The Maiden CHAPTER 2.
Back to Volume I. The Maiden
On the evening previous to that on which our story opens, three or four young men were seated around a table in a tavern, upon which were glasses, decanters and cigars. They were engaged in playing cards, smoking and drinking. Among them was Herbert Gardiner.
After playing at poker for an hour, during which time several five dollar bills were lost and won, cards were thrown aside.
"Give us a song, Gardiner. You have been winner tonight, and must be in a singing humor," said one of the company.
"Let's have another drink first," returned Gardiner.
Glasses were filled, and drained to the bottom.
"Now for the song."
It was given in quite a spirited style, but we cannot repeat it here. It would be a foul blot upon our pages.
Bravos followed the song, and another was called for.
Gardiner sang again without hesitation. But, as before, his song was grossly obscene.
"How would you like a certain young lady to hear you sing that?" asked one of the party, looking into the face of Gardiner with a mischievous smile.
"What young lady do you mean?"
"That very modest looking one, by whose side you kept so close at Mrs. Farnham's last week."
"I don't understand."
"You don't?"
"No."
"You're dull."
"Not I. Speak out plain."
"Miss Lee."
"Oh dear!" And Gardiner tossed his head half contemptuously.
"Why I thought you were in love with the girl?" remarked one of the company.
"Indeed! Did you suspect me of such a weakness? Really! I feel complimented."
There was something in the face of Gardiner that belied his words. His companions noticed this, and rallied him more strongly.
"He's over head and ears in love with her!"
"Ha! ha! See his face! He blushes, absolutely! Gardiner blush! That is a phenomenon!"
"Not quite," returned the rallied individual, regaining the self-possession he had momentarily lost. "I believe that is a folly of which I have never yet been guilty. But come, gentlemen, let us be serious about this matter. You charge me with being in love with a certain Miss Lee. Now for the proofs?"
"You pay particular attention to her."
"Granted! But what does that prove"? I pay particular attention to some dozen others, You must bring forward something more conclusive."
"You were by her side nearly all the evening, at Mrs. Farnham's."
"Because she seemed so pleased with my conversation that I couldn't find it in my heart to break away from her."
"Oh dear!"
"A fact."
"Then the girl's in love with you."
"That's another matter altogether." And the young man lifted his hands and eyebrows in mock surprise. "I 'm sorry for her. But it is a weakness peculiar to her gender."
"Aren't you flattered?"
"Exceedingly."
"She's a right nice little girl, Gardiner. I'd advise you follow up the impression you have made."
"I believe I will."
"Do."
"I will."
"Ha! ha! That's right. Hurrah for Gardiner! — Let's drink to his success."
"Fill the glasses."
"Here's to Anna Lee!"
"Yes, yes."
"Now for Herbert Gardiner."
The glasses were again drained.
"And now for the safe termination of the proposed courtship."
"No, no."
"What then?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. A-hem!"
"Oh! yes! that's it. Fill up the glasses."
Very soon the whole party were, what is vulgarly called — "pretty well in for it." More songs were demanded and sung. They were scandalously obscene.
An hour longer was spent by these foolish young men in drinking, singing songs, and telling vulgar stories, when they separated.
Let the reader think of Anna Lee as she really was — a pure-minded maiden — one whose imagination had never been shocked with the picture of a scene similar to that which we have just described — one whose heart would have shrunk away and trembled could she have witnessed such a scene — and then think of Herbert Gardiner as a lover; for such, he in reality began to consider himself. And it cannot be denied, that he had made some impression upon her feelings — that she felt more than an ordinary satisfaction when he was by her side. Does anyone feel pleasure at the thought of Anna Lee marrying Herbert Gardiner? Does anyone believe that he could make her happy? Her mind essentiallypure — his mind essentially impure. She finding her highest delight in doing good to others — he in gratifying himself. She looking upward towards the fountain of light and love — he downward toward things sensual and material. Her spirits in the rising scale — his in that which is descending. Shall they join hands, and go side by side on life's journey together? God forbid!
Gardiner had seen Anna a few evenings previous to the one on which the reader has seen him with his mirthful companions, and had then promised to call for her, and go with her to Mrs. Leslie's. He did call, as has been seen, and went away, feeling disappointed and half angry with Anna.
"Too bad!" he could not help saying half aloud, as he turned from Mr. Lee's door. "The silly girl! To let such a trifling matter keep her at home. I don't believe she cares a fig for me, or she would have gone to the party, after I called for her, if the old man himself had stood in her way."
"I don't see your flame here," whispered one of Gardiner's companions to the young man, coming to his side soon after he had made his appearance at Mrs. Leslie's.
"No. Devil take the luck! She wouldn't come!"
"Why not?"
"Her mamma's sick."
"You don't tell me so."
"It's a fact."
"And she stays away on that account?"
"So she says."
"Do you believe her?"
"Yes. I suppose she gave the true reason."
"Not a word of it. She meant to cut you!"
"Cut me?" in surprise. "Anna Lee cut me? You must be joking!"
"No. These girls are strange creatures, sometimes."
"Humph! I'm not afraid. She's to be wooed and won right easily."
"You think so? Well, success to your suit. She is one of the sweetest girls I have ever met. She has not her equal here for beauty, grace, and sweetness of manner."
"You are right. And more than this, she has intelligence of no ordinary kind. Although she has never mingled in the best society, and is still quite young — she is fit to grace any circle. I don't know her equal. But, confound it all! she is not here, and I don't care a fig for anyone in the room. I shall make myself scarce before an hour!"
He was as good as his word. An hour had not expired before Gardiner was missed from the mirthful circle, in Mrs. Leslie's drawing-room.
This young man was the son of a retired merchant, who had gained in trade a very large property. Herbert, his only child, had received all the advantages of education that wealth can give; although, it cannot be said that he had improved those advantages in any remarkable degree. He was bright enough, as regards intellect; but a high motive for study was lacking. His father's wealth and social standing, left him but little to strive for.
Old Mr. Gardiner had started in life without friends or capital, and had, by honest industry and steady perseverance, worked his way up, until he stood side by side with the most successful. He had a just estimate of the virtues by which he had risen in society, and often strove to impress his son with a deep regard for them. But his precepts did not take very deep root in the ground of the young man's mind.
As soon as he came home from college, he was placed in a mercantile house. He did not, however, take much interest in the business, although more to meet the requirements of his father than anything else, he attended to his duty sedulously enough to prevent his employers from becoming so much dissatisfied with him as to dismiss him. After he became of age, his father proposed that he should go into business with someone who had less capital, but a more thorough knowledge of trade than he possessed. Such a person was not hard to find. A young man, whose only capital was business ability, honesty, and energy of character — soon presented himself. With him a co-partnership was formed, and a capital of thirty thousand dollars was placed in the hands of the new firm.
Satisfied with the part he had done — or, the part that had been done for him, namely, furnishing capital — Gardiner did not see that there were very strong claims on him for personal application. He attended at the store daily, and took a certain part in the general operations that were going on, but did not burden his mind with any details, nor trouble himself with any care as to the ultimate result of their operations. He had confidence in his partner, who, glad to get capital to work with, prosecuted the business with vigor and success, for mutual benefit. As for Gardiner, he took his pleasure in his own way. His companions, as has been seen, were not of the safest kind, nor his own moral character likely to be elevated by an association with them.
He was about twenty-three years of age when he saw Anna Lee, and became charmed with her beauty. He first met her upon the street. For more than a month he was at a loss to find out who she was, and this very mystery in regard to her, only inflamed the passion with which her sweet face had inspired him. At length he met her in company, and obtained an introduction. His marked attentions, and the evident pleasure he felt in her society, did not escape the notice of Anna, nor fail to make an impression upon her. And more than this, she was not insensible to the fact, that he moved in a higher circle than any to which her position in society would admit her. He was the son of a retired merchant of great wealth; she the daughter of a man in moderate circumstances, who had to struggle hard to support and educate a large family. It was not long before the thought of Herbert would quicken her pulse, and the sight of him make the blood warmer on her cheek.
The reader can readily perceive, that in deciding not to go to Mrs. Leslie's party, Anna had exercised no ordinary degree of self-denial. Some may think, with her admirer, that her reasons for staying at home were hardly strong enough. But we are sure that most of our readers will approve her conduct.
Back to Volume I. The Maiden