. it was not the cruel tryon who had blasted her love with his deadly look that she mourned, but the gallant young knight who had worn her favor on his lance and crowned her queen of love and beauty. tryon's stay in patesville was very brief. he drove to the hotel and put up for the night. during many sleepless hours his mind was in a turmoil with a very different set of thoughts from those which had occupied it on the way to town. not the least of them was a profound self-contempt for his own lack of discernment. how had he been so blind as not to have read long ago the character of this wretched girl who had bewitched him? to-night his eyes had been opened--he had seen her with the mask thrown off, a true daughter of a race in which the sensuous enjoyment of the moment took precedence of taste or sentiment or any of the higher emotions. her few months of boarding-school, her brief association with white people, had evidently been a mere veneer over the underlying negro, and their effects had slipped away as soon as the intercourse had ceased. with the monkey-like imitativeness of the negro she had copied the manners of white people while she lived among them, and had dropped them with equal facility when they ceased to serve a purpose. who but a negro could have recovered so soon from what had seemed a terrible bereavement?--she herself must have felt it at the time, for otherwise she would not have swooned. a woman of sensibility, as this one had seemed to be, should naturally feel more keenly, and for a longer time than a man, an injury to the affections; but he, a son of the ruling race, had been miserable for six weeks about a girl who had so far forgotten him as already to plunge headlong into the childish amusements of her own ignorant and degraded people. what more, indeed, he asked himself savagely,--what more could be expected of the base-born child of the plaything of a gentleman's idle hour, who to this ignoble origin added the blood of a servile race? and he, george tryon, had honored her with his love; he had very nearly linked his fate and joined his blood to hers by the solemn sanctions of church and state. tryon was not a devout man, but he thanked god with religious fervor that he had been saved a second time from a mistake which would have wrecked his whole future. if he had yielded to the momentary weakness of the past night,--the outcome of a sickly sentimentality to which he recognized now, in the light of reflection, that he was entirely too prone,--he would have regretted it soon enough. the black streak would have been sure to come out in some form, sooner or later, if not in the wife, then in her children. he saw clearly enough, in this hour of revulsion, that with his temperament and training such a union could never have been happy. if all the world had been ignorant of the dark secret, it would always have been in his own thoughts, or at least never far away. each fault of hers that the close daily association of husband and wife might reveal,--the most flawless of sweethearts do not pass scathless through the long test of matrimony,--every wayward impulse of his children, every defect of mind, morals, temper, or health, would have been ascribed to the dark ancestral strain. happiness under such conditions would have been impossible. when tryon lay awake in the early morning, after a few brief hours of sleep, the business which had brought him to patesville seemed, in the cold light of reason, so ridiculously inadequate that he felt almost ashamed to have set up such a pretext for his journey. the prospect, too, of meeting dr. green and his family, of having to explain his former sudden departure, and of running a gauntlet of inquiry concerning his marriage to the aristocratic miss warwick of south carolina; the fear that some one at patesville might have suspected a connection between rena's swoon and his own flight,--these considerations so moved this impressionable and impulsive young man that he called a bell-boy, demanded an early breakfast, ordered his horse, paid his reckoning, and started upon his homeward journey forthwith. a certain distrust of his own sensibility, which he felt to be curiously inconsistent with his most positive convictions, led him to seek the river bridge by a roundabout route which did not take him past the house where, a few hours before, he had seen the last fragment of his idol shattered beyond the hope of repair. the party broke up at an early hour, since most of the guests were working-people, and the travelers were to make an early start next day. about nine in the morning, wain drove round to mis' molly's. rena's trunk was strapped behind the buggy, and she set out, in the company of wain, for her new field of labor. the school term was only two months in length, and she did not expect to return until its expiration. just before taking her seat in the buggy, rena felt a sudden sinking of the heart. "oh, mother," she whispered, as they stood wrapped in a close embrace, "i'm afraid to leave you. i left you once, and it turned out so miserably." "it'll turn out better this time, honey," replied her mother soothingly. "good-by, child. take care of yo'self an' yo'r money, and write to yo'r mammy." one kiss all round, and rena was lifted into the buggy. wain seized the reins, and under his skillful touch the pretty mare began to prance and curvet with restrained impatience. wain could not resist the opportunity to show off before the party, which included mary b.'s entire family and several other neighbors, who had gathered to see the travelers off. "good-by ter patesville! good-by, folkses all!" he cried, with a wave of his disengaged hand. "good-by, mother! good-by, all!" cried rena, as with tears in her heart and a brave smile on her face she left her home behind her for the second time. when they had crossed the river bridge, the travelers came to a long stretch of rising ground, from the summit of which they could look back over the white sandy road for nearly a mile. neither rena nor her companion saw frank fowler behind the chinquapin bush at the foot of the hill, nor the gaze of mute love and longing with which he watched the buggy mount the long incline. he had not been able to trust himself to bid her farewell. he had seen her go away once before with every prospect of happiness, and come back, a dove with a wounded wing, to the old nest behind the cedars. she was going away again, with a man whom he disliked and distrusted. if she had met misfortune before, what were her prospects for happiness now? the buggy paused at the top of the hill, and frank, shading his eyes with his hand, thought he could see her turn and look behind. look back, dear child, towards your home and those who love you! for who knows more than this faithful worshiper what threads of the past fate is weaving into your future, or whether happiness or misery lies before you? xxv balance all the road to sampson county lay for the most part over the pine-clad sandhills,--an alternation of gentle rises and gradual descents, with now and then a swamp of greater or less extent. long stretches of the highway led through the virgin forest, for miles unbroken by a clearing or sign of human habitation. they traveled slowly, with frequent pauses in shady places, for the weather was hot. the journey, made leisurely, required more than a day, and might with slight effort be prolonged into two. they stopped for the night at a small village, where wain found lodging for rena with an acquaintance of his, and for himself with another, while a third took charge of the horse, the accommodation for travelers being limited. rena's appearance and manners were the subject of much comment. it was necessary to explain to several curious white people that rena was a woman of color. a white woman might have driven with wain without attracting remark,--most white ladies had negro coachmen. that a woman of rena's complexion should eat at a negro's table, or sleep beneath a negro's roof, was a seeming breach of caste which only black blood could excuse. the explanation was never questioned. no white person of sound mind would ever claim to be a negro. they resumed their journey somewhat late in the morning. rena would willingly have hastened, for she was anxious to plunge into her new work; but wain seemed disposed to prolong the pleasant drive, and beguiled the way for a time with stories of wonderful things he had done and strange experiences of a somewhat checkered career. he was shrewd enough to avoid any subject which would offend a modest young woman, but too obtuse to perceive that much of what he said would not commend him to a person of refinement. he made little reference to his possessions, concerning which so much had been said at patesville; and this reticence was a point in his favor. if he had not been so much upon his guard and rena so much absorbed by thoughts of her future work, such a drive would have furnished a person of her discernment a very fair measure of the man's character. to these distractions must be added the entire absence of any idea that wain might have amorous designs upon her; and any shortcomings of manners or speech were excused by the broad mantle of charity which rena in her new-found zeal for the welfare of her people was willing to throw over all their faults. they were the victims of oppression; they were not responsible for its results. toward the end of the second day, while nearing their destination, the travelers passed a large white house standing back from the road at the foot of a lane. around it grew widespreading trees and well-kept shrubbery. the fences were in good repair. behind the house and across the road stretched extensive fields of cotton and waving corn. they had passed no other place that showed such signs of thrift and prosperity. "oh, what a lovely place!" exclaimed rena. "that is yours, isn't it?" "no; we ain't got to my house yet," he answered. "dat house b'longs ter de riches' people roun' here. dat house is over in de nex' county. we're right close to de line now." shortly afterwards they turned off from the main highway they had been pursuing, and struck into a narrower road to the left. "de main road," explained wain, "goes on to clinton, 'bout five miles er mo' away. dis one we're turnin' inter now will take us to my place, which is 'bout three miles fu'ther on. we'll git dere now in an hour er so." wain lived in an old plantation house, somewhat dilapidated, and surrounded by an air of neglect and shiftlessness, but still preserving a remnant of dignity in its outlines and comfort in its interior arrangements. rena was assigned a large room on the second floor. she was somewhat surprised at the make-up of the household. wain's mother--an old woman, much darker than her son--kept house for him. a sister with two children lived in the house. the element of surprise lay in the presence of two small children left by wain's wife, of whom rena now heard for the first time. he had lost his wife, he informed rena sadly, a couple of years before. "yas, miss rena," she sighed, "de lawd give her, an' de lawd tuck her away. blessed be de name er de lawd." he accompanied this sententious quotation with a wicked look from under his half-closed eyelids that rena did not see. the following morning wain drove her in his buggy over to the county town, where she took the teacher's examination. she was given a seat in a room with a number of other candidates for certificates, but the fact leaking out from some remark of wain's that she was a colored girl, objection was quietly made by several of the would-be teachers to her presence in the room, and she was requested to retire until the white teachers should have been examined. an hour or two later she was given a separate examination, which she passed without difficulty. the examiner, a gentleman of local standing, was dimly conscious that she might not have found her exclusion pleasant, and was especially polite. it would have been strange, indeed, if he had not been impressed by her sweet face and air of modest dignity, which were all the more striking because of her social disability. he fell into conversation with her, became interested in her hopes and aims, and very cordially offered to be of service, if at any time he might, in connection with her school. "you have the satisfaction," he said, "of receiving the only first-grade certificate issued to-day. you might teach a higher grade of pupils than you will find at sandy run, but let us hope that you may in time raise them to your own level." "which i doubt very much," he muttered to himself, as she went away with wain. "what a pity that such a woman should be a nigger! if she were anything to me, though, i should hate to trust her anywhere near that saddle-colored scoundrel. he's a thoroughly bad lot, and will bear watching." rena, however, was serenely ignorant of any danger from the accommodating wain. absorbed in her own thoughts and plans, she had not sought to look beneath the surface of his somewhat overdone politeness. in a few days she began her work as teacher, and sought to forget in the service of others the dull sorrow that still gnawed at her heart. xxvi the schoolhouse in the woods blanche leary, closely observant of tryon's moods, marked a decided change in his manner after his return from his trip to patesville. his former moroseness had given way to a certain defiant lightness, broken now and then by an involuntary sigh, but maintained so well, on the whole, that his mother detected no lapses whatever. the change was characterized by another feature agreeable to both the women: tryon showed decidedly more interest than ever before in miss leary's society. within a week he asked her several times to play a selection on the piano, displaying, as she noticed, a decided preference for gay and cheerful music, and several times suggesting a change when she chose pieces of a sentimental cast. more than once, during the second week after his return, he went out riding with her; she was a graceful horsewoman, perfectly at home in the saddle, and appearing to advantage in a riding-habit. she was aware that tryon watched her now and then, with an eye rather critical than indulgent. "he is comparing me with some other girl," she surmised. "i seem to stand the test very well. i wonder who the other is, and what was the trouble?" miss leary exerted all her powers to interest and amuse the man she had set out to win, and who seemed nearer than ever before. tryon, to his pleased surprise, discovered in her mind depths that he had never suspected. she displayed a singular affinity for the tastes that were his--he could not, of course, know how carefully she had studied them. the old wound, recently reopened, seemed to be healing rapidly, under conditions more conducive than before to perfect recovery. no longer, indeed, was he pursued by the picture of rena discovered and unmasked--this he had definitely banished from the realm of sentiment to that of reason. the haunting image of rena loving and beloved, amid the harmonious surroundings of her brother's home, was not so readily displaced. nevertheless, he reached in several weeks a point from which he could consider her as one thinks of a dear one removed by the hand of death, or smitten by some incurable ailment of mind or body. erelong, he fondly believed, the recovery would be so far complete that he could consign to the tomb of pleasant memories even the most thrilling episodes of his ill-starred courtship. "george," said mrs. tryon one morning while her son was in this cheerful mood, "i'm sending blanche over to major mcleod's to do an errand for me. would you mind driving her over? the road may be rough after the storm last night, and blanche has an idea that no one drives so well as you." "why, yes, mother, i'll be glad to drive blanche over. i want to see the major myself." they were soon bowling along between the pines, behind the handsome mare that had carried tryon so well at the clarence tournament. presently he drew up sharply. "a tree has fallen squarely across the road," he exclaimed. "we shall have to turn back a little way and go around." they drove back a quarter of a mile and turned into a by-road leading to the right through the woods. the solemn silence of the pine forest is soothing or oppressive, according to one's mood. beneath the cool arcade of the tall, overarching trees a deep peace stole over tryon's heart. he had put aside indefinitely and forever an unhappy and impossible love. the pretty and affectionate girl beside him would make an ideal wife. of her family and blood he was sure. she was his mother's choice, and his mother had set her heart upon their marriage. why not speak to her now, and thus give himself the best possible protection against stray flames of love? "blanche," he said, looking at her kindly. "yes, george?" her voice was very gentle, and slightly tremulous. could she have divined his thought? love is a great clairvoyant. "blanche, dear, i"-a clatter of voices broke upon the stillness of the forest and interrupted tryon's speech. a sudden turn to the left brought the buggy to a little clearing, in the midst of which stood a small log schoolhouse. out of the schoolhouse a swarm of colored children were emerging, the suppressed energy of the school hour finding vent in vocal exercise of various sorts. a group had already formed a ring, and were singing with great volume and vigor:- "miss jane, she loves sugar an' tea, miss jane, she loves candy. miss jane, she can whirl all around an' kiss her love quite handy. "de oak grows tall, de pine grows slim, so rise you up, my true love, an' let me come in." "what a funny little darkey!" exclaimed miss leary, pointing to a diminutive lad who was walking on his hands, with his feet balanced in the air. at sight of the buggy and its occupants this sable acrobat, still retaining his inverted position, moved toward the newcomers, and, reversing himself with a sudden spring, brought up standing beside the buggy. "hoddy, mars geo'ge!" he exclaimed, bobbing his head and kicking his heel out behind in approved plantation style. "hello, plato," replied the young man, "what are you doing here?" "gwine ter school, mars geo'ge," replied the lad; "larnin' ter read an' write, suh, lack de w'ite folks." "wat you callin' dat w'ite man marster fur?" whispered a tall yellow boy to the acrobat addressed as plato. "you don' b'long ter him no mo'; you're free, an' ain' got sense ernuff ter know it." tryon threw a small coin to plato, and holding another in his hand suggestively, smiled toward the tall yellow boy, who looked regretfully at the coin, but stood his ground; he would call no man master, not even for a piece of money. during this little colloquy, miss leary had kept her face turned toward the schoolhouse. "what a pretty girl!" she exclaimed. "there," she added, as tryon turned his head toward her, "you are too late. she has retired into her castle. oh, plato!" "yas, missis," replied plato, who was prancing round the buggy in great glee, on the strength of his acquaintance with the white folks. "is your teacher white?" "no, ma'm, she ain't w'ite; she's black. she looks lack she's w'ite, but she's black." tryon had not seen the teacher's face, but the incident had jarred the old wound; miss leary's description of the teacher, together with plato's characterization, had stirred lightly sleeping memories. he was more or less abstracted during the remainder of the drive, and did not recur to the conversation that had been interrupted by coming upon the schoolhouse. the teacher, glancing for a moment through the open door of the schoolhouse, had seen a handsome young lady staring at her,--miss leary had a curiously intent look when she was interested in anything, with no intention whatever to be rude,--and beyond the lady the back and shoulder of a man, whose face was turned the other way. there was a vague suggestion of something familiar about the equipage, but rena shrank from this close scrutiny and withdrew out of sight before she had had an opportunity to identify the vague resemblance to something she had known. miss leary had missed by a hair's-breadth the psychological moment, and felt some resentment toward the little negroes who had interrupted her lover's train of thought. negroes have caused a great deal of trouble among white people. how deeply the shadow of the ethiopian had fallen upon her own happiness, miss leary of course could not guess. xxvii an interesting acquaintance a few days later, rena looked out of the window near her desk and saw a low basket phaeton, drawn by a sorrel pony, driven sharply into the clearing and drawn up beside an oak sapling. the occupant of the phaeton, a tall, handsome, well-preserved lady in middle life, with slightly gray hair, alighted briskly from the phaeton, tied the pony to the sapling with a hitching-strap, and advanced to the schoolhouse door. rena wondered who the lady might be. she had a benevolent aspect, however, and came forward to the desk with a smile, not at all embarrassed by the wide-eyed inspection of the entire school. "how do you do?" she said, extending her hand to the teacher. "i live in the neighborhood and am interested in the colored people--a good many of them once belonged to me. i heard something of your school, and thought i should like to make your acquaintance." "it is very kind of you, indeed," murmured rena respectfully. "yes," continued the lady, "i am not one of those who sit back and blame their former slaves because they were freed. they are free now,--it is all decided and settled,--and they ought to be taught enough to enable them to make good use of their freedom. but really, my dear,--you mustn't feel offended if i make a mistake,--i am going to ask you something very personal." she looked suggestively at the gaping pupils. "the school may take the morning recess now," announced the teacher. the pupils filed out in an orderly manner, most of them stationing themselves about the grounds in such places as would keep the teacher and the white lady in view. very few white persons approved of the colored schools; no other white person had ever visited this one. "are you really colored?" asked the lady, when the children had withdrawn. a year and a half earlier, rena would have met the question by some display of self-consciousness. now, she replied simply and directly. "yes, ma'am, i am colored." the lady, who had been studying her as closely as good manners would permit, sighed regretfully. "well, it's a shame. no one would ever think it. if you chose to conceal it, no one would ever be the wiser. what is your name, child, and where were you brought up? you must have a romantic history." rena gave her name and a few facts in regard to her past. the lady was so much interested, and put so many and such searching questions, that rena really found it more difficult to suppress the fact that she had been white, than she had formerly had in hiding her african origin. there was about the girl an air of real refinement that pleased the lady,--the refinement not merely of a fine nature, but of contact with cultured people; a certain reserve of speech and manner quite inconsistent with mrs. tryon's experience of colored women. the lady was interested and slightly mystified. a generous, impulsive spirit,--her son's own mother,--she made minute inquiries about the school and the pupils, several of whom she knew by name. rena stated that the two months' term was nearing its end, and that she was training the children in various declamations and dialogues for the exhibition at the close. "i shall attend it," declared the lady positively. "i'm sure you are doing a good work, and it's very noble of you to undertake it when you might have a very different future. if i can serve you at any time, don't hesitate to call upon me. i live in the big white house just before you turn out of the clinton road to come this way. i'm only a widow, but my son george lives with me and has some influence in the neighborhood. he drove by here yesterday with the lady he is going to marry. it was she who told me about you." was it the name, or some subtle resemblance in speech or feature, that recalled tryon's image to rena's mind? it was not so far away--the image of the loving tryon--that any powerful witchcraft was required to call it up. his mother was a widow; rena had thought, in happier days, that she might be such a kind lady as this. but the cruel tryon who had left her--his mother would be some hard, cold, proud woman, who would regard a negro as but little better than a dog, and who would not soil her lips by addressing a colored person upon any other terms than as a servant. she knew, too, that tryon did not live in sampson county, though the exact location of his home was not clear to her. "and where are you staying, my dear?" asked the good lady. "i'm boarding at mrs. wain's," answered rena. "mrs. wain's?" "yes, they live in the old campbell place." "oh, yes--aunt nancy. she's a good enough woman, but we don't think much of her son jeff. he married my amanda after the war--she used to belong to me, and ought to have known better. he abused her most shamefully, and had to be threatened with the law. she left him a year or so ago and went away; i haven't seen her lately. well, good-by, child; i'm coming to your exhibition. if you ever pass my house, come in and see me." the good lady had talked for half an hour, and had brought a ray of sunshine into the teacher's monotonous life, heretofore lighted only by the uncertain lamp of high resolve. she had satisfied a pardonable curiosity, and had gone away without mentioning her name. rena saw plato untying the pony as the lady climbed into the phaeton. "who was the lady, plato?" asked the teacher when the visitor had driven away. "dat 'uz my ole mist'iss, ma'm," returned plato proudly,--"ole mis' 'liza." "mis' 'liza who?" asked rena. "mis' 'liza tryon. i use' ter b'long ter her. dat 'uz her son, my young mars geo'ge, w'at driv pas' hyuh yistiddy wid 'is sweetheart." xxviii the lost knife rena had found her task not a difficult one so far as discipline was concerned. her pupils were of a docile race, and school to them had all the charm of novelty. the teacher commanded some awe because she was a stranger, and some, perhaps, because she was white; for the theory of blackness as propounded by plato could not quite counter-balance in the young african mind the evidence of their own senses. she combined gentleness with firmness; and if these had not been sufficient, she had reserves of character which would have given her the mastery over much less plastic material than these ignorant but eager young people. the work of instruction was simple enough, for most of the pupils began with the alphabet, which they acquired from webster's blue-backed spelling-book, the palladium of southern education at that epoch. the much abused carpet-baggers had put the spelling-book within reach of every child of school age in north carolina,--a fact which is often overlooked when the carpet-baggers are held up to public odium. even the devil should have his due, and is not so black as he is painted. at the time when she learned that tryon lived in the neighborhood, rena had already been subjected for several weeks to a trying ordeal. wain had begun to persecute her with marked attentions. she had at first gone to board at his house,--or, by courtesy, with his mother. for a week or two she had considered his attentions in no other light than those of a member of the school committee sharing her own zeal and interested in seeing the school successfully carried on. in this character wain had driven her to the town for her examination; he had busied himself about putting the schoolhouse in order, and in various matters affecting the conduct of the school. he had jocularly offered to come and whip the children for her, and had found it convenient to drop in occasionally, ostensibly to see what progress the work was making. "dese child'en," he would observe sonorously, in the presence of the school, "oughter be monst'ous glad ter have de chance er settin' under yo' instruction, miss rena. i'm sho' eve'body in dis neighbo'hood 'preciates de priv'lege er havin' you in ou' mids'." though slightly embarrassing to the teacher, these public demonstrations were endurable so long as they could be regarded as mere official appreciation of her work. sincerely in earnest about her undertaking, she had plunged into it with all the intensity of a serious nature which love had stirred to activity. a pessimist might have sighed sadly or smiled cynically at the notion that a poor, weak girl, with a dangerous beauty and a sensitive soul, and troubles enough of her own, should hope to accomplish anything appreciable toward lifting the black mass still floundering in the mud where slavery had left it, and where emancipation had found it,--the mud in which, for aught that could be seen to the contrary, her little feet, too, were hopelessly entangled. it might have seemed like expecting a man to lift himself by his boot-straps. but rena was no philosopher, either sad or cheerful. she could not even have replied to this argument, that races must lift themselves, and the most that can be done by others is to give them opportunity and fair play. hers was a simpler reasoning,--the logic by which the world is kept going onward and upward when philosophers are at odds and reformers are not forthcoming. she knew that for every child she taught to read and write she opened, if ever so little, the door of opportunity, and she was happy in the consciousness of performing a duty which seemed all the more imperative because newly discovered. her zeal, indeed, for the time being was like that of an early christian, who was more willing than not to die for his faith. rena had fully and firmly made up her mind to sacrifice her life upon this altar. her absorption in the work had not been without its reward, for thereby she had been able to keep at a distance the spectre of her lost love. her dreams she could not control, but she banished tryon as far as possible from her waking thoughts. when wain's attentions became obviously personal, rena's new vestal instinct took alarm, and she began to apprehend his character more clearly. she had long ago learned that his pretensions to wealth were a sham. he was nominal owner of a large plantation, it is true; but the land was worn out, and mortgaged to the limit of its security value. his reputed droves of cattle and hogs had dwindled to a mere handful of lean and listless brutes. her clear eye, when once set to take wain's measure, soon fathomed his shallow, selfish soul, and detected, or at least divined, behind his mask of good-nature a lurking brutality which filled her with vague distrust, needing only occasion to develop it into active apprehension,--occasion which was not long wanting. she avoided being alone with him at home by keeping carefully with the women of the house. if she were left alone,--and they soon showed a tendency to leave her on any pretext whenever wain came near,--she would seek her own room and lock the door. she preferred not to offend wain; she was far away from home and in a measure in his power, but she dreaded his compliments and sickened at his smile. she was also compelled to hear his relations sing his praises. "my son jeff," old mrs. wain would say, "is de bes' man you ever seed. his fus' wife had de easies' time an' de happies' time er ary woman in dis settlement. he's grieve' fer her a long time, but i reckon he's gittin' over it, an' de nex' 'oman w'at marries him'll git a box er pyo' gol', ef i does say it as is his own mammy." rena had thought wain rather harsh with his household, except in her immediate presence. his mother and sister seemed more or less afraid of him, and the children often anxious to avoid him. one day, he timed his visit to the schoolhouse so as to walk home with rena through the woods. when she became aware of his purpose, she called to one of the children who was loitering behind the others, "wait a minute, jenny. i'm going your way, and you can walk along with me." wain with difficulty hid a scowl behind a smiling front. when they had gone a little distance along the road through the woods, he clapped his hand upon his pocket. "i declare ter goodness," he exclaimed, "ef i ain't dropped my pocket-knife! i thought i felt somethin' slip th'ough dat hole in my pocket jes' by the big pine stump in the schoolhouse ya'd. jinny, chile, run back an' hunt fer my knife, an' i'll give yer five cents ef yer find it. me an' miss rena'll walk on slow 'tel you ketches us." rena did not dare to object, though she was afraid to be alone with this man. if she could have had a moment to think, she would have volunteered to go back with jenny and look for the knife, which, although a palpable subterfuge on her part, would have been one to which wain could not object; but the child, dazzled by the prospect of reward, had darted back so quickly that this way of escape was cut off. she was evidently in for a declaration of love, which she had taken infinite pains to avoid. just the form it would assume, she could not foresee. she was not long left in suspense. no sooner was the child well out of sight than wain threw his arms suddenly about her waist and smilingly attempted to kiss her. speechless with fear and indignation, she tore herself from his grasp with totally unexpected force, and fled incontinently along the forest path. wain--who, to do him justice, had merely meant to declare his passion in what he had hoped might prove a not unacceptable fashion--followed in some alarm, expostulating and apologizing as he went. but he was heavy and rena was light, and fear lent wings to her feet. he followed her until he saw her enter the house of elder johnson, the father of several of her pupils, after which he sneaked uneasily homeward, somewhat apprehensive of the consequences of his abrupt wooing, which was evidently open to an unfavorable construction. when, an hour later, rena sent one of the johnson children for some of her things, with a message explaining that the teacher had been invited to spend a few days at elder johnson's, wain felt a pronounced measure of relief. for an hour he had even thought it might be better to relinquish his pursuit. with a fatuousness born of vanity, however, no sooner had she sent her excuse than he began to look upon her visit to johnson's as a mere exhibition of coyness, which, together with her conduct in the woods, was merely intended to lure him on. right upon the heels of the perturbation caused by wain's conduct, rena discovered that tryon lived in the neighborhood; that not only might she meet him any day upon the highway, but that he had actually driven by the schoolhouse. that he knew or would know of her proximity there could be no possible doubt, since she had freely told his mother her name and her home. a hot wave of shame swept over her at the thought that george tryon might imagine she were following him, throwing herself in his way, and at the thought of the construction which he might place upon her actions. caught thus between two emotional fires, at the very time when her school duties, owing to the approaching exhibition, demanded all her energies, rena was subjected to a physical and mental strain that only youth and health could have resisted, and then only for a short time. xxix plato earns half a dollar tryon's first feeling, when his mother at the dinner-table gave an account of her visit to the schoolhouse in the woods, was one of extreme annoyance. why, of all created beings, should this particular woman be chosen to teach the colored school at sandy run? had she learned that he lived in the neighborhood, and had she sought the place hoping that he might consent to renew, on different terms, relations which could never be resumed upon their former footing? six weeks before, he would not have believed her capable of following him; but his last visit to patesville had revealed her character in such a light that it was difficult to predict what she might do. it was, however, no affair of his. he was done with her; he had dismissed her from his own life, where she had never properly belonged, and he had filled her place, or would soon fill it, with another and worthier woman. even his mother, a woman of keen discernment and delicate intuitions, had been deceived by this girl's specious exterior. she had brought away from her interview of the morning the impression that rena was a fine, pure spirit, born out of place, through some freak of fate, devoting herself with heroic self-sacrifice to a noble cause. well, he had imagined her just as pure and fine, and she had deliberately, with a negro's low cunning, deceived him into believing that she was a white girl. the pretended confession of the brother, in which he had spoken of the humble origin of the family, had been, consciously or unconsciously, the most disingenuous feature of the whole miserable performance. they had tried by a show of frankness to satisfy their own consciences,--they doubtless had enough of white blood to give them a rudimentary trace of such a moral organ,--and by the same act to disarm him against future recriminations, in the event of possible discovery. how was he to imagine that persons of their appearance and pretensions were tainted with negro blood? the more he dwelt upon the subject, the more angry he became with those who had surprised his virgin heart and deflowered it by such low trickery. the man who brought the first negro into the british colonies had committed a crime against humanity and a worse crime against his own race. the father of this girl had been guilty of a sin against society for which others--for which he, george tryon--must pay the penalty. as slaves, negroes were tolerable. as freemen, they were an excrescence, an alien element incapable of absorption into the body politic of white men. he would like to send them all back to the africa from which their forefathers had come,--unwillingly enough, he would admit,--and he would like especially to banish this girl from his own neighborhood; not indeed that her presence would make any difference to him, except as a humiliating reminder of his own folly and weakness with which he could very well dispense. of this state of mind tryon gave no visible manifestation beyond a certain taciturnity, so much at variance with his recent liveliness that the ladies could not fail to notice it. no effort upon the part of either was able to affect his mood, and they both resigned themselves to await his lordship's pleasure to be companionable. for a day or two, tryon sedulously kept away from the neighborhood of the schoolhouse at sandy rim. he really had business which would have taken him in that direction, but made a detour of five miles rather than go near his abandoned and discredited sweetheart. but george tryon was wisely distrustful of his own impulses. driving one day along the road to clinton, he overhauled a diminutive black figure trudging along the road, occasionally turning a handspring by way of diversion. "hello, plato," called tryon, "do you want a lift?" "hoddy, mars geo'ge. kin i ride wid you?" "jump up." plato mounted into the buggy with the agility to be expected from a lad of his acrobatic accomplishments. the two almost immediately fell into conversation upon perhaps the only subject of common interest between them. before the town was reached, tryon knew, so far as plato could make it plain, the estimation in which the teacher was held by pupils and parents. he had learned the hours of opening and dismissal of the school, where the teacher lived, her habits of coming to and going from the schoolhouse, and the road she always followed. "does she go to church or anywhere else with jeff wain, plato?" asked tryon. "no, suh, she don' go nowhar wid nobody excep'n' ole elder johnson er mis' johnson, an' de child'en. she use' ter stop at mis' wain's, but she's stayin' wid elder johnson now. she alluz makes some er de child'en go home wid er f'm school," said plato, proud to find in mars geo'ge an appreciative listener,--"sometimes one an' sometimes anudder. i's be'n home wid 'er twice, ann it'll be my tu'n ag'in befo' long." "plato," remarked tryon impressively, as they drove into the town, "do you think you could keep a secret?" "yas, mars geo'ge, ef you says i shill." "do you see this fifty-cent piece?" tryon displayed a small piece of paper money, crisp and green in its newness. "yas, mars geo'ge," replied plato, fixing his eyes respectfully on the government's promise to pay. fifty cents was a large sum of money. his acquaintance with mars geo'ge gave him the privilege of looking at money. when he grew up, he would be able, in good times, to earn fifty cents a day. "i am going to give this to you, plato." plato's eyes opened wide as saucers. "me, mars geo'ge?" he asked in amazement. "yes, plato. i'm going to write a letter while i'm in town, and want you to take it. meet me here in half an hour, and i'll give you the letter. meantime, keep your mouth shut." "yas, mars geo'ge," replied plato with a grin that distended that organ unduly. that he did not keep it shut may be inferred from the fact that within the next half hour he had eaten and drunk fifty cents' worth of candy, ginger-pop, and other available delicacies that appealed to the youthful palate. having nothing more to spend, and the high prices prevailing for some time after the war having left him capable of locomotion, plato was promptly on hand at the appointed time and place. tryon placed a letter in plato's hand, still sticky with molasses candy,--he had inclosed it in a second cover by way of protection. "give that letter," he said, "to your teacher; don't say a word about it to a living soul; bring me an answer, and give it into my own hand, and you shall have another half dollar." tryon was quite aware that by a surreptitious correspondence he ran some risk of compromising rena. but he had felt, as soon as he had indulged his first opportunity to talk of her, an irresistible impulse to see her and speak to her again. he could scarcely call at her boarding-place,--what possible proper excuse could a young white man have for visiting a colored woman? at the schoolhouse she would be surrounded by her pupils, and a private interview would be as difficult, with more eyes to remark and more tongues to comment upon it. he might address her by mail, but did not know how often she sent to the nearest post-office. a letter mailed in the town must pass through the hands of a postmaster notoriously inquisitive and evil-minded, who was familiar with tryon's handwriting and had ample time to attend to other people's business. to meet the teacher alone on the road seemed scarcely feasible, according to plato's statement. a messenger, then, was not only the least of several evils, but really the only practicable way to communicate with rena. he thought he could trust plato, though miserably aware that he could not trust himself where this girl was concerned. the letter handed by tryon to plato, and by the latter delivered with due secrecy and precaution, ran as follows:-dear miss warwick,--you may think it strange that i should address you after what has passed between us; but learning from my mother of your presence in the neighborhood, i am constrained to believe that you do not find my proximity embarrassing, and i cannot resist the wish to meet you at least once more, and talk over the circumstances of our former friendship. from a practical point of view this may seem superfluous, as the matter has been definitely settled. i have no desire to find fault with you; on the contrary, i wish to set myself right with regard to my own actions, and to assure you of my good wishes. in other words, since we must part, i would rather we parted friends than enemies. if nature and society--or fate, to put it another way--have decreed that we cannot live together, it is nevertheless possible that we may carry into the future a pleasant though somewhat sad memory of a past friendship. will you not grant me one interview? i appreciate the difficulty of arranging it; i have found it almost as hard to communicate with you by letter. i will suit myself to your convenience and meet you at any time and place you may designate. please answer by bearer, who i think is trustworthy, and believe me, whatever your answer may be, respectfully yours, g. t. the next day but one tryon received through the mail the following reply to his letter:-george tryon, esq. dear sir,--i have requested your messenger to say that i will answer your letter by mail, which i shall now proceed to do. i assure you that i was entirely ignorant of your residence in this neighborhood, or it would have been the last place on earth in which i should have set foot. as to our past relations, they were ended by your own act. i frankly confess that i deceived you; i have paid the penalty, and have no complaint to make. i appreciate the delicacy which has made you respect my brother's secret, and thank you for it. i remember the whole affair with shame and humiliation, and would willingly forget it. as to a future interview, i do not see what good it would do either of us. you are white, and you have given me to understand that i am black. i accept the classification, however unfair, and the consequences, however unjust, one of which is that we cannot meet in the same parlor, in the same church, at the same table, or anywhere, in social intercourse; upon a steamboat we would not sit at the same table; we could not walk together on the street, or meet publicly anywhere and converse, without unkind remark. as a white man, this might not mean a great deal to you; as a woman, shut out already by my color from much that is desirable, my good name remains my most valuable possession. i beg of you to let me alone. the best possible proof you can give me of your good wishes is to relinquish any desire or attempt to see me. i shall have finished my work here in a few days. i have other troubles, of which you know nothing, and any meeting with you would only add to a burden which is already as much as i can bear. to speak of parting is superfluous--we have already parted. it were idle to dream of a future friendship between people so widely different in station. such a friendship, if possible in itself, would never be tolerated by the lady whom you are to marry, with whom you drove by my schoolhouse the other day. a gentleman so loyal to his race and its traditions as you have shown yourself could not be less faithful to the lady to whom he has lost his heart and his memory in three short months. no, mr. tryon, our romance is ended, and better so. we could never have been happy. i have found a work in which i may be of service to others who have fewer opportunities than mine have been. leave me in peace, i beseech you, and i shall soon pass out of your neighborhood as i have passed out of your life, and hope to pass out of your memory. yours very truly, rowena walden. xxx an unusual honor to rena's high-strung and sensitive nature, already under very great tension from her past experience, the ordeal of the next few days was a severe one. on the one hand, jeff wain's infatuation had rapidly increased, in view of her speedy departure. from mrs. tryon's remark about wain's wife amanda, and from things rena had since learned, she had every reason to believe that this wife was living, and that wain must be aware of the fact. in the light of this knowledge, wain's former conduct took on a blacker significance than, upon reflection, she had charitably clothed it with after the first flush of indignation. that he had not given up his design to make love to her was quite apparent, and, with amanda alive, his attentions, always offensive since she had gathered their import, became in her eyes the expression of a villainous purpose, of which she could not speak to others, and from which she felt safe only so long as she took proper precautions against it. in a week her school would be over, and then she would get elder johnson, or some one else than wain, to take her back to patesville. true, she might abandon her school and go at once; but her work would be incomplete, she would have violated her contract, she would lose her salary for the month, explanations would be necessary, and would not be forthcoming. she might feign sickness,--indeed, it would scarcely be feigning, for she felt far from well; she had never, since her illness, quite recovered her former vigor--but the inconvenience to others would be the same, and her self-sacrifice would have had, at its very first trial, a lame and impotent conclusion. she had as yet no fear of personal violence from wain; but, under the circumstances, his attentions were an insult. he was evidently bent upon conquest, and vain enough to think he might achieve it by virtue of his personal attractions. if he could have understood how she loathed the sight of his narrow eyes, with their puffy lids, his thick, tobacco-stained lips, his doubtful teeth, and his unwieldy person, wain, a monument of conceit that he was, might have shrunk, even in his own estimation, to something like his real proportions. rena believed that, to defend herself from persecution at his hands, it was only necessary that she never let him find her alone. this, however, required constant watchfulness. relying upon his own powers, and upon a woman's weakness and aversion to scandal, from which not even the purest may always escape unscathed, and convinced by her former silence that he had nothing serious to fear, wain made it a point to be present at every public place where she might be. he assumed, in conversation with her which she could not avoid, and stated to others, that she had left his house because of a previous promise to divide the time of her stay between elder johnson's house and his own. he volunteered to teach a class in the sunday-school which rena conducted at the colored methodist church, and when she remained to service, occupied a seat conspicuously near her own. in addition to these public demonstrations, which it was impossible to escape, or, it seemed, with so thick-skinned an individual as wain, even to discourage, she was secretly and uncomfortably conscious that she could scarcely stir abroad without the risk of encountering one of two men, each of whom was on the lookout for an opportunity to find her alone. the knowledge of tryon's presence in the vicinity had been almost as much as rena could bear. to it must be added the consciousness that he, too, was pursuing her, to what end she could not tell. after his letter to her brother, and the feeling therein displayed, she found it necessary to crush once or twice a wild hope that, her secret being still unknown save to a friendly few, he might return and claim her. now, such an outcome would be impossible. he had become engaged to another woman,--this in itself would be enough to keep him from her, if it were not an index of a vastly more serious barrier, a proof that he had never loved her. if he had loved her truly, he would never have forgotten her in three short months,--three long months they had heretofore seemed to her, for in them she had lived a lifetime of experience. another impassable barrier lay in the fact that his mother had met her, and that she was known in the neighborhood. thus cut off from any hope that she might be anything to him, she had no wish to meet her former lover; no possible good could come of such a meeting; and yet her fluttering heart told her that if he should come, as his letter foreshadowed that he might,--if he should come, the loving george of old, with soft words and tender smiles and specious talk of friendship--ah! then, her heart would break! she must not meet him--at any cost she must avoid him. but this heaping up of cares strained her endurance to the breaking-point. toward the middle of the last week, she knew that she had almost reached the limit, and was haunted by a fear that she might break down before the week was over. now her really fine nature rose to the emergency, though she mustered her forces with a great effort. if she could keep wain at his distance and avoid tryon for three days longer, her school labors would be ended and she might retire in peace and honor. "miss rena," said plato to her on tuesday, "ain't it 'bout time i wuz gwine home wid you ag'in?" "you may go with me to-morrow, plato," answered the teacher. after school plato met an anxious eyed young man in the woods a short distance from the schoolhouse. "well, plato, what news?" "i's gwine ter see her home ter-morrer, mars geo'ge." "to-morrow!" replied tryon; "how very fortunate! i wanted you to go to town to-morrow to take an important message for me. i'm sorry, plato--you might have earned another dollar." to lie is a disgraceful thing, and yet there are times when, to a lover's mind, love dwarfs all ordinary laws. plato scratched his head disconsolately, but suddenly a bright thought struck him. "can't i go ter town fer you atter i've seed her home, mars geo'ge?" "n-o, i'm afraid it would be too late," returned tryon doubtfully. "den i'll haf ter ax 'er ter lemme go nex' day," said plato, with resignation. the honor might be postponed or, if necessary, foregone; the opportunity to earn a dollar was the chance of a lifetime and must not be allowed to slip. "no, plato," rejoined tryon, shaking his head, "i shouldn't want to deprive you of so great a pleasure." tryon was entirely sincere in this characterization of plato's chance; he would have given many a dollar to be sure of plato's place and plato's welcome. rena's letter had re-inflamed his smouldering passion; only opposition was needed to fan it to a white heat. wherein lay the great superiority of his position, if he was denied the right to speak to the one person in the world whom he most cared to address? he felt some dim realization of the tyranny of caste, when he found it not merely pressing upon an inferior people who had no right to expect anything better, but barring his own way to something that he desired. he meant her no harm--but he must see her. he could never marry her now--but he must see her. he was conscious of a certain relief at the thought that he had not asked blanche leary to be his wife. his hand was unpledged. he could not marry the other girl, of course, but they must meet again. the rest he would leave to fate, which seemed reluctant to disentangle threads which it had woven so closely. "i think, plato, that i see an easier way out of the difficulty. your teacher, i imagine, merely wants some one to see her safely home. don't you think, if you should go part of the way, that i might take your place for the rest, while you did my errand?" "why, sho'ly, mars geo'ge, you could take keer er her better 'n i could--better 'n anybody could--co'se you could!" mars geo'ge was white and rich, and could do anything. plato was proud of the fact that he had once belonged to mars geo'ge. he could not conceive of any one so powerful as mars geo'ge, unless it might be god, of whom plato had heard more or less, and even here the comparison might not be quite fair to mars geo'ge, for mars geo'ge was the younger of the two. it would undoubtedly be a great honor for the teacher to be escorted home by mars geo'ge. the teacher was a great woman, no doubt, and looked white; but mars geo'ge was the real article. mars geo'ge had never been known to go with a black woman before, and the teacher would doubtless thank plato for arranging that so great an honor should fall upon her. mars geo'ge had given him fifty cents twice, and would now give him a dollar. noble mars geo'ge! fortunate teacher! happy plato! "very well, plato. i think we can arrange it so that you can kill the two rabbits at one shot. suppose that we go over the road that she will take to go home." they soon arrived at the schoolhouse. school had been out an hour, and the clearing was deserted. plato led the way by the road through the woods to a point where, amid somewhat thick underbrush, another path intersected the road they were following. "now, plato," said tryon, pausing here, "this would be a good spot for you to leave the teacher and for me to take your place. this path leads to the main road, and will take you to town very quickly. i shouldn't say anything to the teacher about it at all; but when you and she get here, drop behind and run along this path until you meet me,--i'll be waiting a few yards down the road,--and then run to town as fast as your legs will carry you. as soon as you are gone, i'll come out and tell the teacher that i've sent you away on an errand, and will myself take your place. you shall have a dollar, and i'll ask her to let you go home with her the next day. but you mustn't say a word about it, plato, or you won't get the dollar, and i'll not ask the teacher to let you go home with her again." "all right, mars geo'ge, i ain't gwine ter say no mo' d'n ef de cat had my tongue." xxxi in deep waters rena was unusually fatigued at the close of her school on wednesday afternoon. she had been troubled all day with a headache, which, beginning with a dull pain, had gradually increased in intensity until every nerve was throbbing like a trip-hammer. the pupils seemed unusually stupid. a discouraging sense of the insignificance of any part she could perform towards the education of three million people with a school term of two months a year hung over her spirit like a pall. as the object of wain's attentions, she had begun to feel somewhat like a wild creature who hears the pursuers on its track, and has the fear of capture added to the fatigue of flight. but when this excitement had gone too far and had neared the limit of exhaustion came tryon's letter, with the resulting surprise and consternation. rena had keyed herself up to a heroic pitch to answer it; but when the inevitable reaction came, she was overwhelmed with a sickening sense of her own weakness. the things which in another sphere had constituted her strength and shield were now her undoing, and exposed her to dangers from which they lent her no protection. not only was this her position in theory, but the pursuers were already at her heels. as the day wore on, these dark thoughts took on an added gloom, until, when the hour to dismiss school arrived, she felt as though she had not a friend in the world. this feeling was accentuated by a letter which she had that morning received from her mother, in which mis' molly spoke very highly of wain, and plainly expressed the hope that her daughter might like him so well that she would prefer to remain in sampson county. plato, bright-eyed and alert, was waiting in the school-yard until the teacher should be ready to start. having warned away several smaller children who had hung around after school as though to share his prerogative of accompanying the teacher, plato had swung himself into the low branches of an oak at the edge of the clearing, from which he was hanging by his legs, head downward. he dropped from this reposeful attitude when the teacher appeared at the door, and took his place at her side. a premonition of impending trouble caused the teacher to hesitate. she wished that she had kept more of the pupils behind. something whispered that danger lurked in the road she customarily followed. plato seemed insignificantly small and weak, and she felt miserably unable to cope with any difficult or untoward situation. "plato," she suggested, "i think we'll go round the other way to-night, if you don't mind." visions of mars geo'ge disappointed, of a dollar unearned and unspent, flitted through the narrow brain which some one, with the irony of ignorance or of knowledge, had mocked with the name of a great philosopher. plato was not an untruthful lad, but he seldom had the opportunity to earn a dollar. his imagination, spurred on by the instinct of self-interest, rose to the emergency. "i's feared you mought git snake-bit gwine roun' dat way, miss rena. my brer jim kill't a water-moccasin down dere yistiddy 'bout ten feet long." rena had a horror of snakes, with which the swamp by which the other road ran was infested. snakes were a vivid reality; her presentiment was probably a mere depression of spirits due to her condition of nervous exhaustion. a cloud had come up and threatened rain, and the wind was rising ominously. the old way was the shorter; she wanted above all things to get to elder johnson's and go to bed. perhaps sleep would rest her tired brain--she could not imagine herself feeling worse, unless she should break down altogether. she plunged into the path and hastened forward so as to reach home before the approaching storm. so completely was she absorbed in her own thoughts that she scarcely noticed that plato himself seemed preoccupied. instead of capering along like a playful kitten or puppy, he walked by her side unusually silent. when they had gone a short distance and were approaching a path which intersected their road at something near a right angle, the teacher missed plato. he had dropped behind a moment before; now he had disappeared entirely. her vague alarm of a few moments before returned with redoubled force. "plato!" she called; "plato!" there was no response, save the soughing of the wind through the swaying treetops. she stepped hastily forward, wondering if this were some childish prank. if so, it was badly timed, and she would let plato feel the weight of her displeasure. her forward step had brought her to the junction of the two paths, where she paused doubtfully. the route she had been following was the most direct way home, but led for quite a distance through the forest, which she did not care to traverse alone. the intersecting path would soon take her to the main road, where she might find shelter or company, or both. glancing around again in search of her missing escort, she became aware that a man was approaching her from each of the two paths. in one she recognized the eager and excited face of george tryon, flushed with anticipation of their meeting, and yet grave with uncertainty of his reception. advancing confidently along the other path she saw the face of jeff wain, drawn, as she imagined in her anguish, with evil passions which would stop at nothing. what should she do? there was no sign of plato--for aught she could see or hear of him, the earth might have swallowed him up. some deadly serpent might have stung him. some wandering rabbit might have tempted him aside. another thought struck her. plato had been very quiet--there had been something on his conscience--perhaps he had betrayed her! but to which of the two men, and to what end? the problem was too much for her overwrought brain. she turned and fled. a wiser instinct might have led her forward. in the two conflicting dangers she might have found safety. the road after all was a public way. any number of persons might meet there accidentally. but she saw only the darker side of the situation. to turn to tryon for protection before wain had by some overt act manifested the evil purpose which she as yet only suspected would be, she imagined, to acknowledge a previous secret acquaintance with tryon, thus placing her reputation at wain's mercy, and to charge herself with a burden of obligation toward a man whom she wished to avoid and had refused to meet. if, on the other hand, she should go forward to meet wain, he would undoubtedly offer to accompany her homeward. tryon would inevitably observe the meeting, and suppose it prearranged. not for the world would she have him think so--why she should care for his opinion, she did not stop to argue. she turned and fled, and to avoid possible pursuit, struck into the underbrush at an angle which she calculated would bring her in a few rods to another path which would lead quickly into the main road. she had run only a few yards when she found herself in the midst of a clump of prickly shrubs and briars. meantime the storm had burst; the rain fell in torrents. extricating herself from the thorns, she pressed forward, but instead of coming out upon the road, found herself penetrating deeper and deeper into the forest. the storm increased in violence. the air grew darker and darker. it was near evening, the clouds were dense, the thick woods increased the gloom. suddenly a blinding flash of lightning pierced the darkness, followed by a sharp clap of thunder. there was a crash of falling timber. terror-stricken, rena flew forward through the forest, the underbrush growing closer and closer as she advanced. suddenly the earth gave way beneath her feet and she sank into a concealed morass. by clasping the trunk of a neighboring sapling she extricated herself with an effort, and realized with a horrible certainty that she was lost in the swamp. turning, she tried to retrace her steps. a flash of lightning penetrated the gloom around her, and barring her path she saw a huge black snake,--harmless enough, in fact, but to her excited imagination frightful in appearance. with a wild shriek she turned again, staggered forward a few yards, stumbled over a projecting root, and fell heavily to the earth. when rena had disappeared in the underbrush, tryon and wain had each instinctively set out in pursuit of her, but owing to the gathering darkness, the noise of the storm, and the thickness of the underbrush, they missed not only rena but each other, and neither was aware of the other's presence in the forest. wain kept up the chase until the rain drove him to shelter. tryon, after a few minutes, realized that she had fled to escape him, and that to pursue her would be to defeat rather than promote his purpose. he desisted, therefore, and returning to the main road, stationed himself at a point where he could watch elder johnson's house, and having waited for a while without any signs of rena, concluded that she had taken refuge in some friendly cabin. turning homeward disconsolately as night came on, he intercepted plato on his way back from town, and pledged him to inviolable secrecy so effectually that plato, when subsequently questioned, merely answered that he had stopped a moment to gather some chinquapins, and when he had looked around the teacher was gone. rena not appearing at supper-time nor for an hour later, the elder, somewhat anxious, made inquiries about the neighborhood, and finding his guest at no place where she might be expected to stop, became somewhat alarmed. wain's house was the last to which he went. he had surmised that there was some mystery connected with her leaving wain's, but had never been given any definite information about the matter. in response to his inquiries, wain expressed surprise, but betrayed a certain self-consciousness which did not escape the elder's eye. returning home, he organized a search party from his own family and several near neighbors, and set out with dogs and torches to scour the woods for the missing teacher. a couple of hours later, they found her lying unconscious in the edge of the swamp, only a few rods from a well-defined path which would soon have led her to the open highway. strong arms lifted her gently and bore her home. mrs. johnson undressed her and put her to bed, administering a homely remedy, of which whiskey was the principal ingredient, to counteract the effects of the exposure. there was a doctor within five miles, but no one thought of sending for him, nor was it at all likely that it would have been possible to get him for such a case at such an hour. rena's illness, however, was more deeply seated than her friends could imagine. a tired body, in sympathy with an overwrought brain, had left her peculiarly susceptible to the nervous shock of her forest experience. the exposure for several hours in her wet clothing to the damps and miasma of the swamp had brought on an attack of brain fever. the next morning, she was delirious. one of the children took word to the schoolhouse that the teacher was sick and there would be no school that day. a number of curious and sympathetic people came in from time to time and suggested various remedies, several of which old mrs. johnson, with catholic impartiality, administered to the helpless teacher, who from delirium gradually sunk into a heavy stupor scarcely distinguishable from sleep. it was predicted that she would probably be well in the morning; if not, it would then be time to consider seriously the question of sending for a doctor. xxxii the power of love after tryon's failure to obtain an interview with rena through plato's connivance, he decided upon a different course of procedure. in a few days her school term would be finished. he was not less desirous to see her, was indeed as much more eager as opposition would be likely to make a very young man who was accustomed to having his own way, and whose heart, as he had discovered, was more deeply and permanently involved than he had imagined. his present plan was to wait until the end of the school; then, when rena went to clinton on the saturday or monday to draw her salary for the month, he would see her in the town, or, if necessary, would follow her to patesville. no power on earth should keep him from her long, but he had no desire to interfere in any way with the duty which she owed to others. when the school was over and her work completed, then he would have his innings. writing letters was too unsatisfactory a method of communication--he must see her face to face. the first of his three days of waiting had passed, when, about ten o'clock on the morning of the second day, which seemed very long in prospect, while driving along the road toward clinton, he met plato, with a rabbit trap in his hand. "well, plato," he asked, "why are you absent from the classic shades of the academy to-day?" "hoddy, mars geo'ge. w'at wuz dat you say?" "why are you not at school to-day?" "ain' got no teacher, mars geo'ge. teacher's gone!" "gone!" exclaimed tryon, with a sudden leap of the heart. "gone where? what do you mean?" "teacher got los' in de swamp, night befo' las', 'cause plato wa'n't dere ter show her de way out'n de woods. elder johnson foun' 'er wid dawgs and tawches, an' fotch her home an' put her ter bed. no school yistiddy. she wuz out'n her haid las' night, an' dis mawnin' she wuz gone." "gone where?" "dey don' nobody know whar, suh." leaving plato abruptly, tryon hastened down the road toward elder johnson's cabin. this was no time to stand on punctilio. the girl had been lost in the woods in the storm, amid the thunder and lightning and the pouring rain. she was sick with fright and exposure, and he was the cause of it all. bribery, corruption, and falsehood had brought punishment in their train, and the innocent had suffered while the guilty escaped. he must learn at once what had become of her. reaching elder johnson's house, he drew up by the front fence and gave the customary halloa, which summoned a woman to the door. "good-morning," he said, nodding unconsciously, with the careless politeness of a gentleman to his inferiors. "i'm mr. tryon. i have come to inquire about the sick teacher." "why, suh," the woman replied respectfully, "she got los' in de woods night befo' las', an' she wuz out'n her min' most er de time yistiddy. las' night she must 'a' got out er bed an' run away w'en eve'ybody wuz soun' asleep, fer dis mawnin' she wuz gone, an' none er us knows whar she is." "has any search been made for her?" "yas, suh, my husban' an' de child'en has been huntin' roun' all de mawnin', an' he's gone ter borry a hoss now ter go fu'ther. but lawd knows dey ain' no tellin' whar she'd go, 'less'n she got her min' back sence she lef'." tryon's mare was in good condition. he had money in his pocket and nothing to interfere with his movements. he set out immediately on the road to patesville, keeping a lookout by the roadside, and stopping each person he met to inquire if a young woman, apparently ill, had been seen traveling along the road on foot. no one had met such a traveler. when he had gone two or three miles, he drove through a shallow branch that crossed the road. the splashing of his horse's hoofs in the water prevented him from hearing a low groan that came from the woods by the roadside. he drove on, making inquiries at each farmhouse and of every person whom he encountered. shortly after crossing the branch, he met a young negro with a cartload of tubs and buckets and piggins, and asked him if he had seen on the road a young white woman with dark eyes and hair, apparently sick or demented. the young man answered in the negative, and tryon pushed forward anxiously. at noon he stopped at a farmhouse and swallowed a hasty meal. his inquiries here elicited no information, and he was just leaving when a young man came in late to dinner and stated, in response to the usual question, that he had met, some two hours before, a young woman who answered tryon's description, on the lillington road, which crossed the main road to patesville a short distance beyond the farmhouse. he had spoken to the woman. at first she had paid no heed to his question. when addressed a second time, she had answered in a rambling and disconnected way, which indicated to his mind that there was something wrong with her. tryon thanked his informant and hastened to the lillington road. stopping as before to inquire, he followed the woman for several hours, each mile of the distance taking him farther away from patesville. from time to time he heard of the woman. toward nightfall he found her. she was white enough, with the sallowness of the sandhill poor white. she was still young, perhaps, but poverty and a hard life made her look older than she ought. she was not fair, and she was not rena. when tryon came up to her, she was sitting on the doorsill of a miserable cabin, and held in her hand a bottle, the contents of which had never paid any revenue tax. she had walked twenty miles that day, and had beguiled the tedium of the journey by occasional potations, which probably accounted for the incoherency of speech which several of those who met her had observed. when tryon drew near, she tendered him the bottle with tipsy cordiality. he turned in disgust and retraced his steps to the patesville road, which he did not reach until nightfall. as it was too dark to prosecute the search with any chance of success, he secured lodging for the night, intending to resume his quest early in the morning. xxxiii a mule and a cart frank fowler's heart was filled with longing for a sight of rena's face. when she had gone away first, on the ill-fated trip to south carolina, her absence had left an aching void in his life; he had missed her cheerful smile, her pleasant words, her graceful figure moving about across the narrow street. his work had grown monotonous during her absence; the clatter of hammer and mallet, that had seemed so merry when punctuated now and then by the strains of her voice, became a mere humdrum rapping of wood upon wood and iron upon iron. he had sought work in south carolina with the hope that he might see her. he had satisfied this hope, and had tried in vain to do her a service; but fate had been against her; her castle of cards had come tumbling down. he felt that her sorrow had brought her nearer to him. the distance between them depended very much upon their way of looking at things. he knew that her experience had dragged her through the valley of humiliation. his unselfish devotion had reacted to refine and elevate his own spirit. when he heard the suggestion, after her second departure, that she might marry wain, he could not but compare himself with this new aspirant. he, frank, was a man, an honest man--a better man than the shifty scoundrel with whom she had ridden away. she was but a woman, the best and sweetest and loveliest of all women, but yet a woman. after a few short years of happiness or sorrow,--little of joy, perhaps, and much of sadness, which had begun already,--they would both be food for worms. white people, with a deeper wisdom perhaps than they used in their own case, regarded rena and himself as very much alike. they were certainly both made by the same god, in much the same physical and mental mould; they breathed the same air, ate the same food, spoke the same speech, loved and hated, laughed and cried, lived and would die, the same. if god had meant to rear any impassable barrier between people of contrasting complexions, why did he not express the prohibition as he had done between other orders of creation? when rena had departed for sampson county, frank had reconciled himself to her absence by the hope of her speedy return. he often stepped across the street to talk to mis' molly about her. several letters had passed between mother and daughter, and in response to frank's inquiries his neighbor uniformly stated that rena was well and doing well, and sent her love to all inquiring friends. but frank observed that mis' molly, when pressed as to the date of rena's return, grew more and more indefinite; and finally the mother, in a burst of confidential friendship, told frank of all her hopes with reference to the stranger from down the country. "yas, frank," she concluded, "it'll be her own fault ef she don't become a lady of proputty, fer mr. wain is rich, an' owns a big plantation, an' hires a lot of hands, and is a big man in the county. he's crazy to git her, an' it all lays in her own han's." frank did not find this news reassuring. he believed that wain was a liar and a scoundrel. he had nothing more than his intuitions upon which to found this belief, but it was none the less firm. if his estimate of the man's character were correct, then his wealth might be a fiction, pure and simple. if so, the truth should be known to mis' molly, so that instead of encouraging a marriage with wain, she would see him in his true light, and interpose to rescue her daughter from his importunities. a day or two after this conversation, frank met in the town a negro from sampson county, made his acquaintance, and inquired if he knew a man by the name of jeff wain. "oh, jeff wain!" returned the countryman slightingly; "yas, i knows 'im, an' don' know no good of 'im. one er dese yer biggity, braggin' niggers--talks lack he own de whole county, an' ain't wuth no mo' d'n i is--jes' a big bladder wid a handful er shot rattlin' roun' in it. had a wife, when i wuz dere, an' beat her an' 'bused her so she had ter run away." this was alarming information. wain had passed in the town as a single man, and frank had had no hint that he had ever been married. there was something wrong somewhere. frank determined that he would find out the truth and, if possible, do something to protect rena against the obviously evil designs of the man who had taken her away. the barrel factory had so affected the cooper's trade that peter and frank had turned their attention more or less to the manufacture of small woodenware for domestic use. frank's mule was eating off its own head, as the saying goes. it required but little effort to persuade peter that his son might take a load of buckets and tubs and piggins into the country and sell them or trade them for country produce at a profit. in a few days frank had his stock prepared, and set out on the road to sampson county. he went about thirty miles the first day, and camped by the roadside for the night, resuming the journey at dawn. after driving for an hour through the tall pines that overhung the road like the stately arch of a cathedral aisle, weaving a carpet for the earth with their brown spines and cones, and soothing the ear with their ceaseless murmur, frank stopped to water his mule at a point where the white, sandy road, widening as it went, sloped downward to a clear-running branch. on the right a bay-tree bending over the stream mingled the heavy odor of its flowers with the delicate perfume of a yellow jessamine vine that had overrun a clump of saplings on the left. from a neighboring tree a silver-throated mocking-bird poured out a flood of riotous melody. a group of minnows; startled by the splashing of the mule's feet, darted away into the shadow of the thicket, their quick passage leaving the amber water filled with laughing light. the mule drank long and lazily, while over frank stole thoughts in harmony with the peaceful scene,--thoughts of rena, young and beautiful, her friendly smile, her pensive dark eyes. he would soon see her now, and if she had any cause for fear or unhappiness, he would place himself at her service--for a day, a week, a month, a year, a lifetime, if need be. his reverie was broken by a slight noise from the thicket at his left. "i wonder who dat is?" he muttered. "it soun's mighty quare, ter say de leas'." he listened intently for a moment, but heard nothing further. "it must 'a' be'n a rabbit er somethin' scamp'in' th'ough de woods. g'long dere, caesar!" as the mule stepped forward, the sound was repeated. this time it was distinctly audible, the long, low moan of some one in sickness or distress. "dat ain't no rabbit," said frank to himself. "dere's somethin' wrong dere. stan' here, caesar, till i look inter dis matter." pulling out from the branch, frank sprang from the saddle and pushed his way cautiously through the outer edge of the thicket. "good lawd!" he exclaimed with a start, "it's a woman--a w'ite woman!" the slender form of a young woman lay stretched upon the ground in a small open space a few yards in extent. her face was turned away, and frank could see at first only a tangled mass of dark brown hair, matted with twigs and leaves and cockleburs, and hanging in wild profusion around her neck. frank stood for a moment irresolute, debating the serious question whether he should investigate further with a view to rendering assistance, or whether he should put as great a distance as possible between himself and this victim, as she might easily be, of some violent crime, lest he should himself be suspected of it--a not unlikely contingency, if he were found in the neighborhood and the woman should prove unable to describe her assailant. while he hesitated, the figure moved restlessly, and a voice murmured:-"mamma, oh, mamma!" the voice thrilled frank like an electric shock. trembling in every limb, he sprang forward toward the prostrate figure. the woman turned her head, and he saw that it was rena. her gown was torn and dusty, and fringed with burs and briars. when she had wandered forth, half delirious, pursued by imaginary foes, she had not stopped to put on her shoes, and her little feet were blistered and swollen and bleeding. frank knelt by her side and lifted her head on his arm. he put his hand upon her brow; it was burning with fever. "miss rena! rena! don't you know me?" she turned her wild eyes on him suddenly. "yes, i know you, jeff wain. go away from me! go away!" her voice rose to a scream; she struggled in his grasp and struck at him fiercely with her clenched fists. her sleeve fell back and disclosed the white scar made by his own hand so many years before. "you're a wicked man," she panted. "don't touch me! i hate you and despise you!" frank could only surmise how she had come here, in such a condition. when she spoke of wain in this manner, he drew his own conclusions. some deadly villainy of wain's had brought her to this pass. anger stirred his nature to the depths, and found vent in curses on the author of rena's misfortunes. "damn him!" he groaned. "i'll have his heart's blood fer dis, ter de las' drop!" rena now laughed and put up her arms appealingly. "george," she cried, in melting tones, "dear george, do you love me? how much do you love me? ah, you don't love me!" she moaned; "i'm black; you don't love me; you despise me!" her voice died away into a hopeless wail. frank knelt by her side, his faithful heart breaking with pity, great tears rolling untouched down his dusky cheeks. "oh, my honey, my darlin'," he sobbed, "frank loves you better 'n all de worl'." meantime the sun shone on as brightly as before, the mocking-bird sang yet more joyously. a gentle breeze sprang up and wafted the odor of bay and jessamine past them on its wings. the grand triumphal sweep of nature's onward march recked nothing of life's little tragedies. when the first burst of his grief was over, frank brought water from the branch, bathed rena's face and hands and feet, and forced a few drops between her reluctant lips. he then pitched the cartload of tubs, buckets, and piggins out into the road, and gathering dried leaves and pine-straw, spread them in the bottom of the cart. he stooped, lifted her frail form in his arms, and laid it on the leafy bed. cutting a couple of hickory withes, he arched them over the cart, and gathering an armful of jessamine quickly wove it into an awning to protect her from the sun. she was quieter now, and seemed to fall asleep. "go ter sleep, honey," he murmured caressingly, "go ter sleep, an' frank'll take you home ter yo' mammy!" toward noon he was met by a young white man, who peered inquisitively into the canopied cart. "hello!" exclaimed the stranger, "who've you got there?" "a sick woman, suh." "why, she's white, as i'm a sinner!" he cried, after a closer inspection. "look a-here, nigger, what are you doin' with this white woman?" "she's not w'ite, boss,--she's a bright mulatter." "yas, mighty bright," continued the stranger suspiciously. "where are you goin' with her?" "i'm takin' her ter patesville, ter her mammy." the stranger passed on. toward evening frank heard hounds baying in the distance. a fox, weary with running, brush drooping, crossed the road ahead of the cart. presently, the hounds straggled across the road, followed by two or three hunters on horseback, who stopped at sight of the strangely canopied cart. they stared at the sick girl and demanded who she was. "i don't b'lieve she's black at all," declared one, after frank's brief explanation. "this nigger has a bad eye,--he's up ter some sort of devilment. what ails the girl?" "'pears ter be some kind of a fever," replied frank; adding diplomatically, "i don't know whether it's ketchin' er no--she's be'n out er her head most er de time." they drew off a little at this. "i reckon it's all right," said the chief spokesman. the hounds were baying clamorously in the distance. the hunters followed the sound and disappeared m the woods. frank drove all day and all night, stopping only for brief periods of rest and refreshment. at dawn, from the top of the long white hill, he sighted the river bridge below. at sunrise he rapped at mis' molly's door. upon rising at dawn, tryon's first step, after a hasty breakfast, was to turn back toward clinton. he had wasted half a day in following the false scent on the lillington road. it seemed, after reflection, unlikely that a woman seriously ill should have been able to walk any considerable distance before her strength gave out. in her delirium, too, she might have wandered in a wrong direction, imagining any road to lead to patesville. it would be a good plan to drive back home, continuing his inquiries meantime, and ascertain whether or not she had been found by those who were seeking her, including many whom tryon's inquiries had placed upon the alert. if she should prove still missing, he would resume the journey to patesville and continue the search in that direction. she had probably not wandered far from the highroad; even in delirium she would be likely to avoid the deep woods, with which her illness was associated. he had retraced more than half the distance to clinton when he overtook a covered wagon. the driver, when questioned, said that he had met a young negro with a mule, and a cart in which lay a young woman, white to all appearance, but claimed by the negro to be a colored girl who had been taken sick on the road, and whom he was conveying home to her mother at patesville. from a further description of the cart tryon recognized it as the one he had met the day before. the woman could be no other than rena. he turned his mare and set out swiftly on the road to patesville. if anything could have taken more complete possession of george tryon at twenty-three than love successful and triumphant, it was love thwarted and denied. never in the few brief delirious weeks of his courtship had he felt so strongly drawn to the beautiful sister of the popular lawyer, as he was now driven by an aching heart toward the same woman stripped of every adventitions advantage and placed, by custom, beyond the pale of marriage with men of his own race. custom was tyranny. love was the only law. would god have made hearts to so yearn for one another if he had meant them to stay forever apart? if this girl should die, it would be he who had killed her, by his cruelty, no less surely than if with his own hand he had struck her down. he had been so dazzled by his own superiority, so blinded by his own glory, that he had ruthlessly spurned and spoiled the image of god in this fair creature, whom he might have had for his own treasure,--whom, please god, he would yet have, at any cost, to love and cherish while they both should live. there were difficulties--they had seemed insuperable, but love would surmount them. sacrifices must be made, but if the world without love would be nothing, then why not give up the world for love? he would hasten to patesville. he would find her; he would tell her that he loved her, that she was all the world to him, that he had come to marry her, and take her away where they might be happy together. he pictured to himself the joy that would light up her face; he felt her soft arms around his neck, her tremulous kisses upon his lips. if she were ill, his love would woo her back to health,--if disappointment and sorrow had contributed to her illness, joy and gladness should lead to her recovery. he urged the mare forward; if she would but keep up her present pace, he would reach patesville by nightfall. dr. green had just gone down the garden path to his buggy at the gate. mis' molly came out to the back piazza, where frank, weary and haggard, sat on the steps with homer pettifoot and billy oxendine, who, hearing of rena's return, had come around after their day's work. "rena wants to see you, frank," said mis' molly, with a sob. he walked in softly, reverently, and stood by her bedside. she turned her gentle eyes upon him and put out her slender hand, which he took in his own broad palm. "frank," she murmured, "my good friend--my best friend--you loved me best of them all." the tears rolled untouched down his cheeks. "i'd 'a' died, fer you, miss rena," he said brokenly. mary b. threw open a window to make way for the passing spirit, and the red and golden glory of the setting sun, triumphantly ending his daily course, flooded the narrow room with light. between sunset and dark a traveler, seated in a dusty buggy drawn by a tired horse, crossed the long river bridge and drove up front street. just as the buggy reached the gate in front of the house behind the cedars, a woman was tying a piece of crape upon the door-knob. pale with apprehension, tryon sat as if petrified, until a tall, side-whiskered mulatto came down the garden walk to the front gate. "who's dead?" demanded tryon hoarsely, scarcely recognizing his own voice. "a young cullud 'oman, sah," answered homer pettifoot, touching his hat, "mis' molly walden's daughter rena." iola leroy, or shadows uplifted. by frances e.w. harper. 1893, philadelphia to my daughter mary e. harper, this book is lovingly dedicated. introduction. i confess when i first learned that mrs. harper was about to write "a story" on some features of the anglo-african race, growing out of what was once popularly known as the "peculiar institution," i had my doubts about the matter. indeed it was far from being easy for me to think that she was as fortunate as she might have been in selecting a subject which would afford her the best opportunity for bringing out a work of merit and lasting worth to the race--such a work as some of her personal friends have long desired to see from her graphic pen. however, after hearing a good portion of the manuscript read, and a general statement with regard to the object in view, i admit frankly that my partial indifference was soon swept away; at least i was willing to wait for further developments. being very desirous that one of the race, so long distinguished in the cause of freedom for her intellectual worth as mrs. harper has had the honor of being, should not at this late date in life make a blunder which might detract from her own good name, i naturally proposed to await developments before deciding too quickly in favor of giving encouragement to her contemplated effort. however, i was perfectly aware of the fact that she had much material in her possession for a most interesting book on the subject of the condition of the colored people in the south. i know of no other woman, white or colored, anywhere, who has come so intimately in contact with the colored people in the south as mrs. harper. since emancipation she has labored in every southern state in the union, save two, arkansas and texas; in the colleges, schools, churches, and the cabins not excepted, she has found a vast field and open doors to teach and speak on the themes of education, temperance, and good home building, industry, morality, and the like, and never lacked for evidences of hearty appreciation and gratitude. everywhere help was needed, and her heart being deeply absorbed in the cause she willingly allowed her sympathies to impel her to perform most heroic services. with her it was no uncommon occurrence, in visiting cities or towns, to speak at two, three, and four meetings a day; sometimes to promiscuous audiences composed of everybody who would care to come. but the kind of meetings she took greatest interest in were meetings called exclusively for women. in this attitude she could pour out her sympathies to them as she could not do before a mixed audience; and indeed she felt their needs were far more pressing than any other class. and now i am prepared to most fully indorse her story. i doubt whether she could, if she had tried ever so much, have hit upon a subject so well adapted to reach a large number of her friends and the public with both entertaining and instructive matter as successfully as she has done in this volume. the grand and ennobling sentiments which have characterized all her utterances in laboring for the elevation of the oppressed will not be found missing in this book. the previous books from her pen, which have been so very widely circulated and admired, north and south--"forest leaves," "miscellaneous poems," "moses, a story of the nile," "poems," and "sketches of southern life" (five in number)--these, i predict, will be by far eclipsed by this last effort, which will, in all probability, be the crowning effort of her long and valuable services in the cause of humanity. while, as indicated, mrs. harper has done a large amount of work in the south, she has at the same time done much active service in the temperance cause in the north, as thousands of this class can testify. before the war she was engaged as a speaker by anti-slavery associations; since then, by appointment of the women's christian temperance union, she has held the office of "superintendent of colored work" for years. she has also held the office of one of the directors of the women's congress of the united states. under the auspices of these influential, earnest, and intelligent associations, she has been seen often on their platforms with the leading lady orators of the nation. hence, being widely known not only amongst her own race but likewise by the reformers, laboring for the salvation of the intemperate and others equally unfortunate, there is little room to doubt that the book will be in great demand and will meet with warm congratulations from a goodly number outside of the author's social connections. doubtless the thousands of colored sunday-schools in the south, in casting about for an interesting, moral story-book, full of practical lessons, will not be content to be without "iola leroy, or shadows uplifted." william still. contents. chapter i. the mystery of market speech and prayer meetings ii. contraband of war iii. uncle daniel's story iv. arrival of the union army v. release of iola leroy vi. robert johnson's promotion and religion vii. tom anderson's death viii. the mystified doctor ix. eugene leroy and alfred lorraine x. shadows in the home xi. the plague and the law xii. school-girl notions xiii. a rejected suitor xiv. harry leroy xv. robert and his company xvi. after the battle xvii. flames in the school-room xviii. searching for lost ones xix. striking contrasts xx. a revelation xxi. a home for mother xxii. further lifting of the veil xxiii. delightful reunions xxiv. northern experience xxv. an old friend xxvi. open questions xxvii. diverging paths xxviii. dr. latrobe's mistake xxix. visitors from the south xxx. friends in council xxxi. dawning affections xxxii. wooing and wedding xxxiii. conclusion note chapter i. mystery of market speech and prayer-meeting. "good mornin', bob; how's butter dis mornin'?" "fresh; just as fresh, as fresh can be." "oh, glory!" said the questioner, whom we shall call thomas anderson, although he was known among his acquaintances as marster anderson's tom. his informant regarding the condition of the market was robert johnson, who had been separated from his mother in his childhood and reared by his mistress as a favorite slave. she had fondled him as a pet animal, and even taught him to read. notwithstanding their relation as mistress and slave, they had strong personal likings for each other. tom anderson was the servant of a wealthy planter, who lived in the city of c----, north carolina. this planter was quite advanced in life, but in his earlier days he had spent much of his time in talking politics in his state and national capitals in winter, and in visiting pleasure resorts and watering places in summer. his plantations were left to the care of overseers who, in their turn, employed negro drivers to aid them in the work of cultivation and discipline. but as the infirmities of age were pressing upon him he had withdrawn from active life, and given the management of his affairs into the hands of his sons. as robert johnson and thomas anderson passed homeward from the market, having bought provisions for their respective homes, they seemed to be very light-hearted and careless, chatting and joking with each other; but every now and then, after looking furtively around, one would drop into the ears of the other some news of the battle then raging between the north and south which, like two great millstones, were grinding slavery to powder. as they passed along, they were met by another servant, who said in hurried tones, but with a glad accent in his voice:-"did you see de fish in de market dis mornin'? oh, but dey war splendid, jis' as fresh, as fresh kin be." "that's the ticket," said robert, as a broad smile overspread his face. "i'll see you later." "good mornin', boys," said another servant on his way to market. "how's eggs dis mornin'?" "fust rate, fust rate," said tom anderson. "bob's got it down fine." "i thought so; mighty long faces at de pos'-office dis mornin'; but i'd better move 'long," and with a bright smile lighting up his face he passed on with a quickened tread. there seemed to be an unusual interest manifested by these men in the state of the produce market, and a unanimous report of its good condition. surely there was nothing in the primeness of the butter or the freshness of the eggs to change careless looking faces into such expressions of gratification, or to light dull eyes with such gladness. what did it mean? during the dark days of the rebellion, when the bondman was turning his eyes to the american flag, and learning to hail it as an ensign of deliverance, some of the shrewder slaves, coming in contact with their masters and overhearing their conversations, invented a phraseology to convey in the most unsuspected manner news to each other from the battle-field. fragile women and helpless children were left on the plantations while their natural protectors were at the front, and yet these bondmen refrained from violence. freedom was coming in the wake of the union army, and while numbers deserted to join their forces, others remained at home, slept in their cabins by night and attended to their work by day; but under this apparently careless exterior there was an undercurrent of thought which escaped the cognizance of their masters. in conveying tidings of the war, if they wished to announce a victory of the union army, they said the butter was fresh, or that the fish and eggs were in good condition. if defeat befell them, then the butter and other produce were rancid or stale. entering his home, robert set his basket down. in one arm he held a bundle of papers which he had obtained from the train to sell to the boarders, who were all anxious to hear from the seat of battle. he slipped one copy out and, looking cautiously around, said to linda, the cook, in a low voice:-"splendid news in the papers. secesh routed. yankees whipped 'em out of their boots. papers full of it. i tell you the eggs and the butter's mighty fresh this morning." "oh, sho, chile," said linda, "i can't read de newspapers, but ole missus' face is newspaper nuff for me. i looks at her ebery mornin' wen she comes inter dis kitchen. ef her face is long an' she walks kine o' droopy den i thinks things is gwine wrong for dem. but ef she comes out yere looking mighty pleased, an' larffin all ober her face, an' steppin' so frisky, den i knows de secesh is gittin' de bes' ob de yankees. robby, honey, does you really b'lieve for good and righty dat dem yankees is got horns?" "of course not." "well, i yered so." "well, you heard a mighty big whopper." "anyhow, bobby, things goes mighty contrary in dis house. ole miss is in de parlor prayin' for de secesh to gain de day, and we's prayin' in de cabins and kitchens for de yankees to get de bes' ob it. but wasn't miss nancy glad wen dem yankees run'd away at bull's run. it was nuffin but bull's run an' run away yankees. how she did larff and skip 'bout de house. an' den me thinks to myself you'd better not holler till you gits out ob de woods. i specs 'fore dem yankees gits froo you'll be larffin tother side ob your mouf. while you was gone to market ole miss com'd out yere, her face looking as long as my arm, tellin' us all 'bout de war and saying dem yankees whipped our folks all to pieces. and she was 'fraid dey'd all be down yere soon. i thought they couldn't come too soon for we. but i didn't tell her so." "no, i don't expect you did." "no, i didn't; ef you buys me for a fool you loses your money shore. she said when dey com'd down yere she wanted all de men to hide, for dey'd kill all de men, but dey wouldn't tech de women." "it's no such thing. she's put it all wrong. why them yankees are our best friends." "dat's jis' what i thinks. ole miss was jis' tryin to skeer a body. an' when she war done she jis' set down and sniffled an' cried, an' i war so glad i didn't know what to do. but i had to hole in. an' i made out i war orful sorry. an' jinny said, 'o miss nancy, i hope dey won't come yere.' an' she said, 'i'se jis' 'fraid dey will come down yere and gobble up eberything dey can lay dere hands on.' an' she jis' looked as ef her heart war mos' broke, an' den she went inter de house. an' when she war gone, we jis' broke loose. jake turned somersets, and said he warnt 'fraid ob dem yankees; he know'd which side his brad was buttered on. dat jake is a cuter. when he goes down ter git de letters he cuts up all kines ob shines and capers. an' to look at him skylarking dere while de folks is waitin' for dere letters, an' talkin' bout de war, yer wouldn't think dat boy had a thimbleful of sense. but jake's listenin' all de time wid his eyes and his mouf wide open, an' ketchin' eberything he kin, an' a heap ob news he gits dat way. as to jinny, she jis' capered and danced all ober de flore. an' i jis' had to put my han' ober her mouf to keep ole miss from yereing her. oh, but we did hab a good time. boy, yer oughter been yere." "and, aunt linda, what did you do?" "oh, honey, i war jis' ready to crack my sides larffin, jis' to see what a long face jinny puts on wen ole miss is talkin', an' den to see dat face wen missus' back is turned, why it's good as a circus. it's nuff to make a horse larff." "why, aunt linda, you never saw a circus?" "no, but i'se hearn tell ob dem, and i thinks dey mus' be mighty funny. an' i know it's orful funny to see how straight jinny's face looks wen she's almos' ready to bust, while ole miss is frettin' and fumin' 'bout dem yankees an' de war. but, somehow, robby, i ralely b'lieves dat we cullud folks is mixed up in dis fight. i seed it all in a vision. an' soon as dey fired on dat fort, uncle dan'el says to me: 'linda, we's gwine to git our freedom.' an' i says: 'wat makes you think so?" an' he says: 'dey've fired on fort sumter, an' de norf is boun' to whip.'" "i hope so," said robert. "i think that we have a heap of friends up there." "well, i'm jis' gwine to keep on prayin' an' b'lievin'." just then the bell rang, and robert, answering, found mrs. johnson suffering from a severe headache, which he thought was occasioned by her worrying over the late defeat of the confederates. she sent him on an errand, which he executed with his usual dispatch, and returned to some work which he had to do in the kitchen. robert was quite a favorite with aunt linda, and they often had confidential chats together. "bobby," she said, when he returned, "i thinks we ort ter hab a prayer-meetin' putty soon." "i am in for that. where will you have it?" "lem me see. las' sunday we had it in gibson's woods; sunday 'fore las', in de old cypress swamp; an' nex' sunday we'el hab one in mccullough's woods. las' sunday we had a good time. i war jis' chock full an' runnin' ober. aunt milly's daughter's bin monin all summer, an' she's jis' come throo. we had a powerful time. eberythin' on dat groun' was jis' alive. i tell yer, dere was a shout in de camp." "well, you had better look out, and not shout too much, and pray and sing too loud, because, 'fore you know, the patrollers will be on your track and break up your meetin' in a mighty big hurry, before you can say 'jack robinson.'" "oh, we looks out for dat. we's got a nice big pot, dat got cracked las' winter, but it will hole a lot o' water, an' we puts it whar we can tell it eberything. we has our own good times. an' i want you to come sunday night an' tell all 'bout the good eggs, fish, and butter. mark my words, bobby, we's all gwine to git free. i seed it all in a vision, as plain as de nose on yer face." "well, i hope your vision will come out all right, and that the eggs will keep and the butter be fresh till we have our next meetin'." "now, bob, you sen' word to uncle dan'el, tom anderson, an' de rest ob dem, to come to mccullough's woods nex' sunday night. i want to hab a sin-killin' an' debil-dribin' time. but, boy, you'd better git out er yere. ole miss'll be down on yer like a scratch cat." although the slaves were denied unrestricted travel, and the holding of meetings without the surveillance of a white man, yet they contrived to meet by stealth and hold gatherings where they could mingle their prayers and tears, and lay plans for escaping to the union army. outwitting the vigilance of the patrollers and home guards, they established these meetings miles apart, extending into several states. sometimes their hope of deliverance was cruelly blighted by hearing of some adventurous soul who, having escaped to the union army, had been pursued and returned again to bondage. yet hope survived all these disasters which gathered around the fate of their unfortunate brethren, who were remanded to slavery through the undiscerning folly of those who were strengthening the hands which were dealing their deadliest blows at the heart of the nation. but slavery had cast such a glamour over the nation, and so warped the consciences of men, that they failed to read aright the legible transcript of divine retribution which was written upon the shuddering earth, where the blood of god's poor children had been as water freely spilled. chapter ii. contraband of war. a few evenings after this conversation between robert and linda, a prayer-meeting was held. under the cover of night a few dusky figures met by stealth in mccullough's woods. "howdy," said robert, approaching uncle daniel, the leader of the prayer-meeting, who had preceded him but a few minutes. "thanks and praise; i'se all right. how is you, chile?" "oh, i'm all right," said robert, smiling, and grasping uncle daniel's hand. "what's de news?" exclaimed several, as they turned their faces eagerly towards robert. "i hear," said robert, "that they are done sending the runaways back to their masters." "is dat so?" said a half dozen earnest voices. "how did you yere it?" "i read it in the papers. and tom told me he heard them talking about it last night, at his house. how did you hear it, tom? come, tell us all about it." tom anderson hesitated a moment, and then said:-"now, boys, i'll tell you all 'bout it. but you's got to be mighty mum 'bout it. it won't do to let de cat outer de bag." "dat's so! but tell us wat you yered. we ain't gwine to say nuffin to nobody." "well," said tom, "las' night ole marster had company. two big ginerals, and dey was hoppin' mad. one ob dem looked like a turkey gobbler, his face war so red. an' he sed one ob dem yankee ginerals, i thinks dey called him beas' butler, sed dat de slaves dat runned away war some big name--i don't know what he called it. but it meant dat all ob we who com'd to de yankees should be free." "contraband of war," said robert, who enjoyed the distinction of being a good reader, and was pretty well posted about the war. mrs. johnson had taught him to read on the same principle she would have taught a pet animal amusing tricks. she had never imagined the time would come when he would use the machinery she had put in his hands to help overthrow the institution to which she was so ardently attached. "what does it mean? is it somethin' good for us?" "i think," said robert, a little vain of his superior knowledge, "it is the best kind of good. it means if two armies are fighting and the horses of one run away, the other has a right to take them. and it is just the same if a slave runs away from the secesh to the union lines. he is called a contraband, just the same as if he were an ox or a horse. they wouldn't send the horses back, and they won't send us back." "is dat so?" said uncle daniel, a dear old father, with a look of saintly patience on his face. "well, chillen, what do you mean to do?" "go, jis' as soon as we kin git to de army," said tom anderson. "what else did the generals say? and how did you come to hear them, tom?" asked robert johnson. "well, yer see, marster's too ole and feeble to go to de war, but his heart's in it. an' it makes him feel good all ober when dem big ginerals comes an' tells him all 'bout it. well, i war laying out on de porch fas' asleep an' snorin' drefful hard. oh, i war so soun' asleep dat wen marster wanted some ice-water he had to shake me drefful hard to wake me up. an' all de time i war wide 'wake as he war." "what did they say?" asked robert, who was always on the lookout for news from the battle-field. "one ob dem said, dem yankees war talkin' of puttin' guns in our han's and settin' us all free. an' de oder said, 'oh, sho! ef dey puts guns in dere hands dey'll soon be in our'n; and ef dey sets em free dey wouldn't know how to take keer ob demselves.'" "only let 'em try it," chorused a half dozen voices, "an' dey'll soon see who'll git de bes' ob de guns; an' as to taking keer ob ourselves, i specs we kin take keer ob ourselves as well as take keer ob dem." "yes," said tom, "who plants de cotton and raises all de crops?" "'they eat the meat and give us the bones, eat the cherries and give us the stones,' "and i'm getting tired of the whole business," said robert. "but, bob," said uncle daniel, "you've got a good owner. you don't hab to run away from bad times and wuss a comin'." "it isn't so good, but it might be better. i ain't got nothing 'gainst my ole miss, except she sold my mother from me. and a boy ain't nothin' without his mother. i forgive her, but i never forget her, and never expect to. but if she were the best woman on earth i would rather have my freedom than belong to her. well, boys, here's a chance for us just as soon as the union army gets in sight. what will you do?" "i'se a goin," said tom anderson, "jis' as soon as dem linkum soldiers gits in sight." "an' i'se a gwine wid you, tom," said another. "i specs my ole marster'll feel right smart lonesome when i'se gone, but i don't keer 'bout stayin' for company's sake." "my ole marster's room's a heap better'n his company," said tom anderson, "an' i'se a goner too. dis yer freedom's too good to be lef' behind, wen you's got a chance to git it. i won't stop to bid ole marse good bye." "what do you think," said robert, turning to uncle daniel; "won't you go with us?" "no, chillen, i don't blame you for gwine; but i'se gwine to stay. slavery's done got all de marrow out ob dese poor ole bones. ef freedom comes it won't do me much good; we ole one's will die out, but it will set you youngsters all up." "but, uncle daniel, you're not too old to want your freedom?" "i knows dat. i lubs de bery name of freedom. i'se been praying and hoping for it dese many years. an' ef i warn't boun', i would go wid you ter-morrer. i won't put a straw in your way. you boys go, and my prayers will go wid you. i can't go, it's no use. i'se gwine to stay on de ole place till marse robert comes back, or is brought back." "but, uncle daniel," said robert, "what's the use of praying for a thing if, when it comes, you won't take it? as much as you have been praying and talking about freedom, i thought that when the chance came you would have been one of the first to take it. now, do tell us why you won't go with us. ain't you willing?" "why, robbie, my whole heart is wid you. but when marse robert went to de war, he called me into his room and said to me, 'uncle dan'el, i'se gwine to de war, an' i want you to look arter my wife an' chillen, an' see dat eberything goes right on de place'. an' i promised him i'd do it, an' i mus' be as good as my word. 'cept de overseer, dere isn't a white man on de plantation, an' i hear he has to report ter-morrer or be treated as a deserter. an' der's nobody here to look arter miss mary an' de chillen, but myself, an' to see dat eberything goes right. i promised marse robert i would do it, an' i mus' be as good as my word." "well, what should you keer?" said tom anderson. "who looked arter you when you war sole from your farder and mudder, an' neber seed dem any more, and wouldn't know dem to-day ef you met dem in your dish?" "well, dats neither yere nor dere. marse robert couldn't help what his father did. he war an orful mean man. but he's dead now, and gone to see 'bout it. but his wife war the nicest, sweetest lady dat eber i did see. she war no more like him dan chalk's like cheese. she used to visit de cabins, an' listen to de pore women when de overseer used to cruelize dem so bad, an' drive dem to work late and early. an' she used to sen' dem nice things when they war sick, and hab der cabins whitewashed an' lookin' like new pins, an' look arter dere chillen. sometimes she'd try to git ole marse to take dere part when de oberseer got too mean. but she might as well a sung hymns to a dead horse. all her putty talk war like porin water on a goose's back. he'd jis' bluff her off, an' tell her she didn't run dat plantation, and not for her to bring him any nigger news. i never thought ole marster war good to her. i often ketched her crying, an' she'd say she had de headache, but i thought it war de heartache. 'fore ole marster died, she got so thin an' peaked i war 'fraid she war gwine to die; but she seed him out. he war killed by a tree fallin' on him, an' ef eber de debil got his own he got him. i seed him in a vision arter he war gone. he war hangin' up in a pit, sayin' 'oh! oh!' wid no close on. he war allers blusterin', cussin', and swearin' at somebody. marse robert ain't a bit like him. he takes right arter his mother. bad as ole marster war, i think she jis' lob'd de groun' he walked on. well, women's mighty curious kind of folks anyhow. i sometimes thinks de wuss you treats dem de better dey likes you." "well," said tom, a little impatiently, "what's yer gwine to do? is yer gwine wid us, ef yer gits a chance?" "now, jes' you hole on till i gits a chance to tell yer why i'se gwine to stay." "well, uncle daniel, let's hear it," said robert. "i was jes' gwine to tell yer when tom put me out. ole marster died when marse robert war two years ole, and his pore mother when he war four. when he died, miss anna used to keep me 'bout her jes' like i war her shadder. i used to nuss marse robert jes' de same as ef i were his own fadder. i used to fix his milk, rock him to sleep, ride him on my back, an' nothin' pleased him better'n fer uncle dan'el to ride him piggy-back." "well, uncle daniel," said robert, "what has that got to do with your going with us and getting your freedom?" "now, jes' wait a bit, and don't frustrate my mine. i seed day arter day miss anna war gettin' weaker and thinner, an' she looked so sweet and talked so putty, i thinks to myself, 'you ain't long for dis worl'.' and she said to me one day, 'uncle dan'el, when i'se gone, i want you to be good to your marster robert.' an' she looked so pale and weak i war almost ready to cry. i couldn't help it. she hed allers bin mighty good to me. an' i beliebs in praisin' de bridge dat carries me ober. she said, 'uncle dan'el, i wish you war free. ef i had my way you shouldn't serve any one when i'm gone; but mr. thurston had eberything in his power when he made his will. i war tied hand and foot, and i couldn't help it.' in a little while she war gone--jis' faded away like a flower. i belieb ef dere's a saint in glory, miss anna's dere." "oh, i don't take much stock in white folks' religion," said robert, laughing carelessly. "the way," said tom anderson, "dat some of dese folks cut their cards yere, i think dey'll be as sceece in hebben as hen's teeth. i think wen some of dem preachers brings de bible 'round an' tells us 'bout mindin our marsters and not stealin' dere tings, dat dey preach to please de white folks, an' dey frows coleness ober de meetin'." "an' i," said aunt linda, "neber did belieb in dem bible preachers. i yered one ob dem sayin' wen he war dyin', it war all dark wid him. an' de way he treated his house-girl, pore thing, i don't wonder dat it war dark wid him." "o, i guess," said robert, "that the bible is all right, but some of these church folks don't get the right hang of it." "may be dat's so," said aunt linda. "but i allers wanted to learn how to read. i once had a book, and tried to make out what war in it, but ebery time my mistus caught me wid a book in my hand, she used to whip my fingers. an' i couldn't see ef it war good for white folks, why it warn't good for cullud folks." "well," said tom anderson, "i belieb in de good ole-time religion. but arter dese white folks is done fussin' and beatin' de cullud folks, i don't want 'em to come talking religion to me. we used to hab on our place a real guinea man, an' once he made ole marse mad, an' he had him whipped. old marse war trying to break him in, but dat fellow war spunk to de backbone, an' when he 'gin talkin' to him 'bout savin' his soul an' gittin' to hebbin, he tole him ef he went to hebbin an' foun' he war dare, he wouldn't go in. he wouldn't stay wid any such rascal as he war." "what became of him?" asked robert. "oh, he died. but he had some quare notions 'bout religion. he thought dat when he died he would go back to his ole country. he allers kep' his ole guinea name." "what was it?" "potobombra. do you know what he wanted marster to do 'fore he died?" continued anderson. "no." "he wanted him to gib him his free papers." "did he do it?" "ob course he did. as de poor fellow war dying an' he couldn't sell him in de oder world, he jis' wrote him de papers to yumor him. he didn't want to go back to africa a slave. he thought if he did, his people would look down on him, an' he wanted to go back a free man. he war orful weak when marster brought him de free papers. he jis' ris up in de bed, clutched dem in his han's, smiled, an' gasped out, 'i'se free at las'; an' fell back on de pillar, an' he war gone. oh, but he war spunky. de oberseers, arter dey foun' out who he war, gin'rally gabe him a wide birth. i specs his father war some ole guinea king." "well, chillen," said uncle daniel, "we's kept up dis meeting long enough. we'd better go home, and not all go one way, cause de patrollers might git us all inter trouble, an' we must try to slip home by hook or crook." "an' when we meet again, uncle daniel can finish his story, an' be ready to go with us," said robert. "i wish," said tom anderson, "he would go wid us, de wuss kind." chapter iii. uncle daniel's story. the union had snapped asunder because it lacked the cohesion of justice, and the nation was destined to pass through the crucible of disaster and defeat, till she was ready to clasp hands with the negro and march abreast with him to freedom and victory. the union army was encamping a few miles from c----, in north carolina. robert, being well posted on the condition of affairs, had stealthily contrived to call a meeting in uncle daniel's cabin. uncle daniel's wife had gone to bed as a sick sister, and they held a prayer-meeting by her bedside. it was a little risky, but as mr. thurston did not encourage the visits of the patrollers, and heartily detested having them prying into his cabins, there was not much danger of molestation. "well, uncle daniel, we want to hear your story, and see if you have made up your mind to go with us," said robert, after he had been seated a few minutes in uncle daniel's cabin. "no, chillen, i've no objection to finishin' my story, but i ain't made up my mind to leave the place till marse robert gits back." "you were telling us about marse robert's mother. how did you get along after she died?" "arter she war gone, ole marster's folks come to look arter things. but eberything war lef' to marse robert, an' he wouldn't do widout me. dat chile war allers at my heels. i couldn't stir widout him, an' when he missed me, he'd fret an' cry so i had ter stay wid him; an' wen he went to school, i had ter carry him in de mornin' and bring him home in de ebenin'. an' i learned him to hunt squirrels, an' rabbits, an' ketch fish, an' set traps for birds. i beliebs he lob'd me better dan any ob his kin'. an' he showed me how to read." "well," said tom, "ef he lob'd you so much, why didn't he set you free?" "marse robert tole me, ef he died fust he war gwine ter leave me free--dat i should neber sarve any one else." "oh, sho!" said tom, "promises, like pie crusts, is made to be broken. i don't trust none ob dem. i'se been yere dese fifteen years, an' i'se neber foun' any troof in dem. an' i'se gwine wid dem north men soon's i gits a chance. an' ef you knowed what's good fer you, you'd go, too." "no, tom; i can't go. when marster robert went to de front, he called me to him an' said: 'uncle daniel,' an' he was drefful pale when he said it, 'i are gwine to de war, an' i want yer to take keer of my wife an' chillen, jis' like yer used to take keer of me wen yer called me your little boy.' well, dat jis' got to me, an' i couldn't help cryin', to save my life." "i specs," said tom, "your tear bags must lie mighty close to your eyes. i wouldn't cry ef dem yankees would make ebery one ob dem go to de front, an' stay dere foreber. dey'd only be gittin' back what dey's been a doin' to us." "marster robert war nebber bad to me. an' i beliebs in stannin' by dem dat stans by you. arter miss anna died, i had great 'sponsibilities on my shoulders; but i war orful lonesome, an' thought i'd like to git a wife. but dere warn't a gal on de plantation, an' nowhere's roun', dat filled de bill. so i jis' waited, an' 'tended to marse robert till he war ole 'nough to go to college. wen he went, he allers 'membered me in de letters he used to write his grandma. wen he war gone, i war lonesomer dan eber. but, one day, i jis' seed de gal dat took de rag off de bush. gundover had jis' brought her from de up-country. she war putty as a picture!" he exclaimed, looking fondly at his wife, who still bore traces of great beauty. "she had putty hair, putty eyes, putty mouth. she war putty all over; an' she know'd how to put on style." "o, daniel," said aunt katie, half chidingly, "how you do talk." "why, it's true. i 'member when you war de puttiest gal in dese diggins; when nobody could top your cotton." "i don't," said aunt katie. "well, i do. now, let me go on wid my story. de fust time i seed her, i sez to myself, 'dat's de gal for me, an' i means to hab her ef i kin git her.' so i scraped 'quaintance wid her, and axed her ef she would hab me ef our marsters would let us. i warn't 'fraid 'bout marse robert, but i warn't quite shore 'bout gundover. so when marse robert com'd home, i axed him, an' he larf'd an' said, 'all right,' an' dat he would speak to ole gundover 'bout it. he didn't relish it bery much, but he didn't like to 'fuse marse robert. he wouldn't sell her, for she tended his dairy, an' war mighty handy 'bout de house. he said, i mought marry her an' come to see her wheneber marse robert would gib me a pass. i wanted him to sell her, but he wouldn't hear to it, so i had to put up wid what i could git. marse robert war mighty good to me, but ole gundover's wife war de meanest woman dat i eber did see. she used to go out on de plantation an' boss things like a man. arter i war married, i had a baby. it war de dearest, cutest little thing you eber did see; but, pore thing, it got sick and died. it died 'bout three o'clock; and in de mornin', katie, habbin her cows to milk, lef her dead baby in de cabin. when she com'd back from milkin' her thirty cows, an' went to look for her pore little baby, some one had been to her cabin an' took'd de pore chile away an' put it in de groun'. pore katie, she didn't eben hab a chance to kiss her baby 'fore it war buried. ole gundover's wife has been dead thirty years, an' she didn't die a day too soon. an' my little baby has gone to glory, an' is wingin' wid the angels an' a lookin' out for us. one ob de las' things ole gundover's wife did 'fore she died war to order a woman whipped 'cause she com'd to de field a little late when her husband war sick, an' she had stopped to tend him. dat mornin' she war taken sick wid de fever, an' in a few days she war gone out like de snuff ob a candle. she lef' several sons, an' i specs she would almos' turn ober in her grave ef she know'd she had ten culled granchillen somewhar down in de lower kentry." "isn't it funny," said robert, "how these white folks look down on colored people, an' then mix up with them?" "marster war away when miss 'liza treated my katie so mean, an' when i tole him 'bout it, he war tearin' mad, an' went ober an' saw ole gundover, an' foun' out he war hard up for money, an' he bought katie and brought her home to lib wid me, and we's been a libin in clover eber sence. marster robert has been mighty good to me. he stood by me in my troubles, an' now his trouble's come, i'm a gwine to stan' by him. i used to think gundover's wife war jealous ob my katie. she war so much puttier. gundover's wife couldn't tech my katie wid a ten foot pole." "but, aunt katie, you have had your trials," said robert, now that daniel had finished his story; "don't you feel bitter towards these people who are fighting to keep you in slavery?" aunt katie turned her face towards the speaker. it was a thoughtful, intelligent face, saintly and calm. a face which expressed the idea of a soul which had been fearfully tempest tossed, but had passed through suffering into peace. very touching was the look of resignation and hope which overspread her features as she replied, with the simple child-like faith which she had learned in the darkest hour, "the lord says, we must forgive." and with her that thought, as coming from the lips of divine love, was enough to settle the whole question of forgiveness of injuries and love to enemies. "well," said thomas anderson, turning to uncle daniel, "we can't count on yer to go wid us?" "boys," said uncle daniel, and there was grief in his voice, "i'se mighty glad you hab a chance for your freedom; but, ez i tole yer, i promised marse robert i would stay, an' i mus' be as good as my word. don't you youngsters stay for an ole stager like me. i'm ole an' mos' worn out. freedom wouldn't do much for me, but i want you all to be as free as the birds; so, you chillen, take your freedom when you kin get it." "but, uncle dan'el, you won't say nothin' 'bout our going, will you?" said the youngest of the company. uncle daniel slowly arose. there was a mournful flash in his eye, a tremor of emotion in his voice, as he said, "look yere, boys, de boy dat axed dat question war a new comer on dis plantation, but some ob you's bin here all ob your lives; did you eber know ob uncle dan'el gittin' any ob you inter trouble?" "no, no," exclaimed a chorus of voices, "but many's de time you've held off de blows wen de oberseer got too mean, an' cruelized us too much, wen marse robert war away. an' wen he got back, you made him settle de oberseer's hash." "well, boys," said uncle daniel, with an air of mournful dignity, "i'se de same uncle dan'el i eber war. ef any ob you wants to go, i habben't a word to say agin it. i specs dem yankees be all right, but i knows marse robert, an' i don't know dem, an' i ain't a gwine ter throw away dirty water 'til i gits clean." "well, uncle ben," said robert, addressing a stalwart man whose towering form and darkly flashing eye told that slavery had failed to put the crouch in his shoulders or general abjectness into his demeanor, "you will go with us, for sure, won't you?" "yes," spoke up tom anderson, "'cause de trader's done took your wife, an' got her for his'n now." as ben tunnel looked at the speaker, a spasm of agony and anger darkened his face and distorted his features, as if the blood of some strong race were stirring with sudden vigor through his veins. he clutched his hands together, as if he were struggling with an invisible foe, and for a moment he remained silent. then suddenly raising his head, he exclaimed, "boys, there's not one of you loves freedom more than i do, but--" "but what?" said tom. "do you think white folks is your bes' friends?" "i'll think so when i lose my senses." "well, now, i don't belieb you're 'fraid, not de way i yeard you talkin' to de oberseer wen he war threatnin' to hit your mudder. he saw you meant business, an' he let her alone. but, what's to hinder you from gwine wid us?" "my mother," he replied, in a low, firm voice. "that is the only thing that keeps me from going. if it had not been for her, i would have gone long ago. she's all i've got, an' i'm all she's got." it was touching to see the sorrow on the strong face, to detect the pathos and indignation in his voice, as he said, "i used to love mirandy as i love my life. i thought the sun rose and set in her. i never saw a handsomer woman than she was. but she fooled me all over the face and eyes, and took up with that hell-hound of a trader, lukens; an' he gave her a chance to live easy, to wear fine clothes, an' be waited on like a lady. i thought at first i would go crazy, but my poor mammy did all she could to comfort me. she would tell me there were as good fish in the sea as were ever caught out of it. many a time i've laid my poor head on her lap, when it seemed as if my brain was on fire and my heart was almost ready to burst. but in course of time i got over the worst of it; an' mirandy is the first an' last woman that ever fooled me. but that dear old mammy of mine, i mean to stick by her as long as there is a piece of her. i can't go over to the army an' leave her behind, for if i did, an' anything should happen, i would never forgive myself." "but couldn't you take her with you," said robert, "the soldiers said we could bring our women." "it isn't that. the union army is several miles from here, an' my poor mammy is so skeery that, if i were trying to get her away and any of them secesh would overtake us, an' begin to question us, she would get skeered almost to death, an' break down an' begin to cry, an' then the fat would be in the fire. so, while i love freedom more than a child loves its mother's milk, i've made up my mind to stay on the plantation. i wish, from the bottom of my heart, i could go. but i can't take her along with me, an' i don't want to be free and leave her behind in slavery. i was only five years old when my master and, as i believe, father, sold us both here to this lower country, an' we've been here ever since. it's no use talking, i won't leave her to be run over by everybody." a few evenings after this interview, the union soldiers entered the town of c----, and established their headquarters near the home of thomas anderson. out of the little company, almost every one deserted to the union army, leaving uncle daniel faithful to his trust, and ben tunnel hushing his heart's deep aspirations for freedom in a passionate devotion to his timid and affectionate mother. chapter iv. arrival of the union army. a few evenings before the stampede of robert and his friends to the army, and as he sat alone in his room reading the latest news from the paper he had secreted, he heard a cautious tread and a low tap at his window. he opened the door quietly and whispered:-"anything new, tom?" "yes." "what is it? come in." "well, i'se done bin seen dem yankees, an' dere ain't a bit of troof in dem stories i'se bin yerin 'bout 'em." "where did you see 'em?" "down in de woods whar marster tole us to hide. yesterday ole marse sent for me to come in de settin'-room. an' what do you think? instead ob makin' me stan' wid my hat in my han' while he went froo a whole rigamarole, he axed me to sit down, an' he tole me he 'spected de yankees would want us to go inter de army, an' dey would put us in front whar we'd all git killed; an' i tole him i didn't want to go, i didn't want to git all momached up. an' den he said we'd better go down in de woods an' hide. massa tom and frank said we'd better go as quick as eber we could. dey said dem yankees would put us in dere wagons and make us haul like we war mules. marse tom ain't libin' at de great house jis' now. he's keepin' bachellar's hall." "didn't he go to the battle?" "no; he foun' a pore white man who war hard up for money, an' he got him to go." "but, tom, you didn't believe these stories about the yankees. tom and frank can lie as fast as horses can trot. they wanted to scare you, and keep you from going to the union army." "i knows dat now, but i didn't 'spect so den." "well, when did you see the soldiers? where are they? and what did they say to you?" "dey's right down in gundover's woods. an' de gineral's got his headquarters almos' next door to our house." "that near? oh, you don't say so!" "yes, i do. an', oh, golly, ain't i so glad! i jis' stole yere to told you all 'bout it. yesterday mornin' i war splittin' some wood to git my breakfas', an' i met one ob dem yankee sogers. well, i war so skeered, my heart flew right up in my mouf, but i made my manners to him and said, 'good mornin', massa.' he said, 'good mornin'; but don't call me "massa."' dat war de fust white man i eber seed dat didn't want ter be called 'massa,' eben ef he war as pore as job's turkey. den i begin to feel right sheepish, an' he axed me ef my marster war at home, an' ef he war a reb. i tole him he hadn't gone to de war, but he war secesh all froo, inside and outside. he war too ole to go to de war, but dat he war all de time gruntin' an' groanin', an' i 'spected he'd grunt hisself to death." "what did he say?" "he said he specs he'll grunt worser dan dat fore dey get froo wid him. den he axed me ef i would hab some breakfas,' an' i said, 'no, t'ank you, sir.' 'an' i war jis' as hungry as a dorg, but i war 'feared to eat. i war 'feared he war gwine to pizen me." "poison you! don't you know the yankees are our best friends?" "well, ef dat's so, i'se mighty glad, cause de woods is full ob dem." "now, tom, i thought you had cut your eye-teeth long enough not to let them anderson boys fool you. tom, you must not think because a white man says a thing, it must be so, and that a colored man's word is no account 'longside of his. tom, if ever we get our freedom, we've got to learn to trust each other and stick together if we would be a people. somebody else can read the papers as well as marse tom and frank. my ole miss knows i can read the papers, an' she never tries to scare me with big whoppers 'bout the yankees. she knows she can't catch ole birds with chaff, so she is just as sweet as a peach to her bobby. but as soon as i get a chance i will play her a trick the devil never did." "what's that?" "i'll leave her. i ain't forgot how she sold my mother from me. many a night i have cried myself to sleep, thinking about her, and when i get free i mean to hunt her up." "well, i ain't tole you all. de gemman said he war 'cruiting for de army; dat massa linkum hab set us all free, an' dat he wanted some more sogers to put down dem secesh; dat we should all hab our freedom, our wages, an' some kind ob money. i couldn't call it like he did." "bounty money," said robert. "yes, dat's jis' what he called it, bounty money. an' i said dat i war in for dat, teeth and toe-nails." robert johnson's heart gave a great bound. was that so? had that army, with freedom emblazoned on its banners, come at last to offer them deliverance if they would accept it? was it a bright, beautiful dream, or a blessed reality soon to be grasped by his willing hands? his heart grew buoyant with hope; the lightness of his heart gave elasticity to his step and sent the blood rejoicingly through his veins. freedom was almost in his grasp, and the future was growing rose-tinted and rainbow-hued. all the ties which bound him to his home were as ropes of sand, now that freedom had come so near. when the army was afar off, he had appeared to be light-hearted and content with his lot. if asked if he desired his freedom, he would have answered, very naively, that he was eating his white bread and believed in letting well enough alone; he had no intention of jumping from the frying-pan into the fire. but in the depths of his soul the love of freedom was an all-absorbing passion; only danger had taught him caution. he had heard of terrible vengeance being heaped upon the heads of some who had sought their freedom and failed in the attempt. robert knew that he might abandon hope if he incurred the wrath of men whose overthrow was only a question of time. it would have been madness and folly for him to have attempted an insurrection against slavery, with the words of mcclellan ringing in his ears: "if you rise i shall put you down with an iron hand," and with the home guards ready to quench his aspirations for freedom with bayonets and blood. what could a set of unarmed and undisciplined men do against the fearful odds which beset their path? robert waited eagerly and hopefully his chance to join the union army; and was ready and willing to do anything required of him by which he could earn his freedom and prove his manhood. he conducted his plans with the greatest secrecy. a few faithful and trusted friends stood ready to desert with him when the union army came within hailing distance. when it came, there was a stampede to its ranks of men ready to serve in any capacity, to labor in the tents, fight on the fields, or act as scouts. it was a strange sight to see these black men rallying around the stars and stripes, when white men were trampling them under foot and riddling them with bullets. chapter v. the release of iola leroy. "well, boys," said robert to his trusted friends, as they gathered together at a meeting in gundover's woods, almost under the shadow of the union army, "how many of you are ready to join the army and fight for your freedom." "all ob us." "the soldiers," continued robert, "are camped right at the edge of the town. the general has his headquarters in the heart of the town, and one of the officers told me yesterday that the president had set us all free, and that as many as wanted to join the army could come along to the camp. so i thought, boys, that i would come and tell you. now, you can take your bag and baggage, and get out of here as soon as you choose." "we'll be ready by daylight," said tom. "it won't take me long to pack up," looking down at his seedy clothes, with a laugh. "i specs ole marse'll be real lonesome when i'm gone. an' won't he be hoppin' mad when he finds i'm a goner? i specs he'll hate it like pizen." "o, well," said robert, "the best of friends must part. don't let it grieve you." "i'se gwine to take my wife an' chillen," said one of the company. "i'se got nobody but myself," said tom; "but dere's a mighty putty young gal dere at marse tom's. i wish i could git her away. dey tells me dey's been sellin' her all ober de kentry; but dat she's a reg'lar spitfire; dey can't lead nor dribe her." "do you think she would go with us?" said robert. "i think she's jis' dying to go. dey say dey can't do nuffin wid her. marse tom's got his match dis time, and i'se glad ob it. i jis' glories in her spunk." "how did she come there?" "oh, marse bought her ob de trader to keep house for him. but ef you seed dem putty white han's ob hern you'd never tink she kept her own house, let 'lone anybody else's." "do you think you can get her away?" "i don't know; 'cause marse tom keeps her mighty close. my! but she's putty. beautiful long hair comes way down her back; putty blue eyes, an' jis' ez white ez anybody's in dis place. i'd jis' wish you could see her yoresef. i heerd marse tom talkin' 'bout her las' night to his brudder; tellin' him she war mighty airish, but he meant to break her in." an angry curse rose to the lips of robert, but he repressed it and muttered to himself, "graceless scamp, he ought to have his neck stretched." then turning to tom, said:-"get her, if you possibly can, but you must be mighty mum about it." "trus' me for dat," said tom. tom was very anxious to get word to the beautiful but intractable girl who was held in durance vile by her reckless and selfish master, who had tried in vain to drag her down to his own low level of sin and shame. but all tom's efforts were in vain. finally he applied to the commander of the post, who immediately gave orders for her release. the next day tom had the satisfaction of knowing that iola leroy had been taken as a trembling dove from the gory vulture's nest and given a place of security. she was taken immediately to the general's headquarters. the general was much impressed by her modest demeanor, and surprised to see the refinement and beauty she possessed. could it be possible that this young and beautiful girl had been a chattel, with no power to protect herself from the highest insults that lawless brutality could inflict upon innocent and defenseless womanhood? could he ever again glory in his american citizenship, when any white man, no matter how coarse, cruel, or brutal, could buy or sell her for the basest purposes? was it not true that the cause of a hapless people had become entangled with the lightnings of heaven, and dragged down retribution upon the land? the field hospital was needing gentle, womanly ministrations, and iola leroy, released from the hands of her tormentors, was given a place as nurse; a position to which she adapted herself with a deep sense of relief. tom was doubly gratified at the success of his endeavors, which had resulted in the rescue of the beautiful young girl and the discomfiture of his young master who, in the words of tom, "was mad enough to bite his head off" (a rather difficult physical feat). iola, freed from her master's clutches, applied herself readily to her appointed tasks. the beautiful, girlish face was full of tender earnestness. the fresh, young voice was strangely sympathetic, as if some great sorrow had bound her heart in loving compassion to every sufferer who needed her gentle ministrations. tom anderson was a man of herculean strength and remarkable courage. but, on account of physical defects, instead of enlisting as a soldier, he was forced to remain a servant, although he felt as if every nerve in his right arm was tingling to strike a blow for freedom. he was well versed in the lay of the country, having often driven his master's cotton to market when he was a field hand. after he became a coachman, he had become acquainted with the different roads and localities of the country. besides, he had often accompanied his young masters on their hunting and fishing expeditions. although he could not fight in the army, he proved an invaluable helper. when tents were to be pitched, none were more ready to help than he. when burdens were to be borne, none were more willing to bend beneath them than thomas anderson. when the battle-field was to be searched for the wounded and dying, no hand was more tender in its ministrations of kindness than his. as a general factotum in the army, he was ever ready and willing to serve anywhere and at any time, and to gather information from every possible source which could be of any service to the union army. as a pagan might worship a distant star and wish to call it his own, so he loved iola. and he never thought he could do too much for the soldiers who had rescued her and were bringing deliverance to his race. "what do you think of miss iola?" robert asked him one day, as they were talking together. "i jis' think dat she's splendid. las' week i had to take some of our pore boys to de hospital, an' she war dere, lookin' sweet an' putty ez an angel, a nussin' dem pore boys, an' ez good to one ez de oder. it looks to me ez ef dey ralely lob'd her shadder. she sits by 'em so patient, an' writes 'em sech nice letters to der frens, an' yit she looks so heart-broke an' pitiful, it jis' gits to me, an' makes me mos' ready to cry. i'm so glad dat marse tom had to gib her up. he war too mean to eat good victuals." "he ought," said robert, "to be made to live on herrings' heads and cold potatoes. it makes my blood boil just to think that he was going to have that lovely looking young girl whipped for his devilment. he ought to be ashamed to hold up his head among respectable people." "i tell you, bob, de debil will neber git his own till he gits him. when i seed how he war treating her i neber rested till i got her away. he buyed her, he said, for his housekeeper; as many gals as dere war on de plantation, why didn't he git one ob dem to keep house, an' not dat nice lookin' young lady? her han's look ez ef she neber did a day's work in her life. one day when he com'd down to breakfas,' he chucked her under de chin, an' tried to put his arm roun' her waist. but she jis' frew it off like a chunk ob fire. she looked like a snake had bit her. her eyes fairly spit fire. her face got red ez blood, an' den she turned so pale i thought she war gwine to faint, but she didn't, an' i yered her say, 'i'll die fust.' i war mad 'nough to stan' on my head. i could hab tore'd him all to pieces wen he said he'd hab her whipped." "did he do it?" "i don't know. but he's mean 'nough to do enythin'. why, dey say she war sole seben times in six weeks, 'cause she's so putty, but dat she war game to de las'." "well, tom," said robert, "getting that girl away was one of the best things you ever did in your life." "i think so, too. not dat i specs enytin' ob it. i don't spose she would think ob an ugly chap like me; but it does me good to know dat marse tom ain't got her." chapter vi. robert johnson's promotion and religion. robert johnson, being able to meet the army requirements, was enlisted as a substitute to help fill out the quota of a northern regiment. with his intelligence, courage, and prompt obedience, he rose from the ranks and became lieutenant of a colored company. he was daring, without being rash; prompt, but not thoughtless; firm, without being harsh. kind and devoted to the company he drilled, he soon won the respect of his superior officers and the love of his comrades. "johnson," said a young officer, captain sybil, of maine, who had become attached to robert, "what is the use of your saying you're a colored man, when you are as white as i am, and as brave a man as there is among us. why not quit this company, and take your place in the army just the same as a white man? i know your chances for promotion would be better." "captain, you may doubt my word, but to-day i would rather be a lieutenant in my company than a captain in yours." "i don't understand you." "well, captain, when a man's been colored all his life it comes a little hard for him to get white all at once. were i to try it, i would feel like a cat in a strange garret. captain, i think my place is where i am most needed. you do not need me in your ranks, and my company does. they are excellent fighters, but they need a leader. to silence a battery, to capture a flag, to take a fortification, they will rush into the jaws of death." "yes, i have often wondered at their bravery." "captain, these battles put them on their mettle. they have been so long taught that they are nothing and nobody, that they seem glad to prove they are something and somebody." "but, johnson, you do not look like them, you do not talk like them. it is a burning shame to have held such a man as you in slavery." "i don't think it was any worse to have held me in slavery than the blackest man in the south." "you are right, johnson. the color of a man's skin has nothing to do with the possession of his rights." "now, there is tom anderson," said robert, "he is just as black as black can be. he has been bought and sold like a beast, and yet there is not a braver man in all the company. i know him well. he is a noble-hearted fellow. true as steel. i love him like a brother. and i believe tom would risk his life for me any day. he don't know anything about his father or mother. he was sold from them before he could remember. he can read a little. he used to take lessons from a white gardener in virginia. he would go between the hours of 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. he got a book of his own, tore it up, greased the pages, and hid them in his hat. then if his master had ever knocked his hat off he would have thought them greasy papers, and not that tom was carrying his library on his head. i had another friend who lived near us. when he was nineteen years old he did not know how many letters there were in the abc's. one night, when his work was done, his boss came into his cabin and saw him with a book in his hand. he threatened to give him five hundred lashes if he caught him again with a book, and said he hadn't work enough to do. he was getting out logs, and his task was ten logs a day. his employer threatened to increase it to twelve. he said it just harassed him; it set him on fire. he thought there must be something good in that book if the white man didn't want him to learn. one day he had an errand in the kitchen, and he heard one of the colored girls going over the abc's. here was the key to the forbidden knowledge. she had heard the white children saying them, and picked them up by heart, but did not know them by sight. he was not content with that, but sold his cap for a book and wore a cloth on his head instead. he got the sounds of the letters by heart, then cut off the bark of a tree, carved the letters on the smooth inside, and learned them. he wanted to learn how to write. he had charge of a warehouse where he had a chance to see the size and form of letters. he made the beach of the river his copybook, and thus he learned to write. tom never got very far with his learning, but i used to get the papers and tell him all i knew about the war." "how did you get the papers?" "i used to have very good privileges for a slave. all of our owners were not alike. some of them were quite clever, and others were worse than git out. i used to get the morning papers to sell to the boarders and others, and when i got them i would contrive to hide a paper, and let some of the fellow-servants know how things were going on. and our owners thought we cared nothing about what was going on." "how was that? i thought you were not allowed to hold meetings unless a white man were present." "that was so. but we contrived to hold secret meetings in spite of their caution. we knew whom we could trust. my ole miss wasn't mean like some of them. she never wanted the patrollers around prowling in our cabins, and poking their noses into our business. her husband was an awful drunkard. he ran through every cent he could lay his hands on, and she was forced to do something to keep the wolf from the door, so she set up a boarding-house. but she didn't take in tom, dick, and harry. nobody but the big bugs stopped with her. she taught me to read and write, and to cast up accounts. it was so handy for her to have some one who could figure up her accounts, and read or write a note, if she were from home and wanted the like done. she once told her cousin how i could write and figure up. and what do you think her cousin said?" "'pleased,' i suppose, 'to hear it.'" "not a bit of it. she said, if i belonged to her, she would cut off my thumbs; her husband said, 'oh, then he couldn't pick cotton.' as to my poor thumbs, it did not seem to be taken into account what it would cost me to lose them. my ole miss used to have a lot of books. she would let me read any one of them except a novel. she wanted to take care of my soul, but she wasn't taking care of her own." "wasn't she religious?" "she went for it. i suppose she was as good as most of them. she said her prayers and went to church, but i don't know that that made her any better. i never did take much stock in white folks' religion." "why, robert, i'm afraid you are something of an infidel." "no, captain, i believe in the real, genuine religion. i ain't got much myself, but i respect them that have. we had on our place a dear, old saint, named aunt kizzy. she was a happy soul. she had seen hard times, but was what i call a living epistle. i've heard her tell how her only child had been sold from her, when the man who bought herself did not want to buy her child. poor little fellow! he was only two years old. i asked her one day how she felt when her child was taken away. 'i felt,' she said, 'as if i was going to my grave. but i knew if i couldn't get justice here, i could get it in another world.'" "that was faith," said captain sybil, as if speaking to himself, "a patient waiting for death to redress the wrongs of life." "many a time," continued robert, "have i heard her humming to herself in the kitchen and saying, 'i has my trials, ups and downs, but it won't allers be so. i specs one day to wing and wing wid de angels, hallelujah! den i specs to hear a voice sayin', "poor ole kizzy, she's done de bes' she kin. go down, gabriel, an' tote her in." den i specs to put on my golden slippers, my long white robe, an' my starry crown, an' walk dem golden streets, hallelujah!' i've known that dear, old soul to travel going on two miles, after her work was done, to have some one read to her. her favorite chapter began with, 'let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in god, believe also in me.'" "i have been deeply impressed," said captain sybil, "with the child-like faith of some of these people. i do not mean to say that they are consistent christians, but i do think that this faith has in a measure underlain the life of the race. it has been a golden thread woven amid the sombre tissues of their lives. a ray of light shimmering amid the gloom of their condition. and what would they have been without it?" "i don't know. but i know what she was with it. and i believe if there are any saints in glory, aunt kizzy is one of them." "she is dead, then?" "yes, went all right, singing and rejoicing until the last, 'troubles over, troubles over, and den my troubles will be over. we'll walk de golden streets all 'roun' in de new jerusalem.' now, captain, that's the kind of religion that i want. not that kind which could ride to church on sundays, and talk so solemn with the minister about heaven and good things, then come home and light down on the servants like a thousand of bricks. i have no use for it. i don't believe in it. i never did and i never will. if any man wants to save my soul he ain't got to beat my body. that ain't the kind of religion i'm looking for. i ain't got a bit of use for it. now, captain, ain't i right?" "well, yes, robert, i think you are more than half right. you ought to know my dear, old mother who lives in maine. we have had colored company at our house, and i never saw her show the least difference between her colored and white guests. she is a quaker preacher, and don't believe in war, but when the rest of the young men went to the front, i wanted to go also. so i thought it all over, and there seemed to be no way out of slavery except through the war. i had been taught to hate war and detest slavery. now the time had come when i could not help the war, but i could strike a blow for freedom. so i told my mother i was going to the front, that i expected to be killed, but i went to free the slave. it went hard with her. but i thought that i ought to come, and i believe my mother's prayers are following me." "captain," said robert, rising, "i am glad that i have heard your story. i think that some of these northern soldiers do two things--hate slavery and hate niggers." "i am afraid that is so with some of them. they would rather be whipped by rebels than conquer with negroes. oh, i heard a soldier," said captain sybil, "say, when the colored men were being enlisted, that he would break his sword and resign. but he didn't do either. after colonel shaw led his charge at fort wagner, and died in the conflict, he got bravely over his prejudices. the conduct of the colored troops there and elsewhere has done much to turn public opinion in their favor. i suppose any white soldier would rather have his black substitute receive the bullets than himself." chapter vii. tom anderson's death. "where is tom?" asked captain sybil; "i have not seen him for several hours." "he's gone down the sound with some of the soldiers," replied robert. "they wanted tom to row them." "i am afraid those boys will get into trouble, and the rebs will pick them off," responded sybil. "o, i hope not," answered robert. "i hope not, too; but those boys are too venturesome." "tom knows the lay of the land better than any of us," said robert. "he is the most wide-awake and gamiest man i know. i reckon when the war is over tom will be a preacher. did you ever hear him pray?" "no; is he good at that?" "first-rate," continued robert. "it would do you good to hear him. he don't allow any cursing and swearing when he's around. and what he says is law and gospel with the boys. but he's so good-natured; and they can't get mad at him." "yes, robert, there is not a man in our regiment i would sooner trust than tom. last night, when he brought in that wounded scout, he couldn't have been more tender if he had been a woman. how gratefully the poor fellow looked in tom's face as he laid him down so carefully and staunched the blood which had been spurting out of him. tom seemed to know it was an artery which had been cut, and he did just the right thing to stop the bleeding. he knew there wasn't a moment to be lost. he wasn't going to wait for the doctor. i have often heard that colored people are ungrateful, but i don't think tom's worst enemy would say that about him." "captain," said robert, with a tone of bitterness in his voice, "what had we to be grateful for? for ages of poverty, ignorance, and slavery? i think if anybody should be grateful, it is the people who have enslaved us and lived off our labor for generations. captain, i used to know a poor old woman who couldn't bear to hear any one play on the piano." "is that so? why, i always heard that colored people were a musical race." "so we are; but that poor woman's daughter was sold, and her mistress took the money to buy a piano. her mother could never bear to hear a sound from it." "poor woman!" exclaimed captain sybil, sympathetically; "i suppose it seemed as if the wail of her daughter was blending with the tones of the instrument. i think, robert, there is a great deal more in the colored people than we give them credit for. did you know captain sellers?" "the officer who escaped from prison and got back to our lines?" asked robert. "yes. well, he had quite an experience in trying to escape. he came to an aged couple, who hid him in their cabin and shared their humble food with him. they gave him some corn-bread, bacon, and coffee which he thought was made of scorched bran. but he said that he never ate a meal that he relished more than the one he took with them. just before he went they knelt down and prayed with him. it seemed as if his very hair stood on his head, their prayer was so solemn. as he was going away the man took some shingles and nailed them on his shoes to throw the bloodhounds off his track. i don't think he will ever cease to feel kindly towards colored people. i do wonder what has become of the boys? what can keep them so long?" just as captain sybil and robert were wondering at the delay of tom and the soldiers they heard the measured tread of men who were slowly bearing a burden. they were carrying tom anderson to the hospital, fearfully wounded, and nigh to death. his face was distorted, and the blood was streaming from his wounds. his respiration was faint, his pulse hurried, as if life were trembling on its frailest cords. robert and captain sybil hastened at once towards the wounded man. on robert's face was a look of intense anguish, as he bent pityingly over his friend. "o, this is dreadful! how did it happen?" cried robert. captain sybil, pressing anxiously forward, repeated robert's question. "captain," said one of the young soldiers, advancing and saluting his superior officer, "we were all in the boat when it struck against a mud bank, and there was not strength enough among us to shove her back into the water. just then the rebels opened fire upon us. for awhile we lay down in the boat, but still they kept firing. tom took in the whole situation, and said: 'someone must die to get us out of this. i mought's well be him as any. you are soldiers and can fight. if they kill me, it is nuthin'.' so tom leaped out to shove the boat into the water. just then the rebel bullets began to rain around him. he received seven or eight of them, and i'm afraid there is no hope for him." "o, tom, i wish you hadn't gone. o, tom! tom!" cried robert, in tones of agony. a gleam of grateful recognition passed over the drawn features of tom, as the wail of his friend fell on his ear. he attempted to speak, but the words died upon his lips, and he became unconscious. "well," said captain sybil, "put him in one of the best wards. give him into miss leroy's care. if good nursing can win him back to life, he shall not want for any care or pains that she can bestow. send immediately for dr. gresham." robert followed his friend into the hospital, tenderly and carefully helped to lay him down, and remained awhile, gazing in silent grief upon the sufferer. then he turned to go, leaving him in the hands of iola, but hoping against hope that his wounds would not be fatal. with tender devotion iola watched her faithful friend. he recognized her when restored to consciousness, and her presence was as balm to his wounds. he smiled faintly, took her hand in his, stroked it tenderly, looked wistfully into her face, and said, "miss iola, i ain't long fer dis! i'se 'most home!" "oh, no," said iola, "i hope that you will soon get over this trouble, and live many long and happy days." "no, miss iola, it's all ober wid me. i'se gwine to glory; gwine to glory; gwine to ring dem charmin' bells. tell all de boys to meet me in heben; dat dey mus' 'list in de hebenly war." "o, mr. tom," said iola, tenderly, "do not talk of leaving me. you are the best friend i have had since i was torn from my mother. i should be so lonely without you." "dere's a frien' dat sticks closer dan a brudder. he will be wid yer in de sixt' trial, an' in de sebbent' he'll not fo'sake yer." "yes," answered iola, "i know that. he is all our dependence. but i can't help grieving when i see you suffering so. but, dear friend, be quiet, and try to go to sleep." "i'll do enythin' fer yer, miss iola." tom closed his eyes and lay quiet. tenderly and anxiously iola watched over him as the hours waned away. the doctor came, shook his head gravely, and, turning to iola, said, "there is no hope, but do what you can to alleviate his sufferings." as iola gazed upon the kind but homely features of tom, she saw his eyes open and an unexpressed desire upon his face. tenderly and sadly bending over him, with tears in her dark, luminous eyes, she said, "is there anything i can do for you?" "yes," said tom, with laboring breath; "let me hole yore han', an' sing 'ober jordan inter glory' an' 'we'll anchor bye and bye.'" iola laid her hand gently in the rough palm of the dying man, and, with a tremulous voice, sang the parting hymns. tenderly she wiped the death damps from his dusky brow, and imprinted upon it a farewell kiss. gratitude and affection lit up the dying eye, which seemed to be gazing into the eternities. just then robert entered the room, and, seating himself quietly by tom's bedside, read the death signs in his face. "good-bye, robert," said tom, "meet me in de kingdom." suddenly a look of recognition and rapture lit up his face, and he murmured, "angels, bright angels, all's well, all's well!" slowly his hand released its pressure, a peaceful calm overspread his countenance, and without a sigh or murmur thomas anderson, iola's faithful and devoted friend, passed away, leaving the world so much poorer for her than it was before. just then dr. gresham, the hospital physician, came to the bedside, felt for the pulse which would never throb again, and sat down in silence by the cot. "what do you think, doctor," said iola, "has he fainted?" "no," said the doctor, "poor fellow! he is dead." iola bowed her head in silent sorrow, and then relieved the anguish of her heart by a flood of tears. robert rose, and sorrowfully left the room. iola, with tearful eyes and aching heart, clasped the cold hands over the still breast, closed the waxen lid over the eye which had once beamed with kindness or flashed with courage, and then went back, after the burial, to her daily round of duties, feeling the sad missing of something from her life. chapter viii. the mystified doctor. "colonel," said dr. gresham to col. robinson, the commander of the post, "i am perfectly mystified by miss leroy." "what is the matter with her?" asked col. robinson. "is she not faithful to her duties and obedient to your directions?" "faithful is not the word to express her tireless energy and devotion to her work," responded dr. gresham. "she must have been a born nurse to put such enthusiasm into her work." "why, doctor, what is the matter with you? you talk like a lover." a faint flush rose to the cheek of dr. gresham as he smiled, and said, "oh! come now, colonel, can't a man praise a woman without being in love with her?" "of course he can," said col. robinson; "but i know where such admiration is apt to lead. i've been there myself. but, doctor, had you not better defer your love-making till you're out of the woods?" "i assure you, colonel, i am not thinking of love or courtship. that is the business of the drawing-room, and not of the camp. but she did mystify me last night." "how so?" asked col. robinson. "when tom was dying," responded the doctor, "i saw that beautiful and refined young lady bend over and kiss him. when she found that he was dead, she just cried as if her heart was breaking. well, that was a new thing to me. i can eat with colored people, walk, talk, and fight with them, but kissing them is something i don't hanker after." "and yet you saw miss leroy do it?" "yes; and that puzzles me. she is one of the most refined and lady-like women i ever saw. i hear she is a refugee, but she does not look like the other refugees who have come to our camp. her accent is slightly southern, but her manner is northern. she is self-respecting without being supercilious; quiet, without being dull. her voice is low and sweet, yet at times there are tones of such passionate tenderness in it that you would think some great sorrow has darkened and overshadowed her life. without being the least gloomy, her face at times is pervaded by an air of inexpressible sadness. i sometimes watch her when she is not aware that i am looking at her, and it seems as if a whole volume was depicted on her countenance. when she smiles, there is a longing in her eyes which is never satisfied. i cannot understand how a southern lady, whose education and manners stamp her as a woman of fine culture and good breeding, could consent to occupy the position she so faithfully holds. it is a mystery i cannot solve. can you?" "i think i can," answered col. robinson. "will you tell me?" queried the doctor. "yes, on one condition." "what is it?" "everlasting silence." "i promise," said the doctor. "the secret between us shall be as deep as the sea." "she has not requested secrecy, but at present, for her sake, i do not wish the secret revealed. miss leroy was a slave." "oh, no," said dr. gresham, starting to his feet, "it can't be so! a woman as white as she a slave?" "yes, it is so," continued the colonel. "in these states the child follows the condition of its mother. this beautiful and accomplished girl was held by one of the worst rebels in town. tom told me of it and i issued orders for her release." "well, well! is that so?" said dr. gresham, thoughtfully stroking his beard. "wonders will never cease. why, i was just beginning to think seriously of her." "what's to hinder your continuing to think?" asked col. robinson. "what you tell me changes the whole complexion of affairs," replied the doctor. "if that be so i am glad i told you before you got head over heels in love." "yes," said dr. gresham, absently. dr. gresham was a member of a wealthy and aristocratic family, proud of its lineage, which it could trace through generations of good blood to its ancestral isle. he had become deeply interested in iola before he had heard her story, but after it had been revealed to him he tried to banish her from his mind; but his constant observation of her only increased his interest and admiration. the deep pathos of her story, the tenderness of her ministrations, bestowed alike on black and white, and the sad loneliness of her condition, awakened within him a desire to defend and protect her all through her future life. the fierce clashing of war had not taken all the romance out of his nature. in iola he saw realized his ideal of the woman whom he was willing to marry. a woman, tender, strong, and courageous, and rescued only by the strong arm of his government from a fate worse than death. she was young in years, but old in sorrow; one whom a sad destiny had changed from a light-hearted girl to a heroic woman. as he observed her, he detected an undertone of sorrow in her most cheerful words, and observed a quick flushing and sudden paling of her cheek, as if she were living over scenes that were thrilling her soul with indignation or chilling her heart with horror. as nurse and physician, iola and dr. gresham were constantly thrown together. his friends sent him magazines and books, which he gladly shared with her. the hospital was a sad place. mangled forms, stricken down in the flush of their prime and energy; pale young corpses, sacrificed on the altar of slavery, constantly drained on her sympathies. dr. gresham was glad to have some reading matter which might divert her mind from the memories of her mournful past, and also furnish them both with interesting themes of conversation in their moments of relaxation from the harrowing scenes through which they were constantly passing. without any effort or consciousness on her part, his friendship ripened into love. to him her presence was a pleasure, her absence a privation; and her loneliness drew deeply upon his sympathy. he would have merited his own self-contempt if, by word or deed, he had done anything to take advantage of her situation. all the manhood and chivalry of his nature rose in her behalf, and, after carefully revolving the matter, he resolved to win her for his bride, bury her secret in his northern home, and hide from his aristocratic relations all knowledge of her mournful past. one day he said to iola:-"this hospital life is telling on you. your strength is failing, and although you possess a wonderful amount of physical endurance, you must not forget that saints have bodies and dwell in tabernacles of clay, just the same as we common mortals." "compliments aside," she said, smiling; "what are you driving at, doctor?" "i mean," he replied, "that you are running down, and if you do not quit and take some rest you will be our patient instead of our nurse. you'd better take a furlough, go north, and return after the first frost." "doctor, if that is your only remedy," replied iola, "i am afraid that i am destined to die at my post. i have no special friends in the north, and no home but this in the south. i am homeless and alone." there was something so sad, almost despairing in her tones, in the drooping of her head, and the quivering of her lip, that they stirred dr. gresham's heart with sudden pity, and, drawing nearer to her, he said, "miss leroy, you need not be all alone. let me claim the privilege of making your life bright and happy. iola, i have loved you ever since i have seen your devotion to our poor, sick boys. how faithfully you, a young and gracious girl, have stood at your post and performed your duties. and now i ask, will you not permit me to clasp hands with you for life? i do not ask for a hasty reply. give yourself time to think over what i have proposed." chapter ix. eugene leroy and alfred lorraine. nearly twenty years before the war, two young men, of french and spanish descent, sat conversing on a large verandah which surrounded an ancient home on the mississippi river. it was french in its style of architecture, large and rambling, with no hint of modern improvements. the owner of the house was the only heir of a creole planter. he had come into possession of an inheritance consisting of vast baronial estates, bank stock, and a large number of slaves. eugene leroy, being deprived of his parents, was left, at an early age, to the care of a distant relative, who had sent him to school and college, and who occasionally invited him to spend his vacations at his home. but eugene generally declined his invitations, as he preferred spending his vacations at the watering places in the north, with their fashionable and not always innocent gayeties. young, vivacious, impulsive, and undisciplined, without the restraining influence of a mother's love or the guidance of a father's hand, leroy found himself, when his college days were over, in the dangerous position of a young man with vast possessions, abundant leisure, unsettled principles, and uncontrolled desires. he had no other object than to extract from life its most seductive draughts of ease and pleasure. his companion, who sat opposite him on the verandah, quietly smoking a cigar, was a remote cousin, a few years older than himself, the warmth of whose southern temperament had been modified by an infusion of northern blood. eugene was careless, liberal, and impatient of details, while his companion and cousin, alfred lorraine, was selfish, eager, keen, and alert; also hard, cold, methodical, and ever ready to grasp the main chance. yet, notwithstanding the difference between them, they had formed a warm friendship for each other. "alfred," said eugene, "i am going to be married." lorraine opened his eyes with sudden wonder, and exclaimed: "well, that's the latest thing out! who is the fortunate lady who has bound you with her silken fetters? is it one of those beautiful creole girls who were visiting augustine's plantation last winter? i watched you during our visit there and thought that you could not be proof against their attractions. which is your choice? it would puzzle me to judge between the two. they had splendid eyes, dark, luminous, and languishing; lovely complexions and magnificent hair. both were delightful in their manners, refined and cultured, with an air of vivacity mingled with their repose of manner which was perfectly charming. as the law only allows us one, which is your choice? miss annette has more force than her sister, and if i could afford the luxury of a wife she would be my choice." "ah, alf," said eugene, "i see that you are a practical business man. in marrying you want a wife to assist you as an efficient plantation mistress. one who would tolerate no waste in the kitchen and no disorder in the parlor." "exactly so," responded lorraine; "i am too poor to marry a mere parlor ornament. you can afford to do it; i cannot." "nonsense, if i were as poor as a church mouse i would marry the woman i love." "very fine sentiments," said lorraine, "and were i as rich as you i would indulge in them also. you know, when my father died i had great expectations. we had always lived in good style, and i never thought for a moment he was not a rich man, but when his estate was settled i found it was greatly involved, and i was forced to face an uncertain future, with scarcely a dollar to call my own. land, negroes, cattle, and horses all went under the hammer. the only thing i retained was the education i received at the north; that was my father's best investment, and all my stock in trade. with that only as an outfit, it would be madness for me to think of marrying one of those lovely girls. they remind me of beautiful canary birds, charming and pretty, but not fitted for the wear and tear of plantation life. well, which is your choice?" "neither," replied eugene. "then, is it that magnificent looking widow from new orleans, whom we met before you had that terrible spell of sickness and to whom you appeared so devoted?" "not at all. i have not heard from her since that summer. she was fascinating and handsome, but fearfully high strung." "were you afraid of her?" "no; but i valued my happiness too much to trust it in her hands." "sour grapes!" said lorraine. "no! but i think that slavery and the lack of outside interests are beginning to tell on the lives of our women. they lean too much on their slaves, have too much irresponsible power in their hands, are narrowed and compressed by the routine of plantation life and the lack of intellectual stimulus." "yes, eugene, when i see what other women are doing in the fields of literature and art, i cannot help thinking an amount of brain power has been held in check among us. yet i cannot abide those northern women, with their suffrage views and abolition cant. they just shock me." "but your mother was a northern woman," said eugene. "yes; but she got bravely over her northern ideas. as i remember her, she was just as much a southerner as if she had been to the manor born. she came here as a school-teacher, but soon after she came she married my father. he was easy and indulgent with his servants, and held them with a very loose rein. but my mother was firm and energetic. she made the niggers move around. no shirking nor dawdling with her. when my father died, she took matters in hand, but she only outlived him a few months. if she had lived i believe that she would have retrieved our fortune. i know that she had more executive ability than my father. he was very squeamish about selling his servants, but she would have put every one of them in her pocket before permitting them to eat her out of house and home. but whom _are_ you going to marry?" "a young lady who graduates from a northern seminary next week," responded eugene. "i think you are very selfish," said lorraine. "you might have invited a fellow to go with you to be your best man." "the wedding is to be strictly private. the lady whom i am to marry has negro blood in her veins." "the devil she has!" exclaimed lorraine, starting to his feet, and looking incredulously on the face of leroy. "are you in earnest? surely you must be jesting." "i am certainly in earnest," answered eugene leroy. "i mean every word i say." "oh, it can't be possible! are you mad?" exclaimed lorraine. "never was saner in my life." "what under heaven could have possessed you to do such a foolish thing? where did she come from." "right here, on this plantation. but i have educated and manumitted her, and i intend marrying her." "why, eugene, it is impossible that you can have an idea of marrying one of your slaves. why, man, she is your property, to have and to hold to all intents and purposes. are you not satisfied with the power and possession the law gives you?" "no. although the law makes her helpless in my hands, to me her defenselessness is her best defense." "eugene, we have known each other all of our lives, and, although i have always regarded you as eccentric, i never saw you so completely off your balance before. the idea of you, with your proud family name, your vast wealth in land and negroes, intending to marry one of them, is a mystery i cannot solve. do explain to me why you are going to take this extremely strange and foolish step." "you never saw marie?" "no; and i don't want to." "she is very beautiful. in the north no one would suspect that she has one drop of negro blood in her veins, but here, where i am known, to marry her is to lose caste. i could live with her, and not incur much if any social opprobrium. society would wink at the transgression, even if after she had become the mother of my children i should cast her off and send her and them to the auction block." "men," replied lorraine, "would merely shrug their shoulders; women would say you had been sowing your wild oats. your money, like charity, would cover a multitude of faults." "but if i make her my lawful wife and recognize her children as my legitimate heirs, i subject myself to social ostracism and a senseless persecution. we americans boast of freedom, and yet here is a woman whom i love as i never loved any other human being, but both law and public opinion debar me from following the inclination of my heart. she is beautiful, faithful, and pure, and yet all that society will tolerate is what i would scorn to do." "but has not society the right to guard the purity of its blood by the rigid exclusion of an alien race?" "excluding it! how?" asked eugene. "by debarring it from social intercourse." "perhaps it has," continued eugene, "but should not society have a greater ban for those who, by consorting with an alien race, rob their offspring of a right to their names and to an inheritance in their property, and who fix their social status among an enslaved and outcast race? don't eye me so curiously; i am not losing my senses." "i think you have done that already," said lorraine. "don't you know that if she is as fair as a lily, beautiful as a houri, and chaste as ice, that still she is a negro?" "oh, come now; she isn't much of a negro." "it doesn't matter, however. one drop of negro blood in her veins curses all the rest." "i know it," said eugene, sadly, "but i have weighed the consequences, and am prepared to take them." "well, eugene, your course is _so_ singular! i do wish that you would tell me why you take this unprecedented step?" eugene laid aside his cigar, looked thoughtfully at lorraine, and said, "well, alfred, as we are kinsmen and life-long friends, i will not resent your asking my reason for doing that which seems to you the climax of absurdity, and if you will have the patience to listen i will tell you." "proceed, i am all attention." "my father died," said eugene, "as you know, when i was too young to know his loss or feel his care and, being an only child, i was petted and spoiled. i grew up to be wayward, self-indulgent, proud, and imperious. i went from home and made many friends both at college and in foreign lands. i was well supplied with money and, never having been forced to earn it, was ignorant of its value and careless of its use. my lavish expenditures and liberal benefactions attracted to me a number of parasites, and men older than myself led me into the paths of vice, and taught me how to gather the flowers of sin which blossom around the borders of hell. in a word, i left my home unwarned and unarmed against the seductions of vice. i returned an initiated devotee to debasing pleasures. years of my life were passed in foreign lands; years in which my soul slumbered and seemed pervaded with a moral paralysis; years, the memory of which fills my soul with sorrow and shame. i went to the capitals of the old world to see life, but in seeing life i became acquainted with death, the death of true manliness and self-respect. you look astonished; but i tell you, alf, there is many a poor clod-hopper, on whom are the dust and grime of unremitting toil, who feels more self-respect and true manliness than many of us with our family prestige, social position, and proud ancestral halls. after i had lived abroad for years, i returned a broken-down young man, prematurely old, my constitution a perfect wreck. a life of folly and dissipation was telling fearfully upon me. my friends shrank from me in dismay. i was sick nigh unto death, and had it not been for marie's care i am certain that i should have died. she followed me down to the borders of the grave, and won me back to life and health. i was slow in recovering and, during the time, i had ample space for reflection, and the past unrolled itself before me. i resolved, over the wreck and ruin of my past life, to build a better and brighter future. marie had a voice of remarkable sweetness, although it lacked culture. often when i was nervous and restless i would have her sing some of those weird and plaintive melodies which she had learned from the plantation negroes. sometimes i encouraged her to talk, and i was surprised at the native vigor of her intellect. by degrees i became acquainted with her history. she was all alone in the world. she had no recollection of her father, but remembered being torn from her mother while clinging to her dress. the trader who bought her mother did not wish to buy her. she remembered having a brother, with whom she used to play, but she had been separated from him also, and since then had lost all trace of them. after she was sold from her mother she became the property of an excellent old lady, who seems to have been very careful to imbue her mind with good principles; a woman who loved purity, not only for her own daughters, but also for the defenseless girls in her home. i believe it was the lady's intention to have freed marie at her death, but she died suddenly, and, the estate being involved, she was sold with it and fell into the hands of my agent. i became deeply interested in her when i heard her story, and began to pity her." "and i suppose love sprang from pity." "i not only pitied her, but i learned to respect her. i had met with beautiful women in the halls of wealth and fashion, both at home and abroad, but there was something in her different from all my experience of womanhood." "i should think so," said lorraine, with a sneer; "but i should like to know what it was." "it was something such as i have seen in old cathedrals, lighting up the beauty of a saintly face. a light which the poet tells was never seen on land or sea. i thought of this beautiful and defenseless girl adrift in the power of a reckless man, who, with all the advantages of wealth and education, had trailed his manhood in the dust, and she, with simple, childlike faith in the unseen, seemed to be so good and pure that she commanded my respect and won my heart. in her presence every base and unholy passion died, subdued by the supremacy of her virtue." "why, eugene, what has come over you? talking of the virtue of these quadroon girls! you have lived so long in the north and abroad, that you seem to have lost the cue of our southern life. don't you know that these beautiful girls have been the curse of our homes? you have no idea of the hearts which are wrung by their presence." "but, alfred, suppose it is so. are they to blame for it? what can any woman do when she is placed in the hands of an irresponsible master; when she knows that resistance is vain? yes, alfred, i agree with you, these women are the bane of our southern civilization; but they are the victims and we are the criminals." "i think from the airs that some of them put on when they get a chance, that they are very willing victims." "so much the worse for our institution. if it is cruel to debase a hapless victim, it is an increase of cruelty to make her contented with her degradation. let me tell you, alf, you cannot wrong or degrade a woman without wronging or degrading yourself." "what is the matter with you, eugene? are you thinking of taking priest's orders?" "no, alf," said eugene, rising and rapidly pacing the floor, "you may defend the system as much as you please, but you cannot deny that the circumstances it creates, and the temptations it affords, are sapping our strength and undermining our character." "that may be true," said lorraine, somewhat irritably, "but you had better be careful how you air your northern notions in public." "why so?" "because public opinion is too sensitive to tolerate any such discussions." "and is not that a proof that we are at fault with respect to our institutions?" "i don't know. i only know we are living in the midst of a magazine of powder, and it is not safe to enter it with a lighted candle." "let me proceed with my story," continued eugene. "during the long months in which i was convalescing, i was left almost entirely to the companionship of marie. in my library i found a bible, which i began to read from curiosity, but my curiosity deepened into interest when i saw the rapt expression on marie's face. i saw in it a loving response to sentiments to which i was a stranger. in the meantime my conscience was awakened, and i scorned to take advantage of her defenselessness. i felt that i owed my life to her faithful care, and i resolved to take her north, manumit, educate, and marry her. i sent her to a northern academy, but as soon as some of the pupils found that she was colored, objections were raised, and the principal was compelled to dismiss her. during my search for a school i heard of one where three girls of mixed blood were pursuing their studies, every one of whom would have been ignominiously dismissed had their connection with the negro race been known. but i determined to run no risks. i found a school where her connection with the negro race would be no bar to her advancement. she graduates next week, and i intend to marry her before i return home. she was faithful when others were faithless, stood by me when others deserted me to die in loneliness and neglect, and now i am about to reward her care with all the love and devotion it is in my power to bestow. that is why i am about to marry my faithful and devoted nurse, who snatched me from the jaws of death. now that i have told you my story, what say you?" "madness and folly inconceivable!" exclaimed lorraine. "what to you is madness and folly is perfect sanity with me. after all, alf, is there not an amount of unreason in our prejudices?" "that may be true; but i wasn't reasoned into it, and i do not expect to be reasoned out of it." "will you accompany me north?" "no; except to put you in an insane asylum. you are the greatest crank out," said lorraine, thoroughly disgusted. "no, thank you; i'm all right. i expect to start north to-morrow. you had better come and go." "i would rather follow you to your grave," replied lorraine, hotly, while an expression of ineffable scorn passed over his cold, proud face. chapter x. shadows in the home. on the next morning after this conversation leroy left for the north, to attend the commencement and witness the graduation of his ward. arriving in ohio, he immediately repaired to the academy and inquired for the principal. he was shown into the reception-room, and in a few moments the principal entered. "good morning," said leroy, rising and advancing towards him; "how is my ward this morning?" "she is well, and has been expecting you. i am glad you came in time for the commencement. she stands among the foremost in her class." "i am glad to hear it. will you send her this?" said leroy, handing the principal a card. the principal took the card and immediately left the room. very soon leroy heard a light step, and looking up he saw a radiantly beautiful woman approaching him. "good morning, marie," he said, greeting her cordially, and gazing upon her with unfeigned admiration. "you are looking very handsome this morning." "do you think so?" she asked, smiling and blushing. "i am glad you are not disappointed; that you do not feel your money has been spent in vain." "oh, no, what i have spent on your education has been the best investment i ever made." "i hope," said marie, "you may always find it so. but mas----" "hush!" said leroy, laying his hand playfully on her lips; "you are free. i don't want the dialect of slavery to linger on your lips. you must not call me that name again." "why not?" "because i have a nearer and dearer one by which i wish to be called." leroy drew her nearer, and whispered in her ear a single word. she started, trembled with emotion, grew pale, and blushed painfully. an awkward silence ensued, when leroy, pressing her hand, exclaimed: "this is the hand that plucked me from the grave, and i am going to retain it as mine; mine to guard with my care until death us do part." leroy looked earnestly into her eyes, which fell beneath his ardent gaze. with admirable self-control, while a great joy was thrilling her heart, she bowed her beautiful head and softly repeated, "until death us do part." leroy knew southern society too well to expect it to condone his offense against its social customs, or give the least recognition to his wife, however cultured, refined, and charming she might be, if it were known that she had the least infusion of negro blood in her veins. but he was brave enough to face the consequences of his alliance, and marry the woman who was the choice of his heart, and on whom his affections were centred. after leroy had left the room, marie sat awhile thinking of the wonderful change that had come over her. instead of being a lonely slave girl, with the fatal dower of beauty, liable to be bought and sold, exchanged, and bartered, she was to be the wife of a wealthy planter; a man in whose honor she could confide, and on whose love she could lean. very interesting and pleasant were the commencement exercises in which marie bore an important part. to enlist sympathy for her enslaved race, and appear to advantage before leroy, had aroused all of her energies. the stimulus of hope, the manly love which was environing her life, brightened her eye and lit up the wonderful beauty of her countenance. during her stay in the north she had constantly been brought in contact with anti-slavery people. she was not aware that there was so much kindness among the white people of the country until she had tested it in the north. from the anti-slavery people in private life she had learned some of the noblest lessons of freedom and justice, and had become imbued with their sentiments. her theme was "american civilization, its lights and shadows." graphically she portrayed the lights, faithfully she showed the shadows of our american civilization. earnestly and feelingly she spoke of the blind sampson in our land, who might yet shake the pillars of our great commonwealth. leroy listened attentively. at times a shadow of annoyance would overspread his face, but it was soon lost in the admiration her earnestness and zeal inspired. like esther pleading for the lives of her people in the oriental courts of a despotic king, she stood before the audience, pleading for those whose lips were sealed, but whose condition appealed to the mercy and justice of the nation. strong men wiped the moisture from their eyes, and women's hearts throbbed in unison with the strong, brave words that were uttered in behalf of freedom for all and chains for none. generous applause was freely bestowed, and beautiful bouquets were showered upon her. when it was known that she was to be the wife of her guardian, warm congratulations were given, and earnest hopes expressed for the welfare of the lonely girl, who, nearly all her life, had been deprived of a parent's love and care. on the eve of starting south leroy procured a license, and united his destiny with the young lady whose devotion in the darkest hour had won his love and gratitude. in a few days marie returned as mistress to the plantation from which she had gone as a slave. but as unholy alliances were common in those days between masters and slaves, no one took especial notice that marie shared leroy's life as mistress of his home, and that the family silver and jewelry were in her possession. but leroy, happy in his choice, attended to the interests of his plantation, and found companionship in his books and in the society of his wife. a few male companions visited him occasionally, admired the magnificent beauty of his wife, shook their heads, and spoke of him as being very eccentric, but thought his marriage the great mistake of his life. but none of his female friends ever entered his doors, when it became known that marie held the position of mistress of his mansion, and presided at his table. but she, sheltered in the warm clasp of loving arms, found her life like a joyous dream. into that quiet and beautiful home three children were born, unconscious of the doom suspended over their heads. "oh, how glad i am," marie would often say, "that these children are free. i could never understand how a cultured white man could have his own children enslaved. i can understand how savages, fighting with each other, could doom their vanquished foes to slavery, but it has always been a puzzle to me how a civilized man could drag his own children, bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh, down to the position of social outcasts, abject slaves, and political pariahs." "but, marie," said eugene, "all men do not treat their illegitimate children in the manner you describe. the last time i was in new orleans i met henri augustine at the depot, with two beautiful young girls. at first i thought that they were his own children, they resembled him so closely. but afterwards i noticed that they addressed him as 'mister.' before we parted he told me that his wife had taken such a dislike to their mother that she could not bear to see them on the place. at last, weary of her dissatisfaction, he had promised to bring them to new orleans and sell them. instead, he was going to ohio to give them their freedom, and make provision for their future." "what a wrong!" said marie. "who was wronged?" said leroy, in astonishment. "every one in the whole transaction," answered marie. "your friend wronged himself by sinning against his own soul. he wronged his wife by arousing her hatred and jealousy through his unfaithfulness. he wronged those children by giving them the _status_ of slaves and outcasts. he wronged their mother by imposing upon her the burdens and cares of maternity without the rights and privileges of a wife. he made her crown of motherhood a circlet of shame. under other circumstances she might have been an honored wife and happy mother. and i do think such men wrong their own legitimate children by transmitting to them a weakened moral fibre." "oh, marie, you have such an uncomfortable way of putting things. you make me feel that we have done those things which we ought not to have done, and have left undone those things which we ought to have done." "if it annoys you," said marie, "i will stop talking." "oh, no, go on," said leroy, carelessly; and then he continued more thoughtfully, "i know a number of men who have sent such children north, and manumitted, educated, and left them valuable legacies. we are all liable to err, and, having done wrong, all we can do is to make reparation." "my dear husband, this is a wrong where reparation is impossible. neither wealth nor education can repair the wrong of a dishonored birth. there are a number of slaves in this section who are servants to their own brothers and sisters; whose fathers have robbed them not simply of liberty but of the right of being well born. do you think these things will last forever?" "i suppose not. there are some prophets of evil who tell us that the union is going to dissolve. but i know it would puzzle their brains to tell where the crack will begin. i reckon we'll continue to jog along as usual. 'cotton fights, and cotton conquers for american slavery.'" even while leroy dreamed of safety the earthquake was cradling its fire; the ground was growing hollow beneath his tread; but his ear was too dull to catch the sound; his vision too blurred to read the signs of the times. "marie," said leroy, taking up the thread of the discourse, "slavery is a sword that cuts both ways. if it wrongs the negro, it also curses the white man. but we are in it, and what can we do?" "get out of it as quickly as possible." "that is easier said than done. i would willingly free every slave on my plantation if i could do so without expatriating them. some of them have wives and children on other plantations, and to free them is to separate them from their kith and kin. to let them remain here as a free people is out of the question. my hands are tied by law and custom." "who tied them?" asked marie. "a public opinion, whose meshes i cannot break. if the negro is the thrall of his master, we are just as much the thralls of public opinion." "why do you not battle against public opinion, if you think it is wrong?" "because i have neither the courage of a martyr, nor the faith of a saint; and so i drift along, trying to make the condition of our slaves as comfortable as i possibly can. i believe there are slaves on this plantation whom the most flattering offers of freedom would not entice away." "i do not think," said marie, "that some of you planters understand your own slaves. lying is said to be the vice of slaves. the more intelligent of them have so learned to veil their feelings that you do not see the undercurrent of discontent beneath their apparent good humor and jollity. the more discontented they are, the more i respect them. to me a contented slave is an abject creature. i hope that i shall see the day when there will not be a slave in the land. i hate the whole thing from the bottom of my heart." "marie, your northern education has unfitted you for southern life. you are free, yourself, and so are our children. why not let well enough alone?" "because i love liberty, not only for myself but for every human being. think how dear these children are to me; and then for the thought to be forever haunting me, that if you were dead they could be turned out of doors and divided among your relatives. i sometimes lie awake at night thinking of how there might be a screw loose somewhere, and, after all, the children and i might be reduced to slavery." "marie, what in the world is the matter with you? have you had a presentiment of my death, or, as uncle jack says, 'hab you seed it in a vision?'" "no, but i have had such sad forebodings that they almost set me wild. one night i dreamt that you were dead; that the lawyers entered the house, seized our property, and remanded us to slavery. i never can be satisfied in the south with such a possibility hanging over my head." "marie, dear, you are growing nervous. your imagination is too active. you are left too much alone on this plantation. i hope that for your own and the children's sake i will be enabled to arrange our affairs so as to find a home for you where you will not be doomed to the social isolation and ostracism that surround you here." "i don't mind the isolation for myself, but the children. you have enjoined silence on me with respect to their connection with the negro race, but i do not think we can conceal it from them very long. it will not be long before iola will notice the offishness of girls of her own age, and the scornful glances which, even now, i think, are leveled at her. yesterday harry came crying to me, and told me that one of the neighbor's boys had called him 'nigger.'" a shadow flitted over leroy's face, as he answered, somewhat soberly, "oh, marie, do not meet trouble half way. i have manumitted you, and the children will follow your condition. i have made you all legatees of my will. except my cousin, alfred lorraine, i have only distant relatives, whom i scarcely know and who hardly know me." "your cousin lorraine? are you sure our interests would be safe in his hands?" "i think so; i don't think alfred would do anything dishonorable." "he might not with his equals. but how many men would be bound by a sense of honor where the rights of a colored woman are in question? your cousin was bitterly opposed to our marriage, and i would not trust any important interests in his hands. i do hope that in providing for our future you will make assurance doubly sure." "i certainly will, and all that human foresight can do shall be done for you and our children." "oh," said marie, pressing to her heart a beautiful child of six summers, "i think it would almost make me turn over in my grave to know that every grace and charm which this child possesses would only be so much added to her value as an article of merchandise." as marie released the child from her arms she looked wonderingly into her mother's face and clung closely to her, as if to find refuge from some unseen evil. leroy noticed this, and sighed unconsciously, as an expression of pain flitted over his face. "now, marie," he continued, "stop tormenting yourself with useless fears. although, with all her faults, i still love the south, i will make arrangements either to live north or go to france. there life will be brighter for us all. now, marie, seat yourself at the piano and sing:- 'sing me the songs that to me were so dear, long, long ago. sing me the songs i delighted to hear, long, long ago." as marie sang the anxiety faded from her face, a sense of security stole over her, and she sat among her loved ones a happy wife and mother. what if no one recognized her on that lonely plantation! her world was, nevertheless, there. the love and devotion of her husband brightened every avenue of her life, while her children filled her home with music, mirth, and sunshine. marie had undertaken their education, but she could not give them the culture which comes from the attrition of thought, and from contact with the ideas of others. since her school-days she had read extensively and thought much, and in solitude her thoughts had ripened. but for her children there were no companions except the young slaves of the plantation, and she dreaded the effect of such intercourse upon their lives and characters. leroy had always been especially careful to conceal from his children the knowledge of their connection with the negro race. to marie this silence was oppressive. one day she said to him, "i see no other way of finishing the education of these children than by sending them to some northern school." "i have come," said leroy, "to the same conclusion. we had better take iola and harry north and make arrangements for them to spend several years in being educated. riches take wings to themselves and fly away, but a good education is an investment on which the law can place no attachment. as there is a possibility of their origin being discovered, i will find a teacher to whom i can confide our story, and upon whom i can enjoin secrecy. i want them well fitted for any emergency in life. when i discover for what they have the most aptitude i will give them especial training in that direction." a troubled look passed over the face of marie, as she hesitatingly said: "i am so afraid that you will regret our marriage when you fully realize the complications it brings." "no, no," said leroy, tenderly, "it is not that i regret our marriage, or feel the least disdain for our children on account of the blood in their veins; but i do not wish them to grow up under the contracting influence of this race prejudice. i do not wish them to feel that they have been born under a proscription from which no valor can redeem them, nor that any social advancement or individual development can wipe off the ban which clings to them. no, marie, let them go north, learn all they can, aspire all they may. the painful knowledge will come all too soon. do not forestall it. i want them simply to grow up as other children; not being patronized by friends nor disdained by foes." "my dear husband, you may be perfectly right, but are you not preparing our children for a fearful awakening? are you not acting on the plan, 'after me the deluge?'" "not at all, marie. i want our children to grow up without having their self-respect crushed in the bud. you know that the north is not free from racial prejudice." "i know it," said marie, sadly, "and i think one of the great mistakes of our civilization is that which makes color, and not character, a social test." "i think so, too," said leroy. "the strongest men and women of a down-trodden race may bare their bosoms to an adverse fate and develop courage in the midst of opposition, but we have no right to subject our children to such crucial tests before their characters are formed. for years, when i lived abroad, i had an opportunity to see and hear of men of african descent who had distinguished themselves and obtained a recognition in european circles, which they never could have gained in this country. i now recall the name of ira aldridge, a colored man from new york city, who was covered with princely honors as a successful tragedian. alexander dumas was not forced to conceal his origin to succeed as a novelist. when i was in st. petersburg i was shown the works of alexander sergevitch, a russian poet, who was spoken of as the byron of russian literature, and reckoned one of the finest poets that russia has produced in this century. he was also a prominent figure in fashionable society, and yet he was of african lineage. one of his paternal ancestors was a negro who had been ennobled by peter the great. i can't help contrasting the recognition which these men had received with the treatment which has been given to frederick douglass and other intelligent colored men in this country. with me the wonder is not that they have achieved so little, but that they have accomplished so much. no, marie, we will have our children educated without being subjected to the depressing influences of caste feeling. perhaps by the time their education is finished i will be ready to wind up my affairs and take them abroad, where merit and ability will give them entrance into the best circles of art, literature, and science." after this conversation leroy and his wife went north, and succeeded in finding a good school for their children. in a private interview he confided to the principal the story of the cross in their blood, and, finding him apparently free from racial prejudice, he gladly left the children in his care. gracie, the youngest child, remained at home, and her mother spared no pains to fit her for the seminary against the time her sister should have finished her education. chapter xi. the plague and the law. years passed, bringing no special change to the life of leroy and his wife. shut out from the busy world, its social cares and anxieties, marie's life flowed peacefully on. although removed by the protecting care of leroy from the condition of servitude, she still retained a deep sympathy for the enslaved, and was ever ready to devise plans to ameliorate their condition. leroy, although in the midst of slavery, did not believe in the rightfulness of the institution. he was in favor of gradual emancipation, which would prepare both master and slave for a moral adaptation to the new conditions of freedom. while he was willing to have the old rivets taken out of slavery, politicians and planters were devising plans to put in new screws. he was desirous of having it ended in the states; they were clamorous to have it established in the territories. but so strong was the force of habit, combined with the feebleness of his moral resistance and the nature of his environment, that instead of being an athlete, armed for a glorious strife, he had learned to drift where he should have steered, to float with the current instead of nobly breasting the tide. he conducted his plantation with as much lenity as it was possible to infuse into a system darkened with the shadow of a million crimes. leroy had always been especially careful not to allow his children to spend their vacations at home. he and marie generally spent that time with them at some summer resort. "i would like," said marie, one day, "to have our children spend their vacations at home. those summer resorts are pleasant, yet, after all, there is no place like home. but," and her voice became tremulous, "our children would now notice their social isolation and inquire the cause." a faint sigh arose to the lips of leroy, as she added: "man is a social being; i've known it to my sorrow." there was a tone of sadness in leroy's voice, as he replied: "yes, marie, let them stay north. we seem to be entering on a period fraught with great danger. i cannot help thinking and fearing that we are on the eve of a civil war." "a civil war!" exclaimed marie, with an air of astonishment. "a civil war about what?" "why, marie, the thing looks to me so wild and foolish i hardly know how to explain. but some of our leading men have come to the conclusion that north and south had better separate, and instead of having one to have two independent governments. the spirit of secession is rampant in the land. i do not know what the result will be, and i fear it will bode no good to the country. between the fire-eating southerners and the meddling abolitionists we are about to be plunged into a great deal of trouble. i fear there are breakers ahead. the south is dissatisfied with the state of public opinion in the north. we are realizing that we are two peoples in the midst of one nation. william h. seward has proclaimed that the conflict between freedom and slavery is irrepressible, and that the country cannot remain half free and half slave." "how will _you_ go?" asked marie. "my heart is with the union. i don't believe in secession. there has been no cause sufficient to justify a rupture. the north has met us time and again in the spirit of concession and compromise. when we wanted the continuance of the african slave trade the north conceded that we should have twenty years of slave-trading for the benefit of our plantations. when we wanted more territory she conceded to our desires and gave us land enough to carve out four states, and there yet remains enough for four more. when we wanted power to recapture our slaves when they fled north for refuge, daniel webster told northerners to conquer their prejudices, and they gave us the whole northern states as a hunting ground for our slaves. the presidential chair has been filled the greater number of years by southerners, and the majority of offices has been shared by our men. we wanted representation in congress on a basis which would include our slaves, and the north, whose suffrage represents only men, gave us a three-fifths representation for our slaves, whom we count as property. i think the step will be suicidal. there are extremists in both sections, but i hope, between them both, wise counsels and measures will prevail." just then alfred lorraine was ushered into the room. occasionally he visited leroy, but he always came alone. his wife was the only daughter of an enterprising slave-trader, who had left her a large amount of property. her social training was deficient, her education limited, but she was too proud of being a pure white woman to enter the home of leroy, with marie as its presiding genius. lorraine tolerated marie's presence as a necessary evil, while to her he always seemed like a presentiment of trouble. with his coming a shadow fell upon her home, hushing its music and darkening its sunshine. a sense of dread oppressed her. there came into her soul an intuitive feeling that somehow his coming was fraught with danger. when not peering around she would often catch his eyes bent on her with a baleful expression. leroy and his cousin immediately fell into a discussion on the condition of the country. lorraine was a rank secessionist, ready to adopt the most extreme measures of the leaders of the movement, even to the reopening of the slave trade. leroy thought a dissolution of the union would involve a fearful expenditure of blood and treasure for which, before the eyes of the world, there could be no justification. the debate lasted late into the night, leaving both lorraine and leroy just as set in their opinions as they were before they began. marie listened attentively awhile, then excused herself and withdrew. after lorraine had gone marie said: "there is something about your cousin that fills me with nameless dread. i always feel when he enters the room as if some one were walking over my grave. i do wish he would stay at home." "i wish so, too, since he disturbs you. but, marie, you are growing nervous. how cold your hands are. don't you feel well?" "oh, yes; i am only a little faint. i wish he would never come. but, as he does, i must make the best of it." "yes, marie, treat him well for my sake. he is the only relative i have who ever darkens our doors." "i have no faith in his friendship for either myself or my children. i feel that while he makes himself agreeable to you he hates me from the bottom of his heart, and would do anything to get me out of the way. oh, i am _so_ glad i am your lawful wife, and that you married me before you brought me back to this state! i believe that if you were gone he wouldn't have the least scruple against trying to prove our marriage invalid and remanding us to slavery." leroy looked anxiously and soberly at his wife, and said: "marie, i do not think so. your life is too lonely here. write your orders to new orleans, get what you need for the journey, and let us spend the summer somewhere in the north." just then marie's attention was drawn to some household matters, and it was a short time before she returned. "tom," continued leroy, "has just brought the mail, and here is a letter from iola." marie noticed that he looked quite sober as he read, and that an expression of vexation was lingering on his lips. "what is the matter?" asked marie. "nothing much; only a tempest in a teapot. the presence of a colored girl in mr. galen's school has caused a breeze of excitement. you know mr. galen is quite an abolitionist, and, being true to his principles, he could not consistently refuse when a colored woman applied for her daughter's admission. of course, when he took her he was compelled to treat her as any other pupil. in so doing he has given mortal offense to the mother of two southern boys. she has threatened to take them away if the colored girl remains." "what will he do about it?" asked marie, thoughtfully. "oh, it is a bitter pill, but i think he will have to swallow it. he is between two fires. he cannot dismiss her from the school and be true to his abolition principles; yet if he retains her he will lose his southern customers, and i know he cannot afford to do that." "what does iola say?" "he has found another boarding place for her, but she is to remain in the school. he had to throw that sop to the whale." "does she take sides against the girl?" "no, i don't think she does. she says she feels sorry for her, and that she would hate to be colored. 'it is so hard to be looked down on for what one can't help.'" "poor child! i wish we could leave the country. i never would consent to her marrying any one without first revealing to him her connection with the negro race. this is a subject on which i am not willing to run any risks." "my dear marie, when you shall have read iola's letter you will see it is more than a figment of my imagination that has made me so loth to have our children know the paralyzing power of caste." leroy, always liberal with his wife and children, spared neither pains nor expense to have them prepared for their summer outing. iola was to graduate in a few days. harry was attending a school in the state of maine, and his father had written to him, apprising him of his intention to come north that season. in a few days leroy and his wife started north, but before they reached vicksburg they were met by the intelligence that the yellow fever was spreading in the delta, and that pestilence was breathing its bane upon the morning air and distilling its poison upon the midnight dews. "let us return home," said marie. "it is useless," answered leroy. "it is nearly two days since we left home. the fever is spreading south of us with fearful rapidity. to return home is to walk into the jaws of death. it was my intention to have stopped at vicksburg, but now i will go on as soon as i can make the connections." early next morning leroy and his wife started again on their journey. the cars were filled with terror-stricken people who were fleeing from death, when death was everywhere. they fled from the city only to meet the dreaded apparition in the country. as they journeyed on leroy grew restless and feverish. he tried to brace himself against the infection which was creeping slowly but insidiously into his life, dulling his brain, fevering his blood, and prostrating his strength. but vain were all his efforts. he had no armor strong enough to repel the invasion of death. they stopped at a small town on the way and obtained the best medical skill and most careful nursing, but neither skill nor art availed. on the third day death claimed leroy as a victim, and marie wept in hopeless agony over the grave of her devoted husband, whose sad lot it was to die from home and be buried among strangers. but before he died he placed his will in marie's hands, saying: "i have left you well provided for. kiss the children for me and bid them good-bye." he tried to say a parting word to gracie, but his voice failed, and he fainted into the stillness of death. a mortal paleness overspread his countenance, on which had already gathered the shadows that never deceive. in speechless agony marie held his hand until it released its pressure in death, and then she stood alone beside her dead, with all the bright sunshine of her life fading into the shadows of the grave. heart-broken and full of fearful forebodings, marie left her cherished dead in the quiet village of h---and returned to her death-darkened home. it was a lovely day in june, birds were singing their sweetest songs, flowers were breathing their fragrance on the air, when mam liza, sitting at her cabin-door, talking with some of the house servants, saw a carriage approaching, and wondered who was coming. "i wonder," she said, excitedly, "whose comin' to de house when de folks is done gone." but her surprise was soon changed to painful amazement, when she saw marie, robed in black, alighting from the carriage, and holding gracie by the hand. she caught sight of the drooping head and grief-stricken face, and rushed to her, exclaiming:-"whar's marse eugene?" "dead," said marie, falling into mammy liza's arms, sobbing out, "dead! _ died_ of yellow fever." a wild burst of sorrow came from the lips of the servants, who had drawn near. "where is he?" said mam liza, speaking like one suddenly bewildered. "he is buried in h----. i could not bring him home," said marie. "my pore baby," said mam liza, with broken sobs. "i'se drefful sorry. my heart's most broke into two." then, controlling herself, she dismissed the servants who stood around, weeping, and led marie to her room. "come, honey, lie down an' lem'me git yer a cup ob tea." "oh, no; i don't want anything," said marie, wringing her hands in bitter agony. "oh, honey," said mam liza, "yer musn't gib up. yer knows whar to put yer trus'. yer can't lean on de arm of flesh in dis tryin' time." kneeling by the side of her mistress she breathed out a prayer full of tenderness, hope, and trust. marie grew calmer. it seemed as if that earnest, trustful prayer had breathed into her soul a feeling of resignation. gracie stood wonderingly by, vainly trying to comprehend the great sorrow which was overwhelming the life of her mother. after the first great burst of sorrow was over, marie sat down to her desk and wrote a letter to iola, informing her of her father's death. by the time she had finished it she grew dizzy and faint, and fell into a swoon. mammy liza tenderly laid her on the bed, and helped restore her to consciousness. lorraine, having heard of his cousin's death, came immediately to see marie. she was too ill to have an interview with him, but he picked up the letter she had written and obtained iola's address. lorraine made a careful investigation of the case, to ascertain whether marie's marriage was valid. to his delight he found there was a flaw in the marriage and an informality in the manumission. he then determined to invalidate marie's claim, and divide the inheritance among leroy's white relations. in a short time strangers, distant relatives of her husband, became frequent visitors at the plantation, and made themselves offensively familiar. at length the dreadful storm burst. alfred lorraine entered suit for his cousin's estate, and for the remanding of his wife and children to slavery. in a short time he came armed with legal authority, and said to marie:-"i have come to take possession of these premises." "by what authority?" she gasped, turning deathly pale. he hesitated a moment, as if his words were arrested by a sense of shame. "by what authority?" she again demanded. "by the authority of the law," answered lorraine, "which has decided that leroy's legal heirs are his white blood relations, and that your marriage is null and void." "but," exclaimed marie, "i have our marriage certificate. i was leroy's lawful wife." "your marriage certificate is not worth the paper it is written on." "oh, you must be jesting, cruelly jesting. it can't be so." "yes; it is so. judge starkins has decided that your manumission is unlawful; your marriage a bad precedent, and inimical to the welfare of society; and that you and your children are remanded to slavery." marie stood as one petrified. she seemed a statue of fear and despair. she tried to speak, reached out her hand as if she were groping in the dark, turned pale as death as if all the blood in her veins had receded to her heart, and, with one heart-rending cry of bitter agony, she fell senseless to the floor. her servants, to whom she had been so kind in her days of prosperity, bent pityingly over her, chafed her cold hands, and did what they could to restore her to consciousness. for awhile she was stricken with brain fever, and her life seemed trembling on its frailest cord. gracie was like one perfectly dazed. when not watching by her mother's bedside she wandered aimlessly about the house, growing thinner day by day. a slow fever was consuming her life. faithfully and carefully mammy liza watched over her, and did all she could to bring smiles to her lips and light to her fading eyes, but all in vain. her only interest in life was to sit where she could watch her mother as she tossed to and fro in delirium, and to wonder what had brought the change in her once happy home. finally she, too, was stricken with brain fever, which intervened as a mercy between her and the great sorrow that was overshadowing her young life. tears would fill the servants' eyes as they saw the dear child drifting from them like a lovely vision, too bright for earth's dull cares and weary, wasting pain. chapter xii. school-girl notions. during iola's stay in the north she found a strong tide of opposition against slavery. arguments against the institution had entered the church and made legislative halls the arenas of fierce debate. the subject had become part of the social converse of the fireside, and had enlisted the best brain and heart of the country. anti-slavery discussions were pervading the strongest literature and claiming, a place on the most popular platforms. iola, being a southern girl and a slave-holder's daughter, always defended slavery when it was under discussion. "slavery can't be wrong," she would say, "for my father is a slave-holder, and my mother is as good to our servants as she can be. my father often tells her that she spoils them, and lets them run over her. i never saw my father strike one of them. i love my mammy as much as i do my own mother, and i believe she loves us just as if we were her own children. when we are sick i am sure that she could not do anything more for us than she does." "but, iola," responded one of her school friends, "after all, they are not free. would you be satisfied to have the most beautiful home, the costliest jewels, or the most elegant wardrobe if you were a slave?" "oh, the cases are not parallel. our slaves do not want their freedom. they would not take it if we gave it to them." "that is not the case with them all. my father has seen men who have encountered almost incredible hardships to get their freedom. iola, did you ever attend an anti-slavery meeting?" "no; i don't think these abolitionists have any right to meddle in our affairs. i believe they are prejudiced against us, and want to get our property. i read about them in the papers when i was at home. i don't want to hear my part of the country run down. my father says the slaves would be very well contented if no one put wrong notions in their heads." "i don't know," was the response of her friend, "but i do not think that that slave mother who took her four children, crossed the ohio river on the ice, killed one of the children and attempted the lives of the other two, was a contented slave. and that other one, who, running away and finding herself pursued, threw herself over the long bridge into the potomac, was evidently not satisfied. i do not think the numbers who are coming north on the underground railroad can be very contented. it is not natural for people to run away from happiness, and if they are so happy and contented, why did congress pass the fugitive slave bill?" "well, i don't think," answered iola, "any of our slaves would run away. i know mamma don't like slavery very much. i have often heard her say that she hoped the time would come when there would not be a slave in the land. my father does not think as she does. he thinks slavery is not wrong if you treat them well and don't sell them from their families. i intend, after i have graduated, to persuade pa to buy a house in new orleans, and spend the winter there. you know this will be my first season out, and i hope that you will come and spend the winter with me. we will have such gay times, and you will so fall in love with our sunny south that you will never want to come back to shiver amid the snows and cold of the north. i think one winter in the south would cure you of your abolitionism." "have you seen her yet?" this question was asked by louis bastine, an attorney who had come north in the interests of lorraine. the scene was the new england village where mr. galen's academy was located, and which iola was attending. this question was addressed to camille lecroix, bastine's intimate friend, who had lately come north. he was the son of a planter who lived near leroy's plantation, and was familiar with iola's family history. since his arrival north, bastine had met him and communicated to him his intentions. "yes; just caught a glimpse of her this morning as she was going down the street," was camille's reply. "she is a most beautiful creature," said louis bastine. "she has the proud poise of leroy, the most splendid eyes i ever saw in a woman's head, lovely complexion, and a glorious wealth of hair. she would bring $2000 any day in a new orleans market." "i always feel sorry," said camille, "when i see one of those creole girls brought to the auction block. i have known fathers who were deeply devoted to their daughters, but who through some reverse of fortune were forced to part with them, and i always think the blow has been equally terrible on both sides. i had a friend who had two beautiful daughters whom he had educated in the north. they were cultured, and really belles in society. they were entirely ignorant of their lineage, but when their father died it was discovered that their mother had been a slave. it was a fearful blow. they would have faced poverty, but the knowledge of their tainted blood was more than they could bear." "what became of them?" "they both died, poor girls. i believe they were as much killed by the blow as if they had been shot. to tell you the truth, bastine, i feel sorry for this girl. i don't believe she has the least idea of her negro blood." "no, leroy has been careful to conceal it from her," replied bastine. "is that so?" queried camille. "then he has made a great mistake." "i can't help that," said bastine; "business is business." "how can you get her away?" asked camille. "you will have to be very cautious, because if these pesky abolitionists get an inkling of what you're doing they will balk your game double quick. and when you come to look at it, isn't it a shame to attempt to reduce that girl to slavery? she is just as white as we are, as good as any girl in the land, and better educated than thousands of white girls. a girl with her apparent refinement and magnificent beauty, were it not for the cross in her blood, i would be proud to introduce to our set. she would be the sensation of the season. i believe to-day it would be easier for me to go to the slums and take a young girl from there, and have her introduced as my wife, than to have society condone the offense if i married that lovely girl. there is not a social circle in the south that would not take it as a gross insult to have her introduced into it." "well," said bastine, "my plan is settled. leroy has never allowed her to spend her vacations at home. i understand she is now very anxious to get home, and, as lorraine's attorney, i have come on his account to take her home." "how will you do it?" "i shall tell her her father is dangerously ill, and desires her to come as quickly as possible." "and what then?" "have her inventoried with the rest of the property." "don't she know that her father is dead?" "i think not," said bastine. "she is not in mourning, but appeared very light-hearted this morning, laughing and talking with two other girls. i was struck with her great beauty, and asked a gentleman who she was. he said, 'miss leroy, of mississippi.' i think lorraine has managed the affair so as to keep her in perfect ignorance of her father's death. i don't like the job, but i never let sentiment interfere with my work." poor iola! when she said slavery was not a bad thing, little did she think that she was destined to drink to its bitter dregs the cup she was so ready to press to the lips of others. "how do you think she will take to her situation?" asked camille. "o, i guess," said bastine, "she will sulk and take it pretty hard at first; but if she is managed right she will soon get over it. give her plenty of jewelry, fine clothes, and an easy time." "all this business must be conducted with the utmost secrecy and speed. her mother could not have written to her, for she has been suffering with brain fever and nervous prostration since leroy's death. lorraine knows her market value too well, and is too shrewd to let so much property pass out of his hands without making an effort to retain it." "has she any brothers or sisters?" "yes, a brother," replied bastine; "but he is at another school, and i have no orders from lorraine in reference to him. if i can get the girl i am willing to let well enough alone. i dread the interview with the principal more than anything else. i am afraid he will hem and haw, and have his doubts. perhaps, when he sees my letters and hears my story, i can pull the wool over his eyes." "but, louis, this is a pitiful piece of business. i should hate to be engaged in it." a deep flush of shame overspread for a moment the face of lorraine's attorney, as he replied: "i don't like the job, but i have undertaken it, and must go through with it." "i see no '_must_' about it. were i in your place i would wash my hands of the whole business." "i can't afford it," was bastine's hard, business-like reply. on the next morning after this conversation between these two young men, louis bastine presented himself to the principal of the academy, with the request that iola be permitted to leave immediately to attend the sick-bed of her father, who was dangerously ill. the principal hesitated, but while he was deliberating, a telegram, purporting to come from iola's mother, summoned iola to her father's bedside without delay. the principal, set at rest in regard to the truthfulness of the dispatch, not only permitted but expedited her departure. iola and bastine took the earliest train, and traveled without pausing until they reached a large hotel in a southern city. there they were obliged to wait a few hours until they could resume their journey, the train having failed to make connection. iola sat in a large, lonely parlor, waiting for the servant to show her to a private room. she had never known a great sorrow. never before had the shadows of death mingled with the sunshine of her life. anxious, travel-worn, and heavy-hearted, she sat in an easy chair, with nothing to divert her from the grief and anxiety which rendered every delay a source of painful anxiety. "oh, i hope that he will be alive and growing better!" was the thought which kept constantly revolving in her mind, until she fell asleep. in her dreams she was at home, encircled in the warm clasp of her father's arms, feeling her mother's kisses lingering on her lips, and hearing the joyous greetings of the servants and mammy liza's glad welcome as she folded her to her heart. from this dream of bliss she was awakened by a burning kiss pressed on her lips, and a strong arm encircling her. gazing around and taking in the whole situation, she sprang from her seat, her eyes flashing with rage and scorn, her face flushed to the roots of her hair, her voice shaken with excitement, and every nerve trembling with angry emotion. "how dare you do such a thing! don't you know if my father were here he would crush you to the earth?" "not so fast, my lovely tigress," said bastine, "your father knew what he was doing when he placed you in my charge." "my father made a great mistake, if he thought he had put me in charge of a gentleman." "i am your guardian for the present," replied bastine. "i am to see you safe home, and then my commission ends." "i wish it were ended now," she exclaimed, trembling with anger and mortification. her voice was choked by emotion, and broken by smothered sobs. louis bastine thought to himself, "she is a real spitfire, but beautiful even in her wrath." during the rest of her journey iola preserved a most freezing reserve towards bastine. at length the journey was ended. pale and anxious she rode up the avenue which led to her home. a strange silence pervaded the place. the servants moved sadly from place to place, and spoke in subdued tones. the windows were heavily draped with crape, and a funeral air pervaded the house. mammy liza met her at the door, and, with streaming eyes and convulsive sobs, folded her to her heart, as iola exclaimed, in tones of hopeless anguish:-"oh, papa's dead!" "oh, my pore baby!" said mammy, "ain't you hearn tell 'bout it? yore par's dead, an' your mar's bin drefful sick. she's better now." mam liza stepped lightly into mrs. leroy's room, and gently apprised her of iola's arrival. in a darkened room lay the stricken mother, almost distracted by her late bereavement. "oh, iola," she exclaimed, as her daughter entered, "is this you? i am so sorry you came." then, burying her head in iola's bosom, she wept convulsively. "much as i love you," she continued, between her sobs, "and much as i longed to see you, i am sorry you came." "why, mother," replied iola, astonished, "i received your telegram last wednesday, and i took the earliest train i could get." "my dear child, i never sent you a telegram. it was a trick to bring you down south and reduce you to slavery." iola eyed her mother curiously. what did she mean? had grief dethroned her reason? yet her eye was clear, her manner perfectly rational. marie saw the astounded look on iola's face, and nerving herself to the task, said: "iola, i must tell you what your father always enjoined me to be silent about. i did not think it was the wisest thing, but i yielded to his desires. i have negro blood in my veins. i was your father's slave before i married him. his relatives have set aside his will. the courts have declared our marriage null and void and my manumission illegal, and we are all to be remanded to slavery." an expression of horror and anguish swept over iola's face, and, turning deathly pale, she exclaimed, "oh, mother, it can't be so! you must be dreaming!" "no, my child; it is a terrible reality." almost wild with agony, iola paced the floor, as the fearful truth broke in crushing anguish upon her mind. then bursting into a paroxysm of tears succeeded by peals of hysterical laughter, said:-"i used to say that slavery is right. i didn't know what i was talking about." then growing calmer, she said, "mother, who is at the bottom of this downright robbery?" "alfred lorraine; i have always dreaded that man, and what i feared has come to pass. your father had faith in him; i never had." "but, mother, could we not contest his claim. you have your marriage certificate and papa's will." "yes, my dear child, but judge starkins has decided that we have no standing in the court, and no testimony according to law." "oh, mother, what can i do?" "nothing, my child, unless you can escape to the north." "and leave you?" "yes." "mother, i will never desert you in your hour of trial. but can nothing be done? had father no friends who would assist us?" "none that i know of. i do not think he had an acquaintance who approved of our marriage. the neighboring planters have stood so aloof from me that i do not know where to turn for either help or sympathy. i believe it was lorraine who sent the telegram. i wrote to you as soon as i could after your father's death, but fainted just as i finished directing the letter. i do not think he knows where your brother is, and, if possible, he must not know. if you can by any means, _do_ send a letter to harry and warn him not to attempt to come home. i don't know how you will succeed, for lorraine has us all under surveillance. but it is according to law." "what law, mother?" "the law of the strong against the weak." "oh, mother, it seems like a dreadful dream, a fearful nightmare! but i cannot shake it off. where is gracie?" "the dear child has been running down ever since her papa's death. she clung to me night and day while i had the brain fever, and could not be persuaded to leave me. she hardly ate anything for more than a week. she has been dangerously ill for several days, and the doctor says she cannot live. the fever has exhausted all her rallying power, and yet, dear as she is to me, i would rather consign her to the deepest grave than see her forced to be a slave." "so would i. i wish i could die myself." "oh, iola, do not talk so. strive to be a christian, to have faith in the darkest hour. were it not for my hope of heaven i couldn't stand all this trouble." "mother, are these people christians who made these laws which are robbing us of our inheritance and reducing us to slavery? if this is christianity i hate and despise it. would the most cruel heathen do worse?" "my dear child, i have not learned my christianity from them. i have learned it at the foot of the cross, and from this book," she said, placing a new testament in iola's hands. "some of the most beautiful lessons of faith and trust i have ever learned were from among our lowly people in their humble cabins." "mamma!" called a faint voice from the adjoining room. marie immediately arose and went to the bedside of her sick child, where mammy liza was holding her faithful vigils. the child had just awakened from a fitful sleep. "i thought," she said, "that i heard iola's voice. has she come?" "yes, darling; do you want to see her?" "oh, yes," she said, as a bright smile broke over her dying features. iola passed quickly into the room. gracie reached out her thin, bloodless hand, clasped iola's palm in hers, and said: "i am so glad you have come. dear iola, stand by mother. you and harry are all she has. it is not hard to die. you and mother and harry must meet me in heaven." swiftly the tidings went through the house that gracie was dying. the servants gathered around her with tearful eyes, as she bade them all good-bye. when she had finished, and mammy had lowered the pillow, an unwonted radiance lit up her eye, and an expression of ineffable gladness overspread her face, as she murmured: "it is beautiful, so beautiful!" fainter and fainter grew her voice, until, without a struggle or sigh, she passed away beyond the power of oppression and prejudice. chapter xiii. a rejected suitor. very unexpected was dr. gresham's proposal to iola. she had heartily enjoyed his society and highly valued his friendship, but he had never been associated in her mind with either love or marriage. as he held her hand in his a tell-tale flush rose to her cheek, a look of grateful surprise beamed from her eye, but it was almost immediately succeeded by an air of inexpressible sadness, a drooping of her eyelids, and an increasing pallor of her cheek. she withdrew her hand from his, shook her head sadly, and said:-"no, doctor; that can never be. i am very grateful to you for your kindness. i value your friendship, but neither gratitude nor friendship is love, and i have nothing more than those to give." "not at present," said dr. gresham; "but may i not hope your friendship will ripen into love?" "doctor, i could not promise. i do not think that i should. there are barriers between us that i cannot pass. were you to know them i think you would say the same." just then the ambulance brought in a wounded scout, and iola found relief from the wounds of her own heart in attending to his. dr. gresham knew the barrier that lay between them. it was one which his love had surmounted. but he was too noble and generous to take advantage of her loneliness to press his suit. he had lived in a part of the country where he had scarcely ever seen a colored person, and around the race their misfortunes had thrown a halo of romance. to him the negro was a picturesque being, over whose woes he had wept when a child, and whose wrongs he was ready to redress when a man. but when he saw the lovely girl who had been rescued by the commander of the post from the clutches of slavery, all the manhood and chivalry in his nature arose in her behalf, and he was ready to lay on the altar of her heart his first grand and overmastering love. not discouraged by her refusal, but determined to overcome her objections, dr. gresham resolved that he would abide his time. iola was not indifferent to dr. gresham. she admired his manliness and respected his character. he was tall and handsome, a fine specimen of the best brain and heart of new england. he had been nurtured under grand and ennobling influences. his father was a devoted abolitionist. his mother was kind-hearted, but somewhat exclusive and aristocratic. she would have looked upon his marriage with iola as a mistake and feared that such an alliance would hurt the prospects of her daughters. during iola's stay in the north, she had learned enough of the racial feeling to influence her decision in reference to dr. gresham's offer. iola, like other girls, had had her beautiful day-dreams before she was rudely awakened by the fate which had dragged her into the depths of slavery. in the chambers of her imagery were pictures of noble deeds; of high, heroic men, knightly, tender, true, and brave. in dr. gresham she saw the ideal of her soul exemplified. but in her lonely condition, with all its background of terrible sorrow and deep abasement, she had never for a moment thought of giving or receiving love from one of that race who had been so lately associated in her mind with horror, aversion, and disgust. his kindness to her had been a new experience. his companionship was an unexpected pleasure. she had learned to enjoy his presence and to miss him when absent, and when she began to question her heart she found that unconsciously it was entwining around him. "yes," she said to herself, "i do like him; but i can never marry him. to the man i marry my heart must be as open as the flowers to the sun. i could not accept his hand and hide from him the secret of my birth; and i could not consent to choose the happiest lot on earth without first finding my poor heart-stricken and desolate mother. perhaps some day i may have the courage to tell him my sad story, and then make my heart the sepulchre in which to bury all the love which might have gladdened and brightened my whole life." during the sad and weary months which ensued while the war dragged its slow length along, dr. gresham and iola often met by the bedsides of the wounded and dying, and sometimes he would drop a few words at which her heart would beat quicker and her cheek flush more vividly. but he was so kind, tender, and respectful, that iola had no idea he knew her race affiliations. she knew from unmistakable signs that dr. gresham had learned to love her, and that he had power to call forth the warmest affection of her soul; but she fought with her own heart and repressed its rising love. she felt that it was best for his sake that they should not marry. when she saw the evidences of his increasing love she regretted that she had not informed him at the first of the barrier that lay between them; it might have saved him unnecessary suffering. thinking thus, iola resolved, at whatever cost of pain it might be to herself, to explain to dr. gresham what she meant by the insurmountable barrier. iola, after a continuous strain upon her nervous system for months, began to suffer from general debility and nervous depression. dr. gresham saw the increasing pallor on iola's cheek and the loss of buoyancy in her step. one morning, as she turned from the bed of a young soldier for whom she had just written a letter to his mother, there was such a look of pity and sorrow on her face that dr. gresham's whole heart went out in sympathy for her, and he resolved to break the silence he had imposed upon himself. "iola," he said, and there was a depth of passionate tenderness in his voice, a volume of unexpressed affection in his face, "you are wronging yourself. you are sinking beneath burdens too heavy for you to bear. it seems to me that besides the constant drain upon your sympathies there is some great sorrow preying upon your life; some burden that ought to be shared." he gazed upon her so ardently that each cord of her heart seemed to vibrate, and unbidden tears sprang to her lustrous eyes, as she said, sadly:-"doctor, you are right." "iola, my heart is longing to lift those burdens from your life. love, like faith, laughs at impossibilities. i can conceive of no barrier too high for my love to surmount. consent to be mine, as nothing else on earth is mine." "doctor, you know not what you ask," replied iola. "instead of coming into this hospital a self-sacrificing woman, laying her every gift and advantage upon the altar of her country, i came as a rescued slave, glad to find a refuge from a fate more cruel than death; a fate from which i was rescued by the intervention of my dear dead friend, thomas anderson. i was born on a lonely plantation on the mississippi river, where the white population was very sparse. we had no neighbors who ever visited us; no young white girls with whom i ever played in my childhood; but, never having enjoyed such companionship, i was unconscious of any sense of privation. our parents spared no pains to make the lives of their children (we were three) as bright and pleasant as they could. our home was so happy. we had a large number of servants, who were devoted to us. i never had the faintest suspicion that there was any wrongfulness in slavery, and i never dreamed of the dreadful fate which broke in a storm of fearful anguish over our devoted heads. papa used to take us to new orleans to see the mardi gras, and while there we visited the theatres and other places of amusement and interest. at home we had books, papers, and magazines to beguile our time. perfectly ignorant of my racial connection, i was sent to a northern academy, and soon made many friends among my fellow-students. companionship with girls of my own age was a new experience, which i thoroughly enjoyed. i spent several years in new england, and was busily preparing for my commencement exercises when my father was snatched away--died of yellow fever on his way north to witness my graduation. through a stratagem, i was brought hurriedly from the north, and found that my father was dead; that his nearest kinsman had taken possession of our property; that my mother's marriage had been declared illegal, because of an imperceptible infusion of negro blood in her veins; and that she and her children had been remanded to slavery. i was torn from my mother, sold as a slave, and subjected to cruel indignities, from which i was rescued and a place given to me in this hospital. doctor, i did not choose my lot in life, but i have no other alternative than to accept it. the intense horror and agony i felt when i was first told the story are over. thoughts and purposes have come to me in the shadow i should never have learned in the sunshine. i am constantly rousing myself up to suffer and be strong. i intend, when this conflict is over, to cast my lot with the freed people as a helper, teacher, and friend. i have passed through a fiery ordeal, but this ministry of suffering will not be in vain. i feel that my mind has matured beyond my years. i am a wonder to myself. it seems as if years had been compressed into a few short months. in telling you this, do you not, can you not, see that there is an insurmountable barrier between us?" "no, i do not," replied dr. gresham. "i love you for your own sake. and with this the disadvantages of birth have nothing to do." "you say so now, and i believe that you are perfectly sincere. today your friendship springs from compassion, but, when that subsides, might you not look on me as an inferior?" "iola, you do not understand me. you think too meanly of me. you must not judge me by the worst of my race. surely our country has produced a higher type of manhood than the men by whom you were tried and tempted." "tried, but not tempted," said iola, as a deep flush overspread her face; "i was never tempted. i was sold from state to state as an article of merchandise. i had outrages heaped on me which might well crimson the cheek of honest womanhood with shame, but i never fell into the clutches of an owner for whom i did not feel the utmost loathing and intensest horror. i have heard men talk glibly of the degradation of the negro, but there is a vast difference between abasement of condition and degradation of character. i was abased, but the men who trampled on me were the degraded ones." "but, iola, you must not blame all for what a few have done." "a few have done? did not the whole nation consent to our abasement?" asked iola, bitterly. "no, miss iola, we did not all consent to it. slavery drew a line of cleavage in this country. although we were under one government we were farther apart in our sentiments than if we had been divided by lofty mountains and separated by wide seas. and had not northern sentiment been brought to bear against the institution, slavery would have been intact until to-day." "but, doctor, the negro is under a social ban both north and south. our enemies have the ear of the world, and they can depict us just as they please." "that is true; but the negro has no other alternative than to make friends of his calamities. other men have plead his cause, but out of the race must come its own defenders. with them the pen must be mightier than the sword. it is the weapon of civilization, and they must use it in their own defense. we cannot tell what is in them until they express themselves." "yes, and i think there is a large amount of latent and undeveloped ability in the race, which they will learn to use for their own benefit. this my hospital experience has taught me." "but," said dr. gresham, "they must learn to struggle, labor, and achieve. by facts, not theories, they will be judged in the future. the anglo-saxon race is proud, domineering, aggressive, and impatient of a rival, and, as i think, has more capacity for dragging down a weaker race than uplifting it. they have been a conquering and achieving people, marvelous in their triumphs of mind over matter. they have manifested the traits of character which are developed by success and victory." "and yet," said iola, earnestly, "i believe the time will come when the civilization of the negro will assume a better phase than you anglo-saxons possess. you will prove unworthy of your high vantage ground if you only use your superior ability to victimize feebler races and minister to a selfish greed of gold and a love of domination." "but, iola," said dr. gresham, a little impatiently, "what has all this to do with our marriage? your complexion is as fair as mine. what is to hinder you from sharing my northern home, from having my mother to be your mother?" the tones of his voice grew tender, as he raised his eyes to iola's face and anxiously awaited her reply. "dr. gresham," said iola, sadly, "should the story of my life be revealed to your family, would they be willing to ignore all the traditions of my blood, forget all the terrible humiliations through which i have passed? i have too much self-respect to enter your home under a veil of concealment. i have lived in new england. i love the sunshine of her homes and the freedom of her institutions. but new england is not free from racial prejudice, and i would never enter a family where i would be an unwelcome member." "iola, dear, you have nothing to fear in that direction." "doctor," she said, and a faint flush rose to her cheek, "suppose we should marry, and little children in after years should nestle in our arms, and one of them show unmistakable signs of color, would you be satisfied?" she looked steadfastly into his eyes, which fell beneath her truth-seeking gaze. his face flushed as if the question had suddenly perplexed him. iola saw the irresolution on his face, and framed her answer accordingly. "ah, i see," she said, "that you are puzzled. you had not taken into account what might result from such a marriage. i will relieve you from all embarrassment by simply saying i cannot be your wife. when the war is over i intend to search the country for my mother. doctor, were you to give me a palace-like home, with velvet carpets to hush my tread, and magnificence to surround my way, i should miss her voice amid all other tones, her presence amid every scene. oh, you do not know how hungry my heart is for my mother! were i to marry you i would carry an aching heart into your home and dim its brightness. i have resolved never to marry until i have found my mother. the hope of finding her has colored all my life since i regained my freedom. it has helped sustain me in the hour of fearful trial. when i see her i want to have the proud consciousness that i bring her back a heart just as loving, faithful, and devoted as the last hour we parted." "and is this your final answer?" "it is. i have pledged my life to that resolve, and i believe time and patience will reward me." there was a deep shadow of sorrow and disappointment on the face of dr. gresham as he rose to leave. for a moment he held her hand as it lay limp in his own. if she wavered in her determination it was only for a moment. no quivering of her lip or paling of her cheek betrayed any struggle of her heart. her resolve was made, and his words were powerless to swerve her from the purpose of her soul. after dr. gresham had gone iola went to her room and sat buried in thought. it seemed as if the fate of tantalus was hers, without his crimes. here she was lonely and heart-stricken, and unto her was presented the offer of love, home, happiness, and social position; the heart and hand of a man too noble and generous to refuse her companionship for life on account of the blood in her veins. why should she refuse these desirable boons? but, mingling with these beautiful visions of manly love and protecting care she saw the anguish of her heart-stricken mother and the pale, sweet face of her dying sister, as with her latest breath she had said, "iola, stand by mamma!" "no, no," she said to herself; "i was right to refuse dr. gresham. how dare i dream of happiness when my poor mamma's heart may be slowly breaking? i should be ashamed to live and ashamed to die were i to choose a happy lot for myself and leave poor mamma to struggle alone. i will never be satisfied till i get tidings of her. and when i have found her i will do all i can to cheer and brighten the remnant of her life." chapter xiv. harry leroy. it was several weeks after iola had written to her brother that her letter reached him. the trusty servant to whom she delivered it watched his opportunity to mail it. at last he succeeded in slipping it into lorraine's mail and dropping them all into the post office together. harry was studying at a boys' academy in maine. his father had given that state the preference because, while on a visit there, he had been favorably impressed with the kindness and hospitality of the people. he had sent his son a large sum of money, and given him permission to spend awhile with some school-chums till he was ready to bring the family north, where they could all spend the summer together. harry had returned from his visit, and was looking for letters and remittances from home, when a letter, all crumpled, was handed him by the principal of the academy. he recognized his sister's handwriting and eagerly opened the letter. as he read, he turned very pale; then a deep flush overspread his face and an angry light flashed from his eyes. as he read on, his face became still paler; he gasped for breath and fell into a swoon. appalled at the sudden change which had swept over him like a deadly sirocco, the principal rushed to the fallen boy, picked up the missive that lay beside him, and immediately rang for help and dispatched for the doctor. the doctor came at once and was greatly puzzled. less than an hour before, he had seen him with a crowd of merry, laughter-loving boys, apparently as light-hearted and joyous as any of them; now he lay with features drawn and pinched, his face deadly pale, as if some terrible suffering had sent all the blood in his veins to stagnate around his heart. harry opened his eyes, shuddered, and relapsed into silence. the doctor, all at sea in regard to the cause of the sudden attack, did all that he could to restore him to consciousness and quiet the perturbation of his spirit. he succeeded, but found he was strangely silent. a terrible shock had sent a tremor through every nerve, and the doctor watched with painful apprehension its effect upon his reason. giving him an opiate and enjoining that he should be kept perfectly quiet, the doctor left the room, sought the principal, and said:-"mr. bascom, here is a case that baffles my skill. i saw that boy pass by my window not more than half an hour ago, full of animation, and now he lies hovering between life and death. i have great apprehension for his reason. can you throw any light on the subject?" mr. bascom hesitated. "i am not asking you as a matter of idle curiosity, but as a physician. i must have all the light i can get in making my diagnosis of the case." the principal arose, went to his desk, took out the letter which he had picked up from the floor, and laid it in the physician's hand. as the doctor read, a look of indignant horror swept over his face. then he said: "can it be possible! i never suspected such a thing. it must be a cruel, senseless hoax." "doctor," said mr. bascom, "i have been a life-long abolitionist and have often read of the cruelties and crimes of american slavery, but never before did i realize the low moral tone of the social life under which such shameless cruelties could be practiced on a defenseless widow and her orphaned children. let me read the letter again. just look at it, all tear-blotted and written with a trembling hand:- 'dear brother:--i have dreadful news for you and i hardly know how to tell it. papa and gracie are both dead. he died of yellow fever. mamma is almost distracted. papa's cousin has taken possession of our property, and instead of heirs we are chattels. mamma has explained the whole situation to me. she was papa's slave before she married. he loved her, manumitted, educated, and married her. when he died mr. lorraine entered suit for his property and judge starkins has decided in his favor. the decree of the court has made their marriage invalid, robbed us of our inheritance, and remanded us all to slavery. mamma is too wretched to attempt to write herself, but told me to entreat you not to attempt to come home. you can do us no good, and that mean, cruel lorraine may do you much harm. don't attempt, i beseech you, to come home. show this letter to mr. bascom and let him advise you what to do. but don't, for our sake, attempt to come home. 'your heart-broken sister, 'iola leroy.'" "this," said the doctor, "is a very awkward affair. the boy is too ill to be removed. it is doubtful if the nerves which have trembled with such fearful excitement will ever recover their normal condition. it is simply a work of mercy to watch over him with the tenderest care." fortunately for harry he had fallen into good hands, and the most tender care and nursing were bestowed upon him. for awhile harry was strangely silent, never referring to the terrible misfortune which had so suddenly overshadowed his life. it seemed as if the past were suddenly blotted out of his memory. but he was young and of an excellent constitution, and in a few months he was slowly recovering. "doctor," said he one day, as the physician sat at his bedside, "i seem to have had a dreadful dream, and to have dreamt that my father was dead, and my mother and sister were in terrible trouble, but i could not help them. doctor, was it a dream, or was it a reality? it could not have been a dream, for when i fell asleep the grass was green and the birds were singing, but now the winds are howling and the frost is on the ground. doctor, tell me how it is? how long have i been here?" sitting by his bedside, and taking his emaciated hand in his, the doctor said, in a kind, fatherly tone: "my dear boy, you have been very ill, and everything depends on your keeping quiet, very quiet." as soon as he was strong enough the principal gave him his letter to read. "but, mr. bascom," harry said, "i do not understand this. it says my mother and father were legally married. how could her marriage be set aside and her children robbed of their inheritance? this is not a heathen country. i hardly think barbarians would have done any worse; yet this is called a christian country." "christian in name," answered the principal. "when your father left you in my care, knowing that i was an abolitionist, he confided his secret to me. he said that life was full of vicissitudes, and he wished you to have a good education. he wanted you and your sister to be prepared for any emergency. he did not wish you to know that you had negro blood in your veins. he knew that the spirit of caste pervaded the nation, north and south, and he was very anxious to have his children freed from its depressing influences. he did not intend to stay south after you had finished your education." "but," said harry, "i cannot understand. if my mother was lawfully married, how could they deprive her of her marital rights?" "when lorraine," continued mr. bascom, "knew your father was dead, all he had to do was to find a flaw in her manumission, and, of course, the marriage became illegal. she could not then inherit property nor maintain her freedom; and her children followed her condition." harry listened attentively. things which had puzzled him once now became perfectly clear. he sighed heavily, and, turning to the principal, said: "i see things in a new light. now i remember that none of the planters' wives ever visited my mother; and we never went to church except when my father took us to the cathedral in new orleans. my father was a catholic, but i don't think mamma is." "now, harry," said the principal, "life is before you. if you wish to stay north, i will interest friends in your behalf, and try to get you a situation. going south is out of the question. it is probable that by this time your mother and sister are removed from their home. you are powerless to fight against the law that enslaved them. should you fall into the clutches of lorraine, he might give you a great deal of trouble. you would be pressed into the confederate service to help them throw up barricades, dig trenches, and add to the strength of those who enslaved your mother and sister." "never! never!" cried harry. "i would rather die than do it! i should despise myself forever if i did." "numbers of our young men," said mr. bascom, "have gone to the war which is now raging between north and south. you have been sick for several months, and much has taken place of which you are unaware. would you like to enlist?" "i certainly would; not so much for the sake of fighting for the government, as with the hope of finding my mother and sister, and avenging their wrongs. i should like to meet lorraine on the battle-field." "what kind of a regiment would you prefer, white or colored?" harry winced when the question was asked. he felt the reality of his situation as he had not done before. it was as if two paths had suddenly opened before him, and he was forced to choose between them. on one side were strength, courage, enterprise, power of achievement, and memories of a wonderful past. on the other side were weakness, ignorance, poverty, and the proud world's social scorn. he knew nothing of colored people except as slaves, and his whole soul shrank from equalizing himself with them. he was fair enough to pass unchallenged among the fairest in the land, and yet a christless prejudice had decreed that he should be a social pariah. he sat, thoughtful and undecided, as if a great struggle were going on in his mind. finally the principal said, "i do not think that you should be assigned to a colored regiment because of the blood in your veins, but you will have, in such a regiment, better facilities for finding your mother and sister." "you are right, mr. bascom. to find my mother and sister i call no task too heavy, no sacrifice too great." since harry had come north he had learned to feel profound pity for the slave. but there is a difference between looking on a man as an object of pity and protecting him as such, and being identified with him and forced to share his lot. to take his place with them on the arena of life was the test of his life, but love was stronger than pride. his father was dead. his mother and sister were enslaved by a mockery of justice. it was more than a matter of choice where he should stand on the racial question. he felt that he must stand where he could strike the most effective blow for their freedom. with that thought strong in his mind, and as soon as he recovered, he went westward to find a colored regiment. he told the recruiting officer that he wished to be assigned to a colored regiment. "why do you wish that," said the officer, looking at harry with an air of astonishment. "because i am a colored man." the officer look puzzled. it was a new experience. he had seen colored men with fair complexions anxious to lose their identity with the colored race and pose as white men, but here was a man in the flush of his early manhood, to whom could come dreams of promotion from a simple private to a successful general, deliberately turning his back upon every gilded hope and dazzling opportunity, to cast his lot with the despised and hated negro. "i do not understand you," said the officer. "surely you are a white man, and, as such, i will enlist you in a white regiment." "no," said harry, firmly, "i am a colored man, and unless i can be assigned to a colored regiment i am not willing to enter the army." "well," said the officer, "you are the d----d'st fool i ever saw--a man as white as you are turning his back upon his chances of promotion! but you can take your choice." so harry was permitted to enter the army. by his promptness and valor he soon won the hearts of his superior officers, and was made drill sergeant. having nearly all of his life been used to colored people, and being taught by his mother to be kind and respectful to them, he was soon able to gain their esteem. he continued in the regiment until grant began the task of opening the mississippi. after weeks of fruitless effort, grant marched his army down the west side of the river, while the gunboats undertook the perilous task of running the batteries. men were found for the hour. the volunteers offered themselves in such numbers that lots were cast to determine who should have the opportunity to enlist in an enterprise so fraught with danger. harry was one on whom the lot fell. grant crossed the river below, coiled his forces around vicksburg like a boa-constrictor, and held it in his grasp. after forty-seven days of endurance the city surrendered to him. port hudson, after the surrender of vicksburg, gave up the unequal contest, and the mississippi was open to the gulf. chapter xv. robert and his company. "good morning, gentlemen," said robert johnson, as he approached colonel robinson, the commander of the post, who was standing at the door of his tent, talking with captain sybil. "good morning," responded colonel robinson, "i am glad you have come. i was just about to send for you. how is your company getting on?" "first rate, sir," replied robert. "in good health?" "excellent. they are all in good health and spirits. our boys are used to hardship and exposure, and the hope of getting their freedom puts new snap into them." "i am glad of it," said colonel robinson. "they make good fighters and very useful allies. last night we received very valuable intelligence from some fugitives who had escaped through the rebel lines. i do not think many of the northern people realize the service they have been to us in bringing information and helping our boys when escaping from rebel prisons. i never knew a full-blooded negro to betray us. a month ago, when we were encamped near the rebel lines, a colored woman managed admirably to keep us posted as to the intended movements of the enemy. she was engaged in laundry work, and by means of hanging her sheets in different ways gave us the right signals." "i hope," said captain sybil, "that the time will come when some faithful historian will chronicle all the deeds of daring and-service these people have performed during this struggle, and give them due credit therefor." "our great mistake," said colonel robinson, "was our long delay in granting them their freedom, and even what we have done is only partial. the border states still retain their slaves. we ought to have made a clean sweep of the whole affair. slavery is a serpent which we nourished in its weakness, and now it is stinging us in its strength." "i think so, too," said captain sybil. "but in making his proclamation of freedom, perhaps mr. lincoln went as far as he thought public opinion would let him." "it is remarkable," said colonel robinson, "how these secesh hold out. it surprises me to see how poor white men, who, like the negroes, are victims of slavery, rally around the stripes and bars. these men, i believe, have been looked down on by the aristocratic slaveholders, and despised by the well-fed and comfortable slaves, yet they follow their leaders into the very jaws of death; face hunger, cold, disease, and danger; and all for what? what, under heaven, are they fighting for? now, the negro, ignorant as he is, has learned to regard our flag as a banner of freedom, and to look forward to his deliverance as a consequence of the overthrow of the rebellion." "i think," said captain sybil "that these ignorant white men have been awfully deceived. they have had presented to their imaginations utterly false ideas of the results of secession, and have been taught that its success would bring them advantages which they had never enjoyed in the union." "and i think," said colonel robinson, "that the women and ministers have largely fed and fanned the fires of this rebellion, and have helped to create a public opinion which has swept numbers of benighted men into the conflict. well might one of their own men say, 'this is a rich man's war and a poor man's fight.' they were led into it through their ignorance, and held in it by their fears." "i think," said captain sybil, "that if the public school had been common through the south this war would never have occurred. now things have reached such a pass that able-bodied men must report at headquarters, or be treated as deserters. their leaders are desperate men, of whom it has been said: 'they have robbed the cradle and the grave.'" "they are fighting against fearful odds," said colonel robinson, "and their defeat is only a question of time." "as soon," said robert, "as they fired on fort sumter, uncle daniel, a dear old father who had been praying and hoping for freedom, said to me: 'dey's fired on fort sumter, an' mark my words, bob, de norf's boun' ter whip.'" "had we freed the slaves at the outset," said captain sybil, "we wouldn't have given the rebels so much opportunity to strengthen themselves by means of slave labor in raising their crops, throwing up their entrenchments, and building their fortifications. slavery was a deadly cancer eating into the life of the nation; but, somehow, it had cast such a glamour over us that we have acted somewhat as if our national safety were better preserved by sparing the cancer than by cutting it out." "political and racial questions have sadly complicated this matter," said colonel robinson. "the north is not wholly made up of anti-slavery people. at the beginning of this war we were not permeated with justice, and so were not ripe for victory. the battle of bull run inaugurated the war by a failure. instead of glory we gathered shame, and defeat in place of victory." "we have been slow," said captain sybil, "to see our danger and to do our duty. our delay has cost us thousands of lives and millions of dollars. yet it may be it is all for the best. our national wound was too deep to be lightly healed. when the president issued his emancipation proclamation my heart overflowed with joy, and i said: 'this is the first bright rift in the war cloud.'" "and did you really think that they would accept the terms of freedom and lay down their arms?" asked robert. "i hardly thought they would," continued captain sybil. "i did not think that their leaders would permit it. i believe the rank and file of their army are largely composed of a mass of ignorance, led, manipulated, and moulded by educated and ambitious wickedness. in attempting to overthrow the union, a despotism and reign of terror were created which encompassed them as fetters of iron, and they will not accept the conditions until they have reached the last extremity. i hardly think they are yet willing to confess that such extremity has been reached." "captain," said robert, as they left colonel robinson's tent, "i have lived all my life where i have had a chance to hear the 'secesh' talk, and when they left their papers around i used to read everything i could lay my hands on. it seemed to me that the big white men not only ruled over the poor whites and made laws for them, but over the whole nation." "that was so," replied captain sybil. "the north was strong but forbearing. it was busy in trade and commerce, and permitted them to make the northern states hunting-grounds for their slaves. when we sent back simms and burns from beneath the shadow of bunker hill monument and faneuil hall, they mistook us; looked upon us as a lot of money-grabbers, who would be willing to purchase peace at any price. i do not believe when they fired on the 'star of the west' that they had the least apprehension of the fearful results which were to follow their madness and folly." "well, captain," asked robert, "if the free north would submit to be called on to help them catch their slaves, what could be expected of us, who all our lives had known no other condition than that of slavery? how much braver would you have been, if your first recollections had been those of seeing your mother maltreated, your father cruelly beaten, or your fellow-servants brutally murdered? i wonder why they never enslaved the indians!" "you are mistaken, robert, if you think the indians were never enslaved. i have read that the spaniards who visited the coasts of america kidnapped thousands of indians, whom they sent to europe and the west indies as slaves. columbus himself, we are informed, captured five hundred natives, and sent them to spain. the indian had the lesser power of endurance, and las cassas suggested the enslavement of the negro, because he seemed to possess greater breadth of physical organization and stronger power of endurance. slavery was an old world's crime which, i have heard, the indians never practiced among themselves. perhaps it would have been harder to reduce them to slavery and hold them in bondage when they had a vast continent before them, where they could hide in the vastnesses of its mountains or the seclusion of its forests, than it was for white men to visit the coasts of africa and, with their superior knowledge, obtain cargoes of slaves, bring them across the ocean, hem them in on the plantations, and surround them with a pall of dense ignorance." "i remember," said robert, "in reading a history i once came across at our house, that when the africans first came to this country they did not all speak one language. some had only met as mutual enemies. they were not all one color, their complexions ranging from tawny yellow to deep black." "yes," said captain sybil, "and in dealing with the negro we wanted his labor; in dealing with the indian we wanted his lands. for one we had weapons of war; for the other we had real and invisible chains, the coercion of force, and the terror of the unseen world." "that's exactly so, captain! when i was a boy i used to hear the old folks tell what would happen to bad people in another world; about the devil pouring hot lead down people's throats and stirring them up with a pitch-fork; and i used to get so scared that i would be afraid to go to bed at night. i don't suppose the indians ever heard of such things, or, if they had, i never heard of them being willing to give away all their lands on earth, and quietly wait for a home in heaven." "but, surely, robert, you do not think religion has degraded the negro?" "oh, i wouldn't say that. but a man is in a tight fix when he takes his part, like nat turner or denmark veasy, and is made to fear that he will be hanged in this world and be burned in the next. and, since i come to think of it, we colored folks used to get mightily mixed up about our religion. mr. gundover had on his plantation a real smart man. he was religious, but he would steal." "oh, robert," queried sybil, "how could he be religious and steal?" "he didn't think," retorted robert, "it was any harm to steal from his master. i guess he thought it was right to get from his master all he could. he would have thought it wrong to steal from his fellow-servants. he thought that downright mean, but i wouldn't have insured the lives of gundover's pigs and chickens, if uncle jack got them in a tight place. one day there was a minister stopping with mr. gundover. as a matter of course, in speaking of his servants, he gave jack's sins an airing. he would much rather confess jack's sins than his own. now gundover wanted to do two things, save his pigs and poultry, and save jack's soul. he told the minister that jack was a liar and a thief, and gave the minister a chance to talk with uncle jack about the state of his soul. uncle jack listened very quietly, and when taxed with stealing his master's wheat he was ready with an answer. 'now massa parker,' said jack, 'lem'me tell yer jis' how it war 'bout dat wheat. wen ole jack com'd down yere, dis place war all growed up in woods. he go ter work, clared up de groun' an' plowed, an' planted, an' riz a crap, an' den wen it war all done, he hadn't a dollar to buy his ole woman a gown; an' he jis' took a bag ob wheat.'" "what did mr. parker say?" asked sybil. "i don't know, though i reckon he didn't think it was a bad steal after all, but i don't suppose he told jack so. when he came to the next point, about jack's lying, i suppose he thought he had a clear case; but jack was equal to the occasion." "how did he clear up that charge?" interrogated captain sybil. "finely. i think if he had been educated he would have made a first-rate lawyer. he said, 'marse parker, dere's old joe. his wife don't lib on dis plantation. old joe go ober ter see her, but he stayed too long, an' didn't git back in time fer his work. massa's oberseer kotched him an' cut him all up. when de oberseer went inter de house, pore old joe war all tired an' beat up, an' so he lay down by de fence corner and go ter sleep. bimeby massa oberseer com'd an' axed, "all bin a workin' libely?" i say "yes, massa."' then said mr. parker, 'you were lying, joe had been sleeping, not working.' 'i know's dat, but ef i tole on joe, massa oberseer cut him all up again, and massa jesus says, "blessed am de peacemaker."' i heard, continued robert, that mr. parker said to gundover, 'you seem to me like a man standing in a stream where the blood of jesus can reach you, but you are standing between it and your slaves. how will you answer that in the day of judgment?'" "what did gundover say?" asked captain sybil. "he turned pale, and said, 'for god's sake don't speak of the day of judgment in connection with slavery.'" just then a messenger brought a communication to captain sybil. he read it attentively, and, turning to robert, said, "here are orders for an engagement at five forks to-morrow. oh, this wasting of life and scattering of treasure might have been saved had we only been wiser. but the time is passing. look after your company, and see that everything is in readiness as soon as possible." carefully robert superintended the arrangements for the coming battle of a strife which for years had thrown its crimson shadows over the land. the rebels fought with a valor worthy of a better cause. the disaster of bull run had been retrieved. sherman had made his famous march to the sea. fighting joe hooker had scaled the stronghold of the storm king and won a victory in the palace chamber of the clouds; the union soldiers had captured columbia, replanted the stars and stripes in charleston, and changed that old sepulchre of slavery into the cradle of a new-born freedom. farragut had been as triumphant on water as the other generals had been victorious on land, and new orleans had been wrenched from the hands of the confederacy. the rebel leaders were obstinate. misguided hordes had followed them to defeat and death. grant was firm and determined to fight it out if it took all summer. the closing battles were fought with desperate courage and firm resistance, but at last the south was forced to succumb. on the ninth day of april, 1865, general lee surrendered to general grant. the lost cause went down in blood and tears, and on the brows of a ransomed people god poured the chrism of a new era, and they stood a race newly anointed with freedom. chapter xvi. after the battle. very sad and heart-rending were the scenes with which iola came in constant contact. well may christian men and women labor and pray for the time when nations shall learn war no more; when, instead of bloody conflicts, there shall be peaceful arbitration. the battle in which robert fought, after his last conversation with captain sybil, was one of the decisive struggles of the closing conflict. the mills of doom and fate had ground out a fearful grist of agony and death, "and lives of men and souls of states were thrown like chaff beyond the gates." numbers were taken prisoners. pale, young corpses strewed the earth; manhood was stricken down in the flush of its energy and prime. the ambulances brought in the wounded and dying. captain sybil laid down his life on the altar of freedom. his prediction was fulfilled. robert was brought into the hospital, wounded, but not dangerously. iola remembered him as being the friend of tom anderson, and her heart was drawn instinctively towards him. for awhile he was delirious, but her presence had a soothing effect upon him. he sometimes imagined that she was his mother, and he would tell her how he had missed her; and then at times he would call her sister. iola, tender and compassionate, humored his fancies, and would sing to him in low, sweet tones some of the hymns she had learned in her old home in mississippi. one day she sang a few verses of the hymn beginning with the words- "drooping souls no longer grieve, heaven is propitious; if on christ you do believe, you will find him precious." "that," said he, looking earnestly into iola's face, "was my mother's hymn. i have not heard it for years. where did you learn it?" iola gazed inquiringly upon the face of her patient, and saw, by his clear gaze and the expression of his face, that his reason had returned. "in my home, in mississippi, from my own dear mother," was iola's reply. "do you know where she learned it?" asked robert. "when she was a little girl she heard her mother sing it. years after, a methodist preacher came to our house, sang this hymn, and left the book behind him. my father was a catholic, but my mother never went to any church. i did not understand it then, but i do now. we used to sing together, and read the bible when we were alone." "do you remember where she came from, and who was her mother?" asked robert, anxiously. "my dear friend, you must be quiet. the fever has left you, but i will not answer for the consequences if you get excited." robert lay quiet and thoughtful for awhile and, seeing he was wakeful, iola said, "have you any friends to whom you would like to send a letter?" a pathetic expression flitted over his face, as he sadly replied, "i haven't, to my knowledge, a single relation in the world. when i was about ten years old my mother and sister were sold from me. it is more than twenty years since i have heard from them. but that hymn which you were singing reminded me so much of my mother! she used to sing it when i was a child. please sing it again." iola's voice rose soft and clear by his bedside, till he fell into a quiet slumber. she remembered that her mother had spoken of her brother before they had parted, and her interest and curiosity were awakened by robert's story. while he slept, she closely scrutinized robert's features, and detected a striking resemblance between him and her mother. "oh, i _do_ wonder if he can be my mother's brother, from whom she has been separated so many years!" anxious as she was to ascertain if there was any relationship between robert and her mother, she forebore to question him on the subject which lay so near her heart. but one day, when he was so far recovered as to be able to walk around, he met iola on the hospital grounds, and said to her:-"miss iola, you remind me so much of my mother and sister that i cannot help wondering if you are the daughter of my long-lost sister." "do you think," asked iola, "if you saw the likeness of your sister you would recognize her?" "i am afraid not. but there is one thing i can remember about her: she used to have a mole on her cheek, which mother used to tell her was her beauty spot." "look at this," said iola, handing him a locket which contained her mother's picture. robert grasped the locket eagerly, scanned the features attentively, then, handing it back, said: "i have only a faint remembrance of my sister's features; but i never could recognize in that beautiful woman the dear little sister with whom i used to play. oh, the cruelty of slavery! how it wrenched and tore us apart! where is _your_ mother now?" "oh, i cannot tell," answered iola. "i left her in mississippi. my father was a wealthy creole planter, who fell in love with my mother. she was his slave, but he educated her in the north, freed, and married her. my father was very careful to have the fact of our negro blood concealed from us. i had not the slightest suspicion of it. when he was dead the secret was revealed. his white relations set aside my father's will, had his marriage declared invalid, and my mother and her children were remanded to slavery." iola shuddered as she pronounced the horrid word, and grew deadly pale; but, regaining her self-possession, continued: "now, that freedom has come, i intend to search for my mother until i find her." "i do not wonder," said robert, "that we had this war. the nation had sinned enough to suffer." "yes," said iola, "if national sins bring down national judgments, then the nation is only reaping what it sowed." "what are your plans for the future, or have you any?" asked robert. "i intend offering myself as a teacher in one of the schools which are being opened in different parts of the country," replied iola. "as soon as i am able i will begin my search for my dear mother. i will advertise for her in the papers, hunt for her in the churches, and use all the means in my power to get some tidings of her and my brother harry. what a cruel thing it was to separate us!" chapter xvii. flames in the school-room. "good morning," said dr. gresham, approaching robert and iola. "how are you both? you have mended rapidly," turning to robert, "but then it was only a flesh wound. your general health being good, and your blood in excellent condition, it was not hard for you to rally." "where have you been, doctor? i have a faint recollection of having seen you on the morning i was brought in from the field, but not since." "i have been on a furlough. i was running down through exhaustion and overwork, and i was compelled to go home for a few weeks' rest. but now, as they are about to close the hospital, i shall be permanently relieved. i am glad that this cruel strife is over. it seemed as if i had lived through ages during these last few years. in the early part of the war i lost my arm by a stray shot, and my armless sleeve is one of the mementos of battle i shall carry with me through life. miss leroy," he continued, turning respectfully to iola, "would you permit me to ask you, as i would have someone ask my sister under the same circumstances, if you have matured any plans for the future, or if i can be of the least service to you? if so, i would be pleased to render you any service in my power." "my purpose," replied iola, "is to hunt for my mother, and to find her if she is alive. i am willing to go anywhere and do anything to find her. but i will need a standpoint from whence i can send out lines of inquiry. it must take time, in the disordered state of affairs, even to get a clue by which i may discover her whereabouts." "how would you like to teach?" asked the doctor. "schools are being opened all around us. numbers of excellent and superior women are coming from the north to engage as teachers of the freed people. would you be willing to take a school among these people? i think it will be uphill work. i believe it will take generations to get over the duncery of slavery. some of these poor fellows who came into our camp did not know their right hands from their left, nor their ages, nor even the days of the month. it took me some time, in a number of cases, to understand their language. it saddened my heart to see such ignorance. one day i asked one a question, and he answered, "i no shum'." "what did he mean?" asked iola. "that he did not see it," replied the doctor. "of course, this does not apply to all of them. some of them are wide-awake and sharp as steel traps. i think some of that class may be used in helping others." "i should be very glad to have an opportunity to teach," said iola. "i used to be a great favorite among the colored children on my father's plantation." in a few days after this conversation the hospital was closed. the sick and convalescent were removed, and iola obtained a position as a teacher. very soon iola realized that while she was heartily appreciated by the freedmen, she was an object of suspicion and dislike to their former owners. the north had conquered by the supremacy of the sword, and the south had bowed to the inevitable. but here was a new army that had come with an invasion of ideas, that had come to supplant ignorance with knowledge, and it was natural that its members should be unwelcome to those who had made it a crime to teach their slaves to read the name of the ever blessed christ. but iola had found her work, and the freed men their friend. when iola opened her school she took pains to get acquainted with the parents of the children, and she gained their confidence and co-operation. her face was a passport to their hearts. ignorant of books, human faces were the scrolls from which they had been reading for ages. they had been the sunshine and shadow of their lives. iola had found a school-room in the basement of a colored church, where the doors were willingly opened to her. her pupils came from miles around, ready and anxious to get some "book larnin'." some of the old folks were eager to learn, and it was touching to see the eyes which had grown dim under the shadows of slavery, donning spectacles and trying to make out the words. as iola had nearly all of her life been accustomed to colored children she had no physical repulsions to overcome, no prejudices to conquer in dealing with parents and children. in their simple childish fashion they would bring her fruits and flowers, and gladden her lonely heart with little tokens of affection. one day a gentleman came to the school and wished to address the children. iola suspended the regular order of the school, and the gentleman essayed to talk to them on the achievements of the white race, such as building steamboats and carrying on business. finally, he asked how they did it? "they've got money," chorused the children. "but how did they get it?" "they took it from us," chimed the youngsters. iola smiled, and the gentleman was nonplussed; but he could not deny that one of the powers of knowledge is the power of the strong to oppress the weak. the school was soon overcrowded with applicants, and iola was forced to refuse numbers, because their quarters were too cramped. the school was beginning to lift up the home, for iola was not satisfied to teach her children only the rudiments of knowledge. she had tried to lay the foundation of good character. but the elements of evil burst upon her loved and cherished work. one night the heavens were lighted with lurid flames, and iola beheld the school, the pride and joy of her pupils and their parents, a smouldering ruin. iola gazed with sorrowful dismay on what seemed the cruel work of an incendiary's torch. while she sat, mournfully contemplating the work of destruction, her children formed a procession, and, passing by the wreck of their school, sang:- "oh, do not be discouraged, for jesus is your friend." as they sang, the tears sprang to iola's eyes, and she said to herself, "i am not despondent of the future of my people; there is too much elasticity in their spirits, too much hope in their hearts, to be crushed out by unreasoning malice." chapter xviii. searching for lost ones. to bind anew the ties which slavery had broken and gather together the remnants of his scattered family became the earnest purpose of robert's life. iola, hopeful that in robert she had found her mother's brother, was glad to know she was not alone in _her_ search. having sent out lines of inquiry in different directions, she was led to hope, from some of the replies she had received, that her mother was living somewhere in georgia. hearing that a methodist conference was to convene in that state, and being acquainted with the bishop of that district, she made arrangements to accompany him thither. she hoped to gather some tidings of her mother through the ministers gathered from different parts of that state. from her brother she had heard nothing since her father's death. on his way to the conference, the bishop had an engagement to dedicate a church, near the city of c----, in north carolina. iola was quite willing to stop there a few days, hoping to hear something of robert johnson's mother. soon after she had seated herself in the cars she was approached by a gentleman, who reached out his hand to her, and greeted her with great cordiality. iola looked up, and recognized him immediately as one of her last patients at the hospital. it was none other than robert johnson. "i am so glad to meet you," he said. "i am on my way to c---in search of my mother. i want to see the person who sold her last, and, if possible, get some clew to the direction in which she went." "and i," said iola, "am in search of _my_ mother. i am convinced that when we find those for whom we are searching they will prove to be very nearly related. mamma said, before we were parted, that her brother had a red spot on his temple. if i could see that spot i should rest assured that my mother is your sister." "then," said robert, "i can give you that assurance," and smilingly he lifted his hair from his temple, on which was a large, red spot. "i am satisfied," exclaimed iola, fixing her eyes, beaming with hope and confidence, on robert. "oh, i am so glad that i can, without the least hesitation, accept your services to join with me in the further search. what are your plans?" "to stop for awhile in c----," said robert, "and gather all the information possible from those who sold and bought my mother. i intend to leave no stone un-turned in searching for her." "oh, i _do_ hope that you will succeed. i expect to stop over there a few days, and i shall be so glad if, before i leave, i hear your search has been crowned with success, or, a least, that you have been put on the right track. although i was born and raised in the midst of slavery, i had not the least idea of its barbarous selfishness till i was forced to pass through it. but we lived so much alone i had no opportunity to study it, except on our own plantation. my father and mother were very kind to their slaves. but it was slavery, all the same, and i hate it, root and branch." just then the conductor called out the station. "we stop here," said robert. "i am going to see mrs. johnson, and hunt up some of my old acquaintances. where do you stop?" "i don't know," replied iola. "i expect that friends will be here to meet us. bishop b----, permit me to introduce you to mr. robert johnson, whom i have every reason to believe is my mother's brother. like myself, he is engaged in hunting up his lost relatives." "and i," said robert, "am very much pleased to know that we are not without favorable clues." "bishop," said iola, "mr. johnson wishes to know where i am to stop. he is going on an exploring expedition, and wishes to let me know the result." "we stop at mrs. allston's, 313 new street," said the bishop. "if i can be of any use to you, i am at your service." "thank you," said robert, lifting his hat, as he left them to pursue his inquiries about his long-lost mother. quickly he trod the old familiar streets which led to his former home. he found mrs. johnson, but she had aged very fast since the war. she was no longer the lithe, active woman, with her proud manner and resolute bearing. her eye had lost its brightness, her step its elasticity, and her whole appearance indicated that she was slowly sinking beneath a weight of sorrow which was heavier far than her weight of years. when she heard that robert had called to see her she was going to receive him in the hall, as she would have done any of her former slaves, but her mind immediately changed when she saw him. he was not the light-hearted, careless, mischief-loving robby of former days, but a handsome man, with heavy moustache, dark, earnest eyes, and proud military bearing. he smiled, and reached out his hand to her. she hardly knew how to address him. to her colored people were either boys and girls, or "aunties and uncles." she had never in her life addressed a colored person as "mr. or mrs." to do so now was to violate the social customs of the place. it would be like learning a new language in her old age. robert immediately set her at ease by addressing her under the old familiar name of "miss nancy." this immediately relieved her of all embarrassment. she invited him into the sitting-room, and gave him a warm welcome. "well, robby," she said, "i once thought that you would have been the last one to leave me. you know i never ill-treated you, and i gave you everything you needed. people said that i was spoiling you. i thought you were as happy as the days were long. when i heard of other people's servants leaving them i used to say to myself, 'i can trust my bobby; he will stick to me to the last.' but i fooled myself that time. soon as the yankee soldiers got in sight you left me without saying a word. that morning i came down into the kitchen and asked linda, 'where's robert? why hasn't he set the table?' she said 'she hadn't seen you since the night before.' i thought maybe you were sick, and i went to see, but you were not in your room. i couldn't believe at first that you were gone. wasn't i always good to you?" "oh, miss nancy," replied robert; "you were good, but freedom was better." "yes," she said, musingly, "i suppose i would have done the same. but, robby, it did go hard with me at first. however, i soon found out that my neighbors had been going through the same thing. but its all over now. let by-gones be by-gones. what are you doing now, and where are you living?" "i am living in the city of p----. i have opened a hardware store there. but just now i am in search of my mother and sister." "i hope that you may find them." "how long," asked robert, "do you think it has been since they left here?" "let me see; it must have been nearly thirty years. you got my letter?" "yes, ma'am; thank you." "there have been great changes since you left here," mrs. johnson said. "gundover died, and a number of colored men have banded together, bought his plantation, and divided it among themselves. and i hear they have a very nice settlement out there. i hope, since the government has set them free, that they will succeed." after robert's interview with mrs. johnson he thought he would visit the settlement and hunt up his old friends. he easily found the place. it was on a clearing in gundover's woods, where robert and uncle daniel had held their last prayer-meeting. now the gloomy silence of those woods was broken by the hum of industry, the murmur of cheerful voices, and the merry laughter of happy children. where they had trodden with fear and misgiving, freedmen walked with light and bounding hearts. the school-house had taken the place of the slave-pen and auction-block. "how is yer, ole boy?" asked one laborer of another. "everything is lobly," replied the other. the blue sky arching overhead and the beauty of the scenery justified the expression. gundover had died soon after the surrender. frank anderson had grown reckless and drank himself to death. his brother tom had been killed in battle. their mother, who was gundover's daughter, had died insane. their father had also passed away. the defeat of the confederates, the loss of his sons, and the emancipation of his slaves, were blows from which he never recovered. as robert passed leisurely along, delighted with the evidences of thrift and industry which constantly met his eye, he stopped to admire a garden filled with beautiful flowers, clambering vines, and rustic adornments. on the porch sat an elderly woman, darning stockings, the very embodiment of content and good humor. robert looked inquiringly at her. on seeing him, she almost immediately exclaimed, "shore as i'se born, dat's robert! look yere, honey, whar did yer come from? i'll gib my head fer a choppin' block ef dat ain't miss nancy's bob. ain't yer our bobby? shore yer is." "of course i am," responded robert. "it isn't anybody else. how did you know me?" "how did i know yer? by dem mischeebous eyes, ob course. i'd a knowed yer if i had seed yer in europe." "in europe, aunt linda? where's that?" "i don't know. i specs its some big city, somewhar. but yer looks jis' splendid. yer looks good 'nuff ter kiss." "oh, aunt linda, don't say that. you make me blush." "oh you go 'long wid yer. i specs yer's got a nice little wife up dar whar yer comes from, dat kisses yer ebery day, an' sunday, too." "is that the way your old man does you?" "oh, no, not a bit. he isn't one ob de kissin' kine. but sit down," she said, handing robert a chair. "won't yer hab a glass ob milk? boy, i'se a libin' in clover. neber 'spected ter see sich good times in all my born days." "well, aunt linda," said robert, seating himself near her, and drinking the glass of milk which she had handed him, "how goes the battle? how have you been getting on since freedom?" "oh, fust rate, fust rate! wen freedom com'd i jist lit out ob miss johnson's kitchen soon as i could. i wanted ter re'lize i war free, an' i couldn't, tell i got out er de sight and soun' ob ole miss. when de war war ober an' de sogers war still stopping' yere, i made pies an' cakes, sole em to de sogers, an' jist made money han' ober fist. an' i kep' on a workin' an' a savin' till my ole man got back from de war wid his wages and his bounty money. i felt right set up an' mighty big wen we counted all dat money. we had neber seen so much money in our lives befo', let alone hab it fer ourselbs. an' i sez, 'john, you take dis money an' git a nice place wid it.' an' he sez, 'dere's no use tryin', kase dey don't want ter sell us any lan'.' ole gundover said, 'fore he died, dat he would let de lan' grow up in trees 'fore he'd sell it to us. an' dere war mr. brayton; he buyed some lan' and sole it to some cullud folks, an' his ole frien's got so mad wid him dat dey wouldn't speak ter him, an' he war borned down yere. i tole ole miss anderson's daughter dat we wanted ter git some homes ob our ownselbs. she sez, 'den you won't want ter work for us?' jis' de same as ef we could eat an' drink our houses. i tell yer, robby, dese white folks don't know eberything." "that's a fact, aunt linda." "den i sez ter john, 'wen one door shuts anoder opens.' an' shore 'nough, ole gundover died, an' his place war all in debt, an' had to be sole. some jews bought it, but dey didn't want to farm it, so dey gib us a chance to buy it. dem jews hez been right helpful to cullud people wen dey hab lan' to sell. i reckon dey don't keer who buys it so long as dey gits de money. well, john didn't gib in at fust; didn't want to let on his wife knowed more dan he did, an' dat he war ruled ober by a woman. yer know he is an' ole firginian, an' some ob dem ole firginians do so lub to rule a woman. but i kep' naggin at him, till i specs he got tired of my tongue, an' he went and buyed dis piece ob lan'. dis house war on it, an' war all gwine to wrack. it used to belong to john's ole marster. his wife died right in dis house, an' arter dat her husband went right to de dorgs; an' now he's in de pore-house. my! but ain't dem tables turned. when we knowed it war our own, warn't my ole man proud! i seed it in him, but he wouldn't let on. ain't you men powerful 'ceitful?" "oh, aunt linda, don't put me in with the rest!" "i don't know 'bout dat. put you all in de bag for 'ceitfulness, an' i don't know which would git out fust." "well, aunt linda, i suppose by this time you know how to read and write?" "no, chile, sence freedom's com'd i'se bin scratchin' too hard to get a libin' to put my head down to de book." "but, aunt linda, it would be such company when your husband is away, to take a book. do you never get lonesome?" "chile, i ain't got no time ter get lonesome. ef you had eber so many chickens to feed, an' pigs squealin' fer somethin' ter eat, an' yore ducks an' geese squakin' 'roun' yer, yer wouldn't hab time ter git lonesome." "but, aunt linda, you might be sick for months, and think what a comfort it would be if you could read your bible." "oh, i could hab prayin' and singin'. dese people is mighty good 'bout prayin' by de sick. why, robby, i think it would gib me de hysterics ef i war to try to git book larnin' froo my pore ole head. how long is yer gwine to stay? an' whar is yer stoppin?" "i got here to-day," said robert, "but i expect to stay several days." "well, i wants yer to meet my ole man, an' talk 'bout ole times. couldn't yer come an' stop wid me, or isn't my house sniptious 'nuff?" "yes, thank you; but there is a young lady in town whom i think is my niece, my sister's daughter, and i want to be with her all i can." "your niece! whar did you git any niece from?" "don't you remember," asked robert, "that my mother had a little daughter, when mrs. johnson sold her? well, i believe this young lady is that daughter's child." "laws a marcy!" exclaimed aunt linda, "yer don't tell me so! whar did yer ketch up wid her?" "i met her first," said robert, "at the hospital here, when our poor tom was dying; and when i was wounded at five forks she attended me in the field hospital there. she was just as good as gold." "well, did i eber! you jis' fotch dat chile to see me, ef she ain't too fine. i'se pore, but i'se clean, an' i ain't forgot how ter git up good dinners. now, i wants ter hab a good talk 'bout our feller-sarvants." "yes, and i," said robert, "want to hear all about uncle daniel, and jennie, and uncle ben tunnel." "well, i'se got lots an' gobs ter tell yer. i'se kep' track ob dem all. aunt katie died an' went ter hebben in a blaze ob glory. uncle dan'el stayed on de place till marse robert com'd back. when de war war ober he war smashed all ter pieces. i did pity him from de bottom ob my heart. when he went ter de war he looked so brave an' han'some; an' wen he com'd back he looked orful. 'fore he went he gib uncle dan'el a bag full ob money ter take kere ob. 'an wen he com'd back uncle dan'el gibed him ebery cent ob it. it warn't ebery white pusson he could hab trusted wid it. 'cause yer know, bobby, money's a mighty temptin' thing. dey tells me dat marster robert los' a heap ob property by de war; but marse robert war always mighty good ter uncle dan'el and aunt katie. he war wid her wen she war dyin' an' she got holt his han' an' made him promise dat he would meet her in glory. i neber seed anybody so happy in my life. she singed an' prayed ter de last. i tell you dis ole time religion is good 'nuff fer me. mr. robert didn't stay yere long arter her, but i beliebs he went all right. but 'fore he went he looked out fer uncle dan'el. did you see dat nice little cabin down dere wid de green shutters an' nice little garden in front? well, 'fore marse robert died he gib uncle dan'el dat place, an' miss mary and de chillen looks arter him yet; an' he libs jis' as snug as a bug in a rug. i'se gwine ter axe him ter take supper wid you. he'll be powerful glad ter see you." "do you ever go to see old miss?" asked robert. "oh, yes; i goes ebery now and den. but she's jis' fell froo. ole johnson jis' drunk hisself to death. he war de biggest guzzler i eber seed in my life. why, dat man he drunk up ebery thing he could lay his han's on. sometimes he would go 'roun' tryin' to borrer money from pore cullud folks. 'twas rale drefful de way dat pore feller did frow hisself away. but drink did it all. i tell you, bobby, dat drink's a drefful thing wen it gits de upper han' ob you. you'd better steer clar ob it." "that's so," assented robert. "i know'd miss nancy's fadder and mudder. dey war mighty rich. some ob de real big bugs. marse jim used to know dem, an' come ober ter de plantation, an' eat an' drink wen he got ready, an' stay as long as he choose. ole cousins used to have wine at dere table ebery day, an' marse jim war mighty fon' ob dat wine, an' sometimes he would drink till he got quite boozy. ole cousins liked him bery well, till he foun' out he wanted his darter, an' den he didn't want him fer rags nor patches. but miss nancy war mighty headstrong, an' allers liked to hab her own way; an' dis time she got it. but didn't she step her foot inter it? ole johnson war mighty han'some, but when dat war said all war said. she run'd off an' got married, but wen she got down she war too spunkey to axe her pa for anything. wen you war wid her, yer know she only took big bugs. but wen de war com'd 'roun' it tore her all ter pieces, an' now she's as pore as job's turkey. i feel's right sorry fer her. well, robby, things is turned 'roun' mighty quare. ole mistus war up den, an' i war down; now, she's down, an' i'se up. but i pities her, 'cause she warn't so bad arter all. de wuss thing she eber did war ta sell your mudder, an' she wouldn't hab done dat but she snatched de whip out ob her han' an gib her a lickin'. now i belieb in my heart she war 'fraid ob your mudder arter dat. but we women had ter keep 'em from whippin' us, er dey'd all de time been libin' on our bones. she had no man ter whip us 'cept dat ole drunken husband ob hern, an' he war allers too drunk ter whip hisself. he jis' wandered off, an' i reckon he died in somebody's pore-house. he warn't no 'count nohow you fix it. weneber i goes to town i carries her some garden sass, er a little milk an' butter. an' she's mighty glad ter git it. i ain't got nothin' agin her. she neber struck me a lick in her life, an' i belieb in praising de bridge dat carries me ober. dem yankees set me free, an' i thinks a powerful heap ob dem. but it does rile me ter see dese mean white men comin' down yere an' settin' up dere grog-shops, tryin' to fedder dere nests sellin' licker to pore culled people. deys de bery kine ob men dat used ter keep dorgs to ketch de runaways. i'd be chokin' fer a drink 'fore i'd eber spen' a cent wid dem, a spreadin' dere traps to git de black folks' money. you jis' go down town 'fore sun up to-morrer mornin' an' you see ef dey don't hab dem bars open to sell dere drams to dem hard workin' culled people 'fore dey goes ter work. i thinks some niggers is mighty big fools." "oh, aunt linda, don't run down your race. leave that for the white people." "i ain't runnin' down my people. but a fool's a fool, wether he's white or black. an' i think de nigger who will spen' his hard-earned money in dese yere new grog-shops is de biggest kine ob a fool, an' i sticks ter dat. you know we didn't hab all dese low places in slave times. an' what is dey fer, but to get the people's money. an' its a shame how dey do sling de licker 'bout 'lection times." "but don't the temperance people want the colored people to vote the temperance ticket?" "yes, but some ob de culled people gits mighty skittish ef dey tries to git em to vote dare ticket 'lection time, an' keeps dem at a proper distance wen de 'lection's ober. some ob dem say dere's a trick behine it, an' don't want to tech it. dese white folks could do a heap wid de culled folks ef dey'd only treat em right." "when our people say there is a trick behind it," said robert, "i only wish they could see the trick before it--the trick of worse than wasting their money, and of keeping themselves and families poorer and more ignorant than there is any need for them to be." "well, bobby, i beliebs we might be a people ef it warn't for dat mizzable drink. an' robby, i jis' tells yer what i wants; i wants some libe man to come down yere an' splain things ter dese people. i don't mean a politic man, but a man who'll larn dese people how to bring up dere chillen, to keep our gals straight, an' our boys from runnin' in de saloons an' gamblin' dens." "don't your preachers do that?" asked robert. "well, some ob dem does, an' some ob dem doesn't. an' wen dey preaches, i want dem to practice wat dey preach. some ob dem says dey's called, but i jis' thinks laziness called some ob dem. an' i thinks since freedom come deres some mighty pore sticks set up for preachers. now dere's john anderson, tom's brudder; you 'member tom." "yes; as brave a fellow and as honest as ever stepped in shoe leather." "well, his brudder war mighty diffrent. he war down in de lower kentry wen de war war ober. he war mighty smart, an' had a good head-piece, an' a orful glib tongue. he set up store an' sole whisky, an' made a lot ob money. den he wanted ter go to de legislatur. now what should he do but make out he'd got 'ligion, an' war called to preach. he had no more 'ligion dan my ole dorg. but he had money an' built a meetin' house, whar he could hole meeting, an' hab funerals; an' you know cullud folks is mighty great on funerals. well dat jis' tuck wid de people, an' he got 'lected to de legislatur. den he got a fine house, an' his ole wife warn't good 'nuff for him. den dere war a young school-teacher, an' he begun cuttin' his eyes at her. but she war as deep in de mud as he war in de mire, an' he jis' gib up his ole wife and married her, a fusty thing. he war a mean ole hypocrit, an' i wouldn't sen' fer him to bury my cat. robby, i'se down on dese kine ob preachers like a thousand bricks." "well, aunt linda, all the preachers are not like him." "no; i knows dat; not by a jug full. we's got some mighty good men down yere, an' we's glad when dey comes, an' orful sorry when dey goes 'way. de las preacher we had war a mighty good man. he didn't like too much hollerin'." "perhaps," said robert, "he thought it were best for only one to speak at a time." "i specs so. his wife war de nicest and sweetest lady dat eber i did see. none ob yer airish, stuck up folks, like a tarrapin carryin' eberything on its back. she used ter hab meetins fer de mudders, an' larn us how to raise our chillen, an' talk so putty to de chillen. i sartinly did lub dat woman." "where is she now?" asked robert. "de conference moved dem 'bout thirty miles from yere. deys gwine to hab a big meetin' ober dere next sunday. don't you 'member dem meetins we used to hab in de woods? we don't hab to hide like we did den. but it don't seem as ef de people had de same good 'ligion we had den. 'pears like folks is took up wid makin' money an' politics." "well, aunt linda, don't you wish those good old days would come back?" "no, chile; neber! neber! wat fer you take me? i'd ruther lib in a corn-crib. freedom needn't keep me outer heben; an' ef i'se sich a fool as ter lose my 'ligion cause i'se free, i oughtn' ter git dere." "but, aunt linda, if old miss were able to take care of you, wouldn't you just as leave be back again?" there was a faint quiver of indignation in aunt linda's voice, as she replied:-"don't yer want yer freedom? well i wants ter pat my free foot. halleluyah! but, robby, i wants yer ter go ter dat big meetin' de wuss kine." "how will i get there?" asked robert. "oh, dat's all right. my ole man's got two ob de nicest mules you eber set yer eyes on. it'll jis' do yer good ter look at dem. i 'spect you'll see some ob yer ole frens dere. dere's a nice settlemen' of cullud folks ober dere, an' i wants yer to come an' bring dat young lady. i wants dem folks to see wat nice folks i kin bring to de meetin'. i hope's yer didn't lose all your 'ligion in de army." "oh, i hope not," replied robert. "oh, chile, yer mus' be shore 'bout dat. i don't want yer to ride hope's hoss down to torment. now be shore an' come to-morrer an' bring dat young lady, an' take supper wid me. i'se all on nettles to see dat chile." chapter xix. striking contrasts. the next day, robert, accompanied by iola, went to the settlement to take supper with aunt linda, and a very luscious affair it was. her fingers had not lost their skill since she had tasted the sweets of freedom. her biscuits were just as light and flaky as ever. her jelly was as bright as amber, and her preserves were perfectly delicious. after she had set the table she stood looking in silent admiration, chuckling to herself: "ole mistus can't set sich a table as dat. she ought'er be yere to see it. specs 'twould make her mouf water. well, i mus' let by-gones be by-gones. but dis yere freedom's mighty good." aunt linda had invited uncle daniel, and, wishing to give him a pleasant surprise, she had refrained from telling him that robert johnson was the one she wished him to meet. "do you know dis gemmen?" said aunt linda to uncle daniel, when the latter arrived. "well, i can't say's i do. my eyes is gittin dim, an i disremembers him." "now jis' you look right good at him. don't yer 'member him?" uncle daniel looked puzzled and, slowly scanning robert's features, said: "he do look like somebody i used ter know, but i can't make him out ter save my life. i don't know whar to place him. who is de gemmen, ennyhow?" "why, uncle dan'el," replied aunt linda, "dis is robby; miss nancy's bad, mischeebous robby, dat war allers playin' tricks on me." "well, shore's i'se born, ef dis ain't our ole bobby!" exclaimed uncle daniel, delightedly. "why, chile, whar did yer come from? thought you war dead an' buried long 'go." "why, uncle daniel, did you send anybody to kill me?" asked robert, laughingly. "oh, no'n 'deed, chile! but i yeard dat you war killed in de battle, an' i never 'spected ter see you agin." "well, here i am," replied robert, "large as life, and just as natural. and this young lady, uncle daniel, i believe is my niece." as he spoke he turned to iola. "do you remember my mother?" "oh, yes," said uncle daniel, looking intently at iola as she stepped forward and cordially gave him her hand. "well, i firmly believe," continued robert, "that this is the daughter of the little girl whom miss nancy sold away with my mother." "well, i'se rale glad ter see her. she puts me mighty much in mine ob dem days wen we war all young togedder; wen miss nancy sed, 'harriet war too high fer her.' it jis' seems like yisterday wen i yeard miss nancy say, 'no house could flourish whar dere war two mistresses.' well, mr. robert--" "oh, no, no, uncle daniel," interrupted robert, "don't say that! call me robby or bob, just as you used to." "well, bobby, i'se glad klar from de bottom of my heart ter see yer." "even if you wouldn't go with us when we left?" "oh, bobby, dem war mighty tryin' times. you boys didn't know it, but marster robert hab giben me a bag ob money ter take keer ob, an' i promised him i'd do it an' i had ter be ez good ez my word." "oh, uncle daniel, why didn't you tell us boys all about it? we could have helped you take care of it." "now, wouldn't dat hab bin smart ter let on ter you chaps, an' hab you huntin' fer it from dan ter barsheba? i specs some ob you would bin a rootin' fer it yit!" "well, uncle daniel, we were young then; i can't tell what we would have done if we had found it. but we are older now." "yes, yer older, but i wouldn't put it pas' yer eben now, ef yer foun' out whar it war." "yes," said iola, laughing, "they say 'caution is the parent of safety.'" "money's a mighty tempting thing," said robert, smiling. "but, robby, dere's nothin' like a klar conscience; a klar conscience, robby!" just then aunt linda, who had been completing the preparations for her supper, entered the room with her husband, and said, "salters, let me interdoos you ter my fren', mr. robert johnson, an' his niece, miss leroy." "why, is it possible," exclaimed robert, rising, and shaking hands, "that you are aunt linda's husband?" "dat's what de parson sed," replied salters. "i thought," pursued robert, "that your name was john andrews. it was such when you were in my company." "all de use i'se got fer dat name is ter git my money wid it; an' wen dat's done, all's done. got 'nuff ob my ole marster in slave times, widout wearin' his name in freedom. wen i got done wid him, i got done wid his name. wen i 'listed, i war john andrews; and wen i gits my pension, i'se john andrews; but now salters is my name, an' i likes it better." "but how came you to be aunt linda's husband? did you get married since the war?" "lindy an' me war married long 'fore de war. but my ole marster sole me away from her an' our little gal, an' den sole her chile ter somebody else. arter freedom, i hunted up our little gal, an' foun' her. she war a big woman den. den i com'd right back ter dis place an' foun' lindy. she hedn't married agin, nuther hed i; so we jis' let de parson marry us out er de book; an' we war mighty glad ter git togedder agin, an' feel hitched togedder fer life." "well, uncle daniel," said robert, turning the conversation toward him, "you and uncle ben wouldn't go with us, but you came out all right at last." "yes, indeed," said aunt linda, "ben got inter a stream of luck. arter freedom com'd, de people had a heap of fath in ben; an' wen dey wanted some one to go ter congress dey jist voted for ben ter go. an' he went, too. an' wen salters went to washin'ton to git his pension, who should he see dere wid dem big men but our ben, lookin' jist as big as any ob dem." "an' it did my ole eyes good jist ter see it," broke in salters; "if i couldn't go dere myself, i war mighty glad to see some one ob my people dat could. i felt like de boy who, wen somebody said he war gwine to slap off his face, said, 'yer kin slap off my face, but i'se got a big brudder, an' you can't slap off his face.' i went to see him 'fore i lef, and he war jist de same as he war wen we war boys togedder. he hadn't got de big head a bit." "i reckon mirandy war mighty sorry she didn't stay wid him. i know i should be," said aunt linda. "uncle daniel," asked robert, "are you still preaching?" "yes, chile, i'se still firing off de gospel gun." "i hear some of the northern folks are down here teaching theology, that is, teaching young men how to preach. why don't you study theology?" "look a yere, boy, i'se been a preachin' dese thirty years, an' you come yere a tellin' me 'bout studying yore ologies. i larn'd my 'ology at de foot ob de cross. you bin dar?" "dear uncle daniel," said iola, "the moral aspect of the nation would be changed if it would learn at the same cross to subordinate the spirit of caste to the spirit of christ." "does yer 'member miss nancy's harriet," asked aunt linda, "dat she sole away kase she wouldn't let her whip her? well, we think dis is harriet's gran'chile. she war sole away from her mar, an' now she's a lookin' fer her." "well, i hopes she may fine her," replied salters. "i war sole 'way from my mammy wen i war eighteen mont's ole, an' i wouldn't know her now from a bunch ob turnips." "i," said iola, "am on my way south seeking for my mother, and i shall not give up until i find her." "come," said aunt linda, "we mustn't stan' yer talkin', or de grub'll git cole. come, frens, sit down, an' eat some ob my pore supper." aunt linda sat at the table in such a flutter of excitement that she could hardly eat, but she gazed with intense satisfaction on her guests. robert sat on her right hand, contrasting aunt linda's pleasant situation with the old days in mrs. johnson's kitchen, where he had played his pranks upon her, and told her the news of the war. over iola there stole a spirit of restfulness. there was something so motherly in aunt linda's manner that it seemed to recall the bright, sunshiny days when she used to nestle in mam liza's arms, in her own happy home. the conversation was full of army reminiscences and recollections of the days of slavery. uncle daniel was much interested, and, as they rose from the table, exclaimed:-"robby, seein' yer an' hearin' yer talk, almos' puts new springs inter me. i feel 'mos' like i war gittin' younger." after the supper, salters and his guests returned to the front room, which aunt linda regarded with so much pride, and on which she bestowed so much care. "well, captin," said salters, "i neber 'spected ter see you agin. do you know de las' time i seed yer? well, you war on a stretcher, an' four ob us war carryin' you ter de hospital. war you much hurt? "no," replied robert, "it was only a flesh wound; and this young lady nursed me so carefully that i soon got over it." "is dat de way you foun' her?" "yes, andrews,"-"salters, ef you please," interrupted salters. i'se only andrews wen i gits my money." "well, salters," continued robert, "our freedom was a costly thing. did you know that captain sybil was killed in one of the last battles of the war? these young chaps, who are taking it so easy, don't know the hardships through which we older ones passed. but all the battles are not fought, nor all the victories won. the colored man has escaped from one slavery, and i don't want him to fall into another. i want the young folks to keep their brains clear, and their right arms strong, to fight the battles of life manfully, and take their places alongside of every other people in this country. and i cannot see what is to hinder them if they get a chance." "i don't nuther," said salters. "i don't see dat dey drinks any more dan anybody else, nor dat dere is any meanness or debilment dat a black man kin do dat a white man can't keep step wid him." "yes," assented robert, "but while a white man is stealing a thousand dollars, a black man is getting into trouble taking a few chickens." "all that may be true," said iola, "but there are some things a white man can do that we cannot afford to do." "i beliebs eberybody, norf and souf, is lookin' at us; an' some ob dem ain't got no good blood fer us, nohow you fix it," said salters. "i specs cullud folks mus' hab done somethin'," interposed aunt linda. "o, nonsense," said robert. "i don't think they are any worse than the white people. i don't believe, if we had the power, we would do any more lynching, burning, and murdering than they do." "dat's so," said aunt linda, "it's ralely orful how our folks hab been murdered sence de war. but i don't think dese young folks is goin' ter take things as we's allers done." "we war cowed down from the beginnin'," said uncle daniel, "but dese young folks ain't comin' up dat way." "no," said salters, "fer one night arter some ob our pore people had been killed, an' some ob our women had run'd away 'bout seventeen miles, my gran'son, looking me squar in de face, said: 'ain't you got five fingers? can't you pull a trigger as well as a white man?' i tell yer, cap, dat jis' got to me, an' i made up my mine dat my boy should neber call me a coward." "it is not to be expected," said robert, "that these young people are going to put up with things as we did, when we weren't permitted to hold a meeting by ourselves, or to own a club or learn to read." "i tried," said salters, "to git a little out'er de book wen i war in de army. on sundays i sometimes takes a book an' tries to make out de words, but my eyes is gittin' dim an' de letters all run togedder, an' i gits sleepy, an' ef yer wants to put me to sleep jis' put a book in my han'. but wen it comes to gittin' out a stan' ob cotton, an' plantin' corn, i'se dere all de time. but dat gran'son ob mine is smart as a steel trap. i specs he'll be a preacher." salters looked admiringly at his grandson, who sat grinning in the corner, munching a pear he had brought from the table. "yes," said aunt linda, "his fadder war killed by the secesh, one night, comin' home from a politic meetin', an' his pore mudder died a few weeks arter, an' we mean to make a man ob him." "he's got to larn to work fust," said salters, "an' den ef he's right smart i'se gwine ter sen' him ter college. an' ef he can't get a libin' one way, he kin de oder." "yes," said iola, "i hope he will turn out an excellent young man, for the greatest need of the race is noble, earnest men, and true women." "job," said salters, turning to his grandson, "tell jake ter hitch up de mules, an' you stay dere an' help him. we's all gwine ter de big meetin'. yore grandma hab set her heart on goin', an' it'll be de same as a spell ob sickness ef she don't hab a chance to show her bes' bib an' tucker. that ole gal's as proud as a peacock." "now, john salters," exclaimed aunt linda, "ain't you 'shamed ob yourself? allers tryin' to poke fun at yer pore wife. never mine; wait till i'se gone, an' you'll miss me." "ef i war single," said salters, "i could git a putty young gal, but it wouldn't be so easy wid you." "why not?" said iola, smiling. "'cause young men don't want ole hens, an' ole men want young pullets," was salter's reply. "robby, honey," said aunt linda, "when you gits a wife, don't treat her like dat man treats me." "oh, his head's level," answered robert; "at least it was in the army." "dat's jis' de way; you see dat, miss iola? one man takin' up for de oder. but i'll be eben wid you bof. i must go now an' git ready." iola laughed. the homely enjoyment of that evening was very welcome to her after the trying scenes through which she had passed. further conversation was interrupted by the appearance of the wagon, drawn by two fine mules. john salters stopped joking his wife to admire his mules. "jis' look at dem," he said. "ain't dey beauties? i bought 'em out ob my bounty-money. arter de war war ober i had a little money, an' i war gwine ter rent a plantation on sheers an' git out a good stan' ob cotton. cotton war bringin' orful high prices den, but lindy said to me, 'now, john, you'se got a lot ob money, an' you'd better salt it down. i'd ruther lib on a little piece ob lan' ob my own dan a big piece ob somebody else's. well, i says to lindy, i dun know nuthin' 'bout buyin' lan', an' i'se 'fraid arter i'se done buyed it an' put all de marrer ob dese bones in it, dat somebody's far-off cousin will come an' say de title ain't good, an' i'll lose it all." "you're right thar, john," said uncle daniel. "white man's so unsartain, black man's nebber safe." "but somehow," continued salters, "lindy warn't satisfied wid rentin', so i buyed a piece ob lan', an' i'se glad now i'se got it. lindy's got a lot ob gumption; knows most as much as a man. she ain't got dat long head fer nuffin. she's got lots ob sense, but i don't like to tell her so." "why not?" asked iola. "do you think it would make her feel too happy?" "well, it don't do ter tell you women how much we thinks ob you. it sets you up too much. ole gundover's overseer war my marster, an' he used ter lib in dis bery house. i'se fixed it up sence i'se got it. now i'se better off dan he is, 'cause he tuck to drink, an' all his frens is gone, an' he's in de pore-house." just then linda came to the door with her baskets. "now, lindy, ain't you ready yet? do hurry up." "yes, i'se ready, but things wouldn't go right ef you didn't hurry me." "well, put your chicken fixins an' cake right in yere. captin, you'll ride wid me, an' de young lady an' my ole woman'll take de back seat. uncle dan'el, dere's room for you ef you'll go." "no, i thank you. it's time fer ole folks to go to bed. good night! an', bobby, i hopes to see you agin'." chapter xx. a revelation. it was a lovely evening for the journey. the air was soft and balmy. the fields and hedges were redolent with flowers. not a single cloud obscured the brightness of the moon or the splendor of the stars. the ancient trees were festooned with moss, which hung like graceful draperies. ever and anon a startled hare glided over the path, and whip-poor-wills and crickets broke the restful silence of the night. robert rode quietly along, quaffing the beauty of the scene and thinking of his boyish days, when he gathered nuts and wild plums in those woods; he also indulged pleasant reminiscences of later years, when, with uncle daniel and tom anderson, he attended the secret prayer-meetings. iola rode along, conversing with aunt linda, amused and interested at the quaintness of her speech and the shrewdness of her intellect. to her the ride was delightful. "does yer know dis place, robby," asked aunt linda, as they passed an old resort. "i should think i did," replied robert. "it is the place where we held our last prayer-meeting." "an' dere's dat ole broken pot we used, ter tell 'bout de war. but warn't ole miss hoppin' wen she foun' out you war goin' to de war! i thought she'd go almos' wile. now, own up, robby, didn't you feel kine ob mean to go off widout eben biddin' her good bye? an' i ralely think ole miss war fon' ob yer. now, own up, honey, didn't yer feel a little down in de mouf wen yer lef' her." "not much," responded robert. "i only thought she was getting paid back for selling my mother." "dat's so, robby! yore mudder war a likely gal, wid long black hair, an' kine ob ginger-bread color. an' you neber hearn tell ob her sence dey sole her to georgia?" "never," replied robert, "but i would give everything i have on earth to see her once more. i _do_ hope, if she is living, that i may meet her before i die." "you's right, boy, cause she lub'd you as she lub'd her own life. many a time hes she set in my ole cabin an' cried 'bout yer wen you war fas' asleep. it's all ober now, but i'se gwine to hole up fer dem yankees dat gib me my freedom, an' sent dem nice ladies from de norf to gib us some sense. some ob dese folks calls em nigger teachers, an' won't hab nuffin to do wid 'em, but i jis' thinks dey's splendid. but dere's some triflin' niggers down yere who'll sell der votes for almost nuffin. does you 'member jake williams an' gundover's tom? well dem two niggers is de las' ob pea-time. dey's mighty small pertaters an' few in a hill." "oh, aunt linda," said robert, "don't call them niggers. they are our own people." "dey ain't my kine ob people. i jis' calls em niggers, an' niggers i means; an' de bigges' kine ob niggers. an' if my john war sich a nigger i'd whip him an' leave him." "an' what would i be a doin'," queried john, suddenly rousing up at the mention of his name. "standing still and taking it, i suppose," said iola, who had been quietly listening to and enjoying the conversation. "yes, an' i'd ketch myself stan'in' still an' takin' it," was john's plucky response. "well, you oughter, ef you's mean enough to wote dat ticket ter put me back inter slavery," was aunt linda's parting shot. "robby," she continued, "you 'member miss nancy's jinnie?" "of course i do," said robert. "she married mr. gundover's dick. well, dere warn't much git up an' go 'bout him. so, wen 'lection time com'd, de man he war workin' fer tole him ef he woted de radical ticket he'd turn him off. well, jinnie war so 'fraid he'd do it, dat she jis' follered him fer days." "poor fellow!" exclaimed robert. "how did he come out?" "he certainly was between two fires," interposed iola. "oh, jinnie gained de day. she jis' got her back up, and said, 'now ef yer wote dat ticket ter put me back inter slavery, you take yore rags an' go.' an' dick jis' woted de radical ticket. jake williams went on de secesh side, woted whar he thought he'd git his taters, but he got fooled es slick es greese." "how was that?" asked robert. "some ob dem folks, dat i 'spects buyed his wote, sent him some flour an' sugar. so one night his wife hab company ter tea. dey made a big spread, an' put a lot ob sugar on de table fer supper, an' tom jis' went fer dat sugar. he put a lot in his tea. but somehow it didn't tase right, an' wen dey come ter fine out what war de matter, dey hab sent him a barrel ob san' wid some sugar on top, an' wen de sugar war all gone de san' war dare. wen i yeard it, i jis' split my sides a larfin. it war too good to keep; an' wen it got roun', jake war as mad as a march hare. but it sarved him right." "well, aunt linda, you musn't be too hard on uncle jake; you know he's getting old." "well he ain't too ole ter do right. he ain't no older dan uncle dan'el. an' i yered dey offered him $500 ef he'd go on dere side. an' uncle dan'el wouldn't tech it. an' dere's uncle job's wife; why didn't she go dat way? she war down on job's meanness." "what did she do?" "wen 'lection time 'rived, he com'd home bringing some flour an' meat; an' he says ter aunt polly, 'ole woman, i got dis fer de wote.' she jis' picked up dat meat an' flour an' sent it sailin' outer doors, an' den com'd back an' gib him a good tongue-lashin'. 'oder people,' she said, 'a wotin' ter lib good, an' you a sellin' yore wote! ain't you got 'nuff ob ole marster, an' ole marster bin cuttin' you up? it shan't stay yere.' an' so she wouldn't let de things stay in de house." "what did uncle job do?" "he jis' stood dere an' cried." "and didn't you feel sorry for him?" asked iola. "not a bit! he hedn't no business ter be so shabby." "but, aunt linda," pursued iola, "if it were shabby for an ignorant colored man to sell his vote, wasn't it shabbier for an intelligent white man to buy it?" "you see," added robert, "all the shabbiness is not on our side." "i knows dat," said aunt linda, "but i can't help it. i wants my people to wote right, an' to think somethin' ob demselves." "well, aunt linda, they say in every flock of sheep there will be one that's scabby," observed iola. "dat's so! but i ain't got no use fer scabby sheep." "lindy," cried john, "we's most dar! don't you yere dat singin'? dey's begun a'ready." "neber mine," said aunt linda, "sometimes de las' ob de wine is de bes'." thus discoursing they had beguiled the long hours of the night and made their long journey appear short. very soon they reached the church, a neat, commodious, frame building, with a blue ceiling, white walls within and without, and large windows with mahogany-colored facings. it was a sight full of pathetic interest to see that group which gathered from miles around. they had come to break bread with each other, relate their experiences, and tell of their hopes of heaven. in that meeting were remnants of broken families--mothers who had been separated from their children before the war, husbands who had not met their wives for years. after the bread had been distributed and the handshaking was nearly over, robert raised the hymn which iola had sung for him when he was recovering from his wounds, and iola, with her clear, sweet tones, caught up the words and joined him in the strain. when the hymn was finished a dear old mother rose from her seat. her voice was quite strong. with still a lingering light and fire in her eye, she said:-"i rise, bredren an' sisters, to say i'm on my solemn march to glory." "amen!" "glory!" came from a number of voices. "i'se had my trials an' temptations, my ups an' downs; but i feels i'll soon be in one ob de many mansions. if it hadn't been for dat hope i 'spects i would have broken down long ago. i'se bin through de deep waters, but dey didn't overflow me; i'se bin in de fire, but de smell ob it isn't on my garments. bredren an' sisters, it war a drefful time when i war tored away from my pore little chillen." "dat's so!" exclaimed a chorus of voices. some of her hearers moaned, others rocked to and fro, as thoughts of similar scenes in their own lives arose before them. "when my little girl," continued the speaker, "took hole ob my dress an' begged me ter let her go wid me, an' i couldn't do it, it mos' broke my heart. i had a little boy, an' wen my mistus sole me she kep' him. she carried on a boardin' house. many's the time i hab stole out at night an' seen dat chile an' sleep'd wid him in my arms tell mos' day. bimeby de people i libed wid got hard up fer money, an' dey sole me one way an' my pore little gal de oder; an' i neber laid my eyes on my pore chillen sence den. but, honeys, let de wind blow high or low, i 'spects to outwedder de storm an' anchor by'm bye in bright glory. but i'se bin a prayin' fer one thing, an' i beliebs i'll git it; an' dat is dat i may see my chillen 'fore i die. pray fer me dat i may hole out an' hole on, an' neber make a shipwrack ob faith, an' at las' fine my way from earth to glory." having finished her speech, she sat down and wiped away the tears that flowed all the more copiously as she remembered her lost children. when she rose to speak her voice and manner instantly arrested robert's attention. he found his mind reverting to the scenes of his childhood. as she proceeded his attention became riveted on her. unbidden tears filled his eyes and great sobs shook his frame. he trembled in every limb. could it be possible that after years of patient search through churches, papers, and inquiring friends, he had accidentally stumbled on his mother--the mother who, long years ago, had pillowed his head upon her bosom and left her parting kiss upon his lips? how should he reveal himself to her? might not sudden joy do what years of sorrow had failed to accomplish? controlling his feelings as best he could, he rose to tell his experience. he referred to the days when they used to hold their meetings in the lonely woods and gloomy swamps. how they had prayed for freedom and plotted to desert to the union army; and continuing, he said: "since then, brethren and sisters, i have had my crosses and trials, but i try to look at the mercies. just think what it was then and what it is now! how many of us, since freedom has come, have been looking up our scattered relatives. i have just been over to visit my old mistress, nancy johnson, and to see if i could get some clue to my long-lost mother, who was sold from me nearly thirty years ago." again there was a chorus of moans. on resuming, robert's voice was still fuller of pathos. "when," he said, "i heard that dear old mother tell her experience it seemed as if some one had risen from the dead. she made me think of my own dear mother, who used to steal out at night to see me, fold me in her arms, and then steal back again to her work. after she was sold away i never saw her face again by daylight. i have been looking for her ever since the war, and i think at last i have got on the right track. if mrs. johnson, who kept the boarding-house in c----, is the one who sold that dear old mother from her son, then she is the one i am looking for, and i am the son she has been praying for." the dear old mother raised her eyes. they were clear and tearless. an expression of wonder, hope, and love flitted over her face. it seemed as if her youth were suddenly renewed and, bounding from her seat, she rushed to the speaker in a paroxysm of joy. "oh, robby! robby! is dis you? is dat my pore, dear boy i'se been prayin' 'bout all dese years? oh, glory! glory!" and overflowing with joyous excitement she threw her arms around him, looking the very impersonation of rapturous content. it was a happy time. mothers whose children had been torn from them in the days of slavery knew how to rejoice in her joy. the young people caught the infection of the general happiness and rejoiced with them that rejoiced. there were songs of rejoicing and shouts of praise. the undertone of sadness which had so often mingled with their songs gave place to strains of exultation; and tears of tender sympathy flowed from eyes which had often been blurred by anguish. the child of many prayers and tears was restored to his mother. iola stood by the mother's side, smiling, and weeping tears of joy. when robert's mother observed iola, she said to robert, "is dis yore wife?" "oh, no," replied robert, "but i believe she is your grandchild, the daughter of the little girl who was sold away from you so long ago. she is on her way to the farther south in search of her mother." "is she? dear chile! i hope she'll fine her! she puts me in mine ob my pore little marie. well, i'se got one chile, an' i means to keep on prayin' tell i fine my daughter. i'm _so_ happy! i feel's like a new woman!" "my dear mother," said robert, "now that i have found you, i mean to hold you fast just as long as you live. ever since the war i have been trying to find out if you were living, but all efforts failed. at last, i thought i would come and hunt you myself and, now that i have found you, i am going to take you home to live with me, and to be as happy as the days are long. i am living in the north, and doing a good business there. i want you to see joy according to all the days wherein you have seen sorrow. i do hope this young lady will find _her_ ma and that, when found, she will prove to be your daughter!" "yes, pore, dear chile! i specs her mudder's heart's mighty hungry fer her. i does hope she's my gran'chile." tenderly and caressingly iola bent over the happy mother, with her heart filled with mournful memories of her own mother. aunt linda was induced to stay until the next morning, and then gladly assisted robert's mother in arranging for her journey northward. the friends who had given her a shelter in their hospitable home, learned to value her so much that it was with great reluctance they resigned her to the care of her son. aunt linda was full of bustling activity, and her spirits overflowed with good humor. "now, harriet," she said, as they rode along on their return journey, "you mus' jis' thank me fer finin' yore chile, 'cause i got him to come to dat big meetin' wid me." "oh, lindy," she cried, "i'se glad from de bottom ob my heart ter see you's all. i com'd out dere ter git a blessin', an' i'se got a double po'tion. de frens i war libin' wid war mighty good ter me. dey lib'd wid me in de lower kentry, an' arter de war war ober i stopped wid 'em and helped take keer ob de chillen; an' when dey com'd up yere dey brought me wid 'em. i'se com'd a way i didn't know, but i'se mighty glad i'se com'd." "does you know dis place?" asked aunt linda, as they approached the settlement. "no'n 'deed i don't. it's all new ter me." "well, dis is whar i libs. ain't you mighty tired? i feels a little stiffish. dese bones is gittin' ole." "dat's so! but i'se mighty glad i'se lib'd to see my boy 'fore i crossed ober de riber. an' now i feel like ole simeon." "but, mother," said robert, "if you are ready to go, i am not willing to let you. i want you to stay ever so long where i can see you." a bright smile overspread her face. robert's words reassured and gladdened her heart. she was well satisfied to have a pleasant aftermath from life on this side of the river. after arriving home linda's first thought was to prepare dinner for her guests. but, before she began her work of preparation, she went to the cupboard to get a cup of home-made wine. "here," she said, filling three glasses, "is some wine i made myself from dat grape-vine out dere. don't it look nice and clar? jist taste it. it's fus'rate." "no, thank you," said robert. "i'm a temperance man, and never take anything which has alcohol in it." "oh, dis ain't got a bit ob alcohol in it. i made it myself." "but, aunt linda, you didn't make the law which ferments grape-juice and makes it alcohol." "but, robby, ef alcohol's so bad, w'at made de lord put it here?" "aunt lindy," said iola, "i heard a lady say that there were two things the lord didn't make. one is sin, and the other alcohol." "why, aunt linda," said robert, "there are numbers of things the lord has made that i wouldn't touch with a pair of tongs." "what are they?" "rattlesnakes, scorpions, and moccasins." "oh, sho!" "aunt linda," said iola, "the bible says that the wine at last will bite like a serpent and sting like an adder." "and, aunt linda," added robert, "as i wouldn't wind a serpent around my throat, i don't want to put something inside of it which will bite like a serpent and sting as an adder." "i reckon robby's right," said his mother, setting down her glass and leaving the wine unfinished. "you young folks knows a heap more dan we ole folks." "well," declared aunt linda, "you all is temp'rence to de backbone. but what could i do wid my wine ef we didn't drink it?" "let it turn to vinegar, and sign the temperance pledge," replied robert. "i don't keer 'bout it myself, but i don't 'spect john would be willin' ter let it go, 'cause he likes it a heap." "then you must give it up for his sake and job's," said robert. "they may learn to like it too well." "you know, aunt linda," said iola, "people don't get to be drunkards all at once. and you wouldn't like to feel, if job should learn to drink, that you helped form his appetite." "dat' so! i beliebs i'll let dis turn to winegar, an' not make any more." "that's right, aunt linda. i hope you'll hold to it," said robert, encouragingly. very soon aunt linda had an excellent dinner prepared. after it was over robert went with iola to c----, where her friend, the bishop, was awaiting her return. she told him the wonderful story of robert's finding his mother, and of her sweet, childlike faith. the bishop, a kind, fatherly man, said, "miss iola, i hope that such happiness is in store for you. my dear child, still continue to pray and trust. i am old-fashioned enough to believe in prayer. i knew an old lady living in illinois, who was a slave. her son got a chance to come north and beg money to buy his mother. the mother was badly treated, and made up her mind to run away. but before she started she thought she would kneel down to pray. and something, she said, reasoned within her, and whispered, 'stand still and see what i am going to do for you.' so real was it to her that she unpacked her bundle and desisted from her flight. strange as it may appear to you, her son returned, bringing with him money enough to purchase her freedom, and she was redeemed from bondage. had she persisted in running away she might have been lost in the woods and have died, exhausted by starvation. but she believed, she trusted, and was delivered. her son took her north, where she could find a resting place for the soles of her feet." that night iola and the bishop left for the south. chapter xxi. a home for mother. after iola had left the settlement, accompanied by robert as far as the town, it was a pleasant satisfaction for the two old friends to settle themselves down, and talk of times past, departed friends, and long-forgotten scenes. "what," said mrs. johnson, as we shall call robert's mother, "hab become ob miss nancy's husband? is he still a libin'?" "oh, he drunk hisself to death," responded aunt linda. "he used ter be mighty handsome." "yes, but drink war his ruination." "an' how's miss nancy?" "oh, she's com'd down migh'ly. she's pore as a church mouse. i thought 'twould com'd home ter her wen she sole yer 'way from yore chillen. dere's nuffin goes ober de debil's back dat don't come under his belly. do yo 'member miss nancy's fardder?" "ob course i does!" "well," said aunt linda, "he war a nice ole gemmen. wen he died, i said de las' gemmen's dead, an' dere's noboddy ter step in his shoes." "pore miss nancy!" exclaimed robert's mother. "i ain't nothin' agin her. but i wouldn't swap places wid her, 'cause i'se got my son; an' i beliebs he'll do a good part by me." "mother," said robert, as he entered the room, "i've brought an old friend to see you. do you remember uncle daniel?" uncle daniel threw back his head, reached out his hand, and manifested his joy with "well, har'yet! is dis you? i neber 'spected to see you in dese lower grouns! how does yer do? an' whar hab you bin all dis time?" "o, i'se been tossin' roun' 'bout; but it's all com'd right at las'. i'se lib'd to see my boy 'fore i died." "my wife an' boys is in glory," said uncle daniel. "but i 'spects to see 'em 'fore long. 'cause i'se tryin' to dig deep, build sure, an' make my way from earth ter glory." "dat's de right kine ob talk, dan'el. we ole folks ain't got long ter stay yere." they chatted together until job and salters came home for supper. after they had eaten, uncle daniel said:-"we'll hab a word ob prayer." there, in that peaceful habitation, they knelt down, and mingled their prayers together, as they had done in by-gone days, when they had met by stealth in lonely swamps or silent forests. the next morning robert and his mother started northward. they were well supplied with a bountiful luncheon by aunt linda, who had so thoroughly enjoyed their sojourn with her. on the next day he arrived in the city of p----, and took his mother to his boarding-house, until he could find a suitable home into which to install her. he soon came across one which just suited his taste, but when the agent discovered that robert's mother was colored, he told him that the house had been previously engaged. in company with his mother he looked at several other houses in desirable neighborhoods, but they were constantly met with the answer, "the house is engaged," or, "we do not rent to colored people." at length robert went alone, and, finding a desirable house, engaged it, and moved into it. in a short time it was discovered that he was colored, and, at the behest of the local sentiment of the place, the landlord used his utmost endeavors to oust him, simply because he belonged to an unfashionable and unpopular race. at last he came across a landlord who was broad enough to rent him a good house, and he found a quiet resting place among a set of well-to-do and well-disposed people. chapter xxii. further lifting of the veil. in one of those fearful conflicts by which the mississippi was freed from rebel intrusion and opened to commerce harry was severely wounded, and forced to leave his place in the ranks for a bed in the hospital. one day, as he lay in his bed, thinking of his former home in mississippi and wondering if the chances of war would ever restore him to his loved ones, he fell into a quiet slumber. when he awoke he found a lady bending over him, holding in her hands some fruit and flowers. as she tenderly bent over harry's bed their eyes met, and with a thrill of gladness they recognized each other. "oh, my son, my son!" cried marie, trying to repress her emotion, as she took his wasted hand in hers, and kissed the pale cheeks that sickness and suffering had blanched. harry was very weak, but her presence was a call to life. he returned the pressure of her hand, kissed it, and his eyes grew full of sudden light, as he murmured faintly, but joyfully:-"mamma; oh, mamma! have i found you at last?" the effort was too much, and he immediately became unconscious. anxious, yet hopeful, marie sat by the bedside of her son till consciousness was restored. caressingly she bent over his couch, murmuring in her happiness the tenderest, sweetest words of motherly love. in harry's veins flowed new life and vigor, calming the restlessness of his nerves. as soon as possible harry was carried to his mother's home; a home brought into the light of freedom by the victories of general grant. nursed by his mother's tender, loving care, he rapidly recovered, but, being too disabled to re-enter the army, he was honorably discharged. lorraine had taken marie to vicksburg, and there allowed her to engage in confectionery and preserving for the wealthy ladies of the city. he had at first attempted to refugee with her in texas, but, being foiled in the attempt, he was compelled to enlist in the confederate army, and met his fate by being killed just before the surrender of vicksburg. "my dear son," marie would say, as she bent fondly over him, "i am deeply sorry that you are wounded, but i am glad that the fortunes of war have brought us together. poor iola! i _do_ wonder what has become of her? just as soon as this war is over i want you to search the country all over. poor child! how my heart has ached for her!" time passed on. harry and his mother searched and inquired for iola, but no tidings of her reached them. having fully recovered his health, and seeing the great need of education for the colored people, harry turned his attention toward them, and joined the new army of northern teachers. he still continued his inquiries for his sister, not knowing whether or not she had succumbed to the cruel change in her life. he thought she might have passed into the white basis for the sake of bettering her fortunes. hope deferred, which had sickened his mother's heart, had only roused him to renewed diligence. a school was offered him in georgia, and thither he repaired, taking his mother with him. they were soon established in the city of a----. in hope of finding iola he visited all the conferences of the methodist church, but for a long time his search was in vain. "mamma," said harry, one day during his vacation, "there is to be a methodist conference in this state in the city of s----, about one hundred and fifty miles from here. i intend to go and renew my search for iola." "poor child!" burst out marie, as the tears gathered in her eyes, "i wonder if she is living." "i think so," said harry, kissing the pale cheek of his mother; "i don't feel that iola is dead. i believe we will find her before long." "it seems to me my heart would burst with joy to see my dear child just once more. i am glad that you are going. when will you leave?" "to-morrow morning." "well, my son, go, and my prayers will go with you," was marie's tender parting wish. early next morning harry started for the conference, and reached the church before the morning session was over. near him sat two ladies, one fair, the other considerably darker. there was something in the fairer one that reminded him forcibly of his sister, but she was much older and graver than he imagined his sister to be. instantly he dismissed the thought that had forced itself into his mind, and began to listen attentively to the proceedings of the conference. when the regular business of the morning session was over the bishop arose and said:-"i have an interesting duty to perform. i wish to introduce a young lady to the conference, who was the daughter of a mississippi planter. she is now in search of her mother and brother, from whom she was sold a few months before the war. her father married her mother in ohio, where he had taken her to be educated. after his death they were robbed of their inheritance and enslaved by a distant relative named lorraine. miss iola leroy is the young lady's name. if any one can give the least information respecting the objects of her search it will be thankfully received." "i can," exclaimed a young man, rising in the midst of the audience, and pressing eagerly, almost impetuously, forward. "i am her brother, and i came here to look for her." iola raised her eyes to his face, so flushed and bright with the glow of recognition, rushed to him, threw her arms around his neck, kissed him again and again, crying: "o, harry!" then she fainted from excitement. the women gathered around her with expressions of tender sympathy, and gave her all the care she needed. they called her the "dear child," for without any effort on her part she had slidden into their hearts and found a ready welcome in each sympathizing bosom. harry at once telegraphed the glad tidings to his mother, who waited their coming with joyful anticipation. long before the cars reached the city, mrs. leroy was at the depot, restlessly walking the platform or eagerly peering into the darkness to catch the first glimpse of the train which was bearing her treasures. at length the cars arrived, and, as harry and iola alighted, marie rushed forward, clasped iola in her arms and sobbed out her joy in broken words. very happy was the little family that sat together around the supper-table for the first time for years. they partook of that supper with thankful hearts and with eyes overflowing with tears of joy. very touching were the prayers the mother uttered, when she knelt with her children that night to return thanks for their happy reunion, and to seek protection through the slumbers of the night. the next morning, as they sat at the breakfast-table, marie said: "my dear child, you are so changed i do not think i would have known you if i had met you in the street!" "and i," said harry, "can hardly realize that you are our own iola, whom i recognized as sister a half dozen years ago." "am i so changed?" asked iola, as a faint sigh escaped her lips. "why, iola," said harry, "you used to be the most harum-scarum girl i ever knew, laughing, dancing, and singing from morning until night." "yes, i remember," said iola. "it all comes back to me like a dream. oh, mamma! i have passed through a fiery ordeal of suffering since then. but it is useless," and as she continued her face assumed a brighter look, "to brood over the past. let us be happy in the present. let me tell you something which will please you. do you remember telling me about your mother and brother?" "yes," said marie, in a questioning tone." "well," continued iola, with eyes full of gladness, "i think i have found them." "can it be possible!" exclaimed marie, in astonishment. "it is more than thirty years since we parted. i fear you are mistaken." "no, mamma; i have drawn my conclusions from good circumstantial evidence. after i was taken from you, i passed through a fearful siege of suffering, which would only harrow up your soul to hear. i often shudder at the remembrance. the last man in whose clutches i found myself was mean, brutal, and cruel. i was in his power when the union army came into c----, where i was living. a number of colored men stampeded to the union ranks, with a gentleman as a leader, whom i think is your brother. a friend of his reported my case to the commander of the post, who instantly gave orders for my release. a place was given me as nurse in the hospital. i attended that friend in his last illness. poor fellow! he was the best friend i had in all the time i have been tossing about. the gentleman whom i think is your brother appeared to be very anxious about his friend's recovery, and was deeply affected by his death. in one of the last terrible battles of the war, that of five forks, he was wounded and put into the hospital ward where i was an attendant. for awhile he was delirious, and in his delirium he would sometimes think that i was his mother and at other times his sister. i humored his fancies, would often sing to him when he was restless, and my voice almost invariably soothed him to sleep. one day i sang to him that old hymn we used to sing on the plantation:- "drooping souls no longer grieve, heaven is propitious; if on christ you do believe, you will find him precious." "i remember," said marie, with a sigh, as memories of the past swept over her. "after i had finished the hymn," continued iola, "he looked earnestly and inquiringly into my face, and asked, 'where did you learn that hymn? i have heard my mother sing it when i was a boy, but i have never heard it since.' i think, mamma, the words, 'i was lost but now i'm found; glory! glory! glory!' had imprinted themselves on his memory, and that his mind was assuming a higher state of intellectuality. he asked me to sing it again, which i did, until he fell asleep. then i noticed a marked resemblance between him and harry, and i thought, 'suppose he should prove to be your long-lost brother?' during his convalescence we found that we had a common ground of sympathy. we were anxious to be reunited to our severed relations. we had both been separated from our mothers. he told me of his little sister, with whom he used to play. she had a mole on her cheek which he called her beauty spot. he had the red spot on his forehead which you told me of." chapter xxiii. delightful reunions. very bright and happy was the home where marie and her children were gathered under one roof. mrs. leroy's neighbors said she looked ten years younger. into that peaceful home came no fearful forebodings of cruel separations. harry and iola were passionately devoted to their mother, and did all they could to flood her life with sunshine. "iola, dear," said harry, one morning at the breakfast-table, "i have a new pleasure in store for you." "what is it, brother mine?" asked iola, assuming an air of interest. "there is a young lady living in this city to whom i wish to introduce you. she is one of the most remarkable women i have ever met." "do tell me all about her," said iola. "is she young and handsome, brilliant and witty? "she," replied harry, "is more than handsome, she is lovely; more than witty, she is wise; more than brilliant, she is excellent." "well, harry," said mrs. leroy, smiling, "if you keep on that way i shall begin to fear that i shall soon be supplanted by a new daughter." "oh, no, mamma," replied harry, looking slightly confused, "i did not mean that." "well, harry," said iola, amused, "go on with your description; i am becoming interested. tax your powers of description to give me her likeness." "well, in the first place," continued harry, "i suppose she is about twenty-five years old." "oh, the idea," interrupted iola, "of a gentleman talking of a lady's age. that is a tabooed subject." "why, iola, that adds to the interest of my picture. it is her combination of earnestness and youthfulness which enhances her in my estimation." "pardon the interruption," said iola; "i am anxious to hear more about her." "well, she is of medium height, somewhat slender, and well formed, with dark, expressive eyes, full of thought and feeling. neither hair nor complexion show the least hint of blood admixture." "i am glad of it," said iola. "every person of unmixed blood who succeeds in any department of literature, art, or science is a living argument for the capability which is in the race." "yes," responded harry, "for it is not the white blood which is on trial before the world. well, i will bring her around this evening." in the evening harry brought miss delany to call on his sister and mother. they were much pleased with their visitor. her manner was a combination of suavity and dignity. during the course of the evening they learned that she was a graduate of the university of a----. one day she saw in the newspapers that colored women were becoming unfit to be servants for white people. she then thought that if they are not fit to be servants for white people, they are unfit to be mothers to their own children, and she conceived the idea of opening a school to train future wives and mothers. she began on a small scale, in a humble building, and her work was soon crowned with gratifying success. she had enlarged her quarters, increased her teaching force, and had erected a large and commodious school-house through her own exertions and the help of others. marie cordially invited her to call again, saying, as she rose to go: "i am very glad to have met you. young women like you always fill my heart with hope for the future of our race. in you i see reflected some of the blessed possibilities which lie within us." "thank you," said miss delany, "i want to be classed among those of whom it is said, 'she has done what she could.'" very pleasant was the acquaintance which sprang up between miss delany and iola. although she was older than iola, their tastes were so congenial, their views of life and duty in such unison, that their acquaintance soon ripened into strong and lasting friendship. there were no foolish rivalries and jealousies between them. their lives were too full of zeal and earnestness for them to waste in selfishness their power to be moral and spiritual forces among a people who so much needed their helping hands. miss delany gave iola a situation in her school; but before the term was quite over she was force to resign, her health having been so undermined by the fearful strain through which she had passed, that she was quite unequal to the task. she remained at home, and did what her strength would allow in assisting her mother in the work of canning and preserving fruits. in the meantime, iola had been corresponding with robert. she had told him of her success in finding her mother and brother, and had received an answer congratulating her on the glad fruition of her hopes. he also said that his business was flourishing, that his mother was keeping house for him, and, to use her own expression, was as happy as the days are long. she was firmly persuaded that marie was her daughter, and she wanted to see her before she died. "there is one thing," continued the letter, "that your mother may remember her by. it was a little handkerchief on which were a number of cats' heads. she gave one to each of us." "i remember it well," said marie, "she must, indeed, be my mother. now, all that is needed to complete my happiness is her presence, and my brother's. and i intend, if i live long enough, to see them both." iola wrote robert that her mother remembered the incident of the handkerchief, and was anxious to see them. in the early fall robert started for the south in order to clear up all doubts with respect to their relationship. he found iola, harry, and their mother living cosily together. harry was teaching and was a leader among the rising young men of the state. his northern education and later experience had done much toward adapting him to the work of the new era which had dawned upon the south. marie was very glad to welcome robert to her home, but it was almost impossible to recognize her brother in that tall, handsome man, with dark-brown eyes and wealth of chestnut-colored hair, which he readily lifted to show the crimson spot which lay beneath it. but as they sat together, and recalled the long-forgotten scenes of their childhood, they concluded that they were brother and sister. "marie," said robert, "how would you like to leave the south?" "i should like to go north, but i hate to leave harry. he's a splendid young fellow, although i say it myself. he is so fearless and outspoken that i am constantly anxious about him, especially at election time." harry then entered the room, and, being introduced to robert, gave him a cordial welcome. he had just returned from school. "we were talking of you, my son," said marie. "what were you saying? nothing of the absent but good?" asked harry. "i was telling your uncle, who wants me to come north, that i would go, but i am afraid that you will get into trouble and be murdered, as many others have been." "oh, well, mother, i shall not die till my time comes. and if i die helping the poor and needy, i shall die at my post. could a man choose a better place to die?" "were you aware of the virulence of caste prejudice and the disabilities which surround the colored people when you cast your lot with them?" asked robert. "not fully," replied harry; "but after i found out that i was colored, i consulted the principal of the school, where i was studying, in reference to the future. he said that if i stayed in the north, he had friends whom he believed would give me any situation i could fill, and i could simply take my place in the rank of workers, the same as any other man. then he told me of the army, and i made up my mind to enter it, actuated by a desire to find my mother and sister; and at any rate i wanted to avenge their wrongs. i do not feel so now. since i have seen the fearful ravages of war, i have learned to pity and forgive. the principal said he thought i would be more apt to find my family if i joined a colored regiment in the west than if i joined one of the maine companies. i confess at first i felt a shrinking from taking the step, but love for my mother overcame all repugnance on my part. now that i have linked my fortunes to the race i intend to do all i can for its elevation." as he spoke robert gazed admiringly on the young face, lit up by noble purposes and lofty enthusiasm. "you are right, harry. i think it would be treason, not only to the race, but to humanity, to have you ignoring your kindred and masquerading as a white man." "i think so, too," said marie. "but, sister, i am anxious for you all to come north. if harry feels that the place of danger is the post of duty, let him stay, and he can spend his vacations with us. i think both you and iola need rest and change. mother longs to see you before she dies. she feels that we have been the children of many prayers and tears, and i want to make her last days as happy as possible. the south has not been a paradise to you all the time, and i should think you would be willing to leave it." "yes, that is so. iola needs rest and change, and she would be such a comfort to mother. i suppose, for her sake, i will consent to have her go back with you, at least for awhile." in a few days, with many prayers and tears, marie, half reluctantly, permitted iola to start for the north in company with robert johnson, intending to follow as soon as she could settle her business and see harry in a good boarding place. very joyful was the greeting of the dear grandmother. iola soon nestled in her heart and lent additional sunshine to her once checkered life, and robert, who had so long been robbed of kith and kin, was delighted with the new accession to his home life. chapter xxiv. northern experience. "uncle robert," said iola, after she had been north several weeks, "i have a theory that every woman ought to know how to earn her own living. i believe that a great amount of sin and misery springs from the weakness and inefficiency of women." "perhaps that's so, but what are you going to do about it?" "i am going to join the great rank of bread-winners. mr. waterman has advertised for a number of saleswomen, and i intend to make application." "when he advertises for help he means white women," said robert. "he said nothing about color," responded iola. "i don't suppose he did. he doesn't expect any colored girl to apply." "well, i think i could fill the place. at least i should like to try. and i do not think when i apply that i am in duty bound to tell him my great-grandmother was a negro." "well, child, there is no necessity for you to go out to work. you are perfectly welcome here, and i hope that you feel so." "oh, i certainly do. but still i would rather earn my own living." that morning iola applied for the situation, and, being prepossessing in her appearance, she obtained it. for awhile everything went as pleasantly as a marriage bell. but one day a young colored lady, well-dressed and well-bred in her manner, entered the store. it was an acquaintance which iola had formed in the colored church which she attended. iola gave her a few words of cordial greeting, and spent a few moments chatting with her. the attention of the girls who sold at the same counter was attracted, and their suspicion awakened. iola was a stranger in that city. who was she, and who were her people? at last it was decided that one of the girls should act as a spy, and bring what information she could concerning iola. the spy was successful. she found out that iola was living in a good neighborhood, but that none of the neighbors knew her. the man of the house was very fair, but there was an old woman whom iola called "grandma," and she was unmistakably colored. the story was sufficient. if that were true, iola must be colored, and she should be treated accordingly. without knowing the cause, iola noticed a chill in the social atmosphere of the store, which communicated itself to the cash-boys, and they treated her so insolently that her situation became very uncomfortable. she saw the proprietor, resigned her position, and asked for and obtained a letter of recommendation to another merchant who had advertised for a saleswoman. in applying for the place, she took the precaution to inform her employer that she was colored. it made no difference to him; but he said:-"don't say anything about it to the girls. they might not be willing to work with you." iola smiled, did not promise, and accepted the situation. she entered upon her duties, and proved quite acceptable as a saleswoman. one day, during an interval in business, the girls began to talk of their respective churches, and the question was put to iola:-"where do you go to church?" "i go," she replied, "to rev. river's church, corner of eighth and l streets." "oh, no; you must be mistaken. there is no church there except a colored one." "that is where i go." "why do you go there?" "because i liked it when i came here, and joined it." "a member of a colored church? what under heaven possessed you to do such a thing?" "because i wished to be with my own people." here the interrogator stopped, and looked surprised and pained, and almost instinctively moved a little farther from her. after the store was closed, the girls had an animated discussion, which resulted in the information being sent to mr. cohen that iola was a colored girl, and that they protested against her being continued in his employ. mr. cohen yielded to the pressure, and informed iola that her services were no longer needed. when robert came home in the evening, he found that iola had lost her situation, and was looking somewhat discouraged. "well, uncle," she said, "i feel out of heart. it seems as if the prejudice pursues us through every avenue of life, and assigns us the lowest places." "that is so," replied robert, thoughtfully. "and yet i am determined," said iola, "to win for myself a place in the fields of labor. i have heard of a place in new england, and i mean to try for it, even if i only stay a few months." "well, if you _will_ go, say nothing about your color." "uncle robert, i see no necessity for proclaiming that fact on the house-top. yet i am resolved that nothing shall tempt me to deny it. the best blood in my veins is african blood, and i am not ashamed of it." "hurrah for you!" exclaimed robert, laughing heartily. as iola wished to try the world for herself, and so be prepared for any emergency, her uncle and grandmother were content to have her go to new england. the town to which she journeyed was only a few hours' ride from the city of p----, and robert, knowing that there is no teacher like experience, was willing that iola should have the benefit of her teaching. iola, on arriving in h----, sought the firm, and was informed that her services were needed. she found it a pleasant and lucrative position. there was only one drawback--her boarding place was too far from her work. there was an institution conducted by professed christian women, which was for the special use of respectable young working girls. this was in such a desirable location that she called at the house to engage board. the matron conducted her over the house, and grew so friendly in the interview that she put her arm around her, and seemed to look upon iola as a desirable accession to the home. but, just as iola was leaving, she said to the matron: "i must be honest with you; i am a colored woman." swift as light a change passed over the face of the matron. she withdrew her arm from iola, and said: "i must see the board of managers about it." when the board met, iola's case was put before them, but they decided not to receive her. and these women, professors of a religion which taught, "if ye have respect to persons ye commit sin," virtually shut the door in her face because of the outcast blood in her veins. considerable feeling was aroused by the action of these women, who, to say the least, had not put their religion in the most favorable light. iola continued to work for the firm until she received letters from her mother and uncle, which informed her that her mother, having arranged her affairs in the south, was ready to come north. she then resolved to return, to the city of p----, to be ready to welcome her mother on her arrival. iola arrived in time to see that everything was in order for her mother's reception. her room was furnished neatly, but with those touches of beauty that womanly hands are such adepts in giving. a few charming pictures adorned the walls, and an easy chair stood waiting to receive the travel-worn mother. robert and iola met her at the depot; and grandma was on her feet at the first sound of the bell, opened the door, clasped marie to her heart, and nearly fainted for joy. "can it be possible dat dis is my little marie?" she exclaimed. it did seem almost impossible to realize that this faded woman, with pale cheeks and prematurely whitened hair, was the rosy-cheeked child from whom she had been parted more than thirty years. "well," said robert, after the first joyous greeting was over, "love is a very good thing, but marie has had a long journey and needs something that will stick by the ribs. how about dinner, mother?" "it's all ready," said mrs. johnson. after marie had gone to her room and changed her dress, she came down and partook of the delicious repast which her mother and iola had prepared for her. in a few days marie was settled in the home, and was well pleased with the change. the only drawback to her happiness was the absence of her son, and she expected him to come north after the closing of his school. "uncle robert," said iola, after her mother had been with them several weeks, "i am tired of being idle." "what's the matter now?" asked robert. "you are surely not going east again, and leave your mother?" "oh, i hope not," said marie, anxiously. "i have been so long without you." "no, mamma, i am not going east. i can get suitable employment here in the city of p----." "but, iola," said robert, "you have tried, and been defeated. why subject yourself to the same experience again?" "uncle robert, i think that every woman should have some skill or art which would insure her at least a comfortable support. i believe there would be less unhappy marriages if labor were more honored among women." "well, iola," said her mother, "what is your skill?" "nursing. i was very young when i went into the hospital, but i succeeded so well that the doctor said i must have been a born nurse. now, i see by the papers, that a gentleman who has an invalid daughter wants some one who can be a nurse and companion for her, and i mean to apply for the situation. i do not think, if i do my part well in that position, that the blood in my veins will be any bar to my success." a troubled look stole over marie's face. she sighed faintly, but made no remonstrance. and so it was decided that iola should apply for the situation. iola made application, and was readily accepted. her patient was a frail girl of fifteen summers, who was ill with a low fever. iola nursed her carefully, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing her restored to health. during her stay, mr. cloten, the father of the invalid, had learned some of the particulars of iola's northern experience as a bread-winner, and he resolved to give her employment in his store when her services were no longer needed in the house. as soon as a vacancy occurred he gave iola a place in his store. the morning she entered on her work he called his employã©s together, and told them that miss iola had colored blood in her veins, but that he was going to employ her and give her a desk. if any one objected to working with her, he or she could step to the cashier's desk and receive what was due. not a man remonstrated, not a woman demurred; and iola at last found a place in the great army of bread-winners, which the traditions of her blood could not affect. "how did you succeed?" asked mrs. cloten of her husband, when he returned to dinner. "admirably! 'everything is lovely and the goose hangs high.' i gave my employã©s to understand that they could leave if they did not wish to work with miss leroy. not one of them left, or showed any disposition to rebel." "i am very glad," said mrs. cloten. "i am ashamed of the way she has been treated in our city, when seeking to do her share in the world's work. i am glad that you were brave enough to face this cruel prejudice, and give her a situation." "well, my dear, do not make me a hero for a single act. i am grateful for the care miss leroy gave our daisy. money can buy services, but it cannot purchase tender, loving sympathy. i was also determined to let my employã©s know that i, not they, commanded my business. so, do not crown me a hero until i have won a niche in the temple of fame. in dealing with southern prejudice against the negro, we northerners could do it with better grace if we divested ourselves of our own. we irritate the south by our criticisms, and, while i confess that there is much that is reprehensible in their treatment of colored people, yet if our northern civilization is higher than theirs we should 'criticise by creation.' we should stamp ourselves on the south, and not let the south stamp itself on us. when we have learned to treat men according to the complexion of their souls, and not the color of their skins, we will have given our best contribution towards the solution of the negro problem." "i feel, my dear," said mrs. cloten, "that what you have done is a right step in the right direction, and i hope that other merchants will do the same. we have numbers of business men, rich enough to afford themselves the luxury of a good conscience." chapter xxv. an old friend. "good-morning, miss leroy," said a cheery voice in tones of glad surprise, and, intercepting her path, dr. gresham stood before iola, smiling, and reaching out his hand. "why, dr. gresham, is this you?" said iola, lifting her eyes to that well-remembered face. "it has been several years since we met. how have you been all this time, and where?" "i have been sick, and am just now recovering from malaria and nervous prostration. i am attending a medical convention in this city, and hope that i shall have the pleasure of seeing you again." iola hesitated, and then replied: "i should be pleased to have you call." "it would give me great pleasure. where shall i call?" "my home is 1006 south street, but i am only at home in the evenings." they walked together a short distance till they reached mr. cloten's store; then, bidding the doctor good morning, iola left him repeating to himself the words of his favorite poet:- "thou art too lovely and precious a gem to be bound to their burdens and sullied by them." no one noticed the deep flush on iola's face as she entered the store, nor the subdued, quiet manner with which she applied herself to her tasks. she was living over again the past, with its tender, sad, and thrilling reminiscences. in the evening dr. gresham called on iola. she met him with a pleasant welcome. dr. gresham gazed upon her with unfeigned admiration, and thought that the years, instead of detracting from, had only intensified, her loveliness. he had thought her very beautiful in the hospital, in her gray dress and white collar, with her glorious wealth of hair drawn over her ears. but now, when he saw her with that hair artistically arranged, and her finely-proportioned form arrayed in a dark crimson dress, relieved by a shimmer of lace and a bow of white ribbon at her throat, he thought her superbly handsome. the lines which care had written upon her young face had faded away. there was no undertone of sorrow in her voice as she stood up before him in the calm loveliness of her ripened womanhood, radiant in beauty and gifted in intellect. time and failing health had left their traces upon dr. gresham. his step was less bounding, his cheek a trifle paler, his manner somewhat graver than it was when he had parted from iola in the hospital, but his meeting with her had thrilled his heart with unexpected pleasure. hopes and sentiments which long had slept awoke at the touch of her hand and the tones of her voice, and dr. gresham found himself turning to the past, with its sad memories and disappointed hopes. no other face had displaced her image in his mind; no other love had woven itself around every tendril of his soul. his heart and hand were just as free as they were the hour they had parted. "to see you again," said dr. gresham, "is a great and unexpected pleasure." "you had not forgotten me, then?" said iola, smiling. "forget you! i would just as soon forget my own existence. i do not think that time will ever efface the impressions of those days in which we met so often. when last we met you were intending to search for your mother. have you been successful?" "more than successful," said iola, with a joyous ring in her voice. "i have found my mother, brother, grandmother, and uncle, and, except my brother, we are all living together, and we are so happy. excuse me a few minutes," she said, and left the room. iola soon returned, bringing with her her mother and grandmother. "these," said iola, introducing her mother and grandmother, "are the once-severed branches of our family; and this gentleman you have seen before," continued iola, as robert entered the room. dr. gresham looked scrutinizingly at him and said: "your face looks familiar, but i saw so many faces at the hospital that i cannot just now recall your name." "doctor," said robert johnson, "i was one of your last patients, and i was with tom anderson when he died." "oh, yes," replied dr. gresham; "it all comes back to me. you were wounded at the battle of five forks, were you not?" "yes," said robert. "i saw you when you were recovering. you told me that you thought you had a clue to your lost relatives, from whom you had been so long separated. how have you succeeded?" "admirably! i have been fortunate in finding my mother, my sister, and her children." "ah, indeed! i am delighted to hear it. where are they?" "they are right here. this is my mother," said robert, bending fondly over her, as she returned his recognition with an expression of intense satisfaction; "and this," he continued, "is my sister, and miss leroy is my niece." "is it possible? i am very glad to hear it. it has been said that every cloud has its silver lining, and the silver lining of our war cloud is the redemption of a race and the reunion of severed hearts. war is a dreadful thing; but worse than the war was the slavery which preceded it." "slavery," said iola, "was a fearful cancer eating into the nation's heart, sapping its vitality, and undermining its life." "and war," said dr. gresham, "was the dreadful surgery by which the disease was eradicated. the cancer has been removed, but for years to come i fear that we will have to deal with the effects of the disease. but i believe that we have vitality enough to outgrow those effects." "i think, doctor," said iola, "that there is but one remedy by which our nation can recover from the evil entailed upon her by slavery." "what is that?" asked robert. "a fuller comprehension of the claims of the gospel of jesus christ, and their application to our national life." "yes," said robert; "while politicians are stumbling on the barren mountains of fretful controversy and asking what shall we do with the negro? i hold that jesus answered that question nearly two thousand years ago when he said, 'whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.'" "yes," said dr. gresham; "the application of that rule in dealing with the negro would solve the whole problem." "slavery," said mrs. leroy, "is dead, but the spirit which animated it still lives; and i think that a reckless disregard for human life is more the outgrowth of slavery than any actual hatred of the negro." "the problem of the nation," continued dr. gresham, "is not what men will do with the negro, but what will they do with the reckless, lawless white men who murder, lynch and burn their fellow-citizens. to me these lynchings and burnings are perfectly alarming. both races have reacted on each other--men fettered the slave and cramped their own souls; denied him knowledge, and darkened their spiritual insight; subdued him to the pliancy of submission, and in their turn became the thralls of public opinion. the negro came here from the heathenism of africa; but the young colonies could not take into their early civilization a stream of barbaric blood without being affected by its influence and the negro, poor and despised as he is, has laid his hands on our southern civilization and helped mould its character." "yes," said mrs. leroy; "the colored nurse could not nestle her master's child in her arms, hold up his baby footsteps on their floors, and walk with him through the impressible and formative period of his young life without leaving upon him the impress of her hand." "i am glad," said robert, "for the whole nation's sake, that slavery has been destroyed." "and our work," said dr. gresham, "is to build over the desolations of the past a better and brighter future. the great distinction between savagery and civilization is the creation and maintenance of law. a people cannot habitually trample on law and justice without retrograding toward barbarism. but i am hopeful that time will bring us changes for the better; that, as we get farther away from the war, we will outgrow the animosities and prejudices engendered by slavery. the short-sightedness of our fathers linked the negro's destiny to ours. we are feeling the friction of the ligatures which bind us together, but i hope that the time will speedily come when the best members of both races will unite for the maintenance of law and order and the progress and prosperity of the country, and that the intelligence and virtue of the south will be strong to grapple effectually with its ignorance and vice." "i hope that time will speedily come," said marie. "my son is in the south, and i am always anxious for his safety. he is not only a teacher, but a leading young man in the community where he lives." "yes," said robert, "and when i see the splendid work he is doing in the south, i am glad that, instead of trying to pass for a white man, he has cast his lot with us." "but," answered dr. gresham, "he would possess advantages as a white man which he could not if he were known to be colored." "doctor," said iola, decidedly, "he has greater advantages as a colored man." "i do not understand you," said dr. gresham, looking somewhat puzzled. "doctor," continued iola, "i do not think life's highest advantages are those that we can see with our eyes or grasp with our hands. to whom to-day is the world most indebted--to its millionaires or to its martyrs?" "taking it from the ideal standpoint," replied the doctor, "i should say its martyrs." "to be," continued iola, "the leader of a race to higher planes of thought and action, to teach men clearer views of life and duty, and to inspire their souls with loftier aims, is a far greater privilege than it is to open the gates of material prosperity and fill every home with sensuous enjoyment." "and i," said mrs. leroy, her face aglow with fervid feeling, "would rather--ten thousand times rather--see harry the friend and helper of the poor and ignorant than the companion of men who, under the cover of night, mask their faces and ride the country on lawless raids." "dr. gresham," said robert, "we ought to be the leading nation of the earth, whose influence and example should give light to the world." "not simply," said iola, "a nation building up a great material prosperity, founding magnificent cities, grasping the commerce of the world, or excelling in literature, art, and science, but a nation wearing sobriety as a crown and righteousness as the girdle of her loins." dr. gresham gazed admiringly upon iola. a glow of enthusiasm overspread her beautiful, expressive face. there was a rapt and far-off look in her eye, as if she were looking beyond the present pain to a brighter future for the race with which she was identified, and felt the grandeur of a divine commission to labor for its uplifting. as dr. gresham was parting with robert, he said: "this meeting has been a very unexpected pleasure. i have spent a delightful evening. i only regret that i had not others to share it with me. a doctor from the south, a regular bourbon, is stopping at the hotel. i wish he could have been here to-night. come down to the concordia, mr. johnson, to-morrow night. if you know any colored man who is a strong champion of equal rights, bring him along. good-night. i shall look for you," said the doctor, as he left the door. when robert returned to the parlor he said to iola: "dr. gresham has invited me to come to his hotel to-morrow night, and to bring some wide-awake colored man with me. there is a southerner whom he wishes me to meet. i suppose he wants to discuss the negro problem, as they call it. he wants some one who can do justice to the subject. i wonder whom i can take with me?" "i will tell you who, i think, will be a capital one to take with you, and i believe he would go," said iola. "who?" asked robert. "rev. carmicle, your pastor." "he is just the one," said robert, "courteous in his manner and very scholarly in his attainments. he is a man whom if everybody hated him no one could despise him." chapter xxvi. open questions. in the evening robert and rev. carmicle called on dr. gresham, and found dr. latrobe, the southerner, and a young doctor by the name of latimer, already there. dr. gresham introduced dr. latrobe, but it was a new experience to receive colored men socially. his wits, however, did not forsake him, and he received the introduction and survived it. "permit me, now," said dr. gresham, "to introduce you to my friend, dr. latimer, who is attending our convention. he expects to go south and labor among the colored people. don't you think that there is a large field of usefulness before him?" "yes," replied dr. latrobe, "if he will let politics alone." "and why let politics alone?" asked dr. gresham. "because," replied dr. latrobe, "we southerners will never submit to negro supremacy. we will never abandon our caucasian civilization to an inferior race." "have you any reason," inquired rev. carmicle, "to dread that a race which has behind it the heathenism of africa and the slavery of america, with its inheritance of ignorance and poverty, will be able, in less than one generation, to domineer over a race which has behind it ages of dominion, freedom, education, and christianity?" a slight shade of vexation and astonishment passed over the face of dr. latrobe. he hesitated a moment, then replied:-"i am not afraid of the negro as he stands alone, but what i dread is that in some closely-contested election ambitious men will use him to hold the balance of power and make him an element of danger. he is ignorant, poor, and clannish, and they may impact him as their policy would direct." "any more," asked robert, "than the leaders of the rebellion did the ignorant, poor whites during our late conflict?" "ignorance, poverty, and clannishness," said dr. gresham, "are more social than racial conditions, which may be outgrown." "and i think," said rev. carmicle, "that we are outgrowing them as fast as any other people would have done under the same conditions." "the negro," replied dr. latrobe, "always has been and always will be an element of discord in our country." "what, then, is your remedy?" asked dr. gresham. "i would eliminate him from the politics of the country." "as disfranchisement is a punishment for crime, is it just to punish a man before he transgresses the law?" asked dr. gresham. "if," said dr. latimer, "the negro is ignorant, poor, and clannish, let us remember that in part of our land it was once a crime to teach him to read. if he is poor, for ages he was forced to bend to unrequited toil. if he is clannish, society has segregated him to himself." "and even," said robert, "has given him a negro pew in your churches and a negro seat at your communion table." "wisely, or unwisely," said dr. gresham, "the government has put the ballot in his hands. it is better to teach him to use that ballot aright than to intimidate him by violence or vitiate his vote by fraud." "to-day," said dr. latimer, "the negro is not plotting in beer-saloons against the peace and order of society. his fingers are not dripping with dynamite, neither is he spitting upon your flag, nor flaunting the red banner of anarchy in your face." "power," said dr. gresham, "naturally gravitates into the strongest hands. the class who have the best brain and most wealth can strike with the heaviest hand. i have too much faith in the inherent power of the white race to dread the competition of any other people under heaven." "i think you northerners fail to do us justice," said dr. latrobe. "the men into whose hands you put the ballot were our slaves, and we would rather die than submit to them. look at the carpet-bag governments the wicked policy of the government inflicted upon us. it was only done to humiliate us." "oh, no!" said dr. gresham, flushing, and rising to his feet. "we had no other alternative than putting the ballot in their hands." "i will not deny," said rev. carmicle, "that we have made woeful mistakes, but with our antecedents it would have been miraculous if we had never committed any mistakes or made any blunders." "they were allies in war," continued dr. gresham, "and i am sorry that we have not done more to protect them in peace." "protect them in peace!" said robert, bitterly. "what protection does the colored man receive from the hands of the government? i know of no civilized country outside of america where men are still burned for real or supposed crimes." "johnson," said dr. gresham, compassionately, "it is impossible to have a policeman at the back of each colored man's chair, and a squad of soldiers at each crossroad, to detect with certainty, and punish with celerity, each invasion of his rights. we tried provisional governments and found them a failure. it seemed like leaving our former allies to be mocked with the name of freedom and tortured with the essence of slavery. the ballot is our weapon of defense, and we gave it to them for theirs." "and there," said dr. latrobe, emphatically, "is where you signally failed. we are numerically stronger in congress to-day than when we went out. you made the law, but the administration of it is in our hands, and we are a unit." "but, doctor," said rev. carmicle, "you cannot willfully deprive the negro of a single right as a citizen without sending demoralization through your own ranks." "i think," said dr. latrobe, "that we are right in suppressing the negro's vote. this is a white man's government, and a white man's country. we own nineteen-twentieths of the land, and have about the same ratio of intelligence. i am a white man, and, right or wrong, i go with my race." "but, doctor," said rev. carmicle, "there are rights more sacred than the rights of property and superior intelligence." "what are they?" asked dr. latrobe. "the rights of life and liberty," replied rev. carmicle. "that is true," said dr. gresham; "and your southern civilization will be inferior until you shall have placed protection to those rights at its base, not in theory but in fact." "but, dr. gresham, we have to live with these people, and the north is constantly irritating us by its criticisms." "the world," said dr. gresham, "is fast becoming a vast whispering gallery, and lips once sealed can now state their own grievances and appeal to the conscience of the nation, and, as long as a sense of justice and mercy retains a hold upon the heart of our nation, you cannot practice violence and injustice without rousing a spirit of remonstrance. and if it were not so i would be ashamed of my country and of my race." "you speak," said dr. latrobe, "as if we had wronged the negro by enslaving him and being unwilling to share citizenship with him. i think that slavery has been of incalculable value to the negro. it has lifted him out of barbarism and fetich worship, given him a language of civilization, and introduced him to the world's best religion. think what he was in africa and what he is in america!" "the negro," said dr. gresham, thoughtfully, "is not the only branch of the human race which has been low down in the scale of civilization and freedom, and which has outgrown the measure of his chains. slavery, polygamy, and human sacrifices have been practiced among europeans in by-gone days; and when tyndall tells us that out of savages unable to count to the number of their fingers and speaking only a language of nouns and verbs, arise at length our newtons and shakspeares, i do not see that the negro could not have learned our language and received our religion without the intervention of ages of slavery." "if," said rev. carmicle, "mohammedanism, with its imperfect creed, is successful in gathering large numbers of negroes beneath the crescent, could not a legitimate commerce and the teachings of a pure christianity have done as much to plant the standard of the cross over the ramparts of sin and idolatry in africa? surely we cannot concede that the light of the crescent is greater than the glory of the cross, that there is less constraining power in the christ of calvary than in the prophet of arabia? i do not think that i underrate the difficulties in your way when i say that you young men are holding in your hands golden opportunities which it would be madness and folly to throw away. it is your grand opportunity to help build up a new south, not on the shifting sands of policy and expediency, but on the broad basis of equal justice and universal freedom. do this and you will be blessed, and will make your life a blessing." after robert and rev. carmicle had left the hotel, drs. latimer, gresham, and latrobe sat silent and thoughtful awhile, when dr. gresham broke the silence by asking dr. latrobe how he had enjoyed the evening. "very pleasantly," he replied. "i was quite interested in that parson. where was he educated?" "in oxford, i believe. i was pleased to hear him say that he had no white blood in his veins." "i should think not," replied dr. latrobe, "from his looks. but one swallow does not make a summer. it is the exceptions which prove the rule." "don't you think," asked dr. gresham, "that we have been too hasty in our judgment of the negro? he has come handicapped into life, and is now on trial before the world. but it is not fair to subject him to the same tests that you would a white man. i believe that there are possibilities of growth in the race which we have never comprehended." "the negro," said dr. latrobe, "is perfectly comprehensible to me. the only way to get along with him is to let him know his place, and make him keep it." "i think," replied dr. gresham, "every man's place is the one he is best fitted for." "why," asked dr. latimer, "should any place be assigned to the negro more than to the french, irish, or german?" "oh," replied dr. latrobe, "they are all caucasians." "well," said dr. gresham, "is all excellence summed up in that branch of the human race?" "i think," said dr. latrobe, proudly, "that we belong to the highest race on earth and the negro to the lowest." "and yet," said dr. latimer, "you have consorted with them till you have bleached their faces to the whiteness of your own. your children nestle in their bosoms; they are around you as body servants, and yet if one of them should attempt to associate with you your bitterest scorn and indignation would be visited upon them." "i think," said dr. latrobe, "that feeling grows out of our anglo-saxon regard for the marriage relation. these white negroes are of illegitimate origin, and we would scorn to share our social life with them. their blood is tainted." "who tainted it?" asked dr. latimer, bitterly. "you give absolution to the fathers, and visit the misfortunes of the mothers upon the children." "but, doctor, what kind of society would we have if we put down the bars and admitted everybody to social equality?" "this idea of social equality," said dr. latimer, "is only a bugbear which frightens well-meaning people from dealing justly with the negro. i know of no place on earth where there is perfect social equality, and i doubt if there is such a thing in heaven. the sinner who repents on his death-bed cannot be the equal of st. paul or the beloved disciple." "doctor," said dr. gresham, "i sometimes think that the final solution of this question will be the absorption of the negro into our race." "never! never!" exclaimed dr. latrobe, vehemently. "it would be a death blow to american civilization." "why, doctor," said dr. latimer, "you southerners began this absorption before the war. i understand that in one decade the mixed bloods rose from one-ninth to one-eighth of the population, and that as early as 1663 a law was passed in maryland to prevent english women from intermarrying with slaves; and, even now, your laws against miscegenation presuppose that you apprehend danger from that source." "doctor, it is no use talking," replied dr. latrobe, wearily. "there are niggers who are as white as i am, but the taint of blood is there and we always exclude it." "how do you know it is there?" asked dr. gresham. "oh, there are tricks of blood which always betray them. my eyes are more practiced than yours. i can always tell them. now, that johnson is as white as any man; but i knew he was a nigger the moment i saw him. i saw it in his eye." dr. latimer smiled at dr. latrobe's assertion, but did not attempt to refute it; and bade him good-night. "i think," said dr. latrobe, "that our war was the great mistake of the nineteenth century. it has left us very serious complications. we cannot amalgamate with the negroes. we cannot expatriate them. now, what are we to do with them?" "deal justly with them," said dr. gresham, "and let them alone. try to create a moral sentiment in the nation, which will consider a wrong done to the weakest of them as a wrong done to the whole community. whenever you find ministers too righteous to be faithless, cowardly, and time serving; women too christly to be scornful; and public men too noble to be tricky and too honest to pander to the prejudices of the people, stand by them and give them your moral support." "doctor," said latrobe, "with your views you ought to be a preacher striving to usher in the millennium." "it can't come too soon," replied dr. gresham. chapter xxvii. diverging paths. on the eve of his departure from the city of p----, dr. gresham called on iola, and found her alone. they talked awhile of reminiscences of the war and hospital life, when dr. gresham, approaching iola, said:-"miss leroy, i am glad the great object of your life is accomplished, and that you have found all your relatives. years have passed since we parted, years in which i have vainly tried to get a trace of you and have been baffled, but i have found you at last!" clasping her hand in his, he continued, "i would it were so that i should never lose you again! iola, will you not grant me the privilege of holding this hand as mine all through the future of our lives? your search for your mother is ended. she is well cared for. are you not free at last to share with me my northern home, free to be mine as nothing else on earth is mine." dr. gresham looked eagerly on iola's face, and tried to read its varying expression. "iola, i learned to love you in the hospital. i have tried to forget you, but it has been all in vain. your image is just as deeply engraven on my heart as it was the day we parted." "doctor," she replied, sadly, but firmly, as she withdrew her hand from his, "i feel now as i felt then, that there is an insurmountable barrier between us." "what is it, iola?" asked dr. gresham, anxiously. "it is the public opinion which assigns me a place with the colored people." "but what right has public opinion to interfere with our marriage relations? why should we yield to its behests?" "because it is stronger than we are, and we cannot run counter to it without suffering its penalties." "and what are they, iola? shadows that you merely dread?" "no! no! the penalties of social ostracism north and south, except here and there some grand and noble exceptions. i do not think that you fully realize how much prejudice against colored people permeates society, lowers the tone of our religion, and reacts upon the life of the nation. after freedom came, mamma was living in the city of a----, and wanted to unite with a christian church there. she made application for membership. she passed her examination as a candidate, and was received as a church member. when she was about to make her first communion, she unintentionally took her seat at the head of the column. the elder who was administering the communion gave her the bread in the order in which she sat, but before he gave her the wine some one touched him on the shoulder and whispered a word in his ear. he then passed mamma by, gave the cup to others, and then returned to her. from that rite connected with the holiest memories of earth, my poor mother returned humiliated and depressed." "what a shame!" exclaimed dr. gresham, indignantly. "i have seen," continued iola, "the same spirit manifested in the north. mamma once attempted to do missionary work in this city. one day she found an outcast colored girl, whom she wished to rescue. she took her to an asylum for fallen women and made an application for her, but was refused. colored girls were not received there. soon after mamma found among the colored people an outcast white girl. mamma's sympathies, unfettered by class distinction, were aroused in her behalf, and, in company with two white ladies, she went with the girl to that same refuge. for her the door was freely opened and admittance readily granted. it was as if two women were sinking in the quicksands, and on the solid land stood other women with life-lines in their hands, seeing the deadly sands slowly creeping up around the hapless victims. to one they readily threw the lines of deliverance, but for the other there was not one strand of salvation. sometime since, to the same asylum, came a poor fallen girl who had escaped from the clutches of a wicked woman. for her the door would have been opened, had not the vile woman from whom she was escaping followed her to that place of refuge and revealed the fact that she belonged to the colored race. that fact was enough to close the door upon her, and to send her back to sin and to suffer, and perhaps to die as a wretched outcast. and yet in this city where a number of charities are advertised, i do not think there is one of them which, in appealing to the public, talks more religion than the managers of this asylum. this prejudice against the colored race environs our lives and mocks our aspirations." "iola, i see no use in your persisting that you are colored when your eyes are as blue and complexion as white as mine." "doctor, were i your wife, are there not people who would caress me as a white woman who would shrink from me in scorn if they knew i had one drop of negro blood in my veins? when mistaken for a white woman, i should hear things alleged against the race at which my blood would boil. no, doctor, i am not willing to live under a shadow of concealment which i thoroughly hate as if the blood in my veins were an undetected crime of my soul." "iola, dear, surely you paint the picture too darkly." "doctor, i have painted it with my heart's blood. it is easier to outgrow the dishonor of crime than the disabilities of color. you have created in this country an aristocracy of color wide enough to include the south with its treason and utah with its abominations, but too narrow to include the best and bravest colored man who bared his breast to the bullets of the enemy during your fratricidal strife. is not the most arrant rebel to-day more acceptable to you than the most faithful colored man?" "no! no!" exclaimed dr. gresham, vehemently. "you are wrong. i belong to the grand army of the republic. we have no separate state posts for the colored people, and, were such a thing proposed, the majority of our members, i believe, would be against it. in congress colored men have the same seats as white men, and the color line is slowly fading out in our public institutions." "but how is it in the church?" asked iola. "the church is naturally conservative. it preserves old truths, even if it is somewhat slow in embracing new ideas. it has its social as well as its spiritual side. society is woman's realm. the majority of church members are women, who are said to be the aristocratic element of our country. i fear that one of the last strongholds of this racial prejudice will be found beneath the shadow of some of our churches. i think, on account of this social question, that large bodies of christian temperance women and other reformers, in trying to reach the colored people even for their own good, will be quicker to form separate associations than our national grand army, whose ranks are open to black and white, liberals and conservatives, saints and agnostics. but, iola, we have drifted far away from the question. no one has a right to interfere with our marriage if we do not infringe on the rights of others." "doctor," she replied, gently, "i feel that our paths must diverge. my life-work is planned. i intend spending my future among the colored people of the south." "my dear friend," he replied, anxiously, "i am afraid that you are destined to sad disappointment. when the novelty wears off you will be disillusioned, and, i fear, when the time comes that you can no longer serve them they will forget your services and remember only your failings." "but, doctor, they need me; and i am sure when i taught among them they were very grateful for my services." "i think," he replied, "these people are more thankful than grateful." "i do not think so; and if i did it would not hinder me from doing all in my power to help them. i do not expect all the finest traits of character to spring from the hot-beds of slavery and caste. what matters it if they do forget the singer, so they don't forget the song? no, doctor, i don't think that i could best serve my race by forsaking them and marrying you." "iola," he exclaimed, passionately, "if you love your race, as you call it, work for it, live for it, suffer for it, and, if need be, die for it; but don't marry for it. your education has unfitted you for social life among them." "it was," replied iola, "through their unrequited toil that i was educated, while they were compelled to live in ignorance. i am indebted to them for the power i have to serve them. i wish other southern women felt as i do. i think they could do so much to help the colored people at their doors if they would look at their opportunities in the light of the face of jesus christ. nor am i wholly unselfish in allying myself with the colored people. all the rest of my family have done so. my dear grandmother is one of the excellent of the earth, and we all love her too much to ignore our relationship with her. i did not choose my lot in life, and the simplest thing i can do is to accept the situation and do the best i can." "and is this your settled purpose?" he asked, sadly. "it is, doctor," she replied, tenderly but firmly. "i see no other. i must serve the race which needs me most." "perhaps you are right," he replied; "but i cannot help feeling sad that our paths, which met so pleasantly, should diverge so painfully. and yet, not only the freedmen, but the whole country, need such helpful, self-sacrificing teachers as you will prove; and if earnest prayers and holy wishes can brighten your path, your lines will fall in the pleasantest places." as he rose to go, sympathy, love, and admiration were blended in the parting look he gave her; but he felt it was useless to attempt to divert her from her purpose. he knew that for the true reconstruction of the country something more was needed than bayonets and bullets, or the schemes of selfish politicians or plotting demagogues. he knew that the south needed the surrender of the best brain and heart of the country to build, above the wastes of war, more stately temples of thought and action. chapter xxviii. dr. latrobe's mistake. on the morning previous to their departure for their respective homes, dr. gresham met dr. latrobe in the parlor of the concordia. "how," asked dr. gresham, "did you like dr. latimer's paper?" "very much, indeed. it was excellent. he is a very talented young man. he sits next to me at lunch and i have conversed with him several times. he is very genial and attractive, only he seems to be rather cranky on the negro question. i hope if he comes south that he will not make the mistake of mixing up with the negroes. it would be throwing away his influence and ruining his prospects. he seems to be well versed in science and literature and would make a very delightful accession to our social life." "i think," replied dr. gresham, "that he is an honor to our profession. he is one of the finest specimens of our young manhood." just then dr. latimer entered the room. dr. latrobe arose and, greeting him cordially, said: "i was delighted with your paper; it was full of thought and suggestion." "thank you," answered dr. latimer, "it was my aim to make it so." "and you succeeded admirably," replied dr. latrobe. "i could not help thinking how much we owe to heredity and environment." "yes," said dr. gresham. "continental europe yearly sends to our shores subjects to be developed into citizens. emancipation has given us millions of new citizens, and to them our influence and example should be a blessing and not a curse." "well," said dr. latimer, "i intend to go south, and help those who so much need helpers from their own ranks." "i hope," answered dr. latrobe, "that if you go south you will only sustain business relations with the negroes, and not commit the folly of equalizing yourself with them." "why not?" asked dr. latimer, steadily looking him in the eye. "because in equalizing yourself with them you drag us down; and our social customs must be kept intact." "you have been associating with me at the convention for several days; i do not see that the contact has dragged you down, has it?" "you! what has that got to do with associating with niggers?" asked dr. latrobe, curtly. "the blood of that race is coursing through my veins. i am one of them," replied dr. latimer, proudly raising his head. "you!" exclaimed dr. latrobe, with an air of profound astonishment and crimsoning face. "yes;" interposed dr. gresham, laughing heartily at dr. latrobe's discomfiture. "he belongs to that negro race both by blood and choice. his father's mother made overtures to receive him as her grandson and heir, but he has nobly refused to forsake his mother's people and has cast his lot with them." "and i," said dr. latimer, "would have despised myself if i had done otherwise." "well, well," said dr. latrobe, rising, "i was never so deceived before. good morning!" dr. latrobe had thought he was clear-sighted enough to detect the presence of negro blood when all physical traces had disappeared. but he had associated with dr. latimer for several days, and admired his talent, without suspecting for one moment his racial connection. he could not help feeling a sense of vexation at the signal mistake he had made. dr. frank latimer was the natural grandson of a southern lady, in whose family his mother had been a slave. the blood of a proud aristocratic ancestry was flowing through his veins, and generations of blood admixture had effaced all trace of his negro lineage. his complexion was blonde, his eye bright and piercing, his lips firm and well moulded; his manner very affable; his intellect active and well stored with information. he was a man capable of winning in life through his rich gifts of inheritance and acquirements. when freedom came, his mother, like hagar of old, went out into the wide world to seek a living for herself and child. through years of poverty she labored to educate her child, and saw the glad fruition of her hopes when her son graduated as an m.d. from the university of p----. after his graduation he met his father's mother, who recognized him by his resemblance to her dear, departed son. all the mother love in her lonely heart awoke, and she was willing to overlook "the missing link of matrimony," and adopt him as her heir, if he would ignore his identity with the colored race. before him loomed all the possibilities which only birth and blood can give a white man in our democratic country. but he was a man of too much sterling worth of character to be willing to forsake his mother's race for the richest advantages his grandmother could bestow. dr. gresham had met dr. latimer at the beginning of the convention, and had been attracted to him by his frank and genial manner. one morning, when conversing with him, dr. gresham had learned some of the salient points of his history, which, instead of repelling him, had only deepened his admiration for the young doctor. he was much amused when he saw the pleasant acquaintanceship between him and dr. latrobe, but they agreed to be silent about his racial connection until the time came when they were ready to divulge it; and they were hugely delighted at his signal blunder. chapter xxix. visitors from the south. "mamma is not well," said iola to robert. "i spoke to her about sending for a doctor, but she objected and i did not insist." "i will ask dr. latimer, whom i met at the concordia, to step in. he is a splendid young fellow. i wish we had thousands like him." in the evening the doctor called. without appearing to make a professional visit he engaged marie in conversation, watched her carefully, and came to the conclusion that her failing health proceeded more from mental than physical causes. "i am so uneasy about harry," said mrs. leroy. "he is so fearless and outspoken. i do wish the attention of the whole nation could be turned to the cruel barbarisms which are a national disgrace. i think the term 'bloody shirt' is one of the most heartless phrases ever invented to divert attention from cruel wrongs and dreadful outrages." just then iola came in and was introduced by her uncle to dr. latimer, to whom the introduction was a sudden and unexpected pleasure. after an interchange of courtesies, marie resumed the conversation, saying: "harry wrote me only last week that a young friend of his had lost his situation because he refused to have his pupils strew flowers on the streets through which jefferson davis was to pass." "i think," said dr. latimer, indignantly, "that the israelites had just as much right to scatter flowers over the bodies of the egyptians, when the waves threw back their corpses on the shores of the red sea, as these children had to strew the path of jefferson davis with flowers. we want our boys to grow up manly citizens, and not cringing sycophants. when do you expect your son, mrs. leroy?" "some time next week," answered marie. "and his presence will do you more good than all the medicine in my chest." "i hope, doctor," said mrs. leroy, "that we will not lose sight of you, now that your professional visit is ended; for i believe your visit was the result of a conspiracy between iola and her uncle." dr. latimer laughed, as he answered, "ah, mrs. leroy, i see you have found us all out." "oh, doctor," exclaimed iola, with pleasing excitement, "there is a young lady coming here to visit me next week. her name is miss lucille delany, and she is my ideal woman. she is grand, brave, intellectual, and religious." "is that so? she would make some man an excellent wife," replied dr. latimer. "now isn't that perfectly manlike," answered iola, smiling. "mamma, what do you think of that? did any of you gentlemen ever see a young woman of much ability that you did not look upon as a flotsam all adrift until some man had appropriated her?" "i think, miss leroy, that the world's work, if shared, is better done than when it is performed alone. don't you think your life-work will be better done if some one shares it with you?" asked dr. latimer, slowly, and with a smile in his eyes. "that would depend on the person who shared it," said iola, faintly blushing. "here," said robert, a few evenings after this conversation, as he handed iola a couple of letters, "is something which will please you." iola took the letters, and, after reading one of them, said: "miss delany and harry will be here on wednesday; and this one is an invitation which also adds to my enjoyment." "what is it?" asked marie; "an invitation to a hop or a german?" "no; but something which i value far more. we are all invited to mr. stillman's to a _conversazione_." "what is the object?" "his object is to gather some of the thinkers and leaders of the race to consult on subjects of vital interest to our welfare. he has invited dr. latimer, professor gradnor, of north carolina, mr. forest, of new york, hon. dugdale, revs. carmicle, cantnor, tunster, professor langhorne, of georgia, and a few ladies, mrs. watson, miss brown, and others." "i am glad that it is neither a hop nor a german," said iola, "but something for which i have been longing." "why, iola," asked robert, "don't you believe in young people having a good time?" "oh, yes," answered iola, seriously, "i believe in young people having amusements and recreations; but the times are too serious for us to attempt to make our lives a long holiday." "well, iola," answered robert, "this is the first holiday we have had in two hundred and fifty years, and you shouldn't be too exacting." "yes," replied marie, "human beings naturally crave enjoyment, and if not furnished with good amusements they are apt to gravitate to low pleasures." "some one," said robert, "has said that the indian belongs to an old race and looks gloomily back to the past, and that the negro belongs to a young race and looks hopefully towards the future." "if that be so," replied marie, "our race-life corresponds more to the follies of youth than the faults of maturer years." on dr. latimer's next visit he was much pleased to see a great change in marie's appearance. her eye had grown brighter, her step more elastic, and the anxiety had faded from her face. harry had arrived, and with him came miss delany. "good evening, dr. latimer," said iola, cheerily, as she entered the room with miss lucille delany. "this is my friend, miss delany, from georgia. were she not present i would say she is one of the grandest women in america." "i am very much pleased to meet you," said dr. latimer, cordially; "i have heard miss leroy speak of you. we were expecting you," he added, with a smile. just then harry entered the room, and iola presented him to dr. latimer, saying, "this is my brother, about whom mamma was so anxious." "had you a pleasant journey?" asked dr. latimer, after the first greetings were over. "not especially," answered miss delany. "southern roads are not always very pleasant to travel. when mr. leroy entered the cars at a----, where he was known, had he taken his seat among the white people he would have been remanded to the colored." "but after awhile," said harry, "as miss delany and myself were sitting together, laughing and chatting, a colored man entered the car, and, mistaking me for a white man, asked the conductor to have me removed, and i had to insist that i was colored in order to be permitted to remain. it would be ludicrous, if it were not vexatious, to be too white to be black, and too black to be white." "caste plays such fantastic tricks in this country," said dr. latimer. "i tell mr. leroy," said miss delany, "that when he returns he must put a label on himself, saying, 'i am a colored man,' to prevent annoyance." chapter xxx. friends in council. on the following friday evening, mr. stillman's pleasant, spacious parlors were filled to overflowing with a select company of earnest men and women deeply interested in the welfare of the race. bishop tunster had prepared a paper on "negro emigration." dr. latimer opened the discussion by speaking favorably of some of the salient points, but said:-"i do not believe self-exilement is the true remedy for the wrongs of the negro. where should he go if he left this country?" "go to africa," replied bishop tunster, in his bluff, hearty tones. "i believe that africa is to be redeemed to civilization, and that the negro is to be gathered into the family of nations and recognized as a man and a brother." "go to africa?" repeated professor langhorne, of georgia. "does the united states own one foot of african soil? and have we not been investing our blood in the country for ages?" "i am in favor of missionary efforts," said professor gradnor, of north carolina, "for the redemption of africa, but i see no reason for expatriating ourselves because some persons do not admire the color of our skins." "i do not believe," said mr. stillman, "in emptying on the shores of africa a horde of ignorant, poverty-stricken people, as missionaries of civilization or christianity. and while i am in favor of missionary efforts, there is need here for the best heart and brain to work in unison for justice and righteousness." "america," said miss delany, "is the best field for human development. god has not heaped up our mountains with such grandeur, flooded our rivers with such majesty, crowned our valleys with such fertility, enriched our mines with such wealth, that they should only minister to grasping greed and sensuous enjoyment." "climate, soil, and physical environments," said professor gradnor, "have much to do with shaping national characteristics. if in africa, under a tropical sun, the negro has lagged behind other races in the march of civilization, at least for once in his history he has, in this country, the privilege of using climatic advantages and developing under new conditions." "yes," replied dr. latimer, "and i do not wish our people to become restless and unsettled before they have tried one generation of freedom." "i am always glad," said mr. forest, a tall, distinguished-looking gentleman from new york, "when i hear of people who are ill treated in one section of the country emigrating to another. men who are deaf to the claims of mercy, and oblivious to the demands of justice, can feel when money is slipping from their pockets." "the negro," said hon. dugdale, "does not present to my mind the picture of an effete and exhausted people, destined to die out before a stronger race. gilbert haven once saw a statue which suggested this thought, 'i am black, but comely; the sun has looked down upon me, but i will teach you who despise me to feel that i am your superior.' the men who are acquiring property and building up homes in the south show us what energy and determination may do even in that part of the country. i believe such men can do more to conquer prejudice than if they spent all their lives in shouting for their rights and ignoring their duties. no! as there are millions of us in this country, i think it best to settle down and work out our own salvation here." "how many of us to-day," asked professor langhorne, "would be teaching in the south, if every field of labor in the north was as accessible to us as to the whites? it has been estimated that a million young white men have left the south since the war, and, had our chances been equal to theirs, would we have been any more willing to stay in the south with those who need us than they? but this prejudice, by impacting us together, gives us a common cause and brings our intellect in contact with the less favored of our race." "i do not believe," said miss delany, "that the southern white people themselves desire any wholesale exodus of the colored from their labor fields. it would be suicidal to attempt their expatriation." "history," said professor langhorne, "tells that spain was once the place where barbarian europe came to light her lamp. seven hundred years before there was a public lamp in london you might have gone through the streets of cordova amid ten miles of lighted lamps, and stood there on solidly paved land, when hundreds of years afterwards, in paris, on a rainy day you would have sunk to your ankles in the mud. but she who bore the name of the 'terror of nations,' and the 'queen of the ocean,' was not strong enough to dash herself against god's law of retribution and escape unscathed. she inaugurated a crusade of horror against a million of her best laborers and artisans. vainly she expected the blessing of god to crown her work of violence. instead of seeing the fruition of her hopes in the increased prosperity of her land, depression and paralysis settled on her trade and business. a fearful blow was struck at her agriculture; decay settled on her manufactories; money became too scarce to pay the necessary expenses of the king's exchequer; and that once mighty empire became a fallen kingdom, pierced by her crimes and dragged down by her transgressions." "we did not," said iola, "place the bounds of our habitation. and i believe we are to be fixtures in this country. but beyond the shadows i see the coruscation of a brighter day; and we can help usher it in, not by answering hate with hate, or giving scorn for scorn, but by striving to be more generous, noble, and just. it seems as if all creation travels to respond to the song of the herald angels, 'peace on earth, good-will toward men.'" the next paper was on "patriotism," by rev. cantnor. it was a paper in which the white man was extolled as the master race, and spoke as if it were a privilege for the colored man to be linked to his destiny and to live beneath the shadow of his power. he asserted that the white race of this country is the broadest, most christian, and humane of that branch of the human family. dr. latimer took exception to his position. "law," he said, "is the pivot on which the whole universe turns; and obedience to law is the gauge by which a nation's strength or weakness is tried. we have had two evils by which our obedience to law has been tested--slavery and the liquor traffic. how have we dealt with them both? we have been weighed in the balance and found wanting. millions of slaves and serfs have been liberated during this century, but not even in semi-barbaric russia, heathen japan, or catholic spain has slavery been abolished through such a fearful conflict as it was in the united states. the liquor traffic still sends its floods of ruin and shame to the habitations of men, and no political party has been found with enough moral power and numerical strength to stay the tide of death." "i think," said professor gradnor, "that what our country needs is truth more than flattery. i do not think that our moral life keeps pace with our mental development and material progress. i know of no civilized country on the globe, catholic, protestant, or mohammedan, where life is less secure than it is in the south. nearly eighteen hundred years ago the life of a roman citizen in palestine was in danger from mob violence. that pagan government threw around him a wall of living clay, consisting of four hundred and seventy men, when more than forty jews had bound themselves with an oath that they would neither eat nor drink until they had taken the life of the apostle paul. does not true patriotism demand that citizenship should be as much protected in christian america as it was in heathen rome?" "i would have our people," said miss delany, "more interested in politics. instead of forgetting the past, i would have them hold in everlasting remembrance our great deliverance. hitherto we have never had a country with tender, precious memories to fill our eyes with tears, or glad reminiscences to thrill our hearts with pride and joy. we have been aliens and outcasts in the land of our birth. but i want my pupils to do all in their power to make this country worthy of their deepest devotion and loftiest patriotism. i want them to feel that its glory is their glory, its dishonor their shame." "our esteemed friend, mrs. watson," said iola, "sends regrets that she cannot come, but has kindly favored us with a poem, called the "rallying cry." in her letter she says that, although she is no longer young, she feels that in the conflict for the right there's room for young as well as old. she hopes that we will here unite the enthusiasm of youth with the experience of age, and that we will have a pleasant and profitable conference. is it your pleasure that the poem be read at this stage of our proceedings, or later on?" "let us have it now," answered harry, "and i move that miss delany be chosen to lend to the poem the charm of her voice." "i second the motion," said iola, smiling, and handing the poem to miss delany. miss delany took the poem and read it with fine effect. the spirit of the poem had entered her soul. a rallying cry. oh, children of the tropics, amid our pain and wrong have you no other mission than music, dance, and song? when through the weary ages our dripping tears still fall, is this a time to dally with pleasure's silken thrall? go, muffle all your viols; as heroes learn to stand, with faith in god's great justice nerve every heart and hand. dream not of ease nor pleasure, nor honor, wealth, nor fame, till from the dust you've lifted our long-dishonored name; and crowned that name with glory by deeds of holy worth, to shine with light emblazoned, the noblest name on earth. count life a dismal failure, unblessing and unblest, that seeks 'mid ease inglorious for pleasure or for rest. with courage, strength, and valor your lives and actions brace; shrink not from toil or hardship, and dangers bravely face. engrave upon your banners, in words of golden light, that honor, truth, and justice are more than godless might. above earth's pain and sorrow christ's dying face i see; i hear the cry of anguish:- "why hast thou forsaken me?" in the pallor of that anguish i see the only light, to flood with peace and gladness earth's sorrow, pain, and night. arrayed in christly armor 'gainst error, crime, and sin, the victory can't be doubtful, for god is sure to win. the next paper was by miss iola leroy, on the "education of mothers." "i agree," said rev. eustace, of st. mary's parish, "with the paper. the great need of the race is enlightened mothers." "and enlightened fathers, too," added miss delany, quickly. "if there is anything i chafe to see it is a strong, hearty man shirking his burdens, putting them on the shoulders of his wife, and taking life easy for himself." "i always pity such mothers," interposed iola, tenderly. "i think," said miss delany, with a flash in her eye and a ring of decision in her voice, "that such men ought to be drummed out of town!" as she spoke, there was an expression which seemed to say, "and i would like to help do it!" harry smiled, and gave her a quick glance of admiration. "i do not think," said mrs. stillman, "that we can begin too early to teach our boys to be manly and self-respecting, and our girls to be useful and self-reliant." "you know," said mrs. leroy, "that after the war we were thrown upon the nation a homeless race to be gathered into homes, and a legally unmarried race to be taught the sacredness of the marriage relation. we must instill into our young people that the true strength of a race means purity in women and uprightness in men; who can say, with sir galahad:- 'my strength is the strength of ten, because my heart is pure.' and where this is wanting neither wealth nor culture can make up the deficiency." "there is a field of christian endeavor which lies between the school-house and the pulpit, which needs the hand of a woman more in private than in public," said miss delany. "yes, i have often felt the need of such work in my own parish. we need a union of women with the warmest hearts and clearest brains to help in the moral education of the race," said rev. eustace. "yes," said iola, "if we would have the prisons empty we must make the homes more attractive." "in civilized society," replied dr. latimer, "there must be restraint either within or without. if parents fail to teach restraint within, society has her check-reins without in the form of chain-gangs, prisons, and the gallows." the closing paper was on the "moral progress of the race," by hon. dugdale. he said: "the moral progress of the race was not all he could desire, yet he could not help feeling that, compared with other races, the outlook was not hopeless. i am so sorry to see, however, that in some states there is an undue proportion of colored people in prisons." "i think," answered professor langhorne, of georgia, "that this is owing to a partial administration of law in meting out punishment to colored offenders. i know red-handed murderers who walk in this republic unwhipped of justice, and i have seen a colored woman sentenced to prison for weeks for stealing twenty-five cents. i knew a colored girl who was executed for murder when only a child in years. and it was through the intervention of a friend of mine, one of the bravest young men of the south, that a boy of fifteen was saved from the gallows." "when i look," said mr. forest, "at the slow growth of modern civilization--the ages which have been consumed in reaching our present altitude, and see how we have outgrown slavery, feudalism, and religious persecutions, i cannot despair of the future of the race." "just now," said dr. latimer, "we have the fearful grinding and friction which comes in the course of an adjustment of the new machinery of freedom in the old ruts of slavery. but i am optimistic enough to believe that there will yet be a far higher and better christian civilization than our country has ever known." "and in that civilization i believe the negro is to be an important factor," said rev. cantnor. "i believe it also," said miss delany, hopefully, "and this thought has been a blessed inspiration to my life. when i come in contact with christless prejudices, i feel that my life is too much a part of the divine plan, and invested with too much intrinsic worth, for me to be the least humiliated by indignities that beggarly souls can inflict. i feel more pitiful than resentful to those who do not know how much they miss by living mean, ignoble lives." "my heart," said iola, "is full of hope for the future. pain and suffering are the crucibles out of which come gold more fine than the pavements of heaven, and gems more precious than the foundations of the holy city." "if," said mrs. leroy, "pain and suffering are factors in human development, surely we have not been counted too worthless to suffer." "and is there," continued iola, "a path which we have trodden in this country, unless it be the path of sin, into which jesus christ has not put his feet and left it luminous with the light of his steps? has the negro been poor and homeless? the birds of the air had nests and the foxes had holes, but the son of man had not where to lay his head. has our name been a synonym for contempt? 'he shall be called a nazarene.' have we been despised and trodden under foot? christ was despised and rejected of men. have we been ignorant and unlearned? it was said of jesus christ, 'how knoweth this man letters, never having learned?' have we been beaten and bruised in the prison-house of bondage? 'they took jesus and scourged him.' have we been slaughtered, our bones scattered at the graves' mouth? he was spit upon by the mob, smitten and mocked by the rabble, and died as died rome's meanest criminal slave. to-day that cross of shame is a throne of power. those robes of scorn have changed to habiliments of light, and that crown of mockery to a diadem of glory. and never, while the agony of gethsemane and the sufferings of calvary have their hold upon my heart, will i recognize any religion as his which despises the least of his brethren." as iola finished, there was a ring of triumph in her voice, as if she were reviewing a path she had trodden with bleeding feet, and seen it change to lines of living light. her soul seemed to be flashing through the rare loveliness of her face and etherealizing its beauty. every one was spell-bound. dr. latimer was entranced, and, turning to hon. dugdale, said, in a low voice and with deep-drawn breath, "she is angelic!" hon. dugdale turned, gave a questioning look, then replied, "she is strangely beautiful! do you know her?" "yes; i have met her several times. i accompanied her here to-night. the tones of her voice are like benedictions of peace; her words a call to higher service and nobler life." just then rev. carmicle was announced. he had been on a southern tour, and had just returned. "oh, doctor," exclaimed mrs. stillman, "i am delighted to see you. we were about to adjourn, but we will postpone action to hear from you." "thank you," replied rev. carmicle. "i have not the cue to the meeting, and will listen while i take breath." "pardon me," answered mrs. stillman. "i should have been more thoughtful than to press so welcome a guest into service before i had given him time for rest and refreshment; but if the courtesy failed on my lips it did not fail in my heart. i wanted our young folks to see one of our thinkers who had won distinction before the war." "my dear friend," said rev. carmicle, smiling, "some of these young folks will look on me as a back number. you know the cry has already gone forth, 'young men to the front.'" "but we need old men for counsel," interposed mr. forest, of new york. "of course," said rev. carmicle, "we older men would rather retire gracefully than be relegated or hustled to a back seat. but i am pleased to see doors open to you which were closed to us, and opportunities which were denied us embraced by you." "how," asked hon. dugdale, "do you feel in reference to our people's condition in the south?" "very hopeful, although at times i cannot help feeling anxious about their future. i was delighted with my visits to various institutions of learning, and surprised at the desire manifested among the young people to obtain an education. where toil-worn mothers bent beneath their heavy burdens their more favored daughters are enjoying the privileges of education. young people are making recitations in greek and latin where it was once a crime to teach their parents to read. i also became acquainted with colored professors and presidents of colleges. saw young ladies who had graduated as doctors. comfortable homes have succeeded old cabins of slavery. vast crops have been raised by free labor. i read with interest and pleasure a number of papers edited by colored men. i saw it estimated that two millions of our people had learned to read, and i feel deeply grateful to the people who have supplied us with teachers who have stood their ground so nobly among our people." "but," asked mr. forest, "you expressed fears about the future of our race. from whence do your fears arise?" "from the unfortunate conditions which slavery has entailed upon that section of our country. i dread the results of that racial feeling which ever and anon breaks out into restlessness and crime. also, i am concerned about the lack of home training for those for whom the discipline of the plantation has been exchanged for the penalties of prisons and chain-gangs. i am sorry to see numbers of our young men growing away from the influence of the church and drifting into prisons. i also fear that in some sections, as colored men increase in wealth and intelligence, there will be an increase of race rivalry and jealousy. it is said that savages, by putting their ears to the ground, can hear a far-off tread. so, to-day, i fear that there are savage elements in our civilization which hear the advancing tread of the negro and would retard his coming. it is the incarnation of these elements that i dread. it is their elimination i do so earnestly desire. whether it be outgrown or not is our unsolved problem. time alone will tell whether or not the virus of slavery and injustice has too fully permeated our southern civilization for a complete recovery. nations, honey-combed by vice, have fallen beneath the weight of their iniquities. justice is always uncompromising in its claims and inexorable in its demands. the laws of the universe are never repealed to accommodate our follies." "surely," said bishop tunster, "the negro has a higher mission than that of aimlessly drifting through life and patiently waiting for death." "we may not," answered rev. carmicle, "have the same dash, courage, and aggressiveness of other races, accustomed to struggle, achievement, and dominion, but surely the world needs something better than the results of arrogance, aggressiveness, and indomitable power. for the evils of society there are no solvents as potent as love and justice, and our greatest need is not more wealth and learning, but a religion replete with life and glowing with love. let this be the impelling force in the race and it cannot fail to rise in the scale of character and condition." "and," said dr. latimer, "instead of narrowing our sympathies to mere racial questions, let us broaden them to humanity's wider issues." "let us," replied rev. carmicle, "pass it along the lines, that to be willfully ignorant is to be shamefully criminal. let us teach our people not to love pleasure or to fear death, but to learn the true value of life, and to do their part to eliminate the paganism of caste from our holy religion and the lawlessness of savagery from our civilization." * * * * * "how did you enjoy the evening, marie?" asked robert, as they walked homeward. "i was interested and deeply pleased," answered marie. "i," said robert, "was thinking of the wonderful changes that have come to us since the war. when i sat in those well-lighted, beautifully-furnished rooms, i was thinking of the meetings we used to have in by-gone days. how we used to go by stealth into lonely woods and gloomy swamps, to tell of our hopes and fears, sorrows and trials. i hope that we will have many more of these gatherings. let us have the next one here." "i am sure," said marie, "i would gladly welcome such a conference at any time. i think such meetings would be so helpful to our young people." chapter xxxi. dawning affections. "doctor," said iola, as they walked home from the _conversazione_, "i wish i could do something more for our people than i am doing. i taught in the south till failing health compelled me to change my employment. but, now that i am well and strong, i would like to do something of lasting service for the race." "why not," asked dr. latimer, "write a good, strong book which would be helpful to them? i think there is an amount of dormant talent among us, and a large field from which to gather materials for such a book." "i would do it, willingly, if i could; but one needs both leisure and money to make a successful book. there is material among us for the broadest comedies and the deepest tragedies, but, besides money and leisure, it needs patience, perseverance, courage, and the hand of an artist to weave it into the literature of the country." "miss leroy, you have a large and rich experience; you possess a vivid imagination and glowing fancy. write, out of the fullness of your heart, a book to inspire men and women with a deeper sense of justice and humanity." "doctor," replied iola, "i would do it if i could, not for the money it might bring, but for the good it might do. but who believes any good can come out of the black nazareth?" "miss leroy, out of the race must come its own thinkers and writers. authors belonging to the white race have written good racial books, for which i am deeply grateful, but it seems to be almost impossible for a white man to put himself completely in our place. no man can feel the iron which enters another man's soul." "well, doctor, when i write a book i shall take you for the hero of my story." "why, what have i done," asked dr. latimer, in a surprised tone, "that you should impale me on your pen?" "you have done nobly," answered iola, "in refusing your grandmother's offer." "i only did my duty," he modestly replied. "but," said iola, "when others are trying to slip out from the race and pass into the white basis, i cannot help admiring one who acts as if he felt that the weaker the race is the closer he would cling to it." "my mother," replied dr. latimer, "faithful and true, belongs to that race. where else should i be? but i know a young lady who could have cast her lot with the favored race, yet chose to take her place with the freed people, as their teacher, friend, and adviser. this young lady was alone in the world. she had been fearfully wronged, and to her stricken heart came a brilliant offer of love, home, and social position. but she bound her heart to the mast of duty, closed her ears to the syren song, and could not be lured from her purpose." a startled look stole over iola's face, and, lifting her eyes to his, she faltered:-"do you know her?" "yes, i know her and admire her; and she ought to be made the subject of a soul-inspiring story. do you know of whom i speak?" "how should i, doctor? i am sure you have not made me your confidante," she responded, demurely; then she quickly turned and tripped up the steps of her home, which she had just reached. after this conversation dr. latimer became a frequent visitor at iola's home, and a firm friend of her brother. harry was at that age when, for the young and inexperienced, vice puts on her fairest guise and most seductive smiles. dr. latimer's wider knowledge and larger experience made his friendship for harry very valuable, and the service he rendered him made him a favorite and ever-welcome guest in the family. "are you all alone," asked robert, one night, as he entered the cosy little parlor where iola sat reading. "where are the rest of the folks?" "mamma and grandma have gone to bed," answered iola. "harry and lucille are at the concert. they are passionately fond of music, and find facilities here that they do not have in the south. they wouldn't go to hear a seraph where they must take a negro seat. i was too tired to go. besides, 'two's company and three's a crowd,'" she added, significantly. "i reckon you struck the nail on the head that time," said robert, laughing. "but you have not been alone all the time. just as i reached the corner i saw dr. latimer leaving the door. i see he still continues his visits. who is his patient now?" "oh, uncle robert," said iola, smiling and flushing, "he is out with harry and lucille part of the time, and drops in now and then to see us all." "well," said robert, "i suppose the case is now an affair of the heart. but i cannot blame him for it," he added, looking fondly on the beautiful face of his niece, which sorrow had touched only to chisel into more loveliness. "how do you like him?" "i must have within me," answered iola, with unaffected truthfulness, "a large amount of hero worship. the characters of the old testament i most admire are moses and nehemiah. they were willing to put aside their own advantages for their race and country. dr. latimer comes up to my ideal of a high, heroic manhood." "i think," answered robert, smiling archly, "he would be delighted to hear your opinion of him." "i tell him," continued iola, "that he belongs to the days of chivalry. but he smiles and says, 'he only belongs to the days of hard-pan service.'" "some one," said robert, "was saying to-day that he stood in his own light when he refused his grandmother's offer to receive him as her son." "i think," said iola, "it was the grandest hour of his life when he made that decision. i have admired him ever since i heard his story." "but, iola, think of the advantages he set aside. it was no sacrifice for me to remain colored, with my lack of education and race sympathies, but dr. latimer had doors open to him as a white man which are forever closed to a colored man. to be born white in this country is to be born to an inheritance of privileges, to hold in your hands the keys that open before you the doors of every occupation, advantage, opportunity, and achievement." "i know that, uncle," answered iola; "but even these advantages are too dearly bought if they mean loss of honor, true manliness, and self respect. he could not have retained these had he ignored his mother and lived under a veil of concealment, constantly haunted by a dread of detection. the gain would not have been worth the cost. it were better that he should walk the ruggedest paths of life a true man than tread the softest carpets a moral cripple." "i am afraid," said robert, laying his hand caressingly upon her head, "that we are destined to lose the light of our home." "oh, uncle, how you talk! i never dreamed of what you are thinking," answered iola, half reproachfully. "and how," asked robert, "do you know what i am thinking about?" "my dear uncle, i'm not blind." "neither am i," replied robert, significantly, as he left the room. iola's admiration for dr. latimer was not a one-sided affair. day after day she was filling a larger place in his heart. the touch of her hand thrilled him with emotion. her lightest words were an entrancing melody to his ear. her noblest sentiments found a response in his heart. in their desire to help the race their hearts beat in loving unison. one grand and noble purpose was giving tone and color to their lives and strengthening the bonds of affection between them. chapter xxxii. wooing and wedding. harry's vacation had been very pleasant. miss delany, with her fine conversational powers and ready wit, had added much to his enjoyment. robert had given his mother the pleasantest room in the house, and in the evening the family would gather around her, tell her the news of the day, read to her from the bible, join with her in thanksgiving for mercies received and in prayer for protection through the night. harry was very grateful to dr. latimer for the kindly interest he had shown in accompanying miss delany and himself to places of interest and amusement. he was grateful, too, that in the city of p---doors were open to them which were barred against them in the south. the bright, beautiful days of summer were gliding into autumn, with its glorious wealth of foliage, and the time was approaching for the departure of harry and miss delany to their respective schools, when dr. latimer received several letters from north carolina, urging him to come south, as physicians were greatly needed there. although his practice was lucrative in the city of p----, he resolved he would go where his services were most needed. a few evenings before he started he called at the house, and made an engagement to drive iola to the park. at the time appointed he drove up to the door in his fine equipage. iola stepped gracefully in and sat quietly by his side to enjoy the loveliness of the scenery and the gorgeous grandeur of the setting sun. "i expect to go south," said dr. latimer, as he drove slowly along. "ah, indeed," said iola, assuming an air of interest, while a shadow flitted over her face. "where do you expect to pitch your tent?" "in the city of c----, north carolina," he answered. "oh, i wish," she exclaimed, "that you were going to georgia, where you could take care of that high-spirited brother of mine." "i suppose if he were to hear you he would laugh, and say that he could take care of himself. but i know a better plan than that." "what is it?" asked iola, innocently. "that you will commit yourself, instead of your brother, to my care." "oh, dear," replied iola, drawing a long breath. "what would mamma say?" "that she would willingly resign you, i hope." "and what would grandma and uncle robert say?" again asked iola. "that they would cheerfully acquiesce. now, what would i say if they all consent?" "i don't know," modestly responded iola. "well," replied dr. latimer, "i would say:- "could deeds my love discover, could valor gain thy charms, to prove myself thy lover i'd face a world in arms." "and prove a good soldier," added iola, smiling, "when there is no battle to fight." "iola, i am in earnest," said dr. latimer, passionately. "in the work to which i am devoted every burden will be lighter, every path smoother, if brightened and blessed with your companionship." a sober expression swept over iola's face, and, dropping her eyes, she said: "i must have time to think." quietly they rode along the river bank until dr. latimer broke the silence by saying:-"miss iola, i think that you brood too much over the condition of our people." "perhaps i do," she replied, "but they never burn a man in the south that they do not kindle a fire around my soul." "i am afraid," replied dr. latimer, "that you will grow morbid and nervous. most of our people take life easily--why shouldn't you?" "because," she answered, "i can see breakers ahead which they do not." "oh, give yourself no uneasiness. they will catch the fret and fever of the nineteenth century soon enough. i have heard several of our ministers say that it is chiefly men of disreputable characters who are made the subjects of violence and lynch-law." "suppose it is so," responded iola, feelingly. "if these men believe in eternal punishment they ought to feel a greater concern for the wretched sinner who is hurried out of time with all his sins upon his head, than for the godly man who passes through violence to endless rest." "that is true; and i am not counseling you to be selfish; but, miss iola, had you not better look out for yourself?" "thank you, doctor, i am feeling quite well." "i know it, but your devotion to study and work is too intense," he replied. "i am preparing to teach, and must spend my leisure time in study. mr. cloten is an excellent employer, and treats his employã©s as if they had hearts as well as hands. but to be an expert accountant is not the best use to which i can put my life." "as a teacher you will need strong health and calm nerves. you had better let me prescribe for you. you need," he added, with a merry twinkle in his eyes, "change of air, change of scene, and change of name." "well, doctor," said iola, laughing, "that is the newest nostrum out. had you not better apply for a patent?" "oh," replied dr. latimer, with affected gravity, "you know you must have unlimited faith in your physician." "so you wish me to try the faith cure?" asked iola, laughing. "yes, faith in me," responded dr. latimer, seriously. "oh, here we are at home!" exclaimed iola. "this has been a glorious evening, doctor. i am indebted to you for a great pleasure. i am extremely grateful." "you are perfectly welcome," replied dr. latimer. "the pleasure has been mutual, i assure you." "will you not come in?" asked iola. tying his horse, he accompanied iola into the parlor. seating himself near her, he poured into her ears words eloquent with love and tenderness. "iola," he said, "i am not an adept in courtly phrases. i am a plain man, who believes in love and truth. in asking you to share my lot, i am not inviting you to a life of ease and luxury, for year after year i may have to struggle to keep the wolf from the door, but your presence would make my home one of the brightest spots on earth, and one of the fairest types of heaven. am i presumptuous in hoping that your love will become the crowning joy of my life?" his words were more than a tender strain wooing her to love and happiness, they were a clarion call to a life of high and holy worth, a call which found a response in her heart. her hand lay limp in his. she did not withdraw it, but, raising her lustrous eyes to his, she softly answered: "frank, i love you." after he had gone, iola sat by the window, gazing at the splendid stars, her heart quietly throbbing with a delicious sense of joy and love. she had admired dr. gresham and, had there been no barrier in her way, she might have learned to love him; but dr. latimer had grown irresistibly upon her heart. there were depths in her nature that dr. gresham had never fathomed; aspirations in her soul with which he had never mingled. but as the waves leap up to the strand, so her soul went out to dr. latimer. between their lives were no impeding barriers, no inclination impelling one way and duty compelling another. kindred hopes and tastes had knit their hearts; grand and noble purposes were lighting up their lives; and they esteemed it a blessed privilege to stand on the threshold of a new era and labor for those who had passed from the old oligarchy of slavery into the new commonwealth of freedom. on the next evening, dr. latimer rang the bell and was answered by harry, who ushered him into the parlor, and then came back to the sitting-room, saying, "iola, dr. latimer has called to see you." "has he?" answered iola, a glad light coming into her eyes. "come, lucille, let us go into the parlor." "oh, no," interposed harry, shrugging his shoulders and catching lucille's hand. "he didn't ask for you. when we went to the concert we were told three's a crowd. and i say one good turn deserves another." "oh, harry, you are so full of nonsense. let lucille go!" said iola. "indeed i will not. i want to have a good time as well as you," said harry. "oh, you're the most nonsensical man i know," interposed miss delany. yet she stayed with harry. "you're looking very bright and happy," said dr. latimer to iola, as she entered. "my ride in the park was so refreshing! i enjoyed it so much! the day was so lovely, the air delicious, the birds sang so sweetly, and the sunset was so magnificent." "i am glad of it. why, iola, your home is so happy your heart should be as light as a school-girl's." "doctor," she replied, "i must be prematurely old. i have scarcely known what it is to be light-hearted since my father's death." "i know it, darling," he answered, seating himself beside her, and drawing her to him. "you have been tried in the fire, but are you not better for the crucial test?" "doctor," she replied, "as we rode along yesterday, mingling with the sunshine of the present came the shadows of the past. i was thinking of the bright, joyous days of my girlhood, when i defended slavery, and of how the cup that i would have pressed to the lips of others was forced to my own. yet, in looking over the mournful past, i would not change the iola of then for the iola of now." "yes," responded dr. latimer, musingly, "'darkness shows us worlds of light we never saw by day.'" "oh, doctor, you cannot conceive what it must have been to be hurled from a home of love and light into the dark abyss of slavery; to be compelled to take your place among a people you have learned to look upon as inferiors and social outcasts; to be in the power of men whose presence would fill you with horror and loathing, and to know that there is no earthly power to protect you from the highest insults which brutal cowardice could shower upon you. i am so glad that no other woman of my race will suffer as i have done." the flush deepened on her face, a mournful splendor beamed from her beautiful eyes, into which the tears had slowly gathered. "darling," he said, his voice vibrating with mingled feelings of tenderness and resentment, "you must forget the sad past. you are like a tender lamb snatched from the jaws of a hungry wolf, but who still needs protecting, loving care. but it must have been terrible," he added, in a painful tone. "it was indeed! for awhile i was like one dazed. i tried to pray, but the heavens seemed brass over my head. i was wild with agony, and had i not been placed under conditions which roused all the resistance of my soul, i would have lost my reason." "was it not a mistake to have kept you ignorant of your colored blood?" "it was the great mistake of my father's life, but dear papa knew something of the cruel, crushing power of caste; and he tried to shield us from it." "yes, yes," replied dr. latimer, thoughtfully, "in trying to shield you from pain he plunged you into deeper suffering." "i never blame him, because i know he did it for the best. had he lived he would have taken us to france, where i should have had a life of careless ease and pleasure. but now my life has a much grander significance than it would have had under such conditions. fearful as the awakening was, it was better than to have slept through life." "best for you and best for me," said dr. latimer. "there are souls that never awaken; but if they miss the deepest pain they also lose the highest joy." dr. latimer went south, after his engagement, and through his medical skill and agreeable manners became very successful in his practice. in the following summer, he built a cosy home for the reception of his bride, and came north, where, with harry and miss delany as attendants, he was married to iola, amid a pleasant gathering of friends, by rev. carmicle. chapter xxxiii. conclusion. it was late in the summer when dr. latimer and his bride reached their home in north carolina. over the cottage porch were morning-glories to greet the first flushes of the rising day, and roses and jasmines to distill their fragrance on the evening air. aunt linda, who had been apprised of their coming, was patiently awaiting their arrival, and uncle daniel was pleased to know that "dat sweet young lady who had sich putty manners war comin' to lib wid dem." as soon as they arrived, aunt linda rushed up to iola, folded her in her arms, and joyfully exclaimed: "how'dy, honey! i'se so glad you's come. i seed it in a vision dat somebody fair war comin' to help us. an' wen i yered it war you, i larffed and jist rolled ober, and larffed and jist gib up." "but, aunt linda, i am not very fair," replied mrs. latimer. "well, chile, you's fair to me. how's all yore folks in de up kentry?" "all well. i expect them down soon to live here." "what, har'yet, and robby, an' yer ma? oh, dat is too good. i allers said robby had san' in his craw, and war born for good luck. he war a mighty nice boy. har'yet's in clover now. well, ebery dorg has its day, and de cat has sunday. i allers tole har'yet ter keep a stiff upper lip; dat it war a long road dat had no turn." dr. latimer was much gratified by the tender care aunt linda bestowed on iola. "i ain't goin' to let her do nuffin till she gits seasoned. she looks as sweet as a peach. i allers wanted some nice lady to come down yere and larn our gals some sense. i can't read myself, but i likes ter yere dem dat can." "well, aunt linda, i am going to teach in the sunday-school, help in the church, hold mothers' meetings to help these boys and girls to grow up to be good men and women. won't you get a pair of spectacles and learn to read?" "oh, yer can't git dat book froo my head, no way you fix it. i knows nuff to git to hebben, and dat's all i wants to know." aunt linda was kind and obliging, but there was one place where she drew the line, and that was at learning to read. harry and miss delany accompanied iola as far as her new home, and remained several days. the evening before their departure, harry took miss delany a drive of several miles through the pine barrens. "this thing is getting very monotonous," harry broke out, when they had gone some distance. "oh, i enjoy it!" replied miss delany. "these stately pines look so grand and solemn, they remind me of a procession of hooded monks." "what in the world are you talking about, lucille?" asked harry, looking puzzled. "about those pine-trees," replied miss delany, in a tone of surprise. "pshaw, i wasn't thinking about them. i'm thinking about iola and frank." "what about them?" asked lucille. "why, when i was in p----, dr. latimer used to be first-rate company, but now it is nothing but what iola wants, and what iola says, and what iola likes. i don't believe that there is a subject i could name to him, from spinning a top to circumnavigating the globe, that he wouldn't somehow contrive to bring iola in. and i don't believe you could talk ten minutes to iola on any subject, from dressing a doll to the latest discovery in science, that she wouldn't manage to lug in frank." "oh, you absurd creature!" responded lucille, "this is their honeymoon, and they are deeply in love with each other. wait till you get in love with some one." "i am in love now," replied harry, with a serious air. "with whom?" asked lucille, archly. "with you," answered harry, trying to take her hand. "oh, harry!" she exclaimed, playfully resisting. "don't be so nonsensical! don't you think the bride looked lovely, with that dress of spotless white and with those orange blossoms in her hair?" "yes, she did; that's a fact," responded harry. "but, lucille, i think there is a great deal of misplaced sentiment at weddings," he added, more seriously. "how so?" "oh, here are a couple just married, and who are as happy as happy can be; and people will crowd around them wishing much joy; but who thinks of wishing joy to the forlorn old bachelors and restless old maids?" "well, harry, if you want people to wish you much happiness, why don't you do as the doctor has done, get yourself a wife?" "i will," he replied, soberly, "when you say so." "oh, harry, don't be so absurd." "indeed there isn't a bit of absurdity about what i say. i am in earnest." there was something in the expression of harry's face and the tone of his voice which arrested the banter on lucille's lips. "i think it was charles lamb," replied lucille, "who once said that school-teachers are uncomfortable people, and, harry, i would not like to make you uncomfortable by marrying you." "you will make me uncomfortable by not marrying me." "but," replied lucille, "your mother may not prefer me for a daughter. you know, harry, complexional prejudices are not confined to white people." "my mother," replied harry, with an air of confidence, "is too noble to indulge in such sentiments." "and iola, would she be satisfied?" "why, it would add to her satisfaction. she is not one who can't be white and won't be black." "well, then," replied lucille, "i will take the question of your comfort into consideration." the above promise was thoughtfully remembered by lucille till a bridal ring and happy marriage were the result. soon after iola had settled in c---she quietly took her place in the sunday-school as a teacher, and in the church as a helper. she was welcomed by the young pastor, who found in her a strong and faithful ally. together they planned meetings for the especial benefit of mothers and children. when the dens of vice are spreading their snares for the feet of the tempted and inexperienced her doors are freely opened for the instruction of the children before their feet have wandered and gone far astray. she has no carpets too fine for the tread of their little feet. she thinks it is better to have stains on her carpet than stains on their souls through any neglect of hers. in lowly homes and windowless cabins her visits are always welcome. little children love her. old age turns to her for comfort, young girls for guidance, and mothers for counsel. her life is full of blessedness. doctor latimer by his kindness and skill has won the name of the "good doctor." but he is more than a successful doctor; he is a true patriot and a good citizen. honest, just, and discriminating, he endeavors by precept and example to instill into the minds of others sentiments of good citizenship. he is a leader in every reform movement for the benefit of the community; but his patriotism is not confined to race lines. "the world is his country, and mankind his countrymen." while he abhors their deeds of violence, he pities the short-sighted and besotted men who seem madly intent upon laying magazines of powder under the cradles of unborn generations. he has great faith in the possibilities of the negro, and believes that, enlightened and christianized, he will sink the old animosities of slavery into the new community of interests arising from freedom; and that his influence upon the south will be as the influence of the sun upon the earth. as when the sun passes from capricorn to cancer, beauty, greenness, and harmony spring up in his path, so he hopes that the future career of the negro will be a greater influence for freedom and social advancement than it was in the days of yore for slavery and its inferior civilization. harry and lucille are at the head of a large and flourishing school. lucille gives her ripening experience to her chosen work, to which she was too devoted to resign. and through the school they are lifting up the homes of the people. some have pitied, others blamed, harry for casting his lot with the colored people, but he knows that life's highest and best advantages do not depend on the color of the skin or texture of the hair. he has his reward in the improved condition of his pupils and the superb manhood and noble life which he has developed in his much needed work. uncle daniel still lingers on the shores of time, a cheery, lovable old man, loved and respected by all; a welcome guest in every home. soon after iola's marriage, robert sold out his business and moved with his mother and sister to north carolina. he bought a large plantation near c----, which he divided into small homesteads, and sold to poor but thrifty laborers, and his heart has been gladdened by their increased prosperity and progress. he has seen the one-roomed cabins change to comfortable cottages, in which cleanliness and order have supplanted the prolific causes of disease and death. kind and generous, he often remembers mrs. johnson and sends her timely aid. marie's pale, spiritual face still bears traces of the beauty which was her youthful dower, but its bloom has been succeeded by an air of sweetness and dignity. though frail in health, she is always ready to lend a helping hand wherever and whenever she can. grandmother johnson was glad to return south and spend the remnant of her days with the remaining friends of her early life. although feeble, she is in full sympathy with her children for the uplifting of the race. marie and her mother are enjoying their aftermath of life, one by rendering to others all the service in her power, while the other, with her face turned toward the celestial city, is "only waiting till the angels open wide the mystic gate." the shadows have been lifted from all their lives; and peace, like bright dew, has descended upon their paths. blessed themselves, their lives are a blessing to others. note. from threads of fact and fiction i have woven a story whose mission will not be in vain if it awaken in the hearts of our countrymen a stronger sense of justice and a more christlike humanity in behalf of those whom the fortunes of war threw, homeless, ignorant and poor, upon the threshold of a new era. nor will it be in vain if it inspire the children of those upon whose brows god has poured the chrism of that new era to determine that they will embrace every opportunity, develop every faculty, and use every power god has given them to rise in the scale of character and condition, and to add their quota of good citizenship to the best welfare of the nation. there are scattered among us materials for mournful tragedies and mirth-provoking comedies, which some hand may yet bring into the literature of the country, glowing with the fervor of the tropics and enriched by the luxuriance of the orient, and thus add to the solution of our unsolved american problem. the race has not had very long to straighten its hands from the hoe, to grasp the pen and wield it as a power for good, and to erect above the ruined auction-block and slave-pen institutions of learning, but there is light beyond the darkness, joy beyond the present pain; there is hope in god's great justice and the negro's rising brain. though the morning seems to linger o'er the hill-tops far away, yet the shadows bear the promise of a brighter coming day. aunt phillis's cabin; or, southern life as it is. by mrs. mary h. eastman. philadelphia: lippincott, grambo & co. 1852. entered according to act of congress, in the year 1862, by lippincott, grambo & co. in the clerk's office of the district court for the eastern district of pennsylvania. transcriber's note: minor typos in text corrected. footnotes moved to end of text. preface. a writer on slavery has no difficulty in tracing back its origin. there is also the advantage of finding it, with its continued history, and the laws given by god to govern his own institution, in the holy bible. neither profane history, tradition, nor philosophical research are required to prove its origin or existence; though they, as all things must, come forward to substantiate the truth of the scriptures. god, who created the human race, willed they should be holy like himself. sin was committed, and the curse of sin, death, was induced: other punishments were denounced for the perpetration of particular crimes--the shedding of man's blood for murder, and the curse of slavery. the mysterious reasons that here influenced the mind of the creator it is not ours to declare. yet may we learn enough from his revealed word on this and every other subject to confirm his power, truth, and justice. there is no christian duty more insisted upon in scripture than reverence and obedience to parents. "honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the lord thy god giveth thee." the relation of child to parent resembles closely that of man to his creator. he who loves and honors his god will assuredly love and honor his parents. though it is evidently the duty of every parent so to live as to secure the respect and affection of his child, yet there is nothing in the scriptures to authorize a child treating with disrespect a parent, though he be unworthy in the greatest degree. the human mind, naturally rebellious, requires every command and incentive to submission. the first of the ten commandments, insisting on the duty owing to the creator, and the fifth, on that belonging to our parents, are the sources of all order and good arrangement in the minor relations of life; and on obedience to them depends the comfort of society. reverence to age, and especially where it is found in the person of those who by the will of god were the authors of their being, is insisted upon in the jewish covenant--not indeed less required now; but as the jews were called from among the heathen nations of the earth to be the peculiar people of god, they were to show such evidences of this law in their hearts, by their conduct, that other nations might look on and say, "ye are the children of the lord your god." it was after an act of a child dishonoring an aged father, that the prophecy entailing slavery as a curse on a portion of the human race was uttered. nor could it have been from any feeling of resentment or revenge that the curse was made known by the lips of a servant of god; for this servant of god was a parent, and with what sorrow would any parent, yea, the worst of parents, utter a malediction which insured such punishment and misery on a portion of his posterity! even the blessing which was promised to his other children could not have consoled him for the sad necessity. he might not resist the spirit of god: though with perfect submission he obeyed its dictates, yet with what regret! the heart of any christian parent will answer this appeal! we may well imagine some of the reasons for the will of god in thus punishing ham and his descendants. prior to the unfilial act which is recorded, it is not to be supposed he had been a righteous man. had he been one after god's own heart, he would not have been guilty of such a sin. what must that child be, who would openly dishonor and expose an erring parent, borne down with the weight of years, and honored by god as noah had been! the very act of disrespect to noah, the chosen of god, implies wilful contempt of god himself. ham was not a young man either: he had not the excuse of the impetuosity of youth, nor its thoughtlessness--he was himself an old man; and there is every reason to believe he had led a life at variance with god's laws. when he committed so gross and violent a sin, it may be, that the curse of god, which had lain tranquil long, was roused and uttered against him: a curse not conditional, not implied--now, as then, a mandate of the eternal. among the curses threatened by the levites upon mount ebal, was the one found in the 16th verse of the 27th chapter of deuteronomy: "cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother." by the law of moses, this sin was punished with death: "of the son which will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother," "all the men of his city shall stone him with stones that he die." (deut. xxi. 21.) god in his wisdom instituted this severe law in early times; and it must convince us that there were reasons in the divine mind for insisting on the ordinance exacting the most perfect submission and reverence to an earthly parent. "when, after the deluge," says josephus, "the earth was settled in its former condition, noah set about its cultivation; and when he had planted it with vines, and when the fruit was ripe, and he had gathered the grapes in the season, and the wine was ready for use, he offered a sacrifice and feasted, and, being inebriated, fell asleep, and lay in an unseemly manner. when ham saw this, he came laughing, and showed him to his brothers." does not this exhibit the impression of the jews as regards the character of ham? could a man capable of such an act deserve the blessing of a just and holy god? "the fact of noah's transgression is recorded by the inspired historian with that perfect impartiality which is peculiar to the scriptures, as an instance and evidence of human frailty and imperfection. ham appears to have been a bad man, and probably he rejoiced to find his father in so unbecoming a situation, that, by exposing him, he might retaliate for the reproofs which he had received from his parental authority. and perhaps canaan first discovered his situation, and told it to ham. the conduct of ham in exposing his father to his brethren, and their behaviour in turning away from the sight of his disgrace, form a striking contrast."--_scott's com._ we are told in gen. ix. 22, "and ham, the father of canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without;" and in the 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th verses we read, "and noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him; and he said, cursed be canaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. and he said, blessed be the lord god of shem, and canaan shall be his servant. god shall enlarge japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of shem, and canaan shall be his servant." is it not preposterous that any man, any christian, should read these verses and say slavery was not instituted by god as a curse on ham and canaan and their posterity? and who can read the history of the world and say this curse has not existed ever since it was uttered? "the whole continent of africa," says bishop newton, "was peopled principally by the descendants of ham; and for how many ages have the better parts of that country lain under the dominion of the romans, then of the saracens, and now of the turks! in what wickedness, ignorance, barbarity, slavery, misery, live most of the inhabitants! and of the poor negroes, how many hundreds every year are sold and bought like beasts in the market, and conveyed from one quarter of the world to do the work of beasts in another!" but does this curse authorize the slave-trade? god forbid. he commanded the jews to enslave the heathen around them, saying, "they should be their bondmen forever;" but he has given no such command to other nations. the threatenings and reproofs uttered against israel, throughout the old testament, on the subject of slavery, refer to their oppressing and keeping in slavery their own countrymen. never is there the slightest imputation of sin, as far as i can see, conveyed against them for holding in bondage the children of heathen nations. yet do the scriptures evidently permit slavery, even to the present time. the curse on the serpent, ("and the lord god said unto the serpent, because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle and above every beast of the field,") uttered more than sixteen hundred years before the curse of noah upon ham and his race, has lost nothing of its force and true meaning. "cursed is the ground for thy sake: in sorrow shalt thou eat of it, all the days of thy life," said the supreme being. has this curse failed or been removed? remember the threatened curses of god upon the whole jewish tribe if they forsook his worship. have not they been fulfilled? however inexplicable may be the fact that god would appoint the curse of continual servitude on a portion of his creatures, will any one _dare_, with the bible open in his hands, to say the fact does not exist? it is not ours to decide _why_ the supreme being acts! we may observe his dealings with man, but we may not ask, until he reveals it, why hast thou thus done? "cursed is every one who loves not the lord jesus christ." are not all these curses recorded, and will they not all be fulfilled? god has permitted slavery to exist in every age and in almost every nation of the earth. it was only commanded to the jews, and it was with them restricted to the heathen, ("referring entirely to the race of ham, who had been judicially condemned to a condition of servitude more than eighteen hundred years before the giving of the law, by the mouth of noah, the medium of the holy ghost.") no others, at least, were to be enslaved "forever." every book of the old testament records a history in which slaves and god's laws concerning them are spoken of, while, as far as profane history goes back, we cannot fail to see proofs of the existence of slavery. "no legislator of history," says voltaire, "attempted to abrogate slavery. society was so accustomed to this degradation of the species, that epictetus, who was assuredly worth more than his master, never expresses any surprise at his being a slave." egypt, sparta, athens, carthage, and rome had their thousands of slaves. in the bible, the best and chosen servants of god owned slaves, while in profane history the purest and greatest men did the same. in the very nation over whose devoted head hung the curse of god, slavery, vindictive, lawless, and cruel slavery, has prevailed. it is said no nation of the earth has equalled the jewish in the enslaving of negroes, except the negroes themselves; and examination will prove that the descendants of ham and canaan have, as god foresaw, justified by their conduct the doom which he pronounced against them. but it has been contended that the people of god sinned in holding their fellow-creatures in bondage! open your bible, christian, and read the commands of god as regards slavery--the laws that he made to govern the conduct of the master and the slave! but again--_we_ live under the glorious and new dispensation of christ; and he came to establish god's will, and to confirm such laws as were to continue in existence, to destroy such rules as were not to govern our lives! when there was but one family upon the earth, a portion of the family was devoted to be slaves to others. god made a covenant with abraham: he included in it his slaves. "he that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money," are the words of scripture. a servant of abraham says, "and the lord has blessed my master greatly, and he is become great, and he hath given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and men-servants and maid-servants, and camels and asses." the lord has called himself the god of abraham and isaac and jacob. these holy men were slaveholders! the existence of slavery then, and the sanction of god on his own institution, is palpable from the time of the pronouncing of the curse, until the glorious advent of the son of god. when he came, slavery existed in every part of the world. jesus christ, the son of god, came from heaven and dwelt upon the earth: his mission to proclaim the will of god to a world sunk in the lowest depths of iniquity. even the dear and chosen people of god had departed from him--had forsaken his worship, and turned aside from his commands. he was born of a virgin. he was called emmanuel. he was god with us. wise men traveled from afar to behold the child-god--they knelt before him--they opened their treasures--they presented to them gifts. angels of god descended in dreams, to ensure the protection of his life against the king who sought it. he emerged from infancy, and grew in favour with god and man. he was tempted but not overcome--angels came again from heaven to minister to him. he fulfilled every jot and tittle of the law, and entered upon the duties for which he left the glories of heaven. that mission was fulfilled. "the people which sat in darkness saw great light, and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." look at his miracles--the cleansing of the leper, the healing of the sick, the casting out unclean spirits, the raising of the dead, the rebuking of the winds and seas, the control of those possessed with devils--and say, was he not the son of god--yea, was he not god? full of power and goodness he came into the world, and light and glory followed every footstep. the sound of his voice, the glance of his eye, the very touch of the garment in which his assumed mortality was arrayed, was a medicine mighty to save. he came on an errand of mercy to the world, and he was all powerful to accomplish the divine intent; but, did he emancipate the slave? the happiness of the human race was the object of his coming; and is it possible that the large portion of them then slaves could have escaped his all-seeing eye! did he condemn the institution which he had made? did he establish universal freedom? oh! no; he came to redeem the world from the power of sin; his was no earthly mission; he did not interfere with the organization of society. he healed the sick servant of the centurion, but he did not command his freedom; nor is there a word that fell from his sacred lips that could be construed into a condemnation of that institution which had existed from the early ages of the world, existed then, and is continued now. the application made by the abolitionist of the golden rule is absurd: it might then apply to the child, who _would have_ his father no longer control him; to the apprentice, who _would_ no longer that the man to whom he is bound should have a right to direct him. thus the foundations of society would be shaken, nay, destroyed. christ would have us deal with others, not as they desire, but as the law of god demands: in the condition of life in which we have been placed, we must do what we conscientiously believe to be our duty to our fellow-men. christ alludes to slavery, but does not forbid it. "and the servant abideth not in the house forever, but the son abideth ever. if the son therefore shall make you free, you are free indeed." in these two verses of the gospel of st. john, there is a manifest allusion to the fact and condition of slaves. of this fact the saviour took occasion, to illustrate, by way of similitude, the condition of a wicked man, who is the slave of sin, and to show that as a son who was the heir in a house _could_ set a bondman free, if that son were of the proper age, so he, the son of god, could set the enslaved soul free from sin, when he would be "free indeed." show me in the history of the old testament, or in the life of christ, authority to proclaim _as a sin_ the holding of the race of ham and canaan in bondage. in the times of the apostles, what do we see? slaves are still in bondage, the children of ham are menials as they were before. christ had come, had died, had ascended to heaven, and slavery still existed. had the apostles authority to do it away? had christ left it to them to carry out, in this instance, his revealed will? "art thou," said paul, "called being a slave? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. let every man abide in the same calling wherein he is called." "let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of god and his doctrines be not blasphemed. and they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren, but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit." it is well known and often quoted that the holy apostle did all he could to restore a slave to his master--one whom he had been the means of making free in a spiritual sense. yet he knew that god had made onesimus a slave, and, when he had fled from his master, paul persuaded him to return and to do his duty toward him. open your bible, christian, and carefully read the letter of paul to philemon, and contrast its spirit with the incendiary publications of the abolitionists of the present day. st. paul was not a fanatic, and therefore _could not be_ an abolitionist. the christian age advanced and slavery continued, and we approach the time when our fathers fled from persecution to the soil we now call our own, when they fought for the liberty to which they felt they had a right. our fathers fought for it, and our mothers did more when they urged forth their husbands and sons, not knowing whether the life-blood that was glowing with religion and patriotism would not soon be dyeing the land that had been their refuge, and where they fondly hoped they should find a happy home. oh, glorious parentage! children of america, trace no farther back--say not the crest of nobility once adorned thy father's breast, the gemmed coronet thy mother's brow--stop here! it is enough that they earned for thee a home--a free, a happy home. and what did they say to the slavery that existed then and had been entailed upon them by the english government? their opinions are preserved among us--they were dictated by their position and necessities--and they were wisely formed. in the north, slavery was useless; nay, more, it was a drawback to the prosperity of that section of the union--it was dispensed with. in other sections, gradually, our people have seen their condition would be more prosperous without slaves--they have emancipated them. in the south, they are necessary: though an evil, it is one that cannot be dispensed with; and here they have been retained, and will be retained, unless god should manifest his will (which never yet has been done) to the contrary. knowing that the people of the south still have the views of their revolutionary forefathers, we see plainly that many of the north have rejected the opinions of theirs. slaves were at the north and south considered and recognized as property, (as they are in scripture.) the whole nation sanctioned slavery by adopting the constitution which provides for them, and for their restoration (when fugitive) to their owners. our country was then like one family--their souls had been tried and made pure by a united struggle--they loved as brothers who had suffered together. would it were so at the present day! the subject of slavery was agitated among them; many difficulties occurred, but they were all settled--and, they thought, effectually. they agreed then, on the propriety of giving up runaway slaves, unanimously. mr. sherman, of connecticut, "saw no more impropriety in the public seizing and surrendering a slave or servant than a horse!" (madison's papers.) this was then considered a compromise between the north and south. henry clay and daniel webster--the mantle of their illustrious fathers descended to them from their own glorious times. the slave-trade was discontinued after a while. as long as england needed the sons and daughters of africa to do her bidding, she trafficked in the flesh and blood of her fellow-creatures; but our immortal fathers put an end to the disgraceful trade. they saw its heinous sin, for they had no command to enslave the heathen; but they had no command to emancipate the slave; therefore they wisely forbore farther to interfere. they drew the nice line of distinction between an unavoidable evil and a sin. slavery was acknowledged, and slaves considered as property all over our country, at the north as well as the south--in pennsylvania, new york, and new jersey. now, has there been any law reversing this, except in the states that have become free? out of the limits of these states, slaves are property, according to the constitution. in the year 1798, judge jay, being called on for a list of his taxable property, made the following observation:--"i purchase slaves and manumit them at proper ages, when their faithful services shall have afforded a reasonable retribution." "as free servants became more common, he was gradually relieved from the necessity of purchasing slaves." (see jay's life, by his son.) here is the secret of northern emancipation: they were _relieved from the necessity_ of slavery. rufus king, for many years one of the most distinguished statesmen of the country, writes thus to john b. coles and others:--"i am perfectly anxious not to be misunderstood in this case, never having thought myself at liberty to encourage or assent to any measure that would affect the security of property in slaves, or tend to disturb the political adjustment which the constitution has made respecting them." john taylor, of new york, said, "if the weight and influence of the south be increased by the representation of that which they consider a part of their property, we do not wish to diminish them. the right by which this property is held is derived from the federal constitution; we have neither inclination nor power to interfere with the laws of existing states in this particular; on the contrary, they have not only a right to reclaim their fugitives whenever found, but, in the event of domestic violence, (which god in his mercy forever avert!) the whole strength of the nation is bound to be exerted, if needful, in reducing it to subjection, while we recognize these obligations and will never fail to perform them." how many more could be brought! opinions of great and good men of the north, acknowledging and maintaining the rights of the people of the south. everett, adams, cambreleng, and a host of others, whose names i need not give. "time was," said mr. fletcher in boston, (in 1835, at a great meeting in that city,) "when such sentiments and such language would not have been breathed in this community. and here, on this hallowed spot, of all places on earth, should they be met and rebuked. time was, when the british parliament having declared 'that they had a right to bind us in all cases whatsoever,' and were attempting to bind our infant limbs in fetters, when a voice of resistance and notes of defiance had gone forth from this hall, then, when massachusetts, standing for her liberty and life, was alone breasting the whole power of britain, the generous and gallant southerners came to our aid, and our fathers refused not to hold communion with slaveholders. when the blood of our citizens, shed by a british soldiery, had stained our streets and flowed upon the heights that surround us, and sunk into the earth upon the plains of lexington and concord, then when he, whose name can never be pronounced by american lips without the strongest emotion of gratitude and love to every american heart,--when he, that slaveholder, (pointing to a full-length portrait of washington,) who, from this canvass, smiles upon his children with paternal benignity, came with other slaveholders to drive the british myrmidons from this city, and in this hall our fathers did not refuse to hold communion with them. "with slaveholders they formed the confederation, neither asking nor receiving any right to interfere in their domestic relations: with them, they made the declaration of independence." to england, not to the united states, belongs whatever odium may be attached to the introduction of slavery into our country. our fathers abolished the slave-trade, but permitted the continuation of domestic slavery. slavery, authorized by god, permitted by jesus christ, sanctioned by the apostles, maintained by good men of all ages, is still existing in a portion of our beloved country. how long it will continue, or whether it will ever cease, the almighty ruler of the universe can alone determine. i do not intend to give a history of abolition. born in fanaticism, nurtured in violence and disorder, it exists too. turning aside the institutions and commands of god, treading under foot the love of country, despising the laws of nature and the nation, it is dead to every feeling of patriotism and brotherly kindness; full of strife and pride, strewing the path of the slave with thorns and of the master with difficulties, accomplishing nothing good, forever creating disturbance. the negroes are still slaves--"while the american slaveholders, collectively and individually, ask no favours of any man or race that treads the earth. in none of the attributes of men, mental or physical, do they acknowledge or fear superiority elsewhere. they stand in the broadest light of the knowledge, civilization, and improvement of the age, as much favored of heaven as any other of the sons of adam." aunt phillis's cabin. chapter i. there would be little to strike the eye of a traveler accustomed to picturesque scenes, on approaching the small town of l----. like most of the settlements in virginia, the irregularity of the streets and the want of similarity in the houses would give an unfavorable first impression. the old episcopal church, standing at the entrance of the town, could not fail to be attractive from its appearance of age; but from this alone. no monuments adorn the churchyard; head-stones of all sizes meet the eye, some worn and leaning against a shrub or tree for support, others new and white, and glistening in the sunset. several family vaults, unpretending in their appearance, are perceived on a closer scrutiny, to which the plants usually found in burial-grounds are clinging, shadowed too by large trees. the walls where they are visible are worn and discolored, but they are almost covered with ivy, clad in summer's deepest green. many a stranger stopped his horse in passing by to wonder at its look of other days; and some, it may be, to wish they were sleeping in the shades of its mouldering walls. the slight eminence on which the church was built, commanded a view of the residences of several gentlemen of fortune who lived in the neighborhood. to the nearest one, a gentleman on horseback was directing his way. the horse required no direction, in truth, for so accustomed was he to the ride to exeter, and to the good fare he enjoyed on arriving there, that neither whip nor spur was necessary; he traced the familiar road with evident pleasure. the house at exeter was irregularly built; but the white stone wings and the look-out over the main building gave an appearance of taste to the mansion. the fine old trees intercepted the view, though adding greatly to its beauty. the porter's lodge, and the wide lawn entered by its open gates, the gardens at either side of the building, and the neatness and good condition of the out-houses, all showed a prosperous state of affairs with the owner. soon the large porch with its green blinds, and the sweetbrier entwining them, came in view, and the family party that occupied it were discernible. before mr. barbour had reached the point for alighting from his horse, a servant stood in readiness to take charge of him, and alice weston emerged from her hiding-place among the roses, with her usual sweet words of welcome. mr. weston, the owner of the mansion and its adjoining plantation, arose with a dignified but cordial greeting; and mrs. weston, his sister-in-law, and miss janet, united with him in his kind reception of a valued guest and friend. mr. weston was a widower, with an only son; the young gentleman was at this time at yale college. he had been absent for three years; and so anxious was he to graduate with honor, that he had chosen not to return to virginia until his course of study should be completed. the family had visited him during the first year of his exile, as he called it, but it had now been two years since he had seen any member of it. there was an engagement between him and his cousin, though alice was but fifteen when it was formed. they had been associated from the earliest period of their lives, and arthur declared that should he return home on a visit, he would not be able to break away from its happiness to the routine of a college life: he yielded therefore to the earnest entreaties of his father, to remain at new haven until he graduated. mr. weston will stand for a specimen of the southern gentleman of the old school. the bland and cheerful expression of his countenance, the arrangement of his soft fine hair, the fineness of the texture and the perfect cleanliness of every part of his dress, the plaiting of his old-fashioned shirt ruffles, the whiteness of his hand, and the sound of his clear, well-modulated voice--in fact, every item of his appearance--won the good opinion of a stranger; while the feelings of his heart and his steady course of christian life, made him honored and reverenced as he deserved. he possessed that requisite to the character of a true gentleman, a kind and charitable heart. none of the present members of his family had any lawful claim upon him, yet he cherished them with the utmost affection. he requested his brother's widow, on the death of his own wife, to assume the charge of his house; and she was in every respect its mistress. alice was necessary to his happiness, almost to his existence; she was the very rose in his garden of life. he had never had a sister, and he regarded alice as a legacy from his only brother, to whom he had been most tenderly attached: had she been uninteresting, she would still have been very dear to him; but her beauty and her many graces of appearance and character drew closely together the bonds of love between them; alice returning, with the utmost warmth, her uncle's affection. mrs. weston was unlike her daughter in appearance, alice resembling her father's family. her dark, fine eyes were still full of the fire that had beamed from them in youth; there were strongly-marked lines about her mouth, and her face when in repose bore traces of the warfare of past years. the heart has a writing of its own, and we can see it on the countenance; time has no power to obliterate it, but generally deepens the expression. there was at times too a sternness in her voice and manner, yet it left no unpleasant impression; her general refinement, and her fine sense and education made her society always desirable. cousin janet, as she was called by them all, was a dependant and distant relation; a friend faithful and unfailing; a bright example of all that is holy and good in the christian character. she assisted mrs. weston greatly in the many cares that devolved on the mistress of a plantation, especially in instructing the young female servants in knitting and sewing, and in such household duties as would make them useful in that state of life in which it had pleased god to place them. her heart was full of love to all god's creatures; the servants came to her with their little ailings and grievances, and she had always a soothing remedy--some little specific for a bodily sickness, with a word of advice and kindness, and, if the case required it, of gentle reproof for complaints of another nature. cousin janet was an old maid, yet many an orphan and friendless child had shed tears upon her bosom; some, whose hands she had folded together in prayer as they knelt beside her, learning from her lips a child's simple petition, had long ago laid down to sleep for ever; some are living still, surrounded by the halo of their good influence. there was one, of whom we shall speak by-and-by, who was to her a source of great anxiety, and the constant subject of her thoughts and fervent prayers. many years had gone by since she had accepted mr. weston's earnest entreaty to make exeter her home; and although the bread she eat was that of charity, yet she brought a blessing upon the house that sheltered her, by her presence: she was one of the chosen ones of the lord. even in this day, it is possible to entertain an angel unawares. she is before you, reader, in all the dignity of old age, of a long life drawing to a close; still to the last, she works while it is yet day! with her dove-colored dress, and her muslin three-cornered handkerchief, pinned precisely at the waist and over her bosom, with her eyes sunken and dim, but expressive, with the wrinkles so many and so deep, and the thin, white folds of her satin-looking hair parted under her cap; with her silver knitting-sheath attached to her side, and her needles in ever busy hands, cousin janet would perhaps first arrest the attention of a stranger, in spite of the glowing cheek and golden curls that were contrasting with her. it was the beauty of old age and youth, side by side. alice's face in its full perfection did not mar the loveliness of hers; the violet eyes of the one, with their long sweep of eyelash, could not eclipse the mild but deep expression of the other. the rich burden of glossy hair was lovely, but so were the white locks; and the slight but rounded form was only compared in its youthful grace to the almost shadowy dignity of old age. it was just sundown, but the servants were all at home after their day's work, and they too were enjoying the pleasant evening time. some were seated at the door of their cabins, others lounging on the grass, all at ease, and without care. many of their comfortable cabins had been recently whitewashed, and were adorned with little gardens in front; over the one nearest the house a multiflora rose was creeping in full bloom. singularly musical voices were heard at intervals, singing snatches of songs, of a style in which the servants of the south especially delight; and not unfrequently, as the full chorus was shouted by a number, their still more peculiar laugh was heard above it all. mr. barbour had recently returned from a pleasure tour in our northern states, had been absent for two months, and felt that he had not in as long a time witnessed such a scene of real enjoyment. he thought it would have softened the heart of the sternest hater of southern institutions to have been a spectator here; it might possibly have inclined him to think the sun of his creator's beneficence shines over every part of our favored land. "take a seat, my dear sir," mr. weston said, "in our sweetbrier house, as alice calls it; the evening would lose half its beauty to us, if we were within." "alice is always right," said mr. barbour, "in every thing she says and does, and so i will occupy this arm-chair that i know she placed here for me. dear me! what a glorious evening! those distant peaks of the blue ridge look bluer than i ever saw them before." "ah! you are glad to tread virginia soil once more, that is evident enough," said mr. weston. "there is no danger of your getting tired of your native state again." "who says i was ever tired of her? i challenge you to prove your insinuation. i wanted to see this great new england, the 'great norrurd,' as bacchus calls it, and i have seen it; i have enjoyed seeing it, too; and now i am glad to be at home again." "here comes uncle bacchus now, mr. barbour," said alice; "do look at him walk. is he not a curiosity? he has as much pretension in his manner as if he were really doing us a favor in paying us a visit." "the old scamp," said mr. barbour, "he has a frolic in view; he wants to go off to-morrow either to a campmeeting, or a barbecue. he looks as if he were hooked together, and could be taken apart limb by limb." bacchus had commenced bowing some time before he reached the piazza, but on ascending the steps he made a particularly low bow to his master, and then in the same manner, though with much less reverence, paid his respects to the others. "well, bacchus?" said mr. weston. "how is yer health dis evenin, master? you aint been so well latterly. we'll soon have green corn though, and that helps dispepsy wonderful." "it may be good for dyspepsia, bacchus," said mr. weston, "but it sometimes gives old people cholera morbus, when they eat it raw; so i advise you to remember last year's experience, and roast it before you eat it." "i shall, indeed," replied bacchus; "'twas an awful time i had last summer. my blessed grief! but i thought my time was done come. but de lord was mighty good to me, he brought me up again--miss janet's physic done me more good though than any thing, only it put me to sleep, and i never slept so much in my born days." "you were always something of a sleeper, i am told, bacchus," said cousin janet; "though i have no doubt the laudanum had that effect; you must be more prudent; old people cannot take such liberties with themselves." "lor, miss janet, i aint so mighty ole now; besure i aint no chicken nother; but thar's aunt peggy; she's what i call a raal ole nigger; she's an african. miss alice, aint she never told you bout de time she seed an elerphant drink a river dry?" "yes," said alice, "but she dreamed that." "no, miss, she actually seed it wid her own eyes. they's mighty weak and dim now, but she could see out of 'em once, i tell ye. it's hot nuff here sometimes, but aunt peggy says it's winter to what 'tis in guinea, whar she was raised till she was a big gall. one day when de sun was mighty strong, she seed an elerphant a comin along. she runned fast enough, she had no 'casion to grease her heels wid quicksilver; she went mighty fast, no doubt; she didn't want dat great beast's hoof in her wool. you and me seed an elerphant de time we was in washington, long wid master, miss alice, and i thought 'bout aunt peggy that time. 'twas a _'nageree_ we went to. you know i held you in my arms over de people's heads to see de monkeys ride. "well, aunt peggy say she runned till she couldn't run no longer, so she clumb a great tree, and sat in de branches and watched him. he made straight for de river, and he kicked up de sand wid his hoofs, as he went along, till he come to de bank; den he begins to drink, and he drinks, i tell you. aunt peggy say every swaller he took was least a gallon, and he drunk all dat blessed mornin. after a while she seed de water gitting very low, and last he gits enuff. he must a got his thirst squinched by dat time. so aunt peggy, she waded cross de river, when de elephant had went, and two days arter dat, de river was clean gone, bare as my hand. master," continued bacchus, "i has a great favor to ax of you." "barbecue or campmeeting, bacchus?" said mr. barbour. "if you please, master," said he, addressing mr. weston, but at the same time giving an imploring look to mr. barbour, "to 'low me to go way to-morrow and wait at de barbecue. mr. semmes, he wants me mightily; he says he'll give me a dollar a day if i goes. i'll sure and be home agin in the evenin." "i am afraid to give you permission," said mr. weston; "this habit of drinking, that is growing upon you, is a disgrace to your old age. you remember you were picked up and brought home in a cart from campmeeting this summer, and i am surprised that you should so soon ask a favor of me." "i feels mighty shamed o' that, sir," said bacchus, "but i hope you will 'scuse it. niggers aint like white people, no how; they can't 'sist temptation. i've repented wid tears for dat business, and 'twont happen agin, if it please the lord not to lead me into temptation." "you led yourself into temptation," said mr. weston; "you took pains to cross two or three fences, and to go round by norris's tavern, when, if you had chosen, you could have come home by the other road." "true as gospel, ma'am," said bacchus, "i don't deny de furst word of it; the lord forgive me for backsliding; but master's mighty good to us, and if he'll overlook that little misfortune of mine, it shan't happen agin." "you call it a misfortune, do you, bacchus?" said mr. barbour; "why, it seems to me such a great christian as you are, would have given the right name to it, and called it a sin. i am told you are turned preacher?" "no, sir," said bacchus, "i aint no preacher, i warn't called to be; i leads in prayer sometimes, and in general i rises de tunes." "well, i suppose i can't refuse you," said mr. weston; "but come home sober, or ask no more permissions." "god bless you, master; don't be afeard: you'll see you can trust me. i aint gwine to disgrace our family no more. i has to have a little change sometimes, for miss janet knows my wife keeps me mighty straight at home. she 'lows me no privileges, and if i didn't go off sometimes for a little fun, i shouldn't have no health, nor sperrets nother." "you wouldn't have any sperrits, that's certain," said alice, laughing; "i should like to see a bottle of whisky in aunt phillis's cabin." bacchus laughed outright, infinitely overcome at the suggestion. "my blessed grief! miss alice," said he, "she'd make me eat de bottle, chaw up all de glass, swaller it arter dat. i aint ever tried dat yet--best not to, i reckon. no, master, i intends to keep sober from this time forrurd, till young master comes back; _den_ i shall git high, spite of phillis, and 'scuse me, sir, spite of de devil hisself. when is he comin, any how, sir?" "next year, i hope, bacchus," said mr. weston. "long time, sir," said bacchus; "like as not he'll never see old aunt peggy agin. she's failin, sir, you can see by de way she sets in de sun all day, wid a long switch in her hand, trying to hit de little niggers as dey go by. sure sign she's gwine home. if she wasn't altogether wore out, she'd be at somefin better. she's sarved her time cookin and bakin, and she's gwine to a country whar there's no 'casion to cook any more. she's a good old soul, but wonderful cross sometimes." "she has been an honest, hard-working, and faithful servant, and a sober one too," said mr. weston. "i understand, sir," said bacchus, humbly; "but don't give yourself no oneasiness about me! i shall be home to-morrow night, ready to jine in at prayers." "very well--that will do, bacchus," said mr. weston, who felt anxious to enjoy the society of his friend. "good evenin to you all," said bacchus, retreating with many bows. we will see how bacchus kept his word, and for the present leave mr. weston to discuss the subjects of the day with his guest; while the ladies paid a visit to aunt peggy, and listened to her complaints of "the flies and the little niggers," and the thousand and one ailings that belong to the age of ninety years. chapter ii. "you rode too far this afternoon, alice, you seem to be very tired," said mr. weston. "no, dear uncle, i am not fatigued; the wind was cold, and it makes me feel stupid." "why did not walter come in?" asked mr. weston. "i saw him returning with you by the old road." "he said he had an engagement this evening," replied alice, as she raised her head from her uncle's shoulder. "poor walter!" said cousin janet; "with the education and habits of a gentleman, he is to be pitied that it is only as a favor he is received, among those with whom he may justly consider himself on an equality." "but is not walter our equal?" asked alice. cousin janet held her knitting close to her eyes to look for a dropped stitch, while mr. weston replied for her: "my love, you know, probably, that walter is not an equal by right of birth to those whose parents held a fair and honorable position in society. his father, a man of rare talents, of fascinating appearance, and winning address, was the ruin of all connected with him. (even his mother, broken-hearted by his career of extravagance and dissipation, found rest in the termination of a life that had known no rest.) his first wife, (not walter's mother,) a most interesting woman, was divorced from him by an unjust decision of the law, for after her death circumstances transpired that clearly proved her innocence. walter's mother was not married, as far as is known; though some believe she was, and that she concealed it in consequence of the wishes and threats of mr. lee, who was ashamed to own the daughter of a tradesman for his wife." "but all this is not walter's fault, uncle," said alice. "assuredly not; but there is something due to our long established opinions. walter should go to a new country, where these things are not known, and where his education and talents would advance him. here they are too fresh in the memory of many. yet do i feel most kindly towards him, though he rather repels the interest we take in him by his haughty coldness of manner. the attachment between him and my son from their infancy draws me towards him. arthur writes, though, that his letters are very reserved and not frequent. what can be the meaning of it?" "there was always a want of candor and generosity in walter's disposition," remarked alice's mother. "you never liked him, anna," said mr. weston; "why was it?" "arthur and walter contrast so strongly," answered mrs. weston. "arthur was always perfectly honest and straight-forward, even as a little child; though quiet in his way of showing it, he is so affectionate in his disposition. walter is passionate and fickle, condescending to those he loves, but treating with a proud indifference every one else. i wonder he does not go abroad, he has the command of his fortune now, and here he can never be happily situated; no woman of delicacy would ever think of marrying him with that stain on his birth." "how beautiful his mother was, cousin janet!" said mr. weston. "i have never seen more grace and refinement. i often look at walter, and recall her, with her beautiful brown hair and blue eyes. how short her course was, too! i think she died at eighteen." "do tell me about her, uncle," said alice. "cousin janet can, better than i, my darling. have you never told alice her history, cousin?" "no, it is almost too sad a tale for alice's ear, and there is something holy, in my mind, in the recollection of the sorrows of that young person. i believe she was a wife, though an unacknowledged one. if the grave would give up its secrets--but it will, it will--the time will come for justice to all, even to poor ellen haywood. "that young creature was worse than an orphan, for her father, thriving in business at one time, became dissipated and reckless. ellen's time was her own; and after her mother's death her will was uncontrolled. her education was not good enough to give her a taste for self-improvement. she had a fine mind, though, and the strictest sense of propriety and dignity. her remarkable beauty drew towards her the attention of the young men of her own class, as well as those of good family; but she was always prudent. poor girl! knowing she was motherless and friendless, i tried to win her regard; i asked her to come to the house, with some other young girls of the neighborhood, to study the bible under my poor teachings; but she declined, and i afterwards went to see her, hoping to persuade her to come. i found her pale and delicate, and much dispirited. thanking me most earnestly, she begged me to excuse her, saying she rarely went out, on account of her father's habits, fearing something might occur during her absence from home. i was surprised to find her so depressed, yet i do not remember ever to have seen any thing like guilt, in all the interviews with her, from that hour until her death. "ellen's father died; but not before many had spoken lightly of his daughter. mr. lee was constantly at the house; and what but ellen's beauty could take him there! no one was without a prejudice against mr. lee, and i have often wondered that ellen could have overlooked what every one knew, the treatment his wife had received. you will think," continued cousin janet, "that it is because i am an old maid, and am full of notions, that i cannot imagine how a woman can love a man who has been divorced from his wife. i, who have never loved as the novelists say, have the most exalted ideas of marriage. it is in scripture, the type of christ's love to the church. life is so full of cares; there is something holy in the thought of one heart being privileged to rest its burden on another. but how can that man be loved who has put away his wife from him, because he is tired of her? for this is the meaning of the usual excuses--incompatibility of temper, and the like. yet ellen did love him, with a love passing description; she forgot his faults and her own position; she loved as i would never again wish to see a friend of mine love any creature of the earth. "time passed, and ellen was despised. mr. lee left abruptly for europe, and i heard that this poor young woman was about to become a mother. i knew she was alone in the world, and i knew my duty too. i went to her, and i thank him who inclined me to seek this wandering lamb of his fold, and to be (it may be) the means of leading her back to his loving care and protection. i often saw her during the last few weeks of her life, and she was usually alone; aunt lucy, her mother's servant, and her own nurse when an infant, being the only other occupant of her small cottage. "speaking of her, brings back, vividly as if it happened yesterday, the scene with which her young life closed. lucy sent for me, as i had charged her, but the messenger delayed, and in consequence, ellen had been some hours sick when i arrived. oh! how lovely her face appears to my memory, as i recall her. she was in no pain at the moment i entered; her head was supported by pillows, and her brown hair fell over them and over her neck. her eyes were bright as an angel's, her cheeks flushed to a crimson color, and her white, beautiful hand grasped a cane which dr. lawton had just placed there, hoping to relieve some of her symptoms by bleeding. lucy stood by, full of anxiety and affection, for this faithful servant loved her as she loved her own life. my heart reproached me for my unintentional neglect, but i was in a moment by her side, supporting her head upon my breast. "it is like a dream, that long night of agony. the patience of ellen, the kindness of her physician, and the devotion of her old nurse--i thought that only a wife could have endured as she did. "before this, ellen had told me her wishes as regards her child, persuaded that, if it should live, she should not survive its birth to take care of it. she entreated me to befriend it in the helpless time of infancy, and then to appeal to its father in its behalf. i promised her to do so, always chiding her for not hoping and trusting. 'ellen,' i would say, 'life is a blessing as long as god gives it, and it is our duty to consider it so.' "'yes, miss janet, but if god give me a better life, shall i not esteem it a greater blessing? i have not deserved shame and reproach, and i cannot live under it. right glad and happy am i, that a few sods of earth will soon cover all.' "such remarks as these," continued cousin janet, "convinced me that there was grief, but not guilt, on ellen's breast, and for her own sake, i hoped that she would so explain to me her past history, that i should have it in my power to clear her reputation. but she never did. truly, 'she died and made no sign,' and it is reserved to a future day to do her justice. "i said she died. that last night wore on, and no word of impatience or complaint escaped her lips. the agony of death found her quiet and composed. night advanced, and the gray morning twilight fell on those features, no longer flushed and excited. severe faintings had come on, and the purple line under the blue eyes heralded the approach of death. her luxuriant hair lay in damp masses about her; her white arms were cold, and the moisture of death was gathering there too. 'oh! miss ellen,' cried old lucy, 'you will be better soon--bear up a little longer.' "'ellen dear,' i said, 'try and keep up.' but who can give life and strength save one?--and he was calling to her everlasting rest the poor young sufferer. "'miss ellen,' again cried lucy, 'you have a son; speak to me, my darling;' but, like rachel of old, she could not be thus revived, 'her soul was in departing.' "lucy bore away the child from the chamber of death, and i closed her white eyelids, and laid her hands upon her breast. beautiful was she in death: she had done with pain and tears forever. "i never can forget," continued cousin janet, after a pause of a few moments, "lucy's grief. she wept unceasingly by ellen's side, and it was impossible to arouse her to a care for her own health, or to an interest in what was passing around. on the day that ellen was to be buried, i went to the room where she lay prepared for her last long sleep. death had laid a light touch on her fair face. the sweet white brow round which her hair waved as it had in life--the slightly parted lips--the expression of repose, not only in the countenance, but in the attitude in which her old nurse had laid her, seemed to indicate an awakening to the duties of life. but there was the coffin and the shroud, and there sat lucy, her eyes heavy with weeping, and her frame feeble from long fasting, and indulgence of bitter, hopeless grief. "it was in the winter, and a severe snow-storm, an unusual occurrence with us, had swept the country for several days; but on this morning the wind and clouds had gone together, and the sun was lighting up the hills and river, and the crystals of snow were glistening on the evergreens that stood in front of the cottage door. one ray intruded through the shutter into the darkened room, and rested on a ring, which i had never observed before, on ellen's left hand. it was on the third finger, and its appearance there was so unexpected to me, that for a moment my strength forsook me, and i leaned against the table on which the coffin rested, for support. "'lucy,' i said, 'when was that placed there?' "'i put it there, ma'am.' "'but what induced you?' "'she told me to do so, ma'am. a few days before she was taken sick, she called me and took from her bureau-drawer, that ring. the ring was in a small box. she was very pale when she spoke--she looked more like death than she does now, ma'am. i know'd she wasn't able to stand, and i said, 'sit down, honey, and then tell me what you want me to do.' "'mammy,' said she, 'you've had a world of trouble with me, and you've had trouble of your own all your life; but i am not going to give you much more--i shall soon be where trouble cannot come.' "'don't talk that way, child,' said i, 'you will get through with this, and then you will have something to love and to care for, that will make you happy again.' "'never in this world,' said she; 'but mammy, i have one favor more to ask of you--and you must promise me to do it.' "'what is it, miss ellen?' said i, 'you know i would die for you if 'twould do you any good.' "'it is this,' she said, speaking very slowly, and in a low tone, 'when i am dead, mammy, when you are all by yourself, for i am sure you will stay by me to the last, i want you to put this ring on the third finger of my left hand--will you remember?--on the third finger of my left hand.' she said it over twice, ma'am, and she was whiter than that rose that lays on her poor breast.' "'miss ellen,' says i, 'as sure as there's a god in heaven you are mr. lee's wife, and why don't you say so, and stand up for yourself? don't you see how people sneer at you when they see you?' "'yes, but don't say any more. it will soon be over. i made a promise, and i will keep it; god will do me justice when he sees fit.' "'but, miss ellen,' says i, 'for the sake of the child'-"'hush! mammy, that is the worst of all; but i will trust in him. it's a dreadful sin to love as i have, but god has punished me. do you remember, dear mammy, when i was a child, how tired i would get, chasing butterflies while the day lasted, and when night came, how i used to spring, and try to catch the lightning-bugs that were flying around me--and you used to beg me to come in and rest or go to bed, but i would not until i could no longer stand; then i laid myself on your breast and forgot all my weariness? so it is with me now; i have had my own way, and i have suffered, and have no more strength to spend; i will lie down in the grave, and sleep where no one will reproach me. promise me you will do what i ask you, and i will die contented.' "'i promised her, ma'am, and i have done it.' "'it is very strange, lucy,' said i, 'there seems to have been a mysterious reason why she would not clear herself; but it is of no use to try and unravel the mystery. she has no friends left to care about it; we can only do as she said, leave all to god.' "'ah ma'am,' said lucy, 'what shall i do now she is gone? i have got no friend left; if i could only die too--lord have mercy upon me.' "'you have still a friend, lucy,' i said. 'one that well deserves the name of friend. you must seek him out, and make a friend of him. jesus christ is the friend of the poor and desolate. have you no children, lucy?' "'god only knows, ma'am.' "'what do you mean?' i said. 'are they all dead?' "'they are gone, ma'am--all sold. i ain't seen one of them for twenty years. days have come and gone, and nights have come and gone, but day and night is all the same to me. you did not hear, may be, for grand folks don't often hear of the troubles of the poor slave--that one day i had seven children with me, and the next they were all sold; taken off, and i did not even see them, to bid them good-by. my master sent me, with my mistress to the country, where her father lived, (for she was sickly, and he said it would do her good,) and when we came back there was no child to meet me. i have cried, ma'am, enough for miss ellen, but i never shed a tear for my own.' "'but what induced him, lucy, to do such a wicked thing?' "'money, ma'am, and drinking, and the devil. he did not leave me one. my five boys, and my two girls, all went at once. my oldest daughter, ma'am, i was proud of her, for she was a handsome girl, and light-colored too--she went, and the little one, ma'am. my heart died in me. i hated him. i used to dream i had killed him, and i would laugh out in my sleep, but i couldn't murder him on her account. my mistress, she cried day and night, and called him cruel, and she would say, 'lucy, i'd have died before i would have done it.' i couldn't murder him, ma'am, 'twas my mistress held me back.' "'no, lucy,' said i, ''twas not your mistress, it was the lord; and thank him that you are not a murderer. did you ever think of the consequences of such an act?' "'lor, ma'am, do you think i cared for that? i wasn't afraid of hanging.' "'i did not mean that, lucy. i meant, did you not fear his power, who could not only kill your body, but destroy your soul in hell?' "'i didn't think of any thing, for a long time. my mistress got worse after that, and i nursed her until she died; poor miss ellen was a baby, and i had her too. when master died i thought it was no use for me to wish him ill, for the hand of the lord was heavy on him, for true. 'lucy,' he said, 'you are a kind nurse to me, though i sold your children, but i've had no rest since.' i couldn't make him feel worse, ma'am, for he was going to his account with all his sins upon him.' "'this is the first time lucy,' i said, 'that i have ever known children to be sold away from their mother, and i look upon the crime with as great a horror as you do.' "'its the only time i ever knowed it, ma'am, and everybody pitied me, and many a kind thing was said to me, and many a hard word was said of him; true enough, but better be forgotten, as he is in his grave.' "some persons now entered, and lucy became absorbed in her present grief; her old frame shook as with a tempest, when the fair face was hid from her sight. there were few mourners; cousin weston and i followed her to the grave. i believe ellen was as pure as the white lilies lucy planted at her head." "did lucy ever hear of her children?" asked alice. "no, my darling, she died soon after ellen. she was quite an old woman, and had never been strong." "uncle," said alice, "i did not think any one could be so inhuman as to separate mother and children." "it is the worst feature in slavery," replied mr. weston, "and the state should provide laws to prevent it; but such a circumstance is very uncommon. haywood, ellen's father, was a notoriously bad man, and after this wicked act was held in utter abhorrence in the neighborhood. it is the interest of a master to make his slaves happy, even were he not actuated by better motives. slavery is an institution of our country; and while we are privileged to maintain our rights, we should make them comfortable here, and fit them for happiness hereafter." "did you bring lucy home with you, cousin janet?" asked alice. "yes, my love, and little walter too. he was a dear baby--now he is a man of fortune, (for mr. lee left him his entire property,) and is under no one's control. he will always be very dear to me. but here comes mark with the prayer book." "lay it here, mark," said mr. weston, "and ring the bell for the servants. i like all who can to come and unite with me in thanking god for his many mercies. strange, i have opened the holy book where david says, (and we will join with him,) 'praise the lord, oh! my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy name.'" chapter iii. after the other members of the family had retired, mr. weston, as was usual with him, sat for a while in the parlor to read. the closing hour of the day is, of all, the time that we love to dwell on the subject nearest our heart. as, at the approach of death, the powers of the mind rally, and the mortal, faint and feeble, with but a few sparks of decaying life within him, arouses to a sense of his condition, and puts forth all his energies, to meet the hour of parting with earth and turning his face to heaven; so, at the close of the evening, the mind, wearied with its day's travelling, is about to sink into that repose as necessary for it as for the body--that repose so often compared to the one in which the tired struggler with life, has "forever wrapped the drapery of his couch about him, and laid down to pleasant dreams." ere yielding, it turns with energy to the calls of memory, though it is so soon to forget all for a while. it hears voices long since hushed, and eyes gaze into it that have looked their last upon earthly visions. time is forgotten, affection for a while holds her reign, sorrow appears with her train of reproachings and remorse, until exhaustion comes to its aid, and it obtains the relief so bountifully provided by him who knoweth well our frames. with mr. weston this last hour was well employed, for he not only read, but studied the holy scriptures. possessed of an unusually placid temperament, there had occurred in his life but few events calculated to change the natural bent of his disposition. the death of his wife was indeed a bitter grief; but he had not married young, and she had lived so short a time, that after a while he returned to his usual train of reflection. but for the constant presence of his son, whose early education he superintended, he would have doubted if there ever had been a reality to the remembrance of the happy year he had passed in her society. with his hand resting on the sacred page, and his heart engrossed with the lessons it taught, he was aroused from his occupation by a loud noise proceeding from the kitchen. this was a most unusual circumstance, for besides that the kitchen was at some distance from the house, the servants were generally quiet and orderly. it was far from being the case at present. mr. weston waited a short time to give affairs time to right themselves, but at length determined to inquire into the cause of the confusion. as he passed through the long hall, the faces of his ancestors looked down upon him by the dim light. there was a fair young lady, with an arm white as snow, unconcealed by a sleeve, unless the fall of a rich border of lace from her shoulder could be called by that name. her golden hair was brushed back from her forehead, and fell in masses over her shoulders. her face was slightly turned, and there was a smile playing about her mouth. next her was a grave-looking cavalier, her husband. there were old men, with powdered hair and the rich dress of bygone times. there were the hoop and the brocades, and the stomacher, and the fair bosom, against which a rose leaned, well satisfied with its lounging place. over the hall doors, the antlers of the stag protruded, reminding one that the chase had been a favorite pastime with the self-exiled sons of merry england. such things have passed away from thee, my native state! forever have they gone, and the times when over waxed floors thy sons and daughters gracefully performed the minuet. the stately bow, the graceful curtsey are seen no more; there is hospitality yet lingering in thy halls, but fashion is making its way there too. the day when there was a tie between master and slave,--is that departing, and why? mr. weston passed from the house under a covered way to the kitchen, and with a firm but slow step, entered. and here, if you be an old or a new englander, let me introduce you--as little at home would be queen victoria holding court in the sandwich islands, as you here. you may look in vain for that bane of good dinners, a cooking stove; search forever for a grain of saleratus or soda, and it will be in vain. that large, round block, with the wooden hammer, is the biscuit-beater; and the cork that is lifting itself from the jug standing on it, belongs to the yeast department. mr. weston did not, nor will we, delay to glance at the well-swept earthen floor, and the bright tins in rows on the dresser, but immediately addressed himself to aunt peggy, who, seated in a rush-bottomed chair in the corner, and rocking herself backwards and forwards, was talking rapidly. and oh! what a figure had aunt peggy; or rather, what a face. which was the blacker, her eyes or her visage; or whiter, her eyeballs or her hair? the latter, unconfined by her bandanna handkerchief as she generally wore it, standing off from her head in masses, like snow. and who that had seen her, could forget that one tooth projecting over her thick underlip, and in constant motion as she talked. "it's no use, mister bacchus," said she, addressing the old man, who looked rather the worse for wear, "it's no use to be flinging yer imperence in my face. i'se worked my time; i'se cooked many a grand dinner, and eat 'em too. you'se a lazy wagabond yerself." "peggy," interposed mr. weston. "a good-for-nothing, lazy wagabond, yerself," continued peggy, not noticing mr. weston, "you'se not worth de hommony you eats." "does you hear that, master?" said bacchus, appealing to mr. weston; "she's such an old fool." "hold your tongue, sir," said mr. weston; while mark, ready to strangle his fellow-servant for his impertinence, was endeavoring to drag him out of the room. "ha, ha," said peggy, "so much for mr. bacchus going to barbecues. a nice waiter he makes." "do you not see me before you, peggy?" said mr. weston, "and do you continue this disputing in my presence? if you were not so old, and had not been so faithful for many years, i would not excuse such conduct. you are very ungrateful, when you are so well cared for; and from this time forward, if you cannot be quiet and set a good example in the kitchen, do not come into it." "don't be afeard, master, i can stay in my own cabin. if i has been well treated, it's no more den i desarves. i'se done nuff for you and yours, in my day; slaved myself for you and your father before you. de lord above knows i dont want ter stay whar dat ole drunken nigger is, no how. hand me my cane, dar, nancy, i ain't gwine to 'trude my 'siety on nobody." and peggy hobbled off, not without a most contemptuous look at bacchus, who was making unsuccessful efforts to rise in compliment to his master. "as for you, bacchus," said mr. weston, "never let this happen again. i will not allow you to wait at barbecues, in future." "don't say so, master, if you please; dat ox, if you could a smelled him roastin, and de whiskey-punch," and bacchus snapped his finger, as the only way of concluding the sentence to his own satisfaction. "take him off, mark," said mr. weston, "the drunken old rascal." "master," said bacchus, pushing mark off, "i don't like de way you speak to me; t'aint 'spectful." "carry him off," said mr. weston, again. "john, help mark." "be off wid yourselves, both of ye," said bacchus; "if ye don't, i'll give you de devil, afore i quits." "i'll shut your mouth for you," said mark, "talking so before master; knock him over, john, and push him out." bacchus was not so easily overcome. the god whose namesake he was, stood by him for a time. suddenly the old fellow's mood changed; with a patronizing smile he turned to mr. weston, and said, "master, you must 'scuse me: i aint well dis evening. i has the dyspepsy; my suggestion aint as good as common. i think dat ox was done too much." mr. weston could not restrain a smile at his grotesque appearance, and ridiculous language. mark and john took advantage of the melting mood which had come over him, and led him off without difficulty. on leaving the kitchen, he went into a pious fit, and sung out "when i can read my title clar." mr. weston heard him say, "don't, mark; don't squeeze an ole nigger so; do you 'spose you'll ever get to heaven, if you got no more feelins than that?" "i hope," said mr. weston, addressing the other servants, "that you will all take warning by this scene. an honest and respectable servant like bacchus, to degrade himself in this way--it gives me great pain to see it. william," said he, addressing a son of bacchus, who stood by the window, "did you deliver my note to mr. walter?" "yes, sir; he says he'll come to dinner; i was on my way in to tell you, but they was making such a fuss here." "very well," said mr. weston. "the rest of you go to bed, quietly; i am sure there will be no more disturbance to-night." but, what will the abolitionist say to this scene? where were the whip and the cord, and other instruments of torture? such consideration, he contends, was never shown in the southern country. with martin tupper, i say, "hear reason, oh! brother; hear reason and right." it has been, that master and slave were friends; and if this cannot continue, at whose door will the sin lie? the abolitionist says to the slave, go! but what does he do that really advances his interest? he says to the master, give up thine own! but does he offer to share in the loss? no; he would give to the lord of that which costs him nothing. should the southern country become free, should the eyes of the world see no stain upon her escutcheon, it will not be through the efforts of these fanatics. if white labor could be substituted for black, better were it that she should not have this weight upon her. the emancipation of her slaves will never be accomplished by interference or force. good men assist in colonizing them, and the creator may thus intend to christianize benighted africa. should this be the divine will, oh! that from every port, steamers were going forth, bearing our colored people to their natural home! chapter iv. my readers must go with me to a military station at the north, and date back two years from the time of my story. the season must change, and instead of summer sunsets and roses, we will bring before them three feet of snow, and winter's bleakest winds. neither of these inconvenienced the company assembled in the comfortable little parlor of captain moore's quarters, with a coal-grate almost as large as the room, and curtains closely drawn over the old style windows: mrs. moore was reduced to the utmost extremity of her wits to make the room look modern; but it is astonishing, the genius of army ladies for putting the best foot foremost. this room was neither square nor oblong; and though a mere box in size, it had no less than four doors (two belonged to the closets) and three windows. the closets were utterly useless, being occupied by an indomitable race of rats and mice; they had an impregnable fortress somewhere in the old walls, and kept possession, in spite of the house-keeping artillery mrs. moore levelled against them. the poor woman gave up in despair; she locked the doors, and determined to starve the garrison into submission. she was far more successful in other respects, having completely banished the spirits of formality and inhospitality that presided in these domains. the house was outside the fort, and had been purchased from a citizen who lived there, totally apart from his race; mrs. moore had the comfort of hearing, on taking possession, that all sorts of ghosts were at home there; but she was a cheerful kind of woman, and did not believe in them any more than she did in clairvoyance, so she set to work with a brave heart, and every thing yielded to her sway, excepting the aforesaid rats and mice. her parlor was the very realization of home comfort. the lounge by the three windows was covered with small figured french chintz, and it was a delightful seat, or bed, as the occasion required. she had the legs of several of the chairs sawed off, and made cushions for them, covered with pieces of the chintz left from the lounge. the armchairs that looked at each other from either side of the fireplace place, not being of velvet, were made to sit in. in one corner of the room, (there were five,) a fine-toned guitar rested against the wall; in another, was a large fly-brush of peacock's feathers, with a most unconscionable number of eyes. in the third, was captain moore's sword and sash. in the fourth, was mrs. moore's work-basket, where any amount of thimbles, needles, and all sorts of sewing implements could be found. and in the fifth corner was the baby-jumper, its fat and habitual occupant being at this time oblivious to the day's exertions; in point of fact, he was up stairs in a red pine crib, sound asleep with his thumb in his mouth. one of chickering's best pianos stood open in this wonderful little parlor, and mrs. moore rung out sweet sounds from it evening after evening. mrs. m. was an industrious, intelligent southern woman; before she met captain moore, she had a sort of antipathy to dogs and yankees; both, however, suddenly disappeared, for after a short acquaintance, she fell desperately in love with the captain, and allowed his great newfoundland dog, (who had saved the captain, and a great number of boys from drowning,) to lick her hand, and rest his cold, black nose on her lap; on this evening neptune lay at her feet, and was another ornament of the parlor. indeed, he should have been mentioned in connection with the baby-jumper, for wherever the baby was in the day time, there was neptune, but he seemed to think that a newfoundland dog had other duties incumbent upon him in the evening than watching babies, so he listened attentively to the music, dozing now and then. sometimes, during a very loud strain, he would suddenly rouse and look intently at the coal-fire; but finding himself mistaken, that he had only dreamed it was a river, and that a boy who was fishing on its banks had tumbled in, and required his services to pull him out, would fall down on the rug again and take another nap. i have said nothing of this rug, which neptune thought was purchased for him, nor of the bright red carpet, nor of the nice china candlesticks on the mantel-piece, (which could not be reached without a step-ladder,) nor of the silver urn, which was mrs. moore's great-grandmother's, nor of the lard-lamp which lit up every thing astonishingly, because i am anxious to come to the point of this chapter, and cannot do justice to all these things. but it would be the height of injustice, in me, to pass by lieutenant jones's moustaches, for the simple reason, that since the close of the mexican war, he had done little else but cultivate them. they were very brown, glossy, and luxuriant, entirely covering his upper lip, so that it was only in a hearty laugh that one would have any reason to suppose he had cut his front teeth; but he had, and they were worth cutting, too, which is not always the case with teeth. the object of wearing these moustaches was, evidently, to give himself a warlike and ferocious appearance; in this, he was partially successful, having the drawbacks of a remarkably gentle and humane countenance, and a pair of mild blue eyes. he was a very good-natured young man, and had shot a wild turkey in mexico, the tail of which he had brought home to mrs. moore, to be made into a fan. (this fan, too, was in the parlor, of which may be said what was once thought of the schoolmaster's head, that the only wonder was, it could contain so much.) next to mr. jones we will notice a brevet-second lieutenant, just attached to the regiment, and then introduce a handsome bachelor captain. (these are scarce in the army, and should be valued accordingly.) this gentleman was a fine musician, and the brevet played delightfully on the flute; in fact, they had had quite a concert this evening. then there was colonel watson, the commanding officer, who had happened in, mrs. moore being an especial favorite of his; and there was a long, lean, gaunt-looking gentleman, by the name of kent. he was from vermont, and was an ultra abolitionist. they had all just returned from the dining-room, where they had been eating cold turkey and mince pies; and though there was a fair chance of the nightmare some hours hence, yet for the present they were in an exceedingly high state of health and spirits. now, mrs. moore had brought from carolina a woman quite advanced in life. she had been a very faithful servant, and mrs. moore's mother, wishing her daughter to have the benefit of her services, and feeling perfect confidence in polly's promise that under no circumstances would she leave her daughter without just cause, had concluded that the best way of managing affairs would be to set her free at once. she did so; but polly being one of those persons who take the world quietly, was not the least elated at being her own mistress; she rather felt it to be a kind of experiment to which there was some risk attached. mrs. moore paid her six dollars a month for her services, and from the time they had left home together until the present moment, polly had been a most efficient servant, and a sort of friend whose opinions were valuable in a case of emergency. for instance, captain moore was a temperance man, and in consequence, opposed to brandy, wine, and the like being kept in his house. this was quite a trouble to his wife, for she knew that good mince pies and pudding sauces could not be made without a little of the wherewithal; so she laid her difficulties before aunt polly, and begged her to advise what was best to do. "you see, aunt polly, captain moore says that a good example ought to be set to the soldiers; and that since the mexican war the young officers are more inclined to indulge than they used to be; that he feels such a responsibility in the case that he can't bear the sight of a bottle in the house." "well, honey," said aunt polly, "he says he likes my mince pies, and my puddins, mightily; and does he 'spect me to make 'em good, and make 'em out of nothin, too?" "that's what i say, aunt polly, for you know none of us like to drink. the captain belongs to the temperance society; and i don't like it, because it gets into my head, and makes me stupid; and you never drink any thing, so if we could only manage to get him to let us keep it to cook with." "as to that, child," said aunt polly, "i mus have it to cook with, that's a pint settled; there aint no use 'sputin about it. if he thinks i'm gwine to change my way of cookin in my old age, he's mightily mistaken. he need'nt think i'm gwine to make puddins out o' one egg, and lighten my muffins with snow, like these ere yankees, 'kase i aint gwine to do it for nobody. i sot out to do my duty by you, and i'll do it; but for all that, i aint bound to set to larnin new things this time o' day. i'll cook carolina fashion, or i wont cook at all." "well, but what shall i do?" said mrs. moore; "you wouldn't have me do a thing my husband disapproves of, would you?" "no, that i wouldn't, miss emmy," said aunt polly. "my old man's dust and ashes long ago, but i always done what i could to please him. men's mighty onreasonable, the best of 'em, but when a woman is married she ought to do all she can for the sake of peace. i dont see what a man has got to do interferin with the cookin, no how; a woman oughter 'tend to these matters. 'pears to me, mr. moore, (captain, as you calls him,) is mighty fidjetty about bottles, all at once. but if he cant bear the sight of a brandy bottle in the house, bring 'em down here to me; i'll keep 'em out of his sight, i'll be bound. i'll put 'em in the corner of my old chist yonder, and i'd like to see him thar, rummagin arter brandy bottles or any thing else." mrs. moore was very much relieved by this suggestion, and when her husband came in, she enlarged on the necessity of polly's having her own way about the cooking, and wound up by saying that polly must take charge of all the bottles, and by this arrangement he would not be annoyed by the sight of them. "but, my dear," said he, "do you think it right to give such things in charge of a servant?" "why, aunt polly never drinks." "yes, but emmy, you don't consider the temptation." "la, william, do hush; why if you talk about temptation, she's had that all her life, and she could have drank herself to death long ago. just say yes, and be done with it, for it has worried me to death all day, and i want it settled, and off my mind." "well, do as you like," said captain moore, "but remember, it will be your fault if any thing happens." "nothing is going to happen," said mrs. moore, jumping up, and seizing the wine and brandy bottles by the necks, and descending to the lower regions with them. "here they are, aunt polly. william consents to your having them; and mind you keep them out of sight." "set 'em down in the cheer thar, i'll take care of 'em, i jist wanted some brandy to put in these potato puddins. i wonder what they'd taste like without it." but mrs. moore could not wait to talk about it, she was up stairs in another moment, holding her baby on neptune's back, and more at ease in her mind than she had been since the subject was started, twenty-four hours before. there was but one other servant in the house, a middle-aged woman, who had run away from her mistress in boston; or rather, she had been seduced off by the abolitionists. while many would have done well under the circumstances, susan had never been happy, or comfortable, since this occurred. besides the self-reproach that annoyed her, (for she had been brought on from georgia to nurse a sick child, and its mother, a very feeble person, had placed her dependence upon her,) susan was illy calculated to shift for herself. she was a timid, delicate woman, with rather a romantic cast of mind; her mistress had always been an invalid, and was fond of hearing her favorite books read aloud. for the style of books that susan had been accustomed to listen to, as she sat at her sewing, lalla rookh would be a good specimen; and, as she had never been put to hard work, but had merely been an attendant about her mistress' room, most of her time was occupied in a literary way. thus, having an excellent memory, her head was a sort of store-room for lovesick snatches of song. the museum men would represent her as having snatched a feather of the bird of song; but as this is a matter-of-fact kind of story, we will observe, that susan not being naturally very strong-minded, and her education not more advanced than to enable her to spell out an antiquated valentine, or to write a letter with a great many small i's in it, she is rather to be considered the victim of circumstances and a soft heart. she was, nevertheless, a conscientious woman; and when she left georgia, to come north, had any one told her that she would run away, she would have answered in the spirit, if not the expression, of the oft quoted, "is thy servant a dog?" she enjoyed the journey to the north, the more that the little baby improved very much in strength; she had had, at her own wish, the entire charge of him from his birth. the family had not been two days at the revere house before susan found herself an object of interest to men who were gentlemen, if broadcloth and patent-leather boots could constitute that valuable article. these individuals seemed to know as much of her as she did of herself, though they plied her with questions to a degree that quite disarranged her usual calm and poetic flow of ideas. as to "whether she had been born a slave, or had been kidnapped? whether she had ever been sold? how many times a week she had been whipped, and what with? had she ever been shut up in a dark cellar and nearly starved? was she allowed more than one meal a day? did she ever have any thing but sweet potato pealings? had she ever been ducked? and, finally, she was desired to open her mouth, that they might see whether her teeth had been extracted to sell to the dentist?" poor susan! after one or two interviews her feelings were terribly agitated; all these horrible suggestions _might become_ realities, and though she loved her home, her mistress, and the baby too, yet she was finally convinced that though born a slave, it was not the intention of providence, but a mistake, and that she had been miraculously led to this western holy land, of which boston is the jerusalem, as the means by which things could be set to rights again. one beautiful, bright evening, when her mistress had rode out to see the state house by moonlight, susan kissed the baby, not without many tears, and then threw herself, trembling and dismayed, into the arms and tender mercies of the abolitionists. they led her into a distant part of the city, and placed her for the night under the charge of some people who made their living by receiving the newly ransomed. the next morning she was to go off, but she found she had reckoned without her host, for when she thanked the good people for her night's lodging and the hashed cod-fish on which she had tried to breakfast, she had a bill to pay, and where was the money? poor susan! she had only a quarter of a dollar, and that she had asked her mistress for a week before, to buy a pair of side-combs. "why, what a fool you be," said one of the men; "didn't i tell you to bring your mistress' purse along?" "and did you think i was going to steal besides running off from her and the poor baby?" answered susan. "it's not stealing," said the abolitionist. "haven't you been a slaving of yourself all your life for her, and i guess you've a right to be paid for it. i guess you think the rags on your back good wages enough?" susan looked at her neat dress, and thought they were very nice rags, compared to the clothes her landlady had on; but the abolitionist was in a hurry. "come," said he, "i'm not going to spend all my time on you; if you want to be free, come along; pay what you owe and start." "but i have only this quarter," said susan, despairingly. "i don't calculate to give runaway niggers their supper, and night's lodging and breakfast for twenty-five cents," said the woman. "i aint so green as that, i can tell you. if you've got no money, open your bundle, and we can make a trade, like as not." susan opened her bundle, (which was a good strong carpet-bag her mistress had given her,) and after some hesitation, the woman selected as her due a nice imitation of cashmere shawl, the last present her mistress had given her. it had cost four dollars. susan could hardly give it up; she wanted to keep it as a remembrance, but she already felt herself in the hands of the philistines, and she fastened up her carpet-bag and set forward. she was carried off in the cars to an interior town, and directed to the house of an abolitionist, to whom she was to hire herself. her fare was paid by this person, and then deducted from her wages--her wages were four dollars a month. she cooked and washed for ten in family; cleaned the whole house, and did all _the chores_, except sawing the wood, which the gentleman of the house did himself. she was only required to split the hard, large knots--the oldest son splitting the easy sticks for her. on saturday, the only extra duty required of her was to mend every item of clothing worn in the family; the lady of the house making them herself. susan felt very much as if it was out of the frying pan into the fire; or rather, as if she had been transferred from one master to another. she found it took all her wages to buy her shoes and stockings and flannel, for her health suffered very much from the harsh climate and her new mode of life, so she ventured to ask for an increase of a dollar a month. "is that your gratitude," was the indignant reply, "for all that we've done for you? the idea of a nigger wanting over four dollars a month, when you've been working all your life, too, for nothing at all. why everybody in town is wondering that i keep you, when white help is so much better." "but, ma'am," replied susan, "they tell me here that a woman gets six dollars a month, when she does the whole work of a family." "a _white_ woman does," said this abolitionist lady, "but not a nigger, i guess. besides, if they do, you ought to be willing to work cheaper for abolitionists, for they are your friends." if "save me from my friends," had been in lalla rookh, susan would certainly have applied it, but as the quotation belonged to the heroic rather than the sentimental department, she could not avail herself of it, and therefore went on chopping her codfish and onions together, at the rate of four dollars a month, and very weak eyes, till some good wind blew captain moore to the command of his company, in the fort near the town. after mrs. moore's housekeeping operations had fairly commenced, she found it would be necessary to have a person to clean the house of four rooms, and to help neptune mind the baby. aunt polly accordingly set forward on an exploration. she presented quite an unusual appearance as regards her style of dress. she wore a plaid domestic gingham gown; she had several stuff ones, but she declared she never put one of them on for any thing less than "meetin." she had a black satin methodist bonnet, very much the shape of a coal hod, and the color of her own complexion, only there was a slight shade of blue in it. thick gloves, and shoes, and stockings; a white cotton apron, and a tremendous blanket shawl completed her costume. she had a most determined expression of countenance; the fact is, she had gone out to get a house-servant, and she didn't intend to return without one. i forgot to mention that she walked with a cane, having had a severe attack of rheumatics since her arrival in "the great norrurd," and at every step she hit the pavements in such a manner as to startle the rising generation of abolitionists, and it had the good effect of preventing any of them from calling out to her, "where did you get your face painted, you black nigger, you?" which would otherwise have occurred. susan was just returning from a grocery store with three codfish in one hand, and a piece of salt pork and a jug of molasses in the other, when she was startled by aunt polly's unexpected appearance, bearing down upon her like a man of war. aunt polly stopped for a moment and looked at her intensely, while susan's feelings, which, like her poetry, had for some time been quite subdued by constant collision with a cooking stove, got the better of her, and she burst into tears. aunt polly made up her mind on the spot; it was, as she afterwards expressed it, "'a meracle,' meeting that poor girl, with all that codfish and other stuff in her hand." susan did not require too much encouragement to tell her lamentable tale, and aunt polly in return advised her to leave her place when her month was up, informing the family of her intention, that they might supply themselves. this susan promised to do, with a full heart, and aunt polly having accomplished her mission, set out on her return, first saying to susan, however, "we'll wait for you, you needn't be afeard, and i'll do your work 'till you come, 'taint much, for we puts out our washin. and you need'nt be sceard when you see the sogers, they aint gwine to hurt you, though they do look so savage." susan gave notice of her intention, and after a season of martyrdom set forward to find captain moore's quarters. she had no difficulty, for polly was looking out for her, with her pipe in her mouth. "come in, child," said she, "and warm yourself; how is your cough? i stewed some molasses for you, 'gin you come. we'll go up and see miss emmy, presently; she 'spects you." susan was duly introduced to mrs. moore who was at the time sitting in the captain's lap with the baby in hers, and neptune's forepaws in the baby's. the captain's temperance principles did not forbid him smoking a good cigar, and at the moment of susan's entrance, he was in the act of emitting stealthily a cloud of smoke into his wife's face. after letting the baby fall out of her lap, and taking two or three short breaths with strong symptoms of choking, mrs. moore with a husky voice and very red eyes, welcomed susan, and introduced her to the baby and neptune, then told aunt polly to show her where to put her clothes, and to make her comfortable in every respect. aunt polly did so by baking her a hoe-cake, and broiling a herring, and drawing a cup of strong tea. susan went to bed scared with her new happiness, and dreamed she was in georgia, in her old room, with the sick baby in her arms. susan's _friends_, the abolitionists, were highly indignant at the turn affairs had taken. they had accordingly a new and fruitful subject of discussion at the sewing societies and quilting bees of the town. in solemn conclave it was decided to vote army people down as utterly disagreeable. one old maid suggested the propriety of their immediately getting up a petition for disbanding the army; but the motion was laid on the table in consideration of john quincy adams being dead and buried, and therefore not in a condition to present the petition. susan became quite cheerful, and gained twenty pounds in an incredibly short space of time, though strange rumors continued to float about the army. it was stated at a meeting of the f.s.f.s.t.w.t.r. (female society for setting the world to rights) that "army folks were a low, dissipated set, for they put wine in their _puddin_ sauce." i do not mean to say liberty is not, next to life, the greatest of god's earthly gifts, and that men and women ought not to be happier free than slaves. god forbid that i should so have read my bible. but such cases as susan's do occur, and far oftener than the raw-head and bloody-bones' stories with which mrs. harriet beecher stowe has seen fit to embellish that interesting romance, uncle tom's cabin. chapter v. capt. moore suddenly seized the poker, and commenced stirring the fire vigorously. neptune rushed to his covert under the piano, and mrs. moore called out, "dont, dear, for heaven's sake." "why, it's getting cold," said captain moore, apologetically. "don't you hear the wind?" "yes, but i don't feel it, neither do you. the fire cannot be improved. see how you have made the dust fly! you never can let well alone." "that is the trouble with the abolitionists," said colonel watson. "they can't let well alone, and so mr. kent and his party want to reorganize the southern country." "there is no well there to let alone," said mr. kent, with the air of a solomon. "don't talk so, mr. kent," said mrs. moore, entreatingly, "for i can't quarrel with you in my own house, and i feel very much inclined to do so for that one sentence." "now," said the bachelor captain, "i do long to hear you and mr. kent discuss abolition. the colonel and i may be considered disinterested listeners, as we hail from the middle states, and are not politicians. captain moore cannot interfere, as he is host as well as husband; and mr. jones and scott have eaten too much to feel much interest in any thing just now. pray, tell mr. kent, my dear madam, of susan's getting you to intercede with her mistress to take her back, and see what he says." "i know it already," said mr. kent, "and i must say that i am surprised to find mrs. moore inducing a fellow-creature to return to a condition so dreadful as that of a southern slave. after having been plucked from the fire, it should be painful to the human mind to see her thrown in again." "your simile is not a good one, mr. kent," said mrs. moore, with a heightened color. "i can make a better. susan, in a moment of delirium, jumped into the fire, and she called on me to pull her out. unfortunately, i cannot heal all the burns, for i yesterday received an answer to my letter to her mistress, who positively refuses to take her back. she is willing, but mr. casey will not consent to it. he says that his wife was made very sick by the shock of losing susan, and the over-exertion necessary in the care of her child. the baby died in boston; and they cannot overlook susan's deserting it at a hotel, without any one to take charge of it; they placing such perfect confidence in susan, too. he thinks her presence would constantly recall to mrs. casey her child's death; besides, after having lived among abolitionists, he fancies it would not be prudent to bring her on the plantation. having attained her freedom, he says she must make the best of it. mrs. casey enclosed me ten dollars to give to susan, for i wrote her she was in bad health, and had very little clothing when she came to me. poor girl! i could hardly persuade her to take the money, and soon after, she brought it to me and asked me to keep it for her, and not to change the note that came from home. i felt very sorry for her." "she deserves it," said mr. kent. "i think she does," said mrs. moore, smiling, "though for another reason." mr. kent blushed as only men with light hair, and light skin, and light eyes, can blush. "i mean," said mr. kent, furiously, "she deserves her refusal for her ingratitude. after god provided her friends who made her a free woman, she is so senseless as to want to go back to be lashed and trodden under foot again, as the slaves of the south are. i say, she deserves it for being such a fool." "and i say," said mrs. moore, "she deserves it for deserting her kind mistress at a time when she most needed her services. god did not raise her up friends because she had done wrong." "you are right, emmy, in your views of susan's conduct; but you should be careful how you trace motives to such a source. she certainly did wrong, and she has suffered; that is all we can say. we must do the best we can to restore her to health. she is very happy with us now, and will, no doubt, after a while, enjoy her liberty: it would be a most unnatural thing if she did not." "but how is it, mr. kent," said the colonel, "that after you induce these poor devils to give up their homes, that you do not start them in life; set them going in some way in the new world to which you transfer them. you do not give them a copper, i am told." "we don't calculate to do that," said mr. kent. "i believe you," said mrs. moore, maliciously. mr. kent looked indignant at the interruption, while his discomfiture was very amusing to the young officers, they being devoted admirers of mrs. moore's talents and mince pies. they laughed heartily; and mr. kent looked at them as if nothing would have induced him to overlook their impertinence but the fact, that they were very low on the list of lieutenants, and he was an abolition agent. "we calculate, sir, to give them their freedom, and then let them look out for themselves." "that is, you have no objection to their living in the same world with yourself, provided it costs you nothing," said the colonel. "we make them free," said mr. kent. "they have their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. they are no longer enslaved, body and soul. if i see a man with his hands and feet chained, and i break those chains, it is all that god expects me to do; let him earn his own living." "but suppose he does not know how to do so," said mrs. moore, "what then? the occupations of a negro at the south are so different from those of the people at the north." "thank god they are, ma'am," said mr. kent, grandly. "we have no overseers to draw the blood of their fellow creatures, and masters to look on and laugh. we do not snatch infants from their mothers' breasts, and sell them for whisky." "neither do we," said mrs. moore, her bosom heaving with emotion; "no one but an abolitionist could have had such a wicked thought. no wonder that men who glory in breaking the laws of their country should make such misstatements." "madam," said mr. kent, "they are facts; we can prove them; and we say that the slaves of the south shall be free, cost what it will. the men of the north have set out to emancipate them, and they will do it if they have to wade through fire, water, and blood." "you had better not talk in that style when you go south," said captain moore, "unless you have an unconquerable prejudice in favor of tar and feathers." "who cares for tar and feathers?" said mr. kent; "there has been already a martyr in the ranks of abolition, and there may be more. lovejoy died a glorious martyr's death, and there are others ready to do the same." "give me my cane, there, captain, if you please," said colonel watson, who had been looking at mr. kent's blazing countenance and projecting eyes, in utter amazement. "why, buena vista was nothing to this. good night, madam, and do tell susan not to jump into the fire again; i wonder she was not burned up while she was there. come, captain, let us make our escape while we can." the captain followed, bidding the whole party good night, with a smile. he had been perfectly charmed with the abolition discussion. mr. jones had got very sleepy, and he and mr. scott made their adieu. mr. kent, with some embarrassment, bade mrs. moore good night. mrs. moore begged him to go south and be converted, for she believed his whole heart required changing. captain moore followed them to the door, and shivered as he inhaled the north-easter. "come, emmy," said he, as he entered, rubbing his hands, "you've fought for your country this night; let's go to bed." mrs. moore lit a candle, and put out the lard-lamp, wondering if she had been impolite to mr. kent. she led the way to the staircase, in a reflective state of mind; neptune followed, and stood at the foot of the steps for some moments, in deep thought; concluding that if there should be danger of any one's falling into a river up there, they would call him and let him know, he went back, laid down on the soft rug, and fell asleep for the night. * * * * * it does not take long to state a fact. mr. kent went to washington on abolition business,--through the introduction of a senator from his own state he obtained access to good society. he boarded in the same house with a virginian who had a pretty face, very little sense, but a large fortune. mr. kent, with very little difficulty, persuaded her he was a saint, ready to be translated at the shortest notice. he dropped his abolition notions, and they were married. at the time that my story opens, he is a planter, living near mr. weston, and we will hear of him again. chapter vi. arthur weston is in his college-room in that far-famed city, new haven. he is in the act of replacing his cigar in his mouth, after having knocked the ashes off it, when we introduce to him the reader. though not well employed, his first appearance must be prepossessing; he inherited his mother's clear brunette complexion, and her fine expressive eyes. his very black hair he had thrown entirely off his forehead, and he is now reading an abolition paper which had fallen into his hands. there are two other young men in the room, one of them arthur's friend, abel johnson; and the other, a young man by the name of hubbard. "who brought this paper into my room?" said arthur, after laying it down on the table beside him. "i was reading it," said mr. hubbard, "and threw it aside." "well, if it makes no difference to you, mr. hubbard, i'd prefer not seeing any more of these publications about me. this number is a literary curiosity, and deserves to be preserved; but as i do not file papers at present, i will just return it, after expressing my thanks to you for affording me the means of obtaining valuable information about the southern country." "what is it about, arthur," said abel johnson, "it is too hot to read this morning, so pray enlighten me?" "why, here," said arthur, opening the paper again, "here is an advertisement, said to be copied from a southern paper, in which, after describing a runaway slave, it says: 'i will give four hundred dollars for him alive, and the same sum for satisfactory proof that he has been killed.' then the editor goes on to say, 'that when a planter loses a slave, he becomes so impatient at not capturing him, and is so angry at the loss, that he then does what is equivalent to inducing some person to murder him by way of revenge.' now, is not this infamous?" "but it is true, i believe," said mr. hubbard. "it is not true, sir," said arthur, "it is false, totally and entirely false. why, sir, do you mean to say, that the life of a slave is in the power of a master, and that he is not under the protection of our laws?" "i am told that is the case," said mr. hubbard. "then you are told what is not true; and it seems to me, you are remarkably ignorant of the laws of your country." "it is not my country," said mr. hubbard, "i assure you. i lay no claims to that part of the united states where slavery is allowed." "then if it is not your country, for what reason do you concern yourself so much about its affairs?" "because," replied mr. hubbard, "every individual has the right to judge for himself, of his own, and of other countries." "no, not without proper information," said arthur. "and as you have now graduated and intend to be a lawyer, i trust you will have consideration enough for the profession, not to advance opinions until you are sufficiently informed to enable you to do so justly. every country must have its poor people; you have yours at the north, for i see them--we have ours; yours are white, ours are black. i say yours are white; i should except your free blacks, who are the most miserable class of human beings i ever saw. they are indolent, reckless, and impertinent. the poorer classes of society, are proverbially improvident--and yours, in sickness, and in old age, are often victims of want and suffering. ours in such circumstances, are kindly cared for, and are never considered a burden; our laws are, generally speaking, humane and faithfully administered. we have enactments which not only protect their lives, but which compel their owners to be moderate in working them, and to ensure them proper care as regards their food." "but," said mr. hubbard, "you have other laws, police-laws, which deprive them of the most innocent recreations, such as are not only necessary for their happiness, but also for their health." "and if such laws do exist," said arthur, "where is the cause? you may trace it to the interference of meddling, and unprincipled men. they excite the minds of the slaves, and render these laws necessary for the very protection of our lives. but without this interference, there would be no such necessity. in this walsh's appeal, which is now open before me, you will find, where abel left off reading, these remarks, which show that not only the health and comfort of the slaves, but also their feelings, are greatly considered. 'the master who would deprive his negro of his property--the product of his poultry-house or his little garden; who would force him to work on holidays, or at night; who would deny him common recreations, or leave him without shelter and provision, in his old age, would incur the aversion of the community, and raise obstacles to the advancement of his own interest and external aims.'" "then," said mr. hubbard, "you mean to say, he is kind from self-interest alone." "no, i do not," replied arthur; "that undoubtedly, actuates men at the south, as it does men at the north; but i mean to say, so universal is it with us to see our slaves well treated, that when an instance of the contrary nature occurs, the author of it is subject to the dislike and odium of his acquaintances." "but," said mr. hubbard, "that does not always protect the slaves--which shows that your laws are sometimes ineffectual. they are not always secure from ill-treatment." "but, do your laws always secure you from ill-treatment?" said arthur. "of course," said mr. hubbard, "the poorest person in new england is as safe from injustice and oppression, as the highest in the land." "nonsense," said arthur, "don't you think i can judge for myself, as regards that? abel, do tell mr. hubbard of our little adventure in the bakehouse." "with pleasure," said abel, "especially as you two have not let me say a word yet. well, mr. hubbard, arthur and i having nothing else to do, got hungry, and as it was a fine evening, thought we would walk out in search of something to satisfy our appetites, and there being a pretty girl in brown's bakehouse, who waits on customers, we took that direction. arthur, you know, is engaged to be married, and has no excuse for such things, but i having no such ties, am free to search for pretty faces, and to make the most of it when i find them. we walked on, arm-in-arm, and when we got to the shop, there stood mrs. brown behind the counter, big as all out doors, with a very red face, and in a violent perspiration; there was some thing wrong with the old lady 'twas easy to see." "'well, mrs. brown,' said arthur, for i was looking in the glass cases and under the counter for the pretty face, 'have you any rusk?' "'yes, sir, we _always_ have rusk,' said mrs. brown, tartly. "'will you give us some, and some cakes, or whatever you have? and then we will go and get some soda water, abel.' "mrs. brown fussed about like a 'bear with a sore head,' and at last she broke out against _that gal_. "'where on earth has she put that cake?' said she. 'i sent her in here with it an hour ago; just like her, lazy, good-for-nothing irish thing. they're nothing but white niggers, after all, these irish. here, ann,' she bawled out, 'come here!' "'coming,' said ann, from within the glass door. "'come this minute,' said the old woman, and ann's pretty irish face showed itself immediately. "'where's that 'lection cake i told you to bring here?' "'you didn't tell me to bring no cake here, mrs. brown,' said ann. "'i did, you little liar, you,' said mrs. brown. 'you irish are born liars. go, bring it here.' "ann disappeared, and soon returned, looking triumphant. 'mr. brown says he brought it in when you told him, and covered it in that box--so i aint such a liar, after all.' "'you are,' said mrs. brown, 'and a thief too.' "ann's irish blood was up. "'i'm neither,' said she; 'but i'm an orphan, and poor; that's why i'm scolded and cuffed about.' "mrs. brown's blood was up too, and she struck the poor girl in the face, and her big, hard hand was in an instant covered with blood, which spouted out from ann's nose. "'now take that for your impudence, and you'll get worse next time you go disputing with me.' "'i declare, mrs. brown,' said arthur, 'this is, i thought, a free country. i did not know you could take the law into your own hands in that style.' "'that gal's the bother of my life,' said mrs. brown. 'mr. brown, he was in new york when a ship come, and that gal's father and mother must die of the ship-fever, and the gal was left, and mr. brown calculated she could be made to save us hiring, by teaching her a little. she's smart enough, but she's the hard-headedest, obstinatest thing i ever see. i can't make nothin' of her. you might as well try to draw blood out of a turnip as to get any good out of her.' "'you got some good blood out of her,' said i, 'at any rate,' for mrs. brown was wiping her hands, and the blood looked red and healthy enough; 'but she is not a turnip, that's one thing to be considered.' "'well, mrs. brown, good evening,' said arthur. 'i shall tell them at the south how you northern people treat your white niggers.' "'i wish to the lord,' said mrs. brown, 'we had some real niggers. here i am sweatin, and workin, and bakin, all these hot days, and brown he's doin nothin from morning 'till night but reading abolition papers, and tendin abolition meetings. i'm not much better than a nigger myself, half the time.' "now," said arthur, "mr. hubbard, i have been fortunate in my experience. i have never seen a slave woman struck in my life, though i've no doubt such things are done; and i assure you when i saw mrs. brown run the risk of spoiling that pretty face for life, i wondered your laws did not protect 'these bound gals,' or 'white niggers,' as she calls them." "you see, hubbard," said abel, "your philanthropy and arthur's is very contracted. he only feels sympathy for a pretty white face, you for a black one, while my enlarged benevolence induces me to stand up for all female 'phizmahoganies,' especially for the hottentot and the madagascar ones, and the fair sex of all the undiscovered islands on the globe in general." "you don't think, then," said mr. hubbard, argumentatively, "that god's curse is on slavery, do you?" "in what sense?" asked arthur. "i think that slavery is, and always was a curse, and that the creator intended what he said, when he first spoke of it, through noah." "but, i mean," said mr. hubbard, "that it will bring a curse on those who own slaves." "no, _sir_," said arthur, "god's blessing is, and always has been on my father, who is a slaveholder; on his father, who was one; and on a good many more i could mention. in fact, i could bring forward quite a respectable list who have died in their beds, in spite of their egregious sin in this respect. there are washington, jefferson, madison, marshall, calhoun, henry clay, and not a few others. in this case, the north, as has been said, says to her sister south, 'stand aside, for i am holier than thou!' that is, you didn't need them, and got rid of them." "we were all born free and equal," said mr. hubbard, impressively. "equal!" said abel, "there is that idiot, with his tongue hanging out of his mouth, across the street: was he born equal with you?" "it strikes me," said arthur, "that our slaves are not born free." "they ought to be so, then," said mr. hubbard. "ah! there you arraign the creator," said arthur; "i must stop now." "what do you think is the meaning of the text 'cursed be canaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren,' hubbard?" said abel. "i don't think it justifies slavery," said hubbard. "well, what does it mean?" said abel. "it must mean something. now i am at present between two doctrines; so i am neither on your nor on arthur's side. if i can't live one way i must another; and these are hard times. if i can't distinguish myself in law, divinity, or physic, or as an artist, which i would prefer, i may turn planter, or may turn abolition agent. i must do something for my living. having no slaves i can't turn planter; therefore there is more probability of my talents finding their way to the abolition ranks; so give me all the information you can on the subject." "go to the bible," said mr. hubbard, "and learn your duty to your fellow-creatures." "well, here is a bible my mother sent here for arthur and myself, with the commentaries. this is scott's commentary. where is canaan?" said he, turning over the leaves; "he is very hard to be got at." "you are too far over," said arthur, laughing, "you are not in the habit of referring to scott." "here it is," said abel, "'cursed be canaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.' and in another verse we see 'god shall enlarge japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of shem, and canaan shall be his servant.' so we are japheth and shem, and the colored population are canaan. is that it, arthur?" said abel. "see what scott says, abel," said arthur; "i'm not a commentator." "well, here it is,--'there is no authority for altering the text, and reading, as some do, cursed be ham, the father of canaan, yet the frequent mention of ham, as the father of canaan, suggests the thought that the latter was also criminal. ham is thought to be second, and not the youngest son of noah; and if so, the words, 'knew what his younger son had done,' refers to canaan, his grandson. ham must have felt it a very mortifying rebuke, when his own father was inspired on this occasion to predict the durable oppression and slavery of his posterity. canaan was also rebuked, by learning that the curse would especially rest on that branch of the family which should descend from him; for his posterity were no doubt principally, though not exclusively, intended.'" "now," continued abel, "i shall have to turn planter, and get my niggers as i can; for i'll be hanged if it wasn't a curse, and a predicted one, too." "that does not make it right," said mr. hubbard. "don't it," said abel; "well, if it should be fated for me to turn parson, i shan't study divinity with you, for my mother has told me often, that god's prophecies were right, and were fulfilled, too; as i think this one has been." "i suppose, then, you think slavery will always continue, mr. weston?" said hubbard. "well, i am only a man, and cannot prophesy, but i think, probably not. slavery is decreasing throughout the world. the slave trade is about being abolished on the coast of africa. you abolitionists are getting a good many off from our southern country, and our planters are setting a number of theirs free, and sending them to africa. i know a gentleman in georgia who liberated a number, and gave them the means to start in liberia as free agents and men. he told me he saw them on board, and watched the ship as she disappeared from his sight. at last he could not detect the smallest trace of her, and then such a feeling of intense satisfaction occupied his breast as had been a stranger there until that time. 'is it possible that they are gone, and i am no longer to be plagued with them? they are free, and i am free, too.' he could hardly give vent to his feelings of relief on the occasion." "and are they such trouble to you, arthur?" asked abel. "no, indeed," said arthur, "not the least. my father treats them well, and they appear to be as well off as the working classes generally are. i see rules to regulate the conduct of the master and slave in scripture, but i see no where the injunction to release them; nor do i find laid down the sin of holding them. the fact is, you northern people are full of your isms; you must start a new one every year. i hope they will not travel south, for i am tired of them. i should like to take deacon and mrs. white back home with me. our servants would be afraid of a man who has worked sixteen hours a day half his lifetime." "deacon white is worth twenty thousand dollars," said abel, "every cent of which he made mending and making common shoes." "what does he do with it?" said arthur. "hoards it up," said abel, "and yet an honester man never lived. did i not tell you of the time i hired his horse and chaise? i believe not; well, it is worth waiting for. the deacon's old white horse is as gray and as docile as himself; the fact is, the stable is so near the house, that the horse is constantly under the influence of 'old hundred;' he has heard the good old tune so often, that he has a solemn way of viewing things. two or three weeks ago i wanted to take my sister to see a relative of ours, who lives seven or eight miles from here, and my mother would not consent to my driving her, unless i hired the deacon's horse and chaise--the horse, she said, could not run if he wanted to. so i got him, and harriet asked kate laune to go too, as the chaise was large enough for all three; and we had a good time. we were gone all day, and after i took the girls home, i drove round to the deacon's house and jumped out of the chaise to pay what i owed. "you know what a little fellow the deacon is, and he looked particularly small that evening, for he was seated in his arm-chair reading a large newspaper which hid him all but his legs. these are so shrunken that i wonder how his wife gets his stockings small enough for him. "'good evening, mrs. white,' said i, for the old lady was sitting on the steps knitting. "'mercy's sake, deacon,' said she, 'put down your newspaper; don't you see mr. johnson?' "'the deacon did not even give me a nod until he had scrutinized the condition of the horse and chaise, and then he said, 'how are you?' "'not a screw loose in me, or the horse and chaise either, for i had two girls with me, and i'm courting one of them for a quarter, so i drove very carefully. i am in a hurry now, tell me what i am to pay you?' "'twelve and a half cents,' said the deacon, slowly raising his spectacles from his nose. "'no!' said i. 'twelve and a half cents! why, i have had the horse all day.' "'that is my price,' said the deacon. "'for a horse and chaise, all day?' said i. 'why, deacon, do charge me something that i aint ashamed to pay you.' "'that is my regular price, and i can't charge you any more.' "i remonstrated with him, and tried to persuade him to take twenty-five cents--but, no. i appealed to mrs. white; she said the 'deacon hadn't ought to take more than the horse and chaise was worth.' however, i induced him to take eighteen and three-quarter cents, but he was uneasy about it, and said he was afraid he was imposing on me. "the next morning i was awakened at day-dawn--there was a man, they said, who wanted to see me on pressing business, and could not wait. i dressed in a hurry, wondering what was the cause of the demand for college-students. i went down, and there stood the deacon, looking as if his last hour were come. 'mr. abel,' he said, 'i have passed a dreadful restless night, and i couldn't stand it after the day broke--here's your six and a quarter cents--i hadn't ought to have charged you more than my usual price.' i was angry at the old fellow for waking me up, but i could not help laughing, too." "''twas very ugly of you, mr. abel, to persuade me to take so much,' said he; 'you're welcome to the horse and chaise whenever you want it, but twelve and a half cents is my usual price.'" "now," said mr. hubbard, "he is like the portuguese devils; when they are good, they are too good--i should distrust that man." "he is close to a farthing," said abel, "but he is as honest as the day. why he has the reputation of a saint. harriet says she wishes he wore a long-tailed coat instead of a short jacket, so that she could hang on and get to heaven that way." "my sister saw mrs. white not long ago, and complimented her on her new bonnet being so very becoming to her. 'now i want to know!' said mrs. white; 'why i thought it made me look like a fright.' "'but what made you get a black one,' said harriet, 'why did you not get a dark green or a brown one?' "'why, you see,' said mrs. white, 'the deacon's health is a failin'; he's dreadful low in the top knots lately, and i thought as his time might come very soon, i might as well get a black one while i was a getting. we're all born to die, miss harriet; and the deacon is dwindlin' away.'" the young men laughed, and arthur said "what will he do with his money? mrs. white will not wear the black bonnet long if she have twenty thousand dollars; she can buy a new bonnet and a new husband with that." "no danger," said abel, "deacon white has made his will, and has left his wife the interest of five thousand dollars; at her death the principal goes, as all the rest, to aid some benevolent purpose. "but there are the letters; what a bundle for you, arthur! that is the penalty of being engaged. well i must wait for the widow white, i guess she'll let me have the use of the horse and chaise, at any rate." mr. hubbard arose to go, and arthur handed him his newspaper. "that is a valuable document, sir, but there is one still more so in your library here; it is a paper published the same month and year of the declaration of independence, in which are advertised in the new england states negroes for sale! your fathers did not think we were all born free and equal it appears." "we have better views now-a-days, said mr. hubbard; the rev. mr. h. has just returned from a tour in the southern states, and he is to lecture to-night, won't you go and hear him?" "thank you, no," said arthur. "i have seen some of this reverend gentleman's statements, and his friends ought to advise him to drop the reverend for life. he is a fit subject for an asylum, for i can't think a man in his senses would lie so." "he is considered a man of veracity," said mr. hubbard, "by those who have an opportunity of knowing his character." "well, i differ from them," said arthur, "and shall deprive myself of the pleasure of hearing him. good evening, sir." "wouldn't he be a good subject for tar and feathers, arthur? they'd stick, like grim death to a dead nigger," said abel. "he is really such a fool," said arthur, "that i have no patience with him; but you take your usual nap, and i will read my letters." chapter vii. we will go back to the last evening at exeter, when we left mr. weston to witness the result of bacchus's attendance at the barbecue. there were other hearts busy in the quiet night time. alice, resisting the offers of her maid to assist her in undressing, threw herself on a lounge by the open window. the night air played with the curtains, and lifted the curls from her brow. her bloom, which of late had been changeful and delicate, had now left her cheek, and languid and depressed she abandoned herself to thought. so absorbed was she, that she was not aware any one had entered the room, until her mother stood near, gently reproving her for thus exposing herself to the night air. "do get up and go to bed," she said. "where is martha?" "i did not want her," said alice; "and am now going to bed myself. what has brought you here?" "because i felt anxious about you," said mrs. weston, "and came, as i have often before, to be assured that you were well and enjoying repose. i find you still up; and now, my daughter, there is a question i have feared to ask you, but can no longer delay it. by all the love that is between us, by the tie that should bind an only child to a widowed mother, will you tell me what are the thoughts that are oppressing you? i have been anxious for your health, but is there not more cause to fear for your happiness?" "i am well enough, dear mother," said alice, with some irritation of manner, "do not concern yourself about me. if you will go to bed, i will too." "you cannot thus put me off," said mrs. weston. "alice, i charge you, as in the presence of god, to tell me truly: do you love walter lee?" "it would be strange if i did not," said alice, in a low voice. "have we not always been as brother and sister?" "not in that sense, alice; do not thus evade me. do you love him with an affection which should belong to your cousin, to whom you are solemnly engaged, who has been the companion of your childhood, and who is the son of the best friend that god ever raised up to a widow and a fatherless child?" alice turned her head away, and after a moment answered, "yes, i do, mother, and i cannot help it." but on turning to look at her mother, she was shocked at the expression of agony displayed on her countenance. her hand was pressed tightly over her heart, her lips quivered, and her whole person trembled. it was dreadful to see her thus agitated; and alice, throwing her arms around her mother exclaimed, "what is it, dearest mother? be not look so deathlike. i cannot bear to see you so." oh! they speak falsely who say the certainty of evil can be better borne than suspense. watcher by the couch of suffering, sayest thou so? now thou knowest there is no hope, thy darling must be given up. there is no mistaking that failing pulse, and that up-turned eye. a few hours ago, there was suspense, but there was hope; death was feared, but not expected; his arm was outstretched, but the blow was not descending; now, there is no hope. mrs. weston had long feared that all was not well with alice--that while her promise was given to one, her heart had wandered to another; yet she dreaded to meet the appalling certainty; now with her there is no hope. the keen anguish with which she contended was evident to her daughter, who was affrighted at her mother's appearance. so much so, that for the first time for months she entirely forgot the secret she had been hiding in her heart. the young in their first sorrow dream there are none like their own. it is not until time and many cares have bowed us to the earth, that we look around, beholding those who have suffered more deeply than ourselves. accustomed to self-control, mrs. weston was not long in recovering herself; taking her daughter's hand within her own, and looking up in her fair face, "alice," she said, "you listened with an unusual interest to the details of suffering of one whom you never saw. i mean walter lee's mother; she died. i can tell you of one who has suffered, and lived. "it is late, and i fear to detain you from your rest, but something impels me that i cannot resist. listen, then, while i talk to you of myself. you are as yet almost unacquainted with your mother's history." "another time, mother; you are not well now," said alice. "yes, my love, now. you were born in the same house that i was; yet your infancy only was passed where i lived until my marriage. i was motherless at an early age; indeed, one of the first remembrances that i recall is the bright and glowing summer evening when my mother was carried from our plantation on james river to the opposite shore, where was our family burial-ground. can i ever forget my father's uncontrolled grief, and the sorrow of the servants, as they followed, dressed in the deepest mourning. i was terrified at the solemn and dark-looking bier, the black plumes that waved over it, and all the dread accompaniments of death. i remember but little for years after this, save the continued gloom of my father, and his constant affection and indulgence toward me, and occasionally varying our quiet life by a visit to richmond or washington. "my father was a sincere and practical christian. he was averse to parting with me; declaring, the only solace he had was in directing my education, and being assured of my happiness. "my governess was an accomplished and amiable lady, but she was too kind and yielding. i have always retained the most grateful remembrance of her care. thus, though surrounded by good influences, i needed restraint, where there was so much indulgence. i have sometimes ventured to excuse myself on the ground that i was not taught that most necessary of all lessons: the power of governing myself. the giving up of my own will to the matured judgment of others. "the part of my life that i wish to bring before you now, is the year previous to my marriage. never had i received an ungentle word from my father; never in all my waywardness and selfwill did he harshly reprove me. he steadily endeavored to impress on my mind a sense of the constant presence of god. he would often say, 'every moment, every hour of our lives, places its impress on our condition in eternity. live, then, as did your mother, in a state of waiting and preparation for that account which we must all surely give for the talents entrusted to our care.' did i heed his advice? you will hardly believe me, alice, when i tell you how i repaid his tenderness. i was the cause of his death." "it could never be, mother," said alice, weeping, when she saw the tears forcing their way down her mother's cheek. "you are excited and distressed now. do not tell me any more to-night, and forget what i told you." mrs. weston hardly seemed to hear her. after a pause of a few moments, she proceeded: "it was so, indeed. i, his only child, was the cause of his death; i, his cherished and beloved daughter, committed an act that broke his heart, and laid the foundation of sorrows for me, that i fear will only end with my life. "alice, i read not long since of a son, the veriest wretch on earth; he was unwilling to grant his poor aged father a subsistence from his abundance; he embittered the failing years of his life by unkindness and reproaches. one day, after an altercation between them, the son seized his father by his thin, white hair, and dragged him to the corner of the street. here, the father in trembling tones implored his pity. 'stop, oh! stop, my son' he said, 'for i dragged my father here, god has punished me in your sin.' "alice, can you not see the hand of a just god in this retribution, and do you wonder, when you made this acknowledgment to me to-night, the agony of death overcame me? i thought, as i felt his hand laid heavily upon me, my punishment was greater than i could bear; my sin would be punished in your sorrow; and naught but sorrow would be your portion as the wife of walter lee. "do not interrupt me, it is time we were asleep, but i shall soon have finished what i have to say. my father and mr. weston were friends in early life, and i was thrown into frequent companionship with my husband, from the time when we were very young. his appearance, his talents, his unvaried gayety of disposition won my regard. for a time, the excess of dissipation in which he indulged was unknown to us, but on our return to virginia after an absence of some months in england, it could no longer be concealed. his own father joined with mine in prohibiting all intercourse between us. for a time his family considered him as lost to them and to himself; he was utterly regardless of aught save what contributed to his own pleasures. i only mention this to excuse my father in your eyes, should you conclude he was too harsh in the course he insisted i should pursue. he forbade him the house, and refused to allow any correspondence between us; at the same time he promised that if he would perfectly reform from the life he was leading, at the end of two years he would permit the marriage. i promised in return to bind myself to these conditions. will you believe it, that seated on my mother's grave, with my head upon my kind father's breast, i vowed, that as i hoped for heaven i would never break my promise, never see him again, without my father's permission, until the expiration of this period; and yet i did break it. i have nearly done. i left home secretly. i was married; and i never saw my father's face again. the shock of my disobedience was too hard for him to bear. he died, and in vain have i sought a place of repentance, though i sought it with tears. "i have suffered much; but though i cannot conceal from you that your father threw away the best portion of his life, his death was not without hope. i cling to the trust that his sins were washed away, and his soul made clean in the blood of the saviour. then, by the memory of all that i suffered, and of that father whose features you bear, whose dying words gave testimony to my faithfulness and affection to him, i conjure you to conquer this unfortunate passion, which, if yielded to, will end in your unceasing misery. "there was little of my large fortune left at your father's death; we have been almost dependant on your uncle. yet it has not been dependance; he is too generous to let us feel that. on your father's death-bed, he was all in all to him--never leaving him; inducing him to turn his thoughts to the future opening before him. he taught me where to look for comfort, and bore with me when in my impatient grief i refused to seek it. he took you, then almost an infant, to his heart, has cherished you as his own, and now looks forward to the happiness of seeing you his son's wife; will you so cruelly disappoint him?" "i will do whatever you ask me, dear mother," said alice. "i will never see walter again, if that will content you. i have already told him that i can never be to him more than i have always been--a sister. yet i cannot help loving him." "cannot help loving a man whose very birth is attended with shame," said mrs. weston; "whose passions are ungovernable, who has already treated with the basest ingratitude his kindest friends? have you so little pride? i will not reproach you, my darling; promise me you will never see walter again, after to-morrow, without my knowledge. i can trust you. oh! give up forever the thought of being his wife, if ever you have entertained it. time will show you the justice of my fears, and time will bring back your old feelings for arthur, and we shall be happy again." "i will make you the promise," said alice, "and i will keep it; but i will not deceive arthur. ungrateful as i may appear, he shall know all. he will then love some one more worthy of him than i am." "let us leave the future in the hands of an unerring god, my alice. each one must bear her burden, i would gladly bear yours; but it may not be. forget all this for a while; let me sleep by you to-night." alice could not but be soothed by the gentle tone, and dear caress. oh, blessed tie! uniting mother and child. earth cannot, and heaven will not break it. chapter viii. as absurd would it be for one of the small unsettled stars, for whose place and wanderings we care not, to usurp the track of the queen of night or of the god of day, as for an unpretending writer to go over ground that has been trodden by the master minds of the age. it was in the olden time that cooper described a dinner party in all its formal, but hospitable perfection. washington was a guest there, too, though an unacknowledged one; we cannot introduce him at exeter, yet i could bring forward there, more than one who knew him well, valuing him not only as a member of society and a hero, but as the man chosen by god for a great purpose. besides, i would introduce to my readers, some of the residents of l----. i would let them into the very heart of virginia life; and, although i cannot arrogate to it any claims for superiority over other conditions of society, among people of the same class in life, yet, at least, i will not allow an inferiority. as variety is the spice of society, i will show them, that here are many men of many minds. mark, was a famous waiter, almost equal to bacchus, who was head man, on such occasions. they were in their elements at a dinner party, and the sideboard, and tables, on such an occasion, were in their holiday attire. a strong arm, a hard brush, and plenty of beeswax, banished all appearance of use, and the old servants thought that every article in the room looked as bright and handsome as on the occasion of their young mistress' first presiding at her table. the blinds of the windows looking south, were partly open; the branches of the lemon-tree, and the tendrils of the white-jessamine, assisted in shading the apartment, making it fragrant too. the bird-cages were hung among the branches of the flowers, and the little prisoners sang as if they had, at last, found a way of escape to their native woods; old-fashioned silver glittered on the sideboard, the large china punch-bowl maintaining its position in the centre. william had gone to the drawing-room to announce the important intelligence, "dinner is ready!" and bacchus looked around the room for the last time, to see that every thing was, as it should be, snuffing up the rich fumes of the soup as it escaped from the sides of the silver-covered tureen. he perceived that one of the salt-cellars was rather near the corner of the table, and had only time to rearrange it, when william threw open the doors. the company entered, and with some delay and formality took their places. we need not wait until the rev. mr. aldie says grace, though that would not detain us long; for the rev. mr. aldie, besides being very hungry, has a great deal of tact, and believes in short prayers; nor will we delay to witness the breaking down of the strongholds of precision and ultra propriety, that almost always solemnizes the commencement of an entertainment; but the old madeira having been passed around, we will listen to the conversation that is going on from different parts of the table. "we have outlived, sir," said mr. chapman, addressing a northern gentleman present, "we have outlived the first and greatest era of our country. its infancy was its greatest era. the spirit of washington still breathes among us. one or two of us here have conversed with him, sat at his table, taken him by the hand. it is too soon for the great principles that animated his whole career to have passed from our memory. i am not a very old man, gentlemen and ladies, yet it seems to me a great while since the day of washington's funeral. my father called me and my brothers to him, and while our mother was fastening a band of black crape around our hats, 'my boys,' said he, 'you have seen the best days of this republic.' it is so, for as much as the united states has increased in size, and power, and wealth, since then, different interests are dividing her." "was washington a cheerful man?" asked an english gentleman who was present, "i have heard that he never laughed. is it so?" miss janet, who was considered a kind of oracle when personal memories of washington were concerned, answered after a moment's pause, "i have seen him smile often, i never saw him laugh but once. he rode over, one afternoon, to see a relative with whom i was staying; it was a dark, cloudy day, in november; a brisk wood fire was very agreeable. after some little conversation on ordinary topics, the gentlemen discussed the politics of the times, washington saying little, but listening attentively to others. "the door opened suddenly, and a son of my relative entered, in a noisy bustling manner. passing the gentlemen with a nod, he turned his back to the fire, putting his hands behind him. 'father,' said he, scarcely waiting until the sentence that general washington was uttering, was finished, 'what do you think? uncle jack and i shot a duck in the head!' he deserved a reproof for his forwardness; but washington joined the rest in a laugh, no doubt amused at the estimation in which the youth held himself and uncle jack. the two together, killed a duck, and the boy was boasting of it in the presence of the greatest man the world ever produced. the poor fellow left the room, and for a time his sporting talents were joked about more than he liked." after the ladies retired, mr. selden proposed the health of the amiable george washington. "good heavens! sir," said mr. chapman, the veins in his temples swelling, and his whole frame glowing with vexation, "what is that you say? did ever any one hear of a soldier being amiable? no, sir, i will give you a toast that was drank just before the death of the greatest and best of men. i picked up an old newspaper, and laid it aside in my secretary. in it i read a toast worth giving. fill high, gentlemen--'the man who forgets the services of george washington, may he be forgotten by his country and his god.'" mr. selden, who possessed in a remarkable degree the amiableness that he had ascribed to another, swallowed the wine and approved the toast. mr. chapman was some time recovering his composure. "you intend to leave virginia very soon, mr. lee," said mr. kent, addressing walter. "very soon, sir," walter replied. "where shall you go first?" asked mr. kent. "i have not decided on any course of travel," said walter. "i shall, perhaps, wander toward germany." "we will drink your health, then," said mr. weston. "a pleasant tour, walter, and a safe return." * * * * * "you are from connecticut, i believe, mr. perkins?" said mr. barbour, "but as you are not an abolitionist, i suppose it will not be uncourteous to discuss the subject before you. i have in my memorandum book a copy of a law of your state, which was in existence at one time, and which refers to what we have been conversing about. it supports the fugitive slave law, in prospect. at that time you new englanders held not only negro, but indian slaves. let me read this, gentleman. 'be it enacted by the governor, council, and representatives, in general court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that whatsoever negro, mulatto, or indian servant or servants, shall be wandering out of the bounds of the town or place to which they belong, without a ticket or pass, in writing, under the hand of some assistant or justice of the peace, or under the hand of the master or owner of such negro, mulatto, or indian servant or servants, shall be deemed and accounted as runaways, and may be treated as such. and every person inhabiting in this colony, finding or meeting with any such negro, mulatto, or indian servant or servants not having a ticket as aforesaid, is hereby empowered to seize and secure him or them, and bring him or them before the next authority, to be examined and returned to his or their master or owner, who shall satisfy the charge accruing thereby. "'and all ferrymen within the colony are hereby requested not to suffer any indian, mulatto, or negro servant without certificate as aforesaid, to pass over their respective ferries by assisting them, directly or indirectly, on the penalty of paying a fine of twenty shillings for every such offence, to the owner of such servants.' in the same act," continued mr. barbour, "a free person who receives any property, large or small, from a slave, without an order from his master, must either make full restitution or be openly whipped with so many stripes, (not exceeding twenty.)" "now, gentlemen," said mr. chapman, who was an impetuous old gentleman, "don't you see those yankees were close enough in taking care of their own slaves, and if they could have raised sugar and cotton, or had deemed it to their advantage to be slaveholders to this day, they'd have had a fugitive slave law long before this. a daniel would have come to judgment sooner even than the immortal daniel webster." "wait a moment, my dear sir," said mr. barbour. "another paragraph of the same act provides, 'that if any negro, mulatto, or indian servant or slave, shall be found abroad from home, in the night season, after nine o'clock, without a special order from his or their master or mistress, it shall be lawful for any person or persons to apprehend and secure such negro, mulatto, or indian servant or slave, so offending, and him, her, or them, bring before the next assistant or justice of the peace, which authority shall have full power to pass sentence upon such servant or slave, and order him, her, or them, to be publicly whipped on the _naked_ body, not exceeding ten stripes, &c.'" "pretty tight laws you had, sir," said mr. chapman, addressing mr. perkins. "a woman could be picked up and whipped, at the report of any body, on the naked body. why, sir, if we had such laws here, it would be whipping all the time, (provided so infamous a law could be carried into execution.) there is one thing certain, you made the most of slavery while you had it." "but we have repented of all our misdeeds," said mr. perkins, good-humouredly. "yes," said mr. chapman, "like the boy that stole a penny, and when he found it wouldn't buy the jack-knife he wanted, he repented, and carried it to the owner." "but you must remember the times, my dear sir," said mr. perkins. "i do, i do, sir," said mr. chapman. "the very time that you had come for freedom yourself, you kidnapped the noble sons of the soil, and made menials of them. i wonder the ground did not cry out against you. now we have been left with the curse of slavery upon us, (for it is in some respects a curse on the negro and the white man,) and god may see fit to remove it from us. but why don't the abolitionists buy our slaves, and send them to liberia?" "that would be against their principles," said mr. perkins. "excuse me, sir," said mr. chapman, "but d----n their principles; it is against their pockets. why don't those who write abolition books, give the profits to purchase some of these poor wretches who are whipped to death, and starved to death, and given to the flies to eat up, and burned alive; then i would believe in their principles, or at least in their sincerity. but now the fear is for their pockets. i am a poor man. i own a few slaves, and i will sell them to any northern man or woman at half-price for what i could get from a trader, and they may send them to liberia. lord! sir, they'd as soon think of buying the d----l himself. you must excuse my strong language, but this subject irritates me. not long ago, i was in the upper part of the state of new york, looking about me, for i do look about me wherever i am. one morning i got up early, and walked toward the new railroad that they were constructing in the neighborhood. i chanced to get to the spot just in time to see a little fracas between a stout, burly irishman, and the superintendent of the party. "'i thought, be jasus,' said the irishman, just as i approached near enough to hear what was going on, 'that a man could see himself righted in a free country.' "'go to your work,' said the superintendent, and if you say another word about it, i'll knock you over.' "'is it you'll knock me over, you will,' began the irishman. "he was over in a moment. the superintendent, sir, gave him a blow between the eyes, with a fist that was hard as iron. the man staggered, and fell. i helped him up, sir; and i reckon he thought matters might be worse still, for he slowly walked off. "'d----d free country,' he muttered to me, in a kind of confidential tone. 'i thought they only knocked niggers over in ameriky. be me soul, but i'll go back to ireland.' "i could not help expressing my astonishment to the superintendent, repeating the irishman's words, 'i thought only niggers could be knocked over in this country.' "'niggers!' said the superintendent, 'i guess if you had to deal with irishmen, you'd find yourself obliged to knock 'em down.' "'but don't the laws protect them?' i asked. "'laws! why railroads have to be made, and have to be made the right way. i aint afraid of the laws. i think no more of knocking an irishman over, sir, than i do of eating my dinner. one is as necessary as the other.' "now," continued mr. chapman, "if an abolitionist sees a slave knocked over, he runs home to tell his mammy; it's enough to bring fire and brimstone, and hail, and earthquakes on the whole country. a man must have a black skin or his sorrows can never reach the hearts of these gentlemen. they had better look about at home. there is wrong enough there to make a fuss about." "well," said the englishman, "you had both better come back to the mother country. the beautiful words, so often quoted, of curran, may invite you: 'no matter with what solemnities he may have been devoted upon the altar of slavery, the moment he touches the sacred soil of britain, the altar and the god sink together in the dust, and he stands redeemed, regenerated, and disenthralled, by the irresistible genius of universal emancipation.'" "thank you, sir, for your invitation," said mr. chapman, "but i'll stay in virginia. the old state is good enough for me. i have been to england, and i saw some of your redeemed, regenerated, disenthralled people--i saw features on women's faces that haunted me afterward in my dreams. i saw children with shrivelled, attenuated limbs, and countenances that were old in misery and vice--such men, women, and children as dickens and charlotte elizabeth tell about. my little grand-daughter was recovering from a severe illness, not long ago, and i found her weeping in her old nurse's arms. 'o! grandpa,' said she, as i inquired the cause of her distress, 'i have been reading "the little pin-headers."' i wept over it too, for it was true. no, sir; if i must see slavery, let me see it in its best form, as it exists in our southern country." "you are right, sir, i fear," said the englishman. "well," said mr. perkins, "i am glad i am not a slaveholder, for one reason; i am sure i should never get to heaven. i should be knocking brains out from morning till night, that is if there are brains under all that mass of wool. why, they are so slow, and inactive--i should be stumbling over them all the time; though from the specimens i have seen in your house, sir, i should say they made most agreeable servants." "my servants are very faithful," said mr. weston, "they have had great pains taken with them. i rarely have any complaints from the overseer." "your overseers,--that is the worst feature in slavery," said mr. perkins. "why, sir," said mr. chapman, ready for another argument, "you have your superintendents at the north--and they can knock their people down whenever they see fit." "i beg your pardon, sir," said mr. perkins. "i had forgotten that." "stay a little while with us," said mr. chapman, as mr. weston rose to lead the way to the drawing-room. "you will not find us so bad as you think. we may roast a negro now and then, when we have a barbecue, but that will be our way of showing you hospitality. you must remember we are only 'poor heathenish southerners' according to the best received opinions of some who live with you in new england." * * * * * "alice," said mrs. weston, at a late hour in the evening, when the last of the guests were taking their departure, "walter would like to see you in the library; but, my love, i wish you would spare yourself and him the useless pain of parting." "i must see him, dear mother, do not refuse me; it is for the last time--pray, let me go." "if you choose," and alice glided away as her mother was interrupted by the leave-taking of some of their visitors. the forms, the courtesies of life had no claims upon her now--she was enduring her first sorrow; the foundation of youth's slight fabric of happiness was yielding beneath her touch. the dread "nevermore," that edgar poe could not drive from his heart and sight, was oppressing her. she sought him before whom her young heart had bowed, not the less devotedly and humbly that it was silently and secretly. it was to be a bitter parting, not as when she watched to the last arthur weston, who was dear to her as ever was brother to a sister, for they had the promise and hope of meeting again; but now there was no tear in her eye, no trembling in her frame, and no hope in her heart. from the utmost depth of her soul arose the prophetic voice, "thou shalt see him no more." "alice," said walter, taking her hand between both of his, and gazing at her face, as pale and sad as his own, "it is your mother's wish that from this time we should be strangers to each other, even loving as we do; that our paths on earth should separate, never to meet again. is it your wish too?" "we must part; you know it, walter," said alice, musingly, looking out upon, but not seeing the calm river, and the stars that gazed upon its waves, and all the solemn beauty with which night had invested herself. "but you love me, alice; and will you see me go from you forever, without hope? will you yourself speak the word that sends me forth a wanderer upon the earth?" said walter. "what can i do?" said alice. "choose, alice, your own destiny, and fix mine." "walter, i cannot leave my mother; i would die a thousand times rather than bring such sorrow upon her who has known so much. my uncle, too--my more than father--oh! walter, i have sinned, and i suffer." "you are wise, alice; you have chosen well; you cling to mother, and home, and friends; i have none of these ties; there is not upon earth a being so utterly friendless as i am." "dear walter, you have friends, and you can make them; you have wealth, talent, and many gifts from god. go forth into the world and use them. let your noble heart take courage; and in assisting others and making them happy, you will soon be happy yourself." walter looked at her with surprise: such words were unlike her, whom he had been accustomed to consider a loving and lovely child. but a bitter smile passed over his countenance, and in a stern voice he said, "and you, alice, what are you to do?" "god alone knows," said alice, forced into a consideration of her own sorrow, and resting against a lounge near which she had been standing. she wept bitterly. walter did not attempt to restrain her, but stood as if contemplating a grief that he could not wish to control. alice again spoke, "it must come, dear walter, first or last, and we may as well speak the farewell which must be spoken--but i could endure my part, if i had the hope that you will be happy. will you promise me you will try to be?" "no, alice, i cannot promise you that; if happiness were in our own power, i would not be looking on you, whom i have loved all my life, for the last time. "but i will hope," he continued, "you may be fortunate enough to forget and be happy." "children," said miss janet--for she had gently approached them--"do you know when and where happiness is to be found? when we have done all that god has given us to do here; and in the heaven, above those stars that are now looking down upon you. look upon alice, walter, with the hope of meeting again; and until then, let the remembrance of her beauty and her love be ever about you. let her hear of you as one who deserves the pure affection of her young and trusting heart. you have lived as brother and sister; part as such, and may the blessing of god be upon both of you forever." walter took alice in his arms, and kissed her cheek; all sternness and pride had gone from his handsome face, but there was such a look of hopeless sorrow there, as we would not willingly behold on the countenance of one so young. cousin janet led him away, and with words of solemn, deep affection, bade him farewell--words that came again, for a time, unheeded and unwelcomed--words that at the last brought hope and peace to a fainting heart. cousin janet returned to alice, whose face lay hidden within her hands: "alice, darling," she said, "look up--god is here; forget your own grief, and think of one who suffered, and who feels for all who, like him, must bear the burden of mortality. think of your many blessings, and how grateful you should feel for them; think of your mother, who for years wept as you, i trust, may never weep; think of your kind uncle, who would die to save you an hour's pain. trust the future, with all its fears, to god, and peace will come with the very effort to attain it." "oh, cousin janet," said alice, "if walter were not so lonely; he knows not where he is going, nor what he is going to do." "it is true," said cousin janet, weeping too; "but we can hope, and trust, and pray. and now, my love, let us join your mother in her room; it is a sad parting for her, too, for walter is dear to us all." * * * * * reader! have so many years passed away, that thou hast forgotten the bitterness of thy first sorrow, or is it yet to come? thinkest thou there is a way of escape--none, unless thou art young, and death interpose, saving thee from all sadness, and writing on thy grave, "do not weep for me, thou knowest not how much of sorrow this early tomb has saved me." when were thy first thoughts of death? i do not mean the sight of the coffin, the pall, or any of its sad accompaniments, but the time when the mind first arrested itself with the melancholy convictions of mortality. there was a holiday for me in my young days, to which i looked forward as the mohammedan to his paradise; this was a visit to a country-place, where i revelled in the breath of the woodbines and sweetbriers, and where i sat under tall and spreading trees, and wondered why towns and cities were ever built. the great willows swept the windows of the chamber where i slept, and faces with faded eyes looked upon me from their old frames, by the moonlight, as i fell asleep, after the day's enjoyment. i never tired of wandering through the gardens, where were roses and sweet-williams, hyacinths and honeysuckles, and flowers of every shape and hue. this was the fairy spot of my recollection, for even childhood has its cares, and there were memories of little griefs, which time has never chased away. there i used to meet two children, who often roamed through the near woods with me. i do not remember their ages nor their names; they were younger though than i. they might not have been beautiful, but i recollect the bright eyes, and that downy velvet hue that is only found on the soft check of infancy. summer came; and when i went again, i found the clematis sweeping the garden walks, and the lilies-of-the-valley bending under the weight of their own beauty. so we walked along, i and an old servant, stopping to enter an arbor, or to raise the head of a drooping plant, or to pluck a sweet-scented shrub, and place it in my bosom. "where are the little girls?" i asked. "have they come again, too?" "yes, they are here," she said, as we approached two little mounds, covered over with the dark-green myrtle and its purple flowers. "what is here?" "child, here are the little ones you asked for." oh! those little myrtle-covered graves, how wonderingly i gazed upon them. there was no thought of death mingled with my meditation; there was, of quiet and repose, but not of death. i had seen no sickness, no suffering, and i only wondered why those fair children had laid down under the myrtle. i fancied them with the fringed eyelids drooping over the cheeks, and the velvet hue still there. how much did i know of death? as little as of life! time passed with me, and i saw the sorrows of others. sometimes i thought of the myrtle-covered graves, and the children that slept beneath. oh! how quiet they must be, they utter no cry, they shed no tears. time passed, and an angel slept in my bosom, close to my heart. need i say that i was happy when she nestled there? that her voice was music to my soul, and her smile the very presence of beauty? need i say it was joy when she called me, mother? then i lived for the present; all the sorrow that i had seen around me, was forgotten. god called that angel to her native heaven, and i wept. now was the mystery of the myrtle-covered graves open before my sight. i had seen the going forth of a little life that was part of my own, i remembered the hard sighs that convulsed that infant breast. i knew that the grave was meant to hide from us, silence and pallor, desolation and decay. i was in the world, no longer a garden of flowers, where i sought from under the myrtle for the bright eyes and the velvet cheeks. i was in the world, and death was there too; it was by my side. i gave my darling to the earth, and felt for myself the bitterness of tears. thus must it ever be--by actual suffering must the young be persuaded of the struggle that is before them--well is it when there is one to say, "god is here." chapter ix. we must bring uncle bacchus's wife before our readers. she is a tall, dignified, bright mulatto woman, named phillis; it is with the qualities of her heart and mind, rather than her appearance, that we have to do. bayard taylor, writing from nubia, in upper egypt, says:--"those friends of the african race, who point to egypt as a proof of what that race has done, are wholly mistaken. the only negro features represented in egyptian sculpture are those of the slaves and captives taken in the ethiopian wars of the pharaohs. the temples and pyramids throughout nubia, as far as abyssinia, all bear the hieroglyphics of these monarchs. there is no evidence in all the valley of the nile that the negro race ever attained a higher degree of civilization than is at present exhibited in congo and ashantee. i mention this, not from any feeling hostile to that race, but simply to controvert an opinion very prevalent in some parts of the united states." it seemed impossible to know phillis without feeling for her sentiments of the highest respect. the blood of the freeman and the slave mingled in her veins; her well-regulated mind slowly advanced to a conclusion; but once made, she rarely changed it. phillis would have been truly happy to have obtained her own freedom, and that of her husband and children: she scorned the idea of running away, or of obtaining it otherwise than as a gift from her owner. she was a firm believer in the bible, and often pondered on the words of the angel, "return and submit thyself to thy mistress." she had on one occasion accompanied her master and mrs. weston to the north, where she was soon found out by some of that disinterested class of individuals called abolitionists. in reply to the question, "are you free?" there was but a moment's hesitation; her pride of heart gave way to her inherent love of truth, "i'll tell no lie," she answered; "i am a slave!" "why do you not _take_ your freedom?" was the rejoinder. "you are in a free state; they cannot force you to the south, if you will take the offers we make you, and leave your master." "you are abolitionists, i 'spose?" asked phillis. "we are," they said, "and we will help you off." "i want none of your help," said phillis. "my husband and children are at home; but if they wasn't, i am an honest woman, and am not in the habit of _taking_ any thing. i'll never _take_ my freedom. if my master would give it to me, and the rest of us, i should be thankful. i am not going to begin stealing, and i fifty years of age." an eye-witness described the straightening of her tall figure, and the indignant flashing of her eye, also the discomfited looks of her northern friends. i have somewhere read of a fable of iceland. according to it, lost souls are to be parched in the burning heat of hecla, and then cast for ever to cool in its never-thawing snows. although phillis could not have quoted this, her opinions would have applied it. for some reason, it was evident to her mind (for she had been well instructed in the bible) that slavery was from the first ordained as a curse. it might, to her high spirit, have been like burning in the bosom of hecla; but taking refuge among abolitionists was, from the many instances that had come to her knowledge, like cooling in its never-thawing snows. at the time that we introduced her to the reader, she was the mother of twelve children. some were quite young, but a number of them were grown, and all of them, with the exception of one, (the namesake of his father,) inherited their mother's energy of character. she had accustomed them to constant industry, and unqualified obedience to her directions; and for this reason, no one had found it necessary to interfere in their management. pride was a large ingredient in phillis's composition. although her husband presented one of the blackest visages the sun ever shone upon, phillis appeared to hold in small esteem the ordinary servants on the plantation. she was constantly chiding her children for using their expressions, and tried to keep them in the house with white people as much as possible, that they might acquire good manners. it was quite a grief to her that bacchus had not a more genteel dialect than the one he used. she had a great deal of family pride; there was a difference in her mind between family servants and those employed in field labor. for "the quality" she had the highest respect; for "poor white people" only a feeling of pity. she had some noble qualities, and some great weaknesses; but as a _slave!_ we present her to the reader, and she must be viewed as such. miss janet was, in her eyes, perfection. her children were all the better for her kind instructions. her youngest child, lydia, a girl of six or seven years old, followed the old lady everywhere, carrying her key and knitting-basket, looking for her spectacles, and maintaining short conversations in a confidential tone. one of phillis's chiefest virtues was, that she had been able to bring bacchus into subjection, with the exception of his love for an occasional spree. spoiled by an indulgent master, his conceit and wilfulness had made him unpopular with the servants, though his high tone of speaking, and a certain pretension in his manner and dress, was not without its effect. he was a sort of patriarch among waiters and carriage-drivers; could tell anecdotes of dinners where washington was a guest; and had been familiar with certain titled people from abroad, whose shoes he had had the honor of polishing. the only person in whose presence he restrained his braggadocio style was phillis. her utter contempt for nonsense was too evident. bacchus was the same size as his master, and often fell heir to his cast-off clothes. a blue dress-coat and buff vest that he thus inherited, had a great effect upon him, bodily and spiritually. not only did he swagger more when arrayed in them, but his prayers and singing were doubly effective. he secretly prided himself on a likeness to mr. weston, but this must have been from a confusion of mind into which he was thrown, by constantly associating himself with mr. weston's coats and pantaloons. he once said to phillis, "you might know master was a born gentleman by de way his clothes fits. dey don't hang about him, but dey 'pears as if dey had grow'd about him by degrees; and if you notice, dey fits me in de same way. pity i can't wear his shoes, dey's so soft, and dey don't creak. i hates boots and shoes all time creakin, its so like poor white folks when they get dressed up on sunday. i wonders often miss anna don't send me none of master's old ruffled shirts. 'spose she thinks a servant oughtn't to wear 'em. i was a wishin last sunday, when i gin in my 'sperience in meetin, that i had one of master's old ruffled shirts on. i know i could a 'scoursed them niggers powerful. its a hard thing to wear a ruffled shirt. dey sticks out and pushes up to people's chins--i mean people dat aint born to wear 'em. master wears 'em as if he was born in 'em, and i could too. i wish you'd put miss janet up to gittin one or two for me. miss janet's mighty 'bliging for an ole maid; 'pears as if she liked to see even cats happy. when an ole maid don't hate cats, there aint nothin to be feared from 'em." phillis ruled her husband in most things, but she indulged him in all his whims that were innocent. she determined he should have, not an old ruffled shirt, but a new one. she reported the case to miss janet, who set two of her girls to work, and by saturday night the shirt was made and done up, and plaited. bacchus was to be pleasantly surprised by it next morning appearing on the top of his chest. it happened that on this identical sunday, bacchus had (as the best of men will sometimes) got up wrong foot foremost, and not having taken the trouble to go back to bed, and get up again, putting the right foot out first, he continued in the same unhappy state of mind. he made, as was his wont, a hasty toilet before breakfast. he wore an old shirt, and a pair of pantaloons that did not reach much above his hips. one of his slippers had no instep; the other was without a heel. his grizzly beard made him look like a wild man of the woods; a certain sardonic expression of countenance contributed to this effect. he planted his chair on its remaining hind leg at the cabin door, and commenced a systematic strain of grumbling before he was fairly seated in it. "i believe in my soul," phillis heard him say, "dat ole aunt peggy al'ars gits up wrong on a sabbath mornin. will any one hear her coughin? my narves is racked a listenin to her. i don't see what she wants to live for, and she most a hundred. i believe its purpose to bother me, sabbath mornins. here, phillis, who's this bin here, diggin up my sweet-williams i planted?--cuss dese children--" "the children had nothing to do with it," said phillis. "master wanted some roots to give to mr. kent and he asked me for 'em. i dug 'em up and they're all the better for being thinned out." "i wish master'd mind his own business, and not be pryin and pilferin 'bout other people's gardens; givin my flowers to that yallow-headed abolitioner. i'll speak my mind to him about it, any how." "you'd better," said phillis, drily. "i will so," said bacchus; "i'd rather he'd a burned 'em up. kent's so cussed mean, i don't b'lieve he'd 'low his flowers ground to grow in if he could help hisself. if miss nannie'd let him, he'd string them niggers of hers up, and wallop their gizzards out of 'em. i hate these abolitioners. i knows 'em,--i knows their pedigree." "much you know about 'em," said phillis, who was shaking the dew drops off her "morning glory." "i knows enuff of 'em--i reckon miss nannie do, about dis time. de ole gentleman did right, any how, when he lef 'em all to her--if he hadn't, dat feller would a sold 'em all off to georgia 'fore this, and a runn'd off wid de money." "well," said phillis, "you'd better mind your own affairs; come in and eat your breakfast, if you want any, for i aint going to keep it standin there all day, drawing the flies." bacchus kicked his slippers off and stumbled into a chair beside the table. "i'll swar," said he, after a glance at the fried ham and eggs, "if ever a man had to eat sich cookin as dis. why didn't you fry 'em a little more?" phillis not minding him, he condescended to eat them all, and to do justice to the meal in general. "the old fool," thought phillis, amused and provoked; "talkin of master's pilferin--never mind, i've put his ruffled shirt out, and he'll get in a good humor when he sees it, i reckon." having finished his breakfast, bacchus put an enormous piece of tobacco in his mouth, and commenced sharpening a small-sized scythe, that he called a razor. in doing so, he made a noise like a high-pressure steamboat, now and then breathing on it, and going in a severe fit of coughing with every extra exertion. on his table was a broken piece of looking-glass, on the quicksilver side of which, arthur had, when a child, drawn a horse. into this bacchus gave a look, preparatory to commencing operations. then, after due time spent in lathering, he hewed down at each shave, an amount of black tow that was inconceivable. after he had done, he gathered up his traps, and stowed them away in the corner of his chest. phillis sat outside the door, smoking; looking in at the window, occasionally, to observe the effect of the first sight of the new shirt. she saw him turn toward the little red painted bureau, on which she had laid out his clean clothes, starting with surprise and pleasure, when his eye first took in the delightful vision. cortez, when he stood conqueror of mexico, did not feel the glow of satisfaction that thrilled through bacchus's heart as he gently patted the plaited ruffles and examined the wristbands, which were stitched with the utmost neatness. he got weak in the knees with pleasure, and sat down on the chest in the corner, to support with more ease this sudden accession of happiness, while his wife was reaping a harvest of gratification at the success of her efforts toward his peace of mind. all at once she saw a change pass over his visage. bacchus recollected that it would not do for him so suddenly to get into a good humor; besides, he reflected it was no more than phillis's duty to make him ruffled shirts, and she ought to have been so doing for the last twenty years. these considerations induced him not to show much pleasure on the occasion, but to pretend he was not at all satisfied with the style and workmanship of the article in question. "why, lord a massy," said he, "phillis, what do you call dis here? t'aint a shirt? at fust i thought 'twas one of miss janet's short night gowns you'd been a doing up for her." phillis smoked on, looking inquiringly into the distant hills. "phillis, you don't mean me to wear dis here to meetin? t'aint fit. dese wristbands is made out o' cotton, and i b'lieves in my soul aunt peggy done dis stitchin widout any spectacles." phillis knocked the ashes out of her pipe, and puffed on. "look here, phillis," said bacchus, going to the door as fast as the uncertain condition of his pantaloons would allow him, "did you 'spose i was sich a fool as to wear dis to meetin to-day?" "yes, i did," said phillis. "why, t'aint fit for a nigger to hoe corn in, its as big as a hay-stack." "have you tried it on?" asked phillis. "t'aint no use," said bacchus, "i can tell by de looks." "i'm sorry you don't like it," said phillis. "like it," said bacchus, contemptuously, "why, if it twasn't for the trouble of going to my chist, i'd wear one of my old ones. cuss de ruffles, i wish you'd cut 'em off." bacchus went in, and in due time made his appearance in full dress. he wore the blue coat and buff vest, and a pair of white pantaloons, made after the old style. his shoes were as bright as his eyes, and his hat dusted until it only wanted an entire new nap to make it as good as new. his hair was combed in a sort of mound in front, and the _tout ensemble_ was astounding. he passed phillis in a dignified way, as if she were a valuable cat that he would not like to tread upon. phillis looked after him with a most determined expression of face. if she had been made out of stone she could not have seemed more resolved. she got up, however, soon after, and went in to arrange matters after her lord and master. bacchus purposely passed aunt peggy's cabin, making her a stylish bow. peggy had taken off her handkerchief, to air her head, her hair standing off every which way, appearing determined to take her up somewhere, the point of destination being a matter of no consequence. she chuckled audibly as she saw bacchus. "look at dat ole fool now, wid dat ruffled shirt on; he's gwine to bust dis blessed mornin. look at de way he's got his wool combed up. i b'lieves in my soul he's got somebody buried up thar. he's a raal ole peacock. dat's de way! 'kase i'm ole and wuthless, no matter 'bout me; and dat ole nigger 'lowed to make a fool of hisself, dressin up drunk in a ruffled shirt. no matter, i'll be dead and out of der way, fore long." bacchus prayed with great effect this morning, calling himself and the whole congregation the most dreadful names, with the utmost satisfaction. he made a short address too, warning the servants against sin in general, and a love of finery in particular. on his return he beamed forth upon phillis like one of her own "morning glories." the rest of the day he was brimful of jokes and religion. the next sunday came around. phillis smoked outside while bacchus made his toilet. "phillis," said the old fellow, blandly, coming to the door, "i don't see my ruffled shirt out here." "high" said phillis, "i laid your shirt with the rest; but i'll look. here it is," said she, pleasantly, "jest where i put it." "why, whar's the ruffles?" "i cut 'em off," said phillis; "you asked me to." bacchus got weak in the knees again, and had to sit down on the old chest. not a word escaped his lips; a deep sigh burst from the pent-up boiler of his remorse. with an agonized countenance he seized a piece of rag which he had used as a shaving towel, and wiped away a repentant tear. his soul was subdued within him. he went to meeting, but declined officiating in any capacity, pleading a pain in his stomach as an excuse. at dinner he found it impossible to finish the remaining quarter of a very tough old rooster phillis had stuffed and roasted for him. at sundown he ate a small-sized hoe-cake and a tin pan of bonnyclabber; then observing "that he believed he was put into dis world for nothing but to have trouble," he took to his bed. phillis saw that he would be more docile for the rest of his life; for a moment, the thought of restoring the shirt to its original splendor occurred to her, but she chased it away as if it had been a fox, and took the greatest satisfaction in "having given the old fool a lesson that would last him all the days of his life." "to you, generous and noble-minded men and women of the south, i appeal, (i quote the words of a late writer on abolitionism, when i say,) is _man_ ever a creature to be trusted with wholly irresponsible power? can anybody fail to make the inference, what the practical result will be?"[a] although she is here speaking of slavery _politically_, can you not apply it to matrimony in this miserable country of ours? can we not remodel our husbands, place them under our thumbs, and shut up the escape valves of their grumbling forever? to be sure, st. paul exhorts "wives to be obedient to their own husbands," and "servants to be obedient to their own masters," but st. paul was not an abolitionist. he did not take into consideration the necessities of the free-soil party, and woman's _rights_. this is the era of mental and bodily emancipation. take advantage of it, wives and negroes! but, alas for the former! there is no society formed for _their_ benefit; their day of deliverance has not yet dawned, and until its first gleamings arise in the _east_, they must wear their chains. except when some strong-minded female steps forth from the degraded ranks, and asserts her position, whether by giving loose to that unruly member the tongue, or by a piece of management which will give "an old fool a lesson that will last him all the days of his life." chapter x. phillis was at her ironing early in the morning, for she liked to hurry it over before the heat of the day. her cabin doors were open, and her flowers, which had been watered by a slight rain that fell about daybreak, looked fresh and beautiful. her house could be hardly called a cabin, for it was very much superior to the others on the plantation, though they were all comfortable. phillis was regarded by the weston family as the most valuable servant they owned--and, apart from her services, there were strong reasons why they were attached to her. she had nursed mrs. weston in her last illness, and as her death occurred immediately after arthur's birth, she nourished him as her own child, and loved him quite as well. her comfort and wishes were always objects of the greatest consideration to the family, and this was proved whenever occasion allowed. her neatly white-washed cottage was enclosed by a wooden fence in good condition--her little garden laid out with great taste, if we except the rows of stiffly-trimmed box which phillis took pride in. a large willow tree shaded one side of it; and on the other, gaudy sunflowers reared their heads, and the white and persian lilacs, contrasted with them. all kinds of small flowers and roses adorned the front of the house, and you might as well have sought for a diamond over the whole place, as a weed. the back of the lot was arranged for the accommodation of her pigs and chickens; and two enormous peacocks, that were fond of sunning themselves by the front door, were the handsomest ornaments about the place. the room in which phillis ironed, was not encumbered with much furniture. her ironing-table occupied a large part of its centre, and in the ample fireplace was blazing a fire great enough to cook a repast for a moderate number of giants. behind the back door stood a common pine bedstead, with an enormous bed upon it. how any bedstead held such a bed was remarkable; for phillis believed there was a virtue in feathers even in the hottest weather, and she would rather have gone to roost on the nearest tree than to have slept on any thing else. the quilt was of a domestic blue and white, her own manufacture, and the cases to the pillows were very white and smooth. a little, common trundle bedstead was underneath, and on it was the bedding which was used for the younger children at night. the older ones slept in the servants' wing in the house, phillis making use of two enormous chests, which were bacchus's, and her wardrobes, for sleeping purposes for a couple more. to the right of the bed, was the small chest of drawers, over which was suspended bacchus's many-sided piece of shaving glass, and underneath it a pine box containing his shaving weapons. several chairs, in a disabled state, found places about the room, and phillis's clothes-horse stood with open arms, ready to receive the white and well-ironed linen that was destined to hang upon it. on each side of the fireplace was a small dresser, with plates and jars of all sizes and varieties, and over each were suspended some branches of trees, inviting the flies to rest upon them. there was no cooking done in this room, there being a small shed for that purpose, back of the house; not a spot of grease dimmed the whiteness of the floors, and order reigned supreme, marvellous to relate! where a descendant of afric's daughters presided. lydia had gone as usual to miss janet, and several of the other children were busy about the yard, feeding the chickens, sweeping up, and employed in various ways; the only one who ever felt inclined to be lazy, and who was in body and mind the counterpart of his father, being seated on the door step, declaring he had a pain in his foot. the adjoining room was the place in which phillis's soul delighted, the door of it being at all times locked, and the key lost in the depths of her capacious pocket. from this place of retirement it emerged when any of the family honored her with their company, especially when attended by visitors; and after their departure, traces of their feet were carefully sought with keen and anxious eyes, and quickly obliterated with broom and duster. this, her sanctum sanctorum, was a roomy apartment with three windows, each shaded by white cotton curtains. on the floor was a home-made carpet; no hand was employed in its manufacture save its owner's, from the time she commenced tearing the rags in strips, to the final blow given to the last tack that confined it to the floor. a very high post bedstead, over which were suspended white cotton curtains, gave an air of grandeur to one side of the room. no one had slept in it for ten years, though it was made with faultless precision. the quilt over it contained pieces of every calico and gingham dress that had been worn in the weston family since the revolution, and in the centre had been transferred from a remnant of curtain calico, an eagle with outstretched wings. the pillow cases were finished off with tape trimming, alice's work, at cousin janet's suggestion. over an old fashioned-mahogany bureau hung an oval looking glass, which was carefully covered from the flies. an easy chair stood by the window at the foot of the bed, which had, like most of the other ancient looking pieces of furniture, occupied a conspicuous place in mr. weston's house. six chairs planted with unyielding stiffness against the walls seemed to grow out of the carpet; and the very high fender enclosed a pair of andirons that any body with tolerable eyesight could have seen their faces in. over the mantel piece were suspended two pictures. one was a likeness of mr. weston, cut in paper over a black surface, with both hands behind him, and his right foot foremost; the other was a picture of the shepherds in pilgrim's progress, gazing through a spy-glass at the celestial city. alice's first sampler, framed in a black frame, hung on one side of the room, and over it was a small sword which used to swing by arthur's side, when receiving lessons in military science from bacchus, who, in his own opinion, was another bonaparte. into this room phillis's children gazed with wondering eyes; and those among the plantation servants who had been honored with a sight of it, declared it superior, in every respect, to their master's drawing room; holding in especial reverence a small table, covered with white, which supported the weight of phillis's family bible, where were registered in arthur's and alice's handwriting, the births of all her twelve descendants, as well as the ceremony which united her to their illustrious father. phillis was ironing away with a good heart, when she was interrupted by a summons to attend her master in the library. she obeyed it with very little delay, and found mr. weston seated in his arm-chair, looking over a note which he held in his hand. "come in, phillis," he said, in a kind but grave manner. "i want to speak with you for a few moments; and as i have always found you truthful, i have no doubt you will be perfectly so on the present occasion." "what is it, master?" phillis said, respectfully. "i received a note, yesterday, from mr. dawson, about his servant jim, who ran away three weeks ago. he charges me with having permitted my servants to shelter him for the night, on my plantation; having certain information, that he was seen leaving it the morning after the severe storm we had about that time. if you know any thing of it, phillis, i require you to tell it to me; i hardly think any of the other servants had opportunities of doing so, and yet i cannot believe that you would so far forget yourself as to do what is not only wrong, but calculated to involve me in serious difficulties with my neighbors." "i hope you will not be angry with me, master?" said phillis, "but i can't tell a lie; i let jim stay in my room that night, and i've been mightily troubled about it; i was afeard you would be angry with me, if you heard of it, and yet, master, i could not help it when it happened." "could not help it! phillis," said mr. weston. "what do you mean by that? why did you not inform me of it, that i might have sent him off?" "i couldn't find it in my heart, sir," said phillis, the tears coming in her fine eyes. "the poor creature come in when the storm was at its worst. i had no candle lit; for the lightning was so bright that i hadn't no call for any other light. bacchus was out in it all, and i was thinking he would be brought in dead drunk, or dead in earnest, when all at once jim burst open the door, and asked me to let him stay there. i know'd he had run away, and at first i told him to go off, and not be gitting me into trouble; but, master, while i was sending him off such a streak of lightning come in, and such a crash of thunder, that i thought the almighty had heard me turn him out, and would call me to account for it, when jim and me should stand before him at the judgment day. i told jim he had better go back to his master, that he wouldn't have any comfort, always hiding himself, and afeard to show his face, but he declared he would die first; and so as i couldn't persuade him to go home agin, i couldn't help myself, for i thought it would be a sin and shame, to turn a beast out in such a storm as that. as soon as the day began to break, and before, too, i woke him up, and told him never to come to my cabin again, no matter what happened. and so, master, i've told you the whole truth, and i am sure you couldn't have turned the poor wretch out to perish in that storm, no matter what would have come of it after." phillis had gained confidence as she proceeded, and mr. weston heard her without interruption. "i can hardly blame you," he then said, "for what you have done; but, phillis, it must never be repeated. jim is a great rascal, and if i were his master i would be glad to be rid of him, but my plantation must not shelter runaway slaves. i am responsible for what my servants do. i should be inclined to hold other gentlemen responsible for the conduct of theirs. the laws of virginia require the rights of the master to be respected, and though i shan't make a constable of myself, still i will not allow any such thing to be repeated. did bacchus know it?" "no, indeed, sir; he hates jim, and no good, may be, would have come of his knowing it; besides, he was asleep long after jim went off, and there was too much whiskey in him to depend on what he'd have to say." "that will do, phillis; and see that such a thing never happens again," said mr. weston. phillis went back to her ironing, assured her master was not angry with her. yet she sighed as she thought of his saying, "see that such a thing never happens again." "if it had been a clear night," she thought within herself, "he shouldn't have stayed there. but it was the lord himself that sent the storm, and i can't see that he never sends another. anyway its done, and can't be helped;" and phillis busied herself with her work and her children. i have not given phillis's cottage as a specimen of the cabins of the negroes of the south. it is described from the house of a favorite servant. yet are their cabins generally, healthy and airy. interest, as well as a wish for the comfort and happiness of the slave, dictates an attention to his wants and feelings. "slavery," says voltaire, "is as ancient as war; war as human nature." it is to be wished that _truth_ had some such intimate connection with human nature. who, for instance, could read without an indignant thought, the following description from the pen of mrs. stowe: "they (their cabins) were rude shells, destitute of any pieces of furniture, except a heap of straw, foul with dirt, spread confusedly over the floor." "the small village was alive with no inviting sounds; hoarse, guttural voices, contending at the handmills, where their morsel of hard corn was yet to be ground into meal to fit it for the cake that was to constitute their only supper." but such statements need no denial; the very appearance of the slaves themselves show their want of truth. look at their sound and healthy limbs, hear the odd, but sweet and musical song that arrests the traveler as he goes on his way; listen to the ready jest which is ever on his lips, and see if the slavery which god has permitted in all ages to exist, is as is here described; and judge if our fair southern land is tenanted by such fiends as they are represented to be, by those who are trying to make still worse the condition of a mass of god's creatures, born to a life of toil, but comparative freedom from care. if it be his will that men should be born free and equal, that will is not revealed in the bible from the time of the patriarchs to the present day. there are directions there for the master and the slave. when the period of emancipation advances, other signs of the times will herald it, besides the uncalled-for interference, and the gross misrepresentations, of the men and women of the north. sidney smith said of a man, who was a great talker, that a few flashes of silence would make a great improvement in him. so of the abolition cause, a few flashes of truth would make it decidedly more respectable. chapter xi. "come, alice," said mr. barbour, "i hear, not the trump of war, but the soul-inspiring scrape of the banjo. i notice the servants always choose the warmest nights to dance in. let us go out and see them." "we'll go to the arbor," said alice; "where we will be near enough to see uncle bacchus's professional airs. ole bull can't exceed him in that respect." "nor equal him," said mr. barbour. "bacchus is a musician by nature; his time is perfect; his soul is absorbed in his twangs and flourishes." "i must come, too," said mr. weston. "you are afraid of the night air, cousin janet?" "never mind me," said cousin janet; "i'll sit here and fan myself." "and as i prefer music, especially the banjo, at a distance, i will stay too," said mrs. weston. aunt phillis was smoking outside her door, her mind divided between speculations as to what had become of jim, and observations on the servants, as they were collecting from every direction, to join in the dancing or to find a good seat to look on. the first sound of the banjo aroused bacchus the younger from his dreams. he bounded from his bed on the chest, regardless of the figure he cut in his very slight dishabille, and proceeded to the front door, _set_, as his mother would have said, on having his own way. "oh, mammy," he said, "dare's de banjo." "what you doin here?" said phillis. "go long to bed this minute, 'fore i take a switch to you." "oh, mammy," said the boy, regardless of the threat in his enthusiastic state of mind, "jist listen, daddy's gwine to play 'did you ever see the devil?'" "will any body listen to the boy? if you don't go to bed"-"oh, mammy, _please_ lem me go. dare's jake, he's gwine to dance. massa said i'd beat jake dancin one o' dese days." "high," said phillis; "where's the sore foot you had this morning?" "its done got well. it got well a little while ago, while i was asleep." "bound for you; go long," said phillis. bacchus was about to go, without the slightest addition to his toilet. "come back here," said phillis, "you real cornfield nigger; you goin there naked?" the boy turned back, and thrust his legs in a pair of pants, with twine for suspenders. his motions were much delayed, by his nervous state of agitation, the consequence of the music which was now going on in earnest. he got off finally, not without a parting admonition from his mother. "look here," said she, "if you don't behave yourself, i'll skin you." allusion to this mysterious mode of punishment had the effect of sobering the boy's mind in a very slight degree. no sooner was he out of his mother's sight than his former vivacity returned. his father, meanwhile, had turned down a barrel, and was seated on it. every attitude, every motion of his body, told that his soul, forgetful of earth and earthly things, had withdrawn to the regions of sound. he kicked his slippers off keeping time, and his head dodged about with every turn of the quick tune. a stranger, not understanding the state of mind into which a negro gets after playing "the devil among the tailors," would have supposed he was afflicted with st. vitus's dance. the mistake would soon have been perceived, for two of the boys having tired themselves out with manoeuvres of every kind, were obliged to sit down to get some breath, and bacchus fell into a sentimental mood, after a little tuning up. it was uncertain in what strain he would finally go off. first came a bar that sounded like auld lang syne, then a note or two of days of absence, then a turn of a methodist hymn, at last he went decidedly into "nelly was a lady." the tune of this william had learned from alice singing it to the piano. he begged her to teach him the words. she did so, telling him of the chorus part, in which many were to unite. bacchus prepared an accompaniment; a number of them sang it together. william sang the solos. he had a remarkably good voice and fine taste; he therefore did justice to the sweet song. when the full but subdued chorus burst upon the ear, every heart felt the power of the simple strain; the master with his educated mind and cultivated taste, and the slave with the complete power of enjoyment with which the creator has endowed him. hardly had the cadence of the last note died away, when "shout, shout, the devil's about," was heard from a stentorian voice. above the peals of laughter with which the words were received, rose jake's voice, "come on, ole fiddler, play somefin a nigger kin kick up his heels to; what's de use of singing after dat fashion; dis aint no meetin." "what'll you have, jake?" said bacchus. "what'll i have? why, i never dances to but one tune," and jake started the first line of "oh, plantation gals, can't you look at a body," while bacchus was giving a prelude of scrapes and twangs. jake made a circle of somersets, and come down on his head, with his heels in the air, going through flourishes that would have astonished an uninitiated observer. as it was, jake's audience were in a high condition of enjoyment. they were in a constant state of expectation as to where he would turn up, or what would be the nature of the next caper. now, he cut the pigeon-wing for a length of time that made the spectators hold their breath; then he would, so to speak, stand on his hands, and with his feet give a push to the barrel where uncle bacchus was sitting, and nearly roll the old man underneath. one moment he is dancing with every limb, making the most curious contortions of his face, rolling out his tongue, turning his eyes wrong side out. suddenly, he stretches himself on the grass, snoring to a degree that might be heard at almost any distance. starting up, he snaps his fingers, twirls round, first on one foot, and then on the other, till feeling the time approaching when he must give up, he strikes up again: "shout, shout, the devil's about; shut the door and keep him out," leaps frog over two or three of the servants' shoulders, disappearing from among them in an immoderate state of conceit and perspiration. bacchus is forced at this crisis to put down the banjo and wipe his face with his sleeve, breathing very hard. he was thinking he wouldn't get near so tired if he had a little of the "oh, be joyful" to keep up his spirits, but such aspirations were utterly hopeless at the present time: getting tipsy while his master, and mr. barbour, and alice were looking at him, was quite out of the question. he made a merit of keeping sober, too, on the ground of setting a good example to the young servants. he consoled himself with a double-sized piece of tobacco, and rested after his efforts. his promising son danced juba at mr. weston's particular request, and was rewarded by great applause. a little courting scene was going on at this time, not far distant. esther, phillis's third daughter, was a neat, genteel-looking servant, entirely above associating with "common niggers," as she styled those who, being constantly employed about the field, had not the advantage of being called upon in the house, and were thus very deficient in manners and appearance from those who were so much under the eye of the family. esther, like her mother, was a great methodist. reading well, she was familiar with the bible, and had committed to memory a vast number of hymns. these, she and her sister, with william, often sung in the kitchen, or at her mother's cabin. miss janet declared it reminded her of the employment of the saints in heaven, more than any church music she had ever heard; especially when they sang, "there is a land of pure delight." that heart must be steeled against the sweet influences of the christian religion, which listens not with an earnest pleasure to the voice of the slave, singing the songs of zion. no matter how kind his master, or how great and varied his comforts, he is a slave! his soul cannot, on earth, be animated to attain aught save the enjoyment of the passing hour. why need he recall the past? the present does not differ from it--toil, toil, however mitigated by the voice of kindness. need he essay to penetrate the future? it is still toil, softened though it be by the consideration which is universally shown to the feelings and weaknesses of old age. yet has the creator, who placed him in this state, mercifully provided for it. the slave has not the hopes of the master, but he is without many of his cares. he may not strive after wealth, yet he is always provided with comfort. ambition, with its longings for fame, and riches, and power, never stimulates his breast; that breast is safe from its disappointments. his enjoyments, though few, equal his expectations. his occupations, though servile, resemble the mass of those around him. his eye can see the beauties of nature; his ear drinks in her harmonies; his soul content itself with what is passing in the limited world around him. yet, he is a slave! and if he is ever elevated above his condition, it is when praising the god of the white man and the black; when, with uplifted voice, he sings the songs of the redeemed; when, looking forward to the invitation which he hopes to receive, "come in, thou servant of the lord." christian of the south, remember who it was that bore thy saviour's cross, when, toiling, and weary, and fainting beneath it, he trod the hill of calvary. not one of the rich, learned, or great; not one of thine ancestors, though thou mayest boast of their wealth, and learning, and heroic acts--it was a black man who relieved him of his heavy burden; simon of cyrene was his name. christian of the north, canst thou emancipate the southern slave? canst thou change his employments, and elevate his condition? impossible. beware then, lest thou add to his burden, and tighten his bonds, and deprive him of the simple enjoyments which are now allowed him. * * * * * esther, seated on the steps of a small porch attached to the side of the house, was mentally treating with great contempt the amusements of the other servants. she had her mother's disposition, and disliked any thing like noisy mirth, having an idea it was not genteel; seeing so little of it in her master's family. she was an active, cheerful girl, but free from any thing like levity in her manner. she had a most devoted admirer in the neighborhood; no less a personage than mrs. kent's coachman. his name was robert, after mrs. kent's father. assuming the family name, he was known as robert carter. phillis called him a harmless goose of a fellow, and this gives the best idea of his character. he understood all about horses, and nothing else, if we except the passion of love, which was the constant subject of his conversation. he had made up his mind to court esther, and with that in view he dressed himself in full livery, as if he were going to take his mistress an airing. he asks mrs. kent's permission to be married, though he had not the slightest reason to suppose esther would accept him, with a confidence and self-exultation that man in general is apt to feel when he has determined to bestow himself upon some fortunate fair one. he went his way, passing the dancers without any notice, and going straight to that part of the house where he supposed he should find esther. esther received him with politeness, but with some reserve; not having a chair to offer him, and not intending him to take a seat on the steps beside her, she stood up, and leaned against the porch. they talked a little of the weather, and the health of the different members of their respective families, during which, robert took the opportunity to say, "his master, (mr. kent) had a bilious attack, and he wished to the lord, he'd never get better of it." finally, he undid one of the buttons of his coat, which was getting too small for him, and drawing a long breath, proceeded to lay himself (figuratively) at esther's feet. he did not come to the point at once, but drove round it, as if there might be some impediment in the way, which, though it could not possibly upset the whole affair, might make a little unnecessary delay. esther thought he was only talking nonsense, as usual, but when he waxed warm and energetic in his professions, she interrupted him with, "look here, robert, you're out of your head, aint you?" "no deed, miss esther, but i'm dying in love with you." "the best thing you can do, is to take yourself home," said esther. "i hope you're sober." "i was never soberer in my life," said robert, "but the fact is, miss esther, i'm tired of a bachelor's life; 'pears as if it wasn't respectable, and so i'm thinking of settling down." "you want settling down, for true," said esther. "i'm mighty happy to hear you say so," said robert, "and if you'll only mention what time it'll be agreeable to you to make me the happiest man in virginny, i'le speak to uncle watty harkins about performing the ceremony, without you prefer a white minister to tie the knot." "robert," said esther, "you're a born fool; do you mean to say you want me to marry you?" "certainly, esther; i shouldn't pay you no attentions, if i didn't mean to act like a gentleman by you." "well, i can tell you," said esther, "i wouldn't marry you, to save your life." "you ain't in earnest, esther?" "indeed i am," said esther, "so you better not be coming here on any such fool's errand again." "why, esther," said robert, reproachfully, "after my walking home from meeting with you, and thinking and dreaming about you, as i have for this long time, aint you going to marry me?" "no, i aint," said esther. "then i'll bid you good night; and look here, esther, to-morrow, mistress will lose one of her most valuable servants, for i shall hang myself." esther went up the steps, and shut the door on him, internally marvelling at the impudence of men in general; robert, with a strong inclination to shed tears, turned his steps homeward. he told mrs. kent, the next morning, that he had come to the conclusion not to be married for some time yet, women were so troublesome, and there was no knowing how things would turn out. mrs. kent saw he was much dejected, and concluded there were sour grapes in the question. after due consideration, robert determined not to commit suicide; he did something equally desperate. he married mrs. kent's maid, an ugly, thick-lipped girl, who had hitherto been his especial aversion. he could not though, entirely erase esther's image from his heart--always feeling a tendency to choke, when he heard her voice in meeting. esther told her mother of the offer she had had, and phillis quite agreed with her, in thinking robert was crazy. she charged "esther to know when she was well off, and not to bring trouble upon herself by getting married, or any such foolishness as that." chapter xii. "i tell you what, abel," said arthur weston, "the more i think about you northern people, the harder it is for me to come to a conclusion as to what you are made of." "can't you experiment upon us, arthur; test us chemically?" "don't believe you could be tested," said arthur, "you are such a slippery set. now here is a book i have been looking over, called annals of salem, by joseph b. felt, published in 1827. on the 109th page it says: 'captain pierce, of the ship desire, belonging to this port, was commissioned to transport fifteen boys and one hundred women, of the captive pequods, to bermuda, and sell them as slaves. he was obliged, however, to make for providence island. there he disposed of the indians. he returned from tortugas the 26th of february following, with a cargo of cotton, tobacco, salt, and negroes.' in the edition of 1849, this interesting fact is omitted. now, was not that trading in human bodies and souls in earnest? first they got all they could for those poor captive pequods, and they traded the amount again for negroes, and some _et ceteras_. you are the very people to make a fuss about your neighbours, having been so excessively righteous yourselves. no wonder that the author left it out in a succeeding edition. i am surprised he ever put it in at all." "it seems more like peddling with the poor devils than any thing else," said abel. "but you must remember the _spirit of the age_, arthur, as mr. hubbard calls it?" "yes," said arthur, "i forgot that; but i wonder if mr. hubbard excuses the conduct of england to her colonies in consideration of the spirit of the age--_that_ allowed taxation and all of her other forms of oppression, i suppose. it is a kind of charity that covers a multitude of sins. but i was saying," continued arthur, "that i could not make you out. while they were carrying on two kinds of slave trade, they were discussing in boston the propriety of women's wearing veils, having lectures about it. let me read to you. 'mr. cotton, though while in england of an opposite opinion on this subject, maintained that in countries where veils were to be a sign of submission, they might be properly disused. but mr. endicott took different ground, and endeavored to retain it by general argument from st. paul. mr. williams sided with his parishioner. through his and others' influence, veils were worn abundantly. at the time they were the most fashionable, mr. cotton came to preach for mr. skelton. his subject was upon wearing veils. he endeavored to prove that this was a custom not to be tolerated. the consequence was, that the ladies became converts to his faith in this particular, and for a long time left off an article of dress, which indicated too great a degree of submission to the lords of creation.' did you ever hear of such a set of old meddlers, lecturing and preaching about women's dressing. i suppose the men wore petticoats at that time themselves." "if they did," said abel, "i am very glad they have turned them over to the other sex since, as they are worn in the number which the present fashion requires. i should think they would be very uncomfortable. but, arthur, i heard such a good story the other day, about lawyer page. he fights bravely with his tongue for other people's rights, but he daren't say his soul's his own before his wife. well, when that affair came out about morton's whipping his wife, as he was going to the courthouse, page said to old captain caldwell, 'do you know, captain, that before all the facts were out in this case about morton, they actually had it in every direction that it was i who had whipped my wife.' 'now page,' said the old captain, 'you know that's no such thing; for every body in new haven is well aware that when there was any flogging going on in the matrimonial line, in your house, it was you that came off the worst.' page did not say a word." "i am glad i am not yoked with one of your new haven belles, if turning a jerry sneak is to be the consequence," said arthur. "this marrying is a terrible necessity, arthur," said abel. "i don't know how i'll be supported under it when my time comes; but after all, i think the women get the worst of it. there were not two prettier girls in new haven than my sisters. julia, who has been married some eight or nine years, was really beautiful, and so animated and cheerful; now she has that wife-like look of care, forever on her countenance. her husband is always reproaching her that that little dare devil of a son of hers does not keep his clothes clean. the other evening i was at their house, and they were having a little matrimonial discussion about it. it seems little charlie had been picked up out of the mud in the afternoon, and brought in in such a condition, that it was sometime before he could be identified. after being immersed in a bathing tub it was ascertained that he had not a clean suit of clothes; so the young gentleman was confined to his chamber for the rest of the evening, in a night gown. this my brother-in-law considered a great hardship, and they were talking the matter over when i went in. "'why don't you make the boy clothes enough, julia?' said he. "'i am forever making and forever mending,' said julia; 'but it is impossible to keep that young one clean. he had twelve pairs of pantaloons in the wash last week, and the girl was sick, and i had to iron them myself. i guess if you had all the trouble i have with him, you would put him to bed and make him stay there a week.' "'i tell you what it is, good people,' said i, 'when i go courting i intend to ask the lady in the first place if she likes to make boys' clothes. if she says no, i shan't have her, no matter what other recommendations she may possess.' "'she'll be sure to give you the mitten for your impudence,' said julia. then, there is my pretty sister harriet, quilting quilts, trimming nightcaps, and spoiling her bright eyes making her wedding-clothes; after a while she'll be undergoing some of the troubles of the married state, which will lengthen her face. the men get the best of it, decidedly; for they have not all the petty annoyances a woman must encounter. what do you think about it, arthur?" "i hardly know," said arthur. "i have been in love ever since i could tell my right hand from my left. i have hardly ever looked forward to marriage; my time has been so much occupied here, that when i get a few moments for reflection, my thoughts go back to alice, and the happy years i have passed with her, rather than to anticipations of any kind. i suppose i shall find out, though, and then you may profit by my experience." "you will have a sad experience with those niggers of yours, i am afraid, arthur," said abel. "our people are determined never to let them alone. i wonder you do not employ white hands upon the plantation, and have done with any trouble about the matter." "what would be done with the slaves in the mean time?" said arthur. "set 'em free," said abel; "colonize, or hang 'em all." "the latter is the more practicable suggestion," said arthur. "as to setting them free, they could not remain in virginia afterward if i were willing to do so: there is a law against it. colonizing them would be equally difficult, for the most of them would refuse to go to africa; and if i have not the right to hold them slaves, i certainly have not a right to force them into another country. some of them would be willing and glad to come to the north, but some would object. my father set a house-servant free; he was absent a year, and returned voluntarily to his old condition. mark had got some abolition notions in his head, and my father told him he might have his free papers, and go: i have told you the result. the fact is, abel, you yankees don't stand very well with our slaves. they seem to consider you a race of pedlars, who come down upon them in small bodies for their sins, to wheedle away all their little hoardings. my father has several times brought servants to new york, but they have never run away from him. i think virginia would do well without her colored people, because her climate is moderate, and white labor could be substituted. but it is not so with the more southern states. i would like to see a louisiana sun shining upon your new england states for a while--how quickly you would fit out an expedition for africa. it is the mere accident of climate that makes your states free ones." "i suppose so," said abel. "a great many of your slaves run away through the year, don't they?" "no, indeed," said arthur; "comparatively, very few. just before i came to new haven, i went to pass a few weeks at a plantation belonging to a family with whom we were intimate. one of the sons and i went on the river, two of the servants rowing us. i said to one of them, a large fat negro, 'what's your name, uncle?' 'meschach, sir,' he said. 'meschach,' said i; 'why, you ought to have two brothers, one named shadrach and the other abednego.' 'so i had, sir.' 'well, what has become of them?' said i. 'shadrach, he's dead,' he answered. 'and where is abednego?' said i. 'he's gone, too,' he replied, in a low voice. my friend gave me a look, and told me afterwards that abednego had ran away, and that his family considered it a disgrace, and never spoke of him. i hear of a negro boy who absconded, and when he was found and being brought home, an old washerwoman watched him as he went up the street. 'la,' said she, 'who'd a thought he'd a beginned to act bad so young,' but let us leave off abolition and take a walk. our cigars are out and we will resume the subject to-morrow afternoon, when we light some more." * * * * * "now," said abel, "having a couple of particularly good cigars, where did we leave off?" "its too warm for argument," said arthur, watching the curling of the gray smoke as it ascended. "we need not argue," said abel; "i want to catechize you." "begin." "do you think that the african slave-trade can be defended?" "no, assuredly not." "well," said abel, "how can you defend your right to hold slaves as property in the united states?" "abel," said arthur, "when a yankee begins to question there is no reason to suppose he ever intends to stop. i shall answer your queries from the views of governor hammond, of carolina. they are at least worthy of consideration. what right have you new england people to the farms you are now holding?" "the right of owning them," said abel. "from whom did you get them?" asked arthur. "our fathers." "and how did they get them?" "from the red men, their original owners." "well," said arthur, "we all know how these transactions were conducted all over the country. we wanted the lands of the red men, and we took them. sometimes they were purchased, sometimes they were wrested; always, the red men were treated with injustice. they were driven off, slaughtered, and taken as slaves. now, god as clearly gave these lands to the red men as he gave life and freedom to the african. both have been unjustly taken away." "but," said abel, "we hold property in land, you in the bodies and souls of men." "granted," said arthur; "but we have as good a right to our _property_ as you to yours--we each inherit it from our fathers. you must know that slaves were recognized as _property_ under the constitution, john q. adams, speaking of the protection extended to the peculiar interests of south, makes these remarks: 'protected by the advantage of representation on this floor, protected by the stipulation in the constitution for the recovery of fugitive slaves, protected by the guarantee in the constitution to owners of this _species of property_, against domestic violence.' it was considered in england as any other kind of commerce; so that you cannot deny our right to consider them as property now, as well as then." "but can you advocate the enslaving of your fellow man?" said abel. "no," said arthur, "if you put the question in that manner; but if you come to the point, and ask me if i can conscientiously hold in bondage slaves in the south, i say yes, without the slightest hesitation. i'll tell you why. you must agree with me, if the bible allow slavery there is no sin it. now, the bible does allow it. you must read those letters of governor hammond to clarkson, the english abolitionist. the tenth commandment, your mother taught you, no doubt: 'thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife nor his _man-servant_ nor his _maid-servant_, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.' these are the words of god, and as such, should be obeyed strictly. in the most solemn manner, the man-servant and the maid-servant are considered the _property_ of thy neighbor. generally the word is rendered slave. this command includes all classes of servants; there is the hebrew-brother who shall go out in the seventh year, and the hired-servant and those 'purchased from the heathen round about,' who were to be bondmen forever. in leviticus, speaking of the 'bondmen of the heathen which shall be round about' god says, 'and ye shall take them for an inheritance, for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession they shall be your bondmen forever.' i consider that god permitted slavery when he made laws for the master and the slave, therefore i am justified in holding slaves. in the times of our saviour, when slavery existed in its worst form, it was regarded as one of the conditions of human society; it is evident abolition was not shadowed forth by christ or his apostles. 'do unto all men as ye would have them do unto you,' is a general command, inducing charity and kindness among all classes of men; and does not authorize interference with the established customs of society. if, according to this precept of christ, i am obliged to manumit my slaves, you are equally forced to purchase them. if i were a slave, i would have my master free me; if you were a slave, and your owner would not give you freedom, you would have some rich man to buy you. from the early ages of the world, there existed the poor and the rich, the master and the slave. "it would be far better for the southern slaves, if our institution, as regards them, were left to 'gradual mitigation and decay, which time _may_ bring about. the course of the abolitionists, while it does nothing to destroy this institution, greatly adds to its hardships.' tell me that 'man-stealing' is a sin, and i will agree with you, and will insist that the abolitionists are guilty of it. in my opinion, those who consider slavery a sin, challenge the truth of the bible. "besides, abel," continued arthur, "what right have you to interfere? your northern states abolished slavery when it was their interest to do so: let us do the same. in the meantime, consider the condition of these dirty vagabonds, these free blacks, who are begging from me every time i go into the street. i met one the other day, who had a most lamentable state of things to report. he had rheumatism, and a cough, and he spit blood, and he had no tobacco, and he was hungry, and he had the toothache. i gave him twenty-five cents as a sort of panacea, and advised him to travel south and get a good master. he took the money, but not the advice." "but, arthur, the danger of insurrection; i should think it would interfere greatly with your comfort." "we do not fear it," said arthur. "mobs of any kind are rare in the southern country. we are not (in spite of the bad qualities ascribed to us by the abolitionists) a fussy people. sometimes, when an abolitionist comes along, we have a little fun with him, the negroes enjoying it exceedingly. slaveholders, as a general thing, desire to live a peaceful, quiet life; yet they are not willing to have their rights wrested from them." "one great disadvantage in a slaveholding community is, that you are apt to be surrounded by uneducated people," said abel. "we do not educate our slaves," said arthur; "but you do not presume to say that we do not cultivate our minds as assiduously as you do yours. our statesmen are not inferior to yours in natural ability, nor in the improvement of it. we have far more time to improve ourselves than you, as a general thing. when you have an opportunity of judging, you will not hesitate to say, that our women can bear to be compared with yours in every respect, in their intellect, and refinement of manners and conversation. our slaves are not left ignorant, like brutes, as has been charged upon us. where a master feels a religious responsibility, he must and does cause to be given, all necessary knowledge to those who are dependent upon him. i must say, that though we have fewer sects at the south, we have more genuine religion. you will think i am prejudiced. joining the church here is, in a great measure, a form. i have formed this opinion from my own observation. with us there must be a proper disregard of the customs of the world; a profession of religion implying a good deal more than a mere profession. look at the thousand new and absurd opinions that have agitated new england, while they never have been advanced with us. there is unitarianism, that faith that would undermine the perfect structure of the christian religion; that says christ is a man, when the scriptures style him 'wonderful, counsellor, the mighty god, the everlasting father, the prince of peace.' why, it is hardly tolerated at the south. have you any right to claim for yourself superior holiness? none whatever. "there never was any thing so perfectly false (i cannot help referring to it again,) as that religion is discouraged among our slaves. it is precisely the contrary. most of them have the same opportunities of attending worship as their owners. they generally prefer the methodist and baptist denominations; they worship with the whites, or they have exclusive occasions for themselves, which they prefer. they meet on the plantations for prayer, for singing, or for any religious purpose, when they choose; the ladies on the plantations instruct them in the bible, and how to read it. many of them are taught to write. "religion seems to be a necessary qualification of the female mind--i think this, because i have been so fortunate in those of our own family. my mother died soon after my birth; her friends often dwell on the early piety so beautifully developed in her character. we have a relative, an old maid, who lives with us; she forgets her own existence, laboring always for the good of others. my aunt is a noble christian woman, and alice has not breathed such an atmosphere in vain. we have a servant woman named phillis, her price is far above rubies. her industry, her honesty, her attachment to our family, exceeds every thing. i wish abolitionists would imitate one of her virtues--humility. i know of no poetry more beautiful than the hymns she sang to me in my infancy; her whole life has been a recommendation of the religion of the bible. i wish my chance of heaven were half as good as hers. she is a slave here, but she is destined to be a saint hereafter." chapter xiii. the evening is drawing on again at exeter, and alice and her mother are in a little sitting room that opens on the porch. mrs. weston is fanning her daughter, who has been suffering during the day from headache. miss janet is there, too, and for a rare occurrence, is idle; looking from the window at the tall peaks of the blue ridge upon which she has gazed for many a year. little lydia stands by her side, her round eyes peering into miss janet's face, wondering what would happen, that she should be unemployed. they are awaiting mr. weston's return from an afternoon ride, to meet at the last and most sociable meal of the day. "miss janet," said lydia, "aint miss alice white?" "very pale," said miss janet, looking at alice; then, with a sigh, turning to the mountains again. "what makes her so white?" asked lydia, in an under tone. "she has had a headache all day. be quiet, child," said miss janet. after a moment, lydia said, "i wish i could have de headache all de time." "what do you say such a foolish thing as that for, lydia?" "'kase i'd like to be white, like miss alice." miss janet did not reply. again lydia spoke, "if i was to stay all time in de house, and never go in de sun, would i git white?" "no--no--foolish child; what gives you such ideas?" there was another pause. mrs. weston fanned alice, who, with closed eyes, laid languidly on the lounge. "miss janet," said lydia, speaking very softly, "who made de lightning-bugs?" "god made them," said miss janet. "did god make de nanny-goats, too?" "you know that god made every thing," said miss janet. "i have often told you so." "he didn't make mammy's house, ma'am; i seed de men makin it." "no; man makes houses, but god made all the beautiful things in nature. he made man, and trees, and rivers, and such things as man could not make." lydia looked up at the sky. the sun had set, and the moon was coming forth, a few stars glistened there. long, fleecy clouds extended over the arch of heaven, and some passing ones for a moment obscured the brightness that gilded the beautiful scene. "miss janet," said lydia, "its mighty pretty there; but 'spose it was to fall." "what was to fall?" "de sky, ma'am." "it cannot fall. god holds it in its place." another interval and lydia said: "miss janet, 'spose god was to die, den de sky would broke down." "what put such a dreadful thought into your head, child?" said miss janet. "god cannot die." "yes, ma'am, he kin," said lydia. "no, he cannot. have i not often told you that god is a spirit? he created all things, but he never was made; he cannot die." lydia said inquiringly, "wasn't jesus christ god, ma'am?" "yes, he was the son of god, and he was god." "well, ma'am, he died onct, dat time de jews crucified him--dat time de ground shook, and de dead people got up--dat time he was nailed to de cross. so, ma'am, if god died onct, couldn't he die agin?" miss janet, arousing herself from her reverie, looked at the child. there she stood, her eyes fixed upon the sky, her soul engaged in solving this mysterious question. her little hands hung listlessly by her side; there was no beauty in her face; the black skin, the projecting lips, the heavy features, designated her as belonging to a degraded race. yet the soul was looking forth from its despised tenement, and eagerly essaying to grasp things beyond its reach. "could he die agin, miss janet?" asked lydia. poor child! thought miss janet, how the soul pinioned and borne down, longs to burst its chains, and to soar through the glorious realms of light and knowledge. i thought but now that there was no more for me to do here; that tired of the rugged ascent, i stood as it were on the tops of those mountains, gazing in spirit on the celestial city, and still not called to enter in. now, i see there is work for me to do. thou art a slave, lydia; yet god has called thee to the freedom of the children that he loves; thou art black, yet will thy soul be washed white in the blood of the lamb; thou art poor, yet shalt thou be made rich through him who, when on earth, was poor indeed. jesus, forgive me! i murmured that i still was obliged to linger. oh! make me the honored instrument of good to this child, and when thou callest me hence, how gladly will i obey the summons. "lydia," she said, "the son of god died for us all, for you and for me, but he was then in the form of man. he died that we might live; he never will die again. he rose from the dead, and is in heaven, at the right hand of god. he loves you, because you think about him." "he don't love me like he do miss alice, 'kase she's so white," said lydia. "he loves all who love him," said miss janet, "whether they are black or white. be a good child, and he will surely love you. be kind and obliging to everybody; be industrious and diligent in all you have to do; obey your mother and father, and your master. be truthful and honest. god hates a liar, and a deceitful person. he will not take care of you and love you, unless you speak the truth. sometimes you try to deceive me. god will not be your friend if you deceive any one. and now go to your mother, she will put you to bed." lydia made a curtsey, and said, "good-night, ma'am." she went to mrs. weston, and bade her good-night too. then turning toward alice, she gazed wonderingly at her pale face. "is you got de headache now, miss alice?" "not much," said alice, gently. "good night, miss," said lydia, with another curtesy, and she softly left the room. "oh, mammy," she said, as she entered her mother's cabin, "miss janet say, if i'm a good child, god will love me much as he loves miss alice, if i is black. miss alice is so white to-night; you never see'd her look as white as she do to-night." * * * * * mr. weston alighted from his horse, and hurried to the sitting-room, "have you waited tea for me?" he said. "why did you do so? alice, darling, is your head better?" "a great deal, uncle," said alice. "have you had a pleasant ride?" "yes; but my child, you look very sick. what can be the matter with you? anna, did you send for the doctor?" "no--alice objected so." "but you must send for him--i am sure she is seriously ill." "there is nothing the matter with me, but a headache," said alice. "after tea, i will go to bed, and will be well in the morning." "god grant you may, my sweet one. what has come over you?" "tea is ready," said cousin janet. "let us go in to it, and then have prayers, and all go to bed early. why cousin weston, you are getting quite dissipated in your old age; coming home to tea at this hour; i suppose i shall begin such practices next." miss janet's suggestion of retiring early, was followed. phillis came in to see how alice's head was, and recommended brown paper and vinegar. she made no comment on her appearance, but did not wonder that lydia was struck with the expression of her countenance. there was an uneasiness that was foreign to it; not merely had the glow of health departed, there was something in its place, strange there. it was like the storm passing over the beautiful lake; the outline of rock, and tree, and surface, is to be seen, but its tranquil beauty is gone; and darkness and gloom are resting where has been the home of light, and love, and beauty. alice undressed and went to bed; her mother raised all the windows, put out the candle, and laid down beside her. hoping that she would fall asleep, she did not converse, but alice after a few minutes, called her. "what is it, alice?" "did you hear what cousin janet said to lydia, to-night, mother? god hates those who deceive." "why think of that now, my love?" "because it refers to me. she did not mean it for me, but it came home to my heart." "to _your_ heart? that has always been truth and candor itself. try and banish such thoughts. if you were well, fancies like these would not affect you." "they are not fancies, they are realities," said alice. she sighed and continued, "am i not deceiving the kind protector and friend of my childhood? oh, mother, if he knew all, how little would he love me! and arthur, can it be right for me to be engaged to him, and to deceive him, too?" "dear alice, how often have we talked about this, and hoped you were satisfied as to the propriety of being silent on the subject at present. your uncle's health is very feeble; he is subject to sudden and alarming attacks of sickness, and easily thrown into a state of agitation that endangers his life. would you run such a risk? what a grief would it be to him to know that the hopes of years were to be destroyed, and by one whom he had nursed in his own bosom as a child. poor arthur, too! away from home so long--trusting you with such confidence, looking forward with delight to the time of his return, could you bear thus to dash his dearest prospects to the earth?" "but he must know it, mother. i could not marry him with a lie in my right hand." "it will not be so, alice; you cannot help loving arthur, above all men, when you are with him; so noble, so generous, so gifted with all that is calculated to inspire affection, you will wonder your heart has ever wavered." "but it has," said alice; "and he must know all." "of course," said mrs. weston; "nothing would justify your having any reserve with him, but this is not the time for explanation. if i believed that you really and truly loved walter, so as to make it impossible for you to forget him and return arthur's affection; if i thought you could not one day regard arthur as he deserves, i would not wish you to remain silent for a day. it would be an injustice, and a sin, to do so. yet i feel assured that there is no such danger. "a woman, alice, rarely marries her first love, and it is well that it is so. her feelings, rather than her judgment, are then enlisted, and both should be exercised when so fearful a thing as marriage is concerned. you have been a great deal with walter, and have always regarded him tenderly, more so of late, because the feelings strengthen with time, and walter's situation is such as to enlist all your sympathies; his fascinating appearance and interesting qualities have charmed your affections. you see him casting from him the best friends he has ever had, because he feels condemned of ingratitude in their society. he is going forth on the voyage of life, alone, you weep as any sister would, to see him thus. i do not blame him for loving you; but i do censure him in the highest degree, for endeavoring to win more than a sister's regard from you, in return; it was selfish and dishonorable. more than all, i blame myself for not foreseeing this. you said yesterday, you could not bear the thought of being separated from arthur. you do not know your own heart, many a woman does not, until time has been her teacher; let it be yours. cousin janet has thus advised you; be guided by us, and leave this thing to rest for a while; you will have reason to rejoice in having done so. would you leave me for walter, alice?" "no, mother. how could you ask me?" "then trust me; i would not answer for your uncle's safety were we to speak to him on this subject. how cruel to pain him, when a few months may restore us to the hopes and happiness which have been ours! do what is right, and leave the future to god." "but how can i write to arthur, when i know i am not treating him as i would wish him to treat me?" "write as you always have; your letters have never been very sentimental. arthur says you write on all subjects but the one nearest his heart. if you had loved him as i thought you did, you never would have allowed another to usurp his place. but we cannot help the past. now dear child, compose yourself; i am fatigued, but cannot sleep until you do." alice, restless for a while, at last fell asleep, but it was not the rest that brings refreshment and repose. her mother watched her, as with her hand now pressed on her brow, now thrown on the pillow, she slept. her mind, overtaxed, tried even in sleep to release itself of its burden. the wish to please, and the effort to do right, was too much for her sensitive frame. it was like the traveler unaccustomed to fatigue and change, forced to commence a journey, unassured of his way, and ignorant of his destination. her mother watched her--a deep hue was settled under her eyelashes, the veins in her temple were fearfully distinct, and a small crimson spot rested on her cheek. she watched her, by the moonlight that glanced over every part of the room. she listened to her heavy breathing, and lightly touched her dry and crimson lips. she stroked the long luxuriant curls, that appeared to her darker than they ever had before. she closed the nearest window, lest there should be something borne on the breath of night, to disturb the rest of the beloved one. but, mother! it will not do; the curse of god is still abroad in the world, the curse on sin. it falls, like a blighting dew, on the loveliest and dearest to our hearts. it is by our side and in our path. it is among the gay, the rich, the proud, and the gifted of the earth; among the poor, the despised, the desolate and forsaken. it darkens the way of the monarch and the cottager, of the maiden and the mother, of the master and the slave. alas! since it poisoned the flowers in eden, and turned the children of god from its fair walks, it is abroad in the world--the curse of god on sin. there is a blessing, too, within the reach of all. he who bore the curse, secured the blessing. son of god! teach us to be like thee; give us of thy spirit, that we may soften to each other the inevitable ills of life. prepare us for that condition to which we may aspire; for that assembly where will be united the redeemed of all the earth, where will rejoice forever in thy presence those of all ages and climes, who looked up from the shadow of the curse, to the blessing which thou didst obtain, with thy latest sigh, on calvary! chapter xiv. after phillis left mrs. weston's room, she was on her way to her cabin, when she noticed aunt peggy sitting alone at the door. she was rather a homebody; yet she reproached herself with having neglected poor old peggy, when she saw her looking so desolate and dejected. she thought to pay her a visit, and bidding her good evening, sat down on the door-step. "time old people were in bed, aunt peggy," said she; "what are you settin up for, all by yourself?" "who's i got to set up wid me?" said aunt peggy. "why don't you go to bed, then?" asked phillis. "can't sleep, can't sleep," said aunt peggy; "aint slep none dese two, three nights; lays awake lookin at de moon; sees people a lookin in de winder at me, people as i aint seen since i come from guinea; hears strange noises i aint never heard in dis country, aint never hearn sence i come from guinea." "all notions," said phillis. "if you go to sleep, you'll forget them all." "can't go to sleep," said aunt peggy; "somefin in me won't sleep; somefin i never felt afore. it's in my bones; mebbe death's somewhere in the neighborhood." "i reckon you're sick, aunt peggy," said phillis; "why didn't you let me know you wasn't well?" "aint sick, i tell you," said aunt peggy, angrily; "nothin the matter wid me. 'spose you think there's nothin bad about, 'cep what comes to me." phillis was astonished at her words and manner, and looked at her intently. most of the servants on the plantation stood in awe of aunt peggy. her having been brought from africa, and the many wonders she had seen there; her gloomy, fitful temper; her tall frame, and long, skinny hands and arms; her haughty countenance, and mass of bushy, white hair. phillis did not wonder most people were afraid of her. besides, peggy was thought to have the power of foresight in her old age. the servants considered her a sort of witch, and deprecated her displeasure. phillis had too much sense for this; yet there was one thing that she had often wondered at; that was, that aunt peggy cared nothing about religion. when employed in the family, she had been obliged to go sometimes to church: since she had been old, and left to follow her own wishes, she had never gone. miss janet frequently read the bible, and explained it to her. alice, seated on a low stool by the old woman's side, read to her scenes in the life of christ, upon which servants love to dwell. but as far as they could judge, there were no good impressions left on her mind. she never objected, but she gave them no encouragement. this phillis had often thought of; and now as she sat with her, it occurred to her with overwhelming force. "death's about somewhere," said aunt peggy. "i can't see him, but i feels him. there's somefin here belongs to him; he wants it, and he's gwine to have it." "'pears to me," said phillis, "death's always about. its well to be ready for him when he 'comes; 'specially we old people." "always ole people," said aunt peggy, "you want to make out that death's always arter ole people. no such thing. look at the churchyard, yonder. see any little graves thar? plenty. death's always arter babies; 'pears like he loves 'em best of all." "yes," said phillis, "young people die as well as old, but 'taint no harm to be ready. you know, aunt peggy, we aint never ready till our sins is repented of, and our souls is washed in the blood of jesus. people ought to think of that, old and young, but they don't." "death loves young people," said aunt peggy; "always arter 'em. see how he took young mr. william jones, thar, in town, and he healthy and strong, wid his young bride; and his father and mother old like me. see how he took little george mason, not long ago, that uncle geoffrey used to bring home wid him from town, setting on de horse, before him. didn't touch his ole grandmother; she's here yet. tell you, death loves 'em wid de red cheeks and bright eyes." phillis did not reply, and the old woman talked on as if to herself. "thinks thar's nothin bad but what comes to niggers; aint i had nuff trouble widout death. i aint forgot de time i was hauled away from home. cuss him, 'twas a black man done it; he told me he'd smash my brains out if i made a sound. dragged along till i come to de river; thar he sold me. i was pushed in long wid all de rest of 'em, crying and howlin--gwine away for good and all. thar we was, chained and squeezed together; dead or live, all one. tied me to a woman, and den untied me to fling her into de sea--dead all night, and i tied to her. come long, cross de great sea; more died, more flung to de sharks. no wonder it thundered and lightened, and de waves splashed in, and de captain prayed. lord above! de captain prayed, when he was stealin and murderin of his fellow-creeturs. we didn't go down, we got safe across. some went here, some went thar, and i come long wid de rest to virginny. ever sence, workin and slavin; ever sence, sweatin and drivin; workin all day, workin all night." "you never worked a bit in the night time, aunt peggy," said phillis; "and you know it." "worked all time," said aunt peggy, "niggers aint made for nothin else. now, kase death's somewhar, wantin somefin, thinks it must be me." "i didn't say 'twas you, aunt peggy," said phillis. "wants somefin," said aunt peggy. "tell you what, phillis," and she laughed, "wants miss alice." "what's come over you?" said phillis, looking at her, terrified. "there's nothing the matter with miss alice but a headache." "headache!" said aunt peggy, "that's all?" and she laughed again. "think i didn't see her yesterday? whars the red cheeks?--white about her lips, black about her eyes; jist like mistis when she was gwine fast, and de young baby on her arm. death wants miss alice--aint arter me." "aint you ashamed to talk so about miss alice, when she's always coming to you, bringing you something, and trying to do something for you?" said phillis. "you might as well sit here and talk bad of one of the angels above." "aint talking bad of her," said aunt peggy; "aint wishin her no harm. if there is any angels she's as good as any of 'em; but it's her death's arter, not me; look here at my arms--stronger than yourn--" and she held out her sinewy, tough arm, grasping her cane, to go in the house. phillis saw she was not wanted there, and looking in to be assured that nancy (aunt peggy's grand-daughter, who lived with her to take care of her,) was there, went home and thought to go to bed. but she found no disposition to sleep within her. accustomed, as she was, to aunt peggy's fault finding, and her strange way of talking, she was particularly impressed with it to-night. 'twas so strange, phillis thought, that she should have talked about being stolen away from guinea, and things that happened almost a hundred years ago. then her saying, so often that, "death was about." phillis was no more nervous than her iron tea-kettle, but now she could not feel right. she sat down by the door, and tried to compose herself. every one on the plantation was quiet; it seemed to her the night got brighter and brighter, and the heavens more crowded with stars than she had ever seen them. she looked at her children to see if they all were well, and then gave a glance at old bacchus, who was snoring loud enough to wake the dead. she shook him heartily and told him to hush his clatter, but she might as well have told a twenty-four pounder to go off without making a noise. then she sat down again and looked at alice's window, and could not avoid seeing aunt peggy's house when she turned in that direction; thus she was reminded of her saying, "death was about and arter somefin." wondering what had come over her, she shut the door and laid down without undressing herself. she slept heavily for several hours, and waked with the thought of aunt peggy's strange talk pressing upon her. she determined not to go to bed again, but opened the door and fixed the old rush-bottomed chair within it. bacchus, always a very early riser, except on sunday, was still asleep; having had some sharp twinges of the rheumatism the day before, phillis hoped he might sleep them off; her own mind was still burdened with an unaccountable weight. she was glad to see the dawning of "another blue day." before her towered, in their majestic glory, miss janet's favorite mountains, yet were the peaks alone distinctly visible; the twilight only strong enough to disclose the mass of heavy fog that enveloped them. the stars had nearly all disappeared, those that lingered were sadly paling away. how solemn was the stillness! she thought of the words of jacob, "surely god is here!"--the clouds were flying swiftly beneath the arch of heaven, as if from god's presence. many thoughts were suggested to her by the grandeur of the scene, for my reader must remember, that an admiration of the glories of nature is not unfrequently a characteristic of an uneducated mind. many verses of scripture occurred to her, "from the rising of the sun, unto the going down of the same, the lord's name be praised. the lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. who is like unto the lord our god, who dwelleth on high? who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth." the soul of the slave-woman rejoiced in the lord, her maker and her redeemer. gradually a soft light arose above the mountains; the fog became transparent through its influence. a red hue gilded the top of the mist, and slowly descended toward it, as it sank away. all the shadows of the night were disappearing, at the command once given, "let there be light," and re-obeyed at the birth of every day. phillis's heart warmed with gratitude to god who had given to her a knowledge of himself. she thought of her many mercies, her health, her comforts, and the comparative happiness of each member of her family; of the kindness of her master and the ladies; all these considerations affected her as they never had before, for gratitude and love to god ever inspires us with love and kindness to our fellow creatures. her thoughts returned to alice, but all superstitious dread was gone; aunt peggy's strange wanderings no longer oppressed her; her mind was in its usual healthy state. "the good lord is above us all," she said, "and miss alice is one of his children." she saw the house door open, and william coming toward her on his way to the stable. it was without any agitation that she asked what was the matter? "miss alice is very sick," said william, "and i am going for the doctor." "i am glad i happened to be here," said phillis, "may be they want me." "you better not go in now," said william, "for she's asleep. miss anna told me to walk very easy, for she would not have her waked for all the world." so phillis, seeing aunt peggy's door open, thought she would step over and find out if the old lady had slept off her notions. aunt peggy's cabin had two rooms, in one of which, she and her granddaughter slept, in the other nancy cooked and washed, and occupied herself with various little matters. nancy had been up a short time and was mixing some indian bread for their breakfast. she looked surprised, at having so early a visitor. "how is your grandmother, child?" said phillis; "did she sleep well?" "mighty well," said nancy. "she aint coughed at all as i heard, since she went to bed." "well, i'm glad to hear it," said phillis, "for i thought she was going to be sick, she was so curious last night." "she didn't complain, any way," said nancy, going on with her breadmaking, so phillis got up to go home. as she passed the door of the other room, she could but stop to look in at the hard, iron features of the old creature, as she lay in slumber. her long black face contrasted most remarkably with the white pillow on which it was supported, her hair making her head look double its actual size, standing off from her ears and head. one long black arm lay extended, the hand holding to the side of the bed. something impelled phillis to approach. at first she thought of her grumbling disposition, her bitter resentment for injuries, most of which were fanciful, her uncompromising dislike to the servants on the plantation. she almost got angry when she thought "the more you do for her, the more she complains." then she recalled her talk the night before; of her being torn away from her mother, and sold off, tied to a dead woman, and the storm and the sharks; a feeling of the sincerest pity took the place of her first reflections, and well they did--for the next idea--phillis' knees knocked together, and her heart beat audibly, for what was before her? what but death! with all his grimness and despair, looking forth from the white balls that were only partially covered with the dark lids--showing his power in the cold hands whose unyielding grasp had closed in the struggle with him. setting his seal on brow and lips, lengthening the extended form, that never would rouse itself from the position in which the mighty conqueror had left it, when he knew his victory was accomplished. what but death, indeed! for the heart and the pulse were still forever, and the life that had once regulated their beatings, had gone back to the giver of life. the two slave women were alone together. she who had been, had gone with all her years, her wrongs, and her sins, to answer at the bar of her maker. the fierce and bitter contest with life, the mysterious curse, the dealings of a god with the children of men. think of it, oh! christian! as you gaze upon her. the other slave woman is with the dead. she is trembling, as in the presence of god. she knows he is everywhere, even in the room of death. _she_ is redeemed from the slavery of sin, and her regenerate soul looks forward to the rest that remaineth to the people of god. she "submits herself to an earthly master," knowing that the dispensation of god has placed her in a state of servitude. yet she trusts in a heavenly master with childlike faith, and says, "may i be ready when he comes and calls for me." phillis was perfectly self-possessed when she went back to the kitchen. "nancy," she said, "didn't you think it was strange your grandmother slept so quiet, and laid so late this morning? she always gets up so early." "i didn't think nothin about it," said nancy, "for i was 'sleep myself." "well there's no use putting it off," said phillis. "i might as well tell you, first as last. she's dead." "dead, what do you mean?" said nancy. "i mean she's dead," said phillis, "and cold, and very likely has been so, for most of the night. don't be frightened and make a noise, for miss alice is very sick, and you're so near the house." nancy went with her to the other room. a child would have known there was no mistake about death's being there, if the idea had been suggested to it. nancy was in a moment satisfied that such was the case, but she shed very few tears. she was quite worn out taking care of the old woman, and the other servants were not willing to take their turns. they said they "couldn't abide the cross, ill-natured old thing." phillis went home for a few moments, and returned to perform the last offices. all was order and neatness under her superintendence; and they who avoided the sight of aunt peggy when alive, stood with a solemn awe beside her and gazed, now that she was dead. all but the children. aunt peggy was dead! she who had been a kind of scarecrow in life, how terrible was the thought of her now! the severest threat to an unruly child was, "i will give you to aunt peggy, and let her keep you." but to think of aunt peggy in connection with darkness, and silence, and the grave, was dreadful indeed. all day the thought of her kept them awed and quiet; but as evening drew on, they crept close to their mothers' side, turning from every shadow, lest she should come forth from it. little lydia, deprived of miss janet's company in consequence of alice's sickness, listened to the pervading subject of conversation all day, and at night dreamed that the old woman had carried her off to the top of the highest of the mountains that stood before them; and there she sat scowling upon her, and there, they were to be forever. when the next afternoon had come, and the body was buried, and all had returned from the funeral, phillis locked up the vacant cabin. nancy was to be employed in the house, and sleep in the servants' wing. then phillis realized that death had been there, and she remembered once more, aunt peggy's words, "he's arter somefin, wants it, and he's gwine to have it; but it ain't me." there is one thing concerning death in which we are apt to be sceptical, and that is, "does he want me?" chapter xv. aunt peggy's funeral was conducted quietly, but with that respect to the dead which is universal on southern plantations. there was no hurry, no confusion. two young women remained with the corpse during the night preceding the burial; the servants throughout the plantation had holiday, that they might attend. at mr. weston's request, the clergyman of the episcopal church in x read the service for the dead. he addressed the servants in a solemn and appropriate manner. mr. weston was one of the audience. alice's sickness had become serious; miss janet and her mother were detained with her. the negroes sung one of their favorite hymns, "life is the time to serve the lord," their fine voices blending in perfect harmony. mr. caldwell took for his text the 12th verse of the 2d chapter of thessalonians, "that ye would walk worthy of god, who hath called you unto his kingdom and his glory." he explained to them in the most affectionate and beautiful manner, that _they_ were called unto the kingdom and glory of christ. he dwelt on the glories of that kingdom, as existing in the heart of the believer, inciting him to a faithful performance of the duties of life; as in the world, promoting the happiness and welfare of all mankind, and completed in heaven, where will be the consummation of all the glorious things that the humble believer in jesus has enjoyed by faith, while surrounded by the temptations and enduring the trials of the world. he told them _they_ were all called. christ died for all; every human being that had heard of jesus and his atonement, was called unto salvation. he dwelt on the efficacy of that atonement on the solemn occasion when it was made, on the perfect peace and reconciliation of the believer. he spoke of the will of god, which had placed them in a condition of bondage to an earthly master; who had given them equal hope of eternal redemption with that master. he reminded them that christ had chosen his lot among the poor of this world; that he had refused all earthly honor and advantage. he charged them to profit by the present occasion, to bring home to their hearts the unwelcome truth that death was inevitable. he pointed to the coffin that contained the remains of one who had attained so great an age, as to make her an object of wonder in the neighborhood. yet her time had come, like a thief in the night. there was no sickness, no sudden failing, nothing unusual in her appearance, to intimate the presence of death. god had given her a long time of health to prepare for the great change; he had given her every opportunity to repent, and he had called her to her account. he charged them to make their preparation now closing, by bringing before their minds that great day when the judge of the earth would summon before him every soul he had made. none could escape his all-piercing eye; the king and his subject, the rich and the poor the strong and the weak, the learned and the ignorant the white and the colored, the master and his slave! each to render his or her account for the deeds done in the body. the servants were extremely attentive, listening with breathless interest as he enlarged upon the awful events of the judgment. many a tear fell, many a heart throbbed, many a soul stretched forth her wings toward the kingdom and glory which had been the clergyman's theme. after he concluded, their attention was absorbed by the preparation to remove the body to its final resting place. the face was looked upon, then covered; the coffin lid screwed down; strong arms lifting and bearing it to the bier. nancy and isaac, her only relatives, were near the coffin, and mr. weston and the clergyman followed them. the rest formed in long procession. with measured step and appropriate thought they passed their cabins toward the place used for the interment of the slaves on the plantation. they had gone a little way, when a full, rich female voice gently broke in upon the stillness; it was phillis's. though the first line was sung in a low tone, every one heard it. "alas! and did my saviour bleed!" they joined in, following the remains of their fellow-servant, and commemorating the sufferings of one who became as a servant, that he might exalt all who trust in him. it might be there was little hope for the dead, but not less sufficient the atonement on calvary, not less true that for each and all "did he devote that sacred head;" that for pity which he felt for all, "he hung upon the tree: amazing pity, grace unknown! and love beyond degree!" while the voices swept through the air, a tribute of lowly hearts ascended to god. they had now reached the burial ground; all was in readiness, and the men deposited their burden in the earth. deep and solemn thought was portrayed on every face; music had softened their feelings, and the reflections suggested by the hymn prepared them for kind sentiments toward the dead, though no one had loved her in life. the first hard clod that rattled on the coffin, opened the fountain of their tears; she who had been the object of their aversion was gone from them forever; they could not now show her any kindness. how many a heart reproached itself with a sneering word, hasty anger, and disdainful laugh. but what was she now? dust and ashes. they wept as they saw her hidden from their eyes, turning from the grave with a better sense of their duties. reader, it is well for the soul to ponder on the great mystery, death! is there not a charm in it? the mystery of so many opposite memories, the strange union of adverse ideas. the young, the old, the gay, the proud, the beautiful, the poor, and the sorrowful. silence, darkness, repose, happiness, woe, heaven and hell. oh! they should come now with a startling solemnity upon us all, for while i write, the solemn tolling of the bells warns me of a nation's grief; it calls to millions--its sad resonance is echoed in every heart. henry clay is dead! well may the words pass from lip to lip in the thronged street. the child repeats it with a dim consciousness of some great woe; it knows not, to its full extent, the burden of the words it utters. the youth passes along the solemn sentence; there is a throb in his energetic heart, for he has seen the enfeebled form of the statesman as it glided among the multitude, and has heard his voice raised for his country's good; he is assured that the heart that has ceased to beat glowed with all that was great and noble. the politician utters, too, the oft-repeated sound--henry clay is dead! well may he bare his breast and say, for _what_ is my voice raised where his has been heard? is it for my country, or for my party and myself? men of business and mechanics in the land, they know that one who ever defended their interests is gone, and who shall take his place? the mother--tears burst from her eyes, when looking into her child's face, she says, henry clay is dead! for a nation's freedom is woman's incalculable blessing. she thinks with grief and gratitude of him who never ceased to contend for that which gives to her, social and religious rights. henry clay is dead! his body no longer animated with life; his spirit gone to god. how like a torrent thought rushes on, in swift review, of his wonderful and glorious career. his gifted youth, what if it were attended with the errors that almost invariably accompany genius like his! has he in the wide world an enemy who can bring aught against him? look at his patriotism, his benevolence, his noble acts. recall his energy, his calmness, his constant devotion to the interests of his country. look, above all, at his patience, his humility, as the great scenes of life were receding from his view, and futurity was opening before him. hear of the childlike submission with which he bowed to the will that ordained for him a death-bed, protracted and painful. "lead me," he said to a friend, "where i want to go, to the feet of jesus." listen to the simplicity with which he commended his body to his friends, and his spirit, through faith in jesus christ, to his god. regard him in all his varied relations of christian, patriot, statesman, husband, father, _master_, and friend, and answer if the sigh that is now rending the heart of his country is not well merited. yes! reader, thoughts of death are useful to us all, whether it be by the grave of the poor and humble, or when listening to the tolling of the bell which announces to all that one who was mighty in the land has been summoned to the judgment seat of god. chapter xvi. mr. weston and phillis returned to the sick-room from the funeral. fever was doing its work with the fair being, the beloved of many hearts, who was unconscious of aught that was passing around her. there was a startling light from the depths of her blue eyes; their natural softness of expression gone. the crimson glow had flushed into a hectic; the hot breath from her parted lips was drying away their moisture. the rich, mournful tones of her voice echoed in sad wailing through the chambers; it constantly and plaintively said mother! though that mother answered in vain to its appeal. the air circulated through the room, bearing the odor of the woods, but for her it had no reviving power; it could not stay the beatings of her pulse, nor relieve the oppression of her panting bosom. oh! what beauty was about that bed of sickness. the perfect shape of every feature, the graceful turn of the head, the luxuriant auburn hair, the contour of her rounded limbs. there was no vacancy in her face. alas! visions of sorrow were passing in her mind. a sad intelligence was expressed in every glance, but not to the objects about her. the soul, subdued by the suffering of its tenement, was wandering afar off, perchance endeavoring to dive into the future, perchance essaying to forget the past. what says that vision of languishing and loveliness to the old man whose eyes are fixed in grief upon it? "thou seest, o christian! the uselessness of laying up thy treasures here. where are now the hopes of half thy lifetime, where the consummation of all thy anxious plans? she who has been like an angel by thy side, how wearily throbs her young heart! will she perpetuate the name of thy race? will she close thine eyes with her loving hand? will she drop upon thy breast a daughter's tear?" what does the vision say to thee, oh! aged woman? "there is still more for thee to do, more for thee to suffer. it is not yet enough of this mortal strife! thou mayest again see a fair flower crushed by the rude wind of death; perchance she may precede thee, to open for thine entrance the eternal gates!" and what to thee, thou faithful servant? "there are tears in thine eye, and for me. for me! whom thou thoughtest above a touch of aught that could bring sorrow or pain. thou seest, not alone on thy doomed race rests a curse; the fierce anger of god, denounced against sin--the _curse_, falls upon his dearest children. i must, like you, abide by god's dealing with the children of men. but we shall be redeemed." what to thee, oh, mother? thou canst not read the interpretation--a cloud of darkness sweeps by thy soul's vision. will it pass, or will it rest upon thee forever? yet the voice of god speaks to each one; faintly it may be to the mother, but even to her. there is a rainbow of hope in the deluge of her sorrow; she sees death in the multitude that passes her sight, but there is another there, one whose form is like unto the son of god. she remembers how he wept over lazarus, and raised him from the dead; oh! what comfort to place her case in his pitying bosom! many were the friends who wept, and hoped, and prayed with them. full of grief were the affectionate servants, but most of all, phillis. it was useless to try and persuade her to take her usual rest, to remind her of her children, and her cares; to offer her the choice morsel to tempt her appetite, the refreshing drink she so much required. she wanted nothing but to weep with those who wept--nor rest, nor food, nor refreshing. * * * * * it is universal, the consideration that is shown to the servants at the south, as regards their times of eating and of rest. whatever may have occurred, whatever fatigue the different members of the family may feel obliged to undergo, a servant is rarely called upon for extra attendance. in the northern country the whole labor of a family is frequently performed by one female, while five or six will do the same amount of work in the south. a servant at the south is rarely called upon at night; only in cases of absolute necessity. negroes are naturally sleepy-headed--they like to sit up late at night,--in winter, over a large fire, nodding and bumping their heads against each other, or in summer, out of doors; but they take many a nap before they can get courage to undress and go regularly to bed. they may be much interested in a conversation going on, but it is no violation of their code of etiquette to smoke themselves to sleep while listening. few of the most faithful servants can keep awake well enough to be of real service in cases of sickness. there is a feeling among their owners, that they work hard during the day and should be allowed more rest than those who are not obliged to labor. "do not disturb servants when they are eating," is the frequent charge of a southern mother, "they have not a great many pleasures within their reach; never do any thing that will lessen their comforts in the slightest degree." mrs. weston, even in her own deep sorrow, was not unmindful of others; she frequently tried to induce phillis to go home, knowing that she must be much fatigued. "i cannot feel tired, phillis; a mother could not sleep with her only child as alice is; i do not require the rest that you do." "you needs it more, miss anna, though you don't think so now. i can take care of myself. unless you drive me away, i shan't go until god's will be done, for life or death." miss janet often laid down and slept for an hour or two, and returned refreshed to the sick chamber. her voice retained its cheerfulness and kept mrs. weston's heart from failing. "hope on, anna," she would say, "as long as she breathes we must not give her up; how many have been thought entirely gone, and then revived. we must hope, and god will do the rest." this "hoping on" was one great cause of cousin janet's usefulness during a long life; religion and reason alike demand it of us. many grand and noble actions have been done in the world, that never could have been accomplished without hoping on. when we become discouraged, how heavy the task before us; it is like drooping the eyes, and feebly putting forth the hands to find the way, when all appears to us darkness; but let the eye be lifted and the heart hope on, and there is found a glimmering of light which enables the trembling one to penetrate the gloom. alice's symptoms had been so violent from the first, her disease had progressed so rapidly, that her condition was almost hopeless; ere mr. weston thought of the propriety of informing arthur of her condition. the first time it occurred to him, he felt convinced that he ought not to delay. he knew that arthur never could be consoled, if alice, his dearly loved, his affianced wife, should die without his having the consolation of a parting word or look. he asked cousin janet her opinion. she recalled all that had passed previous to alice's illness. as she looked into mr. weston's grieved and honest face, the question suggested itself,--is it right thus, to keep him in ignorance? she only wavered a moment. already the traces of agitation caused by his niece's illness, were visible in his flushed face and nervous frame; what then might be the result of laying before him a subject in which his happiness was so nearly concerned? besides, she felt convinced that even should alice improve, the suffering which had been one cause of her sickness, might be renewed with double force if suggested by arthur's presence. "i know, my dear cousin," she said, "it will be a terrible grief to arthur, should alice be taken from us, yet i think you had better not write. dr. lawton says, that a very short time must decide her case; and were the worst we fear to occur, arthur could not reach here in time to see her with any satisfaction. if he lose her, it will probably be better for him to remember her in health and beauty." mr. weston trembled, and burst into tears. "try and not give way," said miss janet again; "we are doing all we can. we must hope and pray. i feel a great deal of hope. god is so merciful, he will not bring this stroke upon you in your old age, unless it is necessary. why do you judge for him? he is mighty to save. 'the lord on high, is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.' think of his mercy and power to save, and trust in him." in these most trying scenes of life, how little do we sympathize with the physician. how much oppressed he must feel, with the charge upon him. he is the adviser--to him is left the direction of the potions which may be the healing medicine or the deadly poison. he may select a remedy powerful to cure, he may prescribe one fatal to the invalid. how is he to draw the nice line of distinction? he must consider the disease, the constitution, the probable causes of the attack. his reputation is at stake--his happiness--for many eyes are turned to him, to read an opinion he may not choose to give in words. if he would be like the great healer, he thinks not only of the bodily sufferings that he is anxious to assuage, but of the immortal soul on the verge of the great interview, deciding its eternal destiny. he trembles to think, should he fail, it may be hurried to its account. if he be a friend, how do the ties of association add to his burden. here is one whom he has loved, whose voice he is accustomed to hear; shall he, through neglect or mismanagement, make a void in many hearts? shall he, from want of skill, bring weeping and desolation to a house where health and joy have been? alice was very dear to dr. lawton, she was the companion of his daughters; he had been accustomed to regard her as one of them; he was untiring in his attendance, but from the first, had feared the result. mrs. weston had concealed nothing from him, she knew that he considered a physician bound in honour to know the affairs of a family only among themselves--she had no reserves, thus giving him every assistance in her power, in conducting the case. she detailed to him, explicitly, all that might have contributed to produce it. "you know, my dear madam," the doctor said, "that at this season we have, even in our healthy country, severe fevers. alice's is one of the usual nature; it could have been produced by natural causes. we cannot say, it may be that the circumstances you have been kind enough to confide to me, have had a bad effect upon her. the effort to do right, and the fear lest she should err, may have strained her sensitive mind. she must have felt much distress in parting with walter, whom she has always loved as a brother. you have only done your duty. i should not like to see a daughter of mine interested in that young man. i fear he inherits his father's violent passions, yet his early training may bring the promised blessing. alice has that sort of mind, that is always influenced by what is passing at the time; remember what a child she was when arthur left. there are no more broken hearts now-a-days--sometimes they bend a little, but they can be straightened again. if alice gets well, you need not fear the future; though you know i disapprove of cousins marrying." "doctor," said mrs. weston, "i know you have not given her up!" "i never give anybody up," said the doctor. "who will say what god intends to do? i trust she will struggle through. many a storm assails the fair ship on her first voyage over the seas. she may be sadly tossed about with the wind and waves; but may breast it gallantly, and come back safe, after all. we must do what we can, and hope for the best." these words strengthened the mother's heart to watch and hope. the doctor laid down to sleep for an hour or two in the afternoon. cousin janet, mrs. weston, and phillis kept their watch in silence. the latter gently fanned alice, who lay gazing, but unconscious; now looking inquiringly into her mother's face, now closing her eyes to every thing. there was no tossing or excitement about her, _that_ was over. her cheek was pale, and her eyes languid and faded. one would not have believed, to have looked upon her, how high the fever still raged. suddenly she repeated the word that had often been on her lips--"mother." then, with an effort to raise herself, she sank back upon her pillow, exhausted. a sorrowful look, like death, suffused itself over her countenance. ah! how throbbed those hearts! was the dreaded messenger here? "miss anna," whispered phillis, "she is not gone, her pulse is no lower; it is the same." "is it the same? are you sure?" said mrs. weston, who, for a few moments, had been unable to speak, or even to place her finger on the pulse. "it is no worse, if you'll believe me," said phillis; "it may be a little better, but it is no worse." "had i not better wake the doctor?" said mrs. weston, who hardly knew what to believe. miss janet gently touched the wrist of the invalid. "do not wake him, my dear; phillis is right in saying she is no worse; it was a fainting, which is passing away. see! she looks as usual. give her the medicine, it is time; and leave her quiet, the doctor may be disturbed to-night." the night had passed, and the morning was just visible, as symptoms of the same nature affected the patient. dr. lawton had seen her very late at night, and had requested them to awaken him should there be any change in her appearance or condition. oh, how these anxious hearts feared and hoped through this night. what might it bring forth; joy or endless weeping? this dread crisis past, and what would be the result? "doctor," said phillis, gently awaking him, "i'm sorry to disturb you. miss alice has had another little turn, and you'd better see her." "how is her pulse?" said the doctor, quickly. "is it failing?" "'pears to me not, sir; but you can see." they went to the room, and the doctor took alice's small wrist, and lightly felt her pulse. then did the mother watch his face, to see its writing. what was there? nothing but deep attention. the wrist was gently laid down, and the doctor's hand passed lightly over the white arm. softly it touched the forehead, and lay beneath the straying curl. there is no expression yet; but he takes the wrist again, and, laying one hand beneath it, he touches the pulse. softly, like the first glance of moonlight on the dark waters, a smile is seen on that kind face. there is something else besides the smile. large tears dropped from the physician's eyes; tears that he did not think to wipe away. he stooped towards the fragile sufferer, and gently as the morning air breathes upon the drooping violet, he kissed her brow. "alice, sweet one," he said, "god has given you to us again." where is that mother? has she heard those cheering words? she hears them, and is gone; gone even from the side of her only one. the soul, when there is too much joy, longs for god. she must lay her rich burden at the mercy-seat. now, that mother kneels, but utters no word. the incense of her heart knows no language and needs none; for god requires it not. the sacrifice of praise from a rejoicing heart, is a grateful offering that he accepts. "miss anna," said phillis, with trembling voice, but beaming eye, "go to bed now; days and nights you have been up. how can you stand it? the doctor says she is a great deal better, but she may be ill for a good while yet, and you will give out. i will stay with her if you will take a sleep." "sleep;" said mrs. weston. "no, no, faithful phillis not yet; joy is too new to me. god for ever bless you for your kindness to me and my child. you shall go home and sleep, and to-night, if she continue to do well, i will trust her with you, and take some rest myself." mr. weston awoke to hear glad tidings. again and again, through the long day, he repeated to himself his favorite psalm, "praise the lord, oh my soul." miss janet's joy, deep but silent, was visible in her happy countenance. nor were these feelings confined to the family; every servant on the estate made his master's joy his own. they sorrowed with him when he sorrowed, but now that his drooping head was lifted up, many an honest face regarded him with humble congratulation, as kindly received as if it had come from the highest in the land. chapter xvii. alice steadily, though slowly, improved; and phillis again employed herself with her children and her work. things had gone on very well, with one of her daughter's constant superintendence; but bacchus had taken advantage of being less watched than usual, and had indulged a good deal, declaring to himself that without something to keep up his spirits he should die, thinking about miss alice. phillis, lynx-eyed as she always was, saw that such had been the case. it was about a week after alice commenced to improve, that phillis went to her house in the evening, after having taken charge of her for several hours, while mrs. weston slept. alice was very restless at night, and mrs. weston generally prepared herself for it, by taking some repose previously; this prevented the necessity of any one else losing rest, which, now that alice was entirely out of danger, she positively refused to permit. as phillis went in the door, lydia was on her knees, just finishing the little nightly prayer that miss janet had taught her. she got up, and as she was about to go to bed, saw her mother, and bade her good night. "good night, and go to bed like a good child. miss alice says you may come to see her again to-morrow," phillis replied. lydia was happy as a queen with this promise. aunt phillis took her pipe, and her old station outside the door, to smoke. bacchus had his old, crazy, broken-backed chair out there already, and he was evidently resolving something in his mind of great importance, for he propped the chair far back on its one leg, and appeared to be taking the altitude of the mountains in the moon, an unfailing sign of a convulsion of some kind in the inner man. "phillis," said he, after a long silence, "do you know, it is my opinion that that old creature," pointing with his thumb to aunt peggy's house, "is so long used to grumblin' and fussin', that she can't, to save her life, lie still in her grave." "what makes you think so?" said phillis. "bekase, i believes in my soul she's back thar this minute." "people that drink, bacchus, can't expect nothin' else than to be troubled with notions. i was in hopes aunt peggy's death would have made you afeered to go on sinning. 'stead of that, when we was all in such grief, and didn't know what was comin' upon us, you must go drinking. you'd better a been praying, i tell you. but be sure your 'sin will find you out' some day or other. the lord above knows i pray for you many a time, when i'm hard at work. my heart is nigh breaking when i think where the drunkards will be, when the lord makes up his jewels. they can't enter the kingdom of heaven; there is no place for them there. why can't you repent? 'spose you die in a drunken fit, how will i have the heart to work when i remember where you've got to; 'where the worm never dieth, and the fire is not quenched.'" bacchus was rather taken aback by this sudden appeal, and he moved uneasily in his chair; but after a little reflection, and a good long look at the moon, he recovered his confidence. "phillis," said he, "do you b'lieve in sperrits?" "no, i don't," said phillis, drily, "of no kind." bacchus was at a loss again; but he pretended not to understand her, and giving a hitch to his uncertain chair, he got up some courage, and said, doggedly, "well, i do." "i don't," said phillis, positively, "of no kind." bacchus was quite discomposed again, but he said in an appealing voice to his wife, "phillis, i couldn't stand it; when miss alice was so low, you was busy, and could be a doin somethin for her; but what could i do? here i sot all night a cryin, a thinkin about her and young master. i 'spected for true she was gwine to die; and my blessed grief! what would have come of us all. master arthur, he'd a come home, but what would be the use, and she dead and gone. every which way i looked, i think i see miss alice going up to heaven, a waving her hand good-by to us, and we all by ourselves, weepin and wailin. 'deed, phillis, i couldn't stand it; if i hadn't had a little whiskey i should a been dead and cold afore now." "you'll be dead and cold afore long with it," said phillis. "i couldn't do nothing but cry, phillis," said bacchus, snuffing and blowing his nose; "and i thought i might be wanted for somethin, so i jest took a small drop to keep up my strength." phillis said nothing. she was rather a hard-hearted woman where whiskey was concerned; so she gave bacchus no encouragement to go on excusing himself. "i tell you why i believes in ghosts," said bacchus, after a pause. "i've see'd one." "when?" said phillis. "i was telling you that while miss alice was so ill," said bacchus, "i used to set up most of de night. i don't know how i kep up, for you know niggers takes a sight of sleep, 'specially when they aint very young, like me. well, i thought one time about miss alice, but more about old aunt peggy. you know she used to set outside de door thar, very late o' nights. it 'peared like i was 'spectin to see her lean on her stick, and come out every minute. well, one night i was sure i hear somethin thar. i listened, and then somethin gin a kind o' screech, sounded like de little niggers when aunt peggy used to gin 'em a lick wid her switch. arter a while i see de curtain lifted up. i couldn't see what it was, but it lifted it up. i hearn some more noise, and i felt so strange like, that i shut de door to, and went to bed. well, i seed dat, and heard it for two or three nights. i was gettin scared i tell you; for, phillis, there's somethin awful in thinkin of people walking out of their graves, and can't get rest even thar. i couldn't help comin, every night, out here, 'bout twelve o'clock, for that's time sperrits, i mean ghosts, is so uneasy. one night, de very night miss alice got better, i hearn de screech an de fuss, and i seed de curtain go up, and pretty soon what do you think i saw. i'm tellin' you no lie, phillis. i seed two great, red eyes, a glarin out de winder; a glarin right at me. if you believe me, i fell down out of dis very cheer, and when i got up, i gin one look at de winder, and thar was de red eyes glarin agin, so i fell head-foremost over de door step, tryin to get in quick, and then when i did get in, i locked de door. my soul, wasn't i skeered. i never looked no more. i seen nuff dat time." "your head was mighty foolish," said phillis, "and you just thought you saw it." "no such thing. i saw de red eyes--aunt peggy's red eyes." "high!" said phillis, "aunt peggy hadn't red eyes." "not when she was 'live?" said bacchus. "but thar's no knowin what kind of eyes sperrits gets, 'specially when they gets where it aint very comfortable." "well," said phillis, "these things are above us. we've got our work to do, and the lord he does his. i don't bother myself about ghosts. i'm trying to get to heaven, and i know i'll never get there if i don't get ready while i'm here. aunt peggy aint got no power to come back, unless god sends her; and if he sends her, its for some good reason. you better come in now, and kneel down, and ask god to give you strength to do what is right. we've got no strength but what he gives us." "i wish you'd pray loud to-night," said bacchus; "for i aint felt easy of late, and somehow i can't pray." "well, i can't do much, but i can ask god to give us grace to repent of our sins, and to serve him faithfully," said phillis. and they both kneeled down, and prayer went forth from an earnest heart; and who shall say that a more welcome offering ascended to his ear in that time of prayer, than the humble but believing petition of the slave! phillis was of a most matter-of-fact disposition, and possessed, as an accompaniment, an investigating turn of mind; so, before any one was stirring in her cottage, she dressed herself, and took from a nail a large-sized key, that was over the mantel-piece. she hung it to her little finger, and made straight for aunt peggy's deserted cabin. she granted herself a search-warrant, and determined to find some clue to bacchus's marvellous story. her heart did not fail her, even when she put the key in the lock, for she was resolved as a grenadier, and she would not have turned back if the veritable red eyes themselves had raised the cotton curtain, and looked defiance. the lock was somewhat out of repair, requiring a little coaxing before she could get the key in, and then it was some time before she succeeded in turning it; at last it yielded, and with one push the door flew open. now phillis, anxious as she was to have the matter cleared up, did not care to have it done so instantaneously, for hardly had she taken one step in the house before she, in the most precipitous manner, backed two or three out of it. at first she thought aunt peggy herself had flown at her, and she could hardly help calling for assistance, but making a great effort to recover her composure, she saw at a glance that it was aunt peggy's enormous black cat, who not only resembled her in color, but disposition. jupiter, for that was the cat's name, did not make another grab, but stood with his back raised, glaring at her, while phillis, breathing very short, sunk into aunt peggy's chair and wiped the cold perspiration from her face with her apron. "why, jupiter," said phillis, "is this you? how on earth did i happen to forget you. your eyes is red, to be sure, and no wonder, you poor, half-starved creature. i must a locked you up here, the day after the funeral, and i never would a forgot you, if it hadn't been my mind was so taken up with miss alice. why, you're thin as a snake,--wait a minute and i'll bring you something to eat." jupiter, who had lived exclusively on mice for a fortnight, was evidently subdued by the prospects of an early breakfast. the apology phillis had made him seemed not to be without its effect, for when she came back, with a small tin pan of bread and milk, and a piece of bacon hanging to a fork, his back was not the least elevated, and he proceeded immediately to the hearth where the provender was deposited, and to use an inelegant westernism, "walked into it;" phillis meanwhile going home, perfectly satisfied with the result of her exploration. bacchus's toilet was completed, he was just raising up from the exertion of putting on his slippers, when phillis came in, laughing. this was an unusual phenomenon, so early in the morning, and bacchus was slightly uneasy at its portent, but he ventured to ask her what was the matter. "nothing," said phillis, "only i've seen the ghost." "lord! what?" "the ghost!" said phillis, "and its got red eyes, too, sure enough." "phillis," said bacchus, appealingly, "you aint much used to jokin, and i know you wouldn't tell an ontruth; what do you mean?" "i mean," said phillis, "that the very ghost you saw, and heard screeching, with the red eyes glarin at you through the window, i've seen this morning." "phillis," said bacchus, sinking back in his chair, "'taint possible! what was it a doin?" "i can tell you what its doing now," said phillis, "its eating bread and milk and a piece of bacon, as hard as it can. its eyes is red, to be sure, but i reckon yours would be red or shut, one, if you'd a been nigh a fortnight locked up in an empty house, with now and then a mouse to eat. why, bacchus, how come it, you forgot old jupiter? i was too busy to think about cats, but i wonder nobody else didn't think of the poor animal." "sure enough," said bacchus, slowly recovering from his astonishment, "its old jupiter--why i'd a sworn on the bible 'twas aunt peggy's sperrit. well, i do b'lieve! that old cat's lived all this time; well, he aint no cat any how--i always said he was a witch, and now i knows it, that same old jupiter. but, phillis, gal, i wouldn't say nothin at all about it--we'll have all dese low niggers laughin at us." "what they going to laugh at me about?" said phillis. "i didn't see no ghost." "well, its all de same," said bacchus, "they'll laugh at me--and man and wife's one--'taint worth while to say nothin 'bout it, as i see." "i shan't say nothing about it as long as you keep sober; but mind, you go pitching and tumbling about, and i aint under no kind of promise to keep your secret. and its the blessed truth, they'd laugh, sure enough, at you, if they did know it." and the hint had such a good effect, that after a while, it was reported all over the plantation that bacchus "had give up drinkin, for good and all." chapter xviii. it was in answer to arthur's letter, expressing great anxiety to hear from home, in consequence of so long a time having passed without his receiving his usual letters, that mr. weston wrote him of alice's illness. she was then convalescing, but in so feeble and nervous a condition, that dr. lawton advised arthur's remaining where he was--wishing his patient to be kept even from the excitement of seeing so dear a relative. mr. weston insisted upon arthur's being contented with hearing constantly of her improvement, both from himself and mrs. weston. this, arthur consented to do; but in truth he was not aware of the extent of the danger which had threatened alice's life, and supposed it to have been an ordinary fever. with what pleasure did he look forward, in his leisure moments, to the time when it would be his privilege always to be near her; and to induce the tedious interval to pass more rapidly, he employed himself with his studies, as constantly as the season would allow. he had formed a sincere attachment to abel johnson, whose fine talents and many high qualities made him a delightful companion. mr. hubbard was a connection of young johnson's, and felt privileged often to intrude himself upon them. it really was an intrusion, for he had at present a severe attack of the abolition fever, and he could not talk upon any other subject. this was often very disagreeable to arthur and his friend, but still it became a frequent subject of their discussion, when mr. hubbard was present, and when they were alone. in the mean time, the warm season was passing away, and alice did not recover her strength as her friends wished. no place in the country could have been more delightful than exeter was at that season; but still it seemed necessary to have a change of scene. september had come, and it was too late to make their arrangements to go to the north, and alice added to this a great objection to so doing. a distant relation of mr. weston, a very young girl, named ellen graham, had been sent for, in hopes that her lively society would have a good effect on alice's unequal spirits; and after much deliberation it was determined that the family, with the exception of miss janet, should pass the winter in washington. miss janet could not be induced to go to that vanity fair, as she called it; and if proper arrangements for her comfort could not be made, the project would have to be given up. after many proposals, each one having an unanswerable difficulty, the old lady returned from town one day, with a very satisfied countenance, having persuaded mrs. williams, a widow, and her daughter, to pass the winter at exeter with her. mrs. williams was a much valued friend of the weston family, and as no objection could be found to this arrangement, the affair was settled. alice, although the cause of the move, was the only person who was indifferent on the subject. ellen graham, young and gay as she was, would like to have entered into any excitement that would make her forget the past. she fancied it would be for her happiness, could the power of memory be destroyed. she had not sufficient of the experience of life to appreciate the old man's prayer, "lord, keep my memory green." ellen at an early age, and an elder brother, were dependent, not for charity, but for kindness and love, on relatives who for a long time felt their guardianship a task. they were orphans; they bore each other company in the many little cares of childhood; and the boy, as is not unusual in such a case, always looked to his sister for counsel and protection, not from actual unkindness, but from coldness and unmerited reproof. they never forgot their parting with their mother--the agony with which she held them to her bosom, bitterly reflecting they would have no such resting-place in the cold world, in which they were to struggle. yet they were not unkindly received at their future home. their uncle and aunt, standing on the piazza, could not without tears see the delicate children in their deep mourning, accompanied only by their aged and respectable colored nurse, raise their eyes timidly, appealing to them for protection, as hand in hand they ascended the steps. it was a large and dreary-looking mansion, and many years had passed since the pictures of the stiff looking cavalier and his smiling lady, hanging in the hall, had looked down upon children at home there. the echoes of their own voices almost alarmed the children, when, after resting from their journey, they explored the scenes of their future haunts. on the glass of the large window in the hall, were the names of a maiden and her lover, descended from the cavaliers of virginia. this writing was cut with a diamond, and the children knew not that the writing was their parents'. the little ones walked carefully over the polished floors; but there seemed nothing in all they saw to tell them they were welcome. they lifted the grand piano that maintained its station in one of the unoccupied rooms of the house; but the keys were yellow with age, and many of them soundless--when at last one of them answered to the touch of ellen's little hand, it sent forth such a ghostly cry that the two children gazed at each other, not knowing whether to cry or to laugh. children are like politicians, not easily discouraged; and ellen's "come on, willy," showed that she, by no means, despaired of finding something to amuse them. they lingered up stairs in their own apartment, william pointing to the moss-covered rock that lay at the foot of the garden. "willy, willy, come! here is something," and willy followed her through a long passage into a room, lighted only by the rays that found entrance through a broken shutter. "only see this," she continued, laying her hand on a crib burdened with a small mattress and pillow; "here too," and she pointed to a little child's hat that hung over it, from which drooped three small plumes. "whose can they be?" "come out o' here, children," said the nurse, who had been seeking them. "your aunt told me not to let you come into this part of the house; this was her nursery once, and her only child died here." the children followed their nurse, and ever afterward the thought of death was connected with that part of the house. often as they looked in their aunt's face they remembered the empty crib and the drooping plumes. time does not always fly with youth; yet it passed along until ellen had attained her sixteenth year, and william his eighteenth year. ellen shared all her brother's studies, and their excellent tutor stored their minds with useful information. their uncle superintended their education, with the determination that it should be a thorough one. william did not intend studying a profession; his father's will allowed him to decide between this, or assuming, at an early age, the care of his large estate, with suitable advisers. ellen made excellent progress in all her studies. her aunt was anxious she should learn music, and wished her to go to richmond or to alexandria for that purpose, but ellen begged off; she thought of the old piano and its cracked keys, and desired not to be separated from her brother, professing her dislike to any music, but her old nurse's methodist hymns. william was tall and athletic for his age, passionate when roused by harshness or injustice, but otherwise affectionate in his disposition, idolizing his sister. his uncle looked at him with surprise when he saw him assume the independence of manner, which sat well upon him; and his aunt sometimes checked herself, when about to reprove him for the omission of some unimportant form of politeness, which in her days of youth was essential. ellen dwelt with delight upon the approaching time, when she would be mistress of her brother's establishment, and as important as she longed to be, on that account. though she looked upon her uncle's house as a large cage, in which she had long fluttered a prisoner, she could not but feel an affection for it; her aunt and uncle often formal, and uselessly particular, were always substantially kind. it was a good, though not a cheerful home, and the young look for joy and gaiety, as do the flowers for birds and sunshine. ellen was to be a ward of her uncle's until she was of age, but was to be permitted to reside with her brother, if she wished, from the time he assumed the management of his estate. the young people laid many plans for housekeeping. william had not any love affair in progress, and as yet his sister's image was stamped on all his projects for the future. two years before ellen came to exeter, william stood under his sister's window, asking her what he should bring her from c----, the neighboring town. "don't you want some needles," he said, "or a waist ribbon, or some candy? make haste, ellen; if i don't hurry, i can't come home to-night." "i don't want any thing, willie; but will you be sure to return to-night? i never sleep well when you are away. aunt and i are going on tuesday to c----; wait and we will stay all night then." "oh, no," said william, "i must go; but you may depend upon my being back: i always keep my promises. so good-by." ellen leaned from the window, watching her handsome brother as he rode down the avenue leading into the road he turned in his saddle, and bowed to her, just before he passed from her sight. "oh, mammy," she said to her attendant, for she had always thus affectionately addressed her; "did you ever see any one as handsome as willie?" "yes, child," she replied, "his father was, before him. you both look like your father; but master willie favors him more than you do. shut down the window, miss ellen, don't you feel the wind? a strong march wind aint good for nobody. its bright enough overhead to-day, but the ground is mighty damp and chilly. there, you're sneezin; didn't i tell you so?" late in the same day ellen was seated at the window, watching her brother's return; gaily watching, until the shadows of evening were resting on his favorite rocks. then she watched anxiously until the rocks could no longer be seen; but never did he come again, though hope and expectation lingered about her heart until despair rested there in their place. william was starting on horseback, after an early dinner at the tavern in c----. as he put his foot in the stirrups, an old farmer, who had just driven his large covered wagon to the door, called to him. "you going home, mr. william?" said he. "yes, i am; but why do you ask me?" "why, how are you going to cross willow's creek?" asked the old man. "on the bridge," said william, laughing; "did you think i was going to jump my horse across?" "no, but you can't cross the bridge," said the farmer, "for the bridge is broken down." "why, i crossed it early this morning," said william. "so did i," said the farmer, "and, thank god, i and my team did not go down with it. but there's been a mighty freshet above, and willow's creek is something like my wife--she's an angel when she aint disturbed, but she's the devil himself when any thing puts her out. now, you take my advice, and stay here to-night, or at any rate don't get yourself into danger." "i must go home to-night," said william; "i have promised my sister to do so. i can ford the creek;" and he prepared again to start. "stop, young man," said the farmer, solemnly, "you mind the old saying, 'young people think old people fools, but old people know young people are fools.' i warn you not to try and ford that creek to-night; you might as well put your head in a lion's mouth. havn't i been crossing it these fifty years? and aint i up to all its freaks and ways? sometimes it is as quiet as a wearied baby, but now it is foaming and lashing, as a tiger after prey. you'd better disappoint miss ellen for one night, than to bring a whole lifetime of trouble upon her. don't be foolhardy, now; your horse can't carry you safely over willow's creek this night." "never fear, farmer," said william. "i can take care of myself." "may the lord take care of you," said the farmer, as he followed the youth, dashing through the town on his spirited horse. "if it were not for this wagon-load, and there are so many to be clothed and fed at home, i would follow you, but i can't do it." william rode rapidly homeward. the noonday being long passed, the skies were clouding over, and harsh spring winds were playing through the woods. william enjoyed such rides. healthy, and fearing nothing, he was a stranger to a feeling of loneliness. alternately singing an old air, and then whistling with notes as clear and musical as a flute, he at last came in sight of the creek which had been so tranquil when he crossed it in the morning. there was an old house near, where lived the people who received the toll. a man and his wife, with a large family of children, poor people's inheritance, had long made this place their home, and they were acquainted with all the persons who were in the habit of traveling this way. william, whom they saw almost daily, was a great favorite with the children. not only did he pay his toll, but many a penny and sixpence to the small folks besides, and he was accustomed to receive a welcome. now the house was shut up. it had rained frequently and heavily during the month, and the bright morning, which had tempted the children out to play, was gone, and they had gathered in the old house to amuse themselves as they could. the bridge had been partly carried away by the freshet. some of the beams were still swinging and swaying themselves with restless motion. the creek was swollen to a torrent. the waters dashed against its sides, in their haste to go their way. the wind, too, howled mournfully, and the old trees bent to and fro, nodding their stately heads, and rustling their branches against each other. "oh, mr. william, is it you?" said the woman, opening the door. "get off your horse, and come in and rest; you can't go home to-night." "yes, i can though," said william, "i have often forded the creek, and though i never saw it as it is now, yet i can get safely over it, i am sure." "don't talk of such things, for the lord's sake," said mrs. jones. "why, my husband could not ford the creek now, and you're a mere boy." "no matter for that," said william. "i promised my sister to be at home to-night, and i must keep my word. see how narrow the creek is here! good-by, i cannot wait any longer, it is getting dark." "don't, try it, please don't, mr. william," again said mrs. jones. all the children joined her, some entreating william, others crying out at the danger into which their favorite was rushing. "why, you cowards," cried william, "you make more noise than the creek itself. here's something for gingerbread." none of the children offered to pick up the money which fell among them, but looked anxiously after william, to see what he was going to do. "mr. william," said mrs. jones, "come back; look at the water a roaring and tossing, and your horse is restless already with the noise. don't throw your life away; think of your sister." "i'm thinking of her, good mrs. jones. never fear for me," said he, looking back at her with a smile, at the same time urging his horse toward the edge of the creek, where there was a gradual descent from the hill. as mrs. jones had said, the horse had already become restless, he was impatiently moving his head, prancing and striking his hoofs against the hard ground. william restrained him, as he too quickly descended the path, and it may be the young man then hesitated, as he endeavored to check him, but it was too late. the very check rendered him more impatient; springing aside from the path he dashed himself from rock to rock. william saw his danger, and with a steady hand endeavored to control the frightened animal. this unequal contest was soon decided. the nearer the horse came to the water the more he was alarmed,--at last he sprang from the rock, and he and his rider disappeared. "oh, my god!" said mrs. jones, "he is gone. the poor boy; and there is no one to help him." she at first hid her eyes from the appalling scene, and then approached the creek and screamed as she saw the horse struggling and plunging, while william manfully tried to control him. oh! how beat her heart, as with uplifted hands, and stayed breath, she watched for the issue--it is over now. "hush! hush! children," said their mother, pale as death, whose triumph she had just witnessed. "oh! if your father had been here to have saved him--but who could have saved him? none but thou, almighty god!" and she kneeled to pray for, she knew not what. "too late, too late!" yet she knelt and alternately prayed and wept. again she gazed into the noisy waters--but there was nothing there, and then calling her frightened and weeping children into the house, she determined to set forth alone, for assistance--for what? * * * * * oh! how long was that night to ellen, though she believed her brother remained at c----. she did not sleep till late, and sad the awakening. voices in anxious whispers fell upon her ear; pale faces and weeping eyes, were everywhere around her--within, confusion; and useless effort without. her uncle wept as for an only son; her aunt then felt how tenderly she had loved him, who was gone forever. the farmer, who had warned him at the tavern-door, smote his breast when he heard his sad forebodings were realized. the young and the old, the rich and the poor, assembled for days about the banks of the creek, with the hopes of recovering the body, but the young rider and his horse were never seen again. ah! ellen was an orphan now--father, mother, and friend had he been to her, the lost one. often did she lay her head on the kind breast of their old nurse, and pray for death. as far as was in their power, her uncle and aunt soothed her in her grief. but the only real comfort at such a time, is that from heaven, and ellen knew not that. how could she have reposed had she felt the protection of the everlasting arms! but time, though it does not always heal, must assuage the intensity of grief; the first year passed after william's death, and ellen felt a wish for other scenes than those where she had been accustomed to see him. she had now little to which she could look forward. her chief amusement was in retiring to the library, and reading old romances, with which its upper shelves were filled; this, under other circumstances, her aunt would have forbidden, but it was a relief to see ellen interested in any thing, and she appeared not to observe her thus employing herself. so ellen gradually returned to the old ways; she studied a little, and assisted her industrious aunt in her numerous occupations. as of old, her aunt saw her restlessness of disposition, and ellen felt rebellious and irritable. with what an unexpected delight, then, did she receive from her aunt's hands, the letters from mrs. weston, inviting her to come at once to exeter, and then to accompany them to washington. she, without any difficulty, obtained the necessary permission, and joyfully wrote to mrs. weston, how gladly she would accept the kind invitation. chapter xix. there was an ancient enmity between jupiter and bacchus. while the former was always quiet when phillis came to see his mistress during her life, bacchus never went near him without his displaying symptoms of the greatest irritation; his back was invariably raised, and his claws spread out ready for an attack on the slightest provocation. phillis found it impossible to induce the cat to remain away from aunt peggy's house; he would stand on the door-step, and make the most appalling noises, fly into the windows, scratch against the panes, and if any children approached him to try and coax him away, he would fly at them, sending them off in a disabled condition. phillis was obliged to go backward and forward putting him into the house and letting him out again. this was a good deal of trouble, and his savage mood continuing, the servants were unwilling to pass him, declaring he was a good deal worse than aunt peggy had ever been. finally, a superstitious feeling got among them, that he was connected in some way with his dead mistress, and a thousand absurd stories were raised in consequence. mr. weston told bacchus that he was so fierce that he might do some real mischief, so that he had better be caught and drowned. the catching was a matter of some moment, but phillis seduced him into a bag by putting a piece of meat inside and then dexterously catching up the bag and drawing the string. it was impossible to hold him in, so bacchus fastened the bag to the wheelbarrow, and after a good deal of difficulty, he got him down to the river under the bridge, and threw him in. he told phillis when he got home, that he felt now for the first time as if aunt peggy was really dead, and they all might hope for a little comfort. twenty-four hours after, however, just as the moon was rising, bacchus was taken completely by surprise, for jupiter passed him with his back raised, and proceeded to the door of his old residence, commencing immediately a most vociferous demand to be admitted. bacchus was speechless for some moments, but at last made out to call phillis, who came to the door to see what was the trouble. "look thar," said he, "you want to make me b'lieve that aint ole aunt peggy's wraith--ground can't hold her, water can't hold him--why i drowned him deep--how you 'spose he got out of that bag?" phillis could not help laughing. "well, i never did see the like--the cat has scratched through the bag and swam ashore." "i b'lieves you," said bacchus, "and if you had throw'd him into the fire, he wouldn't a got burned; but i tell you, no cat's a gwine to get the better of me--i'll kill jupiter, yet." phillis, not wanting the people aroused, got the key, and unlocked the door, jupiter sprang in, and took up his old quarters on the hearth, where he was quiet for the night. in the morning she carried some bread and milk to him, and told bacchus not to say any thing about his coming back to any one, and that after she came home from town, where she was going on business for mrs. weston, they would determine what they would do. but bacchus secretly resolved to have the affair settled before phillis should return, that the whole glory of having conquered an enemy should belong to him. phillis was going on a number of errands to l----, and she expected to be detained all day, for she understood shopping to perfection, and she went charged with all sorts of commissions; besides, she had to stop to see one or two sick old colored ladies of her acquaintance, and she told mrs. weston she might as well make a day of it. thus it was quite evening when she got home--found every thing had been well attended to, children in bed, but bacchus among the missing, though he had promised her he would not leave the premises until her return. now, if there is a severe trial on this earth, it is for a wife (of any color) who rarely leaves home,--to return after a day of business and pleasure, having spent all the money she could lay her hands on, having dined with one friend and taken a dish of tea and gossiped with another--to return, hoping to see every thing as she expected, and to experience the bitter disappointment of finding her husband gone out in spite of the most solemn asseverations to the contrary. who could expect a woman to preserve her composure under such circumstances? poor phillis! she was in such spirits as she came home. how pretty the flowers look! she thought, after all, if i am a slave, the lord is mighty good to me. i have a comfortable home, and a good set of children, and my old man has done so much better of late--phillis felt really happy; and when she went in, and delivered all her parcels to the ladies, and was congratulated on her success in getting precisely the desired articles, her heart was as light as a feather. she thought she would go and see how all went on at home, and then come back to the kitchen and drink a cup of good tea, for the family had just got through with theirs. what a disappointment, then, to find any thing going wrong. it was not that bacchus's society was so entirely necessary to her, but the idea of his having started on another spree. the fear of his being brought home sometime to her dead, came over her with unusual force, and she actually burst into tears. she had been so very happy a few minutes before, that she could not, with her usual calmness, make the best of every thing. she forgot all about the pleasant day she had passed; lost her wish for a cup of tea; and passing even her pipe by, with a full heart she took her seat to rest at the door. for some time every thing seemed to go wrong with her. all at once she found out how tired she was. her limbs ached, and her arm hurt her, where she had carried the basket. she had a great many troubles. she had to work hard. she had more children than anybody else to bother her; and when she thought of bacchus she felt very angry. he might as well kill himself drinking, at once, for he was nothing but a care and disgrace to her--had always been so, and most likely would be so until they were both under the ground. but this state of mind could not last long. a little quiet, rest, and thought had a good effect. she soon began again to look at the bright side of things, and to be ashamed of her murmuring spirit. "sure enough he has kept very sober of late, and i can't expect him to give it up entirely, all of a sudden. i must be patient, and go on praying for him." she thought with great pity of him, and her heart being thus subdued, her mind gradually turned to other things. she looked at aunt peggy's house, and wondered if the old woman was better off in another world than she was in this; but she checked the forbidden speculation. and next she thought of jupiter, and with this recollection came another remembrance of bacchus and his antipathy both to the mistress and her cat. all at once she recalled bacchus's determination to kill jupiter, and the strange ferocity the animal evinced whenever bacchus went near him; and she got up to take the key and survey the state of things at the deserted house. there was no key to be found; and concluding some one had been after jupiter, she no longer delayed her intention of finding out what had occurred in that direction. she found the key in the door, but every thing was silent. with some caution she opened it, remembering jupiter's last unexpected onset; when, looking round by the dim light, she perceived him seated opposite aunt peggy's big chest, evidently watching it. on hearing the door open, though, he got up and raised his back, on the defensive. phillis, having an indefinable feeling that bacchus was somehow or other connected with the said elevation, looked carefully round the room, but saw nothing. gradually the chest lid opened a little way, and a sepulchral voice, issuing from it, uttered in a low tone these words: "phillis, gal, is that you?" the cat looked ready to spring, and the chest lid suddenly closed again. but while phillis was recovering herself the lid was cautiously opened, and bacchus's eyes glaring through the aperture. the words were repeated. "why, what on earth?" said the astonished woman: "surely, is that you, bacchus?" "it is, surely," said bacchus; "but put that devil of a tiger out of de room, if you don't want me to die dis minute." phillis's presence always had an imposing effect upon jupiter; and as she opened the door to the other room, and called him in, he followed her without any hesitation. she shut him in, and then hurried back to lift up the chest lid, to release her better half. "why, how," said she, as bacchus, in a most cramped condition endeavored to raise himself, "did the lid fall on you?" "no," groaned bacchus. "are you sure de middle door's shut. let me git out o' dis place quick as possible, for since ole peggy left, de ole boy hisself has taken up his abode here. 'pears as if i never should git straight agin." "why, look at your face, bacchus," said his wife. "did jupiter scratch you up that way." "didn't he though? wait till i gits out of reach of his claws, and i'll tell you about it;" and they both went out, phillis locking the door to keep jupiter quiet, that night at least. after having washed the blood off his face and hands, and surveyed himself with a dismal countenance in the looking-glass, bacchus proceeded to give an account of his adventure. after dinner he thought he would secure jupiter, and have him effectually done for before phillis came back. he mustered up all his courage, and unlocking the house, determined to catch and tie him, then decide on a mode of death that would be effectual. he had heard some officer from mexico describe the use of the lasso, and it occurred to him to entrap jupiter in this scientific manner. but jupiter was an old bird; he was not to be caught with chaff. bacchus's lasso failed altogether, and very soon the cat became so enraged that bacchus was obliged to take a three-legged stool, and act on the defensive. he held the stool before his face, and when jupiter made a spring at him, he dodged against him with it. two or three blows excited jupiter's anger to frenzy, and after several efforts he succeeded in clawing bacchus's face in the most dreadful manner, so that it was with the greatest difficulty he could clear himself. desperate with pain and fright, he looked for some way of escape. the door was shut, and jupiter, who seemed to be preparing for another attack, was between him and it. he had but one resource, and that was to spring into aunt peggy's great chest, and close the lid to protect himself from another assault. occasionally, when nearly suffocated, he would raise the lid to breathe, but jupiter immediately flew at him in such a furious manner, that he saw it would be at the risk of his life to attempt to escape, and he was obliged to bide his time. what his meditations were upon while in the chest, would be hard to decide; but when once more protected by the shadow of his own roof, he vowed jupiter should die, and be cut in pieces before he was done with him. phillis went to miss janet, and gave her an account of the whole affair, with bacchus's permission, and the kind old lady came to him with some healing ointment of her own manufacture, and anointed his wounds. william was sent for; and the result of the discussion was, that he and his father should, early next morning, shoot the much dreaded cat effectually. this resolution was carried into effect in the following manner. phillis went a little in advance with a large bowl of bread and milk, and enticed jupiter to the hearth. as he was very hungry, he did not perceive william entering with a very long gun in his hand, nor even bacchus, his ancient enemy, with a piece of sticking-plaster down his nose and across his forehead. william was quite a sportsman. he went through all the necessary formalities. bacchus gave the word of command in a low voice: make ready, take aim, fire--bang, and william discharged a shower of shot into jupiter's back and sides. he gave one spring, and all was over, bacchus looking on with intense delight. as in the case of aunt peggy, now that his enemy was no more, bacchus became very magnanimous. he said jupiter had been a faithful old animal, though mighty queer sometimes, and he believed the death of aunt peggy had set him crazy, therefore he forgave him for the condition in which he had put his face, and should lay him by his mistress at the burial-ground. lydia begged an old candle-box of miss janet, for a coffin, and assisted her father in the other funeral arrangements. with a secret satisfaction and a solemn air, bacchus carried off the box, followed by a number of black children, that lydia had invited to the funeral. they watched bacchus with great attention while he completed his work, and the whole party returned under the impression that aunt peggy and jupiter were perfectly satisfied with the morning's transactions. chapter xx. the time had come to leave home, and the westons had but one more evening. neither mr. weston nor alice were well, and all hoped the change would benefit them. they were to travel in their own carriage, and the preparations were completed. the three ladies' maids were to go by the stage. miss janet had a number of things stowed away in the carriage, which she thought might be useful, not forgetting materials for a lunch, and a little of her own home-made lavender, in case of a headache. the pleasure of going was very much lessened by the necessity of leaving the dear old lady, who would not listen to their entreaties to accompany them. "you, with your smooth cheeks and bright eyes, may well think of passing a winter in washington; but what should i do there? why, the people would say i had lost my senses. no, we three ladies will have a nice quiet time at exeter, and i can go on with my quilting and patchwork. you see, miss alice, that you come back with red cheeks. the birds and the flowers will be glad to see you again when the spring comes." "ring the bell, alice," said mr. weston. "i must know how mr. mason's little boy is. i sent mark shortly after dinner; but here he is. well, mark, i hope the little fellow is getting well?" "he is _receased_, sir," said mark, solemnly. "he is what?" said mr. weston. "oh! ah! he is dead--i understand you. well, i am truly sorry for it. when did he die?" "early this morning, sir," said mark. "have you any more orders to give, sir? for as i am to be up mighty early in the morning, i was thinking of going to bed when you are done with me." "nothing more," said mr. weston; and mark retired. "mark," continued mr. weston, "has the greatest propensity for using hard words. his _receased_ means deceased. he was excessively angry with bacchus the other day for interfering with him about the horses. 'nobody,' said he, 'can stand that old fellow's airs. he's got so full of tomposity, that he makes himself disagreeable to everybody.' by _tom_posity, i suppose you all know he meant pomposity. bacchus is elated at the idea of going with us. i hope i shall not have any trouble with him." "oh! no, uncle," said alice; "he is a good old fellow, and looks so aristocratic with his gray hair and elegant bows. ellen and i will have to take him as a beau when you are out. aunt phillis says, that he has promised her not to drink a drop of any thing but water, and she seems to think that he has been so sober lately that he will keep his word." "it is very doubtful," said mr. weston; "but the fact is he would be troublesome with his airs and his _tomposity_ were i to leave him; so i have no choice." "dear alice," said ellen, fixing her large dark eyes on her; "how can i ever be grateful enough to you?" "for what?" asked alice. "for getting sick, and requiring change of air, which is the first cause of my being here on my way to the great metropolis. whoever likes a plantation life is welcome to it; but i am heartily sick of it. indeed, miss janet, good as you are, you could not stand it at uncle's. ten miles from a neighbor--just consider it! uncle disapproves of campmeetings and barbecues; and aunt is sewing from morning till night; while i am required to read the spectator aloud. i have a mortal grudge against addison." "but, my dear," said miss janet, "you must remember you are to return to your uncle's, and you must not learn to love the great world too much." "perhaps," said mr. barbour, who was much depressed at the approaching parting, "miss ellen may not mean to return to her uncle's. a young lady with good looks, and a heavy purse, will be found out in washington. she will just suit a great many there--clerks with small salaries, army and navy men with expensive habits; and foreign attachã©s, who, being nothing in their own country, turn our young ladies' heads when they come here." "so you think i am destined for no other fate than to pay a fortune-hunter's debts. thank you, mr. barbour!" "the fact is, mr. barbour wants you himself, ellen, and he is afraid somebody will carry you off. he will pay us a visit this winter, i expect," said mrs. weston. "well," said ellen laughingly, "i'd rather take up with him than to go back to my old life, now that i see you are all so happy here." "but your aunt and uncle," said miss janet, "you must not feel unkindly toward them." "no, indeed," said ellen, "they are both good and kind in their way, but uncle is reserved, and often low-spirited. aunt is always talking of the necessity of self-control, and the discipline of life. she is an accomplished teaze. why, do you know," continued ellen, laughingly, as she removed miss janet's hand from her mouth, the old lady thus playfully endeavoring to check her, "after i had accepted mrs. weston's kind invitation, and mammy and i were busy packing, aunt said i must not be too sanguine, disappointments were good for young people, and that something might occur which would prevent my going. i believe i should have died outright, if it had turned out so." "and so," said mr. barbour, "to get rid of a dull home, you are determined to fly in the face of fate, and are going to washington after a husband. ah! miss ellen, beware of these young men that have nothing but their whiskers and their epaulettes. let me tell you of a young friend of mine, who would marry the man of her choice, in spite of the interference of her friends, and one april morning in the honey moon they were seen breakfasting under a persimmon tree. however, as you are a young lady of fortune, you will always be sure of coffee and hot rolls; your good father has made such a sensible will, that the principal never can be touched. how many fine fortunes would have been saved, if southerners had taken such precautions long ago. you will have a fine time young ladies, you must keep an account of your conquests, and tell me of them when you come back." "its only ellen who is going in search of love adventures, mr. barbour," said alice. "make yourself easy, mr. barbour," said ellen. "i mean to have a delightful time flirting, then come back to marry you, and settle down. mammy says i can't help getting good, if i live near miss janet." "well, i will wait for you," said mr. barbour. "and now alice, sing me a sweet old scotch song. sing, ''twas within half a mile of edinburgh town'." "i can't come quite so near it as that," said alice, "but i will sing ''twas within a mile.'" she sang that, and then "down the burn davie." then miss janet proposed 'auld lang syne,' in which they all joined; in singing the chorus, mr. barbour, as usual, got very much excited, and alice a little tired, so that the music ceased and alice took her seat by her uncle on the sofa. "miss janet," said mr. barbour, "you look better than i have seen you for a long time." "thank you," said miss janet. "mr. washington asked me the other day if i were ever going to die. i suppose, like charles ii., i ought to apologize for being so long in dying; but i am so comfortable and happy with my friends, that i do not think enough of the journey i soon must take to another world. how many comforts i have, and how many kind friends! i feel now that we are about to be separated, that i should thank you all for your goodness to me, lest in the providence of god we should not meet again. silver and gold have i none, but such as i have, my poor thanks are most gratefully offered." "oh! cousin janet," said alice, with her eyes full of tears, "why will you not go with us; your talking so makes me dread to part with you." "my darling, we must all try to get to heaven, where there are no partings. i cannot be a great while with you; remember, i am eighty-five years old. but i will not grieve you. we will, i trust, all meet here in the spring. god is here, and he is in the great city; we are all safe beneath his care. next summer he will bring arthur home again." "partings should be as short as possible," said mr. barbour. "so i mean to shake hands with everybody, and be off. young ladies, be generous; do not carry havoc and desolation in your train; take care of your uncle, and come back again as soon as possible." he then took a friendly leave of mr. and mrs. weston, and mounted his horse to return home. "what a nice old beau mr. barbour would make," said ellen, "with his fine teeth and clear complexion. i wonder he never married." "upon my word!" said miss janet, "you will be wondering next, why i never married. but know, miss ellen, that mr. barbour once had a romantic love-affair--he was to have been married to a lovely girl, but death envied him his bride, and took her off--and he has remained true to her memory. it was a long time before he recovered his cheerfulness. for two years he was the inmate of an asylum." "poor old gentleman," said ellen. "i do believe other people besides me have trouble." "ah! when you look around you, even in the world, which you anticipate with so much pleasure, you will see many a smiling face that tries to hide a sad and aching heart; a heart that has ached more painfully than yours." "no," said ellen, looking up from the ottoman at miss janet's feet, where she was seated; and then bursting into tears. "oh! thoughtless and frivolous as i am, i shall never forget _him_. if you knew how i have wept and suffered, you would not wonder i longed for any change that would make me forget." "dear child," said miss janet, laying her hand on that young head, "i did not mean to reprove you. when god brings sorrow on the young, they must bear it with resignation to his will. he delights in the happiness of his creatures, and it is not against his will that the young should enjoy the innocent pleasures of life. then go you and alice into the world, but be not of the world, and come back to your homes strengthened to love them more. cousin weston has the bible opened, waiting for us." * * * * * in the mean time, bacchus has received a good deal of wholesome advice from phillis, while she was packing his trunk, and in return, he has made her many promises. he expresses the greatest sorrow at leaving her, declaring that nothing but the necessity of looking after his master induces him to do so, but he is secretly anticipating a successful and eventful campaign in washington. all the servants are distressed at the prospect of the family being away for so long a time; even old wolf, the house-dog, has repeatedly rubbed his cold nose against alice's hand, and looked with the most doleful expression into her beautiful face; but dogs, like their masters, must submit to what is decreed, and wolf, after prayers, went off peaceably with william to be tied up, lest he should attempt, as usual, to follow the carriage in the morning. chapter xxi. you are very much mistaken in your estimate of the character of a virginian, if you suppose he allows himself, or his horses, to be driven post-haste, when there is no urgent necessity for it. it is altogether different with a yankee; there is no enjoyment for him from the time he starts on a journey until he reaches the end of it. he is bound to be in a hurry, for how knows he but there may be a bargain depending, and he may reach his destination in time to whittle successfully for it. the westons actually lingered by the way. there were last looks to be taken of home, and its neighborhood; there were partings to be given to many objects in nature, dear from association, as ancient friends. now, the long line of blue hills stands in bold relief against the hazy sky--now, the hills fade away and are hid by thick masses of oak and evergreen. here, the potomac spreads her breast, a mirror to the heavens, toward its low banks, the broken clouds bending tranquilly to its surface. there, the river turns, and its high and broken shores are covered with rich and twining shrubbery, its branches bending from the high rocks into the water, while the misty hue of indian summer deepens every tint. fair alice raises her languid head, already invigorated by the delightful air and prospect. the slightest glow perceptible is making its way to her pale cheek, while the gay and talkative ellen gazes awhile at the scenery around her, then leans back in the carriage, closes her brilliant eyes, and yields, oh! rare occurrence, to meditation. two days are passed in the journey, and our party, arrived safely at willard's, found their comfortable apartments prepared for them, and their servants as glad of their arrival as if they had been separated a year, instead of a day. and now, dear reader, i do not intend discussing washington society. it must be a more skilful pen than mine that can throw a sun of light upon this chaos of fashionable life, and bring forth order and arrangement. we are only here for relaxation and change of air, and when our invalids feel their good effects, we must return with them to their quiet, but not unuseful life. there were many preparations to be made, for our young ladies proposed to enter into the gayeties of the season. ellen was to throw off her mourning, and her old nurse begged her and alice "to buy a plenty of nice new clothes, for they might as well be out of the world as out of the fashion." they both agreed with her, for they were determined to be neither unnoticed nor unknown among the fair ones of the union who were congregated at the capital. do not be astonished; there is already a tinge of red beneath the brown lashes on alice's cheek. and as for her heart, oh! that was a great deal better, too; for it has been found by actual experiment, that diseases of the heart, if treated with care, are not fatal any more than any other complaints. mrs. weston grew happier every day; and as to alice's uncle, he hardly ever took his eyes off her, declaring that there must be something marvellously strengthening in the atmosphere of our much abused city; while alice, hearing that walter lee was mixing in all the gayeties of richmond, already began to question her attachment to him, and thinking of arthur's long-continued and devoted affection, trembled lest she should have cast away the love of his generous heart. mr. weston often felt the time hang heavily upon him, though he saw many valued friends. he would not have exchanged the life of a country gentleman for all the honors that politics could offer to her favorite votary; and for the ordinary amusements which charmed alice and ellen, even in advance, the time had come for him to say, "i have no pleasure in them." but thinking of alice's health only, and, above all, anxious that her marriage with his son should be consummated during his lifetime, no sacrifice appeared to him too great to make. the weather was still delightful, and as the soirã©es, assemblies, and matinã©es had not yet commenced, a party was formed to go to mount vernon. the day fixed upon was a brilliant one, in the latter part of november. a number of very agreeable persons boarding in the hotel were to accompany them. bacchus was exceedingly well pleased at the prospect. "'deed, miss alice," he said, "i is anxious to see de old gentleman's grave; he was a fine rider; the only man as ever i seed could beat master in de saddle." mark objected to his carriage and horses being used over such rough roads, so a large omnibus was engaged to carry the whole party, mark and bacchus going as outriders, and a man in a little sort of a carry-all having charge of all the eatables, dishes, plates, &c., which would be required. the company were in good spirits, but they found traveling in the state of virginia was not moving over beds of roses. where are such roads to be found? except in crossing a corduroy road in the west, where can one hope to be so thoroughly shaken up? i answer, nowhere! and have i not a right to insist, for my native state, upon all that truth will permit? am i not a daughter of the old dominion, a member of one of the f.f.v's? did not my grandfather ride races with general washington? did not my father wear crape on his hat at his funeral? let that man or woman inclined to deny me this privilege, go, as i have, in a four-horse omnibus to mount vernon. let him rock and twist over gullies and mud-holes; let him be tumbled and jostled about as i was, and i grant you he will give up the point. our party jogged along. at last the old gates were in sight, and the ragged little negroes stood ready to open them. here we should begin to be patriotic, but do not fear being troubled with a dissertation on this worn-out subject. i will not even observe that by the very gate that was opened for the westons did the father of his country enter; for it would be a reflection on the memory of that great and good man to suppose that he would have put his horse to the useless trouble of jumping the fence, when there was such a natural and easy way of accomplishing his entrance. ellen, however, declared "that she firmly believed those remarkable-looking children that opened the gates, were the same that opened them for washington; at any rate, their clothes were cut after the same pattern, if they were not the identical suits themselves." there was a gentleman from the north on the premises when they arrived. he joined the party, introduced himself, and gave information that he was taking, in plaster, the house, the tomb, and other objects of interest about the place, for the purpose of exhibiting them. he made himself both useful and agreeable, as he knew it was the best way of getting along without trouble, and he was very talkative and goodnatured. but some, as they approached the grave, observed that mr. weston, and one or two others, seemed to wish a certain quietness of deportment to evince respect for the hallowed spot, and the jest and noisy laugh were suddenly subdued. had it been a magnificent building, whose proportions they were to admire and discuss; had a gate of fair marble stood open to admit the visitor; had even the flag of his country waved where he slept, they could not have felt so solemnized--but to stand before this simple building, that shelters his sarcophagus from the elements; to lean upon unadorned iron gates, which guarded the sacred spot from intrusion; to look up and count the little birds' nests in the plastered roof, and the numberless hornets that have made their homes there too; to pluck the tendrils of the wild grapes that cluster here--this simple grandeur affected each one. he was again in life before them, steadily pursuing the great work for which he was sent, and now, reposing from his labor. and then they passed on to the old, empty grave. it was decaying away, yawning with its open mouth as if asking for its honored tenement. ellen gazed down and sprang in, and ere the others could recover from their astonishment, or come forward to offer her assistance, she looked up in her beauty from the dark spot where she was standing. "let me get out alone," said she; "i have such a prize;" and she held in her hand a bird's nest, with its three little white eggs deposited therein. "oh! ellen," said mrs. weston, robbing a bird's nest. "put it back, my dear." "no, indeed, mrs. weston, do not ask me. think of my finding it in washington's grave. i mean to have it put on an alabaster stand, and a glass case over it, and consider it the most sacred gem i possess. there, uncle bacchus, keep it for me, and don't crush the eggs." "i won't break 'em, miss ellen," said bacchus, whose thoughts were apt to run on "sperrits." "i thought for certain you had see'd de old gentleman's ghost, and he had called you down in dat dark hole. but thar aint no danger of his comin back agin, i reckon. 'pears as if it hadn't been long since i followed him to dis very grave." "what!" said the northern gentleman, "were niggers allowed to attend washington's funeral?" "colored people was, sir," said bacchus, in a dignified manner. "we aint much used to being called niggers, sir. we calls ourselves so sometimes, but gentlemen and ladies, sir, mostly calls us colored people, or servants. general washington hisself, sir, always treated his servants with politeness. i was very well acquainted with them, and know'd all about the general's ways from them." mr. weston could not but smile at the reproof bacchus had given. he turned and apologized to the gentleman for his servant's talkativeness, saying he was an old and much indulged servant. they turned away from that empty grave. the young girls round whom so many affections clustered; the fond and anxious mother; the aged and affectionate relative; the faithful and valued servant--turned away from that empty grave. when will stay the tumultuous beatings of their hearts? when will they sleep in the shadow of the old church? each heart asked itself, when? ere they left this hallowed spot, mr. weston addressed a gentleman who lingered with him. this gentleman was an abolitionist, but he acknowledged to mr. weston that he had found a different state of things at the south from what he expected. "sir," said he to mr. weston, "there is a melancholy fascination in this hollow, deserted grave. it seems to be typical of the condition in which our country would be, should the spirit that animated washington no longer be among us." mr. weston smiled as he answered, "perhaps it is good for you to be here, to stand by the grave of a slaveholder, and ask yourself 'would i dare here utter the calumnies that are constantly repeated by the fanatics of my party?' on this spot, sir, the abolitionist should commune with his own heart, and be still. well was it said by one of your own statesmen, 'my doctrines on the slavery question are those of my ancestors, modified by themselves, as they were in an act of confederation. in this one respect they left society in the political condition in which they found it. a reform would have been fearful and calamitous. a political revolution with one class was morally impracticable. consulting a wise humanity, they submitted to a condition in which providence had placed them. they settled the question in the deep foundations of the constitution.' would you then, sir, destroy the fabric, by undermining the constitution? alas! this would be the consequence, were it possible to carry out the views of the abolition party." * * * * * the beautiful words of harrison g. otis, delivered in faneuil hall, boston, aug. 22d, 1835, would have been appropriate here, too. speaking of the formation of anti-slavery societies, he said, "suppose an article had been proposed to the congress that framed the instrument of confederation, proposing that the northern states should be at liberty to form anti-slavery associations, and deluge the south with homilies upon slavery, how would it have been received? the gentleman before me apostrophized the image of washington. i will follow his example, and point to the portrait of his associate, hancock, which is pendant by its side. let us imagine an interview between them, in the company of friends, just after one had signed the commission for the other; and in ruminating on the lights and shadows of futurity, hancock should have said, 'i congratulate my country upon the choice she has made, and i foresee that the laurels you gained in the field of braddock's defeat, will be twined with those which shall be earned by you in the war of independence; yet such are the prejudices in my part of the union against slavery, that although your name and services may screen you from opprobrium, during your life, your countrymen, when millions weep over your tomb, will be branded by mine as man-stealers and murderers; and the stain of it consequently annexed to your memory.'" but, alas! the abolitionist will not reflect. he lives in a whirlpool, whither he has been drawn by his own rashness. what to him is the love of country, or the memory of washington? john randolph said, "i should have been a french atheist had not my mother made me kneel beside her as she folded my little hands, and taught me to say, 'our father.'" remember this, mothers in america; and imprint upon the fair tablet of your young child's heart, a reverence for the early institutions of their country, and for the patriots who moulded them, that "god and my country" may be the motto of their lives. chapter xxii. "alice," said mrs. weston, as they sat together one morning, before it was time to dress for dinner, "if you choose, i will read to you the last part of cousin janet's letter. you know, my daughter, of walter's gay course in richmond, and it is as i always feared. there is a tendency to recklessness and dissipation in walter's disposition. with what a spirit of deep thankfulness you should review the last few months of your life! i have sometimes feared i was unjust to walter. my regret at the attachment for him which you felt at one time, became a personal dislike, which i acknowledge, i was wrong to yield to; but i think we both acted naturally, circumstanced as we were. dear as you are to me, i would rather see you dead than the victim of an unhappy marriage. love is not blind, as many say. i believe the stronger one's love is, the more palpable the errors of its object. it was so with me, and it would be so with you. that you have conquered this attachment is the crowning blessing of my life, even should you choose never to consummate your engagement with arthur. i will, at least, thank god that you are not the wife of a man whose violent passions, even as a child, could not be controlled, and who is destitute of a spark of religious principle. i will now read you what cousin janet says. "'i have received a long letter from mr. c., the episcopal clergyman in richmond, in answer to mine, inquiring of walter. all that i feared is true. walter is not only gay, but dissipated. mr. c. says he has called to see him repeatedly, and invited him to his house, and has done all that he could to interest him in those pleasures that are innocent and ennobling; but, alas! it is difficult to lay aside the wine cup, when its intoxicating touch is familiar to the lips, and so of the other forbidden pleasures of life. to one of walter's temperament there is two-fold danger. walter is gambling, too, and bets high; he will, of course, be a prey to the more experienced ones, who will take advantage of his youth and generosity to rob him. for, is a professed gambler better than a common thief? "'it is needless for me to say, i have shed many tears over this letter. tears are for the living, and i expect to shed them while i wear this garment of mortality. can it be that in this case the wise creator will visit the sins of the father upon the child? are are all my tears and prayers to fail? i cannot think so, while he reigns in heaven in the same body with which he suffered on earth. in the very hand that holds the sceptre is the print of the nails; under the royal crown that encircles his brow, can still be traced the marks of the thorns. he is surely, then, touched with a feeling of our infirmities, and he will in the end, bring home this child of my love and my adoption. i often say to myself, could i see alice and arthur and walter happy, how happy should i be! i would be more than willing to depart; but there would be still a care for something in this worn-out and withered frame. it will be far better to be with jesus, but he will keep me here as long as he has any thing for me to do. the dear girls! i am glad they are enjoying themselves, but i long to see them again. i hope they will not be carried away by the gay life they are leading. i shall be glad when they are at their home duties again. "'it will be well with arthur and alice; you know old maids are always the best informed on other people's love affairs. when arthur left home alice felt only a sisterly affection for him; when walter went away it was really no more for him either, but her kind heart grieved when she saw him so situated: and sympathy, you know, is akin to love. she must remember now the importance that attaches itself to an engagement of marriage, and not give arthur any more rivals. she was off her guard before, as her feeling an affection for arthur was considered rather too much a matter of course; but she cannot fail at some future day to return his devoted affection. in the mean time, the young people are both, i trust, doing well. arthur, so long in another section of his own dear country, will be less apt to be unduly prejudiced in favor of his own; and alice will only mingle in the gay world enough to see the vanity of its enjoyments. she will thus be prepared to perform with fidelity the duties that belong to her position as the wife of a country gentleman. no wonder that my spectacles are dim and my old eyes aching after this long letter. love to dear cousin weston, to the girls, to yourself, and all the servants. "'from cousin janet.' "'phillis says she has not enough to do to keep her employed. she has not been well this winter; her old cough has returned, and she is thinner than i ever saw her. dr. l. has been to see her several times, and he is anxious for her to take care of herself. she bids me say to bacchus that if he have broken his promise, she hopes he will be endowed with strength from above to keep it better in future. how much can we all learn from good phillis!'" alice made no observation as her mother folded the letter and laid it on her dressing table; but there lay not now on the altar of her heart a spark of affection for one, who for a time, she believed to be so passionately beloved. the fire of that love had indeed gone out, but there had lingered among its embers the form and color of its coals--these might have been rekindled, but that was past forever. the rude but kind candor that conveyed to her the knowledge of walter's unworthiness had dissolved its very shape; the image was displaced from its shrine. walter was indeed still beloved, but it was the affection of a pure sister for an erring brother; it was only to one to whom her soul in its confiding trust and virtue could look up, that she might accord that trusting devotion and reverence a woman feels for the chosen companion of her life. and this, i hear you say, my reader, is the awakening of a love dream so powerful as to undermine the health of the sleeper--so dark as to cast a terror and a gloom upon many who loved her; it is even so in life, and would you have it otherwise? do you commend that morbid affection which clings to its object not only through sorrow, but sin? through sorrow--but not in sin. nor is it possible for a pure-minded woman to love unworthily and continue pure. this alice felt, and she came forth from her struggle stronger and more holy; prizing above all earthly things the friends who had thus cleared for her her pathway, and turning with a sister's love, which was all indeed she had ever known, to that one who, far away, would yet win with his unchanging affection her heart to his own. walter lee's case was an illustration of the fact that many young men are led into dissipation simply from the want of proper occupation. there was in him no love of vice for itself; but disappointed in securing alice's consent to his addresses, and feeling self-condemned in the effort to win her affections from arthur, he sought forgetfulness in dissipation and excitement. he fancied he would find happiness in the ball-room, the theatre, the midnight revel, and at the gambling table. have you not met in the changing society of a large city, one whose refined and gentle manners told of the society of a mother, a sister, or of some female friend whose memory, like an angel's wing, was still hovering around him? have you not pitied him when you reflected that he was alone, far away from such good influences? have you not longed to say to him, i wish i could be to you what _she_ has been, and warn you of the rocks and quicksands against which you may be shipwrecked. there were many who felt thus towards walter; his strikingly handsome face and figure, his grace and intelligence, with a slight reserve that gave a charm to his manner. to few was his history familiar; the world knew of his name, and to the world he was an object of importance, for gold stamps its owner with a letter of credit through life. walter launched into every extravagance that presented itself. he was flattered, and invited to balls and parties; smiles met him at every step, and the allurements of the world dazzled him, as they had many a previous victim. sometimes, the thought of alice in her purity and truth passed like a sunbeam over his heart; but its light was soon gone. she was not for him; and why should he not seek, as others had done, to drown all care? then the thought of cousin janet, good and holy cousin janet, with her bible in her hand, and its sacred precepts on her lips, would weigh like a mountain on his soul; but he had staked all for pleasure, and he could not lose the race. it is not pleasant to go down, step after step, to the dark dungeon of vice. we will not follow walter to the revel, nor the gaming-table. we will close our ears to the blasphemous oaths of his companions, to the imprecations on his own lips. the career of folly and of sin was destined to be closed; and rather would we draw a veil over its every scene. step by step, he trod the path of sin, until at last, urged by worldly and false friends to a quarrel, commenced on the slightest grounds, he challenged one who had really never offended him; the challenge was accepted, and then--walter lee was a murderer! he gazed upon the youthful, noble countenance; he felt again and again the quiet pulse, weeping when he saw the useless efforts to bring back life. he was a murderer, in the sight of god and man! for he had been taught that he who gave life, alone had the power to take it away. he knew that god would require of him his brother's blood. he knew, too, that though the false code of honor in society would acquit him, yet he would be branded, even as cain. he could see the finger of scorn pointed towards him; he could hear men, good men, say, "there is walter lee, who killed a man in a duel!" ah! cousin janet, not in vain were your earnest teachings. not in vain had you sung by his pillow, in boyhood, of jesus, who loved all, even his enemies. not in vain had you planted the good seed in the ground, and watered it. not in vain are you now kneeling by your bedside, imploring god not to forsake forever the child of your prayers. go to your rest in peace, for god will yet bring him home, after all his wanderings; for walter lee, far away, is waking and restless; oppressed with horror at his crime, flying from law and justice, flying from the terrors of a burdened conscience--he is a murderer! like cain, he is a wanderer. he gazes into the depths of the dark sea he is crossing; but there is no answering abyss in his heart, where he can lose the memory of his deed. he cannot count the wretched nights of watching, and of thought. time brings no relief, change no solace. when the soul in its flight to eternity turns away from god, how droop her wings! she has no star to guide her upward course; but she wanders through a strange land, where all is darkness and grief. he traversed many a beautiful country; he witnessed scenes of grandeur; he stood before the works of genius and of art; he listened to music, sweet like angels' songs; but has he peace? young reader, there is no peace without god. now in this world, there is many a brow bending beneath the weight of its flowers. could we trace the stories written on many hearts, how would they tell of sorrow! how many would say, in the crowded and noisy revel, "i have come here to forget; but memory will never die!" chapter xxiii. alice and ellen, accompanied by mrs. weston, and some gentlemen from their section of the country, were to attend a private ball, expected to be one of the most brilliant of the season. mr. weston, not feeling well, retired early, preferring to listen to the young ladies' account of the evening, after his breakfast and newspaper the next morning. when they were ready to go, they came into mr. weston's parlor, to obtain his commendation on their taste. mrs. weston was there awaiting them; and her own appearance was too striking to be passed over without notice. she was still really a handsome woman, and her beauty was greatly enhanced by her excellent taste in dress. her arms, still round and white, were not uncovered. the rich lace sleeves, and the scarf of the same material that was thrown over her handsome neck and shoulders, was far more becoming than if she had assumed the bare arms and neck which was appropriate to her daughter. her thick dark hair was simply put back from her temples, as she always wore it, contrasting beautifully with the delicate white flowers there. her brocade silk, fitting closely to her still graceful figure, and the magnificent diamond pin that she wore in her bosom; the perfect fitness of every part of her apparel gave a dignity and beauty to her appearance, that might have induced many a gay lady who mixes, winter after winter, in the amusements of our city, to go and do likewise. when youth is gone forever, it is better to glide gracefully into middle age; and if half the time and thought that is expended on the choice of gay colors and costly material, were passed in properly arranging what is suitable to age and appearance, the fashionable assemblies of the present day would not afford such spectacles, as cannot fail both to pain and amuse. mr. weston turned to the door as it opened, expecting the girls to enter; and a little impatient, too, as it was already half-past ten o'clock. the gentlemen had been punctual to their appointed hour of ten, but declared that three quarters of an hour was an unusually short time to be kept waiting by ladies. ellen came first, her tall but well-proportioned figure arrayed in a rose-colored silk of the most costly material. she wore a necklace and bracelet of pearl, and a string of the same encircled her beautifully-arranged hair. the rich color that mantled in her cheeks deepened still more, as she acknowledged the salutation of the gentlemen; but alice, who entered immediately after her, went at once to her uncle, and putting her hand in his, looked the inquiry, "are you pleased with me?" no wonder the old man held her hand for a moment, deprived of the power of answering her. she stood before him glowing with health again, the coral lips parted with a smile, awaiting some word of approval. the deep-blue eyes, the ivory skin, the delicately-flushed cheeks, the oval face, the auburn curls that fell over brow and temple, and hung over the rounded and beautiful shoulders; the perfect arm, displayed in its full beauty by the short plain sleeve; the simple dress of white; the whole figure, so fair and interesting, with no ornaments to dim its youthful charms; but one flower, a lily, drooping over her bosom. the tears gathered in his large eyes, and drawing her gently towards him, he kissed her lips. "alice, my beloved," he said, "sweetest of god's earthly gifts, you cannot be always as fair and young as you are now; but may god keep your heart as pure and childlike, until he take you to the heaven which is your destiny." before any one could reply, he had bowed to the rest of the company and left the room; and even alice, accustomed as she was to his partial affection, felt solemnized at the unusual earnestness with which he had addressed her; but mrs. weston hurried them off to the scene of fashion and splendor which they had been anticipating. * * * * * mr. weston was about to retire, when bacchus suddenly entered the room, preceded by a slight knock. he was very much excited, and evidently had information of great importance to communicate. "master," said he, without waiting to get breath, "they're all got took." "what is the matter, bacchus?" "nothing, sir, only they're all cotched, every mother's son of 'em." "of whom are you speaking?" "of them poor misguided niggers, sir, de abolitioners got away; but they're all cotched now, and i'm sorry 'nuff for 'em. some's gwine to be sold, and some's gwine to be put in jail; and they're all in the worst kind of trouble." "well, bacchus, it serves them right; they knew they were not free, and that it was their duty to work in the condition in which god had placed them. they have nobody to blame but themselves." "'deed they is--'scuse me for contradictin you--but there's them as is to blame a heap. them abolitioners, sir, is the cause of it. they wouldn't let the poor devils rest until they 'duced them to go off. they 'lowed, they would get 'em off, and no danger of their being took agin. they had the imperance, sir, to 'suade those poor deluded niggers that they were born free, when they knowed they were born slaves. i hadn't no idea, sir, they was sich liars; but i've been up to de place whar the servants is, and its heart-breaking to hear 'em talk. thar's simon, that strapping big young man, as drives mrs. seymour's carriage; they got him off. he's a crying up thar, like a baby a month old. he's been a hidin and a dodgin for a week--he's nigh starved. and now he's cotched, and gwine to be sold. he's a raal spilt nigger: his master dressed him like a gentleman, and he had nothin to do all day but to drive de carriage; and he told me hisself, when he was out late at night wid de young ladies, at parties, he never was woke in de mornin, but was 'lowed to sleep it out, and had a good hot breakfast when he did wake. well, they got him off. they made out he'd go to the great norrurd, and set up a trade, or be a gentleman, may be; and like as not they told him he stood a good chance of being president one of dese days. they got him off from his good home, and now he's done for. he's gwine to be sold south to-morrow. he's a beggin young mr. seymour up thar not to sell him, and makin promises, but its no use; he's goin south. i bin hearin every word he said to his young master. 'oh, master george,' says he, 'let me off dis time. i didn't want to go till the abolitioners told me you had no right to me, kase god had made me free; and you, they said, was no better than a thief, keepin me a slave agin natur and the bible too.'" "'but, simon,' said young mr. seymour, 'you stole a suit of my new clothes when you went off; and you got money, too, from mrs. barrett, saying i had sent you for it. how came you to do that?' "'i will 'fess it all, sir,' said simon, 'and god knows i'm speakin truth. i took de suit of clothes. the abolitioner, he said i'd be a gentleman when i got north, and i must have somethin ready to put on, to look like one. so he said you'd always had the use of me, and twasn't no harm for me to take de suit, for i was 'titled to it for my sarvices. he axed me if any body owed my mistis money, as i know'd of. i told him, yes, mrs. barrett did, and mistis often sent me after it without any order, for she know'd i'd bring it straight to her. now, my boy, said the abolitioner, dis money is yourn--its your wages. you've got a better right to it than ever your mistis had. you can't start on a journey without money; so you go to dis lady and tell her you was sent for money by your mistis, and you keep de money for your own use. here's de money,' said he, 'master george, take it to mistis, and tell her de truth.' "'damn the rascals,' says young mr. seymour, 'they're not content with man-stealing, but they're stealing money and clothes, and every thing they can lay their hands upon. so much for your abolition friends, simon,' says he. 'i wish you joy of them. they've brought you to a pretty pass, and lost you as good a home as ever a servant had.' "'oh, master,' said simon, 'won't you take me back? indeed i will be faithful.' "'can't trust you, simon,' said mr. seymour; 'besides, none of your fellow-servants want you back. you have no relations. my mother bought you, when you was a little boy, because she knew your mother; and after she died you were knocked about by the other servants. my sister taught you how to read the bible, and you have been a member of the methodist church. if you was a poor ignorant fellow, that didn't know what was right, i would take you back; but you've done this wid your eyes open. our servants say they wants no runaways to live 'long o' them. now, if you can get any of your abolition friends to buy you, and take you north, and make a gentleman of you, i'll sell you to them; but they wouldn't give a fip to keep you from starving. i am sorry its so, but i can't take you back.' he said these very words, sir. he felt mighty bad, sir; he talked husky, but he went out. simon called after him, but he didn't even look back; so i know simon's goin for true." "i am really sorry for the servants, bacchus," said mr. weston, "but they won't take warning. i'm told that since abolitionists have come to live in washington, and have been going among the colored people, that it is almost impossible to employ an honest servant; it is on this account that the irish are so much employed. some years ago the families had no trouble with their domestics, but abolition has ruined them. what a wretched looking class they are, too! lazy and dirty; these are the consequences of taking bad advice." "well, master," said bacchus, "i wish to de lord we could take 'em all to virginny, and give 'em a good coat of tar and feathers; thar's all them feathers poor aunt peggy had in them barrels. we aint got no call for 'em at home. i wish we could put 'em to some use. i wouldn't like no better fun than to spread de tar on neat, and den stick de feathers on close and thick." "well, bacchus," said mr. weston, "its near bedtime, and i am not well; so i will retire." "certainly, master; you must 'scuse me, i'm afeard i've kep you up; i felt mightily for them poor creaturs, thar. lor', master, i aint nigh so weakly as you, and think i nussed you, and used to toat you on my back when you was a little boy. you was mighty fat, i tell you--i used to think my back would bust, sometimes, but i'm pretty strong yet. 'pears like i could toat you now, if i was to try." "not to-night, thank you, bacchus. though if any thing should occur to make it necessary, i will call you," said mr. weston. bacchus slept in a kind of closet bedroom off his master's, and he went in accordingly, but after a few moments returned, finding mr. weston in bed. "will you have any thing, sir?" "nothing, to-night." "well, master, i was thinkin to say one thing more, and 'tis, if dese abolitioners, dat has so much larnin, if they only had some of the bible larnin my wife has, how much good 'twould do 'em. my wife says, 'god put her here a slave, and she's a gwine to wait for him to set her free; if he aint ready to do so till he calls her to heaven, she's willin to wait.' lord, sir, my wife, she sets at de feet of jesus, and larns her bible. i reckon de abolitioners aint willin to do that; they don't want to get so low down; 'pears as if they aint willin to go about doin good like jesus did, but they must be puttin up poor slaves to sin and sorrow. well, they've got to go to their account, any how." bacchus finally retired, but it was with difficulty he composed himself to sleep. he was still mentally discussing that great subject, abolition, which, like a mighty tempest, was shaking the whole country. all at once it occurred to him "that it wouldn't do no good to worry about it," so he settled himself to sleep. a bright idea crossed his mind as he closed his eyes upon the embers that were fading on the hearth in his master's room; in another moment he was reposing, in utter oblivion of all things, whether concerning his own affairs or those of the world in general. the next morning, just as mr. weston had finished his paper, bacchus came in with a pair of boots, shining astonishingly. "i believe," said mr. weston, "i won't put them on yet, our ladies have not come down to breakfast, and its hardly time, for it is but half-past nine o'clock; i think it must have been morning when they came home." "yes sir," said bacchus; "they aint awake yet, aunt marthy tells me." "well, let them sleep. i have breakfasted, and i will sit here and enjoy this good fire, until they come." bacchus lingered, and looked as if he could not enjoy any thing that morning. "any thing the matter, bacchus?" said mr. weston. "well," said bacchus, "nothin more i 'spose than what i had a right to expect of 'em. simon's got to go. i done all i could for him, but it aint nothin, after all." "what could you do?" said mr. weston. "well, master, i was nigh asleep last night, when all at once i thought 'bout dis here abolition gentleman, mr. baker, that boards long wid us. now, thinks i, he is a mighty nice kind of man, talks a heap 'bout god and the gospel, and 'bout our duty to our fellow-creaturs. i know'd he had a sight of money, for his white servant told me he was a great man in boston, had a grand house thar, his wife rode in elegant carriages, and his children has the best of every thing. so, i says to myself, he aint like the rest of 'em, he don't approve of stealing, and lying, and the like o' that; if he thinks the southern gentlemen oughter set all their niggers free, why he oughter be willin to lose just a little for one man; so i went straight to his room to ask him to buy simon." "that was very wrong, bacchus," said mr. weston, sternly. "don't you know your duty better than to be interfering in the concerns of these people? i am excessively mortified. what will this gentleman think of me?" "nothin', master," said bacchus. "don't be oneasy. i told him i come to ax him a favor on my own 'sponsibility, and that you didn't know nothin' about it. well, he axed me if i wanted a chaw of tobacco. 'no sir,' says i, 'but i wants to ax a little advice.' 'i will give you that with pleasure,' says he. "'mr. baker,' says i, 'i understands you think god made us all, white and colored, free and equal; and i knows you feels great pity for de poor slaves that toils and frets in de sun, all their lives like beasts, and lays down and dies like beasts, clean forgot like 'em too. i heard you say so to a gentleman at de door; i thought it was mighty kind of you to consider so much 'bout them of a different color from your own. i heard you say it was de duty of de gentlemen of de south to set their slaves free, if it did make 'em poor, kase jesus christ, he made hisself poor to set us all free. warn't dat what you said, sir?' "'exactly,' says he. 'i didn't know you had such a good memory.' "'now, mr. baker,' says i, 'you're a christian yourself, or you couldn't talk dat way. i know christians must like to make other people happy; they're bound to, for their master, christ, did. well, sir, all de poor creturs dat de abolitionists got off is cotched--they're gwine to be sold, and thar's one young man thar, that had a good home and a good mistis, and him they 'suaded off, and now he's gwine to be sold south, whar he'll toil and sweat in de hot sun. now, mr. baker, if de southern gentlemen's duty's so plain to you, that they oughter make themselves poor, to make their slaves free and happy, surely you'll buy this one poor man who is frettin' hisself to death. it won't make you poor to buy jist this one; his master says he'll sell him to any abolitioner who'll take him to the great norrurd, and have him teached. buy him, sir, for de lord's sake--de poor fellow will be so happy; jist spend a little of your money to make dat one poor cretur happy. god gave it all to you, sir, and he aint gave none to de poor slaves, not even gave him his freedom. you set dis one poor feller free, and when you come to die, it will make you feel so good to think about it; when you come to judgment, maybe christ may say, "you made dis poor man free, and now you may come into de kingdom and set down wid me forever." oh! sir,' says i, 'buy him, de lord will pay you back, you won't lose a copper by him.'" "well," said mr. weston, "what did he say?" "why, sir," said bacchus, "he got up and stood by de fire, and warmed hisself, and says he, 'ole felur, if i'd a had de teaching of you, i'd a larned you to mind your own business. i'll let you know i didn't come to washington to buy niggers.' 'here,' says he, to dat white nigger that waits on him, 'next time dis feller wants me, tell him to go 'bout his business.' "'good mornin' sir,' says i, 'i shan't trouble you agin. may de lord send better friends to de slaves than de like of you.'" "well, bacchus," said mr. weston, "you did very wrong, and i hope you will not again take such a liberty with any person. you see for yourself what an abolitionist is. i wish those poor runaways had had some such experience, it would have saved them from the trouble they are now in." "yes, indeed, master. i've been down thar agin, to-day. i went right early; thar's an ole woman thar that tried to run away. she's gwine too, and she leaves her husband here. she aint a cryin, though, her heart's too full for tears. oh! master," said bacchus, sighing deeply, "i think if you'd seed her, you'd do more than the abolitioners." * * * * * in the afternoon mr. weston usually walked out. he did not dine with the ladies at their late hour, as his complaint, dyspepsia, made it necessary for him to live lightly and regularly. bacchus attended him in his walks, and many a person turned back to look upon the fine-looking old gentleman with his gold-headed cane, and his servant, whose appearance was as agreeable as his own. bacchus was constantly on the lookout for his master, but he managed to see all that was going on too, and to make many criticisms on the appearance and conduct of those he met in his rambles. bacchus followed his master, and found that he was wending his steps to the place where the arrested runaways were confined. this was very agreeable to him, for his heart was quite softened towards the poor prisoners, and he had an idea that his master's very presence might carry a blessing with it. "bacchus," said mr. weston, as they were going in, "you need not point out the servants to me. i will observe for myself, and i do not wish to be conspicuous." there were a great many lounging about, and looking round there. some were considering the scene as merely curious; some were blaming the slaves; some their masters, some the abolitionists. there was confusion and constant going in and out. but though the countenances of the runaways expressed different emotions, it was evident that one feeling had settled in each breast, and that was, there was no hope that any thing would occur to relieve them from their undesirable position. mr. weston easily recognized simon, from bacchus's description. he had a boyish expression of disappointment and irritation on his countenance, and had evidently been recently weeping. there were several men, one or two of them with bad faces, and one, a light mulatto, had a fine open countenance, and appeared to be making an effort not to show his excessive disappointment. in the corner sat the woman, on a low bench--her head was bent forward on her lap, and she was swaying her body slightly, keeping motion with her foot. "what is the woman's name, bacchus?" asked mr. weston in a low tone. "i axed her dis mornin, sir. its sarah--sarah mills." mr. weston walked up nearer to her, and was regarding her, when she suddenly looked up into his face. finding herself observed, she made an effort to look unconcerned, but it did not succeed, for she burst into tears. "i'm sorry to see you here, sarah," said mr. weston, "you look too respectable to be in such a situation." sarah smoothed down her apron, but did not reply. "what induced you to run away? you need not be afraid to answer me truthfully. i will not do you any harm." "my blessed grief!" said bacchus. "no, master couldn't do no harm to a flea." "hush, bacchus," said mr. weston. there was something in mr. weston's appearance that could not be mistaken. the woman gave him a look of perfect confidence, and said-"i thought i could better myself, sir." "in what respect? had you an unkind master?" said mr. weston. "no," said the woman, "but my husband i was afear'd might be sold, and i thought i could make so much money at the north, that i could soon help him to buy himself. he's a barber, sir, lives on the avenue, and his master, when he was young, had him taught the barber's trade. well, his master told him some time ago that he might live to himself, and pay him so much a month out o' what he made, but seemed as if he couldn't get along to do it. my husband, sir, drinks a good deal, and he couldn't do it on that account; so, a year or two ago his master sent for him, and told him that he was worthless, and unless he could buy himself in three years he would sell him. he said he might have himself for five hundred dollars, and he could have earned it, if he hadn't loved whiskey so, but 'pears as if he can't do without that. we aint got no children, thank god! so when the abolitionists advised me to go off, and told me they would take care of me until i got out of my master's reach, and i could soon make a sight of money to buy my husband, i thought i would go; and you see, sir, what's come of it." sarah tried to assume the same look of unconcern, and again she wept bitterly. "i don't mean to reproach you, now that you are in trouble," said mr. weston, "but you colored people in this city have got into bad hands. god has made you slaves, and you should be willing to abide by his will, especially if he give you a good master." "yes, sir, it was mighty hard though, to think of my poor husband's being sold,--he and i don't belong to the same person." "so, i suppose," said mr. weston; "but you have only made your condition worse." "yes, sir; but i didn't think things would turn out so. the abolitionists said they would see that i got off free." "they ought to be cotched, and tied up, and have a good whaling besides," said bacchus, indignantly. "'taint no use wishin 'em harm," said sarah; "the lord's will be done," at the same time her pale lips quivered with emotion. mr. weston paused a few moments in deep thought, then went into the other room. when he returned, she was sitting as when he first entered, her face buried in her lap. "sarah," he said, and she looked up as before, without any doubt, in his open countenance, "are you a good worker?" "i am, at washin and ironin. i have been makin a good deal for my master that way." "well," said mr. weston, "if i were to purchase you, so as you could be near your husband, would you conduct yourself properly; and if i wish it, endeavor to repay me what i have given for you?" such a thought had not entered the despairing woman's mind. she was impressed with the idea that she should never see her husband again; other things did not effect her. it was necessary, therefore, for mr. weston to repeat what he had said before she comprehended his meaning. when she heard and understood, every energy of her soul was aroused. starting from her seat, she clasped her hands convulsively together; her face became deathlike with agitation. "would i, sir? oh! try me! work! what is work if i could be near my poor husband as long as i can. buy me, sir, only for jesus' sake, buy me. i will work day and night to pay you, and the blessing of god almighty will pay you too, better than any money i could earn." bacchus, the tears rolling down his cheeks, looked earnestly at his master's face. "buy her, master, buy her, for the love of god," he said. "sarah," said mr. weston, "i do not like to be in a public place; do not, therefore, become excited, and say any thing that will draw observation to me. i have bought you, and i will not require you to repay me. come to me to-night, at willard's, and i will give you your free papers; i will see also what i can do for your husband. in the mean time, bacchus will help you take your things from this place. stay here though a few moments, until he gets me a carriage to go home in, and he will return to you." sarah perfectly understood that mr. weston wanted no thanks at that time. with streaming eyes, now raised to heaven--now to her benefactor, she held her peace. mr. weston gladly left the dreadful place. bacchus assisted him to a hack, and then came back to fulfil his directions as regards the woman. oh! noble heart, not here thy reward! thy weak and trembling frame attests too well that the scene is too trying to afford thee pleasure. the all-seeing eye is bent upon thee, and thine own ear will hear the commendation from the lips of christ: "inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me." nor thou alone! many a generous act is done by the slaveholder to the slave. god will remember them, though here they be forgotten or unknown. we need not dwell on the unhoped-for meeting between sarah and her husband, nor on bacchus's description of it to his master. it suffices to close the relation of this incident by saying, that at night sarah came to receive directions from mr. weston; but in their place he gave her the necessary free papers. "you are your own mistress, now, sarah," said he. "i hope you will prove yourself worthy to be so. you can assist your husband to pay for himself. if you are honest and industrious, you cannot fail to do well." sarah's heart overflowed with unlooked-for happiness. she thanked mr. weston over and over again, until, fearing to be troublesome, she withdrew. bacchus went as far as the corner, and promised to look in upon herself and husband, repeatedly; which he did. he impressed his new acquaintances with a proper sense of his own importance. with the exception of one grand spree that he and sarah's husband had together, the three enjoyed a very pleasant and harmonious intercourse during the remainder of the westons' stay at washington. * * * * * the gay winter had passed, and spring had replaced it; but night after night saw the votaries of fashion assembled, though many of them looked rather the worse for wear. ellen and alice tired of scenes which varied so little, yet having no regular employment, they hardly knew how to cease the round of amusements that occupied them. ellen said, "never mind, alice, we will have plenty of time for repentance, and we might as well quaff to the last drop the cup of pleasure, which may never be offered to our lips again." very soon they were to return to virginia, and now they proposed visiting places of interest in the neighborhood of the city. one morning, after a gay party, and at a later hour than usual, the three ladies entered the breakfast-room. mr. weston was waiting for them. "well, young ladies," he said, "i have read my paper, and now i am ready to hear you give an account of your last evening's triumphs. the winter's campaign is closing; every little skirmish is then of the greatest importance. how do you all feel?" "i do not know how i feel, uncle," said alice, languidly. "alice has expressed my feelings exactly, and mrs. weston's too, i fancy," said ellen. mr. weston smiled, but said he should not excuse them from their promise of giving him a faithful description of the scene. "well, my dear sir," said ellen, "i have a decided talent for description; but remember, mrs. weston, my genius must not be cramped. do not break the thread of my discourse by 'ellen, do not talk so!' a washington party is what you have called it, mr. weston, a skirmish. you remember how the wind blew last night. when we reached mr. ----'s front door, the people had collected in such crowds in the hall, to get a little air, that it was fully ten minutes before we could get in. we had the benefit of a strong harsh breeze playing about our undefended necks and shoulders. as soon as we were fairly in, though, we were recompensed for our sufferings in this respect. we went from the arctic to the torrid zone; it was like an august day at two o'clock. "we tried to make our way to the lady of the house, but understood, after a long search, that she had been pushed by the crowd to the third story; and being a very fat person, was seen, at the last accounts, seated in a rocking-chair, fanning herself violently, and calling in vain for ice-cream. after a while we reached the dancing-room, where, in a very confined circle, a number were waltzing and polka-ing. as this is a forbidden dance to alice and me, we had a fine opportunity of taking notes. mrs. s. was making a great exhibition of herself; she puffed and blew as if she had the asthma; her ringlets streamed, and her flounces flew. i was immensely anxious for the little lieutenant her partner. he was invisible several times; lost in the ringlets and the flounces. there were people of all sizes and ages dancing for a wager. i thought of what our good bishop once said: 'it was very pretty to see the young lambs gambolling about; but when the old sheep began to caper too, he'd rather not look on.' there was poor old mr. k., with his red face and his white hair, and his heels flying in every direction. (i am ashamed of you for laughing at mr. k., mrs. weston, when i am trying to impress upon alice's mind the folly of such a scene.) i dare say mr. k.'s wife was at that very moment, five hundred miles off, darning her children's stockings. "all the people did not dance the polka," continued ellen; "and i was dazzled with the pretty faces, and the wise-looking heads. mr. webster was there, with his deep voice, and solemn brow, and cavernous eyes; and close up to him, where she could not move or breathe, there was a young face, beautiful and innocent as a cherub's, looking with unfeigned astonishment upon the scene. there was gen. scott, towering above everybody; and mr. douglass, edging his way, looking kindly and pleasantly at every one. there were artists and courtiers; soldiers and sailors; foolish men, beautiful women, and sensible women; though i do not know what they wanted there. there were specimens of every kind in this menagerie of men and women. dear mr. weston, i have not quite done. there was a lady writer, with a faded pink scarf, and some old artificial flowers in her hair. there was _a she abolitionist too_; yes, a genuine female abolitionist. she writes for the abolition papers. she considers southerners heathens; looks pityingly at the waiters as they hand her ice-cream. she wants frederick douglass to be the next president, and advocates amalgamation. i am quite out of breath; but i must tell you that i looked at her and thought uncle bacchus would just suit her, with his airs and graces; but i do not think she is stylish enough for him." "but, my dear," said mrs. weston, "you forget bacchus has a wife and twelve children." "that is not of the least consequence, my dear madam," said ellen; "i can imagine, when a woman approves of amalgamation, she is so lost to every sense of propriety that it makes no difference to her whether a man is married or not. now, alice, i resign my post; and if you have any thing to say i will give you the chair, while i run up to my room and write aunt a good long letter." chapter xxiv. "the afternoon is so delightful," said mr. weston, "that we had better take our ride to the congress burial ground. your time is short, young ladies; you cannot afford to lose any of it, if all your plans are to be carried out." the ladies gladly agreed to go, and were not long in their preparation. mark was a perfect prince of a driver. when the ladies had occasion to go into the country, he entreated them to hire a carriage, but he was always ready to display his handsome equipage and horses in the city, especially on the avenue. he drove slowly this afternoon, and mrs. weston remembered, as she approached harper's, that she had one or two purchases to make. fearing it might be late on their return, she proposed getting out for a few moments. a stream of gayly-dressed people crowded the pavements. the exquisite weather had drawn them out. belles with their ringlets and sun-shades, and beaux with canes and curled moustaches. irish women in tawdry finery, and _ladies_ of color with every variety of ornament, and ridiculous imitation of fashion. now and then a respectable-looking negro would pass, turning out of the way, instead of jostling along. "truly," said mr. weston, "pennsylvania avenue is the great bazaar of america. here are senators and members--three and four walking arm in arm. here are gay young men, dressed in the latest style; here is the army and navy button; old people and young children with their nurses; foreigners and natives; people of every shade and hue. there is our president, walking unattended, as a republican president should walk. and see! there are a number of indians, noble-looking men, and a white boy throwing a stone at them. i wish i had the young rascal. on our right, in their carriages, are the wives and children of the rich; while, scattered about, right and left, are the representatives of the poor. but what is this, coming along the side-walk?" the girls put their heads out of the window, and saw a colored man, sauntering along in an impudent, dont-carish manner. his dress--indeed his whole appearance--was absurd. he wore a stylish, shiny black hat; the rim slightly turned up in front, following the direction of the wearer's nose, which had "set its affections on things above." his whiskers were immense; so were his moustaches, and that other hairy trimming which it is the fashion to wear about the jaws and chin; and for which i know no better name than that which the children give--goatee; a tremendous shirt collar; brass studs in his bosom; a neck handkerchief of many colors, the ends of which stood out like the extended wings of a butterfly; a gorgeous watch chain; white kid gloves; pantaloons of a large-sized plaid, and fitting so very tightly that it was with the greatest difficulty he could put out his feet; patent leather gaiter-boots, and a cane that he flourished right and left with such determined strokes, that the children kept carefully out of his way. several persons looked back to wonder and laugh at this strange figure, the drollery of which was greatly enhanced by his limber style of walking, and a certain expression of the whole outer man, which said, "who says i am not as good as anybody on this avenue; mr. fillmore, or any one else?" now it happened, that walking from the other direction toward this representative of the much-injured colored race, was a stranger, who had come to washington to look about him. he was from philadelphia, but not thinking a great deal of what he saw in our capital on a former visit, he had quite made up his mind that there was nothing to make it worth his while to come again; but hearing of the convalescing turn the city had taken since the immortal supporters of the compromise and the fugitive slave law had brought comparative harmony and peace, where there had been nought but disorder and confusion, he suddenly fancied to come and see for himself. he was not an abolitionist, nor a secessionist, nor one of those unfortunate, restless people, who are forever stirring up old difficulties. he had an idea that the union ought to be preserved in the first place; and then, whatever else could be done to advance the interests of the human race in general, without injury to our national interests, should be attended to. he was always a good-tempered man, and was particularly pleasant this afternoon, having on an entire new suit of clothes, each article, even the shirt-collar, fitting in the most faultless manner. as he walked along, he noticed the colored man advancing towards him, and observed, too, what i forgot to mention, that he held a cigar, and every now and then put it to his mouth, emitting afterwards a perfect cloud of smoke. the thought occurred to him that the man did not intend to turn out of the way for anybody, and as they were in a line, he determined not to deviate one way or the other, but just observe what this favorite of fashion would do. they walked on, and in a minute came up to each other, the colored man not giving way in the least, but bumping, hat, goatee, cane, cigar, and all, against our philadelphian, who, with the greatest coolness and presence of mind, doubled up his fist and giving the colored adonis two blows with it, (precisely on the middle brass stud which confined his frilled shirt-bosom,) laid him full length upon the pavement. "now," said the philadelphian, "you've had a lesson; the next time you see a gentleman coming along, turn out of the way for him, and you'll save your new clothes." without another glance at the discomfited beau, who was brushing his plaid pantaloons with his pocket-handkerchief, and muttering some equivocal language that would not do here, he went on his way to see the improvements about the city hall. mark's low laugh was heard from the driver's seat, and bacchus, who was waiting to open the carriage door for mr. weston, stood on the first step, and touching his hat, said, with a broad grin, "dat's de best thing we've seen sence we come to washington. dat beats ole virginny." mrs. weston came from the store at the same moment, and bacchus gallantly let down the steps, and, after securing the door, took his place beside mark, with the agility of a boy of sixteen. mr. weston, much amused, described the scene. mrs. weston declared "it served him right; for that the negroes were getting intolerable." "i can hardly believe," she said, "the change that has been made in their appearance and conduct. they think, to obtain respect they must be impertinent. this is the effect of abolition." "yes," said mr. weston, "this is abolition. i have thought a great deal on the condition of the negroes in our country, of late. i would like to see every man and woman that god has made, free, could it be accomplished to their advantage. i see the evils of slavery, it is sometimes a curse on the master as well as the slave. "when i purchased sarah; when i saw those grieving, throbbing souls, my own was overwhelmed with sympathy for them. this is slavery, i said to myself. poor creatures, though you have done wrong, how severe your punishment; to be separated from all that your life has had to make it pleasant, or even tolerable. this is slavery indeed, and where is the man, come from god, who will show us a remedy? i look at the free blacks of the north and south. i say again, this is abolition! how worthless, how degraded they are, after they imbibe these ridiculous notions. when i behold the southern country, and am convinced that it is _impossible_ to manumit the slaves, i conclude that here, at least, they are in their natural condition. heretofore, i feel that i have only done my duty in retaining mine, while i give them every means of comfort, and innocent enjoyment, that is in my power. now i have seen the result of the abolition efforts, i am _more_ convinced that my duty has been, and will be, as i have said. could they be colonized from virginia, i would willingly consent to it, as in our climate, white labor would answer; but _farther_ south, _only the negro_ can labor, and this is an unanswerable objection to our southern states becoming free. those servants that are free, the benevolent and generous abolitionists ought to take north, build them colleges, and make good to them all the promises they held out as baits to allure them from their owners and their duties." mr. weston found he had not two very attentive listeners in the young ladies, for they were returning the many salutations they received, and making remarks on their numerous acquaintances. the carriage began slowly to ascend capitol hill, and they all remarked the beautiful prospect, to which washingtonians are so much accustomed that they are too apt not to notice it. their ride was delightful. it was one of those lovely spring days when the air is still fresh and balmy, and the promise of a summer's sun lights up nature so joyfully. there were many visitors at the burial-ground, and there had been several funerals that day. a woman stood at the door of the house, at the entrance of the cemetery, with a baby in her arms; and another child of two years old was playing around a large bier, that had been left there until it should be wanted again. mrs. weston met with an acquaintance, soon after they entered the ground, and they stopped to converse, while mr. weston and the younger ladies walked on. near a large vault they stopped a moment, surprised to see two or three little boys playing at marbles. they were ruddy, healthy-looking boys, marking out places in the gravel path for the game; shooting, laughing, and winning, and so much occupied that if death himself had come along on his pale horse, they would have asked him to wait a while till they could let him pass, if indeed they had seen him at all. mr. weston tried to address them several times, but they could not attend to him until the game was completed, when one of them sprang upon the vault and began to count over his marbles, and the others sat down on a low monument to rest. "boys," said mr. weston, "i am very sorry to see you playing marbles in a burial-ground. don't you see all these graves around you?" "we don't go on the dead people," said an honest-faced little fellow. "you see the grass is wet there; we play here in the walk, where its nice and dry." "but you ought to play outside," said mr. weston. "this is too sacred a place to be made the scene of your amusements." "we don't hurt any body," said the largest boy. "when people are dead they don't hear nothin; where's the harm?" "well," said mr. weston, "there's one thing certain, none of you have any friends buried here. if you had, you would not treat them so unkindly." "my mother is buried over yonder," said the boy on the vault; "and if i thought there was any thing unkind in it, i would never come here to play again." "you are a good boy," said mr. weston. "i hope you will keep your word. if you were buried there, i am sure your mother would be very sad and quiet by your grave." the boy drew the string to his bag, and walked off without looking back. "i wish," said mr. weston, "you would all follow his example. we should always be respectful in our conduct, when we are in a burial-ground." as soon as they were gone, the boys laughed and marked out another game. mrs. weston joined her party, and they went towards the new portion of the cemetery that is so beautifully situated, near the river. "i think," said mr. weston, "this scene should remind us of our conversation this morning. if washington be the meeting-place of all living, it is the grand cemetery of the dead. look around us here! we see monuments to senators and members; graves of foreigners and strangers; names of the great, the rich, the powerful, men of genius and ambition. strewed along are the poor, the lowly, the unlearned, the infant, and the little child. "read the inscriptions--death has come at last, watched and waited for; or he has come suddenly, unexpected, and undesired. there lies an author, a bride, a statesman, side by side. a little farther off is that simple, but beautiful monument." they approached, and alice read the line that was inscribed around a cross sculptured in it, "other refuge have i none!" underneath was her name, "angeline." "how beautiful, how much more so in its simplicity than if it had been ornamented, and a labored epitaph written upon it," said mr. weston. "here too are members of families, assembled in one great family. as we walk along, we pass mothers, and husbands, and children; but in life, they who lie here together, were possibly all strangers." "what is that large vault open to-day for?" said ellen, to a man who seemed to have some charge in the place. "that is the public receptacle," said the man. "we are obliged to air it very often, else we could never go in and out with the coffins we put there. there's a good many in there now." "who is there?" said mr. weston. "well," said the man, "mrs. madison is there, for one, and there are some other people, who are going to be moved soon. mrs. madison, she's going to be moved, too, some time or another, but i don't know when." ellen stooped down and looked in, but arose quickly and turned away. two gentlemen were standing near observing her, and one of them smiled as she stepped back from the vault. mr. weston knew this person by sight; he was a clergyman of great talent, and almost equal eccentricity, and often gave offence by harshness of manner, when he was only anxious to do good to the cause in which his heart was absorbed. "ah! young ladies," he said, looking kindly at them both, "this is a good place for you to come to. you are both beautiful, and it may be wealthy; and i doubt not, in the enjoyments of the passing season, you have forgotten all about death and the grave. but, look you! in there, lies the mortal remains of mrs. madison. what an influence she had in this gay society, which you have doubtless adorned. her presence was the guarantee of propriety, as well as of social and fashionable enjoyment; the very contrast that she presented to her husband made her more charming. always anxious to please, she was constantly making others happy. she gave assistance and encouragement to all, when it was in her power. she had more political influence than any woman in our country has had, before or since. but think of her now! you could not bear to approach the coffin that contains her remains. where is her beauty--and her grace and talent? ah! young ladies," he continued, "did she rightly use those talents?" "it is hardly a fair question to ask now," said mr. weston. "let us tread lightly o'er the ashes of the dead." "let the living learn a lesson from the dead," said the clergyman, sternly. "you are leading, it may be, a heartless life of pleasure, but, young ladies, forget not this grave. she could not escape it, nor will you. pause from your balls, and your theatres, and your gay doings, and ask, what is the end of it all. trifle not with the inestimable gift of life. be not dead while you live. anticipate not the great destroyer. hear the appeal of one who was once the idol of every heart; she speaks to you from the grave, 'even as i am, shalt thou be!'" he turned from them, and wandered over the ground. mr. weston led the way to the carriage, and ellen and alice thought, that if a lesson of life was to be learned in the gay ball of the night before, a still more necessary one was found in the cemetery which they were now leaving, as the shadows of the evening were on the simple monument and the sculptured slab, and their silent tenants slept on, undisturbed by the gambols of thoughtless children, or the conversation of the many who came to visit their abode. * * * * * the next morning, bacchus brought no letter for mr. weston, but one for each lady; for ellen from her aunt, for alice from arthur, and cousin janet's handwriting was easily recognized on the outside of mrs. weston's. hardly had the girls arisen from the table to take theirs' to their rooms for a quiet perusal, when an exclamation from mrs. weston, detained them. "is anything the matter at home, anna?" said mr. weston, "is cousin janet--?" "cousin janet is well, my dear brother," said mrs. weston. "i was very thoughtless, but our dear neighbor, mrs. kent, is no more." "can it be possible?" said mr. weston, much agitated. "read the letter aloud." mrs. weston, turned to the beginning, and read aloud, "my dear anna: "the time is near which will bring you all in health and happiness, i trust, to your home; and could you see how lovely it looks, i think you would be tempted to fix upon an earlier day. you see how selfish i am, but i confess that i quite count the days, as a child does to christmas, and am ashamed of my impatience. "throughout the winter i had no care. my kind friends did all the housekeeping, and the servants in the house, and on the plantation, were so faithful, that i feel indebted to all who have made my time so easy; and your absence has not, i am sure, been attended with any ill effects, without you find me a little cross and complaining, and mr. barbour out of his senses with joy, on your return. good mr. barbour! he has superintended and encouraged the servants, and visited us forlorn ladies frequently, so that he must come in for a portion of our thanks too. "you will perhaps think i ought only to write you cheerful news, but it is best to let you know as well as i can, the condition that you will find us in, on your return. phillis is the only one of us, whose concerns are of any immediate importance, but i am sorry to have to tell you that she is now seriously indisposed. her cough has never really yielded--her other symptoms have varied; but for the last few weeks, her disease has not only progressed, but assumed a certain form. she is in consumption, and has no doubt inherited the disease from her mother. "i have, throughout the winter, felt great anxiety about her, and have not permitted her to work, though sometimes i found it hard to prevent her. her children have been constantly with her; indeed, i have passed a great deal of my own time in her cabin, which, under martha's superintendence, is so neat and comfortable. "you will all perhaps blame me that i have not been thus plain with you before, but dr. lawton said it was not necessary, as she has never been in any immediate danger, and phillis would not consent to my doing so. she wanted you to enjoy yourselves, and alice to have a good chance to regain her health. 'no doubt, miss janet,' she said, 'the lord will spare me to see them yet, and i have every thing i want now--they couldn't stop my pains any more than you, and i feel that i am in the lord's hands, and i am content to be.' she has not been confined to her bed, but is fast losing strength, though from my window now i see her tying up her roses, that are beginning to bud. some other hand than hers will care for them when another spring shall come. "her nights are very restless, and she is much exhausted from constant spitting of blood; the last week of pleasant weather has been of service to her, and the prospect of seeing you all at home gives her the most unfeigned pleasure. "i have even more painful intelligence to give you. our young neighbor, mrs. kent, has done with all her trials, and i trust they sanctified her, in preparation for the early and unexpected death which has been her lot. you are not yet aware of the extent of her trials. a fortnight ago her little boy was attacked with scarlet fever, in its most violent form. from the first moment of his illness his case was hopeless, and he only suffered twenty-four hours. i went over as soon as i heard of his death; the poor mother's condition was really pitiable. she was helpless in her sorrow, which was so unexpected as to deprive her at first of the power of reason. the good shepherd though, had not forgotten her--he told her that he had taken her little lamb, and had gently folded it in his bosom, and that he would wander with it in the lovely pastures of paradise. she was soon perfectly reconciled to the sad dispensation; sad indeed, for the child was her only earthly solace. victim of an unhappy marriage, the dear engaging little boy was a great consolation to her, and his amusement and instruction occupied her mind, and passed away happily many a weary hour. "she insisted upon attending the funeral, and i accompanied her. mr. kent was with her, too, much distressed, for this hard man loved his child, and keenly felt his loss. "she got out of the carriage to hear the funeral service read, and was calm until they took up the coffin to lower it into the grave. then it was impossible to control her. placing her arms upon it, she looked around appealingly to the men; and so affected were they, that they turned from her to wipe away their own tears. her strength gave way under the excitement, and she was carried, insensible, to the carriage, and taken home. "i found her very feverish, and did not like to leave her, thinking it probable that she might also have the disease which had carried off her child. before night she became really ill, and dr. lawton pronounced her complaint scarlet fever. the disease was fearfully rapid, and soon ended her life. she was, i think, well prepared to go. her solemn and affectionate farewell to her husband cannot fail to make an impression upon him. "i shall have a great deal to tell you of her when you return. the past winter has been a sad one; a constant coolness existing between her and her husband. a short time ago he was brutally striking that faithful old man of her father's, robert, and mrs. kent interfered, insisting upon robert's returning to his cabin, and in his presence forbidding mr. kent again to raise his hand against one servant on the plantation; mr. carter's will, allowing mr. kent no authority over his servants, and commending them to his daughter's kindness and care, showed great discrimination of character. this, though, has been a constant source of irritation to mr. kent, and he has never been kind to the people. mrs. kent, usually so timid, was roused into anger by his treatment of robert, and interfered, as i have related to you. she told me of this, and said how unhappy it had made her, though she could not blame herself. since then there has only been a formal politeness between them; mr. kent not forgiving his wife for the part she took against him. poor little woman! robert had been her father's faithful nurse in his long illness, and i do not wonder at her feelings on seeing him struck. "yesterday the will was read, and dr. lawton, who was present, informed us of the result. mrs. kent has left most of her property to her husband, but her servants free! the plantation is to be sold, and the proceeds expended in preparing those who are willing to go to liberia, or where they choose; as they cannot, manumitted, remain in virginia. the older servants, who prefer staying in virginia as they are, she has left to you, with an allowance for their support, considering you as a kind of guardian; for in no other way could she have provided for their staying here, which they will like better. "who would have thought she could have made so wise a will? "dr. lawton says that mr. kent showed extreme anger on hearing it read. he intends returning to the north, and his $30,000 will be a clear gain, for i am told he had not a cent when he married her. "write me when you have fixed the time for your return, and believe me, with love to all, "your affectionate relative, janet wilmer." bacchus entered in time to hear the latter part of this letter. he had his master's boots in his hands. when mrs. weston stopped reading, he said, "that's good; bound for mister kent. i'm glad he's gwine, like judas, to his own place." chapter xxv. the carriage was slowly ascending the road to the old church, a familiar and dear object to each member of the weston family. a village churchyard fills up so gradually, that one is not startled with a sudden change. mr. weston looked from the window at the ivy, and the gothic windows, and the family vault, where many of his name reposed. the inmates of the carriage had been conversing cheerfully, but as they approached the point where they would see home, each one was occupied with his or her musings. occasionally, a pleasant word was exchanged, on the appearance of the well-known neighborhood, the balmy air, and the many shades of green that the trees presented; some of them loaded with white and pink blossoms, promising still better things when the season should advance. alice leaned from the window, watching for the first glimpse of the well-remembered house. she greeted every tree they passed with a lively look, and smiled gaily as the porter's lodge presented itself. the gates of it flew open as the carriage approached, and exeter in its beauty met their view. "oh, uncle," she said, turning from the window, "look! look! is there any place in the world like this?" "no, indeed, alice;" and he took a survey of the home which had been so blessed to him. "how beautiful every thing looks! and how we will enjoy it, after a crowded, noisy hotel. anna, you are not sorry to see its familiar face again. ellen, my darling, we have not forgotten you--exeter is your home, too; you are as welcome as any of us. why, you look sober; not regretting washington already?" "no sir," said ellen, "i was thinking of other things." "well," said mrs. weston, "we must look very happy this evening. i wonder, ellen, mr. barbour has not met us." "i suppose," said alice, laughing, "he is too much agitated at the thought of meeting ellen again--he will be over this evening, i dare say." "i am sorry i can't keep my word with mr. barbour," said ellen, "but i have concluded to marry abel johnson, on arthur's recommendation, and i ought not to give good mr. barbour any false expectations." "you must know, dear uncle," said alice, "that ellen and arthur have been carrying on a postscript correspondence in my letters, and arthur has turned matchmaker, and has been recommending abel johnson to ellen. they have fallen in love with each other, without having met, and that was the reason ellen was so hard-hearted last winter." "ah! that is the reason. but you must take care of these yankee husbands, miss ellen, if mr. kent be a specimen," said mrs. weston. "i am quite sure," said alice, "arthur would not have such a friend." mr. weston smiled, and looked out again at home. they were rapidly approaching the gates, and a crowd of little darkies were holding them open on each side. "i wish arthur were here," said he. "how long he has been away! i associate him with every object about the place." alice did not answer; arthur was in her thoughts. this was his home, every object with which she was surrounded breathed of him. she had thought of it as her home, but she had no right here--she was really only a guest. the thought was new and painful to her. could the whole of her past existence have been dreamed away?--had she indeed no claim to the place she loved best on earth--was she dependant on the will of others for all the gay and joyous emotions that a few moments before filled her breast? she thought again of arthur, of his handsome appearance, his good and generous heart, his talents, and his unchanging love to her--of walter, and of all with which he had had to contend in the springtime of his life. of his faults, his sin, and his banishment; of his love to her, too, and the delusion under which she had labored, of her returning it. arthur would, ere long, know it all, and though he might forgive, her proud spirit rebelled at the idea that he would also blame. she looked at her uncle, whose happy face was fixed on the home of his youth and his old age--a sense of his protecting care and affection came over her. what might the short summer bring? his displeasure, too--then there would be no more for her, but to leave exeter with all its happiness. poor child! for, at nearly nineteen, alice was only a child. the possibility overpowered her, she leant against her uncle's bosom, and wept suddenly and violently. "alice, what is the matter?" said her mother. "are you ill?" "what _is_ the matter?" said her uncle, putting his arm around her, and looking alarmed. "nothing at all," said alice, trying to control herself. "i was only thinking of all your goodness to me, and how i love you." "is that all," said mr. weston, pressing her more closely to his bosom. "why, the sight of home has turned your little head. come, dry up your tears, for my old eyes can distinguish the hall door, and the servants about the house collecting to meet us." "i can see dear cousin janet, standing within--how happy she will be," said mrs. weston. "well," said ellen, "i hope abel will make a fuss over me, for nobody else ever has." "if you are to be married," said alice, smiling through her tears, "you must have his name changed, or always call him mr. johnson." "never," said ellen. "i have a perfect passion for the name of abel. there was a picture in my room of abel lying down, and cain standing, holding the club over him. whenever i got into a passion when i was a child, mammy used to take me to the picture and say, 'look there, honey, if you don't learn how to get the better of your temper, one of these days you will get in a passion like cain and kill somebody. just look at him, how ugly he is--because he's in such a rage.' but i always looked at abel, who was so much prettier. i have no doubt abel johnson looks just as he does in the picture." they were about to pass through the gates leading to the grounds; some of the servants approached the carriage, and respectfully bowing, said, 'welcome home, master,' but passed on without waiting to have the salutation returned. mrs. weston guessed the cause of there not being a general outbreak on the occasion of their return. miss janet had spoken to a number of the servants, telling them how unable mr. weston was to bear any excitement, and that he would take the earliest opportunity of seeing them all at their cabins. as he was much attached to them and might feel a good deal at the meeting after so long a separation, it would be better not to give him a noisy welcome. she had, however, excepted the children in this prohibition, for miss janet had one excellent principle in the management of children, she never forbade them doing what she knew they could not help doing. thus, as the carriage passed the lodge, a noisy group of small-sized darkies were making a public demonstration. "massa's come home," says one. "i sees miss alice," says another. "i sees miss anna, too," said a third, though, as yet, not a face was visible to one of them. they put their heads out of the carriage, notwithstanding, to speak to them, and alice emptied a good-sized basket of sugar-plums, which she had bought for the purpose, over their heads. "take care, mark," said mr. weston, "don't cut about with that whip, while all these children are so near." "if i didn't, sir," said mark, "some of 'em would a been scrunched under the carriage wheels 'fore now. these little niggers," he muttered between his teeth, "they're always in the way. i wish some of 'em would get run over." mark's wife was not a very amiable character, and she had never had any children. "hurrah! daddy, is that you?" said an unmistakeable voice proceeding from the lungs of bacchus the younger. "i been dansin juba dis hole blessed day--i so glad you come. ask mammy if i aint?" "how is your mother, bacchus?" said mr. weston, looking out the window. "mammy, she's well," said the young gentleman; "how's you, master?" "very well, i thank you, sir," said mr. weston. "go down there and help pick up the sugar-plums." bacchus the elder, now slid down from the seat by mark, and took a short cut over to his cabin. "poor aunt phillis!" said mrs. weston, looking after him, "i hope she will get well." "ah!" said mr. weston, "i had forgotten phillis on this happy day. there is something, you see, anna, to make us sigh, even in our happiest moments. "but you shall not sigh, dearest uncle," said alice, kissing his hand, "for aunt phillis will get well now that we are all back. oh, there is cousin janet, and little lydia--i wish the carriage would stop." "you are the most perfect child i ever saw, alice," said mrs. weston. "i think you are out of your senses at the idea of getting home." the carriage wheeled round, and william let down the steps, with a face bright as a sunflower. miss janet stood at the top of the portico steps, in her dove-colored gown, and her three-cornered handkerchief, with open arms. alice bounded like a deer, and was clasped within them. then mrs. weston, then ellen; and afterwards, the aged relatives warmly embraced each other. little lydia was not forgotten, they all shook hands with her, but alice, who stooped to kiss her smooth, black cheek. william was then regularly shaken hands with, and the family entered the large, airy hall, and were indeed at home. here were collected all the servants employed about the house, each in a sunday dress, each greeted with a kind word. alice shook hands with them two or three times over, then pointing to the family pictures, which were arranged along the hall, "look at them, uncle," said she; "did you ever see them so smiling before?" they went to the drawing-room, all but alice, who flew off in another direction. "she is gone to see phillis," said mr. weston, gazing after her. "well, i will rest a few moments, and then go too." never did mother hold to her heart a child dearer to her, than phillis, when she pressed alice to her bosom. alice had almost lived with her, when she, and walter, and arthur were children. mrs. weston knew that she could not be in better hands than under the care of so faithful and respectable a servant. phillis had a large, old clothes' basket, where she kept the toys, all the little plates and cups with which they played dinner-party, the dolls without noses, and the trumpets that would not blow. her children were not allowed to touch them when the owners were not there, but they took a conspicuous part in the play, being the waiters and ladies' maids and coach-drivers of the little gentlemen and alice. after walter and arthur went away, alice was still a great deal with phillis, and she, regarding her as arthur's future wife, loved her for him as well as for herself. alice loved phillis, too, and all her children, and they considered her as a little above mortality. bacchus used to insist, when she was a child, that she never would live, she was _too good_. when, during her severe illness, phillis would go to her cabin to look around, bacchus would greet her with a very long face, and say, "i told you so. i know'd miss alice would be took from us all." since her recovery, he had stopped prophesying about her. "aunt phillis," said alice, "you don't look very sick. i reckon you _will_ work when you ought not. now i intend to watch you, and make you mind, so that you will soon be well." "i am a great deal better than i was, miss alice, but there's no knowing; howsomever, i thank the lord that he has spared me to see you once more. i want to give master time to talk to miss janet a little while, then i am going in to see him and miss anna." "oh! come now," said alice, "or he will be over here." phillis got up, and walked slowly to the house, alice at her side, and bacchus stumping after her. as they went in, alice tripped on first, and opened the drawing-room door, making way for phillis, who looked with a happy expression of face towards her master. "is this you, phillis?" said mr. weston, coming forward, and taking her hand most kindly. mrs. weston and ellen got up to shake hands with her, too. "i am very glad to find you so much better than i expected," continued mr. weston; "you are thin, but your countenance is good. i hope you will get perfectly well, now that we are going to have summer weather." "thank you, sir," said phillis. "i am a great deal better. thank god, you all look so well, miss anna and all. miss janet began to be mighty lonesome. i've been a great trouble to her." "no, you have not," said miss janet; "you never were a trouble to any one." "master," said bacchus, "i think the old ooman looks right well. she aint nigh so bad as we all thought. i reckon she couldn't stand my bein away so long; she hadn't nobody to trouble her." "you will never give her any more trouble," said alice. "aunt phillis, you don't know how steady uncle bacchus has been; he is getting quite a temperance man." "old nick got the better of me twice, though," said bacchus. "i did think, master, of tryin to make phillis b'lieve i hadn't drank nothin dis winter; but she'd sure to find me out. there's somefin in her goes agin a lie." "but that was doing very well," said alice; "don't you think so, aunt phillis? only twice all through the winter." "its an improvement, honey," said phillis; "but what's the use of getting drunk at all? when we are thirsty water is better than any thing else; and when we aint thirsty, what's the use of drinking?" phillis had been sitting in an arm-chair, that mrs. weston had placed for her. when she first came in, her face was a little flushed from pleasure, and the glow might have been mistaken as an indication of health. the emotion passed, mrs. weston perceived there was a great change in her. she was excessively emaciated; her cheek-bones prominent, her eyes large and bright. the whiteness of her teeth struck them all. these symptoms, and the difficulty with which she breathed, were tokens of her disease. she became much fatigued and miss janet advised her to go home and lie down. "they shan't tell you of their grand doings to-night, phillis," she said; "for you have been excited, and must keep quiet. in the morning you will be able to listen to them. don't tell any long stories, bacchus," she continued. "dr. lawton wants her to keep from any excitement at night, for fear she should not sleep well after it. all you travelers had better go to bed early, and wake up bright in the morning." alice went home with phillis, and came back to welcome mr. barbour, who had just arrived. the happy evening glided away; home was delightful to the returned family. bacchus gave glowing descriptions of scenes, in which he figured largely, to the servants; and bacchus the younger devoutly believed there had not been so distinguished a visitor to the metropolis that winter, as his respected father. dr. lawton came regularly to see phillis, who frequently rallied. her cheerfulness made her appear stronger than she was; but when alice would tell her how well she looked, and that the sight of arthur would complete her recovery, she invariably answered, "i want to see him mightily, child; but about my gettin well, there's no telling. god only knows." chapter xxvi. "do sit down, my dear cousin," said miss janet to mr. weston, who was walking up and down the drawing-room. "here, in august, instead of being quiet and trying to keep cool, you are fussing about, and heating yourself so uselessly." "i will try," said mr. weston, smiling, and seating himself on the sofa; but you must recollect that for three years i have not seen my only son, and that now he is coming home to stay. i cannot realize it; it is too much happiness. we are so blessed, cousin janet, we have so much of this world's good, i sometimes tremble lest god should intend me to have my portion here." "it is very wrong to feel so," said cousin janet; "even in this world, he can give his beloved rest." "but am i one of the beloved?" asked mr. weston, thoughtfully. "i trust so," said cousin janet. "i do not doubt it. how lamentable would be your situation and mine, if, while so near the grave, we were deprived of that hope, which takes from it all its gloom." "are you talking of gloom?" said mrs. weston, "and arthur within a few miles of us? it is a poor compliment to him. i never saw so many happy faces. the servants have all availed themselves of their afternoon's holiday to dress; they look so respectable. esther says they have gone to the outer gate to welcome arthur first; bacchus went an hour ago. even poor aunt phillis has brightened up. she has on a head-handkerchief and apron white as snow, and looks quite comfortable, propped up by two or three pillows. "arthur will be sadly distressed to see phillis, though he will not realize her condition at first. the nearer her disease approaches its consummation, the brighter she looks." "it seems but yesterday," said mr. weston, "that phillis sat at her cabin door, with arthur (a baby) in her arms, and her own child, almost the same age, in the cradle near them. she has been no eye-servant. faithfully has she done her duty, and now she is going to receive her reward. i never can forget the look of sympathy which was in her face, when i used to go to her cabin to see my motherless child. she always gave arthur the preference, putting her own infant aside to attend to his wants. phillis is by nature a conscientious woman; but nothing but the grace of god could have given her the constant and firm principle that has actuated her life. but this example of christian excellence will soon be taken from us; her days are numbered. her days _here_ are numbered; but how blessed the eternity! sometimes, i have almost reproached myself that i have retained a woman like phillis as a slave. she deserves every thing from me: i have always felt under obligations to her." "you have discharged them," said mrs. weston. "phillis, though a slave, has had a very happy life; she frequently says so. this is owing, in a great measure, to her own disposition and rectitude of character. yet she has had every thing she needed, and a great deal more. you have nothing with which to reproach yourself." "i trust not," said mr. weston. "i have endeavored, in my dealings with my servants, to remember the all-seeing eye was upon me, and that to him who placed these human beings in a dependant position, would i have to render my account. ah! here are the girls. alice, we had almost forgotten arthur; you and ellen remind us of him." "really," said ellen, "i am very unhappy; i have no lover to expect. you see that i am arrayed in a plain black silk, to show my chagrin because mr. johnson could not come now. alice has decked herself so that arthur can read her every thought at the first glance. she has on her blue barã¨ge dress, which implies her unvarying constancy. then--" "i did not think of that," said alice, blushing deeply, and looking down at her dress; "i only--" "miss alice," said lydia, "i hears somethin." "no, no," said miss janet, looking from the window, "there is nothing--" "deed the is," said lydia. "its mas' arthur's horse, i know." mr. weston went out on the porch, and the ladies stood at the windows. the voices of the servants could be distinctly heard. from the nature of the sound, there was no doubt they were giving a noisy welcome to their young master. "he _is_ coming," said miss janet, much agitated; "the servants would not make that noise were he not in sight." "i hear the horses, too," said ellen; "we will soon see him where the road turns." "there he comes," said mrs. weston. "it must be arthur. william is with him; he took a horse for arthur to the stage house." the father stood looking forward, the wind gently lifting the thin white hair from his temples; his cheek flushed, his clear blue eye beaming with delight. the horseman approached. the old man could not distinguish his face, yet there was no mistaking his gay and gallant bearing. the spirited and handsome animal that bore him flew over the gravelled avenue. only a few minutes elapsed from the time he was first seen to the moment when the father laid his head upon his son's shoulder; and while he was clasped to that youthful and manly heart experienced sensations of joy such as are not often felt here. alice had known, too, that it was he. but when we long to be assured of happiness, we are often slow to believe. it was not until her eyes could distinguish every feature that her heart said, "it is arthur." then all was forgotten--all timidity, all reserve--all, save that he was the dearly loved brother of her childhood; the being with whom her destiny had long been associated. she passed from the drawing-room to the porch as he alighted from his horse, and when his father released him from a long embrace, arthur's eyes fell upon the dear and unchanged countenance, fixed upon him with a look of welcome that said more than a thousand words. * * * * * "aunt," said arthur, a week after his return, as he sat with mrs. weston and alice in the arbor, "before you came, alice had been trying to persuade me that she had been in love with walter; but i can't believe it." "i never did believe it for a moment. she thought she was, and she was seized with such a panic of truth and honor that she made a great commotion; insisted on writing to you, and making a full confession; wanted to tell her uncle, and worry him to death; doing all sorts of desperate things. she actually worked herself into a fever. it was all a fancy." "i have too good an opinion of myself to believe it," said arthur. "i am sorry," said alice, "for it is true. it is a pity your vanity cannot be a little diminished." "why, the fact is alice, i remember uncle bacchus's story about general washington and his servant, when the general's horse fell dead, or rather the exclamation made by the servant after relating the incident: 'master, _he_ thinks of everything.' i do too. when we were children, no matter how bad walter was, you took his part. i remember once he gave william such a blow because he stumbled over a wagon that he had been making, and broke it. i asked him if he were not ashamed to do so, and you said, 'hush, arthur, he feels bad; if you felt as sorry as he does, you would behave just in the same way.' so, the fact is, last summer you saw he _felt bad_, and your tender heart inundated with sympathy." "that was it," said mrs. weston; "it was a complete inundation." "you are not in love with him now, are you, alice?" said arthur, smiling. "no, indeed," said alice, "i am not in love with him, or you either--if being in love is what it is described in novels. i never have palpitation of the heart, never faint away, and am not at all fond of poetry. i should make a sad heroine, i am such a matter-of-fact person." "so as you make a good wife," said arthur, "no matter about being a heroine." "a planter's wife has little occasion for romance," said mrs. weston; "her duties are too many and too important. she must care for the health and comfort of her family, and of her servants. after all, a hundred servants are like so many children to look after." "ellen would make an elegant heroine," said alice. "she was left an orphan when very young; had an exacting uncle and aunt; was the belle of the metropolis; had gay and gallant lovers; is an heiress--and has fallen in love with a man she never saw. to crown all, he is not rich, so ellen can give him her large fortune to show her devotion, and they can go all over the world together, and revel in romance and novelty." "well," said arthur, "i will take you all over the world if you wish it. when will you set out, and how will you travel? if that is all you complain of in your destiny, i can easily change it." "i do not complain of my destiny," said alice, gaily. "i was only contrasting it with ellen's. i shall be satisfied never to leave exeter, and my migrations need not be more extended than were mrs. primroses's, 'from the green room to the brown.' poor walter! i wish he would fall in love with some beautiful italian, and be as happy as we are." "do not fear for walter," said mrs. weston. "he will take care of himself; his last letter to cousin janet was very cheerful. i shall have to diminish your vanity, alice, by telling you walter will never 'die for love of alice weston.' he will be captivated some day with a more dashy lady, if not an italian countess. i have no doubt he will eventually become a resident of europe. a life of repentance will not be too much for a man whose hands are stained with the blood of his fellowman. the day is past in our country, and i rejoice to say it, when a duellist can be tolerated. i always shudder when in the presence of one, though i never saw but one." mr. weston now entered, much depressed from a recent interview with phillis. this faithful and honored servant was near her departure. angels were waiting at the throne of the eternal, for his command to bear her purified spirit home. * * * * * the master and the slave were alone. no eye save their maker's looked upon them; no ear save his, heard what passed between them. mr. weston was seated in the easy chair, which had been removed from the other room, and in which his wife had died. phillis was extended on a bed of death. her thin hands crossed on her bosom, her eyes fearfully bright, a hectic glow upon her cheek. "master," she said, "you have no occasion to feel uneasy about that. i have never had a want, i nor the children. there was a time, sir, when i was restless about being a slave. when i went with you and miss anna away from home, and heard the people saying colored people ought to be free, it made me feel bad. i thought then that god did not mean one of his creatures to be a slave; when i came home and considered about it, i would often be put out, and discontented. it was wicked, i know, but i could not help it for a while. "i saw my husband and children doing well and happy, but i used to say to myself, they are slaves, and so am i. so i went about my work with a heavy heart. when my children was born, i would think 'what comfort is it to give birth to a child when i know its a slave.' i struggled hard though, with these feelings, sir, and god gave me grace to get the better of them, for i could not read my bible without seeing there was nothing agin slavery there; and that god had told the master his duty, and the slave his duty. you've done your duty by me and mine, sir; and i hope where i have come short you will forgive me, for i couldn't die in peace, without i thought you and i was all right together." "forgive you, phillis," said mr. weston, much affected. "what have i to forgive? rather do i thank you for all you have done for me. you were a friend and nurse to my wife, and a mother to my only child. was ever servant or friend so faithful as you have been!" phillis smiled and looked very happy. "thank you, master," she said, "from my heart. how good the lord is to me, to make my dying bed so easy. it puts me in mind of the hymn esther sings. she's got a pleasant voice, hasn't she, sir? 'and while i feel my heart-strings break, how sweet the moments roll! a mortal paleness on my cheek and glory in my soul.' "oh! master, its sweet for me to die, for jesus is my friend; he makes all about me friends too, for it seems to me that you and miss janet, and all of you are my friends. poor bacchus! he takes on sadly about me; he always was a tender-hearted soul. master, when i am gone, i know you will be good to him and comfort him, but, please sir, do something else. talk to him, and pray for him, and read the blessed book to him! oh! if he would only give up liquor! i trust in the lord he will live and die a sober man, else i know we'll never meet again. we won't be on the same side at the judgment seat. there's no drunkards in that happy place where i am going fast. no drunkards in the light of god's face--no drunkards at the blessed feet of jesus." "i think bacchus has perfectly reformed," said mr. weston, "and you may feel assured that we will do every thing for his soul as well as his body, that we can. but, phillis, have you no wishes to express, as regards your children?" phillis hesitated--"my children are well off," she said; "they have a good master; if they serve him and god faithfully they will be sure to do well." "if there is any thing on your mind," said mr. weston, "speak it without fear. the distinction between you and me as master and slave, i consider no longer existing. you are near being redeemed from my power, and the power of death alone divides you from your saviour's presence. that saviour whose example you have tried to follow, whose blood has washed your soul from all its sin. i am much older than you, and i live in momentary expectation of my summons. we shall soon meet, i hope, in that happy place, where the distinctions of this world will be forgotten. i have thought of you a great deal, lately, and have been anxious to relieve your mind of every care. it is natural that a mother, about to leave such a family as you have, should have some wishes regarding them. "i have thought several times," continued mr. weston, "of offering to set your children free at my death, and i will do so if you wish. you must be aware that they could not remain in virginia after they were manumitted. in the middle and northern states free blacks are in a degraded condition. there is no sympathy for or with them. they have no more rights than they have as slaves with us, and they have no one to care for them when they are sick or in trouble. you have seen a good deal of this in your occasional visits to the north. in washington, since the abolitionists have intermeddled there, the free blacks have become intolerable; they live from day to day in discomfort and idleness. i mean as a general thing; there are, of course, occasional exceptions. bacchus is too old to take care of himself; he would not be happy away from exeter. consider what i say to you, and i will be guided by your wishes as regards your children. "they might go to liberia; some of them would be willing, no doubt. i have talked to william, he says he would not go. under these circumstances they would be separated, and it is doubtful whether i would be doing you or them a favour by freeing them. be perfectly candid, and let me know your wishes." "as long as you, or master arthur and miss alice live, they would be better off as they are," said phillis. "i believe they would," said mr. weston, "but life and death cannot be too much considered in connection with each other. i must soon go. i am only lingering at the close of a long journey. arthur will then have control, and will, i am certain, make his servants as happy as he can. my family is very small; you are aware i have no near relations. i have made my will, and should arthur and alice die without children, i have left all my servants free. your children i have thus provided for. at my death they are free, but i would not feel justified in turning them into the world without some provision. the older children can take care of themselves; they are useful and have good principles. i have willed each one of them to be free at the age of twenty years. thus, you see, most of them will soon be free, while none will have to wait very long. in the mean time they will be well taught and cared for. my will is made, and all the forms of law attended to. arthur and alice are very much pleased with it. your older children know it; they are very happy, but they declare they will never leave exeter as long as there is a weston upon it.[b] and now, phillis, are you satisfied? i shall experience great pleasure in having been able to relieve you of any anxiety while you have so much pain to bear." "oh! master," said phillis, "what shall i say to you? i haven't no learning. i am only a poor, ignorant woman. i can't thank you, master, as i ought. my heart is nigh to bursting. what have i done that the lord is so good to me. he has put it into your heart to make me so happy; thank you, master, and god for ever bless you." the tears streamed down her cheeks, as mr. weston arose to go. esther had come to see if her mother wanted any thing. "master," said phillis, "wait one moment--there's nothing between me and heaven now. oh! sir, i shall soon be redeemed from all sin and sorrow. i think i see the glory that shines about the heavenly gates. i have never felt myself ready to go until now, but there is nothing to keep me. the lord make your dying bed as easy as you have mine." mr. weston endeavored to compose himself, but was much agitated. "phillis," he said, "you have deserved more than i could ever do for you. if any thing should occur to you that i have not thought of, let me know, it shall, if possible, be done. would you like again to see mr. caldwell, and receive the communion?" "no, master, i thank you. you and miss janet, and miss anna, and poor bacchus, took it with me last week, and i shall soon be where there will be no more need to remind me of the lamb that was slain; for i shall be with him; i shall see him as he is. and, master, we will all meet there. we will praise him together." esther was weeping; and mr. weston, quite overcome, left the room. "esther, child," said phillis, "don't do so. there's nothing but glory and peace. there's no occasion for tears. god will take care of you all here, and will, i hope and pray, bring you to heaven at last. poor master! to think he is so distressed parting with me. i thought i should have stood by his dying bed. the lord knows best." "mother," said esther, "will you take this medicine--it is time?" "no, honey. no more medicine; it won't do me no good. i don't want medicine. jesus is what i want. he is all in all." * * * * * reader! have you ever stood by the dying bed of a slave? it may be not. there are those who are often there. the angels of god, and one who is above the angels. one who died for all. he is here now. here, where stand weeping friends--here, where all is silence. you may almost hear the angel's wings as they wait to bear the redeemed spirit to its heavenly abode. here, where the form is almost senseless, the soul fluttering between earth and heaven. here, where the spirit of god is over-shadowing the scene. "master," said phillis, "all is peace. jesus is here. i am going home. you will soon be there, and miss janet can't be long. miss anna too. bacchus, the good lord will bring you there. i trust in him to save you. my children, god bless them, little lydia and all." "master arthur," said she, as arthur bent over her, "give my love to master walter. you and miss alice will soon be married. the lord make you happy. god bless you, miss ellen, and make you his child. keep close, children to jesus. seems as if we wasn't safe when we can't see him. i see him now; he is beckoning me to come. blessed jesus! take me--take me home." kind master, weep not. she will bear, even at the throne of god, witness to thy faithfulness. through thee she learned the way to heaven, and it may be soon she will stand by thee again, though thou see her not. she may be one of those who will guide thee to the celestial city; to the company of the redeemed, where will be joy forever. weep not, but see in what peace a christian can die. watch the last gleams of thought which stream from her dying eyes. do you see any thing like apprehension? the world, it is true, begins to shut in. the shadows of evening collect around her senses. a dark mist thickens, and rests upon the objects which have hitherto engaged her observation. the countenances of her friends become more and more indistinct. the sweet expressions of love and friendship are no longer intelligible. her ear wakes no more at the well-known voice of her children, and the soothing accents of tender affection die away unheard upon her decaying senses. to her the spectacle of human life is drawing to its close, and the curtain is descending which shuts out this earth, its actors, and its scenes. she is no longer interested in all that is done under the sun. oh! that i could now open to you the recesses of her soul, that i could reveal to you the light which darts into the chambers of her understanding. she approaches that world which she has so long seen in faith. the imagination now collects its diminished strength, and the eye of faith opens wide. "friends! do not stand thus fixed in sorrow around this bed of death. why are you so still and silent? fear not to move; you cannot disturb the visions that enchant this holy spirit. she heeds you not; already she sees the spirits of the just advancing together to receive a kindred soul. she is going to add another to the myriads of the just, that are every moment crowding into the portals of heaven. she is entering on a noble life. already she cries to you from the regions of bliss. will you not join her there? will you not taste the sublime joys of faith? there are seats for you in the assembly of the just made perfect, in the innumerable company of angels, where is jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and god, the judge of all." concluding remarks. i must be allowed to quote the words of mrs. harriet b. stowe: "the writer has often been (or will be) inquired of by correspondents from different parts of the country, whether this narrative is a true one; and to these inquiries she will give one general answer. the separate incidents that compose the narrative are to a very great extent authentic, occurring, many of them, either under her own observation, or that of her personal friends. she or her friends have observed characters the counterpart of almost all that are here introduced; and many of the sayings are word for word as heard herself, or reported to her." of the planter legree, (and, with the exception of prof. webster, such a wretch never darkened humanity,) she says: "of him her brother wrote, he actually made me feel of his fist, which was like a blacksmith's hammer or a nodule of iron, telling me that it was calloused with knocking down niggers." now as a parallel to this, i will state a fact communicated to me by a clergyman, (a man of great talent, and goodness of character, and undoubted veracity,) that a superintendent of irishmen, who were engaged on a northern railroad, told him he did not hesitate to knock any man down that gave him the least trouble; and although the clergyman did not "examine his fist and pronounce it like a blacksmith's hammer," yet, i have not the slightest doubt it was "calloused with knocking down irishmen." at any rate, i take the license of the writers of the day, and say it was. mrs. stowe goes on to say, "that the tragical fate of tom also has too many times had its parallel, there are living witnesses all over our land to testify." now it would take the smallest portion of common sense to know that there is no witness, dead or living, who could testify to such a fact, save a _false witness_. this whole history is an absurdity. no master would be fool enough to sell the best hand on his estate; one who directed, and saved, and managed for him. no master would be brutish enough to sell the man who had nursed him and his children, who loved him like a son, _even for urgent debt_, had he another article of property in the wide world. but mr. shelby does so, according to mrs. stowe, though he has a great many other servants, besides houses and lands, &c. preposterous! and such a saint as uncle tom was, too! one would have thought his master, with the opinion he had of his religious qualifications, would have kept him until he died, and then have sold him bone after bone to the roman catholics. why, every tooth in his head would have brought its price. st. paul was nothing but a common man compared with him, for st. paul had been wicked once; and even after his miraculous conversion, he felt that sin was still impelling him to do what he would not. but not so with uncle tom! he was the very perfection of a saint. well might st. clare have proposed using him for a family chaplain, or suggested to himself the idea of ascending to heaven by tom's skirts. mrs. stowe should have carried out one of her ideas in his history, and have made him bishop of carthage. i have never heard or read of so perfect a character. all the saints and martyrs that ever came to unnatural deaths, could not show such an amount of excellence. i only wonder he managed to stay so long in this world of sin. when, after fiery trials and persecutions, he is finally purchased by a mr. legree, mrs. stowe speaks of the horrors of the scene. she says though, "it can't be helped." did it ever occur to her, that northerners might go south, and buy a great many of these slaves, and manumit them? they do go south and buy them, but they keep them, and work them as slaves too. a great deal of this misery _might_ be helped. tom arrives at legree's plantation. how does he fare? sleeps on a little foul, dirty straw, jammed in with a lot of others; has every night toward midnight enough corn to stay the stomach of one small chicken; and is thrown into a most dreadful state of society--men degraded, and women degraded. we will pass over scenes that a woman's pen should never describe, and observe the saint-like perfection of tom. he was, or considered himself, a missionary to the negroes, evidently liked his sufferings, and died, by choice, a martyr's death. he made the most astonishing number of conversions in a short time, and of characters worse than history records. so low, so degraded, so lost were the men and women whose wicked hearts he subdued, that their conversion amounted to nothing less than miracles. no matter how low, how ignorant, how depraved, the very sight of tom turned them into advanced, intelligent christians. tom's lines were indeed cast in a sad place. i have always believed that the creator was everywhere; but we are told of legree's plantation "the lord never visits these parts." this might account for the desperate wickedness of most of the characters, but how tom could retain his holiness under the circumstances is a marvel to me. his religion, then, depended on himself. assuredly he was more than a man! legree had several ways of keeping his servants in order--"they were burned alive; scalded, cut into inch pieces; set up for the dogs to tear, or hung up and whipped to death." now i am convinced that mrs. stowe must have a credulous mind; and was imposed upon. she never could have conceived such things with all her talent; the very conception implies a refinement of cruelty. she gives, however, a mysterious description of a certain "place way out down by the quarters, where you can see a black blasted tree, and the ground all covered with black ashes." it is afterward intimated that this was the scene of a negro burned alive. reader, you may depend, it was a mistake; that's just the way a tree appears when it has been struck by lightning. next time you pass one, look at it. i have not the slightest doubt that this was the way the mistake was made. we have an occasional wag at the south, and some one has practised upon a soft-hearted new englander in search of horrors; this is the result. she mentions that the ashes were black. do not infer from this that it must have been a black man or negro. but i will no longer arraign your good sense. it was not, take my word for it, as mrs. stowe describes it, some poor negro "tied to a tree, with a slow fire lit under him." tom tells legree "he'd as soon die as not." indeed, he proposes whipping, starving, burning; saying, "it will only send him sooner where he wants to go." tom evidently considers himself as too good for this world; and after making these proposals to his master, he is asked, "how are you?" he answers: "the lord god has sent his angel, and shut the lion's mouth." anybody can see that he is laboring under a hallucination, and fancies himself daniel. cassy, however, consoled him after the style of job's friends, by telling him that his master was going "to hang like a dog at his throat, sucking his blood, bleeding away his life drop by drop." in what an attitude, o planters of the south, has mrs. stowe taken your likenesses! tom dies at last. how could such a man die? oh! that he would live forever and convert all our southern slaves. he did not need any supporting grace on his deathbed. hear him--"the lord may help me, or not help, but i'll hold on to him." i thought a christian could not hold on to the lord without help. "ye can of yourself do nothing." but tom is an exception--to the last he is perfect. all christians have been caught tripping sometimes, but tom never is. he is "bearing everybody's burdens." he might run away, but he will not. he says, "the lord has given me a work among these yer poor souls, and i'll stay with 'em, and bear my cross with 'em to the end." christian reader, we must reflect. we know where to go for _one_ instance of human perfection, where the human and the divine were united, but we know not of another. tom converts cassy, a most infamous creature from her own accounts, and we are to sympathize with her vileness, for she has no other traits of character described. tom converts her, but i am sorry to see she steals money and goods, and fibs tremendously afterwards. we hope the rest of his converts did him more credit. the poor fellow dies at last--converting two awful wretches with his expiring breath. the process of conversion was very short. "oh! lord, give me these two more souls, i pray." that prayer was answered. the saddest part of this book would be, (if they were just,) the inferences to be drawn from the history of this wretch, legree. mrs. stowe says, "he was rocked on the bosom of a mother, cradled with prayer and pious hymns, his now seared brow bedewed with the waters of baptism. in early childhood, a fair-haired woman had led him, at the sound of sabbath bells, to worship and to pray. far in new england that mother had trained her only son with long unwearied love and patient prayers." believe it not, christian mother, north or south! thou hast the promises of scripture to the contrary. rock thy babe upon thy bosom--sing to him sweet hymns--carry him to the baptismal font--be unwearied in love--patient in prayers; he will never be such a one. he may wander, but he will come back; do thy duty by him, and god will not forget his promises. "he is not man that he will lie; nor the son of man that he will repent." legree is a northerner. time would fail me to notice all the crimes with which southern men and women are charged; but their greatness and number precludes the possibility of their being believed. according to mrs. stowe, mothers do not love their beautiful children at the south. the husbands have to go to new england and bring back old maids to take care of them, and to see to their houses, which are going to rack and ruin under their wives' surveillance. oh! these southern husbands, a heart of stone must pity them. then again, southern planters keep dogs and blood-hounds to hunt up negroes, tear women's faces, and commit all sorts of _doggish_ atrocities. now i have a charitable way of accounting for this. i am convinced, too, this is a misapprehension; and i'll tell you why. i have a mortal fear of dogs myself. i always had. no reasoning, no scolding, ever had the slightest effect upon me. i never passed one on my way to church with my prayer-book in my hand, without quaking. if they wag their tails, i look around for aid. if they bark, i immediately give myself up for lost. i have died a thousand deaths from the mere accident of meeting dogs in the street. i never did meet one without believing that it was his destiny to give my children a step-mother. in point of fact, i would like to live in a world without dogs; but as i cannot accomplish this, i console myself by living in a house without one. i always expect my visitors to leave their dogs at home; they may bring their children, but they must not bring their dogs. i wish dogs would not even look in my basement windows as they pass. i am convinced therefore, that some northerner has passed a plantation at the south, and seen dogs tied up. naturally having a horror of dogs, he has let his imagination loose. after a great deal of mental exercise, the brain jumps at a conclusion, "what are these dogs kept here for?" the answer is palpable: "to hunt niggers when they run away." reader, imitate my charity; it is a rare virtue where white faces are concerned. all the rest of mrs. stowe's horrors can be accounted for satisfactorily. it is much better to try and find an excuse for one's fellow-creatures than to be always calling them "story-tellers," and the like. i am determined to be charitable. but still it is misrepresentation; for if they took proper means, they would find out the delusions under which they labor. abolitionists do not help their cause by misrepresentation. it will do well enough, in a book of romance, to describe infants torn from the arms of their shrieking mothers, and sold for five and ten dollars. it tells well, for the mass of readers are fond of horrors; but it is not true. it is on a par with the fact stated, that masters advertise their slaves, and offer rewards for them, dead or alive. how did the snows of new england ever give birth to such brilliant imaginations! family relations are generally respected; and when they are not, it is one of the evils attendant on an institution which god has permitted in all ages, for his inscrutable purposes, and which he may in his good time do away with. the jews ever turn their eyes and affections toward jerusalem, as their home; so should the free colored people in america regard liberia. africa, once their mother country, should, in its turn, be the country of their adoption. as regards the standard of talent among negroes, i fancy it has been exaggerated; though no one can, at present, form a just conclusion. slavery has, for ages, pressed like a band of iron round the intellect of the colored man. time must do its work to show what he is, without a like hindrance. the instance mentioned in "uncle tom's cabin," of a young mulatto, george harris, inventing a machine, is _very solitary_. the negroes, like a good many of their owners, are opposed to innovations. they like the good old way. the hot sun under which they were born, and the hotter one that lighted the paths of their ancestors, prejudices them against any new effort. i think, _when they do get in congress_, they will vote for agricultural against manufacturing interests. i am sure they would rather pick cotton than be confined to the din and dust of a factory. an old negro prefers to put his meal bags in a covered wagon, and drive them to market at his leisure, with his pocket full of the tobacco he helped to raise, and the whole country for a spit-box, to being whirled away bodily in a railroad car, in terror of his life, deaf with the whistling and the puffing of the engine. when liberia or africa does become a great nation, (heaven grant it may soon,) they will require many other buildings there, before a patent office is called for. george harris is a _natural_ abolitionist, with a dark complexion. he is a remarkable youth in other respects, though i should first consider the enormous fact of george's master appropriating to himself the benefit of his servant's cleverness. even with a show of right this may be a mean trick, but it is the way of the world. a large portion of new england men are at this time claiming each other's patents. i know of an instance down east, for southerners can sometimes "tak notes, and prent 'em too." a gentleman took a friend to his room, and showed him an invention for which he was about to apply for a patent. the friend walked off with his hands in his pocket; his principles had met, and passed an appropriation bill; the invention had become his own--in plain english, he stole it. washington is always full of people claiming each other's brains. the lawyers at the patent office have their hands full. they must keep wide awake, too. each inventor, when he relates his grievances, brings a witness to maintain his claim. there is no doubt that, after a while, there will be those who can testify to the fact of having seen the idea as it passed through the inventor's mind. the way it is settled at present is this--whoever can pay the most for the best lawyer comes off triumphantly! poor george is not the only smart fellow in the world outdone by somebody better off than himself. george positively refuses to hear the bible quoted. he believes in a higher law, no doubt, frederic douglas being editorial expounder; a sort of moses of this century, a little less meek, though, than the one who instructed the israelites. george won't hear the bible; he prefers, he says, appealing to the almighty himself. this makes me fear his abolitionist friends are not doing right by him; putting him up to shooting, and turning spanish gentleman, and all sorts of vagaries; to say nothing of disobeying the laws of the country. no one blames him, though, for escaping from a hard master; at least, i do not. it would be a grand thing to stand on the shore of a new country, and see before you, _free_, every slave and prisoner on the soil of the earth; to hear their te deum ascend to the listening heavens. methinks the sun would stand still, as it did of old, and earth would lift up her voice, and lead the song of her ransomed children; but, alas! this cannot be yet--the time is not come. oppression wears her crown in every clime, though it is sometimes hidden from the gaze of her subjects. george declares he knows more than his master; "he can read and write better;" but his logic is bad. he thus discusses the indications of providence. a friend reminds him of what the apostle says, "let every man abide in the condition in which he is called," and he immediately uses this simile: "i wonder, mr. wilson, if the indians should come, and take you a prisoner, away from your wife and children, and want to keep you all your life hoeing corn for them, if you'd think it your duty to abide in that condition in which you were called. i rather think, that you'd think the first stray horse you could find an indication of providence--shouldn't you?" this does not apply to slavery. a man born a slave, in a country where slavery is allowed by law, should feel the obligation of doing his duty while a slave; but mr. wilson, carried off by indians, would feel as if he had been called to a state of life previous to the one in which he was so unfortunate to be doomed, while he was among savages. george goes on to say--"let any man take care that tries to stop me, for i am desperate, and i'll fight for my liberty. you say your fathers did it: if it was right for them, it is right for me." too fast, george! you are out in your history, too. your master must be a remarkably ignorant man if you know more than he. our glorious ancestors were never condemned to slavery, they nor their fathers, by god himself. neither have they ever been considered in the light of runaways; they came off with full permission, and having _honestly_ and _honorably_ attained their liberties, they fought for them. besides being of a prettier complexion, and coming of a better stock than you, they were _prepared_ to be free. there is a great deal in that. then, those very ancestors of ours--ah! there's the rub--(and the ancestors of the abolitionists, too,) they got us and you into this difficulty--think of it! they had your ancestors up there in new england, until they found you were so lazy, and died off so in their cold climate, that it _did not pay to keep you_. so i repeat to you the advice of mr. wilson, "be careful, my boy; don't shoot anybody, george, unless--well--you'd better not shoot, i reckon; at least, i wouldn't hit anybody, you know." as regards the practice of marking negroes in the hand, i look upon it as one of the imaginary horrors of the times--delusion like spiritual rappings, got up out of sheer timidity of disposition, though i have heard of burning old women for witches in new england, and placing a scarlet letter on the bosom of some unhappy one, who had already sorrow and sin enough to bear. it won't do; the subject has, without doubt, been duly investigated already. i'd be willing (were i not opposed to betting) to bet my best collar and neck ribbon, that a committee of investigation has been appointed, consisting of twelve of boston's primmest old maids, and they have been scouring the plantations of the south, bidding the negroes hold out their hands, (not as the poor souls will at first suppose, that they may be crossed with a piece of silver,) and that they are now returning, crest-fallen, to their native city, not having seen a branded hand in all their journeying. could aught escape _their_ vigilance? but they will say they saw a vast number, and that will answer the purpose. (ah! washington irving, well mayest thou sigh and look back at the ladies of the golden age. "these were the honest days, in which every woman stayed at home, read the bible, and wore pockets." these days are for ever gone. prophetic was thy lament! now we may wear pockets--but, alas! we neither stay at home, nor read our bible. we form societies to reform the world, and we write books on slavery!) talking of our ancestors, george, in the time of the revolution, (by-the-by, yours were a set of dear, honest old creatures, for there were no abolitionists then among us,) reminds me of an anecdote about george washington and a favorite servant. billy lee was an honest, faithful man, and a first-rate groom, and george washington--you need not blush to be a namesake of his, though he was a slaveholder. the two were in a battle, the battle of monmouth, the soldiers fighting like sixty, and billy lee looking on at a convenient distance, taking charge of a led horse, in case washington's should be shot from under him. o, but it was a hot day! washington used to recall the thirst and the suffering attendant upon the heat, (thinking of the soldiers' suffering, and not of his own.) as for billy lee, if he did not breathe freely, he perspired enough so to make up for it. i warrant you he was anxious for the battle to be over, and the sun to go down. but there he stood, true as steel--honest, old patriot as he was--quieting the horse, and watching his noble master's form, as proud and erect it was seen here and there, directing the troops with that union of energy and calmness for which he was distinguished. washington's horse fell under him, dying from excessive heat; but hear billy lee describe it: "lord! sir, if you could a seen it; de heat, and dust, and smoke. de cannons flyin, and de shot a whizzin, and de dust a blowing, and de horses' heels a kickin up, when all at onct master's horse fell under him. it warn't shot--bless your soul, no. it drapped right down dead wid de heat. master he got up. i was scared when i see him and de horse go; but master got up. he warn't hurt; couldn't hurt him. "master he got up, looked round at me. 'billy,' says he, 'give me the other horse, and you take care of the new saddle on this other poor fellow.' "did you ever hear de like?" added billy lee, "thinking of de saddle when de balls was a flyin most in our eyes. but it's always de same wid master. he thinks of every thing." i agree with the humane jurist quoted by mrs. harriet beecher stowe: "the worst use you can put a man to is to hang him." she thinks slavery is worse still; but when "i think of every thing," i am forced to differ from her. the most of our southern slaves are happy, and kindly cared for; and for those who are not, there is hope for the better. but when a man is hung up by the neck until he is dead, he is done for. as far as i can see, there is nothing that can be suggested to better his condition. i have no wish to uphold slavery. i would that every human being that god has made were free, were it in accordance with his will;--free bodily, free spiritually--"free indeed!" neither do i desire to deny the evils of slavery, any more than i would deny the evils of the factory system in england, or the factory and apprenticeship system in our own country. i only assert the necessity of the existence of slavery at present in our southern states, and that, as a general thing, the slaves are comfortable and contented, and their owners humane and kind. i have lived a great deal at the north--long enough to see acts of oppression and injustice there, which, were any one so inclined, might be wrought into a "living dramatic reality." i knew a wealthy family. all the labor of the house was performed by a "poor relation," a young and delicate girl. i have known servants struck by their employers. at the south i have never seen a servant struck, though i know perfectly well such things are done _here_ and _everywhere_. can we judge of society by a few isolated incidents? if so, the learned professors of new england borrow money, and when they do not choose to pay, they murder their creditors, and cut them in pieces! or men kill their sleeping wives and children! infidelity has been called a magnificent lie! mrs. stowe's "living dramatic reality" is nothing more than an interesting falsehood; nor ought to be offered, as an equivalent for truth, the genius that pervades her pages; rather it is to be lamented that the rich gifts of god should be so misapplied. were the exertions of the abolitionists successful, what would be the result? the soul sickens at the thought. scenes of blood and horror--the desolation of our fair southern states--the final destruction of the negroes in them. this would be the result of immediate emancipation here. what has it been elsewhere? look at st. domingo. a recent visitor there says, "though opposed to slavery, i must acknowledge that in this instance the experiment has failed." he compares the negroes to "a wretched gibbering set, from their appearance and condition more nearly allied to beasts than to men." look at the free colored people of the north and in canada. i have lived among them at the north, and can judge for myself. their "friends" do not always obtain their affection or gratitude. a colored woman said to me, "i would rather work for any people than the abolitionists. they expect us to do so much, and they say we ought to work cheaper for them because they are 'our friends.'" look at them in canada. an english gentleman who has for many years resided there, and who has recently visited washington, told me that they were the most miserable, helpless human beings he had ever seen. in fact he said, "they were nuisances, and the people of canada would be truly thankful to see them out of their country." he had never heard of "a good missionary" mentioned by mrs. stowe, "whom christian charity has placed there as a shepherd to the outcast and wandering." he had seen no good results of emancipation. on one occasion he hired a colored man to drive him across the country. "how did you get here?" he said to the man. "are you not a runaway?" "yes, sir," the man replied. "i came from virginny." "well, of course you are a great deal happier now than when you were a slave?" "no, sir; if i could get back to virginny, i would be glad to go." he looked, too, as if he had never been worse off than at that time. the fact is, liberty like money is a grand thing; but in order to be happy, we must know how to use it. it cannot always be said of the fugitive slave,- "the mortal puts on immortality, when mercy's hand has turned the golden key, and mercy's voice hath said, rejoice, thy soul is free." the attentive reader will perceive that i am indebted to mrs. stowe for the application of this and other quotations. the author of uncle tom's cabin speaks of good men at the north, who "receive and educate the oppressed" (negroes). i know "lots" of good men there, but none good enough to befriend colored people. they seem to me to have an unconquerable antipathy to them. but mrs. stowe says, _she_ educates them in her own family with her own children. i am glad to hear she feels and acts kindly toward them, and i wish others in her region of country would imitate her in this respect; but i would rather _my_ children and negroes were educated at different schools, being utterly opposed to amalgamation, root and branch. she asks the question, "_what_ can any individual do?" strange that any one should be at a loss in this working world of ours. christian men and women should find enough to occupy them in their families, and in an undoubted sphere of duty. let the people of the north take care of their own poor. let the people of the south take care of theirs. let each remember the great and awful day when they must render a final account to their creator, their redeemer, and their judge. the end lippincott, grambo & co.'s publications. * * * * * frost's juvenile series. twelve volumes, 16mo., with five hundred engravings. walter o'neill, or the pleasure of doing good. 25 engrav'gs. junker schott, and other stories. 6 engravings. the lady of the lurlei and other stories. 12 engravings. ellen's birthday, and other stories. 20 engravings. herman, and other stories. 9 engravings. king tregewall's daughter, and other stories. 16 engravings. the drowned boy, and other stories. 6 engravings. the pictorial rhyme-book. 122 engravings. the pictorial nursery book. 117 engravings. the good child's reward. 115 engravings. alphabet of quadrupeds. 26 engravings. alphabet of birds. 26 engravings. price, twenty-five cents each. the above popular and attractive series of new juveniles for the young, are sold together or separately. * * * * * the milliner and the millionaire. by mrs. rebecca hicks, (of virginia,) author of "the lady killer," &c. one volume, 12mo. price, 37-1/2 cents. * * * * * stansbury's expedition to the great salt lake. an exploration of the valley of the great salt lake of utah, containing its geography, natural history, mineralogical resources, analysis of its waters, and an authentic account of the mormon settlement. also, a reconnaissance of a new route through the rocky mountains. with seventy beautiful illustrations, from drawings taken on the spot, and two large and accurate maps of that region. by howard stansbury, captain topographical engineers. one volume, royal octavo. * * * * * the abbotsford edition of the waverley novels, printed upon fine white paper, with new and beautiful type, from the last english edition, embracing the author's latest corrections, notes, etc., complete in twelve volumes, demi-octavo, and neatly bound in cloth, with illustrations, for only twelve dollars, containing waverley, or 'tis sixty years since the fortunes of nigel. guy mannering peveril of the peak. the antiquary quentin durward. the black dwarf st. ronan's well. old mortality redgauntlet. rob roy the betrothed. the heart of mid-lothian the talisman. the bride of lammermoor woodstock. a legend of montrose the highland widow, &c. ivanhoe the fair maid of perth. the monastery anne of geierstein. the abbot count robert of paris. kenilworth castle dangerous. the pirate the surgeon's daughter, &c. any of the above novels sold, in paper covers, at fifty cents each. * * * * * also, an illustrated edition of the waverley novels, in twelve volumes, royal octavo, on superfine paper, with several hundred characteristic and beautiful engravings. elegantly bound in cloth, gilt. price, only twenty-four dollars. * * * * * in press, a new and complete gazetteer of the united states, it will furnish the fullest and most recent information respecting the geography, statistics, and present state of improvement, of every part of this great republic, particularly of texas, california, oregon, new mexico, &c. the work will be issued as soon as the complete official returns of the present census are received. * * * * * the above work will be followed by a universal gazetteer, or geographical dictionary, of the most complete and comprehensive character. it will be compiled from the best english, french, and german authorities, and will be published the moment that the returns of the present census of europe can be obtained. * * * * * history of the mormons of utah, their domestic polity and theology, by j.w. gunnison, u.s. corps topographical engineers. with illustrations, in one volume demi-octavo. * * * * * report of a geological survey of wisconsin, iowa, and minnesota, and incidentally of a portion of nebraska territory, made under instructions from the u.s. treasury department, by david dale owen, united states' geologist, with over 150 illustrations on steel and wood. one volume, quarto. * * * * * merchants' memorandum book, containing lists of all goods purchased by country merchants, &c. one volume, 18mo., leather cover. price, 50 cents. * * * * * arthur's new juvenile library beautifully illustrated, 1. who is greatest? and other stories. 2. who are happiest? and other stories. 3. the poor wood-cutter, and other stories. 4. maggy's baby, and other stories. 5. mr. haven't-got-time and mr. don't-be-in-a-hurry. 6. the peacemakers. 7. uncle ben's new-year's gift, and other stories. 8. the wounded boy, and other stories. 9. the lost children, and other stories. 10. our harry, and other poems and stories. 11. 12. each volume is illustrated with engravings from original designs by croome, and are sold together or separately. * * * * * byrne on food and health. a treatise on the adulteration of food and drink, and plain and simple directions for detecting them. with one hundred recipes for tooth-powders, hair dyes, skin powders, perfumes, &c. by m.p. byrne, m.d. one volume, 12mo., cloth gilt. price, fifty cents. * * * * * the third and concluding volume of historical sketch of the second war between the u. states and great britain. in three volumes, octavo. * * * * * catalogue of valuable books, published by lippincott, grambo & co., (successors to grigg, elliot & co.) no. 14 north fourth street, philadelphia; consisting of a large assortment of bibles, prayer-books, commentaries, standard poets, medical, theological and miscellaneous works, etc., particularly suitable for public and private libraries. for sale by booksellers and country merchants generally throughout the united states. * * * * * the best & most complete family commentary. the comprehensive commentary on the holy bible; containing the text according to the authorized version, scott's marginal references; matthew henry's commentary; condensed, but retaining every useful thought; the practical observations of rev. thomas scott, d.d.; with extensive explanatory, critical and philological notes, selected from scott, doddridge, gill, adam clarke, patrick, poole, lowth, burder, banner, calmet, rosenmueller, bloomfield, stuart, bush, dwight, and many other writers on the scriptures. the whole designed to be a digest and combination of the advantages of the best bible commentaries, and embracing nearly all that is valuable in henry, scott, and doddridge. conveniently arranged for family and private reading, and, at the same time, particularly adapted to the wants of sabbath-school teachers and bible classes; with numerous useful tables, and a neatly engraved family record. edited by rev. william jenks, d.d., pastor of green street church, boston. embellished with five portraits, and other elegant engravings, from steel plates; with several maps and many wood-cuts, illustrative of scripture manners, customs, antiquities, &c. in 6 vols. super-royal 8vo. including supplement, bound in cloth, sheep, calf, &c., varying in price from $10 to $15. the whole forming the most valuable as well as the cheapest commentary published in the world. * * * * * notices and recommendations of the comprehensive commentary. the publishers select the following from the testimonials they have received as to the value of the work: we, the subscribers, having examined the _comprehensive commentary_, issued from the press of messrs. l., g. & co., and highly approving its character, would cheerfully and confidently recommend it as containing more matter and more advantages than any other with which we are acquainted; and considering the expense incurred, and the excellent manner of its mechanical execution, we believe it to be one of the _cheapest_ works ever issued from the press. we hope the publishers will be sustained by a liberal patronage, in their expensive and useful undertaking. we should be pleased to learn that every family in the united states had procured a copy. b.b. wisner, d.d., secretary of am. board of com. for for. missions. wm. cogswell, d.d., " " education society. john codman, d.d., pastor of congregational church, dorchester. rev. hubbard winslow, " " bowdoin street, dorchester. rev. sewall harding, pastor of t.c. church, waltham. rev. j.h. fairchild, pastor of congregational church, south boston. gardiner spring, d.d., pastor of presbyterian church, new york city. cyrus mason, d.d., " " " " " thos. mcauley. d.d., " " " " " john woodbridge, d.d., " " " " " thos. dewitt, d.d., " dutch ref. " " " e.w. baldwin, d.d., " " " " " rev. j.m. mckrebs, " presbyterian " " " rev. erskine mason, " " " " " rev. j.s. spencer, " " " brooklyn " ezra stiles ely, d.d., stated clerk of gen. assem. of presbyterian church. john mcdowell, d.d., permanent " " " " john breckenridge, corresponding secretary of assembly's board of education. samuel b. wylie, d.d., pastor of the reformed presbyterian church. n. lord, d.d., president of dartmouth college. joshua bates, d.d., president of middlebury college. h. humphrey, d.d., " amherst college. e.d. griffin, d.d., " williamstown college. j. wheeler, d.d., " university of vermont, at burlington. j.m. matthews, d.d., " new york city university. george e. pierce, d.d., " western reserve college, ohio. rev. dr. brown, " jefferson college, penn. leonard woods, d.d., professor of theology, andover seminary. thos. h. skinner, d.d., " sac. rhet. " " rev. ralph emerson, " eccl. hist. " " rev. joel parker, pastor of presbyterian church, new orleans. joel hawes, d.d., " congregational church, hartford, conn. n.s.s. beaman. d.d., " presbyterian church, troy, n.y. mark tucker, d.d., " " " " " rev. e.n. kirk, " " " albany, n.y. rev. e.b. edwards, editor of quarterly observer. rev. stephen mason, pastor first congregational church, nantucket. rev. orin fowler, " " " " fall river. george w. bethune, d.d., pastor of the first reformed dutch church, phila., pa. rev. lyman beecher, d.d., cincinnati, ohio. rev. c.d. mallory, pastor baptist church, augusta, ga. rev. s.m. noel, " " " frankfort, ky. _from the professors at princeton theological seminary._ the comprehensive commentary contains the whole of henry's exposition in a condensed form, scott's practical observations and marginal references and a large number of very valuable philological and critical notes, selected from various authors. the work appears to be executed with judgment, fidelity, and care; and will furnish a rich treasure of scriptural knowledge to the biblical student, and to the teachers of sabbath-schools and bible classes. a. alexander, d.d. samuel miller, d.d. charles hodge, d.d. * * * * * the companion to the bible. in one super-royal volume. designed to accompany the family bible, or henry's, scott's, clarke's, gill's, or other commentaries: containing 1. a new, full, and complete concordance; illustrated with monumental, traditional, and oriental engravings, founded on butterworth's, with cruden's definitions; forming, it is believed, on many accounts, a more valuable work than either butterworth, cruden, or any other similar book in the language. the value of a concordance in now generally understood; and those who have used one, consider it indispensable in connection with the bible. 2. a guide to the reading and study of the bible; being carpenter's valuable biblical companion, lately published in london, containing a complete history of the bible, and forming a most excellent introduction to its study. it embraces the evidences of christianity, jewish antiquities, manners, customs, arts, natural history, &c., of the bible, with notes and engravings added. 3. complete biographies of henry, by williams; scott, by his son; doddridge, by orton; with sketches of the lives and characters, and notices of the works, of the writers on the scriptures who are quoted in the commentary, living and dead, american and foreign. this part of the volume not only affords a large quantity of interesting and useful reading for pious families, but will also be a source of gratification to all those who are in the habit of consulting the commentary; every one naturally feeling a desire to know some particulars of the lives and characters of those whose opinions he seeks. appended to this part, will be a bibliotheca biblica, or list of the best works on the bible, of all kinds, arranged under their appropriate heads. 4. a complete index of the matter contained in the bible text. 5. a symbolical dictionary. a very comprehensive and valuable dictionary of scripture symbols, (occupying about _fifty-six_ closely printed pages,) by thomas wemyss, (author of "biblical gleanings," &c.) comprising daubux, lancaster, hutcheson, &c. 6. the work contains several other articles, indexes, tables, &c. &c., and is, 7. illustrated by a large plan of jerusalem, identifying, as far as tradition, &c., go, the original sites, drawn on the spot by f. catherwood, of london, architect. also, two steel engravings of portraits of seven foreign and eight american theological writers, and numerous wood engravings. the whole forms a desirable and necessary fund of instruction for the use not only of clergymen and sabbath-school teachers, but also for families. when the great amount of matter it must contain is considered, it will be deemed exceedingly cheap. "i have examined 'the companion to the bible,' and have been surprised to find so much information introduced into a volume of so moderate a size. it contains a library of sacred knowledge and criticism. it will be useful to ministers who own large libraries, and cannot fail to be an invaluable help to every reader of the bible." henry morris, pastor of congregational church, vermont. the above work can be had in several styles of binding. price varying from $1.75 to $5.00. * * * * * illustrations of the holy scriptures, in one super-royal volume. derived principally from the manners, customs, antiquities, traditions, and forms of speech, rites, climate, works of art, and literature of the eastern nations: embodying all that is valuable in the works of roberts, harmer, burder, paxton, chandler, and the most celebrated oriental travellers. embracing also the subject of the fulfilment of prophecy, as exhibited by keith and others; with descriptions of the present state of countries and places mentioned in the sacred writings. illustrated by numerous landscape engravings, from sketches taken on the spot. edited by rev. george bush, professor of hebrew and oriental literature in the new york city university. the importance of this work mast be obvious, and, being altogether _illustrative_, without reference to doctrines, or other points in which christians differ, it is hoped it will meet with favour from all who love the sacred volume, and that it will be sufficiently interesting and attractive to recommend itself, not only to professed christians of _all_ denominations, but also to the general reader. the arrangement of the texts illustrated with the notes, in the order of the chapters and verses of the authorized version of the bible, will render it convenient for reference to particular passages; while the copious _index_ at the end will at once enable the reader to turn to every subject discussed in the volume. _this volume is not designed to take the place of commentaries, but is a distinct department of biblical instruction, and may be used as a companion to the comprehensive or any other commentary, or the holy bible._ the engravings in this volume, it is believed, will form no small part of its attractions. no pains have been spared to procure such as should embellish the work, and, at the same time, illustrate the text. objections that have been made to the pictures commonly introduced into the bible, as being mere creations of fancy and the imagination, often unlike nature, and frequently conveying false impressions, cannot be urged against the pictorial illustrations of this volume. here the fine arts are made subservient to utility, the landscape views being, without an exception, _matter-of-fact views of places mentioned in scripture, as they appear at the present day_; thus in many instances exhibiting, in the most forcible manner, _to the eye_, the strict and _literal_ fulfilment of the remarkable prophecies; "the present ruined and desolate condition of the cities of babylon, nineveh, selah, &c., and the countries of edom and egypt, are astonishing examples, and so completely exemplify, in the most minute particulars, every thing which was foretold of them in the height of their prosperity, that no better description can now be given of them than a simple quotation from a chapter and verse of the bible written nearly two or three thousand years ago." the publishers are enabled to select from several collections lately published in london, the proprietor of one of which says that "several distinguished travellers have afforded him the use of nearly _three hundred original sketches_" of scripture places, made upon the spot. "the land of palestine, it is well known, abounds in scenes of the most picturesque beauty. syria comprehends the snowy heights of lebanon, and the majestic ruins of tadmor and baalbec." the above work can be had in various styles of binding. price from $1.50 to $5.00. * * * * * the illustrated concordance, in one volume, royal 8vo. a new, full, and complete concordance; illustrated with monumental, traditional, and oriental accounts, a more valuable work than either butterworth, cruden, or any other similar book in the language. the value of a concordance is now generally understood; and those who have used one, consider it indispensable in connection with the bible. some of the many advantages the illustrated concordance has over all the others, are, that it contains near two hundred appropriate engravings; it is printed on fine white paper, with beautiful large type. price one dollar. * * * * * lippincott's edition of bagster's comprehensive bible. in order to develope the peculiar nature of the comprehensive bible, it will only be necessary to embrace its more prominent features. 1st. the sacred text is that of the authorized version, and is printed from the edition corrected and improved by dr. blaney, which, from its accuracy, is considered the standard edition. 2d. the various readings are faithfully printed from the edition of dr. blaney, inclusive of the translation of the proper names, without the addition or diminution of one. 3d. in the chronology, great care has been taken to fix the date of the particular transactions, which has seldom been done with any degree of exactness in any former edition of the bible. 4th. the notes are exclusively philological and explanatory, and are not tinctured with sentiments of any sect or party. they are selected from the most eminent biblical critics and commentators. it is hoped that this edition of the holy bible will be found to contain the essence of biblical research and criticism, that lies dispersed through an immense number of volumes. such is the nature and design of this edition of the sacred volume, which, from the various objects it embraces, the freedom of its pages from all sectarian peculiarities, and the beauty, plainness, and correctness of the typography, that it cannot fail of proving acceptable and useful to christians of every denomination. in addition to the usual references to parallel passages, which are quite full and numerous, the student has all the marginal readings, together with a rich selection of _philological, critical, historical, geographical_, and other valuable notes and remarks, which explain and illustrate the sacred text. besides the general introduction, containing valuable essays on the genuineness, authenticity, and inspiration of the holy scriptures, and other topics of interest, there are introductory and concluding remarks to each book--a table of the contents of the bible, by which the different portions are so arranged as to read in an historical order. arranged at the top of each page is the period in which the prominent events of sacred history took place. the calculations are made for the year of the world before and after christ, julian period, the year of the olympiad, the year of the building of rome, and other notations of time. at the close is inserted a chronological index of the bible, according to the computation of archbishop ussher. also, a full and valuable index of the _subjects_ contained in the old and new testaments, with a careful analysis and arrangement of texts under their appropriate subjects. mr. greenfield, the editor of this work, and for some time previous to his death the superintendent of the editorial department of the british and foreign bible society, was a most extraordinary man. in editing the comprehensive bible, his varied and extensive learning was called into successful exercise, and appears in happy combination with sincere piety and a sound judgment. the editor of the christian observer, alluding to this work, in an obituary notice of its author, speaks of it as a work of "prodigious labour and research, at once exhibiting his varied talents and profound erudition." * * * * * lippincott's edition of the oxford quarto bible. the publishers have spared neither care nor expense in their edition of the bible; it is printed on the finest white vellum paper, with large and beautiful type, and bound in the most substantial and splendid manner, in the following styles: velvet, with richly gilt ornaments; turkey super extra, with gilt clasps; and in numerous others, to suit the taste of the most fastidious. opinions of the press. "in our opinion, the christian public generally will feel under great obligations to the publishers of this work for the beautiful taste, arrangement, and delicate neatness with which they have got it out. the intrinsic merit of the bible recommends itself; it needs no tinsel ornament to adorn its sacred pages. in this edition every superfluous ornament has been avoided, and we have presented us a perfectly chaste specimen of the bible, without note or comment. it appears to be just what is needed in every family--'the _unsophisticated_ word of god.' "the size is quarto, printed with beautiful type, on white, sized vellum paper, of the finest texture and most beautiful surface. the publishers seem to have been solicitous to make a perfectly unique book, and they have accomplished the object very successfully. we trust that a liberal community will afford them ample remuneration for all the expense and outlay they have necessarily incurred in its publication. it is a standard bible. "the publishers are messrs. lippincott, grambo & co., no. 14 north fourth street, philadelphia."--_baptist record._ "a beautiful quarto edition of the bible, by l., g. & co. nothing can exceed the type in clearness and beauty; the paper is of the finest texture, and the whole execution is exceedingly neat. no illustrations or ornamental type are used. those who prefer a bible executed in perfect simplicity, yet elegance of style, without adornment, will probably never find one more to their taste."--_m. magazine_. "a beautiful quarto edition of the bible, by l., g. & co. nothing can exceed the type in clearness and beauty; the paper is of the finest texture, and the whole execution is exceedingly neat. no illustrations or ornamental type are used. those who prefer a bible executed in perfect simplicity, yet elegance of style, without adornment, will probably never find one more to their taste."--_m. magazine._ * * * * * lippincott's editions of the holy bible. six different sizes, printed in the best manner, with beautiful type, on the finest sized paper, and bound in the most splendid and substantial styles. warranted to be correct, and equal to the best english editions, at much less price. to be had with or without plates; the publishers having supplied themselves with over fifty steel engravings, by the first artists. baxter's comprehensive bible, royal quarto, containing the various readings and marginal notes; disquisitions on the genuineness, authenticity, and inspiration of the holy scriptures; introductory and concluding remarks to each book; philological and explanatory notes; table of contents, arranged in historical order; a chronological index, and various other matter; forming a suitable book for the study of clergymen, sabbath-school teachers, and students. in neat plain binding, from $4.00 to $5.00.--in turkey morocco, extra, gilt edges, from $8.00 to $12.00.--in do., with splendid plates, $10.00 to $15.00.--in do., bevelled side, gilt clasps and illuminations, $15.00 to $25.00. the oxford quarto bible, without note or comment, universally admitted to be the most beautiful bible extant. in neat plain binding, from $4.00 to $5.00.--in turkey morocco, extra, gilt edges, $8.00 to $12.00.--in do., with steel engravings, $10.00 to $15.00.--in do., clasps, &c., with plates and illuminations, $15.00 to $25.00.--in rich velvet, with gilt ornaments, $25.00 to $50.00. crown octavo bible, printed with large clear type, making a most convenient hand bible for family use. in neat plain binding, from 75 cents to $1.50.--in english turkey morocco, gilt edges, $1.00 to $2.00.--in do., imitation, &c., $1.50 to $3.00.--in do., clasps, &c., $2.50 to 56.00.--in rich velvet, with gilt ornaments, $5.00 to $10.00. the sunday-school teacher's polyglot bible, with maps, &c., in neat plain binding, from 60 cents to $1.00.--in imitation gilt edge. $1.00 to $1.50.--in turkey, super extra, $1.75 to $2.25.--in do. do., with clasps, $2.50 to $3.75.--in velvet, rich gilt ornaments, $3.50 to $8.00. the oxford 18mo., or pew bible, in neat plain binding, from 50 cents to $1.00.--in imitation gilt edge, $1.00 to $1.50.--in turkey super extra, $1.75 to $2.25.--in do. do., with clasps, $2.50 to $3.75.--in velvet, rich gilt ornaments, $3.50 to $8.00. agate 32mo. bible, printed with larger type than any other small or pocket edition extant. in neat plain binding, from 50 cents to $1.00.--in tucks, or pocket-book style, 75 cents to $1.00.--in roan, imitation gilt edge, $1.00 to $1.50.--in turkey, super extra, $1.00 to $2.00.--in do. do. gilt clasps, $2.50 to $3.50.--in velvet, with rich gilt ornaments, $3.00 to $7.00. 32mo. diamond pocket bible; the neatest, smallest, and cheapest edition of the bible published. in neat plain binding, from 30 to 50 cents.--in tucks, or pocket-book style, 60 cents to $1.00.--in roan, imitation gilt edge, 75 cents to $1.25.--in turkey, super extra, $1.00 to $1.50.--in do. do. gilt clasps, $1.50 to $2.00.--in velvet, with richly gilt ornaments, $2.50 to $6.00. constantly on hand, a large assortment of bibles, bound in the most splendid and costly styles, with gold and silver ornaments, suitable for presentation; ranging in price from $10.00 to $100.00. a liberal discount made to booksellers and agents by the publishers. * * * * * encyclopã�dia of religious knowledge; or, dictionary of the bible, theology, religious biography, all religions, ecclesiastical history, and missions. designed as a complete book of reference on all religious subjects, and companion to the bible; forming a cheap and compact library of religious knowledge. edited by rev. j. newton brown. illustrated by wood-cuts, maps, and engravings on copper and steel. in one volume, royal 8vo. price, $4.00. * * * * * lippincott's standard editions of the book of common prayer, in six different sizes, illustrated with a number of steel plates and illuminations. comprehending the most varied and splendid assortment in the united states. the illuminated octavo prayer-book, printed in seventeen different colours of ink, and illustrated with a number of steel plates and illuminations; making one of the most splendid books published. to be had in any variety of the most superb binding, ranging in prices. in turkey, super extra, from $5.00 to $8.00.--in do. do., with clasps, $6.00 to $10.00.--in do. do., bevelled and panelled edges, $8.00 to $15.00.--in velvet, richly ornamented, $12.00 to $20.00. 8vo. in neat plain binding, from $1.50 to $2.00.--in imitation gilt edge, $2.00 to $3.00.--in turkey, super extra, $2.50 to $4.50.--in do. do., with clasps, $3.00 to $5.00.--in velvet, richly gilt ornaments, $5.00 to $12.00. 16mo. printed throughout with large and elegant type. in neat plain binding, from 75 cents to $1.50.--in turkey morocco, extra, with plates, $1.75 to $3.00.--in do. do., with plates, clasps, &c., $2.50 to $5.00.--in velvet, with richly gilt ornaments, $4.00 to $9.00. 18mo. in neat plain binding, from 25 to 75 cents.--in turkey morocco, with plates, $1.25 to $2.00.--in velvet, with richly gilt ornaments, $3.00 to $8.00. 32mo. a beautiful pocket edition, with large type. in neat plain binding, from 50 cents to $1.00.--in roan, imitation gilt edge, 75 cents to $1.50.--in turkey, super extra, $1.25 to $2.00.--in do. do., gilt clasps, $2.00 to $3.00.--in velvet, with richly gilt ornaments, $3.00 to $7.00. 32mo., pearl type. in plain binding, from 25 to 37 1-2 cents.--roan, 37 1-2 to 50 cents.--imitation turkey, 50 cents to $1.00.--turkey, super extra, with gilt edge. $1.00 to $1.50.--pocket-book style, 60 to 75 cents. proper lessons. 18mo. a beautiful edition, with large type. in neat plain binding, from 50 cents to $1.00.--in roan, imitation gilt edge, 75 cents to $1.50.--in turkey, super extra, $1.50 to $2.00.--in do. do., gilt clasps, $2.50 to $3.00.--in velvet, with richly gilt ornaments, $3.00 to $7.00. the bible and prayer-book, in one neat and portable volume. 32mo., in neat plain binding, from 75 cents to $1.00.--in imitation turkey, $1.00 to $1.50.--in turkey, super extra, $1.50 to $2.50. 18mo., in large type, plain, $1.75 to $2.50.--in imitation, $1.00 to $1.75.--in turkey, super extra, $1.75 to $3.00. also, with clasps, velvet, &c. &c. * * * * * the errors of modern infidelity illustrated and refuted. by s.m. schmucker, a.m. in one volume, 12mo.; cloth. just published. we cannot but regard this work, in whatever light we view it in reference to its design, as one of the most masterly productions of the age, and fitted to uproot one of the most fondly cherished and dangerous of all ancient or modern errors. god must bless such a work, armed with his own truth, and doing fierce and successful battle against black infidelity, which would bring his majesty and word down to the tribunal of human reason, for condemnation and annihilation.--_alb. spectator_ * * * * * the clergy of america: consisting of anecdotes illustrative of the character of ministers of religion in the united states, by joseph belcher, d.d., editor of "the complete works of andrew fuller," "robert hall," &c. "this very interesting and instructive collection of pleasing and solemn remembrances of many pious men, illustrates the character of the day in which they lived, and defines the men more clearly than very elaborate essays."--_baltimore american_. "we regard the collection as highly interesting, and judiciously made."--_presbyterian_. * * * * * josephus's (flavius) works, family edition. by the late william whiston, a.m. from the last london edition, complete. one volume, beautifully illustrated with steel plates, and the only readable edition published in this country. as a matter of course, every family in our country has a copy of the holy bible; and as the presumption is that the greater portion often consult its pages, we take the liberty of saying to all those that do, that the perusal of the writings of josephus will be found very interesting and instructive. all those who wish to possess a beautiful and correct copy of this valuable work, would do well to purchase this edition. it is for sale at all the principal bookstores in the united states, and by country merchants generally in the southern and western states. also, the above work in two volumes. * * * * * burder's village sermons; or, 101 plain and short discourses on the principal doctrines of the gospel. intended for the use of families, sunday-schools, or companies assembled for religious instruction in country villages. by george burder. to which is added to each sermon, a short prayer, with some general prayers for families, schools. &c., at the end of the work. complete in one volume, octavo. these sermons, which are characterized by a beautiful simplicity, the entire absence of controversy, and a true evangelical spirit, have gone through many and large editions, and been translated into several of the continental languages. "they have also been the honoured means not only of converting many individuals, but also of introducing the gospel into districts, and even into parish churches, where before it was comparatively unknown." "this work fully deserves the immortality it has attained." this is a fine library edition of this invaluable work: and when we say that it should be found in the possession of every family, we only reiterate the sentiments and sincere wishes of all who take a deep interest in the eternal welfare of mankind. * * * * * family prayers and hymns, adapted to family worship, and tables for the regular reading of the scriptures, by rev. s.c. winchester, a.m., late pastor of the sixth presbyterian church, philadelphia; and the presbyterian church at natchez, miss. one volume, 12mo. * * * * * splendid library editions. illustrated standard poets. elegantly printed, on fine paper, and uniform in size and style. the following editions of standard british poets are illustrated with numerous steel engravings, and may be had in all varieties of binding. byron's works. complete in one volume, octavo. including all his suppressed and attributed poems; with six beautiful engravings. this edition has been carefully compared with the recent london edition of mr. murray, and made complete by the addition of more than fifty pages of poems heretofore unpublished in england. among these there are a number that have never appeared in any american edition; and the publishers believe they are warranted in saying that this is _the most complete edition of lord byron's poetical works_ ever published in the united states. the poetical works of mrs. hemans. complete in one volume, octavo; with seven beautiful engravings. this is a new and complete edition, with a splendid engraved likeness of mrs. hemans, on steel, and contains all the poems in the last london and american editions. with a critical preface by mr. thatcher, of boston. "as no work in the english language can be commended with more confidence, it will argue bad taste in a female in this country to be without a complete edition of the writings of one who was an honour to her sex and to humanity, and whose productions, from first to last, contain no syllable calculated to call a blush to the cheek of modesty and virtue. there is, moreover, in mrs. hemans's poetry, a moral purity and a religious feeling which commend it, in an especial manner, to the discriminating reader. no parent or guardian will be under the necessity of imposing restrictions with regard to the free perusal of every production emanating from this gifted woman. there breathes throughout the whole a most eminent exemption from impropriety of thought or diction; and there is at times a pensiveness of tone, a winning sadness in her more serious compositions, which tells of a soul which has been lifted from the contemplation of terrestrial things, to divine communings with beings of a purer world." milton, young, gray, beattie, and collins's poetical works. complete in one volume, octavo. with six beautiful engravings. cowper and thomson's prose and poetical works. complete in one volume, octavo. including two hundred and fifty letters, and sundry poems of cowper, never before published in this country; and of thomson a new and interesting memoir, and upwards of twenty new poems, for the first time printed from his own manuscripts, taken from a late edition of the aldine poets, now publishing in london. with seven beautiful engravings. the distinguished professor silliman, speaking of this edition, observes: "i am as much gratified by the elegance and fine taste of your edition, as by the noble tribute of genius and moral excellence which these delightful authors have left for all future generations; and cowper, especially, is not less conspicuous as a true christian, moralist and teacher, than as a poet of great power and exquisite taste." * * * * * the poetical works of rogers, campbell, montgomery, lamb, and kirke white. complete in one volume, octavo. with six beautiful engravings. the beauty, correctness, and convenience of this favourite edition of these standard authors are so well known, that it is scarcely necessary to add a word in its favour. it is only necessary to say, that the publishers have now issued an illustrated edition, which greatly enhances its former value. the engravings are excellent and well selected. it is the best library edition extant. crabbe, heber, and pollok's poetical works. complete in one volume, octavo. with six beautiful engravings. a writer in the boston traveller holds the following language with reference to these valuable editions:-"mr. editor:--i wish, without any idea of puffing, to say a word or two upon the 'library of english poets' that is now published at philadelphia, by lippincott, grambo & co. it is certainly, taking into consideration the elegant manner in which it is printed, and the reasonable price at which it is afforded to purchasers, the best edition of the modern british poets that has ever been published in this country. each volume is an octavo of about 500 pages, double columns, stereotyped, and accompanied with fine engravings and biographical sketches; and most of them are reprinted from galignani's french edition. as to its value, we need only mention that it contains the entire works of montgomery, gray, beattie, collins, byron, cowper, thomson, milton, young, rogers, campbell, lamb, hemans, heber, kirke white, crabbe, the miscellaneous works of goldsmith, and other masters of the lyre. the publishers are doing a great service by their publication, and their volumes are almost in as great demand as the fashionable novels of the day; and they deserve to be so: for they are certainly printed in a style superior to that in which we have before had the works of the english poets." no library can be considered complete without a copy of the above beautiful and cheap editions of the english poets; and persons ordering all or any of them, will please say lippincott, grambo & co.'s illustrated editions. * * * * * a complete dictionary of poetical quotations: comprising the most excellent and appropriate passages in the old british poets; with choice and copious selections from the best modern british and american poets. edited by sarah josepha hale. as nightingales do upon glow-worms feed, so poets live upon the living light of nature and of beauty. _bailey's festus._ beautifully illustrated with engravings. in one super-royal octavo volume, in various bindings. the publishers extract, from the many highly complimentary notices of the above valuable and beautiful work, the following: "we have at last a volume of poetical quotations worthy of the name. it contains nearly six hundred octavo pages, carefully and tastefully selected from all the home and foreign authors of celebrity. it is invaluable to a writer, while to the ordinary reader it presents every subject at a glance.--_godey's lady's book_. "the plan or idea of mrs. hale's work is felicitous. it is one for which her fine taste, her orderly habits of mind, and her long occupation with literature, has given her peculiar facilities; and thoroughly has she accomplished her task in the work before us."--_sartain's magazine_. "it is a choice collection of poetical extracts from every english and american author worth perusing, from the days of chaucer to the present time."--_washington union_. "there is nothing negative about this work; it is _positively_ good."--_evening bulletin_. * * * * * the diamond edition of byron. the poetical works of lord byron, with a sketch of his life. complete in one neat duodecimo volume, with steel plates. the type of this edition is so perfect, and it is printed with so much care, on fine white paper, that it can be read with as much ease as most of the larger editions. this work is to be had in plain and superb binding, making a beautiful volume for a gift. "_the poetical works of lord byron_, complete in one volume; published by l., g. & co., philadelphia. we hazard nothing in saying that, take it altogether, this is the most elegant work ever issued from the american press. "'in a single volume, not larger than an ordinary duodecimo, the publishers have embraced the whole of lord byron's poems, usually printed in ten or twelve volumes; and, what is more remarkable, have done it with a type so clear and distinct, that, notwithstanding its necessarily small size, it may be read with the utmost facility, even by failing eyes. the book is stereotyped; and never have we seen a finer specimen of that art. everything about it is perfect--the paper, the printing, the binding, all correspond with each other; and it is embellished with two fine engravings, well worthy the companionship in which they are placed. "'this will make a beautiful christmas present.' "we extract the above from godey's lady's book. the notice itself, we are given to understand, is written by mrs. hale. "we have to add our commendation in favour of this beautiful volume, a copy of which has been sent us by the publishers. the admirers of the noble bard will feel obliged to the enterprise which has prompted the publishers to dare a competition with the numerous editions of his works already in circulation; and we shall be surprised if this convenient travelling edition does not in a great degree supersede the use of the large octavo works, which have little advantage in size and openness of type, and are much inferior in the qualities of portability and lightness."--_intelligencer_. * * * * * the diamond edition of moore. (corresponding with byron.) the poetical works of thomas moore, collected by himself. complete in one volume. this work is published uniform with byron, from the last london edition, and is the most complete printed in the country. * * * * * the diamond edition of shakspeare, (complete in one volume,) including a sketch of his life. uniform with byron and moore. the above works can be had in several varieties of binding. * * * * * goldsmith's animated nature. in two volumes, octavo. beautifully illustrated with 385 plates. containing a history of the earth, animals, birds, and fishes; forming the most complete natural history ever published. this is a work that should be in the library of every family, having been written by one of the most talented authors in the english language. "goldsmith can never be made obsolete while delicate genius, exquisite feeling, fine invention, the most harmonious metre, and the happiest diction, are at all valued." * * * * * bigland's natural history of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, and insects. illustrated with numerous and beautiful engravings. by john bigland, author of a "view of the world." "letters on universal history," &c. complete in 1 vol., 12 mo. * * * * * the power and progress of the united states. the united states; its power and progress. by guillaume tell poussin, late minister of the republic of france to the united states. first american, from the third paris edition. translated from the french by edmond l. du barry, m.d., surgeon u.s. navy. in one large octavo volume. * * * * * schoolcraft's great national work on the indian tribes of the united states, with beautiful and accurate coloured illustrations. historical and statistical information respecting the history, condition and prospects of the indian tribes of the united states. collected and prepared under the direction of the bureau of indian affairs, per act of march 3, 1847, by henry r. schoolcraft, ll.d. illustrated by s. eastman, capt. u.s.a. published by authority of congress. * * * * * the american gardener's calendar, adapted to the climate and seasons of the united states. containing a complete account of all the work necessary to be done in the kitchen garden, fruit garden, orchard, vineyard, nursery, pleasure-ground, flower garden, green-house, hot-house, and forcing frames, for every month in the year; with ample practical directions for performing the same. also, general as well as minute instructions for laying out or erecting each and every of the above departments, according to modern taste and the most approved plans; the ornamental planting of pleasure grounds, in the ancient and modern style; the cultivation of thorn quicks, and other plants suitable for live hedges, with the best methods of making them, &c. to which are annexed catalogues of kitchen garden plants and herbs; aromatic, pot, and sweet herbs; medicinal plants, and the most important grapes, &c., used in rural economy; with the soil best adapted to their cultivation. together with a copious index to the body of the work. by bernard m'mahon. tenth edition, greatly improved. in one volume, octavo. * * * * * the useful and the beautiful; or, domestic and moral duties necessary to social happiness, beautifully illustrated. 16mo. square cloth. price 50 and 75 cents. * * * * * the farmer's and planter's encyclopã�dia, the farmer's and planter's encyclopã¦dia of rural affairs. by cuthbert w. johnson. adapted to the united states by gouverneur emerson. illustrated by seventeen beautiful engravings of cattle, horses, sheep, the varieties of wheat, barley, oats, grasses, the weeds of agriculture. &c.; besides numerous engravings on wood of the most important implements of agriculture, &c. this standard work contains the latest and best information upon all subjects connected with farming, and appertaining to the country; treating of the great crops of grain, hay, cotton, hemp, tobacco, rice, sugar, &c. &c.; of horses and mules; of cattle, with minute particulars relating to cheese and butter-making; of fowls, including a description of capon-making, with drawings of the instruments employed; of bees, and the russian and other systems of managing bees and constructing hives. long articles on the uses and preparation of bones, lime, guano, and all sorts of animal, mineral, and vegetable substances employed as manures. descriptions of the most approved ploughs, harrows, threshers, and every other agricultural machine and implement; of fruit and shade trees, forest trees, and shrubs; of weeds, and all kinds of flies, and destructive worms and insects, and the best means of getting rid of them; together with a thousand other matters relating to rural life, about which information is so constantly desired by all residents of the country. in one large octavo volume. * * * * * mason's farrier--farmers' edition. price, 62 cents. the practical farrier, for farmers: comprising a general description of the noble and useful animal, the horse; with modes of management in all cases, and treatment in disease. to which is added, a prize essay on mules; and an appendix, containing recipes for diseases of horses, oxen, cows, calves, sheep, dogs, swine, &c. &c. by richard mason, m.d., formerly of surry county. virginia. in one volume, 12mo.; bound in cloth, gilt. * * * * * mason's farrier and stud-book--new edition. the gentleman's new pocket farrier: comprising a general description of the noble and useful animal, the horse; with modes of management in all cases, and treatment in disease. by richard mason, m.d., formerly of surry county, virginia. to which is added, a prize essay on mules; and an appendix, containing recipes for diseases of horses, oxen, cows, calves, sheep, dogs, swine, &c. &c.; with annals of the turf, american stud-book. rules for training, racing, &c. with a supplement, comprising an essay on domestic animals, especially the horse; with remarks on treatment and breeding; together with trotting and racing tables, showing the best time on record at one, two, three and four mile heats; pedigrees of winning horses, since 1839, and of the most celebrated stallions and mares; with useful calving and lambing tables. by j.s. skinner, editor now of the farmer's library, new york, &c. &c. * * * * * hinds's farriery and stud-book--new edition. farriery, taught on a new and easy plan: being a treatise on the diseases and accidents of the horse; with instructions to the shoeing smith, farrier, and groom; preceded by a popular description of the animal functions in health, and how these are to be restored when disordered. by john hinds, veterinary surgeon. with considerable additions and improvements, particularly adapted to this country, by thomas m. smith, veterinary surgeon, and member of the london veterinary medical society. with a supplement, by j.s. skinner. the publishers have received numerous flattering notices of the great practical value of these works. the distinguished editor of the american farmer, speaking of them, observes:--"we cannot too highly recommend these books, and therefore advise every owner of a horse to obtain them." "there are receipts in those books that show how _founder_ may be cured, and the traveller pursue his journey the next day, by giving a _tablespoon of alum_. this was got from dr. p. thornton, of montpelier, rappahannock county, virginia, as founded on his own observation in several cases." "the constant demand for mason's and hinds's farrier has induced the publishers, messrs. lippincott, grambo & co., to put forth new editions, with a 'supplement' of 100 pages by j.s. skinner, esq. we should have sought to render an acceptable service to our agricultural readers, by giving a chapter from the supplement, 'on the relations between man and the domestic animals, especially the horse, and the obligations they impose;' or the one on 'the form of animals;' but that either one of them would overrun the space here allotted to such subjects." "lists of medicines, and other articles which ought to be at hand about every training and livery stable, and every farmer's and breeder's establishment, will be found in these valuable works." * * * * * to carpenters and mechanics. just published. a new and improved edition of the carpenter's new guide, being a complete book of lines for carpentry and joinery; treating fully on practical geometry, saffu's brick and plaster groms, niches of every description, sky-lights, lines for roofs and domes: with a great variety of designs for roofs, trussed girders, floors, domes, bridges. &c., angle bars for shop fronts, &c., and raking mouldings. also, additional plans for various stair-cases, with the lines for producing the face and falling moulds never before published, and greatly superior to those given in a former edition of this work. by william johnson, architect, of philadelphia. the whole founded on true geometrical principles; the theory and practice well explained and fully exemplified, on eighty-three copper plates, including some observations and calculations on the strength of timber. by peter nicholson, author of "the carpenter and joiner's assistant," "the student's instructor to the five orders," &c. thirteenth edition. one volume. 4to., well bound. * * * * * a dictionary of select and popular quotations, which are in daily use. taken from the latin, french, greek, spanish and italian languages. together with a copious collection of law maxims and law terms, translated into english, with illustrations, historical and idiomatic. new american edition, corrected, with additions. one volume, 12mo. this volume comprises a copious collection of legal and other terms which are in common use, with english translations and historical illustrations; and we should judge its author had surely been to a great "feast of languages," and stole all the scraps. a work of this character should have an extensive sale, as it entirely obviates a serious difficulty in which most readers are involved by the frequent occurrence of latin, greek, and french passages, which we suppose are introduced by authors for a mere show of learning--a difficulty very perplexing to readers in general. this "dictionary of quotations," concerning which too much cannot be said in its favour, effectually removes the difficulty, and gives the reader an advantage over the author; for we believe a majority are themselves ignorant of the meaning of the terms they employ. very few truly learned authors will insult their readers by introducing latin or french quotations in their writings, when "plain english" will do as well; but we will not enlarge on this point. if the book is useful to those unacquainted with other languages, it is no less valuable to the classically educated as a book of reference, and answers all the purposes of a lexicon--indeed, on many accounts, it is better. it saves the trouble of tumbling over the larger volumes, to which every one, and especially those engaged in the legal profession, are very often subjected. it should have a place in every library in the country. * * * * * ruschenberger's natural history, complete, with new glossary the elements of natural history, embracing zoology, botany and geology: for schools, colleges and families. by w.s.w. ruschenberger, m.d. in two volumes. with nearly one thousand illustrations, and a copious glossary. vol. i. contains _vertebrate animals_. vol. ii. contains _invertebrate animals, botany, and geology_. * * * * * a beautiful and valuable presentation book. the poet's offering. edited by mrs. hale. with a portrait of the editress, a splendid illuminated title-page, and twelve beautiful engravings by sartain. bound in rich turkey morocco, and extra cloth, gilt edge. to those who wish to make a present that will never lose its value, this will be found the most desirable gift-book ever published. "we commend it to all who desire to present a friend with a volume not only very beautiful, but of solid intrinsic value."--_washington union_. "a perfect treasury of the thoughts and fancies of the best english and american poets. the paper and printing are beautiful, and the binding rich, elegant, and substantial; the most sensible and attractive of all the elegant gift-books we have seen."--_evening bulletin_. "the publishers deserve the thanks of the public for so happy a thought, so well executed. the engravings are by the best artists, and the other portions of the work correspond in elegance."--_public ledger_. "there is no book of selections so diversified and appropriate within our knowledge."--_pennsylv'n_. "it is one of the most valuable as well as elegant books ever published in this country."--_godey's lady's book_. "it is the most beautiful and the most useful offering ever bestowed on the public. no individual of literary taste will venture to be without it."--_the city item_. * * * * * the young dominican; or, the mysteries of the inquisition, and other secret societies of spain. by m.v. de fereal. with historical notes, by m. manuel de cuendias, translated from the french. illustrated with twenty splendid engravings by french artists one volume, octavo. * * * * * say's political economy. a treatise on political economy; or, the production, distribution and consumption of wealth. by jean baptiste say. fifth american edition, with additional notes, by c.c. biddle, esq. in one volume, octavo. it would be beneficial to our country if all those who are aspiring to office, were required by their constituents to be familiar with the pages of say. the distinguished biographer of the author, in noticing this work, observes: "happily for science, he commenced that study which forms the basis of his admirable treatise on _political economy_; a work which not only improved under his hand with every successive edition, but has been translated into most of the european languages." the editor of the north american review, speaking of say, observes, that "he is the most popular, and perhaps the most able writer on political economy, since the time of smith." * * * * * laurence sterne's works, with a life of the author: written by himself. with seven beautiful illustrations, engraved by gilbert and gihon, from designs by darley. one volume, octavo; cloth, gilt. to commend or to criticise sterne's works, in this age of the world, would be all "wasteful and extravagant excess." uncle toby--corporal trim--the widow--le fevre--poor maria--the captive--even the dead ass,--this is all we have to say of sterne; and in the memory of these characters, histories, and sketches, a thousand follies and worse than follies are forgotten. the volume is a very handsome one. * * * * * the mexican war and its heroes; being a complete history of the mexican war, embracing all the operations under generals taylor and scott. with a biography of the officers. also, an account of the conquest of california and new mexico, under gen. kearny, cols. doniphan and fremont. together with numerous anecdotes of the war, and personal adventures of the officers. illustrated with accurate portraits, and other beautiful engravings. in one volume, 12mo. * * * * * new and complete cook-book. the practical cook-book, containing upwards of one thousand receipts, consisting of directions for selecting, preparing, and cooking all kinds of meats, fish, poultry, and game; soups, broths, vegetables, and salads. also, for making all kinds of plain and fancy breads, pastes, puddings, cakes, creams, ices, jellies, preserves, marmalades, &c. &c. &c. together with various miscellaneous recipes, and numerous preparations for invalids. by mrs. bliss. in one volume, 12mo. * * * * * the city merchant; or the mysterious failure. by j.b. jones, author of "wild western scenes," "the western merchant," &c. illustrated with ten engravings. in one volume, 12mo. * * * * * el puchero; or, a mixed dish from mexico. embracing general scott's campaign, with sketches of military life in field and camp; of the character of the country, manners and ways of the people, &c. by richard m'sherry, m.d., u.s.n., late acting surgeon of regiment of marines. in one volume, 12mo. with numerous illustrations. * * * * * money-bags and titles: a hit at the follies of the age. translated from the french of jules sandeau. by leonard myers. one volume, 12mo. "'_money-bags and titles_' is quite a remarkable work, amounts to a kindly exposure of the folly of human pride, and also presents at once the evil and the remedy. if good-natured ridicule of the impostures practised by a set of self-styled reformers, who have nothing to lose, and to whom change must be gain--if, in short, a delineation of the mistaken ideas which prevent, and the means which conduce to happiness, be traits deserving of commendation,--the reader will find much to enlist his attention and win his approbation in the pages of this unpretending, but truly meritorious publication." * * * * * what is church history? a vindication of the idea of historical developments, by philip schaf. translated from the german. in one volume, 12mo. * * * * * dodd's lectures. discourses to young men. illustrated by numerous highly interesting anecdotes. by william dodd, ll.d., chaplain in ordinary to his majesty george the third. first american edition, with engravings. one volume, 18mo. * * * * * the iris: an original souvenir. with contributions from the first writers in the country. edited by prof. john s. hart. with splendid illuminations and steel engravings. bound in turkey morocco and rich papier mache binding. in one volume, octavo. its contents are entirely original. among the contributors are names well known in the republic of letters; such as mr. boker, mr. stoddard, prof. moffat, edith may, mrs. sigourney, caroline may, mrs. kinney, mrs. butler, mrs. pease, mrs. swift, mr. van bibber, rev. charles t. brooks, mrs. dorr, erastus w. ellsworth, miss e.w. barnes, mrs. williams, mary young, dr. gardette, alice carey, phebe carey, augusta browne, hamilton browne, caroline eustis, margaret junkin, maria j.b. browne, miss starr, mrs. brotherson, kate campbell, &c. * * * * * gems from the sacred mine; or, holy thoughts upon sacred subjects. by clergymen of the episcopal church. edited by thomas wyatt, a.m. in one volume, 12mo. with seven beautiful steel engravings. the contents of this work are chiefly by clergymen of the episcopal church. among the contributors will be found the names of the right rev. bishop potter, bishop hopkins, bishop smith, bishop johns, and bishop doane; and the rev. drs. h.v.d. johns, coleman, and butler; rev. g.t. bedell, m'cabe, ogilsby, &c. the illustrations are rich and exquisitely wrought engravings upon the following subjects:--"samuel before eli," "peter and john healing the lame man," "the resurrection of christ," "joseph sold by his brethren," "the tables of the law." "christ's agony in the garden," and "the flight into egypt." these subjects, with many others in prose and verse, are ably treated throughout the work. * * * * * haw-ho-noo: or, the records of a tourist. by charles lanman, author of "a summer in the wilderness," &c. in one volume, 12mo. "in the present book, '_haw-ho-noo_,' (an indian name, by the way, for america,) the author has gathered up some of the relics of his former tours, and added to them other interesting matter. it contains a number of carefully written and instructive articles upon the various kinds of fish in our country, whose capture affords sport for anglers; reminiscences of unique incidents, manners, and customs in different parts of the country; and other articles, narrative, descriptive, and sentimental. in a supplement are gathered many curious indian legends. they are related with great simplicity and clearness, and will be of service hereafter to the poem makers of america. many of them are quite beautiful."--_national intelligencer_. * * * * * lonz powers; or, the regulators. a romance of kentucky. founded on facts. by james weir, esq. in two volumes. the scenes, characters, and incidents in these volumes have been copied from nature, and from real life. they are represented as taking place at that period in the history of kentucky, when the indian, driven, after many a hard-fought field, from his favourite hunting-ground, was succeeded by a rude and unlettered population, interspersed with organized bands of desperadoes, scarcely less savage than the red men they had displaced. the author possesses a vigorous and graphic pen, and has produced a very interesting romance, which gives us a striking portrait of the times he describes. * * * * * the western merchant. a narrative, containing useful instruction for the western man of business, who makes his purchases in the east. also, information for the eastern man, whose customers are in the west. likewise, hints for those who design emigrating to the west. deduced from actual experience. by luke shortfield, a western merchant. one volume, 12mo. this is a new work, and will be found very interesting to the country merchant, &c. &c. a sprightly, pleasant book, with a vast amount of information in a very agreeable shape. business, love, and religion are all discussed, and many proper sentiments expressed in regard to each. the "moral" of the work is summed up in the following concluding sentences: "adhere steadfastly to your business; adhere steadfastly to your first love; adhere steadfastly to the church." * * * * * a manual of politeness, comprising the principles of etiquette and rules of behaviour in genteel society, for persons of both sexes. 18mo., with plates. * * * * * book of politeness. the gentleman and lady's book of politeness and propriety of deportment dedicated to the youth of both sexes. by madame celnart. translated from the sixth paris edition, enlarged and improved. fifth american edition. one volume, 18mo. * * * * * the antediluvians; or, the world destroyed. a narrative poem, in ten books. by james m'henry, m.d. one volume, 18mo. * * * * * bennett's (rev. john) letters to a young lady, on a variety of subjects calculated to improve the heart, to form the manners, and enlighten the understanding. 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so that the question frequently asked, without obtaining a satisfactory reply, is here answered in full. other tables show the distances from new york, &c., to domestic and foreign ports, by sea; and also, by way of comparison, from new york and liverpool to the principal ports beyond and around cape horn, &c., as well as _via_ the isthmus of panama. accompanied by a large and accurate map of the united states, including a separate map of california, oregon, new mexico and utah. also, a map of the island of cuba, and plan of the city and harbor of havana; and a map of niagara river and falls. * * * * * the legislative guide: containing directions for conducting business in the house of representatives; the senate of the united states; the joint rules of both houses; a synopsis of jefferson's manual, and copious indices; together with a concise system of rules of order, based on the regulations of the u.s. congress. designed to economise time, secure uniformity and despatch in conducting business in all secular meetings, and also in all religious, political, and legislative assemblies. by joseph bartlett burleigh, ll. d. in one volume, 12mo. this is considered by our judges and congressmen as decidedly the best work of the kind extant. every young man in the country should have a copy of this book. * * * * * the initials; a story of modern life. three volumes of the london edition complete in one volume 12mo. a new novel, equal to "jane eyre." * * * * * wild western scenes: a narrative of adventures in the western wilderness. wherein the exploits of daniel boone, the great american pioneer, are particularly described. also, minute accounts of bear, deer, and buffalo hunts--desperate conflicts with the savages--fishing and fowling adventures--encounters with serpents, &c. by luke shortfield, author of "the western merchant." beautifully illustrated. one volume, 12mo. * * * * * poems of the pleasures: consisting of the pleasures of imagination, by akenside; the pleasures of memory by samuel rogers; the pleasures of hope, by campbell; and the pleasures of friendship, by mchenry. with a memoir of each author, prepared expressly for this work. 18mo. * * * * * baldwin's pronouncing gazetteer. a pronouncing gazetteer: containing topographical, statistical, and other information, of all the more important places in the known world, from the most recent and authentic sources. by thomas baldwin. _assisted by several other gentlemen._ to which is added an appendix, containing more than ten thousand additional names, chiefly of the small towns and villages, &c., of the united states and of mexico. ninth edition, with a supplement, giving the pronunciation of near two thousand names, besides those pronounced in the original work: forming in itself a complete vocabulary of geographical pronunciation. one volume 12mo.--price, $1.50. * * * * * arthur's library for the household. complete in twelve handsome 18mo. volumes, bound in scarlet cloth. 1. woman's trials; or, tales and sketches from the life around us. 2. married life; its shadows and sunshine. 3. the two wives; or lost and won. 4. the ways of providence; or, "he doeth all things well." 5. home scenes and home influences. 6. stories for young housekeepers. 7. lessons in life, for all who will read them. 8. seed-time and harvest; or, whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. 9. stories for parents. 10. off-hand sketches, a little dashed with humor. 11. words for the wise. 12. the tried and the tempted. the above series are sold together or separate, as each work is complete in itself. no family should be without a copy of this interesting and instructive series. price thirty-seven and a half cents per volume. * * * * * field's scrap book.--new edition. literary and miscellaneous scrap book. consisting of tales and anecdotes--biographical, historical, patriotic, moral, religious, and sentimental pieces, in prose and poetry. compiled by william fields. second edition, revised and improved. in one handsome 8vo. volume. price, $2.00. * * * * * the arkansaw doctor. the life and adventures of an arkansaw doctor. by david rattlehead, m.d. "_the man of scrapes._" with numerous illustrations. price fifty cents. * * * * * the human body and its connexion with man. illustrated by the principal organs. by james john garth wilkinson, member of the royal college of surgeons of england. in one volume, 12mo--price $1.25. footnotes: [footnote a: uncle tom's cabin.] [footnote b: a number of slaves have been manumitted recently at the south--in one instance more than half preferred to remain in slavery in new orleans, to going to the north.] the quest of the silver fleece _a novel_ w.e.b. du bois 1911 a.c. mcclurg & co. _contents_ the quest of the silver fleece _note from the author_ 3 _one_: dreams 5 _two_: the school 12 _three_: miss mary taylor 16 _four_: town 23 _five_: zora 33 _six_: cotton 42 _seven_: the place of dreams 53 _eight_: mr. harry cresswell 66 _nine_: the planting 74 _ten_: mr. taylor calls 84 _eleven_: the flowering of the fleece 99 _twelve_: the promise 108 _thirteen_: mrs. grey gives a dinner 122 _fourteen_: love 128 _fifteen_: revelation 134 _sixteen_: the great refusal 146 _seventeen_: the rape of the fleece 154 _eighteen_: the cotton corner 162 _nineteen_: the dying of elspeth 171 _twenty_: the weaving of the silver fleece 182 _twenty-one_: the marriage morning 191 _twenty-two_: miss caroline wynn 199 _twenty-three_: the training of zora 210 _twenty-four_: the education of alwyn 218 _twenty-five_: the campaign 230 _twenty-six_: congressman cresswell 244 _twenty-seven_: the vision of zora 254 _twenty-eight_: the annunciation 263 _twenty-nine_: a master of fate 271 _thirty_: the return of zora 283 _thirty-one_: a parting of ways 293 _thirty-two_: zora's way 309 _thirty-three_: the buying of the swamp 316 _thirty-four_: the return of alwyn 328 _thirty-five_: the cotton mill 339 _thirty-six_: the land 350 _thirty-seven_: the mob 364 _thirty-eight_: atonement 371 the quest of the silver fleece to one whose name may not be written but to whose tireless faith the shaping of these cruder thoughts to forms more fitly perfect is doubtless due, this finished work is herewith dedicated _note_ he who would tell a tale must look toward three ideals: to tell it well, to tell it beautifully, and to tell the truth. the first is the gift of god, the second is the vision of genius, but the third is the reward of honesty. in _the quest of the silver fleece_ there is little, i ween, divine or ingenious; but, at least, i have been honest. in no fact or picture have i consciously set down aught the counterpart of which i have not seen or known; and whatever the finished picture may lack of completeness, this lack is due now to the story-teller, now to the artist, but never to the herald of the truth. new york city _august 15, 1911_ the author _one_ dreams night fell. the red waters of the swamp grew sinister and sullen. the tall pines lost their slimness and stood in wide blurred blotches all across the way, and a great shadowy bird arose, wheeled and melted, murmuring, into the black-green sky. the boy wearily dropped his heavy bundle and stood still, listening as the voice of crickets split the shadows and made the silence audible. a tear wandered down his brown cheek. they were at supper now, he whispered--the father and old mother, away back yonder beyond the night. they were far away; they would never be as near as once they had been, for he had stepped into the world. and the cat and old billy--ah, but the world was a lonely thing, so wide and tall and empty! and so bare, so bitter bare! somehow he had never dreamed of the world as lonely before; he had fared forth to beckoning hands and luring, and to the eager hum of human voices, as of some great, swelling music. yet now he was alone; the empty night was closing all about him here in a strange land, and he was afraid. the bundle with his earthly treasure had hung heavy and heavier on his shoulder; his little horde of money was tightly wadded in his sock, and the school lay hidden somewhere far away in the shadows. he wondered how far it was; he looked and harkened, starting at his own heartbeats, and fearing more and more the long dark fingers of the night. then of a sudden up from the darkness came music. it was human music, but of a wildness and a weirdness that startled the boy as it fluttered and danced across the dull red waters of the swamp. he hesitated, then impelled by some strange power, left the highway and slipped into the forest of the swamp, shrinking, yet following the song hungrily and half forgetting his fear. a harsher, shriller note struck in as of many and ruder voices; but above it flew the first sweet music, birdlike, abandoned, and the boy crept closer. the cabin crouched ragged and black at the edge of black waters. an old chimney leaned drunkenly against it, raging with fire and smoke, while through the chinks winked red gleams of warmth and wild cheer. with a revel of shouting and noise, the music suddenly ceased. hoarse staccato cries and peals of laughter shook the old hut, and as the boy stood there peering through the black trees, abruptly the door flew open and a flood of light illumined the wood. amid this mighty halo, as on clouds of flame, a girl was dancing. she was black, and lithe, and tall, and willowy. her garments twined and flew around the delicate moulding of her dark, young, half-naked limbs. a heavy mass of hair clung motionless to her wide forehead. her arms twirled and flickered, and body and soul seemed quivering and whirring in the poetry of her motion. as she danced she sang. he heard her voice as before, fluttering like a bird's in the full sweetness of her utter music. it was no tune nor melody, it was just formless, boundless music. the boy forgot himself and all the world besides. all his darkness was sudden light; dazzled he crept forward, bewildered, fascinated, until with one last wild whirl the elf-girl paused. the crimson light fell full upon the warm and velvet bronze of her face--her midnight eyes were aglow, her full purple lips apart, her half hid bosom panting, and all the music dead. involuntarily the boy gave a gasping cry and awoke to swamp and night and fire, while a white face, drawn, red-eyed, peered outward from some hidden throng within the cabin. "who's that?" a harsh voice cried. "where?" "who is it?" and pale crowding faces blurred the light. the boy wheeled blindly and fled in terror stumbling through the swamp, hearing strange sounds and feeling stealthy creeping hands and arms and whispering voices. on he toiled in mad haste, struggling toward the road and losing it until finally beneath the shadows of a mighty oak he sank exhausted. there he lay a while trembling and at last drifted into dreamless sleep. it was morning when he awoke and threw a startled glance upward to the twisted branches of the oak that bent above, sifting down sunshine on his brown face and close curled hair. slowly he remembered the loneliness, the fear and wild running through the dark. he laughed in the bold courage of day and stretched himself. then suddenly he bethought him again of that vision of the night--the waving arms and flying limbs of the girl, and her great black eyes looking into the night and calling him. he could hear her now, and hear that wondrous savage music. had it been real? had he dreamed? or had it been some witch-vision of the night, come to tempt and lure him to his undoing? where was that black and flaming cabin? where was the girl--the soul that had called him? _she_ must have been real; she had to live and dance and sing; he must again look into the mystery of her great eyes. and he sat up in sudden determination, and, lo! gazed straight into the very eyes of his dreaming. she sat not four feet from him, leaning against the great tree, her eyes now languorously abstracted, now alert and quizzical with mischief. she seemed but half-clothed, and her warm, dark flesh peeped furtively through the rent gown; her thick, crisp hair was frowsy and rumpled, and the long curves of her bare young arms gleamed in the morning sunshine, glowing with vigor and life. a little mocking smile came and sat upon her lips. "what you run for?" she asked, with dancing mischief in her eyes. "because--" he hesitated, and his cheeks grew hot. "i knows," she said, with impish glee, laughing low music. "why?" he challenged, sturdily. "you was a-feared." he bridled. "well, i reckon you'd be a-feared if you was caught out in the black dark all alone." "pooh!" she scoffed and hugged her knees. "pooh! i've stayed out all alone heaps o' nights." he looked at her with a curious awe. "i don't believe you," he asserted; but she tossed her head and her eyes grew scornful. "who's a-feared of the dark? i love night." her eyes grew soft. he watched her silently, till, waking from her daydream, she abruptly asked: "where you from?" "georgia." "where's that?" he looked at her in surprise, but she seemed matter-of-fact. "it's away over yonder," he answered. "behind where the sun comes up?" "oh, no!" "then it ain't so far," she declared. "i knows where the sun rises, and i knows where it sets." she looked up at its gleaming splendor glinting through the leaves, and, noting its height, announced abruptly: "i'se hungry." "so'm i," answered the boy, fumbling at his bundle; and then, timidly: "will you eat with me?" "yes," she said, and watched him with eager eyes. untying the strips of cloth, he opened his box, and disclosed chicken and biscuits, ham and corn-bread. she clapped her hands in glee. "is there any water near?" he asked. without a word, she bounded up and flitted off like a brown bird, gleaming dull-golden in the sun, glancing in and out among the trees, till she paused above a tiny black pool, and then came tripping and swaying back with hands held cupwise and dripping with cool water. "drink," she cried. obediently he bent over the little hands that seemed so soft and thin. he took a deep draught; and then to drain the last drop, his hands touched hers and the shock of flesh first meeting flesh startled them both, while the water rained through. a moment their eyes looked deep into each other's--a timid, startled gleam in hers; a wonder in his. then she said dreamily: "we'se known us all our lives, and--before, ain't we?" he hesitated. "ye--es--i reckon," he slowly returned. and then, brightening, he asked gayly: "and we'll be friends always, won't we?" "yes," she said at last, slowly and solemnly, and another brief moment they stood still. then the mischief danced in her eyes, and a song bubbled on her lips. she hopped to the tree. "come--eat!" she cried. and they nestled together amid the big black roots of the oak, laughing and talking while they ate. "what's over there?" he asked pointing northward. "cresswell's big house." "and yonder to the west?" "the school." he started joyfully. "the school! what school?" "old miss' school." "miss smith's school?" "yes." the tone was disdainful. "why, that's where i'm going. i was a-feared it was a long way off; i must have passed it in the night." "i hate it!" cried the girl, her lips tense. "but i'll be so near," he explained. "and why do you hate it?" "yes--you'll be near," she admitted; "that'll be nice; but--" she glanced westward, and the fierce look faded. soft joy crept to her face again, and she sat once more dreaming. "yon way's nicest," she said. "why, what's there?" "the swamp," she said mysteriously. "and what's beyond the swamp?" she crouched beside him and whispered in eager, tense tones: "dreams!" he looked at her, puzzled. "dreams?" vaguely--"dreams? why, dreams ain't--nothing." "oh, yes they is!" she insisted, her eyes flaming in misty radiance as she sat staring beyond the shadows of the swamp. "yes they is! there ain't nothing but dreams--that is, nothing much. "and over yonder behind the swamps is great fields full of dreams, piled high and burning; and right amongst them the sun, when he's tired o' night, whispers and drops red things, 'cept when devils make 'em black." the boy stared at her; he knew not whether to jeer or wonder. "how you know?" he asked at last, skeptically. "promise you won't tell?" "yes," he answered. she cuddled into a little heap, nursing her knees, and answered slowly. "i goes there sometimes. i creeps in 'mongst the dreams; they hangs there like big flowers, dripping dew and sugar and blood--red, red blood. and there's little fairies there that hop about and sing, and devils--great, ugly devils that grabs at you and roasts and eats you if they gits you; but they don't git me. some devils is big and white, like ha'nts; some is long and shiny, like creepy, slippery snakes; and some is little and broad and black, and they yells--" the boy was listening in incredulous curiosity, half minded to laugh, half minded to edge away from the black-red radiance of yonder dusky swamp. he glanced furtively backward, and his heart gave a great bound. "some is little and broad and black, and they yells--" chanted the girl. and as she chanted, deep, harsh tones came booming through the forest: "_zo-ra! zo-ra!_ o--o--oh, zora!" he saw far behind him, toward the shadows of the swamp, an old woman--short, broad, black and wrinkled, with fangs and pendulous lips and red, wicked eyes. his heart bounded in sudden fear; he wheeled toward the girl, and caught only the uncertain flash of her garments--the wood was silent, and he was alone. he arose, startled, quickly gathered his bundle, and looked around him. the sun was strong and high, the morning fresh and vigorous. stamping one foot angrily, he strode jauntily out of the wood toward the big road. but ever and anon he glanced curiously back. had he seen a haunt? or was the elf-girl real? and then he thought of her words: "we'se known us all our lives." _two_ the school day was breaking above the white buildings of the negro school and throwing long, low lines of gold in at miss sarah smith's front window. she lay in the stupor of her last morning nap, after a night of harrowing worry. then, even as she partially awoke, she lay still with closed eyes, feeling the shadow of some great burden, yet daring not to rouse herself and recall its exact form; slowly again she drifted toward unconsciousness. "_bang! bang! bang!_" hard knuckles were beating upon the door below. she heard drowsily, and dreamed that it was the nailing up of all her doors; but she did not care much, and but feebly warded the blows away, for she was very tired. "_bang! bang! bang!_" persisted the hard knuckles. she started up, and her eye fell upon a letter lying on her bureau. back she sank with a sigh, and lay staring at the ceiling--a gaunt, flat, sad-eyed creature, with wisps of gray hair half-covering her baldness, and a face furrowed with care and gathering years. it was thirty years ago this day, she recalled, since she first came to this broad land of shade and shine in alabama to teach black folks. it had been a hard beginning with suspicion and squalor around; with poverty within and without the first white walls of the new school home. yet somehow the struggle then with all its helplessness and disappointment had not seemed so bitter as today: then failure meant but little, now it seemed to mean everything; then it meant disappointment to a score of ragged urchins, now it meant two hundred boys and girls, the spirits of a thousand gone before and the hopes of thousands to come. in her imagination the significance of these half dozen gleaming buildings perched aloft seemed portentous--big with the destiny not simply of a county and a state, but of a race--a nation--a world. it was god's own cause, and yet-"_bang! bang! bang!_" again went the hard knuckles down there at the front. miss smith slowly arose, shivering a bit and wondering who could possibly be rapping at that time in the morning. she sniffed the chilling air and was sure she caught some lingering perfume from mrs. vanderpool's gown. she had brought this rich and rare-apparelled lady up here yesterday, because it was more private, and here she had poured forth her needs. she had talked long and in deadly earnest. she had not spoken of the endowment for which she had hoped so desperately during a quarter of a century--no, only for the five thousand dollars to buy the long needed new land. it was so little--so little beside what this woman squandered-the insistent knocking was repeated louder than before. "sakes alive," cried miss smith, throwing a shawl about her and leaning out the window. "who is it, and what do you want?" "please, ma'am. i've come to school," answered a tall black boy with a bundle. "well, why don't you go to the office?" then she saw his face and hesitated. she felt again the old motherly instinct to be the first to welcome the new pupil; a luxury which, in later years, the endless push of details had denied her. "wait!" she cried shortly, and began to dress. a new boy, she mused. yes, every day they straggled in; every day came the call for more, more--this great, growing thirst to know--to do--to be. and yet that woman had sat right here, aloof, imperturbable, listening only courteously. when miss smith finished, she had paused and, flicking her glove,-"my dear miss smith," she said softly, with a tone that just escaped a drawl--"my dear miss smith, your work is interesting and your faith--marvellous; but, frankly, i cannot make myself believe in it. you are trying to treat these funny little monkeys just as you would your own children--or even mine. it's quite heroic, of course, but it's sheer madness, and i do not feel i ought to encourage it. i would not mind a thousand or so to train a good cook for the cresswells, or a clean and faithful maid for myself--for helene has faults--or indeed deft and tractable laboring-folk for any one; but i'm quite through trying to turn natural servants into masters of me and mine. i--hope i'm not too blunt; i hope i make myself clear. you know, statistics show--" "drat statistics!" miss smith had flashed impatiently. "these are folks." mrs. vanderpool smiled indulgently. "to be sure," she murmured, "but what sort of folks?" "god's sort." "oh, well--" but miss smith had the bit in her teeth and could not have stopped. she was paying high for the privilege of talking, but it had to be said. "god's sort, mrs. vanderpool--not the sort that think of the world as arranged for their exclusive benefit and comfort." "well, i do want to count--" miss smith bent forward--not a beautiful pose, but earnest. "i want you to count, and i want to count, too; but i don't want us to be the only ones that count. i want to live in a world where every soul counts--white, black, and yellow--all. _that's_ what i'm teaching these children here--to count, and not to be like dumb, driven cattle. if you don't believe in this, of course you cannot help us." "your spirit is admirable, miss smith," she had said very softly; "i only wish i could feel as you do. good-afternoon," and she had rustled gently down the narrow stairs, leaving an all but imperceptible suggestion of perfume. miss smith could smell it yet as she went down this morning. the breakfast bell jangled. "five thousand dollars," she kept repeating to herself, greeting the teachers absently--"five thousand dollars." and then on the porch she was suddenly aware of the awaiting boy. she eyed him critically: black, fifteen, country-bred, strong, clear-eyed. "well?" she asked in that brusque manner wherewith her natural timidity was wont to mask her kindness. "well, sir?" "i've come to school." "humph--we can't teach boys for nothing." the boy straightened. "i can pay my way," he returned. "you mean you can pay what we ask?" "why, yes. ain't that all?" "no. the rest is gathered from the crumbs of dives' table." then he saw the twinkle in her eyes. she laid her hand gently upon his shoulder. "if you don't hurry you'll be late to breakfast," she said with an air of confidence. "see those boys over there? follow them, and at noon come to the office--wait! what's your name?" "blessed alwyn," he answered, and the passing teachers smiled. _three_ miss mary taylor miss mary taylor did not take a college course for the purpose of teaching negroes. not that she objected to negroes as human beings--quite the contrary. in the debate between the senior societies her defence of the fifteenth amendment had been not only a notable bit of reasoning, but delivered with real enthusiasm. nevertheless, when the end of the summer came and the only opening facing her was the teaching of children at miss smith's experiment in the alabama swamps, it must be frankly confessed that miss taylor was disappointed. her dream had been a post-graduate course at bryn mawr; but that was out of the question until money was earned. she had pictured herself earning this by teaching one or two of her "specialties" in some private school near new york or boston, or even in a western college. the south she had not thought of seriously; and yet, knowing of its delightful hospitality and mild climate, she was not averse to charleston or new orleans. but from the offer that came to teach negroes--country negroes, and little ones at that--she shrank, and, indeed, probably would have refused it out of hand had it not been for her queer brother, john. john taylor, who had supported her through college, was interested in cotton. having certain schemes in mind, he had been struck by the fact that the smith school was in the midst of the alabama cotton-belt. "better go," he had counselled, sententiously. "might learn something useful down there." she had been not a little dismayed by the outlook, and had protested against his blunt insistence. "but, john, there's no society--just elementary work--" john had met this objection with, "humph!" as he left for his office. next day he had returned to the subject. "been looking up tooms county. find some cresswells there--big plantations--rated at two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. some others, too; big cotton county." "you ought to know, john, if i teach negroes i'll scarcely see much of people in my own class." "nonsense! butt in. show off. give 'em your greek--and study cotton. at any rate, i say go." and so, howsoever reluctantly, she had gone. the trial was all she had anticipated, and possibly a bit more. she was a pretty young woman of twenty-three, fair and rather daintily moulded. in favorable surroundings, she would have been an aristocrat and an epicure. here she was teaching dirty children, and the smell of confused odors and bodily perspiration was to her at times unbearable. then there was the fact of their color: it was a fact so insistent, so fatal she almost said at times, that she could not escape it. theoretically she had always treated it with disdainful ease. "what's the mere color of a human soul's skin," she had cried to a wellesley audience and the audience had applauded with enthusiasm. but here in alabama, brought closely and intimately in touch with these dark skinned children, their color struck her at first with a sort of terror--it seemed ominous and forbidding. she found herself shrinking away and gripping herself lest they should perceive. she could not help but think that in most other things they were as different from her as in color. she groped for new ways to teach colored brains and marshal colored thoughts and the result was puzzling both to teacher and student. with the other teachers she had little commerce. they were in no sense her sort of folk. miss smith represented the older new england of her parents--honest, inscrutable, determined, with a conscience which she worshipped, and utterly unselfish. she appealed to miss taylor's ruddier and daintier vision but dimly and distantly as some memory of the past. the other teachers were indistinct personalities, always very busy and very tired, and talking "school-room" with their meals. miss taylor was soon starving for human companionship, for the lighter touches of life and some of its warmth and laughter. she wanted a glance of the new books and periodicals and talk of great philanthropies and reforms. she felt out of the world, shut in and mentally anã¦mic; great as the "negro problem" might be as a world problem, it looked sordid and small at close range. so for the hundredth time she was thinking today, as she walked alone up the lane back of the barn, and then slowly down through the bottoms. she paused a moment and nodded to the two boys at work in a young cotton field. "cotton!" she paused. she remembered with what interest she had always read of this little thread of the world. she had almost forgotten that it was here within touch and sight. for a moment something of the vision of cotton was mirrored in her mind. the glimmering sea of delicate leaves whispered and murmured before her, stretching away to the northward. she remembered that beyond this little world it stretched on and on--how far she did not know--but on and on in a great trembling sea, and the foam of its mighty waters would one time flood the ends of the earth. she glimpsed all this with parted lips, and then sighed impatiently. there might be a bit of poetry here and there, but most of this place was such desperate prose. she glanced absently at the boys. one was bles alwyn, a tall black lad. (bles, she mused,--now who would think of naming a boy "blessed," save these incomprehensible creatures!) her regard shifted to the green stalks and leaves again, and she started to move away. then her new england conscience stepped in. she ought not to pass these students without a word of encouragement or instruction. "cotton is a wonderful thing, is it not, boys?" she said rather primly. the boys touched their hats and murmured something indistinctly. miss taylor did not know much about cotton, but at least one more remark seemed called for. "how long before the stalks will be ready to cut?" she asked carelessly. the farther boy coughed and bles raised his eyes and looked at her; then after a pause he answered slowly. (oh! these people were so slow--now a new england boy would have answered and asked a half-dozen questions in the time.) "i--i don't know," he faltered. "don't know! well, of all things!" inwardly commented miss taylor--"literally born in cotton, and--oh, well," as much as to ask, "what's the use?" she turned again to go. "what is planted over there?" she asked, although she really didn't care. "goobers," answered the smaller boy. "goobers?" uncomprehendingly. "peanuts," bles specified. "oh!" murmured miss taylor. "i see there are none on the vines yet. i suppose, though, it's too early for them." then came the explosion. the smaller boy just snorted with irrepressible laughter and bolted across the fields. and bles--was miss taylor deceived?--or was he chuckling? she reddened, drew herself up, and then, dropping her primness, rippled with laughter. "what is the matter, bles?" she asked. he looked at her with twinkling eyes. "well, you see, miss taylor, it's like this: farming don't seem to be your specialty." the word was often on miss taylor's lips, and she recognized it. despite herself she smiled again. "of course, it isn't--i don't know anything about farming. but what did i say so funny?" bles was now laughing outright. "why, miss taylor! i declare! goobers don't grow on the tops of vines, but underground on the roots--like yams." "is that so?" "yes, and we--we don't pick cotton stalks except for kindling." "i must have been thinking of hemp. but tell me more about cotton." his eyes lighted, for cotton was to him a very real and beautiful thing, and a life-long companion, yet not one whose friendship had been coarsened and killed by heavy toil. he leaned against his hoe and talked half dreamily--where had he learned so well that dream-talk? "we turn up the earth and sow it soon after christmas. then pretty soon there comes a sort of greenness on the black land and it swells and grows and, and--shivers. then stalks shoot up with three or four leaves. that's the way it is now, see? after that we chop out the weak stalks, and the strong ones grow tall and dark, till i think it must be like the ocean--all green and billowy; then come little flecks here and there and the sea is all filled with flowers--flowers like little bells, blue and purple and white." "ah! that must be beautiful," sighed miss taylor, wistfully, sinking to the ground and clasping her hands about her knees. "yes, ma'am. but it's prettiest when the bolls come and swell and burst, and the cotton covers the field like foam, all misty--" she bent wondering over the pale plants. the poetry of the thing began to sing within her, awakening her unpoetic imagination, and she murmured: "the golden fleece--it's the silver fleece!" he harkened. "what's that?" he asked. "have you never heard of the golden fleece, bles?" "no, ma'am," he said eagerly; then glancing up toward the cresswell fields, he saw two white men watching them. he grasped his hoe and started briskly to work. "some time you'll tell me, please, won't you?" she glanced at her watch in surprise and arose hastily. "yes, with pleasure," she said moving away--at first very fast, and then more and more slowly up the lane, with a puzzled look on her face. she began to realize that in this pleasant little chat the fact of the boy's color had quite escaped her; and what especially puzzled her was that this had not happened before. she had been here four months, and yet every moment up to now she seemed to have been vividly, almost painfully conscious, that she was a white woman talking to black folk. now, for one little half-hour she had been a woman talking to a boy--no, not even that: she had been talking--just talking; there were no persons in the conversation, just things--one thing: cotton. she started thinking of cotton--but at once she pulled herself back to the other aspect. always before she had been veiled from these folk: who had put the veil there? had she herself hung it before her soul, or had they hidden timidly behind its other side? or was it simply a brute fact, regardless of both of them? the longer she thought, the more bewildered she grew. there seemed no analogy that she knew. here was a unique thing, and she climbed to her bedroom and stared at the stars. _four_ town john taylor had written to his sister. he wanted information, very definite information, about tooms county cotton; about its stores, its people--especially its people. he propounded a dozen questions, sharp, searching questions, and he wanted the answers tomorrow. impossible! thought miss taylor. he had calculated on her getting this letter yesterday, forgetting that their mail was fetched once a day from the town, four miles away. then, too, she did not know all these matters and knew no one who did. did john think she had nothing else to do? and sighing at the thought of to-morrow's drudgery, she determined to consult miss smith in the morning. miss smith suggested a drive to town--bles could take her in the top-buggy after school--and she could consult some of the merchants and business men. she could then write her letter and mail it there; it would be but a day or so late getting to new york. "of course," said miss smith drily, slowly folding her napkin, "of course, the only people here are the cresswells." "oh, yes," said miss taylor invitingly. there was an allurement about this all-pervasive name; it held her by a growing fascination and she was anxious for the older woman to amplify. miss smith, however, remained provokingly silent, so miss taylor essayed further. "what sort of people are the cresswells?" she asked. "the old man's a fool; the young one a rascal; the girl a ninny," was miss smith's succinct and acid classification of the county's first family; adding, as she rose, "but they own us body and soul." she hurried out of the dining-room without further remark. miss smith was more patient with black folk than with white. the sun was hanging just above the tallest trees of the swamp when miss taylor, weary with the day's work, climbed into the buggy beside bles. they wheeled comfortably down the road, leaving the sombre swamp, with its black-green, to the right, and heading toward the golden-green of waving cotton fields. miss taylor lay back, listlessly, and drank the soft warm air of the languorous spring. she thought of the golden sheen of the cotton, and the cold march winds of new england; of her brother who apparently noted nothing of leaves and winds and seasons; and of the mighty cresswells whom miss smith so evidently disliked. suddenly she became aware of her long silence and the silence of the boy. "bles," she began didactically, "where are you from?" he glanced across at her and answered shortly: "georgia, ma'am," and was silent. the girl tried again. "georgia is a large state,"--tentatively. "yes, ma'am." "are you going back there when you finish?" "i don't know." "i think you ought to--and work for your people." "yes, ma'am." she stopped, puzzled, and looked about. the old horse jogged lazily on, and bles switched him unavailingly. somehow she had missed the way today. the veil hung thick, sombre, impenetrable. well, she had done her duty, and slowly she nestled back and watched the far-off green and golden radiance of the cotton. "bles," she said impulsively, "shall i tell you of the golden fleece?" he glanced at her again. "yes'm, please," he said. she settled herself almost luxuriously, and began the story of jason and the argonauts. the boy remained silent. and when she had finished, he still sat silent, elbow on knee, absently flicking the jogging horse and staring ahead at the horizon. she looked at him doubtfully with some disappointment that his hearing had apparently shared so little of the joy of her telling; and, too, there was mingled a vague sense of having lowered herself to too familiar fellowship with this--this boy. she straightened herself instinctively and thought of some remark that would restore proper relations. she had not found it before he said, slowly: "all yon is jason's." "what?" she asked, puzzled. he pointed with one sweep of his long arm to the quivering mass of green-gold foliage that swept from swamp to horizon. "all yon golden fleece is jason's now," he repeated. "i thought it was--cresswell's," she said. "that's what i mean." she suddenly understood that the story had sunk deeply. "i am glad to hear you say that," she said methodically, "for jason was a brave adventurer--" "i thought he was a thief." "oh, well--those were other times." "the cresswells are thieves now." miss taylor answered sharply. "bles, i am ashamed to hear you talk so of your neighbors simply because they are white." but bles continued. "this is the black sea," he said, pointing to the dull cabins that crouched here and there upon the earth, with the dark twinkling of their black folk darting out to see the strangers ride by. despite herself miss taylor caught the allegory and half whispered, "lo! the king himself!" as a black man almost rose from the tangled earth at their side. he was tall and thin and sombre-hued, with a carven face and thick gray hair. "your servant, mistress," he said, with a sweeping bow as he strode toward the swamp. miss taylor stopped him, for he looked interesting, and might answer some of her brother's questions. he turned back and stood regarding her with sorrowful eyes and ugly mouth. "do you live about here?" she asked. "i'se lived here a hundred years," he answered. she did not believe it; he might be seventy, eighty, or even ninety--indeed, there was about him that indefinable sense of age--some shadow of endless living; but a hundred seemed absurd. "you know the people pretty well, then?" "i knows dem all. i knows most of 'em better dan dey knows demselves. i knows a heap of tings in dis world and in de next." "this is a great cotton country?" "dey don't raise no cotton now to what dey used to when old gen'rel cresswell fust come from carolina; den it was a bale and a half to the acre on stalks dat looked like young brushwood. dat was cotton." "you know the cresswells, then?" "know dem? i knowed dem afore dey was born." "they are--wealthy people?" "dey rolls in money and dey'se quality, too. no shoddy upstarts dem, but born to purple, lady, born to purple. old gen'ral cresswell had niggers and acres no end back dere in carolina. he brung a part of dem here and here his son, de father of dis colonel cresswell, was born. de son--i knowed him well--he had a tousand niggers and ten tousand acres afore de war." "were they kind to their slaves?" "oh, yaas, yaas, ma'am, dey was careful of de're niggers and wouldn't let de drivers whip 'em much." "and these cresswells today?" "oh, dey're quality--high-blooded folks--dey'se lost some land and niggers, but, lordy, nuttin' can buy de cresswells, dey naturally owns de world." "are they honest and kind?" "oh, yaas, ma'am--dey'se good white folks." "good white folk?" "oh, yaas, ma'am--course you knows white folks will be white folks--white folks will be white folks. your servant, ma'am." and the swamp swallowed him. the boy's eyes followed him as he whipped up the horse. "he's going to elspeth's," he said. "who is he?" "we just call him old pappy--he's a preacher, and some folks say a conjure man, too." "and who is elspeth?" "she lives in the swamp--she's a kind of witch, i reckon, like--like--" "like medea?" "yes--only--i don't know--" and he grew thoughtful. the road turned now and far away to the eastward rose the first straggling cabins of the town. creeping toward them down the road rolled a dark squat figure. it grew and spread slowly on the horizon until it became a fat old black woman, hooded and aproned, with great round hips and massive bosom. her face was heavy and homely until she looked up and lifted the drooping cheeks, and then kindly old eyes beamed on the young teacher, as she curtsied and cried: "good-evening, honey! good-evening! you sure is pretty dis evening." "why, aunt rachel, how are you?" there was genuine pleasure in the girl's tone. "just tolerable, honey, bless de lord! rumatiz is kind o' bad and aunt rachel ain't so young as she use ter be." "and what brings you to town afoot this time of day?" the face fell again to dull care and the old eyes crept away. she fumbled with her cane. "it's de boys again, honey," she returned solemnly; "dey'se good boys, dey is good to de're old mammy, but dey'se high strung and dey gits fighting and drinking and--and--last saturday night dey got took up again. i'se been to jedge grey--i use to tote him on my knee, honey--i'se been to him to plead him not to let 'em go on de gang, 'cause you see, honey," and she stroked the girl's sleeve as if pleading with her, too, "you see it done ruins boys to put 'em on de gang." miss taylor tried hard to think of something comforting to say, but words seemed inadequate to cheer the old soul; but after a few moments they rode on, leaving the kind face again beaming and dimpling. and now the country town of toomsville lifted itself above the cotton and corn, fringed with dirty straggling cabins of black folk. the road swung past the iron watering trough, turned sharply and, after passing two or three pert cottages and a stately house, old and faded, opened into the wide square. here pulsed the very life and being of the land. yonder great bales of cotton, yellow-white in its soiled sacking, piled in lofty, dusty mountains, lay listening for the train that, twice a day, ran out to the greater world. round about, tied to the well-gnawed hitching rails, were rows of mules--mules with back cloths; mules with saddles; mules hitched to long wagons, buggies, and rickety gigs; mules munching golden ears of corn, and mules drooping their heads in sorrowful memory of better days. beyond the cotton warehouse smoked the chimneys of the seed-mill and the cotton-gin; a red livery-stable faced them and all about three sides of the square ran stores; big stores and small wide-windowed, narrow stores. some had old steps above the worn clay side-walks, and some were flush with the ground. all had a general sense of dilapidation--save one, the largest and most imposing, a three-story brick. this was caldwell's "emporium"; and here bles stopped and miss taylor entered. mr. caldwell himself hurried forward; and the whole store, clerks and customers, stood at attention, for miss taylor was yet new to the county. she bought a few trifles and then approached her main business. "my brother wants some information about the county, mr. caldwell, and i am only a teacher, and do not know much about conditions here." "ah! where do you teach?" asked mr. caldwell. he was certain he knew the teachers of all the white schools in the county. miss taylor told him. he stiffened slightly but perceptibly, like a man clicking the buckles of his ready armor, and two townswomen who listened gradually turned their backs, but remained near. "yes--yes," he said, with uncomfortable haste. "any--er--information--of course--" miss taylor got out her notes. "the leading land-owners," she began, sorting the notes searchingly, "i should like to know something about them." "well, colonel cresswell is, of course, our greatest landlord--a high-bred gentleman of the old school. he and his son--a worthy successor to the name--hold some fifty thousand acres. they may be considered representative types. then, mr. maxwell has ten thousand acres and mr. tolliver a thousand." miss taylor wrote rapidly. "and cotton?" she asked. "we raise considerable cotton, but not nearly what we ought to; nigger labor is too worthless." "oh! the negroes are not, then, very efficient?" "efficient!" snorted mr. caldwell; at last she had broached a phase of the problem upon which he could dilate with fervor. "they're the lowest-down, ornriest--begging your pardon--good-for-nothing loafers you ever heard of. why, we just have to carry them and care for them like children. look yonder," he pointed across the square to the court-house. it was an old square brick-and-stucco building, sombre and stilted and very dirty. out of it filed a stream of men--some black and shackled; some white and swaggering and liberal with tobacco-juice; some white and shaven and stiff. "court's just out," pursued mr. caldwell, "and them niggers have just been sent to the gang--young ones, too; educated but good for nothing. they're all that way." miss taylor looked up a little puzzled, and became aware of a battery of eyes and ears. everybody seemed craning and listening, and she felt a sudden embarrassment and a sense of half-veiled hostility in the air. with one or two further perfunctory questions, and a hasty expression of thanks, she escaped into the air. the whole square seemed loafing and lolling--the white world perched on stoops and chairs, in doorways and windows; the black world filtering down from doorways to side-walk and curb. the hot, dusty quadrangle stretched in dreary deadness toward the temple of the town, as if doing obeisance to the court-house. down the courthouse steps the sheriff, with winchester on shoulder, was bringing the last prisoner--a curly-headed boy with golden face and big brown frightened eyes. "it's one of dunn's boys," said bles. "he's drunk again, and they say he's been stealing. i expect he was hungry." and they wheeled out of the square. miss taylor was tired, and the hastily scribbled letter which she dropped into the post in passing was not as clearly expressed as she could wish. a great-voiced giant, brown and bearded, drove past them, roaring a hymn. he greeted bles with a comprehensive wave of the hand. "i guess tylor has been paid off," said bles, but miss taylor was too disgusted to answer. further on they overtook a tall young yellow boy walking awkwardly beside a handsome, bold-faced girl. two white men came riding by. one leered at the girl, and she laughed back, while the yellow boy strode sullenly ahead. as the two white riders approached the buggy one said to the other: "who's that nigger with?" "one of them nigger teachers." "well, they'll stop this damn riding around or they'll hear something," and they rode slowly by. miss taylor felt rather than heard their words, and she was uncomfortable. the sun fell fast; the long shadows of the swamp swept soft coolness on the red road. then afar in front a curled cloud of white dust arose and out of it came the sound of galloping horses. "who's this?" asked miss taylor. "the cresswells, i think; they usually ride to town about this time." but already miss taylor had descried the brown and tawny sides of the speeding horses. "good gracious!" she thought. "the cresswells!" and with it came a sudden desire not to meet them--just then. she glanced toward the swamp. the sun was sifting blood-red lances through the trees. a little wagon-road entered the wood and disappeared. miss taylor saw it. "let's see the sunset in the swamp," she said suddenly. on came the galloping horses. bles looked up in surprise, then silently turned into the swamp. the horses flew by, their hoof-beats dying in the distance. a dark green silence lay about them lit by mighty crimson glories beyond. miss taylor leaned back and watched it dreamily till a sense of oppression grew on her. the sun was sinking fast. "where does this road come out?" she asked at last. "it doesn't come out." "where does it go?" "it goes to elspeth's." "why, we must turn back immediately. i thought--" but bles was already turning. they were approaching the main road again when there came a fluttering as of a great bird beating its wings amid the forest. then a girl, lithe, dark brown, and tall, leaped lightly into the path with greetings on her lips for bles. at the sight of the lady she drew suddenly back and stood motionless regarding miss taylor, searching her with wide black liquid eyes. miss taylor was a little startled. "good--good-evening," she said, straightening herself. the girl was still silent and the horse stopped. one tense moment pulsed through all the swamp. then the girl, still motionless--still looking miss taylor through and through--said with slow deliberateness: "i hates you." the teacher in miss taylor strove to rebuke this unconventional greeting but the woman in her spoke first and asked almost before she knew it-"why?" _five_ zora zora, child of the swamp, was a heathen hoyden of twelve wayward, untrained years. slight, straight, strong, full-blooded, she had dreamed her life away in wilful wandering through her dark and sombre kingdom until she was one with it in all its moods; mischievous, secretive, brooding; full of great and awful visions, steeped body and soul in wood-lore. her home was out of doors, the cabin of elspeth her port of call for talking and eating. she had not known, she had scarcely seen, a child of her own age until bles alwyn had fled from her dancing in the night, and she had searched and found him sleeping in the misty morning light. it was to her a strange new thing to see a fellow of like years with herself, and she gripped him to her soul in wild interest and new curiosity. yet this childish friendship was so new and incomprehensible a thing to her that she did not know how to express it. at first she pounced upon him in mirthful, almost impish glee, teasing and mocking and half scaring him, despite his fifteen years of young manhood. "yes, they is devils down yonder behind the swamp," she would whisper, warningly, when, after the first meeting, he had crept back again and again, half fascinated, half amused to greet her; "i'se seen 'em, i'se heard 'em, 'cause my mammy is a witch." the boy would sit and watch her wonderingly as she lay curled along the low branch of the mighty oak, clinging with little curved limbs and flying fingers. possessed by the spirit of her vision, she would chant, low-voiced, tremulous, mischievous: "one night a devil come to me on blue fire out of a big red flower that grows in the south swamp; he was tall and big and strong as anything, and when he spoke the trees shook and the stars fell. even mammy was afeared; and it takes a lot to make mammy afeared, 'cause she's a witch and can conjure. he said, 'i'll come when you die--i'll come when you die, and take the conjure off you,' and then he went away on a big fire." "shucks!" the boy would say, trying to express scornful disbelief when, in truth, he was awed and doubtful. always he would glance involuntarily back along the path behind him. then her low birdlike laughter would rise and ring through the trees. so passed a year, and there came the time when her wayward teasing and the almost painful thrill of her tale-telling nettled him and drove him away. for long months he did not meet her, until one day he saw her deep eyes fixed longingly upon him from a thicket in the swamp. he went and greeted her. but she said no word, sitting nested among the greenwood with passionate, proud silence, until he had sued long for peace; then in sudden new friendship she had taken his hand and led him through the swamp, showing him all the beauty of her swamp-world--great shadowy oaks and limpid pools, lone, naked trees and sweet flowers; the whispering and flitting of wild things, and the winging of furtive birds. she had dropped the impish mischief of her way, and up from beneath it rose a wistful, visionary tenderness; a mighty half-confessed, half-concealed, striving for unknown things. he seemed to have found a new friend. and today, after he had taken miss taylor home and supped, he came out in the twilight under the new moon and whistled the tremulous note that always brought her. "why did you speak so to miss taylor?" he asked, reproachfully. she considered the matter a moment. "you don't understand," she said. "you can't never understand. i can see right through people. you can't. you never had a witch for a mammy--did you?" "no." "well, then, you see i have to take care of you and see things for you." "zora," he said thoughtfully, "you must learn to read." "what for?" "so that you can read books and know lots of things." "don't white folks make books?" "yes--most of the books." "pooh! i knows more than they do now--a heap more." "in some ways you do; but they know things that give them power and wealth and make them rule." "no, no. they don't really rule; they just thinks they rule. they just got things--heavy, dead things. we black folks is got the _spirit_. we'se lighter and cunninger; we fly right through them; we go and come again just as we wants to. black folks is wonderful." he did not understand what she meant; but he knew what he wanted and he tried again. "even if white folks don't know everything they know different things from us, and we ought to know what they know." this appealed to her somewhat. "i don't believe they know much," she concluded; "but i'll learn to read and just see." "it will be hard work," he warned. but he had come prepared for acquiescence. he took a primer from his pocket and, lighting a match, showed her the alphabet. "learn those," he said. "what for?" she asked, looking at the letters disdainfully. "because that's the way," he said, as the light flared and went out. "i don't believe it," she disputed, disappearing in the wood and returning with a pine-knot. they lighted it and its smoky flame threw wavering shadows about. she turned the leaves till she came to a picture which she studied intently. "is this about this?" she asked, pointing alternately to reading and picture. "yes. and if you learn--" "read it," she commanded. he read the page. "again," she said, making him point out each word. then she read it after him, accurately, with more perfect expression. he stared at her. she took the book, and with a nod was gone. it was saturday and dark. she never asked bles to her home--to that mysterious black cabin in mid-swamp. he thought her ashamed of it, and delicately refrained from going. so tonight she slipped away, stopped and listened till she heard his footsteps on the pike, and then flew homeward. presently the old black cabin loomed before her with its wide flapping door. the old woman was bending over the fire, stirring some savory mess, and a yellow girl with a white baby on one arm was placing dishes on a rickety wooden table when zora suddenly and noiselessly entered the door. "come, is you? i 'lowed victuals would fetch you," grumbled the hag. but zora deigned no answer. she walked placidly to the table, where she took up a handful of cold corn-bread and meat, and then went over and curled up by the fire. elspeth and the girl talked and laughed coarsely, and the night wore on. by and by loud laughter and tramping came from the road--a sound of numerous footsteps. zora listened, leapt to her feet and started to the door. the old crone threw an epithet after her; but she flashed through the lighted doorway and was gone, followed by the oath and shouts from the approaching men. in the hut night fled with wild song and revel, and day dawned again. out from some fastness of the wood crept zora. she stopped and bathed in a pool, and combed her close-clung hair, then entered silently to breakfast. thus began in the dark swamp that primal battle with the word. she hated it and despised it, but her pride was in arms and her one great life friendship in the balance. she fought her way with a dogged persistence that brought word after word of praise and interest from bles. then, once well begun, her busy, eager mind flew with a rapidity that startled; the stories especially she devoured--tales of strange things and countries and men gripped her imagination and clung to her memory. "didn't i tell you there was lots to learn?" he asked once. "i knew it all," she retorted; "every bit. i'se thought it all before; only the little things is different--and i like the little, strange things." spring ripened to summer. she was reading well and writing some. "zora," he announced one morning under their forest oak, "you must go to school." she eyed him, surprised. "why?" "you've found some things worth knowing in this world, haven't you, zora?" "yes," she admitted. "but there are more--many, many more--worlds on worlds of things--you have not dreamed of." she stared at him, open-eyed, and a wonder crept upon her face battling with the old assurance. then she looked down at her bare brown feet and torn gown. "i've got a little money, zora," he said quickly. but she lifted her head. "i'll earn mine," she said. "how?" he asked doubtfully. "i'll pick cotton." "can you?" "course i can." "it's hard work." she hesitated. "i don't like to work," she mused. "you see, mammy's pappy was a king's son, and kings don't work. i don't work; mostly i dreams. but i can work, and i will--for the wonder things--and for you." so the summer yellowed and silvered into fall. all the vacation days bles worked on the farm, and zora read and dreamed and studied in the wood, until the land lay white with harvest. then, without warning, she appeared in the cotton-field beside bles, and picked. it was hot, sore work. the sun blazed; her bent and untrained back pained, and the soft little hands bled. but no complaint passed her lips; her hands never wavered, and her eyes met his steadily and gravely. she bade him good-night, cheerily, and then stole away to the wood, crouching beneath the great oak, and biting back the groans that trembled on her lips. often, she fell supperless to sleep, with two great tears creeping down her tired cheeks. when school-time came there was not yet money enough, for cotton-picking was not far advanced. yet zora would take no money from bles, and worked earnestly away. meantime there occurred to the boy the momentous question of clothes. had zora thought of them? he feared not. she knew little of clothes and cared less. so one day in town he dropped into caldwell's "emporium" and glanced hesitantly at certain ready-made dresses. one caught his eye. it came from the great easterly mills in new england and was red--a vivid red. the glowing warmth of this cloth of cotton caught the eye of bles, and he bought the gown for a dollar and a half. he carried it to zora in the wood, and unrolled it before her eyes that danced with glad tears. of course, it was long and wide; but he fetched needle and thread and scissors, too. it was a full month after school had begun when they, together back in the swamp, shadowed by the foliage, began to fashion the wonderful garment. at the same time she laid ten dollars of her first hard-earned money in his hands. "you can finish the first year with this money," bles assured her, delighted, "and then next year you must come in to board; because, you see, when you're educated you won't want to live in the swamp." "i wants to live here always." "but not at elspeth's." "no-o--not there, not there." and a troubled questioning trembled in her eyes, but brought no answering thought in his, for he was busy with his plans. "then, you see, zora, if you stay here you'll need a new house, and you'll want to learn how to make it beautiful." "yes, a beautiful, great castle here in the swamp," she dreamed; "but," and her face fell, "i can't get money enough to board in; and i don't want to board in--i wants to be free." he looked at her, curled down so earnestly at her puzzling task, and a pity for the more than motherless child swept over him. he bent over her, nervously, eagerly, and she laid down her sewing and sat silent and passive with dark, burning eyes. "zora," he said, "i want you to do all this--for me." "i will, if you wants me to," she said quietly, but with something in her voice that made him look half startled into her beautiful eyes and feel a queer flushing in his face. he stretched his hand out and taking hers held it lightly till she quivered and drew away, bending again over her sewing. then a nameless exaltation rose within his heart. "zora," he whispered, "i've got a plan." "what is it?" she asked, still with bowed head. "listen, till i tell you of the golden fleece." then she too heard the story of jason. breathless she listened, dropping her sewing and leaning forward, eager-eyed. then her face clouded. "do you s'pose mammy's the witch?" she asked dubiously. "no; she wouldn't give her own flesh and blood to help the thieving jason." she looked at him searchingly. "yes, she would, too," affirmed the girl, and then she paused, still intently watching him. she was troubled, and again a question eagerly hovered on her lips. but he continued: "then we must escape her," he said gayly. "see! yonder lies the silver fleece spread across the brown back of the world; let's get a bit of it, and hide it here in the swamp, and comb it, and tend it, and make it the beautifullest bit of all. then we can sell it, and send you to school." she sat silently bent forward, turning the picture in her mind. suddenly forgetting her trouble, she bubbled with laughter, and leaping up clapped her hands. "and i knows just the place!" she cried eagerly, looking at him with a flash of the old teasing mischief--"down in the heart of the swamp--where dreams and devils lives." * * * * * up at the school-house miss taylor was musing. she had been invited to spend the summer with mrs. grey at lake george, and such a summer!--silken clothes and dainty food, motoring and golf, well-groomed men and elegant women. she would not have put it in just that way, but the vision came very close to spelling heaven to her mind. not that she would come to it vacant-minded, but rather as a trained woman, starved for companionship and wanting something of the beauty and ease of life. she sat dreaming of it here with rows of dark faces before her, and the singsong wail of a little black reader with his head aslant and his patched kneepants. the day was warm and languorous, and the last pale mist of the silver fleece peeped in at the windows. she tried to follow the third-reader lesson with her finger, but persistently off she went, dreaming, to some exquisite little parlor with its green and gold, the clink of dainty china and hum of low voices, and the blue lake in the window; she would glance up, the door would open softly and-just here she did glance up, and all the school glanced with her. the drone of the reader hushed. the door opened softly, and upon the threshold stood zora. her small feet and slender ankles were black and bare; her dark, round, and broad-browed head and strangely beautiful face were poised almost defiantly, crowned with a misty mass of waveless hair, and lit by the velvet radiance of two wonderful eyes. and hanging from shoulder to ankle, in formless, clinging folds, blazed the scarlet gown. _six_ cotton the cry of the naked was sweeping the world. from the peasant toiling in russia, the lady lolling in london, the chieftain burning in africa, and the esquimaux freezing in alaska; from long lines of hungry men, from patient sad-eyed women, from old folk and creeping children went up the cry, "clothes, clothes!" far away the wide black land that belts the south, where miss smith worked and miss taylor drudged and bles and zora dreamed, the dense black land sensed the cry and heard the bound of answering life within the vast dark breast. all that dark earth heaved in mighty travail with the bursting bolls of the cotton while black attendant earth spirits swarmed above, sweating and crooning to its birth pains. after the miracle of the bursting bolls, when the land was brightest with the piled mist of the fleece, and when the cry of the naked was loudest in the mouths of men, a sudden cloud of workers swarmed between the cotton and the naked, spinning and weaving and sewing and carrying the fleece and mining and minting and bringing the silver till the song of service filled the world and the poetry of toil was in the souls of the laborers. yet ever and always there were tense silent white-faced men moving in that swarm who felt no poetry and heard no song, and one of these was john taylor. he was tall, thin, cold, and tireless and he moved among the watchers of this world of trade. in the rich wall street offices of grey and easterly, brokers, mr. taylor, as chief and confidential clerk surveyed the world's nakedness and the supply of cotton to clothe it. the object of his watching was frankly stated to himself and to his world. he purposed going into business neither for his own health nor for the healing or clothing of the peoples but to apply his knowledge of the world's nakedness and of black men's toil in such a way as to bring himself wealth. in this he was but following the teaching of his highest ideal, lately deceased, mr. job grey. mr. grey had so successfully manipulated the cotton market that while black men who made the cotton starved in alabama and white men who bought it froze in siberia, he himself sat- _"high on a throne of royal state that far outshone the wealth of ormuz or of ind._" notwithstanding this he died eventually, leaving the burden of his wealth to his bewildered wife, and his business to the astute mr. easterly; not simply to mr. easterly, but in a sense to his spiritual heir, john taylor. to be sure mr. taylor had but a modest salary and no financial interest in the business, but he had knowledge and business daring--effrontery even--and the determination was fixed in his mind to be a millionaire at no distant date. some cautious fliers on the market gave him enough surplus to send his sister mary through the high school of his country home in new hampshire, and afterward through wellesley college; although just why a woman should want to go through college was inexplicable to john taylor, and he was still uncertain as to the wisdom of his charity. when she had an offer to teach in the south, john taylor hurried her off for two reasons: he was profoundly interested in the cotton-belt, and there she might be of service to him; and secondly, he had spent all the money on her that he intended to at present, and he wanted her to go to work. as an investment he did not consider mary a success. her letters intimated very strongly her intention not to return to miss smith's school; but they also brought information--disjointed and incomplete, to be sure--which mightily interested mr. taylor and sent him to atlases, encyclopã¦dias, and census-reports. when he went to that little lunch with old mrs. grey he was not sure that he wanted his sister to leave the cotton-belt just yet. after lunch he was sure that he did not want her to leave. the rich mrs. grey was at the crisis of her fortunes. she was an elderly lady, in those uncertain years beyond fifty, and had been left suddenly with more millions than she could easily count. personally she was inclined to spend her money in bettering the world right off, in such ways as might from time to time seem attractive. this course, to her husband's former partner and present executor, mr. edward easterly, was not only foolish but wicked, and, incidentally, distinctly unprofitable to him. he had expressed himself strongly to mrs. grey last night at dinner and had reinforced his argument by a pointed letter written this morning. to john taylor mrs. grey's disposal of the income was unbelievable blasphemy against the memory of a mighty man. he did not put this in words to mrs. grey--he was only head clerk in her late husband's office--but he became watchful and thoughtful. he ate his soup in silence when she descanted on various benevolent schemes. "now, what do you know," she asked finally, "about negroes--about educating them?" mr. taylor over his fish was about to deny all knowledge of any sort on the subject, but all at once he recollected his sister, and a sudden gleam of light radiated his mental gloom. "have a sister who is--er--devoting herself to teaching them," he said. "is that so!" cried mrs. grey, joyfully. "where is she?" "in tooms county, alabama--in--" mr. taylor consulted a remote mental pocket--"in miss sara smith's school." "why, how fortunate! i'm so glad i mentioned the matter. you see, miss smith is a sister of a friend of ours, congressman smith of new jersey, and she has just written to me for help; a very touching letter, too, about the poor blacks. my father set great store by blacks and was a leading abolitionist before he died." mr. taylor was thinking fast. yes, the name of congressman peter smith was quite familiar. mr. easterly, as chairman of the republican state committee of new jersey, had been compelled to discipline mr. smith pretty severely for certain socialistic votes in the house, and consequently his future career was uncertain. it was important that such a man should not have too much to do with mrs. grey's philanthropies--at least, in his present position. "should like to have you meet and talk with my sister, mrs. grey; she's a wellesley graduate," said taylor, finally. mrs. grey was delighted. it was a combination which she felt she needed. here was a college-girl who could direct her philanthropies and her etiquette during the summer. forthwith mary taylor received an intimation from her brother that vast interests depended on her summer vacation. thus it had happened that miss taylor came to lake george for her vacation after the first year at the smith school, and she and miss smith had silently agreed as she left that it would be better for her not to return. but the gods of lower broadway thought otherwise. not that mary taylor did not believe in miss smith's work, she was too honest not to believe in education; but she was sure that this was not her work, and she had not as yet perfected in her own mind any theory of the world into which black folk fitted. she was rather taken back, therefore, to be regarded as an expert on the problem. first her brother attacked her, not simply on cotton, but, to her great surprise, on negro education; and after listening to her halting uncertain remarks, he suggested to her certain matters which it would be better for her to believe when mrs. grey talked to her. "interested in darkies, you see," he concluded, "and looks to you to tell things. better go easy and suggest a waiting-game before she goes in heavy." "but miss smith needs money--" the new england conscience prompted. john taylor cut in sharply: "we all need money, and i know people who need mrs. grey's more than miss smith does at present." miss taylor found the lake george colony charming. it was not ultra-fashionable, but it had wealth and leisure and some breeding. especially was this true of a circumscribed, rather exclusive, set which centred around the vanderpools of new york and boston. they, or rather mr. vanderpool's connections, were of old dutch new york stock; his father it was who had built the lake george cottage. mrs. vanderpool was a wells of boston, and endured lake george now and then during the summer for her husband's sake, although she regarded it all as rather a joke. this summer promised to be unusually lonesome for her, and she was meditating a retreat to the massachusetts north shore when she chanced to meet mary taylor, at a miscellaneous dinner, and found her interesting. she discovered that this young woman knew things, that she could talk books, and that she was rather pretty. to be sure she knew no people, but mrs. vanderpool knew enough to even things. "by the bye, i met some charming alabama people last winter, in montgomery--the cresswells; do you know them?" she asked one day, as they were lounging in wicker chairs on the vanderpool porch. then she answered the query herself: "no, of course you could not. it is too bad that your work deprives you of the society of people of your class. now my ideal is a set of negro schools where the white teachers _could_ know the cresswells." "why, yes--" faltered miss taylor; "but--wouldn't that be difficult?" "why should it be?" "i mean, would the cresswells approve of educating negroes?" "oh, 'educating'! the word conceals so much. now, i take it the cresswells would object to instructing them in french and in dinner etiquette and tea-gowns, and so, in fact, would i; but teach them how to handle a hoe and to sew and cook. i have reason to know that people like the cresswells would be delighted." "and with the teachers of it?" "why not?--provided, of course, they were--well, gentlefolk and associated accordingly." "but one must associate with one's pupils." "oh, certainly, certainly; just as one must associate with one's maids and chauffeurs and dressmakers--cordially and kindly, but with a difference." "but--but, dear mrs. vanderpool, you wouldn't want your children trained that way, would you?" "certainly not, my dear. but these are not my children, they are the children of negroes; we can't quite forget that, can we?" "no, i suppose not," miss taylor admitted, a little helplessly. "but--it seems to me--that's the modern idea of taking culture to the masses." "frankly, then, the modern idea is not my idea; it is too socialistic. and as for culture applied to the masses, you utter a paradox. the masses and work is the truth one must face." "and culture and work?" "quite incompatible, i assure you, my dear." she stretched her silken limbs, lazily, while miss taylor sat silently staring at the waters. just then mrs. grey drove up in her new red motor. up to the time of mary taylor's arrival the acquaintance of the vanderpools and mrs. grey had been a matter chiefly of smiling bows. after miss taylor came there had been calls and casual intercourse, to mrs. grey's great gratification and mrs. vanderpool's mingled amusement and annoyance. mrs. grey announced the arrival of the easterlys and john taylor for the week-end. as mrs. vanderpool could think of nothing less boring, she consented to dine. the atmosphere of mrs. grey's ornate cottage was different from that of the vanderpools. the display of wealth and splendor had a touch of the barbaric. mary taylor liked it, although she found the vanderpool atmosphere more subtly satisfying. there was a certain grim power beneath the greys' mahogany and velvets that thrilled while it appalled. precisely that side of the thing appealed to her brother. he would have seen little or nothing in the plain elegance yonder, while here he saw a japanese vase that cost no cent less than a thousand dollars. he meant to be able to duplicate it some day. he knew that grey was poor and less knowing than he sixty years ago. the dead millionaire had begun his fortune by buying and selling cotton--travelling in the south in reconstruction times, and sending his agents. in this way he made his thousands. then he took a step forward, and instead of following the prices induced the prices to follow him. two or three small cotton corners brought him his tens of thousands. about this time easterly joined him and pointed out a new road--the buying and selling of stock in various cotton-mills and other industrial enterprises. grey hesitated, but easterly pushed him on and he made his hundreds of thousands. then easterly proposed buying controlling interests in certain large mills and gradually consolidating them. the plan grew and succeeded, and grey made his millions. then grey stopped; he had money enough, and he would venture no farther. he "was going to retire and eat peanuts," he said with a chuckle. easterly was disgusted. he, too, had made millions--not as many as grey, but a few. it was not, however, simply money that he wanted, but power. the lust of financial dominion had gripped his soul, and he had a vision of a vast trust of cotton manufacturing covering the land. he talked this incessantly into grey, but grey continued to shake his head; the thing was too big for his imagination. he was bent on retiring, and just as he had set the date a year hence he inadvertently died. on the whole, mr. easterly was glad of his partner's definite withdrawal, since he left his capital behind him, until he found his vast plans about to be circumvented by mrs. grey withdrawing this capital from his control. "to give to the niggers and chinamen," he snorted to john taylor, and strode up and down the veranda. john taylor removed his coat, lighted a black cigar, and elevated his heels. the ladies were in the parlor, where the female easterlys were prostrating themselves before mrs. vanderpool. "just what is your plan?" asked taylor, quite as if he did not know. "why, man, the transfer of a hundred millions of stock would give me control of the cotton-mills of america. think of it!--the biggest trust next to steel." "why not bigger?" asked taylor, imperturbably puffing away. mr. easterly eyed him. he had regarded taylor hitherto as a very valuable asset to the business--had relied on his knowledge of routine, his judgment and his honesty; but he detected tonight a new tone in his clerk, something almost authoritative and self-reliant. he paused and smiled at him. "bigger?" but john taylor was dead in earnest. he did not smile. "first, there's england--and all europe; why not bring them into the trust?" "possibly, later; but first, america. of course, i've got my eyes on the european situation and feelers out; but such matters are more difficult and slower of adjustment over there--so damned much law and gospel." "but there's another side." "what's that?" "you are planning to combine and control the manufacture of cotton--" "yes." "but how about your raw material? the steel trust owns its iron mines." "of course--mines could be monopolized and hold the trust up; but our raw material is perfectly safe--farms growing smaller, farms isolated, and we fixing the price. it's a cinch." "are you sure?" taylor surveyed him with a narrowed look. "certain." "i'm not. i've been looking up things, and there are three points you'd better study: first, cotton farms are not getting smaller; they're getting bigger almighty fast, and there's a big cotton-land monopoly in sight. second, the banks and wholesale houses in the south _can_ control the cotton output if they work together. third, watch the southern 'farmers' league' of big landlords." mr. easterly threw away his cigar and sat down. taylor straightened up, switched on the porch light, and took a bundle of papers from his coat pocket. "here are census figures," he said, "commercial reports and letters." they pored over them a half hour. then easterly arose. "there's something in it," he admitted, "but what can we do? what do you propose?" "monopolize the growth as well as the manufacture of cotton, and use the first to club european manufacturers into submission." easterly stared at him. "good lord!" he ejaculated; "you're crazy!" but taylor smiled a slow, thin smile, and put away his papers. easterly continued to stare at his subordinate with a sort of fascination, with the awe that one feels when genius unexpectedly reveals itself from a source hitherto regarded as entirely ordinary. at last he drew a long breath, remarking indefinitely: "i'll think it over." a stir in the parlor indicated departure. "well, you watch the farmers' league, and note its success and methods," counselled john taylor, his tone and manner unchanged. "then figure what it might do in the hands of--let us say, friends." "who's running it?" "a colonel cresswell is its head, and happens also to be the force behind it. aristocratic family--big planter--near where my sister teaches." "h'm--well, we'll watch _him_." "and say," as easterly was turning away, "you know congressman smith?" "i should say i did." "well, mrs. grey seems to be depending on him for advice in distributing some of her charity funds." easterly appeared startled. "she is, is she!" he exclaimed. "but here come the ladies." he went forward at once, but john taylor drew back. he noted mrs. vanderpool, and thought her too thin and pale. the dashing young miss easterly was more to his taste. he intended to have a wife like that one of these days. "mary," said he to his sister as he finally rose to go, "tell me about the cresswells." mary explained to him at length the impossibility of her knowing much about the local white aristocracy of tooms county, and then told him all she had heard. "mrs. grey talked to you much?" "yes." "about darky schools?" "yes." "what does she intend to do?" "i think she will aid miss smith first." "did you suggest anything?" "well, i told her what i thought about coã¶perating with the local white people." "the cresswells?" "yes--you see mrs. vanderpool knows the cresswells." "does, eh? good! say, that's a good point. you just bear heavy on it--coã¶perate with the cresswells." "why, yes. but--you see, john, i don't just know whether one _could_ coã¶perate with the cresswells or not--one hears such contradictory stories of them. but there must be some other white people--" "stuff! it's the cresswells we want." "well," mary was very dubious, "they are--the most important." _seven_ the place of dreams when she went south late in september, mary taylor had two definite but allied objects: she was to get all possible business information concerning the cresswells, and she was to induce miss smith to prepare for mrs. grey's benevolence by interesting the local whites in her work. the programme attracted miss taylor. she felt in touch, even if dimly and slightly, with great industrial movements, and she felt, too, like a discerning pioneer in philanthropy. both roles she liked. besides, they held, each, certain promises of social prestige; and society, miss taylor argued, one must have even in alabama. bles alwyn met her at the train. he was growing to be a big fine bronze giant, and mary was glad to see him. she especially tried, in the first few weeks of opening school, to glean as much information as possible concerning the community, and particularly the cresswells. she found the negro youth quicker, surer, and more intelligent in his answers than those she questioned elsewhere, and she gained real enjoyment from her long talks with him. "isn't bles developing splendidly?" she said to miss smith one afternoon. there was an unmistakable note of enthusiasm in her voice. miss smith slowly closed her letter-file but did not look up. "yes," she said crisply. "he's eighteen now--quite a man." "and most interesting to talk with." "h'm--very"--drily. mary was busy with her own thoughts, and she did not notice the other woman's manner. "do you know," she pursued, "i'm a little afraid of one thing." "so am i." "oh, you've noted it, too?--his friendship for that impossible girl, zora?" miss smith gave her a searching look. "what of it?" she demanded. "she is so far beneath him." "how so?" "she is a bold, godless thing; i don't understand her." "the two are not quite the same." "of course not; but she is unnaturally forward." "too bright," miss smith amplified. "yes; she knows quite too much. you surely remember that awful scarlet dress? well, all her clothes have arrived, or remained, at a simplicity and vividness that is--well--immodest." "does she think them immodest?" "what she thinks is a problem." "_the_ problem, you mean?" "well, yes." they paused a moment. then miss smith said slowly: "what i don't understand, i don't judge." "no, but you can't always help seeing and meeting it," laughed miss taylor. "certainly not. i don't try; i court the meeting and seeing. it is the only way." "well, perhaps, for us--but not for a boy like bles, and a girl like zora." "true; men and women must exercise judgment in their intercourse and"--she glanced sharply at miss taylor--"my dear, you yourself must not forget that bles alwyn is a man." far up the road came a low, long, musical shouting; then with creaking and straining of wagons, four great black mules dashed into sight with twelve bursting bales of yellowish cotton looming and swaying behind. the drivers and helpers were lolling and laughing and singing, but miss taylor did not hear nor see. she had sat suddenly upright; her face had flamed crimson, and then went dead white. "miss--miss smith!" she gasped, overwhelmed with dismay, a picture of wounded pride and consternation. miss smith turned around very methodically and took her hand; but while she spoke the girl merely stared at her in stony silence. "now, dear, don't mean more than i do. i'm an old woman, and i've seen many things. this is but a little corner of the world, and yet many people pass here in thirty years. the trouble with new teachers who come is, that like you, they cannot see black folk as human. all to them are either impossible zoras, or else lovable blessings. they forget that zora is not to be annihilated, but studied and understood, and that bles is a young man of eighteen and not a clod." "but that he should dare--" mary began breathlessly. "he hasn't dared," miss smith went gently on. "no thought of you but as a teacher has yet entered his dear, simple head. but, my point is simply this: he's a man, and a human one, and if you keep on making much over him, and talking to him and petting him, he'll have the right to interpret your manner in his own way--the same that any young man would." "but--but, he's a--a--" "a negro. to be sure, he is; and a man in addition. now, dear, don't take this too much to heart; this is not a rebuke, but a clumsy warning. i am simply trying to make clear to you _why_ you should be careful. treat poor zora a little more lovingly, and bles a little less warmly. they are just human--but, oh! so human." mary taylor rose up stiffly and mumbled a brief good-night. she went to her room, and sat down in the dark. the mere mention of the thing was to her so preposterous--no, loathsome, she kept repeating. she slowly undressed in the dark, and heard the rumbling of the cotton wagons as they swayed toward town. the cry of the naked was sweeping the world, and yonder in the night black men were answering the call. they knew not what or why they answered, but obeyed the irresistible call, with hearts light and song upon their lips--the song of service. they lashed their mules and drank their whiskey, and all night the piled fleece swept by mary taylor's window, flying--flying to that far cry. miss taylor turned uneasily in her bed and jerked the bed-clothes about her ears. "mrs. vanderpool is right," she confided to the night, with something of the awe with which one suddenly comprehends a hidden oracle; "there must be a difference, always, always! that impudent negro!" all night she dreamed, and all day,--especially when trim and immaculate she sat in her chair and looked down upon fifty dark faces--and upon zora. zora sat thinking. she saw neither miss taylor nor the long straight rows of desks and faces. she heard neither the drone of the spellers nor did she hear miss taylor say, "zora!" she heard and saw none of this. she only heard the prattle of the birds in the wood, far down where the silver fleece would be planted. for the time of cotton-planting was coming; the gray and drizzle of december was past and the hesitation, of january. already a certain warmth and glow had stolen into the air, and the swamp was calling its child with low, seductive voice. she knew where the first leaves were bursting, where tiny flowers nestled, and where young living things looked upward to the light and cried and crawled. a wistful longing was stealing into her heart. she wanted to be free. she wanted to run and dance and sing, but bles wanted-"zora!" this time she heard the call, but did not heed it. miss taylor was very tiresome, and was forever doing and saying silly things. so zora paid no attention, but sat still and thought. yes, she would show bles the place that very night; she had kept it secret from him until now, out of perverseness, out of her love of mystery and secrets. but tonight, after school, when he met her on the big road with the clothes, she would take him and show him the chosen spot. soon she was aware that school had been dismissed, and she leisurely gathered up her books and rose. mary taylor regarded her in perplexed despair. oh, these people! mrs. vanderpool was right: culture and--some masses, at least--were not to be linked; and, too, culture and work--were they incompatible? at any rate, culture and _this_ work were. now, there was mrs. vanderpool--she toiled not, neither did she spin, and yet! if all these folk were like poor, stupid, docile jennie it would be simpler, but what earthly sense was there in trying do to anything with a girl like zora, so stupid in some matters, so startlingly bright in others, and so stubborn in everything? here, she was doing some work twice as well and twice as fast as the class, and other work she would not touch because she "didn't like it." her classification in school was nearly as difficult as her classification in the world, and miss taylor reached up impatiently and removed the gold pin from her stock to adjust it more comfortably when zora sauntered past unseeing, unheeding, with that curious gliding walk which miss taylor called stealthy. she laid the pin on the desk and on sudden impulse spoke again to the girl as she arranged her neck trimmings. "zora," she said evenly, "why didn't you come to class when i called?" "i didn't hear you," said zora, looking at her full-eyed and telling the half-truth easily. miss taylor was sure zora was lying, and she knew that she had lied to her on other occasions. indeed, she had found lying customary in this community, and she had a new england horror of it. she looked at zora disapprovingly, while zora looked at her quite impersonally, but steadily. then miss taylor braced herself, mentally, and took the war into africa. "do you ever tell lies, zora?" "yes." "don't you know that is a wicked, bad habit?" "why?" "because god hates them." "how does _you_ know he does?" zora's tone was still impersonal. "he hates all evil." "but why is lies evil?" "because they make us deceive each other." "is that wrong?" "yes." zora bent forward and looked squarely into miss taylor's blue eyes. miss taylor looked into the velvet blackness of hers and wondered what they veiled. "is it wrong," asked zora, "to make believe you likes people when you don't, when you'se afeared of them and thinks they may rub off and dirty you?" "why--why--yes, if you--if you, deceive." "then you lies sometimes, don't you?" miss taylor stared helplessly at the solemn eyes that seemed to look so deeply into her. "perhaps--i do, zora; i'm sure i don't mean to, and--i hope god will forgive me." zora softened. "oh, i reckon he will if he's a good god, because he'd know that lies like that are heaps better than blabbing the truth right out. only," she added severely, "you mustn't keep saying it's wicked to lie 'cause it ain't. sometimes i lies," she reflected pensively, "and sometimes i don't--it depends." miss taylor forgot her collar, and fingered the pin on the desk. she felt at once a desperate desire to know this girl better and to establish her own authority. yet how should she do it? she kept toying with the pin, and zora watched her. then miss taylor said, absently: "zora, what do you propose to do when you grow up?" zora considered. "think and walk--and rest," she concluded. "i mean, what work?" "work? oh, i sha'n't work. i don't like work--do you?" miss taylor winced, wondering if the girl were lying again. she said quickly: "why, yes--that is, i like some kinds of work." "what kinds?" but miss taylor refused to have the matter made personal, as zora had a disconcerting way of pointing all their discussions. "everybody likes some kinds of work," she insisted. "if you likes it, it ain't work," declared zora; but mary taylor proceeded around her circumscribed circle: "you might make a good cook, or a maid." "i hate cooking. what's a maid?" "why, a woman who helps others." "helps folks that they love? i'd like that." "it is not a question of affection," said miss taylor, firmly: "one is paid for it." "i wouldn't work for pay." "but you'll have to, child; you'll have to earn a living." "do you work for pay?" "i work to earn a living." "same thing, i reckon, and it ain't true. living just comes free, like--like sunshine." "stuff! zora, your people must learn to work and work steadily and work hard--" she stopped, for she was sure zora was not listening; the far away look was in her eyes and they were shining. she was beautiful as she stood there--strangely, almost uncannily, but startlingly beautiful with her rich dark skin, softly moulded features, and wonderful eyes. "my people?--my people?" she murmured, half to herself. "do you know my people? they don't never work; they plays. they is all little, funny dark people. they flies and creeps and crawls, slippery-like; and they cries and calls. ah, my people! my poor little people! they misses me these days, because they is shadowy things that sing and smell and bloom in dark and terrible nights--" miss taylor started up. "zora, i believe you're crazy!" she cried. but zora was looking at her calmly again. "we'se both crazy, ain't we?" she returned, with a simplicity that left the teacher helpless. miss taylor hurried out, forgetting her pin. zora looked it over leisurely, and tried it on. she decided that she liked it, and putting it in her pocket, went out too. school was out but the sun was still high, as bles hurried from the barn up the big road beside the soft shadows of the swamp. his head was busy with new thoughts and his lips were whistling merrily, for today zora was to show him the long dreamed of spot for the planting of the silver fleece. he hastened toward the cresswell mansion, and glanced anxiously up the road. at last he saw her coming, swinging down the road, lithe and dark, with the big white basket of clothes poised on her head. "zora," he yodled, and she waved her apron. he eased her burden to the ground and they sat down together, he nervous and eager; she silent, passive, but her eyes restless. bles was full of his plans. "zora," he said, "we'll make it the finest bale ever raised in tooms; we'll just work it to the inch--just love it into life." she considered the matter intently. "but,"--presently,--"how can we sell it without the cresswells knowing?" "we won't try; we'll just take it to them and give them half, like the other tenants." "but the swamp is mortal thick and hard to clear." "we can do it." zora had sat still, listening; but now, suddenly, she leapt to her feet. "come," she said, "i'll take the clothes home, then we'll go"--she glanced at him--"down where the dreams are." and laughing, they hurried on. elspeth stood in the path that wound down to the cottage, and without a word zora dropped the basket at her feet. she turned back; but bles, struck by a thought, paused. the old woman was short, broad, black and wrinkled, with yellow fangs, red hanging lips, and wicked eyes. she leered at them; the boy shrank before it, but stood his ground. "aunt elspeth," he began, "zora and i are going to plant and tend some cotton to pay for her schooling--just the very best cotton we can find--and i heard"--he hesitated,--"i heard you had some wonderful seed." "yes," she mumbled, "i'se got the seed--i'se got it--wonder seed, sowed wid the three spells of obi in the old land ten tousand moons ago. but you couldn't plant it," with a sudden shrillness, "it would kill you." "but--" bles tried to object, but she waved him away. "git the ground--git the ground; dig it--pet it, and we'll see what we'll see." and she disappeared. zora was not sure that it had been wise to tell their secret. "i was going to steal the seed," she said. "i knows where it is, and i don't fear conjure." "you mustn't steal, zora," said bles, gravely. "why?" zora quickly asked. but before he answered, they both forgot; for their faces were turned toward the wonder of the swamp. the golden sun was pouring floods of glory through the slim black trees, and the mystic sombre pools caught and tossed back the glow in darker, duller crimson. long echoing cries leapt to and fro; silent footsteps crept hither and yonder; and the girl's eyes gleamed with a wild new joy. "the dreams!" she cried. "the dreams!" and leaping ahead, she danced along the shadowed path. he hastened after her, but she flew fast and faster; he followed, laughing, calling, pleading. he saw her twinkling limbs a-dancing as once he saw them dance in a halo of firelight; but now the fire was the fire of the world. her garments twined and flew in shadowy drapings about the perfect moulding of her young and dark half-naked figure. her heavy hair had burst its fastenings and lay in stiffened, straggling masses, bending reluctantly to the breeze, like curled smoke; while all about, the mad, wild singing rose and fell and trembled, till his head whirled. he paused uncertainly at a parting of the paths, crying: "zora! zora!" as for some lost soul. "zora! zora!" echoed the cry, faintly. abruptly the music fell; there came a long slow-growing silence; and then, with a flutter, she was beside him again, laughing in his ears and crying with mocking voice: "is you afeared, honey?" he saw in her eyes sweet yearnings, but could speak nothing. he could only clasp her hand tightly, and again down they raced through the wood. all at once the swamp changed and chilled to a dull grayness; tall, dull trees started down upon the murky waters; and long pendent streamings of moss-like tears dripped from tree to earth. slowly and warily they threaded their way. "are you sure of the path, zora?" he once inquired anxiously. "i could find it asleep," she answered, skipping sure-footed onward. he continued to hold her hand tightly, and his own pace never slackened. around them the gray and death-like wilderness darkened. they felt and saw the cold white mist rising slowly from the ground, and waters growing blacker and broader. at last they came to what seemed the end. silently and dismally the half-dead forest, with its ghostly moss, lowered and darkened, and the black waters spread into a great silent lake of slimy ooze. the dead trunk of a fallen tree lay straight in front, torn and twisted, its top hidden yonder and mingled with impenetrable undergrowth. "where now, zora?" he cried. in a moment she had slipped her hand away and was scrambling upon the tree trunk. the waters yawned murkily below. "careful! careful!" he warned, struggling after her until she disappeared amid the leaves. he followed eagerly, but cautiously; and all at once found himself confronting a paradise. before them lay a long island, opening to the south, on the black lake, but sheltered north and east by the dense undergrowth of the black swamp and the rampart of dead and living trees. the soil was virgin and black, thickly covered over with a tangle of bushes, vines, and smaller growth all brilliant with early leaves and wild flowers. "a pretty tough proposition for clearing and ploughing," said bles, with practised eye. but zora eagerly surveyed the prospect. "it's where the dreams lives," she whispered. meantime miss taylor had missed her brooch and searched for it in vain. in the midst of this pursuit the truth occurred to her--zora had stolen it. negroes would steal, everybody said. well, she must and would have the pin, and she started for elspeth's cabin. on the way she met the old woman in the path, but got little satisfaction. elspeth merely grunted ungraciously while eyeing the white woman with suspicion. mary taylor, again alone, sat down at a turn in the path, just out of sight of the house, and waited. soon she saw, with a certain grim satisfaction, zora and bles emerging from the swamp engaged in earnest conversation. here was an opportunity to overwhelm both with an unforgettable reprimand. she rose before them like a spectral vengeance. "zora, i want my pin." bles started and stared; but zora eyed her calmly with something like disdain. "what pin?" she returned, unmoved. "zora, don't deny that you took my pin from the desk this afternoon," the teacher commanded severely. "i didn't say i didn't take no pin." "persons who will lie and steal will do anything." "why shouldn't people do anything they wants to?" "and you knew the pin was mine." "i saw you a-wearing of it," admitted zora easily. "then you have stolen it, and you are a thief." still zora appeared to be unimpressed with the heinousness of her fault. "did you make that pin?" she asked. "no, but it is mine." "why is it yours?" "because it was given to me." "but you don't need it; you've got four other prettier ones--i counted." "that makes no difference." "yes it does--folks ain't got no right to things they don't need." "that makes no difference, zora, and you know it. the pin is mine. you stole it. if you had wanted a pin and asked me i might have given you--" the girl blazed. "i don't want your old gifts," she almost hissed. "you don't own what you don't need and can't use. god owns it and i'm going to send it back to him." with a swift motion she whipped the pin from her pocket and raised her arm to hurl it into the swamp. bles caught her hand. he caught it lightly and smiled sorrowfully into her eyes. she wavered a moment, then the answering light sprang to her face. dropping the brooch into his hand, she wheeled and fled toward the cabin. bles handed it silently to miss taylor. mary taylor was beside herself with impatient anger--and anger intensified by a conviction of utter helplessness to cope with any strained or unusual situations between herself and these two. "alwyn," she said sharply, "i shall report zora for stealing. and you may report yourself to miss smith tonight for disrespect toward a teacher." _eight_ mr. harry cresswell the cresswells, father and son, were at breakfast. the daughter was taking her coffee and rolls up stairs in bed. "p'sh! i don't like it!" declared harry cresswell, tossing the letter back to his father. "i tell you, it is a damned yankee trick." he was a man of thirty-five, smooth and white, slight, well-bred and masterful. his father, st. john cresswell, was sixty, white-haired, mustached and goateed; a stately, kindly old man with a temper and much family pride. "well, well," he said, his air half preoccupied, half unconcerned, "i suppose so--and yet"--he read the letter again, aloud: "'approaching you as one of the most influential landowners of alabama, on a confidential matter'--h'm--h'm--'a combination of capital and power, such as this nation has never seen'--'cotton manufacturers and cotton growers.' ... well, well! of course, i suppose there's nothing in it. and yet, harry, my boy, this cotton-growing business is getting in a pretty tight pinch. unless relief comes somehow--well, we'll just have to quit. we simply can't keep the cost of cotton down to a remunerative figure with niggers getting scarcer and dearer. every year i have to pinch 'em closer and closer. i had to pay maxwell two hundred and fifty to get that old darky and his boys turned over to me, and one of the young ones has run away already." harry lighted a cigarette. "we must drive them more. you're too easy, father; they understand that. by the way, what did that letter say about a 'sister'?" "says he's got a sister over at the nigger school whom perhaps we know. i suppose he thinks we dine there occasionally." the old man chuckled. "that reminds me, elspeth is sending her girl there." "what's that?" an angry gleam shot into the younger man's eye. "yes. she announced this morning, pert as you please, that she couldn't tote clothes any more--she had to study." "damn it! this thing is going too far. we can't keep a maid or a plough-boy on the place because of this devilish school. it's going to ruin the whole labor system. we've been too mild and decent. i'm going to put my foot down right here. i'll make elspeth take that girl out of school if i have to horse-whip her, and i'll warn the school against further interference with our tenants. here, in less than a week, go two plough-hands--and now this girl." the old man smiled. "you'll hardly miss any work zora does," he said. "i'll make her work. she's giving herself too many damned airs. i know who's back of this--it's that nigger we saw talking to the white woman in the field the other day." "well, don't work yourself up. the wench don't amount to much anyhow. by the way, though, if you do go to the school it won't hurt to see this taylor's sister and size the family up." "pshaw! i'm going to give the smith woman such a scare that she'll keep her hands off our niggers." and harry cresswell rode away. mary taylor had charge of the office that morning, while miss smith, shut up in her bedroom, went laboriously over her accounts. miss mary suddenly sat up, threw a hasty glance into the glass and felt the back of her belt. it was--it couldn't be--surely, it was mr. harry cresswell riding through the gateway on his beautiful white mare. he kicked the gate open rather viciously, did not stop to close it, and rode straight across the lawn. miss taylor noticed his riding breeches and leggings, his white linen and white, clean-cut, high-bred face. such apparitions were few about the country lands. she felt inclined to flutter, but gripped herself. "good-morning," she said, a little stiffly. mr. cresswell halted and stared; then lifting the hat which he had neglected to remove in crossing the hall, he bowed in stately grace. miss taylor was no ordinary picture. her brown hair was almost golden; her dark eyes shone blue; her skin was clear and healthy, and her white dress--happy coincidence!--had been laundered that very morning. her half-suppressed excitement at the sudden duty of welcoming the great aristocrat of the county, gave a piquancy to her prettiness. "the--devil!" commented mr. harry cresswell to himself. but to miss taylor: "i beg pardon--er--miss smith?" "no--i'm sorry. miss smith is engaged this morning. i am miss taylor." "i cannot share miss taylor's sorrow," returned mr. cresswell gravely, "for i believe i have the honor of some correspondence with miss taylor's brother." mr. cresswell searched for the letter, but did not find it. "oh! has john written you?" she beamed suddenly. "i'm so glad. it's more than he's done for me this three-month. i beg your pardon--do sit down--i think you'll find this one easier. our stock of chairs is limited." it was delightful to have a casual meeting receive this social stamp; the girl was all at once transfigured--animated, glowing, lovely; all of which did not escape the caller's appraising inspection. "there!" said mr. cresswell. "i've left your gate gaping." "oh, don't mind ... i hope john's well?" "the truth is," confessed cresswell, "it was a business matter--cotton, you know." "john is nothing but cotton; i tell him his soul is fibrous." "he mentioned your being here and i thought i'd drop over and welcome you to the south." "thank you," returned miss taylor, reddening with pleasure despite herself. there was a real sincerity in the tone. all this confirmed so many convictions of hers. "of course, you know how it is in the south," cresswell pursued, the opening having been so easily accomplished. "i understand perfectly." "my sister would be delighted to meet you, but--" "oh i realize the--difficulties." "perhaps you wouldn't mind riding by some day--it's embarrassing to suggest this, but, you know--" miss taylor was perfectly self-possessed. "mr. cresswell," she said seriously, "i know very well that it wouldn't do for your sister to call here, and i sha'n't mind a bit coming by to see her first. i don't believe in standing on stupid ceremony." cresswell thanked her with quiet cordiality, and suggested that when he was driving by he might pick her up in his gig some morning. miss taylor expressed her pleasure at the prospect. then the talk wandered to general matters--the rain, the trees, the people round about, and, inevitably--the negro. "oh, by the bye," said mr. cresswell, frowning and hesitating over the recollection of his errand's purpose, "there was one matter"--he paused. miss taylor leant forward, all interest. "i hardly know that i ought to mention it, but your school--" this charming young lady disarmed his truculent spirit, and the usually collected and determined young man was at a loss how to proceed. the girl, however, was obviously impressed and pleased by his evidence of interest, whatever its nature; so in a manner vastly different from the one he had intended to assume, he continued: "there is a way in which we may be of service to you, and that is by enlightening you upon points concerning which the nature of your position--both as teacher and socially--must keep you in the dark. "for instance, all these negroes are, as you know, of wretchedly low morals; but there are a few so depraved that it would be suicidal to take them into this school. we recognize the good you are doing, but we do not want it more than offset by utter lack of discrimination in choosing your material." "certainly not--have we--" miss mary faltered. this beginning was a bit ominous, wholly unexpected. "there is a girl, zora, who has just entered, who--i must speak candidly--who ought not to be here; i thought it but right to let you know." "thank you, so much. i'll tell miss smith." mary taylor suddenly felt herself a judge of character. "i suspected that she was--not what she ought to be. believe me, we appreciate your interest." a few more words, and mr. cresswell, after bending courteously over her hand with a deference no new englander had ever shown, was riding away on his white mare. for a while mary taylor sat very quietly. it was like a breath of air from the real world, this hour's chat with a well-bred gentleman. she wondered how she had done her part--had she been too eager and school-girlish? had she met this stately ceremony with enough breeding to show that she too was somebody? she pounced upon miss smith the minute that lady entered the office. "miss smith, who do you think has been here?" she burst out enthusiastically. "i saw him on the lawn." there was a suspicious lack of warmth in this brief affirmation. "he was so gracious and kindly, and he knows my brother. and oh, miss smith! we've got to send that zora right away." "indeed"--the observation was not even interrogatory. the preceptress of the struggling school for negro children merely evinced patience for the younger woman's fervency. "yes; he says she's utterly depraved." "said that, did he?" miss smith watched her with tranquil regard. miss taylor paused. "of course, we cannot think of keeping her." miss smith pursed her lips, offering her first expression of opinion. "i guess we'll worry along with her a little while anyhow," she said. the girl stared at miss smith in honest, if unpardonable, amazement. "do you mean to say that you are going to keep in this school a girl who not only lies and steals but is positively--_immoral_?" miss smith smiled, wholly unmoved. "no; but i mean that _i_ am here to learn from those whose ideas of right do not agree with mine, to discover _why_ they differ, and to let them learn of me--so far as i am worthy." mary taylor was not unappreciative of miss smith's stern high-mindedness, but her heart hardened at this, to her, misdirected zeal. echo of the spirit of an older day, miss smith seemed, to her, to be cramped and paralyzed in an armor of prejudice and sectionalisms. plain-speaking was the only course, and mary, if a little complacent perhaps in her frankness, was sincere in her purpose. "i think, miss smith, you are making a very grave mistake. i regard zora as a very undesirable person from every point of view. i look upon mr. cresswell's visit today as almost providential. he came offering an olive branch from the white aristocracy to this work; to bespeak his appreciation and safeguard the future. moreover," and miss taylor's voice gathered firmness despite miss smith's inscrutable eye, "moreover, i have reason to know that the disposition--indeed, the plan--in certain quarters to help this work materially depends very largely on your willingness to meet the advances of the southern whites half way." she paused for a reply or a question. receiving neither, she walked with dignity up the stairs. from her window she could see cresswell's straight shoulders, as he rode toward town, and beyond him a black speck in the road. but she could not see the smile on mr. cresswell's lips, nor did she hear him remark twice, with seeming irrelevance, "the devil!" the rider, being closer to it, recognized in mary taylor's "black speck" bles alwyn walking toward him rapidly with axe and hoe on shoulder, whistling merrily. they saw each other almost at the same moment and whistle and smile faded. mr. cresswell knew the negro by sight and disliked him. he belonged in his mind to that younger class of half-educated blacks who were impudent and disrespectful toward their superiors, not even touching his hat when he met a white man. moreover, he was sure that it was miss taylor with whom this boy had been talking so long and familiarly in the cotton-field last spring--an offence doubly heinous now that he had seen miss taylor. his first impulse was to halt the negro then and there and tell him a few plain truths. but he did not feel quarrelsome at the moment, and there was, after all, nothing very tangible to justify a berating. the fellow's impudence was sure to increase, and then! so he merely reined his horse to the better part of the foot-path and rode on. bles, too, was thinking. he knew the well-dressed man with his milk-white face and overbearing way. he would expect to be greeted with raised hat but bles bit his lips and pulled down his cap firmly. the axe, too, in some indistinct way felt good in his hand. he saw the horse coming in his pathway and stepping aside in the dust continued on his way, neither looking nor speaking. so they passed each other by, mr. cresswell to town, bles to the swamp, apparently ignorant of each other's very existence. yet, as the space widened between them, each felt a more vindictive anger for the other. how dares the black puppy to ignore a cresswell on the highway? if this went on, the day would surely come when negroes felt no respect or fear whatever for whites? and then--my god! mr. cresswell struck his mare a vicious blow and dashed toward town. the black boy, too, went his way in silent, burning rage. why should he be elbowed into the roadside dust by an insolent bully? why had he not stood his ground? pshaw! all this fine frenzy was useless, and he knew it. the sweat oozed on his forehead. it wasn't man against man, or he would have dragged the pale puppy from his horse and rubbed his face in the earth. it wasn't even one against many, else how willingly, swinging his axe, would have stood his ground before a mob. no, it was one against a world, a world of power, opinion, wealth, opportunity; and he, the one, must cringe and bear in silence lest the world crash about the ears of his people. he slowly plodded on in bitter silence toward the swamp. but the day was balmy, the way was beautiful; contempt slowly succeeded anger, and hope soon triumphed over all. for yonder was zora, poised, waiting. and behind her lay the field of dreams. _nine_ the planting zora looked down upon bles, where he stood to his knees in mud. the toil was beyond exhilaration--it was sickening weariness and panting despair. the great roots, twined in one unbroken snarl, clung frantically to the black soil. the vines and bushes fought back with thorn and bramble. zora stood wiping the blood from her hands and staring at bles. she saw the long gnarled fingers of the tough little trees and they looked like the fingers of elspeth down there beneath the earth pulling against the boy. slowly zora forgot her blood and pain. who would win--the witch, or jason? bles looked up and saw the bleeding hands. with a bound he was beside her. "zora!" the cry seemed wrung from his heart by contrition. why had he not known--not seen before! "zora, come right out of this! sit down here and rest." she looked at him unwaveringly; there was no flinching of her spirit. "i sha'n't do it," she said. "you'se working, and i'se going to work." "but--zora--you're not used to such work, and i am. you're tired out." "so is you," was her reply. he looked himself over ruefully, and dropping his axe, sat down beside her on a great log. silently they contemplated the land; it seemed indeed a hopeless task. then they looked at each other in sudden, unspoken fear of failure. "if we only had a mule!" he sighed. immediately her face lighted and her lips parted, but she said nothing. he presently bounded to his feet. "never mind, zora. to-morrow is saturday, and i'll work all day. we just _will_ get it done--sometime." his mouth closed with determination. "we won't work any more today, then?" cried zora, her eagerness betraying itself despite her efforts to hide it. "_you_ won't," affirmed bles. "but i've got to do just a little--" but zora was adamant: he was tired; she was tired; they would rest. to-morrow with the rising sun they would begin again. "there'll be a bright moon tonight," ventured bles. "then i'll come too," zora announced positively, and he had to promise for her sake to rest. they went up the path together and parted diffidently, he watching her flit away with sorrowful eyes, a little disturbed and puzzled at the burden he had voluntarily assumed, but never dreaming of drawing back. zora did not go far. no sooner did she know herself well out of his sight than she dropped lightly down beside the path, listening intently until the last echo of his footsteps had died away. then, leaving the cabin on her right, and the scene of their toil on her left, she cut straight through the swamp, skirted the big road, and in a half-hour was in the lower meadows of the cresswell plantations, where the tired stock was being turned out to graze for the night. here, in the shadow of the wood, she lingered. slowly, but with infinite patience, she broke one strand after another of the barbed-wire fencing, watching, the while, the sun grow great and crimson, and die at last in mighty splendor behind the dimmer westward forests. the voices of the hands and hostlers grew fainter and thinner in the distance of purple twilight until the last of them disappeared. silence fell, deep and soft; the silence of a day sinking to sleep. not until then did zora steal forth from her hiding-place. she had chosen her mule long before--a big, black beast, snorting over his pile of corn,--and gliding up to him, she gathered his supper into her skirt, found a stout halter, and fed him sparingly as he followed her. quickly she unfastened the pieces of the fence, led the animal through, and spliced them again; and then, with fox-like caution, she guided her prize through the labyrinthine windings of the swamp. it was dark and haunting, and ever and again rose lonely night cries. the girl trembled a little, but plodded resolutely on until the dim silver disk of the half-moon began to glimmer through the trees. then she pressed on more swiftly, and fed more scantily, until finally, with the moonlight pouring over them at the black lagoon, zora attempted to drive the animal into the still waters; but he gave a loud protesting snort and balked. by subtle temptings she gave him to understand that plenty lay beyond the dark waters, and quickly swinging herself to his back she started to ride him up and down along the edge of the lagoon, petting and whispering to him of good things beyond. slowly her eyes grew wide; she seemed to be riding out of dreamland on some hobgoblin beast. deeper and deeper they penetrated into the dark waters. now they entered the slime; now they stumbled on hidden roots; but deeper and deeper they waded until at last, turning the animal's head with a jerk, and giving him a sharp stroke of the whip, she headed straight for the island. a moment the beast snorted and plunged; higher and higher the black still waters rose round the girl. they crept up her little limbs, swirled round her breasts and gleamed green and slimy along her shoulders. a wild terror gripped her. maybe she was riding the devil's horse, and these were the yawning gates of hell, black and sombre beneath the cold, dead radiance of the moon. she saw again the gnarled and black and claw-like fingers of elspeth gripping and dragging her down. a scream struggled in her breast, her fingers relaxed, and the big beast, stretching his cramped neck, rose in one mighty plunge and planted his feet on the sand of the island. * * * * * bles, hurrying down in the morning with new tools and new determination, stopped and stared in blank amazement. zora was perched in a tree singing softly and beneath a fat black mule was finishing his breakfast. "zora--" he gasped, "how--how did you do it?" she only smiled and sang a happier measure, pausing only to whisper: "dreams--dreams--it's all dreams here, i tells you." bles frowned and stood irresolute. the song proceeded with less assurance, slower and lower, till it stopped, and the singer dropped to the ground, watching him with wide eyes. he looked down at her, slight, tired, scratched, but undaunted, striving blindly toward the light with stanch, unfaltering faith. a pity surged in his heart. he put his arm about her shoulders and murmured: "you poor, brave child." and she shivered with joy. all day saturday and part of sunday they worked feverishly. the trees crashed and the stumps groaned and crept up into the air, the brambles blazed and smoked; little frightened animals fled for shelter; and a wide black patch of rich loam broadened and broadened till it kissed, on every side but the sheltered east, the black waters of the lagoon. late sunday night the mule again swam the slimy lagoon, and disappeared toward the cresswell fields. then bles sat down beside zora, facing the fields, and gravely took her hand. she looked at him in quick, breathless fear. "zora," he said, "sometimes you tell lies, don't you?" "yes," she said slowly; "sometimes." "and, zora, sometimes you steal--you stole the pin from miss taylor, and we stole mr. cresswell's mule for two days." "yes," she said faintly, with a perplexed wrinkle in her brows, "i stole it." "well, zora, i don't want you ever to tell another lie, or ever to take anything that doesn't belong to you." she looked at him silently with the shadow of something like terror far back in the depths of her deep eyes. "always--tell--the truth?" she repeated slowly. "yes." her fingers worked nervously. "all the truth?" she asked. he thought a while. "no," said he finally, "it is not necessary always to tell all the truth; but never tell anything that isn't the truth." "never?" "never." "even if it hurts me?" "even if it hurts. god is good, he will not let it hurt much." "he's a fair god, ain't he?" she mused, scanning the evening sky. "yes--he's fair, he wouldn't take advantage of a little girl that did wrong, when she didn't know it was wrong." her face lightened and she held his hands in both hers, and said solemnly as though saying a prayer: "i won't lie any more, and i won't steal--and--" she looked at him in startled wistfulness--he remembered it in after years; but he felt he had preached enough. "and now for the seed!" he interrupted joyously. "and then--the silver fleece!" that night, for the first time, bles entered zora's home. it was a single low, black room, smoke-shadowed and dirty, with two dingy beds and a gaping fire-place. on one side of the fire-place sat the yellow woman, young, with traces of beauty, holding the white child in her arms; on the other, hugging the blaze, huddled a formless heap, wreathed in coils of tobacco smoke--elspeth, zora's mother. zora said nothing, but glided in and stood in the shadows. "good-evening," said bles cheerily. the woman with the baby alone responded. "i came for the seed you promised us--the cotton-seed." the hag wheeled and approached him swiftly, grasping his shoulders and twisting her face into his. she was a horrible thing--filthy of breath, dirty, with dribbling mouth and red eyes. her few long black teeth hung loosely like tusks and the folds of fat on her chin curled down on her great neck. bles shuddered and stepped back. "is you afeared, honey?" she whispered. "no," he said sturdily. she chuckled drily. "yes, you is--everybody's 'feared of old elspeth; but she won't hurt you--you's got the spell;" and wheeling again, she was back at the fire. "but the seed?" he ventured. she pointed impressively roofward. "the dark of the moon, boy, the dark of the moon--the first dark--at midnight." bles could not wring another word from her; nor did the ancient witch, by word or look, again give the slightest indication that she was aware of his presence. with reluctant farewell, bles turned home. for a space zora watched him, and once she started after him, but came slowly back, and sat by the fire-place. out of the night came voices and laughter, and the sound of wheels and galloping horses. it was not the soft, rollicking laughter of black men, but the keener, more metallic sound of white men's cries, and bles alwyn paused at the edge of the wood, looked back and hesitated, but decided after a moment to go home and to bed. zora, however, leapt to her feet and fled into the night, while the hag screamed after her and cursed. there was tramping of feet on the cabin floor, and loud voices and singing and cursing. "where's zora?" some one yelled, with an oath. "damn it! where is she? i haven't seen her for a year, you old devil." the hag whimpered and snarled. far down in the field of the fleece, zora lay curled beneath a tall dark tree asleep. all night there was coming and going in the cabin; the talk and laughter grew loud and boisterous, and the red fire glared in the night. * * * * * the days flew by and the moon darkened. in the swamp, the hidden island lay spaded and bedded, and bles was throwing up a dyke around the edge; zora helped him until he came to the black oak at the western edge. it was a large twisted thing with one low flying limb that curled out across another tree and made a mighty seat above the waters. "don't throw the dirt too high there," she begged; "it'll bring my seat too near the earth." he looked up. "why, it's a throne," he laughed. "it needs a roof," he whimsically told her when his day's work was done. deftly twisting and intertwining the branches of tree and bush, he wove a canopy of living green that shadowed the curious nest and warded it snugly from wind and water. early next morning bles slipped down and improved the nest; adding foot-rests to make the climbing easy, peep-holes east and west, a bit of carpet over the bark, and on the rough main trunk, a little picture in blue and gold of bougereau's madonna. zora sat hidden and alone in silent ecstasy. bles peeped in--there was not room to enter: the girl was staring silently at the madonna. she seemed to feel rather than hear his presence, and she inquired softly: "who's it, bles?" "the mother of god," he answered reverently. "and why does she hold a lily?" "it stands for purity--she was a good woman." "with a baby," zora added slowly. "yes--" said bles, and then more quickly--"it is the christ child--god's baby." "god is the father of all the little babies, ain't he, bles?" "why, yes--yes, of course; only this little baby didn't have any other father." "yes, i know one like that," she said,--and then she added softly: "poor little christ-baby." bles hesitated, and before he found words zora was saying: "how white she is; she's as white as the lily, bles; but--i'm sorry she's white--bles, what's purity--just whiteness?" bles glanced at her awkwardly but she was still staring wide-eyed at the picture, and her voice was earnest. she was now so old and again so much a child, an eager questioning child, that there seemed about her innocence something holy. "it means," he stammered, groping for meanings--"it means being good--just as good as a woman knows how." she wheeled quickly toward him and asked him eagerly: "not better--not better than she knows, but just as good, in--lying and stealing and--and everything?" bles smiled. "no--not better than she knows, but just as good." she trembled happily. "i'm--pure," she said, with a strange little breaking voice and gesture. a sob struggled in his throat. "of course you are," he whispered tenderly, hiding her little hands in his. "i--i was so afraid--sometimes--that i wasn't," she whispered, lifting up to him her eyes streaming with tears. silently he kissed her lips. from that day on they walked together in a new world. no revealing word was spoken; no vows were given, none asked for; but a new bond held them. she grew older, quieter, taller, he humbler, more tender and reverent, as they toiled together. so the days passed. the sun burned in the heavens; but the silvered glory of the moon grew fainter and fainter and each night it rose later than the night before. then one day zora whispered: "tonight!" bles came to the cabin, and he and zora and elspeth sat silently around the fire-place with its meagre embers. the night was balmy and still; only occasionally a wandering breeze searching the hidden places of the swamp, or the call and song of night birds, jarred the stillness. long they sat, until the silence crept into bles's flesh, and stretching out his hand, he touched zora's, clasping it. after a time the old woman rose and hobbled to a big black chest. out of it she brought an old bag of cotton seed--not the white-green seed which bles had always known, but small, smooth black seeds, which she handled carefully, dipping her hands deep down and letting them drop through her gnarled fingers. and so again they sat and waited and waited, saying no word. not until the stars of midnight had swung to the zenith did they start down through the swamp. bles sought to guide the old woman, but he found she knew the way better than he did. her shadowy figure darting in and out among the trunks till they crossed the tree bridge, moved ever noiselessly ahead. she motioned the boy and girl away to the thicket at the edge, and stood still and black in the midst of the cleared island. bles slipped his arm protectingly around zora, glancing fearfully about in the darkness. slowly a great cry rose and swept the island. it struck madly and sharply, and then died away to uneasy murmuring. from afar there seemed to come the echo or the answer to the call. the form of elspeth blurred the night dimly far off, almost disappearing, and then growing blacker and larger. they heard the whispering "_swish-swish_" of falling seed; they felt the heavy tread of a great coming body. the form of the old woman suddenly loomed black above them, hovering a moment formless and vast then fading again away, and the "_swish-swish_" of the falling seed alone rose in the silence of the night. at last all was still. a long silence. then again the air seemed suddenly filled with that great and awful cry; its echoing answer screamed afar and they heard the raucous voice of elspeth beating in their ears: _"de seed done sowed! de seed done sowed!"_ _ten_ mr. taylor calls "thinking the matter over," said harry cresswell to his father, "i'm inclined to advise drawing this taylor out a little further." the colonel puffed his cigar and one eye twinkled, the lid of the other being at the moment suggestively lowered. "was she pretty?" he asked; but his son ignored the remark, and the father continued: "i had a telegram from taylor this morning, after you left. he'll be passing through montgomery the first of next month, and proposes calling." "i'll wire him to come," said harry, promptly. at this juncture the door opened and a young lady entered. helen cresswell was twenty, small and pretty, with a slightly languid air. outside herself there was little in which she took very great interest, and her interest in herself was not absorbing. yet she had a curiously sweet way. her servants liked her and the tenants could count on her spasmodic attentions in time of sickness and trouble. "good-morning," she said, with a soft drawl. she sauntered over to her father, kissed him, and hung over the back of his chair. "did you get that novel for me, harry?"--expectantly regarding her brother. "i forgot it, sis. but i'll be going to town again soon." the young lady showed that she was annoyed. "by the bye, sis, there's a young lady over at the negro school whom i think you'd like." "black or white?" "a young lady, i said. don't be sarcastic." "i heard you. i did not know whether you were using our language or others'." "she's really unusual, and seems to understand things. she's planning to call some day--shall you be at home?" "certainly not, harry; you're crazy." and she strolled out to the porch, exchanged some remarks with a passing servant, and then nestled comfortably into a hammock. she helped herself to a chocolate and called out musically: "pa, are you going to town today?" "yes, honey." "can i go?" "i'm going in an hour or so, and business at the bank will keep me until after lunch." "i don't care, i just must go. i'm clean out of anything to read. and i want to shop and call on dolly's friend--she's going soon." "all right. can you be ready by eleven?" she considered. "yes--i reckon," she drawled, prettily swinging her foot and watching the tree-tops above the distant swamp. harry cresswell, left alone, rang the bell for the butler. "still thinking of going, are you, sam?" asked cresswell, carelessly, when the servant appeared. he was a young, light-brown boy, his manner obsequious. "why, yes, sir--if you can spare me." "spare you, you black rascal! you're going anyhow. well, you'll repent it; the north is no place for niggers. see here, i want lunch for two at one o'clock." the directions that followed were explicit and given with a particularity that made sam wonder. "order my trap," he finally directed. cresswell went out on the high-pillared porch until the trap appeared. "oh, harry! i wanted to go in the trap--take me?" coaxed his sister. "sorry, sis, but i'm going the other way." "i don't believe it," said miss cresswell, easily, as she settled down to another chocolate. cresswell did not take the trouble to reply. miss taylor was on her morning walk when she saw him spinning down the road, and both expressed surprise and pleasure at the meeting. "what a delightful morning!" said the school-teacher, and the glow on her face said even more. "i'm driving round through the old plantation," he explained; "won't you join me?" "the invitation is tempting," she hesitated; "but i've got just oodles of work." "what! on saturday?" "saturday is my really busy day, don't you know. i guess i could get off; really, though, i suspect i ought to tell miss smith." he looked a little perplexed; but the direction in which her inclinations lay was quite clear to him. "it--it would be decidedly the proper thing," he murmured, "and we could, of course, invite miss--" she saw the difficulty and interrupted him: "it's quite unnecessary; she'll think i have simply gone for a long walk." and soon they were speeding down the silent road, breathing the perfume of the pines. now a ride of an early spring morning, in alabama, over a leisurely old plantation road and behind a spirited horse, is an event to be enjoyed. add to this a man bred to be agreeable and outdoing his training, and a pretty girl gay with new-found companionship--all this is apt to make a morning worth remembering. they turned off the highway and passed through long stretches of ploughed and tumbled fields, and other fields brown with the dead ghosts of past years' cotton standing straggling and weather-worn. long, straight, or curling rows of ploughers passed by with steaming, struggling mules, with whips snapping and the yodle of workers or the sharp guttural growl of overseers as a constant accompaniment. "they're beginning to plough up the land for the cotton-crop," he explained. "what a wonderful crop it is!" mary had fallen pensive. "yes, indeed--if only we could get decent returns for it." "why, i thought it was a most valuable crop." she turned to him inquiringly. "it is--to negroes and manufacturers, but not to planters." "but why don't the planters do something?" "what can be done with negroes?" his tone was bitter. "we tried to combine against manufacturers in the farmers' league of last winter. my father was president. the pastime cost him fifty thousand dollars." miss taylor was perplexed, but eager. "you must correspond with my brother, mr. cresswell," she gravely observed. "i'm sure he--" before she could finish, an overseer rode up. he began talking abruptly, with a quick side-glance at mary, in which she might have caught a gleam of surprised curiosity. "that old nigger, jim sykes, over on the lower place, sir, ain't showed up again this morning." cresswell nodded. "i'll drive by and see," he said carelessly. the old man was discovered sitting before his cabin with his head in his hands. he was tall, black, and gaunt, partly bald, with tufted hair. one leg was swathed in rags, and his eyes, as he raised them, wore a cowed and furtive look. "well, uncle jim, why aren't you at work?" called cresswell from the roadside. the old man rose painfully to his feet, swayed against the cabin, and clutched off his cap. "it's my leg again, master harry--the leg what i hurt in the gin last fall," he answered, uneasily. cresswell frowned. "it's probably whiskey," he assured his companion, in an undertone; then to the man: "you must get to the field to-morrow,"--his habitually calm, unfeeling positiveness left no ground for objection; "i cannot support you in idleness, you know." "yes, master harry," the other returned, with conciliatory eagerness; "i knows that--i knows it and i ain't shirking. but, master harry, they ain't doing me right 'bout my cabin--i just wants to show you." he got out some dirty papers, and started to hobble forward, wincing with pain. mary taylor stirred in her seat under an involuntary impulse to help, but cresswell touched the horse. "all right, uncle jim," he said; "we'll look it over to-morrow." they turned presently to where they could see the cresswell oaks waving lazily in the sunlight and the white gleam of the pillared "big house." a pause at the cresswell store, where mr. cresswell entered, afforded mary taylor an opportunity further to extend her fund of information. "do you go to school?" she inquired of the black boy who held the horse, her mien sympathetic and interested. "no, ma'am," he mumbled. "what's your name?" "buddy--i'se one of aunt rachel's chilluns." "and where do you live, buddy?" "i lives with granny, on de upper place." "well, i'll see aunt rachel and ask her to send you to school." "won't do no good--she done ast, and mr. cresswell, he say he ain't going to have no more of his niggers--" but mr. cresswell came out just then, and with him a big, fat, and greasy black man, with little eyes and soft wheedling voice. he was following cresswell at the side but just a little behind, hat in hand, head aslant, and talking deferentially. cresswell strode carelessly on, answering him with good-natured tolerance. the black man stopped with humility before the trap and swept a profound obeisance. cresswell glanced up quizzically at miss taylor. "this," he announced, "is jones, the baptist preacher--begging." "ah, lady,"--in mellow, unctuous tones--"i don't know what we poor black folks would do without mr. cresswell--the lord bless him," said the minister, shoving his hand far down into his pocket. shortly afterward they were approaching the cresswell mansion, when the young man reined in the horse. "if you wouldn't mind," he suggested, "i could introduce my sister to you." "i should be delighted," answered miss taylor, readily. when they rolled up to the homestead under its famous oaks the hour was past one. the house was a white oblong building of two stories. in front was the high pillared porch, semi-circular, extending to the roof with a balcony in the second story. on the right was a broad verandah looking toward a wide lawn, with the main road and the red swamp in the distance. the butler met them, all obeisance. "ask miss helen to come down," said mr. cresswell. sam glanced at him. "miss helen will be dreadful sorry, but she and the colonel have just gone to town--i believe her aunty ain't well." mr. cresswell looked annoyed. "well, well! that's too bad," he said. "but at any rate, have a seat a moment out here on the verandah, miss taylor. and, sam, can't you find us a sandwich and something cool? i could not be so inhospitable as to send you away hungry at this time of day." miss taylor sat down in a comfortable low chair facing the refreshing breeze, and feasted her eyes on the scene. oh, this was life: a smooth green lawn, and beds of flowers, a vista of brown fields, and the dark line of wood beyond. the deft, quiet butler brought out a little table, spread with the whitest of cloths and laid with the brightest of silver, and "found" a dainty lunch. there was a bit of fried chicken breast, some crisp bacon, browned potatoes, little round beaten biscuit, and rose-colored sherbet with a whiff of wine in it. miss taylor wondered a little at the bounty of southern hospitality; but she was hungry, and she ate heartily, then leaned back dreamily and listened to mr. cresswell's smooth southern _r_'s, adding a word here and there that kept the conversation going and brought a grave smile to his pale lips. at last with a sigh she arose to her feet. "i must go! what shall i tell miss smith! no, no--no carriage; i must walk." of course, however, she could not refuse to let him go at least half-way, ostensibly to tell her of the coming of her brother. he expressed again his disappointment at his sister's absence. somewhat to miss taylor's surprise miss smith said nothing until they were parting for the night, then she asked: "was miss cresswell at home?" mary reddened. "she had been called suddenly to town." "well, my dear, i wouldn't do it again." the girl was angry. "i'm not a school-girl, but a grown woman, and capable of caring for myself. moreover, in matter of propriety i do not think you have usually found my ideas too lax--rather the opposite." "there, there, dear; don't be angry. only i think if your brother knew--" "he will know in a very few weeks; he is coming to visit the cresswells." and miss taylor sailed triumphantly up the stairs. but john taylor was not the man to wait weeks when a purpose could be accomplished in days or hours. no sooner was harry cresswell's telegram at hand than he hastened back from savannah, struck across country, and the week after his sister's ride found him striding up the carriage-way of the cresswell home. john taylor had prospered since summer. the cotton manufacturers' combine was all but a fact; mr. easterly had discovered that his chief clerk's sense and executive ability were invaluable, and john taylor was slated for a salary in five figures when things should be finally settled, not to mention a generous slice of stock--watery at present, but warranted to ripen early. while mr. easterly still regarded taylor's larger trust as chimerical, some occurrences of the fall made him take a respectful attitude toward it. just as the final clauses of the combine agreement were to be signed, there appeared a shortage in the cotton-crop, and prices began to soar. the cause was obviously the unexpected success of the new farmers' league among the cotton-growers. mr. easterly found it comparatively easy to overthrow the corner, but the flurry made some of the manufacturers timid, and the trust agreement was postponed until a year later. this experience and the persistence of mr. taylor induced mr. easterly to take a step toward the larger project: he let in some eager outside capital to the safer manufacturing scheme, and withdrew a corresponding amount of mrs. grey's money. this he put into john taylor's hands to invest in the south in bank stock and industries with the idea of playing a part in the financial situation there. "it's a risk, taylor, of course, and we'll let the old lady take the risk. at the worst it's safer than the damned foolishness she has in mind." so it happened that john taylor went south to look after large investments and, as mr. easterly expressed it, "to bring back facts, not dreams." his investment matters went quickly and well, and now he turned to his wider and bigger scheme. he wrote the cresswells tentatively, expecting no reply, or an evasive one; planning to circle around them, drawing his nets closer, and trying them again later. to his surprise they responded quickly. "humph! hard pressed," he decided, and hurried to them. so it was the week after mary taylor's ride that found him at cresswell's front door, thin, eagle-eyed, fairly well dressed and radiating confidence. "john taylor," he announced to sam, jerkily, thrusting out a card. "want to see mr. cresswell; soon as possible." sam made him wait a half-hour, for the sake of discipline, and then brought father and son. "good-morning, mr. cresswell, and mr. cresswell again," said mr. taylor, helping himself to a straight-backed chair. "hope you'll pardon this unexpected visit. found myself called through montgomery, just after i got your wire; thought i'd better drop over." at harry's suggestion they moved to the verandah and sat down over whiskey and soda, which taylor refused, and plunged into the subject without preliminaries. "i'm assuming that you gentlemen are in the cotton business for making money. so am i. i see a way in which you and your friends can help me and mine, and clear up more millions than all of us can spend; for this reason i've hunted you up. this is my scheme. "see here; there are a thousand cotton-mills in this country, half of them in the south, one-fourth in new england, and one-fourth in the middle states. they are capitalized at six hundred million dollars. now let me tell you: we control three hundred and fifty millions of that capitalization. the trust is going through capitalization at a billion. the only thing that threatens it is child-labor legislation in the south, the tariff, and the control of the supply of cotton. pretty big hindrances, you say. that's so, but look here: we've got the stock so placed that nothing short of a popular upheaval can send any child labor bill through congress in six years. see? after that we don't care. same thing applies to the tariff. the last bill ran ten years. the present bill will last longer, or i lose my guess--'specially if smith is in the senate. "well, then, there remains raw cotton. the connection of cotton-raising and its raw material is too close to risk a manufacturing trust that does not include practical control of the raw material. for that reason we're planning a trust to include the raising and manufacturing of cotton in america. then, too, cornering the cotton market here means the whip-hand of the industrial world. gentlemen, it's the biggest idea of the century. it beats steel." colonel cresswell chuckled. "how do you spell that?" he asked. but john taylor was not to be diverted; his thin face was pale, but his gray eyes burned with the fire of a zealot. harry cresswell only smiled dimly and looked interested. "now, again," continued john taylor. "there are a million cotton farms in the south, half run by colored people and half by whites. leave the colored out of account as long as they are disfranchised. the half million white farms are owned or controlled by five thousand wholesale merchants and three thousand big landowners, of whom you, colonel cresswell, are among the biggest with your fifty thousand acres. ten banks control these eight thousand people--one of these is the jefferson national of montgomery, of which you are a silent director." colonel cresswell started; this man evidently had inside information. did he know of the mortgage, too? "don't be alarmed. i'm safe," taylor assured him. "now, then, if we can get the banks, wholesale merchants, and biggest planters into line we can control the cotton crop." "but," objected harry cresswell, "while the banks and the large merchants may be possibilities, do you know what it means to try to get planters into line?" "yes, i do. and what i don't know you and your father do. colonel cresswell is president of the farmers' league. that's the reason i'm here. your success last year made you indispensable to our plans." "our success?" laughed colonel cresswell, ruefully, thinking of the fifty thousand dollars lost and the mortgage to cover it. "yes, sir--success! you didn't know it; we were too careful to allow that; and i say frankly you wouldn't know it now if we weren't convinced you were too far involved and the league too discouraged to repeat the dose." "now, look here, sir," began colonel cresswell, flushing and drawing himself erect. "there, there, colonel cresswell, don't misunderstand me. i'm a plain man. i'm playing a big game--a tremendous one. i need you, and i know you need me. i find out about you, and my sources of knowledge are wide and unerring. but the knowledge is safe, sir; it's buried. last year when you people curtailed cotton acreage and warehoused a big chunk of the crop you gave the mill men the scare of their lives. we had a hasty conference and the result was that the bottom fell out of your credit." colonel cresswell grew pale. there was a disquieting, relentless element in this unimpassioned man's tone. "you failed," pursued john taylor, "because you couldn't get the banks and the big merchants behind you. we've got 'em behind us--with big chunks of stock and a signed iron-clad agreement. you can wheel the planters into line--will you do it?" john taylor bent forward tense but cool and steel-like. harry cresswell laid his hand on his father's arm and said quietly: "and where do we come in?" "that's business," affirmed john taylor. "you and two hundred and fifty of the biggest planters come in on the ground-floor of the two-billion-dollar all-cotton combine. it can easily mean two million to you in five years." "and the other planters?" "they come in for high-priced cotton until we get our grip." "and then?" the quiet question seemed to invoke a vision for john taylor; the gray eyes took on the faraway look of a seer; the thin, bloodless lips formed a smile in which there was nothing pleasant. "they keep their mouths shut or we squeeze 'em and buy the land. we propose to own the cotton belt of the south." colonel cresswell started indignantly from his seat. "do you think--by god, sir!--that i'd betray southern gentlemen to--" but harry's hand and impassive manner restrained him; he cooled as suddenly as he had flared up. "thank you very much, mr. taylor," he concluded; "we'll consider this matter carefully. you'll spend the night, of course." "can't possibly--must catch that next train back." "but we must talk further," the colonel insisted. "and then, there's your sister." "by jove! forgot all about mary." john taylor after a little desultory talk, followed his host up-stairs. the next afternoon john taylor was sitting beside helen cresswell on the porch which overlooked the terrace, and was, on the whole, thinking less of cotton than he had for several years. to be sure, he was talking cotton; but he was doing it mechanically and from long habit, and was really thinking how charming a girl helen cresswell was. she fascinated him. for his sister taylor had a feeling of superiority that was almost contempt. the idea of a woman trying to understand and argue about things men knew! he admired the dashing and handsome miss easterly, but she scared him and made him angrily awkward. this girl, on the other hand, just lounged and listened with an amused smile, or asked the most child-like questions. she required him to wait on her quite as a matter of course--to adjust her pillows, hand her the bon-bons, and hunt for her lost fan. mr. taylor, who had not waited on anybody since his mother died, and not much before, found a quite inexplicable pleasure in these little domesticities. several times he took out his watch and frowned; yet he managed to stay with her quite happily. on her part miss cresswell was vastly amused. her acquaintance with men was not wide, but it was thorough so far as her own class was concerned. they were all well-dressed and leisurely, fairly good looking, and they said the same words and did the same things in the same way. they paid her compliments which she did not believe, and they did not expect her to believe. they were charmingly deferential in the matter of dropped handkerchiefs, but tyrannical of opinion. they were thoughtful about candy and flowers, but thoughtless about feelings and income. altogether they were delightful, but cloying. this man was startlingly different; ungainly and always in a desperate, unaccountable hurry. he knew no pretty speeches, he certainly did not measure up to her standard of breeding, and yet somehow he was a gentleman. all this was new to helen cresswell, and she liked it. meanwhile the men above-stairs lingered in the colonel's office--the older one perturbed and sputtering, the younger insistent and imperturbable. "the fact is, father," he was saying, "as you yourself have said, one bad crop of cotton would almost ruin us." "but the prospects are good." "what are prospects in march? no, father, this is the situation--three good crops in succession will wipe off our indebtedness and leave us facing only low prices and a scarcity of niggers; on the other hand--" the father interrupted impatiently. "yes, on the other hand, if we plunge deeper in debt and betray our friends we may come out millionaires or--paupers." "precisely," said harry cresswell, calmly. "now, our plan is to take no chances; i propose going north and looking into this matter thoroughly. if he represents money and has money, and if the trust has really got the grip he says it has, why, it's a case of crush or get crushed, and we'll have to join them on their own terms. if he's bluffing, or the thing looks weak, we'll wait." it all ended as matters usually did end, in harry's having his way. he came downstairs, expecting, indeed, rather hoping, to find taylor impatiently striding to and fro, watch in hand; but here he was, ungainly, it might be, but quite docile, drawing the picture of a power-loom for miss cresswell, who seemed really interested. harry silently surveyed them from the door, and his face lighted with a new thought. taylor, espying him, leapt to his feet and hauled out his watch. "well--i--" he began lamely. "no, you weren't either," interrupted harry, with a laugh that was unmistakably cordial and friendly. "you had quite forgotten what you were waiting for--isn't that so, sis?" helen regarded her brother through her veiling lashes: what meant this sudden assumption of warmth and amiability? "no, indeed; he was raging with impatience," she returned. "why, miss cresswell, i--i--" john taylor forsook social amenities and pulled himself together. "well," shortly, "now for that talk--ready?" and quite forgetting miss cresswell, he bolted into the parlor. "the decision we have come to is this," said harry cresswell. "we are in debt, as you know." "forty-nine thousand, seven hundred and forty-two dollars and twelve cents," responded taylor; "in three notes, due in twelve, twenty-four, and thirty-six months, interest at eight per cent, held by--" the colonel snorted his amazement, and harry cresswell cut in: "yes," he calmly admitted; "and with good crops for three years we'd be all right; good crops even for two years would leave us fairly well off." "you mean it would relieve you of the present stringency and put you face to face with the falling price of cotton and rising wages," was john taylor's dry addendum. "rising price of cotton, you mean," harry corrected. "oh, temporarily," john taylor admitted. "precisely, and thus postpone the decision." "no, mr. cresswell. i'm offering to let you in on the ground floor--_now_--not next year, or year after." "mr. taylor, have you any money in this?" "everything i've got." "well, the thing is this way: if you can prove to us that conditions are as you say, we're in for it." "good! meet me in new york, say--let's see, this is march tenth--well, may third." young cresswell was thinking rapidly. this man without doubt represented money. he was anxious for an alliance. why? was it all straight, or did the whole move conceal a trick? his eyes strayed to the porch where his pretty sister sat languidly, and then toward the school where the other sister lived. john taylor looked out on the porch, too. they glanced quickly at each other, and each wondered if the other had shared his thought. harry cresswell did not voice his mind for he was not wholly disposed to welcome what was there; but he could not refrain from saying in tones almost confidential: "you could recommend this deal, then, could you--to your own friends?" "to my own family," asserted john taylor, looking at harry cresswell with sudden interest. but mr. cresswell was staring at the end of his cigar. _eleven_ the flowering of the fleece "zora," observed miss smith, "it's a great blessing not to need spectacles, isn't it?" zora thought that it was; but she was wondering just what spectacles had to do with the complaint she had brought to the office from miss taylor. "i'm always losing my glasses and they get dirty and--oh, dear! now where is that paper?" zora pointed silently to the complaint. "no, not that--another paper. it must be in my room. don't you want to come up and help me look?" they went up to the clean, bare room, with its white iron bed, its cool, spotless shades and shining windows. zora walked about softly and looked, while miss smith quietly searched on desk and bureau, paying no attention to the girl. for the time being she was silent. "i sometimes wish," she began at length, "i had a bright-eyed girl like you to help me find and place things." zora made no comment. "sometimes bles helps me," added miss smith, guilefully. zora looked sharply at her. "could i help?" she asked, almost timidly. "why, i don't know,"--the answer was deliberate. "there are one or two little things perhaps--" placing a hand gently upon zora's shoulder, she pointed out a few odd tasks, and left the girl busily doing them; then she returned to the office, and threw miss taylor's complaint into the waste-basket. for a week or more zora slipped in every day and performed the little tasks that miss smith laid out: she sorted papers, dusted the bureau, hung a curtain; she did not do the things very well, and she broke some china, but she worked earnestly and quickly, and there was no thought of pay. then, too, did not bles praise her with a happy smile, as together, day after day, they stood and watched the black dirt where the silver fleece lay planted? she dreamed and sang over that dark field, and again and again appealed to him: "s'pose it shouldn't come up after all?" and he would laugh and say that of course it would come up. one day, when zora was helping miss smith in the bedroom, she paused with her arms full of clothes fresh from the laundry. "where shall i put these?" miss smith looked around. "they might go in there," she said, pointing to a door. zora opened it. a tiny bedroom was disclosed, with one broad window looking toward the swamp; white curtains adorned it, and white hangings draped the plain bureau and wash-stand and the little bed. there was a study table, and a small bookshelf holding a few books, all simple and clean. zora paused uncertainly, and surveyed the room. "sometimes when you're tired and want to be alone you can come up here, zora," said miss smith carelessly. "no one uses this room." zora caught her breath sharply, but said nothing. the next day miss smith said to her when she came in: "i'm busy now, dear, but you go up to your little room and read and i'll call." zora quietly obeyed. an hour later miss smith looked in, then she closed the door lightly and left. another hour flew by before zora hurried down. "i was reading, and i forgot," she said. "it's all right," returned miss smith. "i didn't need you. and any day, after you get all your lessons, i think miss taylor will excuse you and let you go to your room and read." miss taylor, it transpired, was more than glad. day after day bles and zora visited the field; but ever the ground lay an unrelieved black beneath the bright sun, and they would go reluctantly home again, today there was much work to be done, and zora labored steadily and eagerly, never pausing, and gaining in deftness and care. in the afternoon bles went to town with the school wagon. a light shower flew up from the south, lingered a while and fled, leaving a fragrance in the air. for a moment zora paused, and her nostrils quivered; then without a word she slipped down-stairs, glided into the swamp, and sped away to the island. she swung across the tree and a low, delighted cry bubbled on her lips. all the rich, black ground was sprinkled with tender green. she bent above the verdant tenderness and kissed it; then she rushed back, bursting into the room. "_it's come! it's come!--the silver fleece!_" miss smith was startled. "the silver fleece!" she echoed in bewilderment. zora hesitated. it came over her all at once that this one great all-absorbing thing meant nothing to the gaunt tired-look woman before her. "would bles care if i told?" she asked doubtfully. "no," miss smith ventured. and then the girl crouched at her feet and told the dream and the story. many factors were involved that were quite foreign to the older woman's nature and training. the recital brought to her new england mind many questions of policy and propriety. and yet, as she looked down upon the dark face, hot with enthusiasm, it all seemed somehow more than right. slowly and lightly miss smith slipped her arm about zora, and nodded and smiled a perfect understanding. they looked out together into the darkening twilight. "it is so late and wet and you're tired tonight--don't you think you'd better sleep in your little room?" zora sat still. she thought of the noisy flaming cabin and the dark swamp; but a contrasting thought of the white bed made her timid, and slowly she shook her head. nevertheless miss smith led her to the room. "here are things for you to wear," she pointed out, opening the bureau, "and here is the bath-room." she left the girl standing in the middle of the floor. in time zora came to stay often at miss smith's cottage, and to learn new and unknown ways of living and dressing. she still refused to board, for that would cost more than she could pay yet, and she would accept no charity. gradually an undemonstrative friendship sprang up between the pale old gray-haired teacher and the dark young black-haired girl. delicately, too, but gradually, the companionship of bles and zora was guided and regulated. of mornings zora would hurry through her lessons and get excused to fly to the swamp, to work and dream alone. at noon bles would run down, and they would linger until he must hurry back to dinner. after school he would go again, working while she was busy in miss smith's office, and returning later, would linger awhile to tell zora of his day while she busied herself with her little tasks. saturday mornings they would go to the swamp and work together, and sometimes miss smith, stealing away from curious eyes, would come and sit and talk with them as they toiled. in those days, for these two souls, earth came very near to heaven. both were in the midst of that mighty change from youth to womanhood and manhood. their manner toward each other by degrees grew shyer and more thoughtful. there was less of comradeship, but the little meant more. the rough good fellowship was silently put aside; they no longer lightly clasped hands; and each at times wondered, in painful self-consciousness, if the other cared. then began, too, that long and subtle change wherein a soul, until now unmindful of its wrappings, comes suddenly to consciousness of body and clothes; when it gropes and tries to adjust one with the other, and through them to give to the inner deeper self, finer and fuller expression. one saw it easily, almost suddenly, in alwyn's sunday suit, vivid neckties, and awkward fads. slower, subtler, but more striking was the change in zora, as she began to earn bits of pin money in the office and to learn to sew. dresses hung straighter; belts served a better purpose; stockings were smoother; underwear was daintier. then her hair--that great dark mass of immovable infinitely curled hair--began to be subdued and twisted and combed until, with steady pains and study, it lay in thick twisted braids about her velvet forehead, like some shadowed halo. all this came much more slowly and spasmodically than one tells it. few noticed the change much; none noticed all; and yet there came a night--a student's social--when with a certain suddenness the whole school, teachers and pupils, realized the newness of the girl, and even bles was startled. he had bought her in town, at christmas time, a pair of white satin slippers, partly to test the smallness of her feet on which in younger days he had rallied her, and partly because she had mentioned a possible white dress. they were a cheap, plain pair but dainty, and they fitted well. when the evening came and the students were marching and the teachers, save miss smith, were sitting rather primly apart and commenting, she entered the room. she was a little late, and a hush greeted her. one boy, with the inimitable drawl of the race, pushed back his ice-cream and addressed it with a mournful head-shake: "go way, honey, yo' los' yo' tas'e!" the dress was plain and fitted every curving of a healthy girlish form. she paused a moment white-bodied and white-limbed but dark and velvet-armed, her full neck and oval head rising rich and almost black above, with its deep-lighted eyes and crown of silent darkling hair. to some, such a revelation of grace and womanliness in this hoyden, the gentle swelling of lankness to beauty, of lowliness to shy self-poise, was a sudden joy, to others a mere blindness. mary taylor was perplexed and in some indefinite way amazed; and many of the other teachers saw no beauty, only a strangeness that brought a smile. they were such as know beauty by convention only, and find it lip-ringed, hoop-skirted, tattooed, or corsetted, as time and place decree. the change in zora, however, had been neither cataclysmic nor revolutionary and it was yet far--very far--from complete. she still ran and romped in the woods, and dreamed her dreams; she still was passionately independent and "queer." tendencies merely had become manifest, some dominant. she would, unhindered, develop to a brilliant, sumptuous womanhood; proud, conquering, full-blooded, and deep bosomed--a passionate mother of men. herein lay all her early wildness and strangeness. herein lay, as yet half hidden, dimly sensed and all unspoken, the power of a mighty all-compelling love for one human soul, and, through it, for all the souls of men. all this lay growing and developing; but as yet she was still a girl, with a new shyness and comeliness and a bold, searching heart. in the field of the silver fleece all her possibilities were beginning to find expression. these new-born green things hidden far down in the swamp, begotten in want and mystery, were to her a living wonderful fairy tale come true. all the latent mother in her brooded over them; all her brilliant fancy wove itself about them. they were her dream-children, and she tended them jealously; they were her hope, and she worshipped them. when the rabbits tried the tender plants she watched hours to drive them off, and catching now and then a pulsing pink-eyed invader, she talked to it earnestly: "brer rabbit--poor little brer rabbit, don't you know you mustn't eat zora's cotton? naughty, naughty brer rabbit." and then she would show it where she had gathered piles of fragrant weeds for it and its fellows. the golden green of the first leaves darkened, and the plants sprang forward steadily. never before was such a magnificent beginning, a full month ahead of other cotton. the rain swept down in laughing, bubbling showers, and laved their thirsty souls, and zora held her beating breast day by day lest it rain too long or too heavily. the sun burned fiercely upon the young cotton plants as the spring hastened, and they lifted their heads in darker, wilder luxuriance; for the time of hoeing was at hand. these days were days of alternate hope and doubt with bles alwyn. strength and ambition and inarticulate love were fighting within him. he felt, in the dark thousands of his kind about him, a mighty calling to deeds. he was becoming conscious of the narrowness and straightness of his black world, and red anger flashed in him ever and again as he felt his bonds. his mental horizon was broadening as he prepared for the college of next year; he was faintly grasping the wider, fuller world, and its thoughts and aspirations. but beside and around and above all this, like subtle, permeating ether, was--zora. his feelings for her were not as yet definite, expressed, or grasped; they were rather the atmosphere in which all things occurred and were felt and judged. from an amusing pastime she had come to be a companion and thought-mate; and now, beyond this, insensibly they were drifting to a silenter, mightier mingling of souls. but drifting, merely--not arrived; going gently, irresistibly, but not yet at the realized goal. he felt all this as the stirring of a mighty force, but knew not what he felt. the teasing of his fellows, the common love-gossip of the school yard, seemed far different from his plight. he laughed at it and indignantly denied it. yet he was uncomfortable, restless, unhappy. he fancied zora cared less for his company, and he gave her less, and then was puzzled to find time hanging so empty, so wretchedly empty, on his hands. when they were together in these days they found less to talk about, and had it not been for the silver fleece which in magic wilfulness opened both their mouths, they would have found their companionship little more than a series of awkward silences. yet in their silences, their walks, and their sittings there was a companionship, a glow, a satisfaction, as came to them nowhere else on earth, and they wondered at it. they were both wondering at it this morning as they watched their cotton. it had seemingly bounded forward in a night and it must be hoed forthwith. yet, hoeing was murder--the ruthless cutting away of tenderer plants that the sturdier might thrive the more and grow. "i hate it, bles, don't you?" "hate what?" "killing any of it; it's all so pretty." "but it must be, so that what's left will be prettier, or at least more useful." "but it shouldn't be so; everything ought to have a chance to be beautiful and useful." "perhaps it ought to be so," admitted bles, "but it isn't." "isn't it so--anywhere?" "i reckon not. death and pain pay for all good things." she hoed away silently, hesitating over the choice of the plants, pondering this world-old truth, saddened by its ruthless cruelty. "death and pain," she murmured; "what a price!" bles leaned on his hoe and considered. it had not occurred to him till now that zora was speaking better and better english: the idioms and errors were dropping away; they had not utterly departed, however, but came crowding back in moments of excitement. at other times she clothed miss smith's clear-cut, correct speech in softer southern accents. she was drifting away from him in some intangible way to an upper world of dress and language and deportment, and the new thought was pain to him. so it was that the fleece rose and spread and grew to its wonderful flowering; and so these two children grew with it into theirs. zora never forgot how they found the first white flower in that green and billowing sea, nor her low cry of pleasure and his gay shout of joy. slowly, wonderfully the flowers spread--white, blue, and purple bells, hiding timidly, blazing luxuriantly amid the velvet leaves; until one day--it was after a southern rain and the sunlight was twinkling through the morning--all the fleece was in flower--a mighty swaying sea, darkling rich and waving, and upon it flecks and stars of white and purple foam. the joy of the two so madly craved expression that they burst into singing; not the wild light song of dancing feet, but a low, sweet melody of her fathers' fathers, whereunto alwyn's own deep voice fell fitly in minor cadence. miss smith and miss taylor, who were sorting the mail, heard them singing as they came up out of the swamp. miss taylor looked at them, then at miss smith. but miss smith sat white and rigid with the first opened letter in her hand. _twelve_ the promise miss smith sat with her face buried in her hands while the tears trickled silently through her thin fingers. before her lay the letter, read a dozen times: "old mrs. grey has been to see me, and she has announced her intention of endowing five colored schools, yours being one. she asked if $500,000 would do it. she has plenty of money, so i told her $750,000 would be better--$150,000 apiece. she's arranging for a board of trust, etc. you'll probably hear from her soon. you've been so worried about expenses that i thought i'd send this word on; i knew you'd be glad." glad? dear god, how flat the word fell! for thirty years she had sown the seed, planting her life-blood in this work, that had become the marrow of her soul. successful? no, it had not been successful; but it had been human. through yonder doorway had trooped an army of hundreds upon hundreds of bright and dull, light and dark, eager and sullen faces. there had been good and bad, honest and deceptive, frank and furtive. some had caught, kindled and flashed to ambition and achievement; some, glowing dimly, had plodded on in a slow, dumb faithful work worth while; and yet others had suddenly exploded, hurtling human fragments to heaven and to hell. around this school home, as around the centre of some little universe, had whirled the sorrowful, sordid, laughing, pulsing drama of a world: birth pains, and the stupor of death; hunger and pale murder; the riot of thirst and the orgies of such red and black cabins as elspeth's, crouching in the swamp. she groaned as she read of the extravagances of the world and saw her own vanishing revenues; but the funds continued to dwindle until sarah smith asked herself: "what will become of this school when i die?" with trembling fingers she had sat down to figure how many teachers must be dropped next year, when her brother's letter came, and she slipped to her knees and prayed. mrs. grey's decision was due in no little way to mary taylor's reports. slowly but surely the girl had begun to think that she had found herself in this new world. she would never be attuned to it thoroughly, for she was set for different music. the veil of color and race still hung thickly between her and her pupils; and yet she seemed to see some points of penetration. no one could meet daily a hundred or more of these light-hearted, good-natured children without feeling drawn to them. no one could cross the thresholds of the cabins and not see the old and well-known problems of life and striving. more and more, therefore, the work met miss taylor's approval and she told mrs. grey so. at the same time mary taylor had come to some other definite conclusions: she believed it wrong to encourage the ambitions of these children to any great extent; she believed they should be servants and farmers, content to work under present conditions until those conditions could be changed; and she believed that the local white aristocracy, helped by northern philanthropy, should take charge of such gradual changes. these conclusions she did not pretend to have originated; but she adopted them from reading and conversation, after hesitating for a year before such puzzling contradictions as bles alwyn and harry cresswell. for her to conclude to treat bles alwyn as a man despite his color was as impossible as to think mr. cresswell a criminal. some compromise was imperative which would save her the pleasure of mr. cresswell's company and at the same time leave open a way of fulfilling the world's duty to this black boy. she thought she had found this compromise and she wrote mrs. grey suggesting a chain of endowed negro schools under the management of trustees composed of northern business men and local southern whites. mrs. grey acquiesced gladly and announced her plan, eventually writing miss smith of her decision "to second her noble efforts in helping the poor colored people," and she hoped to have the plan under way before next fall. the sharpness of miss smith's joy did not let her dwell on the proposed "board of trust"; of course, it would be a board of friends of the school. she sat in her office looking out across the land. school had closed for the year and bles with the carryall was just taking miss taylor to the train with her trunk and bags. far up the road she could see dotted here and there the little dirty cabins of cresswell's tenants--the cresswell domain that lay like a mighty hand around the school, ready at a word to squeeze its life out. only yonder, to the eastward, lay the way out; the five hundred acres of the tolliver plantation, which the school needed so sadly for its farm and community. but the owner was a hard and ignorant white man, hating "niggers" only a shade more than he hated white aristocrats of the cresswell type. he had sold the school its first land to pique the cresswells; but he would not sell any more, she was sure, even now when the promise of wealth faced the school. she lay back and closed her eyes and fell lightly asleep. as she slept an old woman came toiling up the hill northward from the school, and out of the eastward spur of the cresswell barony. she was fat and black, hooded and aproned, with great round head and massive bosom. her face was dull and heavy and homely, her old eyes sorrowful. she moved swiftly, carrying a basket on her arm. opposite her, to the southward, but too far for sight, an old man came out of the lower cresswell place, skirting the swamp. he was tall, black, and gaunt, part bald with tufted hair, and a cowed and furtive look was in his eyes. one leg was crippled, and he hobbled painfully. up the road to the eastward that ran past the school, with the morning sun at his back, strode a young man, yellow, crisp-haired, strong-faced, with darkly knit brows. he greeted bles and the teacher coldly, and moved on in nervous haste. a woman, hurrying out of the westward swamp up the path that led from elspeth's, saw him and shrank back hastily. she turned quickly into the swamp and waited, looking toward the school. the old woman hurried into the back gate just as the old man appeared to the southward on the road. the young man greeted him cordially and they stopped a moment to talk, while the hiding woman watched. "howdy, uncle jim." "howdy, son. hit's hot, ain't it? how is you?" "tolerable, how are you?" "poorly, son, poorly--and worser in mind. i'se goin' up to talk to old miss." "so am i, but i just see aunt rachel going in. we'd better wait." miss smith started up at the timid knocking, and rubbed her eyes. it was long since she had slept in the daytime and she was annoyed at such laziness. she opened the back door and led the old woman to the office. "now, what have you got there?" she demanded, eyeing the basket. "just a little chicken fo' you and a few aigs." "oh, you are so thoughtful!" sarah smith's was a grateful heart. "go 'long now--hit ain't a thing." then came a pause, the old woman sliding into the proffered seat, while over her genial, dimpled smile there dropped a dull veil of care. her eyes shifted uneasily. miss smith tried not to notice the change. "well, are you all moved, aunt rachel?" she inquired cheerfully. "no'm, and we ain't gwine to move." "but i thought it was all arranged." "it was," gloomily, "but de ole cunnel, he won't let us go." the listener was instantly sympathetic. "why not?" she asked. "he says we owes him." "but didn't you settle at christmas?" "yas'm; but when he found we was goin' away, he looked up some more debts." "how much?" "i don't know 'zactly--more'n a hundred dollars. den de boys done got in dat trouble, and he paid their fines." "what was the trouble?" "well, one was a-gambling, and the other struck the overseer what was a-whippin' him." "whipping him!"--in horrified exclamation, quite as much at aunt rachel's matter-of-fact way of regarding the matter as at the deed itself. "yas'm. he didn't do his work right and he whipped him. i speck he needed it." "but he's a grown man," miss smith urged earnestly. "yas'm; he's twenty now, and big." "whipped him!" miss smith repeated. "and so you can't leave?" "no'm, he say he'll sell us out and put us in de chain-gang if we go. the boys is plumb mad, but i'se a-pleadin' with 'em not to do nothin' rash." "but--but i thought they had already started to work a crop on the tolliver place?" "yes'm, dey had; but, you see, dey were arrested, and then cunnel cresswell took 'em and 'lowed they couldn't leave his place. ol' man tolliver was powerful mad." "why, aunt rachel, it's slavery!" cried the lady in dismay. aunt rachel did not offer to dispute her declaration. "yas'm, hit's slavery," she agreed. "i hates it mighty bad, too, 'cause i wanted de little chillens in school; but--" the old woman broke down and sobbed. a knocking came at the door; hastily wiping her eyes aunt rachel rose. "i'll--i'll see what i can do, aunt rachel--i must do something," murmured miss smith hastily, as the woman departed, and an old black man came limping in. miss smith looked up in surprise. "i begs pardon, mistress--i begs pardon. good-morning." "good-morning--" she hesitated. "sykes--jim sykes--that's me." "yes, i've heard of you, mr. sykes; you live over south of the swamp." "yes, ma'am, that's me; and i'se got a little shack dar and a bit of land what i'se trying to buy." "of colonel cresswell?" "yas'm, of de cunnel." "and how long have you been buying it?" "going on ten year now; and dat's what i comes to ask you about." "goodness me! and how much have you paid a year?" "i gen'rally pays 'bout three bales of cotton a year." "does he furnish you rations?" "only sugar and coffee and a little meat now and then." "what does it amount to a year?" "i doesn't rightly know--but i'se got some papers here." miss smith looked them over and sighed. it was the same old tale of blind receipts for money "on account"--no items, no balancing. by his help she made out that last year his total bill at cresswell's store was perhaps forty dollars. "an' last year's bill was bigger'n common 'cause i hurt my leg working at the gin and had to have some medicine." "why, as far as i can see, mr. sykes, you've paid cresswell about a thousand dollars in the last ten years. how large is your place?" "about twenty acres." "and what were you to pay for it?" "four hundred." "have you got the deed?" "yes'm, but i ain't finished paying yet; de cunnel say as how i owes him two hundred dollars still, and i can't see it. dat's why i come over here to talk wid you." "where is the deed?" he handed it to her and her heart sank. it was no deed, but a complicated contract binding the tenant hand and foot to the landlord. she sighed, he watching her eagerly. "i'se getting old," he explained, "and i ain't got nobody to take care of me. i can't work as i once could, and de overseers dey drives me too hard. i wants a little home to die in." miss smith's throat swelled. she couldn't tell him that he would never get one at the present rate; she only said: "i'll--look this up. you come again next saturday." then sadly she watched the ragged old slave hobble away with his cherished "papers." he greeted the young man at the gate and passed out, while the latter walked briskly up to the door and knocked. "why, how do you do, robert?" "how do you do, miss smith?" "well, are you getting things in shape so as to enter school early next year?" robert looked embarrassed. "that's what i came to tell you, miss smith. mr. cresswell has offered me forty acres of good land." miss smith looked disheartened. "robert, here you are almost finished, and my heart is set on your going to atlanta university and finishing college. with your fine voice and talent for drawing--" a dogged look settled on robert's young bright face, and the speaker paused. "what's the use, miss smith--what opening is there for a--a nigger with an education?" miss smith was shocked. "why--why, every chance," she protested, "and where there's none _make_ a chance!" "miss taylor says"--miss smith's heart sank; how often had she heard that deadening phrase in the last year!--"that there's no use. that farming is the only thing we ought to try to do, and i reckon she thinks there ain't much chance even there." "robert, farming is a noble calling. whether you're suited to it or not, i don't yet know, but i'd like nothing better than to see you settled here in a decent home with a family, running a farm. but, robert, farming doesn't call for less intelligence than other things; it calls for more. it is because the world thinks any training good enough for a farmer that the southern farmer is today practically at the mercy of his keener and more intelligent fellows. and of all people, robert, your people need trained intelligence to cope with this problem of farming here. without intelligence and training and some capital it is the wildest nonsense to think you can lead your people out of slavery. look round you." she told him of the visitors. "are they not hard working honest people?" "yes, ma'am." "yet they are slaves--dumb driven cattle." "but they have no education." "and you have a smattering; therefore are ready to pit yourself against the organized plantation system without capital or experience. robert, you may succeed; you may find your landlord honest and the way clear; but my advice to you is--finish your education, develop your talents, and then come to your life work a full-fledged man and not a half-ignorant boy." "i'll think of it," returned the boy soberly. "i reckon you're right. i know miss taylor don't think much of us. but i'm tired of waiting; i want to get to work." miss smith laid a kindly hand upon his shoulder. "i've been waiting thirty years, robert," she said, with feeling, and he hung his head. "i wanted to talk about it," he awkwardly responded, turning slowly away. but miss smith stopped him. "robert, where is the land cresswell offers you?" "it's on the tolliver place." "the tolliver place?" "yes, he is going to buy it." miss smith dismissed the boy absently and sat down. the crisis seemed drawing near. she had not dreamed the tolliver place was for sale. the old man must be hard pressed to sell to the cresswells. she started up. why not go see him? perhaps a mortgage on the strength of the endowment? it was dangerous--but-she threw a veil over her hair, and opened the door. a woman stood there, who shrank and cowered, as if used to blows. miss smith eyed her grimly, then slowly stepped back. "come in," she commanded briefly, motioning the woman to a chair. but she stood, a pathetic figure, faded, worn, yet with unmistakable traces of beauty in her golden face and soft brown hair. miss smith contemplated her sadly. here was her most haunting failure, this girl whom she first had seen twelve years ago in her wonderful girlish comeliness. she had struggled and fought for her, but the forces of the devil had triumphed. she caught glimpses of her now and then, but today was the first time she had spoken to her for ten years. she saw the tears that gathered but did not fall; then her hands quivered. "bertie," she began brokenly. the girl shivered, but stood aloof. "miss smith," she said. "no--don't talk--i'm bad--but i've got a little girl, miss smith, ten years old, and--and--i'm afraid for her; i want you to take her." "i have no place for one so young. and why are you afraid for her?" "the men there are beginning to notice her." "where?" "at elspeth's." "do you stay there now?" "yes." "why?" "_he_ wants me to." "must you do as he wants?" "yes. but i want the child--different." "don't _you_ want to be different?" the woman quivered again but she answered steadily: "no." miss smith sank into a chair and moistened her dry lips. "elspeth's is an awful place," she affirmed solemnly. "yes." "and zora?" "she is not there much now, she stays away." "but if she escapes, why not you?" "she wants to escape." "and you?" "i don't want to." this stubborn depravity was so distressing that sarah smith was at an utter loss what to say or do. "i can do nothing--" she began. "for me," the woman quickly replied; "i don't ask anything; but for the child,--she isn't to blame." the older woman wavered. "won't you try?" pleaded the younger. "yes--i'll try, i'll try; i am trying all the time, but there are more things than my weak strength can do. good-bye." miss smith stood a long time in the doorway, watching the fading figure and vaguely trying to remember what it was that she had started to do, when the sharp staccato step of a mule drew her attention to a rider who stopped at the gate. it was her neighbor, tolliver--a gaunt, yellow-faced white man, ragged, rough, and unkempt; one of the poor whites who had struggled up and failed. he spent no courtesy on the "nigger" teacher, but sat in his saddle and called her to the gate, and she went. "say," he roughly opened up, "i've got to sell some land and them damn cresswells are after it. you can have it for five thousand dollars if you git the cash in a week." with a muttered oath he rode abruptly off; but not before she had seen the tears in his eyes. all night sarah smith lay thinking, and all day she thought and dreamed. toward dark she walked slowly out the gate and up the highway toward the cresswell oaks. she had never been within the gates before, and she looked about thoughtfully. the great trees in their regular curving rows must have been planted more than half a century ago. the lawn was well tended and the flowers. yes, there were signs of taste and wealth. "but it was built on a moan," cried miss smith to herself, passionately, and she would not look round any more, but stared straight ahead where she saw old colonel cresswell smoking and reading on the verandah. the colonel saw her, too, and was uneasy, for he knew that miss smith had a sharp tongue and a most disconcerting method of argument, which he, as a southern gentleman, courteous to all white females, even if they did eat with "niggers," could not properly answer. he received her with courtesy, offered a chair, laid aside his cigar, and essayed some general remarks on cotton weather. but miss smith plunged into her subject: "colonel cresswell, i'm thinking of raising some money from a mortgage on our school property." the colonel's face involuntarily lighted up. he thought he saw the beginning of the end of an institution which had been a thorn in his flesh ever since tolliver, in a fit of rage, had sold land for a negro school. "h'm," he reflected deprecatingly, wiping his brow. "i need some ready money," she continued, "to keep from curtailing our work." "indeed?" "i have good prospects in a year or so"--the colonel looked up sharply, but said nothing--"and so i thought of a mortgage." "money is pretty tight," was the colonel's first objection. "the land is worth, you know, at least fifty dollars an acre." "not more than twenty-five dollars, i fear." "why, you wanted seventy-five dollars for poorer land last year! we have two hundred acres." it was not for nothing that this lady had been born in new england. "i wouldn't reckon it as worth more than five thousand dollars," insisted the colonel. "and ten thousand dollars for improvements." but the colonel arose. "you had better talk to the directors of the jefferson bank," he said politely. "they may accommodate you--how much would you want?" "five thousand dollars," miss smith replied. then she hesitated. that would buy the land, to be sure; but money was needed to develop and run it; to install tenants; and then, too, for new teachers. but she said nothing more, and, nodding to his polite bow, departed. colonel cresswell had noticed her hesitation, and thought of it as he settled to his cigar again. bles alwyn arose next morning and examined the sky critically. he feared rain. the season had been quite wet enough, particularly down on the swamp land, and but yesterday bles had viewed his dykes with apprehension for the black pool scowled about them. he dared not think what a long heavy rain might do to the wonderful island of cotton which now stood fully five feet high, with flowers and squares and budding bolls. it might not rain, but the safest thing would be to work at those dykes, so he started for spade and hoe. he heard miss smith calling, however. "bles--hitch up!" he was vexed. "are you--in a hurry, miss smith?" he asked. "yes, i am," she replied, with unmistakable positiveness. he started off, and hesitated. "miss smith, would jim do to drive?" "no," sharply. "i want you particularly." at another time she might have observed his anxiety, but today she was agitated. she knew she was taking a critical step. slowly bles hitched up. after all it might not rain, he argued as they jogged toward town. in silence they rode on. bles kept looking at the skies. the south was getting darker and darker. it might rain. it might rain only an hour or so, but, suppose it should rain a day--two days--a week? miss smith was looking at her own skies and despite the promised sunrise they loomed darkly. five thousand was needed for the land and at least another thousand for repairs. two thousand would "buy" a half dozen desirable tenants by paying their debts to their present landlords. then two thousand would be wanted for new teachers and a carpenter shop--ten thousand dollars! it was a great temptation. and yet, once in the hands of these past-masters of debt-manipulation, would her school be safe? suppose, after all, this grey gift--but she caught her breath sharply just as a wet splash of rain struck upon her forehead. no. god could not be so cruel. she pushed her bonnet back: how good and cool the water felt! but on bles as he raised the buggy top it felt hot and fiery. he felt the coming of some great calamity, the end of a dream. this rain might stay for days; it looked like such a downpour; and that would mean the end of the silver fleece; the end of zora's hopes; the end of everything. he gulped in despairing anger and hit the staid old horse the smartest tap she had known all summer. "why, bles, what's the matter?" called miss smith, as the horse started forward. he murmured something about getting wet and drew up at the toomsville bank. miss smith was invited politely into the private parlor. she explained her business. the president was there and colonel cresswell and one other local director. "i have come for a mortgage. our land is, as you know, gentlemen, worth at least ten thousand dollars; the buildings cost fifteen thousand dollars; our property is, therefore, conservatively valued at twenty-five thousand dollars. now i want to mortgage it for"--she hesitated--"five thousand dollars." colonel cresswell was silent, but the president said: "money is rather scarce just now, miss smith; but it happens that i have ten thousand dollars on hand, which we prefer, however, to loan in one lump sum. now, if the security were ample, i think perhaps you might get this ten thousand dollars." miss smith grew white; it was the sum she wanted. she tried to escape the temptation, yet the larger amount was more than twice as desirable to her as the smaller, and she knew that they knew it. they were trying to tempt her; they wanted as firm a hold on the school property as possible. and yet, why should she hesitate? it was a risk, but the returns would be enormous--she must do it. besides, there was the endowment; it was certain; yes--she felt forced to close the bargain. "very well," she declared her decision, and they handed her the preliminary papers. she took the pen and glanced at mr. cresswell; he was smiling slightly, but nevertheless she signed her name grimly, in a large round hand, "sarah smith." _thirteen_ mrs. grey gives a dinner the hon. charles smith, miss sarah's brother, was walking swiftly uptown from mr. easterly's wall street office and his face was pale. at last the cotton combine was to all appearances an assured fact and he was slated for the senate. the price he had paid was high: he was to represent the interests of the new trust and sundry favorable measures were already drafted and reposing in the safe of the combine's legal department. among others was one relating to child labor, another that would effect certain changes in the tariff, and a proposed law providing for a cotton bale of a shape and dimensions different from the customary--the last constituting a particularly clever artifice which, under the guise of convenience in handling, would necessitate the installation of entirely new gin and compress machinery, to be supplied, of course, by the trust. as mr. smith drew near mrs. grey's murray hill residence his face had melted to a cynical smile. after all why should he care? he had tried independence and philanthropy and failed. why should he not be as other men? he had seen many others that very day swallow the golden bait and promise everything. they were gentlemen. why should he pose as better than his fellows? there was young cresswell. did his aristocratic air prevent his succumbing to the lure of millions and promising the influence of his father and the whole farmer's league to the new project? mr. smith snapped his fingers and rang the bell. the door opened softly. the dark woodwork of the old english wainscoting glowed with the crimson flaming of logs in the wide fireplace. there was just the touch of early autumn chill in the air without, that made both the fire and the table with its soft linen, gold and silver plate, and twinkling glasses a warming, satisfying sight. mrs. grey was a portly woman, inclined to think much of her dinner and her clothes, both of which were always rich and costly. she was not herself a notably intelligent woman; she greatly admired intelligence or whatever looked to her like intelligence in others. her money, too, was to her an ever worrying mystery and surprise, which she found herself always scheming to husband shrewdly and spend philanthropically--a difficult combination. as she awaited her guests she surveyed the table with both satisfaction and disquietude, for her social functions were few, tonight there were--she checked them off on her fingers--sir james creighton, the rich english manufacturer, and lady creighton, mr. and mrs. vanderpool, mr. harry cresswell and his sister, john taylor and his sister, and mr. charles smith, whom the evening papers mentioned as likely to be united states senator from new jersey--a selection of guests that had been determined, unknown to the hostess, by the meeting of cotton interests earlier in the day. mrs. grey's chef was high-priced and efficient, and her butler was the envy of many; consequently, she knew the dinner would be good. to her intense satisfaction, it was far more than this. it was a most agreeable couple of hours; all save perhaps mr. smith unbent, the englishman especially, and the vanderpools were most gracious; but if the general pleasure was owing to any one person particularly it was to mr. harry cresswell. mrs. grey had met southerners before, but not intimately, and she always had in mind vividly their cruelty to "poor negroes," a subject she made a point of introducing forthwith. she was therefore most agreeably surprised to hear mr. cresswell express himself so cordially as approving of negro education. "why, i thought," said mrs. grey, "that you southerners rather disapproved--or at least--" mr. cresswell inclined his head courteously. "we southerners, my dear mrs. grey, are responsible for a variety of reputations." and he told an anecdote that set the table laughing. "seriously, though," he continued, "we are not as black as the blacks paint us, although on the whole i _prefer_ that helen should marry--a white man." they all glanced at miss cresswell, who lay softly back in her chair like a white lily, gleaming and bejewelled, her pale face flushing under the scrutiny; mrs. grey was horrified. "why--why the idea!" she sputtered. "why, mr. cresswell, how can you conceive of anything else--no northerner dreams--" mr. cresswell sipped his wine slowly. "no--no--i do not think you do _mean_ that--" he paused and the englishman bent forward. "really, now, you do not mean to say that there is a danger of--of amalgamation, do you?" he sang. mr. cresswell explained. no, of course there was no immediate danger; but when people were suddenly thrust beyond their natural station, filled with wild ideas and impossible ambitions, it meant terrible danger to southern white women. "but you believe in some education?" asked mary taylor. "i believe in the training of people to their highest capacity." the englishman here heartily seconded him. "but," cresswell added significantly, "capacity differs enormously between races." the vanderpools were sure of this and the englishman, instancing india, became quite eloquent. mrs. grey was mystified, but hardly dared admit it. the general trend of the conversation seemed to be that most individuals needed to be submitted to the sharpest scrutiny before being allowed much education, and as for the "lower races" it was simply criminal to open such useless opportunities to them. "why, i had a colored servant-girl once," laughed mrs. vanderpool by way of climax, "who spent half her wages in piano lessons." then mary taylor, whose conscience was uncomfortable, said: "but, mr. cresswell, you surely believe in schools like miss smith's?" "decidedly," returned mr. cresswell, with enthusiasm, "it has done great good." mrs. grey was gratified and murmured something of miss smith's "sacrifice." "positively heroic," added cresswell, avoiding his sister's eyes. "of course," mary taylor hastened to encourage this turn of the conversation, "there are many points on which miss smith and i disagree, but i think everybody admires her work." mrs. grey wanted particulars. "what did you disagree about?" she asked bluntly. "i may be responsible for some of the disagreement," interrupted mr. cresswell, hesitatingly; "i'm afraid miss smith does not approve of us white southerners." "but you mean to say you can't even advise her?" "oh, no; we can. but--we're not--er--exactly welcomed. in fact," said cresswell gravely, "the chief criticism i have against your northerners' schools for negroes is, that they not only fail to enlist the sympathy and aid of the _best_ southerners, but even repel it." "that is very wrong--very wrong," commented the englishman warmly, a sentiment in which mrs. grey hastened to agree. "of course," continued cresswell, "i am free to confess that i have no personal desire to dabble in philanthropy, or conduct schools of any kind; my hands are full of other matters." "but it's precisely the advice of such disinterested men that philanthropic work needs," mr. vanderpool urged. "well, i volunteered advice once in this case and i sha'n't repeat the experiment soon," said cresswell laughing. mrs. grey wanted to hear the incident, but the young man was politely reluctant. mary taylor, however, related the tale of zora to mrs. grey's private ear later. "fortunately," said mr. vanderpool, "northerners and southerners are arriving at a better mutual understanding on most of these matters." "yes, indeed," cresswell agreed. "after all, they never were far apart, even in slavery days; both sides were honest and sincere." all through the dinner mr. smith had been preoccupied and taciturn. now he abruptly shot a glance at cresswell. "i suppose that one was right and one was wrong." "no," said cresswell, "both were right." "i thought the only excuse for fighting was a great right; if right is on neither side or simultaneously on both, then war is not only hell but damnation." mrs. grey looked shocked and mrs. vanderpool smiled. "how about fighting for exercise?" she suggested. "at any rate," said cresswell, "we can all agree on helping these poor victims of our quarrel as far as their limited capacity will allow--and no farther, for that is impossible." very soon after dinner charles smith excused himself. he was not yet inured to the ways of high finance, and the programme of the cotton barons, as unfolded that day, lay heavy on his mind, despite all his philosophy. "i have had a--full day," he explained to mrs. grey. _fourteen_ love the rain was sweeping down in great thick winding sheets. the wind screamed in the ancient cresswell oaks and swirled across the swamp in loud, wild gusts. the waters roared and gurgled in the streams, and along the roadside. then, when the wind fell murmuring away, the clouds grew blacker and blacker and rain in long slim columns fell straight from heaven to earth digging itself into the land and throwing back the red mud in angry flashes. so it rained for one long week, and so for seven endless days bles watched it with leaden heart. he knew the silver fleece--his and zora's--must be ruined. it was the first great sorrow of his life; it was not so much the loss of the cotton itself--but the fantasy, the hopes, the dreams built around it. if it failed, would not they fail? was not this angry beating rain, this dull spiritless drizzle, this wild war of air and earth, but foretaste and prophecy of ruin and discouragement, of the utter futility of striving? but if his own despair was great his pain at the plight of zora made it almost unbearable. he did not see her in these seven days. he pictured her huddled there in the swamp in the cheerless leaky cabin with worse than no companions. ah! the swamp, the cruel swamp! it was a fearful place in the rain. its oozing mud and fetid vapors, its clinging slimy draperies,--how they twined about the bones of its victims and chilled their hearts. yet here his zora,--his poor disappointed child--was imprisoned. child? he had always called her child--but now in the inward illumination of these dark days he knew her as neither child nor sister nor friend, but as the one woman. the revelation of his love lighted and brightened slowly till it flamed like a sunrise over him and left him in burning wonder. he panted to know if she, too, knew, or knew and cared not, or cared and knew not. she was so strange and human a creature. to her all things meant something--nothing was aimless, nothing merely happened. was this rain beating down and back her love for him, or had she never loved? he walked his room, gripping his hands, peering through the misty windows toward the swamp--rain, rain, rain, nothing but rain. the world was water veiled in mists. then of a sudden, at midday, the sun shot out, hot and still; no breath of air stirred; the sky was like blue steel; the earth steamed. bles rushed to the edge of the swamp and stood there irresolute. perhaps--if the water had but drained from the cotton!--it was so strong and tall! but, pshaw! where was the use of imagining? the lagoon had been level with the dykes a week ago; and now? he could almost see the beautiful silver fleece, bedraggled, drowned, and rolling beneath the black lake of slime. he went back to his work, but early in the morning the thought of it lured him again. he must at least see the grave of his hope and zora's, and out of it resurrect new love and strength. perhaps she, too, might be there, waiting, weeping. he started at the thought. he hurried forth sadly. the rain-drops were still dripping and gleaming from the trees, flashing back the heavy yellow sunlight. he splashed and stamped along, farther and farther onward until he neared the rampart of the clearing, and put foot upon the tree-bridge. then he looked down. the lagoon was dry. he stood a moment bewildered, then turned and rushed upon the island. a great sheet of dazzling sunlight swept the place, and beneath lay a mighty mass of olive green, thick, tall, wet, and willowy. the squares of cotton, sharp-edged, heavy, were just about to burst to bolls! and underneath, the land lay carefully drained and black! for one long moment he paused, stupid, agape with utter amazement, then leaned dizzily against a tree. the swamp, the eternal swamp, had been drained in its deepest fastness; but, how?--how? he gazed about, perplexed, astonished. what a field of cotton! what a marvellous field! but how had it been saved? he skirted the island slowly, stopping near zora's oak. here lay the reading of the riddle: with infinite work and pain, some one had dug a canal from the lagoon to the creek, into which the former had drained by a long and crooked way, thus allowing it to empty directly. the canal went straight, a hundred yards through stubborn soil, and it was oozing now with slimy waters. he sat down weak, bewildered, and one thought was uppermost--zora! and with the thought came a low moan of pain. he wheeled and leapt toward the dripping shelter in the tree. there she lay--wet, bedraggled, motionless, gray-pallid beneath her dark-drawn skin, her burning eyes searching restlessly for some lost thing, her lips a-moaning. in dumb despair he dropped beside her and gathered her in his arms. the earth staggered beneath him as he stumbled on; the mud splashed and sunlight glistened; he saw long snakes slithering across his path and fear-struck beasts fleeing before his coming. he paused for neither path nor way but went straight for the school, running in mighty strides, yet gently, listening to the moans that struck death upon his heart. once he fell headlong, but with a great wrench held her from harm, and minded not the pain that shot through his ribs. the yellow sunshine beat fiercely around and upon him, as he stumbled into the highway, lurched across the mud-strewn road, and panted up the porch. "miss smith--!" he gasped, and then--darkness. the years of the days of her dying were ten. the boy that entered the darkness and the shadow of death emerged a man, a silent man and grave, working furiously and haunting, day and night, the little window above the door. at last, of one gray morning when the earth was stillest, they came and told him, "she will live!" and he went out under the stars, lifted his long arms and sobbed: "curse me, o god, if i let me lose her again!" and god remembered this in after years. the hope and dream of harvest was upon the land. the cotton crop was short and poor because of the great rain; but the sun had saved the best, and the price had soared. so the world was happy, and the face of the black-belt green and luxuriant with thickening flecks of the coming foam of the cotton. up in the sick room zora lay on the little white bed. the net and web of endless things had been crawling and creeping around her; she had struggled in dumb, speechless terror against some mighty grasping that strove for her life, with gnarled and creeping fingers; but now at last, weakly, she opened her eyes and questioned. bles, where was he? the silver fleece, how was it? the sun, the swamp? then finding all well, she closed her eyes and slept. after some days they let her sit by the window, and she saw bles pass, but drew back timidly when he looked; and he saw only the flutter of her gown, and waved. at last there came a day when they let her walk down to the porch, and she felt the flickering of her strength again. yet she looked different; her buxom comeliness was spiritualized; her face looked smaller, and her masses of hair, brought low about her ears, heightened her ghostly beauty; her skin was darkly transparent, and her eyes looked out from velvet veils of gloom. for a while she lay in her chair, in happy, dreamy pleasure at sun and bird and tree. bles did not know yet that she was down; but soon he would come searching, for he came each hour, and she pressed her little hands against her breast to still the beating of her heart and the bursting wonder of her love. then suddenly a panic seized her. he must not find her here--not here; there was but one place in all the earth for them to meet, and that was yonder in the silver fleece. she rose with a fleeting glance, gathered the shawl round her, then gliding forward, wavering, tremulous, slipped across the road and into the swamp. the dark mystery of the swamp swept over her; the place was hers. she had been born within its borders; within its borders she had lived and grown, and within its borders she had met her love. on she hurried until, sweeping down to the lagoon and the island, lo! the cotton lay before her! a great white foam was spread upon its brown and green; the whole field was waving and shivering in the sunlight. a low cry of pleasure burst from her lips; she forgot her weakness, and picking her way across the bridge, stood still amid the cotton that nestled about her shoulders, clasping it lovingly in her hands. he heard that she was down-stairs and ran to meet her with beating heart. the chair was empty; but he knew. there was but one place then for these two souls to meet. yet it was far, and he feared, and ran with startled eyes. she stood on the island, ethereal, splendid, like some tall, dark, and gorgeous flower of the storied east. the green and white of the cotton billowed and foamed about her breasts; the red scarf burned upon her neck; the dark brown velvet of her skin pulsed warm and tremulous with the uprushing blood, and in the midnight depths of her great eyes flamed the mighty fires of long-concealed and new-born love. he darted through the trees and paused, a tall man strongly but slimly made. he threw up his hands in the old way and hallooed; happily she crooned back a low mother-melody, and waited. he came down to her slowly, with fixed, hungry eyes, threading his way amid the fleece. she did not move, but lifted both her dark hands, white with cotton; and then, as he came, casting it suddenly to the winds, in tears and laughter she swayed and dropped quivering in his arms. and all the world was sunshine and peace. _fifteen_ revelation harry cresswell was scowling over his breakfast. it was not because his apartment in the new york hotel was not satisfactory, or his breakfast unpalatable; possibly a rather bewildering night in broadway was expressing its influence; but he was satisfied that his ill-temper was due to a paragraph in the morning paper: "it is stated on good authority that the widow of the late multimillionaire, job grey, will announce a large and carefully planned scheme of negro education in the south, and will richly endow schools in south carolina, georgia, alabama, louisiana, and texas." cresswell finally thrust his food away. he knew that mrs. grey helped miss smith's school, and supposed she would continue to do so; with that in mind he had striven to impress her, hoping that she might trust his judgment in later years. he had no idea, however, that she meant to endow the school, or entertained wholesale plans for negro education. the knowledge made him suspicious. why had neither mary nor john taylor mentioned this? was there, after all, some "nigger-loving" conspiracy back of the cotton combine? he took his hat and started down-town. once in john taylor's broadway office, he opened the subject abruptly--the more so perhaps because he felt a resentment against taylor for certain unnamed or partially voiced assumptions. here was a place, however, for speech, and he spoke almost roughly. "taylor, what does this mean?" he thrust the clipping at him. "mean? that mrs. grey is going to get rid of some of her surplus cash--is going to endow some nigger schools," taylor drily retorted. "it must be stopped," declared cresswell. the other's brows drew up. "why?" in a surprised tone. "why? why? do you think the plantation system can be maintained without laborers? do you think there's the slightest chance of cornering cotton and buying the black belt if the niggers are unwilling to work under present conditions? do you know the man that stands ready to gobble up every inch of cotton land in this country at a price which no trust can hope to rival?" john taylor's interest quickened. "why, no," he returned sharply. "who?" "the black man, whose woolly head is filled with ideas of rising. we're striving by main force to prevent this, and here come your damned northern philanthropists to plant schools. why, taylor, it'll knock the cotton trust to hell." "don't get excited," said taylor, judicially. "we've got things in our hands; it's the grey money, you know, that is back of us." "that's just what confounds me," declared the perplexed young man. "are you men fools, or rascals? don't you see the two schemes can't mix? they're dead opposite, mutually contradictory, absolutely--" taylor checked him; it was odd to behold harry cresswell so disturbed. "well, wait a moment. let's see. sit down. wish i had a cigar for you, but i don't smoke." "do you happen to have any whiskey handy?" "no, i don't drink." "well, what the devil--oh, well, fire away." "now, see here. we control the grey millions. of course, we've got to let her play with her income, and that's considerable. her favorite game just now is negro education, and she's planning to go in heavy. her adviser in this line, however, is smith, and he belongs to us." "what smith?" "why, the man who's going to be senator from new jersey. he has a sister teaching in the south--you know, of course; it's at your home where my sister mary taught." "great scott! is that woman's brother going to spend this money? why, are you daft? see here! american cotton-spinning supremacy is built on cheap cotton; cheap cotton is built on cheap niggers. educating, or rather _trying_ to educate niggers, will make them restless and discontented--that is, scarce and dear as workers. don't you see you're planning to cut off your noses? this smith school, particularly, has nearly ruined our plantation. it's stuck almost in our front yard; _you_ are planning to put our plough-hands all to studying greek, and at the same time to corner the cotton crop--rot!" john taylor caressed his lean jaw. "new point of view to me; i sort of thought education would improve things in the south," he commented, unmoved. "it would if we ran it." "we?" "yes--we southerners." "um!--i see--there's light. see here, let's talk to easterly about this." they went into the next office, and after a while got audience with the trust magnate. mr. easterly heard the matter carefully and waved it aside. "oh, that doesn't concern us, taylor; let cresswell take care of the whole thing. we'll see that smith does what cresswell wants." but taylor shook his head. "smith would kick. mrs. grey would get suspicious, and the devil be to pay. this is better. form a big committee of northern business men like yourself--philanthropists like vanderpool, and southerners like cresswell; let them be a sort of negro education steering-committee. we'll see that on such committee you southerners get what you want--control of negro education." "that sounds fair. but how about the smith school? my father writes me that they are showing signs of expecting money right off--is that true? if it is, i want it stopped; it will ruin our campaign for the farmers' league." john taylor looked at cresswell. he thought he saw something more than general policy, or even racial prejudice--something personal--in his vehemence. the smith school was evidently a severe thorn in the flesh of this man. all the more reason for mollifying him. then, too, there was something in his argument. it was not wise to start educating these negroes and getting them discontented just now. ignorant labor was not ideal, but it was worth too much to employers to lose it now. educated negro labor might be worth more to negroes, but not to the cotton combine. "h'm--well, then--" and john taylor went into a brown study, while cresswell puffed impatiently at a cigarette. "i have it," said taylor. cresswell sat up. "first, let mr. easterly get smith." easterly turned to the telephone. "is that you, smith?" "well, this is easterly.... yes--how about mrs. grey's education schemes?... yes.... h'm--well,--see here smith, we must go a little easy there.... oh, no, no,--but to advertise just now a big scheme of negro education would drive the cresswells, the farmers' league, and the whole business south dead against us.... yes, yes indeed; they believe in education all right, but they ain't in for training lawyers and professors just yet.... no, i don't suppose her school is.... well, then; see here. she'll be reasonable, won't she, and placate the cresswells?... no, i mean run the school to suit their ideas.... no, no, but in general along the lines which they could approve.... yes, i thought so ... of course ... good-bye." "inclined to be a little nasty?" asked taylor. "a little sharp--but tractable. now, mr. cresswell, the thing is in your hands. we'll get this committee which taylor suggests appointed, and send it on a junket to alabama; you do the rest--see?" "who'll be the committee?" asked cresswell. "name it." mr. cresswell smiled and left. the winter started in severely, and it was easy to fill two private cars with members of the new negro education board right after thanksgiving. cresswell had worked carefully and with caution. there was mrs. grey, comfortable and beaming, mr. easterly, who thought this a good business opportunity, and his family. mrs. vanderpool liked the south and was amused at the trip, and had induced mr. vanderpool to come by stories of shooting. "ah!" said mr. vanderpool. mr. charles smith and john taylor were both too busy to go, but bronchial trouble induced the rev. dr. boldish of st. faith's rich parish to be one of the party, and at the last moment temple bocombe, the sociologist, consented to join. "awfully busy," he said, "but i've been reading up on the negro problem since you mentioned the matter to me last week, mr. cresswell, and i think i understand it thoroughly. i may be able to help out." the necessary spice of young womanhood was added to the party by miss taylor and miss cresswell, together with the silent miss boldish. they were a comfortable and sometimes merry party. dr. boldish pointed out the loafers at the stations, especially the black ones; mr. bocombe counted them and estimated the number of hours of work lost at ten cents an hour. "do they get that--ten cents an hour?" asked miss taylor. "oh, i don't know," replied mr. bocombe; "but suppose they do, for instance. that is an average wage today." "they look lazy," said mrs. grey. "they are lazy," said mr. cresswell. "so am i," added mrs. vanderpool, suppressing a yawn. "it is uninteresting," murmured her husband, preparing for a nap. on the whole the members of the party enjoyed themselves from the moment they drew out of jersey city to the afternoon when, in four carriages, they rolled beneath the curious eyes of all toomsville and swept under the shadowed rampart of the swamp. "the christmas" was coming and all the southern world was busy. few people were busier than bles and zora. slowly, wonderfully for them, heaven bent in these dying days of the year and kissed the earth, and the tremor thrilled all lands and seas. everything was good, all things were happy, and these two were happiest of all. out of the shadows and hesitations of childhood they had stepped suddenly into manhood and womanhood, with firm feet and uplifted heads. all the day that was theirs they worked, picking the silver fleece--picking it tenderly and lovingly from off the brown and spent bodies which had so utterly yielded life and beauty to the full fruition of this long and silken tendril, this white beauty of the cotton. november came and flew, and still the unexhausted field yielded its frothing fruit. today seemed doubly glorious, for bles had spoken of their marriage; with twined hands and arms, and lips ever and again seeking their mates, they walked the leafy way. unconscious, rapt, they stepped out into the big road skirting the edge of the swamp. why not? was it not the king's highway? and love was king. so they talked on, unknowing that far up the road the cresswell coaches were wheeling along with precious burdens. in the first carriage were mrs. grey and mrs. vanderpool, mr. cresswell and miss taylor. mrs. vanderpool was lolling luxuriously, but mrs. grey was a little stiff from long travel and sat upright. mr. cresswell looked clean-cut and handsome, and miss taylor seemed complacent and responsible. the dying of the day soothed them all insensibly. groups of dark little children passed them as they neared the school, staring with wide eyes and greeting timidly. "there seems to be marrying and giving in marriage," laughed mrs. vanderpool. "not very much," said mr. cresswell drily. "well, at least plenty of children." "plenty." "but where are the houses?" asked mrs. grey. "perhaps in the swamp," said mrs. vanderpool lightly, looking up at the sombre trees that lined the left. "they live where they please and do as they please," cresswell explained; to which mrs. vanderpool added: "like other animals." mary taylor opened her lips to rebuke this levity when suddenly the coachman called out and the horses swerved, and the carriage's four occupants faced a young man and a young woman embracing heartily. out through the wood bles and zora had come to the broad red road; playfully he celebrated all her beauty unconscious of time and place. "you are tall and bend like grasses on the swamp," he said. "and yet look up to you," she murmured. "your eyes are darkness dressed in night." "to see you brighter, dear," she said. "your little hands are much too frail for work." "they must grow larger, then, and soon." "your feet are far too small to travel on." "they'll travel on to you--that's far enough." "your lips--your full and purple lips--were made alone for kissing, not for words." "they'll do for both." he laughed in utter joy and touched her hair with light caressing hands. "it does not fly with sunlight," she said quickly, with an upward glance. "no," he answered. "it sits and listens to the night." but even as she nestled to him happily there came the harsh thunder of horses' hoofs, beating on their ears. he drew her quickly to him in fear, and the coach lurched and turned, and left them facing four pairs of eyes. miss taylor reddened; mrs. grey looked surprised; mrs. vanderpool smiled; but mr. cresswell darkened with anger. the couple unclasped shamefacedly, and the young man, lifting his hat, started to stammer an apology; but cresswell interrupted him: "keep your--your philandering to the woods, or i shall have you arrested," he said slowly, his face colorless, his lips twitching with anger. "drive on, john." miss taylor felt that her worst suspicions had been confirmed; but mrs. vanderpool was curious as to the cause of cresswell's anger. it was so genuine that it needed explanation. "are kisses illegal here?" she asked before the horses started, turning the battery of her eyes full upon him. but cresswell had himself well in hand. "no," he said. "but the girl is--notorious." on the lovers the words fell like a blow. zora shivered, and a grayish horror mottled the dark burning of her face. bles started in anger, then paused in shivering doubt. what had happened? they knew not; yet involuntarily their hands fell apart; they avoided each other's eyes. "i--i must go now," gasped zora, as the carriage swept away. he did not hold her, he did not offer the farewell kiss, but stood staring at the road as she walked into the swamp. a moment she paused and looked back; then slowly, almost painfully, she took the path back to the field of the fleece, and reaching it after long, long minutes, began mechanically to pick the cotton. but the cotton glowed crimson in the failing sun. bles walked toward the school. what had happened? he kept asking. and yet he dared not question the awful shape that sat somewhere, cold and still, behind his soul. he heard the hoofs of horses again. it was miss taylor being brought back to the school to greet miss smith and break the news of the coming of the party. he raised his hat. she did not return the greeting, but he found her pausing at the gate. it seemed to her too awful for this foolish fellow thus to throw himself away. she faced him and he flinched as from some descending blow. "bles," she said primly, "have you absolutely no shame?" he braced himself and raised his head proudly. "i am going to marry her; it is no crime." then he noted the expression on her face, and paused. she stepped back, scandalized. "can it be, bles alwyn," she said, "that you don't know the sort of girl she is?" he raised his hands and warded off her words, dumbly, as she turned to go, almost frightened at the havoc she saw. the heavens flamed scarlet in his eyes and he screamed. "it's a lie! it's a damned lie!" he wheeled about and tore into the swamp. "it's a damned lie!" he shouted to the trees. "is it?--is it?" chirped the birds. "it's a cruel falsehood!" he moaned. "is it?--is it?" whispered the devils within. it seemed to him as though suddenly the world was staggering and faltering about him. the trees bent curiously and strange breathings were upon the breezes. he unbuttoned his collar that he might get more air. a thousand things he had forgotten surged suddenly to life. slower and slower he ran, more and more the thoughts crowded his head. he thought of that first red night and the yelling and singing and wild dancing; he thought of cresswell's bitter words; he thought of zora telling how she stayed out nights; he thought of the little bower that he had built her in the cotton field. a wild fear struggled with his anger, but he kept repeating, "no, no," and then, "at any rate, she will tell me the truth." she had never lied to him; she would not dare; he clenched his hands, murder in his heart. slowly and more slowly he ran. he knew where she was--where she must be, waiting. and yet as he drew near huge hands held him back, and heavy weights clogged his feet. his heart said: "on! quick! she will tell the truth, and all will be well." his mind said: "slow, slow; this is the end." he hurled the thought aside, and crashed through the barrier. she was standing still and listening, with a huge basket of the piled froth of the field upon her head. one long brown arm, tender with curvings, balanced the cotton; the other, poised, balanced the slim swaying body. bending she listened, her eyes shining, her lips apart, her bosom fluttering at the well-known step. he burst into her view with the fury of a beast, rending the wood away and trampling the underbrush, reeling and muttering until he saw her. she looked at him. her hands dropped, she stood very still with drawn face, grayish-brown, both hands unconsciously out-stretched, and the cotton swaying, while deep down in her eyes, dimly, slowly, a horror lit and grew. he paused a moment, then came slowly onward doggedly, drunkenly, with torn clothes, flying collar, and red eyes. then he paused again, still beyond arm's-length, looking at her with fear-struck eyes. the cotton on her head shivered and dropped in a pure mass of white and silvery snow about her limbs. her hands fell limply and the horror flamed in her wet eyes. he struggled with his voice but it grated and came hoarse and hard from his quivering throat. "zora!" "yes, bles." "you--you told me--you were--pure." she was silent, but her body went all a-tremble. he stepped forward until she could almost touch him; there standing straight and tall he glared down upon her. "answer me," he whispered in a voice hard with its tight held sobs. a misery darkened her face and the light died from her eyes, yet she looked at him bravely and her voice came low and full as from afar. "i asked you what it meant to be pure, bles, and--and you told--and i told you the truth." "what it meant!--what it meant!" he repeated in the low, tense anguish. "but--but, bles--" she faltered; there came an awful pleading in her eyes; her hand groped toward him; but he stepped slowly back--"but, bles--you said--willingly--you said--if--if she knew--" he thundered back in livid anger: "knew! all women know! you should have _died_!" sobs were rising and shaking her from head to foot, but she drove them back and gripped her breasts with her hands. "no, bles--no--all girls do not know. i was a child. not since i knew you, bles--never, never since i saw you." "since--since," he groaned--"christ! but before?" "yes, before." "my god!" she knew the end had come. yet she babbled on tremblingly: "he was our master, and all the other girls that gathered there did his will; i--i--" she choked and faltered, and he drew farther away--"i began running away, and they hunted me through the swamps. and then--then i reckon i'd have gone back and been--as they all are--but you came, bles--you came, and you--you were a new great thing in my life, and--and--yet, i was afraid i was not worthy until you--you said the words. i thought you knew, and i thought that--that purity was just wanting to be pure." he ground his teeth in fury. oh, he was an innocent--a blind baby--the joke and laughing-stock of the country around, with yokels grinning at him and pale-faced devils laughing aloud. the teachers knew; the girls knew; god knew; everybody but he knew--poor blind, deaf mole, stupid jackass that he was. he must run--run away from this world, and far off in some free land beat back this pain. then in sheer weariness the anger died within his soul, leaving but ashes and despair. slowly he turned away, but with a quick motion she stood in his path. "bles," she cried, "how can i grow pure?" he looked at her listlessly. "never--never again," he slowly answered her. dark fear swept her drawn face. "never?" she gasped. pity surged and fought in his breast; but one thought held and burned him. he bent to her fiercely: "who?" he demanded. she pointed toward the cresswell oaks, and he turned away. she did not attempt to stop him again, but dropped her hands and stared drearily up into the clear sky with its shining worlds. "good-bye, bles," she said slowly. "i thank god he gave you to me--just a little time." she hesitated and waited. there came no word as the man moved slowly away. she stood motionless. then slowly he turned and came back. he laid his hand a moment, lightly, upon her head. "good-bye--zora," he sobbed, and was gone. she did not look up, but knelt there silent, dry-eyed, till the last rustle of his going died in the night. and then, like a waiting storm, the torrent of her grief swept down upon her; she stretched herself upon the black and fleece-strewn earth, and writhed. _sixteen_ the great refusal all night miss smith lay holding the quivering form of zora close to her breast, staring wide-eyed into the darkness--thinking, thinking. in the morning the party would come. there would be mrs. grey and mary taylor, mrs. vanderpool, who had left her so coldly in the lurch before, and some of the cresswells. they would come well fed and impressed with the charming hospitality of their hosts, and rather more than willing to see through those host's eyes. they would be in a hurry to return to some social function, and would give her work but casual attention. it seemed so dark an ending to so bright a dream. never for her had a fall opened as gloriously. the love of this boy and girl, blossoming as it had beneath her tender care, had been a sacred, wonderful history that revived within her memories of long-forgotten days. but above lay the vision of her school, redeemed and enlarged, its future safe, its usefulness broadened--small wonder that to sarah smith the future had seemed in november almost golden. then things began to go wrong. the transfer of the tolliver land had not yet been effected; the money was ready, but mr. tolliver seemed busy or hesitating. next came this news of mrs. grey's probable conditions. so here it was christmas time, and sarah smith's castles lay almost in ruins about her. the girl moaned in her fitful sleep and miss smith soothed her. poor child! here too was work--a strange strong soul cruelly stricken in her youth. could she be brought back to a useful life? how she needed such a strong, clear-eyed helper in this crisis of her work! would zora make one or would this blow send her to perdition? not if sarah smith could save her, she resolved, and stared out the window where the pale red dawn was sending its first rays on the white-pillared mansion of the cresswells. mrs. grey saw the light on the columns, too, as she lay lazily in her soft white bed. there was a certain delicious languor in the late lingering fall of alabama that suited her perfectly. then, too, she liked the house and its appointments; there was not, to be sure, all the luxury that she was used to in her new york mansion, but there was a certain finish about it, an elegance and staid old-fashioned hospitality that appealed to her tremendously. mrs. grey's heart warmed to the sight of helen in her moments of spasmodic caring for the sick and afflicted on the estate. no better guardian of her philanthropies could be found than these same cresswells. she must, of course, go over and see dear sarah smith; but really there was not much to say or to look at. the prospects seemed most alluring. later, mr. easterly talked a while on routine business, saying, as he turned away: "i am more and more impressed, mrs. grey, with your wisdom in placing large investments in the south. with peaceful social conditions the returns will be large." mrs. grey heard this delicate flattery complacently. she had her streak of thrift, and wanted her business capacity recognized. she listened attentively. "for this reason, i trust you will handle your negro philanthropies judicially, as i know you will. there's dynamite in this race problem for amateur reformers, but fortunately you have at hand wise and sympathetic advisers in the cresswells." mrs. grey agreed entirely. mary taylor, alone of the committee, took her commission so seriously as to be anxious to begin work. "we are to visit the school this morning, you know," she reminded the others, looking at her watch; "i'm afraid we're late already." the remark created mild consternation. it seemed that mr. vanderpool had gone hunting and his wife had not yet arisen. dr. boldish was very hoarse, mr. easterly was going to look over some plantations with colonel cresswell, and mr. bocombe was engrossed in a novel. "clever, but not true to life," he said. finally the clergyman and mr. bocombe, mrs. grey and mrs. vanderpool and miss taylor started for the school, with harry cresswell, about an hour after lunch. the delay and suppressed excitement among the little folks had upset things considerably there, but at the sight of the visitors at the gate miss smith rang the bell. the party came in, laughing and chatting. they greeted miss smith cordially. dr. boldish was beginning to tell a good story when a silence fell. the children had gathered, quietly, almost timidly, and before the distinguished company realized it, they turned to meet that battery of four hundred eyes. a human eye is a wonderful thing when it simply waits and watches. not one of these little things alone would have been worth more than a glance, but together, they became mighty, portentous. mr. bocombe got out his note-book and wrote furiously therein. dr. boldish, naturally the appointed spokesman, looked helplessly about and whispered to mrs. vanderpool: "what on earth shall i talk about?" "the brotherhood of man?" suggested the lady. "hardly advisable," returned dr. boldish, seriously, "in our friend's presence,"--with a glance toward cresswell. then he arose. "my friends," he said, touching his finger-tips and using blank verse in a minor. "this is an auspicious day. you should be thankful for the gifts of the lord. his bounty surrounds you--the trees, the fields, the glorious sun. he gives cotton to clothe you, corn to eat, devoted friends to teach you. be joyful. be good. above all, be thrifty and save your money, and do not complain and whine at your apparent disadvantages. remember that god did not create men equal but unequal, and set metes and bounds. it is not for us to question the wisdom of the almighty, but to bow humbly to his will. "remember that the slavery of your people was not necessarily a crime. it was a school of work and love. it gave you noble friends, like mr. cresswell here." a restless stirring, and the battery of eyes was turned upon that imperturbable gentleman, as if he were some strange animal. "love and serve them. remember that we get, after all, little education from books; rather in the fields, at the plough and in the kitchen. let your ambition be to serve rather than rule, to be humble followers of the lowly jesus." with an upward glance the rev. dr. boldish sat down amid a silence a shade more intense than that which had greeted him. then slowly from the far corner rose a thin voice, tremulously. it wavered on the air and almost broke, then swelled in sweet, low music. other and stronger voices gathered themselves to it, until two hundred were singing a soft minor wail that gripped the hearts and tingled in the ears of the hearers. mr. bocombe groped with a puzzled expression to find the pocket for his note-book; harry cresswell dropped his eyes, and on mrs. vanderpool's lips the smile died. mary taylor flushed, and mrs. grey cried frankly: "poor things!" she whispered. "now," said mrs. grey, turning about, "we haven't but just a moment and we want to take a little look at your work." she smiled graciously upon miss smith. mrs. grey thought the cooking-school very nice. "i suppose," she said, "that you furnish cooks for the county." "largely," said miss smith. mrs. vanderpool looked surprised, but miss smith added: "this county, you know, is mostly black." mrs. grey did not catch the point. the dormitories were neat and the ladies expressed great pleasure in them. "it is certainly nice for them to know what a clean place is," commented mrs. grey. mr. cresswell, however, looked at a bath-room and smiled. "how practical!" he said. "can you not stop and see some of the classes?" sarah smith knew in her heart that the visit was a failure, still she would do her part to the end. "i doubt if we shall have time," mrs. grey returned, as they walked on. "mr. cresswell expects friends to dinner." "what a magnificent intelligence office," remarked mr. bocombe, "for furnishing servants to the nation. i saw splendid material for cooks and maids." "and plough-boys," added cresswell. "and singers," said mary taylor. "well, now that's just my idea," said mrs. grey, "that these schools should furnish trained servants and laborers for the south. isn't that your idea, miss smith?" "not exactly," the lady replied, "or at least i shouldn't put it just that way. my idea is that this school should furnish men and women who can work and earn an honest living, train up families aright, and perform their duties as fathers, mothers, and citizens." "yes--yes, precisely," said mrs. grey, "that's what i meant." "i think the whites can attend to the duties of citizenship without help," observed mr. cresswell. "don't let the blacks meddle in politics," said dr. boldish. "i want to make these children full-fledged men and women, strong, self-reliant, honest, without any 'ifs' and 'ands' to their development," insisted miss smith. "of course, and that is just what mr. cresswell wants. isn't it, mr. cresswell?" asked mrs. grey. "i think i may say yes," mr. cresswell agreed. "i certainly want these people to develop as far as they can, although miss smith and i would differ as to their possibilities. but it is not so much in the general theory of negro education as in its particular applications where our chief differences would lie. i may agree that a boy should learn higher arithmetic, yet object to his loafing in plough-time. i might want to educate some girls but not girls like zora." mrs. vanderpool glanced at mr. cresswell, smiling to herself. mrs. grey broke in, beaming: "that's just it, dear miss smith,--just it. your heart is good, but you need strong practical advice. you know we weak women are so impractical, as my poor job so often said. now, i'm going to arrange to endow this school with at least--at least a hundred and fifty thousand dollars. one condition is that my friend, mr. cresswell here, and these other gentlemen, including sound northern business men like mr. easterly, shall hold this money in trust, and expend it for your school as they think best." "mr. cresswell would be their local representative?" asked miss smith slowly with white face. "why yes--yes, of course." there was a long, tense silence. then the firm reply, "mrs. grey, i thank you, but i cannot accept your offer." sarah smith's voice was strong, the tremor had left her hands. she had expected something like this, of course; yet when it came--somehow it failed to stun. she would not turn over the direction of the school, or the direction of the education of these people, to those who were most opposed to their education. therefore, there was no need to hesitate; there was no need to think the thing over--she had thought it over--and she looked into mrs. grey's eyes and with gathering tears in her own said: "again, i thank you very much, mrs. grey." mrs. grey was a picture of the most emphatic surprise, and mr. cresswell moved to the window. mrs. grey looked helplessly at her companions. "but--i don't understand, miss smith--why can't you accept my offer?" "because you ask me to put my school in control of those who do not wish for the best interests of black folk, and in particular i object to mr. cresswell," said miss smith, slowly but very distinctly, "because his relation to the forces of evil in this community has been such that he can direct no school of mine." mrs. vanderpool moved toward the door and mr. cresswell bowing slightly followed. dr. boldish looked indignant and mr. bocombe dove after his note-book. mary taylor, her head in a whirl, came forward. she felt that in some way she was responsible for this dreadful situation and she wanted desperately to save matters from final disaster. "come," she said, "mrs. grey, we'll talk this matter over again later. i am sure miss smith does not mean quite all she says--she is tired and nervous. you join the others and don't wait for me and i will be along directly." mrs. grey was only too glad to escape and mr. bocombe got a chance to talk. he drew out his note-book. "awfully interesting," he said, "awfully. now--er--let's see--oh, yes. did you notice how unhealthy the children looked? race is undoubtedly dying out; fact. no hope. weak. no spontaneity either--rather languid, did you notice? yes, and their heads--small and narrow--no brain capacity. they can't concentrate; notice how some slept when dr. boldish was speaking? mr. cresswell says they own almost no land here; think of it? this land was worth only ten dollars an acre a decade ago, he says. negroes might have bought all and been rich. very shiftless--and that singing. now, i wonder where they got the music? imitation, of course." and so he rattled on, noting not the silence of the others. as the carriage drove off mary turned to miss smith. "now, miss smith," she began--but miss smith looked at her, and said sternly, "sit down." mary taylor sat down. she had been so used to lecturing the older woman that the sudden summoning of her well known sternness against herself took her breath, and she sat awkwardly like the school girl that she was waiting for miss smith to speak. she felt suddenly very young and very helpless--she who had so jauntily set out to solve this mighty problem by a waving of her wand. she saw with a swelling of pity the drawn and stricken face of her old friend and she started up. "sit down," repeated miss smith harshly. "mary taylor, you are a fool. you are not foolish, for the foolish learn; you are simply a fool. you will never learn; you have blundered into this life work of mine and well nigh ruined it. whether i can yet save it god alone knows. you have blundered into the lives of two loving children, and sent one wandering aimless on the face of the earth and the other moaning in yonder chamber with death in her heart. you are going to marry the man that sought zora's ruin when she was yet a child because you think of his aristocratic pose and pretensions built on the poverty, crime, and exploitation of six generations of serfs. you'll marry him and--" but miss taylor leapt to her feet with blazing cheeks. "how dare you?" she screamed, beside herself. "but god in heaven help you if you do," finished miss smith, calmly. _seventeen_ the rape of the fleece when slowly from the torpor of ether, one wakens to the misty sense of eternal loss, and there comes the exquisite prick of pain, then one feels in part the horror of the ache when zora wakened to the world again. the awakening was the work of days and weeks. at first in sheer exhaustion, physical and mental, she lay and moaned. the sense of loss--of utter loss--lay heavy upon her. something of herself, something dearer than self, was gone from her forever, and an infinite loneliness and silence, as of endless years, settled on her soul. she wished neither food nor words, only to be alone. then gradually the pain of injury stung her when the blood flowed fuller. as miss smith knelt beside her one night to make her simple prayer zora sat suddenly upright, white-swathed, dishevelled, with fury in her midnight eyes. "i want no prayers!" she cried, "i will not pray! he is no god of mine. he isn't fair. he knows and won't tell. he takes advantage of us--he works and fools us." all night miss smith heard mutterings of this bitterness, and the next day the girl walked her room like a tigress,--to and fro, to and fro, all the long day. toward night a dumb despair settled upon her. miss smith found her sitting by the window gazing blankly toward the swamp. she came to miss smith, slowly, and put her hands upon her shoulders with almost a caress. "you must forgive me," she pleaded plaintively. "i reckon i've been mighty bad with you, and you always so good to me; but--but, you see--it hurts so." "i know it hurts, dear; i know it does. but men and women must learn to bear hurts in this world." "not hurts like this; they couldn't." "yes, even hurts like this. bear and stand straight; be brave. after all, zora, no man is quite worth a woman's soul; no love is worth a whole life." zora turned away with a gesture of impatience. "you were born in ice," she retorted, adding a bit more tenderly, "in clear strong ice; but i was born in fire. i live--i love; that's all." and she sat down again, despairingly, and stared at the dull swamp. miss smith stood for a moment and closed her eyes upon a vision. "ice!" she whispered. "my god!" then, at length, she said to zora: "zora, there's only one way: do something; if you sit thus brooding you'll go crazy." "do crazy folks forget?" "nonsense, zora!" miss smith ridiculed the girl's fantastic vagaries; her sound common sense rallied to her aid. "they are the people who remember; sane folk forget. work is the only cure for such pain." "but there's nothing to do--nothing i want to do--nothing worth doing--now." "the silver fleece?" the girl sat upright. "the silver fleece," she murmured. without further word, slowly she arose and walked down the stairs, and out into the swamp. miss smith watched her go; she knew that every step must be the keen prickle of awakening flesh. yet the girl walked steadily on. * * * * * it was the christmas--not christmas-tide of the north and west, but christmas of the southern south. it was not the festival of the christ child, but a time of noise and frolic and license, the great pay-day of the year when black men lifted their heads from a year's toiling in the earth, and, hat in hand, asked anxiously: "master, what have i earned? have i paid my old debts to you? have i made my clothes and food? have i got a little of the year's wage coming to me?" or, more carelessly and cringingly: "master, gimme a christmas gift." the lords of the soil stood round, gauging their cotton, measuring their men. their stores were crowded, their scales groaned, their gins sang. in the long run public opinion determines all wage, but in more primitive times and places, private opinion, personal judgment of some man in power, determines. the black belt is primitive and the landlord wields the power. "what about johnson?" calls the head clerk. "well, he's a faithful nigger and needs encouragement; cancel his debt and give him ten dollars for christmas." colonel cresswell glowed, as if he were full of the season's spirit. "and sanders?" "how's his cotton?" "good, and a lot of it." "he's trying to get away. keep him in debt, but let him draw what he wants." "aunt rachel?" "h'm, they're way behind, aren't they? give her a couple of dollars--not a cent more." "jim sykes?" "say, harry, how about that darky, sykes?" called out the colonel. excusing himself from his guests, harry cresswell came into the office. to them this peculiar spectacle of the market place was of unusual interest. they saw its humor and its crowding, its bizarre effects and unwonted pageantry. black giants and pigmies were there; kerchiefed aunties, giggling black girls, saffron beauties, and loafing white men. there were mules and horses and oxen, wagons and buggies and carts; but above all and in all, rushing through, piled and flying, bound and baled--was cotton. cotton was currency; cotton was merchandise; cotton was conversation. all this was "beautiful" to mrs. grey and "unusually interesting" to mrs. vanderpool. to mary taylor it had the fascination of a puzzle whose other side she had already been partially studying. she was particularly impressed with the joy and abandon of the scene--light laughter, huge guffaws, handshakes, and gossipings. "at all events," she concluded, "this is no oppressed people." and sauntering away from the rest she noted the smiles of an undersized smirking yellow man who hurried by with a handful of dollar bills. at a side entrance liquor was evidently on sale--men were drinking and women, too; some were staggering, others cursing, and yet others singing. then suddenly a man swung around the corner swearing in bitter rage: "the damned thieves, they'se stole a year's work--the white--" but some one called, "hush up, sanders! there's a white woman." and he threw a startled look at mary and hurried by. she was perplexed and upset and stood hesitating a moment when she heard a well-known voice: "why, miss taylor, i was alarmed for you; you really must be careful about trusting yourself with these half drunken negroes." "wouldn't it be better not to give them drink, mr. cresswell?" "and let your neighbor sell them poison at all hours? no, miss taylor." they joined the others, and all were turning toward the carriage when a figure coming down the road attracted them. "quite picturesque," observed mrs. vanderpool, looking at the tall, slim girl swaying toward them with a piled basket of white cotton poised lightly on her head. "why," in abrupt recognition, "it is our venus of the roadside, is it not?" mary saw it was zora. just then, too, zora caught sight of them, and for a moment hesitated, then came on; the carriage was in front of the store, and she was bound for the store. a moment mary hesitated, too, and then turned resolutely to greet her. but zora's eyes did not see her. after one look at that sorrow-stricken face, mary turned away. colonel cresswell stood by the door, his hat on, his hands in his pockets. "well, zora, what have you there?" he asked. "cotton, sir." harry cresswell bent over it. "great heavens! look at this cotton!" he ejaculated. his father approached. the cotton lay in silken handfuls, clean and shimmering, with threads full two inches long. the idlers, black and white, clustered round, gazing at it, and fingering it with repeated exclamations of astonishment. "where did this come from?" asked the colonel sharply. he and harry were both eying the girl intently. "i raised it in the swamp," zora replied quietly, in a dead voice. there was no pride of achievement in her manner, no gladness; all that had flown. "is that all?" "no, sir; i think there's two bales." "two bales! where is it? how the devil--" the colonel was forgetting his guests, but harry intervened. "you'll need to get it picked right off," he suggested. "it's all picked, sir." "but where is it?" "if you'll send a wagon, sir--" but the colonel hardly waited. "here you, jim, take the big mules and drive like--where's that wench?" but zora was already striding on ahead, and was far up the red road when the great mules galloped into sight and the long whip snapped above their backs. the colonel was still excited. "that cotton must be ours, harry--all of it. and see that none is stolen. we've got no contract with the wench, so don't dally with her." but harry said firmly, quietly: "it's fine cotton, and she raised it; she must be paid well for it." colonel cresswell glanced at him with something between contempt and astonishment on his face. "you go along with the ladies," harry added; "i'll see to this cotton." mary taylor's smile had rewarded him; now he must get rid of his company--before zora returned. it was dark when the cotton came; such a load as cresswell's store had never seen before. zora watched it weighed, received the cotton checks, and entered the store. only the clerk was there, and he was closing. he pointed her carelessly to the office in the back part. she went into the small dim room, and laying the cotton-check on the desk, stood waiting. slowly the hopelessness and bitterness of it all came back in a great whelming flood. what was the use of trying for anything? she was lost forever. the world was against her, and again she saw the fingers of elspeth--the long black claw-like talons that clutched and dragged her down--down. she did not struggle--she dropped her hands listlessly, wearily, and stood but half conscious as the door opened and mr. harry cresswell entered the dimly lighted room. she opened her eyes. she had expected his father. somewhere way down in the depths of her nature the primal tiger awoke and snarled. she was suddenly alive from hair to finger tip. harry cresswell paused a second and swept her full length with his eye--her profile, the long supple line of bosom and hip, the little foot. then he closed the door softly and walked slowly toward her. she stood like stone, without a quiver; only her eye followed the crooked line of the cresswell blue blood on his marble forehead as she looked down from her greater height; her hand closed almost caressingly on a rusty poker lying on the stove nearby; and as she sensed the hot breath of him she felt herself purring in a half heard whisper. "i should not like--to kill you." he looked at her long and steadily as he passed to his desk. slowly he lighted a cigarette, opened the great ledger, and compared the cotton-check with it. "three thousand pounds," he announced in a careless tone. "yes, that will make about two bales of lint. it's extra cotton--say fifteen cents a pound--one hundred fifty dollars--seventy-five dollars to you--h'm." he took a note-book out of his pocket, pushed his hat back on his head, and paused to relight his cigarette. "let's see--your rent and rations--" "elspeth pays no rent," she said slowly, but he did not seem to hear. "your rent and rations with the five years' back debt,"--he made a hasty calculation--"will be one hundred dollars. that leaves you twenty-five in our debt. here's your receipt." the blow had fallen. she did not wince nor cry out. she took the receipt, calmly, and walked out into the darkness. they had stolen the silver fleece. what should she do? she never thought of appeal to courts, for colonel cresswell was justice of the peace and his son was bailiff. why had they stolen from her? she knew. she was now penniless, and in a sense helpless. she was now a peon bound to a master's bidding. if elspeth chose to sign a contract of work for her to-morrow, it would mean slavery, jail, or hounded running away. what would elspeth do? one never knew. zora walked on. an hour ago it seemed that this last blow must have killed her. but now it was different. into her first despair had crept, in one fierce moment, grim determination. somewhere in the world sat a great dim injustice which had veiled the light before her young eyes, just as she raised them to the morning. with the veiling, death had come into her heart. and yet, they should not kill her; they should not enslave her. a desperate resolve to find some way up toward the light, if not to it, formed itself within her. she would not fall into the pit opening before her. somehow, somewhere lay the way. she must never fall lower; never be utterly despicable in the eyes of the man she had loved. there was no dream of forgiveness, of purification, of re-kindled love; all these she placed sadly and gently into the dead past. but in awful earnestness, she turned toward the future; struggling blindly, groping in half formed plans for a way. she came thus into the room where sat miss smith, strangely pallid beneath her dusky skin. but there lay a light in her eyes. _eighteen_ the cotton corner all over the land the cotton had foamed in great white flakes under the winter sun. the silver fleece lay like a mighty mantle across the earth. black men and mules had staggered beneath its burden, while deep songs welled in the hearts of men; for the fleece was goodly and gleaming and soft, and men dreamed of the gold it would buy. all the roads in the country had been lined with wagons--a million wagons speeding to and fro with straining mules and laughing black men, bearing bubbling masses of piled white fleece. the gins were still roaring and spitting flames and smoke--fifty thousand of them in town and vale. then hoarse iron throats were filled with fifteen billion pounds of white-fleeced, black-specked cotton, for the whirling saws to tear out the seed and fling five thousand million pounds of the silken fibre to the press. and there again the black men sang, like dark earth-spirits flitting in twilight; the presses creaked and groaned; closer and closer they pressed the silken fleece. it quivered, trembled, and then lay cramped, dead, and still, in massive, hard, square bundles, tied with iron strings. out fell the heavy bales, thousand upon thousand, million upon million, until they settled over the south like some vast dull-white swarm of birds. colonel cresswell and his son, in these days, had a long and earnest conversation perforated here and there by explosions of the colonel's wrath. the colonel could not understand some things. "they want us to revive the farmers' league?" he fiercely demanded. "yes," harry calmly replied. "and throw the rest of our capital after the fifty thousand dollars we've already lost?" "yes." "and you were fool enough to consent--" "wait, father--and don't get excited. listen. cotton is going up--" "of course it's going up! short crop and big demand--" "cotton is going up, and then it's going to fall." "i don't believe it." "i know it; the trust has got money and credit enough to force it down." "well, what then?" the colonel glared. "then somebody will corner it." "the farmers' league won't stand--" "precisely. the farmers' league can do the cornering and hold it for higher prices." "lord, son! if we only could!" groaned the colonel. "we can; we'll have unlimited credit." "but--but--" stuttered the bewildered colonel, "i don't understand. why should the trust--" "nonsense, father--what's the use of understanding. our advantage is plain, and john taylor guarantees the thing." "who's john taylor?" snorted the colonel. "why should we trust him?" "well," said harry slowly, "he wants to marry helen--" his father grew apopletic. "i'm not saying he will, father; i'm only saying that he wants to," harry made haste to placate the rising tide of wrath. "no southern gentleman--" began the colonel. but harry shrugged his shoulders. "which is better, to be crushed by the trust or to escape at their expense, even if that escape involves unwarranted assumptions on the part of one of them? i tell you, father, the code of the southern gentleman won't work in wall street." "and i'll tell you why--there _are_ no southern gentlemen," growled his father. the silver fleece was golden, for its prices were flying aloft. mr. caldwell told colonel cresswell that he confidently expected twelve-cent cotton. "the crop is excellent and small, scarcely ten million bales," he declared. "the price is bound to go up." colonel cresswell was hesitant, even doubtful; the demand for cotton at high prices usually fell off rapidly and he had heard rumors of curtailed mill production. while, then, he hoped for high prices he advised the farmers' league to be on guard. mr. caldwell seemed to be right, for cotton rose to ten cents a pound--ten and a half--eleven--and then the south began to see visions and to dream dreams. "yes, my dear," said mr. maxwell, whose lands lay next to the cresswells' on the northwest, "yes, if cotton goes to twelve or thirteen cents as seems probable, i think we can begin the new house"--for mrs. maxwell's cherished dream was a pillared mansion like the cresswells'. mr. tolliver looked at his house and barns. "well, daughter, if this crop sells at twelve cents, i'll be on my feet again, and i won't have to sell that land to the nigger school after all. once out of the clutch of the cresswells--well, i think we can have a coat of paint." and he laughed as he had not laughed in ten years. down in the bottoms west of the swamp a man and woman were figuring painfully on an old slate. he was light brown and she was yellow. "honey," he said tremblingly, "i b'lieve we can do it--if cotton goes to twelve cents, we can pay the mortgage." two miles north of the school an old black woman was shouting and waving her arms. "if cotton goes to twelve cents we can pay out and be free!" and she threw her apron over her head and wept, gathering her children in her arms. but even as she cried a flash and tremor shook the south. far away to the north a great spider sat weaving his web. the office looked down from the clouds on lower broadway, and was soft with velvet and leather. swift, silent messengers hurried in and out, and mr. easterly, deciding the time was ripe, called his henchman to him. "taylor, we're ready--go south." and john taylor rose, shook hands silently, and went. as he entered cresswell's plantation store three days later, a colored woman with a little boy turned sadly away from the counter. "no, aunty," the clerk was telling her, "calico is too high; can't let you have any till we see how your cotton comes out." "i just wanted a bit; i promised the boy--" "go on, go on--why, mr. taylor!" and the little boy burst into tears while he was hurried out. "tightening up on the tenants?" asked taylor. "yes; these niggers are mighty extravagant. besides, cotton fell a little today--eleven to ten and three-fourths; just a flurry, i reckon. had you heard?" mr. taylor said he had heard, and he hurried on. next morning the long shining wires of that great broadway web trembled and flashed again and cotton went to ten cents. "no house this year, i fear," quoth mr. maxwell, bitterly. the next day nine and a half was the quotation, and men began to look at each other and asked questions. "paper says the crop is larger than the government estimate," said tolliver, and added, "there'll be no painting this year." he looked toward the smith school and thought of the five thousand dollars waiting; but he hesitated. john taylor had carefully mentioned seven thousand dollars as a price he was willing to pay and "perhaps more." was cresswell back of taylor? tolliver was suspicious and moved to delay matters. "it's manipulation and speculation in new york," said colonel cresswell, "and the farmers' league must begin operations." the local paper soon had an editorial on "our distinguished fellow citizen, colonel cresswell," and his efforts to revive the farmers' league. it was understood that colonel cresswell was risking his whole private fortune to hold the price of cotton, and some effort seemed to be needed, for cotton dropped to nine cents within a week. swift negotiations ensued, and a meeting of the executive committee of the farmers' league was held in montgomery. a system of warehouses and warehouse certificates was proposed. "but that will cost money," responded each of the dozen big landlords who composed the committee; whereupon harry cresswell introduced john taylor, who represented thirty millions of southern bank stock. "i promise you credit to any reasonable amount," said mr. taylor, "i believe in cotton--the present price is abnormal." and mr. taylor knew whereof he spoke, for when he sent a cipher despatch north, cotton dropped to eight and a half. the farmers' league leased three warehouses at savannah, montgomery, and new orleans. then silently the south gripped itself and prepared for battle. men stopped spending, business grew dull, and millions of eyes were glued to the blackboards of the cotton-exchange. tighter and tighter the reins grew on the backs of the black tenants. "miss smith, is yo' got just a drap of coffee to lend me? mr. cresswell won't give me none at the store and i'se just starving for some," said aunt rachel from over the hill. "we won't git free this year, miss smith, not this year," she concluded plaintively. cotton fell to seven and a half cents and the muttered protest became angry denunciation. why was it? who was doing it? harry cresswell went to montgomery. he was getting nervous. the thing was too vast. he could not grasp it. it set his head in a whirl. harry cresswell was not a bad man--are there any bad men? he was a man who from the day he first wheedled his black mammy into submission, down to his thirty-sixth year, had seldom known what it was voluntarily to deny himself or curb a desire. to rise when he would, eat what he craved, and do what the passing fancy suggested had long been his day's programme. such emptiness of life and aim had to be filled, and it was filled; he helped his father sometimes with the plantations, but he helped spasmodically and played at work. the unregulated fire of energy and delicacy of nervous poise within him continually hounded him to the verge of excess and sometimes beyond. cool, quiet, and gentlemanly as he was by rule of his clan, the ice was thin and underneath raged unappeased fires. he craved the madness of alcohol in his veins till his delicate hands trembled of mornings. the women whom he bent above in languid, veiled-eyed homage, feared lest they love him, and what work was to others gambling was to him. the cotton combine, then, appealed to him overpoweringly--to his passion for wealth, to his passion for gambling. but once entered upon the game it drove him to fear and frenzy: first, it was a long game and harry cresswell was not trained to waiting, and, secondly, it was a game whose intricacies he did not know. in vain did he try to study the matter through. he ordered books from the north, he subscribed for financial journals, he received special telegraphic reports only to toss them away, curse his valet, and call for another brandy. after all, he kept saying to himself, what guarantee, what knowledge had he that this was not a "damned yankee trick"? now that the web was weaving its last mesh in early january he haunted montgomery, and on this day when it seemed that things must culminate or he would go mad, he hastened again down to the planters' hotel and was quickly ushered to john taylor's room. the place was filled with tobacco smoke. an electric ticker was drumming away in one corner, a telephone ringing on the desk, and messenger boys hovered outside the door and raced to and fro. "well," asked cresswell, maintaining his composure by an effort, "how are things?" "great!" returned taylor. "league holds three million bales and controls five. it's the biggest corner in years." "but how's cotton?" "ticker says six and three-fourths." cresswell sat down abruptly opposite taylor, looking at him fixedly. "that last drop means liabilities of a hundred thousand to us," he said slowly. "exactly," taylor blandly admitted. beads of sweat gathered on cresswell's forehead. he looked at the scrawny iron man opposite, who had already forgotten his presence. he ordered whiskey, and taking paper and pencil began to figure, drinking as he figured. slowly the blood crept out of his white face leaving it whiter, and went surging and pounding in his heart. poverty--that was what those figures spelled. poverty--unclothed, wineless poverty, to dig and toil like a "nigger" from morning until night, and to give up horses and carriages and women; that was what they spelled. "how much--farther will it drop?" he asked harshly. taylor did not look up. "can't tell," he said, "'fraid not much though." he glanced through a telegram. "no--damn it!--outside mills are low; they'll stampede soon. meantime we'll buy." "but, taylor--" "here are one hundred thousand offered at six and three-fourths." "i tell you, taylor--" cresswell half arose. "done!" cried taylor. "six and one-half," clicked the machine. cresswell arose from his chair by the window and came slowly to the wide flat desk where taylor was working feverishly. he sat down heavily in the chair opposite and tried quietly to regain his self-control. the liabilities of the cresswells already amounted to half the value of their property, at a fair market valuation. the cotton for which they had made debts was still falling in value. every fourth of a cent fall meant--he figured it again tremblingly--meant one hundred thousand more of liabilities. if cotton fell to six he hadn't a cent on earth. if it stayed there--"my god!" he felt a faintness stealing over him but he beat it back and gulped down another glass of fiery liquor. then the one protecting instinct of his clan gripped him. slowly, quietly his hand moved back until it grasped the hilt of the big colt's revolver that was ever with him--his thin white hand became suddenly steady as it slipped the weapon beneath the shadow of the desk. "if it goes to six," he kept murmuring, "we're ruined--if it goes to six--if--" "tick," sounded the wheel and the sound reverberated like sudden thunder in his ears. his hand was iron, and he raised it slightly. "six," said the wheel--his finger quivered--"and a half." "hell!" yelled taylor. "she's turned--there'll be the devil to pay now." a messenger burst in and taylor scowled. "she's loose in new york--a regular mob in new orleans--and--hark!--by god! there's something doing here. damn it--i wish we'd got another million bales. let's see, we've got--" he figured while the wheel whirred--"7--7-1/2--8--8-1/2." cresswell listened, staggered to his feet, his face crimson and his hair wild. "my god, taylor," he gasped. "i'm--i'm a half a million ahead--great heavens!" the ticker whirred, "8-3/4--9--9-1/2--10." then it stopped dead. "exchange closed," said taylor. "we've cornered the market all right--cornered it--d'ye hear, cresswell? we got over half the crop and we can send prices to the north star--you--why, i figure it you cresswells are worth at least seven hundred and fifty thousand above liabilities this minute," and john taylor leaned back and lighted a big black cigar. "i've made a million or so myself," he added reflectively. cresswell leaned back in his chair, his face had gone white again, and he spoke slowly to still the tremor in his voice. "i've gambled--before; i've gambled on cards and on horses; i've gambled--for money--and--women--but--" "but not on cotton, hey? well, i don't know about cards and such; but they can't beat cotton." "and say, john taylor, you're my friend." cresswell stretched his hand across the desk, and as he bent forward the pistol crashed to the floor. _nineteen_ the dying of elspeth rich! this was the thought that awakened harry cresswell to a sense of endless well-being. rich! no longer the mirage and semblance of wealth, the memory of opulence, the shadow of homage without the substance of power--no; now the wealth was real, cold hard dollars, and in piles. how much? he laughed aloud as he turned on his pillow. what did he care? enough--enough. not less than half a million; perhaps three-quarters of a million; perhaps--was not cotton still rising?--a whole round million! that would mean from twenty-five to fifty thousand a year. great heavens! and he'd been starving on a bare couple of thousand and trying to keep up appearances! today the cresswells were almost millionaires; aye, and he might be married to more millions. he sat up with a start. today mary was going north. he had quite forgotten it in the wild excitement of the cotton corner. he had neglected her. of course, there was always the hovering doubt as to whether he really wanted her or not. she had the form and carriage; her beauty, while not startling, was young and fresh and firm. on the other hand there was about her a certain independence that he did not like to associate with women. she had thoughts and notions of the world which were, to his southern training, hardly feminine. and yet even they piqued him and spurred him like the sight of an untrained colt. he had not seen her falter yet beneath his glances or tremble at his touch. all this he desired--ardently desired. but did he desire her as a wife? he rather thought that he did. and if so he must speak today. there was his father, too, to reckon with. colonel cresswell, with the perversity of the simple-minded, had taken the sudden bettering of their fortunes as his own doing. he had foreseen; he had stuck it out; his credit had pulled the thing through; and the trust had learned a thing or two about southern gentlemen. toward john taylor he perceptibly warmed. his business methods were such as a cresswell could never stoop to; but he was a man of his word, and colonel cresswell's correspondence with mr. easterly opened his eyes to the beneficent ideals of northern capital. at the same time he could not consider the easterlys and the taylors and such folk as the social equals of the cresswells, and his prejudice on this score must still be reckoned with. below, mary taylor lingered on the porch in strange uncertainty. harry cresswell would soon be coming downstairs. did she want him to find her? she liked him frankly, undisguisedly; but from the love she knew to be so near her heart she recoiled in perturbation. he wooed her--whether consciously or not, she was always uncertain--with every quiet attention and subtle deference, with a devotion seemingly quite too delicate for words; he not only fetched her flowers, but flowers that chimed with day and gown and season--almost with mood. he had a woman's premonitions in fulfilling her wishes. his hands, if they touched her, were soft and tender, and yet he gave a curious impression of strength and poise and will. indeed, in all things he was in her eyes a gentleman in the fine old-fashioned aristocracy of the term; her own heart voiced all he did not say, and pleaded for him to her own confusion. and yet, in her heart, lay the awful doubt--and the words kept ringing in her ears! "you will marry this man--but heaven help you if you do!" so it was that on this day when she somehow felt he would speak, his footsteps on the stairs filled her with sudden panic. without a word she slipped behind the pillars and ran down among the oaks and sauntered out upon the big road. he caught the white flutter of her dress, and smiled indulgently as he watched and waited and lightly puffed his cigarette. the morning was splendid with that first delicious languor of the spring which breathes over the southland in february. mary taylor filled her lungs, lifted her arms aloft, and turning, stepped into the deep shadow of the swamp. abruptly the air, the day, the scene about her subtly changed. she felt a closeness and a tremor, a certain brooding terror in the languid sombre winds. the gold of the sunlight faded to a sickly green, and the earth was black and burned. a moment she paused and looked back; she caught the man's silhouette against the tall white pillars of the mansion and she fled deeper into the forest with the hush of death about her, and the silence which is one great voice. slowly, and mysteriously it loomed before her--that squat and darksome cabin which seemed to fitly set in the centre of the wilderness, beside its crawling slime. she paused in sudden certainty that there lay the answer to her doubts and mistrust. she felt impelled to go forward and ask--what? she did not know, but something to still this war in her bosom. she had seldom seen elspeth; she had never been in her cabin. she had felt an inconquerable aversion for the evil hag; she felt it now, and shivered in the warm breeze. as she came in full view of the door, she paused. on the step of the cabin, framed in the black doorway, stood zora. measured by the squat cabin she seemed in height colossal; slim, straight as a pine, motionless, with one long outstretched arm pointing to where the path swept onward toward the town. it was too far for words but the scene lay strangely clear and sharp-cut in the green mystery of the sunlight. before that motionless, fateful figure crouched a slighter, smaller woman, dishevelled, clutching her breast; she bent and rose--hesitated--seemed to plead; then turning, clasped in passionate embrace the child whose head was hid in zora's gown. next instant she was staggering along the path whither zora pointed. slowly the sun was darkened, and plaintive murmurings pulsed through the wood. the oppression and fear of the swamp redoubled in mary taylor. zora gave no sign of having seen her. she stood tall and still, and the little golden-haired girl still sobbed in her gown. mary taylor looked up into zora's face, then paused in awe. it was a face she did not know; it was neither the beautifully mischievous face of the girl, nor the pain-stricken face of the woman. it was a face cold and mask-like, regular and comely; clothed in a mighty calm, yet subtly, masterfully veiling behind itself depths of unfathomed misery and wild revolt. all this lay in its darkness. "good-morning, miss taylor." mary, who was wont to teach this woman--so lately a child--searched in vain for words to address her now. she stood bare-haired and hesitating in the pale green light of the darkened morning. it seemed fit that a deep groan of pain should gather itself from the mysterious depths of the swamp, and drop like a pall on the black portal of the cabin. but it brought mary taylor back to a sense of things, and under a sudden impulse she spoke. "is--is anything the matter?" she asked nervously. "elspeth is sick," replied zora. "is she very sick?" "yes--she has been called," solemnly returned the dark young woman. mary was puzzled. "called?" she repeated vaguely. "we heard the great cry in the night, and elspeth says it is the end." it did not occur to mary taylor to question this mysticism; she all at once understood--perhaps read the riddle in the dark, melancholy eyes that so steadily regarded her. "then you can leave the place, zora?" she exclaimed gladly. "yes, i could leave." "and you will." "i don't know." "but the place looks--evil." "it is evil." "and yet you will stay?" zora's eyes were now fixed far above the woman's head, and she saw a human face forming itself in the vast rafters of the forest. its eyes were wet with pain and anger. "perhaps," she answered. the child furtively uncovered her face and looked at the stranger. she was blue-eyed and golden-haired. "whose child is this?" queried mary, curiously. zora looked coldly down upon the child. "it is bertie's. her mother is bad. she is gone. i sent her. she and the others like her." "but where have you sent them?" "to hell!" mary taylor started under the shock. impulsively she moved forward with hands that wanted to stretch themselves in appeal. "zora! zora! _you_ mustn't go, too!" but the black girl drew proudly back. "i _am_ there," she returned, with unmistakable simplicity of absolute conviction. the white woman shrank back. her heart was wrung; she wanted to say more--to explain, to ask to help; there came welling to her lips a flood of things that she would know. but zora's face again was masked. "i must go," she said, before mary could speak. "good-bye." and the dark groaning depths of the cabin swallowed her. with a satisfied smile, harry cresswell had seen the northern girl disappear toward the swamp; for it is significant when maidens run from lovers. but maidens should also come back, and when, after the lapse of many minutes, mary did not reappear, he followed her footsteps to the swamp. he frowned as he noted the footprints pointing to elspeth's--what did mary taylor want there? a fear started within him, and something else. he was suddenly aware that he wanted this woman, intensely; at the moment he would have turned heaven and earth to get her. he strode forward and the wood rose darkly green above him. a long, low, distant moan seemed to sound upon the breeze, and after it came mary taylor. he met her with tender solicitude, and she was glad to feel his arm beneath hers. "i've been searching for you," he said after a silence. "you should not wander here alone--it is dangerous." "why, dangerous?" she asked. "wandering negroes, and even wild beasts, in the forest depths--and malaria--see, you tremble now." "but not from malaria," she slowly returned. he caught an unfamiliar note in his voice, and a wild desire to justify himself before this woman clamored in his heart. with it, too, came a cooler calculating intuition that frankness alone would win her now. at all hazards he must win, and he cast the die. "miss taylor," he said, "i want to talk to you--i have wanted to for--a year." he glanced at her: she was white and silent, but she did not tremble. he went on: "i have hesitated because i do not know that i have a right to speak or explain to--to--a good woman." he felt her arm tighten on his and he continued: "you have been to elspeth's cabin; it is an evil place, and has meant evil for this community, and for me. elspeth was my mother's favorite servant and my own mammy. my mother died when i was ten and left me to her tender mercies. she let me have my way and encouraged the bad in me. it's a wonder i escaped total ruin. her cabin became a rendezvous for drinking and carousing. i told my father, but he, in lazy indifference, declared the place no worse than all negro cabins, and did nothing. i ceased my visits. still she tried every lure and set false stories going among the negroes, even when i sought to rescue zora. i tell you this because i know you have heard evil rumors. i have not been a good man--mary; but i love you, and you can make me good." perhaps no other appeal would have stirred mary taylor. she was in many respects an inexperienced girl. but she thought she knew the world; she knew that harry cresswell was not all he should be, and she knew too that many other men were not. moreover, she argued he had not had a fair chance. all the school-ma'am in her leaped to his teaching. what he needed was a superior person like herself. she loved him, and she deliberately put her arms about his neck and lifted her face to be kissed. back by the place of the silver fleece they wandered, across the big road, up to the mansion. on the steps stood john taylor and helen cresswell hand in hand and they all smiled at each other. the colonel came out, smiling too, with the paper in his hands. "easterly's right," he beamed, "the stock of the cotton combine--" he paused at the silence and looked up. the smile faded slowly and the red blood mounted to his forehead. anger struggled back of surprise, but before it burst forth silently the colonel turned, and muttering some unintelligible word, went slowly into the house and slammed the door. so for harry cresswell the day burst, flamed, and waned, and then suddenly went out, leaving him dull and gray; for mary and her brother had gone north, helen had gone to bed, and the colonel was in town. outside the weather was gusty and lowering with a chill in the air. he paced the room fitfully. well, he was happy. or, was he happy? he gnawed his mustache, for already his quick, changeable nature was feeling the rebound from glory to misery. he was a little ashamed of his exaltation; a bit doubtful and uncertain. he had stooped low to this yankee school-ma'am, lower than he had ever stooped to a woman. usually, while he played at loving, women grovelled; for was he not a cresswell? would this woman recognize that fact and respect him accordingly? then there was zora; what had she said and hinted to mary? the wench was always eluding and mocking him, the black devil! but, pshaw!--he poured himself a glass of brandy--was he not rich and young? the world was his. his valet knocked. "gentleman is asking if you forgits it's saturday night, sir?" said sam. cresswell walked thoughtfully to the window, swept back the curtain, and looked toward the darkness and the swamp. it lowered threateningly; behind it the night sky was tinged with blood. "no," he said; "i'm not going." and he shut out the glow. yet he grew more and more restless. the devil danced in his veins and burned in his forehead. his hands shook. he heard a rustle of departing feet beneath his window, then a pause and a faint halloo. "all right," he called, and in a moment went downstairs and out into the night. as he closed the front door there seemed to come faintly up from the swamp a low ululation, like the prolonged cry of some wild bird, or the wail of one's mourning for his dead. within the cabin, elspeth heard. tremblingly, she swayed to her feet, a haggard, awful sight. she motioned zora away, and stretching her hands palms upward to the sky, cried with dry and fear-struck gasp: "i'se called! i'se called!" on the bed the child smiled in its dreaming; the red flame of the firelight set the gold to dancing in her hair. zora shrank back into the shadows and listened. then it came. she heard the heavy footsteps crashing through the underbrush--coming, coming, as from the end of the world. she shrank still farther back, and a shadow swept the door. he was a mighty man, black and white-haired, and his eyes were the eyes of death. he bent to enter the door, and then uplifting himself and stretching his great arms, his palms touched the blackened rafters. zora started forward. thick memories of some forgotten past came piling in upon her. where had she known him? what was he to her? slowly elspeth, with quivering hands, unwound the black and snake-like object that always guarded her breast. without a word, he took it, and again his hands flew heavenward. with a low and fearful moan the old woman lurched sideways, then crashed, like a fallen pine, upon the hearthstone. she lay still--dead. three times the man passed his hands, wave-like, above the dead. three times he murmured, and his eyes burned into the shadows, where the girl trembled. then he turned and went as he had come, his heavy feet crashing through the underbrush, on and on, fainter and fainter, as to the end of the world. zora shook herself from the trance-like horror and passed her hands across her eyes to drive out the nightmare. but, no! there lay the dead upon the hearth with the firelight flashing over her, a bloated, hideous, twisted thing, distorted in the rigor of death. a moment zora looked down upon her mother. she felt the cold body whence the wandering, wrecked soul had passed. she sat down and stared death in the face for the first time. a mighty questioning arose within, a questioning and a yearning. was elspeth now at peace? was death the way--the wide, dark way? she had never thought of it before, and as she thought she crept forward and looked into the fearful face pityingly. "mammy!" she whispered--with bated breath--"mammy elspeth!" out of the night came a whispered answer: "_elspeth! elspeth!_" zora sprang to her feet, alert, fearful. with a swing of her arm, she pulled the great oaken door to and dropped the bar into its place. over the dead she spread a clean white sheet. into the fire she thrust pine-knots. they glared in vague red, and shadowy brilliance, waving and quivering and throwing up thin swirling columns of black smoke. then standing beside the fireplace with the white, still corpse between her and the door, she took up her awful vigil. there came a low knocking at the door; then silence and footsteps wandering furtively about. the night seemed all footsteps and whispers. there came a louder knocking, and a voice: "_elspeth! elspeth! open the door; it's me._" then muttering and wandering noises, and silence again. the child on the bed turned itself, murmuring uneasily in its dreams. and then _they_ came. zora froze, watching the door, wide-eyed, while the fire flamed redder. a loud quick knock at the door--a pause--an oath and a cry. "_elspeth! open this door, damn you!_" a moment of waiting and then the knocking came again, furious and long continued. outside there was much trampling and swearing. zora did not move; the child slept on. a tugging and dragging, a dull blow that set the cabin quivering; then,-"_bang! crack! crash!_"--the door wavered, splintered, and dropped upon the floor. with a snarl, a crowd of some half-dozen white faces rushed forward, wavered and stopped. the awakened child sat up and stared with wide blue eyes. slowly, with no word, the intruders turned and went silently away, leaving but one late comer who pressed forward. "what damned mummery is this?" he cried, and snatching at the sheet, dragged it from the black distorted countenance of the corpse. he shuddered but for a moment he could not stir. he felt the midnight eyes of the girl--he saw the twisted, oozing mouth of the hag, blue-black and hideous. suddenly back behind there in the darkness a shriek split the night like a sudden flash of flame--a great ringing scream that cracked and swelled and stopped. with one wild effort the man hurled himself out the door and plunged through the darkness. panting and cursing, he flashed his huge revolver--"_bang! bang! bang!_" it cracked into the night. the sweat poured from his forehead; the terror of the swamp was upon him. with a struggling and tearing in his throat, he tripped and fell fainting under the silent oaks. _twenty_ the weaving of the silver fleece the silver fleece, darkly cloaked and girded, lay in the cotton warehouse of the cresswells, near the store. its silken fibres, cramped and close, shone yellow-white in the sunlight; sadly soiled, yet beautiful. many came to see zora's twin bales, as they lay, handling them and questioning, while colonel cresswell grew proud of his possession. the world was going well with the colonel. freed from money cares, praised for his generalship in the cotton corner, able to entertain sumptuously, he was again a southern gentleman of the older school, and so in his envied element. yet today he frowned as he stood poking absently with his cane at the baled fleece. this marriage--or, rather, these marriages--were not to his liking. it was a _mesalliance_ of a sort that pricked him tenderly; it savored grossly of bargain and sale. his neighbors regarded it with disconcerting equanimity. they seemed to think an alliance with northern millions an honor for cresswell blood, and the colonel thumped the nearer bale vigorously. his cane slipped along the iron bands suddenly, and the old man lurching forward, clutched in space to save himself and touched a human hand. zora, sitting shadowed on the farther bale, drew back her hand quickly at the contact, and started to move away. "who's that?" thundered the colonel, more angry at his involuntary fright than at the intrusion. "here, boys!" but zora had come forward into the space where the sunlight of the wide front doors poured in upon the cotton bales. "it's me, colonel," she said. he glared at her. she was taller and thinner than formerly, darkly transparent of skin, and her dark eyes shone in strange and dusky brilliance. still indignant and surprised, the colonel lifted his voice sharply. "what the devil are you doing here?--sleeping when you ought to be at work! get out! and see here, next week cotton chopping begins--you'll go to the fields or to the chain-gang. i'll have no more of your loafing about my place." awaiting no reply, the colonel, already half ashamed of his vehemence, stormed out into the sunlight and climbed upon his bay mare. but zora still stood silent in the shadow of the silver fleece, hearing and yet not hearing. she was searching for the way, groping for the threads of life, seeking almost wildly to understand the foundations of understanding, piteously asking for answer to the puzzle of life. all the while the walls rose straight about her and narrow. to continue in school meant charity, yet she had nowhere to go and nothing to go with. to refuse to work for the cresswells meant trouble for the school and perhaps arrest for herself. to work in the fields meant endless toil and a vista that opened upon death. like a hunted thing the girl turned and twisted in thought and faced everywhere the blank impossible. cold and dreamlike without, her shut teeth held back seething fires within, and a spirit of revolt that gathered wildness as it grew. above all flew the dream, the phantasy, the memory of the past, the vision of the future. over and over she whispered to herself: "this is not the end; this can not be the end." somehow, somewhere, would come salvation. yet what it would be and what she expected she did not know. she sought the way, but what way and whither she did not know, she dared not dream. one thing alone lay in her wild fancy like a great and wonderful fact dragging the dream to earth and anchoring it there. that was the silver fleece. like a brooding mother, zora had watched it. she knew how the gin had been cleaned for its pressing and how it had been baled apart and carefully covered. she knew how proud colonel cresswell was of it and how daily he had visitors to see it and finger the wide white wound in its side. "yes, sir, grown on my place, by my niggers, sir!" he assured them; and they marvelled. to zora's mind, this beautiful baled fibre was hers; it typified happiness; it was an holy thing which profane hands had stolen. when it came back to her (as come it must, she cried with clenched hands) it would bring happiness; not the great happiness--that was gone forever--but illumination, atonement, and something of the power and the glory. so, involuntarily almost, she haunted the cotton storehouse, flitting like a dark and silent ghost in among the workmen, greeting them with her low musical voice, warding them with the cold majesty of her eyes; each day afraid of some last parting, each night triumphant--it was still there! the colonel--zora already forgotten--rode up to the cresswell oaks, pondering darkly. it was bad enough to contemplate helen's marriage in distant prospect, but the sudden, almost peremptory desire for marrying at eastertide, a little less than two months away, was absurd. there were "business reasons arising from the presidential campaign in the fall," john taylor had telegraphed; but there was already too much business in the arrangement to suit the colonel. with harry it was different. indeed it was his own quiet suggestion that made john taylor hurry matters. harry trusted to the novelty of his father's new wealth to make the latter complacent; he himself felt an impatient longing for the haven of a home. he had been too long untethered. he distrusted himself. the devil within was too fond of taking the bit in his teeth. he would remember to his dying day one awful shriek in the night, as of a soul tormenting and tormented. he wanted the protection of a good woman, and sometimes against the clear whiteness of her letters so joyous and generous, even if a bit prim and didactic, he saw a vision of himself reflected as he was, and he feared. it was distinctively disconcerting to colonel cresswell to find harry quite in favor of early nuptials, and to learn that the sole objection even in helen's mind was the improbability of getting a wedding-gown in time. helen had all a child's naive love for beautiful and dainty things, and a wedding-gown from paris had been her life dream. on this point, therefore, there ensued spirited arguments and much correspondence, and both her brother and her lover evinced characteristic interest in the planning. said harry: "sis, i'll cable to paris today. they can easily hurry the thing along." helen was delighted; she handed over a telegram just received from john taylor. "send me, express, two bales best cotton you can get." the colonel read the message. "i don't see the connection between this and hurrying up a wedding-gown," he growled. none of them discerned the handwriting of destiny. "neither do i," said harry, who detected yielding in his father's tone. "but we'd better send him the two prize bales; it will be a fine advertisement of our plantation, and evidently he has a surprise in store for us." the colonel affected to hesitate, but next morning the silver fleece went to town. zora watched it go, and her heart swelled and died within her. she walked to town, to the station. she did not see mrs. vanderpool arriving from new orleans; but mrs. vanderpool saw her, and looked curiously at the tall, tragic figure that leaned so dolorously beside the freight car. the bales were loaded into the express car; the train pulled away, its hoarse snorting waking vague echoes in the forest beyond. but to the girl who stood at the end, looking outward to darkness, those echoes roared like the crack of doom. a passing band of contract hands called to her mockingly, and one black giant, laughing loudly, gripped her hand. "come, honey," he shouted, "you'se a'dreaming! come on, honey!" she turned abruptly and gripped his hand, as one drowning grips anything offered--gripped till he winced. she laughed a loud mirthless laugh, that came pouring like a sob from her deep lungs. "come on!" she mocked, and joined them. they were a motley crowd, ragged, swaggering, jolly. there were husky, big-limbed youths, and bold-faced, loud-tongued girls. to-morrow they would start up-country to some backwoods barony in the kingdom of cotton, and work till christmas time. today was the last in town; there was craftily advanced money in their pockets and riot in their hearts. in the gathering twilight they marched noisily through the streets; in their midst, wide-eyed and laughing almost hysterically, marched zora. mrs. vanderpool meantime rode thoughtfully out of town toward cresswell oaks. she was returning from witnessing the mardi gras festivities at new orleans and at the urgent invitation of the cresswells had stopped off. she might even stay to the wedding if the new plans matured. mrs. vanderpool was quite upset. her french maid, on whom she had depended absolutely for five years or more, had left her. "i think i want to try a colored maid," she told the cresswells, laughingly, as they drove home. "they have sweet voices and they can't doff their uniform. helene without her cap and apron was often mistaken for a lady, and while i was in new orleans a french confectioner married her under some such delusion. now, haven't you a girl about here who would do?" "no," declared harry decisively, but his sister suggested that she might ask miss smith at the colored school. again mrs. vanderpool laughed, but after tea she wandered idly down the road. the sun behind the swamp was crimsoning the world. mrs. vanderpool strolled alone to the school, and saw sarah smith. there was no cordiality in the latter's greeting, but when she heard the caller's errand her attention was at once arrested and held. the interests of her charges were always uppermost in her mind. "can't i have the girl zora?" mrs. vanderpool at last inquired. miss smith started, for she was thinking of zora at that very instant. the girl was later than usual, and she was momentarily expecting to see her tall form moving languidly up the walk. she gave mrs. vanderpool a searching look. mrs. vanderpool glanced involuntarily at her gown and smiled as she did it. "could i trust you with a human soul?" asked miss smith abruptly. mrs. vanderpool looked up quickly. the half mocking answer that rose involuntarily to her lips was checked. within, mrs. vanderpool was a little puzzled at herself. why had she asked for this girl? she had felt a strange interest in her--a peculiar human interest since she first saw her and as she saw her again this afternoon. but would she make a satisfactory maid? was it not a rather dangerous experiment? why had she asked for her? she certainly had not intended to when she entered the house. in the silence miss smith continued: "here is a child in whom the fountains of the great deep are suddenly broken up. with peace and care she would find herself, for she is strong. but here there is no peace. slavery of soul and body awaits her and i am powerless to protect her. she must go away. that going away may make or ruin her. she knows nothing of working for wages and she has not the servant's humility; but she has loyalty and pluck. for one she loves there is nothing she would not do; but she cannot be driven. or rather, if she is driven, it may rouse in her the devil incarnate. she needs not exactly affection--she would almost resent that--but intelligent interest and care. in return for this she will gradually learn to serve and serve loyally. frankly, mrs. vanderpool, i would not have chosen you for this task of human education. indeed, you would have been my last thought--you seem to me--i speak plainly--a worldly woman. yet, perhaps--who can tell?--god has especially set you to this task. at any rate, i have little choice. i am at my wits' end. elspeth, the mother of this child, is not long dead; and here is the girl, beautiful, unprotected; and here am i, almost helpless. she is in debt to the cresswells, and they are pressing the claim to her service. take her if you can get her--it is, i fear, her only chance. mind you--if you can persuade her; and that may be impossible." "where is she now?" miss smith glanced out at the darkening landscape, and then at her watch. "i do not know; she's very late. she's given to wandering, but usually she is here before this time." "i saw her in town this afternoon," said mrs. vanderpool. "zora? in town?" miss smith rose. "i'll send her to you tomorrow," she said quietly. mrs. vanderpool had hardly reached the oaks before miss smith was driving toward town. a small cabin on the town's ragged fringe was crowded to suffocation. within arose noisy shouts, loud songs, and raucous laughter; the scraping of a fiddle and whine of an accordion. liquor began to appear and happy faces grew red-eyed and sodden as the dances whirled. at the edge of the orgy stood zora, wild-eyed and bewildered, mad with the pain that gripped her heart and hammered in her head, crying in tune with the frenzied music--"the end--the end!" abruptly she recognized a face despite the wreck and ruin of its beauty. "bertie!" she cried as she seized the mother of little emma by the arm. the woman staggered and offered her glass. "drink," she cried, "drink and forget." in a moment zora sprang forward and seized the burning liquid in both hands. a dozen hands clapped a devil's tattoo. a score of voices yelled and laughed. the shriek of the music was drowned beneath the thunder of stamping feet. men reeled to singing women's arms, but above the roar rose the song of the voice of zora--she glided to the middle of the room, standing tip-toed with skirts that curled and turned; she threw back her head, raised the liquor to her lips, paused and looked into the face of miss smith. a silence fell like a lightning flash on the room as that white face peered in at the door. slowly zora's hands fell and her eyes blinked as though waking from some awful dream. she staggered toward the woman's outstretched arms.... late that night the girl lay close in miss smith's motherly embrace. "i was going to hell!" she whispered, trembling. "why, zora?" asked miss smith calmly. "i couldn't find the way--and i wanted to forget." "people in hell don't forget," was the matter-of-fact comment. "and, zora, what way do you seek? the way where?" zora sat up in bed, and lifted a gray and stricken face. "it's a lie," she cried, with hoarse earnedstness, "the way nowhere. there is no way! you know--i want _him_--i want nothing on earth but him--and him i can't ever have." the older woman drew her down tenderly. "no, zora," she said, "there's something you want more than him and something you can have!" "what?" asked the wondering girl. "his respect," said sarah smith, "and i know the way." _twenty-one_ the marriage morning mrs. vanderpool watched zora as she came up the path beneath the oaks. "she walks well," she observed. and laying aside her book, she waited with a marked curiosity. the girl's greeting was brief, almost curt, but unintentionally so, as one could easily see, for back in her eyes lurked an impatient hunger; she was not thinking of greetings. she murmured a quick word, and stood straight and tall with her eyes squarely on the lady. in the depths of mrs. vanderpool's heart something strange--not new, but very old--stirred. before her stood this tall black girl, quietly returning her look. mrs. vanderpool had a most uncomfortable sense of being judged, of being weighed,--and there arose within her an impulse to self-justification. she smiled and said sweetly, "won't you sit?" but despite all this, her mind seemed leaping backward a thousand years; back to a simpler, primal day when she herself, white, frail, and fettered, stood before the dusky magnificence of some bejewelled barbarian queen and sought to justify herself. she shook off the phantasy,--and yet how well the girl stood. it was not every one that could stand still and well. "please sit down," she repeated with her softest charm, not dreaming that outside the school white persons did not ask this girl to sit in their presence. but even this did not move zora. she sat down. there was in her, walking, standing, sitting, a simple directness which mrs. vanderpool sensed and met. "zora, i need some one to help me--to do my hair and serve my coffee, and dress and take care of me. the work will not be hard, and you can travel and see the world and live well. would you like it?" "but i do not know how to do all these things," returned zora, slowly. she was thinking rapidly--was this the way? it sounded wonderful. the world, the great mysterious world, that stretched beyond the swamp and into which bles and the silver fleece had gone--did it lead to the way? but if she went there what would she see and do, and would it be possible to become such a woman as miss smith pictured? "what is the world like?" asked zora. mrs. vanderpool smiled. "oh, i meant great active cities and buildings, myriads of people and wonderful sights." "yes--but back of it all, what is it really? what does it look like?" "heavens, child! don't ask. really, it isn't worth while peering back of things. one is sure to be disappointed." "then what's the use of seeing the world?" "why, one must live; and why not be happy?" answered mrs. vanderpool, amused, baffled, spurred for the time being from her chronic _ennui_. "are you happy?" retorted zora, looking her over carefully, from silken stockings to garden hat. mrs. vanderpool laid aside her little mockery and met the situation bravely. "no," she replied simply. her eyes grew old and tired. involuntarily zora's hand crept out protectingly and lay a moment over the white jewelled fingers. then quickly recovering herself, she started hastily to withdraw it, but the woman's fingers closed around the darker ones, and mrs. vanderpool's eyes became dim. "i need you, zora," she said; and then, seeing the half-formed question, "yes, and you need me; we need each other. in the world lies opportunity, and i will help you." zora rose abruptly, and mrs. vanderpool feared, with a tightening of heart, that she had lost this strangely alluring girl. "i will come to-morrow," said zora. as mrs. vanderpool went in to lunch, reaction and lingering doubts came trouping back. to replace the daintiest of trained experts with the most baffling semi-barbarian, well! "have you hired a maid?" asked helen. "i've engaged zora," laughed mrs. vanderpool, lightly; "and now i'm wondering whether i have a jewel or--a white elephant." "probably neither," remarked harry cresswell, drily; but he avoided the lady's inquiring eyes. next morning zora came easily into mrs. vanderpool's life. there was little she knew of her duties, but little, too, that she could not learn with a deftness and divination almost startling. her quietness, her quickness, her young strength, were like a soothing balm to the tired woman of fashion, and within a week she had sunk back contentedly into zora's strong arms. "it's a jewel," she decided. with this verdict, the house agreed. the servants waited on "miss zora" gladly; the men scarcely saw her, and the ladies ran to her for help in all sorts. harry cresswell looked upon this transformation with an amused smile, but the colonel saw in it simply evidence of dangerous obstinacy in a black girl who hitherto had refused to work. zora had been in the house but a week when a large express package was received from john taylor. its unwrapping brought a cry of pleasure from the ladies. there lay a bolt of silken-like cambric of wondrous fineness and lustre, marked: "for the wedding-dress." the explanation accompanied the package, that mary taylor had a similar piece in the north. helen and harry said nothing of the cablegram to the paris tailor, and helen took no steps toward having the cambric dress made, not even when the wedding invitations appeared. "a cresswell married in cotton!" helen was almost in tears lest the paris gown be delayed, and sure enough a cablegram came at last saying that there was little likelihood of the gown being ready by easter. it would be shipped at the earliest convenience, but it could hardly catch the necessary boat. helen had a good cry, and then came a wild rush to get john taylor's cloth ready. still, helen was querulous. she decided that silk embroidery must embellish the skirt. the dressmaker was in despair. "i haven't a single spare worker," she declared. helen was appealing to mrs. vanderpool. "i can do it," said zora, who was in the room. "do you know how?" asked the dressmaker. "no, but i want to know." mrs. vanderpool gave a satisfied nod. "show her," she said. the dressmaker was on the edge of rebellion. "zora sews beautifully," added mrs. vanderpool. thus the beautiful cloth came to zora's room, and was spread in a glossy cloud over her bed. she trembled at its beauty and felt a vague inner yearning, as if some subtle magic of the woven web were trying to tell her its story. she worked over it faithfully and lovingly in every spare hour and in long nights of dreaming. wilfully she departed from the set pattern and sewed into the cloth something of the beauty in her heart. in new and intricate ways, with soft shadowings and coverings, she wove in that white veil her own strange soul, and mrs. vanderpool watched her curiously, but in silence. meantime all things were arranged for a double wedding at cresswell oaks. as john and mary taylor had no suitable home, they were to come down and the two brides to go forth from the cresswell mansion. accordingly the taylors arrived a week before the wedding and the home took on a festive air. even colonel cresswell expanded under the genial influences, and while his head still protested his heart was glad. he had to respect john taylor's undoubted ability; and mary taylor was certainly lovely, in spite of that assumption of cleverness of which the colonel could not approve. mary returned to the old scenes with mingled feelings. especially was she startled at seeing zora a member of the household and apparently high in favor. it brought back something of the old uneasiness and suspicion. all this she soon forgot under the cadence of harry cresswell's pleasant voice and the caressing touch of his arm. he seemed handsomer than ever; and he was, for sleep and temperance and the wooing of a woman had put a tinge in his marble face, smoothed the puffs beneath his eyes, and given him a more distinguished bearing and a firmer hand. and mary taylor was very happy. so was her brother, only differently; he was making money; he was planning to make more, and he had something to pet which seemed to him extraordinarily precious and valuable. taylor eagerly inquired after the cloth, and followed the ladies to zora's room, adjoining mrs. vanderpool's, to see it. it lay uncut and shimmering, covered with dim silken tracery of a delicacy and beauty which brought an exclamation to all lips. "that's what we can do with alabama cotton," cried john taylor in triumph. they turned to him incredulously. "but--" "no 'buts' about it; these are the two bales you sent me, woven with a silk woof." no one particularly noticed that zora had hastily left the room. "i had it done in easterly's new jersey mills according to an old plan of mine. i'm going to make cloth like that right in this county some day," and he chuckled gayly. but zora was striding up and down the halls, the blood surging in her ears. after they were gone she came back and closed the doors. she dropped on her knees and buried her face in the filmy folds of the silver fleece. "i knew it! i knew it!" she whispered in mingled tears and joy. "it called and i did not understand." it was her talisman new-found; her love come back, her stolen dream come true. now she could face the world; god had turned it straight again. she would go into the world and find--not love, but the thing greater than love. outside the door came voices--the dressmaker's tones, helen's soft drawl, and mrs. vanderpool's finished accents. her face went suddenly gray. the silver fleece was not hers! it belonged--she rose hastily. the door opened and they came in. the cutting must begin at once, they all agreed. "is it ready, zora?" inquired helen. "no," zora quietly answered, "not quite, but tomorrow morning, early." as soon as she was alone again, she sat down and considered. by and by, while the family was at lunch, she folded the silver fleece carefully and locked it in her new trunk. she would hide it in the swamp. during the afternoon she sent to town for oil-cloth, and bade the black carpenter at miss smith's make a cedar box, tight and tarred. in the morning she prepared mrs. vanderpool's breakfast with unusual care. she was sorry for mrs. vanderpool, and sorry for miss smith. they would not, they could not, understand. what would happen to her? she did not know; she did not care. the silver fleece had returned to her. soon it would be buried in the swamp whence it came. she had no alternative; she must keep it and wait. she heard the dressmaker's voice, and then her step upon the stair. she heard the sound of harry cresswell's buggy, and a scurrying at the front door. on came the dressmaker's footsteps--then her door was unceremoniously burst open. helen cresswell stood there radiant; the dressmaker, too, was wreathed in smiles. she carried a big red-sealed bundle. "zora!" cried helen in ecstasy. "it's come!" zora regarded her coldly, and stood at bay. the dressmaker was ripping and snipping, and soon there lay revealed before them--the paris gown! helen was in raptures, but her conscience pricked her. she appealed to them. "ought i to tell? you see, mary's gown will look miserably common beside it." the dressmaker was voluble. there was really nothing to tell; and besides, helen was a cresswell and it was to be expected, and so forth. helen pursed her lips and petulantly tapped the floor with her foot. "but the other gown?" "where is it?" asked the dressmaker, looking about. "it would make a pretty morning-dress--" but helen had taken a sudden dislike to the thought of it. "i don't want it," she declared. "and besides, i haven't room for it in my trunks." of a sudden she leaned down and whispered to zora: "zora, hide it and keep it if you want it. come," to the dressmaker, "i'm dying to try this on--now.... remember, zora--not a word." and all this to zora seemed no surprise; it was the way, and it was opening before her because the talisman lay in her trunk. so at last it came to easter morning. the world was golden with jasmine, and crimson with azalea; down in the darker places gleamed the misty glory of the dogwood; new cotton shook, glimmered, and blossomed in the black fields, and over all the soft southern sun poured its awakening light of life. there was happiness and hope again in the cabins, and hope and--if not happiness, ambition, in the mansions. zora, almost forgetting the wedding, stood before the mirror. laying aside her dress, she draped her shimmering cloth about her, dragging her hair down in a heavy mass over ears and neck until she seemed herself a bride. and as she stood there, awed with the mystical union of a dead love and a living new born self, there came drifting in at the window, faintly, the soft sound of far-off marriage music. "'tis thy marriage morning, shining in the sun!" two white and white-swathed brides were coming slowly down the great staircase of cresswell oaks, and two white and black-clothed bridegrooms awaited them. either bridegroom looked gladly at the flow of his sister's garments and almost darkly at his bride's. for helen was decked in parisian splendor, while mary was gowned in the fleece. "'tis thy marriage morning, shining in the sun!" up floated the song of the little dark-faced children, and zora listened. _twenty-two_ miss caroline wynn bles alwyn was seated in the anteroom of senator smith's office in washington. the senator had not come in yet, and there were others waiting, too. the young man sat in a corner, dreaming. washington was his first great city, and it seemed a never-ending delight--the streets, the buildings, the crowds; the shops, and lights, and noise; the kaleidoscopic panorama of a world's doing, the myriad forms and faces, the talk and laughter of men. it was all wonderful magic to the country boy, and he stretched his arms and filled his lungs and cried: "here i shall live!" especially was he attracted by his own people. they seemed transformed, revivified, changed. some might be mistaken for field hands on a holiday--but not many. others he did not recognize--they seemed strange and alien--sharper, quicker, and at once more overbearing and more unscrupulous. there were yet others--and at the sight of these bles stood straighter and breathed like a man. they were well dressed, and well appearing men and women, who walked upright and looked one in the eye, and seemed like persons of affairs and money. they had arrived--they were men--they filled his mind's ideal--he felt like going up to them and grasping their hands and saying, "at last, brother!" ah, it was good to find one's dreams, walking in the light, in flesh and blood. continually such thoughts were surging through his brain, and they were rioting through it again as he sat waiting in senator smith's office. the senator was late this morning; when he came in he glanced at the morning paper before looking over his mail and the list of his callers. "do fools like the american people deserve salvation?" he sneered, holding off the headlines and glancing at them. "'league beats trust.' ... 'farmers of south smash effort to bear market ... send cotton to twelve cents ... common people triumph.' "a man is induced to bite off his own nose and then to sing a pã¦an of victory. it's nauseating--senseless. there is no earthly use striving for such blockheads; they'd crucify any saviour." thus half consciously senator smith salved his conscience, while he extracted a certificate of deposit for fifty thousand dollars from his new york mail. he thrust it aside from his secretary's view and looked at his list as he rang the bell: there was representative todd, and somebody named alwyn--nobody of importance. easterly was due in a half-hour. he would get rid of todd meantime. "poor todd," he mused; "a lamb for the slaughter." but he patiently listened to him plead for party support and influence for his bill to prohibit gambling in futures. "i was warned that it was useless to see you, senator smith, but i would come. i believe in you. frankly, there is a strong group of your old friends and followers forming against you; they met only last night, but i did not go. won't you take a stand on some of these progressive matters--this bill, or the child labor movement, or low tariff legislation?" mr. smith listened but shook his head. "when the time comes," he announced deliberately, "i shall have something to say on several of these matters. at present i can only say that i cannot support this bill," and mr. todd was ushered out. he met mr. easterly coming in and greeted him effusively. he knew him only as a rich philanthropist, who had helped the neighborhood guild in washington--one of todd's hobbies. easterly greeted smith quietly. "got my letter?" "yes." "here are the three bills. you will go on the finance committee tomorrow; sumdrich is chairman by courtesy, but you'll have the real power. put the child labor bill first, and we'll work the press. the tariff will take most of the session, of course. we'll put the cotton inspection bill through in the last days of the session--see? i'm manoeuvring to get the southern congressmen into line.... oh, one thing. thompson says he's a little worried about the negroes; says there's something more than froth in the talk of a bolt in the northern negro vote. we may have to give them a little extra money and a few more minor offices than usual. talk with thompson; the negroes are sweet on you and he's going to be the new chairman of the campaign, you know. ever met him?" "yes." "well--so long." "just a moment," the statesman stayed the financier. "todd just let fall something of a combination against us in congress--know anything of it?" "not definitely; i heard some rumors. better see if you can run it down. well, i must hurry--good day." while bles alwyn in the outer office was waiting and musing, a lady came in. out of the corner of his eye he caught the curve of her gown, and as she seated herself beside him, the suggestion of a faint perfume. a vague resentment rose in him. colored women would look as well as that, he argued, with the clothes and wealth and training. he paused, however, in his thought: he did not want them like the whites--so cold and formal and precise, without heart or marrow. he started up, for the secretary was speaking to him. "are you the--er--the man who had a letter to the senator?" "yes, sir." "let me see it. oh, yes--he will see you in a moment." bles was returning the letter to his pocket when he heard a voice almost at his ear. "i beg your pardon--" he turned and started. it was the lady next to him, and she was colored! not extremely colored, but undoubtedly colored, with waving black hair, light brown skin, and the fuller facial curving of the darker world. and yet bles was surprised, for everything else about her--her voice, her bearing, the set of her gown, her gloves and shoes, the whole impression was--bles hesitated for a word--well, "white." "yes--yes, ma'am," he stammered, becoming suddenly conscious that the lady had now a second time asked him if he was acquainted with senator smith. "that is, ma'am,"--why was he saying "ma'am," like a child or a servant?--"i know his sister and have a letter for him." "do you live in washington?" she inquired. "no--but i want to. i've been trying to get in as a clerk, and i haven't succeeded yet. that's what i'm going to see senator smith about." "have you had the civil-service examinations?" "yes. i made ninety-three in the examination for a treasury clerkship." "and no appointment? i see--they are not partial to us there." bles was glad to hear her say "us." she continued after a pause: "may i venture to ask a favor of you?" "certainly," he responded. "my name is wynn," lowering her voice slightly and leaning toward him. "there are so many ahead of me and i am in a hurry to get to my school; but i must see the senator--couldn't i go in with you? i think i might be of service in this matter of the examination, and then perhaps i'd get a chance to say a word for myself." "i'd be very glad to have you come," said bles, cordially. the secretary hesitated a little when the two started in, but miss wynn's air was so quietly assured that he yielded. senator smith looked at the tall, straight black man with his smooth skin and frank eyes. and for a second time that morning a vision of his own youth dimmed his eyes. but he spoke coldly: "mr. alwyn, i believe." "yes, sir." "and--" "my friend, miss wynn." the senator glanced at miss wynn and she bowed demurely. then he turned to alwyn. "well, mr. alwyn, washington is a bad place to start in the world." bles looked surprised and incredulous. he could conceive of no finer starting-place, but he said nothing. "it is a grave," continued the senator, "of ambitions and ideals. you would far better go back to alabama"--pausing and looking at the young man keenly--"but you won't--you won't--not yet, at any rate." and bles shook his head slowly. "no--well, what can i do for you?" "i want work--i'll do anything." "no, you'll do one thing--be a clerk, and then if you have the right stuff in you you will throw up that job in a year and start again." "i'd like at least to try it, sir." "well, i can't help you much there; that's in civil-service, and you must take the examination." "i have, sir." "so? where, and what mark?" "in the treasury department; i got a mark of ninety-three." "what!--and no appointment?" the senator was incredulous. "no, sir; not yet." here miss wynn interposed. "you see, senator," she said, "civil-service rules are not always impervious to race prejudice." the senator frowned. "do you mean to intimate that mr. alwyn's appointment is held up because he is colored?" "i do." "well--well!" the senator rang for a clerk. "get me the treasury on the telephone." in a moment the bell rang. "i want mr. cole. is that you, mr. cole? good-morning. have you a young man named alwyn on your eligible list? what? yes?" a pause. "indeed? well, why has he no appointment? of course, i know, he's a negro. yes, i desire it very much--thank you." "you'll get an appointment to-morrow morning," and the senator rose. "how is my sister?" he asked absently. "she was looking worried, but hopeful of the new endowment when i left." the senator held out his hand; bles took it and then remembered. "oh, i beg pardon, but miss wynn wanted a word on another matter." the senator turned to miss wynn. "i am a school-teacher, senator smith, and like all the rest of us i am deeply interested in the appointment of the new school-board." "but you know the district committee attends to those things," said the senator hastily. "and then, too, i believe there is talk of abolishing the school-board and concentrating power in the hands of the superintendent." "precisely," said miss wynn. "and i came to tell you, senator smith, that the interests which are back of this attack upon the schools are no friends of yours." miss wynn extracted from her reticule a typewritten paper. he took the paper and read it intently. then he keenly scrutinized the young woman, and she steadily returned his regard. "how am i to know this is true?" "follow it up and see." he mused. "where did you get these facts?" he asked suddenly. she smiled. "it is hardly necessary to say." "and yet," he persisted, "if i were sure of its source i would know my ground better and--my obligation to you would be greater." she laughed and glanced toward alwyn. he had moved out of earshot and was waiting by the window. "i am a teacher in the m street high school," she said, "and we have some intelligent boys there who work their way through." "yes," said the senator. "some," continued miss wynn, tapping her boot on the carpet, "some--wait on table." the senator slowly put the paper in his pocket. "and now," he said, "miss wynn, what can i do for you?" she looked at him. "if judge haynes is reappointed to the school-board i shall probably continue to teach in the m street high school," she said slowly. the senator made a memorandum and said: "i shall not forget miss wynn--nor her friends." and he bowed, glancing at alwyn. the woman contemplated bles in momentary perplexity, then bowing in turn, left. bles followed, debating just what he ought to say, how far he might venture to accompany her, what--but she easily settled it all. "i thank you--good-bye," she said briefly at the door, and was gone. bles did not know whether to feel relieved or provoked, or disappointed, and by way of compromise felt something of all three. the next morning he received notice of his appointment to a clerkship in the treasury department, at a salary of nine hundred dollars. the sum seemed fabulous and he was in the seventh heaven. for many days the consciousness of wealth, the new duties, the street scenes, and the city life kept him more than busy. he planned to study, and arranged with a professor at howard university to guide him. he bought an armful of books and a desk, and plunged desperately to work. gradually as he became used to the office routine, and in the hours when he was weary of study, he began to find time hanging a little heavily on his hands; indeed--although he would not acknowledge it--he was getting lonesome, homesick, amid the myriad men of a busy city. he argued to himself that this was absurd, and yet he knew that he was longing for human companionship. when he looked about him for fellowship he found himself in a strange dilemma: those black folk in whom he recognized the old sweet-tempered negro traits, had also looser, uglier manners than he was accustomed to, from which he shrank. the upper classes of negroes, on the other hand, he still observed from afar; they were strangers not only in acquaintance but because of a curious coldness and aloofness that made them cease to seem his own kind; they seemed almost at times like black white people--strangers in way and thought. he tried to shake off this feeling but it clung, and at last in sheer desperation, he promised to go out of a night with a fellow clerk who rather boasted of the "people" he knew. he was soon tired of the strange company, and had turned to go home, when he met a newcomer in the doorway. "why, hello, sam! sam stillings!" he exclaimed delightedly, and was soon grasping the hand of a slim, well-dressed man of perhaps thirty, with yellow face, curling hair, and shifting eyes. "well, of all things, bles--er--ah--mr. alwyn! thought you were hoeing cotton." bles laughed and continued shaking his head. he was foolishly glad to see the former cresswell butler, whom he had known but slightly. his face brought back unuttered things that made his heart beat faster and a yearning surge within him. "i thought you went to chicago," cried bles. "i did, but goin' into politics--having entered the political field, i came here. and you graduated, i suppose, and all that?" "no," bless admitted a little sadly, as he told of his coming north, and of senator smith's influence. "but--but how are--all?" abruptly sam hooked his arm into alwyn's and pulled him with him down the street. stillings was a type. up from servility and menial service he was struggling to climb to money and power. he was shrewd, willing to stoop to anything in order to win. the very slights and humiliations of prejudice he turned to his advantage. when he learned all the particulars of alwyn's visit to senator smith and his cordial reception he judged it best to keep in touch with this young man, and he forthwith invited bles to accompany him the next night to the fifteenth street presbyterian church. "you'll find the best people there," he said; "the aristocracy. the treble clef gives a concert, and everybody that's anybody will be there." they met again the following evening and proceeded to the church. it was a simple but pleasant auditorium, nearly filled with well-dressed people. during the programme bles applauded vociferously every number that pleased him, which is to say, every one--and stamped his feet, until he realized that he was attracting considerable attention to himself. then the entertainment straightway lost all its charm; he grew painfully embarrassed, and for the remainder of the evening was awkwardly self-conscious. when all was over, the audience rose leisurely and stood in little knots and eddies, laughing and talking; many moved forward to say a word to the singers and players, stillings stepped aside to a group of men, and bles was left miserably alone. a man came to him, a white-faced man, with slightly curling close gray hair, and high-bred ascetic countenance. "you are a stranger?" he asked pleasantly, and bles liked him. "yes, sir," he answered, and they fell to talking. he discovered that this was the pastor of the church. "do you know no one in town?" "one or two of my fellow clerks and mr. stillings. oh, yes, i've met miss wynn." "why, here is miss wynn now." bles turned. she was right behind him, the centre of a group. she turned, slowly, and smiled. "oh!" she uttered twice, but with difference cadence. then something like amusement lurked a moment in her eye, and she quietly presented bles to her friends, while stillings hovered unnoticed in the offing: "miss jones--mr. alwyn of--" she paused a second--"alabama. miss taylor--mr. alwyn--and," with a backward curving of her neck, "mr. teerswell," and so on. mr. teerswell was handsome and indolent, with indecision in his face and a cynical voice. in a moment bles felt the subtle antagonism of the group. he was an intruder. mr. teerswell nodded easily and turned away, continuing his conversation with the ladies. but miss wynn was perverse and interrupted. "i saw you enjoyed the concert, mr. alwyn," she said, and one of the young ladies rippled audibly. bles darkened painfully, realizing that these people must have been just behind him. but he answered frankly: "yes, i did immensely--i hope i didn't disturb you; you see, i'm not used to hearing such singing." mr. teerswell, compelled to listen, laughed drily. "plantation melodies, i suppose, are more your specialty," he said with a slight cadence. "yes," said bles simply. a slight pause ensued. then came the surprise of the evening for bles alwyn. even his inexperienced eye could discern that miss wynn was very popular, and that most of the men were rivals for her attentions. "mr. alwyn," she said graciously, rising. "i'm going to trouble you to see me to my door; it's only a block. good-night, all!" she called, but she bowed to mr. teerswell. miss wynn placed her hand lightly on bles's arm, and for a moment he paused. a thrill ran through him as he felt again the weight of a little hand and saw beside him the dark beautiful eyes of a girl. he felt again the warm quiver of her body. then he awoke to the lighted church and the moving, well-dressed throng. the hand on his arm was not so small; but it was well-gloved, and somehow the fancy struck him that it was a cold hand and not always sympathetic in its touch. _twenty-three_ the training of zora "i did not know the world was so large," remarked zora as she and mrs. vanderpool flew east and northward on the new york-new orleans limited. for a long time the girl had given herself up to the sheer delight of motion. gazing from the window, she compared the lands she passed with the lands she knew: noting the formation of the cotton; the kind and growth of the trees; the state of the roads. then the comparisons became infinite, endless; the world stretched on and on until it seemed mere distance, and she suddenly realized how vast a thing it was and spoke. mrs. vanderpool was amused. "it's much smaller than one would think," she responded. when they came to atlanta zora stared and wrinkled her brows. it was her first large city. the other towns were replicas of toomsville; strange in number, not in kind; but this was different, and she could not understand it. it seemed senseless and unreasonable, and yet so strangely so that she was at a loss to ask questions. she was very solemn as they rode on and night came down with dreams. she awoke in washington to new fairylands and wonders; the endless going and coming of men; great piles that challenged heaven, and homes crowded on homes till one could not believe that they were full of living things. they rolled by baltimore and philadelphia, and she talked of every-day matters: of the sky which alone stood steadfast amid whirling change; of bits of empty earth that shook themselves here and there loose from their burden of men, and lay naked in the cold shining sunlight. all the while the greater questions were beating and curling and building themselves back in her brain, and above all she was wondering why no one had told her before of all this mighty world. mrs. vanderpool, to whom it seemed too familiar for comment, had said no word; or, if she had spoken, zora's ears had not been tuned to understand; and as they flew toward the towering ramparts of new york, she sat up big with the terror of a new thought: suppose this world were full yet of things she did not know nor dream of? how could she find out? she must know. when finally they were settled in new york and sat high up on the fifth avenue front of the hotel, gradually the inarticulate questioning found words, albeit strange ones. "it reminds me of the swamp," she said. mrs. vanderpool, just returned from a shopping tour, burst into laughter. "it is--but i marvel at your penetration." "i mean, it is moving--always moving." "the swamp seemed to me unearthly still." "yes--yes," cried zora, eagerly, brushing back the rumpled hair; "and so did the city, at first, to me." "still! new york?" "yes. you see, i saw the buildings and forgot the men; and the buildings were so tall and silent against heaven. and then i came to see the people, and suddenly i knew the city was like the swamp, always restless and changing." "and more beautiful?" suggested mrs. vanderpool, slipping her arms into her lounging-robe. "oh, no; not nearly so beautiful. and yet--more interesting." then with a puzzled look: "i wonder why?" "perhaps because it's people and not things." "it's people in the swamp," asserted zora, dreamily, smoothing out the pillows of the couch, "'little people,' i call them. the difference is, i think, that there i know how the story will come out; everything is changing, but i know how and why and from what and to what. now here, _every_thing seems to be happening; but what is it that is happening?" "you must know what has happened, to know what may happen," said mrs. vanderpool. "but how can i know?" "i'll get you some books to-morrow." "i'd like to know what it means," wistfully. "it is meaningless." the woman's cynicism was lost upon zora, of course, but it possessed the salutary effect of stimulating the girl's thoughts, encouraging her to discover for herself. "i think not; so much must mean something," she protested. zora gathered up the clothes and things and shaded the windows, glancing the while down on the street. "everybody is going, going," she murmured. "i wonder where. don't they ever get there?" "few arrive," said mrs. vanderpool. zora softly bent and passed her cool soft hand over her forehead. "then why do they go?" "the zest of the search, perhaps." "no," said zora as she noiselessly left the room and closed the door; "no, they are searching for something they have lost. perhaps they, too, are searching for the way," and the tears blinded her eyes. mrs. vanderpool lay in the quiet darkened room with a puzzled smile on her lips. a month ago she had not dreamed that human interest in anybody would take so strong a hold upon her as her liking for zora had done. she was a woman of unusual personal charm, but her own interest and affections were seldom stirred. had she been compelled to earn a living she would have made a successful teacher or manipulator of men. as it was, she viewed the human scene with detached and cynical interest. she had no children, few near relations, a husband who went his way and still was a gentleman. essentially mrs. vanderpool was unmoral. she held the code of her social set with sportsmanlike honor; but even beyond this she stooped to no intrigue, because none interested her. she had all the elements of power save the motive for doing anything in particular. for the first time, perhaps, zora gave her life a peculiar human interest. she did not love the girl, but she was intensely interested in her; some of the interest was selfish, for zora was going to be a perfect maid. the girl's language came to be more and more like mrs. vanderpool's; her dress and taste in adornment had been mrs. vanderpool's first care, and it led to a curious training in art and sense of beauty until the lady now and then found herself learner before the quick suggestiveness of zora's mind. when mrs. harry cresswell called a month or so later the talk naturally included mention of zora. mary was happy and vivacious, and noted the girl's rapid development. "i wonder what i shall make out of her?" queried mrs. vanderpool. "do you know, i believe i could mould her into a lady if she were not black." mary cresswell laughed. "with that hair?" "it has artistic possibilities. you should have seen my hair-dresser's face when i told her to do it up. her face and zora's were a pantomime for the gods. yet it was done. it lay in some great twisted cloud and in that black net gown of mine zora was simply magnificent. her form is perfect, her height is regal, her skin is satin, and my jewels found a resting place at last. jewels, you know, dear, were never meant for white folk. i was tempted to take her to the box at the opera and let new york break its impudent neck." mary was shocked. "but, mrs. vanderpool," she protested, "is it right? is it fair? why should you spoil this black girl and put impossible ideas into her head? you can make her a perfect maid, but she can never be much more in america." "she is a perfect maid now; that's the miracle of it--she's that deft and quick and quiet and thoughtful! the hotel employees think her perfect; my friends rave--really, i'm the most blessed of women. but do you know i like the girl? i--well, i think of her future." "it's wrong to treat her as you do. you make her an equal. her room is one of the best and filled with books and bric-a-brac. she sometimes eats with you--is your companion, in fact." "what of it? she loves to read, and i guide her while she keeps me up on the latest stuff. she can talk much better than many of my friends and then she piques my curiosity: she's a sort of intellectual sauce that stirs my rapidly failing mental appetite. i think that as soon as i can make up my mind to spare her, i'll take her to france and marry her off in the colonies." "well, that's possible; but one doesn't easily give up good servants. by the way, i learn from miss smith that the boy, bles alwyn, in whom zora was so interested, is a clerk in the treasury department at washington." "indeed! i'm going to washington this winter; i'll look him over and see if he's worth zora--which i greatly doubt." mrs. cresswell pursed her lips and changed the subject. "have you seen the easterlys?" "the ladies left their cards--they are quite impossible. mr. easterly calls this afternoon. i can't imagine why, but he asked for an appointment. will you go south with mr. cresswell? i'm glad to hear he's entering politics." "no, i shall do some early house hunting in washington," said mrs. cresswell, rising as mr. easterly was announced. mr. easterly was not at home in mrs. vanderpool's presence. she spoke a language different from his, and she had shown a disconcerting way, in the few times when he had spoken with her, of letting the weight of the conversation rest on him. he felt very distinctly that mrs. vanderpool was not particularly desirous of his company, nor that of his family. nevertheless, he needed mrs. vanderpool's influence just now, and he was willing to pay considerable for it. once under obligation to him her services would be very valuable. he was glad to find mrs. cresswell there. it showed that the cresswells were still intimate, and the cresswells were bound to him and his interests by strong ties. he bowed as mrs. cresswell left, and then did not beat around the bush because, in this case, he did not know how. "mrs. vanderpool, i need your aid." mrs. vanderpool smiled politely, and murmured something. "we are, you know, in the midst of a rather warm presidential campaign," continued mr. easterly. "yes?" with polite interest. "we are going to win easily, but our majority in congress for certain matters will depend on the attitude of southerners and you usually spend the winters in washington. if, now, you could drop a word here and there--" "but why should i?" asked mrs. vanderpool. "mrs. vanderpool, to be frank, i know some excellent investments that your influence in this line would help. i take it you're not so rich but that--" mrs. vanderpool smiled faintly. "really, mr. easterly, i know little about such matters and care less. i have food and clothes. why worry with more?" mr. easterly half expected this and he determined to deliver his last shot on the run. he arose with a disappointed air. "of course, mrs. vanderpool, i see how it is: you have plenty and one can't expect your services or influence for nothing. it had occurred to me that your husband might like something political; but i presume not." "something political?" "yes. you see, it's barely possible, for instance, that there will be a change in the french ambassadorship. the present ambassador is old and--well, i don't know, but as i say, it's possible. of course though, that may not appeal to you, and i can only beg your good offices in charity if--if you see your way to help us. well, i must be going." "what is--i thought the president appointed ambassadors." "to be sure, but we appoint presidents," laughed mr. easterly. "good-day. i shall hope to see you in washington." "good-day," mrs. vanderpool returned absently. after he had gone she walked slowly to zora's room and opened the door. for a long time she stood quietly looking in. zora was curled in a chair with a book. she was in dreamland; in a world of books builded thoughtfully for her by mrs. vanderpool, and before that by miss smith. her work took but little of her time and left hours for reading and thinking. in that thought-life, more and more her real living centred. hour after hour, day after day, she lay buried, deaf and dumb to all else. her heart cried, up on the world's four corners of the way, and to it came the vision splendid. she gossiped with old herodotus across the earth to the black and blameless ethiopians; she saw the sculptured glories of phidias marbled amid the splendor of the swamp; she listened to demosthenes and walked the appian way with cornelia--while all new york streamed beneath her window. she saw the drunken goths reel upon rome and heard the careless negroes yodle as they galloped to toomsville. paris, she knew,--wonderful, haunting paris: the paris of clovis, and st. louis; of louis the great, and napoleon iii; of balzac, and her own dumas. she tasted the mud and comfort of thick old london, and the while wept with jeremiah and sang with deborah, semiramis, and atala. mary of scotland and joan of arc held her dark hands in theirs, and kings lifted up their sceptres. she walked on worlds, and worlds of worlds, and heard there in her little room the tread of armies, the paeans of victory, the breaking of hearts, and the music of the spheres. mrs. vanderpool watched her a while. "zora," she presently broke into the girl's absorption, "how would you like to be ambassador to france?" _twenty-four_ the education of alwyn miss caroline wynn of washington had little faith in the world and its people. nor was this wholly her fault. the world had dealt cruelly with the young dreams and youthful ambitions of the girl; partly with its usual heartlessness, partly with that cynical and deadening reserve fund which it has today for its darker peoples. the girl had bitterly resented her experiences at first: she was brilliant and well-trained; she had a real talent for sculpture, and had studied considerably; she was sprung from at least three generations of respectable mulattoes, who had left a little competence which yielded her three or four hundred dollars a year. furthermore, while not precisely pretty, she was good-looking and interesting, and she had acquired the marks and insignia of good breeding. perhaps she wore her manners just a trifle consciously; perhaps she was a little morbid that she would fail of recognition as a lady. nor was this unnatural: her brown skin invited a different assumption. despite this almost unconscious mental aggressiveness, she was unusually presentable and always well-groomed and pleasant of speech. yet she found nearly all careers closed to her. at first it seemed accidental, the luck of life. then she attributed it to her sex; but at last she was sure that, beyond chance and womanhood, it was the colorline that was hemming her in. once convinced of this, she let her imagination play and saw the line even where it did not exist. with her bit of property and brilliant parts she had had many suitors but they had been refused one after another for reasons she could hardly have explained. for years now tom teerswell had been her escort. whether or not caroline wynn would every marry him was a perennial subject of speculation among their friends and it usually ended in the verdict that she could not afford it--that it was financially impossible. nevertheless, the two were usually seen in public together, and although she often showed her quiet mastery of the situation, seldom had she snubbed him so openly as at the treble clef concert. teerswell was furious and began to plot vengeance; but miss wynn was attracted by the personality of bles alwyn. southern country negroes were rare in her set, but here was a man of intelligence and keenness coupled with an amazing frankness and modesty, and perceptibly shadowed by sorrow. the combination was, so far as she had observed, both rare and temporary and she was disposed to watch it in this case purely as a matter of intellectual curiosity. at the door of her home, therefore, after a walk of unusual interest, she said: "i'm going to have a few friends in next tuesday night; won't you come, mr. alwyn?" and mr. alwyn said that he would. next morning miss wynn rather repented her hasty invitation, but of course nothing could be done now. nothing? well, there was one thing; and she went to the telephone. a suggestion to bles that he might profitably extend his acquaintance sent him to a certain tailor shop kept by a friend of hers; a word to the tailor guarded against the least suspicion of intrigue entering bles's head. it turned out quite as miss wynn had designed; mr. grey, the tailor, gave bles some points on dressing, and made him, southern fashion, a frock-coat for dress wear that set off his fine figure. on the night of the gathering at miss wynn's bles dressed with care, hesitating long over a necktie, but at last choosing one which he had recently purchased and which pleased him particularly. he was prompt to the minute and was consequently the first guest; but miss wynn's greeting was so quietly cordial that his embarrassment soon fled. she looked him over at leisure and sighed at his tie; otherwise he was thoroughly presentable according to the strictest washington standard. they sat down and talked of generalities. then an idea occurring to her, she conducted the conversation by devious paths to ties and asked alwyn if he had heard of the fad of collecting ties. he had not, and she showed him a sofa pillow. "your tie quite attracted me," she said; "it would make just the dash of color i need in my new pillow." "you may have it and welcome. i'll send--" "oh, no! a bird in the hand, you know. i'll trade with you now for another i have." "done!" the exchange was soon made, miss wynn tying the new one herself and sticking a small carved pin in it. bles slowly sat down again, and after a pause said, "thank you." she looked up quickly, but he seemed quite serious and good-natured. "you see," he explained, "in the country we don't know much about ties." the well-balanced miss wynn for a moment lost her aplomb, but only for a moment. "we must all learn," she replied with penetration, and so their friendship was established. the company now began to gather, and soon the double parlor held an assemblage of twenty-five or thirty persons. they formed a picturesque group: conventional but graceful in dress; animated in movement; full of good-natured laughter, but quite un-american in the beautiful modulation of their speaking tones; chiefly noticeable, however, to a stranger, in the vast variety of color in skin, which imparted to the throng a piquant and unusual interest. every color was here; from the dark brown of alwyn, who was customarily accounted black, to the pale pink-white of miss jones, who could "pass for white" when she would, and found her greatest difficulties when she was trying to "pass" for black. midway between these two extremes lay the sallow pastor of the church, the creamy miss williams, the golden yellow of mr. teerswell, the golden brown of miss johnson, and the velvet brown of mr. grey. the guest themselves did not notice this; they were used to asking one's color as one asks of height and weight; it was simply an extra dimension in their world whereby to classify men. beyond this and their hair, there was little to distinguish them from a modern group of men and women. the speech was a softened english, purely and, on the whole, correctly spoken--so much so that it seemed at first almost unfamiliar to bles, and he experienced again the uncomfortable feeling of being among strangers. then, too, he missed the loud but hearty good-nature of what he had always called "his people." to be sure, a more experienced observer might have noted a lively, excitable tropical temperament set and cast in a cold northern mould, and yet flashing fire now and then in a sudden anomalous out-bursting. but bles missed this; he seemed to have slipped and lost his bearings, and the characteristics of his simple world were rolling curiously about. here stood a black man with a white man's voice, and yonder a white woman with a negro's musical cadences; and yet again, a brown girl with exactly miss cresswell's air, and yonder, miss williams, with zora's wistful willfulness. bles was bewildered and silent, and his great undying sorrow sank on his heart with sickening hopeless weight. his hands got in the way and he found no natural nook in all those wide and tastefully furnished rooms. once he discovered himself standing by a marble statue of a nude woman, and he edged away; then he stumbled over a rug and saved himself only to step on miss jones's silken train. miss jones's smile of pardon was wintry. when he did approach a group and listen, they seemed speaking of things foreign to him--usually of people he did not know, their homes, their doings, their daughters and their fathers. they seemed to know people intimately who lived far away. "you mean the smiths of boston?" asked miss jones. "no, of cleveland. they're not related." "i heard that mcghee of st. paul will be in the city next week with his daughter." "yes, and the bentleys of chicago." bles passed on. he was disappointed. he was full of things to say, of mighty matters to discuss; he felt like stopping these people and crying: "ho! what of the morning? how goes the great battle for black men's rights? i have came with messages from the host, to you who guard the mountain tops." apparently they were not discussing or caring about "the problem." he grew disgusted and was edging toward the door when he encountered his hostess. "is all well with you, mr. alwyn?" she asked lightly. "no, i'm not enjoying myself," said bles, truthfully. "delicious! and why not?" he regarded her earnestly. "there are so many things to talk about," he said; "earnest things; things of importance. i--i think when our people--" he hesitated. our?--was _our_ right? but he went on: "when our people meet we ought to talk of our situation, and what to do and--" miss wynn continued to smile. "we're all talking of it all the time," she said. he looked incredulous. "yes, we are," she insisted. "we veil it a little, and laugh as lightly as we can; but there is only one thought in this room, and that's grave and serious enough to suit even you, and quite your daily topic." "but i don't understand." "ah, there's the rub. you haven't learned our language yet. we don't just blurt into the negro problem; that's voted bad form. we leave that to our white friends. we saunter to it sideways, touch it delicately because"--her face became a little graver--"because, you see, it hurts." bles stood thoughtful and abashed. "i--i think i understand," he gravely said at last. "come here," she said with a sudden turn, and they joined an absorbed group in the midst of a conversation. "--thinking of sending jessie to bryn mawr," bles heard miss jones saying. "could she pass?" "oh, they might think her spanish." "but it's a snobbish place and she would have to give up all her friends." "yes, freddie could scarcely visit--" the rest was lost. "which, being interpreted," whispered miss wynn, "means that bryn mawr draws the color line while we at times surmount it." they moved on to another group. "--splendid draughtsman," a man was saying, "and passed at the head of the crowd; but, of course, he has no chance." "why, it's civil-service, isn't it?" "it is. but what of that? there was watson--" miss wynn did not pause. she whispered: "this is the tale of civil service reform, and how this mighty government gets rid of black men who know too much." "but--" bles tried to protest. "hush," miss wynn commanded and they joined the group about the piano. teerswell, who was speaking, affected not to notice them, and continued: "--i tell you, it's got to come. we must act independently and not be bought by a few offices." "that's all well enough for you to talk, teerswell; you have no wife and babies dependant on you. why should we who have sacrifice the substance for the shadow?" "you see, the judge has got the substance," laughed teerswell. "still i insist: divide and conquer." "nonsense! unite, and keep." bles was puzzled. "they're talking of the coming campaign," said miss wynn. "what!" exclaimed bles aloud. "you don't mean that any one can advise a black man to vote the democratic ticket?" an elderly man turned to them. "thank you, sir," he said; "that is just my attitude; i fought for my freedom. i know what slavery is; may i forget god when i vote for traitors and slave-holders." the discussion waxed warm and miss wynn turned away and sought miss jones. "come, my dear," she said, "it's 'the problem' again." they sauntered away toward a ring of laughter. the discussion thus begun at miss wynn's did not end there. it was on the eve of the great party conventions, and the next night sam stillings came around to get some crumbs from this assembly of the inner circle, into which alwyn had been so unaccountably snatched, and outside of which, despite his endeavors, stillings lingered and seemed destined to linger. but stillings was a patient, resolute man beneath his deferential exterior, and he saw in bles a stepping stone. so he began to drop in at his lodgings and tonight invited him to the bethel literary. "what's that?" asked bles. "a debating club--oldest in the city; the best people all attend." bles hesitated. he had half made up his mind that this was the proper time to call on miss wynn. he told stillings so, and told him also of the evening and the discussion. "why, that's the subject up tonight," stillings declared, "and miss wynn will be sure to be there. you can make your call later. perhaps you wouldn't mind taking me when you call." alwyn reached for his hat. when they arrived, the basement of the great church was filling with a throng of men and women. soon the officers and the speaker of the evening appeared. the president was a brown woman who spoke easily and well, and introduced the main speaker. he was a tall, thin, hatchet-faced black man, clean shaven and well dressed, a lawyer by profession. his theme was "the democratic party and the negro." his argument was cool, carefully reasoned, and plausible. he was evidently feeling for the sympathy of his audience, and while they were not enthusiastic, they warmed to him gradually and he certainly was strongly impressing them. bles was thinking. he sat in the back of the hall, tense, alert, nervous. as the speaker progressed a white man came in and sat down beside him. he was spectacled, with bushy eyebrows and a sleepy look. but he did not sleep. he was very observant. "who's speaking?" he asked bles, and bles told him. then he inquired about one or two other persons. bles could not inform him, but stillings could and did. stillings seemed willing to devote considerable time to him. bles forgot the man. he was almost crouching for a spring, and no sooner had the speaker, with a really fine apostrophe to independence and reason in voting, sat down, than bles was on his feet, walking forward. his form was commanding, his voice deep and musical, and his earnestness terribly evident. he hardly waited for recognition from the slightly astonished president, but fairly burst into speech. "i am from alabama," he began earnestly, "and i know the democratic party." then he told of government and conditions in the black belt, of the lying, oppression, and helplessness of the sodden black masses; then, turning, he reminded them of the history of slavery. finally, he pointed to lincoln's picture and to sumner's and mentioned other white friends. "and, my brothers, they are not all dead yet. the gentleman spoke of senator smith and blamed and ridiculed him. i know senator smith but slightly, but i do know his sister well." dropping to simple narrative, he told of miss smith and of his coming to school; and if his audience felt that great depth of emotion that welled beneath his quiet, almost hesitating, address, it was not simply because of what he did say, but because, too, of the unspoken story that lay too deep for words. he spoke for nearly an hour, and when he stopped, for a moment his hearers sighed and then sprang into a whirlwind of applause. they shouted, clapped, and waved while he sat in blank amazement, and was with difficulty forced to the rostrum to bow again and again. the spectacled white man leaned over to stillings. "who is he?" he asked. stillings told him. the man noted the name and went quietly out. miss wynn sat lost in thought, and teerswell beside her fumed. she was not easily moved, but that speech had moved her. if he could thus stir men and not be himself swayed, she mused, he would be--invincible. but tonight he was moved as greatly as his hearers had been, and that was dangerous. if his intense belief happened to be popular, all right; but if not? she frowned. he was worth watching, she concluded; quite worth watching, and perhaps worth guiding. when alwyn accompanied her home that night, miss wynn set herself to know him better for she suspected that he might be a coming man. the best preliminary to her purpose was, she knew, to speak frankly of herself, and that she did. she told him of her youth and training, her ambitions, her disappointments. quite unconsciously her cynicism crept to the fore, until in word and tone she had almost scoffed at many things that alwyn held true and dear. the touch was too light, the meaning too elusive, for alwyn to grasp always the point of attack; but somehow he got the distant impression that miss wynn had little faith in truth and goodness and love. vaguely shocked he grew so silent that she noticed it and concluded she had said too much. but he pursued the subject. "surely there must be many friends of our race willing to stand for the right and sacrifice for it?" she laughed unpleasantly, almost mockingly. "where?" "well--there's miss smith." "she gets a salary, doesn't she?" "a very small one." "about as large as she could earn. north, i don't doubt." "but the unselfish work she does--the utter sacrifice?" "oh, well, we'll omit alabama, and admit the exception." "well, here, in washington--there's your friend, the judge, who has befriended you so, as you admit." she laughed again. "you remember our visit to senator smith?" "yes." "well, it got the judge his reappointment to the school board." "he deserved it, didn't he?" "i deserved it," she said luxuriously, hugging her knee and smiling; "you see, his appointment meant mine." "well, what of it--didn't--" "listen," she cut in a little sharply. "once a young brown girl, with boundless faith in white folks, went to a judge's office to ask for an appointment which she deserved. there was no one there. the benign old judge with his saintly face and white hair suggested that she lay aside her wraps and spend the afternoon." bles arose to his feet. "what--what did you do?" he asked. "sit down--there's a good boy." i said: "'judge, a friend is expecting me at two,' it was then half-past one, 'would i not best telephone?'" "'step right into the booth,' said the judge, quite indulgently." miss wynn leaned back, and bles felt his heart sinking; but he said nothing. "and then," she continued, "i telephoned the judge's wife that he was anxious to see her on a matter of urgent business; namely, my appointment." she gazed reflectively out of the window. "you should have seen his face when i told him," she concluded. "i was appointed." but bles asked coldly: "why didn't you have him arrested?" "for what? and suppose i had?" bles threw out his arms helplessly. "oh! it isn't as bad as that all over the world, is it?" "it's worse," affirmed miss wynn, quietly positive. "and you are still friendly with him?" "what would you have? i use the world; i did not make it; i did not choose it. he is the world. through him i earn my bread and butter. i have shown him his place. shall i try in addition to reform? shall i make him an enemy? i have neither time nor inclination. shall i resign and beg, or go tilting at windmills? if he were the only one it would be different; but they're all alike." her face grew hard. "have i shocked you?" she said as they went toward the door. "no," he answered slowly. "but i still--believe in the world." "you are young yet, my friend," she lightly replied. "and besides, that good miss smith has gone and grafted a new england conscience on a tropical heart, and--dear me!--but it's a gorgeous misfit. good-bye--come again." she bowed him graciously out, and paused to take the mail from the box. there was, among many others, a letter from senator smith. _twenty-five_ the campaign mr. easterly sat in mrs. vanderpool's apartments in the new willard, washington, drinking tea. his hostess was saying rather carelessly: "do you know, mr. vanderpool has developed a quite unaccountable liking for the idea of being ambassador to france?" "dear me!" mildly exclaimed mr. easterly, helping himself liberally to cakes. "i do hope the thing can be managed, but--" "what are the difficulties?" mrs. vanderpool interrupted. "well, first and foremost, the difficulty of electing our man." "i thought that a foregone conclusion." "it was. but do you know that we're encountering opposition from the most unexpected source?" the lady was receptive, and the speaker concluded: "the negroes." "the negroes!" "yes. there are five hundred thousand or more black voters in pivotal northern states, you know, and they're in revolt. in a close election the negroes of new york, ohio, indiana, and illinois choose the president." "what's the matter?" "well, business interests have driven our party to make friends with the south. the south has disfranchised negroes and lynched a few. the darkies say we've deserted them." mrs. vanderpool laughed. "what extraordinary penetration," she cried. "at any rate," said mr. easterly, drily, "mr. vanderpool's first step toward paris lies in getting the northern negroes to vote the republican ticket. after that the way is clear." mrs. vanderpool mused. "i don't suppose you know any one who is acquainted with any number of these northern darkies?" continued mr. easterly. "not on my calling-list," said mrs. vanderpool, and then she added more thoughtfully: "there's a young clerk in the treasury department named alwyn who has brains. he's just from the south, and i happened to read of him this morning--see here." mr. easterly read an account of the speech at the bethel literary. "we'll look this young man up," he decided; "he may help. of course, mrs. vanderpool, we'll probably win; we can buy these negroes off with a little money and a few small offices; then if you will use your influence for the part with the southerners, i can confidently predict from four to eight years' sojourn in paris." mrs. vanderpool smiled and called her maid as mr. easterly went. "zora!" she had to call twice, for zora, with widened eyes, was reading the washington post. meantime in the office of senator smith, toward which mr. easterly was making his way, several members of the national republican campaign committee had been closeted the day before. "now, about the niggers," the chairman had asked; "how much more boodle do they want?" "that's what's bothering us," announced a member; "it isn't the boodle crowd that's hollering, but a new set, and i don't understand them; i don't know what they represent, nor just how influential they are." "what can i do to help you?" asked senator smith. "this. you are here at washington with these negro office-holders at your back. find out for us just what this revolt is, how far it goes, and what good men we can get to swing the darkies into line--see?" "very good," the senator acquiesced. he called in a spectacled man with bushy eyebrows and a sleepy look. "i want you to work the negro political situation," directed the senator, "and bring me all the data you can get. personally, i'm at sea. i don't understand the negro of today at all; he puzzles me; he doesn't fit any of my categories, and i suspect that i don't fit his. see what you can find out." the man went out, and the senator turned to his desk, then paused and smiled. one day, not long since, he had met a colored person who personified his perplexity concerning negroes; she was a lady, yet she was black--that is, brown; she was educated, even cultured, yet she taught negroes; she was quiet, astute, quick and diplomatic--everything, in fact, that "negroes" were not supposed to be; and yet she was a "negro." she had given him valuable information which he had sought in vain elsewhere, and the event proved it correct. suppose he asked caroline wynn to help him in this case? it would certainly do no harm and it might elect a republican president. he wrote a short letter with his own hand and sent it to post. miss wynn read the letter after alwyn's departure with a distinct thrill which was something of a luxury for her. evidently she was coming to her kingdom. the republican boss was turning to her for confidential information. "what do the colored people want, and who can best influence them in this campaign?" she curled up on the ottoman and considered. the first part of the query did not bother her. "whatever they want they won't get," she said decisively. but as to the man or men who could influence them to believe that they were getting, or about to get, what they wanted--there was a question. one by one she considered the men she knew, and, by a process of elimination, finally arrived at bles alwyn. why not take this young man in hand and make a negro leader of him--a protagonist of ten millions? it would not be unpleasant. but could she do it? would he be amenable to her training and become worldly wise? she flattered herself that he would, and yet--there was a certain steadfast look in the depths of his eyes that might prove to be sheer stubbornness. at any rate, who was better? there was a fellow, stillings, whom alwyn had introduced and whom she had heard of. now he was a politician--but nothing else. she dismissed him. of course, there was the older set of office-holders and rounders. but she was determined to pick a new man. he was worth trying, at any rate; she knew none other with the same build, the brains, the gifts, the adorable youth. very good. she wrote two letters, and then curled up to her novel and candy. next day senator smith held miss wynn's letter unopened in his hand when mr. easterly entered. they talked of the campaign and various matters, until at last easterly said: "say, there's a negro clerk in the treasury named alwyn." "i know him--i had him appointed." "good. he may help us. have you seen this?" the senator read the clipping. "i hadn't noticed it--but here's my agent." the spectacled man entered with a mass of documents. he had papers, posters, programmes, and letters. "the situation is this," he said. "a small group of educated negroes are trying to induce the rest to punish the republican party for not protecting them. these men are not politicians, nor popular leaders, but they have influence and are using it. the old-style negro politicians are no match for them, and the crowd of office-holders are rather bewildered. strong measures are needed. educated men of earnestness and ability might stem the tide. and i believe i know one such man. he spoke at a big meeting last night at the metropolitan church. his name is alwyn." senator smith listened as he opened the letter from caroline wynn. then he started. "well!" he ejaculated, looking quickly up at easterly. "this is positively uncanny. from three separate sources the name of alwyn pops up. looks like a mascot. call up the treasury. let's have him up when the sub-committee meets to-morrow." bles alwyn hurried up to senator smith's office, hoping to hear something about the school; perhaps even about--but he stopped with a sigh, and sat down in the ante-room. he was kept waiting a few moments while senator smith, the chairman, and one other member of the sub-committee had a word. "now, i don't know the young man, mind you," said the senator; "but he's strongly recommended." "what shall we offer him?" asked the chairman. "try him at twenty-five dollars a speech. if he balks, raise to fifty dollars, but no more." they summoned the young man. the chairman produced cigars. "i don't smoke," said bles apologetically. "well, we haven't anything to drink," said the chairman. but senator smith broke in, taking up at once the paramount interest. "mr. alwyn, as you know, the democrats are making an effort to get the negro vote in this campaign. now, i know the disadvantages and wrongs which black men in this land are suffering. i believe the republicans ought to do more to defend them, and i'm satisfied they will; but i doubt if the way to get negro rights is to vote for those who took them away." "i agree with you perfectly," said bles. "i understand you do, and that you made an unusually fine speech on the subject the other night." "thank you, sir." this was a good deal more than bles had expected, and he was embarrassed. "well, now, we think you're just the man to take the stump during september and october and convince the colored people of their real interests." "i doubt if i could, sir; i'm not a speaker. in fact, that was my first public speech." "so much the better. are you willing to try?" "why, yes, sir; but i could hardly afford to give up my position." "we'll arrange for a leave of absence." "then i'll try, sir." "what would you expect as pay?" "i suppose my salary would stop?" "i mean in addition to that." "oh, nothing, sir; i'd be glad to do the work." the chairman nearly choked; sitting back, he eyed the young man. either they were dealing with a fool, or else a very astute politician. if the former, how far could they trust him; if the latter, what was his game? "of course, there'll be considerable travelling," the chairman ventured, looking reflectively out of the window. "yes, sir, i suppose so." "we might pay the railroad fare." "thank you, sir. when shall i begin?" the chairman consulted his calendar. "suppose you hold yourself in readiness for one week from today." "all right," and bles rose. "good-day, gentlemen." but the chairman was still puzzled. "now, what's his game?" he asked helplessly. "he may be honest," offered senator smith, contemplating the door almost wistfully. the campaign progressed. the national republican committee said little about the negro revolt and affected to ignore it. the papers were silent. underneath this calm, however, the activity was redoubled. the prominent negroes were carefully catalogued, written to, and put under personal influence. the negro papers were quietly subsidized, and they began to ridicule and reproach the new leaders. as the fall progressed, mass-meetings were held in washington and the small towns. larger and larger ones were projected, and more and more alwyn was pushed to the front. he was developing into a most effective speaker. he had the voice, the presence, the ideas, and above all he was intensely in earnest. there were other colored orators with voice, presence, and eloquence; but their people knew their record and discounted them. alwyn was new, clear, and sincere, and the black folk hung on his words. large and larger crowds greeted him until he was the central figure in a half dozen great negro mass-meetings in the chief cities of the country, culminating in new york the night before election. perhaps the secret newspaper work, the personal advice of employers and friends, and the liberal distribution of cash, would have delivered a large part of the negro vote to the republican candidate. perhaps--but there was a doubt. with the work of alwyn, however, all doubt disappeared, and there was little reason for denying that the new president walked into the white house through the instrumentality of an unknown georgia negro, little past his majority. this is what senator smith said to mr. easterly; what miss wynn said to herself; and it was what mrs. vanderpool remarked to zora as zora was combing her hair on the wednesday after election. zora murmured an indistinct response. as already something of the beauty of the world had found question and answer in her soul, and as she began to realize how the world had waxed old in thought and stature, so now in their last days a sense of the power of men, as set over against the immensity and force of their surroundings, became real to her. she had begun to read of the lives and doing of those called great, and in her mind a plan was forming. she saw herself standing dim within the shadows, directing the growing power of a man: a man who would be great as the world counted greatness, rich, high in position, powerful--wonderful because his face was black. he would never see her; never know how she worked and planned, save perhaps at last, in that supreme moment as she passed, her soul would cry to his, "redeemed!" and he would understand. all this she was thinking and weaving; not clearly and definitely, but in great blurred clouds of thought of things as she said slowly: "he should have a great position for this." "why, certainly," mrs. vanderpool agreed, and then curiously: "what?" zora considered. "negroes," she said, "have been registers of the treasury, and recorders of deeds here in washington, and douglas was marshal; but i want bles--" she paused and started again. "those are not great enough for mr. alwyn; he should have an office so important that negroes would not think of leaving their party again." mrs. vanderpool took pains to repeat zora's words to mr. easterly. he considered the matter. "in one sense, it's good advice," he admitted; "but there's the south to reckon with. i'll think it over and speak to the president. oh, yes; i'm going to mention france at the same time." mrs. vanderpool smiled and leaned back in her carriage. she noted with considerable interest the young colored woman who was watching her from the sidewalk: a brown, well-appearing young woman of notable self-possession. caroline wynn scrutinized mrs. vanderpool because she had been speaking with mr. easterly, and mr. easterly was a figure of political importance. that very morning miss wynn had telegraphed bles alwyn. alwyn arrived at washington just as the morning papers heralded the sweeping republican victory. all about he met new deference and new friends; strangers greeted him familiarly on the street; sam stillings became his shadow; and when he reported for work his chief and fellow clerks took unusual interest in him. "have you seen senator smith yet?" miss wynn asked after a few words of congratulation. "no. what for?" "what for?" she answered. "go to him today; don't fail. i shall be at home at eight tonight." it seemed to bles an exceedingly silly thing to do--calling on a busy man with no errand; but he went. he decided that he would just thank the senator for his interest, and get out; or, if the senator was busy, he would merely send in his card. evidently the senator was busy, for his waiting-room was full. bles handed the card to the secretary with a word of apology, but the secretary detained him. "ah, mr. alwyn," he said affably; "glad to see you. the senator will want to see you, i know. wait just a minute." and soon bles was shaking senator smith's hand. "well, mr. alwyn," said the senator heartily, "you delivered the goods." "thank you, sir. i tried to." senator smith thoughtfully looked him over and drew out the letters. "your friends, mr. alwyn," he said, adjusting his glasses, "have a rather high opinion of you. here now is stillings, who helped on the campaign. he suggests an eighteen-hundred-dollar clerkship for you." the senator glanced up keenly and omitted to state what stillings suggested for himself. alwyn was visibly grateful as well as surprised. "i--i hoped," he began hesitatingly, "that perhaps i might get a promotion, but i had not thought of a first-class clerkship." "h'm." senator smith leaned back and twiddled his thumbs, staring at alwyn until the hot blood darkened his cheeks. then bles sat up and stared politely but steadily back. the senator's eyes dropped and he put out his hand for the second note. "now, your friend, miss wynn"--alwyn started--"is even more ambitious." he handed her letter to the young man, and pointed out the words. "of course, senator," bles read, "we expect mr. alwyn to be the next register of the treasury." bles looked up in amazement, but the senator reached for a third letter. the room was very still. at last he found it. "this," he announced quietly, "is from a man of great power and influence, who has the ear of the new president." he smoothed out the letter, paused briefly, then read aloud: "'it has been suggested to me by'"--the senator did not read the name; if he had "mrs. vanderpool" would have meant little to alwyn--"'it has been suggested to me by blank that the future allegiance of the negro vote to the republican party might be insured by giving to some prominent negro a high political position--for instance, treasurer of the united states'--salary, six thousand dollars," interpolated senator smith--"'and that alwyn would be a popular and safe appointment for that position.'" the senator did not read the concluding sentence, which ran: "think this over; we can't touch political conditions in the south; perhaps this sop will do." for a long time alwyn sat motionless, while the senator said nothing. then the young man rose unsteadily. "i don't think i quite grasp all this," he said as he shook hands. "i'll think it over," and he went out. when caroline wynn heard of that extraordinary conversation her amazement knew no bounds. yet alwyn ventured to voice doubts: "i'm not fitted for either of those high offices; there are many others who deserve more, and i don't somehow like the idea of seeming to have worked hard in the campaign simply for money or fortune. you see, i talked against that very thing." miss wynn's eyes widened. "well, what else--" she began and then changed. "mr. alwyn, the line between virtue and foolishness is dim and wavering, and i should hate to see you lost in that marshy borderland. by a streak of extraordinary luck you have gained the political leadership of negroes in america. here's your chance to lead your people, and here you stand blinking and hesitating. be a man!" alwyn straightened up and felt his doubts going. the evening passed very pleasantly. "i'm going to have a little dinner for you," said miss wynn finally, and alwyn grew hot with pleasure. he turned to her suddenly and said: "why, i'm rather--black." she expressed no surprise but said reflectively: "you _are_ dark." "and i've been given to understand that miss wynn and her set rather--well, preferred the lighter shades of colored folk." miss wynn laughed lightly. "my parents did," she said simply. "no dark man ever entered their house; they were simply copying the white world. now i, as a matter of aesthetic beauty, prefer your brown-velvet color to a jaundiced yellow, or even an uncertain cream; but the world doesn't." "the world?" "yes, the world; and especially america. one may be chinese, spaniard, even indian--anything white or dirty white in this land, and demand decent treatment; but to be negro or darkening toward it unmistakably means perpetual handicap and crucifixion." "why not, then, admit that you draw the color-line?" "because i don't; but the world does. i am not prejudiced as my parents were, but i am foresighted. indeed, it is a deep ethical query, is it not, how far one has the right to bear black children to the world in the land of the free and the home of the brave. is it fair--to the children?" "yes, it is!" he cried vehemently. "the more to take up the fight, the surer the victory." she laughed at his earnestness. "you are refreshing," she said. "well, we'll dine next tuesday, and we'll have the cream of our world to meet you." he knew that this was a great triumph. it flattered his vanity. after all, he was entering this higher dark world whose existence had piqued and puzzled him so long. he glanced at miss wynn beside him there in the dimly lighted parlor: she looked so aloof and unapproachable, so handsome and so elegant. he thought how she would complete a house--such a home as his prospective four or six thousand dollars a year could easily purchase. she saw him surveying her, and she smiled at him. "i find but one fault with you," she said. he stammered for a pretty speech, but did not find it before she continued: "yes--you are so delightfully primitive; you will not use the world as it is but insist on acting as if it were something else." "i am not sure i understand." "well, there is the wife of my judge: she is a fact in my world; in yours she is a problem to be stated, straightened, and solved. if she had come to you, as she did to me yesterday, with her theory that all that southern negroes needed was to learn how to make good servants and lay brick--" "i should have shown her--" bles tried to interject. "nothing of the sort. you would have tried to show her and would have failed miserably. she hasn't learned anything in twenty years." "but surely you didn't join her in advocating that ten million people be menials?" "oh, no; i simply listened." "well, there was no harm in that; i believe in silence at times." "ah! but i did not listen like a log, but positively and eloquently; with a nod, a half-formed word, a comment begun, which she finished." bles frowned. "as a result," continued miss wynn, "i have a check for five hundred dollars to finish our cooking-school and buy a cast of minerva for the assembly-room. more than that, i have now a wealthy friend. she thinks me an unusually clever person who, by a process of thought not unlike her own, has arrived at very similar conclusions." "but--but," objected bles, "if the time spent cajoling fools were used in convincing the honest and upright, think how much we would gain." "very little. the honest and upright are a sad minority. most of these white folk--believe me, boy," she said caressingly,--"are fools and knaves: they don't want truth or progress; they want to keep niggers down." "i don't believe it; there are scores, thousands, perhaps millions such, i admit; but the average american loves justice and right, and he is the one to whom i appeal with frankness and truth. great heavens! don't you love to be frank and open?" she narrowed her eyelids. "yes, sometimes i do; once i was; but it's a luxury few of us negroes can afford. then, too, i insist that it's jolly to fool them." "don't you hate the deception?" she chuckled and put her head to one side. "at first i did; but, do you know, now i believe i prefer it." he looked so horrified that she burst out laughing. he laughed too. she was a puzzle to him. he kept thinking what a mistress of a mansion she would make. "why do you say these things?" he asked suddenly. "because i want you to do well here in washington." "general philanthropy?" "no, special." her eyes were bright with meaning. "then you care--for me?" "yes." he bent forward and cast the die. "enough to marry me?" she answered very calmly and certainly: "yes." he leaned toward her. and then between him and her lips a dark and shadowy face; two great storm-swept eyes looked into his out of a world of infinite pain, and he dropped his head in hesitation and shame, and kissed her hand. miss wynn thought him delightfully bashful. _twenty-six_ congressman cresswell the election of harry cresswell to congress was a very simple matter. the colonel and his son drove to town and consulted the judge; together they summoned the sheriff and the local member of the state legislature. "i think it's about time that we cresswells asked for a little of the political pie," the colonel smilingly opened. "well, what do you want?" asked the judge. "harry wants to go to congress." the judge hesitated. "we'd half promised that to caldwell," he objected. "it will be a little costly this year, too," suggested the sheriff, tentatively. "about how much?" asked the colonel. "at least five thousand," said the legislator. the colonel said nothing. he simply wrote a check and the matter was settled. in the fall harry cresswell was declared elected. there were four hundred and seventy-two votes cast but the sheriff added a cipher. he said it would look better. early december found the cresswells domiciled in a small house in du pont circle, washington. they had an automobile and four servants, and the house was furnished luxuriously. mary taylor cresswell, standing in her morning room and looking out on the flowers of the square, told herself that few people in the world had cause to be as happy as she. she was tastefully gowned, in a way to set off her blonde beauty and her delicate rounded figure. she was surrounded with wealth, and above all, she was in that atmosphere of aristocracy for which she had always yearned; and already she was acquiring that poise of the head, and a manner of directing the servants, which showed her born to the purple. she had cause to be extremely happy, she told herself this morning, and yet she was puzzled to understand why she was not. why was she restless and vaguely ill at ease so often these days? one matter, indeed, did worry her; but that would right itself in time, she was sure. she had always pictured herself as directing her husband's work. she did not plan to step in and demand a share; she knew from experience with her brother that a woman must prove her usefulness to a man before he will admit it, and even then he may be silent. she intended gradually and tactfully to relieve her husband of care connected with his public life so that, before he realized it, she would be his guiding spirit and his inspiration. she had dreamed the details of doing this so long that it seemed already done, and she could imagine no obstacle to its realization. and yet she found herself today no nearer her goal than when first she married. not because mr. cresswell did not share his work, but because, apparently, he had no work, no duties, no cares. at first, in the dim glories of the honeymoon, this seemed but part of his delicate courtesy toward her, and it pleased her despite her thrifty new england nature; but now that they were settled in washington, the election over and congress in session, it really seemed time for work and life to begin in dead earnest, and new england mary was dreaming mighty dreams and golden futures. but harry apparently was as content as ever with doing nothing. he arose at ten, dined at seven, and went to bed between midnight and sunrise. there was some committee meetings and much mail, but mary was admitted to knowledge of none of these. the obvious step, of course, would be to set him at work; but from this undertaking mary unconsciously recoiled. she had already recognized that while her tastes and her husband's were mostly alike, they were also strikingly different in many respects. they agreed in the daintiness of things, the elegance of detail; but they did not agree always as to the things themselves. given the picture, they would choose the same frame--but they would not choose the same picture. they liked the same voice, but not the same song; the same company, but not the same conversation. of course, mary reflected, frowning at the flowers--of course, this must always be so when two human beings are thrown into new and intimate association. in time they would grow to sweet communion; only, she hoped the communion would be on tastes nearer hers than those he sometimes manifested. she turned impatiently from the window with a feeling of loneliness. but why lonely? she idly fingered a new book on the table and then put it down sharply. there had been several attempts at reading aloud between them some evenings ago, and this book reminded her of them. she had bought jane addams' "newer ideals of peace," and he had yawned over it undisguisedly. then he had brought this novel, and--well, she had balked at the second chapter, and he had kissed her and called her his "little prude." she did not want to be a prude; she hated to seem so, and had for some time prided herself on emancipation from narrow new england prejudices. for example, she had not objected to wine at dinner; it had seemed indeed rather fine, imparting, as it did, an old-fashioned flavor; but she did not like the whiskey, and harry at times appeared to become just a bit too lively--nothing excessive, of course, but his eyes and the smell and the color were a little too suggestive. and yet he was so kind and good, and when he came in at evening he bent so gallantly for his kiss, and laid fresh flowers before her: could anything have been more thoughtful and knightly? just here again she was puzzled; with her folk, hard work and inflexible duty were of prime importance; they were the rock foundation; and she somehow had always counted on the courtesies of life as added to them, making them sweet and beautiful. but in this world, not perhaps so much with harry as with others of his set, the depths beneath the gravely inclined head, the deferential smile and ceremonious action, the light clever converse, had sounded strangely hollow once or twice when she had essayed to sound them, and a certain fear to look and see possessed her. the bell rang, and she was a little startled at the fright that struck her heart. she did not analyze it. in reality--pride forbade her to admit it--she feared it was a call of some of harry's friends: some languid, assured southern ladies, perilously gowned, with veiled disdain for this interloping northerner and her strong mind. especially was there one from new orleans, tall and dark-but it was no caller. it was simply some one named stillings to see mr. cresswell. she went down to see him--he might be a constituent--and found a smirky brown man, very apologetic. "you don't know me--does you, mrs. cresswell?" said stillings. he knew when it was diplomatic to forget his grammar and assume his dialect. "why--no." "you remember i worked for mr. harry and served you-all lunch one day." "oh, yes--why, yes! i remember now very well." "well, i wants to see mr. harry very much; could i wait in the back hall?" mary started to have him wait in the front hall, but she thought better of it and had him shown back. less than an hour later her husband entered and she went quickly to him. he looked worn and white and tired, but he laughed her concern lightly off. "i'll be in earlier tonight," he declared. "is the congressional business very heavy?" he laughed so hilariously that she felt uncomfortable, which he observed. "oh, no," he answered deftly; "not very." and as they moved toward the dining-room mary changed the subject. "oh," she exclaimed, suddenly remembering. "there is a man--a colored man--waiting to see you in the back hall, but i guess he can wait until after lunch." they ate leisurely. "there's going to be racing out at the park this evening," said harry. "want to go?" "i was going to hear an art lecture at the club," mary returned, and grew thoughtful; for here walked her ghost again. of course, the club was an affair with more of gossip than of intellectual effort, but today, largely through her own suggestion, an art teacher of european reputation was going to lecture, and mary preferred it to the company of the race track. and--just as certainly--her husband didn't. "don't forget the man, dear," she reminded him; but he was buried in his paper, frowning. "look at that," he said finally. she glanced at the head-lines--"prominent negro politician candidate for high office at hands of new administration. b. alwyn of alabama." "why, it's bles!" she said, her face lighting as his darkened. "an impudent negro," he voiced his disgust. "if they must appoint darkies why can't they get tractable ones like my nigger stillings." "stillings?" she repeated. "why, he's the man that's waiting." "sam, is it? used to be one of our servants--you remember? wants to borrow more money, i presume." he went down-stairs, after first helping himself to a glass of whiskey, and then gallantly kissing his wife. mrs. cresswell was more unsatisfied than usual. she could not help feeling that mr. cresswell was treating her about as he treated his wine--as an indulgence; a loved one, a regular one, but somehow not as the reality and prose of life, unless--she started at the thought--his life was all indulgence. having nothing else to do, she went out and paraded the streets, watching the people who were happy enough to be busy. cresswell and stillings had a long conference, and when stillings hastened away he could not forbear cutting a discreet pigeon-wing as he rounded the corner. he had been promised the backing of the whole southern delegation in his schemes. that night teerswell called on him in his modest lodgings, where over hot whiskey and water they talked. "the damned southern upstart," growled teerswell, forgetting stillings' birth-place. "do you mean to say he's actually slated for the place?" "he's sure of it, unless something turns up." "well, who'd have dreamed it?" teerswell mixed another stiff dram. "and that isn't all," came sam stillings' unctuous voice. teerswell glanced at him. "what else?" he asked, pausing with the steaming drink poised aloft. "if i'm not mistaken, alwyn intends to marry miss wynn." "you lie!" the other suddenly yelled with an oath, overturning his tumbler and striding across the floor. "do you suppose she'd look at that black--" "well, see here," said the astute stillings, checking the details upon his fingers. "they visit senator smith's together; he takes her home from the treble clef; they say he talked to nobody else at her party; she recommends him for the campaign--" "what!" teerswell again exploded. but stillings continued smoothly: "oh, i have ways of finding things out. she corresponds with him during the campaign; she asks smith to make him register; and he calls on her every night." teerswell sat down limply. "i see," he groaned. "it's all up. she's jilted me--and i--and i--" "i don't see as it's all up yet," stillings tried to reassure him. "but didn't you say they were engaged?" "i think they are; but--well, you know carrie wynn better than i do: suppose, now--suppose he should lose the appointment?" "but you say that's sure." "unless something turns up." "but what _can_ turn up?" "we might turn something." "what--what--i tell you man, i'd--i'd do anything to down that nigger. i hate him. if you'll help me i'll do anything for you." stillings arose and carefully opening the hall door peered out. then he came back and, seating himself close to teerswell, pushed aside the whiskey. "teerswell," he whispered, "you know i was working to be register of the treasury. well, now, when the scheme of making alwyn treasurer came up they determined to appoint a southern white republican and give me a place under alwyn. now, if alwyn fails to land i've got no chance for the bigger place, but i've got a good chance to be register according to the first plan. i helped in the campaign; i've got the negro secret societies backing me and--i don't mind telling you--the solid southern congressional delegation. i'm trying now ostensibly for a chief-clerkship under bles, and i'm pretty sure of it: it pays twenty-five hundred. see here: if we can make bles do some fool talking and get it into the papers, he'll be ditched, and i'll be register." "great!" shouted teerswell. "wait--wait. now, if i get the job, how would you like to be my assistant?" "like it? why, great jehoshaphat! i'd marry carrie--but how can i help you?" "this way. i want to be better known among influential negroes. you introduce me and let me make myself solid. especially i must get in miss wynn's set so that both of us can watch her and alwyn, and make her friends ours." "i'll do it--shake!" and stillings put his oily hand into teerswell's nervous grip. "now, here," stillings went on, "you stow all that jealousy and heavy tragedy. treat alwyn well and call on miss wynn as usual--see?" "it's a hard pill--but all right." "leave the rest to me; i'm hand in glove with alwyn. i'll put stuff into him that'll make him wave the bloody shirt at the next meeting of the bethel literary--see? then i'll go to cresswell and say, 'dangerous nigger--, just as i told you.' he'll begin to move things. you see? cresswell is in with smith--both directors in the big cotton combine--and smith will call alwyn down. then we'll think further." "stillings, you look like a fool, but you're a genius." and teerswell fairly hugged him. a few more details settled, and some more whiskey consumed, and teerswell went home at midnight in high spirits. stillings looked into the glass and scowled. "look like a fool, do i?" he mused. "well, i ain't!" congressman cresswell was stirred to his first political activity by the hint given him through stillings. he not only had a strong personal dislike for alwyn, but he regarded the promise to him of a high office as a menace to the south. the second speech which alwyn made at the bethel literary was, as stillings foresaw, a reply to the stinging criticisms of certain colored papers engineered by teerswell, who said that alwyn had been bribed to remain loyal to the republicans by a six thousand dollar office. alwyn had been cut to the quick, and his reply was a straight out defence of negro rights and a call to the republican party to redeem its pledges. caroline wynn, seeing the rocks for which her political craft was headed, adroitly steered several newspaper reports into the waste basket, but stillings saw to it that a circumstantial account was in the _colored american_, and that a copy of this paper was in congressman cresswell's hands. cresswell lost no time in calling on senator smith and pointing out to him that bles alwyn was a dangerous negro: seeking social equality, hating white people, and scheming to make trouble. he was too young and heady. it would be fatal to give such a man office and influence; fatal for the development of the south, and bad for the cotton combine. senator smith was unconvinced. alwyn struck him as a well-balanced fellow, and he thought he deserved the office. he would, however, warn him to make no further speeches like that of last night. cresswell mentioned stillings as a good, inoffensive negro who knew his place and could be kept track of. "stillings is a good man," admitted smith; "but alwyn is better. however, i'll bear what you say in mind." cresswell found mr. easterly in mrs. vanderpool's parlor, and that gentleman was annoyed at the news. "i especially picked out this alwyn because he was southern and tractable, and seemed to have sense enough to know how to say well what we wanted to say." "when, as a matter of fact," drawled mrs. vanderpool, "he was simply honest." "the south won't stand it," cresswell decisively affirmed. "well--" began mr. easterly. "see here," interrupted mrs. vanderpool. "i'm interested in alwyn; in fact, an honest man in politics, even if he is black, piques my curiosity. give him a chance and i'll warrant he'll develop all the desirable traits of a first class office-holder." easterly hesitated. "we must not offend the south, and we must placate the negroes," he said. "the right sort of negro--one like stillings--appointed to a reasonable position, would do both," opined cresswell. "it evidently didn't," mrs. vanderpool interjected. cresswell arose. "i tell you, mr. easterly, i object--it mustn't go through." he took his leave. mrs. vanderpool did not readily give up her plea for alwyn, and bade zora get mr. smith on the telephone for discussion. "well," reported easterly, hanging up the receiver, "we may land him. it seems that he is engaged to a washington school-teacher, and smith says she has him well in hand. she's a pretty shrewd proposition, and understands that alwyn's only chance now lies in keeping his mouth shut. we may land him," he repeated. "engaged!" gasped mrs. vanderpool. zora quietly closed the door. _twenty-seven_ the vision of zora how zora found the little church she never knew; but somehow, in the long dark wanderings which she had fallen into the habit of taking at nightfall, she stood one evening before it. it looked warm, and she was cold. it was full of her people, and she was very, very lonely. she sat in a back seat, and saw with unseeing eyes. she said again, as she had said to herself a hundred times, that it was all right and just what she had expected. what else could she have dreamed? that he should ever marry her was beyond possibility; that had been settled long since--there where the tall, dark pines, wan with the shades of evening, cast their haunting shadows across the silver fleece and half hid the blood-washed west. after _that_ he would marry some one else, of course; some good and pure woman who would help and uplift and serve him. she had dreamed that she would help--unknown, unseen--and perhaps she had helped a little through mrs. vanderpool. it was all right, and yet why so suddenly had the threads of life let go? why was she drifting in vast waters; in uncharted wastes of sea? why was the puzzle of life suddenly so intricate when but a little week ago she was reading it, and its beauty and wisdom and power were thrilling her delighted hands? could it be possible that all unconsciously she had dared dream a forbidden dream? no, she had always rejected it. when no one else had the right; when no one thought; when no one cared, she had hovered over his soul as some dark guardian angel; but now, now somebody else was receiving his gratitude. it was all right, she supposed; but she, the outcast child of the swamp, what was there for her to do in the great world--her, the burden of whose sin-but then came the voice of the preacher: _"behold the lamb of god, that taketh away the sin of the world_." she found herself all at once intently listening. she had been to church many times before, but under the sermons and ceremonies she had always sat coldly inert. in the south the cries, contortions, and religious frenzy left her mind untouched; she did not laugh or mock, she simply sat and watched and wondered. at the north, in the white churches, she enjoyed the beauty of wall, windows, and hymn, liked the voice and surplice of the preacher; but his words had no reference to anything in which she was interested. here suddenly came an earnest voice addressed, by singular chance, to her of all the world. she listened, bending forward, her eyes glued to the speaker's lips and letting no word drop. he had the build and look of the fanatic: thin to emancipation; brown; brilliant-eyed; his words snapped in nervous energy and rang in awful earnestness. "life is sin, and sin is sorrow. sorrow is born of selfishness and self-seeking--our own good, our own happiness, our own glory. as if any one of us were worth a life! no, never. a single self as an end is, and ought to be, disappointment; it is too low; it is nothing. only in a whole world of selves, infinite, endless, eternal world on worlds of selves--only in their vast good is true salvation. the good of others is our true good; work for others; not for your salvation, but the salvation of the world." the audience gave a low uneasy groan and the minister in whose pulpit the stranger preached stirred uneasily. but he went on tensely, with flying words: "unselfishness is sacrifice--jesus was supreme sacrifice." ("amen," screamed a voice.) "in your dark lives," he cried, "_who_ is the king of glory? sacrifice. lift up your heads, then, ye gates of prejudice and hate, and let the king of glory come in. forget yourselves and your petty wants, and behold your starving people. the wail of black millions sweeps the air--east and west they cry, help! help! are you dumb? are you blind? do you dance and laugh, and hear and see not? the cry of death is in the air; they murder, burn, and maim us!" ("oh--oh--" moaned the people swaying in their seats.) "when we cry they mock us; they ruin our women and debauch our children--what shall we do? "behold the lamb of god that taketh away sin. behold the supreme sacrifice that makes us clean. give up your pleasures; give up your wants; give up all to the weak and wretched of our people. go down to pharaoh and smite him in god's name. go down to the south where we writhe. strive--work--build--hew--lead--inspire! god calls. will you hear? come to jesus. the harvest is waiting. who will cry: 'here am i, send me!'" zora rose and walked up the aisle; she knelt before the altar and answered the call: "here am i--send me." and then she walked out. above her sailed the same great stars; around her hummed the same hoarse city; but within her soul sang some new song of peace. "what is the matter, zora?" mrs. vanderpool inquired, for she seemed to see in the girl's face and carriage some subtle change; something that seemed to tell how out of the dream had stepped the dreamer into the realness of things; how suddenly the seeker saw; how to the wanderer, the way was opened. just how she sensed this mrs. vanderpool could not have explained, nor could zora. was there a change, sudden, cataclysmic? no. there were to come in future days all the old doubts and shiverings, the old restless cry: "it is all right--all right!" but more and more, above the doubt and beyond the unrest, rose the great end, the mighty ideal, that flickered and wavered, but ever grew and waxed strong, until it became possible, and through it all things else were possible. thus from the grave of youth and love, amid the soft, low singing of dark and bowed worshippers, the angel of the resurrection rolled away the stone. "what is the matter, zora?" mrs. vanderpool repeated. zora looked up, almost happily--standing poised on her feet as if to tell of strength and purpose. "i have found the way," she cried joyously. mrs. vanderpool gave her a long searching look. "where have you been?" she asked. "i've been waiting." "i'm sorry--but i've been--converted." and she told her story. "pshaw, zora!" mrs. vanderpool uttered impatiently. "he's a fakir." "maybe," said zora serenely and quietly; "but he brought the word." "zora, don't talk cant; it isn't worthy of your intelligence." "it was more than intelligent--it was true." "zora--listen, child! you were wrought up tonight, nervous--wild. you were happy to meet your people, and where he said one word you supplied two. what you attribute to him is the voice of your own soul." but zora merely smiled. "all you say may be true. but what does it matter? i know one thing, like the man in the bible: 'whereas i was blind now i see.'" mrs. vanderpool gave a little helpless gesture. "and what shall you do?" she asked. "i'm going back south to work for my people." "when?" the old careworn look stole across mrs. vanderpool's features. zora came gently forward and slipped her arms lovingly about the other woman's neck. "not right off," she said gently; "not until i learn more. i hate to leave you, but--it calls!" mrs. vanderpool held the dark girl close and began craftily: "you see, zora, the more you know the more you can do." "yes." "and if you are determined i will see that you are taught. you must know settlement-work and reform movements; not simply here but--" she hesitated--"in england--in france." "will it take long?" zora asked, smoothing the lady's hair. mrs. vanderpool considered. "no--five years is not long; it is all too short." "five years: it is very long; but there is a great deal to learn. must i study five years?" mrs. vanderpool threw back her head. "zora, i am selfish i know, but five years truly is none too long. then, too, zora, we have work to do in that time." "what?" "there is alwyn's career," and mrs. vanderpool looked into zora's eyes. the girl did not shrink, but she paused. "yes," she said slowly, "we must help him." "and after he rises--" "he will marry." "whom?" "the woman he loves," returned zora, quietly. "yes--that is best," sighed mrs. vanderpool. "but how shall we help him?" "make him treasurer of the united states without sacrificing his manhood or betraying his people." "i can do that," said mrs. vanderpool slowly. "it will cost something," said zora. "i will do it," was the lady's firm assurance. zora kissed her. the next afternoon mrs. cresswell went down to a white social settlement of which congressman todd had spoken, where a meeting of the civic club was to be held. she had come painfully to realize that if she was to have a career she must make it for herself. the plain, unwelcome truth was that her husband had no great interests in life in which she could find permanent pleasure. companionship and love there was and, she told herself, always would be; but in some respects their lives must flow in two streams. last night, for the second time, she had irritated him; he had spoken almost harshly to her, and she knew she must brood or work today. and so she hunted work, eagerly. she felt the atmosphere the moment she entered. there were carelessly gowned women and men smart and shabby, but none of them were thinking of clothes nor even of one another. they had great deeds in mind; they were scanning the earth; they were toiling for men. the same grim excitement that sends smaller souls hunting for birds and rabbits and lions, had sent them hunting the enemies of mankind: they were bent to the chase, scenting the game, knowing the infinite meaning of their hunt and the glory of victory. mary cresswell had listened but a half hour before her world seemed so small and sordid and narrow, so trivial, that a sense of shame spread over her. these people were not only earnest, but expert. they acknowledged the need of mr. todd's educational bill. "but the republicans are going to side-track it; i have that on the best authority," said one. "true; but can't we force them to it?" "only by political power, and they've just won a campaign." "they won it by negro votes, and the negro who secured the votes is eager for this bill; he's a fine, honest fellow." "very well; work with him; and when we can be of real service let us know. meantime, this child labor bill is different. it's bound to pass. both parties are back of it, and public opinion is aroused. now our work is to force amendments enough to make the bill effective." discussion followed; not flamboyant and declamatory, but tense, staccato, pointed. mrs. cresswell found herself taking part. someone mentioned her name, and one or two glances of interest and even curiosity were thrown her way. congressmen's wives were rare at the civic club. congressmen todd urged mrs. cresswell to stay after the discussion and attend a meeting of the managers and workers of the washington social settlements. "have you many settlements?" she inquired. "three in all--two white and one colored." "and will they all be represented?" "yes, of course, mrs. cresswell. if you object to meeting the colored people--" mrs. cresswell blushed. "no, indeed," she answered; "i used to teach colored people." she watched this new group gather: a business man, two fashionable ladies, three college girls, a gray-haired colored woman, and a young spectacled brown man, and then, to her surprise, mrs. vanderpool and zora. zora was scarcely seated when that strange sixth sense of hers told her that something had happened, and it needed but a side-glance from mrs. vanderpool to indicate what it was. she sat with folded hands and the old dreamy look in her eyes. in one moment she lived it all again--the red cabin, the moving oak, the sowing of the fleece, and its fearful reaping. and now, when she turned her head, she would see the woman who was to marry bles alwyn. she had often dreamed of her, and had set a high ideal. she wanted her to be handsome, well dressed, earnest and good. she felt a sort of person proprietorship in her, and when at last the quickened pulse died to its regular healthy beat, she turned and looked and knew. caroline wynn deemed it a part of the white world's education to participate in meetings like this; doing so was not pleasant, but it appealed to her cynicism and mocking sense of pleasure. she always roused hostility as she entered: her gown was too handsome, her gloves too spotless, her air had hauteur enough to be almost impudent in the opinion of most white people. then gradually her intelligence, her cool wit and self-possession, would conquer and she would go gracefully out leaving a rather bewildered audience behind. she sat today with her dark gold profile toward zora, and the girl looked and was glad. she was such a woman she would have bles marry. she was glad, and she choked back the sob that struggled and fought in her throat. the meeting never got beyond a certain constraint. the congressman made an excellent speech; there were various sets of figures read by the workers; and miss wynn added a touch of spice by several pertinent questions and comments. then, as the meeting broke up and mrs. cresswell came forward to speak to zora, mrs. vanderpool managed to find herself near miss wynn and to be introduced. they exchanged a few polite phrases, fencing delicately to test the other's wrist and interest. they touched on the weather, and settlement work; but miss wynn did not propose to be stranded on the negro problem. "i suppose the next bit of excitement will be in the inauguration," she said to mrs. vanderpool. "i understand it will be unusually elaborate," returned mrs. vanderpool, a little surprised at the turn. then she added pleasantly: "i think i shall see it through, from speech to ball." "yes, i do usually," miss wynn asserted, adjusting her furs. mrs. vanderpool was further surprised. did colored people attend the ball? "we sorely need a national ball-room," she said. "isn't the census building wretched?" "i do not know," smiled miss wynn. "oh, i thought you said--" "i meant _our_ ball." "oh!" said mrs. vanderpool in turn. "oh!" here a thought came. of course, the colored people had their own ball; she remembered having heard about it. why not send zora? she plunged in: "miss wynn, i have a maid--such an intelligent girl; i do wish she could attend your ball--" seeing her blunder, she paused. miss wynn was coolly buttoning her glove. "yes," she acknowledged politely, "few of us can afford maids, and therefore we do not usually arrange for them; but i think we can have your _protã©gã©e_ look on from the gallery. good-afternoon." as mrs. vanderpool drove home she related the talk to zora. zora was silent at first. then she said deliberately: "miss wynn was right." "why, zora!" "did helene attend the ball four years ago?" "but, zora, must you folk ape our nonsense as well as our sense?" "you force us to," said zora. _twenty-eight_ the annunciation the new president had been inaugurated. beneath the creamy pile of the old capitol, and facing the new library, he had stood aloft and looked down on a waving sea of faces--black-coated, jostling, eager-eyed fellow creatures. they had watched his lips move, had scanned eagerly his dress and the gowned and decorated dignitaries beside him; and then, with blare of band and prancing of horses, he had been whirled down the dip and curve of that long avenue, with its medley of meanness and thrift and hurry and wealth, until, swinging sharply, the dim walls of the white house rose before him. he entered with a sigh. then the vast welter of humanity dissolved and streamed hither and thither, gaping and laughing until night, when thousands poured into the red barn of the census shack and entered the artificial fairyland within. the president walked through, smiling; the senators protected their friends in the crush; and harry cresswell led his wife to a little oasis of southern ladies and gentlemen. "this is democracy for you," said he, wiping his brow. from a whirling eddy mrs. vanderpool waved at them, and they rescued her. "i think i am ready to go," she gasped. "did you ever!" "come," cresswell invited. but just then the crowd pushed them apart and shot them along, and mrs. cresswell found herself clinging to her husband amid two great whirling variegated throngs of driving, white-faced people. the band crashed and blared; the people laughed and pushed; and with rhythmic sound and swing the mighty throng was dancing. it took much effort, but at last the cresswell party escaped and rolled off in their carriages. they swept into the avenue and out again, then up 14th street, where, turning for some street obstruction, they passed a throng of carriages on a cross street. "it's the other ball," cried mrs. vanderpool, and amid laughter she added, "let's go!" it was--the other ball. for washington is itself, and something else besides. along beside it ever runs that dark and haunting echo; that shadowy world-in-world with its accusing silence, its emphatic self-sufficiency. mrs. cresswell at first demurred. she thought of elspeth's cabin: the dirt, the smell, the squalor: of course, this would be different; but--well, mrs. cresswell had little inclination for slumming. she was interested in the under-world, but intellectually, not by personal contact. she did not know that this was a side-world, not an under-world. yet the imposing building did not look sordid. "hired?" asked some one. "no, owned." "indeed!" then there was a hitch. "tickets?" "where can we buy them?" "not on sale," was the curt reply. "actually exclusive!" sneered cresswell, for he could not imagine any one unwelcome at a negro ball. then he bethought himself of sam stillings and sent for him. in a few minutes he had a dozen complimentary tickets in his hand. they entered the balcony and sat down. mary cresswell leaned forward. it was interesting. beneath her was an ordinary pretty ball--flowered, silked, and ribboned; with swaying whirling figures, music, and laughter, and all the human fun of gayety and converse. and then she was impressed with the fact that this was no ordinary scene; it was, on the contrary, most extraordinary. there was a black man waltzing with a white woman--no, she was not white, for mary caught the cream and curl of the girl as she swept past: but there was a white man (was he white?) and a black woman. the color of the scene was wonderful. the hard human white seemed to glow and live and run a mad gamut of the spectrum, from morn till night, from white to black; through red and sombre browns, pale and brilliant yellows, dead and living blacks. through her opera-glasses mary scanned their hair; she noted everything from the infinitely twisted, crackled, dead, and grayish-black to the piled mass of red golden sunlight. her eyes went dreaming; there below was the gathering of the worlds. she saw types of all nations and all lands swirling beneath her in human brotherhood, and a great wonder shook her. they seemed so happy. surely, this was no nether world; it was upper earth, and--her husband beckoned; he had been laughing incontinently. he saw nothing but a crowd of queer looking people doing things they were not made to do and appearing absurdly happy over it. it irritated him unreasonably. "see the washer-woman in red," he whispered. "look at the monkey. come, let's go." they trooped noisily down-stairs, and cresswell walked unceremoniously between a black man and his partner. mrs. vanderpool recognized and greeted the girl as miss wynn. mrs. cresswell did not notice her, but she paused with a start of recognition at the sight of the man. "why, bles!" she exclaimed impetuously, starting to hold out her hand. she was sincerely pleased at seeing him. then she remembered. she bowed and smiled, looking at him with interest and surprise. he was correctly dressed, and the white shirt set off the comeliness of his black face in compelling contrast. he carried himself like a man, and bowed with gravity and dignity. she passed on and heard her husband's petulant voice in her ear. "mary--mary! for heaven's sake, come on; don't shake hands with niggers." it was recurring flashes of temper like this, together with evidences of dubious company and a growing fondness for liquor, that drove mary cresswell more and more to find solace in the work of congressman todd's civic club. she collected statistics for several of the committee, wrote letters, interviewed a few persons, and felt herself growing in usefulness and importance. she did not mention these things to her husband; she knew he would not object, but she shrank from his ridicule. the various causes advocated by the civic club felt the impetus of the aggressive work of the organization. this was especially the case with the national education bill and the amendment to the child labor bill. the movement became strong enough to call mr. easterly down from new york. he and the inner circle went over matters carefully. "we need the political strength of the south," said easterly; "not only in framing national legislation in our own interests, but always in state laws. particularly, we must get them into line to offset todd's foolishness. the child labor bill must either go through unamended or be killed. the cotton inspection bill--our chief measure--must be slipped through quietly by southern votes, while in the tariff mix-up we must take good care of cotton. "now, on the other hand, we are offending the southerners in three ways: todd's revived blair bill is too good a thing for niggers; the south is clamoring for a first classy embassy appointment; and the president's nomination of alwyn as treasurer will raise a howl from virginia to texas." "there is some strong influence back of alwyn," said senator smith; "not only are the negroes enthused, but the president has daily letters from prominent whites." "the strong influence is named vanderpool," easterly drily remarked. "she's playing a bigger political game than i laid out for her. that's the devil with women: they can't concentrate: they get too damned many side issues. now, i offered her husband the french ambassadorship provided she'd keep the southerners feeling good toward us. she's hand in glove with the southerners, all right; but she wants not only her husband's appointment but this darkey's too." "but that's been decided, hasn't it?" put in smith. "yes," grumbled easterly; "but it makes it hard already. at any rate, the educational bill must be killed right off. no more talk; no more consideration--kill it, and kill it now. now about this child labor bill: todd's civic club is raising the mischief. who's responsible?" the silent jackson spoke up. "congressman cresswell's wife has been very active, and todd thinks they've got the south with them." "congressman cresswell's wife!" easterly's face was one great exclamation point. "now what the devil does this mean?" "i'm afraid," said senator smith, "that it may mean an attempt on the part of cresswell's friends to boost him for the french ambassadorship. he's the only southerner with money enough to support the position, and there's been a good deal of quiet talk, i understand, in southern circles." "but it's treason!" easterly shouted. "it will ruin the plans of the combine to put this amended child labor bill through. john taylor has just written me that he's starting mills at toomsville, and that he depends on unrestricted labor conditions, as we must throughout the south. doesn't cresswell know this?" "of course. i think it's just a bluff. if he gets the appointment he'll let the bill drop." "i see--everybody is raising his price, is he? pretty soon the darky will be holding us up. well, see cresswell, and put it to him strong. i must go. wire me." senator smith presented the matter bluntly to cresswell as soon as he saw him. "which would the south prefer--todd's education bill, or alwyn's appointment?" it was characteristic of cresswell that the smaller matter of stillings' intrigue should interest him more than todd's measure, of which he knew nothing. "what is todd's bill?" asked harry cresswell, darkening. smith, surprised, got out a copy and explained. cresswell interrupted before he was half through. "don't you see," he said angrily, "that that will ruin our plans for the cotton combine?" "yes, i do," replied smith; "but it will not do the immediate harm that the amended child labor bill will do." "what's that?" demanded cresswell, frowning again. senator smith regarded him again: was cresswell playing a shrewd game? "why," he said at length, "aren't you promoting it?" "no," was the reply. "never heard of it." "but," senator smith began, and paused. he turned and took up a circular issued by the civic club, giving a careful account of their endeavors to amend and pass the child labor bill. cresswell read it, then threw it aside. "nonsense!" he indignantly repudiated the measure. "that will never do; it's as bad as the education bill." "but your wife is encouraging it and we thought you were back of it." cresswell stared in blank amazement. "my wife!" he gasped. then he bethought himself. "it's a mistake," he supplemented; "mrs. cresswell gave them no authority to sign her name." "she's been very active," smith persisted, "and naturally we were all anxious." cresswell bit his lip. "i shall speak to her; she does not realize what use they are making of her passing interest." he hurried away, and senator smith felt a bit sorry for mrs. cresswell when he recalled the expression on her husband's face. mary cresswell did not get home until nearly dinner time; then she came in glowing with enthusiasm. her work had received special commendation that afternoon, and she had been asked to take the chairmanship of the committee on publicity. finding that her husband was at home, she determined to tell him--it was so good to be doing something worth while. perhaps, too, he might be made to show some interest. she thought of mr. and mrs. todd and the old dream glowed faintly again. cresswell looked at her as she entered the library where he was waiting and smoking. she was rumpled and muddy, with flying hair and thick walking shoes and the air of bustle and vigor which had crept into her blood this last month. truly, her cheeks were glowing and her eyes bright, but he disapproved. softness and daintiness, silk and lace and glimmering flesh, belonged to women in his mind, and he despised amazons and "business" women. he received her kiss coldly, and mary's heart sank. she essayed some gay greeting, but he interrupted her. "what's this stuff about the civic club?" he began sharply. "stuff?" she queried, blankly. "that's what i said." "i'm sure i don't know," she answered stiffly. "i belong to the civic club, and have been working with it." "why didn't you tell me?" his resentment grew as he proceeded. "i did not think you were interested." "didn't you know that this child labor business was opposed to my interests?" "dear, i did not dream it. it's a republican bill, to be sure; but you seemed very friendly with senator smith, who introduced it. we were simply trying to improve it." "suppose we didn't want it improved." "that's what some said; but i did not believe such--deception." the blood rushed to cresswell's face. "well, you will drop this bill and the civic club from now on." "why?" "because i say so," he retorted explosively, too angry to explain further. she looked at him--a long, fixed, penetrating look which revealed more than she had ever seen before, then turned away and went slowly up-stairs. she did not come down to dinner, and in the evening the doctor was called. cresswell drooped a bit after eating, hesitated, and reflected. he had acted too cavalierly in this civic club mess, he concluded, and yet he would not back down. he'd go see her and pet her a bit, but be firm. he opened her boudoir door gently, and she stood before him radiant, clothed in silk and lace, her hair loosened. he paused, astonished. but she threw herself upon his neck, with a joyful, half hysterical cry. "i will give it all up--everything! willingly, willingly!" her voice dropped abruptly to a tremulous whisper. "oh, harry! i--i am to be the mother of a child!" _twenty-nine_ a master of fate "there is not the slightest doubt, miss wynn," senator smith was saying, "but that the schools of the district will be reorganized." "and the board of education abolished?" she added. "yes. the power will be delegated to a single white superintendent." the vertical line in caroline wynn's forehead became pronounced. "whose work is this, senator?" she asked. "well, there are, of course, various parties back of the change: the 'outs,' the reformers, the whole tendency to concentrate responsibility, and so on. but, frankly, the deciding factor was the demand of the south." "is there anything in washington that the south does not already own?" senator smith smiled thinly. "not much," drily; "but we own the south." "and part of the price is putting the colored schools of the district in the hands of a southern man and depriving us of all voice in their control?" "precisely, miss wynn. but you'd be surprised to know that it was the negroes themselves who stirred the south to this demand." "not at all; you mean the colored newspapers, i presume." "the same, with teerswell's clever articles; then his partner stillings worked the 'impudent negro teacher' argument on cresswell until cresswell was wild to get the south in control of the schools." "but what do teerswell and stillings want?" "they want bles alwyn to make a fool of himself." "that is a trifle cryptic," miss wynn mused. the senator amplified. "we are giving the south the washington schools and killing the education bill in return for this support of some of our measures and their assent to alwyn's appointment. you see i speak frankly." "i can stand it, senator." "i believe you can. well, now, if alwyn should act unwisely and offend the south, somebody else stands in line for the appointment." "as treasurer?" she asked in surprise. "oh, no, they are too shrewd to ask that; it would offend their backers, or shall i say their tools, the southerners. no, they ask only to be register and assistant register of the treasury. this is an office colored men have held for years, and it is quite ambitious enough for them; so stillings assures cresswell and his friends." "i see," miss wynn slowly acknowledged. "but how do they hope to make mr. alwyn blunder?" "too easily, i fear--unless _you_ are very careful. alwyn has been working like a beaver for the national education bill. he's been in to see me several times, as you probably know. his heart is set on it. he regards its passage as a sort of vindication of his defence of the party." "yes." "now, the party has dropped the bill for good, and alwyn doesn't like it. if he should attack the party--" "but he wouldn't," cried miss wynn with a start that belied her conviction. "did you know that he is to be invited to make the principal address to the graduates of the colored high-school?" "but," she objected. "they have selected bishop johnson; i--" "i know you did," laughed the senator, "but the judge got orders from higher up." "shrewd mr. teerswell," remarked miss wynn, sagely. "shrewd mr. stillings," the senator corrected; "but perhaps too shrewd. suppose mr. alwyn should take this occasion to make a thorough defence of the party?" "but--will he?" "that's where you come in," senator smith pointed out, rising, "and the real reason of this interview. we're depending on you to pull the party out of an awkward hole," and he shook hands with his caller. miss wynn walked slowly up pennsylvania avenue with a smile on her face. "i did not give him the credit," she declared, repeating it; "i did not give him the credit. here i was, playing an alluring game on the side, and my dear tom transforms it into a struggle for bread and butter; for of course, if the board of education goes, i lose my place." she lifted her head and stared along the avenue. a bitterness dawned in her eyes. the whole street was a living insult to her. here she was, an american girl by birth and breeding, a daughter of citizens who had fought and bled and worked for a dozen generations on this soil; yet if she stepped into this hotel to rest, even with full purse, she would be politely refused accommodation. should she attempt to go into this picture show she would be denied entrance. she was thirsty with the walk; but at yonder fountain the clerk would roughly refuse to serve her. it was lunch time; there was no place within a mile where she was allowed to eat. the revolt deepened within her. beyond these known and definite discriminations lay the unknown and hovering. in yonder store nothing hindered the clerk from being exceptionally pert; on yonder street-car the conductor might reserve his politeness for white folk; this policeman's business was to keep black and brown people in their places. all this caroline wynn thought of, and then smiled. this was the thing poor blind bles was trying to attack by "appeals" for "justice." nonsense! does one "appeal" to the red-eyed beast that throttles him? no. he composes himself, looks death in the eye, and speaks softly, on the chance. whereupon miss wynn composed herself, waved gayly at a passing acquaintance, and matched some ribbons in a department store. the clerk was new and anxious to sell. meantime her brain was busy. she had a hard task before her. alwyn's absurd conscience and quixotic ideas were difficult to cope with. after his last indiscreet talk she had ventured deftly to remonstrate, and she well remembered the conversation. "wasn't what i said true?" he had asked. "perfectly. is that an excuse for saying it?" "the facts ought to be known." "yes, but ought you to tell them?" "if not i, who?" "some one who is less useful elsewhere, and whom i like less." "carrie," he had been intensely earnest. "i want to do the best thing, but i'm puzzled. i wonder if i'm selling my birthright for six thousand dollars?" "in case of doubt, do it." "but there's the doubt: i may convert; i may open the eyes of the blind; i may start a crusade for negro rights." "don't believe it; it's useless; we'll never get our rights in this land." "you don't believe that!" he had ejaculated, shocked. well, she must begin again. as she had hoped, he was waiting for her when she reached home. she welcomed him cordially, made a little music for him, and served tea. "bles," she said, "the opposition has been laying a pretty shrewd trap for you." "what?" he asked absently. "they are going to have you chosen as high school commencement orator." "me? stuff!" "you--and not stuff, but 'education' will be your natural theme. indeed, they have so engineered it that the party chiefs expect from you a defence of their dropping of the educational bill." "what!" "yes, and probably your nomination will come before the speech and confirmation after." bles walked the floor excitedly for a while and then sat down and smiled. "it was a shrewd move," he said; "but i think i thank them for it." "i don't. but still, _"''t is the sport to see the engineer hoist by his own petar.'"_ bles mused and she watched him covertly. suddenly she leaned over. "moreover," she said, "about that same date i'm liable to lose my position as teacher." he looked at her quickly, and she explained the coming revolution in school management. he did not discuss the matter, and she was equally reticent; but when he entered the doors of his lodging-place and, gathering his mail, slowly mounted the stairs, there came the battle of his life. he knew it and he tried to wage it coolly and with method. he arrayed the arguments side by side: on this side lay success; the greatest office ever held by a negro in america--greater than douglass or bruce or lynch had held--a landmark, a living example and inspiration. a man owed the world success; there were plenty who could fail and stumble and give multiple excuses. should he be one? he viewed the other side. what must he pay for success? aye, face it boldly--what? mechanically he searched for his mail and undid the latest number of the _colored american_. he was sure the answer stood there in teerswell's biting vulgar english. and there it was, with a cartoon: his master's voice alwyn is ordered to eat his words or get out watch him do it gracefully the republican leaders, etc. he threw down his paper, and the hot blood sang in his ears. the sickening thought was that it was true. if he did make the speech demanded it would be like a dog obedient to his master's voice. the cold sweat oozed on his face; throwing up the window, he drank in the spring breeze, and stared at the city he once had thought so alluring. somehow it looked like the swamp, only less beautiful; he stretched his arms and his lips breathed--"zora!" he turned hastily to his desk and looked at the other piece of mail--a single sealed note carefully written on heavy paper. he did not recognize the handwriting. then his mind flew off again. what would they say if he failed to get the office? how they would silently hoot and jeer at the upstart who suddenly climbed so high and fell. and carrie wynn--poor carrie, with her pride and position dragged down in his ruin: how would she take it? he writhed in soul. and yet, to be a man; to say calmly, "no"; to stand in that great audience and say, "my people first and last"; to take carrie's hand and together face the world and struggle again to newer finer triumphs--all this would be very close to attainment of the ideal. he found himself staring at the little letter. would she go? would she, could she, lay aside her pride and cynicism, her dainty ways and little extravagances? an odd fancy came to him: perhaps the answer to the riddle lay sealed within the envelope he fingered. he opened it. within lay four lines of writing--no more--no address, no signature; simply the words: _"it matters now how strait the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll; i am the master of my fate, i am the captain of my soul."_ he stared at the lines. eleven o'clock--twelve--one--chimed the deep-voiced clock without, before alwyn went to bed. miss wynn had kept a vigil almost as long. she knew that bles had influential friends who had urged his preferment; it might be wise to enlist them. before she fell asleep she had determined to have a talk with mrs. vanderpool. she had learned from senator smith that the lady took special interest in alwyn. mrs. vanderpool heard miss wynn's story next day with some inward dismay. really the breadth and depth of intrigue in this city almost frightened her as she walked deeper into the mire. she had promised zora that bles should receive his reward on terms which would not wound his manhood. it seemed an easy, almost an obvious thing, to promise at the time. yet here was this rather unusual young woman asking mrs. vanderpool to use her influence in making alwyn bow to the yoke. she fenced for time. "but i do not know mr. alwyn." "i thought you did; you recommended him highly." "i knew of him slightly in the south and i have watched his career here." "it would be too bad to have that career spoiled now." "but is it necessary? suppose he should defend the education bill." "and criticise the party?" asked miss wynn. "it would take strong influence to pull him through." "and if that strong influence were found?" said mrs. vanderpool thoughtfully. "it would surely involve some other important concession to the south." mrs. vanderpool looked up, and an interjection hovered on her lips. was it possible that the price of alwyn's manhood would be her husband's appointment to paris? and if it were? "i'll do what i can," she said graciously; "but i am afraid that will not be much." miss wynn hesitated. she had not succeeded even in guessing the source of mrs. vanderpool's interest in alwyn, and without that her appeal was but blind groping. she stopped on her way to the door to admire a bronze statuette and find time to think. "you are interested in bronzes?" asked mrs. vanderpool. "oh, no; i'm far too poor. but i've dabbled a bit in sculpture." "indeed?" mrs. vanderpool revealed a mild interest, and miss wynn was compelled to depart with little enlightenment. on the way up town she concluded that there was but one chance of success: she must write alwyn's speech. with characteristic decision she began her plans at once. "what will you say in your speech?" she asked him that night as he rose to go. he looked at her and she wavered slightly under his black eyes. the fight was becoming a little too desperate even for her steady nerves. "you would not like me to act dishonestly, would you?" he asked. "no," she involuntarily replied, regretting the word the moment she had uttered it. he gave her one of his rare sweet smiles, and, rising, before she realized his intent, he had kissed her hands and was gone. she asked herself why she had been so foolish; and yet, somehow, sitting there alone in the firelight, she felt glad for once that she had risen above intrigue. then she sighed and smiled, and began to plot anew. teerswell dropped in later and brought his friend, stillings. they found their hostess gay and entertaining. miss wynn gathered books about her, and in the days of april and may she and alwyn read up on education. he marvelled at the subtlety of her mind, and she at the relentlessness of his. they were very near each other during these days, and yet there was ever something between them: a vision to him of dark and pleading eyes that he constantly saw beside her cool, keen glance. and he to her was always two men: one man above men, whom she could respect but would not marry, and one man like all men, whom she would marry but could not respect. his devotion to an ideal which she thought so utterly unpractical, aroused keen curiosity and admiration. she was sure he would fail in the end, and she wanted him to fail; and somehow, somewhere back beyond herself, her better self longed to find herself defeated; to see this mind stand firm on principle, under circumstances where she believed men never stood. deep within her she discovered at times a passionate longing to believe in somebody; yet she found herself bending every energy to pull this man down to the level of time-servers, and even as she failed, feeling something like contempt for his stubbornness. the great day came. he had her notes, her suggestions, her hints, but she had no intimation of what he would finally say. "will you come to hear me?" he asked. "no," she murmured. "that is best," he said, and then he added slowly, "i would not like you ever to despise me." she answered sharply: "i want to despise you!" did he understand? she was not sure. she was sorry she had said it; but she meant it fiercely. then he left her, for it was already four in the afternoon and he spoke at eight. in the morning she came down early, despite some dawdling over her toilet. she brought the morning paper into the dining-room and sat down with it, sipping her coffee. she leaned back and looked leisurely at the headings. there was nothing on the front page but a divorce, a revolution, and a new trust. she took another sip of her coffee, and turned the page. there it was, "colored high schools close--vicious attack on republican party by negro orator." she laid the paper aside and slowly finished her coffee. a few minutes later she went to her desk and sat there so long that she started at hearing the clock strike nine. the day passed. when she came home from school she bought an evening paper. she was not surprised to learn that the senate had rejected alwyn's nomination; that samuel stillings had been nominated and confirmed as register of the treasury, and that mr. tom teerswell was to be his assistant. also the bill reorganizing the school board had passed. she wrote two notes and posted them as she went out to walk. when she reached home stillings was there, and they talked earnestly. the bell rang violently. teerswell rushed in. "well, carrie!" he cried eagerly. "well, tom," she responded, giving him a languid hand. stillings rose and departed. teerswell nodded and said: "well, what do you think of last night?" "a great speech, i hear." "a fool speech--that speech cost him, i calculate, between twenty-four and forty-eight thousand dollars." "possibly he's satisfied with his bargain." "possibly. are you?" "with his bargain?" quickly. "yes." "no," he pressed her, "with your bargain?" "what bargain?" she parried. "to marry him." "oh, no; that's off." "is it off?" cried teerswell delightedly. "good! it was foolish from the first--that black country--" "gently," miss wynn checked him. "i'm not yet over the habit." "come. see what i've bought. you know i have a salary now." he produced a ring with a small diamond cluster. "how pretty!" she said, taking it and looking at it. then she handed it back. he laughed gayly. "it's yours, carrie. you're going to marry me." she looked at him queerly. "am i? but i've got another ring already," she said. "oh, send alwyn's back." "i have. this is still another." and uncovering her hand she showed a ring with a large and beautiful diamond. he rose. "whose is that?" he demanded apprehensively. "mine--" her eyes met his. "but who gave it to you?" "mr. stillings," was the soft reply. he stared at her helplessly. "i--i--don't understand!" he stammered. "well, to be brief, i'm engaged to mr. stillings." "what! to that flat-headed--" "no," she coolly interrupted, "to the register of the treasury." the man was too dumbfounded, too overwhelmed for coherent speech. "but--but--come; why in god's name--will you throw yourself away on--on such a--you're joking--you--" she motioned him to a chair. he obeyed like one in a trance. "now, tom, be calm. when i was a baby i loved you, but that is long ago. today, tom, you're an insufferable cad and i--well, i'm too much like you to have two of us in the same family." "but, stillings!" he burst forth, almost in tears. "the snake--what is he?" "nearly as bad as you, i'll admit; but he has four thousand a year and sense enough to keep it. in truth, i need it; for, thanks to your political activity, my own position is gone." "but he's a--a damned rascal!" wounded self-conceit was now getting the upper hand. she laughed. "i think he is. but he's such an exceptional rascal; he appeals to me. you know, tom, we're all more or less rascally--except one." "except who?" he asked quickly. "bles alwyn." "the fool!" "yes," she slowly agreed. "bles alwyn, the fool--and the man. but by grace of the negro problem, i cannot afford to marry a man--hark! some one is on the steps. i'm sure it's bles. you'd better go now. don't attempt to fight with him; he's very strong. good-night." alwyn entered. he didn't notice teerswell as he passed out. he went straight to miss wynn holding a crumpled note, and his voice faltered a little. "do you mean it?" "yes, bles." "why?" "because i am selfish and--small." "no, you are not. you want to be; but give it up, carrie; it isn't worth the cost. come, let's be honest and poor--and free." she regarded him a moment, searchingly, then a look half quizzical, half sorrowful came into her eyes. she put both her hands on his shoulders and said as she kissed his lips: "bles, almost thou persuadest me--to be a fool. now go." _thirty_ the return of zora "i never realized before just what a lie meant," said zora. the paper in mrs. vanderpool's hands fell quickly to her lap, and she gazed across the toilet-table. as she gazed that odd mirage of other days haunted her again. she did not seem to see her maid, nor the white and satin morning-room. she saw, with some long inner sight, a vast hall with mighty pillars; a smooth, marbled floor and a great throng whose silent eyes looked curiously upon her. strange carven beasts gazed on from a setting of rich, barbaric splendor and she herself--the liar--lay in rags before the gold and ivory of that lofty throne whereon sat zora. the foolish phantasy passed with the second of time that brought it, and mrs. vanderpool's eyes dropped again to her paper, to those lines,-"the president has sent the following nominations to the senate ... to be ambassador to france, john vanderpool, esq." the first feeling of triumph thrilled faintly again until the low voice of zora startled her. it was so low and calm, it came as though journeying from great distances and weary with travel. "i used to think a lie a little thing, a convenience; but now i see. it is a great no and it kills things. you remember that day when mr. easterly called?" "yes," replied mrs. vanderpool, faintly. "i heard all he said. i could not help it; my transom was open. and then, too, after he mentioned--mr. alwyn's name, i wanted to hear. i knew that his appointment would cost you the embassy--unless bles was tempted and should fall. so i came to you to say--to say you mustn't pay the price." "and i lied," said mrs. vanderpool. "i told you that he should be appointed and remain a man. i meant to make him see that he could yield without great cost. but i let you think i was giving up the embassy when i never intended to." she spoke coldly, yet zora knew. she reached out and took the white, still hands in hers, and over the lady's face again flitted that stricken look of age. "i do not blame you," said zora gently. "i blame the world." "i am the world," mrs. vanderpool uttered harshly, then suddenly laughed. but zora went on: "it bewildered me when i first read the news early this morning; the world--everything--seemed wrong. you see, my plan was all so splendid. just as i turned away from him, back to my people, i was to help him to the highest. i was so afraid he would miss it and think that right didn't win in life, that i wrote him--" "you wrote him? so did i." zora glanced at her quickly. "yes," said mrs. vanderpool. "i thought i knew him. he seemed an ordinary, rather priggish, opinionated country boy, and i wrote and said--oh, i said that the world is the world; take it as it is. you wrote differently, and he obeyed you." "no; he did not know it was i. i was just a voice from nowhere calling to him. i thought i was right. i wrote each day, sometimes twice, sending bits of verse, quotations, references, all saying the same thing: right always triumphs. but it doesn't, does it?" "no. it never does save by accident." "i do not think that is quite so," zora pondered aloud, "and i am a little puzzled. i do not belong in this world where right and wrong get so mixed. with us yonder there is wrong, but we call it wrong--mostly. oh, i don't know; even there things are mixed." she looked sadly at mrs. vanderpool, and the fear that had been hovering behind her mistress's eyes became visible. "it was so beautiful," said zora. "i expected a great thing of you--a sacrifice. i do not blame you because you could not do it; and yet--yet, after this,--don't you see?--i cannot stay here." mrs. vanderpool arose and walked over to her. she stood above her, in her silken morning-gown, her brown and gray sprinkled hair rising above the pale, strong-lined face. "zora," she faltered, "will you leave me?" zora answered, "yes." it was a soft "yes," a "yes" full of pity and regret, but a "yes" that mrs. vanderpool knew in her soul to be final. she sat down again on the lounge and her fingers crept along the cushions. "ambassadorships come--high," she said with a catch in her voice. then after a pause: "when will you go, zora?" "when you leave for the summer." mrs. vanderpool looked out upon the beautiful city. she was a little surprised at herself. she had found herself willing to sacrifice almost anything for zora. no living soul had ever raised in her so deep an affection, and yet she knew now that, although the cost was great, she was willing to sacrifice zora for paris. after all, it was not too late; a rapid ride even now might secure high office for alwyn and make cresswell ambassador. it would be difficult but possible. but she had not the slightest inclination to attempt it, and she said aloud, half mockingly: "you are right, zora. i promised--and--i lied. liars have no place in heaven and heaven is doubtless a beautiful place--but oh, zora! you haven't seen paris!" two months later they parted simply, knowing well it was forever. mrs. vanderpool wrote a check. "use this in your work," she said. "miss smith asked for it long ago. it is--my campaign contribution." zora smiled and thanked her. as she put the sealed envelope in her trunk her hand came in contact with a long untouched package. zora took it out silently and opened it and the beauty of it lightened the room. "it is the silver fleece," said zora, and mrs. vanderpool kissed her and went. zora walked alone to the vaulted station. she did not try to buy a pullman ticket, although the journey was thirty-six hours. she knew it would be difficult if not impossible and she preferred to share the lot of her people. once on the foremost car, she leaned back and looked. the car seemed clean and comfortable but strangely short. then she realized that half of it was cut off for the white smokers and as the door swung whiffs of the smoke came in. but she was content for she was almost alone. it was eighteen little months ago that she had ridden up to the world with widening eyes. in that time what had happened? everything. how well she remembered her coming, the first reflection of yonder gilded dome and the soaring of the capitol; the swelling of her heart, with inarticulate wonder; the pain of the thirst to know and understand. she did not know much now but she had learned how to find things out. she did not understand all, but some things she-"ticket"--the tone was harsh and abrupt. zora started. she had always noted how polite conductors were to her and mrs. vanderpool--was it simply because mrs. vanderpool was evidently a great and rich lady? she held up her ticket and he snatched it from her muttering some direction. "i beg your pardon?" she said. "change at charlotte," he snapped as he went on. it seemed to zora that his discourtesy was almost forced: that he was afraid he might be betrayed into some show of consideration for a black woman. she felt no anger, she simply wondered what he feared. the increasing smell of tobacco smoke started her coughing. she turned. to be sure. not only was the door to the smoker standing open, but a white passenger was in her car, sitting by the conductor and puffing heartily. as the black porter passed her she said gently: "is smoking allowed in here?" "it ain't non o' my business," he flung back at her and moved away. all day white men passed back and forward through the car as through a thoroughfare. they talked loudly and laughed and joked, and if they did not smoke they carried their lighted cigars. at her they stared and made comments, and one of them came and lounged almost over her seat, inquiring where she was going. she did not reply; she neither looked nor stirred, but kept whispering to herself with something like awe: "this is what they must endure--my poor people!" at lynchburg a newsboy boarded the train with his wares. the conductor had already appropriated two seats for himself, and the newsboy routed out two colored passengers, and usurped two other seats. then he began to be especially annoying. he joked and wrestled with the porter, and on every occasion pushed his wares at zora, insisting on her buying. "ain't you got no money?" he asked. "where you going?" "say," he whispered another time, "don't you want to buy these gold spectacles? i found 'em and i dassen't sell 'em open, see? they're worth ten dollars--take 'em for a dollar." zora sat still, keeping her eyes on the window; but her hands worked nervously, and when he threw a book with a picture of a man and half-dressed woman directly under her eyes, she took it and dropped it out the window. the boy started to storm and demanded pay, while the conductor glared at her; but a white man in the conductor's seat whispered something, and the row suddenly stopped. a gang of colored section hands got on, dirty and loud. they sprawled about and smoked, drank, and bought candy and cheap gewgaws. they eyed her respectfully, and with one of them she talked a little as he awkwardly fingered his cap. as the day wore on zora found herself strangely weary. it was not simply the unpleasant things that kept happening, but the continued apprehension of unknown possibilities. then, too, she began to realize that she had had nothing to eat. travelling with mrs. vanderpool there was always a dainty lunch to be had at call. she did not expect this, but she asked the porter: "do you know where i can get a lunch?" "search me," he answered, lounging into a seat. "ain't no chance betwixt here and danville as i knows on." zora viewed her plight with a certain dismay--twelve hours without food! how foolish of her not to have thought of this. the hours passed. she turned desperately to the gruff conductor. "could i buy a lunch from the dining-car?" she inquired. "no," was the curt reply. she made herself as comfortable as she could, and tried to put the matter from her mind. she remembered how, forgotten years ago, she had often gone a day without eating and thought little of it. night came slowly, and she fell to dreaming until the cry came, "charlotte! change cars!" she scrambled out. there was no step to the platform, her bag was heavy, and the porter was busy helping the white folks to alight. she saw a dingy lunchroom marked "colored," but she had no time to go to it for her train was ready. there was another colored porter on this, and he was very polite and affable. "yes, miss; certainly i'll fetch you a lunch--plenty of time." and he did. it did not look clean but zora was ravenous. the white smoker now had few occupants, but the white train crew proceeded to use the colored coach as a lounging-room and sleeping-car. there was no passenger except zora. they took off their coats, stretched themselves on the seats, and exchanged jokes; but zora was too tired to notice much, and she was dozing wearily when she felt a touch on the arm and found the porter in the seat beside her with his arm thrown familiarly behind her along the top of the back. she rose abruptly to her feet and he started up. "i beg pardon," he said, grinning. zora sat slowly down as he got up and left. she determined to sleep no more. yet a vast vision sank on her weary spirit--the vision of a dark cloud that dropped and dropped upon her, and lay as lead along her straining shoulders. she must lift it, she knew, though it were big as a world, and she put her strength to it and groaned as the porter cried in the ghostly morning light: "atlanta! all change!" away yonder at the school near toomsville, miss smith sat waiting for the coming of zora, absently attending the duties of the office. dark little heads and hands bobbed by and soft voices called: "miss smith, i wants a penny pencil." "miss smith, is yo' got a speller fo' ten cents?" "miss smith, mammy say please lemme come to school this week and she'll sho' pay sata'day." yet the little voices that summoned her back to earth were less clamorous than in other years, for the school was far from full, and miss smith observed the falling off with grave eyes. this condition was patently the result of the cotton corner and the subsequent manipulation. when cotton rose, the tenants had already sold their cotton; when cotton fell the landlords squeezed the rations and lowered the wages. when cotton rose again, up went the new spring rent contracts. so it was that the bewildered black serf dawdled in listless inability to understand. the cresswells in their new wealth, the maxwells and tollivers in the new pinch of poverty, stretched long arms to gather in the tenants and their children. excuse after excuse came to the school. "i can't send the chilluns dis term, miss smith; dey has to work." "mr. cresswell won't allow will to go to school this term." "mr. tolliver done put sam in the field." and so miss smith contemplated many empty desks. slowly a sort of fatal inaction seized her. the school went on; daily the dark little cloud of scholars rose up from hill and vale and settled in the white buildings; the hum of voices and the busy movements of industrious teachers filled the day; the office work went on methodically; but back of it all miss smith sat half hopeless. it cost five thousand a year to run the school, and this sum she raised with increasingly greater difficulty. extra and heart-straining effort had been needed to raise the eight hundred dollars additional for interest money on the mortgage last year. next year it might have to come out of the regular income and thus cut off two teachers. beyond all this the raising of ten thousand dollars to satisfy the mortgage seemed simply impossible, and miss smith sat in fatal resignation, awaiting the coming day. "it's the lord's work. i've done what i could. i guess if he wants it to go on, he'll find a way. and if he doesn't--" she looked off across the swamp and was silent. then came zora's letter, simple and brief, but breathing youth and strength of purpose. miss smith seized upon it as an omen of salvation. in vain her shrewd new england reason asked: "what can a half-taught black girl do in this wilderness?" her heart answered back: "what is impossible to youth and resolution?" let the shabbiness increase; let the debts pile up; let the boarders complain and the teachers gossip--zora was coming. and somehow she and zora would find a way. and zora came just as the sun threw its last crimson through the black swamp; came and gathered the frail and white-haired woman in her arms; and they wept together. long and low they talked, far into the soft southern night; sitting shaded beneath the stars, while nearby blinked the drowsy lights of the girls' dormitory. at last miss smith said, rising stiffly: "i forgot to ask about mrs. vanderpool. how is she, and where?" zora murmured some answer; but as she went to bed in her little white room she sat wondering sadly. where was the poor spoiled woman? who was putting her to bed and smoothing the pillow? who was caring for her, and what was she doing? and zora strained her eyes northward through the night. at this moment, mrs. vanderpool, rising from a gala dinner in the brilliant drawing-room of her lake george mansion, was reading the evening paper which her husband had put into her hands. with startled eyes she caught the impudent headlines: vanderpool dropped senate refuses to confirm todd insurgents muster enough votes to defeat confirmation of president's nominee rumored revenge for machine's defeat of child labor bill amendment. the paper trembled in her jewelled hands. she glanced down the column. "todd asks: who is vanderpool, anyhow? what did he ever do? he is known only as a selfish millionaire who thinks more of horses than of men." carelessly mrs. vanderpool threw the paper to the floor and bit her lips as the angry blood dyed her face. "they _shall_ confirm him," she whispered, "if i have to mortgage my immortal soul!" and she rang up long distance on the telephone. _thirty-one_ a parting of ways "was the child born dead?" "worse than dead!" somehow, somewhere, mary cresswell had heard these words; long, long, ago, down there in the great pain-swept shadows of utter agony, where earth seemed slipping its moorings; and now, today, she lay repeating them mechanically, grasping vaguely at their meaning. long she had wrestled with them as they twisted and turned and knotted themselves, and she worked and toiled so hard as she lay there to make the thing clear--to understand. "was the child born dead?" "worse than dead!" then faint and fainter whisperings: what could be worse than death? she had tried to ask the grey old doctor, but he soothed her like a child each day and left her lying there. today she was stronger, and for the first time sitting up, looking listlessly out across the world--a queer world. why had they not let her see the child--just one look at its little dead face? that would have been something. and again, as the doctor cheerily turned to go, she sought to repeat the old question. he looked at her sharply, then interrupted, saying kindly: "there, now; you've been dreaming. you must rest quietly now." and with a nod he passed into the other room to talk with her husband. she was not satisfied. she had not been dreaming. she would tell harry to ask him--she did not often see her husband, but she must ask him now and she arose unsteadily and swayed noiselessly across the floor. a moment she leaned against the door, then opened it slightly. from the other side the words came distinctly and clearly: "--other children, doctor?" "you must have no other children, mr. cresswell." "why?" "because the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generation." slowly, softly, she crept away. her mind seemed very clear. and she began a long journey to reach her window and chair--a long, long journey; but at last she sank into the chair again and sat dry-eyed, wondering who had conceived this world and made it, and why. a long time afterward she found herself lying in bed, awake, conscious, clear-minded. yet she thought as little as possible, for that was pain; but she listened gladly, for without she heard the solemn beating of the sea, the mighty rhythmic beating of the sea. long days she lay, and sat and walked beside those vast and speaking waters, till at last she knew their voice and they spoke to her and the sea-calm soothed her soul. for one brief moment of her life she saw herself clearly: a well-meaning woman, ambitious, but curiously narrow; not willing to work long for the vision, but leaping at it rashly, blindly, with a deep-seated sense of duty which she made a source of offence by preening and parading it, and forcing it to ill-timed notice. she saw that she had looked on her husband as a means not an end. she had wished to absorb him and his work for her own glory. she had idealized for her own uses a very human man whose life had been full of sin and fault. she must atone. no sooner, in this brief moment, did she see herself honestly than her old habits swept her on tumultuously. no ordinary atonement would do. the sacrifice must be vast; the world must stand in wonder before this clever woman sinking her soul in another and raising him by sheer will to the highest. so after six endless months mary cresswell walked into her washington home again. she knew she had changed in appearance, but she had forgotten to note how much until she saw the stare--almost the recoil--of her husband, the muttered exclamation, the studied, almost overdone welcome. then she went up to her mirror and looked long, and knew. she was strong; she felt well; but she was slight, almost scrawny, and her beauty was gone forever. it had been of that blonde white-and-pink type that fades in a flash, and its going left her body flattened and angular, her skin drawn and dead white, her eyes sunken. from the radiant girl whom cresswell had met three years earlier the change was startling, and yet the contrast seemed even greater than it was, for her glory then had been her abundant and almost golden hair. now that hair was faded, and falling so fast that at last the doctor advised her to cut it short. this left her ill-shaped head exposed and emphasized the sunken hollows of her face. she knew that she was changed but she did not quite realize how changed, until now as she stood and gazed. yet she did not hesitate but from that moment set herself to her new life task. characteristically, she started dramatically and largely. she was to make her life an endless sacrifice; she was to revivify the manhood in harry cresswell, and all this for no return, no partnership of soul--all was to be complete sacrifice and sinking soul in soul. if mary cresswell had attempted less she would have accomplished more. as it was, she began well; she went to work tactfully, seeming to note no change in his manner toward her; but his manner had changed. he was studiously, scrupulously polite in private, and in public devoted; but there was no feeling, no passion, no love. the polished shell of his clan reflected conventional light even more carefully than formerly because the shell was cold and empty. there were no little flashes of anger now, no poutings nor sweet reconciliations. life ran very smoothly and courteously; and while she did not try to regain the affection, she strove to enthrall his intellect. she supplied a sub-committee upon which he was serving--not directly, but through him--with figures, with reports, books, and papers, so that he received special commendations; a praise that piqued as well as pleased him, because it implied a certain surprise that he was able to do it. "the damned yankees!" he sneered. "they think they've got the brains of the nation." "why not make a speech on the subject?" she suggested. he laughed. the matter under discussion was the cotton-goods schedule of the new tariff bill, about which really he knew a little; his wife placed every temptation to knowledge before him, even inspiring senator smith to ask him to defend that schedule against the low-tariff advocate. mary cresswell worked with redoubled energy, and for nearly a week harry staid at home nights and studied. thanks to his wife the speech was unusually informing and well put, and the fact that a prominent free-trader spoke the same afternoon gave it publicity, while mr. easterly saw to the press despatches. cresswell subscribed to a clipping-bureau and tasted the sweets of dawning notoriety, and mrs. cresswell arranged a select dinner-party which included a cabinet officer, a foreign ambassador, two millionaires, and the leading southern congressmen. the talk came around to the failure of the senate to confirm mr. vanderpool, and it was generally assumed that the president would not force the issue. who, then, should be nominated? there were several suggestions, but the knot of southern congressmen about mrs. cresswell declared emphatically that it must be a southerner. not since the war had a prominent southerner represented america at a first-class foreign court; it was shameful; the time was ripe for change. but who? here opinions differed widely. nearly every one mentioned a candidate, and those who did not seemed to refrain from motives of personal modesty. mary cresswell sped her departing guests with a distinct purpose in mind. she must make herself leader of the southern set in washington and concentrate its whole force on the appointment of harry cresswell as ambassador to france. quick reward and promotion were essential to harry's success. he was not one to keep up the strain of effort a long time. unless, then, tangible results came and came quickly, he was liable to relapse into old habits. therefore he must succeed and succeed at once. she would have preferred a less ornamental position than the ambassadorship, but there were no other openings. the alabama senators were firmly seated for at least four years and the governorship had been carefully arranged for. a term of four years abroad, however, might bring harry cresswell back in time for greater advancement. at any rate, it was the only tangible offering, and mary cresswell silently determined to work for it. here it was that she made her mistake. it was one thing for her to be a tactful hostess, pleasing her husband and his guests; it was another for her to aim openly at social leadership and political influence. she had at first all the insignia of success. her dinners became of real political significance and her husband figured more and more as a leading southerner. the result was two-fold. cresswell, on the one hand, with his usual selfishness, took his rising popularity as a matter of course and as the fruits of his own work; he was rising, he was making valuable speeches, he was becoming a social power, and his only handicap was his plain and over-ambitious wife. but on the other hand mrs. cresswell forgot two pitfalls: the cleft between the old southern aristocracy and the pushing new southerners; and above all, her own northern birth and presumably pro-negro sympathies. what mrs. cresswell forgot mrs. vanderpool sensed unerringly. she had heard with uneasiness of cresswell's renewed candidacy for the paris ambassadorship, and she set herself to block it. she had worked hard. the president stood ready to send her husband's appointment again to the senate whenever easterly could assure him of favorable action. easterly had long and satisfactory interviews with several senators, while the todd insurgents were losing heart at the prospect of choosing between vanderpool and cresswell. at present four southern votes were needed to confirm vanderpool; but if they could not be had, easterly declared it would be good politics to nominate cresswell and give him republican support. manifestly, then, mrs. vanderpool's task was to discredit the cresswells with the southerners. it was not a work to her liking, but the die was cast and she refused to contemplate defeat. the result was that while mrs. cresswell was giving large and brilliant parties to the whole southern contingent, mrs. vanderpool was engineering exclusive dinners where old new york met stately charleston and gossiped interestingly. on such occasions it was hinted not once, but many times, that the cresswells were well enough, but who was that upstart wife who presumed to take social precedence? it was not, however, until mrs. cresswell's plan for an all-southern art exhibit in washington that mrs. vanderpool, in a flash of inspiration, saw her chance. in the annual exhibit of the corcoran art gallery, a southern girl had nearly won first prize over a western man. the concensus of southern opinion was that the judgment had been unfair, and mrs. cresswell was convinced of this. with quick intuition she suggested a southern exhibit with such social prestige back of it as to impress the country. the proposal caught the imagination of the southern set. none suspected a possible intrusion of the eternal race issue for no negroes were allowed in the corcoran exhibit or school. this mrs. vanderpool easily ascertained and a certain sense of justice combined in a curious way with her political intrigue to bring about the undoing of mary cresswell. mrs. vanderpool's very first cautious inquiries by way of the back stairs brought gratifying response--for did not all black washington know well of the work in sculpture done by mrs. samuel stillings, _nee_ wynn? mrs. vanderpool remembered mrs. stillings perfectly, and she walked, that evening, through unobtrusive thoroughfares and called on mrs. stillings. had mrs. stillings heard of the new art movement? did she intend to exhibit? mrs. stillings did not intend to exhibit as she was sure she would not be welcome. she had had a bust accepted by the corcoran art gallery once, and when they found she was colored they returned it. but if she were especially invited? that would make a difference, although even then the line would be drawn somehow. "would it not be worth a fight?" suggested mrs. vanderpool with a little heightening of color in her pale cheek. "perhaps," said mrs. stillings, as she brought out some specimens of her work. mrs. vanderpool was both ashamed and grateful. with money and leisure mrs. stillings had been able to get in new york and boston the training she had been denied in washington on account of her color. the things she exhibited really had merit and one curiously original group appealed to mrs. vanderpool tremendously. "send it," she counseled with strangely contradictory feelings of enthusiasm, and added: "enter it under the name of wynn." in addition to the general invitations to the art exhibit numbers of special ones were issued to promising southern amateurs who had never exhibited. for these a prize of a long-term scholarship and other smaller prizes were offered. when mrs. vanderpool suggested the name of "miss wynn" to mrs. cresswell among a dozen others, for special invitation, there was nothing in its sound to distinguish it from the rest of the names, and the invitation went duly. as a result there came to the exhibit a little group called "the outcasts," which was really a masterly thing and sent the director, signor alberni, into hysterical commendation. in the private view and award of prizes which preceded the larger social function the jury hesitated long between "the outcasts" and a painting from georgia. mrs. cresswell was enthusiastic and voluble for the bit of sculpture, and it finally won the vote for the first prize. all was ready for the great day. the president was coming and most of the diplomatic corps, high officers of the army, and all the social leaders. congress would be well represented, and the boom for cresswell as ambassador to france was almost visible in the air. mary cresswell paused a moment in triumph looking back at the darkened hall, when a little woman fluttered up to her and whispered: "mrs. cresswell, have you heard the gossip?" "no--what?" "that wynn woman they say is a nigger. some are whispering that you brought her in purposely to force social equality. they say you used to teach darkies. of course, i don't believe all their talk, but i thought you ought to know." she talked a while longer, then fluttered furtively away. mrs. cresswell sat down limply. she saw ruin ahead--to think of a black girl taking a prize at an all-southern art exhibit! but there was still a chance, and she leaped to action. this colored woman was doubtless some poor deserving creature. she would call on her immediately, and by an offer of abundant help induce her to withdraw quietly. entering her motor, she drove near the address and then proceeded on foot. the street was a prominent one, the block one of the best, the house almost pretentious. she glanced at her memorandum again to see if she was mistaken. perhaps the woman was a domestic; probably she was, for the name on the door was stillings. it occurred to her that she had heard that name before--but where? she looked again at her memorandum and at the house. she rang the bell, asking the trim black maid: "is there a person named caroline wynn living in this house?" the girl smiled and hesitated. "yes, ma'am," she finally replied. "won't you come in?" she was shown into the parlor, where she sat down. the room was most interesting, furnished in unimpeachable taste. a few good pictures were on the walls, and mrs. cresswell was examining one when she heard the swish of silken skirts. a lady with gold brown face and straight hair stood before her with pleasant smile. where had mrs. cresswell seen her before? she tried to remember, but could not. "you wished to see--caroline wynn?" "yes." "what can i do for you?" mrs. cresswell groped for her proper cue, but the brown lady merely offered a chair and sat down silently. mrs. cresswell's perplexity increased. she had been planning to descend graciously but authoritatively upon some shrinking girl, but this woman not only seemed to assume equality but actually looked it. from a rapid survey, mrs. cresswell saw a black silk stocking, a bit of lace, a tailor-made gown, and a head with two full black eyes that waited in calmly polite expectancy. something had to be said. "i--er--came; that is, i believe you sent a group to the art exhibit?" "yes." "it was good--very good." miss wynn said nothing, but sat calmly looking at her visitor. mrs. cresswell felt irritated. "of course," she managed to continue, "we are very sorry that we cannot receive it." "indeed? i understood it had taken the first prize." mrs. cresswell was aghast. who had rushed the news to this woman? she realized that there were depths to this matter that she did not understand and her irritation increased. "you know that we could not give the prize to a--negro." "why not?" "that is quite immaterial. social equality cannot be forced. at the same time i recognize the injustice, and i have come to say that if you will withdraw your exhibit you will be given a scholarship in a boston school." "i do not wish it." "well, what do you want?" "i was not aware that i had asked for anything." mrs. cresswell felt herself getting angry. "why did you send your exhibit when you knew it was not wanted?" "because you asked me to." "we did not ask for colored people." "you asked all southern-born persons. i am a person and i am southern born. moreover, you sent me a personal letter." mrs. cresswell was sure that this was a lie and was thoroughly incensed. "you cannot have the prize," she almost snapped. "if you will withdraw i will pay you any reasonable sum." "thank you. i do not want money; i want justice." mrs. cresswell arose and her face was white. "that is the trouble with you negroes: you wish to get above your places and force yourselves where you are not wanted. it does no good, it only makes trouble and enemies." mrs. cresswell stopped, for the colored woman had gone quietly out of the room and in a moment the maid entered and stood ready. mrs. cresswell walked slowly to the door and stepped out. then she turned. "what does miss wynn do for a living?" the girl tittered. "she used to teach school but she don't do nothing now. she's just married; her husband is mr. stillings, register of the treasury." mrs. cresswell saw light as she turned to go down the steps. there was but one resource--she must keep the matter out of the newspapers, and see stillings, whom she now remembered well. "i beg pardon, does the miss wynn live here who got the prize in the art exhibition?" mrs. cresswell turned in amazement. it was evidently a reporter, and the maid was admitting him. the news would reach the papers and be blazoned to-morrow. slowly she caught her motor and fell wearily back on its cushions. "where to, madame?" asked the chauffeur. "i don't care," returned madame; so the chauffeur took her home. she walked slowly up the stairs. all her carefully laid plans seemed about to be thwarted and her castles were leaning toward ruin. yet all was not lost, if her husband continued to believe in her. if, as she feared, he should suspect her on account of this negro woman, and quarrel with her-but he must not. this very night, before the morning papers came out, she must explain. he must see; he must appreciate her efforts. she rushed into her dressing-room and called her maid. contrary to her puritan notions, she frankly sought to beautify herself. she remembered that it was the anniversary of her coming to this house. she got out her wedding-dress, and although it hung loosely, the maid draped the silver fleece beautifully about her. she heard her husband enter and come up-stairs. quickly finishing her toilet, she hurried down to arrange the flowers, for they were alone that night. the telephone rang. she knew it would ring up-stairs in his room, but she usually answered it for he disliked to. she raised the receiver and started to speak when she realized that she had broken into the midst of a conversation. "--committee won't meet tonight, harry." "so? all right. anything on?" "yes--big spree at nell's. will you go?" "sure thing; you know me! what time?" "meet us at the willard by nine. s'long." "good-bye." she slowly, half guiltily, replaced the receiver. she had not meant to listen, but now to her desperate longing to keep him home was added a new motive. where was "nell's"? what was "nell's"? what was--and there was fear in her heart. at dinner she tried all her powers on him. she had his favorite dishes; she mixed his salad and selected his wine; she talked interestingly, and listened sympathetically, to him. he looked at her with more attention. her cheeks were more brilliant, for she had touched them with rouge. her eyes flashed; but he glanced furtively at her short hair. she saw the act; but still she strove until he was content and laughing; then coming round back of his chair, she placed her arms about his neck. "harry, will you do me a favor?" "why, yes--if--" "it is something i want very, very much." "well, all right, if--" "harry, i feel a little--hysterical, tonight, and--you will not refuse me, will you, harry?" standing there, she saw the tableau in her own mind, and it looked strange. she was afraid of herself. she knew that she would do something foolish if she did not win this battle. she felt that overpowering fanaticism back within her raging restlessly. if she was not careful-"but what is it you want?" asked her husband. "i don't want you to go out tonight." he laughed awkwardly. "nonsense, girl! the sub-committee on the cotton schedule meets tonight--very important; otherwise--" she shuddered at the smooth lie and clasped him closer, putting her cheek to his. "harry," she pleaded, "just this once--for me." he disengaged himself, half impatiently, and rose, glancing at the clock. it was nearly nine. a feeling of desperation came over her. "harry," she asked again as he slipped on his coat. "don't be foolish," he growled. "just this once--harry--i--" but the door banged to, and he was gone. she stood looking at the closed door a moment. something in her head was ready to snap. she went to the rack and taking his long heavy overcoat slipped it on. it nearly touched the floor. she seized a soft broad-brimmed hat and umbrella and walked out. just what she meant to do she did not know, but somehow she must save her husband and herself from evil. she hurried to the willard hotel and watched, walking up and down the opposite sidewalk. a woman brushed by her and looked her in the face. "hell! i thought you was a man," she said. "is this a new gag?" mrs. cresswell looked down at herself involuntarily and smiled wanly. she did look like a man, with her hat and coat and short hair. the woman peered at her doubtingly. she was, as mrs. cresswell noticed, a young woman, once pretty, perhaps, and a little over-dressed. "are you walking?" she asked. "what do you mean?" asked mrs. cresswell, and then in a moment it flashed upon her. she took the woman's arm and walked with her. suddenly she stopped. "where's--nell's?" the woman frowned. "oh, that's a swell place," she said. "senators and millionaires. too high for us to fly." mrs. cresswell winced. "but where is it?" she asked. "we'll walk by it if you want to." and mary cresswell walked in another world. up from the ground of the drowsy city rose pale gray forms; pale, flushed, and brilliant, in silken rags. up and down they passed, to and fro, looking and gliding like sheeted ghosts; now dodging policemen, now accosting them familiarly. "hello, elise," growled one big blue-coat. "hello, jack." "what's this?" and he peered at mrs. cresswell, who shrank back. "friend of mine. all right." a horror crept over mary cresswell: where had she lived that she had seen so little before? what was washington, and what was this fine, tall, quiet residence? was this--"nell's"? "yes, this is it--good-bye--i must--" "wait--what is your name?" "i haven't any name," answered the woman suspiciously. "well--pardon me! here!" and she thrust a bill into the woman's hand. the girl stared. "well, you're a queer one! thanks. guess i'll turn in." mary cresswell turned to see her husband and his companions ascending the steps of the quiet mansion. she stood uncertainly and looked at the opening and closing door. then a policeman came by and looked at her. "come, move on," he brusquely ordered. her vacillation promptly vanished, and she resolutely mounted the steps. she put out her hand to ring, but the door flew silently open and a man-servant stood looking at her. "i have some friends here," she said, speaking coarsely. "you will have to be introduced," said the man. she hesitated and started to turn away. thrusting her hand in her pocket it closed upon her husband's card-case. she presented a card. it worked a rapid transformation in the servant's manner, which did not escape her. "come in," he invited her. she did not stop at the outstretched arm of the cloakman, but glided quickly up the stairs toward a vision of handsome women and strains of music. harry cresswell was sitting opposite and bending over an impudent blue-and-blonde beauty. mary slipped straight across to him and leaned across the table. the hat fell off, but she let it go. "harry!" she tried to say as he looked up. then the table swayed gently to and fro; the room bowed and whirled about; the voices grew fainter and fainter--all the world receded suddenly far away. she extended her hands languidly, then, feeling so utterly tired, let her eyelids drop and fell asleep. she awoke with a start, in her own bed. she was physically exhausted but her mind was clear. she must go down and meet him at breakfast and talk frankly with him. she would let bygones be bygones. she would explain that she had followed him to save him, not to betray him. she would point out the greater career before him if only he would be a man; she would show him that they had not failed. for herself she asked nothing, only his word, his confidence, his promise to try. after his first start of surprise at seeing her at the table, cresswell uttered nothing immediately save the commonplaces of greeting. he mentioned one or two bits of news from the paper, upon which she commented while dawdling over her egg. when the servant went out and closed the door, she paused a moment considering whether to open by appeal or explanation. his smooth tones startled her: "of course, after your art exhibit and the scene of last night, mary, it will be impossible for us to live longer together." she stared at him, utterly aghast--voiceless and numb. "i have seen the crisis approaching for some time, and the negro business settles it," he continued. "i have now decided to send you to my home in alabama, to my father or your brother. i am sure you will be happier there." he rose. bowing courteously, he waited, coldly and calmly, for her to go. all at once she hated him and hated his aristocratic repression; this cold calm that hid hell and its fires. she looked at him, wide-eyed, and said in a voice hoarse with horror and loathing: "you brute! you nasty brute!" _thirty-two_ zora's way zora was looking on her world with the keener vision of one who, blind from very seeing, closes the eyes a space and looks again with wider clearer vision. out of a nebulous cloudland she seemed to step; a land where all things floated in strange confusion, but where one thing stood steadfast, and that was love. when love was shaken all things moved, but now, at last, for the first time she seemed to know the real and mighty world that stood behind that old and shaken dream. so she looked on the world about her with new eyes. these men and women of her childhood had hitherto walked by her like shadows; today they lived for her in flesh and blood. she saw hundreds and thousands of black men and women: crushed, half-spirited, and blind. she saw how high and clear a light sarah smith, for thirty years and more, had carried before them. she saw, too, how that the light had not simply shone in darkness, but had lighted answering beacons here and there in these dull souls. there were thoughts and vague stirrings of unrest in this mass of black folk. they talked long about their firesides, and here zora began to sit and listen, often speaking a word herself. all through the countryside she flitted, till gradually the black folk came to know her and, in silent deference to some subtle difference, they gave her the title of white folk, calling her "miss" zora. today, more than ever before, zora sensed the vast unorganized power in this mass, and her mind was leaping here and there, scheming and testing, when voices arrested her. it was a desolate bit of the cresswell manor, a tiny cabin, new-boarded and bare, in front of it a blazing bonfire. a white man was tossing into the flames different household articles--a feather bed, a bedstead, two rickety chairs. a young, boyish fellow, golden-faced and curly, stood with clenched fists, while a woman with tear-stained eyes clung to him. the white man raised a cradle to dash it into the flames; the woman cried, and the yellow man raised his arm threateningly. but zora's hand was on his shoulder. "what's the matter, rob?" she asked. "they're selling us out," he muttered savagely. "millie's been sick since the last baby died, and i had to neglect my crop to tend her and the other little ones--i didn't make much. they've took my mule, now they're burning my things to make me sign a contract and be a slave. but by--" "there, rob, let millie come with me--we'll see miss smith. we must get land to rent and arrange somehow." the mother sobbed, "the cradle--was baby's!" with an oath the white man dashed the cradle into the fire, and the red flame spurted aloft. the crimson fire flashed in zora's eyes as she passed the overseer. "well, nigger, what are you going to do about it?" he growled insolently. zora's eyelids drooped, her upper lip quivered. "nothing," she answered softly. "but i hope your soul will burn in hell forever and forever." they proceeded down the plantation road, but zora could not speak. she pushed them slowly on, and turned aside to let the anger, the impotent, futile anger, rage itself out. alone in the great broad spaces, she knew she could fight it down, and come back again, cool and in calm and deadly earnest, to lead these children to the light. the sorrow in her heart was new and strange; not sorrow for herself, for of that she had tasted the uttermost; but the vast vicarious suffering for the evil of the world. the tumult and war within her fled, and a sense of helplessness sent the hot tears streaming down her cheeks. she longed for rest; but the last plantation was yet to be passed. far off she heard the yodle of the gangs of peons. she hesitated, looking for some way of escape: if she passed them she would see something--she always saw something--that would send the red blood whirling madly. "here, you!--loafing again, damn you!" she saw the black whip writhe and curl across the shoulders of the plough-boy. the boy crouched and snarled, and again the whip hissed and cracked. zora stood rigid and gray. "my god!" her silent soul was shrieking within, "why doesn't the coward--" and then the "coward" did. the whip was whirring in the air again; but it never fell. a jagged stone in the boy's hand struck true, and the overseer plunged with a grunt into the black furrow. in blank dismay, zora came back to her senses. "poor child!" she gasped, as she saw the boy flying in wild terror over the fields, with hue and cry behind him. "poor child!--running to the penitentiary--to shame and hunger and damnation!" she remembered the rector in mrs. vanderpool's library, and his question that revealed unfathomable depths of ignorance: "really, now, how do you account for the distressing increase in crime among your people?" she swung into the great road trembling with the woe of the world in her eyes. cruelty, poverty, and crime she had looked in the face that morning, and the hurt of it held her heart pinched and quivering. a moment the mists in her eyes shut out the shadows of the swamp, and the roaring in her ears made a silence of the world. before she found herself again she dimly saw a couple sauntering along the road, but she hardly noticed their white faces until the little voice of the girl, raised timidly, greeted her. "howdy, zora." zora looked. the girl was emma, and beside her, smiling, stood a half-grown white man. it was emma, bertie's child; and yet it was not, for in the child of other days zora saw for the first time the dawning woman. and she saw, too, the white man. suddenly the horror of the swamp was upon her. she swept between the couple like a gust, gripping the child's arm till she paled and almost whimpered. "i--i was just going on an errand for miss smith!" she cried. looking down into her soul, zora discerned its innocence and the fright shining in the child's eyes. her own eyes softened, her grip became a caress, but her heart was hard. the young man laughed awkwardly and strolled away. zora looked back at him and the paramount mission of her life formed itself in her mind. she would protect this girl; she would protect all black girls. she would make it possible for these poor beasts of burden to be decent in their toil. out of protection of womanhood as the central thought, she must build ramparts against cruelty, poverty, and crime. all this in turn--but now and first, the innocent girlhood of this daughter of shame must be rescued from the devil. it was her duty, her heritage. she must offer this unsullied soul up unto god in mighty atonement--but how? here now was no protection. already lustful eyes were in wait, and the child was too ignorant to protect herself. she must be sent to boarding-school, somewhere far away; but the money? god! it was money, money, always money. then she stopped suddenly, thrilled with the recollection of mrs. vanderpool's check. she dismissed the girl with a kiss, and stood still a moment considering. money to send emma off to school; money to buy a school farm; money to "buy" tenants to live on it; money to furnish them rations; money-she went straight to miss smith. "miss smith, how much money have you?" miss smith's hand trembled a bit. ah, that splendid strength of young womanhood--if only she herself had it! but perhaps zora was the chosen one. she reached up and took down a well-worn book. "zora," she said slowly, "i've been going to tell you ever since you came, but i hadn't the courage. zora," miss smith hesitated and gripped the book with thin white fingers, "i'm afraid--i almost know that this school is doomed." there lay a silence in the room while the two women stared into each other's souls with startled eyes. swallowing hard, miss smith spoke. "when i thought the endowment sure, i mortgaged the school in order to buy tolliver's land. the endowment failed, as you know, because--perhaps i was too stubborn." but zora's eyes snapped "no!" and miss smith continued: "i borrowed ten thousand dollars. then i tried to get the land, but tolliver kept putting me off, and finally i learned that colonel cresswell had bought it. it seems that tolliver got caught tight in the cotton corner, and that cresswell, through john taylor, offered him twice what he had agreed to sell to me for, and he took it. i don't suppose taylor knew what he was doing; i hope he didn't. "well, there i was with ten thousand dollars idle on my hands, paying ten per cent on it and getting less than three per cent. i tried to get the bank to take the money back, but they refused. then i was tempted--and fell." she paused, and zora took both her hands in her own. "you see," continued miss smith, "just as soon as the announcement of the prospective endowment was sent broadcast by the press, the donations from the north fell off. letter after letter came from old friends of the school full of congratulations, but no money. i ought to have cut down the teaching force to the barest minimum, and gone north begging--but i couldn't. i guess my courage was gone. i knew how i'd have to explain and plead, and i just could not. so i used the ten thousand dollars to pay its own interest and help run the school. already it's half gone, and when the rest goes then will come the end." without, the great red sun paused a moment over the edge of the swamp, and the long, low cry of night birds broke sadly on the twilight silence. zora sat stroking the lined hands. "not the end," she spoke confidently. "it cannot end like this. i've got a little money that mrs. vanderpool gave me, and somehow we must get more. perhaps i might go north and--beg." she shivered. then she sat up resolutely and turned to the book. "let's go over matters carefully," she proposed. together they counted and calculated. "the balance is four thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight dollars," said miss smith. "yes, and then there's mrs. vanderpool's check." "how much is that?" zora paused; she did not know. in her world there was little calculation of money. credit and not cash is the currency of the black belt. she had been pleased to receive the check, but she had not examined it. "i really don't know," she presently confessed. "i think it was one thousand dollars; but i was so hurried in leaving that i didn't look carefully," and the wild thought surged in her, suppose it was more! she ran into the other room and plunged into her trunk; beneath the clothes, beneath the beauty of the silver fleece, till her fingers clutched and tore the envelope. a little choking cry burst from her throat, her knees trembled so that she was obliged to sit down. in her fingers fluttered a check for--_ten thousand dollars!_ it was not until the next day that the two women were sufficiently composed to talk matters over sanely. "what is your plan?" asked zora. "to put the money in a northern savings bank at three per cent interest; to supply the rest of the interest, and the deficit in the running expenses, from our balance, and to send you north to beg." zora shook her head. "it won't do," she objected. "i'd make a poor beggar; i don't know human nature well enough, and i can't talk to rich white folks the way they expect us to talk." "it wouldn't be hypocrisy, zora; you would be serving in a great cause. if you don't go, i--" "wait! you sha'n't go. if any one goes it must be me. but let's think it out: we pay off the mortgage, we get enough to run the school as it has been run. then what? there will still be slavery and oppression all around us. the children will be kept in the cotton fields; the men will be cheated, and the women--" zora paused and her eyes grew hard. she began again rapidly: "we must have land--our own farm with our own tenants--to be the beginning of a free community." miss smith threw up her hands impatiently. "but sakes alive! where, zora? where can we get land, with cresswell owning every inch and bound to destroy us?" zora sat hugging her knees and staring out the window toward the sombre ramparts of the swamp. in her eyes lay slumbering the madness of long ago; in her brain danced all the dreams and visions of childhood. "i'm thinking," she murmured, "of buying the swamp." _thirty-three_ the buying of the swamp "it's a shame," asserted john taylor with something like real feeling. he was spending sunday with his father-in-law, and both, over their after-dinner cigars, were gazing thoughtfully at the swamp. "what's a shame?" asked colonel cresswell. "to see all that timber and prime cotton-land going to waste. don't you remember those fine bales of cotton that came out of there several seasons ago?" the colonel smoked placidly. "you can't get it cleared," he said. "but couldn't you hire some good workers?" "niggers won't work. now if we had italians we might do it." "yes, and in a few years they'd own the country." "that's right; so there we are. there's only one way to get that swamp cleared." "how?" "sell it to some fool darkey." "sell it? it's too valuable to sell." "that's just it. you don't understand. the only way to get decent work out of some niggers is to let them believe they're buying land. in nine cases out of ten he works hard a while and then throws up the job. we get back our land and he makes good wages for his work." "but in the tenth case--suppose he should stick to it?" "oh,"--easily, "we could get rid of him when we want to. white people rule here." john taylor frowned and looked a little puzzled. he was no moralist, but he had his code and he did not understand colonel cresswell. as a matter of fact, colonel cresswell was an honest man. in most matters of commerce between men he was punctilious to a degree almost annoying to taylor. but there was one part of the world which his code of honor did not cover, and he saw no incongruity in the omission. the uninitiated cannot easily picture to himself the mental attitude of a former slaveholder toward property in the hands of a negro. such property belonged of right to the master, if the master needed it; and since ridiculous laws safeguarded the property, it was perfectly permissible to circumvent such laws. no negro starved on the cresswell place, neither did any accumulate property. colonel cresswell saw to both matters. as the colonel and john taylor were thus conferring, zora appeared, coming up the walk. "who's that?" asked the colonel shading his eyes. "it's zora--the girl who went north with mrs. vanderpool," taylor enlightened him. "back, is she? too trifling to stick to a job, and full of northern nonsense," growled the colonel. "even got a northern walk--i thought for a moment she was a lady." neither of the gentlemen ever dreamed how long, how hard, how heart-wringing was that walk from the gate up the winding way beneath their careless gaze. it was not the coming of the thoughtless, careless girl of five years ago who had marched a dozen times unthinking before the faces of white men. it was the approach of a woman who knew how the world treated women whom it respected; who knew that no such treatment would be thought of in her case: neither the bow, the lifted hat, nor even the conventional title of decency. yet she must go on naturally and easily, boldly but circumspectly, and play a daring game with two powerful men. "can i speak with you a moment, colonel?" she asked. the colonel did not stir or remove his cigar; he even injected a little gruffness into his tone. "well, what is it?" of course, she was not asked to sit, but she stood with her hands clasped loosely before her and her eyes half veiled. "colonel, i've got a thousand dollars." she did not mention the other nine. the colonel sat up. "where did you get it?" he asked. "mrs. vanderpool gave it to me to use in helping the colored people." "what are you going to do with it?" "well, that's just what i came to see you about. you see, i might give it to the school, but i've been thinking that i'd like to buy some land for some of the tenants." "i've got no land to sell," said the colonel. "i was thinking you might sell a bit of the swamp." cresswell and taylor glanced at each other and the colonel re-lit his cigar. "how much of it?" he asked finally. "i don't know; i thought perhaps two hundred acres." "two hundred acres? do you expect to buy that land for five dollars an acre?" "oh, no, sir. i thought it might cost as much as twenty-five dollars." "but you've only got a thousand dollars." "yes, sir; i thought i might pay that down and then pay the rest from the crops." "who's going to work on the place?" zora named a number of the steadiest tenants to whom she had spoken. "they owe me a lot of money," said the colonel. "we'd try to pay that, too." colonel cresswell considered. there was absolutely no risk. the cost of the land, the back debts of the tenants--no possible crops could pay for them. then there was the chance of getting the swamp cleared for almost nothing. "how's the school getting on?" he asked suddenly. "very poorly," answered zora sadly. "you know it's mortgaged, and miss smith has had to use the mortgage money for yearly expenses." the colonel smiled grimly. "it will cost you fifty dollars an acre," he said finally. zora looked disappointed and figured out the matter slowly. "that would be one thousand down and nine thousand to pay--" "with interest," said cresswell. zora shook her head doubtfully. "what would the interest be?" she asked. "ten per cent." she stood silent a moment and colonel cresswell spoke up: "it's the best land about here and about the only land you can buy--i wouldn't sell it to anybody else." she still hesitated. "the trouble is, you see, colonel cresswell, the price is high and the interest heavy. and after all i may not be able to get as many tenants as i'd need. i think though, i'd try it if--if i could be sure you'd treat me fairly, and that i'd get the land if i paid for it." colonel cresswell reddened a little, and john taylor looked away. "well, if you don't want to undertake it, all right." zora looked thoughtfully across the field-"mr. maxwell has a bit of land," she began meditatively. "worked out, and not worth five dollars an acre!" snapped the colonel. but he did not propose to hand maxwell a thousand dollars. "now, see here, i'll treat you as well as anybody, and you know it." "i believe so, sir," acknowledged zora in a tone that brought a sudden keen glance from taylor; but her face was a mask. "i reckon i'll make the bargain." "all right. bring the money and we'll fix the thing up." "the money is here," said zora, taking an envelope out of her bosom. "well, leave it here, and i'll see to it." "but you see, sir, miss smith is so methodical; she expects some papers or receipts." "well, it's too late tonight." "possibly you could sign a sort of receipt and later--" cresswell laughed. "well, write one," he indulgently assented. and zora wrote. when zora left colonel cresswell's about noon that sunday she knew her work had just begun, and she walked swiftly along the country roads, calling here and there. would uncle isaac help her build a log home? would the boys help her some time to clear some swamp land? would rob become a tenant when she asked? for this was the idle time of the year. crops were laid by and planting had not yet begun. this too was the time of big church meetings. she knew that in her part of the country on that day the black population, man, woman, and child, were gathered in great groups; all day they had been gathering, streaming in snake-like lines along the country roads, in well-brushed, brilliant attire, half fantastic, half crude. down where the toomsville-montgomery highway dipped to the stream that fed the cresswell swamp squatted a square barn that slept through day and weeks in dull indifference. but on the first sunday it woke to sudden mighty life. the voices of men and children mingled with the snorting of animals and the cracking of whips. then came the long drone and sing-song of the preacher with its sharp wilder climaxes and the answering "amens" and screams of the worshippers. this was the shrine of the baptists--shrine and oracle, centre and source of inspiration--and hither zora hurried. the preacher was jones, a big man, fat, black, and greasy, with little eyes, unctuous voice, and three manners: his white folks manner, soft, humble, wheedling; his black folks manner, voluble, important, condescending; and above all, his pulpit manner, loud, wild, and strong. he was about to don this latter cloak when zora approached with a request briefly to address the congregation. remembering some former snubs, his manner was lordly. "i doesn't see," he returned reflectively, wiping his brows, "as how i can rightly spare you any time; the brethren is a-gettin' mighty onpatient to hear me." he pulled down his cuffs, regarding her doubtfully. "i might speak after you're through," she suggested. but he objected that there was the regular collection and two or three other collections, a baptism, a meeting of the trustees; there was no time, in short; but--he eyed her again. "does you want--a collection?" he questioned suspiciously, for he could imagine few other reasons for talking. then, too, he did not want to be too inflexible, for all of his people knew zora and liked her. "oh, no, i want no collection at all. i only want a little voluntary work on their part." he looked relieved, frowned through the door at the audience, and looked at his bright gold watch. the whole crowd was not there yet--perhaps-"you kin say just a word before the sermont," he finally yielded; "but not long--not long. they'se just a-dying to hear me." so zora spoke simply but clearly: of neglect and suffering, of the sins of others that bowed young shoulders, of the great hope of the children's future. then she told something of what she had seen and read of the world's newer ways of helping men and women. she talked of cooperation and refuges and other efforts; she praised their way of adopting children into their own homes; and then finally she told them of the land she was buying for new tenants and the helping hands she needed. the preacher fidgeted and coughed but dared not actually interrupt, for the people were listening breathless to a kind of straightforward talk which they seldom heard and for which they were hungering. and zora forgot time and occasion. the moments flew; the crowd increased until the wonderful spell of those dark and upturned faces pulsed in her blood. she felt the wild yearning to help them beating in her ears and blinding her eyes. "oh, my people!" she almost sobbed. "my own people, i am not asking you to help others; i am pleading with you to help yourselves. rescue your own flesh and blood--free yourselves--free yourselves!" and from the swaying sobbing hundreds burst a great "amen!" the minister's dusky face grew more and more sombre, and the angry sweat started on his brow. he felt himself hoaxed and cheated, and he meant to have his revenge. two hundred men and women rose and pledged themselves to help zora; and when she turned with overflowing heart to thank the preacher he had left the platform, and she found him in the yard whispering darkly with two deacons. she realized her mistake, and promised to retrieve it during the week; but the week was full of planning and journeying and talking. saturday dawned cool and clear. she had dinner prepared for cooking in the yard: sweet potatoes, hoe-cake, and buttermilk, and a hog to be barbecued. everything was ready by eight o'clock in the morning. emma and two other girl helpers were on the tip-toe of expectancy. nine o'clock came and no one with it. ten o'clock came, and eleven. high noon found zora peering down the highway under her shading hand, but no soul in sight. she tried to think it out: what could have happened? her people were slow, tardy, but they would not thus forget her and disappoint her without some great cause. she sent the girls home at dusk and then seated herself miserably under the great oak; then at last one half-grown boy hurried by. "i wanted to come, miss zora, but i was afeared. preacher jones has been talking everywhere against you. he says that your mother was a voodoo woman and that you don't believe in god, and the deacons voted that the members mustn't help you." "and do the people believe that?" she asked in consternation. "they just don't know what to say. they don't 'zactly believe it, but they has to 'low that you didn't say much 'bout religion when you talked. you ain't been near big meetin'--and--and--you ain't saved." he hurried on. zora leaned her head back wearily, watching the laced black branches where the star-light flickered through--as coldly still and immovable as she had watched them from those gnarled roots all her life--and she murmured bitterly the world-old question of despair: "what's the use?" it seemed to her that every breeze and branch was instinct with sympathy, and murmuring, "what's the use?" she wondered vaguely why, and as she wondered, she knew. for yonder where the black earth of the swamp heaved in a formless mound she felt the black arms of elspeth rising from the sod--gigantic, mighty. they stole toward her with stealthy hands and claw-like talons. they clutched at her skirts. she froze and could not move. down, down she slipped toward the black slime of the swamp, and the air about was horror--down, down, till the chilly waters stung her knees; and then with one grip she seized the oak, while the great hand of elspeth twisted and tore her soul. faint, afar, nearer and nearer and ever mightier, rose a song of mystic melody. she heard its human voice and sought to cry aloud. she strove again and again with that gripping, twisting pain--that awful hand--until the shriek came and she awoke. she lay panting and sweating across the bent and broken roots of the oak. the hand of elspeth was gone but the song was still there. she rose trembling and listened. it was the singing of the big meeting in the church far away. she had forgotten this religious revival in her days of hurried preparation, and the preacher had used her absence and apparent indifference against her and her work. the hand of elspeth was reaching from the grave to pull her back; but she was no longer dreaming now. drawing her shawl about her, she hurried down the highway. the meeting had overflowed the church and spread to the edge of the swamp. the tops of young trees had been bent down and interlaced to form a covering and benches twined to their trunks. thus a low and wide cathedral, all green and silver in the star-light, lay packed with a living mass of black folk. flaming pine torches burned above the devotees; the rhythm of their stamping, the shout of their voices, and the wild music of their singing shook the night. four hundred people fell upon their knees when the huge black preacher, uncoated, red-eyed, frenzied, stretched his long arms to heaven. zora saw the throng from afar, and hesitated. after all, she knew little of this strange faith of theirs--had little belief in its mummery. she herself had been brought up almost without religion save some few mystic remnants of a half-forgotten heathen cult. the little she had seen of religious observance had not moved her greatly, save once yonder in washington. there she found god after a searching that had seared her soul; but he had simply pointed the way, and the way was human. humanity was near and real. she loved it. but if she talked again of mere men would these devotees listen? already the minister had spied her tall form and feared her power. he set his powerful voice and the frenzy of his hearers to crush her. "who is dis what talks of doing the lord's work for him? what does de good book say? take no thought 'bout de morrow. why is you trying to make dis ole world better? i spits on the world! come out from it. seek jesus. heaven is my home! is it yo's?" "yes," groaned the multitude. his arm shot out and he pointed straight at zora. "beware the ebil one!" he shouted, and the multitude moaned. "beware of dem dat calls ebil good. beware of dem dat worships debbils; the debbils dat crawl; de debbils what forgits god." "help him, lord!" cried the multitude. zora stepped into the circle of light. a hush fell on the throng; the preacher paused a moment, then started boldly forward with upraised hands. then a curious thing happened. a sharp cry arose far off down toward the swamp and the sound of great footsteps coming, coming as from the end of the world; there swelled a rhythmical chanting, wilder and more primitive than song. on, on it came, until it swung into sight. an old man led the band--tall, massive, with tufted gray hair and wrinkled leathery skin, and his eyes were the eyes of death. he reached the circle of light, and zora started: once before she had seen that old man. the singing stopped but he came straight on till he reached zora's side and then he whirled and spoke. the words leaped and flew from his lips as he lashed the throng with bitter fury. he said what zora wanted to say with two great differences: first, he spoke their religious language and spoke it with absolute confidence and authority; and secondly, he seemed to know each one there personally and intimately so that he spoke to no inchoate throng--he spoke to them individually, and they listened awestruck and fearsome. "god is done sent me," he declared in passionate tones, "to preach his acceptable time. faith without works is dead; who is you that dares to set and wait for the lord to do your work?" then in sudden fury, "ye generation of vipers--who kin save you?" he bent forward and pointed his long finger. "yes," he cried, "pray, sam collins, you black devil; pray, for the corn you stole thursday." the black figure moved. "moan, sister maxwell, for the backbiting you did today. yell, jack tolliver, you sneaking scamp, t'wil the lord tell uncle bill who ruined his daughter. weep, may haynes, for that baby--" but the woman's shriek drowned his words, and he whirled full on the preacher, stamping his feet and waving his hands. his anger choked him; the fat preacher cowered gray and trembling. the gaunt fanatic towered over him. "you--you--ornery hound of hell! god never knowed you and the devil owns your soul!" there leapt from his lips a denunciation so livid, specific, and impassioned that the preacher squatted and bowed, then finally fell upon his face and moaned. the gaunt speaker turned again to the people. he talked of little children; he pictured their sin and neglect. "god is done sent me to offer you all salvation," he cried, while the people wept and wailed; "not in praying, but in works. follow me!" the hour was halfway between midnight and dawn, but nevertheless the people leapt frenziedly to their feet. "follow me!" he shouted. and, singing and chanting, the throng poured out upon the black highway, waving their torches. zora knew his intention. with a half-dozen of younger onlookers she unhitched teams and rode across the land, calling at the cabins. before sunrise, tools were in the swamp, axes and saws and hammers. the noise of prayer and singing filled the sabbath dawn. the news of the great revival spread, and men and women came pouring in. then of a sudden the uproar stopped, and the ringing of axes and grating of saws and tugging of mules was heard. the forest trembled as by some mighty magic, swaying and falling with crash on crash. huge bonfires blazed and crackled, until at last a wide black scar appeared in the thick south side of the swamp, which widened and widened to full twenty acres. the sun rose higher and higher till it blazed at high noon. the workers dropped their tools. the aroma of coffee and roasting meat rose in the dim cool shade. with ravenous appetites the dark, half-famished throng fell upon the food, and then in utter weariness stretched themselves and slept: lying along the earth like huge bronze earth-spirits, sitting against trees, curled in dense bushes. and zora sat above them on a high rich-scented pile of logs. her senses slept save her sleepless eyes. amid a silence she saw in the little grove that still stood, the cabin of elspeth tremble, sigh, and disappear, and with it flew some spirit of evil. then she looked down to the new edge of the swamp, by the old lagoon, and saw bles alwyn standing there. it seemed very natural; and closing her eyes, she fell asleep. _thirty-four_ the return of alwyn bles alwyn stared at mrs. harry cresswell in surprise. he had not seen her since that moment at the ball, and he was startled at the change. her abundant hair was gone; her face was pale and drawn, and there were little wrinkles below her sunken eyes. in those eyes lurked the tired look of the bewildered and the disappointed. it was in the lofty waiting-room of the washington station where alwyn had come to meet a friend. mrs. cresswell turned and recognized him with genuine pleasure. he seemed somehow a part of the few things in the world--little and unimportant perhaps--that counted and stood firm, and she shook his hand cordially, not minding the staring of the people about. he took her bag and carried it towards the gate, which made the observers breathe easier, seeing him in servile duty. someway, she knew not just how, she found herself telling him of the crisis in her life before she realized; not everything, of course, but a great deal. it was much as though she were talking to some one from another world--an outsider; but one she had known long, one who understood. both from what she recounted and what she could not tell he gathered the substance of the story, and it bewildered him. he had not thought that white people had such troubles; yet, he reflected, why not? they, too, were human. "i suppose you hear from the school?" he ventured after a pause. "why, yes--not directly--but zora used to speak of it." bles looked up quickly. "zora?" "yes. didn't you see her while she was here? she has gone back now." then the gate opened, the crowd surged through, sweeping them apart, and next moment he was alone. alwyn turned slowly away. he forgot the friend he was to meet. he forgot everything but the field of the silver fleece. it rose shadowy there in the pale concourse, swaying in ghostly breezes. the purple of its flowers mingled with the silver radiance of tendrils that trembled across the hurrying throng, like threads of mists along low hills. in its midst rose a dark, slim, and quivering form. she had been here--here in washington! why had he not known? what was she doing? "she has gone back now"--back to the sun and the swamp, back to the burden. why should not he go back, too? he walked on thinking. he had failed. his apparent success had been too sudden, too overwhelming, and when he had faced the crisis his hand had trembled. he had chosen the right--but the right was ineffective, impotent, almost ludicrous. it left him shorn, powerless, and in moral revolt. the world had suddenly left him, as the vision of carrie wynn had left him, alone, a mere clerk, an insignificant cog in the great grinding wheel of humdrum drudgery. his chance to do and thereby to be had not come. he thought of zora again. why not go back to the south where she had gone? he shuddered as one who sees before him a cold black pool whither his path leads. to face the proscription, the insult, the lawless hate of the south again--never! and yet he went home and sat down and wrote a long letter to miss smith. the reply that came after some delay was almost curt. it answered few of his questions, argued with none of his doubts, and made no mention of zora. yes, there was need of a manager for the new farm and settlement. she was not sure whether alwyn could do the work or not. the salary was meagre and the work hard. if he wished it, he must decide immediately. two weeks later found alwyn on the train facing southward in the jim crow car. how he had decided to go back south he did not know. in fact, he had not decided. he had sat helpless and inactive in the grip of great and shadowed hands, and the thing was as yet incomprehensible. and so it was that the vision zora saw in the swamp had been real enough, and alwyn felt strangely disappointed that she had given no sign of greeting on recognition. in other ways, too, zora, when he met her, was to him a new creature. she came to him frankly and greeted him, her gladness shining in her eyes, yet looking nothing more than gladness and saying nothing more. just what he had expected was hard to say; but he had left her on her knees in the dirt with outstretched hands, and somehow he had expected to return to some corresponding mental attitude. the physical change of these three years was marvellous. the girl was a woman, well-rounded and poised, tall, straight, and quick. and with this went mental change: a self-mastery; a veiling of the self even in intimate talk; a subtle air as of one looking from great and unreachable heights down on the dawn of the world. perhaps no one who had not known the child and the girl as he had would have noted all this; but he saw and realized the transformation with a pang--something had gone; the innocence and wonder of the child, and in their place had grown up something to him incomprehensible and occult. miss smith was not to be easily questioned on the subject. she took no hints and gave no information, and when once he hazarded some pointed questions she turned on him abruptly, observing acidly: "if i were you i'd think less of zora and more of her work." gradually, in his spiritual perplexity, alwyn turned to mary cresswell. she was staying with the colonel at cresswell oaks. her coming south was supposed to be solely for reasons of health, and her appearance made this excuse plausible. she was lonely and restless, and naturally drawn toward the school. her intercourse with miss smith was only formal, but her interest in zora's work grew. down in the swamp, at the edge of the cleared space, had risen a log cabin; long, low, spacious, overhung with oak and pine. it was zora's centre for her settlement-work. there she lived, and with her a half-dozen orphan girls and children too young for the boarding department of the school. mrs. cresswell easily fell into the habit of walking by here each day, coming down the avenue of oaks across the road and into the swamp. she saw little of zora personally but she saw her girls and learned much of her plans. the rooms of the cottage were clean and light, supplied with books and pictures, simple toys, and a phonograph. the yard was one wide green and golden play-ground, and all day the music of children's glad crooning and the singing of girls went echoing and trembling through the trees, as they played and sewed and washed and worked. from the cresswells and the maxwells and others came loads of clothes for washing and mending. the tolliver girls had simple dresses made, embroidery was ordered from town, and soon there would be the gardens and cotton fields. mrs. cresswell would saunter down of mornings. sometimes she would talk to the big girls and play with the children; sometimes she would sit hidden in the forest, listening and glimpsing and thinking, thinking, till her head whirled and the world danced red before her eyes, today she rose wearily, for it was near noon, and started home. she saw alwyn swing along the road to the school dining-room where he had charge of the students at the noonday meal. alwyn wanted mrs. cresswell's judgment and advice. he was growing doubtful of his own estimate of women. evidently something about his standards was wrong; consequently he made opportunities to talk with mrs. cresswell when she was about, hoping she would bring up the subject of zora of her own accord. but she did not. she was too full of her own cares and troubles, and she was only too glad of willing and sympathetic ears into which to pour her thoughts. miss smith soon began to look on these conversations with some uneasiness. black men and white women cannot talk together casually in the south and she did not know how far the north had put notions in alwyn's head. today both met each other almost eagerly. mrs. cresswell had just had a bit of news which only he would fully appreciate. "have you heard of the vanderpools?" she asked. "no--except that he was appointed and confirmed at last." "well, they had only arrived in france when he died of apoplexy. i do not know," added mrs. cresswell, "i may be wrong and--i hope i'm not glad." then there leapt to her mind a hypothetical question which had to do with her own curious situation. it was characteristic of her to brood and then restlessly to seek relief in consulting the one person near who knew her story. she started to open the subject again today. but alwyn, his own mind full, spoke first and rapidly. he, too, had turned to her as he saw her come from zora's home. he must know more about the girl. he could no longer endure this silence. zora beneath her apparent frankness was impenetrable, and he felt that she carefully avoided him, although she did it so deftly that he felt rather than observed it. miss smith still systematically snubbed him when he broached the subject of zora. with others he did not speak; the matter seemed too delicate and sacred, and he always had an awful dread lest sometime, somewhere, a chance and fatal word would be dropped, a breath of evil gossip which would shatter all. he had hated to obtrude his troubles on mrs. cresswell, who seemed so torn in soul. but today he must speak, although time pressed. "mrs. cresswell," he began hurriedly, "there's a matter--a personal matter of which i have wanted to speak--a long time--i--" the dinner-bell rang, and he stopped, vexed. "come up to the house this afternoon," she said; "colonel cresswell will be away--" then she paused abruptly. a strange startling thought flashed through her brain. alwyn noticed nothing. he thanked her cordially and hurried toward the dining-hall, meeting colonel cresswell on horseback just as he turned into the school gate. mary cresswell walked slowly on, flushing and paling by turns. could it be that this negro had dared to misunderstand her--had presumed? she reviewed her conduct. perhaps she had been indiscreet in thus making a confidant of him in her trouble. she had thought of him as a boy--an old student, a sort of confidential servant; but what had he thought? she remembered miss smith's warning of years before--and he had been north since and acquired northern notions of freedom and equality. she bit her lip cruelly. yet, she mused, she was herself to blame. she had unwittingly made the intimacy and he was but a negro, looking on every white woman as a goddess and ready to fawn at the slightest encouragement. there had been no one else here to confide in. she could not tell miss smith her troubles, although she knew miss smith must suspect. harry cresswell, apparently, had written nothing home of their quarrel. all the neighbors behaved as if her excuse of ill-health were sufficient to account for her return south to escape the rigors of a northern winter. alwyn, and alwyn alone, really knew. well, it was her blindness, and she must right it quietly and quickly with hard ruthless plainness. she blushed again at the shame of it; then she began to excuse. after all, which was worse--a cresswell or an alwyn? it was no sin that alwyn had done; it was simply ignorant presumption, and she must correct him firmly, but gently, like a child. what a crazy muddle the world was! she thought of harry cresswell and the tale he told her in the swamp. she thought of the flitting ghosts that awful night in washington. she thought of miss wynn who had jilted alwyn and given her herself a very bad quarter of an hour. what a world it was, and after all how far was this black boy wrong? just then colonel cresswell rode up behind and greeted her. she started almost guiltily, and again a sense of the awkwardness of her position reddened her face and neck. the colonel dismounted, despite her protest, and walked beside her. they chatted along indifferently, of the crops, her brother's new baby, the proposed mill. "mary," his voice abruptly struck a new note. "i don't like the way you talk with that alwyn nigger." she was silent. "of course," he continued, "you're northern born and you have been a teacher in this school and feel differently from us in some ways; but mark what i say, a nigger will presume on the slightest pretext, and you must keep them in their place. then, too, you are a cresswell now--" she smiled bitterly; he noticed it, but went on: "you are a cresswell, even if you have caught harry up to some of his deviltry,"--she started,--"and got miffed about it. it'll all come out right. you're a cresswell, and you must hold yourself too high to 'mister' a nigger or let him dream of any sort of equality." he spoke pleasantly, but with a certain sharp insistence that struck a note of fear in mary's heart. for a moment she thought of writing alwyn not to call. but, no; a note would be unwise. she and colonel cresswell lunched rather silently. "well, i must get to town," he finally announced. "the mill directors meet today. if maxwell calls by about that lumber tell him i'll see him in town." and away he went. he had scarcely reached the highway and ridden a quarter of a mile or so when he spied bles alwyn hurrying across the field toward the cresswell oaks. he frowned and rode on. then reining in his horse, he stopped in the shadow of the trees and watched alwyn. it was here that zora saw him as she came up from her house. she, too, stopped, and soon saw whom he was watching. she had been planning to see mr. cresswell about the cut timber on her land. by legal right it was hers but she knew he would claim half, treating her like a mere tenant. seeing him watching alwyn she paused in the shadow and waited, fearing trouble. she, too, had felt that the continued conversations of alwyn and mrs. cresswell were indiscreet, but she hoped that they had attracted no one else's attention. now she feared the colonel was suspicious and her heart sank. alwyn went straight toward the house and disappeared in the oak avenue. still colonel cresswell waited but zora waited no longer. alwyn must be warned. she must reach cresswell's mansion before cresswell did and without him seeing her. this meant a long detour of the swamp to approach the oaks from the west. she silently gathered up her skirts and walked quickly and carefully away. she was a strong woman, lithe and vigorous, living in the open air and used to walking. once out of hearing she threw away her hat and bending forward ran through the swamp. for a while she ran easily and swiftly. then for a moment she grew dizzy and it seemed as though she was standing still and the swamp in solemn grandeur marching past--in solemn mocking grandeur. she loosened her dress at the neck and flew on. she sped at last through the oaks, up the terraces, and slowing down to an unsteady walk, staggered into the house. no one would wonder at her being there. she came up now and then and sorted the linen and piled the baskets for her girls. she entered a side door and listened. the colonel's voice sounded impatiently in the front hall. "mary! mary?" a pause, then an answer: "yes, father!" he started up the front stairway and zora hurried up the narrow back stairs, almost overturning a servant. "i'm after the clothes," she explained. she reached the back landing just in time to see colonel cresswell's head rising up the front staircase. with a quick bound she almost fell into the first room at the top of the stairs. bles alwyn had hurried through his dinner duties and hastened to the oaks. the questions, the doubts, the uncertainty within him were clamoring for utterance. how much had mrs. cresswell ever known of zora? what kind of a woman was zora now? mrs. cresswell had seen her and had talked to her and watched her. what did she think? thus he formulated his questions as he went, half timid, and fearful in putting them and yet determined to know. mrs. cresswell, waiting for him, was almost panic-stricken. probably he would beat round the bush seeking further encouragement; but at the slightest indication she must crush him ruthlessly and at the same time point the path of duty. he ought to marry some good girl--not zora, but some one. somehow zora seemed too unusual and strange for him--too inhuman, as mary cresswell judged humanity. she glanced out from her seat on the upper verandah over the front porch and saw alwyn coming. where should she receive him? on the porch and have mr. maxwell ride up? in the parlor and have the servants astounded and talking? if she took him up to her own sitting-room the servants would think he was doing some work or fetching something for the school. she greeted him briefly and asked him in. "good-afternoon, bles"--using his first name to show him his place, and then inwardly recoiling at its note of familiarity. she preceded him up-stairs to the sitting-room, where, leaving the door ajar, she seated herself on the opposite side of the room and waited. he fidgeted, then spoke rapidly. "mrs. cresswell--this is a personal affair." she reddened angrily. "a love affair"--she paled with something like fear--"and i"--she started to speak, but could not--"i want to know what you think about zora?" "about zora!" she gasped weakly. the sudden reaction, the revulsion of her agitated feelings, left her breathless. "about zora. you know i loved her dearly as a boy--how dearly i have only just begun to realize: i've been wondering if i understood--if i wasn't--" mrs. cresswell got angrily to her feet. "you have come here to speak to me of that--that--" she choked, and bles thought his worst fears realized. "mary, mary!" colonel cresswell's voice broke suddenly in upon them. with a start of fear mrs. cresswell rushed out into the hall and closed the door. "mary, has that alwyn nigger been here this afternoon?" mr. cresswell was coming up-stairs, carrying his riding whip. "why, no!" she answered, lying instinctively before she quite realized what her lie meant. she hesitated. "that is, i haven't seen him. i must have nodded over my book,"--looking toward the little verandah at the front of the upper hall, where her easy chair stood with her book. then with an awful flash of enlightenment she realized what her lie might mean, and her heart paused. cresswell strode up. "i saw him come up--he must have entered. he's nowhere downstairs," he wavered and scowled. "have you been in your sitting-room?" and then, not waiting for a reply, he strode to the door. "but the damned scoundrel wouldn't dare!" he deliberately placed his hand in his right-hand hip-pocket and threw open the door. mary cresswell stood frozen. the full horror of the thing burst upon her. her own silly misapprehension, the infatuation of alwyn for zora, her thoughtless--no, vindictive--betrayal of him to something worse than death. she listened for the crack of doom. she heard a bird singing far down in the swamp; she heard the soft raising of a window and the closing of a door. and then--great god in heaven! must she live forever in this agony?--and then, she heard the door bang and mr. cresswell's gruff voice-"well, where is he?--he isn't in there!" mary cresswell felt that something was giving way within. she swayed and would have crashed to the bottom of the staircase if just then she had not seen at the opposite end of the hall, near the back stairs, zora and alwyn emerge calmly from a room, carrying a basket full of clothes. colonel cresswell stared at them, and zora instinctively put up her hand and fastened her dress at the throat. the colonel scowled, for it was all clear to him now. "look here," he angrily opened upon them, "if you niggers want to meet around keep out of this house; hereafter i'll send the clothes down. by god, if you want to make love go to the swamp!" he stamped down the stairs while an ashy paleness stole beneath the dark-red bronze of zora's face. they walked silently down the road together--the old familiar road. alwyn was staring moodily ahead. "we must get married--before christmas, zora," he presently avowed, not looking at her. he felt the basket pause and he glanced up. her dark eyes were full upon him and he saw something in their depths that brought him to himself and made him realize his blunder. "zora!" he stammered, "forgive me! will you marry me?" she looked at him calmly with infinite compassion. but her reply was uttered unhesitantly; distinct, direct. "no, bles." _thirty-five_ the cotton mill the people of toomsville started in their beds and listened. a new song was rising on the air: a harsh, low, murmuring croon that shook the village ranged around its old square of dilapadated stores. it was not a song of joy; it was not a song of sorrow; it was not a song at all, perhaps, but a confused whizzing and murmuring, as of a thousand ill-tuned, busy voices. some of the listeners wondered; but most of the town cried joyfully, "it's the new cotton-mill!" john taylor's head teemed with new schemes. the mill trust of the north was at last a fact. the small mills had not been able to buy cotton when it was low because cresswell was cornering it in the name of the farmers' league; now that it was high they could not afford to, and many surrendered to the trust. "next thing," wrote taylor to easterly, "is to reduce cost of production. too much goes in wages. gradually transfer mills south." easterly argued that the labor was too unskilled in the south and that to send northern spinners down would spread labor troubles. taylor replied briefly: "never fear; we'll scare them with a vision of niggers in the mills!" colonel cresswell was not so easily won over to the new scheme. in the first place he was angry because the school, which he had come to regard as on its last legs, somehow still continued to flourish. the ten-thousand-dollar mortgage had but three more years, and that would end all; but he had hoped for a crash even earlier. instead of this, miss smith was cheerfully expanding the work, hiring new teachers, and especially she had brought to help her two young negroes whom he suspected. colonel cresswell had prevented the tolliver land sale, only to be inveigled himself into zora's scheme which now began to worry him. he must evict zora's tenants as soon as the crops were planted and harvested. there was nothing unjust about such a course, he argued, for negroes anyway were too lazy and shiftless to buy the land. they would not, they could not, work without driving. all this he imparted to john taylor, to which that gentleman listened carefully. "h'm, i see," he owned. "and i know the way out." "how?" "a cotton mill in toomsville." "what's that got to do with it?" "bring in whites." "but i don't want poor white trash; i'd sooner have niggers." "now, see here," argued taylor, "you can't have everything you want--day's gone by for aristocracy of old kind. you must have neighbors: choose, then, white or black. i say white." "but they'll rule us--out-vote us--marry our daughters," warmly objected the colonel. "some of them may--most of them won't. a few of them with brains will help us rule the rest with money. we'll plant cotton mills beside the cotton fields, use whites to keep niggers in their place, and the fear of niggers to keep the poorer whites in theirs." the colonel looked thoughtful. "there's something in that," he confessed after a while; "but it's a mighty big experiment, and it may go awry." "not with brains and money to guide it. and at any rate, we've got to try it; it's the next logical step, and we must take it." "but in the meantime, i'm not going to give up good old methods; i'm going to set the sheriff behind these lazy niggers," said the colonel; "and i'm going to stop that school putting notions into their heads." in three short months the mill at toomsville was open and its wheels whizzing to the boundless pride of the citizens. "our enterprise, sir!" they said to the strangers on the strength of the five thousand dollars locally invested. once it had vigor to sing, the song of the mill knew no resting; morning and evening, day and night it crooned its rhythmic tune; only during the daylight sundays did its murmur die to a sibilant hiss. all the week its doors were filled with the coming and going of men and women and children: many men, more women, and greater and greater throngs of children. it seemed to devour children, sitting with its myriad eyes gleaming and its black maw open, drawing in the pale white mites, sucking their blood and spewing them out paler and ever paler. the face of the town began to change, showing a ragged tuberculous looking side with dingy homes in short and homely rows. there came gradually a new consciousness to the town. hitherto town and country had been ruled by a few great landlords but at the very first election, colton, an unknown outsider, had beaten the regular candidate for sheriff by such a majority that the big property owners dared not count him out. they had, however, an earnest consultation with john taylor. "it's just as i said," growled colonel cresswell, "if you don't watch out our whole plantation system will be ruined and we'll be governed by this white trash from the hills." "there's only one way," sighed caldwell, the merchant; "we've got to vote the niggers." john taylor laughed. "nonsense!" he spurned the suggestion. "you're old-fashioned. let the mill-hands have the offices. what good will it do?" "what good! why, they'll do as they please with us." "bosh! don't we own the mill? can't we keep wages where we like by threatening to bring in nigger labor?" "no, you can't, permanently," maxwell disputed, "for they sometime will call your bluff." "let 'em call," said taylor, "and we'll put niggers in the mills." "what!" ejaculated the landlords in chorus. only maxwell was silent. "and kill the plantation system?" "oh, maybe some time, of course. but not for years; not until you've made your pile. you don't really expect to keep the darkies down forever, do you?" "no, i don't," maxwell slowly admitted. "this system can't last always--sometimes i think it can't last long. it's wrong, through and through. it's built on ignorance, theft, and force, and i wish to god we had courage enough to overthrow it and take the consequences. i wish it was possible to be a southerner and a christian and an honest man, to treat niggers and dagoes and white trash like men, and be big enough to say, 'to hell with consequences!'" colonel cresswell stared at his neighbor, speechless with bewilderment and outraged traditions. such unbelievable heresy from a northerner or a negro would have been natural; but from a southerner whose father had owned five hundred slaves--it was incredible! the other landlords scarcely listened; they were dogged and impatient and they could suggest no remedy. they could only blame the mill for their troubles. john taylor left the conference blithely. "no," he said to the committee from the new mill-workers' union. "can't raise wages, gentlemen, and can't lessen hours. mill is just started and not yet paying expenses. you're getting better wages than you ever got. if you don't want to work, quit. there are plenty of others, white and black, who want your jobs." the mention of black people as competitors for wages was like a red rag to a bull. the laborers got together and at the next election they made a clean sweep, judge, sheriff, two members of the legislature, and the registrars of votes. undoubtedly the following year they would capture harry cresswell's seat in congress. the result was curious. from two sides, from landlord and white laborer, came renewed oppression of black men. the laborers found that their political power gave them little economic advantage as long as the threatening cloud of negro competition loomed ahead. there was some talk of a strike, but colton, the new sheriff, discouraged it. "i tell you, boys, where the trouble lies: it's the niggers. they live on nothing and take any kind of treatment, and they keep wages down. if you strike, they'll get your jobs, sure. we'll just have to grin and bear it a while, but get back at the darkies whenever you can. i'll stick 'em into the chain-gang every chance i get." on the other hand, inspired by fright, the grip of the landlords on the black serfs closed with steadily increasing firmness. they saw one class rising from beneath them to power, and they tightened the chains on the other. matters simmered on in this way, and the only party wholly satisfied with conditions was john taylor and the few young southerners who saw through his eyes. he was making money. the landlords, on the contrary, were losing power and prestige, and their farm labor, despite strenuous efforts, was drifting to town attracted by new and incidental work and higher wages. the mill-hands were more and more overworked and underpaid, and hated the negroes for it in accordance with their leaders' directions. at the same time the oppressed blacks and scowling mill-hands could not help recurring again and again to the same inarticulate thought which no one was brave enough to voice. once, however, it came out flatly. it was when zora, crowding into the village courthouse to see if she could not help aunt rachel's accused boy, found herself beside a gaunt, overworked white woman. the woman was struggling with a crippled child and zora, turning, lifted him carefully for the weak mother, who thanked her half timidly. "that mill's about killed him," she said. at this juncture the manacled boy was led into court, and the woman suddenly turned again to zora. "durned if i don't think these white slaves and black slaves had ought ter git together," she declared. "i think so, too," zora agreed. colonel cresswell himself caught the conversation and it struck him with a certain dismay. suppose such a conjunction should come to pass? he edged over to john taylor and spoke to him; but taylor, who had just successfully stopped a suit for damages to the injured boy, merely shrugged his shoulders. "what's this nigger charged with?" demanded the judge when the first black boy was brought up before him. "breaking his labor contract." "any witnesses?" "i have the contract here," announced the sheriff. "he refuses to work." "a year, or one hundred dollars." colonel cresswell paid his fine, and took him in charge. "what's the charge here?" said the judge, pointing to aunt rachel's boy. "attempt to kill a white man." "any witnesses?" "none except the victim." "and i," said zora, coming forward. both the sheriff and colonel cresswell stared at her. of course, she was simply a black girl but she was an educated woman, who knew things about the cresswell plantations that it was unnecessary to air in court. the newly elected judge had not yet taken his seat, and cresswell's word was still law in the court. he whispered to the judge. "case postponed," said the court. the sheriff scowled. "wait till jim gets on the bench," he growled. the white bystanders, however, did not seem enthusiastic and one man--he was a northern spinner--spoke out plainly. "it's none o' my business, of course. i've been fired and i'm damned glad of it. but see here: if you mutts think you're going to beat these big blokes at their own game of cheating niggers you're daffy. you take this from me: get together with the niggers and hold up this whole capitalist gang. if you don't get the niggers first, they'll use 'em as a club to throw you down. you hear me," and he departed for the train. colton was suspicious. the sentiment of joining with the negroes did not seem to arouse the bitter resentment he expected. there even came whispers to his ears that he had sold out to the landlords, and there was enough truth in the report to scare him. thus to both parties came the uncomfortable spectre of the black men, and both sides went to work to lay the ghost. particularly was colonel cresswell stirred to action. he realized that in bles and zora he was dealing with a younger class of educated black folk, who were learning to fight with new weapons. they were, he was sure, as dissolute and weak as their parents, but they were shrewder and more aspiring. they must be crushed, and crushed quickly. to this end he had recourse to two sources of help--johnson and the whites in town. johnson was what colonel cresswell repeatedly called "a faithful nigger." he was one of those constitutionally timid creatures into whom the servility of his fathers had sunk so deep that it had become second-nature. to him a white man was an archangel, while the cresswells, his father's masters, stood for god. he served them with dog-like faith, asking no reward, and for what he gave in reverence to them, he took back in contempt for his fellows--"niggers!" he applied the epithet with more contempt than the colonel himself could express. to the negroes he was a "white folk's nigger," to be despised and feared. to him colonel cresswell gave a few pregnant directions. then he rode to town, and told taylor again of his fears of a labor movement which would include whites and blacks. taylor could not see any great danger. "of course," he conceded, "they'll eventually get together; their interests are identical. i'll admit it's our game to delay this as long possible." "it must be delayed forever, sir." "can't be," was the terse response. "but even if they do ally themselves, our way is easy: separate the leaders, the talented, the pushers, of both races from their masses, and through them rule the rest by money." but colonel cresswell shook his head. "it's precisely these leaders of the negroes that we mush crush," he insisted. taylor looked puzzled. "i thought it was the lazy, shiftless, and criminal negroes, you feared?" "hang it, no! we can deal with them; we've got whips, chain-gangs, and--mobs, if need be--no, it's the negro who wants to climb up that we've got to beat to his knees." taylor could not follow this reasoning. he believed in an aristocracy of talent alone, and secretly despised colonel cresswell's pretensions of birth. if a man had ability and push taylor was willing and anxious to open the way for him, even though he were black. the caste way of thinking in the south, both as applied to poor whites and to negroes, he simply could not understand. the weak and the ignorant of all races he despised and had no patience with them. "but others--a man's a man, isn't he?" he persisted. but colonel cresswell replied: "no, never, if he's black, and not always when he's white," and he stalked away. zora sensed fully the situation. she did not anticipate any immediate understanding with the laboring whites, but she knew that eventually it would be inevitable. meantime the negro must strengthen himself and bring to the alliance as much independent economic strength as possible. for the development of her plans she needed bles alwyn's constant cooperation. he was business manager of the school and was doing well, but she wanted to point out to him the larger field. so long as she was uncertain of his attitude toward her, it was difficult to act; but now, since the flash of the imminent tragedy at cresswell oaks had cleared the air, with all its hurt a frank understanding had been made possible. the very next day zora chose to show bles over her new home and grounds, and to speak frankly to him. they looked at the land, examined the proposed farm sites, and viewed the living-room and dormitory in the house. "you haven't seen my den," said zora. "no." "miss smith is in there now; she often hides there. come." he went into the large central house and into the living-room, then out on the porch, beyond which lay the kitchen. but to the left, and at the end of the porch, was a small building. it was ceiled in dark yellow pine, with figured denim on the walls. a straight desk of rough hewn wood stood in the corner by the white-curtained window, and a couch and two large easy-chairs faced a tall narrow fireplace of uneven stone. a thick green rag-carpet covered the floor; a few pictures were on the walls--a madonna, a scene of mad careering horses, and some sad baby faces. the room was a unity; things fitted together as if they belonged together. it was restful and beautiful, from the cheerful pine blaze before which miss smith was sitting, to the square-paned window that let in the crimson rays of gathering night. all round the room, stopping only at the fireplace, ran low shelves of the same yellow pine, filled with books and magazines. he scanned curiously plato's republic, gorky's "comrades," a cyclopã¦dia of agriculture, balzac's novels, spencer's "first principles," tennyson's poems. "this is my university," zora explained, smiling at his interested survey. they went out again and wandered down near the old lagoon. "now, bles," she began, "since we understand each other, can we not work together as good friends?" she spoke simply and frankly, without apparent effort, and talked on at length of her work and vision. somehow he could not understand. his mental attitude toward zora had always been one of guidance, guardianship, and instruction. he had been judging and weighing her from on high, looking down upon her with thoughts of uplift and development. always he had been holding her dark little hands to lead her out of the swamp of life, and always, when in senseless anger he had half forgotten and deserted her, this vision of elder brotherhood had still remained. now this attitude was being revolutionized. she was proposing to him a plan of wide scope--a bold regeneration of the land. it was a plan carefully studied out, long thought of and read about. he was asked to be co-worker--nay, in a sense to be a follower, for he was ignorant of much. he hesitated. then all at once a sense of his utter unworthiness overwhelmed him. who was he to stand and judge this unselfish woman? who was he to falter when she called? a sense of his smallness and narrowness, of his priggish blindness, rose like a mockery in his soul. one thing alone held him back: he was not unwilling to be simply human, a learner and a follower; but would he as such ever command the love and respect of this new and inexplicable woman? would not comradeship on the basis of the new friendship which she insisted on, be the death of love and thoughts of love? thus he hesitated, knowing that his duty lay clear. in her direst need he had deserted her. he had left her to go to destruction and expected that she would. by a superhuman miracle she had risen and seated herself above him. she was working; here was work to be done. he was asked to help; he would help. if it killed his old and new-born dream of love, well and good; it was his punishment. yet the sacrifice, the readjustment was hard; he grew to it gradually, inwardly revolting, feeling always a great longing to take this woman and make her nestle in his arms as she used to; catching himself again and again on the point of speaking to her and urging, yet ever again holding himself back and bowing in silent respect to the dignity of her life. only now and then, when their eyes met suddenly or unthinkingly, a great kindling flash of flame seemed struggling behind showers of tears, until in a moment she smiled or spoke, and then the dropping veil left only the frank open glance, unwavering, soft, kind, but nothing more. then alwyn would go wearily away, vexed or disappointed, or merely sad, and both would turn to their work again. _thirty-six_ the land colonel cresswell started all the more grimly to overthrow the new work at the school because somewhere down beneath his heart a pity and a wonder were stirring; pity at the perfectly useless struggle to raise the unraisable, a wonder at certain signs of rising. but it was impossible--and unthinkable, even if possible. so he squared his jaw and cheated zora deliberately in the matter of the cut timber. he placed every obstacle in the way of getting tenants for the school land. here johnson, the "faithful nigger," was of incalculable assistance. he was among the first to hear the call for prospective tenants. the meeting was in the big room of zora's house, and aunt rachel came early with her cheery voice and smile which faded so quickly to lines of sorrow and despair, and then twinkled back again. after her hobbled old sykes. fully a half-hour later rob hurried in. "johnson," he informed the others, "has sneaked over to cresswell's to tell of this meeting. we ought to beat that nigger up." but zora asked him about the new baby, and he was soon deep in child-lore. higgins and sanders came together--dirty, apologetic, and furtive. then came johnson. "how do, miss zora--mr. alwyn, i sure is glad to see you, sir. well, if there ain't aunt rachel! looking as young as ever. and higgins, you scamp--ah, mr. sanders--well, gentlemen and ladies, this sure is gwine to be a good cotton season. i remember--" and he ran on endlessly, now to this one, now to that, now to all, his little eyes all the while dancing insinuatingly here and there. about nine o'clock a buggy drove up and carter and simpson came in--carter, a silent, strong-faced, brown laborer, who listened and looked, and simpson, a worried nervous man, who sat still with difficulty and commenced many sentences but did not finish them. alwyn looked at his watch and at zora, but she gave no sign until they heard a rollicking song outside and tylor burst into the room. he was nearly seven feet high and broad-shouldered, yellow, with curling hair and laughing brown eyes. he was chewing an enormous quid of tobacco, the juice of which he distributed generously, and had had just liquor enough to make him jolly. his entrance was a breeze and a roar. alwyn then undertook to explain the land scheme. "it is the best land in the county--" "when it's cl'ared," interrupted johnson, and simpson looked alarmed. "it is partially cleared," continued alwyn, "and our plan is to sell off small twenty-acre farms--" "you can't do nothing on twenty acres--" began johnson, but tylor laid his huge hand right over his mouth and said briefly: "shut up!" alwyn started again: "we shall sell a few twenty-acre farms but keep one central plantation of one hundred acres for the school. here miss zora will carry on her work and the school will run a model farm with your help. we want to centre here agencies to make life better. we want all sorts of industries; we want a little hospital with a resident physician and two or three nurses; we want a cooperative store for buying supplies; we want a cotton-gin and saw-mill, and in the future other things. this land here, as i have said, is the richest around. we want to keep this hundred acres for the public good, and not sell it. we are going to deed it to a board of trustees, and those trustees are to be chosen from the ones who buy the small farms." "who's going to get what's made on this land?" asked sanders. "all of us. it is going first to pay for the land, then to support the home and the school, and then to furnish capital for industries." johnson snickered. "you mean youse gwine to git yo' livin' off it?" "yes," answered alwyn; "but i'm going to work for it." "who's gwine--" began simpson, but stopped helplessly. "who's going to tend this land?" asked the practical carter. "all of us. each man is going to promise us so many days' work a year, and we're going to ask others to help--the women and girls and school children--they will all help." "can you put trust in that sort of help?" "we can when once the community learns that it pays." "does you own the land?" asked johnson suddenly. "no; we're buying it, and it's part paid for already." the discussion became general. zora moved about among the men whispering and explaining; while johnson moved, too, objecting and hinting. at last he arose. "brethren," he began, "the plan's good enough for talkin' but you can't work it; who ever heer'd tell of such a thing? first place, the land ain't yours; second place, you can't get it worked; third place, white folks won't 'low it. who ever heer'd of such working land on shares?" "you do it for white folks each day, why not for yourselves," alwyn pointed out. "'cause we ain't white, and we can't do nothin' like that." tylor was asleep and snoring and the others looked doubtfully at each other. it was a proposal a little too daring for them, a bit too far beyond their experience. one consideration alone kept them from shrinking away and that was zora's influence. not a man was there whom she had not helped and encouraged nor who had not perfect faith in her; in her impetuous hope, her deep enthusiasm, and her strong will. even her defects--the hard-held temper, the deeply rooted dislikes--caught their imagination. finally, after several other meetings five men took courage--three of the best and two of the weakest. during the spring long negotiations were entered into by miss smith to "buy" the five men. colonel cresswell and mr. tolliver had them all charged with large sums of indebtedness and these sums had to be assumed by the school. as colonel cresswell counted over two thousand dollars of school notes and deposited them beside the mortgage he smiled grimly for he saw the end. yet, even then his hand trembled and that curious doubt came creeping back. he put it aside angrily and glanced up. "nigger wants to talk with you," announced his clerk. the colonel sauntered out and found bles alwyn waiting. "colonel cresswell," he said, "i have charge of the buying for the school and our tenants this year and i naturally want to do the best possible. i thought i'd come over and see about getting my supplies at your store." "that's all right; you can get anything you want," said colonel cresswell cheerily, for this to his mind was evidence of sense on the part of the negroes. bles showed his list of needed supplies--seeds, meat, corn-meal, coffee, sugar, etc. the colonel glanced over it carelessly, then moved away. "all right. come and get what you want--any time," he called back. "but about the prices," said alwyn, following him. "oh, they'll be all right." "of course. but what i want is an estimate of your lowest cash prices." "cash?" "yes, sir." cresswell thought a while; such a business-like proposition from negroes surprised him. "well, i'll let you know," he said. it was nearly a week later before alwyn approached him again. "now, see here," said colonel cresswell, "there's practically no difference between cash and time prices. we buy our stock on time and you can just as well take advantage of this as not. i have figured out about what these things will cost. the best thing for you to do is to make a deposit here and get things when you want them. if you make a good deposit i'll throw off ten per cent, which is all of my profit." "thank you," said alwyn, but he looked over the account and found the whole bill at least twice as large as he expected. without further parley, he made some excuse and started to town while mr. cresswell went to the telephone. in town alwyn went to all the chief merchants one after another and received to his great surprise practically the same estimate. he could not understand it. he had estimated the current market prices according to the montgomery paper, yet the prices in toomsville were fifty to a hundred and fifty per cent higher. the merchant to whom he went last, laughed. "don't you know we're not going to interfere with colonel cresswell's tenants?" he stated the dealers' attitude, and alwyn saw light. he went home and told zora, and she listened without surprise. "now to business," she said briskly. "miss smith," turning to the teacher, "as i told you, they're combined against us in town and we must buy in montgomery. i was sure it was coming, but i wanted to give colonel cresswell every chance. bles starts for montgomery--" alwyn looked up. "does he?" he asked, smiling. "yes," said zora, smiling in turn. "we must lose no further time." "but there's no train from toomsville tonight." "but there's one from barton in the morning and barton is only twenty miles away." "it is a long walk." alwyn thought a while, silently. then he rose. "i'm going," he said. "good-bye." in less than a week the storehouse was full, and tenants were at work. the twenty acres of cleared swamp land, attended to by the voluntary labor of all the tenants, was soon bearing a magnificent crop. colonel cresswell inspected all the crops daily with a proprietary air that would have been natural had these folk been simply tenants, and as such he persisted in regarding them. the cotton now growing was perhaps not so uniformly fine as the first acre of silver fleece, but it was of unusual height and thickness. "at least a bale to the acre," alwyn estimated, and the colonel mentally determined to take two-thirds of the crop. after that he decided that he would evict zora immediately; since sufficient land was cleared already for his purposes and moreover, he had seen with consternation a herd of cattle grazing in one field on some early green stuff, and heard a drove of hogs in the swamp. such an example before the tenants of the black belt would be fatal. he must wait a few weeks for them to pick the cotton--then, the end. he was fighting the battle of his color and caste. the children sang merrily in the brown-white field. the wide baskets, poised aloft, foamed on the erect and swaying bodies of the dark carriers. the crop throughout the land was short that year, for prices had ruled low last season in accordance with the policy of the combine. this year they started high again. would they fall? many thought so and hastened to sell. zora and alwyn gathered their tenants' crops, ginned them at the cresswells' gin, and carried their cotton to town, where it was deposited in the warehouse of the farmers' league. "now," said alwyn, "we would best sell while prices are high." zora laughed at him frankly. "we can't," she said. "don't you know that colonel cresswell will attach our cotton for rent as soon as it touches the warehouse?" "but it's ours." "nothing is ours. no black man ordinarily can sell his crop without a white creditor's consent." alwyn fumed. "the best way," he declared, "is to go to montgomery and get a first-class lawyer and just fight the thing through. the land is legally ours, and he has no right to our cotton." "yes, but you must remember that no man like colonel cresswell regards a business bargain with a colored man as binding. no white man under ordinary circumstances will help enforce such a bargain against prevailing public opinion." "but if we cannot trust to the justice of the case, and if you knew we couldn't, why did you try?" "because i had to try; and moreover the circumstances are not altogether ordinary: the men in power in toomsville now are not the landlords of this county; they are poor whites. the judge and sheriff were both elected by mill-hands who hate cresswell and taylor. then there's a new young lawyer who wants harry cresswell's seat in congress; he don't know much law, i'm afraid; but what he don't know of this case i think i do. i'll get his advice and then--i mean to conduct the case myself," zora calmly concluded. "without a lawyer!" bles alwyn stared his amazement. "without a lawyer in court." "zora! that would be foolish!" "is it? let's think. for over a year now i've been studying the law of the case," and she pointed to her law books; "i know the law and most of the decisions. moreover, as a black woman fighting a hopeless battle with landlords, i'll gain the one thing lacking." "what's that?" "the sympathy of the court and the bystanders." "pshaw! from these southerners?" "yes, from them. they are very human, these men, especially the laborers. their prejudices are cruel enough, but there are joints in their armor. they are used to seeing us either scared or blindly angry, and they understand how to handle us then, but at other times it is hard for them to do anything but meet us in a human way." "but, zora, think of the contact of the court, the humiliation, the coarse talk--" zora put up her hand and lightly touched his arm. looking at him, she said: "mud doesn't hurt much. this is my duty. let me do it." his eyes fell before the shadow of a deeper rebuke. he arose heavily. "very well," he acquiesced as he passed slowly out. the young lawyer started to refuse to touch the case until he saw--or did zora adroitly make him see?--a chance for eventual political capital. they went over the matter carefully, and the lawyer acquired a respect for the young woman's knowledge. "first," he said, "get an injunction on the cotton--then go to court." and to insure the matter he slipped over and saw the judge. colonel cresswell next day stalked angrily into his lawyers' office. "see here," he thundered, handing the lawyer the notice of the injunction. "see the judge," began the lawyer, and then remembered, as he was often forced to do these days, who was judge. he inquired carefully into the case and examined the papers. then he said: "colonel cresswell, who drew this contract of sale?" "the black girl did." "impossible!" "she certainly did--wrote it in my presence." "well, it's mighty well done." "you mean it will stand in law?" "it certainly will. there's but one way to break it, and that's to allege misunderstanding on your part." cresswell winced. it was not pleasant to go into open court and acknowledge himself over-reached by a negro; but several thousand dollars in cotton and land were at stake. "go ahead," he concurred. "you can depend on taylor, of course?" added the lawyer. "of course," answered cresswell. "but why prolong the thing?" "you see, she's got your cotton tied by injunction." "i don't see how she did it." "easy enough: this judge is the poor white you opposed in the last primary." within a week the case was called, and they filed into the courtroom. cresswell's lawyer saw only this black woman--no other lawyer or sign of one appeared to represent her. the place soon filled with a lazy, tobacco-chewing throng of white men. a few blacks whispered in one corner. the dirty stove was glowing with pine-wood and the judge sat at a desk. "where's your lawyer?" he asked sharply of zora. "i have none," returned zora, rising. there came a silence in the court. her voice was low, and the men leaned forward to listen. the judge felt impelled to be over-gruff. "get a lawyer," he ordered. "your honor, my case is simple, and with your honor's permission i wish to conduct it myself. i cannot afford a lawyer, and i do not think i need one." cresswell's lawyer smiled and leaned back. it was going to be easier than he supposed. evidently the woman believed she had no case, and was weakening. the trial proceeded, and zora stated her contention. she told how long her mother and grandmother had served the cresswells and showed her receipt for rent paid. "a friend sent me some money. i went to mr. cresswell and asked him to sell me two hundred acres of land. he consented to do so and signed this contract in the presence of his son-in-law." just then john taylor came into the court, and cresswell beckoned to him. "i want you to help me out, john." "all right," whispered taylor. "what can i do?" "swear that cresswell didn't mean to sign this," said the lawyer quickly, as he arose to address the court. taylor looked at the paper blankly and then at cresswell and some inkling of the irreconcilable difference in the two natures leapt in both their hearts. cresswell might gamble and drink and lie "like a gentleman," but he would never willingly cheat or take advantage of a white man's financial necessities. taylor, on the other hand, had a horror of a lie, never drank nor played games of chance, but his whole life was speculation and in the business game he was utterly ruthless and respected no one. such men could never thoroughly understand each other. to cresswell a man who had cheated the whole south out of millions by a series of misrepresentations ought to regard this little falsehood as nothing. meantime colonel cresswell's lawyer was on his feet, and he adopted his most irritating and contemptuous manner. "this nigger wench wrote out some illegible stuff and colonel cresswell signed it to get rid of her. we are not going to question the legality of the form--that's neither here nor there. the point is, mr. cresswell never intended--never dreamed of selling this wench land right in front of his door. he meant to rent her the land and sign a receipt for rent paid in advance. i will not worry your honor by a long argument to prove this, but just call one of the witnesses well known to you--mr. john taylor of the toomsville mills." taylor looked toward the door and then slowly took the stand. "mr. taylor," said the lawyer carelessly, "were you present at this transaction?" "yes." "did you see colonel cresswell sign this paper?" "yes." "well, did he intend so far as you know to sign such a paper?" "i do not know his intentions." "did he say he meant to sign such a contract?" taylor hesitated. "yes," he finally answered. colonel cresswell looked up in amazement and the lawyer dropped his glasses. "i--i don't think you perhaps understood me, mr. taylor," he gasped. "i--er--meant to ask if colonel cresswell, in signing this paper, meant to sign a contract to sell this wench two hundred acres of land?" "he said he did," reiterated taylor. "although i ought to add that he did not think the girl would ever be able to pay. if he had thought she would pay, i don't think he would have signed the paper." colonel cresswell went red, than pale, and leaning forward before the whole court, he hurled: "you damned scoundrel!" the judge rapped for order and fidgeted in his seat. there was some confusion and snickering in the courtroom. finally the judge plucked up courage: "the defendant is ordered to deliver this cotton to zora cresswell," he directed. the raging of colonel cresswell's anger now turned against john taylor as well as the negroes. wind of the estrangement flew over town quickly. the poor whites saw a chance to win taylor's influence and the sheriff approached him cautiously. taylor paid him slight courtesy. he was irritated with this devilish negro problem; he was making money; his wife and babies were enjoying life, and here was this fool trial to upset matters. but the sheriff talked. "the thing i'm afraid of," he said, "is that cresswell and his gang will swing in the niggers on us." "how do you mean?" "let 'em vote." "but they'd have to read and write." "sure!" "well, then," said taylor, "it might be a good thing." colton eyed him suspiciously. "you'd let a nigger vote?" "why, yes, if he had sense enough." "there ain't no nigger got sense." "oh, pshaw!" taylor ejaculated, walking away. the sheriff was angry and mistrustful. he believed he had discovered a deep-laid scheme of the aristocrats to cultivate friendliness between whites and blacks, and then use black voters to crush the whites. such a course was, in colton's mind, dangerous, monstrous, and unnatural; it must be stopped at all hazards. he began to whisper among his friends. one or two meetings were held, and the flame of racial prejudice was studiously fanned. the atmosphere of the town and country quickly began to change. whatever little beginnings of friendship and understanding had arisen now quickly disappeared. the town of a saturday no longer belonged to a happy, careless crowd of black peasants, but the black folk found themselves elbowed to the gutter, while ugly quarrels flashed here and there with a quick arrest of the negroes. colonel cresswell made a sudden resolve. he sent for the sheriff and received him at the oaks, in his most respectable style, filling him with good food, and warming him with good liquor. "colton," he asked, "are you sending any of your white children to the nigger school yet?" "what!" yelled colton. the colonel laughed, frankly telling colton john taylor's philosophy on the race problem,--his willingness to let negroes vote; his threat to let blacks and whites work together; his contempt for the officials elected by the people. "candidly, colton," he concluded, "i believe in aristocracy. i can't think it right or wise to replace the old aristocracy by new and untried blood." and in a sudden outburst--"but, by god, sir! i'm a white man, and i place the lowest white man ever created above the highest darkey ever thought of. this yankee, taylor, is a nigger-lover. he's secretly encouraging and helping them. you saw what he did to me, and i'm warning you in time." colton's glass dropped. "i thought it was you that was corralling the niggers against us," he exclaimed. the colonel reddened. "i don't count all white men my equals, i admit," he returned with dignity, "but i know the difference between a white man and a nigger." colton stretched out his massive hand. "put it there, sir," said he; "i misjudged you, colonel cresswell. i'm a southerner, and i honor the old aristocracy you represent. i'm going to join with you to crush this yankee and put the niggers in their places. they are getting impudent around here; they need a lesson and, by gad! they'll get one they'll remember." "now, see here, colton,--nothing rash," the colonel charged him, warningly. "don't stir up needless trouble; but--well, things must change." colton rose and shook his head. "the niggers need a lesson," he muttered as he unsteadily bade his host good-bye. cresswell watched him uncomfortably as he rode away, and again a feeling of doubt stirred within him. what new force was he loosening against his black folk--his own black folk, who had lived about him and his fathers nigh three hundred years? he saw the huge form of the sheriff loom like an evil spirit a moment on the rise of the road and sink into the night. he turned slowly to his cheerless house shuddering as he entered the uninviting portals. _thirty-seven_ the mob when emma, bertie's child, came home after a two years' course of study, she had passed from girlhood to young womanhood. she was white, and sandy-haired. she was not beautiful, and she appeared to be fragile; but she also looked sweet and good, with that peculiar innocence which peers out upon the world with calm, round eyes and sees no evil, but does methodically its simple, everyday work. zora mothered her, miss smith found her plenty to do, and bles thought her a good girl. but mrs. cresswell found her perfect, and began to scheme to marry her off. for mary cresswell, with the restlessness and unhappiness of an unemployed woman, was trying to atone for her former blunders. her humiliation after the episode at cresswell oaks had been complete. it seemed to her that the original cause of her whole life punishment lay in her persistent misunderstanding of the black people and their problem. zora appeared to her in a new and glorified light--a vigorous, self-sacrificing woman. she knew that zora had refused to marry bles, and this again seemed fitting. zora was not meant for marrying; she was a born leader, wedded to a great cause; she had long outgrown the boy and girl affection. she was the sort of woman she herself might have been if she had not married. alwyn, on the other hand, needed a wife; he was a great, virile boy, requiring a simple, affectionate mate. no sooner did she see emma than she was sure that this was the ideal wife. she compared herself with helen cresswell. helen was a contented wife and mother because she was fitted for the position, and happy in it; while she who had aimed so high had fallen piteously. from such a fate she would save zora and bles. emma's course in nurse-training had been simple and short and there was no resident physician; but emma, in her unemotional way, was a born nurse and did much good among the sick in the neighborhood. zora had a small log hospital erected with four white beds, a private room, and an office which was also emma's bedroom. the new white physician in town, just fresh from school in atlanta, became interested and helped with advice and suggestions. meantime john taylor's troubles began to increase. under the old political regime it had been an easy matter to avoid serious damage-suits for the accidents in the mill. much child labor and the lack of protective devices made accidents painfully frequent. taylor insisted that the chief cause was carelessness, while the mill hands alleged criminal neglect on his part. when the new labor officials took charge of the court and the break occurred between colonel cresswell and his son-in-law, taylor found that several damage-suits were likely to cost him a considerable sum. he determined not to let the bad feelings go too far, and when a particularly distressing accident to a little girl took place, he showed more than his usual interest and offered to care for her. the new young physician recommended zora's infirmary as the only near place that offered a chance for the child's recovery. "take her out," taylor promptly directed. zora was troubled when the child came. she knew the suspicious temper of the town whites. the very next day taylor sent out a second case, a child who had been hurt some time before and was not recovering as she should. under the care of the little hospital and the gentle nurse the children improved rapidly, and in two weeks were outdoors, playing with the little black children and even creeping into classrooms and listening. the grateful mothers came out twice a week at least; at first with suspicious aloofness, but gradually melting under zora's tact until they sat and talked with her and told their troubles and struggles. zora realized how human they were, and how like their problems were to hers. they and their children grew to love this busy, thoughtful woman, and zora's fears were quieted. the catastrophe came suddenly. the sheriff rode by, scowling and hunting for some poor black runaway, when he saw white children in the negro school and white women, whom he knew were mill-hands, looking on. he was black with anger; turning he galloped back to town. a few hours later the young physician arrived hastily in a cab to take the women and children to town. he said something in a low tone to zora and drove away, frowning. zora came quickly to the school and asked for alwyn. he was in the barn and she hurried there. "bles," she said quietly, "it is reported that a toomsville mob will burn the school tonight." bles stood motionless. "i've been fearing it. the sheriff has been stirring up the worst elements in the town lately and the mills pay off tonight." "well," she said quietly, "we must prepare." he looked at her, his face aglow with admiration. "you wonder-woman!" he exclaimed softly. a moment they regarded each other. she saw the love in his eyes, and he saw rising in hers something that made his heart bound. but she turned quickly away. "you must hurry, bles; lives are at stake." and in another moment he thundered out of the barn on the black mare. along the pike he flew and up the plantation roads. across broad fields and back again, over to the barton pike and along the swamp. at every cabin he whispered a word, and left behind him grey faces and whispering children. his horse was reeking with sweat as he staggered again into the school-yard; but already the people were gathering, with frightened, anxious, desperate faces. women with bundles and children, men with guns, tottering old folks, wide-eyed boys and girls. up from the swamp land came the children crying and moaning. the sun was setting. the women and children hurried into the school building, closing the doors and windows. a moment alwyn stood without and looked back. the world was peaceful. he could hear the whistle of birds and the sobbing of the breeze in the shadowing oaks. the sky was flashing to dull and purplish blue, and over all lay the twilight hush as though god did not care. he threw back his head and clenched his hands. his soul groaned within him. "heavenly father, was man ever before set to such a task?" fight? god! if he could but fight! if he could but let go the elemental passions that were leaping and gathering and burning in the eyes of yonder caged and desperate black men. but his hands were tied--manacled. one desperate struggle, a whirl of blood, and the whole world would rise to crush him and his people. the white operatore in yonder town had but to flash the news, "negroes killing whites," to bring all the country, all the state, all the nation, to red vengeance. it mattered not what the provocation, what the desperate cause. the door suddenly opened behind him and he wheeled around. "zora!" he whispered. "bles," she answered softly, and they went silently in to their people. all at once, from floor to roof, the whole school-house was lighted up, save a dark window here and there. then some one slipped out into the darkness and soon watch-fire after watch-fire flickered and flamed in the night, and then burned vividly, sending up sparks and black smoke. thus ringed with flaming silence, the school lay at the edge of the great, black swamp and waited. owls hooted in the forest. afar the shriek of the montgomery train was heard across the night, mingling with the wail of a wakeful babe; and then redoubled silence. the men became restless, and johnson began to edge away toward the lower hall. alwyn was watching him when a faint noise came to him on the eastern breeze--a low, rumbling murmur. it died away, and rose again; then a distant gun-shot woke the echoes. "they're coming!" he cried. standing back in the shadow of a front window, he waited. slowly, intermittently, the murmuring swelled, till it grew distinguishable as yelling, cursing, and singing, intermingled with the crash of pistol-shots. far away a flame, as of a burning cabin, arose, and a wilder, louder yell greeted it. now the tramp of footsteps could be heard, and clearer and thicker the grating and booming of voices, until suddenly, far up the pike, a black moving mass, with glitter and shout, swept into view. they came headlong, guided by pine-torches, which threw their white and haggard faces into wild distortion. then as bonfire after bonfire met their gaze, they moved slowly and more slowly, and at last sent a volley of bullets at the fires. one bullet flew high and sang through a lighted window. without a word, uncle isaac sank upon the floor and lay still. silence and renewed murmuring ensued, and the sound of high voices in dispute. then the mass divided into two wings and slowly encircled the fence of fire; starting noisily and confidently, and then going more slowly, quietly, warily, as the silence of the flame began to tell on their heated nerves. strained whispers arose. "careful there!" "go on, damn ye!" "there's some one by yon fire." "no, there ain't." "see the bushes move." _bang! bang! bang!_ "who's that?" "it's me." "let's rush through and fire the house." "and leave a pa'cel of niggers behind to shoot your lights out? not me." "what the hell are you going to do?" "i don't know yet." "i wish i could see a nigger." _"hark!"_ stealthy steps were approaching, a glint of steel flashed behind the fire lights. each band mistook the other for the armed negroes, and the leaders yelled in vain; human power can not stay the dashing torrent of fear-inspired human panic. whirling, the mob fled till it struck the road in two confused, surging masses. then in quick frenzy, shots flew; three men threw up their hands and tumbled limply in the dust, while the main body rushed pellmell toward town. at early dawn, when the men relaxed from the strain of the night's vigil, alwyn briefly counselled them: "hide your guns." "why?" blustered rob. "haven't i a right to have a gun?" "yes, you have, rob; but don't be foolish--hide it. we've not heard the last of this." but rob tossed his head belligerently. in town, rumor spread like wildfire. a body of peaceful whites passing through the black settlement had been fired on from ambush, and six killed--no, three killed--no, one killed and two severely wounded. "the thing mustn't stop here," shouted sheriff colton; "these niggers must have a lesson." and before nine next morning fully half the grown members of the same mob, now sworn in as deputies, rode with him to search the settlement. they tramped insolently through the school grounds, but there was no shred of evidence until they came to rob's cabin and found his gun. they tied his hands behind him and marched him toward town. but before the mob arrived the night before, johnson feeling that his safety lay in informing the white folks, had crawled with his gun into the swamp. in the morning he peered out as the cavalcade approached, and not knowing what had happened, he recognized colton, the sheriff, and signalled to him cautiously. in a moment a dozen men were on him, and he appealed and explained in vain--the gun was damning evidence. the voices of rob's wife and children could be heard behind the two men as they were hurried along at a dog trot. the town poured out to greet them--"the murderers! the murderers! kill the niggers!" and they came on with a rush. the sheriff turned and disappeared in the rear. there was a great cloud of dust, a cry and a wild scramble, as the white and angry faces of men and boys gleamed a moment and faded. a hundred or more shots rang out; then slowly and silently, the mass of women and men were sucked into the streets of the town, leaving but black eddies on the corners to throw backward glances toward the bare, towering pine where swung two red and awful things. the pale boy-face of one, with soft brown eyes glared up sightless to the sun; the dead, leathered bronze of the other was carved in piteous terror. _thirty-eight_ atonement three months had flown. it was spring again, and zora sat in the transformed swamp--now a swamp in name only--beneath the great oak, dreaming. and what she dreamed there in the golden day she dared not formulate even to her own soul. she rose with a start, for there was work to do. aunt rachel was ill, and emma went daily to attend her; today, as she came back, she brought news that colonel cresswell, who had been unwell for several days, was worse. she must send emma up to help, and as she started toward the school she glanced toward the cresswell oaks and saw the arm-chair of its master on the pillared porch. colonel cresswell sat in his chair on the porch, alone. as far as he could see, there was no human soul. his eyes were blood-shot, his cheeks sunken, and his breath came in painful gasps. a sort of terror shook him until he heard the distant songs of black folk in the fields. he sighed, and lying back, closed his eyes and the breath came easier. when he opened them again a white figure was coming up the avenue of the oaks. he watched it greedily. it was mary cresswell, and she started when she saw him. "you are worse, father?" she asked. "worse and better," he replied, smiling cynically. then suddenly he announced: "i've made my will." "why--why--" she stammered. "why?" sharply. "because i'm going to die." she said nothing. he smiled and continued: "i've got it all fixed. harry was in a tight place--gambling as usual--and i gave him a lump sum in lieu of all claims. then i gave john taylor--you needn't look. i sent for him. he's a damned scoundrel; but he won't lie, and i needed him. i willed his children all the rest except two or three legacies. one was one hundred thousand dollars for you--" "oh, father!" she cried. "i don't deserve it." "i reckon two years with harry was worth about that much," he returned grimly. "then there's another gift of two hundred thousand dollars and this house and plantation. whom do you think that's for?" "helen?" "helen!" he raised his hand in threatening anger. "i might rot here for all she cares. no--no--but then--i'll not tell you--i--ah--" a spasm of pain shot across his face, and he lay back white and still. abruptly he sat up again and peered down the oaks. "hush!" he gasped. "who's that?" "i don't know--it's a girl--i--" he gripped her till she winced. "my god--it walks--like my wife--i tell you--she held her head so--who is it?" he half rose. "oh, father, it's nobody but emma--little emma--bertie's child--the mulatto girl. she's a nurse now, and i asked to have her come and attend you." "oh," he said, "oh--" he looked at the girl curiously. "come here." he peered into her white young face. "do you know me?" the girl shrank away from him. "yes, sir." "what do you do?" "i teach and nurse at the school." "good! well, i'm going to give you some money--do you know why?" a flash of self-consciousness passed over the girl's face; she looked at him with her wide blue eyes. "yes, grandfather," she faltered. mrs. cresswell rose to her feet; but the old man slowly dropped the girl's hand and lay back in his chair, with lips half smiling. "grandfather," he repeated softly. he closed his eyes a space and then opened them. a tremor shivered in his limbs as he stared darkly at the swamp. "hark!" he cried harshly. "do you hear the bodies creaking on the limbs? it's rob and johnson. i did it--i--" suddenly he rose and stood erect and his wild eyes stricken with death stared full upon emma. slowly and thickly he spoke, working his trembling hands. "nell--nell! is it you, little wife, come back to accuse me? ah, nell, don't shrink! i know--i have sinned against the light and the blood of your poor black people is red on these old hands. no, don't put your clean white hands upon me, nell, till i wash mine. i'll do it, nell; i'll atone. i'm a cresswell yet, nell, a cresswell and a gen--" he swayed. vainly he struggled for the word. the shudder of death shook his soul, and he passed. a week after the funeral of colonel cresswell, john taylor drove out to the school and was closeted with miss smith. his sister, installed once again for a few days in her old room at the school, understood that he was conferring about emma's legacy, and she was glad. she was more and more convinced that the marriage of emma and bles was the best possible solution of many difficulties. she had asked emma once if she liked bles, and emma had replied in her innocent way, "oh, so much." as for bles, he was often saying what a dear child emma was. neither perhaps realized yet that this was love, but it needed, mrs. cresswell was sure, only the lightning-flash, and they would know. and who could furnish that illumination better than zora, the calm, methodical zora, who knew them so well? as for herself, once she had accomplished the marriage and paid the mortgage on the school out of her legacy, she would go abroad and in travel seek forgetfulness and healing. there had been no formal divorce, and so far as she was concerned there never would be; but the separation from her husband and america would be forever. her brother came out of the office, nodded casually, for they had little intercourse these days, and rode away. she rushed in to miss smith and found her sitting there--straight, upright, composed in all save that the tears were streaming down her face and she was making no effort to stop them. "why--miss smith!" she faltered. miss smith pointed to a paper. mrs. cresswell picked it up curiously. it was an official notification to the trustees of the smith school of a legacy of two hundred thousand dollars together with the cresswell house and plantation. mrs. gresswell sat down in open-mouthed astonishment. twice she tried to speak, but there were so many things to say that she could not choose. "tell zora," miss smith at last managed to say. zora was dreaming again. somehow, the old dream-life, with its glorious phantasies, had come silently back, richer and sweeter than ever. there was no tangible reason why, and yet today she had shut herself in her den. searching down in the depths of her trunk, she drew forth that filmy cloud of white--silk-bordered and half finished to a gown. why were her eyes wet today and her mind on the silver fleece? it was an anniversary, and perhaps she still remembered that moment, that supreme moment before the mob. she half slipped on, half wound about her, the white cloud of cloth, standing with parted lips, looking into the long mirror and gleaming in the fading day like midnight gowned in mists and stars. abruptly there came a peremptory knocking at the door. "zora! zora!" sounded mrs. cresswell's voice. forgetting her informal attire, she opened the door, fearing some mishap. mrs. cresswell poured out the news. zora received it in such motionless silence that mary wondered at her want of feeling. at last, however, she said happily to zora: "well, the battle's over, isn't it?" "no, it's just begun." "just begun?" echoed mary in amazement. "think of the servile black folk, the half awakened restless whites, the fat land waiting for the harvest, the masses panting to know--why, the battle is scarcely even begun." "yes, i guess that's so," mary began to comprehend. "we'll thank god it has begun, though." "thank god!" zora reverently repeated. "come, let's go back to poor, dear miss smith," suggested mary. "i can't come just now--but pretty soon." "why? oh, i see; you're trying on something--how pretty and becoming! well, hurry." as they stood together, the white woman deemed the moment opportune; she slipped her arm about the black woman's waist and began: "zora, i've had something on my mind for a long time, and i shouldn't wonder if you had thought of the same thing." "what is it?" "bles and emma." "what of them?" "their liking for each other." zora bent a moment and caught up the folds of the fleece. "i hadn't noticed it," she said in a low voice. "well, you're busy, you see. they've been very much together--his taking her to her charges, bringing her back, and all that. i know they love each other; yet something holds them apart, afraid to show their love. do you know--i've wondered if--quite unconciously, it is you? you know bles used to imagine himself in love with you, just as he did afterward with miss wynn." "miss--wynn?" "yes, the washington girl. but he got over that and you straightened him out finally. still, emma probably thinks yours is the prior claim, knowing, of course, nothing of facts. and bles knows she thinks of him and you, and i'm convinced if you say the word, they'd love and marry." zora walked silently with her to the door, where, looking out, she saw bles and emma coming from aunt rachel's. he was helping her from the carriage with smiling eyes, and her innocent blue eyes were fastened on him. zora looked long and searchingly. "please run and tell them of the legacy," she begged. "i--i will come--in a moment." and mrs. cresswell hurried out. zora turned back steadily to her room, and locked herself in. after all, why shouldn't it be? why had it not occurred to her before in her blindness? if she had wanted him--and ah, god! was not all her life simply the want of him?--why had she not bound him to her when he had offered himself? why had she not bound him to her? she knew as she asked--because she had wanted all, not a part--everything, love, respect and perfect faith--not one thing could she spare then--not one thing. and now, oh, god! she had dreamed that it was all hers, since that night of death and circling flame when they looked at each other soul to soul. but he had not meant anything. it was pity she had seen there, not love; and she rose and walked the room slowly, fast and faster. with trembling hands she drew the silver fleece round her. her head swam again and the blood flashed in her eyes. she heard a calling in the swamp, and the shadow of elspeth seemed to hover over her, claiming her for her own, dragging her down, down.... she rushed through the swamp. the lagoon lay there before her presently, gleaming in the darkness--cold and still, and in it swam an awful shape. she held her burning head--was not everything plain? was not everything clear? this was sacrifice! this was the atonement for the unforgiven sin. emma's was the pure soul which she must offer up to god; for it was god, a cold and mighty god, who had given it to bles--her bles. it was well; god willed it. but could she live? must she live? did god ask that, too? all at once she stood straight; her whole body grew tense, alert. she heard no sound behind her, but knew he was there, and braced herself. she must be true. she must be just. she must pay the uttermost farthing. "bles," she called faintly, but did not turn her head. "zora!" "bles," she choked, but her voice came stronger, "i know--all. emma is a good girl. i helped bring her up myself and did all i could for her and she--she is pure; marry her." his voice came slow and firm: "emma? but i don't love emma. i love--some one else." her heart bounded and again was still. it was that washington girl then. she answered dully, groping for words, for she was tired: "who is it?" "the best woman in all the world, zora." "and is"--she struggled at the word madly--"is she pure?" "she is more than pure." "then you must marry her, bles." "i am not worthy of her," he answered, sinking before her. then at last illumination dawned upon her blindness. she stood very still and lifted up her eyes. the swamp was living, vibrant, tremulous. there where the first long note of night lay shot with burning crimson, burst in sudden radiance the wide beauty of the moon. there pulsed a glory in the air. her little hands groped and wandered over his close-curled hair, and she sobbed, deep voiced: "will you--marry me, bles?" l'envoi lend me thine ears, o god the reader, whose fathers aforetime sent mine down into the land of egypt, into this house of bondage. lay not these words aside for a moment's phantasy, but lift up thine eyes upon the horror in this land;--the maiming and mocking and murdering of my people, and the prisonment of their souls. let my people go, o infinite one, lest the world shudder at the end +-------------------------------------------------+ |transcriber's note: | | | |obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | | | +-------------------------------------------------+ autobiography of a female slave [illustration: decoration] redfield 34 beekman street, new york 1857 entered, according to act of congress, in the year 1856, by j. s. redfield, in the clerk's office of the district court for the southern district of new york. e. o. jenkins, printer and stereotyper, no. 26 frankfort street. to all persons interested in the cause of freedom, this little book is respectfully and affectionately dedicated, by the author. contents. page chapter i. the old kentucky farm--my parentage and early training--death of the master--the sale-day--new master and new home, 9 chapter ii. a view of the new home, 19 chapter iii. the yankee school-mistress--her philosophy--the american abolitionists, 29 chapter iv. conversation with miss bradly--a light breaks through the darkness, 32 chapter v. a fashionable tea-table--table-talk--aunt polly's experience--the overseer's authority--the whipping-post--transfiguring power of divine faith, 37 chapter vi. restored consciousness--aunt polly's account of my miraculous return to life--the master's affray with the overseer, 51 chapter vii. amy's narrative, and her philosophy of a future state, 58 chapter viii. talk at the farm-house--threats--the new beau--lindy, 65 chapter ix. lindy's boldness--a suspicion--the master's accountability--the young reformer--words of hope--the cultivated mulatto--the dawn of ambition, 76 chapter x. the conversation, in which fear and suspicion are aroused--the young master, 84 chapter xi. the flight--young master's apprehensions--his conversation--amy--edifying talk among ladies, 93 chapter xii. mr. peterkin's rage--its escape--chat at the breakfast-table--change of views--power of the flesh-pots, 101 chapter xiii. recollections--consoling influence of sympathy--amy's doctrine of the soul--talk at the spring, 107 chapter xiv. the prattlings of insanity--old wounds reopen--the walk to the doctor's--influence of nature, 116 chapter xv. quietude of the woods--a glimpse of the stranger--mrs. mandy's words of cruel irony--sad reflections, 121 chapter xvi. a reflection--american abolitionists--disaffection in kentucky--the young master--his remonstrance, 127 chapter xvii. the return of the hunters, flushed with success--mr. peterkin's vagary, 136 chapter xviii. the essay of wit--young abolitionist--his influence--a night at the door of the "lock-up," 147 chapter xix. sympathy casteth out fear--consequence of the night's watch--troubled reflections, 161 chapter xx. the trader--a terrible fright--power of prayer--grief of the helpless, 170 chapter xxi. touching farewell full of pathos--the parting--my grief, 183 chapter xxii. a conversation--hope blossoms out, but charlestown is full of excitability, 191 chapter xxiii. the supper--its consequences--loss of silver--a lonely night--amy, 201 chapter xxiv. the punishment--cruelty--its fatal consequence--death, 211 chapter xxv. conversation of the father and son--the discovery; its consequences--death of the young and beautiful, 221 chapter xxvi. the funeral--miss bradly's departure--the dispute--spirit questions, 232 chapter xxvii. the awful confession of the master--death--its cold solemnity, 243 chapter xxviii. the bridal--its ceremonies--a trip, and a change of homes--the magnolia--a stranger, 251 chapter xxix. the argument, 259 chapter xxx. the misdemeanor--the punishment--its consequence--fright, 279 chapter xxxi. the day of trial--anxiety--the volunteer counsel--verdict of the jury, 293 chapter xxxii. execution of the sentence--a change--hope, 303 chapter xxxiii. sold--life as a slave--pen--charles' story--uncle peter's troubles--a star peeping forth from the cloud, 314 chapter xxxiv. scene in the pen--starting "down the river"--uncle peter's trial--my rescue, 333 chapter xxxv. the new home--a pleasant family group--quiet love-meetings, 342 chapter xxxvi. the new associates--depraved views--elsy's mistake--departure of the young ladies--loneliness, 348 chapter xxxvii. the new mistress--her kindness of disposition--a pretty home--and love-interviews in the summer days, 355 chapter xxxviii. an awful revelation--more clouds to darken the sun of life--sickness and blessed insensibility, 366 chapter xxxix. gradual return of happy spirits--brighter prospects--an old acquaintance, 374 chapter xl. the crisis of existence--a dreadful page in life, 381 chapter xli. a revelation--death the peaceful angel--calmness, 391 chapter xlii. conclusion, 398 autobiography of a female slave. chapter i. the old kentucky farm--my parentage and early training--death of the master--the sale-day--new master and new home. i was born in one of the southern counties of kentucky. my earliest recollections are of a large, old-fashioned farm-house, built of hewn rock, in which my old master, mr. nelson, and his family, consisting of a widowed sister, two daughters and two sons, resided. i have but an indistinct remembrance of my old master. at times, a shadow of an idea, like the reflection of a kind dream, comes over my mind, and, then, i conjure him up as a large, venerable-looking man, with scanty, gray locks floating carelessly over an amplitude of forehead; a wide, hard-featured face, with yet a kindly glow of honest sentiment; broad, strong teeth, much discolored by the continued use of tobacco. i well remember that, as a token of his good-will, he always presented us (the slave-children) with a slice of buttered bread, when we had finished our daily task. i have also a faint _reminiscence_ of his old hickory cane being shaken over my head two or three times, and the promise (which remained, until his death, unfulfilled) of a good "_thrashing_" at some future period. my mother was a very bright mulatto woman, and my father, i suppose, was a white man, though i know nothing of him; for, with the most unpaternal feeling, he deserted me. a consequence of this amalgamation was my very fair and beautiful complexion. my skin was no perceptible shade darker than that of my young mistresses. my eyes were large and dark, while a profusion of nut-brown hair, straight and soft as the whitest lady's in the land, fell in showery redundance over my neck and shoulders. i was often mistaken for a white child; and in my rambles through the woods, many caresses have i received from wayside travellers; and the exclamation, "what a beautiful child!" was quite common. owing to this personal beauty i was a great pet with my master's sister, mrs. woodbridge, who, i believe i have stated, was a widow, and childless; so upon me she lavished all the fondness of a warm and loving heart. my mother, keziah the cook, commonly called aunt kaisy, was possessed of an indomitable ambition, and had, by the hardest means, endeavored to acquire the rudiments of an education; but all that she had succeeded in obtaining was a knowledge of the alphabet, and orthography in two syllables. being very imitative, she eschewed the ordinary negroes' pronunciation, and adopted the mode of speech used by the higher classes of whites. she was very much delighted when mrs. woodbridge or miss betsy (as we called her) began to instruct me in the elements of the english language. i inherited my mother's thirst for knowledge; and, by intense study, did all i could to spare miss betsy the usual drudgery of a teacher. the aptitude that i displayed, may be inferred from the fact that, in three months from the day she began teaching me the alphabet, i was reading, with some degree of fluency, in the "first reader." i have often heard her relate this as quite a literary and educational marvel. there were so many slaves upon the farm, particularly young ones, that i was regarded as a supernumerary; consequently, spared from nearly all the work. i sat in miss betsy's room, with book in hand, little heeding anything else; and, if ever i manifested the least indolence, my mother, with her wild ambition, was sure to rally me, and even offer the tempting bribe of cakes and apples. i have frequently heard my old master say, "betsy, you will spoil that girl, teaching her so much." "she is too pretty for a slave," was her invariable reply. thus smoothly passed the early part of my life, until an event occurred which was the cause of a change in my whole fate. my old master became suddenly and dangerously ill. my lessons were suspended, for miss betsy's services were required in the sick chamber. i used to slyly steal to the open door of his room, and peep in, with wonder, at the sombre group collected there. i recollect seeing my young masters and mistresses weeping round a curtained bed. then there came a time when loud screams and frightful lamentations issued thence. there were shrieks that struck upon my ear with a strange thrill; shrieks that seemed to rend souls and break heart-strings. my young mistresses, fair, slender girls, fell prostrate upon the floor; and my masters, noble, manly men, bent over the bowed forms of their sisters, whispering words which i did not hear, but which, my mature experience tells me, must have been of love and comfort. there came, then, a long, narrow, black box, thickly embossed with shining brass tacks, in which my old master was carefully laid, with his pale, brawny hands crossed upon his wide chest. i remember that, one by one, the slaves were called in to take a last look of him who had been, to them, a kind master. they all came out with their cotton handkerchiefs pressed to their eyes. i went in, with five other colored children, to take my look. that wan, ghastly face, those sunken eyes and pinched features, with the white winding sheet, and the dismal coffin, impressed me with a new and wild terror; and, for weeks after, this "vision of death" haunted my mind fearfully. but i soon after resumed my studies under miss betsy's tuition. having little work to do, and seldom seeing my young mistresses, i grew up in the same house, scarcely knowing them. i was technically termed in the family, "the child," as i was not black; and, being a slave, my masters and mistresses would not admit that i was white. so i reached the age of ten, still called "a child," and actually one in all life's experiences, though pretty well advanced in education. i had a very good knowledge of the rudiments, had bestowed some attention upon grammar, and eagerly read every book that fell in my way. love of study taught me seclusive habits; i read long and late; and the desire of a finished education became the passion of my life. alas! these days were but a poor preparation for the life that was to come after! miss betsy, though a warm-hearted woman, was a violent advocate of slavery. i have since been puzzled how to reconcile this with her otherwise christian character; and, though she professed to love me dearly, and had bestowed so much attention upon the cultivation of my mind, and expressed it as her opinion that i was too pretty and white to be a slave, yet, if any one had spoken of giving me freedom, she would have condemned it as domestic heresy. if i had belonged to her, i doubt not but my life would have been a happy one. but, alas! a different lot was assigned me! about two years and six months after my old master's death, a division was made of the property. this involved a sale of everything, even the household furniture. there were, i believe, heavy debts hanging over the estate. these must be met, and the residue divided among the heirs. when it was made known in the kitchen that a sale was to be made, the slaves were panic-stricken. loud cries and lamentations arose, and my young mistresses came often to the kitchen to comfort us. one of these young ladies, miss margaret, a tall, nobly-formed girl, with big blue eyes and brown hair, frequently came and sat with us, trying, in the most persuasive tones, to reconcile the old ones to their destiny. often did i see the large tears roll down her fair cheeks, and her red lip quiver. these indications of sympathy, coming from such a lovely being, cheered many an hour of after-captivity. but the "sale-day" came at last; i have a confused idea of it. the ladies left the day before. miss betsy took an affectionate leave of me; ah, i did not then know that it was a final one. the servants were all sold, as i heard one man say, at very high rates, though not under the auctioneer's hammer. to that my young masters were opposed. a tall, hard-looking man came up to me, very roughly seized my arm, bade me open my mouth; examined my teeth; felt of my limbs; made me run a few yards; ordered me to jump; and, being well satisfied with my activity, said to master edward, "i will take her." little comprehending the full meaning of that brief sentence, i rejoined the group of children from which i had been summoned. after awhile, my mother came up to me, holding a wallet in her hand. the tear-drops stood on her cheeks, and her whole frame was distorted with pain. she walked toward me a few steps, then stopped, and suddenly shaking her head, exclaimed, "no, no, i can't do it, i can't do it." i was amazed at her grief, but an indefinable fear kept me from rushing to her. "here, kitty," she said to an old negro woman, who stood near, "you break it to her. i can't do it. no, it will drive me mad. oh, heaven! that i was ever born to see this day." then rocking her body back and forward in a transport of agony, she gave full vent to her feelings in a long, loud, piteous wail. oh, god! that cry of grief, that knell of a breaking heart, rang in my ears for many long and painful days. at length aunt kitty approached me, and, laying her hand on my shoulder, kindly said: "alas, poor chile, you mus' place your trus' in the good god above, you mus' look to him for help; you are gwine to leave your mother now. you are to have a new home, a new master, and i hope new friends. may the lord be with you." so saying, she broke suddenly away from me; but i saw that her wrinkled face was wet with tears. with perhaps an idle, listless air, i received this astounding news; but a whirlwind was gathering in my breast. what could she mean by new friends and a new home? surely i was to take my mother with me! no mortal power would dare to sever _us_. why, i remember that when master sold the gray mare, the colt went also. who could, who would, who dared, separate the parent from her offspring? alas! i had yet to learn that the white man dared do all that his avarice might suggest; and there was no human tribunal where the outcast african could pray for "right!" ah, when i now think of my poor mother's form, as it swayed like a willow in the tempest of grief; when i remember her bitter cries, and see her arms thrown franticly toward me, and hear her earnest--oh, how earnest--prayer for death or madness, then i wonder where were heaven's thunderbolts; but retributive justice _will_ come sooner or later, and he who remembers mercy _now_ will not forget justice _then_. "come along, gal, come along, gather up your duds, and come with me," said a harsh voice; and, looking up from my bewildered reverie, i beheld the man who had so carefully examined me. i was too much startled to fully understand the words, and stood vacantly gazing at him. this strange manner he construed into disrespect; and, raising his riding-whip, he brought it down with considerable force upon my back. it was the first lash i had ever given to me in anger. i smarted beneath the stripe, and a cry of pain broke from my lips. mother sprang to me, and clasping my quivering form in her arms, cried out to my young master, "oh, master eddy, have mercy on me, on my child. i have served you faithfully, i nursed you, i grew up with your poor mother, who now sleeps in the cold ground. i beg you now to save _my child_," and she sank down at his feet, whilst her tears fell fast. then my poor old grandfather, who was called the patriarch slave, being the eldest one of the race in the whole neighborhood, joined us. his gray head, wrinkled face, and bent form, told of many a year of hard servitude. "what is it, massa ed, what is it kaisy be takin' on so 'bout? you haint driv the _chile_ off? no--no! young massa only playin' trick now; come kais' don't be makin' fool of yoursef, young massa not gwine to separate you and the chile." these words seemed to reanimate my mother, and she looked up at master edward with a grateful expression of face, whilst she clasped her arms tightly around his knees, exclaiming, "oh, bless you, young master, bless you forever, and forgive poor kaisy for distrusting you, but pompey told me the child was sold away from me, and that gemman struck her;" and here again she sobbed, and caught hold of me convulsively, as if she feared i might be taken. i looked at my young master's face, and the ghastly whiteness which overspread it, the tearful glister of his eye, and the strange tremor of his figure, struck me with fright. _i knew my doom._ young as i was, my first dread was for my mother; i forgot my own perilous situation, and mourned alone for her. i would have given worlds could insensibility have been granted her. "i've got no time to be foolin' longer with these niggers, come 'long, gal. ann, i believe, you tole me was her name," he said, as he turned to master edward. another wild shriek from my mother, a deep sigh from grandpap, and i looked at master ed, who was striking his forehead vehemently, and the tears were trickling down his cheeks. "here, mr. peterkin, here!" exclaimed master edward, "here is your bill of sale; i will refund your money; release me from my contract." peterkin cast on him one contemptuous look, and with a low, chuckling laugh, replied, "no; you must stand to your bargain. i want that gal; she is likely, and it will do me good to thrash the devil out of her;" turning to me he added, "quit your snuffling and snubbing, or i'll give you something to cry 'bout;" and, roughly catching me by the arm, he hurried me off, despite the entreaty of master ed, the cries of mother, and the feeble supplication of my grandfather. i dared to cast one look behind, and beheld my mother wallowing in the dust, whilst her frantic cries of "save my child, save my child!" rang with fearful agony in my ears. master ed covered his face with his hands, and old grandfather reverently raised his to heaven, as if beseeching mercy. the sight of this anguish-stricken group filled me with a new sense of horror, and forgetful of the presence of peterkin, i burst into tears: but i was quickly recalled by a fierce and stinging blow from his stout riding-whip. "see here, nigger (this man, raised among negroes, used their dialect), if you dar' to give another whimper, i'll beat the very life out 'en yer." this terrific threat seemed to scare away every thought of precaution; and, by a sudden and agile bound, i broke loose from him and darted off to the sad group, from which i had been so ruthlessly torn, and, sinking down before master ed, i cried out in a wild, despairing tone, "save me, good master, save me--kill me, or hide me from that awful man, he'll kill me;" and, seizing hold of the skirt of his coat, i covered my face with it to shut out the sight of peterkin, whose red eye-balls were glaring with fury upon me. oath after oath escaped his lips. mother saw him rapidly approaching to recapture me, and, with the noble, maternal instinct of self-sacrifice, sprang forward only to receive the heavy blow of his uplifted whip. she reeled, tottered and sank stunned upon the ground. "thar, take that, you yaller hussy, and cuss yer nigger hide for daring to raise this rumpus here," he said, as he rapidly strode past her. "gently, mr. peterkin," exclaimed master edward, "let me speak to her; a little encouragement is better than force." "this is my encouragement for them," and he shook his whip. unheeding him, master edward turned to me, saying, "ann, come now, be a good girl, go with this gentleman, and be an obedient girl; he will give you a kind, nice home; sometimes he will let you come to see your mother. here is some money for you to buy a pretty head-handkerchief; now go with him." these kind words and encouraging tones, brought a fresh gush of tears to my eyes. taking the half-dollar which he offered me, and reverently kissing the skirt of his coat, i rejoined peterkin; one look at his cold, harsh face, chilled my resolution; yet i had resolved to go without another word of complaint. i could not suppress a groan when i passed the spot where my mother lay still insensible from the effects of the blow. one by one the servants, old and young, gave me a hearty shake of the hand as i passed the place where they were standing in a row for the inspection of buyers. i had nerved myself, and now that the parting from mother was over, i felt that the bitterness of death was past, and i could meet anything. nothing now could be a trial, yet i was touched when the servants offered me little mementoes and keepsakes. one gave a yard of ribbon, another a half-paper of pins, a third presented a painted cotton head-tie; others gave me ginger-cakes, candies, or small coins. out of their little they gave abundantly, and, small as were the bestowments, i well knew that they had made sacrifices to give even so much. i was too deeply affected to make any other acknowledgment than a nod of the head; for a choking thickness was gathering in my throat, and a blinding mist obscured my sight. i did not see my young mistresses, for they had left the house, declaring they could not bear to witness a spectacle so revolting to their feelings. upon reaching the gate i observed a red-painted wagon, with an awning of domestic cotton. standing near it, and holding the horses, was an old, worn, scarred, weather-beaten negro man, who instantly took off his hat as mr. peterkin approached. "well, nace, you see i've bought this wench to-day," and he shook his whip over my head. "ya! ya! massa, but she ha' got one goot home wid yer." "yes, has she, nace; but don't yer think the slut has been cryin' 'bout it!" "lor' bless us, massa, but a little of the beech-tree will fetch that sort of truck out of her," and old nace showed his broken teeth, as he gave a forced laugh. "i guess i can take the fool out en her, by the time i gives her two or three swings at the whippin'-post." nace shook his head knowingly, and gave a low guttural laugh, by way of approval of his master's capabilities. "jump in the wagon, gal," said my new master, "jump in quick; i likes to see niggers active, none of your pokes 'bout me; but this will put sperit in 'em," and there was another defiant flourish of the whip. i got in with as much haste and activity as i could possibly command. this appeared to please mr. peterkin, and he gave evidence of it by saying,-"well, that does pretty well; a few stripes a day, and you'll be a valerble slave;" and, getting in the vehicle himself, he ordered nace to drive on "_pretty peart_," as night would soon overtake us. just as we were starting i perceived josh, one of my playmates, running after us with a small bundle, shouting,-"here, ann, you've lef' yer bundle of close." "stop, nace," said mr. peterkin, "let's git the gal's duds, or i'll be put to the 'spence of gittin' new ones for her." little josh came bounding up, and, with an affectionate manner, handed me the little wallet that contained my entire wardrobe. i leaned forward, and, in a muffled tone, but with my whole heart hanging on my lip, asked josh "how is mother?" but a cut of nace's whip, and a quick "gee-up," put me beyond the hearing of the reply. i strained my eyes after josh, to interpret the motion of his lips. in a state of hopeless agony i sat through the remainder of the journey. the coarse jokes and malignant threats of mr. peterkin were answered with laughing and dutiful assent by the veteran nace. i tried to deceive my persecutors by feigning sleep, but, ah, a strong finger held my lids open, and slumber fled away to gladden lighter hearts and bless brighter eyes. chapter ii. a view of the new home. the young moon had risen in mild and meek serenity to bless the earth. with a strange and fluctuating light the pale rays played over the leaves and branches of the forest trees, and flickered fantastically upon the ground! only a few stars were discernible in the highest dome of heaven! the lowing of wandering cows, or the chirp of a night-bird, had power to beguile memory back to a thousand vanished joys. i mused and wept; still the wagon jogged along. mr. peterkin sat half-sleeping beside old nace, whose occasional "gee-up" to the lagging horses, was the only human sound that broke the soft serenity! every moment seemed to me an age, for i dreaded the awakening of my cruel master. ah, little did i dream that that horrid day's experience was but a brief foretaste of what i had yet to suffer; and well it was for me that a kind and merciful providence veiled that dismal future from my gaze. about midnight i had fallen into a quiet sleep, gilded by the sweetest dream, a dream of the old farm-house, of mother, grandfather, and my companions. from this vision i was aroused by the gruff voice of peterkin, bidding me get out of the wagon. that voice was to me more frightful and fearful than the blast of the last trump. springing suddenly up, i threw off the shackles of sleep; and consciousness, with all its direful burden, returned fully to me. looking round, by the full light of the moon, i beheld a large country house, half hidden among trees. a white paling enclosed the ground, and the scent of dewy roses and other garden flowers filled the atmosphere. "now, nace, put up the team, and git yourself to bed," said peterkin. turning to me he added, "give this gal a blanket, and let her sleep on the floor in polly's cabin; keep a good watch on her, that she don't try to run off." "needn't fear dat, massa, for de bull-dog tear her to pieces if she 'tempt dat. by gar, i'd like to see her be for tryin' it;" and the old negro gave a fiendish laugh, as though he thought it would be rare sport. mr. peterkin entered the handsome house, of which he was the rich and respected owner, whilst i, conducted by nace, repaired to a dismal cabin. after repeated knocks at the door of this most wretched hovel, an old crone of a negress muttered between her clenched teeth, "who's dar?" "it's me, polly; what you be 'bout dar, dat you don't let me in?" "what for you be bangin' at my cabin? i's got no bisness wid you." "yes, but i's got bisness wid you; stir yer ole stumps now." "i shan't be for troublin' mysef and lettin' you in my cabin at dis hour ob de night-time; and if you doesn't be off, i'll make massa gib you a sound drubbin' in de mornin'." "ha, ha! now i'm gots you sure; for massa sends me here himsef." this was enough for polly; she broke off all further colloquy, and opened the door instantly. the pale moonlight rested as lovingly upon that dreary, unchinked, rude, and wretched hovel, as ever it played over the gilded roof and frescoed dome of ancient palaces; but ah, what squalor did it not reveal! there, resting upon pallets of straw, like pigs in a litter, were groups of children, and upon a rickety cot the old woman reposed her aged limbs. how strange, lonely, and forbidding appeared that tenement, as the old woman stood in the doorway, her short and scanty kirtles but poorly concealing her meagre limbs. a dark, scowling countenance looked out from under a small cap of faded muslin; little bleared eyes glared upon me, like the red light of a heated furnace. instinctively i shrank back from her, but nace was tired, and not wishing to be longer kept from his bed, pushed me within the door, saying-"thar, polly, massa say dat gal mus' sleep in dar." "come 'long in, gal," said the woman, and closing the door, she pointed to a patch of straw, "sleep dar." the moonbeams stole in through the crevices and cracks of the cabin, and cast a mystic gleam upon the surrounding objects. without further word or comment, polly betook herself to her cot, and was soon snoring away as though there were no such thing as care or slavery in the world. but to me sleep was a stranger. there i lay through the remaining hours of the night, wearily thinking of mother and home. "sold," i murmured. "what is it to be sold? why was _i_ sold? why separated from my mother and friends? why couldn't mother come with me, or i stay with her? i never saw mr. peterkin before. who gave him the right to force me from my good home and kind friends?" these questions would arise in my mind, and, alas! i had no answers for them. young and ignorant as i was, i had yet some glimmering idea of justice. later in life, these same questions have often come to me, as sad commentaries upon the righteousness of human laws; and, when sitting in splendid churches listening to ornate and _worldly_ harangues from _holy men_, these same thoughts have tingled upon my tongue. and i have been surprised to see how strangely these men mistake the definition of servitude. why, from the exposition of the worthy divines, one would suppose that servitude was a fair synonym for slavery! admitting that we are the descendants of the unfortunate ham, and endure our bondage as the penalty affixed to his crime, there can be no argument or fact adduced, whereby to justify slavery as a moral right. serving and being a slave are very different. and why may not ham's descendants claim a reprieve by virtue of the passion and death of christ? are we excluded from the grace of that atonement? no; there is no argument, no reason, to justify slavery, save that of human cupidity. but there will come a day, when each and every one who has violated that divine rule, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you," will stand with a fearful accountability before the supreme judge. then will there be loud cries and lamentations, and a wish for the mountains to hide them from the eye of judicial majesty. the next morning i rose with the dawn, and sitting upright upon my pallet, surveyed the room and its tenants. there, in comfortless confusion, upon heaps of straw, slumbered five children, dirty and ragged. on the broken cot, with a remnant of a coverlet thrown over her, lay aunt polly. a few broken stools and one pine box, with a shelf containing a few tins, constituted the entire furniture. "and this wretched pen is to be my home; these dirty-looking children my associates." oh, how dismal were my thoughts; but little time had i for reflection. the shrill sound of a hunting-horn was the summons for the servants to arise, and woe unto him or her who was found missing or tardy when the muster-roll was called. aunt polly and the five children sprang up, and soon dressed themselves. they then appeared in the yard, where a stout, athletic man, with full beard and a dull eye, stood with whip in hand. he called over the names of all, and portioned out their daily task. with a smile more of terror than pleasure, they severally received their orders. i stood at the extremity of the range. after disposing of them in order, the overseer (for such he was) looked at me fiercely, and said: "come here, gal." with a timid step, i obeyed. "what are you fit for? not much of anything, ha?" and catching hold of my ear he pulled me round in front of him, saying, "well, you are likely-looking; how much work can you do?" i stammered out something as to my willingness to do anything that was required of me. he examined my hands, and concluding from their dimensions that i was best suited for house-work, he bade me remain in the kitchen until after breakfast. when i entered the room designated, par politesse, as the kitchen, i was surprised to find such a desolate and destitute-looking place. the apartment, which was very small, seemed to be a sort of pandora's box, into which everything of household or domestic use had been crowded. the walls were hung round with saddles, bridles, horse-blankets, &c. upon a swinging shelf in the centre of the room were ranged all the seeds, nails, ropes, dried elms, and the rest of the thousand and one little notions of domestic economy. a rude, wooden shelf contained a dark, dusty row of unclean tins; broken stools and old kegs were substituted for chairs; upon these were stationed four or five ebony children; one of them, a girl about nine years old, with a dingy face, to which soap and water seemed foreign, and with shaggy, moppy hair, twisted in short, stringy plaits, sat upon a broken keg, with a squalid baby in her lap, which she jostled upon her knee, whilst she sang in a sharp key, "hushy-by-baby." three other wretched children, in tow-linen dresses, whose brevity of skirts made a sad appeal to the modesty of spectators, were perched round this girl, whom they called amy. they were furiously begging aunt polly (the cook) to give them a piece of hoe-cake. "be off wid you, or i'll tell massa, or de overseer," answered the beldame, as their solicitations became more clamorous. this threat had power to silence the most earnest demands of the stomach, for the fiend of hunger was far less dreaded than the lash of mr. jones, the overseer. my entrance, and the sight of a strange face, was a diversion for them. they crowded closer to amy, and eyed me with a half doubtful, and altogether ludicrous air. "who's her?" "whar she come from?" "when her gwyn away?" and such like expressions, escaped them, in stifled tones. "come in, set down," said aunt polly to me, and, turning to the group of children, she levelled a poker at them. "keep still dar, or i'll break your pates wid dis poker." instantly they cowered down beside amy, still peeping over her shoulder, to get a better view of me. with a very uneasy feeling i seated myself upon the broken stool, to which aunt polly pointed. one of the boldest of the children came up to me, and, slyly touching my dress, said, "tag," then darted off to her hiding-place, with quite the air of a victress. amy made queer grimaces at me. every now and then placing her thumb to her nose, and gyrating her finger towards me, she would drawl out, "you ka-n-t kum it." all this was perfect jargon to me; for at home, though we had been but imperfectly protected by clothing from the vicissitudes of seasons, and though our fare was simple, coarse, and frugal, had we been kindly treated, and our manners trained into something like the softness of humanity. there, as regularly as the sunday dawned, were we summoned to the house to hear the bible read, and join (though at a respectful distance) with the family in prayer. but this i subsequently learned was an unusual practice in the neighborhood, and was attributed to the fact, that my master's wife had been born in the state of massachusetts, where the people were crazy and fanatical enough to believe that "niggers" had souls, and were by god held to be responsible beings. the loud blast of the horn was the signal for the "hands" to suspend their labor and come to breakfast. two negro men and three women rushed in at the door, ravenous for their rations. i looked about for the table, but, seeing none, concluded it had yet to be arranged; for at home we always took our meals on a table. i was much surprised to see each one here take a slice of fat bacon and a pone of bread in his or her hand, and eat it standing. "well," said one man, "i'd like to git a bit more bread." "you's had your sher," replied aunt polly. "mister jones ses one slice o' meat and a pone o' bread is to be the 'lowance." "i knows it, but if thar's any scraps left from the house table, you wimmin folks always gits it." "who's got de bes' right? sure, and arn't de one who cooks it got de bes' right to it?" asked polly, with a triumphant voice. "ha, ha!" cried nace, "here comes de breakfust leavin's, now who's smartest shall have 'em;" whereupon nace, his comrade, and the three women, seized a waiter of fragments of biscuit, broiled ham, coffee, &c., the remains of the breakfast prepared for the white family. "by gar," cried nace, "i've got de coffee-pot, and i'll drink dis;" so, without further ceremony, he applied the spout to his mouth, and, sans cream or sugar, he quaffed off the grounds. jake possessed himself of the ham, whilst the two women held a considerable contest over a biscuit. blow and lie passed frequently between them. aunt polly brandished her skimmer-spoon, as though it were neptune's trident of authority; still she could not allay the confusion which these excited cormorants raised. the children yelled out and clamored for a bit; the sight and scent of ham and biscuits so tantalized their palates, that they forgot even the terror of the whip. i stood all agape, looking on with amazement. the two belligerent women stood with eyes blazing like comets, their arms twisted around each other in a very decided and furious rencontre. one of them, losing her balance, fell upon the floor, and, dragging the other after her, they rolled and wallowed in a cloud of dust, whilst the disputed biscuit, in the heat of the affray, had been dropped on the hearth, where, unperceived by the combatants, nace had possessed himself of it, and was happily masticating it. melinda, the girl from whom the waiter had been snatched, doubtless much disappointed by the loss of the debris, returned to the house and made a report of the fracas. instantly and unexpectedly, jones, flaming with rage, stood in the midst of the riotous group. seizing hold of the women, he knocked them on their heads with his clenched fists. "hold, black wretches, come, i will give you a leetle fun; off now to the post." then such appeals for mercy, promises of amendment, entreaties, excuses, &c., as the two women made, would have touched a heart of stone; but jones had power to resist even the prayers of an angel. to him the cries of human suffering and the agony of distress were music. my heart bled when i saw the two victims led away, and i put my hands to my ears to shut out the screams of distress which rang with a strange terror on the morning air. poor, oppressed african! thorny and rugged is your path of life! many a secret sigh and bleeding tear attest your cruel martyrdom! surely he, who careth alike for the high and the low, looks not unmoved upon you, wearing and groaning beneath the pressing burden and galling yoke of a most inhuman bondage. for you there is no broad rock of hope or peace to cast its shadow of rest in this "weary land." you must sow in tears and reap in sorrow. but he, who led the children of israel from the house of bondage and the fetters of captivity, will, in his own inscrutable way, lead you from the condition of despair, even by the pillar of fire and the cloud. great changes are occurring daily, old constitutions are tottering, old systems, fraught with the cruelty of darker ages, are shaking to their centres. master minds are everywhere actively engaged. keen eyes and vigilant hearts are open to the wrongs of the poor, the lowly and the outcast. an avenging angel sits concealed 'mid the drapery of the wasting cloud, ready to pour the vials of god's wrath upon a haughty and oppressive race. in the threatened famine, see we nothing but an accidental failure of the crops? in the exhausted coffers and empty public treasury, is there nothing taught but the lesson of national extravagance? in the virulence of disease, the increasing prevalence of fatal epidemics, what do we read? send for the seers, the wise men of the nation, and bid them translate the "mysterious writing on the wall." ah, well may ye shake, kings of mammon, shake upon your tottering throne of human bones! give o'er your sports, suspend your orgies, dash down the jewelled cup of unhallowed joy, sparkling as it is to the very brim. you must pay, like him of old, the fearful price of sin. god hath not heard, unmoved, the anguished cries of a down-trodden and enslaved nation! and it needs no daniel to tell, that "god hath numbered your kingdom and it is finished." as may be supposed, i had little appetite for my breakfast, but i managed to deceive others into the belief that i had made a hearty meal. but those screams from half-famished wretches had a fatal and terrifying fascination; never once could i forget it. a look of fright was on the face of all. "they be gettin' awful beatin' at the post," muttered nace, whilst a sardonic smile flitted over his hard features. was it not sad to behold the depths of degradation into which this creature had fallen? he could smile at the anguish of a fellow-creature. originally, his nature may have been kind and gentle; but a continuous system of brutality had so deadened his sensibilities, that he had no humanity left. _for this_, the white man is accountable. after the breakfast was over, i received a summons to the house. following melinda, i passed the door-sill, and stood in the presence of the assembled household. a very strange group i thought them. two girls were seated beside the uncleared breakfast table, "trying their fortune" (as the phrase goes) with a cup of coffee-grounds and a spoon. the elder of the two was a tall, thin girl, with sharp features, small gray eyes, and red-hair done up in frizettes; the other was a prim, dark-skinned girl, with a set of nondescript features, and hair of no particular hue, or "just any color;" but with the same harsh expression of face that characterized the elder. as she received the magic cup from her sister, she exclaimed, "la, jane, it will only be two years until you are married," and made a significant grimace at her father (mr. peterkin), who sat near the window, indulging in the luxury of a cob-pipe. the taller girl turned toward me, and asked, "father, is that the new girl you bought at old nelson's sale?" "yes, that's the gal. does she suit you?" "yes, but dear me! how very light she is--almost white! i know she will be impudent." "she has come to the wrong place for the practice of that article," suggested the other. "yes, gal, you has got to mind them ar' _wimmen_," said mr. peterkin to me, as he pointed toward his daughters. "father, i do wish you would quit that vulgarism; say _girl_, not gal, and _ladies_, not women." "oh, i was never _edicated_, like you." "_educated_ is the word." "oh, confound your dictionaries! ever since that school-marm come out from yankee-land, these neighborhood gals talk so big, nobody can understand 'em." chapter iii. the yankee school-mistress--her philosophy--the american abolitionists. the family with whom i now found a home, consisted of mr. peterkin and his two daughters, jane and matilda, and a son, john, much younger than the ladies. the death of mrs. peterkin had occurred about three years before i went to live with them. the girls had been very well educated by a miss bradly, from massachusetts, a spinster of "no particular age." from her, the misses peterkin learned to set a great value upon correct and elegant language. she was the model and instructress of the country round; for, under her jurisdiction, nearly all the farmers' daughters had been initiated into the mysteries of learning. scattered about, over the house, i used to frequently find odd leaves of school-books, elementary portions of natural sciences, old readers, story-books, novels, &c. these i eagerly devoured; but i had to be very secret about it, studying by dying embers, reading by moonlight, sun-rise, &c. had i been discovered, a severe punishment would have followed. miss jane used to say, "a literary negro was disgusting, not to be tolerated." though she quarrelled with the vulgar talk and bad pronunciation of her father, he was made of too rough material to receive a polish; and, though miss bradly had improved the minds of the girls, her efforts to soften their hearts had met with no success. they were the same harsh, cold and selfish girls that she had found them. it was jane's boast that she had whipped more negroes than any other girl of her age. matilda, though less severe, had still a touch of the tigress. this family lived in something like "style." they were famed for their wealth and social position throughout the neighborhood. the house was a low cottage structure, with large and airy apartments; an arching piazza ran the whole length of the building, and around its trellised balustrade the clematis vine twined in rich luxuriance. a primrose-walk led up to the door, and the yard blossomed like a garden, with the fairest flowers. it was a very paradise of homes; pity, ah pity 'twas, that human fiends marred its beauty. there the sweet flowers bloomed, the young birds warbled, pure springs gushed forth with limpid joy--there truly, "all, save the spirit of man, was divine." the traveller often paused to admire the tasteful arrangements of the grounds, the neat and artistic plan of the house, and the thorough "air" of everything around. it seemed to bespeak refined minds, and delicate, noble natures; but oh, the flowers were no symbols of the graces of their hearts, for the dwellers of this highly-adorned spot were people of coarse natures, rough and cruel as barbarians. the nightly stars and the gentle moon, the deep glory of the noontide, or the blowing of twilight breezes over this chosen home, had no power to ennoble or elevate their souls. acts of diabolical cruelty and wickedness were there perpetrated without the least pang of remorse or regret. whilst the white portion of the family were revelling in luxury, the slaves were denied the most ordinary necessaries. the cook, who prepared the nicest dainties, the most tempting viands, had to console herself with a scanty diet, coarse enough to shock even a beggar. what wonder, then, if the craving of the stomach should allow her no escape from downright theft! who is there that could resist? where is the honesty that could not, under such circumstances, find an argument to justify larceny? every evening miss bradly came to spend an hour or so with them. the route from the school to her boarding-house wound by mr. peterkin's residence, and the temptation to talk to the young ladies, who were emphatically the belles of the neighborhood, was too great for resistance. this lady was of that class of females which we meet in every quarter of the globe,--of perfectly kind intentions, yet without the independence necessary for their open and free expression. bred in the north, and having from her infancy imbibed the spirit of its free institutions, in her secret soul she loathed the abomination of slavery, every pulse of her heart cried out against it, yet with a strange compliance she lived in its midst, never once offering an objection or an argument against it. it suited _her policy_ to laugh with the pro-slavery man at the fanaticism of the northern abolitionist. with a judas-like hypocrisy, she sold her conscience for silver; and for a mess of pottage, bartered the noble right of free expression. 'twas she, base renegade from a glorious cause, who laughed loudest and repeated wholesale libels and foul aspersions upon the able defenders of abolition--noble and generous men, lofty philanthropists, who are willing, for the sake of principle, to wear upon their brows the mark of social and political ostracism! but a day is coming, a bright millennial day, when the names of these inspired prophets shall be inscribed proudly upon the litany of freedom; when their noble efforts for social reform shall be told in wondering pride around the winter's fire. then shall their fame shine with a glory which no roman tradition can eclipse. freed from calumny, the names of parker, seward and sumner, will be ranked, as they deserve to be, with washington, franklin and henry. all glory to the american abolitionists. though they must now possess their souls in patience, and bear the brand of social opprobrium, yet will posterity accord them the meed of everlasting honor. they "who sow in dishonor shall be raised in glory." already the watchman upon the tower has discerned the signal. a light beameth in the east, which no man can quench. a fire has broken forth, which needs only a breath to fan it into a flame. the eternal law of sovereign right will vindicate itself. in the hour of feasting and revelry the dreadful bolt of retribution fell upon gomorrah. chapter iv. conversation with miss bradly--a light breaks through the darkness. i had been living with mr. peterkin about three years, during which time i had frequently seen miss bradly. one evening when she called (as was her custom after the adjournment of school), she found, upon inquiry, that the young ladies had gone out, and would not probably be back for several hours. she looked a little disconcerted, and seemed doubtful whether she would go home or remain. i had often observed her attentively watching me, yet i could not interpret the look; sometimes i thought it was of deep, earnest pity. then it appeared only an anxious curiosity; and as commiseration was a thing which i seldom met with, i tried to guard my heart against anything like hope or trust; but on this afternoon i was particularly struck by her strange and irresolute manner. she turned several times as if to leave, then suddenly stopped, and, looking very earnestly at me, asked, "did you say the girls would not return for several hours?" upon receiving an answer in the affirmative, she hesitated a moment, and then inquired for mr. peterkin. he was also from home, and would probably be absent for a day or two. "is there no white person about the place?" she asked, with some trepidation. "no one is here but the slaves," i replied, perhaps in a sorrowful tone, for the word "slave" always grated upon my ear, yet i frequently used it, in obedience to a severe and imperative conventionality. "well then, ann, come and sit down near me; i want to talk with you awhile." this surprised me a great deal. i scarcely knew what to do. the very idea of sitting down to a conversation with a white lady seemed to me the wildest improbability. a vacant stare was the only answer i could make. certainly, i did not dream of her being in earnest. "come on, ann," she said, coaxingly; but, seeing that my amazement increased, she added, in a more persuasive tone, "don't be afraid, i am a friend to the colored race." this seemed to me the strangest fiction. a white lady, and yet a friend to the colored race! oh, impossible! such condescension was unheard of! what! she a refined woman, with a snowy complexion, to stoop from her proud elevation to befriend the lowly ethiopian! why, she could not, she dare not! almost stupefied with amazement, i stood, with my eyes intently fixed upon her. "come, child," she said, in a kind tone, and placing her hand upon my shoulder, she endeavored to seat me beside her, "look up,--be not ashamed, for i am truly your friend. your down-cast look and melancholy manner have often struck me with sorrow." to this i could make no reply. utterance was denied me. my tongue clove to the roof of my mouth; a thick, filmy veil gathered before my sight; and there i stood like one turned to stone. but upon being frequently reassured by her gentle manner and kind words, i at length controlled my emotions, and, seating myself at her feet, awaited her communication. "ann, you are not happy here?" i said nothing, but she understood my look. "were you happy at home?" "i was;" and the words were scarcely audible. "did they treat you kindly there?" "indeed they did; and there i had a mother, and was not lonely." "they did not beat you?" "no, no, they did not," and large tears gushed from my burning eyes;--for i remembered with anguish, how many a smarting blow had been given to me by mr. jones, how many a cuff by mr. peterkin, and ten thousand knocks, pinches, and tortures, by the young ladies. "don't weep, child," said miss bradly, in a soothing tone, and she laid her arm caressingly around my neck. this kindness was too much for my fortitude, and bursting through all restraints i gave vent to my feelings in a violent shower of tears. she very wisely allowed me some time for the gratification of this luxury. i at length composed myself, and begged her pardon for this seeming disrespect. "but ah, my dear lady, you have spoken so kindly to me that i forgot myself." "no apology, my child, i tell you again that i am your friend, and with me you can be perfectly free. look upon me as a sister; but now that your excited feelings have become allayed, let me ask you why your master sold you?" i explained to her that it was necessary to the equal division of the estate that some of the slaves should be sold, and that i was among the number. "a bad institution is this one of slavery. what fearful entailments of anguish! manage it as the most humane will, or can, still it has horrible results. witness your separation from your mother. did these thoughts never occur to you?" i looked surprised, but dared not tell her that often had vague doubts of the justice of slavery crossed my mind. ah, too much i feared the lash, and i answered only by a mournful look of assent. "ann, did you never hear of the abolition society?" i shook my head. she paused, as if doubtful of the propriety of making a disclosure; but at length the better principle triumphed, and she said, "there is in the northern states an organization which devotes its energies and very life to the cause of the slave. they wish to abolish the shameful system, and make you and all your persecuted race as free and happy as the whites." "does there really exist such a society; or is it only a wild fable that you tell me, for the purpose of allaying my present agony?" "no, child; i do not deceive you. this noble and beneficent society really lives; but it does not, i regret to say, flourish as it should." "and why?" i asked, whilst a new wonder was fastening on my mind. "because," she answered, "the larger portion of the whites are mean and avaricious enough to desire, for the sake of pecuniary aggrandizement, the enslavement of a race, whom the force of education and hereditary prejudice have taught them to regard as their own property." i did but dimly conceive her meaning. a slow light was breaking through my cloudy brain, kindling and inflaming hopes that now shine like beacons over the far waste of memory. should i, could i, ever be _free_? oh, bright and glorious dream! how it did sparkle in my soul, and cheer me through the lonely hours of bondage! this hope, this shadow of a hope, shone like a mirage far away upon the horizon of a clouded future. miss bradly looked thoughtfully at me, as if watching the effect of her words; but she could not see that the seed which she had planted, perhaps carelessly, was destined to fructify and flourish through the coming seasons. i longed to pour out my heart to her; for she had, by this ready "sesame," unlocked its deepest chambers. i dared not unfold even to her the wild dreams and strange hopes which i was indulging. i spied melinda coming up, and signified to miss bradly that it would be unsafe to prolong the conversation, and quickly she departed; not, however, without reassuring me of the interest which she felt in my fate. "what was miss emily bradly talking wid you 'bout?" demanded melinda, in a surly tone. "nothing that concerns you," i answered. "well, but you'll see that it consarns yerself, when i goes and tells masser on you." "what can you tell him on me?" "oh, i knows, i hearn you talking wid dat ar' woman;" and she gave a significant leer of her eye, and lolled her tongue out of her mouth, ã  la mad dog. i was much disturbed lest she had heard the conversation, and should make a report of it, which would redound to the disadvantage of my new friend. i went about my usual duties with a slow and heavy heart; still, sometimes, like a star shining through clouds, was that little bright hope of liberty. chapter v. a fashionable tea-table--table-talk--aunt polly's experience--the overseer's authority--the whipping-post--transfiguring power of divine faith. that evening when the family returned, i was glad to find the young ladies in such an excellent humor. it was seldom miss jane, whose peculiar property i was, ever gave me a kind word; and i was surprised on this occasion to hear her say, in a somewhat gentle tone: "well, ann, come here, i want you to look very nice to-night, and wait on the table in style, for i am expecting company;" and, with a sort of half good-natured smile, she tossed an old faded neck-ribbon to me, saying, "there is a present for you." i bowed low, and made a respectful acknowledgment of thanks, which she received in an unusually complacent manner. immediately i began to make arrangements for supper, and to get myself in readiness, which was no small matter, as my scanty wardrobe furnished no scope for the exercise of taste. in looking over my trunk, i found a white cotton apron, which could boast of many mice-bites and moth-workings; but with a needle and thread i soon managed to make it appear decent, and, combing my hair as neatly as possible, and tying the ribbon which miss jane had given me around it, i gave the finishing touch to my toilette, and then set about arranging the table. i assorted the tea-board, spoons, cups, saucers, &c., placed a nice damask napkin at each seat, and turned down the round little plates of white french china. the silver forks and ivory-handled knives were laid round the table in precise order. this done, i surveyed my work with an air of pride. smiling complacently to myself, i proceeded to miss jane's room, to request her to come and look at it, and express her opinion. on reaching her apartment, i found her dressed with great care, in a pink silk, with a rich lace berthã©, and pearl ornaments. her red hair was oiled until its fiery hue had darkened into a becoming auburn, and the metallic polish of the french powder had effectually concealed the huge freckles which spotted her cheeks. dropping a low courtesy, i requested her to come with me to the dining-room and inspect my work. with a smile, she followed, and upon examination, seemed well pleased. "now, ann, if you do well in officiating, it will be well for you; but if you fail, if you make one mistake, you had better never been born, for," and she grasped me strongly by the shoulder, "i will flay you alive; you shall ache and smart in every limb and nerve." terror-stricken at this threat, i made the most earnest promises to exert my very best energies. yet her angry manner and threatening words so unnerved me, that i was not able to go on with the work in the same spirit in which i had begun, for we all know what a paralysis fear is to exertion. i stepped out on the balcony for some purpose, and there, standing at the end of the gallery, but partially concealed by the clematis blossoms, stood miss jane, and a tall gentleman was leaning over the railing talking very earnestly to her. in that uncertain light i could see the flash of her eye and the crimson glow of her cheek. she was twirling and tearing to pieces, petal by petal, a beautiful rose which she held in her hand. here, i thought here is happiness; this woman loves and is beloved. she has tasted of that one drop which sweetens the whole cup of existence. oh, what a thing it is to be _free_--free and independent, with power and privilege to go whithersoever you choose, with no cowardly fear, no dread of espionage, with the right to hold your head proudly aloft, and return glance for glance, not shrink and cower before the white man's look, as we poor slaves _must_ do. but not many moments could i thus spend in thought, and well, perhaps, it was for me that duty broke short all such unavailing regrets. hastening back to the dining-room, i gave another inquiring look at the table, fearful that some article had been omitted. satisfying myself on this point, i moved on to the kitchen, where aunt polly was busy frying a chicken. "here, child," she exclaimed, "look in thar at them biscuits. see is they done. oh, that's prime, browning beautiful-like," she said, as i drew from the stove a pan of nice biscuits, "and this ar' chicken is mighty nice. oh, but it will make the young gemman smack his lips," and wiping the perspiration from her sooty brow, she drew a long breath, and seated herself upon a broken stool. "wal, this ar' nigger is tired. i's bin cooking now this twelve years, and never has i had 'mission' to let my old man come to see me, or i to go see him." the children, with eyes wide open, gathered round aunt polly to hear a recital of her wrongs. "laws-a-marcy, sights i's seen in my times, and often it 'pears like i's lost my senses. i tells you, yous only got to look at this ar' back to know what i's went through." hereupon she exposed her back and arms, which were frightfully scarred. "this ar' scar," and she pointed to a very deep one on her left shoulder, "masser gib me kase i cried when he sold my oldest son; poor jim, he was sent down the river, and i've never hearn from him since." she wiped a stray tear from her old eyes. "oh me! 'tis long time since my eyes hab watered, and now these tears do feel so quare. poor jim is down the river, johnny is dead, and lucy is sold somewhar, so i have neither chick nor child. what's i got to live fur?" this brought fresh to my mind recollections of my own mother's grief, when she was forced to give me up, and i could not restrain my tears. "what fur you crying, child?" she asked. "it puts me in mind ov my poor little luce, she used to cry this way whenever anything happened to me. oh, many is the time she screamed if master struck me." "poor aunt polly," i said, as i walked up to her side, "i do pity you. i will be kind to you; i'll be your daughter." she looked up with a wild stare, and with a deep earnestness seized hold of my out-stretched hand; then dropping it suddenly, she murmured, "no, no, you ain't my darter, you comes to me with saft words, but you is jest like lindy and all the rest of 'em; you'll go to the house and tell tales to the white folks on me. no, i'll not trust any of you." springing suddenly into the room, with his eyes flaming, came jones, and, cracking his whip right and left, he struck each of the listening group. i retreated hastily to an extreme corner of the kitchen, where, unobserved by him, i could watch the affray. "you devilish old wretch, polly, what are you gabbling and snubbling here about? up with your old hide, and git yer supper ready. don't you know thar is company in the house?" and here he gave another sharp cut of the whip, which descended upon that poor old scarred back with a cruel force, and tore open old cicatriced wounds. the victim did not scream, nor shrink, nor murmur; but her features resumed their wonted hard, encrusted expression, and, rising up from her seat, she went on with her usual work. "now, cut like the wind," he added, as he flourished his whip in the direction of the young blacks, who had been the interested auditors of aunt polly's hair-breadth escapes, and quick as lightning they were off to their respective quarters, whilst i proceeded to assist aunt polly in dishing up the supper. "this chicken," said i, in a tone of encouragement, "is beautifully cooked. how brown it is, and oh, what a delightful savory odor." "i'll be bound the white folks will find fault wid it. nobody ever did please miss jane. her is got some of the most perkuler notions 'bout cookin'. i knows she'll be kommin' out here, makin' a fuss 'long wid me 'bout dis same supper," and the old woman shook her head knowingly. i made no reply, for i feared the re-appearance of mr. jones, and too often and too painfully had i felt the sting of his lash, to be guilty of any wanton provocation of its severity. silently, but with bitter thoughts curdling my life-blood, did i arrange the steaming cookies upon the luxurious board, and then, with a deferential air, sought the parlor, and bade them walk out to tea. i found miss jane seated near a fine rosewood piano, and standing beside her was a gentleman, the same whom i had observed with her upon the verandah. miss matilda was at the window, looking out upon the western heaven. i spoke in a soft tone, asking them, "please walk out to tea." the young gentleman rose, and offered his arm to miss jane, which was graciously accepted, and miss matilda followed. i swung the dining-room door open with great pomp and ceremony, for i knew that anything showy or grand, either in the furniture of a house or the deportment of a servant, would be acceptable to miss jane. fashion, or style, was the god of her worship, and she often declared that her principal objection to the negro, was his great want of style in thought and action. she was not deep enough to see, that, fathoms down below the surface, in all the crudity of ignorance, lay a stratum of this same style, so much worshipped by herself. does not the african, in his love of gaud, show, and tinsel, his odd and grotesque decorations of his person, exhibit a love of style? but she was not philosopher enough to see that this was a symptom of the same taste, though ungarnished and semi-barbarous. the supper passed off very handsomely, so far as my part was concerned. i carried the cups round on a silver salver to each one; served them with chicken, plied them with cakes, confections, &c., and interspersed my performance with innumerable courtesies, bows and scrapes. "ah," said miss jane to the gentleman, "ah, mr. somerville, you have visited us at the wrong season; you should be here later in the autumn, or earlier in the summer," and she gave one of her most benign smiles. "any season is pleasant here," replied mr. somerville, as he held the wing of a chicken between his thumb and fore-finger. miss jane simpered and looked down; and miss matilda arched her brows and gave a significant side-long glance toward her sister. "here, you cussed yallow gal," cried mr. peterkin, in a rage, "take this split spoon away and fetch me a fork what i ken use. these darned things is only made for grand folks," and he held the silver fork to me. instantly i replaced it with a steel one. "now this looks something like. we only uses them ar' other ones when we has company, so i suppose, mr. somerville, the girl sot the table in this grand way bekase you is here." no thunder-cloud was ever darker than miss jane's brow. it gathered, and deepened, and darkened like a thick-coming tempest, whilst lightnings blazed from her eye. "father," and she spoke through her clenched teeth, "what makes you affect this horrid vulgarity? and how can you be so very _idiosyncratic_" (this was a favorite word with her) "as to say you never use them? ever since i can remember, silver forks have been used in our family; but," and she smiled as she said it, "mr. somerville, father thinks it is truly a kentucky fashion, and in keeping with the spirit of the early settlers, to rail out against fashion and style." to this explanation mr. somerville bowed blandly. "ah, yes, i do admire your father's honest independence." "i'll jist tell you how it is, young man, my gals has bin better edicated than their pappy, and they pertends to be mighty 'shamed of me, bekase i has got no larnin'; but i wants to ax 'em one question, whar did the money kum from that give 'em thar larning?" and with a triumphant force he brought his hard fist down on the table, knocking off with his elbow a fine cut-glass tumbler, which was shivered to atoms. "thar now," he exclaimed, "another piece of yer cussed frippery is breaked to bits. what did you put it here fur? i wants that big tin-cup that i drinks out of when nobody's here." "father, father," said miss matilda, who until now had kept an austere silence, "why will you persist in this outrageous talk? why will you mortify and torture us in this cruel way?" and she burst into a flood of angry tears. "oh, don't blubber about it, tildy, i didn't mean to hurt your feelin's." pretty soon after this, the peace of the table being broken up, the ladies and mr. somerville adjourned to the parlor, whilst melinda, or lindy, as she was called, and i set about clearing off the table, washing up the dishes, and gathering and counting over the forks and spoons. now, though the young ladies made great pretensions to elegance and splendor of living, yet were they vastly economical when there was no company present. the silver was all carefully laid away, and locked up in the lower drawer of an old-fashioned bureau, and the family appropriated a commoner article to their every-day use; but let a solitary guest appear, and forthwith the napkins and silver would be displayed, and treated by the ladies as though it was quite a usual thing. "now, ann," said 'lindy, "you wash the dishes, and i'll count the spoons and forks." to this i readily assented, for i was anxious to get clear of such a responsible office as counting and assorting the silver ware. mr. peterkin, or master, as we called him, sat near by, smoking his cob-pipe in none the best humor; for the recent encounter at the supper-table was by no means calculated to improve his temper. "see here, gals," he cried in a tone of thunder, "if thar be one silver spoon or fork missin', yer hides shall pay for the loss." "laws, master, i'll be 'tickler enough," replied lindy, as she smiled, more in terror than pleasure. "wal," he said, half aloud, "whar is the use of my darters takin' on in the way they does? jist look at the sight o' money that has bin laid out in that ar' tom-foolery." this was a sort of soliloquy spoken in a tone audible enough to be distinct to us. he drew his cob-pipe from his mouth, and a huge volume of smoke curled round his head, and filled the room with the aroma of tobacco. "now," he continued, "they does not treat me wid any perliteness. they thinks they knows a power more than i does; but if they don't cut their cards square, i'll cut them short of a nigger or two, and make john all the richer by it." lindy cut her eye knowingly at this, and gave me rather a strong nudge with her elbow. "keep still thar, gals, and don't rattle them cups and sassers so powerful hard." by this time lindy had finished the assortment of the silver, and had carefully stowed it away in a willow-basket, ready to be delivered to miss jane, and thence consigned to the drawer, where it would remain in _statu quo_ until the timely advent of another guest. "now," she said, "i am ready to wipe the dishes, while you wash." thereupon i handed her a saucer, which, in her carelessness, she let slip from her hand, and it fell upon the floor, and there, with great consternation, i beheld it lying, shattered to fragments. mr. peterkin sprang to his feet, glad of an excuse to vent his temper upon some one. "which of you cussed wretches did this?" "'twas ann, master! she let it fall afore i got my hand on it." ere i had time to vindicate myself from the charge, his iron arm felled me to the floor, and his hoof-like foot was placed upon my shrinking chest. "you d--n yallow hussy, does you think i buys such expensive chany-ware for you to break up in this ar' way? no, you 'bominable wench, i'll have revenge out of your saffer'n hide. here, lindy, fetch me that cowhide." "mercy, master, mercy," i cried, when he had removed his foot from my breast, and my breath seemed to come again. "oh, listen to me; it was not i who broke the saucer, it was only an accident; but oh, in god's name, have mercy on me and lindy." "yes, i'll tache you what marcy is. here, quick, some of you darkies, bring me a rope and light. i'm goin' to take this gal to the whippin'-post." this overcame me, for, though i had often been cruelly beaten, yet had i escaped the odium of the "post;" and now for what i had not done, and for a thing which, at the worst, was but an accident, to bear the disgrace and the pain of a public whipping, seemed to me beyond endurance. i fell on my knees before him: "oh, master, please pardon me; spare me this time. i have got a half-dollar that master edward gave me when you bought me, i will give you that to pay for the saucer, but please do not beat me." with a wild, fiendish grin, he caught me by the hair and swung me round until i half-fainted with pain. "no, you wretch, i'll git my satisfaction out of yer body yit, and i'll be bound, afore this night's work is done, yer yallow hide will be well marked." a deadly, cold sensation crept over me, and a feeling as of crawling adders seemed possessing my nerves. with all my soul pleading in my eyes i looked at mr. peterkin; but one glance of his fiendish face made my soul quail with even a newer horror. i turned my gaze from him to jones, but the red glare of a demon lighted up his frantic eye, and the words of a profane bravo were on his lips. from him i turned to poor, hardened, obdurate old nace, but he seemed to be linked and leagued with my torturers. "oh, lindy," i cried, as she came up with a bunch of cord in her hand, "be kind, tell the truth, maybe master will forgive you. you are an older servant, better known and valued in the family. oh, let your heart triumph. speak the truth, and free me from the torture that awaits me. oh, think of me, away off here, separated from my mother, with no friend. oh, pity me, and do acknowledge that you broke it." "well, you is crazy, you knows dat i never touched de sacer," and she laughed heartily. "come along wid you all. now fur fun," cried nace. "hold your old jaw," said jones, and he raised his whip. nace cowered like a criminal, and made some polite speech to "massa jones," and mr. peterkin possessed himself of the rope which lindy had brought. "now hold yer hands here," he said to me. for one moment i hesitated. i could not summon courage to offer my hands. it was the only resistance that i had ever dared to make. a severe blow from the overseer's riding-whip reminded me that i was still a slave, and dared have no will save that of my master. this blow, which struck the back of my head, laid me half-lifeless upon the floor. whilst in this condition old nace, at the command of his master, bound the rope tightly around my crossed arms and dragged me to the place of torment. the motion or exertion of being pulled along over the ground, restored me to full consciousness. with a haggard eye i looked up to the still blue heaven, where the holy stars yet held their silent vigil; and the serene moon moved on in her starry track, never once heeding the dire cruelty, over which her pale beam shed its friendly light. "oh," thought i, "is there no mercy throned on high? are there no spirits in earth, air, or sky, to lend me their gracious influence? does god look down with kindness upon injustice like this? or, does he, too, curse me in my sorrow, and in his wrath turn away his glorious face from my supplication, and say 'a servant of servants shalt thou be?'" these wild, rebellious thoughts only crossed my mind; they did not linger there. no, like the breath-stain upon the polished surface of the mirror, they only soiled for a moment the shining faith which in my soul reflected the perfect goodness of that god who never forgets the humblest of his children, and who makes no distinction of color or of race. the consoling promise, "he chasteneth whom he loveth," flashed through my brain with its blessed assurance, and reconciled me to a heroic endurance. far away i strained my gaze to the starry heaven, and i could almost fancy the sky breaking asunder and disclosing the wondrous splendors which were beheld by the rapt apostle on the isle of patmos! oh, transfiguring power of faith! thou hast a wand more potent than that of fancy, and a vision brighter than the dreams of enchantment! what was it that reconciled me to the horrible tortures which were awaiting me? surely, 'twas faith alone that sustained me. the present scene faded away from my vision, and, in fancy, i stood in the lonely garden of gethsemane. i saw the darkness and gloom that overshadowed the earth, when, deserted by his disciples, our blessed lord prayed alone. i heard the sighs and groans that burst from his tortured breast. i saw the bloody sweat, as prostrate on the earth he lay in the tribulation of mortal agony. i saw the inhuman captors, headed by one of his chosen twelve, come to seize his sacred person. i saw his face uplifted to the mournful heavens, as he prayed to his father to remove the cup of sorrow. i saw him bound and led away to death, without a friend to solace him. through the various stages of his awful passion, even to the mount of crucifixion, to the bloody and sacred calvary, i followed my master. i saw him nailed to the cross, spit upon, vilified and abused, with the thorny crown pressed upon his brow. i heard the rabble shout; then i saw the solemn mystery of nature, that did attestation to the awful fact that a fiendish work had been done and the prophecy fulfilled. the vail of the great temple was rent, the sun overcast, and the moon turned to blood; and in my ecstasy of passion, i could have shouted, great is jesus of nazareth!! then i beheld him triumphing over the powers of darkness and death, when, robed in the white garments of the grave, he broke through the rocky sepulchre, and stood before the affrighted guards. his work was done, the propitiation had been made, and he went to his father. this same jesus, whom the civilized world now worship as their lord, was once lowly, outcast, and despised; born of the most hated people of the world, belonging to a race despised alike by jew and gentile; laid in the manger of a stable at bethlehem, with no earthly possessions, having not whereon to lay his weary head; buffetted, spit upon; condemned by the high priests and the doctors of law; branded as an impostor, and put to an ignominious death, with every demonstration of public contempt; crucified between two thieves; this jesus is worshipped now by those who wear purple and fine linen. the class which once scorned him, now offer at his shrine frankincense and myrrh; but, in their adoration of the despised nazarene, they never remember that he has declared, not once, but many times, that the poor and the lowly are his people. "forasmuch as you did it unto one of these you did it unto me." then let the african trust and hope on--let him still weep and pray in gethsemane, for a cloud hangs round about him, and when he prays for the removal of this cup of bondage, let him remember to ask, as his blessed master did, "thy will, oh father, and not our own, be done;" still trust in him who calmed the raging tempest: trust in jesus of nazareth! look beyond the cross, to christ. these thoughts had power to cheer; and, fortified by faith and religion, the trial seemed to me easy to bear. one prayer i murmured, and my soul said to my body, "pass under the rod;" and the cup which my father has given me to drink must be drained, even to the dregs. in this state of mind, with a moveless eye i looked upon the whipping-post, which loomed up before me like an ogre. this was a quadri-lateral post, about eight feet in height, having iron clasps on two opposing sides, in which the wrists and ankles were tightly secured. "now, lindy," cried jones, "jerk off that gal's rigging, i am anxious to put some marks on her yellow skin." i knew that resistance was vain; so i submitted to have my clothes torn from my body; for modesty, so much commended in a white woman, is in a negro pronounced affectation. jones drew down a huge cow-hide, which he dipped in a barrel of brine that stood near the post. "i guess this will sting," he said, as he flourished the whip toward me. "leave that thin slip on me, lindy," i ventured to ask; for i dreaded the exposure of my person even more than the whipping. "none of your cussed impedence; strip off naked. what is a nigger's hide more than a hog's?" cried jones. lindy and nace tore the last article of clothing from my back. i felt my soul shiver and shudder at this; but what could i do? i _could pray_--thank god, i could pray! i then submitted to have nace clasp the iron cuffs around my hands and ankles, and there i stood, a revolting spectacle. with what misery i listened to obscene and ribald jests from my master and his overseer! "now, jones," said mr. peterkin, "i want to give that gal the first lick, which will lay the flesh open to the bone." "well, mr. peterkin, here is the whip; now you can lay on." "no, confound your whip; i wants that cow-hide, and here, let me dip it well into the brine. i want to give her a real good warmin'; one that she'll 'member for a long time." during this time i had remained motionless. my heart was lifted to god in silent prayer. oh, shall i, can i, ever forget that scene? there, in the saintly stillness of the summer night, where the deep, o'ershadowing heavens preached a sermon of peace, there i was loaded with contumely, bound hand and foot in irons, with jeering faces around, vulgar eyes glaring on my uncovered body, and two inhuman men about to lash me to the bone. the first lick from mr. peterkin laid my back open. i writhed, i wrestled; but blow after blow descended, each harder than the preceding one. i shrieked, i screamed, i pleaded, i prayed, but there was no mercy shown me. mr. peterkin having fully gratified and quenched his spleen, turned to mr. jones, and said, "now is yer turn; you can beat her as much as you please, only jist leave a bit o' life in her, is all i cares for." "yes; i'll not spile her for the market; but i does want to take a little of the d----d pride out of her." "now, boys"--for by this time all the slaves on the place, save aunt polly, had assembled round the post--"you will see what a true stroke i ken make; but darn my buttons if i doesn't think mr. peterkin has drawn all the blood." so saying, jones drew back the cow-hide at arm's length, and, making a few evolutions with his body, took what he called "sure aim." i closed my eyes in terror. more from the terrible pain, than from the frantic shoutings of the crowd, i knew that mr. jones had given a lick that he called "true blue." the exultation of the negroes in master jones' triumph was scarcely audible to my ears; for a cold, clammy sensation was stealing over my frame; my breath was growing feebler and feebler, and a soft melody, as of lulling summer fountains, was gently sounding in my ears; and, as if gliding away on a moonbeam, i passed from all consciousness of pain. a sweet oblivion, like that sleep which announces to the wearied, fever-sick patient, that his hour of rest has come, fell upon me! it was not a dreamful sensibility, filled with the chaos of fragmentary visions, but a rest where the mind, nay, the very soul, seemed to sleep with the body. how long this stupor lasted i am unable to say; but when i awoke, i was lying on a rough bed, a face dark, haggard, scarred and worn, was bending over me. disfigured as was that visage, it was pleasant to me, for it was human. i opened my eyes, then closed them languidly, re-opened them, then closed them again. "now, chile, i thinks you is a leetle better," said the dark-faced woman, whom i recognized as aunt polly; but i was too weak, too wandering in mind, to talk, and i closed my eyes and slept again. chapter vi. restored consciousness--aunt polly's account of my miraculous return to life--the master's affray with the overseer. when i awoke (for i was afterwards told by my good nurse that i had slept four days), i was lying on the same rude bed; but a cool, clear sensation overspread my system. i had full and active possession of my mental faculties. i rose and sat upright in the bed, and looked around me. it was the deep hour of night. a little iron lamp was upon the hearth, and, for want of a supply of oil, the wick was burning low, flinging a red glare through the dismal room. upon a broken stool sat aunt polly, her head resting upon her breast, in what nurses call a "stolen nap." amy and three other children were sleeping in a bed opposite me. in a few moments i was able to recall the whole of the scenes through which i had passed, while consciousness remained; and i raised my eyes to god in gratitude for my partial deliverance from pain and suffering. very softly i stole from my bed, and, wrapping an old coverlet round my shoulders, opened the door, and looked out upon the clear, star-light night. of the vague thoughts that passed through my mind i will not now speak, though they were far from pleasant or consolatory. the fresh night air, which began to have a touch of the frost of the advancing autumn, blew cheerily in the room, and it fell with an awakening power upon the brow of aunt polly. "law, chile, is dat you stannin' in de dor? what for you git up out en yer warm bed, and go stand in the night-ar?" "because i feel so well, and this pleasant air seems to brace my frame, and encourage my mind." "but sure you had better take to your bed again; you hab had a mighty bad time ob it." "how long have i been sick? it all seems to me like a horrible dream, from which i have been suddenly and pleasantly aroused." as i said this, aunt polly drew me from the door, and closing it, she bade me go to bed. "no, indeed, i cannot sleep. i feel wide awake, and if i only had some one to talk to me, i could sit up all night." "well, bress your heart, i'll talk wid you smack, till de rise ob day," she said, in such a kind, good-natured tone, that i was surprised, for i had regarded her only as an ill-natured, miserable beldame. seating myself on a ricketty stool beside her, i prepared for a long conversation. "tell me what has happened since i have been sick?" i said. "where are miss jane and matilda? and where is the young gentleman who supped with them on that awful night?" "bress you, honey, but 'twas an awful night. dis ole nigger will neber forget it long as she libs;" and she bent her head upon her poor old worn hands, and by the pale, blue flicker of the lamp, i could discern the rapidly-falling tears. "what," thought i, "and this hardened, wretched old woman can weep for me! her heart is not all ossified if she can forget her own bitter troubles, and weep for mine." this knowledge was painful, and yet joyful to me. who of us can refuse sympathy? who does not want it, no matter at what costly price? does it not seem like dividing the burden, when we know that there is another who will weep for us? i threw my arms round aunt polly. i tightly strained that decayed and revolting form to my breast, and i inly prayed that some young heart might thus rapturously go forth, in blessings to my mother. this evidence of affection did not surprise aunt polly, nor did she return my embrace; but a deep, hollow sigh, burst from her full heart, and i knew that memory was far away--that, in fancy, she was with her children, her loved and lost. "come, now," said i, soothingly, "tell me all about it. how did i suffer? what was done for me? where is master?" and i shuddered, as i mentioned the name of my horrible persecutor. "oh, chile, when masser jones was done a-beatin' ob yer, dey all ob 'em tought you was dead; den masser got orful skeard. he cussed and swore, and shook his fist in de oberseer's face, and sed he had kilt you, and dat he was gwine to law wid him 'bout de 'struction ob his property. den masser jones he swar a mighty heap, and tell masser he dar' him to go to law 'bout it. den miss jane and tilda kum out, and commenced cryin', and fell to 'busin' masser jones, kase miss jane say she want to go to de big town, and take you long wid her fur lady's maid. den mr. jones fell to busen ob her, and den masser and him clinched, and fought, and fought like two big black dogs. den masser jones sticked his great big knife in masser's side, and masser fell down, and den we all tought he was clar gone. den away maser jones did run, and nobody dared take arter him, for he had a loaded pistol and a big knife. den we all on us, de men and wimmin folks both, grabbed up masser, and lifted him in de house, and put him on de bed. den jake, he started off fur de doctor, while miss jane and tilda 'gan to fix masser's cut side. law, bress your heart, but thar he laid wid his big form stretched out just as helpless as a baby. his face was as white as a ghost, and his eyes shot right tight up. law bress you, but i tought his time hab kum den. well, lindy and de oder wimmin was a helpin' ob miss jane and tildy, so i jist tought i would go and look arter yer body. thar you was, still tied to de post, all kivered with blood. i was mighty feared ob you; but den i tought you had been so perlite, and speaked so kind to me, dat i would take kare ob yer body; so i tuck you down, and went wid you to de horse-trough, and dere i poured some cold water ober yer, so as to wash away de clotted blood. den de cold water sorter 'vived you, and yer cried out 'oh, me!' wal dat did skeer me, and i let you drap right down in de trough, and de way dis nigger did run, fur de life ob her. well, as i git back i met jake, who had kum back wid de doctor, and i cried out, 'oh jake, de spirit ob ann done speaked to me!' 'now, polly,' says he, 'do hush your nonsense, you does know dat ann is done cold dead.' 'well jake,' says i, 'i tuck her down frum de post, and tuck her to the trough to wash her, and tought i'd fix de body out right nice, in de best close dat she had. well, jist as i got de water on it, somping hollowed out, 'oh me!' so mournful like, dat it 'peared to me it kum out ob de ground. "'what fur den you do?' says jake. 'why, to be sure, i lef it right dar, and run as fas' as my feet would carry me.' "by dis time de house was full ob de neighbors; all hab collected in de house, fur de news dat masser was kilt jist fly trough de neighborhood. miss bradly hearn in de house 'bout de 'raculous 'pearance ob de sperit, and she kum up to me, and say 'polly, whar is de body of ann?' 'laws, miss bradly, it is out in de trough, i won't go agin nigh to it.' "'well,' say she, 'where is jake? let him kum along wid me.' "'what, you ain't gwine nigh it?' i asked. "'yes i is gwine right up to it,' she say, 'kase i knows thar is life in it.' well this sorter holpd me up, so i said, 'well i'll go too.' so we tuck jake, and miss bradly walked long wid us to de berry spot, and dar you wus a settin up in de water ob de trough where i seed you; it skeered me worse den eber, so i fell right down on de ground, and began to pray to de lord to hab marcy on us all; but miss bradly (she is a quare woman) walked right up to you, and spoke to you. "'laws,' says jake, 'jist hear dat ar' woman talking wid a sperit,' and down he fell, and went to callin on de angel gabriel to kum and holp him. "fust ting i knowed, miss bradly was a rollin' her shawl round yer body, and axed you to walk out ob de trough. "well, tinks i, dese am quare times when a stone-dead nigger gits up and walks agin like a live one. well, widout any help from us, miss bradly led you 'long into dis cabin. i followed arter. after while she kind o' 'suaded me you was a livin'. den i helped her wash you, and got her some goose-greese, and we rubbed you all ober, from your head to yer feet, and den you kind ob fainted away, and i began to run off; but miss bradly say you only swoon, and she tuck a little glass vial out ob her pocket, and held it to yer nose, and dis bring you to agin. after while you fell off to sleep, and miss bradly bringed de doctor out ob de house to look at you. well, he feel ob yer wrist, put his ear down to yer breast, den say, 'may be wid care she will git well, but she hab been powerful bad treated.' he shuck his head, and i knowed what he was tinkin' 'bout, but i neber say one word. den miss bradly wiped her eyes, and de doctor fetch anoder sigh, and say, dis is very 'stressing,' and miss bradly say somepin agin 'slavery,' and de doctor open ob his eyes right wide and say, ''tis worth your head, miss, for to say dat in dis here country.' den she kind of 'splained it to him, and tings just seemed square 'twixt 'em, for she was monstrous skeered like, and turned white as a sheet. den i hearn de doctor say sompin' 'bout ridin' on a rail, and tar and feaders, and abolutionist. so arter dat, miss bradly went into de house, arter she had bin a tellin' ob me to nurse you well; dat you was way off hare from yer mammy, so eber sence den you has bin a lying right dar on dat bed, and i hab nursed you as if you war my own child." i threw my arms around her again, and imprinted kisses upon her rugged brow; for, though her skin was sooty and her face worn with care, i believed that somewhere in a silent corner of her tried heart there was a ray of warm, loving, human feeling. "oh, child," she begun, "can you wid yer pretty yallow face kiss an old pitch-black nigger like me?" "why, yes, aunt polly, and love you too; if your face is dark i am sure your heart is fair." "well, i doesn't know 'bout dat, chile; once 'twas far, but i tink all de white man done made it black as my face." "oh no, i can't believe that, aunt polly," i replied. "wal, i always hab said dat if dey would cut my finger and cut a white woman's, dey would find de blood ob de very same color," and the old woman laughed exultingly. "yes, but, aunt polly, if you were to go before a magistrate with a case to be decided, he would give it against you, no matter how just were your claims." "to be sartin, de white folks allers gwine to do every ting in favor ob dar own color." "but, aunt polly," interposed i, "there is a god above, who disregards color." "sure dare is, and dar we will all ob us git our dues, and den de white folks will roast in de flames ob old nick." i saw, from a furtive flash of her eye, that all the malignity and revenge of her outraged nature were becoming excited, and i endeavored to change the conversation. "is master getting well?" "why, yes, chile, de debbil can't kill him. he is 'termined to live jist as long as dare is a nigger to torment. all de time he was crazy wid de fever, he was fightin' wid de niggers--'pears like he don't dream 'bout nothin' else." "does he sit up now?" i asked this question with trepidation, for i really dreaded to see him. "no, he can't set up none. de doctor say he lost a power o' blood, and he won't let him eat meat or anyting strong, and i tells you, honey, masser does swar a heap. he wants to smoke his pipe, and to hab his reglar grog, and dey won't gib it to him. it do take jim and jake bofe to hold him in de bed, when his tantarums comes on. he fights dem, he calls for de oberseer, he orders dat ebery nigger on de place shall be tuck to de post. i tells you now, i makes haste to git out ob his way. he struck jake a lick dat kum mighty nigh puttin' out his eye. it's all bunged up now." "where did mr. somerville go?" i asked. "oh, de young gemman dat dey say is a courtin' miss jane, he hab gone back to de big town what he kum from; but lindy say miss jane got a great long letter from him, and lindy say she tink miss jane gwine to marry him." "well, i belong to miss jane; i wonder if she will take me with her to the town." "why, yes, chile, she will, for she do believe in niggers. she wants 'em all de time right by her side, a waitin' on her." this thought set me to speculating. here, then, was the prospect of another change in my home. the change might be auspicious; but it would take me away from aunt polly, and remove me from miss bradly's influence; and this i dreaded, for she had planted hopes in my breast, which must blossom, though at a distant season, and i wished to be often in her company, so that i might gain many important items from her. aunt polly, observing me unusually thoughtful, argued that i was sleepy, and insisted upon my returning to bed. in order to avoid further conversation, and preserve, unbroken, the thread of my reflections, i obeyed her. throwing myself carelessly upon the rough pallet, i wandered in fancy until leaden-winged sleep overcame me. chapter vii. amy's narrative, and her philosophy of a future state. when the golden sun had begun to tinge with light the distant tree-tops, and the young birds to chant their matin hymn, i awoke from my profound sleep. wearily i moved upon my pillow, for though my slumber had been deep and sweet, yet now, upon awaking, i experienced no refreshment. rising up in the bed, and supporting myself upon my elbow, i looked round in quest of aunt polly; but then i remembered that she had to be about the breakfast. amy was sitting on the floor, endeavoring to arrange the clothes on a little toddler, her orphan brother, over whom she exercised a sort of maternal care. she, her two sisters, and infant brother, were the orphans of a woman who had once belonged to a brother of mr. peterkin. their orphanage had not fallen upon them from the ghastly fingers of death, but from the far more cruel and cold mandate of human cupidity. a fair, even liberal price had been offered their owner for their mother, dilsy, and such a speculation was not to be resigned upon the score of philanthropy. no, the man who would refuse nine hundred dollars for a negro woman, upon the plea that she had three young children and a helpless infant, from whom she must not be separated, would, in kentucky, be pronounced insane; and i can assure you that, on this subject, the brave kentuckians had good right to decide, according to their code, that elijah peterkin was _compos mentis_. "amy," said i, as i rubbed my eyes, to dissipate the film and mists of sleep, "is it very late? have you heard the horn blow for the hands to come in from work?" "no, me hab not hearn it yet, but laws, ann, me did tink you would neber talk no more." "but you see i am talking now," and i could not resist a smile; "have you been nursing me?" "no, indeed, aunt polly wouldn't let me come nigh yer bed, and she keep all de time washing your body and den rubbin' it wid a feader an' goose-greese. oh, you did lay here so still, jist like somebody dead. aunt polly, she wouldn't let one ob us speak one word, sed it would 'sturb you; but i knowed you wasn't gwine to kere, so ebery time she went out, i jist laughed and talked as much as i want." "but did you not want me to get well, amy?" "why, sartin i did; but my laughin' want gwine to kill you, was it?" she looked up with a queer, roguish smile. "no, but it might have increased my fever." "well, if you had died, i would hab got yer close, now you knows you promised 'em to me. so when i hearn jake say you was dead, i run and got yer new calico dress, and dat ribbon what miss jane gib you, an' put dem in my box; den arter while aunt polly say you done kum back to life; so i neber say notin' more, i jist tuck de close and put dem back in yer box, and tink to myself, well, maybe i will git 'em some oder time." it amused me not a little to find that upon mere suspicion of my demise, this little negro had levied upon my wardrobe, which was scanty indeed; but so it is, be we ever so humble or poor, there is always some one to regard us with a covetous eye. my little paraphernalia was, to this half-savage child, a rich and wondrous possession. "here, hold up yer foot, ben, or you shan't hab any meat fur breakus." this threat was addressed to her young brother, whom she nursed like a baby, and whose tiny foot seemed to resist the restraint of a shoe. i looked long at them, and mused with a strange sorrow upon their probable destiny. bitter i knew it must be. for, where is there, beneath the broad sweep of the majestic heavens, a single one of the dusky tribe of ethiopia who has not felt that existence was to him far more a curse than a blessing? you, oh, my tawny brothers, who read these tear-stained pages, ask your own hearts, which, perhaps, now ache almost to bursting, ask, i say, your own vulture-torn hearts, if life is not a hard, hard burden? have you not oftentimes prayed to the all-merciful to sever the mystic tie that bound you here, to loosen your chains and set you, soul and body, free? have you not, from the broken chinks of your lonely cabins at night, looked forth upon the free heavens, and murmured at your fate? is there, oh! slave, in your heart a single pleasant memory? do you not, captive-husband, recollect with choking pride how the wife of your bosom has been cruelly lashed while you dared not say one word in her defence? have you not seen your children, precious pledges of undying love, ruthlessly torn from you, bound hand and foot and sold like dogs in the slave market, while you dared not offer a single remonstrance? has not every social and moral feeling been outraged? is it not the white man's policy to degrade your race, thereby finding an argument to favor the perpetuation of slavery? is there for us one thing to sweeten bondage? free african! in the brave old states of the north, where the shackles of slavery exist not, to you i call. noble defenders of abolition, you whose earnest eyes may scan these pages, i call to you with a _tearful voice_; i pray you to go on in your glorious cause; flag not, faint not, prosecute it before heaven and against man. fling out your banners and march on to the defence of the suffering ones at the south. and you, oh my heart-broken sisters, toiling beneath a tropic sun, wearing out your lives in the service of tyrants, to you i say, hope and pray still! trust in god! he is mighty and willing to save, and, in an hour that you know not of, he will roll the stone away from the portal of your hearts. my prayers are with you and for you. i have come up from the same tribulation, and i vow, by the sears and wounds upon my flesh, never to forget your cause. would that my tears, which freely flow for you, had power to dissolve the fetters of your wasting bondage. thoughts like these, though with more vagueness and less form, passed through my brain as i looked upon those poor little outcast children, and i must be excused for thus making, regardless of the usual etiquette of authors, an appeal to the hearts of my free friends. never once do i wish them to lose sight of the noble cause to which they have lent the influence of their names. i am but a poor, unlearned woman, whose heart is in her cause, and i should be untrue to the motive which induced me to chronicle the dark passages in my woe-worn life if i did not urge and importune the apostles of abolition to move forward and onward in their march of reform. "come, amy, near to my bed, and talk a little with me." "i wants to git some bread fust." "you are always hungry," i pettishly replied. "no, i isn't, but den, ann, i neber does git enuf to eat here. now, we use to hab more at mas' lijah's." "was he a good master?" i asked. "no, he wasn't; but den mammy used to gib us nice tings to eat. she buyed it from de store, and she let us hab plenty ob it." "where is your mammy?" "she bin sold down de ribber to a trader," and there was a quiver in the child's voice. "did she want to go?" i inquired. "no, she cried a heap, and tell masser she wouldn't mind it if he would let her take us chilen; but masser say no, he wouldn't. den she axed him please to let her hab little ben, any how. masser cussed, and said, well, she might hab ben, as he was too little to be ob any sarvice; den she 'peared so glad and got him all ready to take; but when de trader kum to take her away, he say he wouldn't 'low her to take ben, kase he couldn't sell her fur as much, if she hab a baby wid her; den, oh den, how poor mammy did cry and beg; but de trader tuck his cowhide and whipped her so hard she hab to stop cryin' or beggin'. den she kum to me and make me promise to take good care ob ben, to nurse him and tend on him as long as i staid whar he was. den she knelt down in de corner of her cabin and prayed to god to take care ob us, all de days of our life; den she kissed us all and squeezed us tight, and when she tuck little ben in her arms it 'peared like her heart would break. de water from her eyes wet ben's apron right ringing wet, jist like it had come out ob a washing tub. den de trader called to her to come along, and den she gib dis to me, and told me dat ebery time i looked at it, i must tink of my poor mammy dat was sold down de ribber, and 'member my promise to her 'bout my little brudder." here the child exhibited a bored five-cent piece, which she wore suspended by a black string around her neck. "de chilen has tried many times to git it away frum me; but i's allers beat 'em off; and whenever miss tildy wants me fur to mind her, she says, 'now, amy, i'll jist take yer mammy's present from yer if yer doesn't do what i bids yer;' den de way dis here chile does work isn't slow, i ken tell yer," and with her characteristic gesture she run her tongue out at the corner of her mouth in an oblique manner, and suddenly withdrew it, as though it had passed over a scathing iron. "could anything induce you to part with it?" i asked. she rolled her eyes up with a look of wonderment, and replied, half ferociously, "gracious! no--why, hasn't i bin whipped, 'bused and treed; still i'd hold fast to this. no mortal ken take it frum me. you may kill me in welcome," and the child shook her head with a philosophical air, as she said, "and i don't kere much, so mammy's chilen dies along wid me, fur i didn't see no use in our livin' eny how. i's done got my full shere ob beatin' an' we haint no use on dis here airth--so i jist wants fur to die." i looked upon her, so uncared for, so forlorn in her condition, and i could not find it in my heart to blame her for the wish, erring and rebellious as it must appear to the christian. what _had_ she to live for? to those little children, the sacred bequests of her mother, she was no protection; for, even had she been capable of extending to them all the guidance and watchfulness, both of soul and body, which their delicate and immature natures required, there was every probability, nay, there was a certainty, that this duty would be denied her. she could not hope, at best, to live with them more than a few years. they were but cattle, chattels, property, subject to the will and pleasure of their owners. there would speedily come a time when a division must take place in the estate, and that division would necessarily cause a separation and rupture of family ties. what wonder then, that this poor ignorant child sighed for the calm, unfearing, unbroken rest of the grave? she dreamed not of a "more beyond;" she thought her soul mortal, even as her body; and had she been told that there was for her a world, even a blessed one, to succeed death, she would have shuddered and feared to cross the threshold of the grave. she thought annihilation the greatest, the only blessing awaiting her. the idea of another life would have brought with it visions of a new master and protracted slavery. freedom and equality of souls, irrespective of _color_, was too transcendental and chimerical an idea to take root in her practical brain. many times had she heard her master declare that "niggers were jist like dogs, laid down and died, and nothin' come of them afterwards." his philosophy could have proposed nothing more delightful to her ease-coveting mind. some weeks afterwards, when i was trying to teach her the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, she broke forth in an idiotic laugh, as she said, "oh, no, dat gold city what dey sings 'bout in hymns, will do fur de white folks; but nothin' eber comes of niggers; dey jist dies and rots." "who do you think made negroes?" i inquired. looking up with a meaning grin, she said, "white folks made 'em fur der own use, i 'spect." "why do you think that?" "kase white folks ken kill 'em when dey pleases; so i 'spose dey make 'em." this was a species of reasoning which, for a moment, confounded my logic. seeing that i lacked a ready reply, she went on: "yes, you see, ann, we hab no use wid a soul. de white folks won't hab any work to hab done up dere, and so dey won't hab no use fur niggers." "doesn't this make you miserable?" "what?" she asked, with amazement. "this thought of dying, and rotting like the vilest worm." "no, indeed, it makes me glad; fur den i'll not hab anybody to beat me; knock, kick, and cuff me 'bout, like dey does now." "poor child, happier far," i thought, "in your ignorance, than i, with all the weight of fearful responsibility that my little knowledge entails upon me. on you, god will look with a more pitying eye than upon me, to whom he has delegated the stewardship of two talents." chapter viii. talk at the farm-house--threats--the new beau--lindy. several days had elapsed since the morning conversation with amy; meanwhile matters were jogging along in their usually dull way. of late, since the flight of mr. jones, and the illness of mr. peterkin, there had been considerably less fighting; but the ladies made innumerable threats of what they would do, when their father should be well enough to allow a suspension of nursing duties. my wounds had rapidly healed, and i had resumed my former position in the discharge of household duties. lindy, my old assistant, still held her place. i always had an aversion to her. there was that about her entire physique which made her odious to me. a certain laxity of the muscles and joints of her frame, which produced a floundering, shuffling sort of gait that was peculiarly disagreeable, a narrow, soulless countenance, an oblique leer of the eye where an ambushed fiend seemed to lurk, full, voluptuous lips, lengthy chin, and expanded nostril, combined to prove her very low in the scale of animals. she had a kind of dare-devil courage, which seemed to brave a great deal, and yet she shrank from everything like punishment. there was a union of degrading passions in her character. i doubt if the lowest realm of hades contained a baser spirit. this girl, i felt assured from the first time i beheld her, was destined to be my evil genius. i felt that the baleful comet that presided over her birth, would in his reckless and maddening course, rush too near the little star which, through cloud and shadow, beamed on my destiny. she was not without a certain kind of sprightliness that passed for intelligence; and she could by her adroitness of manoeuvre amble out of any difficulty. with a good education she would have made an excellent female pettifogger. she had all of the quickness and diablerie usually summed up in that most expressive american word, "_smartness_." i was a good deal vexed and grieved to find myself again a partner of hers in the discharge of my duties. it seemed to open my wounds afresh; for i remembered that her falsehood had gained me the severe castigation that had almost deprived me of life; and her laugh and jibe had rendered my suffering at the accursed post even more humiliating. yet i knew better than to offer a demurrer to any arrangement that my mistress had made. one day as i was preparing to set the table for the noon meal, lindy came to me and whispered, in an under-tone, "you finish the table, i am going out; and if miss jane or tildy axes where i is, say dat i went to de kitchen to wash a dish." "very well," i replied in my usual laconic style, and went on about my work. it was well for her that she had observed this precaution; for in a few moments miss tildy came in, and her first question was for lindy. i answered as i had been desired to do. the reply appeared to satisfy her, and with the injunction (one she never failed to give), that i should do my work well and briskly, she left the room. after i had arranged the table to my satisfaction, i went to the kitchen to assist aunt polly in dishing up dinner. when i reached the kitchen i found aunt polly in a great quandary. the fire was not brisk enough to brown her bread, and she dared not send it to the table without its being as beautifully brown as a student's meditations. "oh, child," she began, "do run somewhar' and git me a scrap or so of dry wood, so as to raise a smart little blaze to brown dis bread." "indeed i will," and off i bounded in quest of the combustible material. of late aunt polly and i had become as devoted as mother and child. 'tis true there was a deep yearning in my heart, a thirst for intercommunion of soul, which this untutored negress could not supply. she did not answer, with a thrilling response, to the deep cry which my spirit sent out; yet she was kind, and even affectionate, to me. usually harsh to others, with me she was gentle as a lamb. with a thousand little motherly acts she won my heart, and i strove, by assiduous kindness, to make her forget that i was not her daughter. i started off with great alacrity in search of the dry wood, and remembered that on the day previous i had seen some barrel staves lying near an out-house, and these i knew would quickly ignite. when rapidly turning the corner of the stable, i was surprised to see lindy standing in close and apparently free conversation with a strange-looking white man. the sound of my rapid footsteps startled them; and upon seeing me, the man walked off hastily. with a fluttering, excited manner, lindy came up and said: "don't say nothing 'bout haven' seed me wid dat ar' gemman; fur he used to be my mars'er, and a good one he was too." i promised that i would say nothing about the matter, but first i inquired what was the nature of the private interview. "oh, he jist wanted fur to see me, and know how i was gitten' long." i said no more; but i was not satisfied with her explanation. i resolved to watch her narrowly, and ferret out, if possible, this seeming mystery. upon my return to the kitchen, with my bundle of dry sticks, i related what i had seen to aunt polly. "dat gal is arter sompen not very good, you mark my words fur it." "oh, maybe not, aunt polly," i answered, though with a conviction that i was speaking at variance with the strong probabilities of the case. i hurried in the viands and meats for the table, and was not surprised to find lindy unusually obliging, for i understood the object. there was an abashed air and manner which argued guilt, or at least, that she was the mistress of a secret, for the entire possession of which she trembled. sundry little acts of unaccustomed kindness she offered me, but i quietly declined them. i did not desire that she should insult my honor by the offer of a tacit bribe. in the evening, when i was arranging miss jane's hair (this was my especial duty), she surprised me by asking, in a careless and incautious manner: "ann, what is the matter with lindy? she has such an excited manner." "i really don't know, miss jane; i have not observed anything very unusual in her." "well, i have, and i shall speak to her about it. oh, there! slow, girl, slow; you pulled my hair. don't do it again. you niggers have become so unruly since pa's sickness, that if we don't soon get another overseer, there will be no living for you. there is lindy in the sulks, simply because she wants a whipping, and old polly hasn't given us a meal fit to eat." "have i done anything, miss jane?" i asked with a misgiving. "no, nothing in particular, except showing a general and continued sullenness. now, i do despise to see a nigger always sour-looking; and i can tell you, ann, you must change your ways, or it will be worse for you." "i try to be cheerful, miss jane, but--" here i wisely checked myself. "_try to be_," she echoed with a satirical tone. "what do you mean by _trying_? you don't dare to say you are not happy _here_?" finding that i made no reply, she said, "if you don't cut your cards squarely, you will find yourself down the river before long, and there you are only half-clad and half-fed, and flogged every day." still i made no reply. i knew that if i spoke truthfully, and as my heart prompted, it would only redound to my misery. what right had i to speak of my mother. she was no more than an animal, and as destitute of the refinement of common human feeling--so i forbore to allude to her, or my great desire to see her. i dared not speak of the horrible manner in which my body had been cut and slashed, the half-lifeless condition in which i had been taken from the accursed post, and all for a fault which was not mine. these were things which, as they were done by my master's commands, were nothing more than right; so with an effort, i controlled my emotion, and checked the big tears which i felt were rushing up to my eyes. when i had put the finishing stroke to miss jane's hair, and whilst she was surveying herself in a large french mirror, miss bradly came in. tossing her bonnet off, she kissed miss jane very affectionately, nodded to me, and asked, "where is tildy?" "i don't know, somewhere about the house, i suppose," replied miss jane. "well, i have a new beau for her; now it will be a fine chance for tildy. i would have recommended you; but, knowing of your previous engagement, i thought it best to refer him to the fair matilda." miss jane laughed, and answered, that "though she was engaged, she would have no objections to trying her charms upon another beau." there was a strange expression upon miss bradly's face, and a flurried, excited manner, very different from her usually quiet demeanor. miss jane went about the room collecting, here and there, a stray pocket handkerchief, under-sleeve, or chemisette; and, dashing them toward me, she said, "put these in wash, and do, pray, ann, try to look more cheerful. now, miss emily," she added, addressing miss bradly, "we have the worst servants in the world. there is lindy, i believe the d--l is in her. she is so strange in her actions. i have to repeat a thing three or four times before she will understand me; and, as for ann, she looks so sullen that it gives one the horrors to see her. i've a notion to bring amy into the house. in the kitchen she is of no earthly service, and doesn't earn her salt. i think i'll persuade pa to sell some of these worthless niggers. they are no profit, and a terrible expense." thereupon she was interrupted by the entrance of miss tildy, whose face was unusually excited. she did not perceive miss bradly, and so broke forth in a torrent of invectives against "niggers." "i hate them. i wish this place were rid of every black face. now we can't find that wretched lindy anywhere, high nor low. let me once get hold of her, and i'll be bound she shall remember it to the day of her death. oh! miss bradly, is that you? pray excuse me for not recognizing you sooner; but since pa's sickness, these wretched negroes have half-taken the place, and i shouldn't be surprised if i were to forget myself," and with a kiss she seemed to think she had atoned to miss bradly for her forgetfulness. to all of this miss b. made no reply, i fancied (perhaps it was only fancy) that there was a shade of discontent upon her face; but she still preserved her silence, and miss tildy waxed warmer and warmer in her denunciation of ungrateful "niggers." "now, here, ours have every wish gratified; are treated well, fed well, clothed well, and yet we can't get work enough out of them to justify us in retaining our present number. as soon as pa gets well i intend to urge upon him the necessity of selling some of them. it is really too outrageous for us to be keeping such a number of the worthless wretches; actually eating us out of house and home. besides, our family expenses are rapidly increasing. brother must be sent off to college. it will not do to have his education neglected. i really am becoming quite ashamed of his want of preparation for a profession. i wish him sent to yale, after first receiving a preparatory course in some less noted seminary,--then he will require a handsome outfit of books, and a wardrobe inferior to none at the institution; for, miss emily, i am determined our family shall have a position in every circle." as miss tildy pronounced these words, she stamped her foot in the most emphatic way, as if to confirm and ratify her determination. "yes," said miss jane, "i was just telling miss emily of our plans; and i think we may as well bring amy in the house. she is of no account in the kitchen, and lindy, ginsy, and those brats, can be sold for a very pretty sum if taken to the city of l----, and put upon the block, or disposed of to some wealthy trader." "what children?" asked miss bradly. "why, amy's two sisters and brother, and ginsy's child, and ginsy too, if pa will let her go." my heart ached well-nigh to bursting, when i heard this. poor, poor amy, child-sufferer! another drop of gall added to thy draught of wormwood--another thorn added to thy wearing crown. oh, god! how i shuddered for the victim. miss jane went on in her usual heartless tone. "it is expensive to keep them; they are no account, no profit to us; and young niggers are my 'special aversion. i have, for a long time, intended separating amy from her two little sisters; she doesn't do anything but nurse that sickly child, ben, and it is scandalous. you see, miss emily, we want an arbor erected in the yard, and a conservatory, and some new-style table furniture." "yes, and i want a set of jewels, and a good many additions to my wardrobe, and jane wishes to spend a winter in the city. she will be forced to have a suitable outfit." "yes, and i am going to have everything i want, if the farm is to be sold," said miss jane, in a voice that no one dared to gainsay. "but come, let me tell you, tildy, about the new beau i have for you," said miss bradly. instantly miss tildy's eyes began to glisten. the word "beau" was the ready "sesame" to her good humor. "oh, now, dear, good miss emily, tell me something about him. who is he? where from?" &c. miss bradly smiled, coaxingly and lovingly, as she answered: "well, tildy, darling, i have a friend from the north, who is travelling for pleasure through the valley of the mississippi; and i promised to introduce him to some of the pretty ladies of the west; so, of course, i feel pride in introducing my two pupils to him." this was a most agreeable sedative to their ill-nature; and both sisters came close to miss bradly, fairly covering her with caresses, and addressing to her words of flattery. as soon as my services were dispensed with i repaired to the kitchen, where i found aunt polly in no very good or amiable mood. something had gone wrong about the arrangements for supper. the chicken was not brown enough, or the cakes were heavy; something troubled her, and as a necessary consequence her temper was suffering. "i's in an orful humor, ann, so jist don't come nigh me." "well, but, aunt polly, we should learn to control these humors. they are not the dictates of a pure spirit; they are unchristian." "oh, laws, chile, what hab us to do wid der christians? we are like dem poor headens what de preachers prays 'bout. we haint got no 'sponsibility, no more den de dogs." "i don't think that way, aunt polly; i think i am as much bound to do my duty, and expect a reward at the hands of my maker, as any white person." "oh, 'taint no use of talkin' dat ar' way, kase ebery body knows niggers ain't gwine to de same place whar dar massers goes." i dared not confront her obstinacy with any argument; for i knew she was unwilling to believe. poor, apathetic creature! she was happier in yielding up her soul to the keeping of her owner, than she would have been in guiding it herself. this to me would have been enslavement indeed; such as i could not have endured. he, my creator, who gave me this heritage of thought, and the bounty of hope, gave me, likewise, a strong, unbridled will, which nothing can conquer. the whip may bring my body into subjection, but the free, free spirit soars where it lists, and no man can check it. god is with the soul! aye, in it, animating and encouraging it, sustaining it amid the crash, conflict, and the elemental war of passion! the poor, weak flesh may yield; but, thanks to god! the soul, well-girded and heaven-poised, will never shrink. many and long have been the unslumbering nights when i have lain upon my heap of straw, gazing at the pallid moon, and the sorrowful stars; weaving mystic fancies as the wailing night-wind seemed to bring me a message from the distant and the lost! i have felt whole vials of heavenly unction poured upon my bruised soul; rich gifts have descended, like the manna of old, upon my famishing spirit; and i have felt that god was nearer to me in the night time. i have imagined that the very atmosphere grew luminous with the presence of angelic hosts; and a strange music, audible alone to my ears, has lulled me to the gentlest of dreams! god be thanked for the night, the stars, and the spirit's vision! joy came not to me with the breaking of the morn; but peace, undefined, enwrapped me when the mantle of darkness and the crown of stars attested the reign of night! i grieved to think that my poor friend, this old, lonely negress, had nothing to soothe and charm her wearied heart. there was not a single flower blooming up amid the rank weeds of her nature. hard and rocky it seemed; yet had i found the prophet's wand, whereby to strike the flinty heart, and draw forth living waters! pure, genial draughts of kindliness, sweet honey-drops, hived away in the lonely cells of her caverned soul! i would have loved to give her a portion of that peace which radiated with its divine light the depths of my inmost spirit. i had come to her now for the purpose of giving her the sad intelligence that awaited poor amy; but i did not find her in a suitable mood. i felt assured that her harshness would, in some way or other, jar the finer and more sensitive harmonies of my nature. perhaps she would say that she did not care for the sufferings of the poor, lonely child; and that her bereavement would be nothing more than just; yet i knew that she did not feel thus. deep in her secret soul there lay folded a white-winged angel, even as the uncomely bulb envelopes the fair petals of the lily; and i longed for the summer warmth of kindness to bid it come forth and bloom in beauty. but now i turned away from her, murmuring, "'tis not the time." she would not open her heart, and my own must likewise be closed and silent; but when i met poor little amy, looking so neglected, with scarcely apparel sufficient to cover her nudity, my heart failed me utterly. there she held upon her hip little ben, her only joy; every now and then she addressed some admonitory words to him, such as "hush, baby, love," "you's my baby," "sissy loves it," and similar expressions of coaxing and endearment. and this, her only comfort, was about to be wrenched from her. the only link of love that bound her to a weary existence, was to be severed by the harsh mandate of another. just god! is this right? oh, my soul, be thou still! look on in patience! the cloud deepens above! the day of god's wrath is at hand! they who have coldly forbidden our indulging the sweet humanities of life, who have destroyed every social relation, severed kith and kin, ruptured the ties of blood, and left us more lonely than the beasts of the forest, may tremble when the avenger comes! i ventured to speak with amy, and i employed the kindest tone; but ever and anon little ben would send forth such a piteous wail, that i feared he was in physical pain. amy, however, very earnestly assured me that she had administered catnip tea in plentiful quantities, and had examined his person very carefully to discover if a pin or needle had punctured his flesh; but everything seemed perfectly right. i attempted to take him in my arms; but he clung so vigorously to amy's shoulder, that it required strength to unfasten his grasp. "oh, don'tee take him; he doesn't like fur to leab me. him usen to me," cried amy, as in a motherly way she caressed him. "now, pretty little boy donee cry any more. ann shan't hab you;--now be a good nice boy;" and thus she expended upon him her whole vocabulary of endearing epithets. "who could," i asked myself, "have the heart to untie this sweet fraternal bond? who could dry up the only fountain in this benighted soul? oh, i have often marvelled how the white mother, who knows, in such perfection, the binding beauty of maternal love, can look unsympathizingly on, and see the poor black parent torn away from her children. i once saw a white lady, of conceded _refinement_, sitting in the portico of her own house, with her youngest born, a babe of some seven months, dallying on her knee, and she toying with the pretty gold-threads of its silken hair, whilst her husband was in the kitchen, with a whip in his hand, severely lashing a negro woman, whom he had sold to a trader--lashing her because she refused to go _cheerfully_ and leave her infant behind. the poor wretch, as a last resource, fled to her mistress, and, on her knees, begged her to have her child. "oh, mistress," cried the frantic black woman, "ask master to let me take my baby with me." what think you was the answer of this white mother? "go away, you impudent wretch, you don't deserve to have your child. it will be better off away from you!" aye, this was the answer which, accompanied by a derisive sneer, she gave to the heart-stricken black mother. thus she felt, spoke, and acted, even whilst caressing her own helpless infant! who would think it injustice to "commend the poison-chalice to her own lips"? she, this fine lady, was known to weep violently, because an irish woman was unable to save a sufficiency of money from her earnings to bring her son from ireland to america; but, for the african mother, who was parting eternally from her helpless babe, she had not so much as a consolatory word. oh, ye of the proud caucasian race, would that your hearts were as fair and spotless as your complexions! truly can the saviour say of you, "oh, jerusalem, jerusalem, i would have gathered you together as a hen gathereth her chickens, but ye would not!" oh, perverse generation of vipers, how long will you abuse the divine forbearance! chapter ix. lindy's boldness--a suspicion--the master's accountability--the young reformer--words of hope--the cultivated mulatto--the dawn of ambition. in about an hour lindy came in, looking very much excited, yet attempting to conceal it beneath the mask of calmness. i affected not to notice it, yet was it evident, from various little attentions and manifold kind words, that she sought to divert suspicion, and avoid all questioning as to her absence. "where," she asked me, "are the young ladies? have they company?" "yes," i replied, "miss bradly is with them, and they are expecting a young gentleman, an acquaintance of miss b.'s." "who is he?" "why, lindy, how should i know?" "i thought maybe you hearn his name." "no, i did not, and, even if i had, it would have been so unimportant to me that i should have forgotten it." she opened her eyes with a vacant stare, but it was perceptible that she wandered in thought. "now, lindy," i began, "miss jane has missed you from the house, and both she and miss tildy have sworn vengeance against you." "so have i sworn it agin' them." "what! what did you say, lindy?" really i was surprised at the girl's hardihood and boldness. she had been thrown from her guard, and now, upon regaining her composure, was alarmed. "oh, i was only joking, ann; you knows we allers jokes." "i never do," i said, with emphasis. "yes, but den, ann, you see you is one ob de quare uns." "what do you mean by quare?" i asked. "oh, psha, 'taint no use ob talkin wid you, for you is good; but kum, tell me, is dey mad wid me in de house, and did dey say dey would beat me?" "well, they threatened something of the kind." her face grew ashen pale; it took that peculiar kind of pallor which the negro's face often assumes under the influence of fear or disease, and which is so disagreeable to look upon. enemy of mine as she had deeply proven herself to be, i could not be guilty of the meanness of exulting in her trouble. "but," she said, in an imploring tone, "you will not repeat what i jist said in fun." "of course i will not; but don't you remember that it was your falsehood that gained for me the only post-whipping that i ever had?" "yes; but den i is berry sorry fur dat, and will not do it any more." this was enough for me. an acknowledgment of contrition, and a determination to do better, are all god requires of the offender; and shall poor, erring mortals demand more? no; my resentment was fully satisfied. besides, i felt that this poor creature was not altogether blamable. none of her better feelings had been cultivated; they were strangled in their incipiency, whilst her savage instincts were left to run riot. thus the bad had ripened into a full and noxious development, whilst the noble had been crushed in the bud. who is to be answerable for the short-comings of such a soul? surely he who has cut it off from all moral and mental culture, and has said to the glimmerings of its faint intellect, "back, back to the depths of darkness!" surely he will and must take upon himself the burden of accountability. the sin is at his door, and woe-worth the day, when the great judge shall come to pass sentence upon him. i have often thought that the master of slaves must, for consistency's sake, be an infidel--or doubt man's exact accountability to god for the deeds done in the body; for how can he willingly assume the sins of some hundreds of souls? in the eye of human law, the slave has no responsibility; the master assumes all for him. if the slave is found guilty of a capital offence, punishable with death, the master is indemnified by a paid valuation, for yielding up the person of the slave to the demands of offended justice? if a slave earns money by his labors at night or holidays, or if he is the successful holder of a prize ticket in a lottery, his master can legally claim the money, and there is no power to gainsay him? if, then, human law recognizes a negro as irresponsible, how much more lenient and just will be the divine statute? thus, i hold (and i cannot think there is just logician, theologian, or metaphysician, who will dissent), that the owner of slaves becomes sponsor to god for the sins of his slave; and i cannot, then, think that one who accredits the existence of a just god, a supreme ruler, to whom we are all responsible for our deeds and words, would willingly take upon himself the burden of other people's faults and transgressions. whilst i stood talking with lindy, the sound of merry laughter reached our ears. "oh, dat is miss tildy, now is my time to go in, and see what dey will say to me; maybe while dey is in a good humor, dey will not beat me." and, thus saying, lindy hurried away. sad thoughts were crowding in my mind. dark misgivings were stirring in my brain. again i thought of the blessed society, with its humanitarian hope and aim, that dwelt afar off in the north. i longed to ask miss bradly more about it. i longed to hear of those holy men, blessed prophets foretelling a millennial era for my poor, down-trodden and despised race. i longed to ask questions of her; but of late she had shunned me; she scarcely spoke to me; and when she did speak, it was with indifference, and a degree of coldness that she had never before assumed. with these thoughts in my mind i stole along through the yard, until i stood almost directly under the window of the parlor. something in the tone of a strange voice that reached my ear, riveted my attention. it was a low, manly tone, lute-like, yet swelling on the breeze, and charming the soul! it refreshed my senses like a draught of cooling water. i caught the tone, and could not move from the spot. i was transfixed. "i do not see why fred douglas is not equal to the best man in the land. what constitutes worth of character? what makes the man? what gives elevation to him?" these were the words i first distinctly heard, spoken in a deep, earnest tone, which i have never forgotten. i then heard a silly laugh, which i readily recognized as miss jane's, as she answered, "you can't pretend to say that you would be willing for a sister of yours to marry fred douglas, accomplished as you consider him?" "i did not speak of marrying at all; and might i not be an advocate of universal liberty, without believing in amalgamation? yet, it is a question whether even amalgamation should be forbidden by law. the negro is a different race; but i do not know that they have other than human feelings and emotions. the negroes are, with us, the direct descendants from the great progenitor of the human family, old adam. they may, when fitted by education, even transcend us in the refinements and graces which adorn civilized character. in loftiness of purpose, in mental culture, in genius, in urbanity, in the exercise of manly virtues, such as fortitude, courage, and philanthropy, where will you show me a man that excels fred douglas? and must the mere fact of his tawny complexion exclude him from the pale of that society which he is so eminently fitted to grace? might i not (if it were made a question) prefer uniting my sister's fate with such a man, even though partially black, to seeing her tied to a low fellow, a wine-bibber, a swearer, a villain, who possessed not one cubit of the stature of true manhood, yet had a complexion white as snow? ah, miss, it is not the skin which gives us true value as men and women; 'tis the momentum of mind and the purity of morals, the integrity of purpose and nobility of soul, that make our place in the scale of being. i care not if the skin be black as erebus or fair and smooth as satin, so the heart and mind be right. i do not deal in externals or care for surfaces." these words were as the bread of life to me. i could scarcely resist the temptation to leave my hiding-place and look in at the open window, to get sight of the speaker; surely, i thought, he must wear the robes of a prophet. i could not very distinctly hear what miss jane said in reply. i could catch many words, such as "nigger" and "marry" "white lady," and other expressions used in an expostulatory voice; but the platitudes which she employed would not have answered the demand of my higher reason. old perversions and misinterpretations of portions of the bible, such as the story of hagar, and the curse pronounced upon ham, were adduced by miss jane and miss tildy in a tone of triumph. "oh, i sicken over these stories," said the same winning voice. "how long will christians willingly resist the known truth? how long will they bay at heaven with their cruel blasphemies? for i hold it to be blasphemy when a body of christians, professing to be followers of him who came from heaven to earth, and assumed the substance of humanity to teach us a lesson, argue thus. our great model declares that 'he came not to be ministered unto but to minister.' he inculcated practically the lesson of humility in the washing of the disciples' feet; yet, these his modern disciples, the followers of to-day, preach, even from the sacred desk, the right of men to hold their fellow-creatures in bondage through endless generations, to sell them for gold, to beat them, to keep them in a heathenish ignorance; and yet declare that it all has the divine sanction. verily, oh night of judaism, thou wast brighter than this our noon-day of christianity! black and bitter is the account, oh church of god, that thou art gathering to thyself! i could pray for a tongue of inspiration, wherewith to denounce this foul crime. i could pray for the power to show to my country the terrible stain she has painted upon the banner of freedom. how dare we, as americans, boast of this as the home and temple of liberty? where are the 'inalienable rights' of which our constitution talks in such trumpet-tones? does not our declaration of independence aver, that all men are born free and equal? now, do we not make this a practical falsehood? let the poor slave come up to the tribunal of justice, and ask the wise judge upon the bench to interpret this piece of plain english to him! how would the man of ermine blush at his own quibbles?" i could tell from the speaker's voice that he had risen from his seat, and i knew, from the sound of footsteps, that he was approaching the window. i crouched down lower and lower, in order to conceal myself from observation, but gazed up to behold one whose noble sentiments and bold expression of them had so entranced me. very noble looked he, standing there, with the silver moonlight beaming upon his broad, white brow, and his deep, blue eye uplifted to the star-written skies. his features were calm and classic in their mould, and a mystic light seemed to idealize and spiritualize his face and form. kneeling down upon the earth, i looked reverently to him, as the children of old looked upon their prophets. he did not perceive me, and even if he had, what should i have been to him--a pale-browed student, whose thought, large and expansive, was filled with the noble, the philanthropic, and the great. yet, there i crouched in fear and trembling, lest a breath should betray my secret place. but, would not his extended pity have embraced me, even me, a poor, insignificant, uncared-for thing in the great world--one who bore upon her face the impress of the hated nation? ay, i felt that he would not have condemned me as one devoid of the noble impulse of a heroic humanity. if the african has not heroism, pray where will you find it? are there, in the high endurance of the heroes of old sparta, sufferings such as the unchronicled life of many a slave can furnish forth? martyrs have gone to the stake; but amid the pomp and sounding psaltery of a choir, and above the flame, the fagot and the scaffold, they descried the immortal crown, and even the worldly and sensuous desire of canonization may not have been dead with them. the patriot braves the battle, and dies amid the thickest of the carnage, whilst the jubilant strains of music herald him away. the soldier perishes amid the proud acclaim of his countrymen; but the poor negro dies a martyr, unknown, unsung, and uncheered. many expire at the whipping-post, with the gleesome shouts of their inhuman tormentors, as their only cheering. yet few pity us. we are valuable only as property. our lives are nothing, and our souls--why they scarcely think we have any. in reflecting upon these things, in looking calmly back over my past life, and in reviewing the lives of many who are familiar to me, i have felt that the lord's forbearance must indeed be great; and when thoughts of revenge have curdled my blood, the prayer of my suffering saviour: "father forgive them, for they know not what they do," has flashed through my mind, and i have repelled them as angry and unchristian. jesus drank the wormwood and the gall; and we, oh, brethren and sisters of the banned race, must "tread the wine-press alone." we must bear firmly upon the burning ploughshare, and pass manfully through the ordeal, for vengeance is his and he will repay. but there, in the sweet moonlight, as i looked upon this young apostle of reform, a whole troop of thoughts less bitter than these swept over my mind. there were gentle dreamings of a home, a quiet home, in that northland, where, at least, we are countenanced as human beings. "who," i asked myself, "is this mysterious fred douglas?" a black man he evidently was; but how had i heard him spoken of? as one devoted to self-culture in its noblest form, who ornamented society by his imposing and graceful bearing, who electrified audiences with the splendor of his rhetoric, and lured scholars to his presence by the fame of his acquirements; and this man, this oracle of lore, was of my race, of my blood. what he had done, others might achieve. what a high determination then fired my breast! give, give me but the opportunity, and my chief ambition will be to prove that we, though wronged and despised, are not inferior to the proud caucasians. i will strive to redeem from unjust aspersion the name of my people. he, this illustrious stranger, gave the first impetus to my ambition; from him my thoughts assumed a form, and one visible aim now possessed my soul. how long i remained there listening i do not remember, for soon the subject of conversation was changed, and i noted not the particular words; but that mournfully musical voice had a siren-charm for my ear, and i could not tear myself away. whilst listening to it, sweet sleep, like a shielding mantle, fell upon me. chapter x. the conversation in which fear and suspicion are aroused--the young master. it must have been long after midnight when i awoke. i do not remember whether i had dreamed or not, but the slumber had brought refreshment to my body and peace to my heart. i was aroused by the sound of voices, in a suppressed whisper, or rather in a tone slightly above a whisper. i thought i detected the voice of lindy, and, as i rose from my recumbent posture, i caught sight of a figure flitting round the gable of the house. i followed, but there was nothing visible. the pale moonlight slept lovingly upon the dwelling and the roofs of the out-buildings. whither could the figure have fled? there was no sign of any one having been there. slowly and sadly i directed my steps toward aunt polly's cabin. i opened the door cautiously, not wishing to disturb her; but easy and noiseless as were my motions, they roused that faithful creature. she sprang from the bed, exclaiming: "la, ann, whar has yer bin? i has bin so oneasy 'bout yer." with my native honesty i explained to her that i had been beguiled by the melody of a human voice, and had lingered long out in the autumn moonlight. "yes; but, chile, you'll be sick. sleepin' out a doors is berry onwholesome like." "yes; but, aunt polly, there is an interior heat which no autumnal frost has power to chill." "yes, chile, you does talk so pretty, like dem ar' great white scholards. many times i has wondered how a poor darkie could larn so much. now it 'pears to me as if you knowed much as any ob 'em. i don't tink miss bradly hersef talks any better dan you does." "oh, aunt polly, your praise is sweet to me; but then, you must remember not to do me more than justice. i am a poor, illiterate mulatto girl, who has indeed improved the modicum of time allowed her for self-culture; yet, when i hear such ladies as miss bradly talk, i feel how far inferior i am to the queens of the white tribe. often i ask myself why is this? is it because my face is colored? but then there is a voice, deep down in my soul, that rejects such a conclusion as slanderous. oh, give me but opportunity, and i will strive to equal them in learning." "i don't see no use in yer wanting to larn, when you is nothing but a poor slave. but i does think the gift of fine speech mighty valable." and here is another thing upon which i would generalize. does it not argue the possession of native mind--the immense value the african places upon words--the high-flown and broad-sounding words that he usually employs? the ludicrous attempts which the most untutored make at grandiloquence, should not so much provoke mirth as admiration in the more reflective of the white race. through what barriers and obstacles do not their minds struggle to force a way up to the light. i have often been astonished at the quickness with which they seized upon expressions, and the accuracy with which they would apply them. every crude attempt which they make toward self-culture is laughed at and scorned by the master, or treated as the most puerile folly. no encouragement is given them. if, by almost superhuman effort, they gain knowledge, why they may; but, unaided and alone, they must work, as i have done. moreover, i have been wonder-stricken at the facility with which the negro-boy acquires learning. 'tis as though the rudiments of the school came to him by flashes of intuition. he is allowed only a couple of hours on sunday afternoons for recitations, and such odd moments during the week as he can catch to prepare his lessons; for, a servant-boy often caught with his book in hand, would be pronounced indolent, and punished as such. then, how unjust it is for the proud statesman--prouder of his snowy complexion than of his stores of knowledge--how unjust, i say, is it in him to assert, in the halls of legislation, that the colored race are to the white far inferior in native mind! has he weighed the advantages and disadvantages of both? has he remembered that the whites, through countless generations, have been cultivated and refined--familiarized with the arts and sciences and elegancies of a graceful age, whilst the blacks are bound down in ignorance; unschooled in lore; untrained in virtue; taught to look upon themselves as degraded--the mere drudges of their masters; debarred the privileges of social life; excluded from books, with the products of their labor going toward the enrichment of others? when, as in some solitary instance, a single mind dares to break through the restraints and impediments imposed upon it, does not the fact show of what strength the race, when properly cared for, is capable? is not the bulb, which enshrouds the snowy leaves of the fragrant lily, an unsightly thing? does the uncut diamond show any of the polish and brilliancy which the lapidary's hand can give it? thus is it with the african mind. let but the schoolmen breathe upon it, let the architect of learning fashion it, and no diamond ever glittered with more resplendence. with a more than prismatic light, it will refract the beams of the sun of knowledge; and the heart, the most noble african's heart, that now slumbers in the bulb of ignorance, will burst forth, pure and lovely as the white-petaled lily! i hope, kind reader, you will pardon these digressions, as i write my inner as well as outer life, and i should be unfaithful to my most earnest thoughts were i not to chronicle such reflections as these. this book is not a wild romance to beguile your tears and cheat your fancy. no; it is the truthful autobiography of one who has suffered long, long, the pains and trials of slavery. and she is committing her story, with her own calm deductions, to the consideration of every thoughtful and truth-loving mind. "where," i asked aunt polly, "is lindy?" "oh, chile, i doesn't know whar dat gal is. sompen is de matter wid her. she bin flyin' round here like somebody out ob dar head. all's not right wid her, now you mark my words fur it." i then related to her the circumstance which had occurred whilst i was under the window. "i does jist know dat was lindy! you didn't see who she was talkin' wid?" "no; and i did not distinctly discern her form; but the voice i am confident was her's." "well, sompen is gwine to happen; kase lindy is berry great coward, and i well knows 'twas sompen great dat would make her be out dar at midnight." "what do you think it means?" i asked. "why, lean up close to me, chile, while i jist whisper it low like to you. i believe lindy is gwine to run off." i started back in terror. i felt the blood grow cold in my veins. why, if she made such an attempt as this, the whole country would be scoured for her. hot pursuers would be out in every direction. and then her flight would render slavery ten times more severe for us. master would believe that we were cognizant of it, and we should be put to torture for the purpose of wringing from us something in regard to her. then, apprehension of our following her example would cause the reins of authority to be even more tightly drawn. what wonder, then, that fright possessed our minds, as the horrid suspicion began to assume something like reality. we regarded each other in silent horror. the dread workings of the fiend of fear were visible in the livid hue which overspread my companion's face and shone in the glare of her aged eye. she clasped her skinny hands together, and cried, "oh, my chile, orful times is comin' fur us. while lindy will be off in that 'lightful canady, we will be here sufferin' all sorts of trouble. oh, de lord, if dar be any, hab marcy on us!" "oh, aunt polly, don't say 'if there be any;' for, so certain as we both sit here, there is a lord who made us, and who cares for us, too. we are as much the children of his love as are the whites." "oh lord, chile, i kan't belieb it; fur, if he loves us, why does he make us suffer so, an' let de white folks hab such an easy time?" "he has some wise purpose in it. and then in that eternity which succeeds the grave, he will render us blest and happy." the clouds of ignorance hung too thick and close around her mind; and the poor old woman did not see the justice of such a decree. she was not to blame if, in her woeful ignorance, she yielded to unbelief; and, with a profanity which knowledge would have rebuked, dared to boldly question the divine purpose. this sin, also, is at the white man's door. i did not strive further to enlighten her; for, be it confessed, i was myself possessed by physical fear to an unwonted degree. i did not think of courting sleep. the brief dream which had fallen upon me as i slept beneath the parlor window, had given me sufficient refreshment. and as for aunt polly, she was too much frightened to think of sleep. talk we did, long and earnestly. i mentioned to her what i had heard misses tildy and jane say in regard to amy. "poor thing," exclaimed aunt polly, "she'll not be able to stand it, for her heart is wrapped up in dat ar' chile's. she 'pears like its mother." "i hope they may change their intentions," i ventured to say. "no; neber. when wonst miss jane gets de notion ob finery in her head, she is gwine to hab it. lord lub you, ann, i does wish dey would sell you and me." "so do i," was my fervent reply. "but dey will neber sell you, kase miss jane tinks you is good-lookin', an' i hearn her say she would like to hab a nice-lookin' maid. you see she tinks it is 'spectable." "i suppose i must bear my cross and crown of thorns with patience." just then little ben groaned in his sleep, and quickly his ever-watchful guardian was aroused; she bent over him, soothing his perturbed sleep with a low song. many were the endearing epithets which she employed, such as, "pretty little benny, nothing shall hurt you." "bless your little heart," and "here i is by yer side," "i'll keep de bars way frum yer." "poor child," burst involuntarily from my lips, as i reflected that even that one only treasure would soon be taken from her; then in what a hopeless eclipse would sink every ray of mind. hearing my exclamation, she sprung up, and eagerly asked, "what is de matter, ann? why is you and aunt polly sittin' up at dis time ob of de night? it's most day; say, is anything gwine on?" "nothing at all," i answered, "only aunt polly does not feel very well, and i am sitting up talking with her." thus appeased, she returned to her bed (if such a miserable thing could be called a bed), and was soon sleeping soundly. aunt polly wiped her eyes as she said to me, "ann, doesn't we niggers hab to bar a heap? we works hard, and gits nothing but scanty vittels, de scraps dat de white folks leabes, and den dese miserable old rags dat only half kevers our nakedness. i declare it is too hard to bar." "yes," i answered, "it is hard, very hard, and enough to shake the endurance of the most determined martyr; yet, often do i repeat to myself those divine words, 'the cup which my father has given me will i drink;' and then i feel calmed, strong, and heroic." "oh, ann, chile, you does talk so beautiful, an' you has got de rale sort ob religion." "oh, would that i could think so. would that my soul were more patient. i am not sufficiently hungered and athirst after righteousness. i pant too much for the joys of earth. i crave worldly inheritance, whilst the christian's true aim should be for the mansions of the blest." thus wore on the night in social conversation, and i forgot, in that free intercourse, that there was a difference between us. the heart takes not into consideration the distinction of mind. love banishes all thought of rank or inequality. by her kindness and confidence, this old woman made me forget her ignorance. when the first red streak of day began to announce the slow coming of the sun, aunt polly was out, and about her breakfast arrangements. since the illness of master, and the departure of mr. jones, things had not gone on with the same precision as before. there was a few minutes difference in the blowing of the horn; and, for offences like these, master had sworn deeply that "every nigger's hide" should be striped, as soon as he was able to preside at the "post." during his sickness he had not allowed one of us to enter his room; "for," as he said to the doctor, "a cussed nigger made him feel worse, he wanted to be up and beatin' them. they needed the cowhide every breath they drew." and, as the sapient doctor decided that our presence had an exciting effect upon him, we were banished from his room. "_banished!_--what's banished but set free!" now, when i rose from my seat, and bent over the form of amy, and watched her as she lay wrapt in a profound sleep, with one arm encircling little ben, and the two sisters, jane and luce, lying close to her--so dependent looked the three, as they thus huddled round their young protectress, so loving and trustful in that deep repose, that i felt now would be a good time for the angel death to come--now, before the fatal fall of the damoclesian sword, whose hair thread was about to snap: but no--death comes not at our bidding; he obeys a higher appointment. the boy moaned again in his sleep, and amy's faithful arm was tightened round him. closer she drew him to her maternal heart, and in a low, gurgling, songful voice, lulled him to a sweeter rest. i turned away from the sight, and, sinking on my knees, offered up a prayer to him our common father. i prayed that strength might be furnished me to endure the torture which i feared would come with the labors of the day. i asked, in an especial way, for grace to be given to the child, amy. god is merciful! he moves in a mysterious manner. all power comes direct from him; and, oh, did i not feel that this young creature had need of grace to bear the burden that others were preparing for her! my business was to clean the house and set to rights the young ladies' apartment, and then assist lindy in the breakfast-room; but i dared not venture in the ladies' chamber until half-past six o'clock, as the slightest foot-fall would arouse miss jane, who, i think, was too nervous to sleep. thus i was left some little time to myself; and these few moments i generally devoted to reading some simple story-book or chapters in the new testament. of course, the mighty mysteries of the sacred volume were but imperfectly appreciated by me. i read the book more as a duty than a pleasure; but this morning i could not read. christ's beautiful parable of the ten virgins, which has such a wondrous significance even to the most childish mind, failed to impart interest, and the blessed page fell from my hands unread. i then thought i would go to the kitchen and assist aunt polly. i found her very much excited, and in close conversation with our master's son john, whom the servants familiarly addressed as "young master." i have, as yet, forborne all direct and special mention of him, though he was by no means a person lacking interest. unlike his father and sisters, he was gentle in disposition, full of loving kindness; yet he was so taciturn, that we had seldom an indication of that generosity that burned so intensely in the very centre of his soul, and which subsequent events called forth. his sisters pronounced him stupid; and, in the choice phraseology of his father, he was "poke-easy;" but the poor, undiscriminating black people, called him gentle. to me he said but little; yet that little was always kindly spoken, and i knew it to be the dictate of a soft, humane spirit. fair-haired, with deep blue eyes, a snowy complexion and pensive manners, he glided by us, ever recalling to my mind the thought of seraphs. he was now fifteen years of age, but small of stature and slight of sinew, with a mournful expression and dejected eye, as though the burden of a great sorrow had been early laid upon him. during all my residence there, i had never heard him laugh loud or seen him run. he had none of that exhilaration and buoyancy which are so captivating in childhood. if he asked a favor of even a servant, he always expressed a hope that he had given no trouble. when a slave was to be whipped, he would go off and conceal himself somewhere, and never was he a spectator of any cruelty; yet he did not remonstrate with his father or intercede for the victims. no one had ever heard him speak against the diabolical acts of his father; yet all felt that he condemned them, for there was a silent expression of reproof in the earnest gaze which he sometimes gave him. i always fancied when the boy came near me, that there was about him a religion, which, like the wondrous virtue of the saviour's garment, was manifest only when you approached near enough to touch it. it was not expressed in any open word, or made evident by any signal act, but, like the life-sustaining air which we daily breathe, we knew it only through its beneficent though invisible influence. chapter xi. the flight--young master's apprehensions--his conversation--amy--edifying talk among ladies. i was not a little surprised to find young master now in an apparently earnest colloquy with aunt polly. a deep carnation spot burned upon his cheeks, and his soft eye was purple in its intensity. "what is the matter?" i asked. "lor, chile," replied aunt polly, "lindy can't be found nowhar." "has every place been searched?" i inquired. "yes," said little john, "and she is nowhere to be found." "does master know it?" "not yet, and i hope it may be kept from him for some time, at least two or three hours," he replied, with a mournful earnestness of tone. "why? is he not well enough to bear the excitement of it?" i inquired. the boy fixed his large and wondering eyes upon me. his gaze lingered for a minute or two; it was enough; i read his inmost thoughts, and in my secret soul i revered him, for i bowed to the majesty of a heaven-born soul. such spirits are indeed few. god lends them to earth for but a short time; and we should entertain them well, for, though they come in forms unrecognized, yet must we, despite the guise of humanity, do reverence to the shrined seraph. this boy now became to me an object of more intense interest. i felt assured, by the power of that magnetic glance, that he was not unacquainted with the facts of lindy's flight. "how far is it from here to the river?" he said, as if speaking with himself, "nine miles--let me see--the ohio once gained, and crossed, they are comparatively safe." he started suddenly, as if he had been betrayed or beguiled of his secret, and starting up quickly, walked away. i followed him to the door, and watched his delicate form and golden head, until he disappeared in a curve of the path which led to the spring. that was a favorite walk with him. early in the morning (for he rose before the lark) and late in the twilight, alike in winter or summer, he pursued his walk. never once did i see him with a book in his hand. with his eye upturned to the heavens or bent upon the earth, he seemed to be reading nature's page. he had made no great proficiency in book-knowledge; and, indeed, as he subsequently told me, he had read nothing but the bible. the stories of the old testament he had committed to memory, and could repeat with great accuracy. that of joseph possessed a peculiar fascination for him. as i closed the kitchen door and rejoined aunt polly, she remarked, "jist as i sed, lindy is off, and we is left here to hab trouble; oh, laws, look for sights now!" i made no reply, but silently set about assisting her in getting breakfast. shortly after old nace came in, with a strange expression lighting up his fiendish face. "has you hearn de news?" and without waiting for a reply, he went on, "lindy is off fur kanaday! ha, ha, ha!" and he broke out in a wild laugh; "i guess dat dose 'ere hounds will scent her path sure enoff; i looks out for fun in rale arnest. i jist hopes i'll be sint fur her, and i'll scour dis airth but what i finds her." and thus he rambled on, in a diabolical way, neither of us heeding him. he seemed to take no notice of our silence, being too deeply interested in the subject of his thoughts. "i'd like to know at what hour she started off. now, she was a smart one to git off so slick, widout lettin' anybody know ob it. she had no close worth takin' wid her, so she ken run de faster. i wish masser would git wake, kase i wants to be de fust one to tell him ob it." just then the two field-hands, jake and dan, came in. "wal," cried the former, "dis am news indeed. lindy's off fur sartin. now she tinks she is some, i reckon." "and why shouldn't she?" asked dan, a big, burly negro, good-natured, but very weak in mind; of a rather low and sensuous nature, yet of a good and careless humor--the best worker upon the farm. i looked round at him as he said this, for i thought there was reason as well as feeling in the speech. why shouldn't she be both proud and happy at the success of her bold plan, if it gains her liberty and enables her to reach that land where the law would recognize her as possessed of rights? i could almost envy her such a lot. "i guess she'll find her kanady down de river, by de time de dogs gits arter her," said nace, with another of his ha, ha's. "i wonder who masser will send fur her? i bound, nace, you'll be sent," said jake. "yes, if dar is any fun, i is sure to be dar; but hurry up yer hoe-cakes, old 'ooman, so dat de breakfust will be ober, and we can hab an airly start." the latter part of this speech was addressed to aunt polly, who turned round and brandished the poker toward him, saying, "go 'bout yer business, nace; kase you is got cause fur joy, it is not wort my while to be glad. you is an old fool, dat nobody keres 'bout, no how. i spects you would be glad to run off, too, if yer old legs was young enuff fur to carry you." "me, poll, i wouldn't be free if i could, kase, you see, i has done sarved my time at de 'post,' and now i is masser's head-man, and i gits none ob de beatings. it is fun fur me to see de oders." i turned my eyes upon him, and he looked so like a beast that i shut out any feeling of resentment i might otherwise have entertained. amy came in, bearing little ben in her arms, followed by her two sisters, jinny and lucy. "la, aunt polly, is lindy gone?" and her blank eyes opened to an unusual width, as she half-asked, half-asserted this fact. "yes, but what's it to you, amy?" "i jist hear 'em say so, as i was comin' along." "whar she be gone to?" asked lucy. "none ob yer bisness," replied aunt polly, with her usual gruffness. strange it was, that, when she was alone with me, she appeared to wax soft and gentle in her nature; but, when with others, she was "wolfish." it seemed as if she had two natures. now, with nace, she was as vile and almost as inhuman as he; but i, who knew her heart truly, felt that she was doing herself injustice. i did not laugh or join in their talk, but silently worked on. "now, you see, ann is one ob de proud sort, kase she ken read, and her face is yaller; she tinks to hold herself 'bove us; but i 'members de time when masser buyed her at de sale. lor' lub yer, but she did cry when she lef her mammy; and de way old kais flung herself on de ground, ha! ha! it makes me laf now." i turned my eyes upon him, and, i fear, there was anything but a christian spirit beaming therefrom. he had touched a chord in my heart which was sacred to memory, love, and silence. my mother! could i bear to have her name and her sorrow thus rudely spoken of? oh, god, what fierce and fiendish feelings did the recollection of her agony arouse? with burning head and thorn-pierced heart, i turned back a blotted page in life. again, with horror stirring my blood, did i see her in that sweat of mortal agony, and hear that shriek that rung from her soul! oh, god, these memories are a living torture to me, even now. but though nace had touched the tenderest, sorest part of my heart, i said nothing to him. the strange workings of my countenance attracted amy's attention, and, coming up to me, with an innocent air, she asked: "what is the matter, ann? has anything happened to you?" these questions, put by a simple child, one, too, whose own young life had been deeply acquainted with grief, were too much for my assumed stolidity. tears were the only reply i could make. the child regarded me curiously, and the expression, "poor thing," burst from her lips. i felt grateful for even her sympathy, and put my hand out to her. she grasped it, and, leaning close to me, said: "don't cry, ann; me is sorry fur you. don't cry any more." poor thing, she could feel sympathy; she, who was so loaded with trouble, whose existence had none of the freshness and vernal beauty of youth, but was seared and blighted like age, held in the depths of her heart a pure drop of genuine sympathy, which she freely offered me. oh, did not my selfishness stand rebuked. looking out of the window, far down the path that wound to the spring, i descried the fair form of the young john, advancing toward the house. pale and pure, with his blue eyes pensively looking up to heaven, an air of peaceful thought and subdued emotion was breathing from his very form. when i looked at him, he suggested the idea of serenity. there was that about him which, like the moonlight, inspired calm. he was walking more rapidly than i had ever seen him; but the pallor of his cheek, and the clear, cold blue of his heaven-lit eye, harmonized but poorly with the jarring discords of life. i thought of the pure, passionless apostle john, whom christ so loved? and did i not dream that this youth, too, had on earth a mission of love to perform? was he not one of the sacred chosen? he came walking slowly, as if he were communing with some invisible presence. "thar comes young masser, and i is glad, kase he looks so good like. i does lub him," said amy. "now, i is gwine fur to tell masser, and he will gib you a beatin', nigger-gal, for sayin' you lub a white gemman," replied the sardonic nace. "oh, please don't tell on me. i did not mean any harm," and she burst into tears, well-knowing that a severe whipping would be the reward of her construed impertinence. before i had time to offer her any consolation, the subject of conversation himself stood among us. with a low, tuneful voice, he spoke to amy, inquiring the cause of her tears. "oh, young masser, i did not mean any harm. please don't hab me beat." little ben joined in her tears, whilst the two girls clung fondly to her dress. "beaten for what?" asked young master, in a most encouraging manner. "she say she lub you--jist as if a black wench hab any right to lub a beautiful white gemman," put in nace. "i am glad she does, and wish that i could do something that would make her love me more." and a _beatific_ smile overspread his peaceful face. "come, poor amy, let me see if i haven't some little present for you," and he drew from his pocket a picayune, which he handed her. with a wild and singular contortion of her body, she made an acknowledgment of thanks, and kissing the hem of his robe, she darted off from the kitchen, with little ben in her arms. without saying one word, young master walked away from the kitchen, but not without first casting a sorrowful look upon nace. strange it seemed to me, that this noble youth never administered a word of reproof to any one. he conveyed all rebukes by means of looks. upon me this would have produced a greater impression, for those mild, reproachful eyes spoke with a power which no language could equal; but on one of nace's obtuseness, it had no effect whatever. shortly after, i left the kitchen, and went to the breakfast-room, where, with the utmost expedition, i arranged the table, and then repaired to the chamber of the young ladies. i found that they had already risen from their bed. miss bradly (who had spent the night with them) was standing at the mirror, braiding her long hair. miss jane was seated in a large chair, with an elegant dressing-wrapper, waiting for me to comb her "auburn hair," as she termed it. miss tildy, in a lazy attitude, was talking about the events of the previous evening. "now, miss emily, i do think him very handsome; but i cannot forgive his gross abolition sentiments." "how horribly vulgar and low he is in his notions," said miss jane. "oh, but, girls, he was reared in the north, with those fanatical abolitionists, and we can scarcely blame him." "what a horrible set of men those abolitionists must be. they have no sense," said miss jane, with quite a minerva air. "oh, sense they assuredly have, but judgment they lack. they are a set of brain-sick dreamers, filled with utopian schemes. they know nothing of slavery as it exists at the south; and the word, which, i confess, has no very pleasant sound, has terrified them." this remark was made by miss bradly, and so astonished me that i fixed my eyes upon her, and, with one look, strove to express the concentrated contempt and bitterness of my nature. this look she did not seem to heed. with strange feelings of distrust in the integrity of human nature, i went on about my work, which was to arrange and deck miss jane's hair, but i would have given worlds not to have felt toward miss bradly as i did. i remembered with what a different spirit she had spoken to me of those abolitionists, whom she now contemned so much, and referred to as vain dreamers. where was the exalted philanthropy that i had thought dwelt in her soul? was she not, now, the weakest and most sordid of mortals? where was that far and heaven-reaching love, that had seemed to encircle her as a living, burning zone? gone! dissipated, like a golden mist! and now, before my sight she stood, poor and a beggar, upon the great highway of life. "i can tell you," said miss tildy, "i read the other day in a newspaper that the reason these northern men are so strongly in favor of the abolition of slavery is, that they entertain a prejudice against the south, and that all this political warfare originated in the base feeling of envy." "and that is true," put in miss jane; "they know that cotton, rice and sugar are the great staples of the south, and where can you find any laborers but negroes to produce them?" "could not the poor class of whites go there and work for wages?" pertinently asked miss tildy, who had a good deal of the spirit of altercation in her. "no, of course not; because they are free and could not be made to work at all times. they would consent to be employed only at certain periods. they would not work when they were in the least sick, and they would, because of their liberty, claim certain hours as their own; whereas the slave has no right to interpose any word against the overseer's order. sick or well, he _must_ work at busy seasons of the year. the whip has a terribly sanitary power, and has been proven to be a more efficient remedy than rhubarb or senna." after delivering herself of this wonderful argument, miss jane seemed to experience great relief. miss bradly turned from the mirror, and, smiling sycophantically upon her, said: "why, my dear, how well you argue! you are a very cicero in debate." that was enough. this compliment took ready root in the shallow mind of the receiver, and her love for miss b. became greater than ever. "but i do think him so handsome," broke from miss tildy's lips, in a half audible voice. "whom?" asked miss bradly. "why, the stranger of last evening; the fair-browed robert worth." "handsome, indeed, is he!" was the reply. "i hope, matilda peterkin, you would not be so disloyal to the south, and to the very honorable institution under which your father accumulated his wealth, as to even admire a low-flung northern abolitionist;" and miss jane reddened with all a southron's ire. miss bradly was about to speak, but to what purpose the world to this day remains ignorant, for oath after oath, and blasphemy by the volley, so horrible that i will spare myself and the reader the repetition, proceeded from the room of mr. peterkin. the ladies sprang to their feet, and, in terror, rushed from the apartment. chapter xii. mr. peterkin's rage--its escape--chat at the breakfast table--change of views--power of the flesh pots. it was as i had expected; the news of lindy's flight had been communicated by nace to mr. peterkin, and his rage knew no limits. it was dangerous to go near him. raving like a madman, he tore the covering of the bed to shreds, brandished his cowhide in every direction, took down his gun, and swore he would "shoot every d----d nigger on the place." his daughters had no influence over him. out of bed he would get, declaring that "all this devilment" would not have been perpetrated if he had not been detained there by the order of that d----d doctor, who had no reason for keeping him there but a desire to get his money. fearing that his hyena rage might vent some of its gall on them, the ladies made no further opposition to his intention. standing just without the door, i heard miss jane ask him if he would not first take some breakfast. "no; cuss your breakfast. i want none of it; i want to be among them ar' niggers, and give 'em a taste of this cowhide, that they have been sufferin' fur." in affright i fled to the kitchen, and told aunt polly that the storm had at length broken in all its fury. each one of the negroes eyed the others in silent dismay. pale with rage and debility, hot fury flashing from his eye, and white froth gathering upon his lips, mr. peterkin dashed into the kitchen. "in the name of h--ll and its fires, niggers, what does this mean? tell me whar that d----d gal is, or i'll cut every mother's child of you to death." not one spoke. lash after lash he dealt in every direction. "speak, h--ll hounds, or i'll throttle you!" he cried, as he caught jake and dan by the throat, with each hand, and half strangled them. with their eyes rolling, and their tongues hanging from their mouths, they had not power to answer. as soon as he loosened his grasp, and their voices were sufficiently their own to speak, they attempted a denial; but a blow from each of mr. peterkin's fists levelled them to the floor. in this dreadful state, and with a hope of getting a moment's respite, jake (poor fellow, i forgive him for it) pointed to me, saying: "she knows all 'bout it." this had the desired effect; finding one upon whom he could vent his whole wrath, peterkin rushed up to me, and oh, such a blow as descended upon my head! fifty stars blazed around me. my brain burned and ached; a choking rush of tears filled my eyes and throat. "mercy! mercy!" broke from my agonized lips; but, alas! i besought it from a tribunal where it was not to be found. blow after blow he dealt me. i strove not to parry them, but stood and received them, as, right and left, they fell like a hail-storm. tears and blood bathed my face and blinded my sight. "you cussed fool, i'll make you rue the day you was born, if you hide from me what you knows 'bout it." i asseverated, in the most solemn way, that i knew nothing of lindy's flight. "you are a liar," he cried out, and enforced his words with another blow. "she is not," cried aunt polly, whose forbearance had now given out. this unexpected boldness in one of the most humble and timid of his slaves, enraged him still farther, and he dealt her such a blow that my heart aches even now, as i think of it. a summons from one of the ladies recalled him to the house. before leaving he pronounced a desperate threat against us, which amounted to this--that we should all be tied to the "post," and beaten until confession was wrung from us, and then taken to l----, and sold to a trader, for the southern market. but i did not share, with the others, that wondrous dread of the fabled horror of "down the river." i did not believe that anywhere slavery existed in a more brutal and cruel form than in the section of kentucky where i lived. solitary instances of kind and indulgent masters there were; but they were the few exceptions to the almost universal rule. now, when mr. peterkin withdrew, i, forgetful of my own wounds, lifted aunt polly in my arms, and bore her, half senseless, to the cabin, and laid her upon her ragged bed. "great god!" i exclaimed, as i bent above her, "can this thing last long? how much longer will thy divine patience endure? how much longer must we bear this scourge, this crown of thorns, this sweat of blood? where and with what calvary shall this martyrdom terminate? oh, give me patience, give me fortitude to bow to thy will! sustain me, jesus, thou who dost know, hast tasted of humanity's bitterest cup, give me grace to bear yet a little longer!" with this prayer upon my lips i rose from the bedside where i had been kneeling, and, taking aunt polly's horny hands within my own, i commenced chafing them tenderly. i bathed her temples with cold water. she opened her eyes languidly, looked round the room slowly, and then fixed them upon me, with a bewildered expression. i spoke to her in a gentle tone; she pushed me some distance from her, eyed me with a vacant glance, then, shaking her head, turned over on her side and closed her eyes. believing that she was stunned and faint from the blow she had received, i thought it best that she should sleep awhile. gently spreading the coverlet over her, i returned to the kitchen, where the affrighted group of negroes yet remained. stricken by a panic they had not power of volition. casting one look of reproach upon jake, i turned away, intending to go and see if the ladies required my attention in the breakfast-room; but in the entry, which separated the house from the kitchen, i encountered amy, with little ben seated upon her hip. this is the usual mode with nurses in kentucky of carrying children. i have seen girls actually deformed from the practice. an enlargement of the right hip is caused by it, and amy was an example of this. had i been in a different mood, her position and appearance would have provoked laughter. there she stood, with her broad eyes wide open, and glaring upon me; her unwashed face and uncombed hair were adorned by the odd ends of broken straws and bits of hay that clung to the naps of wool; her mouth was opened to its utmost capacity; her very ears were erect with curiosity; and her form bent eagerly forward, whilst little ben was coiled up on her hip, with his sharp eyes peering like those of a mouse over her shoulder. "ann," she cried out, "tell me what's de matter? what's masser goin' to do wid us all?" "i don't know, amy," i answered in a faltering tone, for i feared much for her. "i hopes de child'en will go 'long wid me, an' i'd likes for you to go too, ann." i did not trust myself to reply; but, passing hastily on, entered the breakfast-room, where jane, tildy, and miss bradly were seated at the table, with their breakfast scarcely tasted. they were bending over their plates in an intensity of interest which made them forget everything, save their subject of conversation. "how she could have gotten off without creating any alarm, is to me a mystery," said miss jane, as she toyed with her spoon and cup. "well, old nick is in them. negroes, i believe, are possessed by some demon. they have the witch's power of slipping through an auger-hole," said miss tildy. "they are singular creatures," replied miss bradly; "and i fear a great deal of useless sympathy is expended upon them." "you may depend there is," said miss jane. "i only wish these northern abolitionists had our servants to deal with. i think it would drive the philanthropy out of them." "indeed would it," answered miss bradly, as she took a warm roll, and busied herself spreading butter thereon; "they have no idea of the trials attending the duty of a master; the patience required in the management of so many different dispositions. i think a residence in the south or south-west would soon change their notions. the fact is, i think those fanatical abolitionists agitate the question only for political purposes. now, it is a clearly-ascertained thing, that slavery would be prejudicial to the advancement of northern enterprise. the negro is an exotic from a tropical region, hence lives longer, and is capable of more work in a warm climate. they have no need of black labor at the north; and thus, i think, the whole affair resolves itself into a matter of sectional gain and interest." here she helped herself to the wing of a fried chicken. it seemed that the argument had considerably whetted her appetite. astonishing, is it not, how the loaves and fishes of this goodly life will change and sway our opinions? even sober-minded, educated people, cannot repress their pinings after the flesh-pots of egypt. miss jane seemed delighted to find that her good friend and instructress held the abolition party in such contempt. just then young master entered. with quiet, saintly manner, taking his seat at the table, he said, "is not the abolition power strong at the north, miss emily?" "oh, no, johnny, 'tis comparatively small; confined, i assure you, to a few fanatical spirits. the merchants of new york, boston, and the other northern cities, carry on a too extensive commerce with the south to adopt such dangerous sentiments. there is a comity of men as well as states; and the clever rule of 'let alone' is pretty well observed." young master made no reply in words, but fixed his large, mysterious eyes steadfastly upon her. was it mournfulness that streamed, with a purple light, from them, or was it a sublimated contempt? he said nothing, but quietly ate his breakfast. his fare was as homely as that of an ascetic; he never used meat, and always took bread without butter. a simple crust and glass of milk, three times a day, was his diet. miss jane gave him a careless and indifferent glance, then proceeded with the conversation, totally unconscious of his presence; but again and again he cast furtive, anxious glances toward her, and i thought i noticed him sighing. "what will father do with lindy, if she should be caught?" asked miss tildy. "send her down the river, of course," was miss jane's response. "she deserves it," said miss tildy. "does she?" asked the deep, earnest voice of young master. was it because he was unused to asking questions, or was there something in the strange earnestness of his tone, that made those three ladies start so suddenly, and regard him with such an astonished air? yet none of them replied, and thus for a few moments conversation ceased, until he rose from the table and left the room. "he is a strange youth," said miss bradly, "and how wondrously handsome! he always suggests romantic notions." "yes, but i think him very stupid. he never talks to any of us--is always alone, seeks old and unfrequented spots; neither in the winter nor summer will he remain within doors. something seems to lure him to the wood, even when despoiled of its foliage. he must be slightly crazed--ma's health was feeble for some time previous to his birth, which the doctors say has injured his constitution, and i should not be surprised if his intellect had likewise suffered." this speech was pronounced by miss tildy in quite an oracular tone. miss bradly made no answer, and i marvelled not at her changing color. had she not power to read, in that noble youth's voice and manner, the high enduring truth and singleness of purpose that dwelt in his nature? though he had never spoken one word in relation to slavery, i knew that all his instincts were against it; and that opposition to it was the principle deeply ingrained in his heart. chapter xiii. recollections--consoling influence of sympathy--amy's doctrine of the soul--talk at the spring. as mr. peterkin was passing through the vestibule of the front door, he met young master standing there. now, this was mr. peterkin's favorite child, for, though he did not altogether like that quietude of manner, which he called "poke-easy," the boy had never offered him any affront about his incorrect language, or treated him with indignity in any way. and then he was so beautiful! true, his father could not appreciate the spiritual nobility of his face; yet the symmetry of his features and the spotless purity of his complexion, answered even to mr. peterkin's idea of beauty. the coarsest and most vulgar soul is keenly alive to the beauty of the rose and lily; though that concealed loveliness, which is only hinted at by the rare fragrance, may be known only to the cultivated and poetic heart. often i have heard him say, "john is pretty enoff to be a gal." now as he met him in the vestibule, he said, "john, i'm in a peck o' trouble." "i am sorry you are in trouble father." "that cussed black wench, lindy, is off, and i'm 'fraid the neighborhood kant be waked up soon enough to go arter and ketch her. let me git her once more in my clutches, and i'll make her pay for it. i'll give her one good bastin' that she'll 'member, and then i'll send her down the river fur enough." the boy made no reply; but, with his eyes cast down on the earth, he seemed to be unconscious of all that was going on around him. when he raised his head his eyes were burning, his breath came thick and short, and a deep scarlet spot shone on the whiteness of his cheek; the veins in his forehead lay like heavy cords, and his very hair seemed to sparkle. he looked as one inspired. this was unobserved by his parent, who hastily strode away to find more willing listeners. i tarried in a place where, unnoticed by others, i commanded a good out-look. i saw young master clasp his hands fervently, and heard him passionately exclaim--"how much longer, oh, how much longer shall this be?" then slowly walking down his favorite path, he was lost to my vision. "blessed youth, heaven-missioned, if thou wouldst only speak to me! one word of consolation from god-anointed lips like thine, would soothe even the sting of bondage; but no," i added, "that earnest look, that gentle tone, tell perhaps as much as it is necessary for me to know. this silence proceeds from some noble motive. soon enough he will make himself known to us." in a little while the news of lindy's departure had spread through the neighborhood like a flame. our yard and house were filled with men come to offer their services to their neighbor, who, from his wealth, was considered a sort of magnate among them. pretty soon they were mounted on horses, and armed to the teeth, each one with a horn fastened to his belt, galloping off in quest of the poor fugitive. and is this thing done beneath the influence of civilized laws, and by men calling themselves christians? what has armed those twelve men with pistols, and sent them on an excursion like this? is it to redeem a brother from a band of lawless robbers, who hold him in captivity? is it to right some individual wrong? is it to take part with the weak and oppressed against the strong and the overbearing? no, no, my friends, on no such noble mission as this have they gone. no purpose of high emprise has made them buckle on the sword and prime the pistol. a poor, lone female, who, through years, has been beaten, tyrannized over, and abused, has ventured out to seek what this constitution professes to secure to every one--liberty. barefoot and alone, she has gone forth; and 'tis to bring her back to a vile and brutal slavery that these men have sallied out, regardless of her sex, her destitution, and her misery. they have set out either to recapture her or to shoot her down in her tracks like a dog. and this is a system which christian men speak of as heaven-ordained! this is a thing countenanced by freemen, whose highest national boast is, that theirs is the land of liberty, equality, and free-rights! these are the people who yearly send large sums to ireland; who pray for the liberation of hungary; who wish to transmit armed forces across the atlantic to aid vassal states in securing their liberty! these are they who talk so largely of cuba, expend so much sympathy upon the oppressed of other lands, and predict the downfall of england for her oppressive form of government! oh, america! "first pluck the beam out of thine own eye, then shalt thou see more clearly the mote that is in thy brother's." when i watched those armed men ride away, in such high courage and eagerness for the hunt, i thought of lindy, poor, lone girl, fatigued, worn and jaded, suffering from thirst and hunger; her feet torn and bruised with toil, hiding away in bogs and marshes, with an ear painfully acute to every sound. i thought of this, and all the resentment i had ever felt toward her faded away as a vapor. all that day the house was in a state of intense excitement. the servants could not work with their usual assiduity. indeed, such was the excitement, even of the white family, that we were not strictly required to labor. miss jane gave me some fancy-sewing to do for her. taking it with me to aunt polly's cabin, intending to talk with her whilst time was allowed me, i was surprised and pleased to find the old woman still asleep. "it will do her good," i thought, "she needs rest, poor creature! and that blow was given to her on my account! how much i would rather have received it myself." i then examined her head, and was glad to find no mark or bruise; so i hoped that with a good sleep she would wake up quite well. i seated myself on an old stool, near the door, which, notwithstanding the rawness of the day, i was obliged to leave open to admit light. it was a cool, windy morning, such as makes a woollen shawl necessary. my young mistresses had betaken themselves to cashmere wrappers and capes; but i still wore my thin and "seedy" calico. as i sewed on, upon miss jane's embroidery, many _fancies_ came in troops through my brain, defiling like a band of ghosts through each private gallery and hidden nook of memory, and even to the very inmost compartment of secret thought! my mother, with her sad, sorrow-stricken face, my old companions and playfellows in the long-gone years, all arose with vividness to my eye! where were they all? where had they been during the lapse of years? of my mother i had never heard a word. was she dead? at that suggestion i started, and felt my heart grow chill, as though an icy hand had clenched it; yet why felt i so? did i not know that the grave would be to her as a bed of ease? what torture could await her beyond the pass of the valley of shadows? she, who had been faithful over a little, would certainly share in those blessed rewards promised by christ; yet it seemed to me that my heart yearned to look upon her again in this life. i could not, without pain, think of her as _one who had been_. there was something selfish in this, yet was it intensely human, and to feel otherwise i should have had to be less loving, less filial in my nature. "oh, mother!" i said, "if ever we meet again, will it be a meeting that shall know no separation? mother, are you changed? have you, by the white man's coarse brutality, learned to forget your absent child? do not thoughts of her often come to your lonely soul with the sighing of the midnight wind? do not the high and merciful stars, that nightly burn above you, recall me to your heart? does not the child-loved moon speak to you of times when, as a little thing, i nestled close to your bosom? or, mother, have other ties grown around your heart? have other children supplanted your eldest-born? do chirruping lips and bright eyes claim all your thoughts? or do you toil alone, broken in soul and bent in body, beneath the drudgery of human labor, without one soft voice to lull you to repose? oh, not this, not this, kind heaven! let her forget me, in her joy; give her but peace, and on me multiply misfortunes, rain down evils, only spare, shield and protect _her_." this tide of thought, as it rolled rapidly through my mind, sent the hot tears, in gushes, from my eyes. as i bent my head to wipe them away, without exactly seeing it, i became aware of a blessed presence; and, lifting my moist eyes, i beheld young master standing before me, with that calm, spiritual glance which had so often charmed and soothed me. "what is the matter, ann? why are you weeping?" he asked me in a gentle voice. "nothing, young master, only i was thinking of my mother." "how long since you saw her?" "oh, years, young master; i have not seen her since my childhood--not since master bought me." he heaved a deep sigh, but said nothing; those eyes, with a soft, shadowed light, as though they were shining through misty tears, were bent upon me. "where is your mother now, ann?" "i don't know, young master, i've never heard from her since i came here." again he sighed, and now he passed his thin white hand across his eyes, as if to dissipate the mist. "you think she was sold when you were, don't you?" "i expect she was. i'm almost sure she was, for i don't think either my young masters or mistresses wished or expected to retain the servants." "i wish i could find out something about her for you; but, at present, it is out of my power. you must do the best you can. you are a good girl, ann; i have noticed how patiently you bear hard trouble. do you pray?" "oh, yes, young master, and that is all the pleasure i have. what would be my situation without prayer? thanks to god, the slave has this privilege!" "yes, ann, and in god's eyes you are equal to a white person. he makes no distinction; your soul is as precious and dear to him as is that of the fine lady clad in silk and gems." i opened my eyes to gaze upon him, as he stood there, with his beautiful face beaming with good feeling and love for the humblest and lowest of god's creatures. this was religion! this was the spirit which christ commended. this was the love which he daily preached and practiced. "but how is aunt polly? i heard that she was suffering much." "she is sleeping easily now," i replied. "well, then, don't disturb her. it is better that she should sleep;" and he walked away, leaving me more peaceful and happy than before. blessed youth!--why have we not more such among us! they would render the thongs and fetters of slavery less galling. the day was unusually quiet; but the frostiness of the atmosphere kept the ladies pretty close within doors; and mr. peterkin had, contrary to the wishes of his family, and the injunctions of his physician, gone out with the others upon the search; besides, he had taken nace and the other men with him, and, as aunt polly was sick, ginsy had been appointed in her place to prepare dinner. after sewing very diligently for some time, i wandered out through the poultry lot, lost in a labyrinth of strange reflection. as i neared the path leading down toward the spring, young master's favorite walk, i could not resist the temptation to follow it to its delightful terminus, where he was wont to linger all the sunny summer day, and frequently passed many hours in the winter time? i was superstitious enough to think that some of his deep and rich philanthropy had been caught, as by inspiration, from this lovely natural retreat; for how could the child of such a low, beastly parent, inherit a disposition so heavenly, and a soul so spotless? he had been bred amid scenes of the most revolting cruelty; had lived with people of the harshest and most brutal dispositions; yet had he contracted from them no moral stain. were they not hideous to look upon, and was he not lovely as a seraph? were they not low and vulgar, and he lofty and celestial-minded? why and how was this? ah, did i not believe him to be one of god's blessed angels, lent us for a brief season? the path was well-trodden, and wound and curved through the woods, down to a clear, natural spring of water. there had been made, by the order of young master, a turfetted seat, overgrown by soft velvet moss, and here this youth would sit for hours to ponder, and, perhaps, to weave golden fancies which were destined to ripen into rich fruition in that land beyond the shores of time. as i drew near the spring, i imagined that a calm and holy influence was settling over me. the spirit of the place had power upon me, and i yielded myself to the spell. it was no disease of fancy, or dream of enchantment, that thus possessed me; for there, half-reclining on the mossy bench, i beheld young master, and, seated at his feet, with her little, odd, wondering face uplifted to his, was amy; and, crawling along, playing with the moss, and looking down into the mirror of the spring, peered the bright eyes of little ben. it was a scene of such beauty that i paused to take a full view of it, before making my presence known. young master, with his pale, intellectual face, his classic head, his sun-bright curls, and his earnest blue eyes, sat in a half-lounging attitude, making no inappropriate picture of an angel of light, whilst the two little black faces seemed emblems of fallen, degraded humanity, listening to his pleading voice. "wherever you go, or in whatever condition you may be, amy, never forget to pray to the good lord." as he said this, he bent his eyes compassionately on her. "oh, laws, masser, how ken i pray! de good lord wouldn't hear me. i is too black and dirty." "god does not care for that. you are as dear to him as the finest lady of the land." "oh, now, masser, you doesn't tink me is equal to you, a fine, nice, pretty white gemman--dress so fine." "god cares not, my child, for clothes, or the color of the skin. he values the heart alone; and if your heart is clear, it matters not whether your face be black or your clothes mean." "laws, now, young masser," and the child laughed heartily at the idea, "you doesn't 'spect a nigger's heart am clean. i tells you 'tis black and dirty as dere faces." "my poor child, i would that i had power to scatter the gloomy mist that beclouds your mind, and let you see and know that our dying saviour embraced all your unfortunate race in the merits of his divine atonement." this speech was not comprehended by amy. she sat looking vacantly at him; marvelling all the while at his pretty talk, yet never once believing that jesus prized a negro's soul. young master's eyes were, as usual, elevated to the clear, majestic heavens. not a cloud floated in the still, serene expanse, and the air was chill. one moment longer i waited, before revealing myself. stepping forward, i addressed young master in an humble tone. "well, ann, what do you want?" this was not said in a petulant voice, but with so much gentleness that it invited the burdened heart to make its fearful disclosure. "oh, young master, i know that you will pardon me for what i am going to ask. i cannot longer restrain myself. tell me what is to become of us? when shall we be sold? into whose hands shall i fall?" "alas, poor ann, i am as ignorant of father's intentions as you are. i would that i could relieve your anxiety, but i am as uneasy about it as you or any one can be. oh, i am powerless to do anything to better your unfortunate condition. i am weak as the weakest of you." "i know, young master, that we have your kindest sympathy, and this knowledge softens my trouble." he did not reply, but sat with a perplexed expression, looking on the ground. "oh, ann, you has done gin young masser some trouble. what fur you do dat? we niggers ain't no 'count any how, and you hab no sort ob bisiness be troublin' young masser 'bout it," said amy. "be still, amy, let ann speak her troubles freely. it will relieve her mind. you may tell me of yours too." sitting down upon the sward, close to his feet, i relieved my oppressed bosom by a copious flood of tears. still he spoke not, but sat silent, looking down. amy was awed into stillness, and even little ben became calm and quiet as a lamb. no one broke the spell. no one seemed anxious to do so. there are some feelings for which silence is the best expression. at length he said mildly, "now, my good friends, it might be made the subject of ungenerous remarks, if you were to be seen talking with me long. you had better return to the house." as amy and i, with little ben, rose to depart, he looked after us, and sighing, exclaimed, "poor creatures, my heart bleeds for you!" chapter xiv. the prattlings of insanity--old wounds reopen--the walk to the doctor's--influence of nature. upon my return to the house i hastened on to the cabin, hoping to find aunt polly almost entirely recovered. passing hastily through the yard i entered the cabin with a light step, and to my surprise found her sitting up in a chair, playing with some old faded artificial flowers, the dilapidated decorations of miss tildy's summer bonnet, which had been swept from the house with the litter on the day before. i had never seen her engaged in a pastime so childish and sportive, and was not a little astonished, for her aversion to flowers had often been to me the subject of remark. "what have you there that is pretty, aunt polly?" i asked with tenderness. with a wondering, childish smile, she held the crushed blossoms up, and turning them over and over in her hands, said: "putty things! ye is berry putty!" then pressing them to her bosom, she stroked the leaves as kindly as though she had been smoothing the truant locks of a well-beloved child. i could not understand this freak, for she was one to whose uncultured soul all sweet and pretty fancies seemed alien. looking up to me with that vacant glance which at once explained all, she said: "who's dar? who is you? oh, dat is my darter," and addressing me by the remembered name of her own long-lost child, she traversed, in thought, the whole waste-field of memory. not a single wild-flower in the wayside of the heart was neglected or forgotten. she spoke of times when she had toyed and dandled her infant darling upon her knee; then, shudderingly, she would wave me off, with terror written all over her furrowed face, and cry, "get you away, masser is comin': thar, thar he is; see him wid de ropes; he is comin' to tar you 'way frum me. here, here child, git under de bed, hide frum 'em, dey is all gwine to take you 'way--'way down de river, whar you'll never more see yer poor old mammy." then sinking upon her knees, with her hands outstretched, and her eyes eagerly strained forward, and bent on vacancy, she frantically cried: "masser, please, please masser, don't take my poor chile from me. it's all i is got on dis ar' airth; masser, jist let me hab it and i'll work fur you, i'll sarve you all de days ob my life. you may beat my ole back as much as you please; you may make me work all de day and all de night, jist, so i ken keep my chile. oh, god, oh, god! see, dere dey goes, wid my poor chile screaming and crying for its mammy! see, see it holds its arms to me! oh, dat big hard man struck it sich a blow. now, now dey is out ob sight." and crawling on her knees, with arms outspread, she seemed to be following some imaginary object, until, reaching the door, i feared in her transport of agony she would do herself some injury, and, catching her strongly in my arms, i attempted to hold her back; but she was endowed with a superhuman strength, and pushed me violently against the wall. "thar, you wretch, you miserble wretch, dat would keep me from my chile, take dat blow, and i wish it would send yer to yer grave." recoiling a few steps, i looked at her. a wild and lurid light gathered in her eye, and a fiendish expression played over her face. she clenched her hands, and pressed her old broken teeth hard upon her lips, until the blood gushed from them; frothing at the mouth, and wild with excitement, she made an attempt to bound forward and fell upon the floor. i screamed for help, and sprang to lift her up. blood oozed from her mouth and nose; her eyes rolled languidly, and her under-jaw fell as though it were broken. in terror i bore her to the bed, and, laying her down, i went to get a bowl of water to wash the blood and foam from her face. meeting amy at the door, i told her aunt polly was very sick, and requested her to remain there until my return. i fled to the kitchen, and seizing a pan of water that stood upon the shelf, returned to the cabin. there i found young master bending over aunt polly, and wiping the blood-stains from her mouth and nose with his own handkerchief. this was, indeed, the ministration of the high to the lowly. this generous boy never remembered the distinctions of color, but with that true spirit of human brotherhood which christ inculcated by many memorable examples, he ministered to the humble, the lowly, and the despised. indeed, such seemed to take a firmer hold upon his heart. here, in this lowly cabin, like the good samaritan of old, he paused to bind up the wounds of a poor outcast upon the dreary wayside of existence. bending tenderly over aunt polly, until his luxuriant golden curls swept her withered face, he pressed his linen handkerchief to her mouth and nose to staunch the rapid flow of blood. "oh, ann, have you come with the water? i fear she is almost gone; throw it in her face with a slight force, it may revive her," he said in a calm tone. i obeyed, but there was no sign of consciousness. after one or two repetitions she moved a little, young master drew a bottle of sal volatile from his pocket, and applied it to her nose. the effect was sudden; she started up spasmodically, and looking round the room laughed wildly, frightfully; then, shaking her head, her face resumed its look of pitiful imbecility. "the light is quenched, and forever," said young master, and the tears came to his eyes and rolled slowly down his cheeks. amy, with ben in her arms, stood by in anxious wonder; creeping up to young master's side, she looked earnestly in his face, saying-"don't cry, masser, aunt polly will soon be well; she jist sick for little while. de lick masser gib her only hurt her little time,--she 'most well now, but her does look mighty wild." "oh, lord, how much longer must these poor people be tried in the furnace of affliction? how much longer wilt thou permit a suffering race to endure this harsh warfare? oh, divine father, look pityingly down on this thy humble servant, who is so sorely tried." the latter part of the speech was uttered as he sank upon his knees; and down there upon the coarse puncheon floor we all knelt, young master forming the central figure of the group, whilst little amy, the baby-boy ben, and the poor lunatic, as if in mimicry, joined us. we surrounded him, and surely that beautiful heart-prayer must have reached the ear of god. when such purity asks for grace and mercy upon the poor and unfortunate, the ear of divine grace listens. "what fur you pray?" asked the poor lunatic. "i ask mercy for sore souls like thine." "oh, dat is funny; but say, sir, whar is my chile? whar is she? why don't she come to me? she war here a minnit ago; but now she does be gone away." "oh, what a mystery is the human frame! lyre of the spirit, how soon is thy music jarred into discord." young master uttered this rhapsody in a manner scarcely audible, but to my ear no sound of his was lost, not a word, syllable, or tone! "poor luce--is dat luce?" and the poor, crazed creature stared at me with a bewildered gaze! "and my baby-boy, whar is he, and my oldest sons? dey is all gone from me and forever." she began to weep piteously. "watch with her kindly till i send jake for the doctor," he said to me; then rallying himself, he added, "but they are all gone--gone upon that accursed hunt;" and, seating himself in a chair, he pressed his fingers hard upon his closed eye-lids. "stay, i will go myself for the doctor--she must not be neglected." and rising from his chair he buttoned his coat, and, charging me to take good care of her, was about starting, but aunt polly sprang forward and caught him by the arms, exclaiming, "oh, putty, far angel, don't leab me. i kan't let you leab me--stay here. i has no peace when you is gone. dey will come and beat me agin, and dey will take my chil'en frum me. oh, please now, you stay wid me." and she held on to him with such a pitiful fondness, and there was so much anxiety in her face, such an infantile look of tenderness, with the hopeless vacancy of idiocy in the eye, that to refuse her would have been harsh; and of this young master was incapable. so, turning to me, he said, "you go, ann, for the doctor, and i will stay with her--poor old creature i have never done anything for her, and now i will gratify her." as the horses had all been taken by the pursuers of lindy, i was forced to walk to dr. mandy's farm, which was about two miles distant from mr. peterkin's. i was glad of this, for of late it was indeed but seldom that i had been allowed to indulge in a walk through the woods. all through the leafy glory of the summer season i had looked toward the old sequestered forest with a longing eye. each little bird seemed wooing me away, yet my occupations confined me closely to the house; and a pleasure-walk, even on sunday, was a luxury which a negro might dream of but never indulge. now, though it was the lonely autumn time, yet loved i still the woods, dismantled as they were. there is something in the grandeur of the venerable forests, that always lifts the soul to devotion! the patriarchal trees and the delicate sward, the wind-music and the almost ceaseless miserere of the grove, elevate the heart, and to the cultivated mind speak with a power to which that of books is but poor and tame. chapter xv. quietude of the woods--a glimpse of the stranger--mrs. mandy's words of cruel irony--sad reflections. the freshening breeze, tempered with the keen chill of the coming winter, made a lively music through the woods, as, floating along, it toyed with the fallen leaves that lay dried and sere upon the earth. there stood the giant trees, rearing their bald and lofty heads to the heavens, whilst at their feet was spread their splendid summer livery. like the philosophers of old, in their calm serenity they looked away from earth and its troubles to the "bright above." i wandered on, with a quick step, in the direction of the doctor's. the recent painful events were not calculated to color my thoughts very pleasingly; yet i had taught myself to live so entirely _within_, to be so little affected by what was _without_, that i could be happy in imagination, notwithstanding what was going on in the external world. 'tis well that the negro is of an imaginative cast. suppose he were by nature strongly practical and matter-of-fact; life could not endure with him. his dreaminess, his fancy, makes him happy in spite of the dreary reality which surrounds him. the poor slave, with not a sixpence in his pocket, dreams of the time when he shall be able to buy himself, and revels in this most delightful utopia. i had walked on for some distance, without meeting any object of special interest, when, passing through a large "_deadening_," i was surprised to see a gentleman seated upon a fragment of what had once been a noble tree. he was engaged at that occupation which is commonly considered to denote want of thought, viz., _whittling a stick_. i stopped suddenly, and looked at him very eagerly, for now, with the broad day-light streaming over him, i recognized the one whom i had watched in the dubious moonbeams! this was mr. robert worth, the man who held those dangerous abolition principles--the fanatic, who was rash enough to express, south of mason and dixon's line, the opinion that negroes are human beings and entitled to consideration. here now he was, and i could look at him. how i longed to speak to him, to talk with him, hear him tell all his generous views; to ask questions as to those free africans at the north who had achieved name and fame, and learn more of the distinguished orator, frederick douglass! so great was my desire, that i was almost ready to break through restraint, and, forgetful of my own position, fling myself at his feet, and beg him to comfort me. then came the memory of miss bradly's treachery, and i sheathed my heart. "no, no, i will not again trust to white people. they have no sympathy with us, our natures are too simple for their cunning;" and, reflecting thus, i walked on, yet i felt as if i could not pass him. he had spoken so nobly in behalf of the slave, had uttered such lofty sentiments, that my whole soul bowed down to him in worship. i longed to pay homage to him. there is a principle in the slave's nature to reverence, to look upward; hence, he makes the most devout christian, and were it not for this same spirit, he would be but a poor servant. so it was with difficulty i could let pass this opportunity of speaking with one whom i held in such veneration; but i governed myself and went on. all the distance i was pondering upon what i had heard in relation to those of my brethren who had found an asylum in the north. oh, once there, i could achieve so much! i felt, within myself, a latent power, that, under more fortunate circumstances, might be turned to advantage. when i reached doctor mandy's residence i found that he had gone out to visit a patient. his wife came out to see me, and asked, "who is sick at mr. peterkin's?" i told her, "aunt polly, the cook." "is much the matter?" "yes, madam; young master thinks she has lost her reason." "lost her reason!" exclaimed mrs. mandy. "yes, madam; she doesn't seem to know any of us, and evidently wanders in her thoughts." i could not repress the evidence of emotion when i remembered how kind to me the old creature had been, nay, that for me she had received the blow which had deprived her of reason. "poor girl, don't cry," said mrs. mandy. this lady was of a warm, good heart, and was naturally touched at the sight of human suffering; she was one of that quiet sort of beings who feel a great deal and say but little. fearful of giving offence, she usually kept silence, lest the open expression of her sympathy should defeat the purpose. a weak, though a good person, she now felt annoyed because she had been beguiled into even pity for a servant. she did not believe in slavery, yet she dared not speak against the "peculiar institution" of the south. it would injure the doctor's practice, a matter about which she must be careful. i knew my place too well to say much; therefore i observed a respectful silence. "now, ann, you had better hurry home. i expect there is great excitement at your house, and the ladies will need your services to-day, particularly; to remain out too long might excite suspicion, and be of no service to you." my looks plainly showed how entire was my acquiescence. she must have known this, and then, as if self-interest suggested it, she said, "you have a good home, ann, i hope you will never do as lindy has done. homes like yours are rare, and should be appreciated. where will you ever again find such kind mistresses and such a good master?" "homes such as mine are rare!" i would that they were; but, alas! they are too common, as many farms in kentucky can show! oh, what a terrible institution this one must be, which originates and involves so many crimes! now, here was a kind, honest-hearted woman, who felt assured of the criminality of slavery; yet, as it is recognized and approved by law, she could not, save at the risk of social position, pecuniary loss and private inconvenience, even express an opinion against it. i was the oppressed slave of one of her wealthy neighbors; she dared not offer me even a word of pity, but needs must outrage all my nature by telling me that i had a "good home, kind mistresses and a good master!" oh, bitter mockery of torn and lacerated feelings! my blood curdled as i listened. how much i longed to fling aside the servility at which my whole soul revolted, and tell her, with a proud voice, how poorly i thought she supported the dignity of a true womanhood, when thus, for the poor reward of gold, she could smile at, and even encourage, a system which is at war with the best interest of human nature; which aims a deadly blow at the very machinery of society; aye, attacks the noble and venerable institution of marriage, and breaks asunder ties which god has commanded us to reverence! this is the policy of that institution, which southern people swear they will support even with their life-blood! i have ransacked my brain to find out a clue to the wondrous infatuation. i have known, during the years of my servitude, men who had invested more than half of their wealth in slaves; and he is generally accounted the greatest gentleman, who owns the most negroes. now, there is a reason for the louisiana or mississippi planter's investing largely in this sort of property; but why the kentucky farmer should wish to own slaves, is a mystery: surely it cannot be for the petty ambition of holding human beings in bondage, lording it over immortal souls! oh, perverse and strange human nature! thoughts like these, with a lightning-like power, drove through my brain and influenced my mind against mrs. mandy, who, i doubt not, was, at heart, a kind, well-meaning woman. how can the slave be a philanthropist? without saying anything whereby my safety could be imperilled, i left mrs. mandy's residence. when i had walked about a hundred yards from the house, i turned and looked back, and was surprised to see her looking after me. "oh, white woman," i inwardly exclaimed, "nursed in luxury, reared in the lap of bounty, with friends, home and kindred, that mortal power cannot tear you from, how can _you_ pity the poor, oppressed slave, who has no liberty, no right, no father, no brother, or friend, only as the white man chooses he shall have!" who could expect these children of wealth, fostered by prosperity, and protected by the law, to feel for the ignorant negro, who through ages and generations has been crushed and kept in ignorance? we are told to love our masters! why should we? are we dogs to lick the hand that strikes us? or are we men and women with never-dying souls--men and women unprotected in the very land they have toiled to beautify and adorn! oh, little, little do ye know, my proud, free brothers and sisters in the north, of all the misery we endure, or of the throes of soul that we have! the humblest of us feel that we are deprived of something that we are entitled to by the law of god and nature. i rambled on through the woods, wrapped in the shadows of gloom and misanthropy. "why," i asked myself, "can't i be a hog or dog to come at the call of my owner? would it not be better for me if i could repress all the lofty emotions and generous impulses of my soul, and become a spiritless thing? i would swap natures with the lowest insect, the basest serpent that crawls upon the earth. oh, that i could quench this thirsty spirit, satisfy this hungry heart, that craveth so madly the food and drink of knowledge! is it right to conquer the spirit, which god has given us? is it best for a high-souled being to sit supinely down and bear the vile trammels of an unnatural and immoral bondage? are these aspirings sent us from above? are they wings lent the spirit from an angel? or must they be clipped and crushed as belonging to the evil spirit?" as i walked on, in this state of mind, i neared the spot where i had beheld the interesting stranger. to my surprise and joy i found him still there, occupied as before, in whittling, perhaps the same stick. you, my free friends, who, from the fortunate accident of birth, are entitled to the heritage of liberty, can but poorly understand how very humble and degraded american slavery makes the victim. now, though i knew this man possessed the very information for which i so longed, i dared not presume to address him on a subject even of such vital import. i dare say, and indeed after-times proved, this young apostle of reform would have applauded as heroism what then seemed to me as audacity. with many a lingering look toward him, i pursued the "noiseless tenor of my way." chapter xvi. a reflection--american abolitionists--disaffection in kentucky--the young master--his remonstrance. upon my arrival home i found that the doctor, lured by curiosity, and not by business, had called. the news of lindy's flight had reached him in many garbled and exaggerated forms; so he had come to assure himself of the truth. of course, with all a southern patriot's ire, he pronounced lindy's conduct an atrocious crime, for which she should answer with life, or that far worse penalty (as some thought), banishment "down the river." thought i not strangely, severely, of those persons, the doctor and the ladies, as they sat there, luxuriating over a bottle of wine, denouncing vengeance against a poor, forlorn girl, who was trying to achieve her liberty;--heroically contending for that on which americans pride themselves? had she been a hungarian or an irish maid, seeking an asylum from the tyranny of a king, she would have been applauded as one whose name was worthy to be enrolled in the litany of heroes; but she was a poor, ignorant african, with a sooty face, and because of this all sympathy was denied her, and she was pronounced nothing but a "runaway negro," who deserved a terrible punishment; and the hand outstretched to relieve her, would have been called guilty of treason. oh, wise and boastful americans, see ye no oppression in all this, or do ye exult in that odious spot, which will blacken the fairest page of your history "to the last syllable of recorded time"? does not a blush stain your cheeks when you make vaunting speeches about the character of your government? ye cannot, i know ye cannot, be easy in your consciences; i know that a secret, unspoken trouble gnaws like a canker in your breasts! many of you veil your eyes, and grope through the darkness of this domestic oppression; you will not listen to the cries of the helpless, but sit supinely down and argue upon the "right" of the thing. there were kind and tender-hearted jews, who felt that the crucifixion of the messiah was a fearful crime, yet fear sealed their lips. and are there not now time-serving men, who are worthy and capable of better things, but from motives of policy will offer no word against this barbarous system of slavery? oh, show me the men, like that little handful at the north, who are willing to forfeit everything for the maintenance of human justice and mercy. blessed apostles, near to the mount of god! your lips have been touched with the flame of a new pentecost, and ye speak as never men spake before! who that listens to the words of parker, sumner, and seward, can believe them other than inspired? theirs is no ordinary gift of speech; it burns and blazes with a mighty power! cold must be the ear that hears them unmoved; and hard the heart that throbs not in unison with their noble and earnest expressions! often have i paused in this little book, to render a feeble tribute to these great reformers. it may be thought out of place, yet i cannot repress the desire to speak my voluntary gratitude, and, in the name of all my scattered race, thank them for the noble efforts they have made in our behalf! all the malignity of my nature was aroused against miss bradly, when i heard her voice loudest in denunciation against lindy. as i was passing through the room, i could catch fragments of conversation anything but pleasing to the ear of a slave; but i had to listen in meekness, letting not even a working muscle betray my dissent. they were orthodox, and would not tolerate even from an equal a word contrary to their views. i did not venture to ask the doctor what he thought of aunt polly, for that would have been called impudent familiarity, punishable with whipping at the "post;" but when i met young master in the entry, i learned from him that the case was one of hopeless insanity. blood-letting, &c., had been resorted to, but with no effect. the doctor gave it as his opinion that the case was "without remedy." not knowing that young master differed from his father and sisters, the doctor had, in his jocose and unfeeling way, suggested that it was not much difference; the old thing was of but little value; she was old and worn-out. to all this young master made no other reply than a fixed look from his meek eyes--a look which the doctor could not understand; for the idea of sympathy with or pity for a slave would have struck him as being a thing existing only in the bosom of a fanatical abolitionist, whose conviction would not permit him to cross the line of mason and dixon. ah! little knew he (the coarse doctor) what a large heart full of human charities had grown within; nay, was indigenous to this south-western latitude. i believe, yes have reason to know, that the pure sentiment of abolition is one that is near and dear to the heart of many a kentuckian; even those who are themselves the hereditary holders of slaves are, in many instances, the most opposed to the system. this sentiment is, perhaps, more largely developed in, and more openly expressed by, the females of the state; and this is accounted for from the fact that to be suspected of abolition tendencies is at once the plague-mark whereby a man is ever after considered unfit for public trust or political honor. it is the great question, the strong conservative element of society. to some extent it likewise taboos, in social circles, the woman who openly expresses such sentiments; though as she has no popular interests to stake, in many cases her voice will be on the side of right, not might. in later years i remember to have overheard a colloquy between a lady and gentleman (both slaveholders) in kentucky. the gentleman had vast possessions, about one-third of which consisted of slaves. the lady's entire wealth was in six negroes, some of them under the age of ten. they were hired out at the highest market prices, and by the proceeds she was supported. she had been raised in a strongly conservative community; nay, her own family were (to use a kentuckyism) the "pick and choose" of the pro-slavery party. some of them had been considered the able vindicators of the "system;" yet she, despite the force of education and the influence of domestic training, had broken away from old trammels and leash-strings, and was, both in thought and expression, a bold, ingrain abolitionist. she defied the lions in their chosen dens. on the occasion of this conversation, i heard her say that she could not remain happy whilst she detained in bondage those creatures who could claim, under the constitution, alike with her, their freedom; and so soon as she attained her majority, she intended to liberate them. "but," said she--and i shall never forget the mournful look of her dark eye--"the statute of the state will not allow them to remain here ten days after liberation; and one of these men has a wife (to whom he is much attached), who is a slave to a master that will neither free her nor sell her. now, this poor captive husband would rather remain in slavery to me, than be parted from his wife; and here is the point upon which i always stand. i wish to be humane and just to him; and yet rid myself from the horrid crime to which, from the accident of inheritance, i have become accessory." the gentleman, who seemed touched by the heroism of the girl, was beguiled into a candid acknowledgment of his own sentiments; and freely declared to her that, if it were not for his political aspirations, he would openly free every slave he owned, and relieve his conscience from the weight of the "perilous stuff" that so oppressed it. "but," said he, "were i to do it in kentucky, i should be politically dead. it would, besides, strike a blow at my legal practice, and then what could i do? 'othello's occupation would be gone.' of what avail, then, would be my 'quiddits, quillets; my cases, tenures and my tricks?' i, who am high in political favor, should live to read my shame. i, who now 'tower in my pride of place, should, by some mousing owl, be hawked at and killed.' no, i must burden my conscience yet a little longer." the lady, with all a young girl's naã¯ve and beautiful enthusiasm, besought him to disregard popular praise and worldly distinction. "seek first," said she, "the kingdom of heaven, and all things else shall be given you;" but the gentleman had grown hard in this world's devious wiles. he preferred throwing off his allegiance to providence, and, single-handed and alone, making his fate. talk to me of your thrifty men, your popular characters, and i instantly know that you mean a cringing, parasitical server of the populace; one who sinks soul, spirit and manly independence for the mere garments that cover his perishable body, and to whom the empty plaudits of the unthinking crowd are better music than the thankful prayer of suffering humanity. let such an one, i say, have his full measure of the "clapping of hands," let him hear it all the while; for he cannot see the frown that darkens the brow of the guardian angel, who, with a sigh, records his guilt. go on, thou worldly pharisee, but the day _will come_, when the lowly shall be exalted. trust and wait we longer. oh, ye who "know the right, and yet the wrong pursue," a fearful reckoning will be yours. but young master was not of this sort; i felt that his lips were closed from other and higher motives. if it had been of any avail, no matter what the cost to himself, he would have spoken. his soul knew but one sentiment, and that was "love to god and good will to men on earth." and now, as he entered the room where the doctor and the ladies were seated, and listened to their heartless conversation, he planted himself firmly in their midst, saying: "sisters, the time has come when i _must_ speak. patiently have i lived beneath this my father's roof, and witnessed, without uttering one word, scenes at which my whole soul revolted; i have heard that which has driven me from your side. on my bare knees, in the gloom of the forest, i have besought god to soften your hearts. i have asked that the dew of mercy might descend upon the hoary head of my father, and that womanly gentleness might visit your obdurate hearts. i have felt that i could give my life up a sacrifice to obtain this; but my unworthy prayers have not yet been answered. in vain, in vain, i have hoped to see a change in you. are you women or fiends? how can you persecute, to the death, poor, ignorant creatures, whose only fault is a black skin? how can you inhumanly beat those who have no protectors but you? reverse the case, and take upon yourselves their condition; how would you act? could you bear silently the constant "wear and tear" of body, the perpetual imprisonment of the soul? could you surrender yourselves entirely to the keeping of another, and that other your primal foe--one who for ages has had his arm uplifted against your race? suppose you every day witnessed a board groaning with luxuries (the result of your labor) devoured by your persecutors, whilst you barely got the crumbs; your owners dressed in purple and fine linen, whilst you wore the coarsest material, though all their luxury was the product of your exertion; what think you would be right for you to do? or suppose i, whilst lingering at the little spring, should be stolen off, gagged and taken to algiers, kept there in servitude, compelled to the most drudging labor; poorly clad and scantily fed whilst my master lived like a prince; kept in constant terror of the lash; punished severely for every venial offence, and my poor heart more lacerated than my body;--what would you think of me, if a man were to tell me that, with his assistance, i could make my escape to a land of liberty, where my rights would be recognized, and my person safe from violence; i say what would you think, if i were to decline, and to say i preferred to remain with the algerines?" he paused, but none replied. with eyes wonderingly fixed upon him, the group remained silent. "you are silent all," he continued, "for conviction, like a swift arrow, has struck your souls. oh, god!" and he raised his eyes upward, "out of the mouths of babes and sucklings let wisdom, holiness and truth proceed. touch their flinty hearts, and let the spark of grace be emitted! oh, sisters, know ye not that this algerine captivity that i have painted, is but a poor picture of the daily martyrdom which our slaves endure? look on that old woman, who, by a brutal blow from our father, has been deprived of her reason. look at that little haggard orphan, amy, who is the kicked football of you all. look at the poor men whom we have brutalized and degraded. think of lindy, driven by frenzy to brave the passage to an unknown country rather than longer endure what we have put upon her. gaze, till your eyes are bleared, upon that whipping-post, which rises upon our plantation; it is wet, even now, with the blood that has gushed from innocent flesh. look at the ill-fed, ill-clothed creatures that live among us; and think they have immortal souls, which we have tried to put out. oh, ponder well upon these things, and let this poor, wretched girl, who has sallied forth, let her go, i say, to whatever land she wishes, and strive to forget the horrors that haunted her here." again he paused, but none of them durst reply. inspired by their silence, he went on: "and from you, miss bradly, i had expected better things. you were reared in a state where the brutality of the slave system is not tolerated. your early education, your home influences, were all against it. why and how can your womanly heart turn away from its true instincts? is it for you, a northerner and a woman, to put up your voice in defence of slavery? oh, shame! triple-dyed shame, should stain your cheeks! well may my sisters argue for slavery, when you, their teacher, aid and abet them. could you not have instilled better things into their minds? i know full well that your heart and mind are against slavery; but for the ease of living in our midst, enjoying our bounty, and receiving our money, you will silence your soul and forfeit your principles. yea, for a salary, you will pander to this horrid crime. judas, for thirty pieces of silver, sold the redeemer of the world; but what remorse followed the dastard act! you will yet live to curse the hour of your infamy. you might have done good. upon the waxen minds of these girls you might have written noble things, but you would not." i watched miss bradly closely whilst he was speaking. she turned white as a sheet. her countenance bespoke the convicted woman. not an eye rested upon her but read the truth. starting up at length from her chair, miss jane shouted out, in a theatrical way, "treason! treason in our own household, and from one of our own number! and so, mr. john, you are the abolitionist that has sown dissension and discontent among our domestics. we have thought you simple; but i discover, sir, you are more knave than fool. father shall know of this, and take steps to arrest this treason." "as you please, sister jane; you can make what report you please, only speak the truth." at this she flew toward him, and, catching him by the collar, slapped his cheeks severely. "right well done," said a clear, manly voice; and, looking up, i saw mr. worth standing in the open door. "i have been knocking," said he, "for full five minutes; but i am not surprised that you did not hear me, for the strong speech to which i have listened had force enough to overpower the sound of a thunder-storm." miss jane recoiled a few steps, and the deepest crimson dyed her cheeks. she made great pretensions to refinement, and could not bear, now, that a gentleman (even though an abolitionist) should see her striking her brother. miss tildy assumed the look of injured innocence, and smilingly invited mr. worth to take a seat. "do not be annoyed by what you have seen. jane is not passionate; but the boy was rude to her, and deserved a reproof." without making a reply, but, with his eye fixed on young master, mr. worth took the offered seat. miss bradly, with her face buried in her hands, moved not; and the doctor sat playing with his half-filled glass of wine; but young master remained standing, his eye flashing strangely, and a bright crimson spot glowing on either cheek. he seemed to take no note of the entrance of mr. worth, or in fact any of the group. there he stood, with his golden locks falling over his white brow; and calm serenity resting like a sunbeam on his face. very majestic and imposing was that youthful presence. high determination and everlasting truth were written upon his face. with one look and a murmured "father forgive them, for they know not what they do," he turned away. "stop, stop, my brave boy," cried mr. worth, "stop, and let me look upon you. had the south but one voice, and that one yours, this country would soon be clear of its great dishonor." to this young master made no spoken reply; but the clear smile that lit his countenance expressed his thanks; and seeing that mr. worth was resolved to detain him, he said, "let me go, good sir, for now i feel that i need the woods," and soon his figure was gliding along his well-beloved path, in the direction of the spring. who shall say that solitary communing with nature unfits the soul for active life? true, indeed, it does unfit it for baseness, sordid dealings, and low detraction, by lifting it from its low condition, and sending it out in a broad excursiveness. here, in the case of young master, was a sweet and glowing flower that had blossomed in the wilds, and been nursed by nature only. the country air had fanned into bloom the bud of virtue and the beauty of highest truth. chapter xvii. the return of the hunters flushed with success--mr. peterkin's vagary. as young master strode away, misses jane and tildy regarded each other in silent wonder. at length the latter, who caught the cue from her sister, burst forth in a violent laugh, that i can define only by calling it a romping laugh, so full of forced mirth. miss jane took up the echo, and the house resounded with their assumed merriment. no one else, however, seemed to take the infection; and they had the fun all to themselves. "well, ann," said miss tildy, putting on a quizzical air, "i suppose you have been very much edified by your young master's explosion of philanthropy and good-will toward you darkies." too well i knew my position to make an answer; so there i stood, silent and submissive. "oh, yes, i suppose this young renegade has delivered abolition lectures in the kitchen hall, to his 'dearly belubed' brederen ob de colored race," added miss matilda, intending to be vastly witty. "i think we had better send him on to an anti-slavery convention, and give him a seat 'twixt lucy stone and fred douglas. wouldn't his white complexion contrast well with that of the sable orator?" and this miss jane designed should be exceedingly pungent. still no one answered. mr. worth's face wore a troubled expression; the doctor still played with his wine-glass; and miss bradly's face was buried deeper in her hands. "suppose father had been here; what do you think he would have said?" asked miss jane. this, no doubt, recalled dr. mandy to the fact that mr. peterkin's patronage was well worth retaining, so he must speak _now_. "oh, your father, miss jane, is such a sensible man, that he would consider it only the freak of an imprudent beardless boy." "is, then," i asked myself, "all expressed humanity but idle gibberish? is it only beardless boys who can feel for suffering slaves? is all noble philanthropy voted vapid by sober, serious, reflecting manhood? if so, farewell hope, and welcome despair!" i looked at mr. worth; but his face was rigid, and a snowy pallor overspread his gentle features. he was young, and this was his first visit to kentucky. in his home at the north he had heard many stories of the manner in which slavery was conducted in the west and south; but the stories, softened by distance, had reached him in a mild form, consequently he was unprepared for what he had witnessed since his arrival in kentucky. he had, though desiring liberty alike for all, both white and black, looked upon the system as an unjust and oppressive one, but he had no thought that it existed in the atrocious and cruel form which fact, not report, had now revealed to him. his whole soul shuddered and shrivelled at what he saw. he marvelled how the skies could be so blue and beautiful; how the flowers could spring so lavishly, and the rivers roll so majestically, and the stars burn so brightly over a land dyed with such horrible crimes. "father will not deal very leniently with this boy's follies; he will teach johnny that there's more virtue in honoring a father, than in equalizing himself with negroes." here miss jane tossed her head defiantly. just then a loud noise was heard from the avenue, and, looking out the window, we descried the hunters returning crowned with exultation, for, alas! poor lindy had been found, and there, handcuffed, she marched between a guard of jake on the one side, and dan on the other. there were marks of blood on her brow, and her dress was here and there stained. cool as was the day, great drops of perspiration rolled off her face. with her head bowed low on her breast, she walked on amid the ribald jests of her persecutors. "well, we has cotch dis 'ere runaway gal, and de way we did chase her down is nuffen to nobody," said old nace, who had led the troop. "i tells you it jist takes dis here nigger and his hounds to tree the runaway. i reckons, miss lindy, you'll not be fur trying ob it agin." "no, dat hab fixed her," replied the obsequious jake. dan laughed heartily, showing his stout teeth. "now, masser," said nace, as taking off his remnant of a hat he scraped his foot back, and grinned terribly, "dis ar' nigger, if you pleases, sar, would like to hab a leetle drap ob de critter dat you promise to him." "oh, yes, you black rascal, you wants some ob my fust-rate whiskey, does you? wal, i 'spects, as you treed dat ar' d----d nigger-wench, you desarves a drap or so." "why, yes, masser, you see as how i did do my best for to ketch her, and i is right much tired wid de run. you sees dese old legs is gettin' right stiff; dese jints ain't limber like jake and dan's dar, yet i tink, masser, i did de bestest, an' i ought to hab a leetle drap de most, please, sar." "come, 'long, come 'long, boys, arter we stores dis gal away i'll gib you yer dram." there had stood poor lindy, never once looking up, crestfallen, broken in heart, and bruised in body, awaiting a painful punishment, scarce hoping to escape with life and limb. striking her a blow with his huge riding-whip, mr. peterkin shouted, "off with you to the lock-up!" now, that which was technically termed the "lock-up," was an old, strong building, which had once been used as a smoke-house, but since the erection of a new one, was employed for the very noble purpose of confining negroes. it was a dark, damp place, without a window, and but one low door, through which to enter. in this wretched place, bound and manacled, the poor fugitive was thrust. "there, you may run off if you ken," said mr. peterkin, as he drew the rough door to, and fastened on the padlock with the dignified air of a regularly-installed jailer. "now, boys, come 'long and git the liquor." this pleasing announcement seemed to give an additional impetus to the spirits of the servants, and, with many a "ha, ha, ha," they followed their master. "well, father," said miss jane, whilst she stood beside mr. peterkin, who was accurately measuring out a certain quantity of whiskey to the three smiling slaves, who stood holding their tin cups to receive it, "i am glad you succeeded in arresting that audacious runaway. where did you find her? who was with her? how did she behave? oh, tell me all about the adventure; it really does seem funny that such a thing should have occurred in our family; and now that the wretch has been caught, i can afford to laugh at it." "wal," answered mr. peterkin, as he replaced the cork in the brown jug, and proceeded to lock it up in his private closet, "you does ax the most questions in one breath of any gal i ever seed in all my life. why, i haint bin in the house five minutes, and you has put more questions to me than a philadelphy lawyer could answer. 'pon my soul, jane, you is a fast 'un." "never mind my fastness, father, but tell me what i asked." "wal, whar is i to begin? you axed whar lindy was found? these dogs hunted her to mr. farland's barn. thar they 'gan to smell and snort round and cut up all sorts of capers, and old nace clumb up to the hay loft, and sung out, in a loud voice, 'here she am, here she am.' then i hearn a mighty scrambling and shufflin' up dar, so i jist springed up arter nace, and thar was the gal, actually fightin' with nace, who wanted to fetch her right down to the ground whar we was a waitin'. i tells you, now, one right good lick from my powder-horn fetched her all right. she soon seen it was no kind of use to be opposin' of us, and so she jist sot down right willin'. i then fetched several good licks, and she knowed how to do, kase, when i seed i had drawed the blood, i didn't kere to beat her any more. so i ordered her to git down outen that ar' loft quicker than she got up. then we bound her hands, and driv her long through the woods like a bull. i tells you she was mighty-much 'umbled and shamed; every now and thin she'd blubber out a cryin', but my whup soon shot up her howlin'." "i've a great notion to go," said jane, "and torment her a little more, the impudent hussy! i wonder if she thinks we will ever take her back to live with us. she has lost a good home, for she shall not come here any more. i want you to sell her, father, and at the highest price, to a regular trader." "that will i do, and there is a trader in this very neighborhood now. i'll ride over this arternoon and make 'rangements with him fur her sale. but come, jane, i is powerful hungry; can't you git me something to eat?" "but, father, i have a word to say with you in private, draw near me." "what ails you now, gals?" he said, as miss tildy joined them, with a perplexed expression of countenance. as he drew close to them i heard miss jane say, through her clenched teeth, in a hissing tone: "old polly is insane; lost her reason from that blow which you gave her. do you think they could indict you?" "who, in the name of h--l, can say that i struck her? who saw it? no, i'd like fur to see the white man that would dar present jeems peterkin afore the grand jury, and a nigger darn't think of sich a thing, kase as how thar testimony ain't no count." "then we are safe," both of the ladies simultaneously cried. "but whar is that d----d old hussy? she ain't crazy, only 'possuming so as to shuffle outen the work. let me git to her once, and i'll be bound she will step as smart as ever. one shake of the old cowhide will make her jump and talk as sensible as iver she did." "'tisn't worth while, father, going near her. i tell you, doctor mandy says she is a confirmed lunatic." "i tells yer i knows her constitution better 'an any of yer, doctors, and all; and this here cowhide is allers the best medicine fur niggers; they ain't like the white folks, no how nor ways." so saying he, followed by his daughters, went to the cabin where poor aunt polly was sitting, in all the touching simplicity of second childhood, playing with some bits of ribbon, bright-colored calico, and flashy artificial flowers. looking up with a vacant stare at the group she spoke not, but, slowly shaking her head in an imbecile way, murmured: "these are putty, but yer mustn't take 'em frum me; dese am all dat dis ole nigger hab got, dese here am fadder, mudder, hustbund, an chile. lit me keep 'em." "you old fool, what's you 'bout, gwine on at this here rate? don't you know i is yer master, and will beat the very life outen yer, if yer don't git up right at once?" "now who is yer? sure now, an' dis old nigger doesn't know yer. yer is a great big man, dat looks so cross and bad at me. i wish yer would go on 'bout yer own bisness, and be a lettin' me 'lone. i ain't a troublin' of yer, no way." "you ain't, arnt yer, you old fool? but i'll give yer a drap of medicine that'll take the craze outen yer, and make yer know who yer master is. how does you like that, and this, and this?" and, suiting the action to the word, he dealt her blow after blow, in the most ferocious manner. her shoulders were covered with blood that gushed from the torn flesh. a low howl (it could only be called a howl) burst from her throat, and flinging up her withered hands, she cried, "oh, good lord jesus, come and help thy poor old servant, now in dis her sore time ob trouble." "the lord jesus won't hear sich old nigger wretches as you," said mr. peterkin. "oh, yes, de lord jesus will. he 'peared to me but a leetle bit ago, and he was all dressed in white, wid a gold crown upon his head, and his face war far and putty like young masser's, only it seemed to be heap brighter, and he smiled at dis poor old sufferin' nigger; and den 'peared like a low, little voice 'way down to de bottom ob my heart say, polly, be ob good cheer, de lord jesus is comin' to take you home. he no care weder yer skin is white or black. he is gwine fur to make yer happy in de next world. oh, den me feel so good, me no more care for anything." "all of this is a crazy fancy," said dr. mandy, who stepped into the cabin; but taking hold of polly's wrist, and holding his fingers over her pulse, his countenance changed. "she has excessive fever, and a strong flow of blood to the brain. she cannot live long. put her instantly to bed, and let me apply leeches." "do yer charge extry for leeching, doctor?" asked mr. peterkin. "oh, yes, sir, but it is not much consideration, as you are one of my best customers." "i don't want to run any useless expense 'bout the old 'oman. you see she has served my family a good many years." "and you are for that reason much attached to her," interposed the doctor. "not a bit of it, sir. i never was 'tached to a nigger. even when i was a lad i had no fancy fur 'em, not even yer bright yallow wenches; and i ain't gwine fur to spend money on that old nigger, unless you cure her, and make her able to work and pay fur the money that's bin laid out fur her." "i can't promise to do that; neither am i certain that the leeches will do her any material good, but they will assuredly serve to mitigate her sufferings, by decreasing the fever, which now rages so high." "i don' care a cuss for that. taint no use then of trying the leeches. if she be gwine to die, why let her do it in the cheapest way." saying this, he went off with the young ladies, the doctor following in the wake. as he was passing through the door-way, i caught him by the skirts of his coat. turning suddenly round, he saw who it was, and drew within the cabin. "doctor," and i spoke with great timidity, "is she so ill? will she, must she die? please try the leeches. here," and i drew from an old hiding-place in the wall the blessed half-dollar which master eddy had given me as a keepsake. for years it had lain silently there, treasured more fondly than egyptian amulet or orient gem. on some rare holiday i had drawn it from its concealment to gloat over it with all a miser's pride. i did not value it for the simple worth of the coin, for i had sense enough to know that its actual value was but slight; yet what a wealth of memories it called up! it brought _back_ the times when _i had a mother_; when, as a happy, careless child (though a slave), i wandered through the wild greenwood; where i ranged free as a bird, ere the burden of a blow had been laid upon my shoulders; and when my young master and mistress sometimes bestowed kind words upon me. the fair locks and mild eyes of the latter gleamed upon me with dream-like beauty. the kind, tearful face of master eddy, his gentle words on that last most dreadful day that bounded and closed the last chapter of happy childhood--all these things were recalled by the sight of this simple little half-dollar! and now i was going to part with it. what a struggle it was! i couldn't do it. no, i couldn't do it. it was the one _silver_ link between me and remembered joy. to part with it would be to wipe out the _bright_ days of my life. it would be sacrilege, in justice, a wrong; no, i replaced it in the old faded rag (in which it had been wrapped for years), and closed my hand convulsively over it. there stood the doctor! he had caught sight of the gleaming coin, and (small as it was) his cupidity was excited, and when he saw my hand closed over the shining treasure, the smile fled from his face, and he said: "girl, for what purpose did you detain me? my time is precious. i have other patients to visit this morning, and cannot be kept here longer!" "oh, doctor, try the leeches." "your master says he won't pay for them." "but for the sake of charity, for the value of human life, you will do it without pay." "will i, though? trust me for that--and who will feed my wife and children in the meantime. i can't be doctoring every old sick nigger gratuitously. her old fagged-out frame ain't worth the waste of my leeches. i thought you were going to pay for it; but you see a nigger is a nigger the world over. they are too stingy to do anything for one of their own tribe." "but this money is a keepsake, a parting-gift from my young master, who gave it to me years ago, when i was sold. i prize it because of the recollections which it calls up." "a sentimental nigger! well, _that is_ something new; but if you cared for that old woman's life you wouldn't hesitate," and, so saying, he walked away. i looked upon poor aunt polly, and i fancied there was a rebuking light in her feeble eye; and her withered hands seemed stretched out to ask the help which i cruelly withheld. and shall i desert her who has suffered so deeply for me? well may she reproach me with that "piteous action"--me, who for a romantic and fanciful feeling withhold the means of saving her life. oh, how i blamed myself! how wicked and selfish i thought my heart. "doctor! come back, doctor! here is the money," i cried. he had stood but a few steps without the cabin door, doubtless expecting this change in my sentiments. "you have done well, ann, to deny yourself, and make some effort to save the life of the old woman. you see i would have done it for nothing; but the leeches cost me money. it is inconvenient to get them, and i have a family, a very helpless one, to support, and you know it won't do to neglect them, lest i be worse than a heathen and infidel. in your case, my good girl, the case is quite different, for _niggers_ are taken care of and supported by their masters, and any little change that you may have is an extra, for which you have no particular need." an "extra" indeed it was, and a very rare one. one that had come but once in my life, and, god be praised, it afforded me an opportunity of doing the good samaritan's work! i had seen how the levite and the priest had neglected the wounded woman, and with this little coin i could do a noble deed; but as to my being well-cared and provided for, i thought the doctor had shot wide of his mark. i was surprised at the tone of easy familiarity which he assumed toward me; but this was explained by the fact that he was what is commonly called a jolly fellow, and had been pretty freely indulging in the "joyful glass." besides, i was going to pay him; then, maybe, he felt a little ashamed of his avarice, and sought by familiar tone and manner to beguile me, and satisfy his conscience. his "medical bags" had been left in the entry, for miss jane, who delighted in the lubin-perfumed extracts, would tolerate nothing less sweet-scented, and by her prohibitory fiat, the "bags" were denied admittance to the house. once, when the doctor was suddenly called to see a white member of the family, he, either through forgetfulness or obstinacy, violated the order, and miss jane had every carpet taken up and shaken, and the floor scoured, for the odor seemed to haunt her for weeks. since then he had rigidly adhered to the rule; i suspect, with many secret maledictions upon the acuteness of her olfactories. now he requested me to bring the bags to him, i found them, as i had expected, sitting in the very spot where he usually placed them. "there they are, doctor, now be quick. cure her, help her, do anything, but let her not die whilst this money can purchase her life, or afford her ease." he took the coin from my hand, surveyed it for a moment, a thing that i considered very cruel, for, all the while, the victim was suffering uncared for, unattended to. "it is but a small piece, doctor, but it is my all; if i had more, you should have it, but now please be quick in the application of your remedy." "this money will pay but for a few leeches, not enough to do the contusion much good. you see there is a great deal of diseased blood collected at the left temple; but i'll be charitable and throw in a few leeches, for which you can pay me at some other time, when you happen to have money." "certainly, doctor, i will give you _all_ that you demand as fast as i get it." after a little scarification he applied the leeches, twelve in number, little, sleek, sharp, needle-pointed, oily-looking things. quickly, as if starved, the tiny vampires commenced their work of blood-sucking. "she bore to be scarified better than any subject i ever saw. not a writhe or wince," remarked the doctor. ah, thought i, she has endured too much pain to tremble at a needle prick like that. she, whose body had bled at every pore, whose skin had been torn and mangled until it bore a thousand scars, could surely bear, without writhing, a pain so delicate as that. though i thought thus, i said not a word; for (to me) the worst part of our slavery is that we are not allowed to speak our opinion on any subject. we are to be mutes, save when it suits our owners to let us answer in words obsequious enough to please their greedy love of authority. silently i stood watching the leeches. from the loss of blood, aunt polly seemed somewhat exhausted, and was soon soundly, sweetly sleeping. "let her sleep," said the doctor, as he removed the leeches and replaced them in a little stone vase, "when she wakes she will probably be better, and you will then owe me one dollar and a half, as the bill is two dollars. it would have been more, but i allow part to go for charity." so saying he left the cabin and returned to the house. oh, most noble christian "charity"! is this the blessed quality that is destined to "cover a multitude of sins"? he would not even leech a half-dying woman without a pecuniary reward. oh, far advanced whites, fast growing in grace and ripening in holiness! chapter xviii. the essay of wit--young abolitionist--his influence--a night at the door of the "lock-up." after wiping the fresh blood-stains (produced by the severe beating of mr. peterkin) from aunt polly's shoulders, and binding up her brow to conceal the wounds made by the leeching process, i tenderly spread the old coverlet over her form, and then turned away from her to go about my usual avocations. the doctor was just making his adieux, and the ladies had gathered round him in quite a social and sportive way. misses jane and tildy were playfully disputing which one should take possession of his heart and hand, in the event of mrs. mandy's sudden demise. all this merriment and light-heartedness was exhibited, when but a few rods from them a poor, old, faithful creature lay in the agonies of a torturing death, and a young girl, who had striven for her liberty, and tried to achieve it at a perilous risk, had just been bound, hand and foot, and cast into outer darkness! oh, this was a strange meeting of the extremes. what varied colors the glass of life can show! at length, with many funny speeches, and promises very ridiculous, the doctor tore himself away from the chatty group. passing in and out of the house, through the hall or in the parlor, as my business required, i saw mr. worth and miss bradly sitting quietly and moodily apart, whilst, occasionally, miss tildy would flash out with a coarse joke, or miss jane would speculate upon the feelings of lindy, in her present helpless and gloomy confinement. "i reckon she does not relish canada about this time." "no; let us ask her _candid_ opinion of it," said miss tildy, who considered herself _the wit_ of the family, and this last speech she regarded as quite an extraordinary flash. "that's very good, till," said her patronizing sister, "but you are always witty." "now, sister, ain't you ashamed to flatter me so?" and with the most laura matilda-ish air, she turned her head aside and tried to blush. i could read, from his clear, manly glance, that mr. worth was sick at heart and goaded to anguish by what he saw and heard; yet, like many another noble man, he sat in silent endurance. miss jane caught the idea of his gloom, and, with a good deal of sly, vulpine malice, determined to annoy him. she had not for him, as miss tildy had, a personal admiration; so, by way of vexing him, as well as showing off her smartness, she asked: "till, is there much worth in abolitionism?" "i don't know, but there is a _robin_ in it." this she thought a capital repartee. "bravo! bravo, till! who can equal you? you are the wittiest girl in town or country." "wit is a precious gift," said mr. worth, as he satirically elevated his brows. "indeed is it," replied miss tildy, "but i am not conscious of its possession." of course she expected he would gainsay her; but, as he was silent, her cheeks blazed like a peony. "what makes miss bradly so quiet and seemingly lachrymose? i do believe johnny's abolition lecture has given her the blues." "not the lecture, but the necessity for the lecture," put in mr. worth. "what's that? what's that 'bout aberlitionists?" exclaimed mr. peterkin, as he rushed into the room. "is there one of 'em here? let me know it, and my roof shan't shelter the rascal. whar is he?" i looked toward mr. worth, for i feared that, on an occasion like this, his principles would fail as miss bradly's had; but the fear was quickly dissipated, as he replied in a manly tone: "i, a vindicator of the anti-slavery policy, and a denouncer of the slave system, stand before you, and declare myself proud of my sentiments." "you? ha! ha! ha! ha! that's too ridiculous; a mere boy; a stripling, no bigger than my arm. i'd not disgrace my manhood with a fight with the like of yer." "so thought goliath when david met him in warfare; but witness the sequel, and then say if the battle is always to the strong, or the victory with the proud. might is not always right. i ask to be heard for my cause. stripling as you call me, i am yet able to vindicate my abolition principles upon other and higher ground than mere brute force." "oh, yes; you has larnt, i s'pose, to talk. that's all them windy aberlitionists ken do; they berate and talk, but they can't act." a contemptuous smile played over the face of mr. worth, but he did not deign to answer with words. "do you know, pa, that johnny is an abolitionist?" asked miss jane. "what! john peterkin? my son john?" "the same," and miss jane bowed most significantly. "well, that's funny enuff; but i'll soon bring it outen him. he's a quiet lad; not much sperrit, and i guess he's hearn some 'cock and bull story' 'bout freedom and equality. all smart boys of his age is apt to feel that way, but he'll come outen it. it's all bekase he has hearn too many fourth of july speeches; but i don't fear fur him, he is sure to come outen it. the very idee of my son's being an aberlitionist is too funny." "funny is it, father, for your child to love mercy, and deal justly, even with the lowliest?" as he said this, young master stood in the doorway. he looked paler and even more spiritual than was his wont. mr. peterkin sat for full five minutes, gazing at the boy; and, strange to say, made no reply, but strode away from the room. miss jane and tildy regarded each other with evident surprise. they had expected a violent outburst, and thus to see their father tamed and subdued by the word and glance of their boy-brother, astonished them not a little. miss tildy turned toward young master, and said, in what was meant for a most caustic tone, "you are an embryo van amburgh, thus to tame the lion's rage." "but you, tildy, are too vulpine to be fascinated even by the glance of van amburgh himself." "well, now, johnny, you are getting impertinent as well as spicy." "pertinent, you mean," said mr. worth. miss tildy would not look angry at _him_; for she was besieging the fortress of his affections, and she deemed kind measures the most advantageous. were i to narrate most accurately the conversation that followed, the repartees that flashed from the lips of some, and the anger that burned blue in the faces of others, i should only amuse the reader, or what is more likely, weary him. i will simply mention that, after a few hours' sojourn, mr. worth took his departure, not without first having a long conversation, in a private part of the garden, with young master. miss bradly retired to the young ladies' room (for they would not allow her to leave the house), under pretext of headache. often, as i passed in and out to ask her if she needed anything, i found her weeping bitterly. late in the evening, about eight o'clock, mr. peterkin returned; throwing the reins of his horse to nace, he exclaimed: "well, i've made a good bargain of it; i've sold lindy to a trader for one thousand dollars--that is, if she answers the description which i gave of her. he is comin' in the mornin' to look at her; and, with a little riggin' up, i think she'll 'pear a rale good-lookin' wench." when i went into the house to prepare some supper for mr. peterkin (the family tea had been despatched two hours before), he was in an excellent humor, well pleased, no doubt, with his good trade. "now, ann, be brisk and smart, or you might find yourself in the trader's hands afore long. likely yellow gals like you sells mighty well; and if you doesn't behave well you is a goner." "down the river" was not terrible to me, nor did i dread being "sold;" yet one thing i did fear, and that was separation from young master. in the last few days he had become to me everything i could respect; nay, i loved him. not that it was in his power to do me any signal act of good. he could not soften the severity of his father and sisters toward me; yet one thing he could and did do, he spoke an occasional kind, hopeful word to me. those whose hearts are fed upon kindness and love, can little understand how dear to the lonely, destitute soul, is one word of friendliness. we, to whom the husks are flung with an unfeeling tone, appreciate as manna from heaven the word of gentleness; and now i thought if i were to leave young master _my soul would die_. had not his blessed smile elevated and inspired my sinking spirit, and his sweet tone softened my over-taxed heart? oh, blessed one! even now i think of thee, and with a full heart thank god that such beings have lived! i watched master dispatch his supper in a most summary manner. at length he settled himself back in his chair, and, taking his tooth-pick from his waistcoat pocket, began picking his teeth. "wal, ann," he said, as he swung himself back in his chair, "how's ole poll?" "she is still asleep." "yes, i said she was possuming; but by to-morrow, if she ain't up outen that ar' bunk of hers, i'll know the reason; and i'll sell her to the trader that's comin' for lindy." "i wish you would sell her, father, and buy a new cook; she prepares everything in such an old-fashioned manner--can't make a single french dish," said miss jane. "i don't care a cuss 'bout yer french dishes, or yer fashionable cooks; i's gwine to sell her, becase the craps didn't yield me much this year, and i wants money, so i must make it by sellin' off niggers." "you must not sell aunt polly, and you shall not," said young master, with a fearful emphasis. "what do you mean, lad?" cried the infuriated father, and he sprang from his seat, and was in the very act of rushing upon the offender; but suddenly he quailed before the fixed, determined gaze of that eye. he looked again, then cowered, reeled, and staggered like a drunken man, and, falling back in his chair, he covered his face with his hands, and uttered a fearful groan. the ladies were frightened; they had never seen their father thus fearfully excited. they dared not speak one word. the finger of an awful silence seemed laid upon each and every one present. at length young master, with a slow step, approached his father, and, taking the large hand, which swung listlessly, within his own, said, "fath--;" but before he had finished the syllable, mr. peterkin sprang up, exclaiming, "off, i say! off! off! she sent you here; she told you to speak so to me." then gazing wildly at johnny, he cried, "those are her eyes, that is her face. i say, away! away! leave me! you torment me with the sight of that face! it's hers it's hers. blood will have blood, and now you comes to git mine!" and the strong man fell prostrate upon the floor, in a paroxysm of agony. he foamed at the mouth, and rolled his great vacant eyes around the room in a wildness fearful to behold. "oh lor'," said old nace, who appeared in the doorway, "oh lor', him's got a fit." the ladies shrieked and screamed in a frightful manner. young master was almost preternaturally calm. he and miss bradly (after nace and jake had placed master on the bed) rendered him every attention. miss bradly chafed his temples with camphor, and moistened the lips and palms of the hands with it. when he began to revive, he turned his face to the wall and wept like a child. then he fell off into a quiet sleep. young master and miss bradly watched beside that restless sleeper long and faithfully. and from that night there grew up between them a fervent friendship, which endured to the last of their mortal days. upon frequently going into aunt polly's cabin, i was surprised to find her still sleeping. at length when my duties were all discharged in the house, and i went to prepare for the night's rest, i thought i would arouse her from her torpor and administer a little nourishment that might benefit her. to my surprise her arm felt rigid, and oh, so cold! what if she is dead! thought i; and a cold thrill passed over my frame. the big drops burst from my brow and stood in chilly dew upon my temples. oh god! can it be that she is dead! one look, one more touch, and the dreadful question would be answered; yet, when i attempted to stretch forth my hand, it was stiff and powerless. in a moment the very atmosphere seemed to grow heavy; 'twas peopled with a strange, charnel gloom. my breath was thick and broken, coming only at intervals and with choking gaspings. one more desperate effort! i commanded myself, gathered all my courage, and, seizing hold of the body with a power which was stronger than my own, i turned it over--when, oh god of mercy, such a spectacle! the question was answered with a fearful affirmation. there, rigid, still and ghastly, she lay in death. the evident marks of a violent struggle were stamped upon those features, which, despite their tough hard-favoredness, and their gaunt gloom, were dear to me; for had she not been my best of friends, nay proved her friendship by a martyrdom which, if slower, was no less heroic than that which adorns the columns of historical renown? gently i closed those wide-staring, blank eyes, and pressed tenderly together the distended jaws; and, taking from a box a slipet of white muslin, bound up her cheeks. slowly, and not without a feeling of terror, i unwound the bandage from her brow, which concealed the wound made by the leeches; this i replaced with my only handkerchief. i then endeavored to straighten the contracted limbs, for she had died lying upon her side, with her body drawn nearly double. i found this a rather difficult task; yet was it a melancholy pleasure, a duty that i performed irresolutely but with tenderness. after all was done, and before getting the water to wash the body (for i wished to enrobe her decently for the burial), i gave way to the luxury of expressed grief, and, sinking down upon my knees beside that lifeless form, thanked god for having taken her from this scene of trouble and trial. "you are gone, my poor old friend; but that hereafter of which we all entertain so much dread, cannot be to you so bad as this wretched present; and though i am lonely without you, i rejoice that you have left this land of bondage. and i believe that at this moment your tried soul is free and happy!" so saying, i stepped without the door of the cabin, and, looking up to the clear, cold moon and the way-off stars, i smiled, even in my bitterness, for i imagined i could see her emancipated soul soaring away on its new-made wings, to the land forever flowing with milk and honey. she had often in her earth-pilgrimage, as many tried martyrs had done before her, fainted by the wayside; but then was she not sorely tempted, and did not a life of captivity and seven-fold agony, atone for all her short-comings? besides, we are divinely informed that where little is given, little is required. in view of this sacred assurance, let not the sceptic reader think that my faith was stretched to an unwarranted degree. yes, i did and _do_ think that she was at that moment and is now happy. if not, how am i to account for the strange feeling of peace that settled over my mind and heart, when i thought of her! for a holy, heavenly calm, like the dropping of a prophet's mantle, overspread my heart; a cool sense of ease, refreshing as the night dew, and sustaining as the high stars, seemed to gird me round! i did not heed the cold air, but walked out a few rods in the direction of the out-house, where lindy was confined. "yonder," i soliloquized, "perishing for a kind word, lies a poor outcast, wretched being. i will go to her, bury all thoughts of the past, and speak one kind word of encouragement." as i drew near to the "lock-up," the moon that had been sailing swift and high through the heaven, passed beneath the screen of a dark cloud. i paused in my steps and looked up to the sky. "such," i thought, "is the transit of a human soul across the vault of life; beneath clouds and shadows the serene face is often hidden, and the spirit's mellow light is often, by affliction, obscured from view." just then a sob of anguish fell upon my ear. i knew it was lindy, and moved hastily forward; but, light as was my foot-fall, it aroused the sentinel-dog, and, with a loud bark, he sprang toward me. "down, cuff! down!" said i, addressing the dog, who, as soon as he recognized me, crouched lovingly at my feet. just then the moon glided with a queenly air from behind the clouds. "so," i said, "passeth the soul, with the same diana-like sweep, from the heavy fold and curtain of human sorrow." another moan, deeper and more fearful than the first! i was close beside the door of the "lock-up," and, cowering down, with my mouth close to the crevice, i called lindy. "who's dar? who's dar? for de love of heaven somebody come to me," said lindy, in a half-frantic tone. "'tis i, lindy, don't you know my voice?" "yes, it's ann! oh, please, ann, help me outen here. i's seen such orful sights and hearn sich dreful sounds, i'd be a slave all my born days jist to git way frum here. oh, ann, i's seed a _speerit_," and then she gave such a fearful shriek, that i felt my flesh grow cold and stony as death. yet i knew it was my duty to appear calm, and try to persuade her that it was not true or real. "oh, no, lindy, you must not be frightened; only hope and trust in god, and pray to him. he will take you away from all this trouble. he loves you. he cares for you, for 'twas he who made you, your soul is precious to him. oh, try to pray." "oh, but, ann, i doesn't know how to pray. i never seed god, and i is afraid of him. he might be like master." this was fearful ignorance, and how to begin to teach her the way to believe was above my ability; yet i knew that every soul was precious to god; so i made an endeavor to do all i could in the way of instruction. "say, our father, who art in heaven," lindy. "our father, who art in heaven," she repeated in a slow, nervous manner. "hallowed be thy name." again she repeated, and so on we prayed, she following accurately after me, though the heavy door separated us. think ye not, oh, gentle reader, that this prayer was heard above? never did words come more truly from my heart; and with a low moan, they rung plaintively upon the still, moonlit air! i could tell, from the fervent tone in which lindy followed, that her whole soul was engaged. when the final amen had been said, she asked, "ann, what's to become of me?" i evaded her by saying, "how can i know what master will do?" "yes, but haven't you heard? oh, don't fool me, ann, but tell me all." for a moment i hesitated, then said: "yes, lindy, i'll deal fairly with you. i have heard that master intends selling you to-morrow to a trader, whom he went to see to-day; and, if the trader is satisfied with you to-morrow, the bargain will be closed." "oh, lord! oh, lord!" she groaned forth, "oh, is i gwine down de ribber? oh, lord, kill me right now; but don't send me to dat dreful place, down de ribber, down de ribber!" "oh, trust in the lord, and he will protect you. down the river can't be much worse than here, maybe not so bad. for my part, lindy, i would rather be sold and run the risk of getting a good master, than remain here where we are treated worse than dogs." "oh, dar isn't no sort ob hope ob my gitten any better home den dis here one; den i knows you all, and way off dar 'mong strange black folks, oh, no, i never can go; de lord hab marcy on me." this begging of the poor negroes to the lord to have mercy on them, though frequent, has no particular significance. it is more a plaint of agony than a cry for actual mercy; and, in lindy's case, it most assuredly only expressed her grief, for she had no ripe faith in the power and willingness of our father to send mercy to her. religion she believed consisted in going to church every sunday twice; consequently it was a luxury, which, like all luxuries, must be monopolized by the whites. from the very depths of my heart i prayed that the light of divine grace might shine in upon her darkened intellect. soul of faith, verily art thou soul of beauty! and though, as a special gift, faith is not withheld from the lowliest, the most ignorant, yet does its possession give to the poorest and most degraded ethiopian a divine consciousness, an inspiration, that as to what is grandest in the soul exalts him above the noblest of poets. whilst talking to lindy, i was surprised to hear the muffled sound of an approaching footstep. noiselessly i was trying to creep away, when young master said in a low voice: "is this you, ann? wait a moment. have you spoken to lindy? have you told her--" he did not finish the sentence, and i answered, "yes, i have told her that she is to be sold, and to a trader." "is she willing?" "no, sir, she has a great terror of down the river." "that is the way with them all, yet her condition, so far as treatment is concerned, may be bettered, certainly it cannot be made worse." "will you speak to her, young master, and reconcile her to her situation?" "yes, i will do all i can." "and now i will go and stay with the corpse of dear aunt polly;" here i found it impossible to restrain my tears, and, convulsed with emotion, i seated myself upon the ground with my back against the door of the lock-up. "dead? dead? aunt polly dead?" he asked in a bewildered tone. "yes, young master, i found her dead, and with every appearance of having had a severe struggle." i then told him about the leeching process, how the doctor had acted, &c. "murdered! she was most cruelly murdered!" he murmured to himself. in the excitement of conversation he had elevated his tone a good deal, and the fearful news reached the ears of lindy, and she shrieked out, "is aunt polly dead? oh, tell me, for i thinks i sees her sperit now." then such entreaties as she made to get out were agonizing to hear. "oh, if you can't let me out, don't leave me! oh, don't leave me, ann! i is so orful skeered. i do see such terrible sights, and it 'pears like when you is here talking, dem orful things don't come arter me." "you go, ann, and watch with aunt polly's body; i will stay here with this poor creature." "what, you, young master; no, no, you shall not, it will kill you. your cough will increase, and it might prove fatal. no, i will stay here." "but who will watch with aunt polly?" "i will awaken amy, and make her keep guard." "no, she is too young, lacks nerve, will be frightened; besides, you must not be found here in the morning. you would be severely punished for it. go now, good ann, and leave me here." "no, young master, i cannot leave you to what i am sure will be certain death." "that would be no misfortune to me." and i shall never forget the calm and half-glorified expression of his face, as he pronounced these words. "go, ann," he continued, "leave me to watch and pray beside this forlorn creature, and, if the angel of death spreads his wings on this midnight blast, i think i should welcome him; for life, with its broken promises and its cold humanity, sickens me--oh so much." and his beautiful head fell languidly on his breast; and again i listened to that low, husky cough. to-night it had an unusual sound, and, forgetful of the humble relation in which i stood to him, i grasped his arm firmly but lovingly, saying, "hark to that cough! now you _must_ go in." "no, i cannot. i know best; besides, since nothing less gentle will do, i needs must use authority, and command you to go." "i would that you did not exercise your authority against yourself." but he waved me off. reluctantly i obeyed him. again i entered the cabin and roused amy, who slept on a pallet or heap of straw at the foot of the bed, where the still, unbreathing form of my old friend lay. it was difficult to awake her, for she was always wearied at night, and slept with that deep soundness peculiar to healthful childhood; but, after various shakes, i contrived to make her open her eyes and speak to me. "come amy," i said, "rouse, i want you to help me." "in what way and what fur you wake me up?" she said as she sat upright on the straw, and began rubbing her eyes. "never mind, but you get up and i will tell you." when she was fairly awake, she assisted me in lifting in a large tub of water. "oh, is aunt polly any sicker?" she inquired. "amy, she is dead." "oh, lord, den i ain't gwine to hope you, bekase i's afeared ob a dead body." "it can't harm you." "yes it ken; anyhow, i is feared ob it, and i ain't gwine to hope you." "well, you need not touch her, only sit up with me whilst i wash her and dress her nicely." "well, i'll do dat much." accordingly, she crouched down in the corner and concealed her face with her hands, whilst i proceeded to wash the body thoroughly and dress it out in an old faded calico, which, in life, had constituted her finest robe. bare and undecked, but clean, appeared that tabernacle of flesh, which had once enshrined a tried but immortal spirit. when all was finished, i seated myself near the partly-opened door, and waited for the coming of day. ah, when was the morn of glad freedom to break for me? chapter xix. sympathy casteth out fear--consequence of the night's watch--troubled reflections. morn did break, bright and clear, over the face of the sleeping earth! it was a still and blessed hour. man, hushed from his rushing activity, lay reposeful in the arms of "death's counterfeit--sleep." all animated nature was quiet and calm, till, suddenly, a gush of melody broke from the clear throats of the wildwood birds and made the air vocal. another day was dawning; another day born to witness sins and cruelties the most direful. do we not often wonder why the sky can smile so blue and lovingly, when such outrages are enacted beneath it? but i must not anticipate. as soon as the sun had fairly risen i knocked at the house-door, which was opened by miss bradly, whose languid face and crumpled dress, proved that she had taken no rest during the night. bidding her a polite good-morning, i inquired if the ladies had risen? she answered that they were still asleep, and had rested well during the night. i next inquired for master's health. "oh," said she, "i think he is well, quite well again. he slept soundly. i think he only suffered from a violent and sudden mental excitement. a good night's rest, and a sedative that i administered, have restored him; but _to-day_, oh, _to-day_, how i do dread to-day." to the latter part of this speech i made no answer; for, of late, i had learned to distrust her. even if her belief was right, i could not recognize her as one heroic enough to promulgate it from the house-tops. i saw in her only a weak, servile soul, drawn down from the lofty purpose of philanthropy, seduced by the charm of "vile lucre." therefore i observed a rigid silence. feeling a little embarrassed, i began playing with the strings of my apron, for i was fearful that the expression of my face might betray what was working in my mind. "what is the matter, ann?" this recalled the tragedy that had occurred in the cabin, and i said, in a faltering tone, "death has been among us. poor aunt polly is gone." "is it possible? when did she die? poor old creature!" "she died some time before midnight. when i left the house i was surprised to find her still sleeping, so i thought perhaps she was too sluggish, and, upon attempting to arouse her, i discovered that she was dead!" "why did you not come and inform me? i would have assisted you in the last sad offices." "oh, i did not like to disturb you. i did everything very well myself." "johnny and i sat up all night; that is, i suppose he was up, though he left the room a little after midnight, and has not since returned. i should not wonder if he has been walking the better part of the night. he so loves solitude and the night-time--but then," she added, musingly "he has a bad cough, and it may be dangerous. the night was chilly, the atmosphere heavy. what if this imprudence should rapidly develop a fearful disease?" she seemed much concerned. "i will go," said she, "and search for him;" but ere these words had fairly died upon her lips, we were startled by a cough, and, looking up, we beheld the subject of our conversation within a few steps of us. oh, how wretchedly he was changed! it appeared as if the wreck of years had been accomplished in the brief space of a night. haggard and pale, with his eyes roving listlessly, dark purple lines of unusual depth surrounding them, and with his bright, gold hair, heavy with the dew, and hanging neglected around his noble head, even his clear, pearl-like complexion appeared dark and discolored. "where have you been, johnny?" asked miss bradly. "to commune with the lonely and comfort the bound; at the door of the 'lock-up,' our miniature bastile, i have spent the night." here commenced a paroxysm of coughing, so violent that he was obliged to seat himself upon the door-sill. "oh, johnny," exclaimed the terrified lady. but as he attempted to check her fears, another paroxysm, still more frightful, took place, and this time the blood gushed copiously from his mouth. miss bradly threw her arms tenderly around him, and, after a succession of rapid gushes of blood, his head fell languidly on her shoulder, like a pale, broken lily! i instantly ran to call up the ladies, when master approached from his chamber; seeing young master lying so pale, cold, and insensible in the arms of miss bradly, he concluded he was dead, and, crying out in a frantic tone, he asked, "in h--l's name, what has happened to my boy?" "he has had a violent hemorrhage," replied miss bradly, with an ill-disguised composure. the sight of the blood, which lay in puddles and clots over the steps, increased the terror of the father, and, frantically seizing his boy in his arms, he covered the still, pale face with kisses. "oh, my boy! my boy! how much you are like _her_! this is her mouth, eyes, and nose, and now you 'pears jist like she did when i seed her last. these limbs are stiff and frozen. it can't be death; no, it can't be. i haven't killed you, too--say, miss bradly, is he dead?" "no, sir, only exhausted from the violence of the paroxysm, and the copious hemorrhage, but he requires immediate medical treatment; send, promptly, for dr. mandy." master turned to me, saying, "gal, go order jake to mount the swiftest horse, and ride for life and death to dr. mandy; tell him to come instantly, my son is dying." i obeyed, and, with all possible promptitude, the message was dispatched. oh, how different when _his_ son was ill. then you could see that human life was valuable; had it been a negro, he would have waited until after breakfast before sending for a doctor. mr. peterkin bore his son into the house, placed him on the bed, and, seating himself beside him, watched with a tenderness that i did not think belonged to his harsh nature. in a very short time jake returned with dr. mandy, who, after feeling young master's pulse, sounding his chest, and applying the stethescope, said that he feared it was an incipient form of lung-fever. we had much cause for apprehension. there was a perplexed expression upon the face of the doctor, a tremulousness in his motions, which indicated that he was in great fear and doubt as to the case. he left some powders, to be administered every hour, and, after various and repeated injunctions to miss bradly, who volunteered to nurse the patient, he left the house. after taking the first powder, young master lay in a deep, unbroken sleep. as i stood by his bedside i saw how altered he was. the cheek, which, when he was walking, had seemed round and full, was now shrunk and hollow, and a fiery spot burned there like a living coal; and the dark, purple ring that encircled the eyes, and the sharp contraction of the thin nostril, were to me convincing omens of the grave. then, too, the anxious, care-written face of miss bradly tended to deepen my apprehension. how my friends were falling around me! now, just when i was beginning to live, came the fell destroyer of my happiness. happiness? oh, does it not seem a mockery for the slave to employ that word? as if he had anything to do with it! the slave, who owns nothing, ay, literally nothing. his wife and children are all his master's. his very wearing apparel becomes another's. he has no right to use it, save as he is advised by his owner. go, my kind reader, to the hotels of the south and south-west, look at the worn and dejected countenances of the slaves, and tell me if you do not read misery there. look in at the saloons of the restaurants, coffee-houses, &c., at late hours of the night; there you will see them, tired, worn and weary, with their aching heads bandaged up, sighing for a few moments' sleep. there the proud, luxurious, idle whites sip their sherbets, drink wine, and crack their everlasting jokes, but there must stand your obsequious slave, with a smile on his face, waiter in hand, ready to attend to "master's slightest wish." no matter if his tooth is aching, or his child dying, he must smile, or be flogged for gruffness. this "chattel personal," though he bear the erect form of a man, has no right to any privileges or emotions. oh, nation of the free, how long shall this be? poor, suffering africa, country of my sires, how much longer upon thy bleeding shoulders must the cross be pressed! is there no tomb where, for a short space, thou shalt lie, and then, bursting the bonds of night and death, spring up free, redeemed and regenerate? "oh, will he die?" i murmured, "he who reconciles me to my bondage, who is my only friend? another affliction i cannot bear; i've been so tried in the furnace, that i have not strength to meet another." those thoughts passed through my brain as i stood beside young master; but the entrance of mr. peterkin diverted them, and, stepping up to him, i said, "master, aunt polly is dead." "you lie!" he thundered out. "no, mr. peterkin, the old woman is really dead," said miss bradly, in a kind but mournful tone. "who killed her?" again he thundered. ay, who did kill her? could i not have answered, "thou art the man"? but i did not. silently i stood before him, never daring to trust myself with a word. "what time did she kick the bucket?" asked mr. peterkin, in one of the favorite kentucky vulgarisms, whereby the most solemn and awful debt of nature is ridiculed by the unthinking. i told him how i had found her, what i had done, &c., all of which is known to the reader. "i believe h--l is loose among the niggers. now, here's poll had to die bekase she couldn't cut any other caper. i might have made a sight o' money by her sale; and she, old fool, had to cut me outen it. wal, i'll only have to sell some of the others, fur i's bound to make up a sartin sum of money to pay to some of my creditors in l----." this speech was addressed to miss bradly, upon whom it made not half the impression that it did upon me. how i hoped i should be one, for if young master, as i began to believe, should die soon, the place would become to me more horrible than a tiger's den. any change was desirable. when the young ladies rose from their beds i went in to attend on them, and communicated the news of young master's illness and aunt polly's death. for their brother they expressed much concern, but the faithful old domestic, who had served them so long, was of no more consequence than a dog. miss jane did seem provoked to think that she "had died on their hands," as she expressed it. "if pa had sold her months ago, we might have had the money, or something valuable, but now we must go to the expense of furnishing her with a coffin." "coffin! hoity-toity! father's not going to give her a coffin, an old store-box is good enough to put her old carcass in." and thus they spoke of one of god's dead. usually persons respect those upon whom death has set his ghastly signet; but these barbarians (for such i think they must have been) spoke with an irreverence of one whose body lay still and cold, only few steps from them. to some people no thing or person is sacred. after breakfast i waited in great anxiety to hear how and when master intended to have aunt polly buried. i had gone into the little desolate cabin, which was now consecrated by the presence of the dead. there _she_ lay, cold and ashen; and the long white strip that i had thrown over her was too thin to conceal the face. it was an old muslin curtain that i had found in looking over the boxes of the deceased, and out of respect had flung it over the remains. so rigid and hard-set seemed her features in that last, deep sleep, so tightly locked were those bony fingers, so mournful looked the straightened, stiffened form, so devoid of speculation the half-closed eyes, that i turned away with a shudder, saying inwardly: "oh, death, thou art revolting!" yet when i bethought me of the peace passing human understanding into which she had gone, the safe bourne that she had attained, "where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest;" when i thought of this, death lost its horror, and the grave its gloom. oh, eternity, problem that the living can never solve. oh, death, full of victory to the christian! wast thou not, to my old and weary friend, a messenger of sweet peace; and was not the tomb a gateway to new and undreamed-of happiness? yes, so will i believe; for so believing am i made joyful. relieved thus by faith from the burden of grief, i moved gently about the room, trying to bring something like order to its ragged appearance; for jake, who had been dispatched for doctor mandy to come and see young master, had met on the way a colored preacher, to whom he announced aunt polly's death, and who had promised to come and preach a funeral sermon, and attend the burial. this was to the other negroes a great treat; they regarded a funeral as quite a gala occasion, inasmuch as we had never had such a thing upon the farm. i had my own doubts, though i did not express them, whether master would permit it. young master still slept, from the strong effects of the sleeping potion which had been administered to him. miss bradly, overcome by the night's watching, dozed in a large chair beside the bed, and an open bible, in which she had been reading, lay upon her lap. the blinds were closed, but the dim light of a small fire that blazed on the hearth gave some appearance of life to the room. every one who passed in and out, stepped on tip-toe, as if fearful of arousing the sleeper. oh, the comfort of a white skin! no darkened room, no comfortable air, marked the place where she my friend had died. no hushed dread nor whispered voice paid respect to the cabin-room where lay her dead body; but, thanks to god, in the morning of the resurrection we shall come forth alike, regardless of the distinctions of color or race, each one to render a faithful account of the deeds done in the body. mr. peterkin came to the kitchen-door, and called nace, saying: "where is that old store-box that the goods and domestics for the house was fetched home in, from l----, last fall?" "it's in de smoke-house, masser." "wal, go git it, and bury ole poll in it." "it's right dirty and greasy, master," i ventured to say. "who keres if 'tis? what right has you to speak, slut?" and he gave me a violent kick in the side with his rough brogan. "take that for yer imperdence. who tole you to put yer mouth in?" nace and dan soon produced the box, which had no top, and was dirty and greasy, as it well might be from its year's lodgment in the meat-house. "now, go dig a hole and put poll in it." as master was turning away, he was met by a neatly-dressed black man, who wore a white muslin cravat and white cotton gloves, and carried two books in his hand. he had an humble, reverent expression, and i readily recognized him as the free colored preacher of the neighborhood--a good, religious man, god-fearing and god-serving. no one knew or could say aught against him. how i did long to speak to him; to sit at his feet as a disciple, and learn from him heavenly truths. as master turned round, the preacher, with a polite air, took off his hat, saying: "your servant, master." "what do you want, nigger?" "why, master, i heard that one of your servants was dead, and i come to ask your leave to convene the friends in a short prayer-meeting, if you will please let us." "no, i be d----d if you shall, you rascally free nigger; if you don't git yourself off my place, i'll git my cowhide to you. i wants none of yer tom-foolery here." "i beg master's pardon, but i meant no harm. i generally go to see the sick, and hold prayer over the dead." "you doesn't do it here; and now take your dirty black hide away, or it will be the worse for you." without saying one word, the mortified preacher, who had meant well, turned away. i trust he did as the apostles of old were bidden by their divine master to do, "shook the dust from his feet against that house." oh, coarse and sense-bound man, you refused entertainment to an "angel, unawares." "well, i sent that prayin' rascal a flyin' quick enough;" and with this self-gratulatory remark, he entered the house. nace and jake carried the box into the cabin, preceded by me. most reverently i laid away the muslin from the face and form; and lifting the head, while nace assisted at the feet, we attempted to place the body in the box, but found it impossible, as the box was much too short. upon nace's representing this difficulty to mr. peterkin, he only replied: "wal, bury her on a board, without any more foolin' 'bout it." this harsh mandate was obeyed to the letter. with great expedition, nace and jake dug a hole in the earth, and laid a few planks at the bottom, upon which i threw an old quilt, and on that hard bed they laid her. good and faithful servant, even in death thou wast not allowed a bed! over the form i spread a covering, and the men laid a few planks, box-fashion, over that, and then began roughly throwing on the fresh earth. "dust to dust," i murmured, and, with a secret prayer, turned from her unmarked resting-place. mr. peterkin expressly ordered that it should not have a grave shape, and so it was patted and smoothed down, until, save for the moisture and fresh color of the earth, you could not have known that the ground had ever been broken. chapter xx. the trader--a terrible fright--power of prayer--grief of the helpless. about noon a gaudily-dressed and rough-looking man rode up to the gate, and alighted from a fine bay horse. with that free and easy sort of way so peculiar to a _certain class_ of mankind, he walked up the avenue to the front door. "gal," he said, addressing me, "whar's yer master?" "in the house. will you walk in?" "no, it is skersely worth while; jist tell him that me, bill tompkins, wants to see him; but stay," he added, as i was turning to seek my master, "is you the gal he sold to me yesterday?" "i don't know, sir." "wal, you is devilish likely. put out yer foot. wal, it is nice enuff to belong to a white 'ooman. you is a bright-colored mulatto. i _must_ have you." "heavens! i hope not," was my half-uttered expression, as i turned away, for i had caught the meaning of that lascivious eye, and shrank from the threatened danger. though i had been cruelly treated, yet had i been allowed to retain my person inviolate; and i would rather, a thousand-fold, have endured the brutality of mr. peterkin, than those loathsome looks which i felt betokened ruin. "master, a man, calling himself bill tompkins, wishes to see you," said i, as i entered his private apartment. "can't yer say mr. tompkins?" "he told me to tell you bill tompkins; i only repeat his words." "whar is he?" "at the front door." "didn't yer ax him in, hussy?" "yes, sir, but he refused, saying it was not worth while." "oh," thought i, when left alone, "am i sold to that monster? am i to become so utterly degraded? no, no; rather than yield my purity i will give up my life, and trust to god to pardon the suicide." in this state of mind i wandered up and down the yard, into the kitchen, into the cabin, into the room where young master lay sleeping, into the presence of the young ladies, and out again into the air; yet my curious, feverish restlessness, could not be allayed. a trader was in the house--a bold, obscene man, and into his possession i might fall! oh, happy indeed must be those who feel that he or they have the exclusive custody of their own persons; but the poor negro has nothing, not even--save in rare cases--the liberty of choosing a home. i had not dared, since daylight, to go near the "lock-up," for a fearful punishment would have been due the one whom mr. peterkin found loitering there. i was so tortured by apprehension, that my eyes burned and my head ached. i had heard master say that the unlooked-for death of aunt polly would force him to sell some of the other slaves, in order to realize a certain sum of money, and tompkins had expressed a desire for me. it was likely that he would offer a good price; then should i be lost. oh, heavenly virtue! do not desert me! let me bear up under the fiercest trials! i had wandered about, in this half-crazed manner, never daring to venture within "ear-shot" of master and mr. tompkins, fearing that the latter might, upon a second sight of me, have the fire of his wicked passions aroused, and then my fate would be sealed. i determined to hide in the cabin, to pray there, in the room that had been hallowed by the presence of god's angel of death; but there, cowering on the old brick hearth, like a hen with her brood of chickens, i found, to my surprise, amy, with little ben in her arms, and the two girls crouched close to her side, evidently feeling that her presence was sufficient to protect them. "lor', ann," said amy, her wide eyes stretched to their utmost tension, "thar is a trader talkin' wid masser; i won'er whose gwine to be sole. i hope tain't us." i didn't dare reply to her. i feared for myself, and i feared for her. kneeling down in the corner of the cabin, i besought mercy of the all-merciful; but somehow, my prayers fell back cold upon my heart. god seemed a great way off, and i could not realize the presence of angels. "oh," i cried, "for the uplifting faith that hath so often blest me! oh for the hopefulness, the trustingness of times past! why, why is the gate of heaven shut against me? why am i thus self-bound? oh, for a wider, broader and more liberal view!" but i could not pray. great god! had that last and only soul-stay been taken from me? with a black hopelessness gathering at my heart, i arose from my knees, and looked round upon those desolate orphans, shrinking terror-stricken, hiding away from the merciless pursuit of a giant; and then i bethought me of my own desolation, and i almost arraigned the justice of heaven. most wise father! pardon me! thou, who wast tempted by satan, and to whom the cup of mortality was bitter, pity me and forgive! turning away from the presence of those pleading children i entered the kitchen, and there were jake and dan, terror written on their strong, hard faces; for, no matter how hard is the negro's present master, he always regards a change of owners as entailing new dangers; and no wonder that, from education and experience, he is thus suspicious, for so many troubles have come and do come upon him, that he cannot imagine a change whereby he is to be benefited. "has you hearn anything, ann?" asked dan, with his great flabby lips hanging loosely open, and his eyes considerably distended. "nothing." "who's gwine to be sole?" asked jake. "i don't know?" "hope tisn't me." "and hope tisn't me," burst from the lips of both of them, and to this my heart gave a fervent though silent echo. "he is de one dat's bought lindy," said old nace, who now entered, "and masser's gwine to sell some de rest ob yer." "why do yer say de rest ob yer? why mayn't it be you?" asked dan. "bekase he ain't gwine to sell me, ha! ha! i sarved him too long fur dat." ginsy and sally came rushing in, frightened, like all the rest, exclaiming, "oh, we's in danger; a nigger-trader is talkin' wid master." we had no time for prolonged speculation, for the voice of mr. peterkin was heard in the entry, and, throwing open the door, he entered, followed by tompkins. "here's the gang, and a devilish good-lookin' set they is." "yes, but let me fust see the one i have bought." "here, nace," said master, "take this key, and tell lindy to dress herself and come here." the last part of this sentence was said in an under-tone. in terror i fled from the kitchen. scarcely knowing what i did, i rushed into the young ladies' room, into which nace had conducted lindy, upon whom they were placing some of their old finery. a half-worn calico dress, gingham apron and white collar, completed the costume. i never shall forget the expression of lindy's face, as she looked vacantly around her, hunting for sympathy, yet finding none, from the cold, haughty faces that gazed upon her. "now go," said miss jane, "and try to behave yourself in your new home." "good-bye, miss jane," said the humbled, weeping negro. "good-bye," was coldly answered; but no hand was extended to her. "good-bye, miss tildy." miss tildy, who was standing at the glass arranging her hair, never turned round to look upon the poor wretch, but carelessly said, "good-bye." she looked toward me; her lip was quivering and tears were rolling down her cheeks. i turned my head away, and she walked off with the farewell unspoken. quickly i heard jake calling for me. then i knew that my worst fears were on the point of realization. with a timid, hesitating step, i walked to the kitchen. there, ranged in single file, stood the servants, with anxious faces, where a variety of contending feelings were written. i nerved myself for what i knew was to follow, and stepping firmly up, joined the phalanx. "that's the one," said tompkins, as he eyed me with that _same_ look. there he stood, twirling a heavy bunch of seals which depended from a large, curiously-wrought chain. he looked more like a fiend than a _man_. "this here one is your'n," said mr. peterkin, pointing to lindy; "and, gal, that gentleman is yer master." lindy dropped a courtesy to him, and tried to wipe away her tears; for experience had taught her that the only safe course was to stifle emotions. "here, gal, open yer mouth," tompkins said to lindy. she obeyed. "now let me feel yer arms." he then examined her feet, ankles, legs, passed his hands over various parts of her body, made her walk and move her limbs in different ways, and then, seemingly satisfied with the bargain, said, "wal, that trade is closed." looking toward me, his dissolute eyes began to glare furiously. again my soul quailed; but i tried to govern myself, and threw upon him a glance as cold as ice itself. "what will you take for this yallow gal?" he said, as he laid his hand upon my shoulder. i shrank beneath his touch; yet resistance would only have made the case worse, and i was compelled to submit. "i ain't much anxious to sell her; she is my darter jane's waitin' 'ooman, and, you see, my darters are putty much stuck up. they thinks they must have a waitin'-maid; but, if you offer a far price, maybe we will close in." "wal, as she is a fancy article, i'll jist say take twelve hundred dollars, and that's more an' she's actilly worth; but i wants her fur my _own use_; a sorter private gal like, you knows," and he gave a lascivious blink, which mr. peterkin seemed to understand. i felt a deep crimson suffuse my face. oh, god! this was the heaviest of all afflictions. _sold!_ and for _such a purpose_! "i reckon the bargain is closed, then," said mr. peterkin. i felt despair coiling around my heart. yet i knew that to make an appeal to their humanity would be worse than idle. "who, which of them have you sold, father?" asked miss jane, who entered the kitchen, doubtless for the humane object of witnessing the distress of the poor creatures. "wal, lindy's sold, and we are 'bout closing the bargain for ann." "why, ann belongs to me." "yes, but tompkins offers twelve hundred dollars; and six hundred of it you shill have to git new furniture." "she shan't go for six thousand. i want an accomplished maid when i go up to the city, and she just suits me. remember i have your deed of gift." this relieved me greatly, for i understood her determination; and, though i knew all sorts of severity would be exercised over me in my present home, i felt assured that my honor would remain unstained. the trader tried to persuade and coax miss jane; but she remained impervious to all of his importunities. "wal, then," he said, after finding she would yield to no argument, "haven't you none others you can let me have? i am 'bliged to fill up my lot." "wal, since my darter won't trade nohow, i must try and let you have some of the others, though i don't care much 'bout sellin'." mr. peterkin was what was called tight on a trade; now, though he was anxious enough to sell, he affected to be perfectly indifferent. this was what would be termed an excellent ruse de guerre. "if you want children, i think we can supply you," said miss jane, and, looking round, she asked, "where are amy and her sisters?" my heart sank within me, and, though i knew full well where they were, i would not speak. little jim, the son of ginsy, cried out, "yes, i know where dey is. i seed em in dar." "well, run you young rascal, and tell 'em to come here in a minnit," said mr. peterkin; and away the boy scampered. in a few moments he returned, followed by amy, who was bearing ben in her arms; and, holding on to her skirts, were the two girls, terror limned on their dark, shining faces. "step up here to this gentleman, amy, and say how would you like him for a master?" said mr. peterkin. "please, sir," replied amy, "i don't kere whar i goes, so i takes these chillen wid me." "i do not want amy to be sold. sell the children, father; but let us keep amy for a house-girl." cold and unfeeling looked the lady as she pronounced these words; but could you have seen the expression of amy's face! there is no human language, no painter's power, to show forth the eye of frantic madness with which the girl glared around on all. clutching little ben tightly, savagely to her bosom, she said no word, and all seemed struck by the extreme wildness of her manner. "let's look at that boy," said the trader, as he attempted to unfasten amy's arms but were locked round her treasure. "dont'ee, dont'ee," shrieked the child. "yes, but he will," said mr. peterkin, as, with a giant's force, he broke asunder the slight arms, "you imperdent hussy, arn't you my property? mine to do what i pleases with; and do you dar' to oppose me?" the girl said nothing; but the wild expression began to grow wilder, fiercer, and more frightful. little ben, who was not accustomed to any kind of notice, and felt at home nowhere except in amy's arms, set up a furious scream; but this the trader did not mind, and proceeded to examine the limbs. "something is the matter with this boy, he's got hip-disease; i knows from his teeth he is older than you says." "yes," said amy seizing the idea, "he is weakly, he won't do no good widout me; buy me too, please, masser," and she crouched down at the trader's feet, with her hands thrown up in an air of touching supplication; but she had gone to the wrong tribunal for mercy. who can hope to find so fair a flower blooming amid the dreary brambles of a negro-trader's breast? tompkins took no other notice of her than to give her a contemptuous kick, as much as to say, "thing, get out of my way." turning to mr. peterkin he said, "this boy is not sound. i won't have him at any price," and he handed him back to amy, who exclaimed, in a thrilling tone, "thank god! bless you, masser!" and she clasped the shy little ben warmly to her breast. ben, whose intellect seemed clouded, looked wonderingly around on the group; then, as if slowly realizing that he had escaped a mighty trouble, clung closer to amy. "look here, nigger-wench, does you think to spile the sale of property in that ar' way? wal, i'll let you see i'll have things my way. no nigger that ever was born, shall dictate to me." "no, father, i'd punish her well, even if i had to give ben away; he is no account here, merely an expense; and do sell those other two girls, amy's sisters." mr. peterkin then called up lucy and janey. i have mentioned these two but rarely in the progress of this book, and for the reason that their little lives were not much interwoven with the thread of mine. i saw them often, but observed nothing particular about them. they were quiet, taciturn, and what is usually called stupid children. they, like little ben, never ventured far away from amy's protecting wing. now, with a shy step and furtive glance toward the trader, they obeyed their master's summons. poor amy, with ben clasped to her heart, strained her body forward, and looked with stretched eyes and suspended breath toward tompkins, who was examining them. "wal, i'll give you three hundred and fifty a-piece for 'em. now, come, that's the highest i'll give, peterkin, and you mustn't try to git any more out of me. you are a hard customer; but i am in a hurry, so i makes my largest offer right away: i ain't got the time to waste. that's more 'an anybody else would give for 'em; but i sees that they has good fingers fur to pick cotton, therefore i gives a big price." "it's a bargain, then. they is yourn;" and no doubt mr. peterkin thought he had a good bargain, or he never would have chewed his tobacco in that peculiarly self-satisfied manner. "stand aside, then," said the trader, pushing his new purchases, as if they were a bundle of dry goods. running up to amy, they began to hold to her skirts and tremble violently, scarcely knowing what the words of tompkins implied. "dey ain't sold?" asked amy, turning first from one to the other; yet no one answered. mr. peterkin and tompkins were too busy with their trade, and the negroes too much absorbed in their own fate, to attend to her. for my part i had not strength to confirm her half-formed doubt. there she stood, gathering them to her side with a motherly love. "what will you give fur this one?" and mr. peterkin pointed to ginsy, who stood with an humble countenance. when called up she made a low courtesy, and went through the examination. name and age were given; a fair price was offered for her and her child, and was accepted. "take this boy for a hundred dollars," said mr. peterkin, as he jerked ben from the arms of the half-petrified amy. "wal, he isn't much 'count; but, rather then seem contrary, i'll give that fur him." and thus the trade was closed. human beings were disposed of with as little feeling as if they had been wild animals. "i'm sorry you won't, young miss, let me have that maid of yourn; but i'll be 'long next fall, and, fur a good price, i 'spect you'll be willin' to trade. i wants that yallow wench," and he clicked his fingers at me. "say, peterkin, ken you lend me a wagen to take 'em over to my pen?" "oh, yes; and nace can drive 'em over." conscious of having got a good price, mr. peterkin was in a capital humor. "come, go with me, peterkin, and we'll draw up the papers, and i'll pay you your money." this was an agreeable sound to master. he ordered nace to bring out the wagon, and the order was hardly given before it was obeyed. dismal looked that red wagon, the same which years before had carried me away from the insensible form of my broken-hearted mother. it appeared more dark and dreary, to me, than a coffin or hearse. "say, peterkin, don't let 'em take many close; jist a change. it tires 'em too much if they have big bundles to carry." "they shan't be troubled with that." "now, niggers, git your bundles and come 'long," said master. "oh," cried lindy, "can i git to see young master before i start? i wants to thank him for de comfort he gib me last night," and she wiped the tears from her eyes, and was starting toward the door of the house, when miss jane intercepted her. "no, you runaway hussy, you shan't go in to disturb him, and have a scene here." "please, miss jane, i only wants to say good-bye." "you shan't do it." mournfully, and with the tears streaming far down her cheeks, she turned to me, saying, "please, you, ann, tell him good-bye fur me, and good-bye to you. i hope you will forgive me for all de harm i has done to you." i took her hand, but could not speak a word. silently i pressed it. "whar's your close, gal?" asked tompkins. "i'm gwine to git 'em." "well, be in a hurry 'bout it." she went off to gather up a few articles, scarcely sufficient to cover her; for we were barely allowed a change of clothing, and that not very decent. ginsy, leading her child with one hand, while she held in the other a small bundle, walked up to miss jane, and dropping a low courtesy, said, "farewell, miss jane; can i see miss tildy and young master?" "no, john is sick, and tildy can't be troubled just now." "yes, ma'm; please tell 'em good-bye fur me; and i hopes young masser will soon be well agin. i'd like to see him afore i went, but i don't want to 'sturb him." "well, that will do, go on now." "tell young masser good-bye," ginsy said, addressing her child. "good-bye," repeated miss jane very carelessly, scarcely looking toward them, and they moved away, and shaking hands with the servants, they marched on to the wagon. all this time amy had remained like one transfixed; little ben held one of her hands, whilst janey and luce grasped her skirts firmly. these children had no clothes, for, as they performed no regular labor, they were not allowed a change of apparel. on a saturday night, whilst they slept, amy washed out the articles which they had worn during the week; and now, poor things, they had no bundles to be made up. "come 'long wid yer, young ones," and tompkins took ben by the hand; but he stoutly refused to go, crying out: "go 'way, and let me 'lone." "come on, i'll give you a lump of sugar." "i won't, i won't." all of them held tightly to amy, whose vacant face was so stony in its deep despair, that it struck terror to my soul. "no more fuss," said mr. peterkin, and he raised his large whip to strike the screaming ben a blow; but that motherly instinct that had taught amy to protect them thus long, was not now dead, and upon her outstretched arm the blow descended. a great, fearful gash was made, from which the fresh blood streamed rapidly; but she minded it not. what, to that lightning-burnt soul, were the wounds of the body? nothing, aye nothing! "oh, don't mark 'em, peterkin, it will spile the sale," said tompkins. "come 'long now, niggers, i has no more time to wait;" and, with a strong wrench, he broke ben's arms loose from amy's form, and, holding him firmly, despite his piteous cries, he ordered jake to bring the other two also. this order was executed, and quickly luce and janey were in the grasp of jake, and borne shrieking to the cart, in which all three of them were bound and laid. speechless, stony, petrified, stood amy. at length, as if gifted with a supernatural energy, she leaped forward, as the cart drove off, and fell across the path, almost under the feet of the advancing horses. but not yet for thee, poor suffering child, will come the angel of death! it has been decreed that you shall endure and wait a while longer. by an adroit check upon the rein, nace stopped the wagon suddenly, and jake, who was standing near by, lifted amy up. "take her to the house, and see that she does herself no harm," said mr. peterkin. "yes, masser, i will," was the reply of the obsequious jake. and so the cart drove on. i shall never forget the sight! those poor, down-cast creatures, tied hand and foot, were conveyed they knew not whither. the shrieks and screams of those children ring now in my ears. oh, doleful, most doleful! why came there no swift execution of that divine threat, "whoso causeth harm to one of these little ones, it were better for him that a mill-stone were hung about his neck and that he were drowned in the sea." chapter xxi. touching farewell full of pathos--the parting--my grief. the half insensible form of amy was borne by jake into the cabin, and laid upon the cot which had been aunt polly's. he then closed and secured the door after him. where, all this time, was miss bradly? she, in her terror, had buried her head upon the bed, on which young master still slept. she tried to drown the sound of those frantic cries that reached her, despite the closed door and barred shutter. oh, did they not reach the ear of almighty love? "well, i am glad," exclaimed miss tildy, "that it is all over. somehow, jane, i did not like the sound of those young children's cries. might it not have been well to let amy go too?" "no, of course not. now that lindy has been sold, we need a house-girl, and amy may be made a very good one; besides, she enraged me so by attempting to spoil the sale of ben." "did she do that? oh, well, i have no pity for her." "it would be something very new, till, for you to pity a nigger." "so it would--yet i was weak enough to feel badly when i heard the children scream." "oh, you are only nervous." "i believe i am, and think i will take some medicine." "take medicine," to stifle human pity! "what rhubarb, senna, or what purgative drug would scour" the slaveholder's nature of harshness and brutality? could this be found, "i would applaud to the very echo, that should applaud again;" but, alas! there is no remedy for it. education has taught many of them to guard their "beloved institution" with a sort of patriotic fervor and religious zeal. when master returned that evening, he was elated to a wonderful degree. tompkins had paid him a large sum in ready cash, and this put him in a good humor with himself and everybody else. he almost felt kindly toward the negroes. but i looked upon him with more than my usual horror. that great, bloated face, blazing now with joy and the effect of strong drink, was revolting to me. every expression of delight from his lips brought to my mind the horrid troubles he had caused by the simple exercise of his tyrannic will upon helpless women and children. the humble appearance of ginsy, the touching innocence of her child, the unnoticed silent grief of lindy, the fearful, heart-rending distraction of amy, the agony of her helpless sisters and brother, all rose to my mind when i heard mr. peterkin's mirthful laugh ringing through the house. late in the evening young master roused up. the effect of the somnolent draught had died out, and he woke in full possession of his faculties. miss bradly and i were with him when he woke. raising himself quickly in the bed, he asked, "what hour is it?" "about half-past six," said miss bradly. "so late? then am i afraid that all is over! where is lindy?" "try and rest a little more; then we can talk!" "no, i must know _now_." "wait a while longer." "tell me instantly," he said with a nervous impatience very unusual to him. "drink this, and i will then talk to you," said miss bradly, as she held a cordial to his lips. obediently he swallowed it, and, as he returned the glass, he asked, "how has this wretched matter terminated? what has become of that unfortunate girl?" "she has been sold." "to the trader?" "yes, but don't talk about it; perhaps she is better off than we think." "is it wise for us thus to silence our sympathies?" "yes, it is, when we are powerless to act." "but have we not, each of us, an influence?" "yes, but in such a dubious way, that in cases like the present, we had better not openly manifest it." "offensive we should never be; but surely we ought to assume a defensive position." "yes, but you must not excite yourself." "don't think of me. already i fear i am too self-indulged. too much time i have wasted in inaction." "what could you have done? and now what can you do?" "that is the very question that agitates me. oh, that i knew my mission, and had the power to fulfil it!" "who of the others are sold?" he asked, turning to me. "amy's sisters and brother," and i could not avoid tears. "amy, too?" "no, sir." "oh, god, this is too bad! and is she not half-distracted?" i made no reply, for an admonitory look from miss bradly warned me to be careful as to what i said. "where is father?" "in his chamber." "ann, go tell him i wish to speak with him." before obeying i looked toward miss bradly, and, finding nothing adverse in her expression, i went to do as he bade. "is he any worse?" master asked, when i had delivered the message. "no, sir; he does not appear to be worse, yet i think he is very feeble." "what right has you to think anything 'bout it?" he said, as he took from the mantle a large, black bottle and drank from it. i made no reply, but followed him into young master's room, and pretended to busy myself about some trifling matter. "what is it you want, johnny?" "father, you have done a wicked thing!" "what do you mean, boy?" "you have sold amy's sisters and brothers away from her." "and what's wicked in selling a nigger?" "hasn't a negro human feeling?" "why, they don't feel like white people; of course not." "that must be proved, father." "oh, now, my boy, 'taint no use for yer to be wastin' of yer good feelin's on them miserable, ongrateful niggers." "they are not ungrateful; miserable they are, for they have had much misery imposed upon them." "oh, 'taint no use of talking 'bout it, child, go to sleep." "yes, father, i shall soon sleep soundly enough, in our graveyard." mr. peterkin moved nervously in his chair, and young master continued, "i do not wish to live longer. i can do no good here, and the sight of so much misery only makes me more wretched. father, draw close to me, i have lost a great deal of blood. my chest and throat are very sore. i feel that the tide of life ebbs low. i am going fast. my little hour upon earth is almost spent. ere long, the great mystery of existence will be known to me. a cold shadow, with death-dews on its form, hovers round me. i know, by many signs unknown to others, that death is now upon me. this difficult and labored speech, this failing breath and filmy eye, these heavy night-sweats--all tell me that the golden bowl is about to be broken: the silver cord is tightened to its utmost tension. i am young, father; i have forborne to speak to you upon a subject that has lain near, near, very near my heart." a violent paroxysm of coughing here interrupted him. instantly miss bradly was beside him with a cordial, which he drank mechanically. "there," he continued, as he poised himself upon his elbow, "there, good miss emily, cordials are of no avail. i do not wish to stay. father, do you not want me to rest quietly in my grave?" "i don't want you to go to the grave at all, my boy, my boy," and mr. peterkin burst into tears. "yes, but, father, i am going there fast, and no human power can stay me. i shall be happy and resigned, if i can elicit from you one promise." "what promise is that?" "liberate your slaves." "never!" "look at me, father." "good god!" cried mr. peterkin, as his eye met the calm, clear, fixed gaze of his son, "where did you get that look? heaven and h--l! it will kill me;" and, rushing from the room, he sought his own apartment, where he drank long and deeply from the black bottle that graced his mantel-shelf. this was his drop of comfort. always after lashing a negro, he drank plentifully, as if to drown his conscience. alas! many another man has sought relief from memory by such libations! yet these are the voters, the noblesse, the lords so superior to the lowly african. these are the men who vote for a perpetuation of our captivity. can we hope for a mitigation of our wrongs when such men are our sovereigns? cool, clear-visioned men are few, noble philanthropic ones are fewer. what then have we to hope for? our interests are at war with old established usages. the prejudices of society are against us. the pride of the many is adverse to us. all this we have to fight against; and strong must be the moral force that can overcome it. mr. peterkin did not venture in young master's room for several hours after; and not without having been sent for repeatedly. meanwhile i sought amy, and found her lying on the floor of the cabin, with her face downwards. she did not move when i entered, nor did she answer me when i spoke. i lifted her up, but the hard, stony expression of her face, frightened me. "amy, i will be your friend." "i don't want any friend." "yes you do, you like me." "no i don't, i doesn't like anybody." "amy, god loves you." "i doesn't love him." "don't talk that way, child." "well, you go off, and let me 'lone." "i wish to comfort you." "i doesn't want no comfort." "come," said i, "talk freely to me. it will do you good." "i tells you i doesn't want no good for to happen to me. i'd rather be like i is." "amy," and it was with reluctance i ventured to allude to a subject so painful; but i deemed it necessary to excite her painfully rather than leave her in that granite-like despair, "you may yet have your sisters and little brother restored to you." "how? how? and when?" she screamed with joy, and started up, her wild eyes beaming with exultation. "don't be so wild," i said, softly, as i took her little, hard hand, and pressed it tenderly. "but, say, ann, ken i iver git de chilen back? has masser said anything 'bout it? oh, it 'pears like too much joy fur me to iver know any more. poor little ben, it 'pears like i kan't do nothin' but hear him cry. and maybe dey is a beatin' of him now. oh, lor' a marcy! what shill i do?" and she rocked her body back and forward in a transport of grief. there are some sorrows for which human sympathy is unavailing. what to that broken heart were words of condolence? did she care to know that others felt for her? that another heart wept for her grief? no, like rachel of old, she would not be comforted. "oh, ann!" she added, "please leave me by myself. it 'pears like i kan't get my breath when anybody is by me. i wants to be by myself. jist let me 'lone for a little while, then i'll talk to you." i understood the feeling, and complied with her request. the slave is so distrustful of sympathy, he is so accustomed to deception, that he feels secure in the indulgence of his grief only when he is alone. the petted white, who has friends to cluster round him in the hour of affliction, cannot understand the loneliness and solitude which the slave covets as a boon. for several days young master lingered on, declining visibly. the hectic flush deepened upon his cheek, and the glitter of his eye grew fearfully bright, and there was that sharp contraction of his features that denoted the certain approach of death. his cough became low and even harder, and those dreadful night-sweats increased. he lay in a stupid state, half insensible from the effects of sedatives. dr. mandy, who visited him three times a day, did not conceal from mr. peterkin the fact of his son's near dissolution. "save his life, doctor, and you shall have all i own." "if my art could do it, sir, i would, without fee, exert myself for his restoration." yet for a poor old negro his art could do nothing unfeed. do ye wonder that we are goaded on to acts of desperation, when every day, nay, every moment, brings to our eyes some injustice that is done us--and all because our faces are dark? "mislike us not for our complexion, the shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun, to whom we are as neighbors, and near bred; bring us the fairest creature northward born, where phoebus' fire scarce thaws the icicles, and let us make incision for your love to prove whose blood is reddest, his or ours." during young master's illness i had but little communication with amy. by miss jane's order she had been brought into the house to assist in the dining-room. i gave her all the instruction in my power. she appeared to listen to me, and learned well; yet everything was done with that vacant, unmeaning manner, that showed she felt no interest in what she was doing. i had never heard her allude to "the children" since the conversation just recorded. indeed, she appeared to eschew all talk. at night i had attempted to draw her into conversation, but she always silenced me by saying, "i'm tired, ann, and wants to sleep." this was singular in one so young, who had been reared in such a reckless manner. i should have been better satisfied if she had talked more freely of her sorrows; that stony, silent agony that seemed frozen upon her face, terrified me more than the most volcanic grief; that sorrow is deeply-rooted and hopeless, that denies itself the relief of speech. heaven help the soul thus cut off from the usual sources of comfort. oh, young miss, spoiled daughter of wealth, you whose earliest breath opened to the splendors of home in its most luxurious form; you who have early and long known the watchful blessing of maternal love, and whose soft cheek has flushed to the praises of a proud and happy father, whose lip has thrilled beneath the pressure of a brother's kiss; you who have slept upon the sunny slope of life, have strayed 'mid the flowers, and reposed beneath the myrtles, and beside the fountains, where fairy fingers have garlanded flowers for your brow, oh, bethink you of some poor little negro girl, whom you often meet in your daily walks, whose sad face and dejected air you have often condemned as sullen, and i ask you now, in the name of sweet humanity, to judge her kindly. look, with a pitying eye, upon that face which trouble has soured and abuse contracted. repress the harsh word; give her kindness; 'tis this that she longs for. be you the giver of the cup of cold water in his name. chapter xxii. a conversation--hope blossoms out, but charlestown is full of excitability. one evening, during young master's illness, when he was able to sit up beside the fire, dr. mandy came to see him, and, as i sat in his room, sewing on some fancy work for miss jane, i heard the conversation that passed between them. "have you coughed much?" the doctor asked. "a great deal last night." "do the night-sweats continue?" "yes, sir, and are violent." "let me feel your pulse. here--it is very quick--face is flushed--high fever." "yes, doctor, i am sinking fast." "oh, keep up your spirits. i have been thinking that the best thing for you would be to take a trip to havana. this climate is too variable for your complaint." young master shook his head mournfully. "the change of scene," the doctor went on, "would be of service to you. a healthful excitement of the imagination, and a different train of thought, would, undoubtedly, benefit you." "what in the south could induce a different train of thought? oh, doctor, the horrid system, that there flourishes with such rank power, would only deepen my train of thought, and make me more wretched than i am; i would not go near new orleans, or pass those dreadful plantations, even to secure the precious boon of health." "you will not see anything of the kind. you will only see life at hotels; and there the slaves are all happy and well used. besides, my good boy, the negroes on the plantations are much better used than you think; and i assure you they are very happy. if you could overhear them laughing and singing of an evening, you would be convinced that they are well cared for." "ah, disguise thee as thou wilt, yet, slavery, thou art horrid and revolting." "you are morbid on the subject." "no, only humane; but have i not seen enough to make me morbid?" "these are subjects upon which i deem it best to say nothing." "that is the invariable argument of self-interest." "no, of prudence, mr. john; i have no right to quarrel with and rail out against an institution that has the sanction of the law, and which is acceptable to the interests of my best friends and patrons." "exactly so; the whole matter, so vital to the happiness of others, so fraught with great humanitarian interests, must be quietly laid on the shelf, because it may lose you or me a few hundred dollars." "not precisely that either; but, granting, for the sake of hypothesis only, that slavery is a wrong, what good would all my arguments do? none, but rather an injury to the very cause they sought to benefit. you must not exasperate the slave-holders. leave them to time and their own reflections. i believe many of the western states--yes, kentucky herself--would at this moment be free from slavery, if it had not been for the officious interference of the north. the people of the west and south are hot, fiery and impetuous. they may be persuaded and coaxed into a measure, but never driven. all this talk and gasconade of abolitionists have but the tighter bound the negroes." "i am sorry to hear you thus express yourself, for you give me a more contemptible opinion of the southern and western men, or rather the slave-holding class, than i had before. and so they are but children, who must be coaxed, begged, and be-sugar-plumed into doing a simple act of justice. have they not the manhood to come out boldly, and say this thing is wrong, and that they will no longer countenance it in their midst; that they will, for the sake of justice and sympathy with humanity, liberate these creatures, whom they have held in an unjust and wicked bondage? were they to act thus, then might they claim for themselves the title of chevaliers." "yes; but they take a different view of the subject; they look upon slavery as just and right--a dispensation of providence, and feel that they are as much entitled to their slaves as another man is to his house, carriage, or horse." "oh, how they shut their hearts against the voice of misery, and close their eyes to the rueful sigh of human grief. i never heard a pro-slavery man who could, upon any reasonable ground, defend his position. the slavery argument is not only a wicked, but an absurd one. how wise men can be deluded by it i am at a loss to understand. infatuated they must be, else they could not uphold a system as tyrannous as it is base." "well, we will say no more upon this subject," said the doctor, as mr. peterkin entered. "what's the matter?" the latter inquired, as he listlessly threw himself into a chair. "nothing, only mr. john is not all right on the 'goose,'" replied dr. mandy, with a facetious smile. "and not likely to be," said mr. peterkin; "johnny has given me a great deal of trouble 'bout this matter; but i hope he will outgrow it. 'tis only a foolish notion. he was 'lowed to gad 'bout too much with them ar' devilish niggers, an' so 'bibed their quare ideas agin slavery. now, in my 'pinion, my niggers is a darned sight better off than many of them poor whites at the north." "but are they as free?" asked young master. "no, to be sure they is not," and here mr. peterkin ejected from his mouth an amount of tobacco-juice that nearly extinguished the fire. "woe be unto the man who takes from a fellow-being the priceless right of personal liberty!" exclaimed young master, with his fine eyes fervently raised. "yes, but everybody don't desarve liberty. niggers ain't fit for to govern 'emselves nohow. they has bin too long 'customed to havin' masters. them that's went to libery has bin of no 'count to 'emselves nor nobody else. i tell yer, niggers was made to be slaves, and yer kan't change their creator's design. why, you see, doctor, a nigger's mind is never half as good as a white man's;" and mr. peterkin conceived this speech to be the very best extract of lore and sapience. "why is not the african mind equal to the caucasian?" inquired young master, with that pointed naivete for which he was so remarkable. "oh, it tain't no use, johnny, fur you to be talkin' that ar' way. it's all fine enoff in newspapers, but it won't do to bring it into practice, 'specially out here in the west." "no, father, i begin to fear that it is of no avail to talk common sense and preach humanity in a community like this." "don't talk any more on this subject," said the doctor; "i am afraid it does mr. john no particular good to be so painfully excited. i was going to propose to you, mr. peterkin, to send him south, either on a little coasting trip, or to havana _via_ new orleans. i think this climate is too rigorous and uncertain for one of his frail constitution to remain in it during the winter." "well, doctor, i am perfectly willin' fur him to go, if i had anybody to go with him; but you see it wouldn't be safe to trust him by himself. now an idee has jist struck me, which, if you'll agree to, will 'zackly suit me. 'tis for you to go 'long; then he'd have a doctor to rinder him any sarvice he might need. now doct. if you'll go, i'll foot the bill, and pay you a good bonus in the bargain." "well, it will be a great professional sacrifice; but i'm willing to make it for a friend like you, and for a patient in whose recovery or improvement i feel so deeply interested." "make no sacrifices for me, dear doctor; my poor wreck of life is not worth a sacrifice; i can weather it out a little longer in this region. it requires a stronger air than that of the tropics to restore strength to my poor decayed lungs." "yes, but you must not despond," said the doctor. "no, my boy, you musn't give up. you are too young to die. you are my only son, and i can't spare you." again mr. peterkin turned uneasily in his chair. "but tell me, doctor," he added, "don't you think he is growin' stronger?" "why, yes i do; and if he will consent to go south, i shall have strong hope of him." "he must consent," exclaimed mr. peterkin, with a decided emphasis. "you know my objection, doctor, yet i cannot oppose my wish against father's judgment; so i will go, but 'twill be without the least expectation of ever again seeing home." "oh, don't, don't, my boy," and mr. peterkin's voice faltered, and his eyes were very moist. "idols of clay!" i thought, "how frail ye are; albeit ye are manufactured out of humanity's finest porcelain, yet a rude touch, a slight jar, and the beautiful fabric is destroyed forever!" mr. peterkin's treasure, his only son, was wasting slowly, inch by inch, before his eyes--dying with slow and silent certainty. the virus was in his blood, and no human aid could check its strides. the father looked on in speechless dread. he saw the insidious marks of the incurable malady. he read its ravages upon the broad white brow of his son, where the pulsing veins lay like tightly-drawn cords; and on the hueless lip, that was shrivelled like an autumn leaf; in the dilated pupil of that prophet-like eye; in the fiery spot that blazed upon each hollow cheek; and in the short, disturbed breathing that seemed to come from a brazen tube; in all these he traced the omens of that stealthy disease that robs us, like a thief in the night-time, of our richest treasures. "well, my boy," began mr. peterkin, "you must prepare to start in the course of a few days." "i am ready to leave at any moment, father; and, if we do not start very soon, i am thinking you will have to consign me to the earth, rather than send me on a voyage pleasure-hunting." a bright smile, though mournful as twilight's shadows, flitted over the pale face of young master as he said this. "why, johnny, you are better this evening," said miss bradly, as she entered the room, rushed up to him, and began patting him affectionately on either cheek. "yes, i am better, good miss emily; but still feeble, oh so feeble! my spirits are better, but the restless fire that burns eternally here will give me no rest," and he placed his hand over his breast. "yes, but you must quench that fire." "where is the draught clear and pure enough to quench a flame so consuming?" "the dew of divine grace can do it." "yes, but it descends not upon my dried and burnt spirit." mr. peterkin turned off, and affected to take no note of this little colloquy, whilst doctor mandy began to chew furiously. the fact is, the peterkin family had begun to distrust miss bradly's principles ever since the day young master administered such a reproof to her muffled conscience; and in truth, i believe she had half-declared her opposition to the slave system; and they began to abate the fervor of their friendship for her. the young ladies, indeed, kept up their friendly intercourse with her, though with a modification of their former warmth. i fancied that miss bradly looked happier, now that she had cast off disguise and stood forth in her true character. that cloud of faltering distrust that once hung round her like a filmy web, had been dissipated and she stood out, in full relief, with the beautiful robe of truth draping and dignifying her nature. woman, when once she interests herself in the great cause of humanity, goes to work with an ability and ardor that put to shame the colder and slower action of man. the heart and mind co-work, and thus a woman, as if by the dictate of inspiration, will achieve with a single effort the mighty deed, for the attainment of which men spend years in idle planning. women have done much, and may yet achieve more toward the emancipation and enfranchisement of the world. the historic pages glitter with the noble acts of heroic womanhood, and histories yet unwritten will, i believe, proclaim the good which they shall yet do. who but the maid of orleans rescued her country? whose hand but woman's dealt the merited death-blow to one of france's bloodiest tyrants? in all times, she has been most loyal to the highest good. woman has ever been brave! she was the instrument of our redemption, and the early watcher at the tomb of our lord. to her heart the saviour's doctrine came with a special welcome message. and i now believe that through her agency will yet come the political ransom of the slaves! god grant it, and speed on the blessed day! i now looked upon miss bradly with the admiring interest with which i used to regard her; and though i had never had from her an explanation of the change or changes through which she had passed since that memorable conversation recorded in the earlier pages of this book, i felt assured from the fact that young master had learned to love her, that all was right at the core of her heart; and i was willing to forgive her for the timidity and vacillation that had caused her to play the dissembler. the memorable example of the loving but weak apostle peter should teach us to look leniently upon all those who cannot pass safely through the ordeal of human contempt, without having their principles, or at least actions, a little warped. of course there are higher natures, from whose fortitude the rack and the stake can provoke nothing but smiles; but neither good st. peter nor miss bradly were of such material. "i am going to leave you very soon, miss emily." "and where are you going, john?" "they will send me to the south. as the poor slaves say, i'm going down the river;" and a sweet smile flitted over that gentle face. "who will accompany you?" "father wishes doctor mandy to go; but i fear it will be too great a professional sacrifice." "oh, some one must go with you. you shall not go alone." "i do not wish to go at all. i shall see nothing in the south to please me. those magnificent plantations of rice, sugar, and cotton, those lordly palaces, embowered in orange trees, those queenly magnolia groves, and all the thousand splendors that cover the coast with loveliness, will but recall to my mind the melancholy fact that slave-labor produces the whole. i shall fancy that some poor heart-broken negro man, or some hopeless mother or lonely wife watered those fields with tears. oh, that the dropping of those sad eyes had, like the sowing of the dragon's teeth, produced a band of armed, bristling warriors, strong enough to conquer all the tyrants and liberate the captives!" "this can never be accomplished suddenly. it must be the slow and gradual work of years. like all schemes of reformation, it moves but by inches. wise legislators have proposed means for the final abolition of slavery; but, though none have been deemed practicable, i look still for the advent of the day when the great sun shall look goldenly down upon the emancipation of this dusky tribe, and when the word slave shall nowhere find expression upon the lips of christian men." "when do you predict the advent of that millennial day?" "i fear it is far distant; yet is it pleasant to think that it will come, no matter at how remote an epoch." "distant is it only because men are not thoroughly christianized. no man that will willingly hold his brother in bondage is a christian. moreover, the day is far off in the future, because of the ignorant pride of men. they wish to send the poor negro away to the unknown land from whence his ancestors were stolen. we virtually say to the africans, now you have cultivated and made beautiful our continent, we have no further use for you. you have grown up, it is true, beneath the shadow of our trees, you were born upon our soil, your early associations are here. your ignorance precludes you from the knowledge of the excellence of any other land: yet for all this we take no care, it is our business to drive you hence. cross the ocean you must. find a home in a strange country; lay your broad shoulder to the work, and make for yourself an interest there. what wonder is it, if the poor, ignorant negro shakes his head mournfully, and says: "no, i would rather stay here; i am a slave, it is true, but then i was born here, and here i will be buried. i am tightly kept, have a master and a mistress, but then i know what this is. hard to endure, i grant it--but then it is known to me. i can bear on a little longer, till death sets me free. no, this is my native shore; here let me stay." their very ignorance begets a kind of philosophy that "makes them rather bear those ills they have, than fly to others that they know not of." now, why, i ask, have they not as much right to remain here as we have? this is their birthplace as well as ours. we are, likewise, descendants of foreigners. if we drive them hence, what excuse have we for it? our forefathers were not the aborigines of this country. as well might the native red men say to us: "fly, leave the western continent, 'tis our home; we will not let you stay here. you have cultivated it, now _we_ will enjoy it. go and labor elsewhere." what would we think of this? yet such is our line of conduct toward those poor creatures, who have toiled to adorn our homes. then again, we allow the irish, germans, and hungarians, to dwell among us. why ban the african?" "these, my young friend, are questions that have puzzled the wisest brains." "if it entered more into the hearts, and disturbed the brains less, it would be better for them and for the slaves." "now, come, miss emily, i'm tired of hearing you and that boy talk all that nonsense. it's time you were both thinking of something else. you are too old to be indulgin' of him in that ar' stuff. it will never come to any good. them ar' niggers is allers gwine to be slaves, and white folks had better be tendin' to what consarns 'emselves." such arguments as the foregoing were carried on every day. meanwhile we, who formed the subject of them, still went on in our usual way, half-fed and half-clad, knocked and kicked like dogs. amy went about her assigned work, with the same hard-set composure with which she had begun. talking little to any one, she tried to discharge her duties with a docility and faithfulness very remarkable. yet she sternly rebuked all conversation. i made many efforts to draw her out into a free, sociable talk, and was always told that it was not agreeable to her. i now had no companionship among those of my own color. aunt polly was in the grave; amy wrapped in the silence of her own grief; and sally (the successor of aunt polly in the culinary department) was a sulky, ignorant woman, who did not like to be sociable; and the men, with their beastly instincts, were objects of aversion to me. so my days and nights passed in even deeper gloom than i had ever before known. chapter xxiii. the supper--its consequences--loss of silver--a lonely night--amy. the winter was now drawing to a close. the heavy, dreary winter, that had hung like an incubus upon my hours, was fast drawing to an end. many a little, tuneful bird came chirping with the sunny days of the waning february. already the sunbeam had begun to give us a hint of the spring-warmth; the ice had melted away, and the moistened roofs of the houses began to smoke with the drying breath of the sun, and little green pods were noticeable upon the dried branches of the forest trees. it was on such a day, when the eye begins to look round upon nature, and almost expects to solve the wondrous phenomenon of vegetation, that i was engaged arranging miss jane's wardrobe. i had just done up some laces for her, and finished off a nice silk morning-dress. she was making extensive preparations for a visit to the city of l. the protracted rigors of the winter and her own fancied ill-health had induced her to postpone the trip until the opening of spring. it was decided that i should accompany her as lady's maid; and the fact is, i was desirous of any change from the wearying monotony of my life. young master had been absent during the whole winter. frequent letters from dr. mandy (who had accompanied him) informed the family of his slowly-improving health; yet the doctor stated in each communication that he was not strong enough to write a letter himself. this alarmed me, for i knew that he must be excessively weak, if he denied himself the gratification of writing to his family. miss bradly came to the house but seldom; and then only to inquire the news from young master. her principles upon the slavery question had become pretty well known in the neighborhood; so her residence there was not the most pleasant. inuendoes, of a most insulting character, had been thrown out, highly prejudicial to her situation. foul slanders were in busy circulation about her, and she began to be a taboed person. so i was not surprised to hear her tell miss jane that she thought of returning to the north early in the spring. i had never held any private conversation with her since that memorable one; for now that her principles were known, she was too much marked for a slave to be allowed to speak with her alone. her sorrowful face struck me with pity. i knew her to be one of that time-serving kind, by whom the loss of caste and social position is regarded as the most fell disaster. as i turned the key of miss jane's wardrobe, she came into the room, with an unusually excited manner, exclaiming, "ann, where is your miss tildy?" upon my answering that i did not know, she bade me go and seek her instantly, and say that she wished to speak with her. as i left the room, i observed miss jane draw a letter from the folds of her dress. this was hint enough. my mother-wit told me the rest. finding miss tildy with a book, in a quiet corner of the parlor, i delivered miss jane's message, and withdrew. the contents of miss jane's letter soon became known; for it was, to her, of such an exciting nature, that it could not be held in secresy. the letter was from mr. summerville, and announced that he would pay her a visit in the course of a few days. and, for the next "few days," the whole house was in a perfect consternation. all hands were at work. carpets were taken up, shaken, and put down again with the "clean side" up. paint was scoured, windows were washed; the spare bedroom was re-arranged, and adjusted in style; the french couch was overspread with miss tildy's silk quilt, that had taken the prize at the agricultural fair; and fresh bouquets were collected from the green-house, and placed upon the mantel. everything looked very nice about the house, and in the kitchen all sorts of culinary preparations had gone on. cakes, cookies, and confections had been made in abundance. as amy expressed it, in her quaintly comical way, "christmas is comin' again." it was the first and only time since the departure of "the children," that i had heard her indulge in any of her old drollery. at length the "day" arrived, and with it came mr. summerville. whilst he remained with us, everything went off in the way that miss jane desired. there were fine dinners, with plenty of wine, roast turkey, curry powder, desserts, &c. the silver and best china had been brought out, and mr. peterkin behaved himself as well as he could. he even consented to use a silver fork, which, considering his prejudice against the article, was quite a concession for him to make. time sped on (as it always will do), and brought the end of the week, and with it, the end of mr. summerville's visit. i thought, from a certain softening of miss jane's eye, and from the length of the parting interview, that "_matters_" had been arranged between her and mr. summerville. after the last adieu had been given, and miss jane had rubbed her eyes enough with her fine pocket-handkerchief (or, perhaps, in this case, it would be well to employ the suggestion of a modern author, and say her "lachrymal,") i say, after all was over, and mr. summerville's interesting form was fairly lost in the distance, miss tildy proposed that they should settle down to their usual manner of living. accordingly, the silver was all rubbed brightly by amy, whose business it was, then handed over to miss tildy to be locked up in the bureau. for a few weeks matters went on with their usual dullness. master was still smoking his cob-pipe, kicking negroes, and blaspheming; and miss jane making up little articles for the approaching visit to the city. she and miss tildy sat a great deal in their own room, talking and speculating upon the coming joys. passing in and out, i frequently caught fragments of conversation that let me into many of their secrets. thus i learned that miss jane's chief object in visiting the city was to purchase a bridal trousseau, that mr. summerville "had proposed," and, of course, been accepted. he lived in the city; so it was decided that, after the celebration of the nuptial rite, miss tildy should accompany the bride to her new home, and remain with her for several weeks. sundry little lace caps were manufactured; handkerchiefs embroidered; dresses made and altered; collars cut, and an immence deal of "transfering" was done by the sisters peterkin. we, of the "colored population," were stinted even more than formerly; for they deemed it expedient to economize, in order to be the better able to meet the pecuniary exigencies of the marriage. thus time wore along, heavily enough for the slaves; but doubtless delightful to the white family. the enjoyment of pleasure, like all other prerogatives, they considered as exclusively their own. time, in its rugged course, had brought no change to amy. if her heart had learned to bear its bereavement better, or had grown more tender in its anxious waiting, we knew it not from her word or manner. the same settled, rocky look, the same abstracted air, marked her deportment. never once had i heard her laugh, or seen her weep. she still avoided conversation, and was assiduous in the discharge of her domestic duties. if she did a piece of work well, and was praised for it, she received the praise with the same indifferent air; or if, as was most frequently the case, she was harshly chided and severely punished, 'twas all the same. no tone or word could move those rigid features. one evening miss bradly came over to see the young ladies, and inquire the latest news from young master. miss jane gave orders that the table should be set with great care, and all the silver displayed. they had long since lost their olden familiarity, and, out of respect to the present coldness that existed between them, they (the misses peterkin) desired to show off "before the discredited school-mistress." i heard miss bradly ask mr. peterkin when he heard from young master. "i've just got a letter from dr. mandy. they ar' still in new orleans; but expected to start for home in 'bout three days. the doctor gives me very little cause for hope; says johnny is mighty weak, and had a pretty tough cough. he says the night-sweats can't be broke; and the boy is very weak, not able to set up an hour at a time. this is very discouragin', miss emily. sometimes it 'pears like 'twould kill me, too, my heart is so sot 'pon that boy;" and here mr. peterkin began to smoke with great violence, a sure sign that he was laboring under intense excitement. "he is a very noble youth," said miss bradly, with a quivering voice and a moist eye; "i am deeply attached to him, and the thought of his death is one fraught with pain to me. i hope doctor mandy is deceived in the prognostics he deems so bad. johnny's life is a bright example, and one that is needed." "yes, you think it will aid the abolition cause; but not in this region, i can assure you," said miss tildy, as she tossed her head knowingly. "i'd like to know where johnny learned all the anti-slavery cant. do you know, miss emily, that your incendiary principles lost you caste in this neighborhood, where you once stood as a model?" miss tildy had touched miss bradly in her vulnerable point. "caste" was a thing that she valued above reputation, and reckoned more desirable than honor. had it not been for a certain goodness of heart, from which she could not escape (though she had often tried) she would have renounced her anti-slavery sentiments and never again avowed them; but young master's words had power to rescue her almost shipwrecked principles, and then, whilst smarting under the lash of his rebuke, she attempted, like many an astute politician, to "run on both sides of the question;" but this was an equivocal position that the "out and out" kentuckians were not going to allow. she had to be, in their distinct phraseology, "one thing or the other;" and, accordingly, aided by young master and her sense of justice, she avowed herself "the other." and, of course, with this avowal, came the loss of cherished friends. in troops they fell away from her. their averted looks and distant nods nearly drove her mad. if young master had been by to encourage and sustain her with gracious words, she could have better borne it; but, single-handed and alone, she could not battle against adversity. and now this speech of miss tildy's was very untimely. she winced under it, yet dared not reply. what a contemptible character, to the brave mind, seems one lacking moral courage! "i want to see johnny once again, and then i shall leave for the north," said miss bradly, in a pitiful tone. "see naples and die, eh?" laughed miss tildy. "always and ever ready with your fun," replied miss bradly. at first her wiry turnings, her open and shameless sycophancy, and now her cringing and fawning upon the peterkins, caused me to lose all respect for her. in the hour of her trouble, when deserted by those whom she had loved as friends, when her pecuniary prospects were blighted, i felt deeply for her, and even forgave the falsehood; but now when i saw her shrink from the taunt and invective of miss tildy, and then minister to her vanity, i felt that she was too little even for contempt. at tea, that evening, whilst serving the table, i was surprised to observe miss jane's face very red with anger, and her manner exceedingly irascible. i began to wonder if i had done anything to exasperate her; but could think of no offence of which i had been guilty. i knew from the way in which she conversed with all at the table, that none of them were offenders. i was the more surprised at her anger, as she had been, for the last week, in such an excellent humor, getting herself ready for the visit to the city. oh, how i dreaded to see miss bradly leave, for then, i knew the storm would break in all its fury! i was standing in the kitchen, alone, trying to think what could have offended miss jane, when amy came up to me, saying, "oh, ann, two silver forks is lost, an' miss tildy done 'cuse me of stealin' 'em, an' i declar 'fore heaven, i gib ebery one of 'em to miss tildy de mornin' misser summerbille lef, an' now she done told miss jane dat i told a lie, and that i stole 'em. lor' knows what dey is gwine to do 'long wid me; but i don't kere much, so dey kills me soon and sets me out my misery at once." "when did they miss the forks?" "wy, to-night, when i went to set de table, i found dat two of 'em wasn't dar; so i axed miss tildy whar dey was, an' she said she didn't know. den i axed miss jane; she say, 'ax miss tildy.' den when i told miss tildy dat, she got mad; struck me a lick right cross my face. den i told her bout de time mr. summerbille lef, when i give 'em to her. she say, 'you's a liar, an' hab stole 'em.' den i begun to declar i hadn't, and she call miss jane, and say to her dat she knowed i hab stole 'em, and miss jane got mad; kicked me, pulled my har till i screamed; den i 'spose she did 'ant want miss bradly to hear me; so she stopped, but swar she'd beat me to death if i didn't get 'em fur her right off. now, ann, i doesn't know whar dey is, if i was to be kilt for it." she drew the back of her hand across her eyes, and i saw that it was moist. i was glad of this, for her silent endurance was more horrible to look upon than this physical softness. "oh, god!" i exclaimed, "i would that young master were here." "what fur, ann?" "he might intercede and prevent them from using you so cruelly." "i doesn't wish he was har; for i lubs young masser, an' he is good; if he was to see me a sufferin' it wud stress him, an' make his complaint worse; an' he couldn't do no good; for dey will beat me, no matter who begs. ob, it does seem so strange that black people was eber made. i is glad dat de chillen isn't har; for de sight ob dem cryin' round de 'post,' wud nearly kill me. i can bar anythin' fur myself, but not fur 'em. oh, i hopes dey is dead." and here she heaved a dreadful groan. this was the first time i had heard her allude to them, and i felt a choking rush in my throat. "don't cry, ann, take kere ob yourself. it 'pears like my time has come. i don't feel 'feard, an' dis is de fust time i'se eber bin able to speak 'bout de chillen. if eber you sees 'em, (i niver will), tell 'em dat i niver did forget 'em; dat night an' day my mind was sot on 'em, an' please, ann, gib 'em dis." here she took from her neck a string that held her mother's gift, and the coin young master had given her, suspended to it. she looked at it long and wistfully, then, slowly pressing it to her lips, she said in a low, plaintive voice that went to my heart, "poor mammy." i then took it from her, and hid it in my pocket. a cold horror stole over me. i had not the power to gainsay her; for an instinctive idea that something terrible was going to occur, chained my lips. "ann, i thanks you for all your kindness to me. i hopes you may hab a better time den i has hab. i feel, ann, as if i niver should come down from dat post alive. "trust in god, amy." she shook her head despairingly. "he will save you." "no, god don't kare for black folks." "what did young master tell you about that? did he not say god loved all his creatures alike?" "yes, but black folks aint god's critters." "yes, they are, just as much as white people." "no dey aint." "oh, amy, i wish i could make you understand how it is." "you kant make me belieb dat ar' way, no how you can fix it. god don't kare what a comes ob niggers; an' i is glad he don't, kase when i dies, i'll jist lay down and rot like de worms, and dere wont be no white folks to 'buse me." "no, there will be no white folks to abuse you in heaven; but god and his angels will love you, if you will do well and try to get there." "i don't want to go ther, for god is one of the white people, and, in course, he'd beat de niggers." oh, was not this fearful, fearful ignorance? through the solid rock of her obtusity, i could, with no argument of mine, make an aperture for a ray of heavenly light to penetrate. do christians, who send off missionaries, realize that heathendom exists in their very midst; aye, almost at their own hearthstone? let them enlighten those that dwell in the bonds of night on their own borders; then shall their efforts in distant lands be blest. numberless instances, such as the one i have recorded, exist in the slave states. the masters who instruct their slaves in religion, could be numbered; and i will venture to assert that, if the census were taken in the state of kentucky, the number would not exceed twenty. here and there you will find an instance of a mistress who will, perhaps, on a sunday evening, talk to a female slave about the propriety of behaving herself; but the gist of the argument, the hinge upon which it turns, is--"obey your master and mistress;" upon this one precept hang all the law and the prophets. that night, after my house duties were discharged, i went to the cabin, where i found amy lying on her face, weeping bitterly. i lifted her up, and tried to console her; but she exclaimed, with more energy than i had ever heard her, "ann, every ting seems so dark to me. i kan't see past to-morrow. i has bin thinkin' of aunt polly; i keeps seein' her, no matter what way i turns." "you are frightened," i ventured to say. "no, i isn't, but i feels curus." "let me teach you to pray." "will it do me any good?" "yes, if you put faith in god." "what's faith?" "believe that god is strong and willing to save you; that is faith." "who is god? i never seed him." "no, but he sees you." "whar is he?" and she looked fearfully around the room, in which the scanty fire threw a feeble glare. "everywhere. he is everywhere," i answered. "is he in dis room?" she asked in terror, and drew near me. "yes, he is here." "oh lor! he may tell masser on me." this ignorance may, to the careless reader, seem laughable; but, to me, it was most horrible, and i could not repress my tears. here was the force of education. master was to her the strongest thing or person in existence. of course she could not understand a higher power than that which had governed her life. there are hundreds as ignorant; but no missionaries come to enlighten them! "oh, don't speak that way; you know god made you." "yes, but dat was to please masser. he made me fur to be a slave." now, how would the religious slave-holder answer that? i strove, but with no success, to make her understand that over her soul, her temporal master had no control; but her ignorance could not see a difference between the body and soul. whoever owned the former, she thought, was entitled to the latter. finding i could make no impression upon her mind, i lay down and tried to sleep; but rest was an alien to me. i dreaded the breaking of the morn. poor amy slept, and i was glad that she did. her overtaxed body yielded itself up to the most profound rest. in the morning, when i saw her sleeping so soundly on the pallet, i disliked to arouse her. i felt, as i fancied a human jailer must feel, whose business it is to awaken a criminal on the morning of his execution; yet i had it to do, for, if she had been tardy at her work, it would have enraged her tyrants the more, and been worse for her. rubbing her eyes, she sat upright on the pallet and murmured, "dis is de day. i's to be led to de post, and maybe kilt." i dared not comfort her, and only bade her to make haste and attend to her work. chapter xxiv. the punishment--cruelty--its fatal consequence--death. at breakfast, miss jane shook her head at amy, saying, "i'll settle accounts with you, presently." i wondered if that tremulous form, that stood eyeing her in affright, did not soften her; but no, the "shaking culprit," as she styled amy, was the very creature upon whom she desired to deal swift justice. pitiable was the sight in the kitchen, where jake and dan, great stout fellows, were making their breakfasts off of scraps of meat, old bones and corn-bread, whilst the aroma of coffee, broiled chicken, and egg-cakes was wafted to them from the house-table. "i wish't i had somepin' more to eat," said dan. "you's never satisfy," replied sally, the cook; "you gits jist as much as de balance, yit you makes de most complaints." "no i doesn't." "yes, you does; don't he, jake?" "why, to be sartain he does," said jake, who of late had agreed to live with sally as a wife. of course no matrimonial rite was allowed, for mr. peterkin was consistent enough to say, that, as the law did not recognize the validity of negro marriages, he saw no use of the tomfoolery of a preacher in the case; and this is all reasonable enough. "you allers takes sal's part," said dan, "now sense she has got to be your wife; you and her is allers colloged together agin' de rest ov us." "wal, haint i right for to 'tect my ole 'oman?" "now, ha, ha!" cried nace, as he entered, "de idee ob yer 'tectin' a wife! i jist wisht masser sell yer apart, den whar is yer 'tection ob one anoder?" "oh, dat am very different. den i'd jist git me anoder ole 'oman, an' she'd git her anoder ole man." "sure an' i would," was sally's reply; "hain't i done had five old men already, an' den if jake be sole, i'de git somebody else." "white folks don't do dat ar' way," interposed dan, as he picked away at a bone. "in course dey don't. why should dey?" put in nace. "ain't dey our massers, and habn't dey dar own way in ebery ting?" "i wisht i'd bin born white," added dan. "ya, ya, dat is funny!" "do de free colored folks live like de whites?" asked sally. "why, laws, yes; once when i went with masser to l.," nace began, "at de tavern whar we put up, dar was a free collored man what waited on de table, and anoder one what kipt barber-shop in de tavern. wal, dey was drest as nice as white men. dar dey had dar standin' collar, and nice cravat, and dar broadcloth, and dar white handkersher; and de barber, he had some wool growin' on his upper lip jist like de quality men. ya, ya, but i sed dis am funny; so when i 'gin to talk jist as dough dey was niggers same as i is, dey straighten 'emselves up and tell me dat i was a speakin' to a gemman. wal, says i, haint your faces black as mine? niggers aint gemmen, says i, for i thought i'd take dar airs down; but den, dey spunk up and say dey was not niggers, but colored pussons, and dey call one anoder mr. wal, i t'ought it was quare enoff; and more an' dat, white folks speak 'spectable to 'em, jist same as dey war white. whole lot ob white gemmans come in de barber-shop to be shaved; and den dey'd pay de barber, and maybe like as not, set down and talk 'long wid him." there is no telling how long the garrulous nace would have continued the narration of what he saw in l--, had he not been suddenly interrupted by the entrance of miss tildy, inquiring for amy. instantly all of them assumed that cheerful, smiling, sycophantic manner, which is well known to all who have ever looked in at the kitchen of a slaveholder. amy stood out from the group to answer miss tildy's summons. i shall never forget the expression of subdued misery that was limned upon her face. "come in the house and account for the loss of those forks," said miss tildy, in the most peremptory manner. amy made no reply to this; but followed the lady into the house. there she was court-marshalled, and of course, found guilty of a high misdemeanor. "wal," said mr. peterkin, "we'll see if the 'post' can't draw from you whar you've put 'em. come with me." with a face the picture of despair, she followed. upon reaching the post, she was fastened to it by the wrist and ankle fetters; and mr. peterkin, foaming with rage, dipped his cowhide in the strongest brine that could be made, and drawing it up with a flourish, let it descend upon her uncovered back with a lacerating stroke. heavens! what a shriek she gave! another blow, another and a deeper stripe, and cry after cry came from the hapless victim! "whar is the forks?" thundered mr. peterkin, "tell me, or i'll have the worth out of yer cussed hide." "indeed, indeed, masser, i doesn't know." "you are a liar," and another and a severer blow. "whar is they?" "i give 'em to miss jane, masser, indeed i did." "take that, you liar," and again he struck her, and thus he continued until he had to stop from exhaustion. there she stood, partially naked, bleeding at every wound, yet none of us dared go near and offer her even a glass of cold water. "has she told where they are?" asked miss tildy. "no, she says she give 'em to you." "well, she tells an infamous lie; and i hope you will beat her until pain forces her to acknowledge what she has done with them." "oh, i'll git it out of her yet, and by blood, too." "yes, father, amy needs a good whipping," said miss jane, "for she has been sulky ever since we took her in the house. two or three times i've thought of asking you to have her taken to the post." "yes, i've noticed that she's give herself a good many ars. it does me rale good to take 'em out of her." "yes, father, you are a real negro-breaker. they don't dare behave badly where you are." this, mr. peterkin regarded as high praise; for, whenever he related the good qualities of a favorite friend, he invariably mentioned that he was a "tight master;" so he smiled at his daughter's compliment. "yes," said miss tildy, "whenever father approaches, the darkies should set up the tune, 'see the conquering hero comes.'" "good, first-rate, tildy," replied miss jane. "'till is a wit." "yes, you are both high-larn't gals, a-head of yer pappy." "oh, father, please don't speak in that way." "it was the fashion when i was edicated." "just listen," they both exclaimed. "jake," called out mr. peterkin, whose wrath was getting excited by the criticisms of his daughters, "go and bring amy here." in a few moments jake returned, accompanied by amy. the blood was oozing through the body and sleeves of the frock that she had hastily thrown on. "whar's the spoons?" thundered out mr. peterkin. "i give 'em to miss tildy." "you are a liar," said miss tildy, as she dashed up to her, and struck her a severe blow on the temple with a heated poker. amy dared not parry the blow; but, as she received it, she fell fainting to the floor. mr. peterkin ordered jake to take her out of their presence. she was taken to the cabin and left lying on the floor. when i went in to see her, a horrid spectacle met my view! there she lay stretched upon the floor, blood oozing from her whole body. i washed it off nicely and greased her wounds, as poor aunt polly had once done for me; but these attentions had to be rendered in a very secret manner. it would have been called treason, and punished as such, if i had been discovered. i had scarcely got her cleansed, and her wounds dressed, before she was sent for again. "now," said miss tildy, "if you will tell me what you did with the forks, i will excuse you; but, if you dare to say you don't know, i'll beat you to death with this," and she held up a bunch of briery switches, that she had tied together. now only imagine briars digging and scraping that already lacerated flesh, and you will not blame the equivocation to which the poor wretch was driven. "where are they?" asked miss jane, and her face was frightful as the medusa's. "i hid 'em under a barrel out in the back yard." "well, go and get them." "stay," said miss jane, "i'll go with you, and see if they are there." accordingly she went off with her, but they were not there. "now, where are they, _liar_?" she asked. "oh, miss jane, i put 'em here; but i 'spect somebody's done stole 'em." "no, you never put them there," said miss tildy. "now tell me where they are, or i'll give you this with a vengeance," and she shook the briers. "i put 'em in my box in the cabin." and thither they went to look for them. not finding them there, the tortured girl then named some other place, but with as little success they looked elsewhere. "now," said miss tildy, "i have done all that the most humane or just could demand; and i find that nothing but a touch of this can get the truth from you, so come with me." she took her to the "lock-up," and secured the door within. such screams as issued thence, i pray heaven i may never hear again. it seemed as if a fury's strength endowed miss tildy's arm. when she came out she was pale from fatigue. "i've beaten that girl till i've no strength in me, and she has less life in her; yet she will not say what she did with the forks." "i'll go in and see if i can't get it out of her," said miss jane. "wait awhile, jane, maybe she will, after a little reflection, agree to tell the truth about it." "never," said miss jane, "a nigger will never tell the truth till it is beat out of her." so saying she took the key from miss tildy, and bade me follow her. i had rather she had told me to hang myself. when she unlocked the door, i dared not look in. my eyes were riveted to the ground until i heard miss jane say: "get up, you hussy." there, lying on the ground, more like a heap of clotted gore than a human being, i beheld the miserable amy. "why don't she get up?" inquired miss jane. i did not reply. taking the cowhide, she gave her a severe lick, and the wretch cried out, "oh, lord!" "the lord won't hear a liar," said miss jane. "oh, what will 'come of me?" "_death_, if you don't confess what you did with the forks." "oh god, hab mercy! miss jane, please don't beat me any more. my poor back is so sore. it aches and smarts dreadful," and she lifted up her face, which was one mass of raw flesh; and wiping or trying to wipe the blood away from her eyes with a piece of her sleeve that had been cut from her body, she besought miss jane to have mercy on her; but the spirit of her father was too strongly inherited for jane peterkin to know aught of human pity. "where are the forks?" "oh, law! oh, law!" amy cried out, "i swar i doesn't know anything 'bout 'em." such blows as followed i have not the heart to describe; for they descended upon flesh already horribly mangled. the poor girl looked up to me, crying out: "oh, ann, beg for me." "miss jane," i ventured to say; but the tigress turned and struck me such a blow across the face, that i was blinded for full five minutes. "there, take that! you impudent hussy. do you dare to ask me not to punish a thief?" i made no reply, but withdrew from her presence to cleanse my face from the blood that was flowing from the wound. as i bathed my face and bound it up, i wondered if acts such as these had ever been reported to those clergymen, who so stoutly maintain that slavery is just, right, _and almost_ available unto salvation. i cannot think that they do understand it in all its direful wrongs. they look upon the institution, doubtless, as one of domestic servitude, where a strong attachment exists between the slave and his owner; but, alas! all that is generally fabulous, worse than fictitious. i can fearlessly assert that i never knew a single case, where this sort of feeling was cherished. the very nature of slavery precludes the existence of such a feeling. read the legal definition of it as contained in the statute books of kentucky and virginia, and how, i ask you, can there be, on the slave's part, a love for his owner? oh, no, that is the strangest resort, the fag-end of argument; that most transparent fiction. love, indeed! the slave-master love his slave! did cain love abel? did herod love those innocents, whom, by a bloody edict, he consigned to death? in the same category of lovers will we place the slave-owner. when miss jane had beaten amy until _she_ was satisfied, she came, with a face blazing, like mars, from the "lock-up." "well, she confesses now, that she put the forks under the corner of a log, near the poultry coop." "its only another one of her lies," replied miss tildy. "well, if it is, i'll beat her until she tells the truth, or i'll kill her." so saying, she started off to examine the spot. i felt that this was but another subterfuge, devised by the poor wretch to gain a few moments' respite. the examination proved, as i had anticipated, a failure. "what's to be done?" inquired miss tildy. "leave her a few moments longer to herself, and then if the truth is not obtained from her, kill her." these words came hissing though her clenched teeth. "it won't do to kill her," said miss tildy. "i don't care much if i do." "we would be tried for murder." "who would be our accusers? who the witnesses? you forget that jones is not here to testify." "ah, and so we are safe." "oh, i never premeditate anything without counting the cost." "but then the loss of property!" "i'd rather gratify my revenge than have five hundred dollars, which would be her highest market value." tell me, honest reader, was not she, at heart, a murderess? did she not plan and premeditate the deed? who were her accusers? that god whose first law she had outraged; that same god who asked cain for his slain brother. "now," said miss jane, after she had given the poor creature only a few moments relief, "now let me go and see what that wretch has to say about the forks." "more lies," added miss tildy. "then her fate is sealed," said the human hyena. turning to me, she added, in the most authoritative manner, "come with me, and mind that you obey me; none of your impertinent tears, or i'll give you this." and she struck me a lick across the shoulders. i can assure you i felt but little inclination to do anything whereby such a penalty might be incurred. taking the key of the "lock up" from her pocket, she ordered me to open the door. with a trembling hand i obeyed. slowly the old, rusty-hinged door swung open, and oh, heavens! what a sight it revealed! there, in the centre of the dismal room, suspended from a spoke, about three feet from the ground, was the body of amy! driven by desperation, goaded to frenzy, she had actually hung herself! oh, god! that fearful sight is burnt in on my brain, with a power that no wave of lethe can ever wash out! there, covered with clotted blood, bruised and mangled, hung the wretched girl! there, a bleeding, broken monument of the white man's and white woman's cruelty! god of my sires! is there for us no redress? and miss jane--what did she do? why, she screamed, and almost swooned with fright! ay, too late it was to rend the welkin with her cries of distress. she had done the deed! upon her head rested the sin of that freshly-shed blood! she was the real murderess. oh, frightful shall be her nights! peopled with racks, execution-blocks, and ghastly gallows-poles, shall be her dreams! at the lone hour of midnight, a wan and bloody corse shall glide around her bed-side, and shriek into her trembling ear the horrid word "murderess!" let me still remain in bondage, call me still by the ignoble title of slave, but leave me the unbought and priceless inheritance of a stainless conscience. i am free of murder before god and man. still riot in your wealth; still batten on inhumanity, women of the white complexion, but of the black hearts! i envy you not. still let me rejoice in a darker face, but a snowy, self-approving conscience. miss jane's screams brought mr. peterkin, miss tildy and the servants to her side. there, in front of the open door of the lock-up, they stood, gazing upon that revolting spectacle! no word was spoken. each regarded the others in awe. at length, mr. peterkin, whose heartlessness was equal to any emergency, spoke to jake: "cut down that body, and bury it instantly." with this, they all turned away from the tragical spot; but i, though physically weak of nerve, still remained. that poor, bereaved girl had been an object of interest to me; and i could not now leave her distorted and lifeless body. cold-hearted ones were around her; no friendly eye looked upon her mangled corse, and i shuddered when i saw jake and dan rudely handle the body upon which death had set its sacred seal. "one more unfortunate, weary of breath; rashly importunate, gone to her death. * * * * * swift to be hurled, anywhere, anywhere, out of the world." this i felt had been her history! this should have been her epitaph; but, alas for her, there would be reared no recording stone. all that she had achieved in life was the few inches of ground wherein they laid her, and the shovel full of dirt with which they covered her. poor thing! i was not allowed to dress the body for the grave. hurriedly they dug a hole and tossed her in. i was the only one who consecrated the obsequies with funeral tears. a coarse joy and ribald jests rang from the lips of the grave-diggers; but i was there to weep and water the spot with tributary tears. "perishing gloomily, spurred by contumely, cold inhumanity, burning insanity, into her rest, cross her hands humbly, as if praying dumbly, over her breast." chapter xxv. conversation of the father and son--the discovery; its consequences--death of the young and beautiful. very lonely to me were the nights that succeeded amy's death. i spent them alone in the cabin. a strange kind of superstition took possession of me! the room was peopled with unearthly guests. i buried my face in the bed-covering, as if that could protect me or exclude supernatural visitors. for two weeks i scarcely slept at all; and my constitution had begun to sink under the over-taxation. this was all the worse, as amy's death entailed upon me a double portion of work. "what!" said mr. peterkin to me, one day, "are you agoin to die, too, ann? any time you gits in the notion, jist let me know, and i'll give you rope enough to do it." in this taunting way he frequently alluded to that fatal tragedy which should have bowed his head with shame and remorse. young master had returned, but not at all benefited by his trip. a deep carnation was burnt into his shrivelled cheek, and he walked with a feeble, tottering step. the least physical exertion would bring on a violent paroxysm of coughing. the unnatural glitter of his eye, with its purple surroundings, gave me great uneasiness; but he was the same gentle, kind-spoken young master that he had ever been. his glossy, golden hair had a dead, dry appearance; whilst his chest was fearfully sunken; yet his father refused to believe that all these marks were the heralds of the great enemy's approach. "the spring will cure you, my boy." "no, father, the spring is coming fast; but long before its flowers begin to scent the vernal gales, i shall have passed through the narrow gateway of the tomb." "no, it shall not be. all my money shall go to save you." "i am purchased, father, with a richer price than gold; the inestimable blood of the lamb has long since paid my ransom; i go to my father in heaven." "oh, my son! you want to go; you want to leave me. you do not love your father." "yes, i do love you, father, very dearly; and i would that you were going with me to that lovely land." "i shill never go thar." "'tis that fear that is killing me, father." "what could i, now, do to be saved?" "believe in the lord jesus, and be baptized." "is that all?" "yes, that is all; but it embraces a good deal, dear father; a good deal more than most persons deserve. in order to a perfect belief in the lord jesus, you must act consistently with that belief. you must deal justly. abundantly give to the poor, and, above all, you must love mercy, and do mercifully to all. now i approach the great subject upon which i fear you will stumble. you must," and he pronounced the words very slowly, "liberate your slaves." there was a fair gleam from his eyes when he said this. mr. peterkin turned uneasily in his chair. he did not wish to encourage a conversation upon this subject. one evening, when it had been raining for two or three days, and the damp condition of the atmosphere had greatly increased young master's complaint, he called me to his bedside. "ann," he said, in that deep, sepulchral tone, "i wish to ask you a question, and i urge you not to deceive me. remember i am dying, and it will be a great crime to tell me a falsehood." i assured him that i would answer him with a faithful regard to truth. "then tell me what occasioned amy's death? did she come to it by violence?" i shall never forget the deep, penetrating glance that he fixed upon me. it was an inquiry that went to my soul. i could not have answered him falsely. calmly, quietly, and without exaggeration, i told him all the circumstances of her death. "murder!" he exclaimed, "murder, foul and most unnatural!" i saw him wipe the tears from his hollow eyes, and that sunken chest heaved with vivid emotion. mr. peterkin came in, and was much surprised to find young master so excited. "what is the matter, my boy?" "the same old trouble, father, these unfortunate negroes." "hang 'em; let them go to the d--l, at once. they are not worth all this consarn on your part." "father, they possess immortal souls, and are a part of christ's purchase." "oh, that kind of talk does very well for preachers and church members." "it should do for all humanity." "i doesn't know what pity means whar a nigger is consarned." "and 'tis this feeling in you that has cost me my life." "confound thar black hides. every one of 'em that ever growed in afriky isn't worth that price." "their souls are as precious in god's eyes as ours, and the laws of man should recognize their lives as valuable." "oh, now, my boy! don't talk any more 'bout it. it only 'stresses you for nothing." "no, it distresses me for a great deal. for the value of christ-purchased souls." mr. peterkin concluded the argument as he usually did, when it reached a knotty point, by leaving. all that evening i noticed that young master was unusually restless and feverish. his mournful eyes would follow me withersoever i moved about the room. from the constant and earnest movement of his lips, i knew that he was engaged in prayer. when miss bradly came in and looked at him, i thought, from the frightened expression of her face, that she detected some alarming symptoms. this apprehension was confirmed by the manner of dr. mandy. all the rest of the evening i wandered near miss bradly and the doctor, trying to catch, from their conversation, what they thought of young master's condition; but they were very guarded in what they said, well knowing how acutely sensitive mr. peterkin was on the subject. miss jane and miss tildy did not appear in the least anxious or uneasy about him. they sewed away upon their silks and laces, never once thinking that the angel of death was hovering over their household and about to snatch from their embrace one of their most cherished idols. verily, oh, death, thou art like a thief in the night; with thy still, feline tread, thou enterest our chambers and stealest our very breath away without one admonition of thy coming! but not so came he to young master. as a small-voiced angel, with blessings concealed beneath his shadowy wing, he came, the herald of better days to him! as a well-loved bridegroom to a waiting bride, was the angel of the tombs to that expectant spirit! 'twas painful, yet pleasant, to watch with what patient courage he endured bodily pain. often, unnoticed by him, did i watch, with a terrible fascination, the heroic struggle with which he wrestled with suffering and disease. sad and piteous were the shades and inflections of severe agony that passed over his noble face! i recall now with sorrow, the memory of that time! how well, in fancy, can i see him, as he lay upon that downy bed, with his beautiful gold hair thrown far back from his sunken temples, his blue, upturned eyes, fringed by their lashes of fretted gold, and those pale, thin hands that toyed so fitfully with the drapery of the couch, and the restless, loving look which he so frequently cast upon each of the dear ones who drew around him. it must be that the "sun-set of life" gives us a keener, quicker sense, else why do we love the more fondly as the curtain of eternity begins to descend upon us? surely, there must be a deeper, undeveloped sense lying beneath the surface of general feeling, which only the tightening of life's cords can reveal! he grew gentler, if possible, as his death approached. very heavenly seemed he in those last, most trying moments! all that had ever been earthly of him, began to recede; the fleshly taints (if there were any) grew fainter and fainter, and the glorious spiritual predominated! angel more than mortal, seemed he. the lessons which his life taught me have sunk deep in my nature; and i can well say, "it was good for him to have been here." it was a few weeks after the death of amy, when miss tildy was overlooking the bureau that contained the silver and glass ware, she gave a sudden exclamation, that, without knowing why, startled me very strangely. a thrill passed over my frame, an icy contraction of the nerves, and i knew that something awful was about to be revealed. "what _is_ the matter with you?" asked miss jane. still she made no reply, but buried her face in her hands, and remained thus for several minutes; when she did look up, i saw that something terrible was working in her breast. "culprit," was written all over her face. it was visible in the downcast terror of her eye, and in the blanched contraction of the lips, and quivered in the dilating nostril, and was stamped upon the whitening brow! "what ails you, tildy?" again inquired her sister. "_why, look here!_" and she held up, to my terror, the two missing forks! oh, heavens! and for her own carelessness and mistake had amy been sacrificed? i make no comment. i merely state the case, and leave others to draw their own conclusions. yet, this much i will add, that there were no caucasian witnesses to the bloody deed, therefore no legal cognizance could be taken of it! most noble and righteous american laws! who that lives beneath your shelter, would dare to say they are not wise and sacred as the laws of the decalogue? thrice a day should their authors go up into the temple, and thank our lord that they are not like publicans and sinners. one evening--oh! i shall long remember it, as one full of sacredness, full of sorrow, and yet tinged with a hue of heaven! it was in the deep, delicious beauty of the flowering month of may. the twilight was unusually red and refulgent. the evening star shone like the full eye of love upon the dreamy earth! the flowers, each with a dew-pearl glittering on its petals, lay lulled by the calm of the hour. young master, fair saint, lay on his bed near the open window, through which the scented gales stole sweetly, and fanned his wasted cheek! thick and hard came his breath, and we, who stood around him, could almost see the presence of the "monster grim," whose skeleton arms were fast locking him about! flitting round the bed, like a guardian spirit, was miss bradly, whilst her tearful eye never wandered for an instant from that face now growing rigid with the kiss of death! miss jane stood at the head of the bed wiping the cold damps from his brow, and miss tildy was striving to impart some of her animal warmth to his icy feet. mr. peterkin sat with one of those thin hands grasped within his own, as if disputing and defying the advance of that enemy whom no man is strong enough to baffle. slowly the invalid turned upon his couch, and, looking out upon the setting sun, he heaved a deep sigh. "father," he said, as he again turned his face toward mr. peterkin, who still clasped his hand, "do you not know from my failing pulse, that my life is almost spent?" "oh, my boy, it is too, too hard to give you up." "yet you _must_ nerve yourself for it. "i have no nerve to meet this trouble." "go to god, he will give you ease." "i want him to give me you." "me he lent you for a little while. now he demands me at your hands, and his requisition you must obey." "oh, i won't give up; maybe you'll yet be spared to me." "no, god's decree it is, that i should go." "it cannot, shall not be." "father, father, you do but blaspheme." "i will do anything rather than see you die." "i am willing to die. i have only one request to make of you. will you grant it? if you refuse me, i shall die wretched and unhappy." "i will promise you anything." "but will you keep your promise?" "yes, my boy." "do you promise most faithfully?" "i do." "then promise me that you will instantly manumit your slaves." mr. peterkin hesitated a moment. "father, i shall not die happy, if you refuse me." "then i promise faithfully to do it." a glad smile broke over the sufferer's face, like a sunbeam over a snow-cloud. "now, at least i can die contentedly! god will bless your effort, and a great weight has been removed from my oppressed heart." dr. mandy now entered the room; and, taking young master's hand within his own, began to count the pulsations. a very ominous change passed over his face. "oh, doctor," cried the patient, "i read from your countenance the thoughts that agitate your mind; but do not fear to make the disclosure to my friends even here. it will do me no harm. i know that my hours are numbered; but i am willing, nay, anxious to go. life has been one round of pain, and now, as i am about to leave the world, i take with me a blessed assurance that i have not lived in vain. doctor, i call upon you, and all the dear ones here present, to witness the fact that my father has most solemnly promised me to liberate each of his slaves and never again become the holder of such property? father, do you not promise before these witnesses?" "i do, my child, i do," said the weeping father. "sisters," continued young master, "will you promise to urge or offer no objection to the furtherance of this sacred wish of your dying brother?" "i do," "i do," they simultaneously exclaimed. "and neither of you will ever become the owner of slaves?" "never," "never," was the stifled reply. "come, now, death, for i am ready for thee!" "you have exerted yourself too much already," said the doctor, "now pray take this cordial and try to rest; you have overtaxed your power. your strength is waning fast." "no, doctor, i cannot be silent; whilst i've the strength, pray let me talk. i wish this death-bed to be an example. call in the servants. let me speak with them. i wish to devote my power, all that is left of me now, to them." to this mr. peterkin and the doctor objected, alleging that his life required quiet. "do not think of me, kind friends, i shall soon be safe, and am now well-cared for. if i did not relieve myself by speech, the anxiety would kill me. as a kind favor, i beg that you will not interrupt me. call the good servants." instantly they all, headed by nace, came into the chamber, each weeping bitterly. "good friends," he began, and now i noticed that his voice was weak and trembling, "i am about to leave you. on earth you will never see me again; but there is a better world, where i trust to meet you all. you have been faithful and attentive to me. i thank you from the bottom of my soul for it, and, if ever i have been harsh or unkind to you in any way, i now beg that you will forgive me. do not weep," he continued, as their loud sobs began to drown his feeble voice. "do not weep, i am going to a happy home, where trouble and pain will never harm me more. now let me tell you, that my father has promised me that each of you shall be free immediately after my death." this announcement was like a panic to the poor, broken-spirited wretches. they looked wonderingly at young master, and then at each other, never uttering a word. "come, do not look so bewildered. ah, you do not believe me; but, good as is this news, it is true; is it not, father?" "yes, my son, it is true." when mr. peterkin spoke, they simultaneously started. that voice had power to recall them from the wildest dream of romance. though softened by sorrow and suffering, there was still enough of the wonted harshness to make those poor wretches know it was mr. peterkin who spoke, and they quaked with fear. "in the new home and new position in life, which you will take, my friends, i hope you will not forget me; but, above all things, try to save your souls. go to church; pray much and often. place yourselves under god's protection, and all will be right. you, jake, had better select as an occupation that of a farmer, or manager of a farm for some one of those wealthy but humane men of the northern states. you, dan, can make an excellent dray driver; and at that business, in some of the northern cities, you would make money. sally can get a situation as cook; and ann, where is ann?" he said, as he looked around. i stepped out from a retired corner of the room, into which i had shrunk for the purpose of indulging my grief unobserved. "don't weep, ann," he began; "you distress me when you do so. you ought, rather, to rejoice, because i shall so soon be set free from this unhappy condition. if you love me, prepare to meet me in heaven. this earth is not our home; 'tis but a transient abiding-place, and, to one of my sensitive temperament, it has been none the happiest. i am glad that i am going; yet a few pangs i feel, in bidding you farewell; but think of me only as one gone upon a pleasant journey from snow-clad regions to a land smiling with tropic beauty, rich in summer bloom and vocal with the melody of southern birds! think of me as one who has exchanged the garments of a beggar for the crown of a king and the singing-robes of a prophet. i hope you will do well in life, and i would advise that you improve your education, and then become a teacher. you are fitted for that position. you could fill it with dignity. do all you can to elevate the mind as well as manners of your most unfortunate race. and now, poor old nace, what pursuit must i recommend to you?" after a moment's pause, he added with a smile, "i will point out none; for you are yankee enough, nace, to get along anywhere." he then requested that we should all kneel, whilst he besought for us and himself the blessings of divine grace. i can never forget the words of that beautiful prayer. how like fairy pearls they fell from his lips! and i do not think there was a single heart present that did not send out a fervent response! it seemed as if his whole soul were thrown into that one burning appeal to heaven. his mellow eyes grew purple in their intense passionateness; his pale lip quivered; and the throbbing veins, that wandered so blue and beautifully through his temples, were swollen with the rapid tide of emotion. as we rose from our knees, he elevated himself upon his elbow, and looking earnestly at each one of us, said solemnly, "god bless all of you!" then sank back upon the pillow; a bright smile flitted over his face, and he held his hand out to miss bradly, who clasped it lovingly. "good-bye, kind friend," he murmured, "never forsake the noble anti-slavery cause. cling to it as a rock and anchor of safety. good-bye, and god bless you." he then gave his other hand to dr. mandy, but, in attempting to speak, he was checked by a violent attack of coughing, and blood gushed from his mouth. the doctor endeavored to arrest the flow, but in vain; the crimson tide, like a stream broken loose from its barrier, flowed with a stifling rush. soon we discovered, from the ghastly whiteness of the patient's face, and the calm, set stare of the eyes, that his life was almost gone. oh, god! how hard, pinched and contracted appeared those once beauteous features! how terrible was the blank fixedness of those blue orbs! no motion of the hand could distract their look. "heavens!" cried miss jane, "his eyes are set!" "no, no," exclaimed mr. peterkin, and with many gestures, he attempted to draw the staring eyes away from the object upon which they were fastened; but vain were all his endeavors. he had no power to call back a parting spirit; he, who had sent others to an unblest grave, could not now breathe fresh vigor into a frame over which death held his skeleton arm. where was remorse, the unsleeping fiend, in that moment? i was looking earnestly at young master's face, when the great change passed over it. i saw dr. mandy slowly press down the marble eye-lids and gently straighten the rigid limbs; then, very softly turning to the friends, whose faces were hidden by their clasped hands, he murmured, "all is over!" great heaven! what screams burst from the afflicted family. mr. peterkin was crazy. his grief knew no bounds! he raved, he tore his hair, he struck his breast violently, and then blasphemed. he did everything but pray. and that was a thing so unfamiliar to him, that he did not know how to do it. miss jane swooned, whilst miss tildy raved out against the injustice of providence in taking her brother from her. miss bradly and i laid the body out, dressed it in a suit of pure white, and filletted his golden curls with a band of white rose-buds. like a gentle infant resting in its first, deep sleep, lay he there! after spreading the snowy drapery over the body, miss bradly covered all the furniture with white napkins, giving to the room the appearance of a death-like chill. there were no warm, rosy, life-like tints. upon entering it, the very heart grew icy and still. the family, one by one, retired to their own apartments for the indulgence of private and sacred grief! chapter xxvi. the funeral--miss bradly's departure--the dispute--spirit questions. when i entered the kitchen, i found the servants still weeping violently. "poor soul," said sally, "he's at rest now. if he hain't gone to heaven, 'taint no use of havin' any; fur he war de best critter i iver seed. he never gived me a cross word in all his life-time. oh, lord, he am gone now!" "i 'members de time, when mister jones whipt me, dat young masser comed to me wid some grease and rubbed me all over, and talked so kind to me. den he tell me not to say nothin' 'bout it, and i niver did mention it from dat day until dis." "wal, he was mighty good," added jake, "and i's sorry he's dead." "i'se glad he got us our freedom afore he died. i wonder if we'll git it?" asked nace, who was always intent upon selfishness. "laws! didn't he promise? den he mus' keep his word," added jake. i made no comment. my thoughts upon the subject i kept locked in the depths of my own bosom. i knew then, as now, that natures like mr. peterkin's could be changed only by the interposition of a miracle. he had now shrunk beneath the power of a sudden blow of misfortune; but this would soon pass away, and the savage nature would re-assert itself. all that gloomy night, i watched with miss bradly and dr. mandy beside the corpse. often whilst the others dozed, would i steal to the bed and turn down the covering, to gaze upon that still pale face! reverently i placed my hand upon that rich golden head, with its band of flowers. there is an angel-like calm in the repose of death; a subdued awe that impresses the coldest and most unbelieving hearts! as i looked at that still body, which had so lately been illumined by a radiant soul, and saw the noble look which the face yet wore, i inwardly exclaimed, 'tis well for those who sleep in the lord! all that long night i watched and waited, hoped and prayed. the deep, mysterious midnight passed, with all its fearful power of passion and mystery; the still, small hours glided on as with silver slippers, and then came the purple glory of a spring dawn! i left the chamber of death, and went out to muse in the hazy day-break. and, as i there reflected, my soul grew sick and sore afraid. one by one my friends had been falling around me, and now i stood alone. there was no kind voice to cheer me on; no gentle, loving hand stretched forth to aid me; no smile of friendship to encourage me. in the thickest of the fight, unbucklered, i must go. up the weary, craggy mountain i must climb. the burning sands i must tread alone! what wonder that my spirit, weak and womanly, trembled and turned away, asking for the removal of the cup of life! only the slave can comprehend the amount of agony that i endured. he alone who clanks the chain of african bondage, can know what a cloud of sorrow swept over my heart. i saw the great sun rise, like a blood-stained gladiator, in the east, and the diamond dew that glittered in his early light. i saw the roses unclose fragrantly to his warming call; yet my heart was chill. through the flower-decked grounds i walked, and the aroma of rarest blooms filled my senses with delight, yet woke no answering thrill in my bosom. must it not be wretchedness indeed, when the heart refuses to look around upon blooming, vernal nature, and answer her with a smile of freshness? a little after daylight i re-entered the house, and found miss bradly dozing in a large arm-chair, with one hand thrown upon the cover of the bed where lay young master's body. dr. mandy was outstretched upon the lounge in a profound sleep. the long candles had burnt very low in the sockets, and every now and then sent up that flicker, which has been so often likened to the struggles of expiring humanity. i extinguished them, and closed the shutters, to exclude the morning rays that would else have stolen in to mar the rest of those who needed sleep. then returning to the yard, i culled a fresh bouquet and placed it upon the breast of the dead. gently touching miss bradly, i roused her and begged that she would seek some more comfortable quarters, whilst i watched with the body. she did so, having first imprinted a kiss upon the brow of the heavenly sleeper. when she withdrew, i took from my apron a bundle of freshly-gathered flowers, and set about weaving fairy chains and garlands, which i scattered in fantastic profusion over and around the body. a beautiful custom is it to decorate the dead with fresh flowers! there is something in the delicate, fairy-like perfume, and in the magical shadings and formation of flowers, that make them appropriate offerings to the dead. strange mystical things that they are, seemingly instinct with a new and inchoate life; breathing in their heavenly fragrance of a hidden blessing, telling a story which our dull ears of clay can never comprehend. symbols of diviner being, expressions of quickening beauty, we understand ye not. we only _feel_ that ye are god's richest blessing to us, therefore we offer ye to our loved and holy dead! when the broad daylight began to beam in through the crevices of the shutters, and noise of busy life sounded from without, the family rose. separately they entered the room, each turning down the spread, and gazing tearfully upon the ghastly face. often and often they kissed the brow, cheek, and lips. "how lovely he was in life," said miss jane. "indeed he was, and he is now an angel," replied miss tildy, with a fresh gush of emotion. "my poor, poor boy," said mr. peterkin, as he sank down on the bed beside the body; "how proud i was of him. i allers knowed he'd be tuck 'way from me. he was too putty an' smart an' good fur this world. my heart wus so sot on him! yit sometimes he almost run me crazy. i don't think it was just in providence to take my only boy. i could have better spared one of the gals. oh, tain't right, no how it can be fixed." and thus he rambled on, perfectly unconscious of the bold blasphemy which he was uttering with every breath he drew. to impugn the justice of his maker's decrees was a common practice with him. he had so long rejoiced in power, and witnessed the uncomplaining vassalage of slaves, that he began to regard himself as the very highest constituted authority! this is but one of the corrupting influences of the slave-system. that long, wearing day, with its weight of speechless grief, passed at last. the neighbors came and went. each praised the beauty of the corpse, and inquired who had dressed it. at length the day closed, and was succeeded by a lovely twilight. another night, with its star-fretted canopy, its queenly, slow-moving moon, its soft aromatic air and pearly dew. and another gray, hazy day-break, yet still, as before, i watched near the dead. but on the afternoon of this day, there came a long, black coffin, with its silver plate and mountings; its interior trimmings of white satin and border of lace, and within this they laid the form of young master! his pale, fair hands were crossed prayerfully upon his breast; and a fillet of fresh white buds bound his smooth brow, whilst a large bouquet lay on his breast, and the wreaths i had woven were thrown round him and over his feet. then the lid was placed on and tightly screwed down. then came the friends and neighbors, and a good man who read the bible and preached a soothing and ennobling sermon. the friends gave one more look, another, a longer and more clinging kiss, then all was over. the slow procession followed after the vehicle that carried the coffin, the servants walking behind. poor, uncared-for slaves, as we were, we paid a heart-felt tribute to his memory, and watered his new-made grave with as sincere tears as ever flowed from eyes that had looked on happier times. i lingered until long after the last shovel-full of dirt was thrown upon him. others, even his kindred, had left the spot ere i turned away. that little narrow grave was dearer and nearer to me, as there it lay so fresh and damp, shapen smoothly with the sexton's spade, than when, several weeks after, a patrician obelisk reared its parian head towards the blue sky. i have always looked upon grave-monuments as stony barriers, shutting out the world from the form that slowly moulders below. when the wild moss and verdant sward alone cover the grave, 'tis easy for us to imagine death only a sleep; but the grave-stone, with its carvings and frescoes, seems a sort of prison, cold and grim in its aristocratic splendor. for the grave of those whom i love, i ask no other decoration than the redundant grass, the enamelled mosaic of wild flowers, a stream rolling by with its dirge-like chime, a weeping willow, and a moaning dove. the shades of evening were falling darkly ere i left the burial-ground. there, amid the graves of his ancestors, beside the tomb of his mother, i left him sleeping pleasantly. "life's fitful fever over," his calm soul rests well. * * * * * * * in a few weeks after his death, the family settled back to their original manner of life. mr. peterkin grew sulky in his grief. he chewed and drank incessantly. the remonstrances of his daughters had no effect upon him. he took no notice of them, seemed almost to ignore their existence. feeding sullenly on his own rooted sorrow, he cared nothing for those around him. we, the servants, had been allowed a rather better time; for as he was entirely occupied with his own moody reflections, he bestowed upon us no thought. yet we had heard no word about his compliance with the sacred promise he had made to the dead. did he feel no touch of remorse, or was he so entirely sold to the d--l, as to be incapable of regret? the young ladies had been busy making up their mourning, and took but little notice of domestic affairs. miss jane concluded to postpone her visit to the city, on account of their recent bereavement; but later in the summer, she proposed going. one afternoon, several weeks after the burial of young master, miss bradly came over to see the ladies, for the purpose, as she said, of bidding them farewell, as early on the following morning she expected to start north, to rejoin her family, from whom she had been so long separated. miss jane received the announcement with her usual haughty smile; and miss tildy, who was rather more of a hypocrite, expressed some regret at parting from her old teacher. "i fear, dear girls, that you will soon forget me. i hoped that an intimate friendship had grown up between us, which nothing could destroy; but it seems as if, in the last half-year, you have ceased to love me, or care for me." "i can only answer for myself, dear miss bradly," said miss tildy, "and i shall ever gratefully and fondly remember you, and my interesting school-days." "so shall i pleasantly recollect my school-hours, and miss bradly as our preceptress; and, had she not chosen to express and defend those awfully disgraceful and incendiary principles of the north, i should have continued to think of her with pleasure." miss jane said this with her freezing air of hauteur. "but i remained silent, dear jane, for years. i lived in your midst, in the very families where slave-labor was employed; yet i molested none. i did not inveigh against your peculiar domestic institution; though, heaven knows, every principle of my nature cried out against it. surely for all this i deserve some kind consideration." "'tis a great pity your prudence did not hold out to the last; and i can assure you 'tis well for the safety of your life and person that you were a woman, else would it have gone hard with you. kited through the streets with a coat of tar and a plumage of hen-feathers, you would have been treated to a rail-ride, none the most complimentary." here miss jane laughed heartily at the ridiculous picture she had drawn. miss bradly's face reddened deeply as she replied: "and all this would have been inflicted upon me because i dared to have an opinion upon a subject of vital import to this our proud republic. this would have been the gracious hospitality, which, as chivalry-loving southerners, you would have shown to a stranger from the north! if this be your mode and manner of carrying out the comity of states, i am heartily glad that i am about returning to the other side of the border." "and we give you joy of your swift return. pray, tell all your abolition friends that such will be their reception, should they dare to venture among us." "yet, as with tearful eyes you stood round your brother's death-bed, you solemnly promised him that his dying wish, with regard to the liberation of your father's slaves, should be carried out, and that you would never become the owner of such property." "stop! stop!" exclaimed miss jane, and her face was livid with rage, "you have no right to recur to that time. you are inhuman to introduce it at this moment. every one of common sense knows that brother was too young to have formed a correct opinion upon a question of such momentous value to the entire government; besides, a promise made to the dying is never binding. why should it be? we only wished to relieve him from anxiety. father would sell every drop of his blood before he would grant a negro liberty. he is against it in principle. so am i. negroes were made to serve the whites; for that purpose only were they created, and i am not one who is willing to thwart their maker's wise design." miss jane imagined she had spoken quite conclusively and displayed a vast amount of learning. she looked around for admiration and applause, which was readily given her by her complimentary sister. "ah, jane, you should have been a man, and practiced law. the courts would have been the place for the display of your brilliant talents." "but the halls of legislation would not, i fear," said miss bradly, "have had the benefit of her wise, just, and philanthropic views." "i should never have allowed the abolitionists their present weight of influence, whilst the power of speech and the strength of action remained to me," answered miss jane, very tartly. "oh no, doubtless you would have met the douglas in his hall, and the lion in his den," laughingly replied miss bradly. thus the conversation was carried on, upon no very friendly terms, until miss jane espied me, when she thundered out, "leave the room, ann, we've no use for negro company here, unless, indeed, as i think most probable, miss bradly came to visit you, in which case she had better be shown to the kitchen." this insult roused miss bradly's resentment, and she rose, saying, "young ladies, i came this evening to take a pleasant adieu, little expecting to meet with such treatment; but be it as you wish; i take my leave;" and, with a slight inclination of the head, she departed. "oh, she is insulted!" cried miss tildy. "i don't care if she is, we owe her nothing. for teaching us she was well paid; now let her take care of herself." "i am going after her to say i did not wish to insult her; for really, notwithstanding her abolition sentiments, i like her very much, and i wish her always to like me." so she started off and overtook miss bradly at the gate. the explanation was, i presume, accepted, for they parted with kisses and tears. that evening, when i was serving the table, miss jane reported the conversation to her father, who applauded her manner of argument greatly. "set my niggers free, indeed! catch me doing any such foolish thing. i'd sooner be shot. don't you look for anything of the kind, ann; i'd sooner put you in my pocket." and this was the way he kept a sacred promise to his dead son! but cases such as this are numerous. the negro is lulled with promises by humane masters--promises such as those that led the terror-stricken macbeth on to his fearful doom. they "keep the word of promise to the ear, but break it to the hope." how many of them are trifled with and lured on; buoyed up from year to year with stories, which those who tell them are resolved shall never be realized. my memory runs back now to some such wretched recollections; and my heart shrivels and crumbles at the bare thought, like scorched paper. oh, where is there to be found injustice like that which the american slaves daily and hourly endure, without a word of complaint? "we die daily"--die to love, to hope, to feeling, humanity, and all the high and noble gifts that make existence something more than a mere breathing span. we die to all enlargement of mind and expansion of heart. our every energy is bound down with many bolts and bars; yet whole folios have been written by men calling themselves wise, to prove that we are by far the happiest portion of the population of this broad union! what a commentary upon the liberality of free men! after the conversation with miss bradly, the young ladies began to resume their old severity, which the death of young master had checked; but mr. peterkin still seemed moody and troubled. he drank to a frightful excess. it seemed to have increased his moroseness. he slept sounder at night, and later in the morning, and was swollen and bloated to almost twice his former dimensions. his face was a dark crimson purple; he spoke but little, and then never without an oath. his daughters remarked the change, but sought not to dissuade him. perhaps they cared not if his excesses were followed by death. i had long known that they treated him with respect only out of apprehension that they would be cut short of patrimonial favors. but the death of young master had almost certainly insured them against this, and they were unusually insolent to their father; but this he appeared not to notice; for he was too sottishly drunk even to heed them. the necessity of wearing black, and the custom of remaining away from places of amusement, had forced miss jane to decline, or at least, postpone her trip to the city. i shall ever remember that summer as one of unusual luxuriance. it seemed to me, that the forests were more redundant of foliage than i had ever before seen them. the wild flowers were gayer and brighter, and the sky of a more glorious blue; even the little feathered songsters sang more deliciously; and oh, the moonlight nights seemed wondrously soft and silvery, and the hosts of stars seven times multiplied! i began to live again. away through the old primeval woods i took occasionally a stolen ramble! whole volumes of romance i drained from the ever-affluent library of nature. i truly found- "tongues in the trees; books, in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything." it is impossible to imagine how much i enjoyed those solitary walks, few and far between as they were. i used to wonder why the ladies did not more enjoy the luxury of frequent communion with nature in her loveliest haunts! strange, is it not, how little the privileged class value the pleasures and benefits by which they are surrounded! i would have given ten years of my life (though considering my trouble, the sacrifice would have been small) to be allowed to linger long beside the winding, murmuring brook, or recline at the fountain, looking far away into the impenetrable blue above; or to gather wild flowers at will, and toy with their tiny leaflets! but indulgences such as these would have been condemned and punished as indolence. i cannot now, honestly, recall a single pleasure that was allowed me, during my long slavery to mr. peterkin. then who can ask me, if i would not rather go back into bondage than _live_, aye _live_ (that is the word), with the proud sense of freedom mine? i have often been asked if the burden of finding food and raiment for myself was not great enough to make me wish to resign my liberty. no, a thousand times no! let me go half-clad, and meanly fed, but still give me the custody of my own person, without a master to spy into and question out my up-risings and down-sittings, and confine me like a leashed hound! slavery in its mildest phases (of which i have _only_ heard, for i've always seen it in its darker terrors) must be unhappy. the very knowledge that you have no control over yourself, that you are subject to the will, even whim, of another; that every privilege you enjoy is yours only by concession, not right, must depress and all but madden the victim. in no situation, with no flowery disguises, can the revolting institution be made consistent with the free-agency of man, which we all believe to be the divine gift. we have been and are cruelly oppressed; why may we not come out with our petition of right, and declare ourselves independent? for this were the infant colonies applauded; who then shall inveigh against us for a practice of the same heroism? every word contained in their admirable declaration, applies to us. chapter xxvii. the awful confession of the master--death; its cold solemnity. time passed on; mr. peterkin drank more and more violently. he had grown immense in size, and now slept nearly all the day as well as night. dr. mandy had told the young ladies that there was great danger of apoplexy. i frequently saw them standing off, talking, and looking at their father with a strange expression, the meaning of which i could not divine; but sure i am there was no love in it, 'twas more like a surmise or inquiry, "how long will you be here?" i would not "set down aught in malice," i would rather "extenuate," yet am i bound in truth to say that i think their father's death was an event to which they looked with pleasure. he had not been showy enough for them, nor had he loved such display as they wished: true, he allowed them any amount of money; but he objected to conforming to certain fashions, which they considered indispensable to their own position; and this difference in ideas and tastes created much discord. they were not girls of feeling and heart. to them, a father was nothing more than an accidental guardian, whose duty it was to supply them with money. late one night, when i had fallen into a profound sleep, such an one as i had not known for months, almost years, i was suddenly aroused by a loud knocking at the cabin-door, and a shout of-"ann! ann!" i instantly recognized the sharp staccato notes of miss jane's voice; and, starting quickly up, i opened the door, but half-dressed, and inquired what was wanting? "are you one of the seven sleepers, that it requires such knocking to arouse you? here i've been beating and banging the door, and yet you still slept on." i stammered out something like an excuse; and she told me master was very ill, and i must instantly heat a large kettle of water; that dr. mandy had been sent for, and upon his arrival, prescribed a hot bath. as quickly as the fire, aided by mine and sally's united efforts, could heat the water, it was got ready. jake, nace, and dan lifted the large bathing-tub into mr. peterkin's room, filled it with the warm water, and placed him in it. the case was as dr. mandy had predicted. mr. p. had been seized with a violent attack of apoplexy, and his life was despaired of. all the efforts of the physician seemed to fail. when mr. peterkin did revive, it was frightful to listen to him. such revolting oaths as he used! such horrid blasphemy as poured from his lips, i shrink from the foulness of recording. raving like a madman, he called upon god to restore his son, or stand condemned as unjust. his daughters, in sheer affright, sent for the country preacher; but the good man could effect nothing. his pious words were wasted upon ears duller than stone. "i don't care a d--n for your religion. none of your hypocritical prayin' round me," mr. peterkin would say, when the good parson sought to beguile his attention, and lead him to the contemplation of divine things. frightful it was, to me, to stand by his bed-side, and hear him call with an oath for whiskey, which was refused. he had drunk so long, and so deeply, that now, when he was suddenly checked, the change was terrible to witness. he grew timid, and seemed haunted by terrible spectres. anon he would call to some fair-haired woman, and shout out that there was blood, clotted blood, on her ringlets; then, rolling himself up in the bed covering, he would shriek for the skies and mountains to hide him from the meek reproach of those girlish eyes! "something terrible is on his memory," said the doctor to miss jane. "do you know aught of this?" "nothing," she replied with a shudder. "don't you remember," asked miss tildy, "how often johnny's eyes seemed to recall a remorseful memory, and how father would, as now, cry for them to shut out that look which so tormented him?" "yes, yes," and they both fled from the room, and did not again go near their father. on the third evening of his illness, when dr. mandy (who had been constantly with him) sat by his bed, holding his pulse, he turned on his side, and asked in a mild tone, quite unusual to him, "doctor, must i die? tell me the truth; i don't want to be deceived." after a moment's pause, the doctor replied, "yes, mr. peterkin, i will speak the truth; i don't think you can recover from this attack, and, if i am not very much mistaken, but a few hours of mortal life now remain to you." "then i must speak on a matter what has troubled me a good deal. if i was a good scholar i'd a writ it out, and left it fur you to read; but as i warn't much edicated, i couldn't do that, so i'll jist tell you all, and relieve my mind." here mr. peterkin's face assumed a frightful expression; his eyes rolled terribly in his head, and blazed with an expression which no language can paint. his very hair seemed erect with terror. "don't excite yourself; be calm! wait until another time, then tell me." "no, no, i must speak now, i feel it 'twill do me good. long time ago i had a good kind mother, and one lovely sister;" and here his voice sank to a whisper. "my father i can't remember; he died when i was a baby. i was a wild boy; a 'brick,' as they usin' to call me. 'way off in old virginny i was born and raised. my mother was a good, easy sort of woman, that never used any force with her children, jist sich a person as should raise gals, not fit to manage onruly boys like me. i jist had my own way; came and went when i pleased. mother didn't often reprove me; whenever she did, it was in a gentle sort of way that i didn't mind at all. i'd promise far enough; but then, i'd go and do my own way. so i growed up to the age of eighteen. i'd go off on little trips; get myself in debt, and mother'd have to pay. she an' sis had to take in sewin' to support 'emselves, and me too. wal, they didn't make money fast enough at this; so they went out an' took in washin'. sis, poor little thing, hired herself out by the day, to get extry money for to buy little knic-nacs fur mother, whose health had got mighty bad. wal, their rent had fell due, and lucy (my sister) and mother had bin savin' up money fur a good while, without sayin' anything to me 'bout it; but of nights when they thought i was asleep, i seed 'em slip the money in a drawer of an old bureau, that stood in the room whar i slept. wal, i owed some men a parcel of money, gamblin' debts, and they had bin sorter quarrelin' with me 'bout it, and railin' of me 'bout my want of spirit, and i was allers sort of proud an' very high-tempered. so i 'gan to think mother and luce was a saving up money fur to buy finery fur 'emselves, an' i 'greed i'd fix 'em fur it. so one night i made my brags to the boys that i'd pay the next night, with intrust. some of 'em bet big that i wouldn't do it. so then i was bound fur it. accordin', next night i tried to get inter the drawer; but found it fast locked. i tried agin. at length, with a wrinch, i bust it open, an' thar before me, all in bright specie, lay fifty dollars! a big sum it 'peared to me, and then i was all afired with passion, for luce had refused me when i had axed her to lend me money. jist as i had pocketed it, an' was 'about to drive out of the room, lucy opened the door, an' seein' the drawer wide open, she guessed it all. she gave one loud scream, saying, 'oh, all our hard savin's is gone.' i made a sign to her to keep silent; but she went on hallowin' and cotcht hold of me, an' by a sort of quare strength, she got her arm round me, an' her hand in my pocket, where the money was." "you musn't have this, indeed you musn't," said she, "for it is to pay our rent." "one desperate effort i made, an' knocked her to the floor. her head struck agin the sharp part of the bureau, and the blood gushed from it; i give one loud yell for mother, an' then fled. give me some water," he added, in a hollow tone. after moistening his lips, he continued: "reachin' my companions, i paid down every cent of the money, principal and interest, then got my bet paid, and left 'em, throwin' a few dollars toward 'em for the gineral treat. "about midnight, soft as a cat, i crept along to our house; and i knew from the light through the open shutter of the winder, that she was either dead or dyin'; for it was a rule at our house to have the lights put out afore ten. "i slipped up close to the winder, and lookin' in, saw the very wust that i had expected--lucy in her shroud! a long, white sheet was spread over the body! two long candles burnt at the head and foot of the corpse. three neighbor-women was watchin' with her. while i still looked, the side door opened, and mother came in, looking white as a ghost. she turned down the sheet from the body. i pressed my face still closer to the winder-pane; and saw that white, dead face; the forehead, where the wound had been given, was bandaged up. mother knelt down, and cried out with a tone that froze my blood-"'my child, my murdered child!' i did not tarry another minute; but with one loud yell bounded away. this scream roused the women, who seized up the candle and run out to the door. i looked back an' saw them with candles in hand, examining round the house. for weeks i lived in the woods on herbs and nuts; occasionally stoppin' at farm-houses, an' buyin' a leetle milk and bread, still i journeyed on toward the west, my land of promise. at last, on foot, after long travel, i reached kaintuck. i engaged in all sorts of head-work, but didn't succeed very well till i began to trade in niggers; then i made money fast enough. i was a hard master. it seemed like i was the same as that old ishmael you read of in the old book; my hand was agin every man, and every man's agin me. after while, i got mighty rich from tradin' in niggers, and married. these is my children. this is all of my story,--a bad one 'tis too; but, doctor, that boy, my poor, dead johnny, was so like lucy that he almost driv' me mad. at times he had a sartin look, jist like hern, that driv' a dagger to my heart. oh, lord! if i die, what will become of me? give me some whiskey, doctor, i mus' have some, for the devil and all his imps seem to be here." he began raving in a frightful manner, and sprang out of bed so furiously that the doctor deemed it necessary to have him confined. jake, dan, and nace were called in to assist in tying their master. it was with difficulty they accomplished their task; but at last it was done. panting and foaming at the mouth, this goliath of human abominations lay! he, who had so often bound negroes, was now by them bound down! if he had been fully conscious, his indignation would have known no limits. miss jane sent for me to come to her room. i found her in hysterics. immediately, at her command, i set about rubbing her head, and chafing her temples and hands with cologne; but all that i could do seemed to fall far short of affording any relief. it appeared to me that her lungs were unusually strong, for such screams i hardly ever listened to; but her life was stout enough to stand it. the wicked are long-lived! miss tildy had more self-control. she moved about the house with her usual indifference, caring for and heeding no one, except as she bestowed upon me an occasional reprimand, which, to this day, i cannot think i deserved. if she mislaid an article of apparel, she instantly accused me of having stolen it; and persisted in the charge until it was found. she always accompanied her accusations with impressive blows. it is treatment such as this that robs the slave of all self-respect. he is constantly taught to look upon himself as an animal, devoid of all good attributes, without principle, and full of vice. if he really tries to practice virtue and integrity, he gets no credit for it. "_honest for a nigger_," is a phrase much in use in kentucky; the satirical significance of which is perfectly understood by the astute african. i knew that it was hard for me to hold fast to my principles amid such fierce trials. it was so common a charge--that of liar and thief--that despite my practice to the contrary, i almost began to accept the terms as deserved. in some cases, the human conscience is a flexile thing! but, thank heaven! mine withstood the trial! * * * * * * * on the morning of the fifth day after mr. peterkin's illness, his perturbed spirit, amid imprecations and blasphemies the most horrible, took its leave of the mortal tenement. whither went it, oh, angel of mercy? a fearful charge had his guardian-angel to render up. this was the second time i had witnessed the death of a human master. i had no tears; and, as a veracious historian, i am bound to say that i regard it as a beneficent dispensation of divine providence. he, my tyrant, had gone to his judge to render a fearful account of the dreadful deeds done in the body. after he was laid out and appropriately dressed, and the room darkened, the young ladies came in to look at him. i believe they wept. at least, i can testify to the premonitory symptoms of weeping, viz., the fluttering of white pocket-handkerchiefs, in close proximity to the eyes! the neighbors gathered round them with bottles of sal-volatile, camphor, fans, &c., &c. there was no dearth of consolatory words, for they were rich. though mr. peterkin's possessions were vast, he could carry no tithe of them to that land whither he had gone; and at that bar before which he must stand, there would flash on him the stern eye of justice. his trial there would be equitable and rigid. his money could avail him nought; for _there_ were allowed no "packed juries," bribed and suborned witnesses, no wily attorneys to turn truth astray; no subtleties and quibbles of litigation; all is clear, straight, open, even-handed justice, and his own deeds, like a mighty cloud of evidence, would rise up against him--and so we consign him to his fate and to his mother earth. but he was befittingly buried, even with the rites of christianity! there was a man in a white neck-cloth, with a sombre face, who read a psalm, offered up a well-worded prayer, gave out a text, and therefrom preached an appropriate, elegiac sermon. not one, to be sure, in which the peculiar virtues of brother peterkin were set forth, but a sort of pious oration, wherein religion, practical and revealed, was duly encouraged, and great sympathy offered to the _lovely_ and bereaved daughters, &c., &c. the body was placed in a very fine coffin, and interred in the family burying-ground, near his wife and son! at the grave, miss jane, who well understood scenic effect, contrived to get up an attack of syncope, and fell prostrate beside the new-made grave. of course "the friends" gathered round her with restoratives, and, shouting for "air," they made an opening in the crowd, through which she was borne to a carriage and driven home. i had lingered, tenderly, beside young master's tomb, little heeding what was passing around, when this theatrical excitement roused me. oh! does not one who has real trouble, heart-agony, sicken when he hears of these affectations of grief? slowly, but i suspect with right-willing hearts, the crowd turned away from the grave, each betaking himself to his own home and pursuit. a few weeks after, a stately monument, commemorative of his good deeds, was erected to the memory of james peterkin. chapter xxviii. the bridal--its ceremonies--a trip, and a change of homes--the magnolia--a stranger. weeks rolled monotonously by after the death of mr. peterkin. there was nothing to break the cloud of gloom that enveloped everything. the ladies were, as ever, cruel and abusive. existence became more painful to me than it had been before. it seemed as if every hope was dead in my breast. an iron chain bound every aspiration, and i settled down into the lethargy of despair. even nature, all radiant as she is, had lost her former charms. i looked not beyond the narrow horizon of the present. the future held out to me no allurements, whilst the dark and gloomy past was an arid plain, without fountain, or flower, or sunshine, over which i dared not send my broken spirit. in this state of dreary monotony, i passed my life for months, until an event occurred which changed my whole after-fate. mr. summerville, who, it seems, had kept up a regular correspondence with miss jane, made us a visit, and, after much secret talking in dark parlors, long rambles through the woods, twilight and moonlight whisperings on the gallery, miss jane announced that there would, on the following evening, be performed a marriage ceremony of importance to all, but of very particular interest to mr. summerville and herself. accordingly, on the evening mentioned, the marriage rite was solemnized in the presence of a few social friends, among whom dr. mandy and wife shone conspicuously. i duly plied the guests with wine, cakes and confections. miss tildy, by the advice of her bride-sister, enacted the pathetic very perfectly. she wept, sighed, and, i do believe, fainted or tried to faint. this was at the special suggestion of her sister, who duly commended and appreciated her. mr. summerville, for the several days that he remained with us, looked, and was, i suppose, the very personification of delight. in about a week or ten days after the solemnization of the matrimonial rite, mr. summerville made his "better half" (or worse, i know not which), understand that very important business urged his immediate return to the city. of course, whilst the novelty of the situation lasted, she was as obedient and complaisant as the most exacting husband could demand, and instantly consented to her lord's request. she bade me get ready to accompany her; and, as she had heard that people from the country were judged according to the wardrobe of their servants, she prepared for me quite a decent outfit. one bright morning, i shall ever remember it, we started off with innumerable trunks, band-boxes, &c.--for the city of l----. without one feeling of regret, i turned my face from the peterkin farm. i never saw it after, save in dark and fearful dreams, from which i always awoke with a shudder. i felt half-emancipated, when my back was turned against it, and in the distance loomed up the city and freedom. i had a queer fancy, that if the peterkin influence were once thrown off, the rest would speedily succeed! if i had only been allowed, i could have shouted out like a school-boy freed from a difficult lesson; but miss jane's checking glance was upon me, and 'twas like winter's frozen breath over a gladsome lake. i well remember the beautiful ride upon the boat, and how long and lingeringly i gazed over the guard, looking down at the blue, dolphin-like waves. all the day, whilst others lounged and talked, i was looking at those same curling, frothy billows, making, in my own mind, fifty fantastic comparisons, which then appeared to me very brilliant, but, since i have learned to think differently. truly, the foam has died on the wave. when night came on, wrapped in her sombre purple, yet glittering with a cuirass of stars and a helmet of planets, the waters sparkled and danced with a fairy-like beauty, and i thought i had never beheld anything half so ecstatic! there was none on that crowded steamer who dreamed of the glory that was nestling, like a thing of love, deep and close down in the poor slave's breast! to those who surrounded me, this was but an ordinary sight; to me it was one of strange, unimagined loveliness. i was careful however, to disguise my emotions. i would have given worlds (had i been their possessor) to speak my joy in one wild word, or to shout it forth in a single cry. this pleasure, like all others, found its speedy end. the next morning, about ten o'clock, we landed in l--, a city of some commercial consequence in the west. indeed, by old residents of the interior of kentucky, it is regarded as "_the city_." i have often since thought of my first landing there; of its dusty, dirty coal-besmoked appearance; of its hedge of drays, its knots of garrulous and noisy drivers, and then the line of dusky warehouses, storage rooms, &c. all this instantly rises to my mind when i hear that growing city spoken of. mr. summerville engaged one of the neatest-looking coaches at the wharf; and into it miss jane, baggage and servant were unceremoniously hurried. i had not the privilege and scarcely the wish to look out of the coach-window, yet, from my crowded and uncomfortable position, i could catch a sight of an occasional ambitious barber's pole, or myriad-tinted chemists' bottles; all these, be it remembered, were novelties to me, who had never been ten miles from mr. peterkin's farm. at length the driver drew a halt at the g---house, as mr. summerville had directed, and, at this palatial-looking building mr. summerville had taken quarters. how well i recollect its wide hall, its gothic entrance and hospitable-looking vestibule! the cane-colored floor cloth, corresponding with the oaken walls struck me as the harmonious design of an artistic mind. for a few moments only was miss jane left in the neat reception-room, when a nice-looking mulatto man entered, and, in a low, gentlemanly tone, informed her that her room was ready. taking the basket and portmanteau from me, he politely requested that we would follow him to room no. 225. through winding corridors and interminable galleries, he conducted us, until, at last, we reached it. drawing a key from his pocket, he applied it to the lock, and bade miss jane enter. she was much pleased with the arrangement of the furniture, the adjustment of the drapery, &c. the floor was covered with a beautiful green velvet carpet, torn bouquet pattern, whilst the design of the rug was one that well harmonized with the disposition of the present tenant. it was a wild tiger reposing in his native jungle. after miss jane had made an elaborate toilette, she told me, as a great favor, she would allow me to go down stairs, or walk through the halls for recreation, as she had no further use for me. i wandered about, passing many rooms, all numbered in gilt figures. the most of them had their doors open, and i amused myself watching the different expressions of face and manners of their occupants. this had always been a habit of mine, for the indulgence of which, however, i had had but little opportunity. i strayed on till i reached the parlors, and they burst upon me with the necromantic power of aladdin's hall. a continuity of four apartments rolled away into a seeming mist, and the adroit position of a mirror multiplied their number and added greatly to the gorgeous effect. there were purple and golden curtains, with their many tinsel ornaments; carpets of the gayest style, from the richest looms. "etruscan vases, quaint and old" adorned the mantel-shelf, and easy divans and lounges of mosaic-velvet were ranged tastefully around. an arcade, with its stately pillars, divided two of the rooms, and the inter-columniations were ornamented with statues and statuettes; and upon a marble table, in the centre of one of the apartments, was a blooming magnolia, the first one i had ever seen! that strange and mysterious odor, that, like a fine, inner, sub-sense, pervades the nerve with a quickening power, stole over me! i stood before the flower in a sort of delicious, delirious joy. there, with its huge fan-like leaves of green, this pure white blossom, queen of all the tribe of flowers, shed its glorious perfume and unfolded its mysterious beauty. it seemed that a new life was opening upon me. surely, i said, this _is_ fairy land. for more than an hour i lingered beside that splendid magnolia, vainly essaying to drink in its glory and its mystery. miss jane and mr. summerville had gone out to take a drive over the city, and i was comparatively free, in their absence, to go whithersoever i pleased. whilst i still loitered near the flower, a very sweet but manly voice asked: "do you love flowers?" i turned hastily, and to my surprise, beheld a fine-looking gentleman standing in close contiguity to me. with pleasure i think now of his broad, open face, written all over with love and kindness; his deep, fervid blue eye, that wore such a gentle expression; and the scant, yet fair hair that rolled away from his magnificent forehead! he appeared to be slightly upwards of fifty; but i am sure from his face, that those fifty years had been most nobly spent. i trembled as i replied: "yes, i am very fond of flowers." he noticed my embarrassment, and smiled most benignantly. "did you ever see a magnolia before?" "is this a magnolia?" i inquired, pointing to the luxurious flower. "yes, and one of the finest i ever saw. it belongs to the south. are you sure you never saw one before?" he fixed his eyes inquiringly upon me as i answered: "oh, quite sure, sir; i never was ten miles from my master's farm in my life." "you are a slave?" "yes, sir, i am." he waited a moment, then said: "are you happy?" i dared not tell a falsehood, yet to have truly stated my feelings, would have been dangerous; so i evasively replied: "yes, as much so as most slaves." i thought i heard him sigh, as he slowly moved away. my eyes followed him with inquiring wonder. who could he be? certain i was that no malice had prompted the question he had asked me. the circumstance created anxiety in my mind. all that day as i walked about, or waited on miss jane, that stranger's faces shone like a new-risen moon upon my darkened heart. had i found, accidentally, one of those northern abolitionists, about whom i had heard so much? often after when sent upon errands for my mistress, i met him in the halls, and he always gave me a kind smile and a friendly salutation. once miss jane observed this, and instantly accused me of having a dishonorable acquaintance with him. my honor was a thing that i had always guarded with the utmost vigilance, and to such a serious charge i perhaps made some hasty reply, whereupon miss jane seized a riding-whip, and cut me most severely across the face, leaving an ugly mark, a trace of which i still bear, and suppose i shall carry to my grave. mr. summerville expostulated with his wife, saying that it was better to use gentle means at first. "no, husband," (she always thus addressed him,) "i know more about the management of _niggers_ than you do." this gross pronunciation of the word negro has a popular use even among the upper and educated classes of kentucky. i am at a loss to account for it, in any other way than by supposing that they use it to express their deepest contempt. mr. summerville was rather disposed to be humane to his servants. he was no advocate of the rod; he used to term it the relic of barbarism. he preferred selling a refractory servant to whipping him. this did not accord particularly well with miss jane's views, and the consequence was they had many a little private argument that did not promise to end well. miss jane made many acquaintances among the boarders in the hotel, with whom she was much pleased. she had frequent invitations to attend the theatre, concerts, and even parties. many of the fashionables of the city called upon her, offering, in true kentucky style, the hospitalities of their mansions. with this she was quite delighted, and her new life became one of intense interest and gratification, as her letters to her sister proved. she would often regret tildy was not there to share in her delight; but it had been considered best for her to remain at the old homestead until some arrangement could be made about the division of the estate. two of the neighbors, a gentleman and his wife, took up their abode with her; but she expected to visit the city so soon as miss jane went to house-keeping, which would be in a few months. miss jane was frequently out spending social days and evenings with her friends, thus giving me the opportunity of going about more than i had ever done through the house. in this way i formed a pleasant acquaintance with several of the chambermaids, colored girls and free. friendships thus grew up which have lasted ever since, and will continue, i trust, until death closes over us. one of the girls, louise, a half-breed, was an especial favorite. she had read some, and was tolerably well educated. from her i often borrowed interesting books, compends of history, bible-stories, poems, &c. i also became a furious reader of newspapers, thus picking up, occasionally, much useful information. louise introduced me, formally, to the head steward, an intelligent mulatto man, named henry, of most prepossessing appearance; but the shadow of a great grief lurked in the full look of his large dark eye! "i am a slave, god help me!" seemed stamped upon his face; 'twas but seldom that i saw him smile, and then it was so like the reflection of a tear, that it pained me full as much as his sigh. he had access to the gentlemen's reading-room; and through him i often had the opportunity of reading the leading anti-slavery journals. with what avidity i devoured them! how full they were of the noblest philanthropy! great exponents of real liberty! at the words of your argument my heart leaped like a new-fledged bird! still pour forth your burning eloquence; it will yet blaze like a watchfire on the mount of liberty! the gladness, the hope, the faith it imparted to my long-bowed heart, would, i am sure, give joy to those noble leaders of the great cause. chapter xxix. the argument. one day, when miss jane and mr. summerville had gone out at an early hour to spend the entire day, i little knew what to do with myself as i had no books nor papers to read, and louise had business that took her out of the house. the day was unusually soft and pleasant. i wandered through the halls, and, drawing near a private gallery that ran along in front of the gentlemen's room, i paused to look at a large picture of an english fox-chase, that adorned the wall. whilst examining its rare and peculiar beauties, my ear was pleasantly struck by the sound of a much-esteemed voice, saying-"well, very well! let us take seats here, in this retired place, and begin the conversation we have been threatening so long." i glanced out at the crevice of the partially open door, and distinctly recognized the gentleman who had spoken to me of the magnolia, and who (i had learned) was james trueman, of boston, a man of high standing and social position, and a successful practitioner of law in his native state. the other was a gentleman from virginia, one of the very first families (there are no second, i believe), by the name of winston, a man reputed of very vast possessions, a land-holder, and an extensive owner of slaves. i had frequently observed him in company with mr. trueman, and had inquired of henry who and what he was. i felt a little reluctant to remain in my position and hear this conversation, not designed for me; yet a singular impulse urged me to remain. i felt (and i scarce know why) that it had a bearing upon the great moral and social question that so agitated the country. whilst i was debating with myself about the propriety of a retreat, i caught a few words, which determined me to stay and hear what i believed would prove an interesting discussion. "let us, my dear mr. winston," began mr. trueman, "indulge for a few moments in a conversation upon this momentous subject. both of us have passed that time of life when the ardor and impetuosity of youthful blood might unfit us for such a discussion, and we may say what we please on this vexed question with the distinct understanding, that however offensive our language may become, it will be regarded as _general_, neither meant nor understood to have any application to ourselves." "i am quite willing and ready to converse as you propose," replied the other, in a quick, unpleasant tone, "and i gladly accept the terms suggested, in which you only anticipate my design. it is well to agree upon such restraint; for though, as you remind me, our advancing years have taken much of the fervor from our blood, and left us calm, sober, thoughtful men, the agitating nature of the subject and the deep interest which both of us feel in it, should put us on our guard. if, then, during the progress of the conversation, either of us shall be unduly excited, let the recollection of the conditions upon which we engage in it, recall him to his accustomed good-humor." "well, we have settled the preliminaries without difficulty, and to mutual satisfaction. and now, the way being clear, our discussion may proceed. i assume, then, in the outset, that the institution of slavery, as it exists in the south, is a monstrous evil. i assume this proposition; not alone because it is the universal sentiment of the 'rest of mankind;' but also, because it is now very generally conceded by slave-holders themselves." "pray, where did you learn that slave-holders ever made such a concession? as to what may be the sentiment of the 'rest of mankind,' i may speak by-and-bye. for the present, my concern is with the opinion of that large slave-holding class to which i belong. i am extensively acquainted among them, and if that is their opinion of our peculiar institution, i am entirely ignorant of it." "your ignorance," said mr. trueman, with a smile, "in that regard, while it by no means disproves my proposition, may be easily explained. with your neighbors, who feel like yourself the dread responsibility of this crying abomination, it is not pleasant, perhaps, to talk upon it, and you avoid doing so without the slightest trouble; because you have other and more engaging topics, such as the condition of your farms, the prospect of fine crops, and all the 'changes of the varying year.' but, read the declarations of your chosen representatives, the favorite sons of the south, in the high councils of our nation; and you will discover, that in all the debates involving it, slavery, in itself, and in its consequences, is frankly admitted to be a tremendous evil." "our representatives may have sometimes thought proper to make such an admission to appease the fanaticism of northern abolitionists, and to quiet the agitations of the country in the spirit of generous compromise: but _i_ am not bound to make it, and _i will not make it_. neither do i avoid conversations with my neighbors upon the subject of slavery from the motive you intimate, nor from any other motive. i have frequently talked with them upon it, boldly and candidly, as i am prepared to talk to you or any reasonable man. your proposition i positively deny, and can quickly refute." i thought there was a little anger in the tone in which he said this; but no excitement was discernible in the clear, calm voice with which mr. trueman answered-"independently of the admission of your representatives, which, i think, ought to bind you (for you must have been aware of it, and since it was public and undisputed, your acquiescence might be fairly presumed), there are many considerations that establish the truth of my position. but i cannot indorse your harsh reflection upon the representatives of your choice. i cannot believe them capable of admitting, for any purpose, a proposition which, in their opinion and that of their constituents, asserts a falsehood. the immortal henry clay and such men as he are responsible for the admission, and not one of them was ever so timid as to be under the dominion of fear, or so dishonest as to be hypocritical." a moment's pause ensued, when mr. winston appeared to rally, and said, "i do not understand, then, if that was their real opinion, how it was possible for them to continue to hold slaves. to say the least of it, their practice was not in accordance with their theory. hence i said, that under certain circumstances and to serve a special purpose, they may have conceded slavery to be an evil. for my own part, if i were persuaded that this proposition is true, it would constrain me to liberate all my slaves, whatever may be my attachment to them or the loss i should necessarily suffer. some of them have been acquired by purchase; others by inheritance: all of them seem satisfied with their treatment upon my estate; yet nothing could induce me to claim the property i have hitherto thought i possessed in them, when convinced of the evil which your proposition asserts." "nothing could be fairer, my dear mr. winston. your conviction will doubtless subject you to immense sacrifices: but these will only enhance your real worth as a man, and i am sure you will make them without hesitation, though it may be, not without reluctance. now, it is a principle of law, well settled, that no person can in any manner convey a title, even to those things which are property, greater than that which he rightfully possesses. if, for instance, i acquire, by theft or otherwise, unlawful possession of your watch or other articles of value, which is transferred, by the operation of purchase and sale, through many hands, your right never ceases; and the process of law will enable you to obtain possession. each individual who purchased the article, may have his remedy against him from whom he procured it, however extended the series of purchasers: but, since whatever right any one of them has was derived originally from me, and since my unlawful acquisition conferred no right at all, it follows that none was transmitted. consequently, you were not divested, and the just spirit of law, continuing to recognize your property in the article whenever found, provides the ready means whereby you may reduce it once more to possession. this principle of law is not peculiar to a single locality; it enters into the remedial code of all civilized countries. its benefits are accessible to the free negro in this land of the dark southern border; and, i trust, it will not be long before those who are now held in slavery may be embraced in its beneficent operation. whether it is recognized internationally, i am not fully prepared to say; but it ought to be, if it is not, for it is the dictate of equity and common sense. but, upon the hypothesis that it is so recognized, if the property of an inhabitant of africa were stolen from him by a citizen of the united states, he might recover it. as for those people who, in the southern states, are held as slaves, they or their ancestors came here originally not by their own choice, but by compulsion, from distant africa. you will hardly deny, i presume, what is, historically, so evident--that "they were captured," as the phrase is, or, in our honest vernacular, _stolen_ and brought by violence from their native homes. had they been the proper subjects of property, what could prevent the application of the principle i have quoted?" after two or three hems and haws, mr. winston began: "i have never inquired particularly into the matter; but have always entertained the impression which pervades the southern mind, that our negroes are legitimately our slaves, in pursuance of the malediction denounced by god against ham and his descendants, of whom they are a part. and, so thinking, i believed we were entitled to the same right to them which we exercise over the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the deep. moreover, your principle of law, which is indeed very correct, is inapplicable to their case. there is also a principle in the law of my state, incapacitating slaves to hold property. they are property themselves; and property cannot hold property. apart from the terrible curse, which doomed them in the beginning, they were slaves in their own country to men of their own race; slaves by right of conquest. therefore, taking the instance you have suggested, by way of illustration, were any article of value wrested from their possession, under this additional principle, the law could not give them any redress. but, inasmuch as whatever they may acquire becomes immediately the property of their master, to him the law will furnish a remedy." "you do not deny," and here mr. trueman's tone was elevated and a little excited, "that the first of those who reached this country were stolen in africa. now, for the sake of the argument merely, i will admit that they were slaves at home. if they were slaves at home--it matters not whether by 'right or conquest,' or 'in pursuance of _the curse_,' they must have been the property of somebody, and those who stole them and sold them into bondage in america could give no valid title to their purchasers; for by the theft they had acquired none themselves. hence, if ever they were slaves, they are still the property of their masters in africa; but, if your interpretation of "the curse" is correct, those masters were also slaves, and, being such, under the principle of law which you have quoted, they could not for this reason hold property. therefore, those oppressed and outraged, though benighted people, who were first sold into slavery, to the eternal disgrace of our land, were, in sheer justice, either _free_, or the property--even after the sale--of their african masters, if they had any; in neither case could they belong to those of our citizens who were unfortunate enough to buy them. they were not slaves of african masters: for, according to your argument, all of the race are slaves, and slaves cannot own slaves any more than horses can own horses; therefore, since no other people claimed dominion over them, they were, necessarily, free. you cannot escape from this dilemma, and the choice of either horn is fatal to your cause. being free, might they not have held property like other nations? and, had any of it been stolen from them by those who are amenable to our laws, would not consistency compel us, who recognize the just principle i have quoted, to restore it to them? this is the course pursued among ourselves; and it ceases not with restoration; but on the offender it proceeds to inflict punishment, to prevent a repetition of the offence. this is the course we should pursue toward that down-trodden race whose greatest guilt is 'a skin not colored like our own.' "as the case stands, it is not a question of property, but of that more valuable and sacred right, the right of _personal liberty_, of which we now boast so loudly. what, in the estimation of the world, is the worth of those multitudinous orations, apostrophies to liberty, which, on each recurring fourth of july, in whatever quarter of the globe americans may be assembled, penetrate the public ear? what are they worth to us, if, while reminding us of early colonial and revolutionary struggles against the galling tyranny of the british crown, they fail to inculcate the easy lesson of respect for the rights of all mankind? in keeping those poor africans in the south still enslaved, you practically ignore this lesson, and you trample with unholy feet that divine ordinance which commands you 'to do unto others as you would have others do unto you.' by the oppression to which we were subjected under the yoke of britain, and against which we wrestled so long, so patiently, so vigorously, in so many ways, and at last so triumphantly, i adjure you to put an end, at once and forever, to this business of holding slaves. this is oppression indeed, in comparison with which, that which drew forth our angry and bitter complaints, was very freedom. let us, instead of perpetuating this infamous institution, be true to ourselves; let us vindicate the pretensions we set up when we characterize ours as 'the land of liberty, the asylum of the oppressed,' by proclaiming to the nations of the earth that, so soon as a slave touches the soil of america, his manacles shall fall from him: let us verify the words engraven in enduring brass on the old bell which from the tower of independence hall rang out our glorious declaration, and in deed and in truth proclaim 'liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison doors to them that are bound.' as you value truth, honor, justice, consistency, aye, humanity even, wipe out the black blot which defiles the border of our escutcheon, and the country will then be in reality what is now only in name, a _free_ country, loving liberty disinterestedly for its own sake, and for that of all people, and nations, and tribes, and tongues. "you may still, if you choose, dispute and philosophize about the inequality of races, and continue to insist on the boasted superiority of _our_ caucasian blood; but the greatest disadvantages which a comparison can indicate will not prove that one's claim to liberty is higher than another's. it may be that we of the white race, are vastly superior to our african brethren. the differences, however, are not flattering to us; for we should remember with shame and confusion of face, that our injustice and cruelty have produced them. having first enslaved the poor africans and subsequently withheld from them every means of improvement, it is not strange that such differences should exist as those on which we plume ourselves. but is it not intolerable that we should now quote them with such brazen self-gratulation? "despite the manifold disadvantages that encumber and clog the movements of the africans, unfortunately for the validity of your argument their race exhibits many proud specimens to prove their capability of culture, and of the enjoyment of freedom. give them but the same opportunities that we have, and they will rival us in learning, refinement, statesmanship, and general demeanor, as is incontestibly shown in the lives and characters of many now living. such men as fred douglas and president roberts, would honor any complexion; or, i ought rather to say, should make us forget and despise the distinctions of color, since they reach not below the surface of the skin, nor affect, in the least, that better part that gives to man all his dignity and worth. nor need i point to these illustrious examples to rebut the inferences you deduce from color. every village and hamlet in your own sunny south, can furnish an abundant refutation, in its obscure but eloquent 'colored preachers'--noble patterns of industry and wisdom, who show forth, by their exemplary bearing, all the beauty of holiness,--'allure to brighter worlds and lead the way.'" it is impossible to furnish even the faintest description of the pleading earnestness of the speaker's tone. his full, round, rich voice, grew intense, low and silvery in its harmonious utterance. as he pronounced the last sentence, it was with difficulty i could repress a cry of applause. oh, surely, surely, i thought, our cause, the african's cause, is not helpless, is not lost, whilst it still possesses such an advocate. my eyes overflowed with grateful tears, and i longed to kiss the hem of his garment. "you forget," answered mr. winston, "or you would do well to consider, that these cases are exceptional cases, which neither preclude my inferences nor warrant your assumption." "exceptions, indeed, they are; but why?" inquired mr. trueman. "exceptions, you know, prove the rule. now, you infer from the sooty complexion of the africans, a natural and necessary incapacity for the blessings of self-government and the refinements of education. i have mentioned individuals of this fatal complexion who are in the wise enjoyment of these sublime privileges: one of them has acquired an enviable celebrity as an orator, the other is the accomplished president of the infant liberian republic. if color incapacitated, as you seem to think, it would affect all alike; but it has not incapacitated these, therefore it does not incapacitate at all. these are exceptions not to the general _capacity_ of the blacks, but only to their general opportunity. what they have done others may do--the opportunities being equal." "i have listened to you entire argument," rejoined mr. winston, "very patiently, with the expectation of hearing the proposition sustained with which you so vauntingly set out. you will, perhaps, accord to me the credit of being--what in this age of ceaseless talk is rarely met--'a good listener.' but, after all my patience and attention, i am still unsatisfied--if not unshaken. you have failed to meet the argument drawn from the 'curse' pronounced on the progenitors of the unfortunate race: you have failed to present or notice what is generally considered by theologians and moralists the right of a purchaser--in your illustration from stolen goods--to something for the money with which he parts; and here, i think, you manifested great unfairness; and, above all, you have failed to propose any feasible remedy for the state of things against which you inveigh. what have you to say on these material points?" "very much, my good sir, as you will find, if, instead of taking advantage of every momentary pause to make out such a 'failure' as you desire, you only prolong your very complimentary patience. i wish you to watch the argument narrowly; to expose the faintest flaw you can detect in it; and, at the end, if unsatisfied, cry out 'failure,' or let it wring from you a reluctant confession. you will, at least, before i shall have done, withdraw the illiberal imputation of unfairness. it would be an easy task for me to anticipate all you can say, and to refute it; but such a course would leave you nothing to say, and, since i intend this discussion to be strictly a conversation, i shall leave you at liberty to present your own arguments in your own way. now, as to the argument from 'the curse,' you must permit me to observe, that your interpretation is too free and latitudinarian. mine is more literal, more in accordance with the character of god; it fully satisfies the divine vengeance, and, whether correct or not, has, at least, as much authority in its favor. granting the dominion of the white over the black race to be in virtue of 'the curse,' it by no means conveys such power as your southern institution seeks to justify. the word _slave_ nowhere occurs in that memorable malediction; but there is an obvious distinction between _its_ import and that of the word _servant_, which it _does_ employ. surely, for the offence of looking upon the nakedness of his father, ham could not have incurred and entailed upon his posterity a heavier punishment than they would necessarily suffer as the simple servants of their brethren. and this consideration should induce you to give them, at least, the same share of freedom as is enjoyed by the _white servants_ to be found in many a household in the south. such servitude would be the utmost that a merciful god could require. even this, however, was under the old dispensation; and the reign of its laws, customs, and punishments, should melt under the genial rays of the sun of christianity. many of your own patriots, headed by washington and jefferson, have long since thought so; and but few in these days plead 'the curse' as excuse or justification for that 'damned spot' which all will come ultimately to consider the disgrace of this enlightened age and nation. as to your next point, the right which a purchaser of stolen goods may acquire in them in consideration of the money which he pays, i grant all the benefit that even the most generous theologian or moralist can allow in the best circumstances of such a case. and what does this amount to? a return of the purchase-money, with a reasonable or very high rate of interest for the detention, would be as much as any one could demand. applying this to the case of the stolen africans, how many of those who were forced from their native land to this have died on their master's hands without yielding by their labor, not alone the principal, but a handsome percentage upon the money invested in their purchase? thus purchasers were indemnified--abundantly indemnified, against loss. the indemnity, however, should have been sought from the seller, not from the article or person sold. but, at best, purchasers of stolen goods, to entitle themselves to any indemnity, should at least be innocent; for if they buy such goods, _knowing them to be stolen_, they are guilty of a serious misdemeanor, which is everywhere punishable under the law. 'he who asks equity must do equity.' when, therefore, you of the south would realize the benefit of the concession of theologians and moralists--the benefit of justice--you should bring yourselves within the conditions they require; you should come into court with clean hands, and with the intention of acting in good faith. have you done so? did your fathers do so before you? not at all. they were not ignorant purchasers of the poor, ravished african; they knew full well that he had been stolen and brought by violence from his distant home: consequently, they were guilty of a misdemeanor in purchasing; consequently, too, they come not within the case proposed by the theologians and moralists, which might entitle them to indemnity; nor were they in a condition to ask it. the present generation, claiming through them, find themselves in the same predicament, with the same title only, and the same unclean hands, perpetuating their foul oppression. none of them, as i have shown, had a right to claim indemnity by reason of having invested their money in that way; and, if they ever had such right, they have been richly indemnified already. therefore, it is absurd for you to continue the slave business upon this plea. having thus answered your only objections to my position, i might remind you of your determination, and call upon you to 'liberate your slaves,' and take sides with me in opposition to the cruel institution. you are greatly mistaken in supposing that my omission to propose a plan, by which slave-holders could _conveniently, and without pecuniary loss_, emancipate their slaves, constitutes the slightest objection to the argument i have advanced. if you defer their emancipation until such a plan is proposed; if you are unwilling to incur even a little sacrifice, what nobility will there be in the act, to entitle you to the consideration of the just and good, or to the approval of your own consciences? i sought by this discussion, to convince you that slavery is an enormous evil; the proposition was declared in all its boldness. you volunteered a pledge to release your slaves if i could sustain it, let the sacrifice be what it might. some sacrifice, then, you must have anticipated; and, should your conviction now demand it, you have no cause to complain of me. your pledge was altogether voluntary; i did not even ask it; nor did i design to suggest any such plan of universal emancipation as would suit the _convenience_ of everybody. i am not so extravagantly silly as to hope to do that. but, after all, why wait for a _plan_? immediate, universal emancipation is not impracticable, and numberless methods might and would at once be devised, if the people of your states were sincere when they profess to desire its accomplishment. their _real_ wish, however, whatever it may be, need not interfere between your individual pledge, and its prompt fulfilment." mr. trueman paused for full five minutes, and, as i peered out from my hiding-place, i thought there was a very quizzical sort of expression on his fine face. "well, what have you to say?" he at length asked. "it seems to me," mr. winston began, in an angry tone, "you speak very flippantly and very wildly about general emancipation. consider, sir, that slavery is so woven into our society, that there is scarcely a family that would not be more or less affected by a change. fundamental alterations in society, to be safely made, must be the slow work of years: 'not the hasty product of a day, but the well-ripened fruit of wise delay.' so it is only by almost imperceptible degrees that the emancipationists and impertinent abolitionists can ever attain 'the consummation' they pretend to have so much at heart. if they would just stay at home and devote their spare time to cleansing their own garments, leaving us of the south to suffer alone what they are pleased to esteem the evil and sin and curse, the shame, burden and abomination of slavery, we should the sooner discover its blasting enormities, and strive more zealously to abolish them and the institution from which they proceed. their super-serviceable interference, hitherto, has only riveted and tightened the bondage of those with whom they sympathize; and such a result will always attend it. our slaves, as at present situated, are very well satisfied, as, indeed, they ought to be: for they are exempt from the anxious cares of the free, as to what they shall eat or what they shall drink, or wherewithal they shall be clothed. many poor men of our own color would gladly exchange conditions with them, because they find life to be a hard, an incessant struggle for the scantiest comforts, with which our slaves are supplied at no cost of personal solicitude. besides, sir, our institution of slavery is vastly more burdensome to ourselves than to the negroes for whom you affect so much fraternal love." "one would suppose, that if you thought it burdensome, you would be making some effort to relieve yourselves," interposed mr. trueman, in that clear and pointed manner that was his peculiarity; "and, if immediate emancipation were deemed impracticable in consequence of the radical hold which this institution has at the south, you might naturally be expected to be doing something toward that end by the encouragement of education among those in bondage, by the sanction of marriage ties between them, and by other efforts to ameliorate their condition. certain inducements might be presented for the manumission of slaves by individual owners, for there are some of this class, i am happy to think, who, in tender humanity, would release their slaves, if the stringency of the laws did not deter them from it. would it not be well to abate somewhat of this rigor, and allow all slaves, voluntarily manumitted, to remain in the several states with at least the privileges of the free negroes now resident therein, so that the olden ties, which have grown up between themselves and their owners, might not be abruptly snapped asunder? besides, to enforce the propriety of this alteration of the law, it would be well to reflect that the south is the native home of most of the slaves, who cherish their local attachments quite as much as ourselves; and hence the law which now requires them, when by any means they have obtained their freedom, to remove beyond the limits of the state, is a very serious hardship and should cease to exist. this would be a long stride toward your own relief from the burden of which you complain. as to the slaves, who you think should be content with their condition, in which they have, as you say, 'no care for necessary food and raiment,' i would suggest that they have the faculty of distinguishing between slavery and bondage, and have sense enough to see that though these things, which are generally of the coarsest kind, are provided by their masters, the means by which they are furnished are but a scanty portion of their own hard earnings. were they free, they could work in the same way, and be entitled to _all_ the fruits of their labor. then they would have the same inducements to toil that we now have, and the same ambition to lift themselves higher and higher in the social scale. those white men whom you believe willing to exchange situations with them, are too indolent to enjoy the privileges of freedom, and would be utterly worthless as slaves. you declaim against the course which the abolitionists have pursued, and seem disposed, in consequence, to tighten the cords of servitude. you would be let alone, forsooth, to bear this burden as long as you please, and to get rid of it at pleasure. so long as there was any hope that you would do what you ought in the matter, you were let alone, and if you were the only sufferers from your peculiar institution, you might continue undisturbed; but the yoke lies heavy and galling upon the poor slaves themselves, whose voices are stifled, and it is high time for the friends of human rights to speak in their behalf, till they make themselves heard. at this momentous period, when new states and territories are knocking for admission at the doors of our union--states and territories of free and virgin soil, which you are seeking to defile by the introduction of slavery--it is fit that they should persevere in their noble efforts, that they should resist your endeavors, and strive with all their energies to confine the obnoxious institution within its already too-extended bounds; for they know, that, if they would attain their object--the ultimate and entire abolition of slavery from our land--they should oppose strenuously every movement tending to its extension; for, the broader the surface over which it spreads, the more formidable will be the difficulty of its removal. therefore it is that they are now so zealously engaged, and they address you as men whose 'judgment has not fled to brutish beasts,' with arguments against the evil itself and the weight of anguish it entails. thus they have ever done, and you tell me that the result has been to rivet the chains of those in whose behalf they plead. as well might the sinner, whose guilt is pointed out to him by the minister of god, resolve for that very reason to plunge more deeply into sin." his voice became gradually calmer and calmer, until finally it sank into the low notes of a solemn half-whisper. i held my breath in intense excitement, but this transport was broken by the harsh tones of the virginian, who said: "all this is very ridiculous as well as unjust; for, at the south slaves are regarded as property, and, inasmuch as our territories are acquired by the common blood and treasure of the whole country, we have as much right to locate in them with our property as you have with any of those things which are recognized as property at the north. in your great love of human rights you might take some thought of us; but the secret of your action is jealousy of our advancement by the aid of slave-labor, which you would have at the north if you needed it. we understand you well, and we are heartily tired of your insulting and impudent cant about the evils of the system of slavery. we want no more of it." mr. trueman, without noticing the insolence of winston, continued in the same impressive manner: "we do take much thought of you at the south, and hence it is that we dislike to see you passively submitting to the continuance of an institution so fraught with evil in itself, and very burdensome, as even you have admitted. we, of the north, feel strongly bound to you by the recollection of common dangers, struggles and trials; and, with an honorable pride, we wish our whole nation to stand fair, and, so far as possible, blameless before the world. we are doing all we can to remove the evils of every kind which exist at the north; and, as we are not sectional in our purposes, we would stimulate you to necessary action in regard to your especial system. we know its evils from sore experience, for it once prevailed amongst us; but, fortunately, we opened our eyes, and gave ourselves a blessed riddance of it. the example is well worthy of your imitation, but, 'pleased as you are with the possession', says blackstone, speaking of the origin and growth of property, 'you seem afraid to look back to the means by which it was acquired, as if fearful of some defect in your title; or, at best, you rest satisfied with the decision of the laws in your favor, without examining the reason or authority upon which those laws have been built.' to the eyes of the nations, who regard us from far across the ocean, and who see us, as a body, better than we see ourselves, slavery is the great blot that obscures the disc of our republic, dimming the effulgence of its southern half, as a partial eclipse darkens the world's glorious luminary. it is, therefore, not alone upon the score of human rights in general, but from a personal interest in our national character, that the abolitionists interfere. various congressional enactments have confirmed the justice of these views, which they are endeavoring to enforce by moral suasion (for they deprecate violence) upon the south. those enactments assume jurisdiction, to some extent at least, upon the subject of slavery, having gone so far as to prohibit the continuance of the slave-trade, denouncing it as piracy, and punishing with death those who are in any way engaged in it. i have yet to learn that the south has ever protested against this law, in which the abolitionists see a strong confirmation of their own just principles. why should they not go a step further, and forbid all traffic in slaves, such as is pursued among your people? why do not the states themselves interpose their power to put down at once and forever, such nefarious business? this would be productive of vastly more good than anything which colonization societies can effect." "suppose, sir," began mr. winston, "we were to annul the present laws regulating the manumission of slaves, and to abolish the institution entirely from our midst; where would be the safety of our own white race? there is great cause for the apprehension generally entertained, of perpetual danger and annoyance, if they were permitted to remain among us. they are there in large numbers, and, having once obtained their freedom, with permission to reside where they now are, they would seek to become 'a power in the state,' which would incite them, if resisted, into fearful rebellion. these are contingencies which sagacious statesmen have foreseen, and which they would be unable to avert. consequently, they had rather bear those ills they have, than fly to others that they know not of." "how infelicitous," mr. trueman suddenly retorted, "is your quotation, for, truly, you 'know not' that these anticipated consequences would ensue; but 'motes they are to trouble the mind's eye.' your sagacious statesmen might more wisely employ their thoughts in contemplating the more probable results of continuing your slaves in their present abject condition. far more reason is there to apprehend rebellion and insurrection now, than the distant dangers you predict. even this last objection is vain, unsubstantial, and, at best, only speculative, resorted to as an unction to mollify the sores of conscience. some of your eminent men have expressed a hope that the colored race might be removed from the south, and from slavery, through the instrumentality of colonization, by which, it is expected, that they would eventually be transported to africa, and encouraged to establish governments for themselves. this proposal is liable, and with more emphasis, to the objection i advanced a while ago, when speaking of the laws which practically discourage manumission, for, if it is a hardship (as i contend it is) for them to be driven from their native state to one strange and unfamiliar to them, it is increasing that severity to require them to seek a home in africa, whose climate is as uncongenial to them as to us, and with whose institutions they feel as little interest, or identity, as we do. admit, for a moment, the practicability of such a scheme. we should, soon after, be called upon to recognize them as one of the nations of the earth, with whom we should treat as we do now with the english, french, german, and other nations. i will suggest to your southern sages, who delight in speculations, that, in the progress of years, they might desire, in imitation of some other people, to accept the invitations we extend to the oppressed and unhappy of the earth. what is there, in that case, to hinder them from immigrating in large numbers? could you distinguish between immigrants of their class, and those who now settle upon our soil? either you could or you could not. if you could not so distinguish, you would in all likelihood have them speedily back, in greater numbers than they come from green erin, or fader-land. thus you would be reduced to almost the same condition as general emancipation would bring about; but, if you could, and did make the distinction, is it not quite likely that deadly offence would be given to their government, which, added to their already accumulated wrongs, would light up the fires of a more frightful war than the intestine rebellion you have talked of; or than any that has ever desolated this continent? bethink yourselves of these things amid your gloomy forebodings, and you will find them pregnant with fearful issues. you will discover, too, the folly of longer maintaining your burdensome system, and the wisdom of heeding whilst you may, the counsel of the philanthropic, which urges you to just, generous, speedy, universal emancipation. but i have fatigued you, and will stop; hoping soon to hear that you have magnanimously redeemed the promise which i had the gratification to hear at the commencement of our conversation." when mr. trueman paused, mr. winston sprang to his feet in a rage, knocking over his chair in the excitement, and declaring that he had most patiently listened to flimsy abolition talk, in which there was no shadow of argument, mere common cant; that he would advise mr. trueman to be more particular in the dissemination of his dangerous and obnoxious opinions; and, as to his own voluntary pledge, it was conditional, and those conditions had not been complied with, and he did not consider himself bound to redeem it. mr. trueman endeavored to calm and soothe the hot-blooded southerner; but his words had no effect upon the illiberal man, whom he had so fairly demolished in argument. as they passed my hiding-place, _en route_ to their respective apartments, i peeped out through a crevice in the door at them. it was very easy to detect the calm, self-poised man, the thoughtful reasoner, in the still, pale face and erect form of trueman; whilst the red, hot-flushed countenance, the quick, peering eye and audacious manner of the other, revealed his unpleasant disposition and unsystematized mind. when the last echo of their retreating footsteps had died upon the ear, i stole from my concealment, and ventured to my own quarters. many new thoughts sprang into existence in my mind, suggested by the conversation to which i had listened. i venerated mr. trueman more than ever. no disciple ever regarded the face of his master so reverently as i watched his countenance, when i chanced to meet him in any part of the house. chapter xxx. the misdemeanor--the punishment--its consequence--fright. the next day miss jane, observing my unusual thoughtfulness, said: "come, now, ann, you are not quite free. from the airs that you have put on, one would think you had been made so." "what have i done, miss jane?" this was asked in a quiet tone, perhaps not so obsequiously as she thought it should be. thereupon she took great offence. "how dare you, miss, speak _to me_ in that tone? take that," and she dealt me a blow across the forehead with a long, limber whalebone, that laid the flesh open. i was so stunned by it that i reeled, and should have fallen to the floor, had i not supported myself by the bed-post. "don't you dare to scream." i attempted to bind up my brow with a handkerchief. this she regarded as affectation. "take care, miss ann," she often prefixed the miss when she was mad, by way of taunting me; "give yourself none of those important airs. i'll take you down a little." when mr. summerville entered, she began to cry, saying: "husband, this nigger-wench has given me a great deal of impertinence. father never allowed it; now i want to know if you will not protect me from such insults." "certainly, my love, i'll not allow any one, white or black, to insult you. ann, how dare you give your mistress impudence?" "i did not mean it, master william." i had thus addressed him ever since his marriage. i attempted to relate the conversation that had occurred, wherein miss jane thought i had been impudent, when she suddenly sprang up, exclaiming: "do you allow a negro to give testimony against your own wife?" "certainly not." "now, mr. summerville," she was getting angry with him, "i require you to whip that girl severely; if you don't do it--why--" and she ground her teeth fiercely. "i will have her whipped, my dear, but i cannot whip her." "why can't you?" and the lady's eye flashed. "because i should be injured by it. _gentlemen_ do not correct negroes; they hire others to do that sort of business." "ah, well, then, hire some one who will do it well." "come with me, ann," he said to me, as i stood speechless with fear and mortification. seeing him again motion me to follow, i, forgetful of the injustice that had been done me, and the honest resentment i should feel--forgetful of everything but the humiliation to which they were going to subject me--fell on my knees before miss jane, and besought her to excuse, to forgive me, and i would never offend her again. "don't dare to ask mercy of me. you know that i am too much like father to spare a nigger." ah, well i knew it! and vainly i sued to her. i might have known that she rejoiced too much in the sport; and, had she been in the country, would have asked no higher pleasure than to attend to it personally. a negro's scream of agony was music to her ears. i governed myself as well as i could while i followed mr. summerville through the halls and winding galleries. down flights of steps, through passages and lobbys we went, until at last we landed in the cellar. there mr. summerville surrendered me to the care of a mr. monkton, the bar-keeper of the establishment duly appointed and fitted for the office of slave-whipping. "here," said mr. summerville, "give this girl a good, genteel whipping; but no cruelty, monkton, and here is your fee;" so saying he handed him a half-dollar, then left the dismal cellar. i have since read long and learned accounts of the gloomy, subterranean cells, in which the cruel ministers of the spanish inquisition performed their horrible deeds; and i think this cellar very nearly resembled them. there it was, with its low, damp, vault-like roof; its unwholesome air, earthen floor, covered with broken wine bottles, and oyster cans, the debris of many a wild night's revel! there stood the monster monkton, with his fierce, lynx eye, his profuse black beard, and frousy brows; a great, stalwart man, of a hard face and manner, forming no bad picture of those wolfish inquisitors of cruel, catholic spain! over this untempting scene a dim, waning lamp, threw its blue glare, only rendering the place more hideous. "now, girl, i am to lick you well. you see the half-dollar. well, i'm to git the worth of it out of your hide. now, what would you think if i didn't give you a single lick?" i looked him full in the face, and even by that equivocal light i had power to discern his horrid purpose, and i quickly and proudly replied, "i should think you did your duty poorly." "and why?" "because you engaged to do _the job_, and even received your pay in advance; therefore, if you fail to comply with your bargain, you are not trustworthy." "wal, you're smart enough for a lawyer." "well, attend to your business." "this is my business," and he held up a stout wagon-whip; "come, strip off." "that is not a part of the contract." "yes; but it's the way i always whips 'em." "you were not told to use me so, and i am not going to remove one article of my clothing." "yes, but you _shall_;" and he approached me, his wild eye glaring with a lascivious light, and the deep passion-spot blazing on his cheek. "girl, you've got to yield to me. i'll have you now, if it's only to show you that i can." i drew back a few steps, and, seizing a broken bottle, waited, with a deadly purpose, to see what he would do. he came so near that i almost fancied his fetid breath played with its damnable heat upon my very cheek. "you've got to be mine. i'll give you a fine calico dress, and a pretty pair of ear-bobs!" this was too much for further endurance. what! must i give up the angel-sealed honor of my life in traffic for trinkets? where is the woman that would not have hotly resented such an insult? i turned upon him like a hungry lioness, and just as his wanton hand was about to be laid upon me, i dexterously aimed, and hurled the bottle directly against his left temple. with a low cry of pain he fell to the floor, and the blood oozed freely from the wound. as my first impression was that i had slain him, so was it my first desperate impulse to kill myself; yet with a second thought came my better intention, and, unlocking the door, i turned and left the gloomy cell. i mounted the dust-covered steps, and rapidly threaded silent, spider festooned halls, until i regained the upper courts. how beautiful seemed the full gush of day-light to me! but the heavy weight of a supposed crime bowed me to the earth. my first idea was to proceed directly to mr. summerville's apartment and make a truthful statement of the affair. what he would do or have done to me was a matter upon which i had expended no thought. my apprehension was altogether for the safety of my soul. homicide was so fearful a thing, that even when committed in actual self-defence, i feared for the justice of it. the divine interrogatory made to cain rang with painful accuracy in my mental ear! "am i my brother's keeper?" i repeated it again and again, and i lived years in the brief space of a moment. away over the trackless void of the future fled imagination, painting all things and scenes with a sombre color. the first recognizable person whom i met was mr. winston. i knew there was but little to hope for from him, for ever since the argument between himself and mr. trueman, he had appeared unusually haughty; and the waiters said that he had become excessively overbearing, that he was constantly knocking them around with his gold-headed cane, and swearing that kentucky slaves were almost as bad as northern free negroes. henry (who had become a _most dear friend of mine_) told me that mr. winston had on one or two occasions, without the slightest provocation, struck him severely over the head; but these things were pretty generally done in the presence of mr. trueman, and for no higher object, i honestly believe, than to annoy that pure-souled philanthropist. so i was assured that he was not one to entrust with my secret, especially as a great intimacy had sprung up between him and miss jane. i, therefore, hastily passed him, and a few steps on met mr. trueman. how serene appeared his chaste, marble face! who that looked upon him, with his quiet, reflective eye, but knew that an angel sat enthroned within his bosom? do not such faces help to prove the perfectibility of the race? if, as the transcendentalists believe, these noble characters are only types of what the _whole man_ will be, may we not expect much from the advent of that dubious personage? "mr. trueman," i said, and my voice was clear and unfaltering, for something in his face and manner exorcised all fear, "i have done a fearful deed." "what, child?" he asked, and his eye was full of solicitude. i then gave him a hurried account of what had occurred in the cellar. after a slight pause, he said: "the best thing for you to do will be to make instant confession to mr. summerville. alas! i fear it will go hard with you, for _you are a slave_." i thanked him for the interest he had manifested in me, and passed on to miss jane's room. i paused one moment at the door, before turning the knob. what a variety of feelings were at work in my breast! had i a fellow-creature's blood upon my hands? i trembled in every limb, but at length controlled myself sufficiently to enter. there sat miss jane, engaged at her crochet-work, and master william playing with the balls of cotton and silk in her little basket. "well, ann, i trust you've got your just deserts, a good whipping," said miss jane, as she fixed her eyes upon me. very calmly i related all that had occurred. mr. summerville sprang to his feet and rushed from the room, whilst miss jane set up a series of screams loud enough to reach the most distant part of the house. all my services were required to keep her from swooning, or _affecting to swoon_. the ladies from the adjoining rooms rushed in to her assistance, and were soon busy chafing her hands, rubbing her feet, and bathing her temples. "isn't this terrible!" ejaculated one. "what _is_ the matter?" cried another. "poor creature, she is hysterical," was the explanation of a third. i endeavored to explain the cause of miss jane's excitement. "you did right," said one lady, whose truly womanly spirit burst through all conventionality and restraint. "what," said one, a genuine southern conservative, "do you say it was right for a slave to oppose and resist the punishment which her master had directed?" "certainly not; but it was right for a female, no matter whether white or black, to resist, even to the shedding of blood, the lascivious advances of a bold libertine." "do you believe the girl's story?" "yes; why not?" "i don't; it bears the impress of falsehood on its very face." "no," added another kentucky true-blue, "mr. monkton was going to whip her, and she resisted him. that's the correct version of the story, i'll bet my life on it." to all of this aspersion upon myself, i was bound to be a silent auditor, yet ever obeying their slightest order to hand them water, cologne, &c. is not this slavery indeed? when mr. summerville left the room, he hastily repaired to the bar, where he made the story known, and getting assistance, forthwith went to the cellar, mr. winston forming one of the party of investigation. his southern prejudices were instantly aroused, and he was ready "to do or die" for the propogation of the "peculiar institution." the result of their trip was to find monkton very feeble from the loss of blood, and suffering from the cut made by the broken bottle, but with enough life left in him for the fabrication of a falsehood, which was of course believed, as he had a _white face_. he stated that he had proceeded to the administration of the whipping, directed by my master; that i resisted him; and finding it necessary to bind me, he was attempting to do so, when i swore that i would kill him, and that suiting the action to the word, i hurled the broken bottle at his temples. when mr. summerville repeated this to miss jane, in my presence, stating that it was the testimony that monkton was prepared to give in open court, for i was to be arrested, i could not refrain from uttering a cry of surprise, and saying: "mr. monkton has misrepresented the case, as 'i can show.'" "yes, but you will not be allowed to give evidence," said master william. "will mr. monkton's testimony be taken?" i inquired. "certainly, but a negro cannot bear witness against a white person." i said nothing, but many thoughts were troubling me. "you see, ann, what your bad conduct has brought _you to_," said miss jane. again i attempted to tell the facts of the case, and defend myself, but she interrupted me, saying: "do you suppose i believe a word of that? i can assure you i do not, and, moreover, i'm not going to spend my money to have a lawyer employed to keep you from the punishment you so richly deserve. so you must content yourself to take the public hanging or whipping in the jail yard, which is the penalty that will be affixed to your crime." turning to mr. summerville, she added, "i think it will do ann good, for it will take down her pride, and make her a valuable nigger. she has been too proud of her character; for my part, i had rather she had had less virtue. i've always thought she was virtuous because she did not want us to increase in property, and was too proud to have her children live in bondage." i dared not make any remark; but there i stood in dread of the approaching arrest, which came full soon. as i was sewing for miss jane, mr. summerville opened the door, and said to a rough man, pointing to me-"there's the girl." "come along with me to jail, gal." how fearfully sounded the command. the jail-house was a place of terror, and though i had in my brief life "supped full of horrors," this was a new species of torture that i had hoped to leave untasted. taking with me nothing but my bonnet, i followed constable calcraft down stairs into the street. upon one of the landings i met henry, and i knew from his kindly mournful glance, that he gave me all his compassion. "good-bye, ann," he said, extending his hand to me, "good-bye, and keep of good cheer; the lord will be with you." i looked at him, and saw that his lip was quivering; and his dark eye glittered with a furtive tear. i dared not trust my voice, so, with a grateful pressure of the hand, i passed him by, keeping up my composure right stoutly. at the foot of the stair i met louise, who was weeping. "i believe you, ann, we all believe you, and the lord will make it appear on the day of your trial that you are right, only keep up your spirits, and read this," and she slipped a little pocket-testament into my hand, which was a welcome present. now, i thought, the last trial is over. all the tender ones who love me have spoken their comforting words, and i may resume my pride and hauteur; but no--standing within the vestibule was the man whom i reverenced above all others, mr. trueman. one effort more, and then i might be calm; but before the sunshine of his kindliness the snow and ice of my pride melted and passed away in showers of tears. the first glance of his pitying countenance made me weep. i was weary and heavy-laden, and, even as to a mortal brother, i longed to pour into his ear the pent-up agony of my soul. "poor girl," he said kindly, as he offered me his white and finely-formed hand, "i believe you innocent; there is that in your clear, womanly look, your unaffected utterance, that proves to me you are worthy to be heard. trust in god." oh, can i ever forget the diamond-like glister of his blue eyes! and _that tear_ was evoked from its fountain for my sorrow; even then i felt a thrill of joy. we love to have the sympathy and confidence of the truly great. i made no reply, in words, to mr. trueman, but he understood me. conducted by the constable, i passed through a number of streets, all crowded with the busy and active, perhaps the _happy_. ah, what a fable that word seemed to express! i used to doubt every smiling face i saw, and think it a _radiant lie_! but, since then, though in a subdued sense, i have learned that mortals may be happy. we stopped, after a long walk, in front of a large building of ionic architecture, and of dark brown stone, ornamented by beautiful flutings, with a tasteful slope of rich sward in front, adorned with a variety of flowers and shrubbery. through this we passed and reached the first court, which was surrounded by a high stone-wall. passing through a low door-way, we stood on the first pave; here i was surrendered to the keeping of the jailer, a man apparently devoid of generosity and humanity. after hearing from constable calcraft an account of the crime for which i was committed, he observed-"a sassy, impudent, _on_ruly gal, i guess; we have plenty _sich_; this will larn her a lessin. come with me," he said, as he turned his besotted face toward me. through dirty, dark, filthy passages i went, until we reached a gloomy, loathsome apartment, in which he rudely thrust me, saying-"thar's your quarters." such a place as it was! a small room of six by eight, with a dirty, discolored floor, over which rats and mice scampered _ad libitum_. one miserable little iron grate let in a stray ray of daylight, only revealing those loathsome things which the friendly darkness would have concealed. cowering in the corner of this wretched pen was a poor, neglected white woman, whose face seemed unacquainted with soap and water, and her hair tagged, ragged, and unused to comb or brush. she clasped to her breast a weasly suckling, that every now and then gave a sickly cry, indicative of the cholic or a heated atmosphere. "poor comfort!" said the woman, as i entered, "poor comfort here, whare the starved wretches are cryin' for ar. my baby has bin a sinkin' ever sense i come here. i'd not keer much if we could both die." "for what are you to be tried?" "for takin' a loaf of bread to keep myself and child from starvin'." she then asked me for what i stood accused. i told her my story, and we grew quite talkative and sociable, thereby realizing the old axiom, "misery loves company." * * * * * * * for several days i lingered on thus, diversifying the time only by reading my testament, the gift of louise, and occasionally having a long talk with my companion, whom i learned to address by the name of fanny. she was a woman of remarkably sensitive feelings, quick and warm in all her impulses; just such a creature as an education and kindly training would have made lovely and lovable; but she had been utterly neglected--had grown up a complete human weed. our meals were served round to us upon a large wooden drawer, as filthy as dirt and grease could make it. the cuisine dashed our rations, a slice of fat bacon and "pone" of corn bread to us, with as little ceremony as though we had been dogs; and we were allowed one blanket to sleep on. one day, when i felt more than usually gloomy, i was agreeably disappointed, as the cumbersome door opened to admit my kind friend louise. the jailer remarked: "you may stay about a quarter of an hour, but no longer." "thank you, sir," she replied. "this is very kind of you, louise," for i was touched by the visit. "i wanted to see you, ann; and look what i brought you!" she held a beautiful bouquet to me. "thank you, thank you a thousand times, this _is_ too kind," i said, as i watered the lovely flowers with my tears. "oh, they were sent to you," she answered, with a smile. "and who sent them?" "why, henry, of course;" and again she smiled. i know not why, but i felt the blood rushing warmly to my face, as i bent my head very low, to conceal a confusion which i did not understand. "but here is something that i did bring you," and, opening a basket, she drew out a nice, tempting pie, some very delicious fruit cake, and white bread. "i suppose your fare is miserable?" "oh, worse than miserable." fanny drew near me, and without the least timidity, stretched forth her hand. "oh, please give me some, only a little; i'm nearly starved?" i freely gave her the larger portion, for she could enjoy it. i had the flowers, the blessed flowers, that henry had sent, and they were food and drink for me! louise informed me that, since my arrest, she had cleared up and arranged miss jane's room; and she thought it was mr. summerville's intention to sell me after the trial. "have you heard who will buy me?" i asked. "oh, no, i don't suppose an offer has yet been made; nor do i know that it is their positive intention to sell you; but that is what i judged from their conversation." "if they get me a good master i am very willing to be sold; for i could not find a worse home than i have now." "i expect if he sells you, it will be to a trader; but, keep up your heart and spirits. remember, 'sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.' but i hear the sound of footsteps; the jailer is coming; my quarter of an hour is out." "how came he to admit you?" "oh, i know mr. trayton very well. i've washed for his wife, and she owes me a little bill of a couple of dollars; so when i came here, i said by way of a bait, 'now, mrs. trayton, i didn't come to dun you, i'll make you a present of that little bill;' then she and he were both in a mighty good humor with me. i then said, 'i've got a friend here, and i'd take it as a favor if you'd let me see her for a little while.'" "mr. trayton said:" "'oh, that can't be--it's against the rules.'" "so his wife set to work, and persuaded him that he owed me a favor, and he consented to let me see you for a quarter of an hour only. before he comes, tell me what message i am to give henry for you. i know he will be anxious to hear." again i felt the blood tingling in my veins, and overspreading my face. i began to play with my flowers, and muttered out something about gratitude for the welcome present, a message which, incoherent as it was, her woman's wit knew to be sincere and gracious. after a few moments the jailer came, saying: "louise, your time is up." "i am ready to go," and she took up her basket. after bidding me a kind adieu she departed, carrying with her much of the sunshine which her presence had brought, but not all of it, for she left with me a ray or so to illumine the darkened cell of recollection. there on my lap lay the blooming flowers, _his_ gift! flowers are always a joy to us--they gladden and beautify our outer and every-day life; they preach us a sermon of beauty and love; but to the weary, lonely captive, in his dismal cell, they are particularly beautiful! they speak to him in a voice which nothing else can, of the glory of the sun-lit world, from which he is exiled. thanks to god for flowers! rude, and coarse, and vile must be the nature that can trample them with unhallowed feet! there i sat toying with them, inhaling their mystic odor, and luxuriating upon the delicacy of their ephemeral beauty. all flowers were dear to me; but these were particularly precious, and wherefore? is there a single female heart that will not divine "the wherefore"? you, who are clad in satin, and decked with jewels, albeit your face is as white as snow, cannot boast of emotions different from ours? feeling, emotion, is the same in the african and the white woman? we are made of the same clay, and informed by the same spirit. the better portion of the night i sat there, sadly wakeful, still clutching those flowers to my breast, and covering them with kisses. the heavy breathing of my companion sounded drowsily in my ear, yet never wooed me to a like repose. thus wore on the best part of the night, until the small, shadowy hours, when i sank to a sweet dream. i was wandering in a rich garden of tropical flowers, with henry by my side! through enchanted gates we passed, hand in hand, singing as we went. long and dreamily we loitered by low-gurgling summer fountains, listening to the lulling wail of falling water. then we journeyed on toward a fairy flower-palace, that loomed up greenly in the distance, which ever, as we approached it, seemed to recede further. i awoke before we reached the floral palace, and i am womanly enough to confess, that i felt annoyed that the dream had been broken by the cry of fanny's babe. i puzzled myself trying to read its import. are there many women who would have differed from me? yet i was distressed to find fanny's little boy-babe very sick, so much so as to require medical attention; but, alas! she was too poor to offer remuneration to a doctor, therefore none was sent for; and, as the child was attacked with croup, it actually died for the want of medical attention. and this occurred in a community boasting of its enlightenment and christianity, and in a city where fifty-two churches reared their gilded domes and ornamented spires, in a god-fearing and god-serving community, proud of its benevolent societies, its hospitals, &c. in what, i ask, are these christians better than the pharisees of old, who prayed long, well, and much, in their splendid temples? chapter xxxi. the day of trial--anxiety--the volunteer counsel--verdict of the jury. the day of my trial dawned as fair and bright as any that ever broke over the sinful world. it rose upon my slumber mildly, and without breaking its serenity. i slept better on the night preceding the trial, than i had done since my incarceration. i knew that i was friendless and alone, and on the eve of a trial wherein i stood accused of a fearful crime; that i was defenceless; yet i rested my cause with him, who has bidden the weary and heavy-laden to come unto him, and he will give them rest. strong in this consciousness, i sank to the sweetest slumber and the rosiest dreams. through my mind gracefully flitted the phantom of henry. when fanny woke me to receive my unrelished breakfast, she said: "you've forgot that this is the day of trial; you sleep as unconsarned as though the trial was three weeks off. for my part, now that the baby is dead, i don't kere much what becomes of me." "my cause," i replied, "is with god. to his keeping i have confided myself; therefore, i can sleep soundly." "have you got any lawyer?" "no; i am a slave, and my master will not employ one." after a few hours we heard the sound of a bell, that announced the opening of court. the jailer conducted me out of the jail yard into the court house. it was the first time i had ever seen the interior of a court-room, when the court was in full session, and i was not very much edified by the sight. the outside of the building was very tasteful and elegant, with most ornate decorations; but the interior was shocking. in the first place it was unfinished, and the bald, unplastered walls struck me as being exceedingly comfortless. then the long, redundant cobwebs were gathered in festoons from rafter to rafter, whilst the floor was fairly tesselated with spots of tobacco-juice, which had been most dexterously ejected from certain _legal_ orifices, commonly known as the _mouths of lawyers_, who, for want of opportunity to _speak_, resorted to chewing. the judge, a lazy-looking old gentleman, sat in a time-worn arm-chair, ready to give his decision in the case of the commonwealth _versus_ ann, slave of william summerville; and seeming to me very much as though his opinion was made up without a hearing. and there, ranged round his honor, were the practitioners and members of the bar, all of them in seedy clothes, unshorn and unshaven. here and there you would find a veteran of the bar, who claimed it as his especial privilege to outrage the king's or the president's english and common decency; and, as a matter of course, all the younger ones were aiming to imitate him; but, as it was impossible to do that in ability, they succeeded, to admiration, in copying his ill-manners. two of them i particularly noticed, as i sat in the prisoner's dock, awaiting the "coming up of my case." one of them the court frequently addressed as mr. spear, and a very pointless spear he seemed;--a little, short, chunky man, with yellow, stiff, bristling hair, that stood out very straight, as if to declare its independence of the brain, and away it went on its owner's well-defined principle of "going it on your own hook." he had a little snub of a nose that possessed the good taste to turn away in disgust from its neighbor, a tobacco-stained mouth of no particular dimensions, and, i should judge from the sneer of the said nose, of no very pleasant odor; little, hard, flinty, grizzly-gray eyes, that seemed to wink as though they were afraid of seeing the truth. altogether, it was the most disagreeably-comic phiz that i remember ever to have seen. to complete the ludicrous picture, he was a self-sufficient body, quite elate at the idea of speaking "in public on the stage." his speech was made up of the frequent repetition of "my client claims" so and so, and "may it please your honor," and "i'll call the attention of the court to the fact," and such like phrases, but whether his client was guilty of the charge set forth in the indictment, he neither proved nor disproved. the other individual whom i remarked, was a great, fat, flabby man, whose flesh (like that of a rhinoceros) hung loosely on the bones. he seemed to consider personal ease, rather than taste, in the arrangement of his toilet; for he appeared in the presence of the court in a pair of half-worn slippers, stockings "down-gyved," a shirt-bosom much spotted with tobacco-juice, and a neck-cloth loosely adjusted about his red, beefish throat. his little watery blue eye reminded me forcibly of skimmed milk; whilst his big nose, as red as a peony, told the story that he was no advocate of the maine liquor law, and that he had "_voted for license_." he was said, by some of the bystanders, to have made an excellent speech adverse to his client, and in favor of the side against which he was employed. "hurrah for litigation," said an animadverter who stood in proximity to me. after awhile, and in due course of docket, my case came up. "has she no counsel?" asked the judge. after a moment's pause, some one answered, "no; she has none." i felt a chill gathering at my heart, for there was a slight movement in the crowd; and, upon looking round, i discovered mr. trueman making his way through the audience. after a few words with several members of the bar and the judge, he was duly sworn in, and introduced to the court as mr. trueman, a lawyer from massachusetts, who desired to be admitted as a practitioner at this bar. thus duly qualified, he volunteered his services in my defence. the look which i gave him came directly from my overflowing heart, and i am sure spoke my thanks more effectual than words could have done. but he gave me no other recognition than a faint smile. as the case began, my attention was arrested. the jury was selected without difficulty; for, as none of the panel had heard of the case, the counsel waived the privilege of challenging. after the reading of the indictment, setting forth formally "an assault upon mr. monkton, with intent to kill, by one ann, slave of william summerville," the commonwealth's attorney introduced mr. monkton himself as the only witness in the case. in a very minute and evidently pre-arranged story, he proceeded to detail the circumstances of a violent and deadly assault, which seemed to impress the jury greatly to my prejudice. when he had concluded, the prosecutor remarked that he had no further evidence, and proposed to submit the case, without argument, to the jury, as mr. trueman had no witnesses in my favor. to this proposal, however, mr. trueman would not accede; and so the prosecutor briefly argued upon the testimony and the law applicable to it. then mr. trueman rose, and a thrill seemed to run through the audience as his tall, commanding form stood proud and erect, his mild saint-like eyes glowing with a fire that i had never seen before. he began by endeavoring to disabuse the minds of the jury of the very natural ill-feeling they might entertain against a slave, supposed to have made an attack upon the life of a white man; reviewed at length the distinctions which are believed, at the south, to exist between the two races; and dwelt especially upon those oppressive enactments which virtually place the life of a slave at the mercy of even the basest of the white complexion. passing from these general observations, he examined, with scrutiny the prepared story of mr. monkton, showing it to be a vile fabrication of defeated malice, flatly contradictory in essential particulars, and utterly unworthy of reliance under the wise maxim of the law, that "being false in one thing, it was false in all." in conclusion, he made a stirring appeal to the jury, exhorting them to rescue this feeble woman from the foul machinations which had been invented for her ruin; to rebuke, by their righteous verdict, this swift and perjured witness; and to vindicate before the world the honor of their dear old commonwealth, which was no less threatened by this ignominious proceeding than the safety of his poor and innocent client. the officers of the court could scarcely repress the applause which succeeded this appeal. "finally, gentlemen," resumed mr. trueman, "permit me to take back to my northern home the warm, personal testimony to your love of justice, which, unbiased by considerations of color, is dealt out to high and low, rich and poor, white and black, with equal and impartial hands. disarm, by your verdict in this instance, the reproach by which kentucky may hereafter be assailed when her enemies shall taunt her with injustice and cruelty. it has long been said, at the north, that 'the south cannot show justice to a slave.' now, gentlemen, 'tis for you, in the character of sworn jurors, to disprove, by your verdict, this oft-repeated, and, alas! in too many instances, well-authenticated charge. and i conjure you as men, as christians, as jurors, to deal justly, kindly, humanely with this poor uncared-for slave-woman. as you are men and fathers, slave-holders even, show her justice, and, if need be, mercy, as in like circumstances you would have these dispensed to your own daughters or slaves. she is a woman, it may be an uncultured one; this place, this court, is strange to her. there she sits alone, and seemingly friendless, in the dock. where was her master? had he prepared or engaged an advocate? no, sir; he left her helpless and undefended; but that god, alike the god of the jew and the gentile, has, in the hour of her need, raised up for her a friend and advocate. and be ye, gentlemen of the jury, also the friend of the neglected female! by all the artlessness of her sex, she appeals to you to rescue her name from this undeserved aspersion, and her body from the tortures of the lash or the halter. mark, with your strongest reprobation, that lying accuser of the powerless, who, thwarted in the attempt to violate one article in the decalogue, has here, and in your presence, accomplished the outrage of another, invoking upon his soul, with unholy lips, the maledictions with which god will sooner or later overwhelm the perjurer. look at him now as he cowers beneath my words. his blanched cheek and shrivelling eye denote the detected villain. he dares not, like an honest, truth-telling man, face the charges arrayed against him. no, conscious guilt and wicked passion are bowing him now to the earth. dare he look me full in the eye? no; for he fears lest i, with a lawyer's skill, should draw out and expose the malicious fiend that has urged him on to the persecution of the innocent and defenceless. send him from your midst with the brand of severest condemnation, as an example of the fate which awaits a false witness in the courts of the commonwealth of kentucky. restore to this prisoner the peace of mind which has been destroyed by this prosecution. thus you will provide for yourselves a source of consolation through all the future, and i shall thank heaven with my latest breath for the chance that threw me, a stranger, in your city to-day, and led me to this temple of justice to urge your minds to the right conclusion." he sat down amid such thunders of applause as incurred the censure of the judge. when order was restored, the commonwealth's attorney rose to close the case. he said "he could see no reason for doubting the veracity of his witness whom the opposition had so strenuously endeavored to impeach. for his own part, he had long known mr. monkton, and had always regarded him as a man of truth. the present was the first attempt at his impeachment that he had ever heard of; and he felt perfectly satisfied that mr. monkton would survive it. had he been the character which his adversary had described, it might have been possible to find some witness who could invalidate his testimony. no one, however, has appeared; and i take it that no one exists. the gentleman would do well to observe a little more caution before he attacks so recklessly the reputation of a man." mr. trueman rising, requested the prosecutor to indulge him for one moment. "certainly," was the reply. "i desire the jury and the court to remember," said mr. trueman, "that i made no attack upon the _reputation_ of the witness in this case. doubtless _that_ is all which it is claimed to be. i freely concede it; but the earnest prosecutor must permit me to distinguish between _reputation_ and _character_. i did assail the character of the man, but not hypothetically or by shrewd conjectures; 'out of his own mouth i condemned him.' this is not the first instance of crime committed by a man, who, up to the period of transgression, stood fair before the world. the gentleman's own library will supply abundant proofs of the success of strong temptation in its encounters with even _established virtue_; and i care not if this willing witness could bolster up his reputation with the voluntary affidavits of hosts of friends; his own testimony, to-day, would have still produced and riveted the conviction of his really base character. i thank the gentleman for his indulgence." the prosecutor continuing, endeavored to show that the testimony was, upon its face, entirely credible, and ought to have its weight with the jury. he labored hard to reconcile its many and material contradictions, reiterated his own opinion of the witness as a man of truth; and, with an inflammatory warning against the _abolition counsel_, who, he said, was perhaps now "meditating in our midst some sinister design against the peculiar institution of the south," he ended his fiery harangue. when he had taken his seat, mr. trueman addressed the court as follows: "before the jury retire, may it please your honor, as the case is of a serious nature, and as we have no witness for the defence, i would ask permission merely to repeat the version of the circumstances of this case detailed to me by the prisoner at the bar. such a statement, i am aware, is not legal evidence; but if, in your clemency, you would permit it to go to the jury simply for what it is worth, the course of justice i am sure would by no means be impeded." the judge readily consented to this request, and mr. trueman rehearsed my story, as narrated in the foregoing pages. the commonwealth's attorney then rejoined with a few remarks. after a retirement of a few minutes, the jury returned with a verdict of "guilty as charged in the indictment," ordering me to receive two hundred lashes on my bare back, not exceeding fifty at a time. i was then remanded to jail to await the execution of my sentence. very gloomy looked that little room to me when i returned to it, with a horrid crime of which, heaven knows, i was guiltless, affixed to my name, and the prospect of a cruel punishment awaiting me. who may tell the silent, unexpressed agony that i there endured? certain i am, that the nightly stars and the old pale moon looked not down upon a more wretched heart. there i sat, looking ever and again at the stolid fanny, who had been sentenced to the work-house for a limited time. since the death of her infant she had lost all her loquacity, and remained in a kind of dreamy, drowsy state, between waking and sleeping. through how many scenes of vanished days, worked the plough-share of memory, upturning the fresh earth, where lay the buried seeds of some few joys! and, sometimes, a sly, nestling thought of henry hid itself away in the most covert folds of my heart. his melancholy bronze face had cut itself like a fine cameo, on my soul. the old, withered flowers, which he had sent, lay carefully concealed in a corner of the cell. their beauty had departed like a dim dream; but a little of their fragrance still remained despite decay. one day, after the trial, i was much honored and delighted by a visit from no less a personage than mr. trueman himself. i was overcome, and had not power to speak the thanks with which my grateful heart ran over. he kindly pitied my embarrassment, and relieved me by saying, "oh, i know you are thankful to me. i only wish, my good girl, that my speech had rescued you from the punishment you have to suffer. believe me, i deeply pity you; and, if money could avert the penalty which i know you have not merited, i would relieve you from its infliction; but nothing more can be done for you. you must bear your trouble bravely." "oh, my kind, noble friend!" i passionately exclaimed, "words like these would arm me with strength to brave a punishment ten times more severe than the one that awaits me. sympathy from you can repay me for any suffering. that a noble white gentleman, of distinguished talents, should stoop from his lofty position to espouse the cause of a poor mulatto, is to me as pleasing as it is strange." "alas, my good girl, you and all of your wronged and injured race are objects of interest and affection to me. i would that i could give you something more available than sympathy: but these southerners are a knotty people; their prejudices of caste and color grow out, unsightly and disgusting, like the rude excrescences upon a noble tree, eating it away, and sucking up its vital sap. these western people are of a noble nature, were it not for their sectional blemishes. i never relied upon the many statements which i have heard at the north, taking them as natural exaggerations; but my sojourn here has proved them to be true." i then told him of the discussion that i had overheard between him and mr. winston. "did you hear that?" he asked with a smile. "winston has been very cool toward me ever since; yet he is a man with some fine points of character, and considerable mental cultivation. this one southern feeling, or rather prejudice, however, has well-nigh corrupted him. he is too fiery and irritable to argue; but all southerners are so. they cannot allow themselves to discuss these matters. witness, for instance, the conduct of their congressional debaters. do they reason? whenever a matter is reduced to argumentation, the southerner flies off at a tangent, resents everything as personal, descends to abuse, and thus closes the debate." i ventured to ask him some questions in relation to fred douglas; to all of which he returned satisfactory answers. he informed me that douglas had once been a slave; that he was now a man of social position; of very decided talent and energy. "i know of no man," continued mr. trueman, "who is more deserving of public trust than douglas. he conducts himself with extreme modesty and propriety, and a quiet dignity that inclines the most fastidious in his favor." he then cited the case of miss greenfield (_the_ black swan), showing that my race was susceptible of cultivation and refinement in a high degree. thus inspired, i poured forth my full soul to him. i told him how, in secret, i had studied; how diligently i had searched after knowledge; how i longed for the opportunity to improve my poor talents. i spoke freely, and with a degree of nervous enthusiasm that seemed to affect him. "ann," he said, and large tears stood in his eyes, "it is a shame for you to be kept in bondage. a proud, aspiring soul like yours, if once free to follow its impulses, might achieve much. can you not labor to buy yourself? at odd times do extra work, and, by your savings, you may, in the course of years, be enabled to buy yourself." "my dear sir, i've no 'odd times' for extra work, or i would gladly avail myself of them. lazy i am not; but my mistress requires all my time and labor. if she were to discover that i was working, even at night for myself, she would punish me severely." i said this in a mournful tone; for i felt that despair was my portion. he was silent for awhile; then said, "well, you must do the best you can. i would that i could advise you; but now i must leave. a longer stay would excite suspicion. you heard what they said the other day about abolitionists." i remembered it well, and was distressed to think that he had been abused on my account. with many kind words he took his leave, and i felt as if the sunshine had suddenly been extinguished. during his entire visit poor fanny had slept. she lay like one in an opium trance. for hours after his departure she remained so, and much time was left me for reflection. chapter xxxii. execution of the sentence--a change--hope. on the last and concluding day of the term of the court, the jailer signified to me that the constable would, on the morrow, administer the first fifty lashes; and, of course, i passed the night in great trepidation. but the morning came bright and clear, and the jailer, accompanied by constable calcraft, entered. "come, girl," said the latter, "i have to execute the sentence upon you." without one word, i followed him into the jail yard. "strip yourself to the waist," said the constable. i dared not hesitate, though feminine delicacy was rudely shocked. with a prayer to heaven for fortitude, i obeyed. then, with a strong cowhide, he inflicted fifty lashes (the first instalment of the sentence) upon my bare back; each lacerating it to the bone. i was afterwards compelled to put my clothes on over my raw, bloody back, without being allowed to wash away the clotted gore; for, upon asking for water to cleanse myself, i was harshly refused, and quickly re-conducted to the cell, where, wounded, mortified, and anguish-stricken, i was left to myself. oh, god of the world-forgotten africa! thou dost see these things; thou dost hear the cries which daily and nightly we are sending up to thee! on that lonely, wretched night thou wert with me, and my prison became as a radiant mansion, for angels cheered me there! glory to god for the cross which he sent me; for it led me on to him. poor fanny, after her sentence was pronounced, was soon sent to the work-house; so i was alone. the little testament which louise had given me, was all the company that i desired. its rich and varied words were as manna to my hungry soul; and its blessed promises rescued me from a dreadful bankruptcy of faith. subsequently, and at three different times, i was led forth to receive the remainder of my punishment. after the last portion was given, i was allowed to go to the kitchen of the jail and wash myself and dress in some clean clothes, which miss jane had sent me. i was then conducted by the constable to the hotel. miss jane met me very distantly, saying-"i trust you are somewhat humbled, ann, and will in future be a better nigger." i was in but a poor mood to take rebukes and reproaches; for my flesh was perfectly raw, the intervals between the whippings having been so short as not to allow the gashes even to close; so that upon this, the final day, my back presented one mass of filth and clotted gore. i was then, as may be supposed, in a very irritable humor, but a slave is not allowed to have feeling. it is a privilege denied him, because his skin is black. i did not go out of miss jane's room, except on matters of business, about which she sent me. i would, then, go slipping around, afraid of meeting henry. i did not wish him to see me in that mutilated condition. i saw louise in miss jane's room; but there she merely nodded to me. subsequently we met in a retired part of the hall, and there she expressed that generous and friendly sympathy which i knew she so warmly cherished for me. somehow or other she had contrived to insinuate herself wondrously into miss jane's good graces; and all her influence she endeavored to use in my favor. in this private interview she told me that she would induce miss jane to let me sleep in her room; and she thought she knew what key to take her on. "if," added she, "i get you to my apartment, i will care for you well. i will wash and dress your wounds, and render you every attention in my power." i watched, with admiration, her tactics in managing miss jane. that evening when i was seated in an obscure corner of the room, miss jane was lolling in a large arm-chair, playing with a bouquet that had been sent her by a gentleman. this bouquet had been delivered to her, as i afterwards learned, by louise. miss jane had grown to be fashionable indeed; and had two favorite beaux, with whom she interchanged notes, and louise had been selected as a messenger. on this occasion, the wily mulatto came up to her, rather familiarly, i thought, and said-"ah, you are amusing yourself with the captain's flowers! i must tell him of it. dear sakes! but it will please him;" she then whispered something to her, at which both of them laughed heartily. after this miss jane was in a very decided good humor, and louise fussed about the apartment pretty much as she pleased. at length, throwing open the window, she cried out-"how close the air is here! why, mrs. st. lucian, the fashionable, dashing lady who occupied this room just before you, mrs. somerville, wouldn't allow three persons to be in it at a time; and her servant-girl always slept in my room. by the way, that just reminds me how impolite i've been to you; do excuse me, and i will be glad to relieve you by letting ann go to my room of nights." "oh, it will trouble you, louise." "don't talk or think of troubling me; but come along girl," she said, turning to me. "go with louise, ann," added miss jane, as she perceived me hesitate, "but come early in the morning to get me ready for breakfast." happy even for so small a favor as this, i followed louise to her room. there i found everything very comfortable and neat. a nice, downy bed, with its snowy covering; a bright-colored carpet, a little bureau, washstand, clock, rocking-chair, and one or two pictures, with a few crocks of flowers, completed the tasteful furniture of this apartment. all this, i inly said, is the arrangement and taste of a mulatto in the full enjoyment of her freedom! do not her thrift and industry disprove the oft-repeated charge of indolence that is made upon the negro race? she seemed to read my thoughts, and remarked, "you are surprised, ann, to see my room so nice! i read the wonder in your face. i have marked it before, in the countenances of slaves. they are taught, from their infancy up, to regard themselves as unfit for the blessings of free, civilized life; and i am happy to give the lie, by my own manner of living, to this rude charge." "how long have you been free, louise, and how did you obtain your freedom?" "it is a long story," she answered; "you must be inclined to sleep; you need rest. at some other time i'll tell you. here, take this arm-chair, it is soft; and your back is wounded and sore; i am going to dress it for you." so saying, she left the room, but quickly returned with a basin of warm water and a little canteen of grease. she very kindly bade me remove my dress, then gently, with a soft linten-rag, washed my back, greased it, and made me put on one of her linen chemises and a nice gown, and giving me a stimulant, bade me rest myself for the night upon her bed, which was clean, white, and tempting. when she thought i was soundly sleeping, she removed from a little swinging book-shelf a well-worn bible. after reading a chapter or so, she sank upon her knees in prayer! there may be those who would laugh and scoff at the piety of this woman, because of her tawny complexion; but the great judge, to whose ear alone her supplication was made, disregards all such distinctions. her soul was as precious to him, as though her complexion had been of the most spotless snow. on the following morning, whilst i was arranging miss jane's toilette, she said to me, in rather a kind tone: "ann, mr. summerville wants to sell you, and purchase a smaller and cheaper girl for me. now, if you behave yourself well, i'll allow you to choose your own home." this was more kindness than i expected to receive from her, and i thanked her heartily. all that day my heart was dreaming of a new home--perhaps a kind, good one! on the gallery i met mr. trueman (i love to write his name). rushing eagerly up to him, i offered my hand, all oblivious of the wide chasm that the difference of race had placed between us; but, if that thought had occurred to me, his benignant smile would have put it to flight. ah, he was the true reformer, who illustrated, in his own deportment, the much talked-of theory of human brotherhood! he, with all his learning, his native talent, his social position and legal prominence, could condescend to speak in a familiar spirit to the lowliest slave, and this made me, soured to harshness, feel at ease in his presence. i told him that i was fast recovering from the effects of my whipping. i spoke of louise's kindness, &c. "i am to be sold, mr. trueman; i wish that you would buy me." "my good girl, if i had the means i would not hesitate to make the purchase, and instantly draw up your free papers; but i am, at the present, laboring under great pecuniary embarrassments, which deny me the right of exercising that generosity which my heart prompts in this case." i thanked him, over and over again, for his kindness. i felt not a little distressed when he told me that he should leave for boston early on the following day. in bidding me adieu, he slipped, very modestly, into my hand a ten-dollar bill, but this i could not accept from one to whom i was already heavily indebted. "no, my good friend, i cannot trespass so much upon you. already i am largely your debtor. take back this money." i offered him the bill, but his face colored deeply, as he replied: "no, ann, you would not wound my feelings, i am sure." "not for my freedom," i earnestly answered. "then accept this trifling gift. let it be among the first of your savings, as my contribution, toward the purchase-money for your freedom." seeing that i hesitated, he said, "if you persist in refusing, you will offend me." "anything but that," i eagerly cried, as i took the money from that blessed, charity-dispensing hand. and this was the last i saw of him for many years; and, when we again met, the shadow of deeper sorrows was resting on my brow. * * * * * several weeks had elapsed since miss jane's announcement that i was to be sold, and i had heard no more of it. i dared not renew the subject to her, no matter from what motive, for she would have construed it as impudence. but my time was now passing in comparative pleasure, for miss jane was wholly engrossed by fun, frolic, and dissipation. her mornings were spent in making or receiving fashionable calls, and her afternoons were devoted to sleep, whilst the night-time was given up entirely to theatres, parties, concerts, and such amusements. consequently my situation, as servant, became pretty much that of a sinecure. oh, what delightful hours i passed in louise's room, reading! i devoured everything in the shape of a book that fell into my hands. i began to improve astonishingly in my studies. it seemed that knowledge came to me by magic. i was surprised at the rapidity of my own advancement. in the afternoons, henry had a good deal of leisure, and he used to steal round to louise's room, and sit with us upon a little balcony that fronted it, and looked out upon a beautiful view. there lay the placid ohio, and just beyond it ran the blessed indiana shore! "why was i not born on that side of the river?" i used to say to henry, as i pointed across the water. "or why," he would answer, as his dark eye grew intensely black, "were our ancestors ever stolen from africa?" "these are questions," said the more philosophical louise, "that we must not propose. they destroy the little happiness we already enjoy." "yes, you can afford to talk thus, louise, for you are free; but we, poor slaves, know slavery from actual experience and endurance," said henry. "i have had my experience too," she answered, "and a dark one has it been." the evening on which this conversation occurred, was unusually fair and calm. i shall ever remember it. there we three sat, with mournful memories working in our breasts; there each looking at the other, murmuring secretly, "mine is the heaviest trouble!" "louise," i said, "tell us how you broke the chains of bondage." "i was," said she, after a moment's pause, "a slave to a family of wealth, residing a few miles from new orleans. i am, as you see, but one-third african. my mother was a bright mulatto. my father a white gentleman, the brother of my mistress. louis de calmo was his name. my mother was a housemaid, and only fifteen years of age at my birth. she was of a meek, quiet disposition, and bore with patience all her mistress' reproaches and harshness; but, when alone with my father, she urged him to buy me, and he promised her he would; still he put her off from time to time. she often said to him that for herself she did not care; but, for me, she was all anxiety. she could not bear the idea of her child remaining in slavery. all her bright hopes for me were suddenly brought to a close by my father's unexpected death. he was killed by the explosion of a steamboat on the lower mississippi, and his horribly-mangled body brought home to be buried. my mother loved him; and, in her grief for his death, she had a double cause for sorrow. by it her child was debarred the privilege of freedom. i was but nine years of age at the time, but i well remember her wild lamentation. often she would catch me to her heart, and cry out, 'if you could only die i should be so happy;' but i did not. i lived on and grew rapidly. we had a very kind overseer, and his son took a great fancy to me. he taught me to read and write. i was remarkably quick. when i was but fifteen, i recollect mistress fancied, from my likely appearance and my delicate, gliding movements, that she would make a dining-room servant of me. i was taken into the house, and thus deprived of the instructions which the overseer's son had so faithfully rendered me. i have often read half of the night. now i approach a melancholy part of my story. master becoming embarrassed in his business, he must part with some of his property. of course the slaves went. my mother was numbered among the lot. i longed and begged to be sold with her; but to this mistress would not consent,--she considered me too valuable as a house-girl. well, mother and i parted. none can ever know my wretchedness, unless they have suffered a similar grief, when i saw her borne weeping and screaming away from me. i have never heard from her since. where she went or into whose hands she fell, i never knew. she was sold to the highest bidder, under the auctioneer's hammer, in the new orleans market. i lived on as best i could, bearing an aching heart, whipped for every little offence, serving, as a bond-woman, her who was, by nature and blood, _my aunt_. after a year or so i was sold to james canfield, a bachelor gentleman in new orleans, and i lived with him, as a wife, for a number of years. i had several beautiful children, though none lived to be more than a few months old. at the death of this man i was set free by his will, and three hundred dollars were bequeathed me by him. i had saved a good deal of money during his life-time, and this, with his legacy, made me independent. i remained in the south but a short time. for two years after his death i sojourned in the north, sometimes hiring myself out as chambermaid, and at others living quietly on my means; but i must work. in activity i stifle memory, and for awhile am happy, or, at least, tranquil." after this synopsis of her history, louise was silent. she bent her head upon her hand, and mused abstractedly. "i think, henry, you are a slave," i said, as i turned my eye upon his mournful face. "yes, and to a hard master," was the quick reply; "but he has promised me i shall buy myself. i am to pay him one thousand dollars, in instalments of one hundred dollars each. three of these instalments i have already paid." "does he receive any hire for your services at this hotel?" "oh yes, the proprietor pays him one hundred and fifty dollars a year for me." "how have you made the money?" "by working at night and on holidays, going on errands, and doing little jobs for gentlemen boarding in the house. sometimes i get little donations from kind-hearted persons, christmas gifts in money, &c. all of it is saved." "you must work very hard." "oh yes, it's very little sleep i ever get. how old would you think me?" "thirty-five," i answered, as i looked at his furrowed face. "that is what almost every one says; yet i am only twenty-five. all these wrinkles and hard spots are from work." "you ought to rest awhile," i ventured to suggest. "oh, i'll wait until i am my own master; then i'll rest." "but you may die before that time comes." "so i may, so i may," he repeated despondingly. "all my family have died early and from over-work. sometimes i think freedom too great a blessing for me ever to realize." he brushed a tear from his eye with the back of his hand. i looked at him, so young and energetic, yet lonely. noble and handsome was his face, despite the lines of care and labor. what wonder that a soft feeling took possession of my heart, particularly when i remembered how he had gladdened my imprisonment with kind messages and the gift of flowers. i did but follow an irrepressible and spontaneous impulse, when i said with earnestness, "do not work so hard, henry." he looked me full in the face. why did my eye droop beneath that warm, inquiring gaze; and why did he ask so low, in a half whisper: "should i die who will grieve for me?" and did not my uplifted glance tell him who would? we understood each other. our hearts had spoken, and what followed may easily be guessed. evening after evening we met upon that balcony to pledge our souls in earnest vows. henry's eye grew brighter; he worked the harder; but his pile of money did not increase as it had done. many a little present to me, many a rare nosegay, that was purchased at a price he was not able to afford, put off to a greater distance his day of freedom. like a green, luxuriant spot in the wide desert of a lonely life, seems to me the memory of those hours. on sunday evenings, when his labor was over, which was generally about eight o'clock, we walked through the city, and on moonlight nights we strayed upon the banks of the ohio, and planned for the future. henry was to buy himself, then go north, and labor in some hotel, or at whatever business he could make the most money; then he would return to buy me. this was one of our plans; but as often as we talked, we made a new one. "oh, we shall be so happy, ann," he would exclaim. then i would repeat the often-asked question, "where shall we live?" sometimes we decided upon new york city; then a village in the state of new york; but i think henry's preference was a canadian town. idle speculators that we were, we seldom adhered long to our preference for any one spot! "at least, dear," he used to say, in his encouraging way, "we will hunt a home; and, no matter where we find it, we can make it a happy one if we are together." and to this my heart gave a warm echo. i was beginning to be happy; for imagination painted joys in the future, and the present was not all mournful, for henry was with me! the same roof covered us. twenty times a-day i met him in the dining-room, hall, or in the lobby, and he was always with me in the evening. slaves as we were, i've often thought as we wandered beneath the golden light of the stars, that, for the time being, we were as happy as mortals could be. young first-love knit the air in a charmed silver mist around us; and, hand in hand, we trod the wave-washed shore, always with our eyes turned toward the north, the bourne whither all our thoughts inclined. "does not the north star point us to our future home?" henry frequently asked. i love to recall this one sunny epoch in my life. for months, not an unpleasant thing occurred. immediately after my trial, monkton left the city, and went, as i understood, south. miss jane was busied with fashion and gayety. mr. summerville was engaged at his business, and every one whom i saw was kind to me. so i may record the fact that for a while i was happy! chapter xxxiii. sold--life as a slave--pen--charles' story--uncle peter's trouble--a star peeping forth from the cloud. whilst the hours thus rosily slided away, and i dreamed amid the verdure of existence, the syren charmed me wisely, indeed, with her beautiful promises. poor, simple-hearted, trusting slaves! we could not see upon what a rocking bridge our feet were resting, how slippery and unsubstantial was the flowery declivity whereon we stood. there we reposed in the gentle light of a happy trance; we saw not the clouds, dark and tempest-charged, that were rising rapidly to hide the stars from our view. one sunday afternoon, henry having finished his work much earlier than usual, and done some little act whereby the good will of his temporary master (the keeper of the hotel) was propitiated, and miss jane and mr. summerville having gone out, i willingly consented to his proposal to take a walk. we accordingly wandered off to a beautiful wood, just without the city limits, a very popular resort with the negroes and poorer classes, though it was the only pretty green woodland near the city. yet, because the "common people and negroes" (a kentucky phrase) went there, it was voted vulgar, and avoided by the rich and refined. one blessing was thus given to the poor! henry and i sought a retired part of the grove, and, seating ourselves on an old, moss-grown log, we talked with as much hope, and indulged in as rosy dreams, as happier and lordlier lovers. for three bright hours we remained idly rambling through the flower-realm of imagination; but, as the long shadows began to fall among the leaves, we prepared to return home. that night when i assisted miss jane in getting ready for bed, i observed that she was unusually gloomy and petulant. i could do nothing to please her; she boxed my ears repeatedly; stuck pins in me, called me "detestable nigger," &c. even the presence of louise failed to restrain her, and i knew that something awful had happened. for two or three days this cloud that hung about her deepened and darkened, until she absolutely became unendurable. i often found her eyes red and swollen, as though she had spent the entire night in weeping. mr. summerville was gloomy and morose, never saying much, and always speaking harshly to his wife. at length the explosion came. one morning he said to me, "gather up your clothes, ann, and come with me; i have sold you." though i was stricken as by a thunderbolt, i dared not express my surprise, or even ask who had bought me. all that i ventured to say was, "master william, i have a trunk." "well, shoulder it yourself. i'm not going to pay for having it taken." though my heart was wrung i said nothing, and, lifting up my trunk, beneath the weight of which i nearly sank, i followed master william out of the house. "good-bye, miss jane," i said. "good-bye, and be a good girl," she replied, kindly, and my heart almost softened toward her; for in that moment i felt as if deserted by every faculty. "come on, ann, come on," urged master william; and i mechanically obeyed. in the cross-hall i met louise, who exclaimed, "why, ann, where are you going?" "i don't know, louise, i'm sold." "sold! who's bought you?" "i don't know--master william didn't tell me." "who's bought her, mr. summerville?" "the man to whom i sold her," he answered, with a laugh. "but who is he?" persisted louise, without noticing the joke. "well, atkins, a negro-trader down here, on second street." "good gracious!" she cried out; then, turning to me, said, "does henry know it?" "i have not seen him." she darted off from us, and we walked on. i hoped that she would not see henry, for i could not bear to meet him. it would dispossess me of the little forced composure that i had; but, alas! for the fulfilment of my hopes! in the lower hall, with a countenance full of terror, he stood. "what are you going to do with ann, mr. summerville?" he inquired. "i have sold her to atkins, and am now taking her to the pen." alas! though his life, his blood, his soul cried out against it, he dared not offer any objection or entreaty; but oh, that hopeless look of brokenness of heart! i see it now, and "it comes over me like the raven o'er the infected house." "i'll take your trunk round for you, ann, to-night. it is too heavy for you," and so saying, he kindly removed it from my shoulder. this little act of kindness was the added drop to the already full glass, and my heart overflowed. i wept heartily. his tender, "don't cry, ann," only made me weep the more; and when i looked up and saw his own eyes full of tears, and his lip quivering with the unspoken pang, i felt (for the slave at least) how wretched a possession is life! master william cut short this parting interview, by saying, "never mind that trunk, henry, ann can carry it very well." and, as i was about to re-shoulder it, henry said, "no, ann, you mustn't carry it. i'll do it for you to-night, when my work is over. she is a woman, mr. summerville, and it's heavy for her; but it will not be anything for me." "well, if you have a mind to, you may do it; but i haven't any time to parley now, come on." henry pressed my hand affectionately, and i saw the tears roll in a stream down his bronzed cheeks. i did not trust myself to speak; i merely returned the pressure of his hand, and silently followed master william. through the streets, up one and across another, we went, until suddenly we stopped in front of a two-story brick house with an iron fence in front. covering a small portion of the front view of the main building, an office had been erected, a plain, uncarpeted room, from the door of which projected a sheet-iron sign, advertising to the passers-by, "negroes bought and sold here." we walked into this room, and upon the table found a small bell, which mr. summerville rang. in answer to this, a neatly-dressed negro boy appeared. to master william's interrogatory, "is mr. atkins in?" he answered, most obsequiously, that he was, and instantly withdrew. in a few moments the door opened, and a heavy man about five feet ten inches entered. he was of a most forbidding appearance; a tan-colored complexion, with very black hair and whiskers, and mean, watery, milky, diseased-looking eyes. he limped as he walked, one leg being shorter than the other, and carried a huge stick to assist his ambulations. "good morning, mr. atkins." "good morning, sir." "here is the girl we were speaking of yesterday." "well," replied the other, as he removed a lighted cigar from his mouth, "she is likely enough. take off yer bonnet, girl, let me look at yer eyes. they are good; open your mouth--no decayed teeth--all sound; hold up your 'coat, legs are good, some marks on 'em--now the back--pretty much and badly scarred. well, what's the damage?" "seven hundred, cash down. you can recommend her as a first-rate house and lady's maid." "what's your name, girl?" "ann," i replied. "ann, go within," he added, pointing to the door through which he had entered. i turned to mr. summerville, saying, "good-bye, master william. i wish you well." "good-bye, ann," and he extended his hand to me; "i hope mr. atkins will get you a good home." dropping a courtesy and a tear, i passed through the door designated by mr. atkins, and stood within the pen. here i was met by the mulatto who had answered the bell. "has you bin bought, miss?" "yes, mr. atkins just bought me." "why did your masser sell you?" "i don't know." "oh, that's what the most of 'em says. it 'pears so quare ter me for a masser to sell good sarvants; but i guess you'll soon git a home; fur you is 'bout the likeliest yaller gal i ever seed. now, thim rale black 'uns hardly ever goes off here. we has to send 'em down river, or let 'em go at a mighty low price." "how often do you have sales?" "oh, we don't have 'em at all. that's we don't have public 'uns. we sells 'em privately like; but we buys up more; and when we gits a large number, we ships 'em down de river." wishing to cut short his garrulity, i asked him to show me the room where i was to stay. "in here, wid de rest of 'em," he said, as he opened the door of a large shed-room, where i found some ten or twelve negroes, women and men, ranged round on stools and chairs, all neatly dressed, some of them looking very happy, others with down-cast, sorrow-stricken countenances. one bright, gold-colored man, with long, silky black hair, and raven eyes, full of subdued power, stood leaning his elbow against the mantel. his melancholy face and pensive attitude struck a responsive feeling, and i turned with a sisterly sentiment toward him. i have always been of a taciturn disposition, shunning company; but this man impressed me so favorably, he seemed the very counterpart of myself, that i forgot my usual reserve, and, after a few moments' investigation of my companions, the faces of most of whom were unpleasant to me, i approached him and inquired-"have you been long here?" "only a few days," he answered, as he lifted his mournful eyes towards mine, and i could see from their misty light, that they were dimmed by tears. "are you sold?" i asked. "oh yes," and he shuddered terribly. i did not venture to say more; but stood looking at him, when, suddenly he turned to me, saying, "i know that you are sold." "yes," i replied, with that strong sort of courage that characterized me. "you take it calmly," he said; "have you no friends?" "you do not talk like one familiar with slavery, to speak of a slave's having friends." "true, true; but i have--oh, god!--a wife and children, and from them i was cruelly torn, and--and--and i saw my poor wife knocked flat upon the floor, and because i had the manhood to say that it was wrong, they tied me up and slashed me. all this is right, because my skin is darker than theirs." what a fearful groan he gave, as he struck his breast violently. "the bitterness of all this i too have tasted, and my only wonder is, that i can live on. my heart will not break." "mine has long since broken; but this body will not die. my poor children! i would that they were dead with their poor slave-mother." "why did your master sell you?" "because he wanted _to buy a piano for his daughter_," and his lip curled. to gratify the taste of _his_ child, that white man had separated a father from his children, had recklessly sundered the holiest ties, and broken the most solemn and loving domestic attachments; and to such heathenism the public gave its hearty approval, because his complexion was a shade or so darker than caucasians. oh, church of christ! where is thy warning voice? is not this a matter, upon the injustice of which thy great voice should pronounce a malison? "my name is charles, what is yours?" "ann." "well, ann," he resumed, "i like your face; you are the only one i've seen in this pen that i was willing to talk with. you have just come. tell me why were you sold?" in a few concise words i told him my story. he seemed touched with sympathy. "poor girl!" he murmured, "like all the rest of our tribe, you have tasted of trouble." i talked with him all the morning, and we both, i think, learned what a relief it is to unclose the burdened heart to a congenial, listening spirit. when we were summoned out to our dinner, i found a very bountiful and pretty good meal served up. it is the policy of the trader to feed the slaves well; for, as mr. atkins said, "the fat, oily, smooth, cheerful ones, always sold the best;" and, as this business is purely a speculation, they do everything, even humane things, for the furtherance of their mercenary designs. i had not much appetite, neither had charles, as was remarked by some of the coarser and more abject of our companions; and i was pained to observe their numerous significant winks and blinks. one of them, the old gray mouse of the company, an ancient "uncle ned," who had taken it pretty roughly all his days, and who being of the lower order of epicureans, was, perhaps, happier at the pen than he had ever been. and this fellow, looking at me and charley, said, "they's in lub;" ha! ha! ha! went round the circle. i noticed charley's brows knitting severely. i read his thoughts. i knew that he was thinking of his poor wife and of his fatherless children, and inwardly swearing unfaltering devotion to them. persuasively i said to him, "don't mind them. they are scarcely accountable." "i know it, i know it," he bitterly replied, "but i little thought i should ever come to this. sold to a negro-trader, and locked up in a pen with such a set! i've always had pride; tried to behave myself well, and to make money for my master, and now to be sold to a trader, away from my wife and children!" he shook his head and burst into tears. i felt that i had no words to console him, and i ventured to offer none. i managed, by aid of conversation with charley, to pass the day tolerably. there may be those of my readers who will ask how this could be. but let them remember that i had never been the pampered pet, the child of indulgence; but that i was born to the ignominious heritage of american slavery. my feelings had been daily, almost hourly, outraged. this evil had not fallen on me as the _first_ misfortune, but as one of a series of linked troubles "long drawn out." so i was comparatively fitted for endurance, though by no means stoical; for a certain constitutional softness of temperament rendered me always susceptible of anguish to a very high degree. at length evening drew on--the beautiful twilight that was written down so pleasantly in my memory; the time that had always heralded my re-union with henry. now, instead of a sweet starlight or moonlight stroll, i must betake myself to a narrow, "cribbed, cabined, and confined" apartment, through which no truant ray or beam could force an entrance! how my soul sickened over the recollections of lovelier hours! whilst i moodily sat in one corner of the room, hugging to my soul the thought of him from whom i was now forever parted, a sound broke on my ear, a sound--a music-sound, that made my nerves thrill and my blood tingle; 'twas the sound of henry's voice. i heard him ask-"where is she? let me speak to her but a single word;" and how that mellow voice trembled with the burden of painful emotion! eagerly i sprang forward; reserve and maidenly coyness all forgotten. my only wish was to lay my weary head upon that brave, protecting breast--weep, ay, and die there! "oh, for a swift death," i frantically cried, as i felt his arms about me, while my head was pillowed just above his warm and loving heart. i felt its manly pulsations as with a soft lullaby they seemed hushing me to the deep, eternal sleep, which i so ardently craved! better, a thousand times, for death to part us, than the white man's cruelty! so we both thought. i read his secret wish in the hopeless, vacant, but still so agonized look, that he bent upon me. for one moment, the other slaves huddled together in blank amazement. this was to them "a show," as "uncle ned" subsequently styled it. "i've brought your trunk, ann; mr. atkins ordered me to leave it without; though you'll get it." "thank you, henry; it is of small account to me now: yet there are in it some few of your gifts that i shall always value." "oh, ann, don't, pray don't talk so mournfully! is there no hope? can't you be sold somewhere in the city? i have got about fifty dollars now in money. i'd stop buying myself, and buy you; make my instalments in fifties or hundreds, as i could raise it; but i spoke to a lawyer about it, and he read the law to me, showing that i, as a slave, couldn't be allowed to hold property; and there is no white man in whom i have sufficient confidence, or who would be willing to accommodate me in this way. mine is a deplorable case; but i'm going to see what can be done. i'll look about among the citizens, to see if some of them will not buy you; for i cannot be separated from you. it will kill me; it will, it will!" "oh, don't, henry, don't! for myself i can stand much; but when i think of _you_." he caught me passionately to his breast; and, in that embrace, he seemed to say, "_they shall not part us!_" he seated himself on a low stool beside me, with one of my hands clasped in his, and thus, with his tender eyes bent upon me, such is the illusion of love, i forgot the terror by which i was surrounded, and yielded myself to a fascination as absorbing as that which encircled me in the grove on that memorable sunday evening. "why, henry, is this you?" and a strong hand was laid upon his shoulder. looking up, i beheld charley. "and is this you, charles allen?" asked the other. "_yes, this is me._ i dare say you scarcely expected to find me here, where i never thought i should be." at this i was reminded of the significant ejaculation that ophelia makes in her madness, "lord, we know what we are, but we know not what we may be!" "i am sold, henry," continued charles, "sold away from my poor wife and children;" his voice faltered and the big tears rolled down his cheeks. "i see from your manner toward ann, that she is or was expected to be your wife." "yes, she was pledged to be." "_yes, and is_," i added with fervor. at this, henry only pressed my hand tightly. "yet," pursued charles, "she is taken from you." "_she is_," was the brief and bitter reply. "now, henry graham, are we men? and do we submit to these things?" "alas!" and the words came through henry's set teeth, "we are _not_ men; we are only chattels, property, merchandise, _slaves_." "but is it right for us to be so? i feel the high and lordly instincts of manhood within me. must i conquer them? must i stifle the eloquent cry of nature in my breast? shall i see my wife and children left behind to the mercy of a hard master, and willingly desert them simply because another man says that, in exchange for this sacrifice of happiness and hope, _his daughter_ shall play upon chickering's finest piano?" heavens! can i ever forget the princely air with which he uttered these words! his swarthy cheek glowed with a beautiful crimson, and his rich eye fairly blazed with the fire of a seven-times heated soul, whilst the thin lip curled and the fine nostril dilated, and the whole form towered supremely in the majesty of erect and perfect manhood! "hush, charley, hush," i urged, "this is no place for the expression of such sentiments, just and noble as they may be." again henry pressed my hand. "it may be imprudent, ann, but i am reckless now. they have done the worst they can do. i defy the sharpest dagger-point. my breast is open to a thousand spears. they can do no more. but how can you, henry, thus supinely sit by and see yourself robbed of your life's treasure? i cannot understand it. are you lacking in manliness, in courage? are you a coward, a _slave_ indeed?" "do not listen to him; leave now, henry, dear, dear henry," i implored, as i observed the singular expression of his face. "go now, dearest, without saying another word; for my sake go. you will not refuse me?" "no, i will not, dear ann; but there is a fire raging in my veins." "yes, and charley is the incendiary. go, i beg you." with a long, fond kiss, he left me, and it was well he did, for in a moment more mr. atkins came to give the order for retiring. i found a very comfortable mattress and covering, on the floor of a good, neatly-carpeted room, which was occupied by five other women. one of them, a gay girl of about fifteen, a full-blooded african, made her pallet close to mine. i had observed her during the day as a garrulous, racketty sort of baggage, that seemed contented with her situation. she was extremely neat in her dress; and her ebony skin had a rich, oily, shiny look, resembling the perfect polish of nebraska blacking on an exquisite's boot. partly from their own superiority, but chiefly from contrast with her complexion, shone white as mountain snow, a regular row of ivory teeth. her large flabby ears were adorned by huge wagon-wheel rings of pinch-beck, and a cumbersome strand of imitation coral beads adorned her inky throat, whilst her dress was of the gaudiest colors, plaided in large bars. thus decked out, she made quite a figure in the assemblage. "is yer name ann?" she unceremoniously asked. "yes," was my laconic reply. "mine is lucy; but they calls me luce fur short." no answer being made, she garrulously went on: "was that yer husband what comed to see you this evenin'?" "no." "your brother?" "no." "your cousin?" "neither." "well, he's too young-lookin' fur yer father. mought he be yer uncle?" "no." "laws, then he mus' be yer sweetheart!" and she chuckled with mirth. i made no answer. "why don't you talk, ann?" "i don't feel like it." "you don't? well, that's quare." still i made no comment. nothing daunted, she went on: "is yer gwine down the river with the next lot?" "i don't know;" but this time i accompanied my reply with a sigh. "what you grunt fur?" i could not, though so much distressed, resist a laugh at this singular interrogatory. "don't yer want to go south? i does. they say it's right nice down dar. plenty of oranges. when masser fust sold me, i was mightily 'stressed; den missis, she told me dat dar was a sight of oranges down dar, and dat we didn't work any on sundays, and we was 'lowed to marry; so i got mightily in de notion of gwine. you see masser jones never 'lowed his black folks to marry. i wanted to marry four, five men, and he wouldn't let me. den we had to work all day sundays; never had any time to make anyting for ourselves; and i does love oranges! i never had more an' a quarter of one in my life." thus she wandered on until she fell off to sleep; but the leaden-winged cherub visited me not that night. my eye-lids refused to close over the parched and tear-stained orbs. i dully moved from side to side, changed and altered my position fifty times, yet there was no repose for me. "not poppy nor mandragora nor all the drowsy syrups of the world, could then medicine me to that sweet sleep which i owed yesterday." i saw the dull gray streak of the morning beam, as coldly it played through the gratings of my room. there, scattered in dismal confusion over the floor, lay the poor human beings, for whose lives, health and happiness, save as conducing to the pecuniary advantage of the trafficker, no thought or care was taken. i rose hastily and adjusted my dress, for i had not removed it during the night. the noise of my rising aroused several of the others, and simultaneously they sprang to their feet, apprehensive that they had slept past the prescribed hour for rising. finding that their alarm was groundless, and that they were by the clock an hour too early, they grumbled a good deal at what they thought my unnecessary awaking. i would have given much to win to my heart the easy indifference as to fate, which many of them wore like a loose glove; but there i was vulnerable at every pore, and wounded at each. what a curse to a slave's life is a sensitive nature! that day closed as had the preceding, save that at evening henry did not come as before. i wandered out in the yard, which was surrounded by a high brick-wall, covered at the top with sharp iron spikes, to prevent the escape of slaves. through this barricaded ground i was allowed to take a little promenade. there was not a shrub or green blade of grass to enliven me; but my eyes lingered not upon the earth. they were turned up to the full moon, shining so round and goldenly from the purple heaven, and, scattered sparsely through the fields of azure, were a few stars, looking brighter and larger from their scarcity. "will my death-hour ever come?" i asked myself despairingly. "have i not tasted of the worst of life? is not the poisoned cup drained to its last dregs?" i fancied that i heard a voice answer, as from the clouds, "no, there are a few bitterer drops that must yet be drunk. press the goblet still closer to your lips." i shuddered coldly as the last tones of the imagined voice died away upon the soft night air. "is that," i cried, "a prophet warning? comes it to me now that i may gird my soul for the approaching warfare? let me, then, put on my helmet and buckler, and, like a life-tired soldier, rush headlong into the thickest of the fight, praying that the first bullet may prove a friend and drink my blood!" yet i shrank, like the weakest and most fearful of my race, when the distant cotton-fields rose upon my mental view! there, beneath the heat of a "hot and copper sky," i saw myself wearily tugging at my assigned task; yet my fear was not for the physical trouble that awaited me. had henry been going, "down the river" would have had no terror for me; but i was to part from joy, from love, from life itself! oh, why, why have we--poor bondsmen and bondswomen--these fine and delicate sensibilities? why do we love? why are we not all coarse and hard, mere human beasts of burden, with no higher mental or moral conception, than obedience to the will or caprice of our owners? night closed over this second weary day. and thus passed on many days and nights. i did some plain sewing by way of employment, and at the command of a mulatto woman, who was the kept mistress of atkins, and therefore placed in authority over us. many of the women were hired out to residents of the city on trial, and if they were found to be agreeable and good servants, perhaps they were purchased. before sending them out, mr. atkins always called them to him, and, shaking his cane over their heads, said, "now, you d----d hussy, or rascal (as they chanced to be male or female) if you behave yourselves well, you'll find a good home; but you dare to get sick or misbehave, and be sent back to me, and i'll thrash you in an inch of your cursed life." with this demoniacal threat ringing in their ears, it is not likely that the poor wretches started off with any intention of bad conduct. we constantly received accessions to our number, but never acquisitions, for the poor, ill-fed, ill-kept wretches that came in there, "sold (as atkins said) for a mere song," were desolate and revolting to see. charley found one or two old books, that he seemed to read and re-read; indifferent novels, perhaps, that served, at least, to keep down the ravening tortures of thought. i lent him my testament, and he read a great deal in it. he said that he had one, but had left it with his wife. he was a member of the methodist church; had gone on sunday afternoons to a school that had been established for the benefit of colored people, and thus, unknown to his master, had acquired the first principles of a good education. he could read and write, and was in possession of the rudiments of arithmetic. he told me that his wife had not had the opportunities he had, and therefore she was more deficient, but he added, "she had a great thirst for knowledge, such as i have never seen excelled, and rarely equalled. i have known her, after the close of her daily labors, devote the better portion of the night to study. i gave her all the instruction i could, and she was beginning to read with considerable accuracy; but all that is over, past and gone now." and again he ground his teeth fiercely, and a wild, lurid light gathered in his eye. this man almost made me oblivious of my own grief, in sympathy for his. i did all i could by "moral suasion," as the politicians say, to soften his resentment. i bade him turn his thoughts toward that religion which he had espoused. "i have no religion for this," he would bitterly say. and in truth, i fear me much if the heroism of saints would hold out on such occasions. there, fastened to that impassioned husband's heart, playing with its dearest chords, was the fang-like hand of the white man! oh, slow tortures! in comparison to which that of prometheus was very pleasure. there is no tartarus like that of wounded, agonized domestic love! far away from him, in a lonely cabin, he beheld his stricken wife and all his "pretty chickens" pining and unprotected. slowly, after a few days, he relapsed into that stony sort of despair that denies itself the gratification of speech. the change was very painfully visible to me, and i tried, by every artifice, to arouse him; but i had no power to wake him. "give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak, whispers the o'erfraught heart, and bids it break." and soon learning this, i left him, a remorseless prey to that "rooted sorrow" of the brain. * * * * * * * one day, as we all sat in the shed-room, engaged at our various occupations, we were roused by a noise of violent weeping, and something like a rude scuffle just without the door, when suddenly atkins entered, dragging after him, with his hand close about his throat, a poor negro man, aged and worn, with a head white as cotton. "oh, please, masser, jist let me go back, an' tell de ole 'ooman farewell, an' i won't ax for any more." "no, you old rascal, you wants to run away. if you say another word about the old voman, i'll beat the life out of you." "oh lor', oh lor', de poor ole 'ooman an' de boys; oh my ole heart will bust!" and, sobbing like a child, the old man sank down upon the floor, in the most abandoned grief. "here, boys, some of you git the fiddle and play, an' i warrant that old fool will be dancin' in a minnit," said atkins in his unfeeling way. of course this speech met with the most signal applause from "de boys" addressed. i watched the expression of charles' face. it was frightful. he sat in one corner, as usual, with an open book in his hand. from it he raised his eyes, and, whilst the scene between atkins and the old negro was going on, they flashed with an expression that i could not fathom. his brows knit, and his lip curled, yet he spoke no word. when atkins withdrew, the old man lay there, still weeping and sobbing piteously. i went up to him, kindly saying, "what is the matter, old uncle?" the sound of a kind voice aroused him, and looking up through his streaming tears, he said, "oh, chile, i's got a poor ole 'ooman dat lives 'bout half mile in de country. masser fotch me in town to-day, an' say he was agwine to hire me fur a few weeks. wal, i beliebed him, bekase masser has bin hard run fur money, an' i was willin' to hope him 'long, so i consented to be hired in town fur little while, and den go out an' see de ole 'ooman an' de boys saturday nights. wal, de fust thing i knowed when i got to town i was sold to a trader. masser wouldn't tell me hisself; but, when i got here, de gemman what i thought i was hired to, tole me dat masser atkins had bought me; an' i wanted to go back an' ask masser, but he laughed an' say 'twant no use, masser done gone out home. oh, lor'! 'peared like dere was nobody to trus' to den. i begged to go an' say good-bye; but dey 'fused me dat, an' masser atkins 'gan to swear, an' he struck me 'cross de head. oh, i didn't tink masser wud do me so in my ole age!" i ask you, reader, if for a sorrow like this there was any word of comfort? i thought not, and did not dare try to offer any. "will scenes like these ever cease?" i fretfully asked, as i turned to charles. "never!" was the bitter answer. this old man talked constantly of his little woolly-headed boys. when telling of their sportive gambols, he would smile, even whilst the tears were flowing down his cheeks. he often had a crowd of slaves around him listening to his talk of "wife and children," but i seldom made one of the number, for it saddened me too much. i knew that he was telling of joys that could never come to him again. on one of these occasions, when uncle peter, as he was called, was deep in the merits of his conversation, i was sitting in the corner of the room sewing, when luce came running breathlessly up to me, with a bunch of beautiful flowers in her hand. "oh, ann," she exclaimed, "dat likely-lookin' yallow man, dat cum to see you, an' fotch yer trunk de fust night yer comed here, was passin' by, an' i was stanin' at de gate; an' he axed me to han' dis to you." and she gave me the bouquet, which i took, breathing a thousand blessings upon the head of my devoted henry. i had often wondered why louise had never been to see me. she knew very well where i was, and access to me was easy. but i was not long kept in suspense, for, on that very night she came, bringing with her a few sweetmeats, which i distributed among those of my companions who felt more inclined to eat them than i did. "i have wondered, louise, why you did not come sooner." "well, the fact is, ann, i've been busy trying to find you a home. i couldn't bear to come without bringing you good news. henry and i have worked hard. all of our leisure moments have been devoted to it. we have scoured this city over, but with no success; and, hearing yesterday that mr. atkins would start down the river to-morrow, with all of you, i could defer coming no longer. poor henry is too much distressed to come! he says he'll not sleep this night, but will ransack the city till he finds somebody able and willing to rescue you." "how does he look?" i asked. "six years older than when you saw him last. he takes this very hard; has lost his appetite, and can't sleep at night." i said nothing; but my heart was full, full to overflowing. i longed to be alone, to fall with my face on the earth and weep. the presence of louise restrained me, for i always shrank from exposing my feelings. "are we going to-morrow?" i inquired. "yes, mr. atkins told me so this evening. did you not know of it?" "no, indeed; am i among the lot?" after a moment's hesitation she replied, "yes, he told me that you were, and, on account of your beauty, he expected you would bring a good price in the southern market. oh heavens, ann, this is too dreadful to repeat; yet you will have to know of it." "oh yes, yes;" and i could no longer restrain myself; i fell, weeping, in her arms. she could not remain long with me, for mr. atkins closed up the establishment at half-past nine. bidding me an affectionate farewell, and assuring me that she would, with henry, do all that could be done for my relief, she left me. a most wretched, phantom-peopled night was that! ten thousand horrors haunted me! of course i slept none; but imagination seemed turned to a fiend, and tortured me in divers ways. chapter xxxiv. scene in the pen--starting "down the river"--uncle peter's trial--my rescue. on the next day, after breakfast, mr. atkins came in, saying, "well, niggers, git yourselves ready. you must all start down the river to-day, at ten o'clock. a good boat is going out. huddle up your clothes as quick as possible--no fuss, now." when he left, there was lamentation among some; silent mourning with others; joy for a few. shall i ever forget the despairing look of charley? how passionately he compressed his lips! i went up to him, and, laying my hand on his arm, said, "let us be strong to meet the trouble that is sent us!" he looked at me, but made no reply. i thought there was the wildness of insanity in his glance, and turned away. it was now eight o'clock, and i had not heard from henry or louise. alas! my heart misgave me. i had been buoyed up for some time by the flatteries and delusions of hope! but now i felt that i had nothing to sustain me; the last plank had sunk! i did not pretend to "get myself ready," as mr. atkins had directed; the fact is, i was ready. the few articles of wearing apparel that i called mine were all in my trunk, with some little presents that henry had made me, such as a brooch, earrings, &c. these were safely locked, and the key hung round my neck. but the others were busy "getting ready." i was standing near the door, anxiously hoping to see either henry or louise, when an old negro woman, thinly clad, without any bonnet on her head, and with a basket in her hand, came up to me, saying, "please mam, is my ole man in here? de massa out here say i may speak 'long wid him, and say farwell;" and she wiped her eyes with the corner of an old torn check apron. i was much touched, and asked her the name of her old man. "pete, mam." "oh, yes, he is within," and i stepped aside to let her pass through the door. she went hobbling along, making her passage through the crowd, and i followed after. in a few moments pete saw her. "oh dear! oh dear!" he cried out, "judy is come;" and running up to her, he embraced her most affectionately. "yes," she said, "i begged masser to let me come and see you. it was long time before he told me dat you was sole to a trader and gwine down de ribber. oh, lord! it 'pears like i ken never git usin to it! dars no way for me ever to hear from you. you kan't write, neither ken i. oh, what shill we do?" "i doesn't know, judy, we's in de hands ob de lord. we mus' trus' to him. maybe he'll save us. keep on prayin', judy." the old man's voice grew very feeble, as he asked, "an de chillen, de boys, how is dey?" "oh, dey is well. sammy wanted to come long 'wid me; but it was too fur for him to walk. joe gib me dis, and say, take it to daddy from me." she looked in her basket, and drew out a little painted cedar whistle. the tears rolled down the old man's cheeks as he took it, and, looking at it, he shook his head mournfully, "poor boy, dis is what i give him fur a christmas gift, an' he sot a great store to it. only played wid it of sundays and holidays. no, take it back to him, an' tell him to play wid it, and never forget his poor ole daddy dat's sole 'way down de ribber!" here he fairly broke down, and, bursting into tears, wept aloud. "oh, god hab bin marciful to me in lettin' me see you, judy, once agin! an' i am an ongrateful sinner not to bar up better." judy was weeping violently. "oh, if dey would but buy me! i wants to go long wid you." "no, no, judy, you must stay long wid de chillen, an' take kere ob 'em. besides, you is not strong enough to do de work dey would want you to do. no, i had better go by myself," and he wiped his eyes with his old coat sleeve. "i wish," he added, "dat i had some little present to send de boys," and, fumbling away in his pocket, he at length drew out two shining brass buttons that he had picked up in the yard. "give dis to 'em; say it was all thar ole daddy had to send 'em; but, maybe, some time i'll have some money; and if i meet any friends down de ribber, i'll send it to 'em, and git a letter writ back to let you and 'em know whar i is sold." judy opened her basket, and handed him a small bundle. "here, pete, is a couple of shirts and a par of trowsers i fetched you, and here's a good par of woollen socks to keep you warm in de winter; and dis is one of masser's ole woollen undershirts dat missis sent you. you know how you allers suffers in cold wedder wid de rheumatiz." "tell missis thankee," and his voice was choking in his throat. there was many a tearful eye among the company, looking at this little scene. but, suddenly it was broken up by the appearance of mr. atkins. "well, ole woman," he began, addressing uncle pete's wife, "it is time you was agoin'. you has staid long enough. thar's no use in makin' a fuss. pete belongs to me, an' i am agoin' to sell him to the highest bidder i can find down the river." "oh, masser, won't you please buy me?" asked judy. "no, you old fool." "oh, hush judy, pray hush," put in pete; "humor her a little masser atkins, she will go in a minnit. now do go, honey," he added, addressing judy, who stood a moment, irresolutely, regarding her old husband; then screaming out, "oh no, no, i can't leave you!" fell down at his feet half insensible. "oh, lord jesus, hab marcy!" groaned pete, as he bent over his partner's body. "take her out, instantly," exclaimed atkins, as one of the men dragged the body out. "please be kereful, don't hurt her," implored pete. "behave yourself, and don't go near her," said atkins to him, "or i'll have both you an' her flogged. i am not goin' to have these fusses in my pen." all this time charley's face was frightful. as atkins passed along he looked toward charley, and i thought he quailed before him. that regal face of the mulatto man was well calculated to awe such a sinister and small soul as atkins. "yes, yes, charles, that proud spirit of yourn will git pretty well broken down in the cotton fields," he murmured, just loud enough to be heard. charles made no answer, though i observed that his cheek fairly blazed. * * * * * * when we were all bonneted, trunks corded down, and bundles tied up, waiting, in the shed-room, for the order to get in the omnibus, uncle pete suddenly spied the basket which judy, in her insensibility, had left. picking it up, i saw the tears glitter in his eyes when the two bright buttons rolled out on the floor. "these puttys," he muttered to himself, "was fur de boys. poor fellows! now dey won't have any keepsake from dar daddy; and den here's de little cedar whistle; oh, i wish i could send it out to 'em." looking round the room he saw kitty, the mulatto woman, of whom i have before spoken as the mistress of atkins. "oh, please, kitty, will you have dis basket, dis whistle, and dese putty buttons, sent out to mr. john jones', to my ole 'ooman judy?' "yes," answered the woman, "i will." "thankee mam, and you'll very much oblige me." "come 'long with you all. the omnibus is ready," cried out atkins, and we all took up the line of march for the door, each pausing to say good-bye to kitty, and yet none caring much for her, as she had not been agreeable to us. "going down the river, really," i said to myself. "wait a minnit," said atkins, and calling to a sort of foreman, who did his roughest work, he bade him handcuff us. how fiercely-proud looked the face of charles, as they fastened the manacles on his wrists. i made no complaint, nor offered resistance. my heart was maddened. i almost blamed louise, and chided henry for not forcing my deliverance. i could have broken the handcuffs, so strongly was i possessed by an unnatural power. "git in the 'bus," said the foreman, as he riveted on the last handcuff. just as i had taken my seat in the omnibus, henry came frantically rushing up. the great beads of perspiration stood upon his brow; and his thick, hard breathing, was frightful. sinking down upon the ground, all he could say was, "ann! ann!" i rose and stood erect in the omnibus, looking at him, but dared not move one step toward him. "what is the matter with that nigger?" inquired atkins, pointing toward henry. then addressing the driver, he bade him drive down to the wharf. "stop! stop!" exclaimed henry; "in heaven's name stop, mr. atkins, here's a gentleman coming to buy ann. wait a moment." just then a tall, grave-looking man, apparently past forty, walked up. "who the d----l is that?" gruffly asked mr. atkins. "it is mr. moodwell," henry replied. "he has come to buy ann." "who said that i wanted to sell her?" "you would let her go for a fair price, wouldn't you?" "no, but i would part with her for a first-rate one." just then, as hope began to relume my soul, mr. moodwell approached atkins, saying, "i wish to buy a yellow girl of you." "which one?" "a girl by the name of ann. where is she?" "don't you know her by sight?" "certainly not, for i have never seen her." "you don't want to buy without first seeing her?" "i take her upon strong recommendation." with a dogged, and i fancied disappointed air, atkins bade me stand forth. right willingly i obeyed; and appearing before mr. moodwell, with a smiling, hopeful face, i am not surprised that he was pleased with me, and readily paid down the price of a thousand dollars that was demanded by atkins. when i saw the writings drawn up, and became aware that i had passed out of the trader's possession, and could remain near henry, i lifted my eyes to heaven, breathing out an ardent act of adoration and gratitude. quickly henry stood beside me, and clasping my yielding hand within his own, whispered, "you are safe, dear ann." i had no words wherewith to express my thankfulness; but the happy tears that glistened in my eyes, and the warm pressure of the hand that i gave, assured him of the sincerity of my gratitude. my trunk was very soon taken down from the top of the omnibus and shouldered by henry. looking up at my companions, i beheld the savagely-stern face of charles; and thinking of his troubles, i blamed myself for having given up to selfish joy, when such agony was within my sight. i rushed up to the side of the omnibus and extended my hand to him. "god has taken care of you," he said, with a groan, "but i am forgotten!" "don't despair of his mercy, charley." more i could not say; for the order was given them to start, and the heavy vehicle rolled away. as i turned toward henry he remarked the shadow upon my brow, and tenderly inquired the cause. "i am distressed for charley." "poor fellow! i would that i had the power to relieve him." "come on, come on," said mr. moodwell, and we followed him to the g---house, where i found louise, anxiously waiting for me. "you are safe, thank heaven!" she exclaimed, and joyful tears were rolling down her smooth cheeks. the reaction of feeling was too powerful for me, and my health sank under it. i was very ill for several weeks, with fever. louise and henry nursed me faithfully. mr. moodwell had purchased me for a maiden sister of his, who was then travelling in the southern states, and i was left at the g---house until i should get well, at which time, if she should not have returned, i was to be hired out until she came. i recollect well when i first opened my eyes, after an illness of weeks. i was lying on a nice bed in louise's room. as it was a cool evening in the early october, there was a small comfort-diffusing fire burning in the grate; and on a little stand, beside my bed, was a very pretty and fragrant bouquet. seated near me, with my hand in his, was the one being on earth whom i best loved. he was singing in a low, musical tone, the touching ethiopian melody of "old folks at home." slowly my eyes opened upon the pleasant scene! looking into his deep, witching eyes, i murmured low, whilst my hand returned the pressure of his, "is it you, dear henry?" "it is i, my love; i have just got through with my work, and i came to see you. finding you asleep, i sat down beside you to hum a favorite air; but i fear, that instead of calming, i have broken your slumber, sweet." "no, dearest, i am glad to be aroused. i feel so much better than i have felt for weeks. my head is free from fever, and except for the absence of strength, am as well as i ever was." "oh, it makes me really happy to hear you say so. i have been so uneasy about you. the doctor was afraid of congestion of the brain. you cannot know how i suffered in mind about you; but now your flesh feels cool and pleasant, and your strength will, i trust, soon return." just then louise entered, bearing a cup of tea and a nice brown slice of toast, and a delicate piece of chicken, on a neat little salver. at sight of this dainty repast, my long-forgotten appetite returned, with a most healthful vigor. but my kind nurse, who was glad to find me so well, determined to keep me so, and would not allow me a hearty indulgence of appetite. in a few days i was able to sit up in an easy chair, and, at every opportunity, louise would amuse me with some piece of pleasant gossip, in relation to the boarders, &c. and henry, my good, kind, noble henry, spent all his spare change in buying oranges and pine-apples for me, and in sending rare bouquets, luxuries in which i took especial delight. then, during the long, cheerful autumnal evenings, when a fire sparkled in the grate, he would, after his work was done, bring his banjo and play for me; whilst his rich, gushing voice warbled some old familiar song. its touching plaintiveness often brought the tears to my eyes. thus passed a few weeks pleasantly enough for me; but like all the other rose-winged hours, they soon had a close. my strength had been increasing rapidly, and mr. moodwell, the brother and agent of my mistress, concluded that i was strong enough to be hired out. accordingly, he apprized me of his intention, saying, "ann, sister nancy has written me word to hire you out until spring, when she will return and take you home. i have selected a place for you, in the capacity of house-servant. you must behave yourself well." i assured him that i would do my best; then asked the name of the family to whom i was hired. "to josiah smith, on chestnut street, i have hired you. he has two daughters and a young niece living with him, and wishes you to wait on them." after apprizing henry and louise of my new home, _pro tem._, i requested the former to bring my trunk out that night, which he readily promised. bidding them a kind and cheerful adieu, i followed mr. moodwell out to chestnut street. this is one of the most retired and beautiful streets in the city of l----, and mr. josiah smith's residence the very handsomest among a number of exceedingly elegant mansions. opening a bronze gate, we passed up a broad tesselated stone walk that led to the house, which was built of pure white stone, and three stories in height, with an observatory on the top, and the front ornamented with a richly-wrought iron verandah. reposing in front upon the sward, were two couchant tigers of dark gray stone. passing through the verandah, we stopped at the mahogany door until mr. moodwell pulled the silver bell-knob, which was speedily answered by a neatly-dressed man-servant, who bade mr. moodwell walk in the parlor, and requested me to wait without the door until he could find leisure to attend to me. i obeyed this direction, and amused myself examining what remained of a very handsome flower-garden, until he returned, when conducting me around, by a private entrance, he ushered me into the kitchen. chapter xxxv. the new home--a pleasant family group--quiet love-meetings. i became domesticated very soon in mr. josiah smith's family. i learned what my work was, and did it very faithfully, and i believe to their satisfaction. the family proper consisted of mr. smith, his wife, two daughters, and a niece. mr. smith was a merchant, of considerable wealth and social influence, and the young ladies were belles par-excellence. mrs. smith was the domestic of the concern, who carried on the establishment, a little, busy, fussy sort of woman, that went sailing it round the house with a huge bunch of keys dangling at her side, an incessant scold, with a voice sharp and clear like a steamboat bell; a managing, thrifty sort of person, a perfect terror to negroes; up of a morning betimes, and in the kitchen, fussing with the cook about breakfast. i had very little to do with mrs. letitia. my business was almost exclusively with the young ladies. i cleaned and arranged their rooms, set the parlors right, swept and dusted them, and then attended to the dining-room. this part of my work threw me under mrs. letitia's dynasty; but as i generally did my task well, she had not much objection to make, though her natural fault-finding disposition sharpened her optics a good deal, and she generally discovered something about which to complain. miss adele smith was the elder of the two daughters, a tall, pale girl, with dark hair, carefully banded over a smooth, polished brow, large black eyes and a pleasing manner. the second, miss nellie, was a round, plump girl of blonde complexion, fair hair and light eyes, with a rich peach-flush on her cheek, and a round, luscious, cherry-red mouth, that was always curling and curvetting with smiles. the cousin, lulu carey, was a real romantic character, with a light, fragile form, milk-white skin, the faintest touch of carmine playing over the cheek, mellow gray eyes, earnest and loving, and a profusion of chestnut-brown hair fell in the richest ringlets to her waist. her features and caste of face were perfect. she was habited in close mourning, for her mother had been dead but one year, and the half-perceptible shadow of grief that hung over her face, form and manner, rendered her glorious beauty even more attractive. it was a real pleasure to me to serve these young ladies, for though they were the ã©lite, the cream of the aristocracy, they were without those offensive "airs" that render the fashionable society of the west so reprehensible. though their parlors were filled every evening with the gayest company, and they were kept up late, they always came to their rooms with pleasant smiles and gracious words, and often chided me for remaining out of bed. "don't wait for us, ann," they would say. "it isn't right to keep you from your rest on our account." i slept on a pallet in their chamber, and took great delight in remaining up until they came, and then assisted them in disrobing. it was the first time i had ever known white ladies (and young) to be amiable, and seemingly philanthropic, and of course a very powerful interest was excited for them. they had been educated in boston, and had imbibed some of the liberal and generous principles that are, i think, indigenous to high northern latitudes. indeed, i believe miss lulu strongly inclined toward their social and reformatory doctrines, though she did not dare give them any very open expression, for mr. and mrs. josiah smith were strong pro-slavery, conservative people, and would not have countenanced any dissent from their opinions. mrs. smith used to say, "niggers ought to be exterminated." and miss lulu, in her quiet way, would reply, "yes, as slaves they should be exterminated." and then how pretty and naã¯vely she arched her pencilled brows. this was always understood by the sisters, who must have shared her liberal views. mr. smith was so much absorbed in mercantile matters, that he seldom came home, except at meals or late at night, when the household was wrapped in sleep; and, even on sundays, when all the world took rest, he was locked up in his counting-room. this seemed singular to me, for a man of mr. smith's reputed and apparent wealth might have found time, at least on sunday, for quiet. the young ladies were very prompt and regular in their attendance at church, but i used often to hear miss lulu exclaim, after returning, "why don't they give us something new? these old rags of theology weary, not to say annoy me. if christianity is marching so rapidly on, why have we still, rising up in our very midst, institutions the vilest and most revolting! why are we cursed with slavery? why have we houses of prostitution, where beauty is sold for a price? why have we pest and alms-houses? who is the poor man's friend? who is there with enough of christ's spirit to speak kindly to the magdalene, and bid her 'go and sin no more'? alas, for christianity to-day!" "but we must accept life as it is, and patiently wait the coming of the millennium, when things will be as they ought," was miss adele's reply. "oh, now coz, don't you and sis go to speculating upon life's troubles, but come and tell me what i shall wear to the party to-morrow night," broke from the gay lips of the lively nellie. in this strain i've many times heard them talk, but it always wound up with a smile at the suggestion of the volatile miss nellie. when i had been there but two days, i began to suspect mrs. smith's disposition, for she several times declared her opinion that niggers had no business with company, and that her's shouldn't have any. this was a damper to my hopes, for my chief motive for wishing to be sold in l---was the pleasure i expected to derive from henry's society. every night, as early as eight, the servants were ordered to their respective quarters, and, as i slept in the house, a stolen interview with him would have been impossible, as mrs. smith was too alert for me to make an unobserved exit. on the second evening of my sojourn there, henry called to see me about half-past seven o'clock; and, just as i was beginning to yield myself up to pleasure, mrs. smith came to the kitchen, and, seeing him there, asked, "whose negro is this?" "henry graham is my name, missis," was the reply. "well, what business have you here?" henry was embarrassed; he hung his head, and, after a moment, faltered out, "i came to see ann, missis." "where do you belong?" "i belong to mr. graham, but am hired to the g---house." "well, then, go right there; and, if ever i catch you in my kitchen again, i'll send your master word, and have you well flogged. i don't allow negro men to come to see my servants. i want them to have no false notions put into their heads. a nigger has no business visiting; let him stay at home and do his master's work. i shouldn't be surprised if i missed something out of the kitchen, and if i do, i shall know that you stole it, and you shall be whipped for it; so shall ann, for daring to bring strange niggers into my kitchen. now, clear yourself, man." with an humbled, mortified air, henry took his leave. a thousand scorpions were writhing in my breast. that he, my love, so honest, noble, honorable, and gentlemanly in all his feelings, should be so accused almost drove me to madness. i could not bear to have his pride so bowed and his dearly-cherished principles outraged. from that day i entertained no kind feeling for mrs. smith. on another occasion, a saturday afternoon, when louise came to sit a few moments with me, she heard of it, and, rushing down stairs, ordered her to leave on the instant, adding that her great abomination was free niggers, and she wouldn't have them lurking round her kitchen, corrupting her servants, and, perhaps, purloining everything within their reach. louise was naturally of a quick and passionate disposition; and, to be thus wantonly and harshly treated, was more than she could bear. so she furiously broke forth, and such a scene as occurred between them was disgraceful to humanity! miss adele hearing the noise instantly came out, and in a positive tone ordered louise to leave; which order was obeyed. after hearing from her mother a correct statement of the case, miss adele burst into tears and went to her room. i afterward heard her kindly remonstrating with her mother upon the injustice of such a course of conduct toward her servants. but mrs. smith was confirmed in her notions. they had been instilled into her early in life; had grown with her growth and strengthened with her years. so it was not possible for her young and philanthropic daughter to remove them. once, when miss adele was quite sick, and after i had been nursing her indefatigably for some time, she said to me, "ann, you have told me the story of your love. i have been thinking of henry, and pitying his condition, and trying to devise some way for you to see him." "thank you, miss adele, you are very kind." "the plan i have resolved upon is this: i will pretend to send you out of evenings on errands for me; you can have an understanding with henry, and meet at some certain point; then take a walk or go to a friend's; but always be careful to get home before ten o'clock." this was kindness indeed, and i felt the grateful tears gathering in my eyes! i could not speak, but knelt down beside the bed, and reverently kissed the hem of her robe. goodness such as hers, charity and love to all, elicited almost my very worship! i remember the first evening that i carried this scheme into effect. she was sitting in a large arm-chair, carefully wrapped up in the folds of an elegant velvet _robe-de-chambre_. her mother, sister, and cousin were beside her, all engaged in a cheerful conversation, when she called me to her, and pretended to give me some errand to attend to out in the city, telling me _pointedly_ that it would require my attention until near ten o'clock. how like a lovely earth-angel appeared she then! i had previously apprized henry of the arrangement, and named a point of meeting. upon reaching it, i found him already waiting for me. we took a long stroll through the lamp-lit streets, talking of the blessed hopes that struggled in our bosoms; of the faint divinings of the future; told over the story of past sufferings, and renewed olden vows of devotion. he, with the most lover-like fondness, had brought me some little gift; for this i kindly reproved him, saying that all his money should be appropriated to himself, that, by observing a rigid economy, we but hastened on the glorious day of release from bondage. before ten i was at home, and waiting beside miss adele. how kindly she asked me if i had enjoyed myself; and with what pride i told her of the joy that her kindness had afforded me! surely the sweet smile that played so luminously over her fair face was a reflex of the peace that irradiated her soul! how beautifully she illustrated, in her single life, the holy ministrations of true womanhood! did she not, with kind words and generous acts, "strive to bind up the bruised, broken heart." at the very mention of her name, aye, at the thought of her even, i never fail to invoke a blessing upon her life! thus, for weeks and months, through her ingenuity, i saw henry and louise frequently. otherwise, how dull and dreary would have seemed to me that long, cold winter, with its heaped snow-banks, its dull, gray sky, its faint, chill sun, and leafless trees; but the sunbeam of her kindness made the season bright, warm and grateful! chapter xxxvi. the new associates--depraved views--elsy's mistake--departure of the young ladies--loneliness. in mr. smith's family of servants was emily, the cook, a sagacious woman, but totally without education, knowledge, or the peculiar ambition that leads to its acquisition. she was a bold, raw, unthinking spirit; and, from the fact that she had been kept closely confined to the house, never allowed any social pleasure, she resolved to be revenged, and unfortunately in her desire for "spite" (as she termed it), had sacrificed her character, and was the mother of two children, with unacknowledged fathers. possessed of a violent temper, she would, at periods, rave like a mad-woman; and only the severest lashing could bring her into subjection. she was my particular terror. her two children, half-bloods, were little, sick, weasly things that excited the compassion of all beholders, and though two years of age (twins), were, from some physical derangement, unable to walk. there was also a man servant, duke, who attended to odd ends of housework, and served in the capacity of decorated carriage-driver, and a girl, elsy, a raw, green, country concern, good-natured and foolish, with a face as black as tar. they had hired her from a man in the country, and she being quite delighted with town and the off-cast finery of the ladies, was as happy as _she_ could be--yet the mistakes she constantly made were truly amusing. she had formed quite an attachment for duke, which he did not in the slightest degree return; yet, with none of the bashfulness of her sex, she confessed to the feeling, and declared that "duke was very mean not to love her a little." this never failed to excite the derision of the more sprightly emily. "well, you is a fool," she would exclaim, with an odd shake of the head. "i loves him, and don't kere who knows it." "does he love you?" asked emily. "_well_, he doesn't." "_then i'd hate him_," replied emily, as, with a great force, she brought her rolling-pin down on the table. "no, i wouldn't," answered the loving elsy. "you ain't worth shucks." "wish i was worth duke." "hush, fool." "you needn't git mad, kase i don't think as you does." "i is mad bekase you is a fool." "who made me one?" "you was born it, i guess." "then i aren't to blame fur it. them that made me is." conversations like this were of frequent occurrence, and once, when i ventured to ask elsy if she wouldn't like to learn to read, she laughed heartily, saying: "does you think i wants to run off?" "certainly not." "den why did you ax me if i wanted to larn to read?" "so you might have a higher source of enjoyment than you now have." "oh, yes, so as to try to git my freedom! you is jist a spy fur de white folks, and wants to know if i'll run away. go off, now, and mind yer own business, kase i has hearn my ole masser, in de country, say dat whenever niggers 'gan to read books dey was ob no 'count, and allers had freedom in dar heads." finding her thus obstinate, i gave up all attempts to persuade her, and left her to that mental obscuration in which i found her. emily sometimes threatened to apply herself, with vigor, to the gaining of knowledge, and thus defeat and "spite" her owners; but knowledge so obtained, i think, would be of little avail, for, like religion, it must be sought after from higher motives--sought for itself _only_. i could find but little companionship with those around me, and lived more totally within myself than i had ever done. many times have i gone to my room, and in silence wept over the isolation in which my days were spent; but three nights out of the seven were marked with white stones, for on these i held blissful re-unions with henry. our appointed spot for meeting was near an old pump, painted green, which was known as the "green pump," a very favorite one, as the water, pure limestone, was supposed to be better, cooler, and stronger than that of others. much has been written, by our popular authors, on the virtues and legends of old town pumps, but, to me, this one had a beauty, a charm, a glory which no other inanimate object in wide creation possessed! and of a moonlight night, when i descried, at a distance, its friendly handle, outstretched like an arm of welcome, i have rushed up and grasped it with a right hearty good feeling! long time afterwards, when it had ceased to be a love-beacon to me, i never passed it without taking a drink from its old, rusty ladle, and the water, like the friendly draught contained in the magic cup of eastern story, transported me over the waste of time to poetry and love! even here i pause to wipe away the fond, sad tears, which the recollection of that old "green pump" calls up to my mind, and i should love to go back and stand beside it, and drink, aye deeply, of its fresh, cool water! there are now many stately mansions in that growing city, that sits like a fairy queen upon the shore of the charmed ohio; but away from all its lofty structures and edifices of wealth, away from her public haunts, her galleries and halls, would i turn, to pay homage to the old "green pump"! some quiet evenings, too, had i in louise's room, listening to henry sing, while he played upon his banjo. his voice was fine, full, and round, and rang out with the clearness of a bell. though possessed of but slight cultivation, i considered it the finest one i ever heard. but again my pleasures were brought to a speedy close. as the winter began to grow more cold, and the city more dull, the young ladies began to talk of a jaunt to new orleans. their first determination was to carry me with them; but, after calculating the "cost," they concluded it was better to go without a servant, and render all necessary toilette services to each other. they had no false pride--thanks to their northern education for that! before their departure they gave quite a large dinner-party, served up in the most fantastic manner, consisting of six different courses. i officiated as waiter, assisted by duke. owing to the scarcity of servants in the family, elsy was forced to attend the door, and render what assistance she could at the table. whilst they were engaged on the fourth course, a violent ring was heard at the door-bell, which elsy was bound to obey. in a few moments she returned, saying to one of the guests: "miss allfield, a lady wishes to speak with you." "_with me?_" interrogated the lady. "yes, marm." "who can she be?" said miss allfield, in surprise. "bid the lady be seated in the parlor, and say that miss allfield is at dinner," replied mrs. smith. "if the company will excuse me, i will attend to this unusual visitor," said miss allfield, as she rose to leave. "_it is a colored lady_, and she is waitin' fur you at the door," put in elsy. the blank amazement that sat upon the face of each guest, may be better imagined than described! some of them were ready to go into convulsions of laughter. a moment of dead silence reigned around, when miss nellie set the example of a hearty laugh, in which all joined, except mr. and mrs. smith, whose faces were black as a tempest-cloud. but there stood the offending elsy, all unconscious of her guilt. when she first came to town, she had been in the habit of announcing company to the ladies as "a man wants to see you," or "a woman is in the parlor," and had, every time, been severely reprimanded, and told that she should say "a lady or gentleman is in the parlor." and the poor, green creature, in her great regard for "ears polite," did not know how to make the distinction between the races; but most certainly was she taught it by the severe whipping that was administered to her afterwards by mr. smith. no intercession or entreaty from the ladies could be of any avail. upon elsy's bare back must the atonement be made! after this public whipping, she was held somewhat in disgrace by the other servants. duke gave her a very decided cut, and emily, who had never liked her, was now lavish in her abuse and ill-treatment. she even struck the poor, offenceless creature many blows; and from this there was no redemption, for she was in sad disrepute with mr. and mrs. smith; and, after the young ladies' departure, she had no friend at all, for i was too powerless to be of use to her. * * * * * * * the remainder of the winter was dull indeed. my interviews with henry had been discontinued; and i never saw louise. i had no time for reading. it was work, work, delve and drudge until my health sank under it. mrs. smith never allowed us any time on sundays, and the idea of a negro's going to church was outrageous. "no," she replied, when i asked permission to attend church, "stay at home and do your work. what business have negroes going to church? they don't understand anything about the sermon." very true, i thought, for the most of them; but who is to blame for their ignorance? if opportunities for improvement are not allowed them, assuredly they should not suffer for it. how dead and lifeless lay upon my spirit that dull, cold winter! the snow-storm was without; and ice was within. constant fault-finding and ten thousand different forms of domestic persecution well-nigh crushed the life out of me. then there was not one break of beauty in my over-cast sky! no faint or struggling ray of light to illume the ice-bound circle that surrounded me! but the return of spring began to inspire me with hope; for then i expected the arrival of my unknown mistress. henry and louise both knew her, and they represented her as possessed of very amiable and philanthropic views. how eagerly i watched for the coming of the may blossoms, for then she, too, would come, and i be released from torture! how dull and drear seemed the howling month of march, and even the fitful, changeful april. alternate smiles and tears were wearying to me, and sure i am, no school-girl elected queen of the virgin month, ever welcomed its advent with such delight as i! with its first day came the young ladies. right glad was i to see them. they returned blooming and bright as flowers, with the same gentle manners and kindly dispositions that they had carried away. miss nellie had many funny anecdotes to tell of what she had seen and heard; really it was delightful to hear her talk in that mirth-provoking manner! in her accounts of southern dandyisms and fopperies, she drew forth her father's freest applause. "why, nellie, you ought to write a book, you would beat dickens," he used to say; but her more sober sister and cousin never failed to reprove her, though gently, for her raillery. "well, elsy," she cried, when she met that little-respected personage, "have any more 'colored ladies' called during our absence?" this was done in a kind, jocular way; but the poor negro felt it keenly, and held her head down in mortification. * * * * * * * at length the second week of the month of may arrived, and with it came my new mistress! a messenger, no less a person than henry, was despatched for me. the time for which i was hired at mr. smith's having expired two weeks previously, i hastily got myself ready, and henry once again shouldered my trunk. with a feeling of delight, i said farewell to mrs. smith and the servants; but when i bade the young ladies good-bye, i own to the weakness of shedding tears! i tried to impress upon miss adele's mind the sentiment of love that i cherished for her, and i had the satisfaction of knowing that she was not too proud to feel an interest in me. all the way to the g---house, henry was trying to cheer me up, and embolden me for the interview with miss nancy. i had been looking anxiously for the time of her arrival, and now i shrank from it. it was well for my presence of mind that miss jane and her husband had returned to their homestead, for i do not think that i could have breathed freely in the same house with them, even though their control over me had ceased. arriving at the g---house, i had not the courage to venture instantly into miss nancy's presence; but sought refuge, for a few moments, in louise's apartment, where she gave me a very _cordial_ reception, and a delightful beverage compounded of blackberries. chapter xxxvii. the new mistress--her kindness of disposition--a pretty home--and love-interviews in the summer days. at last i contrived to "screw my courage to the sticking-place," and go to miss nancy's room. i paused at the closed door before knocking for admission. when i did knock, i heard a not unpleasant voice say-"come in." the tone of that voice re-inspired me, and i boldly entered. there, resting upon the bed, was one of the sweetest and most benign faces that i ever beheld. age had touched it but to beautify. serene and clear, from underneath the broad cap frill shone her mild gray eyes. the wide brow was calm and white as an ivory tablet, and the lip, like a faded rose-leaf, hinted the bright hue which it had worn in health. the cheek, like the lip, was blanched by the hand of disease. "ah," she said, as with a slight cough she elevated herself upon the pillow, "it is you, ann. you are a little tardy. i have been looking for you for the last half-hour." "i have been in the house some time, miss nancy, but had not the courage to venture into your presence; and yet i have been watching for your arrival with the greatest anxiety." "you must not be afraid of me, child, i am but a sorry invalid, who will, i fear, often weary and overtax your patience; but you must bear with me; and, if you are faithful, i will reward you for it. henry has told me that you are pretty well educated, and have a pleasant voice for reading. this delights me much; for your principal occupation will be to read to me." certainly this pleased me greatly, for i saw at once that i was removed from the stultifying influences which had so long been exercised over my mind. now i should find literary food to supply my craving. my eyes fairly sparkled, as i answered, "this is what i have long desired, miss nancy; and you have assigned to me the position i most covet." "i am glad i have pleased you, child. it is my pleasure to gratify others. our lives are short, at best, and he or she only lives _truly_ who does the most good." this was a style and manner of talk that charmed me. beautiful example and type of womankind! i felt like doing reverence to her. she reached her thin hand out to help herself to a glass of water, that stood on a stand near by. i sprang forward to relieve her. "ah, thank you," she said, in a most bland tone; "i am very weak; the slightest movement convinces me of the failure of my strength." i begged that she would not exert herself, but always call on me for everything that she needed. "i came here to serve you, and i assure you, my dear miss nancy, i shall be most happy in doing it. mine will, i believe, truly be a 'labor of love.'" another sweet smile, with the gilded light of a sunbeam, broke over her calm, sweet face! bless her! she and all of her class should be held as "blessed among women;" for do they not walk with meek and reverent footsteps in the path of her, the great model and prototype of all the sex? * * * * * * * when i had been with her but a few days, she informed me that, as soon as her health permitted, she intended being removed to her house on walnut street. i was not particularly anxious for this; for my sojourn at the g---house was perfectly delightful. my frequent intercourse with henry and louise, was a source of intense pleasure to me. i was allowed to pass the evenings with them. truly were those hours dear and bright. henry played upon his banjo, and sang to us the most enrapturing songs, airs and glees; and louise generally supplied us with cakes and lemonade! how exquisite was my happiness, as there we sat upon the little balcony gazing at the indiana shore, and talking of the time when henry and i should be free. "how much remains to be paid to your master, henry," asked louise. "i have paid all but three hundred and fifty; one hundred of which i already have; so, in point of fact, i lack only two hundred and fifty," said henry. "i am very anxious to leave here this fall. i wish to go to montreal. now, if you could make your arrangements to go on with me, i should be glad. i shall require the services and attentions of a man; and, if you have not realized the money by that time, i think i can lend it to you," returned louise. a bright light shone in henry's eye, as he returned his thanks; but quickly the coming shadow banished that radiance of joy. "but think of her," he said tenderly, laying his hand on my shoulder; "what can she do without us, or what should i be without her?" "oh, think not of me, dearest, i have a good home, and am well cared for. go, and as soon as you can, make the money, and come back for me." "live years away from you? oh, no, no!" and he wound his arm around my waist, and, most naturally, my head rested upon his shoulder. loud and heavy was his breathing, and i knew that a fierce struggle was raging in his breast. "i will never leave her, louise," he at length replied. "that tyrant, the law, may part us; but, my free will and act--_never_." "ah, well," added she, as she looked upon us, "you will think better of this after you give it a little reflection. this is only love's delusion;" and, in her own quiet, sensible way, she turned the stream of conversation into another channel. i think now, with pleasure, of the lovely scenes i enjoyed on those evenings, with the fire-flies playing in the air; and many times have i thought how beautifully and truly they typify the illusive glancings of hope darting here and there with their fire-lit wings; eluding our grasp, and sparkling e'en as they flit. * * * * * * * a few weeks after my installation in the new office, my mistress, whose health had been improving under my nursing, began to get ready to move to her sweet little cottage residence on walnut street. i was not anxious for the change, notwithstanding it gave me many local advantages; for i should be removed from henry, and though i knew that i could see him often, yet the same roof would not cover us. but my life, hitherto, had been too dark and oppressed for me to pause and mourn over the "crumpled rose-leaf;" and so, with right hearty good will i set to work "packing miss nancy's trunk," and gathering up her little articles that had lain scattered about the room. an upholsterer had been sent out to get the house ready for us. when we were on the eve of starting, henry came to carry the luggage, and miss nancy paid him seventy-five cents, at which he took off his hat, made a low bow, and said, "thank you, missis." miss nancy was seated on the most comfortable cushion, and i directly opposite, fanning her. we drove up to the house, a neat little brick cottage, painted white, with green shutters, and a deep yard in front, thickly swarded, with a variety of flowers, and a few forest trees. beautiful exotics, in rare plaster, and stone vases, stood about in the yard, and a fine cast-iron watch-dog slept upon the front steps. passing through the broad hall, you had a fine view of the grounds beyond, which were handsomely decorated. the out-buildings were all neatly painted or white-washed. a thorough air of neatness presided over the place. on the right of the hall was the parlor, furnished in the very perfection of taste and simplicity. the carpet was of blue, bespeckled with yellow; a sofa of blue brocatelle, chairs, and ottomans of the same material, were scattered about. a cabinet stood over in the left corner, filled with the collections and curiosities of many years' gathering, whilst the long blue curtains, with festoonings of lace, swept to the floor! adjoining the parlor was the dining-room, with its oaken walls, and cane-colored floor-cloth. opposite to the parlor, and fronting the street, was miss nancy's room, with its french bedstead, lounge, bureau, bookcase, table, and all the et ceteras of comfort. opening out from her room was a small apartment, just large enough to contain a bed, chair, and wardrobe, with a cheap little mirror overhanging a tasteful dresser, whereon were laid a comb, brush, soap, basin, pitcher, &c. this room had been prepared for me by my kind mistress. pointing it out, she said, "that, ann, is your _castle_." i could not restrain my tears. "heaven send me grace to prove my gratitude to you, kind miss nancy," i sobbed out. "why, my poor girl, i deserve no thanks for the performance of my duty. you are a human being, my good, attentive nurse, and i am bound to consider your comfort or prove unworthy of my avowed principles." "this is so unlike what i have been used to, miss nancy, that it excites my wonder as well as gratitude." "i fear, poor child, that you have served in a school of rough experience! you are so thoroughly disciplined, that, at times, you excite my keenest pity." "yes, ma'm, i have had all sorts of trouble. the only marvel is that i am not utterly brutalized." "some time you must tell me your history; but not now, my nerves are too unquiet to listen to an account so harrowing as i know your recital must be." as i adjusted the pillow and arranged the beautiful silk spread (her own manufacture), i observed that her eyes were filled with tears. i said nothing, but the sight of _those tears_ served to soften many a painful recollection of former years. i am conscious, in writing these pages, that there will be few of my white readers who can enter fully into my feelings. it is impossible for them to know how deeply the slightest act of kindness impressed _me_--how even a word or tone gently spoken called up all my thankfulness! those to whom kindness is common, a mere household article, whose ears are greeted morning, noon and night, with loving sounds and kind tones, will deem this strange and exaggerated; but, let them recollect that i was a _slave_--not a mere servant, but a perpetual slave, according to the abhorred code of kentucky; and their wonder will cease. the first night that i threw myself down on my bed to sleep (did i state that i had a bedstead--that i had _actually_ what slaves deemed a great luxury--a _high-post bedstead_?) i felt as proud as a queen. henry had been to see me. i entertained him in a nice, clean, carpeted kitchen, until a few minutes of ten o'clock, when he left me; for at that hour, by the city ordinance, he was obliged to be at home. "what," i thought, "have i now to desire? like the weary dove sent out from the ark, i have at last found land, peace and safety. here i can rest contentedly beneath the waving of the olive branches that guard the sacred portal of _home!_" _home!_ home this truly was! a home where the heart would always love to lurk; and how blessed seemed the word to me, now that i comprehended its practical significance! no more was it a fable, an expression merely used to adorn a song or round a verse! that first night that i spent at home was not given up to sleep. no, i was too happy for that! through the long, mysterious hours, i lay wakeful on my soft and pleasant pillow, weaving fairest fancies from the dim chaos of happy hopes. adown the sloping vista of the future i descried nought but shade and flowers! with my new mistress, i was more like a companion than a servant. my duties were light--merely to read to her, nurse her, and do her sewing; and, as she had very little of the latter, i may as well set it down as the "extras" of my business, rather than the business itself. i rose every morning, winter and summer, at five o'clock, and arranged miss nancy's room whilst she slept; and, so accustomed had she become to my light tread, that she slept as soundly as though no one had been stirring. after this was done, i placed the family bible upon a stand beside her bed; then took my sewing and seated myself at the window, until she awoke. then i assisted her in making her morning toilette, which was very simple; wheeled the easy chair near the bed, and helped her into it. after which she read a chapter from the holy book, followed by a beautiful, extemporaneous prayer, in which we were joined by biddy, the irish cook. after this, miss nancy's breakfast was brought in on a large silver tray,--a breakfast consisting of black tea, graham bread, and mutton chop. in her appetite, as in her character, she was simple. after this was over, biddy and i breakfasted in the kitchen. our fare was scarcely so plain, for hearty constitutions made us averse to the abstemiousness of our mistress. we had hot coffee, steaming steaks, omelettes and warm biscuits. "ah, but she is a love of a lady!" exclaimed biddy, as she ate away heartily at these luxuries. "where in this city would we find such a mistress, that allows the servants better fare than she takes herself? and then she never kapes me from church. i can attend the holy mass, and even go to vespers every sunday of my life. the lord have her soul for it! but she is as good as a canonized saint, if she is a protestant!" sometimes i used to repeat these conversations to miss nancy. they never failed to amuse her greatly. "poor biddy," she would say, in a quiet way, with a sweet smile, "ought to know that true religion is the same in all. it is not the being a member of a particular church, or believing certain dogmas of faith, that make us religious, heirs of god, and joint heirs with christ. it is the living religion, not the simple believing of it, that constitutes us _christians_. we must feel that all men are our brothers, and all women our sisters; for in the kingdom of heaven there will be no distinction of race or color, and i see no reason why we should live differently here. the saviour of the world associated with the humblest. his chosen twelve were the fishermen of galilee. i want to live in constant preparation for death; but, alas! my weak endeavor is but seldom crowned with success." how reverently i looked upon her at such times! what a beautiful saint she was! one evening in the leafy month of june, when the intensity of summer begins to make itself felt, i took my little basket, filled with some ruffling that i was embroidering for miss nancy's wrapper, and seated myself upon the little portico at the back of the house. i had been reading to her the greater portion of the day, and felt that it was pleasant to be left in an indolent, dreamy state of mind, that required no concentration of thought. as my fingers moved lazily along, i was humming an old air, that i had heard in far less happy days. everything around me was so pleasant! the setting sun was flinging floods of glory over the earth, and the young moon was out upon her new wing, softening and beautifying the scene. afar off, the lull of pleasant waters and the music-roar of the falls sounded dreamily in my ear! i laid my work down in the basket, and, with closed eyes, thought over the events and incidents of my past life of suffering; and, as the dreary picture of my troubles at mr. peterkin's returned to my mind, and my subsequent imprisonment in the city, my trials at "the pen," and then this my safe harbor and haven of rest, so strange the whole seemed, that i almost doubted the reality, and feared to open my eyes, lest the kindly, illusive dream should be broken forever. but no, it was no dream; for, upon turning my head, i spied through the unclosed door of the dining-room the careful arrangement of the tea-table. there it stood, with its snowy cover, upon which were placed the fresh loaf of graham bread, the roll of sweet butter, some parings of cheese, the glass bowl of fruit and pitcher of cream, together with the friendly tea-urn of bright silver, from which i, even _i_, had often been supplied with the delightful beverage. and then, stepping through the door, with a calm smile on her face, was miss nancy herself! how beautifully she looked in her white, dimity wrapper, with the pretty blue girdle, and tiny lace cap! she gazed out upon the yard, with the blooming roses, french pinks, and colombines that grew in luxuriance. stepping upon the sward, she gathered a handful of flowers, clipping them nicely from the bush with a pair of scissors, that she wore suspended by a chain to her side. seeing me on the portico, she said, "ann, bring me my basket and thread here, and wheel my arm-chair out; i wish to sit with you here." i obeyed her with pleasure, for i always liked to have her near me. she was so much more the friend than the mistress, that i never felt any reserve in her presence. all was love. as she took her seat in the arm-chair, i threw a shawl over her shoulders to protect her from any injurious influence of the evening air. she busied herself tying up the flowers; and their arrangement of color, &c., with a view to effect, would have done credit to a florist. my admiration was so much excited, that i could not deny myself the pleasure of an expression of it. "ah, yes," she answered, "this was one of the amusements of my youth. many a bouquet have i tied up in my dear old home." i thought i detected a change in her color, and heard a sigh, as she said this. "of what state are you a native, miss nancy?" "dear old massachusetts," she answered, with a glow of enthusiasm. "it is the state, of all others in the union, for which i have the most respect." "ah, well may you say that, poor girl," she replied, "for its people treat your unfortunate race with more humanity than any of the others." "i have read a great deal of their liberality and cultivation, of both mind and heart, which has excited my admiring interest. then, too, i have known those born and reared beneath the shadow of its wise and beneficent laws, and the better i knew them, the more did my admiration for the state increase. now i feel that massachusetts is doubly dear to me, since i have learned that it is your birth-place." she did not say anything, but her mild eyes were suffused with tears. just as i was about to speak to her of mr. trueman, biddy came to announce tea, and, after that, miss nancy desired to be left alone. as was his custom, with eight o'clock came henry. we sat out on the portico, with the moonlight shining over us, and talked of the future! i told him what miss nancy said of massachusetts, and, i believe, he was seized with the idea of going thither after purchasing himself. he was unusually cheerful. he had made a great deal in the last few months; had grown to be quite a favorite with the keeper of the hotel, and was liberally paid for his sunday and holiday labors, and, by errands for, and donations from, the boarders, had contrived to lay up a considerable sum. "i hope, dearest, to be able soon to accomplish my freedom; then i shall be ready to buy you. how much does miss nancy ask for you?" "oh, henry, i cannot leave her, even if i were able to pay down every cent that she demands for me. i should dislike to go away from her. she is so kind and good; has been such a friend to me that i could not desert her. who would nurse her? who would feel the same interest in her that i do? no, i will stay with her as long as she lives, and do all i can to prove my gratitude." "what do you mean, ann? would you refuse to make me happy? miss nancy has other friends who would wait upon her." "but, henry, that does not release me from my obligation. when she was on the eve of starting upon a journey, you went to her with the story of my danger. she promptly consented to buy me without even seeing me. i was not purchased as an article of property; with the noble liberality of a philanthropist, she ransomed, at a heavy price, a suffering sister, and shall i be such an ingrate as to leave her? no, she and mr. trueman of boston, are the two beings whom i would willingly serve forever." just then a deep sigh burst from the full heart of some one, and i thought i heard a retreating footstep. "who can that have been?" asked henry. we examined the hall, the dining-room, my apartment; and i knocked at miss nancy's door, but, receiving no answer, i judged she was asleep. "it was but one of those peculiar voices of the night, which are the better heard from this intense silence," said henry, and, finding that my alarm was quieted, he bade me an affectionate good-night, and so we parted. chapter xxxviii. an awful revelation--more clouds to darken the sun of life--sickness and blessed insensibility. i slept uninterruptedly that night, and, on awaking in the morning, i was surprised to find it ten minutes past five. hurrying on my clothes, i went to miss nancy's apartment, and was much surprised to find her sitting in her easy chair, her toilette made. looking up from the bible, which lay open on the stand before her, she said, "i have stolen a march, ann, and have risen before you." "yes, ma'm," replied i, in a mortified tone, "i am ten minutes behind the time; i am very sorry, and hope you will excuse me." "no apologies, now; i hope you do not take me for a cruel, exacting task-mistress, who requires every inch of your time." "no, indeed, i do not, for i know you to be the kindest mistress and best friend in the world." "and now, ann, i will read some from the lamentations of jeremiah; and we will unite in family prayer." at the ringing of the little bell biddy quickly appeared, and we seated ourselves near miss nancy, and listened to her beautiful voice as it broke forth in the plaintive eloquence of the holy prophet! "let us pray," she said, fervently, extending her thin, white hands upward, and we all sank upon our knees. she prayed for grace to rest on the household; for its extension over the world; that it might visit the dark land of the south; that the blood of christ might soften the hearts of slave-holders. she asked, in a special manner, for power to carry out her good intentions; prayed that the blessing of god might be given to me, in a particular manner, to enable me to meet the trials of life, and invoked benedictions upon biddy. when we rose, both biddy and i were weeping; and as we left her, biddy broke forth in all her irish enthusiasm, "the lord love her heart! but she is sanctified! i never heard a prettier _prayer said in the cathedral_!" * * * * * miss nancy's health improved a great deal. she began to walk of evenings through the yard, and a little in the city. i always attended her. of mornings we rode in a carriage that she hired for the occasion, and of evenings henry came, and always brought with him his banjo. one evening he and louise came round to sit with me, and after we had been out upon the portico listening to henry's songs, miss nancy bade me go to the sideboard and get some cake and wine. placing it on the table in the dining-room, i invited them, in miss nancy's name, to come in and partake of it. after proposing the health of my kind mistress, to which we all drank, biddy joining in, louise pledged a glass to the speedy ransom of henry. just then miss nancy entered, saying: "my good henry, when you buy yourself, and find a home in the north, write us word where you have established yourself, and i will immediately make out ann's free papers, and remove thither; but i cannot think of losing my good nurse. so, for her's, your's and my own convenience, i will take up my residence wherever you may settle. stop now, ann, no thanks; i know all about your gratitude, for i was a pleased, though unintentional listener to a conversation between yourself and henry, in which i found out how deep is your attachment to me." hers, then, was the sigh which had so alarmed me! it was all explained. i had no words to express my overflowing heart. my whole soul seemed melted. henry's eyes were filled with grateful tears. he sank upon his knees and kissed the hem of miss nancy's dress. "no, no, my brave-hearted man, do not kneel to me. i am but the humble instrument under heaven; and, oh, how often have i prayed for such an opportunity as this to do good, and dispense happiness." and so saying she glided out of the room. "well," exclaimed biddy, "she is more than a saint, she is an angel," and she wiped the tears from her honest eyes. "i have known her for some time," said louise, "and never saw her do, or heard of her doing a wrong action. she is very different from her brother. does he come here often, ann?" "not often; about once a fortnight." "he is too much taken up with business; hasn't a thought outside of his counting-room. he doesn't share in any of her philanthropic ideas." "she hasn't her equal on earth," added henry. "mr. moodwell is a good man, though not good enough to be _her_ brother." thus passed away the evening, until the near approach of ten o'clock warned them to leave. i was too happy for sleep. many a wakeful night had i passed from unhappiness, but now i was sleepless from joy. * * * * * * * the next morning, after miss nancy had breakfasted, i asked her what i should read to her. "nothing this morning, ann. i had rather you would talk with me. let us arrange for the future; but first tell me how much money does henry lack to buy himself?" "about one hundred dollars." "i think i can help him to make that up." "you have already done enough, dear miss nancy. we could not ask more of you." "no, but i am anxious to do all i can for you, my good girl. you are losing the greenest part of your lives. i feel that it is wrong for you to remain thus." seeing that i was in an unusually calm mood, she asked me to tell her the story of my life, or at least the main incidents. i entered upon the narrative with the same fidelity that i have observed in writing these memoirs. at many points and scenes i observed her weeping bitterly. fearing that the excitement might prove too great for her strength, i several times urged her to let me stop; but she begged me to go on without heeding her, for she was deeply interested. when i came to the account of my meeting with mr. trueman, she bent eagerly forward, and asked if it was justinian trueman, of boston. upon my answering in the affirmative, she exclaimed: "how like him! the same noble, generous, disinterested spirit!" "do you know him, miss nancy?" "oh yes, child, he is one of our prominent northern men, a very able lawyer; every one in the state of massachusetts knows him by reputation, but i have a personal acquaintance also." just as i was about to ask her something of mr. trueman's history, biddy came running in, exclaiming: "oh, dear me! miss nancy! what do you think? they say that mr. barkoff, the green grocer, has let his wife whip a colored woman to death." "oh, it can't be true," cried miss nancy, as she started up from her chair. "it is, i trust, some slanderous piece of gossip." "oh, the lord love your saintly heart, but i do believe 'tis true, for, as i went down the street to market, i heard some awful screaming in there, and i asked a girl, standing on the pavement, what it meant; and she said mrs. barkoff was whipping a colored woman; then, when i came back there was a crowd of children and colored people round the back gate, and one of them told me the woman was dead, and that she died shouting." "oh, god, how fearful is this!" exclaimed miss nancy, as the big tears rolled down her pale cheeks. "give me, oh, sweet jesus, the power to pray as thou didst, to the eternal father, 'to forgive them, for they know not what they do!'" "come, ann," continued the impetuous biddy, "you go with me, and we'll try to find out all about it. we will go to see the woman." "i cannot leave miss nancy." "yes, go with her, ann; but don't allow her to say anything imprudent. poor biddy has such a good, philanthropic heart, that she forgets the patient spirit which christianity inculcates." with a strange kind of awe, i followed biddy through the streets, scarcely heeding her impassioned garrulity. the blood seemed freezing in my veins, and my teeth chattered as though it had been the depth of winter. as we drew near the place, i knew the house by the crowd that had gathered around the back and side gates. "let us enter here," said biddy, as she placed her hand upon the heavy plank gate at the back of the lot. "stop, biddy, stop," i gasped out, as i held on to the gate for support, "i feel that i shall suffocate. give me one moment to get my breath." "oh, ann, you are only frightened," and she led me into the yard, where we found about a dozen persons, mostly colored. "where is the woman that's been kilt?" inquired biddy, of a mulatto girl. "she ain't quite dead. pity she isn't out of her misery, poor soul," said the mulatto girl. "but where is she?" demanded biddy. "oh, in thar, the first room in the basement," and, half-led by biddy, i passed in through a mean, damp, musty basement. the noxious atmosphere almost stifled us. turning to the left as directed, we entered a low, comfortless room, with brick walls and floor. upon a pile of straw, in this wretched place, lay a bleeding, torn, mangled body, with scarcely life in it. two colored women were bathing the wounds and wrapping greased cloths round the body. i listened to her pitiful groans, until i thought my forbearance would fail me. "poor soul!" said one of the colored women, "she has had a mighty bad convulsion. i wish she could die and be sot free from misery." "whar is de white folks?" asked another. "oh, dey is skeered, an' done run off an' hid up stairs." "who done it?" "why, miss barkoff; she put aunt kaisy to clean de harth, an' you see, de poor ole critter had a broken arm. de white folks broke it once when dey was beatin' of her, and so she couldn't work fast. well den, too, she'd been right sick for long time. you see she was right sickly like, an' when miss barkoff come back--she'd only bin gone a little while--an' see'd dat de harth wasn't done, she fell to beatin' of de poor ole sick critter, an' den bekase she cried an' hollered, she tuck her into de coal-house, gagged her mouth, tied her hands an' feet, an' fell to beatin' of her, an' she beat her till she got tired, den ole barkoff beat her till he got satisfied. den some colored person seed him, an' tole him dat he better stop, for aunt kaisy was most gone." "yes, 'twas me," said the other woman, "i was passin' 'long at de back of de lot, an' i hearn a mighty quare noise, so i jist looked through the crack, an' there i seed him a beatin' of her, an' i hollered to him to stop, for de lor' sake, or she would die right dar. den he got skeered an' run off in de house." the narration was here interrupted by a fearful groan from the sufferer. one of the women very gently turned her over, with her face full toward me. oh, god have mercy on me! in those worn, bruised anguish-marked features, in the glance of that failing, filmy eye, i recognized my long-lost mother! with one loud shriek i fell down beside her! after years of bitter separation, thus to meet! oh that the recollection had faded from my mind, but no, that awful sight is ever before my eyes! i see her, even now, as there she lay bleeding to death! oh that i had been spared the knowledge of it! there was the same mark upon the brow, and, i suppose, more by that than the remembered features, was i enabled to identify her. my frantic screams soon drew a crowd of persons to the room. my mother, my dear, suffering mother, unclosed her eyes, and, by that peculiar mesmerism belonging to all mothers, she knew it was her child whose arms were around her. "ann, is it you?" she asked feebly. "yes, mother, it is i; but, oh, how do i find you!" "never mind me, child, i feel that i shall soon be at peace! 'tis for you that i am anxious. have you a good home?" "yes; oh, that you had had such!" "thank god for that. you are a woman now, i think; but i am growing blind, or it is getting dark so fast that i cannot see you. here, here, hold me ann, child, hold me close to you, i am going through the floor, sinking, sinking down. catch me, catch me, hold me! it is dark; i can't see you, where, where are you?" "here, mother, here, i am close to you." "where, child, i can't see you; here catch me;" and, suddenly springing up as if to grasp something, she fell back upon the straw----_a corpse_! after such a separation, this was our meeting--and parting! i had hoped that life's bitterest drop had been tasted, but this was as "vinegar upon nitre." when i became conscious that the last spark of life was extinct in that beloved body, i gave myself up to the most delirious grief. as i looked upon that horrid, ghastly, mangled form, and thought it was my mother, who had been butchered by the whites, my very blood was turned to gall, and in this chaos of mind i lost the faculty of reason. * * * * * * * * when my consciousness returned i was lying on a bed in my room, the blinds of which were closed, and miss nancy was seated beside me, rubbing my hands with camphor. as i opened my eyes, they met her kind glance fixed earnestly upon me. "you are better, ann," she said, in a low, gentle voice. i was too languid to reply; but closed my eyes again, with a faint smile. when i once more opened them i was alone, and through one shutter that had blown open, a bright ray of sunlight stole, and revealed to me the care and taste with which my room had been arranged. fresh flowers in neat little vases adorned the mantel; and the cage, containing miss nancy's favorite canary, had been removed to my room. the music of this delightful songster broke gratefully upon my slowly awakening faculties. i rose from the bed, and seated myself in the large arm-chair. passing my hand across my eyes, i attempted to recall the painful incidents of the last few days; and as that wretched death-bed rose upon my memory, the scalding tears rushed to my eyes, and i wept long, long, as though my head were turned to waters! miss nancy entered, and finding me in tears she said nothing; but turned and left the room. shortly after, biddy appeared with some nourishment, "laws, ann, but you have been dreadfully sick. you had fever, and talked out of your head. henry was here every evening. he said that once afore, when you took the fevers, you was out of your head, just the same way. he brought you flowers; there they are in the vase," and she handed me two beautiful bouquets. in this pleasant way she talked on until i had satisfied the cravings of an empty stomach with the niceties she had brought me. that evening henry came, and remained with me about half an hour. miss nancy warned him that it was not well to excite me much. so with considerable reluctance he shortened his visit. chapter xxxvix. gradual return of happy spirits--brighter prospects--an old acquaintance. when i began to gain strength miss nancy took me out in a carriage of evenings; and had it not been for the melancholy recollections that hung like a pall around my heart, life would have been beautiful to me. as we drove slowly through the brightly-lighted streets, and looked in at the gaudy and flaunting windows, where the gayest and most elegant articles of merchandise were exhibited, i remarked to miss nancy, with a sigh, "life might be made a very gay and cheerful thing--almost a pleasure, were it not for the wickedness of men." "ah, yes, it might, indeed," she replied, and the big tears rested upon her eyelids. one evening when we had returned from a drive, i noticed that she ate very little supper, and her hand trembled violently. "you are sick, miss nancy," i said. "yes, ann, i feel strangely," she replied. "to-morrow you must go for my brother, and i will have a lawyer to draw up my will. it would be dreadful if i were to die suddenly without making a provision for you; then the bonds of slavery would be riveted upon you, for by law you would pass into my brother's possession." "don't trouble yourself about it now, dear miss nancy," i said; "your life is more precious than my liberty." "not so, my good girl. the dawn of your life was dark, i hope that the close may be bright. the beginning of mine was full of flowers; the close will be serene, i trust; but ah, i've outlived many a blessed hope that was a very rainbow in my dreaming years." i had always thought miss nancy's early life had been filled with trouble; else why and whence her strange, subdued, melancholy nature! how much i would have given had she told me her history; yet i would not add to her sadness by asking her to tell me of it. the next morning i went for mr. moodwell, who, at miss nancy's instance, summoned a notary. the will was drawn up and witnessed by two competent persons. after this she began to improve rapidly. her strength of body and cheerfulness returned. about this time my peace of mind began to be restored. of my poor mother i never spoke, after hearing the particulars that followed her death. she was hurriedly buried, without psalm or sermon. no notice was taken by the citizens of her murder--why should there be? she was but a poor slave, grown old and gray in the service of the white man; and if her master chose to whip her to death, who had a right to gainsay him? she was his property to have and to hold; to use or to kill, as he thought best! give us no more fourth of july celebrations; the rather let us have a venetian oligarchy! miss nancy, in her kind, persuasive manner, soon lured my thoughts away from such gloomy contemplations. she sought to point out the pleasant, easy pathway of wisdom and religion, and i thank her now for the good lessons she then taught me! beneath such influence i gradually grew reconciled to my troubles. miss nancy fervently prayed that they might be sanctified to my eternal good; and so may they! louise came often to see me, and i found her then as now, the kindest and most willing friend; everything that she could do to please me she did. she brought me many gifts of books, flowers, fruits, &c. i may have been petulant and selfish in my grief; but those generous friends bore patiently with me. pleasant walks i used to take with henry of evenings, and he was then so full of hope, for he had almost realized the sum of money that his master required of him. "master will be down early in september," he said, as we strolled along one evening in august, "and i think by borrowing a little from miss nancy, i shall be able to pay down all that i owe him, and then, dearest, i shall be free--free! only think of it! of _me_ being a free man, master of _myself_! and when we go to the north we will be married, and both of us will live with miss nancy, and guard her declining days." happy tears were shining in his bright eyes, like dew-pearls; but, with a strong, manly hand he dashed them away, and i clung the fonder to that arm, that i hoped would soon be able to protect me. "there is one foolish little matter, dearest, that i will mention, more to excite your merriment, than fear," said henry with an odd smile. "what is it?" "well, promise me not to care about it; only let it give you a good laugh." "yes, i promise." "well," and he paused for a moment, "there is a girl living near the g---house. she belongs to mr. bodley, and has taken a foolish fancy to me; has actually made advances, even more than advances, actual offers of love! she says she used to know you, and, on one occasion, attempted to speak discreditably of you; though i quickly gave her to understand that i would not listen to it. why do you tremble so, ann?" and truly i trembled so violently, that if it had not been for the support that his arm afforded me, i should have fallen to the ground. "what is her name?" i asked. "melinda, and says she once belonged to mr. peterkin." "yes, she did. we used to call her lindy." i then told him what an evil spirit she had been in my path; and ventured to utter a suspicion that her work of harm was yet unfinished, that she meant me further injury. "i know her now, dearest. you have unmasked her, and, with me, she can have no possible power." i seemed to be satisfied, though in reality i was not, for apprehension of an indefinable something troubled me sorely. the next day miss nancy observed my troubled abstraction, and inquired the cause, with so much earnestness, that i could not withhold my confidence, and gave her a full account. "and you think she will do you an injury?" "i fear so." "but have you not forestalled that by telling henry who she is, and how she has acted toward you?" "yes, ma'm, and have been assured by him that she can do me no harm; but the dread remains." "oh, you are in a weak, nervous state; i am astonished at henry for telling you such a thing at this time." "he thought, ma'm, that it would amuse me, as a fine joke; and so i supposed i should have enjoyed it." she did all she could to divert my thoughts, made henry bring his banjo, and play for me of evenings; bought pleasant romances for me to read; ordered a carriage for a daily ride; purchased me many pretty articles of apparel; but, most of all, i appreciated her kind and cheerful talk, in which she strove to beguile me from everything gloomy or sad. once she sent me down to spend the day with louise at the g---house. there was quite a crowd at the hotel. southerners, who had come up to pass their summer at the watering-places in kentucky, had stopped here, and, finding comfortable lodgment, preferred it to the springs; then there were many others travelling to the north and east _via_ l----, who were stopping there. this increased henry's duties, so that i saw him but seldom during the day. once or twice he came to louise's room, and told me that he was unusually busy; but that he had earned four dollars that day, from different persons, in small change, and that he would be able to make his final payment the next month. all this was very encouraging, and i was in unusually fine spirits. as louise and i sat talking in the afternoon, she remarked-"well, ann, early next month henry will make his last payment; and we have concluded to go north the latter part of the same month. when will miss nancy be ready to go?" "oh, she can make her arrangements to start at the same time. i will speak to her about it this evening." and then, as we sat planning about a point of location, a shadow darkened the door. i looked up--and, after a long separation, despite both natural and artificial changes, i recognized _lindy_! i let my sewing fall from my hands and gazed upon her with as much horror as if she had been an apparition! louise spoke kindly to her, and asked her to walk in. "why, how d'ye do, ann? i hearn you was livin' in de city, and intended to come an' see you." i stammered out something, and she seated herself near me, and began to revive old recollections. "they are not pleasant, lindy, and i would rather they should be forgotten." "laws, i's got a very good home now; but i 'tends to marry some man that will buy me, and set me free! now, i's got my eye sot on henry." i trembled violently, but did not trust myself to speak. louise, however, in a quick tone, replied: "he is engaged, and soon to be married to ann." "laws! i doesn't b'lieve it; ann shan't take him from me." though this was said playfully, it was easy for me to detect, beneath the seeming levity, a strong determination, on her part, to do her very _worst_. no wonder that i trembled before her, when i remembered how powerful an enemy she had been in former times. with a few other remarks she left, and louise observed: "that lindy is a queer girl. with all her ignorance and ugliness, she excites my dread when i am in her presence--a dread of a supposed and envenomed power, such as the black cat possesses." "such has ever been the feeling, louise, that she has excited in me. she has done me harm heretofore; and do you know, i think she means me ill now. i have uttered this suspicion to henry and miss nancy, but they both laughed it to scorn--saying _she_ was powerless to injure _me_; but still my fear remains, and, when i think of her, i grow sick at heart." upon my return home that evening i told miss nancy of the meeting with lindy, and of the conversation, but she attached no importance to it. no one living beneath the vine and fig-tree of miss nancy's planting, and sharing the calm blessedness of her smiles, could be long unhappy! her life, as well as words, was a proof that human nature is not all depraved. in thinking over the rare combination of virtues that her character set forth, i have marvelled what must have been her childhood. certainly she could never have possessed the usual waywardness of children. her youth must have been an exception to the general rule. i cannot conceive her with the pettishness and proneness to quarrel, which we naturally expect in children. i love to think of her as a quiet little miss, discarding the doll and play-house, turning quietly away from the frolicsome kitten--seeking the leafy shade of the new england forests--peering with a curious, thoughtful eye into the woodland dingle--or straining her gaze far up into the blue arch of heaven--or questioning, with a child's idle speculation, the whence and the whither of the mysterious wind. 'tis thus i have pictured her childhood! she was a strange, gifted, unusual woman;--who, then, can suppose that her infancy and youth were ordinary? to this day her memory is gratefully cherished by hundreds. many little pauper children have felt the kindness of her charity; and those who are now independent remember the time when her bounty rescued them from want, and "they rise up to call her blessed!" often have i gone with her upon visits and errands of charity. through many a dirty alley have those dainty feet threaded a dangerous way; and up many a dizzy, dismal flight of ricketty steps have i seen them ascend, and never heard a petulant word, or saw a haughty look upon her face! she never went upon missions of charity in a carriage, or, if she was too weak to walk all the way, she discharged the vehicle before she got in sight of the hovel. "let us not be ostentatious," she would say, when i interposed an objection to her taking so long a walk. "besides," she added, "let us give no offence to these suffering poor ones. let them think we come as sisters to relieve them; not as dives, flinging to lazarus the crumbs of our bounty!" beautiful christian soul! baptized with the fire of the holy ghost, endowed with the same saintly spirit that rendered lovely the life of her whom the saviour called mother! thou art with the blessed now! after a life of earnest, godly piety, thou hast gone to receive thine inheritance above, and wear the amaranthine crown! for thou didst obey the saviour's sternest mandate--sold thy possessions, and gave all to the poor! chapter xl. the crisis of existence--a dreadful page in life. i have paused much before writing this chapter. i have taken up my pen and laid it down an hundred times, with the task unfulfilled--the duty unaccomplished. a nervous sensation, a chill of the heart, have restrained my pen--yet the record must be made. i have that to tell, from which both body and soul shrink. upon me a fearful office has been laid! i would that others, with colder blood and less personal interest, could make this disclosure; but it belongs to my history; nay, is the very nucleus from which all my reflections upon the institution of slavery have sprung. reader, did you ever have a wound--a deep, almost a mortal wound--whereby your life was threatened, which, after years of nursing and skilful surgical treatment, had healed, and was then again rudely torn open? this is my situation. i am going to tear open, with a rude hand, a deep wound, that time and kind friends have not availed to cure. but like little, timid children, hurrying through a dark passage, fearing to look behind them, i shall hasten rapidly over this part of my life, never pausing to comment upon the terrible facts i am recording. "i have placed my hand to the ploughshare, and will not turn back." let me recall that fair and soft evening, in the early september, when henry and i, with hand clasped in hand, sat together upon the little balcony. how sweet-scented was the gale that fanned our brows! the air was soft and balmy, and the sweet serenity of the hour was broken only by that ever-pleasant music of the gently-roaring falls! fair and queenly sailed the uprisen moon, through a cloudless sea of blue, whilst a few faint stars, like fire-flies, seemed flitting round her. long we talked of the happiness that awaited us on the morrow. henry had arranged to meet his master, mr. graham, on that day, and make the final payment. "dearest, i lack but fifty dollars of the amount," he said, as he laid his head confidingly on my shoulder. "ten of which i can give you." "and the remaining forty i will make up," said miss nancy as she stepped out of the door, and, placing a pocket-book in henry's hand, she added, "there is the amount, take it and be happy." whilst he was returning thanks, i went to get my contribution. drawing from my trunk the identical ten-dollar note that good mr. trueman had given me, i hastened to present it to henry, and make out the sum that was to give us both so much joy. "here, henry," i exclaimed, as i rejoined them, "are ten dollars, which kind mr. trueman gave me." miss nancy sighed deeply. i turned around, but she said with a smile: "how different is your life now from what it was when that money was given you." "yes, indeed," i answered; "and, thanks, my noble benefactress, to you for it." "let me," she continued, without noticing my remark, "see that note." i immediately handed it to her. could i be mistaken? no; she actually pressed it to her lips! but then she was such a philanthropist, and she loved the note because it was the means of bringing us happiness. she handed it back to me with another sigh. "when he gave it to me, he bade me receive it as his contribution toward the savings i was about to lay up for the purchase of myself. now what joy it gives me to hand it to you, henry." he was weeping, and could not trust his voice to answer. "and ann shall soon be free. next week we will all start for the north, and then, my good friends, your white days will commence," said miss nancy. "oh, heaven bless you, dear saint," cried henry, whose utterance was choked by tears. miss nancy and i both wept heartily; but mine were happy tears, grateful as the fragrant april showers! "why this is equal to a camp-meeting," exclaimed louise, who had, unperceived by us, entered the front-door, passed through the hall, and now joined us upon the portico. upon hearing of henry's good fortune, she began to weep also. "will you not let me make one of the party for the north?" she inquired of miss nancy. "certainly, we shall be glad to have you, louise; but come, henry, get your banjo, and play us a pleasant tune." he obeyed with alacrity, and i never heard his voice sound so rich, clear and ringing. how magnificent he looked, with the full radiance of the moonlight streaming over his face and form! his long flossy black hair was thrown gracefully back from his broad and noble brow; whilst his dark flashing eye beamed with unspeakable joy, and the animation that flooded his soul lent a thrill to his voice, and a majesty to his frame, that i had never seen or heard before. surely i was very proud and happy as i looked on him then! before we parted, miss nancy invited him and louise to join us in family devotion. after reading a chapter in the bible, and a short but eloquent and impressive prayer, she besought heaven to shed its most benign blessings on us; and that our approaching good fortune might not make us forget him from whom every good and perfect gift emanated; and thus closed that delightful evening! after henry had taken an affectionate farewell of me, and departed with louise, he, to my surprise, returned in a few moments, and finding the house still open, called me out upon the balcony. "dearest, i could not resist a strange impulse that urged me to come back and look upon you once again. how beautiful you are, my love!" he said as he pushed the masses of hair away from my brow, and imprinted a kiss thereon. he was so tardy in leaving, that i had to chide him two or three times. "i cannot leave you, darling." "but think," i replied, "of the joy that awaits us on the morrow." at last, and at miss nancy's request, he left, but turned every few steps to look back at the house. "how foolish henry is to-night," said miss nancy, as she withdrew her head from the open window. "success and love have made him foolishly fond!" "quite turned his brain," i replied; "but he will soon be calm again." "oh, yes, he will find that life is an earnest work, as well for the freeman as the bondsman." i lay for a long time on my bed in a state of sleeplessness, and it was past midnight when i fell asleep, and then, oh, what a terrible dream came to torture me! i thought i had been stolen off by a kidnapper, and confined for safe keeping in a charnel-house, an ancient receptacle for the dead, and there, with blue lights burning round me, i lay amid the dried bones and fleshless forms of those who had once been living beings; and the vile and loathsome gases almost stifled me. by that dim blue light i strove to find some door or means of egress from the terrible place, and just as i had found the door and was about to fit a rusty key into the lock, a long, lean body, decked out in shroud, winding-sheet and cap, with hollow cheek and cadaverous face, and eyes devoid of all speculation, suddenly seized me with its cold, skeleton hand. slowly the face assumed the expression of lindy's, then faded into that of mr. peterkin's. i attempted to break from it, but i was held with a vice-like power. with a loud, frantic scream i broke from the trammels of sleep. a cold, death-like sweat had broken out on my body. my screaming had aroused miss nancy and biddy. both came rushing into my room. after a few moments i told them of my dream. "a bad attack of incubus," remarked miss nancy, "but she is cold; rub her well, biddy." with a very good will the kind-hearted irish girl obeyed her. i could not, however, be prevailed upon to try to sleep again; and as it wanted but an hour of the dawn, biddy consented to remain up with me. we dressed ourselves, and sitting down by the closed window, entered into a very cheerful conversation. biddy related many wild legends of the "_ould country_," in which i took great interest. gradually we saw the stars disappear, and the moon go down, and the pale gray streaks of dawn in the eastern sky! i threw up the windows, exclaiming: "oh, biddy, as the day dawns, i begin to suffocate. i feel just as i did in the dream. give me air, quick." more i could not utter, for i fell fainting in the arms of the faithful girl. she dashed water in my face, chafed my hands and temples, and consciousness soon returned. "why, happiness and good fortune do excite you strangely; but they say there are some that it sarves just so." "oh no, biddy, i am not very well,--a little nervous. i will take some medicine." when i joined miss nancy, she refused to let me assist her in dressing, saying: "no, ann, you look ill. don't trouble yourself to do anything. go lie down and rest." i assured her repeatedly that i was perfectly well; but she only smiled, and said in a commendatory tone, "good girl, good girl!" all the morning i was fearfully nervous, starting at every little sound or noise. at length miss nancy became seriously uneasy, and compelled me to take a sedative. as the day wore on, i began to grow calm. the sedative had taken effect, and my nervousness was allayed. i took my sewing in the afternoon, and seated myself in miss nancy's room. seeing that i was calm, she began a pleasant conversation with me. "henry will be here to-night, ann, a free man, the owner of himself, the custodian of his own person, and you must put on your happiest and best looks to greet him." "ah, miss nancy, it seems like too much joy for me to realize. what if some grim phantom dash down this sparkling cup; just as we are about to press it to our eager and expectant lips? such another disappointment i could not endure." "you little goosey, you will mar half of life's joys by these idle fears." "yes, miss nancy," put in biddy. "ann is just so narvous ever since that ugly dream, that she hain't no faith to-day in anything." "have you baked a pretty cake, and got plenty of nice confections ready to give henry a celebration supper, good biddy?" inquired miss nancy. "ah, yes, everything is ready, only just look how light and brown my cake is," and she brought a fine large cake from the pantry, the savory odor of which would have tempted an anchorite. "then, too," continued the provident biddy, "the peaches are unusually soft and sweet. i have pared and sugared them, and they are on the ice now; oh, we'll have a rale feast." "thanks, thanks, good friends," i said, in a voice choked with emotion. "only just see," exclaimed biddy, "here comes louise, running as fast as her legs will carry her; she's come to be the first to tell you that henry is free." i rushed with biddy to the door, and miss nancy followed. we were all eager to hear the good news. "mercy, louise, what's the matter?" i cried, for her face terrified me. she was pale as death; her eyes, black and wild, seemed starting from their sockets, and around her mouth there was that ghastly, livid look, that almost congealed my blood. "oh, god!" she cried in frenzy, "god have mercy on us all!" and reeled against the wall. "speak, woman, speak, in heaven's name," i shouted aloud. "henry! henry! henry! has aught happened to him?" "oh, god!" she said, and her eyes flamed like a fury's; "_he has cut his throat_, and now lies weltering in his own blood." i did not scream, i did not speak. i shed no tears. i did not even close my eyes. every sense had turned to stone! for full five minutes i stood looking in the face of louise. "why don't you speak, ann! cry, imprecate, do something, rather than stand there with that stony gaze!" said louise, as she caught me frantically by the arm. "why did he kill himself?" i asked, in an unfaltering tone. "he went, in high spirits, to make his last payment to his master, who was at the hotel. 'here, master,' he said, 'is all that i owe you; please make out the bill of sale, or my free papers.' mr. graham took the money, with a smile, counted it over twice, slowly placed it in his pocket-book, and said, 'henry, you are my slave; i hired you to a good place, where you were well treated; had time to make money for yourself. now, according to law, you, as a slave, cannot have or hold property. everything, even to your knife, is your master's. all of your earnings come to me. so, in point of law, i was entitled to all the money that you have paid me. legally it was mine, not yours; so i did but receive from you my own. notwithstanding all this i was willing to let you have yourself, and intended to act with you according to our first arrangement; but upon coming here the other day, a servant girl of mr. bodly's, named lindy, informed me that you were making preparations to run off, and cheat me out of the last payment. she stated that you had told her so; and you intended to start one night this week. i was so enraged by it, that yesterday i sold you to a negro trader; and you must start down the river to-morrow.'" "'master, it is a lie of the girl's; i never had any thought of running off, or cheating you out of your money.' henry then told him of lindy's malice. "'yes, you have proved it was a lie, by coming and paying me: but nothing can be done now; i have signed the papers, and you are the property of atkins. i have not the power to undo what i have done.' "'but, master,' pleaded henry, 'can't you refund the money that i have paid you, and let me buy myself from mr. atkins?' "'refund the money, indeed! who ever heard of such impertinence? have i not just shown that all that you made was by right of law mine? no; go down the river, serve your time, work well, and may be in the course of fifteen or twenty years you may be able to buy yourself.' "'oh, master!' cried out the weeping henry, 'pity me, please save me, do something.' "'i can do nothing for you; go, get your trunk ready, here comes mr. atkins for you.' "henry turned towards the hard trader, and with a face contracted with pain, and eyes raining tears, begged for mercy. "'go long you fool of a nigger! an' git ready to go to the pen, without this fuss, or i'll have you tied with ropes, and taken.' "henry said no more; i had overheard all from an adjoining room. i tried to avoid him; but he sought me out. "'louise,' he said, in a tone which i shall never forget. "'i have heard all,' was my reply. "'will you see ann for me? take her a word from me? tell how it was, louise; break the news gently to her.' here he quite gave up, and, sinking into a chair, sobbed and cried like a child. "'be a friend to her, louise; i know that she will need much kindness to sustain her. thank miss nancy for all her kindness; tell her that i blest her before i went. tell ann to stay with her, and oh, louise'--here he wrung his hands in agony--'tell ann not to grieve for me; but she mustn't forget me. poor, wretched outcast that i am, i have loved her well! after awhile, when time has softened this blow, she must try to love and be happy with---no, no, i'll not ask that; only bid her not be wretched;--but give me pen and ink, i'll write just one word to her.' "i gave him the ink, pen and paper, and he wrote this." as louise drew a soiled, blotted paper from her bosom, i eagerly snatched it and read: "ann, dearest, louise will tell you all. our dream is broken forever! i _am sold_; but i shall be a slave _no more_. forgive me for what i am going to do. madness has driven me to it! i love you, even in death i love you. say farewell to miss nancy--i _am gone_!" i read it over twice slowly. one scalding tear, large and round, fell upon it! i know not where it came from, for my eyes were dry as a parched leaf. the note dropped from my hands, almost unnoticed by me. biddy picked it up, and handed it to miss nancy, who read it and fainted. i moved about mechanically; assisted in restoring miss nancy to consciousness; chafed her hands and temples; and, when she came to, and burst into a flood of tears, i soothed her and urged that she would not weep or distress herself. "i wonder that the earth don't open and swallow them," cried the weeping biddy. "hush, biddy, hush!" i urged. "they ought to be hung!" "'vengeance is mine, and i will repay, saith the lord,'" i replied. "oh, ann, you are crazy!" she uttered. and so, in truth, i was. that granite-like composure was a species of insanity. i comprehended nothing that was going on around me. i was in a sort of sleep-waking state, when i asked louise if she thought they would bury him decently; and gave her a bunch of flowers to place in the coffin. and so my worst suspicion was realized! through lindy came my heaviest blow of affliction! i fear that even now, after the lapse of years, i have not the christianity to ask, "father, forgive her, for she knew not what she did!" lying beside me now, dear, sympathetic reader, is _that note--his last brief words_. before writing this chapter i read it over. old, soiled and worn it was, but by his trembling fingers those blotted and irregular lines were penned; and to me they are precious, though they awaken ten thousand bitter emotions! i look at the note but once a year, and then on the fatal anniversary, which occurs to-day! i have pressed it to my heart, and hearsed it away, not to be re-opened for another year. this is the blackest chapter in my dark life, and you will feel, with me, glad that it is about to close. i have nerved myself for the duty of recording it, and, now that it is over, i sink down faint and broken-hearted beside the accomplished task. chapter xli. a revelation--death the peaceful angel--calmness. months passed by after the events told in the last chapter--_passed_, i scarce know how. they have told me that i wandered about like one in the mazes of a troubled dream. my reason was disturbed. i've no distinct idea how the days or weeks were employed. vague remembrances of kindly words, music, odorous flowers, and a trip to a beautiful, quiet country-house, i sometimes have; but 'tis all so misty and dream-like, that i can form no tangible idea of it. so this period has almost faded out of mind, and is like lost pages from the chronicle of life. when the winter was far spent, and during the snowy days of february, my mind began to collect its shattered forces. the approach of another trouble brought back consciousness with rekindled vigor. one day i became aware that miss nancy was very ill. it seemed as if a thick vapor, like a breath-stain on glass, had suddenly been wiped away from my mind; and i saw clearly. there lay miss nancy upon her bed, appallingly white, with her large eyes sunken deeply in their sockets, and her lips purple as an autumn leaf. her thin, white hand, with discolored nails, was thrown upon the covering, and aroused my alarm. i rushed to her, fearing that the vital spark no longer animated that loved and once lovely frame. "miss nancy, dear miss nancy," i cried, "speak to me, only one word." she started nervously, "oh, who are you? ah, ann--is it ann?" "yes, dear miss nancy, it is _i_. it appears as though a film had been removed from my eyes, and i see how selfish i have been. you have suffered for my attention. what has been the matter with me?" "oh, dear child, a fearful dispensation of providence was sent you; and from the chastisement you are about recovering. thank god, that you are still the mistress of your reason! for its safety, i often trembled. i did all for you that i could; but i was fearful that human skill would be of no avail." "thanks, my kind friend, and sorry i am for all the anxiety and uneasiness that i have given you." "oh, i am repaid, or rather was pre-paid for all and more, you were so kind to me." here biddy entered, and i took down the bible and read a few chapters from the book of job. "what a comfort that book is to us," said biddy. "many's the time, ann, that miss nancy read it to you, when you'd sit an' look so wandering-like; but you are well now, ann, an' all will be right with us." "_all_ can never be, biddy, as once it _was_," and i shook my head. "oh, don't spake of it," and she wiped her moist eyes with her apron. days and weeks passed on thus smoothly, during which time louise came often to see us; but the fatal sorrow was never alluded to. by common consent all avoided it. daily, hourly, miss nancy's health sank. i never saw the footsteps of the grim monster approach more rapidly than in her case. the wasting of her cheek was like the eating of a worm at the heart of a rose. her bed was wheeled close to the fire, and i read, all the pleasant mornings, some cheerful book to her. her brother came often, and sat with her through the evenings. many of her friends and neighbors offered to watch with her at night; but she bade me decline all such kindness. "you and biddy are enough. i want no others. let me die calmly, in the presence of, my own household, with no unusual faces around," she said in a low tone. she talked about her death as though it were some long journey upon which she was about starting; gave directions how she should be shrouded; what kind of coffin we must get, tomb-stone, &c. she enjoined that we inscribe nothing but her age and name upon the tomb-stone. "i wish no ostentatious slab, no false eulogium; my name and age are all the epitaph i deserve, and all that i will have." several ministers came to see her, and held prayer. she received them kindly, and spoke at length with some. "i shall meet the great change with resignation. i had hoped, ann, to see you well settled somewhere in the north; but that will be denied me. in my will, i have remembered both you and biddy. i have no parting advice for either of you; for you are both, though of different faith, consistent christians. i hope we shall meet hereafter. you must not weep, girls, for it pains me to think i leave you troubled." when biddy withdrew, she called me to her, saying, "ann, i am feeble, draw near the bed whilst i talk to you. i hold here in my hand a letter from my nephew, robert worth." "robert worth? why i--" "yes, he says that he was at mr. peterkin's and remembers you well. he also speaks of emily bradly, who is now in boston; says that she recollects you well, and is pleased to hear of your good fortune. robert is the son of my elder sister, who is now deceased; a favorite he always was of mine. he read law in mr. trueman's office, and has a very successful practice at the boston bar. long time ago, ann, when i was a young, blooming girl, my sister lydia (robert's mother) and i were at school at a very celebrated academy in the north. during one of our vacations, when we were on a visit to boston--for we were country girls--we were introduced to two young barristers, william worth and justinian trueman. they were strong personal friends. "the former became much attached to my sister, and came frequently to see her. justinian trueman came also. by the force of circumstance, mr. trueman and i were thrown much together. from his lofty conversation and noble principles, i gained great advantage. i loved to listen to his candid avowal of free, democratic principles. how bravely he set aside conventionality and empty forms; he was a searcher after the soul of things! he was the very essence of honor, always ready to sacrifice himself for others, and daily and hourly crucified his heart! "chance threw us much together, as i have said. you may infer what ensued. two persons so similar in nature, so united in purpose (though he was vastly my superior), could not associate much and long together without a feeling of love springing up! our case did not differ from that of others. _we loved._ not as the careless or ordinary love; but with a fervor, a depth of passion, and a concentration of soul, which nothing in life could destroy. "my sister was the chosen bride of william worth. this fact was known to all the household. justinian and i read in each other's manner the secret of the heart. "at length, in one brief hour, he told me his story; he was the only child of a widowed mother, who had spent her all upon his education. whilst he was away, her wants had been tenderly ministered to by a very lovely young girl of wealth and social position. upon her death-bed his mother besought him to marry this lady. he was then inflamed with gratitude, and, being free in heart, he mistook the nature of his feelings. whilst in this state of mind, he offered himself to her and was instantly accepted. afterwards when we met he understood how he had been beguiled! "he wrote to his betrothed, told her the state of his feelings, that he loved another; but declared his willingness to redeem his promise, and stand by his engagement if she wished. "how anxiously we both awaited her reply! it came promptly, and she desired, nay demanded, the fulfilment of the engagement; even reminded him of his promise to his mother, and of the obligation he was under to herself. "no tongue can describe the agony that we both endured; yet principle must be obeyed. we parted. they were married. twice afterwards i saw him. he was actively engaged in his profession; but the pale cheek and earnest look told me that he still thought lovingly of me! my sister married william worth, and resided in boston; but her husband died early in life, leaving his only child robert to the care of mr. trueman. after my mother's death, possessing myself of my patrimony, i removed west, to this city, where my brother lived. i had been separated from him for a number of years, and was surprised to find how entirely a southern residence had changed him. owing to some little domestic difficulties, i declined remaining in his family. "last winter, when justinian trueman was here, i was out of the city; and it was well that i was, for i could not have met him again. old feelings, that should be cradled to rest, would have been aroused! my brother saw him, and told me that he looked well. "now, is it not strange that you should have been an object of such especial interest to both of us? it seems as though you were a centre around which we were once more re-united. i have written him a long letter, which i wish you to deliver upon your arrival in boston." here she drew from the portfolio that was lying on the bed beside her, a sealed letter, directed to justinian trueman, boston, mass. i was weeping violently when i took it from her. she lingered thus for several weeks, and on a calm sabbath morning, as i was reading to her from the bible, she said to me-"ann, i am sleepy; my eyelids are closing; turn me over." as i attempted to do it she pressed my hand tightly, straightened her body out, and the last struggle was over! i was alone with her. laying her gently upon the pillow, i for the first time in my life pressed my lips to that cold, marble brow. i felt that she, holy saint, would not object to it, were she able to speak. i then called biddy in to assist me. she was loud in her lamentation. "she bade us not weep for her, biddy. she is happier now;" but, though i spoke this in a composed tone, my heart was all astir with emotion. soon her brother came in, bringing with him a minister. he received the mournful intelligence with subdued grief. we robed her for death's bridal, e'en as she had requested, in white silk, flannel, and white gloves. her coffin was plain mahogony, with a plate upon the top, upon which were engraved her name, age, and birth-place. a funeral sermon was preached, by a minister who had been a strong personal friend. in a retired portion of the public burial-ground we made her last bed. a simple tombstone, as she directed, was placed over the grave, her name, age, &c., inscribed thereon. bridget and i slept in the same house that night. we could not be persuaded to leave it, and there, in miss nancy's dear, familiar room, we held, as usual, family devotion. i almost fancied that she stood in the midst, and was gazing well-pleased upon us. that night i slept profoundly. my rest had been broken a great deal, and now the knowledge that duty did not keep me awake, enabled me to sleep well. on the next day mr. worth arrived, and was much distressed to find that he was too late to see his aunt alive. though he looked older and more serious than when i last saw him, i readily recognized the same noble expression of face. he received me very kindly, and thanked biddy and me for our attentions to his beloved aunt. he showed us a letter she had written, in which she spoke of us in the kindest manner, and recommended us to his care. "neither of you shall ever lack for friendship whilst i live," he said, as he warmly shook us by the hands. he told me that he had ever retained a vivid recollection of my sad face; and inquired about "young master." when i told him that he was dead, and gave an account of his life and sufferings, mr. worth remarked-"ah, yes, he was one of heaven's angels, lent us only for a short season." i accompanied him to his aunt's grave. * * * * * * upon the reading of the will, it was discovered that miss nancy had liberated me, and left me, as a legacy, four thousand dollars, with the request that i would live somewhere in the north. to biddy she had left a bequest of three thousand dollars; the remainder of her fortune, after making a donation to her brother, was left to her nephew, robert worth. the will was instantly carried into effect; as it met with no opposition, and she owed no debts, matters were arranged satisfactorily; and we prepared for departure. louise had made all her arrangements to go with us. i was now a free woman, in the possession of a comparative fortune; yet i was not happy. alas! i had out-lived all for which money and freedom were valuable, and i cared not how the remainder of my days were spent. why cannot the means of happiness come to us when we have the capacity for enjoyment? on the evening before our departure, i called louise to me and asked, "where is henry's grave?" it was the first time since that fatal day that i had mentioned his name to her. "he is buried far away, in a plain, unmarked grave; but, even if it were near, you should not go," she replied. "tell me, who found him, after--after--after _the murder_?" "mr. graham and atkins went in search of him, and i followed them; though he had told me what he was going to do, ann, i could not oppose or even dissuade him." i wept freely; and, as is always the case, was relieved by it. "i am glad to see that you can weep. it will do you good," said louise. chapter xlii conclusion. but little more remains to be told of my history. when louise, biddy and i, under the protection of mr. worth, sailed on a pleasant steamer from the land of slavery, i could but thank my god that i was leaving forever the state, beneath the sanction of whose laws the vilest outrages and grossest inhumanities were committed! our trip would, indeed, have been delightful, but that i was constantly contrasting it in my own mind with what it might have been, had he not fallen a victim to the white man's cupidity. often i stole away from the company, and, in the privacy of my own room, gave vent to my pent-up grief. biddy and louise were in ecstacies with everything that they saw. all along the route, after passing out of the slave states, we met with kind friends and genuine hospitality. the northern people are noble, generous, and philanthropic; and it affords me pleasure to record here a tribute to their worth and kindness. in new york we met with the best of friends. everywhere i saw smiling, black faces; a sight rarely beheld in the cities and villages of the south. i saw men and women of the despised race, who walked with erect heads and respectable carriage, as though they realized that they were men and women, not mere chattels. when we reached boston i was made to feel this in a particular manner. there i met full-blooded africans, finely educated, in the possession of princely talents, occupying good positions, wielding a powerful political influence, and illustrating, in their lives, the oft-disputed fact, that the african intellect is equal to the caucasian. soon after my arrival in boston i found out, from mr. worth, the residence of mr. trueman, and called to see him. i was politely ushered by an irish waiter into the study, where i found mr. trueman engaged with a book. at first he did not recognize me; but i soon made myself known, and received from him a most hearty welcome. i related all the incidents in my life that had occurred since i had seen him last. he entered fully into my feelings, and i saw the tear glisten in his calm eyes when i spoke of poor henry's awful fate. i told him of miss nancy's kindness, and the tears rolled down his cheeks. i did not speak of what she had told me in relation to their engagement; i merely stated that she had referred to him as a particular personal friend, and when i gave him the letter he received it with a tremulous hand, uttered a fearful groan, and buried his face among the papers that lay scattered over his table. without a spoken good-bye, i withdrew. i saw him often after this; and from him received the most signal acts of kindness. he thanked me many times for what he termed my fidelity to his sainted friend. he never spoke of her without a quiver of the lip, and i honored him for his constancy. he strongly urged me to take up my residence in boston; but i remembered that henry's preference had always been for a new england village; and i loved to think that i was following out his views, and so i removed to a quiet puritanical little town in massachusetts. and here i now am engaged in teaching a small school of african children; happy in the discharge of so sacred a duty. 'tis surprising to see how rapidly they learn. i am interested, and so are they, in the work: and thus what with some teachers is an irksome task, is to me a pleasing duty. i should state for the benefit of the curious, that biddy is living in boston, happily married to "a countryman," and is the proud mother of several blooming children. she comes to visit me sometimes, during the heat of summer, and is always a welcome guest. louise, too, has consented to wear matrimony's easy yoke. she lives in the same village with me. our social and friendly relations still continue. i have frequently, when visiting boston, met miss bradly. she, like me, has never married. she has grown to be a firmer and more earnest woman than she was in kentucky. i must not omit to mention the fact, that when travelling through canada, i by the rarest chance met ben--amy's treasure--now grown to be a fine-looking youth. he had a melancholy story--a life, like every other slave's, full of trouble--but at length, by the sharpest ingenuity, he had made his escape, and reached, after many difficulties, the golden shores of canada! now my history has been given--a round, unvarnished tale it is; and thus, without ornament, i send it forth to the world. i have spoken freely; at times, i grant, with a touch of bitterness, but never without truth; and i ask the wise, the considerate, the earnest, if i have not had cause for bitterness. who can carp at me? that there are some fiery southerners who will assail me, i doubt not; but i feel satisfied that i have discharged a duty that i solemnly owed to my oppressed and down-trodden nation. i am calm and self-possessed; i have passed firmly through the severest ordeal of persecution, and have been spared the death that has befallen many others. surely i was saved for some wise purpose, and i fear nought from those who are fanatically wedded to wrong and inhumanity. let them assail me as they will, i shall still feel that "thrice is he armed who has his quarrel just, and he but naked, though wrapped up in steel, whose bosom with injustice is polluted." but there are others, some even in slave states, kind, noble, thoughtful persons, earnest seekers after the highest good in life and nature; to them i consign my little book, sincerely begging, that through my weak appeal, my poor suffering brothers and sisters, who yet wear the galling yoke of american slavery, may be granted a hearing. from the distant rice-fields and sugar plantations of the fervid south, comes a frantic wail from the wronged, injured, and oh, how innocent african! hear it; hear that cry, christians of the north, let it ring in your ears with its fearful agony! hearken to it, ye who feast upon the products of african labor! let it stay you in the use of those commodities for which their life-blood, aye more, their soul's life, is drained out drop by drop! talk no more, ye faint-hearted politicians, of "expediency." god will not hear your lame excuse in that grand and awful day, when he shall come in pomp and power to judge the quick and dead. and so, my history, go forth and do thy mission! knock at the doors of the lordly and wealthy: there, by the shaded light of rosy lamps, tell your story. creep in at the broken crevice of the poor man's cabin, and there make your complaint. into the ear of the brave, energetic mechanic, sound the burden of your grief. to the strong-hearted blacksmith, sweating over his furnace, make yourself heard; and ask them, one and all, shall this unjust institution of slavery be perpetuated? 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[in press.] the history of louisiana--spanish domination. by charles gayarre. 8vo, cloth. price $2 50. the history of louisiana--french domination. by charles gayarre. 2 vols., 8vo, cloth. price $3 50. the life of p. t. barnum, written by himself; in which he narrates his early history as clerk, merchant, and editor, and his later career as a showman. with a portrait on steel, and numerous illustrations by darley. 1 vol., 12mo. price $1 25. a memorial of horatio greenough, consisting of a memoir, selections from his writings, and tributes to his genius, by henry t. tuckerman, author of "sicily, a pilgrimage," "a month in england," &c., &c. 12mo, cloth. price 75 cents. minnesota and its resources; to which are appended camp-fire sketches, or notes of a trip from st. paul to pembina and selkirk settlements on the red river of the north. by j. wesley bond. with a new map of the territory, a view of st. paul, and one of the falls of st. anthony. 1 vol., 12mo, cloth. price $1 00. the private life of an eastern king. by a member of the household of his late majesty, nussir-u-deen, king of oude. 12mo, cloth. price 75 cents. doran's queens of england. the queens of england, of the house of hanover. by dr. doran, author of "table traits," "habits and men," &c. 2 vols., 12mo, cloth. price $2 00 belles-lettres. +revolutionary tales+, by wm. gilmore simms, esq. new and revised editions, with illustrations by darley. the partisan; a romance of the revolution. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. mellichampe; a legend of the santee. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. katharine walton; or, the rebel of dorchester. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. the scout; or, the black riders of the congaree. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. woodcraft; or, the hawks about the dovecote. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. the forayers; or, the raid of the dog-days. a new revolutionary romance. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. entaw. a new revolutionary romance. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. +simms's border romances of the south+, new and revised editions, with illustrations by darley. uniform with simms's revolutionary tales. i. guy rivers. a tale of georgia. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. ii. richard hurdis. a tale of alabama. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. iii. border beagles. a tale of mississippi. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. iv. charlemont. a tale of kentucky. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. v. beauchampe; or, the kentucky tragedy. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. vi. confession; or, the blind heart. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. the yemassee; a romance of south carolina. by wm. gilmore simms, esq. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. southward, ho! a spell of sunshine. by wm. gilmore simms, esq. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. the noctes ambrosianã¦. by professor wilson, j. g. lockhart, james hogg, and dr. maginn. edited, with memoirs and notes, by dr. r. shelton mackenzie. in 5 volumes. price $5 00. the odoherty papers; forming the first portion of the miscellaneous writings of the late dr. maginn. with an original memoir, and copious notes, by dr. r. shelton mackenzie. 2 vols. price $2 00. the shakespeare papers, and the homeric ballads; forming vol. iii. of the miscellaneous writings of the late dr. maginn. edited by dr. r. shelton mackenzie. [in press.] bits of blarney. by dr. r. shelton mackenzie, editor of "sheil's sketches of the irish bar," "noctes ambrosianã¦," &c. 12mo, cloth. price $1 00. table traits. by dr. doran, author of "habits and men," &c. 12mo, cloth. $1 25. habits and men. by dr. doran, author of "table traits," "the queens of england under the house of hanover." 12mo, price $1 00. calavar; the knight of the conquest. a romance of mexico. by the late dr. robert montgomery bird, author of "nick of the woods;" with illustrations by darley. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. nick of the woods, or the jibbenainosay. a tale of kentucky. by the late dr. robert montgomery bird, author of "calavar," "the infidel," &c. new and revised edition, with illustrations by darley. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. the pretty plate; a new and beautiful juvenile. by john vincent. illustrated by darley. 1 vol., 16mo, cloth, gilt. price 50 cents; extra gilt edges, 75 cents. vasconselos. a romance of the new world. by frank cooper. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. a stray yankee in texas. by philip paxton. with illustrations by darley. second edition. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. the wonderful adventures of capt. priest. by philip paxton. with illustrations by darley. 12mo, cloth. price $1 00. western characters; being types of border life in the western states. by j. l. m'connel, author of "talbot and vernon," "the glenns," &c., &c. with six illustrations by darley. 12mo, cloth. price $1 25. the master-builder; or, life at a trade. by day kellogg lee. 1 vol., 12mo. price $1 00. merrimack; or, life at the loom. by day kellogg lee. 1 vol., 12mo. price $1 00. 