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Page 68
WAS HE SUCCESSFUL?
'Do but grasp into the thick of human life! Every one _lives_
it--to not many is it _known_; and seize it where you will, it be
interesting.'--GOETHE.
'SUCCESSFUL.--Terminating in accomplishing what is wished or
intended.'--WEBSTER'S _Dictionary_.
CHAPTER IX.
Hiram was never in serious difficulty before.
When he came carefully to survey the situation, he felt greatly
embarrassed, and in real distress. To understand this, you have only to
recollect what value he placed on church membership. In this he was
perfectly sincere. He felt, too, as he afterward expressed it to Mr.
Bennett, that he had not 'acted just right toward Emma Tenant,' but he
had not the least idea the matter could possibly become a subject of
church discipline. The day for such extraordinary supervision over one's
private affairs had gone by, it is true, but Dr. Chellis, roused and
indignant, would no doubt revive it on this occasion.
Hiram had absented himself the first Sunday after his interview with his
clergyman, but on the following he ventured to take his accustomed seat.
The distant looks and cold return to his greeting which he received from
the principal members of the congregation, were unmistakable. Even the
female portion, with whom he was such a favorite, had evidently declared
against him.
He had gone too far.
However, he went into Sunday school, and took his accustomed seat with
the class under his instruction. It was the first time he had been with
it since he left town to attend on his mother. The young gentleman who
had assumed a temporary charge of this class, which was one of the
finest in the school, shook hands with cool politeness with Hiram, but
did not offer to yield the seat. The latter, already nervous and ill at
ease by reason of his reception among his acquaintances, did not dare
assume his old place, lest he should be told he had been superseded. He
contented himself with greeting his pupils, who appeared glad to see
him, and sitting quietly by while they recited their lesson. Then,
taking advantage of the few moments remaining, he gave them a pathetic
account of the loss of his mother, and exhorted them all to honor and
obey their parents. In the afternoon he did not go back to church, but
went to hear Dr. Pratt, the clergyman who, the reader may recollect, had
been recommended by Mr. Bennett on Hiram's first coming to new York. Our
hero was not at all pleased with this latter gentleman. The fact is, to
a person of Hiram's subtle intellect, a man like Dr. Chellis was a
thousand times more acceptable than a milk-and-water divine.
From Dr. Pratt's, Hiram proceeded to his room, to take a careful survey
of his position, and, as we said at the beginning of the chapter, he
found himself in serious difficulty, greatly embarrassed and in real
distress. He could not join another church, for a letter had been
formally refused from his own. He could not remain where he was, for the
feeling there was too strong against him, besides, evidently, Dr.
Chellis was determined to institute damaging charges against him. He
thought of attempting to make friends with Mr. and Mrs. Tenant, and
humbly asking them to intercede for him, but the recollection of his
last interview with Mrs, Tenant discouraged any hope of success. Emma,
alas! was away, far away, else he would go and appeal to her--not to
reinstate him as her accepted, but--to aid him to get right with Dr.
Chellis. Such were some of the thoughts that went through his brain as
he sat alone by his open window quite into the twilight. He felt worse
and worse. Prayer did not help him, and every chapter which he read in
the Bible added to his misery. At last it occurred to him to step to his
cousin's house, not far distant, and talk the whole matter over there.
Although Mr. Bennett's family were out of town during the summer, he was
obliged to remain most of the season, on account of his business. Up to
this time he had not mentioned the fact of the breaking his engagement;
indeed, he had avoided the subject whenever the two had met, because he
knew he was wrong, and there was something about Mr. Bennett,
notwithstanding his keen, shrewd, adroit mercantile habits, which was
very straightforward and aboveboard, and which Hiram disliked to
encounter. Besides, he had always been praised by his cousin for his
tact and management, and he felt exceedingly mortified at being obliged
to confess himself cornered. But something must be done, and that
speedily. Yes, he would go and consult him. Hiram took his hat and
walked slowly to Mr. Bennett's house. He found him extended on a sofa in
his front parlor, quite alone and in the dark, enjoying apparently with
much zest a fine Havana segar. It was by its light that Hiram was
enabled to discover the smoker.
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