sketches new and old-第34章

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breath；　mere　words。　　And　you　call　to　mind　now；　as　I　speak；　how　the　poet；
with　stern　fidelity　to　the　history　of　all　humanity；　delivers　this
beautiful　child　of　his　heart　and　his　brain　over　to　the　trials　and　sorrows
that　must　come　to　all；　sooner　or　later；　that　abide　in　the　earth；　and　how
the　pathetic　story　culminates　in　that　apostropheso　wild；　so　regretful；
so　full　of　mournful　retrospection。　　The　lines　run　thus：

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　〃Alas！alas！aalas！
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Alas！alas！〃

and　so　on。　　＇Laughter。＇　I　do　not　remember　the　rest；　but；　taken
together；　it　seems　to　me　that　poem　is　the　noblest　tribute　to　woman　that
human　genius　has　ever　brought　forth＇laughter）and　I　feel　that　if　I
were　to　talk　hours　I　could　not　do　my　great　theme　completer　or　more
graceful　justice　than　I　have　now　done　in　simply　quoting　that　poet's
matchless　words。　　＇Renewed　laughter。＇　The　phases　of　the　womanly　nature
are　infinite　in　their　variety。　　Take　any　type　of　woman；　and　you　shall
find　in　it　something　to　respect；　something　to　admire；　something　to　love。
And　you　shall　find　the　whole　joining　you　heart　and　hand。　　Who　was　more
patriotic　than　Joan　of　Arc？　　Who　was　braver？　　Who　has　given　us　a　grander
instance　of　self…sacrificing　devotion？　　Ah！　you　remember；　you　remember
well；　what　a　throb　of　pain；　what　a　great　tidal　wave　of　grief　swept　over
us　all　when　Joan　of　Arc　fell　at　Waterloo。　　＇Much　laughter。＇　　Who　does　not
sorrow　for　the　loss　of　Sappho；　the　sweet　singer　of　Israel？　　＇Laughter。＇
Who　among　us　does　not　miss　the　gentle　ministrations；　the　softening
influences；　the　humble　piety　of　Lucretia　Borgia？　　＇Laughter。＇　　Who　can
join　in　the　heartless　libel　that　says　woman　is　extravagant　in　dress　when
he　can　look　back　and　call　to　mind　our　simple　and　lowly　mother　Eve　arrayed
in　her　modification　of　the　Highland　costume。　　＇Roars　of　laughter。＇
Sir；　women　have　been　soldiers；　women　have　been　painters；　women　have　been
poets。　　As　long　as　language　lives　the　name　of　Cleopatra　will　live。

And；　not　because　she　conquered　George　III。　＇laughter＇but　because　she
wrote　those　divine　lines：

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　〃Let　dogs　delight　to　bark　and　bite；
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　For　God　hath　made　them　so。〃

＇More　laughter。＇　　The　story　of　the　world　is　adorned　with　the　names　of
illustrious　ones　of　our　own　sexsome　of　them　sons　of　St。　　Andrew；　too
Scott；　Bruce；　Burns；　the　warrior　Wallace；　Ben　Nevis＇laughter＇the
gifted　Ben　Lomond；　and　the　great　new　Scotchman；　Ben　Disraeli。　　＇Great
laughter。＇　　Out　of　the　great　plains　of　history　tower　whole　mountain
ranges　of　sublime　womenthe　Queen　of　Sheba；　Josephine；　Semiramis；　Sairey
Gamp；　the　list　is　endless＇laughter＇but　I　will　not　call　the　mighty
roll；　the　names　rise　up　in　your　own　memories　at　the　mere　suggestion；
luminous　with　the　glory　of　deeds　that　cannot　die；　hallowed　by　the　loving
worship　of　the　good　and　the　true　of　all　epochs　and　all　climes。　　＇Cheers。＇
Suffice　it　for　our　pride　and　our　honor　that　we　in　our　day　have　added　to
it　such　names　as　those　of　Grace　Darling　and　Florence　Nightingale。
＇Cheers。＇　　Woman　is　all　that　she　should　be…gentle；　patient；　long
suffering；　trustful；　unselfish；　full　of　generous　impulses。　　It　is　her
blessed　mission　to　comfort　the　sorrowing；　plead　for　the　erring；　encourage
the　faint　of　purpose；　succor　the　distressed；　uplift　the　fallen；　befriend
the　friendless　in　a　word；　afford　the　healing　of　her　sympathies　and　a　home
in　her　heart　for　all　the　bruised　and　persecuted　children　of　misfortune
that　knock　at　its　hospitable　door。　＇Cheers。＇　　And　when　I　say；　God　bless
her；　there　is　none　among　us　who　has　known　the　ennobling　affection　of　a
wife；　or　the　steadfast　devotion　of　a　mother；　but　in　his　heart　will　say；
Amen！　　＇Loud　and　prolonged　cheering。＇

＇Mr。　　Benjamin　Disraeli；　at　that　time　Prime　Minister　of　England；　had
just　been　elected　Lord　Rector　of　Glasgow　University；　and　had　made　a
speech　which　gave　rise　to　a　world　of　discussion。＇






A　GHOST　STORY

I　took　a　large　room；　far　up　Broadway；　in　a　huge　old　building　whose　upper
stories　had　been　wholly　unoccupied　for　years　until　I　came。　　The　place　had
long　been　given　up　to　dust　and　cobwebs；　to　solitude　and　silence。
I　seemed　groping　among　the　tombs　and　invading　the　privacy　of　the　dead；
that　first　night　I　climbed　up　to　my　quarters。　　For　the　first　time　in　my
life　a　superstitious　dread　came　over　me；　and　as　I　turned　a　dark　angle　of
the　stairway　and　an　invisible　cobweb　swung　its　slazy　woof　in　my　face　and
clung　there；　I　shuddered　as　one　who　had　encountered　a　phantom。

I　was　glad　enough　when　I　reached　my　room　and　locked　out　the　mold　and　the
darkness。　　A　cheery　fire　was　burning　in　the　grate；　and　I　sat　down　before
it　with　a　comforting　sense　of　relief。　　For　two　hours　I　sat　there；
thinking　of　bygone　times；　recalling　old　scenes；　and　summoning　half…
forgotten　faces　out　of　the　mists　of　the　past；　listening；　in　fancy；　to
voices　that　long　ago　grew　silent　for　all　time；　and　to　once　familiar　songs
that　nobody　sings　now。　　And　as　my　reverie　softened　down　to　a　sadder　and
sadder　pathos；　the　shrieking　of　the　winds　outside　softened　to　a　wail；　the
angry　beating　of　the　rain　against　the　panes　diminished　to　a　tranquil
patter；　and　one　by　one　the　noises　in　the　street　subsided；　until　the
hurrying　footsteps　of　the　last　belated　straggler　died　away　in　the
distance　and　left　no　sound　behind。

The　fire　had　burned　low。　　A　sense　of　loneliness　crept　over　me。　　I　arose
and　undressed；　moving　on　tiptoe　about　the　room；　doing　stealthily　what　I
had　to　do；　as　if　I　were　environed　by　sleeping　enemies　whose　slumbers　it
would　be　fatal　to　break。　　I　covered　up　in　bed；　and　lay　listening　to　the
rain　and　wind　and　the　faint　creaking　of　distant　shutters；　till　they
lulled　me　to　sleep。

I　slept　profoundly；　but　how　long　I　do　not　know。　　All　at　once　I　found
myself　awake；　and　filled　with　a　shuddering　expectancy。　　All　was　still。
All　but　my　own　heartI　could　hear　it　beat。　　Presently　the　bedclothes
began　to　slip　away　slowly　toward　the　foot　of　the　bed；　as　if　some　one　were
pulling　them！　　I　could　not　stir；　I　could　not　speak。　　Still　the　blankets
slipped　deliberately　away；　till　my　breast　was　uncovered。　　Then　with　a
great　effort　I　seized　them　and　drew　them　over　my　head。　　I　waited；
listened；　waited。　　Once　more　that　steady　pull　began；　and　once　more　I　lay
torpid　a　century　of　dragging　seconds　till　my　breast　was　naked　again。　　At
last　I　roused　my　energies　and　snatched　the　covers　back　to　their　place　and
held　them　with　a　strong　grip。　　I　waited。　　By　and　by　I　felt　a　faint　tug；
and　took　a　fresh　grip。；　The　tug　strengthened　to　a　steady　strainit　grew
stronger　and　stronger。　　My　hold　parted；　and　for　the　third　time　the
blankets　slid　away。　　I　groaned。　　An　answering　groan　came　from　the　foot　of
the　bed！　　Beaded　drops　of　sweat　stood　upon　my　forehead。　　I　was　more　dead
than　alive。　　Presently　I　heard　a　heavy　footstep　in　my　roomthe　step　of
an　elephant；　it　seemed　to　meit　was　not　like　anything　human。　　But　it　was
moving　from　methere　was　relief　in　that。　　I　heard　it　approach　the　door
pass　out　without　moving　bolt　or　lockand　wander　away　among　the　dismal
corridors；　straining　the　floors　and　joists　till　they　creaked　again　as　it
passedand　then　silence　reigned　once　more。

When　my　excitement　had　calmed；　I　said　to　myself；　〃This　is　a　dreamsimply
a　hideous　dream。〃　　And　so　I　lay　thinking　it　over　until　I　convinced　myself
that　it　was　a　dream；　and　then　a　comforting　laugh　relaxed　my　lips　and　I
was　happy　again。　　I　got　up　and　struck　a　light；　and　when　I　found　that　the
locks　and　bolts　were　just　as　I　had　left　them；　another　soothing　laugh
welled　in　my　heart　and　rippled　from　my　lips。　　I　took　my　pipe　and　lit　it；
and　was　just　sitting　down　before　the　fire；　when…down　went　the　pipe　out　of
my　nerveless　fingers；　the　blood　forsook　my　cheeks；　and　my　placid
breathing　was　cut　short　with　a　gasp！　　In　the　ashes　on　the　hearth；　side　by
side　with　my　own　bare　footprint；　was　another；　so　vast　that　in　comparison
mine　was　but　an　infant's！　　Then　I　had　had　a　visitor；　and　the　elephant
tread　was　explained。

I　put　out　the　light　and　returned　to　bed；　palsied　with　fear。　　I　lay　a　long
time；　peering　into　the　darkness；　and　listening。　Then　I　heard　a　grating
noise　overhead；　like　the　dragging　of　a　heavy　body　across　the　floor；　then
the　throwing　down　of　the　body；　and　the　shaking　of　my　windows　in　response
to　the　concussion。　　In　distant　parts　of　the　building　I　heard　the　muffled
slamming　of　doors。　　I　heard；　at　intervals；　stealthy　footsteps　creeping　in
and　out　among　the　corridors；　and　up　and　down　the　stairs。　　Sometimes　these
noises　approached　my　door；　hesitated；　and　went　away　again。　　I　heard　the
clanking　of　chains　faintly；　in　remote　passages；　and　listened　while　the
clanking　grew　nearerwhile　it　wearily　climbed　the　stairways；　marking
each　move　by　the　loose　surplus　of　chain　that　fell　with　an　accented　rattle
upon　each　succeeding　step　as　the　goblin　that　bore　it　advanced。　　I　heard
muttered　sentences；　half…uttered　screams　that　seemed　smothered　violently；
and　the　swish　of　invisible　garments；　the　rush　of　invisible　wings。　　Then　I
became　conscious　that　my　chamber　was　invadedthat　I　was　not　alone。
I　heard　sighs　and　breathings　about　my　bed；　and　mysterious　whisperings。
Three　little　spheres　of　soft　phosphorescent　light　appeared　on　the　ceiling
directly　over　my　head；　clung　and　glowed　there　a　moment；　and　then　dropped
two　of　them　upon　my　face　and　one　upon　the　pillow。　　They；　spattered；
liquidly；　and　felt　warm。　　Intuition　told　me　they　hadturned　to　gouts　of
blood　as　they　fellI　needed　no　light　to　satisfy　myself　of　that。　　Then　I
saw　pallid　faces；　dimly　luminous；　and　white　uplifted　hands；　floating
bodiless　in　the　airfloating　a　moment　and　then　disappearing。
The　whispering　ceased；　and　the　voices　and　the　sounds；　anal　a　solemn
stillness　followed。　　I　waited　and　listened。　　I　felt　that　I　must　have
light　or　die。　　I　was　weak　with　fear。　　I　slowly　raised　myself　toward　a
sitting　posture；　and　my　face　came　in　contact　with　a　clammy　hand！
All　strength　went　from　me　apparently；　and　I　fell　back　like　a　stricken
invalid。　　Then　I　heard　the　rustle　of　a　garment　it　seemed　to　pass　to　the
door　and　go　out。

When　everything　was　still　once　more；　I　crept　out　of　bed；　sick　and　feeble；
and　lit　the　gas　with　a　hand　that　trembled　as　if　it　were　aged　with　a
hundred　years。　　The　light　brought　some　little　cheer　to　my　spirits。　　I　sat
down　and　fell　into　a　dreamy　contemplation　of　that　great　footprint　in　the
ashes。　　By　and　by　its　outlines　began　to　waver　and　grow　dim。　　I　glanced　up
and　the　broad　gas…flame　was　slowly　wilting　away。　　In　the　same　moment　I
heard　that　elephantine　tread　again。　　I　noted　its　approach；　nearer　and
nearer；　along　the　musty　halls；　and　dimmer　and　dimmer　the　light　waned。
The　tread　reached　my　very　door　and　pausedthe　light　had　dwindled　to　a
sickly　blue；　and　all　things　about　me　lay　in　a　spectral　twilight。　　The
door　did　not　open；　and　yet　I　felt　a　faint　gust　of　air　fan　my　cheek；　and
presently　was　conscious　of　a　huge；　cloudy　presence　before　me。　　I　watched
it　with　fascinated　eyes。　　A　pale　glow　stole　over　the　Thing；　gradually　its
cloudy　folds　took　shapean　arm　appeared；　then　legs；　then　a　body；　and
last　a　great　sad　face　looked　out　of　the　vapor。　　Stripped　of　its　filmy
housings；　naked；　muscular　and　comely；　the　majestic　Cardiff　Giant　loomed
above　me！

All　my　misery　vanishedfor　a　child　might　know