THE MINISTER"S WIFE TAKES PUPILS.
Bays Hollow stands on the very boundary line which separates Connecticut from New York. Half the valley was in one State, half in the other; but the minister"s house, in fact the whole village, lay in Connecticut.
Persons acquainted with the geography of that part of the country, will understand that the easiest mode of access to this place before railroads threw their iron belts from State to State, was by the Hudson river. Indeed, between New York and the minister"s house, there was scarcely half a day"s land travel, and that was easily accomplished in a stage-coach that ran twice a week from the river.
One night, it was late in the autumn, this stage-coach stopped at the minister"s house, and after great trampling of horses, crashing of iron steps, and unhooking of straps, a lady was a.s.sisted out. Her trunk was set on the turf, a basket, and after that, a charming little girl was lifted through the door; bang--crash--a shout to the horses, and off the stage thundered, arousing the whole neighborhood with its noise.
Mrs. Prior came out with a white sun bonnet shading her modest face, and a tidy, black ap.r.o.n tied over her calico dress. The rich travelling costume of the lady, her stately beauty, joined with a haughty pride of carriage, impressed her greatly. The little girl was, no doubt, to be her pupil. What a lovely little fairy she was, with her blue eyes so full of light, and her curls falling in waves and dancing in ringlets over her shoulders.
"Is it Mrs. Prior?" inquired the traveller, with a sort of unpleasant politeness. "Your friend in New York recommended this as a quiet place where I and my daughter could be made comfortable for a few months."
"Yes, madame," said the lady, somewhat disturbed; "I desired scholars, not boarders only."
"And I bring you scholars, madame."
"One--yes, I see, and a sweet creature she is," said the minister"s wife, looking at the little girl, who was drawing slowly toward her.
"More than one," answered the lady, blushing crimson; "I wish to study myself, partly to encourage the child, partly because I require lessons almost as much as she does."
"You, lady?"
"No matter about explanations. I have really come to be your pupil with my daughter; my education is deficient--I wish to learn. I am a widow, and quiet is good for me. I am quick, have a fine memory, and am willing to study hard. This is my object in coming--will you take me?"
"If you wish it, certainly; but we are plain people--the minister and I; our way of living may not suit you."
"Do not trouble yourself about that. I shall content myself with anything; it is knowledge I came after."
"I--I suppose my friend said something about terms," faltered the minister"s wife, blushing.
"Certainly; but that was for children; of course I shall be more trouble. If I pay you just as much again will it answer?"
"It would be wrong to take it."
"Not at all; so if you will have the trunks carried in we can settle the terms comfortably. I am ready to pay half the sum in advance, and commence study at once."
Mrs. Prior called the hired girl to help carry in the trunks, and led the way into the parlor. Mr. Prior pa.s.sed them in the hall and made one of his solemnly polite bows. The visitor answered it with a sweeping salutation, and entered the parlor a little discomfited.
"Your husband is a clergyman, as I understand?"
"Yes, he is the minister here; I hope you will like him."
"Oh, certainly."
The lady placed her travelling basket on the table, and opening it took out a heavy purse. Pouring out a quant.i.ty of gold she divided it without counting and pushed it toward Mrs. Prior.
"This will be sufficient to commence with, I fancy."
Mrs. Prior looked at the little pile of Louis d"or in absolute consternation. In her whole life she had never seen so much gold.
"It is good money," said the lady.
"Yes, doubtless," answered the minister"s wife, examining a piece of gold. "French coin."
"You read French, then?"
"Oh, yes."
"And can teach it?"
"I think so."
"And how long will it take me to learn?"
"That depends on the--the powers of application you possess."
"Oh, never fear, I accomplish all I undertake--music too?"
"I have no instrument."
"But you can teach music?"
"Yes."
"Then if there is an instrument to be got we will have it. This is a nice, airy room, and a little more furniture would not hurt it."
Mrs. Prior was busy counting the gold; her face flushed, and she made sad mistakes.
"This is too much," she said. "It would cover board and tuition for a year."
"Well, perhaps we shall stay so long."
"But even then----"
The lady made an impatient gesture.
"Pray don"t trouble me about the money. If it is enough, well--if not, I will give you more."
Here the minister came in. His wife moved toward him with the gold in her hands.
"See what the Lord has done for us through this lady," she said.
He glanced at the gold, smiled benignly, and with gentle politeness inquired the lady"s name.
"Mrs. Mason--Ellen Mason, of South Carolina," she answered, coloring as she spoke. "Rose, my dear, come and shake hands with the gentleman."
Rose shut the fanciful little basket that she carried on her arm and came forward smiling in all her features; but as she stood on tiptoe pursing her pretty mouth like a rosebud, her mother took up the basket.
The little girl saw it, broke away from the minister"s hold and ran back, crying out: