USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Bethlehem > Bethlehem and Bethlehem school (history of Moravian Seminary and College for Women (Bethlehem, Pa.)) > Part 6
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From this digression, I turn to resume the thread of my narration. I was speaking of Katie Sullivan, and of her determination to be revenged upon Sister Mock for the outrage she had commit- ted upon her feelings, and that Sister H. prevented it. She did not, however, directly take any steps in the matter, but left Katie to herself, until she was somewhat cooled in temper. She then took her aside, and spoke calmly to her upon the sub- ject.
At first Katie would not listen to any extenua- tion of Sister Mock's conduct, but remained firm in her resolve-was full of bitter resentment and vin- dictive feelings towards the old lady. But Sister HI. persevered in her endeavors to soften her hard and obdurate spirit. She spoke very wisely and ju- diciously. She admitted that Sister Mock had done wrong in thus speaking of her; yet at the same moment tried to convince Katie that she too, was greatly to blame; for she had allowed herself to use exceedingly unbecoming language to Sister Mock, who she ought to remember was old, and
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THE SECRET RESOLVE.
on that very account, if for no other, entitled to her respect ; and besides, considerable allowances should be made for what she said, as she probably was more or less childish.
This conversation made some impression upon Katie, yet only with a partial good effect ; for the result was, that she promised not to inflict the threatened harm upon the old lady ; yet, she had not forgiven her: she felt she owed her a grudge : she therefore resolved that she would at least play her a trick : and she watched for an opportunity, which soon occurred.
It was on the 4th of May, the Single Sisters' Festival -- one of the peculiar observances of the Moravians, which as I mean to describe fully else- where, I will only now say of it, that it was the great day of the year to all of our teachers, who were still in the state of single blessedness; or if not so, the Society intended it should be. It was a day universally kept in the place by all the maid- ens of every age, or degree in life; and with all more or less if possible with some floral deco- rations.
It was customary in the school among the schol- ars to participate in a measure in these festival cel- ebrations ; sometimes indeed only by kind wishes and congratulations, but oftener in other ways. For instance, some of them previously agreed upon, · rose earlier than their wont on that particular morn- ing ; a selected number of whom-good singers-
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سواهاا
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THE SISTERS' FESTIVAL.
wakened the teachers from their slumbers by a ve- cal serenade.
Yet this was not all the attention they honore 1 this observance; for in one or more of the rooms, the day was sometimes, though rarely, further re- marked by another demonstration-having a festal table. But as this act usually emanated from schol- ars of any particular division of the school, and en- tirely a voluntary contribution on their part, it was generally the most liberally accorded to the teach- ers, who were the most popular with their charge.
The young ladies of our room this year, being so happily situated with those who had them under their especial supervision, determined to outdo all the other sets of scholars in the school, on this occasion, in giving this pleasure, as a small memento of their affection- ate consideration for them, and made their arrange- ments accordingly. First, they secretly subscribed among themselves, sufficient money to purchase a certain quantity of wine and nice cake-next, they provided a clean white table-cloth, glasses, &c .. some pink ribbon to aid in the decorations. The best writer in the room meanwhile had penned : congratulatory note, which the best composer had indited, to which was appended all our name-, begging our beloved teachers' acceptance of our united offering. This was fancifully tied with pink ribbon, and subsequently placed upon the table.
All the above articles were ready in season for the places assigned them. We had been successful
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THE PROPOSITION.
in obtaining every thing we desired, except the necessary amount of flowers. It so happened that we were unprovided with roses, we had not been able to procure any. In fact, the spring that year was rather backward, and there were only a few persons in the town who had many of them. Yet we could not dress a Single Sisters' Festival Table. without their favorite flower. The query now was, where there were any, next, how we could provide ourselves with them.
At this juncture, some one recollected the cir- cumstance of Sister Mock having quite a consider- able number in her arbor in the Pleasure Ground, which she had carefully nurtured to grace her own Festival table. Directly after this observation was made, Katie Sullivan's eyes glistened with pleasure, while an indescribable expression of satisfaction passed over her dark and usually immobile coun- tenance ; then in an animated and assured tone of voice, she said :
" Make youreselves easy, girls, about the roses, leave the getting of them entirely to me, and you may be certain that if they are to be had, you will not be disappointed. You know I did not sub- scribe any money to this object, but instead, I hope it will be in my power to furnish all the flowers we need for the table."
Her schoolmates looked at her inquiringly ; she said, however, nothing further upon the subject ; yet early on the eventful morning, we found that
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THE ROBBERY.
she had gathered quite a quantity of green leaves, and a few common carly spring flowers, but where she obtained them did not transpire. And after breakfast, and during the interval of our teachers' attending the first of their religious services for the day, she again absented herself.
This was the hour usually appropriated to ar- range the Table, and we lost not a moment in our preparations. We had just commenced, however, when Katie Sullavan came into the room, almost breathless with haste, laden with rosy treasures, which she displayed to all our delighted eyes.
"Beautiful! beautiful ! beautiful !" was the re- peated exclamation. "But where did you get them, Katie?" was the eager inquiry of many voices. She replied not.
"Pray did you not take them from Sister Mock's arbor ? "
"Ask me no questions, and I will tell you no lies," was the answer given; "but mark me," she continued, rolling around her large black eyes. until she took us all in the survey, "if either of you breathe a syllable about this, so that Sister Mock at all suspects me, I will make you rue it, 20 every one of you mind to hold your tongues ; and now let us be busy, for we have no time to lose."
Then fast went our fingers, and we made : beautiful garland around the table, and two very good-sized bouquets. We arranged these in their proper places, together with all other articles we
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who
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THE DISCOVERY.
had gathered for the occasion ; and had scarcely fin- ished doing this, when our teachers returned from church. Then well were we recompensed for our la- bor of love, in their delighted surprise and pleasure ; while we looked on pleased at their gratification, and in the consciousness of contributing so much to their enjoyments of the day.
Then presently it became noised about in the school, what the girls in the third room had done on this occasion; and as we were the only set of scholars that year who paid this compliment to their teachers, it excited the more talk and ob- servation. In consequence, group after group both of teachers and scholars, visited our room in order to see it, and foremost among the former came Sister Mock.
The old lady no sooner presented herself, than all of us gave an involuntary rapid and anxious glance at Katie, who seemed annoyed by it, but only in return, put a finger to her lips, and mo- tioned us to withdraw our gaze-then assumed a perfectly imperturbed countenance.
In the meanwhile. Sister Mock went to the table, and we perceived her directly examine the garland, and not one of us, except Katie Sullivan, conld refrain from a smile ; but she apparently did not at all notice her. Yet the old lady only stayed a few moments ; she left the room, and in a brief space after, we marked her wending her steps as quickly as possible in the direction of the Pleasure Ground,
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PASSION.
from whence she presently returned, and was again in our midst.
She was now evidently much excited and out of breath, and obliged to rest a moment to recover herself ere she could speak; then again walking up to the table, she took up one of the bouquets there- on, pointed to some of the roses there, and said these, or similar words :
"Yes, a fine show you have got here, girls !-- and with my roses too !-- but I know full well who did it-Sullivan was the thief; yes, you wicked girl, I know you took them."
Katie immediately flew into a passion. "Prove it," she replied, " prove it, I say," her eyes flashing meanwhile, with the excitement she was in ; "or I certainly will make you sorry for what you have called me."
Sister Mock looked anxiously around. "Tell me, girls," she continued, appealing to the rest of us in a coaxing tone, "are not these my roses, and did not she take them ?"
But the basilisk eyes of Katie Sullivan were upon us, and we were all too much afraid of her to dare, if we would, give the required answer.
Our silence did but exasperate the old lady the more. "You Hottentot-you savage -- you -- "
"Stop ! stop "-interrupted the dreadful girl -- " take care what you say, how you call me names ! I tell you, I will not suffer it from you with impu- nity, old as you are !- but I repeat, prove that I
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OPPROBRIOUS EPITHETS.
took your roses, and then you may brand me as a thief, although I was not before aware of the fact, that either the roses or the arbor were exclusively, rightfully belonging alone to you !"
As the scholars persevered in preserving this secret, of course she could not prove this allegation .. Yet ever after Sister Mock was very apt, when speaking of Katie, particularly when she was not present, to designate her by the obnoxious epithet of the thief Sullivan ; and thus the feud between the twain continued and increased.
In truth the old lady was very prone to call the scholars names ; and Hottentot, Savage, and Es- quimaux, were common appellations when she was angry with them ; while my child, and daughter, were bestowed when she was in good humor, espc- cially to the few who happened to be her favorites.
But to return to Katie Sullivan. From the date of the preceding occurrence her feelings towards Sister Mock were perfectly inimical and revengeful, and many a proof had the old lady of the endurance of her unkind disposition to her. Yet Katic always managed to use such precautionary measures as to enable her to escape being convicted of any of these offences against the comfort or happiness of the poor old woman. As I write, quite a number of these incidents recur to me, and the most clever trick perhaps she ever played upon her, was the following :
It was in the summer of the same year when
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VISITORS.
two ladies came to Bethlehem, one of whom had formerly been a pupil in the Institution, when it seems she had been an especial favorite with Sister Mock. As usual on such occasions, this lady soon found her way to the school, where she impatiently hurried to the room occupied by Sister Mock and her sister. It was easily found, it being the first apartment that met the view upon entering the principal door of the building.
It was after duty hours, and the two old Mo- ravian sisters were entirely alone when the visitors arrived.
" And this is Sister Mock, is it not?" exclaimed the younger of these ladies-" dear Sister Mock !"
" Yes, that is my name," replied the old lady- at the same time looking earnestly at the inquirer.
" I thought that I was right-that I could not. be mistaken," said the other. "Oh ! I am so very glad to see you. How do you do ? and how have you been this very long time-and how well you look, considering your age. Oh, how glad I am to be once more at Bethlehem, and to see one of my teachers,"-then throwing her arms affectionately around the old lady, she kissed her repeatedly.
Sister Mock cordially returned the salute, though in truth she really did not know who it was that so warmly greeted her, nor could she at all imagine it, not being able to recall a single lineament of her features to her remembrance.
But the lady's veil partially covered her face ;
Q Toh mit on wall
الت الوزالة
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MAGGIE SLOCUM.
she however removed this obstruction, yet no recog- nition was the consequence. The lady must have perceived this, for she observed-
"Oh, I am afraid that you do not remember ine ; I am very sorry, but perhaps you may recol- lect my name-Maggie Slocum."
" Oh, certainly I do ! but surely you cannot be her."
" Yes, yes," replied the lady, laughing, "it is the same."
" It cannot be possible !" said Sister Mock, "that this is indeed my dear Maggie, my little daughter, as I used to call you."
" Yes, it is the same, the very same," answered the lady, warmly, pressing the hand of her former instructress.
" Well, well, I must believe that it is really so ; but you are so altered, and it is so many years since you were here, that you must not wonder, nor be hurt, that I did not remember that it was you."
" Oh no, certainly not," was the answer.
" Well, I am really glad to see you," replied Sister Mock; and again they had a hugging and kissing time, with many expressions of mutual kind feelings of interest.
Then Maggie introduced her companion, who, I believe, was a near relative of hers -- an aunt, if 1 remember right. She said that she was travelling with this lady on account of her health, which had become exceedingly feeble ; that they, with several
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INVITATION TO TEA.
of their friends, were sojourning at the present at Schooley's Mountain, and being so near to Beth- lehem, she persuaded her to accompany her thither to pass a little while in a place where she had spent a portion of her childhood. And then this pupil of former days talked with her aged teacher for some time upon various matters, which she supposed would interest Sister Mock, giving her an outline of her own individual history since she left school, besides telling her some particulars of several of her schoolmates there which had come to her knowl- edge, all of which information apparently gave the old lady considerable pleasure.
Sister Mock expressed herself highly delighted with this visit, and she pressed Maggie earnestly to remain longer with her friend, and to take tea with her. But the invalid was too much fatigued to do so ; however, as they intended to remain over the next day at Bethlehem, they accepted the invitation for the following evening. And with this under- standing the visitors left.
It so happened that there had been a witness to this meeting-an attentive listener to the whole of the conversation-who let not a word escape her, and closely observed every article of dress, together with the manners peculiar to this Maggie, to serve a purpose immediately originating in her fertile brain, and which I mean now, as well as I can, fully to relate. It was one of the scholars who thus listened, planned, and observed ; and my readers
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THE SECRET MEETING.
probably will not be surprised to learn that it was Katie Sullivan, nor be slow in guessing the nature of the intentions of this designing girl.
But to proceed with my narrative. No sooner had the ladies departed, aye, even ere Sister Mock had taken her final farewell of them for the day, than Katie, full of her purposed scheme, had glided quietly from her hiding-place, walked hastily but stealthily away to some retired spot, there to cogi- tate how best to carry it successfully into exe- cution.
That same evening a number of her room-mates were summoned by Katie in the apartment adjoin- ing our school-room, known by the name of the next room, but which was in fact our dressing-room. When all were assembled, she said that she had a communication to make, to which every one pres- ent must promise her, not only to observe the most inviolable secrecy, but also to co-operate with her as much as she desired in reference thereto,- then seeing some of them looking anxious, she added :
"You can easily do this, girls, for I will not get you in any scrape : do not be afraid of that, for should there be any trouble in consequence, there is no danger that you will be involved thereby."
Her schoolmates upon this assurance gave the required promise. But to insure our secrecy in the matter, she took first the little finger of one, then another, until she had all linked in hers-and fixing
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KATIE'S OATH.
her penetrating black eyes upon each individual, she said in a solemn, emphatic tone,-
"Pinky-pinky bo-bell, Whoever tells a lie Will sink down in the bad place, And never rise again."
After repeating these foolish lines over separately to all present, she added :
" And now girls you are bound by an oath not to divulge what I am going to tell you. It is a very serious thing; for, remember, if you break your word you will certainly go to old Nick, who. if he gets you into his clutches, will as surely buru you up." And her schoolmates, awed by her man- ner, trembled as they reiterated the required proz- ise of secrecy.
Having thus secured their silence upon the sub- ject, and consequently much of the risk of discovery." Katie without further preamble, mentioned the ar- rival of these visitors to Sister Mock, and of the invitation she gave them for the coming evening: then disclosed her intention of making it the opper- tunity of playing the old lady a good trick. Sie meant, she said, to personate this Maggie in order to take tea with Sister Mock, and eat up some of the good things provided for the occasion.
" And now girls," continued the artful Katie. .. I have let you in the secret, because I want your afd to perfect my plans, and I must be furnished iroz
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PREPARATION.
your trunks with the necessary articles of dis- guise."
This requisition was readily promised, though some of us endeavored to dissuade her from her purpose, but she was inflexible in her determination -hence it proved of no avail. But I confess that I became so frightened at her daring that I would have nothing to do further in the affair, except to look at her after she was fully rigged for the under- taking.
Katie, among other endowments of nature, was an excellent mimic. She could talk, walk, or act almost like anybody she chose, and was able to imitate the manners of a finished lady as well as of a person of low life ; and as she was a remarkable close observer, it took her but a short space to study any character she wished to represent.
As early as she could on the succeeding after- noon, after school hours, she was up in the trunk- room with some of her schoolmates, one of whom she stationed at each door as sentinels upon guard, to give intimation of the approach of any persons thither, who were unacquainted with the affair. And then there was such a tumbling of clothes out of trunks ; putting them in again ; making the ne- cessary selection ; then fitting them on ; for she must be dressed precisely as Maggie had been yesterday. Fortunately, for her purpose, she could easily do this, as that lady was in second mourning, and her dress was black silk.
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THE DISGUISE.
When Katie had gathered together whatever she wanted, the articles were taken down stairs into the little kitchen of the school, which was then sel- dom used, and at that time vacant. There she at- tired herself, some of her schoolmates assisting her. She happened to be nearly the height, and very much of the figure of Maggie, and when entirely equipped, and with a thickly spotted black lace veil, was pronounced by herself, to be a good coun- terfeit resemblance of that lady. She was in excel- lent spirits, confident of success, and pleased with the nature of her enterprise; while some of her schoolmates quailed with apprehension concerning the result, and would fain, if they could even then. have prevailed upon her to relinquish it.
A few minutes only afterward she passed out the lower door of the school perfectly self-possessed, and with a firm step she went forth to fulfil her mischievous purpose.
It is proper here, in order to be fully under- stood by the general reader, to mention, that the room in which Sister Mock then lived, was not only near the principal door of entrance of the In- stitution, but also in front of the building, which. being situated at the termination of the main street, commanded a view of the whole on either side; an advantage to Katie in this affair, since it enabled her, by careful watching, to escape in time to pre- vent detection. The distance between the two doors was so short, that it took her but a few mno-
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THE TRICK.
ments to reach the upper one, and Sister Mock's room, at which though open, she rapped.
It was so early that the old ladies were not yet prepared for their visitors, and she only found Mammy Schlegel in the apartment, by whom she was kindly received and engaged in pleasant con- versation until Sister Mock came in, which occur- red only a little while afterwards. And as soon as she made her appearance, Katie, in imitation of yesterday, in raptures of delight, put her arms af- fectionately around her neck and cordially em- braced her. Then, ere Sister Mock could ask any questions, gravely informed her in a subdued tone, that her friend was quite sick, and unable to accept her kind invitation ; nor would she have allowed her to leave her to make this visit, had not she her- self urged it -- from the consideration of the mutual disappointment it would occasion-and, indeed, had insisted upon her coming, and desired her to present her compliments and regrets.
"I am very sorry," said Sister Mock, believing that it was indeed her friend Maggie, "but I am glad that you have come ; so now take off your things, and let us talk again of old times."
"You must excuse me, my dear Sister Mock, as I am very anxious about my friend. She is very nervous and low-spirited. I feel that I ought not to leave her long, but I thought I would come and sit awhile with you," was the reply of the pre- tended Maggie.
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KATIE'S NICE TEA.
"Yet you must stay and take tea with me." said Sister Mock.
"Thank you ; you are very kind, and I should be exceedingly pleased to do so, but you know I am in such a hurry."
"I am sorry for it, but I will get tea directly ; but you had better take off your things."
"Well, I believe I will throw off my scarf; but as I did not expect to stay only a short time, I did not arrange my hair, and you know I was al- ways very particular that it should look nice, so pray excuse me if I keep my bonnet on."
Yet Sister Mock could not recall to mind the fact of the neatness of this former pupil, nor did she care at all about it. She experienced, how- ever, some chagrin and annoyance at this hasty visit ; nor did she like her friend as well to-day as yesterday. Yet she had not the slightest suspicion of the imposition practised upon her, but continued to entertain the idea that it was indeed the veritable Maggie Slocum who sat before her; one of the few scholars of the Institution who had ever expressed any particular warmth of affection towards her.
The old lady expressed herself exceedingly dis- appointed at the shortness of her proposed stay, but she bustled around to fix the table, and to put thereon all the good things she had provided. Then, what an excellent tea she made; how truly agreeable she was ; and, what a nice, cosy hour, Katie and the old ladies had in discussing the past.
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THE SURPRISE.
Besides, how Katie enjoyed that tea ; and how she eat of the cake, fruit, &c., as if she had never tasted either before, at the same time praising every thing, much to the gratification of Sister Mock, although the poor, simple soul was perfectly amazed at her extraordinary appetite. In truth, the voracious girl made quite a clearance of the best articles.
Yet, notwithstanding thus engaged, she forgot not to keep a watch at the window, in order to pre- vent detection. For the better purpose of securing this object, Katie, at her own expressed desire, was so placed at the table, that she could see what- ever passed in the street, to be ready for the start when necessary. She still kept her veil down, although not entirely over her face, but she man- aged to arrange it so as to conceal the greater part of her features.
Presently, she suddenly arose, saying, that as she had far exceeded the stipulated time of absence from her friend, she must hasten her departure. took cordial leave of the old ladies, and just made good her retreat, when there was another rap at the door, and Maggie, with her relative, stood be- fore the astonished, wonder-struck, Sister Mock.
As will readily be supposed, the whole affair excited a great deal of talk in the school, and Sis- ter Mock became exceedingly wrathy upon the subject; and, in fact, her visitors had scarcely left her, ere she was busy in making interroga- tory investigations in reference thereto, for the pur-
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