IN WHICH THE LAW IS SEEN TO CONFLICT WITH OUR CHERISHED CHIVALRY1
"WHAT could the woman mean, when on taking leave of me she said, 'you are far richer than me?'" questions Maria McArthur to herself, when, finding she is alone and homeless in the street, she opens the packet the woman Anna slipped so mysteriously into her hand, and finds it contains two twenty-dollar gold pieces. And while evolving in her mind whether she shall appropriate them to the relief of her destitute2 condition, her conscience smites3 her. It is the gold got of vice4. Her heart shares the impulse that prompted the act, but her pure spirit recoils5 from the acceptance of such charity. "You are far richer than me!" knells6 in her ears, and reveals to her the heart-burnings of the woman who lives in licentious7 splendor8. "I have no home, no friend near me, and nowhere to lay my head; and yet I am richer than her;" she says, gazing at the moon, and the stars, and the serene9 heavens. And the contemplation brings to her consolation10 and strength. She wanders back to the gate of the old prison, resolved to return the gold in the morning, and, was the night not so far spent, ask admittance into the cell her father occupies. But she reflects, and turns away; well knowing how much more painful will be the smart of his troubles does she disclose to him what has befallen her.
She continues sauntering up a narrow by-lane in the outskirts11 of the city. A light suddenly flashes across her path, glimmers12 from the window of a little cabin, and inspires her with new hopes. She quickens her steps, reaches the door, meets a welcome reception, and is made comfortable for the night by the mulatto woman who is its solitary13 tenant14. The woman, having given Maria of her humble15 cheer, seems only too anxious to disclose the fact that she is the slave and cast-off mistress of Judge Sleepyhorn, on whose head she invokes16 no few curses. It does not touch her pride so much that he has abandoned her, as that he has taken to himself one of another color. She is tall and straight of figure, with prominent features, long, silky black hair, and a rich olive complexion17; and though somewhat faded of age, it is clear that she possessed18 in youth charms of great value in the flesh market.
Maria discloses to her how she came in possession of the money, as also her resolve to return it in the morning. Undine (for such is her name) applauds this with great gusto. "Now, thar!" she says, "that's the spirit I likes." And straightway she volunteers to be the medium of returning the money, adding that she will show the hussy her contempt of her by throwing it at her feet, and "letting her see a slave knows all about it."
Maria fully19 appreciates the kindness, as well as sympathizes with the wounded pride of this slave daughter; nevertheless, there is an humiliation20 in being driven to seek shelter in a negro cabin that touches her feelings. For a white female to seek shelter under the roof of a negro's cabin, is a deep disgrace in the eyes of our very refined society; and having subjected herself to the humiliation, she knows full well that it may be used against her-in fine, made a means to defame her character.
Night passes away, and the morning ushers21 in soft and sunny, but brings with it nothing to relieve her situation. She, however, returns the gold to Anna through a channel less objectionable than that Undine would have supplied, and sallies out to seek lodgings22. In a house occupied by a poor German family, she seeks and obtains a little room, wherein she continues plying23 at her needle.
The day set apart for the trial before a jury of "special bail24" arrives. The rosy-faced commissioner25 is in his seat, a very good-natured jury is impanelled, and the feeble old man is again brought into court. Maria saunters, thoughtful, and anxious for the result, at the outer door. Peter Crimpton rises, addresses the jury at great length, sets forth26 the evident intention of fraud on the part of the applicant27, and the enormity of the crime. He will now prove his objections by competent witnesses. The proceedings28 being in accordance with what Mr. Snivel facetiously29 terms the strict rules of special pleading, the old man's lips are closed. Several very respectable witnesses are called, and aver30 they saw the old Antiquary with a gold watch mounted, at a recent date; witnesses quite as dependable aver they have known him for many years, but never mounted with anything so extravagant31 as a gold watch. So much for the validity of testimony32! It is very clear that the very respectable witnesses have confounded some one else with the prisoner.
The Antiquary openly confesses to the possession of a pin, and the curious skull33 (neither of which are valuable beyond their associations), but declares it more an over-sight than an intention that they were left out of the schedule. For the virtue34 of the schedule, Mr. Crimpton is singularly scrupulous35; nor does it soften36 his aspersions that the old man offers to resign them for the benefit of the State. Mr. Crimpton gives his case to the jury, expressing his belief that a verdict will be rendered in his favor. A verdict of guilty (for so it is rendered in our courts) will indeed give the prisoner to him for an indefinite period. In truth, the only drawback is that the plaintiff will be required to pay thirty cents a day to Mr. Hardscrabble, who will starve him rightly soundly.
The jury, very much to Mr. Crimpton's chagrin37, remain seated, and declare the prisoner not guilty. Was this sufficient-all the law demanded? No. Although justice might have been satisfied, the law had other ends to serve, and in the hands of an instrument like Crimpton, could be turned to uses delicacy38 forbids our transcribing39 here. The old man's persecutors were not satisfied; the verdict of the jury was with him, but the law gave his enemies power to retain him six months longer. Mr. Crimpton demands a writ40 of appeal to the sessions. The Commissioner has no alternative, notwithstanding the character of the pretext42 upon which it is demanded is patent on its face. Such is but a feeble description of one of the many laws South Carolina retains on her statute43 book to oppress the poor and give power to the rich. If we would but purge44 ourselves of this distemper of chivalry and secession, that so blinds our eyes to the sufferings of the poor, while driving our politicians mad over the country (we verily believe them all coming to the gallows45 or insane hospital), how much higher and nobler would be our claim to the respect of the world!
Again the old man is separated from his daughter, placed in the hands of a bailiff, and remanded back to prison, there to hope, fear, and while away the time, waiting six, perhaps eight months, for the sitting of the Court of Appeals. The "Appeal Court," you must know, would seem to have inherited the aristocracy of our ancestors, for, having a great aversion to business pursuits, it sits at very long intervals46, and gets through very little business.
When the news of her father's remand reaches Maria, it overwhelms her with grief. Varied47 are her thoughts of how she shall provide for the future; dark and sad are the pictures of trouble that rise up before her. Look whichever way she will, her ruin seems sealed. The health of her aged48 father is fast breaking-her own is gradually declining under the pressure of her troubles. Rapidly forced from one extreme to another, she appeals to a few acquaintances who have expressed friendship for her father; but their friendship took wings when grim poverty looked in. Southern hospitality, though bountifully bestowed50 upon the rich, rarely condescends52 to shed its bright rays over the needy53 poor.
Maria advertises for a situation, in some of our first families, as private seamstress. Our first families having slaves for such offices, have no need of "poor white trash." She applies personally to several ladies of "eminent54 standing41," and who busy themselves in getting up donations for northern Tract55 Societies. They have no sympathy to waste upon her. Her appeal only enlists56 coldness and indifference57. The "Church Home" had lent an ear to her story, but that her address is very unsatisfactory, and it is got out that she is living a very suspicious life. The "Church Home," so virtuous58 and pious59, can do nothing for her until she improves her mode of living. Necessity pinches Maria at every turn. "To be poor in a slave atmosphere, is truly a crime," she says to herself, musing60 over her hard lot, while sitting in her chamber61 one evening. "But I am the richer! I will rise above all!" She has just prepared to carry some nourishment62 to her father, when Keepum enters, his face flushed, and his features darkened with a savage63 scowl64. "I have said you were a fool-all women are fools!--and now I know I was not mistaken!" This Mr. Keepum says while throwing his hat sullenly65 upon the floor. "Well," he pursues, having seated himself in a chair, looked designingly at the candle, then contorted his narrow face, and frisked his fingers through his bright red hair, "as to this here wincing66 and mincing-its all humbuggery67 of a woman like you. Affecting such morals! Don't go down here; tell you that, my spunky girl. Loose morals is what takes in poor folks."
Maria answers him only with a look of scorn. She advances to the door to find it locked.
"It was me-I locked it. Best to be private about the matter," says Keepum, a forced smile playing over his countenance68.
Unresolved whether to give vent69 to her passion, or make an effort to inspire his better nature, she stands a few moments, as if immersed in deep thought, then suddenly falls upon her knees at his feet, and implores70 him to save her this last step to her ruin. "Hear me, oh, hear me, and let your heart give out its pity for one who has only her virtue left her in this world;" she appeals to him with earnest voice, and eyes swimming in tears. "Save my father, for you have power. Give him his liberty, that I, his child, his only comfort in his old age, may make him happy. Yes! yes!--he will die where he is. Will you, can you-you have a heart-see me struggle against the rude buffets71 of an unthinking world! Will you not save me from the Poor-house-from the shame that awaits me with greedy clutches, and receive in return the blessing72 of a friendless woman! Oh!--you will, you will-release my father!--give him back to me and make me happy. Ah, ha!--I see, I see, you have feelings, better feelings--feelings that are not seared. You will have pity on me; you will forgive, relent-you cannot see a wretch73 suffer and not be moved to lighten her pain!" The calm, pensive74 expression that lights up her countenance is indeed enough to inspire the tender impulses of a heart in which every sense of generosity75 is not dried up.
Her appeal, nevertheless, falls ineffectual. Mr. Keepum has no generous impulses to bestow49 upon beings so sensitive of their virtue. With him, it is a ware76 of very little value, inasmuch as the moral standard fixed77 by a better class of people is quite loose. He rises from his chair with an air of self-confidence, seizes her by the hand, and attempts to drag her upon his knee, saying, "you know I can and will make you a lady. Upon the honor of a gentleman, I love you-always have loved you; but what stands in the way, and is just enough to make any gentleman of my standing mad, is this here squeamishness--"
"No! no! go from me. Attempt not again to lay your cruel hands upon me!" The goaded78 woman struggles from his grasp, and shrieks79 for help at the very top of her voice. And as the neighbors come rushing up stairs, Mr. Keepum valorously betakes himself into the street. Mad- dened with disappointment, and swearing to have revenge, he seeks his home, and there muses80 over the "curious woman's" unswerving resolution. "Cruelty!" he says to himself--"she charges me with cruelty! Well," (here he sighs) "it's only because she lacks a bringing up that can appreciate a gentleman." (Keepum could never condescend51 to believe himself less than a very fine gentleman.) "As sure as the world the creature is somewhat out in the head. She fancies all sorts of things-shame, disgrace, and ruin!--only because she don't understand the quality of our morality-that's all! There's no harm, after all, in these little enjoyments-if the girl would only understand them so. Our society is free from pedantry81; and there-no damage can result where no one's the wiser. It's like stealing a blush from the cheek of beauty-nobody misses it, and the cheek continues as beautiful as ever." Thus philosophizes the chivalric82 gentleman, until he falls into a fast sleep.
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1
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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smites
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的第三人称单数 ) | |
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4
vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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recoils
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| n.（尤指枪炮的）反冲，后坐力( recoil的名词复数 )v.畏缩( recoil的第三人称单数 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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knells
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| n.丧钟声( knell的名词复数 )；某事物结束的象征 | |
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7
licentious
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| adj.放纵的，淫乱的 | |
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splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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9
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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10
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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11
outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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12
glimmers
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| n.微光，闪光( glimmer的名词复数 )v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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13
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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14
tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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15
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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16
invokes
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| v.援引( invoke的第三人称单数 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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18
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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19
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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ushers
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| n.引座员( usher的名词复数 )；招待员；门房；助理教员v.引，领，陪同( usher的第三人称单数 ) | |
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22
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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23
plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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24
bail
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| v.舀（水），保释；n.保证金，保释，保释人 | |
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commissioner
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| n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员 | |
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26
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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27
applicant
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| n.申请人，求职者，请求者 | |
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28
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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facetiously
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| adv.爱开玩笑地；滑稽地，爱开玩笑地 | |
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30
aver
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| v.极力声明；断言；确证 | |
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31
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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32
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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39
transcribing
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| （用不同的录音手段）转录( transcribe的现在分词 )； 改编（乐曲）（以适应他种乐器或声部）； 抄写； 用音标标出（声音） | |
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writ
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| n.命令状，书面命令 | |
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41
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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43
statute
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| n.成文法，法令，法规；章程，规则，条例 | |
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44
purge
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| n.整肃，清除，泻药，净化；vt.净化，清除，摆脱；vi.清除，通便，腹泻，变得清洁 | |
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45
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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46
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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47
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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49
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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50
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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52
condescends
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的第三人称单数 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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53
needy
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
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54
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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55
tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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56
enlists
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| v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的第三人称单数 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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58
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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60
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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nourishment
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| n.食物，营养品；营养情况 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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wincing
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的现在分词 ) | |
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humbuggery
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| 欺骗 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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implores
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的第三人称单数 ) | |
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71
buffets
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| （火车站的）饮食柜台( buffet的名词复数 )； （火车的）餐车； 自助餐 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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74
pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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75
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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ware
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| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
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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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goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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79
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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80
muses
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的第三人称单数 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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81
pedantry
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| n.迂腐，卖弄学问 | |
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82
chivalric
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| 有武士气概的，有武士风范的 | |
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