Hester Strong's life work

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Contents

CBAPm PAei

I. The Loverings and their Friends. • • .9

II. Life and its Changes. . . . • .18

CHAPTER I. The Loverings and their Friends

Just on the outskirts of one of New England's most enterprising cities, the Lovering farm-house has stood for at least a century. The old house was kept in excellent order, and in process of time the shed roof on the back side was raised, and a porch added, to make room for the third and fourth generations. Three tall, trim poplars stood sentinel in front of the house ; a maple at one end ; a Balm of Gilead spread its leaves and shed its healing buds at the other end, shading the .porch door. Just over the way, on a gentle eminence, stood the corn-barn, ample in dimensions, and under it the cider mill and storehouse for farming utensils, with bench and tools for repairing. On this bench the children and grandchildren (little ones, I mean) used to sit, and watch the apples fall into the hopper ; while Old Tom, the family horse, went round and round, with his sleepy eyes half shut, a miracle of patience and docility.

It was an important epoch in the life of each succeeding child when he or she was taken down from the car-

HESTER STRONG’S LIFE WORK.

penter^s bench, and assigned some post of honor about the cider mill. Just back of the house, at the left, stood a capacious barn, with all the conveniences necessary on a large farm, even to the ‘‘ little yard,’^ as it was called, especially for milking. But the pleasantest, the most delightful spot on all the premises, was the ‘‘ river road,’' or cart path, which led from the barn through welbcultivated fields, under fruit and other trees, down even to the smooth, sweet waters of the Merrimac. Dear old river 1 How the young people loved it I What moonlight, morning and midday walks they used to take, back and forth 1 If there is magic in music, so there was magic in the moonbeams as they fell upon the bosom of the sparkling water, and came dancing and flickering to you through the silver leaves of a cluster of willows which stood just at the right hand of the terminus of the river road. Beneath these willows were rustic seats, placed there many years agone, by young, brave hands, which are now folded over the silent bosom of a weary sleeper, who is resting in the village burial-ground. Of these willows we shall speak again. About half a mile down the river, and farther from its sloping banks, Nathan Sharp built a small, inconvenient house ; married, and made it the business of his life to get rich ; ignoring all refinement of manners, all adornment of his person or premises, and despising ‘‘ book lamin’,” as he called it ; counting no labor too hard that would pay well. His worldly goods increased, as well as his family, until he could count more acres than Mr. Lovering ; had more cattle crowded into his little shabby barn, more children in his inconvenient, uninviting house, and more money. He was satisfied, — as much so as a selfish,

THE LOVERINGS AND THEIR FRIENDS.

narrow nature can be. Money was his idol ; work, his pride and boast. Mehitable, the eldest daughter, was her father^s exact counterpart, except in one item — she was neat and orderly, even to a fault.

Mr. Manlie, an educated gentleman, lived at the village about two miles from the Loverings. His wife was a pleasant, cultivated lady, so that their children enjoyed excellent advantages, and were every way worthy of their parents. Horace Manlie, while a medical student, became engaged to Miss Hester Strong, an adopted daughter of the Loverings. Between these two families there had always existed a firm friendship, which ripened into a warm and permanent attachment. So when the eldest son of Mr. Lovering asked timidly for the hand of Mary Manlie, it was cheerfully bestowed. This connection was pleasant to all who had a right to be concerned, if the different members of Mr. Sharpes family did prophesy evil, and that continually. Mary and Hester had long been as sisters, and now they felt that they were sisters indeed, as they were in affection.

Both were looking eagerly forward to the time when Horace should complete his studies, and cement the bond of union between them. They spent many happy hours in talking over their future plans, their hopes and bright anticipations, little dreaming that a net was even then being spread by envious, artful hands, which would change their plans, and bring sorrow, ay, anguish, to many hearts. Mehitable Sharp had some claims to beauty of face and figure. She was of medium height, fair complexion, blue eyes, rosy lips, and very sprightly. With other training, and different influences, she might have been a noble woman. But as it was, all the good

HESTER STRONG’S LIFE WORK.

aspirations of her ardent nature were crushed out, all the envy and avarice of her heart were cultivated.

Her girlish fancy first fastened upon Charles Lovering ; and she lost no opportunity to cultivate his acquaintance, and went into many extravagances in dress in order to captivate him. But in vain. His true, noble heart found its mate in Mary Manlie, and he bore her to his home joyfully in spite of hints and unpleasant innuendoes thrown out by Miss Sharp. About the time of his marriage, she was accidentally thrown from her horse very near Mr. Manlie’s. She was conveyed to the house, treated with the politeness and attention her situation demanded, and then carried to her home by Horace, who was spending his vacation at his father^s. The young lady was charmed with the fine person and agreeable manners of the student, and wished, in her inmost heart, she could win him for herself. Instinctively, she saw how hopeless the task while in her present circumstances ; the difference between them, intellectually and morally, was too great ; but she used all the arts she was mistress of to interest him. She was brilliant, pleasant, and witty. He looked upon her as one who had been neglected, and sought to lead her into new channels of thought, to stimulate her to cultivate her mind and heart. And after this he often called at her home when passing, on his way to visit Hester. His prejudice against the family was not so great as that of his parents and sisters, because he had seldom come in contact with them since quite young.

His mother warned him that he would see trouble if he made so much of the girl.

''0, I think not,’^ was the reply. '' I am trying to

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bring her out, to make something of her. She feels her deficiencies sadly. Hester approves of my course. She pities her sincerely.’^

“ She must have changed, said his sister Martha. “ She used to despise learning, and make sport of you, and all educated people.’^

Well, that was when she was young and thoughtless,’’ was the reply. ‘‘ She told me she did. I am going to lend her some books ; and, Martha, I wish you would join me in the good work of bringing this young girl up out of the slough of ignorance in spite of her parents.” The student returned to his studies with buoyant, hopeful spirits. His affections had never wavered from his first and only love, no, not for a moment. But into Hester’s heart had finally entered a vague doubt, a nameless fear, a secret and scarcely recognized pain. Soon his letters became less frequent: she made no complaint,, but her step became less elastic, her voice more silent ; she was changed. When he chided her gently for her remissness in writing to him, she smiled almost bitterly, and strove to still the throbbing of her wounded heart, little dreaming that the perfidy of another had robbed her of those tokens of remembrance which she so much craved. Had either of them been less patient and uncomplaining, the artful web which was being woven about them might easily have been broken, and all would have been well. As Mary sat writing to Horace one day, Hester said, —

Are you writing to Horace ? ” '' Yes, dear,” was

the reply. May I put in a note to him ? I do not feel able to write much.” She wrote and sealed these fatal words : — u

HESTER STRONG’S LIFE WORK.

Horace, our engagement is at an end, and forever. Seek not to see me until we can both talk calmly of the past and its broken vows. Farewell.

Ever your friend, Hester Strong.

As she handed the sealed note to Mary, she sank back in her chair pale and exhausted, crushed and broken-hearted.

“ Hester,’^ said Mary, “ what is it ? Why will you not tell me ? Surely you do not attach any importance to that rumor about his engagement to Mehitable Sharp ? You should know Horace better than that. I have not even mentioned it to him. He would be offended. I knew he would be here soon, and then the cloud would pass. Cheer up, darling, or I shall laugh at you:^^ Hester tried to speak, but her lips were mute. She wanted to tell her, now that the letter had gone, of all that she had seen and heard ; of the letter she had been allowed to partially read ; of the strong professions of love he had lavished on one so unworthy of him ; of his great joy that the time of his release from an irksome duty was so near at hand, and the full fruition of enjoyment so soon to come. But she could not pain the fond heart of her more than sister by the recital of her brother’s faithlessness.

No, she could not call it that ; it was a strange fatality that had separated them, hard to bear, harder to understand. Days passed : all the friends looked for Horace with the greatest anxiety, feeling sure that he could explain all, and bring the old smile back to Hester’s face, joy to her heart, and light to her eyes, wliich were now dull with weeping. But instead came kind, affectionate

THE LOVERINGS AND THEIR FRIENDS.

letters to all but her he loved most and best. Hers read, —

“ Hester, I accept the freedom you have so freely given me, and its conditions. We will not meet until you wish it. I should have been better prepared for the cruel blow you have given me, but I was slow to believe what our mutual friend, Mehitable Sharp, so hesitatingly told me. And when you neglected to answer my earnest letters of devoted attachment, I should have believed, but I could not, 0, I could not I But when my last, eager, hopeful letter was returned unopened, and my sister’s letter came to hand, containing your cold, cruel renunciation of me, ray heart grew sick, and my very soul faint, with the bitter disappointment of its most cherished hopes. Farewell. To-morrow I shall be far away from all I have counted dear ; a restless wanderer to — I know not where.

Ever your friend, Horace Manlie.”

Weeks and months passed away before Horace Manlie was again heard from. His unexpected departure, Hester’s tears, all, all was a painful mystery to the family and friends. All that they could do to cheer and sustain Hester they cheerfully did, although their own hearts were sore and sad. At length letters came containing his address. If Hester had been hasty in dismissing her lover, she now hastened to confess her fault. She wrote to him of all her doubts and fears, her painful suspense, of all she had seen and heard, closing with the words, Horace, my dearest and best beloved, come home. I shall never be happy till I hear from your own lips that I am forgiven.^'

HESTER STRONG’S LIFE WORK.

Letters came and went, the light came again to Hester^s eyes, the smiles to hsr lips, and yet something of the old buoyancy had gone. Hester was wiser now. It was sweet to be reconciled and at peace with her hearths chosen one, but the time seemed long, very long to wait. Horace had engaged himself as tutor for three years. He had the privilege of attending medical lectures in one of the best of schools. He must fulfil his engagements, he wrote, though the heavens fall. Very soon after the mysterious departure of Horace Manlie, Mehitable Sharp married Morgan Lentell, a distant connection of the family. There was quite a disparity in their ages, as well as dispositions. He was fine-looking and amiable, but not very energetic. He made a home for his wife on a farm (rented, at first) about seven miles from her father^ s. Her outfit, although not elegant or extensive, was perfectly satisfactory ; as Mrs. Lentell had, like her father, a supreme contempt for the beautiful or the ornamental. But more than all things else she prized her spinning-wheel, reel, and loom. Poverty stood sentinel at their humble door for several years, but he was bravely met and conquered. Mrs. Lentell was, indeed, the more shrewd and capable of the two, and acted well her part as far as the accumulation of property was concerned. The rest we will leave our readers to learn as our story progresses.

The Loverings and the Manlies had never been on terms of intimacy with the Sharp family. But since they had proclaimed to the world that Horace Manlie had broken his engagement with Mehitable, and fled through fear of the Loverings, there had been no communication between them. They met and passed each

THE LOVERINGS AND THEIR FRIENDS.

other without recognition. So that when, two 3^ears after, the emaciated form of the gifted young man was borne to his childhood’s home to die, and Hester, patient, faithful Hester, watched tenderly over him, there were no prying eyes or curious ears to disturb the mournful pleasure of those few remaining days. None knew how much they suffered, nor how much they enjoyed, except the immediate family and friends. And as the flickering light of that beautiful, manly life went out, and they laid their beloved dead in the churchyard near at hand, the two families drew nearer and nearer together, forming a circle, as it were, around Hester, the stricken, smitten one, as if to shield her from the sorrow which had fallen so heavily upon them, — but with a more crushing weight on her.

It is all a painful mystery,” they said; '' who shall fathom it ? A deep, deep wound ; who but the Inflnite One can heal it ? ” It was there Hester looked ; and after months of weary, prostrating sickness, she came forth calmly, and serenely took up the burden of life, consecrating herself to God, and devoting her time and talents — all — to the work of ministering to the sick and suffering of earth.

And, verily, she will not lose her reward,

HESTER STRONG’S LIFE WORK.

CHAPTER II. Life and its Changes

Twenty-five years had not passed over the families, which we have introduced to our readers, without making great and important changes. The dear old father and mother of Charles and Mary Lovering, after years of patient waiting, passed on to the reward of the righteous, blessing God for the gift of such kind and devoted children, such loving and respectful grandchildren.

“ It is only the fruit of your own judicious training, Hester, the child of their adoption, used to say. Mary Lovering had found her a source of never-failing comfort and help. “ What should we do without Hester ? was a household word ; and many other families said and felt the same. All these years she had been like a ministering angel to the sick and afflicted, not only in her own, but often in neighboring towns, whenever home duties would permit

“ Mary and I have six children,^^ ffle used to say, laughingly. I don’t know which loves them best. But sometimes they think they love their auntie a little rnite the best, for I never punish them.” It would be difficult to imagine a more pleasant and joyous family circle. But Hester began to say the harvest time had arrived. Olive was gathered into a home nest of her own, Frank next. Edward was at college. Charles, junior, said he

LIFE AND ITS CHANGES.

must wait and look after his lovely sisters — Harmony, the beautiful pet lamb of the flock, and Elivia, the sparkling, brilliant baby of the household. Those were happy days at the farm-house, as the children gathered around the ample fireplace in the large, old-fashioned kitchen, in winter, talking cheerfully, reading, sewing, or singing, while the father led with his deep, bass voice and his violin. Martha Manlie often made one of their number ; for, like Hester, she had been down into “ the valley,’^ and seen one nearer and dearer than life go over the river and leave her standing alone, with lifers blasted hopes, and sweetest, fairest flowers lying faded and fragrantless at her weary feet. “ 0 Hester, sweet sister, she used to say in the first months of her grief, ‘‘ how is it that you are strong enough to bear your own and other people's sorrows ? But we must pass hastily over these events, and remain silent about many things that would be of interest to the reader. Mr. Lovering is grandpa henceforth, and Hester is aunt to everybody. Harmony was her especial darling — from her striking resemblance to her uncle Horace. It was but simple justice to call her beautiful. She had small, regular features, black, glossy, and very luxuriant hair, and eyes full of tenderness, deep and dark. Her complexion was very fair, with rosy cheeks, a bewitching smile, and voice soft as sweetest music.

It was not strange, then, that she who was so much admired at home should be sought after, early in life, to bless and brighten another home. So it was.

Keep her in the home nest closely, m other, grandpa used to say, '' or we shall lose her too soon.^’

Changes have been wrought also in the family of Me-

HESTER STRONG’S LIFE WORK.

hitable S. Lentell. The rented farm has been bought and stocked, and increased in size. She has eight children ; three boys and five girls. Some have married and gone from the din of the loom and the buzz of the wheel. Morgan, the eldest son, is his mother’s pride.

I should like to have them Loverings see him,” she used to think. He was, indeed, a noble specimen of young athletic manhood ; six feet in height, well proportioned, with deep-blue eyes, brown hair, and comely features. As he excelled in all youthful sports, he was a great favorite in his circle. He had also his mother’s business talents ; so the care and burden of the farm fell naturally upon him. Mrs. Lentell had grown prematurely old in . the race for money ; deep lines of care were marked on her once comely features. In her family she reigned a sort of queen ; her word was their only law. Her house was kept in order, and the family were happy in their way, by due submission to the ruling power. Mr. Lentell was a cipher in his own house. He was often reminded of his great indebtedness to his wife for the property he possessed. Sickness and death had never entered their dwelling. This was owing to her excellent management, she thought. She was never sick ; why should others be ? Morgan had become a famous rafter of wood and lumber to a seaport town not very distant, and in that way brought ’much gold to his mother’s coffers. On one of these occasions, he was taken suddenly and severely sick. He remembered the cluster of willows, the delightful road, and the neat farm-house but a few rods distant. He had often caught glimpses of young men and maidens seated beneath the willows. Someone might be there now. If not, he might reach

LIFE AND ITS CHANGES.

the house. This thought nerved his arm till he arrived at the spot. Two young and very lovely girls were seated there. He hesitated to accost them, but they

soon discovered his situation, and Harmony Lovering stepped timidly and gracefully forward, as she said, — You are sick — are you not, sir ? My father’s house is near, and my brother is at work in the next field. Shall I call him ? ”

“If you will do so, I shall be greatly obliged,” was the reply. “ I have never been so sick before.” Charles came at his sister’s call. He saw at once that it was a case of cholera morbus, if not of cholera, but he was too generous to leave him in this hour of need. Elivia went forward to inform the home circle. Harmony lingered by the sick man. Simple remedies soon relieved the symptoms, but grandpa prescribed rest and a cup of tea. By that time it was night. “ Stop with us till morning,” they all said, “ and take a fresh start.” He was nothing loath, for in such a family it would be pleasant to spend a lifetime. These, then, were the Loverings he had heard his mother speak of with such bitter contempt. Surely she did not know them. Was it possible that Mrs. Lovering was about his mother’s age ? How young and fair she looked I And Hester, he had thought, was a monster ; but no, she was a noble-looking lady, with a calm, sweet face. And Harmony ! Never before had he seen or dreamed of such a vision of loveliness. What a contrast to his uncultivated sister ! what a contrast in everything !

“ You said your name was Lentell,” said grandpa, at the supper table. “ What was your mother’s maiden name ? ”

“ Mehitable Sharp,” was the reply.

HESTER STRONG’S LIFE WORK.

“ Ah ! indeed,’’ said grandpa. '' Alary, you remember her ; she used to be neighbor. They lived on the place where Air. Stearns lives. Charles, they left when you were a baby.” Hester’s keen eye rested on the young man’s face for a moment, wondering if this noble-looking, agreeable young man could be the son of her youthful enemy. Was he like her ? She felt uneasy and anxious. Her quick eye had seen the glances of bashful admiration pass between Alorgan and Harmony, and that the two would be fitly mated so far as beauty was concerned. But, like one of old, she queried, Gan any good thing come out of Nazareth ? ” Reader, this was but the beginning of the end of my story. The visits of the son of Alehitable Sharp became frequent, and agreeable to Harmony, at least. And while sitting under the willows, watching the moonbeams dance and flicker in and out through the leaves, listening to the ardent professions of devotion uttered by the rich, manly voice of Alorgan Lentell, little Harmony fell a victim on the altar of sweet, young love. She was wholly his. The young man soon won a place in the affections of the family, so that sooner than they intended, sooner than their judgment dictated, they consented to, part with their darling. Hester remonstrated when she found Harmony was to board with her husband’s mother. But all in vain.

‘‘ It will only be for a short time,” was the reply ; '‘just long enough for them to build.” This silenced, but did not convince her of the wisdom of the plan. Airs. Lentell was not pleased with her son’s marriage into a book family, and that the Loverings. “ What good is their lamin’ going to do ’urn ? ” she used to say. “ It won’t help ’urn hold a plough, or swing an axe, or

LIFE AND ITS CHANGES.

cook a dinner, or make a shirt, or darn a stocking to say nothin^ about spinnin^ an^ weavin’.’’ But these objections were carefully concealed from Harmony and her friends ; for Morgan had assured them, firmly and decidedly, that he should leave them, and forever, if obstacles were thrown in the way of his marriage. The old house had grown too small for them. A new one must be built immediately ; and who but he could lift the mortgage and build the house ? And so the young, inexperienced child-wife was actually settled in their midst before she knew their prejudices or the real character of the family. But she was soon made to feel herself an intruder ; and the, future opened out before her like a dark, dreary wilderness, with just one light to illumine the darkness — the ardent love of her husband. This, she thought, would always be left to cheer her. Her affectionate, trustful nature clung to its first and only love, never dreaming that what had seemed to her so sacred and pure, so much like heaven, could ever be covered up or blotted out by the blight and mildew of sin. She did not see the terrible monster that was winding his hideous folds around the noble form of her husband, paralyzing both body and mind. She was used to seeing the wine-cup passed around in her father’s house, but intoxication she had never seen ; to real intemperance she was a stranger. She knew not that her husband’s feet were even then ready to slip, and that he was being goaded on by the perplexing cares and conflicting influences which surrounded him. Poor child, she did not know the power of the intoxicating cup, or of a strong-minded, managing mother over a son taught from childhood to obey. At first, Morgan defended his young wife from the insulting

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treatment of his mother and sister and two younger brothers. The elder sisters, being married and well settled in life, received her kindly, and treated her with respect.

He astonished them all one day by informing them that he had entered into an engagement with an aged widow in the neighborhood, to take a deed of her property, giving a bond for her proper care and support. That was a terrible blow to them, as Mr. Lentell had become disabled for active labor by a fall, and was depending on his son to pay up the debts, build the new house, and take care of them in their old age. He, from the first, had treated the young wife with respect and tenderness, and had often been pained by the cold, unkind treatment she received in his house, especially by the bitter taunts of his wife ; but he was powerless to improve her condition.

'' I don’t blame you, Morgan,” was his only reply when his son made known his decision ; ‘‘I canH blame you, but God only knows what will become of us.” And the tears fell slowly down those patient cheeks.

His mother was silent and sullen, attributing it all to his marriage with a good-for-nothing Lovering.

He would be sorry before long, beg her pardon, and come back on her own terms. She was sure he would never get on with such a slack, shiftless wife. “She didn’t know a distaff from a reel when she come here, to say nothin’ about spinnin’ an’ weavin’ and so she let them go, apparently well pleased. She was mistaken Harmony was young, far too young to assume the duties of housekeeping, being only sixteen at her marriage ; the consent of her parents being gained only by the assurance of Morgan that she should be a boarder in his fa-

LIFE AND ITS CHANGES.

therms family, without care, till matured both in strength and judgment. But the kind, motherly, instructions of the aged widow enabled her to succeed better than might have been expected. She bade fair to make an excellent housekeeper. She often referred to this period as the two happiest years of her life.

By that time Mrs. Mehitable Sharp Lentell began to fear that her son would not return like the Prodigal of old. She saw that she was losing her power over him. The farm, in spite of many days^ labor bestowed on it by Morgan, junior, was running down ; the debts were not being paid, nor the new house built. She changed her tactics at once, and by a series of skilful manoeuvres, by prayers and tears, warnings and entreaties, caused him to break his engagement with the widow (who had been as a mother to him and his wife), and return, like a fool to his folly, a little less than a year previous to her death ; which would have left him in possession of competence and happiness.

Morgan Lentell never failed in obedience and respect for his parents. That was an overshadowing influence with him, while his own family took a secondary place in his thoughts. He might have had a deed of all the property when he returned ; but regard for their feelings induced him to let writings remain as they were, and transact business in his father’s name, lending his own as security. Harmony and her three little children spent the summer at grandpa Lovering’s while the new house was in process of erection. It was to be large and convenient for two families ; therefore the confiding wife wove many a fanciful web of happiness for herself in the future, interwoven, more or less, with dark forebodings,