Aunt Abigail Dykes: a novel

Preface

. The product of a rough soldier's pen would seem to be but a poor offering to the cultivated, refined, literary taste of the present century : accustomed as the soldier's hand must be to wielding the ruder implements of warfare ; the mind to grosser and more prosaic thoughts than could well be tuned to accord with, still less to chronicle, the incidents of romantic lives. Dear readers, I have here stated the drawbacks that beset my efforts in wielding the pen, and my single apology for presenting this story to your notice is that I am familiar with the scenes I have endeavoured to depict — sorrowfully familiar with some — and the persons of my story are all known to me. I have disguised some of the people and scenes mentioned, but of the weird, wonderful being whose name forms my title-page, I can say this : 1 have drawn a truthful portrait of a person who was so well and, in one sense, so widely known, that her numerous observers — I cannot call them admirers — were divided in opinion as to whether they should class her with the demons of the nether world; or hope and believe that, like the most of sinful and suffering mortality, she was, with sure repentance, earning expiation and future reward in that land where the blind are made to see, and all crooked paths are made straight.

Thus much, prosaically and statistically, I and many others can truthfully testify. The weird being owned cattle that multiplied similarly to those of the Patriarch Jacob — whether by the exercise of witchcraft, or the smile of Providence, I know not — but the herds were almost countless ; and in addition to her live stock, she purchased lot after lot of Government wild lands, until a respectable county plot called her mistress : whether as a tribute of respect to her occult attainments, or from the property qualification aforementioned, is a mystery ; but this I do know : that when the

PREFACE.

. VIII powers that were in those vanished days cast about for an appropriate name for their new-made county site, they ran counter to all warning and christened it Abbieville, in token of respect to this peculiar person, and, as they were good fathers of families, perhaps with a throb of compassion for the lonely being whose barren stock would vanish from the earth in future generations, save for this ghost of a life that their kindly hearts bestowed in keeping alive her name in the person of their dusty, musty County Court house, whose sole treasures were withered parchment. Truly fitting emblems ! In recalling this and other incidents of my varied military life, I am persuaded that the truths I herewith submit justify the well-known aphorism of being "stranger than fiction." GEORGE BARNWELL RANDOLPH, LT.-COL., U.S.A. BOOK THE FIRST.

Chapter I

Too many gifts provoke tlie Fates." It is asserted by the wise ones that no human life is a perfect success, no household without its skeleton, be the surrounding's whatever they may. Without some such warning less favoured mortals might be tempted to envy the seemingly fortunate positions of those with whom we come in occasional contact ; whereas, if we could only view those same fortunate lives in the light of revelation, few would be sufficiently daring to wish an exchange with the most favoured. To all outward appearance, the position and family of Oscar Wayne, of Wayneville, District of Darlington, State of South Carolina, in the year iS — , was as nearly a realization of human wishes as will ever be permitted to a son of Adam. Owner and master of all those rice-fields and slaves that absorbed so much of the life and interest of his immediate vicinity ; leader of the district politics — holding a seat in the State Legislature ; occupant of that superb mansion in the grove that could be seen for miles ; and last, but by no means least, father of a Lieutenant in the United States Army, twenty-two years of age, and at home for the first time on furlough ; — one would naturally conclude there was but little left for him to desire, and, as the Scotch say, that " Daddy Care " would give him the best side of the road along life's highway.

Yet Oscar Wayne, of Wayneville, was not without his thorns, and sharp thorns they were, too, notwithstanding the triple armour of wealth, position, and name. The trouble immediately before him on this beautiful summer afternoon was that same hopeful Lieutenant, who, bringing his " West Point " manners with him into the country, was just now making havoc with the affections of a poor rustic, whose father had died in the service of his father, and whose widowed mother still occupied the " overseer's house," where ten or twelve years of the girl's life had been passed. Her name was Gilley Farley ; her occupation on Colonel Wayne's plantation, anything she chose to make it, from head spinner down to chicken raiser ; and all who are at all acquainted with the workings of a Carolina plantation will understand the position at once.

To talk about a brood ''just off," and to count in her hanks of blue woollen yarn, was the reason of her appearing in Mrs. Wayne's breaksast- AU.XT ABIGAIL DYKES. 2 room on the morning aster Master Preston's arrival : and although she possessed little or no beauty, or attractions of any kind, to challenge masculine notice, yet that young Adonis decided, while the grave dis cussions were going on about " hens and hanks," that even this young woman was better than nothing to pass off time in that desert: and it was that same passing-off of time at the widow's house, and in the lane, and in the orchard, that called out his father's just anger, and produced the aforementioned cloud over the otherwise perfect landscape. PooroldMrs. Farleyhad been "up to the house" to ask Colonel Wayne to tell the Lifftinent " As how me and my gal ain't fit fur company fur the likes of him ; " and to request the father's interference to stop the rapidly growing intimacy.

Be sure the old gentleman swore. It touched his pride in its most sensitive place, to think his son and heir would stoop to take advantage of an uneducated country girl, whose wits, if she possessed any, would all go wool-gathering in the glitter of his uniform, and who was really no more capable of taking care of herself, under the circumstances, than one of her own chicks would be of eluding a hawk; and his outraged feelings found expression accordingly. " Hear me, Preston," said he, in his loftiest manner ; "and understand you are either to stop this foolishness at once, or you will leave home immediately. If you cannot bring credit home with you, sir, you shall not come home and destroy what you find already here. I wonder how a Wayne's eyes can fall so low. I await your answer, sir." " Jupiter Phidias !

A little idle flirtation for amusement only is one thing ;. but to have the Governor come down on a fellow like that is very decidedly another. One would think the ground was going to open, and swallow one up, body and bones. Beats dress parade when your name is called out for 'unmilitary conduct,' whatever that is. Anything, as even-thing, though, will come under that head, from being absent from roll-call three days in the week, to admiring Gilley Farley's black hair. Well, always face the enemy when there is no retreat, and receive the fire gracefully." Some such thoughts as these filled the mind of the young man as he stood silent before his father, almost a culprit, an offender at least, and a preju diced judge awaiting his defence. " Well, sir : I say again, 1 await your answer," thundered the old gentleman.

"Father," said Preston, meekly, "I have done no harm to any one. Why should you be so offended for nothing ? " '• What you have done is not what we are discussing, sir. It is your pledge for the future that I require. Either give me vouv word— I think you still have honour enough left not to break it— to' let that girl alone entirely, or you will prepare to leave home immediately." It was scarcely a matter of interest in the girl herself that made the young man hesitate and bite his lips so nervously. The subject of the disagreement between father and son occupied very little of his thoughts then. The sting was in his being treated as though he were still a small boy in knickerbockers a'nd made to feel parental authority in such an uncompromising manner. It awoke a spirit of resistance, and gave him half an excuse for imagining himself ill-treated ; and like every human creature who thinks himself unjustly or harshly dealt with, he lost sight of his own offence in his resentment of what he considered his father's harshness.

The answer came without hesitation. " Leave home, sir ; or stop speaking to a person who chances to cross my way, be the obligations for speaking whatever they may? — well, home is not home where oppression rules — and you leave me no alterna tive : I will go." He spoke firmly, though respectfully. No quiver of lip or eyelid betrayed the faintest yielding. He evidently meant just what he said; and having taken the stand, the elder gentleman was forced to accept the decision. "Very well, sir ; very well — the sooner the better, the sooner the better. If a Wayne must be taught his duty at this late day, no time like the present to begin." He spoke hastily, though, truth to tell, he was by no means pleased with his son's resolve. It presented a painful fact to his notice. His little " Press " was no longer a child, but a man who both could and would assert his own prerogatives ; and that knowledge, when ever forced upon a parental acceptance, must bring its quota of pain as an inseparable attendant.

" You can spend the remainder of your vacation with your Unc'e John," said the already repentant father, anxious to preserve his authority and keep the letter of his word — seeing the uncle in question was only two miles away — while, parent-like, he offered the spirit upon the altar of affection. But young blood is ever hasty, and the youth scorned the compromise. " With all due deference, sir," said he, stiffly. " I am twenty-one years of age. If you choose to send me out of your house, I shall consult my own pleasure where and how I spend the remainder of my furlough, and it will not be at my Uncle John's." To turn his only son out of his house for the sake of Gilley Farley was about the last thing Colonel Wayne ever calculated upon doing. Yet here was a dilemma, either horn of which would give that rascally Press the advantage.

The position was simply this : He must amuse himself idly with a girl far below himself socially, and to whom his notice might be productive of incalculable injury ; or, from sheer opposition, he must come to an open rupture with his family. Hard lines, when on2 considers how long he had been away, and what a handsome dog he was. His mother's pride and joy, some of his father's pride too ; only the old gentleman did not admit it even to himself. And there was Uncle John who absolutely worshipped him now, anticipating the day when he should call the boy son. All these considerations and — Gilley Farley. " Well, well ! Mrs. Farley must keep her girl at home, if her presence were likely to set the family by the ears ; for, you see, the truth is, almost anything was better than a family quarrel ; among other things, it would break his mother's heart."

To come down from a position gracefully is, at all times, a difficult performance ; yet in these moments of rapid thought Colonel Wayne saw plainly which one must yield. He had not counted on the young man's advantage ; and, perhaps, had overrated his own authority. One thing, however, was perfectly plain : if his son and himself came to an open rupture at this particular time, some of his most dearly cherished B schemes would be imperilled, if not altogether destroyed. Then another idea thrust itself forward for consideration. Perhaps both Mrs. Farley and himself had magnified the matter, until from a trifling pastime they were near to making something serious out of what, if let alone, would die for want of fuel ; and, in that view of the affair, it must be confessed the Colonel appeared at a disadvantage.

To get the thing over, then, with the least possible trouble was the best way out ; so the elder gentleman spoke with more pleasantness than seemed probable a few minutes ago. " Well, Press, my boy, I certainly do not desire a falling out between us ; but I would ask you, in all kindness, to remember you are a gentleman, and govern yourself accordingly. I would not have Louise to hear of this nonsense for a prize." " May I ask that you will remember it also, sir?" answered the young man, with the crimson spot still burning upon his cheek. "And as for Louise— well, time enough for me to consider her in my life's canoe when our boat is fairly launched. Inclination is one thing ; to be hampered quite another. If Louise objects to my speaking to another woman, be she rich or poor, high or low, she will find that I shall please myself."

There was an ominous pause at the finish of his sentence, and the after amendment did not in the least disguise the original meaning. His father understood him only too well, and hastened to cover the unpleasant subject before it should come to the surface. " You seem bent on taking fire this evening, whether insult be intended or not. I did not say she would object to your notice of any one, but I do know it would wound her deeply, and so do you. And no incons-derable portion of a gentleman's duty is to regard the wishes of those to whom affection is due, be the relation whatsoever it may. And now, one word more. Your mother is very much disturbed ; the girl's mother is_ disturbed ; I am angry and offended; and I ask you to set our minds at rest. I ask it — I do not command it ; and I ask it as a personal favour.

You ought to grant it, Preston Wayne, for never before have I asked aught of a living creature." Lieutenant Wayne was a vain, spoiled child of luxury and fortune. He had been petted every hour of his life, from infancy to manhood. Opposition to any whim he could express was something new ; yet down in his heart there were plenty of good traits, prominent among which was his love for his father. Oscar Wayne, of Wayneville, was his son's model , and if there were any considerations that would or could have made him self-sacrificing at that age, it would have been for some misfortune or pain or trouble to menace his father, from which bv any kind of effort he could interpose a shield. The kind words moved him as neither threats nor commands ever could have done : they subdued him in a moment " I ask your pardon, sir, for causing you anxiety," grasping his father's extended hand, while a very decided moisture gathered in his eves " I will endeavour to avoid it for the future ; but pray do not put it in that light Whenmyfather asks anything of his son, it should be somethings more importance than such stuff as we have been discussing ; and should you ever have occasion to ask anything really of me, sir, consider it granted, though oceans should roll between us.

We can navigate oceans but hard feelings are harder to tide over." a ' " You are right, my son," answered his father, as they shook hands. " You and I must not fall out, or we might make hot work of it. And now I have no doubt your mother is impatient of our long stay. We go to your Uncle John's for the evening, and neither of us is dressed, and yonder is the carriage." The subject of their temporary disagreement was forgotten in the weightier consideration of each other. In his heart the father resolved not to blame again unless the offence were far greater. In his heart the son resolved not to offend again unless something of more importance should arise. Colonel Wayne was far more exercised than he cared to admit even to himself ; for it was very important that the harmonious relations between himself and his son should not be disturbed just now ; and yet an hour ago he was all afire with wrath and indignation, prepared even to swear and storm if needs must.

Not that storming was a habit with him. He was far too indolent, and as he would have said of himself, far too much of a gentleman, to descend to unreasonable anger or vulgar language. For one thing, he had no need. A simple word of command brought unconditional obedience from every living creature around him — the solitary exception being his son. And thinking the matter over before Preston came home that afternoon, the Colonel was fairly at a loss what weapons to use in case the boy should prove stubborn. Never before had their differences come to an issue. Either the father would look away from faults which, if seen, would necessitate punishment to preserve rule, or else the boy would come of his own accord, acknowledge his delinquencies, and submit without a murmur to what was awarded him, thereby simplifying the father's duties, and winning for himself consideration for the future.

This time things were different. From the beginning of the little ugly matter, Colonel Wayne knew — felt in his heart, perhaps — that each one must stand his own ground as long as he could, and the one who yielded first would have taken his position for all coming years. It was no longer a question of truant-playing, colt-breaking, night-fishing, or any of the trivial offences boys commit. Something far more serious lay underneath. It was like the Roman youths when they were first invested with men's garments — " Boys to-day ; men to-morrow." Yesterday Preston Wayne was to his father the boy of seventeen who left home five years rgo ; to-day he was a man, acting for himself, and seemingly capable of holding his own against odds ; and the subject now in dispute was — a woman ! So the world goes round.

There was a pain in the elder's heart far deeper than the little disagreement justified. He did not believe Preston cared a straw for the girl. At any other time he would have passed her by with perfect indifference ; nowhetookanattitudesimply toshowthat he was nolongerin leading-strings. " A man now," thought the father, as arm-in-arm they walked homeward. "A man beyond my control— possibly even beyond my influence— having both the will and the power to defy me ; and I must accept whatever he chooses to give, instead of his deferring to me, as boys should to their fathers, even if they are two-and-twenty, or two-and forty, for that matter. But, ah me ! when youth learns deference to age and accepts that all ages have their especial obligations, then the millennium !" But he said no word of what was passing in his mind.

To all outward seeming they were the best of friends. Each felt that he had been over hasty towards the other, and each strove by gentle conciliation to make amends. In this slight sketch the reader will have gained an insight into the habits, dispositions, and manners of the family thus brought before him ; but a few words more by way of explanation may not be out of place, and then the natural unfolding of events must speak for themselves. Colonel Oscar Waynewas theonly son of General Wayne of revolutionary memory, who gave his name and fortune to his infant son, and his life to his country. No patriot of that long, illustrious line gained a brighter page in history than the young General, who died for his country at a time when he seemed to hold in his hand all that makes life desirable.

Patriotism, "pure and undefiled," glowed from his ardent soul like sunshine on the water, and was reflected with undimmed lustre in the person of his son. Ten years after the father's death, his widow married again— an old friend and boon companion of the General — one, Doctor John Shelby, a very estimable gentleman, and a father in ever)' sense of the word to little Oscar. One son was the result of that marriage, to whom was given his father's name. Therefore, Oscar Wayne, our friend, and John Shelby were only half brothers, and Oscar eleven years his brother's senior. The boys grew in years apace ; but in affection they twined root and branch and leaf. Oscar's love and tenderness for his little brother resembled, in its unselfish devotion, the pure, deep fountains of woman's love, that asks nothing, expects nothing, claims nothing ; but finds its greatest happiness in ministering to the wants and necessities of the beloved, and smiles in fullest joy when its labour has been successful.

To carry his little brother in his arms during John's infancy, to steady his toddling steps a little later on, to teach him to shoot tiny arrows from miniature bows, to talk, to throw rock at rice birds, made Oscar Wayne's paradise. " My brother, my brother," was the beginning and the end of his Psalm. And when boyhood was over for both, and both took their places in life, the love that had been an all-absorbing sentiment in their youth still remained the same, to mark and individualize the men. They married the same year, the younger first, Oscar being thirty-six, and John twenty-five. General Wayne was enormously wealthy ; Doctor Shelby only a poor country practitioner; yet the first act of Oscar's majority was to divide his fortune equally with his brother. John was only ten 'years old ; but he comprehended his brother's unparalleled generosity," and proved his appreciation by passionate floods of tears ; 'and with arms clasped tightly around his brother's neck, protested, between his sobs, that " if ever old Oscar wanted his eyes, or his hair, or his teeth, all he would have to do was just to say so.

He didn't care for the negroes, nor the plantation ; but he did love his brother, and would fi^ht the feller that said he didn't." " Ah, yes ! little boy, I understand," said the elder, gently. " And be sure I will come whenever I want what you have." In after years, when Preston was sixteen, and Louise, John's only child, ten, Oscar came for John's eyes and hair and teeth, that is his daughter. " Brother," said he, and his voice quivered a little, " I want our children to marry. Do you think you can stand it ? " For a single instant John hesitated. Preston had already proved him self a strong-willed, as he was undoubtedly a strong-limbed, boy, and his little Louise was as gentle as a flower. He looked wistfully in his brother's face, as though he would make an effort to gain a few years' time, until the characters of both were nearer developed ; but the look of deep anxiety in Oscar's eyes vanquished him, and the brothers clasped hands upon the compact.

After that, each one busied himself to form his child with a view solely to his or her future prospects. Louise was brought up with the knowledge that Preston was to be her future husband : and the hope of the Wayne " house " was notified of the "family alliance," and requested to comport himself accordingly. Before leaving for West Point to finish his education at the Military Academy, he had, of his own accord, placed a ring upon the first finger of his cousin's left hand, and somewhat pompously informed her that she " belonged to him now," and if any of those Habersham boys came fooling around while he was away, somebody would suffer when he came back — certain. Louise was very proud to show her ring to the interdicted youths when they insisted upon carrying her books home for her, or attending to her fishing-rod when they were angling in the same stream, or rendering any service of knight-errantry, for a knightly race were those " near neighbours," with their four stalwart boys, each and all of whom would have felt honoured with the championship of the little brown-eyed beauty who already belonged to " another fellow," to their intense disgust.

Strangely enough, you see, it was those same Habersham boys that made Preston's father so anxious to secure the sweet little niece for his son before any of them should be grown. Compared to himself and his brother, the Habershams were poor, as indeed were three-fourths of the district ; and although he had at all times — as he had proven — been gener osity itself to John Shelby, he had no idea of allowing any of his broad acres to serve as props for his neighbour's faltering fortunes. The habit of watching over his brother came natural. He seemed never to be able quite to make up his mind that John was a grown man. John was used to his ways, and regarded him with such an unquestioning affection that everything he did seemed right ; but in this case it did seem a little like as if Oscar was going a long way to look for danger.

Nevertheless, to yield was John's nature, and the good or evil to arise therefrom must be counted for the elder brother alone. In the five years of Preston's absence, Louise had made long steps toward womanhood. A Southern girl of fifteen or sixteen is so nearly grown that one may safely pronounce upon the unfolding flower. This one gave a very fair promise. Her delicate sea-shell of a complexion, her dreamy brown eyes, with their long curling lashes and perfect brows, her abundant chestnut hair, little even teeth, small hands and feet, and fairy like proportions, made a very sweet and attractive picture in her father's elegant home. She was amiable too, though she deserved small credit for that virtue ; for never in her sixteen years of life had a single wish been crossed that might be granted without detriment.

If there was any anger, malice, or uncharitableness in her composition, it was undeveloped. From her cradle-song up to the time we speak of, her life was one long unbroken melody. Her will was law to both parents. Not law in a sense of over-grown indulgence, but unselfish love. No pain affection could ward off was ever allowed to approach her. School tasks were made easy by her mother's patient care. Hard exercises became pleasant when a soft, loving voice directed the solutions. All the troublesome things that roughen and sour the temper of youth yielded to the potent and all-powerful spell of sleepless vigilance that guarded her every hour. Such a life would develop beauty, whether nature gave the boon or not ; though in her case even nature was bountiful ; and the rare combination had produced a most rare and lovely flower, but one that would most assuredly require the hot-house temperature to keep its faultless bloom.

One breath of the north wind would nip its beauty for ever. In culti vating texture, colour, and perfume, the gardener had left out strength entirely. Consequently when the winter storms shall come the chances are that my beautiful rose will perish. So felt Lieutenant Wayne, on meet ing his cousin after an absence of nearly six years. In the wide, expanded life at West Point, one learns many things besides the manual of military drill. For instance, the beauty of the Continent might be said to pass in dress parade for those rollicking cadets, and men of far larger experience would have been more easily satisfied than those beard less critics. They prided themselves on being connoisseurs of female beauty. They had established a standard for themselves, and with the overweening vanity of youth, regarded every woman who came to visit the school as preferring claims to their admiration.

And according to their code they were fidr-dealing enough. If the lady came up to their requirements, they awarded her the desired acknowledgment of merit, and time and again fought to defend their opinions. If she did not bring the required attractions, the verdict was, "Three paces to the rear;" and the unlucky belle thus rejected had no chance whatever at the next ball for partners in " uniform," unless, as it sometimes happened, that one cadet would admire a certain lady in spite of the " verdict." In that case, he pleaded her cause thus : "You fellows hold up now, and hear me awhile. I grant you she is not a sixty-four pounder; but, boys, you know a rifle piece has longest range. If she don't sing loud or waltz long, she's got the sweetest eyes and the softest hands of the whole regiment.