The Shoemaker's Daughters CHAPTER 15.
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"Why, how do you do, Mr. Wilkins?" said Mr. Hardamer, who had opened his front door in answer to a rap, a few evenings after Genevieve had left with her husband for a new home in Virginia. "Come, walk in. It's a long time since I've seen you in my house. It does one good to meet his old friend, now and then, when he has time for a social chat. But my old friends have grown pretty scarce of late." The closing sentence was uttered in a lower, and somewhat desponding tone.
"But adversity tries the stuff our friends are made of," replied the individual addressed; "and, it is almost worth the pain, to have all false ones driven from around us."
"True, sir, true!" said Mr. Hardamer. "But, come, walk into the back room."
The appearance of Mr. Wilkins, after a suspension of his visits for a whole year, surprised both Genevra and Gertrude. The former received him with an easy, cheerful, unembarrassed manner, which made him feel at once at home with her — the latter, suddenly conceiving the idea that her old beau was on a wife-hunting expedition, and feeling a willingness to accept him in despair of making a better match — affected numerous smiling airs, and attractive graces, and accorded to him a wordy welcome.
The conversation during the evening was, of course, general; and, after spending an agreeable hour or two, Mr. Wilkins went away, singularly pleased with his visit, and very much inclined to call again in a very short space of time. He had dropped in, half out of curiosity to see what kind of a figure the high-minded young ladies cut under the new order of things, and, partly, for the lack of some definite way of passing the evening.
"Mr. Wilkins has improved very much, since he was here before, don't you think he has?" said Gertrude to her sister, after they had retired to their chamber.
"I think he has improved some," replied Genevra. "But, it is some time since he was here; and, perhaps, we see a little differently."
"He's as different as can be!" said Gertrude, in a positive tone; "and I give you fair notice, that I'm going to set my cap for him. He's my old beau, anyhow! And so I shall expect that you'll not go to pushing yourself in between us."
"You needn't be afraid of that," replied Genevra, in a quiet tone. "But, really, Gertrude, I would wait a little, if I were you, to see whether he had any serious intentions. If he should have none, and you should allow your feelings to become too much interested — it will only cause you trouble."
"O, fiddle-stick! What do you suppose he came here for?" said Gertrude in a tone slightly irritated. "He's my old beau, and has come, of course, to renew the acquaintance. Didn't you see how peculiarly he smiled whenever he spoke to me. I believe he always did love me; and if it hadn't been that I had chances above him, in view — we would have been married and settled long ago. Heigh ho! Well," ran on the matrimony-struck young lady, "I never thought it would have come to this; but the crooked stick has to be taken sometimes. Anyhow, I expect he is beginning to do pretty well in business; and I'll make a bargain with him, beforehand, that as soon as he is well enough off — he is to quit the business and go to store-keeping. And then I can hold my head up with any of them. But I'll never keep company with Anne Webster, or rather, Marshall's wife! I despise her — and her husband too!"
Genevra did not reply, and her sister went on.
"He's an elegant looking man, that's certain. Marshall looks like a fool along side of him; and I don't believe, anyhow, that Marshall's half as rich as he's made out to be. I wonder if Mr. Wilkins will come again tomorrow night," she continued, glancing at herself in the mirror. "I hope he won't be ashamed to be seen coming into this screwed up kind of a place. I am mad at Pa every time I think about this dirty alley!"
"But Pa can't help it, you know, Gertrude," interposed her sister.
"What's the reason he can't, I'd like to know?" replied Gertrude, warming at this implied rebuke. "Couldn't he get as good a house and at as cheap a rent in an open street, a little way up town? Sure he could! And he crept in this hole, on purpose to mortify us! I know him."
"Well, anyhow, I wouldn't talk so," said Genevra, soothingly.
"What's the reason you wouldn't, ha?" replied Gertrude, evidently getting angry. "O, I forgot! you've begun to play pious. I'd go and join the church, if I was you. You'd make an acceptable member, no doubt!"
To this sneer, Genevra, though strongly tempted, made no reply. She felt a good deal irritated, as well as pained — but, happily, she controlled herself, and remained silent.
On the second evening after his visit, Mr. Wilkins called in again. From assiduous attention to business, he had obtained a good run of custom. And this was rapidly increasing. His stand was among the best in the city, and his customers were men who paid promptly, and were willing to give a good price for a good article. Since his first visit, Mr. Hardamer had mentioned these things in his family, and Gertrude was more inflamed than ever with a desire to secure so valuable a prize, notwithstanding he was a shoemaker.
On this evening, in anticipation of a visit, she had dressed herself with extra care, and arrayed her face with extra smiles. But it so happened, that Mr. Wilkins's eye would wander naturally from the silk dress of Gertrude — to the plain calico one of Genevra; from Gertrude's head, dressed off with a wreath of flowers — to that of Genevra, upon which the dark hair was plainly parted; from the face set off with artificial smiles — to the one where an expression of meek thought appeared ever to rest. Genevra's countenance was to him much changed from what it had formerly been. Its aspect, though calm, indicated the existence of some painful thoughts, and interested his feelings exceedingly. He felt different when looking upon, or conversing with Gertrude — and was a little annoyed by her manner towards him.
"It's a delightful evening, Mr. Wilkins," said the latter, during a slight pause, allowing her face to expand into what she conceived to be a most fascinating smile.
"Yes, it is very pleasant," he replied, deliberately, the recollection forcing itself upon him, more strongly, at every word, that, outside, it was foggy, and the air filled with a depressing humidity. "It is a little foggy, but still it is mild and pleasant."
Gertrude saw at once, that she had made a blunder, but still, she had gained what she wanted, the particular attention of the young man, and therefore cared but little.
"Have you been to any parties, lately?" she said, now that she had his ear,
"Not very lately," he replied. "Let me see? Yes, I was at one the week before last."
"Ah, indeed! Where was it?" she asked with animation.
"At Mr. Berlin's," replied Wilkins.
"Indeed! Have they begun to give parties? Why the girls are mere children yet," said Gertrude, affecting surprise.
"Caroline is quite a womanly sort of a person, and entertained the company with ease. She is getting to be quite a favorite with the young men," remarked Mr. Wilkins.
This did not exactly please Gertrude, and she replied —
"I never saw much in her that was interesting. Indeed, I have always looked upon her as forward beyond her years."
Mr. Wilkins was less pleased with this remark, than any he had heard, either on the present or preceding evening, and he turned with a feeling of relief towards Genevra, who made some observation intended to divert the conversation from the censorious turn it had taken. Directing his remarks towards her, he elicited replies and observations that caused her to rise more every moment in his estimation. This, of course, did not escape the lynx-eyed observation of Gertrude, and her jealous and indignant feelings were kindled into an active flame. After he had gone, Gertrude went up to her chamber, for she could not feel at ease in the company of her father and mother, or Genevra, since the latter had so suddenly changed; and Gertrude sat with them usually, during the evenings, but little.
It was near ten o'clock, and while Mr. and Mrs. Hardamer, with their daughter, were engaged in some pleasing conversation, that a low and hesitating knock was heard at the front door. On opening it, Mr. Hardamer perceived a pale-looking, and poorly dressed lad, who seemed evidently disposed to shrink out of the circle of light made by the candle he held in his hand.
"Well, sir, what do you want?" said Mr. Hardamer, not recognizing his old apprentice at the moment.
"Don't you know me?" said Ike, in a hesitating voice, for it was he.
"Ike? Is it possible!" exclaimed Mr. Hardamer, holding the light close to the face of the boy. "Well, what do you want?" he added, in a sterner tone.
"I have a letter for you from Genevieve," said Ike.
"From Genevieve! Then come in, and let me have it," replied the old man in a kinder tone.
Ike entered, and was ushered, in a moment, into the room where Mrs. Hardamer and Genevra sat.
"Bless me, Ike! Is that you?" said Mrs. Hardamer.
"Yes, ma'am, it's me, I believe," said the boy, sadly.
"Come, take a seat," said Mr. Hardamer, "and let us have the letter you say you've got."
Ike drew a letter from his pocket, the seal of which Mr. Hardamer broke, and then read aloud. It runs thus —
"My Dear Father: I have met with Ike, and have persuaded him to go home. He will hand you this. From what he has told me, he has suffered a good deal since he went away, and is anxious to get back again. Speak kindly to him. I have pledged myself for his reception — and for the sake of your absent child — do not let him be punished in any way. I am sure he will be both industrious and obedient, and try all he can to please you. Thomas, he tells me, has gone to sea, and William is keeping bar in a saloon in Washington, and is turning out badly. Give my affectionate regards to mother and sisters. Your obedient child, Genevieve."
After finishing the letter, old Mr. Hardamer went up to Ike, and extending his hand, said,
"Welcome home again, my boy! You have brought a good recommendation."
The unexpected manner of his old master, broke down the feelings of the boy still more, and in spite of all his efforts to restrain himself, he burst into tears.
"I will try and please you," he said with an effort, as he regained some command over himself. "I confess that I acted wrong, when I went away. But I have suffered enough in mind and body for it. I am willing to make up to you, all the time I have lost."
"If you come back in that spirit, Ike," replied Mr. Hardamer, a good deal moved, "we shall, I am sure, get on well enough. We have both, no doubt, been a little to blame for the past. But," he said in a more lively tone, "Let has beens be has beens; and for the future, let us all try to do better, and to be better."
After Ike had related, at the request of his master and mistress, where he had been, and what he had done while away, Mrs. Hardamer handed him a light and directed him in his way to the garret, where Jimmy slept, and whose bed he was now to share. It was after eleven o'clock, when Ike entered the garret. The noise of opening the door awoke the little boy, who, rising up, looked with surprise upon the apparition of his old fellow-apprentice.
"Well, Jimmy, you see I'm back again!" said Ike, setting down the candle with an air of confidence and satisfaction, for he began already to feel about one hundred percent better than he had felt for some months.
"I'm glad of it," replied Jimmy, as soon as his eyes were fairly open and his mind comprehended the meaning of Ike's unexpected presence; "for you'll like things now a good deal better than you used to."
"Well, I'm glad, too, Jimmy. And so things are different to what they used to be?"
"O yes, indeed are they!" said the little boy, earnestly. "Why, I haven't been scolded nor beat for a long time. When Mr. Hardamer tells me to do anything, he doesn't speak as loud and cross as he used to, nor threaten to give me the stirrup. And Mrs. Hardamer is different, too. I get a great many more good things to eat, than we used to; and she takes care of my clothes, and gets me new ones, too. I'm glad you've come back, for I know you'll be satisfied. But, I hope you won't plague any of them, like you used to."
"No, indeed, Jimmy — that I will not!" replied Ike, warmly. "But hasn't the old man got no other boy but you?"
"No, I'm the only one yet," said Jimmy.
"The shop's been moved since I went away. Where is it now?" asked Ike.
"We're down in South Street. Mr. Hardamer got a cheap little shop down there, and so he moved away from Market Street."
"Have you got much work, now?" said Ike, continuing his interrogations.
"Yes, we've got as much as we can do."
"How many journeymen have you?"
"We've got six," replied Jimmy, "and Mr. Hardamer was just saying yesterday, that he would have to get another."
"Well, I'll save him that trouble," said Ike, with an air and tone of satisfaction. "But how are the girls, Jimmy? The old man and woman are certainly very much changed, and I would think, from what I saw of Genevra this evening, that she is a little altered."
"She has been different for a week or so," replied Jimmy. "And I hope it will last. But Gertrude is pretty ugly yet. The others are about the same. But, you known, they never used to trouble us much. Genevieve's husband has come and taken her away. And she seemed so glad to go; and all the family, except Gertrude, seemed so pleased with him, that I am sure he must have changed too. I was very sorry when she went away, for she has been very good to me. And Anne, she has married Mr. Marshall!" continued the boy, his whole manner changing to a lively exhibition of delight. "Everybody loves her. And she didn't forget me, either. I went to see her after she was married; and she told me that she was going away for a little while, but would come back to live, and, that, if I would be a good boy, she would always be glad to see me. And I know she will. If it was for nothing else — I would behave myself just to please her."
"And so would I, Jimmy," replied Ike, with warmth. "It was she who persuaded me to come home, or else I wouldn't have been here now."
"She persuaded you! Why where did you see her?" asked the little boy in surprise.
Ike referred to the meeting on board of the steamboat; and the two boys continued to talk over the past for an hour before they fell off to sleep.
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