Trial and Triumph CHAPTER 5.
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We pass over two years with but a glance at its events. The disappointment of Mrs. Lynn, at the failure of Mary to accept the hand of Mr. Emerson, was very great, and her feelings, in consequence, much embittered towards her daughter, who was rendered thereby very unhappy. Misfortunes rarely come alone. So it proved in the case of Mrs. Lynn. The five thousand dollars saved out of the wreck of her property, was deposited, temporarily, in one of the city banks, until such time as a good investment of the sum could be made. The failure of the bank, before the deposit was withdrawn, swept away this poor remnant of her fortune, and left her helpless and almost penniless.
To a weak minded woman whose heart is filled with a love of the world, a reverse like this is paralyzing. Such a woman was Mrs. Lynn. Up to this time, since parting with her depreciated stock at ten dollars a share, she had sought to keep up the old appearance of things in order to deceive others in regard to her real condition. Mary's steady rejection of so good an offer as that made by Emerson, tried her sorely. But she still had hope that her beautiful and accomplished daughter would attract some suitor of equal merit. In this, however, her hope found no realization. Mary was neither wooed nor won when this second disaster came — and ruined everything.
As is usual in such cases, only a few friends were found to draw near and sympathize with the distressed family, and these had little to offer but good advice as to how they were to help themselves. In the eyes of a woman like Mrs. Lynn, there is something disgraceful attached to useful labor. The idea of either herself or daughter working for money, shocked her the moment it was presented. But Mary's mind was of a better quality, and she had, in her aunt, one to advise her, who saw with a far better vision than did her mother. In every state of doubt and trial, Mary went to her aunt Edith, and she usually found, in the calm and just views of life and life's duties — strength to walk patiently and firmly in the way that opened before her.
For three days after the failure of the bank in which had been placed the little remnant of her property, Mrs, Lynn, completely prostrate in mind and body, kept to her bed and refused to be comforted. In this unhappy state of affairs, Mary wrote to her brother, a lad in his seventeenth year, who was away at school, advising him of the total wreck of their fortunes, and desiring him to come home immediately. His name was William. Her sister Agnes, younger than William by three years, was still at home. The brother did not hesitate a moment in obeying the summons. This action on the part of Mary gave offence to her mother, who accused her of taking upon herself more than she was entitled to assume. This Mary bore without reply; but, when her mother desired her son to return to school immediately, she did not hesitate to ask —
"How are we to pay the expense?"
"One would think that your tongue would cleave to the roof of your mouth in asking that question!" was the unfeeling retort of Mrs. Lynn. "For this extremity — we may thank you!"
Mary drooped her head meekly and remained silent.
"William must go back to school," said the mother, firmly. "He must complete his education at every sacrifice."
"We have nothing to sacrifice, mother," urged Mary. "When the bills become due — how are we to pay them?" But Mrs. Lynn would hearken to none of these suggestions of her daughter. There was still in her mind the purpose to keep up an appearance, and one of the means of doing so was to let William remain at an expensive school, regardless as to whether the bills for board and tuition were ever paid or not. She did not succeed, however, in carrying out this plan, for William refused, positively, after a long and earnest conference with his sister, to return to school, and, in the face of his mother's angry remonstrance, procured for himself a situation in a store. For service therein, he was to receive a hundred dollars a year. The boy, like Mary, had in him something of the upright and independent spirit of his father.
For the house in which Mrs. Lynn was living at the time her fortunes became so sadly changed, she paid the annual rent of six hundred dollars. She was still in this house, although her resources were exhausted, and debts were beginning to accumulate at every point, while those who knew something of her real circumstances, were beginning to wonder how she could maintain so expensive a style. Of course she was in a state of wretchedness scarcely to be described — and Mary was almost as wretched as herself. Many plans for aiding in the support of the family had passed through the mind of the latter; but, while living at the present expense, exertion on her part was felt to be hopeless, and she awaited, passively, the outcome of events.
The end of this came at last. Landlord, grocers, market men and others, became impatient for their money — and Mrs. Lynn was compelled to sell the best part of her furniture to satisfy their claims, and then to move into a smaller house. Here she made a slight stand against the pressure of adversity; but it was only for a brief space. She had yet to go downlower. Without an income, what else could she have expected?
At the end of two years — we find them poor indeed. They are living in a part of a small house, in a neighborhood through which Mrs. Lynn would, in her better days, scarcely have permitted her coachman to drive. Their only income is from the labor of their hands. Yes, they are poor indeed, and Mrs. Lynn, struggling angrily against her fate, is very wretched. Not for a moment has she forgiven Mary for refusing the hand of Emerson.
Up to this time, the work done by Mary and her mother has been needle-work obtained at the Ladies' Repository. Work was procured here, because it could be done without exposing the fact to the parties worked for, who left their garments at the repository, and received them again, without knowing by whose hands they had been made up. This saved from mortification, the false and stubborn pride of Mrs. Lynn; but it reduced them to the necessity of long and fatiguing labor and a meager income, while Mary possessed higher abilities, which, if brought into use, would have yielded a far better return than needle-work. These abilities, the true-hearted, right-thinking girl at last determined to bring into exercise. What led particularly to this resolution on her part, was a consciousness of the defect suffered by her sister in not attending school.
"Agnes must receive a better education," she said to herself. "If the present time is lost — she suffers a detriment for life. Let mine be the task of procuring the means."
While revolving this subject in her mind, she read, in a morning paper, which fell accidentally into her hands, an advertisement for a governess. Without consulting her mother, or anyone else, she went immediately to the place where applicants were directed to call. It was at a large and handsome dwelling, and the name of Barker was on the door. On being admitted, she was shown by the servant into the back parlor. As she sat down, she observed a gentleman and lady in the other room, but did not notice them particularly, until startled by the familiar tones of the former. It was Philip Emerson! — and he was conversing in a mirthful, familiar voice, with his companion!
The reader will scarcely wonder that the already uneven pulses of Mary Lynn throbbed with a deeper disturbance at this discovery. Turning her face away, so that the young man could not see it, Mary awaited the appearance of Mrs. Barker, the lady who wished a governess, struggling all the while to repress her emotions. After the lapse of about five minutes, a lady entered the room, and said, as she sat down near her, in a voice that could be heard distinctly through both parlors —
"So you wish to inquire about this situation of governess?"
"I do," replied Mary, in a low voice.
"Have you ever acted in this capacity?"
"No, ma'am."
"I'm afraid you are too young. What is your name?"
"Mary Lynn," was answered in the same low voice with which she had at first spoken.
"Mary Lynn," repeated the lady so loud as almost to awaken an echo in the adjoining room.
Mary knew that Philip was at once aware of her presence and her errand; and she could not prevent a quicker motion of her heart, nor keep back a crimson flush from her face.
"Mary Lynn." Mrs. Barker again pronounced the name, adding, as she did so, with a smile, "There is something familiar in the sound. Are you any relation to Mrs. Justin Lynn, widow of the late Justin Lynn?"
"She is my mother," replied Mary.
"Your mother. Is it possible! What then does this mean? Has there been any change in her circumstances?"
"Oh yes, ma'am. All her property was in United States Bank Stock. By the failure of that institution, she lost everything."
"I am really grieved to hear this," was the sympathizing answer. "Your mother and I were young girls together; although we have not happened to meet for years. Did you say that she had lost everything?"
"Yes, ma'am, everything. By the labor of our hands, we now procure the means of living."
"Oh, that is sad! sad indeed! And you are now seeking the place of a governess?"
"I saw your advertisement, and have come to make some inquiries on the subject," replied Mary.
"You have had a good English education, I presume?" said Mrs. Barker.
"I believe so," was modestly answered.
"I have three little girls, two daughters and a niece, for whom I wish to employ a governess," said Mrs. Barker, who had from the first, felt a bias towards Mary, and whose mind was already made up to give her the place if she would accept of it. "They are eight, ten, and twelve years old. I want a person who will take the entire care of them, as well as give them all required instruction in English. For music and the languages, teachers are to be employed. The situation will be a responsible one, and the duties rather trying; but, to the right person, we are ready to give a liberal compensation."
"How large will be the compensation?" asked Mary.
"Five hundred dollars a year."
"I think that I could give you satisfaction," said Mary.
"I feel certain that you could," replied Mrs. Barker, "and, if you are willing to come, we will at least make the trial. My intention was to ask references from all applicants, as a measure of just precaution; but I believe that I will waive this, in your case. I like your face and manner, and will take you on their recommendation."
"That would hardly be wise," said Mary, smiling. "I can give you the names of a few ladies who knew me best in our brighter days. I do not think that they would speak of me otherwise than kindly. As for my ability to fill the place of a governess, that can only be known on trial. I like children, and believe that I have patience and perseverance. I know that I will try, in all sincerity, to do what is right."
"And thus trying, you will succeed," replied Mrs. Barker, with some warmth of manner. "No, Mary, I will not seek to go beyond my own personal estimate in this brief interview. If you are willing to come for a few weeks on trial, I will look no farther."
"When do you wish me to come?" asked Mary.
"As early as it will suit your convenience."
"In a week?"
"Yes, that will answer. — Where do you live?"
Mary replied to this question, and then went away, promising to call in a few days to make more definite arrangements for becoming an inhabitant of the family.
"A very interesting girl, that," said Mrs. Barker, as soon as Mary had retired, entering, as she spoke, the front parlor where Philip Emerson sat conversing with her oldest daughter, Caroline.
"Who is she?" asked Caroline.
"Her name is Lynn — Mary Lynn. She is the daughter of the late Justin Lynn, who was a man of considerable property when he died. But, the unfortunate failure of the United States Bank, has swept everything from his family, and his daughter now seeks a means of livelihood."
"Poor girl!" sighed Caroline, in a voice of real sympathy.
Emerson made no remark; but he felt ill at ease.
"I knew her mother when I was your age. We went to school together. Her father was highly esteemed, and had the reputation of being one of the most scrupulously honest men in the community. If his daughter is like him in character, her introduction into our family will be a most desirable thing." Mrs. Barker then left the room. Caroline continued to remark on the sad change of fortune in Mary Lynn's case; but Emerson did not trust himself with a word on the subject. He lingered but a short time after Mary retired.
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