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ELSIE'S
MOTHERHOOD
A SEQJJEL TO
'ELSIE'S WOMANHOOD'
BY
MARTHA FINLEY
'Sweet is the image of the brooding dove!
Holy as Heaven a mother's tender love !
The love of many prayers and many tears.
Which changes not with dim declining years
The only love which, on this teeming earth,
Asks no return for passion's wayward birth.' 1
MRS.
NEW YORK
DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
C0PYR1GHT, 1876
BY
DODD, MEAD & COMPANY.
COPYRIGHT, 1904,
By DODD, MEAD & COMPANY
COPYRIGHT, 1918,
By CHARLES B. FINLEY
PREFACE.
IN compliance with the expressed desire of many
of Elsie's friends and admirers, the story of her
life is continued in this, the fifth volume of the
series.
When ahout to undertake its preparation the
suggestion was made to the author that to bring in
the doings of the Ku Klux would add interest to ths
story and at the same time give a truer picture of
life in the South during the years 1867-GS, in which
its events take place.
The published reports of the Congressional Com
mittee of Investigation were resorted to as the most
reliable source of information, diligently examined,
and care taken not to go beyond the facts there
given as regards the proceedings of the Klan, the
clemency and paternal acts of the Government, or
the kindly, fraternal feelings and deeds of the people
of the North toward their impoverished and suffer
ing brethren of the South.
These things have become matters of history:
vice and crime should be condemned wherever
found; and naught has been set down in malice; for
ill
IV PREFACE.
the author has a warm love for the South as part
and parcel of the dear land of her birth.
May this child of her brain give pain to none,
but prove pleasant and profitable to all who peruse
its pages, and especially helpful to young parents.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD*
CHAPTER I.
Meantime a smiling offspring rises round.
And mingles both their graces. By degrees
The human blossom blows, and every day,
Soft as it rolls along, shows some new charm,
The father's lustre, and the mother's bloom.
Thomson's Season*.
" MAMMA! Papa too! " It was a glad shout of a
chorus of young voices as four pairs of little feet
came pattering up the avenue and into the veranda;
then as many ruby lips were held up for the morning
kiss from the children's dearly loved father.
They had already had their half hour with
mamma, which made so sweet a beginning of each
day, yet she too must have a liberal share of the 1
eagerly bestowed caresses; while Bruno, a great*
Newfoundland, the pet, playfellow, and guardian of
the little flock, testified his delight in the scene by
leaping about among them, fawning upon one and
another, wagging his tail, and uttering again and
again a short, joyous bark.
Then followed a merry romp, cut short by the ring
ing of the breakfast bell, when all trooped into the
2 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
house, Harold riding on papa's shoulder, mamma
following with Elsie, Eddie, and Vi, while Dinah,
with Baby Herbert in her arms, brought up the
rear.
The children had been very gay, full of laughter
,and sweet innocent prattle, but a sudden hush fell
upon them when seated about the table in the
bright, cheerful breakfast parlor; little hands were
meekly folded and each young head bent reverently
over the plate, while, in a few simple words which
all could understand, their father gave God thanks
for their food and asked his blessing upon it.
The Ion children were never rude even in their
play, and their table manners were almost perfect;
made the constant companions of cultivated, refined
parents whose politeness, springing from genuine
unselfishness, was never laid aside, but shown on all
occasions and to rich and poor, old and young alike
and governed with a wise mixture of indulgence
and restraint, mildness and firmness, they imitated
the copies set before them and were seldom other
ithan gentle and amiable in their deportment, not
'only toward their superiors, but to equals and in-
\feriors also.
They were never told that " children should be
seen and not heard," but when no guests were pres
ent were allowed to talk in moderation; a gentle
word or look of reproof from papa or mamma being
sufficient to check any tendency to boisterousness
Or undue loquacity.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 3
"I think we should celebrate this anniversary,,
Elsie," remarked Mr. Travilla, stirring his coffee
and gazing with fond admiration into the sweet
face at the opposite end of the table.
" Yes, sir, though we are rather late in thinking
of it," she answered smilingly, the rose deepening
slightly on her cheek, as delicately rounded and
tinted as it had been ten years ago.
Little Elsie looked up inquiringly. " What is it,
papa? I do not remember."
" Do you not? Ten years ago to-day there was a
grand wedding at the Oaks, and your mamma and I
were there."
"I too? "asked Eddie.
" Yes, course, Eddie," spoke up five-year-old
Violet, " grandpa would 'vite you and all of us; and
I b'lieve I 'member a little about it."
"Me too," piped the, baby voice of Harold, "me
sat on papa's knee."
There was a general laugh, the two little prattlers
joining in right merrily.
"I really don't remember that part of it,
Harold," said papa, while wee Elsie as she was
often called by way of distinguishing her from
mamma, for whom she was named shook her curly
head at him with a merry " Oh, you dear little
rogue, you don't know what you are talking about; "
and mamma remarked, "Vi has perhaps a slight
recollection of May Allison's wedding."
"But this one at the Oaks must have been be-
4 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
fore I was born/' said Elsie, "because yon said it
was ten years ago, and I'm only nine. Oh, mamma,
was it your wedding? "
" Yes, daughter. Shall we invite our friends for
this evening, Edward? "
"Yes, wife; suppose we make it a family party,
inviting only relatives, connections, and very inti
mate friends."
After a little more discussion it was decided they
would do so; also that the children should have a
full holiday, and while their mother was giving
orders and overseeing the necessary preparations
for the entertainment, papa should take them all
in the roomy family carriage and drive over to the
Oaks, Eoselands, Ashlands, and Pinegrove to give
the invitations. Beside these near friends only the
minister and his wife were to be asked; but as Ade
laide and her family were at this time paying a visit
to Eoselands, and Lucy Boss was doing the same at
her old home, and all the younger generation except
the mere babies were to be included in the invita
tion, should all accept it would be by no means a
small assemblage.
Early hours were named for the sake of the little
ones; guests to come at six, refreshments to be
served at eight, and the Ion children, if each would
take a nap in the afternoon, to be allowed to stay up
till nine.
How delighted they were! how the little eyes
idanced and sparkled, and how eagerly they engaged
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 5
to fulfil the conditions, and not to fret or look
cross when summoned at nine, to leave the drawing-
room and be put to bed.
" Oh, mamma, won't you wear your wedding
dress?" cried little Elsie; "do, dear mamma, BO
that we may all see just how you looked when you
were married."
Elsie smiled. " You forget, daughter, that I am
ten years older now, and the face cannot be quite
the same."
" The years have robbed it of none of its beauty,"
said Mr. Travilla.
"Ah, love is blind," she returned with a blush
and smile as charming as were those of her girl
hood's days. " And the dress is quite out of
date."
" No matter for that. It would gratify me as
well as the children to see you in it."
" Then it shall be worn, if it fits or can be altered
in season."
" Veil and all, mamma," pleaded Elsie, " it is so
beautiful Mammy showed it to me only the other
day and told me you looked so, so lovely; and she
will put the orange blossoms in your hair and on
your dress just as they were that night; for she re
members all about it."
The children, ready dressed for their drive, were
gathered in a merry group on the veranda, Eddie
astride of Bruno, waiting for papa and the carriage,
when a, horse came cantering up the avenue, and
6 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Mr. Horace Dinsmore alighted and stepped into
their midst.
" Oh, grandpa, what you turn for? " cried Harold
in a tone of disappointment. " We was dus doin' to
'vite you! "
" Indeed! "
"Yes, grandpa, it's a 'versary to-day," explained
Vi.
" And mamma's going to be married over again,"
said Eddie.
" No, no; only to have a party and wear her wed
ding dress," corrected Elsie.
" Papa, good-morning," cried their mother, com
ing swiftly through the hall, " I'm so glad, always
so glad to see you." .
" I know it," he said, pressing a fatherly kiss on
the sweet lips, then holding her off for an instant
to gaze fondly into the fair face. " And it is ten
years to-day since I gave Travilla a share in my
treasure. I was thinking of it as I rode over, and
that you should celebrate this anniversary at your
father's house."
" No, no, Dinsmore, you must be our guest," said
Travilla, coming out and shaking hands cordially
with his old friend. "We have it all arranged,
a family gathering, and Elsie to gratify us by wear
ing her bridal robes. Do you not agree with me
that she would make as lovely a bride to-day as she
did ten years ago ? "
" Quite. I relinquish my plans for yours; and
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD, 7
do not let me detain you and these eager chil
dren."
"I thank you: I will go then, as the invitations
will be late enough with all the haste we can make."
The carriage was at the door, and in a trice
grandpa and papa had helped the little ones in: not
even Baby Herbert was left behind, but seated on
his mammy's lap crowed and laughed as merrily as
the rest.
"Ah, mamma, you come too! " pleaded the little
voices, as their father took his place beside them.
" Can't mammy and Aunt Dicey and the rest know
what to do without you to tell them?"
" Not this time, dears; and you know I must
make haste to try on the dress, to see if it fits."
" Oh, yes, mamma! " and throwing a shower of
kisses, they drove off.
"A carriage load of precious jewels," Elsie said,
looking after it as it rolled away: "how the ten
years have added to my wealth, papa."
She stood by his side, her hand on his arm, and
the soft sweet eyes lifted to his were full of a con
tent and gladness beyond the power of words to
express.
" I thank God every day for my darling's happi
ness," he said low and tenderly, and softly smooth
ing her shining hair.
" Ah, it is very great, and my father's dear love
forms no small part of it. But come in, papa, I
want to consult you about one or two little matters;
B ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Edward and I rely very much, upon your taste and
judgment."
"To Roselands first," was Mr. Travilla's order
to the coachman.
The old home of the Dinsmores, though shorn
of the glory of its grand old trees, was again a
beautiful place: the new house was in every respect
a finer one than its predecessor, of a higher style
of architecture, more conveniently arranged, more
tastefully and handsomely furnished; lawns, gar
dens, and fields had become neat and trim as in the
days before the war, and a double row of young,
thrifty trees bordered the avenue.
Old Mr. Dinsmore now resided there and gave a
home to his two widowed and impoverished daugh
ters Mrs. Louise Conly, and Mrs. Enna Johnson
and their families.
These two aunts loved Elsie no better than in
earlier years: it was gall and wormwood to them to
know that they owed all these comforts to her
generosity; nor could they forgive her that she was
more wealthy, beautiful, lovely, and beloved than
themselves. Enna was the more bitter and out
spoken of the two, but even Louise seldom treated
her niece to anything better than the most distant
and frigid politeness.
In a truly Christian spirit Elsie returned them
pity and compassion, because of their widowhood
and straitened circumstances, invited them to her
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 9
ifouse, and when they came received them with kind
ness and cordiality.
Her grandfather had grown very fond of her and
her children, was often at Ion, and for his sake she
occasionally visited Koselands. Adelaide's presence
had drawn her there more frequently of late. The
invitation Mr. Travilla carried was to the grand
father, three aunts, and all their children.
Adelaide and Enna were in the drawing-room
when the Ion carriage drew up at the door.
" There's Travilla, the old scalawag: how I hate
him! Elsie too, I presume/' exclaimed the latter,
glancing from the window; " I'll leave you to enter
tain them," and she hastily left the room.
Adelaide flashed an indignant look after her, and
hurried out to meet and welcome the callers. Mr.
Travilla had alighted and was coming up the steps
of the veranda.
" How d'ye do. I'm very glad to see you," cried
Adelaide, extending her hand, "but where is
Elsie?"
" Left at home for once," he answered gayly,
"but I come this morning merely as her ladyship's
messenger."
" But won't you come in; you and the children? "
"Thanks, no, if you will permit me just to de
liver my message and go; for I am in haste."
Mrs. Allison accepted the invitation for herself
and children with evident pleasure, engaged that
iher sisters would do the same; then went to the car-
10 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
riage window for a moment's chaf with the little
ones, each of whom held a large place in her warm
heart. " Aunt Addie," said Elsie in an undertone,
"mamma's going to wear her wedding dress to
night, veil and all." {
"Is she? why that's an excellent idea. But don't'
tell it anywhere else that you go; it will be such
a nice surprise to the rest if we can keep it a
secret."
" That was a good suggestion of Aunt Addie's,"
Mr. Travilla remarked as they drove down the
avenue. " Suppose we carry it out. How many of
you can refrain from telling what mamma is to wear
to-night? how many can I trust to keep a secret?"
" All of us, papa! " " Me, papa, me, I won't tell/'
cried the little voices in chorus.
" Yes, I believe I can trust you all," he answered
in his bright cheery way. " Now on to the Oaks,
Solon, then to Pinegrove, Springbrook, and j*sh-
lands. That will be the last place, children, and
as our hurry will then be over, you shall get out of
the carriage and have a little time to rest before we
start for home."
Re-entering the house Mrs. Allison went to the
family sitting-room, where she found both her
sisters and several of the young members of the
household. " So they have asked for us ? " ex
claimed Louise in a tone of vexation, " at such an
unreasonable hour too. Well," with a sigh of
resignation, " I suppose we must show ourselves or
ELSIE' 8 MOTHERHOOD. \\
papa will be displeased: so wonderfully fond of Elsie
as he has grown of late."
"As well he may," returned Adelaide pointedly;
" but Elsie is not here nor has any one inquired for
you."
"No, I presume not," interrupted Enna with a
sneer; "we are not worth inquiring for."
Indignation kept Adelaide silent for a moment,
she was sorely tempted to administer a severe and
cutting rebuke. But Enna was no longer a child,
and controlling herself she calmly delivered Mr.
Travilla's message.
"Oh, delightful! Cousin Elsie always does give
such splendid parties, such elegant refreshments!"
cried Virginia and Isadore Conly, girls of ten and
twelve. "Mamma, you'll never think of declin
ing? "
"No, your grandfather wouldn't like it," said
Louise, as anxious as her daughters to enjoy the
entertainment, yet glad to save her pride, by put
ting her acceptance on the score of pleasing her
father.
" And you'll go too, and take us, mamma, won't
you?" anxiously queried Molly Percival, who was
between her cousins in age.
" Of course I'll go; we all want our share of the
good things, and the pleasure of seeing and being
seen," answered Enna, scorning Louise's subter
fuge; " and if you and Dick will promise to make
me no trouble, I'll take you along. But Bob and
12 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Betty may stay at home, I'm not going to "be both
ered with them, babies of five and three. But
what shall we wear, Lu? I do say it's real mean in
them to give us so short a notice. But of course
Elsie enjoys making me feel my changed circum
stances. I've no such stock of jewels, silks, and
laces as she, nor the full purse that makes it an
easy matter for her to order a fresh supply at a
moment's warning."
" You have all, and more than the occasion calls
for," remarked Adelaide quietly; "it is to be only
a family gathering." %
CHAPTEK II.
Though fools spurn Hymen's gentle powen
We, who improve his golden hours.
By sweet experience know
That marriage, rightly understood,
Gives to the tender and the good
A paradise below.
Cotton.
MB. ALLISON had fully kept his promise to So
phie, and Ashlands was again the fine old place it
had been prior to the war. The family, consisting
of the elder Mrs. Carrington, a young man named
George Boyd, a nephew of hers who had taken
charge of the plantation, Sophie and her four chil
dren, had now been in possession for over a year.
Sophie, still an almost inconsolable mourner for
the husband of her youth, lived a very retired life,
devoting herself to his mother and his orphaned
little ones.
Mrs. Eoss, expecting to spend the fall and winter
with them, had brought all her children and a
governess, Miss Fisk, who undertook the tuition
of the little Carringtons also during her stay at
Ashlands, thus leaving the mothers more at liberty
for the enjoyment of each other's society.
13
14 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
It was in the midst of school-hours that the los
carriage came driving up the avenue, and Philip
Boss, lifting his head from the slate over which
he had been bending for the last half hour, rose
hastily, threw down his pencil and hurried from
the room, paying no attention to Miss Fisk's query,
" Where are you going, Philip? " or her command,
u Come back instantly: it is quite contrary to rules
for pupils to leave the school-room during the
hours of recitation, without permission." Indeed
he had reached the foot of the staircase before the
last word had left her lips; she being very slow and
precise in speech and action, while his movements
were of the quickest.
"What now is to be done in this emergency?"
soliloquized the governess, unconsciously thinking
aloud. " Miss Gertrude Koss," turning to a girl of
nine whose merry blue eyes were twinkling with,
fun, " follow your brother at once and inform him
that I cannot permit any such act of insubordina
tion; and he must return instantly to the perform
ance of his duties."
"Yes, ma'am," and Gertrude vanished; glad
enough of the opportunity to see for herself who
were the new arrivals. " Phil," she said, entering
the drawing-room where the guests were already
seated, " Miss Fisk says vou're an insubordination
and must come back instantly."
" Gertrude," said her mother, laughing, " come
and speak to Mr. Travilla and your little friends.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 1$
Why, yes, Phil, to be sure; how came you here when
you ought to be at your lessons ? "
** Because I wanted to see Elsie Travilla," he
answered nonchalantly.
" Yes, but you should have asked for permission,
I ought to send you back."
*But you won't, ma, you know that as well as
I do. I'll not go back a step while Elsie stays."
** Well, well, it seems you are bound to have your
own way, as usual," Lucy answered, half laughing,
half sighing, then resumed her talk with Mr. Tra
villa.
Seeing that the little Travillas had listened to
this colloquy in blank amazement, she felt much
mortified at Phil's behavior, and on receiving the
invitation threatened to leave him at home as a
punishment. But this only made matters worse:
he insisted that go he would, and if she refused per
mission he should never, never love her again as
long as he lived. And she weakly yielded.
" Lucy," said her mother, when the guests were
gone, and the children had left the room, " you are
ruining that boy."
" Well, I don't see how I can help it, mamma;
how could I bear to lose his affection? "
"You are taking the very course to bring that
about; it is the weakly indulged, not the wisely
controlled, children who lose, first, respect, and then
affection for their parents. Look at Elsie's little
family, for instance: where you can find children
18 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
ruled with a firmer hand, or more devotedly attached
to their parents? "
Eddie was at that moment saying to his father,
"Papa, isn't Phil Ross a very, wry naughty boy,
to be so saucy and disobedient to his mamma? "
"My son," answered Mr. Travilla with gentle
gravity, " when you have corrected all Eddie Tra-
villa's faults it will be time enough to attend to
those of others." And the child hung his head and
blushed for shame.
It was Mr. and Mrs. Horace Dinsmore who did
the honors at Ion early in the evening, receiving
and welcoming each bevy of guests, and replying
to the oft-repeated inquiry for the master and mis
tress of the establishment, that they would make
their appearance shortly.
Elsie's children, most sweetly and becomingly
dressed, had gathered about "Aunt Rosie," in *
corner of the drawing-room, and seemed to be wait
ing with a sort of intense but quite eagerness fo*
the coming of some expected event.
At length every invited guest had arrived. All
being so thoroughly acquainted, nearly all related,
there was an entire absence of stiffness and con
straint, and much lively chat had been carried on;
but a sudden hush fell upon them, and every eye
turned towards the doors opening into the hall, ex
pecting they knew not what.
There were soft foot-falls, a slight rustle of silk,
and Adelaide entered, followed by Mr. Travilla
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. If
Elsie on his arm, in bridal attire. The shimmering
satin, rich, soft lace, and orange blossoms became
her well; and never, even on that memorable night
ten years ago, had she looked lovelier or more bride-
like; never had her husband bent a prouder, fonder
look upon her fair face than now, as he led her to
the centre of the room, where they paused in front
of their pastor.
A low murmur of surprise and delight ran round
the room, but was suddenly stilled, as the venerable
man rose and began to speak.
" Ten years ago to-night, dear friends, I united
you in marriage. Edward Travilla, you then vowed
to love, honor, and cherish till life's end the woman
whom you now hold by the hand. Have you
repented of that vow? and would you be re
leased? "
"Not for worlds: there has been no repentance,
but my love has grown deeper and stronger day by
day."
" And you, Elsie Dinsmore Travilla, also vowed
to love, honor, and obey the man you hold by the
hand. Have you repented?"
"Never, sir; never for one moment." The ac*
cents were low, sweet, clear, and full of pleasure.
"I pronounce you a faithful man and wife: and
may God, in his good providence, grant you many
returns of this happy anniversary."
Old Mr. Dinsmore stepped up, kissed the bride
and shook hands with the groom. "Blessings OB
18 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD,
you for making her so happy," he said in quivering
tones.
His son followed, then the others in their turn,
and a merry scene ensued.
" Mamma, it was so pretty, so pretty," little Elsie
said, clasping her arms about her mother's neck,
"and now I just feel as if I'd been to your wed
ding. Thank you, dear mamma and papa."
"Mamma, you are so beautiful, I'll just marry
you myself, when I'm a man," remarked Eddie,
giving her a hearty kiss, then gazing into her face
with his great dark eyes full of love and admiration.
"I too," chimed in Violet. "No, no, I forget,
I shall be a lady myself: so I'll have to marry papa."
" No, Vi, oo tan't have my papa; he's dus' my
papa always," objected Harold, climbing his father's
knee.
"What a splendid idea, Elsie," Lucy Ross was
saying to her friend, "you have made me regret,
for the first time, not having kept my wedding
dress; for I believe my Phil and I could go through
that catechism quite as well as you and Mr. Tra-
villa. The whole thing, I suppose, was quite
original?"
"Among us: my namesake daughter proposed the
wearing of the dress: and the ceremony," turning
to the minister, " was your idea, Mr. Wood, was it
not?"
"Partly, Mrs. Travilla; your father, Mrs.
more, and I planned it together."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. Ifi
ft Your dress is as perfect a fit as when made, but
I presume you had it altered," observed Lucy, mak
ing a critical examination of her friend's toilet.
" No, not in the least," answered Elsie, smiling.
The banquet to which the guests were presently
summoned, though gotten up so hastily, more than
fulfilled the expectation of the Misses Conly, who 1
as well as their mother and Aunt Enna did it ample
justice; there was a good deal of gormandizing done
by the spoiled children present, spite of feeble pro
tests from their parents; but Elsie's well trained
little ones ate contentedly what was given them, nor
even asked for the rich dainties on which others
were feasting; knowing that papa and mamma loved
them too dearly to deny them any real good.
^Holloa, Neddie and Vi, why you've been over-
looted! " said Philip Ross, coming toward the two
little ones with a plate heaped up with rich viands,
" you've nothing but ice cream and plain sugar bis
cuit; here, take some of this pound cake and these
bonbons. They're delicious, I tell you! "
" No, no, thank you: mamma says pound cake is
much too rich for us, and would make us sick," said
Eddie.
"'Specially at night," added Vi, "and we're to
aave some bonbons to-morrow."
" Goodest little tots ever I saw," returned Philip,
laughing. "Ma wanted me to let 'em alone, but
I told her I'd risk the getting sick," he added with
a pompous grown-up air.
20 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"Phil, you certainly are an insubordination, as
Miss Fisk said," remarked his sister Gertrude,
standing near; " I believe you think you're '"most a
man, but it's a great mistake."
" Pooh, Ger! people that live in glass houses
shouldn't throw stones. I heard you telling ma you
wouldn't wear the dress she'd laid out for you. Elsie
Travilla, allow me the pleasure of refilling your
saucer."
" No, thank you, Phil, I've had all mamma thinks
good for me."
" Time to go to bed, chillens," said mammy, ap
proaching the little group; " de clock jes gwine
strike nine. Here, Uncle Joe, take dese empty
saucers."
Promptly and without a murmur the four little
folks prepared to obey the summons, but cast wist
ful longing glances toward mamma, who was gayiy
chatting with her guests on the other side of the
room. Just then the clock on the mantel struck,
and excusing herself she came quickly toward them.
*' That is right, dears; come and say good-night to
papa and our friends; then go with mammy and
mamma will follow in a few moments."
"What dear sweet creatures they are! perfect
little ladies and gentlemen," remarked Mrs. Wood,
as, after a courteous good-night to all, they went
cheerfully away with their mammy.
" I wish mine were half as good," said Mrs. Ross.
" Now ma, don't expose us," cried Phil. " I've
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 21
often heard you say Mrs. Travilla was a far better
little girl than you; so of course her children ought
to be better than yours."
" Some children keep their good behavior for
company," sneered Enna, " and I've no doubt these
little paragons have their naughty fits as well as
ours."
"It is quite true that they are not always
good," Elsie said with patient sweetness. " And
now I beg you will all excuse me for a few moments,
as they never feel quite comfortable going to bed
without a last word or two with mamma."
" Before I'd make myself such a slave to my chil
dren! " muttered Enna, looking after her as she
glided from the room. "If they couldn't be con
tent to be put to bed by their mammies, they might
stay up all night."
"I think Mrs. Travilla is right," observed the
pastor; " the responsibilities of parents are very
great. God says to each one, ' Take this child and
nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages.' "
CHAPTER III.
Delightful task! to rear the tender thought,
To teach the young idea how to shoot,
To pour the fresh instruction o'er the mind,
To breathe the enlivening spirit and to fix
The generous purpose in the glowing breast!
Thomson's Seasons.
THE Ion little folks were allowed an extra nap
the next morning, their parents wisely considering
plenty of sleep necessary to the healthful develop
ment of their mental and physical powers. They
themselves, however, felt no necessity for a like in
dulgence, their guests having departed in season to
admit of their retiring at the usual hour, and were
early in the saddle, keenly enjoying a brisk canter
of several miles before breakfast.
On their return Elsie went to the nursery, Mr.
Travilla to the field where his men were at work.
Half an hour later they and their children met at
the breakfast table.
Solon came in for orders.
" You may leave Beppo saddled, Solon," said Mr
Travilla, " and have Prince and Princess at the
door also, immediately after prayers."
The last named were a pair of pretty little grejr
ssi
ELSIE' 8 MOTHERHOOD. 23
ponies belonging respectively to Eddie and his sister
Elsie. They were gentle and well trained for both
saddle and harness.
Nearly every day the children rode them, one on
each side of their father, mounted on Beppo, his
beautiful bay; and occasionally they drove behind
them in the phaeton with their mother or some
older person; and one or the other of the children
would often be allowed to hold the reins when on
a straight and level road; for their father wished
them to learn to both ride and drive with ease
and skill.
Little Elsie's great ambition was "to be like
mamma " in the ease and grace with which she sat
her horse, as well as in every thing else; while Eddie
was equally anxious to copy his father.
Violet and Harold ran out to the veranda to
watch them mount and ride away.
" Papa," said Vi, " shall we, too, have ponies and
ride with you, when we're as big as Elsie and
Eddie?"
"I intend you shall, little daughter, and if you
and Harold will be here with your hats on, all ready
to start at once when we come back, I will give you
each a short ride before the ponies are put away/*
" Oh, thank you, papa! we'll be sure to be ready,"
they answered, and ran in to their mother to tell
her of papa's kind promise, and to have their hats
put on.
Elsie, who was in the sitting-room with Herbert
24 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
on her lap, rejoiced in their joy, and bade DinaK
prepare them at once for their ride.
" Bress dere little hearts! dey grows hansomer
ebery day," exclaimed an elderly negress, who had
just come in with a basket on her arm.
" Don't say such things before them, Aunt Sally/'
said her mistress in a tone of gentle reproof, " their
young hearts are only too ready to be puffed up
with vanity and pride. Now what is your report
from the quarter."
*' Well, missus, dere's lots ob miseries down dere
dis mornin'; ole Lize she's took wid a misery in her
side; an' Uncle Jack, he got um in his head; ole
Aunt Delie's got de misery in de joints wid de rheu-
matiz. an' ole Uncle Hose he's 'plainin ob de misery
in his back can't stan' up straight nohow; an'
Hannah's baby got a mighty bad cold, can't hardly
draw its breff; 'twas took dat way in de night; an'
Silvy's boy tore his foot on a nail."
" Quite a list," said Elsie. And giving her babe
to Aunt Chloe, she selected a key from a bright
bunch lying in a little basket, held by a small dusky
maid at her side, unlocked a closet door and looked
over her medical store. " Here's a plaster for Uncle
Mose to put on his back, and one for Lize's side,"
she said, handing each article in turn to Aunt Sally,
who bestowed it in her basket. " This small bottle
has some drops that will do Uncle Jack's head good;
and this larger one is for Aunt Delia. Tell her to
rub her joints with it. There is medicine for
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 25
the baby, and Hannah must give it a warm bath.
If it is not better directly we must send for the
doctor. Now, here is a box of salve, excellent for
cuts, burns, and bruises; spread some on a bit of
1 rag, and tie it on Silvy's boy's foot. There, I think
that is all. I'll be down after a while, to see how
' they are all doing," and with some added directions
'concerning the use of each remedy, Aunt Sally
was dismissed.
Then Aunt Dicey, the housekeeper, came for her
orders for the day, and such supplies from pantry
and storehouse as were needed in carrying them out.
In the meantime the riding party had returned,
Harold and Violet had been treated to a ride about
the grounds, the one in his father's arms, Beppo
stepping carefully as if he knew he carried a tendel
babe, the other on one of the ponies close at papa's
side and under his watchful eye.
It was a rosy merry group mamma found upon
the veranda, chatting to each other and laughing
gayly as they watched their father cantwing down
the avenue on his way to the fields to oversee the
work going on there.
They did not hear their mother's step till she was
close at hand asking in her own sweet, gentle tones,
"My darlings, had you a pleasant time?" 1
"Oh, yes, mamma, so nice!" and they gathered
about her, eager to claim her ever ready sympathy,
interested in their joys no less than their sorrows.
They had been taught to notice the beauties of
26 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
nature the changing clouds, the bright autumfl
foliage, plants and flowers, insects, birds, stones; all
the handiwork of God; and the elder ones now never
returned from walk or ride without something to
tell of what they had seen and enjoyed.
It was surprising how much they learned in this
easy pleasant way, how much they gained almost
imperceptibly in manners, correctness of speech,
and general information by this habit of their
parents of keeping them always with themselves
and patiently answering every proper question.
They were encouraged not only to observe, but to
think, to reason, and to repeat what they had
learned; thus fixing it more firmly in their minds.
They were not burdened with long tasks or many
studies, but required to learn thoroughly such as
were set them, and trained to a love for wholesome
mental food; the books put into their hands being
carefully chosen by their parents.
Though abundantly able to employ a governess,
Elsie preferred teaching her darlings herself. There
was a large, airy room set apart for the purpose,
and furnished with every suitable appliance, books,
maps, globes, pictures, an orrery, a piano, etc., etc.
There were pretty rosewood desks and chairs, the
Moor was a mosaic of beautifully grained and pol
ished woods, the walls, adorned with a few rare en
gravings, were of a delicate neutral tint, and taste
ful curtains draped each window.
Thither mother and children now repaired, and
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 27
spent two happy hours in giving and receiving in
struction.
Harold had not yet quite mastered the alphabet.
His task was, of course, soon done, and he was per
mitted to betake himself to the nursery or else
where, with his mammy to take care of him; or if
, he chose to submit to the restraint of the school-
iroom rather than leave mamma and the others, he
might do so.
Violet could alread* read fluently in any book
suited to her years, and was learning to spell, write,
and sew.
Eddie was somewhat further advanced, and Elsie
had begun arithmetic, history, and geography;
music, also, and drawing; for both of which she
had already shown decided talent.
School over, she had a half hour of rest, then
went to the piano for an hour's practice, her
mamma sitting by to aid and encourage her.
Mr. Travilla came in, asking, " Where is Eddie? "
" Here, papa," and the boy came running in with
face all aglow with delight. " Oh, are you going to
teach me how to shoot? I saw you coming with that
pistol in your hand, and I'm so glad."
" Yes," his father answered, smiling at the eager
face. " You will not be anxious, little wife? " turn
ing to her with a tender loving look.
"No, my husband; surely I can trust him with
you, his own wise, careful, loving father," she an
swered with a confiding smile.
28 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
" Oh, papa, mayn't I go along with yon? and
won't you teach me too?" cried Violet, who was
always ready for any excitement.
" Not to-day, daughter; only Eddie and I are
going now; but sometime I will teach you all. It
is well enough for even ladies to handle a pistol
on occasion, and your mamma is quite a good shot." 1
Vi looked disappointed, but did not fret, pout,
or ask a second time; for such things were not
allowed in the family by e^her parent.
"Mamma's good little girl," the mother said r
drawing her caressingly to her side, as Mr. Tra-
villa and Eddie left the room. " I am going to
walk down to the quarter this afternoon, and will
take you and your brother and sister with me, if you
care to go."
" Oh, mamma, thank you! yes, indeed, I do want
to go," cried the little one, her face growing bright
as its wont. " May we be there when the bell
rings? 'cause I do like to see the dogs." And she
clapped her tiny hands with a laugh like the chim
ing of silver bells.
Her sister laughed too, saying, " Oh, yes,
mamma, do let us."
The Ion negroes were paid liberal wages, and yet
as kind and generously cared for as in the old days
of slavery; even more so, for now Elsie might law
fully carry out her desire to educate and elevate
them to a higher standard of intelligence and
morality.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 29
To this end Mr. Travilla had added to the quarter
a neat school-house, where the children received in
struction in the rudiments during the day, the
adults in the evening, from one of their own race
whose advantages had been such as to qualify him
for the work. There, too, the master and mistress
themselves held a Sunday school on Sabbath after
noons.
Aunt Sally, the nurse, also instructed the women
in housewifely ways, and Dinah taught them sew
ing; Elsie encouraging and stimulating them to
effort by bestowing prizes on the most diligent and
proficient.
Eddie came in from his first lesson in the use of
firearms, flushed and excited.
" Mamma, I did shoot/' he cried exultingly, " I
shooted many times, and papa says I'll make a good
shot some day if I keep on trying."
"Ah! did you hit the mark?"
"Not quite this time, mamma," and the bright
face clouded slightly.
"Not quite," laughed Mr. Travilla, drawing his
boy caressingly toward him. " If you please,
mamma, do not question us too closely; we expect
to do better another time. He really did fairly
well considering his age and that it was his first
lesson."
" Papa," asked Vi, climbing his knee, " were you
'fraid Eddie would shoot us if we went along? "
" I thought it safer to leave you at home."
30 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
" Papa, mamma's going to take us /talking down
to the quarter this afternoon; we're to be there
when the bell rings, so we can see those funny
dogs/ 3
"Ah, then I think I shall meet you there and
walk home with you."
? This announcement was received with a chorus
of exclamations of delight; his loved compan
ionship would double their enjoyment; it always
did.
Twas a pleasant, shady walk, not too long for
the older children, and Harold's mammy would
carry him when he grew weary. They called at
the school-room, witnessed the closing exercises,
then visited all the aged and ailing ones, Elsie in
quiringly tenderly concerning their " miseries,"
speaking words of sympathy and consolation and
giving additional advice; remedies too, and some
little delicacies to whet the sickly appetites (these
last being contained in a basket, carried by a ser
vant).
As they left the last cabin, in the near vicinity
>of the post where hung the bell which summoned
the men to their meals and gave notice of the hour
for quitting work, they saw the ringer hurrying
toward it.
" Oh, mamma, we're just in time! " cried Vi,
*' how nice! "
" Yes," said her sister, ** mamma always knows
how to make things come out right."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 31
Every negro family owned a cur, and at the first
lap of the bell they always, with a united yelp,
lushed for the spot, where they formed a ring round
Hie post, each seated on his haunches and brushing
the ground with his tail, with a rapid motion from
t ide to side, nose in the air, eyes fixed upon the bell,
;.nd throat sending out a prolonged howl so long
j.s the ringing continued. The din was deafening,
j,nd far from musical, but it was a comical sight,
vastly enjoyed by the young Travillas, who saw
it only occasionally.
Mr. and Mrs. Travilla were walking slowly home
ward, the children and Bruno frolicking, jumping,
dancing, running on before. After awhile the two
little girls grew somewhat wearj^ and subsided into
a soberer pace.
"Vi," said Elsie, "don't you believe Aunt Delia
might get better of those ' miseries ' in her bones,
if she had some nice new red flannel things to
wear? "
" Yes; let's buy her some," and a pretty dimpled
hand went into her pocket, and out came a dainty,
silken purse, mamma's gift on her last birthday,
when she began to have a weekly allowance, like
Elsie and Eddie.
" Yes, if mamma approves."
" 'Course we'll 'suit mamma 'bout it first, and
she'll say yes; she always likes to be kind and char
" Charitable? yes, 'specially to Jesus' people, and
32 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
I know Aunt Delia's one of his. How much money
have you, Vi?"
" I don't know; mamma or papa will count when
we get home."
" I have two dollars and fifty cents; maybe Eddie
will give some if we haven't enough."
" Enough of what? " queried Eddie, overhearing
the last words as he and Bruno neared the others in
their gambols.
Elsie explained, asking, "Would you like to
help?"
" Yes; and I'm going to buy some ' baccy/ as he
calls it, for old Uncle Jack."
Mamma was duly consulted, approved of their
plans, took them the next day to the nearest village,
let them select the goods themselves, then helped
them to cut out and make the garments. Eddie
assisted by threading needles and sewing on but
tons, saying " that would do for a boy, because he
'had heard papa say he had sometimes sewed on a
button for himself when he was away at college."
To be sure the work might have been given to
the seamstress, but it was the desire of these parents
to train their little ones to give time and effort as
well as money.
CHAPTER IV.
O, what a state is guilt! how wild! how wretched,
Havard.
THE war had wrought many changes in the
neighborhood where our friends resided; some who
had been reared in the lap of luxury were now in
absolute want, having sacrificed almost their last
dollar in the cause of secession; to which also in
numerous instances the husbands, sons, and broth
ers had fallen victims.
Though through the clemency of the Government
there had been no executions for treason, no confis
cation of property, many plantations had changed
hands because of the inability of the original owners
to work them, for lack of means to pay the laborers.
Elsie's tender sympathies were strongly enlisted
for these old friends and acquaintances, and their
necessities often relieved by her bounty when they
little guessed whence help had come. Her favors
were doubled by the delicate kindness of the manner
of their bestowal.
The ability to give largely was the greatest pleas
ure her wealth afforded her, and one in which she
indulged to the extent of disposing yearly in that
way of the whole surplus of her ample income; not
33
34 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
waiting to be importuned, but constantly seeking
out worthy objects upon whom to bestow that of
which she truly considered herself but a steward
who must one day render a strict account unto her
Lord.
It was she who had repaired the ravages of war
in Springbrook, the residence of Mr. Wood, her
pastor; she who, when the Fosters of Fairview, a
plantation adjoining Ion, had been compelled to sell
it, had bought a neat cottage in the vicinity and
given them the use of it at a merely nominal rent.
And many another like deed had she done; always
with the entire approval of her husband, who was
scarcely less generous than herself.
The purchaser of Fairview was a Mr. Leland, a
Northern man who had been an officer in the Union
army. Pleased with the Southern climate and the
appearance of that section of country, he felt in
clined to settle there and assist in the development
of its resources; he therefore returned some time
after the conclusion of peace, bought this place,
and removed his family thither.
, They were people of refinement and culture, quiet
and peaceable, steady attendants upon Mr. Wood's
ministry, and in every way conducted themselves
as good citizens.
Yet they were not popular: the Fosters, particu
larly Wilkins, the only son, hated them as their
snpplanters, and saw with bitter envy the rapid im
provement of Fairview under Mr. Leland's careful
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 35
cultivation. It was no fault of his that they had
been compelled to part with it, and he had paid a
fair price: but envy and jealousy are ever unreason-
ible, and their mildest term of reproach in speaking
'A him was " carpet-bagger/'
Others found fault with Mr. Leland as paying
too liberal wages to the negroes (including Mr.
Horace Dinsmore and Mr. Travilla in the same
charge), and hated him for his outspoken loyalty
to the Government; for though he showed no dispo
sition to seek for office or meddle in any way with
the politics of others, he made no secret of his views
when occasion seemed to call for their expression.
Ifc was not a prudent course under existing circum
stances, but accorded well with the frank and fear
less nature of the man.
Messrs. Dinsmore and Travilla, themselves strong
Unionists, though the latter was more discreet in
the utterance of his sentiments, found in him a
kindred spirit. Eose and Elsie were equally pleased
with Mrs. Leland, and pitying her loneliness, called
frequently, inviting a return of their visits, until
now the three families had become tolerably inti
mate.
Thi. state of things was extremely displeasing to
Louise and Enna; scarcely less so to their father;
but the others, convinced that they were in the path
of duty in thus extending kindness and sympathy to
deserving strangers, who were also " of the house
hold of faith," were not to be deterred by remon-
36 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
strances or vituperation. " Scalawags " a term of
reproach applied by the Democrats of the South to
the Republicans who were natives of that section
was what Enna called her brother, his son-in-law,
and daughter, when out of hearing of her father,
who, though vexed at their notice of the Lelands,
was too strongly attached to his only remaining
son, and too sensible of the kindness he had received
at the hands of Mr. Travilla and Elsie, to permit
anything of that sort.
The Lelands had several young children, well-
bred and of good principles, and it angered Louise
and Enna that Elsie evidently preferred them to
their own rude, deceitful, spoiled offspring as com
panions and playmates for her little ones.
Elsie and her husband were very desirous to live
on good terms with these near relatives, but not
to the extent of sacrificing their children's morals;
therefore did not encourage a close intimacy with
their Eoselands cousins; yet ever treated them
politely and kindly, and made a valuable present to
each on every return of his or her birthday, and on
Christmas; always managing to select something
specially desired by the recipient of the favor.
Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore pursued a similar course;
Rosie was allowed to be as intimate as she chose at
Ion, and with her Aunt Sophie's children, but never
visited Roselands except with her parents or sister;
nor were the Roseland cousins ever invited to make
a lengthened stay at the Oaks.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 37
One afternoon, several weeks subsequent to the
events related in the last chapter, Mary and Archie
Leland came over to Ion to spend an hour with
their young friends.
The weather was delightful, and the children pre
ferred playing out of doors; the girls took their
dolls to a summer-house in the garden, while with
kite, ball, and marbles the boys repaired to the
avenue.
" Who are those? " asked Archie, as looking up
at the sound of approaching footsteps he saw two
boys, a good deal older than themselves, coming
leisurely toward them.
" My cousins, Wai Conly and Dick Percival," an
swered Eddie. "I wish they hadn't come, they
always tease me so."
"Hilloa!" cried Dick; " what! Ed Travilla, you
play with carpet-baggers, eh? Fie on you! I
wouldn't be seen with one."
" That's not polite, Dick. Archie's a good boy;
mamma and papa say so; and I like him for a play
fellow."
" You do ? Ah, that's because you're a scalawag."
"What's that?"
" What your father is and your grandfather too."
" Then I don't care; I want to be just like my
papa."
" But it isn't nice," put in Walter, laughing,
" a scalawag's the meanest thing alive."
" Then you shall not call papa that, nor
38 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
grandpa 1" and the child's great dark eyes flashed
with anger.
" Whew! Fd like to see you hinder me. Look
here, Ed," and Dick pulled out a pistol, " what d'ye
think o' that? don't you wish you had one? don't
you wish you could shoot ? "
" I can/' returned Eddie proudly; " papa's been
teaching me, and he's given me a hetter pistol than
that."
" Hey! a likely story! " cried the two tormentors,
with an incredulous laugh. " Let's see it now? "
" It's in the house; but papa said I should never
touch it 'cept when he gives it to me; not till I grow
a big boy."
"Nonsense!" cried Dick, "if 'twas there, you'd
bring it out fast enough. I shan't believe a word
of the story until I see the pistol."
' I'll show you if I'm not telling the truth! " ex
claimed Eddie, flushing hotly, and turning about as
if to go into the house.
But Archie laid a hand on his arm, and speaking
for the first time since the others had joined them,
"Don't, Eddie," he said persuasively, "don't dis
obey your father; I know you'll be sorry for it
afterwards."
" Hold your tongue, you young earpet-bagger,"
said Dick. " Eun and get it, Ed."
"No, never mind about his pistol, he can't
shoot," said Walter mockingly. "If he can, let
him tadte yours and prove it."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 39
Eddie remembered well that his father had also
forbidden him to touch firearms at all, except when
with him; but the boy was naturally proud and wil
ful, and, spite of all the careful training of his
parents, these faults would occasionally show them
selves.
He did not like to have his word doubted, he was
eager to prove his skill, which he conceived to be
far greater than it was, and as his cousins continued
to twit and tease him, daring him to show what he
could do, he was sorely tempted to disobey.
They were slowly walking on farther from the
house as they talked, and finally when Dick said,
" Why, Ed, you couldn't hit that big tree yonder,
I dare you to try it," at the same time offering
him the pistol, the little fellow's sense of duty sud
denly gave way, and snatching the weapon from
Dick's hand he fired, not allowing himself time, in
his haste and passion, to take proper aim.
In their excitement and pre-occupation none of
the boys had noticed Mr. Tra villa riding into the
avenue a moment before, closely followed by his
body servant Ben. Almost simultaneously "with the
report of the pistol the former tumbled from the
saddle and fell heavily to the ground.
With a cry, " Oh, Mass Edard's killed! Ben
sprang from his horse and bent over the prostrate
form, wringing his hands in fright and grief. He
was his master's foster-brother and devotedly at
tached to him.
40 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
The fall, the cry, the snorting and running of the
frightened horses instantly told the boys what had
happened, and Eddie threw himself on the ground
screaming in an agony of grief and remorse, " Oh,
I've killed my father, my dear, dear father! Oh,
papa, papa! what shall I do? what shall I do? "
Mr. Leland coming in search of his children, the
men passing the gate returning from their work,
all heard and rushed to the spot. The blacks
crowded about the scene of the accident, sobbing
like children at the sight of their loved master and
friend lying there apparently lifeless.
Mr. Leland, his features working with emotion,
at once assumed the direction of affairs. " Catch
the horses," he said, " and you, Ben, mount the
fleetest and fly for the; doctor. And you," turning
to another, " take the other and hurry to the Oaks
for Mr. Dinsmore. Now the rest of you help me
to carry your master to the house. I -will lift his
head, there gently, gently, my good fellows, I think
he still breathes. But Mrs. Travilla! " he added,
looking toward the dwelling, " all seems quiet there;
they have not heard, I think, and she should be
warned. I wish "
"I will go, I will tell mamma," interrupted a
quivering child voice at his side.
Little Elsie had pushed her way through the
crowd and dropping on her knees on the grass was
raining kisses and tears upon the pale, unconscious
face.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 41
"You? poor child! " Mr. Leland began in piteous
tones; but she had already sprung to her feet and
was flying toward the house with the fleetness of the
vind.
One moment she paused in the spacious entrance
iall, to recover her breath, calm her features, and
remove the traces of her tears. " Mamma, mamma,"
she was saying to herself. " Lord Jesus, give me
the right words to speak to her."
She hardly knew to which apartment to direct
her steps, but "Hark! there was the sound of the
piano and mamma's sweet voice singing a song papa
had brought home only the other day, and that he
liked. Ah, would she ever sing again now that
-he "
But no, not even in thought could she say that
Sreadful word; but she knew now that mamma was
Sn the music-room; and earnestly repeating her
silent petition for help, she hurried thither.
The door was open; with swift, noiseless steps she
gained her mother's side; passing an arm about her
neck, and half averting her own pale, agitated face,
" Mamma," she said in low, tremulous tones,
" ' God is our refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble!' Mamma, Jesus loves you, Jesus
loves you! He will help you to bear "
" My daughter, what is it? " asked the mother in
a tone of forced calmness, a terrible pang shooting
through her heart, "your father? Eddie? Vi?"
Then starting up at a sound as of the feet of those
42 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
who bore some heavy burden, she ran into tHe
hall.
For a moment she stood as one transfixed with
grief and horror.
" He breathes, he lives," Mr. Leland hastened to
say,
Her lips moved, but no words came from them.
Silently motioning them to follow her, she led the
way to his room and pointed to the bed. They laid
him on it and at that instant consciousness re
turned.
" Dear wife, it is nothing," he faintly murmured,
lifting his eyes to her face as she bent over him
in speechless anguish.
She softly pressed her lips to his brow, her heart
too full for utterance.
The words sent a thrill of gladness to the heart
of little Elsie, who had crept in behind the men, and
stood near the bed silently weeping; her father
lived; and now Eddie's frantic screams seemed to
ring in her ears (in her fear for her father she had
scarcely noticed them before), and she must go and
tell him the glad news. She was not needed here;
mamma was not conscious of her presence, and she
could do nothing for the dear injured father. She
stole quietly from the room.
On the veranda she founded Violet crying bit
terly, while Mary Leland vainly tried to comfort
her.
" Don't cry so, little sister," Elsie said, going to
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 43
tier and taking her in her arms in tender motherly
fashion, " our dear papa is not killed; I saw him
open his eyes, and heard him say to mamma, f Dear
wife, it is nothing.' "
Vi clung to her sister with a fresh burst of tears,
but this time they were tears of joy. " Oh, I'm
so glad! I thought I had no papa any more."
A few more soothing words and caresses and
Elsie said, " Now I must go and tell poor Eddie.
Do you know where he is?"
" Hark! don't you hear him crying way off in the
grounds?" said Mary, "I think he's just where he
was."
" Oh, yes, yes ! " and Elsie hastened in the direc
tion of the sounds.
She found him lying on the grass still crying in
heart-broken accents, " Oh, I've killed my father,
my dear, dear father! what shall I do! what shall I
do!"
Dick and Walter were gone; like the guilty
wretches they were, they had fled as soon as they
saw what mischief they had caused. But Archie,
too kind-hearted and noble to forsake a friend in
distress, was still there.
" You didn't mean to do it, Eddie," he was say
ing, as Elsie came within hearing.
"No, no," burst out the half distracted child,
" I wouldn't hurt my dear papa one bit for all the
world! but it was 'cause I disobeyed him. He told
me never to touch firearms when he wasn't by to
44 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
help me do it right. Oh, oh, oh, I didn't think I'd
ever be such a wicked boy! I've killed my father,
oh! oh! "
" No, Eddie, no, you haven't; papa opened his
eyes and spoke to mamma," said his sister hurrying
to his side.
"Did he? Oh, Elsie, is he alive? Isn't he hurt
much? " asked the child, ceasing his cries for the
moment, and lifting his tear-swollen face to hers.
" I don't know, Eddie dear, but I hope not," she
said, low and tremulously, the tears rolling fast
down her own cheeks, while she took out her hand
kerchief and gently wiped them away from his.
He dropped his head again, with a bitter, wailing
cry. " Oh, I'm afraid he is, and I shooted him! I
shooted him! "
Fortunately Dr. Burton's residence was not far
distant, and Ben urging Beppo to his utmost speed
and finding the doctor at home, had him at Mr.
Travilla's bedside in a wonderfully short space of
time.
The doctor found the injury not nearly so great
as he had feared: the ball had struck the side of the
head and glanced off, making a mere scalp-wound,
which, though causing insensibility for a time,
would have no very serious or lasting consequences;
the blood had been already sponged away, and the
wound closed with sticking plaster.
But the fall had jarred the whole system and
caused some bruises; so that altogether the patient
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 45
was likely to have to keep his bed for some days,
and the doctor said must be kept quiet and as free
from excitement as possible.
Elsie, leaving Aunt Chloe at the bedside, followed
the physician from the room.
" You need give yourself no anxiety, my dear
Mrs. Travilla," he said cheerily, taking her hand in
his for a moment, in his kind fatherly way for he'
was an old man now, and had known her from her
early childhood "the injuries are not at all seri
ous, and there is no reason why your husband
should not be about again in a week or so. But
how did it happen? What hand fired the shot?"
" Indeed I do not know, have not asked," she
answered, with an emotion of surprise at herself
for the omission. " It seems strange I should not,
but I was so taken up with grief and fear for him,
and anxiety to relieve his suffering, that I had room
for no other thought. Can you tell us, sir? " turn
ing to Mr. Leland, who was standing near.
" I did not see the shot," he replied with some
hesitation.
" But you know; tell me, I beg of you."
"It was an accident, madam, entirely an acci
dent: there can be no question about that."
" But tell me all you know," she entreated, grow
ing very pale. " I see you fear to wound me, but
it were far better I should know the whole
truth."
"I suppose your little son must have been play-
46 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
ing with a pistol/' he answered, with evident reluc
tance. " I heard him screaming, ' Oh, I've killed
my father, my dear, dear father! ' :
" Eddie ! " she groaned, staggering back against
the wall, and putting her hand over her eyes.
" My dear madam! " " My dear Mrs. Tra villa! "
the gentlemen exclaimed simultaneously, " do not
Jet it distress you so, since it must have been the
merest accident, and the consequences are not so
serious as they might have been."
" But he was disobeying his father, and has nearly
taken his life," she moaned low and tremulously,
the big tears coursing down her cheeks. " Oh, my
son, my son! "
The gentlemen looked uneasily at each other,
scarcely knowing what consolation to offer; but
a well known step approached hastily, yet with
caution, and the next instant Elsie was clasped in
her father's arms.
" My darling, my poor darling! " he said with
emotion, as she laid her head on his breast, with a
burst of almost hysterical weeping.
. He caressed her silently. How could he ask the
.question trembling on his lips? what meant this
bitter weeping? His eye sought that of the physi
cian, who promptly answered the unspoken query
with the same cheering report he had just given
her.
Mr. Dinsmore was intensely relieved. " Thank
God that it is no worse! " he said in low, reverent
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 47
tones. "Elsie, daughter, cheer up, he will soon be
well again."
Mr. Leland, taking leave, offered to return and
watch hy the sick bed that night; but Mr. Dins-
more, while joining Elsie in cordial thanks, claimed
it as his privilege.
" Ah, well, don't hesitate to call upon me when
ever I can be of use," said Mr. Leland, and with a
kindly " Good evening," he and the doctor retired,
Mr. Dinsmore seeing them to the door.
Eeturning, he found Elsie still in the parla
where he had left her.
She was speaking to a servant, " Go, Prilla, look
for the children, and bring them in. It is getting-
late for them to be out."
The girl went, and Elsie saying to her father
that Prilla had brought word that Mr. Trarilla was
now sleeping, begged him to sit down and talk with
her for a moment. The tears fell fast as she spoke.
It was long since he had seen her so moved.
"Dear daughter, why distress yourself thus?"
he said, folding her fh his arms, and drawing her
head to a resting place upon his breast; " your hus
band's injuries are not very serious. Dr. Burton
is not one to deceive us with false hopes."
" No, papa, oh, how thankful I am to know he
is not in danger! but oh, papa, papa! to think
that Eddie did it! that my own son should have so
nearly taken his father's life! I grow sick with!
horror at the very thought! "
48 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
" Yet it must have been the merest accident tEe
child almost idolizes his father."
"I had thought so, but he must have been dis
obeying that father's positive command, else this
could not have happened. I could never have be
lieved my son could be so disobedient, and it breaks
my heart to think of it all."
" The best of us do not always resist temptation
successfully, and doubtless in this case it has been
very strong. And he is bitterly repenting; I heard
him crying somewhere in the grounds as I rode
up the avenue, but could not then take time to go
to him, not knowing how much you and Travilla
might be needing my assistance."
" My poor boy; he does love his father/' she said,
wiping her eyes.
" There can be no question about that, and this
will be a life-long lesson to him."
"Papa, you always bring me comfort," she said
gratefully. " And you will stay with us to-night? "
"Yes; I could not leave you at such a time. I
shall send a note to Kose, to* relieve her anxiety in
regard to Edward's accident, and let her know that
she need not expect me home till morning. Well,
Prilla," as the girl reappeared, "what is it? why
have you not brought the children as your mistress
directed?"
" Please, sah, Massa Binsmore, Mars Eddie won't
come; he jes' lie on de ground an' scream an' cry,
' Oh. I've killed my fader, my dear, dear fader,'
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
49
an' Miss Elsie she comfortin' an' coaxin' an' plead-
in', but he won't pay no pretention to nobody."
Elsie wept anew. " My poor child! my poor little
son! what am I to do with him? "
" I will go to him; trust him to me," Mr. Bins-
more said, leaving the room with a quick firm step.
CHAPTER V.
If hearty sorrow
Be a sufficient ransom for offence,
I tender it here; I do as truly suffer,
As e'er I did commit.
Shafapere.
" OH, Eddie, dear! do get up and come into the
house! " entreated his sister. " I must leave you if
you don't, for Prilla said mamma had sent for us;
and you know we must obey."
" Oh, I can't, I can't go in! I can't see mamma!
she will never, never love me any more! "
" Yes, she will, Eddie; nothing will ever make her
stop loving us; and if you're really sorry for having
disobeyed poor, dear papa, you'll not go on and
disobey her now."
"But, oh, I've been such a wicked, wicked boy.
'Oh, Elsie! what shall I do? Jesus won't love me
now, nor mamma, nor anybody."
" Oh, Eddie! " sobbed his sister, don't talk so.
Jesus does love you and will forgive you, if you
ask him; and so will mamma and papa; for they both
love you and I love you dearly, dearly."
The two were alone, Archie having gone home
with his father.
so
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 51
A step drew near, and Mr. Dinsmore's voice spoke
close at hand in tones sterner and more peremptory
than he really meant them to be.
" Edward,, get up from that damp grass and
come into the house immediately. Do you intend to
add to your poor mother's troubles by your dis
obedience, and by making yourself sick? "
The child arose instantly. He was accustomed.
to yield to his grandfather's authority quite as
readily as to that of his parents.
" Oh, grandpa! please don't be hard to him! His
heart's almost broken, and he wouldn't have hurt
papa on purpose for all the world," pleaded little
Elsie, hastening to Mr. Dinsmore's side, taking his
hand in both hers, and lifting her tear-dimmed eyes
beseechingly to his face.
" Yes, grandpa ought," sobbed Eddie, " I've been
such a wicked, wicked boy, I deserve the dreadfulest
whipping that ever was. And papa can't do it
now!" he cried with a fresh burst of grief and
remorse, fi and mamma won't like to. Grandpa,
it '11 have to be you. Please do it quick, 'cause I
want it over."
"And has all this distress been for fear of
punishment? " asked Mr. Dinsmore, taking the
child's hand, and bending down to look searchingly
into his face.
" Oh, no, no, no, grandpa! I'd rather be whipped
any day than to know I've hurt my dear papa so.
Grandpa, won't you do it quick?"
52 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
" No, my son, I am not fond of such business, and
shall not punish you unless requested to do so by
your father or mother. The doctor hopes your
father will be about again in a week or two, and
he can then attend to your case himself."
"Oh, then he won't die! he won't die, our dear,
dear papa! " cried both children in a breath.
" No; God has been very good to us all in causing
the ball to strike where it could do but little injury.
And, Edward, I hope this will be such a lesson to you
all your life as will keep you from disobeying again."
They were passing up the avenue, Eddie moving
submissively along by his grandfather's side, but
with tottering steps; for the dreadful excitement of
the last hour had exhausted him greatly. Per
ceiving this Mr. Dinsmore presently took him in
his arms and carried him to the house.
Low pitiful sobs and sighs were the only sounds
the little fellow made till set down in the veranda;
but then clinging to his grandfather's hand, he
burst out afresh, " Oh, grandpa, I can't go in! I
can't see mamma, for she can't love me any more."
The mother heard and came quickly out. The
'tears were coursing down her cheeks, her mother
heart yearned over her guilty, miserable child:
stooping down and stretching out her arms,
"Eddie, my little son," she said in tender tremu
lous accents, " come to mother. If my boy is truly
sorry for his sin, mamma has no reproaches for
him: nothing but forgiveness and love."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 53
He threw himself upon her "bosom, " Mamma,
mamma, I am sorry, oh, so sorry! I will never,
never disobey papa or you again."
" God helping you, my son; if you trust in your
own strength you will be sure to fall."
" Yes, mamma; oh, mamma, I've been the wicked
est boy! I disobeyed my father and shooted him;
and oughtn't I to have a dreadful whipping? Shall
grandpa do it?"
Mrs. Travilla lifted her full eyes inquiringly to
her father's face.
" It is all his own idea," said Mr. Dinsmore with
eBftbtion; " I think he has already had a worse
punishment by far in his grief and remorse.'*
Elsie heaved a sigh of relief. "I think his
father would say so too; it shall be decided by him
when he is able. Eddie, my son, papa is too ill now
to say what shall be done with you. I think he does
not even know of your disobedience. You will have
to wait some days. The suspense will be hard to
bear, I know, but my little boy must try to be
patient, remembering that he has brought all this
suffering on himself. And in the meantime he has
mamma's forgiveness and love," she added, folding
him to her heart with a tender caress.
Sorely the children missed their precious half
hour with mamma that night, and every night and
morning of their papa's illness; she could leave Sum.
only long enough each time to give them a few lov-
iag words and a kiss all round, and they scarcely
54 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
saw her through, the day were not admitted Itf
their father's room at all.
But they were very good; lessons went on nearly
as usual, little Elsie keeping order in the school
room, even wilful Eddie quietly submitting to her
gentle sway, and grandpa kindly attending to the
recitations. He rode out with them too, and he,
Aunt Rosie, or their mammies took them for a
pleasant walk every fine day.
Friends and neighbors were very kind and atten
tive, none more so than the Lelands. Archie told
his father how, and by whom, poor Eddie had been
teased, provoked, and dared into firing the pistol;
Mr. Leland told Mr. Dinsmore the story, and he
repeated it to his father and sisters.
The old gentleman was sufficiently incensed
against the two culprits to administer a severe casti-
gation to each, while Elsie was thankful to leara
that her son had not yielded readily to the tempta
tion to disobedience. She pitied him deeply, as she
noted how weary to him were these days of waiting,
how his gay spirits had forsaken him, how anxious
he was for his father's recovery; how he longed for
the time when he should be permitted to go to him
with his confession and petition for pardon.
At length that time came. Mr. Travilla was so
much better that Dr. Burton said it would do him
no harm to see his children, and to hear all the
details of his accident.
The others were brought in first and allowed to
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 55
cpend a few minutes in giving and receiving ca
resses, their little tongues running very fast in their
exuberant joy over their restored father.
" Elsie, Vi, Harold, baby but where is Eddie? "
he asked, looking a little anxiously at his wife;
"not sick, I hope?"
" No, my dear, he will be in presently,'" she an
swered, the tears starting to her eyes; " no one of
them all has found it harder to be kept away from
you than he. But there is something he has begged
me to tell you before he comes."
" Ah! " he said, with a troubled look in his eyes,
a suspicion of the truth dawning upon him. " Well,
darlings, you may go noAv, and mamma will let you
come in again before your bedtime."
They withdrew, and Elsie told her story, dwelling
more particularly upon the strength of the tempta
tion and the child's agony of grief and remorse.
" Bring him here, wife," Mr. Travilla said, his
eyes full, his voice husky with emotion.
There was a sound of sobs in the hall without as
she opened the door. " Come, son," she said, taking
his hand in hers, " papa knows it all now."
Half eagerly, half tremblingly, he suffered her to
lead him in.
" Papa," he burst out sobbingly, scarcely daring
to lift his eyes from the floor, " I've been a very
wicked, bad boy; I disobeyed you and and "
" Come here to me, my little son." How gentle
tod tender were the tones.
56 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Eddie lifted his head and with one joyous bound
was in his father's arms, clinging about his neck
and sobbing out upon his breast his grief, his joy,
his penitence. " Papa, papa, can yon forgive such a
naughty, disobedient boy? I'm so sorry I did it!
I'm so glad you didn't die, dear, dear papa! so glad
you love me yet."
" Love you, son? I think if you knew how muck,
you would never want to disobey again."
" I don't, papa, oh, I don't! I ask God eaijaestly
every day to give me a new heart, and help me
always to be good. But mustn't I be punished?
Mamma said it was for you to say, and grandpa
didn't whip me and he won't 'less you ask him."
" And I shall not ask him, my son. I fully and
freely forgive you, because I am sure you are very
sorry and do not mean to disobey again."
How happy the child was that at last his father
knew and had forgiven all.
Mr. Travilla improved the occasion for a short
but very serious talk with him on the sin and danger
of disobedience, and his words, so tenderly spoken,
made a deep and lasting impression.
But Eddie was not yet done with the pain and
mortification consequent upon his wrongdoing.
That afternoon the Ashland ladies called, bringing
with them the elder children of both families.
While their mammas conversed in the drawing-room
the little people gathered in the veranda.
All was harmony and good-will among them till
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 57
Philip Ross, fixing his eyes on Eddie, said with a
sneer, " So, Master Ed, though you told me one
day you'd never talk to your mamma as I did to
mine, you've done a good deal worse. I don't set
up for a pattern good boy, but I'd die before I'd
shoot my father."
Eddie's eyes sought the floor, while his lip$,trem-
bled and two great tears rolled down his burning
cheeks.
"Phil Ross," cried Gertrude, "I'm ashamed of
you! of course he didn't do it a-purpose."
"Maybe not; he didn't disobey on purpose!
hadn't his father "
But catching a reproachful, entreating look from
Eteie's soft, brown eyes, he stopped short, and turn
ing away, began to whistle carelessly, while Vi, put
ting her small arms about Eddie's neck, said: " Phil
Ross, you shouldn't 'suit my brother so, 'cause he
wouldn't 'tend to hurt papa; no, not for all
the world! " Harold chiming in, " 'Course he
wouldn't! " and Bruno, whom he was petting and
stroking with his chubby hands, giving a short,
sharp bark, as if he too had a word to say in
defence of his young master.
" Is that your welcome to visitors, Bruno? " quer
ied a young man of eighteen or twenty, alighting
from his horse and coming up the steps into the
veranda.
u You must please excuse him for being so ill-
mannered, Cousin Cal," little Elsie said, coming
58 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
forward and offering her hand with a graceful cour
tesy very like her mamma's. "Will you walk into
tihe drawing-room? our mammas are all there."
" Presently, thank you/' he said, bending down to
snatch a kiss from the sweet lips.
She shrank from the caress almost with aversion.
" What's the use of being so shy with a cousin? "
he asked, laughing. " Why Molly Percival likes to
kiss me."
" I think Molly would not be pleased if she knew
you said that," remarked the little girl, in a quiet
tone, and moving farther from him as she spoke.
"Holding a levee, eh?" he said, glancing about
upon the group. "How d'ye, young ladies and
gentlemen? Helloa, Ed! so you're the brave fellow
that shot his father? Hope your grandfather dealt
out justice to you in the same fashion that Wai and
Dick's did to them."
Eddie could bear no more, but burst into an agony
of tears and sobs.
" Calhoun Conly, do you think it very manly for
a big fellow like you to torment such a little one as
our Eddie?" queried Elsie, with rising indignation.,
" No, I don't," he said frankly. " Never mind
Eddie, I take it all back, and own that the other
two deserve the lion's share of the blame, and pun
ishment too. Come, shake hands and let's make up."
Eddie gave his hand, saying in broken tones, " I
was a naughty boy, but papa has forgiven me, and
I don't mean ever to disobey him any more/'
CHAPTEE VI.
So false is faction, and so smooth a liar,
As that it never had a side entire."
Daniel.
BY the first of December Mr. Travilla had entirely
recovered from the ill effects of his accident which
had occurred early in November and life at Ion
resumed its usual quiet, regular, but pleasant rou
tine, varied only by frequent exchange of visits with,
the other families of the connection, and near
neighbors, especially the Lelands.
Because of the presence among them of their
Northern relatives, this winter was made a gayer
one than either of the last two, which had seen little
mirth or jovialty among the older ones, subdued as
they were by recent, repeated bereavements. Time
had now somewhat assuaged their grief, and only
the widowed ones still wore the garb of mourning.
A round of family parties for old and young filled
up the holidays; and again just before the departure
of the Rosses and Allisons in the early spring they
were all gathered at Ion for a farewell day together.
Some of the blacks in Mr. Leland's employ had
been beaten and otherwise maltreated only the pre
vious night by a band of armed and disguised men,
59
60 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
and the conversation naturally turned upon that
occurrence.
" So the Ku Klux outrages have begun in our
neighborhood," remarked Mr. Horace Dinsmore,
and went on to denounce their proceedings in un
measured terms.
The faces of several of his auditors flushed
angrily. Enna shot a fierce glance at him, mutter
ing "scalawag," half under her breath, while his
old father said testily, "Horace, you speak too
strongly. I haven't a doubt the rascals deserved all
they got. Fm told one of them, at least, had in
sulted some lady, Mrs. Foster, I believe, and that
the others had been robbing hen-roosts and smoke
houses."
" That may perhaps be so, but at all events every
man has a right to a fair trial," replied his son,
"and so long as there is no difficulty in bringing
such matters before the civil courts, there is no
excuse for lynch law, which is apt to visit its
penalties upon the innocent as well as upon the
guilty."
At this George Boyd, who, as the nephew of the
elder Mrs. Carrington and a member of the Ash-
lands household, had been invited with the others,
spoke warmly in defence of the organization, assert
ing that its main object was to defend the helpless,
particularly in guarding against the danger of an
insurrection of the blacks.
"There is not the slightest fear of that," re-
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 61
marked Mr. Travilla; "there may be some few
turbulent spirits among them, but as a class they
are quiet and inoffensive/' \
" Begging your pardon, sir," said Boyd, " I find
them quite the reverse; demanding their wages
directly they are due, and not satisfied with what
one chooses to give. And that reminds me that
you, sir, and Mr. Horace Dinsmore, and that carpet*
bagger of Fairview are entirely too liberal in the
wages yon pay."
" That is altogether our own affair, sir/' returned
Mr. Dinsmore haughtily. " No man or set of men
shall dictate to me as to how I spend my money.
What do you say, Travilla? "
" I take the same position; shall submit to no
such infringement of my liberty to do as I will with
my own."
Elsie's eyes sparkled: she was proud of her hus
band and father. Eose, too, smiled approval.
" Sounds very fine," growled Boyd, " but I say
you've no right to put up the price of labor."
B" Papa," cried young Horace, straightening him-
If and casting a withering look upon Boyd, "I
nope neither you nor Brother Edward will ever give
in to them a single inch. Such insolence! "
" Let us change the subject," said old Mr. Dins-
more, "it is not an agreeable one."
It so happened that a few days after this Messrs.
Dinsmore, Travilla, and Leland were talking to
gether just within the entrance to the avenue at
62 'ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Ion when "Wilkins Foster, George Boyd, and Cal-
houn Conly came riding by.
They brought their horses to a walk as they
neared the gate, and Foster called out sneeringly,
" Two scalawags and a carpet-bagger! fit company
for each other."
"So we think, sir," returned Travilla coolly,
t( though we do not accept the epithets you so
generously bestow upon us."
"It is an easy thing to call names; any fool is
equal to that," said Mr. Leland, in a tone of un
ruffled good-nature.
" True; and the weapon of vituperation is gener
ally used by those who lack brains for argument or
are upon the wrong side," observed Mr. Dinsmore.
"Is that remark intended to apply to me, sir?"
asked Foster, drawing himself up with an air of
hauteur and defiance.
" Not particularly: but if you wish to prove your
self skilled in the other and more manly weapon,
we are ready to give you the opportunity."
" Yes; come in, gentlemen, and let us have a free
, and friendly discussion," said Mr. Travilla.
Boyd and Conly at once accepted the invitation,
jfout Foster, reining in his horse in the shade of a
tree at the gate, said: " No, thank you; I don't
care to alight, can talk from the saddle as well as
any way. I call you scalawags, Messrs. Dinsmore
and Travilla, because, thoiigh natives of the South,
you have turned against her."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 63
** Altogether a mistake/' observed Travilla.
" I deny the charge and call upon you to prove
it" said Mr. Dinsmore.
" Easy task; you kept away and took no part in
our struggle for independence."
" That is we (I speak for Travilla as well as my
self) had no share in the effort to overthrow the
best government in the world, the hope of the down
trodden and oppressed of all the earth; a struggle
which we foresaw would prove, as it has, the almost
utter destruction of our beloved South. They who
inaugurated secession were no true friends to
her."
" Sir! " cried Boyd, with angry excitement, " ours
was as righteous a cause as that of our Kevolution-
ary fathers."
Mr. Dinsmore shook his head. " They fought
against unbearable tyranny; and that after having
exhausted every other means of obtaining a redress
of their grievances; and we had suffered no oppres
sion at the hands of the general government."
"Hadn't we?" interrupted Foster fiercely.
"Were the provisions of the Fugitive Slave Law
carried out by the North? didn't some of the
Northern States pass laws in direct opposition to
it? and didn't Yankee abolitionists come down here
interfeiiug with our institutions and enticing our
negroes to run away, or something worse? "
:( Those were the acts of private individuals, and
individual States, entirely unsanctioned by the
64 ELSIE'8 MOTHERHOOD.
general government, which really had always rather
favored us than otherwise."
" But uncle/' said Conly, " there would have been
no secession but for the election of Lincoln, an
abolition candidate."
"And who elected him? who but the Democrats
of the South? They made a division in the Demo
cratic party, purposely to enable the Kepublicans to
elect their man, that they might use his election as
a pretext for secession."
A long and hot discussion followed, each one
present taking more or less part in it. It was first;
the causes of the war, then the war itself; after
that the reconstruction policy of Congress, which
was bitterly denounced by Foster and Boyd.
" Never was a conquered people treated so shame
fully! " cried the former, " it is a thing hitherto
unheard of in the history of the world, that gentle
men should be put under the rule of their former
slaves."
" Softly, softly, sir," said Leland; " surely you
forget that the terms proposed by the fourteenth
amendment substantially left the power of the
State governments in your hands and enabled you
to limit suffrage and office to the white race. But
you rejected it, and refused to take part in the pre
liminary steps for reorganizing your State govern
ments. So the blacks acquired the right to vote and
hold office: they were, as a class, well meaning, but
ignorant, and their old masters refusing to accept
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 65
'office at their hands, or advise them in regard to
their new duties, they fell an easy prey to unscru
pulous white men, whose only care was to enrich
themselves by robbing the already impoverished
States, through corrupt legislation.* Now, sir, who
was it that really put you under the rule of your
former slaves, if you are there? "
Foster attempted no reply, but merely reiterated;
his assertion that no conquered people had ever
been so cruelly used; to which Messrs. Travilla,
Dinsmore, and Leland replied with a statement of
facts, i. e., that before the war was fairly over the
Government began to feed, clothe, shelter, and care
for the destitute of both colors, and millions were
distributed in supplies; that in 1865 a bureau was
organized for this purpose, and expended in relief,
education, and aid to people of both colors, and all
conditions, $13,230,327.40; while millions more
were given by charitable associations and citi
zens of the North: that the Government sold
thousands of farm animals in the South, at
low rates, and large quantities of clothing
and supplies at merely nominal prices, that
there had been no executions for treason, ne
confiscation of lands, but that some estates aban
doned by the owners during the war, and taken
possession of and cultivated by the Government,
had been returned in better condition than they
would have been in if permitted to lie idle; that
*8ee report of Congressional Committee of Investigation.
<J6 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
the railroads of the South were worn out by the
war, woodwork rotted, rails and machinery worn
out; that the Government forces as they advanced,
captured the lines, repaired the tracks, rebuilt
bridges, and restored and renewed the rolling stock,
that at the close of the war the Government might
have held all these lines, but instead turned them
over to the stockholders, sold them the rolling stock
at low rates, and on long time, and advanced
millions of dollars to the Southern railroads; that
there were debts estimated, when the war began, at
three hundred millions of dollars due the merchants
of the North; that they compounded with their
Southern debtors, abating more than half their dues
and extending time for the payment of the remain
der; that a bankrupt act was passed enabling those
hopelessly involved to begin business anew. Sound
institutions took the places of the old broken banks,
and United States currency that of Confederate
notes, etc., etc.*
Foster attempted no denial of these facts, but
spoke bitterly of corruption among the State
government officials, resulting in ruinous taxation,
etc.
His antagonists freely admitted that there had
been frauds and great extravagance, yet claimed
that neither party was responsible for these, but
members of both and persons belonging to neither
who cared only for their own gains.* " And who,"
*See Reports of Congressional Committee of Investigation.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 67
they asked, "are responsible for their success in
obtaining the positions which enable them thus to
rob the community? "
" They had no vote from me," said Foster. " But,
I say it again, we. have been shamefully treated;
if they'd confiscated my property and cut off my
head, I'd have suffered less than I have as things
have gone."
"Why not petition Congress for those little fa
vors? Possibly it may not yet be too late," re
turned Leland, laughing.
This ended the talk; Foster put spurs to his horse
and rode off in a rage.
" Come, Conly, we've surely had enough of this
Republican discourse: let us go also," said Boyd,
and with a haughty wave of his hand to the others,
he hurried into the road and remounted.
But Conly did not follow. Elsie joined the group
at that moment and, laying her hand on his arm,
said with one of her sweetest smiles: "Don't go,
Cal, you must stay and take tea with us; it is already
on the table."
" Thank you, I will," he said with a pleased look.
He was one of his cousin's ardent admirers, think
ing her the most beautiful, intelligent, fascinating
woman he had ever seen.
She extended her invitation to Leland and Boyd,
Mr. Travilla seconding it warmly, but it was cour
teously declined by both, and each went his way.
"Papa, you will not forsake us?" Elsie said gayly,
68 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
putting both hands into his and smiling up into his
face, her sweet soft eyes, brimful of fond, filial
affection; " but you know you are at home and need
no invitation."
et Yes," he said, returning the smile, and holding
the hands fast for a moment, " I am at home and
shall stay for an hour or so."
CHAPTER VII.
Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness,
Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.
Shakipere's Twelfth Night.
"WiLL you walk into the library, gentlemen? I
have just received a package of new books, which,
perhaps, you would like to examine/' said Mr. Tra-
villa to his guests as they left the tea-table.
" Presently, thank you," Mr. Dinsmore answered,
catching Elsie's eye, and perceiving that she had
something for his private ear.
She took his arm and drew him out to her flower
garden, while her husband and Calhoun sought the
library.
" Papa, I want a word with you about Cal. I
do not like Foster and Boyd; that is, they seem to
me to be unprincipled men, of violent temper and
altogether very bad associates for him; and you
must have noticed how intimate he is with them of
late."
"Yes, I regret it, but have no authority to for
bid the intimacy/'
"I know; but, papa, you have great influence;
he is proud to be known as your nephew; and don't
69
10 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
you think you might be able to induce him to give
them up for some better friend my brother, for
instance? Papa, he is twenty-one now, and are not
his principles sufficiently fixed to enable him to
lead Cal and Arthur, doing them good instead of
being injured by association with them?"
" Yes, you are right; Horace is not one to be
easily led, and Calhoun is. I am glad you have
spoken and reminded me of my duty."
" My dear father, please do not think I was mean
ing to do that," she cried, blushing; " it would be
stepping out of my place. But Edward and I have
had several talks about Cal of late, and decided that
we will make him very welcome here, and try to do
him good. Edward suggested, too, what a good and
helpful friend Horace might be to him, if you
approved, and I said I would speak to you first,
and perhaps to my brother afterward."
" Quite right. I think Horace will be very will
ing. I should be loath to have him drawn into inti
macy with Boyd or Foster, but as he likes neither
their conduct nor their principles, I have little fear
of that."
They sauntered about the garden a few moments
longer, then rejoined the others, who were still in
the library.
The children were romping with each other and
Bruno on the veranda without; the merry shouts,
the silvery laughter coming pleasantly in through
the open windows.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 71
" How happy they seem, Cousin Elsie/' remarked
Calhoun, turning to her.
" Yes, they are," she answered, smiling. "'You
are fond of children, Cal?"
" Yes; suppose you let me join them."
" Suppose we all do," suggested Mr. Dinsmore,
seeing Travilla lay aside his book, and listen with
a pleased smile to the glad young voices.
" With all my heart," said the latter as he rose
and led the way; " I find nothing more refreshing
after the day's duties are done than a romp with
my children."
For the next half hour they were all children
together; then Aunt Chloe and Dinah came to take
the little ones to bed, and Elsie, after seeing her
guests depart, followed to the nursery.
Mr. Dinsmore rode over to Roselands with his
nephew, conversing all the way in a most entertain
ing manner, making no allusion to politics or to
Boyd or Foster.
Calhoun was charmed, and when his uncle urged
him to visit the Oaks more frequently, observing
that he had been there but one since Horace's
return from college, and proposing that he should
begin by coming to dinner the next day and staying
as long as suited his convenience, the invitation
was accepted with alacrity and delight.
On returning home Mr. Dinsmore explained his
views and wishes, witb. regard to Calhoun, to his
wife and son, who at once cordially fell in with
72 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
them in doing all they could to make his visit enjoy
able. In fact, so agreeable did he find it that his
stay was prolonged to several days.
The morning papers one day brought news of
several fresh Ku Klux outrages, beatings, shoot
ings, hanging.
Mr. Dinsmore read the account aloud at the
breakfast table, and again made some remarks
against the organization.
Calhoun listened in silence, then as Mr. Dinsmore
laid the paper down, "Uncle," said he doubtfully,
and with downcast troubled look, " don't you think
the reconstruction acts form some excuse for the
starting of such an organization ? "
" Let the facts answer," returned Mr. Dinsmore:
"the organization existed as early as 1866; the
reconstruction acts were passed in March, 1867." *
"Ah, yes, sir, I had forgotten the dates; I've
heard that reason given; and another excuse is the
fear of a conspiracy among the negroes to rob and
murder the whites: and I think you can't deny that
they are thievish."
" I don't deny, Cal, that some individuals among
them have been guilty of lawless acts, particularly
stealing articles of food; but they are poor and
ignorant; have been kept in ignorance so long that
we cannot reasonably expect in them a very strong
sense of the rights of property and the duty of
obedience to law; yet I have never been able to dis-
*8ee Reports of Congressional Committee of Investigation
'ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 73
cover any indications of combined lawlessness
among them. On the contrary they are themselves
fearful of attack."
"Well, sir, then there were those organizations
in the other the Eepuhlican party; the Union
Leagues and Redstrings. I've been told the Ku
Klux Klan was gotten up in opposition to them."
"I presume so, but Union Leaguers and Red-
strings do not go about in disguise, robbing, beat
ing, murdering."
"But then the carpet-baggers," said Calhoun,
waxing warm, " putting mischief into the negroes'
heads, getting into office and robbing the State
in the most shameless wholesale manner; they're
excuse enough for the doings of the Ku Klux."
" Ah! " said his uncle, " but you forget that their
organization was in existence before the robberies
of the State began: also that they do not trouble
corruptionists: and why? because they are men of
both parties; some of them men who direct and
control, and might easily suppress, the Klan. Xo,
no, Cal, judged out of their own mouths, by their
words to their victims, with some of whom I have
conversed, their ruling motives are hostility to the
Government, to the enjoyment of the negro of the
rights given him by the amendments to the Consti
tution, and by the laws which they are organized to
oppose.* Their real object is the overthrow of the
State governments and the return of the negro to
* See Reports of Congressional Committee of Investigation,
fr4 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
bondage. And tell me, Cal, do you look upon these
midnight attacks of overpowering numbers of dis
guised men upon the weak and helpless, some of
them women, as manly deeds? Is it a noble act for
white men to steal from the poor ignorant black
his mule, his arms } his crops, the fruit of his hard
labor? "
" No, sir," returned Calhoun half -reluctantly, his
face flushing hotly.
"No, emphatically no, say I! " cried Horace, Jr.;
"what could be more base, mean, or cowardly?"
"You don't belong, do you, Cal?" asked Eosie
suddenly.
He dropped his knife and fork, his face fairly
ablaze. " What what could you make you think
that, Eosie? No, no, I don't belong to any organi
zation that acknowledges that name."
A suspicion for the first time flashed upon Mr.
Dinsmore, a suspicion of the truth. Calhoun Conly
was already a member of the White Brotherhood,
the name by which the Klan was known among
themselves, Ku Klux being the one given to the
world at large; that thus they might avail them
selves of the miserable, Jesuitical subterfuge Cal
houn had just used.
He had been wheedled into joining it by Foster
and Boyd, who utterly deceived him in regard to
its objects. He had never taken part in the out
rages, and was now fully determined that he never
would; resolving that while keeping its secrets, tho
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 5-5
penalty of the exposure of which was death, he
would quietly withdraw and attend no more of its
meetings. He understood the language of the
searching look Mr. Dinsmore gave him, and seized
the first opportunity for a word in private, to vindi
cate himself.
" Uncle," he said with frank sincerity, " I am
not free to tell you everything, as I could wish, but
I hope you will believe ne when I assure you that
I never had any share in the violent doings of the
Ku Klux, and never will."
Mr. Dinsmore bent upon him a second look of
keen scrutiny. Conly bore it without flinching; and
extending his hand, his uncle replied, " I think I
understand the situation: but I will trust you, Cal,
and not fear that in entertaining you here I am
harboring a hypocrite and spy who may betray my
family and myself into the hands of midnight
assassins."
" Thanks, uncle, you shall never have cause to
repent of your confidence," the lad answered withi
a flush of honest pride.
He returned to Eoselands the next day, and went
directly to an uppe* room, at some distance from
those usually occupied by the family, from whence
came the busy hum of a sewing machine.
The door was securely fastened on the inner side,
but opened immediately in response to three quick,
sharp taps of a pencil which Calhoun took from his
pocket.
76 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
It was his mother's face that looked cautiously
out upon him. " Oh, you have returned," she said
in an undertone; " well, come in. I'm glad to see
you."
He stepped in, and she locked the door again, and
sitting down, resumed the work, which it seemed
had been laid aside to admit him. She was making
odd looking rolls of cotton cloth, stuffing them
with cotton wool.
Mrs. Johnson, the only other person present, was
seated before the sewing machine stitching a seam
in a long garment of coarse, white linen.
"How d'ye do, Cal? " she said, looking up for an
instant to give him a nod.
He returned the greeting, and taking a chair by
Mrs. Conly's side, "All well, mother?" he asked.
" Quite. You're just in time to tell me whether
these are going to look right. You know we've
never seen any, and have only your description to
go by."
She held up a completed roll. It looked like a
horn, tapering nearly to a point.
" I think so," he said; " but, mother, you needn't
finish mine: I shall never use it."
" Calhoun Conly, what do you mean? " she cried,
dropping the roll into her lap and gazing at him
with kindling eyes.
" You're not going to back out of it now? " ex
claimed Enna, leaving her machine and approach
ing him in sudden and violent anger. "You'd
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 77
better take care, coward! they'll kill you if you
turn traitor; and right they should too."
" I shall not turn traitor/' he said quietly; " but
neither shall I go any farther than I have gone.
I should never have joined, if Boyd and Foster
hadn't deceived me as to the objects of the organiza
tion."
" But you have joined, Cal, and I'll not consent
to your giving it up," said his mother.
" I don't like to vex you, mother," he answered,
reddening, " but "
u But you'll have your own way, whether it dis
pleases me or not? A dutiful son, truly."
" This is Horace's work, and he's a scalawag, if
he is my brother," cried Enna, with growing pas
sion; " but if I were you, Cal Conly, I'd be man
enough to have an opinion of my own, and stick
to it."
"Exactly what I'm doing, Aunt Enna. I went
into the thing blindfold; I have found out what it
really is a cruel, cowardly, lawless concern and
I wash my hands of it and its doings."
Bowing ceremoniously, he unlocked the door and
left the room.
Enna sprang to it and fastened it after him.
" If he was my son, I'd turn him out of the house."
"Father would hardly consent," replied her
sister; "and if he did, what good would it do?
Horace or Travilla would take him in of course."
" Well, thank Heaven, Boyd and Foster are made
?8 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
of sterner stuff, and our labor's not all lost/' said
Enna, returning to her machine.
The two ladies had been spending many hours
every day in that room for a week past, no one but
Calhoun being admitted to their secrets, for
'whether in the room or out of it they kept the door
Always carefully locked.
The curiosity of servants and children was
strongly excited, but vain had been all their ques
tions and coaxing, futile every attempt to solve
the mystery up to the present time.
But three or four days after Calhoun's return
from the Oaks the thought suggested itself to mis
chievous, prying Dick and his coadjutor Walter,
that the key of some other lock in the house might
fit that of the door they so ardently desired to open.
They only waited for a favorable opportunity to test
the question in the temporary absence of their
mothers from that part of the building, and to
their great joy discovered that the key of the bed
room they shared together was the duplicate of the
one which had so long kept their masculine curi
osity at bay.
It turned readily in the lock, and with a smoth
ered exclamation of delight they rushed in and
glanced eagerly about.
At first they saw nothing in any way remarkable
the familiar furniture, the sewing machine, the
work-table and baskets of their mothers, a few
shreds of white cotton and linen, a scrap here and
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 79
there of red braid littering the carpet near the
machine, and the low rocking-chair used by Mrs.
Conly.
" Pooh! nothing here to be so secret about,"
cried Walter, but Dick, nodding his head wisely
said: " Let's look a little further. What's in that
closet?"
They ran to it, opened the door, and started back
in sudden momentary affright.
" 'Taint alive," said Dick, the bolder of the two,
quickly recovering himself; " horrid thing! I
reckon I know what 'tis," and he whispered a few
words in his companion's ear.
Walter gave a nod of acquiescence in the opinion.
" Here's another 'most finished," pursued Dick,
dragging out and examining a bundle he found
lying on the closet floor. (The one which had so
startled them hung on the wall.) "We'll have
some fun out of 'em one of these times when it's
ready, eh, Wai?"
" Yes, but let's put 'em back, and hurry off now,
for fear somebody should come and catch us. I'm
afraid those folks in the drawing-room may go, and
our mothers come up to their work again."
" So they might, to be sure," said Dick, rolling
up the bundle and bestowing it in its former rest
ing place. "We must be on the watch, Wai, or
we'll miss our chance; they'll be sending them out
o' this about as soon as they're finished."
"Yes. Who do you think they're for?"
80 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
(The boys scorned the rules of English grammar,
and refused to be fettered by them. Was not theirs
a land of free speech for the aristocratic class to
which they undoubtedly belonged?)
" Cal and Art, of course."
u Don't you believe it, Art cares for nothing but
his books and Silverheels. Wasn't that a jolly
birthday present, Dick? I wish Travilla and Cousin
Elsie would remember ours the same way."
"Eeckon I do. There, everything's just a* we
found it. Now let's skedaddle."
CHAPTER VIII.
A horrid spectre rises to my sight,
Close by my side, and plain, and palpable
In all good seeming and close circumstance
As man meets man.
Joanna Baillie,
IT was a sultry summer night, silent and still,
not a leaf stirring, hardly so much as the chirp of
an insect to be heard. The moon looked down
from a cloudless sky upon green lawns and mead
ows, fields, and forests clothed in richest verdure;
gardens, where bloomed lovely flowers in the great
est variety and profusion, filling the air in their
immediate vicinity with an almost overpowering
sweetness; a river flowing silently to the sea; cabins
where the laborer rested from his toil, and lordlier
dwellings, where perchance the rich man tossed
restlessly on his more luxurious couch.
Mr. and Mrs. Travilla had spent the earlier part 1
of the evening at the Oaks, and after their return,;
tempted by the beauty of the night, had sat con
versing together in the veranda long after their
usual hour f er retiring. Now they were both sleep
ing soundly.
Perhaps the only creature awake about the housif
or on the plantation was Bungy the great watch
81
82 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
dog, who, released from the chain that bound him
during the day, was going his rounds keeping guard
over his master's property.
A tiny figure clothed in white stole noiselessly
from the house, flitted down the avenue, out into
the road beyond, and on and on till lost to view in
the distance. So light was the tread of the little
bare feet that Bungy did not hear it, nor was
Bruno, sleeping on the veranda, aroused.
On and on it glided, the little figure, now in the
shadow of the trees that skirted the roadside, now
out in the broad moonbeams where they fell un
impeded upon dew-laden grass and dusty highway
alike.
Ion had been left more than a mile behind, yet
farther and farther the bit feetie were straying,
farther from home and love and safety, when a
grotesque, hideous form suddenly emerged from a
wood on the opposite side of the road.
Seemingly of gigantic stature, it wore a long,
white garment, that, enveloping it from head to
foot, trailed upon the ground, rattling as it moved,
and glistening in the moonlight; the head was
adorned with three immense horns, white, striped
with red, a nose of proportional size, red eyes and
eyebrows, and a wide, grinning red mouth, filled
with horrible tusks, out of which lolled a long red
tongue.
Catching sight of the small white form gliding
along on the other side of the road, it uttered a
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 83
low exclamation of mingled wonder, awe, and super
stitious dread.
But at that instant a distant sound was heard
like the rumble of approaching wheels, and it
stepped quickly behind a tree.
Another minute or so and a stage came rattling
down the road, the hideous monster stepped boldly
out from the shadow of the tree, there was the
sharp crack of a rifle, and the driver of the stage
tumbled from his high seat into the road. The
horses started madly forward, but some one caught
the reins and presently brought them to a stand
still.
" Ku Klux! " exclaimed several voices, as the
trailing, rattling white gown disappeared in the
recesses of the wood.
The stage door was thrown open, three of four
men alighted, and going to the body stooped over
it, touched it, spoke to it, asking, " Are you badly
hurt, Jones?"
But there was no answer.
" Dead, quite dead," said one.
"Yes, what shall we do with him?"
" Lift him into the stage and take him to the next
town."
The last speaker took hold of the head of the
corpse, the others assisted, and in a few moments
the vehicle was on its way again with its load of
living and dead.
No one had noticed the tiny white figure which
84 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
BOW crouched behind a clump of bushes weeping
bitterly and talking to itself, but in a subdued way,
AS if fearful of being overhead.
" Where am I? Oh, mamma, papa, come and help
your little Vi! I don't know how I got here. Oh,
where are you, my own mamma? " A burst of sobs;
then "Oh, I'm so 'fraid! and mamma can't hear
me, nor papa; but Jesus can; I'll ask him to take
care of me; and he will."
The small white hands folded themselves together
and the low sobbing cry went up, " Dear Jesus, take
care of your little Vi and don't let anysing hurt
her; and please bring papa to take her home."
At Ion little Elsie woke and missed her sister.
They slept together in a room opening into the
nursery on one side and the bedroom of their
parents on the other. Doors and windows stood
wide open, and the moon gave sufficient light for the
child to see at a glance that Vi was no longer by her
side.
Slipping out of bed, she went softly about search
ing for her, thinking to herself the while, " She's
walking in her sleep again, dear little pet, and I'm
afraid she may get hurt; perhaps fall downstairs."
She had heard such fears expressed by her papa
and mamma since of late Violet had several times
risen and strayed about the house in a state of
somnambulism.
Elsie passed from room to room, growing more
and more anxious and alarmed every moment at
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 85
her continued failure to find any trace of the miss
ing one. She must have help.
Dinah, who had care of the little ones, slept in
the nursery. Going up to her bed, Elsie shook her
gently.
"What's de matter, honey?" asked the girl,
opening her eyes and raising herself to a sitting
posture.
" Where's Violet? I can't find her."
"Miss Wi'let? aint she fas' asleep side o' you,
Miss Elsie?"
" No, no, she isn't there, nor in any of mamma's
rooms. I've looked through them all. Oh, Dinah,
where is she? We must find her: come with me,
quick! "
Dinah was already out of bed and turning up the
night lamp.
" I'll go all ober de house, honey," she said, " but
'spect you better wake yo' pa. He'll want to look
for Miss Wi'let hisself ."
Elsie nodded assent, and hastening to his side
softly stroked his face with her hand, kissed him,
and putting her lips close to his ear, whispered half
sobbingly. "Papa, papa, Vi's gone! we can't find
her."
He was wide awake instantly. " Run back to
your bed, darling," he said; " and don't cry; papa
will soon find her."
He succeeded in throwing on his clothes and
leaving the room without rousing his wife. He
86 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
felt some anxiety, but the idea that the child had
left the house never entered his mind until a thor
ough search seemed to give convincing proof that
she was not in it.
He went out upon the veranda. Bruno rose,
stretched himself, and uttered a low whine.
"Bruno, where is our little Violet?" asked Mr.
Travilla, stooping to pat the dog's head and showing
him the child's slipper, " lead the way, sir; we must
find her." There was a slight tremble in his tones.
" Dinah," he said, turning to the girl, who stood
sobbing in the doorway, "if your mistress wakes
while I am gone, tell her not to be alarmed; no
doubt with Bruno's help I shall very soon find the
child and bring her safely back. See, he has the
scent already," as the dog, who had been snuffing
about, suddenly started off at a brisk trot down the
avenue.
Mr. Travilla hurried after, his fatherly heart
beating with mingled hope and fear.
On and on they went, closely following in the
footsteps of the little runaway. The dog presently
left the road that passed directly in front of Ion and
turned into another, crossing it at right angles,
which was the stage route between the next town
and the neighboring city.
It was now some ten or fifteen minutes since the
stage had passed this spot bearing the dead body of
the driver who had met h;s tragical end some quar
ter of a mile beyond.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 87
The loud rumble of the wheels had waked little
Vi, and as in a flash she had seen the whole the
horrible apparition in its glistening, rattling robes
step out from behind a tree and fire, and the tumble
of its victim to the dusty road. Then she had sunk
down upon the ground overpowered with terror.
But the thought of the almighty Friend who, she
had been taught, was ever near and able to help,
calmed her fears somewhat.
She was still on her knees sobbing out her little
prayer over and over again, when a dark object
bounded to her side, and Bruno's nose was thrust
rather unceremoniously into her face.
" Bruno, you good Bruno ! " she cried, clasping
her arms about his neck, " take me home! take me
home! "
"Ah, papa will do that, now he has found his
lost darling," said a loved voice, as a strong arm
put aside the brushes and grasped her slight form
with a firm, but tender hold. " How came my little
pet here so far away from home? " he asked, draw
ing her to his breast.
" I don't know, papa," she sobbed, nestling in his
arms and clinging about his neck, her wet cheek
laid close to his; " that carriage waked me, and I
was 'way out here, and that dreadful thing was over
there by a tree, and it shooted the man, and he
tumbled off on the ground. Oh, papa, hurry, hurry-
fast, and let's go home; it might come back and
shoot us too."
88 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
" What thing, daughter? " he asked, soothing Her
with tender caresses, as still holding her to his
breast he walked rapidly toward home.
" Great big white thing, with horns, papa."
" I think my pet has been dreaming? "
" No, no, papa, I did see it, and it fired, and the
man tumbled off, and the horses snorted and ran so
fast; then they stopped, and the other mans came
back, and I heard them say, ' He's killed; he's quite
dead.' Oh, papa, I'm so frightened! " and she clung
to him with convulsive grasp, sobbing almost
hysterically.
" There, there, darling; papa has you safe in his
arms. Thank God for taking care of my little pet,"
he said, clasping her closer, and quickening his pace,
while Bruno, wagging his tail and barking joyously,
gambolled about them, now leaping up to touch his
tongue to the little dusty toes, now bounding on
ahead, and anon returning to repeat his loving
caress; and so at last they arrived at home.
Mr. Travilla had scarcely left the house ere the
babe waked his mother. She missed her husband
at once, and hearing a half smothered sob coming
from the room occupied by her daughters, she rose,
and with the babe in her arms hastened to ascer
tain the cause.
She found Elsie alone, crying on the bed with her
face half hidden in the pillows.
" My darling, what is it ? " asked the mother's
sweet voice. "But where is Vi?"
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 89
**0h, mamma,, I don't know; that is the reason
t can't help crying," said the child, raising herself
and putting her arms about her mother's neck, as
the latter sat down on the side of the bed. " But
don't be alarmed, mamma, for papa has gone to
find her."
"Where, daughter? she cannot have gone out of
the house, surely? "
At this instant Dinah appeared and delivered her
master's message.
To obey his injunction not to be alarmed was
quite impossible to the loving mother heart, but
she endeavored to conceal her anxiety and to over
come it by casting her care on the Lord. The babe
had fallen asleep again, and laying him gently down,
she took Elsie in her arms and comforted her with
caresses and words of hope and cheer.
" Mamma," said the little girl, " I cannot go to
sleep again till papa comes back."
" No, I see you can't, nor can I, so we will put
on our dressing-gowns and slippers, and sit together
ut the window, to watch for him, and when we see
him coming up the avenue with Vi in his arms we
will run to meet them."
So they did, and the little lost one, found again,
was welcomed by mother and sister, and afterward
by nurse and mammy, with tender, loving words,
caresses, and tears of joy.
Then Dinah carried her to the nursery, washed
the soiled, tired little feet, changed the draggled
90 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
night-gown for a fresh and clean one, and witK
many a hug and honeyed word, carried her back to
bed, saying, as she laid her down in it, " Now,
darlin', don't you git out ob heyah no mo' till
mornin'."
" No, I'll hold her fast; and papa has locked the
doors so she can't get out of these rooms," said
Elsie, throwing an arm over Vi.
" Yes, hold me tight, tight," murmured Vi, cud
dling down close to her sister, and almost immedi
ately falling asleep, for she was worn out with
fatigue and excitement.
Elsie lay awake some time longer, her young heart
singing for joy over her recovered treasure, but at
length fell asleep also, with the murmur of her
parents' voices in her ears.
They were talking of Violet, expressing their
gratitude to God that no worse consequences had
resulted from her escapade, and consulting together
how to prevent a repetition of it.
Mr. Travilla repeated to his wife the child's
story of her awaking, and what she had seen and
heard.
" Oh, my poor darling, what a terrible fright for
her! " Elsie exclaimed; " but do you not think it
must have been all a dream?"
" That was my first thought; but on further con
sideration I fear it may have been another Ku Klux
outrage. I dare say the disguise worn by them
may answer to her description of t the horrible thing
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 91
that shooted the man '; I judge so from what I have
heard of it."
"But who could have been the victim?" she
asked with a shudder.
"I do not know. But her carriage was probably
the stage: it was about the hour for it to pass."
Day was already dawning, and they did not sleep
again.
Mr. Travilla had gone on his regular morning
round over the plantation, and Elsie stole softly
into the room of her little daughters.
Though past their usual hour for rising they still
slept, and she meant to let them do so as long as
they would. They made a lovely picture lying there
clasped in each other's arms. Her heart swelled
with tender emotions, love, joy, and gratitude to
Him who had given these treasures and preserved
them thus far from all danger and evil. She bent
over them, pressing a gentle kiss upon each round
rosy cheek.
Little Elsie's brown eyes opened wide, and put
ting her arm about her mother's neck, " Mamma,"
she whispered, with a sweet, glad smile, "was not
God very good to give us back our Vi? "
"Yes, dearest, oh, so much better than we de
serve! "
Violet started up to a sitting posture. " Mamma,
oh, mamma, I did have a dreadful, dreadful dream!
that I was 'way off from you and papa, out in the
night in the woods, and I saw "
92 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
She ended with a burst of frightened sobs and
tears, hiding her face on the bosom of her mother,
who already held her closely clasped to her beating
heart.
" Don't think of it, darling, you are safe now in
your own dear home with papa and mamma and
sister and brothers." Tender, soothing caresses
accompanied the loving words.
"Mamma, did I dream it?" asked the child, lift
ing her tearful face, and shuddering as she spoke.
The mother was too truthful to say yes, though
she would have been glad her child should think
it but a dream.
" Perhaps some of it was, daughter," she said,
" though my pet did walk out in her sleep; but papa
is going to manage things so that she can never do
it again. And God. will take care of us, my darling."
The sobs grew fainter and softly sighing, " Yes,
mamma," she said, " I asked him to send papa to
bring me home, and he did."
" And papa came in here this morning and kissed
both his girls before he went downstairs. Did you
know that? "
"Did he? Oh, I wish I'd waked to give him a
good hug! "
" I too," said Elsie. " Papa loves us very much,
doesn't he, mamma?"
" Dearly, dearly, my child; you and all his little
ones."
Vi's tears were dried, and when her father came
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 93
in she met him with a cheerful face, quite ready
for the customary romp, but days passed ere she
was again her own bright, merry self, or seemed
content unless clinging close to one or the other
of her parents.
While the family were at the breakfast table
Uncle Joe came in with the mail, his face full of
excitement and terror.
" Dem Ku Kluxes dey's gettin' awful dangerous,
massa," he said, laying down the bag with a trem
bling hand; " dey's gone an' shot the stage drivah
an' killed 'um dead on the spot. Las' night, sah,
jes ober yondah in de road todder side o' Mars Le-
land's place, and "
Mr. Travilla stopped him in the midst of his
story with a warning gesture and an anxious glance
from one to another of the wondering, half fright
ened little faces about the table.
"Another time and place, Uncle Joe."
" Yes, sah, beg pardon, sah, Massa Edard," and
the old man, now growing quite infirm from age,
hobbled away talking to himself. " Sure miff, you
ole fool, Joe, might 'a knowed you shouldn't tole
no such tings fo' de chillum."
" Was it 'bout my dream, papa? " Vi asked with
quivering lip and fast filling eyes.
" Never mind, little daughter; we needn't trouble
about our dreams," he said cheerily, and began talk
ing of something else, in a lively strain that soon
set them all to laughing.
94 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
It was not until family worship was over and the
children had left the room that he said to his wife,
"The Ku Klux were abroad last night, and I have
no doubt Uncle Joe's story is quite true, and that
our poor little Vi really saw the murder."
Elsie gave him a startled, inquiring look. " You
have another proof? "
" Yes; Lei and and I met in going our rounds
this morning, and he told me he had found a
threatening note, signed ' K. K. K.,' tacked to his
gate, and had torn it down immediately, hoping to
conceal the matter from his wife, who, he says, is
growing nervously fearful for his safety."
" Oh, what a dreadful state of things ! Do these
madmen realize that they are ruining their coun
try?"
" Little they care for that, if they can but gain
their ends the subversion of the Government, and
the return of the negro to his former state of
bondage."
She was standing by his side, her hand on his
{arm. " My husband," she said in trembling tones,
[looking up into his face with brimming eyes, " what
(may they not do next? I begin to fear for you and
my father and brother."
i " I think you need not, little wife," he said,
drawing her head to a resting place on his shoul
der, and passing his hand caressingly over her hair;
"I think they will hardly meddle with us, natives
of the place, and men of wealth and influence.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 85
And/' he added low and reverently, "are we not
all in the keeping of Him without whom not one
hair of our heads can fall to the ground? "
"Yes, yes, I will trust and not be afraid," she
answered, smiling sweetly through her tears. Then
catching sight, through the open window, of a
couple of horsemen coming up the avenue, "Ah,
there are papa and Horace now! " she cried, run~
ning joyfully out to meet them.
" Have you heard of last night's doings of thfl
Ku Klux?" were the first words of Horace, Jr.,
when the greetings had been exchanged.
" Run away, dears, run away to your play," Elsie
said to her children, and at once they obeyed.
" Uncle Joe came in this morning with a story
that Jones the stage driver had been shot by them
last night in this vicinity," Mr. Travilla answered,
"but I stopped him in the midst of it, as the chijk
dren were present. Is it a fact ? "
" Only too true," replied Mr. Dinsmore.
" Yes," said Horace, " I rode into the town be
fore breakfast, found it full of excitement, the story
on everybody's tongue, and quite a large crowd
about the door of the house where the body of the
murdered man lay."
" And is the murderer still at large? " asked Elsie.
r< Yes; and the worst of it is that no one seems
to have the least idea who he is."
" The disguise preventing recognition, of course,"
said Mr. Travilla.
96 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Then the grandfather and uncle were surprised
with an account of little Vi's escapade.
"If Violet were my child/' said Mr. Dinsmore,
"I should consult Dr. Burton about her at once.
There must be undue excitement of the brain that
might be remedied by proper treatment."
Elsie cast an anxious look at her husband.
"I shall send for the doctor immediately," he
said, and summoning a servant, despatched him at
once upon the errand.
"Don't be alarmed, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore
said; " doubtless a little care will soon set matters
right with the child."
" Yes; I do not apprehend any thing serious, if
the thing is attended to in time," Mr. Travilla
added cheerfully; then went on to tell of the notice
affixed to Fairview gate.
They were all of the opinion that these evil
doers should, if possible, be brought to justice; but
the nature and extent of the organization rendered
it no easy matter for the civil courts to deal with
them. The order being secret, the members were
.known as such only among themselves; when
strangers, recognizing each other by secret signs.
They were sworn to aid and defend a brother mem
ber under all circumstances; were one justly accused
of crime, others would come forward and prove an
alibi by false swearing; were they on the jury, they
would acquit him though perfectly cognizant of his
guilt. In some places the sheriff and his deputies
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 97
were members, perhaps the judge also.* Thus it
happened that though one or two persons who had
been heard to talk threateningly about Jones, as
" a carpet-bagger and Kepublican, who should be
gotten rid of, by fair means or foul," were arrested
on suspicion, they were soon set at liberty again,
and his death remained unavenged.
*See Reports of Congressional Committee of Investigation.
CHAPTER IX.
I feel my sinews slackened with the fright,
And a cold sweat thrills down o'er all my limbs
As if I were dissolving into water.
Dryden.
EAELT one evening, a few days subsequent to the
tragical death of Jones, the Ion family carriage,
well freighted, was bowling along the road leading
toward the Oaks.
A heavy shower had laid the dust and cooled the
air, and the ride past blooming hedgerows and fer
tile fields was very delightful. The parents were in
cheerful mood, the children gay and full of life and
fun.
" Oh, yonder is grandpa's carriage coming this
way! " cried Eddie, as they neared the cross-road
which must be taken to reach Roselands in the one
direction and Ashlands in the other.
" Yes, turn out here, Solon, and wait for them to
come up," said Mr. Travilla.
" On your way to the Oaks ? " Mr. Dinsmore
queried as his carriage halted alongside of the other.
" Well, we will turn about and go with you."
"No, we were going to Roselands; but will put
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 99
off the call to another day, if you were coming iti
Ion," Mr. Travilla answered.
No, the Dinsmores had not set out for Ion, but
to visit Sophie at Ashlands; Daisy, her youngest
child, was very ill.
" I wish you would go with us, Elsie," Kose said
to Mrs. Travilla. " I know it would be a comfort
to Sophie to see you."
" Yes, we have plenty of room here," added Mr.
Dinsmore; "and your husband and children can
certainly spare you for an hour or so."
Elsie looked inquiringly at her husband.
"Yes, go, wife, if you feel inclined," he said
pleasantly. " The children shall not lose their ride.
I will go on to Koselands with them, make a short
call, as I have a little business with your grand
father, then take them home."
" And we will have their mother there probably
shortly after," said Mr. Dinsmore.
So the exchange was made and the carriages drove
on, taking opposite directions when they came to
the cross-road.
Arrived at Eoselands, Mr. Travilla found only
the younger members of the family at home, the
old gentleman having driven out with his daugh
ters. Calhoun thought, however, that they would
return shortly, and was hospitably urgent that the
visitors should all come in and rest and refresh
ihemselves.
The younger cousins joined in the entreaty, and
100 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
his own children seeming desirous to accept the
invitation, Mr. Travilla permitted them to do so.
They, with Aunt Chloe and Dinah, were pres
ently carried off to the nursery by Molly Percival
and the Conly girls, while their father walked into
the grounds with Calhoun and Arthur.
"Wai," whispered Dick to his cousin, drawing
him aside unnoticed by the rest, who were wholly
taken up with each other, "now's our time for
some fun with those Ku Klux things. They must
be about done, and I reckon will be packed off out
o* the house before long."
Walter nodded assent; they stole unobserved from
the room, flew up to their own for the key, hurried
to the sewing-room of their mothers, and finding
there two disguises nearly completed, sufficiently
so for their purpose, arrayed themselves in them,
slipped unseen down a back staircase, and dashing
open the nursery door, bounded with a loud whoop
into the midst of its occupants.
Children and nurses joined in one wild shriek of
terror, and made a simultaneous rush for the doors,
tumbling over each other in their haste and affright.
But fortunately for them, Mr. Travilla and Cal
houn had come in from the grounds, were on their
way to the nursery, and entered it from the hall but
a moment later than the boys did by the opposite
door.
Mr. Travilla instantly seized Dick (Calhoun doing
the same by Walter), tore off his disguise, and pick-
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 101
ing up a riding-whip, lying conveniently at hand,
; .dministered a castigation that made the offender
yell and roar for mercy.
, "You scoundrel!" replied the gentleman, still
laying on his blows, " I have scant mercy for a great
'.strong boy who amuses himself by frightening
jyomen and helpless little children."
"But you're not my father, and have no right,
oh, oh, oh! " blubbered Dick, trying to dodge the
blows and wrench himself free. " I'll I'll sue you
for assault and battery."
" Very well, I'll give you plenty while I'm about
it, and if you don't want a second dose you will
refrain from frightening my children in future."
It was an exciting scene, Walter getting almost
as severe handling from Calhoun, nurses and chil
dren huddling together in the farthest corner of the
room, Baby Herbert screaming at the top of his
voice, and the others crying and sobbing while
shrinking in nervous terror from the hideous dis
guises lying in a heap upon the floor.
, " Oh, take them away! take them away, the horrid
things! " screamed Virginia Conly, shuddering and
hiding her face. "Wai and Dick, you wicked
wretches, I don't care if they half kill you."
"Papa, papa, please stop. Oh, Cal, don't whip
him. any more. I'm sure they'll never do it again/'
pleaded little Elsie amid her sobs and tears, holding
yi fast and trying to soothe and comfort her.
" There, go," said Calhoun, pushing Walter from
102 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
the room, " and if ever I catch you at such a tricE
again I'll give you twice as much."
Dick, released by his captor with a like threat,
hastened after his fellow delinquent, blubbering and
muttering angrily as he went.
Calhoun gathered up the disguises, threw them
into a closet, locked the door, and put the key into
his pocket.
"There!" t>aid he, "they're out of sight and
couldn't come after us if they were alive; and there's
no life in them; and little else but linen and
cotton."
Baby Herbert ceased his cries and cuddled down
on Aunt Chloe's shoulder; the other four ran to
their father.
He encircled them all in his arms, soothing them
with caresses and words of fatherly endearment.
" There, there, my darlings, dry your tears; papa
will take care of you; nothing shall hurt you."
" Papa, they's like that horrid thing that shooted
the man," sobbed Vi, clinging to him in almost
frantic terror. " Oh, don't let's ever come here any
more! "
"I so frightened, papa, I so frightened; p'ease
tate Harold home," sobbed the little fellow, the
others joining in the entreaty.
" Yes, we will go at once," said Mr. Travilla,
rising, Vi in one arm, Harold in the other; and,
motioning to the servants to follow, he was about
to leave the room when Calhoun spoke.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 103
" Do not go yet, Mr. Travilla; I think grandpa
md the ladies will be here directly."
" Thanks, but I will see Mr. Dinsmore at another
time. Now my first duty is to these terrified little
ones."
" I am exceedingly sorry for what has occurred;
more mortified than I can express
" No need for apology, Conly; but you must see
the necessity for our abrupt departure. Good-even
ing to you all."
Calhoun followed to the carriage door, helped to
put the children in, then addressing Mr. Travilla,
" I see you doubt me, sir," he said, " and not with
out reason, I own; yet I assure you I have no prop
erty in those disguises, never have worn, and never
will wear, such a thing much less take part in the
violence they are meant to protect from punish
ment."
" I am glad to hear you say so, Cal. Good-even
ing." And the carriage whirled away down the
avenue.
The rapid motion and the feeling that the objects
of their affright were being left far behind, seemed
to soothe and reassure the children, yet each sought
to be as near as possible to their loved protector.
Harold and the babe soon fell asleep, and on
reaching home were carried directly to bed; but the
older ones begged so hard to be allowed to " stay
with papa till mamma came home," that he could
not find it in his heart to refuse them.
104 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
The Dinsmore party found Sophie devoting her
self to her sick child; the attack had been sudden
and severe, and all the previous night the mother
had watched by the couch of the little sufferer with
an aching heart, fearing she was to be taken from
her; but now the danger seemed nearly over, a
favorable change having taken place during the
Daisy had fallen into a quiet slumber, and leaving
the nurse to watch at the bedside the mother re
ceived and conversed with her frierids in an adjoin
ing room.
Though evidently very glad to see them, she
seemed, after the first few moments, so depressed
and anxious, that at length her sister remarked it,
and asked if there were any other cause than Daisy's
illness.
"Yes, Kose," she said, "I must own that I am
growing very timid in regard to these Ku Klux
outrages. Since they have taken to beating and
shooting whites as well as blacks, women as well as
men, who shall say that we are safe? I, a Northern
woman too, and without a protector."
" I do not think they will molest a lady of your
standing," said Mr. Dinsmore; " the widow, too, of
a Confederate officer. But where is Boyd, that you
say you are without a protector?"
A slight shudder ran over Sophie's frame.
"Boyd?" she said, drawing her chair nearer and
speaking in an undertone, " he is my great dread,
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 105
md for fear of wounding mother's feelings I have
aad to keep my terrors to myself. I know that he
is often out, away from the plantation, all night.
[ have for weeks past suspected that he was a Ku
Klux, and last night, or rather early this morning,
my suspicions were so fully confirmed that they now
amount almost to certainty. I had been up all night
with Daisy, and a little before sunrise, happening to
be at the window, I saw him stealing into the house
with a bundle under his arm something white
rolled up in the careless sort of way a man would
do it."
" I am not surprised," said Mr. Dinsmore; " he
is just the sort of man one would expect to be at
such work headstrong, violent-tempered, and
utterly selfish and unscupulous. Yet I think you
may dismiss your fears of him, and feel it rather a
safeguard than otherwise to have a member of the
Klan in your family/'
"It may be so/' she said musingly, the cloud
of care partially lifting from her brow.
"And at all events you are not without a prc-
.tector, dear sister," whispered Rose, as she bade
adieu. " ' A father of the fatherless, and a judge
of the widows is God in his holy habitation.' "
Elsie too had a word of sympathy and hope for
her childhood's friend, and with warm invitations
to both the Oaks and Ion as soon as Daisy could be
moved with safety, they left her. greatly cheered
and refreshed by their visit.
106 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"My heart aches for her," Elsie said as they
drove away; " what a sad, sad thing to be a widow! "
" Yes; " responded Kose, " and to have lost your
husband so fighting against the land of your birth
and love."
There was a long pause, broken by a sudden, half
frightened exclamation from Rosie. " Papa! what
if we should meet the Ku Klux! "
" Not much danger, I think; they are not apt to
be abroad so early. And we are nearing Ion."
" I presume Edward has reached home before us/*
remarked Elsie. " I wonder how my little ones en
joyed their first visit to Koselands without their
mother."
She soon learned; for she had scarcely set foot in
the veranda ere they were clinging about her and
pouring out the story of their terrible fright.
She pitied, soothed, and comforted them, trying
to dispel their fears and lead them to forgive those
who had ill-used them, though it cost no small effort
to do so herself.
CHAPTER X.
Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.
Luke vi. 37.
CALHOUN CONLT was much, perturbed by the
occurrences of the evening. He was fond of his
cousin Elsie and her children, and very sorry, for
both her sake and theirs, that they had suffered
tliis fright; he greatly respected and liked Mr. Tra-
villa too, and would fain have stood well in his
esteem; he had hoped that he did; and also with his
Uncle Horace he had been so kindly treated,
especially of late, at both Ton and the Oaks; but now
this unfortunate episode had placed him in a false
position, and he could hardly expect to be again
trusted or believed in.
Such were his cogitations as he sat alone in the
veranda after the Ion carriage had driven away.
" What shall I do?" he asked himself, "what shall
I do to recover their good opinion?"
Just then Walter appeared before him, looking
crestfallen and angry.
" I say, Cal, it's bad enough for you to have
thrashed me as you did, without bringing mother
and Aunt Enna, and maybe grandfather too, down
on me about those wretched masks and things; so
107
208 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
give 'em up, and let Dick and me put em back before
they get home."
" Of course put them back as fast as you can;
pity you hadn't let them alone," said Calhoun, rising
and with a quick step leading the way toward the
nursery. " And," he added, " we must see what we
can do to keep the young ones from blabbing; else
putting them back will help your case very little."
" Oh, we'll never be able to do that! " exclaimed
"Walter despairingly; " one or another of 'em is sure
to let it out directly. And there come the folks
now," as the rolling of wheels was heard in the
avenue. " Ifs of no use; they'll know all about it
in five minutes."
" Yes, sir, you and Dick have got yourselves into
a fine box, beside all the trouble you've made for
other people," said Calhoun angrily. Then laying
his hand on Walter's arm as he perceived that he
was meditating flight, " No, sir, stay and face the
music like a man; don't add cowardice to all the rest
of it."
They heard the clatter of little feet running
through the house and out upon the veranda, the
carriage draw up before the door, then the voices
of the children pouring out the story of their fright,
and the punishment of its authors, and the answer
ing tones of their grandfather and the ladies; Mr.
Dinsmore's expressing surprise and indignation,
Enna's full of passion, and Mrs. Conly's of cold
displeasure.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 109
"Let go o' me! they're coming this way/' cried
Walter, trying to wrench himself free.
But the inexorable Calhoun only tightened his
grasp and dragged him on to the nursery.
Dick was there trying to pick the lock of the
closet door with his pocket knife.
" What are you about, sir? No more mischief
to-day, if you please," exclaimed Calhoun, seizing
him with the free hand, the other having enough to
do to hold Walter.
" Give me that key then," cried Dick, vainly
struggling to shake off his cousin's strong grip.
The words were hardly on the boy's tongue when
the door was thrown open and Mr. Dinsmore and
his daughters entered hastily, followed by the whole
crowd of younger children.
" Give you the key indeed! I'd like to know how
you got hold of mine, and how you dared to make
use of it as you have, you young villain! There, ;
take that, and that, and that! Hold him fast, Cal,
till give him a little of what he deserves," cried(
Mrs. Johnson, rushing upon her son in a towering'j
passion, and cuffing him right and left with all her
strength.
"Let me alone!" he roared; "'taint fair; old
Travilla's half killed me already."
" I'm glad of it! You ought to be half killed, and
you won't get any sympathy from me, I can tell
you."
"And you had a share in it too, Walter?" Mrs.
lit) ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Conly was saying in freezing tones. " If you think'
lie deserves any more than you gave him, Cal, you
have my full permission to repeat the dose."
"Where is the cause of all this unseemly dis
turbance?" demanded Mr. Dinsmore severely.
" Calhoun, if you have the key of that closet and
those wretched disguises are there, produce them at
once."
The young man obeyed, while Enna, holding Dick
fast, turned a half frightened look upon her sister;
to which the latter, standing with her arms folded
and her back braced against the wall, replied with
one of cold, haughty indifference.
Calhoun drew out the obnoxious articles and held
them up to a view, a flush of mortification upon his
face.
The children screamed and ran.
" Be quiet ! they can't hurt you/' said the grand
father, stamping his foot; then turning to Calhoun,
" Ku Klux your property and Arthur's, I presume,
You are members, doubtless? " and he glanced from
one to the other of his older grandsons in mingled
'anger and scorn, Arthur having just entered the
room to ascertain the cause of the unusual com
motion.
He flushed hotly at his grandsire's words and
look. "I, sir! I a Ku Klux?" he exclaimed in a
hurt, indignant tone; "la midnight assassin steal
ing upon my helpless victims under cover of dark
ness and a hideous disguise? No, sir. How could
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. HI
you fhink so ill of me? What have I done to deserve
it?"
" Nothing, my boy; I take it all back," said the
old gentleman, with a grim smile; " it is not like
you a quiet, bookish lad, with nothing of the
coward or the bully about you. But you, Calhoun?"
" I have no property in these, sir; and I should
scorn to wear one, or to take part in the deeds you
have spoken of."
" Eight. I am no Republican, and was as strong
for secession as any man in the South, but I am
for open, fair fight with my own enemies or those of
my country; no underhand dealings for me; no
cowardly attacks in overwhelming numbers upon
the weak and defenceless. But if these disguises
are not yours, whose are they, and how camp, they
here?"
" I must beg leave to decline answering that ques
tion, sir," replied Calhoun respectfully.
His mother and aunt exchanged glances.
"Ah!" exclaimed their father, turning to Enna,
as with a sudden recollection, " I think I heard you
claiming some property in these scarecrows. Speak
out! are they yours?"
" No, sir; but I'm not ashamed to own that I
helped to make them, and that if I were a man I
would wear one."
"You! you helped make them? And who, pray,
helped you? Louise "
*Yes, sir, Louise it was," replied Mrs. Conly,
112 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
drawing herself up to her full height, " and she is
no more ashamed to own it than is her sister. And
if Calhoun was a dutiful son he would be more than
willing to wear one."
" If you were a dutiful daughter you would never
have engaged in such a business in my house with
out my knowledge and consent/' retorted her
' father; " and I'll have no more of it, let me tell
you, Madams Conly and Johnson; no aiding or abet
ting of these midnight raiders."
Then turning to a servant he ordered her to " take
the hideous things into the yard and make a bonfire
f them."
"No, no!" cried Enna. "Papa, do you under
stand that you are ordering the destruction of other
men's property?"
"It makes no difference," he answered coolly;
"they are forfeit by having been brought surrep
titiously into my house. Carry them out, Fanny,
do you hear? carry them out and burn them."
" And pray, sir, what am I to say to the owners
when they claim their property? " asked Enna, with
flashing eyes.
" Refer them to me," replied her father, leaving
the room to see that his orders were duly executed.
Calhoun and Arthur had already slipped away.
Dick was about to follow, but his mother again
seized him by the arm, this time shaking him vio
lently; she must have some one on whom to vent
the rage that was consuming her.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 113
"You you bad, troublesome, wicked boy! I
could shake the very life out of you! " she hissed
through her shut teeth, suiting the action to the
word. " A pretty mess you have made of it, you and
Walter. Your birthday coming next week too;
there'll be no presents from Ion for you, you may
rest assured. I hoped Mr. Travilla would send you
each a handsome suit, as he did last year; but of
course you'll get nothing now."
" Well, I don't care," muttered Dick, " it's your
fault for making the ugly things." And freeing
himself by a sudden jerk, he darted from, the room.
Children and servants had trooped after Mr.
Dinsmore to witness the conflagration, and Dick's
sudden exit left the ladies sole occupants of the
apartment.
"I declare it's too bad! too provoking for endur
ance! " exclaimed Enna, bursting into a flood of
angry tears.
" What's the use of taking it so hard? " returned
her sister.
" You're a perfect iceberg," retorted Enna.
" That accounts for my not crying over our mis
fortune, I presume; my tears being all frozen up,"
returned Mrs. Conly, with an exasperating smile.
"Well, there is comfort in all things: we may now
congratulate ourselves that Foster and Boyd did not
wait for these, but supplied themselves elsewhere."
/There was a difference of two years in the ages
of Dick Percival and Walter Conly, but they were
114 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
born on the same day of the same month, an& their
birthday would occur in less than a week.
" I say, Wai, what precious fools we've been," re
marked Dick as the two were preparing to retire
that night; " why didn't we remember how near it
was to our birthday? Of course, as mother says,
there'll be no presents from Ion this time."
" No, and I wish I'd never seen the hateful
things," grumbled Walter; " but there's no use cry
ing over spilt milk."
"No; and we'll pretend we don't care a cent.
Mother shan't have the satisfaction of knowing that
I do, anyhow." And Dick whistled a lively tune as
he pulled off his boots and tossed them into a corner.
At about the same time Elsie and her husband,
seated alone together in their veranda, were con
versing on the same subject. Mr. Travilla intro
duced it. They had been regretting the effect of
the fright of the evening upon their children Vi
especially, as the one predisposed to undue excite
ment of the brain yet hoping it might not prove
lasting.
Elsie had just returned from seeing them to bed.
"I left them much calmed and comforted," she
said, " by our little talk together of God's constant
watch over us, his all-power, and his protecting
care and love; and by our prayer that he would have
them in his keeping."
He pressed her hand in silence; then presently
remarked, " The birthday of those boys is near at
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 115
Kand. They certainly deserve no remembrance from
us; but how do you feel about it? "
" Just as my noble, generous husband does," she
said, looking up into his face with a proud, fond
smile.
"Ah! and how is that?"
" Like giving them a costlier and more acceptable
present than ever before; thus ' heaping coals of fire
upon their heads.' ' ;
" And what shall it be? "
"Whatever you think they would prefer and
would not that be a pony apiece?"
" No doubt of it; and I will try to procure two
worth having, before .the day comes round."
Talking with her little ones the next morning,
Elsie told them of the near approach of the birthday
of Dick and Walter, spoke of the duty of forgiveness
and the return of good for evil, and asked who of
them would like to make their cousins some nice
present,
" I should, mamma," said little Elsie.
Eddie looked up into his mother's face, dropped
his head, and blushing deeply muttered, " I'd rather
flog them like papa and Cal did."
"So would I; they're naughty boys!" cried Vi,
the tears starting to her eyes at the remembrance
of the panic of fear their conduct had cost herself,
brothers, and sisters.
Their mother explained that it was papa's duty
to protect his children from injury, and that that
J16 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
was why he had flogged naughty Dick; but now he
had forgiven him., and was going to return good for
evil, as the Bible bids us. " And you must forgive
them too, dears, if you want God to forgive you/'
she concluded; " for Jesus says, ' If you forgive not
men their trespasses, neither will your Father for-
igive your trespasses/ ' ;
" I can't, mamma; I don't love them," said Eddie
stoutly.
"Ask God to help you, then, my son."
"But, mamma, I can't ask him with my heart,
'cause I don't really want to love them or forgive
them."
"Can my boy do without God's forgiveness?
without Jesus' love? " she asked, drawing him to
her side. " You feel very unhappy when papa or
mamma is offended with you, and can you bear your
heavenly Father's frown?"
" Don't look so sorry, dear mamma: I love you
ever so much," he said, putting his arms about her
neck and kissing her again and again.
" I cannot be happy while my dear little son in
dulges such sinful feelings," she said, softly smooth
ing his hair, while a tear rolled down her cheek.
" Mamma, how can I help it? "
" Try to think kind thoughts of your cousins, do
them all the kindness you can, and ask God to bless
them, and to help you to love them. I want my
little Vi to do so too," she added, turning to her.
" Mamma, I will; I don't 'tend to say cross things
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 117
'bout 'em any more," Violet answered impulsively;
"'"' and I'll give 'em the nicest present I can get with
ill my pocket-money."
" Mamma, must I give them presents? " asked
Kddie.
" No, son, I do not say must; you shall decide
for yourself whether you ought, and whether you
will."
"Mamma, they made me hurt my dear father."
" No, Eddie, no one can make us do wrong; we
<;hoose for ourselves whether we will resist tempta
tion or yield to it."
"Mamma, what shall we give?" asked the little
girls.
" Talk it over between yourselves, daughters, de
cide how much you are willing to spend on them,
and what your cousins would probably like best.
1 want my children to think and choose for them
selves, where it is proper that they should."
"But, mamma, you will 'vise us."
" Yes, Vi, you may consult me, and shall have
the benefit of my opinion."
The little girls held several private consultations
during the day, and in the evening came with a
1 ieport to their mother. Elsie was willing to appro
priate five dollars to the purpose, Vi three, and the
gifts were to be books, if mamma approved, and
would help them select suitable ones.
" I think you have decided wisely," she said; "and
las it is too warm for us to drive to the city, we will
118 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
ask papa to order a variety sent out here, and he
and I will help you in making a choice."
Eddie was sta-nding by. Nothing had been said
to him on the subject since his morning talk with
his mother, but all day he had been unusually
quiet and thoughtful.
" Mamma," he said now, coming close to her side,
" I've been trying to forgive them, and I'm going
to buy two riding whips, one for Dick and one for
Wai if you and papa like me to."
Her smile was very sweet and tender as she com
mended his choice, and told him his resolve had
made her very happy.
The birthday found Dick and Walter in sullen,
discontented mood, spite of their resolve not to care
for the loss of all prospect of gifts in honor of the
anniversary.
"What's the use of getting up?" growled Dick;
"it's an awful bore, the way we've been sent to
Coventry ever since we got into that scrape with the
young ones. I've a great mind to lie abed and pre
tend sick; just to scare mother and pay her off for
her crossness."
" Maybe you might get sick in earnest," suggested
Walter. "I'm going to get up, anyhow," and he
tumbled out upon the floor, " for it's too hot to
lie in bed. Hark! there's Pomp coming up the stairs
to call us now. Why, what's all that, Pomp?" as
the servant rapped, then pushing open the door f
handed in a number of brown parcels.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 119
"Dimno, Mars Wai," replied the man, grinning
from ear to ear; " somethin' from Ion, an de rest's
downstairs; one for each ob you."
" One what?" queried Dick, starting up and with
OBC bound placing himself at Walter's side.
" Birthday presents, sahs. Wish you many happy
returns, Mars Wai and Mars Dick, an' hope you'll
neber wear no mo' Ku Klux doins."
But the lads were too busily engaged in opening
the parcels and examining their contents to hear
or heed his words.
" Two riding whips, splendid ones, and four
books! " exclaimed Walter; " and here's a note."
"Here let me read it," said Dick. "I declare,
"Wai, I'm positively ashamed to have them send me
anything after the way I've behaved."
" I too. But what do they say? "
" It's from Travilla and Cousin Elsie," said Dick,
tnrning to the signature. " I'll read it out."
He did so. It was very kind and pleasant, made
so allusion to their wrongdoing, but congratulated
them on the return of the day, begged their accept
ance of the accompanying gifts, stating from whom
rach came, the largest a joint present from them-
salves; and closed with an invitation to spend the
day at Ion.
" I'm more ashamed than ever, aren't you, Wai? "
Dick said, his face flushing hotly as he laid the note
down.
"Yes, never felt so mean in my life. To think
120 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
of that little Ed sending us these splendid whips,
and the little girls these pretty books. I 'most wish
they hadn't."
" But where's ' the larger gift ' they say is ' a joint
present from themselves'?"
" Oh, that must be what Pomp called the rest left
downstairs. Come, let's hurry and get down there
to see what it is."
Toilet duties were attended to in hot haste, and
in a wonderfully short time the two were on the
front veranda in eager quest of the mysterious
present.
Each boyish heart gave a wild bound of delight as
their eyes fell upon a group in the avenue, just
before the entrance; two beautiful ponies, ready
saddled and bridled, in charge of an Ion servant;
old Mr. Dinsmore, Calhoun, and Arthur standing-
near examining and commenting upon them with,
evident admiration.
"Oh, what beauties!" cried Dick, bounding in
among the group. " Whose are they, Uncle Joe? "
" Well, sah," answered the old negro, pulling off
his hat and bowing first to one, then to the other,
"dey's sent heyah, by Massa Travilla and Miss
Elsie, for two boys 'bout de size o' you, dat don'
neber mean to frighten young chillen no mo'."
The lads hung their heads in silence, the blush of
shame on their cheeks.
"Do you answer the description?" asked Ca2-
toun, a touch of scorn in his tones.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 121
"Yes; for we'll never do it again," said Walter.
*But it's too much: they're too kind!" and he
fairly broke down, and turned away his head to
ride the tears that would come into his eyes.
" That's a fact! " assented Dick, nearly as much
aioved.
"You don't deserve it," said their grandfather
severely, "and I'm much inclined to send them back,
kvith a request that if they're offered you again it
shall not be till a year of good conduct on your part
'has atoned for the past."
" Oh, grandpa, you couldn't be so hard, so very
hard! " cried Dick imploringly, stroking and patting
the pony nearest to him, " they're such beauties."
" I should think you'd be ashamed to accept such
gifts after the way you've behaved," said Arthur.
" So we are; but wouldn't it be worse to send 'em
"back? Awful rude, I should say." And Dick turned
a half saucy, half beseeching look upon his grand
father.
The old gentleman smiled in spite of himself, and
consented, in consideration of the boys' penitence
for the past and fair promises for the future, to
a] low them to accept the generous gifts.
Uncle Joe explained which was for Dick, and
which for Walter, and springing into their saddles,
they were off like a shot, their grandfather calling
after them to be back in ten minutes, if they wanted
any breakfast.
CHAPTER XI.
If thine enemy hunger, feed him ; if he thirst, give him
drink; for in so doing tnou shalt heap coals of fire on his
head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
ROMANS xii. 20, 21.
" SPLENDID! " cried Dick, wheeling about toward
home, now half a mile away; "but we must hurry
back or grandpa will be mad. I say, Wai, what d*
you s'pose makes Travilla and Cousin Elsie so dif
ferent from us? I mean all of us at Roselands."
"I don't know/' returned Walter reflectively;
"maybe because they're Christians. You know it
gays in the Bible we're to return good for evil."
"Yes, and so heap coals of fire on our enemies'
heads. And, Wai, I feel 'em burn now. I'd gire
anything not to have coaxed and teased Ed into
shooting that time, and not to have scared him
and the others with those frightful disguises."
" So would I; and we'll never do the like agaim,
Dick, never; will we?"
" I reckon not; and we must ride over to Ion after
breakfast and tell 'em so, and thank 'em for these
beauties and the othor things."
" Yes; didn't the note invite us to spend the day
there?"
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 123
" Why, so it did! But I'd forgot; the sight of the
ponies knocked it all out of my head."
So great was the delight of the lads in their new
acquisitions, that not even the repeated assertions
o! their mothers and other members of the family,
seconded by the reproaches of their own con
sciences, that they did not deserve it, could
materially damp their joy.
An ungracious permission to accept the invitation
to Ion was granted to them, with the remark that
Calhoun and Arthur, who were included in it, would
bo there to keep them in order, and also to report
noon their conduct.
Calhoun, troubled and mortified by the suspicions
which he imagined must have been entertained
against him at both the Oaks and Ion since the
escapade of Dick and Walter, had kept himself
closely at home during the past week, and studiously
avoided meeting either his uncle or Travilla; but
this invitation, as the holding out of the olive
brunch of peace, was joyfully accepted.
The four rode over to Ion together directly after
breakfast, and found themselves greeted with the
greatest kindness and cordiality by Mr. Travilla,
Elsie, and the children, all gathered in the veranda
awaiting their coming.
The two culprits, shame-faced in view of their
ill-deserts, yet overflowing with delight in their
ponies, poured out mingled thanks and apologies
and promises for the future.
124 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"Never mind, my lads, we'll say nothing more
about it," Mr. Travilla said in his kind, cheery way,
Elsie adding, " You are very welcome, and we are
sure you do not intend ever again to try to alarm
our darlings, or tempt them to do wrong."
She led the way to her beautiful summer parlor,
a large, lofty apartment with frescoed walls and
ceiling; the floor a mosaic of various colored mar
bles; a bubbling fountain in the centre, gold and
silver fish swimming in its basin, windows draped
with vines, and at the farther end a lovely grotto,
where a second fountain threw showers of spray
over moss-grown rocks and pieces of exquisite
statuary.
Here they were presently joined by their Cousin
Horace. Ices and fruits were served, and the morn
ing passed in a most agreeable manner, enlivened by
music, conversation, and a variety of quiet games:
Mr. and Mrs. Travilla laying themselves out for
the entertainment of their guests.
Their children had been excused from lessons in
honor of the day, and with their sweet prattle and
merry pretty ways contributed not a little to the
enjoyment of their elders.
Mr. Dinsmore came to dinner. Calhoun fancied
his manner rather cool toward him, while Dick and
Walter were left in no doubt of his stern disapproval
of them, until their Cousin Elsie said a few words
to him in a quiet aside, after which there was a
decided change for the better.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 125-
Calhoun watched his cousin furtively, as he had.
of: late formed a habit of doing; and as he studied
her character his respect, admiration, and affection
grew apace; he found her so utterly unselfish and
s ncere, so patient and forbearing, yet firm for the
right, so unaffectedly gay and happy.
Something of this he remarked to her when for a
f 3W moments they chanced to be alone together.
" Ah," she said, smiling and blushing, " it is not
lover love alone that is blind; you have been look
ing at me through rose-colored spectacles, as so
many of my relatives and friends do.'*
" But are you not really happy, cousin? "
"Happy? Ah, yes, indeed! Have I not every
thing to make me so? the best of husbands and
fathers, five darling children; comparative youth;
health; wealth that enables me to prove in my own
sweet experience the truth of those words of the
Lord Jesus, ' It is more blessed to give than to
receive'; and the best of all," she added low and
reverently, the soft eyes shining through glad tears,
" his love and tender care surrounding me. His
strong arm to lean upon; his blood to wash away
my sins. His perfect righteousness put upon me.
These, cousin, are more than all the rest, and you
and every one may have them if you will; for his
own words are, ' Ask, and ye shall receive; seek and
ye shall find.' 'Him that cometh unto me, I will
in no wise cast out/ >:
"You give me a new view of religion," he said
126 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
after a moment's surprised, thoughtful silence; "1
have been accustomed to look upon it as some
thing suitable, perhaps desirable, for old age, and
certainly very necessary for a death-bed; but too
great a restraint upon youthful pleasures/'
" Sinful pleasures must indeed be given up by
those who would follow Christ; but they are like
apples of Sodom beautiful in appearance, but
bitter and nauseous to the taste; while the joys that
he gives are pure, sweet, abundant, and satisfying.
* Godliness is profitable unto all things, having
promise of the life that now is, and of that which
is to come/ 'They shall be abundantly satisfied
with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make
them drink of the river of thy pleasures/ Ah, Cal,
if one might safely die without the Christian's
faith and hope, I should still want them to sweeten
life's journey."
Another thoughtful pause; then the young man
said frankly, " Cousin Elsie, I'm afraid I'm very
stnpid, but it's a fact that I never have been quite
able to understand exactly what it is to be a Chris
tian, or how to become one/'
She considered a moment, her heart going up in
silent prayer for help to make the matter plain to
him, and for a blessing on her words; for well she
knew that without the influence of the Holy Spirit
they would avail nothing.
" To be a Christian," she said, " is to believe in
the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving and resting upon
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 127
him alone for salvation. 'He hath made him t$
be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be
made the righteousness of God in him.' * God so
lored the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.' Do not these
texts answer both your queries? We have broken
God's holy law, but Jesus, the God man, has borne
the penalty in our stead; 'all our righteousnesses are
as filthy rags '; we dare not appear before the King
clothed in them; but Jesus offers to each of us the
pure and spotless robe of his righteousness, and we
have only to accept it as a free gift; we can have it
on no other terms. It is believe and be saved; look
and live."
" But there is something besides for us to do,
surely? we must live right."
"Yes, true faith will bring forth the fruits of
holy living; but good works are the proofs and
effects of our faith, not the ground of the true
Christian's hope having nothing whatever to do
with our justification."
The entrance of Arthur and young Horace put
an end to the conversation.
Horace was not less devoted to his elder sister
HQW than in childhood's days; Arthur, distant and
reserved with most people, had of late learned to be
very frank and open with her, sure of an attentive
hearing, of sympathy, and that his confidence would
never be betrayed.
128 ELSIE' 8 MOTHERHOOD.
She never sneered, never laughed in contempt,
nor ever seemed to think herself better or wiser
than others. Her advice, when asked, was given
with sweet simplicity and humility, as of one not
qualified, in her own estimation, to teach, or desir
ous to usurp authority over others: yet she had a
clear intellect and sound judgment; she opened her
mouth with wisdom and in her tongue was the law
of kindness. There seemed a sort of magnetism
about her, the attraction of a loving, sympathetic
nature, that always drew to her the young of both
sexes, and the large majority of older people also.
The three young men gathered round her, hang
ing upon her sweet looks, her words, her smiles, as
ardent lovers do upon those of their mistress.
Somehow the conversation presently turned upon
love and marriage, and she lectured them, half-
playfully, half seriously, upon the duties of hus
bands.
She bade them to be careful in their choice, re
membering that it was for life, and looking for
worth rather than beauty or wealth; then after
marriage not to be afraid of spoiling the wife with
too much care and thoughtfulness for her comfort
and happiness, or the keeping up of the little
attentions so pleasant to give and receive, and so
lavishly bestowed, in the days of courtship.
"Ah, Elsie, you are thinking of your own hus
band, and holding him up as a model to us," said
Horace laughingly.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 129
"Yes/' she answered, with a blush and smile,
a tender light shining in the soft brown eyes, " that
is true. Ah, the world would be full of happy wives
if all the husbands would copy his example! He is
as much a lover now as the day he asked me to be
his wife; more, indeed, for we grow dearer and
dearer to each other as the years roll on. Never a
day passes that he does not tell me of his love by
word and deed, and the story is as sweet to me now
as when first I heard it."
" Ah, good wives make good husbands," said Mr.
Travilla, who had entered unobserved, just in time
to hear the eulogy upon him. " Boys, let each of
you get a wife like mine, and you cannot fail to
be good husbands."
" Good husbands make good wives," she retorted,
looking up into his face with a fond smile as he
came to her side.
" The trouble is to find such," remarked Horace,
regarding his sister with tender admiration.
" True enough," said Travilla, " I know not of her
like in all the length and breadth of the land."
Catching sight of Mr. Dinsmore pacing the ver
anda alone, Calhoun slipped quietly away from the
rest and joined him.
" Uncle," he said, coloring and dropping his eyes,
" I think you doubt me."
" Have I not reason, Calhoun? " Mr. Dinsmore
asked, looking searchingly into the lad's face.
"Yes, sir, I own that appearances are strongly
130 ELSIE'S MOTBERBOOD.
against me, and I cannot disprove the tale tfcey
tell; but oh, if you could trust me still, uncle I"
He lifted his head, and gazed fearlessly into the
keen dark eyes still bent searchingly upon him.
Mr. Dinsmore held out his hand, and cordially
grasped the one Calhoun placed in it.
" Well, my boy, I will try: it is far pleasanter
than to doubt you. But there is some one at Rose-
lands who is disposed to aid and abet the Ku Klux
in their lawless proceedings."
" I cannot deny that," said the nephew, " yet it
would ill become me to say who it is; and I think,
sir, since grandpa has set down his foot so decidedly
in opposition, there will be no more of it. Travilla
and Cousin Elsie have given me their confidence
again, and I assure you, sir, I am deeply grateful
to you all/*
CHAPTER XII.
If them neglect's! or dost unwillingly
What I command, I'll rack thee with old cramps,
Fill all thy bones with aches; make thee roar,
That beasts shall tremble at thy din.
. Sftakspere's Tempest.
THE Ion family were spending the day at the
Oaks. It was now early in the fall of 1868, and
political excitement ran high over the coming presi
dential election. There had been as yet no effectual
check given to the lawless proceedings of the Ku
Klux, and their frequent raids and numerous deeds
of violence had inaugurated a reign of terror that
was a shame and reproach to our boasted civiliza
tion and free institutions.
Many of the poorer classes, both blacks and
whites, dared not pass the night in their houses,
but when darkness fell, fled for safety to the shelter
of the nearest woods, carrying their beds with them,
and sleeping in the open air. .
That the Ku Klux Klan was a political organiza
tion working in the interests of the Democratic
party their words to their victims left no doubt.
The latter were told that they were punished for
belonging to the Union League, or for favoring the
Republican party, or using their influence in its
131
132 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
behalf, and threatened with severer treatment if
they dared vote its ticket or urge others to do so.
The outrages were highly disapproved by all Ee-
publicans and by most of the better class in the
opposite party; but many were afraid to express
their opinions of the doings of the Klan, lest they
should be visited with its terrors; while for the
same reason many of its victims preferred to suffer
in silence rather than institute proceedings or tes
tify against their foes.
It was a state of things greatly deplored by our
friends of the Oaks and Ion, and Messrs. Dinsmore
and Travilla, who were not of the timid sort, had
been making efforts to bring some of the guilty
ones to justice, though thus far with very little
success.
Such an errand had taken them to the town on
this particular day.
They were returning late in the afternoon and
were still several miles from home, when, passing
through a bit of woods, a sudden turn of the road
brought them face to face with a band of mounted
men, some thirty or forty in number, not disguised,
but rough and ruffianly in appearance, and armed
with clubs, pistols, and bowie knives.
The encounter was evidently a surprise to both
parties, and reining in their steeds they regarded
each other for a moment in grim silence.
Then the leader of the band, a profane, drunken
wretch who had been a surgeon in the Confederate
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 133
army, scowling fiercely upon our friends and laying
his hand on a pistol in his belt, growled out, " A
couple of scalawags! Mean dirty rascals, what mis
chief have you been at now, eh?"
Disdaining a reply to his insolence, the gentle
men drew their revolvers, cocked them ready for
instant use, and whirling their horses halfway
round and backing them out of the road so that
they faced it, while leaving room for the others to
pass, politely requested them to do so.
" Not so fast! " returned the leader, pouring out
a torrent of oaths and curses; "we've a little
account to settle with you two, and no time's like
the present."
" Yes, shoot 'em down! " cried a voice from the
crowd.
"Hang 'em! " yelled another, "the rascals!"
" Yes," roared a third, " pull 'em from their
horses and string 'em up to the limb o' that big oak
yonder."
Our friends faced them with dauntless air.
" You will do neither," said Mr. Dinsmore, in a
firm, quiet tone; " we are well armed, and shall
defend ourselves to the last extremity."
Travilla threw his riding whip into the road a
foot or two in front of his horse's head, saying, as
he looked steadily into the leader's eyes: " The
first one who passes that to come nearer to us is
that instant a dead man."
The two were well known in the community as
134 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
men of undoubted courage and determination; a-lstf
as excellent marksmen.
A whisper ran along the lines of their opponents.
"He's a dead shot; and so's Dinsmore; and they're
not afraid o' the devil himself. Better let 'em go
for this time."
The leader gave the word, "Forward! " and with
hisses, groans, and a variety of hideous noises they
swept along the road and passed out of sight, leav
ing our friends masters of the field.
" Cruelty and cowardice go hand in hand," ob
served Mr. Travilla, as they resumed their home
ward way.
" Yes, those brave fellows prefer waging war upon,
sleeping unarmed men and helpless women and
children, to risking life and limb in fair and open
fight with such as you and I," returned his com
panion.
"They are Ku Klux, you think?"
" I am morally certain of it, though I could not
bring proof to convict even that rascally Dr.
Savage."
They agreed not to mention the occurrence in
presence of their wives: also that it would be best
for Travilla to take his family home early, Mr.
Dinsmore and Horace, Jr., accompanying them as
an escort.
This they could readily do without arousing the
fears of the ladies, as both were constantly coming
and going between the two places.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 136
The sun was Hearing the horizon when they
reached the Oaks.
Rose and Elsie were in the veranda awaiting their
coining in some anxiety.
" Oh/ 7 they cried, " we are so rejoiced to see you!
so thankful that you are safe. We feared you had
met some of those dreadful Ku Klux."
" Yes, little wife, we are safe, thanks to the pro
tecting care which is over us all in every place/'
Mr. Travilla said, embracing her as though they had
been long parted.
"Ah, yes/' she sighed, "how I have been for
getting to-day the lessons of faith and trust I have
tried to impress upon Mrs. Leland. It is far easier
to preach than to practice."
Little feet came running in from the grounds,
little voices shouted, " Papa has come! and grandpa
too," and a merry scene ensued, hugging, kissing,
romping, presently interrupted by the call to tea-
There was nothing unusual in the manner of
either gentleman, and the wives had no suspicion
that they had been in peril of their lives.
" I think it would be well to return home early
to-night/' Mr. Travilla remarked to Elsie.
" Yes," she said, " on account of the children."
So the carriage was ordered at once, and shortly
after leaving the table they were on their way
Elsie, children, and nurses in the carriage, with Mr.
Travilla, Mr. Dinsmore and son, all well armed, as
their mounted escort.
136 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Horace had been taken aside by his father and
told of the afternoon's adventure, and in his in
dignation was almost eager for " a brush with the
insolent ruffians/'
None appeared, however; Ion was reached in
safety. They tarried there an hour or more, then
returned without perceiving any traces of the foe.
The hush of midnight has fallen upon the Oaks,
Ion, Fairview, and all the surrounding region; the
blinking stars and young moon, hanging a golden
crescent just above the horizon, look down upon a
sleeping world; yet not all asleep, for far down the
road skirting yonder wood a strange procession ap
proaches; goblin-like figures, hideous with enormous
horns, glaring eyeballs, and lolling red tongues, and
mounted upon weird-looking steeds, are moving
silently onward.
They reach a small house hard by the roadside,
pause before it, and with a heavy riding whip the
leader thunders at the door.
The frightened inmates, startled from their sleep,
cry out in alarm, and a man's voice asks, "Who's
there?"
" Open the door," commands the leader in a
strange sepulchral voice.
" I must know first who is there and what's
wanted," returns the other, hurrying on his clothes.
A shot is fired and, penetrating the door, strikes
the opposite wall.
" Open instantly, or we'll break in, and it 11 be
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 137
the worse for you," thunders the leader; and with
trembling hands, amid the cries of wife and chil
dren, the man removes the bars, draws back the
bolts, and looks out, repeating his question,
" What's wanted?"
" Nothing, this time, Jim White, but to warn
you that if you vote the Bepublican ticket we'll
call again, take you to the woods, and flog you
within an inch of your life Beware! Forward,
men! " and the troop sweeps onward, while White
closes and bars the door again, and goes back to bed.
"Ku Klux! " says the wife, shuddering. "Jim,
we'll have to hide o' nights now, like the rest.
Hush, hush, children, they're gone now; so go to
sleep; nothing '11 hurt ye. Jim, ye'll mind? "
" Yes, yes, Betsy, though it galls me to be ordered
round like a nigger; me with as white a skin as any
o' them."
Onward, still onward sweeps the goblin train, and
again and again the same scene is enacted, the
victim now a poor white, and now a freedman.
At length they have reached Fairview; they pause
before the gate, two dismount, make off into the
woods, and presently reappear, bearing on their
shoulders a long dark object, a little square of white
visible on the top.
They pass through the gate, up the avenue, and
silently deposit their burden at the door, return
to their companions, and with them repair to th
negro quarter.
138 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Dismounting, they tie their horses to the fence,
and leaving them in charge of one of their number,
betake themselves to the nearest cabin, surround
it, break open the door, drag out the man, carry
him to a little distance, and with clubs and leathern
straps give him a terrible beating.
Leaving him half dead with pain and fright, they
return to his cabin, threaten his wife and children,
rob him of his gun, and pass on to repeat their
lawless deeds, menacing some, beating and shooting
thers, not always sparing women or children; the
latter perhaps being hurt accidentally in the melee.
From the quarter at Fairview they passed on to
that of Ion, continuing there the same threats and
acts of violence, winding up by setting fire to the
school-house and burning it to the ground.
The bright light shining in at the open windows
to her room awoke the little Elsie. She sprang
from her bed and ran to the window. She could
se the flames bursting from every aperture in the
walls of the small building, and here and there
through the roof, curling about the rafters, sending
up volumes of smoke and showers of sparks; and in
their light the demon-like forms of the mischief-
doers, some seated upon their horses and looking
quietly on, others flitting to and fro in the lurid
glare; while the roar and crackling of the flames
and the souud of falling timbers came distinctly to
her ear.
At the sight a panic terror seized the child. She
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 139
flew into the room where her parents lay sleeping,
but with habitual thoughtfulness for others, re
frained from screaming out in her fright- lest she
should rouse the little ones.
She went to her father's side, put her lips to his
ear, and said in low tremulous tones, " Papa, papa,
please wake up, I'm so frightened; there's a fire and
ithe Ku Klux are there. Oh, papa, I'm afraid they'll
come here and kill you! " and she ended with a
burst of almost hysterical weeping, rousing both
father and mother.
" What is it, darling? " asked Mr. Travilla, start
ing up to a sitting posture, and throwing an arm
about the child, " what has alarmed my pet? " while
the mother, exclaiming "Vi! is she gone again?"
sprang out upon the floor and hastily threw on a
dressing-gown.
" No, no, no, mamma; Vi's safe in bed, but look
at that red light on the wall yonder! it's fire, and
the Ku Klux! "
In another moment all three were at the window
overlooking the scene.
" The school-house! " exclaimed Mr. Travilla. " I
am not surprised; for the Klan is greatly opposed
to the education of the negro, and has burned down
/buildings used for that purpose in other places. Do
you see them, wife those frightful looking horned
animals?"
" Yep," she said with a shudder, followed by a
fleep sigh; " and, oh, Edward, what may they not be
140 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
doing to our poor people? Can we do anything t
save them?"
He shook his head sadly.
" No; they are out in considerable force, and I
could do nothing, single-handed, against twenty or
thirty armed men."
" Oh, papa, mamma, I am so frightened! " cried
little Elsie, clinging to them both. "Will they come
here and hurt us?"
" I think not, daughter," her father said sooth
ingly; " their raids have hitherto been almost
entirely confined to the blacks and poor whites,
with now and then one of those from the North
whom they style carpet-baggers."
"Be calm, dearest, and put your trust in the
Lord," the mother said, folding the trembling,
sobbing child to her breast. "'The beloved of the
Lord shall dwell in safety by him, and the Lord shall
cover him all the day long.' ' Not an hair of your
head shall fall to the ground without your Father.' "
" Yes, sweet words," said Mr. Travilla; " and re
member what the Lord Jesus said to Pilate, * Thou,
couldst have no power at all against me, except it
were given thee from above.' "
A short pause, in which all three gazed intently
at the scene of conflagration, then, " Do you see-
how the walls are tottering? " said Mr. Travilla, and
even as he spoke they tumbled together into one
burning mass, the flames shot up higher than be
fore, burning with a fierce heat and roar, while by
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 141
their lurid light the Ku Klux could be seen taking
up their line of march again.
The two Elsies watched in almost breathless sus
pense till they saw them turn in a direction to take
them farther from Ion.
" Thank God they are not coming here! " ejacu
lated Mrs. Travilla, in low, reverent, grateful tones.
" Hark, mamma, papa, I hear cries and screams ! "
exclaimed little Elsie. " Oh, it must be some of the
poor women and children coming up from the
quarter! "
As the child spoke there came a quick sharp tap,
that seemed to tell of fright and excitement, at the
outer door of the suite of apartments, and an old
servant, hardly waiting for the permission to enter,
thrust in his head, saying in tremulous tones, "Mars
Ed'ard, de people's all comin' up from de quarter,
an' knockin* an' cryin' to get in. Dere's been awful
times down dere; de Ku Klu "
" Yes, yes, Jack, I know; but be quiet, or you'll
wake the children. Open the hall door and let the
poor things in, of course," said Mr. Travilla, " and
I'll be down in a moment."
" Plenty room on de back veranda, Mars Ed'ard,
an* 'tween dat an' de kitchen."
" Very well, they'll be safe there; but if they don't
feel so, let them into the hall."
"Yes, sah."
The head was withdrawn, the door closed, and
Jack's feet could be heard shuffling downstairs.
142 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Mr. and Mrs. Travilla, having each completed a
hasty toilet, were about to go down; but little Elsie
clung to her mother.
" Mamma, mamma, don't go and leave me! please
let me go too."
"My darling, you would be quite safe here; and
it is much earlier than your usual hour for rising."
" But day is breaking, mamma, and I could not
sleep any more; besides, maybe I could help to com
fort them."
" I think she could," said her father, and mamma
gave consent at once.
They found the back veranda, the kitchen, and
the space between filled with an excited crowd of
blacks, old and young, talking, gesticulating, cry
ing, moaning, and groaning.
"De Ku Klux, de Ku Klux!" was on every tongue.
" Tell ye what, darkies," one was saying, " dey's
debbils! why, two ob dem stop befo' my doah an' say,
You black rascal, give us some watah! quick now,
fo' we shoot you tru the head'; den I hand up a
gourd full 'bout a quart, min' yo' and de fust
snatch it an' pour it right down his troat, an' hand
de gourd back quick's a flash; den he turn roun' an*
ride off, while I fill de gourd for de udder, an' he
do jes' de same. Tell ye what, dey's debbils! didn't
you see de horns, an' de big red tongues waggin' ? "
There was a murmur of assent, and a shudder ran
through the throng. But Mr. Travilla's voice was
heard in cheerful reassuring tones.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 143
"No, boys, they are men, though they do the
Work of devils. I have seen their disguise, and
under that long red tongue, which is made of flan
nel, and moved by the wearer's real tongue, there
is a leather bag inside of the disguise; and into
it they pour the water; not down their throats."
"Dat so, Mars Ed'ard?" cried several, drawing
a long breath of relief.
" Yes, that is so, boys. And they've been threat
ening and abusing you to-night?"
" Yes, sah, dat dey hab! " cried a score of voices,
and one after another showed his wounds, and told
a piteous tale.
Elsie and her namesake daughter wept over their
losses and sufferings; the medicine closet was un
locked, and its stores liberally drawn upon for mate
rials to dress their wounds, both master and mistress
attending to them with their own hands; and at
the same time speaking soothing, comforting words,
and promising help to repair the damage to their
property, and make good their losses: also to bring
their enemies to justice if that might be possible.
It was broad daylight ere the work was finished.
The veranda was nearly empty now, the people
slowly returning to their homes, Mr. Travilla hav
ing assured them the danger was past for the pres
ent, when Elsie caught sight of a woman whom she
had not observed till that moment.
The poor creature had dropped down upon a
bench at the kitchen door. Her right arm hung
144 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
useless at her side; with the left she held the bloody
corpse of a puny infant to her breast, and the eyes
she lifted to the face of her mistress were full of a
mute, tearless agony.
Elsie's overflowed at the piteous sight. " Oh, my
poor Minerva," she said, "what is this they have
done to you and poor little Ben?"
" Oh, oh, oh, Miss Elsie! de Ku Kluxes dey shot
tm de doah, an' de balls flyin' all roun', an' an'
one hit me on de arm, an' killed my baby! " she
sobbed. " Oh! oh! oh! de doctah mend de arm, but
de baby, he he done gone f oreber." And the sobs
burst forth with renewed violence, while she hugged
the still form closer, and rocked herself to and fro
in her grief.
" Gone to heaven, my poor Minerva, to be forever
safe and happy with the dear Lord Jesus," her mis
tress said in quivering tones, the tears rolling fast
down her own cheeks.
"An' he neber hab mo' miseries, honey," said
Aunt Dicey, drawing near; " no Ku Klux come into
de garden ob de Lord to scare him or hurt him,
bress his little heart! "
"Wish we all dere, safe an* happy like he! Let
me wash off de blood an' dress him clean for de
grave," said Aunt Sally, the nurse of the quarter,
gently taking the child, while Mr. Travilla and Elsie
bound up the wounded arm, speaking soothingly to
the sufferer, and promising the doctor's aid as soon
as it could be procured.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 145
Aunt Sally sat near attending to the last offices
for the tiny corpse, little Elsie looking on, tears
coursing down her cheeks. Presently going to her
mother's side, she whispered a few words in her ear.
" Yes, dear, you may go to the bureau drawer and
choose it yourself," was the prompt reply, and the
child ran into the house, returning with a baby's
slip of fine white muslin, delicately embroidered.
"Put this on him, Aunt Sally," she said;
"mamma gave me leave to get it."
Then going to the bereaved mother, and clasping
the dusky, toil-worn hand with her soft, white
fingers, " Don't cry, Minerva," she said, " you know
poor little Ben was always sick, and now he is well
and happy. And if you love Jesus, you will go to
be with him again some day."
Evidently much gratified by the honor done her
dead babe, Minerva sobbed out her thanks for that,
and the dressing of her wounded arm, and dropping
a courtesy, followed Aunt Sally as she bore the
corpse into Aunt Dicey's cabin close by.
The scanty furniture of Minerva's own had been
completely demolished by the desperadoes, and her
husband terribly beaten.
He and one or two others had not come up with
the crowd, presumably from inability to do so, and
Mr. Travilla now mounted his horse and went in
search of them.
They had been left by their assailants in the
woods, where one " Uncle Mose " dreadfully
146 ELSIE' 8 MOTHERHOOD.
crippled by rheumatism, still lay on the ground half
dead with bruises, cuts, and pistol shot wounds.
Another had crawled to his cabin and fainted
upon its threshold; while a third lay weltering in
his gore some yards distant from his.
Mr. Travilla had them all carried into their
houses and made as comfortable as circumstances
would permit, and a messenger was despatched in
all haste for Dr. Barton.
The family at Fairview had slept through the
night undisturbed by the vicinity or acts of the
raiders. Mr. Leland's first intimation of their visit
Vas received as he opened the front door at his
usual early hour for beginning his morning round
of the plantation.
He almost started back at the sight of a rude pine
coffin directly before him; but recovering himself
instantly, stooped to read a label affixed to the lid.
" Beware, odious carpet-bagger! this is your third
and last warning. Leave the country within ten
days, or your carcass fills this."
He read it deliberately through, carefully weigh
ing each word, not a muscle of his face moving, not
a tremor agitating his nerves.
Turning to his overseer, who at that moment ap
peared before him, " Bring me a hatchet," he said
in stern, calm tones, " and be quick, Park; I would
not have your mistress see this on any account."
Stepping upon the lid an he spoke, he broke ii ia
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 147
with a crash, finishing his work when the hatchet
came, by splitting the coffin up into kindling-wood.
"There!" he said, bidding the man gather up
the fragments and carry them to the kitchen,
" they'll not put me into that, at all events. What
mischief have they been at in the quarter, I won
der? " he added, springing into the saddle.
"Dreffle bad work, sah; mos' killed two ob de
boys; scared de rest to deff," said Park, hastily obey
ing the order to gather up the bits of wood, "jes'
gwine tell ye, sah, when you tole me go for de
hatchet."
"Indeed! hellish work! Follow me, Park, as
quickly as you can. And mind, not a word of this,"
pointing to the demolished coffin, " to anyone," and
putting spurs to his horse, he galloped off in the
direction of the quarter.
But presently catching sight of the still smoking
embers of the Ion school-house, he drew rein for an
instant with a sudden exclamation of surprise and
regret. " The wretches, what will they do next ?
burn our houses about our ears?" and sighing, he
pursued his way.
Indignant anger and tender pity and compassion
filled his breast by turns, on reaching the quarter
and discovering the state of things there; worse even
than Park's report had made it.
He rode from cabin to cabin, inquiring into the
condition of the inmates and speaking words of pity
and of hope.
148 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Finding several badly bruised and cut, and others
suffering from gunshot wounds, he sent to the house
for lint, salve, and bandages, and directed a lad to
run to the stables, saddle a horse, and go immedi
ately for Dr. Barton.
" De doctah ober to Ion now, sah," returned the
boy; " debbils dere las' night, too, sah."
"Bun over to Ion, then, and ask the doctor to
come here when he is through there," said Mr.
Leland.
Mr. Travilla came with the doctor, and the two
planters compared notes, in regard to damages, Mr.
Leland also telling the story of the coffin laid at his
door.
" What do you intend doing? " asked Travilla.
" Inclination says, ' Stay and brave it out '; but
I have not yet fully decided. I have invested all
my means in this enterprise, and have a wife and
family of helpless little ones to support."
" That makes it hard indeed; yet I fear your life
is in great danger. But come what may, Leland,
I stand your friend. If you should be attacked,
fly to Ion; you will find an open door, a hearty
welcome, and such protection as I am able to give.
I think we could conceal you so that it would be a
matter of difficulty for your foes to find you."
"A thousand thanks! God bless you for your
kindness, sir! " exclaimed Leland, with emotion,
warmly grasping the hand held out to him; and
the two parted, each wending his homeward way.
CHAPTER XHI.
Humble love,
And not proud reason, keeps the door of heaven
Love finds admission, where proud science fails.
Young.
ELSIE was on the veranda looking for her hus
band's return to breakfast; for it was already past
the usual hour.
"All alone, little wife?" he asked, as he dis
mounted and came up the steps.
" Not now," she answered, putting her arms about
his neck and looking up at him with her own fond,
beautiful smile. "But your face is sad, my hus
band! What news?"
" Sad enough, my little friend; poor old Uncle
Mose has been so barbarously handled that he can
not live through the day, Dr. Barton says; and two
of the others are suffering very much."
Elsie's eyes were full. " Does Uncle Mose know
it?" she asked.
"Yes, I told him, as tenderly as I could, and
asked if he was ready to go. 'Yes, Mars Edard/
he said, with a triumphant smile, ' I is for Pse got
fast hold ob Jesus/ "
149
150 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Elsie's head was laid on her husband's shoulder,
the bright drops were coming fast down her cheeks.
" I have sent word to Mr. Wood," he went on;
" the poor old fellow is anxious to see him; and you
also."
" Yes, yes; I will go down directly after prayers,"
she said.
Then he told her of the coffin laid at the door of
Fairview, and the threatening words on its lid.
She heard it with a shudder and a sigh. " Oh,
poor Mr. Leland! Edward, don't you think it would
be wise in him to leave for the present?"
" Perhaps so. I fear they will really attempt his
life if he stays; but all his means being invested in
Fairview makes it very hard. Where are our
children? "
" They went to deck the corpse of Baby Ben with
flowers. Ah, here they come, the darlings! " as little
feet came pattering through the hall.
They hastened to their father for their usual
morning kiss, and hung about him with tender lov
ing caresses; but their manner was subdued, and
Vi and Harold told with a sort of wondering awe
of the poor little dead baby so still and cold.
"Are you going out, mamma? " asked little Elsie
an hour later, as Mrs. Travilla appeared, dressed in
walking costume, in the midst of the group of chil
dren and nurses gathered under a tree on the shady
side of the house.
" Yes, daughter, I am going down to the quarter
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 151
to see poor old Uncle Mose, who is very ill; and I
want you to be mother to the little ones while I am
away."
" Oh, mamma, mayn't we go with you? " cried
Eddie and Vi in a breath; Harold chiming in, " And
me too, mamma, me too! "
" No, dears, not to-day, but some other time you
shall," the mother answered, giving each a good-bye
kiss.
" Mamma, stay wis us; I'se 'f aid de Kluxes get
'oo! " said Harold coaxingly, clinging about her
neck with his chubby arms, while the big tears
gathered in his great dark eyes.
" No, dear, they don't come in the day-time. And
God will take care of me. Papa is down at the
quarter, too; and Uncle Joe and mammy will go
with me." And with a tender caress she gently
released herself from his hold and turned away.
The children gazed wistfully after her graceful
figure as it disappeared among the trees, Uncle
Joe holding a great umbrella over her to shield her
from the sun, while mammy and Aunt Sally fol
lowed, each with a basket on her arm.
Uncle Mose was rapidly nearing that bourne
whence no traveller returns. As his mistress laid
her soft white hand on his, she felt that the chill of
death was there.
"You are almost home, Uncle Mose," she said,
bending over him, her sweet face full of tender
sympathy.
152 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"Yes, my dear young missus, I'se in de valley,"
he answered, speaking slowly and with, difficulty,
"but bress de Lord, it's not dark!"
" Jesus is with you? "
"Yes, missus, he is my strength and my song:
de riber's deep, but he'll neber let me sink. De
pain in dis ole body's dreffle, but I'll neber hab no
mo', bress de Lord ! "
" Do your good works give you this comfortable
assurance that you are going to heaven, Uncle
Mose?"
" Bress yo' heart, honey, I aint neber done none;
but de bressed Lord Jesus covers me all ober wid his
goodness, and God de Fader 'cepts me for his sake."
" Yes, that is it; ' He hath made him to be sin.
for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him.' ' There is none other
name under heaven given among men whereby we
must be saved; ' and * he that believeth on him shall
not be confounded.' ' :
"Yes, honey, dose de words ob de Good Book.
Now will you please sing de twenty-third Psalm, an*
den ask de Lord Jesus keep fas' hold dis ole niggah,
till Jordan am past, an' de gate into de city? "
The request was granted; the sweet voice that
had thrilled the hearts of many of the rich and
noble of earth freely poured forth its richest
strains to soothe the dying throes of agony of a
poor old negro.
Then kneeling by the humble couch, in a fen
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 153
Simple, touching words she commended the depart
ing spirit to the almighty love and care of Him who
had shed his blood to redeem it, earnestly pleading
that the dying one might be enabled to cast him
self wholly on Jesus, and in doing so be granted a
"speedy and abundant entrance into his kingdom
,and glory.
The fervent "Amen!" of Uncle Mose joined in
with hers; then low and feebly he added, " De good
Lord bress you my dear young missus."
A shadow had fallen on Elsie, and as she rose from
her knees she turned her head to find her father
standing at her side.
'He drew her to him and pressed his lips tenderly
to her forehead. "You must go now; the heat
of the sun is already too great for you to be out
with safety."
The low quiet tone was one of authority as of old.
He only waited for her good-bye to Uncle Mose,
and to speak a few kindly words of farewell him
self, then led her out and placed her in his carriage
which stood at the door.
'Mr. Travilla rode up at that instant. " That is
right," he said. "Little wife, I am loath to have
you exposed to the heat of this sultry day."
"And you, Edward? can you not come home
now?" she asked.
" Not yet, wife; there are several matters I must
attend to first, and I want to speak to Mr. Wood,
mho, 1 see, is just coming."
154 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
He kissed his hand to her with the gallantry of
the days of their courtship, and cantered off, while
the carriage rolled on its way toward the mansion.
" Daughter, if you must visit the quarter during
this sultry weather, can you not choose an earlier
hour? " asked Mr. Dinsmore.
"I think I can after this, papa;" and she went
on to explain how her time had been taken up be
fore breakfast that morning. " Do you know about
Mr. Leland? " she asked in conclusion.
"Yes; their next outrage will, I fear, be an
attack upon him/'
"Then upon you and Edward!" she said, her
cheek growing very pale and her eyes filling.
" Papa, I am becoming very anxious."
" ' I would have you without carefulness/ " he
answered, taking her hand in his. " They can have
no power at all against us, except it be given them
from above. My child, God reigns, and if God be
for us, who can be against us? "
" Yes, dear papa, and with David let us say, ' In
the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge,
until these calamities be overpast.' *
Mr. Dinsmore was still with his daughter when
Mr. Travilla returned with the news that Uncle
Mose's sufferings were over, and it had been
arranged that he and baby Ben should be buried
that evening at dusk.
The children begged to be permitted to attend the
double funeral; but their parents judged it best to
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 155
3eny them, fearing an onslaught by the Ku Klux,
of which there was certainly a possibility.
" I have been talking with Leland," Mr. Tra*
villa remarked aside to his friend, " and he proposes
that we accompany the procession as a mounted
guard."
" Good! " said Mr. Dinsmore; " Horace and I will
join you; and let us all go armed to the teeth/'
" Certainly; and I accept your offer with thanks.
Some of the boys themselves are pretty fair marks*
men, but they were all robbed of their arms
last night."
" Let us supply them again, Edward," exclaimed
Elsie, with energy, " and have them practise shoot
ing at a mark."
Her husband assented with a smile. "You are
growing warlike in your feelings," he said.
" Yes, I believe in the privilege and duty of self-
defence."
Toward evening Mr. Dinsmore rode back to the
Oaks, returning to Ion with his son, shortly before
the appointed hour for the obsequies.
Elsie saw them and her husband ride away in the
direction of the quarter, not without some fluttering
of the heart, and with a silent prayer for their
safety, retired with her children to the observatory
at the top of the house, from whence a full view
might be obtained of the whole route from the cabin
of Uncle Mose to the somewhat distant place of
sepulture; the spot chosen for that purpose in
156 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
'accommodation to the superstitious feelings of the
blacks, which led them to prefer to lay their dead
at a distance from their own habitations.
The children watched with deep interest as the
procession formed, each man carrying a blazing
pine-knot, passed down the one street of the quar
ter, and wound its slow way along the road that
skirted two sides of the plantation, then halfway
up a little hill, where it gathered in a circle about
the open grave.
Twilight was past, thick clouds hid the moon,
and the torches shone out like stars in the
darkness.
" Mamma, what dey doin' now? " asked Harold.
" Listen! perhaps you may hear something," she
answered, and as they almost held their breath to
hear, a wild, sweet negro melody came floating upon
the still night air.
" They're singing," whispered Vi, " singing Ca
naan, 'cause Uncle Mose and little Baby Ben have
got safe there."
No one spoke again till the strains had ceased
with the ending of the hymn.
"Now Mr. Wood is talking, I suppose," re
marked Eddie, in a subdued tone, " telling them
we must all die, and which is the way to get to
heaven."
"Else praying," said Vi.
" Mamma, what is die? " asked Harold, leaning on
her lap.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 157
"If we love Jesus, darling, it is going home to
be with, him, and, oh, so happy."
"But Baby Ben die, and me saw him in Aunt
Dicey's house."
" That was only his body, son; the soul, the
part that thinks and feels and loves, has gone away
to heaven, and after awhile God will take the body
there too."
For obvious reasons the services at the grave were
made very short, and in another moment they could
see the line of torches drawing rapidly nearer,
till it reached the quarter and broke into
fragments.
"We will go down now," Elsie said, rising and
taking Harold's hand, "papa, grandpa, and Uncle
Horace will be here in a moment."
" Mamma," whispered her namesake daughter,
" how good God was to keep them safe from the Ku
Klux! "
"Yes, dearest, let us tbank him with all our
hearts."
CHAPTEE XIV.
The more the bold, the bustling, and the bad,
Press to usurp the reins of power, the more
Behooves it virtue, with indignant zeal,
To check their combination.
TJwmton*
THE spirit of resistance was now fully aroused
within the breasts of our friends of Ion and the
Oaks. Mr. Travilla's was a type of the American
character; he would bear long with his injuries,
vexations, encroachments upon his rights, but when
once the end of his forbearance was reached, wo
to the aggressor; for he would find himself opposed
by a man of great resources, unconquerable deter
mination, and undaunted courage.
His measures were taken quietly, but with
promptness and energy. He had been seeking
proofs of the identity of the raiders, and found
them in the case of one of the party, whose gait
had been recognized by several, his voice by one
or two, while the mark of his bloody hand laid
upon the clothing of one of the women as he
roughly pushed her out of his way seemed to fur
nish the strongest circumstantial evidence against
him.
158
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 159
George Bead's right hand had been maimed in
a peculiar manner during the war, and this
bloody mark upon the woman's night-dress was its
exact imprint.
Already Mr. Travilla had procured his arrest,
and had him imprisoned for trial, in the county
jail.
Yet this was but a small part of the day's work:
lumber had been ordered and men engaged for ^he
rebuilding of the school-house; merchandise also
to 'replace the furniture and clothing destroyed;
and arms for every man at the quarter capable of
using them.
All this Elsie knew and approved, as did her
father and brother. For Mrs. Carrington's sake
they deeply regretted that Boyd was implicated
in the outrage; but all agreed that justice must
have its course.
The question had been mooted in both families
whether any or all of them should leave the South
until the restoration of law and order should render
it a safe abiding place for honest, peaceable folk,
but unanimously decided in the negative.
The gentlemen scorned to fly from the despera
does and resign to their despotic rule their poor
dependents and the land of their love; nay, they
would stay and defend both to the utmost of their
power; and the wives upheld their husbands in their
determination, and refused to leave them to meet
the peiil alone.
260 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Returning from the burial of Uncle Mose Mr.
Dinsmore and Horace spent an hour at Ion before
riding back to the Oaks.
The three gentlemen were in the library earnestly
discussing the state of affairs, when Elsie, coming
down from seeing her little ones settled for the
night, heard the sound of wheels in the avenue, and
stepping to the door saw the Ashlands carriage just
drawing up in front of it.
The vehicle had scarcely come to a standstill ere
its door was thrown hastily open and the elder Mrs.
Carrington alighted.
Elsie sprang to meet her with outstretched arms
and the exclamation, " My dear old friend ! "
though her heart beat quickly, her cheek crimsoned,
and tears filled her eyes.
The old lady, speechless with grief, fell upon her
neck and wept there silently for a moment; then
low and gaspingly, in a voice broken with sobs, " I
have come to ask about George," she said.
" Can it, oh, can it be that he has done this dreadful
thing? " and shuddering she hid her face on Elsie's
shoulder, her slight frame shaken with the sobs she
vainly strove to suppress.
"Dear Mrs. Carrington, I am so sorry, so very
sorry to think it," Elsie said, in a voice full of tears,
" my heart aches for you who love him so; you who
have been so sorely afflicted-: may the Lord give you
strength to bear up under this new trial."
"He will! he does! My sister's son! oh, 'tis sad,
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 161
'tis heart-breaking! But the proofs: what are
they? "
Elsie named them; first drawing her friend to a
seat where she supported her with her arm.
" Yes, yes, his voice, his gait are both peculiar,
and his hand. Let me see that that garment."
Leading her into a private room and seating her
comfortably there, Elsie had it brought and laid
before her.
Mrs. Carrington gave it one glance, and motion
ing it away with a look and gesture of horror,
dropped her face into her hands and groaned
aloud.
Elsie kneeling by her side, clasped her arms about
her and wept with her.
" A slayer of the weak and helpless a murderer
a midnight assassin! " groaned the half distracted
aunt.
" May there not possibly be some mistake. Let
us give him the benefit of the doubt/' whispered
Elsie.
" Alas, there seems scarcely room for doubt! "
sighed Mrs. Carrington; then, with a determined
effort to recover her composure, " But don't think,
dear Elsie, that I blame you or your husband. Can
I see him? and your father, if he is here?"
" Yes, they are both here and will rejoice if they
can be of any comfort or service to you. Ah, I
hear papa's voice in the hall, asking for me! " and"
stepping to the door, she called to him and her hus-
162 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
band, " Please come in here," she said, " Mrs. Car-
rington wishes to see you both."
" You here, alone, at this late hour, my dear
madam! " Mr. Dinsmore exclaimed, taking the old
lady's hand in a cordial grasp; "your courage sur
prises me."
"Ah, my good friend, they who have little to
lose, need not have much to do with fear," she an
swered. " That was what I told Sophie, who would
have had me defer my call till to-morrow."
"My dear madam, you are surely right in think
ing that no one would molest you a lady whom all
classes unite in loving and honoring," Mr. Travilla
said, greeting her with almost filial respect and
affection.
She bowed in acknowledgment. "Do not think
for a moment that I have come to upbraid you,
gentlemen. Justice demands that those who break
the laws suffer the penalty, and I have nothing to
eay against it; though the criminal be my own flesh
and blood. But I want to hear all about this sad
affair."
They told her briefly all they knew, she listening
with calm though sad demeanor.
" Thank you," she said, when they had finished.
" That George is guilty, I dare hardly doubt, and
I am far from upholding him in his wickedness.
As you all know, I was strong for secession, and
and no Eepublican now, but I say, perish the cause
that can be upheld only by such measures as these.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 163
I would have every member of this wicked, dread
ful conspiracy brought to punishment; they are
ruining their country; but their deeds are not
chargeable upon the secessionists of the war time,
as a class."
" That is certainly true, madam."
" We are fully convinced of that, Mrs. Carring-,
ton," the gentlemen replied.
f!he rose to take leave. Mr. Travilla requested)
her to delay a little till his horse could be brought
to the door and he would see her home.
" No, no, Travilla," said Mr. Dinsmore, " Horace
and I will do that, if Mrs. Carrington will accept our
escort."
" Many thanks to you both, gentlemen," she said,
" but I assure you I am not in the least afraid; and
it would be putting you to unnecessary trouble."
" On the contrary, my dear madam, it would be
a pleasure; and as our horses are already at the door,
we need not delay you a moment," said Mr. Dins-
more. "It will not take us so very far out of our
way, either; and I should like to have a word with'
Sophie."
Upon that Mrs. Carrington gratefully accepted
his offer, and the three went away together.
Convinced of his guilt, Mrs. Carrington made no
effort to obtain the release of her nephew, but
several of his confederates having perjured them
selves to prove an alibi in his favor, he was soon
at large again.
364 'ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
He showed his face no more at the Oaks or Ion,
and upon occasion of an accidental meeting with
Travilla or either of the Dinsmores, regarded him
with dark, scowling looks, sometimes adding a mut
tered word or two of anger and defiance.
In the meantime damages had been repaired in
the quarters at Fairview and Ion, and the men at the
latter secretly supplied with arms; also the rebuild
ing of the school-house was going rapidly ior-
ward.
A threatening notice was presently served upon
Mr. Travilla, ordering him to desist from the at
tempt, as the teaching of the blacks would not be
allowed by the Ku Klux.
He, however, paid no attention to the insolent
demand, and the work went on as before.
Mr. Leland had succeeded in keeping the affair
of the coffin from his wife, thus saving her much
anxiety and distress.
To leave just at this time would be a great
pecuniary loss, and he had decided to remain; but
had laid his plans carefully for either resistance or
escape in case of an attack.
A couple of large, powerful, and very fine watch
dogs were added to his establishment, and a brace
of loaded pistols and a bowie knife were always
within reach of his hand.
One night the family were aroused by the furious
barking of the dogs. Instantly Mr. Leland was
Out upon the floor hastily throwing on his clothes,
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 165
while his wife, with the frightened cry, "The Ku
Klux ! " ran to the window.
" Yes it is! they are surrounding the house! Oh,
Robert, fly for your life!" she cried in the wildest
terror. " God, save my poor husband from these
cruel foes!" she added, dropping upon her knees
and lifting hands and eyes to heaven.
"He will, Mary, never fear, wife," Mr. Leland
said almost cheerfully, snatching up his weapons as
he spoke. " Pray on, it's the best thing you can do
to help me."
" You must fly! " she said; " you can't fight
twenty men, and I think they are at least that
many."
" I'll slip out at the back door then, and make
for the woods," he answered, rushing from the
room.
Children and servants were screaming with af
fright, the ruffians thundering at the front door,
calling loudly upon Mr. Leland to come out, and
threatening to break it down if he did not immedi
ately appear.
I Summoning all her courage, the wife went again
( to the window and called to them, asking what was
wanted.
" Leland. Tell him to come out here at once, or
it will be the worse for him," returned the leader,
in a feigned, unnatural voice.
"He is not here," she said.
" He'd better show himself at once," returned the
166 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
ruffian; " he'll not escape by refusing to do so; we'll
search every corner till we find him."
" That will be as God pleases/' she said in a
calm, firm tone, her courage rising with the emer
gency.
She was answered with a yell of rage and a
repeated order to come down and open the door.
" I shall do no such thing," she said; " and what
is more, I shall shoot down the first man that sets
foot on the stairs."
It was a sudden resolution that had come to her.
Encouraged by Mrs. Travilla's precept and example,
she had been, for months past, industriously train
ing herself in the use of firearms, and kept her
loaded revolver at hand; and now she would create
a diversion in her husband's favor, keeping the
raiders at bay at the front of the building while
he escaped at the back; they believed him to be in
the upper story: if she could prevent it, they should
not learn their mistake till he had had time to gain
the woods and distance pursuit.
The door could not much longer withstand the
heavy blows dealt it; already there were sounds as
if it were about to give away.
" Archie," she said, turning to her son and speak
ing very rapidly, "those men are here to kill your
father; you must help me to prevent them from
coming up to hunt him. The rest of you children
stop that loud crying, which won't do any good.
Kneel down and pray, pray, pray to God to help
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 167
your father to get away from them. Archie, throw
this black cloak round you. Here are two loaded
pistols. I will take one, you the other; we will sta
tion ourselves on the landing at the head of the
first flight of stairs. It is darker in the house than
out of doors, and they will not be able to see us, but
as the door falls and they rush in we can see them
in their white gowns, and against the light. Come!"
They hurried to the landing.
"Now we must not be in too great haste," she
whispered in his ear; " keep cool, take sure aim, and
fire low."
The words had scarcely left her lips when the
door fell with a crash, and with a yell like an Indian
warwhoop several disguised men rushed into the
hall and hastily advanced toward the stairway; but
the instant the foremost set foot upon it two shots
were fired from above, evidently not without effect;
for with an oath he staggered back and fell into the
arms of his comrades.
He was borne away by two of them, while the
others returned the fire at random, for they could
not see their adversaries.
The balls whistled past Mrs. Leland and her son,
but they stood their ground bravely, and as two of
their assailants attempted to ascend the stairs, fired
again and again, driving them back for a moment.
At the same time sounds of conflict came from the
rear of the dwelling an exchange of shots, whoops,
and yells, the hurried tramp of many feet, and the
168 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
yelping, barking, and howling of the dogs and in
stantly the hall was cleared, every man there
hastening to join in this new struggle, apparently
satisfied that their intended victim was endeavor
ing to make his escape in that direction.
Seeing this, Mrs. Leland and her son ran to a
window overlooking the new scene of contest, their
hearts beating between hope and fear.
Mr. Leland had slipped cautiously out of the back
door, and, revolver in hand, stepped into the yard,
but only to find himself surrounded by his foes.
They attempted to seize him, but eluding their
grasp, he fired right and left, several shots in suc
cession, the others returning his fire, and following
in hot pursuit.
There was no moon that night, and the darkness
and a simple suit of black were favorable to Leland,
for while the long white gowns of the Ku Klux not
only trammeled their movements, but rendered each
an easy target for his shot, they could take but un
certain aim at him, and on gaining the woods he
was soon lost to their view in the deepened gloom
of its recesses.
But the balls had been falling about him like
hailstones, and as the sounds of pursuit grew
fainter he found himself bleeding profusely from
a wound in the leg. He dropped behind a fallen
tree, and partially staunched the wound with some
leaves which he bound on with a handkerchief,
fortunately left in his coat pocket that night.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 169
This was scarcely accomplished when sounds of
approaching footsteps and voices told him the
danger was not yet over.
He crouched close in his hiding place, and hardly
'dared breathe as they passed and repassed, some
almost stepping on him. But he remained undis
covered, and at length they abandoned the search,
and returning to the vicinity of the house, gathered
up their wounded and went away.
Yet Leland felt that it was not safe for him to
venture back to his home, as they might return at
any moment; but to remain where he was with his
wound undressed was almost certain death.
He resolved to accept Mr. Travilla's offered hos
pitality, if his strength would carry him so far, and
was rising to make the attempt when the cracking
of a dead branch told him that some living thing
was near, and he fell back again, listening intently
for the coming footsteps.
" Robert! Robert! " called a low tremulous voice.
" Oh, Mary, is it you? " he responded, in low but
joyous accents, and the next moment his wife's arms
were about his neck, her tears warm upon his cheek,
while Archie stood sobbing beside them.
"Thank God, thank God, that you are alive!"
she said. " But are you unhurt? "
"No, I am bleeding fast from a wound in my
leg," Leland answered faintly.
" I've brought lint and bandages," she said; " let
me bind it up as well as I can in the dark."
lYo ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
" Daren't we strike a light? " asked Archie.
"No, my son, it might bring them on us again,
and we must speak low too."
" Yes, father; but oh, what will you do? you can't
come back home again?"
" No; I must go to Ion at once, while I can do so
under cover of the darkness. Travilla has offered
to hide me there. Archie, my brave boy, I can trust
you with this secret."
" Father, 'they shall kill me before I'll tell it."
" I trust you will not be tried so far," Leland said
with emotion. " I would not save my life at the
sacrifice of yours. I leave your mother in your care,
my boy; be dutiful and affectionate to her, and kind
to your little brother and sisters. Mary, dear, you
and Archie will have to manage the plantation in
in my absence," and he went on to give some
directions.
" I will do my best," she said tearfully, " and as
we have been for months past frequent visitors at
Ion, I can surely go to see you there occasionally
without exciting suspicion."
" Yes, I think so."
" Father," said Archie, " you can never walk to '
Ion; let me bring my pony and help you to mount '
him; then I will lead him to Ion and bring him back
again."
" That is a bright thought; we will do so, if you
can saddle him in the dark and bring him here very
quietly."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 171
" I'll try, father," and the boy hastened away in
the direction of the stables.
He returned sooner than they dared hope, with
the pony saddled and bridled. Husband and wife
bade a mournful adieu. Mr. Leland mounted with
his son's assistance, and silently they threaded their
way through the woods to Ion.
" Hoo! hoo! hoo! " the cry came in loud and clear
through the open windows of the bedroom of the
master and mistress of Ion, and startled them both
from their slumbers.
" Hoo! hoo! hoo! " it came again, and with a light
laugh, Elsie said, " Ah, it is only an owl; but to my
sleeping ear it seemed like a human cry of distress.
But Edward-
He had sprung from the bed and was hurrying on
his clothes. " I doubt if it is not, little wife," he
said. " It is the signal of distress Leland and I
had agreed upon, and he may be in sore need of
aid."
" Let me go with you! " she cried tremulously,
hastening to don dressing-gown and slippers.
" Shall I strike a light? "
" No, not till we go down below where the shut
ters are closed. There is no knowing what foe may
be lurking near."
Seizing his revolvers, he left the room as he
spoke, she following close behind, a pistol in one
hand, a lamp and match-box in the other.
Silently they groped their way over the stairs,
172 ELStE'S MOTHERHOOD.
through the halls and corridors, till they reached
a side door, which Mr. Travilla cautiously unbarred.
"Who is there?" he asked, scarcely above his
breath.
" I, sir," and Mr. Leland stepped in and fell faint
ing to the floor.
Elsie had set her lamp upon a table, and laid her
pistol beside it, and while her husband carefully
secured the door again she struck a light and
brought it near.
Together they stooped over the prostrate form.
" He is not dead? " she asked, with a shudder.
"No, no! only a faint; but, see, he is wounded!
Your keys, wife! "
"Here," she said, taking them from her pocket,
where, with rare presence of mind, she had thrust
them ere leaving her room.
They hastened to apply restoratives, and bind up
the wound more thoroughly than Mrs. Leland had
been able to do it.
Eestored to consciousness, Leland gave a brief
account of the affair, refreshed himself with food
and drink set before him by Elsie's fair hands, and
then was conducted by Mr. Travilla to an upper
room in a wing of the building dating back to the
old days of Indian warfare. It was distant from the
apartments in use by the family, and had a large
closet entered by a concealed door in the wains
coting.
"Here I think you will be safe," remarked his
ELSIE' 8 MOTHERHOOD. 173
Host. u No one but my wife and myself yet knows
of your coming, and it shall be kept secret from all
but Aunt Chloe and Uncle Joe, two tried and faith
ful servants. Except Dr. Barton; he is safe and will
be needed to extract the ball."
" Yes; and my wife and boy and the Dinsmores,"
added Leland, with a faint smile. " Travilla, my
good friend, I can never thank you enough for this
kindness."
"Tut, man! 'tis nothing! are we not told to lay
down our lives for the brethren? Let my help you
to bed; I fear that leg will keep you there for some
days/'
" I fear so, indeed, but am sincerely thankful to
have gotten off so well," replied Leland, accepting
the offered assistance.
" A most comfortable, nay luxurious prison cell,"
he remarked cheerily, glancing about upon the
elegant and tasteful furniture; " truly the lines have
fallen to me in pleasant places."
Mr. Travilla smiled. " We will do what we can.
to make amends for the loss of liberty. It cannot
be far from daybreak now: I will remove the light,
throw open the shutters and leave you to rest. Yotf,
must, of course, be anxious about your family. I
will ride over to Fairview and bring you news of
them within the hour."
CHAPTER XV.
It gives me wonder, great is my content,
To see you here before me.
Shakspere's Othello.
Sir, you are very welcome to our house.
Sftakspere.
DAY had fully dawned when Mr. Travilla re-
entered his sleeping apartment, to find Elsie in bed
again, but lying there with wide open eyes.
" How very quietly you came in; careful not to
disturb me, I suppose, my good, kind husband," she
said, greeting him with a loving look and smile, as
he drew near her couch.
" Yes," he answered, bending over her and fondly
stroking her hair. "I hoped you were taking an
other nap."
" No, I feel as if I should never be sleepy again.
I'm thinking of poor Mrs. Leland. How troubled,
anxious, and distressed she must feel! "
" Yes; I shall ride over there directly."
" And take me with you? "
" Gladly, if you like to go. You will do her more
good than I."
"I doubt it; but perhaps both together may be
174
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 175
better than either one alone. Didn't she act
bravely? "
" Yes; she's a noble woman."
They spent some moments in consulting together
how to make their guest comfortable, and at the
same time effectually conceal his presence in the
house.
They rejoiced in the fact that no one but them
selves his own son excepted had been cognizant
of his arrival, and Elsie agreed with her husband
that it should be kept secret from the children;
servants also, save Aunt Chloe and Uncle Joe, whose
services would be needed, and who could be trusted
not to divulge the matter.
" Mammy will manage about his meals, I know/'
said Elsie, "and Dr. Barton's visits may be sup
posed to be paid to Violet. The darling! how glad
and thankful I am that she seems to be losing her
inclination to sleep-walking."
"And I," said her husband; "thankful to God
for his blessing on the means used, and to Barton,
who is certainly an excellent physician."
Their talk ended, husband and wife separated to
their different dressing-rooms.
Elsie rang for her maid, and Aunt Chloe appeared
in answer to the summons.
Aunt Chloe was no longer young, or even elderly,
but had attained to a healthy and vigorous old age,
;md still so delighted in her old pleasant task of
busying herself about the person of her young mis-
176 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
tress, that she would only occasionally resign it
to other hands. She was a household dignitary,
head tire-woman, and head nurse, and much looked
up to by the younger servants.
She came in quietly, and dropping a courtesy said,
" Good-mornin', Miss Elsie, I hope you's well,
honey, but you's up so mighty early."
" Ah, mammy, I'm glad it is you, for I have some
thing to tell you. Yes, I'm quite well, thank you/'
Elsie answered, then while making a rapid toilet,
went on to relate the occurrences of the last few
hours, winding up by putting the wounded guest
in charge of Aunt Chloe and her husband.
The faithful old creature accepted the trust with
evident pride in the confidence reposed in her.
" Dis chile an 7 Uncle Joe '11 take care ob him,
honey, neber fear," she said, carefully adjusting the
folds of her mistress' riding habit. " I'll nuss him
to de best ob my disability, an' de good Lord '11 soon
make um well, I hope."
" And you and Uncle Joe will be careful not to
let any of the other servants know that he's
here?"
"Dat we will, darlin', for shuah."
The sun was just peeping above the horizon as
Mr. and Mrs. Travilla drew rein before the main
entrance to the Fairview mansion.
Mrs. Leland came out to welcome them. She
was looking pale and worn, yet met them with a
smile, and words of grateful appreciation of all
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 177
their kindness, then, with the quick tears springing
to her eyes, asked anxiously after her husband's
welfare.
"I think he is safe and will do well," Mr. Tra-
villa said. " It seems to be only a flesh wound, and
will soon heal with proper treatment and good nurs
ing. I shall go from here to Dr. Barton's, calling
for my wife on my return. But first what can I
do for you? Ah, I see your door is quite demol
ished. We must have it replaced with a new and
stronger one before night."
" Yes, that is the most pressing need just now,"
said Mrs. Leland. " Come in and look; there is
really no other damage except a few bullet holes in
the walls, and these blood-stains on the matting,'*
she said with a slight shudder; " and I am truly
thankful to have escaped so well."
They stepped into the hall (their talk so far had
been on the veranda), and gazed with interest upon
the marks of the night's conflict, Mrs. Leland mean
while giving a graphic account of it.
A servant was diligently at work cleaning the
matting, and had nearly obliterated the stains left
by the wounded Ku Klux.
"And you shot him, Mrs. Leland?" Elsie said
inquiringly.
"Archie or I, or perhaps both of us," Mrs. Le
land answered, leading the way to the parlor.
They sat there a few moments, conversing still
upon the same theme.
178 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"You will hardly dare stay here at night now?"
Elsie remarked.
"Yes; where else? I should feel very little safer
from the Ku Klux in the woods, and the malaria
might rob us all of health, and even life."
" Come to Ion/' said both her visitors in a
breath, "you will be most welcome."
"A thousand thanks," she answered with
emotion. " I do not doubt my welcome; yet fear
to give a clue to my husband's hiding-place."
"There might be danger of that," Mr. Travilla
said thoughtfully; "but what better, my dear
madam, can you do ? "
" Stay here and put my trust in the Lord.
He will take care of me and my helpless little ones.
" I have been thinking of one of our noble pioneer
women of the West, whose husband was killed by
the Indians, leaving her alone in the wilderness with
six small children, no white persons within several
miles.
"Her friends urged her to leave the dangerous
spot, but she said, * No, this farm is all I have for
my own and my children's support, and I must stay
here. God will protect and help us.' And he did;
the Indians, though they knew she was alone, never
attacked her. She lay sometimes all night with a
broadax in her hands, ready to defend her babes;
but though she could see the savages come into her
yard and light their pipes at her brushwood fire,
they never approached the hxmse."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 179
Elsie's eyes kindled with enthusiastic admiration,
then filled with tears. " Dear, brave Christian
woman! and you will emulate her courage and
faith?"
" I shall try; the hearts of the Ku Klux of to-day
are no less in His hands than those of the Indians
of that day or this."
" That is certainly true, and he never fails those
who put their trust in him," Mr. Travilla said,
rising. "Now, wife, I will leave you here while I
go for Barton."
" Oh, stay a moment, Edward! " she exclaimed;
" a thought has struck me : it is not usual for you to
go for the doctor yourself: might it not excite sus
picion? And can you not trust Uncle Joe as your
messenger? "
" Your plan is best," he said with a pleased smile.
"Let us then hasten home and despatch him on
the errand at once."
Dr. Barton found the wound not dangerous, ex
tracted the ball with little difficulty, and left the
patient doing well.
The attack on Fairview and the disappearance of
its owner caused considerable excitement in the
neighborhood; there was a good deal of speculation
as to what had become of him: some thought it
probable that he had hidden in the woods and died
there of his wounds; others that he had gone North
to stay until the reign of terror should be over.
No one, perhaps, suspected the truth, yet the
280 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
wratH of the Ku Klux was excited against the Tra
villas, and the Dinsmores of the Oaks, by the kind
ness they showed to Leland's wife and children;
and threatening notices were sent ordering them
to desist from giving aid and comfort to " the car
pet-bagger's family/'
They, however, paid no heed to the insolent de
mand, but exerted themselves to discover who were
the men wounded in the raid; for that more than
one had been hurt was evidenced by the bloody
tracks in and around the house at Pairview.
In this they were not successful; doubtless be
cause the men were from a distance, it being the
custom for the organization so to arrange matters
that thus they might the more readily escape recog
nition.
The Ion children were at play in the front ver
anda one morning shortly after breakfast when a
strange gentleman came riding leisurely up the
avenue.
Harold was the first to notice his approach.
"Mammy, mammy! see who's tumin! dat one de
Kluxes?" he asked, running in affright to Aunt
Chloe, who sat in their midst with the babe on her
lap.
" Spect not, honey; don't be 'fraid/' she said
soothingly, putting her arm about the little trem
bler.
The little girls were dressing their dolls, Eddie
and Bruno racing back and forth, in and out, having
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 181
a grand romp; but at Harold's question Eddie sud
denly stood still, with an imperative, " Down,
Bruno! down, sir! be quiet now! " and turned to look
at the stranger.
The gentleman, now close at hand, reined in his
horse, lifted his hat, and with a winning smile said:
" Good-morning, my little lads and lasses. Is your
mother in?"
"No, sir, she and papa have gone out riding,"
replied Eddie, returning the bow and smile.
Elsie laid aside her doll and, stepping forward,
said with a graceful little courtesy, " Good-morning,
sir! will you dismount and come in? Papa and
mamma will probably be here in a few minutes."
"Ah ha! um h'm; ah ha! Yes, my little lady,
I will do so, thank you," returned the gentleman,
giving his horse into the care of a servant sum
moned by Eddie.
" Will you walk into the drawing-room, sir? "
Elsie asked.
"No, thank you," he replied, seating himself
among them and sending a glance of keen interest
from one to another.
One look into the pleasant, genial face banished
Harold's fears, and when the stranger held out his
hand, saying, " I am your mamma's cousin, won't
you come and sit on my knee?" the child went to
him at once, and the others gathered eagerly about.
"Mamma's cousin! then she will be very glad to
see you," said Elsie.
182 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"But she never told us about you/' observed
Eddie.
" Ah ha, ah ha! um h'm! ah ha! But did she ever
tell you about any of her mother's kin? "
" No, sir/' said Elsie; " I asked her once, and she
said she didn't know anything about them; she
wished she did."
"Ah ha! ah ha, um h'm! ah ha! Well, she soon
will. Child, you look very like a picture of your
great-grandmother that hangs in my house in Edin
burgh. A bonny lassie she must have been when it
was taken."
" Yes, sir; and she's the picture of mamma, " re
marked Eddie; " everybody says so."
"Ah ha, ah ha! um h'm, ah ha!"
"Has you dot any 'ittle boys and dirls at your
house? " asked Harold.
"Yes, my man, a quiver full of them."
" Are they good ? do they love Jesus ? " asked Vi.
" Please tell us about them."
" If you like to, sir," said Elsie, with a sweet and
gentle gravity. "Vi, dear, you know we mustn't
tease."
" No, I didn't mean to tease," Vi answered, blush-
Ing. " Please excuse me, sir, and don't tell it 'less
you want to."
" No, no; it will give me pleasure, my de.ar. I
enjoy talking of my darlings; especially now when
they are so far away."
He seemed about to begin, when Elsie, blushing
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 183
deeply, said, "Excuse me, sir, I have been very
remiss in my hospitalities. It is early, and perhaps
you have not breakfasted."
" Yes, thank you, my dear; I took breakfast at
the village hotel, where I arrived last night."
" But you will take a cup of coffee and some
fruit
Her sentence was broken off; for at that instant
a lady and gentleman came galloping up the avenue,
and the little ones hailed them with a joyous shout,
w Papa and mamma! "
Another moment and Mr. Travilla had dis
mounted, gallantly assisted his wife to do the same,
and together they stepped into the veranda. Both
bowed politely to the stranger, and the children
running to them cried, " Mamma, mamma, it is
your cousin from Scotland."
She turned inquiringly to him, a flush of pleas
ure on her face. i
He had risen from his seat, and was coming to
ward her with outstretched hand and earnest, ad
miring gaze. " My name is Eonald Lilburn; your
maternal grandmother and mine were sisters," he
said; "your grandmother's marriage was displeasing
to her father, and all intercourse between her and
the rest of the family was broken off in obedience
to his stern command; and thus they lost sight of
each other. I have brought proofs of "
But Elsie's hand was already laid in his, while
glad tears sprang to her eyes.
184 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
" You shall show us them at another time if you
will; but I could never doubt such a face as yours,
and cannot tell you how glad I am to have at last
found a relative on my mother's side of the house.
Cousin, you are welcome, welcome to Ion! " And
she turned to her husband.
" Yes," he said, offering his hand with the great
est cordiality, "welcome, indeed, and not more so
to my little wife than to myself."
" Thanks to you both," he said, with a bow and
smile. " Cousin," with an earnest look at his host
ess, "you are very like a picture I have of your
grandmother. But," with a glance at the wide-eyed
little ones, looking on and listening in wonder and
surprise, " can it be that you are the mother of all
these? yourself scarce more than a bairn in appear
ance."
Elsie laughed lightly. " Ah, cousin, you have not
examined me closely yet. I have not been a bairn
for many years. How glad papa will be, Edward, to
see a relative of my mother's! "
" No doubt of it, wife, and we must send him word
immediately."
Mr. Lilburn had no reason to complain of his
reception; he was treated with the utmost hos
pitality, and his coming made the occasion of gen
eral rejoicing in the household. Eefreshments were
promptly set before him, a handsome suite of
apartments appropriated to his use, and a man
servant directed to attend upon his person.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 185
A note was sent to the Oaks inviting the whole
family to Ion; the children were given a holiday,
and Elsie, her husband, and father, spent the morn
ing in conversation with their guest, and in exam
ining family records, miniatures, and photographs
which he had brought with him.
The day passed most agreeably to all; the new
found relatives were mutually pleased and inter
ested in each other.
Mr. Lilburn was evidently a gentleman of in
telligence, polish, and refinement; seemed to be an
earnest Christian, too, and in easy circumstances.
The little folks made friends with him at once,
and as children are apt to be quick at reading
character, the older ones felt this to be a confirma
tion of the good opinion he had already won from
them.
CHAPTEE XVI.
I know that there are angry spirits
And turbulent mutterers of stifled treason.
Who lurk in narrow places, and walk out
Muffled to whisper curses to the night.
Disbanded soldiers, discontented ruffians
And desperate libertines who lurk in taverns.
Byron.
A BRIGHT, warm day, some hours after sunrise.
A man of rather gentlemanly appearance, well,
though not handsomely, dressed, is riding leisurely
along the public highway. He wears a broad-
brimmed straw hat as a protection from the sun,
and a linen duster somewhat soiled by the dust of
travel. He has a shrewd, though not unkindly face,
and a keen grey eye, whose quick glances seem to
take in everything within its range of vision.
It is a lonely bit of road he is travelling, and he
moves with caution, evidently on the alert for any
appearance of danger.
Presently he perceives another solitary horseman
approaching from the opposite direction, and at the
Bight lays his hand on the pistols in his belt con
cealed by the duster, to make sure that they are
ready for instant use; but at the same time keeping
steadily on his way.
185
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 187
The newcomer is a slender boy of eighteen or
twenty, not at all dangerous-looking.
As the two near each other each lifts his hat
with a courteous, " Good-morning, sir! " the lad at
the same time carelessly sliding his right hand down
the left lapel of his coat.
The movement, slight as it was, had not escaped
the watchful grey eyes, and instantly their owner
replied by sliding his left hand in the same manner
down the right lapel of his coat.
The lad then ran his fingers lightly through his
hair; the other imitated his action; the lad opened
his coat and seemed to be searching for a pin; the
man opened his, took out a pin, and handed it to
him with a polite bow.
"Thanks! all right, sir; I perceive you are one
of us," said the boy, drawing a paper from his
pocket and presenting it to the man. " Miller's
Woods! " and touching his hat he galloped away.
There was a twinkle in the grey eyes as they shot
one swift glance after him; then the paper was
opened and examined with minute care.
On it was a half moon, with several dates written
in different places about it, and that was all; yet its
new possessor regarded it with great satisfaction,
and after a careful scrutiny, bestowed it safely in
his breast pocket.
" I'll be on hand without fail," he said, in a low,
confidential tone, perhaps addressing his horse, as
there was no one else within hearing. " To-night!
188 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Ihey're late serving my notice; but better late STatf
never; for me, though perhaps not for themselves,"
he added, with a grim smile. " Well, my prepara
tions won't take long: dress-suit's all ready."
He kept on his way at the old leisurely pace,
presently came in sight of Fairview, passed it, then
Ion, diligently using his eyes as he went, made a
circuit of several miles, and returned to the town
which he had left some hours previously.
Dismounting at the village tavern he gave his
horse into the care of the hostler, and joined a
group of idlers about the barroom door. They were
talking politics, and one appealed to him for his
opinion.
" Don't ask me," he said, with a deprecatory ges
ture! "I'm no party man, and never meddle with
politics."
" On the fence, hey? Just the place for a coward
and a sneak," returned his interlocutor contemptu
ously.
The other half drew his bowie knife, then thrust
ing it back again said good-humoredly, "I'll let
that pass, Green; you've taken a drop too much and
are not quite compos mentis just now."
"Be quiet, will you, Green?" spoke up one of
his companions; " you know well enough Snell's no
coward. Why, didn't he risk his life the other day
to aave your boy from drowning? "
Yes; I'd forgot. I take that back, Snell. Will
you have a glass? "
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
" Thank you, no, it's too hot, and your wife and
babies need the money, Green."
The words were half drowned in the clang of the
dinner bell, and the group scattered; Snell and
most of the others hurrying into the dining-room
in answer to the welcome call.
After dinner Snell sauntered out in the direction
of the stable, passed with a seemingly careless
glance in at the door, and strolled onward; but in
that momentary glimpse had noted the exact posi
tion of his horse.
About ten o'clock that night he stole quietly out
again, made his way unobserved to the stable, sad
dled and bridled his steed, all in the dark, mounted
and rode away, passing through the village streets
at a very moderate pace, but breaking into a round
trot as soon as he had fairly reached the open
country.
He pressed on for several miles, but slackened his
speed as he neared the forest known as Miller's
Woods.
For the last mile or more he had heard, both in
front and rear, the thumping of horses' hoofs, and
occasionally a word or two spoken in an undertone,
by gruff voices.
He was anxious TO avoid an encounter with their
owners, and on reaching the outskirts of the wood
suddenly left the road, and springing to the ground,,
took his horse by the bridle and led him along for
some rods under the trees; then fastening him
190 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
securely, opened a bundle he had brought with him,
and speedily arrayed himself in the hideous Ku
Klux disguise.
He stood a moment intently listening. The same
Bounds still came from the road; evidently many men
were travelling it that night; and Snell reflected
with grave concern, though without a shadow of
fear, that if seen and recognized by any one of them
his life would speedily pay the forfeit of his temer
ity; for spite of his acquaintance with their secret
signs, he was not a member of the order.
He was, in fact, a detective in pursuit of evidence
to convict the perpetrators of the outrages which
had been so frequent of late in that vicinity.
Making sure that his arms were in readiness for
instant use, he hastened on his way, threading the
mazes of the wood with firm, quick, but light step.
He had proceeded but a short distance when he
came upon a sentinel who halted him.
Snell slapped his hands together twice, quick and
loud.
The sentinel answered in the same manner, and
permitted him to pass; the same thing was repeated
i twice, and then a few steps brought him into the
midst of the assembled Klan; for it was a general
meeting of all the camps in the county, which to
gether composed a Klan.
Snell glided, silently and unquestioned, to a place
among the others, the disguise and the fact of his
having passed the sentinels lulling all suspicion.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 191
Most of those present were in disguise, but some
were not, and several of these the officer recognized
as men whom he knew by name and by sight, among
them Green and George Boyd.
A good deal of business was transacted; several
raids were decided upon, the victims named, the
punishment to be meted out to each prescribed,
and the men to execute each order appointed.
One member after another would mention the
name of some individual who had become obnoxious
to him personally, or to the Klan, saying that he
ought to be punished; and the matter would be at
once taken up, and arrangements made to carry out
his suggestion.
Boyd mentioned the name of " Edward Travilla,
owner of Ion," cursing him bitterly as a scalawag, a
friend of carpet-baggers, and of the education of the
negroes.
" Eight! his case shall receive prompt attention! "
said the chief.
" Let it be a severe whipping administered to
morrow night, between the hours of twelve and
two," proposed Green, and the motion was put to
v^c and carried without a dissenting voice.
"And let me have a hand in it!" cried Boyd
fiercely.
" Yon belong to the neighborhood, and might be
recognized," objected the chief.
"I'll risk it. I owe him a sound flogging, or
something worse," returned Boyd.
192 ELSIE'S
" We all do, for he'd have every mother's son of
as sent to jail or hanged, if he could," growled an
other voice on Snell's right, while from a mask on
the left there came in sepulchral tones the words,
**It had better be hands off with you then, man/"'
the speaker pointing significantly to Boyd's maimed
member.
"It shall!" cried he; "but I flatter myself this
right hand, mutilated though it be, can lay on the
lash as vigorously as yours, sir."
After a little more discussion Boyd's wish was
granted, his fellow raiders were named, and pres
ently the meeting was closed, and the members
began to disperse.
Snell thought he had escaped suspicion thus far,
but his heart leaped into his mouth as a man whom
he had heard addressed as Jim Blake suddenly
clapped his hand on his shoulder, exclaiming, " Ah,
ha, I know you, old chap! "
" You do? who am I then? " queried the spy in a
feigned, unnatural voice, steady and cool, spite of
the terrible danger that menaced him.
" Who? Hal Williams, no disguise could hide you
from me."
Snell drew a breath of relief. " Ha! ha! Jim, I
didn't think you were so cute," he returned in his
feigned voice, and glided away, presently disappear
ing, as others were doing, in the deeper shadows of
the wood.
He thought it not prudent to go directly to the
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 193
spot where he had left his horse, but reached it by
a circuitous route, doffing his disguise and rolling
it into a bundle again as he went.
He paused a moment to recover breath and listen.
All was darkness and silence; the conspirators had
left the vicinity.
Satisfied of this, he led his horse into the road,
mounted and rode back to the town.
There every one seemed to be asleep, except in a
drinking saloon, whence came sounds of drunken
revelry, and the barroom of the tavern where he
put up. A light was burning there; but he avoided
it, attended to his horse himself, returning it to the
precise spot where he had found it, then slipped
stealthily up to his room, and without undressing
threw himself upon the bed and almost immediately
fell into a profound slumber.
CHAPTER XVII. f .
Abate the edge of traitors, gracious lord,
That would reduce these bloody days again.
And make poor England weep in streams of blood.
THE sun had just risen above the tree-tops as
Solon led Beppo, ready saddled and bridled for his
master's use, from the stables to the front of the
mansion.
A moment later Mr. Travilla came out, gave some
orders to the servant, and was about to mount, when
his attention was attracted by the approach of a
man on horseback, who came cantering briskly up
the avenue.
" Good-morning," he said, as the stranger drew
near. " Solon, you may hitch Beppo and go to
your work."
" Good-morning, Mr. Travilla, sir," returned the
^horseman, lifting his hat and bowing respectfully,
as SoUm obeyed the order in regard to Beppo, and
with a backward glance of curiosity disappeared
around the corner of the building.
"You bring news, Martin?" said Mr. Travilla,
stepping nearer to the stranger and looking ear
nestly into his face.
^ " Yes, sir, and very bad, I'm sorry to say, unless/*
M
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 195
and he bent low over Ms saddle-bow and spoke in an
undertone, " unless you can defend yourself against
a band of thirty-five or forty ruffians."
" Fasten your horse to that post yonder and come
with me to my private room/' said Travilla, in calm,
quiet tones.
Martin, alias Snell, immediately complied with
the request, and as soon as he found himself
closeted with Mr. Travilla, proceeded to give a full
account of his last night's adventure.
" I assure you, sir," he concluded, " I look upon,
it as a piece of rare good fortune that I came upon
that lad yesterday, and that he mistook me for one
of the Klan; as otherwise you'd have had no
warning."
" It was a kind providence, Martin," returned Mr.
Travilla, with grave earnestness. " ' If God be for
us who can be against us ? ' ;
" Nobody, sir; and that's the most Christian way
of looking at the thing, no doubt. But, if I may
ask, what will you do fight or fly? "
" How do you know that I shall do either? " Mr.
Travilla asked, with a slight twinkle in his eye. ^
" Because you're not the man to tamely submit
to such an outrage."
" No, as my wife says, ' I believe in the duty and
privilege of self-defence '; and for her sake and my
children's, even more than my own, I shall attempt
At. I am extremely obliged to you, Martin."
" Not at all, sir; it was all in the way of business,
196 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD,
and in the interests of humanity, law, and order.
No, no, sir, thank you; I'm not to be paid for doing
my duty! " he added, hastily putting back a check
which his host had filled out and now handed him.
"I think you may take it without scruple," said
Mr. Tra villa; " it is not a bribe, but simply a slight
expression of my appreciation of an invaluable ser
vice you have already rendered me."
" Still I'd rather not, sir, thank you," returned
the detective, rising to go. " Good-morning! I shall
hope to hear to-morrow that the raiders have got
the worst of it."
Left alone, Mr. Travilla sat for a moment in deep
thought; then hearing Mr. Lilburn's voice in the
hall, stepped out and exchanged with him the usual
morning salutations.
" So you are not off yet? " remarked the guest.
" No, but am about to ride over to the Oaks.
Will you give me the pleasure of your company? "
" With all my heart."
Elsie was descending the stairs.
** Wife," Mr. Travilla said, turning to her,
**yoTir cousin and I are going to ride over to the
Oaks immediately; you wi]l go with us?"
" Yes, thank you," she answered brightly, as she
stepped to the floor; then catching sight of her hus
band's face, and seeing something unusual there,
"What is it, Edward?" she asked, gliding swiftly
to his side and laying her hand upon his arm, while
the soft eyes met his with a loving, saxious look.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 197
He could scarce refrain from touching the sweet
lips with his own.
" My little friend, my brave, true wife/' he said,
with a tender sadness in his tone, "I will conceal
nothing from you; I have just learned, through a
detective, that the Ku Klux will make a raid upon
Ion to-night, between twelve and two; and my
errand to the Oaks is to consult with your father
about the best means of defence unless your voice
is for instant flight for ourselves, our children, and
guests."
Her cheek paled, but her eye did not quail, and
her tones were calm and firm as she answered, " It
is a question for you and papa to decide; I am ready
for whatever you think best."
" Bravo! " cried her cousin, who had listened in
surprise to Mr. Travilla's communication; " there's
no coward blood in my kinswoman's veins. She is
worthy of her descent from the old Whigs of Scot
land, eh, Travilla?"
" Worthy of anything and everything good and
great," returned her husband, with a proud, fond
glance at the sweet face and graceful form by his
side.
" Ah ha! urn h'm! so I think. And they are really
about to attack you those cowardly ruffians ? Well,
sir, my voice is for war; I'd like to help you give
them their deserts."
" It would seem cowardly to run away and leave
our wounded friend and helpless dependents at their
198 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
mercy," Elsie exclaimed, her eye kindling and Her
cheek flushing, while she drew up her slender figure
to its full height; " our beautiful land, too, given up
to anarchy and ruin; this dear sunny South that I
love so well."
Her voice trembled with the last words, and tears
gathered in her eyes.
" Yes, that is it," said her husband; " we must
stay and battle for her liberties, and the rights
guaranteed by her laws to all her citizens."
Horses were ordered, Elsie returned to her apart
ments to don a riding habit, and in a few minutes
the three were on their way to the Oaks.
The vote there also was unanimous in favor of the
policy of resistance. Mr. Dinsmore and Horace, Jr.,
at once offered their services, and Arthur Conly,
who happened to be spending a few days at his
uncle's just at that time, did the same.
" I was brought up a secessionist, and my sympa
thies are still with the Democratic party," he said,
"but these Ku Klux outrages I cannot tolerate;
especially," he added, looking at Elsie with an
affectionate smile, " when they are directed against
the home and husband, if not the person, of my
sweet cousin,"
" You are to me ' a kinsman born, a clansman
true/ Art," she said, thanking him with one of her
sweetest smiles.
" That's right, old fellow! " cried Horace, clap
ping his cousin on the shoulder. " We shall muster
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 199
pretty strong; papa, Brother Edward, Mr. Lilburn,
you and I six able-bodied men within the fortress,
with plenty of the best small arms and ammunition;
all of us fair shots, too, some excellent marksmen
we ought to do considerable execution among our
assailants."
" And God being on our side," said Mr. Lilburn
reverently, "we may have strong hope of being
able to beat them back."
"Yes, 'the race is not always to the swift, nor
the battle to the strong,' " remarked Mr. Dinsmore.
" ' Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:
but we will remember the name of the Lord our
God.' "
" And if we do so truly, fully, he will take hold
of shield and buckler and stand up for our help,"
added Mr. Travilla.
The plan of defence was next discussed, but not
fully decided upon; it was agreed that that could be
done most readily upon the spot, and that accord
ingly Mr. Dinsmore and the two young men should
ride over to Ion shortly after breakfast, to view the
ground and consult again with the other two.
" Why not return with us and breakfast at Ion? "
asked Elsie.
"Why not stay and breakfast with us?" said
Hose.
" Certainly," said her husband. " Take off your
hat, daughter, and sit down to your father's table
is of old."
200 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"Ah, my little ones! I know they are watching
now for mamma and wondering at her long
delay."
"Then I shall not detain, but rather speed you
on your way/' he said, leading her out and assisting
'her to mount her horse.
The children had thought mamma's ride a long
one that morning, and much they wondered at
papa's unusual silence and abstraction. He quite
forgot to romp with them, but indeed there was
scarcely time, as he did not come in from the fields
till the breakfast bell had begun to ring.
Grace had just been said, every one was sitting
silent, quietly waiting to be helped (the children
were all the table, for " Cousin Eonald " who had
been with them for a week, was now considered
quite one of the family). Mr. Travilla took up the
carving knife and fork with the intent to use them
upon a chicken that lay in a dish before them; but
the instant he touched it with the fork a loud
squawk made everybody start, and Harold nearly
tumbled from his chair.
" Why dey fordot to kill it! " he cried breath
lessly.
" But its head's off! " said Eddie, gazing into the
dish in wide-eyed astonishment.
" Ah ha, um h'm! is that the way your American
fowls behave at table?" asked Cousin Eonald
gravely, but with a slight twinkle in his eye, push
ing back his chair a little, while keeping his eyes
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 201
steadily fixed upon the ill-mannered bird, as if fear
ful that its next escapade might be to fly in his face;
"a singular breed they must be."
Elsie and her husband began to recover from
their momentary surprise and bewilderment, and
exchanged laughing glances, while the latter, turn
ing to his guest, said, " Capitally done, cousin!
wouldn't have disgraced Signor Blitz himself, or
any of his guild. But I had no suspicion that ven
triloquism was one of your many accomplishments.,
What part shall I help you to?"
" The leg, if you please; who knows but I may
have use for more than two to-night?"
A gleam of intelligence lighted up little Elsie's
face. "Oh! I understand it now/' she said, with a
low silvery laugh; "cousin is a ventriloquist."
"What's that?" asked Vi.
"Oh, I know!" cried Eddie. "Cousin Ronald,
don't you have a great deal of fun doing it ? "
"Well, my boy, perhaps rather more than I
ought, seeing it's very apt to be at other folks'
expense."
The guest, mamma, and Elsie having been helped,
it was now Vi's turn to claim papa's attention.
"What shall I send you, daughter?" he asked.
" Oh, nothing, papa, please! no, no! I can't eat
live things," she said half shuddering.
"It is not alive, my child."
Violet looked utterly bewildered: she had never
known her father to say anything that was not
202 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
perfectly true, yet how could she disbelieve the evi
dence of her own senses?
"Papa, could it hollow so loud when it was
dead? " she asked deprecatingly.
"It did not, my little darling; 'twas I," said
Cousin Eonald, preventing papa's reply, " the
chick seemed to make the noise, but it was really
I who did it."
Papa and mamma both confirmed this statement,
and the puzzled child consented to partake of the
mysterious fowl.
Minna, standing with her basket of keys at the
back of her mistress' chair, Tom and Prilla, waiting
on the- table, had been as much startled and mysti
fied by the chicken's sudden outcry as Vi herself,
and seized with superstitious fears, turned almost
pale with terror.
Mr. Lilburn's assertion and the concurrent assur
ance of their master and mistress relieved their
fright; but they were still full of astonishment, and
gazed at the guest with wonder and awe.
Of course the story was told in the kitchen, and
created much curiosity and excitement there.
This excitement was, however, soon lost in a
greater, when the news of the expected attack from
the Ku Klux circulated among them an hour or two
later.
It could not be kept from the children, but they
were calmed and soothed by mamma's assurance,
"God will take care of us, my darlings, and help
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 203
papa, grandpa, and the rest to drive the "bad men 1
away."
"Mamma," said Vi, "we little ones can't fight,
but if we pray a good deal to God, will that help? "
" Yes, daughter, for the Bible tells us God is the
thearer and answerer of prayer."
Elsie herself seemed entirely free from agitation
and alarm; full of hope and courage, she inspired
those about her with the same feelings; the domestic
machinery moved on in its usual quiet, regular
fashion.
The kitchen department, it is true, was the scene
of much earnest talk, but the words were spoken
with bated breath and many an anxious glance from
door and window, as if the speakers feared the
vicinity of some lurking foe.
Aunt Dicey was overseeing the making of a huge
kettle of soft soap.
" 'Pears like dis yer's a long time a-comin'," she
said, giving the liquid a vigorous stir, then lifting
her paddle and holding it over the kettle to see if
it dripped off in the desired ropy condition; " but
dere, dis ole sinnah no business growlin' 'bout dat;
yah! yah! " and dropping the paddle she put her
hands on her hips, rolled up her eyes, "and fairly
shook with half suppressed laughter.
" What you larfin' at, Aunt Dicey? 'pears you's
mighty tickled 'bout suffin'," remarked the cook,
looking up in wonder and curiosity from the eggs
she was beating.
204 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
" What's de fun, Aunt Dicey? " asked Uncle Joe,
who sat in the doorway busily engaged in cleaning
a gun.
" Why, don't you see, darkies ? de soap aint gwine
to come till 'bout de time de Kluxes round hey ah;
den dis chile gib 'em a berry warm deception, yah!
yah! yah! "
" A powerful hot one," observed the cook, joining
in the laugh; " but dey won't min' it; dey's cohered
up, you know."
" 'Taint no diffence/' remarked Uncle Joe, " de
gowns an' masks, dey's nuffin but cotton cloth, an*
de hot soap '11 permeate right tru, an' scald de
rascals' skins! "
"Dat's so; an' take de skin off too."
Uncle Joe stopped work and mused a moment,
scratching his head and gazing into vacanc3 r .
"'Clar to goodness, dat's a splendid idea, Aunt
Dicey!" he burst out at length. "An' let's hab a
kettle ob boilin' lye to tote upstairs in de house,
'bout de time we see de Kluxes comin' up de road;
den Aunt Chloe an' Prilla can expense it out ob de
windows; a dippah full at a time. Kin you git um.
ready fo' den?"
" Dat I kin," she replied with energy; " dis con
secrated lye don't take no time to fix. I'll hab it
ready, sho' as you lib."
Meanwhile the party from the Oaks had arrived
according to appointment, and with Mr. Travilla
and his guest were busy with their arrangements
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 205
for the coming conflict, when quite unexpectedly
old Mr. Dinsmore and Calhoun Conly appeared upon
the scene.
" We have broken in upon a conference, I think,"
remarked the old gentleman, glancing from one to
another, and noticing that the entrance of himself
and grandson seemed to have thrown a slight con
straint over them.
" Rest assured, sir, that you are most welcome,"
replied Mr. Travilla. " We were conferring to
gether on a matter of importance, but one which
I am satisfied need not be concealed from you or
Cal. I have had certain information that the Ku
Klux-
"Stay!" cried Calhoun, springing to his feet, a
burning flush rising to his very hair, " don't, I beg
of you, cousin, say another word in my presence.
I I know I'm liable to be misunderstood a wrong
construction put upon my conduct," he continued,
glancing in an agony of shame and entreaty from
one astonished face to another, " but I beg you will
judge me leniently and never, never, doubt my
loyalty to you all," and, bowing courteously to the
company, he hastily left the room and, hurrying out
of the house, mounted his horse and galloped swiftly
down the avenue.
For a moment those left behind looked at each
other in dumb surprise; then old Mr. Dinsmore
broke the silence by a muttered exclamation, " Haa
the boy gone daft?"
206 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
" I think I understand it, sir," said his son. "Poor
Cal has been deceived and cajoled into joining that
organization, under a misapprehension of its deeds
and aims, but having learned how base, cruel, and
insurrectionary they are, has ceased to act with
them or rather never has acted with them yet
is bound by oath to keep their secrets and do noth
ing against them."
"Would be perilling his life by taking part
against them/' added Mr. Tra villa. "I think he
has done the very best he could, under the circum
stances."
He then went on with his communication to the
old gentleman, who received it with a storm of
wrath and indignation.
"It is time, indeed, to put them down when it
has come to this! " he exclaimed. " The idea of
their daring to attack a man of your standing, an
old family like this of the best blood in the conn 1 -
try! I say it's downright insolence, and I'll come
over myself and help chastise them for their
temerity."
"Then you counsel resistance, sir?" asked his sou.
" Counsel it? of course I do! nobody but a coward
and poltroon would think of anything else. But
what are your plans, Travilla?"
" To barricade the verandas with bags of sand and
bales of cotton, leaving loopholes here and there,
post ourselves behind these defences, and do what
execution we can upon the assailants."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 207
<f Good! Who's your captain? "
" Your son, sir."
" Very good; he has had little or no experience itt
actual warfare, but I think his maiden effort will
prove a success."
" If on seeing our preparations they depart peace
ably, well and good," remarked Travilla. " But if
they insist on forcing an entrance, we shall feel no
scruples about firing upon them."
"Humph! I should think not, indeed!" grunted
the old gentleman. * Self-defence is the first law of
nature.' ' ;
" And we are told by our Lord, ( all they that
take the sword, shall perish with the sword,' " ob
served his son.
The arrangements completed, the Dinsmores re
turned to their homes for the rest of the day.
About dusk the work of barricading was begun,
all the able-bodied men on the plantation, both
house-servants and field-hands, being set to work at
it. The materials had been brought up to the near
vicinity of the house during the day. The men's
hearts were in the undertaking (not one of them but]
would have risked his own life freely in defence ofy
their loved master and mistress), and many hands
made light and speedy work.
While this was in progress old Mr. Dinsmore and
the whole family from the Oaks arrived, Eose and
her daughter preferring to be there rather thaa
left at home without their natural protectors.
208 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Elsie "welcomed them joyfully, and at once en
gaged their assistance in loading for the gentlemen.
The little ones were already in bed and sleeping
sweetly, secure in the love and protecting care of
their earthly and their heavenly Father. Little
Elsie, now ten years old, was no longer required to
retire quite so early, but when her regular hour
came she went without a murmur.
She was quite ready for bed, had just risen from
her knees, when her mother came softly in and
clasped her in a tender embrace.
" Mamma, dear, dear mamma, how I love you!
and papa too! " whispered the child, twining her
arms about her mother's neck. " Don't let us be
afraid of those wicked men, mamma. I am sure
God will not let them get papa, because we have
all prayed so much for his help; all of us together in
worship this morning and this evening, and we chil
dren up here; and Jesus said, ' If two of you shall
agree on earth, as touching anything that they shall
ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which
is in heaven.' "
" Yes, darling, and he will fulfil his word; he will
not suffer anything to befall but what shall be for
his glory and our good. Now, dear daughter, lie
down and take that promise for a pillow to sleep
upon; and if waked by sounds of conflict, lift up
your heart to God for your dear father, and mine,
and all of us."
" I will, mamma, I will."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 209
Leaving a loving kiss on the sweet young lips,
and another on the brow of her sleeping Violet, the
mother glided noiselessly from the room.
" What is it, mammy? " she asked on finding her
faithful old nurse waiting to speak with her in the
outer room.
" Miss Elsie, honey, is you willin' to let us
scald dem Kluxes wid boilin' soap an' lye? "
"Scald them, mammy?" she exclaimed with a
slight shudder. " I can hardly bear the thought of
treating a dog so cruelly! "
" But dey's worse dan dogs, Miss Elsie; dogs neber
come and detack folks dat's sleepin' quietly in dere
beds; does dey now? "
" No; and these men would take my husband's
life. You may all fight them with any weapon you
can lay hands on."
Aunt Chloe returned her thanks, and proceeded
to give an account of the plan concocted by Aunt
Dicey and Uncle Joe.
Elsie, returning to the dining-room, repeated it
there.
" Excellent!" exclaimed her brother. "Come,
Art, let's hang a bell in the kitchen and attach a
string to it, taking the other end up to the observa
tory."
The suggestion was immediately carried out. It
had been previously arranged that the two young
men should repair to the observatory and there
watch for the coming of the foe, and on their first
210 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
appearance, probably a mile or more distant, give
the alarm to those below by pulling a wire attached
to that from which the front door bell was sus
pended, thus setting it to ringing loudly. Now they
were prepared to sound the tocsin in the kitchen,
also, thus giving time for the removal of the boiling
lye from the fire there to the second story of the
mansion, where it was to be used according to Uncle
Joe's plans.
The detective had reported the assailing party as
numbering from thirty-five to forty; but the Ion
force, though much inferior in point of numbers,
even with the addition of eight or ten negro men
belonging to the Oaks and Ion, who were tolerably
proficient in the use of firearms, certainly had the
advantage of position and of being on the side of
right and justice.
The gentlemen seemed full of a cheerful courage,
the ladies calm and hopeful. Yet they refused to
retire, though strongly urged to do so, insisting that
to sleep would be simply impossible.
It was but ten o'clock when all was ready, yet the
young men deemed it most prudent to betake them
selves at once to their outlook, since there might
possibly have been some change in the plans of the
enemy.
The others gathered in one of the lower rooms to
while way the tedious time of waiting as best they
could. Conversation flagged; they tried music, but
it had lost its charm for the time being; they turned
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 211
away from the piano and harp and sank into silence;
the house seemed strangely silent, and the pattering
of Bruno's feet, as he passed slowly down the whole
length of the corridor without, came to their ears
with almost startling distinctness.
Then he appeared in the doorway, where he stood
turning his eyes from one to another with a wistful,
questioning gaze: then words seemed to come from
his lips in tones of wonder and inquiry.
" What are you all doing here at this time o'
night, when honest folk should be a-bed? "
" Just what I've been asking myself for the last
hour," gravely remarked a statue in a niche in the
opposite wall.
The effect was startling, even to those who under
stood the thing; more so to the others. Kosie
screamed and ran to her father for protection.
6 Why, why, why! " cried old Mr. Dinsmore, in
momentary perplexity and astonishment.
" Don't be afraid, Miss Kosie; I'm a faithful
friend, and the woman over there couldn't hurt you,
if she would," said Bruno, going up to the young
girl, wagging his tail and touching his cold nose to
her hand.
She drew it away with another scream.
" Dear child," said her sister, " it is only a trick
of ventriloquism."
" Meant to amuse, not alarm/' added Mr. Lil-
burn.
Eosie, nestling in her father's arms, drew a longj
212 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
breath of relief, and half laughing, half crying,
looked up saucily into Mr. Lilburn's face.
"And it was you, sir? oh, how you scared
me!"
" I beg your pardon, my bonnie lassie," he said,
" I thought to relieve, somewhat, the tediousness of
the hour."
"For which accept our thanks," said Mr. Dins-
more. " But I perceive it is not the first time that
Travilla and Elsie have been witnesses of your
skill."
"No," said Elsie, laughing. "My dear, you are
good at a story, tell them what happened at break
fast this morning."
Mr. Travilla complied with the request. He was
an excellent story-teller, and made his narrative
very entertaining.
But in the midst of their mirth a sudden awe
struck silence fell upon them. There was a sound
as of the rattling of stiffly starched robes; then a
gruff voice from the hall exclaimed, " Here he is,
the old scalawag! Dinsmore too. Now take good
aim, Bill, and let's make sure work."
Kosie was near screaming again, but catching
eight of Mr. Lilburn's face, laughed instead; a little
hysterical nervous laugh.
" Oh, it's you again, sir! " she cried. " Please
don't frighten me any more."
" Ah, no, I will not," he said, and at that moment
a toy man and woman on the table began a vastly
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 213
amusing conversation about their own private
affairs.
In the kitchen and the domiciles of the house-
servants there was the same waiting and watching;
old and young, all up and wide awake, gathered in
groups and talked in undertones of the doings of
the Ku Klux, and of the reception they hoped to
give them that night. Aunt Dicey, glorying in the
prospect of doing good service in the defence of
"her family," as she proudly termed her master,
mistress, and the children, kept her kettles of soap
and lye at boiling heat, and two stalwart fellows
close at hand to obey her orders.
Aunt Chloe and Dinah were not with the others,
but in the nursery watching over the slumbers of
" de chillens." Uncle Joe was with Mr. Leland,
who was not yet able to use the wounded limb, and
was to be assisted to his hiding-place upon the first
note of alarm.
In the observatory the two young men kept a
vigilant eye upon every avenue of approach to the
plantation. There was no moon that night, but the
clear, bright starlight made it possible to discern
moving white objects at a considerable distance.
(Horace was full of excitement, and almost eager
for the affray, Arthur calm and quiet.
" This waiting is intolerable ! " exclaimed the
former, when they had been nearly an hour at their
post. " How do you stand it, Art? "
"I find it tedious, and there is in all probability
214 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
at least an hour of it yet before us. But my im
patience is quelled by the thought that it may be
to me the last hour of life."
" True; and to me also. A solemn thought, Art,
and yet might not the same be said of any day or
hour of our lives? "
From that they fell into a very serious conversa
tion, in which each learned more of the other's
inner life than he had ever known before; both were
trusting in Christ, and seeking to know and do his
will, and from that hour their hearts were knit to
gether as the hearts of David and Jonathan.
Gradually their talk ceased, till but a word or two
was dropped now and then, while the vigilance of
their watch was redoubled; for the hour of mid
night had struck the silver chimes of a clock in
the hall below coming distinctly to their ears and
any moment might bring the raiders into view.
Below stairs, too, a solemn hush had fallen upon
each with the first stroke of the clock, and hearts
were going up in silent prayer to God.
Horace was gazing intently in the direction of
Fairview, but at a point somewhat beyond.
"Look, Art!" he cried, in an excited whisper,
"do my eyes deceive me, or are there really some
white objects creeping slowly along yonder road? "
" I I think yes, yes, it is they! " returned Ar
thur, giving a vigorous pull to the string attached
to the bell in the kitchen, while Horace did the
same by the wire connected with the other; then
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 215
springing to the stairway they descended with all
haste.
Loudly the alarm pealed out in both) places,
bringing all to their feet, and paling the cneeks of
the ladies.
Mr. Dinsmore's orders were given promptly, in
calm, firm tones, and each one repaired to his
post.
Aunt Dicey, assuming command in the kitchen,
delivered her orders with equal promptness and
decision.
" Yo', Ben an' Jack, tote dis yer pot ob lye up
stairs quick as lightnin', an' set it whar Aunt Chloe
tells yo'. An' yo', Venus, stan' by de pot ob soap
wid a dippah in yo' hand, an' fire away at de fust
KIux dat shows his debbil horns an' tongue at de
do'. Min' now, yo' take um in de eye, an' he neber
come roun' heyah no mo' tryin' to kill Marse
Ed'ard."
Mr. Leland had fallen asleep in the earty part of
the evening, but woke with the ringing of the alarm
bells.
" Ah, they must be in sight, Uncle Joe," he said;
" help me to my hiding-place and leave me there.
You will be needed below."
"Yes, Massa Leland, dey's comin'," said the old
man, instantly complying with his request, " an' dis
niggah's to demand de boilin' lye compartment ob
dis army ob defence."
A narrow couch had been spread in the little con-
216 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
cealed apartment, and in a trice Mr. Leland found
himself stretched upon it.
" There, I'm quite comfortable, Uncle Joe," he
said; " lay my pistols here, close to my hand; then
close the panel with all care, and when you leave
the room lock the door behind you and hide the
key in the usual place."
" Yes, sah; an' please, sah, as yo's got nuffin' else
for to do, keep askin' de Lord ob armies to help de
right."
" That I will," answered Leland heartily.
Uncle Joe, moving with an almost youthful
alacrity, obeyed the orders given, and hastened to
join his wife and Dinah, whom he found on the
upper veranda in front of the nursery windows,
standing ladle in hand, one by the kettle of lye, the
other leaning over the railing watching for the
coming of the foe.
The old man, arming himself also with a ladle of
large capacity, took his station beside the latter.
"Aunt Chloe," said he, "yo' bettah go back to
de chill ens, fear dey might wake up an' be powerful
scared."
"Yes, spect I bettah; deir ole mammy de best to
be wid de darlins," she replied, resigning her ladle
to Prilla, who joined them at that moment, and
hurrying back to her charge.
She found her mistress bending over the crib of
the sleeping babe. " I am so thankful they were not
roused by the noise, mammy," she said softly,
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD, 21*T
glancing at the bed where the older two lay in pro
found slumber; " but don't leave them alone, even
for a moment."
"Deed I won't, darlin'; de bressed little lambs!
dere ole mammy'd fight de Kluxes to her last breff,
fo' dey should hurt a hair ob deir heads. But don't
ye fret, Miss Elsie, honey; dey '11 not come yere; de
good Lord '11 not let dem get into de house/' she
added, big tears filling her old eyes, while she
clasped her idolized mistress in her arms as if she
were still the little girl she had so loved to caress
and fondle years ago.
Elsie returned the embrace, gave a few whispered
directions, and glided into the next room, there to
linger a moment by the couch of her little girls, who
were also sleeping sweetly, then hastened to rejoin
Mrs. Dinsmore and Rosie in one of the rooms open
ing upon the lower front veranda.
They sat at a table covered with arms and ammu
nition. Rose was a little pale, but calm and com
posed, as was Elsie also; Rosie, making a great effort
to be brave, could not still the loud beating of her
heart, as she sat listening intently for sounds from,
without.
Elsie, placing herself beside her young sister, and
taking her hand pressed it tenderly, whispering
with a glad smile, " ' They that trust in the Lord
shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed,
but abideth forever.' ' ;
Rosie nodded a half-tearful assent.
218 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Horace looked in. " They are just entering tKe
avenue. Mother and sisters, be brave and help us
with your prayers," he said, low and earnestly, and
was gone.
The ladies exchanged one swift glance, then bent
forward in a listening attitude, and for the next few
moments every other sense seemed lost in that of
hearing.
The raiders, as was their usual custom, had dis
mounted at the gate, and leaving their horses in the
care of two of their number, approached the house
on foot. They came on three abreast, but as they
neared the dwelling one line branched off and
passed around it in the direction of the kitchen.
In an instant more the double column, headed by
the leader of the troop, had reached the steps of the
veranda, where it came to a sudden halt, a sort of
half -smothered grunt of astonishment coming from
the captain as he hastily ran his eye along the
barricade, which, till that moment, had been con
cealed from himself and comrades by the semi-
darkness and a profusion of flowering vines.
The darkness and silence of death seemed to reign
within: yet each one of the little garrison was at
hifi post, looking out through a loophole, and cover
ing one or another of the foe with his revolver, while
with his finger upon the trigger, he only awaited the
word of command to send the bullet to its mark.
Young Horace found it hard to restrain his im
patience. " What a splendid opportunity his father
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 219
was letting slip! why did he hesitate to give the
signal ? " For perhaps the first time in his life,
the young man thought his father unwise.
But Mr. Dinsmore knew what he was about; blood
should not be shed till the absolute necessity was
placed beyond question.
A moment of suspense, of apparent hesitation on
the part of the raiders, then in stentorian tones
the leader, stepping back a little, called, " Edward
Travilla! "
No answer.
An instant of dead silence; then the call was
repeated.
Elsie shuddered and hid her face, faltering out
a prayer for her husband's safety.
Still no reply, and the third time the man called,
adding, with a volley of oaths and curses, " We
want you, sir: come out at once or it '11 be the worse
for yon."
Then Mr. Dinsmore answered in calm, firm tones :
" Your purpose is known; your demand is unreason
able and lawless, and will not be complied with;
withdraw your men at once or it will be the worse
for you."
"Boys!" cried the leader, turning to his men,
"up with your axes and clubs, we've got to batter
down this breastwork, and it must be done! "
With a yell of fury the hideous forms rushed for
ward to the attack.
"Fire! " rang out Mr. Dinsmore's voice in clarion.
220 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
tones, and instantly the crack of half a dozen re
volvers was heard, a light blaze ran along the line
of loopholes, and at the same instant a sudden,
scalding shower fell upon the assailants from above.
Several of them dropped upon the ground, and
as many more threw away their clubs and ran
screaming and swearing down the avenue.
But the others rallied, and came on again,
yelling with redoubled fury, while simultaneously
similar sounds came from the sides and rear of the
dwelling.
The scalding shower was descending there, also;
Uncle Joe and his command were busy, and bullets
were flying and doing some execution, though sent
with less certain aim than from the front.
Aunt Dicey, too, and her satellites were winning
the laurels they coveted.
As she had expected, several of the assailants
came thundering at her door, loudly demanding
admittance, at the same time that the attack was
made in front.
"Who dar? What you want?" she called.
" We want in; open the door instantly! "
"No, sah! dis chile don' do no sich ting! Dis
Marse Ed'ard's kitchen, an' Miss Elsie's."
Then in an undertone, " Now Venus an' Lize, fill
yo* dippahs quick! an' when dis niggah says fire,
slam de contentions dat's de bilin' soap, min'
right into dar ugly faces.
"An' Sally Ann, yo' creep up dem stairs, quick
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 221
as lightnin' an' hide under the bed. It's yo' dey's
after; somebody mus' a tole 'em yo' sleeps yere sense
de night dat bloody hand ben laid on yo' shouldah."
These orders were scarcely issued and obeyed
when the door fell in with a loud crash, and a
hideous horned head appeared in the opening; but
only to receive three ladles full of the boiling soap
full in its face, and fall back with a terrible, un
earthly yell of agony and rage into the arms of its
companions, who quickly bore it shrieking away.
" Tank de Lord, dat shot tole! " ejaculated Aunt
Dicey. " Now stan' ready for de nex'."
The party in front were received with the same
galling fire as before, and at the same moment a
sound, coming apparently from the road beyond the
avenue, a sound as of the steady tramp, tramp of
infantry, and the heavy rumbling and rolling of
artillery, smote upon their ears.
There had been a report that Federal troops were
on the march to suppress the outrages and protect
the helpless victims, and, seized with panic terror,
the raiders gathered up their dead and wounded and
CHAPTEE XVIII.
*' Thus far our fortune keeps an onward course,
And we are grac'd with wreaths of victory."
"VICTOKY!" shouted Horace, Jr., waving his
handkerchief ahout his head, " victory, and an end
to the reign of terror! Hurrah for the brave troops
of Uncle Sam that came so opportunely to the res
cue! Come, let us sally forth to meet them. Elsie,
unlock your stores and furnish the refreshments
they have so well earned."
" They draw nearer! " cried Arthur, who had been
listening intently. "Haste! they must be about
entering the avenue. They will meet the raiders.
Travilla, uncle, shall we make an opening here in
our breastworks? "
"Yes," answered both in a breath; then, as if
struck by a sudden thought, " No, no, let us recon
noitre first! " cried Mr. Dinsmore. " Horace, run
up to the observatory, take a careful survey, and
report as promptly as possible."
Horace bounded away, hardly waiting to hear the
conclusion of the sentence.
"I counsel delay," said old Mr. Dinsmore, who
was peering through a loophole, " the troops have
not entered the avenue, the Ku Klux may return;
222
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 223
though I do not expect it after the severe repulse
we have twice given them; but ' discretion is the
better part of valor.' ' :
" Eight, sir/' said Mr. Lilburn; " let us give them
no chance for a more successful onslaught/'
" Oh, yes, do be careful! " cried the ladies, join
ing them; " don't tear down the least part of our
defences yet."
"Have they really fled? Are you all unhurt?"
asked Rose in trembling tones.
" Edward! papa! " faltered Elsie.
" Safe and sound," they both answered.
'' Thank God! thank God! " she cried as her hus
band folded her in his arms, and her father took he*
hamd in his, while with the other arm he embraced
Hose.
" We have, indeed, cause for thankfulness," said
Arthur, returning from a hurried circuit of the
verandas; "not one on our side has received a
scratch. But I have ordered the men to remain at
their posts for the present."
Horace came rushing back. "I cannot under
stand it! I see no sign of troops, though "
" The darkness," suggested his mother.
"Hark! hark! the bugle call; they are charging
on the Ku Klux! " exclaimed Arthur, as a silvery
sound came floating on the night breeze.
" Oh, they have come! they have come! " cried
Eosie, clapping her hands and dancing up and down
with delight. "Now our troubles are over, and
224 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
there will be no more of these dreadful raids."
And in the exuberance of her joy she embraced
first her mother, then her sister, and lastly threw
herself into her father's arms.
"Ah, I wish it were so," he said, caressing her;
" but I begin to fear that the sounds we have heard
with so much relief and pleasure were as unreal as
Bruno's talking awhile ago."
"Oh, was it you, Mr. Lilburn?" she cried, in a
tone of sore disappointment.
" Ah, well, my bonnie lassie, the Ku Klux are
gone at all events: let us be thankful for that," he
answered.
"What, what does it all mean?" asked the two
young men in a breath, " what strange deception haa
been practised upon us? "
" My cousin is a ventriloquist," replied Elsie,
"and has done us good service in using his talent
to help in driving away the Ku Klux."
He instantly received a unanimous vote of
thanks, and the young people began pouring out
eager questions and remarks:
"Another time; my work is but half done! I
must pursue! " he cried, hastily leaving them to
Beek an exit from the house.
Elsie hurried away to see if her little ones still
slept. All did, but little Elsie, and she was full of
joy and thankfulness that her dear papa's cruel foes
had been driven away.
"Ah, mamma, God has heard our prayers and
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 325
helped us out of this great trouble! " she said, re
ceiving and returning a tender embrace.
"Indeed he has, daughter! let us thank him for
his goodness, and ever put our trust in him. Have
you been long awake? "
" It was their dreadful screams that waked me,
mamma. I couldn't help crying for one man: it
seemed as if he must be in such an agony of pain.
Uncle Joe says Aunt Dicey and the others threw
boiling soap into his eyes and all over his face and
head. Mamma, aren't you sorry for him?"
" Yes, indeed! " and the child felt a great tear
fall on her head resting on her mother's bosom.
" Poor, poor fellow! he finds the way of transgress
ors hard, as the Bible says it is. Now, darling, lie
down again and try to sleep. I think the danger is
all over for to-night."
Returning, she met her husband in the hall, "I
have been to tell Leland the good news!" he said;
" he is very happy over it. And now, dear wife, go
to bed and sleep, if you can; you are looking very
weary, and I think we need fear no further dis
turbance. Your grandfather, Mrs. Dinsmore and
Eosie have yielded to our persuasions and have
retired."
"And you and papa?"
" Can easily stand the loss of one night's sleep,
but may, perhaps, get an hour or so of repose upon
the sofas. But we will keep a constant watch till
sunrise. Arthur and Horace are going up to the
226 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
observatory again, while the rest of us will pace the
veranda by turns."
Morning found the Ion mansion wearing much
the appearance of a recently besieged fortress. How
many of the Klan had lost their lives it was im
possible to tell, but probably only a small number,
as the aim of the party of defence had been, by
mutual agreement, to disable and not to slay; but
'it was thought the assailants had suffered a suffi
ciently severe punishment to deter them from a
renewal of the attack. Also Mr. Lilburn's pursuit,
keeping up the delusion that troops were at hand,
had greatly frightened and demoralized them. So
the barricades were presently taken down, and
gradually the dwelling and its surroundings re
sumed their usual aspect of neatness, order, and
elegance.
All the friends remained to breakfast, but their
presence did not exclude the children from the
table.
While the guests were being helped, there was a
momentary silence, broken by a faint squeal that
Beemed to come from under Elsie's plate.
" Mousie at de table! " cried Harold; then " Oh,
me dot a bird! " as the notes of a canary came from
underneath his plate.
"Pick up your plates and let us see the mouse
and the bird," said their papa, smiling.
They obeyed.
"Ah, I knew there was nothing there," said Ed-
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 227
die, laughing and looking at Cousin Eonald, while
Harold, gazing at the table-cloth in disappointed
surprise, cried, "Ah, it's gone! it must have flewed
away."
Calhoun Conly, knowing nothing, but suspecting
a great deal, and full of anxiety, repaired to Ion
directly after breakfast. Blood-stains on the ground
without and within the gate, and here and there
along the avenue as he rode up to the house, con
firmed his surmise that his friends had been at
tacked by the Ku Klux the previous night. He
found them all in the library talking the matter
over.
" Ah, sir! like a brave man and a true friend, you
come when the fight is over," was his grandfather's
sarcastic greeting.
" It was my misfortune, sir, to be unable in this
instance to follow my inclination," returned the
young man, coloring to the very roots of his hair
with mortification. " But " glancing around the
circle " Heaven be thanked that I find you all un
hurt," he added, with a sigh that told that a great
load had been taken from his heart. " May I hear
the story? I see the men are tearing down a breast
work, and I suppose the attacking party must have
been a large one."
" Not too large, however, for us to beat back and
defeat without your assistance," growled his grand
father.
" Ah, grandpa, he would have helped if he could,"
228 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
said Mrs. Travilla. " Sit down, Cal, we are very
glad to see you."
His uncle and Travilla joined in the assurance,
but Horace and Arthur regarded him rather coldly,
and "Cousin Ronald" thought he deserved some
slight punishment.
As he attempted to take the offered seat
" Squeal! squeal! squeal!" came from his coat-
pocket, causing him to start and redden again, with
renewed embarrassment.
"Oh, Cousin Cal! has you dot a wee little piggie
in your pocket? Let me see him," cried Harold,
running up and trying to get a peep at it; then
starting back with a cry of alarm at a sudden loud
barking, as of an infuriated dog, at Calhoun's heels.
Bruno came bounding in with an answering bark;
Calhoun, thrusting his hand into his pocket with
purpose to summarily eject the pig, and at the same
time wheeling about to confront his canine antag
onist, looked utterly confounded at finding none
there, while to add to his confusion and perplexity
a bee seemed to be circling round his head, now
buzzing at one ear, now at the other.
He tried to dodge it, he put up his hand to drive
it away, then wheeled about a second time, as the
furious bark was renewed in his rear, but turned
pale and looked absolutely frightened at the dis
covery that the dog was still invisible; then red
dened again at perceiving that everybody waa
laughing.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 229
His cousin Elsie was trying to explain, but could
not make herself heard above the furious barking.
She looked imploringly at Mr. Lilburn, and it ceased
on the instant.
Calhoun dropped into a chair, and glanced in
quiringly from one to another.
His uncle answered him in a single word,
" Ventriloquism."
" Sold ! " exclaimed the youth, joining faintly in
the mirth. " Strange I did not think of that,
though how could I suppose there was a ventrilo
quist here? "
"An excellent one, is he not? You must hear
what good service he did last night," said Mr. Tra-
villa, and went on to tell the story of the attack and
defence.
Elsie and Eddie listened to the account with keen
interest. Vi, who had been devoting herself in
motherly fashion to a favorite doll, laid it aside to
hear what was said; but Harold was playing with
Bruno, who seemed hardly yet to have recovered
from his wonder at not finding the strange canine
intruder who had so roused his ire.
Harold had climbed upon his back, and with his
arms around his neck was talking to him in an
undertone. " Now, you's my horse, Bruno; let's
go ridin' like papa and Beppo."
The dog started toward the door. " With all
Bay heart, little master; which way shall we go? "
"Why, Bruno, you s'prise me! can you talk?"
230 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
cried the little fellow in great delight. "Why
didn't you begin sooner? Mamma, oh, mamma! did
you hear Bruno talk? "
Mamma smiled, and said gently, " Be quiet, son,
while papa and the rest are talking: or else take
Bruno out to the veranda."
Cousin Ronald was amusing himself with the
children. Vi's doll presently began to cry and call
upon her to be taken up, and she ran to it in sur
prised delight, till she remembered that it was
" only Cousin Eonald and not dolly at all."
But Cousin Eonald had a higher object than his
own or the children's amusement: he was trying to
divert their thoughts from the doings of the Ku
Klux, lest they should grow timid and fearful.
CHAPTER XIX.
Revenge at first though sweet,
Bitter ere long, back on itself recoils.
Milton.
GEOEGE BOYD, who was of most vindictive
temper, had laid his plans for the night of the raid
upon Ion, to wreak his vengeance, not upon Tra-
villa only, but also upon the woman on whose
clothing he had left the impress of his bloody hand.
With this in view, he went first to the kitchen
department, where, as he had learned through the
gossip of the servants, she now passed the night,
intending afterward to have a hand in the brutal
flogging to be meted out to Mr. Tra villa. He headed
the attacking party there, and it was he who re
ceived upon his person the full broadside from
Aunt Dicey's battery of soap ladles.
The pain was horrible, the scorching mass cling
ing to the flesh and burning deeper and deeper as
he was borne shrieking away in the arms of his
comrades.
" Oh, take it off! take it off! Fm burning up, I
tell you! " he yelled, as they carried him swiftly
down the avenue; but they hurried on, seemingly
unmindful of his cries, mingled though they were
with oaths and imprecations, nor paused till they
231
232 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
had reached the shelter of the woods at some littles
distance on the opposite side of the road.
" Curse yon! " he said between his clenched
teeth, as they laid him down at a foot of a tree,
"curse you! for keeping me in this agony. Help
me off with these duds. Unbutton it, quick!
quick! I'm burning up, I tell you; and my hands
are nearly as bad as my face. Oh! oh! you fiends!
do you want to murder me outright? you're bring
ing all the skin with it! " he roared, writhing in
unendurable torture, as they dragged off the dis
guise. " Oh, kill me! Bill, shoot me through the
head, and put me out of this torment, will you? "
"No, no, I daren't. Come, come, pluck up
courage, and bear it like a man."
" Bear it, indeed! I only wish you had it to bear.
I tell you it can't be borne! Water, water, for the
love of Heaven! Carry me to the river and throw
me in. My eyes are put out; they burn like balls of
fire."
" Stop that yelling, will you! " cried a voice
from a little distance, "you'll betray us. We're
whipped, and there's troops coming up too."
"Sure, Smith?"
" Yes; heard their tramp, tramp, distinctly; rum
ble of artillery too. Can't be more'n a mile off, if
that. Hurry, boys, no time to lose! Who's this
groaning at such an awful rate? What's the
matter? "
" Scalded; horribly scalded."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 233
"He aint the only one, though maybe he's the
worst. And Blake's killed outright; two or three
more, I believe; some with pretty bad pistol-shot
wounds. Tell you they made warm work for us.
There's been a traitor among us; betrayed our plans
and put 'em on their guard."
He concluded with a torrent of oaths and fearful
imprecations upon the traitor, whoever he might
be.
" Hist! " cried the one Boyd had addressed as
Bill; "hist, boys! the bugle call! they're on us.
Stop your noise, Boyd, can't you! " as the latter,
seized and borne onward again, not too gently,
yelled and roared with redoubled vigor. " Be quiet,
or you'll have 'em after us in no time."
" Shoot me through the head then: it's the only
thing that '11 help me to stop it."
Mr. Lilburn, keeping well in the shadow of the
trees, had hurried after the retreating foe, and con
cealing himself behind a clump of bushes close to
the gate, caused his bugle note to sound in their
ears, as if coming from a point some half a mile
distant.
Convinced that a detachment of United States
troops were almost upon them, those carrying the
dead and wounded dashed into the wood with their
burdens, while in hot haste the others mounted and
away, never drawing rein until they had put several
miles between them and the scene of their at
tempted outrage.
234 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Meantime those in the wood, moving as rapidly
as possible under the circumstances, were plunging
deeper and deeper into its recesses.
There was an occasional groan or half suppressed
shriek from others of the wounded, but Boyd's cries
were incessant and heart-rending, till a handker
chief was suddenly thrust into his mouth with a
muttered exclamation, " Necessity knows no law!
it's to save your own life and liberty, as well as
ours."
At length, well-nigh spent with their exertions,
the bearers paused, resting their burdens for a
moment upon the ground, while they listened in
tently for the sounds of pursuit.
"We've baffled 'em, I think," panted Bill. "I
don't hear no more of that tramp, tramp; and
the bugle's stopped too."
" That's so, and I reckon we're pretty safe now,"
returned another voice. " But what's to be done
with these fellows? where'll we take 'em?"
" To Rood's still-house," was the answer. " It's
about half a mile further on, and deep in the woods.
And I say you, Tom Arnold, pull off your disguise
and go after Dr. Savage as fast as you can. Tell
him to come to the still-house on the fleetest horse
he can get hold of; and bring along everything
necessary to dress scalds and pistol-shot wounds.
Say there's no time to lose, or Boyd '11 die on our
hands. Now up with your load, boys, and on
again."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 235
The voice had a tone of command., and the orders
were instantly obeyed.
The still-house was an old, dilapidated frame
building, whose rude accommodations differed
widely from those to which, save during his army
life, Boyd had been accustomed from infancy.
; They carried him in, and laid him down upon a
rough pallet of straw, furnished with coarse cotton
sheets and an army blanket or two, not over-clean.
But in his dire extremity of pain he heeded
naught of this, and his blinded eyes could not see
the bare rafters overhead, the filthy uncarpeted
floor, the few broken chairs and rude board seats,
or the little unpainted pine table, with its bit of
flickering, flaming tallow-candle stuck in an old
bottle.
His comrades did what they could for his relief;
but it was not much, and their clumsy handling
was exquisite torture to the raw, quivering flesh,
and his entreaties that they would put him out of
his misery at once, by sending a bullet through his
brain, were piteous to hear. They had taken his
arms from him, or he would have destroyed himself.
The room was filled with doleful sounds the
groans and sighs of men in sore pain, but his rose
above all others.
Dr. Savage arrived at length, but half drunk, and,
an unskilful surgeon at his best, made but clumsy
work with his patients on this occasion.
Yet the applications brought, in time, some slight
236 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
alleviation of even Boyd's unendurable agony; his
cries grew fainter and less frequent, till they ceased
altogether, and like the other wounded, he relieved
himself only with an occasional moan or groan.
The doctor had finished his task, and lay in a
drunken sleep on the floor. The uninjured raiders
had followed his example, the candle had burned
itself out, and all was darkness and silence, save the
low, fitful sounds of suffering.
To Boyd sleep was impossible, the pain of his
burns being still very great; especially in his eyes,
the injury to which he feared must result in total
blindness. How could he bear it? he asked himself,
to go groping his way through life in utter dark
ness? Horrible! horrible! he would not endure it;
they had put the means of self-destruction out of
his way now, but on the first opportunity to get
hold of a pistol he would blow his own brains out,
and be done with this agony. The Bible was a
fable; death an eternal sleep; he had been saying
it for years, till he thought his belief or more cor
rectly unbelief firmly fixed: but now the early
teachings of a pious mother came back to him, and
he trembled with the fear that they might be true.
" It is appointed unto men once to die, but after
that the judgment." "Every one of us shall give
an account of himself to God." " These shall go
away into everlasting punishment." "Where the
worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." Fire,
fire! oh, how unendurable he had found it! dare he
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 237
risk its torment throughout the endless ages of
eternity? Self-destruction might be but a plunge
into deeper depths of anguish: from which there
could be no return.
For days and weeks he lay in his miserable hid
ing-place almost untended save for the doctor's
visits and the bringing of his meals by one or
another of his confederates, who would feed him,
with a rough sort of kindness, then go away again,
leaving him to the solitary companionship of his
own bitter thoughts.
He longed for the pleasant society and gentle
ministrations of his aunt, and he knew that if sent
for she would come to him, and that his secret
Would be safe with her; but, alas, how could he bear
that she should know of his crime and its punish
ment? She who had so earnestly besought him
to forsake his evil ways, and live in peace and love
with all men: she who had warned him again and
again that " the way of transgressors is hard," and
that " though hand join in hand, the wicked shall
not be unpunished." She who had loved, cared for,
and watched over him with almost a mother's un
dying, unalterable tenderness and devotion.
How ungrateful she would deem his repeated
attempt against the home and husband of one whom
she loved as her own child. She would not reprove
him, she would not betray him, but he would know
that in her secret heart she condemned him as a
guilty wretch, a disgrace to her and all his relatives;
238 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
and that would be worse, far worse, to his prond
spirit than the dreary loneliness of his present con
dition and the lack of the bodily comforts she
would provide.
No, he would bear his bitter fate as best ho
might, and though he had proved the truth of her
warning words, she should never know it, if he could
keep it from her.
Troops had arrived in the neighborhood the day
after the raid on Ion; so to Boyd's other causes of
distress was added the constant fear of detection
and apprehension. This was one reason why the
visits of his confreres were few and short.
The Klan was said to have disbanded and out
rages had ceased, but an investigation was going
on and search being made for the guilty parties;
also United States revenue officers were known to
be in quest of illicit distilleries, to which class this
one of Hood's belonged.
"What's the news?" asked Boyd one morning,
while Savage was engaged in dressing his hurts.
^ " Very bad; you'll have to get out of this at once,
if you don't want to be nabbed. A jail might be
.more comfortable in some respects, eh, old boy? but
I fi'pose you prefer liberty.
" ' Better to sit in Freedom's hall,
With a cold damp floor, and a moulding wall,
Then to bend the neck or to bow the knee
In the proudest palace of Slavery.'
Fine eentiment, eh, Boyd?"
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 239
The doctor was just drunk enough to spout
poetry without knowing or caring whether it was
exactly apropos or not.
"Very fine, though not quite to the point, it
strikes me," answered Boyd, wincing under the not
too gentle touch of the inebriate's shaking hand.
" But how am I to get out of this blind and nearly
helpless as I am? "
" Well, sir, we've planned it all for you never
forsake a brother in distress, you know. There's
a warrant out for Bill Dobbs, and he has to ske
daddle too. He starts for Texas to-night, and will
take charge of you."
Savage went on to give the details of the plan,
then left with a promise to return at nightfall. He
did so, bringing Dobbs and Smith with him. Boyd's
wounds were attended to again, Dobbs looking on
to learn the modus operandi; then the invalid, aided
by Smith on one side and Dobbs on the other, was
conducted to an opening in the woods, where a horse
and wagon stood in readiness, placed in it, Dobbs
taking a seat by his side and supporting him with his
arm, and driven a few miles along an unfrequented
road to a little country station, where they took the
night train going south.
The conductor asked no questions; merely ex
changed glances with Dobbs, and seeing him appar
ently in search of a pin in the inside of his coat,
opened his own and handed him one, then pasaed
on through the car.
240 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Boyd was missed from the breakfast-table at Ash-
lands on the morning after the raid upon Ion. His
aunt sent a servant to his room to see if he had
overslept himself.
The man returned with the report that "Marse
George " was not there, and that his bed had cer
tainly not been occupied during the night.
Still, as his movements were at all times rather
uncertain, and the ladies, having had no communi
cation with the Oaks or Ion on the previous day,
were in ignorance of all that had transpired there,
his absence occasioned them no particular anxiety
or alarm. The meal went on, enlivened by cheerful
chat.
" Mamma," said Herbert, " it's a lovely morning:
do give us a holiday and let's drive over to the Oaks;
we haven't seen Aunt Rose and the rest for ever so
long."
The other children joined in the petition:
grandma put in a word of approval, and mamma
finally consented, if the truth were told nothing
loath to give, or to share the treat.
The carriage was ordered at once, and they set
out shortly after leaving the table.
Arrived at their destination, they found Mre.
Murray on the veranda, looking out with an eager,
anxious face.
"Ah! "she said, coming forward as the ladies
alighted, "I didna expect my sight is no so keen
as in my younger days, and I thocht till this moment
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 241
'twas Mr. Dinsmore's carriage, bringing them hame
again after their dreadfu' nicht at Ion."
Both ladies turned pale, and old Mrs. Carrington
leaned heavily upon her daughter-in-law for sup
port. Her lips moved, but no sound came from
them, and she gasped for breath.
"Oh, tell us!" cried Sophie, "what, what has
happened? "
The children, too, were putting the same question.
in varying tones and words.
" The Ku Klux," faltered the housekeeper. " An'
ye hadna heard aboot it, my leddies ? "
"No, no, not a word," exclaimed Sophie; "but
see, my mother is fainting. Help me to carry her
into the house."
"No, 110, I can walk: I am better now, thank
you," said Mrs. Carrington, in low, faltering tones.
"Just give me the support of your arm, Mrs.
Murray."
They led her in between them, and laid her on a
sofa.
" And that's where George was ! " she sighed,
closing her eyes wearily. Then half starting up,
"Tell me, oh, tell me, was was Mr. Travilla
injured? "
"No, my leddy, he had been warned, and was
ready for them."
"Thank God! thank God!" came faintly from
the white quivering lips, as she sank back upon her
pillow again, and two great tears, stealing from be-
242 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
neath the closed eyelids, rolled slowly down the
furrowed cheeks.
"You have heard the particulars then?" said
Sophie, addressing the housekeeper. " And my
brother and sister were there?"
" Yes, ma'am, and Master Horace, and Miss Rosie
too. Yes; and some of the men-servants. Mr. Dins-
more's man, John, was one o' them, and he's come
back, and frae him I learned a' was richt with our
friends."
" Oh, call him in and let me hear all he can tell! "
entreated the old lady.
The request was immediately complied with, and
John gave a graphic and, in the main, correct ac
count of the whole affair.
His tale was to all his auditors one of intense,
thrilling, painful interest. They lost not a word,
and when he had finished his story the old lady
cross-questioned him closely. " Did he know who
had warned Mr. Travilla? were any of the raiders
recognized? "
Both of these questions John answered in the
rnegative. " At least," he corrected himself, " he
had not heard that any one was recognized: they
were all completely disguised, and they had carried
away their dead and wounded; both the shot and
the scalded."
At that moment Mr. Dinsmore's family carriage
diove up, and John bowed and retired.
There were tearful embraces between the sisters
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 243
and other relatives, and between Eose and the elder
Mrs. Carrington.
"I feel as if you had been in terrible danger,"
said Sophie, wiping her eyes. " John has just been
telling us all about it. What a, mercy that Mr.
Tra villa was warned in time! "
"By whom, Horace if it be not an improper
question?" asked the old lady, turning to Mr.
Dinsmore.
" By a detective, Mrs. Carrington, who was se
cretly present at their meeting, and heard all the
arrangements."
" He then knew who were the members appointed
to be of the attacking party? "
Mr. Dinsmore bowed assent.
" Was George one? "
" My dear madam, I did not see the detective; but
their raids are usually made by men coming from
a distance."
"You are evading my question. I implore you
to tell me all you know. George did not come
down to breakfast; had evidently not occupied his
bed last night, and this seems to explain his absence.
I know, too, that he has bitterly hated Travilla
since since his arrest and imprisonment. Will you
not tell me? Any certainty is to be preferred to
this this horrible suspense. I would know the
worst."
Thus adjured Mr. Binsmore told her George had
been appointed one of the party, but that he could
244 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
not say that he was actually there. Also he sup
pressed the fact that the appointment had been by
George's own request.
She received the communication in silence, but
the anguish in her face told that she felt little doubt
of her nephew's guilt. And as days and weeks
rolled on, bringing no news of him, her suspicions
settled into a sad certainty; with the added sorrow
ful doubt whether he were living or dead.
CHAPTER XX.
Before
We end our pilgrimage, 'tis fie that we
Hhould leave corruption and foul sin behind us.
But with washed feet and hands, the heathen dared not
Enter their profane temples; and for me
To hope my passage to eternity
Can be made easy, till I have shook off
The burthen of my sins in free confession,
Aided with sorrow and repentance for them,
Is against reason.
IT began to be noticed that Wilkins Foster also
had disappeared. It was said that he had not been
seen since the raid upon Fairview, and the general
supposition was that he had taken part in the out
rage, received a wound in the affray and, on the
advent of the troops, had fled the country.
His mother and sisters led a very retired life,
seldom going from home except to attend church,
and even there they had been frequently missing of
late.
Elsie had been much engaged in efforts to com
fort her old friend, Mrs. Carrington, and to enter
tain Mr. Lil<burn, who was still at Ion; little excur
sions to points of interest in the vicinity and visits
to the plantations of the different families of the
connection, who vied with each other in doing him
245
246 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
honor, filled up the time to the exclusion of almost
everything else, except the home duties which she
would never allow herself to neglect.
Baskets of fruit and game, accompanied by kind'
messages, had found their way now and again from
Ion to the cottage home of the Fosters, but weeks
had passed since the sweet face of Ion's mistress
had been seen within its walls.
Elsie's tender conscience reproached her for this,
when after an absence of several Sabbaths Mrs.
Foster again occupied her pew in the church, of
which both were members.
The poor lady was clad in rusty black, seemed to
be aging fast; and the pale, thin face had a weary,
heart-broken expression that brought the tears to
Elsie's eyes.
When the service closed she took pains to inter
cept Mrs. Foster, who was trying to slip away un
noticed, and taking her hand in a warm clasp, kindly
inquired concerning the health of herself and
family.
" About as usual, Mrs. Travilla," was the reply.
"I am glad to hear it. I feared you were ill.
You are looking weary; and no wonder after your
long walk. You must let us take you home. There
is plenty of room in the carriage, as the gentlemen
came on horseback; and it will be a real pleasure
to me to have your company."
The sincere, earnest, kindly tone and manner
quite disarmed the pride of the fallen gentlewoman,
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 247
and a momentary glow of grateful pleasure lighted
up her sad face.
" But it will take you fully a mile out of your
way/' she said, hesitating to accept the proffered
kindness.
" Ah, that is no objection; it is so lovely a day for
a drive," said Elsie, leading the way to the carriage.
" This seems like a return of the good old times
before the war! " sighed Mrs. Foster, leaning back
upon the softly cushioned seat, as they bowled
rapidly along. " Ah. Mrs. Travilla, if we could but
have been content to let well enough alone! I have
grown weary, inexpressibly weary, of all this hate,
bitterness, and contention; and the poverty
Ah, well, I will not complain! " and she closed her
lips resolutely.
"It was a sad mistake," Elsie answered, echoing
the sigh, " and it will take many years to recover
from it."
" Yes, I shall not live to see it."
" Nor I, perhaps; not here, but yonder in the
better land," Elsie answered, with a smile of hope
and gladness.
Mrs. Foster nodded assent; her heart too full for
utterance, nor did she speak again till the carriage
drew up before her own door.
Then repeating her thanks, " You have not been
here for a long time, Mrs. Travilla," she said; "I
know I have not returned your calls, but " She
paused, seemingly again overcome with emotion.
248 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"Ah, that shall not keep me away, if you wish
me to come/' returned Elsie.
" We would be very glad; hardly any one else so
welcome/'
"I fear I have neglected you, but shall try to
come soon. And shall be pleased at any time to see
you at Ion," Elsie answered as the carriage drove
on.
A day or two afterward she fulfilled her promise,
and was admitted by Annie, the eldest daughter.
She, too, looked pale and careworn, and had evi
dently been weeping.
" Oh, Mrs. Travilla ! " she exclaimed, and burst
into a fresh flood of tears.
Elsie, her own eyes filling with sympathetic
drops, put her arm about her, whispering, " My poor
dear child! what can I do to comfort you? "
" Nothing! nothing! " sobbed the girl, resting her
head for a moment on Elsie's shoulder; "but come
into the parlor, dear Mrs. Travilla, and let me call
mamma."
"Ah, stay a moment," Elsie said, detaining her,
" are you sure, quite sure, that I can do nothing to
help you?"
Annie shook her head. " This trouble is beyond
human help. Yes, yes, you can pray for us, and
for him."
The last words were almost inaudible from emo
tion, and she hurried away, leaving the guest sole
Occupant of the room.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 249
Involuntarily Elsie glanced about her,, and a pang
went to her heart as she noticed that every article
of luxury, almost of comfort, had disappeared; the
pictures were gone from the walls, the pretty orna
ments from mantel and centre-table; coarse cheap
matting covered the floor in lieu of the costly carpet
of other days, and rose-wood and damask had given
place to cottage furniture of the simplest and most
inexpensive kind.
" How they must feel the change! " she thought
within herself; "and yet, perhaps, not just now;
these minor trials are probably swallowed up in a
greater one."
Mrs. Foster came in looking shabbier and more
keart-broken than at their last interview.
" My dear Mrs. Travilla, this is kind! " she said,
making a strong effort to speak with composure,
but failing utterly as she met the tender sympa
thizing look in the sweet soft eyes of her visitor.
Elsie put her arm about her and wept with her.
"Some one is ill, I fear?" she said at length.
" Yes my son. Oh, Mrs. Travilla, I am going to
5ose him!" and she was well-nigh convulsed with
bitter, choking sobs.
" While there is life there is hope," whispered
Elsie; "who can say what God may do for us in
answer to our prayers?"
The mother shook her head in sad hopelessness.
" The doctor has given him up; says nothing
more can be done."
250 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Dr. Barton?"
" No, no, Savage. Oh, if we could but have had
Barton at first, the result might have been different.
I have no confidence in Savage, even when sober,
and he's drunk nearly all the time now."
" Oh, then things may not be so bad as he repre
sents them. Let me send over for Dr. Barton at
once."
" Thank you, but I must ask Wilkins first. He
was wounded some weeks ago; injured internally,
and has been suffering agonies of pain ever since.
I wanted Dr. Barton sent for at once, but he would
not hear of it, said the risk was too great, and he
must trust to Savage. But now " She paused,
overcome with grief.
"But now the greater risk is in doing without
him," suggested Elsie. "May I not send immedi
ately? "
"Excuse me one moment, and I will ask," the
mother eaid, leaving the room.
She returned shortly to say that Wilkins had con
sented that Dr. Barton should be summoned, and ac
cepted Mrs. Travilla's kind offer with thanks.
Elsie at once sent her servant and carriage upon
the errand, and meanwhile engaged in conversa
tion with her hostess. It was principally an ac
count by the latter of her son's illness.
His sufferings, she said, had been intense: at first
borne with fierce impatience and muttered impre
cations upon the hand that had inflicted the wound.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 251
He had likened himself to a caged tiger, so unbear
able was the confinement to him almost more so
than the torturing pain but of late a great change
had come over him; he had grown quiet and sub
missive, and the bitter hate seemed to have died
out of his heart.
" As it has out of mine, I hope," continued the
mother, the big tears rolling down her cheeks. " I
am now sensible that the feelings I have indulged
against some persons the Lelands principally
were most unchristian, and I hope the Lord has
helped me to put them away. It has been hard for
us to see strangers occupying our dear old home;
and yet it was certainly no fault of theirs that we
were compelled to give it up."
" That is all true," Elsie said; " I think I can
understand both your feelings and theirs, but they
are dear good Christian people, and I assure you
bear you no ill-will."
"Ah, is that so? I am told Leland has not
really gone North, as was supposed, but has re
turned to the plantation since since the coming
of the troops."
" He has, and is nearly recovered from his
wound."
"He was wounded, then?"
" Yes, pretty badly."
" And was in hiding somewhere; and his wife
staying on alone with her children and servants?
I wonder she had the courage."
452 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
'" She put her trust in the Lord, as I believe botft
you and I do, my dear Mrs. Foster; and he has not
failed her."
Mrs. Foster mused sadly for a moment. " I have
felt hard to her," she murmured at length, in low,
trembling tones; " and she a Christian, whom I
should love for the Master's sake, and it was quite
natural for her to defend her husband and chil
dren. I should have done the same for mine."
She had not mentioned when or where Wilkins
had received his wound, but Elsie knew now that it
was at Fairview, and that Mrs. Leland's or Archie's
hand had sped the bullet that had done such fearful
work.
Dr. Barton came; Mrs. Foster went with him to
the sick-room, and Elsie lingered, anxious to hear
his opinion of the case.
But Annie came hurrying in with her tear-swollen,
face. "Dear Mrs. Travilla, won't you come too?"
she sobbed. "Mamma will be so glad; and and
Wilkins begs you will come."
Elsie rose and put her arm about the waist of the
weeping girl. " I will gladly do all I can for him,
your mamma, or any of you," she whispered.
There was no want of comfort or luxury in the
sick-room. Mother and sisters had sacrificed every
such thing to this idol of their hearts, this only son.
and brother. He lay propped up with pillows, his
face pale as that of a corpse, and breathing witb,
great difficulty.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 253
Dr. Barton sat at the bedside, with his finger on.
the patient's pulse, while he asked a few brief ques
tions, then relapsed into a thoughtful silence.
All eyes were turned upon him with intense
anxiety, waiting in almost breathless suspense for
his verdict; but his countenance betrayed nothing.
" Oh, doctor! " sighed the mother at length,
"have you no word of hope to speak?"
" Let us have none of false hope, doctor," gasped
the sufferer, " I would know the worst."
" My poor lad," said the kind-hearted old physi
cian, in tender, fatherly tones, " I will not deceive
you. Whatever preparation you have to make for
your last long journey, let it be made at once."
With a burst of uncontrollable anguish the
mother and sisters fell upon their knees at the
bedside.
"How long doctor?" faltered the sick man.
" You will hardly see the rising of another sun."
The low, gently-spoken words pierced more than
one heart as with a dagger's point.
" Was this wound mortal in the first
place?" asked Wilkins.
" I think not, if it had had prompt and proper
attention. But that is a question of little impor
tance now you are beyond human skill. Is there
anything in which I can assist you? "
; " Yes yes yes pray for my guilty soul."
It was no new thing for Dr. Barton to do: an
earnest Christian, he ministered to the souls as welj
254 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
as the bodies of his patients. He knelt and offeree?
up a fervent prayer for the dying one, that repent
ance and remission of sins might be given him, that
he might have a saving faith in the Lord Jesus,
and, trusting only in his imputed righteousness, be
granted an abundant entrance into his kingdom and
glory.
" Thanks doctor," gasped Wilkins. "I I've
been a bad man; a very bad, wicked man; can
there be any hope for me?"
" ' Whosoever will, let him take the water of life
Jreely.' ' Him that eometh imto me I will in no
wise cast out.'*
"Isn't it too late?" The hollow eyes gazed
despairingly into the doctor's face.
"'Whosoever will': you may come if you will;
so long as death has not fixed your eternal state."
"I will! Lord, help save me? me a poor lost
vile helpless sinner! " he cried, lifting his eyes
and clasped hands to* heaven, while great tears
coursed down his sunken cheeks. " I cast myself
at thy feet; oh, pardon, save me or I am lost
lost forever."
The eyes closed, the hands dropped, and for a
moment they thought he had passed away with that
agonized cry for mercy and forgiveness; but a deep
sigh heaved his breast, his Mps moved, and his
mother bent over him to catch the words:
"LeJand; send for him."
With streaming eyes she turned to Elsie and re-
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 255
peated the words, adding, " Do you think he would
come?"
" I am quite sure of it. I will go for him at once."
The white lips were moving again.
The mother explained, amid her choking sobs:
" He says the wife too, and and your husband and
father. Oh, will they come? Tell them my boy is
dying, and would go at peace with all the world."
" I will; and they will come," Elsie answered,
weeping, and hurried away.
She drove directly to Fairview, and was so fortu
nate as to find her husband and father there con
versing with Mr. and Mrs. Leland.
Her sad story was quickly told, and listened to by
all with deep commiseration for the impoverished
and afflicted family.
" You will not refuse the poor dying man's re
quest, papa? Edward?" she said in conclusion.
" Certainly not ! " they answered, speaking both
together, " we will set out immediately. And you,
Leland?"
" Will gladly accompany you. I bear the poor
man no malice, and would rejoice to do him any
good in my power. What do you say, Mary?"
She looked at him a little anxiously. " Is it quite
safe for you? "
" Quite, I think," he replied, appealing to the
other gentlemen for their opinion.
They agreed with him, Mr. Dinsmore adding, " I
have no doubt the man is sincere; and I have still
256 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
more confidence in his mother, whom I have long
looked upon as a truly Christian woman."
"Besides," remarked Mr. Travilla, "the Ku
Klux would hardly dare venture an outrage now.
The most desperate have fled the country, and the
rest stand in wholesome awe of the troops."
" I am quite, quite sure there is no risk in going,"
said Elsie earnestly; "but whatever is done must
be done quickly, for Wilkins is evidently very near
his end; may, perhaps, expire before we arrive, even,
though we make all haste."
At that there was a general, hurried movement,
and in less time than it takes to tell it, they were
on their way; Mrs. Leland in the carriage with Elsie,
and the gentlemen on horseback.
Under the influence of restoratives administered
by Dr. Barton, great apparent improvement had
taken place in Wilkins' condition; he was in lees
pain, breathed more freely, and spoke with less
difficulty.
At sight of his visitors his pale face flushed
slightly, and an expression of regret and morti
fication swept over his features.
" Thank you all for coming, " he said feebly.
" Please be seated. I am at the very brink of the
grave, and and I would go at peace with all men.
I I've hated you every one. And you Leland, I
would have killed if I could. It was in the attempt
to do so that I received my own death wound at
the hands of your wife."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Mrs. Leland started, trembled., and" burst into
tears. That part of the story Elsie had omitted,
and she now heard it for the first time.
"Don't be disturbed/' he said; "you were
doing right in defending yourself,, husband, and
children."
" Yes, yes," she sobbed, " but, oh, I would save
you now if I could! Can nothing be done? "
He shook his head sadly. " Will you, can you,
all forgive me? " he asked in tones so faint and low
that only the death-like silence of the room made
the words audible.
" With all my heart, my poor fellow, as I hope to
be forgiven my infinitely greater debt to my Lord,'*
Mr. Leland answered with emotion, taking the
wasted hand, and clasping it warmly in his.
Foster was deeply touched. " God bless you for
the words," he whispered. "How I've been mis
taken in you, sir! "
His eyes sought the faces of Dinsmore and Tra-
villa, and drawing near the bed, each took his hand
in turn, and gave him the same assurance he had
already received from Leland.
Then the last named said, "I ask your forgiveness,
Foster, for any exasperating word I may have
spoken, or anything else I have done to rouse un
kind feelings toward me."
In reply, the dying man pressed Leland's hand in
moved silence.
Mrs. Leland rose impetuously, and dropped on
258 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
her knees at the bedside. " And me! " she cried,
with a gush of tears, " will you forgive me your
death? I cannot bear to think it was my work, even
though done in lawful self-defence, and to save my
dear ones."
"It is all right between us," he murmured,
and relapsed into unconsciousness.
" We are too many here," said the physician, dis
missing all but the mother.
Elsie remained in an adjoining room, trying to
comfort the sisters, while Mrs. Leland and the
gentlemen repaired to the veranda, where they
found Mr. Wood, who had just arrived, having been
sent for to converse and pray with the dying man.
" How does he seem? " he asked. " Can I go at
once to the room? "
"Not now; he is unconscious," said Mr. Dins-
more, and went on describe Foster's condition,
mental, moral, and physical, as evidenced in his in
terview with them and the earlier one with Dr.
Barton; of which Elsie had given them an account.
"Ah, God grant he may indeed find mercy, and
be enabled to lay hold upon Christ to the saving
of his soul, even at this eleventh hour! " ejaculated
the pastor. " A death-bed repentance is poor
ground for hope. I have seen many of them in my
fifty years' ministry, but of all those who recovered
from what had seemed mortal illness but one held
fast to his profession.
"The others all went back to their former evil
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 259
ways, showing conclusively that they had been self-
deceived, and theirs but the hope of the hypocrite,
which ' shall perish: whose hope shall be cut off,
and whose trust shall be a spider's web.'
" Yet with our God all things are possible, and
the invitation is to all who are yet on praying
ground; ' Whosoever will/ ' :
At this moment Elsie glided into their midst, and
putting her hand into that of her pastor, said in
low, tearful tones, " I am so glad you have come!
He is conscious again, and asking for you."
He went with her to the bedside.
The glazing eyes grew bright for an instant.
"You have come: oh, tell me what I must do
to be saved! "
" I can only point you to ' the Lamb of God that
taketh way the sin of the world,' " returned the
pastor, deeply moved: " only repeat his invitation,
' Look unto me, and be ye saved all ye ends of the
earth.' "
" I am trying trying," came faintly from the
pale lips, while the hands moved slowly, feebly,
from side to side, as if groping in the dark, " Lord
save "
A deep hush filled the room, broken presently by
the mother's wail as she fell on her knees at the bed
side, and taking the cold hand in hers, covered it
with kisses and tears.
With the last word the spirit had taken its flight;
to him time should be no longer, eternity had begun.
260 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Few and evil had been his days; he was not yel
thirty, and, possessed of a fine constitution and
vigorous health, had every prospect of long life had
he been content to live at peace with his fellow-
men; but by violent dealing, he had passed away in
the midst of his years.
" Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half
their days/' " The wages of sin is death."
CHAPTER XXI.
Kindness has resistless charms.
Rochester.
THBOUGH all the trying scenes that followed,
Elsie was with the Fosters, giving aid and comfort,
such as the tenderest sympathy and most delicate
kindness could give. She and her husband and
father took upon themselves all the care and trouble
of the arrangements for the funeral, quietly settled
the bills, and afterward sent them, receipted, to
Mrs. Foster.
Wilkins had been the chief support of the
family, the ladies earning a mere pittance by the
use of the needle and sewing-machine. Nothing had
been laid by for a rainy day, and the expenses of his
illness had to be met by the sale of the few articles
of value left from the wreck of their fortunes. And
now, but for the timely aid of these kind friends,
absolute want had stared them in the face.
They made neither complaint nor parade of their
poverty, but it was unavoidable that Elsie should
learn much of it at this time, and her heart ached
for them in this accumulation of trials.
The girls were educated and accomplished, but
shrank with timidity and sensitive pride from exert
ing themselves to push their way in the world.
861
262 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"I think they could teach," Mrs. Foster said to
Elsie, who, calling the day after the funeral, had
with delicate tact made known her desire to assist
them in obtaining some employment more lucrative
and better adapted to their tastes and social posi
tion; "I think they have the necessary education
and ability, and I know the will to earn an honest
livelihood is not lacking; but where are pupils to
be found?"
"Are you willing to leave that to Mr. Travilla
and me? " asked Elsie, with gentle kindliness.
" Ah, you are too good, too kind," said Mrs. Fos
ter, weeping.
" No, no, my dear friend," returned Elsie; " does
not the Master say, 'This is my commandment,
That ye love one another, as I have loved you?'
Now tell me what sort of situations they would like,
and what branches they feel competent to teach."
" Annie is a good musician and draws well. She
would be glad, indeed, to get a class of pupils in,
the neighborhood to whom she might give lessons,
here or at their homes, in drawing, and on the piano
and harp. Lucinda thinks she could teach the Eng
lish branches, the higher mathematics, and French.
"But, indeed, my dear Mrs. Travilla, they will
be thankful for anything especially if it does not
take them away from me."
"We will see what can be done my husband,
papa, and I," Elsie said, rising to take leave. " And
do not be anxious; remember those precious words,
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 263
* Casting all your care on him, for he careth foi
yon.' "
"Do not go yet!" entreated Mrs. Foster., taking
and holding fast the hand held out to her, " if you
only knew what a comfort your presence is. Ah,
dear, kind friend, God has made you a daughter of
consolation to his bereaved, afflicted ones ! "
Elsie's eyes filled. " It is what I have prayed
that he would do for me," she whispered. " But I
think I must go now: my husband was to call for me,
and I see him at the gate."
Elsie repeated the conversation to her husband
as they rode homeward, and consulted him in regard
to a plan which had occurred to her.
He approved, and instead of stopping at Ion they
rode on to Eoselands.
Arrived there, Mr. Travilla joined the gentlemen
in the library, while Elsie sought her aunts in the
pretty parlor usually occupied by them when not
entertaining company.
After a little desultory chat on ordinary topics,
t Bhe spoke of the Fosters, their indigent circum
stances, and her desire to find employment for the
girls in teaching.
" Always concerning yourself in other people's
business," remarked Enna. "Why don't you do
like the rest of us, and leave them to mind their
own affairs?"
"Because I see that they need help, and we are
told, ' Look not every man on his own things, but
264 ELSIE'S HOTH&RHOOD.
every man also on the things of others.' And again,
'As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good
unto all men, especially unto them who are of the
household of faith/
" I heard you, not long since, Aunt Louise, wish
ing you could afford a day governess, and knew of a
suitable person. Would you would you be willing
to employ one at my expense, and give the situation
to Lucinda Foster? "
" And let her give it out among our acquaintance
that you were paying for the education of my chil
dren!" exclaimed Louise, coloring angrily. "No,
I thank you."
"Not at all; she need know nothing of the
arrangement except that you employ her to instruct
your children, and pay her for it. You and Enna,
if she will accept the same from me, for herself."
" Dear me," exclaimed Enna, " how you're always
spending money on strangers, when your own rela
tions could find plenty of use for it! "
Elsie smiled slightly at this peculiar view taken
of her generous offer, but only added, " I would, if
you would accept "
" I'm no object of charity," interrupted Louise.
" Certainly not," Elsie said, coloring, " yet why
should you object to giving so near a relative the
pleasure of But in this instance, 'tis I who
am asking a favor of you. I want to help the Fos
ters, and cannot do so directly, without wounding
their honest pride of indepedence."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 265
"You will, of course, employ Lucinda to teacli
your own ? "
" No, I am not in want of a governess. Would
you like to have Anna give lessons to your girls
in music and drawing? "
"Is she to teach yours?" asked Enna.
" No; M. Reboul has them under his instruction,
and as he gives entire satisfaction, I could not feel
right to turn him away."
"H'm! teachers that are not good enough for
your children, are not good enough for ours."
" If I were in want of teachers, I should employ
the Misses Foster," was Elsie's quiet reply.
Nothing more was said for a moment; then, rising
to go, " I am then to consider my proposition de
clined ? " she remarked inquiringly.
" Well, no, since you put it on the ground of a
favor to yourself, I should he sorry to refuse to
gratify you," said Louise.
" Thank you. And you, Enna? "
" She can teach mine if she wants to, and if I
could afford it, Annie should give music lessons to
Molly drawing too; but if I can't, I can't."
" It need he no expense to you," said Elsie.
" Very well then, you can engage her and fix the
terms to suit yourself."
" Thank you; I shall enjoy their pleasure in hear
ing that they have PL many pupils already secured."
Elsie's benevolent kindness did not stop here; she
called on a number of families in the vicinity, and
266 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
succeeded m obtaining almost as many pupils for
the girls as they could well attend to.
Then another difficulty arose: the distances were
too great for the young ladies to traverse on foot,
and they had no means of conveyance.
But this was obviated for the present by giving
them the use of Prince and Princess, either with or
without the phaeton, during the hours of the day
that such help was needed.
The ponies were sent over to the cottage every
morning, after the children had had their ride, by
an Ion servant, who returned for them later.
Ik'rs. Leland heard of her friend's efforts, and
going over to Ion, asked, " Why did you not call on
me? my children need instruction."
"I hardly liked to ask it of you."
" And I feel a delicacy about proposing the thing
to the Fosters, but I would be very glad to help
them; and if you can learn that they would not
mind coming to Fairview for the sake of several
more scholars, I authorize you to make the engage
ment for me."
Elsie undertook the errand, and did it so well that
the Fosters were deeply touched by this kindness on
the part of one they had once hated and reviled,
and whose husband their brother had tried to kill.
The offer was gratefully accepted, the young Le-
lands became the pupils of thesu former foes, little
courtesies and kind offices were exchanged, and in
the end warm friendship took the place of enmity.
CHAPTEE XXII.
The mother in her office holds the key
Of the soul; and she it is who stamps the coin
Of character, aud makes the being who would be a savage,
But for her gentle cares, a Christian man.
Then crown her queen of the world.
Old Play.
THE families from the Oaks and Ashlands had
been spending the day at Ion.
It was late in the afternoon, and while awaiting
the call to tea they had all gathered in the drawing-
room, whose windows overlooked the avenne and
lawn on one side, on the other a very beautiful part
of the grounds, and a range of richly wooded hills
beyond.
A pause in the conversation was broken by Mr.
Travilla. "Wife," he said, turning to Elsie.
" Cousin Eonald should see Viamede: our old friend
jiere, Mrs. Carrington, needs change of scene and
climate; two good things that would not hurt any
, one present. Shall we not invite them all to go and
, spend the winter with us there? "
"Oh, yes, yes indeed! what a delightful plan!"
she cried, with youthful enthusiasm. " Ah, I hope
you will accept; the place is almost a paradise upon
?arth, and we would do all in our power to make
267
268 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
the time pass agreeably. Cousin Ronald, don't re
fuse. Papa, dear, don't try to hunt up objections."
" Ah ha! um h'm! I've not the least idea of it,
cousin," said the one.
" I am not," said the other, smiling fondly upon
her, " but must be allowed a little time to consider."
" Oh, papa, don't say so! " cried Rosie. "Mamma,
coax him quick before he has time to say it.''
" I think there's no need," laughed Rose. " Can't
you see that he is nearly as eager as the rest of us?
and how could he do a whole winter without your
sister? How could any of us, for that matter? "
" You have advanced an unanswerable argument,
my dear," said Mr. Dinsmore, " and I may as well
give consent at once."
" Thank you, mamma," said Elsie, " thank you
both. Now, if the rest of you will only be as good! *
and she glanced persuasively from one to another.
" As good! " said Sophie, smiling, " if to be ready
to accept the kindest and most delightful of invita
tions be goodness, then I am not at all inclined
to be bad. Mother, shall we not go? "
" Oh, grandma, you will not say no ? " cried the
young Carringtons, who had listened to the propo
sition with eager delight.
" No, please don't," added little Elsie, putting
her arms coaxingly about the old lady's neck.
" Mamma, papa, grandpa, and mammy all say it ia
BO lovely there, and we want you along."
" Thanks, dear, thanks to your papa and mamma
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 269
ioo," said the old lady, clasping the little girl close,
while tears filled her aged eyes; "yes, yes, I'll go;
we will all go; how could I reject such kind
ness! "
The children, from Eosie Dinsmore who would
hardly have consented to be put into that list
down to Harold Travilla, were wild with delight,
and for the rest of the evening could scarce speak
or think of anything else than Viamede and the
pleasures they hoped to enjoy there.
"Now all have spoken but you, brother mine,"
Elsie said, turning to Horace, Jr. " You surely
do not intend to reject our invitation? "
" Not entirely, sister, but papa seems to have left
the considering for me, and I've been at it. There
should be someone to look after the plantations
here, and upon whom but myself should that duty
devolve? "
" We all have good overseers."
"Yes, but there should be someone to take a
general supervision over them. I think I will go
with you, make a short visit and return if you all
like to trust me with the care of your property."
" You're welcome to take care of Ashlands,
Cousin Horace, and I'll be obliged to you too,"
spoke up young Herbert Carrington, " and so will
mother and grandma, I know."
" Indeed we will," said the old lady.
"And it will leave us quite free from care, you
good boy," added the younger.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Mr. Travilla expressed similar sentiments in'
regard to Horace's offer as it concerned Ion, and
Mr. Dinsmore was quite as willing to leave the Oaks
in his son's care.
As it was now late in the fall and no very ex
tensive preparations were needed, it was agreed that
they would start in a few days.
" We shall make a large party/' remarked Sophie,
" Are you sure, Elsie, that you will have room for
so many? "
"Abundance; the house is very large; and the
more the merrier. I wish I could persuade Aunt
Wealthy, May, and Harry to come, with their babies
too, of course. I shall write to Lansdale to-night."
" That would be a delightful addition to the
party," remarked Mr. Dinsmore; " but aunt is now
in her eightieth year, and I fear will think herself
much too old for so long a journey."
" Ah, yes, papa, but she is more active than most
women of seventy, and can go nearly all the way
by water; down the Ohio, and the Mississippi, and
along the Gulf. At all events, I shall do my best
to persuade her."
" And you are so great a favorite that your
eloquence will not be wasted, I think," said Mr.
Travilla.
He was right; the old lady could not resist the
urgent entreaties of her dearly loved grandniece,
joined to the pleasant prospect of spending some
months with her and the other relatives and friends,
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 271
each of whom held a place in her warm, loving
heart.
An answering letter was sent from Lansdale by
return of mail, promising that their party would
follow the other to Viamede at an early day. ,
May too was enchanted with the thought of a'
winter in that lovely spot, and the society of her two'
sisters, and Elsie, who was almost as dear.
But to return. As soon as the children learned
that the winter was really to be spent at Viamede,
and that they would set off in a few days, the whole
flock leaving their elders to settle the dry details
hastened in quest of " mammy."
They found her in the nursery, seated before a
crackling wood fire, with little Herbert in her arms.
Quickly their news was told, and gathering round
her, they plied her with questions about her old
Louisiana home.
" Well, chillins," she said, her old eyes growing
bright with joy at the thought of seeing it again
for, of course, she would be included in the
party " it's jes lubly as lubly kin be! de grand ole
house, an' de lawn, an' de shrubbery, an' de gardens, ;
an' fields, an' orchards, an' eberyting yes, it am del
lubliest place dis chile eber see."
" Horses to ride," said Eddie.
"Yes, Marse Eddie, bosses to ride, an' kerridges
to drive out in; 'sides a beautiful boat on de bayou,
an' fish dere dat you kin ketch wid a hook an' line.
Ole Uncle Joe he kotch dem mos' ebery day for de
272 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
table, an Massa Ed'ard an' Miss Elsie say dey's bery
fine."
" And what else? " asked the eager voice of little
Daisy Carrington.
" Oranges! ripe oranges growing out of doors on
the trees! " cried her brother Harry, clapping his
hands and capering about the room, smacking his
lips in anticipation of the coming feast.
"Yes, chillins, orange trees on de lawn, an' a
? mense orchard wid hundreds an' millions ob dem on
de branches an' on de ground. An' den de gardens
full ob roses an' all lubly flowers, an' vines climbin'
ober de verandas an' roun' de pillahs an' de win
dows, an' clar up to de roof."
" Oh, how sweet! " cried the children, their eyes
dancing with delight. " But Aunt Chloe, will there
be room for us all?" asked Meta Carrington, who
was next to Herbert in age.
" Yes, chile: dere's rooms, an' rooms, an' rooms,
in dat house."
"A playroom, mammy?" asked Eddie.
" Yes, chillins, a big room whar yo' grandma used
to play when she was a little chile."
Mammy's voice grew low and husky for a mo
ment, and great tears stood in her eyes. But she
struggled with her emotion and went on, " Her dolls
are dere yet, an' de baby house ole marster hab made
for her; an' de beautiful sets ob little dishes, an'
a great many tings mo'; for she hab lots ob toys
an' neber destroyed nuffin. An' nobody eber goes dar
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 273
but Aunt Phillis when she hab a clarin' up time
in dat part ob de house."
" Yes/' said little Elsie, who had been as silent
and intent a listener as though the tale were quite
new to her, " mamma has told us about those tfhings,
and that they are always to be kept very carefully,
because they belonged to her dear mamma."
"And we can't ever play with them! " exclaimed
Vi, " but mamma will show them all to us; she said
she would when she takes us to Viamede."
" Oh, I'd like to play with them! " exclaimed
Meta. "Doesn't anybody ever?"
"No, chile," said mammy, shaking her head
gravely, " dere aint nobody eber 'lowed to go in dat
room but Aunt Phillis, when Miss Elsie not dar.
But run awa} r now, chillins, dere's de tea-bell
a-ringin'."
Mamma, too, on coming up at the usual hour to
see her darlings safe in bed, had many questions put
to her on the same subject.
They were all patiently answered, some further
details given, and sweet sympathy shown in their
gladness over the pleasant prospect before them;
then with the accustomed tender good-night kiss,
and with a parting injunction not to lie awake talk
ing, she left them.
" Did anybody ever have such a dear mamma as
ours! " exclaimed Vi, nestling close to her sister.
"No, I think not," replied Elsie in a tone of
grave consideration. "But now we mus'n't talk
274 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
any more; because she bade us not: and I've come
to bed early to-night to please you "
" Yes, you dear, good sister, you very dearest girl
in all the world! " interrupted Vi, rising on her
elbow for a moment to rain a perfect shower of
kisses upon the sweet face by her side.
Elsie laughed low and musically, and hugging
her tight, returned the caresses, then went on, " But
I mus'n't keep you awake. So now let's lie down
and not say one word more."
"No; not a single one," returned Vi, cuddling
down again.
"Mamma," said Eddie, coming into the school
room next morning with a slight frown on his
usually pleasant face, " why do you call us to les
sons? Can't we have holidays now that we are going
away so soon ? "
" No, my son; I think it best to attend now to
our regular duties. You will have a rest from
study while taking the journey, and for a few days
after we reach Viamede. Will not that be better? "
she asked, with a motherly smile, as she softly
smoothed back the dark clustering curls from his
broad open brow.
" But I don't want to say lessons to-day," he an
swered with a pout, and resolutely refusing to meet
her glance.
"My little son," she said, with tender gravity,
"were we sent into this world to please ourselves? "
"No, mamma."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 275
*No; 'even Christ pleased not himself,' and we
are to try to be like him. Whose will did he do? "
"His Father's, mamma."
"Yes, and whose will are you to do?"
" God's will, you've taught me, mamma, but '*
"Well, son?"
" Mamma, will you be angry if I say my
thought?"
"I think not: let me hear it."
"Mamma, isn't isn't it your will this time?
About the lessons, I mean. Please, mamma, don't
think I want to be naughty, asking it ? "
She drew him closer, and bending down pressed
her lips to his forehead. " No, my son, you want
it explained, and I am glad you told me your
thought. Yes, it is my will this time, but as God
bids children honor and obey their parents, is it
not his will also?"
"I s'pose so, mamma. But I wish it didn't be
your will to have me learn lessons to-day."
Elsie was forced to smile in spite of herself. With
another slight caress, she asked, " Do you think I
lore you, Eddie? "
" Oh, yes, yes, mamma ! I know you do, and I love
you too: indeed I do dearly, dearly!" he burst out,
throwing his arms about her neck. " And I know
you just want to make me good and happy, and that
your way's always best. So I won't be naughty any
more."
At that there was a general exclamation of delight
276 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
from the other three, who had been silent, Iral
deeply interested listeners, and all crowded round
mamma, vying with each other in bestowing upon
her tender caresses and words of love.
Each had felt more or less disinclination for the
regular routine of work, but that vanished now, and
they went through their allotted tasks with more
than usual spirit and determination.
Ah, what a sweetener of toil is love! love to a
dear earthly parent, and still more love to Christ:
there is no drudgery in the most menial employment
where that is the motive power.
CHAPTEE XXIII.
i
Put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appe
tite. PROVERBS xxiii. 2.
THE happy days came, full soon to the fathers
and mothers, at long last to the eager, expectant
children.
Old Mr. Dinsmore had accepted a pressing invi
tation from his granddaughter and her husband to
join the party, and with the addition of servants it
was a large one.
As they were in no haste, and the confinement
of a railroad car would be very irksome to the
younger children, it had been decided to make the
journey by water.
It was late in the afternoon of an unusually
Warm, bright November day that they found them
selves comfortably established on board a fine
steamer bound for New Orleans.
There were no sad leave-takings to mar their
pleasure, the children were in wild spirits, and all
seemed cheerful and happy as they sat or stood upon
the deck watching the receding shore as the vessel
steamed out of the harbor.
At length the land had quite disappeared;
nothing could be seen but the sky overhead and a
277
278 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
vast expanse of water all around, and the passengers
found leisure to turn their attention upon each
other.
" There are some nice-looking people on board,"
remarked Mr. Travilla, in an undertone, to his wife.
" Beside ourselves," added Cousin Ronald,
laughing.
" Yes," she answered; " that little group yonder:
a young minister, and his wife, and child, I sup
pose. And what a dear little fellow he is; just about
the age of our Harold, I should judge."
" Yes, mamma," chimed in the last-named young
gentleman, " he's a nice little boy. May I go speak
to him? May I, papa? "
Permission was given, and the next moment the
two stood close together, each gazing admiringly
into the other's face.
" Papa," remarked the little stranger, looking up
at his father, " I very much wish I had a face like
this little boy's."
" Do you, son? " was the smiling rejoinder. " He
certainly looks like a very nice little boy. Suppose
you and he shake hands, Frank."
"Yes, sir," said the child, holding out a small,
plump hand. " What's your name, little boy? "
"Harold Travilla, and yours is Fank?"
" Yes, Frank Daly. Don't you like this nice big
boat?"
" Yes, I do. Won't you come wis me, and speak
to my mamma and papa? "
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 279
Frank looked inquiringly at his father.
"Yes, you may go if you wish," returned the
latter, and the two started off hand in hand.
"Mamma, see! isn't he a dear little boy?" asked
Harold, leading his new friend up before her with
an air of proud ownership.
" Yes, indeed," she said, bending down to kiss
Frank and stroke his hair.
" I think he's a good boy, 'cause he didn't come
till his papa told him to," continued Harold.
" A very good way to judge of a boy," said Cousin
Eonald.
" His name is Fank," said Harold. " Fank, that's
Cousin Ronald, and this is papa, and this is
grandpa," and so on, leading him from one to
another till he had introduced him to the whole
party, not even omitting Baby Herbert and mammy.
Then Frank's papa came for him, saying the air
was growing very cool, and it was time to go in.
Our friends were of the same opinion, and all
repaired to the ladies' saloon, where, through the
children, they and the Dalys soon made ac
quaintance.
Mr. Daly was a minister going South for the
winter for the sake of his own and his wife's
health.
Cousin Ronald took Frank on his knee and
asked, " What are you going to do, my little fellow,
when you get to be a man?"
"Preach the gospel, sir."
280 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"Ah ha, ah ha! um h'm, um h'm! and what will
you say? "
"I'll tell the people we'll sing the twenty-third
piece of ham. How will that sound? "
"Kather comical, I think, my man. Are ye no
afraid the folk might laugh ? "
" No, sir; they don't laugh when papa says it."
"Ah ha, ah ha! um h'm! "
Mr. Daly smiled. "I never knew before," said
he, " that my boy intended to follow my profession."
The ladies were weary, and retired to their state
rooms shortly after tea, but the gentlemen sought
the open air again, and paced the deck for some
time.
"Have a cigar, sir?" asked Mr. Lilburn, address
ing Mr. Daly.
" Thank you, no; I don't smoke."
"Ah ha! um h'm! In that you seem to be of
one mind with my friends here, the Dinsmores and
Travilla," remarked Lilburn, lighting one for him
self, and placing it between his lips. "I wonder
now if you know what you miss by your absti
nence?"
" Well, sir, as to that, I know what some of my
friends and acquaintance would have missed if they
had abstained from the use of the weed. One would
have missed a terrible dyspepsia that laid him in his
grave in the prime of life; another cancer of the
lip, which did the same by him after years of hor
rible suffering."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 281
"Ah ha! urn h'm! ah ha! But surely those were
rare cases ? "
" I think not very."
" You don't think the majority of those who use
it feel any ill effects ? "
"I do, indeed; though probably comparatively
few are aware that tobacco is the cause of their
ailments."
" Doubtless that is the case," remarked Mr. Dins-
more. " I was a moderate smoker for years before
I discovered that I was undermining my constitu
tion by the indulgence; at length, however, I be
came convinced of that fact, and gave it up at once:
for that reason, and for the sake of the example to
my boy here, who has been willing to profit by his
father's experience, and abstain altogether."
" I have never used the weed in any way," said
Horace, Jr.
"And I," remarked Travilla, "abandoned its
use about the same time that Dinsmore did, and for
the same reasons. By the way, I met with a very
strong article on the subject, lately, which I cut out
and placed in my pocket-book."
" Ah ha! um h'm! suppose you give us the benefit
of it," suggested Lilburn good naturedly; "I'm
open to conviction."
" With all my heart, if you will step into the
gentlemen's cabin, where there's a light."
He led the way, the others all following, and
taking out a slip of paper, read from it in a distinct
282 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
tone, loud enough to be heard by those about him,
without disturbing the other passengers.
" ' One drop of nicotine extract of tobacco
placed on the tongue of a dog will kill him in a
minute; the hundredth part of a grain picked under
the skin of a man's arm will produce nausea and
fainting. That which blackens old tobacco pipes is
empyreumatic oil, a grain of which would kill a man
in a few seconds.
" ' The half dozen cigars which most smokers use
a day contain six or seven grains enough, if con
centrated and absorbed, to kill three men, and a
pound of tobacco, according to its quality, con
tains from one-quarter to one and a quarter ounces.
" ' Is it strange, then, that smokers and chewers
have a thousand ailments? that German physicians
attribute one-half of the deaths among the young
men of that country to tobacco? that the French
Polytechnic Institute had to prohibit its use on ac
count of its effects on the mind? that men grow
dyspeptic, hypochondriac, insane, delirious, from its
use?
" * One of the direct effects of tobacco is to weaken
the heart. Notice the multitude of sudden deaths.
and see how many are smokers and chewers. In a
small country town seven of these ' mysterious
providences ' occurred within the circuit of a mile,
all directly traceable to tobacco; and any physician,
on a few moments' reflection, can match this fact
by his own observation.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 283
" ' And then such powerful acids produce intense
irritation and thirst thirst which water does not
quench. Hence a resort to cider and beer. The
more this thirst is fed, the more insatiate it be
comes, and more fiery drink is needed.
" ' Out of seven hundred convicts examined at
the New York State prison, six hundred were con
fined for crimes committed under the influence of
liquor, and five hundred said they had been led to
drink by the use of /tobacco/ " *
"Ah ha, ah ha! um h'm! ah ha! that's strongly
put," remarked Mr. Lilburn reflectively. " I'm
afraid I'll have to give it up. What say you, sir?"
turning to Mr. Daly, " has a man a right to a choice
in such- a matter as this? a right to injure his body
to say nothing of the mind by a self-indulgence,
the pleasure of which seems to him to overbalance
the possible or probable suffering it may cause? "
"No, sir; 'What! know ye not that your body is
the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,
which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify
God in your body, and in your spirit, which are
God's.' "
" Eight, sir, I was thinking of those words of the
apostle, and also of these other, ' If any man defile
the temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the
temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.'
" We certainly have no right to injure our bodies
* J. E. Vose in the " Family Christian Almanac," for 1876,
284 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
either by neglect or self-indulgence. ' Know ye not
that your bodies are the memebrs of Christ? ' and
again, 'I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service.' ' ;
" It must require a good deal of resolution for
one who has become fond of the indulgence to give
it up," remarked Mr. Daly.
"No doubt, no doubt," returned Mr. Lilburn.
" but, ' If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out,
and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee
that one of thy members should perish, and not that
thy whole body should be cast into hell.' ''
There was a pause broken by young Horace, who
had been watching a group of men gathered about
a table at the further end of the room.
" They are gambling yonder, and I'm afraid that
young fellow is being badly fleeced by that middle-
aged man opposite."
The eyes of the whole party were at once turned
in that direction.
" I'm afraid you're right, Horace," said Mr. Tra-
villa, recalling with an inward shudder the scene
he had witnessed in a gambling hell many years
ago, in which the son of his friend Beresford so
nearly lost his life. "What can be done to save
him? Some effort must be made! " And he started
up as if with the intention of approaching the
players.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 285
"Stay a moment/' exclaimed Lilburn in an
undertone, and laying a detaining hand upon Tra-
villa's arm, but with his gaze intently fixed upon the
older gamester. "Ah ha! um h'm! that fellow is
certainly cheating. I saw him slip a card from his
coat sleeve."
The words had scarcely passed his lips when a
voice spoke apparently close at the villain's side.
"Ah ha, I zees you veil, how you runs de goat-
shleeve down mit de gards, and sheats dat boor poy
vat ish blay mit you. Yoh, sir, you ish von pig
sheat! "
"How dare you, sir? who are you?" cried the
rascal, starting up white with rage, and turning to
face his accuser.
"Who was it? where is that Dutch scoundrel that
dared accused me of cheating? " he cried, sending
a fierce glance about the room.
" Vat ish dat you galls me von Dutch scoundrel?
you man mit de proken nose; I say it again; you
ish von pig sheat."
This time the voice seemed to come from a state
room behind the gambler. Towering with rage, he
rushed to the door and tried to open it. Failing in
that, he demanded admittance in loud, angry tones,
at the same time shaking the door violently, and
kicking against it with a force that seemed likely
to break in the panels.
There was an answering yell, a sound as of some
one bouncing out of his berth upon the floor, the
286 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
key turned hastily in the lock, the door was thrown
wide open, and a little Frenchman appeared on its
threshold in night attire, bowie knife and pistol
in hand, and black eyes flashing with indignant
anger.
" Sir, monsieur, I vil know vat for is dis disturb
ance of mine slumbers ? "
" Sir! " said the other, stepping back, instantly
cooled down at the sight of the weapons, " I beg
pardon: was looking for a scoundrel of a Dutchman
who has been abusing me, but I see he's not here."
"No, sir, he is not here!" and the door was
slammed violently to.
"Ha, ha! man mit de proken nose, you vake up
de wrong bassenger. Ha, ha! I dells you again you
ish von pig sheat! "
Now the voice came from the skylight overhead,
apparently, and with a fierce imprecation the irate
gamester rushed upon deck, and ran hither and
thither in search of his tormentor.
His victim, who had been looking on during the
little scene, and listening to the mysterious voice
in silent wide-eyed wonder and fear, now rose has
tily, his face deathly pale, with trembling hands
gathered up the money he had staked, and hurry
ing into his stateroom locked himself in.
The remaining passengers looked at each other.
" What does it mean ? " cried one.
"A ventriloquist aboard, of course/' returned
another. " Lef s follow and see the fun."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 287
**I wonder which of us it is! " remarked the first,
looking hard at our party.
" I don't know, but come on. That fellow Nick
Ward is a noted blackleg and ruffian: had his nose
broken in a fight, and is sensitive on the subject;
was cheating of course."
They passed out, our party close in their rear
" Where's that Dutch villain? " Ward was scream
ing, following up his question with a volley of oaths.
"Who?" asked the mate. "I've seen none up
here; though there are some in the steerage."
Down to the steerage flew the gambler, without
waiting to reply, and bounding into the midst of a
group of German emigrants seated there quietly
smoking their pipes, angrily demanded which of
them it was who had been on the upper deck just
now abusing him, and calling him a cheat, and a
man with a broken nose.
They heard him in silence, with a cool, phleg
matic indifference most exasperating to one in his
present mood.
Drawing his revolver, " Speak! " he shouted, " tell
me which one it was, or I'll I'll shoot every
mother's son of you! "
His arms were suddenly pinioned from behind,
while a deep voice grunted, "You vill, vill you?
I dinks not; you ish mine brisoner. Dere ish nopody
here as did gall you names, and you vill put up dat
leetle gun."
A man of giant size and herculean strength had
288 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
laid aside his pipe, and slowly rising to his feet,
seized the scoundrel in his powerful grasp.
"Let me go! " yelled Ward, making a desperate
effort to free his arms.
" Ha, ha! man mit de proken nose, you ish vake
up de wrong bassenger again," came mockingly
from above. " It ish me as galls you von pig sheat;
and I dells it you again."
" There, the villain's up on the deck now! " cried
"Ward, grinding his teeth in impotent rage. Let
go my arms! let go, I say, and I'll teach him a
lesson."
"I dinks no; I dinks I deach you von lesson,"
returned his captor, not relaxing his grasp in the
least.
But the captain's voice was heard asking in stern
tones, " What's the cause of all this disturbance?
what are you doing down there, Ward? I'll have
no fighting aboard."
The German released his prisoner, and the latter
slunk away, with muttered threats and imprecations
upon the head of his tormentor.
Both that night and the next day there was much
speculation among the passengers in regard to the
occurrence; but our friends kept their own counsel,
and the children, cautioned not to divulge Couvsin
Ronald's secret, guarded it carefully, for all ha
been trained to obedience, and besides were anxious
not to lose the fun he made for them.
Mr. Lilburn and Mr. Daly, each at a different
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 289
time, sought out the young man, Ward's intended
victim, and tried to influence him for good.
He thought he had been rescued by the inter
position of some supernatural agency^ and solemnly
declared his fixed determination never again to ap
proach a gaming table, and throughout the voyage
adhered to his resolution, spite of every influence
Ward could bring to bear upon him to break it.
Yet there was gambling again the second night,
between Ward and several others of his profession.
They kept it up till after midnight. Then Mr.
Lilburn, waking from his first sleep, in a stateroom,
near by, thought he would break it up once more.
A deep stillness reigned in the cabin: it would
seem that every one on board the vessel except
themselves and the watch on deck was wrapped in
profound slumber.
An intense voiceless excitement possessed the
players, for the game was a close one, and the stakes
were very heavy. They bent eagerly over the board,
each watching with feverish anxiety his companion's
movements, each casting, now and again, a gloating
eye upon the heap of gold and greenbacks that lay
between them, and at times half stretching out his
hand to clutch it.
A deep groan startled them, and they sprang to
their feet, pale and trembling with sudden terror,
each holding his breath and straining his ear to
catch a repetition of the dread sound.
But all was silent, and after a moment of anxious
290 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
waiting they sat down to their game again; trying
to conceal and shake off their fears with a forced,
unnatural laugh.
But scarcely had they taken the cards into their
hands when a second groan, deeper, loiider, and
more prolonged than the first, again started them
to their feet.
" I tell you this is growing serious," whispered
one, in a shaking voice, his very lips white with fear.
"It came from under the table," gasped Ward;
" look what's there."
" Look yourself."
"Both together then," and simultaneously they
bent down and peered into the space underneath
the board.
There was nothing there.
" What can it have been? " they asked each other.
"Oh, nonsense! what fools we are! of course,
somebody's ill in one of the staterooms." And they
resumed their game for the second time.
But a voice full of unutterable anguish came
from beneath their feet, " Father Abraham, have
mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip
the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue:
for I am tormented in this flame/ " and in mortal
terror they sprang up, dashed down their cards and
fled, not even waiting to gather up the "filthy
lucre " for which they were selling their souls.
It was the last game of cards for that trip.
The captain, coming in shortly after the sudden
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 291
flight of the gamblers, took charge of the money,
and the next day restored it to the owners.
To Elsie's observant eyes it presently became evi
dent that the Dalys were in very straitened circum
stances. They made no complaint, but with her
warm sympathy and delicate tact she soon drew
from the wife all the information she needed to
convince her that here was a case that called for
the pecuniary assistance Providence had put it in
her power to give.
She consulted with her husband, and the result
was a warm invitation to the Dalys to spend the
winter at Viamede, where they would have all the
benefit of the mild climate, congenial society, use
of the library, horses, etc., and be at no expense.
" Oh, how kind, how very kind! " Mrs. Daly said
with tears of joy and gratitude; "we have hardly
known how we should meet the most necessary ex
penses of this trip, but have been trying to cast our
care upon the Lord, asking him to provide. And
how wonderfully he has answered our petitions.
But it seems too much, too much for you to do
for strangers."
"Strangers, my dear friend!" Elsie answered,
pressing her hand affectionately; " are we not sisters
in Christ? * Ye are all the children of God by faith
in Christ Jesus.' ' Ye are all one in Christ Jesus.'
"We feel, my husband and I, that we are only
the stewards of his bounty; and that because he has
gaid * Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the
292 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto
me/ it is the greatest privilege and delight to do
anything for his people."
Mr. Travilla had already expressed the same
sentiments to Mr. Daly, and so the poor minister
and his wife accepted the invitation with glad and
thankful hearts, and Harold and Frank learned with
delight that they were to live together for what, to
their infant minds, seemed an almost interminable
length of time.
The passage to New Orleans was made without
accident or detention.
As our party left the vessel a voice was heard
from the hold, crying in dolorous accents, and a
rich Irish brogue, " Och, captin dear, help me out,
help me out! I've got fast betwane these boxes
here, bad cess to 'em! an' can't hilp mesilf at all,
at all! "
"Help you out, you passage thief!" roared the
captain in return; "yes, I'll help you out with a
vengeance, and put you into the hands of the
police."
"Ah ha! um h'm, ah ha, you'll haye to catch him
first," remarked Mr. Lilburn with a quiet smile,
stepping from the plank to the wharf as he spoke.
"Ah, cousin, you are incorrigible!" said Elsie
laughingly.
CHAPTEE XXIV.
The fields did laugh, the flowers did freely spring,
The trees did bud and early blossom bear,
And all the quire of birds did sweetly sing,
And told that garden's pleasures in their caroling.
Spenser's Faery Queen.
NOTHING could be lovelier than was Viamede
as they found it on their arrival.
The children, one and all, were in an ecstasy ot
delight over the orange orchard, with its wealth of
golden fruit, glossy leaves, and delicate blossoms,
the velvety lawn with its magnificent shade trees,
the variety and profusion of beautiful flowers, and
the spacious lordly mansion.
They ran hither and thither; jumping, dancing,
clapping their hands, and calling to each other with
shouts of glee.
The pleasure and admiration of the older people
were scarcely less, though shown after a soberer
fashion. But no check was put upon the demon
strations of joy of the younger ones: they were
allowed to gambol, frolic, and play, and to feast
themselves upon the luscious fruit to their hearts'
content.
Nor was the gladness all on the side of the new
293
294 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
arrivals: to the old house servants, many of whom
still remained, the coming of their beloved young
mistress and her children had been an event looked
forward to with longing for years.
They wept for joy as they gathered about her,
kissed her hand, and clasped her little ones in their
arms, fondling them, and calling them by every
endearing name known to the negro vocabulary.
And the children, having heard a great deal, from
both mamma and mammy, about these old people,
and their love and loyalty to the family, were nei
ther surprised nor displeased, but quite ready to
receive and return the affection lavished upon them.
The party from Lansdale arrived only a few days
after the others, and were welcomed with great
rejoicings, in which even Bruno must have a share:
he jumped and gamboled about Harry and May,
tried to kiss the babies, and finally put his nose
into Aunt Wealthy's lap, saying, " Ye're a dear auld
leddy, ma'am, and I'm glad ye've come! "
" Ah," she answered, patting his head, and laugh
ing her low, sweet silvery laugh, " you betray your
Scotch accent, my fine fellow; and I'm too old a
chaff to be caught with a bird."
Mr. Mason was still chaplain at Viamede, and
with his wife and children occupied a pretty and
commodious cottage which had been built on the
estate expressly for their use.
When he and Mr. Daly met they instantly and
delightedly recognized each other as former class-
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 295
mates and intimate friends, and the Dalys, by ur
gent invitation, took up their abode for the winter
in the cottage; but Mr. and Mrs. Travilla were care
ful that it should still be entirely at their expense.
A suite of apartments in the mansion was appro
priated to each of the other families, and it was
unanimously agreed that each should feel at perfect
liberty to withdraw into the privacy of these, having
their meals served to them there, if they so desired;
or at their pleasure to mingle with the others in
the breakfast-parlor, dining-room, drawing-rooms,
library, etc.
The first fortnight was made a complete holiday
to all, the days being filled up with games, walks,
rides, drives, and excursions by land and water.
In consequence of the changes occasioned by the
war, they found but little society in the neighbor
hood now, yet scarcely missed it, having so much
within themselves.
But at length even the children began to grow
somewhat weary of constant play. Harry Duncan
and Horace, Jr., announced their speedy departure
to attend to business, and the other adults of the
party felt that it was time to take up again the
ordinary duties of life.
Mr. Daly, anxious to make some return for the
kindness shown him, offered to act as tutor to all
the children who were old enough for school
duties; but Rosie put her arms about her father's
neck and, looking beseechingly into his eyes, said
296 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
she preferred her old tutor; at which he smiled,
and stroking her hair, said she should keep him
then, for he would be quite as loath to give up his
pupil; and Elsie's children, clinging about her,
entreated that their lessons might still be said to
mamma.
" So they shall, my darlings," she answered, " for
mamma loves to teach you."
The young Garringtons, too, and their mother,
preferred the old way.
So Mr. Daly's kind offer was declined with
thanks; and perhaps he was not sorry, being
weak and languid, and in no danger of suffering
from ennui with horses to ride and plenty of books
at hand.
A school-room was prepared, but only the Tra-
villas occupied it, Sophie preferring to use her
dressing-room, and Kosie studying in her own room,
and reciting to her papa in his, or the library.
Elsie expected her children to find it a little hard
to go back to the old routine; but it was not so.
They came to her with bright, happy faces, were
quiet and diligent, and when the recitations were
over gathered about her for a little chat before
returning to their play.
" Mamma," said Eddie, " we've had a nice long
holiday, and it's really pleasant to get back to
lessons again."
"So it is!" said Vi. "Don't you think so,
Elsie?"
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 297
"Yes, indeed! nice to get back to our books; but
we've had lessons every day, grandpa, and papa, and
mamma teaching us so much about the birds, in
sects, and all sorts of living things; and the flowers
and plants, trees, stones, and oh, I don't know how
many things, that are different here from what we
have at home."
"At home! Why, this is home; isn't it, mamma?"
exclaimed Eddie.
" Yes, my son, one of our homes."
" Yes, and so beautiful," said Vi; " but Ion 'pears
the homest to me."
" Does it, darling? " asked mamma, giving her
a smile and a kiss.
" Yes, mamma; and I love Ion dearly: Viamede
'most as well, though, because you were born here,
and your dear mamma."
" And because that dear grandma is buried
here, " remarked her sister, " and because of all
those dear graves. Mamma, I do like those lessons
I was speaking of, and so do Eddie and Vi; but
Herbert and Meta and Harry don't; they say they
think them very stupid and dull."
" I am glad, my children, that you love knowl
edge," their mother said, "because it is useful; the
more knowledge we have the more good we can do,
if we will.
" And then it is a lasting pleasure. God's works
are so wonderful that we can never learn all about
them while we live in this world, and I suppose
298 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
throughout the endless ages of eternity we shall
be ever learning, yet always finding still more to
learn."
" Mamma, how pleasant that will be," said Elsie
thoughtfully.
" And oh, mamma! " cried Vi, " that reminds me
that we've been out of doors 'most all the day
times, and haven't seen grandma's playroom and
things yet. Won't you show them to us? "
" Yes, we will go now."
"Me too, mamma?" asked Harold.
" Yes, all of you come. I want you all to see
everything that I have that once belonged to my
dear mother."
" Aunt Rosie wants to see them too," said Vi.
"And Herbert and Meta and the others," added
Elsie.
" They shall see them afterwards. I want no one
with me but my own little children now," replied
mamma, taking Harold's hand, and leading the
way.
She led them to the room, a large and very pleas
ant one, light and airy, where flowers were blooming
and birds singing, vines trailing over and about the '
windows, lovely pictures on the walls, cosy chairs
and couches, work-tables, well supplied with all the
implements for sewing, others suited for drawing,
writing, or cutting out upon, standing here and
there, quantities of books, games, and toys; notliing
seemed to have been forgotten that could give plras-
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 299
ant employment for their leisure hours or minister
to their amusement.
There was a burst of united exclamations of
wondering delight from the children, as the door
was thrown open and they entered. Now they
understood why mamma had put them off when
several times they had asked to be brought to this
room: she was having it fitted up in a way to give
them a joyful surprise.
"Do you like it, my darlings?" she asked with
a pleased smile.
"Oh, yes, yes! yes indeed!" they cried, jumping,
dancing, and clapping their nands. " Dear, dear
mamma, how good, how good you are to us!" and
they nearly smothered her with caresses.
Eeleasing herself, she opened another door lead
ing into an adjoining room, which, to Eddied in
creased delight, was fitted up as a workroom for
boys, with every sort of tool used by carpenters and
cabinetmakers. He had such at Ion, and was some
what acquainted with their use.
" Oh, what nice times Herbert and Harry and I
shall have!" he exclaimed. " What pretty things
we'll make! Mamma, I don't know how to thank
you and my dear father ! " he added, catching her
hand and pressing it to his lips with passionate
affection.
" Be good and obedient to us, kind and affection
ate to your brothers, sisters, and playmates," she
said, stroking his hair: "that is the kind of thanks
300 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
we want, my boy; we have no greater joy than to
see our children good and happy."
"If we don't be, it's just our own fault, and
we're ever so wicked and bad! " cried Vi vehe
mently.
Mamma smiled at her little girl's impetuosity,
then in grave, tender tones said, " And is there not
Some One else more deserving of love and thanks
than even papa and mamma?"
" God, our kind heavenly Father," murmured
little Elsie, happy, grateful tears shining in her
soft eyes.
" Yes, it is from his kind hand all our blessings
come."
" I love God," said Harold, " and so does Fank.
Mamma, can Fank come up here to play wis me?"
" Yes, indeed; Frank is a dear, good little boy,
and I like to have you together."
Mamma unlocked the door of a large light closet,
as she spoke, and the children, looking eagerly in,
saw that its shelves were filled with beautiful toys.
"Grandma's things!" they said softly.
" Yes, these are what my dear mother played with
when she was a little girl like Elsie and Vi," said
mamma. "You may look at them."
There was a large babyhouse, beautifully fur
nished; there were many dolls of various sizes, and
little chests and trunks full of nicely made clothes
for them to wear night-clothes, morning- wrappers,
gay silks, and lovely white dresses, bonnets and
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 301
'hats, shoes and stockings too, and ribbons and
laces, for the lady dolls; and for the gentlemen,
coats, hats, vests, cravats, and everything that real
grown-up men wear; and for the baby dolls there
were many suits of beautiful baby clothes; and all
made so that they could be easily taken off and put
on again.
There were cradles to rock the babies in, and
coaches for them to ride in; there were dinner and
tea-sets of the finest china and of solid silver; in
deed, almost everything in the shape of toys that the
childish heart could desire.
The lonely little girl had not lacked for any
pleasure that money could procure: but she had
hungered for that best earthly gift the love of
father, mother, brothers, and sisters which can be
neither bought nor sold.
The children examined all these things with in
tense interest and a sort of wondering awe, then
begged their mother to tell them again about " dear
grandma."
They had heard the story all that mamma and
mammy could tell many times, but it never lost
its charm.
"Yes, dears, I will: I love to think and speak of;
her/' Elsie said, sitting down in a low chair, while
they all gathered closely round her, the older two,
one on each side, the younger ones leaning upon her
lap
"Mamma, it is a sad story; but I love it," little
302 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Elsie said, drawing a deep sigh, as the tale came fo
an end.
" Yes, poor little girl, playing up here all alone/'
said Eddie.
" 'Cept mammy," corrected Vi.
" Yes, mammy to love her and take care of her,
but no brother or sister to play with, and no dear
mamma or papa like ours."
, " Yes, poor dear grandma! " sighed little Elsie.
" And it was almost as hard for you, mamma, when
you were a little girl. Didn't you feel very sad? M
" Ah, daughter, I had Jesus to love me, and help
me in all my childish griefs and troubles," the
mother answered, with a glad smile; " and mammy
to hug, and kiss, and love me, just as she does you."
"But, oh, didn't you want your mamma and
papa?"
" Yes, sorely, sorely at times; but I think no little
child could be happier than I was when at last my
dear father came home, and I found that he loved
me dearly. Ah, I am so glad, so thankful, that my
darlings have never suffered for lack of love."
"I too, mamma."
" And I."
" And I," they exclaimed, clinging about her and
loading her with caresses.
" Hark! " she said, " I hear you dear grandpa's
tep, and there, he is knocking at the door."
Eddie ran to open it.
"Ah, I thought I should find you here, daughter/'
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 303
Mr. Dinsmore said, coming in. "I, too, want to
see these things; it is long since I looked at them."
She gave him a pleased look and smile, and step
ping to the closet he stood for some moments
silently gazing upon its treasures.
"You do well to preserve them with care as
mementoes of your mother," he remarked, coming
hack and seating himself by her side.
" Oh, grandpa, you could tell us more about her,
and dear mamma too, when she was a little girl! "
said little Elsie, seating herself upon his knee, twin
ing her arms about his neck, and looking coaxingly
into his face.
" Ah, what a dear little girl your mamma was at
your age!" he said, stroking her hair, and gazing
fondly first at her and then at her mother, "the
very joy of my heart and delight of my eyes! though
not dearer than she is now."
Elsie returned the loving glance and smile, while
her namesake daughter remarked, "Mamma couldn't
be nicer or sweeter than she is now nobody could."
"No, no! no indeed! " chimed in the rest of the
little flock. "But, grandpa, please tell the story.
You never did tell it to us."
" No," he said, half sighing, " but you shall have
it now." Then went on to relate how he had first
met their mother's mother, then a very beautiful
girl of fifteen.
An acquaintance took him to call upon a young
lady friend of his, to whom Elsie Grayson was pay-
304 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
ing a visit, and the two were in the drawing-room to
gether when the young men entered.
" What did you think the first minute you saw
her, grandpa?" asked Eddie.
" That she had the sweetest, most beautiful face
and perfect form I had ever laid eyes on, and that I
would give all I was worth to have her for my own."
" Love at first sight," his daughter remarked,
with a smile, " and it was mutual."
" Yes, she told me afterward that she had loved
me from the first; though the longer I live the
more I wonder it should have been so, for I was a
wild, wayward youth. But she, poor thing, had
none to love or cherish her but her mammy."
" Grandpa, I think you're very nice," put in little
Vi, leaning on his knee, and gazing affectionately
into his face.
" Fm glad you do," he said, patting her soft round
cheek.
" But to go on with my story. I could not keep
away from my charmer, and for the next few weeks
we saw each other daily.
" I asked her to be my own little wife, and she
consented. Then early one morning we went to a
church and were married; no one being present ex
cept the minister, the sexton, and her friend and
mine, who were engaged to each other, and her
faithful mammy.
"Her guardian was away in a distant city, and
knew nothing about the matter. He was taken sick
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 305
there, and did not return for three months, and
during that time Elsie and I lived together in a
house she owned in New Orleans.
" We thought that, now that we were safely
married, no one could ever separate us, and we were
very, very happy.
" But one evening her guardian came suddenly
upon us, as we sat together in her boudoir, and in
a great passion ordered me out of the house.
"Elsie was terribly frightened, and I said, 'I
will go to-night for peace sake; but Elsie is my wife,
and to-morrow I shall come and claim her as such,
and I think you'll find I have the law on my side.'
Elsie clung to me and wept bitterly; but I comforted
her with the assurance that the parting was only
for a few hours."
Mr. Dinsmore's voice faltered. He paused a mo
ment, then went on in tones husky with emotion.
" We never saw each other again. When I went
back in the morning the house was closed and quite
deserted; not even a servant in it, and I knew not
where to look for my lost wife.
" I went back to my hotel, and there found my
father waiting for me in my room. He was very
angry about my marriage, the news of which had
brought him from home. He made me go back
with him at once, and sent me North to college. I
heard nothing ot my wife for months, and then only
that she was dead, and had left me a little
daughter/'
306 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"And that was our mamma! " cried the children,
once more crowding about her to lavish careeses
upon her.
They thanked their grandfather for his story, and
Vi, looking in at the closet door again, said in her
most coaxing tones, " Mamma, I should so, so like to
play a little with some of those lovely things; and I
would be very careful not to spoil them."
" Not now, daughter, though perhaps I may allow
it some day when you are older. But see here! will
not these do quite as well?"
And rising, Mrs. Travilla opened the door of
another closet, displaying to the children's delighted
eyes other toys as fine and in as great profusion and
variety as those she considered sacred to her
mother's memory.
" Oh, yes, yes, mamma! how lovely! how kind you
are! are they for us? " they exclaimed in joyous
tones.
" Yes," she said, " I bought them for you while
we were in New Orleans, and you shall play with
them whenever you like. And now we will lock
the doors and go down to dress for dinner. The
first bell is ringing."
After dinner the playroom and the contents of
the two closets were shown to Mrs. Dinsmore, Kosie,
and the Carringtons: then Mrs. Travilla locked the
door of the one that held the treasured relics of
her departed mother, and carried away the key.
CHAPTER XXV.
" She'd lift the teapot lid
To peep at what was in it,
Or tilt the kettle if you did
But turn your back a minute."
META CAERINGTON had many excellent traits
of character; was frank, generous, unselfish, and
sincere; but these good qualities were offset by some
very serious faults; she was prying and full of desire
for whatever was forbidden.
The other children played contentedly with the
toys provided for them; but Meta secretly nursed a
great longing for those Mrs. Travilla had chosen to
withhold; and was constantly endeavoring to devise
some plan by which to get possession of them.
She attempted to pick the lock with a nail, then,
with a knife, but failing in that, seized every oppor
tunity of doing so unobserved, to try the keys from
other doors in different parts of the house, till at
length she found one that would answer her pur
pose; then she watched her chance to use it in the
absence of her mates.
At length such a time came. The ladies had all
gone out for an airing, the little ones, too, in charge
of their nurses, Vi and the boys were sporting on the
307
308 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
lawn, and Elsie was at the piano practicing; cer
tain, faithfnl little worker that she was, not to leave
it till the allotted hour had expired.
Having satisfied herself of all this, Meta flew to
the playroom, and half trembling at her own temer
ity, admitted herself to the forbidden treasures.
There was no hesitancy in regard to her further
proceedings; for weeks past she had had them all
carefully arranged in her mind; she would have a
tea party, though unfortunately there could be no
guests presents but the dolls; yet at all events, she
could have the great pleasure of handling that
beautiful china and silver, and seeing how a table
would look set out with them. A pleasure doubled
by the fact that she was enjoying it in opposition to
the known wishes and commands of her mother and
the owner; for in Meta's esteem ' stolen waters were
sweet ' indeed.
She selected a damask table cloth from a pile that
lay on one of the lower shelves, several napkins to
match, slipping each of these last into a silver ring
taken from a little basket that stood alongside, and
proceeded with quiet glee to deck a table with them
and the sets of china and silver she most admired.
"Beautiful! beautiful! I never saw anything so
pretty! " she exclaimed half aloud, as, her task
finished, she stood gazing in rapt delight at the re
sult of her labors. " Oh, I think it's real mean in
Aunt Elsie, to say we shan't play with these, and
to lock them up away from us. But now for the
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 309
company!" and running into the closet again, she
brought out several of the largest dolls.
" I'll dress them for dinner/' she said, still talk
ing to herself in an undertone; "that '11 be fun.
What lots of lovely things I shall find in these
trunks; I'll look them over and select what I like
best to have them wear. I'll have time enough:
it isn't at all likely anybody will come to disturb
me for an hour." And as she opened the first trunk
she glanced hastily at the clock on the mantel.
She was mistaken. Time flew away much faster
than she was aware of, and scarce half an hour had
passed when a pair of little feet came dancing along
the hall, the door which in her haste and pre
occupation Meta had forgotten to lock flew open,
and Vi stood before her.
The great blue eyes, turning toward the table,
opened wide with astonishment. " Why, Meta! "
Meta's face flushed deeply for a moment, but
thinking the best plan would be to brave it out,
" Isn't it pretty? " she asked unconcernedly.
"Yes, oh, lovely! but where did you aren't
they my grandma's things? Oh, Meta, how could
you ever dare "
" Pooh! I'm not going to hurt 'em. And why
should you think they were hers? Can't other
people have pretty things?"
"Yes, but I know they're grandma's, I rec recog
nize them. Oh, what shall we do? I wouldn't
venture to touch 'em, even to put them back."
310 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
" What a big word that was you used just now,"
said Meta, laughing; "it 'most choked you."
"Well, when I'm bigger it won't," returned Vi,
still gazing at the table. " Oh, how lovely they are!
I do wish mamma would let us play with them."
" So do I: and these dolls too. It's just delightful
to dress and undress them. Here, Vi, help me put
this one's shoes on."
The temptation to handle the tin) 1 , dainty shoes,
and see how well they fitted the feet of the pretty
doll, was great, and not giving herself time to think,
Violet dropped down on the carpet by Meta's side
and complied with the request. " Just to slip on
those lovely shoes, now that they were there right
before her, was not much/' so said the tempter:
then, " Now having done a little, what difference
if she did a little more?"
Thoughtless and excitable, she presently forgot
mamma and her commands, and became as eagerly
engaged as Meta herself in the fascinating employ
ment of looking over the contents of the trunks,
trying now one, now another, suit upon the dollies.
" Now this one's dressed, and I'll set her up to the
table," said Meta, jumping up. " Oh, my! "
Something fell with a little crash on the lid of
the trunk by Vi's side, and there at her feet lay one
of the beautiful old plates, broken in a dozen pieces.
The child started up perfectly aghast, the whole
extent of her delinquency flashing upon her in that
instant. " Oh, oh! what have I done! what a wicked,
'ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 311
wicked girl I am! what will mamma say! n And
she burst into an agony of grief ancl remorse.
"You didn't do it, nor I either," said Meta;
stooping to gather up the fragments, "the doll
kicked it off. There, Vi, don't cry so; I'll pnt the
things all back just as they were, and never, never
touch one of them again."
" But you can't; because this one's broken. Oh,
dear! oh, dear! I wish you had left them alone, Meta.
I wish I'd been a good girl and obeyed mamma! "
"Never mind; if she goes to whip you, I'll tell
her it was 'most all my fault. But she needn't
know: it won't be a story to put them back and say
nothing about it. And most likely it won't be found
out for years and years maybe never. You see, Pll
just put this plate between the others in the pile,
and it won't be noticed at all that it's broken un
less somebody takes them all down to look."
" But I must tell mamma," sobbed Violet. " I
couldn't hide it; I always tell her everything; and
I'd feel so wicked."
"Violet Travilla, I'd never have believed you'd
be so mean as to tell tales," remarked Meta
severely. " I'd never have played with you if I'd
known it."
" I'll not; I didn't mean that. I'll only tell on
myself."
" But you can't do that without telling on me
too, and I say ifs real mean. Ill never tell a story
about it, but I don't see any harm in just setting
312 'ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
the things away and saying nothing. Taint as if
you were throwing the blame on somebody else,"
pursued Meta, gathering up the articles abstracted
from the closet and replacing them as nearly as
possible as she had found them.
" Come, dry your eyes, Vi," she went on, " or
somebody '11 see you've been crying, and ask what it
was about."
"But I must tell mamma," reiterated the little
girl, sobbing anew.
" And make her feel worried and sorry because
the plate's broken, when it can't do any good, and
she needn't ever know about it. I call that real
selfishness."
This, to Vi, was a new view of the situation. She
stopped crying to consider it.
It certainly would grieve mamma to know that
the plate was broken, and perhaps even more to
hear of her child's disobedience, and if not told she
would be spared all that pain.
But on the other hand, mamma had always taught
her children that wrongdoing should never be con
cealed. The longer Vi pondered the question the
more puzzled she grew.
Meta perceived that she wavered, and immedi
ately seized her advantage.
" Come now, Vi, I'm sure you don't want to give
pain to your mamma, or to get me into trouble.
Do you?"
"No, Meta, indeed I don't, but "
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 313
"Hush! somebody's coming," exclaimed Meta,
lacking the closet door, having just finished her
work, and hastily dropping the key into her pocket.
" Come, girls, come quick! we're sending up a
balloon, from the lawn! " cried Eddie, throwing open
the door to make his announcement, then rushing
away again.
The girls ran after him, in much excitement, and
forgetting for the time the trouble they were in;
for spite of Meta's sophistry her conscience was by
no means easy.
The ladies had returned, and in dinner dress were
gathered on the veranda. Mr. Travilla seemed to
be managing the affair, with Mr. Dinsmore's assist
ance, while the other gentlemen, children, and ser
vants were grouped about them on the lawn.
Meta and Violet quickly took their places with
the rest, and just at that moment the balloon, re
leased from its fastenings, shot up into the air.
There was a general shout and clapping of hands,
but instantly hushed by a shrill, sharp cry of dis
tress from overhead.
"Oh! oh! pull it down again! pull it down! pull
it down! I only got in for fun, and I'm so fright
ened! I shall fall out! I shall be killed! oh! oh! "
The voice grew fainter and fainter, till it quickly
died away in the distance, as the balloon rose rapidly
higher and higher into the deep blue of the sky.
A wild excitement seized upon the little crowd.
"Oh, oh, oh! which ob de chillins am up dar?"
314 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
the mammies were asking, each, sending a hasty
glance around the throng to assure herself of the
safety of her own particular charge.
"Who is it? who is it?" asked the children, the
little girls beginning to sob and cry.
"Oh, it's Fank! it's Tank!" screamed Harold.
" Papa, papa, please stop it quick. Tank, don't cry
any more: papa will get you down. Won't you,
papa? " And he clung to his father's arm, sobbing.
" Son, Frank is not there," said Mr. Travilla,
taking the little weeper in his arms. " There is no
one in the balloon; it is not big enough to hold even
a little boy like you or Frank."
" Isn't it, papa? " returned the child, dropping his
head on his father's shoulder with a sigh of relief.
" Oh, it's Cousin Bonald, it's just Cousin Eon-
aid! " exclaimed the children, their tears changing
at once to laughter.
" Ah ha, ah ha! um h'm, um h'm! so it is, bairnies,
just Cousin Eonald at his old tricks again," laughed
Mr. Lilburn.
" Oh, there's nobody in it; so we needn't care
how high it goes," cried Eddie, jumping, and clap
ping his hands. "See! see! it's up in the clouds
now, and doesn't look as big as my cap."
"Not half so big, I should say," remarked Her
bert. "And there, it's quite gone."
The dinner bell rang, and all repaired to the
dining-room.
CHAPTEE XXVI.
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he if;
old he will not depart from it." Proverbs, xxii. 6.
As naturally as the helianthus to the sun, did the
faces of Elsie's little ones turn to her when in her
loved presence. At the table, at their sports, their
lessons, everywhere and however employed, it was
always the same, the young eyes turning ever and
anon to catch the tender, sympathetic glance of
mamma's.
But at dinner to-day Vi's great blue orbs met
hers but once, and instantly dropped upon her plate
again, while a vivid blush suffused the fair face
and neck.
And when the meal was ended and all gathered in
the drawing-room, Vi still seemed to be unlike her
usual gay, sunny self, the merriest prattler of all
the little crowd of children, the one whose sweet
silvery laugh rang out the of tenest. She stood alone
at a side table turning over some engravings, but
evidently with very little interest. The mother,
engaged in conversation with the other ladies,
watched her furtively, a little troubled and anxious,
yet deeming it best to wait for a voluntary confi
dence on the nart of her child.
810
316 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
Longing, yet dreading to make it, Vi was again
puzzling her young brain with, the question whether
Meta was right in saying it would be selfish to d
so. Ah, if she could only ask mamma which was
the right way to do! This was the first perplexity
she had not been able to carry to her for disen
tanglement.
Kemembering the words of the Lord Jesus,
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is
truth/' Elsie had been careful to store her chil
dren's minds with the blessed teachings and pre
cious promises of God's Holy Book. She had also
taught them to go to God, their heavenly Father,
with every care, sorrow, doubt, and difficulty.
" 111 ask Jesus," thought Vi; " he'll help me to
know, because the Bible says, 'If any of you lack
wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men
liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
him.' "
She slipped into an adjoining room, where she
was quite alone, and kneeling down, whispered
softly, with low sobs and many tears, " Dear Father
in heaven, I've been a very, very naughty girl; I
disobeyed my dear mamma; please forgive me for
Jesus' sake, and make me good. Please, Lord Jesus,
help me to know if I ought to tell mamma."
A text one of the many she had learned to recite
to her mother in that precious morning half hour
came to her mind as she rose from her knees.
*He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. $17
whoso confe&seth and forsaketh them shall have
mercy."
" I didn't cover them, " she said to herself, " I
told God: but then God knew all about it before;
he sees and knows everything; but mamma doesn't
know. Perhaps it means I mustn't cover them fronl
her. I think Jesus did tell me."
Wiping away her tears she went back into the
drawing-room. The gentlemen were just leaving
it, her father among the rest. A sudden resolution
seized her, and she ran after them.
" Papa! "
He turned at the sound of her voice. "Weil,
daughter? "
" I I just want to ask you something."
" Another time then, pet, papa's in a hurry now."
But seeing the distress in the dear little face he
came to her, and laying his hand on her head in
tender fatherly fashion, said: " Tell papa what it
is that troubles you. I will wait to hear it now."
u Papa," she said, choking down a sob, " I I
don't know what to do."
"About what, daughter?"
" Papa, s'pose s'pose I'd done something''
naughty, and and it would grieve dear mamma to
hear it; ought I to tell her and and make her
sorry? "
'* My dear little daughter," he said, bending down
to look with grave, tender eyes into the troubled
face, "never, never conceal anything from your
318 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
mother; it is not safe for you, pet; and she would!
far rather bear the pain of knowing. If our chil
dren knew how much, how very much, we both love
them, they would never hide anything from us."
" Papa, I don't; but somebody says it would be
selfish to hurt mamma so."
' " The selfishness was in doing the naughty
thing, not in confessing it. Go, my child, and tell
mamma all about it."
He hastened away, and Violet crept back to the
drawing-room.
The other children were leaving it. " Come, Vi,"
they said, "we're going for a walk."
" Thank you, I don't wish to go this time," she
answered gravely. "I've something to attend to."
" What a grown up way of talking you have, you
little midget," laughed Meta. Then putting her
lips close to Vi's ear, "Violet Travilla," she whis
pered, " don't you tell tales, or I'll never, never play
with you again as long as I live."
"My mamma says it's wicked to say that," re
turned Vi, " and I don't tell tales."
Then as Meta ran away, Violet drew near her
mother's chair.
Mamma was talking, and she must not interrupt,
'so she waited, longing to have the confession over,
yet feeling her courage almost fail with the delay. ,
Elsie saw it all, and at length seized an oppor
tunity while the rest were conversing among them-!
selves, to take Vi's hand, and draw her to her side. .!
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 319
"I think my little girl has something to say to
mother/* she whispered softly, smoothing back the
clustering curls, and looking tenderly into the tear-
stained face.
Violet nodded assent; her heart was so full she
could not have spoken a word without bursting into
tears and sobs.
Mamma understood, rose and led her from the
room; led her to her own dressing-room, where they
could be quite secure from intrusion. Then seating
herself, and taking the child on her lap, " What is
wrong with my dear little daughter?" she asked,
" Oh, mamma, mamma, I'm so sorry, so sorry! "
cried the child, bursting into a passion of tears and
sobs, putting her arms about her mother's neck and
hiding her face on her breast.
"Mamma is sorry, too, dear, sorry for anything
that makes her Vi unhappy. What is it? what can
mother do to comfort you."
" Mamma, I don't deserve for you to be so kind,
and you'll have to punish, 'stead of comforting.
But I just want to tell about my own self; you know
I can't tell tales, mamma."
" No, daughter, I do not ask, or wish it; but tell
me about yourself."
" Mamma, it will make you sorry, ever so sorry.**
" Yes, dear, but I must bear it for your sake."
" Oh, mamma, I don't like to make you sorry! I
wish I wish I hadn't, hadn't been naughty, oh, so
naughty, mamma! for I played with some of your
320 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
mamma's things that you forbade us to touch, and
and one lovely plate got broken all up."
" I am very sorry to hear that," returned the
mother; "yet far more grieved by my child's
sin. But how did you get the door open and the
plates off the shelf? "
" I didn't, mamma; they were out."
" Some one else did it? "
"Yes, mamma; but you know I can't tell tales.
It wasn't any of our children, though; none of them
were naughty but just me."
" Were you playing with the plate ? did you break
it?"
"No, mamma, I didn't touch the plates, but I
was dressing one of the dollies. They are all locked
up again now, mamma, and I don't think anybody
will touch them any more."
A little tender, serious talk on the sin and danger
of disobedience to parents, and the mother knelt
with her child, and in a few simple words asked
God's forgiveness for her. Then telling Vi she
)must remain alone till bedtime, she left her.
Not one harsh or angry word had been spoken,
(and the young heart was full of a passionate love to
her mother that made the thought of having grieved
her a far bitterer punishment than the enforced
solitude, though that was at any time irksome
enough to one of Vi's fun-loving temperament.
It cost the mother a pang to inflict the punish*
ment, and leave the darling alone in her trouble;
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 321
but Elsie was not one to weakly yield to inclination:
when it came in conflict with duty. Hers was not
a selfish love; she would bear any present pain to
secure the future welfare of her children.
She rejoined her friends in the drawing-room,
apparently as serenely happy as her wont, but
through all the afternoon and evening her heart
was with her little one in her banishment and grief,
yearning over her with tenderest mother-love.
Little Elsie, too, missed her sister, and returning
from her walk, went in search of her. She found
her at last in their mamma's dressing-room seated
at the window, her cheek resting on her hand, the
tears coursing slowly down, while her eyes gazed
longingly out over the beautiful fields and lovely
orange groves.
" Oh, my own Vi, my darling little sister! what's
the matter? " asked Elsie, clasping her in her arms,
and kissing the wet cheek.
A burst of bitter sobs, while the small arms clung
about the sister's neck, and the golden head rested
for an instant on her shoulder, then the words, "Ah,
I'd tell you, but I can't now, for you must run right
away, because mamma said I must stay here all
alone till bedtime."
" Then I must go, pet; but don't cry so: if you've
been naughty and are sorry, Jesus, and mamma
too, will forgive you and love you just the same,"
Rlsie said, kissing her again, then releasing her,
hurried from the room, crying heartily in sympathy.
822 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
On the upper veranda, whither she went to re
cover her composure, before rejoining her mates, she
found her mother pacing slowly to and fro.
"Is my Elsie in trouble, too?" Mrs. Travilla
asked, pausing, and holding out her hand.
"For my Vi, mamma," sobbed Elsie, taking the
hand and pressing it to her lips.
"Yes, poor little pet! mother's heart aches for
her too," Mrs. Travilla answered, her own eyes
filling. "I am glad my little daughters love and
eympathize with each other."
"Mamma, I would rather stay with Vi than be
with the others. May I? "
" No, daughter, I have told her she must spend
the rest of the day alone."
" Yes, mamma, she told me so, and wouldn't let
me stay even one minute to hear about her trouble."
" That was right."
Time crept by very slowly to Violet. She thought
that afternoon the longest she had ever known.
After a while she heard a familiar step, and almost
before she knew it papa had her in his arms.
With a little cry of joy she put hers around his
neck and returned the kiss he had just given her.
" Oh, I'm so glad! " she said, " but, papa, you'll
have to go away, because nobody must stay with
me; I'm "
"Papa may," he said, sitting down with her on
his knee. " So you told mamma about the naughti
ness?"
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 823
"Yes, sir."
" I am glad you did. Always tell mamma every
thing. If you have disobeyed her, never delay a
moment to go and confess it."
"Yes, papa: but if it's you?"
" Then come to me in the same way. If you want
to be a happy child, have no concealment from
father or mother."
" Shall I tell you about it now, papa? "
" You may do as you like about that, since your
mother knows it all."
" Papa, I'm afraid you wouldn't love such a
naughty girl any more."
"Mamma loves you quite as well, and so shall
I; because you are our own, own little daughter.
There were tears in mamma's eyes when she told
me that she had had to punish our little Vi."
" Oh, I'm so sorry to have made mamma cry/'
sobbed the child.
" Sin always brings sorrow and suffering sooner
or later, remember that; and that it is because Jesus
loves us that he would save us from our sins."
After a little more talk, in which Violet repeated
to him the same story of her wrongdoing that she
had already told her mother, her papa left her, and
she was again alone till mammy came with her*
supper a bowl of rich sweet milk and bread from'
the unbolted flour, that might have tempted the
appetite of an epicure.
"Come, honey, dry dose wet eyes an' eat yo*
324 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
wrapper," said mammy, setting it out daintily on
little table which she placed before the child, and
covered with a fine damask cloth fresh from the
iron. " De milk's mos' all cream, an' de bread good
as kin be: an' you kin hab much as eber you want
Ot both ob dem."
"Did mamma say so, mammy?"
"Yes, chile; an' don't shed no mo' dose tears
r <toow; ole mammy lubs you like her life."
" But I've been very naughty, mammy," sobbed
the little girl.
"Yes, Miss Wi'let, honey: an' we's all been
naughty, but de good Lord f orgib us for Jesus' sake
if we'e sorry an' don't 'tend neber to do so no mo'."
" Yes, mammy. Oh, I wish you could stay with
me! but you mus'n't, for mamma said I must be
all alone."
"Yes, darlin'; an' if you wants mo' supper, jes
ring dis, an' mammy '11 come."
She placed a small silver bell on the table be
dside Vi, and with a tender, compassionate look at
the tear-swollen face went away.
The young Travillas were sometimes denied
dainties because of misconduct, but always allowed
to satisfy their youthful appetites with an abun
dance of wholesome, nourishing food.
Vi ate her supper with a keen relish, and found
herself greatly comforted by it. How much one's
iviews of life are brightened by a good comfortable
meal that does not overtax the digestive organs.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 32fi
Vi suddenly remembered with a feeling of relief that
the worst of her trouble the confession was over,
and the punishment nearly so.
It was only a little while till mamma came, took
her on her lap, kissed and forgave her.
" Mamma, I'm so, so sorry for having disobeyed
and grieved you! " whispered the child, weeping
afresh: " for I do love you very, very much, my own
mamma."
"I know it, dearest; but I want you to be far
more sorry for having disobeyed God, who loves
you more, a great deal, than your parents do, and
has given you every good thing you have."
" Yes, mamma, I've asked God many times to
forgive me for Jesus' sake, and I think he has."
"Yes, if you asked with your heart, I am sure
he has; for Jesus said, ' Verily, verily, I say unto
you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my
name, he will give it you.' ' ;
There was a little pause, Vi nestling close in her
mother's arms; then with a quiver in her voice,
' " Mamma," she sighed, " will you ever trust me
again? "
"Just the same as before, my child; because I
believe you are truly sorry for your sin against
God and against me."
"Thank you, dear, dear mamma! oh, I hope God
will help me to keep from ever being naughty any
more."
CHAPTER XXVII.
" Conscience makes cowards of us all."
META was not in a cheerful or companionable
mood during the walk that afternoon; the stings
of conscience goaded her, and she was haunted by
the fear that Violet, so young and innocent, so
utterly unused to concealments, would betray her
share in the mischief done, even without intending
to do so.
"Meta, what's the matter with you?" Herbert
asked at length; "you haven't spoken a pleasant
word since we came out."
"I'm not ill," was the laconic reply.
"Then you must be in the sulks, and ought to
have stayed at home/' returned the plain-spoken
brother.
" Oh, don't tease her," said little Elsie. " Per
haps she has a headache, and I know by myself that
that makes one feel dull, and sometimes even cross."
"You cross! I don't believe you ever were in
your life," said Herbert. " I've never seen you any
thing but pleasant as a May morning."
"Don't quarrel, children, but help me to gather
some of these lovely flowers to scatter over the
graves up there on the hill," said Eosie Dinsmore.
336
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. S27
" Our graves," said Eddie softly. " Yes, I'd like
to; but, Aunt Rosie, I don't believe we can get in."
"Yes, we can," she answered. "Uncle Joe's up
there at work, weeding, and trimming the rose
bushes."
" Then I'll gather plenty of these beauties," said
Eddie, stooping to pluck the lovely, many-hued
blossoms that spangled the velvety grass at their
feet in every direction.
"How beautiful! how beautiful they are! and
some of them so fragrant ! " exclaimed Elsie, rapidly
filling a pretty basket she carried in her hand.
"How good God is to give us so many lovely
things!"
" Yes," returned Rosie, " it seems a pity to pluck
them from their stems and make them wither and
die; but there is such a profusion that what we take
can hardly be missed."
" And it's honoring our graves to scatter flowers
over them, isn't it, Aunt Rosie? " Eddie asked.
" Why do you say our graves just as if you were
already buried there?" laughed Herbert.
" Come," said Rosie, " I think we have enough
now."
" Oh, Aunt Rosie, down in that little dell yonder
they are still thicker than here, and more beautiful,
I think," exclaimed Elsie.
" But we have enough now; your basket is full.
Well go to that dell as we come back, and gather
some to take home to our mammas."
328 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"Oh, yes, that will be best," Elsie said, with
cheerful acquiescence.
"I shall go now and get some worthy to honor
the dead," said Meta, starting off in the direction.
of the dell.
" Meta likes to show her independence," said
Eosie, smiling; "we won't wait for her."
They climbed the hill, pushed open the gate of
the little enclosure and passed in; very quietly, for
their youthful spirits were subdued by the solemn
stillness of the place, and a feeling of awe crept
over them at thought of the dead whose dust lay
sleeping there.
Silently they scattered the flowers over each
lowly resting place, reserving the most beautiful for
that of her who was best known to them all the
first who had borne the name of Elsie Dinsmore.
" ur dear grandma! " whispered Elsie and
Eddie softly.
" I can't help feeling as if she was some relation
to me too," said Eosie, " because she was my sister's
mother, and papa's wife."
The breeze carried the words to the ear of
Uncle Joe, who was at work on the farther side of
the enclosure, and had not till that moment been
aware of the vicinity of the young people.
He rose and came hobbling toward them, pulling
off his hat, and bowing respectfully.
"Cat's so, Miss Eosie, ef you lubs de Lord, like
she did, de dear young missus dat lays heyah; for
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 329
8on't de 'postle saj ob de Lord's chillen dat dey's
all one in Christ Jesus? all one, Miss Rosie: heirs
ob God and joint heirs wid Christ."
"Yes, Uncle Joe, that is true."
" Ah, she was lubly, an' lubbed de Master well,"
be went on, leaning upon his staff and gazing fixedly
at the name engraved on the stone. " She's not
dead, chillen: her soul's wid de Lord in dat land ob
light an' glory, an' de body planted heyah till de
mornin' ob de resurrection."
" And then she will rise more beautiful than
ever," said little Elsie. " Mamma has told me about
it. ' The dead in Christ shall rise first/ "
" ' Then we who are alive and remain, shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the
Lord/" repeated Eosie.
"Yes, Miss Rosie. Bressed hope." And Uncle
Joe hobbled back to his work.
"Here, look at these!" said Meta hurrying up,
heated and out of breath with running. "Aren't
they beauties ? "
She emptied her apron upon the grave as she
spoke, then pulled out her handkerchief with a jerk,
to wipe the perspiration from her face. Something
fell against the tombstone with a ringing, metallic
sound.
"A key! a door-key!" cried Herbert, stooping
to pick it up. "Why, Meta, what key is it? end
are you doing with it?"
330 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
" I never heard that it had any particular name,"
she answered tartly, snatching it from him and re
storing it to her pocket, while her cheeks flushed
crimson.
The others exchanged surprised glances, but said
nothing.
" But what door does it belong to? and what are
you doing with it ? " persisted Herbert.
"Talk of the curiosity of women and girls!"
sneered Meta: "men and boys have quite as
much; but it's against my principles to gratify it."
"Your principles!" laughed Herbert. "You,
prying, meddling Meta, talking about other people's
curiosity! Well, that's a good one! "
"You insulting boy! I'll tell mamma of you,"
retorted Meta, beginning to cry.
"Ha! ha! I wish you would! tell her my re
marks about the key, and she'll soon make you ex
plain where it belongs, and how it came into your
possession."
At that Meta, deigning no reply, put her hand
kerchief to her eyes and hurried away toward the
house.
" There, she's gone to tell mamma," said Harry.
"Not she," said Herbert, "she knows better:
she'd only get reproved for telling tales, and be
forced to tell all about that key. She's been at
some mischief, I haven't a doubt: she's always pry
ing, and meddling with what she's been told not to
touch. Mamma says that's her besetting sin."
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 331
"And what does she say is yours?" asked Eosie,
looking him steadily in the eye.
Herbert colored and turned away.
His mother had told him more than once or twice,
that he was quite too much disposed to domineer
over and reprove his younger brother and sisters.
" Well, I don't care! " he muttered to himself,
"'tisn't half so mean a fault as Meta's. I'm the
oldest, and Harry and the girls ought to be willing
to let me tell them of it when they go wrong."
The key, which belonged to a closet in Mr. Lil-
burn's dressing-room, seemed to burn in Meta's
pocket. She was frightened that Herbert and the
others had seen it.
" They all looked as if they knew something was
wrong," she said to herself. " And to be sure, what
business could I have with a door-key! Dear me!
why wasn't I more careful. But it's like ' murder
will out; ' or what the Bible says, ' Be sure your sin
will find you out." ;
She was afraid to meet her mother with the key
in her possession, so took so circuitous a route to
reach the house, and walked so slowly, that the
others were there some time before her.
Her mother was on the veranda looking out for
her. "Why, how late you are, Meta," she said.
"Make haste to your room, and have your hair
and dress made neat; for the tea-bell will soon
ring."
" Yes, ma'am," and Meta flew into the house and
332 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
up to her room, only too glad of an excuse for not
stopping to be questioned.
She was down again barely in time to take her
seat at the table with the others. She glanced fur
tively at the faces of her mother, grandmother,
and Aunt Elsie, and drew a sigh of relief as she
perceived that they had evidently learned nothing
yet of her misconduct.
After tea she watched Mr. Lilburn's movements,
and was glad to see him step into the library, seat
himself before the fire, and take up a book.
" He's safe to stay there for awhile," she thought,
"so fond of reading as he is," and ran up to her
room for the key, which she had left there hidden
under her pillow.
She secured it unobserved, and stole cautiously
to the door of his dressing-room. She found it
slightly ajar, pushed it a little wider open, crept in,
gained the closet door, and was in the act of putting
the key into the lock when a deep groan, coming
from within the closet apparently, so startled her 5
that she uttered a faint cry and dropped the key
on the floor; then a hollow voice said, " If you ever
touch that again, I'll "
But Meta waited to hear no more; fear seemed
to lend her wings, and she flew from the room in
a panic of terror.
"Ah ha! ah ha! um h'm! ah ha! you were at some
mischief, no doubt, my lassie. ' The wicked flee
*rhen no man pursueth/ the good Book tells TIB/'
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 333
said the occupant of the room, stepping out from
the shadow of the window-curtain.
He had laid down his book almost immediately,
remembering that he had some letters to write, and
had come up to his apartments in search of one he
wished to answer.
It was already dark, except for the light of a
young moon, but by some oversight of the servants
the lamps had not yet been lighted here.
He was feeling about for matches, when hearing
approaching footsteps he stepped behind the cur
tain, and waited to see who the intruder was.
He recognized Meta's form and movements, and
sure that no legitimate errand had brought her
there at that time, resolved to give her a fright.
Tearing down the hall, Meta suddenly encoun
tered her mother, who, coming up to her own apart
ments, had reached the head of the stairs just in
time to witness Meta's exit from those of Mr.
Lilburn.
" Oh, Fm so frightened! so frightened, mamma! 9>
cried the child, throwing herself into her mother's
arms.
"As your richly deserve to be," said Mrs. Car-
rington, taking her by the hand and leading her
into her dressing-room. " What were you doing in
Mr. Lilburn's apartments?"
Meta hung her head in silence.
" Speak, Meta; I will have an answer," her mother
said, with determination.
334 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
"I wasn't doing any harm; only putting away
something that belonged there."
"What was it?"
" A key."
"Meddling again!' prying even into the affairs
of a strange gentleman! " groaned her mother.
"Meta, what am I to do with you? this dreadful
fault of yours mortifies me heyond everything. I
feel like taking you back to Ashlands at once, and
never allowing you to go from home at all, lest
you should bring a life-long disgrace upon yourself
and me."
" Mother, I wasn't prying or meddling with Mr.
Lilburn's affairs," said Meta, bursting into sobs and
tears.
"What were you doing there? tell me all about
it, without any more ado."
Knowing that her mother was a determined
woman, and seeing that there was now no escape
from a full confession, Meta made it.
Mrs. Harrington was much distressed.
" Meta, you have robbed your Aunt Elsie, your
Aunt Elsie who has always been so good, so kind
to me and to you: and I can never make good her
loss; never replace that plate."
"Just that one tiny plate couldn't be worth so
very much," muttered the offender.
"It's intrinsic value was, perhaps, not very
great," replied Mrs. Carrington, "but to my dear
friend it was worth much as a memento of her dead
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 335
mother. Meta, you shall not go with us to-morrow,
but shall spend the day locked up in your own room
at home/'
An excursion had been planned for the next day,
in which the whole,, party, adults and children,
were to have a share. They were to leave at an
early hour in the morning, travel several miles by
boat, and spend the day picnicking on a deserted
plantation one Meta had not yet seen, but had
heard spoken of as a very lovely place.
She had set her heart on going, and this decree
of her mother came upon her as a great blow. She
was very fond of being on the water, and of seeing
new places, and had pictured to herself the delights
of roaming over the large old house, which she had
heard was still standing, peeping into the closets,
pulling open drawers, perhaps discovering secret
stairways and oh, delightful thought! possibly
coming upon some hidden treasure forgotten by the
owners in their hasty flight.
She wept bitterly, coaxed, pleaded, and made fair
promises for the future, but all in vain. Her mother
was firm.
" You must stay at home, Meta," she said. " It
grieves me to deprive you of so great a pleasure,
but I must do what I can to help you to overcome
this dreadful fault. You have chosen stolen pleas
ures at the expense of disobedience to me, and most
ungrateful, wicked behavior toward my kind friend;
and as a just and necessary punishment you nms$
336 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
be deprived of the share you were to have had in
the innocent enjoyments planned for to-morrow.
You shall also make a full confession to your Aunt
Elsie, and ask her forgiveness."
" I won't! " exclaimed Meta angrily; then catch
ing the look of pained surprise in her mother's
face, she ran to her, and throwing her arms about
her neck, " )h, mamma! mamma! forgive me! " she
cried. "I can't bear to see you look so grieved: I
will never say that again; I will do whatever you bid
me."
Mrs. Carrington kissed her child in silence, then
taking her by the hand, " Come and let us have this
painful business over/' she said, and led the way to
Mrs. Travilla's boudoir.
Elsie had no reproaches for Meta, but kindly for
gave her, and even requested that she might be per
mitted to share in the morrow's enjoyment, but
Mrs. Carrington would not hear of it.
CHAPTER XXVIIL
Nature I'll court in her sequester'd haunts,
By mountain, meadow, streamlet, grove, or cell.
Smottet.
ME. DINSMOEE was pacing the front veranda, en
joying the cool, fresh morning air, when little feet
came pattering through the hall, and a sweet child
voice hailed him with, " Good-morning, my dear
grandpa/'
"Ah, grandpa's little cricket, where were you
last evening? " he asked, sitting down and taking
her on his knee.
It was his pet name for Vi, because she was so
merry.
The fair face flushed, but putting her arms about
his neck, her lips to his ear, " I was in mamma's
dressing-room, grandpa," she whispered. " I was
'bHged to stay there, 'cause I'd been naughty and
disobeyed mamma." )
" Ah, I am sorry to hear that! but I hope you
don't intend to disobey any more."
" No, indeed, grandpa."
" Are you considered good enough to go with as
to-day?"
" Yes, grandpa, mamma says I was punished
337
338 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
yesterday, and I don't be punished twice for tHe
same thing."
" Mamma is quite right," he said, " and grandpa
is very glad she allows you to go."
"I don't think I deserve it, grandpa, but she's
1 such a dear, kind mamma."
" So she is, pet, and I hope you will always be a
dear good daughter to her," said grandpa, holding
the little face close to his.
Meta was not allowed to come down to breakfast.
Vi missed her from the table, and at prayers, and
going up to Mrs. Carrington, asked, " Is Meta sick,
Aunt Sophie? "
" No, dear, but she has been too naughty to be
with us. I have said she must stay in her own room
all day."
"And not go to the picnic? Oh, please let her
go, auntie! "
The other children joined their entreaties to Vi's,
but without avail; and with streaming eyes, Meta,
at her window, saw the embarkation, and watched
the boats glide away till lost to view in the distance.
" Too bad! " she sobbed, " it's too, too bad that
I must stay here and learn long hard lessons while
all the rest are having such a good time! "
Then she thought remorsefully of her mother's
sad look, as she bade her good-bye, and said how
sorry she was to be obliged to leave her behind, and
as some atonement set to work diligently at her
tasks.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
The weather was very fine, the sun shone, the
birds filled the air with melody, and a delicious
breeze danced in the tree-tops, rippled the water,
and played with the brown and golden ringlets of
little Elsie and Vi, and the flaxen curls of Daisy
Carrington.
The combined influences of the clear, pure air,
the pleasant motion, as the rowers bent to their
oars, and the lovely scenery meeting the eye at
every turn, were not to be resisted; and all, old and
young, were soon in great spirits. They sang
songs, cracked jokes, told anecdotes, and were alto
gether a very merry company.
After a delightful row of two hours or more the
rounding of a point brought suddenly into view the
place of their destination.
The boats were made fast and the party stepped
ashore, followed by the men servants bearing rugs
and wraps, and several large well-filled hampers
of provisions.
With joyous shouts the children ran hither and
thither; the boys tumbled on the grass, the girls
gathered great bouquets of the beautiful flowers,
twisted them in their curls, and wove garlands for
their hats.
"Walk up to de house, ladies an' gentlemen;
massa and missus not at home now, but be berry
glad to see you when dey gets back," said a pleasant
voice close at hand.
All but Mr. Lilburn looked about for the
340 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
speaker, wondered at seeing no one, then laughed
at themselves for being so often and so easily
deceived.
" Suppose we accept the invitation," said Mr.
Travilla, leading the way.
The two old ladies preferred a seat under a wide-
spreading tree on the lawn; but the others accom
panied him in a tour of the deserted mansion, al-
, ready falling rapidly to decay.
They climbed the creaking stairs, passed along
the silent corridors, looked into the empty rooms,
and out of the broken windows upon the flower
gardens, once trim and gay, now choked with rub
bish, and overgrown with weeds, and sighed over the
desolations of war.
Some of the lower rooms were still in a pretty
good state of preservation, and in one of these the
servants were directed to build a fire and prepare
tea and coffee.
Plenty of dry branches strewed the ground in a
bit of woods but a few rods distant. Some of these
were quickly gathered, and a brightly blazing fire
presently crackled upon the hearth, and roared up
the wide chimney.
Leaving the house, which in its loneliness and
dilapidation inspired only feelings of sadness and
gloom, our party wandered over the grounds, which
were still beautiful even in their forlornly neglect^
state.
The domain was extensive, and the older boys
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 341
fiaving taking an opposite direction from their
parents, were presently out of their sight and hear
ing, the house being directly between. Uncle Joe,
however, was with the lads, so no anxiety was felt
for their safety.
Wandering on, they came to a stream of limpid
water flowing between high grassy banks, and
spanned by a little rustic bridge.
5 "Let's cross over," said Herbert, "that's such
a pretty bridge, and it looks lovely on the other
side."
"No, no, 'tain't safe, boys, don't you go for to
try it," exclaimed Uncle Joe.
"Pooh! what do you know about it?" returned
Herbert, who always had great confidence in his
own opinion. "If it won't bear us all at once, it
certainly will one at a time. What do you say,
Ed?"
" I think Uncle Joe can judge better whether it's
safe than little boys like us."
"Don't you believe it: his eyes are getting old,
and he can't see half so well as you or I."
" I kin see dat some ob de planks is gone, Marse
Herbert; an' de ole timbahs looks shaky."
"Shaky! nonsense! they'll not shake under my
weight, and I'm going to cross."
" Now, Herbie, don't you do it," said his brother.
"You know mamma wouldn't allow it if she waa
here."
"'Twon't be disobedience, though, as she isn't
342 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
here, and never has forbidden me to go on that
bridge," persisted Herbert.
"Mamma and papa say that truly obedient
children don't do what they know their parents
would forbid if they were present/* said Eddie.
"I say nobody but a coward would be afraid to
venture on that bridge." said Herbert, ignoring
Eddie's last remark. " Suppose it should break and
let you fall! the worst would be a ducking."
" De watah's deep, Marse Herbert, and you
might git drownded! " said Uncle Joe. " Or maybe
some ob de timbahs fall on you an' break yo' leg
or yo' back."
They were now close to the bridge.
" It's very high up above the water," said Harry,
" and a good many boards are off: I'd be afraid to
go on it."
" Coward! " sneered his brother. " Are you
afraid too, Ed?"
"Yes, I'm afraid to disobey my father; because
that's disobeying God."
" Did your father ever say a word about not going
on this bridge? "
" No; but he's told me never to run into danger
needlessly; that is, when there's nothing to be gained
by it for myself or anybody else."
" Before I'd be such a coward ! " muttered
Herbert, deliberately walking on to the bridge.
The other two beys watched his movements in
trembling, breathless silence, while Uncle Joe began
tiLSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 348
looking about for some means of rescue in case of
accident.
Herbert picked his way carefully over the half-
rotten timbers till he had gained the middle of the
bridge, then stopped, looked back at his companions
and pulling off his cap, waved it round his head,
"Hurrah! here I am: who's afraid? who was right
'this time?"
Then leaning over the low railing, "Oh!" he
cried, "you ought just to see the fish! splendid big
fellows. Come on, boys, and look at 'em! "
But at that instant the treacherous railing gave
way with a loud crack, and with a wild scream for
help, over he went, headforemost, falling with a
sudden plunge into the water, and disappearing at
once beneath the surface.
" Oh, he'll drown! he'll drown! " shrieked Harry,
wringing his hands, while Eddie echoed the cry for
help.
" Run to de house, Marse Ed, an* fotch some ob
de boys to git him out," said Uncle Joe, hurrying to
the edge of the stream with an old fishing-rod he
had found lying among the weeds on its bank.
But a dark object sprang past him, plunged into
the stream, and as Herbert rose to the surface,
seized him by the coat-collar, and so holding his
head above the water, swam with him quickly to the
shore.
" Good Bruno! brave fellow! good dog! " said a
voice near at hand, and turning to look for the
?44 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
epeakei; TJnck Joe found Mr. Daly standing By fifo
*ide.
Leaving his gayer companions, the minister had
wandered away, book in hand, to this sequestered
spot. Together he and Uncle Joe assisted the dog
to drag Herbert up the bank, and laid him on the
grass.
The fall had stunned the boy, but now conscious
ness returned. "I'm not hurt," he said, opening
his eyes. " But don't tell mother: she'd be fright
ened half to death."
"We'll save her as much as we can; and I hope
you've learned a lesson, young sir, and will not be
so foolhardy another time/' said Mr. Daly.
"P'raps he'll tink ole folks not such fools, nex*
time," remarked Uncle Joe. "Bress de Lord dat
he didn't get drownded! "
The men and boys came running from the house,
bringing cloaks and shawls to wrap about the drip
ping boy. They would have carried him back with
them, but he stoutly resisted, declaring himself
quite as able to walk as anybody.
" Let him do so, the exercise will help to prevent
his taking cold, provided he is well wrapped up, "
said Mr. Daly, throwing a^ cloak over the lad's
shoulders, and folding it carefully about him.
"Ill news flies fast," says the proverb. Mrs.
Carrington met them upon the threshold, pale and
trembling with affright. -She clasped her boy in
her arms with a heart too full for utterance.
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. $45
"Never mind, mother," he said; "I've only had
& ducking, that's all."
" But it may not be all: you may get your death
of cold," she said; "I've no dry clothes for you
there."
By this time the whole party had hurried to the
spot.
" Here's a good fire; suppose we hang him up to
dry before it," said old Mr. Dinsmore with a grim
smile.
"His clothes, rather; rolling him up in cloaks
and shawls in the meantime," suggested Herbert's
grandmother. " Let us ladies go back to the lawn,
and leave his uncle to oversee the business."
Herbert had spoiled his holiday so far as the
remainder of the visit to this old estate was con
cerned: he could not join the others at the feast,
presently spread under the trees on the lawn, or
in the sports that followed; but had to pass the
time lying idly on a pallet beside the fire, with
nothing to entertain him but his own thoughts, and
watching the servants until, their work done, they
too wandered away in search of amusement.
Most of the afternoon was spent by the gentlemen
in fishing in that same stream into which Herbert's
folly and self-conceit had plunged him.
Eddie had his own little fishing-rod, and with it
in his hand sat on a log beside his father, a little
apart from the rest, patiently awaiting for the fish
to bite. Mr. Travilla had thrown several out upon
346 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
the grass, but Eddie's bait did not seem to attract
a single one.
He began to grow weary of sitting still and silent,
and creeping closer to his father whispered, " Papa,
I'm tired, and I want to ask you something. Do
you think the fish will hear and be scared if I speak
low?"
"Perhaps not; you may try it if you like," re
turned Mr. Travilla, looking somewhat amused.
" Thank you, papa. Well, Herbert said nobody
but a coward would be afraid to go on that bridge.
Do you think he was right, papa? "
"No, my boy; but if you had gone upon it to
avoid being laughed at or called a coward, I should
say you showed a great lack of true courage. He
is a brave man or boy who dares to do right without
regard to consequences."
" But, papa, if you'd been there, and said I might
if I wanted to?"
" Hardly -a supposable case, my son."
"Well, if I'd been a man and could do as I
chose?" .
"Men have no more right to do as they please
than boys; they must obey God. If his will is theirs,
they may do as they please, just as you may, if it
is your pleasure to be good and obedient."
"Papa, I don't understand. Does God say we
must not go into dangerous places?"
" He says, ' Thou shalt not kill '; we have no right
to kill ourselves, or to run the risk of doing so
I
ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD. 347
for amusement, or to be considered brave,
or dexterous."
" Bvt if somebody needs us to do it to save them
from bing hurt or killed, papa? "
" Thn it becomes quite a different matter; it is
brave, generous, and right to risk our own life or
limbs t^save those of others."
" Thei I may do it, papa? "
"Yes,>my son; Jesus laid down his life to save
others, a\d in all things he is to be our example."
A hand was laid lightly on the shoulder of each,
and a swfct voice said, "May my boy heed his
father's instructions in this and in everything else."
"Wife!'* Mr. Travilla said, turning to look up
into the far face bent over them.
' ( Mamma, dear mamma, I do mean to," said
Eddie.
" Is it not time to go home? " she asked. " The
little ones are growing weary."
"Yes, the sun is getting low/''
In a few moments the whole party had re-em
barked; in less exuberant spirits than in the morn
ing, yet perhaps not less happy; little disposed to
talk, but with hearts filled with a quiet, peaceful
content.
Viamede was reached without accident, a bounti
ful supper awaiting them there partaken of with
keen appetites, and the little ones went gladly to
bed.
Eeturning from the nursery to the drawing-
S48 ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD.
room, Elsie found her namesake daughter sitting
apart in a bay window, silently gazing out over the
beautiful landscape sleeping in the moonlight.
She looked up with a smile, as her mother took
a seat by her side and passed an arm about her
iraist.
" Isn't it lovely, mamma? see how the waters of
our lakelet shine in the moonbeams like molten
silver! and the fields, the groves, the hills! how
charming they look in the soft light."
" Yes, darling: and that was what you were think-
ing of, sitting here alone?*'
" Yes, mamma; and of how good God is to us to
give us this lovely home and dear, kind father and
mother to take care of us. It is always so sweet
to come back to my home when I've been away.
I was enjoying it all the way coming in the boat
to-night; that, and thinking of the glad time when
we shall all be gathered intt the lovelier home Jesus
is preparing for us."
" God grant we may! " said the mother, with
emotion, "it is my heart's desire and prayer to
God for all my dear ones, especially my children.
'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither havei
entered into the heart of man, the things which
God hath prepared ior them that love him/ "
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