第3章Chapter 3参议员乔治西尔维斯特布兰德可算是个成功的人物。他就出生在俄亥俄州，在哥伦比亚大学读过书。布兰德生的魁梧挺拔、相貌堂堂，如今已有五十二岁，却依然独身。此番回哥伦布来，是为自己的党派争取选举支持的。经历过许多的宦海浮沉，布兰德现在颇感到人生之无常和虚名之徒劳，因而对贫弱满怀着同情之心。礼拜六的下午，珍妮去布兰德房间里送还衣服。她怯生生地放下衣服就打算走，布兰德和蔼可亲地让她坐下，和她聊起她家里的情况。不知为何，珍妮的到来令布兰德心中顿生了一种愉悦的感觉，不禁想让她多留一会儿。这个女孩子褴褛的衣衫丝毫不能阻挡美在她身上流淌，而她那种无比羡慕的、惊异的神情更是令他为之动容。过了一会儿，他看似乎实在没有什么理由可以把她留住，便起身从口袋里抽出一张钞票递给了珍妮。面对这个大人物和他奢华的生活，珍妮被他的慷慨和富有同情心深深感动，此刻她的心情是激动的，竟都不曾想起去看看手中到底拿了多少钱。回家把钱给母亲时才发现布兰德居然给了她们十块钱。吉老太更是禁不住一个劲儿地赞美着这位慷慨的好人。此后珍妮便常常去给布兰德送还洗好的衣服，也渐渐地和他熟了起来，不再那么拘谨了。布兰德更是打心眼里喜欢这位纯朴美丽的少女。看到她贫穷的生活，布兰德总想好好地帮助一下她，但又怕伤害到姑娘的自尊。他还十分想要去珍妮的家里拜访，看看她家的境况。但是出于种种顾虑，这个计划还是被搁在了一边。
圣诞节礼物好景不长，布兰德有事离开哥伦布回华盛顿去了，这时珍妮家里又陷入了经济危机。转眼圣诞节到了，家里的状况一筹莫展，更别提给孩子们一些像样的圣诞节礼物了。一想到这些，吉哈德老汉心中就愁苦不堪。圣诞节那天，珍妮和哥哥巴斯带着几个弟弟妹妹出去捡煤，在回家的路上却碰上了正从华盛顿回来的布兰德议员。珍妮觉得让布兰德看到自己窘迫到这个地步实在是羞愧难言，便一溜烟跑回了家。布兰德在后面使劲地喊了几声珍妮！她都没有停步。布兰德便悄悄跟在他们身后，他远远望着珍妮家低矮的屋子和昏黄的灯光，心中颇不是滋味，于是到城里最好的杂货店订了一整套丰富的圣诞节礼物，包括圣诞树、各种美食、礼物和衣服，嘱咐店员送到吉哈德家里。吉哈德夫妇看到这么好的礼物从天而降，激动万分，简直不敢相信自己的眼睛。一家人欢天喜地地度过了圣诞节。至于这位慷慨的人物是谁，吉老太和珍妮心中已经猜到了几分。he junior Senator, George Sylvester Brander, was a man of peculiar mould. In him there were joined, to a remarkable degree, the wisdom of the opportunist and the sympathetic nature of the true representative of the people. Born a native of southern Ohio, he had been raised and educated there, if one might except the two years in which he had studied law at Columbia University. He knew common and criminal law, perhaps, as well as any citizen of his State, but he had never practised with that assiduity which makes for pre-eminent success at the bar. He had made money, and had had splendid opportunities to make a great deal more if he had been willing to stultify his conscience, but that he had never been able to do. And yet his integrity had not been at all times proof against the claims of friendship. Only in the last presidential election he had thrown his support to a man for Governor who, he well knew, had no claim which strictly honourable conscience could have recognised.In the same way, he had been guilty of some very questionable, and one or two actually unsavory, appointments. Whenever his conscience pricked him too keenly he would endeavour to hearten himself with his pet phrase, All in a lifetime. Thinking over things quite alone in his easy-chair, he would sometimes rise up with these words on his lips, and smile sheepishly as he did so. Conscience was not by any means dead in him. His sympathies, if anything, were keener than ever.This man, three times Congressman from the district of which Columbus was a part, and twice United States Senator, had never married. In his youth he had had a serious love affair, but there was nothing discreditable to him in the fact that it came to nothing. The lady found it inconvenient to wait for him. He was too long in earning a competence upon which they might subsist.Tall, straight-shouldered, neither lean nor stout, he was today an imposing figure. Having received his hard knocks and endured his losses, there was that about him which touched and awakened the sympathies of the imaginative. People thought him naturally agreeable, and his senatorial peers looked upon him as not any too heavy mentally, but personally a fine man.His presence in Columbus at this particular time was due to the fact that his political fences needed careful repairing. The general election had weakened his party in the State Legislature. There were enough votes to re-elect him, but it would require the most careful political manipulation to hold them together. Other men were ambitious. There were a half-dozen available candidates, any one of whom would have rejoiced to step into his shoes. He realised the exigencies of the occasion. They could not well beat him, he thought; but even if this should happen, surely the President could be induced to give him a ministry abroad.Yes, he might be called a successful man, but for all that Senator Brander felt that he had missed something. He had wanted to do so many things. Here he was, fifty-two years of age, clean, honourable, highly distinguished, as the world takes it, but single. He could not help looking about him now and then and speculating upon the fact that he had no one to care for him. His chamber seemed strangely hollow at timeshis own personality exceedingly disagreeable.Fifty! he often thought to himself. Aloneabsolutely alone.Sitting in his chamber that Saturday afternoon, a rap at his door aroused him. He had been speculating upon the futility of his political energy in the light of the impermanence of life and fame.What a great fight we make to sustain ourselves? he thought. How little difference it will make to me a few years hence?He arose, and opening wide his door, perceived Jennie. She had come, as she had suggested to her mother, at this time, instead of on Monday, in order to give a more favourable impression of promptness.Come right in, said the Senator; and, as on the first occasion, he graciously made way for her.Jennie passed in, momentarily expecting some compliment upon the promptitude with which the washing had been done. The Senator never noticed it at all.Well, my young lady, he said when she had put the bundle down, how do you find yourself this evening?Very well, replied Jennie. We thought wed better bring your clothes today instead of Monday.Oh, that would not have made any difference, replied Brander lightly. Just leave them on the chair.Jennie, without considering the fact that she had been offered no payment for the service rendered, was about to retire, had not the Senator detained her.How is your mother? he asked pleasantly.Shes very well, said Jennie simply.And your little sister? Is she any better?The doctor thinks so, she replied.Sit down, he continued graciously. I want to talk to you.Moving to a near-by chair, the young girl seated herself.Hem! he went on, clearing his throat lightly. What seems to be the matter with her?She has the measles, returned Jennie. We thought once that she was going to die.Brander studied her face as she said this, and he thought he saw something exceedingly pathetic there. The girls poor clothes and her wondering admiration for his exalted station in life affected him. It made him feel almost ashamed of the comfort and luxury that surrounded him. How high up he was in the world, indeed!I am glad she is better now, he said kindly. How old is your father?Fifty-seven.And is he any better?Oh yes, sir; hes around now, although he cant go out just yet.I believe your mother said he was a glass-blower by trade?Yes, sir.Brander well knew the depressed local conditions in this branch of manufacture. It had been part of the political issue in the last campaign. They must be in a bad way truly.Do all of the children go to school? he inquired.Why, yes, sir, returned Jennie, stammering. She was too shamefaced to own that one of the children had been obliged to leave school for the lack of shoes. The utterance of the falsehood troubled her.He reflected awhile; then realising that he had no good excuse for further detaining her, he arose and came over to her. From his pocket he took a thin layer of bills, and removing one, handed it to her.You take that, he said, and tell your mother that I said she should use it for whatever she wants.Jennie accepted the money with mingled feelings; it did not occur to her to look and see how much it was. The great man was so near her, the wonderful chamber in which he dwelt so impressive, that she scarcely realised what she was doing.Thank you, she said. Is there any day you want your washing called for? she added.Oh yes, he answered; MondayMonday evenings.She went away, and in a half reverie he closed the door behind her. The interest that he felt in these people was unusual. Poverty and beauty certainly made up an affecting combination. He sat down in his chair and gave himself over to the pleasant speculations which her coming had aroused. Why should he not help them?Ill find out where they live, he finally resolved.In the days that followed Jennie regularly came for the clothes. Senator Brander found himself more and more interested in her, and in time he managed to remove from her mind that timidity and fear which had made her feel uncomfortable in his presence. One thing which helped toward this was his calling her by her first name. This began with her third visit, and thereafter he used it with almost unconscious frequency.It could scarcely be said that he did this in a fatherly spirit, for he had little of that attitude toward any one. He felt exceedingly young as he talked to this girl, and he often wondered whether it were not possible for her to perceive and appreciate him on his youthful side.As for Jennie, she was immensely taken with the comfort and luxury surrounding this man, and subconsciously with the man himself, the most attractive she had ever known. Everything he had was fine, everything he did was gentle, distinguished, and considerate. From some far source, perhaps some old German ancestors, she had inherited an understanding and appreciation of all this. Life ought to be lived as he lived it; the privilege of being generous particularly appealed to her.Part of her attitude was due to that of her mother, in whose mind sympathy was always a more potent factor than reason. For instance, when she brought to her the ten dollars Mrs. Gerhardt was transported with joy.Oh, said Jennie, I didnt know until I got outside that it was so much. He said I should give it to you.Mrs. Gerhardt took it, and holding it loosely in her folded hands, saw distinctly before her the tall Senator with his fine manners.What a fine man he is! she said. He has a good heart.Frequently throughout the evening and the next day Mrs. Gerhardt commented upon this wonderful treasure-trove, repeating again and again how good he must be or how large must be his heart. When it came to washing his clothes she almost rubbed them to pieces, feeling that whatever she did she could scarcely do enough. Gerhardt was not to know. He had such stern views about accepting money without earning it that even in their distress, she would have experienced some difficulty in getting him to take it. Consequently she said nothing, but used it to buy bread and meat, and going as it did such a little way, the sudden windfall was never noticed.Jennie from now on, reflected this attitude toward the Senator, and, feeling so grateful toward him, she began to talk more freely. They came to be on such good terms that he gave her a little leather picture-case from his dresser which he had observed her admiring. Every time she came he found excuse to detain her, and soon discovered that, for all her soft girlishness, there lay deep-seated in her a conscious deprecation of poverty and a shame of having to own any need. He honestly admired her for this, and, seeing that her clothes were poor and her shoes worn, he began to wonder how he could help her without offending.Not infrequently he thought to follow her some evening, and see for himself what the condition of the family might be. He was a United States Senator, however. The neighbourhood they lived in must be very poor. He stopped to consider, and for the time the counsels of prudence prevailed. Consequently the contemplated visit was put off.Early in December, Senator Brander returned to Washington for three weeks, and both Mrs. Gerhardt and Jennie were surprised to learn one day that he had gone. Never had he given them less than two dollars a week for his washing, and several times it had been five. He had not realised, perhaps, what a breach his absence would make in their finances. But there was nothing to do about it; they managed to pinch along. Gerhardt, now better, searched for work at the various mills, and finding nothing, procured a saw-buck and saw, and going from door to door, sought for the privilege of sawing wood. There was not a great deal of this to do, but he managed by the most earnest labour to earn two, and sometimes three, dollars a week. This added to what his wife earned and what Sebastian gave was enough to keep bread in their mouths, but scarcely more.It was at the opening of the joyous Christmas-time that the bitterness of their poverty affected them most. The Germans love to make a great display at Christmas. It is the one season of the year when the fullness of their large family affection manifests itself. Warm in the appreciation of the joys of childhood, they love to see the little ones enjoy their toys and games. Father Gerhardt at his saw-buck during the weeks before Christmas thought of this very often. What would little Veronica not deserve after her long illness! How he would have liked to give each of the children a stout pair of shoes, the boys a warm cap, the girls a pretty hood. Toys and games and candy they always had had before. He hated to think of the snow-covered Christmas morning and no table richly piled with what their young hearts would most desire.As for Mrs. Gerhardt, one could better imagine than describe her feelings. She felt so keenly about it that she could hardly bring herself to speak of the dreaded hour to her husband. She had managed to lay aside three dollars in the hope of getting enough to buy a ton of coal, and so put an end to poor Georges daily pilgrimage to the coalyard, but now as the Christmas week drew near she decided to use it for gifts. Father Gerhardt was also secreting two dollars without the knowledge of his wife, thinking that on Christmas Eve he could produce it at a critical moment, and so relieve her maternal anxiety.When the actual time arrived, however, there was very little to be said for the comfort that they got out of the occasion. The whole city was rife with Christmas atmosphere. Grocery stores and meat markets were strung with holly. The toy shops and candy stores were radiant with fine displays of everything that a self-respecting Santa Claus should have about him. Both parents and children observed it allthe former with serious thoughts of need and anxiety, the latter with wild fancy and only partially suppressed longings.Frequently had Gerhardt said in their presence：Kriss Kringle is very poor this year. He hasnt so very much to give.But no child, however poverty-stricken, could be made to believe this. Every time after so saying he looked into their eyes, but in spite of the warning, expectation flamed in them undiminished.Christmas coming on Tuesday, the Monday before there was no school. Before going to the hotel Mrs. Gerhardt had cautioned George that he must bring enough coal from the yards to last over Christmas day. The latter went at once with his two younger sisters, but there being a dearth of good picking, it took them a long time to fill their baskets, and by night they had gathered only a scanty supply.Did you go for the coal? asked Mrs. Gerhardt the first thing when she returned from the hotel that evening.Yes, said George.Did you get enough for tomorrow?Yes, he replied, I guess so.Well, now, Ill go and look, she replied. Taking the lamp, they went out into the woodshed where the coal was deposited.Oh, my! she exclaimed when she saw it; why, that isnt near enough. You must go right off and get some more.Oh, said George, pouting his lips, I dont want to go. Let Bass go.Bass, who had returned promptly at a quarter-past six, was already busy in the back bedroom washing and dressing preparatory to going downtown.No, said Mrs. Gerhardt. Bass has worked hard all day. You must go.I dont want to, pouted George.All right, said Mrs. Gerhardt, maybe tomorrow youll be without a fire, and then what?They went back to the house, but Georges conscience was too troubled to allow him to consider the case as closed.Bass, you come too, he called to his elder brother when he was inside.Go where? said Bass.To get some coal.No, said the former, I guess not. What do you take me for?Well, then, Ill not, said George, with an obstinate jerk of his head.Why didnt you get it up this afternoon? questioned his brother sharply; youve had all day to do it.Aw, I did try, said George. We couldnt find enough. I cant get any when there aint any, can I?I guess you didnt try very hard, said the dandy.Whats the matter now? asked Jennie, who, coming in after having stopped at the grocers for her mother, saw George with a solemn pout on his face.Oh, Bass wont go with me to get any coal?Didnt you get any this afternoon?Yes, said George, but ma says I didnt get enough.Ill go with you, said his sister. Bass will you come along?No, said the young man, indifferently, I wont. He was adjusting his necktie and felt irritated.There aint any, said George, unless we get it off the cars. There wasnt any cars where I was.There are, too, exclaimed Bass.There aint, said George.Oh dont quarrel, said Jennie. Get the baskets and lets go right now before it gets too late.The other children, who had a fondness for their big sister got out the implements of supplyVeronica a basket, Martha and William buckets, and George a big clothes-basket, which he and Jennie were to fill and carry between them. Bass, moved by his sisters willingness and the little regard he still maintained for her, now made a suggestion.Ill tell you what you do, Jen, he said. You go over there with the kids to Eighth Street and wait around those cars. Ill be along in a minute. When I come by dont any of you pretend to know me. Just you say, Mister wont you please throw us some coal down? and then Ill get up on the cars and pitch off enough to fill the baskets. Dye understand?All right, said Jennie, very much pleased.Out into the snowy night they went, and made their way to the railroad tracks. At the intersection of the street and the broad railroad yard were many heavily laden cars of bituminous coal newly backed in. All of the children gathered within the shadow of one. While they were standing there, waiting the arrival of their brother, the Washington Special arrived, a long, fine train with several of the new style drawing-room cars, the big plate-glass windows shining and the passengers looking out from the depths of their comfortable chairs. The children instinctively drew back as it thundered past.Oh, wasnt it long? said George.Wouldnt I like to be a brakeman, though, sighed William.Jennie, alone, kept silent, but to her particularly the suggestion of travel and comfort had appealed. How beautiful life must be for the rich!Sebastian now appeared in the distance, a mannish spring in his stride, and with every evidence that he took himself seriously. He was of that peculiar stubbornness and determination that had the children failed to carry out his plan of procedure he would have gone deliberately by and refused to help them at all.Martha, however, took the situation as it needed to be taken, and piped out childishly, Mister, wont you please throw us down some coal?Sebastian stopped abruptly, and looked sharply at them as though he were really a stranger, exclaimed Why, certainly, and proceeded to climb up on the car, from whence he cast down with remarkable celerity more than enough chunks to fill their baskets. Then as though not caring to linger any longer amid such plebeian company, he hastened across the network of tracks and was lost to view.On their way home they encountered another gentleman, this time a real one, with high hat and distinguished cape coat, whom Jennie immediately recognised. This was the honourable Senator himself, newly returned from Washington, and anticipating a very unprofitable Christmas. He had arrived upon the express which had enlisted the attention of the children, and was carrying his light grip for the pleasure of it to the hotel. As he passed he thought that he recognised Jennie.Is that you, Jennie? he said, and paused to be more certain.The latter, who had discovered him even more quickly than he had her, exclaimed, Oh, there is Mr. Brander! Then, dropping her end of the basket, with a caution to the children to take it right home, she hurried away in the opposite direction.The Senator followed, vainly calling three or four times Jennie! Jennie! Losing hope of overtaking her, and suddenly recognising, and thereupon respecting, her simple, girlish shame, he stopped, and turning back, decided to follow the children. Again he felt that same sensation which he seemed always to get from this girl the far cry between her estate and his. It was something to be a Senator to-night, here where these children were picking coal. What could the joyous holiday of the morrow hold for them? He tramped along sympathetically, an honest lightness coming into his step, and soon he saw them enter the gateway of the low cottage. Crossing the street, he stood in the weak shade of the snow-laden trees. The light was burning with a yellow glow in a rear window. All about was the white snow. In the woodshed he could hear the voices of the children, and once he thought he detected the form of Mrs. Gerhardt. After a time another form came shadowlike through the side gate. He knew who it was. It touched him to the quick, and he bit his lip sharply to suppress any further show of emotion. Then he turned vigorously on his heel and walked away.The chief grocery of the city was conducted by one Manning, a stanch adherent of Brander, and one who felt honoured by the Senators acquaintance. To him at his busy desk came the Senator this same night.Manning, he said, could I get you to undertake a little work for me this evening?Why, certainly, Senator, certainly, said the grocery-man. When did you get back? Glad to see you. Certainly.I want you to get everything together that would make a nice Christmas for a family of eightfather and mother and six childrenChristmas tree, groceries, toysyou know what I mean.Certainly, certainly, Senator.Never mind the cost now. Send plenty of everything. Ill give you the address, and he picked up a note-book to write it.Why, Ill be delighted, Senator, went on Mr. Manning, rather affected himself. Ill be delighted. You always were generous.Here you are, Manning, said the Senator, grimly, from the mere necessity of preserving his senatorial dignity. Send everything at once, and the bill to me.Ill be delighted, was all the astonished and approving grocery-man could say.The Senator passed out, but remembering the old people, visited a clothier and shoe man, and, finding that he could only guess at what sizes might be required, ordered the several articles with the privilege of exchange. When his labours were over, he returned to his room.Carrying coal, he thought, over and over. Really, it was very thoughtless in me. I mustnt forget them any more.??
??
??
??
JennieGerhardt
Chapter3
22
23
購物車/收銀台(
0
) | 在線留言板
| 付款方式
| 聯絡我們
| 運費計算
| 幫助中心 |
加入書簽
HOME
新書上架
