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Файл:Satanstoe; or, The Littlepage Manuscripts
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SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
tanstoe or had my father with him at Rockrockarock, as his
own place, in Rockland, was called. On these visits, whether to
or from, there was a large consumption of tobacco, beer, cider,
wine, rum, lemons, sugar, and the other ingredients of punch,
toddy and fl ip; but no outrageously durable excesses. There was
much laughing, a great deal of good feeling, many stories, and
regular repetitions of old adventures, in the way of traditional
narrations; but nothing that could be called decided excesses.
It is true, that my grand father, and my father, and the Rev.
Mr. Worden, and Col. Follock, were much in the habit of retiring to their beds a little confused in their brains, the consequence of so much tobacco-smoke, as Mr. Worden always
maintained; but everything was decent, and in order. The parson, for instance, invariably pulled up on a Friday; and did not
take his place in the circle until Monday evening, again; which
gave him fully twenty-four hours, to cool off in, before he ascended the pulpit. I will say this, for Mr. Worden, that he was
very systematic and methodical in the observance of all his
duties; and I have known him, when he happened to be late at
dinner, on discovering that my father had omitted to say grace,
insist on everybody’s laying down their knives and forks, while
he asked a blessing; even though it were after the fi sh was
actually eaten. No, no; Mr. Worden was a particular person,
about all such things; and it was generally admitted, that he
had been the means of causing grace to be introduced into
several families, in Westchester; in which it had never been
the practice to have it, before his examples and precepts were
known to them.
361
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
I had not been acquainted with Guert Ten Eyck a fortnight,
before I saw he had a tendency to the same sort of excesses as
those to which Col. Van Valkenburgh was addicted. There was
an old French Huguenot living near Satanstoe – or rather,
the son of one, who still spoke his father’s language – and who
used to call Col. Follock’s frolics his «grands couchers» and his
«petit couchers;»
without assistance; while at the fi rst, it was indispensable that
some aid should be proffered. It was these «grands couchers» at
which my father never assisted. On these occasions, the colonel invariably held his orgies over in Rockland, in the society of men of purely Dutch extraction; there being something
exclusive in the enjoyment. I have heard it said that these last
frolics sometimes lasted a week, on really important occasions;
during the whole of which time the colonel and all near him
27
In plain English, the «great go-to-bed», and the «little go-tobed». There may be a portion of our readers who are not aware that
the word «levee», meaning a morning reception by a great man, is
derived from the French «lever», which means «to rise», or «to get
up». The kings of France were in the habit of receiving homage at
their morning toilets; a strange custom, that doubtless had its origin
in the empressement of the courtier to inquire how his master had
slept; which receptions were divided into two classes, the «grand
lever» and the «petit lever» – the «great getting-up» or the «little
getting-up». The fi rst was an occasion of more state than the last.
Even down to the time of Charles X., the court papers seldom went
a week without announcing that the king had signed the contract
of marriage – a customary compliment in France, among friends of
this of that personage – at the «grand lever», or at the «petit lever;»
the fi rst, I believe, but am not certain, being the greater honour of
the two.– EDITOR.
27
inasmuch as he usually got to bed at the last,
362
SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
were as happy as lords. These «grands couchers» however, occurred but rarely – coming round, as it might be, like leapyears, just to regulate the calendar, and adjust the time.
As for my new friend, Guert, he made no manifestation
towards a «grand coucher» during the time I remained at Albany – this his attachment to Mary Wallace forbade – but,
I discovered by means of hints and allusions, that he had
been engaged in one or two such affairs, and that there was
still a longing for them in his bones. It was owing to her consciousness of the existence of such weaknesses, and her own
strong aversion to anything of the sort, that, I am persuaded,
Mary Wallace was alone induced to hesitate about accepting
Guert’s weekly offer of his hand. The tenderness she evidently
felt for him, now shone too obviously in her eyes, to leave any
doubt in my mind of Guert’s fi nal success; for what woman
ever refused long to surrender, when the image of the besieger
had taken its place in the citadel of her heart! Even Anneke
received Guert with much favour, after his excellent behaviour on the river; and I fancied that everything was going on
most fl atteringly for my friend, while it seemed to me that
I made no advances in my own suit. Such, at least, were my notions on the subject, at the very moment when my new friend,
as it appeared, was nearly driven to desperation.
It was near the end of April, or about a month after our
perilous adventure on the ice, that Guert came to seek me, one
fi ne spring morning, with something very like despair depicted in his fi ne, manly face. During the whole of that month, it
ought to be premised, I had not dared to speak of love to Anneke. My attentions and visits were incessant and pointed, but
363
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
my tongue had been silent. The diffi dence of real admiration
had held me tongue-tied; and I foolishly fancied there would
be something like presuming on the services I had so lately
rendered, in urging my suit so soon after the occurrence of
the events I have described. I had even the romance to think it
might be taking an undue advantage of Bulstrode, to wish to
press my claims at a moment when the common object of our
suit might be supposed to feel the infl uence of a lively gratitude. These were the notions and sentiments of a very young
man, it must be confessed; but I do not know that I ought to
feel ashamed of them. At all events, they existed; and they had
produced the effect I have mentioned, leaving me to fall, each
day, more desperately in love, while I made no sensible advances in preferring my suit. Guert was very much in the same
situation, with this difference, however; he made it a point to
offer himself, distinctly, each Monday morning, invariably
receiving for an answer «no;» if the lady were to be pressed
for a defi nite reply; but leaving some glimmering of hope,
should time be given for her to make up her mind. The visit of
Guert’s, to which I have just alluded, was after one of the customary offers, and usual replies; the offer direct, and the «no»,
tempered by the doubting and thoughtful brow, the affectionate smile, and the tearful eye.
«Corny», said my friend, throwing down his hat with
a most rueful aspect; for, winter having departed, and spring
come, we had all laid aside our fur-caps –» Corny, I have just
been refused again! That word, ‘no,’ has got to be so common
with Mary Wallace, that I am afraid her tongue will never
364
SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
know how to utter a ‘yes!’ Do you know, Corny, I have a great
mind to consult Mother Doortje!»
«Mother who? – You do not mean Mr. Mayor’s cook,
surely!»
«No; Mother Doortje. She is said to be the best fortune teller that has ever lived in Albany. But, perhaps, you do not believe in fortune-tellers; some people I know do not?»
«I cannot say that I have much belief, or unbelief, on
the subject, never having seen anything of that sort».
«Have they, then, no fortune-teller, no person who has
the dark art, in New York?»
«I have heard of such people, but have never had an opportunity of seeing or hearing for myself. If you do go to see
this Mother Dorrichy, or whatever you call her, I should like
amazingly to be of the party».
28
Guert was delighted to hear this, and he caught eagerly at
the offer. If I would stand his friend he would go at once; but
he confessed he did not like to trust himself all alone in the old
woman’s company.
«I am, perhaps, the only man of my time of life, in Albany,
who has not, sooner or later, consulted Mother Doortje;» he
added! «I do not know how it is, but, somehow, I have never
liked to tempt fortune by going to question her! One never
can tell what such a being may say; and should it be evil, why
it might make a man very miserable. I am sure I want no more
28
Doortje – pronounced Doort-yay – means Dorothea. Mr.
Littlepage uses a sort of corruption of the pronunciation. I well remember a fortune-teller of that name, in Albany; though it could
not have been the Doortje of 1758. – EDITOR.
365
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
trouble, as it is, than to fi nd Mary Wallace so undetermined
about having me!»
«Then you do not mean to go, after all! I am not only ready,
but anxious to accompany you».
«You mistake me, Corny. Go I will, now, though she tell me
that which will cause me to cut my throat – but, we must not
go as we are; we must disguise ourselves, in order that she may
not know us. Everybody goes disguised; and then they have
an opportunity of learning if she is in a good vein, or not, by
seeing if she can tell anything about their business, or habits, in the fi rst place. If she fail in that, I should not care a straw
for any of the rest. So, go to work, Corny, and dress yourself for
the occasion – borrow some clothes of the people in the house,
here, and come round to me, as soon as you please; I shall be
ready, for I often go disguised to frolics – yes, unlucky devil
that I am, and come back disguised, too!»
Everything was done, as desired. By means of a servant in
the tavern, I was soon equipped in a way that satisfi ed me
was very successful; inasmuch as I passed Dirck, in quitting
the house, and my old, confi dential friend did not recognise me. Guert was in as good luck, as I actually asked himself for himself, when he opened the door for my admission.
The laugh, and the handsome face, however, soon let me into
the secret, and we sallied forth in high spirits; almost forgetting our misgivings concerning the future, in the fun of passing our acquaintances in the street, without being known.
Guert was much more artistically and knowingly disguised,
than I was myself. We both had put on the clothes of labourers; Guert wearing a smock-frock that he happened to own for
his fi shing occupations in summer – but I had my usual lin-
366
SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
en in view, and wore all the ordinary minor articles of my daily
attire. My friend pointed out some of these defects, as we went
along, and an attempt was made to remedy them. Mr. Worden
coming in view, I determined to stop him, and speak to him in
a disguised voice, in order to ascertain if it were possible to
deceive him.
«Your sarvant, Tominie», I said, making an awkward bow,
as soon as we got near enough to the parson to address him;
«be you ter Tominie, that marries folk on a pinch?»
«Ay, or on a handful, liking the last best. – Why, Corny,
thou rogue, what does all this mean?»
It was necessary to let Mr. Worden into the secret; and
he no sooner learned the business we were on, than he expressed a wish to be of the party. As there was no declining, we
now went to the inn, and gave him time to assume a suitable
disguise. As the divine was a rigid observer of the costume of
his profession, and was most strictly a man of his cloth, it was
a very easy matter for him to make such a change in his exterior, as completely to render him incognito. When all was ready,
we went fi nally forth, on our errand.
«I go with you, Corny, on this foolish business», said
the Rev. Mr. Worden, as soon as we were fairly on our way,
«to comply with a promise made your excellent mother, not to
let you stray into any questionable company, without keeping a fatherly eye over you. Now, I regard a fortune-teller’s,
as a doubtful sort of society; therefore, I feel it to be a duty, to
make one of this party».
I do not know whether the Rev. Mr. Worden succeeded in
deceiving himself; but, I very well know, he did not succeed in
367
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
deceiving me. The fact was, he loved a frolic; and nothing made
him happier, than to have an opportunity of joining in just
such an adventure as that we were on. Judging from the position of her house, and the appearance of things in and around
it, the business of Mother Doortje was not of the most lucrative sort. Dirt and poverty were two things not easily encountered, in Albany; and, I do not say, that we found very positive
evidence of either, here; but there was less neatness than was
usual in that ultra-tidy community; and, as for any great display of abundance, it was certainly not to be met with.
We were admitted by a young woman, who gave us to understand that Mother Doortje had a couple of customers, already; but she invited us to sit down in an outer room, promising that our turn should be the next. We did so, accordingly,
listening, through a door that was a little ajar, with no small
degree of curiosity, to what was passing within. I accidentally
took a seat in a place that enabled me to see the legs of one of
the fortune-teller’s customers; and, I thought, immediately,
that the striped stockings were familiar to me; when the nasal,
and very peculiar intonation of Jason, put the matter out of
all doubt. He spoke in an earnest manner; which rendered
him a little incautious; while the woman’s tones were low and
mumbled. Notwithstanding, we all overheard the following
discourse –
«Well, now, Mother Dorrichay», said Jason, in a very
confi ding sort of way, «I’ve paid you well, for this here business, and I want to know if there is any chance, for a poor
man, in this colony, who doesn’t want for friends, or, for that
matter, merit?»
368
SATANSTOE; OR, THE LITTLEPAGE MANUSCRIPTS
«That’s yourself» mumbled the female voice – in the way
one announces a discovery –» Yes, I see, by the cards, that your
question applies to yourself. You are a young man, that wants
not for friends; and you have merit! You have friends that you
deserve; the cards tells me that!»
«Well, I’ll not deny the truth of what you assert; and, I must
say, Dirck, it is a little strange, this woman, who never saw me
before, should know me so well – my very natur’, as it might
be. But, do you think, I shall do well to follow up the affair I am
now on, or that I had best give it up?»
«Give up nothing», answered the oracle, in a very oracular
manner, shuffl ing the cards as she spoke; «no, give up nothing,
but keep all you can. That is the way to thrive, in this world».
«By the Hokey, Dirck, she gives good advice, and I think
I shall follow it! But how about the land, and the mill-seat – or,
rather, how about the particular things I’m thinking about?»
«You are thinking of purchasing – yes, the cards say purchasing; or is it ‘disposing’«
«Why, as I’ve got none to sell, it can’t very well be disposing, Mother».
«Yes, I’m right – this Jack of Clubs settles the matter – you
are thinking of buying some land – Ah! there’s water running
down-hill; and here I see a pond – Why, you are thinking of
buying a mill-seat».
«By the Hokey! – Who would have thought this, Dirck!»
«Not a mill; no, there is no mill built; but a mill-seat. Six,
king, three and an ace; yes, I see how it is – and you wish to get
this mill-seat at much less than its real value. Much less; not
less, but much less».
369
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER
«Well, this is wonderful! I’ll never gainsay fortin-tellin’
ag’in!» exclaimed Jason. «Dirck, you are to say nothin’ of this,
or think nothin’ of this – as it’s all in confi dence, you know.
Now, jist put in a last word, about the end of life, Mother,
and I’ll be satisfi ed. What you have told me about my fortin and earnin’s must be true, I think, for my whole heart
is in them; but I should like to know, after enjoying so much
wealth and happiness as you’ve foretold, what sort of an end
I am to make of it?»
«An excellent end – full of grace, and hope, and Christian faith. I see here, something that looks like a clergyman’s
gown – white sleeves – book under the arm –»
«That can’t be me. Mother, as I’m no lover of forms, but
belong to the platform».
«Oh! I see how it is, now; you dislike Church of England
people, and could throw dirt at them. Yes, yes – here you are –
a presbyterian deacon, and one that can lead in a private meeting, on an occasion».
«Come, Dirck, I’m satisfi ed – let us go; we have kept Mother Doorichaise long enough, and I heard some visiters come in,
just now. Thank you, mother – thank you, with all my heart;
I think there must be some truth in this fortin-tellin’ after all!»
Jason now arose, and walked out of the house, without even
deigning to look at us – and consequently without our being
recognised. But Dirck lingered a minute, not yet satisfi ed with
what had been already told him.
«Do you really think I shall never be married, Mother?»
he asked, in a tone that suffi ciently betrayed the importance
370
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