Alida Part 32

The bright gems of joy glistened in the eyes of Melissa. With Alonzo she antic.i.p.ated approaching happiness, and her bosom beat in rapturous unison.]

Winter came on; it rapidly pa.s.sed away. Spring advanced, and the marriage day was appointed. Preparations for the hymenial ceremony were making, and invitations had already gone abroad. Albert was particularly sent for, and all was approaching to readiness for this happy event.

[_A&M_:

Winter came on; it rapidly pa.s.sed away--Spring advanced, and the marriage day was appointed.

Preparations for the hymeneal ceremony were making, and invitations had already gone abroad. Edgar, the brother of Melissa, had entered the army in the capacity of chaplain. He was soon expected home, where he intended to tarry until the consummation of the nuptials, before he set out for the camp.]

[[The omitted text, concerning Alonzo's military plans, will be used later in _Alida_.]]

Theodore and Alida again promenaded to the spot which had been chosen for their habitation; they projected the structure of the buildings, planned the gardens, the artificial groves, the walks, and the green retreat of the summer-house; and already they realized in imagination the various domestic blessings and felicities with which they were to be surrounded.

[_A&M_:

About three weeks previous to the appointed marriage day, Alonzo and Melissa one afternoon rode out to the village which had been chosen for their future residence.... they projected the structure of the buildings, planned the gardens, the artificial groves, the walks, the mead, the fountains and the green retreat of the summer house, and they already saw, in antic.i.p.ation, the variousdomestic blessings and felicities with which they were to be surrounded.]

Nature was adorned with the bridal ornaments of spring; the radiant sun was sinking behind the groves, casting his sable shades over the valley, while the retiring beams of day adorned the distant eastern eminences with yellow l.u.s.tre; the birds sung melodiously in the grove; the air was freshened by light western breezes, bearing upon their wings all the entrancing odours of the season; while around the horizon clouds raised their brazen summits, based in the black vapour of approaching night; and as its darkening shades were advancing, Theodore and Alida returned home. They seated themselves awhile on the piazza, to contemplate the splendours of the evening, and to witness the beauties of one of the most picturesque draperies painted in the landscape of nature.

[_A&M_:

... nature was adorned in the bridal ornaments of spring; the sun was sunk behind the groves, which cast their sombre shades over the valley, while the retiring beams of day adorned the distant eastern eminences with yellow l.u.s.tre. The birds sung melodiously in the grove, the air was freshened by light western breezes, bearing upon their wings all the entrancing odors of the season. Around the horizon clouds raised their brazen summits, based in the black vapor of approaching night.

They slowly ascended the hill south of the town, where they paused a few moments to enjoy the splendors of the evening scene. This hill, which commanded a prospect of all the surrounding country, the distant Sound, and the adjacent towns and villages presented to the eye, on a single view, perhaps one of the most picturesque draperies painted by nature.]

CHAPTER XI.

The dreadful din of war is heard Wide spreading o'er the land and sea; The battle's shout and cannon's roar Proclaim the nation shall be free.

The nodding plumes, like waving pines, Are shaken by the morning breeze; The gilded armour brightly shines, And patriots sigh for victories.

The tumults of a second war with Great Britain still increased, and was not only exhausting the finances of the country, but called for a still greater sacrifice--all the bravest American youth. A large army of reinforcements was shortly expected from England to land on our sh.o.r.es, and the confused noise of the warriors, with more vigorous and intrepid combat, were already antic.i.p.ated.

[_A&M_ (break in sequence):

.... and great numbers of American youth volunteered in the service of their country. A large army of reinforcement was soon expected from England, to land on our sh.o.r.es, and "the confused noise of the warriors and garments rolled in blood," were already antic.i.p.ated.]

Theodore had received a commission in a regiment of militia, and was pressed by several young gentlemen of his acquaintance, who had enlisted in the army, to join it also. He had an excuse: his father was a man in extensive business, was considerably past the prime of life, had a number of agents and clerks under him, but began to feel himself unable to attend to the various and burthensome duties and demands of a mercantile life. Theodore was his only son; his a.s.sistance, therefore, became necessary, until, at least, his father could bring his business to a close, which he was now about to effect.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo had received a commission in a regiment of militia, and was pressed by several young gentlemen of his acquaintance, who had entered the army, to join it also. He had an excuse--His father was a man in extensive business, was considerably past the prime of life, had a number of agents and clerks under him, but began to grow unable to attend to the various and burthensome duties and demands of a mercantile life.

Alonzo was his only son; his a.s.sistance therefore became necessary until, at least, his father could bring his business to a close, which he was now about to effect.]

Theodore stated these facts to his friends; told them that on every occasion he should be ready to fly to the post of danger when his country was invaded, and that as soon as his father's affairs became settled, he would, if necessary, join the army.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo stated these facts to his friends; told them that on every occasion he should be ready to fly to the post of danger when his country was invaded, and that as soon as his father's affairs should be settled, he would, if necessary, willingly join the army.]

The president was now active in making every exertion in his power, to rouse the feelings of his countrymen to act their parts with honour in the scene that was now before them. He knew that much of the responsibility rested on himself. The capacity he was in with regard to the nation, caused the most material and important business--of directing and superintending the weighty affairs of government--to fall upon his hands; and such was the situation of the country, that it not only called for the exertion, the wisdom, sound judgment, and policy of the presidential chair, but likewise of every patriotic bosom to partic.i.p.ate in their endeavours to oppose the depredations against it.

The chief executive was entered on a theatre in which he was to act a conspicuous part in this war of America with Great Britain, and to occupy a station in the page of history, where the interesting detail will reach the ear of remotest ages in the dates of time.

[_Lives of Signers_: Taylor of Pennsylvania:

entered on that theatre on which he was destined to act a conspicuous part in the great drama of the American revolution, and to occupy a station on the page of History that will reach the end of time.]

In the mean time, the father of Theodore had been absent for three or four days to one of the commercial seaports, on business with some merchants with whom he was connected in trade. He returned the next day after Theodore had got home; his aspect and his conversation were marked with an a.s.sumed and unmeaning cheerfulness. At supper he ate nothing, discoursed much, but in an unconnected and hurried manner, interrupted by long pauses, in which he appeared to be buried in contemplation.

[_A&M_ (earlier narrative resumes):

His father had been absent for three or four days to one of the commercial seaports, on business with some merchants with whom he was connected in trade. He returned the next day after Alonzo got home; his aspect and his conversation were marked with an a.s.sumed and unmeaning cheerfulness. At supper he ate nothing, discoursed much, but in an unconnected and hurried manner, interrupted by long pauses, in which he appeared to be buried in contemplation.]

After supper he asked Theodore "if it were not possible that his union with Alida could be concluded within a few days?" Theodore, startled at so unexpected a question, replied, that such a proposal would be considered extraordinary, perhaps improper; besides, when Alida had named the day, she mentioned that she had an uncle who lived at a distance, whose daughter was to pa.s.s the summer with her, and was expected to arrive before the appointed time. It would, he said, be a delicate thing for him to antic.i.p.ate the nuptials, unless he could give some cogent reason for so doing, and at present he was not apprised that any such existed. His father, after a few moments' hesitation, answered, "I have reasons which, when told,"--here he stopped, suddenly arose, hastily walked the room in much visible agony of mind, and then retired to his chamber.

[_A&M_:

After supper he asked Alonzo if it were not possible that his marriage with Melissa could be consummated within a few days.

Alonzo, startled at so unexpected a question, replied, that such a proposal would be considered extraordinary, perhaps improper; besides, when Melissa had fixed the day, she mentioned that she had an uncle who lived near Charleston, in South Carolina, whose daughter was to pa.s.s the summer with Melissa, and was expected to arrive before the appointed day. It would, he said, be a delicate point for him to request her to antic.i.p.ate the nuptials, unless he could give some cogent reasons for so doing, and at present he was not apprised that any such existed. His father, after a few moments hesitation, answered, "I have reasons, which, when told"--here he stopped, suddenly arose, hastily walked the room in much visible agony of mind, and then retired to his chamber.]

Theodore and his mother were much amazed at so strange a proceeding.

They could form no conjecture of its cause, or its consequence. Theodore pa.s.sed a sleepless night. His father's slumbers were interrupted; he was restless and uneasy: his sleep was broken and disturbed by incoherent mutterings and plaintive moans. In the morning when he appeared at breakfast, his countenance wore the marks of dejection and anguish. He scarcely spoke a word; and after the cloth was removed, he ordered all to withdraw except Theodore and his mother; when, with emotions that spoke the painful feelings of his bosom, he thus addressed them:

[_A&M_:

Alonzo and his mother were much amazed at so strange a proceeding.

They could form no conjecture of its cause or its consequence.

Alonzo pa.s.sed a sleepless night. His father's slumbers were interrupted. He would frequently start up in bed, then sink in restless sleep, with incoherent mutterings, and plaintive moans. In the morning, when he appeared at breakfast, his countenance wore the marks of dejection and anguish.

He scarcely spoke a word, and after the cloth was removed, he ordered all to withdraw except his wife and Alonzo, when, with emotions that spoke the painful feelings of his bosom, he thus addressed them:]

"For more than thirty years I have been engaged in commerce, in order to acquire independence for myself and my family. To accomplish this, I became connected with some English importing merchants, in a seaport town, and went largely into the English trade. Success crowned our endeavours. On balancing our accounts, two years ago, we found that our expectations were answered, and that we were sufficiently wealthy to close business, which some proposed to do; it was, however, agreed to make one effort more, as some favourable circ.u.mstances appeared to offer, in which we adventured very largely, on a fair calculation of liberal and extensive proceeds.

[_A&M_:

"For more than forty years I have toiled early and late to acquire independence and ease for myself and my family. To accomplish this, I became connected with some English importing merchants in a seaport town, and went largely into the English trade. Success crowned our endeavors; on balancing our accounts two years ago, we found that our expectations were answered, and that we were now sufficiently wealthy to close business, which some proposed to do; it was, however, agreed to make one effort more, as some favorable circ.u.mstances appeared to offer, in which we adventured very largely, on a fair calculation of liberal and extensive proceeds.]

Before returns could be made, the war came on, embarra.s.sments ensued, and by indubitable intelligence lately received, we find that our property in England has been sequestered; five of our ships, laden with English goods, lying in English harbours, and just ready to sail for America, have been seized as lawful prizes; added to this, three vessels from the Indies, laden with island produce, have been taken on their homeward bound voyage, and one lost on her return from Holland.

[_A&M_:

"Before returns could be made, the war came on, embarra.s.sments ensued, and by indubitable intelligence lately received, we find that our property in England has been sequestered; five of our ships, laden with English goods, lying in English harbors, and just ready to sail for America, have been seized as lawful prizes. Added to this, three vessels from the Indies, laden with island produce, have been taken on their homeward bound voyage, and one lost on her return from Holland.]

"This wreck of fortune I might have survived, had I to sustain only my equal dividend of the loss; but of the merchants with whom I have been connected, not one remains to share the fate of the event--all have absconded or secreted themselves. To attempt to compound with my creditors would be of little avail, so that the consequence to me is inevitable ruin.