Shealwaysexplainedthatthecountrywasdreadfuldullforher,butgoodforthehens;theyalwayslaidsomuchbetterinthewintertime。
Lyddylikedtheplaceallthebetterforitsloneliness。
Shehadneverhadenoughofsolitude,andthisquiethome,withthesongoftheriverforcompany,ifoneneededmorecompanythanchickensandacat,satisfiedallherdesires,particularlyasitwasaccompaniedbyasnuglittleincomeoftwohundreddollarsayear,ameagresumthatseemedtoopenupmysteriousavenuesofjoytoherstarved,impatientheart。
Whenshewasamereinfant,herbrotherwasholdingheronhiskneebeforethegreatold-fashionedfireplaceheapedwithburninglogs。Asuddennoisestartledhim,andthecrowing,restlessbabygaveanunexpectedlurch,andslipped,facedownward,intotheglowingembers。Itwasafullminutebeforethehorror-strickenboycouldextricatethelittlecreaturefromthecruelflamethathadalreadydoneitsfatalwork。
Thebabyescapedwithherlife,butwasdisfiguredforever。
Asshegrewolder,thegentlehandoftimecouldnotentirelyeffacetheterriblescars。Onecheekwaswrinkledandcrimson,whileoneeyeandthemouthweredrawndownpathetically。
Theaccidentmighthavechangedthedispositionofanychild,butLyddychancedtobeasensitive,introspectivebitoffemininehumanity,inwhosememorytheburningflamewasneverquenched。
Hermother,partlytoconcealherownwoundedvanity,andpartlytoshieldthetimid,morbidchild,keptheroutofsightasmuchaspossible;sothatatsixteen,whenshewasleftanorphan,shehadlivedalmostentirelyinsolitude。
Shebecame,incourseoftime,akindofgeneralnurserygovernessinalargefamilyofmotherlesschildren。
Thefatherwasalmostalwaysawayfromhome;hissisterkeptthehouse,andLyddystayedinthenursery,bathingthebroodandputtingthemtobed,dressingtheminthemorning,andplayingwiththeminthesafeprivacyofthebackgardenortheopenattic。
Theylovedher,disfiguredasshewas,forthechilddespisesmereexternals,andexplorestheheartofthingstoseewhetheritbegoodorevil,——buttheycouldneverinducehertoseestrangers,nortojoinanygatheringofpeople。
Thechildrenweregrownandmarriednow,andLyddywasnearlyfortywhenshecameintopossessionofhouseandlandsandfortune;
forty,withtwentyyearsofunexpendedfeelingpentwithinher。
Forty,thatisratheroldtobeinteresting,butageisarelativematter。
Haven’tyouseengirlsoffour-and-twentywhohavenibbledandbeennibbledateversincetheyweresixteen,butwhohaveneithercaughtanythingnorbeencaught?Theyareold,ifyoulike,butLyddywasfortyandstillyoung,withhersusceptibilitiescherished,notdulled,andwithallthe\"languageofpassionfreshandrootedasthelovelyleafageaboutaspring。\"
IV。
\"HeshalldailyjoydispenseHidinsong’ssweetinfluence。\"
Emerson’s_Merlin。_
LyddyhadveryfewcallersduringherfirstmonthasapropertyownerinEdgewood。Herappearancewouldhavebeenagainstherwinningfriendseasilyinanycase,evenifshehadnotacquiredthehabitsofarecluse。
Ittookacertainamountoftime,too,forthecommunitytogetusedtothefactthatoldMrs。Butterfieldwasdead,andhernieceLyddyAnnlivinginthecottageontheriverroad。
TherewerenumbersofpeoplewhohadnotyetheardthatoldMrs。ButterfieldhadboughtthehousefromtheThatcherboys,andthatwasfifteenyearsago;butthiswasnotstrange,for,notwithstandingauntHitty’svaluableservicesindisseminatinggeneralinformation,therewasamanlivingontheBonnyEagleroadwhowassurprisedtohearthatDanielWebsterwasdead,andcomplainedthatfolkswerenotsolong-livedastheyusedtobe。
AuntHittythoughtLyddyaGothandaVandalbecauseshetookdownthetwentysilvercoffinplatesandlaidthemreverentlyaway。
\"Mis’Butterfieldwouldturninhergrave,\"shesaid,\"ifsheknewit。
Sheain’tmuchofahousekeeper,Iguess,\"shewenton,asshecutoverDr。Berry’soldtrousersintobrieferonesforTommyBerry。
\"Shegivesconsiderablestufftoherhensthatshe’dasightbetterheatoverandeatherself,inthesehardtimeswhenthemissionarysocietiescan’thardlykeeptheheathenfedandclothedandwarmed——no,Idon’tmeanwarmed,formosto’theheathensliveinhotclimates,somehowor’nother。
Mybackdoor’sjestoppositehers;it’sacrosstheriver,tobesure,butit’sthenarrerpart,andIcanseeeverythingshedoesasplainasdaylight。ShewashedaMonday,andsheain’ttakenherclothesinyet,andit’sThursday。Shemaybebleachin’of’emout,butitlooksslack。
IsaidtoSilastnightIshouldstandittill’boutFriday,——seein’’emlayonthegrassthere,butifshedidn’ttake’eminthen,Ishouldgooverandoffertohelpher。Shehasafireinthesettin’-room’mosteverynight,thoughweain’thadafrostyet;andasnear’sIcanmakeout,she’sgotfullredcurtainshangin’uptoherwindows。
Iain’tsure,forshedon’topentheblindsinthatroomtillI
getawayinthemorning,andsheshuts’embeforeIgetbackatnight。
Sidon’tknowredfromgreen,sohe’suselessinsuchmatters。
I’mgoinghomelateto-night,andwalkdownonthatsideo’theriver,so’tIcancallinafterdarkandseewhatmakesherhouselightupasifthesunwassettin’insideofit。\"
Asamatteroffact,Lyddywasrevelinginhouse-furnishingofahumblesort。Shehadapassionforcolor。Therewasared-and-whitestrawmattingonthesitting-roomfloor。
Recklessinthecertainpossessionoftwentydollarsamonth,shepurchasedyardsuponyardsofturkeyredcotton;
enoughtocoveramattressforthehigh-backedsettle,forlongcurtainsatthewindows,andforcushionstotherockers。
Sheknottedwhitefringesforthetablecoversandcurtains,paintedtheinsideofthefireplacered,putsomepots,ofscarletgeraniumsonthewindow-sills,fillednewspaperrackwithfernsandtackeditoveranuglyspotinthewall,edgedherwork-basketwithatuftedtrimmingofscarletworsted,andmadeanelaboratephotographcaseofwhitecrashandredcottonthatstretchedtheentirelengthoftheold-fashionedmantelshelf,andheldpicturesofMr。Reynolds,MissElviraReynolds,George,Susy,Anna,John,Hazel,Ella,andRufusReynolds,herformercharges。Whenallthiswasdone,shelightedalittleblazeonthehearth,tooktheredcurtainsfromtheirhands,letthemfallgracefullytothefloor,andsatdowninherrocking-chair,reconciledtoherexistenceforabsolutelythefirsttimeinherfortyyears。
IhopeMrs。ButterfieldwashappyenoughinParadisetoappreciateandfeelLyddy’sjoy。Icanevenbelieveshewasgladtohavedied,sinceherdyingcouldbringsuchcontenttoanywretchedlivinghumansoul。
AsLydiasatinthefirelight,theleftsideofherpoorfaceinshadow,yousawthatshewasdistinctlyharmonious。Herfigure,cladinplainblack-and-whitecalicodress,wasagraceful,womanlyone。
Shehadbeautifullyslopingshouldersandasweetwrist。Herhairwassoftandplentiful,andherhandswerefine,strong,andsensitive。
Thispossibilityofrarebeautymadeherscarsandburnsmorepitiful,forifacheapchromehassmirchacrossitsface,wethinkitamatterofnomoment,butwedeplorethesmallestscratchorbluronanyworkofrealart。
Lydiafeltalittlelessbitterandhopelessaboutlifewhenshesatinfrontofherownopenfire,afterherusualtwilightwalk。
Itwasherhabittowanderdownthewoodedroadafterhersimplefive-o’clocksupper,gatheringsfernsorgoldenrodorfrostflowersforhervases;andonenightsheheard,abovetheripplingoftheriver,thestrange,sweet,piercingsoundofAnthonyCroft’sviolin。
Shedrewnearer,andsawa,middle-agedmansittinginthekitchendoorway,withaladoftenortwelveyearsleaningagainsthisknees。
Shecouldtelllittleofhisappearance,savethathehadahighforehead,andhairthatwavedwellbackfromitinratheranunusualfashion。
Hewasinhisshirt-sleeves,buttheginghamwasscrupulouslyclean,andhehadtheuncommonrefinementofacollarandnecktie。
Outofsightherself,Lyddydrewnearenoughtohear;andthisshedideverynightwithoutrecognizingthatthemusicianwasblind。
Themusichadacuriouseffectuponher。Itwasahithertounknowninfluenceinherlife,anditinterpretedher,sotospeak,toherself。
Asshesatonthebedofbrownpineneedles,underafriendlytree,herheadrestingagainstitstrunk,hereyeshalfclosed,thetoneofAnthony’sviolincamelikeaheavenlymessagetoatired,despairingsoul。
RememberthatinhersecludedlifeshehadheardonlysuchharmonyasElviraReynoldsevokedfromherpianoorGeorgeReynoldsfromhisflute,andtheReynoldstemperamentwasdistinctlyinartistic。
Lyddylivedthroughalifetimeofemotioninthesetwilightconcerts。
Sometimesshewasfilledwithanexquisitemelancholyfromwhichtherewasnoescape;atothers,theetherealpurityofthestrainstirredherheartwithastrange,sweetvisionofmysteriousjoy;joythatshehadneverpossessed,wouldneverpossess;joywhosebareexistencesheneverbeforerealized。
Whenthelownotessanklowerandlowerwiththeirsoftwailofdeliciouswoe,shebentforwardintothedark,dreadingthatsomethingwouldbelostintheverystruggleoflistening;then,aftera,pause,apurehumantonewouldbreakthestillness,andsoaring,bird-like,higherandhigher,seemtomounttoheavenitself,and,\"piercingitsstarryfloors,\"
liftpoorscarredLydia’ssoultotheverygratesofinfinitebliss。
Inthegentlemoodsthatstoleuponherinthosesummertwilightsshebecameadifferentwoman,softerinherprosperitythanshehadeverbeeninheradversity;forsomeplantsonlyblossominsunshine。
Whatwonderiftoherthemusicandthemusicianbecameone?
Itissometimesadangerousthingtofusethemanandhistalentsinthisway;butitdidnoharmhere,forAnthonyCroftwashismusic,andthemusicwasAnthonyCroft。Whenheplayedonhisviolin,itwasasifthemiracleofitsfashioningwereagainenacted;asifthebirdonthequiveringbough,themellowsunshinestreamingthroughthelatticeofgreenleaves,thetinkleofthewoodlandstream,spokeineverytone;
andmorethanthis,thehearth-glowinwhoselightthepatienthandshadworked,thebreathofthesoulbendingitselfinpassionateprayerforperfection,these,too,seemedtohavewroughttheirblessedinfluenceonthewillingstringsuntilthetonewasladenwithspiritualharmony。
Onemightindeedhavesungofthislittleredviolin——thatlookedtoLyddy,inthesunsetglow,asifitwereveneeredwithrubies——allthatShelleysangofanotherperfectinstrument:——
\"TheartistwhothisviolwroughtToechoallharmoniousthought,Fell’datree,whileonthesteepThewoodswereintheirwintersleep,Rock’dinthatreposedivineOfthewind-sweptApennine;
Anddreaming,someofAutumnpast,AndsomeofSpringapproachingfast,AndsomeofAprilbudsandshowers,AndsomeofsongsinJulybowers,Andalloflove;andsothistree——
Othatsuchourdeathmaybe!——
Diedinsleep,andfeltnopain,Toliveinhappierformagain。\"
Theviol\"whispersinenamouredtone:\"——
\"Sweetoraclesofwoodsanddells,Andsummerwindyillsylvancells;……
Theclearestechoesofthehills,Thesoftestnotesoffallingrills,Themelodiesofbirdsandbees,Themurmuringofsummerseas,Andpatteringrain,andbreathingdew,Andairsofevening;allitknew……
——Allthisitknows,butwillnottellTothosewhocannotquestionwellThespiritthatinhabitsit;……
But,sweetlyasitsanswerswillFlatterhandsofperfectskill,Itkeepsitshighest,holiesttoneForonebelovedFriendalone。\"
Lyddyheardtheviolinandtheman’svoiceashetalkedtothechild,——
heardthemnightafternight;andwhenshewenthometothelittlebrownhousetolightthefireonthehearthandletdownthewarmredcurtains,shefellintosweet,sadreveries;andwhensheblewouthercandleforthenight,shefellasleepanddreamednewdreams,andherheartwasstirredwiththerustlingofnew-bornhopesthatroseandtookwinglikebirdsstartledfromtheirnests。
V。
\"Norscourtheseas,norsiftmankind,Apoetorafriendtofind:
Behold,hewatchesatthedoor!
Beholdhisshadowonthefloor!\"
Emerson’s_Saadi。_
LyddyButterfield’shenturkeywasofarovingdisposition。
ShehadneverappreciatedherluxuriouscountryquartersinEdgewood,andwasseeminglyanxioustoreturntothemodestbackyardinhernativecity。
Atanyrate,shewasinthehabitofstrayingfarfromhome,andthehabitwasgrowinguponhertosuchanextentthatshewouldevenleadherdocilelittlegobblersdowntovisitAnthonyCroft’shensandsharetheircorn。
Lyddyhadcaughtheratitonce,andwasnowpursuinghertothatendforthesecondtime。Shepausedinfrontofthehouse,buttherewerenoturkeystobeseen。Couldtheyhavewanderedupthehillroad,——thediscontented,\"traipsing,\"exasperatingthings?
Shestartedinthatdirection,whensheheardacrashintheCroftkitchen,andthenthesoundofaboy’svoicecomingfromaninnerroom,——
aweakandquerulousvoice,asifthechildwereill。
Shedrewnearer,inspiteofherdreadofmeetingpeople,oraboveallofintruding,andsawAnthonyCroftstandingoverthestove,withanexpressionofutterhelplessnessonhisusuallyplacidface。
Shehadneverreallyseenhimbeforeinthedaylight,andtherewassomethingabouthisappearancethatstartledher。
Theteakettlewasonthefloor,andaseaofwaterwasfloodingtheman’sfeet,yetheseemedtobegazingintovacancy。
Presentlyhestooped,andfumbledgropinglyforthekettle。
Itwastoohottobetouchedwithimpunity,andhefinallyleftitinadespairingsortofway,andwalkedinthedirectionofashelf,fromunderwhicharowofcoatswashanging。Theboycalledagaininalouderandmoreinsistenttone,endinginawhimperofrestlesspain。
Thisseemedtomakethemanmorenervousthanever。
Hishandswentpatientlyoverandovertheshelf,thenpausedateachseparatenail。
\"Blessthepoordear!\"thoughtLyddy。\"Ishetryingtofindhishat,orwhatishetryingtodo?Iwonderifheismusicmad?\"
andshedrewstillnearerthesteps。
Atthismomentheturnedandcamerapidlytowardthedoor。
Shelookedstraightinhisface。Therewasnomistakingit:
hewasblind。Themagicianwhohadtoldherthroughhisviolinsecretsthatshehadscarcelydreamedof,thewizardwhohadsetherhearttothrobbingandachingandlongingasithadneverthrobbedandachedandlongedbefore,thebeingwhohadwornahaloofromanceandgeniustohersimplemind,wasstone-blind!Awaveofimpetuousanguish,assharpandpassionateasanyshehadeverfeltforherownmisfortunes,sweptoverhersoulatthespectacleoftheman’shelplessness。Hissightlesseyesstruckherlikeablow。
Buttherewasnotimetolose。Shewasdirectlyinhispath:
ifshestoodstillhewouldcertainlywalkoverher,andifshemovedhewouldhearher,so,onthespurofthemoment,shegaveanervouscoughandsaid,\"Good-morning,Mr。Croft。\"
Hestoppedshort。\"Whoisit?\"heasked。
\"Iam——itis——Iam——yournewneighbor,\"saidLyddy,withatremblingattemptatcheerfulness。
\"Oh,MissButterfield!Ishouldhavecalleduptoseeyoubeforethisifithadn’tbeenfortheboy’ssickness。
ButIamagood-for-nothingneighbor,asyouhavedoubtlessheard。
Nobodyexpectsanythingofme。\"
(\"Nobodyexpectsanythingofme。\"Herownplaint,utteredinherowntone!)
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat,\"sheansweredswiftly。
\"You’vegivenme,forone,agreatdealofpleasurewithyourwonderfulmusic。Ioftenhearyouasyouplayaftersupper,andithaskeptmefrombeinglonesome。Thatisn’tverymuch,tobesure。\"
\"Youarefondofmusic,then?\"
\"Ididn’tknowIwas;Ineverheardanybefore,\"saidLyddysimply;
\"butitseemstohelppeopletosaythingstheycouldn’tsayforthemselves,don’tyouthinkso?Itcomfortsmeeventohearit,andIthinkitmustbestillmorebeautifultomakeit。\"
Now,LyddyAnnButterfieldhadnosoonerutteredthiscommonplacespeechthanthereflectiondartedthroughhermindlikealightningflashthatshehadneverspokenabitofherheartoutlikethisinallherlifebefore。
Thereasoncametoherinthesameflash:shewasnotbeinglookedat;herdisfiguredfacewashidden。Thisman,atleast,couldnotshrink,turnaway,shiver,affectindifference,fixhiseyesonherswithafascinatedhorror,asothershaddone。
Herheartwasdividedbetweenagreatthrobofpityandsympathyforhimandanirresistiblesenseofgratitudeforherself。
Sureofprotectionandcomprehension,herlovelysoulcameoutofherpooreyesandsatinthesunshine。
Shespokehermindatease,asweuttersacredthingssometimesundercoverofdarkness。
\"Youseemtohavehadanaccident;whatcanIdotohelpyou?\"sheasked。
\"Nothing,thankyou。Theboyhasbeensickforsomedays,butheseemsworsesincelastnight。Nothingisinitsrightplaceinthehouse,soIhavegivenuptryingtofindanything,andamjustgoingtoEdgewoodtoseeifsomebodywillhelpmeforafewdays。\"
\"UncleTony!UncleTo-ny!whereareyou?Dogivemeanotherdrink,I’msohot!\"cametheboy’svoicefromwithin。
\"Coming,laddie!Idon’tbelieveheoughttodrinksomuchwater,butwhatcanIdo?Heisburningupwithfever。\"
\"Nowlookhere,Mr。Croft,\"andLydia’stonewascheerfullydecisive。
\"Yousitdowninthatrocker,please,andletmecommandtheshipforawhile。Thisisoneofthecaseswhereawomanisnecessary。
Firstandforemost,whatwereyouhuntingfor?\"
\"Myhatandthebutter,\"saidAnthonymeekly,andatthisuniquecombinationtheybothlaughed。
Lyddy’slaughwasparticularlyfresh,childlike,andpleased;
onethatwouldhaveastonishedtheReynoldschildren。
ShehadseldomlaughedheartilysincelittleRufushadcriedandtoldhershefrightenedhimwhenshetwistedherfaceso。
\"Yourhatisinthewood-box,andI’llfindthebutterinthetwinklingofaneye,thoughwhyyouwantitnowismorethan——Mypatience,Mr。Croft,yourhandisburnedtoablister!\"
\"Don’tmindme。Begoodenoughtolookattheboyandtellmewhatailshim;nothingelsemattersmuch。\"
\"Iwillwithpleasure,butletmeeaseyoualittlefirst。
Here’saragthatwillbejustthething,\"andLyddy,suitingtheprettyactiontothemendaciousworn,tookagoodhandkerchieffromherpocketandtoreitinthreestrips,afterspreadingitwithtallowfromacandleheatedoverthestove。
Thisdone,shehounduptheburnedhandskillfully,and,crossingthedining-room,disappearedwithinthelittlechamberdoorbeyond。
Shecameoutpresently,andsaidhalfhesitatingly,\"Wouldyou——mindgoingoutintheorchardforanhourorso?
Youseemtoberatherinthewayhere,andIshouldliketheplacetomyself,ifyou’llexcusemeforsayingso。
I’meversomuchmorecapablethanMrs。Buck;won’tyougivemeatrial,sir?Here’syourviolinandyourhat。
I’llcallyouifyoucanhelporadviseme。\"
\"ButIcan’tletastrangercomeinanddomyhousework,\"heobjected。
\"Ican’t,youknow,thoughIappreciateyourkindnessallthesame。\"
\"Iamyournearestneighbor,andyouronlyone,forthatmatter,\"
saidLyddyfirmly;\"itsnothingmorethanrightthatIshouldlookafterthatsickchild,andImustdoit。Ihaven’tgotathingtodoinmyownhouse。
Iamnothingbutapoorlonelyoldmaid,who’sbeenusedtochildrenallherlife,andlikesnothingbetterthantoworkoverthem。\"
AcalmsettleduponAnthony’sperturbedspirit,ashesatundertheapple-treesandheardLyddygoingtoandfrointhecottage。
\"Sheisn’tanyoldmaid,\"hethought;\"shedoesn’tsteplikeone;
shehassoftshoesandaspringywalk。Shemustbeaveryhandsomewoman,withahandlikethat;andsuchavoice!
Iknewthemomentshespokethatshedidn’tbelonginthisvillage。\"
Asamatteroffact,hiskeenearhadcaughtthemelodyinLyddy’svoice,avoicefullofdignity,sweetness,andreservepower。
Hissenseoftouch,too,hadcapturedthebeautyofherhand,andhelditinremembrance,——thesoftpalm,thefineskin,supplefingers,smoothnails,andfirmroundwrist。
ThesecharmswouldneverhavebeennotedbyanyseeingmaninEdgewood,buttheywererevealedtoAnthonyCroftwhileLyddy,likethegoodSamaritan,bounduphiswounds。
Itisthesesavingstarsthatlighttheeternaldarknessoftheblind。
LyddythoughtshehadmetherWaterloowhen,witharmsakimbo,shegazedabouttheCroftestablishment,whichwasasceneofdesolationforthemoment。Anthony’scousinfromBridgtonwasinthehabitofvisitinghimeverytwomonthsforasolemnhouse-cleaning,andMrs。BuckfromPleasantRivercameeverySaturdayandMondayforbakingandwashing。
BetweentimesDavyandhisuncledidthehouseworktogether;
andalthoughitwasrespectablydone,therewasnopink-and-whitedaintinessaboutit,youmaybesure。
Lyddycameouttotheapple-treesinaboutanhour,laughingalittlenervouslyasshesaid,\"I’msorrytohavetakenameanadvantageofyou,Mr。Croft,butIknoweverythingyou’vegotinyourhouse,andexactlywhereitis。
Icouldn’thelpit,yousee,whenIwasmakingthingstidy。
Itwoulddoyougoodtoseetheboy。Hisroomwastoolight,andthefliesweredevouringhim。Iswepthimanddustedhim,putoncleansheetsandpillowslips,spongedhimwithbayrum,brushedhishair,droveouttheflies,andtackedagreencurtainuptothewindow。Fifteenminutesafterhewassleepinglikeakitten。Hehasasorethroatandconsiderablefever。
Couldyou——canyou——atleast,willyou,gouptomyhouseonanerrand?\"
\"CertainlyIcan。Iknowitinsideandoutaswellasmyown。\"
\"Verygood。Ontheclockshelfinthesitting-roomthereisabottleofsweetspiritsofnitre;it’stheonlybottlethere,soyoucan’tmakeanymistake。Itwillhelpuntilthedoctorcomes。
Iwonderyoudidn’tsendforhimyesterday?\"
\"Davywouldn’thavehim,\"apologizedhisuncle。
\"Wouldn’the?\"saidLyddywithcheerfulscorn。
\"Hehasyouunderprettygoodcontrol,hasn’the?
Butchildrenareunmercifultyrants。\"
\"Couldn’tyoucoaxhimintoitbeforeyougohome?\"askedAnthonyinawheedlingvoice。
\"Icantry;butitisn’tlikelyIcaninfluencehim,ifyoucan’t。Still,ifwebothfail,Ireallydon’tseewhat’stopreventoursendingforthedoctorinspiteofhim。
Heisasweakasababy,youknow,andcan’tsitupinbed:
whatcouldhedo?Iwillrisktheconsequences,ifyouwill!\"
Therewasanoteofsuchamiableandwinningsarcasminallthis,suchacheery,invinciblecourage,suchafriendlyneighborlinessandcooperation,aboveallsuchadifferenttonefromanyhewasaccustomedtohearinEdgewood,thatAnthonyCroftfeltwarmedthroughtothecore。
Ashewalkedquicklyalongtheroad,heconjuredupavisionofautumnbeautyfromthefewhintsnaturegaveeventohersightlessonesonthisgloriousmorning,——therustleofafewfallenleavesunderhisfeet,theclearwineoftheair,thefullrushoftheswollenriver,thewhiskingofthesquirrelsintheboughs,thecrunchoftheirteethonthenuts,thespicyodoroftheappleslyingunderthetrees。
Hemissedhismotherthatmorningmorethanhehadmissedherforyears。
Howneatshewas,howthrifty,howcomfortable,andhowcomforting!
Hislifewassodrearyandaimless;andwasitthebestortherightoneforDavy,withhistalentanddawningambition?WoulditnotbebettertohaveMrs。Bucklivewiththemaltogether,insteadofcomingtwiceaweek,asheretofore?No;heshrankfromthatwithahopelessaversionbornofSaturdayandMondaydinnersinhercompany。Hecouldhearherpourhercoffeeintothesaucer;hearthescrapingofthecupontherim,andknowthatshewassettingitsloppilydownonthecloth。Hecouldrememberhernoisydrinking,theweightofherelbowonthetable,thecreakingofhercalicodressunderthepressureofsuperabundantflesh。
Besides,shehadtriedtoscrubhisfavoriteviolinwithsapolio。
No,anythingwasbetterthanMrs。Buckasaconstancy。
HetookoffhishatunconsciouslyasheenteredLyddy’ssitting-room。
Agentlebreezeblewoneofthefullredcurtainstowardshimtillitflutteredabouthisshoulderslikeafrolicsome,teasinghand。
Therewasasweet,pungentodorofpineboughs,acanarysanginthewindow,theclockwastrimmedwithablackberryvine;heknewtheprickles,andtheycalleduptohismindtheglowingtintshehadlovedsowell。
Hissensitivehand,thatcarriedadiviningrodineveryfinger-tip,metavaseontheshelf,and,travelingupward,touchedafullbranchofalderberriestiedaboutwitharibbon。Theribbonwouldbered;
thewomanwhoarrangedthisroomwouldmakenomistake;forinonemorningAnthonyCrofthadpenetratedthesecretofLyddy’struepersonality,andinameasurehadsoundedtheshallowsthatledtothedepthsofhernature。
Lyddywenthomeatseveno’clockthatnightratherreluctantly。
ThedoctorhadsaidMr。Croftcouldsitupwiththeboyunlesshegrewmuchworse,andtherewasnoproprietyinherstayinglongerunlesstherewasdanger。
\"Youhavebeenverygoodtome,\"Anthonysaidgravely,asheshookherhandatparting,——\"verygood。\"
Theystoodtogetheronthedoorstep。Adistantbell,calledtoeveningprayer-meeting;therestlessmurmuroftheriverandthewhisperofthewindinthepinesbrokethetwilightstillness。
Thelong,quietdaytogether,partofitspentbythesickchild’sbedside,hadbroughtthetwostrangerscuriouslyneartoeachother。
\"Thehousehasn’tseemedsosweetandfreshsincemymotherdied,\"
hewenton,ashedroppedherhand,\"andIhaven’thadsomanyflowersandgreenthingsinitsinceIlostmyeyesight。\"
\"Wasitlongago?\"
\"Tenyears。Isthatlong?\"
\"Longtobearaburden。\"
\"Ihopeyouknowlittleofburden-bearing?\"
\"Iknowlittleelse。\"
\"ImighthaveguesseditfromthealacritywithwhichyoutookupDavy’sandmine。Youmustbeveryhappytohavethepowertomakethingsstraightandsunnyandwholesome;
tobreatheyourstrengthintohelplessnesssuchasmine。
Ithankyou,andIenvyyou。Good-night。\"
Lyddyturnedonherheelwithoutaword;hermindwasbeyondandabovewords。Theskyseemedtohavedescendedupon,envelopedher,caughtherupintoitsheaven,assheroseintounaccustomedheightsoffeeling,likeElijahinhischariotoffire。Sheveryhappy!
Shewithpower,powertomakethingsstraightandsunnyandwholesome!
Sheabletobreathestrengthintohelplessness,evenaconsecrated,Godsmittenhelplessnesslikehis!Shenotonlytobethanked,butenvied!
Herhouseseemedstrangetoherthatnight。
Shewenttobedinthedark,dreadingeventhelightofacandle;
andbeforesheturneddownhercounterpanesheflungherselfonherknees,andpouredouthersoulinaprayerthathadbeengrowing,waiting,andwaitedfor,perhaps,foryears:——
\"OLord,IthankTheeforhealthandstrengthandlife。
Inevercoulddoitbefore,butIthankTheeto-nightforlifeonanyterms。IthankTheeforthishome;forthechanceofhelpinganotherhumancreature,strickenlikemyself;
fortheprivilegeofministeringtoamotherlesschild。
Makemetolongonlyforthebeautyofholiness,andtobesatisfiedifIattaintoit。Washmysoulpureandclean,andletthatbetheonlymirrorinwhichIseemyface。
Ihavetriedtobeuseful。Forgivemeifitalwaysseemedsohardanddrearyalife。ForgivemeifIamtoohappybecauseforoneshortdayIhavereallyhelpedinabeautifulway,andfoundafriendwhosaw,becausehewasblind,therealmeunderneath;themethatneverwasburnedbythefire;
themethatisn’tdisfigured,unlessmywickeddiscontenthasdoneit;themethathaslivedonandonandon,starvingtodeathforthefriendshipandsympathyandlovethatcometootherwomen。Ihavespentmyfortyyearsinthewilderness,feedingonwrathandbitternessandtears。
Forgiveme,Lord,andgivemeonemorevisionoftheblessedlandofCanaan,evenifIneverdwellthere。\"
VI。
\"NorlesstheeternalpolesOftendencydistributesouls。
ThereneednovowstobindWhomnoteachotherseek,butfind。\"
Emerson’s_CelestialLove。_
Davy’ssicknesswasalingeringone。Mrs。Buckcamefortwoorthreehoursaday,butLyddywastheself-installedangelofthehouse;
andbeforeaweekhadpassedtheboy’sthinarmswerearoundherneck,hisheadonherlovingshoulder,andhischeekpressedagainsthers。
Anthonycouldhearthemtalk,ashesatinthekitchenbusyathiswork。Musicalinstrumentswerestillbroughthimtorepair,thoughlessfrequentlythanofyore,andhecouldstillmakemanypartsofviolinsfarbetterthanhisseeingcompetitors。
Afriendandpupilsatbyhissideinthewintereveningsandsupplementedhisweakness,helpingandlearningalternately,whilehisblindmaster’sskillfilledhimwithwonderanddespair。
Theyearsofstruggleforperfectionhadnotbeenwasted;
andthoughtheeyethatoncedetectedthedeviationofahair’sbreadthcouldnolongertellthetruefromthefalse,yetnaturehadbeenbusywithherdivineworkofcompensation。
Theonesensestrickenwithdeath,shepouredfloodsofnewlifeandvigorintotheothers。Touchbecamesomethingmorethanthestupid,emptygraspofthingsweseeingmortalsknow,andinplaceofthetwoeyeshehadlosthenowhadtenineveryfinger-tip。Asforodors,letotherfolksbeproudofsmellingmuskandlavender,butlethimtellyoubyaquiverofthenostrilsthevariouskindsofso-calledscentlessflowers,andlethimbendhisearandinterpretsecretsthattheuniverseiseverwhisperingtouswhoarepentinpartialdeafnessbecause,forsooth,wesee。
HeoftenpausedtohearLydia’slow,soothingtonesandtheboy’sweaktreble。Anthonyhadsaidtohimonce,\"MissButterfieldisverybeautiful,isn’tshe,Davy?Youhaven’tpaintedmeapictureofheryet。
Howdoesshelook?\"
Davywasstrickenatfirstwithsilentembarrassment。
Hewasatruthfulchild,butinthishecouldnomorehavetoldthewholetruththanhecouldhavecutoffhishand。
HewasknittoLyddybyeverytieofgratitudeandaffection。
Hewouldsitforhourswithhisexpectantfacepressedagainstthewindow-pane,andwhenhesawhercomingdowntheshadyroadhewasfilledwithasenseofimpendingcomfortandjoy。
\"NO,\"hesaidhesitatingly,\"sheisn’tpretty,nunky,butshe’ssweetandniceanddear,Everythingonhershines,it’ssoclean;andwhenshecomesthroughthetrees,withherwhiteapronandherpurplecalicodress,yourheartjumps,becauseyouknowshe’sgoingtomakeeverythingpleasant。
Herhairhasaprettywaveinit,andherhandissoftonyourforehead;
andit’smostworthwhilebeingsickjusttohaveherinthehouse。\"
Meanwhile,sotrulyis\"praiseourfructifyingsun,\"Lydiabloomedintoahundredhithertounsuspectedgracesofmindandheartandspeech。
Aslysenseofhumorwokeintolife,andapositivetalentforconversation,latenthithertobecauseshehadneverknownanyonewhocaredtodropaplummetintothecrystalspringsofherconsciousness。
Whentheviolinwaslaidaway,shewouldsitinthetwilight,byDavy’ssofa,histhinhandinhers,andtalkwithAnthonyaboutbooksandflowersandmusic,andaboutthemeaningoflife,too,——itsburdensandmistakes,andjoysandsorrows;gropingwithhiminthedarknesstofindacluetoGod’spurposes。
DavyhadlongafternoonsatLyddy’shouseastheautumngrewintowinter。Hereadtoherwhileshesewedragsforanewsitting-roomcarpet,andtheyplayeddominoesandcheckerstogetherinthetwilightbeforesuppertime,——
suppersthatwereafeasttotheboy,afterMrs。Buck’scookery。
Anthonybroughthisviolinsometimesofanevening,andAlmiraBerry,thenextneighborontheroadtotheMills,woulddropinandjointhelittleparty。AlmirausedtosingAuldRobinGray,WhatWillYouDo,Love,andRobinAdair,tothegreatenjoymentofeverybody;andshepersuadedLyddytobuytheoldchurchmelodeon,andlearntosingaltoinOh,WertThouintheCauldBlast,Gently,GentlySighstheBreeze,andIknowaBank。Nobodysighedforthegayetiesandadvantagesofagreatcitywhen,theseconcertsbeingover,Lyddywouldpasscrispseedcakesandraspberryshrub,doughnutsandcider,orhotpoppedcornandmolassescandy。
\"Butthere,shecanaffordto,\"saidauntHittyTarbox;
\"she’sprettymiddlin’wealthyforEdgewood。Andit’sluckysheis,forshe’boutfeedsthatboyo’Croft’s。Nowonderhewantshertofillhimup,aftersixyearsoftheWidderBuck’svictuals。AureliaBuckcantakegoodflourandsugar,sweetbutterandfresheggs,andintenstrokesofherhandshecanmake’emintosomethingtheveryhogs’llturnawayfrom。
Ideclare,itbringsthetearstomyeyessometimeswhenIseehercomingoutofCroft’sSaturdayafternoons,andthinkofthestonecrocksfullofnastymessesshe’sleftbehindherforthatinnocentmanandboytoeatup……
AnthonygoestoseeMissButterfieldconsid’ableoften。
Ofcourseit’sawstensiblytowalkhomewithDavy,ordoanerrandorsomething,buteverybodyknowsbetter。
ShewentdowntoCroft’sprettynearlyeverydaywhenhiscousinfromBridgtoncometohouse-clean。Shesuspicionedsomething,Iguess。Anyhow,sheaskedmeifMissButterfield’stwohundredayearwasingov’mentbonds。Anthony’seyesightain’tgood,butIguesshecouldmakeouttocutcowponsoff……Itwouldbestrangeifthemtwoleft-oversshouldtakean’
marryeachother;though,cometothinkofit,Idon’tknow’s’twouldneither。He’sblind,tobesure,andcan’tseeherscarredface。It’sapitysheain’tdeef,so’tshecan’thearhiseverlastin’fiddle。She’sluckytogetanykindofahusband;she’stoohumblytochoose。
Ideclare,sheremindsmeofaJack-o’-lantern,thoughifyoulookatthebackofher,orseeherinmeetin’
withathickveilon,she’saboutthebestappearin’womaninEdgewood……IneverseeanybodystiffenupasAnthonyhas。
Hehadmemakehimthreewhiteshirtsandthreeginghamones,withcollarsandcuffsonallof’em。Itseemsasifsixshirtsatonetimemustmeansomethingouto’thecommon!\"
AuntHittywasright;itdidmeansomethingoutofthecommon。
Itmeantthegrowthofanall-engrossing,grateful,divinelytenderpassionbetweentwolove-starvedsouls。
Ontheonehand,Lyddy,whothoughshehadscarcelyknownthemeaningofloveinallherdrearylife,yetwasasfulltothebrimofallsweet,womanlypossibilitiesoflovingandgivingasanyprettywoman;ontheother,theblindviolin-maker,whohadneverlovedanywomanbuthismother,andwhowasinthedirestneedofwomanlysympathyandaffection。
AnthonyCroft,beingministereduntobyLyddy’skindhands,hearinghersweetvoiceandhersoftfootstep,sawherasGodsees,knowingthebest;forgivingtheworst,likeGod,andforgettingit,stillmorelikeGod,Ithink。
AndLyddy?ThereisnopenworthytowriteofLyddy。
Herjoylaydeepinherheartlikeajewelatthebottomofaclearpool,sodeepthatnorippleorruffleonthesurfacecoulddisturbthehiddentreasure。IfGodhadsmittenthesetwowithonehand,hehadheldouttheotherintenderbenediction。
TherehadbeenapitifulsceneofunspeakablesolemnitywhenAnthonyfirsttoldLyddythathelovedher,andaskedhertobehiswife。Hehadheardallhersadhistorybythistime,thoughnotfromherownlips,andhisheartwentouttoherallthemorefortheheavycrossthathadbeenlaiduponher。
Hehadthewitandwisdomtoputherafflictionquiteoutofthequestion,andalludeonlytohersacrificeinmarryingablindman,hopelesslyandhelplesslydependentonhersweetofficesfortherestofhislife,ifshe,inherwomanlymercy,wouldlovehimandhelphimbearhisburdens。
WhenhistenderwordsfelluponLyddy’sdazedbrainshesankbesidehischair,and,claspinghisknees,sobbed:
\"Iloveyou,Icannothelplovingyou,IcannothelptellingyouIloveyou!Butyoumusthearthetruth;
youhavehearditfromothers,butperhapstheysoftenedit。
IfImarryyou,peoplewillalwaysblamemeandpityyou。
Youwouldneveraskmetobeyourwifeifyoucouldseemyface;
youcouldnotlovemeaninstantifyouwerenotblind。\"
\"ThenIthankGodunceasinglyformyinfirmity,\"saidAnthonyCroft,asheraisedhertoherfeet……
AnthonyandLyddyCroftsatintheappleorchard,onewarmdayinlatespring。
Anthony’sworkwouldhavepuzzledacasualon-looker。Tenstoutwireswerestretchedbetweentwotrees,fifteenortwentyfeetapart,andeachgroupoffiverepresentedthelinesofthemusicalstaff。
Woodenbarscrossedthewiresatregularintervals,dividingthestaffintomeasures。Aboxwithmanycompartmentssatonastoolbesidehim,andthisheldbitsofwoodthatlookedlikepegs,butwereinrealitywhole,half,quarter,andeighthnotes,rests,flats,sharps,andthelike。
Thesewerecleftinsuchawaythathecouldfitthemonthewiresalmostasrapidlyashismusicalthemecametohim,andLyddyhadlearnedtotranscribewithpenandinkthemusicshefoundinwoodandwire,Hecouldwriteonlysimpleairsinthisway,butwhenheplayedthemontheviolintheyweretransportedintoaloftierregion,suchgeniuslayintheharmony,thearabesque,thedelicatelaceworkofembroiderywithwhichthetunewasinwrought;nowhigh,nowlow,nowmajor,nowminor,nowsad,nowgay,withtheonethrilling,hauntingcadencerecurringagainandagain,tobewatchedfor,longedfor,andgreetedwithathrobofdelight。
Davywasreadingatthewindow,hiscurlyheadburiedinawell-wornShakespeareopenedatMidsummerNight’sDream。
Lyddywassittingunderherfavoritepinkapple-tree,amassoffragrantbloom,morebeautifulthanAurora’smorninggown。
Shewassewing;liningwithsnowylawninnumerablepocketsinasquarebasketthatsheheldinherlap。Thepocketsweresmall,theneedleswerefine,thethreadwasalengthofcobweb。
Everythingaboutthebasketwassmallexceptthehopesthatshewasstitchingintoit;theyweresogreatthatherheartcouldscarcelyholdthem。Naturewasstirringeverywhere。
Theseedswerespringinginthewarmearth。Thehenswerecluckingtotheirdownychicksjustoutoftheegg。
Thebirdswereflyinghitherandthitherintheappleboughs,andtherewasonelittlehomeofstrawsohungthatLyddycouldlookintoitandseethepatientmotherbroodinghernestlings。
Thesightofherbrighteyes,alertforeverysignofdanger,sentarushoffeelingthroughLyddy’sveinsthatmadeherlongtoclaspthelittlefeatheredmothertoherownbreast。
Asweetgravityandconsecrationofthoughtpossessedher,andthepinkblossomsfallingintoherbasketwerenotmoredelicatethantherose-coloreddreamsthatflushedhersoul。
Anthonyputinthelastwoodenpeg,andtakinguphisviolincalled,\"Davy,lad,comeoutandtellmewhatthismeans!\"
Davywasusedtothis;fromaweeboyhehadbeenaskedtopaintthechanginglandscapeofeachday,andtoputintowordshisuncle’smusic。
Lyddydroppedherneedle,thebirdsstoppedtolisten,andAnthonyplayed。
\"ItisthisappleorchardinMaytime,\"saidDavy;
\"itisthesongofthegreenthingsgrowing,isn’tit?\"
\"Whatdoyousay,dear?\"askedAnthony,turningtohiswife。
LoveandhopehadmadeapoetofLyddy。\"IthinkDavyisright,\"
shesaid。\"Itisadreamofthefuture,thestoryofallnewandbeautifulthingsgrowingoutoftheold。Itisfullofthesweetnessofpresentjoy,butthereispromiseandhopeinitbesides。
ItisliketheSpringsittinginthelapofWinter,andholdingababySummerinherbosom。\"
Davydidnotquiteunderstandthis,thoughhethoughtitpretty;
butLyddy’shusbanddid,andwhentheboywentbacktohisbooks,hetookhiswifeinhisarmsandkissedhertwice,——onceforherself,andthenonceagain。
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
THEEVENTFULTRIPOFTHEMIDNIGHTCRY。
InthelittlevillagesalongtheSacoRiver,intheyear1850orthereabouts,thearrivalanddepartureofthestage-coachwastheoneexcitingincidentoftheday。
Itdidnotrunonscheduletimeinthosedays,butstartedfromLimingtonorSaco,asthecasemightbe,ataboutorsomewherenearacertainhour,andarrivedattheotherendoftheroutewheneveritgotthere。Therewerenotrainstomeet(therailwaypopularlyknownasthe\"YorkandYank’em\"wasnotbuilttill1862);theroadswereoccasionallygoodandgenerallybad;
andthusitwasoftendusk,andsometimeslateintheevening,whenthelumberingvehicleneareditsfinaldestinationanddrewuptothelittlepost-officesalongtheway。
Howeverlateitmightbe,thevillagepostmasterhadtobeonhandtoreceiveandopenthemailbags;afterwhichhedistributedthenewspapersandlettersinaprimitivesetofpinepigeon-holesonthewall,turnedouttheloafers,\"bankedup\"
thefire,andwenthometobed。
\"Life\"Lanewasajollygoodfellow,——justthemantositontheboxseatanddrivethethreehorsesthroughrutsand\"thank-you-ma’ams,\"
slushandmudandsnow。Therewasaperennialtwinkleinhiseye,hisruddycheekswerewrinkledwithlaughter,andhehadagoodstoryforeveronthetipofhistongue。Hestoodsixfeettwoinhisstockings(hismotherusedtosayshehadthelongestLifeofanywomanintheStateo’Maine);hisshoulderswerebroadinproportion,andhislungsjustthesorttofillamplyhisnoblechest。Therefore,whenhehadwhatwascalledinthevernacular\"turriblebadgoin’,\"andwhenanyotherstage-driverinYorkCountywouldhaveshrunkintohismufflerandsnappedandsnarledontheslightestprovocation,LifeLaneopenedhisgreatthroatwhenhepassedoverthebridgesatModerationorBonnyEagle,andsentforthagolden,sonorous\"Yoho!halloo!\"intothestillair。
Thelateritwasandthestormieritwas,themorevigorheputintothenote,anditwasadrowsypostmasterindeedwhodidnotstartfromhisbenchbythefireatthesoundofthatringinghalloo。
Thustheoldstage-coach,inLifeLane’stime,wasgenerallycalled\"TheMidnightCry,\"andnotsuchabadnameeither,whetherthetermwasderisivelyappliedbecausethestagewasalwayslate;orwhetherLife’s\"Yoho!\"
hadcaughtthepopularfancy。
TherewasaprettygirlinPleasantRiver(and,alas!anotherinBonnyEagle)whowenttobedeverynightwiththechickens,butstayedawaketillsheheardfirsttherumbleofheavywheelsonabridge,thenafaint,bell-liketonethatmighthavecomeoutofthemouthofasilverhorn;
whereuponsheblushedasifitwereanofferofmarriage,andturnedoverandwenttosleep。
Ifthestagearrivedingoodseason,Lifewouldhaveafewminutestositontheloafers’beachbesidethebigopenfire;andwhatafeaturehewas,withhistalesculledfromallsortsofpassengers,whowereneversofluentaswhensittingbesidehim\"upinfront!\"
Therewasatallowdiportwo,andnootherlightsavethatofthefire。
WhothatevertoldastorycouldwishamoreinspiringauditorthanJacobBean,aliteral,honestoldfellowwhotookthemostvitalinterestineverydetailofthestoriestold,lookingupontheirheroesandtheirvillainsaspersonalfriendsorfoes。
Healwayssatinonecornerofthefireplace,pokerinhand,andthecrowdtacitlyallowedhimtheroleofGreekchorus。
Indeed,nobodycouldhavetoldastoryproperlywithoutJakeBean’sparenthesesandpunctuationmarkspokedinatexcitingjunctures。
\"That’ssoeverytime!\"hewouldsay,withalungeattheforestick。
\"I’llbatehewasgladthen!\"withanotherstickflungoninjusttherightspot。\"Golly!butthatserved’emright!\"withathrustatthebacklog。
TheNewEnglandstoryseemedtoflourishundertheseconditions:
acoupleofgoodhardbenchesinastoreortavern,whereyoucouldnotonlysmokeandchewbutcouldkeeponyourhat(therewasnotamaninYorkCountyinthosedayswhocouldsayanythingworthhearingwithhishatoff);theblazinglogstopoke;andacavernousfireplaceintowhichtobaccojuicecouldbeneatlyandjudiciouslydirected。
Thoseweregoodoldtimes,andthestage-coachwasamightythingwhenschoolchildrenweretaughttotakeofftheirhatsandmakeabowastheUnitedStatesmailpassedtheoldstagetavern。
LifeLane’scoachingdayswereoverlongbeforethisstorybegins,buttheMidnightCrywasstillinprettyfaircondition,andwasdrivenostensiblybyJeremiahTodd,wholivedonthe\"back-nippin’\"roadfromBonnyEagletoLimington。
WhenIsayostensiblydriven,Ibutfollowtheleadofthevillagers,whodeclaredthat,thoughJerryheldthereins,Mrs。Todddrovethestage,asshedroveeverythingelse。
Asaproofofthislady’sstrongindividuality,shewasstillgenerallyspokenofas\"theWidderBixby,\"thoughshehadbeensixyearsweddedtoJeremiahTodd。TheWidderBixby,then,wasstrong,self-reliant,valiant,indomitable。JerryToddwas,tousehiswife’sowncharacterization,sosoftyoucouldstickacat’stailintohimwithoutrufflingthefur。
Hewasalwaysalludedtoas\"theWidderBixby’shusband;\"
butthatwasnoneworspecialmortification,forhehadbeenknownsuccessivelyasMrs。Todd’syoungestbaby,theWidderTodd’sonlyson,SusanTodd’sbrother,and,whenSusanTodd’soldestboyfoughtatChapultepec,WilliamPeck’suncle。
TheWidderBixby’srecordwasfardifferent。
ShewasthemildestofthefourStoversistersofScarboro,andthequartettewassupposedtohavefurnishedmorekindsoftemperthanhadeverbeforecomefromonehousehold。
WhenPeace,theeldest,wasmad,shefrequentlykickedthechurnoutofthekitchendoor,creamandall,——andthatlostherahusband。
Love,thesecond,married,andaccordingtolocaltraditiononcekickedherhusbandallthewayupFoolscapHillwithadriedcod-fish。
Charity,thethird,marriedtoo,——fortheStoversofScarborowerehandsomegirls,butshegotafitmateinherspouse。Shefailedtointimidatehim,forhewasafoemanworthyofhersteel;
butshelefthisbedandboard,andleftinamannerthatkeptupthecreditoftheStoverfamilyofScarboro。
TheyhadhadastormybreakfastonemorningbeforehestartedtoPortlandwithaloadofhay。\"Good-by,\"shecalled,asshestoodinthedoor,\"you’veseenthelastofme!\"
\"Nosuchluck!\"hesaid,andwhippeduphishorse。
Charitybakedagreatpileofbiscuits,andleftthemonthekitchentablewithapitcherofskimmedmilk。
(Shewouldn’tgivehimanythingtocomplainof,notshe!)
Shethenputafewclothesinabundle,and,tyingonhershaker,preparedtowalktoPleasantRiver,twelvemilesdistant。
Asshelockedthedoorandputthekeyinitsaccustomedplaceunderthemat,apleasantyoungmandroveupandexplainedthathewastheadvanceagentoftheSypher’sTwo-in-OneMenagerieandCircus,soontoappearinthatvicinity。
Headdedthatheshouldbegladtogiveherfiveticketstotheentertainmentifshewouldallowhimtopasteafewhandsomepostersonthatsideofherbarnnexttheroad;
thattheirremovalwasattendedwithtriflingdifficulty,owingtothenatureofaverysuperiorpasteinventedbyhimself;
thatanysmallboy,infact,couldtearthemoffinanhour,andbewellpaidbythegiftofaticket。
ThedevilenteredintoCharity(notbyanymeansforthefirsttime),andshetoldthemancomposedlythatifhewouldgivehertenticketshemightpaperoverthecottageaswellasthebarn,fortheyweregoingtotearitdownshortlyandbuildalargerone。
Theadvanceagentwasdelighted,andtheypassedapleasanthourtogether;Charityholdingthepaste-pot,whilethetalkativegentlemangluedsixlionsandanelephantontheroof,afatladyonthefrontdoor,atattooedmanbetweenthewindows,livingskeletonsontheblinds,andladiesinsufficientlyclothedinallthevacantspacesandonthechimneys。
Nobodywentbyduringtheoperation,andtheagentremarked,asheunhitchedhishorse,thathehadneverdoneaneaterjob。
\"Why,they’llcomeasfartoseeyourhouseastheywilltothecircus!\"heexclaimed。
\"Icalculatetheywill,\"saidCharity,asshelatchedthegateandstartedforPleasantRiver。
IamnottellingCharityStover’sstory,soIwillonlyaddthatthebill-posterwasmistakeninthenatureofhispaste,andgreatlyundervalueditsadhesiveproperties。
ThetemperofPrudence,theyoungestsister,nowMrs。Todd,paledintoinsignificancebesidethatoftheothers,butitwasaveryprettythingintempersnevertheless,andwouldhavebeenthoughtremarkableinanyotherfamilyinScarboro。
Youmayhavenotedthefactthatitisaperson’svirtuesasoftenashisvicesthatmakehimdifficulttolivewith。
Mrs。Todd’smasterfulnessandevenherjealousymighthavebeenendured,bytheaidoffastingandprayer,butherneatness,hereconomy,andherforehandednessmadeacombinationthatonlythegraceofGodcouldhaveabidedwithcomfortably,sothatJerryTodd’scomparativesuccessisamatteroflocaltradition。Punctualityisapraiseworthyvirtueenough,butastheyearswenton,Mrs。Toddblewherbreakfasthornatsoearlyanhourthattheneighborswereinsomedoubtastowhetheritmightnotheraldthesupperofthedaybefore。
Theyalsopredictedthatshewouldhaveherfuneralbeforeshewasfairlydead,andrelatedwithgreatgustothatwhensheheardtherewastobeaneclipseofthesunonMonday,the26thofJuly,shewishedtheycouldhaveitthe25th,asSundaywouldbesomuchmoreconvenientthanwash-day。
Shehadoilclothonherkitchentosavethefloor,andoilclothmatstosavetheoilcloth;yetJerry’sbootshadtobetakenoffintheshed,andhewasrequiredtowalkthroughinhisstockingfeet。
Sheblackenedherstovethreetimesaday,washedherdishesinthewoodhouse,inordertokeephersinkclean,andkeptonepairofblindsopeninthesitting-room,butspreadnewspapersoverthecarpetwhereverthesunshonein。
ItwasthedesireofJerry’shearttogiveupthefatiguesandexposuresofstage-driving,and\"keepstore,\"
butMrs。Todddeemeditmuchbetterforhimtobeintheopenairthandealingoutrumandmolassestoaroysteringcrew。
Thisbeingherviewofthecase,itisunnecessarytostatethathewentondrivingthestage。
\"Doyouwearaflannelshirt,Jerry?\"askedPelFrostonce。
\"Idon’know,\"hereplied,\"askMis’Todd;shekeepsthebooks。\"
\"Women-folks\"(heusedtosaytoacasualpassenger),\"likeallotheranimiles,hastobetrainedupbeforethey’rerealgoodcomp’ny。
Youhavetobeginwith’emearly,andbeginasyoumeantoholdout。
Whentheyoncegitinthehabitoftakin’thebitintheirteethandrunnin’,it’stoolateforyoutohold’emin。\"
Itwasonlytostrangersthatheairedhisconvictionsonthetrainingof\"womenfolks,\"thoughforthatmatterhemightsafelyhavedoneitevenathome;foreverybodyinLimingtonknewthatitwouldalwayshavebeentoolatetobeginwiththeWidderBixby,since,likealltheStoversofScarboro,shehadbeenbornwiththebitinherteeth。
Jerryhadneverdoneanythinghewantedtosincehehadmarriedher,andhehadn’treallywantedtodothat。
Hehadbeenrathercandidwithheronthispoint(ascandidasatender-heartedandobligingmancanbewithawomanwhoisdeterminedtomarryhim,andhastwogoodreasonswhysheshouldtoeveryoneofhiswhyheshouldn’t),andthismayhavebeenthereasonforherjealousy。Althoughbyhersuperiorforceshehadoverbornehisvisiblereluctance,she,beingawoman,oratalleventsofthefemalegender,couldneverquiteforgetthatshehaddonethewooing。
Certainlyhischarmswerenotofthesorttotemptwomenfromthestrictandnarrowpath,yetthefactremainedthattheWidderBixbywasjealous,andmorethanonepersoninLimingtonwasawareofit。
Pelatiah,otherwise\"Pel\"Frost,knewmoreaboutthematterthanmostotherfolks,becausehehadunlimitedtimetodevotetogeneralculture。
Thoughnotyetthirtyyearsold,hewasthelaziestmaninYorkCounty。
(JabeSlocumhadnotthenestablishedhisrecord;andJotBascomhadruinedhisbycuttinghishaybeforeitwasdeadinthesummerof’49,alwaysalludedtoafterwardsinPleasantRiverastheyearwhengoldwasdiscoveredandJotBascomcuthishay。)
Pelwasageneralfavoriteinhalfadozenvillages,wherehewasthelifeoftheloafers’bench。Anenergeticloafercanattendproperlytoonebench,butittakesgeniusaswellasassiduitytodojusticetosixofthem。
Hishabitsweredecidedlyconvivial,andhespentagooddealoftimeatthegeneralmusters,drinkingandcarousingwiththeotherne’er-do-weels。YoumaybesurehewasnofavoriteofMrs。Todd’s;andsherepresentedtohimallthatismostundesirableinwomankind,histasterunningdecidedlytorosy,smiling,easy-goingoneswhohadnoregularhoursformeals,butcouldhaveadinneronthetableanytimeinfifteenminutesafteryougotthere。
Now,acertainladywithanoticeablegreenfrockandawhite\"drawn-in\"capebonnethadgracedtheMidnightCryonitsjourneyfromLimingtontoSacoonthreeoccasionsduringthemonthofJuly。
Reportsaidthatshewasastrangerwhohadappearedatthepost-officeinawagondrivenbyasmall,freckledboy。
Thefirsttrippassedwithoutcomment;thesecondprovokedsomediscussion;ontheoccasionofthethird,Mrs。Toddsaidnothing,becausethereseemednothingtosay,butshefeltsoout-of-sortsthatshecutJerry’shairclosetohishead,thoughheparticularlyfanciedthethinfringeofcurlsatthenapeofhisneck。
PelFrostwentovertoTodd’sonemorningtoborrowanaxe,andseizedafavorableopportunitytoaskcasually,\"Oh,Mis’
Todd,didJerryfindoutthenameo’thatwomaninagreendressandwhitebunnitthatridtoSacowithhimlastweek?\"
\"Mr。Todd’sgotsomethingbettertodothangetacquaintedwithhisladypassengers,\"snappedMrs。Todd,\"’speciallyastheyalwaysrideinside。\"
\"Iknowtheygen’allydo,\"saidPel,shoulderingtheaxe(itwasforhismother’suse),butthisoneridesupinfrontparto’
theway,soIthoughtmebbeJerry’dfindoutsomething’bouther。
She’shan’someasapicture,butshemusthaveagoodstrongbacktomakethetripdown’n’upinoneday。\"
Nothingcouldhavebeenmoreeffectiveormoreeffectualthanthisblowdealtwithconsummateskill。
HavingthusdriventheironintoMrs。Todd’ssoul,Pelentertainedhismotherwithanaccountoftheinterviewwhileshechoppedthekindling-wood。Hehadnospecialendinviewwhen,Iago-like,hedroppedhisfirstpoisonedseedinMrs。Todd’sfertilemind,or,atmost,nothingworsethanthehopethatmattersmightreachanunendurablepoint,andJerrymightstrikeforhisaltarsandhisfires。
Jerrywasamanandabrother,andpetticoatgovernmentmustbediscouragedwheneverandwhereverpossible,ortheworldwouldsoonceasetobeasafeplacetolivein。Pel’sideagrewuponhiminthenightwatches,andthenextmorninghesearchedhismother’sgarrettillhefoundagreendressandawhitebonnet。
Puttingtheminabasket,hewalkedoutontheroadalittledistancetillhemetthestage,when,findingnopassengersinside,heaskedJerrytolethimjumpinand\"rideapiece。\"
Oncewithin,hehastilydonnedthegreenwrapperandtell-taleheadgear,and,whentheMidnightCryrattleddownthestonyhillpasttheToddhouse,Peltookgoodcaretoexposealargegreensleeveandthesideofawhitebonnetatthestagewindow。
Itwaseasyenoughtocramthethingsbackintothebasket,jumpout,andcallacordialthankyoutotheunsuspectingJerry。
Hewasrewardedforhisingenuityandenterpriseatnight,whenhereturnedMrs。Todd’saxe,forjustashereachedthebackdoorhedistinctlyheardhersaythatifshesawthatgreenwomanonthestageagain,shewouldknockheroffwithabroomstickassureasshewasaStoverofScarboro。
Asamatteroffactshewasequaltoit。Hergreat-grandmotherhadbeenbornonasoilwherethebroomstickisaprominentfactorinsettlingconnubialdifferences;andifitoccurredtoheratthisjuncture,itisasatisfactoryproofofthetheoryofatavism。
Pelintendedtoseethisdomestictragedythroughtotheend,andaccordinglytookanotherbrieftripincostumetheverynextweek,hopingtobethewitnessofasceneofbloodandcarnage。
ButMrs。Todddidnotstirfromherhouse,althoughhewasconfidentshehadseen\"myladygreen-sleeves\"fromherpostatthewindow。
Puzzledbyherapathy,andmuchdisappointedinhertemper,hetookoffthedress,and,climbingupinfront,rodetoModeration,wherehereceivedanurgentinvitationtogoovertothecountyfairatGorham。ThelastideawasalwaysthemostcaptivatingtoPel,andhedepartedserenelyforastayofseveraldayswithoutsomuchluggageasahairbrush。Hismother’sbestclothespinbasket,tosaynothingofitscontents,appearedatthisjuncturetobeanunexpectedincumbrance;soonthespurofthemomenthehandedituptoJerryjustasthestagewasstarting,saying,\"IfMis’
Toddhasabrashto-night,youcanclearyourselfbyshowingherthisbasket,butformassysakesdon’tlayitontome!
Youcanstan’itbetter’nIcan,——you’remoreusedtoit!\"
Jerrytookthebasket,andwhenhewaswelloutontheroadhelookedinsideandsawabrightgreencalicowrapper,awhitecapebonnet,awhite\"fallveil,\"andapairofwhitecottongloves。
Hehadampletimeforreflection,foritwasahotday,andthoughhedroveslowly,thehorsesweresweatingateverypore。
PelFrost,then,musthaveoverheardhiswife’sstormofreproaches,perhapsevenherthreatsofviolence。Ithadcometothis,thathewasthevillagelaughing-stock,abuttofridiculeatthestoreandtavern。
Now,twoyearsbeforethis,JerryToddhadforthefirstandonlytimeinhismarriedlife\"puthisfootdown。\"
Mrs。Toddhadinsistedonmakinghimasuitofclothesmuchagainsthiswishes。Whenfinishedsheputthemonhimalmostbymainforce,thoughhisplaintiveappealswouldhavemeltedanybutaStover-of-Scarboroheart。
Thestuffwasalargeplaid,theelbowsandkneescameinthewrongplaces,theseatwaslinedwithenameledcloth,andthesleevescuthiminthearmholes。
Mr。Toddsaidnothingforamoment,butthepent-upslaveryofyearsstirredinhim,and,mountingtohisbrain,gavehimamomentarycouragethatresembledintoxication。
Heretired,tookoffthesuit,hungitoverhisarm,and,stalkingintothesitting-roominhisundergarments,laiditonthetablebeforehisastonishedspouse,and,thumpingitdramatically,saidfirmly,\"I——will——not——wear——them——clo’es!\"whereuponhefellintosilenceagainandwenttobed。
Thejokeofthematterwas,that,allunknowntohimself,hehadabsolutelyfrightenedMrs。Todd。Ifonlyhecouldhaverealizedtheimpressivenessandthethoroughsuccessofhisfirstrebellion!
Butifhehadrealizedithecouldnothaverepeateditoften,forsomuchvirtuewentoutofhimonthatoccasionthathefelthardlyabletodrivethestagefordaysafterward。
\"Ishallhavetoputdownmyfootagin,\"hesaidtohimselfontheeventfulmorningwhenPelpresentedhimwiththebasket。
\"Dernmyluck,I’vegottodoitagin,whenIain’thardlygotovertheothertime。\"So,afteranhour’splottingandplanning,hemadesomepurchasesinBiddefordandstartedonhisreturntrip。
Hewasverylowinhismind,thinking,ifhiswifereallymeditateduponwarfare,shewaslikelytoinspectthestagethatnight,butgivinghercreditinhisinmostheartfortoomuchcommonsensetouseabroomstick,——awomanwithhertongue!
TheMidnightCryrattledonlumberingly。Itsroutehadbeenshortened,andMrs。Toddwanteditsnamechangedtosomethinglessoutlandish,suchastheRisingSun,ortheBreakingDawn,ortheHighNoon,butherideametwithnovotaries;ithadbeen,was,andevershouldbe,theMidnightCry,nomatterwhattimeitsetoutorgotback。
Ithadseenitsbestdays,Jerrythought,andsohadhe,forthatmatter。
Yethehadbeencalled\"alikelyfeller\"whenhemarriedtheWidderBixby,orratherwhenshemarriedhim。Well,themischiefwasdone;
allthatremainedwastosavearemnantofhisself-respect,andmakeanoccasionaldashforliberty。
Hedidallhiserrandswithhisusualcare,droppingablueribbonforDoxyMorton’sSundayhat,fourcents’worthofgum-camphorforAlmiraBerry,aspoolofcottonforMrs。Wentworth,andapairof\"galluses\"forLivingBean。Hefinallyturnedintothe\"back-nippin’\"roadfromBonnyEagletoLimington,andwhenhewaswithinfortyrodsofhisownhousehestoppedtowaterhishorses。
Ifhefearedascenehehadgoodreason,forasthehorsesclimbedthecrestofthelonghilltheladyingreenwasbyhissideonthebox。
Helookedanxiouslyahead,andthere,inahedgeofyoungalderbushes,hesawsomethingstirring,and,unlesshewasgreatlymistaken,abirchbroomlayonthegroundnearthehedge。
Notwithstandingthesedangersignals,Jerry’sarmencircledtheplumpwaistoftheladyingreen,and,emboldenedbytheshadesoftwilight,hislipssoughttheidenticalspotunderthewhite\"fallveil\"whereherincendiarymouthmightbesupposedtolurk,quite\"fitfortreasons,stratagems,andspoils。\"Thisdone,heputonthebrakeandheadedhishorsestowardthefence。
Hewasnonetoosoon,fortheWidderBixby,broominhand,dartedoutfromthealdersandapproachedthestagewithobjurgationswhich,hadsheratedthemattheirpropervalue,needednosupplementinthewayofblows。Jerrygaveoneterror-strickenlook,woundhisreinsroundthewhipstock,and,leapingfromhisseat,disappearedbehindaconvenienttree。
AtthismomentofblindrageMrs。Toddwouldhavepreferredtochastisebothhervictimsatonce;but,beingrobbedofonebyJerry’scowardlyflight,herweapondescendedupontheotherwithdoubleforce。
Therewasnolackofcouragehereatleast。Whethertheladyingreenwasborneupbytheconsciousnessofvirtue,whethershewastooproudtoretreat,orwhatevermayhavebeenheranimatingreason,theblowfell,yetshestoodhergroundandgavenoansweringshriek。
Enragedasmuchbyherrival’scoolresistanceasbyherownsenseofinjury,theWidderBixbyaimedfullatthebonnetbeneathwhichwerethecharmsthathadbefuddledJerryTodd’sbrain。
ToblastthefatalbeautythathadcaptivatedherweddedhusbandwastheWidderBixby’sidea,andthebroomdescended。
Ashowerofseedsandpulp,acopiousspatteringofpumpkinjuice,andtheladyingreenfellresistlesslyintoherassailant’sarms;
herstrawbody,herwoodenarmsandpumpkinhead,decoratingtheearthatherfeet!Mrs。Toddstaredhelplesslyatthewreckshehadmade,notaltogethercomprehendingtherusethathadledtoherdiscomfiture,butfullyconsciousthatherempirewasshakentoitsfoundations。
Sheglancedineverydirection,andthenhurlingthehatefulgreen-and-whiteliveryintothestage,shegatheredupalltracesoftheshamefulfray,andsweepingthemintoherginghamapronranintothehouseinastormoftearsandbaffledrage。
Jerrystayedbehindthetreeforsomeminutes,andwhenthecoastwasclearhemountedtheseatanddrovetothestoreandthestable。
Whenhehadputuphishorseshewentintotheshed,tookoffhisbootsasusual,but,despiteallhisphilosophy,brokeintoacoldsweatofterrorashecrossedthekitchenthreshold。
\"Ican’tstandmanymoreofthesetimeswhenIputmyfootdown,\"
hethought,\"they’retooweakening!\"
Butheneednothavefeared。Therewasagoodsupperunderthemosquitonettingonthetable,and,mostunusualluxury,apotofhottea。
Mrs。Toddhadgonetobedandlefthimapotoftea!
Whichwasthemoreeloquentapology!
Jerryneverreferredtotheladyingreen,thenorafterwards;
hewaswillingtoletwellenoughalone;butwheneverhisspousepassedacertainline,which,beingaStoverofScarboro,shewaslikelytodoaboutonceinsixmonths,hehadonlytosummonhisrecreantcourageandglancemeaninglybehindthekitchendoor,wherethebirchbroomhungonanail。Itwasasimpleremedytooutwardappearances,butmadehisdecliningyearsmorecomfortable。
IcanhardlybelievethatheevertookPelFrostintohisconfidence,butPelcertainlywasnevermoreinterestingtotheloafers’
benchthanwhenhetoldthestoryoftheeventfultripoftheMidnightCryand\"thebreakinginoftheWidderBixby。\"
NOTES:
1。Onpage20,reenteredisspelledwithdiaeresisoverthesecond\"e\"。
2。Onpages153&154theversesbeginningrespectively\"Rebelmourner\"
and\"Thisgro-o-oanin’world\"areaccompaniedwithstavesofmusicinthetrebleclef。