\"Youdid？Come，now，thatain’tsolooneyafterall。Well，I’lltakethebaby，andwhenDadcomeshomewe’llseewhatcanbedone。\"
Northhesitated。Hisdislikeofthewomanwasintense，andyetheknewnooneelseandthebabyneededinstantcare。Besides，hebegantoseetheludicrousnessofhismakingafirstcallonhisneighborswithafoundlingtodisposeof。Shesawhishesitation，andsaid，——
\"Yedon’tknowme，incourse。Well，I’mBessyRobinson，TrinidadJoeRobinson’sdaughter。IreckonDadwillgivemeacharacterifyouwantreferences，oranyoftheboysontheriver。\"
\"I’monlythinkingofthetroubleI’mgivingyou，MissRobinson，I
assureyou。Anyexpenseyoumayincur——\"
\"Youngman，\"saidBessyRobinson，turningsharplyonherheel，andfacinghimwithherblackbrowsalittlecontracted，\"ifitcomestoexpenses，IreckonI’llpayyouforthatbaby，ornottakeitatall。ButIdon’tknowyouwellenoughtoquarrelwithyouonsight。Soleavethechildtome，and，ifyouchoose，paddledownhereto-morrow，aftersunup——theridewilldoyougood——andseeit，andDadthrownin。Goodby！\"andwithonepowerfulbutwell-
shapedarmthrownaroundthechild，andtheothercrookedatthedimpledelbowalittleaggressively，shesweptbyJamesNorthandenteredabedroom，closingthedoorbehindher。
WhenMr。JamesNorthreachedhiscabinitwasdark。Asherebuilthisfire，andtriedtorearrangethescatteredanddisorderedfurniture，andremovethedebrisoflastnight’sstorm，hewasconsciousforthefirsttimeoffeelinglonely。Hedidnotmissthechild。Beyondtheinstinctsofhumanityanddutyhehadreallynointerestinitswelfareorfuture。Hewasrathergladtogetridofit，hewouldhavepreferredtosomeoneelse，andyetSHE
lookedasifshewerecompetent。Andthencamethereflectionthatsincethemorninghehadnotoncethoughtofthewomanheloved。
Thelikehadneveroccurredinhistwelvemonthsolitude。Sohesettowork，thinkingofherandofhissorrows，untiltheword\"Looney，\"inconnectionwithhissuffering，flashedacrosshismemory。\"Looney！\"Itwasnotaniceword。Itsuggestedsomethinglessthaninsanity；somethingthatmighthappentoacommon，unintellectualsortofperson。Herememberedtheloon，anungainlyfeatheredneighbor，thatwaspopularlysupposedtohavelentitsnametotheadjective。Coulditbepossiblethatpeoplelookeduponhimasonetoohopelesslyanduninterestinglyafflictedforsympathyorcompanionship，toounimportantandcommonforevenridicule；orwasthisbutthecoarseinterpretationofthatvulgargirl？
Nevertheless，thenextmorning\"aftersunup\"JamesNorthwasatTrinidadJoe’scabin。Thatworthyproprietorhimself——along，lankman，withevenmorethantheordinaryruralWesterncharacteristicsofillhealth，illfeeding，andmelancholy——methimonthebank，clothedinamannerandcostumethatwasasingularcombinationofthefrontiersmanandthesailor。WhenNorthhadagainrelatedthestoryofhisfindingthechild，TrinidadJoepondered。
\"Itmouthevbeenstowedawayinoneofthemcratesforsafe-
keeping，\"hesaid，musingly，\"andwashedoffthedecko’oneo’
themTahitibrigsgoin’downferoranges。Least-ways，itnevergottharfromtheseparts。\"
\"Butit’samiracleitslifewassavedatall。Itmusthavebeensomehoursinthewater。\"
\"Thembrigslaystheircoursewellinshore，anditwasjustmebbeatossupifthevesselclawedoffthereefatall！Andeztothechildkeepin’up，why，dogmyskin！that’sjustthecontrarinesso’
things，\"continuedJoe，insententiouscynicism。\"Efanableseamanhadfallenfromtheyard-armthatnighthe’dbeensunkinsighto’theship，andthetbabyezcan’tswimastrokesailsashore，soundasleep，withthewavesforababy-jumper。\"
North，whowashalfrelieved，yethalfawkwardlydisappointedatnotseeingBessy，venturedtoaskhowthechildwasdoing。
\"She’lldoallrightnow，\"saidafrankvoiceabove，and，lookingup，Northdiscernedtheroundarms，blueeyes，andwhiteteethofthedaughteratthewindow。\"She’sallhunky，andhasanappetite——
efshehezn’tgother’nat’ralnourishment。’Come，Dad！heaveahead，andtellthestrangerwhatyouandmeallowwe’lldo，anddon’tstandthereswappin’lieswithhim。\"
\"Weel，\"saidTrinidadJoe，dejectedly，\"Bessallowsshecanrarthatbabyanddojusticetoit。AndIdon’tsay——thoughI’mherfather——thatshecan’t。ButwhenBesswantsanythingshewantsitall，cleandown；nohalf-waysnorleavin’sforher。\"
\"That’sme！goon，Dad——you’rechippin’inthesamenotcheverytime，\"saidMissRobinson，withcheerfuldirectness。
\"Well，weagreetoputthejobupthisway。We’lltakethechildandyou’llgiveusapaperorwritin’makin’overallyourrightandtitle。How’sthat？\"
Withoutknowingexactlywhyhedid，Mr。Northobjecteddecidedly。
\"Doyouthinkwewon’ttakegoodcareofit？\"askedMissBessy，sharply。
\"Thatisnotthequestion，\"saidNorth，alittlehotly。\"Inthefirstplace，thechildisnotminetogive。Ithasfallenintomyhandsasatrust，——thefirsthandsthatreceiveditfromitsparents。Idonotthinkitrighttoallowanyotherhandstocomebetweentheirsandmine。\"
MissBessyleftthewindow。Inanothermomentsheappearedfromthehouse，and，walkingdirectlytowardsNorth，heldoutasomewhatsubstantialhand。\"Good！\"shesaid，asshegavehisfingersanhonestsqueeze。\"Youain’tsolooneyafterall。Dad，he’sright！
Heshan’tginitup，butwe’llgohalvesinit，heandme。He’llbefatherandI’llbemother’tildeathdouspart，orthereg’larfamilyturnsup。Well——whatdoyousay？\"
Morepleasedthanhedaredconfesstohimselfwiththepraiseofthiscommongirl，Mr。JamesNorthassented。Thenwouldheseethebaby？Hewould，andTrinidadJoehavingalreadyseenthebaby，andtalkedofthebaby，andfeltthebaby，andindeedhadthebabyofferedtohimineverywayduringthepastnight，concludedtogivesomeofhisvaluabletimetologging，andleftthemtogether。
Mr。Northwasobligedtoadmitthatthebabywasthriving。Hemoreoverlistenedwithpoliteinteresttothestatementthatthebaby’seyeswerehazel，likehisown；thatithadfiveteeth；thatshewas，foragirlofthatprobableage，arobustchild；andyetMr。Northlingered。Finally，withhishandonthedoor-lock，heturnedtoBessyandsaid，——
\"MayIaskyouanoddquestion，MissRobinson？\"
\"Goon。\"
\"WhydidyouthinkIwas——’looney’？\"
ThefrankMissRobinsonbentherheadoverthebaby。
\"Why？\"
\"Yes，why？\"
\"BecauseyouWERElooney。\"
\"Oh！\"
\"But——\"
\"Yes——\"
\"You’llgetoverit。\"
Andundertheshallowpretextofgettingthebaby’sfood，sheretiredtothekitchen，whereMr。Northhadthesupremesatisfactionofseeingher，ashepassedthewindow，sittingonachairwithherapronoverherhead，shakingwithlaughter。
ForthenexttwoorthreedayshedidnotvisittheRobinsons，butgavehimselfuptopastmemories。Onthethirddayhehad——itmustbeconfessednotwithoutsomeeffort——broughthimselfintothatconditionofpatientsorrowwhichhadbeenhishabit。Theepisodeofthestormandthefindingofthebabybegantofade，ashadfadedthevisitofhisrelatives。Ithadbeenadull，wetdayandhewassittingbyhisfire，whentherecameatapathisdoor。
\"Flora；\"bywhichjuvenescentnamehisagedIndianhandmaidwasknown，usuallyannouncedherpresencewithanimitationofacurlew’scry：itcouldnotbeher。Hefanciedheheardthetrailingofawoman’sdressagainsttheboards，andstartedtohisfeet，deathlypale，withanameuponhislips。Butthedoorwasimpatientlythrownopen，andshowedBessyRobinson！Andthebaby！
Withafeelingofreliefhecouldnotunderstandheofferedheraseat。Sheturnedherfrankeyesonhimcuriously。
\"Youlookskeert！\"
\"Iwasstartled。YouknowIseenobodyhere！\"
\"Thet’sso。Butlookyar，doyoueveruseadoctor？\"
Notclearlyunderstandingher，heinturnasked，\"Why？\"
\"Causeyoumustriseupandgetonenow——thet’swhy。Thisyerbabyofoursissick。Wedon’tuseadoctoratourhouse，wedon’tbeleevein’em，hain’tnocallfor’em——butthisyerbaby’sparentsmebbeedid。Soriseupouto’thatcheerandgetone。\"
JamesNorthlookedatMissRobinsonandrose，albeitalittleindoubt，andhesitating。
MissRobinsonsawit。\"Ishouldn’thevtroubledye，norriddenthreemiletodoit，iftherhedbeenanyoneelsetosend。ButDad’soveratEureka，buyinglogs，andI’malone。Hello——wheryergoin’？\"
Northhadseizedhishatandopenedthedoor。\"Foradoctor，\"herepliedamazedly。
\"Didyekalkilatetowalksixmilesandback？\"
\"Certainly——Ihavenohorse。\"
\"ButIhave，andyou’llfindhertetheredoutside。Sheain’tmuchtolookat，butwhenyoustrikethetrailshe’llgo。\"
\"ButYOU——howwillYOUreturn？\"
\"Well，\"saidMissRobinson，drawingherchairtothefire，takingoffherhatandshawl，andwarmingherkneesbytheblaze，\"I
didn’treckontoreturn。You’llfindmeherewhenyoucomebackwiththedoctor。Go！Skedaddlequick！\"
Shedidnothavetorepeatthecommand。InanotherinstantJamesNorthwasinMissBessy’sseat——aman’sdragoonsaddle，——andpoundingawaythroughthesand。Twofactswereinhismind：onewasthathe，the\"looney，\"wasabouttoopencommunicationwiththewisdomandcontemporarycriticismofthesettlement，bygoingforadoctortoadministertoasickandanonymousinfantinhispossession；theotherwasthathissolitaryhousewasinthehandsofaself-invited，large-limbed，illiterate，butrathercomelyyoungwoman。Thesefactshecouldnotgallopawayfrom，buttohiscreditbeitrecordedthathefulfilledhismissionzealously，ifnotcoherently，tothedoctor，whoduringtherapidridegatheredtheideathatNorthhadrescuedayoungmarriedwomanfromdrowning，whohadsincegivenbirthtoachild。
Thefewwordsthatsetthedoctorrightwhenhearrivedatthecabinmightinanyothercommunityhaverequiredfurtherexplanation，butDr。Duchesne，anoldarmysurgeon，waspreparedforeverythingandindifferenttoall。\"Theinfant，\"hesaid，\"wasthreatenedwithinflammationofthelungs；atpresenttherewasnodanger，butthegreatestcareandcautionmustbeexercised。
Particularlyexposureshouldbeavoided。\"\"Thatsettlesthewholematter，then，\"saidBessypotentially。Bothgentlemenlookedtheirsurprise。\"Itmeans，\"shecondescendedtofurtherexplain，\"thatYOUmustridethatfillyhome，waitfortheoldmantocometo-
morrow，andthenridebackherewithsomeofmyduds，forthar’sno’day-days’norpicknickingforthatbabyontilshe’sbetter。AndI
reckontostaywithherontilsheis。\"
\"Shecertainlyisunabletobearanyexposureatpresent，\"saidthedoctor，withanamusedsideglanceatNorth’sperplexedface。
\"MissRobinsonisright。I’llridewithyouoverthesandsasfarasthetrail。\"
\"I’mafraid，\"saidNorth，feelingitincumbentuponhimtosaysomething，\"thatyou’llhardlyfinditascomfortablehereas——\"
\"Ireckonnot，\"shesaidsimply，\"butIdidn’texpectmuch。\"
Northturnedalittlewearilyaway。\"Goodnight，\"shesaidsuddenly，extendingherhand，withagentlersmileoflipandeyethanhehadeverbeforenoticed，\"goodnight——takegoodcareofDad。\"
ThedoctorandNorthrodetogethersomemomentsinsilence。Northhadanotherfactpresentedtohim，i。e。thathewasgoinga-
visiting，andthathehadvirtuallyabandonedhisformerlife；alsothatitwouldbeprofanationtothinkofhissacredwoeinthehouseofastranger。
\"Idaresay，\"saidthedoctor，suddenly，\"youarenotfamiliarwiththetypeofwomanMissBessypresentssoperfectly。Yourlifehasbeenspentamongtheconventionalclass。\"
Northfrozeinstantlyatwhatseemedtobeaprobingofhissecret。
Disregardingthelastsuggestion，hemadeanswersimplyandtruthfullythathehadnevermetanyWesterngirllikeBessy。
\"That’syourbadluck，\"saidthedoctor。\"Youthinkhercoarseandilliterate？\"
Mr。Northhadbeensomuchstruckwithherkindnessthatreallyhehadnotthoughtofit。
\"That’snotso，\"saidthedoctor，curtly；\"althoughevenifyoutoldhersoshewouldnotthinkanythelessofyou——norofherself。IfshespokerusticGreekinsteadofbadEnglish，andworeacestusinplaceofanill-fittingcorset，you’dswearshewasagoddess。There’syourtrail。Goodnight。\"
III
JamesNorthdidnotsleepwellthatnight。HehadtakenMissBessy’sbedroom，athersuggestion，therebeingbuttwo，and\"Dadneverusingsheetsandnotbein’keerfulinhishabits。\"Itwasneat，butthatwasall。Thescantornamentationwasatrocious；twoorthreehighlycoloredprints，ashellwork-box，aghastlywinterbouquetofskeletonleavesandmosses，astar-fish，andtwochinavaseshideousenoughtohavebeenworshipedasBuddhistidols，exhibitedthegentlerecreationofthefairoccupant，andthepossiblefutureeducationofthechild。InthemorninghewasmetbyJoe，whoreceivedthemessageofhisdaughterwithhisusualdejection，andsuggestedthatNorthstaywithhimuntilthechildwasbetter。Thateventwasstillremote；Northfound，onhisreturntohiscabin，thatthechildhadbeenworse；buthedidnotknow，untilMissBessydroppedacasualremark，thatshehadnotclosedherowneyesthatnight。Itwasaweekbeforeheregainedhisownquarters，butanactiveweek——indeed，onthewhole，aratherpleasantweek。Fortherewasadelicateflatteryinbeingdomineeredbyawholesomeandhandsomewoman，andMr。JamesNorthhadbythistimemadeuphismindthatshewasboth。Onceortwicehefoundhimselfcontemplatinghersplendidfigurewitharecollectionofthedoctor’scompliment，andlater，emulatingherownfrankness，toldherofit。
\"AndwhatdidYOUsay？\"sheasked。
\"Oh，Ilaughedandsaid——nothing。\"
Andsodidshe。
Amonthafterthisinterchangeoffrankness，sheaskedhimifhecouldspendthenexteveningatherhouse。\"Yousee，\"shesaid，\"there’stobeadancedownatthehallatEureka，andIhaven’tkickedafutsincelastspring。HankFisher’scomin’uptotakemeover，andI’mgoin’tolettheshantyslideforthenight。\"
\"Butwhat’stobecomeofthebaby？\"askedNorth，alittletestily。
\"Well，\"saidMissRobinson，facinghimsomewhataggressively，\"I
reckonitwon’thurtyetotakecareofitforanight。Dadcan’t——
andifhecould，hedon’tknowhow。Likedtohavepizenedmeaftermardied。No，youngman，Idon’tproposetoaskHankFishertototethetchildovertoEurekaandback，andspilehisfun。\"
\"ThenIsupposeImustmakewayforMr。Hank——Hank——Fisher？\"saidNorth，withtheleasttingeofsarcasminhisspeech。
\"Ofcourse。You’vegotnothingelsetodo，youknow。\"
Northwouldhavegivenworldstohavepleadedapreviousengagementonbusinessofimportance，butheknewthatBessyspoketruly。Hehadnothingtodo。\"AndFisherhas，Isuppose？\"heasked。
\"Ofcourse——tolookafterME！\"
AmoreunpleasanteveningJamesNorthhadnotspentsincethefirstdayofhissolitude。Healmostbegantohatetheunconsciouscauseofhisabsurdposition，ashepacedupanddownthefloorwithit。
\"Wasthereeversuchegregiousfolly？\"hebegan，butrememberinghewasquotingMariaNorth’sfavoriteresumeofhisownconduct，hestopped。Thechildcried，missing，nodoubt，thefullroundedcurvesandplumparmofitsnurse。Northdanceditviolently，withaninwardaccompanimentthatwasnotmusical，andthoughtoftheotherdancers。\"Doubtless，\"hemused，\"shehastoldthisbeauofhersthatshehasleftthebabywiththe’looney’ManontheBeach。
PerhapsImaybeofferedapermanentengagementasaharmlesssimpletonaccustomedtothecareofchildren。Mothersmaycryforme。ThedoctorisatEureka。Ofcourse，hewillbetheretoseehisuntranslatedgoddess，andcondolewithherovertheimbecilityoftheManontheBeach。\"OncehecarelesslyaskedJoewhothecompanywere。
\"Well，\"saidJoe，mournfully，\"thar’sWidderHigsbyanddarter；thefourStubbsgals；incoursePollyDoblewillbeonhandwiththatfellerthat’sclerkingoverattheHeadforJones，andJones’swife。Thenthar’sFrenchPete，andWhiskyBen，andthatchapthatshotArcher，——Idisrememberhisname，——andthebarber——what’sthatlittlemulatto’sname——that’arKanaka？Iswow！\"continuedJoe，drearily，\"I’llbeforgettin’myownnext——and——\"
\"Thatwilldo，\"interruptedNorth，onlyhalfconcealinghisdisgustasheroseandcarriedthebabytotheotherroom，beyondthereachofnamesthatmightshockitsladylikeears。Thenextmorninghemetthefrom-dance-returningBessyabstractedly，andsoontookhisleave，fullofadisloyalplan，conceivedinthesleeplessnessofherownbedchamber。HewassatisfiedthatheowedadutytoitsunknownparentstoremovethechildfromthedegradinginfluencesofthebarberKanaka，andHankFisherespecially，andheresolvedtowritetohisrelatives，statingthecase，askingahomeforthewaifandassistancetofinditsparents。HeaddressedthislettertohiscousinMaria，partlyinconsiderationofthedramaticfarewellofthatyounglady，anditspossibleinfluenceinturninghersusceptiblehearttowardshisprotege。Hethenquietlysettledbacktohisoldsolitaryhabits，andforaweeklefttheRobinsonsunvisited。TheresultwasamorningcallbyTrinidadJoeonthehermit。\"It’sawhimofmygal’s，Mr。North，\"hesaid，dejectedly，\"andezItoldyoubeforeandwarnedye，whenthatgalhezanidee，foweryokeofoxenandsevingmencan’tdragitouterher。She’sgotaideeo’larnin’——neverhevin’hedmuchschoolin’，andweonytakin’thepapers，permiskisslike——andshesaysYOUcanteachher——
nothevin’anythin’elsetodo。Doyefollyme？\"
\"Yes，\"saidNorth，\"certainly。\"
\"Well，sheallowsezmebbeeyou’reproud，anddidn’tlikehertakin’careofthebabyfornowt；andshereckonsthatefyou’llginhersomebooklarnin’，andgethertoslingsomefancytalkinfash’n’blestyle——why，she’llcallitsquar。\"
\"Youcantellher，\"saidNorth，veryhonestly，\"thatIshallbeonlytoogladtohelpherinanyway，withouteverhopingtocancelmydebtofobligationtoher。\"
\"Thenit’sago？\"saidthemystifiedJoe，withadesperateattempttoconveytheforegoingstatementtohisownintellectinthreeSaxonwords。
\"It’sago，\"repliedNorth，cheerfully。
Andhefeltrelieved。Forhewasnotquitesatisfiedwithhisownwantoffranknesstoher。Butherewasawaytopayoffthedebtheowedher，andyetretainhisowndignity。Andnowhecouldtellherwhathehaddone，andhetrustedtotheambitiousinstinctthatpromptedhertoseekabettereducationtoexplainhisreasonsforit。
Hesawherthateveningandconfessedalltoherfrankly。Shekeptherheadaverted，butwhensheturnedherblueeyestohimtheywerewetwithhonesttears。Northhadaman’shorrorofareadyfemininelachrymalgland；butitwasnotlikeBessytocry，anditmeantsomething；andthenshediditinalarge，goddess-likeway，withoutsniffling，orchocking，orgettinghernosered，butratherwithagentledeliquescence，aharmoniousmelting，sothathewasfaintocomfortherwithnearercontact，gentlenessinhisownsadeyes，andapressureofherlargehand。
\"It’sallright，Is’pose，\"shesaid，sadly；\"butIdidn’treckononyerhavin’anyrelations，butthoughtyouwasalone，likeme。\"
JamesNorth，thinkingofHankFisherandthe\"mullater，\"couldnothelpintimatingthathisrelationswereverywealthyandfashionablepeople，andhadvisitedhimlastsummer。A
recollectionofthemannerinwhichtheyhadsovisitedhimandhisownreceptionofthempreventedhissayingmore。ButMissBessycouldnotforegoacertainfemininecuriosity，andasked，——
\"DidtheycomewithSamBaker’steam？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"LastJuly？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"AndSamdrovethehorseshereforabite？\"
\"Ibelieveso。\"
\"Andthem’syourrelations？\"
\"Theyare。\"
MissRobinsonreachedoverthecradleandenfoldedthesleepinginfantinherpowerfularms。Thensheliftedhereyes，wrathfulthroughherstillglitteringtears，andsaid，slowly，\"Theydon’t——
have——this——child——then！\"
\"Butwhy？\"
\"Oh，why？Isawthem！That’swhy，andenough！Youcan’tplayanysuchgayandfestiveskeletonsonthispoorbabyforfleshandbloodparents。No，sir！\"
\"Ithinkyoujudgethemhastily，MissBessy，\"saidNorth，secretlyamused；\"myauntmaynot，atfirst，favorablyimpressstrangers，yetshehasmanyfriends。ButsurelyyoudonotobjecttomycousinMaria，theyounglady？\"
\"What！thatdriedcuttle-fish，withnothinglivin’aboutherbuthereyes？JamesNorth，yemaybeafoolliketheoldwoman，——
perhapsit’sinthefamily，——butyeain’tadevil，likethatgal！
Thatendsit。\"
Anditdid。NorthdispatchedasecondlettertoMariasayingthathehadalreadymadeotherarrangementsforthebaby。Pleasedwithhereasyvictory，MissBessybecamemorethanusuallygracious，andthenextdaybowedhershapelyneckmeeklytotheyokeofherteacher，andbecameadocilepupil。JamesNorthcouldnothavehelpednoticingherreadyintelligence，evenhadhebeenlessprejudicedinherfavorthanhewasfastbecomingnow。Ifhehadfounditpleasantbeforetobeadmonishedbyhertherewasstillmoredeliciousflatteryinherperfecttrustinhisomniscientskillasapilotoverthisunknownsea。Therewasacertainenjoymentinguidingherhandoverthewriting-book，thatIfearhecouldnothaveobtainedfromanintellectlessgraciouslysustainedbyitsphysicalnature。Theweeksflewquicklybyongossamerwings，andwhensheplacedabunchoflarkspursandpoppiesinhishandonemorning，herememberedforthefirstthatitwasspring。
IcannotsaythattherewasmoretorecordofMissBessy’seducationthanthis。OnceNorth，halfjestingly，remarkedthathehadneveryetseenheradmirer，Mr。HankFisher。MissBessy（coloringbutcool）——\"Youneverwill！\"North（whitebuthot）——
\"Why？\"MissBessy（faintly）——\"I’drathernot。\"North（resolutely）——\"Iinsist。\"Bessy（yielding）——\"Asmyteacher？\"
North（hesitatingly，atthelimitationoftheepithet）——\"Y-e-e-s！\"
Bessy——\"Andyou’llpromisenevertospeakofitagain？\"North——
\"Never。\"Bessy（slowly——\"Well，hesaidIdidanawfulthingtogoovertoyourcabinandstay。\"North（inthegenuinesimplicityofarefinednature）——\"Buthow？\"MissBessy（halfpiqued，butabsolutelyadmiringthatnature）——\"Quit！andkeepyourpromise！\"
TheyweresohappyinthesenewrelationsthatitoccurredtoMissBessyonedaytotakeJamesNorthtotaskforobliginghertoasktobehispupil。\"YouknewhowignorantIwas，\"sheadded；andMr。
Northretortedbyrelatingtoherthedoctor’scriticismonherindependence。\"Totellyouthetruth，\"headded，\"Iwasafraidyouwouldnottakeitaskindlyashethought。\"
\"Thatis，youthoughtmeasvainasyourself。Itseemstomeyouandthedoctorhadagreatdealtosaytoeachother。\"
\"Onthecontrary，\"laughedNorth，\"thatwasallwesaid。\"
\"Andyoudidn’tmakefunofme？\"
PerhapsitwasnotnecessaryforNorthtotakeherhandtoemphasizehisdenial，buthedid。
MissBessy，beingstillreminiscent，perhaps，didnotnoticeit。
\"Ifithadn’tbeenforthatar——Imeanthatthar——no，thatbaby——I
wouldn’thaveknownyou！\"shesaiddreamily。
\"No，\"returnedNorth，mischievously，\"butyoustillwouldhaveknownHankFisher。\"
Nowomanisperfect。MissBessylookedathimwithasudden——herfirstandlast——flashofcoquetry。Thenstoopedandkissed——thebaby。
JamesNorthwasasimplegentleman，butnotaltogetherafool。Hereturnedthekiss，butnotvicariously。
Therewasafootstepontheporch。Thesetwoturnedthehuesofadyingdolphin，andthenlaughed。ItwasJoe。Heheldanewspaperinhishand。\"Ireckonyewozright，Mr。North，aboutmytakin’
theseyarpapersreg’lar。ForIallowhere’ssuthin’thatmayclarupthemysteryo’thatbaby’sparents。\"Withthehesitationofaslowlygrapplingintellect，JoesatdownonthetableandreadfromtheSanFrancisco\"Herald\"asfollows：\"’ItisnowascertainedbeyonddoubtthatthewreckreportedbytheAeoluswastheAmericanbrigPomareboundhencetoTahiti。Theworstsurmisesarefoundcorrect。Thebodyofthewomanhasbeensinceidentifiedasthatofthebeau-ti-fuldaughterof——of——of——Terp——Terp——Terpish’——Well！
Iswowthatnamejusttacklesme。\"
\"Ginittome，Dad，\"saidBessypertly。\"Youneverhadanyeducation，anyway。Hearyouraccomplisheddaughter。\"Withamockbowtothenewschoolmaster，andacapitalburlesqueofaconfidentschoolgirl，shestrodetothemiddleoftheroomthepaperheldandfoldedbook-wiseinherhands。\"Ahem！Wheredidyouleaveoff？Oh，’thebeautifuldaughterofTerpsichore——whosenamewasprom-i-nentlyconnectedwithamysterioussocialscandaloflastyear——thegiftedbutunfortunateGraceChatterton’——No——don’tstopme——there’ssomemore！’Thebodyofherchild，alovelyinfantofsixmonths，hasnotbeenrecovered，anditissupposedwaswashedoverboard。’There！maybethat’sthechild，Mr。North。Why，Dad！
Look，OmyGod！He’sfalling。Catchhim，Dad！Quick！\"
Butherstrongarmhadanticipatedherfather’s。Shecaughthim，liftedhimtothebed，onwhichhelayhenceforthformanydaysunconscious。Thenfeversupervened，anddelirium，andDr。Duchesnetelegraphedforhisfriends；butattheendofaweekandtheopeningofasummerdaythestormpassed，astheotherstormhadpassed，andheawoke，enfeebled，butatpeace。Bessywasathisside——hewasgladtosee——alone。
\"Bessy，dear，\"hesaidhesitatingly，\"whenIamstrongerIhavesomethingtotellyou。\"
\"Iknowitall，Jem，\"shesaidwithatremblinglip；\"Ihearditall——no，notfromTHEM，butfromyourownlipsinyourdelirium。
I’mgladitcamefromYOU——eventhen。\"
\"Doyouforgiveme，Bessy？\"
Shepressedherlipstohisforeheadandsaidhastily，andthenfalteringly，asifafraidofherimpulse：——
\"Yes。Yes。\"
\"Andyouwillstillbemothertothechild？\"
\"HERchild？\"
\"Nodear，nothers，butMINE！\"
Shestarted，criedalittle，andthenputtingherarmsaroundhim，said：\"Yes。\"
Andastherewasbutonewayoffulfillingthatsacredpromise，theyweremarriedintheautumn。
TWOSAINTSOFTHEFOOT-HILLS
Itneverwasclearlyascertainedhowlongtheyhadbeenthere。ThefirstsettlerofRough-and-Ready——oneLow，playfullyknowntohisfamiliarsas\"ThePoorIndian\"——declaredthattheSaintswereaforehistime，andoccupiedacabininthebrushwhenhe\"blazed\"hiswaytotheNorthFork。ItiscertainthatthetwowerepresentwhenthewaterwasfirstturnedontheUnionDitchandthenandtherereceivedthedesignationofDaddyDowneyandMammyDowney，whichtheykepttothelast。Astheytotteredtowardtherefreshmenttent，theywerewelcomedwiththegreatestenthusiasmbytheboys；or，toborrowthemorerefinedlanguageofthe\"UnionRecorder，\"——\"Theirgrayhairsandbentfigures，recallingastheydidthehappypaternaleasternhomesofthespectators，andtheblessingsthatfellfromvenerablelipswhentheyleftthosehomestojourneyinquestoftheGoldenFleeceonOccidentalSlopes，causedmanytoburstintotears。\"Thenearerfacts，thatmanyofthesespectatorswereorphans，thatafewwereunabletoestablishanylegalparentagewhatever，thatothershadenjoyedaState’sguardianshipanddiscipline，andthatamajorityhadlefttheirpaternalroofswithoutanyembarrassingpreliminaryformula，weremerepassingcloudsthatdidnotdimthegoldenimageryofthewriter。FromthatdaytheSaintswereadoptedashistoricallayfigures，andenteredatonceintopossessionofuninterruptedgratuitiesandendowment。
Itwasnotstrangethat，inacountrylargelymadeupofambitiousandrecklessyouth，thesetwo——typesofconservativeandsettledforms——shouldbethuscelebrated。Apartfromanysentimentorveneration，theywereadmirablefoilstothecommunity’syouthfulprogressandenergy。Theywereputforwardateverysocialgathering，occupiedprominentseatsontheplatformateverypublicmeeting，walkedfirstineveryprocession，wereconspicuousatthefrequentfuneralandrarerwedding，andweregodfatherandgodmothertothefirstbabyborninRough-and-Ready。Atthefirstpollopenedinthatprecinct，DaddyDowneycastthefirstvote，and，aswashiscustomonallmomentousoccasions，becamevolublyreminiscent。\"ThefirstvoteIevercast，\"saidDaddy，\"wasforAndrewJackson；thefathero’someonyourpeartyoungchapswasn’tbornthen；he！he！thatwas’waylongin’33，wasn’tit？I
disremembernow，butifMammywashere，shebein’aschool-galatthetime，shecouldsay。Butmymemory’sfailin’me。I’manoldman，boys；yetIlikestoseetheyoungonesgoahead。Irecklectthattharvotefromasuckumstance。SquireAdamswaspresent，andseein’itwasmyfirstvote，heputagooldpieceintomyhand，and，sezhe，sezSquireAdams，’Letthatalwaysbeareminderoftheexerciseofagloriousfreeman’sprivilege！’Hedid；he！he！
Lord，boys！Ifeelsoproudofye，thatIwishIhadahundredvotestocastforyeall。\"
ItwashardlynecessarytosaythatthememorialtributeofSquireAdamswasincreasedtenfoldbythejudges，inspectors，andclerks，andthattheoldmantotteredbacktoMammy，considerablyheavierthanhecame。Asbothoftherivalcandidateswereequallysureofhisvote，andeachhadcalleduponhimandofferedaconveyance，itisbutfairtopresumetheywereequallybeneficent。ButDaddyinsisteduponwalkingtothepolls，——adistanceoftwomiles，——asamoralexample，andatextfortheCaliforniaparagraphers，whohastenedtorecordthatsuchwastheinfluenceofthefoot-hillclimate，that\"acitizenofRough-and-Ready，agedeighty-four，roseatsixo’clock，and，aftermilkingtwocows，walkedadistanceoftwelvemilestothepolls，andreturnedintimetochopacordofwoodbeforedinner。\"
Slightlyexaggeratedasthisstatementmayhavebeen，thefactthatDaddywasalwaysfoundbythevisitortobeengagedathiswood-
pile，whichseemedneithertoincreasenordiminishunderhisaxe，afact，doubtless，owingtotheactivityofMammy，whowasalwaysatthesametimemakingpies，seemedtogivesomecredencetothestory。Indeed，thewood-pileofDaddyDowneywasastandingreprooftotheindolentandsluggishminer。
\"OleDaddymustuseupapow’fulsightofwood；everytimeI’vepassedbyhisshantyhe’sbeenmakin’thechipsfly。Butwhatgetsmeis，thatthepiledon’tseemtocomedown，\"saidWhiskyDicktohisneighbor。
\"Well，youdernedfool！\"growledhisneighbor，\"sposesomechaphappenstopassbythar，andseestheoldmandoin’aman’sworkateighty，andsloucheslikeyouandmelyingrounddrunk，andthatchap，feelin’kinderhumped，goesupsomedarknightandheavesaloadofcutpineoverhisfence，who’sgotanythingtosayaboutit？Say？\"Certainlynotthespeaker，whohaddonetheactsuggested，northepenitentandremorsefulhearer，whorepeateditnextday。
Thepiesandcakesmadebytheoldwomanwere，Ithink，remarkableratherfortheirinducingthesameloyalandgenerousspiritthanfortheirintrinsicexcellence，anditmaybesaidappealedmorestronglytothenobleraspirationsofhumanitythanitsvulgarappetite。Howbeit，everybodyateMammyDowney’spies，andthoughtofhischildhood。\"Take’em，dearboys，\"theoldladywouldsay；
\"itdoesmegoodtoseeyoueat’em；remindsmekinderofmypoorSammy，that，efhe’dlived，wouldhevbeenezstrongandbegezyoube，butwastakendownwithlungfever，atSweetwater。Ikinseehimyet；that’sfortyyearago，dear！comin’outo’thelottothebake-house，andsmilin’suchabeautifulsmile，likeyours，dearboy，asIhandedhimaminceoralemmingturnover。Dear，dear，howIdorunon！andthosedaysispast！butIseemstoliveinyouagain！\"Thewifeofthehotel-keeper，actuatedbyalowjealousy，hadsuggestedthatshe\"seemedtoliveOFFthem；\"butasthatpersontriedtodemonstratethetruthofherstatementbyreferencetothecostoftherawmaterialusedbytheoldlady，itwasconsideredbythecampastoopracticalandeconomicalforconsideration。\"Besides，\"addedCyPerkins，\"efoldMammywantstoturnanhonestpennyinheroldage，letherdoit。Howwouldyoulikeyouroldmothertomakepiesongrubwages？eh？\"Asuggestionthatsoaffectedhishearer（whohadnomother）thatheboughtthreeonthespot。Thequalityofthesepieshadneverbeendiscussedbutonce。ItisrelatedthatayounglawyerfromSanFrancisco，diningatthePalmettorestaurant，pushedawayoneofMammyDowney’spieswitheveryexpressionofdisgustanddissatisfaction。Atthisjuncture，WhiskyDick，considerablyaffectedbyhisfavoritestimulant，approachedthestranger’stable，and，drawingupachair，satuninvitedbeforehim。
\"Mebbee，youngman，\"hebegangravely，\"yedon’tlikeMammyDowney’spies？\"
Thestrangerrepliedcurtly，andinsomeastonishment，thathedidnot，asarule，\"eatpie。\"
\"Youngman，\"continuedDick，withdrunkengravity，\"mebbeeyou’reaccustomedtoCharlotterusksandbluemange；mebbeeyecan’teatunlessyourgrubisgotupbyoneo’themFrenchcooks’？YetWE——
usboysyarinthiscamp——callsthatpie——agood——acom-pe-tentpie！\"
Thestrangeragaindisclaimedanythingbutageneraldislikeofthatformofpastry。
\"Youngman，\"continuedDick，utterlyunheedingtheexplanation，——
\"youngman，mebbeeyouonsthadanole——averyolemother，who，totteringdownthevaleo’years，madepies。Mebbee，andit’slikeyourblankepicureansoul，yeturnedupyournoseontheolewoman，andwentbackonthepies，andonher！Shethatdandledyewhenyewozababy，——alittlebaby！Mebbeeyewentbackonher，andshookher，andplayedoffonher，andgaveheraway——deadaway！Andnow，mebbee，youngman——Iwouldn’thurtyefortheworld，butmebbee，aforeyeleavethisyartable，YE’LLEATTHATPIE！\"
Thestrangerrosetohisfeet，butthemuzzleofadragoonrevolverintheunsteadyhandsofWhiskyDick，causedhimtositdownagain。
Heatethepie，andlosthiscaselikewise，beforeaRough-and-
Readyjury。
Indeed，farfromexhibitingthecynicaldoubtsanddistrustsofage，DaddyDowneyreceivedalwayswithchildlikedelighttheprogressofmodernimprovementandenergy。\"Inmyday，longbackinthetwenties，ittookusnighaweek——aweek，boys——togetupabarn，andalltheyoungones——Iwasonethen——formiles’roundattheraisin’；andyer’syouboys——rascalsyeare，too——runsupthisyershantyforMammyandme’twixtsun-upanddark！Eh，eh，you’reteachin’theoldfolksnewtricks，areye？Ah，getalong，you！\"
andinplayfulsimulationofangerhewouldshakehiswhitehairandhishickorystaffatthe\"rascals。\"Theonlyindicationoftheconservativetendenciesofagewasvisibleinhiscontinualprotestagainsttheextravaganceoftheboys。\"Why，\"hewouldsay，\"afamily，ahullfamily，——leavin’alonemeandtheoldwoman，——mightbesupportedonwhatyouyoungrascalsthrowawayinasinglespree。Ah，youyoungdogs，didn’tIhearaboutyourscatteringhalf-dollarsonthestagetheothernightwhenthatEyetalianPapistwassingin’？AndthatmoneygoesoutofAmeriky——ivrycent！\"
Therewaslittledoubtthattheoldcoupleweresaving，ifnotavaricious。Butwhenitwasknown，throughtheindiscreetvolubilityofMammyDowney，thatDaddyDowneysentthebulkoftheirsavings，gratuities，andgiftstoadissipatedandprodigalsonintheEast，——whosephotographtheoldmanalwayscarriedwithhim，——itratherelevatedhimintheirregard。\"Whenyewritetothatgayandfestivesono’yourn，Daddy，\"saidJoeRobinson，\"sendhimthisyerspecimen。Givehimmycompliments，andtellhim，efhekinspendmoneyfasterthanIcan，Icallhim！Tellhim，efhewantsafirst-classjamboree，tokemouthere，andmeandtheboyswillshowhimwhatasquaredrunkis！\"Invainwouldtheoldmancontinuetoprotestagainstthespiritofthegift；theminergenerallyreturnedwithhispocketsthatmuchthelighter，anditisnotimprobablealittlelessintoxicatedthanheotherwisemighthavebeen。ItmaybepremisedthatDaddyDowneywasstrictlytemperate。Theonlywayhemanagedtoavoidhurtingthefeelingsofthecampwasbyacceptingthefrequentdonationsofwhiskytobeusedforthepurposesofliniment。
\"Nexttosnake-oil，myson，\"hewouldsay，\"anddilberry-juice，——
andyedon’tseemtopro-duce’emhereabouts，——whiskyisgoodforrubbin’ontooldbonestomake’emlimber。Butpurecoldwater，’sparklin’andbrightinitsliquidlight，’and，sotospeak，reflectin’ofGod’sownlinymentsonitssurfiss，isthebest，onless，likepoorol’Mammyandme，yegetsthedumb-agurfromover-use。\"
ThefameoftheDowneycouplewasnotconfinedtothefoot-hills。