ForewordSomanyinquirieshavebeenmadeastoexactlywhere，andwhatisthe\"MotherLode\"!
Thegeologistandthehistorianagreeastoitslocationandcomposition，buttheoldminersand\"sojourners\"ofthevanishedgoldeneragivestrangelydifferentversionsofit。Someoftheseareheresetdown，ifnotallforyourenlightenmentatleast，Ihope，foryourentertainment。
Thatis，afterall，theprincipalaimofthesetalesoftheolddaysinCalifornia，thataregone\"forgood。\"MarkTwainsaysinhisprefaceto\"RoughingIt\"thatthereisagreatdealofinformationinhisworkwhichheregretsverymuchbutwhichreallycouldnotbehelped，as\"informationseemstostewoutofmenaturally，likethepreciousottarofrosesoutoftheotter\"!
Thesestoriesmakenosuchparticularclaim!Theyaremerelyhistoricalfragmentsoftheireverydaylife，gatheredfromapassinggenerationbeforetheyshallbefinallylost。Eachoneisbasedupontruth。
Somewhere，sometime，someplace，certaincharacterslivedthescenesandactionsheredescribed。
Thetitle\"MotherLode\"hasbeenusedinitsbroadersenseasexemplifyingthesourceofallgoldinCalifornia，andthelifewhicharosefromit。
Theminingengineersaid：\"TheMotherLoderunssouthfromElDoradoCountytothelowerboundaryofMariposaCounty。ItstretchespastthetownsofSutterCreek，Jackson，SanAndreas，Angel’sCampandtheroadtoYosemitefardownbelowCoulterville。Thelodebeginssuddenlyandendsassuddenly，andthoughwehavesearchedupanddownthestatewehaveneverbeenabletopickitupagain。\"
\"HasitanyrelationtotheComstockLode？\"wasasked。
\"Nonewhatever。Curiouslyenough，inNevadaCityandvicinityitwouldappearthatatonetimeintheearth’smaking，agreatfissureopenedinformingCaliforniaandawedgeofNevadaminingcountrywaspushedintoit。NorthoftheretheCaliforniastratasbeginagain。\"
\"ButitwasalwaysmybeliefthattheselocalitieswereontheMotherLode，aswellastheGeorgetownandAuburncountry。\"
\"Manypersonsareapparentlyunderthatimpression，butthegeologicalsurveysofthegovernmentplaceitintheexactlocationIhavegivenyou。\"
The\"OldMiner，’49er，\"said：\"Wehuntedmostallo’ourlives，lookin’
forher!WecalledhertheMotherLode，becausewethoughtthatallthegoldinthestatemusta’comefromheran’washeddowntheriversontothebarswherewefoundit。Wethoughtshe’dbepuregold，an’ahundredfeetwidean’goon，worldwithoutend。Welooked，an’looked，an’afterquartzminin’comein，wedugan’dug，butweneverfoundtheoldgirlexceptin’herean’there。
\"JoeDance，thatoldprospectorthatdiedlastyear，helosthismindlookin’forthebiglode。Madesomerichstrikesinhisday，Joedid，buthenevercouldstoptowork’em。Hewasalwayswaitin’forthemotherof’emall，hesaid，who’dputhimontheroadtothehearta’
moltengoldinthemiddlea’theearth。
\"Weoldfellowstrampedallthewaythroughthehillswithonlyaburroforcompanymosta’thetime，an’you’llridedownabroadpavedway，soon，inyourautomobile。You’llgoindays，whereittookusmonths，an’somebrainyyoungengineerwilllocatetheoldgirl，mostlikely，innew—fangledwaysthatwereunknowninourtime。
\"Well，theworldwhirlsfast，now—a—days。Guessthey’llneedallthegoldintheoldgirl’slaptokeepongreasin’themachinery。Itakeoffmyhattothisgeneration。Ihopethey’llfindit!\"
Hittellsays：\"TheMotherLodeisoneofthemostextraordinarymetalliferousveinsintheworld。Gold—bearinglodesusuallyrangeonlyfiveorsixmiles，butthiscanbetracedformorethansixty。Therockisahardandwhitequartz，richinveryfineparticlesofgold，andtheveinvariesinwidthfromafoottothirtyfeet。
\"Thereareinsomeportionsofitscoursesidebranchesorcompanionveins，astheyaresometimescalled，makingthetotalwidthnearlyonehundredfeet。Noristhedirectionofthelodealwaysinastraightline。Thoughusuallyfoundwithinhalfamileofwhatmaybeconsidereditsnormalcourse，itissometimesfoundasfarastwoorthreemilesfromit，andtherearecasesofotherlodes（three，inall）entirelydistinct，whichinsomeinstancesapproachsocloseastobeconfoundedwithit。\"
Therearenumerousminesalongthewholelengthofthelode，famousforhavingyieldedtheirmillions。Onequartzledgeissaidtohaveyieldedforalongtime，two—thirdsgold。TheysayoftheMorganMine，atCarson’sCreeknearMelones，\"Itappearedtoberichbeyondparallel。Ononeoccasion$110，000。00worthofgoldwasthrowndownatasingleblast。\"
ManyexpeditionsweremadeinsearchofthefabledGreatLodebutallattemptswerevain。
’Theoldspread—eaglejudgesaid：\"Yes，sir；theMotherLodedipsupinabitofacirclewithnobeginningandnoend，inthewesternfoothillsoftheSierraMountains。DownaboutMelones，andSonora，andAngel’sCampitgoes，andthroughTableMountain，andunderJackassHill。Itcomesnorth，andnorth，pastColoma，andAuburn，toNevadaCityandthenitdisappears。\"
Irememberedtheengineer’sstatement，butwassilent。
\"ItwasthehauntofHarte，andTwain，andCanfieldinthenorth；itwasthebankofsuchmenasHopkins，Crocker，HuntingtonandStanford；thefoundationofoneofthegreateststatesintheUnion，theMotherLode，theMotherofGold!\"
\"Child，myoldeyeshavewatcheditspreadfornearlyninetyyears—thepowerofgold，andofthemenwhocametoseekit，Theinfluenceofgoldcontrolledbythehumanintellect。IamoldandtiredandsoonIshallsleep，buttheoldseeclearly，tooclearly，thatwhichtheyareleaving，andthattowhichtheypass。\"
\"’Thus，facingthestars，wegooutamongstthemintodarkness’，\"I
quoted，softly。
\"Nottodarkness，buttoeternallight，toriseagainfromtheMotherLodetomingleinthebusylivesofmen。\"
\"’WhomakethHismessengerswithtwo，andthree，andfourpairsofwings’。\"
\"Exactly。Tobebornagain，andyetagain。Therealmother—veinofgoldwasimbuedinthemenshapedbythelifeofthefrontier。Itwasthecornerstoneofgreatfortunes，offamilies，ofenterprises，ofachievementswhicharepeculiarlyCalifornia’sown。
\"ItwastheclearinghouseandopensesameofthevasttradeoftheOrientwhichisjustcomingintobeing；thefoundationforthebridgeofgoldwhichshallreachacrosstheseas；afitmonumenttoposteritywhichshallbeerectedwithallthelightnessandgraceandstabilityofthepresentculturedgenerations，bornwiththeirfeetintheflowersgrownfromthemother—goldofdecentmanhoodandgloriouswomanhood—
thepreciousmetalsofthespirit，unalloyedandunafraid。
\"TheyarethetrueMotherLode，thebourneoftheseekersofgold，greater，far，thanthecrazedbrainsoftheoldprospectorshadthepowertoconceive。Afurther—reaching，broaderarcthanthemostwondrousrainbowoftheirimaginingsbornofdreams，andbuiltofhungeranddespair。\"
\"Soshallwefind，atlast，theMotherLode，thevirginityoftheessenceofcreation，thebeginningandtheend。Thecurveofthecirclewhichisunchanging，insoluble，omniscient；whichshallreturntothatwhichcreatedit；whichisall；whichisGod!\"
\"’49\"
\"Wehaveworkedourclaims，Wehavespentourgold，Ourbarksareastrandonthebars；
Wearebatteredandold，YetatnightwebeholdOutcroppingsofgoldinthestars。
Wheretherabbitsplay，WherethequailalldayPipeonthechaparralhill；
Afewmoredays，AndthelastofuslaysHispickasideandisstill。
Wearewreckandstray，Wearecastaway，Poorbatteredoldhulksandspars!
Butwehopeandpray，OnthejudgmentDay，Weshallstrikeit，upinthestars。
—JoaquinMiller。
ContentsOneSundayinStinson’sBarTheTomBellStrongholdTheHangingofCharliePriceRattlesnakeDickIndianVengeanceGrizzlyBobofSnakeGulchCurleyCopperstheJackTheRaceoftheShoestringGamblersTheDragonandtheTomahawkTheBarstowLynchingOneSundayinStinson’sBarI
\"Onthatbroadstageofempirewon，Whosefootlightswerethesettingsun；
WhoseflatsadistantbackgroundroseIntracklesspeaksofendlesssnows；
Heregeniusbows，andtalentwaitsTocopythatbutOnecreates。\"
—BretHarte。
Now—a—dayswhenyouwanttogofromSanFranciscototheSierraNevadacountryyoustepintoyourperfectlygoodPackard（orwhateveritis—
allthewaydowntoamotorcyclesidecar），andyouferryacrossthebayandthestraits，andifthemotor—copisn’taround，youcomeshootingupthehighwayfortymilesanhour，andattheendofagloriousfive—hourrunyouarethere。
Intheearlyfifties—whentherewaslesstosee，too—youtookmoretimetoit。YoucametoSacramentoontheriverboat。Thenifyouwererich，youboughtahorseoramuleandrodefortherestofyourjourney。Ifyouwerepoor，orthriftyperhaps，youwalked，ortriedtogetarideononeoftheox—freightteamswhichpliedtheirwayacrossHagginGranttoAuburnandDutchFlat，ortoFolsomandColoma。
LaterarailwaywasbuiltasfarasAuburnstation，thensituatedatapointthreemileseastofLoomiswhichwasatthattimecalledPino。
NothingremainsofAuburnstation。Buttheroadbedoftheoldrailwayisstilltobefoundincertainwoodedtractswhichhavenotgivenwaytothefruitranches；andthehighwayfromFairOaksintoFolsomfollowstheoldcutsandgradesforseveralmiles。
InthedaysprecedingandimmediatelyfollowingthediscoveryofgoldinCalifornia，buildingwasverydifficult。Everystickoflumberinmygrandfather’shousecamebyship\"aroundtheHorn，\"andthefruittreesgrapevines，flowers，evenbees，forhislovelygarden：wereallsentfromEurope。
Inthesmallersettlementstherewasseldommorethanonelargebuildingwhichcouldbeusedforsocialpurposes，andthiswasoftenthecardroomorbarroominconnectionwiththehotelofthetown。
SohereisthetalethatwastoldofoneSundayinStinson’sbarroom，inthelate’50satAuburnStation：
TheytriedtogiveaballonceayearatStinson’s。Personscametoitfrom30milesabout，particularlyiftheywerewomen，andeverywomandividedeachdanceamongfourmen。Whenamaninvitedaladytocometoadance，inmanyinstancesheinsistedupontheprivilegeofbuyingherasilkengownandslipperstowear，andthiswasnotconsideredunusual，norwassheinanywayobligatedtohimforit。Thereweresofew\"ladies\"thattheyweretreatedaslittleshortofdivinities。
ThisSaturdaynighttherehadbeennodance，andthemenatGentlemanJack’stableatStinson’shadplayed\"three—cardmonte\"onthroughthedawnandthesunrise，andintobroaddaylight。Thedoorwaspushedopen，lettinginarushofcool，sweetairwhichgutteredthecandlessetinoldbottles，anddrovetheheavyfogoftobaccosmoketowardtheblackenedceiling。Avoiceboomedforth：
\"Comeon，now，gentlemen。Twoladieshavecomewithposiesintallsilvervasesandawhitealtarclothforthistable。Thepreacher’scomingoverfromFolsom，andtherewillbechurchheldhereinonehour。
He’sabusymantoday。Aninfantwillbegivenalicensetotravelthelonganduncertainroadtoheaven，andapairofhappyloverswillbemadeone。\"
\"One—unhappypair。\"
It’sWilliamDuncan。He’sintoxicatedagain，\"drawledGentlemanJack，stretchinghisgracefullengthandsmilingatalong，aristocraticfigurecrouchedoverasmalltableinacorner。\"Hislaststriketurnedouttobeonlyasmallpocket，andsohedrownshiswoesinliquor，asusual。\"Hebowedtohisrecentcardpartners。\"Gentlemen，Iamsincerelysorryforyourlossesthisnight。Ishallsleepanhourbeforetheholymanarrives。Hesaunteredout，stuffingabuckskinbagofgolddustintohispocket。
\"Thereliesmypocket—inhispocket，\"mutteredDuncan。\"No，Stinson\"
raisinghisvoiceauthoritatively，\"Ishallnotgoout。Itismydesiretoprayformysinstoday***andtherehasalettercomefromoverseaswhichImustread—ifIcan。IfIcan—\"
Inanhourtheroomwasclearedofsmoke，greasycards，pokerchipsandemptybottles。Thebarwasinasmallroomapart。Thepokertable，supplementedwithabox，wascoveredwithahandsomealtarclothflankedbyhugesilvercandlesticksandvaseswhichhadbeencarriedacrosstheplains。Everyindividualinthecommunitycametochurchandstayedafterwardforthechristening。Atleasttwentymenexpressedawishtobegod—fathertothebabyandtheproudmotheracceptedalloffers。Whenthechristeningwasover，WilliamDuncanlurchedtohisfeet，hishigh—bredfacefulloftenderness，hislong—fingered，finegrainedhandspoisedovertherosychild，whilehequoted：
\"Maytimewhoshedshisblighto’erall，Anddailydoomssomejoytodeath。
O’ertheeletyearssogentlyfall，Theyshallnotcrushoneflowerbeneath!\"
\"Ah，’herecomesthebride!’’Alltheworld’sastage!’Letusonwiththenextscene，\"andhereeledbacktohislittletableinthecorner。
Thekissingandcongratulationsaftertheweddingwereinterruptedbytheshoutsofamanonhorseback，andridinghard。
\"Where’stheminister？SendforDocMiller!ThatbeastofaMexicanhorsethief—he’shotJimMuldoondownatDolton’sBar。Jimcaughthe’sstealinghishorseandI’mafraidthedirtygreaser’skilledhim。Wegot’im，though，beforeheskipped。SomebodygodowntoRattlesnakeforDocMiller。They’rebringing’embothhere。\"
WhenDocMillersawMuldoonstretchedonthebarroomtable，thesametablewhichafewminutesbeforehadservedasanaltarheshookhishead。
\"Hewillbegoneinhalfanhour，\"hesaid。Themenstandingaboutbegantakingofftheirhats。
\"Iwishtowritehome，\"whisperedMuldoon。Theyoungmotherhandedherbabytoitsfatherandseizingpencilandpaper，ranforward。Theministeropenedhisprayerbookattheserviceforthedying。
Whenthatservicehadbeenread，andwhathadbeenMuldooncarriedawaytobemadereadyforthelastsleep，onlytheministerandthetallEnglishmanwereleftinthebar—room。
\"Inthemidstoflifeweareindeath，\"mutteredDuncan。
\"True，\"rebukedtheother\"solivewellthelifewhichtheLord，thyGod，hathprovidedthee。\"WillDuncanlaughedaloud。
\"Itistoolate，Man—o’—God!Thereisnoplaceintheworldforayoungerson。\"Theministerhadnotheard。Hesprangtowardtheopenwindow，calling：
\"Wait!Itiswritten—’Thoushaltnotkill!’Bringhimin，likejustandhonestmen，forahearing。HemaybeahorsethiefandamurdererbutyoushalltaketheropefromhisneckandheshallspeakinhisowndefensebeforehegoestohisMaker。\"
Soahearingwasgiven（althoughgrudgingly，andwithaudiblegrumbling）
bythefriendsofMuldoonacrossthetablewhichhadsolatelybeenhisbier，butintheendtheytooktheMexicanoutfortheshort—cuttoretribution。
Twohourslater，aroundthesametablewassolemnizedthefuneralserviceofJimMuldoon。Theministerwouldnotreturnforsixweeks。Itmustbeheldatonce。GentlemanJackgaveasuitoffinestblackbroadclothforashroud。andthelittlebride，keepingoneflowerfromherweddingbouquet，placedtherestinthedeadman’shands。Shekissedhimsoftlyonhisforehead，whisperingthroughhertears。\"Fortheonesathomewholovedyou，\"andstoodwatchingassixmencarriedhimawaytothetinycemeteryunderthetrees。onahill。
VesperserviceswereoverandthewearyministerandhiscongregationhadgonebeforeDuncanfoundcouragetoopenandreadhisletter。Hiselderbrother，heirtothetitleandgreathousesandlandedestatesofhisfamily，hadbeenkilledinthehuntingfieldandhe，beingnextinline，wastocomehometosucceedtotheposition。
He，William—Duncan—Claibourne—Earlof—butno，hisfamilynamehadneverbeentoldinCalifornia。
Portionsoftheserviceshehadheardthatdaydriftedthroughhismind：
\"WhosoevershallnotreceivethekingdomofGodasalittlechild，heshallnotentertherein。***Wedosignhimwiththesignofthecrossintokenhereafterthatheshallmanfullyfightagainstthesin，theworld，andthedevil；andtocontinueChrist’sfaithfulsoldieruntohislife’send。\"So，thechildstartingonhisearthlyjourneywiththeminister’sblessingandthebackingoftwentygod—fathers!
TheholyoldchurchservicewhichhehadheardathomeinstatelyEnglishcathedrals—thenuggetsinthecontributionplate—theradiantbridewhohadcomeacrosstheplainstohear\"DearlyBeloved，Wearegatheredtogether，\"standingbesidethemansheloved。Theserviceforthedying：\"WhenweshallhaveservedtheeinourgenerationwemaybegathereduntoourFathers，havingthetestimonyofagoodconscience，theconfidenceofacertainfaith，infavorwithTheeourGod，andinperfectcharitywiththeworld。\"So，JimMuldoon，cutdownbeforehistime，andhisslayeroutthereinthedarknessontheendofarope。
Thedyingcandlepickedoutinflameawitheredcabbageroseunderthetable；ababy’smitten，theletterwrittenforthemanwhohaddied，theMexican’ssombreroonachair，thegiltsunandmoonandstarsontheglassfaceofthegrandfatherclockbythewindow。
Duncan’sheadfellforwardinhisclaspedarmsonthetable，andinhisdreamsheheardthehuntsman’ssilverhornfromacrosstheseascallinghimhometocarryonthedestinyoftheancientandhonorablenamewhichwashis。His\"strikeofpayore\"inhis\"landofgold。\"
Thecandlewickinashallowpooloftallowflaredhigh，andwentout。
Theoldclockchimedtwelve。
TheTomBellStrongholdII
\"Yousmile，Opoet，andwhatdoyou？
Youleanfromyourwindowandwatchlife’scolumnTramplingandstrugglingthroughdustanddew，Filledwithitspurposesgraveandsolemn；
Anact，agesture，aface—whoknows？
Andyoupluckfromyourbosomtheversethatgrows，Anddownitflieslikemyred，redrose，Andyousitanddreamasawayitgoes，Andthinkthatyourdutyisdone—now，don’tyou？\"
—BretHarte。
IntheearlydaysitwascalledtheMountaineerHouse。Nowitiscolloquiallyknownasthe\"stonehouse，\"andhasforsixtyyearsbeenthehomeoftheOwenKingfamily。Itissurroundedtodaybyoneofthemostbeautifulorchardsinthefoothills。Wideverandahsofthenativegraygranitetomatchtheoldhouseitselfhavebeenadded。Itiselectricallylightedandfurnaceheated，modernineveryway，yetstilltheromanceofformertimesseemstoclingtoitssturdyoldwalls。
Allthatremainunchangedarethreehugetreesflankingthehighwayinfront。Whattalestheycouldtell，iftheywould，ofwhatpassedbythejunctionoftworoadsbeneaththem。OfthelongandwearycaravansfromacrosstheplainscrawlingupfromthebridgeatWhiskeyBar，belowRattlesnake，gladthattheirsixmonths’strugglewasnearlyover：ofhorsemenonbeautifulSpanishhorsesridingfuriously，whithernooneknewnordaredask；ofdarkdeedsintheoldstonehousebelow，thatwassoinscrutablyquietbydayandsomysteriouslyalivebynight；ofghastlydoingsbytheTomBellgangwhichrangedallthewayfromtheOregonbordertothesouthernlakes。
Theywillnevertellalltheyknow—thesebigoldtrees—ofthosewhowentinbythedoorand\"cameoutbythecellar\"ofTomBell’sstronghold。Intheendtheplacefell，inthewarbetweenorderandlawlessnessand，asthepessimistslovetoassert，awoman，asusual，wasthecauseofit。Thetaleistold：
RosaPhillipssatintheMountaineerHousestrummingaSpanishguitar，andsinging，\"There’saturneddownpage，assomewritersays，ineveryhumanlife，Ahiddenstoryofhappierdays，ofpeaceamidstthestrife。
Afoldeddownleafwhichtheworldknowsnot。Alovedreamrudelycrushed，Thesightofafacethatisnotforgot。Althoughthevoicebehushed。\"
Sheroseandstoodatawindow，holdingthedustycurtainasidewithonewhitehandandpeeringcautiouslyforthintothedusk。AhorsewasgallopinguptheFolsomroad。Thehorsemanwasnear—wasunderthetreesinfront—waspast—andgonedowntheriverroadwithoutslackeninghisanimal’srapidgait。
\"HedoesnotstopattheMountaineerHousethesedays，\"saidTomBell’ssneeringvoiceatherelbow。\"ThereisanewactressattheoperahouseinRattlesnake。\"
Thewoman’sdarkeyesflashed，butsheansweredevenlyenough：
\"Hedoesnotstop，thehandsomeDick，soyou，senor，havenotthecausetobejealous。Isitnotso？\"
\"Cause？Why，youSpanishjade，you’veneverbeenthesametomesinceRattlesnakeDickcameprowlingbackfromShastacountytohisoldhauntsinPlacer。\"Rosa’sthin，redlipscurled。
\"Senor，Iamwhatitpleasesmetobe。\"
\"AndJackPhillipspermitsyoutobe!\"
Sheshruggedherslendershoulders。
\"Heweariesme。Life—thisplace—weariesme。\"
\"Yes，andIwearyyou，too—now。Plainasday，itis。\"
ThePhillipswomansmiled（sheseldomlaughed）andtherewasonlycrueltyinhersmile—nokindliness，nowomanlysoftnessofanysort。
\"Myfriend，soontherewillbeno’you。’Thenightiscomingandtherewillbenosunrise。\"
Amandismountedatthegateandledhishorsepastthewindowtothestablesinthecellar。Hewalkedwithacurious，haltingpace。
\"There’sJimDriscollbackalready。Mustbringnews，\"saidBell，leavingherhurriedly，andsoneglectingtoaskthemeaningofhercrypticremark。
Rosaslippedinbehindthebar，latethatevening，beautifullygowned，andwithherdarkhairdressedhigh。Hervividfaceglowedlikeascarletpoppyandwasbrightwithsmiles。Threeorfourmeninthecrowdedbar—roomrosetotheirfeetanddranktoherbrighteyesandstrolledacrosstothebar。
\"Soonnow’\"shewhispered，\"Ishallsweepoutthelights。Thosetwowhohavejustentered—whoarethey？\"Shewentacrosstheroomtothenewcomers。\"Thesenorsmaypaymeforthedrinks，iftheydesire，\"shesaidtothem，meaningly。
\"LaRositashalltakewhatpleasesher，\"oneofthemlaughed。Amongthehandfulofcoinsandsmallnuggetshebroughtfromhispocketwasabulletstrungonabitofdirtytwine。
\"Ah!alovetoken，senor？\"
\"Yes，fromthethroatofBetsyJane\"（atermoftenusedforarifle）。
\"Intwentyminutes，myfriends，therewillbeopenedachuteintopurgatoryforallwhoareinthisbarroom。Your’lovetoken’namesyouSenorBell’smen。Beforethenyouwillseektherearoftheroom—eh？\"
Shedriftedawayfromthemtopauseatasmalltablewheresatayoungmanalone。
\"Andyou，prettyfellow，youarenewinCalifornia？\"
\"Yes，IlandedinSanFranciscoonlytendaysago。\"Hewasnewindeed，orhewouldhaverealizedthedangeroftellinghisbusinesstothefirstpersonwhoasked。
\"Yougofar，senor？\"
\"Notnow。Ihavecomefar，butmyjourneyisneartoaveryhappyending。\"
\"So？\"
\"Yes。IhavecometomarryMissElenaAshley，atAuburn，towhomIhavebeenlongbetrothed。\"
Shetappedherwhiteteethwithherfan。
\"AndyetyoulingeratMountaineerHouse？\"
\"Horsesareexpensive，andIamnotrich。Iwalked。Iwastired。Isawyouinyourgarden，andyouareverybeautiful。\"
Rosa’scapriciousvanitywastouched。Thewhimseizedhertosavethisexuberantyoungbridegroomfromthefatebeforehim。
\"Doyouseethatpeddler—oldRosenthal—closetothebar？Hebroughtinalargeandrichpacktonight。Itliesinthenextroom。Doyougothereatonce。Iwillcomesoon，andtogetherwewillselectagiftforyourbride。Goquickly!\"
Shepassedagainbehindthebar。JackPhillipswasatoneend，lameJimDriscollattheother，TomBellinthemiddle。RosapausednearabranchingcandelabrawhichhadoncegracedthealtarofaSpanishchurch。
\"IsJosebelow？\"whisperedBell。Shenodded。\"Whydidyousavethatboy，justnow？Anewlover？\"Shedirecteduponhimalevelglanceofhate。
\"Idowhatpleasesme，senor。\"Sheraisedherarmhigh，beginningthefirststampingmeasureofaSpanishdance。Instantlytherewasacuriousrumblingnoiseinthestableunderneath。Rosasweptoverthecandelabra。
Allthelightsintheplacewerestruckout。PhillipsandDriscollslippedtwogreatbolts，andtheentirebar—roomfloorswungdownwardonhinges。
Thechutetopurgatorywasopen!
Therewasbedlaminthatdankpasstotheregionofshades，andnoquarterwasshowntoanyman；onlycriesof\"TheString!TheString!\"
frommembersoftheganginordertodistinguishtherobbersfromtherobbed，inthedarkness。Therewerecurses，thekickingandsquealingofhorsesintheirstalls；aversefromtheTalmudrecitedinYiddish（whichsuddenlystopped），andaboveitallthehighandhystericallaughofawoman。
Theboyturnedfromthepeddler’spackasRosaenteredtheroom。\"Whatisthathorriblenoise？\"
\"Afight。Come，youhadbettergo。\"Sheledhimdownadarkstairtoanothersectionofthecellar。\"Jose，\"shecalled。AnevillookingMexicanpushedopenaroughdoor。\"Youshalltakethismanoutthroughthesecondtunnel。\"
\"Si，senora。\"
\"And，Jose，heshallreachtheouteropeningalive，andwithallhisbelongings。Hehasnomoney。Doyouhear？\"Josegrunted。\"Go，now，under，coverofthenoise。\"
\"ButthegiftforElena!\"
Rosalaughedmockingly。\"Whatachilditis!MygifttoElenatonight，isyou—herlover。Askhertothankmewithaprayerfromherpureheartformysins。\"
Joseledtheyoungmanthroughalong，damp，evil—odoredpassageunderground，andoutthroughatrapdoorattheextremeendofthegarden。Ashrubgrewontopofthedoor，surroundedbyabedoffragrantwildpansies。Josekickedthestaringyouthawayfromtheentranceandvanishedintotheearthlooking，inthelantern—lightlikeamalevolentfiendreturningtotherealmofeverlastingfire。
*****
TheballswhichweregivenattheFranklinHouseontheoldPioneerroadwerethemostpretentiousoftheyear。Femininelovelinessinsilksandcameosgatheredfromeverysection。GeneralSutterandhisofficerssometimeswerethere，andtheSpanishgrandeesbroughttothemthelovely，star—eyedbeautiesoftheirhouseholds。
Onthisnightabrilliantassemblagestoodaboutintheballroomfloorreadyforaquadrille。ElenaAshleyandherbetrothedwerenearthewideentrancedoors。
\"Thereis\"SheriffPaulofCalaverasCounty，\"shetoldhim。\"Hedoesnotdance。Iwonderwhatbringshimhere？\"
ThedoorsopenedandRosaPhillipsentered，magnificentlyjewelledanddressedinarichsilkofpearlgrey。Elenastared，clutchingatherpartner’sarm。
\"Oh，look!\"sheshrieked，\"sheiswearingmyweddingdress。MyweddingdresswhichwasstitchedattheshopofRosenthalthepeddler，inSacramento，andwhichhewastobringmetwoweeksago。Iknowitismine!Thereisthepearlpasse—mentreonitthatwasmymother’s。ThereisnoneotherlikeitinCalifornia!\"
\"So？\"answeredRosacooly，glancingdownatthevoluminoussilkenfoldsofherrobe。Thenshestoodwavingherbigfan，herlarge，darkeyesrovingacrossthethrong。
\"MineHost\"camequicklyforward。\"Itisnotpermitted，senora，thatyou—\"
Rosasmiledcynically。\"I，thesilkenhawk，camenottoflutteryournestofdoves，senor。Icamebutforalittlehourtomeetamanwho—
Ah，heiscomingnow。SheriffPaul，Ihavethattotellyouwhich—\"
Thesheriffofferedhisarmceremoniouslyandtheypassedoutoftheballroom。TenderheartedElenawasconsciencestricken。Shedroppedherlover’sarmanddartedafterthemthroughthebigdoors。
\"Oh，Iamsorry，Ididnotmean—please，SheriffPaul，shemayhavethedress，poorthing!Butforher，Ishouldhavehadnomantomarryonmyweddingdaynextweek。\"
SheriffPaulturnedquickly。Elena，frightened，clappedtwolittlehandsoverhermouth。Rosashruggedindifferently，andtippingbackhersmall，blackhead，listenedtothemusicintheballroom。
\"Madam，\"toRosa，\"yousentforme，makingstrangepromiseswhich，forthesafetyofthiscommunity，Ihopethatyouarenowpleasedtokeep。\"
Withoutloweringherchinshelookedathimthroughsinister，narrowedeyelids，andasmileoftriumphantmalicetouchedherface。
\"Senor，ImakenopromiseswhichIfailtokeep，\"sheanswered，\"andthereisalsoapromisewhichImadeSenorTomBell—\"
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\"Thereissomeoneknockingatthecellardoor，\"saidTomBelltoPhillips。\"Seewhoisthere，andbecarefulthatyouletnooneinwithoutthebulletandthepassword。\"
\"Tom，I’mafraid，\"whinedDriscoll\"thatSpanishdevil’spromisedtogetyouhungmorethanoncelately，andlastnightIknowshesentthatMexicanJoseofhersoutsomewherewithastringandbullet。Isawthem—\"
\"What!Whydidn’tyoutellmebefore？Listen!Phillipsisintrouble!Gohelphim!Calltheboys!Hurry!\"AsJimDriscoll，withahaltinhiswalk，lefthim，TomBellstolequietlytooneofthetunnelsandrantothetrap—doorwhichopenedintoanouthouse。
Hefoundthecorralfullofsaddle—horsesandtheMountaineerHousecompletelysurroundedbySheriffPaul’s，posse。
\"Comeon，boys，\"saidavoice。
\"Didhegetin？\"
\"Ye—ah—puthishandinwiththebulletonastring，gothisfootinthedoor，gavethepasswordandheavedthedoorwideopen。Comeon，now，andthere’sordersnottotakethewoman，remember。\"
BellstolearawbonedroanfromthecorralandwasfarfromthefrightfulbattleatMountaineerHousebeforehedaredburstforthintothevituperationwhichheheapeduponthenameofRosaPhillips。
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Rosasatstrummingherguitaridly，andmusingupontheeventsofthepastfewmonths。JackPhillipswasservingaterminprison。Driscollhadalsobeensenttothepenitentiary。Onedayarumorreachedherthathewasthreateningtoturnstate’sevidence，andtodivulgethetruthinregardtoRosenthal。
Threedayslateranironbarwasaccidentally（？）droppedonhishead；
throughsomemysteriousagenthewasgivenpoison，anddied。AtthememoryofitRosasmiledherenigmaticandimplacablesmile。TomBellwasatlargesomewherefartothenorthandshe—shewasrichnowandshewouldgobacktoMonterey，perhaps。Shedrewherguitarcloserandsang：
\"Thefardistantsoundofaharp’ssoftstrings—anechoontheair，Thehiddenpagemaybefullofsweetthings，ofthingsthatoncewerefair。
There’saturneddownpageineachlife，andmine—astorymightunfold，Buttheendwassadofthedreamdivine。Itbetterrestsuntold。\"
ItwastimeforHarlantoarrive。CharlieHarlan，themanwhomshehopedtocajoleintobuyingMountaineerHouse。ShestrolledoutintothegardenasHarlanrodeupandtiedhishorseunderoneofthetrees。
Ahappypairpassed。Adelicategirlmounteduponalittlemuleandasturdyyouthwalkinginthedust，hishanduponthebeast’sshoulder。
Withtheirsereneandjoy—illuminedfacestheysomehowsuggestedtheholyfamily，symbolicalofallthatwasdivineinasordidworld。
ThegirlsmiledandwavedtoRosa，buttheyoungmandoffedhishatcoldlyandhastenedby。
\"ThesweetlittleElena，\"saidRosatoherself，\"andherlover—husband。
Iwearthesilkenweddinggownwhichnoloversees，butshetravelsthewayincalicowiththemansheloves。MaytheBlessedVirgingrantthatsheshallhavenoturneddownpagesinherlife，\"andforcingherproudandbittermouthintoaprovocativesmile，shewentforwardtowelcomeHarlan。
TheHangingofCharliePriceIII
\"Hegoestothewell，Andhestandsonthebrink，AndstopsforaspellJesttolistenandthink：
Let’ssee—well，thatforty—footgravewasn’this，sir，thatday，anyhow。\"
—BretHarte。
EverywhereinthefoothillsoftheSierrastherearestillevidencesofgoldmining。Highcliffsfacetherivers，allthatisleftofhillstorndownatthepointofthepowerfulhydraulicnozzles，withgreatheapsofcobblesattheirbasewhichMotherNature，eveninseventyyearshasbeenunabletochangeorcover。
Atthemouthofnearlyeveryravinetherearecountlesslittlemoundswhichmarkedtheend，ordumpofthesluice—boxintheplacermining。
Whenthemoundgottheproperheightthesluicewassimplylengthened，likeputtinganotherjointontoacaterpillar—andthereyouwere!Thesluice—boxeshavelongsincebeenmovedawayorrottedtomouldbutthelittlemoundsremain，tobemansionsforhustlingcoloniesofsmallblackants。
Thecountry，invariouslocalities，ispittedwithprospectholes，andthehillsarepiercedwithdrifttunnelsandabandonedmines。Someoftheprospectholesaremeregrassycups，othersareverydeepandpartlyfilledwithwater。
Someofthemostengrossingdaysofmychildhoodwerespentinexploringtheseplaceswithmytwoboycompanions。Wewouldfellanoaksaplingacrossthemouthofthehole，tiearope，usuallymypony’slariat，tothetreeandslidedownittoexplorethedepthsbelow。Ifwecametoasidedriftwewouldswingintoit，lightourcandle—lanternsandgolookingforgold。Wewerealwayssurethatweshouldyetfindaforgottencacheofgold—perhapsguardedbyalonelyskeleton—butweneverdid!
Aboutallweevergotoutofitwassnake—frights（naturally，sansalcoholicorigin），untilweweresure，thesnakeswerenotrattlers；
babybats，whichinvariablytriedtobiteus；swallows’eggs，wetfeet，andagoodspankingifthefamilyhappenedtofindoutwhatwehadbeenupto。
Isupposethatitreallywasaverydangerouspastime，foralthoughsometimesthedrifttunnelledustoasunlitopeningonthehillside，moreoftenwereachedablindendandwereforcedtoreturntothemainshaftandto\"shin\"uptherope，withfromtentofortyfeetofinkywaterwaitingtocatchusifwefell。
Orwewentuptheriverto\"swingtherocker\"foroldAliQuong。Healwayspretendedtodriveusaway，bellowingfiercelyassoonashecaughtsightofus，\"Whassamallayou？AlletimeyoucomeseeAliQuong!
Ketchemtoo—oomuchtloubleforpo—oroldChinaman\"—thewholetimewithhiswrinkled，brownfacewreathedinsmiles。
Therewestayedthelongsummerafternoon，swingingtherockerwhileQuongshoveledinthepebblydirt，watchinghimtaketheblacksand，whichheldthegold，offthecanvaswithhislittlespade—likescoop，andpanningitforhimintheheavyironpan，fascinatedtoseewhatweshouldfind。Usuallyonlyafewsmallnuggetsinagroupofcolors（flakegold），butoncewefoundagoodsizednuggetwhichQuonggallantlygavemefora\"ChineseNewYear\"gift。Atduskhesentushome，eachwithabarofbrownbarleysugar—smellingtotheblueofopium—whichhefishedoutofoneofhisnumerousjumperswithhislong—fingered，sensitivehands。
Theyaredead，longago—AhQuong，oldSing，Shotgun—Chinaman—andgonetotheblessedregionoftheFiveImmortals，Iknow，buteverytrueCalifornianwillunderstandtheregardthepioneerfamilieshadforthesefaithfulChineseservitorswhotookasmuchlovingprideinthearistocraticandunblemishednamesoftheir\"familees\"asthewhitepersonswhoborethem。Fourgenerationsofmyfamily，oldSinglivedtoserve—butImustgetonwithmyforty—niner’staleofthehangingofCharliePrice!
\"Eh，mon，butthespringishereagain，\"saidJim\"Hutch\"（Hutchinson）
toOldManGreeley。
\"Isitso，now？\"returnedthelittleman，gazingoffthroughthesunny，velvetairtoaworldwhichhadbeenpaintedclean，newgreen。Hisshrewd，blueeyesreturnedtotheponderousScotchman。
\"Andhowcameyoutorealizethatitwasspring？\"heaskedmaliciously。
\"HowcameyoutolickSandyMcArthur—r—r？\"Hutchinsoncamebackathim。
\"Tellmethat。\"
\"Well，butwhisper，man，\"saidoldJimmieplaintively，\"whatelsecouldamanbeafterdoin’？Mebootswereon，an’Icouldnotrunawayan’
climbatree，soIusedthemonMcArthur。\"
\"Ye’reawildfightin’IrishmanwithnoregardfortheSabbath，\"
returnedJimHutch，sternly。NowGreeleyhadafearofwhatthedouroldScotchmanmighttelluponhim。ItwouldnotpaytolosehisCeltictemper。
\"ItwastochurchIwasgoin’。\"hegrowled。\"’TwaswhyIwaswearin’mered—toppedhighboots。\"
\"Wherewaschurchthatday，whatever？AttheWidowSchmitt’s？\"
Jimmiesquirmed。\"Youmentionedthebeautifulspring，Imind，\"hecountereddeftly。SuddenlyJimHutchgrinned。
\"I’lltellyewhy。Iwasgaein’downfraeRattlesnakethisafternoonan’
CharliePricean’hisLeeziewereoutinhisbitgardena—plowin’。Mon，yecouldhearhimformiles!\"
Itwasevenso。OldCharliePricehaddecidedthatitwashightimetoputinhisvegetablegarden。Hewentouttothelean—toinhiscorraltoinformLizzie，themare，ofhisintention。Lizziewasalwaystheunwillingpartneroftheseagriculturalperegrinations，and，nowshesawhimapproachingwiththeharness，sheranawaywithmuchsnortingandscatteringofsod。
\"Hey，you，Liz，\"roaredCharlie，\"yougoot—for—not’ingbuckskinlummix，youcommit!\"Heflourishedthehalterropeather。Lizzieflattenedherears，openedhermouthlikeayawningsnake，andranathim。OldCharlieletoutawhoopthatbroughtthesherifffromRattlesnakeatfullspeed，andcouldbeheard（sotheysay）allthewayacrosstherivertoWildGooseFlat，sixmilesaway。
EvenLizzie，accustomedasshewastoCharlie’smannerisms，wasfranklystartledandmeeklyallowedherselftobecaught。Shedidnotliketoplow。Shewasasaddlerandapairoftugsandacollarboredher。Withacinchonecouldpuffoutintruewild—horsefashionwhilethelatigostrapwasbeingpulled，andafterwardbefairlycomfortable，butaslippingcollarwasneitheroffnoron。Sheshookherselfimpatientlyandthecollarsliddownhernecktoherears。
\"Hey!\"bellowedCharlie，\"youdon’tvearitso!You—\"Themarestampedatafly，bringingherhoofdownontheoldDutchman’sfoot。Hisblood—curdlingwhoopsandyellsbroughtthesheriffinonabrilliantfinaletoarecord—breakingrun。
\"What’sthematter？Areyoubeingmurdered？\"
\"Who，I’m？\"askedCharlie，absent—mindedly。Hewasnursingtheinjuredmember，wonderingwhethertokickatLizziewithit，knowingfullwellthathestoodagoodchanceofherkickingbackagain’butwhenshesnappedviciouslyatthepuffingsheriffhedecidedagainstit。
\"Youcom’toseeme？\"heasked，inabland，so—glad—you’ve—calledtone。
\"Toseeyou!Why，I’vecometosaveyourlife!\"
\"So？Dot’sgoot，butLizzieundtme，veain’tgotsomuchtimetoday。
It’svegetablesIsellinRattlesnakeundtvegotoplow，now。\"
\"Well，youoldfool，afterthisyoucancallinvainifanythinghappenstoyou。I’llneverbotherwithyou。\"
\"Oh，vell，venIgotalittleexcitementIgottoyellaboutit，ain’tit？\"
\"Maybeyouhave—andafterthisyoucan，forallofme，\"andthewrathfulsheriffdeparted。HewasnewinthecommunityorhewouldhaveknownthattheplowingofCharliePriceandLizziewasaregulareventofeachseason，forwhichanaudiencegatheredtolaybetsforandagainsttheprobabilityofhisdyingofapoplexybeforeitwasfinished。
Theplowingprogressedinthismanner：
Charlieputthepointoftheplowinthesoftearthandroaredatthemotor—power。Lizziestartedoffatanimblelope。Theplowcutaprettycurveandflewoutoftheground。Charliereefedthereinsatonce，completelyturningoffthepower。Thenheputthereinsabouthisneck，graspedthehandlesoftheplowwithbothhands，andzoomedcommandsagainatthechampingpower。\"Power\"jumpedahead。ThereinsnearlysnappedoldCharlie’sheadoff，buteffectuallybroughtthemaretoastandstill。
\"Vait，youdunder—undt—blitzenapfulpeelings!You—youthinkdotplowingisnothigh—tonedenough，yet—hey？Vell，Ishowyou!\"
HepickedupahugeclodofsoftdirthelditaloftinbothhandsandbangeditdownonLizzie’sback—whereuponshepromptlyranaway!Shegallopedfuriouslytotheendofthefieldwiththeplowbanginginscoopsandleaps，andoldCharlie，danglingontheendofthereins，flyingalonginseven—leaguejumpsbehindher。Assoonashecaughthisbreathsufficientlyforreneweddirections，thecavalcadereturnedtothegrandstandandoperationswererepeated。
CharliehadbeenasailorbeforehecametoCalifornia，andheplowed（？）eachfurrowwithacollectionofforcefuladmonitions，deliveredinavoiceofthunder，fromadifferentlanguage。ItwasallthesametoLizzie!SheloathedplowingjustasthoroughlyinwildcatSpanish，asshedidinDutchorCingalese，andshedidnothesitatetoproveit。
JimHutchandJimmieGreeleydrifteddowntoRattlesnakeatsundownandjoinedthelaughter—weakenedgrouppercheduponCharlie’ssnakefence。
\"Themangrowsmoredafteveryyear。’Tisstrange，whatcharmstheWidowSchmitt。\"OldJimmiemerelygrowledinhisbeard。\"Charlie，mon，\"hecalled，\"themareiswarmandweary，andso’syoursel’。Comeontotownforabit。\"
Charliestayedoverlongattheminers’hauntsinRattlesnakeanditwasverylatewhenhestartedbacktohiscabin，carryinginonelimp，hothandajugwhichheguardedzealouslyfromharmduringhisunsteadyprogress。
Themenstillsatoverthecardtableswhenthefirstdaylightcreptoverthemountains。JimmieGreeleywasrakinginajackpot，grinningfiendishlyatthedourJimHutchwhentheyheardheavy，runningfeetoutside。Thedoorcrashedopenandafrightened，half—grownladshouted：
\"Where’sthesheriff？CharliePricehasbeenhung!\"
\"What!\"
\"OnatreeneartheWidowSchmitt’s。Isawhim。Iknowwellthesailorcoatthathewears—andhisbestred—toppedboots。Where’sthesheriff？\"
\"OveratAhQuong’s，theChineestoreontheedgeoftown。\"Theboyranoff。OldJimHutchroseimpressivelytohisfeet。
\"Friends，themanyehaelaughedatallday—isdead。Themanyehaealwayslaughedat—andyet，WHOwasitthatlentyegoldwhenyehadnone？Yea，thegoldyethoughtitnotworthye’rwhiletoreturn。Whowaseverreadytowarmyouathisbitfireinwinterortocoolye’rewhuskey—hotthroatwithwaterfromhiscoolspringinsummer？
\"Whowasitthatbroughthismareintohisownkitchenwhenitsnowed，andfedherthericeandbeanshewentwithout？WhowasitthattheWidowSchmittwaitsforyearafteryear，withhalftheouldfoolsinPlacerdancin’afterher？\"
ThatwastoomuchforoldmanGreeley。
\"Becausehewasindifferent—like。Whenyewantawoman，runawayf—r—r—omherandshe’llrunafter。\"
\"Whydidyenadoit，then，Jeems？\"
\"Faithan’Idid，butbein’ahldressedupasIwasinmecoat，shecouldn’tseemesuspenderstotellwasIcomin’orgoin’!\"JimHutchturnedfromhimwitheringly。
\"Whowasitstakedyeforanewprospectin’trip，an’lethisownminegounworked？Whonursedyewhenyewerelyin’seeckuntodeath，an’noonewouldcomenighonaccountofthesmallpoxscare？OldCharliePrice。\"
Aboywhirledabouttofacethewindow，butnotbeforeoneuncontrollablesobhadsoundedthroughthequietroom。
\"Whowasit，\"wentontheoldScotchmangently，\"foundtheweebairnthatwaslost，lastsummer；thatfollowedtheIndiansforthirtymilesonhisLeezie—mareandgotthebabefromoutthewickiupofWhiteBeaver？CharliePrice。
\"Whocamebringingithaemelaughing，onthesaddlepommelwhilehesangtoitsongsfromowersevenseas，whichwedidblushtohear，inavoicetobeheardtwamilesabout？And’twasonlythebairn’smotherwhothoughttothankhim。
\"Yea，andfurthermore，whentheincensedpeoplewouldhaewipetoutthewhiletribeofWhiteBeaver，whodashedatthemobwi’theroarsofabull—bisonforcin’themtohearthatthesquawwascrazedfromthedeathofherownbitbairn，andbuttryin’tocomforthersoreheart？Who，I’maskin’ye？\"andfromeachman’slipscamethemurmurlikearesponsetoalitany：
\"CharliePrice。\"
FromtheopendooracooldawnbreezeblewinfromtheSierras，pureforerunnertothenewday。Itwhirledtheheavysmokeplumesintoformsofvanishedghosts，likethetorturedfigmentsofeachman’sconsciencewhohaddone，and\"leftundone\"thatwhichitwasforevertoolatetoamend。
Thesheriffwalkedin。
\"ThisboysaysthatoldCharlieisgone。\"Hestoodwithhisbroadhatoff，runninghisfingersnervouslythroughhishair。\"Gentlemen—I—I
mustconfess—Iheardthepoormancalling，but—\"
\"Mon，inanancientbooknamed’Mr。Aesop，HisFables，’therewasataleoftheladwhocried’wolf。’Manythereareherewhohavereadit。Come，letusgaeafterpoorCharlie。\"
Inthefirstdaylighttheyreachedthetreewithitsgruesomeburden。
\"But—but，\"sputteredthekeen—eyedlittleIrishman，\"’TisnotCharlieatall!’TisbutaneffigydressedinCharlie’sclothesandhungattheWidowSchmitt’sgate。\"
\"Asawarnin’tohimfraesomemutton—headloverofhers。\"
TheyranasonemanacrosstheroadtoCharlie’scabin。Itwasempty。
\"Hewascallin’’Help’，\"saidtheround—eyedboy。
\"Yes，weheardhim，\"addedthesheriff。
Theyhadcomeuptheroad。Theystartedbackdownthetrail。