University of Virginia Library

8. CHAPTER VIII.

The winter approached, and as the cool and bracing breezes began to come in from the north, Mr. Gordon's health commenced rapidly to regain its wonted state. His step daily became more buoyant, his countenance wore a more radiant and cheerful look, his eye was clear, and he was increasing in strength and weight. His food was relished as never before and his sleep was quiet and refreshing.

The physician who had attended him during the crisis of his illness in Savannah had intimated that his temperament was hardly suited to a Southern climate, and had advised him for his health's sake to seek a field of labor in a higher latitude.

With this view the doctor who had watched his convalescence in the North fully concurred; while his friends and relatives were only too happy to lend their counsel and support in the same direction. Already half-persuaded in his own mind, Mr. Gordon found it hard, nevertheless, to give up all thought of returning to his field of virgin labor in Georgia. As his health improved his soul longed anew for the work in which he had already begun to win success; but the wishes of his friends and the counsel of his physicians, as well as his own sober judgement, finally overruled his generous zeal, and he decided to accept a call which had recently reached him from a church in Brooklyn.

The church was a small one and regarded as rather unimportant and unpromising, and the salary offered was not tempting. He was known to be a single

man of striking appearance, and these facts may have had something to do with securing him the church. The trustees probably thought that these attributes would add to his drawing power; but if so they were doomed to an early disappointment.

Mr. Gordon was typically brave, generous and honest; and it was not long after his settlement that he informed the officers of the church that he contemplated early marriage. Of course such a fact could not be kept in official hands only, and within a very few days the entire congregation and many others knew of the pastor's engagement. It was soon known among the ladies of the church that the wedding would take place in early January, and that the newly married couple would soon thereafter occupy the parsonage. The usual interest was awakened, and as the

the time drew nigh for Mr. Gordon to start south for his bride, plans were set on foot to thoroughly renovate the modest church building, and refurnish the parsonage, during his absence. Mr. Gordon was to know nothing of this, as it was the intention of the congregation to make the affair an agreeable surprise to him on his return. The furniture and carpets were already purchased and all things were in readiness for the work of transformation, which was to begin as soon as Mr. Gordon should be out of the way. It was known that he intended to leave so as to arrive in Charleston on the last day of December, and that the wedding was to take place on the evening of January 1st. The event had been postponed from a date in autumn on account of Mr. Gordon's illness; and the arrangements were now presumably complete.

On the evening of December 30th Mr. Gordon arrived in Charleston, and as soon as convenient called upon his affianced, by whom he was received with every token of affection. His stay, however, was short. All was bustle and confusion even in that sedate and well ordered household. The first bride was being "adorned for her husband," and besides, it was in the midst of the holiday season, which nowhere else brings more of social and domestic movement than in Charleston. The whole family were interested in the marriage, of course, and so was quite a large circle of friends who kept themselves busy coming and going, bringing presents, volunteering little services, and above all — talking. The wedding must be in all respects comformable to the canons of social taste, and must not only be a Southern but a Charleston function; and so it came to be.

Mr. Gordon took up his abode with his old friend the Reverend Doctor Caulfield, who, as the friend of both bride and groom, could heartily rejoice with both.

January the first came, a dull, misty day, cold and disagreeable; and as the day advanced the fog became so thick as to differ little from rain. Mr. Gordon had risen early, and breakfast being over, was seated near the front window, looking over the morning papers and talking with members of the family as they came into the room. Thus passed away the greater portion of the forenoon. Suddenly the dull sound of a drum was heard, accompanied by other sounds of inferior martial music. The children, both within the house and on the street in front, announced the coming of a procession, and in a few minutes the head of the column appeared. It was a great motley procession of freedmen, numbering,

with its followers, not less than five thousand persons, probably many more. They were celebrating the anniversary of emancipation for the first time; and in the long line could be seen many banners with varying symbols and mottoes, and every now and then quite respectable portraits of the great Lincoln.

The young ladies of the Caulfield family expressed their disgust at the procession, and were sorry that Mr. Gordon must witness a scene so shocking. No doubt they painted their disgust in overdrawn terms, and did it for the special benefit of their Northern visitor; for all their lives they had been accustomed to look upon scenes much more revolting.

Their sympathy was lost, however, upon Mr. Gordon. He saw in this black procession men, women, and children; and his soul at once thrilled with enthusiasm as he

looked upon these new-born sons and daughters of freedom. Far from being disgusted or offended at the rude pageant, it was for him the most interesting and affecting spectacle upon which he had ever gazed. He was so attracted by it that, as soon as convenient, he went out into the street to learn its destination. On hearing that it was on its way to the famous racecourse, where a monster meeting was to be held, he at once made his way thither. Arriving on the grounds, he beheld the largest body of colored people he had ever seen, and quite probably the largest that had ever been assembled in the country. Surely there were not less than ten thousand assembled in the open air, with faces all turned toward a large high platform standing in the midst of the expectant throng.

The speeches that were delivered by the white and colored orators were of small

consequence and were heard by but few; but what impressed Mr. Gordon most was the quiet, earnest, and even intense, demeanor of the vast multitude. Again came the yearning in his heart to go among that people and take an earnest part in giving to them right guidance. He saw in that vast throng so much promise and hope, if properly guided, and felt that there was so much of danger to themselves and to the State, if they should fall into the hands of selfish and unprincipled men. But his own course had been settled, and it was now too late to reconsider.

In the Vanross residence the preparations were still going on, and as evening came the family experienced that feeling of relief which comes when all things are about ready. Twilight approached, and, for a marvel, everything was indeed in readiness for the final act, to wit: that of

dressing the bride, and even this was well under way. The house was illuminated and the guests were beginning to assemble. The night without was dark and disagreeable — finale of a disagreeable day — but all was brightness within.

Dr. Caulfield had arrived, and at the appointed moment the bridal party entered the room and the ceremony began. Lavinia was at the very climax of her beauty, as she stood in the full light of the chandelier, and her dress reflected the perfect taste of the family. Rev. Thomas Gordon appeared noble and grand indeed, standing there as the support of his peerless bride.

It was the union of the full, rosy-hued masculine blonde of Teutonic type with gray-blue eyes and curling yellow hair on the one side, with a genuine brunette, or rather Spanish creole type, on the other. The contrast was beautiful, and suggestive

of the heights and depths of sweetest pleasure. How sincere were the responses to the solemn questions. With what real affection were their hands clasped as the minister repeated: "Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder." If ever a couple were joined together by the hand of God, Thomas Gordon and Lavinia Vanross were. Admirably fitted to each other by nature, each answering to the other by a most happy opposite, there was before them a most charming prospect.

The ceremony ended, wine was served; but neither groom nor bride tasted it. Mr. Gordon was a strict teetotaler, and did not depart from his principles even on this occasion; and Lavinia joined with him in polite refusal.

The bride's outfit had been carefully packed in huge trunks which had already been sent to the depot; the last of

the gifts had come in, that last congratulations had been received, and the newly married couple were soon on their way to take a midnight train for the North.

Reader, have you ever seen a newly married couple on the train? Perhaps you have at some time overheard their delightful talk. Their conversation and actions are always very interesting to others, and it is usually not very long before they secure a monopoly of attention. Well, Dominie Gordon and his bride were an emphatically newly married couple, and everybody on the train soon found it out. They were happy, and could not help showing it. Let us excuse them; they were walking in the way the Divine Creator marked out for man.

In due time they arrived in New York and were soon at their new home, astonished and delighted to find the parsonage

most thoroughly renovated and refurnished, the church brightened up by a general cleansing, and a committee of ladies on hand to welcome the new bride. After having done all that was necessary for the comfort of the new family, the committee had the good sense to retire promptly, and the minister and his new wife for the first time sat down to a meal together in their home, and began to feast freely upon that perpetual banquet of love which their own hearts hourly furnished.

Happy in the confidence and love of a growing church, their lives were truly blessed. Dr. Gordon “as he soon came to be”, made happy and strong by the undying love and sympathy of the wife whom he had received from the Lord, and rich himself in the possession of a loving and hopeful nature, was not long in finding himself crowded with work and blessed with every form of prosperity.

They are doing well, and the somewhat gay and very beautiful and very loving Lavinia Vanross has grown into the hopeful and helpful Mrs. Gordon— ready to put her hand to every good work. She has accepted much of her husband's radiant nature, while he has deepened and softened through hers. He improved in judgement; she has been strengthened in purpose; and both are admirably suited to the large work providentially opening before them.

We will for awhile leave them undisturbed, feeling assured that sunshine smiles upon them, and that peace, as gentle and as sweet as ever came to the lot of man, abides in their modest dwelling.