University of Virginia Library

5. CHAPTER V.
THE INVITED AND UNINVITED GUEST, OR THE BANQUET AND BALL.

The dinner at Colonnade Row was given by the India merchant on the
occasion of the formation of a new company for pursuing a certain mercantile
enterprise, in which his guests were the co-partners. Peter as well
as his Honor was largely interested in it, and as he was ambitious of being
made its President, he resolved on giving the company a dinner at his own
house, hoping much from the kindly influence of turtle and generous wines
upon their suffrages.

The drawing room of the merchant was profusely ornamented rather
than furuished. Crimson curtains faced with saffron-colored satin and bordered
with a fringe of gold-silk, shaded the windows; the marble mantles
were crowded with Chinese ornaments. India shells and oriental curiosities,
presents to the merchant from the captain of his ships. The chairs
were of the glossiest mahogany with red velvet seats. There were scarlet
sofas with scarlet fringes, scarlet ottomans and scarlet foot-stools. The carpets
were of the richest and gaudiest colors, and the mirrors were large and
costly, and the pier-tables elegant and heaped with plate and china. There
was every where the eye fell, a lavish display that told that the master of
the house was rich! But taste, which goes as far as gold, there was none.
All was gaudy, ill-arranged and gairish. But taste is one of the graces of
refined education, and this Mrs. Appollonia Dalton could not boast of. Every
object in the room was put there to speak the opulence of the owner.
There was no needle work which every gentle-woman has in her parlor, no
flowers in vases, or a geranium or a camilla in the window. There were
no books on the centre table that showed they were reading people, and no
pictures to show that they were people of taste and education. That well

arranged elegance, that rich harmony of things, that just selection and
adaptation which characterises the abodes of refined and well-bred rich
people, was wanting here; and as the Mayor cast his eyes round he needed
no foreign information to tell him that Peter Dalton and his wife had not
always been accustomed to the luxuries of high-bred life.

`So, Mr. Dalton,' said the alderman, looking round after he had seated
himself, `you have very handsomely furnished rooms; very elegant, all this,
very.'

`Yes, pretty well,' answered Peter, who, had he been a true gentleman,
would have taken such a speech as an insulting one, and an evidence of the
speaker's ill-breeding. But the alderman was by no means ill-bred; he
knew `his company,' and was assured Peter would take his remarks as
praise. The merchant did so. And glancing round with a secret smile of
proud satisfaction, as if he would pass off such things with lordly indifference
he added,

`I, however, leave these things to Mrs. Dalton. Women like to make a
glitter. I have only to write out the checks and hand them to her. She's
my check-mate, Mr. alderman. Check-mate, your Honor. Did you hear,
ha, ha, ha! A good one wife, eh?' And Peter again laughed at his capital
pun, looked at the mayor who smiled, and at the alderman who laughed
aloud and said,

`Excellent. You are a wit, Mr. Dalton.'

`Not much—I only keep my jokes for my friends,' responded Peter in
admirable humor.

`Yes, Callers' have told me my rooms is furnished elegant,' spoke up all
at once Mrs. Dalton, on whom the alderman's compliment had not been
thrown away, and which she had been digesting till now; `them mirrors
is eight inches one way and five another bigger than them great French
ones of Mr. Sears'.

`Indeed, madam!' repeated the alderman with well acted astonishment,
and using his neck to take a second look at them. They are very tall!'

`Yes. It is so pleasant to see one's whole length, from the shoes to the
feather's when one is dressed, and know exactly how one looks when walking
in the street.'

`It must be madam,' said courteously his Honor, whose eye the lady
caught as if for him to reply.

Mrs. Dalton was then about to draw their attention to the beautiful picture
on her rug, of Diana hunting a Doe, which she described as a young
woman a-chasin' of a reindeer, when the street bell announced other
guests.

With suitable ceremony the merchant and his lady received them as they
were shown into the room by Thomas; and it being now four o'clock and
all the company having assembled—save one of the merchants who sent

an excuse for his absence—the drawing room doors were rolled back and
dinner was announced.

`Your Honor will please escort Mrs. Dalton,' said Peter, taking his wife's
fat hand and leading her to that gentleman, and the lady with suitable dignity
took the mayor's arm. Peter then waived in the other guests, standing
in the door like a gentleman-usher, and followed last.

The table made a brilliant and glittering display, and the guests took
their seats full of that pleasing expectation which characterises the sitters
down to a good entertainment. In number, including the host and hostess,
they were nine, with a tenth plate made vacant by the delinquent guest,
who had sent his apology. The napkins were unfolded and laid upon the
lap, and Mrs. Dalton had just began to help to the turtle soup, when the
street door bell rang with an emphasis.

`There is Peterman, now, go to the door Thomas!' cried Peter with pleasurable
expectation; `I thought he would get here if he could notwithstanding
his note said business might keep him away altogether.' And he was
getting up from the table, to go out and meet him in the hall, when the adjacent
drawing room door opened, and the `schoolmaster' closely followed
by Thomas entered to the surprise and consternation of Peter and his wife.

`It makes no kind of difference my good man,' said Henry Decker speak-to
the footman who was trying to prevail upon him to turn back. `I can
just take a plate with them, tho' I have dined! I like company especially
pleasant company.'

`But the mayor is there and—'

`I never dined with a mayor, and this is lucky,' said the poor cousin with
manifest pleasure. `Pray don't hold me!'

`I did not mean to let him in sir,' said Thomas in a low voice apologetically
to Peter as the latter came into the drawing room with the determination
to thrust his relation out; `but as soon as I opened the door he pushed
right by me and here he is got into the drawing room!'

`How do you do cousin!' said the schoolmaster, as pleasantly and self-possessed
as if he had been an invited guest, and was only apologising for
his delay; `I am just in time as I see the soup is not served!'

`You infern—'

`Oh yes, I know you said four o'clock! I never forget an invitation to
dine! I am always fortunate.'

`I told you sirrah, I was to have a private dinner.'

`Yes—I distinctly remember! I prefer private dinners! Something so
social in a private dinner! But I beg your pardon. I will not keep you
here talking, as I see my cousin is looking anxious for us to take our seats,
as the soup will cool.'

`You are cool enough the devil knows,' muttered Peter, who finding he
could not mend the matter without an absolute row, and seeing that he
could not otherwise be prevented dining with him, he thought it best to

put a good face on the matter, and winked as much to Mrs. Dalton. The
guests had not heard all that passed and really believed that this was some
friend of Peter's who was foolishly detaining him in the room while the
soup was waiting to apologise for his tardiness.

`Behave yourself, then, if you will thrust yourself here, and thank the
company present that you are not kicked out of my house,' said Peter sternly;
and he led the way back to the table, and sullenly pointed to the vacant
seat, but introduced him to no one.

Mrs. Dalton looked like a masked fury as the schoolmaster politely
bowed to her, and then as he met the eyes of the guests inclined his head
respectfully.

She was however gratified that he was dressed so well, and really thought
he might pass for a gentleman, if people did'nt know who he was. And
so Peter thought; and when they found he was unknown to all present
they both felt relieved. But both did in their hearts, determine on revenge
when opportunity should offer. No offence in their situation, could equal
this. A poor relation to take such airs upon himself!

Having taken the liberty, Henry Decker now that he had secured a seat
at the rich man's table, quite dropped his `airs.' He was once more the
same humble, diffident, deferential, poor man! Soup was at last handed
to him, and he took it bashfully, without lifting his eyes, and said to the
walter who gave it to him:

`I thank you kindly, sir.'

He made no use of his napkin in the silver ring, and, taking it up, seemed
to examine it with much speculation as to its possible use. The guests
were too much occupied with their soup to give a second thought to the
quiet gentleman in black, supposing his not being introduced owing to a
forgetfulness on the part of the host. Their attention was drawn to him, at
seeing him look up from his plate and suddenly, yet respectfully address
their host as cousin.

`Cousin Peter, I suppose you find it quite a contrast between living in
this house, and that one-story black ten-footer you were born in! It must
have been quite a change from the old pewter spoons to these silver forks!
You've been a lucky man to get up in the world as you have, Peter!'

The guests started! Peter could have jumped down his own throat to
have stopped his mouth; while Mrs. Dalton nearly exploded with rage.
But what could they do? Wisdom and discretion they felt were the better
part; and Peter said to his guests:

`Oh, ah, I had forgotton to introduce my wife's distant relative—a country
schoolmaster!' said Peter, as if he had just now recollected himself;
`schoolmasters are sometimes very respectable persons, he, he!,

`It is said John Adams and Dr. Franklin once kept a school,' said Mrs.
Dalton, wishing, now the secret was out, to gloss over the disreputable features
of the relationship. `Mr. Decker, however is not exactly a cousin but

only has the habit of calling me so, from our having been to school together
when little children.'

`It is pleasant to be thought to be related to rich folks, you know,' said
Peter trying to laugh, apologetically addressing the mayor; but at the same
time thoroughly astounded at his wife's lie, told so directly in the face of
what he had just before acknowledged. `A poor man, your honor,' whispered
Peter to the mayor, `that sometimes drops in upon us, when he comes
to town. He probably did not know I had gentlemen to dine with me.'

`He seems to be a very innoffensive person,' said Alderman Maddox, who
had overheard the apologetic whisper.

`Oh, quite so. Perfectly harmless,' repeated Peter patronizely. `His
only fault is he is poor.'

`A very common crime among schoolmasters, I think,' said, with a laugh
Jacob Hicks, a grocer and shipping merchant, who was supposed to be
very rich.

Dinner now went bravely on, amid the clashing of knives and forks, the
clattering of plates, the popping of corks, the gurgling of decanted wine,
the flurry of servants and the compound movement of nine pairs of jaws
talking and eating at once. They were in mid-dinner, and no farther notice
had been taken of the poor schoolmaster, who quietly ate what was set before
him, not forgetting to thank the waiter very politely and gratefully, and
looking as if he was greatly awed (as Peter thought) at the great people he
had got amongst. Seeing him so, the India merchant felt his self-love
healed, and felt disposed to be generous and forgive him, and was about to
put some condescending question to him about `his school in the country,'
when as fate would have it, the schoolmaster took up a silver tankard of
water that by some means was left near his plate, and seeing a shield engraved
upon it, said innocently:

`I did'nt know you'd got to have a coat of arms! well this is being aristocratic!
They said down country, cousin Appollonia, you were among
the first in Boston; but I did'nt know you'd got to this.'

Mrs. Dalton stamped one foot with vexation under the table and looked
as red as shame and anger could make her. Peter looked daggers of displeasure
at him, and a suppressed smile was seen to steal over the features
of more than one guest; while Henry Decker became an object of special
interest to every one. The mayor thought he saw in his countenance an
appearance of quiet gentlemanly refinement that by no means harmonized
with his rude language, and curious to know something of him, he addressed
him a common-place question. Hitherto the schoolmaster had not been
addressed either to the host or hostess, and with the corresponding look
and tone and language of a poor country pedagouge, who felt awkwardly
his position, and had striven by saying something to relieve himself. But
at the question of the mayor there was an instentaneous alteration, as surprising
as it was sudden. He threw aside his humble abashed manner, as

if it had been a cloak assumed; his head became manfully erect; his fine
dark countenance beamed with blended courtesy and intelligence, and as
he politely and gracefully replied to the mayor, he sat in the presence of
all the guests a gentleman confessed! Never was such a transformation!
They forgot the thread-bare costume in the man, and each exchanged glances
with each other, expressive of their mutual surprise and pleasure. The
change was visible even to the prejudiced eyes of Peter and the hostess; but
they wondered, indignant how a `poor man,' dare put on such high airs at
a rich man's table and in such a presence. The question put to the poor
schoolmaster was a commonplace one in reference to the adventures of
youth. Henry Decker in reply, held his honor, and all the guests for tea
minutes delighted listeners to an eloquent dissertation upon the subject,
pleasingly illustrated by anecdotes, well told and appropriate, at the same
time charming them by his refinement of language and captivating manner
of speaking. When he had done, the mayor and the rest expressed their
gratification with such genuine admiration that Peter and his wife thought
they were not educated enough to comprehend all he said began to think
that the schoolmaster was something after all; and the former thought, as the
mayor had noticed, him, he himself could do so, without disgracing himself
He therefore, waiting a pause in the conversation, condescendingly invited
him to take wine. But the mayor had just solicited the same courtesy and
Mr. Decker declined Peter's invitation with a cool politeness that chilled
the merchant and made him feel himself at his own table inferior to his
thread-bare guest. The conversation in which the other guests joined, was
continued for some time (for the desert was now on the table) on the subject
of education, and the public schools of Boston, when the mayor chanced
to refer to a school system on the new plan lately organized in London of
which he had heard.

`Yes,' said Henry Decker, `I have examined this plan, having recently
visited the school of which you speak.'

`You have been to England then?' responed his honor with a little
surprise.

`I have been only two days back. I had some important business, which
took me there last year, and I returned yesterday in the packet L'Abri.'

`Ah, I had thought you had just come up from the country,' said his honor
looking towards Mrs Dalton, who quickly turned her head pretending to say
something to Thomas, who stood behind her.

`The L'Abri! She was the ship that got ashore on the lighthouse beach.'
said Alderman Maddox.

`And the same one in which the Earl of Elliston came passenger,' said
the mayor. `Did you chance to see much of that nobleman, Mr. Decker
while on board?'

`I had no particular conversation with him,' answered the schoolmaster
quietly, as if he thought he was not sinking any lower in their estimation

even in frankly confessing he had come fellow passenger with a nobleman
and had not talked with him.

`I expect noblemen choose their own society,' said Mrs. Dalton somewhat
sharply. `Has your honor seen the earl?'

`No madam, I have not yet had the honor, I understand he is at the Tremont
House, and I shall not fail to wait upon his lordship, and extend to
him the courtesies of the city. The title is of an ancient and powerful
family, largely concerned in agriculture, and some of the name have distinguished
themselves both in the field and the forum.'

Mrs. Dalton now fidgeted till she drew her husbands attention, and then
signified to him by a wink, that he must speak about the proposed introduction.
Peter understood her, and said with a slight degree of hesitation:

`What time does your honor think of calling on the earl.'

`It is uncertain. I shall try and drop in in the course of the forenoon,'
said the mayor.

`I should esteem it an honor, if you do not object, to call with you,' said
the India merchant.

`I have no doubt his lordship would be most happy to see you, Mr. Dalton,'
said his honor, `but I fear I shall have to decline the pleasure of your
company. I shall only make a formal official visit,' and the mayor courteously
smiled and bowed, as if he had dismissed the subject.

`I shall, probably, call upon the earl, cousin and will be most happy to
give you an introduction,' said Henry Decker, with an assurance and freedom,
as if, thought Mrs. Dalton, he had been hand in glove with lords all
his life.

Peter wanted the introduction, and wished to have it under good auspices.
He did not think that he now proposed the best he could obtain, and
politely, to the eyes of others, yet contemptuously, as he meant it should be
to his eyes whom he addressed, declined the offer, saying:

`You are very kind, Mr. Decker; but as you will probably go down to
the country to-morrow, I will not take your time and so delay your departure.'

`Oh, not at all; I shall remain in the city some weeks, said the `poor
cousin' in a careless manner.

Mrs. Dalton rolled up her eyes, and Peter swore inwardly that if he came
near his house after that day he would shoot him!

`He will of course see me if I call alone,' ventured Peter to the mayor

`Of course, Mr. Dalton, and doubtless feel flattered by the attention.'

Peter and his wife interchanged glances of triumph, and the lady soon
after rose from the table and took her leave, giving her `poor cousin' a terrible
look of mingled rage, pride, scorn and contempt, as she swept by towards
the drawing room, to the door of which she was escorted by the
gallant alderman Maddox. In a few moments afterwards Henry Decker

rose and took a polite leave of the guests and a very deferential one of Peter
who felt not a little relieved when he heard the door close behind him,
which by the peculiar `slamb' he knew was by his wife's hand!

`A very intelligent and well bred man, your friend Mr. Decker is,' said
the mayor.

`A scholar and a gentleman,' said the merry alderman Maddox, tipsily;
`let us drink his health and wish him a better coat!'

`The next hour was devoted to discussion of the mercantile affair that had
brought them together and Peter to his great gratification was chosen President
of the board. It was decided by them, before breaking up, that suitable
honors should be paid to the noble English guest then in the city, and
that their ladies must give parties for him.

This decision was overheard by Ms. Dalton, and she resolved to be foremost
with a party, for reasons already given in a former part of our story.