Tempest and Sunshine | Page 8

his own use any horse he chose. Mr. Wilmot declined,
saying he was not much accustomed to horses; he preferred that Mr.
Middleton should choose any horse he pleased.
"Very well," said Mr. Middleton; "from the accounts I have heard of
your horsemanship it may be improved; so I reckon I'll not give you a
very skeary horse to begin with. Thar's Aleck'll just suit you. He'll not
throw you on the gate, for he doesn't trot as fast as a black ant can
walk!"
Accordingly Aleck was saddled and bridled and Mr. Wilmot was soon
mounted and, with his subscription paper in his pocket, was riding off
after subscribers. He was very successful; and when at night he turned
his face homeward, he had the names of fifteen scholars and the partial
promise of five more.
"Well, my boy, what luck?" said Mr. Middleton, as Wilmot entered the
sitting room that evening.
"Very good success," returned Mr. Wilmot; "I am sure of fifteen
scholars and have a promise for five more."
"Yes, pretty good," said Mr. Middleton; "fifteen sartin, and five
unsartin. Who are the unsartin ones?--old Thornton's?"

Mr. Wilmot replied that he believed it was a Mr. Thornton who had
hesitated about signing.
"He'll sign," said Mr. Middleton. "I's thar after you was, and he told me
you might put down five for him. I pay for two on 'em. He lives on my
premises; and if he doesn't pay up for t'other three, why, he'll jog, that's
all."
Mr. Wilmot said he hoped no one would send to school against their
wishes.
"Lord, no," rejoined Mr. Middleton; "old Thornton wants to send bad
enough, only he's stingy like. Let me see your paper, boy."
Mr. Wilmot handed him the paper, and he went on: "Thar's ten scholars
at eight dollars--that makes eighty; then thar's five at eleven dollars,
and fifty-five and eighty makes a hundred and thirty-five; then thar's
five more at fifteen dollars; five times fifteen; five times five is
twenty-five--seventy-five dollars;--seventy-five and a hundred and
thirty-five;--five and five is ten, one to seven is eight, eight and three is
eleven--two hundred and ten dollars! Why, quite a heap! Of course
you've got clothes enough to last a spell, so you can put two hundred
out at interest. I'll take it and give you ten per cent."
Mr. Wilmot smiled at seeing his money so carefully disposed of before
it was earned, but he merely said, "There's my board to be deducted."
"Your what?" asked Mr. Middleton.
"My board, sir. I have no other means of paying it. I find I can get
boarded for a dollar and a half a week."
"The deuce you can," said Mr. Middleton. "Who'll board you for that?"
Mr. Wilmot gave the name of the gentleman, to which Mr. Middleton
replied, "I want to know if he will board you so very cheap!"
"Why, yes. Do you think I should pay more?"

"Pay more!" replied Middleton. "Don't be a fool! Why, here's this
infernal old shell of a house wants filling up, and thar's heaps of horses
and niggers lounging round with nothing to do; then I've plenty of
potatoes, bacon and corn meal--and such fare as we have you're
welcome to, without a dollar and a half, or even a cent and a half."
Mr. Wilmot remonstrated at receiving so much at Mr. Middleton's
hands, but that good man put an end to all further argument by saying,
"Do let me act as I like. You see, I've taken a liking to you, and because
I see you trying to help yourself, I am willing to try and help you. They
say, or Tempest says they say, I'm a rough old bear, and maybe I am;
but I'm not all bad; it's a streak o' fat and a streak o' lean; and if I want
to do you a kindness, pray let me."
So it was settled that Mr. Wilmot should remain in Mr. Middleton's
family during the winter. To Julia this arrangement gave secret
satisfaction. She had from the first liked Mr. Wilmot, and the idea of
having him near her all the time was perfectly delightful. She resolved
to gain his good opinion, cost what it would. To do this, she knew she
must appear to be amiable, and that she determined to do--before him at
least. She had also seen enough of him to know that he set a great value
upon talent, and she resolved to surprise him with her superior
scholarship and ability to learn. She, however, felt some misgivings lest
Fanny should rival her in his esteem; but she hoped by negro bribery
and various little artifices to deter him from thinking too highly of her
sister.
The following Monday, Mr. Wilmot repaired to his