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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1888-3-23, Page 7yti 7.____„, MAMCIi z8, ].lir,. JEST TO EARNEST. By E. P. BOB, AUTHOR 01 "aennnees aURNBe ewer," "ennema A CHESTNUT BUHR," ETC• • del not sing. "Do you believe that ' all blussinge flowfrom God?" asked Hemstead of o Forrest. "I suppose so, according to Old Hundred," ho said lightly, " You don't ' suppose so' at all Julian. You know it, as we all do, however wo may act," said Lottie, with emphasis, " With such a belief I would at least treat Him with respect," said Hemstead quietly. "I should be sorry to be under deep and continued obligations to One toward whom I failed in ordinary courtesy. " I knew it was wrong," muttered Bello, " but—" u I have no such belief," said Has court, "' so your sharp homily does not apply to me." " Whore do your blessings come from ?" asked Hemstead. " Well, those I don't get out of my clients from where this snow does—the laws and forces of nature." " Your faith is like the snow, I think, very cold." " If it's cold in winter, it's warm in summer," retorted he fir pantly; and Addie giggled approvingly, for the reason that it sounded flippant and smart. They had now reached the hamlet of Scrub Oaks, in the centre of which was a small house that seemed burstingevith light and noire. Whenever the door opened it appeared to fly open from a pressure within. De Forrest acted as escort to the ladies, while Hemstead accompanied Harcourt in his effort to find a sheltered place for the horses. This pleased the young lawyer, and he said, good- naturedly : " Don't think, Mr. Hemstead, that I do not respect your honest convictions, and I meant no slur upon them. You take things too seriously." "I suppose we all ought to make more allowance for what is said in mere sport and repartee," said Hemstead. "But what to you as law and force is to me a personal God and Friend. You know that there are some names—like that of mother and wife—that are too sacred for jest." " Thus people misjudge and misunder- stand each other, simply. because they see things from different points of view ;" replied Harcourt. " Do Forrest provokes me, however. He was, no doubt, worthy of the name, for he reads nothing save the sporting now and fashionable literature of the day, and yet ho likes to give the impression that he is with us, who road books and think." " If you will only read fairly, Mr. Harcourt, I have no fears but that in bimo you will think rightly. An honest jury must bear both sides and have no prejudices." The yoleng mon now sought the rest of the party, who had squeezed their way into the little parsonage that seemed so replete with life and bustle, that it appeared lik a social bombshell, with effervescing human nature as an explosive material, and might burst into fragments any moment. and liarcourt found them in character. idle conditions. Addie's and Do For. rest's elegant noses wero decidedly retrouto; Belle appeared both diegusted and frightened, while Lottio's .face worn an expression of intense and amused curiosity. She was seeing " the other set ,' to her her heart's content, and all was ea new and strange as if she had b visited another land. Harcourt joined Addle, and they oom- teenood whispering satirical criticisms f on the remarks and manners of those around, Hemstead's interest mainly centered hi watching Lottio, and m noting the effect of her contact with plain and uncultured people. He was glad ho did not see the repnleion of a little mind anda narrow nature, as was the case with most of the others. Though it was evident that she had no sympathy with them, nor for them, j there was intelligent interest and wide. awake curiosity. While the others were encasing themselves in exclusive pride, she was eager to investigate and get en rapport with this new phase of humanity, But tramolled by her city ideas, she felt that she could not speak to any onewithout the formality of an introduction. But the ice was broken for her unexpectedly. Fooling her dress pulled, she turned and found e very stout old lady sittting near her, who asked in a loud whisper: " Been down to supper yet?" "No," said Lottie, " I don't wish any " I do, but I'm afraid I won't get none. You see I'm big and clumsy any way, and now I'm so lame with rheu. matin that I kin hardly move." " Ib's too bad," said Lottie patheti- cally, but with a swift, comical glance at the others. "" Yes, it's kinder prful to bo so help- less," said the old woman with a cam. placent sigh, delighted at having o sympathetic auditor. I'm dreadfully afeard I won't git no supper. I'm like the withered man at the pool of Bethes- dy. Whenever they are ready fat a nether batch, ' while I'm a cumin' another steppeth down before me." " Well, you are net very much withered, that's one comfort to be thankful for," said Lottie. " to be thankful for my sup- per, if I could only get a chance," per- sisted the old woman. "You shall have a chance. When is the pool troubled ? When shall we put you in?" " There l now is the time," said hot now acquaintance, dropping barefooted and pious tone, and speaking with sharp eagerness. " See, one batch is comic up, and 'nuther is going down." " Mr. Hemstead, will you assist me in escorting this old lady to the supper table?" liemstead's face was aglow with ap- proval, and he instantly complied, while tho others,understanding Lottie butter, wore convulsed with laughter. It was no easy sling for them united- ly to manage the hobbling mountain of flesh. When they came to the steep, narrow stairway, matters wero still more serious. You shall go first," whisperedLottie to Hemstead, " foeif the should fall on me—good-bye, Lotie Marsden." Hemstead patiently, carefully, and with the utmost deference, assisted the helpless creature down the stairs. " You are as polite to her as if she worn aduchess," said Lottie in a low tone. " She is more than a duchess. She is a woman," he replied. Lottie gavo him a quick, pleased look, but said, " Such old-fashioned chivalry is out of date, Mr. Hem - stead." He's right, miss," said tho old woman sharply,'"I'm not Dutch." Lottie dropped behind to Lido her merriment at this speech, and Hem - stead appeared, with his charge cling- ing to bis arm, at the kitchen door, which her ample form nearly filled. "My sakes o' lives I Auntie Lammer, how did you get down here," said Mrs. Gubling. " We hain't ready for you yet." " No matter," said Mrs. Lammer, "I thank the marries Pyo got down safe, and I'm goin' to stop till I get my supper." " Can I help you ?" asked Lottio, glancing curiously around the room. They looked with even more curiosity at her; and a strange contrast she made, in her rich and tasteful costume and rare beauty, with those plain, mid. ;Ile -aged, hard-working women, and the small, dingy room. For a moment they stared at her 'without reply, then gavo each other a few suggestive nudges; and Airs. Ithamin wit about to speak rather slightingly. whoa good-natured Mrs. Gubling said; " You're very kind, miss, but you don't look cut out for our work. Bo- sides, my dear, it's an orful dangerous place down here. I'm afraid we'll gib eat up ourselves before the evening is over. Pm sure you would be if you stayed, I wouldn't mind taking a bite myself," and tho good woman and her assistants laughed heartily over this standing joke of the evening, while Auntie Lammer, seeing that Mrs. Gubling was the leading spirit of the supper -room, quivered m all her vast proportions with politic and propitious mirth. All this was inexpressibly funny to Lq,tio, who had the keenest sense of the absurd, andwitha sign to Hemstead she drew him away, saying: " This exceeds any play I ever saw. I didn't knowpeople who were not act- ing could be so queer and comical," "Wall, Miss Lottie," ho said as they ascended the stairs, " I admit that ;humanity everywhero often has its ridi- culous side, but I have been laughed at too mach myself to enjoy laughiug at others." "And why should yeti bo laughed ab so much?" "I suppose it is the fate of overgrown, tavo ceased to be a stranger to nee, I have remarked before today, that I knew you ]letter than some I bad seen Leone childhood," "I am liapPy to sety that I wish to Conceal nothing." �. +' Few cansay that. " Oh, I don't moan to say that I am atter than other people, only that it's best to appear just what we are. People should be like coin, worth their ae0—" "I was in search of you," intorruptod De Forrest, as they stood talking a moment near the stake in the hall. " We did not know but that the sylph you escorted away, had made a supper on Hemstead, with you as a relish. Have you seen enough of this boar - garden yet ?" "No, indeed," said Lottie; " am ustbeginning to enjoy myself." From openly staring at and criticising the party from Mrs. Marclnnont's, tho young people began to grow aggressive, and from class prejudices, were inclined to be hostile. Thera wero whispered consultations, and finally, one well- known habitue of the store and tavern thought he could cover himself 'with glory by a trick, and at the same time secure a kiss from Lottie, the prettiest. The conspiracy ryas soon formed. A kissing game in one of the upper rooms was suspended for s, moment, and ono of the tall girls accompanied him down as if they were a delegation, and on the principle that in . designs against a woman a female confederate is always helpful in disarming fear and sus- picion. He approached Lottie with the best manners he could assume, and said: " We are having some gamesupstairs. Perbaps you would like to join us. We'd like to have you." "Do come," added the tall girl," they aro real nice." "Certainly," said Lottia, 'who was now ready' for another adventure. " Come; let us all go." " The others needn't come unless they want to," said the young man, for he didn't relish the lawyer's . presence, whom he knew by reputation, nor the searching look of the tallstranger whom he did not know. " Mr. Hemstead, you and Julian come," said Lottie, and as they ascend- ed the stairs she studied this new specimen of Scrub Oaks, who was a loafer of the 'village as De Forrest was an idler of the town. They both be- longed to the some genus, though the latter would have rerouted such estate- ment as the foulest insult. The manners and the smart, loud finery of her new acquaintance, amused Lottie very much. When they reached the room, they found it full of whisper- ing, giggling young peeeple. The tall girl, as instructed, said, "Now let us form a ring with our hands on this rope." This having been done, she said, "Now 1YIr. Shabb, you must go inside first ;" and than with a nudge to Lottie, " He'll try to hit our hands with his, and if he hits your hands you will have to go inside the ring." 'What else ho would do she left to be disclosed by action. Then he of the flaming necktie and bulging cheek took his place with a twinkling eye that meant mischief. Dc Forrest and Hemstead declined to rimy, but the latter slipped forward audstood near Lottie. IIe was not sure, but dimly remembered seeing this game before, when it was not played so in- nocently as tho tall girl had de- scribed. The young rustic made extravagant but purposely vain efforts to strike the hands of others, and Lottie watched the scene with laughing curiosity. Sud- denly he wheeled around and struck her hands sharply ; and to her horrified surprise, it seemed but a second later that his repulsive face was almost against her own. But something came between, and starting bank, she saw the baffled youth imprint a fervent kiss ou the back of Hemstead's hand. There was a Loud laugh at him from those who expected to laugh with him. He swaggered up to Hemstead, and said threateningly " What do you mean?" " What do you mean ?" asked Lottie, confronting him with blazing eyes. " It is well this gentleman interposed. 1.f you had succeeded in your insult I should have bad you punished in a way that you should not soon forget." "It's only part of the gan-,+," mutter- ed he, abashed by hermanner. Part of the game ?" "Yes," giggled the tall girl, faintly; " it's a kissing game." " Did you know it was such ?" asked Lottie, indignantly, of De Forrest and Hemstead. "Indeed I did not," said De Forrest, "and if you say so, I'll give this follow a flogging, any way." " Como right out and do it now," was the pert response. " All I can say is, Miss Marsden," ex- plained Hemstead, "that I suspected something wrong and took meanstopre- vent it. How these nice•looking girls oau allow this fellow to kiss them is more than I can understand." " No lady would," said Lottie, as sho swept, disdainfully out; ands under the withering influence of these remarks, kissing games languished the rest ofthe evening; only young children and a fe of the coarse -natured ones participating. Bub soon the absurdity of the whole scene overcome Lottie, and she laughed till the tears stood in her oyes. el .Ag they were slowly descending the , stairs a faded little woman said: "I'm glad to see you enjoying your- self, Miss Marchmont, It was vary kind of yon and yank party to comp 00 fan" "" I'nl not Muss Marohment," said Lottie, "" though "owe with her." i "Well, as the minister's wife 1 would like her and all lior party to know of our grateful appreciation." "You thanic us beyond our deserts But aro you the minister's wife? 1 an "CHAPTER TI. THE OTHER SET." The minister and his wife wero scarcely host and hostess on this occa- sion, as a self-appointed committee of ladies had taken upon themselves the duty, but, like all corporations, this com- mittee had no soul and a very indefinite body. No one knew just who they were, or *Macre to find them, and some of the members, in the bewilderment of unac- customed official position and boners, seemed to have lost themselves, and bustled all over the house about as aim- lessly as decapitated hens. Tho more staid and practical sisters of the com- mittee were down in the kitchen, breath- lessly setting tables which were almost as speedily cleared by people whose appetites were as keen as the winter night without. I do declare,' ejaculated Mrs. Gubling, as one devastating tableful rose lingeringly from the repast and an- other flock began to gather in hungry expectancy at the door, " I do declare, Pm near beat out. Is this a starvin' community? At this rate they'll eat up all there is in the bouse, and the minister and his wife and babies into the bar- gain." "" Well," said Mrs. Rhamm, conveying the last bit of corned beef which had been reluctanbiy loft upon the plate as u manners," to a rather capaciousmouth, u if they would eat up some of tho babies it wouldn't be so bad.I don't see why poor ministers will have so many babies." "" The Lord takes care of 'em. We don't," suggested Mee. Gubling. " We all do our part, I 'spore. The worst of it is, that it. malice ,rt encore- fortable for a church to give a small salary."' ".I wish our church was more uncom- fortable, then. It's a shame we give Mr. Dlimm only six hundred, But come, if we don't gib another table sot they'll eat US 1 d like to see 'cin," taid Mrs. Rhamni with a disdainful sniff. " Well, yen be a bit old and tough," chuckled Mrs. Gubling. With the solace of this sally, wbieh seemed true, if slot true wit, these hard, Watered mothers iii Tfrael set about their task with the deftness that long experience gives. At the bine Do Forrest convoyed the ladies into the hall; the epstair Deem - bora of the committees wore buzsing around sommeliero else, for there `was no one to receive them. They wore gradually hustled or carried into the tarloror main room,aud here IIemstead azvkwvard boys, who ]lava it tendency to blurt out the truth bra all oeeee sloes." "Suet a tendouoy as that will always make yon .trouble, I a00u1e y.C11," Oh, there goesmy babqq,'rsaid Mrs. Dlimm, "I thought 1 ]lira] it before," and she was about to beaten on. "May I not go evit11 you and see the baby ?" said Lettio, What mother ever refused such a re- clued e• cuest? In a moment Lotbie was in the ono small room in which, on this per- t moue' oeomsion, the throe younger "rhildron wore huddled, the others being old eeong11 to take pert in what, to Blom, was the greatest excitement of their lives, thus far. Lottie looked curiously around with the quick appreciative eye by which ladies seem to gather accurately at a glance the effect of a custom() and the style and character of an apartment and its aeon. pants. but she politely, and from a certain innate interest, gavo such attention to the baby as to win the mother's hoart. It was but an ordinary baby, although the fattest and sturdiest member of a rather pinched household, but Lottie wonderingly saw that to the faded mother it was a cherub just from heaven. Lottie could not understand it. A perfumed baby, in lace and musliu, might be a nice pet if the nurse were al- ways within call, but the sole care of this chubby -Checked Moloch, that would sacrifice its mother as uncon- hcioesly aid complacently as the plant absorbs moisture, seemed almost as prosaic and dreadful as being devoured alive. "" Does no one help you to take care of that child ?" asked she. "Well, my husband and the elder children help a little." " Haven't you a nurse for all of those ehildrea 2" " No, indeed. It's as much as wo can do to clothe and feed them." "Don't you keep any servants at all ?" "Yes, we have a girl in the kitchen, hut she is almost as much bother as sho is worth." " How do you get along 2" " I hardly know—somewhat as the birds do out of doors." " Are you happy 2" "I've hardly time to think. I think I ani though ; happy as most people. Some days bright, come days cloudy, and now and then a storm. That's the way it is with all, I imagine. Wo all have our crosses, you know, but by-and- by all will come right." " I should be cross enough with all your crosses." "" They might make you patient. The crassest people I know are those who shun all crosses." "Now I think of it, I'm inclined to believe that's true," said Lottie reflect- ively. Then she whispered, as she walked slowly to the mother's side, " Baby is going to sleep, isn't it 2" With different expressions they both peered into the full -moon face, two features of which, the eyes, were bo - coming obliterated by the white droop- ing licks. Lottie looked as if she were examining a zoological specimen. Mrs. Dlimm dazed with a smile of deep con- tent and tenderness. Tho undisturbed rest of the child up- on her bosom was a typo of her own mind at that moment. She was nature's ebild, God's child, and the baba was hers. To the true and simple children of nature, who, without thought of self or the public eye, are quietly doing their duty in their own little niches, these moments of peace with strange thrills of joy are constantly coming. If this worn mother could look do'ivu upon the child, and her plain, pale fab grow beautiful with spiritual light, how must the God who inspires all love, who is the source of tenderness, have regarded her ? The expression of this woman's face puzzled Lottio beyond measure. It was so incongruous, irreconcilable, with tho burdens, the weary cares, and ceaseless toil and anxiety of her lot. It was so out of keeping with the noisy throng and confused bustle that filled the house, and it dimly suggested to the proud belle a condition of mind before undreamt of in her philosophy. Some now and carious thoughts stole into her heart as she watched tho mother slowly rocking backward and forward, nttcring a low crooning lullaby —the' gentlest sound that ever falls on mortal ears. For some reason there oamo into her soul a sudden loathing of hoe own selfishness and callousness. After the child had been laid in the cradle, sho asked, "What did you mean when you said ' It will all come right some day ?"' " Well, 1 suppose I meant that God's little children often get sorely perplexed with their cares and troubles in this world, but when we got home and sit down to rest and think it all over, it will than seem right" , "Home?" "" Yes, home iu our Heavouly Father's house. That's the only real home we have. We only ' stop as the Irish say, hero and there for a little while in this world," "" And do you think of heaven as a pleasant home and rest after what seems to enc your very hard life 2" " Certainly, how do you think of it?"" t' Well, to toll the truth, I have not thought much about it." Before Mts. Dlimm could reply there came anything but a heavenly interrup- tion. It was as if Moses and Aaron were within the cool andshadowy tabor - nacho feasting on spiritual manna, and tihero came a delegation from the Hebrew camp, clamoring for the " leeks and onions of Egypt." Though the congregation often said, ' "" It's a pity Mrs. Dlimm is such a meek and quiet little woman," and the self- appointed committee of ladies was so largo, and the minister himself was downstairs, yet whon the first zeal emergency of the evening arose, the tip - elide members of thio committee were helpless, awl the best thing Mrs. Gub- ling, the lcadiuqltr. spirit downstairs, could 1 d waStO "" al1GlC n r "aS She Saul+ and 'glad to make ,your acquaintance; olid she held cub her hand Width Mrs. Dlimn seemed glad to take. • At this nnbment,tbare camp the ere' o all 1111E111 from 61"13 Olt brie Lipper romee 0 1+ " go toll tiro parson's wife." Bab,sooin 1110. D11mm on the way alio beakedo hiiu aside with a portentous nod. fie, poor n1tan, 11Oard hot tidings with dls- • may. !relied fallen fete the Habit o2 cakini; ail his difficulties to the Leri {r his wife, and iu this ease he felt that both must come to hip aid. with Mrs. Gubling he at once had. hued to the nursery, and entered rather iseeeei el/repay, Mrs. Dinnui raised her fingoc ixapres• (`{j'°� C"°I` sive] , then poiuted to the cradle. Ott "But my dear---" began her hue - baud, rather impatiently. "Bush," said the wife in a low tone, :rhatever's the matter don't wake dee baby, for then I can't do anything." airs. Dlirnm," said Mrs. GubIrng, " they've eat up about everything there is downstairs, 'ceps mo, and there's three tables yet. It's such a fine night, and the sleighing's so good that lots ramie have come than we expected. I don't know how 010011 money they brought, but they hain't brought pro- visions enough. What shall we do?" asked Mr. Dlimm nervously. "" If it takes the last ponuy wo have in the world," said his wife with grave dignity, " no one shall leave our house hungry. You must step over to the store, Mr. Dlimm, and buy enough to satisfy every one." "I feel just as you do, my dear," ho said, with the air of one why sees duty clearly, though it is far from being agree- able. "" Just give mo our poor little hoard from your bureau drawer and I'll go at once. Lottie witnessed the scene with mingled amusement and indignation, and then with her face aglow with a sudden purpose, sped away also. CHAPTER T. HUMAN NATURE. The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been strip- ped and that scarcely even m pie re. maincd, soon became an open secret, about which every ono was whispering and commenting. The supporless wore a defrauded and injured air. The eyes of many who had not left se important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently. They had the comfortable consciousness of taking care of thempselves. But the greater number were honestly indignant and ashamed that such a thing should have happened. This feeling of morti- fication was increased when the com- mittee reported but a small sum of money handed in as yet. The majority were provoked at others, and a few at themselves, for having brought so little. As the situation becameclearer, all be- gan to act characteristically, some pre- paring to slink away and escape a dis- agreeable state of tbings, and others putting their Beads together in the wish to remedy matters. Some giggled, and others looked solemn. Some tried to appear resigned, as if it were a dispen- sation of Providence, and others snarled about "them mean Joneses and, Rbamms." Lottie hastily summoned her party together, and told them of the dire emergency, as Mrs. Gubling had stated it. "Now," said she, •"if you gentlemen havegotany wit worth tiro name, you must lit on some way of helping the par- son out of his scrape, for I have taken a ggrxeat interest in him, or rather bis wife. Sho is the queerest little woman I over saw. I shouldn't wonder if she wore an angel in disguise." " As you are undisguised," whispered De Forrest. " 011 be still, Julian. That compliment is as delicate as Auntie Lammer's appe- tits. But see, some of these mean ' locusts of Egypt,' after eating their minister out of house and home, aro pre- paring to go. We must get a collection before a soul leaves the house. Julian, you look the backdoor, and Ur. Hem. stead, you stand by the front door ; and uow, Mr. Harcourt, you are a lawyer, and know how to talk sharply to people : you give these cormorants to understand what wo expect then] to do, before they leave." Hemstead obeyed with alacrity 1 for the effort to help the overburdened pastor of Scrub Oaks meet the rigours of winter seemed abont to end in dis- astrous failure. He had noticed, with satisfaction, that many present shared his regret, and wished to do something, but through lack of leadership tho gathering was about to break rap, each once blaming some one else, and all secretly mortified at the result. Harcourt thought amement, and then stepping to a position where ho could bo seen through open doors and heard from the upper story, clapped his hands loudly to secure silence, and draw atten- tion to himself. " Do you know whore your pastor has gone 7" he asked. " I•Ie is out now buy- ing provisions with his own money to feed a crowd who came here under the false pretence to give a donation, but in truth, seemingly to eat him out of house and Home." Flushes of shame and auger flashed into nearly every face at these stinging words, but Harcourt continued remorselessly "You know who 1 awe and thought I knew -something about you. I had heard thatthe people back in the country were.large•banded, largo -heart. del,and liberal, but we must be mistaken. I think this the quinteessnce of mean- ness, and if you break rap tonight with- out a big collection, I will publish your throe hoot the land. I. want you to un- dersteed that your minister has nothing to do with what I say. I speak only me my even responsibility." "Capital!" whispered Lottie. "That was eed.hot shot, and they deserved it. If that don't drain their pockets, nothing will." Bat she was not a little surprised and disgusted, whon a sbalwart young fanner stopped out, and with a faro inflamed with angor, said in'aroh emphasis "I was sorry and ashamed to haw this affair olid me it promised to, and was geing to come down handsomely emelt, olid try to get some others to, f T6 1311 05NTTN1701,'