of the grave, as well as Mr. Astiville. The subject is one which cannot be dwelt upon without pain by him, or any member of his family, and a most ungentlemanly advantage have you taken of that shrinking of nature. Ungentlemanly?—I ought to say brutal. You are a young man, and his advanced years alone should have been sufficient to protect him. The position, too, that he occupies in society, one would have thought, might have lifted him out of the reach of imputations which the lowest pauper could not have suffered, without feeling himself aggrieved beyond atonement. Has the world come to this, that a suspicion, hastily assumed, and, in reality, without the faintest color of truth; yet a suspicion involving the darkest stain that human being can bear, may be recklessly cast upon one, whose reputation has hitherto appeared spotless in the eyes of the whole community; upon a gentleman, the inheritor of an estate sufficiently ample to remove him from all temptation to practice the vulgar arts of acquisition, and, more than all, the head of an honorable and ancient family? Blush for shame, sir, and at least have the decency hereafter to forbear whispering a slander so outrageous." Mrs. Astiville, when she had finished this address, turned away with the same erect, grave, and impressive carriage which had marked her throughout, and resumed her sures, which, if successful, must be followed by bitter regrets. Mr. Everlyn, I beseech you to listen to me patiently. I have examined this question of title as thoroughly as my faculties give me power. This investigation convinces me that the claim of Newlove and his companions cannot be overthrown. Your confidence has been grossly abused, and, I think, illegally too. I undertake to say, that there is at least a probability that Mr. Astiville can be compelled to make restitution of the money which you have paid him. I will venture to affirm, also, though without consultation with my three clients, that they will be content to convey this tract to you for the bare sum which it has cost them." "This caps the climax of audacity!" exclaimed Astiville. But the lawyer cut short his observations at the outset, with a look and tone which compelled him to silence. "I wish to hear Mr. Everlyn's answer, sir, not yours. Then turning to the other gentleman, he added, "consider well, I beg you, all that I have declared and suggested. I speak from both heart and head. I think the one has not deceived me, and I know that the other breathes only the most sincere desires for your security and welfare. I have declared how slender is the title by which this fine old mansion is now held; and I have pointed out the way to make your right as firm and immoveable as the granite hill upon which it is built. Decide between Everstone lost and Everstone gained, between the counsels of a false friend and those of a true one, between Mr. Astiville and me." "I have decided," said Mr. Everlyn, coldly, "I would not receive this estate nor tenfold its value upon terms which implied any distrust of Mr. Astiville. He informed me most honorably, before I made the purchase, that a controversy might arise, merely adding, that it was his clear belief, that the title he conveyed would prove good and sufficient. On this I was content to rely, and, if the foundation should in the issue fail under me, it will be my fault, not his. He even insisted, greatly to my reluctance, upon making a deduction in the actual payment, on account of the risk I assumed, from the amount fixed in the deed of conveyance." "That fact it was not worth while to mention," observed the self-denying feoff- "I know it, "answered the other, "but [March, Next he took leave of Sidney, afterwards leave the room, bowed distantly to Mr. of Mr. Everlyn, and just before turning to Astiville. scending from his chamber as soon as he In the morning, Somers rose early. Deheard the servants stirring below, he walk "It was quite prudent in Mr. Astiville," said Somers, "to desire the concealment of that incident of the sale, as it might tended out to the stable. He placed a piece of to support an action for the recovery of consideration given in an illegal contract." Everlyn, with a look expressive of hearty scorn for the insinuation, resumed the interrupted thread of his remarks. "Yes, Mr. Somers, I place the most undoubting confidence in Mr. Astiville, and I cannot be tempted to separate my interests from his. Already, sir, I have disclaimed any pretensions to your services or special regard, but it does seem to me, that I might have been spared witnessing, in my own house, so violent an assault upon the reputation of that valued friend, as has been made this evening. An affront to him, especially when offered whilst he is under the shelter of this roof, I cannot but regard as an affront to myself. I thank you, however, for the kind sentiments you have expressed towards me personally, and only request, that by accompanying them with such unmerited and, I must add, inexcusable reflections upon Mr. Astiville, you reduce me to the necessity of appearing less grateful than I desire to be thought." Somers' only reply was a measured inclination of the head. After a brief interval he observed, "If it be convenient, Mr. Everlyn, I should like to retire.” Everlyn immediately rang the bell for a servant, who soon appeared at the door. silver in the hand of the black man whom he found there, and requested him to saddle his horse, as he wished to ride immediately. The rain had all passed, and the fog the moist earth, shrank away as the sun which the morning's heat had drawn from gained strength, and settled in low, dense masses along the rivulets which threaded the narrow seams between the hills. The first member of the family whom he met Somers returned to the house. porch, and on the way listened, in silence, was Sidney. She walked with him to the to remain more than a few moments longas he mentioned that he would not be able er. After the incidents of the preceding evening, she felt that she could not urge him to change this purpose. Through the latticed window at the end of the porch, Somers saw the ostler just issuing from the stable with his horse. Then, by a strong effort, overcoming his repugnance to speak of an unpleasant subject, he availed himself of the brief opportunity afforded him, to incurred her disapprobation, as well as her inquire of the young lady whether he had father's. "You do not answer," he added. "Must I infer that you can never pardon me for becoming the advocate of the opponents of your father's title? You cannot hostility gives me. Then Somers, rising, walked deliberate-imagine what pain my position of apparent ly to the side of the room, where Mrs. Astiville was sitting. He said to her:If you could but witon in my breast,-if you could but see how ness the struggle which is every hour going my will, in stubborn reluctance to become the instrument of harm to the inhabitants of Everstone, makes strenuous though unavailing battle with an imperious sense of duty,-if all this were but known to you, and you could perceive how the outside calm of professional routine covers keen heart-burnings and regrets, you would not throw upon me the additional burden of your displeasure." Madam, I entreat you to pardon the degree of rudeness into which I have been this evening betrayed. Possibly I ought not to have made the offensive observations at all; certainly it was my duty not to have suffered them to escape my lips in your presence. The ears of a wife ought never to be wounded by reproaches against her husband. Perhaps you will deem it some extenuation of my fault, that I did not provoke the discussion which led to it. This apology, madam, I feel to be a debt not only to you, but to my own self-respect. Madam, I wish you good night." "I could wish it otherwise," was her reply, "but I do not blame you for this"You do, then, blame me for some thing in my conduct;-is it because, in a | If Astiville were really guilty, he was now moment of great provocation, I have spoken put on his guard. harshly to Mr. Astiville? Do you join with him against me?" "My father's opinions, Mr. Somers, must be my opinions; his friends, my friends. Yet the door is not closed, only acknowledge,-what, I know, you have the magnanimity enough to do,-the injustice of your hasty reflections upon Mr. Astiville, and it will be easy to effect a general good understanding." "Never!"-replied the lawyer, "all that it was possible for me to say, in the way of apology, was said last night. I can strive earnestly, and, throughout the early part of that conversation, did strive earnestly, to conceal my sentiments of dislike; but I will not be guilty of the meanness of retracting a real opinion, once uttered, nor of the hypocrisy of pretending a friendship which I do not feel. Miss Everlyn Sidney, trust me, the day will come when both you and your father will repent of this confidence in Astiville. I know that man sufficiently well, to be satisfied that he is capable of committing any villainy." "Indeed, sir," said Sidney, "I must not listen to language such as this." Before the lover had time to reply, Mr. Everlyn appeared upon the porch. Somers advanced towards him immediately, signified his purpose of riding, and, resisting the polite solicitation to remain to breakfast, took leave of both father and daughter. The lawyer, as we have seen, entered Everstone uneasy and apprehensive; he withdrew in thorough vexation. Then, it was over-scrupulousness that inflicted pain; now, he had legitimate cause for self-reproach. Connecting the vague rumors he had heard, with the wild declarations, and still wilder manner of the man Cain, and with Astiville's own occasional demeanor, he had been led to believe in the perpetration of some foul deed near the Corner. Many incidents of the preceding evening, especially Mrs. Astiville's solemn rebuke, went to shake this opinion. Whether it were true or not that John Astiville was implicated in any dark and criminal transaction, Somers might well feel dissatisfied. If his suspicions were ill-founded, he stood in the mortifying position of an abashed and silenced accuser. As Somers rode along-his mind leaping alternately from one to the other horn of this agreeable dilemna-he espied before him an angular negro figure, which seemed to make itself recognized as one that was not then beheld for the first time. A little nearer approach, and Naomi was plainly manifest. She was stopping by the roadside to pluck a few scattered twigs of sumach, the gleanings of a harvest reaped by others. The low-spirited lawyer was enlivened, for he saw a possibility of extracting from her a resolution of his perplexity. After the age-stricken, but agile dame had been properly saluted, he began his assault. "Aunt Naomi, you must really give me more satisfaction than you did before. Who is buried in that grave? Is any human being at all buried there?-Perhaps you have been trifling with me, and it is only the grave of a dog, or something of that sort." "He was treated like a dog," said Naomi, bitterly. "But he was a man for all that. "What was his name?" The negress shook her head, and refused to answer. "He met a violent death, it seems ?" "You may say that, marster, without fear of contradiction." "Who killed him ?" "I won't talk no more about it," said Naomi. "I don't suppose you want to bring me into trouble, sir, Somers interrupted her, with earnest protestations that she might rely, confidently, on his honor and discretion. "I believe you, marster, as if you were talkin' in the pulpit. But bein' that you are sot on larnin' everything, just look for Josh Evans." "You have mentioned this name before, but the man's not to be found." "It's a great pity, then, for I'm sure you'd put great store by Josh, if you could only lay hands on him, and persuade him to open his mouth lively. A big heap it is that Josh knows-that's certain." "He is acquainted with everything, is he?" "He should be," replied the woman, "for, wasn't he ten years overseer at tiville don't get a chance to set him his "I comprehend," said Somers. She promised, and they thereupon separated. The moment after, however, Naomi called him back : "Hark'ye, marster Somers, don't, for gracious sake let on about my having sont you. It's likely I'm a fool as it is, to poke my old fingers nigh the fire. Besides, its mighty oncorrect, in a gineral way, to take sides agin a family I once belonged to :but I don't care the turning of a Johnnycake for them Astivilles. They always was a hateful gineration, from the fust !-I don't want 'em to find out, though, what I've been a-doin'. I'm old, and 'flicted, and did hope to live the rest of my days in peace and quietness. But there's somebody comin'-ride on, sir." CHAPTER VI. A PRETTY girl was tripping up the steps, that led to Mr. Munny's dry-good store, when she chanced to drop a small package. It contained no golden ear-rings, nor priceless gems-nothing, in truth, of higher value than a pair of kid slippers. Two or three men, who were lounging at the door of the neighboring bar-room, observing the fall of the bundle, sprang forth to recover and restore it. Another person, a young man, with a round, ruddy countenance, also noticed the accident, and, uttering an indescribable whoop, leaped in between the two foremost competitors, and just as they were stooping to grasp the treasure, thrust them both aside. Seizing the bundle himself, he placed it in the hands of the young lady. As he returned, one of those who had been so unceremoniously supplanted, came up to him fiercely, and said, "Look here, stranger! suppose we take that tussle over "The dickens you are? But I am not. Come, boy, there's no backing out from the scrape now!" "I've got a cousin to hum," said the defendant, "who, I know, could thrash you, like all Boston. It is Sam Striker I mean, the fellow that can hold a twoyear old bull by the horns." "Pshaw! what do I care for that?" exclaimed the native, "Your cousin is not you, I reckon, so off with your coat, and take it !" The individual thus urged felt a strong inclination to cry to Mr. Munny to interpose; but, casting his eye around, he per ceived the mistress of the bundle standing! on the threshold of the shop-door, in a position to observe all that was transacting without. The consciousness that beauty is looking on, is excellent cordial for a fainting heart. So the young man, without further hesitation, knocked down his assailant. Several more at once started to advance, but others restrained them, with the shout, "Fair play! one at a time!" As the unsuccessful combatant rose, his antagonist said, in a sympathizing manner, -"I hope you are not hurt. It was all done in good nature. So, shake hands, and I'll treat the company. The man was surly at first, but could not resist that frank offer to treat. The Northerner, for his part, escaped from the bar-room as quickly as possible, very judiciously considering that a second scuffle might have a worse termination. When he was again in the open air, his joyful glance recognized, descending from the steps of the store, that fairest of maidens, the queen, whose smiles had both provoked and rewarded the recent tourney. By her side was a person who may have been her father, though, in the New-Yorker's estimation, he might better have passed for a handful of wilted weeds, so wrinkled and dried-up a creature was he. But who was the New-Yorker himself? Absalom Handsucker by name :-by office, manager to Mr. Newlove. On the present occasion, remembering some unperformed duty, he forced himself to withdraw from the scene, though his ample bosom was heaving, and every vein tingled with a newborn passion. "Let us now spare a word to his employer, and his employer's household. Sylvester Newlove had been thirty years a merchant. During that period he had failed six times. Many were puzzled to discern the reason of this want of success, for no one, who knew him, could suspect that he, in any case, resorted to the fashionable device of voluntary and fraudulent bankruptcy. He was an excellent accountant, an economist, methodical, not prone to indulge in daring ventures, and, withal, diligent and devoted to his busi queathed to her by a maternal relative, discharged her father's debts, and, when afterwards he manifested a desire to change his occupation, advanced funds for the purchase of the tract of land which had met his fancy. Newlove engaged in agriculture with all the ardor of enthusiasm. Yet a rural domain, wherever situated, is usually found more than amply stocked with thorns. The first trouble was to procure laborers. Some white men, hired in the vicinity, left very soon, in high dudgeon at certain precepts (relating principally to the management of oxen) which the overseer undertook to enjoin. As the last one turned his back-a slim, narrow-shouldered youth, with a strong propensity to tobacco, and an equally strong aversion to muscular effort;-Absalom Handsucker is said to have cried out in a pitiful voice, "You off, too!—But what's to become of the ploughing?" "Can't say," was the reply. "All I care to know at present is, that there are more hoe-cakes baked in the county than come out of Newlove's meal-tub." But the over The overseer turned the oxen into the pasture, and went himself to the house to report progress. Newlove was distressed : then his countenance brightened, and he inquired whether it was not possible to procure a steam-plough, and so dispense altogether with animal labor. seer's scornful negative crushed this project at once. After divers consultations, it was concluded to resort to black help. It not being the usual season for hiring negroes, extensive search procured one man, and one only, yet Absalom, now able to style himself overseer, de facto, as well as de jure, was no less proud of a single subject, than the farmer of Juan Fernandez. That Priam, the new hand, was quite advanced in years, could be no great annoyance to Absalom, since the foreman would never be expected to work harder than the subordinate. Comfort, therefore, and a due regard for the dignity of station, coincided very happily. Priam, whose age took less from his strength and endurance, than it added to his shrewdness, was perfectly content with the basis on which matters were arranged, and, possibly, it was a sense of gratitude that prompted him to be prodigal of advice, in proportion that he was spared from less |
