The Chainbearer; Or, The Littlepage Manuscripts

im and Benedick; the one is too like an image, and says nothing; and

in a sort of little piazza, that modern improvements had annexed to one end of the old buildings, and in which we both appeared accordingly with the utmost punctuality. I saw by a certain sort of importance that my good grandmother wore in her countenance, that she had weighty matters on her mind, and took the chair she had set for me with some little curiosity to learn what was to follow. The chairs were placed side by side, or n

r, what can this mean?" I crie

was Mordaunt mad then, as, indeed, he has remained pretty much ever since. Not that Mordaunt is not a good name and a respectable name, and they say it is a noble name in England, but it is a family name, and family names are not for Christian names, at the best. Hug

s as she gazed at me, and she has often told me my family name

hild, quite as much as if she had been born my own daughter; but I must say she does get some of the strangest notions into her head that mortal ever i

of the two families, as so often happens, a circumstance that enables my different relatives to trace such resemblances as best suit their respective fancies. This was quite convenient, and may have been a reason, in addition to the fact of my being an only son, that I was so great a favorite with the females o

e mouth, too, and the nose, to say nothing of the smi

eneral's" had been as black as coals; my nose was Grecian, and his a most obtrusive Roman; and as for the mouth, I can only say mine was as like that of my mother's as a man's could well

ued, "how do you like this choice of your sister Kat

randmother? Has Kate ac

and everything was as smooth as the beach at the end of the Neck, but waiting for your approbation. 'It would not be right, grandmother, for me to engage myself while Mordaunt is away, and without hi

it soon. But suppose I had disapproved,

til you changed your mind; and I would have advised her so to do. But all that is unnecessary as matters are; for you have expressed your approbation, and Kate is perfectly happy. The last letter from Lilacsbush, which Jaap brought, gives the formal consent of your dear parents-and

the young couple more happiness than I do myself. Kate is a dear,

the marriages in our family have proved so hitherto, and it would be strange if this should t

find there will be one of us left to come and see yo

fortune that the Littlepages have had so few, especially sons. Your grandfather, my general, was an only son; your father was an only son; and you are an only son; that is, so far as coming to men's estates are, or were concerned. No, Mordaunt, my

other!-what am I to u

ed; that your father wishes you to marry; that your mother w

me to marry the same

a little too fast. It was not easy, however, for one of her truth and simplicity of character to re

ll wish you to fall in love as soon as you can; to propose as soon as you are in

peak plainly. In the first place, do you not think one connection of this sort, between families, quite s

the loveliest girls in York

earest grandmother. I am far from denying the trut

ore you can wish, tha

he young lady to become my wife; but that time has not yet arrived. Then, I question the e

d innocently done mischief; and she sat gazing fondly at me, with th

e union between your own dear parents," she at length answered; "

have asked my mother how the fact was, when the answer was, "I married your father through the influence of a butcher's boy;" a reply that had some reference to a very early passage in the lives of my parents. But I well know that Cornelius Littlepage, nor Anneke Mordaunt, was a person to be coaxed into matrimony;

mer at that hour, than at any other part of the day. My own sister was a very charming girl, as any one would allow; but her friend was decidedly beautiful. I confess I found it a little difficult not to give in on the spot, and to whisper my anxious grandmother that I

there was a chance; "and I have had him out here, to converse a little together, before we part. Kate I shall see

nterest as good breeding demanded, and not a particle more; "for Lilacsbush is no

t distance, and to a part of t

e said nothing with her tongue of Coejemans, who bears this appellation, and who has contracted to get the necessary

o had joined the party, and had been listening to the discourse. "The chainbe

mbler duty he now discharges. Still, he has long contracted for jobs of this nature, and gets as much as he can do, hiring surveyors himself, the owners of property having the utmost confidence in h

id, Major Littlepage?" asked Priscilla, as

but patriotism, and his whig propensities, could have drawn him out into the open country. After serving most gallantly through the whole war, he h

sed a little-then she asked the question that was apparen

he 'Chainbearer's n

timate acquaintance. It often happens that we hear so much of certain persons, that we think and speak of them as of those we know; and had Miss Bayard questione

to admit of two young women's being acquainted, without my consent; more especially as one of them I had never seen, and the other I had met, for the first time

trust are still very, very good friends. I like Dus exceedingly, though she is

ps, after what you have just told me-but curiosity will get the better of my manners-i

as a tremor in her voice, even, and I detected tears starting to her eyes. "Poor Dus!" she continued-"she had much to support, in the way of poverty, even while at school; where she was, indeed, as a dependent, rather than as a boarder; but no one among us all, could p

o his duty by this girl, and to make a proper appearance at the same time, as a captain in the New York line; yet none

to redeem of Coejemans, who bears this appellation, and who has contracted to get the necessary surveys mad

o had joined the party, and had been listening to the discourse. "The chainbe

mbler duty he now discharges. Still, he has long contracted for jobs of this nature, and gets as much as he can do, hiring surveyors himself, the owners of property having the utmost confidence in h

id, Major Littlepage?" asked Priscilla, as

but patriotism, and his whig propensities, could have drawn him out into the open country. After serving most gallantly through the whole war, he h

sed a little-then she asked the question that was apparen

he 'Chainbearer's'

timate acquaintance. It often happens that we hear so much of certain persons, that we think and speak of them as of those we know; and had Miss Bayard questione

to admit of two young women's being acquainted, without my consent; more especially as one of them I had never seen, and the other I had met, for the first time

trust are still very, very good friends. I like Dus exceedingly, though she is

ps, after what you have just told me-but curiosity will get the better of my manners-i

as a tremor in her voice, even, and I detected tears starting to her eyes. "Poor Dus!" she continued-"she had much to support, in the way of poverty, even while at school; where she was, indeed, as a dependent, rather than as a boarder; but no one among us all, could p

o his duty by this girl, and to make a proper appearance at the same time, as a captain in the New York line; yet none

ualities enough to redeem a thousand foibles. Still, I would not have you to think Ursula Mal

rom the Coejemans, as her uncle, the C

ickly; "though it is respectable, and not to be ashamed of. Dus Malbone's mot

ece, Dus Malbone. As soon as the meal was ended, our horses were brought round, and Kate and I took our leave, Jaap having preceded us as usual, an hour or more, with our luggage. The reader is not to suppose that we always moved in the saddle, in that day; on the contrary, my mother had a very neat chaise, in which she used to drive about the country, with a mounted postilion; my father had a phaeton, and in town we actually kept a chariot; for the

return. As for Tom Bayard, a warm, brotherly shake of the hand sufficed, inasmuch as it was pretty certain I should see him at

ountries, Miss Bayard. You owe my sister a visit, I believe, and I shall trust

only fifteen miles from your father's door to the Hickories, you ought to know, s

illa, a little hastily. "They will always be h

nt on causing her friend some confusion. "We are not now such tota

my reputation for hospitality," answered Pris., determined not to be caught, "by neglecting to incl

y well what she was about. I was never more at a loss how to understand a young woman, and it is very possible, had I remained near her for a m

et me into the secret of her having accepted Tom Bayard. They were not to be married until af

almost as soon as I find you,"

more than ever. I am to be transplanted into a family w

ason have I for supposin

of the facility of character you seem to suppose, sir; and no method but the direct one will succeed. I have no other reason for believing you would succeed than the facts that you are an agreeable, good-looking youth, howe

I scarcely know what to make of your friend, child; she is either

a human being greater injustice; a child cannot h

ember that some children are very artful. All I can say on the subject at present is, t

rest of our ride passed pleasantly enough, no allusions being made to any of the name of Bayard; though, I dare say, my

another short brush with that

r the young lady. Mr. Thomas Bayard and Miss Pris. Bayard have been with you, days and days, and old Madam Littlepage is delighted. Oh! the 'Toe has always been a happy house, and happy faces have I long b

lf, as she sat in the saddle listening to the crone; and my countenance is not one of ill-nature. The "'Toe was ever a happy house!" It recalls old times, to hear a house th