Emily began to urge her afflicted friend to hasten her departure. In truth she says that she feared every moment a fresh outrage; and Lucy left the room feebly, as if the weight of years had fallen upon her. She wished to go through the house and take a sorrowful leave of the home of her childhood, and more especially of the apartment where she had spent two years in the society and care of her father; now hallowed by the remembrance of his peaceful death. Mrs. Burns supported her on one side, and Emily on the other, while she thus took her sad farewell of places and objects so dear to her heart.
It was not the thought of leaving the gorgeously furnished parlors, where the brilliant-hued carpets gave back no echo of the foot-step--where were mirrors the height of the rooms--chandeliers where the light was caught and reflected from innumerable hanging crystals--crimson velvet lounges and divans whose outstretched arms invited repose; it was not the thought of leaving these which overpowered her. No; it was the nursery of her childhood,--the cradle of her infancy--the closet, in which kneeling by her gentle mother, she had first learned to pray--the private sitting-room where her willing ears first drank in vows of affection from her Allen--the chamber in which both father and mother had breathed out their souls to G.o.d. These were the places and objects over which she yearned in agony of spirit as she gazed her long _farewell_.
Then came her separation from the old servants who had many of them remained for years solely out of affection for her. And who, when her sorrow for herself was changed to care for her stricken father, had shared her duties and attentions to him during the long period of his sickness. She a.s.sured them she should never forget their faithfulness or affection. Mrs. Burns, who had long been regarded as a friend and companion, was to accompany her, and for the present to remain in the house of her father-in-law. The rest crowded around her and wept aloud.
In the mean time the Doctor had taken advantage of their absence to venture into the presence of Joseph; when he asked him if it was indeed his intention to drive his only sister from her home.
The unnatural brother coldly replied, "she must leave, and the sooner the better for all concerned."
Frank then begged for her the portraits of her parents.
"No, not an article shall she--" but seeing an awful look of indignation on the Doctor"s face he checked himself, and said, "well, I won"t object to that; they"re no use to me. You may tell her she may take them,--and stay," he added as Frank was leaving the room, "tell her that she may send a servant for all her gewgaws and finery; I shall want them out of the way."
His indignant hearer deigned not a word of reply, but left the room, and told Allen to take the portraits, which with a few articles for immediate use were put into the carriage, and with grateful, though sad adieus to their sympathizing friends they drove away.
Emily would not remain a moment longer. "Get me away! I can"t breathe here!" she exclaimed to her brother, as they were waiting for the carriage.
_Tuesday, October 31st._
Mrs. Burns returned to-day to Lee Hall, and found it indeed desolate.
Not a servant remained but the porter; and he had only been detained for a few days, by a promise of great wages. While Mrs. Burns was packing, he came stealthily to her room, and told her what had taken place after she left. Shutting himself in his own apartment to avoid the disagreeable scenes around him, the new owner of this princely mansion hastened out when all was quiet to order brandy and cigars to be brought in with supper. He rang the bell. There was no response. He rang again.
He then walked angrily to the kitchen, but all was deserted. He stamped and swore until the maid servants clung together in their affright, and only wished themselves safely out of the house. Each one of them would far sooner have given up the wages due them, than to have ventured into the presence of this monster in human form.
At length he was heard coming up stairs, and Jacob came out of his room dressed to leave; when really pitying his frightened companions, he determined to turn Joseph"s anger against himself. After hearing the most abusive language unmoved, Jacob told his master, he would follow him to the parlor, and there receive his directions.
Joseph appeared to remember that he was compromising his dignity by condescending to follow a servant to his room, and he went below.
With a whispered word to his companions to leave their effects with him, and depart, the kind hearted Jacob waited upon his _master_, though he will not call him such; and there was persuaded to remain a short time as mentioned above.
Mrs. Burns told the good man that she would see that every cent of their wages was paid to them, and then with his a.s.sistance loaded the wagon with the trunks, and took her leave of the place where she had pa.s.sed nearly twenty years.
_Sat.u.r.day, November 18th._
We have heard nothing from the proprietor of Lee Hall, except the fact from Jacob, that Mr. Colby has completely domesticated himself in the family; and the new servants brought from the city, have all given notice of their intention to leave. Two of the girls were indignant at their employer on account of his insulting familiarity.
Jacob says the house is seldom quiet until long after midnight; and that alarmed by the uproarious noise in the parlors, he has sometimes ventured below and heard violent altercations between Joseph and the lawyer. But the next morning, when they had slept off the effects of their wine, they appeared as friendly as ever.
Sister Emily went with Allen and Lucy to-day to look at a pretty cottage, with a view to house-keeping. The distance from Allen"s business was the only objection, as they do not intend to keep a carriage. The bride has not yet recovered from the effects of the excitement and sorrow through which she has pa.s.sed. We all think the novelty of furnishing her house will occupy her attention and be of use to her.
_Thursday, November 23d._
After breakfast this morning Frank showed me the following notice in the Crawford Advertiser.
"PROBATE COURT NOTICE."
"At a court of Probate held in the town of Crawford, county of ----, and commonwealth of Ma.s.sachusetts, November 22d, 1837, whereas there and then appeared Joseph Lee, gentleman, to set up what he claimed to be the last will and testament of one Joseph Lee, deceased, and whereas objections were filed with this court by his brother-in-law, Allen Mansfield, against this instrument from a belief that it was not the _last_ will and testament of the testator, therefore notice is hereby given to all parties and persons interested to appear before me at 10 o"clock, A. M., Thursday, the 30th of this month, and show cause if any there be, why said will should not be set up and executed.
---- ----, _Judge of Probate._
_November 22d._"
_Monday, November 27th._
The Doctor was notified to-day to appear before the Probate Court as a witness for Allen Mansfield against Joseph Lee. His sympathies are of course with Lucy and Allen, and he will testify to what he is sure were the intentions of the father. But he feels quite confident that there is no legal testimony in the case, sufficient to prove that he ever did make a will according to his intentions. It appears extremely improbable that if such a doc.u.ment had been in existence previous to the marriage of his daughter, that he should not have mentioned the fact to Allen.
But he only said, "You will not have a portionless bride." That such a doc.u.ment did not then exist is almost certain from the fact it could not have been made without the knowledge of some one in the house, since though the old gentleman was perhaps capable of drawing up a legal doc.u.ment, and had the perfect use of his right hand, yet such doc.u.ment being drawn up, would not be admitted in court without witnesses.
Then if executed the day after the marriage took place as was at first hoped, where is it? What motive could there be for concealing it? and for allowing one of former date to be presented and set up?
_Friday, December 1st._
Yesterday the Doctor attended the Probate Court. Mr. Willard appeared for Allen Mansfield. After the will had been read, and proved by the witnesses, to be both genuine and authentic, Mr. Willard asked leave to call for the witnesses to the deed of gift to widow Churchill; and endeavored in vain to prove by them that a subsequent will had been made.
One of the witnesses to the latter instrument was not living, being the young man who was so suddenly killed. The other testified that no farther business, except signing the deed was transacted in his presence.
Lawyer Colby corroborated this testimony, while Joseph Lee after being sworn, testified that although Mr. Willard"s statements might be true as to his father"s intention to make a second will, he had yet to learn that such a will had actually been made.
For want of proof of the existence of a second will, the one then before the court was set up and Joseph Lee duly appointed executor upon his deceased father"s estate.
CHAPTER XXV.
"How may the mother"s heart Dwell on her son, and dare to hope again?
The Spring"s rich promise hath been given in vain, The lovely must depart!
Is _he_ not gone, our brightest and our best?
Come near! and bear the early-called to rest!
"Ye weep, and it is well!
For tears befit earth"s partings! Yesterday Song was upon the lips of this pale clay, And sunshine seemed to dwell Where"er he moved--the welcome and the blessed!
Now gaze and bear the silent unto rest!" MRS. HEMANS.
_Friday, March 16th, 1838._
My dearly loved mother,--With a heart borne down with sorrow, I take my pen to communicate the sad intelligence which even as I write my heart refuses to believe. My sweet little Walter, my first-born son; your only grandchild, is, alas! no more on earth!
_Evening._
I could go no farther this morning; the dreadful reality overwhelmed me; and I could only weep afresh. My dear, doubly _dear_ husband came and wept with me. Then he took that precious book which contains so many words of comfort to poor broken hearts, and read pa.s.sage after pa.s.sage.
We knelt together, and told Jesus all our sorrow and grief at the loss of our darling; that our hearts were like to burst that we should see his face no more,--no more hear his merry laugh, or his shout of delight. And Jesus, our elder brother, seemed to stand by us, and weep with us as he did with Mary and Martha of olden time. But at length he pointed to the beautiful azure sky above, while his tender notes fell like low sweet music upon our ears, hushing into peace the waves of sorrow which were roaring and dashing over us. "Beyond those bright aerial regions is the throne of the eternal. Before him are a mult.i.tude whom no man can number, of little ones who were early transplanted from this cold and sinful earth to the pure air of heaven. While sinful nations in affright hide their faces from the searching glance of him who sitteth upon the throne, yet upon these little ones he lifts the light of his countenance, and bestows his constant smiles. Your child washed in my blood, purified and sanctified by my spirit, is among them swelling with his infant voice the choir who are ever singing, "worthy the lamb that was slain for our sins.""