Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - "The Valley of Fear"

Unknown - "The World English Bible (WEB): Micah"

Anonymous - "The Mirrors Of Washington"

Elizabeth Cady Stanton - "The Woman's Bible."

The Allen House, or Twenty Years Ago and Now

T >> T. S. Arthur >> The Allen House, or Twenty Years Ago and Now




"It may signify a great deal. They have trust funds in their
possession to a large amount, I am told."

"They are both honorable men, and would not violate their trust,"
said A----.

"I will not gainsay that," answered Mr. B----. "Still, they may use
these funds temporarily, and wrong no one."

Nothing more was said in my presence, but I turned their remarks
over and over again, feeling less satisfied the more I pondered
them. A day or two afterwards I met Mr. Wallingford, and said to
him,

"How comes on the search for the heirs of the Allen estate?"

The question caused him to look grave.

"No progress has been made, so far as I can learn," he answered.

"Isn't this indifference on the part of the executors a little
extraordinary?" I remarked.

"I must confess that I do not understand it," said the young lawyer.

"There is personal, as well as real estate?"

"Yes. Stocks worth twenty thousand dollars."

"I have heard it suggested, that trust funds in the case are going
into Squire Floyd's mill."

Wallingford started at the suggestion, and looked for some moments
intently in my face; then dropped his eyes, and stood lost in
thought a good while.

"Where did you hear the suggestion?" he at length inquired.

I repeated the conversation just mentioned, and named the
individuals with whom it had occurred.

"And now, Henry," said I, "put this hint, and the singular neglect
of the executors to search for the heirs to the Allen property,
together, and tell me how the matter shapes itself in your mind. We
speak confidentially with each other, of course."

"I don't just like the appearance of it, that is all I can say,
Doctor," he replied in a half absent manner.

"As you represent the interests of Mrs. Montgomery," said I, "is it
not your duty to look a little closer into this matter?"

"It is; and I shall give it immediate attention."

He did so, and to his surprise, found that all the bank stock had
been sold, and transferred. It was now plain to him where at least a
part of the funds being so liberally expended on the mill property
of Squire Floyd came from. On venturing to make some inquiries of
Judge Bigelow bearing on the subject, that individual showed an
unusual degree of irritation, and intimated, in terms not to be
misunderstood, that he thought himself competent to manage any
business he might undertake, and did not feel disposed to tolerate
any intermeddling."

From that time, Wallingford saw that a separation from his old
preceptor was inevitable; and he so shaped events, that in less than
three months he made the separation easy and natural, and took an
office to himself alone.

Still there was no movement on the part of the executors in regard
to the valuable estate in their hands. Summer and fall passed, and
Christmas saw the splendid improvements of Squire Floyd completed,
and the new mill in operation, under the vigorous power of steam.
The product thus secured was almost fabulous in the eyes of the half
asleep and awake people of S----, many of whom could hardly imagine
people enough in the country to consume the miles of cloth that came
streaming out from the rattling looms. And yet, we were informed,
that more than quadruple this product could be sold by the extensive
house of Floyd, Lawson, Lee, & Co.; and that all that stood in the
way of creating a magnificent fortune out of cotton bales, was the
lack of productive facilities.

During this winter I saw more than usual of Mrs. Dewey. She came up
from New York with her nurse and child, a babe not quite a year old,
and spent over six weeks with her parents. She had lost, in the two
years which had passed since her marriage, nearly all those
beautiful traits of character which made her once so charming.
Fashionable city life seemed to have spoiled her altogether. Her
mind had not grown in the right direction. She had wholly abandoned
that tasteful reading through which intellectual refinement comes;
and to all appearance, no longer cared for anything beyond the mere
sensuous. Nothing in S----had any interest for her; and she scarcely
took the pains to conceal her contempt for certain sincere and
worthy people, who felt called upon, for the sake of her parents, to
show her some attention. She was not happy, of course. When in
repose; I noticed a discontented look on her face. Her eyes had lost
that clear, innocent, almost child-like beauty of expression, that
once made you gaze into them; and now had a cold, absent, or eagerly
longing expression, as if her thought were straining itself forward
towards some coveted good.

Her conversation was almost always within the range of New York
fashionable themes; and barren of any food upon which the mind could
grow. There was not even the pretence of affection between her and
her husband. The fairest specimen of well bred indifference I had
yet seen was exhibited in their conduct to each other. Their babe
did not seem to be a matter of much account either. Delia took no
personal care of it whatever--leaving all this to the nurse.

It happened one day that I was called in to see the child. I found
it suffering from some of the ill effects of difficult dentition,
and did what the case required. There was an old friend of Delia's
at the house--a young lady who had been much attached to her, and
who still retained a degree of her old friendship. They were talking
together in a pleasant, familiar way, when I came down stairs from
my visit to the sick child--the mother had not shown sufficient
interest in the little sufferer to attend me to the nurse's room. A
word or two of almost careless inquiry was made;--I had scarcely
answered the mother's queries, when her friend said, in a laughing
way, looking from the window at the same time,

"There, Delia! see what you escaped."

I turned my eyes in the same direction, and saw Mr. Wallingford
walking past, on the opposite side of the street, with his head bent
down. His step was slow, but firm, and his air and carriage manly.

Delia shrugged her shoulders, and drew up the corners of her lips.
There was an expression very much like contempt on her face.--But
she did not make any reply. I saw this expression gradually fade
away, and her countenance grow sober. Her friend did not pursue the
banter, and the subject dropped.

What she had escaped! It was a dark day in the calendar of her life,
when she made that escape; and I think there must have been times
when a consciousness of this fact pressed upon her soul like a
suffocating nightmare.






CHAPTER XVI.





Spring opened again, and the days glided swiftly on towards summer;
and yet, so far as the movements of the executors could be traced,
nothing had been done in the work of searching for the heirs. One
day, early in June, Mrs. Montgomery sent for Mr. Wallingford. On
attending her, she placed in his hands a communication which she had
just received. It was from the executors, giving notice in a kind
and respectful way, that, for the interest of the legal heirs, and
their own security, it would be necessary for them to assume full
possession of the mansion and grounds, unless she felt willing to
pay a rental that was equivalent to the interest on their value.

"I have expected this," said the lady; "and, so far from considering
myself aggrieved, feel grateful that a quiet residence here has been
so long accorded me."

"You will remove?"

"There is no other course left. My income will not justify a rent of
some three thousand dollars."

"As the property is unproductive, no such rent as that will be
required."

"The letter says, 'a rental equivalent to the interest on their
value.'"

"I will see Judge Bigelow this morning, and ascertain precisely what
views are held in regard to this matter."

They were sitting near one of the parlor windows that looked out
upon the portion of the grounds that sloped away towards the stream,
that threw its white folds of water from one rocky ledge to another
in graceful undulations. As Mr. Wallingford ceased speaking, Mrs.
Montgomery turned her head quickly and looked out. The sound of
voices had reached her ears. Three men had entered the grounds, and
were passing the window at a short distance.

"Who are they?" asked Mr. Wallingford. Then, answering his own
question, he said, "Oh, I see; Judge Bigelow, Squire Floyd, and
Ralph Dewey, his son-in-law."

The three men, after going a few hundred rods in the direction of
the stream, turned and stood for some minutes looking at the house,
and talking earnestly. Dewey appeared to have the most to say, and
gesticulated quite freely. Then they moved on to that portion of the
stream where the water went gliding down the mimic rapids, and
remained there for a considerable time. It was plain that some
scheme was in their heads, for they took measurement by pacing off
the grounds in various directions; drew together in close conference
at times; then separated, each making some examination for himself;
and again stood in close deliberation. At last, as if satisfied with
their investigations, they returned by way of the mansion, and
passed out without calling.

"Put that and that together, and there is a meaning in this
procedure beyond the simple rental of the place," said Wallingford.

"What is your inference?" asked Mrs. Montgomery.

"I have made none as yet," he replied. "But I will see Judge
Bigelow, and have some talk with him. Of course, I can have nothing
to say, adverse to a requirement of rent. Executors are responsible
for the right use of property in their hands, and must see that it
produces an interest, if in a position to pay anything. You do not,
of course, wish to occupy the whole of these grounds. It may be,
that the use of the house, garden, lawn, and appurtenances, may be
secured at a moderate rent. If so, do you wish to remain?"

"I would prefer remaining here, if the rent is within a certain
sum."

"Say three hundred dollars?"

"Yes. If not beyond that sum, I will remain," replied Mrs.
Montgomery.

The interview which Mr. Wallingford held with Judge Bigelow a few
hours afterwards, was not satisfactory. The proposition to let Mrs.
Montgomery and her daughter occupy the house, separate from the
extensive grounds, would not be entertained. It finally came out,
that an offer to purchase had been made by the firm of Floyd,
Lawson, Lee, & Co., with a view to the erection of extensive mills,
and that the executors were going to ask the Court for power to
sell, as a handsome sum could now be obtained. It further came out,
that in case this power was granted, Mr. Dewey was to reside in
S----, to superintend the erection of these mills, and afterwards to
join Squire Floyd in the management of both establishments--a
consolidation of interests between the mercantile and manufacturing
branches being about to take place. The old mansion was to undergo a
thorough revision, and become the domicile of the resident partner.

With these plans in view, the executors insisted upon the removal of
Mrs. Montgomery; and notice as to time was given, which included
three months. Formal application was made to the Court having power
in the case, for authority to sell and re-invest. The reasons for so
doing were set forth in detail, and involved plausible arguments in
favor of the heirs whenever they should be found.

Mr. Wallingford had personal reasons for not wishing to oppose this
application. The executors had been his friends from boyhood.
Especially towards Judge Bigelow did he entertain sentiments of deep
gratitude for his many favors and kindnesses. But his duty, as
counsel to Mrs. Montgomery, left him no alternative. She was heir
prospective to this property, and he did not believe that the plans
in view were best for her interests, in case no other heir was
found. So, he went before the Court, and opposed the prayer of the
executors. In doing so, he gained their ill-will, but did not
succeed in preventing a decree authorizing a sale of the property.
Dewey was present, a deeply interested listener to the arguments
that were advanced on both sides. After the decision, as Wallingford
was passing from the court-room, Dewey, who stood near the door,
talking with a gentleman, said, loud enough for the young lawyer to
hear him.

"The hound! He got on the wrong scent that time!"

A feeling of indignation stirred in Wallingford's bosom; but he
repressed the bitter feeling, and moved on without giving any
intimation that the offensive remark had reached him.

As soon as this decree, authorizing a sale of the property, was
made, Mrs. Montgomery began to make preparation for removal. At
first she seemed inclined to favor a return to England; but after
repeated conferences with Mr. Wallingford, she finally concluded to
remain in this country.

Nearly three years had woven their many colored web of events, since
Mrs. Montgomery had dropped down suddenly among us like a being from
cloudland. The friendly relation established between us in the
beginning, had continued, growing more and more intimate. My good
Constance found in her a woman after her own heart.

"The days I spend at the Allen House," she would often say to me,
"are days to be remembered. I meet with no one who lives in so pure
and tranquil an atmosphere as Mrs. Montgomery. An hour with her
lifts me above the petty cares and selfish struggles of this life,
and fills my mind with longings after those higher things into which
all must rise before that peace comes to the soul which passeth all
understanding. I return home from these interviews, happier in mind,
and stronger for life's duties. I do not know any term that so
clearly expresses my idea of this lady, as Christian philosopher."

Occasionally Mrs. Montgomery would pay us a visit; and these also
were times treasured up in my wife's remembrance. I always observed
a certain elevation of feeling, a calmer spirit, and a more loving
sphere about her after one of these pleasant seasons.

The daughter came very often. Our children loved her almost as much
as they did their mother, and she seemed as happy with them, as if
they were her own flesh and blood. Agnes, our oldest, now in her
eighth year, almost lived at the Allen House. Blanche never came
without taking her home with her, and often kept her for two or
three days at a time.

Blanche had developed into a young woman of almost queenly beauty;
yet her manners retained the easy grace and truthfulness of a child.
She did not seem conscious of her remarkable personal attractions,
nor of the admiration her presence always extorted. No one could
meet her, as a stranger, without feeling that she stood removed from
ordinary contact--a being of superior mould with whom familiarity
was presumption.

The companion of such a mother, who had with tender solicitude, from
childhood upwards, guarded all the avenues of her mind, lest false
principles or false views of things should find entrance; and as
carefully selected her mental food, in order that there might be
health of mind as well as health of body--it was not surprising to
find about her a solidity and strength of character, that showed
itself beneath the sweet grace of her external life, whenever
occasion for their exhibition arose. From her mother she had imbibed
a deep religious sentiment; but this did not manifest itself so much
in language, as in dutiful acts. I had often occasion to notice,
how, almost instinctively, she referred all things to a
superintending Providence; and looked into the future, veiled as it
is to all eyes, with a confidence that every thing would come out
right, beautiful to contemplate. What she meant by right, was
something more than is usually included in the words; for she had
learned from her wise teacher, that God's providence disposes the
things of this world for every individual in a way that serves best
his eternal interests; therefore, what was best in this sense, could
not fail to be right.

To our deep regret, Mrs. Montgomery decided to change the place of
her residence from S----to Boston. All the reasons that led her to
this decision, I was not able to discover. Her life at the Allen
House had been quite secluded. She had been courteous to all the
people with whom she was brought into any degree of contact, and had
reciprocated all friendly visits; but there was a certain distance
between her and them, that it seemed impossible for either to pass
over. One of my inferences was, that, in removing from the retired
old mansion, and taking a modern house, she would stand out more
prominently before all eyes than was agreeable to her. Be this as it
may, she was in earnest about removing to Boston.

I happened to be present when the announcement of this purposed
removal was made to Mr. Wallingford. He had called in, during one of
my visits to Mrs. Montgomery, for the transaction of some business.

"To Boston?" he said, in a tone of surprise, and, I thought,
disappointment. At the same time I saw his eyes turned towards
Blanche.

"Yes; I think it will be best," she replied. "If I have any
interests here, I feel that they are safe in your hands, Mr.
Wallingford."

She leaned a little towards him, and I thought her voice had in it a
softer tone than usual. Her eyes looked steadily into his face.

"I will do all that is right, madam." He spoke a little lower than
usual.

"And the right is always the best in any case, Mr. Wallingford,"
said she with feeling.

"How soon do you think of removing?" the young man inquired.

"In three or four weeks."

"So soon."

Again I noticed that his eyes wandered towards Blanche, who sat
close to her mother, with her face bent down and turned partly away.

"There is no reason why we should linger in S----, after all things
are ready for removal. It would have suited my feelings and habits
of mind to have remained here; but as this cannot be, I prefer going
to Boston on more than one account."

"You will leave behind you many sincere friends," said Wallingford.

There was more feeling in his voice than usually showed itself; and
I again observed that Mrs. Montgomery, in responding to the remark,
fixed her eyes upon him steadily, and with, I thought, a look of
more than usual interest.

The few weeks of preparation glided swiftly away, and then we parted
from friends who had won their way into our own hearts; and whose
memory would ever be to us like the fragrance of holy incense. I
learned from Mrs. Montgomery, before she left us, during a more
confidential talk than usual, that her income was comparatively
small, and that the chief part of this, a pension from Government in
acknowledgment of her husband's services, would cease at her death.
There was a momentary failure in her voice as she said this, and her
eyes turned with the instinct of love towards Blanche.

At her desire, Mr. Wallingford attended them to Boston, and remained
away for three or four days. He then returned to S----, bringing
with him kind words from the absent ones. The old routine of life
went on again, each of us taking up the daily duty; yet I think
there was not one of the favored few who had known Mrs. Montgomery
and her daughter intimately, that was not stronger to do right in
every trial for the memory of these true-hearted strangers--no,
friends!






CHAPTER XVII.





It was in October when Mrs. Montgomery, after a residence of three
years in the Allen House, went from among us. Old "Aunty," and
another colored servant who had lived with Mrs. Allen, remained in
charge of the mansion. There was, of course, no removal of
furniture, as that belonged to the estate. Mrs. Montgomery had
brought with her three servants from England, a coachman, footman,
and maid. The footman was sent back after he had been a year in the
country; but the coachman and maid still lived with her, and
accompanied her to Boston.

The large schemes of men ambitious for gain, will not suffer them to
linger by the way. Ralph Dewey had set his mind on getting
possession, jointly with others, of the valuable Allen property; and
as the Court had granted a decree of sale, he urged upon his
father-in-law and uncle an early day for its consummation. They were
in heart, honorable men, but they had embarked in grand enterprises
with at least one dishonest compeer, and were carried forward by an
impulse which they had not the courage or force of character to
resist. They thought that spring would be the best time to offer the
property for sale; but Dewey urged the fall as more consonant with
their views, and so the sale was fixed for the first day of
November. Notice was given in the country papers, and Dewey engaged
to see that the proposed sale was duly advertised in Boston and New
York. He managed, however, to omit that part of his duty.

On the day of sale, quite a company of curious people assembled at
the Allen House, but when the property was offered, only a single
bid was offered. That came from Dewey, as the representative of
Floyd, Lawson, Lee & Co., and it was awarded to them for the sum of
thirty-five thousand dollars, a little more than half its real
value.

From that time until spring opened, all remained quiet. Then began
the busy hum of preparation, and great things for our town
foreshadowed themselves. A hundred men went to work on the site
chosen for a new mill, digging, blasting, and hauling; while
carpenters and masons were busy in and around the old mansion, with
a view to its thorough renovation, as the future residence of Mr.
Ralph Dewey. That gentleman was on the ground, moving about with a
self-sufficient air, and giving his orders in a tone of authority
that most of the work people felt to be offensive.

The antiquated furniture in the Allen House, rich though it was in
style and finish, would not suit our prospective millionaire, and it
was all sent to auction. From the auctioneers, it was scattered
among the town's people, who obtained some rare bargains. An old
French secretary came into my possession, at the cost of ten
dollars--the original owner could not have paid less than a hundred.
It was curiously inlaid with satin wood, and rich in quaint
carvings. There seemed to be no end to the discoveries I was
continually making among its intricate series of drawers, pigeon
holes, slides, and hidden receptacles. But some one had preceded me
in the examination, and had removed all the papers and documents it
contained. It flashed across my mind, as I explored the mazes of
this old piece of furniture, that it might contain, in some secret
drawer, another will. This thought caused the blood to leap along my
veins, my cheeks to burn, and my hands to tremble. I renewed the
examination, at first hurriedly; then with order and deliberation,
taking out each drawer, and feeling carefully all around the cavity
left by its removal, in the hope of touching some hidden spring. But
the search was fruitless. One drawer perplexed me considerably. I
could not pull it clear out, nor get access above or below to see
how closely the various partitions and compartments came up to its
sides, top, and bottom. After working with it for some time, I gave
up the search, and my enthusiasm in this direction soon died out. I
smiled to myself many times afterwards, in thinking of the idle
fancy which for a time possessed me.

In May, the furnishing of the renovated house began. This took
nearly a month. Every thing was brought from New York. Car loads of
enormous boxes, bales, and articles not made up into packages, were
constantly arriving at the depot, and being conveyed to the Allen
House--the designation which the property retains even to this day.
The furniture was of the richest kind--the carpets, curtains, and
mirrors, princely in elegance. When all was ready for the proud
owners to come in and enjoy their splendid home, it was thrown open
for examination and admiration. All S----went to see the show, and
wander in dreamy amazement through parlors, halls, and chambers. I
went with the rest. The change seemed like the work of magic. I
could with difficulty make out the old landmarks. The spacious
rooms, newly painted and decked out in rich, modern furniture,
looked still more spacious. In place of the whitewashed ceilings and
dingy papered walls, graceful frescoes spread their light figures,
entrancing the eyes with their marvelous semblances. The great hall
received you with a statelier formality than before; for it, too,
had received also its gift of painting, and its golden broideries.
As you passed from room to room, you said--"This is the palace of a
prince--not the abode of a citizen."

The grounds around the mansion had been subject to as thorough a
renovation as the mansion itself. The old gate had given place to
one of larger proportions, and more imposing design. A new
carriage-road swept away in a grander curve from the gate to the
dwelling. Substantial stone-stabling had been torn down in order to
erect a fanciful carriage-house, built in imitation of a Swiss
cottage; which, from its singular want of harmony with the principal
buildings, stood forth a perpetual commentary upon the false taste
of the upstart owner.

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