CHAPTER V.
ROGER CARRINGTON.
"Wasn't it queer that Lieutenant Ralston should happen in!" exclaimedJaqueline at the breakfast table. "We were just going in to supper, andMadam Carrington would have him join us. She is a charming old lady,and Mrs. Carrington, the daughter-in-law, is bright and entertaining.They're some way back connections of our own mother's, of bothmothers," with a bright blush, nodding over at Patricia. "And there aretwo sons, fine young men--one is private secretary to Colonel Monroe.We shall see him to-night. Only what do you think? He advises us towait until Mrs. Madison is in the White House. And Mr. Ralston said,See her in her own house."
"Jack," said her father, using the detested cognomen, "your tongue ishung in the middle and swings both ways. Jane, Mrs. Carrington sent herregards to you, and would like very much to meet you, since both of hergrandsons are acquainted with Arthur. The relationship seems to puzzlemost people, and they take you for my daughter. Do I really look oldenough for a grandfather?"
Mrs. Jettson laughed at that. It was rather confusing at times.
"And they begged us to come over and make a visit. Both ladies are sofond of girls. Madam Carrington said they tried to keep someone withthem all the time. And, Annis, they were so much interested in hearingabout you, and wished you had been brought along."
Annis raised her eyes to her mother with a soft reproach in them.
"But I am the oldest," said Varina with jealous dignity.
"When next I go out to supper I shall have to take a caravan," declaredMr. Mason humorously. "Jane, _do_ you think you can manage these girlsfor a few days and keep them out of the clutches of the young men? Youwill have your hands full. But I am needed at home, and I feel that wemust go. So after breakfast we will gather up the small fry. Charles,have you seen enough of Washington?"
"Not half enough, but I'll come back some time. And I think I'll be asenator."
"What--not President!"
"I should have to be Vice President first," he returned gravely, atwhich they all laughed.
"I do not see why you should hurry!" exclaimed Jane. "The house islarge enough for you all."
"There's a storm brewing, for one thing, and it's a busy season. Thenwe do not desire to drive you into insanity."
"My brains are on a more solid foundation than that would imply,"retorted Jane.
There was quite a confusion when they rose. The squire was always in ahurry when any arrangement was settled upon. And since Jane was like anelder sister to the girls----
"You will have to keep them over to next week," he began. "I shall notbe able to get away before--well, the very last. You might let themspend a day or two with the Carringtons."
"Oh, we shall get along all right, never fear!"
"They're only children, you know," and the squire knit his brow overa phase of fatherhood he could not make plain to himself, much lessexplain to another. "I had an idea Catharine would sober Jaqueline downa little, being a clergyman's wife and all that, but she's just as muchof a child as ever."
"Oh, you need not feel worried about Jaqueline. And it will be verynice for them both to see the President and Mr. Jefferson, who is sureto be there. Everybody is rushing to do them honor. I wish you couldstay."
"I've seen them both many a time, Jane, and every other President. Yourfather is right in one thing, Washington _was_ a grand man. There--donot let the girls run wild."
Annis scarcely let her mother out of her sight. Mrs. Jettson kissedher and said she was a nice little thing and must come again. Charleswas enthusiastic over his good time, and had much to talk about on thehomeward journey.
"You have used your eyes to some purpose," said his mother with smilingcommendation.
Mr. Evans thought so, as well. He was very proud of his pupil.
Annis enjoyed the great world out of doors more than she did herlessons. When they were over she and Charles rambled about thebeautiful country-sides, gathering armfuls of flowers, listening to thesinging birds that filled the woods. The whole plantation was astirwith life. Corn and tobacco, wheat and oats, were the great staples,but there was much besides in fruit and vegetables, in flocks andherds. Slaves were busy from morning to night; it seemed as if theplace was dotted with them. Randolph Mason was an easy master. Mrs.Mason found the care of so large a household no light thing. It wastruly a colony of people depending upon them for advice and trainingof all sorts, for comfort in sorrow or death, for a willing ear in alltroubles.
It was a full fortnight before Mr. Mason could find time to go for hisgirls. Jaqueline had sipped pleasure continually. The reception hadindeed been a crush and an informal affair, a mere calling upon thehead of the nation in a congratulatory way. Yet there were beautifullygowned women, and famous men, and Mrs. Madison was cordial and affable.In the dining room the table was replenished continually, and thesmiling waiters seemed at everyone's elbow.
After that Mr. Jefferson had gone to his beloved Monticello, althoughthere was no wife to welcome him, and only one daughter now. And thenew President was established at the White House. First there wasa state dinner to the ministers and the official family, and then alevee.
Jaqueline and Patricia were surprised by a call from Mrs. Carrington,who had driven over with her son to give her invitation in person andtake them back with her to Georgetown.
A quaint old house full of nooks and corners, and a garden laid outwith curious winding walks, full of old-fashioned flowers and shrubs,some having been brought from the royal gardens of Paris, and one queerspace with clipped yews and a great tulip bed, so sheltered from thewind and with such a sunny exposure that it was showing color in thebuds already.
Patricia, with her girlish eagerness, went to the heart of Madam atonce. She was so frank and chatty, and laughed with such an inspiritingsound, that it gave the quiet house ripples of gayety.
Jaqueline and Mrs. Carrington fraternized in a delightful manner. Shewas a rather small, fair woman, whose education abroad and whose familyhad been her chief virtues in the eyes of her mother-in-law, who was agreat stickler for birth. She had made a good wife and mother, thoughit must be confessed that when Madam Carrington lost her son she tookcomplete possession of her grandsons. In spite of strong patriotismRoger had been sent to Oxford for three years, and had taken his degreeat law in Baltimore. Ralph was quite a bookworm, but extremely fond ofagriculture.
The longing of both women had been for a daughter. Though they seldomcompared notes on the subject, Roger's wife was a matter of muchspeculation to them. Early marriages were the rule rather than theexception; and though they were ready to invite relatives and friendsfor visits and select admirable girls, Roger was single at twenty-four,an admirer of the sex and quite fond of pleasure, and ever ready tomake himself agreeable.
Squire Mason had insisted that his girls were but children, butJaqueline was assuming the graces of womanhood rapidly. Mrs. Carringtonadmired her slim, lithe figure, her pretty face with its finecomplexion and laughing eyes that often twinkled from an overflowof mirth. There was in the young people of that day a very charmingdeference to elders, and with all Jaqueline's wildness and love of funthere was the innate touch of good breeding, the debt it was consideredone positively owed to society.
Mr. Ralph had gathered quite a menagerie of small pet animals; and, asno one was allowed to disturb the birds, the garden and strip of woodsstill remaining were filled with their melody. There was a summerhousethat, while it looked light and was overrun with blossoming vines, wassecure from rain and had one furnished room which was a great favoritewith the young man.
The little eminence gave a fine view of Rock Creek and the wildercountry to the northward. When improvements begin, as is often thecase, an estate not large enough for a farm becomes unprofitable. Thetown was growing rapidly; indeed, it had been a refuge when the firstCongress met in Washington, as there were so few houses in the Capital.The patrician resort, where men of note had mingled and discussed theinterests of the country over their choice Mad
eira and before theblazing fire of their host, was Suter's tavern, which kept its oldreputation, being one of the historic places while history was yet sonew. And the Convent of the Visitation was still a favorite with thosewho did not want to send their daughters away from home, or were ofthe same faith. Maryland had been settled largely by Roman Catholics,and Virginia was the first State to insist on equal rights for alldenominations, while her people were generally stanch Churchmen.
There was a cordial, attractive, and refined element in Georgetown,and much gayety among the young people. It was quite a common thing forforeigners to sneer at the lack of courtly usage in the Colonies, andthe want of fine distinctions one found in foreign life, which were theoutgrowth of years of training and experience, and where common peoplewere held in awe by the "divinity that doth hedge a king." But the menwho had fought side by side, slept on the ground, endured all kinds ofhardships for the sake of a free country, were imbued with that senseof equality quite different from the mushroom adjustment of the FrenchRevolution. There was a more generous culture of the soul, and muchmore intelligence than the period is credited with. When one looksback at the long line of statesmen, all more or less identified withthe great struggle and the pioneer mode of life, one finds a galaxy ofnoble men that few lands can equal, and who built an enduring name forthemselves in building their country.
Many of the young people had been educated abroad, but Harvard, King'sCollege, Nassau Hall, and William and Mary were even now taking a highstand in educational matters. And both Boston and Philadelphia hadsome finishing schools, while the Moravian Seminary was already quitecelebrated for the repose and refinement of manner young girls acquiredwithin its nun-like seclusion. But the ideal training of women had notgone far beyond what was considered the strictly feminine boundary: tobe graceful and attractive, with a certain freshness of repartee, todance well, to entertain, and to order a household. For in the highercircles one might have to receive a count or a traveling lord or aFrench marquis, or be sent abroad as the wife of some minister.
Georgetown had the advantage of more stability than Washington, and hadgrown up around home centers. Representatives came and went, often notconsidering it worth while to bring their families. Senators were stilllargely interested in the welfare of their own States, rather than thatof the distant Capital. Thus it came to pass that Georgetown was reallyattractive and rapidly improving. Streets had a more finished look.Gardens were large and well kept, as there was no need of crowding.
The Carrington young men had seen the progress of advancement andyielded to it with a sense of foresight. The outlying land had beencut up into squares--some places sold, some rented. Roger had manyexcellent business traits. Enough was left for beauty and a boundary offine forest trees on two sides, a third a prettily diversified spacesloping down to the creek, the other commanding a fine view of thetown.
"You ride, of course?" Roger had said the next morning after theirarrival.
"What Virginia girl does not?" Jaqueline returned with a gay smile.
"It bids fair to be a pleasant, sunny day, mother. What is thatdespondent song you sing so much?
"'Many a bright and sunshiny morning Turns dismal'--
and he paused----
"'Turns to be a dark and dismal day.'
"Well, don't sing it to-day, and I will come home early if I can getaway, and take Miss Jaqueline out. Ralph, you might invite Patricia.We will go up the creek road. The birds are out in force already; theshore larks and the thrush are making melody that would rejoice theheart of Robin Hood."
"But--I have no habit," replied Jaqueline, her bright face shadowedwith disappointment.
"Oh, mother can look you up something. We have attire that came overwith my Lord de la Ware's ships. Why shouldn't we be as proud as ofold _Mayflower_ tables and cups and cloaks that the New Englanders doteon?"
"I can find something, I am sure," was the motherly reply.
"Come out and take a breath of this delicious air."
That was meant for Jaqueline, who followed the young man out on theporch, down the steps, and then they loitered through the garden walk.The old white-haired gardener was clearing up the garden beds.
"Mornin', massa and young missy," he said, with a touch of his hand tohis head, that looked like a wig of crinkly wool.
Roger paused and gave some orders. Then he gathered a few wild violetsand gave them to the girl with a graceful gesture.
His mother was watching. "If he only would come to care for someone!"she mused. He was a general admirer of the sex, as the young men ofthat day were wont to be. "And the Masons are a fine family. I wouldlike nothing better."
How many times she had given anticipatory consent!
Jaqueline sent him off with a pretty smile that he forgot all aboutwhen Ajax whinnied and thrust his nose into his master's hand. He hadbeen waiting the last fifteen minutes for the well-known voice.
"Fine old fellow!" his master said, with a caressing touch of the hand."And now we must be off, or the colonel will be in a fume."
"I'll go up in the storeroom," began Mrs. Carrington, glancing theyoung girl over. "Mother, I do believe that green velvet jacket wouldfit Miss Jaqueline. You wouldn't believe that I was once quite as slimas you?" to the young girl.
"I'm sure you're not to be called stout now," said the madam, whodespised a superabundance of flesh and yet hated leanness. She was afine, perfectly proportioned woman, straight as an arrow, in spite ofher more than seventy years.
"But it always was tight in the shoulders. You see, my dear, whenthings are ordered abroad there's not an inch to alter them with--andthen I went in mourning. Would you like to come upstairs with me?"
Patricia had gone off to look at the guineas and peacocks who hadstoutly insisted upon early broods. Madam had gone over to the openwindow with some fine needlework. Jaqueline followed her hostess up thebroad stairway, through the spacious hall lighted by the cupola above,and into an ell where the main storeroom was snugly hidden.
What big old chests, with brass and iron clamps and binding and hinges!A row of deep drawers that held the best family linen and napery,some of it saved from destruction thirty years ago in the war that wasalready half forgotten. There was a sweet scent about the room, made bybunches of lavender, rosemary, and a sweet clover, much cultivated ingardens, and the fragrance of dried rose leaves.
"There have been so many things laid by. We hoped there would be girlsto take them," and Mrs. Carrington gave a soft sigh. "What a merryhousehold you must be! There are younger girls----"
"Yes, Varina, our own sister, and Annis, mother's little girl."
"I am much interested in your new mother. She seems a very kindly,amiable person. Back some distance she was connected with theCarringtons, you know."
"And she was our own mother's cousin. Oh, we are all in love with her,I assure you. And it is quite delightful for father to have someoneto consider him first of all. It's funny what marriage does to awoman," and Jaqueline gave a light laugh. "I suppose we _did_ try AuntCatharine, but she used to nag at father until sometimes he would losehis temper. And now she is always quoting and admiring Mr. Conway, andruns around after him as if he was a child. I am sure father is muchmore delightful to live with, he is so merry and full of fun. Not butwhat Mr. Conway is a gentleman and kind of heart."
"But your aunt was no longer a young girl."
"And falling in love is a queer happening. Love is writ blind," andJaqueline laughed daintily.
"The little girl of your mother's?--I was sorry not to see her. Is shelike her mother?"
"She is a shy, dainty little thing, with a sweet temper and a kind ofhomesick way now and then, as if she longed to fly away somewhere withher mother. Of course we all like her, and father has taken her tohis heart. Charles thinks her a nonesuch, since she is never weary ofhearing him read aloud. And though Charles is the youngest, Varina hasalways been the baby, and I think she is jealous. It is very amusing attimes."
"I am g
lad you get along so well together. It must be a great pleasureto your father to have a companion of his very own. And you girls willpresently marry."
"I mean to have a good, merry time first. What a pity the winter isgone just as we have a new President! Congress will soon be adjourned,and Jane says Washington is dismal in the summer."
She opened a box, where the garment had lain many a year, being takenout at the annual cleaning, brushed carefully, and laid away again. Ithad a high collar and lapels worked with veritable gold thread that hadnot tarnished.
"Yes--many people do go away. The town has not improved as we all hopedit would. But there is an old adage that Rome was not built in a day.And we are a comparatively new country. Oh, here is the jacket!"
"Oh, how lovely!" cried Jaqueline.
"The buttons want rubbing up. We will take it to Betty, who can tellif it needs altering. I keep the sleeves stuffed out with cotton so itwill not wrinkle or mat. A London tailor made it, yet it looks fresh asif it had just been sent over."
They found Betty, who was supervising some of the sewing girls. Most ofthe ordinary wearing clothes of the family and the servants' belongingswere made in the house. There was fine mending and darning, and muchdrawn work done by some of the better-class house slaves.
Jaqueline tried on the pretty jacket, and there was not much alterationto be made in it. The young girl felt curiously gratified as shestudied her slim figure in the mirror. She had never owned anything sofine, and certainly it was most becoming.
"Then, Betty, alter the band of my black cloth skirt. That is the bestwe can do just now."
"Oh, you are most kind!" and Jaqueline took both hands in a warm clasp,while the glancing eyes were suffused with delight.
"And now if you both like we will go out for an airing, as I have someerrands to do."
Jaqueline was ready for any diversion. Ralph proposed to drive them, ashe had a little business to attend to.
There were several attractive shops in Georgetown, and the hairdressingseemed to be brisk, judging from numerous signs. In one window werewigs of various colors from fair to dark. Indeed, there had been agreat era of wigs for both men and women, and especially among the fairsex, who thought even two wigs much cheaper than the continual bills ofthe hairdresser, when they were crisped into curls, pinned up in puffs,and a great crown laid on top of the head, built up in the artificesknown to fashion, to be surmounted by feathers. The wide hoop wasdiminishing as well, and graceful figures were likely to be once morethe style.
The dinner-hour in most society families was at two, and at theCarringtons' it was quite a stately meal, with often an unexpectedguest, made just as welcome as if by invitation. And to-day a Mr. andMrs. Hudson had driven up from Alexandria--old friends who had manythings to inquire about after a winter of seclusion, and most eager tolearn how the new President had been received, and whether there wouldreally be war.
No one was in a hurry. People truly lived then. Patricia thought itrather stupid, as no one referred to her with any question or comment;even Mr. Ralph, who had proved so entertaining all the morning,scarcely noticed her, as he had to play the host. But Jaqueline quiteshone. When Mrs. Hudson heard she had been at the reception, she mustdescribe not only the ladies and their gowns, but whether Mr. Jeffersonwas as ready to lay down the cares of state as most people said, and ifMrs. Madison had not aged by the continual demands that had been madeupon her.
"For she is coming quite to middle life," said Mrs. Hudson.
"And could discount fully ten years," returned Ralph.
"They all paint and powder, I have heard. So much dissipation cannot begood for women. But, then, she has no children to look after. Her sonis at school. It does make a difference if one brings up half a dozenchildren and has to think of getting them settled in life."
She had had her share, good Mistress Hudson. Three daughters to marry,which she had done well; one son to bury; one rambling off, whetherdead or alive no one knew; and one still left, a prop for decliningyears, but his mother was as anxious to keep him single as Mrs.Carrington was that her sons should marry.
They had risen from the table, and the horses had been ordered when Mr.Carrington came in. He saw how Jaqueline's face lighted up.
"The days are a little longer, and we will have our ride yet," he saidin a whispered aside. But there was still some talking to do. Jaquelinemade her adieus and went to put on her habit. Standing in the hallabove, she waited until patience was a lost virtue.
Then Roger Carrington called to her.
"I thought they would never go, they prosed and prosed so!"
"We shall be old ourselves some day," he returned with a smile, "andperhaps prose while young people are waiting."
Then he turned her around with gentlemanly grace, admiration in hiseyes.
"Is it the jackdaw that appears in borrowed plumes--some bird Ihave heard tell of. Why birds should borrow plumes--I am shamefullyignorant, am I not?" raising her eyes with a spice of mischief.
"Let us go and ask Ralph," he said with assumed gravity. "It will nottake him long to run through two or three tomes."
"And ride by moonlight?"
"There is no moon."
"Does she not look well, Roger? A tailor could not have fitted thehabit better. Do not go very far, for the air might grow chilly again."
"We will go up the creek a short distance."
Then he mounted her upon the pretty mare, his brother's favorite, forRalph had not cared to ride. Patricia looked on a little disappointed,yet she did not really wish to go, for Madam Carrington had beentelling her a curious love story about a little maid who had been sentover with a number of redemptioners, as those who were bound for anumber of years were called. She had attracted the pity of a kindlyman, who had purchased her years of service for his wife. Then the sonhad fallen in love with her, which had roused the mother's anger, whenshe sent her son to England to be educated and perhaps fall in lovewith a cousin. The little maid was rather hardly treated, when someonecame to the colony in search of her, and it turned out that she waswell born and heiress to a grand estate, held by a relative who hadformed a villainous plot against her and reported her dead. Now that hewas dying without heirs, he was desirous of making tardy reparation.
There were few story books to fall into girls' hands in those days.Swift and Sterne and Smollett were kept out of reach. Miss Burney washardly considered proper, and Miss Austen had not been heard of in theColonies.
Patricia was fond of old legends and ghost stories, with which theplantation was rife, and which had grown up about old houses. Unhappylovers had a weird, fascinating interest for young girls, even ifthe lives of the day were the reverse of sentimental. All through thedinner she had been wondering if the little maid met her lover again;but that she came back to America, she knew, for her portrait hung inthe hall among the Carrington ladies.
Ajax and Daphne rubbed noses, flung up their heads, and started off.Tame enough now is the winding creek, which was rough and rapid then,and which traveled from the upper edge of Maryland, gathering in many alittle stream, rushing along in some places over great stones, windingabout placidly in others, and then joining the Potomac.
A Little Girl in Old Washington Page 5