Horatio Alger

“ Rachel swept out of the room with something more than her customary melancholy. “I wish Rachel war'n't quite so contrary,” said the cooper. “She turns upon a body so sudden, it's hard to know how to take her. How's the little girl, Mary?” “She's been asleep ever since six o'clock.” “I hope you don't find her very much trouble. That all comes upon you, while we have the benefit of the money.” “I don't think of that, Timothy. She is a sweet child, and I love her almost as much as if she were my own. As for Jack, he perfectly idolizes her.” “And how does Aunt Rachel look upon her?” ”

“ Folks differ constitutionally. Some are always looking on the bright side of things, and others can never see but one side, and that's the dark one.” “You've hit it, uncle,” said Jack, laughing. “Aunt Rachel always looks as if she was attending a funeral.” “So she is, my boy,” said Abel Crump, gravely, “and a sad funeral it is.” “I don't understand you, uncle.” “The funeral of her affections,—that's what I mean. Perhaps you mayn't know that Rachel was, in early life, engaged to be married to a young man whom she ardently loved. ”

“ Ida ran quickly to get her bonnet and shawl. “We had better go at once,” said Somerville. “Peg might return, and give us trouble.” “O yes, let us go quickly,” said Ida, turning pale at the remembered threats of Peg. Neither knew yet that Peg could not return if she would; that, at this very moment, she was in legal custody on a charge of a serious nature. Still less did Ida know that, in going, she was losing the chance of seeing Jack and her mother, of whose existence, even, she was not yet aware; and that he, to whose care she consigned herself so gladly, had been her worst enemy. ”

“ I am not sure that she does not derive as much enjoyment from her melancholy as other people from their cheerfulness. Unfortunately, her peculiar way of enjoying herself is calculated to have rather a depressing influence upon the spirits of those with whom she comes in contact—always excepting Jack, who has a lively sense of the ludicrous, and never enjoys himself better than in bantering his aunt. Ida is no less a favorite with Jack than with the other members of the household. Rough as he is sometimes, Jack is always gentle with Ida. ”

“ Nothing is more natural than that her mother should want to see her.” “Why couldn't she come herself?” muttered Rachel. “The letter explains.” “I don't see that it does.” “It says that the same reasons exist for concealment as ever.” “And what are they, I should like to know? I don't like mysteries, for my part.” “We won't quarrel with them, at any rate, since they enable us to keep Ida with us.” Aunt Rachel shook her head, as if she were far from satisfied. “I don't know,” said Mrs. Crump, “but I ought to invite Mrs. Hardwick in here. ”

“ Jack looked, and what he saw convinced him. “You must be right,” he said. “Ida is very much like you.” “You think so?” said Mrs. Clifton, eagerly. “Yes, madam.” “I had a picture—a daguerreotype—taken of Ida just before I lost her. I have treasured it carefully. I must show it to you.” The carriage stopped before a stately mansion in a wide and quiet street. The driver dismounted, and opened the door. Jack assisted Mrs. Clifton to alight. Bashfully, he followed the lady up the steps, and, at her bidding, seated himself in an elegant apartment, furnished with a splendor which excited his wonder. ”

“ The certificate of deposits, which had fallen to the floor, was handed to Timothy by his wife. Amazement was followed by a feeling of gratitude and relief. “What could be more fortunate?” exclaimed Mrs. Crump. “Surely, Timothy, our faith has been rewarded.” “God has listened to our cry,” said the cooper, devoutly; “and, in the hour of our need, He has remembered us.” “Isn't it prime?” said Jack, gleefully; “three hundred dollars! Ain't we rich, Aunt Rachel?” “Like as not,” observed Rachel, “the certificate isn't genuine. It doesn't look natural it should be. ”

“ To persons accustomed to live in their frugal way, three hundred dollars seemed a fortune. Nor, as might have happened in some cases, did this unexpected windfall tempt the cooper or his wife to extravagances. “Let us save something against a rainy day,” said Mrs. Crump. “We can, if I get work soon,” answered her husband. “This little one will add but little to our expenses, and there is no reason why we should not save up at least half of it.” “There's no knowing when you will get work, Timothy,” said Rachel, in her usual cheerful way; “it isn't well to crow before you're out of the woods.” ”

“ It would be a great deal better if people never married at all.” “Then where would the world be a hundred years hence?” suggested her nephew. “Come to an end, most likely,” said Aunt Rachel; “and I don't know but that would be the best thing. It's growing more and more wicked every day.” It will be seen that no great change has come over Miss Rachel Crump during the years that have intervened. She takes the same disheartening view of human nature and the world's prospects, as ever. Nevertheless, her own hold upon the world seems as strong as ever. ”

“ We shall have to get along as economically as we can; cut our coat according to our cloth.” “Oh, you'll be able to earn something, and we can live very plain,” said Mrs. Crump, affecting a cheerfulness greater than she felt. “Pity you hadn't done it sooner,” was the comforting suggestion of Rachel. “Mustn't cry over spilt milk,” said the cooper, good-humoredly. “Perhaps we might have lived a leetle more economically, but I don't think we've been extravagant.” “Besides, I can earn something, father,” said Jack, hopefully. ”

“ Why won't you be jolly, as Tom Piper's aunt is?” “I dare say I ain't pleasant,” said Aunt Rachel, “as my own nephew tells me so. There is some folks that can be cheerful when their house is a burnin' down before their eyes, and I've heard of one young man that laughed at his aunt's funeral,” directing a severe glance at Jack; “but I'm not one of that kind. I think, with the Scriptures, that there's a time to weep.” “Doesn't it say there's a time to laugh, also?” asked Mrs. Crump. “When I see anything to laugh about, I'm ready to laugh,” said Aunt Rachel; “but human nature ain't to be forced. ”

“ God didn't send us into the world to be melancholy. He wants us to enjoy ourselves. Now I have no idea that Jack has jumped into the river. Then again, if he has, he can swim.” “I suppose,” said Rachel, “you expect him to come home in a coach and four, bringing Ida with him.” “Well,” said the cooper, good-humoredly, “I don't know but that is as probable as your anticipations.” Rachel shook her head dismally. “Bless me!” said Mrs. Crump, in a tone of excitement; “there's a carriage just stopped at our door, and—yes, it is Jack, and Ida too!” ”

“ Here, Ida, I want you.” “Yes, Peg.” “This young man wants to copy your face.” Ida looked surprised. “I am an artist,” said the young man, with a reassuring smile. “I will endeavor not to try your patience too much. Do you think you can stand still for half an hour, without much fatigue?” Ida was easily won by kindness, while she had a spirit which was roused by harshness. She was prepossessed at once in favor of the young man, and readily assented. ”

“ I don't believe she's got a mother at all. That Mrs. Hardwick is an imposter. I knew it, and told you so at the time, but you wouldn't believe me. I never expect to set eyes on Ida again in this world.” “I do,” said Jack, confidently. “There's many a hope that's doomed to disappointment,” said Aunt Rachel. “So there is,” said Jack. “I was hoping mother would have apple-pudding for dinner to-day, but she didn't.” The next day passed, and still no tidings of Ida. There was a cloud of anxiety, even upon Mr. Crump's usually placid face, and he was more silent than usual at the evening meal. ”

“ Crump, brightly. “There ain't horses to hold every day,” said Rachel, apparently fearing that the family might become too cheerful, when, like herself, it was their duty to become profoundly gloomy. “You're always trying' to discourage people,” said Jack, discontentedly. Rachel took instant umbrage at these words. “I'm sure,” said she; mournfully, “I don't want to make you unhappy. If you can find anything to be cheerful about when you're on the verge of starvation, I hope you'll enjoy yourselves, and not mind me. I'm a poor dependent creetur, and I feel to know I'm a burden.” ”

“ You will only have one friend the more.” “Where are we going?” asked Ida, suddenly. “We are going home.” “What will the gentleman say?” “What gentleman?” “The one that took me away from Peg's. Why, there he is now!” Mrs. Clifton followed the direction of Ida's finger, as she pointed to a gentleman passing. “Is he the one?” “Yes, mamma,” said Ida, shyly. Mrs. Clifton pressed Ida to her breast. It was the first time she had ever been called mamma. It made her realize, more fully, her present happiness. Arrived at the house, Jack's bashfulness returned. ”

“ There was one point, more important than dress, in which Ida profited by the indulgence of her friends. “Wife,” the cooper was wont to say, “Ida is a sacred charge in our hands. If we allow her to grow up ignorant, or afford her only ordinary advantages, we shall not fulfil our duty. We have the means, through Providence, to give her some of those advantages which she would enjoy if she remained in that sphere to which her parents, doubtless, belong. Let no unwise parsimony, on our part, withhold them from her.” “You are right, Timothy,” said Mrs. Crump; “right, as you always are. ”

“ Hardwick say?” “Why no,” said Mrs. Crump, “she didn't say, but I guess she will be along in the course of the afternoon.” “If we only knew where she had gone,” said Jack, “we could tell better.” “But as we don't know,” said his father, “we must wait patiently till she comes.” “I guess,” said Mrs. Crump, in the spirit of a notable housewife, “I'll make up some apple-turnovers for supper to-night. There's nothing Ida likes so well.” “That's where Ida is right,” said Jack, “apple-turnovers are splendid.” “They're very unwholesome,” remarked Aunt Rachel. ”

“ In the mean time, let us see how Jack enjoyed himself. We will look in upon him after he has been confined four days. To a youth as active as himself, nothing could be more wearisome. It did not add to his cheerfulness to reflect that Ida was in the power of the one who had brought upon him his imprisonment, while he was absolutely unable to help her. He did not lack for food. This was brought him three times a day. His meals, in fact, were all he had to look forward to, to break the monotony of his confinement. ”

“ Crump's merriment. “Even you, Timothy, join in ridiculing your sister!” she exclaimed, in an 'Et tu Brute,' tone. “We don't mean to ridicule you, Rachel,” gasped Mrs. Crump, with difficulty, “but we can't help laughing——” “At the prospect of my death,” uttered Rachel. “Well, I'm a poor forlorn creetur, I know; I haven't got a friend in the world. Even my nearest relations make sport of me, and when I speak of dying they shout their joy to my face.” “Yes,” gasped Jack, “that's it exactly. It isn't your death we're laughing at, but your face.” “My face!” exclaimed the insulted spinster. ”

“ Hardwick, pointing out a tall, brick tenement house. “I shouldn't like to live there,” said Ida, after a brief survey. “You shouldn't! You don't like it so well as the house you live in in New York?” “No, not half so well.” The nurse smiled. “Wouldn't you like to go up and look at the house?” she asked. “Go up and look at it!” repeated Ida, in surprise. “Yes, I mean to go in.” “Why, what should we do that for?” “You see there are some poor families living there that I go to see sometimes,” said Mrs. Hardwick, who appeared to be amused at something. “You know it is our duty to visit the poor.” ”

“ I'll find out whether she is an imposter or not.” Mrs. Crump returned with the nurse. “Mrs. Hardwick,” said she, “this is my sister, Miss Rachel Crump.” “I am glad to make your acquaintance, ma'am,” said the nurse. “Aunt Rachel, I will leave you to entertain Mrs. Hardwick,” said Mrs. Crump. “I am obliged to be in the kitchen.” Rachel and the nurse eyed each other with mutual dislike. “I hope you don't expect me to entertain you,” said Rachel. “I never expect to entertain anybody again. This is a world of trial and tribulation, and I've had my share. So you've come after Ida, I hear?” ”

“ I dare say, Jack ate more of them than you did.” “I ate six,” said Jack. Rachel, construing this into an apology, said no more; but, feeling it unnecessary to explain why she ate what she admitted to be unhealthy, added, “And if I do eat what's unwholesome, it's because life ain't of any value to me. The sooner one gets out of this vale of affliction the better.” “And the way you take to get out of it,” said Jack, gravely, “is by eating apple-turnovers. ”

“ Ida looked her gratitude. Her heart went out to those who appeared to deal kindly with her, and she felt very grateful to her companion for his instrumentality in effecting her deliverance from Peg. “Now,” said Somerville, “perhaps you will be willing to tell me what it was you were required to do.” “Yes,” said Ida; “but she must never know that I told. It was to pass bad money.” “Ha!” exclaimed her companion. “Do you mean bad bills, or spurious coin?” “It was silver dollars.” “Does she do much in that way?” “A good deal. She goes out every day to buy things with the money.” ”

“ Crump might have reminded her of this, but the good woman was too kind to make the retort. She contented herself with saying that they must try to do better in future. “That's always the way,” muttered Rachel. “Shut the stable door when the horse is stolen. Folks never learn from experience till it's too late to be of any use. I don't see what the world was made for, for my part. Everything goes topsy-turvy, and all sorts of ways except the right way. I sometimes think 'taint much use livin'.” “Oh, you'll feel better by and by, Rachel. Hark, there's Jack, isn't it?” ”

“ Hardwick—Peg isn't at home,” returned Ida. “I don't know when she will be back.” “Then I will come in and wait till she comes back,” said the voice outside. “I can't open the door,” said Ida. “It's fastened on the outside.” “Yes, I see. Then I will take the liberty to draw the bolt.” Mr. John Somerville entered the room, and for the first time in eight years his glance fell upon the child whom, for so long a time, he had defrauded of a mother's care and tenderness. Ida returned to the window. “How beautiful she is!” ”