USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Bethlehem > Bethlehem and Bethlehem school (history of Moravian Seminary and College for Women (Bethlehem, Pa.)) > Part 7
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114
THE SUSPECTED.
pose of discovering the perpetrator of this mis- chievous trick. She went among all the older pupils, and stopped in our room on this errand ; yet, altogether in vain, for though the aggressor was there, both of our teachers were entirely ignorant of the matter; and not one of the scholars in the secret, would betray the confidence enforced upon them in the peculiar manner I have described.
Yet, although without any certain evidence of the fact, Sister Mock, as usual, suspected Katie Sul- livan of being the guilty party-aye, indeed, she appeared to be thoroughly convinced that it was done by no other person, for the reason, as she con- fidently assorted, that no other scholar in the Insti- tution had sufficient impudence for such an under- taking, and enough of Satan in her to carry it out successfully.
Katie did not deny it, but appeared to give very little heed to the old lady, yet encountered her steady gaze as she talked upon the subject with so much indifference and imperturbability of man- ner, that a casual observer would scarcely have believed her to have been really the offender; and the only reply she made to the oft-repeated charge of Sister Mock, that she had actually done it, was the usual provoking one of, "prove it, prove it, I say ; for, until you do this, I will not take any fur- ther notice of your accusation." On account of the inability of the old lady to comply with this requi- sition, she could do nothing more than complain :
115
INFLUENCE OF A CHARACTER.
and the affair passed over as the other, without her having the satisfaction of secing Katie Sullivan suffer even a reproof in consequence.
From what I have here related of this wily, artful, and designing girl, my readers can judge, in a measure, what sort of a disposition she had ; also, to form some idea of the immense influence a strong mind, determined and inflexible in purpose as hers was, though belonging to a child, can exer- cise upon her associates, even should there not ex- ist any tie of interest or affection between them.
In truth, though now mingling more and more freely with her schoolmates, as yet she had but few friends among them, and still less to love her; but she was universally feared, and indeed, become the terror of the whole establishment. All were much afraid of her tricks; of being victimized by her; hence, were careful not to offend her. She was, therefore, treated kindly, yet generally with re- spectful indifference; while all seemed to keep aloof from her as much as possible.
I say all : but I must qualify this assertion ; for there were a few exceptions-two of our teachers and several of the scholars. To some of these in- dividuals I alluded in a previous part of my story, as befriending Katie, and all in return received the most grateful affection and devotion of heart from this undisciplined, reckless, don't care disposition. And in this circle alone was she believed to be ca- pable of any good whatever ; or of possessing even
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116
APPRECIATION.
a single redeeming quality of character. For, not- withstanding her numerous and glaring faults, they did not judge her so harshly, but were disposed to regard her altogether with more charitable feelings : in fact, they sincerely pitied her, and their compas- sionate interest being excited in her behalf, ren- dered it easier on their part to put as favorable a construction as possible on her conduct.
Besides, they considered the disadvantageous circumstances under which poor Katie had prob- ably labored while at home, which, of course, had had a tendency to engender much rancorous ani- mosity, with a host of other hateful propensities, and to choke up whatever virtues she possessed. These real friends of Katie,-I am speaking now more particularly of the teachers I mentioned, -- in- dulged the hope, that by gentleness and kindness, with judicious discipline, they would ultimately win a way to her heart, and the result would be a complete reformation of character. They were encouraged in this hope, because she had already proved that her heart was not impervious to kind- ness ; for where it had been bestowed upon her. she had shown her appreciation of it ; and on closer observation, they had the discernment to discover the glimmerings of a better nature within :- that under this unprepossessing and unamiable exterior. far below the present currents of her acts and do- ings,-her rash impulses-her implacable, passion- ate, and subtle nature, was another, though scarcely
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117
IMPROVEMENT.
developed, and almost in a dormant condition, which contained some of the most noble and lovely traits of our humanity. They hailed these evi- dences with pleasure, and while it increased their interest in the unfortunate girl, they resolved to make it their constant endeavor to foster these vir- tues into lively exercise for her own especial benefit. From this period they redoubled their efforts in her behalf-noticed her more and more-smiled ap- provingly at her conduct whenever they could, and commended her for it. Thus their influence upon Katie was established; and properly bestowed, it ultimately proved very beneficial in moulding anew her character, and they were soon, although almost imperceptibly, doing this.
But the progress in this desirable change was indeed very slow, because of the material of mind to be acted upon, and the numerous evil tendencies so rooted therein, as to render it difficult to make any permanent good impression.
And Katie at first received their overtures of kindness with distrust, suspicion, and wonder :- then she considered their motives-surely they could not have any but a purely disinterested one- they must be her friends who thus faithfully labored for her welfare; and because they manifested this interest for her, the despised, neglected, isolated being for whom nobody had hitherto cared or even spoken kindly to, she was convinced of the fact; or why were they so gentle and amiable to her, so pa-
118
EFFECT OF KINDNESS.
tient with her wilfulness, so mild in reproof, so for- bearing with her temper and many faults ?
Thus reasoned Katie ; and it was pleasant for her to be thus regarded-to be able at length to believe that she could be of some estimation with her fellow- creatures. All these circumstances combined, had the effect gradually of softening her obduracy --- conquering her strong determined will-subduing her proud rebellious nature-giving her self-respect, and making her altogether ashamed of her general conduct, and resolved in every respect to amend it.
I have said that Katie had some inherent excel- lent traits of character, and that her teachers had discovered them. As these were cultivated, and became more and more apparent to her compan- ions, the result was, that the prejudices against her lessened, and she gained other friends, and presently found herself quite popular in the school.
Yet Sister Mock and she continued hostile to each other-though Katie now endeavored to give the old lady no further occasion for her ill will. The old leaven of bitter animosity towards her, how- ever, remained still in her heart-she had not as yet been able to conquer it; but there was a constant effort on her part to keep it under control; yet she could not always command her temper when ne- cessary, or adhere to her resolution of not again re- taliating upon her.
And the old lady continued to say provoking things, though, perhaps, not as frequently as for-
119
PROPOSED AMUSEMENT.
merly ; but I remember only one instance after- wards when Katie allowed herself to become so in- censed against her, as to take vengeance in conse- qquence upon her. It occurred, I should judge, at least about six months after the trick I have nar- rated. But she had been much aggravated, and the circumstances, as near as I can recollect, were the following.
To relieve the monotony of the long winter even- ings, among other innocent amusements, to afford the scholars a pleasurable excitement, it was cus- tomary, occasionally during the season, in one or more of the subdivisions of the school, to have a. dramatic representation. These were got up in the different rooms by our respective teachers, who selected the pieces to be performed, chose the actors, assigned each their part, and made all the other necessary arrangements, together with giving us the proper instruction.
It was all simply arranged, and usually occa- sioned considerable enjoyment. Thus we perform- ed Hannah More's Sacred Dramas, "Search after Happiness," and "Moses in the Bulrushes ; " be- sides an interesting little piece called the "Shep- herdess," and two others of the names of the " In- quisitive Girl," and the "West Indian." These latter were translated from the French, by Sister Hartley, an English teacher-and .in addition, one or more I believe of Madame De Genlis-all con-
120
THE EXHIBITION.
taining nothing but female characters, and altogether quite unobjectionable.
And then, what a time we bad at our rehearsals --- and how often it was repeated, in order to perfect us in our respective parts ; and when the eagerly anticipated evening for the performance at length arrived, how desirous were we all to don our char- acter dresses, and how excited until the whole af- fair was over.
These Exhibitions were generally held in the chapel of the school, near the farther end of which was the theatre of performance. This we concealed from view by a thick muslin curtain. The audi- ence, who occupied all the rest of the space in the room, were mostly composed of other teachers and scholars-our Principal and his lady-other clergy. men with their wives-any known respectable visitors who might be at the time sojourning at Bethlehem, and perhaps a few of the regular inhabit- ants of the town.
Our dressing-room, on these occasions, was in the rear, and belonged to the sick-room depart- ment of the school; while the orchestra, if we had any, was either in the pulpit of the chapel or with- in the curtains.
At the given moment, the curtains were drawn aside, when the performances commenced with a Prologue; next followed the Drama, while the whole closed with an Epilogue.
At one of these entertainments by the pupils of
121
KATIE'S PERFORMANCE.
the division to which I belonged, I think it was the "Inquisitive Girl," Katie Sullivan had the part of a servant girl given to her, who was a very important and prominent personage in the piece, and requir- ed considerable talent to personate well. Katie took this character with great reluctance, and only be- cause her favorite teacher, Sister Hartley, requested it, who gave it to her for the reason, that from her talents of mimicry, she certainly was most compe- tent for the undertaking. Nor did she make a mistake-Katie's performance was admirable-and she received many compliments in consequence, which evidently much gratified her. Indeed, to my thinking, Katie altogether appeared to greater advantage that evening, than ever before ; which circumstance caused more than one person present to comment favorably upon her altered disposition, and general demeanor.
She was still the subject of their encouraging observations, when unfortunately she heard the whispered remark, that no wonder she could act so well, it was her real character, and representing her own natural position ; or words of similar meaning. Katie immediately recognized Sister Mock as the person who thus spoke. Ah ! where now was her look of pleasure, the sunbeams of happiness which had illumined her countenance, and seemed to dance on her future pathway of life ? They were gone-in an instant they had vanished-and instead, over · her dark face for a moment flitted the shadow of
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UT
122
THE INSULT.
the demon, who was whispering in her ear, to be revenged ; nor did she heed the pleadings of her better nature, in angel accents, entreating her to forbear from her purposed wrath.
In truth, the old lady had so wounded the feel- ings of the proud and sensitive girl, that it aroused all the bad passions which she was so earnestly striving to subdue. Yet, as was her wont, for a space she said nothing; but the flashing of her black eyes, her look of defiant scorn, her trembling frame, her pallid countenance, told of the fearful contest within. One thought alone now possessed her-the gross insult she had received-next, how she should revenge herself, so as to prevent the re- currence of the outrage in the future, for this seemed to be the main object of retaliation. Then there arose a tumult of her feelings, a struggling between the good and bad in her nature, and she hesitated a brief space in her purpose ; for as Katie was not as implacable as formerly in her resentments, she probably had some qualms of conscience to contend with ; but when she thought how her feelings had been outraged-of the sufferings occasioned her by the stinging remark of the old lady-and how ill she had always used her, she stifled the suggestions of her faithful monitor; her scruples vanished, while it nerved her wavering resolution, and settled hor in the course she designed to pursue.
HIer teachers, with some of her schoolmates. endeavored to soothe her, but in vain. It seeried
123
CONSEQUENCE.
that her feelings could not be appeased, until her vengeance had been wreaked upon the thoughtless old lady ; nor did she pause to reflect on what she intended doing, but, under the influence of her strong passions, determined to accomplish her ob- ject as soon as possible. What she did, will now briefly be told.
I have mentioned that the room Sister Mock and her sister lived in, was on the lower floor of the school; besides situated directly opposite to the smaller dining-room ; and the large bell of the In- stitution, with a long rope attached to it, was im- mediately outside this eating apartment. It was suspended in a hall which led to the back-door, beyond which, a piazza extended across the whole of the rear of the main building of the school, ter- minating at each end with a flight of steps com- municating at both places, with what may be called the rear wings of the establishment.
It is necessary here in my narration, to give some idea of these localities ; next to say, that our teachers did not sup with us, but had that meal subsequent to ours by themselves ; also, to say, that they were privileged to take whatever they chose from our table. I cannot, however, recollect dur- ing the whole time I was there, any availing them- selves of this right, but Sister Mock, and she inva- riably did so. She usually made her selection di- rectly after our supper-bell rang, in the interval when the scholars of the different rooms were
------
124
THE REVENGE.
being arranged according to rule for the occa- sion.
I forgot to state that, besides the hall, there was another passage-way that passed both of the dining- rooms, and parallel with the piazza, at both ends of which hung a lantern, while another was near the bell.
One evening, very soon after the "entertain- ment " just spoken of, a few minutes before our supper-time, Katie Sullivan passed hastily through these halls into the piazza, then down the nearer flight of steps, nor stopped until she reached the woodhouse of the school, where she gathered an armfull ; then rapidly yet very quietly, she retraced her way, until she stood before the door of Sister Mock's room and the dining-room, where she very softly placed it ; then put out the near lights, and immediately afterwards rang the bell.
As Katie expected, directly thereupon, Sister Mock made her appearance with pitcher and plate in hand, and almost immediately after, a fall, fol- lowed by a scream, and a groan or two, were suc- cessively heard ; then she was quiet. No sooner had this occurred, than Katie became not only excessively frightened at what she had done, but conscience-struck at her conduct, and full of re- morse in consequence. Yet she stayed not a mo- ment where she was, for, hearing doors opening and steps approaching, she fled with the greatest precipitation and dismay, rushed along the piazza,
125 .
REMORSE.
next down the steps, to conceal herself among some of the outbuildings.
Here Katie stopped, and with a mind painfully agitated, endeavored to reflect upon what had oc- curred; and how she was implicated in it; the wicked act she had committed, with the possible consequences, both to herself and the old lady. She could not reason calmly upon the subject ; one thought alone occupied her mind, which al- most overwhelmed her with anxious apprehension and distress. It was the idea that, perhaps, she had killed her, and, by the indulgence of her re- vengeful spirit, done this dreadful thing. The impression of such a fearful reality, terribly ago- nized her; for she certainly had no intention of doing her any serious harm whatever; though, perhaps, the real truth was, that she had not any definite notion of the extent of the injury she wish- ed to inflict upon the old lady. Katie herself said, that she only wanted to hurt her a little, and to frighten her more ; to make her cease from annoy- ing her. But, led on by her passions, it is more than probable, that, for the moment, she became reckless of the consequences which might ensue. Yet now when the cravings of her evil spirit were satisfied, she was truly unhappy and contrite. Nor did she excuse her conduct at all, but felt perfectly condemned and sorry for it. And then what scald- ing tears of penitence poured down her cheeks, marking the entire subjugation of the demon in her nature.
126
PENITENCE.
And poor Katie was truly, thoroughly subdued, as she knelt in her hiding-place and prayed to that God who seeth in secret, for strength and grace to enable her now and for ever to cease from indulg- ing rancorous animosity, or any revengeful feelings whatever, not only towards Sister Mock, but also to every other human being. But the poor girl was restless and uneasy, dreading, yet anxious to return to the scene of her folly and the sad catas- trophe ; nevertheless, determined upon the purpose she had formed, not only to acknowledge herself the offender, but to make all the atonement in her power to the old lady ; and if she could listen to her, she would freely tell her all, and humble her- self before her; and, with these feelings, she went forth, yet trembling with fearful anticipations, to seek her.
She found her worst fears groundless. Sister Mock, though severely, was not seriously hurt. If I recollect right she had broken one of her limbs- or, if not fractured, she dislocated it, and was just recovering from a fainting fit when Katie returned.
"I really wonder if Katie Sullivan did this," was being said by one of the gathered group around the old lady, at the moment when Katie came in their midst.
She looked very pale and excited, while her swollen eyes betrayed that she had been weeping.
"Yes, it was I," she replied. "I only am guilty of this act. I freely acknowledge it; I did
127
CONFESSION.
it because I was very angry ; but I am very sorry now, and hope that she is not much hurt."
"Hurt !" exclaimed Sister Mock; "why, I am almost killed, which, I suppose, you will be right glad to hear, although you look so pitiful about it, and pretend to be very sorry-you hypocrite-you savage-you Hottentot-"
Katie turned deadly pale; then a bright spot appeared on either check, while her lips quivered and her whole frame seemed inwardly convulsed,- yet not now with rage, but with the effort to keep it down, and to follow out her noble resolve. Yet she could not directly command words, but per- ceiving preparations making for conveying Sister Mock to the sick-room, she made a desperate at- tempt, and then said :
" Yes, I did it-f-and believe it or not, I had no wish to hurt you much. You made me do it, be- cause you are continually persecuting me, and call- ing me names ; but I am indeed very sorry for it, and beg you to forgive me ; and more than all, as a proof that I mean what I say, I here solemnly promise you that this is my last revenge upon you -- and whether you call me a Hottentot, savage, Es- quimaux, or any other reproachful or contemptuous epithet, I will never retaliate upon you again,"- saying which, poor Katie burst into a flood of tears.
All present were surprised, and many were affected ; and even Sister Mock was moved, yet she did not immediately make any reply.
128
FORGIVENESS.
" And is it possible, Sullivan," she at length said, "that I hear you speak so, and that you have so much grace given you ? "-then, after pausing a moment, she stretched out her hand to Katie and continued,-" Remember, we are all poor sinners, my child, and perhaps I have been to blame in this matter ; if so, I must try to do better in the future, and I freely forgive you." Then putting up her lips she drew the astonished girl close to her, and im- printed upon hers a long and affectionate kiss as a seal to her forgiveness. And from this time forth, there was peace between Sister Mock and Katie Sullivan.
I know not how long after this occurrence the latter remained in the school, but it must have been rather more than six months, during which interval she played no more tricks on any one; and from the date of the circumstances just given, she man- aged to gain many more friends among her school- mates and superiors. Yet there was one of the scholars, a girl whom she dearly loved, who for some reason never explained at school, suddenly ceased speaking to, or even noticing poor Katie. This grieved her deeply, but she did not re- sent it.
In the meanwhile her parents continued to fur- nish her so scantily with clothing and other neces- saries, that she was glad to receive the cast-off garments of her companions, and their old books, &c., &c. And she was grateful for being thus sup-
129
GOOD QUALITIES.
plied, while her manner was such as to forbid any unpleasant remarks in consequence.
It was during the period of which I am now writing that I became dangerously ill, when not any of my schoolmates were so kind and attentive as Katie Sullivan. I had early obtained her affec- tionate regard by showing her various little acts of kindness, which, although they did not altogether amount to much, were highly estimated by the needy and friendless girl ; in consequence, when- ever opportunity offered, she took pleasure in mani- festing her grateful feelings ;- and now, when I re- quired attention, as often as she was allowed, she came and stayed with me in the sick room, minis- tering as well as she possibly could or knew how, to my comforts and necessities ;- at one time coaxing some good thing for me from the irritable Sister Katy, our sick nurse, or bathing my fevered aching brow; and while I write, busy memory brings all this before me-Katie Sullivan as the tender nurse -the gentle, sympathizing companion-the faithful and devoted friend. No marvel therefore that I loved her, nor my interest in her was strong and enduring, and that I would gladly trace out her sub- sequent history from some certain unquestionable authority.
But I have never met with her since we parted at Bethlehem, and have heard only once of her during that period, and then quite a tale was given me ; but it is altogether so very extraordinary that
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130
THE RUNAWAYS.
I have always been inclined to doubt the truth of it. Yet be that as it may, as it is interesting, I sketch it briefly for my readers.
I was told that just before, or soon after Katie returned home, her father died, and that she and her brother thereupon found themselves entirely at the mercy of their stepmother, who put Katie into the kitchen, and made her the household drudge, while she sent her brother Lemuel into the fields as her working slave. In addition she treated them both very cruelly-aye, so much so, that at length they mutually agreed no longer to subject them- selves to it, but leave her, to seek an asylum among strangers. Yet where to go they knew not, or the best course to take to secure their object. But the wide world was before them where to choose, and Katie with her strong determined will, as soon as she had made up her mind upon the subject, would suffer no earthly thought or consideration to deter her from it ;- no, although thereby she was aban- doning the property rightfully their own, their just inheritance, the home provided by her father for his orphan children.
I know not how long this occurred after Katie's return from Bethlehem, but it could not have been many years; and my impression is that she must still have been under age. The brother and sister did not go together; Katie went first. Lemuel was despatched after her ; he never returned. I did not learn whether he joined his sister, but I should
.
131
KATIE'S GODMOTHER.
judge not, since Katie was alone in the wanderings which succeeded her departure. I heard that she fled to the woods, passed at least one night there, where her life, I heard, was endangered by a pan- ther ; she escaped from its clutches as by a mira- cle, had some other equally as incredible adven- tures ; then after several days' travel, she at length found herself before the door of a comfortable-look- ing farm-house, where she asked permission to re- main for the coming night, which was granted.
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