Author: Martha Finley
Category: Childrens
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Chapter Ninth.
"There's not a joy the world can give like that it takes away." Byron.
"Dear me! another dull, rainy, tedious day!" sighed Mrs. Dinsmore thenext morning, as she turned from the breakfast-table, walked to thewindow and looked out upon the gardens and fields where everythingwas dripping with wet, "will the storm never end? No hope of visitorsto-day, or of setting out to see anybody. I shall be literally eaten upwith ennui."
"Here's Mildred," remarked Mr. Dinsmore, "I have always found her goodcompany."
"Humph! she has no time to waste upon me."
"I am quite at your service, Aunt," said our heroine pleasantly.
"Indeed! what's to become of your all-important studies?"
"They have already had two hours devoted to them this morning, besidestwo last night; so I think I have fairly earned the pleasure of yoursociety for so much of the day as you care to have mine," returned thegirl, in a sprightly tone.
Mrs. Dinsmore looked languidly surprised and pleased.
"You are an odd girl to rise so early when you might just as wellindulge in a morning nap," she said.
"I don't find it difficult if I have gotten to bed in good season thenight before," said Mildred gayly, "I have been trained to it fromchildhood; my father being a firm believer in the old adage,
"Early to bed and early to rise, Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise,"
and it is really very pleasant after one is fairly up and dressed."
"Yes; and I dare say we would all be the better for it if we wouldfollow your example," said Mr. Dinsmore.
"You are altogether mistaken as far as I am concerned," remarked hiswife pettishly, "my best sleep is in the morning."
"I suppose people differ about that as well as in the amount of sleepthey require," observed Mildred, "some needing eight hours, whileothers can do quite as well with only four."
"Yes," admitted her uncle, "constitutions differ, and I have no idea ofasking my wife to give up her morning nap. There is a possibility ofcarrying the thing to an extreme. Remember that, Miss Milly," he added,playfully, "and don't let that sensitive conscience of yours force youup at unchristian hours."
"And how am I to decide what are such, sir?" she asked, laughing.
Mildred laid herself out that day for her aunt's entertainment, andwith a success that restored her almost entirely to favor; at least,for the time being.
The following day there was a slight abatement in the storm, and somegentlemen called.
One, a young man who had been her escort on several occasions, and whomMildred liked very much as a friend, inquired particularly for her.
He had come with an invitation to a public ball to be given a weeklater by a military club of which he was a member, and to ask that hemight be her escort thither.
Mildred declined with thanks.
He seemed much disappointed, and pressed for her reasons.
"I have several, Mr. Landreth," she said, coloring slightly, butmeeting his eye unflinchingly; "I find that late hours injure myhealth; that is one; another is that I have been brought up to considerit wrong to attend balls."
"Why more so than going to the theatre?" he asked.
"I do not know that it is."
"Excuse me, but you go there."
"It is true; I have been several times, but that was very wrong in me,and I do not intend to go again," Mildred said, humbly, yet firmly,though the color deepened on her cheek and her voice trembled slightly.
The words had cost her no small effort, but she was glad when they werespoken; it seemed to lift a load from her heart and conscience.
Mr. Landreth looked full of regret and surprise.
"I am sorry," he said, "will it be taking too great a liberty to askwhy you think it wrong?"
It seemed a difficult and trying thing to undertake. Mildred hesitateda moment, her eyes cast down, her cheeks burning; but remembering thewords of the Master, "Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me beforemen, him will I confess also before my father which is in heaven. Butwhosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before myfather which is in heaven," she answered.
"Because I profess to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and assuch, to take his word as my rule of faith and practice. That word bidsus 'whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do allto the glory of God,' and I find it impossible to obey that command inattending such places of worldly amusement.'"
"You are very young to give up all pleasure," he said, with aninvoluntary sigh, "one ought to have some happiness, some enjoyment inyouth. I should say it would be quite time enough to resign all thesethings when we arrive at middle age."
"Ah, you quite mistake me, Mr. Landreth," she answered, looking upbrightly, "I only resign a few miserable unsatisfying pleasures forthose that are infinitely higher and more enduring."
He gazed at her incredulously.
"Religion has always seemed to me a very gloomy thing," he said, "verygood and valuable on a deathbed, no doubt, but--I should rather dowithout it till then, I must confess."
"I would not," she answered earnestly, "I want it to sweeten my lifeall the way through. Mr. Landreth, believe me, it does do that asnothing else can. I have found it so in my own limited experience, andI know that my parents have in theirs, which has extended over so manymore years.
"I have seen them wonderfully sustained by it under sore trials, andhave noticed that in times of happiness and prosperity it more thandoubled their joy and gladness. 'Godliness with contentment is greatgain!'"
"Well, Miss Keith," he said, after a moment's pause, "I think youdeserve that it should be gain to you in some way, since you sacrificeso much for its sake."
"Ah, you are determined to consider it a sacrifice, I see," shereturned smiling. "And I deserve that you should," she addedsorrowfully.
"Excuse me," he said, "I do not doubt your sincerity, but theChristians with whom I am most intimately acquainted, seem to meanything but happy; if I may judge from their countenances and thegloomy austerity of their lives."
"Ah, if I could only show you my mother!" exclaimed Mildred, "if youcould know her as I do, you would tell a different story."
Mildred afterward repeated this last remark of Mr. Landreth's to heraunt.
"Yes," said Mrs. Dinsmore with an expressive shrug of the shoulders,"I know all about that, and you will understand it too, when you haveseen his aunt--or rather his uncle's wife--Mrs. James Landreth, and herhouse. By the way, we must call there; she called on me one day notlong since, when we were out."
"What is she like?" asked Mildred.
"Don't ask; wait till you see her; no description could do her justice.At least none that I could give," Mrs. Dinsmore answered, a littleimpatiently.
Mildred's curiosity was excited and she was eager to make the proposedcall.
After a few days' delay for good roads and good weather, she and heraunt set out, taking an early start, as they had a drive of some milesbefore them, and designed paying several other visits.
"The Landreths live in the suburbs of the city," Mrs. Dinsmoreremarked, "and I have ordered Ajax to drive there first. I always liketo get disagreeable things over."
"I wish," said Mildred, "that one might confine one's calls to thosewhom it is a real pleasure to visit."
"Of course it would be very delightful if one could," said her aunt,"but there is no use in talking about it; you can't tell people, Idon't wish to keep up acquaintance with you because your society is notagreeable to me."
"No, of course not," returned Mildred laughing. "Do you suppose Mrs.Landreth calls on us, too, because the customs of society require it?"
"Really I can't tell. I know she doesn't enjoy it; because I am not oneof her sort. I'm certain she looks upon me as a very worldly minded,wicked woman, a kind of heathen in fact, and perhaps she considersherself doing missionary work in coming to see me."
"The house and gro
unds are handsome," Mildred remarked with somesurprise, as they alighted at Mr. Landreth's door.
"Outside," Mrs. Dinsmore returned significantly.
Mrs. Landreth was at home and they were shown into the drawing-room.
It was a spacious, rather dreary looking apartment, very plainlyfurnished and almost wholly destitute of ornament, with the exceptionof a few old family portraits. The only really attractive objects inthe room were a brightly blazing fire and a very fine painting overthe mantel.
This last riveted Mildred's attention in a moment, and she exclaimed atits beauty.
"Yes," whispered Mrs. Dinsmore, "it's the one handsome thing in thehouse, and she's always at her husband to sell it."
"Why?" and Mildred's look expressed unfeigned astonishment.
"Praise it to her and you will hear all about it."
Their hostess entered. She was tall, angular, of sallow complexion, andstrong featured. Her black hair, streaked here and there with grey, wasdrawn straight back from a forehead crossed by many lines.
Caps were much worn even by youthful matrons at that day, but Mrs.Landreth had resorted to no such artifice to conceal from view thepartially bald spot on the top of her head; neither did the closefitting, black stuff gown hide one angle of her stiff, ungainly figure.
Her movements were ungraceful, her countenance was solemn as might havebefitted a funeral occasion.
"She is certainly far from pleasing in appearance," thought Mildred,furtively scanning the unattractive face, and mentally contrasting itwith the dear, bright, cheerful one that had made the sunshine of herchildhood's home.
Mrs. Landreth's face served as a good foil even to Mrs. Dinsmore'sfaded beauty; a fact of which that lady was by no means unaware orintolerant.
The two conversed together for some minutes; Mildred sitting silentlyby. They were speaking of the weather, then of some common acquaintanceof whom she knew nothing, and not feeling interested she halfunconsciously suffered her eyes to wander about the room.
"You do not find much to admire here?" Mrs. Landreth said,interrogatively, turning abruptly to her. "There are no pretty triflesscattered here and there as at Roselands."
"I admire that painting over the mantel exceedingly," Mildred answeredwith a blush, and turning her gaze upon it again; "such a lovely, sunnylandscape! it gives one a restful feeling just to look at it."
"Yes, it is a fine painting, but I have often told my husband that Ithink he committed a sin in putting so much money into an unnecessaryluxury; something we could do perfectly well without. The Bible bids usbe content with food and raiment; and we ought not to indulge ourselvesin anything more; or to spend much on them while there are so manydeserving objects of charity in the world. That is why you find me soplain in my attire and in the furnishing of my house.
"Mr. Landreth holds different views and would like house and wife tolook as well as those of his neighbors, as he often says; but I mustact according to the dictates of my conscience."
"But don't you think it a duty to try to please your husband andmake his home attractive?" Mildred asked modestly. "I know my motherconsiders it hers and her great pleasure also."
"Quite natural then that you should; but doubtless I am an older womanthan she; and years should teach wisdom," rejoined Mrs. Landreth,somewhat loftily.
"Yes, madam, I suppose they should, but do you think people are alwayswise just in proportion to their age?"
"Of course not always. Mr. Landreth is older than I.
"But now to return to the original topic. We are taught that weought to practice self-denial and to give liberally to the poor. Theinterest of the money paid for that picture (five thousand dollars)would enable me to largely increase my benefactions, if I had it. Andbesides how much useful work the artist might have done in the time hespent--wasted one may well say--in painting it."
"I cannot think the time was wasted, or that God would have given himthe talent if he were not to use it, or that it is wrong to surroundourselves with beautiful things if we have the means," venturedMildred, still thinking of her mother's practice and the opinions shehad heard her express.
Mrs. Landreth gave her a look that said as plainly as words, "Iconsider you a very opinionated and silly young person," and Mrs.Dinsmore arose to take leave.
"That woman," she remarked as she threw herself back in her carriage,"has done more to disgust me with religion than anybody or anythingelse! She is always parading her self-denial and benevolence, alwayslooks as solemn as if it was a sin to laugh, seems unhappy herself andanxious to make everybody else so. If that is Christianity I want noneof it! and I know that is just how Charlie Landreth feels!"
"But it isn't Christianity, aunt," Mildred said earnestly. "And do younot know some Christians who are very different?"
"Yes, there's Mrs. Travilla, at Ion, where we are going now. She isalways cheerful, quite merry at times, and a great deal better woman,to my thinking, than Mrs. Landreth, though she doesn't appear to thinkso herself. In fact she's too good for me; gives me an uncomfortablesense of my own inferiority in that respect."
"Are the Landreths poor?" asked Mildred.
"Poor; child," exclaimed Mrs. Dinsmore, laughing. "Wouldn't Charlieand his uncle be mortified if they could hear that question! Poor! no,indeed! Mr. Landreth could afford twenty paintings as costly as that;but he isn't allowed to enjoy one, and the house looks forlorn andcomfortless from garret to cellar."
"And is she really so benevolent?"
"She gives a great deal to missions, and to the poor, and the church,but I think it would be well for her to remember that charity begins athome, and to bestow a little kindness upon her husband and his nephew.If they were beggars she would perhaps think it worth while to pay someattention to their comfort; as it is they get nothing from her butsermons and lectures on their worldliness and wickedness."
"But Mr. Charlie Landreth doesn't seem to me like a bad young man,"said Mildred, in surprise.
"He isn't," said Mrs. Dinsmore, "he's a thorough gentleman and has novices; there isn't a finer young man the country round. But he isn'tpious; so of course she considers him a reprobate."
"I have heard my mother speak of Mrs. Travilla as a lovely Christianlady and an intimate friend of Aunt Eva," said Mildred, willing tointroduce a new topic.
"Yes; and I always feel that she is making comparisons, unfavorable tome of course, between Mr. Dinsmore's first wife and myself. So I canhardly be expected to be very fond of her."
"But isn't it possible that you may be mistaken, Aunt Isabel?"
"I'm not given to fancies," was the ungracious rejoinder.
Then there was a short silence broken presently by a query from Mildred.
"Has Mrs. Travilla any daughters?"
"No; only a son; and he's away in Europe. The families--ours andtheirs--have always been intimate, Edward Travilla and Horaceinseparable companions, and they went to Europe together."
"It seems odd I should have been here so long without meeting Mrs.Travilla."
"She has been away; went North with her son, and did not return tillquite recently. She called at Roselands the same day Mrs. Landreth didand inquired for you."
Mildred was greatly pleased with both Ion and its mistress.
The grounds were extensive, beautiful and well cared for, the house,a fine old mansion handsomely furnished, abounded in tastefulornamentation; there were articles of _vertu_ scattered through itsrooms--rare and costly bits of painting and sculpture. Also lessexpensive adornments, singing birds and blooming plants and flowers;all showing a refined and cultivated taste, and forming together a mostharmonious and charming whole.
Mrs. Travilla was perhaps some years older than Mrs. Dinsmore, and withher, too, youthful bloom had fled; but it had given place to beauty ofanother and higher order--the illumination of a richly cultivated mindand heart.
She was attired with simple elegance and a due regard to her age,circumstances and what best became her style of beauty. Her manner wassimple a
nd cordial, her conversation sprightly, her voice low and sweettoned.
"You resemble your mother," she said with a kindly smile, takingMildred's hand in parting, and gazing earnestly into her face. "Iremember her well for I saw a good deal of her in her visits toRoselands: and truly to know her was to love her. Some day soon, ifyour aunt can spare you, you must spend a day with me, and we will havea long talk about her. I want to hear all you have to tell."
"Oh, I should be delighted!" Mildred exclaimed, her cheeks glowing, hereyes sparkling. Mrs. Travilla had found the way to her heart, and fromthat moment they were fast friends.