marston in prison
while franconia revives, let us beg the reader's indulgence for not recounting the details thereof. the night continues dark and stormy, but she must return to her own home,--she must soothe the excited feelings of a dissolute and disregarding husband, who, no doubt, is enjoying his night orgies, while she is administering consolation to the downcast. "ah! uncle," she says, about to take leave of him for the night, "how with spirit the force of hope fortifies us; and yet how seldom are our expectations realised through what we look forward to! you now see the value of virtue; but when seen through necessity, how vain the repentance. nevertheless, let us profit by the lesson before us; let us hope the issue may yet be favourable!" bob will see his young missus safe home-he will be her guide and protector. so, preparing his cap, he buttons his jacket, laughs and grins with joy, goes to the door, then to the fire-place, and to the door again, where, keeping his left hand on the latch, and his right holding the casement, he bows and scrapes, for "missus comin." franconia arranges her dress as best she can, adjusts her bonnet, embraces marston, imprints a fond kiss on his cheek, reluctantly relinquishes his hand, whispers a last word of consolation, and bids him good night,--a gentle good night-in sorrow.
she has gone, and the old slave is her guide, her human watch-dog. slowly marston paces the silent chamber alone, giving vent to his pent-up emotions. what may to-morrow bring forth? runs through his wearied mind. it is but the sudden downfall of life, so inseparable from the planter who rests his hopes on the abundance of his human property. but the slave returns, and relieves him of his musings. he has seen his young missus safe to her door; he has received her kind word, and her good, good night! entering the chamber with a smile, he sets about clearing away the little things, and, when done, draws his seat close to marston, at the fire-place. as if quite at home beside his old master, he eyes marston intently for some time,--seems studying his thoughts and fears. at length the old slave commences disclosing his feelings. his well-worn bones are not worth a large sum; nor are the merits of his worthy age saleable;--no! there is nothing left but his feelings, those genuine virtues so happily illustrated. daddy bob will stand by mas'r, as he expresses it, in power or in prison. kindness has excited all that vanity in bob so peculiar to the negro, and by which he prides himself in the prime value of his person. there he sits-marston's faithful friend, contemplating his silence with a steady gaze, and then, giving his jet-black face a double degree of seriousness, shrugs his shoulders, significantly nods his head, and intimates that it will soon be time to retire, by commencing to unboot master.
"you seem in a hurry to get rid of me, daddy! want to get your own cranium into a pine-knot sleep, eh?" says marston, with an encouraging smile, pulling the old slave's whiskers in a playful manner.
"no, boss; 'tant dat," returns bob, keeping on tugging at marston's boots until he has got them from his feet, and safely stowed away in a corner. a gentle hint that he is all ready to relieve marston of his upper garments brings him to his feet, when bob commences upon him in right good earnest, and soon has him stowed away between the sheets. "bob neber likes to hurry old boss, but den 'e kno' what's on old mas'r's feelins, an 'e kno' dat sleep make 'um forget 'um!" rejoins bob, in a half whisper that caught marston's ear, as he patted and fussed about his pillow, in order to make him as comfortable as circumstances would admit. after this he extinguishes the light, and, accustomed to a slave's bed, lumbers himself down on the floor beside his master's cot. thus, watchfully, he spends the night.
when morning dawned, bob was in the full enjoyment of what the negro so pertinently calls a long and strong sleep. he cannot resist its soothing powers, nor will master disturb him in its enjoyment. before breakfast-time arrives, however, he arouses with a loud guffaw, looks round the room vacantly, as if he were doubting the presence of things about him. rising to his knees, he rubs his eyes languidly, yawns, and stretches his arms, scratches his head, and suddenly gets a glimpse of old master, who is already dressed, and sits by the window, his attention intently set upon some object without. the old slave recognises the same chamber from which he guided franconia on the night before, and, after saluting mas'r, sets about arranging the domestic affairs of the apartment, and preparing the breakfast table, the breakfast being cooked at aunt beckie's cabin, in the yard. aunt beckie had the distinguished satisfaction of knowing marston in his better days, and now esteems it an honour to serve him, even in his poverty. always happy to inform her friends that she was brought up a first-rate pastry-cook, she now adds, with great satisfaction, that she pays her owner, the very reverend mr. thomas tippletony, the ever-pious rector of st. michael's, no end of money for her time, and makes a good profit at her business beside. notwithstanding she has a large family of bright children to maintain in a respectable way, she hopes for a continuance of their patronage, and will give the best terms her limited means admit. she knows how very necessary it is for a southern gentleman who would be anybody to keep up appearances, and, with little means, to make a great display: hence she is very easy in matters of payment. in marston's case, she is extremely proud to render him service,--to "do for him" as far as she can, and wait a change for the better concerning any balance outstanding.
bob fetches the breakfast of coffee, fritters, homony, and bacon,--a very good breakfast it is, considering the circumstances,--and spreads the little rustic board with an air of comfort and neatness complimentary to the old slave's taste. and, withal, the old man cannot forego the inherent vanity of his nature, for he is, unconsciously, performing all the ceremonies of attendance he has seen dandy and his satellites go through at the plantation mansion. he fusses and grins, and praises and laughs, as he sets the dishes down one by one, keeping a watchful eye on mas'r, as if to detect an approval in his countenance. "reckon 'ow dis old nigger can fix old boss up aristocratic breakfast like dandy. now, boss-da'h he is!" he says, whisking round the table, setting the cups just so, and spreading himself with exultation. "want to see master smile-laugh some-like 'e used down on da'h old plantation!" he ejaculates, emphatically, placing a chair at marston's plate. this done, he accompanies his best bow with a scrape of his right foot, spreads his hands,--the gesture being the signal of readiness. marston takes his chair, as bob affects the compound dignity of the very best trained nigger, doing the distinguished in waiting.
"a little less ceremony, my old faithful! the small follies of etiquette ill become such a place as this. we must succumb to circumstances: come, sit down, bob; draw your bench to the chest, and there eat your share, while i wait on myself," says marston, touching bob on the arm. the words were no sooner uttered, than bob's countenance changed from the playful to the serious; he could see nothing but dignity in master, no matter in what sphere he might be placed. his simple nature recoils at the idea of dispensing with the attention due from slave to master. master's fallen fortunes, and the cheerless character of the chamber, are nothing to daddy- master must keep up his dignity.
"you need'nt look so serious, daddy; it only gives an extra shade to your face, already black enough for any immediate purpose!" says marston, turning round and smiling at the old slave's discomfiture. to make amends, master takes a plate from the table, and gives bob a share of his homony and bacon. this is very pleasing to the old slave, who regains his wonted earnestness, takes the plate politely from his master's hand, retires with it to the chest, and keeps up a regular fire of chit-chat while dispensing its contents. in this humble apartment, master and slave-the former once opulent, and the latter still warm with attachment for his friend-are happily companioned. they finish their breakfast,--a long pause intervenes. "i would i were beyond the bounds of this our south," says marston, breaking the silence, as he draws his chair and seats himself by the window, where he can look out upon the dingy little houses in the lane.
the unhappy man feels the burden of a misspent life; he cannot recall the past, nor make amends for its errors. but, withal, it is some relief that he can disclose his feelings to the old man, his slave.
"mas'r," interrupts the old slave, looking complacently in his face, "bob 'll fowler ye, and be de same old friend. i will walk behind miss frankone." his simple nature seems warming into fervency.
"ah! old man," returns marston, "if there be a wish (you may go before me, though) i have on earth, it is that when i die our graves may be side by side, with an epitaph to denote master, friend, and faithful servant lie here." he takes the old man by the hand again, as the tears drop from his cheeks. "a prison is but a grave to the man of honourable feelings," he concludes. thus disclosing his feelings, a rap at the door announces a messenger. it is nine o'clock, and immediately the sheriff, a gentlemanly-looking man, wearing the insignia of office on his hat, walks in, and politely intimates that, painful as may be the duty, he must request his company to the county gaol, that place so accommodatingly prepared for the reception of unfortunates.
"sorry for your misfortunes, sir! but we'll try to make you as comfortable as we can in our place." the servitor of the law seems to have some sympathy in him. "i have my duty to perform, you know, sir; nevertheless, i have my opinion about imprisoning honest men for debt: it's a poor satisfaction, sir. i'm only an officer, you see, sir, not a law-maker-never want to be, sir. i very much dislike to execute these kind of writs," says the man of the law, as, with an expression of commiseration, he glances round the room, and then at daddy, who has made preparations for a sudden dodge, should such an expedient be found necessary.
"nay, sheriff, think nothing of it; it's but a thing of common life,--it may befall us all. i can be no exception to the rule, and may console myself with the knowledge of companionship," replies marston, as coolly as if he were preparing for a journey of pleasure.
how true it is, that, concealed beneath the smallest things, there is a consolation which necessity may bring out: how providence has suited it to our misfortunes!
"there are a few things here-a very few-i should like to take to my cell; perhaps i can send for them," he remarks, looking at the officer, enquiringly.
"my name is martin-captain martin, they call me,"-returns that functionary, politely. "if you accept my word of honour, i pledge it they are taken care of, and sent to your apartments."
"you mean my new lodging-house, or my new grave, i suppose," interrupted marston, jocosely, pointing out to daddy the few articles of bedding, chairs, and a window-curtain he desired removed. daddy has been pensively standing by the fire-place the while, contemplating the scene.
marston soon announces his readiness to proceed; and, followed by the old slave, the officer leads the way down the ricketty old stairs to the street. "i's gwine t'see whar dey takes old mas'r, any how, reckon i is," says the old slave, giving his head a significant turn.
"now, sir," interrupts the officer, as they arrive at the bottom of the stairs, "perhaps you have a delicacy about going through the street with a sheriff; many men have: therefore i shall confide in your honour, sir, and shall give you the privilege of proceeding to the gaol as best suits your feelings. i never allow myself to follow the will of creditors; if i did, my duties would be turned into a system of tyranny, to gratify their feelings only. now, you may take a carriage, or walk; only meet me at the prison gate."
"thanks, thanks!" returns marston, grateful for the officer's kindness, "my crime is generosity; you need not fear me. my old faithful here will guide me along." the officer bows assent, and with a respectful wave of the hand they separate to pursue different routes.
marston walks slowly along, bob keeping pace close behind. he passes many of his old acquaintances, who, in better times, would have recognised him with a cordial embrace; at present they have scarcely a nod to spare. marston, however, is firm in his resolution, looks not on one side nor the other, and reaches the prison-gate in good time. the officer has reached it in advance, and waits him there. they pause a few moments as marston scans the frowning wall that encloses the gloomy-looking old prison. "i am ready to go in," says marston; and just as they are about to enter the arched gate, the old slave touches him on the arm, and says, "mas'r, dat's no place fo'h bob. can't stand seein' on ye locked up wid sich folks as in dah!" solicitously he looks in his master's face. the man of trouble grasps firmly the old slave's hand, holds it in silence for some minutes-the officer, moved by the touching scene, turns his head away-as tears course down his cheeks. he has no words to speak the emotions of his heart; he shakes the old man's hand affectionately, attempts to whisper a word in his ear, but is too deeply affected.
"good by, mas'r: may god bless 'um! ther's a place fo'h old mas'r yet. i'll com t' see mas'r every night," says the old man, his words flowing from the bounty of his heart. he turns away reluctantly, draws his hand from marston's, heaves a sigh, and repairs to his labour. how precious was that labour of love, wherein the old slave toils that he may share the proceeds with his master!
as marston and the sheriff disappear through the gate, and are about to ascend the large stone steps leading to the portal in which is situated the inner iron gate opening into the debtors' ward, the sheriff made a halt, and, placing his arm in a friendly manner through marston's, enquires, "anything i can do for you? if there is, just name it. pardon my remark, sir, but you will, in all probability, take the benefit of the act; and, as no person seems willing to sign your bail, i may do something to relieve your wants, in my humble way." marston shakes his head; the kindness impedes an expression of his feelings. "a word of advice from me, however, may not be without its effect, and i will give it you; it is this:--your earnestness to save those two children, and the singular manner in which those slave drudges of graspum produced the documentary testimony showing them property, has created wondrous suspicion about your affairs. i will here say, graspum's no friend of yours; in fact, he's a friend to nobody but himself; and even now, when questioned on the manner of possessing all your real estate, he gives out insinuations, which, instead of exonerating you, create a still worse impression against you. his conversation on the matter leaves the inference with your creditors that you have still more property secreted. hence, mark me! it behoves you to keep close lips. don't let your right hand know what your left does," continues the officer, in a tone of friendliness. they ascend to the iron gate, look through the grating. the officer, giving a whistle, rings the bell by touching a spring in the right-hand wall. "my lot at last!" exclaims marston. "how many poor unfortunates have passed this threshold-how many times the emotions of the heart have burst forth on this spot-how many have here found a gloomy rest from their importuners-how many have here whiled away precious time in a gloomy cell, provided for the punishment of poverty!" the disowned man, for such he is, struggles to retain his resolution; fain would he, knowing the price of that resolution, repress those sensations threatening to overwhelm him.
the brusque gaoler appears at the iron gate; stands his burly figure in the portal; nods recognition to the officer; swings back the iron frame, as a number of motley prisoners gather into a semicircle in the passage. "go back, prisoners; don't stare so at every new comer," says the gaoler, clearing the way with his hands extended.
one or two of the locked-up recognise marston. they lisp strange remarks, drawn forth by his appearance in charge of an officer. "big as well as little fish bring up here," ejaculates one.
"where are his worshippers and his hospitable friends?" whispers another.
"there's not much hospitality for poverty," rejoins a third, mutteringly. "southern hospitality is unsound, shallow, and flimsy; a little dazzling of observances to cover very bad facts. you are sure to find a people who maintain the grossest errors in their political system laying the greatest claims to benevolence and principle-things to which they never had a right. the phantom of hospitality draws the curtain over many a vice-it is a well-told nothingness ornamenting the beggared system of your slavery; that's my honest opinion," says a third, in a gruff voice, which indicates that he has no very choice opinion of such generosity. "if they want a specimen of true hospitality, they must go to new england; there the poor man's offering stocks the garden of liberty, happiness, and justice; and from them spring the living good of all," he concludes; and folding his arms with an air of independence, walks up the long passage running at right angles with the entrance portal, and disappears in a cell on the left.
"i knew him when he was great on the turf. he was very distinguished then." "he'll be extinguished here," insinuates another, as he protrudes his eager face over the shoulders of those who are again crowding round the office-door, marston and the officer having entered following the gaoler.
the sheriff passes the committimus to the man of keys; that functionary takes his seat at a small desk, while marston stands by its side, watching the process of his prison reception, in silence. the gaoler reads the commitment, draws a book deliberately from off a side window, spreads it open on his desk, and commences humming an air. "pootty smart sums, eh!" he says, looking up at the sheriff, as he holds a quill in his left hand, and feels with the fingers of his right for a knife, which, he observes, he always keeps in his right vest pocket. "we have a poor debtor's calendar for registering these things. i do these things different from other gaolers, and it loses me nothin'. i goes on the true principle, that 'tant right to put criminals and debtors together; and if the state hasn't made provision for keeping them in different cells, i makes a difference on the books, and that's somethin'. helps the feelins over the smarting point," says the benevolent keeper of all such troublesome persons as won't pay their debts;--as if the monstrous concentration of his amiability, in keeping separate books for the criminal and poverty-stricken gentlemen of his establishment, must be duly appreciated. marston, particularly, is requested to take the initiative, he being the most aristocratic fish the gaoler has caught in a long time. but the man has made his pen, and now he registers marston's name among the state's forlorn gentlemen, commonly called poor debtors. they always confess themselves in dependent circumstances. endorsing the commitment, he returns it to the sheriff, who will keep the original carefully filed away in his own well-stocked department. the sheriff will bid his prisoner good morning! having reminded the gaoler what good care it was desirable to take of his guest; and, extending his hand and shaking that of marston warmly, takes his departure, whilst our gaoler leads marston into an almost empty cell, where he hopes he will find things comfortable, and leaves him to contemplate upon the fallen fruit of poverty. "come to this, at last!" said marston, entering the cavern-like place.
