d placing her hand consolingly on Angeline's shoulder; "there is
nothing in the world to weep for. Nothing in the world. I would be proud
of a son who had courage and ambition enough to go on one of these
voyages. It is proof, my good woman, that he has something in him. And
if he should bring home a fortune, you know. Oh, he'd have so many
friends. Don't weep, my good woman, don't weep. He'll be such a joy to
you when he comes home. And I will encourage Mattie to think of nobody
else."

CHAPTER XII.

A STRANGE GENTLEMAN.

Angeline had just recovered from her grief, and was setting strawberries
and cream before her visitors, when a loud knock was heard at the door,
which Hanz proceeded to open; when a tall, well-dressed man, with dark,
well kept hair, piercing black eyes, features of great regularity, and
having the manners of a gentleman, entered and introduced himself as Mr.
Luke Topman, just from New York. "I am a stranger to you all here," he
said, in a deep, clear voice, "and I owe you an apology for calling at
this seemingly late hour. I said I was a stranger," he repeated, "but
the business I am on may make us acquaintances." The stranger stood for
a moment, with his eyes fixed on Chapman. Still no recognition passed,
and their manner was that of strangers who had never met before.

The figures here grouped together were of the most opposite kind, and
presented a picture at once striking and effective. A table stood in the
centre of the little room, and on it burned a candle, casting a pale and
shadowy light over and giving clearer outline to each figure. There was
the old loom, with its harnesses, its reed, and its shuttles; the
flax-wheel and the distaff, forming a quaint setting, but representing a
past age and the primitive habits of the people who used them.

There was Hanz and Angeline on one side. Time was writing its record in
deep lines on their faces, and whitening their gray hairs. Frank,
simple-minded, honest, and contented, they had enough to carry them
through life comfortably; and why should they, Hanz said, trouble
themselves about anything more? They represented an age and a people
perfectly happy with what it had pleased God to give them. On the other
side there was Chapman and Mrs. Chapman, exact types of the people they
represented. Ambitious of making a show in the world, grasping,
restless, selfish, intriguing, seeking always for means to advance
themselves, studying the future