Volume Ii Part 6 (1/2)
”Yes; I am now pledged to serve him to the best of my ability.”
”He looks like a sailor.”
”He is a sailor, just returned from a three years' whaling voyage. You will be surprised, Catherine, when you hear that man's story; but the time has come when it must be revealed to the world.”
”You quite excite my curiosity; I hope you will tell me the story?”
”Yes; you shall hear it. But where are your sister and Charles; are they going home with us?”
”No; I am very sorry; but they told me at the meeting they could not stay, as they had come over in Mrs. Van Horne's carriage. It is a pity, for I had made some ice-cream, and gathered some raspberries, expressly for them; and we have hardly seen Charles since he arrived. But Patsey wants us to spend the day at the grey house, to-morrow, children and all.”
Mr. Clapp a.s.sented to this arrangement; although he said he should not be able to do more than go over himself for his family in the evening, on account of business.
Kate had only her husband and Willie to share her excellent ice-cream and beautiful raspberries, on that warm evening; the trio did justice, however, to these nice refreshments; and little Willie only wished he could sign a temperance pledge every evening, if he could sit up later than usual, and eat an excellent supper after it.
After the little fellow had been sent to bed, and his mother had taken a look at her younger children, who were sleeping sweetly in their usual places, the lawyer and his wife were left alone in the parlour. It was a charming moon-light evening, though very warm; and Kate having lowered the lamp, threw herself into a rocking-chair near the window; while Mr. Clapp, who had had rather a fatiguing day, was stretched out on the sofa.
”It is early yet, William; suppose you tell the story you promised me, about your client, the sailor.”
”I don't much like to tell it, Catherine; and yet it is time you knew something about it, for we must proceed to action immediately.”
”Oh, tell me, by all means; you have really made me quite curious. You know very well that I can keep a secret.”
”Certainly; and I request you will not mention the facts I shall relate, to any one, for some time; not until we have taken the necessary legal steps.”
”Of course not, if you wish it; and now for the story. You said this poor man had been injured.”
”Grossly injured.”
”In what manner?”
”He has been treated in the most unjustifiable manner by his nearest relatives. His reputation has been injured, and he has been tyrannically deprived of a very large property.”
”Is it possible!--poor fellow! Can nothing be done for him?”
”That is what we shall see. Yes, I flatter myself if there is law in the land, we shall yet be able to restore him to his rights!”
”Does he belong to this part of the country?”
”He does not himself; but those who are revelling in his wealth do.”
”What is his name?--Do I know his family?”
”You will be distressed, Catherine, when you hear the name; you will be astonished when you learn the whole story; but the time for concealment has gone by now. Several years ago that poor sailor came to me, in ragged clothing, in poverty and distress, and first laid his complaint before me. I did not believe a word of what he told me; I thought the man mad, and refused to have anything to do with the cause. He became disgusted, and went to sea again, and for some time gave up all hope of being reinstated in his rights; the obstacles seemed too great. But at length a very important witness in his favour was accidentally thrown in his way: at the end of his cruise he came to me again, and I confess I was astounded at the evidence he then laid before me.
It is conclusive, beyond a doubt, to any unprejudiced mind,” said Mr. Clapp, rousing himself from his rec.u.mbent position.
”But you have not told me the man's name.”
”His name is Stanley--William Stanley.”