"Eh?"
"Don't you know me?"
"No, certainly."
The crowd about the captain's office, having in good time melted away, the above encounter took place in one of the side balconies astern, between a man in mourning clean and respectable, but none of the glossiest2, a long weed on his hat, and the country-merchant before-mentioned, whom, with the familiarity of an old acquaintance, the former had accosted3.
"Is it possible, my dear sir," resumed he with the weed, "that you do not recall my countenance4? why yours I recall distinctly as if but half an hour, instead of half an age, had passed since I saw you. Don't you recall me, now? Look harder."
"In my conscience—truly—I protest," honestly bewildered, "bless my soul, sir, I don't know you—really, really. But stay, stay," he hurriedly added, not without gratification, glancing up at the crape on the stranger's hat, "stay—yes—seems to me, though I have [27] not the pleasure of personally knowing you, yet I am pretty sure I have at least heard of you, and recently too, quite recently. A poor negro aboard here referred to you, among others, for a character, I think."
"Oh, the cripple. Poor fellow. I know him well. They found me. I have said all I could for him. I think I abated5 their distrust. Would I could have been of more substantial service. And apropos6, sir," he added, "now that it strikes me, allow me to ask, whether the circumstance of one man, however humble7, referring for a character to another man, however afflicted8, does not argue more or less of moral worth in the latter?"
The good merchant looked puzzled.
"Still you don't recall my countenance?"
"Still does truth compel me to say that I cannot, despite my best efforts," was the reluctantly-candid reply.
"Can I be so changed? Look at me. Or is it I who am mistaken?—Are you not, sir, Henry Roberts, forwarding merchant, of Wheeling, Pennsylvania? Pray, now, if you use the advertisement of business cards, and happen to have one with you, just look at it, and see whether you are not the man I take you for."
"And yet self-knowledge is thought by some not so easy. Who knows, my dear sir, but for a time you may have taken yourself for somebody else? Stranger things have happened."
The good merchant stared.
"To come to particulars, my dear sir, I met you, now [28] some six years back, at Brade Brothers & Co's office, I think. I was traveling for a Philadelphia house. The senior Brade introduced us, you remember; some business-chat followed, then you forced me home with you to a family tea, and a family time we had. Have you forgotten about the urn1, and what I said about Werter's Charlotte, and the bread and butter, and that capital story you told of the large loaf. A hundred times since, I have laughed over it. At least you must recall my name—Ringman, John Ringman."
"Large loaf? Invited you to tea? Ringman? Ringman? Ring? Ring?"
"Ah sir," sadly smiling, "don't ring the changes that way. I see you have a faithless memory, Mr. Roberts. But trust in the faithfulness of mine."
"Well, to tell the truth, in some things my memory aint of the very best," was the honest rejoinder. "But still," he perplexedly added, "still I——"
"Oh sir, suffice it that it is as I say. Doubt not that we are all well acquainted."
"But—but I don't like this going dead against my own memory; I——"
"But didn't you admit, my dear sir, that in some things this memory of yours is a little faithless? Now, those who have faithless memories, should they not have some little confidence in the less faithless memories of others?"
"But, of this friendly chat and tea, I have not the slightest——"
"I see, I see; quite erased12 from the tablet. Pray, [29] sir," with a sudden illumination, "about six years back, did it happen to you to receive any injury on the head? Surprising effects have arisen from such a cause. Not alone unconsciousness as to events for a greater or less time immediately subsequent to the injury, but likewise—strange to add—oblivion, entire and incurable13, as to events embracing a longer or shorter period immediately preceding it; that is, when the mind at the time was perfectly14 sensible of them, and fully15 competent also to register them in the memory, and did in fact so do; but all in vain, for all was afterwards bruised16 out by the injury."
After the first start, the merchant listened with what appeared more than ordinary interest. The other proceeded:
"In my boyhood I was kicked by a horse, and lay insensible for a long time. Upon recovering, what a blank! No faintest trace in regard to how I had come near the horse, or what horse it was, or where it was, or that it was a horse at all that had brought me to that pass. For the knowledge of those particulars I am indebted solely17 to my friends, in whose statements, I need not say, I place implicit18 reliance, since particulars of some sort there must have been, and why should they deceive me? You see sir, the mind is ductile19, very much so: but images, ductilely received into it, need a certain time to harden and bake in their impressions, otherwise such a casualty as I speak of will in an instant obliterate20 them, as though they had never been. We are but clay, sir, potter's clay, as the good book says, [30] clay, feeble, and too-yielding clay. But I will not philosophize. Tell me, was it your misfortune to receive any concussion21 upon the brain about the period I speak of? If so, I will with pleasure supply the void in your memory by more minutely rehearsing the circumstances of our acquaintance."
The growing interest betrayed by the merchant had not relaxed as the other proceeded. After some hesitation22, indeed, something more than hesitation, he confessed that, though he had never received any injury of the sort named, yet, about the time in question, he had in fact been taken with a brain fever, losing his mind completely for a considerable interval23. He was continuing, when the stranger with much animation24 exclaimed:
"There now, you see, I was not wholly mistaken. That brain fever accounts for it all."
"Pardon me, Mr. Roberts," respectfully interrupting him, "but time is short, and I have something private and particular to say to you. Allow me."
Mr. Roberts, good man, could but acquiesce26, and the two having silently walked to a less public spot, the manner of the man with the weed suddenly assumed a seriousness almost painful. What might be called a writhing27 expression stole over him. He seemed struggling with some disastrous28 necessity inkept. He made one or two attempts to speak, but words seemed to choke him. His companion stood in humane29 surprise, wondering what was to come. At length, with an effort mastering [31] his feelings, in a tolerably composed tone he spoke30:
"If I remember, you are a mason, Mr. Roberts?"
"Yes, yes."
Averting31 himself a moment, as to recover from a return of agitation32, the stranger grasped the other's hand; "and would you not loan a brother a shilling if he needed it?"
The merchant started, apparently33, almost as if to retreat.
"Ah, Mr. Roberts, I trust you are not one of those business men, who make a business of never having to do with unfortunates. For God's sake don't leave me. I have something on my heart—on my heart. Under deplorable circumstances thrown among strangers, utter strangers. I want a friend in whom I may confide11. Yours, Mr. Roberts, is almost the first known face I've seen for many weeks."
It was so sudden an outburst; the interview offered such a contrast to the scene around, that the merchant, though not used to be very indiscreet, yet, being not entirely34 inhumane, remained not entirely unmoved.
The other, still tremulous, resumed:
"I need not say, sir, how it cuts me to the soul, to follow up a social salutation with such words as have just been mine. I know that I jeopardize35 your good opinion. But I can't help it: necessity knows no law, and heeds36 no risk. Sir, we are masons, one more step aside; I will tell you my story."
In a low, half-suppressed tone, he began it. Judging [32] from his auditor's expression, it seemed to be a tale of singular interest, involving calamities37 against which no integrity, no forethought, no energy, no genius, no piety38, could guard.
At every disclosure, the hearer's commiseration39 increased. No sentimental40 pity. As the story went on, he drew from his wallet a bank note, but after a while, at some still more unhappy revelation, changed it for another, probably of a somewhat larger amount; which, when the story was concluded, with an air studiously disclamatory of alms-giving, he put into the stranger's hands; who, on his side, with an air studiously disclamatory of alms-taking, put it into his pocket.
Assistance being received, the stranger's manner assumed a kind and degree of decorum which, under the circumstances, seemed almost coldness. After some words, not over ardent41, and yet not exactly inappropriate, he took leave, making a bow which had one knows not what of a certain chastened independence about it; as if misery42, however burdensome, could not break down self-respect, nor gratitude43, however deep, humiliate44 a gentleman.
He was hardly yet out of sight, when he paused as if thinking; then with hastened steps returning to the merchant, "I am just reminded that the president, who is also transfer-agent, of the Black Rapids Coal Company, happens to be on board here, and, having been subpoenaed45 as witness in a stock case on the docket in Kentucky, has his transfer-book with him. A month since, in a panic contrived46 by artful alarmists, some credulous47 [33] stock-holders48 sold out; but, to frustrate49 the aim of the alarmists, the Company, previously50 advised of their scheme, so managed it as to get into its own hands those sacrificed shares, resolved that, since a spurious panic must be, the panic-makers should be no gainers by it. The Company, I hear, is now ready, but not anxious, to redispose of those shares; and having obtained them at their depressed51 value, will now sell them at par10, though, prior to the panic, they were held at a handsome figure above. That the readiness of the Company to do this is not generally known, is shown by the fact that the stock still stands on the transfer-book in the Company's name, offering to one in funds a rare chance for investment. For, the panic subsiding52 more and more every day, it will daily be seen how it originated; confidence will be more than restored; there will be a reaction; from the stock's descent its rise will be higher than from no fall, the holders trusting themselves to fear no second fate."
Having listened at first with curiosity, at last with interest, the merchant replied to the effect, that some time since, through friends concerned with it, he had heard of the company, and heard well of it, but was ignorant that there had latterly been fluctuations53. He added that he was no speculator; that hitherto he had avoided having to do with stocks of any sort, but in the present case he really felt something like being tempted54. "Pray," in conclusion, "do you think that upon a pinch anything could be transacted55 on board here with the transfer-agent? Are you acquainted with him?" [34]
"Not personally. I but happened to hear that he was a passenger. For the rest, though it might be somewhat informal, the gentleman might not object to doing a little business on board. Along the Mississippi, you know, business is not so ceremonious as at the East."
"True," returned the merchant, and looked down a moment in thought, then, raising his head quickly, said, in a tone not so benign56 as his wonted one, "This would seem a rare chance, indeed; why, upon first hearing it, did you not snatch at it? I mean for yourself!"
"I?—would it had been possible!"
Not without some emotion was this said, and not without some embarrassment57 was the reply. "Ah, yes, I had forgotten."
Upon this, the stranger regarded him with mild gravity, not a little disconcerting; the more so, as there was in it what seemed the aspect not alone of the superior, but, as it were, the rebuker58; which sort of bearing, in a beneficiary towards his benefactor59, looked strangely enough; none the less, that, somehow, it sat not altogether unbecomingly upon the beneficiary, being free from anything like the appearance of assumption, and mixed with a kind of painful conscientiousness60, as though nothing but a proper sense of what he owed to himself swayed him. At length he spoke:
"To reproach a penniless man with remissness61 in not availing himself of an opportunity for pecuniary62 investment—but, no, no; it was forgetfulness; and this, charity will impute63 to some lingering effect of that unfortunate [35] brain-fever, which, as to occurrences dating yet further back, disturbed Mr. Roberts's memory still more seriously."
"As to that," said the merchant, rallying, "I am not——"
"Pardon me, but you must admit, that just now, an unpleasant distrust, however vague, was yours. Ah, shallow as it is, yet, how subtle a thing is suspicion, which at times can invade the humanest of hearts and wisest of heads. But, enough. My object, sir, in calling your attention to this stock, is by way of acknowledgment of your goodness. I but seek to be grateful; if my information leads to nothing, you must remember the motive64."
He bowed, and finally retired65, leaving Mr. Roberts not wholly without self-reproach, for having momentarily indulged injurious thoughts against one who, it was evident, was possessed66 of a self-respect which forbade his indulging them himself.
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1
urn
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| n.（有座脚的）瓮；坟墓；骨灰瓮 | |
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glossiest
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| 光滑的( glossy的最高级 )； 虚有其表的； 浮华的 | |
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3
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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4
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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5
abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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apropos
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| adv.恰好地；adj.恰当的；关于 | |
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7
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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10
par
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| n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的 | |
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11
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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12
erased
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| v.擦掉( erase的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；清除 | |
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13
incurable
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| adj.不能医治的，不能矫正的，无救的；n.不治的病人，无救的人 | |
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14
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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15
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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16
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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17
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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18
implicit
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| a.暗示的，含蓄的，不明晰的，绝对的 | |
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19
ductile
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| adj.易延展的，柔软的 | |
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20
obliterate
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| v.擦去，涂抹，去掉...痕迹，消失，除去 | |
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21
concussion
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| n.脑震荡；震动 | |
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22
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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23
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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24
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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25
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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26
acquiesce
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| vi.默许，顺从，同意 | |
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27
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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30
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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31
averting
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| 防止，避免( avert的现在分词 )； 转移 | |
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32
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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33
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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35
jeopardize
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| vt.危及，损害 | |
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36
heeds
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| n.留心，注意，听从( heed的名词复数 )v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的第三人称单数 ) | |
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37
calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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38
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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39
commiseration
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| n.怜悯，同情 | |
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40
sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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41
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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42
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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43
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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44
humiliate
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| v.使羞辱，使丢脸[同]disgrace | |
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45
subpoenaed
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| v.（用传票）传唤（某人）( subpoena的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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47
credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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48
holders
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| 支持物( holder的名词复数 )； 持有者； （支票等）持有人； 支托（或握持）…之物 | |
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49
frustrate
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| v.使失望；使沮丧；使厌烦 | |
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50
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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51
depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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52
subsiding
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的现在分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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53
fluctuations
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| 波动，涨落，起伏( fluctuation的名词复数 ) | |
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54
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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55
transacted
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| v.办理（业务等）( transact的过去式和过去分词 )；交易，谈判 | |
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56
benign
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| adj.善良的，慈祥的；良性的，无危险的 | |
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57
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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58
rebuker
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59
benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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60
conscientiousness
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| 责任心 | |
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61
remissness
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| n.玩忽职守；马虎；怠慢；不小心 | |
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62
pecuniary
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| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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63
impute
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| v.归咎于 | |
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64
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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65
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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66
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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