Imagens da página
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

world, and now she talked of "exercising seasons and heart-tendering seasons;" of "low times" and "disturbed opportunities," and of all the "testimonies" that were borne against error and sin, Hannah exerted herself to win me to her way of worship, and the most liberal eclectic could not but admire her sweet and earnest Christian zeal.

VIII.

I REMAINED three years at the Buxtons', and then I could see myself that all my little griefs, and all my tasks and trials, had been a wholesome discipline, and improved my mind and heart. I still liked the Quakers, in many respects, although I did not join their society. I saw the practical fruits of their religion, as borne like catawbas in sweet ruddy clusters by Nathan and Lydia Buxton. I saw them "walking" with the weak and tempted and oppressed. I saw their doors often opened to the wandering beggar, the friendless orphan, the penitent convict, and fugitive slave. I saw it was the chief fear of their life that the blessing of those ready to perish might not come upon them, or that they might stand on the left hand when the Shepherd divided his sheep from the goats.

While I was at the Buxtons' I saw more of the "Crazy Juror" of Becket court. Friend Nathan believed that he could soothe the maniac's troubles and restore his reason, and he took him under his care and walked with him some time. His influence was soon discovered, and he hoped for perfect success. The paroxysms of insanity grew less frequent, and the subject manifested more reason and tranquillity every day. True, there remained a certain

wildness of thought and confusion of ideas, and he was projecting the strangest schemes of reform that were ever conceived; but he had more peace of mind, he was more rational in other respects, and his friends were glad they had not sent him away to the asylum.

His paroxysms varied. When they were not of hate, or fear, or grief, they would sometimes appear in pity, and he wept for the sufferings of man. Again they would appear in wit, or mirth, and he shook his friends with laughter, or spent a day or week in merriment himself. Then his mind would wander another way, and "Poor Merrill Clark" haunted him, and he strove to escape from his own trouble, or to rescue that unfortunate boy from his tragical fate. Again, he would imagine himself Dr. Tuckerman, ministering to the poor and to prisoners in Boston, or some one else engaged in an equally philanthropic work.

And one time, when the Buxtons were in Lynn attending yearly meeting, he was seized with another paroxysm, and fancied that he was Lydia Buxton; and what should he do but steal into her closet and put on one of her meekest dove-colored gowns, a very peaceful cap, a sober cloak and hood, and enter the meeting, as they were weighing the subject of capital punishment, and bear her testimony against it!

I remember the surprise and confusion he created— how Lydia blushed crimson, and chewed her mysterious quid-how others, who knew him, were tried-what an irresistible sense of the ludicrous followed, and forced a smile from the most solemn faces-and with what a

mixture of calmness and impatience Friend Buxton said, "William, thee mistakes thy name, and hadn't thee better quit meeting now and go home with me? Come, William, we will go home now, and comfort ourselves, that not many more Merrill Clarks will perish on the gallows. Come, we have all borne good and suitable testimony against the evil thee dislikes."

But William Knowlton was amazed at such treatment from "a true and loving husband," who had always contended for the right of speech; and he raised his voice and insisted on taking the rest of the time. Friend Buxton urged his persuasion, and William raised his voice still higher, till his testimony was all borne; and then, as if suddenly coming to himself, he glanced at his dress, flashed his wild eyes around the house, blushed and dropped his head, and ran away, not only from meeting, but from the care of his kind guardian, and I think it was nearly a month before they heard of him again.

An incident of this character might surprise my amiable friends, and even provoke a transient smile, but it could not damp the ardor of their benevolence. They did not reject the little maniac when he returned, but persevered in their efforts to restore him. And they gave the same care to the prisoners; and many a time was I sent to the cells with words of sympathy, with articles of comfort, and books, which they hoped might bring them to repentance. I assisted at Lydia's table once or twice, when a fair was given for philanthropic objects. And, to identify my interests still more with institutions of reform and charity, I was induced to contribute a little of my earn

ings, to enterprises which the Buxtons told me would return to me in blessings.

My friends assured me that even my plain and awkward appearance was improved by these good people; for they had touched and chastened me with finer graces, which I needed too much. The lessons and habits of prudence I learned of them, were now gratefully remembered. I had supported myself, and had a pretty full wardrobe, and handsome little library, with a small sum in my treasury to prepare for a new situation.

But much as you may congratulate me, reader, on these lessons and examples which I enjoyed, you will not suppose they found me a very passive subject of their influence, or that half the steps I took at Buxtons' were steps towards heaven. I have to confess many acts of resistance, and many steps in the ways of evil. It was a long while before I could see the duty to the erring and repentant which they said I owed. It was not in their home that I dismissed the last capability of hatred and

revenge.

And here I am reminded of an event which occurred there, that will show how little at times this evil spirit was restrained. I have spoken of the garden. It yielded the finest summer and autumn fruits. The fence, which inclosed it with the orchard, was built so high that no one from the street could see an apple, except on the tallest limbs, and that no one could be tempted to break through and steal. But, notwithstanding all precautions, it was known by many of the boys in town that we had these tempting luxuries, and every summer we were

« AnteriorContinuar »