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Joan

Joan image
Parent Issue
Day
15
Month
September
Year
1881
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

There are various ways of being distinguished. ïliere is the tight rope, there are the hustings, there is the dock. A Lord Mayor is a conspicuous personage- at any rate for one year. -A. gifted actress, a popular novelist, a professional beauty, cn command the sulïiages and the stares of the crowd. But every one of these positions argües in the occupant some energy in well or ill-doing, some character or some talent out of the common, or, at least, some quality in excess. But the Hammonds, who lived in Crofton, had a way of being distinguished which gave them nö trouble whatsoever. ïhey simply were. And no doubt ever troubled their minds but that the world was better for their existence. The members of the family with whom we have to concern ourselves are the daugliters. ïhese were three in number- Gertrude, Edith, and Joan. Gertrude, as the eldest, governed the motherless household. She was a typical Hammond - bouncing, good-tempered, sensible; not good looking, of course. Edith, who had more leisure to cultívate her appearance, rejoiced in a pink and white beauty of flrst youth that was never Jikély to disturb the family routine, and was regarded as the right thing in the right place- like an alabastei chimney ornament. Joan, EJith's junior by six years, was the foreign element. To begiií with, sho was, as everybody noticed, I singularJy plain. When wae anything seen so out of the way as lier dark, thin face, solemn eyes, and lanky legs and arms? ïhen, as Gertrude always remarked, "Joan is so unlike ether people." She was not stupid, it wa3 allowed, but nevertheless, when she had reached the end of the limited curiculem which the Reverend George considered necessary for a wotnan, she could neither sing, nor sketeh, nor dance, while íur needle-work of all sorts she had an abhorrence. She would play for hours, if indulged, but Mr. Hammond hated the sound of practicing, and as he always rose early, sat up late, had piles of correspondence, and the house was small, he Wivariably heard the piano whanever ït was playee!, and ïnvariably stopped it. He on] y liked musie of an evening, as a sootliing accompauiment to digestión, and cunducive to an agreeable áoz ïhen Edith would please h;m with a waltz or two, or 'Annie Laurie,' fjid that done, would (by Lis order) eease. Joan was always wanting to fcry over queer old music of that objectionable bort whicb, has no tune, sach as fugues of Bach.toceataa of Soarlatti, and so on. Once, when she was quite a cliild, in an unguaided outburst of chi'dish arrogance, she had said that Bhe was born for things above the comnion. As aiight be expected, tliis announcement was greeted wi h a howl of truly fraternal derision by her incredulous brothers and sisters. They instantly uick-named her Pope Joan, and the speech was never íoigotten again3ther. It was her íirst attempt to talk about herself in her family, and it remained her last. She had two f riends, both inen, and both described by Gertrude as 'peculiar.' One was Charles Payne, a bom Boheinian, whom sorne odd freak had induced to marry Miss Bertha Heryey, Gertrude Hammond's greatest friend, and a bonny, commonplace young wo man, as unlike himself as possible When he proposed tor ner the family had given their consent because, as was aniversally remarked, although Charles Payne had no money, he was so clever and commanded so much influence that he was suro to get on. And so he had got on. He ran every day deeper and more cheerfully into debt; and every week abandoned soine fresh chance of using his versatile talents afforded him by the inexhaustible patience of his friends. The oiüy person whom this state of tliings did not distress was - himself. While others fmned he was always serenely busy about something - which nobody wanted. For energy he had, only it was a perverse imp of energy, that preferred to do the thing which it was not required to do. For the rest, he was so charming that men, like nature, lavished gif ts upon him. In good health, he was tenderly nursed; starving, he was fed; naked, he was clothed; idle, he was forgiven. His conversation was brilliant; his manners weredelightful; his view of life was a perpetual application, in the most child-like good faith, of thecynical maxim: "What's yours is mine, and what's mine is myown.' This elusive and enchanting being had drifted down to Crofton for Bertha, who was out of health, to be nursed for a uw raonths by lier family; and straightway ha had become a great friend of Joan's. The two used to liave endless talks on every subject er heaven, and Mr. Payne expressed the opinión that Joan was clever. "Poor, dear Joan ! It does not mucl matter what Charles Payne says on any subject," was Gertrude's observa tion, and Joan, on the w.hole, rathei lost than gained in public favor by her new alliance. Her other friend was apoetcousin - only son to Mrs. Meredith of the Hall, the great lady of the neighborhood, and Mr. Hammond's half-sister. ïhis lady was a clever manager, and lier indulgent, rich and stadions sou left his affairs, farming and the rest of it, a good deal in her hands, while he traveled, and wooed the muses. He had not distinguished himself at college, which had been a great disappointment to her, and lowered hiin considerably in her eyes. But if his mother snubbed him, he was much pettedin an undemonstrative fashion, by Joan. Thegirl likedall dumb, sufferingthings, and as a child had had a rare collection of maimed pets. Perhaps it was on something of the same principie that she sympathized with her shy and sient cousin Ned. One other and very perplexing person there was who played an important part in the lives of theHammonds.and was regarded by themsomewhat in the liglit of a fairy god-mother. This was an elderly rnaiden, extremely rich, keen, and far-sighted, who was a cousin to the late Mrs. Hammond. Miss Priscilla Upton - for that was her name - long years before had come to stay with cousin Amy, and been devotedly nursed by her through a dangerous illness. 'My dear,' she said in an impulse of convalescent gratitude to Mm Hammond, 'we are both poor, but if I am ever rich [ swearthat Iwill settle L10,000 upon you.' '1 should not know what to do with such a sum,' laughingly answered Mrs. Hammond. Settle it upon the poppett,' (At that time theie was only one of those remarkable beings in the Hammond nursery.) 'You will have hostsof poppetts by and by, mydear,' said Miss Priscilla. 'I will settle it upon one of tiiem.' The words were hardly out of her mouth when the po.'st brought Ucr the news of the death, by a boating accident, of her only brother and kis only son by which unexpected turn of Fortune's wheel she became the possessor of as-.any thousands as.until then, she hae eiTjoyed hundreJs of pounds a year. Time went on, the Hammond quiver filled fast, and Miss Priscilla could not but be reminded by more than one circumstance of her own rash promise. As long as Mrs. Hammond lived, she gave no hint of fulfllling it; nerertheless it is probable that it weighed upon her conscience, for she wa a fairly honorable woman, although a very stingy one. However tliat may have been, when the gentle Amy died, in an outburst of regret and generosity, Miss Priscilla wrote to Mr. Hammond that she had destined L10,000 to the member of his family who before the ae of thiny should have fulfilled a certain condition. This condition was not communicated in the letter, but it was, the writer said, set forth at length in a sealed packet deposited with Miss Priscilia's solicitor. It may be imagined whafc an object of interest and curiosity that whimsical lady beeame to all her young cousins after that. She was mad prodigiously much of by them, and seemed to enjoy the process. It is true that while they were still children her attitude toward them was masked by a subtle distrust. She appeared to watch them narrowly, and consfêtently snubbed any effort at self-assertion. But as they grew up she relaxed toward them visibly, and as they neared thirty she became increasingly suave. So much 'was this the case, that oach in turn began to look upon him or herself as the future happy recipiënt of the magie gum. Peter, the eldest son, was so obviously in the old lady's good graces that - slow, honest soul! - he almost murried on the expectations which she excited. George, the next eldest, was now on the verge of the fateíul age, and Gertrude was bat three years off it. To both Miss Priscilla was benignity itself. Edith she petted more than anybody, and the oiily one whom she decidedly disliked was the unlucky Joan. v Besides these uncertain chances accruing to them froni Miss Priscilla, the Hammond girls, at eighteen, eacli catnè into a sinall legacy of L300, left to them to "do what they Iiked wilh." Gertrude and Edith had of course long ago received and partly spent their legacies, and as the story opens, Joan had just touched hers. II. Mrs. Meredith and her son, the Paynes and Dr. Jeffreys (the family doctor) had been dining wilh the Hammonds. It was a fresh autumn evening, and the blaze of the first logs upon tlie hearth was exhilarating. What are you going to do tliis winter, Payne?' asked Mr. Hammond. 'I am off to Munich. I have an order to write the article 'Bavaria' for Grudener's new 'Encyclopsedia of European History.' It is the very kind of work I have been seeking for years,' answered Charles Payne, looking up from an old score which he had been bumming over analytically to Joan. 'Humph!' remarked Mr. Hammond. While Mrs. Meredith, who had some humor, smiled. 'Can't you write the article in the British Museum ?' 'No,' said Pyne. 'I require the local color.' 'And what will Bertha do away f rom all her friends?' asked Gertrude in a tone not devoid of asperity. Bertha will have me,' said Charles with gentle dignity. 'But when you are absorbed by Bavaria will she not feel lonely?' interposed Mrs. Meredith. 'If even she had one of her sisters with her,' resumed Gertrude. 'Spare her one of your sisters,' said Payne, promptly. Gertrude stared. 'Now is your opportunity, Joan. Now or never.' And Charles Payne glaneed with smiling encouragement at the girl bending low and nervously, it seemed, over the scattered sheets of music. Not Gertrude alone, but everybody now looked up surprised. Joan raised a palé, determined face and saïd ly: 'I wish to go to Munich to study music.' ïhere was a general silenoe of sheer amazement, broken at last by a short laugh of sardonio amusement from Mr. Hammond. 'Well, well; what next, I wonder? he said. And adjusting his spectacles he took up the Guardian. What can be more dreadful than to see your grandest resolutions slipping down the vast abyss of another person's habitual indifference? 'l-'apa, I am quite in earnest. I wish to go,' cried Joan in a tone so excited it verged on depair. 'Hush- sh I Don't shout in that way, Joan.' remonstrated Gertrude.while Mr. Hammond liiid down nis paper with an air of resigned annoyance. 'And wïere i the money to come 'rom, may I ask ?' he inquired indirect7- 'Í liiivö my legaoy,' said Joan. 'Olí!' Af'ter this there was another )ause. The Hammonds were not stiny, and tliere was a great community f small services ainong them. Gerrude and Edith had botli made Joan little presents out of their legacie;;, and they feit slightly hurt at the idea of her wishing to spend all her own upon herself. 'I feel tliat I should succeed,' coutinued Joan üniidly. 'Yon do?' sai I her father. 'Experience may fceach you the contrary imv dear.' 'Then I may go?' urged the girl. 'Really,' said Mr. Hammond, mucli put out, 'you tre very peculiar. Go ? You seem to tliink it is nothing to ao to Munich.' 6 'The journey is easy enough,' observed Mr. Payae. 1 supposo it is you who have been putting thia uonsensa into the child's headi" asked his host, turning irritably upon him. 'The idea was suggested to your diuigliter by her own genius,' answered Charles. 'Her whatl'exclaimed Mr.IIammond; then added curtly, 'Talk seriously, if you please.' 'I am quite serious,' rstorled Charlea, rathcr aflïonted. 'I consider that Joan has unusual talent, and I think it is a pity that she shouldnotfollowthepath wliich her talent points out toher. 'Pope Juan,' murmured Gertrude with indulgent niockery. 'But the real point to be considered is whefcher Joan ought not to go.' suddenly interposed the usually silent Cousin Ned. '1 cunstder tlie vrhole affair tlierankest folJy,' said Mr, Hammoud. 'I canuot understand why," retorted Ned. 'Well, sir, it is possible tkat there are still a few tilines in the world which you do not under&tand,' answered his únele with growing exasperatioa. Poor Joan, feeling the inutility of the discussion, and unable to listen to ie any longer, rose to leave the room, wlien an uncxpected auxiliary suddenly presented itself in the person of Dr. Jeffreys. Tliat kindly soul had been watching her while the others were talking, and had noticed the quiver of sorrow and disappointment on the earnest young face. 'If I may be allowed to express a professional opinión. Hammond, I should say you would do well to let your daughter sy.' My dear Jeffreys! Homerus dormitat. Munich is notoriously one of the most unhealthy towns in Europa Besides, what ia the matter with Joan?' 'There is nevcr anythiug the matter with any of us, I am happy to thiak, ramirked Gertrude. 'Our liltle Joan is nervous and im pressionable, and is just at a stage of mental and physical developinent when a thorough clwnge would be most ben eflcial to her. You must remembei that she differs f rom her brothers anc sisters in not having inherited your eonstitution, Hammond,' said Dr. Jeffreys, signiiicantly. Ñobody found any immediate reply to this, for Joan's birth had cost her mother her life. Moreover, she was rather like her mother ia temperament, and Mr. Hammond had been devoted to his wife. Xot ;t soul but feit, consequently, that Dr. Jeffreys had played a tramp card, while Joan, with unconscious tact, followed up the advantage. Going to her f ither, she knelt beside his chair. 'Let me go!' she murmured imptoringly and caressingly. Mr. Ilammond'a reluctant glance rested on her eager countenance, then on the trembling littlo hand laid upon hia arm. In her whole attitude tliere was an intense expression whiuh he had never noticed bef ore. 'I vvill think about it," he gaid, coMly; and Joan rose with a feeüng oddly Cümpounded of prescient triuniph and güiish remorse. Mr. Hammond did, of course, in the following days make a few efforts to withdraw his half-given consent. But mged by Dr. Jeffreys, supplicated by Joan, and hurried on by Charles Payne (who was ulwaya tremendously energetic when other people hesitated), he linely yielded. Gertrude, with a portentous countenance of bottled-up contempt, packed Joan's things, and marked her disapproval of her conduct by allowing her to do nothing for herself. Edith repeated at intervals; 'Well, Joan, you are fortúnate!' Cousin Xed promised a speedy visit of his own to Munich; and Miss Priscilla wrote a most furious epistle. So outraged and inexplicable was its tone tliat the Hammonds were at flrst rendered speechless by amazement; the more so that Miss Priscilla had never before interferred in their affaire. 'The project,' she declared, 'was sensate, ridiculuus. If put into execution it would be a death blow to lier belief in the Hammonds' propriety, right feeling and comtnon sense !' Tliis was only the beginüing of the letter, but the rest of it was all in the same strain. 'Just write to Priscilla and teil lier that when we want advice we ask for it, Gerty,' said Mr. Hammond. But Gerty, on the contrary, wrote a very einulcient reply; for she wisely thought that it does not do to quarrel with rich old cousins for the sake of perverse young sisters. A week later our little lieroine started for Munich. III. Three years had passed, but Joan's return to her father's house was still delayed. Not being much missed at home in any material sense, and resolute to remain away as long as she thougl t necessary, she had contrived to wring one extensión of leave after another f rom lier fatlier. Between her and her sisters tliere was no very brisk correspontlence, butwliensliedid write. lier letters werealwaysreasauring. 'She-says she is getting on rapidly with her music and she appears to be in good health, wliich, after all, is the cliief point. When a love of home revives in her, I suppose she will return,' was the substance of Gertrude's usual answer to any inquirios for her youairest sister. These three years had not been marked by prosperity for Mr. Ilrttnnioud. He and his sister, coniident in their business faculty, had been entrapped into aspeculation which tumed out tortunately. The blow to their pride was alniost as intolerable as the loss to their pockets. Mrs. Meredith especially feit keenly the humiliation of having to confess the catastrophe to her sou, although the loss to hirn was, after all, couiparatively trilling. To make matters worse, he had just achieved a decided success wiui ii tragedy in blank verse. His motlier, though less displeased than astonished at the achievement.could not help feeling that like Lady Macbeth's death, it should have come "hereafter." In old daTS she would have praised it, witli a "critical deduction" in favor of her own inherent superiority. As it was, she had to swallow the suocess whole, and the pill, if hirhly gilded, was not wholly sweet. Things were not itnproved by the arrival of Mist Priscilla, with her maid and her pets, on her annual visit. It wa evident that the old lady's temper did not improve with age. 'Mot coming home yet ?' she exclaimed tartly, in reference to Joan. 'Well, I must frankly confess that I am disajn pointed in you, one and all. I had expected better things than that George should be so foolish (L4,000 lost, I think yos said ?), and that you, Gertrud, should be so weak. Studying music, forsooth! Studying fiddlesticks! And whea she knows counter bass and thorongh point, or whatever the jargon is, what ia she to do with them? Lead the Tiilage choir?' 'I belicve she intends coming out as a composer," replied Gtrtrude. 'A what?' shrieked Miss Priscilla. 'De you seriously mean to say that she intends to drag your name- the mond name - round the world on the frontispiece of polkas? I cali it positively indecent.' 'Cousin Priscillal' protested Gertrude ia aniazed consternation. 'An absolute prostitution!'continued Miss Priscilla, with increasing vigor of denunciation. 'She might just as well be a ballet girl. I never thought to see the day when one of your family would consent to the degradation of notoriety.' ■ '.I cannot comprehend why Joan should not write music, just as well as Peter caH scribble accounts!' suddenly brokein Edith with unwonted flre. Tor heaven's sake, don't you try to be aharp,' retortod the old lady, turning upou her exasperatedly: 'Stick to your proper character, my dear. Your chief nierit is your want of in- I mean your want of pretensión to superior inteüigence.' 'Why, Cousin Priscilla, I always tliought you hada verygood opinión of me,' said Edith, resentfully, beginning 'So I have,' answered Miss Upton with a mollilied smile of curiously grim enjoyment. 'You are my ideal of a young woman; tne verv girl for my - approbation. (Edith had raiaed a tear-stained face, but buried it in hei handUerehief again at the word, 'approbation.') 6j stop crying do. I like you all. All, except Joan, and I shall never be easy imtil she is once again living respectably under her father's roof.' And with returning irritation Miss Priscilla wrapped hecred vvoolen shawl around her spare form, and precipitately left the rooin. 'I wish I were thirty,' sighed Edith, naively. 'Think, if I am to get thac mrméy, how c nvenieut it would b now!' 'You will be thirty quite soon enough,' replied Gertmde, with some natural (Wperity, that age being past for her. 'But ;is for Cousin Priscilla's money, I don't .believe we shall ever get it. I think nhe takes a spiteful pleasure in flangHng the expectation of it böfore our eyes; but I am certain tbat the condition uttached to it is soinething impossible for us to do. Sometimcs I think she wants one of us to go out asa missionary to Central Africa.' One morniág Mrs. Meredith called early, with a countenance of the utmost glo'.im. Ned is going to be married,' she said, and siit down in the nearest chair. 'To whoin?' asked Mr. Hammond lugnbriously. 'To a Germán girl, a pianist from Munich,' replied Mrs. Meredith. Gertrude and Edith gave an exclamition of disinay, MissPriscilla asavage iaugh. 'Tliat coinés of studying the arts,' she remarked, in unconscious contradiction to Sir Andrevv Aguecheek. 'The name of this persen?' inquired Mr. Hammond, witli the air of a man mured to the buffets of fate. 'Kletterman,' answered Mrs. Meredith, not more cheerf ully. 'I thiuk I saw something about her n one of the London papers,' remarked ïertrude. 'They are all f uil of her. ] t appears ïhe is not only very clever, but very handsome, in that queer, new fangled style that attracts some artista. She ïas been taken up by a nuniber of 'ashionable amateurs, and had a sudden great suceess. She bas also pubished a song, which it is said, shows unusual talent, espeeially in a woman. 'But oh! what am 1 to (ï with lier,' and poor Mrs. Meredith actually wrung her hands. 'Perhaps Joan know8 her. By the )y, we have not heard f rom Joan or more than two months,' observed Edith. 'Perhaps she ia going to be married o . asother pianist,' suggested Miss Mscilla. 'Oh, don't!' expostulated Gertrude. who was seriously distressed, for Mrs, Meredith had quite broken down, and was weeping bitterly. 'It's no uso crying, Sarah,' said Mr. Hammond. 'I suppose the boy is set on it?' 'Quite, quitf!' sobbed Mrs Meredith. ir; is to bringher down to morrow, to introduce her to me. I don't know if slie is coming alone with him. To have to entertain a posse of underbred Germans would be dreadful.' 'The principal relativo in a Germán family is the grandmother, I believe ' observed Miss Priscilla, and Mrs. Meredith moaned. 'There are worse relati ves than mothers, said Mr. Hammond, whereat lus cousin smiled. 'You wiü all come to dinner to-morrowof course?' said Mrs. Meredith, as she rose to go. I never could go through it alone. Come early. ïhey will arrive by the seven o'clock expres8.' And the Hammonds, accompanied by the maliciously exultant Miss Priscilla went. it was settled that the reception should take placo with a certain state in the large drawing room. The mond girls were brimming over with curiosity. Mrs. Meredith, who had outwardly recovered her calmaess, sat in black velvet and old point staring mournfully into the flre. She looked dignified, but her hands trembled. Suddenly the noise of arrival was heard. ïhere were cries at the door quick steps along the hall- then the butler threw open the door, and Ned, looking unusually mischievous, appeared with his bride-elect upon his arm. 'Papa!' cried a fresh young voice and the petrified Mr. Hammond found himself suddenly in the arms of a slight gracef ui girl wliose loving glance was strangely familiar in a face of unfamiliar beauty. 'Joan!' cried every voice at once. 'Yes, Joan,' said ÍTed, 'wilful Joan, who would ge for at least one month into the profession.' 'Public applause is our hall mark. It stamps us for something oL worth. I did not daré ask your permission for fear you would not give it. But now thatFraulein Kletterman exista no Jonger, you will forgive her- won't you?' asked Joan with a smile that was irresistible. The sound of a door suddenly slammed awoke everybody to the knowledge of Miss Priscilla's abrupt departure. When the Hammonds reached home that night their cousin was in bed, and by the time they rose next morning, she was on her way to London. Her behavior caused much surprise, of course, and she was pursued with' conciliatory letters. But no answer to these arrived, nor did the Hammonds ever again see sight of Miss Priscilla's handwriting. But her solicitor wrote for her, and his letter was to this effect: 'His cliënt, Miss Priscilla Upton, after consultation with him, had arrived at the reluctant (she begged him to say the 'reluctant') conclusión that, according to the terms of her old promise, Miss Joan Hammond was entitled from her to the sum of L10,000. Por Miss Upton had destined this gift from the first to that Hammond who, before the age of thirty, should achieve distinction in one or other branch of art. -Miss Upton, from observation and experience, had never expected so glaring a deviation from the traditions and habits of the family, but, having been mistaken, she feit it her monrnful duty to warn the remaining Ilatnmonds that at her death the wliole of her property would go to t'ia Society for the Preservation of th9 Ojibbeway Indiana. Miss Upton's sympatuies were entirely with the savages, and not at all witli any one result of a culturad and elïete eivilization.' 'Four thöusaad must go to your papa,' said Joan, 'and the rest can be divided bet ween Gertrude and Edithunless Ned objects.' But ÍTed did not object, being, as Mr. Hammond remarked, the only member of the family, except him.self, whö had always properly appreeiated Joan. - The Argosy. An Erie dispatch says: About a monthago the schooner l'hantoin, of liuiï.tlo, arrived in this port with a mission to search for the wreek of the schooner Vermillion, whicli, with a lange carga of copper, was wiecked on Lake Erie in 1843. Operations were made under the superintendency of D. Chapín, a mine locater, whe had on board a peculiar electncal apparatus for discovering metal. After a long Search success came. The electric machine indicated the presence of metal under a spot passed over. The Phantom let go anchor and divers descended. They dropped square on the huil of the lost vessel and bronght up an ingot of copper with them. The wreek will be raised. The cargo ia worth $60,000. - m ■ ■- In the course of u recent debate in the House of Commons a member delivered lümself of a bundie of complaints against the inefliciency of postoifftce telegraph operators, and quoted several amusiiig instances to justify his criticism. In one case a husband who was anxiouslr awaiting a bit of important domestic iiil.elligenee was astonished by the announcement that liis wife liad presrnted him with a "deal box," wlicieas, in reality, the present oonsisted of a "dear boy." In another instance the interment of the late Pope in St. Peter's was converted ninto interment in "salt petre." Notwithstanding these grotesque blunders the Postmaster-General, in reply to the honorable member, warmly comrnended the care and skill exhibited by the telegraphic employés. The total winnings of Maud S. in the circuit which conimeneed at Chicago and ended at Hartford, footed up $7,500. She was the winner. PiediHont won $6,625; Trinker, $6,750Charlie Ford, $5,600; Edward Thorne' $5,000; Wedgewood, $4,050; Littlé Brown Jug, $3,250; Mattie Ilunter $3,125; Huiiiboldt, $3,100; Midnight $3,050; Troubadour, $3,000.' Faith is letting down our nets into the untransparent deeps at the Divine command, not knowing what we shall Use,-

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Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Democrat