The $30,000 Bequest, Mark Twain [best book club books for discussion TXT] 📗

consequently gave orders to all.

The appointed Sabbath, with a delicious breeze and cloudless sky,

made its appearance. The people gathered in crowds to the church—

the streets were filled with neighboring citizens, all marching

to the house of worship. It is entirely useless for me to attempt

to describe the feelings of Elfonzo and Ambulinia, who were silently

watching the movements of the multitude, apparently counting them as then

entered the house of God, looking for the last one to darken the door.

The impatience and anxiety with which they waited, and the bliss

they anticipated on the eventful day, is altogether indescribable.

Those that have been so fortunate as to embark in such a noble

enterprise know all its realities; and those who have not had this

inestimable privilege will have to taste its sweets before they can

tell to others its joys, its comforts, and its Heaven-born worth.

Immediately after Ambulinia had assisted the family off to church,

she took advantage of that opportunity to make good her promises.

She left a home of enjoyment to be wedded to one whose love had

been justifiable. A few short steps brought her to the presence

of Louisa, who urged her to make good use of her time, and not

to delay a moment, but to go with her to her brother’s house,

where Elfonzo would forever make her happy. With lively speed,

and yet a graceful air, she entered the door and found herself

protected by the champion of her confidence. The necessary

arrangements were fast making to have the two lovers united—

everything was in readiness except the parson; and as they are

generally very sanctimonious on such occasions, the news got

to the parents of Ambulinia before the everlasting knot was tied,

and they both came running, with uplifted hands and injured feelings,

to arrest their daughter from an unguarded and hasty resolution.

Elfonzo desired to maintain his ground, but Ambulinia thought

it best for him to leave, to prepare for a greater contest.

He accordingly obeyed, as it would have been a vain endeavor for him

to have battled against a man who was armed with deadly weapons;

and besides, he could not resist the request of such a pure heart.

Ambulinia concealed herself in the upper story of the house, fearing

the rebuke of her father; the door was locked, and no chastisement

was now expected. Esquire Valeer, whose pride was already touched,

resolved to preserve the dignity of his family. He entered the house

almost exhausted, looking wildly for Ambulinia. “Amazed and astonished

indeed I am,” said he, “at a people who call themselves civilized,

to allow such behavior as this. Ambulinia, Ambulinia!” he cried,

“come to the calls of your first, your best, and your only friend.

I appeal to you, sir,” turning to the gentleman of the house,

“to know where Ambulinia has gone, or where is she?” “Do you mean

to insult me, sir, in my own house?” inquired the gentleman.

“I will burst,” said Mr. V., “asunder every door in your dwelling,

in search of my daughter, if you do not speak quickly, and tell me

where she is. I care nothing about that outcast rubbish of creation,

that mean, low-lived Elfonzo, if I can but obtain Ambulinia.

Are you not going to open this door?” said he. “By the Eternal

that made Heaven and earth! I will go about the work instantly,

if this is not done!” The confused citizens gathered from all

parts of the village, to know the cause of this commotion.

Some rushed into the house; the door that was locked flew open,

and there stood Ambulinia, weeping. “Father, be still,” said she,

“and I will follow thee home.” But the agitated man seized her,

and bore her off through the gazing multitude. “Father!” she exclaimed,

“I humbly beg your pardon—I will be dutiful—I will obey thy commands.

Let the sixteen years I have lived in obedience to thee by my

future security.” “I don’t like to be always giving credit,

when the old score is not paid up, madam,” said the father. The mother

followed almost in a state of derangement, crying and imploring

her to think beforehand, and ask advice from experienced persons,

and they would tell her it was a rash undertaking. “Oh!” said she,

“Ambulinia, my daughter, did you know what I have suffered—

did you know how many nights I have whiled away in agony,

in pain, and in fear, you would pity the sorrows of a heartbroken

mother.”

 

“Well, mother,” replied Ambulinia, “I know I have been disobedient;

I am aware that what I have done might have been done much better;

but oh! what shall I do with my honor? it is so dear to me;

I am pledged to Elfonzo. His high moral worth is certainly worth

some attention; moreover, my vows, I have no doubt, are recorded

in the book of life, and must I give these all up? must my fair

hopes be forever blasted? Forbid it, father; oh! forbid it, mother;

forbid it, Heaven.” “I have seen so many beautiful skies overclouded,”

replied the mother, “so many blossoms nipped by the frost,

that I am afraid to trust you to the care of those fair days,

which may be interrupted by thundering and tempestuous nights.

You no doubt think as I did—life’s devious ways were strewn with

sweet-scented flowers, but ah! how long they have lingered around me

and took their flight in the vivid hope that laughs at the drooping

victims it has murdered.” Elfonzo was moved at this sight.

The people followed on to see what was going to become of Ambulinia,

while he, with downcast looks, kept at a distance, until he saw

them enter the abode of the father, thrusting her, that was the

sigh of his soul, out of his presence into a solitary apartment,

when she exclaimed, “Elfonzo! Elfonzo! oh, Elfonzo! where art thou,

with all thy heroes? haste, oh! haste, come thou to my relief.

Ride on the wings of the wind! Turn thy force loose like a tempest,

and roll on thy army like a whirlwind, over this mountain of trouble

and confusion. Oh, friends! if any pity me, let your last efforts

throng upon the green hills, and come to the relief of Ambulinia,

who is guilty of nothing but innocent love.” Elfonzo called out with

a loud voice, “My God, can I stand this! arise up, I beseech you,

and put an end to this tyranny. Come, my brave boys,” said he,

“are you ready to go forth to your duty?” They stood around him.

“Who,” said he, “will call us to arms? Where are my thunderbolts of war?

Speak ye, the first who will meet the foe! Who will go forward with me

in this ocean of grievous temptation? If there is one who desires

to go, let him come and shake hands upon the altar of devotion,

and swear that he will be a hero; yes, a Hector in a cause like this,

which calls aloud for a speedy remedy.” “Mine be the deed,”

said a young lawyer, “and mine alone; Venus alone shall quit her

station before I will forsake one jot or tittle of my promise to you;

what is death to me? what is all this warlike army, if it is not

to win a victory? I love the sleep of the lover and the mighty;

nor would I give it over till the blood of my enemies should wreak

with that of my own. But God forbid that our fame should soar

on the blood of the slumberer.” Mr. Valeer stands at his door

with the frown of a demon upon his brow, with his dangerous

weapon ready to strike the first man who should enter his door.

“Who will arise and go forward through blood and carnage to the rescue

of my Ambulinia?” said Elfonzo. “All,” exclaimed the multitude;

and onward they went, with their implements of battle. Others, of a

more timid nature, stood among the distant hills to see the result of

the contest.

 

Elfonzo took the lead of his band. Night arose in clouds;

darkness concealed the heavens; but the blazing hopes that stimulated

them gleamed in every bosom. All approached the anxious spot;

they rushed to the front of the house and, with one exclamation,

demanded Ambulinia. “Away, begone, and disturb my peace no more,”

said Mr. Valeer. “You are a set of base, insolent, and infernal rascals.

Go, the northern star points your path through the dim twilight of

the night; go, and vent your spite upon the lonely hills; pour forth

your love, you poor, weak-minded wretch, upon your idleness and upon

your guitar, and your fiddle; they are fit subjects for your admiration,

for let me assure you, though this sword and iron lever are cankered,

yet they frown in sleep, and let one of you dare to enter my

house this night and you shall have the contents and the weight

of these instruments.” “Never yet did base dishonor blur my name,”

said Elfonzo; “mine is a cause of renown; here are my warriors;

fear and tremble, for this night, though hell itself should oppose,

I will endeavor to avenge her whom thou hast banished in solitude.

The voice of Ambulinia shall be heard from that dark dungeon.”

At that moment Ambulinia appeared at the window above, and with a

tremulous voice said, “Live, Elfonzo! oh! live to raise my stone

of moss! why should such language enter your heart? why should thy

voice rend the air with such agitation? I bid thee live, once more

remembering these tears of mine are shed alone for thee, in this dark

and gloomy vault, and should I perish under this load of trouble,

join the song of thrilling accents with the raven above my grave,

and lay this tattered frame beside the banks of the Chattahoochee

or the stream of Sawney’s brook; sweet will be the song of death to

your Ambulinia. My ghost shall visit you in the smiles of Paradise,

and tell your high fame to the minds of that region, which is far more

preferable than this lonely cell. My heart shall speak for thee till

the latest hour; I know faint and broken are the sounds of sorrow,

yet our souls, Elfonzo, shall hear the peaceful songs together.

One bright name shall be ours on high, if we are not permitted to be

united here; bear in mind that I still cherish my old sentiments,

and the poet will mingle the names of Elfonzo and Ambulinia

in the tide of other days.” “Fly, Elfonzo,” said the voices

of his united band, “to the wounded heart of your beloved.

All enemies shall fall beneath thy sword. Fly through the clefts,

and the dim spark shall sleep in death.” Elfonzo rushes forward

and strikes his shield against the door, which was barricaded,

to prevent any intercourse. His brave sons throng around him.

The people pour along the streets, both male and female, to prevent or

witness the melancholy scene.

 

“To arms, to arms!” cried Elfonzo; “here is a victory to be won,

a prize to be gained that is more to me that the whole world beside.”

“It cannot be done tonight,” said Mr. Valeer. “I bear the clang

of death; my strength and armor shall prevail. My Ambulinia shall

rest in this hall until the break of another day, and if we fall,

we fall together. If we die, we die clinging to our tattered rights,

and our blood alone shall tell the mournful tale of a murdered

daughter and a ruined father.” Sure enough, he kept watch all night,

and was successful in defending his house and family. The bright

morning gleamed upon the hills, night vanished away, the Major

and his associates felt somewhat ashamed that they had not been as

fortunate as