Harriet A. Cheever

“ Would it suit thee to be my helper for a time?"
"Oh, indeed, and indeed," cried Sally, stopping to choke for an instant, "I will so gladly and most faithfully do anything you may ask; and I shall need nothing at present, I have clothes—"
"Tut, tut, child!" said Goodwife Kendall, with a smile. "No one should work well to receive nothing in return, and I shall give thee two and sixpence a week, both to teach thee how to use a little money wisely, and also to pay for what I know thou wilt justly earn." ”

“ But the gown was soiled and must soon be done up. So in a spirit of sport Sally put it on, and at breast and waist she pinned great posies of buttercups, daffy-down-dillies, and sprays of fresh green leaves. Then she started for the pine woods and the oak-tree.
The sweetness, sunshine, and melody all about so charmed her for a time that the book for once lay idly in her lap.
"Life is beautiful," she murmured.
"Yes, life is beautiful!" echoed her Fairy; "it is but right that the young should enjoy it."
"I feel so glad to-day," said Maid Sally, "I would I might always feel this way." ”

“ One evening, as Sally sat dreaming on the stones, she heard Rosamond Earlscourt say:
"I must furbish up my riding-suit, for cousin Lionel will want to mount Hotspur once he is home again, and I my Lady Grace."
And Lucretia answered, "Lionel liketh best to ride alone when on Hotspur's back. Do not you remember he thought it made Hotspur impatient to have another horse beside him, and raised his temper?"
"Then there are other horses he can ride," returned Rosamond. "My beautiful Lady Grace is tired of standing in the stable, but I like not to ride alone or only with a groom for company." ”

“ It is only to find out how mean and soiled is my dress, how brown are my hands and feet, and worst of all, that no matter how hard I might long for it, learning is not for a maid of my quality."
"Prithee, be patient!" cried the new Sally, cheerily. "Thou hast already made of thyself a more seemly looking maid; still better things may come ere long." ”

“ Lionel had wandered from the summer-house, and stood on a broad stone near the edge of the wall. Sally could see him plainly, although there was little clanger of his seeing her. His head was held erect as he poised straight and strong, the look of a man in his face.
[Pg 39] "I hope," he replied, "to make the best use of any knowledge I may gain that I possibly can. Every one should try to make the world better for having lived in it. And it is the learning that comes through study and books that one must have in order to rightly understand things. ”

“ Mistress Kent was silent for a time after Sally had spoken. She was thinking to herself:
"This is something new. Here is a little maid ten or eleven years of age, who, all by herself, has come to my door, saying that learning she wants and must have, and will gladly pay for it what she can with her own small hands."
But the Mistress had to be wise and prudent. The children who came to her school were well taught and well reared, came of proud parents who paid well for their schooling, and would never let their little people associate with children of the poorer classes. ”

“ She was too much in earnest to laugh as she went on: "All is, if there be, we must help each other. Thankful should I be to rise in the world, and great, great joy would it be if some good Fairy could come and live with me, helping me to rise. Listen, listen will I for your voice, good Fairy, and run wherever you send, and do whatever you bid."
Then Sally heard many voices, and the rustle of silken garments, and she knew that a soft swish of fine muslins and delicately shod feet were coming over the lawn.
She dared one peep at the gay company. ”

“ I wonder did it mean anything?"
"What should it mean?" asked the faithful Fairy.
"Mistress Cory Ann might say it was a good sign," said Sally.
"Do not be a silly, taking note of signs and omens!" cried the Fairy. "They bear no meaning except for simple souls that know no better than to make them up. ”

“ Indeed!" cried a voice of mock surprise. "Five years to fit a lad, who already hath somewhat in his noddle, to do a man's work?"
"And but twenty-one will I be then," answered the Fairy Prince. "Youth is the time for study."
"And is so very much learning needed?" asked a womanish voice which yet was a man's, "for the young gentleman who will have lands and servants of his own whenever he wants them?"
"No man can properly care for houses, lands, or servants, who hath not a fair stock of the right kind of learning," said Lionel, stoutly. ”

“ Swiftly back through Shady Path and Lover's Lane ran Sally, her frowsly head full of the strange, sweet fragment of fairy song that she had heard.
"Now, where've you been?" cried Mistress Cory Ann, as Sally came panting into the Row. "Not up to Ingleside, I hope! I had to run way up the path to make you hear. Haven't I told you more'n a hundred times you'd better keep away from there? Just let the people up at the big house catch you pokin' around, and back you'll come faster'n ever you went. Do you hear, Sally Dukeen?" ”

“ And our fair Lady Rosamond, prithee?"
"The Lady Rosamond has money and beauty, friends, fine clothes, and many things to please her," grieved Sally, "what need has she of the Fairy Prince for company? She can read books, ride in the family coach, sit at a fine table; but when the vessel sails away, what other comfort will I find with his voice gone from the arbor, and in all Ingleside I can find him not?"
[Pg 80] "There is work to do, learning to get, many things to seek after," cried her good Fairy. "Up and away! Be ashamed to brood and sorrow over what you cannot help. ”

“ Lionel replied, stoutly:
"The lad or the maid who is determined to learn, and have the right place in the world, can find the way! The lad or the maid who pushes through everything that would hinder, and will get learning in spite of difficulties, is the one to succeed and to be admired! ”

“ A few nights after this, when July had come, and the black people, bare-footed, bare-armed, dressed in but one or two cotton garments, went sluggishly about their work, when gauzy-winged creatures droned midst clumps of sweet flowers and heavy garden scents, when rich blossoms hung in trailing abundance and the paths were carpeted with wild flowers, when birds sang far into the twilight, Maid Sally more slowly than usual went over to her rocky seat. ”

“ But one great help and comfort was coming to good little Sally. An ignorant woman was Mistress Brace, for indeed she could scarcely more than read and write, and she cared more for money and show than she did for better things, such as learning and filling the mind with useful knowledge.
People who know but little are likely to be superstitious; they are very quick to believe foolish and untrue sayings, or things that in the least alarm them, perhaps having in them something to dread. ”

“ Pamunkey turnpike lieth before me as the crow flies. Often enough have I heard that."
As if her own voice was like company, she asked:
"Now, good Fairy, what must I do?"
And she pretended her Fairy made answer:
"Be wise. Speak to no one unless forced to. Poke a sharp toe against Hotspur's side should any one try to stop you. If speak you must, [Pg 227] let it be in the words and tones of the black people. This you could do very well. Make a queer jumble of what you say, to confuse any who may question you."
And Sally answered, demurely:
"All these commands will I obey." ”

“ When Sally heard the order for the supper company the next night, she at once decided that her own simple meal must be quickly eaten, as she must see something of the fine things at Ingleside.
By standing on the rocks it would be easy to peep through the thin tangle near the arbor just above her head and close by the wall. It would not do to take long peeps, but she could take several for a moment at a time. Yet she must beware: a sudden gust of wind might part the slight brush, show her bright eyes, then, alas, the pleasure it might take from her! ”

“ Then something else that was beautiful happened to Sally, that filled the little maid's heart with joy and gladness.
She had gone one afternoon in January, soon after the beginning of the year, to run about in the pine woods, for what with work and study she had grown tired and felt stupid.
"Go and play," cried her Fairy.
[Pg 119] "But my books," said Sally.
"You will grow dull, and do well neither with books, needle, or other work without some time for play," cried the Fairy. ”

“ But Hotspur liked not being drawn up into the dark shadow. Just as the wagon rumbled by he gave a loud neigh. Up went a window somewhere overhead.
"Who's there?" called a harsh voice. "Answer, or I'll let out the dogs."
"Say, Mars'," called Sally, in a shrill tone, "how far to Parson Kendall's, and how far to Farmer Hinds's?"
"You must be a fool!" replied the gruff [Pg 228] voice. "Parson Kendall's lies way behind, two or three hours' ride. Hinds's place is two hours ahead, straight along by the bushes, through the oak belt, and on by the river path." ”

“ Had Sally known the meaning of such a word as "romance," which is a sweet and wonderful story, or happening, or dream, she would have known that the chief bewitchment of her life sprang from the dear romance that to her fancy was all about fair Ingleside.
Because, from the time that she had been [Pg 21] brought to Slipside Row, when a bright little child of eight years, with a keen imagination and great love for all that was tasteful and beautiful, it had become the greatest charm she had ever known to race, whenever she could, through Lover's Lane and Shady Path, to some part of Ingleside. ”

“ It was a week later that Parson Kendall said to Sally, as he again met her in the hall:
"My dear young damsel, I have but just parted from Sir Percival Grandison, who hath been here to make inquiries concerning thyself.
"He declareth, doth Sir Percival, that you have bewitched his son, and that nought will do but thou must repair to Ingleside and sit beside him. The young man hath been brought by easy stages to his home, but wearies all the time for his 'Fairy Girl.'
"Beshrew me, but I fear thou mayest be in very truth a kind of witch!" ”

“ Set the tray on yonder bench; we will see to passing things ourselves."
There was a cheerful chinking of glasses, much laughter, and the sound of gay spirits, while, her sharp imagination at work, Maid Sally fancied herself one of the group above her head; "and yet," she said to herself, "should my Fairy Prince indeed sit beside me, and hand me fine delicate food and a sweet drink, I think I might die of delight, I do indeed!" ”

“ Sally had told herself on the way that she must be brave, and so, scarcely understanding or even knowing what Mistress Kent had said, she began with a good show of courage for so timid and untaught a child:
"There is no one to help me, Mistress, I must help myself, but I can do things if I try. I have set my heart on getting learning, which I shall! I have no money but about fourpence-ha'penny a week for darning stockings, but I have skill with the needle somewhat. If I could clean, or weed, or sew, my work should be well done. ”

“ Too much a child of nature was Maid Sally to lose or cast aside the dearest fancy of her life as she grew older, and the Fairy Prince of poorer days was the Fairy Prince still in her deep young heart. ”

“ As Mammy rolled away, Sally said to herself:
[Pg 174] "I wonder why she tells me these things? I never ask her questions."
Her Fairy answered: "It is because those people are simple and confiding in one way, and in another way are sharper than you think. All the world likes sympathy, which is a kindly feeling toward others, and a willingness to listen to what is in their hearts. And Mammy sees that you pay attention to what she says, and it pleases her."
"I must be careful," said Maid Sally.
"You have need to be," warned her Fairy. ”

“ I saw that she was in trouble and asked the cause. She did no wrong to answer truthfully. I shall now feel it my duty to see that the young maid hath a fair chance to learn what good Mistress Kent knoweth full well how to impart. I wish thee good day, Mistress Brace."
Sally scudded away, her eyes fairly dancing with joy.
"Fairy! O Fairy!" she cried under her breath, "a fine dream has come true! I shall go [Pg 114] to Mistress Kent and learn! learn! learn! Blessings on thee, good parson! I would like to thank thee."
"Be wise and let not any one know what you have overheard," warned her Fairy. ”

“ One shall be really me, Sally Dukeen, then there shall be another Sally, a fine, new one, that has been taught by the Fairies, and knows all things that are seemly and proper, even as the upper people do. ”

“ Sally turned away without a word, but when nearly through the doorway, she looked back and said:
"I am not a beggar. I am an American girl, and mean to act like one."
Now there is always something about the words of one who gets not in a rage, but answers coolly one who is in one, that cools down the wrathful person and sets him or her to thinking. And Mistress Brace was struck with fear. What had she dared to say? And what meant Sally to do? ”

“ You know a patriot is one who loves well his or her own country, and Sally was a true, staunch young Colonist. And Mistress Kent listened in surprise to some things she said that winter, wondering that a mere child should know her own mind so well. ”

“ Many fiddlers will be there, and you can have a low seat, even on a cricket hard by the bass viol, and though the players will be on a high platform, you can hide for a little while behind the big instrument and have a good peep at it all."
"How can I get in?" asked Sally.
"You can enter under the shadow of my wing," said Master Sutcliff, "but not long had you best remain. At first no one would notice you, but it might not be easy for you to long hide entirely: we change places once in a while." ”

“ When Sally began, to thank Mistress Cory Ann for her kindness in allowing her to go of a morning to the parson, sharp words arose to the mistress's lips, but she kept them back.
Sally was yet a great help to her. And a maid whom the parson would take pains to teach the French language was not to be too harshly treated. So she only said:
"Ah, well, it seems not strange to me that one who thinks not much of our king should [Pg 166] want to get able to talk with the French some day. So I told the parson he was welcome to teach you all the queer stuff he chose to, as I am sure he is." ”

“ And so cautious was Maid Sally that not another peep did her Fairy Prince get at her anywhere during the rest of his vacation.
And but seldom did the careful maid go over to the beloved perch between hedge and wall. From her window she more than once saw Lionel go flying by on Hotspur's back, for the Southern lad rode as if by nature the swift, noble horses always to be found in the stables.
Then companies of young people would go forth on picnics, driving in wagons through the woods ”

“ Watch your Fairy Prince while you may, as it comforts you, and when he goeth forth to study, go you forth also, and seek out ways to learn yourself. There lieth five years between your age and that of the Fairy Prince, feel you not within your heart that very much might be learned in five years if with a strong will you do your best for Maid Sally? ”

“ It is now reported that Sir Percival Grandison, after much thought, feels it his duty to side with the king, and not to aid the colonists. But he hath great todo in striving to keep down the fiery spirit of his young son. The lad thinketh himself old enough to have a mind of his own, as indeed he is, and he greatly desireth to have his name enrolled as a soldier, if fighting must be done. It is sad to have father and son divided at such serious times, and Sir Percival wishes not to deal harshly with his son. [Pg 202] Yet the young man is with the colonists heart and soul. ”

“ And the child skipped through green fields and grassy meadows, went dancing through beds of flowers, and flying in and out of bushes full of sweetest scents. It drank the honey-drops the bees love, and sipped syrup of flowers, the humming-bird's food. And it heard ripples of music, such as are heard only in Fairy Town, and saw lovely little objects with wings of gauze, and eyes like sparks of light.
"And the Fairy sang and sang, and the child dreamed and dreamed, until every shadow of its life had faded away. And still it dreamed and dreamed—"
"Sally! ”

“ In the sitting-room, the old mother [Pg 108] greeted her from her high-backed, cushioned rocking-chair. The old dame used fine language, and the books, pictures, and solid furniture, everything simple but nice, seemed in a way to belong to the world that Sally herself belonged to.
"You see you don't know just who you are," whispered her Fairy, "but do not mind that, all may be known in good time."
But when Mistress Kent returned from her sister's, and the mother said that Sally had been a good, likely child, and had given her a seed-cake,—Sally was afraid to go home. ”