ELSIE'S MOTHERHOOD
A Sequel to _Elsie's Womanhood_
by
MARTHA FINLEY (FARQUHARSON)
Author of _The Story of Elsie_, _Casella_, _Wanted, a Pedigree_,_Old-Fashioned Boy_, etc.
1876
"Sweet is the image of the brooding dove!Holy as heaven a mother's tender love!The love of many prayers and many tears,Which changes not with dim declining years--The only love which, on this teeming earth,Asks no return for passion's wayward birth."
MRS. NORTON.
PREFACE.
In compliance with the expressed desire of many of Elsie's friends andadmirers, the story of her life is continued in this, the fifth volumeof the series.
When about to undertake its preparation the suggestion was made to theauthor that to bring in the doings of the Ku Klux would add interest tothe story, and at the same time give a truer picture of life in theSouth during the years 1867-68 in which its events take place.
The published reports of the Congressional Committee of Investigationwere resorted to as the most reliable source of information, diligentlyexamined, and care taken not to go beyond the facts there given asregards the proceedings of the Klan, the clemency and paternal acts ofthe Government, or the kindly, fraternal feelings and deeds of thepeople of the North toward their impoverished and suffering brethren ofthe South.
These things have become matters of history: vice and crime should becondemned wherever found; and naught has been set down in malice; forthe author has a warm love for the South as part and parcel of the dearland of her birth.
May this child of her brain give pain to none, but prove pleasant andprofitable to all who peruse its pages, and especially helpful to youngparents,
M. F.
Chapter First.
"Meantime a smiling offspring rises round,And mingles both their graces. By degreesThe human blossom blows, and every day,Soft as it rolls along, shows some new charm,The father's lustre, and the mother's bloom."--Thomson's Seasons
"Mamma! Papa too!" It was a glad shout of a chorus of young voices asfour pairs of little feet came pattering up the avenue and into theveranda; then as many ruby lips were held up for the morning kiss fromthe children's dearly loved father.
They had already had their half hour with mamma, which made so sweet abeginning of each day, yet she too must have a liberal share of theeagerly bestowed caresses; while Bruno, a great Newfoundland, the pet,playfellow, and guardian of the little flock, testified his delight inthe scene by leaping about among them, fawning upon one and another,wagging his tail, and uttering again and again a short, joyous bark.
Then followed a merry romp, cut short by the ringing of the breakfastbell, when all trooped into the house, Harold riding on papa's shoulder,mamma following with Elsie, Eddie and Vi; while Dinah, with Baby Herbertin her arms; brought up the rear.
The children had been very gay, full of laughter and sweet innocentprattle, but a sudden hush fell upon them when seated about the table inthe bright, cheerful breakfast parlor; little hands were meekly foldedand each young head bent reverently over the plate, while in a fewsimple words which all could understand, their father gave God thanksfor their food and asked his blessing upon it.
The Ion children were never rude even in their play, and their tablemanners were almost perfect; made the constant companions of cultivated,refined parents--whose politeness springing from genuine unselfishness,was never laid aside, but shown on all occasions and to rich and poor,old and young alike--and governed with a wise mixture of indulgence andrestraint, mildness and firmness, they imitated the copies set beforethem and were seldom other than gentle and amiable in their deportment,not only toward their superiors, but to equals and inferiors also.
They were never told that "children should be seen and not heard," butwhen no guests were present, were allowed to talk in moderation; agentle word or look of reproof from papa or mamma being quitesufficient to check any tendency to boisterousness or undue loquacity.
"I think we should celebrate this anniversary, Elsie," remarked Mr.Travilla, stirring his coffee and gazing with fond admiration into thesweet face at the opposite end of the table.
"Yes, sir, though we are rather late in thinking of it," she answeredsmilingly, the rose deepening slightly on her cheek as delicatelyrounded and tinted as it had been ten years ago.
Little Elsie looked up inquiringly. "What is it, papa? I do notremember."
"Do you not? Ten years ago to-day there was a grand wedding at the Oaks,and your mamma and I were there."
"I too?" asked Eddie.
"Yes, course, Eddie," spoke up five year old Violet, "grandpa would'vite you and all of us; and I b'lieve I 'member a _little_ about it."
"Me too," piped the baby voice of Harold, "me sat on papa's knee."
There was a general laugh, the two little prattlers joining in rightmerrily.
"I really don't remember that part of it, Harold," said papa, while weeElsie--as she was often called by way of distinguishing her from mamma,for whom she was named--shook her curly head at him with a merry "Oh,you dear little rogue, you don't know what you are talking about;" andmamma remarked, "Vi has perhaps a slight recollection of May Allison'swedding."
"But this one at the Oaks must have been before I was born," said Elsie,"because you said it was ten years ago, and I'm only nine. O, mamma, wasit _your_ wedding?"
"Yes, daughter. Shall we invite our friends for this evening, Edward?"
"Yes, wife; suppose we make it a family party, inviting only relatives,connections and very intimate friends."
After a little more discussion it was decided they would do so; alsothat the children should have a full holiday, and while their mother wasgiving orders and overseeing the necessary preparations for theentertainment, papa should take them all in the roomy family carriageand drive over to the Oaks, Roselands, Ashlands and Pinegrove to givethe invitations. Beside these near friends only the minister and hiswife were to be asked; but as Adelaide and her family were at this timepaying a visit to Roselands, and Lucy Ross was doing the same at her oldhome, and all the younger generation except the mere babies, were to beincluded in the invitation, should all accept it would be by no means asmall assemblage.
Early hours were named for the sake of the little ones; guests to comeat six, refreshments to be served at eight, and the Ion children, ifeach would take a nap in the afternoon, to be allowed to stay up tillnine.
How delighted they were: how the little eyes danced and sparkled, andhow eagerly they engaged to fulfill the conditions, and not to fret orlook cross when summoned at nine, to leave the drawing-room and be putto bed.
"O, mamma, won't you wear your wedding dress?" cried little Elsie; "do,dear mamma, so that we may all see just how you looked when you weremarried."
Elsie smiled, "You forget, daughter, that I am ten years older now, andthe face cannot be quite the same."
"The years have robbed it of none of its beauty," said Mr. Travilla.
"Ah, love is blind," she returned with a blush and smile as charming asthose of her girlhood's days. "And the dress is quite out of date."
"No matter for that. It would gratify me as well as the children to seeyou in it."
"Then it shall be worn, if it fits or can be altered in season."
"Veil and all, mamma," pleaded Elsie, "it is so beautiful--Mammy showedit to me only the other day and told me you looked so, _so_ lovely; andshe will put the orange blossoms in your hair and on your dress just asthey were that night; for she remembers all about it."
The children, ready dressed for their drive, were gathered in a merrygroup on the veranda, Eddie astride of Bruno, waiting for papa and thecarriage, when a horse came cantering up the avenue, and Mr. HoraceDinsmore alighted and st
epped into their midst.
"Oh, grandpa, what you turn for?" cried Harold in a tone ofdisappointment, "we was dus doin to 'vite you!"
"Indeed!"
"Yes, grandpa, it's a 'versary to-day" explained Vi.
"And mamma's going to be married over again," said Eddie.
"No, no; only to have a party and wear her wedding dress," correctedElsie.
"Papa, good morning," cried their mother, coming swiftly through, thehall, "I'm so glad, always so glad to see you."
"I know it," he said, pressing a fatherly kiss on the sweet lips, thenholding her off for an instant to gaze fondly into the fair face. "Andit is ten years to-day since I gave Travilla a share in my treasure. Iwas thinking of it as I rode over and that you should celebrate thisanniversary at your father's house."
"No, no, Dinsmore, you must be our guest," said Travilla, coming out andshaking hands cordially with his old friend. "We have it allarranged,--a family gathering, and Elsie to gratify us by wearing herbridal robes. Do you not agree with me that she would make as lovely abride to-day as she did ten years ago?"
"Quite. I relinquish my plan for yours; and don't let me detain you andthese eager children."
"I thank you: I will go then, as the invitations will be late enoughwith all the haste we can make."
The carriage was at the door and in a trice grandpa and papa had helpedthe little ones in: not even Baby Herbert was left behind, but seated onhis mammy's lap crowed and laughed as merrily as the rest.
"Ah, mamma, you come too!" pleaded the little voices, as their fathertook his place beside them. "Can't mammy and Aunt Dicey and the restknow what to do without you to tell them?"
"Not this time, dears; and you know I must make haste to try on thedress, to see if it fits."
"Oh, yes, mamma!" and throwing a shower of kisses, they drove off.
"A carriage load of precious jewels," Elsie said, looking after it as itrolled away: "how the ten years have added to my wealth, papa."
She stood by his side, her hand on his arm, and the soft sweet eyeslifted to his were full of a content and gladness beyond the power ofwords to express.
"I thank God every day for my darling's happiness," he said low andtenderly, and softly smoothing her shining hair.
"Ah, it is very great, and my father's dear love forms no small part ofit. But come in, papa, I want to consult you about one or two littlematters; Edward and I rely very much upon your taste and judgment."
"To Roselands first," was Mr. Travilla's order to the coachman.
The old home of the Dinsmores, though shorn of the glory of its grandold trees, was again a beautiful place: the new house was in everyrespect a finer one than its predecessor, of a higher style ofarchitecture, more conveniently arranged, more tastefully and handsomelyfurnished; lawns, gardens and fields had become neat and trim as in thedays before the war, and a double row of young, thrifty trees borderedthe avenue.
Old Mr. Dinsmore now resided there and gave a home to his two widowedand impoverished daughters--Mrs. Louise Conly, and Mrs. EnnaJohnson--and their families.
These two aunts loved Elsie no better than in earlier years: it was galland wormwood to them to know that they owed all these comforts to hergenerosity; nor could they forgive her that she was more wealthy,beautiful, lovely and beloved than themselves. Enna was the more bitterand outspoken of the two, but even Louise seldom treated her niece toanything better than the most distant and frigid politeness.
In a truly Christian spirit Elsie returned them pity and compassion,because of their widowhood and straitened circumstances, invited them toher house, and when they came received them with kindness andcordiality.
Her grandfather had grown very fond of her and her children, was oftenat Ion, and for his sake she occasionally visited Roselands. Adelaide'spresence had drawn her there more frequently of late. The invitation Mr.Travilla carried was to the grandfather, three aunts and all theirchildren.
Adelaide and Enna were in the drawing-room when the Ion carriage drew upat the door.
"There's Travilla, the old scalawag: how I hate him! Elsie too, Ipresume," exclaimed the latter, glancing from the window; "I'll leaveyou to entertain them," and she hastily left the room.
Adelaide flashed an indignant look after her, and hurried out to meetand welcome the callers. Mr. Travilla had alighted and was coming up thesteps of the veranda.
"How d'ye do. I'm _very_ glad to see you," cried Adelaide, extending herhand, "but where is Elsie?"
"Left at home for once," he answered gayly, "but I come this morningmerely as her ladyship's messenger."
"But won't you come in; you and the children?"
"Thanks, no, if you will permit me just to deliver my message and go;for I am in haste."
Mrs. Allison accepted the invitation for herself and children withevident pleasure, engaged that her sisters would do the same; then wentto the carriage window for a moment's chat with the little ones, each ofwhom held a large place in her warm heart. "Aunt Addie," said Elsie inan undertone, "mamma's going to wear her wedding dress to-night, veiland all."
"Is she? why that's an excellent idea. But don't tell it anywhere elsethat you go; it will be such a nice surprise to the rest if we can keepit a secret."
"That was a good suggestion of Aunt Addie's," Mr. Travilla remarked asthey drove down the avenue. "Suppose we carry it out. How many of youcan refrain from telling what mamma is to wear to-night? how many can Itrust to keep a secret?"
"All of us, papa!" "Me, papa, me, I won't tell," cried the little voicesin chorus.
"Yes, I believe I can trust you all," he answered in his bright cheeryway. "Now on to the Oaks, Solon, then to Pinegrove, Springbrook, andAshlands. That will be the last place, children, and as our hurry willthen be over, you shall get out of the carriage and have a little timeto rest before we start for home."
Re-entering the house Mrs. Allison went to the family sitting-room whereshe found both her sisters and several of the younger members of thehousehold. "So they have asked for us?" exclaimed Louise in a tone ofvexation, "at such an unreasonable hour too. Well," with a sigh ofresignation, "I suppose we must show ourselves or papa will bedispleased: so wonderfully fond of Elsie as he has grown of late."
"As well he may," returned Adelaide pointedly; "but Elsie is not herenor has any one inquired for you."
"No, I presume not," interrupted Enna with a sneer, "we are not worthinquiring for."
Indignation kept Adelaide silent for a moment, she was sorely tempted toadminister a severe and cutting rebuke. But Enna was no longer a child,and controlling herself she calmly delivered Mr. Travilla's message.
"Oh, delightful! Cousin Elsie always does give such splendid parties,such elegant refreshments!" cried Virginia and Isadore Conly, girls often and twelve, "mamma, you'll never think of declining?"
"No, your grandfather wouldn't like it," said Louise, as anxious as herdaughters to enjoy the entertainment, yet glad to save her pride, byputting her acceptance on the score of pleasing her father.
"And you'll go too, and take us, mamma, won't you?" anxiously queriedMolly Percival, who was between her cousins in age.
"Of course I'll go; we all want our share of the good things, and thepleasure of seeing and being seen," answered Enna, scorning Louise'ssubterfuge; "and if you and Dick will promise to make me no trouble,I'll take you along. But Bob and Betty may stay at home, I'm not goingto be bothered with them,--babies of five and three. But what shall wewear, Lu? I do say it's real mean in them to give us so short a notice.But of course Elsie enjoys making me feel my changed circumstances. I'veno such stock of jewels, silks and laces as she, nor the full purse thatmakes it an easy matter for her to order a fresh supply at a moment'swarning."
"You have all, and more than the occasion calls for," remarked Adelaidequietly; "it is to be only a family gathering."