Gold, tinsel and trash; stories of country and city

Preface

S OME of these stories have appeared as short serials in the Northern Christian Advocate. I have been often requested to publish them in book form. In looking them over it was found that they would make but a small volume, and “ Gold, Tinsel and Trash,” “The Conspiracy,” and “I Took You with Guile,” were added to the number. While in the main they bear particularly on Methodist usages, they are designed to interest and benefit all the branches of Zion, and check, in a measure, the rising tendency among professed Christians to indulge in worldly and unholy amusements.

E. W. J.

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CONTENTS,

GOLD, TINSEL AND TRASH.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. “Dust to Dust,” an!> a Cowardly Plot 7

II. The Arch-Deceiver Brought to Grief 19

III. Confession, Defiance, and an Invitation 29

IV. A Birthday-Party and an Accident 39

V. A Methodist Meeting, and What They Thought '

of It 53

VI. Another Blunder, and an Exit 64

VII. The “Best Society” Analyzed 73

VIII. A Meeting at Farrington’s, and “The Coming

of Arthur.” 82

IX. In Search of a Model, and How it Worked 93

X. Railroad Calamity, a Scream, and then Joy 106

OTHER STORIES OF COUNTRY AND CITY.

The Man with the Ruffled Shirt ; or, My First Week on L Charge 166

John’s Wife’s Brother : A Thanksgiving Story 202

The Conspiracy : a Story of the Medes and Persians.. 218

“ I Took You with Guile” 256

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GOLD, TINSEL AND TRASH.

Chapter I. Dust To Dust,” And A Cowardly Plot

HE fever had subsided, and reason had resumed the throne from which it had been banished for more than three weeks. But such had been the severity of the attack that there was hardly any hope that nature would rally. Dr. Thomas, a physician of wide repute, had faithfully attended to the sick man, and nothing which skill and personal friendship could accomplish had been wanting. Some two days after the fever had turned the sufferer expressed a wish to be left alone with the doctor for a few minutes, and the attendants left the room.

“Well, doctor,” said Mr. Trevor, in a very faint voice and with a pleasant smile, “ I understand the situation perfectly. I am about to emigrate, and I am fully prepared for the voyage. My mind is calm and my spirit tranquil. That religion which I embraced in my early youth sustains me now. I am very happy, and perfectly reconciled to the will divine. I simply wished to tell you this, and nothing more.”

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“ Gordon,” said the doctor, “ the providence that takes you away in the midst of your days and in the height of your influence is mysterious ; but in the light of heaven we shall clearly understand it. The grace so richly bestowed upon the husband and father will grandly sustain the wife and children. I must now leave. I will call again in the morning.” The physician left, and the attendants re-entered the sick chamber.

The next day, after the departure of the doctor, the sick man spoke to his wife, who, with his hand in her own, was close to his pillow.

“ Jennie, while I have yet a bit of strength T would like to have once more family prayer. Let Arthur and Alice be called in.”

In a few moments, accompanied by their pastor, the children came into the room, and, sobbing, they stood by the side of their father’s dying bed.

He cast upon them a loving smile and said : “ My sweet, loved ones, your papa is about to leave you. You have been very good children, and in the bright hereafter we shall all meet again. We will pray together once more. Kneel down where I can put my hand on your heads.”

The mother and children fell on their knees close together, within the reach of the father’s right hand. All others in the room bowed before the Lord, while in faint accents and with a face illumined that good man offered his last prayer. When it was over he affectionately kissed his wife and children, and bade them farewell. He sank into a quiet slumber, and in the afternoon, without a struggle or a groan, the happy spirit passed away to the “ Bright Forever.”

Marvindale at the time of our story, thirty years ago, had reached a population of three thousand, and was noted for its many attractive features. It stood on both sides of a river w'hich, owing to a large number of tributary springs, never became low. Its water privileges were very fine, and many of its citizens were engaged in milling. Within a mile of the place there was a small lake, surrounded by delightful groves, which rendered the vicinity in the summer season a favorite resort. There were in the village quite a number of stores, the most prominent of which w'as owned and conducted by Hon. James Mason.

Gordon Trevor until his sudden sickness had been a man of great business energy. But his strict attention to worldly matters did not retard his religious activity. He was one of the most efficient and liberal official members in the village Methodist church. His death spread a deep gloom over the whole vicinity, and his funeral was the largest ever witnessed in Marvindale.

Mrs. Trevor was an accomplished, amiable, and pious lady. Arthur was a splendid specimen of young humanity in body and mind, sixteen years of age. Alice, tw'o years younger, was fair in person, kind in disposition, sprightly, and, with her brother, already a member of the Christian Church.

Although Mr. Trevor in his milling enterprise was a successful man of business he was by no means rich. At the widow’s request his friends io Gold , Tinsel and Trash.

sold the mill property for a sum which, after paying all indebtedness, left the family in moderately comfortable circumstances.*

Fortunately for the bereaved household there was in the village a very excellent academy, into which Arthur had entered some months before his fathers death, while Alice preferred to remain awhile longer in the district school, under the training of a very superior teacher. The academy had flourished for years under the good management of Professor Lewis.

After Mr. Trevor’s death Arthur, with a thoughtfulness and piety seldom found in a boy of his years, solemnly vowed to his heavenly Father that in all his movements at school and elsewhere he would aim to comfort his mother and protect his sister. With this holy pledge stamped upon his memory and graven upon his heart the boy took hold of the various branches of study with renewed energy.

Attending the academy at this time was a boy about one year older than Arthur, by the name of Mark Floyd. His father was a wealthy brewer

residing in C , about fifty miles from Marvin-

dale. P'loyd was a good scholar, but selfish beyond measure, and in order to accomplish his ends would often resort to deception and falsehood. He was domineering and arbitrary. His money, which seemed to be abundant, he freely shared with those boys who flattered his vanity and put up with his selfishness. In this way he found a few in his own class that were ready to run at his bidding. His love of being admired was immoderate, and this, more than any thing else, had urged him onward in his studies. The success of others filled his mind with jealousy. There were many in the school who did not know the depth of this youth’s depravity, and among them was Arthur Trevor.

Mark was aware that Arthur was mastering his studies with astonishing rapidity, and that his own superiority in his class was in some danger. Such a disaster would be terrible. And so, from a low motive, he applied himself to his studies with increased vigor. In his recitations he appeared to good advantage, and more than one of the teachers in well-chosen words had bestowed praise upon the manner he and Arthur mastered their lessons. This did not at all please Mark. The equal praise bestowed upon Trevor made him wretched, and his countenance denoted displeasure. How widely different Arthur felt ! He was delighted with the praise bestowed upon his young friend, and thought all the more of him for his perseverance and industry. One afternoon after having received the praise above mentioned, when the school had been dismissed, Arthur, noticing a frown upon Mark’s face, addressed him in the most pleasant manner.

“ Floyd, after those high compliments from your teacher I cannot account for your displeased appearance.”

“ If I am displeased,” was the curt reply, “ it is simply my own business. I presume you think that to be put on an equality with yourself is a great compliment.”

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“ Mark, your words are unkind and uncivil,” said Arthur, with some feeling. “ It gave me pleasure to hear your perfect lessons, and I embrace the first opportunity to congratulate you.”

“ And in doing this you congratulate yourself,” said Mark.

“Not at all,” said Arthur; “I would rather be praised by my schoolmate.”

“ I am not in that mood just now,” said Mark, “and a fellow that is so wonderfully delighted by a little praise from his teacher doesn’t stand in need of any more praise on the same day.”

“ I am sorry to find you in such an unfriendly spirit,” said Arthur. “ Can it be possible that you are displeased because my lessons have been praised as well as your own ? Mark, I cannot afford to have imperfect recitations in order to please you or any one else. I am going to do my very best, and so are you. If you leave me behind I shall rejoice in your victory. If you find yourself behind, which is not probable, can’t you rejoice in mine ? ”

To the relief of Mark a number of the boys joined them, and Arthur Trevor in a thoughtful mood left the room and slowly walked toward home.

Floyd well knew that his treatment of Arthur was not at all in harmony with polite usages, and did not feel quite easy. But his selfishness outweighed his better judgment, and very unworthy and degrading purposes were readily admitted into his ungenerous soul. Trevor, who had never showed him that deference which some other boys had, must not be permitted to remain his equal.

The more Arthur reflected upon the brief conversation between himself and Floyd, the more that student fell in his estimation. His amiability and loving disposition did not at all interfere with his moral courage, decision of character, and keen sensitiveness to an insult. Therefore it will not be wondered at that after calm reflection on the situation he became more determined than ever to apply himself diligently to his books, and strive in a fair and honorable manner to reach a high mark in his studies.

The Hon. Judge Mason was considered by far the wealthiest man in Marvindale. When young he had studied law, and graduated with high honors in that department. He had been repeatedly elected to the Legislature, and subsequently to the State Senate. He had also served for some years as county judge. He might have easily reached higher distinction if he had permitted his friends to present his claims. He chose, however, in the midst of his popularity, to retire from politics and devote himself to the interests of his mercantile business. He was highly popular with the masses. With this his brilliant talents had much to do ; but his kind heart, his wonderful benevolence, and his unblemished public record weighed more than his fine abilities. He was ever ready “ for every good word and work.” He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the village and of its Quarterly Conference. He took deep interest

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in all educational measures. He was specially interested in the Marvindale Academy, and to him much of its success was justly attributed. There was one annual “ Mason prize,” twenty dollars in gold, to a gentleman of the graduating class, for the best original oration in composition and delivery, with a ten-dollar prize for the best original essay from one of the lady graduates. In addition to this he would often surprise other classes with irregular prizes, given for their encouragement and advancement. His family consisted of a wife and one daughter, a young lady then in her twentieth year.

On the morning following Mark Floyd’s illnatured remarks to his young classmate Professor Lewis, at the close of recitations, addressed the class of the second year as follows :

“ I am happy to inform you that as an incentive to study, and for the encouragement of faithful scholars, Hon. Judge Mason, with his usual liberality, has put in my hands two valuable prizes, to be competed for by members of this class at a time to be mentioned hereafter : ten dollars for the best original oration, in composition and delivery, and five dollars for the second best. The competition is Confined to young gentlemen. This will make ^ lively entertainment aside from our usual exercises at the close of the term. Those who will take a part in this contest will please hand in their names within a week from to-day. The names will not be made public until the evening of the competition. It is not expected that the orations will be equal in merit to those of gentlemen of riper years. Remember that they must be original. You may be tempted to borrow. Trample on the temptation and be honest. You may now retire.”

This caused lively a talk among the members of the class. All the boys were at home in declaiming, but an original oration was something they had never undertaken. Some shook their heads and declared that it was beyond their ability. Mark was silent, and from his behavior it was impossible to understand his purpose. He most earnestly coveted the prize, but there were obstacles in the way, and how could they be removed ? He well knew that in showing his ill-feeling toward Arthur he had seriously blundered and had injured his own chances. He saw that he must use different tactics or fail. On this day, after school in the afternoon, he met his young schoolmate, and in a very polite manner asked him to go with him to his room for a few minutes. Arthur rte^dily complied, and they were soon seated in a well-furnished apartment.

“ Trevor,” said Mark, “yesterday my head ached badly. Under that bad feeling I felt cross and used language that I would not have use^l under other circumstances. I hardly knew what\[ was saying. I hope you will let that pass and say nothing about it.” \

“ I will do that most gladly,” saM Arthur. “ You ought to be thankful that in spite of headache you can get such splendid lessons.”

“ O,” said Mark, wondering whether there was any sarcasm in Arthur’s reply, “ I had mastered my lessons before the headache came on.”

“ That was fortunate,” said Arthur, smiling, 44 and I would advise you to master your temper as well before you get another attack.”

44 That is good advice,” said Mark, hiding a rising resentment. “ But what do you think of Mason’s new notion ? ”

44 1 think it is very kind in him,” was the reply ; 44 but to ask an original oration from fellows of our ages is something new.”

44 And I should say perfectly unreasonable,” said Mark, in a sneering tone.

44 That cannot be,” answered Trevor; 44 Judge Mason and Professor Lewis would not propose any thing unreasonable.”

44 This time I think they have,” said Floyd. 44 What can boys of seventeen and eighteen produce in the shape of an original oration ? They will be laughed at. And will not such wretched failures discourage the class instead of advancing it ? I will have nothing to do with it, and I am informed that this is the feeling of the whole class.”

44 1 can hardly believe that you have been correctly informed,” said Arthur. 44 Professor Lewis knows what the class can do, and I am not going to despise his judgment.”

“You may do as you please,” said Mark. 44 1 say again that I believe the boys will follow my example and that there will be no competition.”

Here the conversation was brought to a close by the coming in of two members of the class, and Arthur quietly departed.

“ Well, boys, you are here a little sooner than I expected,” said Mark, “ and it doesn’t look much as if I was to entertain my friends. To-day it must be on a small scale, hoping for something better in the future.”

He then opened a cupboard, and placing before them a good supply of oranges, nuts, candies, and cakes, asked them to help themselves and to feel at home ; which request, to all appearance, was cheerfully complied with.

“ Baker, did you ask Tom Jones and Fred Williams to come ?” asked Floyd.

“I did,” was the reply, “but they declined in terms that you would not consider complimentary.”

“Just as I expected,” said Mark. “Those two chaps and Arthur Trevor are jealous of my standing in the school, and they would be glad to injure me if they could do it on the sly.”

“ They can’t do it !” cried Thompson, inspired by a plentiful supply of oranges. “ Hurrah for Mark Floyd! He is our leader, and we are ready to follow.”

“ You pay me too much honor, gentlemen,” said Mark, “ but I thank you for your cheering words.”

“ By the way,” asked Baker, “ what does Arthur think of this original oration business?”

“ He thinks the job is too heavy for the class,” said Floyd, “and in this I agree with him. Since his name is mentioned I will give you the nature of a good round joke which I am going to play on 2 i8

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him, and of course you will assist me. I assured him that I was to have nothing to do with this contest, that it was altogether beyond our powers, and that this was the sentiment of the whole class. I am of the opinion that under this impression he will not hand in his name. He is the only one that I fear, and I have resorted to this little trick to switch him off while our train passes. What think you of that ?”

“ Good for you !’* was the response.

“ Now,” continued the leader, “ let us finish our arrangements without delay, and let them be known to no living person outside of our circle. Professor Lewis will not reveal names.”

Having furnished an outline of his intended movements, and his companions having satisfied themselves with their leader’s delicacies, the party broke up, and before the setting of the sun the names of Floyd, Baker, and Thompson were handed to Professor Lewis as competitors for the prize.

Chapter II. The Arch-deceiver Brought To Grief

OTWITHSTANDING Arthur’s defense of

IN Judge Mason and the principal, the words of Mark had left some impression on his mind. If the rest of the boys were to stand aloof, of course there would be no competition. He wondered that such a good and ready speaker should look with disfavor upon a measure which presented him such an excellent opportunity to win new honors. Well, he would think the matter over, and would be in no haste to hand in his name.

One evening, as the mother with her two children sat in their comfortable parlor, the sister thus opened the conversation :

“ Arthur, the girls all say that the first oration prize will fall either to you or Mark Floyd, and nearly all hope that you will be the lucky fellow.”

“ I thank them for their good wishes,” said the brother ; “ but Mark ridicules the whole thing, and says that he and the rest of the class will have nothing to do with it. He was very anxious to win me over to the same opinion.”

“ Now, that is very strange !” said Alice. “ It is not at all like him and the rest of the class ! Arthur, I don’t believe that he told you the truth.”

Gold , Tinsel and Trash.

“ If he did tell the truth,” answered the brother, “ I don’t see any use in handing in my name.”

“ My boy in this matter should not be governed by the action of his classmates,” said the mother. “ He should inquire what is right in the premises, and what are the wishes of Professor Lewis.”

“ That is so, mother,” said Arthur. “ I told Mark as much. To-morrow ends the week. I will give Professor Lewis my name and will begin to think of a theme.”

“ You ought to have done it before, Arthur,” said the mother, in a pleasant tone. “ You will always treat Mark Floyd with proper civility, but he is not the one to be admitted into your confidence. You may possibly find out before long that his advice to you on this point was not prompted by honest feelings.”

The door-bell rang, and presently the smiling countenance of Professor Lewis was seen in the room. He began at once with the object of his visit.

“ My chief business is with you, Arthur; but I am glad to see you together, and please so remain. Arthur, I have wondered why you have not given your name as a competitor for the oration prize. If there are any obstacles in your way that you feel free to mention I will be glad to remove them, if within my legitimate power.”

“ We were conversing on that very subject when the bell rang,” said Arthur. “ Some days ago Mark Floyd told me positively that he would have nothing to do with this contest, and that the other

The Arch-Deceiver Brought to Grief.

boys had come to the same conclusion. He said so much that I have hesitated in regard to the matter. But by the advice of my mother I shall most gladly hand in my name to-morrow.”

There was on the professor’s countenance a mingled expression of sorrow and pleasure as he ^replied :

“ Arthur, the obstacles can be very easily removed. I will not mention individuals, but I will assure you that I have the names of a fair number of the members of your class that will enter the competition. The names must be all in to-morrow. Arthur, please call at my room to-morrow evening at nine o’clock, and hand in your name. If during the day, at any time before that hour, you are asked by any of the boys if you have handed in your name, please give them a very emphatic ‘ No /’ ” And the professor, with a restored smile, bade the company “ good-night.”

“ Arthur, don’t you now see through Mark’s plot?” asked Alice, with much feeling. “He wickedly lied in order to get you out of the way.”

“ But Professor Lewis did not say that Mark’s name is on the list,” said Arthur. “ He may not have lied in that after all.” x “ But he did lie in that ! ” said Alice, with much spirit. “ Didn’t I watch the professor’s countenance ? In my opinion Mark’s name heads the list, and very likely it was handed in on the very day when he assured you that he would have nothing to do with it.”

“ Then he is a very much worse boy than I

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thought he was,” said Arthur, reflectively. “ Let us hope, Alice, that he is not quite so bad as that.”

“ It is very good in you, my boy, to talk in this manner,” said Mrs. Trevor. “ I am pleased with your kind spirit. We will hope as best we can ; but, as things appear now, I greatly fear that Mark Floyd, for a very selfish purpose, has deliberately told you an untruth.”

“And it would be just like him to lie again by saying that an oration written by another person was his own,” said Alice.

“ Not quite so fast, my darling,” said the mother. “ It will be soon enough to judge of that after the oration is delivered. Let us join with Arthur in hoping.”

The next day young Trevor attended school 'as usual. Mark and his associates seemed cheerful, and yet they showed a degree of nervousness. Was Trevor’s name given to Professor Lewis? or would it be within the limited time? were questions that gave Floyd much uneasiness. If up to that time he had not taken that step the probability was that he had abandoned the thought. They would try and gain this coveted information. Mark had given full directions how to proceed.

The school was out for the afternoon, and the scholars were on their way to their respective homes and boarding-houses. In the most friendly manner Baker asked his young friend,

“ Trevor, do you think that I am responsible for the imperfect manner in which I recite my lessons when I do my very best ? ”

“ I think that the most of your recitations are very good,” said Arthur ; “ we all fail sometimes.”

“ I fail very often,” said Baker, “ and you never fail. If I had the ability that you and Mark manifest I would not hesitate a moment to enter this contest. I wonder that such a bright fellow as Mark Floyd should refuse to engage in it. Trevor, you will have an easy victory, for of course you have handed in your rfame.”

“ Of course I have not," said Arthur, with studied force. “ Mark assured me that all the boys were going to stand aside.”

“ It would be embarrassing to be the only speaker,” said Baker, “ and, for one, I don’t blame you.”

By this time their roads parted. Each went his way well pleased with the conversation.

In half an hour Floyd had his company together in order to hear Baker’s report.

“The scheme has worked splendidly,” said Baker. “ As far as Trevor is concerned the coast is clear.”

“ Give me his exact language ! ” cried Mark.

This was soon done to the perfect satisfaction of the leader. “ Ha ! ha ! ” he cried, “ We are going to have things our own way ! Keep shady, boys ! Mum is the word. Let us stand together. You know that I am not backward in rewarding my friends. Make perfectly free with those oranges. There are plenty more where they came from, and my purse is far from being empty.”

At nine o’clock that night Arthur Trevor’s name completed the list of competitors.

It was a late hour and the door was locked. In

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one hand Mark held a letter which he had just read, and in the other a certain manuscript which denoted a fair degree of age. He seemed to be in deep reflection, as if balancing possibilities. Upon the whole he appeared pleased, and yet not quite free from fear. He well knew that he was contemplating the performance of a dishonest act. He tried to believe that it partook of the nature of a joke, but that effort was vain. He was determined to make the venture. His deceptive, lying course for the past two or three weeks had greatly strengthened him in his dishonest career. He had read both the letter and the manuscript, and was revolving in his mind the contents of both, especially those of the letter. He looked at it again, and gave it a second perusal. It ran thus:

“And so you stand in need of a little help, eh? Well, Mark, I am in the same fix myself. I am not in need of an ‘ original oration ; ’ I have stacks of them laid away. If by exchanging commodities we can help each other let us proceed to business. Drink I must have. Drink I will have ! It is killing me, yet I cling to it for dear life ; I am about half drunk now. But, degraded as I am, I will say to you, beware of the bewitching devil ! I am in the power of a demon, and my moral powers are crushed. I expect to live and die a drunkard.

“ Now to business. I send you an original oration. It was never printed. My chum at college said it was prime, and copied parts of it into his diary. It was many, many years ago, and five hundred miles from Marvindale ; so that there is not the least danger that it will ever give you any trouble. Mark, you are not engaged in an honorable business ; but that is your own look-out. I am in need of money ; so let us hurry up matters. If the oration suits you, copy it, burn the original, and send me ten dollars. I will pledge to you my eternal secrecy. John Budlong.”

“ I think I will do it, Jack,” said Mark to himself. “ The parts that are too smart I will tone down to my own level. I will put in a sentence here and there; just enough to make it ‘ original.’ Ha ! ha ! Yes, Jack, I’ll do it, and, sot as you are, I know you will never go back on me. This time I must not only win the prize, but I must excel. So, Jack, for the present I bid you ‘ good-night.’ ”