T. Matthews

“ SAM BENTLEY’S CHRISTMAS.
CHAPTER IV.
After Mr. Bentley’s visit, Miss Julia Moore carried on her business with varying success, varying only in the degree of smallness, like the fluctuations of a wind-blown pool, and unlike the refreshing swell and growing strength of the flowing stream. Her stock remained on her hands. Her capital was, in every sense, fixed and stationary. It would not “turn itself over,” which, when rapidly performed, is the proper gymnastic exercise by "which capital grows from weakness to strength—from leanness to plethora. ”

“ He saw, however, that her cheek flushed, and that she nervously twitched her shawl more closely over her face, as though she would hide herself from observation.
“Do you live where you did—with Mrs. Womersley?”
Susan gave no answer. Her heart was beating fast. If her bold-faced fellow workers should come by—if her aunt were to see her—would they not misjudge her? Ought she not at once to bid him go? ”

“ At length he seemed to settle things to his satisfaction, for darting round his sparrow-like glance, he again asked, “How long sin’ she died? and where’s t’other bairn—I think thou said a lass younger nor thee?”
Julia could not remember that she had said anything of the kind, but replied, “My mother died about three months ago, and soon after that my sister Susan—” here her sobs would come, and she had to pause before she could continue, “my sister would not stay to be beholden to me, and left to seek work—and—I don’t know where she is.” The tears clustered in her eyes, and at last ran over. ”

“ It was a poor and ignoble setting of a beauteous picture; but from the sordid wrapping shone forth a lovely face which, though pinched with cold, worn with work, and paled with thought, was expressive of grace not to be surpassed. He started with joyful surprise as his doubts passed away, and, drawing close to her, emboldened by his discovery of her social position and the circumstances under which he found her, said abruptly:
“What! are you a factory girl after all?” ”

“ Just as he had said this, two girls overtook them, looked back at him and Susan, and then gave a loud laugh. One shouted out, “There’s modest Susan with her man. Let’s know, Harry, when the fine things come down fro’ Lun’on?”
Susan stood still, and could not look up. Henry was somewhat disconcerted, and, at the moment, inclined to suspect that Susan had been boasting of her connection with him. One look at her haggard and pain-stricken face dispelled the suspicion. He drew her arm within his, and led her on, saying, “Saucy, impudent sluts! they think all as bad as themselves.” ”

“ It recalled to her in her sorrow the dear sister to whom, week after week, she had neglected to write, and to whom her heart now turned with increased affection. She was perplexed at finding the card, and anxious to discover how it had come into the possession of Mr. Bentley, for such it seemed was his name, and to know if he was acquainted with her. This she must discover. She went at noon to the address he had given—a woolstapler’s warehouse—but though now desirous to see him, she did not venture to inquire for him, but merely left what she brought, and went away disappointed. ”

“ Then his looks brightened, a saucy smile ran over his face—the sparrow jerked about in defiance of the crafty hawk, for now he could unravel the mystery—Susan was Julia’s sister, and from her had his sister derived her information. He could now re-assert himself; he coolly relit his pipe, and turning to Susan, said, “Thou’rt the pictur’ o’ thy aunt. If missus bad thee welcome, I say amen.”
“Gi’e him the letter,” said Miss Bentley, handing it to Susan. He hastily read it over, then crumpled it up in his hand, saying, “Aye, aye, I’m the man—it’s all right—it will be seen to—all right.” ”

“ Girls of all ages and sizes, but all alike ready with a loud taunt or scoff at the peculiarities of any one who impeded their progress, and at bandying coarse jests with each other and with the “chaps” they met.
Others besides Susan sought shelter, and the place was soon crowded. She was anxious to reach home. She feared what her aunt would say if she were late—her clothes were already partly wet—she was chilled, and, besides this, she much disliked remaining out in the evening—her beauty attracted the idle and designing, and rude staring and bold remarks gave her pain. ”

“ Susan remained silent, and the other went on: “Thou needn’t be so pawky, lass, if thou has ta’en up wi’ our master’s nephew. Thou’ll be turned off if it’s fun’ out, for Sam Bentley isn’t the man to let his nephew gallivant with the like of us—an’ I’ll tell thee this”—waxing warm at Susan’s indifference, “if thou gives us any more of thy airs, I’ll tell Sam mysel’ that Harry keeps company wi’ thee.” ”

“ In his self-communings, after his advice or counsel had been sought by others, he would say, “Ay, Sam, thy money’s thy wit; loise one an’ t’ other goes wi’ it. A man’s wit is what he has; t’ lawyer’s his wig, an’ t’ parson’s his gown. There’s no wit in a poor man.” His wealth had not produced in him any of the vulgar pride which so often causes the man who has risen from the ranks to despise the grade from which he has come. ”

“ She could attach herself strongly to any one in whom she found more firmness of character, and a more practical intellect. It was as natural and as necessary to her to have some one to cling to, as for the ivy or bindweed to twine around a stronger plant, and the result was as graceful. ”

“ In no part of the kingdom were the doctrines of the Institutes more completely believed, and more uncompromisingly preached, undiluted by any modern sentiment. To Mrs. Womersley, as to the other members of this congregation (on the site of whose chapel now stands a German warehouse) , there were but two classes of human beings—the Elect, who could not escape Heaven by any repugnancy they showed to Good, nor improve their hope of it by any abstinence from Evil, and the Non-elect, who could not avoid Hell though their lives were as pure as an angel’s. ”

“ Julia laughed loudly and merrily as she replied, “No! no husband for me. I’d rather make a fortune than have one given.”
Sam roared with laughter. A sensible lass! I’ve hopes of thee. Come here, Susan.” She went and stood by him. He continued, “Thou mun let me tak’ care on it while I live, but here, tak’ it in a Christmas kiss.” ”

“ She knew that there labour was always in demand, that in many instances the children, and not the parents, were the bread-winners and supporters of the household, and to her excited imagination the hearts of the dwellers there were warmer, and their lives more orderly, than those around her. ”

“ There’ll never be any tale about me. I have a trader’s soul, and wish to make money—money for Susan, for she has a lady’s heart if ever girl had. She would be happy as a wife. I think I’ve more of my mother and she of her father. Bentleys were always fond of getting money, and the Moores always knew how to spend it. There’s nothing but work for me, and I’m fond of it.”
They talked long together, but Julia never alluded to the loss of the note.
Next morning Miss Moore, in looking through her boxes to find something which a customer asked for, found in one of them the missing note. ”

“ His sister, who considered it a disgrace to any family if the wife, sisters, or daughters were not the sempstresses for the male portion of the family, would be more vexed at the ordering of shirts than at the loss of the money. She would be insulted at a stranger doing for her brother, and for hire, what she alone ought to have done, and from affection. ”

“ At the end of a week, Susan and her aunt endeavoured to find work for her. Dressmaking and plain sewing, to which she had been accustomed, could not be obtained without considerable waiting, and Susan was determined to go at once to work and rigorously fulfil her agreement with her aunt. At night she said she would go to the Factory until something better could be met with. There was then a great demand for “hands,” and wages were good.
Mrs. Womersley did not disapprove of the decision. She was neither able nor willing to keep a young and able girl in idleness. ”

“ Miss Julia Moore was not a young lady, nor could she fairly be called an old one. She was of mature age,—neither of green youth nor yellow autumn, but in the summer of life. She was tall;—“of commanding height” some of her flatterers said; for she, like everyone else, had, at times, flatterers, but hers were all of her own sex. She declared that no man had ever praised her, much less been guilty of flattery towards her. She kept a small shop in Oxford Street ”

“ Bentley came in, glowing like a peony, both hands thrust deep down in their usual quarters, and performing their usual chinking duet. With a quick nod and jerk over his shoulder towards the street, as if to say that he had left the hawks abroad, he went up to Julia, pulled out his hand, and, giving her a hearty shake, said: “Come again, like Dame Gurnett’s pig. Glad to see thee. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Miserable day. Trade any better? ”

“ Her aunt rested her elbow on the table, steadied her chin firmly on her hand, and bringing her face almost close to Susan, exclaimed, “Bless the bairn, is there no work in Lun’on!”
“Aunt,” replied Susan, “when my mother died, Julie had all to pay—had all to do. Whilst mother lived, I didn’t go out. They would not let me. They said I was too young, and too—I don’t know that I am, but they said—pretty. But I do think there’s too little and too much work in London for girls like me. ”

“ I will be like your own bairn, if you will let me; and you’ll be my mother, won’t you?”
As she said this, she went to her aunt and laid her hand on her arm. Her aunt pressed it closely, and without once looking away from the fire, said energetically, “I hope thou wilt. I shall watch thee. If thou does raight, as a young woman ought to do, thou’lt cheer up my ould heart better nor wine or med’cine; but if thou don’t, thou’lt be to me as that!” With a fierce gesture she dashed Susan’s hand away, and starting up, shook off from her shoe the ashes which had dropped on it from the fire. ”

“ The articles in which she dealt were many in number but small in size. It was, in fact, what you or I would call a “Button Shop,” but which she delighted to hear called, according to the Golden Legend which was inscribed in long, slim characters upon its front;—“Moore’s Establishment for the Sale of Trimmings and Work.” The last word, “work,” was typical of her origin and experience. ”

“ The only other inmate of his house was his nephew Henry, who had met with Susan, and been the unwitting cause of so much trouble to her. He was looked upon as the only recognised relative and heir of his uncle and aunt, and was in due time to enter into his uncle’s business, and meanwhile was apprenticed to a woolstapler, that he might become better acquainted with the various qualities of wool. ”

“ Miss Bentley spoke out before her brother could reply, and said to him, “Sam, here’s another lass here, poor Susan; as I tell’d thee, she’s no better nor she should be—it would be a shame if she wor—but she’s a good an’ a bonnie lass, and she’s a poor relation too—what on her?”
Sam quickly replied, “I’ve said my say ’bout her. She took my lad fro’ me, an’ wi’ her I’ve nought to do.”
Mrs. Womersley had long been itching to interfere, and she now cried out, “Sam Bentley, there’s nought so stupid as a man that’s said his say, he’s wor’ nor a dumb beast. I tell thee it wor thy lad’s fault ”

“ I’ve spent it all but three or four pund, an’ I’ve bought all these things; an’, Julia, they’re my Christmas-box to thee, an’ I hope thou’ll never tak’ thy things thou knows where. I’ve fetched ’em out, though I wor raight shamed to go into a pledge shop. Thou mun hev been in a sore way. Here’s t’ odd change.”
She gave to Julia the balance of the money. Julia ran to her and kissed her heartily, and then turning the money over in her hand, looked at Miss Manks. Miss Bentley saw her look, and whispered to her, “If thou likes. It’s raight to mak’ her share good fortune as well as bad.” ”

“ I daresay thou does talk wi’ him at times. Thou says there’s brass, but I don’t know what to think ’bout it—I see little on it, but fine folk in Lun’on can hev’ a fifty pund note like winkin’ fro’ Sam Bentley that can’t thoil his own sister sixpence. Thou’rt on t’ road to t’ workhous’ at last an’ to auld Nick afterwards. I mun look out for a place soon. I’ve stopped wi’ thee until I’m too auld for t’ mill; what’ll become on me I don’t know, and thou won’t care, or thou’d ta’en better care of thy money, an’ not hev’ thrown it about in that sinful way. ”

“ This took place immediately after Susan went away, when Julia feeling the want of some friendly voice, and the presence of some familiar face to enliven her solitary lodging, offered to share it with Miss Manks, who gladly accepted a proposal which secured her a home at less cost than she could have expected. She was several years younger than Julia, and was a good natured, confiding girl, with a strong tendency to “hero-worship.” ”

“ He shall know my mind when he comes in. The ungrateful beast.” In the meantime she vented her anger on the paste she was making up, belabouring it with the rolling-pin, and beating it with her hands with a spirit and zest typical of the treatment which her brother was to receive. By-and-by, as she drew a tin full of mince-pies from the oven, fragrant, crisp and hot, and was passing Susan with them, she said to her, “Tak’ one or two, my lass,” and then saw that Susan was weeping. ”

“ Susan was sent to bed, and it was then settled that Miss Bentley should take her up to London next day, when she went to fetch Henry back.
“An’ as next day,” said Bentley sleepily, “is Christmas, an’ I shall be lost wi’out thee an’ Harry, maybe I’ll cam’ up too; an’ we can send Julia a bit o’ some’at for dinner, an’ keep Christmas there, if we find Harry an’ Julia hasn’t spent or made away wi’ t’ note.” ”

“ Bentley’s visit, of the loss and finding of the note, of anxiety for its return, and for payment of her small account, as she was almost penniless, and the care of the note was heavy on her mind.
“I am not a good hand at reading writing,” said Miss Bentley, as she returned the letter to Susan, “an’ don’t exactly mak’ it out, but it seems that Sam has not known how to tak’ care of his money, an’ haz been disgracin’ himsel’ wi’ gettin’ into debt an’ dirt wi’ a poor woman that hazn’t a penny. What he wanted wi’ her I can’t imagine. ”