THE WANDERER: A TALE OF LIFE'S VICISSITUDES.
"Trudging along, unknowing what he sought, And whistling as he went, for want of thought." BY THE AUTHOR OF 'THE WATCHMAN,' 'OLD DOCTOR,' 'LAWYER'S STORY,' ETC
NEW YORK:
E. D. LONG, SUCCESSOR TO H. LONG AND BROTHER,
121 NASSAU-STREET.
[Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year eighteen hundred and Fifty-six by E. D. LONG, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the southern District of New York.]
PREFACE.
THE title of the following story, in a great measure explains itself: therefore but few words will be necessary by way of preface. "The fewer the better," I fancy I hear the reader exclaim, for I believe there is truth in the assertion, that few persons read a preface, and the few who do read it think it a bore; but it has, like many other disagreeable things, become a necessary evil.
I shall therefore merely observe, that in tracing the career, not only of the hero of my story, but that of every character that figures therein, I have fixed my thoughts on a living model and have followed the original as closely as it has been possible for me to follow it, and at the same time weave from a mass of facts a continuous story, and develop a pre-arranged plot.
My story is no less fact, because it has assumed the form of fiction. Readers now-a-days look into fiction for fact. Now-a-days, do I say! Ought I not rather to say, that fiction has always been employed to exemplify fact! The story-teller of ancient times always sought—and the present story-tellers page: iv-v[View Page iv-v] Eastern climes still seek—to point to moral, while relating their fantastic and gorgeous fictions; and the novelist of the present day is but the story-teller of by-gone years, habited in a coat of modern cut, to suit the altered taste, and the progress of the times.
Although I have not written an autobiography, I have pictured in the career of my hero the early history of his life; and in depicting every character in the book, I have portrayed the peculiar characteristics of each as faithfully as it has been in my power so to do.
My story has a moral, too: but what it is I shall leave reader to discover. I shall not resort to the practice of the ancient painters, who wrote under their pictures, "This is a horse;" or, "This is a cow;" as the case might be, in order to prevent misconception. If the reader be unable to discern my moral, I confess that I shall have failed in my purpose; but i trust that such will not be the case, or at least I hope; should things turn our so unfortunately, he will find a moral in my story of his own making, which if it be a good one, will answer the purpose equally as well, and perhaps be more to his satisfaction.
At all events, I have written with an honest purpose, and I trust have chose an acceptable theme. It has been said, that the history of any person's life, would, if truthfully written be of interest to the reader; but in my opinion, the mere every day adventure of may persons' lives, would be very humdr sort of reading. Still I believe, if the motive-springs could be disclosed, and the secret feelings be brought to light, which have urged to action at various important epochs of existence, the experience of the humblest and simplest would prove of the deepest and most engrossing interest. I am aware, that in striving to effect this, I have imposed upon myself a difficult task. I cannot hope that I have perfectly succeeded; yet, I trust, since I have adhered as closely as possible to truth, that I have not altogether failed in my endeavor, and I please myself with the fancy, that my story will at least strike some tuneful chord in the hears of my readers, many of whom I hope will be old acquaintances, though we may never have met each other face to face. And if through this story, I should again enjoy with these an hour's mental communion, even if I do not succeed in my more ambitious aim, I shall feel that I have not written altogether in vain.
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
- CHAPTER I.—In which the hero of the story is introduced to the reader, not in the most dignified manner, but after the fashion in which most heroes make their earliest appearance of this world's stage.
- CHAP. II.—Strangers in a strange land, without a European reputation.
- CHAP. III.—In which troubles thicken, and clouds grow darker, until Charles Dalton fortunately becomes acquainted with a man of large mind and universal philanthropy.
- CHAP. IV.—In which the principles which govern a true philanthropist are explained, if the reader chooses to accept the explanation.
- CHAP. V.—In which Mr. Dalton's unhappy career is brought to a close.
- CHAP.VI.—Which treats of family matters, and introduces the reader to some new acquaintances.
- CHAP. VII.—Treats of various matters in connection with Mr. Ashley's position, and relates how it was arranged that Mrs. Dalton should return to England.
- CHAP. VIII.—Gerald Dalton falls in with a fellow-countryman in the stage, on his journey to Kent, and what comes of to meeting.—Mrs. Dalton is welcomed home by her sister.
- CHAP. IX—Showing who prove to be friends in time of trouble, and attesting to the truth of the old adage, "A friend in need is a friend indeed."
- CHAP. X.—Contains some account of Herrington and its inhabitants, and tells how Gerald Dalton made up his mind to leave home and seek his fortune.
- CHAP. XI.—In which it is shown that misfortune still presses upon Mr. Ashley: but he meets with a friend in the hour of need, and goes to London.—showing further now Gerald Dalton accompanied him thither.
- CHAP. XII.—The journey to London, and what befel Mr. Ashley and Gerald in the great metropolis.
- CHAP. XIII.—Which relates how Mr. Ashley went to ceylon, and treats of a mystery hereafter to be explained.
- CHAP. XIV.—Descriptive of Gerald's feelings when he returned to London. Also of what Mr. Ashley wrote from Ceylon.—And of a bright ray which shed a light over Gerald's gloomy prospects.
- CHAP. XV.—Jemmy Milton gives Gerald some good advice in a letter.—And Gerald takes possession of an invoice of rare and curious merchandise, to do the best he can therewith.
- CHAP. XVI.—In which it is told how Gerald went to India, and what occurred during the voyage and after he arrived at calcutta.—Also details of many other interesting incidents.
- CHAP. XVII.—Which tells of the result of the Auction Sale, and what happened afterwards, and also shows that justice is awake to her interests in Indian as well as in Europe and America.
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- CHAP. XVIII.—A very short chapter, which shows how pride sometimes overcomes right and reason, and severs its possessor from all that he holds most dear.
- CHAP. XIX.—Which relates to Alice Thornton, and lifts the veil, without however explaining the cause of her mysterious disappearance from Her rington.
- CHAP. XX.—In which the scene is changed, and some strange things occur after a strange fashion.
- CHAP. XXI.—Misrepresentations and their results.—The evil effects of false pride again exemplified.
- CHAP. XXII.—In which Mr. Craddock makes a long and strange explanation, which Alice listens to patiently, with what result will be seen hereafter.
- CHAP. XXIII.—In which the reader obtains some inkling of the motives which actuated Mr. Craddock, and in which Alice and her cousin come to a mutual understanding.—showing also what was the result.
- CHAP. XXIV.—In which the hero of the story is found to have made a more successful voyage.—He visits old friends, and receives some good advice, which partially metts the usual fate of good advice; and accepts the offer of a novel situation.
- CHAP. XXV.—Showing how the noble Dane was right when he said, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than e'er were dreamed of in our philosophy."
- CHAP. XXVI.—Which announces the death of Deacon Milton, and tells how Jemmy Milton came into possession of a "fortun'." How he was sought after in marriage by antiquated spinsters and disconsolate widdys. How all was in vain, and how Jemmy made his will, and smoked his pipe in peace in the boat-house.
- CHAP. XXVII.—Explaining how Minette manages to procure an interview with Alice, at the convent at Orleans, and showing the result of the interview.
- CHAP. XXVIII.—Melancholy news, and its results.
- CHAP. XXIX.—Gerald arrives at Liverpool and proceeds to Herrington.—His interview with the viear.—More news of Alice.—Gerald's plans.—A voyage to Cuba.
- CHAP. XXX.—The interview with the executor, showing how he fell into the snare laid for him, and how Mr. Craddock consented to the release of his niece from the convent.—He returns to England.
- CHAP. XXXI.—In which the reader is conducted over a good deal of ground, and in which Love, Courtship and Matrimony are all introduced. Some readers may think better late than never.
- CHAP. XXXII.—Which treats of various matters, showing how Gerald and Alice visited Cuba, and arranged matters to their own satisfaction, and afterwards went to New York, where Gerald met with some old acquaintance by name. How he visited Ohio, and returned to New York, leaving matters in abeyance which the next and concluding chapter will set torights.
- CHAP. XXXIII.—Conclusion, which treats of various matters, each necessary to the winding up of the story, and, which, the author hopes, winds up everything to the satisfaction of the reader.
