Alcott_Work.txt topic ['13', '324', '378', '393']
the
persecution, and help lay the foundation of a new emancipation whose
happy success may never see. had rather be remembered as
those brave beginners are, though many of them missed the triumph,
than as the late comers will be, who only beat the drums and wave
the banners when the victory is won."
then the gate creaked on its hinges, a step sounded in the
porch, and little ran in to say in an audible whisper:
"'s a lady, mamma, a very pretty lady: can you see her?"
", dear, ask her in."
was a rustle of sweeping silks through the narrow hall, a
vision of a very lovely woman in the door-way, and two daintily
gloved hands were extended as an eager voice asked: "
, don't you remember ?"
did remember, and had her in her arms directly, utterly
regardless of the imminent destruction of a marvellous hat, or the
bad effect of tears on violet ribbons. they were sitting
close together, talking with faces, and telling their stories
as women must when they meet after the lapse of years. few letters
had passed between them, but had been abroad, and too
busy living her life to have much time to write about it.
" mother, ? how is she, and where?"
" with , and he you know is melancholy mad: very
quiet, very patient, and very kind to every one but himself.
penances for the sins of his race would soon kill him if mother was
not there to watch over him. her penance is never to leave him."
" child, don't tell me any more; it is too sad. of yourself
and . you smile, so 'm sure all is well with him."
", thank heaven! , do believe fate means to spare us as
dear old . said. never can be gay again, but keep as
cheerful and busy as can, for 's sake, and he does the same
for mine. shall always be together, and all in all to one
another, for we can never marry and have homes apart you know.
have wandered over the face of the earth for several years, and now
we mean to settle down and be as happy and as useful as we can."
"'s brave! am so glad to hear it, and so truly thankful it is
possible. tell me, , what means to do? spoke in
one of your first letters of his being hard at work studying
medicine. that to be his profession?"
"; don't know what made him choose it, unless it was the hope
that he might spare other families from a curse like ours, or
lighten it if it came. 's death he was a changed
creature; no longer a wild boy, but a man. told him what you said
to me, and it gave him hope. . confirmed it as far as he
dared; and resolved to make the most of his one chance by
interesting himself in some absorbing study, and leaving no room for
fear, no time for dangerous recollections. was so glad, and mother
so comforted, for we both feared that sad trouble would destroy him.
studied hard, got on splendidly, and then went abroad to finish
off. went with him; for poor was past hope, and mamma would
not let me help her. doctor said it was best for me to be away,
and excellent for to have me with him, to cheer him up, and keep
him steady with a little responsibility. have been happy together
in spite of our trouble, he in his profession, and in him; now he
is ready, so we have come home, and now the hardest part begins for
me."
", ?"
" has his work and loves it: have nothing after my duty to him
is done. find 've lost my taste for the old pleasures and
pursuits, and though have tried more sober, solid ones, there
still remains much time to hang heavy on my hands, and such an empty
place in my heart, that even 's love cannot fill it. 'm afraid
shall get melancholy,--that is the beginning of the end for us,
you know."
spoke the light died out of her eyes, and they grew
despairing with the gloom of a tragic memory. drew the
beautiful, pathetic face clown upon her bosom, longing to comfort,
yet feeling very powerless to lighten 's burden.
's little daughter did it for her. had been
standing near regarding the "pretty lady," with as much wonder and
admiration as if she thought her a fairy princess, who might vanish
before she got a good look at her. with a child's quick
instinct that the princess was in trouble, flew into the porch,
caught up her latest and dearest treasure, and presented it as a
sure consolation, with such sweet good-will, that could not
refuse, although it was only a fuzzy caterpillar in a little box.
" give it to you because it is my nicest one and just ready to spin
up. you like pussy-pillars, and know how they do it?" asked ,
emboldened by the kiss she got in return for her offering.
" me all about it, darling," and could not help smiling,
as the child fixed her great eyes upon her, and told her little
story with such earnestness, that she was breathless by the time she
ended.
" first they are only grubs you know, and stay down in the earth;
then they are like this, nice and downy and humpy, when they walk;
and when it's time they spin up and go to sleep. 's all dark in
their little beds, and they don't know what may happen to 'em; but
they are not afraid 'cause takes care of 'em. they wait and
don't fret, and when it's right for 'em they come out splendid
butterflies, all beautiful and shining like your gown. are
happy then, and fly away to eat honey, and live in the air, and
never be creeping worms any more."
"'s a pretty lesson for rne," said softly, " accept and
thank you for it, little teacher; 'll try to be a patient
'pussy-pillar' though it is dark, and don't know what may happen
to me; and 'll wait hopefully till it's time to float away a happy
butterfly."
" and get the friend some flowers, the gayest and sweetest you can
find, ," said , and, as the child ran off, she added to
her friend:
" we must think of something pleasant for you to do. may take
a little time, but know we shall find your niche if we give our
minds to it."
"'s one reason why came. heard some friends of mine talking
about you yesterday, and they seemed to think you were equal to any
thing in the way of good works. is the usual refuge for
people like me, so wish to try it. don't mind doing or seeing
sad or disagreeable things, if it only fills up my life and helps me
to forget."
" will help more by giving of your abundance to those who know
how to dispense it wisely, than by trying to do it yourself, my
dear. never advise pretty creatures like you to tuck up their silk
gowns and go down into the sloughs with alms for the poor, who don't
like it any better than you do, and so much pity and money are
wasted in sentimental charity."
" what shall do?"
" you choose you can find plenty of work in your own class; for,
if you will allow me to say it, they need help quite as much as the
paupers, though in a very different way."
", you mean 'm to be strong-minded, to cry aloud and spare not,
to denounce their iniquities, and demand their money or their
lives?"
", , that's personal; for made my first speech the river, turned 's dinted
armor to gold, and shone into the brave and tender face that seemed
to look beyond the sunrise.
"'s just a hint of in it that is very comforting to me,"
said . , as she laid her old hands softly together, and
looked up with her devout eyes full of love.
" women oughter bin black," murmured , tearfully; for she
considered worthy of a place with old and
.
" child looks like , we all think," added , as the
little girl brought her nosegay for to tie up prettily.
said nothing, because she felt too much; and was also
silent because she knew too little. . with her kindly
tact changed the subject before it grew painful, and asked with
sudden interest:
" be you a goin' to hold forth agin, ? let me know
beforehand, and 'll wear my old gloves: tore my best ones all to
rags clappin' of you; it was so extra good."
" don't deserve any credit for the speech, because it spoke itself,
and couldn't help it. had no thought of such a thing till it
came over me all at once, and was up before knew it. 'm truly
glad you liked it, but shall never make another, unless you think
'd better. know always ask your advice, and what is more
remarkable usually take it," said , glad to consult her
oracle.
"'t you better rest a little before you begin any new task, my
daughter? have done so much these last years you must be tired,"
interrupted . , with a look of tender anxiety.
" know work for two, mother," answered , with the
clear, sweet expression her face always wore when she spoke of
. " am not tired yet: hope never shall be, for without my
work should fall into despair or ennui. is so much to be
done, and it is so delightful to help do it, that never mean to
fold my hands till they are useless. owe all can do, for in
labor, and the efforts and experiences that grew out of it, have
found independence, education, happiness, and religion."
", my dear, you are ready to help other folks into the same
blessed state, and it's your duty to do it!" cried . , her
keen eyes full of sympathy and commendation as they rested on
's cheerful, earnest face. " the sperrit moves you to
speak, up and do it without no misgivin's. think it was a special
leadin' that night, and hope you'll foller, for it ain't every one
that can make folks laugh and cry with a few plain words that go
right to a body's heart and stop there real comfortable and fillin'.
guess this is your next job, my dear, and you'd better ketch hold
and give it the right turn; for it's goin' to take time, and women
ain't stood alone for so long they'll need a sight of boostin'."
was a general laugh at the close of . 's remarks;
but answered seriously: " accept the task, and will do my
share faithfully with words or work, as shall seem best. all need
much preparation for the good time that is coming to us, and can get
it best by trying to know and help, love and educate one
another,--as we do here."
an impulsive gesture stretched her hands to the
friends about her, and with one accord they laid theirs on hers, a
loving league of sisters, old and young, black and white, rich and
poor, each ready to do her part to hasten the coming of the happy
end.
" too!" cried little , and spread her chubby hand above the
rest: a hopeful omen, seeming to promise that the coming generation
of women will not only receive but deserve their liberty, by
learning that the greatest of 's gifts to us is the privilege of
sharing great work.
" ready to do her part to hasten the coming of the happy end."