In dead earnest

Chapter I

T he clouds were lowering ; a mist was sweeping over the Atlantic coast. Down in the Carolinas and in Virginia this mist soon turned to rain, but as it rolled farther North it developed itself in snow-flakes, which, as night approached, began to fall thick and fast.

The northern-bound train seemed running a race with the storm-king. As twilight deepened into night, the lamps were swung inside the long line of coaches, the burning lights in front glared like demons’ eyes athwart the snow, and as the engine poured forth its sparks of fire and volumes of smoke, one who was not on board the train might well have imagined, as he saw it, that a destroying angel was madly tearing along the track.

At last the city of Philadelphia was reached ; there was hurrying to and fro, and every preparation among the passengers for hasty exit. One old gentleman in a drab-colored coat and broad-brimmed hat had accumulated his treasures in a heap, and now stood looking around, puzzled as to what he should next do. He presently went to a seat

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behind him whereon was coiled something under a shawl, and stooping, whispered, “ Jasper ! Jasper ! thee must wake up now. We are almost at home. Don’t thee hear, Jasper? Wake up, child !”

The passengers were leaving the train, and yet the little sleeper, exhausted and unaccustomed to the fatigue of travel, could not be roused. A young man of about nineteen, tall and well formed, with the down of a coming mustache upon his upper lip, seeing the dilemma of the old gentleman, came forward and offered his services.

“ Thee will find her too heavy to lift, I fear, but if thee has a mind to lend me a helping hand, I will thank thee, for it is a bad night, and we should be getting into a coach as soon as possible.”

The young man lifted the child from the seat, and wrapped his own cloak around her, while the Quaker gathered his parcels and led the way to the door of the coach. Just then Jasper woke up and struggled to get upon her feet, but the wind was blowing a hurricane, and the snow was on the ground, and the stranger held on to his burden until he deposited it safely in the carriage to which the gentleman led the way.

“ Thee has proved a friend in need,” he said. 44 I would be glad to render thee a service at any time. ’ ’

The young man simply replied that he ‘ 4 was welcome to his assistance, ’ * and with a touch of his hat hurried off to catch the train for New York.

Poor little Jasper ! Eight years old and an orphan ! She had led a wild, free, happy life so far. She could

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beat any girl of her age in the whole country, riding, running, and jumping, and could swim like a fish in the bargain. Her father and mother had died within a few weeks of each other, and she had been left to the care of an uncle, who was taking her to his home for the first time.

It was not long before Ephraim Grantland was landed safely at his own door, but on account of the new-fallen snow his arrival had been so noiseless that it was very evident that no one had found it out. After several ineffectual pulls at the door-bell, feet were heard in the hall, and admittance was gained.

** Come in, child,” said Ephraim to the muffled-up little figure, that seemed to hesitate from sheer bewilderment ; “ here is thy aunt Hester, and here is thy cousin Abel.”

After Hester Grantland had greeted her husband, she turned to his companion, and looking into the weary face and the large, almost unnaturally sad eyes, said, ” And this is Jasper ? Why, child, I had heard thee was handsome.” Hester imprinted a cold kiss on Jasper’s forehead, but did not observe the deep flush that crimsoned her cheek the while.

** Poor little wanderer 1“ said Ephraim, ” thee is glad thee has gotten to thy place of rest no doubt, for the journey has gone hard with thee. Take off thy wet wraps ; and, Hester, ” he continued, “ if thee has any supper for us, the sooner ready the better ; Jasper will sleep without rocking to-night. ’ *

Mrs. Grantland’ s table was a perfect marvel of neatness. The fragrant tea sent its aroma through the room, and Hes-

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ter, as she took her seat before the tea-tray, motioned the others to their appointed places around the table. All sat in perfect silence for some moments. Jasper then unwittingly rattled her knife and fork, yet even Abel did not lift his eyes from his plate until Hester dispelled the charm by applying her hand to the handle of the tea-kettle. Abel then made an attack on the bread, and the cheese was drawn affectionately towards Ephraim.

“ Thee is unacquainted with the customs of the Society of Friends, I see,” said Mr. Grantland to Jasper. “ Thee must remember hereafter to preserve silence for the purpose of asking a blessing before partaking of thy meals. Thee must endeavor to conform to our customs since thee has become a member of our family,”

Jasper murmured faintly, “ I will try,”

‘ ‘ That is all I ask, my child, ’ ’ said Ephraim Grantland, pleased with his niece’s reply. “ If we try we can do much, and nothing worth doing is done without trying much. ”

The cup that cheers but not inebriates put new life into Jasper, and she began to make a survey of the room with her large wondering eyes. Opposite her sat her Cousin Abel, a fair specimen of a healthy, handsome boy, but the contrast between his face and his costume caused Jasper to smile involuntarily. The lad saw this and blushed. Hester Grantland bore upon her features the stamp of an iron will, which was only toned down by the extreme serenity of her manner. The closely-fitting white cap, the snowy handkerchief crossed upon her ample bosom, the soft gray of her plain dress, were all in keeping with the autumnal tint of

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carpet, chairs, curtains, etc. The coffin-like figures upon the rug made Jasper turn her eyes away ; they next fell upon the cat. Nature, regardless of Hester Grantland’s opinion upon the subject, had given puss a coat of orange and black, and a tail of the same. Forgetful of time, place, and circumstances, Jasper, thinking only of a pet kitten she had left at home, and feeling as if she had at last found something to let out her heart upon, sprang from the table, and, in the energy of her affection, took the cat in her arms.

“ Put down the cat,” said Hester with that placid decision of manner from which there seemed to be no appeal. ” If thee has finished thy supper thee can go upstairs ; thee will find Sophy Gregg there, who will tell thee where thy room is. Take thy wet cloak out of the hall. I will have thee waked in the morning. Good-night to thee.” Jasper held up her face for the good-night kiss, but Hester was busy about the tea-things and did not see her. The child made one spring into her uncle’s lap, and throwing her arms around his neck buried her face upon his shoulders.

” Do you love me?” she said, while a great sob seemed almost rending her bosom.

Ephraim Grantland smoothed back her hair caressingly, and said, “ Little girls must not ask foolish questions ; actions speak louder than words. I should think, dear, thee had found out before this whether I loved thee or not. Go to bed now. I hope thee will be a good girl, and mind all that thy aunt Hester says to thee, and not give her trouble. There — I will kiss thee for her and myself too ;” and thus dismissed, Jasper went in search of her unknown dormitory.

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The table clear of the tea-things, and Abel gone to his books, Hester sat by the fire with her knitting, while Ephraim related the circumstances of his journey. He had reached his sister’s home only two days before her death. That sister had married Col. St. John, and gone to a far-off Virginia home. Gradually, one by one of her family dropped off, until Ephraim and herself were the sole remaining members. Reverses came ; then she was a widow ; and this last blow deepened a disease which had already fastened its hold upon her, and on her death-bed she wrote asking her brother to come to her. Hester Grantland knew all this, but she had not ventured to deter Ephraim from the visit ; she had only said, “ Remember thee has a son of thy own to educate, and thee is getting on in years beside.” Ephraim Grantland felt that he could not shirk the charge of his only sister’s only child, and therefore set forth on his journey, for, like all quiet men, there were some things he would do despite the lack of encouragement from his wife. He yielded most points to her superior judgment, as he called it, but once in a while that judgment was set at naught, and on this occasion Hester found there was no use throwing obstacles in the way. Ephraim had listened with the mildest expression of countenance, but quietly adhered to his intention of taking the journey South. He had gone, and was now back again. And “ Hester,” said he, “ it was well that I went ; I feel quite sure that I shall never regret it.”

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Chapter II

The sun was high in the heavens the next morning before J asper opened her eyes. She would very likely have gone on sleeping until midday if Sophy Gregg had not put her head in at the door, saying, ‘ ‘ Who-y, not up yet ? I am thinking Mrs. Hester will be after you ; hurry, hurry !” said the help ; “ it’s wash-day — you know and with this her shining face disappeared.

Jasper did not know, however. She had yet to learn that Ephraim Grantland’s house boasted but one servant, or help, and that help was the aforesaid Sophy ; that Sophy was to hurry over the breakfast, clean up the house, and have the clothes hanging upon the line by eleven o’clock. Jasper rubbed her eyes well to get them open ; then, with characteristic impetuosity, broke two or three shoe-strings ; then fastened her key in the key-hole of her trunk, could not find her pins, and finally reached the dining-room after the morning’s meal had commenced.

“ Good-morning to thee. Thy uncle has gone to his business,” said Hester, noticing that Jasper’s eyes turned toward his vacant seat. 4 4 He has no time to spend in bed of a morning. Sit down to thy breakfast ; when thee is done, thee is to go to school ; all arrangements have been made for thy education. Abel, thee is to show thy cousin the way to Dr. Beckwith’s ; mind that thee puts on thy overcoat and snow-shoes. ’ *

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44 Can thee knit and sew ?” said Hester, addressing herself to her young niece.

4 4 I can sew some. ’ ’

44 We cannot afford to be idle here,” went on Hester. 4 4 Thee can sew some. What else can thee do ?’ '

4 4 I can play a little on the piano and sing ; I can write, ride on horseback, fire a pistol, dance, and’ ’ — forgetting entirely where she was — 44 1 can do this,” said Jasper, and, jumping up from the table, she posed herself, and then doubled backward until her head almost touched her heels.

Abel spilt his coffee, and burst into such an uncontrollable fit of laughter that the tears ran down his cheeks, while his mother regarded the calisthenic exercises with placid scorn, saying, 44 Eat thy breakfast ; we want no circus performances here. Has thee gotten to the end of thy list of accomplishments ?”

44 I know right much French,” said Jasper, not a little discouraged, but trying to draw comfort from a hot buttered roll.

44 Did thee expect to go to France ?” asked Hester with keen sarcasm.

44 Oh, yes ! Papa was going to send me there to school — he wouldn’t have let me come here if he had lived. He didn’t like the Quakers a bit. Oh, he just despised ’em !”

Abel here gave way to another outburst ; and Jasper, seeing all at once that she had said something amiss, clapped her hand over her mouth for a second, exclaiming, 4 4 There now ! that’s just like me — uncle’s a Quaker ; I’m sure everybody loves him. ’ ’

4 4 It is a matter of no consequence who thee loves, or what

II thee thinks of the Society of Friends,” said Hester. “ Finish thy breakfast. It is hard to tell whether thy father was training thee for the cavalry or the hippodrome.”

“ Oh, I think it must have been the hippodrome,” said Jasper, taken with the sound of the name. ” He wanted me to be a boy, but I wasn't a boy, and he taught me all sorts of things that girls didn’t do. I used to ride over the plantation with him, and he would let me fire at a mark while he held my hand, and he made me practise all sorts of things to make me strong ; and mamma thought every thing papa did was right, and it was. ’ ’

Get thy bonnet and go with Abel, ’ ’ said Hester sternly. ” Thy uncle has selected thy books at the school. I will have some sewing for thee in my work-basket when thee returns. I expect thee to do thy daily task with thy needle.”

Thus silenced, Jasper got up from the table, and prepared herself for the first day at school. As for Abel, when he was once fairly in the open air he kicked up his heels, tossed his hat on high, and seemed to enjoy the freedom from the restraint he was under at home quite as much as any boy could. He teased Jasper no little about the hippodrome; offered to post her bills when she got ready for a public exhibition. This, of course, brought on a quarrel, and Jasper informed him that she didn’t like him anyhow, whereupon Abel replied that there was no love lost between them, as he had little use for ” tom-boys ” A few moments more brought them to the place of their destination and into the presence of the principal of one of the largest schools in the city. The gentleman was evidently expecting them, for he

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came forward and spoke kindly to Jasper and Abel, and the latter, abashed under the gaze of nearly a hundred school-girls, made a hasty exit, whispering to Jasper as he did so, “ Thge can find thy way home by thyself."

Jasper was assigned a seat by a pretty little curly-headed girl about her own age, who pointed out the lessons for the next day, and showed such a kind interest in the new-comer that Jasper asked her name.

“ I am Katie Lee,” was the reply.

“ And I am Jasper St. John,” said her companion, and having been thus introduced they became intimate at once, and were seen with their heads close together over their books until the recess bell was rung. They were then observed promenading the long gallery, with their arms around each other, as loquacious and confidential as if they had been acquainted for years.

On Jasper’s return home she found Sophy Gregg with flaming face and skirts tucked up, sprinkling and folding the clothes, while Hester assisted in laying each article in the mammoth basket before her. Jasper was given the sewing prepared for her by her aunt, and she stitched away quite diligently for some moments, having made several ineffectual efforts at a conversation, first with Mrs. Grantland and then with Sophy. But presently Ephraim Grantland’ s footsteps were heard, and needle, thread, thimble, and cloth went flying in every direction as Jasper sprang toward him. Ephraim bent down, and, taking her face between his hands, kissed her as he said, “ Child, thee has all of thy mother’s affectionate nature, with thy father’s impetuosity. Thee

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must study to be quiet. She will get toned down, wife, as she grows older.”

“ I hope so,” said Hester dryly. “ In the mean time I will thank thee, Jasper, to pick up my work-basket, and to put away my scissors and needles, if thee intends to devote thyself to conversation for the rest of the day. * ’

Jasper put away every thing with alacrity, and, glad to find a listener in her uncle, gave an account of her experience at school, expressing her opinion of each individual, and winding up with an amusing account of the queer-looking professor of music, who wore his wig on the side of his head.

“ Is he the one, uncle, who will teach me music ?”

Before Ephraim could reply, Hester said quietly, “ Thy uncle cannot afford to have thee taught by him or any one else ; thee may as well reconcile thyself to that."

Jasper gave an inquiring, wistful look out of her gray eyes, and saw that Hester was telling the truth.

“ Go now and study thy lessons for the morrow, and when thee is done help Sophy set the dinner-table ; she has overmuch work on hand to-day.”

Mr. and Mrs. Grantland being left to themselves, Hester thought it a fit opportunity for discoursing upon the mistakes made in Jasper’s education.

“ But thee knows,” said Ephraim in reply, “ she is but a light-hearted child now, and we must mould her character. We are too apt to forget that we were once young ourselves. Was I not a middle-aged man before I joined the Society of Friends? I should not mind Jasper’s learning music, but since thee objects I yield that point. In all else she shall

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have a first-rate education. Her father was a fine linguist, and I think she inherits his talent. ’ *

‘ ‘ She had better be taught to sew, ’ ’ said Hester.

“ Of course she must learn woman’s work, and with thy example I am pretty sure she will do so, Hester. Cheer thee up, wife ; don’t be over-anxious; there is no royal road to learning any thing. Line upon line, precept upon precept, must be the rule ; and with thee to inculcate the daily lesson, our little waif may grow up to be a fine woman. Who knows but what she may prove a blessing to thee when Abel goes to college?”

“ Don’t be too confident of it,” said Hester, with a shake of her head. “Think of a child’s galloping wild horses, firing pistols, etc !”

“ But always under her father’s eye. However, I do not seek to justify the training, and I agree with thee that it was unfortunate, especially as she will no longer enjoy the freedom of the country. Edgar St. John had his faults, it is true, but he was of a frank and generous nature. We must not ‘ draw his frailties from their dread abode,’ but be kind to his orphan child, Hester. ‘ Whoso giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.’ ”

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Chapter III

“ Thee is to make thy own bed,” said Mrs. Grantland to Jasper one morning, as she saw Sophy arranging the pillows.

” Oh, I like it — it’s fun !” said Jasper ; “I make it every morning, only Sophy will always put on a few extra touches.”

Sophy had winked at Jasper in vain to hold her tongue. “ There now, it’s all up,” whispered Sophy, as Mrs. Grantland went downstairs. ” I’ll never be allowed to touch it again. You’d better remember, to-morrow morning, not to put the blankets all on one side and the sheets on t’other ; folks may make beds that way down South, but we city folks don't. Now, you must sweep — this is the way and she wielded the broom with a vigorous hand. “ When you have swept, dust ! Mrs. Grantland hates dust like p’ison. Go ahead now,” she added, handing Jasper the broom. “ I can’t stay, for my bread will be burning.”

The next morning Jasper tugged at her bed with all her might, but do what she would the foot was ever so much higher than the head, while there was a superabundance of bed-clothes on one side and a dearth of them on the other. Finally the shapeless mass was smoothed down, and Jasper regarded her work with a glance of inward satisfaction.

“ Is this the result of thy industry ?” said Mrs. Grantland, as she entered the room.

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“ And isn’t it nice ?” exclaimed Jasper, as, with the spring of an athlete, she whirled over the rods of the four-posted bedstead and lighted upon her feet.

‘ 4 Thee seems to feel little concern as to thy misdoings, ’ * said Hester, as she took off piece by piece of the bedding and laid it upon a chair. 4 4 If thee makes thy bed before thy school hour, thee will have to be brisk ; it lacks five minutes of the time,” and Mrs. Grantland went out without saying another word.

Jasper threw herself upon the floor and gave way to a passionate burst of weeping. 44 Sophy ! Sophy !” she screamed. But Sophy could not hear ; she had put away the bread and gone to market. Jasper remembered suddenly that she would be late at school ; she sprang up, recklessly dashed counterpane and every thing else over the bed at once, and, seizing her bonnet, rushed out of the house. She was too late, and as a punishment had to take her place at the foot of her class. The child was getting desperately homesick, and thought seriously of running away ; only she didn’t know where to run to. She wondered if little girls ever sold newspapers about the streets ; she was sure she could do it as well as any one ; but then 4 4 where would the papers come from ?” She did try to do her best sometimes, 4 4 but what was the use ; no one ever knew it. What was the use of being good anyhow — who cared ?”

Her uncle was duly informed of every failure in duty, and he looked sadly at her, and sighed heavily when he heard of her misdemeanors.

Jasper found little to vary the monotony of the hours.

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When Sunday came, the Grantlands went to the Quaker “ meeting-house,” where each person sat in perfect silence until the spirit moved either some man or woman to address the congregation. It was a strange sight to Jasper to see the men all ranged on one side of the house and the women on the other, with a tall partition between. How quaint the females all looked in their coal-scuttle bonnets and short dresses ! Then there was never any singing or praying. ‘ ‘ What could it all mean ?’ ’

Hungry for music, every opportunity that Jasper could snatch at school she haunted the rooms where the girls were taking lessons, and while she was hid under the piano learned quite as much as the regular pupil. Many a time when the professor had gone to his dinner, Jasper stole from her hiding-place, crept to the piano-stool, and went through the exercise which had just been taught some one else. This helped more than any thing to drive away the homesick feeling, though it came back again. True, Professor Reinberg was cross, he stormed at the girls fearfully, but Jasper didn’t mind it — the beautiful music made up for all. Besides, he never saw her ; when music was going on, he cared for nothing else, saw nothing else ; even his beautiful little golden-haired Bertha, his only child, whom he loved better than any thing in the world, was not noticed then. This same infant Bertha had become a darling with Jasper. If there was any delicacy in her lunch-basket, it was always shared with Bertha. All the toys and pretty things that Jasper owned gradually came into the possession of the little pet, until i8

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Professor Reinberg became well acquainted with the name of Jasper, although he did not know her when he saw her.

A year had passed now. Jasper was growing, but at the same time great black rings were under her eyes, and as the winter advanced a hacking cough seemed to have settled upon her lungs. Miss Harrison, in whose classes she recited, noticed the change, and seemed concerned about it, but Jasper declared she was quite well, and the matter was dropped.

One gloomy winter’s day, concealed behind a curtain during her play-hour, Jasper as usual listened to the Professor giving his music lesson. The pupil could not take in the difference between the leger-line notes which were on the line and those under the line. The master waxed more and more impatient, until at last he grew hot and then furious.

4 ‘ I tell you de note is under de line — it is not 071 de line, ’ ’ he almost shrieked. “ Can you not see ?”

The young victim at the piano trembled visibly.

44 1 will ask you one more time,” he said. 44 Is dat note under de line or is it on de line ?’ *

A faint, weak voice answered, 4 4 On the line. ’ ’

The professor sprang from his seat, and, exasperated beyond measure, scattered sheets of music far and wide, while, in order to give a practical illustration of the situation of the note, he scrambled under the piano, and, squatting down, said, 44 Look at me ! Am I under de piano or am I on top of de piano ? Will you tell me ?”

The victim, now in a flood of hysterical tears, could not say* any thing. Here the professor sprang into the middle of the room, jerking the music from the instrument and tearing it into strips.

‘ * I can teach de music, but I cannot furnish de brains ; I will not give de lessons to one idiot.”

He raved, he stormed, he dashed his wig to the farthest corner of the room.

‘‘You need not come here again. You shall not put a finger on de keys. I wish you were dead and your bones were bleached !”

He turned around to hurl the culprit from the piano-stool, but found a second person there. It was Jasper, who had come out from her hiding-place, and had taken her stand by the frightened girl.

“ How came you here ?” thundered the irate man.

“ I come here every day at this time,” said Jasper ; “ if it makes you angry, I won’t come anymore, but please don’t scold Katie ; she knows all her notes ; I heard her say them yesterday. ’ ’

“ Why don’t she say de notes if she know dem?” asked the professor.

“ You scare her so,” said Jasper.

‘‘ One big lie,” exclaimed the German. “ Besides you don’t know if she sayde note right or not. Don’t you never dare to come to dis room, never no more again — you hear me ? Wasn’t you in de fear I would kill you if I did find out?”

“ No,” said Jasper, “ I wish I were dead anyhow.”

“ One nother big, big lie, you wicked creature.”

“ If you don’t believe me I will prove it,” said Jasper,

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and she put her hand down her bosom, and drew out a hard ball of snow.

Here was a case for investigation. The professor now calmed down ; simply motioned the pupil from the room, and turned his attention to Jasper.

‘ ‘ And dat is de way you take for to kill yourself. I shall report you. What for you do dat for ?”

“ I want to go to my mother,” said Jasper.

‘ * And where is she ?’ ’

“ In heaven.”

* ‘ But you will not go to any such a place if you do a dreadful' ting like dat. You will go to de torment.”

Jasper now looked frightened, and said, ” I heard my aunt say this morning she would get rid of me as soon as she could. Nobody loves me, and I don’t want to stay where I am.”

“ Come sit down,” said the man, forgetting his own troubles in the interest awakened. ‘ ‘ What for did you come to dis room ?”

“To hear you give the lessons, so I could learn, for my aunt says that my uncle must not spend so much money on me, and will not let me be taught ; besides she is a very strict Quaker and thinks music is a sin.”