Mistress Cassandra Lippincott's Courtship

THE first time that I met Captain Hopkinson was at Governor Hamilton’s ball, given in February of the year 1750, now nearly forty years ago ; and I never could quite make out why he should have taken such a vast fancy to me, when there were so many other damsels of higher quality present, all eager for the notice of the gallant king’s officer, as he was then. Certain it is, he quite lost his heart on the spot to an insignificant little rustic, and, as he hath since told me, never rested content till he had made her his honored wife. I have always held the notion that the new sky-colored tabby, flowered with silver thread, that mother had out from London in the course of the winter as a present to me against my birthday, which fell on the very day of the ball, had no small share in the matter ; for ’t was universally pronounced the very pink of elegance, and was undoubtedly of the newest mode in design and shaping. With a modest patch on the left of the cherished dimple in my chin, and my hair in powder, I must confess that I was at my very best. I never could boast of particular good looks, but dress and neatness are great beautifiers, and I never spared soap or water, holding that a clean smooth skin is vastly better than an ill-kept complexion, repaired with paints, washes, etc. My low stature, too, was thought a sad disadvantage in my youth ; but by the help of unconscionable heels to my shoes, a high-piled head, and a certain upright carriage of the shoulders, which my mother insisted upon under all circumstances, the difficulty was in some degree overcome.

My brother Richard, who escorted my mother and me to the ball, burst into a fit of merriment when I came slowly and carefully into the drawingroom, where he had waited impatiently, whilst black Dinah, my own woman, had admitted the house-servants, one by one, to view my grandeur in the rooms above. Dick, I say, fell to ridiculing my stately appearance, and swore that if it were not for my towering head, my high heels, and trailing gown, I should be a minikin with whom no one would dance at the ball. Struck by the unwelcome truth of his remark, a shower of tears would speedily have put my new dignity to flight, had not Dick (affectionate soul!) immediately kissed my hand with great gallantry, and soothingly vowed that I would carry it with the best of them for grace and elegance, and that tall females were not to every man’s taste, thank God ! The coach being come to the door, he handed us in, and away we rolled to my first ball. So many years have elapsed since this (to me) important occasion, that my memory serves me but ill in the matter of recalling the events of the evening. I can now think of nothing but the minuet I walked with Captain Hopkinson, the glasses of negus I took from his hand, the elegant bows he executed, the air with which he wielded my large fan when I ventured to mention the heat, and, crowning all, his grand appearance as he stood at the door of our coach into which he had handed us ; my last impression being of a fine martial figure with laced hat sweeping the ground, and diamond shoe - buckles brought closely together in a final salute.

It was a sore business to condescend to the paltry' duties that came with the morrow. I turned upon my pillow to dream of the ball again, provoked that day had dawned to put all my fine visions to flight.

From the night of this ball date all my joys and sorrows ; as for mother, she scarce knew a happy day afterward. Our poor Dick was the kindliest, the most loving soul alive, but his very good-nature was his bane, and he filled a drunkard’s grave at last, the beginning of his ruin being as follows : Going down to Philadelphia on the day after the ball to dispose of a large quantity of grain that lay in our barns unsold, he fell in with a set of roysterers, old school friends, the which importuning him to join them in their thoughtless orgies, poor Dick, too good-natured to refuse, passed a week in their evil companionship, drinking and gaming away the whole of the proceeds resulting from the sale of our commodities. He wrote a truly penitent letter to our mother when the money was all spent, confessing all, and vowing that he would then and there enlist in the king’s service if she would but say the word, for that he felt himself to be an unthankful villain, unfit to come home and consort with a decent family. This news shook my mother sadly (she was a widow and he her only son), and being but in a poor state of health, I feared lest she should sink under the shock. She did not care a fico for the money, for, thank Heaven ! we had plenty and to spare ; but she mourned over the poor youth’s grievous fall. She wrote him to return to his home at once, and that he should be received with the welcome accorded to the Prodigal Son. Dick lost no time, and ’t was a happy evening when we were again united, our prodigal sitting betwixt us, holding a hand of each, recounting his iniquities, and promising with tears and blushes of shame to amend his conduct. Alas ! ’t was only a fortnight after this that he went for a stroll through our village, and, being lured into the brandy-shop, the pest of the whole place, returned at night with a host of vagabonds at his heels, singing and brawling till our entire household was awoken from innocent slumber and his shameful condition a secret to no one. Mother sat up in bed, pale as death. (I had run into her chamber at the first intimation of what was going forward below.) “ Cassandra,” said she, “is it the Indians?” tor the poor soul was always thinking of them ; but, before I could answer, Dick commenced to beat on the wall with his cane, roaring meanwhile in a loud, thick voice, “Cass, Cass, I say, come down and open the door ! ” And then mother knew.

I was really at my wit’s end, and was considering what steps to take in the matter, when I saw the flash of a candle under the door, and heard old Pomp, our black man, go down the stairway with his slow shuffling step, grumbling to himself as he went. I ran to peep over the baluster, and waited with beating heart while the old man unbarred the door and called out, “ Is dat you, Mass’ Richie ? ”

“ Yes, you black ’Gola,” was the answer ; “ how durst you keep a person of my quality waiting at his own door ? Make way there ; I have fetched this company of gentlemen to sup with me.” All this was delivered in a thick, stuttering voice that I scarcely knew for Dick’s own sweet tones.

“ Ay, why do you keep a gentleman out of his own house ? ” bawled one of the drunken retinue. “ Play your cane about his shins, noble Dick, and choke the caitiff with his own candle ; or no, set fire to his wool ! ” And then followed a shout of foolish laughter.

“If e’er a one of you offer to tech me, except Mass’ Richie,” said old Pompey stoutly, “ I blow' off his head wid dis yere blunderbush.” And he pointed a rusty old horse-pistol of my father’s at the crowd, which to be sure fell back in great confusion, although the weapon had not been loaded for ten years, if they had but known it. The old creature then caught Dick about the body and hauled him into the house without further ceremony, barring the door again in spite of the blows rained upon it from the outside. He never said a word, but led my unhappy brother, struggling violently, up to his chamber, and, after a scuffling and bumping that went on overhead for the best part of an hour, no more was heard of Dick till next morning, when he came down to breakfast at nine, looking like a man about to be hanged,

“ Good morning, my child,” said mother cheerfully (he little knew she had spent the night in prayer and weeping); “ wilt thou have a mug of ale or a cup of our good strong tea ? Either will benefit thee greatly.”

“ Good God, ma’am,” cried Dick, dropping his head and bursting into tears, “ such kindness is too much for such a beast as I am become, and I ’d rather be rated than bear it, so I would.”

“ We must all have our troubles, child,” said mother sweetly, whilst I set a cup of our choice tea close to his hand, “and thine are but beginning ; ’t is all in thine own hands, Richard ; thou dost not want for parts, and Heaven hath given thee a fine person and excellent prospects. Remember, thou art but just come to man’s estate, and the enemy is but newly upon thee. Plenty of time is granted thee to amend. As for me, my days are not now very long, but I would fain see thee well settled and in a discreet, virtuous way of doing before I go. Thou art soon to be trusted with the care of little Cassy here ; dost think thou art now in the way to become a suitable guardian of thy sister ? ”

Promises of amendment followed, and I sugared not less than five cups of tea which Dick drained to the very lees, while planning out volubly a course of future conduct to set him again in the straight path. But’t was all of no avail ; bad habits so easily taken up are hard to set down again, and poor Dick was too weak to prolong the struggle beyond a fortnight or so. Some weeks after this sad piece of business he came in from a stroll, and kissing me as I sat at my seam (he was always a tender, affectionate lad), says, “ Cass, who, dost think, is lodging at the Haycock ? ”

Of course I could not guess.

“No other, then, than the Captain who led you out so handsomely at the governor’s ball, and made such a fine leg in the minuet. He says he is here on business, but I’ve a notion that he is come for a look at you ; for he was uncommonly civil to me for no reason at all, and swore that he desired nothing better than my friendship and good opinion. We had a bottle of Burgundy together, and I bespoke his company to dinner to-morrow.”

I grew hot and cold by turns as Dick spoke, for, to be honest, I had thought more times than a few of the gallant officer who had honored me with such particular notice at the ball, and I was secretly well pleased with this opportunity for further acquaintance. I was sorry that the occasion scarce warranted the bringing forth of the sky-colored tabby, but I laid out my neat green and white striped linen gown and high-heeled shoes that night, and did not think of going into bed till I had made me a rose-colored truelovers’ knot for my hair, which I resolved upon dressing in a new and intricate design I then had in my mind.

I had a charming dream in the morning before I awoke ; methought I was taking the air in a most beautiful garden, arrayed in my tabby, and hand in hand with the Captain, who presently plucked a posy of spearmint, May roses, and other sweet-scented flowers, which he presented to me kneeling, vowing that he would not rise till I had sworn to be his forever ! Before I could bring my courage to speak the consent I fully meant to grant, I awoke and found the sun shining brightly, and the sweet smell of our climbing rose coming in at the windows. Although ’t was Sabbath day, and mother scarce approved, I went into the pantry and whipped creams and custards for dinner, making, too, a tipsy-cake, the which I have generally found to be to the liking of most gentlemen, and which I stayed from meeting to watch in the baking, not venturing to trust to the discretion of our black cook, jinny, who had a notable aversion to the entertaining of company on Sunday, and rarely failed to take measures for discouraging the practice. Everything turning out to my satisfaction, I arrayed myself in the striped gown and its belongings, and walked about the garden for a half-hour to compose my spirits and to cool my cheeks, that were become of the true Blowsabella tint, through my exertions in the kitchen and pantry.

At twelve o’clock our family coach, with mother and Dick, rolled through the great gate into the avenue of horsechestnuts, and I needed not to be told who rode beside it, with white breeches and scarlet coat shining so splendidly in the sunlight. I was silly enough to contemplate running away and hiding in my bedchamber till mother should send for me ; but the Captain spied me while still afar off, and swept off his cocked hat in a salute that brought his head to the saddle-bow. Mother’s pale face, all the whiter for the black velvet hood she wore, looked smiling from the coach-window; and Dick winked at me with so much meaning over her shoulder, that the courtesy I had meant should be so stately turned out to be a mere ugly cheese, from the ill-management of my stiff gown in the flurry of my spirits. But O, such a fine bow as the Captain executed when he had alighted, flinging the reins of his tall gray charger to the servant who had followed at some distance ! and the air with which he led my mother into the house ! We see nothing of the sort nowadays in these parts, where the young men are grown such coxcombs that I verily believe they think it a vast condescension to notice females at all, young or old. At dinner, the Captain did not address his attentions particularly to me, but engaged my mother in sensible and agreeable discourse, mentioning at length his widowed mother, who, he said, had heard much of my mother through Governor Hamilton’s family, and would have the honor of waiting upon her at a suitable opportunity.

I had caught a glimpse of Madam Hopkinson at the ball, and a grand dame she was, exceeding tall and stately, wearing a costly Brussels lace head upon the top of her wig, and a gown of tea-colored brocade fit for a queen ; and I secretly trembled at the notion of a visitation from such a mighty personage. My mother, who had lived out of the world of fashion since my father’s decease, returning to it but for my sake on the occasion of the ball, was mightily amused with the Captain’s lively discourse, and I had not seen her so well entertained for years. He requested permission to wait upon us whensoever he should be in the neighborhood, where, as he said, he should have frequent calls of business ; and mother readily consented, as she was well advised of his belongings, and knew of nothing in his disfavor. He did not sit at wine with Dick, much to the latter’s contempt, but followed us almost immediately to the drawingroom, where, opening my spinet, he requested a song ; I sang the whole three I had been taught at the academy, and he was pleased to bestow many flattering encomiums upon my voice and manner, both of which were very well suited to the taste of the time, but would make small sensation now, since screeching and gesticulation are become the mode, and nature left far behind.

When night fell, the Captain called up his man, who had been properly entertained in the kitchen below, and, mounting his gray horse, rode away to Philadelphia. For a week I trod on air, finding it a hard matter to settle down to my seam, music, or books.

On the Sabbath following I was on the lookout, half hoping to be disappointed ; for matters were not well with us at home. But the gray horse clattered up the avenue just before tea was served, and my heart gave a leap of joy, notwithstanding that I had good cause for sorrow ; for Dick had been again to the brandy-shop and was lying senseless up stairs, where we heard his heavy snoring through the open windows. My mother was greatly out of spirits, and the Captain (who understood everything at a glance) did not prolong his stay beyond an hour, kissing my mother’s hand on taking his leave with a respectful sympathy that brought the tears to my eyes.

A fortnight passed and we heard no more of the Captain ; Dick meanwhile really going from bad to worse, being fetched home night after night in a state I cannot dwell on. Mother grew more feeble every day, and finally took to her bed. We had two medical men from Philadelphia, but they said that nothing could be done ; an inward complaint of a most serious sort was hurrying her to the grave. This was a terrible hearing, although she had long realized her perilous state, and even our poor Dick was frighted into decent behavior for a while ; but, on mother mending somewhat, the infatuated youth returned to his former ways, and drank and brawled till our hearts were wellnigh broken.

Our parson had several times been at the pains to remonstrate in a friendly manner with the thoughtless lad on his evil courses, and at length threatened to take some public action in the matter, if Dick did not hasten to amend his conduct, which, as Parson Trotter trulydeclared, was a crying scandal, perverting the youth of the village from virtuous, sober ways, beside sending our mother away out of the world before her time was come.

Dick took all in good part, shedding tears of repentance and agreeing to amend, but really, as it seemed to me, going all the more swiftly down the broad road to ruin. At length he was found one night, fallen from his horse on the high road, in a senseless condition from drink; and Parson Trotter, getting wind of it, went next morning to Squire Ellwood, our county magistrate, and made open complaint against the poor lad, whereby he was summoned to appear the following week to answer the charge of drunkenness on the public highway.

When Pompey put the notice into Dick’s hand that afternoon, the poor lad turned a deathly white; he was weak already from the previous night’s debauch, and his head sank upon the table before him. I took the paper and was struck with a chill of horror at the disgrace that had come upon us-

“ O, I am undone ! ” cried the poor youth ; “my sins have found me out, and I am fitly punished. O my mother, my mother! ” I comforted him as best I might, saying that the matter should be kept strictly from our mother, and offering to bear him company to the Squire’s office, which latter, however, he would not hear to, saying, that as he had sinned alone, he meant to take his punishment alone, as best became a man.

This was on Wednesday, and Dick was completely sobered for the rest of the week; his disgrace had put by the taste for strong drink, although he continued to consume such vast quantities of ale, that it was really a standing wonder how that he could hold such an amount. The matter was carefully kept from mother, who still lay very ill; but the servants were well advised of the whole transaction. Indeed, the village was agape at the news, Parson Trotter having lost no time in proclaiming his share in it to all and sundry.

As for me, I found my anger justly aroused at this unchristian proceeding, for such it surely was in the state of things, — my mother lying at death’s door, and no father to stand by our poor Dick ; and I should have ventured upon speaking my mind to Parson Trotter, only that he took excellent care to keep away from our observation.

Dick was not destined to undergo the dreadful ordeal, however, for our blessed parent breathed her last on the very morning before that of the pending disgrace; and Parson Trotter, being summoned in great haste, was prevailed upon, at my entreaty, to speak a good word for the orphans, and actually did arrange the matter satisfactorily with our benevolent Squire, who said, that as Heaven had seen fit, through the death of his mother, to interpose between the sinner and his just punishment, the matter should rest then and there for the present ; so that it really seemed as if our mother had died to save her son from disgrace.

About an hour or so before the great change (for which she was fully prepared), she discoursed calmly with me on our affairs, giving me many charges as to the proper fulfilment of her intentions respecting Dick and me; and I gave to her my solemn promise that I would never turn against my poor brother, but uphold and comfort him as well as I might, in the hope that time would bring about some amendment in his conduct. But alas ! this was not to be ; for, notwithstanding that Dick was as one in the lowermost depths of despondency at our bereaved condition, refusing indeed to be comforted at first, in less than a week he resorted to the bottle, assuring me that his remorse of conscience was of such a sort as could only be drowned in strong drink. He was wise enough, however, to fetch his means of comfort (!) home and apply it at leisure, not choosing to risk another exposure.

Mother left to me our farm, with strict injunctions not to put it up at sale so long as I remained unmarried, for that she meant it should be always a safe home to me, whatsoever should befall. To Dick was left the remainder of the property, — some few cottages and pieces of valuable ground, the which he lost little time in converting into ready money, destined, alas ! to be wasted upon worthless companions in wicked and senseless riot.

Captain Hopkinson, who had all this time been detained in New York on military business, arrived at home on the day of my mother’s burial and rode up to the funeral. He was greatly grieved and shocked at the news, which seemed to him so sudden, as he had last seen my mother in moderate health, and looked for nothing less than her death.

At this time, my mother’s cousin, Mistress Dorothy Lucas, a poor gentlewoman somewhat in years, came from Boston, according to previous agreement with my deceased parent, and took up her residence with us at the farm, where we all dwelt very satisfactorily together ; she never interfering with Dick in any way, and proving to be a most valuable acquisition to our household, that had thriven but indifferently under my unaccustomed authority. She brought with her a letter from my father’s sister in Boston, who kindly advised me to rent out the farm and come to live with her in that city, where she kept great state and entertained the best of company, and where I should receive from her the welcome of a daughter; meanwhile Dick was to be left to shift for himself and squander his property at leisure.

When my poor brother came to hear of this plan, wherein everything was contrived for my comfort, and nothing whatever for his, he was quite cast down, and besought me with tears in his eyes, not to cut him loose on the waters of life, where his poor leaking bark was sure to go down at once ! When he found that I did not entertain the notion for an instant, he embraced me with joy, and vowed I was his hope and treasure, whom he meant always to protect with his life if need be.

When our natural grief was somewhat abated, Captain Hopkinson renewed his agreeable visits, the which, from being at first fortnightly, and then weekly, soon became much more frequent, to my exceeding great content. He would sometimes fetch with him books of poetry, which he read aloud to Mistress Dorothy and me with appropriate gestures, as we sat at our knotting in the arbor on warm afternoons, and our relative (to whom he paid respectful court) was quite won by his polite attentions, vowing that he minded her greatly of a swain of her own, with whom she had coquetted so disastrously in her young days that he was obligated to leave her for a more compliant damsel, since which she had never seen his like till now.

I discovered that the Captain had a pretty taste in versification of his own, before the summer was out. There came a strolling portrait-painter to the neighborhood during the month of August, and Dick was bent upon having my miniature done upon ivory; so a sitting was arranged, and the man fetched his paraphernalia in a leathern case one afternoon, to make a beginning. I have the picture yet, though in a somewhat faded state ; but I cannot flatter myself that it was ever very like, as the man gave me a complexion of lilies and roses such as I am sure I never had, and was obliged to paint in my hair and eyebrows of a jet black from lack of the required brown pigment, of which, he said, he was most unfortunately out, and could come at no more nearer than New York. As the sitting had been arranged in the arbor, it being a very warm day, I threw over my head an elegant yellow gauze scarf of my deceased mother’s, to protect me from the glaring sun ; and, on making my appearance before the painter, was greeted with such exclamations of admiration as induced me to be taken off in this novel headgear. Captain Hopkinson, who was present, declared it resembled a halo, or glory, about my head, and whispered in my ear that he should henceforth call me Gloria, after the fashion of the day, when gallants racked their brains to invent fictitious names for romantic damsels.

This incident was the occasion of my discovery of the Captain’s talent in the making of verses ; for next morning, as that blundering Dick was idling about the drawing-room, he took from my work-bag, which I had not yet opened, a paper inscribed with the following elegant stanzas, and, seating himself upon the table, read them aloud in a lackadaisical tone before I knew what he was at, he never noting the while that I was roasting with vexation and shame.

TO GLORIA.

“Vastly fine,” quoth Dick, “and in the Captain’s hand too, no less. But, pray, who may this Gloria be ? A fanciful personage doubtless, and made up out of the Captain’s brain. Well, he hath a very pretty fancy ; but after all’s said and done, ’t is no such great matter to string a few fine sentiments together and make the tag ends of the lines to rhyme ; I ’ll bet a pound that I could cap him if I’d nothing more important (!) to do.” So saying, he cast the paper upon the table, and, to my great joy, stalked out of the room without bestowing another thought upon the matter. To run and secure the verses in the pocket of my striped gown was the work of a moment; and when Mistress Dorothy came into the room, I was sitting demurely at my seam, my heart filled with wrath at poor, innocent Dick, but very light, nevertheless, with the sweet revealings of the Captain’s pen.

“ Why, child,” says Cousin, “ thy cheeks are red as pippins, and there is even a little cherry on thy chin. This room is too stuffed : go, take the air for a while in the garden, or I shall have a fever-patient on my hands.”

The business was not destined to progress much further just then, for at this time, our outlying settlements on the Delaware being much harassed by a bloodthirsty band of Indians, and matters being come to such a crisis as demanded some speedy measures to be taken for the safety of the settlers, on the day following the affair above mentioned two companies of soldiers were ordered to march to their relief, with directions to exterminate the tribe if necessary, and the Captain’s was one of the two chosen.

Never shall I forget the evening on which he came up to the farm to make his farewells. Dick had been very uneasy since the first intimation of the expedition, and with great sighs and groans lamented his hard fate that had not cast his lot in the army. Not a few of his wild comrades in the village volunteered in hot blood for the frolic (?), and the foolish lad was sorely minded to follow their example ; but, as he said, “ By gad, Cass, I am a gentleman, and it goes against my stomach to consort with the rabble ; but O, I do wish I had the king’s commission, sign, seal, and all in my pocket, and I should soon be off, and not be compelled to gnaw my fingers at home, curse the luck ! ” All his talk was now of military matters, and I was sadly fearful lest he should be tempted to enlist, notwithstanding that Cousin and I set before him our natural objections to being left alone, with ne’er a man, save old Pompey, to protect us in the event of thieves, murderers, and such like coming upon us in the night. On the morning before the appointed day he disappeared very early, purposing to see the drill in the public square of the town, and we saw nothing of him till evening.

About five o’clock the Captain’s horse galloped up the avenue, and O, how my heart sank at the jingling sound of his sword, as he leaped to the ground and tied his charger to the big buttonwood that shaded the porch ! He made no allusion to his approaching departure until Cousin Dorothy had left the room on household matters, and I, who, sooth to say, had been wishing her away before, was now frightened and would gladly have followed her. At the first mention of the dreaded business, I trembled and felt the blood desert my cheeks ; for the dire thought darted through me that I might never again behold this being, who had somehow become most closely twined about my heart. Seeing my discomposure (for I really think I was about to faint), the Captain rose precipitately, and, seating himself at my side, took my hand respectfully and said, “ Can I dare flatter myself, Mistress Cassandra, that these tokens of sympathy are manifested for so unworthy an object as myself? or is it only the thought of violence and bloodshed, so repugnant to the feelings of a delicate female, that produces these interesting but alarming symptoms ? ”

I was murmuring I know not what in reply, when the door flew open with a bang, and that most provoking Dick burst into the room with a wild hurrah, his face aflame with drink, and communicated the startling news that he had enlisted in the Captain’s company and was going off with the others on the morrow !

This completed my disorder, and I was obliged to retire to my chamber for a time, filled with feelings of a mixed nature, in which hope and apprehension struggled together for mastery. Seated at my open window, the better to calm my excited state, I presently heard Dick and the Captain at high words below, and made out that the latter was taking his new recruit severely to task for his rash step. This put Dick on his mettle, and he recommended the Captain to keep his nose out of other people s business ; and, to some quiet remark of the latter, answered, “ Stay behind then, and coddle the women yourself! ” And he went whistling out of the house, mounted his horse, and scoured away to the town to make a night of it.

When I ventured below stairs again, the Captain was striding up and down the floor, buckling on his sword which he had laid aside for convenience during his visit, talking meanwhile with Mistress Dorothy, who sat at the window with a pile of Dick’s shirts, sewing on missing buttons and darning frayed ruffles ; her poor old eyes red with weeping and her hands trembling over the work. I went to her after dropping my courtesy to the Captain. “ O child,” says she, “this is sore news for us ! What would thy deceased mother say if she knew it ? The

poor thoughtless lad will be killed and scalped, I’ve not a doubt of it.”

“Nay, madam,” said the Captain gently, “ do not increase the distress of your young relative by such dismal forebodings ; for my own part, I am not without the hope that this business may work a change for the better in Richard’s character ; and rest assured that I will not fail to keep an eye to him in the hour of danger, and protect him as far as mortal man may do. And now I must be gone, for I have much to do before I sleep to-night.”

So saying, he took up his hat and shook hands with Cousin Dorothy, who rained down good wishes upon his head and wept copiously. He then turned to me, and, as my hand lay trembling and cold in his, said, in a low voice, “ I thank God, dear madam, that I am enabled to lay aside all selfish thoughts and wishes in these last moments, and I can only pray that his choicest favors may rest upon you in the time of anxiety that is approaching.”

In a moment he was gone, and I caught up one of Dick’s shirts and sat down with my back to Cousin Dorothy, resolved that I would not betray to her my disordered condition. I was presently roused by her telling me that the Captain had given the most particular directions to old Pompey for the proper protection of the household during Dick’s absence, but that, for her part, she looked for nothing better than our all being murdered in our beds some night; her voice sounded dully in my ears, for I heard the ringing of a horse’s hoofs outside and fled away to my room, to pray that the man of my heart might be restored to me again in safety. The parting with Dick next day had like to have riven my heart in twain, and I really felt for a time that my doubled anguish was more than nature could brook. Every one knows the result of these expeditions against the Indians (now, thank Heaven, so much less frequent than in those days), — the shocking bloodshed, and, in many instances, the utter extermination of the offending tribe. It was doubtless, in this case, a necessary measure ; but the soul revolts at the idea of the massacre of so many unenlightened creatures, whom Heavens must surely have created for some other purpose than the falling a prey to the king’s soldiers, who shot them down like ravening beasts. In a fortnight all was done, and the companies returned with but little loss. Our poor Dick got an Indian arrow in his side, which was drawn so unskilfully by the surgeon that the wound inflamed, and he was not his own man for a fortnight. Captain Hopkinson escaped without a scratch, and tended Dick carefully on the homeward journey, devising everything for the poor youth’s comfort that human ingenuity could accomplish, and conducting himself in everything as became a brave and humane man.

And now I was so well assured of the state of the Captain’s affections, that I must needs borrow a leaf from Cousin Dorothy’s book of experience and fall to playing the coquette ; I did not come to any great honor in this new character, however, as will appear.

The first visit he made to the farm after his return, we walked about the garden as the twilight fell, and I could see that he was striving by various arts and contrivances to bring the discourse to a tender point; somewhat fluttered at what was pending, I must needs declare that Dick required my attendance at his bedside, where I had left Cousin Dorothy to entertain him while I waited on the Captain.

“ O no,” said the latter, “ I cannot consent to allow you to peril your health in such close confinement, and I am sure that Richard is very well with Mistress Lucas. Come, sit with me in the arbor and honor me with your attention for a few moments, for I have that to say to you that will not brook longer delay ; but, first, pluck a flower for me with your own fair hand, that I may have a token of encouragement.”

The Evil One entered into me, and, whipping off a sprig of scarlet cock’scomb near at hand, I presented it with a deep courtesy. In a moment I had repented, but’t was too late ; with a face as red as a flame, and a look of reproach that cut me to the soul, he said, as he took the offending flower, “A most fitting rebuke indeed, madam; for I had the vanity of a coxcomb truly when I fancied I had your favor.”

I stammered and turned cold: “O, I did not mean offence, ’t was not intended.” And hastily breaking off the nearest blossom, I thrust it into his hand without perceiving that it was a bachelor’s button ! With a merry burst of laughter, the Captain seized my hand and the opportunity at one and the same time, crying, “ It rests alone with thee, charming creature, whether this be appropriate or the contrary; for I hereby swear, if thou dost not approve my suit, that I will wear this odious emblem forever ! ”

Where was the use of holding out further, when I had fully settled in my mind to have no other man in the world ?

Before we thought of going into the house (shame to say, I had completely forgotten poor Dick), we arranged to be wed that day month if matters should progress according to our wishes ; the Captain promising to fetch his ladymother to wait upon me immediately, according to propriety.

She came in a day or two, in her coach and pair ; and really our drawingroom appeared too small when she was come into it with her frills and furbelows, huge fan, wig and broad hat, her waiting-woman following her with a cross-grained spaniel in a cushioned basket, the Captain bringing up the rear with a comical smile upon his face. I, who had put on all my best in readiness for the visitation, stood courtesying respectfully near the chimney-piece, not venturing to come forward ; when she spied me, she pointed me out with an arm that was like to that of a man for all its lace frills and delicate silk mitten, saying, ‘‘Pray, who is this little person ? ” I was like to drop for very shame ; but the Captain ran forward, and, taking my hand, drew himself up proudly, saying, “ This, madam, is the lady who has so graciously consented to share my humble lot, when you shall be pleased to bestow upon us your blessing.”

Without moving, she said, with a little frown, “ Why, how is this, Harry? I thought that thou hadst been an admirer of fine, tall females.”

“ So am I, madam,” he made answer, “an admirer of tall women in their prime.” And he secretly nipped my little finger as he spake.

“ Hum, well,” said she, somewhat appeased ; “ but, sir, let me tell you that little women do not grow taller as they approach maturity; and they grow old, too, and are still pygmies.” And she eyed me with a look of triumphant disfavor.

“ Nay, mother,” said he, leaving me, and raising her hand respectfully to his lips, “ no woman ever grows old to the man who loves her.” And she being beaten with the weapon she did not fear, flattery, was pleased to open her arms and fold me in a huge embrace that went nigh to smother me, and then sat down afterwards to discuss the marriage from all points. She never cast my stature in my face again, and even went so far as to say that my air was very well Indeed, for a countrybred chit. She assumed all the management of the wedding outfit, sending me the gown itself as a present, a white lutestring that was of such a sort for thickness as to break a whole row of the best needles in the difficult process of sewing it together. We had a fine wedding to please Madam Hopkinson, although I should have been better suited with less parade, considering the comparatively recent decease of my dear mother, whose countenance and advice on this important occasion I greatly missed. Dick journeyed all the way to New York to buy for me a string of pearls as a wedding-gift ; and he was in his element when the day arrived, going nigh to spoiling everything with taking too much wine and making foolish speeches in the gladness of his heart. Poor lad, we had not been wed quite a month, and were looking about us for a suitable residence in town, when he was struck down with a kind of raving fever, and never rose from his bed again ; the doctor said’t was all the effect of strong drink, and gave us little comfort from the first ; the kind of life the misguided youth had led for the past year had so shaken his constitution that ’t was scarce possible he could rally.

O the long, sad nights that we sat out at his bedside, the Captain, Cousin Dorothy, and I ! ’T was a sad ending to our honeymoon, but I gained skill and experience then that served me well in after years. He raved like a bedlamite, now thinking himself in the town with the evil companions who had led him astray; now madly plucking at fancied serpents that were writhing and twining about his body ; anon calling piteously upon the bystanders to drive away the devils and imps that were climbing upon his pillow to grin and mock at him.

On the first night that he was come to his proper mind again, he looked about him as one waking from a dream and called for brandy in a strong voice. The doctor had left no directions as to the administering of the baneful stuff, and the Captain was loath to take the matter into his own hands.

“I am mending fast,” said Dick, striving to sit up in his bed, when he could scarce lift a limb ; " give me the drink if there be any feeling in ye, I am sinking for want of it.”

“ Nay, Richard,” said the Captain, gently, “ think no more of the accursed stuff that hath brought you so low ; I could not answer to my conscience did I give it you now ; it hath wrought so much of evil, that I marvel you can think on it without a shudder.”

“ You’ve no call to be so virtuous,” said Dick, sulkily; “ I’ve seen you toss off your bumper as well as another.”

“ Ay, lad, so you have,” said the Captain kindly, as he stroked the poor youth’s hair from his hot forehead, “ but I always know when I have had enough.”

“So do I,” said Dick, “but I never find it out till I am under the table.” And he turned upon his pillow with a sigh that seemed to come from the very bottom of his heart.

When the doctor came again, he ordered that a teaspoonful of brandy be occasionally administered, for that it could no longer work harm ; my brother was fast wearing away, and human aid could avail naught to save him. I knew that it was best so, but my heart was sore within me at the thought of our approaching separation. He sank apace, notwithstanding the stimulative action of the brandy. The night before his death he called me to his bedside (he would have none but me to wait upon him now), and, taking my hand feebly, said, “ Cass, thou art the sweetest soul, after mother, that ever lived upon earth, and art too good for any living man, ay, even the Captain yonder, who has been a brother to me when I least deserved it. Cass, I have been a great sinner, and my transgressions rise up before me now in all their hideousness. I despised seasonable warning, and am done to death in the very flower of my youth through my perversity.” And the poor lad fell to weeping, in very pity of his sad case. I strove to cheer him, turning his thoughts to the future rather than the past, which could give him but little comfort now, and, when he was become somewhat easier in his mind, he said humbly, “ I have reason to be thankful that I die now ; for should I live a twelvemonth longer, I could scarce fail to drink and game away my last hundred pounds, leaving you and the Captain to be at the charges of my burying ; as it is, there will be enough to put me away decently, and something left for you, mayhap.”

Our dear lad made a pious end, repenting his sins and forgiving his enemies as became a Christian ; and although I heard that Parson Trotter had the ill-manners to say that he was a good riddance to the parish, I know that thrice as many people came to dear Dick’s funeral as were at the pains to attend that of the parson himself, who died a year or so after ; from which I make bold to draw my own conclusions.

K. T. T.