The Brother Clerks | Page 3

are when dey come out de front, and all dat."
"A pleasant occupation, truly," laughed Guly. "Does any one sleep in
the store beside ourselves?"
"Massa Wilkins, sah, and me. Massa Wilkins' room is down below, just
under the stairs; I sleeps behind the big door on the floor, and play
watch-dog for master."
"What's your name besides Jeff?" asked Arthur, amused at the
loquacity of the black.
"Same as my father's, sah."
"And what is your father's?"
"Well," said the negro, twisting a lock of wool in his fingers, "dat's a
puzzler! His fust name's Voltaire, and I guess his last one's Delancey,
'cause he belongs to master, and his belongings generally take his
name--sich as Delancey's hosses and Delancey's niggers; but bress de
Lord! I 'spec you's sleepy; good-night, young massars--why didn't I tink
of dis afore?"
"Good-night," said Guly, at the same time lifting a book from his trunk.
Jeff reached the door and laid his hand on the knob to go out, but as he
cast his eye back at the brothers, he stopped short, then walked towards
them on tip-toe.
"'Scuse me, massa," said he to Guly, "but I jist happened to tink mebbe

dat big book was de Bible."
"And you are right."
"Was you gwine to read it, sah!"
"Yes."
"May dis chile stay an' listen? I like to hear de talk ob dat book; It fecks
me inordly and makes me feel better in my heart."
Guly signified his assent, and opening the book, read in a sweet,
mellow voice a selection of Psalms. Arthur listened attentively, but not
more so than Jeff, who stood with parted lips drinking eagerly in every
word. When Guly closed the Bible no one spoke; and after a moment's
hesitation he knelt, as did his brother and Jeff, and from the depths of
his pure young heart poured forth a prayer of sweet and touching
eloquence, such as might have graced the lips of older and wiser
persons.
CHAPTER II.
Backward we turn life's varied page, To note the changes written there.
On the banks of the Hudson, in one of the oldest settled counties of
New-York, stood the handsome dwelling of Arthur Pratt, the elder. All
that wealth could buy was lavished upon the elegant house and grounds,
to gratify the taste of the owner.
Mr. Pratt (or Colonel Pratt, as he was more generally called) had
married quite early in life, and having inherited a large fortune from his
father, sought out for himself and bride a home suited to their wealth
and station. His wife was a woman of great personal beauty, of most
engaging and graceful manners, and distinguished in her own circle for
her sweet and unobtrusive piety.
As far as was consistent with what she considered her Christian duty,
Mrs. Pratt mingled in the gay scenes with which she was constantly

brought in contact; and her gentleness and affability were the comment
of all. Col. Pratt having located himself in business (with the desire of
having "something to do," which sometimes prompts the millionaire to
busy himself in some way) in the adjacent city of New-York, was
enabled to pass much of his time in the precincts of his happy home,
and at the same time to enjoy the society of the haut ton of the city.
When the happy father clasped to his proud breast his first-born child,
the little Arthur, he deemed his happiness complete. The boy was like
his father, both in character and beauty; and as he grew in "winsome
ways," he became the pride and pet not only of the household, but of
friends and visitors. So much indulgence, and openly expressed
admiration, did not fail to foster the boy's inherent spirit of pride, and
he soon learned to demand concessions and indulgences which were all
too rarely denied him. At times, the mother, her fears aroused for the
well-being of her child, would remonstrate upon the course of training
pursued with him; but a laughing promise of amendment, forgotten
almost as soon as given, a kiss, a word of endearment, or a gentle smile,
caused the subject to be dropped; not to be renewed until some glaring
fault in their darling boy again demanded it.
Gulian seemed sent to his father's arms just in time to prevent the utter
ruin, by over-indulgence, of young Arthur. He was a delicate but
exquisitely beautiful babe, and his frequent illnesses made deep
demands on the endearments hitherto so freely lavished upon his
brother. For a time Arthur was highly indignant at the new turn of
affairs, and openly resented the slights which necessarily he now often
received. Naturally, however, he was of a noble and generous
disposition, and soon learned to tenderly love the helpless babe, whose
blue eyes