V
In due time an answer came. It was with considerable anxiety that Ibroke the seal, but there was a smile upon my face when I finishedreading the short, friendly letter which he had sent me. He knew a placethat would suit me exactly. Mr. and Mrs. Grundy were an elderly couplewho lived about eight miles north of Springfield. They belonged to thearistocracy of the county, and lived in a two-story brick house on amagnificent farm. They were warm friends of Reuben's, and he felt nohesitancy in declaring that they would board me throughout the summerand fall. So positive was he of this fact that he wrote me to comewhenever I pleased, and he would have everything arranged by the time Igot there. He added a postscript, in answer to mine, stating that hisfriends were childless, and he did not think I would be bothered by anyyoung ladies.
My elation at the success of my plans thus far was so apparent that itwas openly remarked upon at the tea-table that evening. And so I toldthem all then and there of the change I was about to make. Of coursethere was a chorus of regrets that I was to leave, which I could notbelieve genuine, since I was so unsociable. But meeting Mrs. Moss in thehall as I started to my room, I explained to her that my health demandedan immediate change of air, and that for no other reason would I havegone. This the good lady accepted smilingly, and wished me muchhappiness in my new home.
There were not many preparations for me to make. My books and mywardrobe packed, my landlady paid, a modest demand on my bankers, and Iwas ready. It was in the latter part of April, in the midst of a steadydownpour of rain, that I took my seat in the four-horse coach, with Fidobetween my feet. I remember the feeling which came to me when the hugevehicle started. I felt that I was almost leaving the earth, despite therumbling and the jolting, when I thought of my destination. The heavyclouds and the swishing rain held no gloom for me. For above the cloudswas the broad, blue sky, with the sun somewhere in it, and somewherebeyond the curtain of the rain was light and warmth and blooming fields.My heart was beating riotously, for this trip was really an adventure tome, who had not been anywhere for nearly twenty years. The coach wasempty but for us, Fido and me, and it will seem queer to some when Isay that I was very thankful for this. But I did not care to talk topeople who were nothing to me, and who I might never see again. I muchpreferred to be in solitude, and muse upon all that my new life wouldhold for me. The rain stopped all at once, so suddenly that I would havebeen surprised had it not been April, and through the soiled glass ofthe coach door, now thickly streaked where the raindrops had run downit, came a blunted arrow of sunshine.
My trip would have been a tiresome one under ordinary circumstances, butI did not feel the least fatigue during all the long journey. I shallnever forget the morning we rolled into Springfield, and drew up beforea small frame building opposite the court square. A plain boardsuspended above the doorway of this building bore the simpleinscription, "Reuben Walker, Attorney-at-Law." Here was the place wheremy friend gave legal counsel in exchange for legal money. I caught sightof his broad, humorous face ere the coach had given its final jolt as itcame to a standstill. Directly in front of the office before which westopped were two large locust-trees, and under these trees that brightspring morning quite a little company had gathered. There was a suddenexplosion of laughter as the stage-driver descended from his perch andopened the door for me to alight, and a quick glance showed me that somejoker had reached the climax of his narrative just at that moment.Before I could rise from my seat, the coach door was darkened by afigure, a strong hand was thrust into mine, and I was fairly draggedinto the arms of Reuben Walker, who gave me hearty greeting. To this Iresponded quite as heartily. Fido had whisked out of his narrowquarters, and had begun to stretch himself in many wild contortions. Iproceeded to reckon with my stage-driver, then Reuben took me by thehand, and leading me up to the men whom he had just left, he made meacquainted with each and every one. Most of them I have forgotten, forthey went out of my life as speedily as they entered it; but one Iremember yet, for he was afterwards governor of our belovedcommonwealth. This was Proctor Knott, and he it was who had exploded thejoke just as I arrived. I quietly joined the company, and listened tosome more of this gifted young lawyer's yarns. The ringing of thecourt-house bell soon after caused a dispersion of the crowd. Some ofthem went with the lawyers to the court-room, others strolled down town,and Reuben and I were left alone.
"Come in, come in, Abner," he said, bluffly, and he led the way into hisoffice.
A square table covered with green baize stood in the centre of the room.A box filled with sawdust sat upon the floor to serve as a cuspidor;three or four splint-bottomed chairs completed the office furniture. Oneof these I occupied, placing my hat upon the table, and Reuben tookanother, stretching out his short, fat legs, and crossing his hands overhis bulging front.
"I'm glad to see you, Abner, 'pon my honor," he began, smiling so thathis rubicund visage glowed with good feeling. "How did you take a notionto come to the woods?"
"I was cramped," I answered truthfully. "The city's smoke was stiflingme, and I wanted a breath of fresh air."
"You'll get enough of that down at Henry Grundy's. That's the only coolplace in the county in midsummer. And if you'll take my advice andstraddle one of his thoroughbreds once a day, you'll get some color inyour face. I've fixed everything for you. You're to have a front room onthe ground floor, and pay twelve dollars a month. That's cheaper thanstealing it. But you don't want to make a hermit of yourself when youget down there. Come up and spend a week or two with me. Miss 'Pheme[his wife] will be mighty glad to see you. She makes me walk chalk, butshe'll be easy on you. You're going to be with mighty fine folks,--thecream of the county. They were very particular at first, but I vouchedfor you, and that settled it. Henry said he'd be in this morning afteryou. He's a Presbyterian and a Democrat, and talks to you as though youwere deaf, but he's harmless. Why don't you tell me 'bout yourself?"
I saw at once that my good friend still insisted on doing all thetalking,--one of the traits of his young manhood,--and when I told himthat he hadn't drawn breath for five minutes, he seemed surprised.
"There's not much to tell about myself, Reuben," I replied. "I've beenliving alone,--reading, smoking, and thinking a little. Then I fanciedthat I'd like the country, and here I am."
"Where'd you get that?" He jerked one squat thumb toward my crippledretainer.
"Picked him up out of the street several months ago, after he'd been runover by a carriage."
"Same soft heart as ever, Abner. Remember when one of the boys at schoolpoked that nest of damned little English sparrows out of the gutter?There was about sixteen of 'em, and you gathered the ugly little devilsup into your new hat and tried to raise 'em. Don't--you--re-member,Abner?"
His fat sides shook, as he ejaculated the last sentence with difficulty.
"Yes," I answered, smiling. "My efforts were useless, for the littlefellows all died. I felt sorry for them."
"I wish they were all in--hello! yonder's Henry, by jolly!"
I looked out of the window, and saw an old-fashioned rockaway draw upbeside the curbing. The horse which drew it was a high-headed bay; theharness and the vehicle were spotless. A negro lad of near twenty, blackas the night before creation, sat on the front seat, and on the rearseat was a man worth looking at twice. As the negro hastily scrambleddown and opened the door, this gentleman alighted. He was a trifle oversix feet tall; his face was wrinkled and kindly; his brows were gray andshaggy, and his eyes were gray. A patriarchal white beard flowed downover his breast, and his suit was of black broadcloth. Such an evidentair of gentility sat upon him, that I mentally congratulated myself thatI was to be associated with him. An instant later I heard his stentorianvoice in the hall.
"Walker! Walker! Is that fellow Stone here yet? I can't wait all morningfor him, for there's plenty of ploughin', and plenty of lazy niggersback at the farm! Hello! Why, is this Stone?"
And the hand that closed over mine was strong with the strength of thesoil.
The Love Story of Abner Stone Page 5