563 minded gentleman, seemed little pleased with | seaward horizon. At that instant Mrs. Glace my friend's witticisms, and favored him with a pointed with her slender finger to an island of look of well-bred reproof. "You have been engaged in a most fascinating labor," said he, turning to me and speaking in a slow, sweet, measured tone, that seemed like the utterance of a spirit. There was an awed, an utter silence; so long a vibration had his voice and look wrought in every heart. "I think a sitting might aid us to our object," he resumed in the same solemn music of intonation. Really the man's low voice had the power of a requiem; we were as hushed as those who stand by the open mouth of a grave. "My dear, can you commune with our lost darling?" he said, after a minute's pause. Without answering Mrs. Glace placed her hands on the table, and raised her delicate head in a posture of passionate longing. Even Punch was subdued; and no one spoke or moved for some moments. At last she started up suddenly, exclaiming: "I am on the deck of the Fairy. The island! the island! I see it through the mists of sunrise." She reeled, and would have fallen had not the Professor caught her and laid her on a sofa. "We may venture upon going," he said; "but we must go in the earliest morning." We dispersed. Our story ran before us. Every one was anxious to see the famous island; and by early four o'clock at least thirty people stood on the hospitable deck of the Fairy. All our company of the parlor scene was there. Mrs. Glace stood by the helmsman, in an attitude of inspiration, extending her hands toward the ocean as if impressing the winds and waves into our service. The enthusiastic Peppergrass had brought along his wife and four sleepy little Peppergrasses. Mr. and Mrs. Milyun came with a basket of old white port, thereby securing the affectionate attentions of Punch Punner. held the Tanners, the Schumakers, the TophI beets, old Hinnom and his sons, that severely orthodox preacher Doctor Armageddon, and finally a modest young minister from the country named Henry Howard. 66 bow. It seemed to have sprung suddenly out preternatural beauty which rose on our southern of the bosom of the sea, as a bubble struggles up to sit on the surface of a fountain. violent excitement. 'Land, ho!" shouted Punch, in a state of Dutchman! "A pilot for the flying Three cheers for the Puritans! here, we'll go in to that old white port." Hurrah, Mrs. Milyun! If there isn't any port Professor Glace quelled him with a look, and went her boats, and we commenced disembarkno one cheered. As the schooner came to, down ing in an uproar of hurry. Punch took Mrs. old white port on the other. Milyun on one arm, and the precious basket of spiritual Miss Schottische. The moment Punch with the welfare and the slender wrist of the I charged myself set foot on shore he commenced polking with his two burdens, in spite of the crimson indignation of old Milyun, and the calm, stern eyes of Professor Glace. verdure undulated before us in deserted serenity; No inhabitants appeared on the island; its ings and slender spires. We moved on in a but in the limpid distance we saw gabled dwellsort of procession, over rolling meadows and through lanes fringed with roses, toward the unland of some of the choicest flowers, declaring, earthly village. Miss Schottische made a garwith a look of sweet devotion, that now, if never after, she would deck her brow with the blooms of Paradise. We halted at the entrance of a neatly kept square, faced by gabled and pinnacled houses of the old Tudor style, so fantastic, and yet so dignified with antiquity, that Punch broke the holy silence with a roar of laughter, and De Cockayne swore in his elegant astonishment. "Lord, what a queer old place!" said Punch. going to have a peep through those funny old "Nobody up. Come along Mrs. Milyun. I'm windows." and, making his way over some flower-beds to He dragged the giggling lady through a gate, a window, looked in through the small lozengeshaped panes. 66 in a stentorian whisper; "I'll be hanged if they De Cockayne. their knees." Mainsail, foresail, jibs, and gaff-topsails, ascended spectrally through the grayness of dawn; and with a motion as slow, calm, and spiritual as the tones of Professor Glace, the Fairy drew away from its anchorage. Mighty indeed was the potency of the spirits which now befriended us at the command of that pale, delicate woman who stood by the helm. lay still, unrippled, reflecting the faint sky and The water the withdrawing stars like a mirror. would not have shivered on deck, so deprived A feather was the air around us of all motion. The wind filled the upper sails only, drawing far above our heads with a steady, silent power, seem-rolled her fine eyes, and murmered some very ing to us as if spirits held the points of the masts and fanned the highest canvas with soundless pinions. An hour we glided slowly thus; and then the sun orbed himself gloriously on the We all paused, dubious, but inclined on the in. I saw Henry Howard with his arms folded whole to await the close of the devotions withvery soul of those unheard supplications. Miss and his head bowed, as if he were joining in the Schottische whispered to me that she had never been more moved at Grace Church. Mrs. Glace sweet original poetry about her sainted darling. spreading out his great hands, broad enough High standard of piety, I have no doubt. shall ask them to give me some hints on the Prophecies." After we had stood whispering, watching, and wondering for ten or fifteen minutes, Punch and Mrs. Milyun made a precipitate rush into the street, declaring that the old fellows had finished their prayers. On every side now came forth staid men, mostly with bearded faces, dressed in broad-brimmed hats, doublets of grave-colored silk or cloth, breeches fastened at the knees by knots of ribbon, blue or scarlet hose, ponderous shoes, or boots spreading at the top into mighty circumference. There were quiet little children too, and women with placid visages and serious habiliments. Two or three elderly men, one of them vestured in black, presently approached and saluted us with solemn courtesy. I noticed, however, in some alarm, that their clear, steady eyes glanced along our faces with an expression which seemed to say that they read each of our characters by the power of a sure supernatural instinct. On the countenance of Henry Howard they dwelt with an unutterable gentleness; but from each other of our company they turned away in grave and sad condemnation. "My dear Sir, good-morning!" said Doctor Armageddon, stepping briskly forward and shak. ing both hands of the personage in black. "If I mistake not I have the pleasure of addressing a brother in the ministry. I am Doctor Armageddon, pastor of the church of the Pilgrim Mothers in Boston. I suppose you have hardly heard of my commentary on the lost book of Gad the Seer?" "You must almost be a pastor of the dead, then," said the venerable islander, without noticing the Doctor's pretensions as a commentator. "I fear that true Pilgrim Mothers have now all but perished out of our once saintly New England." "By no means. Let me reassure you. I think the standard of maternal piety was never higher than in my flock at present," said the mortified Armageddon. The elder made no reply, but the two ghostly gentlemen behind him whispered audibly: "Liar! hypocrite!" The Doctor must have overheard them, for he slunk away to one side in an extremely rosy confusion. "Come, dear friend, come with us, and we will show thee something of thy future glory," said the elder, advancing and taking the arm of our friend Howard. The young minister walked away with him, instantly, calmly, with a joyful earnestness of aspect, as if he were entering the gates of the Holy City. They disappeared down a breezy avenue of elms, and seemed to enter the splendor of the sun, which at that moment rose like a mighty archway of fire opposite the farthest opening of the verdant nave. "Upon my honor, I wish I had brought letters of introduction from my dead grandmother," said Punch, as the two other Puritans turned gravely away from us. "D-n it, old fellows! is that what you call hospitality?" called old Hinnom, in sudden rage. "Can't you invite us at least to sit down on your grass ?" IN THE STOCKS. The two Puritans turned back, and, taking the fiery old broker one by each arm, began to walk him up the avenue. His sons interfered. Punch threw off his coat, much to the confusion of Miss Schottische. Counter Jumper shouted, "Number six to the rescue!" and we were apparently on the verge of a tremendous riot, when every lady seized her man and burst into tears on his shoulder. A score of Puritans also came running toward us, armed with ponderous swords or canes; and there was evidently nothing left us but to submit and let old Hinnom take his luck. In much astonishment, mortification, and alarm, therefore, at the unexpectedly bad look of affairs, we followed on until we had reached the upper end of the square. Behind the elms there a stone prison faced us with its sullen impenetrability; while in front of it stood a robust whipping-post, and a pillory of more than comfortable dimensions. perclawed off hand, condemned for contempt of court, and installed hard and fast on either side of their father.Finally, all their faces were plastered with rotten eggs by five or six serious boys, who let those disagreeable missiles fly with a provoking gravity and decorum, as if they were performing the most Christian duty possible. The principal judge then stepped in front of the dolorous triumvirate, and addressed us. I could not help being struck by his magnificent carriage, his stern courtesy of gaze, and the compressed power visible in his countenance, as contrasted with the elegant feebleness of our sprigs from Fifth Avenue. Even Professor Glace wilted, and the icy calmness melted in frightened perspiration from his brow, when those solemn eyes paused for a moment upon him. I knew by instinct that it was Sir Harry Vane, as I stood before him in the humility of conscious unworthiness. "Men of earth," he said, "remain here if ye will, and as long as ye will; but be careful how ye offend the Majesty of Heaven or the decorum of humanity. Every door is open to your feet; all our love is open to your hearts; only behave like men in the presence of their Maker; otherwise a light punishment shall befall ye, significant of the one that lasteth eternally." He bowed with kingly politeness, and pointing us to his own dwelling, retired. A small, withered Puritan, who looked as if he might be a sexton, now stepped up and informed us that it was Thursday, their lectureday, and that the meeting-house would crave our presence in the afternoon. "Oh, we'll go!" cried Punch. "Never you fear, old cock. We'll be on hand as devout as Two or three richly-dressed men of singularly noble mien presently arrived, and an extempore court was held at once on the case of our respectable fellow-adventurer; a person, by-the-lamplighters!" directly," whispered Mrs. Milyun, who for the last half hour had been in an interesting agony of terror, clinging with all her might to Punch Punner. way, who has more than once done the alder- "No, no! let's go out of this dreadful place manic duties and honors of his native city. As the instinct of blasphemy is strong in the Hinnom blood, the old broker swore repeatedly during the proceedings, and convicted himself with the greatest facility imaginable. In less time than it would take with us to read an indictment, he was tried, found guilty, sentenced, stripped of his boots and stockings, and padlocked by the feet between those ignominious bars. Hinnom's sons proving naturally rather boisterous during this ceremony, they were clap "Oh do, dear Mr. Cockayne," urged Miss Schottische. "Take us on board the yacht as quick as possible." "No, no!" I interfered. "We can't leave the Hinnoms." "Fact really," repeated De Cockayne in perplexity. "We can't leave the Hinnoms among these blood-thirsty old Christians. They're in till sundown. Nothing to be done but get some things up and have a picnic here on the green. Catch me inside of their houses! Just like 'em to saw a fellow's ears off with the breadknife!" In great distress of mind we bivouacked down in a huddle, on our plaids and blanket shawls, beneath the shadow of the prison elms; for we wished to be as near as possible to those desolate Hinnoms, so as to afford them all permissible aid and comfort in their conspicuous humiliation. De Cockayne and half a dozen others of our youngest people hurried down to the schooner, reappearing in half an hour with baskets enough to feed the famished five thousand. One of these baskets I knew to be of Sillery Mousseur; and I was curious to see whether the by-passing Puritans would recognize the article. They did not apparently, but walked right by it with an ignorant inattention which drew a contemptuous whistle from Punch Punner. We had scarcely seated ourselves around our provender, when the three Hinnoms burst out in a doleful roar for Champagne. That kind-hearted Milyun grasped a bottle, and was about to rush toward them, when Doctor Armageddon seized his arm. "My dear Sir, you had better let me carry it," said he. "I am in the gospel ministry, and I trust that these people will respect my sacred office." Away he went, holding the bottle in both hands, and actually succeeded in getting the nose of it within an inch of the puckered mouth of old Hinnom. At that tantalizing instant a stout squat fellow, in scarlet doublet and breeches, leaped out from behind the pillory, and completely smashed the precious vessel with his cane. The Doctor dropped the empty butt of # AN APPLICATION. it, and rushed shrieking toward us, dreadfully punished in the rear by the hobnailed shoes of the party in red breeches. The latter then proceeded to inform us, in horrible obsolete English, that he was constable, and would permit no interference with the rascally varlets in the pillory. Accordingly, we went to breakfast without attempting any farther charity to the Hinnoms, who looked on from their slight elevation with occasional moans of hungry and thirsty distress. The little Peppergrasses, quite unconscious of the fearful novelty of their situation, pecked heartily at the cold chicken. Mr. Milyun, almost equally innocent and inappreciative, also made a very good meal. De Cockayne was in a state of silent astonishment, and seemed to have no clear idea upon any thing, except that Champagne was a refuge from sorrow. Miss Schottische drank considerably, to say the least, without any of her usual remarks about the calm repose of the grave. Major Slick and Counter Jumper had a private quarrel over their sandwiches, each accusing the other of having brought him into the scrape. Professor Glace called on Mrs. Glace to commune with their lost darling; but neither Mrs. Glace nor the lost darling made any response that was intelligible. Punch imbibed furiously, and was evidently determined on getting drunk, notwithstanding the near terrors of the whipping-post. He became elevated; he laughed exultingly; he drank the healths of the captive Hinnoms. "Doctor," he giggled, "that fellow in red breeches took you to be a very common tater." "Oh," moaned Armageddon, rubbing his sore back, "this is not at all what I was led to expect. I confess that I have been miserably undeceived. I once had the greatest respect for these famous historical personages." "I say, Doctor," continued the scandalous Punch, "what you got behind there was what you ministers call an application, eh? Red Breeches went as far as tenthly, if I counted right. You looked as doleful as the old martyrs in church window-panes. You were in pains, though, I say, old (hic) Armageddon. Hallo, old Hinnom! what's your opinion on stocks this morning? You are a broker; why don't you broke out of that? I say, Jumper, what's become of all the Champagne? Armageddon here has had all the real pain." "Gone to its own place-all empty," replied Jumper, holding up a bottle and shaking his head with dry humor. "Pass the brandy, then," replied Punch, undismayed. "Don't give it up so, my Christian friends. We are in the Land of Spirits, you know. Where's the aqua vita, De Cockayne ?" "Brandy?-there isn't any-didn't bring any," responded Augustus, dolorously. "The devil!" exclaimed Punch. "Well, never mind. I'm bound to have some. here goes for the St. Nicholas over there." So, And he set off, rather unsteadily, across the square, in the direction of a building, which, from its enormous sign-board, with the figure of a fiery chariot upon it, appeared to be an inn. He was gone nearly an hour, I should think; and when he returned, his head was as clean of hair as a water-melon. "Good Heavens, Punch!" exclaimed De Cockayne, "I didn't know you wore a wig." "I don't, it appears; nor any thing else," replied our unfortunate wit, passing his hand over his polished caput. 66 Mercy on us, Mr. Punner! what has become of your hair ?" shrieked Mrs. Milyun. 66 Why, you see, my dear," said Punch, who was still a good deal intoxicated, "I undertook to kick up a little row because they kept no brandy; and the barber-us old dumfudgeons had me up instanter before Sir Harry Weathercock, Told me they'd put me there, and shaved me. in the pillory, too, if I tried it on again." "What an ungentlemanly outrage!" sobbed Mrs. Milyun. "Served him right!" muttered old Milyun, recollecting, doubtless, how impertinently drunk Punch had often been in his palatial saloons. "Dear Professor Glace, can't you save us?" implored Mrs. Milyun, embracing her own lovely ringlets, with an adoring despair. "You I demand your protection." brought us here. My dear," said that perplexed gentleman, to his wife, "can you not commune with our lost darling?" 66 A PEPPERGRASS PUNISHED. "Brethren," said he, in a voice which was ought not the utterboth thick and sweet, as if stirred in with an unusual quantity of sugar, ance of the Church to be heard here?" 66 "Oh, do, Mr. Pussyite! Repeat some of said I. "I think, my friends," said Mr. Pussyite, with a reproving wink at Punch, "that I had best repeat the Prayer for Peace and Deliverance from our Enemies." Amidst the hopeful and admiring murmurs of our ladies, he advanced to the pillory and took a stand, facing us, between the impounded feet Red Breeches came up to of the Hinnoms. him threateningly; but, at the first words of that beautiful petition, he halted, then took off Mr. Pussyite recited, in his hat, and finally bowed his head, in the pro"We yield thee praise and his usual fluent and graceful manner, until he reached the passage, thanksgiving for our deliverance;" when he came to a sudden stop, as if aware of its inappropriateness to us, who as yet were far from being delivered. Feeling hastily in his pockets to see if he had a Prayer Book about him, he drew out something, which, to our utter dismay, proved to be a pack of cards. He tried to conceal them by folding his hands devoutly; but the lynx-eyed official was too wary for him, and made a spring at the worldly playthings. Mrs. Glace only gurgled in her throat, and pointed frantically in the direction of the pillo-foundest reverence. ry. I looked that way, and saw the red-breeched constable seize the eldest of those unlucky little Peppergrasses, in the act of offering a bite of bread-and-butter to one of the Hinnoms, Junior. The next instant the child was reversed on the constabulary knee, and his piercing screams told the whole village of his agonies. Mrs. Peppergrass made an immediate effort-and fainted on the spot, with her characteristic energy. Mr. Peppergrass shook his paternal fist madly at the sky, while the other little Peppergrasses joined shrilly in the wailing chorus of their afflicted brother. As soon as the spanked innocent had returned to us, with his tearful cheeks and touching sob, the Reverend Whist Pussyite arose, his usually pale forehead flushed with old port and youthful heroism. "Cut, Whist! Don't stop to shuffle," roared Punch; and Whist tried to cut, but was tripped up and collared before he could run a yard. The constable carried off both cards and clergyman to the prison, doubtless to await the convenience of that terrible Sir Harry Vane. |