"In our spirits doth His spirit shine,
As shines the sunbeam in a drop of dew."
"What a magic power is a kind word! And when it is not the mere impulse of the moment, but the perpetual atmosphere of home, how softly go the hours! Hearts grow young and cares press lightly, pain loses half its sting and affliction half its sorrow. Were this truth more fully realized how much of this world's misery might we escape, how much of bitter self-accusations and life-long regrets." Such was Milly's soliloquy one afternoon, as she sat musing upon the wonderful transformation that might be effected in this world of disappointment, if the affections were more tenderly cultivated. This was a theme upon which she had been dreaming all her life, and the desire to effect something towards this transformation had prompted her to write the novel, which, however, was not likely to accomplish much so long as it was carefully concealed in her drawer.
Reader, did you ever try to amuse your leisure moments of thought by picturing to yourself the real life of the unmarried woman? Well, whatever your speculations may have been you may rest pretty sure that they are a failure. She might just as well attempt to appropriate to her own experience the hidden sanctities, honored or profaned, that lie within the charmed circle of conjugal love. Can she sympathize with you either in joy or sorrow, when with a mother's gushing tenderness you clasp in your arms the idolized child, which in a few short months is hidden from your gaze forever? Certainly not. She may portray your feelings more vividly than you could yourself, but the realization is not there. You in your innocent simplicity may look upon her occasionally, perhaps with sympathy if realizing your anticipations of wedded bliss, because she cannot share your joys, or it may be that burdened with care and wearied with watching you almost envy her her freedom from the responsibilities resting upon you. Farther than this you seldom go, having neither the time nor the inclination to enter her secret sanctuary and participate in her joys and sorrows; and perhaps if you did you would not be admitted. She has more time for reflection than you, and knows how insignificant they will seem to you. You readily understand that marriage is the natural relation of every man and woman without which neither can be fully developed, but did it ever occur to you what an anomalous life that must be, in a state of society which carries this principle so far as to consider it the only sphere for woman's development, when all those faculties and affections that naturally centre in a family must be diverted into some other channel. If established in business that gives sufficient range to all her powers, or fortunately so constituted as to find the greatest happiness in ministering unto others, she may prove an exception, yet even then her life is distinct from yours.
When you see a quiet person like Milly making so little stir that you almost forget her existence, do not for a moment imagine she is the unobserving person you might judge her to be, or that her life flows so smoothly on she has no care or anxiety to disturb her. Those instincts and affections implanted for the fulfilment of the high trusts imposed on the family relation are by no means stifled in her bosom, and upon her success in guiding these through normal channels to other objects and interests, in a great measure depends her happiness.
On the same day an animated discussion was held in another room among the other members of the family, of which Milly was the unconscious subject.
That year had witnessed one of those financial crises that occasionally sweep over the land like a tornado, wrecking the millionaire of yesterday and carrying dismay and starvation into thousands of hamlets but lately the abodes of happiness and comfort, as the laborers are thus thrown out of employment and their little all swallowed up in the general crash. The sad spectacles constantly presented of large families dependent on their daily toil for support, with no prospect before them but beggary or vice to meet the rigors of the coming winter, aroused Amelia Crawford, whose whole life was now devoted to the work of reclaiming the intemperate and vicious, to make some organized effort towards alleviating their distress.
For this purpose she appealed to a number of individuals noted for their beneficence, whose fortunes escaped unharmed, among whom was Mr. Livingston. Her proposition was, if the means could be raised, to found a home for the destitute, and furnish employment both for them and others, who with a little help could provide one for themselves. Amelia was one of those practical, persevering spirits who never put hand to the plough and look back, and consequently she never failed in any undertaking, which fact inspired confidence in those whom die consulted, that they might safely rely on her success in any achievement of this kind.
Not every one she consulted, however, had the means at his command to effect so much towards the consummation of the desired object as Mr. Livingston, of which circumstance he was fully aware. First, he had a powerful helpmeet in his wife, who was always equal to any emergency pressed upon her; next came her mother, whose long life of disinterested efforts in benevolent channels gave her a wide spread influence she could wield to great advantage in furthering this enterprise; and then he knew of another whose highest happiness it would be to witness its accomplishment, Mrs. Carleton, over whose placid features the benign radiance of a peace which comes not of this world shed a diviner beauty; and last though not least, came Milly, whose meek, quiet offices in ministering to a family of unfortunate ones, he could foresee would invest her with a sort of unconscious dignity that would develop the latent powers of her soul. With an artist's quick perception lie had often, when observing her, taken in the whole range of what her thoughts, feelings and aspirations might be, just as, when solving a difficult mathematical problem, a knowledge of the general rules leading to its solution, enables us to calculate about what process it will be necessary to go through. There were also strong points of resemblance in their mental organizations, which would enable him to understand her more readily than his practical, business-like wife, full of demonstration and enthusiasm, could possibly do. When he laid Amelia's suggestion before the latter, which met her cordial approbation, she immediately consulted Mrs. Carleton, who warmly espoused it though it was little she could contribute besides her influence, being broken down in health, and having no pecuniary means to resort to. Rosalind, whose fertile brain never lacked expedients to effect any end she desired, made a proposition to her that if she felt willing to give the use of the old family mansion, which was very large and commodious for such a purpose, they would most cheerfully provide her a home in their family, a point that had already been discussed with her husband and Mrs. Claremont. This proposition was very cheerfully accepted, not only for the benefits thus resulting to others, but also to herself in dwelling among such genial influences as were embowered within the sylvan retreats of Orange Grove. By the addition of a single room in a retired part of the house which rather added to the completeness of the whole, and therefore had long been desired by Rosalind, Mrs. Carleton could be furnished with apartments for herself and children entirely distinct from theirs, and without any inconvenience to themselves.
The selection of a suitable person to take charge of this heterogenious assemblage, whose mental and moral natures were to be provided for as well as their physical wants, was found the most perplexing part of the work, being the subject in debate upon the afternoon alluded to, when Mr. Livingston proposed Milly as one possessing the necessary qualifications, greatly to the amazement of his matter-of-fact wife, who would never have perceived anything practical in such a dreamy, poetic nature as hers.
"Oh, Ernest!" she exclaimed, "you cannot be in earnest. She is not adapted to the responsibility of such a position, and I don't believe she would accept it if offered to her, being entirely unaccustomed to anything of the sort. She may have capacity enough, but it must be developed in the right way to be available. A person must do something besides theorize. She is amiable, affectionate, and would make a model wife for somebody."
"It seems, then, I made a serious mistake when I was married. I began to think so the month previous, when you were so much more ready to attend to everybody else than to me, and doubted seriously if my turn would ever come at all, and whether such a business-like wife was just the one to love me."
"Oh, now, you needn't put on such a doleful air, when I know you were congratulating yourself all the time upon your good fortune in getting such a wife. Haven't I been devoted enough to you since, to make it all up?" said she, fondly stooping over his shoulder, where she had been standing, twining one of his shining locks, around her finger. "But really this is a serious question about Milly, in which we ought to put aside every personal consideration."
"Certainly we must, and I am serious too. Well now, my sweet Rose, I have yielded to you hitherto, even when my own sense of discretion would have prompted me to do otherwise, because I had confidence in your judgment, and will you not for once trust me in mine?"
"To be sure I willy but don't imagine that I suppose you are so yielding as to give up to me unless I am able to convince you of the plausibility, at least, of my undertaking. Mother, what do you say? You ought to know Milly quite as well as I do."
"She is not one I should have thought of proposing for the place, but I am not ready to deny the possibility of your husband's prediction. If she feels herself competent for the task, and desirous to go, I should have no fear. These artists are more accurate judges of the real qualities of the soul than such prosaic beings as you and I. I could mention many among my acquaintance who thought Ernest Livingston as wild in his selection of a wife as you now think him to be, but I rather think he is fully satisfied that he did not refer the question to their judgment, or even judge you by appearances."
With a merry laugh Mr. Livingston then rose, and after hastily pressing his blushing wife to his bosom, threaded his way to Lilly's garden, whither he had just caught a glimpse of Milly passing, that being a chosen retreat of hers, and also her special charge now. Flowers bloomed there through all the blossoming season in greater beauty than in any other part of the garden, as they received the greatest share of attention, and were also associated with the lovely spirit whose unseen presence consecrated them to an eternal beauty. This was a place seldom frequented by Ernest in the glare of open day,—he liked better the calm, still hour of twilight, to hold converse with those scenes which even now seemed to inspire his highest day dreams with something like the prophetic visions of old, when the lion and the lamb shall lie down together, and a little child shall lead them. In his mind's eye he realized somewhat of this ideal in the beneficent results of the institution to establish which they were all devoting their energies, and Milly seemed to him just the one to lead in the work.
She was a little surprised at being accosted by him in that spot, where she had never met him before. After a few casual remarks he introduced the subject, at the mention of which her face kindled with a glow of enthusiasm, and he saw at once that she comprehended more than the more outer details. At another time she might have shrunk from the thought of being herself installed in a station of so much importance, through fear of her incapacity to meet its responsibilities, but now her soul responded with a grateful amen for the opening of the prison door, as with a prophet's glance her intuitive perceptions foreshadowed realities sublimer than any sketch of tongue or pen.
Without any hesitation she agreed to accept the position he offered, if such a course should meet the approbation of all parties concerned, which condition he knew was settled beyond a doubt, as a majority of those who had contributed most liberally to the funds were glad enough to be relieved of the labor and care of inaugurating the work, to yield readily to any plan proposed by those who were willing to bear its burdens. So after the necessary preliminary arrangements, including a proper degree of patience with the cavilling of those who had little else to offer by way of assistance, the following Christmas witnessed the dedication of the old, stately mansion of Christopher Blanche, once the envied abode of wealth, luxury and ease, to the service of the most unfortunate of the other extreme of society.
This was a delightful scene to Mrs. Carleton, and one which atoned for the years of bitter suffering she had experienced. The rather dilapidated state into which the grounds had fallen for want of an owner's interest in them during the last few years, suggested to her the passage of scripture, "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose," which was literally illustrated as spring advanced, and a general air of thrift succeeded the former neglected appearance. The magnificent lawns began to assume their former tasteful simplicity, the hedge-rows were neatly put in trim, the climbing vines, clematis and honeysuckle, carefully trained around the pillars of the garden porch, as in days of old they were wont to grow under the supervision of the same watchful care which was now superintending all these improvements, the old gardener.
He had lost all the careful savings of many years through the failure of a reputed wealthy firm in the city, and found himself at threescore without a penny in the world, having a feeble wife and several young children dependent upon him. He was accordingly employed to take general charge of the premises on which was located a little cottage, his former residence when in that service before, and in which he and his family were again reinstated.
The change inside was no less marked and pleasing to the observer. Old age and childhood met there and blessed each other; the most restless and turbulent spirits were soothed, and became contented and happy under Milly's genial influence. The most perplexing case she had to deal with was that of a bright little boy, of ten years, whom Amelia had found in the street, without home or friends, and getting a lodging wherever he could, but oftener under no roof at all. His unusual intelligence made him a great proficient in all the vile habits engendered by a too familiar intercourse with street influences, and few could exceed him in lying and profanity. Ha was also a confirmed smoker, sporting his cigar, when he could get one, with as much pomposity as any young dandy who considers this one of the first accomplishments of the gentleman.
By a little cajoling he could always get a pipe from some of the old people, with whose confirmed habits she knew it would be of little use to interfere, but she would not tolerate the practice among the young, deeming this the only effectual field in which to labor for its suppression. Besides being conscientiously opposed to the use of tobacco in all its forms, the pure instincts of her soul repelled the sickly, sentimental taste, that puts aside womanly delicacy to profess admiration for the curling smoke, which only suggested to her a mist in the smoker's brain like that in the atmosphere he so persistently pollutes.
The juvenile offender at length had the satisfaction of being domiciled in a pleasant little apartment in a retired section of the house until he was cured. At first he was going to be very brave, and stay there just as long as Miss Milly wished, determined not to show any sign of penitence; but before the first day was out he found it decidedly tedious not to be his own master, and run about as he had done. In vain he framed every excuse to get out, and plead with Milly, but she was inexorable. Always pleasant and kind, she bore patiently his childish threats, sometimes taking him with her to walk, that he might have the benefit of air and exercise, but never permitting him to go alone. Sometimes he feigned sickness, which however did not move her at all; neither was she alarmed when he was really sick, and lost his appetite in consequence of being wholly deprived of his accustomed stimulus. She nursed him faithfully, and provided delicacies that won his childish gratitude when he had no relish for them. As he recovered, a sincere reformation took place, and he became one of the most obedient and affectionate of children.
Milly soon after found her counterpart in a little orphan girl, brought there by the watchman according to the instructions of Mrs. Livingston, who had not forgotten the unfortunate fate of Chrissy's daughter. She had lived in seven different families, from the last of which she ran away, because she thirsted for words of kindness which she did not receive there. The fear of discovery deterred her from giving any other account of herself than that her name was Alice; and her unusual thoughtfulness and great desire to make herself useful, forbade any pressing inquiries, it being evident enough that if she had been treated kindly, no blame would have rested on her. She became warmly attached to Milly, and caressing her one day, said with touching tenderness, "Miss Milly, why won't you let me call you mother, I do so want a mother." It was impossible for that loving soul to deny such a request to this lonely one, and she adopted her under the name of Alice Dayton, and richly was she repaid by her affectionate devotion. Life was now opening before her with a rich harvest. In the most depraved and degraded she found the germ of some noble, purpose, which needed only the right kind of influence to nourish and perfect it; in the most humble and unpretending, rare gems of thought and modest worth, which, as if by intuition, she grasped and unfolded.
The dumb prophet had found a voice at last; a voice which has many times been echoed through the land during the stirring events of the last few years, as woman has in thousands of instances come up from the painful inactivity of home into a sphere of happiness and usefulness, where by ministering unto others in camp and hospital, hovel and prison, she has found in each deed of blessing a triple benediction for herself.