A Fool's Errand & Bricks without Straw

by Albion Winegar Tourgée

  Hesden was so occupied with fhis care that it was not until the next day that he became aware of Mollie's absence. As she had gone without preparation or farewell, he rightly judged that it was her intention to return. At first, he thought he would go at once to Red Wing and assure himself of her safety, but a moment's consideration showed him not only that this was probably unnecessary, but also that to do so would attract attention, and perhaps reveal the hiding-place of Eliab. Besides, he felt confident that she would not be molested, and thought it quite as well that she should not be at Mulberry Hill for a few days, until the excitement had somewhat worn away.

  On the next day, Eliab inquired so pitifully for both Miss Mollie and Nimbus, that Hesden, although he knew it was a half-delirious anxiety, had sent Charles on an errand to a plantation in that vicinity, with directions to learn all he could of affairs there, if possible without communicating directly with Miss Ainslie.

  This he did, and reported everything quiet — Nimbus and Berry not heard from; Eliab supposed to have been killed; the colored people greatly alarmed; and "Miss Mollie a-comfortin' an encouragin' on 'em night an' day."

  Together with this anxiety came the trust confided to Hesden by Jordan Jackson, and the new, and at first somewhat arduous, duties imposed thereby. In the discharge of these he was brought into communication with a great many of the best people of the county, and did not hesitate to express his opinion freely as to the outrage at Red Wing. He was several times warned to be prudent, but he answered all warnings so firmly, and yet with so much feeling, that he was undisturbed. He stood so high, and had led so pure a life, that he could even be allowed to entertain obnoxious sentiments without personal danger, so long as he did not attempt to reduce them to practice or attempt to secure for colored people the rights to which he thought them entitled. However, a great deal of remark was occasioned by the fact of his having become trustee for the fugitive Radical, and he was freely charged with having disgraced and degraded himself and his family by taking the part of a "renegade, Radical white nigger," like Jackson. This duty took him from home during the day in a direction away from Red Wing, and a part of each night he sat by the bedside of Eliab. So that more than a week had passed, during which he had found opportunity to take but three meals with his mother, and had not yet been able to visit Red Wing.

  CHAPTER XLVII

  BREASTING THE TORRENT

  Table of Contents

  To make up for the sudden loss of society occasioned by the simultaneous departure of Mollie and the unusual engrossment of Hesden in business matters of pressing moment, as he had informed her, Mrs. Le Moyne had sent for one of the sisters of her son's deceased wife, Miss Hetty Lomax, to come and visit her. It was to this young lady that Hesden had appealed when the young teacher was suddenly stricken down in his house, and who had so rudely refused. Learning that the object of her antipathy was no longer there, Miss Hetty came and made herself very entertaining to the invalid by detailing to her all the horrors, real and imagined, of the past few days. Day by day she was in the invalid's room, and it was from her that Mrs. Le Moyne had learned all that was contained in her letter to Mollie concerning the public feeling and excitement. A week had elapsed, when Miss Hetty one day appeared with a most interesting budget of news, the recital of which seemed greatly to excite Mrs. Le Moyne. At first she listened with incredulity and resentment; then conviction seemed to force itself upon her mind, and anger succeeded to astonishment. Calling her serving woman, she asked impetuously:

  "Maggie, is your Master Hesden about the house?"

  "Really now mistis," said the girl in some confusion, "I can't edsackly tell. He war, de las' time I seed him; but then he mout hev gone out sence dat, yer know."

  "Where was he then?"

  "He war in his room, ma'am, wid a strange gemmen."

  "Yes," added the mistress, in a significant tone, "he seems to have a great deal of strange company lately."

  The girl glanced at her quickly as she arranged the bed-clothing, and the young lady who sat in the easy chair chuckled knowingly.

  So the woman answered artfully, but with seeming innocence:

  "La, mistis, it certain am quare how you finds out t'ings. 'Pears like a mouse can't stir 'bout de house, but you hears it quicker nor de cat."

  It was deft flattery, and the pleased mistress swallowed the bait with a smile.

  "I always try to know what is going on in my own house," she responded, complacently.

  "Should t'ink yer did," said the colored woman, gazing at her in admiring wonder. "I don't 'llow dar's ennybody come inter dis yer house in one while, dat yer didn't know all 'bout 'em widout settin' eyes on 'em. I wouldn't be at all s'prised, dat I wouldn't," said she to the young lady, "ter find dat she knows whose h'yer now, an' whose been h'yer ebbery day sence Marse Hesden's been so busy. La! she's a woman — she's got a headpiece, she hab!"

  "Yes," said the invalid; "I know that that odious scallawag, Jordan Jackson, has been here and has been shut up with my son, consulting and planning the Lord knows what, here in this very house of mine. Pretty business for a Le Moyne and a Richards to be in! You all thought you'd keep it from me; but you couldn't."

  "La, sakes!" said the girl, with a look of relief, "yer mustn't say me. I didn't never try ter keep it. I know'd yer'd find it out."

  "When do you say you saw him?"

  "I jes disremembers now what time it war. Some time dis mornin' though. It mout hev been some two — free hours ago."

  "Who was the gentleman with him — I hope he was a gentleman?"

  "Oh la, ma'am, dat he war — right smart ob one, I should jedge, though I nebber seen his face afo' in my born days."

  "And don't know his name?"

  "Not de fust letter ob it, mistis."

  Maggie might well say that, since none of the letters of the alphabet were known to her; but when she conveyed the idea that she did not know the name of the visitor, it was certainly a stretch of the truth; but then she did not know as "Marse Hesden" would care about his mother knowing the name of his visitor, and she had no idea of betraying anything which concerned him against his wish. So in order to be perfectly safe, she deemed it best to deceive her mistress.

  "Tell your Master Hesden I wish to see him immediately, Maggie," said Mrs. Le Moyne, imperiously.

  "Yes'm," said the girl, as she left the room to perform her errand.

  There was a broad grin upon her face as she crossed the passage and knocked at the door of Hesden's room, thinking how she had flattered her mistress into a revelation of her own ignorance. She was demure enough, however, when Hesden himself opened the door and inquired what she wished.

  "Please, sah, de mistis tole me ter ax yer ter come inter her room, right away."

  "Anything the matter, Maggie?"

  "Nuffin', only jes she wants ter talk wid yer 'bout sunthin', I reckon."

  "Who is with her?"

  "Miss Hetty."

  "Yes" — musingly.

  "An' de mistis 'pears powerfully put out 'bout sunthin' or udder," volunteered the girl.

  "Yes," repeated Hesden, absently. "Well. Maggie, say to my mother that I am very closely engaged, and I hope she will please excuse me for a few hours."

  The girl returned and delivered her message.

  "What!" exclaimed the sick woman, in amazement. "He must have turned Radical sure enough, to send me such an answer as that! Maggie," she continued, with severe dignity, "you must be mistaken. Return and tell my son that I am sure you are mistaken."

  "Oh, dar ain't no mistake 'bout it, mistis. Dem's de berry words

  Marse Hesden said, shore."

  "Do as I bade you, Maggie," said the mistress, quietly.

  "Oh, certain, mistis, certain — only dar ain't no mistake," said the woman, as she returned with the message she was charged to deliver.

  "Did you ever see such a change?" asked Mrs. Le Moyne of her companion as soon as the door was closed upon the servant. "There never was a time before
when Hesden did not come the instant I called, no matter upon what he might be engaged."

  "Yes," said the other, laughingly, "I used to tell Julia that it would make me awfully jealous to have a husband jump up and leave me to go and pet his mother before the honeymoon was over."

  "Poor Julia!" sighed the invalid. "Hesden never appreciated her — never. He didn't feel her loss as I did."

  "I should think not," replied the sister-in-law, sharply. "But he might at least have had regard enough for her memory not to have flirted so outrageously with that Yankee school-marm."

  "What do you mean, Hetty!" said Mrs. Le Moyne, severely. "Please remember that it is my son of whom you are speaking."

  "Oh, yes," said Miss Hetty, sharply, "we have been speaking of him all along, and — "

  The door from the hall was opened quickly, and Hesden looking in, said pleasantly,

  "I hope you are not suffering, mother?"

  "Not more than usual, Hesden," said Mrs. Le Moyne, "but I wish to see you very particularly, my son."

  "I am very busy, mother, on a most important matter; but you know

  I will always make everything give way for you."

  So saying, he stepped into the room and stood awaiting his mother's pleasure, after bowing somewhat formally to the younger lady.

  "What are these reports I hear about you, Hesden?" asked his mother, with some show of anger.

  "I beg your pardon, little mother," said Hesden smiling; "but was it to make this inquiry you called me from my business?"

  "Yes, indeed," was the reply; "I should like to know what there could be of more importance to you than such slanderous reports as Cousin Hetty tells me are being circulated about you."

  "I have no doubt they are interesting if Cousin Hetty brings them," said Hesden; "but you will please excuse me now, as I have matters of more importance to attend to."

  He bowed, and would have passed out, but the good lady cried out almost with a shriek,

  "But Hesden! Hesden! Hetty says that — that — that they say — you — are a — a Radical!"

  She started from her pillows, and leaned forward with one white hand uplifted, as she waited his reply.

  He turned back instantly, stepped quickly to the bedside, and put his one arm caressingly about her as he said earnestly, "I am afraid, mother, if one speaks of things which have occurred in Horsford during the past few days as a man of honor ought, he must expect to be called bad names."

  "But Hesden — you are not — do tell me, my son," said his mother, in a tone of entreaty, "that you are not one of those horrid Radicals!"

  "There, there; do not excite yourself, mother. I will explain everything to you this evening," said he, soothingly.

  "But you are not a Radical?" she cried, catching his hand.

  "I am a man of honor, always," he replied, proudly.

  "Then you cannot be a Radical," she said, with a happy smile.

  "But he is — he is!" exclaimed the younger lady, starting forward with flushed cheeks and pointing a trembling finger at his face, as if she had detected a guilty culprit. "He is!" she repeated. "Deny it if you dare, Hesden Le Moyne!"

  "Indeed, Miss Hetty," said Hesden, turning upon her with dignified severity. "May I inquire who constituted you either my judge or my accuser."

  "Oh fie! Hesden," said his mother. "Isn't Hetty one of the family?"

  "And has every Richards and Le Moyne on the planet a right to challenge my opinions?" asked Hesden.

  "Certainly!" said his mother, with much energy, while her pale face flushed, and her upraised hand trembled — "certainly they have, my son, if they think you are about to disgrace those names. But do deny it! Do tell me you are not a Radical!" she pleaded.

  "But suppose I were?" he asked, thoughtfully.

  "I would disown you! I would disinherit you!" shrieked the excited woman, shrinking away from his arm as if there were contagion in the touch. "Remember, sir," she continued threateningly, "that Mulberry Hill is still mine, and it shall never go to a Radical — never!"

  "There, there, mother; do not excite yourself unnecessarily," said Hesden. "It is quite possible that both these matters are beyond either your control or mine."

  "Why, what do you mean?"

  "I simply mean that circumstances over which we have no control have formed my opinions, and others over which we have as little control may affect the ownership of this plantation."

  "Why — what in the world! Hesden, are you mad? You know that it is mine by the will of my father! Who or what could interfere with my right?"

  "I sincerely hope that no one may," answered Hesden; "but I shall be able to tell you more about these matters after dinner, when I promise that you shall know all, without any reservation."

  There had been a calm, almost sorrowful, demeanor about Hesden during this conversation, which had held the excited women unconsciously in check. They were so astonished at the coolness of his manner and the matter-of-fact sincerity of his tones that they were quite unable to express the indignation and abhorrence they both felt that his language merited. Now, however, as he moved toward the door, the younger lady was no longer able to restrain herself,

  "I knew it was so!" she said. "That miserable nigger-teacher wasn't here for nothing! The mean, low hussy! I should think he would have been ashamed to bring her here anyhow — under his mother's very nose!"

  Hesden had almost reached the door of the room when these words fell upon his ear. He turned and strode across the room until he stood face to face with his mother once more. There was no lack of excitement about him now. His face was pale as death, his eyes blazed, and his voice trembled.

  "Mother," said he, "I have often told you that I would never bring to you a wife whom you did not approve. I hope never to do so; but I wish to say one thing: Miss Ainslie is a pure and lovely woman. None of us have ever known her superior. She is worthy of any man's devotion. I would not have said this but for what has been spoken here. But now I say, that if I ever hear that anyone having a single drop of our blood in her veins has spoken ill of her — ay, or if her name is linked with mine in any slighting manner, even by the breath of public rumor — I will make her my wife if she will accept my hand, whatever your wishes. And further, if any one speaks slightingly of her, I will resent it as if she were my wife, so help me God!"

  He turned upon his heel, and strode out of the room.

  He had not once looked or spoken to the lady whose words had given the offense. The mother and cousin were overwhelmed with astonishment at the intensity of the usually quiet and complaisant Hesden. Miss Hetty soon made excuses for returning to her home, and Mrs. Le Moyne waited in dull wonder for the revelation which the evening was to bring. It seemed to her as if the world had lost its bearings and everything must be afloat, now that Hesden had been so transformed as to speak thus harshly to the mother for whom his devotion had become proverbial all the country around.

  CHAPTER XLVIII

  THE PRICE OF HONOR

  Table of Contents

  When Hesden came to his mother's room that night, his countenance wore an unusually sad and thoughtful expression. His mother had not yet recovered from the shock of the morning's interview. The more she thought of it, the less she could understand either his language or his manner. That he would once think of allying himself in political thought with those who were trying to degrade and humiliate their people by putting them upon a level with the negro, she did not for a moment believe, despite what he had said. Neither did she imagine, even then, that he had any feeling for Mollie Ainslie other than mere gratitude for the service she had rendered, but supposed that his outburst was owing merely to anger at the slighting language used toward her by Cousin Hetty. Yet she felt a dim premonition of something dreadful about to happen, and was ill at ease during the evening meal. When it was over, the table cleared, and the servant had retired, Hesden sat quiet for a long time, and then said, slowly and tenderly:

  "Mother, I am very sorry that
all these sad things should come up at this time — so soon after our loss. I know your heart, as well as mine, is sore, and I wish you to be sure that I have not, and cannot have, one unkind thought of you. Do not cry," he added, as he saw the tears pouring down her face, which was turned to him with a look of helpless woe upon it — "do not cry, little mother, for we shall both of us have need of all our strength."

  "Oh, Hesden," she moaned, "if you only would not — "

  "Please do not interrupt me," he said, checking her with a motion of his hand; "I have a long story to tell, and after that we will speak of what now troubles you. But first, I wish to ask you some questions. Did you ever hear of such a person as Edna Richards?"