Timothy Crump's Ward: A Story of American Life
Page 18
THE next thing to be done by Jack was, of course, in some way to obtaina clew to the whereabouts of Peg, or Mrs. Hardwick, to use the name bywhich he knew her. No mode of proceeding likely to secure this resultoccurred to him, beyond the very obvious one of keeping in the street asmuch as possible, in the hope that chance might bring him face to facewith the object of his pursuit.
Fortunately her face was accurately daguerreotyped in his memory, sothat he felt certain of recognizing her, under whatever circumstancesthey might meet.
In pursuance of this, the only plan which suggested itself, Jack becamea daily promenader in Chestnut and other streets. Many wondered whatcould be the object of the young man who so persistently frequented thethoroughfares. It was observed that, while he paid no attention to youngladies, he scrutinized the faces of all middle-aged or elderly womenwhom he met, a circumstance likely to attract remark, in the case of awell-made youth like Jack.
Several days passed, and, although he only returned to his uncle's houseat the hour of meals, he had the same report to bring on each occasion.
"I am afraid," said the baker, "it will be as hard as finding a needlein a hay-stack, to hope to meet the one you seek, among so many faces."
"There's nothing like trying," answered Jack, courageously. "I'm notgoing to give up yet awhile."
He sat down and wrote the following note, home:--
"DEAR PARENTS:
"I arrived in Philadelphia safe, and am stopping at Uncle Abel's. Hereceived me very kindly. I have got track of Ida, though I havenot found her yet. I have learned as much as this, that this Mrs.Hardwick--who is a double distilled she-rascal--probably has Ida in herclutches, and has sent her on two occasions to my uncle's. I am spendingmost of my time in the streets, keeping a good lookout for her. If Ido meet her, see if I don't get Ida away from her. But it may take sometime. Don't get discouraged, therefore, but wait patiently. Wheneveranything new turns up you will receive a line from your dutiful son
"JACK."
In reply to this letter, or rather note, Jack received an intimationthat he was not to cease his efforts as long as a chance remained tofind Ida.
The very day after the reception of this letter, as Jack was saunteringalong the street, he suddenly perceived in front of him a form which atonce reminded him of Mrs. Hardwick. Full of hope that this might beso, he bounded forward, and rapidly passed the suspected person, turnedsuddenly round, and confronted Ida's nurse.
The recognition was mutual. Peg was taken aback by this unexpectedencounter.
"Her first impulse was to make off, but the young man's resoluteexpression warned her that this would prove in vain.
"Mrs. Hardwick!" said Jack.
"You are right," said she, nodding, "and you, if I am not mistaken, areJohn Crump, the son of my worthy friends in New York."
"Well," ejaculated Jack, internally, "if that doesn't beat all forcoolness."
"My name is Jack," he said, aloud.
"Indeed! I thought it might be a nickname."
"You can't guess what I came here for," said Jack, with an attempt atsarcasm, which utterly failed of its effect.
"To see your sister Ida, I presume," said Peg, coolly.
"Yes," said Jack, amazed at the woman's composure.
"I thought some of you would be coming on," said Peg, whose prolificgenius had already mapped out her course.
"You did?"
"Yes, it was only natural. But what did your father and mother say tothe letter I wrote them?"
"The letter you wrote them!"
"The letter in which I wrote that Ida's mother had been so pleased withthe appearance and manners of her child, that she could not resolve topart with her, and had determined to keep her for the present."
"You don't mean to say," said Jack, "that any such letter as that hasbeen written?"
"What, has it not been received?" inquired Peg, in the greatest apparentastonishment.
"Nothing like it," answered Jack. "When was it written?"
"The second day after Ida's arrival," replied Peg, unhesitatingly.
"If that is the case," returned Jack, not knowing what to think, "itmust have miscarried."
"That is a pity. How anxious you all must have felt!" remarked Peg,sympathizingly.
"It seemed as if half the family were gone. But how long does Ida'smother mean to keep her?"
"A month or six weeks," was the reply.
"But," said Jack, his suspicions returning, "I have been told that Idahas twice called at a baker's shop in this city, and, when asked whather name was, answered Ida Hardwick.' You don't mean to say that youpretend to be her mother?"
"Yes, I do," returned Peg, calmly.
"It's a lie," said Jack, vehemently. "She isn't your daughter."
"Young man," said Peg, with wonderful self-command, "you are excitingyourself to no purpose. You asked me if I _pretended_ to be her mother.I do pretend; but I admit, frankly, that it is all pretence."
"I don't understand what you mean," said Jack, mystified.
"Then I will take the trouble to explain it to you. As I informed yourfather and mother, when in New York, there are circumstances which standin the way of Ida's real mother recognizing her as her own child. Still,as she desires her company, in order to avert all suspicion, and preventembarrassing questions being asked, while she remains in Philadelphiashe is to pass as my daughter."
This explanation was tolerably plausible, and Jack was unable togainsay it, though it was disagreeable to him to think of even a nominalconnection between Ida and the woman before him.
"Can I see Ida?" asked Jack, at length.
To his great joy, Peg replied, "I don't think there can be anyobjection. I am going to the house now. Will you come now, or appointsome other time?"
"I will go now by all means," said Jack, eagerly. "Nothing should standin the way of seeing Ida."
A grim smile passed over the nurse's face.
"Follow me, then," she said. "I have no doubt Ida will be delighted tosee you."
"Dear Ida!" said Jack. "Is she well, Mrs. Hardwick?"
"Perfectly well," answered Peg. "She has never been in better healththan since she has been in Philadelphia."
"I suppose," said Jack, with a pang, "that she is so taken up with hernew friends that she has nearly forgotten her old friends in New York."
"If she did," said Peg, sustaining her part with admirableself-possession, "she would not deserve to have friends at all. She isquite happy here, but she will be very glad to return to New York tothose who have been so kind to her."
"Really," thought Jack; "I don't know what to make of this Mrs.Hardwick. She talks fair enough, if her looks are against her. Perhaps Ihave misjudged her, after all."
CHAPTER XIX. CAUGHT IN A TRAP.