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THE MOTHER.
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Anna L e e :
THE MAIDEN— THE WIFE— THE MOTHER.
5, tnh.
By
T. S. ARTHUR,
Author of True Riches; or. Wealth ivUhout Wings,''
Cr'C. &-\'.
' Maid, wife, and mother; each succeeding tie
That Love reveals from out his hidden stures,
BringinL: to light fr' sh springs, that joyously
Well 101 th with richest fiilnt-es, as each pours
Its wealth of treasures,— found alone complete
Where love out-pours tliem, Kt a mother s feet."
LONDON:
T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROvV;
EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK.
187 I.
By
AriAL
1^1 JM
T. S. ARTHUR,
Author of " True Riches; or. Wealth without Wi7tgs^^
' Maid, wife, and mother ; each succeeding tie
That love reveals from out his hidden stores,
Bringing to light fresh springs, that joyously
Well forth with richest fulness, as each pours
Its wealth of treasures, — found alone complete
Where Love out-pours them, at a mother's feet."
LONDON:
T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW;
EDINBURGH ; AND NEW YORK.
1871.
THE MAIDEN.
9
Chap.
I. Duty before Pleasure, ...
II. Gardiner's True Character exhibited, ... ... ••• 21
III. The Beauty and Power of Goodness, ... ••• ••• 24
IV. True Maiden Delicacy and its Opposite contrasted, ... ... 27
V. The Maiden's First Strong Trial, ... ••• ••• ^^
VI. Tried and Proved,
VII. A Disappointment,
VIII. A Wise Selection of Friends,
IX. Catching Husbands, ...
X. A New Lover,
XI. An Impression made, ...
XII. Wooed and Won,
XIII. Conclusion, ...
38
45
49
51
55
CO
63
69
1
91
100
107
THE WIFE.
I. An Effort to begin right— A Wise Decision, ... ... 73
II. A Thoughtless Woman of the World— Florence Armitage,
III. A Slight Misunderstanding,
IV. All Right Again,
V. House Furnishing, ... ... . •••
VI. A Prudent Course the Wisest, ... ... ... ••• H^
VII. A Foolish Wife, ... ... ••. — — ^^^
VIII. A Sad Picture of Domestic Life, ... ... ••• '26
1Q4.
IX. False Friends,
X. Marriage changes Social Relations, ... ... — l-*0
XL Mrs. Riston's House-warming, ... ... — ••• !■**
XIL How it affected her Husband's Credit, ... ... ••• 1^2
XIIL Taking a Lower Place in Society,
XIV. True Love tried and proved,
XV. A Change, ...
XVI. Conclusion ...
162
166
176
181
viii CONTEXT.^.
THE MOTHER.
Chap.
Tag*
I. Introduction,
. 185
II. Beginning Right,
. 192
III, Means and Ends,
. 196
IV. The Secret of Governing Children,
. 198
V. A Mother's Influence, ...
. 201
VI. Correcting a Fault,
. 216
VII. Strong Contrast,
. 223
VIII. More Contrasts,
. 231
IX. Fruit,
. 238
X. An Agreeable Surprise,
. 247
XI. Gohig into Company, ...
. 254
XII. A Painful Bereavement,
. 261
XIII. An Important Era in Life,
. 270
XIV. Happy Consummations,
. 273
XV. Conclusion, ...
.. 277
ANNA LEE:
THE MAIDEN-THE WIFE— THE MOTHER.
C^^ liattri^n.
CHAPTER I.
DUTY BEFORE PLEASURE.
NNA, dear," said Mrs. Lee in a quiet tone
to lier eldest daughter, a young maiden
over whose head the blossoms of only
eighteen happy summers had fallen, " it
is time you were beginning to dress for the party at
Mrs. Leslie's."
Anna Lee sat sewing near a window, and was bend-
ing closer towards the light, as it was beginning
gradually to withdraw before the shadows of an
autumn evening. She let the work fall into her lap,
and mused for a short time. Then turning her soft
blue eyes upon her mother, she said, —
10 AN^'A LEE,
" I believe I won't go this evening."
" Why not, Anna 1 You have made every prepara-
tion. What has caused you to change your mind]"
The maiden sat again silent for nearly a minute,
evidently debating whether she should go out or not.
Company had been invited at the house of an acquain-
tance, where she had fully intended to spend the
evening.
" I don't think I ought to go," she replied, a little
evasively.
"Why, dear?"
" I think I shall be happier at home, mother."
" But we sliould not always consult our own feelings.
Think whether your absence will not take from the
pleasure of some of Mrs. Leslie's guests. Some of
your young friends will miss you. I think I would
go, Anna; if not for my own sake, for the sake of
others."
And may I not stay at home for the same reason T'
said Anna, going quickly to the side of her mother,
who sat in a large chair, her face pale and wearing an
expression of languor. She drew her arm around hei*
mother's neck as she spoke.
" You may, if such a reason can keep you at home,"
replied Mrs. Lee.
" I think it does require me to stay at home. You
are not so well to-day, and I cannot bear to have you
worried with giving the children their suppers and
THE MAIDEN. U
putting them to bed. John and Charlie are rude to
]\Iargaret, and never will let her do anything for them
without a disturbance. Your head has ached dread-
fully, and has only been easy for the last hour. If
you should have to see after the children, the pain
will come back, and then you will get no rest all night."
Mrs. Lee did not immediately reply. Her feelings
were touched at the affectionate, self-sacrificing spirit
of her child. But she could not bear the thought of
having her forego the enjoyment of a social evening on
her account.
" I think, Anna," she at length said, " that I am a
great deal better, and that it will not hurt me in the
least to see after the children. So don't think anything
more about me, but go and get yourself ready at once."
Anna stood in an attitude and with an expression of
irresolution upon her countenance.
"Go, dear," urged the mother; "I wish you to do
so."
" I'll go and see after the children first."
And Anna passed with light steps from the room.
" Dear, good girl ! " murmured the mother, sinking
Languidly back in her chair, as her daughter vanished
from her sight.
Anna went to the dining-room, where four children
were romping and making a loud noise — some singing
at the top of their voices, and others pounding on the
floor, and dragging about the chairs. Among them
12 ^.V.y^ LEE,
was a little girl named Mary, four years old, who was
dancing and singing as loud as the rest. As Anna
came in, she became quiet, drew up to her side, and
took fast hold of her hand.
"John," said Anna, speaking in a mild, yet firm
voice, to the eldest boy, who was hammering on the
floor, " mother is not well this evening. Your noise
will make her head ache."
John looked up at his sister a moment, but did not
heed her words. He continued to make as much noise
as before.
"I've a beautiful story to tell you all," the elder
sister now said.
This had the effect she desired. John threw down
his hammer, Charlie let go the chair he was dragging
around the room, and all of them gathered quietly
around their sister, and looked up eagerly into her
face.
Anna told them a touching little story about some
children whose mother took sick and died, and left
them to be taken care of by strangers, who were not
kind to them as their own dear mother had been.
Tears were in the eyes of two of the children; but
John, though interested, seemed but little affected by
the narrative.
" Tell us another story, sister," said Mary.
" Yes, sister, do," urged the other children.
And Anna told them another story.
THE MAIDEN. 13
" Now, another."
" I've told you two good stories. And now I must
get you all your suppers."
" You're not going to get my supper," said John, in
an ill-natured tone. "I shall eat with father and
mother."
" And so shall I," responded Charlie.
" Oh, no," mildly returned Anna. " Mother has
been sick to-day; so you must all eat your suppers
together, and go quietly to bed. Your noise disturbs
her."
" To bed, indeed ! Ho ! ho ! I'm not going to bed
these two hours yet."
" yes, John, you are. If mother is sick, and
wants you to go to bed early, I am sure you will
go."
" I'm going to sit up. If mother is sick, my sitting
up won't hurt her. I've got all my lessons to
learn."
" You can study them in the morning just as well,
and a great deal better. So, John, be a good boy, and
eat your supper with the other children."
" No, I won't — so there now, Miss ! And you need
not say another word about it."
Anna sighed as she turned away from her brother,
whose natural disposition was showing its inherent evil
tendencies so early, and began to prepare the children's
supper. When it was ready, she lifted the two yoimger
14 ANNA LEE,
cliildren, Jane and Mary, into their places, and then
turning to Charlie, she stooped over him, and whispered
something in his ear.
The boy instantly took his place at the table, with a
smile upon his face. But John was not to be moved.
He resolutely persisted in refusing to eat his supper
then.
After Anna had helped all the little ones at the table,
she went to where John was sitting in a chair, in a
sulky mood; and taking a seat beside him, said, in a
calm, mild voice, —
" John, mother has not been well all day. She has
suffered very much with headache, and is only now a
little better. I want to go out this evening, but can't
begin to get ready until I have given you all your
suppers, and seen you to bed. Won't you then, for
my sake, eat with the other children now, and then go
to bed like a good boy 1 "
" No, I will not ! " This was said very ill-naturedly.
" O yes, John, I am sure you will."
" But I tell you I won't. I'm not going off to bed
just because you wish me to do so. Go, if you will,
but don't trouble yourself about me. I'll eat my sup-
per when father comes home."
Anna was grieved, as she often before had been, at
John's unkindness and self-will. And she even felt a
rising emotion of anger; but this she quickly sup-
pressed. Turning from him, she waited upon her
THE MAIDEN. 16
brother and sisters who were at the table, and when
they were done, took them up into their chamber,
and laid them all snugly in their beds ; not, however,
before telling them several stories, and hearing them
say in turn a little prayer. Kissing each sweet face,
she took the lamp, and descended to the dining-room.
It was nearly an hour since she left her mother in her
own chamber. She found John still fixed in his re-
solution to sit up, as he was in the habit of doing.
After one or two efforts to dissuade him from his pur-
pose, she left him alone, and went into her mother's
room. It was still an hour before Mr. Lee was ex-
pected home.
" Why, Anna, dear, why are you not getting ready
to go to Mrs. Leslie's % "
" I've just got the children, all but John, off to bed.
He wants to sit up and eat with you and father."
" Well, let him. He can go to bed himself when he
gets sleepy. So now, make haste and put on your
things."
Anna went out, and ascended to her own chamber ;
but she was little inclined to do as her mother had
urged her. The effort she had made to induce John
to do as she wished him, and his unkind return, had
depressed her spirits, and caused her to feel disinclined
to go into company. But this she conquered in a
little while, and recollecting that she was to be called
for at seven, she commenced making the necessary pre-
16 ANNA LEE,
parations. While engaged in laying out and arranging
the clothes she intended wearing, loud and angry words
were heard by her from the kitchen, between John
and the cook. Descending quickly, in order to check
the disturbance before it should reach the ears of her
mother, she found that the perverse boy had been en-
deavouring to interfere with some of the cook's opera-
tions. That individual justly opposed him, and this
produced a contention between them, the result of
which was a blow over John's head with the tongs,
well laid on, just at the moment of Anna's entrance.
John was seizing the shovel, when his sister caught
his arm. Feeling that he had been in the wrong, and
checked by Anna's presence, he let the weapon fall,
though not without an angrily uttered threat of what
he would do to the cook.
Anna now decided that she would not go out. If
her mother had been well, she would easily have
managed John. But Anna knew, from the excited
state of her nerves, that if she were compelled to leave
her room to check such a scene, it would bring back
upon her the dreadful headache and sick stomach from
which she had all day been suffering.
" It will be wrong for me to leave her, and I wiU
not do so," she said to herself, resolutely.
The person who was to call for Anna, and accompany
her to the party, was a young man named Herbert
Gardiner. The fair young face and sweet temper of
THE MAIDEN. 17
Aiuka Lee had won upon his feelings; and, in con-
sequence, he had thrown himself into her company
whenever he could do so. As for Anna, all uncon-
fessed to herself, her heart had begun to feel an interest
in the young man. The fact that he was to call fur
her was a strong inducement; but a sense of duty was
a much stronger feeling, and she suffered it, as has
been seen, to prevail.
Such a state of mind, so far in advance of most
young persons, was not a mere natural growth — was
not the regular maturity of germs of good, hereditarily
derived — it was the result of sound maternal precepts,
and a most earnest care that the tender mind of her
child, in its development, should be moulded into a
right form. Early had Mrs. Lee taught her first-born
the highest and best lesson a human being can learn
— to imitate God in seeking to bless others. She had
taught her to deny herself, and to study to do good in
all the relations of life. It is true that the mother had
a sweet temper to mould; and a natural ground of
good from which quickly sprung into existence the
seed she scattered with a liberal hand. Still Anna had
her own trials — her own struggles against her natural
evils, that would lift their deformed heads often
and suddenly, causing her exquisite pain of mind.
Rut such temptations, and the consequent disturbed
state, were good for her. They made her humbly con-
scious, that in herself she was weakness and evil, and
m 2
18 AXXA LEE,
that only by resisting evil daily and hourly could she
rise into true moral strength and beauty. And it was
because she thus, in conscious weakness, strove against
all that was not pure, and good, and innocent in her-
self, that she grew in grace day by day.
After fully deciding in her own mind that it was
her duty to remain at home with her mother, who was
not in a state to see after any of the children, should
they awake and cry, as was often the case, and need
attention, she went into her chamber and said, —
" I believe, mother, I will remain at home this even-
ing. I shall not feel happy if I go out, and my un-
happiness will arise from a consciousness of not having
done right. Do not urge me, for I believe to go w^ould
be wrong."
" If you feel so, Anna, I will not say one word.
Though I cannot but be grieved to think that you are
deprived of the pleasure you would have had at Mrs,
Leslie's."
" Not more than I shall gain at home, mother.
Young as I am, I have many times proved the truth
of what I have often heard you say — that the highest
pleasure we ever have, is that inward peace which we
all feel when we have denied ourselves some promised
gratification for the sake of doing good to others."
The mother's eyes filled with tears as she turned
them upon her daughter. She looked, but did not
speak the pleasure she felt.
THE MAIDEN. 19
A domestic came in at the moment, and said that a
,uentleraan had called for Anna.
" Mr. Gardiner, I suppose," Anna said, as she arose
and left the room.
It was Mr. Gardiner, whom she found in the parlour.
" Good evening, Miss Lee ! " he said, in a slightly
disappointed tone, as Anna came in. " Are you not
going to Mrs. Leslie's 1 "
" No ; she replied ; " I am sorry that you have been
at the trouble to call for me. Mother has been quite
unwell all day, and I do not think I ought to leave
her."
" So you do not intend going ?" This was spoken
in a still more disappointed voice.
" No, I cannot go to-night. It would be wrong for
me to leave my mother, and I try never to do anything
that I clearly see to be wrong."
But this noble-minded declaration did not awaken
in the breast of Gardiner a responsive admiration. He
was disappointed, and he could not conceal the feeling.
After sitting for about ten minutes, the young man
went away. The interview was not pleasant to either
of them. To stay at home from a party just because
her mother was not very well, he considered rather
a stretch of filial duty; and she, perceiving the
true character of his thoughts, shrunk from^ him in-
stinctively.
From that time Anna received his attentions with
20 ANXA LEE,
embarrassment. She did not reason mncb about it
She only felt repulsed. And that all this was right
will be seen in the next chapter.
Shortly after Gardiner left, Mr. Lee came home.
Anna was still sitting in the parlour, in a musing at-
titude.
" Why, how is this, Anna '? I thought you were
going to Mrs. Leslie's to-night," he said with kind in-
terest, sitting down by her side.
" And so I was. But, you know, mother has had a
sick headache all day."
" Yes. How is she to-night ?"
" She's a great deal better."
" Then, why couldn't you go ? "
" Because the children are very apt to get fretful and
troublesome, and sometimes won't let any one see them
to bed but mother or me. So I thought it best to give
them their suppers first, and get them quietly put
away for the night. After that was done, I began to
fear that they might wake up, as is often the case, and
require attention ; and I knew if mother went to see to
them, her headache would return. She needs quiet
and rest. These will be everything to her. If I had
gone out, and anything had occurred on account of my
absence, to bring back her illness, I should have felt
very unhappy indeed."
" You iiave done right, my dear," said Mr. Lee kiss-
ing affectionately the fair check of his daughter. " I
THE maiden: 21
Jim sorry that you have been deprived of the enjoyment
you would have had at Mrs. Leslie's ; but it is all for
the best. Even in the least things of our life, as I
have often before told you, there is a Providence."
"I believe it, father. Already it has occurred to
me, that is for some good that I have been prevented
from going this evening."
" It doubtless is, my child," returned Mr. Lee.
"Good always springs from a denial of ourselves in
order to benefit others. Ever think thus — ever act
thus — and ministering angels will draw near to you,
and guard you from evil."
Mr. Lee's voice trembled slightly as he said this.
" But I must go up and see your mother," he added ;
and turning from Anna, he ascended to Mrs. Lee's
chamber.
CHAPTER IL
gaediner's true character exhibited.
Herbert Gardiner was the son of a retired merchant,
who had gained in trade a very large property. Her-
bert, his only child, had received all the advantages of
education that wealth can give ; although it cannot be
said that he had improved those advantages in any
remarkable degree. He was bright enough, as regards
intellect; but a high motive for study was wanting.
22 AXXA LEE,
His father's wealth and social standing left him but
little to strive for.
Old Mr. Gardiner had started in life without friends
or capital, and had, by honest industry and steady
perseverance, worked his way up, until he stood side
by side with the most successful. He had a just
estimate of the virtues by which he had risen in society,
and often strove to impress his son with a deep regard
for them. But his precepts did not take very deep
root in the ground of the young man's mind.
As soon as he came home from college, he was placed
in a mercantile house. He did not, however, take
much interest in the business, although, more to meet
the requirements of his father than anything else, he
attended to his duty sedulously enough to prevent his
employers from becoming so much dissatisfied with
nim as to dismiss him. After he became of age, his
father proposed that he should go into business with
some one who had less capital, but a more thorough
knowledge of trade than he possessed. Such a person
was not hard to find. A young man, whose only
capital was business capacity, honesty, and energy of
character, soon presented himself. With him a
co-partnership wan formed, and a capital of five
thousand pound.s was placed in the hands of the new
firm.
Satisfied with the part he had done — or, tlie part
that had been done for him, namely, furnishing capita]
THE M AIDE 27. 23
— Gardiner did not see that there were very strong
claims on him for personal application. He attended
at the office daily, and took a certain part in the
general operations that were going on, but did not
burden his mind with any details, nor trouble himself
with any care as to the ultimate result of their opera-
tions. He Lad confidence in his partner, who, glad to
get capital to work with, prosecuted the business with
vigour and success, for mutual benefit. As for Gardiner,
he took his pleasure in his own way. His most
favourite companions were not of the safest kind, nor
was his own moral character likely to be elevated by
associating with them.
He was about twenty- three years of age when he
first met Anna Lee, and became charmed with her
beauty. His marked attentions, and the evident
pleasure he felt in her society, did not escape the
notice of Anna, nor fail to make an impression upon
her. And more than this, she was not insensible to
the fact, that he moved in a higher circle than any to
which her position in society would admit her. He
was the son of a retired merchant of great wealth ; she
the daughter of a man in moderate circumstances, who
had to struggle hard to support and educate a large
family. It was not long before the thought of Herbert
would quicken her pulse, and the sight of him make
the blood warmer on her cheek.
His true character, however, was little known to her,
24 A^XA LEE,
and could she have seen him amid the favourite sharers
of his coarse pleasures, and the dissipation in which
many of his evenings were spent, she would have
dismissed him at once and for ever from her mind.
It suited his present purpose, however, to assume a
virtuous character.
CHAPTER III.
THE BEAUTY AND POWDER OF GOODNESS.
Anna remained sitting in a slightly pensive mood, in
the parlour below, after her father left her. The manner
of Gardiner had disturbed her feelings. It opened up
to her eyes a new view of his character. It presented
him to her from a new point of vision. She had
denied herself a desired pleasure for the sake of a sick
parent, and he had not approved the act — nay, had
clearly disapproved it.
" Have 7 done right or WTong 1 " she asked herself.
Then reviewing her conduct, and weighing all the
reasons that had decided her course of action, she mur-
mured, "Right," and rose to her feet. The tea-bell
rang at the moment, and she ascended to the dining-
room, to meet her father and mother with a cheerful,
liappy face.
" I'll pour out the tea," she said, as her mother came
in leaning upon her father's arm. "Take you my place."
THE MAIDEN. 25
•' No, dear. I can wait on the table well enougli,"
returned Mrs, Lee.
" But I can do it better. So sit down in my place."
" Yes, dear, you bad better," said Mr. Lee. " Even
the slight exertion of pouring out the tea may disturb
your nervous system too much, and bring back that
dreadful pain in your head. Let Anna wait on the
table this evening."
Mrs. Lee objected no further, and Anna did the
honours of the table.
John was very quiet, and had a thoughtful look.
The fact was, remembering that Anna had urged him
to eat his supper and go to bed when the other children
did, because she wished to go out, and seeing that,
although called for, she had yet remained at home, he
felt that he had been unkind to one who was always
kind to him, and who, on account of his perverseness
and ill-nature, had been deprived of an expected enjoy-
ment. Had Anna permitted herself to get angry with
John, and been led to speak to him from such irritation,
he would have remained indifferent. But the gentle
forbearance and self-denial of his elder sister touched
the boy, and awakened his better feelings. After tea