CHAPTER TEN
THE P.C. AND P.O.
As spring came on, a new set of amusements became the fashion, and the
lengthening days gave long afternoons for work and play of all sorts. The
garden had to be put in order, and each sister had a quarter of the little plot
to do what she liked with. Hannah used to say, “I’d know which each of
them gardings belonged to, ef I see ’em in Chiny,” and so she might, for the
girls’ tastes differed as much as their characters. Meg’s had roses and
heliotrope, myrtle, and a little orange tree in it. Jo’s bed was never alike two
seasons, for she was always trying experiments. This year it was to be a
plantation of sun flowers, the seeds of which cheerful and aspiring plant
were to feed Aunt Cockle-top and her family of chicks. Beth had old-
fashioned fragrant flowers in her garden, sweet peas and mignonette,
larkspur, pinks, pansies, and southernwood, with chickweed for the birds
and catnip for the pussies. Amy had a bower in hers, rather small and
earwiggy, but very pretty to look at, with honeysuckle and morning-glories
hanging their colored horns and bells in graceful wreaths all over it, tall
white lilies, delicate ferns, and as many brilliant, picturesque plants as
would consent to blossom there.
Gardening, walks, rows on the river, and flower hunts employed the fine
days, and for rainy ones, they had house diversions, some old, some new,
all more or less original. One of these was the ‘P.C.’, for as secret societies
were the fashion, it was thought proper to have one, and as all of the girls
admired Dickens, they called themselves the Pickwick Club. With a few
interruptions, they had kept this up for a year, and met every Saturday
evening in the big garret, on which occasions the ceremonies were as
follows: Three chairs were arranged in a row before a table on which was a
lamp, also four white badges, with a big ‘P.C.’ in different colors on each,
and the weekly newspaper called, The Pickwick Portfolio, to which all
contributed something, while Jo, who reveled in pens and ink, was the
editor. At seven o’clock, the four members ascended to the clubroom, tied
their badges round their heads, and took their seats with great solemnity.
Meg, as the eldest, was Samuel Pickwick, Jo, being of a literary turn,
Augustus Snodgrass, Beth, because she was round and rosy, Tracy Tupman,
and Amy, who was always trying to do what she couldn’t, was Nathaniel
Winkle. Pickwick, the president, read the paper, which was filled with
original tales, poetry, local news, funny advertisements, and hints, in which
they good-naturedly reminded each other of their faults and short comings.
On one occasion, Mr. Pickwick put on a pair of spectacles without any
glass, rapped upon the table, hemmed, and having stared hard at Mr.
Snodgrass, who was tilting back in his chair, till he arranged himself
properly, began to read:
“THE PICKWICK PORTFOLIO”
MAY 20, 18—
POET’S CORNER
ANNIVERSARY ODE
Again we meet to celebrate
With badge and solemn rite,
Our fifty-second anniversary,
In Pickwick Hall, tonight.
We all are here in perfect health,
None gone from our small band:
Again we see each well-known face,
And press each friendly hand.
Our Pickwick, always at his post,
With reverence we greet,
As, spectacles on nose, he reads
Our well-filled weekly sheet.
Although he suffers from a cold,
We joy to hear him speak,
For words of wisdom from him fall,
In spite of croak or squeak.
Old six-foot Snodgrass looms on high,
With elephantine grace,
And beams upon the company,
With brown and jovial face.
Poetic fire lights up his eye,
He struggles ’gainst his lot.
Behold ambition on his brow,
And on his nose, a blot.
Next our peaceful Tupman comes,
So rosy, plump, and sweet,
Who chokes with laughter at the puns,
And tumbles off his seat.
Prim little Winkle too is here,
With every hair in place,
A model of propriety,
Though he hates to wash his face.
The year is gone, we still unite
To joke and laugh and read,
And tread the path of literature
That doth to glory lead.
Long may our paper prosper well,
Our club unbroken be,
And coming years their blessings pour
On the useful, gay ‘P. C.’.
A. SNODGRASS
THE MASKED MARRIAGE
(A Tale Of Venice)
Gondola after gondola swept up to the marble steps, and left its lovely
load to swell the brilliant throng that filled the stately halls of Count
Adelon. Knights and ladies, elves and pages, monks and flower girls, all
mingled gaily in the dance. Sweet voices and rich melody filled the air, and
so with mirth and music the masquerade went on. “Has your Highness seen
the Lady Viola tonight?” asked a gallant troubadour of the fairy queen who
floated down the hall upon his arm.
“Yes, is she not lovely, though so sad! Her dress is well chosen, too, for
in a week she weds Count Antonio, whom she passionately hates.”
“By my faith, I envy him. Yonder he comes, arrayed like a bridegroom,
except the black mask. When that is off we shall see how he regards the fair
maid whose heart he cannot win, though her stern father bestows her hand,”
returned the troubadour.
“Tis whispered that she loves the young English artist who haunts her
steps, and is spurned by the old Count,” said the lady, as they joined the
dance. The revel was at its height when a priest appeared, and withdrawing
the young pair to an alcove, hung with purple velvet, he motioned them to
kneel. Instant silence fell on the gay throng, and not a sound, but the dash of
fountains or the rustle of orange groves sleeping in the moonlight, broke the
hush, as Count de Adelon spoke thus:
“My lords and ladies, pardon the ruse by which I have gathered you here
to witness the marriage of my daughter. Father, we wait your services.” All
eyes turned toward the bridal party, and a murmur of amazement went
through the throng, for neither bride nor groom removed their masks.
Curiosity and wonder possessed all hearts, but respect restrained all tongues
till the holy rite was over. Then the eager spectators gathered round the
count, demanding an explanation.
“Gladly would I give it if I could, but I only know that it was the whim of
my timid Viola, and I yielded to it. Now, my children, let the play end.
Unmask and receive my blessing.”
But neither bent the knee, for the young bridegroom replied in a tone that
startled all listeners as the mask fell, disclosing the noble face of Ferdinand
Devereux, the artist lover, and leaning on the breast where now flashed the
star of an English earl was the lovely Viola, radiant with joy and beauty.
“My lord, you scornfully bade me claim your daughter when I could
boast as high a name and vast a fortune as the Count Antonio. I can do
more, for even your ambitious soul cannot refuse the Earl of Devereux and
De Vere, when he gives his ancient name and boundless wealth in return for
the beloved hand of this fair lady, now my wife.”
The count stood like one changed to stone, and turning to the bewildered
crowd, Ferdinand added, with a gay smile of triumph, “To you, my gallant
friends, I can only wish that your wooing may prosper as mine has done,
and that you may all win as fair a bride as I have by this masked marriage.”
S. PICKWICK
Why is the P. C. like the Tower of Babel?
It is full of unruly members.
THE HISTORY OF A SQUASH
Once upon a time a farmer planted a little seed in his garden,
and after a while it sprouted and became a vine and bore
many squashes. One day in October, when they were ripe, he
picked one and took it to market. A grocerman bought and
put it in his shop. That same morning, a little girl in a brown
hat and blue dress, with a round face and snub nose, went
and bought it for her mother. She lugged it home, cut it up,
and boiled it in the big pot, mashed some of it with salt and
butter, for dinner. And to the rest she added a pint of milk,
two eggs, four spoons of sugar, nutmeg, and some crackers,
put it in a deep dish, and baked it till it was brown and nice,
and next day it was eaten by a family named March.
T. TUPMAN
Mr. Pickwick, Sir:—
I address you upon the subject of sin the sinner I mean is a
man named Winkle who makes trouble in his club by
laughing and sometimes won’t write his piece in this fine
paper I hope you will pardon his badness and let him send a
French fable because he can’t write out of his head as he has
so many lessons to do and no brains in future I will try to
take time by the fetlock and prepare some work which will
be all commy la fo that means all right I am in haste as it is
nearly school time.
Yours respectably,
N. WINKLE
[The above is a manly and handsome acknowledgment of
past misdemeanors. If our young friend studied punctuation,
it would be well.]
A SAD ACCIDENT
On Friday last, we were startled by a violent shock in our
basement, followed by cries of distress. On rushing in a
body to the cellar, we discovered our beloved President
prostrate upon the floor, having tripped and fallen while
getting wood for domestic purposes. A perfect scene of ruin
met our eyes, for in his fall Mr. Pickwick had plunged his
head and shoulders into a tub of water, upset a keg of soft
soap upon his manly form, and torn his garments badly. On
being removed from this perilous situation, it was
discovered that he had suffered no injury but several bruises,
and we are happy to add, is now doing well.
ED.
THE PUBLIC BEREAVEMENT
It is our painful duty to record the sudden and mysterious
disappearance of our cherished friend, Mrs. Snowball Pat
Paw. This lovely and beloved cat was the pet of a large circle
of warm and admiring friends; for her beauty attracted all
eyes, her graces and virtues endeared her to all hearts, and
her loss is deeply felt by the whole community.
When last seen, she was sitting at the gate, watching the
butcher’s cart, and it is feared that some villain, tempted by
her charms, basely stole her. Weeks have passed, but no
trace of her has been discovered, and we relinquish all hope,
tie a black ribbon to her basket, set aside her dish, and weep
for her as one lost to us forever.
A sympathizing friend sends the following gem:
A LAMENT
FOR S. B. PAT PAW
We mourn the loss of our little pet,
And sigh o’er her hapless fate,
For never more by the fire she’ll sit,
Nor play by the old green gate.
The little grave where her infant sleeps
Is ’neath the chestnut tree.
But o’er her grave we may not weep,
We know not where it may be.
Her empty bed, her idle ball,
Will never see her more;
No gentle tap, no loving purr
Is heard at the parlor door.
Another cat comes after her mice,
A cat with a dirty face,
But she does not hunt as our darling did,
Nor play with her airy grace.
Her stealthy paws tread the very hall
Where Snowball used to play,
But she only spits at the dogs our pet
So gallantly drove away.
She is useful and mild, and does her best,
But she is not fair to see,
And we cannot give her your place dear,
Nor worship her as we worship thee.
A.S.
ADVERTISEMENTS
MISS ORANTHY BLUGGAGE, the accomplished strong-minded
lecturer, will deliver her famous lecture on “WOMAN AND
HER POSITION” at Pickwick Hall, next Saturday Evening,
after the usual performances.
A WEEKLY MEETING will be held at Kitchen Place, to teach
young ladies how to cook. Hannah Brown will preside, and
all are invited to attend.
THE DUSTPAN SOCIETY will meet on Wednesday next, and
parade in the upper story of the Club House. All members to
appear in uniform and shoulder their brooms at nine
precisely.
MRS. BETH BOUNCER will open her new assortment of Doll’s
Millinery next week. The latest Paris fashions have arrived,
and orders are respectfully solicited.
A NEW PLAY will appear at the Barnville Theatre, in the
course of a few weeks, which will surpass anything ever
seen on the American stage. “THE GREEK SLAVE, or
Constantine the Avenger,” is the name of this thrilling
drama!!!
HINTS
If S.P. didn’t use so much soap on his hands, he wouldn’t
always be late at breakfast. A.S. is requested not to whistle
in the street. T.T. please don’t forget Amy’s napkin. N.W.
must not fret because his dress has not nine tucks.
WEEKLY REPORT
Meg—Good.
Jo—Bad.
Beth—Very Good.
Amy—Middling.
As the President finished reading the paper (which I beg leave to assure
my readers is a bona fide copy of one written by bona fide girls once upon a
time), a round of applause followed, and then Mr. Snodgrass rose to make a
proposition.
“Mr. President and gentlemen,” he began, assuming a parliamentary
attitude and tone, “I wish to propose the admission of a new member—one
who highly deserves the honor, would be deeply grateful for it, and would
add immensely to the spirit of the club, the literary value of the paper, and
be no end jolly and nice. I propose Mr. Theodore Laurence as an honorary
member of the P. C. Come now, do have him.”
Jo’s sudden change of tone made the girls laugh, but all looked rather
anxious, and no one said a word as Snodgrass took his seat.
“We’ll put it to a vote,” said the President. “All in favor of this motion
please to manifest it by saying, ‘Aye’.”
A loud response from Snodgrass, followed, to everybody’s surprise, by a
timid one from Beth.
“Contrary-minded say, ‘No’.”
Meg and Amy were contrary-minded, and Mr. Winkle rose to say with
great elegance, “We don’t wish any boys, they only joke and bounce about.
This is a ladies’ club, and we wish to be private and proper.”
“I’m afraid he’ll laugh at our paper, and make fun of us afterward,”
observed Pickwick, pulling the little curl on her forehead, as she always did
when doubtful.
Up rose Snodgrass, very much in earnest. “Sir, I give you my word as a
gentleman, Laurie won’t do anything of the sort. He likes to write, and he’ll
give a tone to our contributions and keep us from being sentimental, don’t
you see? We can do so little for him, and he does so much for us, I think the
least we can do is to offer him a place here, and make him welcome if he
comes.”
This artful allusion to benefits conferred brought Tupman to his feet,
looking as if he had quite made up his mind.
“Yes; we ought to do it, even if we are afraid. I say he may come, and his
grandpa, too, if he likes.”
This spirited burst from Beth electrified the club, and Jo left her seat to
shake hands approvingly. “Now then, vote again. Everybody remember it’s
our Laurie, and say, ‘Aye!’” cried Snodgrass excitedly.
“Aye! Aye! Aye!” replied three voices at once.
“Good! Bless you! Now, as there’s nothing like ‘taking time by the
fetlock’, as Winkle characteristically observes, allow me to present the new
member.” And, to the dismay of the rest of the club, Jo threw open the door
of the closet, and displayed Laurie sitting on a rag bag, flushed and
twinkling with suppressed laughter.
“You rogue! You traitor! Jo, how could you?” cried the three girls, as
Snodgrass led her friend triumphantly forth, and producing both a chair and
a badge, installed him in a jiffy.
“The coolness of you two rascals is amazing,” began Mr. Pickwick,
trying to get up an awful frown and only succeeding in producing an
amiable smile. But the new member was equal to the occasion, and rising,
with a grateful salutation to the Chair, said in the most engaging manner,
“Mr. President and ladies—I beg pardon, gentlemen—allow me to
introduce myself as Sam Weller, the very humble servant of the club.”
“Good! Good!” cried Jo, pounding with the handle of the old warming
pan on which she leaned.
“My faithful friend and noble patron,” continued Laurie with a wave of
the hand, “who has so flatteringly presented me, is not to be blamed for the
base stratagem of tonight. I planned it, and she only gave in after lots of
teasing.”
“Come now, don’t lay it all on yourself. You know I proposed the
cupboard,” broke in Snodgrass, who was enjoying the joke amazingly.
“Never mind what she says. I’m the wretch that did it, sir,” said the new
member, with a Welleresque nod to Mr. Pickwick. “But on my honor, I
never will do so again, and henceforth devote myself to the interest of this
immortal club.”
“Hear! Hear!” cried Jo, clashing the lid of the warming pan like a
cymbal.
“Go on, go on!” added Winkle and Tupman, while the President bowed
benignly.
“I merely wish to say, that as a slight token of my gratitude for the honor
done me, and as a means of promoting friendly relations between adjoining
nations, I have set up a post office in the hedge in the lower corner of the
garden, a fine, spacious building with padlocks on the doors and every
convenience for the mails, also the females, if I may be allowed the
expression. It’s the old martin house, but I’ve stopped up the door and made
the roof open, so it will hold all sorts of things, and save our valuable time.
Letters, manuscripts, books, and bundles can be passed in there, and as each
nation has a key, it will be uncommonly nice, I fancy. Allow me to present
the club key, and with many thanks for your favor, take my seat.”
Great applause as Mr. Weller deposited a little key on the table and
subsided, the warming pan clashed and waved wildly, and it was some time
before order could be restored. A long discussion followed, and everyone
came out surprising, for everyone did her best. So it was an unusually lively
meeting, and did not adjourn till a late hour, when it broke up with three
shrill cheers for the new member.
No one ever regretted the admittance of Sam Weller, for a more devoted,
well-behaved, and jovial member no club could have. He certainly did add
‘spirit’ to the meetings, and ‘a tone’ to the paper, for his orations convulsed
his hearers and his contributions were excellent, being patriotic, classical,
comical, or dramatic, but never sentimental. Jo regarded them as worthy of
Bacon, Milton, or Shakespeare, and remodeled her own works with good
effect, she thought.
The P. O. was a capital little institution, and flourished wonderfully, for
nearly as many queer things passed through it as through the real post
office. Tragedies and cravats, poetry and pickles, garden seeds and long
letters, music and gingerbread, rubbers, invitations, scoldings, and puppies.
The old gentleman liked the fun, and amused himself by sending odd
bundles, mysterious messages, and funny telegrams, and his gardener, who
was smitten with Hannah’s charms, actually sent a love letter to Jo’s care.
How they laughed when the secret came out, never dreaming how many
love letters that little post office would hold in the years to come.
