Glenwood; or, The parish farm ..

Front matter

J

OR,

THE PARISH FARM

Chapter XX

The Surprise of Mr. Gregg. — Mrs. Betsey in a Passion. — Fruitless Search for the Culprit. — Talk and Feelings of the People. — A Steeple-chase not after the Usual Style. — Hector runs away. — Is brought back. — Mr. Gregg not Happy. — Remorse. — Hector in Search of a Wife, 239

1*

VI CONTENTS.

Chapter XXXV

Miss Whiting's Story. — The Early Marriage of her Mother. — Loss of her Husband. — Marries again. — Capt. Clinton Shipwrecked. — Is made a Slave. — After Eight Years' Captivity is Ransomed. — Returns Home. — A

Thrilling Scene. — Reunion, 388

Chapter XXXIX

The Crowning Event. — Sale of the Farm in Stetson. — Purchase of the Gregg Farm. — At their New Home. — Mr. Bugbee in a Passion expresses his Opinion.— Marriage of Miss Whiting. — Mother and Child meet again. — Capt. Clinton removes to Glenwood. — Home and Happiness, . . . . . .417

Chapter I

^^ GLENWOOD. THE GREGGS.

THE vilfage of Glenwood (which we are about to describe, and in which were enacted many of the scenes the reader will find in this book) lies in a pleasant valley in one of the New England States, at the base of a high hill, dignified by the inhabitants with the name of mountain. Near by is a beautiful sheet of water, bordered with flowers and green and red shrubbery, giving it a unique and picturesque appearance, and making it, in all its aspects, one of the most charming inland lakes that the eye ever beheld. Into this lake the high hill casts its shadow ; and bright-eyed children, when they behold it, clap their hands, and call it the looking glass of the mountain.

The hill or mountain is covered with tall pines, which were green and large a long time ago. They are thrifty still, and at night, when the moon shines and the winds blow, they wave to and fro in the blast, and reflect a large and magical bridge into the shining lake.

The green hill has ever been a famous resort for the people of Glenwood. Persons with lively imagination, and strong, bold heart, delighted to wander there by night; while the timid preferred to remain at home, for the moving shadows awoke their fears, aid filled their souls with gloom. To the former it was as gratifying as fairy books for children ; — those dark forms towering far up into the heavens were the giants they had read of in their childhood ; and when the soft evening air gently moved the tree-tops, and caused a slight murmur or rustle as it played among the highest branches, they fancied the giants were bowing their heads and whispering great secrets, or that they were lovers saluting each other with warm kisses, or pouring honeyed words into greedy ears. Again, when the great winds swept through those mighty trees with continuous roar, alternating with shrieks and moans, the giants were angry, and they were uttering terrible threats to some neighboring giants, or they were waging v!i fierce quarrel among themselves. And children, when they passed near the mountain in the evening, would move with a light, quick step, for they fancied they "saw men as trees walking," and heard strange, mysterious whisperings come down from the dark, tall trees. But in the day-time such fears troubled them not ; for it was the delight of old and young, when the sun was sinking, to repair to the lovely green slope on the south side, and lie down in the cool shade, or sit and read or relate laughable stories, while lovers walked apart, uttering thoughts which were too sacred for any to listen to but themselves. Here were the children happy ; sheltered from the burning sun, they ran and gambolled, and boys and girls rolled down the hill-side, upon the earth's clean, green carpet, one after the other, in an ecstasy of fun and frolic, shouting in the fulness of their glee.

In the clear silver lake the people caught fishes, the boys bathed, and gathered the milk-white lilies, whose long stems were as graceful as the flowers were beautiful.

The hill and lake were the pride of the people of Glenwood, and it was an unwritten law among them that no more trees should be cut upon the mountain, the land should not be ploughed upon the south side, and the lake should be kept clean near its borders, and fishes should be caught only at stated periods.

Glenwood has respectable pretensions in the way of importance, because of size. Its location is healthy and attractive, the streets are well laid out, the architecture of the buildings is unusually good, and the yards and gardens are arranged with commendable taste. Twenty-five years have wrought little change, although there have been some additions and improvements. A majority of the people were then wealthy farmers, and they are so to this day. There is, however, a commendable amount of mechanical business done here. There is a manufactory for sleighs, and another of oil-cloths, and another for various kinds of wooden-ware, — nutmegs and cucumber-seeds not included, those articles of commerce and art belonging exclusively, we believe, to the land of " steady habits." There is also an organ manufactory. These different kinds of mechanical business give employment to a large number of men and boys, and have brought into the village some original characters, which I may have occasion by and by to introduce to the reader.

Many virtues had the people of Glenwood, though it must be confessed that in some respects they were sadly deficient. The majority labored diligently during the week, attended church on the Sabbath, were honest in their dealings as the world goes, but sharp at a bargain. Pecadilloes were winked at; arid, though the prodigal son was freely forgiven, especially by the gentler sex, the young woman who had sacrificed her virgin purity, even though she had but once sinned, was never forgiven ; men and women united to pour out their vials of contempt upon the poor offending one, forgetting that not a stone would have been cast at the fallen child if they had remembered their own infirmities, and thereby learned that they too were sinners. Alas ! that the erring should ever be made to feel that there is no forgiveness and no restoration for them. When there is a frown on every face, to whom shall the fallen go for help ? To Jesus, say you ? It is well. All the sinful may look to heaven with hope. But we must remember that these bodies of ours require shelter, clothes, and food; and, guilty as we may become, we do not relish the being closed from the circle of friendship and sympathy ; and the poor soul needs to be encouraged by loving hearts to rely on the Lord for pardon.

The poor and unfortunate in Glenwood were not entirely overlooked. The pauper was provided with a home — so the people generally supposed, and in a certain sense the supposition was correct. But what right have people to be poor ? "If they will throw themselves upon the town, why, then," as Mr. Blossom, of Glenwood, said, "they must expect to be taken care of as cheaply as common decency will allow." And certainly Mr. Blossom was a reasonable man, and a charitable man withal ; at least, he was so regarded by many of his townsmen.

The people of Glenwood were a church-going people ; and, twenty-five years since, there were three meeting-houses, all well filled on fair Sundays, and now there are four. The minister's salary is promptly paid, and donation-parties are frequent and largely attended. At such times the clergyman's house is well stored with provisions, and various articles of clothing for the cold winter.

By this time I think the reader is pretty well acquainted with the people of Glenwood ; at least, as much so as he will care to be for the present. A more intimate acquaintance is only desirable as we progress with our story.

In a large, elegant house on the east side of the village, a few rods from the lake, lived Joseph Gregg, a farmer, and a manufacturer of sleighs. At the time our story commences, he owned three hundred acres of good land, the most of it being under cultivation. In his factory he employed twenty men, and later a dozen more in making organs. Mr. Gregg prided himself on his business tact, and in fact there were not many things which, in his estimation, he could not do as well as anybody else. He was a self-conceited man, and took great pride in differing from other people, especially in religion ; and he often boasted that all three of the clergymen in town had been " floored " by him in an argument on Scripture and reason. In his religious creed he was liberal in the extreme ; but his faith seemed only to play round hia head, without once touching his heart. The former was warm and benevolent in all its aspects ; the latter, cold and hard.

Mr. Gregg's family consisted of himself, one son, two daughters, and a housekeeper. Thomas Gregg, the son, was the eldest child ; Fanny was the next eldest, being two years younger ; and Delia, the remaining sister, was four years younger than Fanny. The name of the housekeeper was Mary Haggett ; she was called Polly Haggett. She had been, so it was currently reported, quite a belle in her younger days, and refused, in not a very lady-like way, many advantageous offers, and one from an excellent young man, whom she felt she could love devotedly if he were only rich. But, alas ! her beauty had now faded ; all her teeth were gone but two, so that her cheeks had met with a collapse ; and on her forehead time, or disappointment, or hopes long deferred, had ploughed many and deep furrows ; and under her eyes the crow-tracks were so intermingled and innumerable, that you felt she was now

'An antiquated maid."

There was one feature upon which she still prided herself, and she had a right to do so. Though more than forty years had passed over her head, her hair was long, thick, wavy, and of a beautiful brown, soft and glossy as silk. Many a damsel of sweet sixteen envied the old maid her lovely looks.

Mrs. Gregg died when Delia was two years old. Seldom is there seen a more interesting child than was this little dark-eyed one, left without a mother at that tender age. Mrs. Gregg was entirely unlike her husband, — differing with him in his religious views, believing in a sterner creed. — yet was she gentle, loving, and faithful, in all things. Mr. Gregg believed that woman was far inferior to man ; and he was continually prating about "silly women," how easily they were "gulled" by the clergy, and made to believe the most foolish and inconsistent things. When he married, he professed the same faith with his wife, and argued stoutly in its defence ; in fact, was a member of the church ; and when he changed, he fretted her continually because she did not change also. " Women's 'rights " were an abomination in his sight ; and he seemed to think that it was the duty of the wife to deliver up her conscience, her mind, her faith, and heart, into the keeping of her husband. If the two were made one, it was by sinking her identity utterly.

It may easily be surmised what would be the result of linking the earthly destiny of a pure-hearted, high-minded woman with such a man. Mrs. Gregg tried hard to please, but seldom succeeded. She was continually censured, charged with neglect of duty when rnqst faithful ; accused of nervousness and feigning sickness, when she should have met with sympathy. She wished that she might become so accustomed to this treatment, and hardened, that it would no longer cause her such cruel suffering. But it would not do ; her nature was too pure, her temperament too nervous and exquisite ; and so she lived only to be mortified, to suffer the keejiest disappointment and anguish, until her warm heart beat out its life. One bright autumn day, when the sun was low in the heavens, she gathered her young children around her, pressed them to her bosom, and then in strong faith entered the valley of shadows. Mr. Gregg was away when the weary one went home, and he wept much when he returned ; but he did not doubt that, in the main, he had been a most exemplary husband.

Polly Haggett, who was now dependent upon her own labors for a livelihood, was immediately installed as housekeeper. Little Delia had the blackest eyes, the loveliest mouth, and the most winning expression. Her face was round and fair, and her elfin locks, and a wayward, nameless grace in all her movements, made her most bewitching. Her father loved her dearly ; at one time being over-indulgent, at another exacting and severe. His management of the other children was after the same model ; but he showed the most affection for Delia ; she was his pet ; and, though frequently harsh and unkind to her, yet in his eye she was the most perfect of children. He would often say, in an exultant manner, " Delia has my blood in her ! You may see it in the glance of her eye, in her proud step." He was right; the bright little thing had his blood, but then it did not make her more noble or pure. That it gave her some energy of character is possible.; but her beauty, virtues, and winning graces, she inherited from her sainted mother.

Chapter II

JOSEPH GREGG, ESQ. POLLY HAGGETT.

THE evening of the day that Polly Haggett was installed as housekeeper at Mr. Gregg's, these two respectable parties occupied the sitting-room alone. The latter had sat very stiffly for a half-hour, reading the weekly paper ; but he now laid it aside, and entered without delay upon the important matter uppermost in his thoughts.

"Hem! I understand," said Mr. Gregg, "that there is nothing to prevent your being my housekeeper as long as is desirable, Miss Haggett."

"Not anything that I know of for the present," she replied.

" For the present ?" emphasizing the last word. "If there is anything in the future, anything not of the present, I should like to be informed in relation thereto."

This stiff, dignified way of saying little things, which is so much in vogue with little great men, constituting, in fact, all the claim they have to greatness, somewhat disconcerted Miss Haggett, who was usually as affected as Mr. Gregg was dignified. She therefore sat in silence, trying to form an answer ; and it was just as well that she did not immediately speak, for Mr. Gregg was extremely fond of hearing himself talk, and he thought that others were even better 2* pleased, than he. In public meetings, if people became so weary of his long, drawn-out harangues, consisting of words divorced from ideas long before the flood, with no probability of a reunion this side of eternity, that one half left the house, he would think that, if he had not been speaking, they would have all gone, or a portion of the audience were so obtuse that they could not comprehend him.

"You of course understand me?" he said. "I know nothing of your future prospects. It is possible that you are engaged to be married."

" 0 ! no," said Miss Haggett, in some alarm, wondering if Mr. Gregg was about to propose. " I assure you, sir, nothing of the kind. I have no such thoughts — the daydreams of youth are fleeting, you know."

" Yes, they are so ; nothing is lasting in this changing world but mind, and that shall continue when the rock in — in — in the water shall have been moved from its strong foundations. I am extremely glad to hear that your future is like your present, Miss Haggett, not appropriated ; because I wish to have things in my house permanent."

" Per — permanent did you say, sir ? "

" To a certain degree, Miss Haggett. I wish to be assured that the one who occupies the important and responsible — mind, I say responsible position — of having the charge of my house and children, shall continue in that important and responsible position for many years. Are you willing, Miss Haggett, to occupy that position? "

" Yes, sir, I will do the best I can to please you."

" It is well, for no one can do better than his best. Positive good, comparative better, superlative best — the latter is all I require ; and the reasonableness of this requirement should induce you to enter my service with hopes of success. In my note to you I mentioned the sum which I was willing to make over to you per week, for the responsibility which you now enter upon. Is that satisfactory?"

" I think it will do ; but, should I require more — "

" Should you require more ! Why, you cannot require more. The stipulated sum will clothe you well, and find you in spending-money. However, I do not wish to be parsimonious ; and, if I am pleased with you, I will give you even more than I had intended."

" Thank you, sir."

" Your name is Polly, I understand? "

" Mary is my name, sir, but I am sometimes called Polly, though in my brighter days I was always called Miss Haggett."

" Never mind if you were ; I like the name Polly best. It is the right sort of a name for a domestic ; and hereafter I shall call you Polly, and the children will call you nothing else but Polly." After a pause,

" My children, Polly, are in a measure committed to your care ; and I want you to be decided with them, but not severe, and don't spoil them with kisses and caresses. Mrs. Gregg was in some respects a woman of sense ; but she lacked my judgment, and then she was always hugging and kissing her offspring when she should have been teaching them dignity by example, and womanly — hem — womanly bearing. This you will remember, and govern yourself in accordance thereto. Other things, in relation to the general and particular management of household affairs, will be considered hereafter; and until then let the theme remain as though it had not been. Good-night, Polly."

"Good-night, sir," she replied, and retired to think about her responsible position, and whether she should ever succeed in entrapping the dignified Mr. Gregg, so that she could be the mistress of the house in reality.

After she had laid her head upon the pillow, she turned the subject over and over in her mind, and queried how the thing could be done. Mr. Gregg was all she could desire ; wealthy, and more than a common person, or he could not talk as she supposed all the great men did, with so much dignity, and conscious, lofty bearing. And was not Polly — (for, in deference to the superior wisdom of Mr. Gregg, you and I, reader, will call her Polly too) — and was not Polly right in supposing that Mr. Gregg was something more than ordimry ? Don't mothers and daughters everywhere think very highly of a man, if his bearing be lofty, and if he seems very intellectual, and says trite things as though every word weighed a pound, as has been said of the stout Saxon words of Daniel Webster ? And don't men sometimes sit with open mouths if a public speaker shall only appear to be uttering great thoughts ? Do not, I beg of you, be too prodigal in your compassion for the weakness and want of discernment in Polly Haggett ; for the sound is not unfrequently taken for the substance, and many men do an extensive business on an amazingly small capital. And, then, if a man be wealthy, or a young woman have wealthy parents, why, they are sensible people — they are genteel people — they belong to the ton; and the pompous speeches of the former, and witless sayings and exceedingly small talk of the latter, are swallowed with keen relish, and digested, too, as though dyspepsia had never been heard of. It is very possible that the same things from some people might produce nausea ; but they must not be fashionable people, for that would be decidedly out of character.

Polly Haggett resolved, that night, that she would not always be Polly Haggett. To be Mrs. Mary Gregg was now the height of her ambition. There was one great defect, which must be remedied as soon as possible — she must have a new set of teeth. As soon as she could save a sufficient sum, she would go to Boston, and be no longer " sans teeth." But it would require quite a large amount; and, as she received. only one dollar and fifty cents a week for her services, she must be very economical, or it would never be obtained. With these thoughts in her mind, Polly fell asleep, and dreamed all night of Mr. Gregg, his offer, and her acceptance, the renewing of her youth, the honors which she now received, and the blessedness of married life.

When she awoke the next morning, it was hard to persuade herself that it was all a dream. But, then, Polly believed in dreams ; and, as she discarded the common saying, that dreams always go by contraries, she arose in a cheerful, hopeful mood, with a lighter heart than for many years before.

Little Delia, as young as she was, seemed to comprehend, in a measure, the loss she had met Avith : for it was long before she could be made, by the most tender treatment, to be the glad-hearted, laughing child she had been before. So often was she found weeping, that her dignified father did not interpose his opinion and authority when Polly pressed her lovingly to her bosom, and kissed away her tears. But childhood griefs are not usually of long duration, and Delia's sorrows were in due time forgotten. Then it was that Polly became more stern in her bearing ; for, although she had a warm heart, and loved to fondle little children, yet, as she had a great object in view, she wished to please Mr. Gregg, and conduct herself as nearly in accordance with his views as possible. Being so submissive, always yielding to his superior wisdom, she succeeded in pleasing him well, and he declared that she was the pattern of a housekeeper. The children grew up under her charge and their father's, not truly loving either, for the latter was often harsh and unjust, and was never willing that they should act like children ; he wanted them little men and women ; and Polly dared not manifest that love which children require from those who stand in the place of parents ; and then they were always taught by their father to regard her as an inferior being, — one whom they must obey, to be sure, because it was for their welfare that they should.

When two years had passed, Polly, having saved the sum desired, made a journey to Boston, and procured the long-coveted teeth. It really did make a wonderful .difference in her manner of speaking. Her cheeks were no longer so awfully sunken, and, as soon as she became accustomed to the new additions to her mouth, she ceased talking like an old woman of seventy, and the full tones, long lost, seemed to come back aa by magic.

After she returned from the metropolis, she spent the evening with Mr. Gregg, who did not notice the difference ; but the next morning, at breakfast, Delia espied the new teeth, when she suddenly screamed out, clapping her hands, "Just see Polly's mouth! It is chock full of white teeth."

Mr. Gregg looked with surprise, and Polly blushed, and was extremely confused. The former frowned reprovingly upon Delia, and she did not venture to say more.

In the evening, when the children had retired, Mr. Gregg thought it his duty, as the responsible head of the family, to inquire into the matter. He expressed his surprise that she should have taken such a step without consulting him, when he had so much wisdom and experience ; doubted the propriety of expending so large a sum for false teeth, when she would so much need it in her old age ; thought that so many teeth — a whole mouthful — were entirely superfluous.

Polly justified herself on the ground that she could not masticate the hearty food which her system required without teeth ; that the children would hear her talk every day, and it was requisite for their good that she should be able to pronounce her words well ; and it must be more agreeable to himself to have her converse with round, full tones, rather than like a very old lady.

Mr. Gregg could not gainsay Polly's reasons, and so acknowledged that the step which she had seen fit to take without consulting him "in relation thereto," was, upon the whole, a wise step. The latter consideration, however, was more weighty in his mind than the former. He told her that she could have done very well so far as her food was concerned, for she had for many years ; but it was requisite that she should pronounce her words correctly, for the children, especially the youngest, would listen to her conversation more than thut of any other person, and he wanted them all to speak worthy of their origin. He believed that, if they could learn to converse from him alone, they never would need to study grammar at all, for they would speak all their words with the most perfect propriety. Mr.*Grogg would not censure Polly for the " very responsible and important step " she had taken without asking his advice, but hoped that hereafter she would consult him in matters of serious import, for he wished to be of service to the " humblest and most insignificant."

Polly replied by saying that she did not doubt it at all, for his " kind heart " would not allow him to do otherwise, wondering all the while what he really meant by ' ' humblest and most insignificant." "If I thought he had reference to me," she said to herself, " I would not stay here another day ; no — not another day ! "

Under the guidance of these two wise beings, the three children grew up. Thomas, at twenty-one, was nearly as conceited and dignified as his father ; Fanny, as superficial and affected as the old maid who had the care of her ; while Delia remained as artless and wayward as when a little child.

At sixteen she was a very beautiful girl, of medium height, erect and well-formed, with a handsome face, hair as black as the raven's wings, and dark, brilliant eyes, shaded by long, silken lashes. Her father had sought earnestly to make her dignified and womanly, as he called it ; and Polly endeavored to teach her the required "female accomplishments," which consisted in part, at least, of affectation, and talking wisely about nothing; but all would not do — she was the same unsophisticated child, full of vivacity, fun, and frolic, and in her bosom was a world of warm-hearted love.

All this time had Polly waited, hoping to be made a happy wife, but waited in vain She was now quite old, but what with her false teeth, and the new hope which had sprung up within her heart, she looked younger and fairer than she did when she first entered the home of the Greggs.

She had taken every precaution to make herself necessary to the comfort of Mr. Gregg. She consulted his wishes in all things ; prepared the kinds of food which he preferred, took the nicest care of his wardrobe, and kept the house scrupulously neat. At night, when he returned home, his arm-chair was always drawn up by the fire, and his slippers ready to put on.

Sometimes Mr. Gregg would say to himself, " She would make a good wife ; but, pooh ! shall a Gregg marry a mere servant ? As soon as I have time, I shall look me up such a wife as I require."

Polly, though beginning to despair, occasionally intimated her wishes by guarded hints ; but all would not do, and so she resolved to try the effect of stratagem. She knew that whenever she left home for a visit of a day or two, Mr. Gregg was very impatient for her return. She was aware that he meant to seek a wife before he was much oldef. She did not intend to remain one moment after a new mistress should enter the house ; and she felt that, if she must depart, it would be as well to take time by the forelock. Having so determined, she informed Mr. Gregg that he must procure another housekeeper, for she should remain but one month longer. Remonstrances were all in vain, and Mr. Gregg was obliged to secure the services of some one in Polly's place. The latter returned to her old home, where lived a widowed sister, hoping that she might not be allowed to remain long.