Stephen Foster

“ But if Stephen Foster will keep in the neighborhood—near enough to hear my 'All's well'—I think I could stand it out."
"You must go alone," said Mildred, cheerfully, "before I shall think you fit to be promoted."
"If you say I must, sister Mildred, why, then I must: and there's an end of it. But your discipline is forty times more severe than the German Baron's at Richmond. Father looks pale this morning," continued Henry, as he turned his eyes towards the porch, where Mr. Lindsay was now seen walking forward and back, with his arms folded across his breast. ”

“ Sir Stephen Foster was the son of Robert Foster of London, stock-fishmonger; he was elected Sheriff of London in the year 1444, and Lord Mayor in 1454, and served as member for that city in the parliament held at Westminster in the thirteenth of Henry VI. Speaking of Ludgate, Strype says, (Append, p. 26) , "There happened to be prisoner there, one Stephen Foster, who (as poor men are at this day) was a cryer at the grate, to beg the benevolent charities of pious and commiserate benefactors that passed by. ”

“ He was a vain man, and possessed an overweening amount of self-confidence, especially where women were concerned.
The two had other subjects to discuss. For a couple of hours—long after Madge had forsaken the piano and gone to bed—a whispered conversation was carried on that had no reference to the girl. It was nearly eleven o'clock when Nevill left the house, and bade Stephen Foster good-night on the step. He knew the way in spite of the darkness and the paucity of street lamps. Having lighted a cigar, he walked briskly toward Gunnersbury. ”

“ And the fresh air does a fellow a lot of good. I feel like a new man when I come back to town after dining with you. One gets tired of clubs and restaurants."
"Come out when you like," said Stephen Foster, in a voice that lacked warmth and sincerity.
"That's kind of you," Nevill replied. "Good-night!"
A minute later he was walking thoughtfully down Wardour street.
CHAPTER VI. A VISITOR FROM PARIS.
It was seven o'clock in the evening, ten days after Jack's second encounter with Madge Foster, and a blaze of light shone from the big studio that overlooked Ravenscourt Park. ”

“ After this, he went to the veranda, where Lucy came to meet him with shining eyes.
"Jake," she said with emotion, "I felt we would be safe as soon as you arrived. If you knew how I listened for the train and longed for your step! But the wretch has hurt you; your face is bruised and cut." Foster felt embarrassed, but laughed. "My face will soon recover its usual charm, and if it's any comfort, the other fellow looks, and no doubt feels, much worse." Then he turned to Lawrence, who sat near. "You have evidently been telling Miss Stephen a highly-colored tale." ”

“ Foster felt satisfied when she left him. Lucy was clever and had pluck. He had given her a hard part, but she would not shrink. One could trust a woman who was fighting for her lover.
After breakfast next morning, Mrs. Stephen showed Foster some photographs of the mountains, in one or two of which Lucy and Lawrence had a place, and he asked: "Have you a portrait of Walters?" ”

“ He'd a way of finding something interesting for one to do and was always ready when he was wanted; a very useful man to have about."
Foster imagined his comrade might have found the fellow about when he was not wanted, but Mrs. Stephen's smile was illuminating. It seemed to hint that Lawrence had found Walters useful because he took her off his hands. Foster thought it curious that the man was satisfied with his part, since Lucy was a very attractive girl. Walters had obviously not attached himself to the party on her account. ”

“ We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses handed down to us!"
Then all who were sitting in the council fixed their eyes on Stephen and saw that his face shone like the face of an angel. But the high priest said, "Are these charges true?" Stephen answered, "Brothers and fathers, listen. The Most High God does not live in houses made by men.
"You stubborn and evil-minded people! you always resist the Holy Spirit, as did your fathers before you. Which of the prophets did they not persecute? ”

“ Stephen, who had personal charm and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Some belonging to the Synagogue of the Libyans, and Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia began to argue with Stephen; but they were unable to get the better of him because of the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke.
Then secretly they bribed certain men to say, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." In this way they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, so that they seized Stephen and took him before the council. ”

“ Flitting like the dreams that have cheered us and gone.
Now the nodding wild flowers may wither on the shore
While her gentle fingers will cull them no more:
Oh! I sigh for Jeanie with the light brown hair,
Floating, like a vapor, on the soft summer air. ”

“ MY OLD
KENTUCKY HOME.
The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,
⁠'Tis summer, the darkies are gay,
The corn tops ripe, and the meadows are in bloom,
⁠While the birds make music all the day. ”

“ It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry
The sun so hot I froze to death, Oh, brothers don't you cry.
Oh, Susannah, Oh, don't you cry for me ”

“ For the name of my commander was George Washington.
My home and my country to me were dear,
And I fought for both when the foe came near,
But now I will meet with a slight or sneer,
For I’m nothing but a plain old soldier.
Chorus:
Nothing but a plain old soldier,
An old revolutionary soldier,
But I’ve handled a gun
Where noble deeds were done,
For the name of my commander was George Washington. ”

“ The fools who govern us find it easier to be severe. It saves them trouble to say, “The innocent must suffer with the guilty.” It even gives them a thrill of pride. Against all this wicked nonsense, against the Wilbrahams and Pembrokes who try to rule our world Stephen would fight till he died. Stephen was a hero. He was a law to himself, and rightly. He was great enough to despise our small moralities. He was attaining love. This evening Rickie caught Ansell’s enthusiasm, and felt it worth while to sacrifice everything for such a man. ”

“ I got out of the car in the drive at Foster's house, and looked around at the wide clipped lawn, the flower beds that were vivid even by moonlight, the line of tall poplars, and the big white house.
"I wish I hadn't come," I said. "This kind of place reminds me of all the things I haven't gotten out of life."
"Your life's still ahead of you," Foster said. He opened the slab of mahogany that was the front door, and I followed him inside. At the end of a short hall he flipped a switch that flooded the room before us with soft light. ”

“ The wind was south-east, and very little of it.
“What are you going to do?” asked the mate. “I fancy this is one of the Dutchmen who are on the look-out for us.”
“So do I,” answered Foster, “I'll tell you what I am going to do: brace sharp up on the larboard tack and run down to her. I am not going to run away from one infernal Dutchman, and I can only see one of 'em.”
“You're captain of the ship, and you can do as you please; but I am hanged if I think you'll pull it off this time. Half the crew are sick, and this fellow looks as if he meant fighting.”
“All hands on deck ”

“ Bolin.
“Then we must do something else. Run by her, Caleb, and I’ll carry a rope to the brig.”
“You’re crazy!” cried Mr. Coffin.
“Maybe I am,” Brandon returned, his face white and set; “but I shall do it.”
Swivel, who was clinging to a guard rope within hearing, struck in with him.
“Lemme do it, Brandon—I mean Mr. Tarr. I kin swim like a fish.”
“Nobody shall go but myself,” the boy declared, with emphasis. “I won’t suggest a perilous undertaking and not be the one to carry it out.”
“Cap’n Tarr right over again,” Caleb muttered. ”

“ Foster carries on the business of a general merchant at Kirkland Lake, Ont., of which place he is the Police Magistrate and postmaster. He married Mary Greer, daughter of James and Sofia Greer, and is the father of the following children: Leonard, Ralph, Vivian and Irene. Mr. Foster has been for some years prominently identified with the Masonic Order, being Past Master for Porcupine Lodge, and also is a member of the Orange Order. In religion, he is a Methodist and politically, is a Conservative. ”

“ He had been tempted to explain everything, to tell the fellow how things stood, that he must avoid this if he wanted to attain that; that he must break the news to Rickie gently; that he must have at least one battle royal with Agnes. But it was contrary to his own spirit to coach people: he held the human soul to be a very delicate thing, which can receive eternal damage from a little patronage. Stephen must go into the house simply as himself, for thus alone would he remain there. ”

“ Once you really know you'll never make it...."
"Perhaps unattainability is an essential element of any dream," Foster said. "But hold onto your dream, whatever it is—don't ever give it up."
"So much for philosophy," I said. "Where is it getting us?"
"You'd like to see the papers," Foster said. He fished a key-ring from an inner pocket. "If you don't mind going out to the car," he said, "and perhaps getting your hands dirty, there's a strong-box welded to the frame. I keep photostats of everything there, along with my passport, emergency funds, and so on. ”

“ Forster had never seen her before, but when she was pressed to sing again and again, and refused positively, I was amazed to see Forster triumphantly passing through the crowded room, the fair one on his arm, he patting one of her small hands which he held in his own! She was flattered immensely and unresisting; the gallant Foster had carried all before him. This was his way, never would he be second fiddle anywhere if he could help it. Not a bad principle for any one if they can only manage it. ”

“ I let the brake off and drove slowly into town, swung around the corner and pulled in in front of the sagging marquee of a rundown hotel. Foster stirred as I cut the engine.
"Foster," I said. "I'm going to get you into a bed. Can you walk?" He groaned softly and opened his eyes. They were glassy. I got out and got him to the sidewalk. He was still half out. I walked him into the dingy lobby and over to a reception counter where a dim bulb burned. I dinged the bell. It was a minute before an old man shuffled out from where he'd been sleeping. He yawned, eyed me suspiciously, looked at Foster. ”

“ In the absence of specific evidence to the contrary we must assume that Foster was alone. That being so, a man of his character would surely have extricated himself from his unpleasant dilemma, given vent to his emotions in language suited to the occasion, and gone on his way. It is simply impossible to believe that he can have taken from the puddle such a deep and lasting chagrin that he would have been willing to renounce forevermore his growing practice in Gloucester. ”

“ Swivel had seen the raid the policemen made under the deputy’s instigation, and after the bluecoats were safely out of the way, he had slipped into the water and made for the steamer.
“An’ here I is,” he said, in conclusion. “Dey didn’t ketch me, nor dat Brandon Tarr, nuther. We’s too fly for ’em.”
“Of all the scrapes I ever heard of, this is the worst,” Adoniram exclaimed in comment.
But Caleb, now that his fears for Don’s safety were somewhat allayed, seemed rather to enjoy the situation.
“Oh, that boy’s smart,” he declared, with a chuckle. “I’ll risk him even if he is in that vessel’s hold. ”

“ When Foster came back into the room, they were standing over the typewriter, Mrs. Challoner explaining its mechanism.
"Oh, what a fine thing it is to have an education!" exclaimed the young wife, looking sharply at her husband; but her penetrating glance was too much for Stevens, and turning quickly on his heel, he proceeded to rearrange the chairs.
"Hey, there!" suddenly called out Foster. "Why aren't you more of a gentleman—where's your manners? Run along there, like a good fellow, and put some water in the tea-kettle!" Stevens lost no time in obeying ”

“ There was something about that accident that has never been cleared up. Bob Griffin was mixed up in it and the next thing we knew he had run away with Esther. We all know what a blow that was to Captain Foster. He won’t talk about it, of course, but it was a terrible setback for him. And now, if this should be true—well, I know what will be said. People will say pride always goes before a fall; that is what they will say.”
Her husband snorted. “Say!” he repeated. “They will say enough. Dear, dear! I hope this won’t mean that Foster is going to be too hard hit, in a money way. ”

“ Foster died in New York on Jan. 13, 1864, at the American Hotel, where he had been attacked with fever and ague. While yet too weak he attempted to dress himself, and swooning, fell against a pitcher which cut a small artery in his face. He died within three days from the consequent loss of blood, and was buried in the Alleghany Cemetery at Pittsburg, beside his parents, and within sight of his birthplace. Probably there is no song-writer whose works show a larger circulation than is recorded for Foster's pretty and sometimes pathetic ballads. ”

“ Foster had his hand on the door of a deceptively modest-looking cabriolet. I could smell the solid leather upholstery from where I stood.
"Why not come along to my place, Legion," he said. "We might at least discuss my proposition."
I shook my head. "I'm not the man for the job, Mr. Foster," I said. "If you'd like to advance me a couple of bucks, I'll get myself a bite to eat and fade right out of your life."
"What makes you so sure you're not interested?"
"Your ad said something about adventure. I've had my adventures. Now I'm just looking for a hole to crawl into." ”