The Debtor's Daughter CHAPTER 11.
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The more earnest and laborious attention to business which Ralph Putnam had been compelled to give, after his separation from his father, tried his health severely — which had always been delicate! In a year or two, the effect began to show itself in a way which alarmed the fears of his wife. When he found himself suddenly involved in difficulties, coming as these did so soon after the shock produced by his father's failure — the anxiety, and even terror with which he was affected as he looked at the overwhelming evil which was sweeping toward him, added to the care and effort involved in a struggle almost as severe as if it had been for life — made sad inroads upon his feeble constitution. When the last unsuccessful effort to sustain himself failed, and the little fortune he was laboring so hard to build up, fell with a stunning crash — he sank also. Nature had been taxed too severely, and could bear up no longer.
On the day that Ralph Putnam, yielding to the pressure, against which he had braced himself for months, gave way — he went home, looking so pale and broken both in body and mind, that Grace startled as he entered the room where she was sitting, and exclaimed,
"Ralph! What has happened? Are you sick, or hurt? Oh, my husband! What ails you?"
The young man, overcome by a sense of weakness, leaned heavily against his wife, as she sprang to his side, and drew her arm around him. But, he did not, at first, make any answer.
"Oh, Ralph! Tell me what happened?" eagerly pleaded Grace.
"More ruin!" said Ralph, in a husky whisper.
"How? What?"
"I am ruined, Grace," replied Ralph, in a firm voice, but with indescribable anguish.
"Ruined! Oh, no! I am here; and there are our sweet babes!" quickly answered Grace, who comprehended her husband's meaning. He had not told her of the crushing weight that was on him; but, from the fact that his father had recently failed in business, and that failures were occurring daily; and still further, from the fact that he had been greatly troubled about something for weeks — she imagined the same result to him had taken place. She, therefore, understood, all that was meant by the word ruin.
"But for you and these sweet babes — I would not care."
His utterance was choked by emotion, he leaned his face down until it was hidden on the shoulder of his wife, while a half stifled sob came up from his troubled bosom.
Grace stood with her arm drawn tightly around her husband for a few minutes; then she gently led him to a seat, and taking another by his side, leaned forward towards him, and looking up into his troubled countenance, said —
"Ralph, my dear, dear husband! Do not let one thought of me as destined to share your future lot, be it what it may — give you the first throb of pain. It will not be hard to shrink away, with our little ones, from our present place in society, and draw closer and more lovingly together in the humbler position which an all-wise and good Providence may think it best for us to take. If an abundance of the world's good things are withheld — we can limit our wants and be just as happy as we were before. Do not, therefore, let thehand of misfortune, though it be laid heavily upon you, sink you to the earth. It need not do so. It cannot crush us, if we bear up."
But, the spirits of the young man were broken in the struggle through which he had come, and the hopeful words of his wife failed to re-assure him. He felt, what she did not clearly at the time understand, his own helplessness from failure of bodily health. She knew that his health had been declining; but, she did not yet know that strength which had borne him up for months, was an artificial strength, and that now, the stimulus of hope and effort being gone — he sank down weak and trembling in every exhausted nerve.
"God bless you, my dear Grace!" said he mournfully, "for your words of encouragement. But alas! they inspire me with no hope. My strength is gone. I have no more ability to struggle in the world. I have no power even to hold myself up; how much less the dear ones I love!"
"Lean against me," replied Grace, promptly, and with a lightness of tone that concealed the real pressure on her feelings. "If you are weak — then will I be strong."
"You! Dear child!" said Ralph, with much tenderness. "You know little of the world's severe pressure. Ah! How quickly will both you and I fall, when the hand of adversity, now outstretched, is laid upon us!"
"No, Ralph! We will not fall," replied Grace, confidently. "The same kind Father is still in Heaven — and He will give us strength sufficient for our day."
Thus Grace sought to inspire with hope the drooping mind of her husband. But, before many hours passed, her own heart was stricken with fear. It soon became too apparent, that Ralph was ill in body, as well as in mind. He could not touch food when placed before him, and his exhaustion was so great that he was unable to sit up. Grace sent for their physician, who expressed concern the moment he saw him; and this was increased when Grace explained the reason of her husband's illness.
"He has considerable fever," said the physician in reply to the wife's eager questions, as she followed him from the room in which her husband lay.
"Is he in danger?" asked Grace with quivering lips.
"I hope not. His brain and body have been over-tasked, and now there has come a consequent great prostration of the whole nervous system. Quiet and medicine will, I trust, do all that is needful for him. But, Mrs. Putnam, let me impress one thing upon you. All will depend on his being kept perfectly free from excitement. As you value his life, let no causes of disturbance come near him. Should any people call, as is most likely under present circumstances, tell them that I have given positive orders that he is not, at least for the present, to be seen."
The physician's judgment of the case, from the first symptoms that were presented, was correct. A slow nervous fever set in, and, for many days, the contest between life and the agents of death, was a severe one; and when the turning point came, and life gained strength in the vital regions, he was as weak almost as a new born infant. Slowly, very slowly, came back a portion of the strength that had been lost — and only a portion. It was weeks before Ralph was able to sit up in bed, and weeks more before he could move about his chamber.
In the mean time, Grace had held repeated interviews with two or three gentlemen who represented the creditors of her husband, as to the settlement of the business, which was hopelessly embarrassed. All his effects were in their hands, and they placed before her, at her request, a full statement of everything, at the same time desiring her to send for her husband's legal counselor, in order that she might have his advice and judgment in a matter so far out of the range of her peculiar province. This was done; and, acting under his advice, for her husband — she consented to the various propositions made for the settlement of affairs in the best and speediest way.
One of the gentlemen who came frequently to see Grace Putnam on the business of her husband, a Mr. Markle — soon began to feel a lively interest in her. Her calmness and self-devotion, in the painful and trying circumstances by which she was surrounded, and her earnest desire that justice might be done to all, gave him a high respect for hercharacter.
"And now madam," said Mr. Markle to her one day, after nearly all the business was arranged, so far as her agency in the matter was involved, "What are your prospects for the future? Your husband's health is so shattered, that it is but little he will be able to do towards the maintenance of his family. His father's circumstances are as bad as his own. There is no dependence, therefore, on him. Have you any friends to fall back upon?"
"None," replied Grace with more calmness than Mr. Markle had expected under the circumstances.
"Upon what, then, are you going to live?" asked Mr. Markle.
"On the God of Heaven, and my own efforts."
A flash of holy confidence lit up for an instant, the features of the young wife, as if rays from the Heaven she trusted in had fallen upon them.
"What can you do?" inquired Mr. Markle.
"My father gave me every advantage in his power," replied Grace. "He believed that his first duty in life was to provide for the highest good of his children; and, with this view, he had them thoroughly taught in the best schools and by the best teachers. My education has been of the most liberal character. Early impressed with the value of knowledge, I devoted myself assiduously to the acquirement of every branch taught in the school to which I was sent. My father's misfortune in business gave a direction to my thoughts, which, otherwise, they would never have taken. I felt that much might devolve upon me; that the time might come when those I loved, would need my efforts. This idea fastened itself so closely upon my mind, that I never lost sight of it, and it made me studious and earnest in the acquirement of everything I was called upon to learn. The consequence is, I am so thoroughly grounded in the various branches of female education, that I can teach them."
"Can you teach the modern languages?"
"Yes. I gave much attention to French, Italian and German, and believe that I understand the best methods by which they are taught."
"How is your musical education?"
"I had one of the best masters in the city, and he considers me among his most finished pupils."
"And you are ready to use the ability you possess for the support of your family?"
"Ready? Yes, and willing!"
"Have you settled upon any plan yet?"
"Oh no. My mind has been too much disturbed about my husband. He is I trust, out of danger, and I am now beginning to think over the work which lies before me. His health, I am too well satisfied, is broken. Anxiety, care and labor — will destroy him. My health is good. Thus far I have leaned upon him; now the order must be reversed. I am the stronger — and he must lean upon me."
Mr. Markle was charmed by the beautiful enthusiasm of the young wife, and resolved to be her friend.
"Do you think yourself capable of undertaking the charge of a school?" he asked.
"What ever work my hands find to do, Mr. Markle," replied Grace, "that I am resolved to do with all my might. I will open a school, if I can procure a sufficient number of students; or I will give lessons in music, in drawing, or in the languages."
"What is the rent of this house?"
"We pay five hundred dollars per year."
"The situation is a good one for a school."
"Yes, but the rent is too high."
"That would depend on the number of students."
"True. But, in the beginning, I could not expect many pupils."
"What would you teach?"
"I would prefer having only those who are well-advanced. To such, I would teach all the higher branches."
"I have two daughters," said Mr. Markle, after reflecting for some time, "and I shall esteem it a privilege to have them placed under the care of one for whom my brief fellowship has given me so profound a regard. If you could inspire them with something of your own noble spirit, the benefit conferred would be beyond all price. I am much in error, if I cannot procure you a dozen more students. At least I will try. Take courage madam! To one with your feelings — there is no such thing as fail. In a few days I will see you again. In the mean time, let not imagined difficulties affect your mind with even a momentary despondency."
It was nearly a week before Mr. Markle called again upon Grace.
"How is your husband?" was his first kind inquiry.
"He is improving, but very slowly."
"Has his mind gained sufficient strength to revert to his old business?"
"He is beginning to be disturbed on that account, and asks many questions, which I avoid answering as far as it is prudent to do so. This disturbance I can already see, acts injuriously upon him."
While Grace was speaking, Mr. Markle drew forth his pocket book, and taking therefrom a paper, handed it to her.
"What is this?" she asked, as she opened and glanced over what was written within.
"It is an unconditional release of your husband from any and all obligations which may remain due by him after the settlement of his business. This, his creditors tender him in the spirit of humanity."
Tears came into the eyes of Grace. She did not speak, but gratitude was in every line of her beautiful face.
"And further," said Mr. Markle; "the creditors have, without a dissenting voice, agreed that not an article of your household furniture shall be touched. Here" — and he handed Grace another paper, "is their transfer of all this part of your husband's property, to yourself."
Grace took this paper, but she could not see a line written thereon, for the tears that were ready to start forth upon her glowing cheeks.
"And still further," continued Mr. Markle, "they have desired me to present you, on their behalf, with the sum of one thousand dollars!"
Mr. Markle handed Grace a check as he spoke. The gathering tears overflowed their boundaries. "For kindness like this," said the young wife, "I was not prepared. Ah sir. If those generous-hearted men could see my heart, and read its grateful emotions — they would have their reward. But God, who loves the merciful, will bless them for this good deed."
After Grace had grown calmer, Mr. Markle said — "And now, Mrs. Putnam, having settled all this, what shall we say of the future? Do you still keep to the purposes expressed at out last interview?"
"Firmly!"
"And I have seen no reason for repenting of what I proposed in regard to my own children. I have talked with my wife and with them. My wife, I find, knows you better than I did. She has known you for years — if not intimately, yet by reputation. She feels as I do, and says that she will esteem it a privilege indeed to have our daughters under your care. As for the girls, they are delighted with the proposed change. Moreover, both myself and wife have spoke to a good many people about you; and we have already ten young ladiesengaged for your school, on the day you are ready to begin. As to prices, we have all agreed that these shall be liberal. We do not believe that it is good for our children to go to crowded schools, and would rather pay larger fees in order to have them in a smaller and more select school. The present location of your house, we all approve, therefore, if you finally conclude to do as you proposed, let it be here."
"Will it be prudent to remain under the present high rent," asked Grace.
"Yes; for it is the purpose of those who have already consented to place their daughters under your care, to sustain the experiment for at least two years. So, give yourself no thought about rent or anything of that kind; only manage all your affairs as prudently and as economically as possible. Let your first thoughts and your best energies be in your school — and you need not feel any anxiety about the result."
"For kindness so unselfish, Mr. Markle," said Grace, "I cannot express half the gratitude I feel; and it will be the leading purpose of my mind to repay it in every possible manner."
"You will have the labor — and we the benefit," replied Mr. Markle, smiling. "The obligation is upon our side."
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