Chapter I: Front Matter

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FASHION AND FAMINE.

BY

MRS. ANN S. STEPHENS.

There is no sorrow for the earnest soul
That looketh up to God in perfect faith.

TWENTY-FIFTH THOUSAND.

New York:

BUNCE & BROTHER, PUBLISHERS, 134 NASSAU STREET.

MDCCCLIV.

ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by MRS. ANN S. STEPHENS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court, for the Southern District of New York.

Republished in London by RICHARD BENTLEY, through special arrangement with the Author

W. H. TINSON, STEREOTYPER, 24 Beckman Street.

TAWS, RUSSELL & CO., Printers, 26 Beekman and 18 Spruce St., N. Y.

To

MRS. LYDIA H. SIGOURNEY,

OF HARTFORD, CONN.,

THE MOST VALUED FRIEND THAT I HAVE,

AND ONE OF THE BEST WOMEN I EVER KNEW, THIS BOOK

Is Most Respectfully Dedicated.

ANN S. STEPHENS.

Preface.

What shall I say in this Preface to my book? Shall I make the usual half-sincere, half-affected apology of haste and inexperience, with hints of improvement in future efforts? Indeed I cannot, for though this volume really is the first novel ever printed in book form under my name, its imperfections, whatever they are, arise from no inexperience or undue haste, but from absolute lack of power to accomplish that which I have undertaken. Nor is it probable that the points in which I have failed here, would be very greatly improved were the same book to be written again.

I have endeavored to make this book a good one. If I have failed it is because the power has not been granted to me by the Source of all power, and for deficiency like this, the only admissible apology would be for having written at all. But excuses are out of place here. The book, with all its faults, is frankly surrendered to the public judgment, asking neither favoritism or forbearance, save that favoritism which deals gently with unintentional error, and that forbearance which no American ever withholds from a woman. Shall I say that this volume is launched on the world with fear and trembling? That would express an ungrateful want of faith in a class of readers who have generously sustained me through years of literary toil, and have nobly supported not only Peterson's Ladies' National Magazine now under my charge, but every periodical with which I have been connected. It would be ungrateful to the press that, without a single respectable exception, has always dealt generously by me, and would betray a weakness of character which I am not willing to acknowledge, for I have lived long enough to tremble at nothing which results from an honest intention, and to fear nothing but deserved disgrace--the death of beloved objects--or change in those affections that no literary fame or misfortune can ever reach.

But it is not without emotions that I present this book to the public, grateful and sweet emotions that liberal minds must respect more than a thousand insincere apologies. The thoughts of an author are the perfume of her own soul going forth on the winds of heaven to awaken other souls and renew itself in their kindred sympathies. I am more anxious for the effect which these thoughts, so long a portion of my own being, will have upon others, than for the return they may bring to myself. The American people are, in the mass, just and intelligent judges; always generous and perhaps over-indulgent to their authors. In writing this book I have endeavored to deserve their approbation and to cast no discredit upon a profession that I honor more than any other upon the broad earth. If I have succeeded, no human being can be more grateful than I shall be for the public opinion that assures me of it; but, to satisfy even my humble ambition, it must be an opinion honestly earned and frankly given. Popularity won without merit, and lost without blame, would be valueless to me, even while it lasted.

New York, May 22, 1854.

Contents.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. The Strawberry Girl and Market Woman 9

II. The Old Couple in the Back Basement 26

III. The Lone Mansion and its Mistress 43

IV. The Astor House--the Ride--the Attic Room 54

V. Mistress and Servant in Consultation 72

VI. The Tempter and the Tempted--the young heart yields 81

VII. The Old Homestead and Home Memories 89

VIII. The City Cottage and its Strange Inmate 110

IX. Mrs. Gray's Thanksgiving Dinner--Julia and Robert 126

X. The Brother's Return--Questions and Answers 141

XI. The Mother's Letter and the Son's Commentary 158

XII. Strife for an Earl--Mrs. Sykes and Mrs. Nash 163

XIII. The Morning Lesson--Doubt--Sympathy--Misery 179

XIV. A Wedding Foreshadowed--Sunshine of the Heart 187

XV. The Mother's Appeal--the Son's Falsehood 194

XVI. The Bridal Wreath--Roses and Cypress 211

XVII. An Hour before the Ball--Strides of Destiny 222

XVIII. The Forged Check--Uncle and Nephew 228

XIX. Night and Morning--Wild Heart Strife 234

XX. The Last Interview--Parting--Death 251

XXI. The City Prison--Examination for Murder 266

XXII. The Imprisoned Witness in the Female Ward 282

XXIII. The Three Old Women in Fulton Market 299

XXIV. The First Night in Prison--Prayers--Tears--Dreams 311

XXV. Little Georgie--his Mother and Julia Warren 319

XXVI. Mrs. Gray and the Prison Woman 330

XXVII. Struggles and Revels--Unquenched Anguish 338

XXVIII. Ada Leicester and Jacob Strong 344

XXIX. Ada's Solitary Breakfast--Desolation of Heart 350

XXX. The Prison Woman in Ada's Dressing-Room 354

XXXI. The Tombs Lawyer and his Client Mrs. Gray 366

XXXII. The Lawyer's Visit to his Client 372

XXXIII. The Trial for Murder--Opening Scenes 380

XXXIV. The Two Witnesses--Recognition too Late 388

XXXV. The Verdict--Stillness--Death-Shadows 399

XXXVI. The Parents, the Child and Grandchild 405

XXXVII. The Dawning of Light--Angelic Missions 412

XXXVIII. Gathering for the Execution 414

XXXIX. Hearts and Consciences at Rest 422

FASHION AND FAMINE.