Books: Miss Lou
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E. P. Roe >> Miss Lou
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"No, it is not all," cried Miss Lou, with a passionate pathos in her
voice which touched the major's heart. "Would you, sir, force a
girl, scarcely more than a child, to marry a man when you knew that
she would rather die first? Safety! What would I care for safety
after the worst had happened? I will not be married like a slave
girl. I will not go away to Lieutenant Whately's relations unless I
am taken by force."
"Great God, sir, that I should hear a Southern girl make such an
appeal," said Major Brockton, his face dark with indignation. "We
are justly proud of the respect we show to our women, and who more
entitled to respect than this orphan girl, scarcely more than a
child, as she says herself? Good Heaven! Whately, could you not have
protected your cousin as you would your sister? You say, sir" (to
Mr. Baron) "that she was betrothed from childhood. She didn't
betroth herself in childhood, did she? Believe me, Miss Baron, no
one has the power to force you into marriage, although your kindred
should use all means, while you are so young, to prevent an unworthy
alliance."
"I had no thought of marriage, sir, until terrified by my cousin's
purpose and my family's urgency but a day since. I am willing to pay
them all respect and deference if they will treat me as if I had
some rights and feelings of my own. My only wish is a little of the
freedom which I feel a girl should enjoy when as old as I am. I
detest and fear the man whom my cousin has selected to take me away.
I do not fear a battle. They all can tell you that I stood on the
piazza when bullets were flying. I only ask and plead that I may
stay in such a home as I have. My old mammy is here and--"
"Well," ejaculated the major, "have you no stronger tie than that of
a slave mammy in your home?"
"I do not wish to be unjust, sir. I try to think my aunt and uncle
mean well by me, but they can't seem to realize that I have any
rights whatever. As for my cousin, he has always had what he wanted,
and now he wants me."
"That is natural enough; but let him win you, if he can, like a
Southern gentleman. Lieutenant Whately, I order you to your duty.
Mr. Baron, if you wish to send your ladies away and go with them, I
will furnish an escort. Any Southern home beyond the field of
hostilities will be open to you. Acquaint me with your decision,"
and he bowed and strode away.
Even the most prejudiced and blind are compelled at times by an
unhesitating and impartial opinion to see things somewhat in their
true light. Long-cherished purposes and habits of thought in regard
to Miss Lou, then panic, and strong emotions mixed with good and
evil, had brought the girl's relatives into their present false
relations to her. After the scene at the attempted wedding, Mrs.
Whately would have returned to safe and proper ground, hoping still
to win by kindness and coaxing. She had learned that Miss Lou was
not that kind of girl, who more or less reluctantly could be urged
into marriage and then make the best of it as a matter of course.
This fact only made her the more eager for the union, because by
means of it she hoped to secure a balance-wheel for her son. But the
blind, obstinate persistence on the part of the Barons in their
habitual attitude toward their niece, and now her son's action, had
placed them all in a most humiliating light. Even Mr. Baron, who had
always been so infallible in his autocratic ways and beliefs, knew
not how to answer the elderly major. Whately himself, in a revulsion
of feeling common to his nature, felt that his cousin had been
right, and that a miserable space for repentance was before him, not
so much for the wrong he had purposed, as for the woful unwisdom of
his tactics and their ignominious failure. His training as a soldier
led him to obey without a word.
Miss Lou was magnanimous in her victory. "Cousin Madison," she said
earnestly, "why don't you end this wicked nonsense and act like a
cousin? As such I have no ill-will toward you, but I think you and
uncle must now see I'll stop at nothing that will keep me from
becoming your wife. There's no use of trying to make me think I'm
wrong in my feelings, for I now believe every true man would side
with me. Be my cousin and friend and I will give you my hand here
and now in goodwill."
But his anger was too strong to permit any such sensible action, and
he rushed away without a word.
"Madison!" called his mother. "Oh, I'm just overwhelmed," and she
covered her face with her hands and burst into tears.
"Well," said Mr. Baron in a sort of dreary apathy, "do you and
Louise wish to go away under an escort furnished by the major?"
"No," cried Mrs. Whately, "I would accept my fate rather than favor
at his hands. If I could only explain to him more fully--yet how can
I? My son, with all his faults, is all I have to live for. I shall
stay near him while I can, for he will be reckless to-day. My heart
is just breaking with forebodings. Oh, why couldn't you, with your
gray hairs, have shown a little wisdom in helping me restrain him?"
"I reckon the restraining should have been practiced long ago,"
replied her brother irritably.
"You have practiced nothing but restraint in the case of Louise, and
what is the result?"
The girl looked at them wonderingly in their abject helplessness,
and then said, "If you are taking it for granted that I am spoiled
beyond remedy, I can't help it. I would have made no trouble if you
had not set about making me trouble without end. As soon as I can
I'll go away and take care of myself."
"Of course, Louise," said Mrs. Whately, "we're all wrong, you as
well as the rest of us. We must try to get this snarl untangled and
begin right. The idea of your going away!"
"I supposed that was the only idea," said Mrs. Baron, entering. "I,
at least, have tried to remedy our niece's perverseness by getting
her things ready."
Mrs. Whately wrung her hands in something like despair, while Miss
Lou burst into a peal of half-nervous laughter at the expression on
her uncle's face. "Well," she said, "there'll be no more trouble as
far as I am concerned unless it's of your own making. If I am
protected in my home, I shall stay; if not, I shall leave it. One
learns fast in such ordeals as I have passed through. Aunt Sarah,
your son threatened to shoot me for doing what you permitted.
Suppose I had told Major Brockton that? I made allowances for
Madison's passion, but unless he learns to control himself he will
have to vent his passion on some one else."
"She has just lost her senses," gasped Mrs. Baron.
"No, we have acted as if we had lost ours," said Mrs. Whately rising
with dignity. "I can't reason with either of you any more, for you
have made up your minds that a spade is not a spade. I shall tell my
niece that hereafter I shall treat her kindly and rationally, and
then go home," and she left husband and wife confronting each other.
"What are you going to do?" asked the wife.
"Do!" exploded the husband in desperation, "why, hump myself and
restore everything in a twinkling as it was five years ago. What
else can I do?"
Even Mrs. Baron was speechless at this admission that events had now
passed far beyond his control.
CHAPTER XX
SCOVILLE'S HOPE
Mrs. Whately found her niece on the veranda watching the proceedings
without, and she lost no time in expressing her purpose. To her
surprise, a pair of arms were around her neck instantly, and a kiss
was pressed upon her lips.
"That's my answer," said Miss Lou, who was as ready to forgive and
forget as a child. "If you say a word about going home I shall be
unhappy. See, auntie, the Yankees are retreating again as our men
advance."
The morning sun was now shining brightly and the day growing very
warm. Before them was the scene of military operations. At present,
it afforded a deeply exciting spectacle, yet oppressed with no sense
of personal danger. Scoville's little force was slowly retiring
along the ridge which the Confederates were approaching, thus
removing the theatre of actual conflict from the vicinity of the
dwelling.
Mr. Baron appeared on the veranda and soon began to yield to the
soothing influences of his pipe. It was not in his nature to make
any formal acknowledgments of error, but he felt that he had gone on
the wrong track far and long enough, and so was ready for a gradual
amelioration in his relations to his niece and sister. They had
become too absorbed in the scene before them to think of much else,
while Mrs. Baron sought composure and solace in her domestic
affairs.
At last Mrs. Whately said, "The Yankees appear to have stopped
retreating and to be increasing in numbers. Alas! I fear our men are
in great danger and that the main column of the enemy is near."
There was a sudden outbreak of cries and exclamations from the
negroes in the rear of the mansion. Zany rushed out, saying, "De
Yanks comin' by Aun' Jinkey's cabin."
She had scarcely spoken before they heard a rush of trampling steeds
and the head of a Union column swept round the house. Miss Lou saw
Scoville leading and knew that he had availed himself of his
acquaintance with the place to guide an attack upon the Confederates
in their rear. He saluted her with his sabre and smiled as he
passed, but her sympathies were with the major, now taken at such
disadvantage. At this period the troops on both sides were veterans,
and neither fought nor ran away without good reason. Major Brockton
knew as well what to do as had Scoville before him, and retreated at
a gallop with his men toward the southwest, whence his supports were
advancing. The Union attack, however, had been something of a
surprise and a number of the Confederates were cut off.
The scene and event had been one to set every nerve tingling. But a
few yards away the Union force had rushed by like a living torrent,
the ground trembling under the iron tread of the horses. Far more
impressive had been the near vision of the fierce, bronzed faces of
the troopers, their eyes gleaming like their sabres, with the
excitement of battle. Scoville won her admiration unstintedly, even
though she deprecated his purpose. His bearing was so fearless, so
jaunty even in its power, that he seemed as brave as any knight in
the old-fashioned romances she had read, yet so real and genial that
it was hard to believe he was facing death that sunny morning or
bent upon inflicting it. Looking at his young, smiling, care-free
face, one could easily imagine that he was taking part in a military
pageant; but the headlong career and flashing weapons of his men,
who deployed as they charged straight at the Confederates, dispelled
any such illusion.
The ridge began to grow black with Union men and Miss Lou soon
perceived the gleam of artillery as the guns were placed in
position. Mr. Baron, who had permitted his pipe to go out in the
excitement, groaned, "The Yanks have come in force and are forming a
line of battle yonder. If our troops come up, the fight will take
place on my land. Lord help us! What's coming next?"
Miss Lou began to receive impressions which filled her with awe.
Heretofore she had been intensely excited by what had been mere
skirmishes, but now she witnessed preparations for a battle. That
long line of dark blue on the ridge portended something more
terrible than she could imagine. The sounds of conflict died away
down the main road, the ring of axes was heard in the grove which
crowned the ridge near the mansion, and Mr. Baron groaned again.
Thin curls of smoke began to define the Union position--before noon
thousands of coffee-pots were simmering on the fires.
At last, a tall man, followed by a little group of officers and a
squadron of cavalry, rode down the ridge toward the mansion. These
troopers surrounded the house, forming one circle near and another
much further away, so that none could approach without causing
prompt alarm. The group of officers dismounted and orderlies held
their horses. As the tall man came up the veranda steps Miss Lou saw
two white stars on his shoulder. Then her uncle advanced reluctantly
and this man said, "Mr. Baron, I presume?"
"Yes, sir."
"My name is Marston, commanding officer. This is my staff. Will you
oblige us by as good a meal as can be provided hastily? I will pay
for it."
"No, sir, you cannot pay for it," replied Mr. Baron indignantly. "I
keep a house of entertainment only for my friends. At the same time
I know your request is equivalent to a command, and we will do the
best we can."
"Very well, sir. I can repay you in a way that will be satisfactory
to my mind and be more advantageous to you. Hartly, tell the officer
in command to permit no depredations. Ladies, your servant," and the
general dropped into a chair as if weary.
Some of the younger officers promptly sought to play the agreeable
to Mrs. Whately and her niece, and upon the latter all eyes rested
in undisguised admiration. Cold and shy as she had appeared, she had
not failed to note the fact. The woman was sufficiently developed
within her for this, and the quick, unanimous verdict of these
strangers and enemies in regard to herself which she read in their
eyes came with almost the force of a revelation. For the first time,
she truly became conscious of her beauty and its power. More than
ever, she exulted in her escape and freedom, thinking, "What a poor
figure is Cousin Mad beside these men whose faces are so full of
intelligence!"
Mrs. Whately was the perfection of dignified courtesy, but quickly
excused herself and niece on the plea of hastening preparations. She
was one who could not extend even enforced hospitality bereft of its
grace, and she also explained to Miss Lou, "We had much better gain
their good-will than their ill-will."
"Well, auntie, we must admit that the Yankees have not acted like
monsters yet."
The lady bit her lip, but said after a moment, "I suppose gentlemen
are much the same the world over. Thus far it has been our good-
fortune to have met with such only. There is another class, however,
from which God defend us!"
"Lieutenant Scoville admitted that himself. So there is on our side
--men like Perkins."
"No, I mean Yankee officers who have at least permitted the worst
wrongs in many parts of our unhappy land." "Well," thought Miss Lou,
as she helped Zany set the table, "after my experience I shall
believe what I see. What's more, I mean to see the world before I
die and judge of everything for myself. Now if the general on our
side, with his staff, will only come to supper, I shall get quite an
education in one day."
Mrs. Baron retired to her room and would have nothing whatever to do
with her present guests, but Aun' Suke did not need her orders now,
nor did any of her assistants.
Chunk had again returned to his haunts and had made havoc in the
poultry-yard. Now he worked like a beaver, meantime enjoining Aun'
Suke "ter sabe de plumpest chicken ob de lot fer my Boss. Marse
Scoville brung 'em all yere, you knows. Hi! but we uns had ter git
out sud'n dough dis mawnin'."
"Does you tink de Linkum men git druv off agin?"
"How you talks! Aun' Suke. Hi! Druv off! Why, de ridge des black wid
um--anuff ter eat Mad Whately en all he men alibe. Dey des ridin'
troo de kintry freein' we uns."
"Well, I hopes I kin stay free till night, anyhow," said Aun' Suke,
pausing in her work to make a dab at a little darky with her wooden
spoon sceptre. "Firs' Marse Scoville whirl in en say I free; den old
miss whirl in en say I ain'; now conies de gin'ral ob de hull lot en
I'se free agin. Wat's mo', de freer I git de harder I has ter wuk.
My haid gwine roun' lak dat ar brass rewster on de barn, wen' de
win' blow norf en souf ter oncet."
"No mattah 'bout yo' haid, Aun' Suke. Dat ain' no 'count. Hit's yo'
han's dat de gin'ral want busy."
"No mattah 'bout my haid, eh? Tek dat on yo'n den," and she cracked
Chunk's skull sharply.
"Dat's right, Aun' Suke, keep de flies away," remarked Chunk
quietly. "You git all de freedom you wants ef you does ez I sez."
"Mo'n I wants ef I've got ter min' ev'ybody, eben dem w'at's neber
growed up."
"I des step ter de gin'ral en say you hab dejections 'bout cookin'
he dinner. Den I tell 'im ter order out a char'ot ter tek you ter
glory."
"G'lang! imperdence," said Aun' Suke, resuming her duties.
"La! Aun' Suke," spoke up Zany, who had been listening for a moment,
"doan yer know Chunk de boss ob de hull bizness? He des pickin'
chickens now ter let de gen'ral res' a while. Bimeby he git on he
hoss en lead de hull Linkum army wid yo' wooden spoon."
Chunk started for her, but the fleet-footed girl was soon back in
the dining-room.
When the early dinner was almost ready Mr. Baron said to his sister:
"Surely, there's no reason why you and Louise should appear."
"Very good reason, brother. I shall make these Northern officers
feel that they have eaten salt with us and so are bound to give us
their protection. Moreover, I wish to gain every particle of
information that I can. It may be useful to our general when he
appears. Bring out your wine and brandy, for they loosen tongues."
It soon became evident, however, that General Marston and his staff
felt in no need of Dutch courage, and were too plainly aware of
their situation to confuse their minds with their host's liquor even
if they were so inclined. The general was serious, somewhat
preoccupied, but courteous, especially to Miss Lou, on whom his eyes
often rested kindly. At last he said:
"I have a little girl at home about your age and with your blue
eyes. I'd give a good deal to see her to-day."
"I think, sir, you are glad that she is not where I am to-day," Miss
Lou ventured to answer.
"Yes, that's true. I hope no harm will come to you, my child, nor
will there if we can help it. I know what claims you have upon us
and would be proud indeed if my daughter would behave as you have in
like circumstances. I have travelled the world over, Mrs. Whately,
and have never seen the equal of the unperverted American girl."
"I certainly believe that true of Southern girls, general," was the
matron's reply, although she flushed under a consciousness of all
that Scoville might have reported.
"Pardon me, madam, but you are in danger of perverting the minds of
Southern girls with prejudice, a noble kind of prejudice, I admit,
because so closely allied with what they regard as patriotism, but
narrow and narrowing nevertheless. That old flag yonder means one
people, one broad country, and all equally free under the law to
think and act."
"Do you intend to remain in this country and hold it in subjection?"
Mrs. Whately asked in smiling keenness.
"We intend to give the Southern people every chance to become loyal,
madam, and for one I rest confidently in their intelligence and
sober second thoughts. They have fought bravely for their ideas, but
will be defeated. The end is drawing near, I think."
"Well, sir," said Mr. Baron grimly, "I am sorry you are preparing
for some more bloody arguments about our very ears."
"I am also, on account of these ladies; in other respects, I am not.
By night there may be many wounded and dying men. It will be well
for them that they do not fall in a wild and desolate region like
some that we have passed through. As you say, sir, war is an
argument, a heated one at times. But a wounded man is an appeal to
all kindly humanity. You would nurse me a little, Miss Baron, if I
were brought in wounded, would you not?"
"Yes, sir, I would, because I feel what you say about a wounded man
is true."
"Oh, I know that," he replied with a very kindly smile. "I hope to
tell my little girl about you." Suddenly he became grave again and
said, "Mr. Baron, you are somewhat isolated here, and may not be so
well informed as I am. However the prospective conflict may turn, I
cannot remain in this region. Many of our wounded may be left. Do
not delude yourself, sir, nor, if you can help it, permit your
friends to be deluded by the belief, or even hope, that our forces
will not soon control this and all other parts of the land. While I
trust that humanity will lead to every effort to assuage suffering
and save life, I must also warn you that strict inquisition will
soon be made. There is nothing that we resent more bitterly than
wrongs to or neglect of such of our wounded as must be left behind."
"It would seem, sir, that you hold me responsible for evils which I
cannot prevent."
"No, sir. I only suggest that you employ your whole influence and
power to avert future evils. I am offering a word to the wise, I
trust. Ah, Scoville, you have news?"
"Yes, sir, important," said that officer, standing dusty and
begrimed at the doorway.
"Is there haste? Is your information for my ear only? I'm nearly
through."
"Plenty of time for dinner, sir. No harm can now come from hearing
at once what I have to say."
"Go ahead, then. I'd like my staff to know."
"Well, sir, having got the enemy on the run, we kept them going so
they could not mask what was behind them. There's a large force
coming up."
"As large as ours?"
"I think so. I gained an eminence from which I obtained a good view.
Major Jones told me to say that he would skirmish with the advance,
delay it, and send word from time to time."
"All right. Get some dinner, then report to me."
"Yes, sir;" and Scoville saluted and departed without a glance at
any one except his commander.
"What do you think of my scout, Miss Baron?" asked the general with
a humorous twinkle in his eyes.
"He proved himself a gentleman last evening, sir, and now I should
think he was proving a very good soldier, much too good for our
interests."
"You are mistaken about your interests. Don't you think he was
rather rude in not acknowledging your presence?"
"I don't know much about military matters, but I reckon he thought
he was on duty."
The general laughed. "Well," he remarked, "it does not seem to be
age that makes us wise so much as eyes that see and a brain back of
them. Scoville is a gentleman and a good soldier. He is also
unusually well educated and thoughtful for his years. You are right,
my dear. Pardon me, but you keep reminding me of my daughter, and I
like to think of all that's good and gentle before a battle."
"I wish I could meet her," said Miss Lou simply.
"Come and visit her after the war, then," said the general
cordially. "The hope of the country is in the young people, who are
capable of receiving new and large ideas." Having made his
acknowledgments to Mr. Baron and Mrs. Whately, he repaired to the
veranda and lighted a cigar. The staff-officers, who had tried to
make themselves agreeable on general principles, also retired.
Miss Lou's cheeks were burning with an excitement even greater than
that which the conflicts witnessed had inspired--the excitement of
listening to voices from the great unknown world. "These courteous
gentlemen," she thought, "this dignified general who invites me to
visit his daughter, are the vandals against whom I have been warned.
They have not only treated me like a lady, but have made me feel
that I was one, yet to escape them I was to become the slave of a
spoiled, passionate boy!"
Mrs. Whately guessed much that was passing in her mind, and sighed
deeply.
At the veranda steps stood Uncle Lusthah, hat in hand and heading a
delegation from the quarters. The general said, "Wait a moment,"
then despatched one of his staff to the ridge with orders. "Now, my
man."
Uncle Lusthah bowed profoundly and began, "De young Linkum ossifer
said, las' night, how you tell us mo' dis mawnin' 'bout our
freedom."
"You are free. Mr. Lincoln's proclamation makes you all free."
"Kin we uns go 'long wid you, mars'r? Folks des seem kiner deef
'bout dat ar prockermation in dese parts."
"No, my man, you can't go with us. We are marching much too rapidly
for you to keep up. Stay here where you are known. Make terms with
your master for wages or share in the crops. If it is necessary, the
people about here will probably soon again hear the proclamation
from our cannon. Mr. Baron, why don't you gain the goodwill of those
people and secure their co-operation? They will be worth more to you
as freemen, and they ARE free. I give you friendly advice. Accept
what you can't help. Adapt yourselves to the new order of things.
Any other course will be just as futile as to resolve solemnly that
you will have nothing to do with steam, but travel as they did in
Abraham's time."
Miss Lou looked at her uncle curiously to see how he would take this
advice. His coldness of manner and silence told how utterly lost
upon him it was. The general looked at him a moment, and then said
gravely, "Mr. Baron, such men as you are the enemies of your
section, not such men as I. Good-morning, sir. Good-by, my child.
Heaven bless and protect you!" With a stately bow to Mrs. Whately he
departed and was soon on the ridge again with his men.
"I wonder if Abraham and the Patriarchs would have been any more
ready for the new order of things than uncle?" Miss Lou thought as
she went to find Scoville.
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