To Helen they were years of quiet happiness, of steady improvement. There were many deficiencies in her education to be made up. With the aid of private instructors2, the best of their kind, she strove earnestly to acquire the knowledge for which she had long thirsted. Her father was unwilling3 to send her away to school, since this must deprive him of her society, on which he had learned to depend. Nor was Helen less unwilling to leave the father who had called forth4 from her so rare and beautiful a devotion. Year by year her mind has expanded, while her rare loveliness has, if possible, been enhanced. Helen, at nineteen, is even more charming than at fifteen.
There are some who have found this out, and Helen has had repeated offers of marriage. All these she has gently but firmly refused. Not one has succeeded in touching5 her heart.
Among her suitors was one whom she treated with less ceremony. A young man, who had nearly run through a large fortune, paid assiduous court to Helen, whom he had met in society, and in spite of her coldness made a declaration of love.
Helen looked up from the carpet on which her eyes had 293been fixed6, and said, quietly, “Do you remember, Mr. Grover, where we first met?”
“At Mrs. Grosvenor’s party,” answered the young man, somewhat surprised.
“You are mistaken. That was only three months since. Our first meeting dates back four years.”
“Thank you for remembering it. Yet I can hardly believe you correct. Your face is not one to be forgotten. Are you quite sure?”
There was something in Helen’s manner which the young man could not quite fathom8. It made him uneasy, for Helen’s grave tone rendered it doubtful whether the recollection was a pleasant one.
“May I ask where, and under what circumstances, we met?” he inquired.
“I was, at that time, singing at the —— Theatre,” returned Helen, composedly. “You followed me in the street when on my return home, and sought to force your company upon me. But for the opportune9 arrival of a friend, I should have been obliged to submit to the insult.”
“Good heavens!” ejaculated Albert Grover, “are you the young singer who made such a sensation? I cannot understand it.”
“Fortunes have changed with me,” said Helen. “Otherwise, I can well understand that you would never have honored me with your proposal of this morning. I think, Mr. Grover, you will hardly require any other answer.”
She left the room with dignity, leaving her suitor crestfallen10, and entirely11 satisfied of the hopelessness of his suit.
Meanwhile, where was Herbert Coleman?
Shortly after Mr. Ford12’s accession to fortune, he sent for the young artist at Helen’s instigation, and questioned him delicately as to his plans and wishes. Herbert acknowledged 294frankly his conviction, that a residence in Italy, the cradle of art, would be of inestimable advantage to him in his professional career.
“I have thought of that,” said Mr. Ford, “and as Providence13 has blessed me with abundant means I have determined14 to enable you to gratify your desire. I do not wish to compromise your independence, and therefore I will not offer to give you the requisite15 sum. I should be glad to have copies of some of the masterpieces of Italian art. I am willing to invest five thousand dollars in this way. I will give you the commission. This will enable you to spend three years abroad. Here is a check for a thousand dollars. The balance I authorize16 you to draw upon me for as you need it.”
“Sir,” said Herbert, with joyful17 emotion, “your generosity18 overwhelms me. I cannot express to you how happy you have made me. I hope that I shall prove deserving of such kindness.”
“You must thank Helen,” said Mr. Ford. “She suggested this to me; though I think she will do me the justice to acknowledge that she did not find me very difficult to persuade.”
“Dear Helen,” said the young artist, turning to the young girl whose beaming face expressed how heartily19 she sympathized in his joy, “I am not surprised to hear this. It is so like you.”
“Don’t say any more, Herbert,” said Helen, softly. “That repays me.”
Herbert’s residence in Italy has been protracted20 somewhat beyond the three years originally intended. He has already sent home several paintings, originals, as well as copies, which prove conclusively21 that he has not mistaken his vocation22. He has corresponded regularly with Helen, and she is eagerly expecting his return in the next steamer. They 295have tacitly dropped the old designations of brother and sister. Knowing what we do of their feelings towards each other, we need not be surprised if they are bound some day by a nearer tie. Mr. Ford, I am assured, will interpose no objection, feeling that genius and nobility of soul far outweigh23 the mere24 accident of riches.
Mr. Ford has long since given up his invention as impracticable. He has gathered about him a rich library in which he spends the hours formerly25 given to science. A year since he laid out the plan of a large work in the department of mechanics upon which he is hard at work. It will probably require some years to complete it.
Mr. Sharp still acts as the business agent of Mr. Ford, and through his influence has obtained other business, so that he is now in receipt of a very comfortable income. Justice compels me to state that in spite of his not very creditable antecedents, he serves Mr. Ford with ability and fidelity26, and exhibits a good judgment27 in his management of money matters, which perhaps could hardly have been expected. He is not entirely rid of his “idiosyncrasies,” but these are now of a harmless nature. He no longer runs up bills which he is unable to liquidate28, and has ceased to exercise his professional sharpness on the newsboys.
Martha Grey still finds a home with Helen, and is her tried and confidential29 friend. She is no longer obliged to labor30 hard for a scanty31 remuneration. Her “lines have fallen in pleasant places.” Privation and discomfort32 have been succeeded by ease and luxury. A month since she was surprised by a proposal of marriage from Mr. Sharp. She refused him gently, telling him that she should never marry. I do not think she will. She has never recovered from an early disappointment, which, without robbing her of happiness, has made it impossible for her to love again. Mr. Sharp has resigned himself to his rejection33 with commendable34 296philosophy. There is reason to believe that he was actuated less by a romantic attachment35, than by the thought that Martha, as the intimate friend of Helen, would not come to him a portionless bride. He has already so far recovered from his disappointment, that he is paying devoted36 attentions to a wealthy widow, who seems disposed to smile upon his suit, whose “idiosyncrasies” of temper are such, that success would indeed be disastrous37. I have had some qualms38 of conscience, in rewarding Mr. Sharp with such a measure of worldly prosperity, feeling that he ought rather to have been punished than recompensed; but if he should persevere39 in his present suit, and eventually succeed, I feel that the sternest advocate of “poetical justice” may well be satisfied.
Mrs. Morton still keeps her boarding-house, and still meets with a fair share of patronage40. Helen occasionally calls upon her. She has not forgotten her kindness in the days when she stood in need of a friend. M’lle Fanchette is still one of her lodgers41. She does not grow old, having been twenty-seven for the last fifteen years. She brings her charms to bear upon each successive lodger42 whom she regards as eligible43, but no one has yet had the courage to propose. There is reason to believe that she will remain Mademoiselle to the end of this chapter.
Margaret and Jacob Wynne! I name Margaret first, for hers is the nobler nature. Jacob’s brief imprisonment44 had a most salutary influence upon him. He no longer upbraids45 without reason, nor arouses her quick jealousy46 by his neglect. Mr. Ford (after all we prefer the old name) throws considerable business into his hands, and this, with what he obtains from other quarters, gives him a comfortable support. It would be difficult to recognize in Margaret, with her quiet look, and subdued47 demeanor48, the wild, wayward, 297desperate woman, who made her way through the fierce storm to her mother’s dwelling49.
Immediately after the division of the estate, Lewis Rand went to Europe, where he has remained ever since. His feelings are so imbittered against his cousin, that he has refused to answer a letter containing overtures50 of reconciliation51. He makes his head-quarters at Paris, where he lives in elegant style, and receives the homage52 which wealth always commands. But does he find in his riches the full satisfaction which he anticipated? I answer, no. He finds, too late, that happiness must be earned; it can never be bought. To those who, like Helen, consecrate53 their lives to the noblest objects, and study to promote the happiness of all around them, the blessing54 comes unsought. For the love that stimulates55 to good deeds, is like mercy “twice blest; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”
And so, reader, farewell! What remains56 in store for Helen Ford, whether of joy or of sorrow, it is not mine to read. Let us hope that her life may brighten continually till its close; that her years, whether few or many, may be made happy by the consciousness of duty well performed; that she may dispense57 liberally unto others of the good gifts with which God has crowned her, and make her life a benefaction to humanity!
HORATIO ALGER, JR.
The enormous sales of the books of Horatio Alger, Jr., show the greatness of his popularity among the boys, and prove that he is one of their most favored writers. I am told that more than half a million copies altogether have been sold, and that all the large circulating libraries in the country have several complete sets, of which only two or three volumes are ever on the shelves at one time. If this is true, what thousands and thousands of boys have read and are reading Mr. Alger’s books! His peculiar58 style of stories, often imitated but never equaled, have taken a hold upon the young people, and, despite their similarity, are eagerly read as soon as they appear.
Mr. Alger became famous with the publication of that undying book, “Ragged Dick, or Street Life in New York.” It was his first book for young people, and its success was so great that he immediately devoted himself to that kind of writing. It was a new and fertile field for a writer then, and Mr. Alger’s treatment of it at once caught the fancy of the boys. “Ragged Dick” first appeared in 1868, and ever since then it has been selling steadily59, until now it is estimated that about 200,000 copies of the series have been sold.
—“Pleasant Hours for Boys and Girls.”
A writer for boys should have an abundant sympathy with them. He should be able to enter into their plans, hopes, and aspirations60. He should learn to look upon life as they do. Boys object to be written down to. A boy’s heart opens to the man or writer who understands him.
—From “Writing Stories for Boys,” by Horatio Alger, Jr.
The End
The End
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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instructors
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| 指导者，教师( instructor的名词复数 ) | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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opportune
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| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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crestfallen
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| adj. 挫败的，失望的，沮丧的 | |
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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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Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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authorize
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| v.授权，委任；批准，认可 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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conclusively
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| adv.令人信服地，确凿地 | |
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vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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outweigh
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| vt.比...更重，...更重要 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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liquidate
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| v.偿付，清算，扫除；整理，破产 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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rejection
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| n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃 | |
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commendable
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| adj.值得称赞的 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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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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qualms
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persevere
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| v.坚持，坚忍，不屈不挠 | |
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patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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lodgers
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| n.房客，租住者( lodger的名词复数 ) | |
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lodger
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| n.寄宿人，房客 | |
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eligible
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| adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的 | |
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imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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upbraids
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| v.责备，申斥，谴责( upbraid的第三人称单数 ) | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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overtures
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| n.主动的表示，提议；（向某人做出的）友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 )；（歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的）序曲，前奏曲 | |
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reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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consecrate
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| v.使圣化，奉…为神圣；尊崇；奉献 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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stimulates
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| v.刺激( stimulate的第三人称单数 )；激励；使兴奋；起兴奋作用，起刺激作用，起促进作用 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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aspirations
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| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
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