CHAPTER XX

BERTHA VISITS THE GLEN AGAIN

The next day Mr. Grant and Uncle Obed went to the city to arrange the business of the former, leaving Mr. Presby at home with the children. Bertha spent the whole forenoon in showing the old gentleman about the estate, and leading him to all the pleasant places in the vicinity.

After luncheon, Richard took them over to Whitestone in the _Greyhound_, and on their return they visited Van Alstine’s Island and the Glen. Even Dunk’s Hollow had heard the glad tidings of the return of the family to Woodville, and the children of the little mission school had gone to the Glen in the forenoon, and again in the afternoon, in the hope that Bertha might meet them there.

As the party landed, they were received with shouts of rejoicing. Gretchy von Brunt danced with joy, and Grouty von Grunt leaped up in the air as though the ground had been too hot to stand upon, while the other members of the school manifested their satisfaction in a manner not less equivocal, though rather more dignified. Bertha kissed all the children, boys and girls; for they all had clean faces, and wore the new clothes which their teacher had provided.

The whole troop ran before Bertha as she conducted Mr. Presby up to the Glen, and seated themselves in their accustomed places in the arbor. The visitors spent a very pleasant hour with them, and left, with the promise to come again on the following day.

“Now, Bertha, you must go on with your school, just as you did before,” said Mr. Presby. “If the children want clothes or books, or anything costing money, you must let me know. And you must let me help you teach the school.”

“Thank you, sir. It is very kind of you to feel an interest in these poor children,” replied Bertha.

“It will make me happy, as it does you. Of course your school can last only four or five months?”

“No, sir; it is too cold after October to meet at the Glen.”

“Well, Bertha, we must build a nice little schoolhouse, so that we can meet the children in the winter.”

As the boat bore them down to the Woodville landing, Mr. Presby and Bertha formed many plans for improving the condition of the poor children of Dunk’s Hollow; but the limit of our story does not permit us to follow them in the execution of those notable schemes. The little schoolhouse was built; other children were induced to join the number; all the scholars were supplied with warm clothing for the winter; and as the pupils could all read very well, a library was provided for their use. From the children, the mission of Bertha and her wealthy colaborer extended to the parents, and Dunk’s Hollow itself began to wear a new aspect. Mr. Presby talked with the men, and many of them changed their modes of life and became decent, not to say respectable, persons.

Such was the result of Bertha’s mission to the poor children of Dunk’s Hollow.

Mr. Grant made satisfactory arrangements with his creditors. Brace Brothers, as Uncle Obed and others had anticipated, paid their debts in full; and the money which Mr. Presby had advanced was not only refunded, but Woodville was bought back again, and Mr. Grant was congratulated by all his friends and neighbors upon the happy termination of his troubles.

The only person who seemed to be a permanent sufferer by the transactions we have described was Mr. Grayle. His conduct in causing the arrest of the broker was generally condemned, for he was actuated by revenge and a desire to make money out of the misfortunes of others. As Mr. Sherwood had predicted, his course proved to be his ruin; for when the whole truth came out at a meeting of Mr. Grant’s creditors, a storm of indignation was raised against him. Losing the respect and confidence of business men, he failed, and sought a new home in the West to retrieve his fallen fortunes.

When Woodville again came into the possession of Mr. Grant, and his credit was completely restored, a great dinner party was given in honor of the event. Among those invited were Mr. and Mrs. Byron, as well as Mr. Gray, and others who had attended on the memorable occasion when Master Charley had made a sensation. Strange as it may seem, Mrs. Byron came; and when she saw the gentle girl, whom she had insulted and turned out of her house, honored and respected by the most distinguished people in the vicinity, she blushed with shame.

Master Charley Byron, who always had his own way, insisted upon paying a visit to his former governess on this occasion; and, of course, he came. Bertha sang “Three Blind Mice” to him, and Noddy Newman turned a hundred back somersets on the lawn for his special benefit; but Charley was too wise to attempt the feat himself. The heir of Blue Hill could spell “cat” and “dog,” but he had made no further progress in knowledge; and it is not at all probable that he will ever be President of the United States.

At other times, there came to Woodville Mrs. Lamb, Peter, the head groom of Blue Hill, and his wife; Nathan, the sergeant of police; Bob Bleeker, and others who had befriended Bertha in her want and peril. They were kindly received, and encouraged to continue in the faith that those who assist the needy shall not lose their reward.

Mr. Sherwood was a frequent visitor at Woodville, and his fidelity to his employer was so highly appreciated, that he soon became the partner of the broker; and a few years later, when Mr. Grant retired, he succeeded to the entire business.

Noddy Newman was as full of “antics” as he had ever been; and when Ben, the boatman, returned to his old position at Woodville, the little savage came with him. But he was under the influence of Bertha, who still persevered in her efforts to make a civilized man of him.

Mr. Presby proposed to build a cottage for himself near the mansion house, but neither Bertha nor her father would permit him to leave the family. An addition was made to the house, which afforded him a suit of rooms, and every day Bertha wrote his letters and read to him. The old gentleman increased the allowances of his son and daughter. They occasionally made him a visit at his new home, and though they still hungered for his money, they could not now do otherwise than treat him with respect, and even with a show of affection.

Removed from his troubles, and surrounded by genial and loving friends, Mr. Presby ceased to be an invalid, and lived ten years after his removal to Woodville. When he died, Bertha Grant was made rich; several charitable institutions received large donations; but the ungrateful son and daughter did not obtain the rest; for it was left in charge of trustees, who were instructed to pay them only the income of it during their lives, the principal to be equally divided among their children when they reached their majority.

Richard Grant, I am sorry to say, we must leave as we began with him. Even the bitter experience at Newport and New York was not enough to reform his life and character. He is almost the only trial of Bertha and her father, though they hope and pray that he will yet become a good and true man.

Miss Fanny’s pride, after its sudden fall, was more moderate and reasonable, though there was still much to hope for, and, better yet, much to expect from the improvement already made. We are happy to inform her sympathizing young friends, that, when her next birthday was celebrated, all who were invited attended her party.

Ben, the boatman, almost worships “Miss Bertha.” As he grows older, and his rheumatism becomes more troublesome, he finds in her a constant friend, who chooses never to forget his devotion to her in the dark hour of trial and sorrow. He is still a strict disciplinarian, and, though he makes Noddy “stand round,” he likes the boy, and feels a deep interest in his future welfare.

Bertha’s mission is still unfinished; for as fast as one good work is accomplished, another presents itself. The willing heart and ready hand can never want a field of labor. “Whatsoever our hands find to do, let us do it with all our might,” and then we shall realize the happiness which crowned the mission of Bertha Grant.

THE END

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:

Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_.

Perceived typographical errors have been corrected.

Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.

Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.