Three Little Women: A Story for Girls Page 4

  CHAPTER IV

  Baltie is Rescued

  "How old are you, little lassie?" asked Hadyn Stuyvesant, looking downupon the little figure beside him, his fine eyes alive with interestand the smile which none could resist lighting his face, anddisplaying his white even teeth.

  "I'm just a little over ten," answered Jean, looking up and answeringhis smile with one equally frank and trustful, for little Jean Carruthdid not understand the meaning of embarrassment.

  "Are you Mrs. Bernard Carruth's little daughter? I knew her nephewwell when at college, although I've been away from Riveredge so longthat I've lost track of her and her family."

  "Yes, she is my mother. Mr. Bernard Carruth was my father," and alittle choke came into Jean's voice, for, although not yet eight yearsof age when her father passed out of her life, Jean's memory of himwas a very tender one, and she sorely missed the kind, cheery,sympathetic companionship he had given his children. Hadyn Stuyvesantwas quick to note the catch in the little girl's voice, and the tearswhich welled up to her eyes, and a strong arm was placed about herwaist to draw her a little closer to his side, as, changing thesubject, he said very tenderly:

  "You have had an exciting hour, little one. Sit close beside me anddon't try to talk; just rest, and let _me_ do the talking. We must goslowly on Baltie's account; the poor old horse is badly knocked aboutand stiffened up. Suppose we go right to Mr. Pringle's livery stableand ask him to take care of him a few days any way. Don't you thinkthat would be a good plan?"

  "But who will _pay_ for him? Don't you have to pay board for horsesjust like people pay their board?" broke in Jean anxiously.

  Hadyn Stuyvesant smiled at the practical little being his arm still socomfortingly encircled.

  "I guess the Society can stand the expense," he answered.

  "Has it got _lots_ of money to do such things with?" asked Jean, boundto get at the full facts.

  "I'm afraid it hasn't got 'lots of money'--I wish it had,--but I thinkit can pay a week's board for old Baltie in consideration of what youhave done for him. It will make you happier to know he will becomfortable for a little while any way, won't it?"

  "Oh, yes! yes! And, and--perhaps _I_ could pay the next week's if wedidn't find somebody the first week. I've got 'most five dollars in myChristmas bank. I've been saving ever since last January; I alwaysbegin to put in something on New Year's day, if it's only five cents,and then I never, never take any out 'till it's time to buy our nextChristmas presents. And I really _have_ got 'most five dollars, andwould _that_ be enough for another week?" and the bonny little facewas raised eagerly to her companion's. Hadyn Stuyvesant then and therelost his heart to the little creature at his side. It is given to veryfew "grown-ups" to slip out of their own adult years and by somemagical power pick up the years of their childhood once more, with allthe experiences and view-points of that childhood, but HadynStuyvesant was one of those few. He felt all the eagerness of Jean'swords and his answer held all the confidence and enthusiasm of _her_ten years rather than his own twenty-three.

  "Fully enough. But we will hope that a home may be found for Baltiebefore the first week has come to an end. And here we are at Mr.Pringle's. Raulsbury I shall have to ask you to get out here," addedMr. Stuyvesant, as he, himself, sprang from the depot wagon to thesidewalk.

  Raulsbury made no reply but stepped to the sidewalk, where, at aslight signal from Hadyn Stuyvesant, an officer of the Society who hadhis office in the livery stable came forward and motioned to Raulsburyto follow him. As they disappeared within the stable, Mr. Stuyvesantsaid to the proprietor:

  "Pringle, I've got a boarder for you. Don't know just how long he willstay, but remember, nothing is too good for him while he does, for heis this little girl's protege, and I hold myself responsible for him."

  "All right, Mr. Stuyvesant. All right, sir. He shall have the best thestable affords. Come on, old stager; you look as if you wanted acurry-comb and a feed pretty bad," said Pringle, as he untied Baltie'shalter. With all the gentleness of the blue-blooded old fellow he was,Baltie raised his mud-splashed head, sniffed at Mr. Pringle's coat andnickered softly, as though acknowledging his proffered hospitality.The man stroked the muddy neck encouragingly, as he said:

  "He don't look much as he did eighteen years ago, does he, Mr.Stuyvesant?"

  "I'm afraid I don't remember how he looked eighteen years ago,Pringle; there wasn't much of me to remember _with_ about that time.But I remember how he looked _eight_ years ago, before I went toEurope, and the contrast is enough to stir me up considerable. It'sabout time such conditions were made impossible, and I'm going to seewhat I can do to start a move in that direction," concluded Mr.Stuyvesant, with an ominous nod toward the stable door, through whichRaulsbury had disappeared.

  "I'm glad to hear it, sir. We have had too much of this sort of thingin Riveredge for the past few years. I've been saying the Societyneeded a _live_ president and I'm glad it's got one at last."

  "Well, look out for old Baltie, and now I must take my littlefellow-worker home," said Mr. Stuyvesant.

  "Oh, may I give him just _one_ pat before we go?" begged Jean, lookingfrom Baltie to Mr. Stuyvesant.

  "Lead him up beside us, Pringle," ordered Mr. Stuyvesant smiling hisconsent to Jean.

  "Good-bye Baltie, dear. Good-bye. I won't forget you for a singleminute; no, not for one," said the little girl earnestly, hugging themuddy old head and implanting a kiss upon the ear nearest her.

  "Baltie you are to be envied, old fellow," said Hadyn Stuyvesant,laughing softly, and nodding significantly to Pringle. "She was hisfirst friend in his misery. I'll tell you about it later, but I mustbe off now or her family will have me up for a kidnapper. I'll be backin about an hour."

  Ten minutes' swift bowling along behind Hadyn Stuyvesant's beautiful"Comet" brought them to the Carruth home. Dusk was already beginningto fall as the short autumn day drew to its end, and Mrs.Carruth,--mother above all other things--stood at the window watchingfor this youngest daughter, regarding whom she never felt quite atease when that young lady was out of her sight. When she saw acarriage turning in at her driveway and that same daughter perchedupon the front seat beside a total stranger she began to believe thatthere had been some foundation for the misgivings which had made herso restless for the past hour. Opening the door she stepped out uponthe piazza to meet the runaway, and was greeted with:

  "Oh mother, mother, I've had such an exciting experience! I started tosee Amy Fletcher, but before I got there I found him in the ditch andlame and muddy and dirty, and I went up to tell Jabe he _must_ go gethim out and then I got awful angry and banged him with my umbrella,and then I cried and _he_ found me," with a nod toward her companion,"and he got him out of the ditch and gave Jabe _such_ a scolding andtook him to Mr. Pringle's and he's going to curry-comb him and get themud all off of him and take care of him a week any way, and two weeksif I've got enough money in my bank and--and--"

  "Mercy! mercy! mercy!" cried Mrs. Carruth, breaking into a laugh andraising both hands as though to shield her head from the avalanche ofwords descending upon it. Hadyn Stuyvesant strove manfully to keep hiscountenance lest he wound the feelings of his little companion, butthe situation was too much for him and his genial laugh echoed Mrs.Carruth's as he sprang from the depot wagon and raising his armstoward the surprised child said:

  "Let me lift you out little maid, and then I think perhaps you cangive your mother a clearer idea as to whether it is Jabe Raulsbury, orold Baltie which is covered with mud and about to be curry-combed.Mrs. Carruth, let me introduce myself as Hadyn Stuyvesant. I knew yournephew when I was at college, and on the strength of my friendship forhim, must beg you to pardon this intrusion. I came upon your littledaughter not long since playing the part of the Good Samaritan toRaulsbury's poor old horse. She had tackled a job just a little toobig for her, so I volunteered to lend a hand, and together we made itgo."

  As he spoke Hadyn Stuyvesant removed his hat and ascended the piazzasteps with hand outstretched to the
sweet-faced woman who stood at thetop. She took the extended hand, her face lighting with the winningsmile which carried sunshine to all who knew her, and in the presentinstance fell with wonderful warmth upon the man before her, forbarely a year had passed since his mother had been laid away in abeautiful cemetery in Switzerland, and the tie between that mother andson had been a singularly tender one.

  "I have often heard my nephew speak of you, Mr. Stuyvesant, and cannot think of you as a stranger. I regret that we have not met before,but I understand you have lived abroad for several years. I amindebted to you for bringing Jean safely home, but quite at a loss tounderstand what has happened. Please come in and tell me. Will yourhorse stand?"

  "He will stand as long as I wish him to. But I fear I shall intrudeupon you?" and a questioning tone came into his voice.

  "How could it be an intrusion under the circumstances? Come."

  "In a moment, then. I must throw the blanket over Comet," and runningdown the steps he took the blanket from the seat and quickly buckledit upon the horse which meanwhile nosed him and nickered.

  "Yes; it's all right, old man. Just you _stand_ till I want you," saidhis master, giving the pretty head an affectionate pat which the horseacknowledged by shaking it up and down two or three times. HadynStuyvesant then mounted the steps once more and followed Mrs. Carruthand Jean into the house, across the broad hall into the cheerfulliving-room where logs blazed upon the andirons in the fire-place, andConstance was just lighting a large reading lamp which stood upon atable in the center of the room.

  "Constance, dear, this is Mr. Stuyvesant whom your cousin knew atPrinceton. My daughter, Constance, Mr. Stuyvesant. And this is myeldest daughter, Eleanor," she added as Eleanor entered the room.Constance set the lamp shade upon its rest and advanced toward theirguest with hand extended and a smile which was the perfect reflectionof her mother's. Eleanor's greeting although graceful and dignifiedlacked her sister's cordiality.

  "Now," added Mrs. Carruth, "let us be seated and learn more definitelyof Jean's escapade."

  "But it _wasn't_ an escapade _this_ time, mother. It was just anunhelpable experience, _wasn't_ it, Mr. Stuyvesant?" broke in Jean,walking over to Hadyn Stuyvesant's side and placing her handconfidingly upon his shoulder, as she peered into his kind eyes forhis corroboration of this assertion.

  "_Entirely_ 'unhelpable,'" was the positive assurance as he put hisarm about her and drew her upon his knee. "Suppose you let me explainit, and then your mother and sisters will understand the situationfully," and in as few words as possible he gave an account of thehappenings of the past two hours, Jean now and again prompting himwhen he went a trifle astray regarding the incidents which occurredprior to his appearance upon the scene, and making a clean breast ofher attack upon Jabe Raulsbury. When _that_ point in the narration wasreached Mrs. Carruth let her hands drop resignedly into her lap;Constance laughed outright, and Eleanor cried: "Oh, Mr. Stuyvesant,what _must_ you think of Jean's training?"

  Jean's eyes were fixed upon his as though in his reply rested theverdict, and her fingers were clasped and unclasped nervously. It hadbeen more than two years since a man had set judgment upon her. HadynStuyvesant looked keenly into the big eyes looking so bravely andfrankly into his own, drew the little girl close to him, rested hislips for a moment upon the silky curls and said:

  "Sometimes we can hardly be held accountable for what we do;especially when our sense of justice is sorely taxed. I believe Ishould have done the same. But since you love horses so dearly, won'tyou run and give Comet a lump of sugar? He has not had one to-day andwill feel slighted unless he gets it. Hold it upon the palm of yourhand and he will take it as gently as a kitten. Tell him I am comingright away," and placing Jean upon the floor, he gave an encouragingpat upon the brown curls.

  "I'll give it to him right away, quick," she cried delightedly as sheran from the room.

  "Good!" Then rising he extended his hand, saying, as he clasped Mrs.Carruth's:

  "She is a little trump, Mrs. Carruth. Jove! if you could have beenthere and seen her championship of that old horse, and her dauntlesscourage when that old rascal, Jabe, bore down upon her, you would beso set up that this house would have to expand to hold you. Pleasedon't reprove her. I ask it as favor, although I have no right to doso. She has a fine spirit and a finer sense of duty, Mrs. Carruth, forshe gave me a rare call-down when I tested it by hinting that she'dbest keep mum on the subject if she was likely to come in for awigging. She is a great little lassie and I am going to ask you to letme know her better."

  "Jean is about right, _I_ think, Mr. Stuyvesant," said Constance, asshe shook hands good-bye. "She is peppery and impulsive, I know, butit would be a hard matter to make her tell an untruth, or go againstwhat she considered her duty."

  "I'm _sure_ of it, Miss Constance," was the hearty answer. "And nowgood-bye. You will let me come again, Mrs. Carruth?"

  "We will be very pleased to welcome you," was the cordial reply.

  "Good! I'll come."