Dearoldapple-tree,underwhosegnarledbranchesthesestorieswerewritten,toyouIdedicatethebook。Myheadwassoclosetoyou,whocantellfromwhencethethoughtscame?
Ionlyknowthatwhenalltheothertreesintheorchardwerebarren,therewerealwaysstoriestobefoundunderyourbranches,andsoitisourjointbook,dearapple-tree。YourpinkblossomshavefallenonthepageasIwrote;yourruddyfruithasdroppedintomylap;
thesunshinestreamedthroughyourleavesandtippedmypencilwithgold。
Thebirdssinginginyourboughsmayhavelentasweetnotehereandthere;anddoyourememberthedaywhenthegentleshowercame?
Wejustcurledthecloser,andyouandIandtheskyallcriedtogetherwhilewewrote\"TheFore-RoomRug。\"
Itshouldbealovelybook,dearapple-tree,butalas!
itisnotaltogetherthat,becauseIamnotsosimpleasyou,andbecauseIhavestrayedfartherawayfromtheheartofMotherNature。
KATEDOUGLASWIGGIN
\"Quillcote,\"Hollis,Maine,August12,1895。
CONTENTS。
TheVillageWatch-Tower1
Tomo’theBlueb’ryPlains31
TheNooningTree55
TheFore-RoomRug95
AVillageStradivarius123
TheEventfulTripoftheMidnightCry195
THEVILLAGEWATCH-TOWER。
Itstoodonthegentleslopeofahill,theoldgrayhouse,withitsweather-beatenclapboardsanditsroofofraggedshingles。
Itwasintheverylapoftheroad,sothatthestage-drivercouldalmostknockonthewindowpanewithoutgettingdownfromhisseat,onthoserareoccasionswhenhebrought\"oldMis’Bascom\"aparcelfromSaco。
Humbleanddilapidatedasitwas,itwasalmostbeautifulinthespringtime,whenthedandelion-dottedturfgrewclosetothegreatstonesteps;orinthesummer,whenthefamousBascomelmcastitsgracefulshadowoverthefrontdoor。
Theelm,indeed,wastheonlyobjectthateverdidcastitsshadowthere。LucindaBascomsaidher\"frontdoor’n’entryneverhedbenusedexceptforfun’rals,’n’shewasgoin’
tokeepitniceforthatpurpose,’n’notgetitalltrackedup。\"
Shewassittingnowwhereshehadsatforthirtyyears。
Herhigh-backedrocker,withitscushionofcopperplatepatchanditscrochetedtidy,stoodalwaysbyasouthernwindowthatlookedoutontheriver。Theriverwasasheetofcrystal,asitpouredoverthedam;arushing,roaringtorrentoffoamingwhite,asitsweptunderthebridgeandfoughtitswaybetweentherockycliffsbeyond,sweepingswirling,eddying,initsnarrowchannel,pulsingrestlesslyintotheraggedfissuresofitsshores,andleapingwithatempestuousroarintotheWitches’Eel-pot,adeepwoodedgorgecleftintheveryheartofthegranitebank。
ButLucindaBascomcouldseemorethantheriverfromherfavoritewindow。Itwasamuch-traveledroad,theroadthatranpastthehouseonitswayfromLibertyVillagetoMilliken’sMills。
Atotteringoldsign-board,onaverdanttriangleofturf,directedyouoverDeaconChute’shilltothe\"FlagMedderRoad,\"andfromthencetoLibertyCentre;thelittlepost-officeandstore,wherethestagestoppedtwiceaday,wasquitewithineyeshot;sowerethepublicwatering-trough,BrigadierHill,and,behindtheruinsofanoldmill,thewoodedpaththatledtotheWitches’Eel-pot,afavoritewalkforvillagelovers。Thiswasallonhersideoftheriver。
Asforthebridgewhichknittogetherthetwotinyvillages,nobodycouldpassoverthatwithoutbeingseenfromtheBascoms’。Therumbleofwheelsgenerallybroughtafamilypartytothewindow,——
JotBascom’swife(shethatwasDiademaDennett),Jothimself,ifhewereinthehouse,littleJot,andgrandpaBascom,wholookedatthepassers-bywithavacantsmilepartinghisthinlips。
OldMrs。Bascomherselfdidnotneedtherumbleofwheelstotellherthatavehiclewascoming,forshecouldseeitfullytenminutesbeforeitreachedthebridge,——attheverymomentitappearedatthecrestofSacoHill,wherestrangerspulleduptheirhorses,onaclearday,andpausedtolookatMountWashington,milesawayinthedistance。
ToryHillandSacoHillmetatthebridge,andjustthere,too,theriverroadbeganitsshadycoursealongtheeastsideofthestream:
inviewofallwhich\"oldMis’Bascom’ssettin’-roomwinder\"
mightwellbecalledthe\"VillageWatch-Tower,\"whenyouconsiderfurtherthatshehadmovedonlyfromherhigh-backedrockertoherbed,andfromherbedtoherrocker,formorethanthirtyyears,——
eversincethatjulydaywhenherhusbandhadhadasun-strokewhilepaintingthemeeting-housesteeple,andherbabyJonathanhadbeentherebyhastenedintoaworldnotintheleastreadytoreceivehim。
Shecouldnothavelivedwithoutthatwindow,shewouldhavetoldyou,norwithouttheriver,whichhadlulledhertosleepeversinceshecouldremember。Itwasinthesouthchamberupstairsthatshehadbeenborn。
Hermotherhadlainthereandlistenedtotheswirlofthewater,inthatyearwhentheriverwashigherthantheoldestinhabitanthadeverseenit,——
theyearwhenthecoveredbridgeattheMillshadbeencarriedaway,andwhentheoneattheFallswasinhourlydangerofsuccumbingtotheforceofthefreshet。
Allthemeninbothvillageswereworkingontheriver,strengtheningthedam,bracingthebridge,andbreakingthejamsoflogs;
andwiththepartingoftheboom,thesnappingofthebridgetimbers,thecrashingofthelogsagainsttherocks,andtheshoutsoftheriver-drivers,thelittleLucindahadcomeintotheworld。
Someonehadgoneforthefather,andhadfoundhimontheriver,wherehehadbeensinceday-break,drenchedwiththestorm,blownfrohisdangerousfootingtimeaftertime,butstillbattlingwiththegreatheaped-upmassesoflogs,wrenchingthemfromoneanother’sgrasp,andsendingthemdowntheswollenstream。
Finallythejambroke;andacheeroftriumphburstfromtheexcitedmen,asthelogs,freedfromtheirbondage,sweptdowntheragingflood,onandeveroninjoyousliberty,fasterandfaster,tilltheyencounteredsomenewobstacle,whentheyheapedthemselvestogetheragain,likepuppetsofFate,andwerebeatenbythewavesintoanotherhelplesssurrender。
Withthebreakingofthejam,onedeadmonarchoftheforestleapedintotheairasifithadbeenshotfromacannon’smouth,andlodgedbetweentwojuttingpeaksofrockhighontheriverbank。
Presentlyanotherlogwasdashedagainstit,butrolledoffandhurrieddownthestream;thenanother,andstillanother;butnoforceseemedenoughtodrivethegiantfromitsintrenchedposition。
\"Hurryondowntothenextjam,Raish,andletitalone,\"
criedthemen。\"Mebbeit’llgitwashedoffinthenight,andanyhowyoucan’tbudgeitwithnokindofatoolwe’vegothere。\"
Thenfromtheshorecameaboy’svoicecalling,\"There’sababyuptoyourhouse!\"Andthemenrepeatedinstentoriantones,\"Babyuptoyourhouse,Raish!Leggothelog;you’rewanted!\"
\"Boyorgirl?\"shoutedtheyoungfather。
\"Girl!\"camebacktheanswerabovetheroaroftheriver。
WhereuponRaishDunnellsteadiedhimselfwithhispickandtakingahatchetfromhisbelt,cutarudeletter\"L\"
onthesideofthestrandedlog。
\"L’sforLucindy,\"helaughed。\"Nowyoulogifyougit’sfurasSaco,dropintomywife’sfolksandtell’emthebaby’sname。\"
Therehadnotbeensuchafreshetforyearsbefore,andtherehadneverbeenonesince;so,asthequietseasonswentby,\"Lucindy’slog\"
wasleftinpeace,thecolumbinesbloomingallaboutit,theharebellshangingtheirheadsofdelicateblueamongtherocksthathelditinplace,thebirdsbuildingtheirnestsintheknot-holesofitswitheredside。
Seventyyearshadpassed,andoneachbirthday,fromthetimewhenshewasonly\"RaishDunnell’slittleLou,\"
totheyearswhenshewasLucindaBascom,wifeandmother,shehadwandereddownbytheriverside,andgazed,alittlesuperstitiouslyperhaps,onthelogthathadbeenmarkedwithan\"L\"onthemorningshewasborn。
Ithadstoodthewearandtearoftheelementsbravely,butnowitwasbeginning,likeLucinda,toshowitsage。
Itsbackwasbent,likehers;itsfacewasseamedandwrinkled,likeherown;andthevillageloverswholookedatitfromtheoppositebankwonderedif,afterall,itwouldholdoutaslongas\"oldMis’Bascom。\"
Sheheldoutbravely,oldMrs。Bascom,thoughshewas\"allskin,bones,andtongue,\"astheneighborssaid;fornobodyneededtogointotheBascoms’tobrightenupauntLucindaabit,ortakeherthenews;onewentintogetabitofbrightness,andtohearthenews。
\"Ishouldgetlonesome,Is’pose,\"shewaswonttosay,\"ifitwa’n’tforthewaythishouseisset,andthischair,andthiswinder,’n’all。
Menfolksusedtobuildsomeo’thehousesupinalane,orturn’embackorsidetotheroad,sothewomenfolkscouldn’tseeanythin’tokeeptheirmindsofftheirchurnin’ordish-washin’;butAaronDunnellhedsomethin’
elsetothinkabout,’n’thatwashimself,first,last,andallthetime。
Hisstorewasdowntobottomofthehill,’n’whenhecomeuptohismeals,heusedtosetwherehecouldseethedoor;’n’ifanycust’mercome,hecouldcallto’emtowaitaspelltillhegotthrougheatin’。Land!
Icanhearhimnow,yellin’to’em,withhismouthfullofvictuals!
Theyhedtowaittillhegotgood’n’ready,too。Therewa’n’tsomuchcomp’titioninbusinessthenasthereisnow,orhe’d’a’hedtogiveupeatin’orhireaclerk……I’vealwaysfelttobethankfulthatthehousewasonthisriseo’ground。Theteamshevtoslowupon’counto’
thehill,’n’itgivesmeconsid’blechancetoseefolks’n’whatthey’vegotinthebackofthewagon,’n’onething’n’other……Theneighborsiscontinuallycomin’inheretotalkaboutthingsthat’sgoin’
oninthevillage。Iliketohear’em,butland!theycan’ttellmenothing’!Theyoftensay,`Formassysakes,LucindyBascom,howd’
youknowthat?’`Why,’saysItothem,`Idon’tasknoquestions,’n’folksdon’ttellmenolies;Ijustsetinmywinder,’n’puttwo’n’twotogether,——that’sallIdo。’Iain’tneverbeninaplayhouse,butIdon’tsupposetheplay-actorsgitdownofftheplatformont’
themainfloortoexplaintothefolkswhatthey’vebendoin’,dothey?
Iexpect,iffolkscan’tunderstandtheirdraymaswhenthe’reactin’
of’emout,theyhavetogoignorant,don’tthey?Well,whatdoIwantwithexplainin’,wheneverythin’isactedoutrightintheroad?\"
TherewasquiteagatheringofneighborsattheBascoms’
onthisparticularJulyafternoon。Noinvitationshadbeensentout,andnonewereneeded。Acommonexcitementhadmadeitvitalthatpeopleshoulddropinsomewhere,andspeculateaboutcertaininterestingmatterswellknowntobegoingoninthecommunity,butgoingoninsuchanunderhandandsecretivefashionthatitwell-nighdestroyedone’sfaithinhumannature。
Thesitting-roomdoorwasopenintotheentry,sothatwhateverbreezetherewasmightcomein,andanunusualglimpseofthenewforeroomrugwasaffordedthespectators。
Everythingwasasneataswax,forDiademawasahousekeeperofthetypefastpassingaway。Thegreatcoalstovewasenvelopedinitsusualsummerwrapperofpurplecalico,which,tiedneatlyaboutitsebonyneckandportlywaist,gaveittheappearanceofabuxomcoloredladypresidingovertheassembly。
Thekerosenelampsstoodinarowonthehigh,narrowmantelpiece,eachchimneyprotectedfromthefliesbyabrownpaperbaginvertedoveritshead。TwoplasterSamuelsprayingunderthepinkmosquitonettingadornedtheendsoftheshelf。
Therewerescreensatallthewindows,andDiademafidgetednervouslywhenavisitorcameinthemosquitonettingdoor,forfearaflyshouldsneakinwithher。
OnthewallwerecertificatesofmembershipintheMissionarySociety;
apictureofMaidenswelcomingWashingtonintheStreetsofAlexandria,inaframeofcucumberseeds;andaninterestingdocumentsettingforththeclaimsoftheDunnellfamilyasoldsettlerslongbeforetheseparationofMainefromMassachusetts,——thefactbein’establishedbyanobituarynoticereading,\"InSaco,December1791,Dorcas,daughterofAbiatharDunnell,twomonthsoldofFitsunbaptized。\"
\"Hemaybegoin’tomarryEunice,andhemaynot,\"observedAlmiraBerry;
\"thoughwhatshewantsofReubenHobsonismore’nIcanmakeout。
Ineverseeawidowerstraightenupashehasthislastyear。
Iguesshe’sbeenlookin’roundprettylively,butcouldn’tfindanybodythatwasfoolenoughtogivehimanyencouragement。\"
\"Mebbeshewantstogetmarried,\"saidHannahSophia,inatonethatspokevolumes。\"WhenParsonPerkinscometothisparish,oneofhisfirstcallswasonEuniceEmery。
Healwaystalkedlikethebooko’Revelation;sosayshe,`haveyougotyourweddin’garmenton,MissEmery?’sayshe。
`No,’saysshe,`butIbentryin’tothesetwentyyears。’
Shewasalwaysfullofherjokes,Eunicewas!\"
\"TheEmeryswasalwaysahumorousfamily,\"
remarkedDiadema,assheannihilatedaflywithanewspaper。
\"OldSilasEmerywasanawfulhumorousman。Heusedtoliveupontheisland;andtherecomeafreshetoneyear,andhesaidhegothissofy’n’chairsoff,anyhow!\"Thatwasjusthisjokin’。Hehadn’tasignofasofyinthehouse;
’twashiswifeSophyhemeant,shethatwasSophySwett。
Thenanothertime,whenIwasalittlemiteofathinrunnin’
in’n’outo’hisyard,hecaughtholto’me,andsayshe,`You’dbettertakecare,sissy;whenIkillyouandtwomore,thet’llbethreechildrenI’vekilled!’Land!youcouldn’tdragmeinsidethatyardforyearsafterwards……There!she’sgotafireinthecook-stove;there’sastreamo’
smokecomin’outo’thekitchenchimbley。I’mwillin’
tobetmynewrugshe’sgoin’tobemarriedtonight!\"
\"Mebbeshe’smakin’jell’,\"suggestedHannahSophia。
\"Jell’!\"ejaculatedMrs。Jotscornfully。\"Doyous’poseEuniceEmerywouldbuildupafireinthemiddleo’
theafternoon’n’gotomakin’ajell’,thishotday?
Besides,thereain’tacurrantgoneintoherhousethisweek,asIhappentoknow。\"
\"It’sadretfulthickyearforfol’age,\"mumbledgrandpaBascom,appearinginthedoorwithhisvacantsmile。\"Ideclaresomeo’
themapleslookslikeballsintheair。\"
\"That’sthetwentiethtimehe’shedthatoversincemornin’,\"
saidDiadema。\"Here,father,takeyourhatoff’n’setinthekitchendoor’n’shellmethismesso’peas。Nowthinksmart,’n’putthepodsinthebasket’n’thepeasinthepan;
don’tyoumix’em。\"
Theoldmanhunghishatonthebackofthechair,tookthepaninhistremblinghands,andbeganaimlesslytoopenthepods,whilehechuckledatthehensthatgatheredroundthedoorstepwhentheyheardthepeasrattlinginthepan。
\"Reubenneedsawifebadenough,ifthat’sall,\"remarkedtheWidowBuzzell,asonewhohadgiventhemattersomeconsideration。
\"Ishouldthinkhedid,\"rejoinedoldMrs。Bascom。
\"Thosechildren’boutgittheirlivin’offtheroadinsummer,fromthetimethedand’liongreensisreadyfordiggin’
tilltheblackb’ries’n’choke-cherriesisgone。
Diademycalls’emin’n’gives’emacookyeverytimetheygopast,’n’theyeatasiftheywasfamished。
RubeHobsonneverwasanykindofapervider,’n’he’sconsid’ablesnugbesides。\"
\"Heain’tgoin’tobetterhimselfmuch,\"saidAlmira。
\"EuniceEmeryain’tfittohousekeepforacat。
ThepieshetooktothepiesupperatthechurchwassotoughthatevenDeaconDyercouldn’teatit;andtheboysgotholtofherdoughnuts,anddeclaredtheywasgoin’fishin’nextday’n’use’emforsinkers。ShelivesfromhandtomouthEuniceEmerydoes。She’saboutasmuchofadoshyasRubeis。
She’llmaketeathat’sstrongenoughtobearupanegg,most,andeatherdoughnutswithitthreetimesadayratherthantakethetroubletowalkouttothemeatorthefishcart。
Iknowforafactshedon’tmakerizbreadonceayear。\"
\"Mebbeherfolkslikesbuttermilkbreadbest;somedo,\"
saidtheWidowBuzzell。\"Myhusbandalwayssaid,givehimbuttermilkbreadtoworkon。Heusedtosaymyrizbreadwassolighthe’dhevtotreadonittokeepitanywheres;
butwhenyou’deatbuttermilkbreadhesaidyou’dgotsomethin’
thatstayedbyyou;youknewwhereitwaseverytime……Formassysake!there’sthestagestoppin’attheHobson’sdoor。
IwonderifRube’sfirstwife’smotherhascomefromModeration?
If’tis,theymust’a’madeuptheirquarrel,fortherewasatimeshewouldn’tstepfootoverthatdoorsill。Shemustbegoin’
tostaysometime,forthere’satrunkonthebacko’thestage……No,thereain’tnobodygettin’out。Land,HannahSophia,don’tpushmecleanthroughtheglass!Itbeatsmewhytheymakewinderssosmallthatthreepeoplecan’tlookoutof’emwithoutcrowdin’。
Ain’tthatawash-boilerhe’shandin’down?Well,it’samercy;
he’sbenborrowin’longenough!\"
\"WhatgoesonafterdarkIain’tresponsiblefor,\"
commentedoldMrs。Bascom,\"butnonewwash-boilerhasgoneintoRubeHobson’sdoorinthedaytimeformanyayear,andI’llbebounditmeanssomethin’。Theregoesabroom,too。
Muchsweepin’he’llgetouto’Eunice;it’saslick’n’
apromisewithher!\"
\"Whendidyoubegintosuspicionthis,Diademy?\"askedAlmiraBerry。
\"I’vegotasmuchfacultyasthenextone,butanybodythatlivesontheriverroadhasjustgottogiveupknowin’anything。Youcan’tkeeprunnin’
tothestoreeveryday,andifyoucouldyoudon’tfindoutmuchnowadays。
BillPetersdon’ttakenomoreinterestinhisneighborsthanacowdoesinelection。\"
\"Ican’tgetmotherBascomtoseeitasIdo,\"saidDiadema,\"butforonethingshe’sbencarryin’homebundles’bouteveryothernightforamonth,thoughshe’sbentoosmarttobuyanythin’
hereatthisstore。ShehadPackard’shorsetogotoSacolastweek。
Whenshegothome,jestatdusk,shedroveint’thebarn,’n’bimebyPittPackardcometogithishorse,——’twasherownbuggyshewentwith。Shelookedoverherewhenshewentint’
thehouse,’n’sheketchedmyeye,though’twashalfamileaway,soshenevertookathinginwithher,butsoonas’twasdarkshemadethreetripsouttothebarnwithalantern,’n’anyfoolcouldtell’therarmswasfullo’pa’celsbythewayshecarriedthelantern。
TheHobsonsandtheEmeryshavemarriedoneanothermore’nonce,asfurasthatgoes。IdeclareifIwasgoin’togetmarriedI
shouldwanttoberelationtosomebodybesidesmyownfolks。\"
\"ThereasonIcanhardlycreditit,\"saidHannahSophia,\"isbecauseEuniceneverhadabeauinherlife,thatIcanrememberof。CyseHigginssetupwithherforaspell,butitneveramountedtonothin’。Itseemsqueer,too,forshewasalwayssofondo’seein’menfolksroundthatwhenPittPackardwasshinglin’herbarnsheusedtogooutnights’n’ripsomeo’theshinglesoff,so’the’dhevmoredays’
workonit。\"
\"Ialwayssaid’twasshethatbegunonRubeHobson,nothimonher,\"remarkedtheWidowBuzzell。
\"Theirlandjoinin’madecourtin’comedretfulhandy。
Hiscrittersusedtogitinherfield’bouteveryotherday(Ialwayssuspicionedshebrokethefencedownherself),andthenshe’dhevtogooverandgithimtodrive’emout。
She’swedhisonionbedforhimtwosummers,asIhappentoknow,forI’vebeenou’doorsmore’ncommonthissummer,tryin’
tofetchmyconstitutionup。Diademy,don’tyouwanttolookoutthebackway’n’seeifRube’scomehomeyet?\"
\"Heain’t,\"saidoldMrs。Bascom,\"soyouneedn’tlook;
can’tyouseethecurtainsisalldown?He’sgoneuptotheMills,’n’it’smyopinionhe’sgonetospeaktotheminister。\"
\"Hehedsomethin’inthebacko’thewagoncoveredupwithanoldlinenlaprobe;’tain’tatalllikelyhe’d’a’hedthatifhe’dbengoin’
totheminister’s,\"objectedMrs。Jot。
\"Anybody’dthinkyouwasbornyesterday,tohearyoutalk,Diademy,\"
retortedhermother-in-law。\"Whenyou’vesetinonespot’slong’sIhev,p’rapsyou’llhevtheuseo’yourfaculties!Menfolkshasmore’nonewayo’gettin’married,’speciallywhenthey’reashamedofit……Well,Ivow,there’sthelittleHobsongirlscomin’outo’
thedoorthisminute,’n’they’realldressedup,andMotedon’tseemtobewith’em。\"
Everywomanintheroomrosetoherfeet,andDiademaremovedhermurderouseyefromaflywhichshehadbeenendeavoringtolocateforsomemoments。
\"Iguessthey’regoin’uptothechurchtomeettheirfather’n’Eunice,poorlittlethings,\"venturedtheWidowBuzzell。
\"P’rapstheybe,\"saidoldMrs。Bascomsarcastically;
\"p’rapstheybegoin’tochurch,takin’athree-quarttinpail’n’abrownpaperbundlealongwith’em……They’recomin’overthebridge,justasIs’posed……Now,iftheycomepastthishouse,youhead’emoff,Almiry,’n’seeifyoucangitsomesatisfactionoutof’em……Theyain’thardlyoldenoughtoholdtheirtongues。\"
Anexcitinginterviewsoontookplaceinthemiddleoftheroad,andAlmirareenteredtheroomwiththeexpressionofonewhohadpenetratedtheinscrutableandsolvedtheriddleoftheSphinx。
Shehadbeenvouch-safedoneofthosegleamsoflightindarknesswhichalmostdazzlethebeholder。
\"That’sabouttheconfirmingestthingI’veheernyet!\"
sheejaculated,asshetookoffhershakerbonnet。
\"Theysaythey’regoin’uptotheirauntHitty’stostaytwodays。
They’redressedintheirbest,cleantotheskin,forIlooked;
’n’it’stheirnightgowndsthey’vegotinthebundle。
TheysaylittleMotehasgonetoUniontostopallnightwithhisuncleAbijah,’n’thatleavesRubeallalone,forthesmithgirlthatdoeshischoresishomesickwiththehives。Andwhatdoyous’poseisinthepail?
_Fruit__cake_,——that’swhat’tis,nomore’n’noless!
IknowedthatSmithgirldidn’tbakeit,’n’soIasked’em,’n’theysaidMissEmerygiveitto’em。Therewastwolittleroundtry-cakes,bakedinmuffin-rings。Eunicehedtooksomeo’
thebatteroutofabigloaf’n’bakedittosehowitwasgoin’
toturnout。Thatmeanswedding-cake,orI’mmistaken!\"
\"Thereain’tnogittin’roundthat,\"agreedtheassembledcompany,\"nowisthere,Mis’Bascom?\"
OldMrs。Bascomwetherfinger,smoothedthepartingofherfalsefront,andlookedinscrutable。
\"Idon’tseewhyyou’resosecret,\"objectedDiadema。
\"I’vegotmyopinions,andI’vehad’emsometime,\"
observedthegoodlady。\"Idon’tknow’sI’mboundtotell’emandhave’emhelduptoridicule。Letthevealhang,Isay。
Ifanyoneofusisright,we’llallknowto-morrow。\"
\"Well,allanyofushasgottojudgefromisappearances,\"saidDiadema,\"andhowyoucantwist’emoneway,andusanother,stumpsme!\"
\"PerhapsIseemoreappearancesthanyoudo,\"
retortedhermother-in-law。\"Somefolksmistakesalltheyseeforallthereis。Iwasreadingadetectivestorylastweek。
ItseemstherewasanawfulmurderinSchenectady,andamotherandhertwochildrenwasfounddeadinonebed,withbulletholesintheirheads。Thehusbandwasawayonbusiness,andtherewasn’tanynearneighborstohearherscreech。
Well,thedetectivescomefromfarandfromnear,andbeguntoworkupthecase。Oneof’emthought’twasthehusband,——
thoughhesetsuchstorebyhiswifehewentravin’
crazywhenheheardshewasdead,——oneof’emlaiditonthechildren,——thoughtheywasbothundersixyearsold;
andonedecideditwassuicide,——thoughthewomanwasachurchmemberanddidn’tknowhowtofireagunoff,besides。
Andthentherecomealongadetectiveyoungerandsmarterthanalltherest,andsayshe,`Ifallyoubatshaveseeneverythingyoucansee,IguessI’lltakealookaround,’sayshe。
Sureenough,therewasarugwith`Welcome’onitlayin’infrontofthewashstand,andwhenheturnedituphefoundanelegantdiamondstudwithaman’sfullnameandaddressonthegoldpart。
Hetookatrainandwentrighttotheman’shouse。
Hewassotakenbysurprise(hehadn’tmissedthestud,forhehadafullsetof’em)thatheownedrightupandconfessedthemurder。\"
\"Idon’tseeasthat’sgotanythingtodowiththiscase,\"saidDiadema。
\"It’sgotthismuchtodowithit,\"repliedoldMrs。Bascom,\"thatperhapsyou’velookedallroundtheroomandseeneverythingyouhadeyestosee,andperhapsI’vehadwitenoughtoturnuptheruginfronto’thewashstand。\"
\"Whoeverhemarriesnow,Mis’Bascom’llhavetosay’twastheoneshemeant,\"laughedtheWidowBuzzell。
\"Ineverwascaughtcheatin’yet,andifIlivetillSaturdayIshallbeseventy-oneyearsold,\"saidtheoldladywithsomeheat。\"HandmeJot’sleadpencil,Diademy,andthatoldenvelopeonthewindersill。
I’llwritethenameIthinkof,andshutitupintheoldBible。
Myhand’ssostiffto-dayIcan’thardlymoveit,butIguessIcanmakeitplainenoughtosatisfyyou。\"
\"That’sfair’n’square,\"saidHannahSophia,\"andformypatIhopeitain’tEunice,forIlikehertoowell。
Whatthey’regoin’toliveonismore’nIcansee。Addnothin’
tonothin’’n’yougitnothin’,——that’sarethmetic!Heain’thedacento’readymoneysencehefailedupfouryearsago,’thoutitwasthathundreddollarsthatfelltohimfromhiswife’saunt。
Eunice’llhevherhandsfullthiswinter,Iguess,withthemthreeheartychildren’n’himallwheezedupwithphthisicfromOctobertoApril!……Who’sthatcoming’downToryHill?
It’sRube’shorse’n’Rube’swagon,butitdon’tlooklikeRube。\"
\"Yes,it’sRube;buthe’sgotanewPanamahat,’n’he’shedhislinendusterwashed,\"saidoldMrs。Bascom……\"Now,doyoumeantotellmethatthatwomanwithastuck-uphatonisEuniceEmery?
Itain’t,’n’thatgreenparasoldon’tbelongtothisvillage。He’sdrivin’
herintohisyard!……JustasIs’posed,it’sthatlittle,smirkin’
worthlessschool-teacheruptotheMills。——Don’tbreakmyneck,Diademy;
can’tyouseeouttheotherwinder?——Yes,he’shelpin’herout,’n’showin’
herin。Hecan’t’a’benmarriedmore’ntenminutes,forhe’sgoin’
clearupthestepstoopenthedoorforher!\"
\"Wait’n’seeifhetakeshishorseout,\"saidHannahSophia。
\"Mebbehe’lldriveherbackinafewminutes……No,he’sonhitched!……There,he’shangin’upthehead-stall!\"
\"I’vebenupintheatticchamber,\"calledtheWidowBuzzell,asshedescendedthestairs;\"she’spulledupthecurtains,andtookoffherhatrightinfronto’thewinder,’sboldasabrasskettle!
She’scometostay!Ain’tthatRubeHobsonallover,——tobringanotherwomanint’thisvillage’stido’weedin’oneof’emoutashe’doughter。
Heain’tgotanymorepublicsperitthana——hedgehog,’n’neverhad!\"
Almiradrewonhermittsexcitedly,tiedonhershaker,andstartedforthedoor。
\"I’mgoin’overtoEunice’s,\"shesaid,\"andI’mgoin’
totakemybottleofcamphire。Ishouldn’twonderamiteifIfoundherinadeadfaintonthekitchenfloor。
Nobodyneedtellmeshewa’n’tbuildin’hopes。\"
\"I’llgowithyou,\"saidtheWidowBuzzell。
\"I’dliketoseewithmyowneyeshowshetakesit,’n’it’llbetoolatetotellifIwaittillaftersupper。
Ifshe’dbenmoreopenwithme’n’everaskedformyadvice,Icould’a’toldheritwa’n’tthefirsttimeRubeHobsonhasplayedthattrick。\"
\"I’dcometooif’twa’n’tmilkin’butJotain’thomefromtheCentre,andI’vegottodohischores;comeinasyougoalongback,willyou?\"askedDiadema。
HannahSophiaremainedbehind,promisingtomeetthematthepost-officeandhearthenews。AsthetwowomenwalkeddownthehillshedrewtheoldenvelopefromtheBibleandreadthewaveringwordsscrawleduponitinoldMrs。Bascom’srheumaticanduncertainhand,——
_the__milikins__Mills__Teecher。_
\"WellLucindy,youdomakegooduseo’yourwinder,\"
sheexclaimed,\"buthowyoupitchedonanythingsoonlikelyasherismore’nIcansee。\"
\"Justbecause’twasonlikely。Aman’sagreatsightlikeliertodoanonlikelythingthanheisalikelyone,whenitcomestomarryin’。Inthefirstplace,RubesenthischildrentoschooluptotheMills’stidoftothebrickschoolhouse,thoughhehadtopayalittlesomethingtoget’emtakenintoanotherdeestrick。
Theyusedtocomedownatnightwiththeirhandsfullo’
’wardo’meritcards。Doyous’poseIthoughttheygot’emforgoodbehavior,orforknowin’theirlessons?ThenauntHittytoldmesomequestionorotherRubehadaskedexaminationday。
SincewhenhasRubeHobson’tendedexaminations,thinksI。AndwhenIseethegirl,ared-and-whitepaperdollthatwouldn’tknowwhethertomovethechurn-dasherup’n’downorround’n’round,Imadeupmymindthatbein’amanhe’dtakeherforcertain,andnothisnext-doorneighborofasensibleageandahouse’n’
farm’n’cow’n’buggy!\"
\"Sureenough,\"agreedHannahSophia,\"thoughthatdon’taccountforEunice’squeeractions,’n’thepa’cels’n’
thefruitcake。\"
\"WhenImakeoutacase,\"observedMrs。Bascommodestly,\"Iain’tonetoleaveweakspotsinit。IfIguessatall,Igoallovertheground’n’stopwhenIgitthrough。
Now,sistersornosisters,MaryabbyEmeryain’tspoketoEunicesenceshemovedtoSalem。ButifEunicehasbenbringin’pa’celshome,Maryabbymust’a’paidforwhatwasin’em;andifshe’sbenbakin’
fruitcakethishotday,whyMaryabbyusedtobesofonto’
fruitcakeherfolkswereafraidshe’dhavefits’n’die。
Ishallbewatchin’hereasusualto-morrowmorning’,’n’
ifMaryabbydon’tdriveint’Eunice’syardbeforenoonIwon’tbraganymoreforayeartocome。\"
HannahSophiagazedatoldMrs。Bascomwithunstintedadmiration。
\"Youdobeatall,\"shesaid;\"andIwishIcouldstayallnight’n’seehowitturnsout,butAlmiryisjustcomin’overthebridge,’n’Imuststart’n’meether。Good-by。I’mgladtoseeyousosmart;youalwayslookslim,butIguessyou’lltoughitout’slong’stherestofus。
Iseeyourlogwasallright,lasttimeIwasdownsideo’theriver。\"
\"Theysayit’sjestgoin’tobreakintwointhemiddle,andfallintotheriver,\"cheerfullyrespondedLucinda。
\"Theysayit’sjusthanging’onbyathread。Well,that’swhatthey’vebensayin’aboutmethesetenyears,’n’hereIbestillhanging!Itdon’tmakenoodds,Iguess,whetherit’sathreadoraropeyou’rehangin’by,solongasyouhang。\"
***
Thenextmorning,littleMoteHobson,whohadstayedallnightwithhisuncleinUnion,waswalkinghomebythesideoftheriver。
Hestrolledalong,thehappy,tousle-headed,barefootedyoungster,eyesonemomentonthetreesinthehopeofsquirrelsandbirds’-nests,thenextonthegroundinsearchofthefirstblueberries。
Ashestoopedtopickupabitofshiningquartztoaddtothecollectioninhisraggedtrousers’pocketsheglancedacrosstheriver,andatthatveryinstantLucinda’slogbrokegentlyintwain,rolleddownthebank,crumblingasitwent,and,droppinginlikeatiredchild,wascarriedpeacefullyalongontheriver’sbreast。
Motewalkedmorequicklyafterthat。Itwasquiteafeatherinhiscaptosee,withhisowneyes,theoldlandmarkslipfromitsaccustomedplaceandfloatdownthestream。
Theotherboyswouldmissitandsay,\"It’sgone!\"
Hewouldsay,\"Isawitgo!\"
GrandpaBascomwasstandingatthetopofthehill。Hiswhitelockswereuncovered,andhewasinhisshirt-sleeves。BabyJot,asusual,heldfastbyhisshakinghand,fortheylovedeachother,thesetwo。
Thecruelstrokeofthesunthathadblurredtheoldman’sbrainhadsparedablessedsomethinginhimthatwonthehealingloveofchildren。
\"Howd’ye,Mote?\"hepipedinhisfeeblevoice。\"TheysayLucindy’sdead……Jotsayssheis,’n’Diademysayssheis,’n’Iguesssheis……It’sadretfulthickyearforfol’age;……someo’themapleslookslikeballsintheair。\"
Motelookedinatthewindow。Theneighborswerehurryingtoandfro。
Diademasatwithhercalicoapronuptoherface,sobbing;andforthefirstmorninginthirtyyears,oldMrs。Bascom’shigh-backedrockerwasempty,andtherewasnoonesittinginthevillagewatch-tower。
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
TOMO’THEBLUEB’RYPLAINS。
Theskyisashadowlessblue;thenoon-daysunglowsfiercely;
acloudofdustrisesfromtheburningroadwheneverthehotbreezestirstheair,orwheneverafarmwagoncreaksalong,itswheelssinkingintothedeepsand。
Inthedistance,wherethegreenoftheearthjoinstheblueofthesky,gleamsthesilverlineofariver。
Asfarastheeyeanreach,thegroundiscoveredwithblueberrybushes;redleavespeepingamonggreenones;
bloomofbluefruithanginginfullwarmclusters,——spheresofvelvetmellowedbysummersun,moistenedwithcrystaldew,spicedwithfragranceofwoods。
Inamongtheblueberrybushesgrowhuckleberries,\"chokypears,\"andblack-snaps。
Gnarledoaksandstuntedpinesliftthemselvesoutofthewildernessofshrubs。Theylookdwarfedandgloomy,asifNaturehadbeenanuntendermother,anddeniedthempropernourishment。
Theroadisalittle-traveledone,andfurrowsoffeatherygrassesgrowbetweenthelong,hot,sandystretchesofthewheel-ruts。
Thefirstgoldenrodgleamsamongtheloosestonesatthefootofthealderbushes。Wholefamiliesofpalebutterflies,justoutoftheirlongsleep,perchonthebrilliantstalksandtilterupanddowninthesunshine。
Stragglingprocessionsofwoolybrowncaterpillarswendtheirwayintheshortgrassbythewayside,wherethewildcarrotandthepurplebull-thistlearecomingintobloom。
Thesongofbirdsisseldomheard,andtheblueberryplainsaregivenovertosilencesaveforthebuzzingofgorgedflies,thehummingofbees,andthechirpingofcricketsthatstirthedrowsyairwhenthesummerbeginstowane。
Itissostillthattheshuffle-shuffleofafootstepcanbeheardinthedistance,thetinkleofatinpailswingingmusicallytoandfro,theswishofanalderswitchcroppingtheheadsoftheroadsideweeds。
Allatonceavoicebreaksthestillness。Isitachild’s,awoman’s,oraman’s?Neitheryetallthree。
\"I’dmuchd’ruth-erwalkinthebloom-in’gy-ar-ding,An’hearthewhis-sleofthejol-ly——swain。\"
Everybodyknowsthesong,andeverybodyknowsthecrackedvoice。
Themasterofthisbitofsilentwildernessiscominghome:
itisTomo’theblueb’ryplains。
Heismorethancommontall,withasandybeard,andamopoftangledhairstragglingbeneathhistornstrawhat。
Asquareofwetcalicodripsfromunderthebackofthehat。
Hisginghamshirtisopenatthethroat,showinghistannedneckandchest。Warmasitis,hewearsportionsofatleastthreecoatsonhisback。Hishighboots,splitinfootandleg,aremendedandsplicedandlacedandtiedonwithbitsofshinglerope。
Hecarriesasmalltinpailofmolasses。Ithasabailofrope,andabatteredcoverwithaknobofstickynewspaper。
Overoneshoulder,suspendedonacrookedbranch,hangsabundleofbasketstuff,——splitwillowwithesandthelike;
overtheotherswingsadecrepit,bottomless,three-leggedchair。
Icallhimthemasteroftheplains,butinfaithhehadnolegalclaimtothetitle。Ifheownedahabitationorhadestablishedahomeonanyspotintheuniverse,itwasbecausenomanenviedhimwhathetook;
forTomwasoneofGod’sfools,afoot-loosepilgriminthisworldofours,apooraddle-pated,simple-minded,harmlesscreature,——
invillageparlance,a\"softy。\"
Motherorfather,sisterorbrother,hehadnone,noreverhad,sofarasanyoneknew;buthowshouldpeoplewhohadtoworkfromsun-uptocandlelighttogetthebetteroftheclimatehaveleisuretodiscoverwhetherornoBlueb’ryTomhadanykin?
AtsomeperiodinanalmostforgottenpasttherehadbeenahouseonTom’sparticularpatchoftheplains。
Ithadlongsincetumbledintoruinsandservedforfire-woodandeventhechimneybrickshaddisappearedonebyone,asthemonotonousseasonscameandwent。
Tomhadsettledhimselfinanoldtool-shop,corn-house,orrudeout-buildingofsomesortthathadbelongedtotheruinedcottage。
Herehehadsetuphishouse-holdgods;andsincenooneelsehadeverwantedahomeinthisdrearytangleofberrybushes,wheretheonlyshadecamefromstuntedpinesthatflungshriveledarmstotheskyanddroppeddeadconestothesterileearth,hereheremainedunmolested。
Inthelowerpartofthehuthekepthisbasketstuffandhiscollectionoftwo-leggedandthree-leggedchairs。
Inthecourseofevolutiontheyneversproutedanotherleg,thosechairs;astheyweregiventohim,sotheyremained。
Theupperfloorservedforhisliving-room,andwasreachedbyaladderfromtheground,fortherewasnostairwayinside。
Noonehadeverbeeninthelittleupperchamber。
Whenapasser-bychancedtobe-thinkhimthatTom’shermitagewascloseathand,hesometimesturnedinhisteambyacertainclumpofwhitebirchesanddrovenearertothehouse,intendingtoremindTomthattherewasachairtowillow-bottomthenexttimehecametothevillage。
ButatthenoiseofthewheelsTomdrewinhisladder;
andwhenthevisitoralightedandcamewithinsight,itwastofindtheinhospitablehoststandingintheopeningofthesecond-storywindow,aquaintfigureframedingreenbranches,theladderbehindhim,andonhisfaceakindofimpenetrabledignity,asheshookhisheadandsaid,\"Tomain’tterhum;Tom’sgonetoBonnyEagle。\"
Therewassomethingimpressiveabouthiswayofrepellingcallers;
itwasaseffectualasadoorslammedintheface,andyettherewasasortofmendaciouscourtesyaboutit。Nooneevercaredtogofurther;andindeedtherewasnomysterytotemptthecurious,andnospoiltoattractthemischievousorthemalicious。
Anyonecouldsee,withoutentering,thestrawbedinthefarcorner,thebeamspileddeepwithredandwhiteoakacorns,thestringsofdriedapplesandbunchesofeverlastingshangingfromtherafters,andthehalf-finishedbasketsfilledwithblownbird’s-eggs,pinecones,andpebbles。
NohomeinthevillagewasbetterlovedthanTom’sretreatintheblueberryplains。Wheneverheapproachedit,afteralongday’stramp,whenhecaughtthefirstsightofthewhitebirchesthatmarkedthegatewaytohisestateandshowedhimwheretoturnoffthepublicroadintohisownprivategrounds,hesmiledabroadersmilethanusual,andbrokeintohiswell-knownsong:
\"I’dmuchd’ruth-erwalkinthebloom-in’gy-ar-ding,An’hearthewhis-sleofthejol-ly——swain。\"
PoorTomcouldnevercatchthelastnote。Hehadsungthesongformorethanfortyyears,butthememoryofthistonewassoblurred,andhischerishedidealofitsohigh(orsolow,rather),thathenevermanagedtoreachit。
Oh,ifonlysummerwereeternal!Whocouldwishabettersupperthanripeberriesandmolasses?Norwasthereneedofsleepingunderroofnoroflightingcandlestogropehiswaytopalletofstraw,whenhemighthavethebluevaultofheavenarchingoverhim,andallGod’sstarsforlamps,andforabedahorseblanketstretchedoveranelasticcouchofpineneedles。
Thereweretwogauntpinesthathadbeendroppingtheirpolishedspillsforcenturies,perhapssilentlyadding,yearbyyear,anotherlayerofaromaticspringinesstopoorTom’sbed。
Flinginghistiredbodyonthisgratefulcouch,buryinghisheadinthecrushedsweetfernofhispillowwithonedeep-drawnsighofpleasure,——there,hauntedbynopastandharassedbynofuture,sleptGod’sfoolassweetlyasachild。
Yes,ifonlysummerwereeternal,andyouthaswell!
Butwhentheblueberrieshadripenedsummeraftersummer,andthegauntpine-treeshadgoneonformanyyearsweavingpoorTom’smattress,therecameachangeintheaspectofthings。
Hestillmadehiswaytothevillage,seekingchairstomend;
buthewasevenmoreunkemptthanofold,histallfigurewasbent,andhisfingerstrembledashewovethewillowstrandsinandout,andoverandunder。
Therewaslittleworktodo,moreover,forthevillagehadaltogetherretiredfrombusiness,andwasnolongerincompetitionwithitsneighbors:
thedamwastornaway,thesawmillswerepulleddown;husbandsandfatherswerelaidinthechurchyard,sonsandbrothersandlovershadgoneWest,andmothersandwidowsandspinstersstayedon,eachinherquiethousealone。
\"’Tain’tnohardshipwhenyougetusedtoit,\"saidtheWidowBuzzell。
\"Landsakes!alantern’s’sgood’samananytime,ifyouonlythinkso,’n’’tain’thalfsomuchtroubletokeepitfilledup!\"
ButTomstillsoldabasketoccasionally,andthechildrenalwaysgatheredabouthimforthesakeofhearinghimrepeathiswell-wornformula,——Tomallersputstwohandlesonbaskets:
onetotake’emupby,onetoset’emdownby。\"
Thiswassaidwithabeamingsmileandawiseshakeofthehead,asifhewereannouncingagreatdiscoverytoanexpectantworld。
Andthenhewouldlaydownhisburdenofbasketstuff,and,sittingunderanapple-treeinsomebody’ssideyard,beginhistaskofwillow-bottominganoldchair。Itwasaprettysightenough,ifonecouldkeepbackthetears,——thekindly,simplefellowwiththecircleofchildrenabouthisknees。
Neveravillagefoolwithoutatroopofbabiesathisheels。
Theylovehim,too,tillweteachthemtomock。
Whenhewasyounger,hewouldsing,\"Rock-a-by,baby,onthetreetop,\"
anddancethewhile,swinginghisunfinishedbaskettoandfroforacradle。
Hewastoostiffinthejointsfordancingnowadays,buthestillsangthe\"bloomin’gy-ar-ding\"whenevertheyaskedhim,particularlyifsomeapple-cheekedlittlemaidwouldsay,\"Please,Tom!\"
Healwayslaughedthen,and,pattingthechild’shand,said,\"Pootygal,——
goteyes!\"Theyoungstersdancewithgleeatthismeaninglessphrase,justastheirmothershaddancedyearsbeforewhenitwassaidtothem。
Summerwaned。Inthemoistplacesthegentianuncurleditsbluefringes;purpleastersandgayJoePyewavedtheircolorsbytheroadside;tallprimrosesputtheiryellowbonnetson,andpeepedoverthebrookstoseethemselves;
andthedustypodsofthemilkweedwereburstingwiththeirsilkyfluffs,thespinningofthelongsummer。
Autumnbegantopaintthemaplesredandtheelmsyellow,fortheearlydaysofSeptemberbroughtafrost。
SomeoneremarkedatthevillagestorethatoldBlueb’ryTommustnotbesufferedtostayontheplainsanotherwinter,nowthathewasgettingsofeeble,——notifthe\"_se_leckmen\"hadtoroothimoutandtakehimtothepoor-farm。Hewouldsurelystarveorfreeze,andhisdeathwouldbelaidattheirdoor。
Tomwasinterviewed。Persuasion,logic,sharpwords,allfailedtomovehimonejotortittle。Hestoodinhiscastledoor,withtheladderbehindhim,smiling,alwayssmiling(nonebutthefoolsmilesalways,noralwaysweeps),andsayingtoallvisitors,\"Tomain’tterhum;Tom’sgonetoBonnyEagle;
Tomdon’wanttogotothepoor-farm。\"
Novembercameinsurly。
Thecheerfulstirandbustleoftheharvestwereover,thecornwasshocked,theapplesandpumpkinsweregatheredintobarns。
TheproblemofTom’sfuturewasfinallylaidbeforetheselectmen;
andsincethepoorfellow’smildobstinancyhaddefeatedallattemptstoconquerit,thesherifftookthematterinhand。
Theblueberryplainslookedbleakandbareenoughnow。Ithadrainedincessantlyfordays,growingevercolderandcolderasitrained。
Thesuncameoutatlast,butitshoneinawintrysortofway,——
likeadutysmile,——asiflight,notheat,wereitsobject。
Akeenwindblewthedeadleaveshitherandthitherinawilddancethathadnomerrimentinit。Ablackbirdflewunderanoldbarrelbythewayside,and,rufflinghimselfintoaball,remarkeddespondentlythatfeatherswerenosortofprotectioninthiskindofclimate。
Asnowbird,flyingby,glancedinatthebarrel,andobservedthatanybodywhomindedalittlebreezelikethathadbetterjointhewoodcocks,whowereleavingfortheSouthbythenightexpress。
Theblueberrybusheswerestrippedbareofgreen。Thestuntedpinesandsombrehemlockslookedintonewiththelandscapenow;
whereallwasdrearytheydidnotseemamiss。
\"Je-whilikins!\"exclaimedthesheriffashedrewuphiscoatcollar。
\"Amadhouseistheplaceforthemanwhowantstoliveou’doorsinthewintertime;thepoor-farmistoogoodforhim。\"
ButTomwasusedtoprivation,andeventosuffering。
\"Ou’doors\"wastheonlyhomeheknew,andwithallitsrigorshelovedit。
Helookedoverthebarrenplains,knowing,inadullsortofway,thattheywouldshortlybecoveredwithsnow;buthehadthreecoats,twoofthemwithsleeves,andthecrunch-crunchofthesnowunderhistreadwasmusictohisears。Then,too,therewereafewhospitablefiresideswherehecouldalwayswarmhimself;
andthewinterwouldsoonbeover,thebirdswouldcomeagain,——
newbirds,singingtheoldsongs,——thesapwouldmountinthetrees,thebudsswellontheblueberrybushes,andtheyoungivoryleavespushtheirruddytipsthroughthesofteningground。
Theplainswerefatherlandandmother-country,homeandkindred,toTom。
Helovedtheearththatnourishedhim,andhesawthroughalltheseemingdeathinnaturetheeternalmiracleoftheresurrection。
Tohimwinterwasnevercruel。Helookedunderneathherwhitemantle,sawtheinfantspringhiddeninherwarmbosom,andwascontenttowait。
Contenttowait?Contenttostarve,contenttofreeze,ifonlyheneednotbecarriedintocaptivity。
Thepoor-farmwasnotabadplace,either,ifonlyTomhadbeenareasonablebeing。Tobesure,whenHannahSophiaPalmeraskedoldMrs。Pinkhamhowshelikedit,sheanswered,withapatientsigh,that\"her’n’Mr。Pinkhamhedlivedtheregoin’onnineyear,workin’theirfingerstothebone’most,’n’yettheyhadn’tbeenabletolayupacent!\"
Ifthispeculiarityofadministrationwasitsworstfeature,itwascertainlyonethatwouldhavehadnoterrorsforTomo’
theblueb’ryplains。Terrorsofsomesort,nevertheless,thepoor-farmhadforhim;andwhenthesheriff’spartyturnedinbytheclumpofwhitebirchesandapproachedthecabin,theyfoundthatfearhadmadethesimplewise。
Tomhadprovishedthelittleupperchamber,and,inplaceofthepieceofsackingthatusuallyservedhimforadoorinwinter,hehadwovenadefenseofwillow。Infine,hehadtakenallhisbasketstuff,and,treatingtheopeningthroughwhichheenteredandlefthishomepreciselyasifitwereabottomlesschair,hehadfilleditinsolidly,weavingtoandfro,bynightaswellasbyday,tillhefelt,poorfool,assafelyintrenchedasifhewereintheheartofafortress。
Thesherifftiedhishorsetoatree,andRubeHobsonandPittPackardgotoutofthedoublewagon。Twomenlaughedwhentheysawthepatheticdefense,buttheothershuthislipstogetherandcaughthisbreath。
(Hehadbeenbornonapoor-farm,butnooneknewitatPleasantRiver。)
TheycalledTom’snamerepeatedly,butnoothersoundbrokethesilenceoftheplainssavetherustlingofthewindamongthedeadleaves。
\"Numb-head!\"mutteredthesheriff,poundingonthesideofthecabinwithhiswhip-stock。\"Comeoutandshowyourself!
Weknowyou’reinthere,andit’snousehiding!\"
AtlastinresponsetoadeafeningblowfromRubeHobson’shardfist,therecametheansweringnoteofaweakdespairingvoice。
\"Tomain’tterhum,\"itsaid;\"Tom’sgonetoBonnyEagle。\"
\"That’sallright!\"guffawedthemen;\"butyou’vegottogosomemore,andgoadiff’rentway。Itain’tnouseferyoutoholdback;we’vegotaladder,andbyJiminy!yougowithusthistime!\"
Theladderwasputagainstthesideofthehut,andPittPackardclimbedup,tookhisjack-knife,slitthewovendoorfromtoptobottom,andturnedbacktheflap。
Themencouldseetheinsideofthechambernow。Theywerehumorouspersonswhocouldstrainajoketothesnappingpoint,buttheyfelt,atlast,thattherewasnothingespeciallyamusinginthesituation。
Tomwashuddledinaheaponthestrawbedinthefarcorner。
Thevacantsmilehadfledfromhisface,andhelooked,forthefirsttimeinhislife,quitedistraught。
\"Comealong,Tom,\"saidthesheriffkindly;
\"we’regoingtotakeyouwhereyoucansleepinabed,andhavethreemealsaday。\"
\"I’dmuchd’ruth-erwalkinthebloom-in’gy-ar-ding,\"
sangTomquaveringly,ashehidhisheadinaparoxysmoffear。
\"Well,thereain’tnobloomin’gardingstowalkinjestnow,socomealongandbepeaceable。\"
\"Tomdon’wanttogotothepoor-farm,\"hewailedpiteously。
Buttherewasnoalternative。Theydraggedhimoffthebedanddowntheladderasgentlyaspossible;thenRubeHobsonheldhimonthebackseatofthewagon,whilethesheriffunhitchedthehorse。
Astheywereonthepointofstarting,thecaptivebegantowailandstrugglemorethanever,theburdenofhisplaintbeingawildandtremulouspleaforhispailofmolasses。
\"Dryup,oldsofty,orI’llputthebuggyrobeoveryourhead!\"
mutteredRubeHobson,whohadnothadmuchpatiencewhenhestartedonthetrip,andhadlostitallbythistime。
\"Bythunder!heshallhevhismolasses,ifhethinkshewantsit!\"
saidPittPackard,andheranuptheladderandbroughtitdown,comfortingtheshiveringcreaturethus,forhelapsedintoasubmissivesilencethatlasteduntiltheunwelcomejourneywasover。
Tomremainedatthepoorhousepreciselytwelvehours。