Cora and The Doctor.
by Harriette Newell Baker.
CHAPTER I.
"Dear Mother--between friend and friend, Prose answers every common end; Serves in a plain and homely way, To express the occurrence of the day, Our health, the weather, and the news, What walks we take, what books we choose, And all the floating thoughts we find Upon the surface of the mind." SOUTHEY"S COWPER.
_Ship Castor and Pollux, off Staten Island, 9 o"clock, Monday morning, June 1st, 1835._
DEAREST MOTHER,--We are fast nearing land. The pilot is already on board; and I shall soon set my foot upon the new world which is henceforth to be my home.
In fulfilment of my promise, I begin thus early my journal of daily events, which I shall transmit to you from time to time as opportunity shall offer.
A torrent of emotion rushes through my mind, pleasure mingled with pain--pleasure at the prospect of the happiness, I may reasonably expect in the society of a beloved husband--and pain at the thought of the long time which will probably intervene before I shall see the loved members of our home-circle, and also from the a.s.surance that when I set my foot upon the sh.o.r.es of the Western continent, the broad Atlantic will roll between us.
But I must turn from these sad musings to the scene around me. The pa.s.sengers are all wide awake; Some are hurrying to and fro in search of baggage, while others, having succeeded in getting their trunks brought on deck, are sitting upon them and awaiting their search by the Custom House officers. But by far the greater part are standing in groups, leaning over the railing of the ship, eagerly gazing at the sh.o.r.e, talking earnestly of friends whom they expect to meet, or expressing curiosity at the sight of America, the birth place of the immortal WASHINGTON.
My dear Frank pointed out to me the harbor with the skiffs flying in every direction--the forest of masts with their national flags--the lofty spires pointing heaven-ward--and the stately domes looming up to view, while directly before us are the wharves lined with extensive ware-rooms and store-houses. But I must close the first page in my journal.
_Crawford, Tuesday, June 2d._
We reached New York in season for dinner at the Astor House, and for the evening boat to Providence, from which place we took the stage-coach for Crawford; and arrived here about noon. At the public house, which I should judge was a mile distant, we alighted; and I saw a broad-shouldered, well-dressed colored man come eagerly forward and seize the Doctor by the hand, while he cast a glance of curiosity at me.
"This is your young Mistress, Caesar," said Frank.
Caesar took off his hat, bowing and sc.r.a.ping in the most approved style; and when I gave him my hand, he exhibited a splendid set of ivory, extending almost from ear to ear.
My husband went with me into the public house, where I remained until he and Caesar had attended to the baggage. I spent the interim in picturing to myself a rural cottage with a luxuriant vine running over the door.
This same vine had always figured largely in my imaginary home, but my fancy had not advanced to the interior, when Frank came to call me.
I cannot account for the impression I had formed, that the Doctor was not a man of wealth; I had even pleased myself vastly with plans of industry, prudence and economy, by which I intended to provide necessaries and even luxuries for the family. The Doctor had carefully avoided all description of our future home, answering me only by smiles, if I ventured to point out a pretty cottage, and to ask whether it resembled ours.
During the drive, Caesar was eager to tell all the news. He said, "I"se driven de carriage down to meet Ma.s.s"r Frank ebery time de stage hab come in for two days. I told Missus," he continued, "better go ebery day for a month, than have young Missus come, and n.o.body pear dere to welcome her to dis yer home."
Frank laughed heartily as he said, "Your young Mistress will be obliged to you for sustaining the honor of the family."
I was so much interested in looking about me, and in listening to Caesar"s talk with his master, that I had no time to reconcile the idea of a handsome carriage, span of horses, and colored driver with my husband"s supposed circ.u.mstances--a train of thought which had been started before I left the Inn. But now we were drawing near my new home; and my heart began to beat very fast. I put my hand into Frank"s, who pressed it tightly in his.
I was about to go through a very trying scene, to meet a mother and sister, while yet a perfect stranger to them, I feared they would deem me unworthy of their son and brother. My color came and went, if I can judge from the burning of my cheeks. It was with great difficulty, I could keep from weeping. I am sure Frank understood my feelings, for he very gently kissed my forehead, and whispered, "Cora, you will love my mother, and I am very sure she will love you."
I forced back my tears, and tried to show him that I meant to deserve their love. I gave such a start of surprise, when the carriage stopped at the door of a n.o.ble mansion that Frank laughing asked, "What?"
"Surely, this is not your house," said I.
"It is _our_ house," he replied in a low tone, as he handed me from the carriage. I had hardly reached the ground, before I was caught in the arms of one of the loveliest girls I ever saw. She kissed me repeatedly; and then sprang to her brother, saying, "now, Frank, that"s just like you, not to tell us what a darling she was!"
By this time we had ascended the steps leading from the front entrance, where stood a fine looking woman, (of course she is, for Frank is the image of her), who folded her arms about her new daughter with such a motherly embrace that my heart was at rest. The tears filled my eyes at the melting tone in which she said, as she held our hands joined in hers; "Welcome, my dear son and daughter!"--as if she would fain have blessed our union. She evidently restrained her feelings, and taking my hand under her arm, led me into a large parlor, where there had been a fire on the hearth.
"We hardly expected you to-day," she said, after we were seated; "but Emily would not rest until we came over here from the cottage."
"Don"t you reside here?" I asked in surprise.
Mrs. Lenox smiled, and looked at her son, who said pleasantly, "You see, mother, there is very little of Eve about her."
"More than you imagine," I replied; "but I was constrained to suppress my curiosity, as I received such indefinite replies to my questions."
"After to-morrow," added he, "I will answer as many as you please; till then I see one who is ready to answer before she is asked."
Just then, Emily had stolen beside me, and putting her arm around my waist said, "Come with me, if you are not too tired; and I will show you your room."
I went with her; and, my dear mother, I ought to be very happy, and grateful to G.o.d for casting my lot in such a pleasant place, and among such kind friends. As soon as we were alone, Emily again embraced me, and said, "I shall love Frank better than ever, for bringing me so dear a sister; now he will be contented to remain at home, instead of roving all over creation." She spoke of her brother with great affection, and said with enthusiasm, "Everybody loves Frank!"
She then pointed out one thing after another, each dear to me as an expression of his love, and his desire to render me happy in my new home. To-morrow I hope to give you a description of the house and grounds, over which, after dinner, I was duly installed mistress.
I have written a long time; but my heart is full, and I find it a relief to tell you how kind my Heavenly Father has been to me.
CHAPTER II.
"Here blend the ties that strengthen Our hearts in hours of grief, The silver links that lengthen Joy"s visits when most brief." BERNARD BARTON.
_Wednesday, June 3d._
DEAR MOTHER,--I have just returned from a pleasant drive with Mother, Frank and Emily. You will wonder that I can so soon address any other but yourself by that endearing word, _mother_; indeed it cost me an effort. But this morning, she came in soon after breakfast, and when I said, joyfully, "good morning, Mrs. Lenox," she kissed me tenderly and said, "can you give me no dearer name, my child?" I looked up in her face, and felt that I could call her "mother." I wish, I could describe to you the impression, she makes upon me. She is very gentle and tender in her manner, particularly so to her only son. She is also cheerful; but I think she must have known what sorrow is, heart-felt, abiding sorrow. Though the expression of her countenance is placid and touchingly sweet, yet, as I watched her yesterday, I could see her eyes fill with tears as she looked at Frank.
I never saw a son more affectionate and respectful to his mother. There is a perfect understanding between them. It was his earnest wish to have her and his sister live with him, as the house is very large; but she thought it not best. The property was left him by his father, and he has put up for her a beautiful English cottage, separated from his dwelling only by the garden, while the carriage drive pa.s.ses from one to the other.
I promised you a description of my new home. Imagine yourself entering from the street an avenue lined with trees, (linden I think) and winding for about twenty or thirty rods up to a stately mansion. From the carriage drive, you ascend ten or twelve steps to the front entrance, over which is a very fine portico supported by large pillars which are completely covered with a running-rose vine. Entering the outer door, you stand in a s.p.a.cious hall, which runs directly through the house and opens in the rear upon a piazza extending the entire length of the building. From this piazza there is a most enchanting prospect. Blue mountains skirt the horizon, while a beautiful lake nestles in their bosom.
There are four large rooms on the ground floor, two parlors in front, a dining-room and a sitting room in the rear. In addition to these there are wings on each side of the house. One is entered from the sitting-room, and is devoted to Frank"s library and cabinet; the other enters from the dining-room and is occupied by Mistress Phebe Lenox in her culinary department.
In the second story there are five chambers, together with two in the attic. Caesar has a neat room finished off over the carriage house, which he and Phebe appropriate to themselves.
The fifth room on the second floor I shall not forget to describe. It is over the rear hall, opening from our room; and my kind husband has fitted it up as my boudoir. I can"t conceive how he knew so exactly what I should like. Emily says he selected everything himself, and that it has been a subject of mirth for her that he should know the minutiae of a lady"s toilet. There is one large French window which opens like a door upon the balcony over the piazza. Rose-colored curtains are draped from it, so that I can be secluded at pleasure. Before the window stands an elegant easy-chair, large enough for both of us, and near it a table holding a desk, with every convenience for writing. At this I am now sitting, and I prophesy it will be a favorite resort.
Two-thirds of the length of the room opposite the window is occupied by a wardrobe of the most convenient kind, containing fixtures for hanging dresses, also shelves and drawers.
Opposite the door leading from my room, is a dressing table standing before a long mirror. This table is furnished with everything which even a French lady can wish in the making of her toilet, and is equally tasteful and convenient.
In the corner beyond the wardrobe, stands a beautiful piece of Italian statuary, representing a young girl bearing a basket of fruit. She has such a touching expression upon her lovely countenance that I can hardly persuade myself she is not imploring my sympathy.
I have described my own little boudoir more particularly than any other apartment, that you may be able to think of me where I shall spend most of my time.