 | CHAPTER X. Ellen Hart |  |
10. CHAPTER X.
The knock on the door was heavy and peremptory.
It was one of those authoratative
knocks that are peculiar to landlords on poor
tenant's doors. Before Ellen could leave her
piano stool to answer it, the door opened and
in walked the two administrators, Mr Straitpurse
first and Mr Staitbrim following him and
closing the door behind them. He walked
through the little entry into the small back
room without invitation, Ellen retreating from
before them in awe and curiosity. `Who could
what could they want?' were her rapid,
alarmed self-inquiries. Mrs Hart at once recognised
the former, having in her better days
been on terms of visiting with his lady. She
rose up with a fluttering heart, and that instinctive
foreboding of evil which the unfortunate
and unhappy are so quick to feel, and
with something of her former grace and dignity
offered them chairs, all the while wondering
to what circumstance she owed the
honor of their visit.
`Hum! ahem!' grummed and hemmed Mr
Straitpurse, as he looked frowningly around
the neat little apartment and upon the open
piano, the flower pots in the window, and one
or two small-framed pictures of Ellen's skill
and taste over the mantle. Mr Straitpurse
thought poor people of necessity must be squalid,
have every thing unpainted, discolored, dank
and uninviting; and generally the poor have
little heart to keep things neat, and have little
practical knowledge of economy. But to the
educated poor, neatness is as cheap as untidiness;
and over poverty good taste throws a
veil that not only conceals wretchedness but
gives a simple elegance. The comfort and
cleanliness of this little setting room; the
driven whiteness of the half curtains and the
white fringed diaper that covered the bureau;
the order and neatness in the furniture, conveyed
to this gentleman the idea of extravagance
and expenditure quite beyond what he
supposed the means of a woman who had not
paid rent for two years would authorise. He,
therefore, grummed and knitted his brows and
after frowning at the piano, the flowers, and
the pictures, he cast a frowning glance both
at Mrs. Hart and her daughter, and took the
chair she had so politely placed for him. Mr.
Straitbrim also looked round with a shrewd,
inquisitive eye upon the room and the inmates,
looked at Mr. Straightpurse, caught that gentleman's
eye, and then both gentlemen `ahemmed'
very significantly and decidedly.
Ellen in the meanwhile had retreated to her
piano-stool, from which she sat looking with
surprise and anxious alarm at the two strangers;
whose appearance cast a cloud over their
little home, and chilled her young heart with
sad forebodings. Mrs. Hart had seen their
glances around the room, their frowns, and
their interchange of looks. She resumed her
seat in the low rocking chair which she had
before occupied, with a chill at her heart. Mr
Straitbrim did not sit down. This gentleman
was of opinion that he spoke with more authority
and power in a standing posture than
a setting one; and as he was a tall man he
certainly had the advantage of looking down
upon most to whom he spoke, especially females
and small men, whom he took a special
pleasure in talking down to, I mean if they
were poor and in his power, or wanted favors
of him.
`Ahem!—hum-hu-hu-grumm!' commenced
Mr. Straitpurse looking across the narrow
space between himself and Mrs. Hart, and
trying to overawe this lady in the outset.
`Hum, hum, humguphum!' echoed Mr.
Straitbrim, increasing the emphasis of his
echo, by bringing his silver-headed cane down
upon the floor with a force that made Ellen's
heart jump to her mouth.
Mrs. Hart felt something was to follow these
premonitory signals, which would call upon
her for resolution and that christian patience
which had sustained her thus far through the
bitter trials which had been hers. She silently
sent a petition to heaven for strength to meet
whatever new evil might now be sent upon
her. She felt at once composed, and prepared
to listen.
`Madam, your name is Hart,' said Mr.
Straitpurse.
`Yes, sir.'
`Your husband was Henry Hart, the Forger?'
`Sir, I am the widow of Henry Hart,' she
answered with a calm dignity (while her heart
swelled) that had its effect upon the interrogator.
He colored and looked at Straitbrim, who
said boldly—
`Madam, we did not expect to find you retaining
any pride. Sorry to see it in your
condition. Henry Hart was a forger and died
in prison. You are his widow and it does you
little credit in the eyes of the respectable
members of the community to endeavor to
conceal it!'
Here Straitbrim looked at Straitpurse for
approval. Straitpurse nodded the expected
approving nod; for both were respectable
members of the community!
`Gentlemen, if you have called upon me
on business,' said Mrs. Hart with firmness,
while she keenly felt the insult, `I should be
happy to listen to you. But I cannot sit
here to have my feelings wounded.'
`Tut, tut, madam,' said Mr. Straitpurse
`you must not put on airs. A forger's widow
is a forger's widow! We have come to see
you on business. We are the administrators
on the estate of the late Dr. Elmore!'
At the mention of this venerated name
Mrs. Hart turned pale and sighed deeply.
`You knew him, madam?' asked, or rather
affirmed, Mr. Straitbrim, in a much stronger
voice than the simple words he spoke required.
But Mr. Straitbrim always spoke to
the poor and the unfortunate in a loud, strong
voice.
`Yes, sir, I owe to him every thing. He
was my best benefactor.'
`Humph! no doubt! This house is his in
which you are living?' and he glanced up at
the ceiling and around at the windows and
wainscoating.
`It is, sir,' answered Mrs. Hart with an effort;
for the sense of pending affliction
weighed heavier and heavier upon her soul.
`As administrators of Dr. Elmore's property
it becomes us to look up all that belongs
to him and the debts and rents due him. We
would, therefore, ask you, madam, at what
rent you have hired this house of the late
Dr. Elmore, and if you are in arrears for rent
and how much?'
Mrs. Hart became paler still. `Rent, sir!
Indeed, gentlemen, I shall not be able to answer
this question to your satisfaction. Dr.
Elmore charitably placed me and my family
in this house, after my husband's decease,
and bade me regard it as my own. This is
but one of his numerous acts of benevolence
of which I or mine have been the grateful
objects.'
`Dr. Elmore while living could do as he
pleased with his property,' answered Mr.
Straitbrim, looking down upon her with a
majestic frown; `but we, who are administrators,
have only one course to pursue.—
Men, if they would have their own minds and
intentions carried out, must look after the
disposition of their property before they die.
Dr. Elmore, you say, said this. But have
you papers to show it?'
`No, sir.'
`How long have you tenanted the premises?'
`Two years next Saturday!'
`During this time what rent have you
paid?' asked Mr. Straitpurse emphatically.
`None, sir.'
`None?' repeated Mr. Straitbrim.
`None!' echoed Mr. Straitpurse.
`Two years and no rent,' exclaimed Mr.
Straitbrim.
`No rent in two years!' repeated Mr.
Straitpurse.
Then both gentlemen exchanged glances;
shook their heads, and ahemmed very positively.
The two administrator's having thus
expressed their mutual astonishment, bent
their two pair of eyes upon the widow, who
felt as if she were a criminal arraigned before
two judges. Ellen all the while sat upon the
piano-stool pale and attentive to all that passed.
`We see by the late Dr. Elmore's papers,
madam,' said Mr. Straitbrim, `that this tenement
rented the year previous to your occupying,
at one hundred and seventy-five dollars
per annum; a very pretty sum these hard
times. This for two years, amounts to—let me
see? twice 5 is 10; twice 7 is 14 and 1 to carry
is 15; twice 1 is 2 and one is 3. It
amounts to just $350 for the two years rent
up to next Saturday, madam.'
`Exactly,' said Straitpurse. `A very pretty
sum indeed these times.'
`Money is worth, too 1 1-2 per month.
`I got 2 per cent for it yesterday.
`Ah, did you! Now, madam, there is interest
to be calculated which will make it
some $370, at a rough guess! This amount
we regard you as indebted to the estate of the
late Dr. Elmore unless you can show legal instrument
from his hand quitting rent for this
period of time.'
`We are sorry, madam,' said Mr. Straitpurse,
seeing the lifeless cheek and trembling
agitation of the widow, `we are very sorry to
give you any trouble! No doubt Dr. Elmore's
intentions were very good, and as you
say; but we are administrators, and as such,
have no discretionary power. Dr. Elmore,
as we just said, living could do as he
pleased with his property, but dead, administrators
must do as the law says. Very sorry,
madam, very!'
`Very indeed, but it is our duty to find you
in this debt, and we shall be under the necessity
of securing it, madam.'
`Gentlemen,' cried the widow, clasping
her hands in despair, `have mercy upon me!
I have no means to liquidate so fearful a debt!
the widow and the fatherless should be
thus dreadfully thwarted.'
`Tears and hand-wringing, madam, are of
no use,' said Straitbrim. `Women always do
this in trifles! It is their natural weapons?
This debt is a just one. You cannot avoid
paying it.'
`But I have no means!'
`Means! humph!' ejaaulated Straitpurse,
glancing at the piano, which Ellen had deserted
to sit by her mother and take her hand,
partly as if for protection, partly to console
her. `You certainly seem to be living in good
style here for a woman who lives in a charity
house! That piano is an enormous luxury!
It will pay half the debt, madam.'
`Not quite, I should think, Mr. Straitpurse,'
said Straitbrim, walking up to it and examining
it; `it seems some worn, and pianos are
cheaper than they were. It might bring a
hundred at auction. I gave five hundred for
that one of my daughter's; but then that was
a very different affair!'
`Gentlemen, the piano is also a mark of Dr.
Elmore's bounty. He hired it from a music
store and sent it here for my daughter!'
`Humph!' ejaculated both administrators.
`Dr. Elmore was a weak man in some
things,' said Straitbrim to Straitpurse. Mr.
Straitpurse nodded, and then both gentlemen
exchanged glances.
`A very unnecessary luxury, madam, for a
poor woman! You ought to have come down
in your notions by this time,' said Mr. Straitbrim.
`Your daughter would be better employed
knitting stockings or working in a
factory.'
`She understood music well, gentlemen,
when Mr. Hart died, and Dr. Elmore sent this
piano to her to enable her to give lessons. He
also obtained several scholars for her! With
these she has greatly contributed to the support
of herself and brother and sister.'
`There is furniture here that looks nice!
This is not hired too!' asked Straitpurse sneeringly.
`It is mine, sir. The wreck of my poor
husband's property,' she answered, too much
overcome with the prospect of wretchedness
before her to notice his tone.
`How much property do you think you have
in the world, Mrs. Hart?' asked Straitbrim,
after looking round the room.
`Certainly, gentlemen, all I am worth would
not sell for $100.'
`There is a parlor, is there not?' he asked,
opening the door into a neatly furnished room.
`Yes, sir. It was already furnished by Dr.
Elmore when I came into the house.'
`Oh, ah! very well! Then it can remain
with the house,' answered Straitbrim ironically,
and smiling at Straitpurse, who smiled
also very sagaciously and said,
`Very well, madam. As the house and all
the furniture is Dr. Elmore's we shall of course
claim it, as administrators. We were not
aware of this property before. So, if you
please, we will lock up the parlour? This
afternoon I will send for the furniture, unless
—' here he stopped and looked very grave,
`unless you conclude to retain the house after
paying up arrears; in which case we can rent
you the furniture. Very sorry, madam.
Tears are easy shed and easily dried? We
are men of business, and must act accordingly.'
`Gentlemen,' cried the widow, clasping
her hands while the tears rolled down her
cheeks, `what, oh what are you to do? What
great evil is this that Dr. Elmore's death is to
bring upon me and my children?'
`We are very sorry? Can't do otherwise,
madam,' said Straitbrim. `As I said before,
we must do our duty. Can you pay this arrears
of rent?'
`No, sir! I have but two dollars and a
quarter in money in the world! I earn scarcely
three dollars a week and Ellen has but
five scholars at four dollars a quarter, and
this money has to clothe and support us. It
is our all, save the little furniture and bedding
we possess! Gentlemen, I and mine are in
your power! I throw myself wholly upon
your mercy and kindness. I plead not for
myself, but for this weeping girl—for my two
young children! You have acknowledged
that you were satisfied that it was Dr. Elmore's
intention to give me a gratuity of the
rent! Why will you not then at least carry
out, as his administrators, this intention! I ask
not for extension of clemency beyond this
time from you; I only implore to have the
weight of the debt you have laid upon me removed!
I will leave the house! I will seek
a humbler abode! Only let me not be crush
ed by a debt my benefactor never designed or
anticipated would come upon the objects of
not your acts turn into curses what he ordained
as blessings upon me and mine!'
As she ended this appeal, overcome by her
fears for her children, she threw herself upon
her knees before them!
`Madam,' said Straitpurse, `no doubt your
case is a hard one! But we see no way in
which we can remedy it. The debt is just!
We give you, also, formal notice to vacate
the premises before Sunday morning. You
need not trouble yourself to remove any thing
but your immediate personal effects, as we
shall consider it our duty to attach the furniture!
Good day, madam!'
`Good morning, marm,' added Straitbrim;
`sorry it is so! We, doubtless, appear severe
—but business is business! No blame can attach
to us! Good morning, marm!'
Thus speaking these two administrator's
whom we have drawn from life, and whose
names we can scarcely forbear writing out in
full, left the house. They stopped a moment
outside to survey its front and take a look at
its general situation, and then walked together
down town. The cant of these rich, heartless
men, that they were `administrators,'
that `they were doing their duty,' that `business
was business?' was the argument of mean,
avaricious, contemptible and heartless men!
Both well knew that they could help it; that
though there might no paper exist securing
to the widow the gratuity of the rent, yet that
it was evidently Dr. Elmore's intention it
should be so, or he would have collected it, or
placed another tenant in it. Still, although
the Probate Court might call upon them in
their official capacity to account for this arrears
of rent, in the absence of any paper exempting
the tenant from liability, yet, when
they well knew Dr. Elmore's intention and
that she was recipient of his bounty, it was
their duty to have truly represented the case
to the Court or have paid over the debt themselves;
for they were both very rich men and
what better investment could they have made
of $350, than in carrying out so noble a charity
as that of Dr. Elmore? For`he who lendeth
to the poor lendeth to the Lord, and it
shall be paid him again.' Certainly it could
not be concealed from them that Mrs. Hart
was very poor, and a fit object for their charity.
But why do we reason, where such men as
Mr. Straitpurse and Mr. Straitbrim are the
parties? To give was not in their vocabulary!
To make, to take, to grasp, to grind, to bind,
to hoard, to heap, and to keep, were words engraven
on the palms of their hands, and cut
like the letters of a seal deep into their souls!
| CHAPTER X. Ellen Hart | |