The Hammonds of Holycross

Chapter I. Olycross

was a pretty ' market town in one of the Eastern Counties — clean and pleasant-looking, and presenting tOYvards its outskirts something of a village-like appearance. It was approached on one side by a wide open green or common, with dwellings of various degrees dotted over it at intervals ; and when the houses became more uniform, they were in many VOL. I. B places interspersed with large trees, which agreeably relieved the monotony of the brick buildings, giving the town a pic turesque and somewhat foreign aspect. The Yvide old market-place, with its quaint and peculiar characteristics, seldom failed to attract the attention of visitors who looked upon it for the first time. In the very centre of the square stood the old stone cross, which gave its name to the town, and its ancient legend to the chronicles thereof.

It was much esteemed by the inhabi tants and revered by antiquarian travellers, and the huge defaced block of stone, in its primeval rudeness of construction, attested the authenticity of the early date claimed for its erection. A strong iron railing, a few yards distant from and encompassing the base of the cross, preserved it from other ravages than those of time. The surrounding space formed a square, three sides of Yvhich were composed of the principal buildings of the tOYvn — being those of the corn exchange,, the tOYvn-hall, and the bank, each and all having some claim to that honour which is due to length of years and the respectability of their various destinations and call ings. It is, however, Yvith the fourth and last side of the square that our business lies. There, in the very centre, its entrance exactly facing the old stone cross, stood the ancient house of Holycross.

It rose high and stern, with its old stone copings b and facings contrasting well with the dark red brick of Yvhich it was originally built ; but now, from the force of time, its sanguine tints were amalgamated with the sober grey, which seemed to predominate over the more vivid hues of its pristine colour. * The mansion Yvas flanked on either side by high brick walls, which extended some distance, and enclosed the trim old gardens and extensive pleasure-grounds. The Yvhole Yvas sheltered and shadowed by a tall row of Lombardy poplar trees, giving a peculiarly sombre appearance to the old house, before which they stood like sentinels in formal array. The banking establishment, which also appertained to the possessors of Holycross House, stood on the opposite side of the square ; and in front of that, and the dwellings contiguous to the bank, ran the principal or high street of the town, leaving the ancient mansion on the further side standing aloof, in dignified se clusion, at the head of the square or market enclosure.

This residence was the " Home of the Hammonds," and had been in possession of the family ever since the founder, a merchant of some eminence, had settled there, some two or three centuries before the time of which we speak. The Hammonds had rather singularly continued much in the same social, as well as local, position in which they had been placed by their earliest recorded ancestor. They had remained merchants and bankers at Holycross ever since. At this time, about the year 184-, the old family mansion was inhabited by two brothers, both unmarried; and a. lvidowed sister, with an only son, also resided with them. The elder of these two brothers, Michael Hammond, was the head of his family, and also the senior partner of the bank ing-house of Hammond, Newton, and For ster — names well known and long respected in that part of the country.

Michael was at that time a man of fifty, and had held his responsible position, both in a public and private capacity, for nearly thirty years. His father's death, occurring when he Yvas little more than twenty years of age, called him thus early to fill so important a situation. It was one of much trust and consequence both at home and in the banking department, which devolved upon him, as well as other mercantile connections of the house of Hammond. The guardianship of the then numerous family, and the liabilities and responsibilities of the extensive commercial affairs of his father, were bequeathed to his care, with all the large property arising from the latter. It had been the custom from time im memorial that the " House of Holycross " should, with the banking business, pass to the eldest son : in case of incapacity, to any other of the children deemed by the father most likely to do honour and credit to the long-established firm.

This precaution had, no doubt, contributed to give the family, and their affairs, the stability and prosperity they had so long enjoyed. A moderate portion of five thousand pounds was allotted to each of the younger children on attaining their majority, the interest of which Yvas to be devoted in the meanwhile to the purposes of education and maintenance. On the death of any of the said children, the money so appropriated was to revert to the head of the family. Mr. Hammond, the father, no doubt enjoyed the satisfaction of feeling that he left a worthy successor in his eldest son, Michael, who, young as he was at that time, gave evidence of peculiar steadiness of ■ mind and conduct, with an extraordi nary aptitude for business. He thus took upon himself, and honourably fulfilled, the trust reposed in him by his dying father.

But in accepting his arduous position he became prematurely old, for no one re membered him very different from what he was in after-years. Michael's youth had seemed to wither away underhis early cares and responsibilities ; he had, in fact, for nearly twenty years, been considered as a middle-aged man. In the course of the first few years which succeeded his father's death, the greater number of Michael's brothers and sisters faded away and died. Only one of each survived — the youngest son and child ; and the sister Yvho afterwards shared their home, as before mentioned. Gabriel Hammond was quite an infant when his father died; and left thus early to his brother's care and guardianship, with the great disparity of years between them, it was no Yvonder that the little boy regarded Michael more in the light of a parent than a brother.

For several years the little Gabriel's chances of life seemed even more precarious than those of the children who had preceded him to their early graves. Even after he had struggled through his feeble infancy and childhood, there appeared but little hopes of his ever attaining the years of manhood. Not only .vas he of very delicate frame and constitution, but, in his earliest years, so deficient in the powers of articulation and speech, that, until he was seven years old, there seemed great reason to suppose that the exercise of that faculty was denied to him. Years, however, passed on, and the sickly child lived and survived his mother, who, sinking under the accumulated sorrow of her many bereavements, died also, leaving her poor bttle dumb boy to the care of his brother Michael, who, with their sister Sybil, alone remained of the once numerous family.

To the best of his power did Michael endeavour to supply the place of mother, as well as father, to the two children left to his protection, especially to the younger and much afflicted one, whose peculiar case demanded such constant and Yvatchful care ; and although not endowed by nature with a very tender or sympathising disposition, he endeavoured to atone for this defect in his character by the conscientious consi deration he showed at all times for his young brother, and the skilful advice which he procured for the amelioration of his many infirmities. In regard to that of speech, as it had always been evident the child's hearing was perfect, it was hoped, as he grew older and gained strength (if strength ever came to him), so in time the poYver of articulation might, in some measure, be also bestowed.

This proved to be the case, and Gabriel spoke at last. His utterance was for many years imperfect ; his words were slow, and often halting, especially Yvhen nervous or distressed ; but, as time went on, his power of speech became a steadily improving faculty.

Chapter II

f|^ICHAEL, in the meanwhile, H became year by year more deeply engrossed in his banking affairs and money-making habits. Still, in all these absorbing pursuits of gain and profit, he preserved and deserved the character of an upright and perfectly honest man. With a keen eye to his OYvn interests, he never neglected those of any one concerned in money transactions with him, or sought to secure an ad vantage for himself to the detriment of another. The toils of business had, in fact, become to him what pleasure and amusement are to many others ; but, Yvhilst he added year by year to his possessions, he never cared to reap the advantages of his position by a larger expenditure at home, or in seeking amuse ment elsewhere. Michael was, however, no miser. The House of Holycross was kept up in the style of quiet respectability that had been its characteristic for centuries past ; and he maintained it in a manner that left no room for remark or censure.

Still the old house remained just the same as in his father's life-time ; little was added in the Yvay of luxury or adornment. If it be came necessary to replace any article of furniture or household goods, it was done as nearly as possible to resemble that which was worn out, and Yvith no view of substituting more beautiful or orna mental objects in their place. Thus the house preserved its old quaint appearance and antique character, but little disturbed by modern innovations or improvements. Michael Hammond also gave liberally, if not freely, Yvhen convinced that the call upon his benevolence was a genuine and deserving subject for charity. He was never led astray in the distribution of his alms by any sudden impulse of feeling or generosity. Idleness and extra vagance were alike abhorrent to his nature, and the effect of either, hoYvever disastrous, was met by him with stern and uncompromising reproof and refusals of assistance.

He was often heard to declare he saw no difference between the convicted thief and the specious man who Yvantonly and deliberately possessed him self of the goods of another without any means of repayment. In fact, he believed the latter to be more hurtful to the world at large than the former. At stated intervals Mr. Hammond ex changed hospitalities with his numerous friends and acquaintances, but seldom Yvent far from home, or made any long absence, except on particular and unavoidable occasions. He made few intimacies, for he was not naturally of a very social turn of mind, and his pursuits had served to Yvithdraw him, in great measure, from general society. He had also little tolera tion for opinions and habits that differed essentially from his own, and was apt to indulge in short sarcastic remarks re specting those who entertained them, whilst he rarely warmed into cordial friendship, even with those he had known the longest and respected the most.

It was not the fault of Michael that his character lacked tenderness, or that his feelings Yvere devoid of sensibility. He fortunately possessed good principles, and a sense of what was right and due to others, which prompted him to the per formance of many kind and considerate actions. It may easily be imagined that a man with a disposition thus constituted, Yvas more esteemed than loved — more relied on for sound counsel than sought as a friend in time of sorrow or bereavement. Indeed, feYv could look upon Michael Hammond VOL. I. c as one Yvhose presence brought Yvith it any emotion of joy or sense of com fort. There Yvas -one exception, however, to the general sentiment inspired by, and felt for, the upright but cold and uncon genial banker; and it Yvas in that entertained by the little pale boy, with faltering speech, who fondly folloYved his brother's steps with his loving eyes wherever he went, and treasured his slightest word of kindness as a pearl beyond price, The simple Yvords, " my brother," in poor Gabriel's mouth, con tained an epitome of all his youthful mind could conceive of Yvisdom and of Yvorth.

He was a humble-minded child, lowly enough in every thought that regarded himself ; but if he ever cherished a latent spark of pride in his heart, it was when he thought of himself as the brotlrer of Michael Hammond. In all essentials, too, this elder brother merited well the devoted love of the younger. No father could have watched more scrupulously his interests than Michael had done. No mother more solicitously have cared for all the details of his suffering childhood. But all this Yvas testified by Michael in deeds — not words. He Yvas ahvays kind to, but rarely fondled, the ailing sensitive child. Still he often had him with him, and beguiled many a tedious hour with cheer ful conversation and manifestations of interest in his youthful and sedentary pur suits. In his own quiet way, Michael loved his little brother; but he often C2 Yvondered at, and even repulsed, the poor child's too earnest demonstrations of affection.

In fact, he looked upon them as morbid symptoms, indicating Yveakness of mind and body. Sybil Hammond resembled her brother Michael in her coldness of heart and reserved temper ; but she had far less feeling for, and appreciation of, good in others than he possessed. She was quick sighted to the faults and failings of those around, but often mistaken as to motives, her judgments being geuerally based upon the narroYv foundation of her own experience, and the suggestions of a temper and disposition naturally calculating and ex acting. In their relative position in the family, Sybil occupied a middle place be tween the elder and younger brothers, and being only a child at the period of their parent's death, she had far less to do with the suffering infancy of Gabriel than the elder and more responsible brother.

Though rather an indifferent sister, she Yvas not at that time an unkind one, and little Gabriel, with his large capacity for loving and yearning after affection, bestowed a large portion of his OYvn upon his sister Sybil. When he was barely ten years old she married, and quitted her brother's home for that of her husband in London ; and after that event their intercourse Yvas confined to the occasional visits of either family to town or country. The husband of Sybil, Mr. Palmer, Yvas a man many years older than herself, but rich enough to be deemed an excellent match even for her, who had no inconsiderable share of good looks to recommend her, as well as a portion of ten thousand pounds. She Yvas indebted to her brother Michael's liberality for this doubling of her original fortune. He Yvas also equally generous respecting Gabriel, considering it rather an act of justice towards the two surviv ing members of the once numerous family.

He made but one stipulation, namely — that the money should remain in the bank, whilst he allowed a yearly in come of five per cent, upon it. This arrangement Yvas gladly acceded to, and Sybil's money remained in her brother's hands. Michael Hammond was extremely Yvell pleased with his sister's choice. He had long knoYvn and esteemed Mr. Palmer as a man of business in London, being a merchant and bill-broker. Of the dis parity of age he thought nothing, for Sybil was Old in her youth — her beauty Yvas of a cold, stiff character, and her occupations and amusements were quiet and sedate. There Yvas nothing objectionable in Mr. Palmer's manners or appearance, and he stood high in the mercantile world. He was much attached to his young Yvife, and they seemed happy, and well suited to each other.

It may be asked, Yvhat share had the heart of Sybil Hammond in this marriage ? That none could tell ; but no doubt she esteemed her husband, and fully appreciated all the advantages of the position in which he was able to place her. Sybil was new to London, but none ever heard her complain of the dulness of the large mansion in Bedford Square, Yvhere she found her married home ; nor did the tediousness of her husband's elderly guests, Yvhom he often assembled there, in any way annoy or Yveary her. She had no friends or connections of her OYvn in London, and she naturally became habituated to that society to which he introduced her on her marriage. It was not a very lively life — but that at Holy cross had not been much gayer ; so, for tunately, Sybil, when she became the wife of Mr. Palmer, found no great difficulty in conforming herself to that mode of life most agreeable to him.

A year or two after her marriage a son was born to cheer the solitude to which her husband's pursuits frequently consigned her. After that happy event, Mr. and Mrs. Palmer seemed to consider their cup of prosperity was filled to the brim. The little Stephen Hammond Palmer Yvas a remarkably handsome child, though his beauty, even in childhood, partook of the hard, cold style of his mother's ; and as he grew older his features assumed an expres sion of formality and reserve that savoured of the set in which he was brought up, and the peculiarities of the families from Yvhich he sprung. Stephen Palmer Yvas sent to a public school ; Westminster being chosen, that his parents might enjoy the pleasure of his society every Sunday, and on all other available opportunities. Thus, though Stephen benefited in some degree by his association Yvith other boys, he was still too much under the dominion of home influence to allow of any radical change being effected in his manners or habits of thinking.

He passed, however, through his school career with tolerable credit ; he had good abilities with a clear head, and ap plication was not so distasteful to him as to many boys. His father looked fonvard Yvith pride to the prospect of his son's attainments procuring for him a still higher position in the mercantile world than he himself already occupied, and reflecting fresh honour on the name of Palmer. Mrs. Palmer, on her part, Yvith equal pride in her son's talents, anticipated the period when he, in all probability, would be called to fill an equally important place in her own family, by also inheriting his uncle Hammond's possessions and the old house at Holycross. This persuasion had been so often dYvelt upon by Mrs. Palmer in the boy's hearing, that it Yvas no wonder he grew up to consider that he should eventually succeed to his uncle's as Yvell as to his father's property.

It may appear strange that Mrs. Palmer should so confidently indulge in such castle-building ; but the fact was, that she had never been able to divest herself of the impression that Gabriel would not grow up to man's estate ; and that, added to Michael's remaining unmarried, strength ened and established the idea in her own mind, as well as in that of her son.

Chapter III

a^^^l^IME, however, passed on, V^IL^^ and Gabriel Hammond, contrary to all prognostications, lived and grew up. He outlived, also, in great measure, the weaknesses of his childhood and youth ; and though extremely fragile in appearance, and often hesitating in speech, he was not remarkable for any peculiarities of either. It is true, he still retained sufficient remembrance of his early infirmities to render him sensitively alive to such remains of them as he either felt in himself or fancied Yvere perceptible to others. This made him backward in addressing strangers, and, if called upon to do so, often caused him much nervous distress. The effect of this uncomfortable sensation was testified iu a reluctance to enter general society, and to make or seek neYV acquaintances. Gabriel Hammond, though far from hand some, Yvas pleasing and gentlemanlike in appearance.

Although diffident in manner and conversation, he was well-informed, had made good use of the abundant leisure forced upon him in early youth, and had given satisfactory evidence of the results in a successful, though quiet, career at the university. Gabriel, on his return from college, took up his abode at his brother's house as his permanent home, and was received by Michael into the banking firm as a junior partner, but subject to certain restrictions — the other senior partner being a gentleman of the name of Forster, who had succeeded to the posi tion occupied by Mr. NeYvton, and left vacant by his death some years previous. Amongst the various responsibilities which had devolved upon Michael, was the guardianship of the infant daughter of his former friend and partner, Mr. NeYvton. He was happily spared the most onerous part of the charge ; as the personal care of the little Clara Newton Yvas committed to a married sister of Mr. Newton's, whose deceased husband, Mr. Morris ( a London solicitor), had been the co-trustee and guardian of the infant heiress.

Michael gladly devoted himself to the more congenial, and, to him, pleasing task of Yvatching over and managing the large fortune left in his charge, to be retained, according to the father's directions, in the house of Hammond & Co., until his child shoidd marry or come of age ; the former event to be subject to the approval of her joint-guardians ; and if deferred till after the period of her majority, the fortune was to remain in the hands of Mr. Hammond until his office was superseded by that important event. Michael, being therefore relieved of all personal care of his Yvard, contented him self with making occasional visits to the house of Mrs. Morris when he Yvas in London; and in that Yvay kept up an acquaintance with the young heiress and her aunt, Yvho Yvas, from past associations, well known both to him and his sister, Mrs. Palmer.

Everything connected with the Ham monds continued much the same for several years after Gabriel had been installed in the bank, and had taken his place in his brother's house. His chances of life then seemed almost as good as those of most around him ; but as his early youth Yvore away, the predictions of his sister Sybil appeared likely to be verified, that both her brothers would live and die bachelors. No one could doubt that Michael Yvas con firmed in that estate, and that he was so far removed from the Yveakness of falling in love, that those Yvho had knoYvn the Hammonds best and longest had never heard of any woman finding favour in his sight. The younger brother also seemed disposed to pursue a solitary path through life. The nervous timidity and diffidence to which we have alluded, led Gabriel rather to shun than seek the society of those families from Yvhose daughters he might advantageously have chosen a Yvife.

This appeared to be a single trait of resemblance betYveen the two brothers; for in all else they were as widely dissimilar in every taste and pursuit as it was possi ble for two men, of the same family and profession, to be. Gabriel had no real inclination for business ; the details of it Yvere opposed to his turn of mind and general habits ; but he fulfilled his allotted part, and went through the daily routine required, and rejoiced when all was ac- VOL. I. d complished, and he was at liberty to seek his more congenial employment and amusements. Gabriel, although a literary, was by no means a deeply studious, man; but he was an elegant scholar, fond of music and painting, and retaining a lively plea sure in cultivating that love of botany and natural history which had beguiled the period of his earlier youth.

He delighted still in birds and flowers, notYvithstanding the contempt with which such tastes were regarded by his elder brother, who, though kindly tolerant in past years of all that served to interest and amuse his weary hours, now evidently considered many of Gabriel's pursuits and recreations beneath the dignity and unworthy the attention of a man of business and mature years. They lived amicably together, however, and Gabriel Hammond had attained his thir tieth birthday before any change oc curred in his brother's house ; and then their sister returned to it, bringing with her her son, and only child. A. sad alteration had taken place in her circumstances and prospects in life. She had become a widow, and had recently lost not only her husband, but every remnant of the large fortune which she fondly hoped would have been her son's inheritance, and also have ministered to her own enjoyments during her life ; but, alas ! one of those sudden and over whelming failures, but too frequent in the mercantile world, had occurred to the rich Mr. Palmer.

The blow was too much for him — an attack of apoplexy ensued, death soon followed, and, in a week from D the time the first tidings of his misfor tune reached him, he breathed his last. Happily for Mrs. Palmer, she was not destitute, although everything belonging to her husband's property Yvas swept away. Her own fortune remained untouched and secure in her brother's house, and now, at this terrible crisis, became a welcome provision for the impoverished mother and othenvise destitute son. Michael Hammond performed his part of kindness towards his bereaved sister and nephew, by immediately offering both a home. The large old family mansion was well calculated to accommodate any members of it under such circumstances ; and, without a moment's hestitation, Mrs. Palmer gladly accepted her brother's offer, and, with her son, took up her abode there, as in former days. The arrangement seemed pleasant and satisfactory to all ; and thus it was that Sybil returned to Holycross.

Chapter IV

Stephen palmer was about eighteen at the time of his father's death, and had just been removed from Westminster, preparatory to finishing his education at the university. It was certainly a terrible reverse to any one brought up with the expectations that he had been ; but, like his mother and uncle, Michael Hammond, Stephen was not, even in those youthful days, in the habit of manifesting any strong emotion. He applied himself at that time Yvith quiet energy to looking over his late father's affairs, and in endeavouring to make him self master of the causes that had brought such utter and entire ruin on all his fair prospects, in the vain hope, it appeared, that something might yet be saved out of the wreck of so large a property. It was useless. The liabilities incurred in this speculation Yvere as enor mous as the profits would have been had it proved successful.

It involved other houses of equal respectability as that of Palmer, and the astounding failure struck a panic through the commercial world. Stephen therefore found himself, as far as regarded his paternal inheritance, a beggar. He Yvas wholly and entirely dependent on his mother and her family. His only observation, however, on becoming fully aware of his position was, " Well ! I have a fortune to make, it appears, before I can enjoy one." His mother replied, "You seem to forget there are other fortunes which may be enjoyed besides the one you have lost." Stephen looked at his mother for a minute keenly, then said, " Oh ! my uncle Hammond's, you mean ; but, from what I have seen and heard of him, I do not think he is very likely to alloYv to others the enjoyment he denies himself, let his means be what they may."

Mrs. Palmer contented herself Yvith the brief reply, " Not at present, certainly." OF nOLYCROSS. Soon after their settlement at Holycross House, Mrs. Palmer began to consider Yvhat course would be most eligible for her son to pursue, in accordance Yvith the means she possessed, and the plans she entertained for his future life. To do her justice, her son's welfare and Yvorldly advancement was the one great purpose and object of her life. It is true she Yvished to keep him, for the present, dependent on herself. She rejoiced that her own fortune was not only untouched, but even increased. She held it entirely in her OYvn hands, and Yvith it the power of shaping her son's course. She proposed to him, therefore, or rather signified her wish, he should complete his un finished education either with a private tutor, or at one of the universities, to which she would endeavour to send him if that suited his inclinations better.

After that time, she said, she expected his uncle would take him into the bank, on consideration of her money remaining there, though it Yvas to be understood that it would be as much as ever in her own power. To Mrs. Palmer's surprise, Stephen re jected both the university and tutor plan. He said he had already talked to his uncle about his prospects, and he had agreed with him that, if he Yvished to devote himself to a commercial life, he was sufficiently well-educated, having, he hoped, profited well by all the years he had spent at a public school. He would not, therefore, put his mother to any further expense on that head ; and as he could not now go to college with the advantages he had hoped to possess, he confessed he had rather remain at home. Mrs. Palmer looked and felt angry at this summary rejection of her proposal, which she considered a very generous one in the present state of her finances ; but it was an invariable rule with her never to permit herself to exhibit any ebullition of anger, Yvhatever she might feel.