Alexander H. Stephens

“ She kept her hand a running up and down as if she'd half a notion to beat time to her own new fashioned singing, till all tu once, up cum a critter from t'other eend of the room, all dressed in white, as if she'd jest cum out of a band-box, with allfired harnsome black hair sleeked down each side of her face, with a hull swad of it twisted up behind, with a golden pin stuck through the heap, like one of marm's spindles spiked through a hunk of flax. ”

“ I hadn't more'n got my hand off the chunk, when the green slats swung open jest as easy, and a yaller nigger stood inside a eyeing me from top tu toe, as if he had a sort of hankerin arter some human arnimal, but didn't think me jest good enough tu eat hull without considerable sarse.
"How do you du," sez I, as mealy as a pink eyed potater jest out o' the pot—"How are all the folks this mornin?—purty smart I reckon." ”

“ STEPHENS, ALEXANDER (1757–1821) , biographical writer, born in 1757, was son of Thomas Stephens, provost of Elgin. His mother's maiden name was Fordyce. At the age of eighteen he left Aberdeen University for the West Indies, and stayed some time in Jamaica. On his return to England he bought a commission in the 84th regiment, but never joined it. ”

“ She gave a shiver, and stayed in her saddle.
"Have no fear, mistress," said Hal. "No harm will come to you. While you go yieldingly, no hand shall touch you; and in any case, no hand but mine own, which is a gentleman's."
"Would you dare use force?" she cried, somewhat huskily, her eyes—half threatening, half intimidated—turned full upon him.
"If I must," said he, meeting her gaze with outward calmness.
She dropped her glance, and was silent. Anthony now placed Francis on the latter's own horse, but kept a stern eye upon him, and a firm hand upon his bridle. ”

“ Elizabeth broke in. “Have some one put away the horses, Williams, or they’ll be shivering. It’s mighty cold for the time of year.”
“I’ll go myself, ma’am. There’s only black Sam, you know, and he isn’t back from the orchard. I sent him to get some apples.” And the steward set the candlestick on the newel post of the stairway, and started for the door.
“No, let Cuff go,” said Elizabeth, sitting down on a settle that stood with its back to the side of the staircase. “You start a fire in the room next mine, for aunt Sally. She’ll be over from the parsonage in a few minutes.” ”

“ And the fellow pointed northward.
"Haste, Anthony!" muttered Hal, untying his own horse. "Ride yonder for Kit Bottle, and then you and he gallop after me! She hath gone to raise the country ahead of us! Failure of other means hath pushed her to belie her declaration."
"A woman's declaration needeth little pushing, to be o'erthrown," commented Anthony, sagely, as he mounted.
"Tut, knave, 'tis a woman's privilege to renounce her word!" replied Master Marryott, sharply, having already leaped to saddle. ”

“ He wondered how his men would endure it; and he thought of the lady [Pg 317] up-stairs. Already languishing from sheer fatigue, must she now famish also?
"We must get a supply of food!" said Marryott, decidedly.
"Where?" queried the captain.
"Where we got yesterday's. Some one must go, at once!"
"I will go," said Anthony. "I know the way."
"Rouse the innkeeper, at any cost," replied Hal, handing out a gold piece from the pocket of his hose.
"'Tis near dawn," returned the Puritan. "He will be up when I arrive there."
"Keep an eye open for our enemies." ”

“ After a time Elizabeth shook herself free from Elsie's grasp and rose; the power to think and act was coming back to her.
"You heard them say this?" she asked.
"Yes, yes!" cried Elsie. "Grant sent for old Jarvis to come up and dig round the tree; he thinks it is dying."
Elizabeth threw up her arms in silence, more expressive of agony than a shriek.
"It has come at last!" broke from her white lips. "It has come at last!"
Elsie cowered down upon the sofa and buried her head in the cushions, shaking with hysterical tremors from head to foot, and uttering repressed sobs. ”

“ Slick, that must be our fust consideration."
"You aint a goin, Mr. Slick?" sez the harnsome gal, a lookin with them two eyes right into mine, and a clinchin them ere white fingers over the edge of old bell crown.
"I ruther guess not," sez I, a droppin my yaller hankercher over that pesky white hand, for it looked so temptin that I was afeard the President would want to git hold on it, and somehow a President al'ers does purty much as he's a mind to with the gals, except now and then one that's got a right idee of her place. ”

“ He rose to go to the door, but his wounded leg gave way, and he staggered to the staircase, and leaned against the balustrade.
Elizabeth’s look of gratification faded. She ran to the door, fastened it with bolt and key, and stood with her back against it.
The sound, first distant as if in the Mile Square road, was now manifestly in the highway. Would it come southward, towards the house, or go northward, decreasing?
“They are my men!” cried Peyton to Cuff. “Call them! They’ll pass without knowing I am here. Call them, I say! Quick! They’ll be out of hearing.” ”

“ Francis, the page, made himself small, to avoid a possible wild thrust from the fellow that contested with the Puritan.
By this time Kit Bottle had reached Anthony's side.
"What, ye jolly bawcocks!" he cried to the robbers, his sword-point raised aloft, as if he awaited the result of his words ere choosing a victim for it. "Will ye follow this cheap rascal Rumney 'gainst gentlemen? He'll prove traitor to you all, an ye trust him long enough; as he did to me in the Low Countries! Mr. Edward Moreton, and honest John Hatch, and good Oliver Bunch, I call on you stand by true men!" ”

“ The moment Mellen had withdrawn, she took North's letter from its hiding-place, and thrust it into Elizabeth's hand.
"Thank heaven I've got rid of it at last," she exclaimed, shaking the flounces of her dress as if the note had left some contamination behind.
"How did you get it?" faltered Elizabeth, looking at the folded paper with strained eyes, as if it had been an asp which she held by the neck.
"Oh, Elizabeth, he was in this very room."
"Here! here! Great heavens! why will no one shoot this man?" exclaimed the tortured woman.
"I thought of it, upon my word I did," said Elsie. ”

“ No, sir; I am the human huntin’-case watch, an’ I won’t open my face unless you press me. But if I should, you’ll see that it’s time for you to hunt a new job. Now, here’s my scheme.” He outlined his directions to the sailor, who had fallen silent during the warning. When he had done, Stephens said:
“I never had a man talk to me like that before, sir—never. You’ve taken advantage of me, and under the circumstances I can’t refuse. I’ll do this thing—not because of your threat, but because I heard about your trouble over the Midas—and because I can’t help admiring your blamed insolence.” ”

“ North's arm, left Hawkins to follow, and caress his cane in peace, and moved towards the group.
"Good-bye, Mr. Fuller," said she, touching his shoulder with the tips of her fingers. "If you bring me a beautiful lava bracelet perhaps I'll forgive you for going away,—and some pink coral,—don't forget."
Tom was a sight to behold between confusion, distress, and his superhuman efforts to be calm.
"I'll bring you twenty," said he, recklessly.
"Oh, that would be overpowering," laughed Elsie. "Good-bye. I'm sure you'll look touching when you are seasick." ”

“ Paul. All are known as men of good business ability. [Pg 388]
Arthur Stephens was born in Scotland in 1830. He came to America in 1839, lived awhile in Illinois, learned the trade of a mason and plasterer, came to St. Paul in 1849, worked at his trade until 1854, when he removed to Oakdale, where, with the exception of six years' residence at Stillwater, he has since lived. Mr. Stephens served as postmaster ten years, as county commissioner three years, and has filled town offices. He was married to Marie Payden in 1852. Their children are Harris S., Arthur, Elizabeth and Emma. ”

“ Al Stephens, as his wife and comrade, it made his heart sink. He fastened his low collar and made a neat little bow of his necktie.... The two clear eyed and fearless comrades who were to face life together—to solve problems of living—this earnest young man in a blue serge suit, and this slender, seductive creature in silver.
“My God!” he said to himself. “The Life Urge works the wrong way—no doubt about it. It’s against progress and clear thinking.”
He was not given to facile caresses; he only looked at Andrée, with eyes sombre and doubtful. ”

“ The warm crimson, that lined his robe of dressed deer-skin, and the many colored wampum that bordered and fringed it, glowed richly in the moonlight. It was a noble figure, and the young girl's face kindled as she measured him with her eyes.
"Whom do you seek, with a tomahawk at your girdle, and a scalping-knife within reach of your hand? I am alone, and there is only an old woman at the house—no help within reach of my voice—but you see I stand still—I am not afraid."
"No—not afraid," answered the savage, with a proud motion of the hand. "Even the women of your race should be brave. ”

“ Colden stood motionless, too far back in the hall to receive much light from the feeble candle, like a shadowy statue of the sulks.
“As you will!”
Whereupon Elizabeth, as if she had satisfied her conscience regarding what was due from her in the name of hospitality, rose, and opened the door to the east parlor.
“Ugh! How dark and lonely the house is! No wonder aunt Sally chose to live at the parsonage.” After one look into the dark apartment, she closed the door. “Well, I’ll warm up the place a bit. Sorry you can’t stay with us, major.” ”

“ Don't be afraid of me; if he held a bowl of poison to my lips I wouldn't tell."
"Oh, Elsie, what would death be compared to the agony of discovery?"
"Do stop!" pleaded Elsie, pressing both rosy little palms to her ears, with a piteous, shrinking movement. "We mustn't talk. I won't talk, I tell you! I can put everything out of my head if you will only let me; but if you look and talk like that I shall give way. Why can't you try and forget it? I will. Be sure of that!"
Elizabeth rose from her seat ”

“ Then they would have choice of turning tail, or of crawling to him for pardon, or of dying, either in my defence or for his revenge."
"If I left Captain Bottle and Anthony Underhill with them?"
"Certes, if this score of men be the pursuivant's, 'tis better for you that your two faithful dogs die as your accomplices, and you go safe alone!"
"Madam, I deserve not this irony! I say to you again, 'tis not for mine own life that I would leave others to die on my account without me. 'Tis for [Pg 304] Sir—for the qu—for the cause to which I have bound myself, and of which you know not. ”

“ He soon returned with sparkling eyes, holding up the key.
"Lead Oliver's horse, Kit," said Hal. "Let him show us the way, afoot. Yon turret window hath a long view of the road. We can keep watch there for Barnet."
The worthy Bunch, gazing fondly at the deserted mansion amidst the trees, hastened up the gentle incline of land, followed by the riders. All looked with curious eyes upon the house as they ascended. The horse-path, after passing through an alley of neglected hedgerows, skirted the terrace, and led across one side of the square court to the Gothic main door. ”

“ The soft gray clouds which had floated over them only a little while before were turning leaden and heavy, so heavy that the ocean was one mass of blackness, as if the mighty deep had veiled itself with mourning, while the throes of a coming tempest heaved its inner depths.
The man North had left her at last—she was utterly alone.
Never in this world had a human being been cast forth to such utter desolation. She looked down on the torn earth at her feet, and her poor heart ached to lie down with that other woman who had found her rest so early, and was at peace. ”

“ But the chap only looked around, and made a sort of a slidin bow, and shet the door agin.
"Wal," sez I, all in a twitter, for my heart had riz right up intu my mouth; "I guess I'll be goin."
"So soon?" sez she, a liftin them eyes sort o' mournful.
I wilted right down agin, like a cabbage plant in the sun.
[Pg 284]
"And who may that chap be," sez I, for I begun tu feel ugly about the heart.
"Oh, he's only my brother," sez she, "never mind him. Are you fond of music, Mr. Slick?"
"I guess I be," sez I. "When the chorister is gone, I al'ers lead the singin at meetin tu hum." ”

“ It warn't in human natur to stand agin this; so I sort of relented.
"Oh, you're a joking," sez I, a hitching on my chair; "I don't raly s'pose the Washington gals ever heard of me in their hull lives."
"Hain't they, though," sez he.
"Wal," sez I, "I should kinder like tu go, jest to see what Congress people look like. I've a sort of a notion that mebby I shall run for Congressman myself one of these days. I don't believe there's a feller in all York better qualified. When I come away from Weathersfield, I could lick any feller there, big or leetle ”

“ The doctor saw you; all the women in the ward saw you, lying there dead in for it. If it hadn’t been for me, you would have overlaid that cub of yours and smothered him. Don’t look at me in that way. You ought to hide your head.”
Mary Margaret’s eyes were wide open now. She charged with drinking—she, who never touched a drop year in and year out, not even when Dillon brought his friends to their 71home, or took her out to a wake. The charge was abominable.
“Jane Kelly,” she said, rubbing the tears from her eyes; “you know that there isn’t a word of truth in what you say. ”