Page:The Atlantic Monthly Volume 1.djvu/85

1857.] But at your request, I will go and see what I can do.”

I went. Susan received me with an effort at a smile, which was a failure, and at my inquiry for Pendlam, burst into tears.

“He is not dead, I hope.”

“No,” sobbed Susan.

“Nor in jail?”

“No.” Another sob.

“Nor in any serious trouble?”

“Trouble enough, Heaven knows! Mother has gone. I don’t know what to do. All the nice people we used to visit with have turned against us.”

“But our happiness does not depend upon nice people, you know, dear Susan.”

“But he is getting into the strangest ways! Shabby folks, with long beards, come to see him. He has left off family devotions.”

Susan was weeping; when, at a quick step in the hall, she took alarm, and hurried from the room, just in time to hide her tears from her husband.

“Alone?” said Pendlam.

“No; Susan has just left me.”

“I am glad you have come. I have thought for several days that I required your magnetism. Every thing with me now is magnetism. My nature demands a certain magnetism, as the appetite demands a certain quality of food. There are coarse magnetisms, and fine magnetisms; yours is peculiarly agreeable to me. Some repel me, and some attract irresistibly. I have only to follow my impressions, to get what is necessary for me. That’s where I am,” said Pendlam.

He urged me to stay and dine; and as I desired an opportunity to converse further with Susan, I consented. I was surprised to see a dish of roast meat come upon the table,—Pendlam having, for the past year, preached vegetarianism. But he assured me that he had not changed his theory of dietetics.

“There are times, however, when we require the magnetisms of certain animal foods. To-day I perceived that my system demanded the magnetism of lamb. If your constitution is wanting in the lamb element, you will find this tender.”

Pendlam, I should observe, had neglected to say grace.

“Your theory of magnetisms,” said I, “would seem a very convenient one. To-morrow, for example, you can require the magnetism of roast beef. The next day, the magnetisms of turtle-soup and venison will be found agreeable. The magnetisms of some birds are said to be excellent. And I have no doubt but in time you will arrive at the discovery, that the magnetism of a certain distilled beverage, called brandy, stimulates digestion.”

Pendlam laughed and blushed.

“I have not forgotten that for three good years of my life I waged war against King Alchohol. (Will you try a bit of the lamb?) But I do not push my principles over the verge of prejudice, as those do who condemn the grape.”

“Condemn the grape?” I repeated.

“The juice of the grape, which is the same thing. Where this can be obtained pure, it will be found highly beneficial to persons on a certain plane. The grape magnetism is eminently spiritualizing.”

So saying, to my utter astonishment, Pendlam uncorked a small bottle, which I had supposed to contain pepper-sauce, and commenced pouring out wine.

“This will answer in lieu of grace,” I suggested.

“The act of prayer,” said Pendlam, “has indisputable uses. It opens the avenues to an influx of spiritual magnetisms. But where the mind is kept in the receptive condition without the aid of the external form of prayer, this becomes like a scaffolding after the house is built. Step by step, I have been led to this high spiritual plane.”

Susan, as of old, sat and sighed.

Pendlam found my magnetism so attractive, that it was impossible for me to obtain a minute’s conversation with Susan alone. I departed, wearied and disheartened with her sad, despairing face haunting me.