Chapter VIII: Boston Relatives

"Which way, Maddy, this vacation?" asked Mr. Hamilton.

"What do you think of Boston, papa? I have not seen Aunt Clara so long; may I not go there? I don't remember her at all."

"That is what I was thinking of, Maddy; your aunt has written so often. I am afraid, however, that you will have a sober visit, for Aunt Clara is a very religious woman."

"I have cousins in Boston, papa, and they will make my time pass pleasantly."

"Well, you shall go, Maddy, and then your cousins may visit you at Christmas."

"What kind of a looking person is Aunt Clara, papa?"

"She used to be a pleasant looking woman when she was young, not very handsome, Maddy; but since she has lost her children she has also lost all her bloom, and lives entirely secluded from the world."

Maddy was full of anticipated pleasure; but there was one drawback--she did not like to leave her friends at the cottage.

"I came to bid you good-bye, Mrs. Bruce," said the child. "I am going to Boston to spend the holidays; but I shall not find such good friends there, I am sure."

"There is one request I have to make, Madeline."

"What is that, Mrs. Bruce?"

"That you will bring me back your likeness."

"That I will, if you want it."

Roland, Effie and Maddy started to pay their last visit for some time to the sea-shore.

"Shan't I miss the old ocean, Roland? I do so love to hear the music of its waves."

"We shall miss you, Maddy," said Effie. "Only think, you will be gone three whole months, and when you get to Boston, you may forget your country friends."

"That's what I never do, Effie," replied the child, with a glowing cheek. "I do not fancy very many people, but I never grow cold to those I once love. I hate warmly, and I love with all my heart."

Roland sat very still, for secluded as their lives were, there was but one source of pleasure to them outside the cottage walls, and that was the society of our impulsive little Madeline.

"Papa told me to say to you, Roland, that you may come up to Woodcliff every Saturday, and get any book you want to read."

"Thank you, Madeline; that is very kind. It will help to pass my leisure time until you return."

Madeline mounted the highest rock, and, standing by the flag-staff, she spread out her arms towards the sea, saying, "Good-bye, old ocean, until I come back. I shall find nothing so grand as this, go where I may."

They parted at the cottage door, and next morning, Aunt Matilda was busily employed in packing up all the finery that she could gather for her little niece. Handsome dresses, and pretty tasty waists, several new bonnets, and every variety of adornment that she could devise, were heaped upon the child.

"Now, Madeline, I do hope that you will not be such a wild little thing in Boston. If you want to be like a young lady, you must not race about so--it tumbles your curls, and disarranges your dress. No young lady is ever noisy or boisterous. When you are invited out, you must always wear gloves, and make a courtesy when you come in and when you go out."

"I am afraid, Aunty, that I shall often forget these rules; I shall never stop to think of half of them."

"I hope, Madeline, that you will not mortify me by any breach of etiquette."

"A fig for etiquette, Aunt Matilda; I am only a little girl, and I am sure that Aunt Clara don't want me to be a little woman."

In due time, Maddy, accompanied by her father, started on her trip.

She had some dread of Aunt Clara, for she had heard so much about her sorrows, her piety, and her gravity, that she really expected to see a woman solemn as the grave, and demure as a cloistered nun. Towards evening, they arrived at Mrs. Edmonds'; and when Maddy entered the parlor, nothing could exceed her surprise on meeting a small lady of middle age, with a serene aspect and peculiarly sweet smile around her mouth; her almost youthful innocence of expression would have misled one, were it not for the silver hair which lay upon her fair forehead in rippling waves, falling in a few light curls around her face, and speaking so deeply of grief and sundered ties. A black silk dress, and white lace cap and collar--simple, but costly, was the costume which at all times, distinguished Aunt Clara. A pretty little foot, and delicate hands, especially attracted Madeline's attention. The only ornaments she wore, were a mourning pin containing her children's hair, her wedding ring, and a plain gold watch.

Aunt Clara folded Maddy affectionately in her arms, and turning to Mr. Hamilton, with much feeling, remarked--

"What an image of Julia! I shall love you, Madeline, for my dear sister's sake."

"It is so, Clara; she grows every day more and more like her mother. Just as impulsive; just as warm-hearted."

Maddy decided at once that Aunt Clara was charming. After a hasty toilet, Maddy was conducted to the family room. Everything was so genial and cheerful, that she really enjoyed her tea out of the bright silver urn; and the old family plate seemed to shine with such a polish under the gas-light, that she wondered if it was brought out in compliment to the strangers. It really did smile a bright welcome. The family consisted of Aunt Clara, and an orphan child, the daughter of a dear friend, who had died when she was an infant. Ever since, Mrs. Edmonds had supplied a mother's place to Lucy, who bore her mother's name.

Madeline was introduced to the young girl, who appeared about fourteen. She soon found that Lucy was gentle and attractive in her manners, with a degree of seriousness unusual in a girl of her age.

Lucy Edmonds was drawn towards the bright and beautiful child, who prattled so sweetly around the supper table; for not being possessed of many personal charms, she was a warm admirer of it in others. Lucy's chief attraction was a profusion of glossy black hair, that lay in heavy folds around a remarkably fine head; a pale complexion, ordinary features, and soft dark eyes, made up the rest.

As soon as tea was over, Madeline drew Lucy into the parlor, and seating herself upon the sofa by her side, she rattled away with questions, for which she scarcely waited for an answer.

"Do you ever see Lavinia Raymond? What a conceited piece she is! Is she just as fond of dress as ever? When she was at our house, all she thought about was changing her dress, and walking up and down before the glass. I suppose that I must be polite to her, for her mother is my father's sister; but I know I shall like you better, Lucy."

Lucy was amused at the perfect openness of Madeline's remarks, but she had been taught better lessons, and merely replied,

"Lavinia comes to see us occasionally; our doings are not pleasing to her; but mamma does not like me to make unpleasant remarks about people. Lavinia has never been taught anything better. We ought to be sorry for her."

"Well! well! you are a good little Lucy, I see that. I am afraid that you will not like my plain-spoken words."

"I like truth, Madeline; but it is not well, mamma says, to express all that we think about people. Charity should lead us to hope the best of everybody."

"I do believe that you are a Methodist, Lucy; that's the name that is given to very good people, is it not, Lucy?"

"There are very good people among all Christians, Madeline; but I think that my mamma is the best of all."

"Lucy, will you give us some music?" said Aunt Clara.

She did not need any coaxing, but went forward to the instrument with the calm self-possession of one that had been taught to think but little of herself.

Lucy Edmonds had a sweet voice, and sang several songs most charmingly.

"That's what I like, Lucy," remarked little Mad-cap. "Now there was Lavinia Raymond, who has had the very best masters; it was the greatest act of condescension for her to play one piece, and then it was done in such an affected style, that I really used to feel sick when she sat down to the piano. Here! this was the way;" and Madeline seated herself at the instrument, and, being a perfect mimic, commenced rolling her eyes, and mincing her words in imitation of her cousin.

"Madeline," said Aunt Clara, "did not Lavinia stay with you some months?"

"Yes, ma'am, she was at Woodcliff three months."

"Is it kind, Maddy, to ridicule her? You know that she is your cousin, and has been your guest. Never mind Lavinia, Maddy, I would rather hear some of your music."

"I would play willingly, Aunt Clara, but I only know a few simple songs."

She sat down with such an artless, winning manner, that Aunt Clara listened with peculiar delight, not only on account of the manner with which she complied, but with feelings of deep emotion, as the rich music of her remarkable voice reminded her of the sister whom she had lost.

"Do you like Scotch songs, Aunt Clara?"

"Yes, my dear; will you sing one?" and Maddy sang with peculiar sweetness--

"Ye banks and braes o' bonny doon,
How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair,"

but when she sang in her own touching way,

"I am wearing awa', Jean,"

Mrs. Edmonds could not restrain the starting tears, for it was her sister's favorite song.

About nine o'clock, a bell was rung, which assembled the family for prayers. The two servants, with Mr. Hamilton, Lucy, and Madeline, composed the worshipers. Lucy took her seat at the piano, and played an evening hymn, in which all present joined; and Aunt Clara's soft impressive voice read the Scriptures, and a solemn form of evening prayer, which committed all present to the care of the Good Shepherd. All was serious, and yet there was a sweet cheerfulness about the whole household, which had a most harmonizing influence upon our little girl.

"Good-night, my love," said the kind aunt, as she kissed the niece; "Lucy will show you to your room."

There was a dear little chamber adjoining Aunt Clara's room, which had been fitted up for Madeline. It was a gem of a child's sleeping-room--a pretty green carpet, the dearest little bedstead and wash-stand, the prettiest little bureau, and neatest chairs, a hanging-shelf filled with such nice books--pure white curtains, the sweetest toilet set, and pictures of domestic scenes of innocent and happy childhood. It was charming! So thought Madeline as she looked around. And when she saw the little Bible and hymn-book, which were placed upon a table near her bed, she felt that Aunt Clara had forgotten nothing that could make her good and happy.

The first bell awoke our little girl, and in a few minutes, Lucy peeped in to see what progress she was making. She was soon dressed, and, after a few verses in the Bible, and a short prayer of simple words, Maddy met good Aunt Clara in the breakfast-room. Smiling and serene, she kissed her little niece; and, after the morning devotions and breakfast were over, Aunt Clara, taking Madeline by the hand, went up to her chamber.

"Now, my dear niece, there are a few things which I wish you to do, after the chambermaid has attended to the ordinary care of your room. I want you to keep everything in perfect order, putting up your comb and brush, hanging up your dresses, and putting away everything that you are not using; neatness is invaluable to a woman, and I hope that you have been accustomed to these things."

Maddy smiled, and said, "I don't think that I ever hung up a dress in all my life; Nanny did everything of that kind for me; but I'll try to remember, if I can."

"So I suppose, Madeline; but it is a good thing to learn to wait upon yourself. After a while, we will take a ride; I want to show you the environs of Boston."

The child was enchanted with all that she saw; her innocent expressions of delight amused Aunt Clara, and brought back many a train of tender thought, as her enthusiasm recalled the image of her mother.

When she reached home, she found that Lavinia Raymond had been to see her.

"Is not this foolish, Aunt Clara, for Lavinia, who is only a little girl, to leave her card for her cousin? She is a real dunce to put on such airs."

"Stop, Madeline; it is your cousin, and you should not indulge in such free remarks."

"But, Aunt Clara, I would not say one word behind her back, that I would not to her face; I've told her many a time that she was a simpleton."

"Do you expect to go through this world, Maddy, telling everybody what you think of them?"

"If I don't by my words, I must by my manners; for I cannot, for the life of me, be polite to people whom I do not like; that seems deceitful, Aunt Clara."

"No, Maddy, you are mistaken; courtesy is due to all--you may form very erroneous opinions of people; and there could be no social intercourse if all the thoughts that pass through our minds, are to be obtruded at all times upon persons whom we may not choose to fancy."

Next day, Lucy and Madeline called upon Lavinia.

"What did you mean, Lavinia, by leaving your card the other day?"

"Why, Madeline, that is the fashionable way of paying visits!"

"Poh! Lavinia, we are nothing but little girls; and it is just ridiculous for us to be playing the woman."

Lucy could not but smile at her homely bluntness, and thought that her mamma would have some trouble before she could tame the spirits, or discipline Madeline's voluble tongue.

In a day or two, Aunt Clara invited a few choice little girls to take tea with our young friends. They were pleasant children, just such as Madeline liked, fond of play, and not too old to talk about dolls. Lavinia, who was one of the party, looked down upon the rest with supreme contempt, and when asked to join in their childish plays, could only answer, "No, I thank you; pray excuse me."

Lucy Edmonds exerted herself to the utmost: joined in their plays, and when they wanted to dance, played several cotillons for their amusement. Aunt Clara brought out some childish games, and in her own sweet winning manner, made one of the company.

Madeline passed a delightful evening. After the children had gone, she hung around her aunt, as if wanting to say something.

"What is it, Maddy? Have you not something to tell me?"

Seating herself on a little stool at her aunt's feet, she said, "How is it, Aunt Clara? I heard that you were so stern and cold, and that you thought it a sin even to smile. I thought that I should be so afraid of you; then you let us dance, and I always thought that good people did not dance. I am not at all afraid of you, Aunt Clara, and I love you so much more than I do Aunt Matilda."

"You have made some common mistakes, Madeline; the world likes to cast reproach upon the children of God, and so they represent us as dull and gloomy; but the Bible does not, Maddy. The righteous there are always spoken of as the only happy people in the world--merriment belongs to the days of childhood, Madeline, and if the joy of the spirit leads the feet to a dancing motion, let it be so; only let it stop when childhood has passed away; more serious duties, cares, and joys then have claims upon us."

"You let Lucy dance, then, Aunt Clara?"

"Yes, Madeline, here at home if she wishes to; but dancing-schools and children's balls, and all these foolish displays, I entirely discourage."

"What will you do, aunt, when Lucy is a grown-up lady?"

"I am trying all that I can to give Lucy a strictly religious education, and, by the blessing of God, I expect that she will be a Christian; that will regulate all the rest, Madeline. Lucy will not then need the vain amusements of the world to make her happy--when the butterfly bursts its shell, it feeds no more upon the food which satisfied the grub, but honeyed sweets alone suits its new nature; so with the child of God, Maddy, who can say,

"Let worldly minds the world pursue,
It has no charms for me;
Once I admired its follies too,
But grace has set me free."

"Well, dear aunt, if all pious people were just like you, I think that everybody would want to be Christians; but there was Miss Molly Tibbs, with a face as long as my arm, and a mouth drawn up like a persimmon, she thought it was a sin to laugh, and that pink was a wicked color; just think of that, Aunt Clara, the sweet color of the lovely rose wicked! Did you ever hear such stuff? But wasn't she a vixen! scolding from morning till night--tormenting her little brothers and sisters, and making everybody unhappy around her."

"Poor lady! What a pity that she had not studied the character of our blessed Master, whose whole errand upon the earth was to make men happy."

On the first Sunday after her arrival she accompanied Aunt Clara and Lucy to church. It was a solemn service, and the minister was an earnest, faithful preacher of the simple gospel. When the sweet organ rolled through the church with its swell of heart-stirring music, Madeline was carried away, for she was not accustomed to the organ in their humble village church.

"Was not that lovely music, Aunt Clara?" asked the child; "it is so different from our country choir. I could listen all day to music like that; and the voices, Oh! how that lady's sounded; it seemed to ring, Aunt Clara, just like a sweet bell, and then it rolled up and up, and I could follow it all round the roof--it seemed to carry us right up to Heaven."

Sunday was a happy day at Aunt Clara's. She wore her brightest smile on that blessed day, and everything around her household breathed of the sweet calm within that holy bosom. In the corner of the parlor stood a harp closely covered. Madeline had often wondered who played upon the instrument, and at last ventured to ask Aunt Clara.

"I was very fond of the instrument, Madeline, and used to play upon it in the happy days when my husband and children were with me; but since then I have never touched it."

"Will you not let me hear some of its sweet strains, Aunt Clara? I never heard the harp," asked Madeline.

"It is out of tune, Maddy; but to-morrow I will send for the tuner, and you shall be gratified."

"Whose pictures are those, Aunt Clara?" asked the child, as she stood gazing at the portraits of two lovely children, a boy of twelve, and a girl of nine years of age.

"That is my Edward, Madeline, and that is my sweet Agnes; they have been among the blessed ones seven years now; they were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided. Only one week separated them. Edward was taken first with scarlet fever, and Agnes followed him in one short week. Oh! Madeline, these were dark hours when I laid my darlings in the grave; but they were lambs of Jesus' flock, Maddy, and the comfort came. Jesus healed my wounds with his own gracious hand. I can say now, 'The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.'"

"What a sweet face Agnes has! She looks so pure, just like a sweet lily of the valley."

"That's what we used to call her, Maddy, for she was just as lovely as those sweet lilies. Look here, my child," and Mrs. Edmonds opened a little book which contained a number of dried flowers. "These she gathered the last year of her sweet life, and pressed them for her mother; they are so precious, Madeline. Come up stairs, my dear, I want to show you something else," and Aunt Clara led the way to a small room that was always locked. "This was my darlings' play-room, Maddy."

A baby house, a rocking horse, some hanging shelves filled with books, several dolls, a little bureau filled with dolls' dresses, and a box of carpenters' tools--all these sweet mementoes were there. But that which touched Madeline most, was the last Christmas tree that the mother had ever dressed. There it was, with all its little keepsakes from various friends.

"Oh! Aunt Clara, did it not break your heart to part with both?"

"It would have done so, my child, but for the grace which bade me look upward, when the first storm of grief had passed, and I could look up at the crown of glory, the palms of victory, and the white robes of the upper world; then by degrees my grief was stilled, and I have found comfort in lightening the griefs of my fellow-sufferers, and spreading the flowers of love along the path of other children, as I would have done for my own darlings."

"That's what makes you so good to Lucy, dear aunt," answered Madeline.

"Lucy is a great blessing, dear; she is so thoughtful for her years. I think she never forgets my sorrow, and is always trying to make up for the loss of those who have gone before."

"Why, aunt, I never should have thought that you had seen so much trouble, you are always so smiling and happy."

"Maddy, there are some of the marks of the grief that wrung my heart," and she pointed to the silver hair, so fine, so soft, "it turned white in one night, my child."

Madeline felt a deeper reverence for her dear aunt from that day, and by every means in her power tried to show her love for her afflicted relative. And in return, Aunt Clara learned to love most tenderly the wild child of nature committed for a time to her care. The next day, the tuner was sent for, and in the evening, Aunt Clara entertained Madeline with some exquisite sacred music on the harp.

"I have often heard papa talk about the harp, he is so fond of that instrument. Would it not be a great surprise if I could learn the harp without his knowledge? he would be so delighted."

"We will see about it, Maddy."

Next day, Mrs. Edmonds engaged one of the best teachers in Boston, and laid out a daily plan for her little niece as well as Lucy, for she well knew that idleness is the bane of happiness.

"Line upon line, and precept upon precept," was, however, the discipline which she had constantly to exercise in training the wayward nature of her interesting charge.

One day Aunt Clara looked over the banisters, and saw her little niece talking very earnestly to a poor woman at the front door.

"Come here, Madeline, I want to speak to you."

"Wait a minute, aunt," said the child, "I will be there directly."

"Who is that woman, Maddy?"

"I don't know, aunt; but she is so poor and ragged. She has five children, and no husband, and they are starving to death."

"How do you know that, my child?"

"Why, aunt, she said so," replied Maddy, with an earnest look.

"What did you give her, my child?"

"All that was in my purse, aunt."

"And how much was that?"

"Only two dollars, aunt, and that is so little to buy clothes and food for so many."

"You had better not give money in that way, my child."

Mrs. Edmonds went to the door, took the woman's address, and promised to call upon her the next day. Accordingly she went, but no such person lived there, or could be heard of in the neighborhood. Madeline was sadly chagrined, when she found that the woman had told such a dreadful falsehood.

"So you see, my dear, it is not best to give money at the door; it is always advisable to visit such cases."

"What a shame! Aunt Clara, for that woman to be so wicked; she might prevent us from giving to one who is really deserving."

"So it is, my dear; but we have to learn some very sad lessons in this wicked world."

Madeline frequently visited Lavinia, not because she wished to do so, but simply on the ground of relationship, and Lavinia frequently sent for her. One morning, a servant rung the bell, and left cards for Madeline and Lucy, from Lavinia Raymond for the next Tuesday evening, announcing herself at home at eight o'clock.

"Aunt Clara, must we go? I don't want to go to any such parties of would-be men and women."

"I suppose that you must go, Maddy; you will give great offence to your Aunt Raymond, if you do not."

"I am not going to dress up in anything but a simple muslin, aunt, and if she don't like it, I don't care."

"That is the most becoming for a little girl; it is what Lucy will wear."

The evening arrived, and Lavinia was quite shocked at the plebeian simplicity of Madeline and Lucy.

"Why did you not wear one of your silk dresses, Madeline? this is a full dress party. I think you might have paid me the compliment."

"I came as a little girl, Lavinia, not as a young lady."

"You are the greatest simpleton that I ever saw, Madeline, with a father rich enough, and indulgent enough to give you anything you want, and you care no more for dress than a little country girl."

"That is just what I am, Lavinia."

The sight of so many over-dressed children aping all the airs and graces of grown men and women amused our little girl, and no sooner was she at home, than she commenced mimicking the folly that she had witnessed.

"Aunty, there was one of the most terrible gluttons there among these would-be ladies that I ever met with. She ate of everything upon the table, every variety of ice-cream and cake, and jelly, and confectionery; she ate oysters, and drank champagne; and to crown all, she filled her pockets with choice bon-bons; and when the candied fruit-basket was broken, took her share of that. I wonder how she got home; I know that she was deadly sick, for she looked as pale as a ghost. I'd rather sail on the lake back of our house with two or three little girls, than go to a dozen grand parties like that. You ought to have seen Lavinia, Aunt Clara, flounced to the waist, quantities of jewelry, hair dressed by a fashionable hair-dresser, and she bowed and courtsied about all the evening, as if she were twenty-one, instead of thirteen."

"My dear Madeline, will you ever remember that you were entertained last evening by Lavinia, and that you should not indulge in such free remarks?"

"I can't help it, Aunt Clara; I hate affectation, and despise flirts; a flirting child is perfectly horrid."

"These are strong expressions, my dear child; I do not think that the occasion calls for them."

"I expect, aunt, that I shall have to take Lavinia home with me. Aunt Raymond hinted it last night; but I must have Lucy; shan't I, Aunt Clara?"

"We will see, my dear; I should like Lucy very much to spend a few weeks in the country. I think that she needs the change."

"Will you go with me to-morrow to a good artist? I promised to take some of my likenesses home. Mrs. Bruce would be so disappointed."

"And who is Mrs. Bruce, Maddy?"

"She is one of my best friends, but she is very poor, aunt; she has to do plain sewing, and go to market for her living; she has two such good children, one named Roland, he is so good and so wise; they have taught me so much, Aunt Clara; and then she has a daughter Effie, such a dear girl; they are Scotch people, aunt, you would like them so much."

"Is Mrs. Bruce a lady, Maddy?" asked her aunt.

"A lady, aunt! I don't know what to say; she has nothing that any other lady has; she has a very mean home, common clothes, and they are one of the poorest families around Woodcliff; but there is something about her, aunt, not at all like the common poor; she is educated, refined, polite, pious--yes, aunt, she must be a lady--sometimes I think Roland must have been a relation to the great Bruce, he is such a hero."

Madeline succeeded in getting some really good pictures of herself; giving one to Aunt Clara, and one to Aunt Raymond, she reserved the remainder for dear friends at home.

"Here is a letter, Aunt Clara, from dear papa; he will be here in two weeks, and says that Lavinia and Lucy must be ready to go home with us--you will not object, dear aunt?"

"No, Maddy, Lucy can go." Madeline was very happy at the idea of returning to Woodcliff, though sorry to leave her beloved aunt. She had made surprising improvement on the harp, and regretted the loss of her lessons.

Mr. Hamilton had but a short time to stay; therefore, on the next morning after his arrival, the party turned their faces towards Woodcliff.

"Good-bye, dear aunt," sobbed Maddy; "I shall not soon forget the sweet lessons I have learned here; you will keep my secret, won't you, aunty?"

"You'll come to me, Maddy, should sorrow overtake you; Aunt Clara always has a warm corner at her hearthstone for her little niece."