 Chapter 1 of Tempest and Sunshine It was the afternoon of a bright October day. The old town clock had just told the hour of four when the Lexington and Frankfurt daily stage was heard rattling over the stony pavement in the small town of V, Kentucky. In a few moments the four panting steeds were reigned up before the door of the Eagle, the principal hotel in the place. Mine host, a middle-aged pleasant-looking man, came hustling out to inspect the newcomers and calculate how many would do justice to his beef steaks, strong coffee, sweet potatoes, and corn cakes which were being prepared in the kitchen by Aunt Esther. This good dame divided her time between squeezing the steaks, turning the corn cakes, kicking the dogs, and administering various cuffs to sundry little black urchins who were on the lookout to snatch a bit of the whole cake whenever they could elude the argous eye of Aunt Esther. When the rattling of the stage was heard there ensued a general scrambling to ascertain which would be first to see who had come. At length by a series of somersaults helped on by Aunt Esther's brawny hand the kitchen was cleared and Aunt Esther was monarch of all she surveyed. The passengers this afternoon were few and far between for there was but one inside and one on the box with the driver. The one inside alighted and ordered his baggage to be carried into the hotel. The stranger was a young man, apparently about twenty-five years of age. He was tall, well proportioned and every way prepossessing in his appearance. At least the set of idlers in the bar room thought so. For the moment he entered they all directed their eyes and tobacco juice toward him. By the time he had uttered a dozen words they had come to the conclusion that he was a stranger in the place and was from the east. One of the men, a Mr. Edson, was to use his own words, Madiskiri of northern folks and as soon as he became convinced that the stranger was from that way he got up thinking to himself some confounded abolitionist I'll warrant the sooner I go home and get my gang together the better it will be. But on second thought he concluded that his gang was safe for the present at least. So he just sit down and hear what his neighbor Mr. Woodburn was saying to the newcomer. The Kentuckians are as famous as the Yankees for inquisitiveness but if they inquire into your history they are equally ready to give theirs to you and you cannot feel as much annoyed by the kind confiding manner with which a Kentuckian will draw you out as by the cool quizzing way with which a Yankee will guess out your affairs. On the present occasion Mr. Woodburn had conjectured the young man's business and was anxious to know who he was and if possible to render him assistance. It took but a short time for the stranger to tell that he was from the East, from New York, that his name was Wilmot, and that he was in quest of a school. And in his short a time Mr. Woodburn had welcome young Wilmot to Kentucky but expressed his regrets that he did not come sooner for all the schools were engaged. But, added he, you had better remain around here awhile and get acquainted and then there will be no doubt of your eventually get in the situation. Meantime as you are a stranger here you are welcome to make my house your home. Such kindness from an entire stranger was unlooked for by Wilmot. He knew not what to make of it. It was so different from the cold money making men of the North. He tried to stammer out his thanks when Mr. Edson interrupted him by nudging Mr. Woodburn and saying, Don't you mind, old Middleton? He's been tearing round after a Yankee teacher these six weeks. I reckon this chapel suit. Mr. Woodburn hesitated. He did not like to send Mr. Wilmot to such a place as Mr. Middleton's. For though Mr. Middleton was a very kind man, he was very rough and uncouth in his manner and thought his money much better applied when at interest than when employed to make his house and family more comfortable. At length Mr. Woodburn replied, True, I did not think of Mr. Middleton, but I hardly like to send a stranger there. However, Mr. Wilmot, you must not judge all Kentuckians by him, for though he is very hospitable to strangers, he is extremely rough. Mr. Wilmot thanked them for their information and said he thought he would go to Mr. Middleton's that night. Lord knows how you'll get there, said Mr. Edson. Why, is it far? asked Wilmot. Not very far, said Mr. Edson, just better than four miles, but a mighty mean road at any time and a heap worse since the rains. For a spell you can get on right smart, but then again you'll go in co-slush. Mr. Wilmot smiled, but said he thought he would try the road if Mr. Edson would give him the direction. Then followed a host of directions of which the most prominent to Wilmot were that about two miles from the house is an old hemp factory full of niggers singing like all fury, then comes a piece of woods in the middle of which is a gate on the left hand. Open that gate and follow the road straight till you come to the mightiest mean-looking house you ever seen. I reckon one chimbly tumbled down and another trying to. That is Middletons. Here Mr. Woodburn said, that as a road was so bad and it was getting late, Mr. Wilmot had better stay at his house that night and the next day they would send him to Middletons. Before Mr. Wilmot had time to reply, Mr. Edson called out, hello, just in time, Wilmot. Then rushing to the door he screamed, oh, Jim Crow, you jack-a-napes, what you radden, Prince, full jump down the pack for. Say, you scape-grace, come up here. Mr. Wilmot looked from the window and saw a fine-looking black boy of about sixteen years of age riding a beautiful horse at full speed through the street. He readily divined that the boy was the property of Mr. Edson and as he had brought from home a little abolitionism safely packed away he expected to see a few cuffs dealt out to the young African. But when the young hopeful at the command of his master wheeled his horse up to the door, gave a flourish with his rimless old hat and a loud whistle with his pouting lips, Mr. Wilmot observed that his master gave the bystanders a knowing wink as much as to say, isn't he smart? Then turning to the boy he said, how now, you Jim, what are you here for, riding Prince to death? I begs master pardon very much, said the negro, but you see how I done toted all the taters you told me and, Mrs., she advised me to ride Prince a little case he's getting uneasy like when Miss Caroline rides him. Likely story, said Mr. Edson, but for once you're in the way when I want you. You know where Mr. Middleton lives? Yes, master, reckon I does. Well, this young man wants to go there. Now jump down quick and help him on, do you hear? Yes, master, said the negro, and in a moment he was on the ground holding the stirrup for Mr. Wilmot to mount. Wilmot hesitated for two causes. The first was he was not a good horseman and did not like to attempt mounting the spirited animal before so many pairs of eyes. He looked wistfully at the horse block, but did not dare propose having the horse led up to it. The second reason was he did not know whether to accept or decline the kindness of Mr. Edson, but that man reassured him by saying, come, what are you waiting for? Jump up! Out of heap rather Jim would go with you than ride Prince to death. Here Mr. Woodburn spoke. He knew that New York people were comparatively speaking inferior riders, and he conjectured why Mr. Wilmot hesitated. So he said, here, Jim, lead the horse up to the block for the gentleman. Then turning to the bystanders said, as if apologizing for Wilmot, you know it so thickly settled in New York that they do not ride as much as we do, and probably the young man has always been at school. This was satisfactory to the white portion of the audience, but not to the group of blacks who were assembled at the corner of the house. They thought it a shame not to be a good rider, and when they saw the awkward manner in which Mr. Wilmot finally mounted the horse and the ludicrous face of Jim Crow as he sprang up behind him, they were, as they afterward told Aunt Esther, driftfully tickled and would have larved certain if they had no master would have slapped their jaws. And serve you right was the rejoinder of Aunt Esther. But to return to Mr. Edson, as soon as Mr. Wilmot, Jim and Prince had disappeared, he felt a return of his fears concerning the confounded abolitionists, thought he, what a fool I was to let Prince and Jim Crow too go off without their chap. There's Prince worth a hundred and fifty, and Jim, at the least calculation, will fetch eight hundred. Well, anyway, they can't get far on that dirt road, so if Jim isn't home by nine, I'll go after him, that's so. Having settled the matter thus satisfactorily in his own mind, he called for his horse and started for home. Meantime Mr. Wilmot was slowly wending his way toward Mr. Middletons. It took but a short time for him to ascertain that the road was fully equal to the description given of it by Mr. Edson. At times he could scarcely keep his head, and he felt conscious too that the black machine behind him was inwardly convulsed with laughter at his awkward attempts to guide the horse in the best part of the road. At length he ventured a remark. Jim, is this animal ugly? Ugly? Lo bless you, Master, is you blind, as handsome a creature as there is in the country? Mr. Wilmot understood that he had used the word ugly in its wrong sense, so he said, I do not mean to ask if the horse is ill-looking, but is he skittish? If Master means by that will he throw him off, I don't think he will as long as I'm on him, but sometimes he is a little contrary lack. Rick and Master ain't much used to riding. By this time they had reached the gate spoken of by Mr. Edson. To Mr. Wilmot's great surprise the horse walked up to it and tried to open it with his mouth. Mr. Wilmot was so much amused that he would not suffer Jim to get down and open the gate as he wished to see if the horse could do it. Oh yes, Master, he'll do it easy, said the Negro, and sure enough in a moment the well-trained animal lifted the latch and pushed open the gate. But it was a rickety old thing, and before Prince had got fairly through it tumbled down hitting his heels and causing him to jump sideways, so as to leave Mr. Wilmot riding the gate and Jim crow in quiet possession of the saddle. With a great effort Jim forced down his desire to scream and merely show twenty-eight very large white teeth. Springing from the horse he offered to assist Mr. Wilmot to mount again, but he had no inclination to do so. He preferred walking the rest of the way, he said, and as he could now easily find the house Jim could return home. This was not what Jim wanted. He had anticipated a nice time in relating his adventures to Mr. Middleton's Negroes, but as Mr. Wilmot slipped a quarter into his hand he felt consoled for the loss of his yarn. So mounting Prince again he gave his old palm leaf three flourishes round his head and with a loud whoop, started the horse with a tremendous speed down the road and was soon out of sight, leaving Mr. Wilmot to find his way alone through the wood. This he found no difficulty in doing, for he soon came inside of a house which he readily took for Mr. Middleton's. It was a large old-fashioned stone building with one chimney fallen down as Mr. Edson had said, and its companion looked likely to follow suit at the first high wind. The windows of the upper story were two-thirds of them destitute of glass, but its place was supplied by shingles which kept the cold out if they did not let the light in. Scattered about the yard, which was very large, were corn cribs, hay-racks, pig-trops, carts, wagons, old plows, horses, mules, cows, hens, chickens, turkeys, geese, Negroes, and dogs, the latter of which rushed ferociously at Mr. Wilmot, who was about to beat a retreat from so uninviting quarters when one of the Negroes called out, oh, master, don't be feared, case I'll hold, tiger. So Wilmot advanced with some misgivings toward the Negro and dog. He asked the Negro if his master were at home. No, sir, master's done gone away, but Miss Nancy, she's at home. Just walk right in there, where you see the pile of saddles in the entry. Accordingly Mr. Wilmot walked in where the pile of saddles were knocked at a side door. It was opened by a very handsome young girl who politely asked the stranger to enter. He did so and found within a mild-looking middle-aged lady whose dark eyes and hair showed her at once to be the mother of the young lady who had opened the door for him. Mrs. Middleton, for she it was, arose and offering her hand to the stranger asked him to be seated in the large stuffed chair which stood before the cheerful blazing fire. In a few moments he had introduced himself, told his business, and inquired for Mr. Middleton. My husband is absent, said Mrs. Middleton, but he will be at home to-night and we shall be glad to have you remain with us till to-morrow at least, and as much longer as you like, for I think Mr. Middleton will be glad to assist you in getting a school. Mr. Wilmot accepted the invitation and then looked round the room to see if the interior of the house corresponded with the exterior. It did not, for the room, though large, was very comfortable. The floor was covered with a bright-colored homemade carpet. In one corner stood a bed, the counterpane of which was as white as snow, and the curtains of the windows were of the same hue. In another corner was a small bookcase, well filled with books, and on a stand near a window were several house plants. He concluded that the books and the plants were the property of the young lady who Mrs. Middleton introduced to him as her eldest daughter, Julia. She was an intelligent-looking girl and Mr. Wilmot instantly felt interested in her, but when he attempted to converse with her she stole quietly out of the room, leaving her mother to entertain the visitor. At last supper was brought in by old Aunt Judy, who curtsied so low to the young master that she upset the coffee pot, the contents of which fell upon a spaniel which lay before the fire. The outcries of the dog brought Miss Julia from the kitchen, and this time she was accompanied by her younger sister Fanny, who, together with Julia and Aunt Judy, lamented over the wounded animal. I didn't go to do it certain, Miss Judy, said Aunt Judy. Lord knows I didn't. Who said you did, you black thing you, said Julia, who in her grief for her favorite and her anger at Aunt Judy forgot the stranger and her bashfulness too. You were careless. I know you were, she continued, or you never could have tipped the coffee over in this manner. Never mind, sister, said Fanny, never mind. Of course Aunt Judy didn't mean to do it, for she lacks Dedo as well as we do. No, bless Miss Fanny's sweet face, that I do like Dedo, said Aunt Judy. Yes, that you do, repeated Julia mockingly, just as though you could lack anything. Here Mrs. Middleton interposed and ordered Julia and Fanny to take their seats at the table, while Judy cleared away all traces of the disaster. Julia complied with an ill grace, muttering something about the hateful negroes, while Fanny obeyed readily and laughingly made some remark to Mr. Wilmot about their making so much a do over a dog. But, said she, we are silly girls and of course do silly things, probably we shall do better when we get old like you. No, like mother, I mean. Here she stopped, blushing deeply at having called Mr. Wilmot old, when in fact she thought him quite young and very handsome. In short, just the thing, she thought to herself, there I've done it now. Julia and I have both introduced ourselves to him in a pretty light, but it's just like me. However, I'll not say another word to that. The little incident of the coffee pot gave Mr. Wilmot something insight into the character and disposition of the two girls, and surely nothing could have been more unlike than their personal appearance as they sat side by side at the supper table. Julia was about seventeen years of age, and was called very handsome, for there was something peculiarly fascinating in the ever-varying expression of her large black eyes. She was a brunette, but there was on her cheek so rich and changeable a color that one forgot in looking at her whether she were dark or light. Her disposition was something like her complexion, dark and variable. Her father was a native of South Carolina, and from him she inherited a quick, passionate temper. At times she was as gentle as a lamb, but when anything occurred to trouble her, all her southern blood boiled up, and she was, as Fanny said, always ready to fire up at a moment's warning. Mr. Middleton called her Tempest, while to Fanny he gave the pet name of Sunshine, and truly, compared with her sister, Fanny's presence in the house was like a ray of sunshine. She was two years younger than Julia, and entirely different from her, both in looks and disposition. Her face was very pale, and her bright golden hair fell in soft curls around her neck and shoulders, giving her something the appearance of a fairy. Her eyes were very large and very dark blue, and ever mirrored forth the feelings of her soul. By the servants Julia was feared and dreaded, but Fanny was a favorite with all. Not a man, woman or child on the plantation but was ready to do anything for dolly Miss Fanny, and they thought, too, everyone must love her as well as they did, for they said, she showed by her face that she was an angel. This was the opinion of the blacks, and it was also the partially formed opinion of Mr. Wilmot, before he finished his supper. And yet he could not help thinking there was something wondrously attractive in the glance of Julia's large dark eyes. After supper he tried to engage the girls in conversation in order to ascertain which had the better mind. He found Fanny most ready to converse. She had forgotten her resolution not to talk, and before the evening was half spent seemed perfectly well acquainted with him. She had discovered that his name was Richard, that he had a sister Kate who called him Dick, that he was as yet possessor of his own heart, but was in danger of losing it. The compliment Fanny very generously gave to her sister Julia, because she observed that Mr. Wilmot's eyes were often directed toward the corner where the dark beauty sat, silent and immovable. Julia had taken but little part in the conversation, and Mr. Wilmot's efforts to draw her out had proved ineffectual. She felt peaked that Fanny shouldn't grow so much attention and resolved on revenge. So she determined to show Mr. Wilmot that she could talk but not upon such silly subjects as pleased Fanny. Accordingly, when books were mentioned, she seemed suddenly aroused into life. She was really very intelligent and a very good scholar. She had a great taste for reading. And what book she could not prevail on her father to buy she would borrow. So she had a tolerably good knowledge of all the standard works. Mr. Wilmot was surprised and pleased to find her so well informed, and in the spirited conversation which followed poor Fanny was cast entirely into the background. Fanny, however, attributed it to her sister's superior knowledge of Latin and inwardly thanked her stars that she knew nothing of that language further than the verb almo to love. The practical part of that verb she understood even if she did not its conjugation. She sat quietly listening to Mr. Wilmot and her sister, but her cogitations were far different from what Julia's had been. Fanny was building castles in all of which Mr. Wilmot and Julia were the hero and heroine. She gazed admiringly at her sister, whose face grew handsomer each moment as she became more animated, and she thought, what a nice looking couple Julia Mr. Wilmot would make, and they would be so happy too. That is, if sister didn't get angry, and I'm sure she wouldn't with Mr. Wilmot, then they would have a nicer house than this old shell, and perhaps they would let me live with them. Here her reverie was interrupted by Mr. Wilmot, who asked her if she ever studied Latin. Fanny hesitated. She did not wish to confess that she had once studied it six months, but at the end of that time she was so heartily tired of its long-tailed verbs, as she called them, that she had thrown her grammar out of the window, and afterward given it to Aunt Judy to start the oven with. This story was told, however, by Julia, with many embellishments, for she delighted in making Fanny appear ridiculous. She was going on swimmingly when she received a drawback from her mother, who said, Julia, why do you want to talk so full? You know that while Fanny studied Latin, Mr. Miller said she learned her lessons more readily than you did, and resided them better. And he said too, that she was quite as good a French scholar as you. Julia curled her lips scornfully and said she didn't know what her mother knew about Fanny's scholarship. Meantime Fanny was blushing deeply and thinking that she had appeared to great disadvantage in Mr. Wilmot's eyes, but he very kindly changed the conversation by asking who Mr. Miller was and was told that he was a young man from Albany, New York, who taught in their neighborhood the winter before. The appearance of some nice red apples just then turned the attention of the little company in another channel, and before they were aware of it the clock struck ten. Mr. Middleton had not returned, and as it was doubtful whether he came at all that night, Julia went into the kitchen for loose to show Mr. Wilmot to his room. She was gone some time, and when she returned was accompanied by a bright-looking mulatto girl, who as soon as she had conducted Mr. Wilmot into his room commenced making excuses about Marce Goldhouse. Things was dreadful all around it, but it wasn't Miss Julia's fault for if she could have her way to be fixed up certain. She was a bored lady anybody could see, so different from Miss Fanny, who cared nothing how things looked if she could go into the kitchen and turn whole cakes for Aunt Judy or 10 the baby. By this time loose had arranged the room all it wanted arranging, and as Mr. Wilmot had no further need of her services she left him to think of what she had said. He did not know that the bright red ribbon which appeared on loose's neck next morning was the gift of Julia, who had bribed her to say what she did to him. Julia knew that she had made a favorable impression on Mr. Wilmot by making him think meanly of Fanny. What loose said had its effect upon him too. He was accustomed to the refinements of the north, and he could not help respecting a young lady more who showed a taste for neatness. That night he dreamed that a bright pair of dark eyes were looking at him from each pain of shingle in the window, and that a golden-haired fairy was dancing the polka in Aunt Judy's ho-cape batter. Chapter 2. Getting Up a Subscription School Next morning before daybreak Mr. Wilmot was aroused from a sound slumber by what he thought was the worst noise he had ever heard. He instantly concluded that the house was on fire, and springing up endeavor to find his clothes, but in the deep darkness of the room such a thing was impossible, so he waited a while and tried to find out what the noise could be. At last it assumed something of a definite form, and he found it was the voice of a man calling out in thunder-like tones. Oh, Jebediah, come out with ye. Do ye hear? Are ye coming? Then followed a long catalog of names such as Sam, Joe, Jack, Jim, Ike, Jerry, Nehemiah, Ezraiah, Judy, Tilda, Martha, Rachel, Loose, and FEMA. And at the end of each name was the same list of questions which had preceded that of Jebediah, and ever from the negro quarters came the same response, Yes, Martha, come in. By this time all the hands, geese, turkeys, and dogs were wide awake and joining their voices in the chorus, made the night, or rather the morning, hideous with their outcries. At last the noise subsided, silence settled around the house, and Wilmot tried to compose himself to sleep. When he again awoke the sun was shining into his room. He arose and dressed himself, but felt in no hurry to see his host, who had come home, he was sure, and had given such tremendous demonstrations of the strength of his lungs. Mr. Wilmot finally descended to the sitting-room, where the first object which presented itself was a man who was certainly six and a half feet high and large in proportion. His face was dark and its natural color was increased by a third of at least four weeks' growth. He had on his head an old slouched hat, from under which a few gray locks were visible. As soon as Wilmot appeared the uncouth figure advanced toward him, and seizing his hand gave a grip which if continued long would certainly have crushed every bone. He began with, well, so you are Mr. Wilmot from New York, eh? Of course a red-hot abolitionist, but I don't care for that if you'll only keep your ideas to yourself, and not try to preach your notions to me. I've heard of you before. Heard of me, sir? said Mr. Wilmot, in surprise. Yes, of you and why not? There's many a man, not as good as you, judging by your looks, has had a hearing in his day, but however, I ain't heard of you by the papers. As I was coming home last night, I got along to old man Edson's, and I seen him swearing and tearing round, so says I. Oh, old man, what's the row? Oh, says he. That you, Middleton? Nuffs the row. I've done let my best horse and nigger go off with a man from the Free States, who said he's going to your house, and here tis after nine and Jim not at home yet. Of course they put out for the river. Now, says I, don't be a fool, Edson. If that or chap says he's going to my house, he's gone there. I'll bet all my land and niggers he's honest. Likely Jim, stop somewhere. You come along with me, and we'll find him. So we jogged along on the pack, till, of a sudden, we met Prince coming home all alone. This looked dark, but I told Edson to say nothing, and keep on. So we came to Woodburn's fine house, and there in the cabins we seen a bright light, and heard the niggers larping like 500, and thought we could distinguish Jim Crow's voice. So we crept slyly up to the window, and looked in. And sure enough, there was Jim telling a great yarn about the way you rode, and how you got flung onto the gate. It seems he didn't have hitch prints, who got on easy like, and started for home. Edson hollered to Jim who came out, and told how he didn't go clear here with you, because you said you could find the way, and he might go back. Then old man Edson turned right round and said you were a likely man, and he hoped I'd do all I could for you. So that's the way I heard of you. And now, welcome to Old Kentuck, and welcome to my house, such as it is. It's mighty mean, though, as Tampus says. Here he turned to Julia, who had just entered the room. Then he went on, Yes, Tampus raves and tares about the house, and can hardly wait till I'm dead before she spends my money in full fixings. Devil of a cent she'll get, though, if she rides as high horse as she generally does. I'll give it all a sunshine, yes I will. She's more gentle like, and comes coaxing round me, and putting her soft arms round my old shaggy neck, says, Please, Paul, if I'll learn to make a nice pudding or pie of Aunt Judy, will you buy us a new looking glass or rocking chair? And then, tis'n in my nature to refuse. Oh, yes, sunshine is a darling, said he, laying his hand carelessly on Fanny's head, who just at that moment showed her sunny face in the room. During breakfast, Mr. Middleton inquired more particularly into Mr. Willmott's plans and wishes, and told him there was no doubt that he could obtain a good school in that immediate neighborhood. Your best way, said he, will be to write a subscription paper. The people then see what for a fist you write, and half the folks in Kentucky will judge you by that. In the paper you must tell what you know and what you ask to tell it to others. I'll head the list with my two gals and give you a horse to go round with, and I'll bet, tempest and sunshine too, that you'll get a full school for not. At the last part of this speech, Julia curled her lips and tried to look indignant, while Fanny laughingly said, Pa, what makes you always bet, sister and me, just as though you could sell us like horses. It's bad enough to bet and sell the blacks, I think. So you've got some free state notions already, have you? said Mr. Middleton. Well, honey, you're more than half right, I reckon. So, saying he for the fourth time, passed up his coffee cup. Breakfast being over, he took his young friend to the stable, and made him select for his own use any horse he chose. Mr. Wilmot declined, saying he was not much accustomed to horses. He preferred that Mr. Middleton should choose any horse he pleased. Very well, said Mr. Middleton, from the accounts I've heard of your horsemanship it may be improved, so I reckon I'll not give you a very scary horse to begin with. There's Alec'll just suit you. He'll not throw you on the gate, for he doesn't trot as fast as a black ant can walk. Accordingly, Alec was saddled and bridled, and Mr. Wilmot was soon mounted, and with his subscription paper in his pocket was riding off after subscribers. He was very successful, and when at night he turned his face homeward, he had the names of fifteen scholars, and the partial promise of five more. Well, my boy, what look! said Mr. Middleton, as Wilmot entered the sitting-room that evening. Very good success! returned Mr. Wilmot. I'm sure of fifteen scholars, and have a promise for five more. Yes, pretty good! said Mr. Middleton. Fifteen, certain, and five uncertain. Here are the uncertain ones. Old Thornton's? Mr. Wilmot replied that he believed it was a Mr. Thornton who had hesitated about signing. He'll sign, said Mr. Middleton. I was there after you was, and he told me you might put down five for him. I pay for two on him. He lives on my premises, and if he doesn't pay up for another three, why he'll jog, that's all. Mr. Wilmot said he hoped no one would send to school against their wishes. Lord know rejoined Mr. Middleton. Old Thornton wants to send bad enough, only he's stingy like. Let me see your paper, boy. Mr. Wilmot handed him the paper, and he went on. There's ten scholars at eight dollars that makes eighty. Then there's five at eleven dollars, and fifty-five, and eighty makes a hundred and thirty-five. Then there's five more, fifteen dollars, five times fifteen, five times five is twenty-five, seventy-five dollars, seventy-five and a hundred and thirty-five, five and five is ten, one to seven is eight, eight and three is eleven, two hundred and ten dollars. Wow, quite a heap. Of course, you've got close enough to last a spell, so you can put two hundred out at interest. I'll take it and give you ten percent. Mr. Wilmot smiled at seeing his money so carefully disposed of before it was earned, but he merely said, there's my board to be deducted. Your what? asked Mr. Middleton. My board, sir. I have no other means of paying it. I find I can get boarded for a dollar and a half a week. The deuce you can, said Mr. Middleton, who will board you for that? Mr. Wilmot gave the name of a gentleman to which Mr. Middleton replied, I want to know if he will board you so very cheap. Why, yes, do you think I should pay more? Pay more, replied Middleton, don't be a fool. While here's this infernal old shell of a house what's filling up and there's beggars lounging round with nothing to do. Then I have plenty of potatoes, bacon and corn meal and such fares we have, you're welcome to, without a dollar and a half or even a cent and a half. Mr. Wilmot remonstrated at receiving so much at Mr. Middleton's hands, but that good man put an end to all further argument by saying, do let me act as I like. You see, I've taken a liking to you and because I see you're trying yourself, I'm willing to try and help you. They say, or Tempest says they say, I'm a ruffle bear and maybe I am, but I'm not all bad. It's a streak of fat and a streak of lean and if I want to do you a kindness, pray let me. So it was settled that Mr. Wilmot should remain in Mr. Middleton's family during the winter. To Julia this arrangement gave secret satisfaction. She had from the first liked Mr. Wilmot and the idea of having him near her all the time was perfectly delightful. She resolved to gain his good opinion, cost what it would. To do this she knew she must appear to be amiable and that she determined to do, before him at least. She had also seen enough of him to know that he set a great value upon talent and she resolved to surprise him with her superior scholarship and ability to learn. She however felt some misgivings lest Fanny should rival her in his esteem, but she hoped by Negro bribery and various little artifices to deter him from thinking too highly of her sister. The following Monday Mr. Wilmot repaired to his school room where he found assembled all his pupils. It was comparatively easy to arrange them into classes and air the close of the day the school was pretty generally organized. Weeks passed on and each day the Yankee schoolmaster gained in the love of his scholars and one of them at least gained in the affections of the teacher. Julia had adhered to her resolution of appearing amiable and of surprising Mr. Wilmot with her wonderful powers of learning. This last she did to perfection. No lesson was so long, but it was readily learned and its substance admirably told in words of her own. She preferred reciting alone and so she far outstripped the others in the length of her lessons. It seemed necessary that she should do so. Mr. Wilmot often wondered at her marvelous capacity for learning so much in so short a space of time for she never took home her books at night and she said she had plenty of time for her lessons during school hours. With Fanny it was just the reverse. She got her lessons at home all day at school. Sometimes a reprimand from Mr. Wilmot would bring the tears into her eyes and she would wonder why she could not behave and make Mr. Wilmot like her as well as he did Julia. Then she would resolve not to make any more faces at that booby build Jeffery for the girls to laugh at nor to draw any more pictures on her slate of the dame sobriety as she called Julia. And lastly not to pin any more rags on the boys coats. But she was a dear lover of fun and her resolutions were soon forgotten. Her lessons however were generally well learned and well recited but she could not compete with Julia. Neither did she wish to. She often wondered how her sister could learn so long lessons and secretly she had her own suspicions on the subject but chose to keep them to herself. Meantime the winter was passing rapidly and to Mr. Wilmot very agreeably away. He liked his boarding-place much and one of its inmates had almost without his knowledge wound herself strongly around his heart. For a time he struggled against it for his first acquaintance with Julia had not left a very favourable impression on his mind but since that night she had been perfectly pleasant before him and had given out but one demonstration of her supper. This was one evening at the supper table. Zuba, a mulatto girl brought in some preserves and in passing them very carelessly spilled them upon Julia's new blue marino. In the anger of the moment Mr. Wilmot and his good opinion were forgotten. Springing up she gave the girl a blow which sent her half across the room and caused her to drop the dish which at the same time she exclaimed in a loud angry tone Devil take you Zube! The loss of the dish elicited a series of oaths from Mr. Middleton who called his daughter such names as Lucifer Match, Volcano, Powder Mill and so forth. For her father's swearing Julia cared nothing but it was the sorrowful, disappointed expression of Mr. Wilmot's face which cooled her down. Particularly did she wish to recall what she had done when she saw that Fanny also had received some of the preserves on her marino but instead of raging like a fury she arose and quietly wiped it off and then burst into a loud laugh which she afterward told her mother was occasioned by the mournful look which Mr. Wilmot's face assumed when he saw that Julia's temper was not dead but merely covered up with ashes. For Fanny's the reader will understand that she was well aware of the part her sister was playing and she was perfectly satisfied that it should be so. For by this means she occasionally got a pleasant word from Julia. She however often wished that Mr. Wilmot could be constantly with her sister for his presence in the house did not prevent her from expending her wrath upon both Fanny and the blacks. For some days after the preserves Mr. Wilmot was somewhat cool in his manner toward Julia who had discernment enough to attribute the change to the right cause. Earnestly did she desire to win back his esteem and she accordingly cast about for some method by which she could undo what she had done. She could think of no way except to acknowledge her error to Mr. Wilmot and promise to do better in the future. So one evening when her father mother, mother and Fanny were absent and she was alone with him she adroitly led the conversation to the circumstance of her spoiled merino. She acknowledged that it was very unamiable and unladylike to manifest such passionate feelings. Said she knew she had a quick temper but she tried hard to govern it. And if Mr. Wilmot would as her teacher and friend aid her by his advice and influence she was sure she would in time succeed. So nicely did she manage each part of her confession that Mr. Wilmot was thoroughly deceived. He believed her perfectly sincere and greatly admired what he thought to be her frank confiding disposition. From that time she was dearer to him than ever and Julia again sure of his esteem placed a double guard upon her temper and in his presence was the very pink of amiability. Affairs were gliding smoothly on when the family received a visit from a gentleman whom Julia would rather not have seen. This was Mr. Miller whom we have mentioned as having taught in that neighborhood the winter before. Mr. Wilmot found him in the sitting-room one night on his return from school. When the young men were introduced they regarded each other a moment in silence then their hands were cordially extended and the words Richard Wilmot, Joseph Miller were simultaneously uttered it seems that years before they had been roommates and warmly attached friends in the academy of Canandagua, New York. And now after the lapse of 10 years they met for the first time far off in Kentucky. A long conversation followed relative of what had occurred to each since the bright June morning when they parted with so much regret in the old academic halls of Canandagua. At length Mr. Miller said, Richard what's become of that sister of yours of whose marvelous beauty you used to tell us boys such big stories. My sister Kate said Mr. Wilmot is at present at school in New Haven and is she still as beautiful as you used to try to make us think she was? asked Mr. Miller. I will show you her likeness. She turned Wilmot and you can judge for yourself. So saying he drew from his pocket a richly cased dagoreo type and handed it to Mr. Miller. It was a face of uncommon beauty which met Mr. Miller's eye and he gaze enraptured on the suppressing loveliness of the picture. At last he passed it to Fanny who was eagerly waiting for it and then turning to Wilmot he said, yes Richard she has the handsomest face that I saw and the handsomest face I ever saw with one exception said Mr. Wilmot glancing admiringly toward Julia. Mr. Miller followed the direction of his eyes and as he saw the brilliant beauty of Julia he sighed for fear his young friend might or had already become entangled in her dark meshes. Just then Fanny exclaimed oh how handsome look mother Julia perfectly beautiful and then she added but Mr. Wilmot is she as good as she is beautiful how absurd said Julia hastily just as though one cannot be handsome and good too I didn't say they couldn't sister said Fanny but I thought yes I'm sure she looks a little selfish upon my word you're very polite said Julia so doubtless feel complimented by what you say of his sister never mind Fanny said Mr. Wilmot never mind you are more of a physiognomist than I thought you were for Kate's great fault is being too selfish but she will overcome that in time I think oh I am sure so quickly rejoined Fanny regretting her words and anxious to do away with any unfavorable impression she might have made talk to Mr. Wilmot and laying her hand on his shoulder said I am sorry if I said anything bad of your sister she's very beautiful and I think I should love her very much do you think she will ever come to Kentucky I hardly think she will said Mr. Wilmot but I think you would like her and I'm sure she would love you I often write to her about my two Kentucky sisters oh do you hold hands do you really call us both sisters and do you tell her how much handsomer Julia is than I am and how much more she knows and how much more does she know said Mr. Miller who was always interested in whatever Fanny said oh she knows a heap more than I do said Fanny I fear I haven't improved much since you left for Mr. Wilmot is so very indulgent that he never scolds when my lessons are but half learned but consoles himself I suppose with Julia's great long yawns and are Julia's lessons so very long asked Mr. Miller yes sir replied Fanny it is the wonder of all the girls how she manages to commit so much to memory in so short a time for she never brings home her books and she spends two thirds of her time during school hours in writing something on a sheet a full scab we girls have our own suspicions about that paper for when her lesson is very hard we notice that she is unusually confined to her notes here Julia angrily exclaimed Fanny what do you mean do you intend to insinuate that I write my lesson down and then read it fire and fury said Mr. Middleton listener what's all this about Tampus do you write down your task good reason why you don't bring home your books speak girl quick are you guilty of such meanness Julia burst into tears and said no father I am not and I think it too bad that I should be suspected of such a thing when I'm trying to do as well as I can I think so too said Mr. Wilmot whose sympathies were all with Julia Mr. Miller thought otherwise but he said nothing Julia had never been a favorite with him he understood her character perfectly well and he felt grieved that his friend should be so deceived in her perhaps Julia read something of what was passing in his mind for she felt very uneasy for fear he might tell Mr. Wilmot something unfavorable of her nor was she mistaken in her conjectures for after the young man had retired for the night their conversation naturally enough turned upon the family and the two girls both of whom Mr. Wilmot spoke of in the highest terms Mr. Miller agreed with him as long as his remarks were confined to Fanny but when he came to speak of Julia and of her superior beauty intellect and agreeable manners he ventured to disagree with him said he as to Julia's beauty there can be but one opinion for she is very handsome but the interior of the casket does not correspond with the exterior she is as false as fair then as to her intellect I never thought it greatly superior to Fanny's to be sure she has a way of showing off all she does know while Fanny is more retiring here Mr. Wilmot spoke of the faculty she possessed for learning so long lessons even your favorite Fanny said he admitted that true returned Mr. Miller but have you forgotten the notes do you not think there may be something in that is it possible said Mr. Wilmot rather warmly is it possible you think the high soul Julia capable of such meanness you do not know her as well as I do if you think she would stoop to such deception you shall go to school with me tomorrow and then you can see for yourself yes I will do so said Mr. Miller and then as he saw Mr. Wilmot seemed somewhat excited he changed the conversation which have been heard by other ears adjoining the room of Mr. Wilmot was a long dark closet the door of which opened into the apartment of Julia and Fanny this closet was used for a kind of lumber room in which were stored promiscuously old barrels trunks, hats, boots and so forth it originally had a window but the glass had long been broken and its place supplied by a large board which failed to keep out the wind and rain so that during the winter season the closet was a cold cheerless place but on the night of which we were speaking it contained a novel piece of lumber crouched behind an old barrel sat Julia listening eagerly to the conversation between her teacher and Mr. Miller when it ceased she arose from her dark hiding place and muttered to herself so you'll see will you you old torment I wish the old scratch had got you before you ever came here if I'd dare to I'd but no I wouldn't do that bad as I am however I'll cheat you for once you hateful limb but what shall I do she indeed was in a dilemma but she had often boasted that she never yet was in so straight into spot that she could not devise some means of extricating herself and she relied on the master she served to aid in this difficulty she never brought her books home and as the reader will air this have surmised she was in the daily habit of writing a sketch of her lessons on full-scap and then reading it off when school first commenced she had asked the privilege of sitting in her seat while reciting and by this means she could hold deeper under her desk and thus avoid Mr. Wilmot's suspicion her lessons for the next day were unusually long and hard and as Mr. Miller would be present she dared not resort to her usual artifice particularly after what had been said about her notes she knew she never could learn all that long lesson in school hours neither could she fail of having it for anything what could she do for some time she sat by the dying embers with her dark face buried in her hands revolving in her mind the best scheme by which to outwit Mr. Miller at last she rose up and a malicious smile of exultation passed over her features she looked at the clock and saw it was already half past ten and then stealing softly to the bedside where Fanny lay quietly sleeping she bent down and assured herself that her sister really was conscious of her movements she then hastily threw on her overshoes cloak and hood and stealing noiselessly down the stairs was soon in the open air alone in the darkness of the night just as she shut the door of the house the watchdog Tiger came bounding furiously toward her with an angry growl she silenced the fierce animal by saying down Tiger poor Tiger don't you know me after quieting the dog she proceeded on her strange errand which was to obtain her books from the school house which was more than a half a mile distant the mud which was very deep was not more than half frozen and at each step she sank into a mixture of mud, snow and ice still she kept fearlessly on till at last she found herself in the midst of the thick woods here her courage somewhat failed her for she called to mind all the stories she had ever heard who were said to walk abroad at this dark hour of the night once she thought she saw the giant form of a negro standing in her path but it proved to be a black stump and she was about laughing at her fears when her ear detected the sound of a light rapid tread coming toward her almost paralyzed with terror she stood perfectly still and listened for the sound to be repeated but all was silent and again she went on her way and soon reached the school house but here a new difficulty presented itself the house was locked and the key was in Mr. Wilmot's pocket but the old adage where there's a will, there's a way came into her mind so she felled around on the half frozen ground till she found a long rail which she placed against a window then climbing up she raised the sash and in a moment was in the school room the atmosphere of the room was still comfortable and she stopped for a moment at the stove to warm her benumbed fingers then groping her way to the desk she easily found her books and made her way out of the house in the same manner that she had entered just as she reached the ground a large dark object sprang toward her and two glittering eyes looked up into her face she uttered a loud shriek and was answered by a low wine which she instantly recognized as belonging to Tiger why Tiger she exclaimed how you frightened me what did you follow me for it seems Tiger had thought there must be something wrong or his mistress would not be out at this unreasonable hour so he had followed on after her she was no ways displeased at this for she liked not the idea of again going alone through the wood but with Tiger for a companion she went fearlessly on and reached home just an hour after she had left it on entering her room she struck a light and then tried to warm her chilled limbs over a few faint coals which still glimmered on the hearth but there was no wood in the room and she dared not go for any so she sat down with her cloak still around her and for four long hours studied as she had never done before in all her life at the end of that time her lessons were very nearly learned and sick with cold and fatigue she threw aside her books and prepared for bed her movements awoke Fanny who on seeing her sister up at that late hour of the night started with surprise and exclaimed what is it Julia, what is the matter Julia immediately extinguished the light lest her sister should discover the books and then said nothing Fanny, nothing only I have a toothache and I got up for the camphor bottle anywhere the camphor is downstairs said Fanny but I will go for it if you wish me to does your tooth ache very much yes rather said Julia and her kindhearted sister arose and found her way in the dark downstairs to her mother's room what in thunders come now called out Mr. Middleton peers like somebody's been tousing around the house all night it's only I father said Fanny I am after the camphor bottle oh it's you sunshine is it the camphor is on the mantel tree be careful and not break it honey while Fanny was after the camphor Julia rose and seizing her books threw them hastily into her bureau drawer she then sprang back into bed and when Fanny came in she was making a very appropriate moaning on account of her aching tooth how cold you are sister said Fanny let me warm my shawl and put it around you you can't warm it for there is neither fire nor wood said Julia and besides my tooth is much better now so Fanny lay down by her sister and the two, purity and guilt were soon fast asleep side by side and the angel of innocence spread his broad wing protectingly over the yellow locks of the one while a serpent lay coiled and of chapter two recording by Jodhopi www.publicdomainaudiobooks.blogspot.com chapter three of Tempest and Sunshine by Mary Jane Holmes this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Jodhopi chapter three resulting in a betrothal and a tempest at the breakfast table the breakfast table next morning Julia's pale face was noticed and commented upon she had a violent toothache last night which kept her awake said Fanny now I think of it I wonder Tempest how you can have the toothache for you are always bragging about your handsome healthy teeth and say you hain a rotten fang in your head Julia colored it as true neither did she remember of having had the toothache in her life but quickly recovering herself she said neither have I a decayed tooth it was more of a face ache I suppose than the genuine toothache probably you have taken some cold said Mr. Wilmot I think quite likely I have retorted Julia and so the toothache matter was dismissed for the time he could see it in a plan of Julia's to avoid going to school that day and when he heard Mrs. Middleton say Julia as it is so cold and chilly perhaps you had better not go out he was rather surprised to hear her reply oh no mother Mr. Miller is going with us and I would not miss of being there for anything so the party proceeded together to the schoolhouse when school commenced Julia took her books and going up to Mr. Wilmot said loudly enough for Mr. Miller to hear Mr. Wilmot do you know that you gave me a very hard lesson for today yes Julia said he I know it is hard and long and as you do not seem well I will excuse you from as much of it as you choose or from the whole of it if you like no no said Julia Mr. Miller is here and I would like to show him that I have improved last winter when as I fear I was often sadly remiss in my studies all I want to tell you is that if I do not recite as well as usual you mustn't scold me a bit will you oh certainly not said Mr. Wilmot and then he added in a tone so low that no one heard but Julia I could not scold you dear Julia thus flattered the young lady took her seat and for a time seemed very intensely occupied with her lessons at last she opened her portfolio and taking from it a sheet of full scab cast an exulting glance toward Fanny and Mr. Miller the latter of whom was watching her movements she then took her gold pencil and commenced scribbling something on the paper by the time her lesson was called she laid the paper on the desk and prepared to do honour to herself and teacher moving of the paper attracted Mr. Wilmot's notice and going toward her he very gently said I presume you have no objection to let me see what you have written here she at first put out her hand as if to prevent him from taking it but at last she suffered him to do so but tried to look interestingly confused Mr. Wilmot read what was written and then smiling past it to his friend who looked at it and saw that it was a piece of terribly good blank verse is this your composition Julia said Mr. Miller yes sir she replied and have your notes always been of this nature asked Mr. Wilmot that or something similar said Julia I find no difficulty in learning my lessons by once reading and as I'm very fond of poetry I like to employ the rest of my time in trying my powers at it Mr. Wilmot looked at Mr. Miller as much as to say I hope you're satisfied and then proceeded to hear Julia's lesson which was well learned and well recited Julia's recitation being over Fanny's class was called Fanny came hesitatingly for she knew her lesson was but poorly learned that morning she had found under her desk a love letter from Bill Jeffrey and she and some of the other girls had spent so much time reading over it and preparing an answer that she had scarcely thought of her lesson she got through with it however as well as she could and was returning to her seat when Mr. Miller called her to him and said reprovingly Fanny why did you not have a better lesson oh Mr. Miller she said almost crying I did intend to but I forgot all about your being here and then as a new thought struck her previously and besides I have spent all the morning writing an answer to Bill Jeffrey's love letter at this unlooked for speech all the scholars burst into a laugh and directed their eyes toward the crestfallen Bill who seemed so painfully embarrassed that Fanny regretted what she had said and as soon as school was out for the morning she went to him and told him she was sorry for so thoughtlessly exposing him to ridicule Billy I'll tell you what you mustn't write me any more love letters which is not right to do such things at school neither need you bring me any more candy or raisins I don't object to you giving me a nice big apple occasionally but candy and raisins you had better give to the little children and now to prove that I am really your friend if you will get that old dog ear arithmetic of yours I will show you how to do some of those hard sums trouble you so Billy was surprised the butt of the school he was accustomed to the jeers of his companions but such kindness and from Fanny too was unexpected he however drew from his desk his old slate and arithmetic and he and Fanny were soon deep in the mysteries of compound fractions a half hour passed away and at the end of that time Billy sums were done now Billy said Fanny you do not send me any more letters and mine too and not wink at me so often you will remember Bill gave the required promise and Fanny bounded away in quest of her schoolmates who laughed at her for taking so much pains with such adult as Bill Jeffery that afternoon Fanny resolved to retrieve her character as a scholar so she applied herself closely to her task and before recitation hour arrived every word of her lesson but alas for poor Fanny she was always stumbling into some new difficulty and fate this afternoon seemed resolved to play a sorry trick upon her the school house stood at the foot of a long steep hill which would have been chosen for a capital sliding place by New York boys but in Kentucky the winters are comparatively speaking so mild that the boys know but little of that rare fun sliding down hill the winter of which we are speaking was however unusually severe and the school boys had persevered until they had succeeded in making a tolerably nice sliding place and they had also furnished themselves with a goodly number of rather rough looking sleds of which Bill Jeffery owned the largest the girls were all anxious to try a ride down the hill and none more so than Fanny but the boys would not lend the girls would not ride with the boys and as the latter always hid their precious slays the girls had as yet never succeeded in their wishes but on this day Bill Jeffery touched by Fanny's unlooked for kindness whispered to her just as school was commencing that she might take his big sled at recess this was a treat indeed and when recess came Fanny with half a dozen other girls climbed to the top of the hill and piling onto Bill's old sled it was settled that Fanny should guide the craft and numerous were the cautions of the girls that she should mind and steer straight oh yes I'll do that said Fanny but wouldn't it be funny, added she if we should make a mistake and go plump into the schoolhouse at last all was ready and the vehicle got under way at first it moved slowly and the loud merry laugh of the girls was on the clear cool air but each moment it increased in swiftness and by the time it was half way down the hill was moving at an astonishingly rapid rate Fanny lost her presence of mind and with it her ability to guide the sled so that they passed the point where they should have turned and made directly for the schoolhouse door which flew open as once did the gates for the famous John Gilpin there was no entryway to the building as the sled struck the door that Jolt threw off all the girls except Fanny who manfully kept her seat and so made her grand entrance into the schoolroom stopping not till she reached the stove and partially upsetting it to the great astonishment of the teacher, visitor and boys the latter of whom set up a loud wuzah poor Fanny was her first sled ride and she felt sure it would be her last she resolved to make the best of it so she looked up from under her curls and said very demurely please Mr. Wilmot may I stop at this station I do not like being so near the engine meaning the stove whose proximity made her quarters a little uncomfortable Mr. Wilmot gave her permission to take her seat which she readily did wondering why it was that she always managed to do something which made her appear ridiculous just when she wanted to appear the best her mishap gave secret pleasure to Julia who delighted to have Fanny appear as badly as possible and she felt particularly pleased when she saw that Fanny's strange ride had scattered all the ideas from her head for the afternoons lessons were but little better recited than the morning and at its close Julia gave her a look of malicious triumph which Mr. Miller observing said as if apologizing for Fanny that he was sure that she had every word of her lesson before recess but it was no wonder she was somewhat disconcerted at the unexpected termination of her ride Fanny smiled gratefully upon him through her tears which she could not restrain but her tears were like April showers they did not last long and that night at the supper table when Mr. Miller related her adventure to her father she joined as gaily as anyone in the laugh which followed Julia was much displeased to think that Fanny's ridiculous conduct as she called it should be thought of and laughed at as if it was something amusing she was anxious too that Mr. Miller should draw his visit to a close but as he did not seem inclined to do so she resolved to make the most of it and give him a few new ideas she knew that Fanny had ever been and she very naturally suppose that the reason of his preference was because he thought she possessed a very lovely amiable disposition she determined to make him think otherwise and set herself at work to execute a plan which fully showed the heartless deception which almost always characterized her actions fortune seemed to favor her for after supper her father and mother announced their intention of spending the evening with one of the neighbors and soon after they left Mr. Wilmot who had letters to write retired to his room together with Mr. Miller as soon as they were gone Julia repaired to the Negro quarters and by dint of threats flattery and promises of reward finally prevailed upon loose to join with her in her dark plot then they went to Julia's sleeping room and carefully opened the closet door so that every word of their conversation could be heard joining room Julia's voice was strangely like her sisters and by means of imitating her she hoped to deceive both Mr. Wilmot and Mr. Miller who were startled by a loud angry voice exclaiming come you black imp no more eyes you know you've stolen it so just confess and tell me where it is the young gentleman looked at each other in surprise for the voice was like Fanny's and yet it was so unnatural for her to see in such a passion that they thought it impossible their fears were however soon confirmed by loose who said oh Miss Fanny Lord knows I never touched it now Sarton I know nothing about it hold your jaw or I'll slap your mouth for you you lying thief said Julia alias Fanny of course you've got it for no one else is being in here so tell where you hid it I said how can I tell when I don't know nothing where it is said loose there take that to brighten up your ideas said Fanny and at the same time there was the sound of a blow which was followed by an outcry from loose who exclaimed oh oh oh Miss Fanny don't go for the women cause I hate nothing to tell if I had a tell right off I hate seeing your handkerchief tall maybe you've done trapped it somewhere just then the door opened and Julia again speaking naturally was heard to say why Fanny what are you doing just as soon as mother is gone loose what is the matter oh Miss Julia replied loose Miss Fanny lost her fine handkerchief and she say how I stole it but I hate what makes you think loose has got your handkerchief Fanny because I left it on the table and isn't there now and no one has been in the room except loose replied Fanny very likely you have put it in your drawer and forgotten it let me look said Julia there was a moment's silence and then Julia was heard to exclaim there it is just as I thought here it is safe in your box I do wish sister you would not be quite so hasty but stop a little before you condemn us so saying the party left the room while this scene was taking place Fanny was quietly seated by the fire in the sitting room getting her lesson for the next day at last her eye chance to fall upon a purse which Julia was knitting for her father and which she had promised to finish that night I wonder said Fanny to herself I wonder where Julia has gone so long she told father she would finish his purse this evening and he will scold so if it is not done that I believe I'll knit on it till she returns suiting the action to the word she caught up the purse and when Julia returned to the sitting room she found her sister busily engaged in knitting for her why Julia said Fanny where have you been so long I thought you were never coming back so I have been knitting on your purse for I was afraid you would not get it done and then father would scold you know as Julia looked into her sister's bright innocent face and thought of all her kindness her conscious smote her for the wrong she had done but quickly hushing the faithful monitor she thought never mind it's natural for me to be bad I cannot help it meantime the gentlemen above were discussing the conversation which they had overheard is it possible said Mr. Miller that I have been so deceived and that after all she is as passionate as her sister as passionate as her sister repeated Mr. Wilmot I think we have good proof that she is much more so I hope you are now convinced that Fanny is not infallible though I will confess I am surprised and disappointed for I thought she was really of a very gentle nature Mr. Miller did not reply directly but went on as if speaking to himself oh Fanny Fanny how has my idol fallen I never would have believed it but for such convincing evidence he was indeed sorely disappointed he had always thought of Fanny as the embodiment of almost every female virtue and although she was so young hope had often whispered to him of a joyous future when she whom her father designated as sunshine should also shed a halo of sunlight on another fireside but now the illusion was painfully dispelled for sooner would he have taken the Egyptian asp to his bosom than chosen for a companion one whom he knew to possess a hasty violent temper next morning he took leave of Mr. Middleton's family when it came Fanny's turn to bid him goodbye she noticed the absence of his accustomed cordiality and wondered much what she had done to displease him but she wept herself to sleep thinking of it while Julia secretly exulting in her sister's uneasiness laughed at her for her foolishness and said it was probably a mere fancy and even if it were not what matter was it what did she care for Mr. Middleton's good or bad opinion she mustn't expect everybody to pet and caress her just as father did who was an old fool anyway and petted her and her dogs alternately of reasoning did not convince Fanny and for many days her face wore a sad troubled expression thus the winter passed away spring came and with it came an offer to Mr. Wilmot of a very lucrative situation as teacher in a school in Frankfort at first he hesitated about accepting it for there was in the old rough stone house an attraction far greater than the mere consideration of dollars and cents Julia at last settled the matter by requesting him to accept the offer and then urged her father to let her go to Frankfort to school also and why do you wish to go there Julia said Mr. Wilmot laying his hand on her dark glossy hair because she answered it will be so lonely here when you are gone and why will it be lonely dearest Julia continued he oh said she you are the only person who understands me by all others whatever I do or say is construed into something bad I wish you were my brother for then I might have been better than I am oh I do not wish I was your brother said Mr. Wilmot for then I could never have claimed a dearer title which I hope now to do at some future time then followed a declaration of love which Julia had long waited most anxiously for most eloquently did Mr. Wilmot pour out the whole tide of his affection for the beautiful but sinful girl who in a very becoming and appropriate manner murmured an acknowledgement of requited love thus the two were betrothed and truly it was a fitting time for such a betrothal the air had been hot and sultry all day and now the sky was overspread with dark clouds while everything indicated an approaching storm while Mr. Wilmot was yet speaking it burst upon them with great violence peel after peel of thunder followed each other in rapid succession and just as Julia whispered a promise to be Mr. Wilmot's forever a blinding sheet of lightning lit up for a moment her dark and was instantly succeeded by a crash which shook the whole house from its foundation and drew from Julia a cry of terror which brought Fanny to see what was the matter and made Mr. Middleton swear there was noise enough from the tempest outdoors without the tempest in the house raising such a devil of a fuss End of Chapter 3 Recording by Jadopi Chapter 4 Dr. Lacey appears on the scene When Mr. Middleton was spoken to on the subject of sending Julia to Frankfurt he at first refused outright No! said he Indeed she should be. She should be. She should be. She should be. She should be. She should be. No! said he Indeed she shan't go. What does she want of any more fl mounts or little notions? What she does know is a damage to her. But do you not wish to give your daughters every possible advantage? said Mr. Wilmot. Who said anything about my daughters? said Mr. Middleton. It's nobody but tempest and she's always kicking up some No, neither of them shall go. It's all stuff, the Holland!" So saying, he turned on his heel and walked off, while Julia burst into tears and repaired to her own room, whether she was soon followed by her mother, who tried to console her. Said she, Why, Julia, you don't take the right course with your father. Why do you not propose having your sister accompany you? For if you go, she will, and you know she can always coax father to do as she pleases. This was rather humiliating to Julia, but she concluded it was her only alternative. So she dried her eyes and, seeking out her sister, very soon talked her into a strong desire to try the mysteries of a school in Frankfurt, and also drew from her a promise to try her powers of argument upon her father. Accordingly that evening Fanny made an attack upon him, and as her mother had predicted, she was perfectly successful. It was settled that she and Julia should both go, and the next morning early Mr. Middleton set off for Frankfurt to find as smart a boarding place for his gals as anybody had. There was as yet no boarding house connected with the school, and he was obliged to find a place for them in some one of the numerous boarding houses with which Frankfurt abounds. He at last decided upon a very genteel establishment, kept by a Mrs. Crane, who at first hesitated about receiving into her family persons who possessed so rough and shabby looking a father. But Mr. Middleton brought her to a decision by saying, What the do she waiting for? Is it because I've got a cow hide, stowies, and a homemade coat? Thunder and lightning, don't you know I'm old Middleton, worth at least 200,000? This announcement changed the current of Mrs. Crane's ideas. The daughters were not rough, if the father was, so she decided to take them, and for the very moderate sum of seven dollars per week, promised to give them all the privileges of her house. The first day of June was fixed on them to leave home and at sunrise Mr. Middleton's carriage stood at the door, waiting for the young ladies to make their appearance. Julia had long been ready and was waiting impatiently for Fanny, who was bidding the servants an affectionate goodbye. Each one had received from her some little token of love, and now they all stood in one corner of the yard to look at their darling as long as possible. No bless her, said one, can tuck ain't many like her, no never will have. No, no Frankfurt neither, said a second, while a third added, no, and I reckon heaven had another, to which a fourth responded, amen. Here old Aunt Katie, who had nursed Mr. Middleton and his children after him, hobbled up to Fanny, and laying her hard shriveled black hand on her young mistress's bright locks, said, The Lord who makes the wind blow easy like on the sheared lamb, take care of my sweet child, and bring her back again to poor old Aunt Katie, who'll be all dark and lonesome when sunshine's done gone. This was regarded as a wonderful speech by the Negroes, and as none of them could hope to equal it, they contented themselves by lustily blowing their trombones and wiping the same on their shirt sleeves, or the corner of their aprons. At last the goodbyes were all said. Julia merely noticed the blacks with a slight nod, and then sprang nimbly into the carriage, which disappeared from view just as the Negro struck up in a loud, clear, and not unmusical tone. Oh, it's lonesome now on the old plantation. It's lonesome now on the old plantation. It's lonesome now on the old plantation, because sunshine's gone away. Stop your yelp, can't you? said Mr. Middleton, but his voice indicated that he would not be very much displeased, even if they did not obey. So they tuned their pipes still louder, and this time the six dogs joined in the chorus with a long and mournful howl. There, that'll do, said Mr. Middleton. Now, tear work quick, and mind the one that works best this week shall go Saturday and carry Miss Crane some strawberries. The Negroes needed no other incentive to work than the prospect before them of going to see Fanny. Never had Mr. Middleton had so much accomplished in one week. When Friday night came, it was hard telling which was the favored one. At last it was settled that Ike should go to Frankfurt, and the rest should have a sort of holiday. Ike was a sprightly Negro boy of seventeen, and almost idolized his young mistress Fanny. Long before sunup, a favored expression in Kentucky for sunrise, he had filled his basket with strawberries, and just as the first rays of sunlight streaked the eastern hills, he started on his mission, laden with numerous messages of love for sweet Miss Fanny. And a big cranberry pie from Aunt Judy, who was sartin' the baby wanted some of old Judy's gym cracks by this time. Meantime, Julia and Fanny had become tolerably well established, both in school and at Mrs. Crane's. Julia was perfectly delighted with her new quarters, for she said, Everything was in style just as it should be, and she readily adopted all the sit-in notions. But poor Fanny was continually committing some blunder. She would forget to use her napkin or persist in using her knife instead of her four-tined silver fork. These little things annoyed Julia excessively, and numerous were the lectures given in secret to Fanny, who would laugh merrily at her sister's distress, and say she really wished her father would dine some day at Mrs. Crane's table. Heaven forbid that he should, said Julia, I should be mortified to death. They would not mind his oddities, said Fanny, for I overheard Mrs. Crane telling the exquisitely fashionable Mrs. Carrington that our father was a quizzical old savage, but rich as a navel. And we should undoubtedly inherit a hundred thousand dollars of peace. And then Mrs. Carrington said, Oh, is it possible one can afford to patronize them? And then she added something else which I think I'll not tell you. Oh, do, said Julia, it too bad to raise my curiosity and not gratify it. Well, then, said Fanny, Mrs. Carrington said there is a rumor that the eldest Miss Middleton is engaged to Mr. Wilmot. I wonder at it, for with her extreme beauty and great fortune she could command a more eligible match than a whole pedagogue. The next morning at breakfast Mrs. Crane informed her boarders that she expected the new arrival the next day, Friday. She said, It is a new gentleman from New Orleans. His name is Dr. Lacey. His parents were natives of Boston, Massachusetts, but he was born in New Orleans and will inherit from his father a large fortune. But as he wished for a profession, he chose that of medicine. He is a graduate of Yale College and usually spends his summers north, so this season he stops in Frankfurt and honors my house with his presence. He is very handsome and agreeable and these young ladies might put a lock and key on their hearts. The last part of this speech was directed to Julia, who blushed deeply, and secretly wondered if Dr. Lacey were as handsome as Mr. Wilmot. She frequently found herself thinking about him during the day, but Fanny never gave him a thought until evening when, as she and her sister were together in their room, the latter suddenly explained, I wonder if Dr. Lacey will be here at breakfast tomorrow morning. And if he is, said Fanny, I suppose you want me to be very careful to use my fork and break my egg correctly. I think it will be well for you always to try and show as much good breeding as possible, said Julia. Well, returned Fanny, I reckon this Dr. Lacing or Dr. Lacework, what's his name, will ever be anything to us, for I am sure he never think of me and you are engaged to a man who is much better than any of your New Orleans pill bags. Little did Fanny dream how closely the New Orleans pill bags were to be connected with the rest of her life. Julia said nothing, but probably thought more. When the young ladies entered the breakfast room next morning, they noticed seated opposite them a tall, dark, handsome young man who Mrs. Carrington introduced to them as Dr. Lacey. There was something remarkably pleasing in his manner and before breakfast was over he had completely won Fanny's good opinion by kindly breaking her egg for her and when she had the misfortune to drop the fork he drew the attention of the company from her by relating an anecdote on himself which was that he was once invited to a dinner party at the honourable Henry Clay's and as he was trying to be very graceful and polite he unfortunately upset his plate the contents of which together with his knife and fork were deposited in his lap. This story raised such a laugh that all forgot Fanny who gave Dr. Lacey such a look of gratitude that after breakfast he asked Mrs. Crane who the pale blue eyed girl was and received about the same information that Mrs. Carrington had received concerning her. That day Mr. Wilmot's eyes were not as handsome nor his teeth as white as usual in the estimation of Julia who often found herself wondering why he did not wear whiskers. That evening he called it Mrs. Crane's and for the first time in her life Julia was not much pleased to see him. He however rose ten percent in her estimation when she saw the familiar and cordial manner with which Dr. Lacey treated him. They talked as though they were old and dear friends. After Mr. Wilmot had left Dr. Lacey said, wow that Wilmot is a remarkably intelligent man and very agreeable. Then turning to Mrs. Carrington he added, let me see, is he a teacher? Yes, said Mrs. Carrington and these young ladies are his pupils and report says he looks after the heart of one of them as well as the head. Well, continued he, whichever one is favored with his preference should feel honored, for he is a capital fellow. Just then his eye fell upon an elegant piano which stood in the room and as he asked Mrs. Carrington to favor him with some music. Perhaps Miss Middleton will oblige you, said Mrs. Carrington, looking at Julia. Thank you, said Julia, I am just taking lessons. So Mrs. Carrington sat down to the instrument and as Julia saw how skillfully her white, jeweled fingers touched the keys, she resolved to spare no pains to become as fine a player as Mrs. Carrington, particularly as she saw that Dr. Lacey was very fond of music and kept calling for peace after peace till the evening was somewhat advanced. You ought to play, golden locks, said he to Fanny, at the same time taking one of her long yellow curls in his hand. I am taking lessons, said Fanny, but I make awkward work, for my fingers are all thumbs, as you might know by my dropping that four-time pitch-bulk this morning. Dr. Lacey laughed heartily at this and called her an original little piece. At the same time saying, you remind me of my sister Anna. Where does she live? asked Fanny. Dr. Lacey sighed as he answered, the three years she has lived in heaven, three long years to us who loved her so dearly. Fanny observed that he seemed agitated while speaking of his sister, so she dared not ask him more about her, although she wished very much to do so. Perhaps he read her wishes in her face, for he went on to tell her more of his sister, who he said, drooped day by day, and they took her to Cuba, but she daily grew worse and often spoke of dying in heaven, and then one bright summer morning she passed away from them, and they buried her under a group of dark orange trees. That night Fanny dreamed of sweet Anna Lacey sleeping so quietly in her lone grave, far off meet the orange trees of Cuba. Julia had dreams too, but of a different nature. In her fancy she beheld Dr. Lacey at her feet, with his handsome person, princely fortune, and magnificent home near New Orleans, while off in the dim distance loomed up a dark coffin, in which was the cold, pale form of one whom she knew too well. Was her dream an omen of the coming future? We shall see. Next morning, just as the town clock rang out the hour of eight, a strange-looking vehicle, to which was attached a remarkably poor-looking house, was seen picking its way slowly through the other part of Main Street, Frankfurt. The driver of this establishment was a negro boy, whom we readily recognize as our friend Ike. He was taking it leisurely through the town, stopping before every large, smart-looking house to reconnoitre, and see if it resembled the one his master had described. At last he was accosted by a young African who called out, Oh, there, oh, boy, what you keeping your eyes peeled in your mouth open for? Is you catching flies? No, sir, replied Ike, as trying to find Miss Crane's bolden house. Oh, yes, well, it's up to the other way. You just turn that old rackabown of your in straight round and turn down that arse straight, where you see that steeple. And the first house on the corner is Miss Crane's. But, say, is you and that arse quadruped just out of the ark? I don't know nothing about your ark, said Ike, whose scripture knowledge was rather limited. But I belongs to Master Josh, and I'm going to see Miss Fannett. And now I think of it, won't you ride? Lord know, said the negro, I'm in a great hurry, going after the doctor for Ole Miss, whose sartre she's going to die this time. You don't seem in much of a hurry, said Ike. No, return the other, Ole Miss has died a heap of times by spells, so I reckon she'll hang on this time till I get back, just so she can jaw me for being gone so long. So they parted the stranger negro to go for the doctor and Ike to go to Miss Crane's with his berries and Aunt Judy's cranberry pie. He had often wondered during his ride whether Fanny would not give him a piece of the pie. As often as this thought entered his brain, he would turn down the white napkin and take a peep at the tempting pastry. Then he would touch it with his fingers and finally take it up and smell of it just a little. While he was making his way into Miss Crane's kitchen, Julia and Fanny were in their room, the windows of which were open and looked out upon a balcony, which extended entirely around the house. There was no school that day, and Fanny was just wishing she could hear from home when a servant entered the room and said there was a boy in the kitchen who wished to see Miss Fanny. A boy wants to see me, said Fanny, who can it be? Wrecking he's from your home, case he says how he belongs to Mars to Middleton, said the negro girl. Oh joy, exclaimed Fanny, somebody from home. How glad I am. Come, Julia, won't you go down too? No, indeed, said Julia squirmfully. I'm not so anxious to see a greasy nega. I hope you will not take it into your head to ask him up here. But Fanny did not answer for she was already halfway down the stairs. Going to the kitchen, she found Ike and seemed as delighted to see him as though his skin had been snowy white. Ike delivered all his messages and then presented Aunt Judy's pie. Dear Aunt Judy, said Fanny, how kind she is. Then, seizing a knife, she cut a liberal piece for Ike, who received it with many thanks. Now, Ike, said she, you must remain here until I go out and get a ribbon for Aunt Judy's cap and some tobacco for old Aunt Katie. So, saying, she ran upstairs to her room. When she entered it, Julia exclaimed, In the name of the people, what have you got now? Oh, a pie, which Aunt Judy sent me, said Fanny. How ridiculous! answered Julia. I don't think Mrs. Crane would thank Aunt Judy for sending pies to her house. Mrs. Crane need no nothing about it and I would not care if she did, said Fanny. And then she added, Ike is downstairs and he says father is coming after us in two or three weeks. Good heavens, said Julia. What is he coming for? Why does he not send a servant? And why I cannot father come? asked Fanny. Because, answered Julia. Who wants that old college ahead? A pretty figure he'd cut, I think. I should be ashamed of him and so would you if you knew anything. I know he is odd, said Fanny, but he is my father and as such I would not be ashamed of him. Well, I am ashamed to own that he's my father anyway, answered Julia. But where are you going now? she continued as she saw her sister putting on her bonnet. I'm going to buy some ribbon for Aunt Judy, some tobacco for Aunt Katie, and some candy for the children, answered Fanny. Well, I do believe you haven't common sense, said Julia. But where is your money to buy all these things? Oh, said Fanny, I've concluded not to go and hear Fanny Kimble tonight. I'd rather spend the money for the servants. It would do them so much good. You certainly are a fool, said Julia. Fanny had been told that often, so she did not reply, but hastened downstairs and was soon in the street. As she turned the corner she could see the windows of her room, and the whole length of the balcony on that side of the building. Looking in that direction she saw Dr. Lacey sitting out on the balcony and so near her window that he must have heard all the conversation between herself and her sister. She thought, well, he of course thinks me a silly little dunce, but I do lack our blacks, and if I ever own any of them, I'll first teach them to read and then send them all to Liberia. Full of this new plan she forgot Dr. Lacey, and ere she was aware of it, had reached the store. She procured the article she wished for and returned to Mrs. Cranes, gave them to Ike, who was soon on his way home. At supper that evening the conversation turned upon Fanny Kimble and the expected entertainment. I suppose you were all going, said Mrs. Cranes to her boarders. They all answered in the affirmative except Fanny, who was about to reply when Dr. Lacey interrupted her by saying, Ms. Fanny, will you allow me to accompany you to hear Mrs. Butler this evening? Fanny was amazed. Was it possible that the elegant Dr. Lacey had honored her with an invitation to accompany him to the literary treat? She was too much surprised to answer him, until he said, Do not refuse me, Ms. Fanny, for I am resolved to have you go. She then gracefully accepted his polite invitation, and at the same time glancing toward Julia and Mrs. Carrington, she saw that the former frowned darkly, while the latter looked displeased. This dampened her happiness somewhat, and as soon as supper was over she hurried to her room. Mrs. Carrington was a gay, fashionable woman, and was just as willing to receive attention from unmarried gentlemen now as she had been in her girlish days. Her husband was an officer in the United States Army, and was absent a great part of the time. But she had never cared much for him, so she managed to pass the time of his absence very happily and flirting with every handsome, wealthy young gentleman who came in her way. When Dr. Lacey appeared, she immediately appropriated him to herself. To his true, she somewhat feared Julia might become a rival, but of the modest, unassuming little Fanny she had never once thought, and was greatly surprised when Dr. Lacey offered to escort her to the reading. She had resolved on having his company herself, and when she saw the frown on Julia's face, she flattered herself that she could not prevent Fanny's going. Accordingly, after supper she asked Julia to go with her for a moment to her room. Julia had become perfectly charmed with the fascinating manners of Mrs. Carrington, so she cheerfully assented, and the two proceeded together to her richly furnished apartments. When there, Mrs. Carrington said, Miss Middleton, do you not think your sister too young to accept the attentions of any gentleman, at least one who is so much of a stranger to the family? Julia well knew that the fact of Dr. Lacey's being a stranger was of no consequence in Mrs. Carrington's estimation. But she quickly answered, Yes, I do, but what can be done now? Oh, said Mrs. Carrington, your sister is very gentle, and if we were to go and state the case as it is, I am confident she will yield. So they went to Fanny's room, where they found her sitting by the window, thinking how much pleasure she would enjoy that night. Julia commenced operations by saying, Fanny, what made you promise Dr. Lacey that you would go with him to-night? Why, said Fanny, was there anything wrong in it? Here, Mrs. Carrington's soft voice chimed in. Nothing very wrong, dear Fanny, but it is hardly proper for a young school girl to appear in public attended by a gentleman who is not her brother or cousin. Poor Fanny, her heart sank, for she was afraid she would have to give up going after all. But a thought struck her, and she said, Well, then, it is not proper for Julia to go with Mr. Wilmot, and she has promised to do so. That is very different, said Mrs. Carrington. Julia is engaged to Mr. Wilmot, and unless you are engaged to Dr. Lacey, continued she sarcastically, it will not be proper at all for you to go with him. But I promised I would, said Fanny. That you can easily remedy, answered Mrs. Carrington, just write him a note and I will send it to him. Thus beset poor Fanny sat down and wrote, as Mrs. Carrington dictated the following note. Dr. Lacey, Sir, upon further reflection I think it proper to decline your polite invitation for tonight. Yours, very respectfully, Fanny Middleton. That will do, said Mrs. Carrington, and ringing the bell she dispatched a servant to carry the note to Dr. Lacey. You are a good girl to submit so readily, said Mrs. Carrington, laying her white hand on Fanny's head. But Fanny's eyes were full of tears and she did not answer, and Mrs. Carrington, sure of Dr. Lacey's attendance that evening, left the room exulting in the result of her plan. In a short time she deserted to the parlor, where she found Mr. Wilmot with Julia, but no Dr. Lacey. Neither did he make his appearance at all, and after waiting impatiently for a time she was at last obliged to accept the arm of the poor pedagogue, which was rather unwillingly offered, for Mr. Wilmot greatly preferred having Julia all to himself. She had become as dear to him as his own life, and in his opinion her character was like her face. Perfect! Deluded man! It was well that he died before he had come to a knowledge of her sinfulness. But to return to Fanny, after she was left alone by her sister, she threw herself upon the sofa and burst into tears, but at length, wiping them away, she arose and went down to the parlor, determined to have a nice time practicing her music lessons. It was rather hard, and with untiring patience she played it over and over, until she was suddenly startled by a voice behind her saying, Really, Miss Fanny, you are persevering. Looking up she saw Dr. Lacey, who had entered unperceived. Why, Dr. Lacey, said she, How you frightened me? Why were you not at the reading? Because, answered he, when my lady breaks her engagement, I think I, too, can remain at home. But why did you change your mind, Miss Fanny? I thought you were anxious to go. Fanny blushed painfully, and the tears came to her eyes, but she replied, I was anxious to go, but they thought I had better not. And who is they? asked the doctor. And why did they think you had better not go? Fanny answered. Mrs. Carrington and Julia said I was too young to go out with, with such a bad man as I am, said Dr. Lacey, laughing. Oh no, said Fanny, they do not think you bad, they said with any gentleman. Too young, are you? said Dr. Lacey. How old are you, Fanny? I was sixteen last May, she replied. Sixteen, just as old as Anna was when she died, and just as old as my mother was when she was married, so it seems you are not too young to die, or to be married, either. If you are too young to go out with me, said Dr. Lacey. Fanny did not reply, and he continued. Whom would you have gone with if you had not spent your money this morning for those old aunts? Fanny started, and giving him a searching look, was about to reply when he anticipated her by saying, Yes, Fanny, I overheard your conversation this morning, and I cannot sufficiently admire your generous self-denial. I have heard Fanny Campbell two or three times, so I did not care to hear her again. But I decided to go for the pleasure of having you hear her. But as you did not choose to go, I have remained here, with you, and wish to have you tell me something about your parents and your home. And also wish you to ask me to go there some time. Fanny answered hesitatingly, I am afraid you would not like to go there, Dr. Lacey. Why not? said he. Do you not like your home? Oh, yes, very much, she replied. But Father is a little odd, and you might feel inclined to laugh at him, but he is very kind, and if you could forget his roughness you would like him. I know I shall like him, just because he is your father, said Dr. Lacey. He then turned the conversation upon other subjects, and Fanny found him so agreeable that she never thought of the hour until Mr. Wilmot, Mrs. Carrington, and Julia suddenly entered the parlor. Upon my word, said Mrs. Carrington, you have both stolen a match upon us. I hope you have been agreeably entertained, Dr. Lacey, said Julia, in an ironical tone. I assure you I have, said he warmly. I do not remember having passed so pleasant an evening for a long, long time. I dare say not. Fanny is usually very interesting, was Julia's contemptuous reply, and as Mr. Wilmot just then took his leave, she very hotly left the room and went upstairs, muttering to herself, foiled for the first time in my life. From this time nothing of particular importance occurred for two or three weeks, except that Dr. Lacey seemed each day to grow fonder of Fanny, which greatly annoyed Mrs. Carrington and Julia, both of whom spared no pains to make Fanny appear in as bad a light as possible. But Dr. Lacey understood their maneuvers, and whenever they were present seemed to take delight in being very attentive to Fanny. He ardently desired to see the father of the two girls, and ere long his wish was gratified. But of this we will speak in another chapter.