HowdifficultitwastothinkofaGashwilercreepinginandoutofthoseenfilingcolumns，orcrawlingbeneaththatportico，withoutwonderingthatyonmajesticfigurecamenotdownwithflatofswordtosmitethefatrotundityoftheintruder。HowdifficulttothinkthatparricidalhandshaveeverbeenliftedagainsttheGreatMother，typifiedhereinthegracefulwhitechastityofhergarments，inthenobletranquillityofherface，inthegatheringupherwhite-robedchildrenwithinhershadow。
ThisledmetothinkofDobbs，when，suddenlyafaceflashedbymycarriagewindow。Icalledtothedrivertostop，and，lookingagain，sawthatitwasawomanstandingbewilderedandirresoluteonthestreetcorner。AssheturnedheranxiousfacetowardmeI
sawthatitwasMrs。Dobbs。
Whatwasshedoinghere，andwherewasExpectant？
Shebegananincoherentapology，andthenburstintoexplanatorytears。WhenIhadgotherinthecarriageshesaid，betweenhersobs，thatExpectanthadnotreturned；thatshehadreceivedaletterfromafriendheresayinghewassick，——ohvery，verysick，——
andfathercouldnotcomewithher，soshecamealone。Shewassofrightened，solonely，somiserable。
Hadshehisaddress？
Yes，justhere！ItwasontheoutskirtsofWashington，nearGeorgetown。ThenIwouldtakeherthere，ifIcould，forsheknewnobody。
OnourwayItriedtocheerherupbypointingoutsomeofthechildrenoftheGreatMotherbeforealludedto，butsheonlyshuthereyesaswerolleddownthelongavenues，andmurmured，\"Oh，thesecruel，crueldistances！\"
Atlastwereachedthelocality，anegroquarter，yetcleanandneatinappearance。Isawthepoorgirlshudderslightlyaswestoppedatthedoorofalow，two-storyframehouse，fromwhichtheunwontedspectacleofacarriagebroughtacrowdofhalf-nakedchildrenandacomely，cleanly，kind-facedmulattowoman。
Yes，thiswasthehouse。Hewasupstairs，ratherpoorly，butasleep，shethought。
Wewentupstairs。Inthefirstchamber，clean，thoughpoorlyfurnished，layDobbs。Onapinetablenearhisbedwerelettersandmemorialstothevariousdepartments，andonthebed-quilt，unfinished，butjustasthewearyfingershadrelaxedtheirgraspuponit，layalettertotheTapeDepartment。
Asweenteredtheroomheliftedhimselfonhiselbow。\"Fanny！\"hesaid，quickly，andashadeofdisappointmentcrossedhisface。\"I
thoughtitwasamessagefromthesecretary，\"headded，apologetically。
Thepoorwomanhadsufferedtoomuchalreadytoshrinkfromthislastcrushingblow。Butshewalkedquietlytohissidewithoutawordorcry，knelt，placedherlovingarmsaroundhim，andIleftthemsotogether。
WhenIcalledagainintheeveninghewasbetter；somuchbetterthat，againstthedoctor’sorders，hehadtalkedtoherquitecheerfullyandhopefullyforanhour，untilsuddenlyraisingherbowedheadinhistwohands，hesaid，\"Doyouknow，dear，thatinlookingforhelpandinfluencetherewasone，dear，Ihadforgotten；onewhoisverypotentwithkingsandcouncilors，andI
think，love，IshallaskHimtointerestHimselfinmybehalf。Itisnottoolateyet，darling，andIshallseekHimto-morrow。\"
AndbeforethemorrowcamehehadsoughtandfoundHim，andIdoubtnotgotagoodplace。
ASLEEPING-CAREXPERIENCE
ItwasinaPullmansleeping-caronaWesternroad。Afterthatfirstplungeintounconsciousnesswhichthewearytravelertakesongettingintohisberth，IawakenedtothedreadfulrevelationthatIhadbeenasleeponlytwohours。Thegreaterpartofalongwinternightwasbeforemetofacewithstaringeyes。
Findingitimpossibletosleep，Ilaytherewonderinganumberofthings：why，forinstance，thePullmansleeping-carblanketswereunlikeotherblankets；whytheywerelikesquarescutoutofcoldbuckwheatcakes，andwhytheyclungtoyouwhenyouturnedover，andlayheavyonyouwithoutwarmth；whythecurtainsbeforeyoucouldnothavebeenmadeopaque，withoutbeingsothickandsuffocating；whyitwouldnotbeaswelltositupallnighthalfasleepinanordinarypassenger-carastolieawakeallnightinaPullman。Butthesnoringofmyfellow-passengersansweredthisquestioninthenegative。
Withtherecollectionoflastnight’sdinnerweighingonmeasheavilyandcoldlyastheblankets，Ibeganwonderingwhy，overthewholeextentofthecontinent，therewasnolocaldish；whythebilloffareatrestaurantandhotelwasinvariablyonlyaweakreflexofthemetropolitanhostelries；whytheentreeswerealwaysthesame，onlymoreorlessbadlycooked；whythetravelingAmericanalwayswassupposedtodemandturkeyandcoldcranberrysauce；whytheprettywaiter-girlapparentlyshuffledyourplatesbehindyourback，andthendealtthemoveryourshoulderinasemicircle，asiftheywereahandatcards，andnotalwaysagoodone？Why，havingdonethis，sheinstantlyretiredtothenearestwall，andgazedatyouscornfully，asonewhowouldsay，\"Fairsir，thoughlowly，Iamproud；ifthoudostimaginethatIwouldpermitunduefamiliarityofspeech，beware！\"AndthenIbegantothinkofanddreadthecomingbreakfast；towonderwhythehamwasalwayscuthalfaninchthick，andwhythefriedeggalwaysresembledaglasseyethatvisiblywinkedatyouwithdiabolicaldyspepticsuggestions；towonderifthebuckwheatcakes，theeatingofwhichrequiresacertaindegreeofartisticpreparationanddeliberation，wouldbebroughtinasusualoneminutebeforethetrainstarted。
AndthenIhadavividrecollectionofafellow-passengerwho，atacertainbreakfaststationinIllinois，franticallyenwrappedhisportionofthisnationalpastryinhisredbandanahandkerchief，tookitintothesmoking-car，andquietlydevoureditenroute。
Lyingbroadawake，IcouldnothelpmakingsomeobservationswhichIthinkarenotnoticedbythedaytraveler。First，thatthespeedofatrainisnotequalorcontinuous。Thatatcertaintimestheengineapparentlystartsup，andsaystothebaggagetrainbehindit，\"Come，come，thiswon’tdo！Why，it’snearlyhalf-pasttwo；
howinh-llshallwegetthrough？Don’tyoutalktoME。Pooh，pooh！\"deliveredinthatrhythmicalfashionwhichallmeditationassumesonarailwaytrain。Exempligratia：Onenight，havingraisedmywindow-curtaintolookoveramoonlitsnowylandscape，asIpulleditdownthelinesofapopularcomicsongflashedacrossme。Fatalerror！Thetraininstantlytookitup，andduringtherestofthenightIwashauntedbythisawfulrefrain：\"Pulldownthebel-lind，pulldownthebel-lind；simebody’sklinkklink，O
don’tbeshoo-shoo！\"Naturallythisdiffersonthedifferentrailways。OntheNewYorkCentral，wheretheroad-bedisquiteperfectandthesteelrailscontinuous，Ihaveheardthisirreverenttraingivethewordsofacertainpopularrevivalhymnafterthisfashion：\"Holdthefort，forIamSankey；Moodyslingersstill。Wavetheswishswashbackfromklinky，klinkyklankykill。\"
OntheNewYorkandNewHaven，wheretherearemanyswitches，andtheenginewhistlesateverycrossroad，Ihaveoftenheard，\"Tommymakeroomforyourwhooopy！that’salittleclang；bumpity，bumpity，boopy，clikitty，clikitty，clang。\"Poetry，Ifear，faredlittlebetter。Onestarlitnight，comingfromQuebec，asweslippedbyavirginforest，theopeninglinesofEvangelineflasheduponme。ButallIcouldmakeofthemwasthis：\"Thisistheforestprimeval-eval；thegrovesofthepinesandthehemlocks-
locks-locks-locks-loooock！\"Thetrainwasonly\"slowing\"or\"braking\"upatastation。Hencethejarinthemetre。
IhadnoticedapeculiarAeolianharp-likecrythatranthroughthewholetrainaswesettledtorestatlastafteralongrun——analmostsighofinfiniterelief，amusicalsighthatbeganinCandrangraduallyuptoFnatural，whichIthinkmostobservanttravelershavenoticeddayandnight。Norailwayofficialhasevergivenmeasatisfactoryexplanationofit。Asthecar，inarapidrun，isalwaysslightlyprojectedforwardofitstrucks，apracticalfriendoncesuggestedtomethatitwasthegradualsettlingbackofthecarbodytoastateofinertia，which，ofcourse，everypoeticaltravelerwouldreject。Fouro’clockthesoundofboot-blackingbytheporterfaintlyapparentfromthetoilet-room。Whynottalktohim？But，fortunately，Irememberedthatanyattemptatextendedconversationwithconductororporterwasalwaysresentedbythemasimplieddisloyaltytothecompanytheyrepresented。IrecalledthatonceIhadendeavoredtoimpressuponaconductortheabsolutefollyofamidnightinspectionoftickets，andhadbeentreatedbyhimasanescapedlunatic。No，therewasnorelieffromthissuffocatingandinsupportablelonelinesstobegainedthen。Iraisedthewindow-blindandlookedout。Wewerepassingafarm-house。Alight，evidentlythelanternofafarm-hand，wasswungbesideabarn。Yes，thefaintesttingeofroseinthefarhorizon。Morning，surely，atlast。
Wehadstoppedatastation。Twomenhadgotintothecar，andhadtakenseatsintheonevacantsection，yawningoccasionallyandconversinginalanguid，perfunctorysortofway。Theysatoppositeeachother，occasionallylookingoutofthewindow，butalwaysgivingthestrongimpressionthattheyweretiredofeachother’scompany。AsIlookedoutofmycurtainsatthem，theOneMansaid，withafeeblyconcealedyawn：——
\"Yes，well，IreckonhewasatonetimeaspoplaranondertakerezIknew。\"
TheOtherMan（inventingaquestionratherthangivingananswer，outofsomelanguid，socialimpulse）：\"Butwashe——thisyerondertaker——aChristian——hedhejinedthechurch？\"
TheOneMan（reflectively）：\"Well，Idon’tknowezyoumightcallhimapurfessin’Christian；buthehed——yes，hehedconviction。I
thinkDr。Wyliehedhimunderconviction。EtleastthatwasthewayIgotitfromHIM。\"
Along，drearypause。TheOtherMan（feelingitwasincumbentuponhimtosaysomething）：\"Butwhywashepoplarezanondertaker？\"
TheOneMan（lazily）：\"Well，hewaskinderpoplarwithwiddersandwidderers——sortersoothen’emakinder，keerlessway；slung’emsuthin’hereandthere，sometimesoutertheBook，sometimesouterhisself，ezamanofexperienceashedhedsorror。Hed，theysay（VERYCAUTIOUSLY），lostthreewiveshisself，andfivechildrenbythisyernewdisease——dipthery——outinWisconsin。Idon’tknowthefacts，butthat’swhat’sgotround。\"
TheOtherMan：\"Buthowdidhelosehispoplarity？\"
TheOneMan：\"Well，that’sthequestion。Youseeheinterducedsomethingsintoondertakingthatwaznew。Hehed，forinstance，away，ashecalledit，ofmanniperlatingthefeaturesofthedeceased。\"
TheOtherMan（quietly）：\"Howmanniperlating？\"
TheOneMan（struckwithabrightandaggressivethought）：\"Lookyer，didyeevernotisshow，generallyspeakin’，onhandsomeacorpseis？\"
TheOtherManhadnoticedthisfact。
TheOneMan（returningtohisfact）：\"WhytherewasMaryPeebles，ezwasdaughterofmywife’sbosomfriend——amightypootygirlandaprofessingChristian——diedofscarletfever。Well，thatgal——I
wasoneofthemourners，beingmywife’sfriend——well，thatgal，thoughIhedn’t，perhaps，oughtersay——lyinginthatcasket，fetchedallthewayfromsomeA1establishmentinChicago，filledwithflowersandfurbelows——didn’treallyseemtobeofmuchaccount。Well，althoughmywife’sfriend，andmeamourner——well，now，Iwas——disappointedanddiscouraged。\"
TheOtherMan（inpalpablyaffectedsympathy）：\"Sho！now！\"
\"Yes，SIR！Well，yousee，thisyerondertaker，thisWilkins，hedawayofcorrectin’allthet。Andjustbymanniperlation。Heworkedoverthefaceofthedeceasedontilheperducedwhatthesurvivin’
relativescalledalookofresignation，——youknow，asortofsmile，like。Whenhewantedtoputinanyextrys，heperducedwhathecalled——hevin’reglarchargesforthiskindofwork——aChristian’shope。\"
TheOtherMan：\"Iwanttoknow。\"
\"Yes。Well，Iadmit，attimesitwasalittlestartlin’。AndI’veallerssaid（alittleconfidentially）thatIhadmydoubtsofitsbeingScriptoorl，orsacred，webeing，ezyouknow，wormsoftheyearth；andIrelievedmymindtoourpastor，buthedidn’tfeellikeinterferin’，ezlongezitwasconfinedtochurchmembership。
Buttheotherday，whenCyDunhamdied——youdisrememberCyDunham？\"
Alongintervalofsilence。TheOtherManwaslookingoutofthewindow，andhadapparentlyforgottenhiscompanioncompletely。ButasIstretchedmyheadoutofthecurtainIsawfourotherheadsaseagerlyreachedoutfromotherberthstoheartheconclusionofthestory。Onehead，afemaleone，instantlydisappearedonmylookingaround，butacertaintremulousnessofherwindow-curtainshowedanunabatedinterest。TheonlytwoutterlydisinterestedmenweretheOneManandtheOtherMan。
TheOtherMan（detachinghimselflanguidlyfromthewindow）：\"CyDunham？\"
\"Yes；Cyneverhedhedeitherconvictionsorpurfessions。Ustergetdrunkandgoroundwithpermiscouswomen。Sorterliketheprodigalson，onlyalittlemoreso，ezfurezIkinjudgefromthefacksezstatedtome。Well，CyonedaypeteredoutdownatLittleRock，andwassentupyerforinterment。Thefammerly，beingproud-like，ofcoursedidn’tsparenomoneyonthatfuneral，anditwaz——nowbetweenyouandme——aboutezshapelyandfirst-classandprime-messaffairezIeversaw。Wilkinshedputinhisextrys。
Hehedputontothatprodigal’sfacetheA1touch，——hedhimfixedupwitha’Christian’shope。’Well，itwasabouttheturning-
point，fortharwazsomeofthemembersandthepastorhisselfthoughtthatthelineoughtertobedrawnsomewhere，andtharwassometalkatDeaconTibbet’saboutareg’larconferencemeetin’
regardin’it。Butitwasn’tthetwhichmadehimonpoplar。\"
Anothersilence；noexpressionnorreflectionfromthefaceoftheOtherManoftheleastdesiretoknowwhatultimatelysettledtheunpopularityoftheundertaker。Butfromthecurtainsofthevariousberthsseveraleagerandoneortwoevenwrathfulfaces，anxiousfortheresult。
TheOtherMan（lazilyrecurringtothefadingtopic）：\"Well，whatmadehimonpoplar？\"
TheOneMan（quietly）：\"Extrys，Ithink——thatis，Isuppose，notknowin’\"（cautiously）\"allthefacts。WhenMrs。Widdecombelostherhusband，’bouttwomonthsago，thoughshe’dbeenthroughthevalleyoftheshadderofdeathtwice——thisbein’herthirdmarriage，hevin’beenJohnBarker’swidder——\"
TheOtherMan（withanintenseexpressionofinterest）：\"No，you’refoolin’me！\"
TheOneMan（solemnly）：\"EfIwastoappearbeforemyMakerto-
morrow，yes！shewasthewidderofBarker。\"
TheOtherMan：\"Well，Iswow。\"
TheOneMan：\"Well，thisWidderWiddecombe，sheputupabigfuneralforthedeceased。ShehedWilkins，andthetondertakerjustlaidhisselfout。Justspreadhisself。Onfort’natly，——
perhapsfort’natlyinthewaysofProvidence，——oneofWiddecombe’soldfriends，adoctoruptharinChicago，comesdowntothefuneral。Hegoesupwiththefriendstolookatthedeceased，smilin’apeacefulsorto’heavinlysmile，andeverybodysayin’
he’sgonetomeethisreward，andthisyerfriendturnsround，shortandsuddenonthewiddersettin’inherpew，andkinderenjoyin，aswimenwill，allthecomplimentspaidthecorpse，andhesays，sayshe：——
\"’Whatdidyousayyourhusbanddiedof，marm？’
\"’Consumption，’shesays，wipinghereyes，poorcritter。
’Consumption——gallopin’consumption。’
\"’Consumptionbed——d，’sezhe，bein’aprofanekindofChicagodoctor，andnotbein’everunderconviction。’Thetmandiedofstrychnine。Lookatthetface。Lookatthetcontortionofthemfashalmuscles。Thet’sstrychnine。Thet’srisersSardonikus’
（thet’swhathesaid；hewasalwayssorterprofane）。
\"’Why，doctor，’saysthewidder，’thet——thetishislastsmile。
It’saChristian’sresignation。’
\"’Thetbeblowed；don’ttellme，’sezhe。’Hellisfullofthetkindofresignation。It’spizon。AndI’ll——’Why，dernmyskin，yesweare；yes，it’sJoliet。Wall，now，who’dheythoughtwe’dbeennighontoanhour。\"
Twoorthreeanxiouspassengersfromtheirberths：\"Say；lookyer，stranger！Oldman！Whatbecameof——\"
ButtheOneManandtheOtherManhadvanished。
MORNINGONTHEAVENUE
NOTESBYANEARLYRISER。
Ihavealwaysbeenanearlyriser。Thepopularlegendthat\"Earlytobedandearlytorise，\"invariablyandrhythmicallyresultedinhealthfulness，opulence，andwisdom，Ibegheretosolemnlyprotestagainst。Asan\"unhealthy\"man，asan\"unwealthy\"man，anddoubtlessbyvirtueofthisprotestan\"unwise\"man，Iam，Ithink，aglaringexampleoftheuntruthoftheproposition。
Forinstance，itismymisfortune，asanearlyriser，toliveuponacertainfashionableavenue，wherethepracticeofearlyrisingisconfinedexclusivelytodomestics。Consequently，whenIissueforthonthisbroad，beautifulthoroughfareatsixA。M。，IcannothelpthinkingthatIam，toacertainextent，desecratingitstraditionalcustoms。
IhavemorethanoncedetectedthemilkmanwinkingatthemaidwithadiabolicalsuggestionthatIwasreturningfromacarouse，andRoundsman9999hasonceortwicefollowedmeablockortwowiththeevidentimpressionthatIwasaburglarreturningfromasuccessfuleveningout。Nevertheless，thesevariousindiscretionshavebroughtmeintocontactwithakindofcharacterandphenomenawhoseexistenceImightotherwisehavedoubted。
First，letmespeakofalargeclassofworking-peoplewhosepresenceis，Ithink，unknowntomanyofthosegentlemenwhoareinthehabitoflegislatingorwritingaboutthem。AmajorityoftheseearlyrisersintheneighborhoodofwhichImaycallmy\"beat\"carrywiththemunmistakableevidencesoftheAmericantype。
Ihaveseensolittleofthatforeignelementthatispopularlysupposedtobetherealworkingclassofthegreatmetropolis，thatIhaveoftenbeeninclinedtodoubtstatistics。ThegroundthatmymorningramblescoverextendsfromTwenty-thirdStreettoWashingtonPark，andlaterallyfromSixthAvenuetoBroadway。TheearlyrisingartisansthatImeethere，crossingthreeavenues，——
themilkmen，thetruck-drivers，theworkman，eventheoccasionaltramp，——wherevertheymaycomefromorgoto，orwhattheirrealhabitatmaybe，——areinvariablyAmericans。Igiveitasanhonestrecord，whateveritssignificanceorinsignificancemaybe，thatduringthelastyear，betweenthehoursofsixandeightA。M。，inandaboutthelocalityIhavementioned，Ihavemetwithbuttwounmistakableforeigners，anIrishmanandaGerman。PerhapsitmaybenecessarytoaddtothisstatementthatthepeopleIhavemetatthoseearlyhoursIhaveneverseenatanyothertimeinthesamelocality。
Astotheirquality，theartisanswerealwayscleanlydressed，intelligent，andrespectful。Iremember，however，onemorning，whentheicestormoftheprecedingnighthadmadethesidewalksglistening，smilingandimpassable，tohavejourneyeddownthemiddleofTwelfthStreetwithamechanicsosootyastoabsolutelyleavealegibletrackinthesnowypathway。Hewasthefiremanattendingtheengineinanotedmanufactory，andinourbriefconversationhetoldmemanyfactsregardinghisprofessionwhichI
fearinterestedmemorethantheafter-dinnerspeechesofsomedistinguishedgentlemenIhadheardtheprecedingnight。I
rememberthathespokeofhisengineas\"she，\"andrelatedcertaincircumstancesregardingherinconsistency，heraberrations，herpettishnesses，thatseemedtojustifythefemininegender。Ihaveagratefulrecollectionofhimasbeingonewhointroducedmetoarestaurantwherechicory，thinlydisguisedascoffee，wasservedwithbreadatfivecentsacup，andthathehonorablyinsistedonbeingthehost，andpaidhistencentsforourmutualentertainmentwiththegraceofaBarmecide。Iremember，inamoregenialseason，——Ithinkearlysummer，——tohavefounduponthebenchesofWashingtonParkagentlemanwhoinformedmethathisprofessionwasthatofa\"pigeoncatcher\"；thathecontractedwithcertainpartiesinthiscitytofurnishthesebirdsforwhathecalledtheir\"pigeon-shoots\"；andthatinfulfillingthiscontractheoftenwasobligedtogoasfarwestasMinnesota。Thedetailshegave——hismethodsofentrappingthebirds，hisstudyoftheirhabits，hisevidentbeliefthatthecitypigeon，howeverwellprovidedforbypartieswhofondlybelievedthebirdtobetheirown，wasreallyferaenaturae，andconsequently\"game\"forthepigeon-catcher——wereallsointerestingthatIlistenedtohimwithundisguiseddelight。
Whenhehadfinished，however，hesaid，\"Andnow，sir，beingapoorman，withalargefamily，andworkbein’ratherslackthisyear，ifyecouldobligemewiththeloanofadollarandyouraddress，untilremittanceswhatI’mexpectingcomeinfromChicago，you’llbedoin’meagreatservice，\"etc。，etc。Hegotthedollar，ofcourse（hisinformationwasworthtwicethemoney），butIimaginehelostmyaddress。Yetitisonlyfairtosaythatsomedaysafter，relatinghisexperiencetoaprominentsportingman，hecorroboratedallitsdetails，andsatisfiedmethatmypigeon-
catchingfriend，althoughunfortunate，wasnotanimpostor。
Andthisleadsmetospeakofthebirds。Ofallearlyrisers，mymostimportunate，aggressive，andobtrusivecompanionsaretheEnglishsparrows。BetweensixandsevenA。M。theyseemtopossesstheavenue，andresentmyintrusion。Iremember，onechillymorning，whenIcameuponaflurryofthem，chattering，quarreling，skimming，andalightingjustbeforeme。Istoppedatlast，fearfulofsteppingonthenearest。Tomygreatsurprise，insteadofflyingaway，hecontestedthegroundinchbyinchbeforemyadvancingfoot，withhiswingsoutspreadandopenbilloutstretched，verymuchlikethatridiculousburlesqueoftheAmericaneaglewhichthecommoncanary-birdassumeswhenteased。
\"Didyoueversee’emwashinthefountaininthesquare？\"saidRoundsman9999，earlyonesummermorning。Ihadnot。\"Iguessthey’rethereyet。Comeandsee’em，\"hesaid，andcomplacentlyaccompaniedmetwoblocks。Idon’tknowwhichwasthefinersight，——thethirtyorfortywingedsprites，dashinginandoutofthebasin，eachtheveryimpersonationofalight-hearted，mischievouspuck，orthisgravepoliceman，withbadgeandclubandshield，lookingonwithdelight。Perhapsmyvisibleamusement，orthespectacleofabrotherpolicemanjustthengoingpastwithacoupleof\"drunkanddisorderlies，\"recalledhisofficialresponsibilitiesandduties。\"Theysaythemforeignsparrowsdrivealltheotherbirdsaway，\"headded，severely；andthenwalkedoffwithacertainreservedmanner，asifitwerenotimpossibleforhimtobecalleduponsomemorningtotaketheentirefeatheredassemblyintocustody，andifsocalleduponheshoulddoit。
Next，Ithink，inprocessionamongtheearlyrisers，andsurelynextinfreshandinnocentexterior，werethework-womenorshop-
girls。Ihaveseenthisfineavenueongalaafternoonsbrightwiththebeautyandeleganceofanopulentcity，butIhaveseenomorebeautifulfacesthanIhaveseenamongthesehumblersisters。AsthemerehabitsofdressinAmerica，excepttoaveryacutecritic，givenosuggestionoftherankofthewearer，Icanimagineaninexperiencedforeignerutterlymystifiedandconfoundedbythesegirls，whoperhapsworkasewing-machineorwalkthelongfloorsofafashionabledry-goodsshop。Irememberonefaceandfigure，faultlessandcomplete，——modestlyyetmostbecominglydressed，——
indeed，afigurethatCompte-Calixmighthavetakenforoneofhisexquisitestudies，which，betweensevenandeightA。M。passedthroughEleventhStreet，betweenSixthAvenueandBroadway。Soexceptionallyfinewashercarriage，sochasteandvirginalherpresence，andsorefinedandevenspiritualherfeatures，that，asaliteraryman，Iwouldhavebeenjustifiedintakingherfortheheroineofasocietynovel。Indeed，Ihadalreadywovenalittleromanceabouther，whenonemorningsheovertookme，accompaniedbyanothergirl——pretty，butofadifferenttype——withwhomshewasearnestlyconversing。Asthetwopassedme，therefellfromherfaultlesslipsthefollowingastoundingsentence：\"AndItoldhim，ifhedidn’tlikeithemightlumpit，andhetraveledoffonhisleftear，youbet！\"Heavenknowswhatindiscretionthisspeechsavedmefrom；butthereaderwillunderstandwhatastingthepainofrejectionmighthaveaddedtoitbytheaboveformula。
The\"morning-cocktail\"mencomenextinmyexperienceofearlyrising。Iusedtotakemyearlycupofcoffeeinthecafeofacertainfashionablerestaurantthathadabarattached。Icouldnothelpnoticingthat，unliketheusualsociallibationsofmycountrymen，theactoftakingamorningcocktailwasasolitaryone。InthecourseofmyexperienceIcannotrecallthefactoftwomentakinganante-breakfastcocktailtogether。Onthecontrary，Ihaveobservedthemaleanimalrushsavagelyatthebar，demandhisdrinkofthebar-keeper，swallowit，andhastenfromthesceneofhisearlydebauchery，orelsetakeitinalanguid，perfunctorymanner，which，Ithink，musthavebeeninsultingtothebar-keeper。Ihaveobservedtwomen，whomIhadseendrinkingamicablytogethertheprecedingnight，standinggloomilyattheoppositecornersofthebar，evidentlytryingnottoseeeachotherandmakingthematteraconfidentialonewiththebar-keeper。I
haveseenevenathindisguiseofsimplicityassumed。Irememberanelderlygentleman，ofmostrespectableexterior，whousedtoenterthecafeasifhehadstrayedthereaccidentally。Afterlookingaroundcarefully，andyetunostentatiously，hewouldwalktothebar，and，withanairofaffectedcarelessness，statethat\"notfeelingwellthismorning，heguessedhewouldtake——well，hewouldleaveittothebar-keeper。\"Thebar-keeperinvariablygavehimastiffbrandycocktail。Whentheoldgentlemanhaddonethishalfadozentimes，IthinkIlostfaithinhim。Itriedafterwardstogleanfromthebar-keepersomefactsregardingthoseexperiences，butIamproudtosaythathewashonorablyreticent。
Indeed，Ithinkitmaybesaidtruthfullythatthereisnorecordofabar-keeperwhohasbeen\"interviewed。\"Clergymenanddoctorshave，butitiswellfortheweaknessofhumanitythatthelineshouldbedrawnsomewhere。
Andthisremindsmethatonedistressingphaseofearlyrisingistheincongruousandunpleasantcontactoftheprecedingnight。ThesocialyesterdayisnotfairlyoverbeforenineA。M。to-day，andthereisalwaysahumorous，sometimesapathetic，lappingovertheedges。Irememberonemorningatsixo’clocktohavebeenovertakenbyacarriagethatdrewupbesideme。Irecognizedthecoachman，whotouchedhishatapologetically，asifhewishedmetounderstandthathewasnotatallresponsiblefortheconditionofhismaster，andIwenttothedoorofthecarriage。Iwasastonishedtofindtwoyoungfriendsofmine，incorrecteveningdress，recliningoneachother’sshouldersandsleepingthesleepofthejustlyinebriated。Istatedthisfacttothecoachman。Notamuscleofhiswell-trainedfaceansweredtomysmile。Buthesaid：\"Yousee，sir，we’vebeenoutallnight，andmorethanfourblocksbelowtheysawyou，andwantedmetohailyou，butyouknowyoustoppedtospeaktoagentleman，andsoIsorterlingered，andIdroveroundtheblockonceortwice，andIguessI’vegot’emquietagain。\"IlookedinthecarriagedooroncemoreonthesesonsofBelial。Theyweresleepingquiteunconsciously。A
bouttonniereinthelappeloftheyoungerone’scoathadsheditsleaves，whichwerescatteredoverhimwitharidiculoussuggestionofthe\"BabesintheWood，\"andIclosedthecarriagedoorsoftly。
\"IsupposeI’dbettertake’emhome，sir？\"queriedthecoachman，gravely。\"Well，yes，John，perhapsyouhad。\"
ThereisanotherpictureinmyearlyrisingexperiencethatIwishwasassimplyandhonestlyludicrous。Itwasatatimewhenthemoralsentimentofthemetropolis，expressedthroughordinanceandspeciallegislation，haddeclareditselfagainstacertainformof\"variety\"entertainment，andhad，asusual，proceededagainsttheperformers，andnotthepeoplewhoencouragedthem。Iremember，onefrostymorning，tohaveencounteredinWashingtonParkmyhonestfriendSergeantX。andRoundsman9999conveyingapartyofthesederelictstothestation。Oneofthewomen，evidently，hadnothadtimetochangeherapparel，andhadthinlydisguisedtheflowingrobeandloosecestusofVenusunderaragged\"waterproof\"；
whiletheother，whohaddoubtlessposedforMercury，hidhershapelytightsinaplaidshawl，andchangedherwingedsandalsforapairof\"arctics。\"Theirrougedfaceswerestreakedandstainedwithtears。Themanwhowaswiththem，themaleoftheirspecies，hadbuthastilywashedhimselfofhisEthiopianpresentment，andwasstillblackbehindtheears；whileanexaggeratedshirtcollarandfrilledshirtmadehisoccasionalindignantprofanityirresistiblyludicrous。Sotheyfaredonovertheglitteringsnow，againsttherosysunlightofthesquare，thegrayfrontoftheUniversitybuilding，withafewtwitteringsparrowsintheforeground，besidethetwopolicemen，quietandimpassiveasfate。
IcouldnothelpthinkingofthedistinguishedA。，themostfashionableB。，thewealthyandrespectableC。，thesentimentalD。，andthemanoftheworldE。，whowerepresentattheperformance，whosedistinguishedpatronagehadcalleditintolife，andwhowerethenrestingquietlyintheirbeds，whilethesehaggardservantsoftheirpleasauncewerehaledoverthesnowtopunishmentandignominy。
Letmefinishbyrecallingonebrighterpictureofthatsameseason。Itwasearly；soearlythatthecrossofGraceChurchhad，whenIlookedup，justcaughtthemorningsun，andforamomentflamedlikeacrusader’ssymbol。Andthenthegraceandgloryofthatexquisitespirebecameslowlyvisible。Fretbyfretthesunlightstoleslowlydown，quiveringanddroppingfromeach，untilatlastthewholechurchbeamedinrosyradiance。Upanddownthelongavenuethestreetlayinshadow；bysomestrangetrickoftheatmospherethesunseemedtohavesoughtoutonlythatgracefulstructureforitsblessing。Andthentherewasadullrumble。Itwasthefirstomnibus，——thefirstthrobinthegreatarteryoftherevivingcity。Ilookedup。Thechurchwasagaininshadow。
WITHTHEENTREES
\"Once，whenIwasapirate——！\"
Thespeakerwasanelderlygentlemanincorrecteveningdress，theroomatastefulone，thecompanyofinfiniterespectability，thelocalityatoncefashionableandexclusive，theoccasionanunexceptionabledinner。Tothisshouldbeaddedthatthespeakerwasalsothehost。
Withtheseconditionsself-evident，allthatgoodbreedingcoulddowastoreceivethestatementwithavaguesmilethatmightpassforgood-humoredincredulityorcourteousacceptationofasimplefact。
Indeed，Ithinkweallrathertriedtoconveytheimpressionthatourhost，whenheWASapirate，——ifheeverreallywasone，——wasallthataself-respectingpirateshouldbe，andneverviolatedthecanonsofgoodsociety。Thisideawas，tosomeextent，crystallizedbytheyoungestMissJonesintheexclamation，\"Oh，hownice！\"
\"Itwas，ofcourse，manyyearsago，whenIwasquitealad。\"
Weallmurmured\"Certainly，\"asifpiracywereanaturalexpressionoftheexuberanceofyouth。
\"Iought，perhaps，explainthecircumstancesthatledmeintothiswayoflife。\"
HereLegrande，acourteousattacheofthePatagonianlegation，interposedinFrenchandanexcessofpoliteness，\"thatitwasnotofanecessity，\"astatementtowhichhisEnglishneighborhurriedlyresponded，\"Oui，oui。\"
\"Thereessaboke，\"hecontinued，inawell-bred，rapidwhisper，\"fromCaptainCanot，——aFrenchman，——mosteenteresting——hewas——oh，afinemanofeducation——andwhatyoucalla’slavair，’\"butherehewasquietlynudgedintorespectfulsilence。
\"Iranawayfromhome，\"continuedourhost。Hepaused，andthenadded，appealingly，tothetwodistinguishedforeignerspresent：\"I
donotknowifIcanmakeyouunderstandthatthisisapeculiarlyAmericanpredilection。TheexodusoftheyoungermalesofanAmericanfamilyagainsttheparents’wishesdoesnot，withus，necessarilycarryanyobloquywithit。TotheaverageAmericantheprospectoffortuneandabetterconditionliesOUTSIDEofhishome；withyouthehomemeanstheestate，thesuccessionofhonorsortitles，thesuretythattheconditionsoflifeshallallbekeptintact。Withusthechildrenwhodonotexpect，andgenerallysucceedinimprovingthefortunesofthehouse，aremarkedexceptions。DoImakemyselfclear？\"
TheFrench-Patagonianattachethoughtitwas\"charmingandprogressif。\"TheBaronVonPretzelthoughthehadnoticedamovementofthatkindinGermany，whichwasexpressedinasinglewordofseventeensyllables。ViscountPiccadillysaidtohisneighbor：\"That，youknownow，theyoungersons，don’tyousee，gotoAustralia，youknowinsomebeastlytrade——stock-raisingorsheep——youknow；but，byJove！themfellahs——\"
\"Myfatheralwaystreatedmewell，\"continuedourhost。\"IsharedequallywithmybrotherstheprivilegesandlimitationsofourNewEnglandhome。Nevertheless，Iranawayandwenttosea——\"
\"Tosee——what？\"askedLegrande。
\"Allersurmer，\"saidhisneighbor，hastily。
\"Goonwithyourpiracy！\"saidMissJones。
ThedistinguishedforeignerslookedateachotherandthenatMissJones。Eachmadeamentalnoteoftheaveragecold-bloodedferocityoftheyoungAmericanfemale。
\"IshippedonboardofaLiverpool’liner，’\"continuedourhost。
\"Whatessa’liner’？\"interruptedLegrande，sottovoce，tohisnextneighbor，whopretendednottohearhim。
\"Ineednotsaythatthesewerethedayswhenwehadnotlostourcarryingtrade，whenAmericanbottoms——\"
\"Queestce，’bottoom’？\"saidLegrande，imploringly，tohisotherfriend。
\"WhenAmericanbottomsstillcarriedthebulkoffreight，andthesupremacyofourflag——\"
HereLegranderecognizedapatrioticsentimentandrespondedtoitwithwildrepublicanenthusiasm，noddinghisheadviolently。
Piccadillynoticedit，too，and，seeinganopeningforsomegeneraldiscussiononfreetrade，beganhalfaudiblytoHISneighbor：\"Mostextraordinarything，youknow，yourAmericanstatesmen——\"
\"IdesertedtheshipatLiverpool——\"
Butheretwoperfunctorylistenerssuddenlyturnedtowardtheotherendofthetable，whereanotherguest，ourNevadaBonanzalion，wasevidentlyinthefullfloodofpioneeranecdoteandnarration。
Calmlydisregardingthedefection，hewenton：——
\"IdesertedtheshipatLiverpoolinconsequenceofmyill-
treatmentbythesecondmate，——amanselectedforhispositionbyreasonofhissuperiorphysicalstrengthandrecognizedbrutality。
Ihavebeensincetoldthathegraduatedfromthestateprison。OntheseconddayoutIsawhimstrikeamansenselesswithabelayingpinforsometriflingbreachofdiscipline。Isawhimrepeatedlybeatandkicksickmen——\"
\"DidyoueverreadDana’s’TwoYearsbeforetheMast’？\"askedLightbody，ourheavyliteraryman，turningtoHISneighbor，inadistinctlyaudiblewhisper。\"Ah！there’sabook！Gotallthissortofthinginit。Dev’lishlywellwritten，too。\"
ThePatagonian（aliveforinformation）：\"WhatessthisDana，eh？\"
Hislefthandneighbor（shortly）：\"Oh，thatman！\"
Hisrighthandneighbor（curtly）：\"ThefellahwhowrotetheEncyclopaediaandedits’TheSun’？thatwasputupinBostonfortheEnglishmissionanddidn’tgetit。\"
ThePatagonian（makingamentaldiplomaticnoteofthefactthattheseveredisciplineoftheeditorof\"TheSun，\"oneofAmerica’sprofoundestscholars，whileactingfrompatrioticmotives，asthesecondmateofanAmerican\"bottom，\"hadunfittedhimfordiplomaticserviceabroad）：\"Ah，ciel！\"
\"Iwanderedonthequaysforadayortwo，untilIwaspickedupbyaPortuguesesailor，who，interestinghimselfinmystory，offeredtoprocuremeapassagetoFayalandLisbon，where，heassuredme，Icouldfindmorecomfortableandprofitablemeansofreturningtomyownland。Letmesayherethatthisman，althoughIknewhimafterwardasoneofthemostunscrupulousandheartlessofpirates，——infactthetypicalbuccaneerofthebooks，——wastomealwayskind，considerate，and，attimes，eventender。Hewasacapitalseaman。Igivethisevidenceinfavorofamuchridiculedrace，whohavebeenableseamenforcenturies。\"
\"DidyoueverreadthatPortugueseGuide-book？\"askedLightbodyofhisneighbor；\"it’sthemostexquisitelyridiculousthing——\"
\"WillthegreatAmericanpiratekindlygoon，orresumehisoriginalfunctions，\"saidMissJones，overthetable，withasignificantlookinthedirectionofLightbody。Butheranxietywasinstantlymisinterpretedbythepoliteandfair-playlovingEnglishman：\"Isay，now，don’tyouknowthatthefactisthesePortuguesefellahsarealwaysaheadofusinthediscoverybusiness？Why，youknow——\"
\"Ishippedwithhimonabrig，ostensiblyboundtoSt。Kittsandamarket。WehadscarcelyleftportbeforeIdiscoveredthetruecharacterofthevessel。Iwillnotterrifyyouwithuselessdetails。Enoughthatallthattraditionandromancehasgivenyouofthepirate’slifewasours。Happily，throughthekindnessofmyPortuguesefriend，IwaskeptfrombeinganactiveparticipantinscenesofwhichIwasanunwillingwitness。ButImustalwaysbearmytestimonytoonefact。Ourdiscipline，ourespritdecorps，ifImaysotermit，wasperfect。Nobenevolentsociety，nomoralorganization，waseversopersonallyself-sacrificing，sohonestlyloyaltoonevirtuouspurpose，asweweretoouronevice。Theindividualwasalwaysmergedinthepurpose。Whenourcaptainblewoutthebrainsofourquartermaster，oneday——\"
\"Thatremindsme——DIDyoureadofthatGeorgiamurder？\"beganLightbody；\"itwasinallthepapersIthink。Oh，Ibegpardon——\"
\"Forsimplyinterruptinghiminaconversationwithoursecondofficer，\"continuedourhost，quietly。\"Theact，althoughharshandperhapsunnecessarilyfinal，was，Ithink，indorsedbythecrew。James，passthechampagnetoMr。Lightbody。\"
Hepausedamomentfortheusualcasualinterruption，buteventheactiveLegrandewassilent。
Alas！fromtheotherendofthetablecamethevoiceoftheBonanzaman：——
\"Theropewasaroundherneck。Well，gentlemen，thatMexicanwomanstandingthere，withthatcrowdaroundher，eagerforherblood，dernmyskin！ifshedidn’tcallouttothesherifftoholdonaminit。Andwhatfer？Yecan’tguess！Why，oneofthemlongbraidssheworewasunderthenoose，andkinderintheway。I
rememberherraisingherhandtoherneckandgivin’aspitefulsortofjerktothebraidthatfetcheditoutsidetheslip-knot，andthensayingtothesheriff：’There，d——nye，goon。’Therewasasorto’thoughtfulnessintheact，akindo’keerless，easyway，thatjistfetchedtheboys——eventhemthethedtheropeintheirhands，andthey——\"（suddenlyrecognizingthesilence）：\"Oh，begpardon，oldman；didn’tknowI’dchippedintoyouryarn——heaveahead；don’tmindme。\"
\"WhatIamtryingtotellyouisthis：Onenight，intheCaribbeanSea，weranintooneoftheLeewardIslands，thathadbeeninoldentimearendezvousforourship。WewerepilotedtoouranchorageoutsidebymyPortuguesefriend，whoknewthelocalitythoroughly，andonwhosedexterityandskillweplacedthegreatestreliance。
Ifanythingmorehadbeennecessarytofixthiscircumstanceinmymind，itwouldhavebeenthefactthattwoorthreedaysbeforehehadassuredmethatIshouldpresentlyhavethemeansofhonorabledischargefromthepirate’screw，andareturntomynativeland。
Alaunchwassentfromtheshiptocommunicatewithourfriendsontheisland，whosupplieduswithstores，provisions，andgeneralinformation。Thelaunchwasmannedbyeightmen，andofficeredbythefirstmate，——agrim，Puritanical，practicalNewEnglander，ifI
mayusesuchatermtodescribeapirate，ofgreatcourage，experience，andphysicalstrength。MyPortuguesefriend，actingaspilot，prevaileduponthemtoallowmetoaccompanythepartyascoxswain。Iwasnaturallyanxious，youcanreadilycomprehend，tosee——\"
\"Certainly，\"\"Ofcourse，\"\"Whyshouldn’tyou？\"wentroundthetable。
\"Twotrustworthymenweresentashorewithinstructions。We，meanwhile，layoffthelow，palm-fringedbeach，ourcrewlyingontheiroars，orgivingwayjustenoughtokeeptheboat’sheadtothebreakers。Themateandmyselfsatinthesternsheets，lookingshorewardforthesignal。Thenightwasintenselyblack。PerhapsforthisreasonneverbeforehadIseenthephosphorescenceofatropicalseasostronglymarked。Fromthegreatopenbeyond，luminouscrestsandplumesofpalefireliftedthemselves，ghost-
like，atourbows，sank，sweptbyuswithlong，shimmering，undulatingtrails，brokeonthebeachinsilverycrescents，orshatteredtheirbrightnessontheblackrocksofthepromontory。
Thewholevastseashoneandtwinkledlikeanotherfirmament，againstwhichthefiguresofourmen，sittingwiththeirfacestowardus，wereoutlineddarkly。Thegrim，setfeaturesofourfirstmate，sittingbesideme，werefaintlyilluminated。Therewasnosoundbutthewhisperofpassingwavesagainstourlap-streak，andthelow，murmuringconversationofthemen。Ihadmyfacetowardtheshore。AsIlookedovertheglimmeringexpanse，I
suddenlyheardthewhisperednameofourfirstmate。Assuddenly，bythephosphorescentlightthatsurroundedit，Isawthelongtrailinghairandgleamingshouldersofawomanfloatingbesideus。
Legrande，youarepositivelydrinkingnothing。Lightbody，youareshirkingtheBurgundy——youusedtolikeit！\"
Hepaused，butnoonespoke。
\"I——letmesee！wherewasI？Oh，yes！Well，Isawthewoman，andwhenIturnedtocalltheattentionofthefirstmatetothisfact，Iknewinstantly，bysomestrangeinstinct，thathehadseenandheardher，too。So，fromthatmomenttotheconclusionofourlittledrama，weweresilent，butenforcedspectators。
\"Sheswamgracefully——silently！Iremembernoticingthroughthatodd，half-weird，phosphorescentlightwhichbrokeoverhershouldersassheroseandfellwitheachquietstrokeofhersplendidlyroundedarms，thatshewasamature，perfectly-formedwoman。Iremember，also，thatwhenshereachedtheboat，and，supportingherselfwithonesmallhandonthegunwale，shesoftlycalledthemateinawhisperbyhisChristianname，Ihadaboyishideathatshewas——the——er——er——femaleofhisspecies——his——er——
naturalwife！I’mboringyou——amInot？\"
Twoorthreeheadsshookviolentlyandnegatively。Theyoungest，and，Iregrettosay，theOLDEST，MissJonesutteredtogethersympathetically，\"Goon——please；do！\"
\"The——womantoldhiminafewrapidwordsthathehadbeenbetrayed；thatthetwomensentashorewerenowinthehandsoftheauthorities；thataforcewasbeingorganizedtocapturethevessel；thatinstantflightwasnecessary，andthatthebetrayerandtraitorwas——myfriend，thePortuguese，Fernandez！
\"Themateraisedthedripping，littlebrownhandtohislips，andwhisperedsomeundistinguishablewordsinherear。Irememberseeingherturnalookofineffableloveandhappinessuponhisgrim，setface，andthenshewasgone。Shedoveasaduckdives，andIsawhershapelyhead，afteramoment’ssuspense，reappearacable’slengthawaytowardtheshore。
\"Iventuredtoraisemyeyestothemate’sface；itwascoldandimpassive。Iturnedmyfacetowardthecrew；theywereconversinginwhisperswitheachother，withtheirfacestowardus，yetapparentlyutterlyobliviousofthescenethathadjusttakenplaceinthestern。Therewasamomentofsilence，andthenthemate’svoicecameoutquiteimpassively，butdistinctly：——
\"’Fernandez！’
\"’Aye，aye，sir！’
\"’Comeaftand——bringyouroarwithyou。’
\"Hedidso，stumblingoverthemen，who，engagedintheirwhisperedyarns，didn’tseemtonoticehim。
\"’Seeifyoucanfindsoundingshere。’
\"Fernandezleanedoverthesternanddroppedhisoartoitsshaftinthephosphorescentwater。Buthetouchednobottom；thecurrentbroughttheoaratrightanglespresentlytothesurface。
\"’Senditdown，man，’saidthemate，imperatively；’down，down。
Reachoverthere。Whatareyouafraidof？So；steadythere；I’llholdyou。’
\"Fernandezleanedoverthesternandsenttheoarandhalfofhisbaredbrownarmintothewater。Inaninstantthematecaughthimwithonetremendouspotentialgripathiselbows，andforcedhimandhisoarheaddownwardinthewaters。Theactwassosudden，yetsocarefullypremeditated，thatnooutcryescapedthedoomedman。Eventhelaunchscarcelydippedhersterntotheact。InthatawfulmomentIheardalightlaughfromoneofthemeninresponsetoawantonyarnfromhiscomrade，——James，bringthevichytoMr。Lightbody！You’llfindthatadashofcognacwillimproveitwonderfully。
\"Well——togoon——afewbubblesarosetothesurface。Fernandezseemedunreasonablypassive，untilIsawthatwhenthematehadgrippedhiselbowswithhishandshehadalsofirmlylockedthetraitor’skneeswithinhisown。Inafewmoments——itseemedtome，then，acentury——themate’sgrasprelaxed；thebodyofFernandez，amerelimp，leadenmass，slippednoiselesslyandheavilyintothesea。Therewasnosplash。Theoceantookitcalmlyandquietlytoitsdepths。Themateturnedtothemen，withoutdeigningtocastaglanceonme。
\"’Oars！’Themenraisedtheiroarsapeak。
\"’Letfall！’Therewasasplashinthewater，encirclingtheboatinconcentriclinesofmoltensilver。
\"’Giveway！’
\"Well，ofcourse，that’sall。WEgotawayintime。IknewIboredyouawfully！Eh？Oh，youwanttoknowwhatbecameofthewoman——
really，Idon’tknow！Andmyself——oh，IgotawayatHavana！Eh？
Certainly；James，you’llfindsomesmellingsaltsinmybureau。
Gentlemen，Ifearwehavekepttheladiestoolong。\"
Buttheyhadalreadyrisen，andwereslowlyfilingoutoftheroom。
Onlyonelingered——theyoungestMissJones。
\"Thatwasacapitalstory，\"shesaid，pausingbesideourhost，withaspecialsignificanceinherusualaudacity。\"Doyouknowyouabsolutelysentcoldchillsdownmyspineamomentago。Really，now，yououghttowriteforthemagazines！\"
Ourhostlookedupatthepretty，audaciousface。Thenhesaid，sottovoce，——
\"Ido！\"