When Mrs. Garie embarked1, she entertained the idea so prevalent among fresh-water sailors, that she was to be an exception to the rule of Father Neptune2, in accordance with which all who intrude3 for the first time upon his domain4 are compelled to pay tribute to his greatness, and humbly5 bow in acknowledgment of his power.
Mrs. Garie had determined6 not to be sea-sick upon any account whatever, being fully7 persuaded she could brave the ocean with impunity8, and was, accordingly, very brisk and blithe-looking, as she walked up and down upon the deck of the vessel9. In the course of a few hours they sailed out of the harbour, and were soon in the open sea. She began to find out how mistaken she had been, as unmistakable symptoms convinced her of the vanity of all human calculations. "Why, you are not going to be ill, Em, after all your valiant10 declarations!" exclaimed Mr. Garie, supporting her unsteady steps, as they paced to and fro.
"Oh, no, no!" said she, in a firm tone; "I don't intend to give up to any such nonsense. I believe that people can keep up if they try. I do feel a little fatigued11 and nervous; it's caused, no doubt, by the long drive of this morning—although I think it singular that a drive should affect me in this manner." Thus speaking, she sat down by the bulwarks12 of the vessel, and a despairing look gradually crept over her face. At last she suddenly rose, to look at the water, as we may imagine. The effect of her scrutiny13, however, was, that she asked feebly to be assisted to her state-room, where she remained until their arrival in the harbour of New York. The children suffered only for a short time, and as their father escaped entirely14, he was able to watch that they got into no mischief15. They were both great favourites with the captain and steward16, and, between the two, were so stuffed and crammed18 with sweets as to place their health in considerable jeopardy19.
It was a delightful20 morning when they sailed into the harbour of New York. The waters were dancing and rippling21 in the morning sun, and the gaily-painted ferry-boats were skimming swiftly across its surface in their trips to and from the city, which was just awaking to its daily life of bustling22 toil23.
"What an immense city it is!" said Mrs. Garie—"how full of life and bustle24! Why there are more ships at one pier25 here than there are in the whole port of Savanah!"
"Yes, dear," rejoined her husband; "and what is more, there always will be. Our folks in Georgia are not waked up yet; and when they do arouse themselves from their slumber26, it will be too late. But we don't see half the shipping27 from here—this is only one side of the city—there is much more on the other. Look over there," continued he, pointing to Jersey28 city,—"that is where we take the cars for Philadelphia; and if we get up to dock in three or four hours, we shall be in time for the mid-day train."
In less time than they anticipated they were alongside the wharf29; the trunks were brought up, and all things for present use were safely packed together and despatched, under the steward's care, to the office of the railroad.
Mr. and Mrs. Garie, after bidding good-bye to the captain, followed with the children, who were thrown into a great state of excitement by the noise and bustle of the crowded thoroughfare.
"How this whirl and confusion distracts me," said Mrs. Garie, looking out of the carriage-window. "I hope Philadelphia is not as noisy a place as this."
"Oh, no," replied Mr. Garie; "it is one of the most quiet and clean cities in the world, whilst this is the noisiest and dirtiest. I always hurry out of New York; it is to me such a disagreeable place, with its extortionate hackmen and filthy31 streets."
On arriving at the little steamer in which they crossed the ferry, they found it about to start, and therefore had to hurry on board with all possible speed.
Under the circumstances, the hackman felt that it would be flying in the face of Providence32 if he did not extort30 a large fare, and he therefore charged an extravagant33 price. Mr. Garie paid him, as he had no time to parley34, and barely succeeded in slipping a douceur into the steward's hand, when the boat pushed off from the pier.
In a few moments they had crossed the river, and were soon comfortably seated in the cars whirling over the track to Philadelphia.
As the conductor came through to examine the tickets, he paused for a moment before Mrs. Garie and the children. As he passed on, his assistant inquired, "Isn't that a nigger?"
"Yes, a half-white one," was the reply.
"Why don't you order her out, then?—she has no business to ride in here," continued the first speaker.
"I guess we had better let her alone," suggested the conductor, "particularly as no one has complained; and there might be a row if she turned out to be the nurse to those children. The whole party are Southerners, that's clear; and these Southerners are mighty35 touchy36 about their niggers sometimes, and kick and cut like the devil about them. I guess we had better let her alone, unless some one complains about her being there."
As they drove through the streets of Philadelphia on the way to their new home, Mrs. Garie gave rent to many expressions of delight at the appearance of the city. "Oh, what a sweet place! everything is so bright and fresh-looking; why the pavement and doorsteps look as if they were cleaned twice a day. Just look at that house, how spotless it is; I hope ours resembles that. Ours is a new house, is it not?" she inquired. "Not entirely; it has been occupied before, but only for a short time, I believe," was her husband's reply.
It had grown quite dark by the time they arrived at Winter-street, where Caddy had been anxiously holding watch and ward17 in company with the servants who had been procured37 for them. A bright light was burning in the entry as the coachman stopped at the door.
"This is No. 27," said he, opening the door of the carriage, "shall I ring?"
"Yes, do," replied Mr. Garie; but whilst he was endeavouring to open the gate of the little garden in front, Caddy, who had heard the carriage stop, bounded out to welcome them. "This is Mr. Garie, I suppose," said she, as he alighted.
"Yes, I am; and you, I suppose, are the daughter of Mr. Ellis?"
"Yes, sir; I'm sorry mother is not here to welcome you; she was here until very late last night expecting your arrival, and was here again this morning," said Caddy, taking at the same time one of the little carpet bags. "Give me the little girl, I can take care of her too," she continued; and with little Em on one arm and the carpet bag on the other, she led the way into the house.
"We did not make up any fire," said she, "the weather is very warm to us. I don't know how it may feel to you, though."
"It is a little chilly," replied Mrs. Garie, as she sat down upon the sofa, and looked round the room with a smile of pleasure, and added, "All this place wants, to make it the most bewitching of rooms, is a little fire."
Caddy hurried the new servants from place to place remorselessly, and set them to prepare the table and get the things ready for tea. She waylaid38 a party of labourers, who chanced to be coming that way, and hired them to carry all the luggage upstairs—had the desired fire made—mixed up some corn-bread, and had tea on the table in a twinkling. They all ate very heartily39, and Caddy was greatly praised for her activity.
"You are quite a housekeeper," said Mrs. Garie to Caddy. "Do you like it?"
"Oh, yes," she replied. "I see to the house at home almost entirely; mother and Esther are so much engaged in sewing, that they are glad enough to leave it in my hands, and I'd much rather do that than sew."
"I hope," said Mrs. Garie, "that your mother will permit you to remain with us until we get entirely settled."
"I know she will," confidently replied Caddy. "She will be up here in the morning. She will know you have arrived by my not having gone home this evening."
The children had now fallen asleep with their heads in close proximity40 to their plates, and Mrs. Garie declared that she felt very much fatigued and slightly indisposed, and thought the sooner she retired41 the better it would be for her. She accordingly went up to the room, which she had already seen and greatly admired, and was soon in the land of dreams.
As is always the case on such occasions, the children's night-dresses could not be found. Clarence was put to bed in one of his father's shirts, in which he was almost lost, and little Em was temporarily accommodated with a calico short gown of Caddy's, and, in default of a nightcap, had her head tied up in a Madras handkerchief, which gave her, when her back was turned, very much the air of an old Creole who had been by some mysterious means deprived of her due growth.
The next morning Mrs. Garie was so much indisposed at to be unable to rise, and took her breakfast in bed. Her husband had finished his meal, and was sitting in the parlour, when he observed a middle-aged42 coloured lady coming into the garden.
"Look, Caddy," cried he, "isn't this your mother?"
"Oh, yes, that is she," replied Caddy, and ran and opened the door, exclaiming, "Oh, mother, they're come;" and as she spoke43, Mr. Garie came into the entry and shook hands heartily with her. "I'm so much indebted to you," said he, "for arranging everything so nicely for us—there is not a thing we would wish to alter."
"I am very glad you are pleased; we did our best to make it comfortable," was her reply.
"And you succeeded beyond our expectation; but do come up," continued he, "Emily will be delighted to see you. She is quite unwell this morning; has not even got up yet;" and leading the way upstairs, he ushered44 Mrs. Ellis into the bedroom.
"Why, can this be you?" said she, surveying Emily with surprise and pleasure. "If I had met you anywhere, I should never have known you. How you have altered! You were not so tall as my Caddy when I saw you last; and here you are with two children—and pretty little things they are too!" said she, kissing little Em, who was seated on the bed with her brother, and sharing with him the remains45 of her mother's chocolate.
"And you look much younger that I expected to see you," replied Mrs. Garie. "Draw a chair up to the bed, and let us have a talk about old times. You must excuse my lying down; I don't intend to get up to-day; I feel quite indisposed."
Mrs. Ellis took off her bonnet46, and prepared for a long chat; whilst Mr. Garie, looking at his watch, declared it was getting late, and started for down town, where he had to transact47 some business.
"You can scarcely think, Ellen, how much I feel indebted to you for all you have done for us; and we are so distressed48 to hear about Charlie's accident. You must have had a great deal of trouble."
"Oh, no, none to speak of—and had it been ever so much, I should have been just as pleased to have done it; I was so glad you were coming. What did put it in your heads to come here to live?" continued Mrs. Ellis.
"Oh, cousin George Winston praised the place so highly, and you know how disagreeable Georgia is to live in. My mind was never at rest there respecting these," said she, pointing to the children; "so that I fairly teased Garie into it. Did you recognize George?"
"No, I didn't remember much about him. I should never have taken him for a coloured man; had I met him in the street, I should have supposed him to be a wealthy white Southerner. What a gentleman he is in his appearance and manners," said Mrs. Ellis.
"Yes, he is all that—my husband thinks there is no one like him. But we won't talk about him now; I want you to tell me all about yourself and family, and then I'll tell you everything respecting my own fortunes." Hereupon ensued long narratives49 from both parties, which occupied the greater part of the morning.
Mr. Garie, on leaving the house, slowly wended his way to the residence of Mr. Walters. As he passed into the lower part of the city, his attention was arrested by the number of coloured children he saw skipping merrily along with their bags of books on their arms.
"This," said he to himself, "don't much resemble Georgia."[*]
After walking some distance he took out a card, and read, 257, Easton-street; and on inquiry51 found himself in the very street. He proceeded to inspect the numbers, and was quite perplexed52 by their confusion and irregularity.
A coloured boy happening to pass at the time, he asked him: "Which way do the numbers run, my little man?"
The boy looked up waggishly53, and replied: "They don't run at all; they are permanently54 affixed55 to each door."
"But," said Mr. Garie, half-provoked, yet compelled to smile at the boy's pompous56 wit, "you know what I mean; I cannot find the number I wish; the street is not correctly numbered."
"The street is not numbered at all," rejoined the boy, "but the houses are," and he skipped lightly away.
Mr. Garie was finally set right about the numbers, and found himself at length before the door of Mr. Walters's house. "Quite a handsome residence," said he, as he surveyed the stately house, with its spotless marble steps and shining silver door-plate.
On ringing, his summons was quickly answered by a well-dressed servant, who informed him that Mr. Walters was at home, and ushered him into the parlour. The elegance57 of the room took Mr. Garie completely by surprise, as its furniture indicated not only great wealth, but cultivated taste and refined habits. The richly-papered walls were adorned58 by paintings from the hands of well-known foreign and native artists. Rich vases and well-executed bronzes were placed in the most favourable59 situations in the apartment; the elegantly-carved walnut60 table was covered with those charming little bijoux which the French only are capable of conceiving, and which are only at the command of such purchasers as are possessed61 of more money than they otherwise can conveniently spend.
Mr. Garie threw himself into a luxuriously-cushioned chair, and was soon so absorbed in contemplating62 the likeness63 of a negro officer which hung opposite, that he did not hear the soft tread of Mr. Walters as he entered the room. The latter, stepping slowly forward, caught the eye of Mr. Garie, who started up, astonished at the commanding figure before him.
"Mr. Garie, I presume?" said Mr. Walters.
"Yes," he replied, and added, as he extended his hand; "I have the pleasure of addressing Mr. Walters, I suppose?"
Mr. Walters bowed low as he accepted the proffered64 hand, and courteously65 requested his visitor to be seated.
As Mr. Garie resumed his seat, he could not repress a look of surprise, which Mr. Walters apparently66 perceived, for a smile slightly curled his lip as he also took a seat opposite his visitor.
Mr. Walters was above six feet in height, and exceedingly well-proportioned; of jet-black complexion67, and smooth glossy68 skin. His head was covered with a quantity of woolly hair, which was combed back from a broad but not very high forehead. His eyes were small, black, and piercing, and set deep in his head. His aquiline69 nose, thin lips, and broad chin, were the very reverse of African in their shape, and gave his face a very singular appearance. In repose70, his countenance71 was severe in its expression; but when engaged in agreeable conversation, the thin sarcastic-looking lips would part, displaying a set of dazzlingly white teeth, and the small black eyes would sparkle with animation72. The neatness and care with which he was dressed added to the attractiveness of his appearance. His linen73 was the perfection of whiteness, and his snowy vest lost nothing by its contact therewith. A long black frock coat, black pants, and highly-polished boots, completed his attire74.
"I hope," said he, "your house suits you; it is one of my own, and has never been rented except for a short time to a careful tenant75, who was waiting for his own house to be finished. I think you will find it comfortable."
"Oh, perfectly76 so, I am quite sure. I must thank you for the prompt manner in which you have arranged everything for us. It seems more like coming to an old home than to a new residence," replied Mr. Garie.
"I am delighted to hear you say so," said Mr. Walters. "I shall be most happy to call and pay my respects to Mrs. Garie when agreeable to her. Depend upon it, we will do all in our power to make our quiet city pleasant to you both."
Mr. Garie thanked him, and after some further conversation, rose to depart.
As he was leaving the room, he stopped before the picture which had so engaged his attention, when Mr. Walters entered.
"So you, too, are attracted by that picture," said Mr. Walters, with a smile. "All white men look at it with interest. A black man in the uniform of a general officer is something so unusual that they cannot pass it with a glance." "It is, indeed, rather a novelty," replied Mr. Garie, "particularly to a person from my part of the country. Who is it?"
"That is Toussaint l'Ouverture," replied Mr. Walters; "and I have every reason to believe it to be a correct likeness. It was presented to an American merchant by Toussaint himself—a present in return for some kindness shown him. This merchant's son, not having the regard for the picture that his father entertained for it, sold it to me. That," continued Mr. Walters, "looks like a man of intelligence. It is entirely different from any likeness I ever saw of him. The portraits generally represent him as a monkey-faced person, with a handkerchief about his head."
"This," said Mr. Garie, "gives me an idea of the man that accords with his actions."
Thus speaking, he continued looking at the picture for a short time, and then took his departure, after requesting Mr. Walters to call upon him at an early opportunity.
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1
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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Neptune
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| n.海王星 | |
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intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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9
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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10
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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11
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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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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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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17
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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18
crammed
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| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
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jeopardy
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| n.危险；危难 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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25
pier
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| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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extort
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| v.勒索，敲诈，强要 | |
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filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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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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extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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touchy
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| adj.易怒的；棘手的 | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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waylaid
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| v.拦截，拦路( waylay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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40
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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41
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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42
middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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43
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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44
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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46
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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47
transact
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| v.处理；做交易；谈判 | |
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48
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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49
narratives
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| 记叙文( narrative的名词复数 )； 故事； 叙述； 叙述部分 | |
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50
penal
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| adj.刑罚的；刑法上的 | |
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51
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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52
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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53
waggishly
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| adv.waggish（滑稽的，诙谐的）的变形 | |
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54
permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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55
affixed
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| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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56
pompous
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的 | |
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57
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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58
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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59
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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60
walnut
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| n.胡桃，胡桃木，胡桃色，茶色 | |
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61
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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aquiline
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| adj.钩状的，鹰的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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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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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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73
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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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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