The Shoemaker's Daughters CHAPTER 17.
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It was probably a month from the time in which the incidents of the last chapter occurred, that Mr. Wilkins dropped into the shop of old Mr. Hardamer. After a conversation of some ten or fifteen minutes on the ordinary topics of the day, the former said:
"I've been thinking for the last week, or so, of making a proposition to you."
"Well, what is it?" said Mr. Hardamer.
"I don't know what you will think of it," replied the other, "but it strikes me, that if we were to unite our shops, it would be better for both of us."
"Why as to that," said Mr. Hardamer, "I don't know what to say. I have never thought of anything of the kind, but as you have — suppose you state some of the advantages."
"Well, they are just these, as I think," replied Mr. Wilkins. "My shop is larger and in a better situation than yours. Your custom is not half what it would be, and mine is hardly enough to justify my expenses. If we join, your custom will, I am sure, double, and mine cannot fall off; so that it must be advantageous to both of us. I could then do all the out-door work, which would be a relief to you of course. And the business would not then suffer while I was away from the shop."
"That all seems to look very well," said Mr. Hardamer, "and, at first sight, it seems to me that such an arrangement would be advantageous to both of us. Still, I would like to turn it over in my mind for a few days."
"That, of course, you ought to do," said Mr. Wilkins.
"By Saturday, I will give you an answer, one way or the other," said Mr. Hardamer, "and, in the meantime, do look at the subject in every possible light."
On Saturday, Mr. Wilkins called in again, when Mr. Hardamer said —
"Well, I have thought a good deal of your proposition, since you were here, and the more I think about it, the better I like it. My own affairs are assuming a brighter aspect, and I know your business to be good. And let me say to you, Mr. Wilkins, that there is no man in the business with whom I would have any connection, except yourself."
"I thank you, warmly, for your good opinion," replied Mr. Wilkins. "I, too, have thought much of the subject since I mentioned it to you, and see no reason for not entering, as soon as each one of us can suitably arrange his own business, into the co-partnership. And this matter in a fair way of settlement, I might as well say to you, that, if you have no objection, I should be pleased to form with you a closer alliance. I like your daughter Genevra."
"And if she likes you, why there's the end of the matter," said Hardamer, with a broad smile of satisfaction, which he could not conceal.
"That evening, Mr. Wilkins called in to see Genevra, as he was now in the habit of doing almost every day, and Mr. and Mrs. Hardamer left them, as usual, alone. Gertrude was ensconced in her chamber, in no very amiable mood, a place of refuge from the presence of Mr. Wilkins, which she did not fail to seek, whenever that gentleman was announced.
"I've got a letter here, from Genevieve," said Mr. Hardamer to his wife, after they were alone, drawing the welcome epistle from his pocket.
"Indeed!" ejaculated Mrs. Hardamer, with pleased surprise — "then read it, for I am very anxious to hear from her."
Mr. Hardamer put on his spectacles, and after unfolding the letter, read:
"My Dear Father and Mother — Four pleasant weeks have hurried by like so many days; and now I must lay aside everything and write to you, for I know that you are very anxious to hear from your child. Four weeks! It does not seem possible that it is so long since I left you. But happy days pass swiftly. I have found Mr. Anderson's mother everything that my heart could desire. She loves him with a yearning tenderness, and has received me as if I were her own child. Mr. Anderson has two sisters, one of them married, and away from home; the other, single, and with us. She is a good girl, and seems to delight in anything that pleases either her brother or myself. I never saw a family where there was such harmony and good feeling existing between all the members. My husband, who, although he has no diploma, has a license from some medical college, intends practicing medicine in this county, and has given notice to that effect. He seems to be very much liked here; although he was formerly, as you know too well, very wild and inconsiderate. Already he has had several calls, and the neighbors say that he will do well.
"Mr. Marshall's father lives close by us, and Anne spent a whole month with them. She has just gone home. They were all delighted with her. She promised me that she would call and see you — I hope she will frequently, for I know you would like her very much; and she will be of so much use to Genevra, who, I sincerely hope, is still trying to do right. Speak to her affectionately from me, and tell her, that, only by perseverance in the good way she has entered, can she possibly find happiness."
"Heaven bless her!" said the old man, wiping his eyes, as he finished reading the letter from which the above is an extract — "She's no happier than she deserves to be!"
After a brief pause, to collect her thoughts and feelings, Mrs. Hardamer said —
"I have, too, a little pleasant news. Mr. Wilkins has offered himself to Genevra."
"I'm a little ahead of you there," replied Mr. Hardamer, smiling, "He has made proposals to me for her hand; and, besides that, we have agreed to go into business together."
"Why, when did all that happen?" exclaimed Mrs. Hardamer, in surprise and pleasure.
"It all happened today. And a good day's business, I would call it," said Mr. Hardamer, a little proudly.
Sometime within a month from that evening, a small wedding party assembled at Mr. Hardamer's. Among those present, and as pleased as any, were Ike Wilson and little Jimmy. Both were neatly dressed, and both wore cheerful countenances. From the quiet, happy face of his newly-wedded child, the old man's eyes often turned to those of his only two apprentices, and an occasional sad thought would cross his mind, as memory called up the forms of two others, who might have been there, and as cheerful, too, if he had extended to them that care and watchful regard which a master should always have over his apprentices. But he banished such thoughts as quickly as possible.
Gertrude forced herself, from pride and maidenly shame, to appear pleased. She kissed the cheek of her sister, after the ceremony was performed; but the act was not from love. It was only for the eyes of others. In her heart, she cherished feelings towards Genevra so nearly allied to hate, that, if they could have been separated from all associated affections, and presented to her in their true character — she would have been startled at their hideous deformity. Ever and always, as her eye would rest upon the happy face of her sister, and then glance from it to the manly countenance of her husband — would she feel fresh pangs of jealous indignation. But Genevra was too much absorbed in her own delight, to perceive that anyone present was disturbed. She was even deceived by her sister's manner towards her, and fondly thought that she, too, had seen her error, and had resolved to cultivate kinder and gentler sympathies.
But we turn away from the pleasant scene, in which was but one troubled heart — and that one troubled, because evil thoughts and desires were nourished.
The new and brighter aspect which affairs had now assumed, had the effect to encourage the heart of Mrs. Hardamer. She, too, like her husband, could not help glancing back, and, in noting the changes of a year, she found the words again recurring to her thoughts: "Sweet are the uses of adversity." The troubles and disappointments which she had experienced, had been wonderfully effective in tearing the scales from her eyes. And, now that there seemed to have come the dawn of a better day, her resolutions to perform all known duties were strengthened, because, in the new light which had broken upon her mind — she saw, clearly, that only in the way of duty, could there be true happiness. Never, until recently, since her children were babes, had she found as much pleasure in their company. Her own, as well as their unhappy tempers, had always created a condition of things the very opposite of domestic tranquility. But the example of Genevieve had done a great deal towards correcting much that was wrong in the disposition of her younger sisters.
The gradual process of change which had been going on in Mrs. Hardamer's own mind, also had its good effect. And, since Genevra had tried to put away some of her evils, there had been a different sphere, pervading her whole family — a sphere which none but Gertrude could resist — and her resistance was becoming every day more feeble, because she found it a vain resistance. And, with this wonderful change, both Mr. and Mrs. Hardamer saw that a condition of worldly prosperity was also opening before them. But,affliction had done its legitimate office. They no longer looked to riches and to the privileges of wealth — as the true sources of happiness. A state of freedom from evil affections, bringing internal peace — they perceived to be the only state truly desirable. With this, riches would prove a blessing; without it, a curse!
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