Twilight Stories

第2章

Morgan，Morganiswaitingforme!O，whatwillMorgansay？"

ButIheardthesoundoftramping，andkepthimbackfromthedoor——

Theringingsoundofhorses"hoofsthatIhadheardbefore。

Andon，oncamethesoldiers——theMichigancavalry——

Andfasttheyrode，andbacktheylooked，gallopingrapidly；

TheyhadfollowedhardonMorgan"strack；theyhadfolloweddayandnight；

ButofMorganandMorgan"sraiderstheyhadnevercaughtasight。

AndrichOhiosatstartledthroughallthesesummerdays；

Forstrange，wildmenweregallopingoverherbroadhighways；

Nowhere，nowthere，nowseen，nowgone，nownorth，noweast，nowwest，Throughriver-valleysandcorn-landfarms，sweepingawayherbest。

Aboldrideandalongride!Buttheyweretakenatlast；

Theyhadalmostreachedtheriverbygallopinghardandfast；

Buttheboysinbluewereuponthemereevertheygainedtheford，AndMorgan，Morgantheraider，laiddownhisterriblesword。

Well，Ikepttheboytillevening——kepthimagainsthiswill——

Buthewastooweaktofollow，andsattherepaleandstill；

Whenitwascoolanddusky——you"llwondertohearmetell——

ButIstoledowntothegully，andbroughtupKentuckyBelle。

Ikissedthestaronherforehead——mypretty，gentlelass——

ButIknewthatshe"dbehappy，backintheoldBlue-Grass:

AsuitofclothesofConrad"s，withallthemoneyIhad，AndKentucky，prettyKentucky，Igavetotheworn-outlad。

Iguidedhimtothesouthward，aswellasIknewhow:

Theboyrodeoffwithmanythanks，andmanyabackwardbow；

Andthentheglowitfaded，andmyheartbegantoswell；

Anddowntheglenawayshewent，mylostKentuckyBelle!

WhenConradcameintheevening，themoonwasshininghigh，BabyandIwerebothcrying——Icouldn"ttellhimwhy——

Butabatteredsuitofrebelgraywashangingonthewall，AndathinoldhorsewithdroopingheadstoodinKentucky"sstall。

Well，hewaskind，andneveroncesaidahardwordtome，HeknewIcouldn"thelpit——"twasallfortheTennessee；

But，afterthewarwasover，justthinkwhatcametopass——

Aletter，sir，andthetwoweresafebackintheoldBlue-Grass。

Theladgotacrosstheborder，ridingKentuckyBelle；

AndKentuckshewasthriving，andfat，andhearty，andwell；

Hecaredforher，andkepther，nortouchedherwithwhiporspur；

Ah!we"vehadmanyhorses，butneverahorselikeher!

CONSTANCEFENIMOREWOOLSON。

Moseswasacamelthattraveledo"erthesand。

Ofthedesert，fiercelyhot，waydowninEgypt-land；

ButtheybroughthimtotheFair，Nowuponhishump，Everychildcantakearide，Whocanstandthebumpity-bump。

PROPHECIES。

Littleblueegg，inthenestsnugandwarm，Coveredsoclosefromthewindandthestorm，Guardedsocarefullydayafterday，Whatisyouruseinthisworldnow，pray？

"Bendyourheadcloser；mysecretI"lltell:

There"sababy-birdhidinmytinyblueshell。"

Littlegreenbud，allcoveredwithdew，Answermyquestionandanswerittrue；

Whatwereyoumadefor，andwhydoyoustayClingingsoclosetothetwigalltheday？

"Hidinmygreensheath，somedaytounclose，Nestlesthewarm，glowingheartofarose。"

Dear，littlebaby-girl，daintyandfair，Sweetestofflowers，ofjewelsmostrare，Surelythere"snootheruseforyouhereThanjusttobepettedandplayedwith，youdear!

"Oh，awonderfulsecretI"mcomingtoknow，Justababylikeme，toawomanshallgrow。"

Ah，swiftlythebirdfromthenestfliesaway，Andthebudtoablossomunfoldsdaybyday，Whilethewomanlooksforthinmybaby-girl"seyes，Throughherjoysandhersorrows，hertearsandsurprise——

Toosoonshalltheyearsbringthisgifttohercup，Godkeepher，mywomanwho"snowgrowingup!

BYKATHRINELENTESTEVENSON。

WhosaidthatIwasanaughtydog，AndcouldnotbehaveifItried？

IonlychewedupKatrina"sFrenchdoll，Andshookherragoneuntilitcried。

WHYHEWASWHIPPED。

Hewassevenyearsold，livedinCheyenne，andhisnamewasTommy。Moreoverhewasgoingtoschoolforthefirsttimeinhislife。Outherelittlepeoplearenotallowedtoattendschoolwhentheyarefiveorsix，fortheLawsays:"Childrenundersevenmustnotgotoschool。"

ButnowTommywassevenandhadbeentoschooltwoweeks，andsuchdelightfulweeks!Everydaymammalistenedtolongaccountsofhow"meandDickRayplayedmarbles，"and"usfellerscrackedthewhip。"Therewasanotherthingthatheusedtotellmammaabout，somethingthatinthosefirstdayshealwaysspokeofinthemostsubduedtones，andthat——Iamsorrytorecorditofanyschool，muchmoreaCheyenneschool——wasthenumerouswhippingsthatwereadministeredtovariouslittleboysandgirls。Therewassomethingpainfullyfascinatingaboutthosewhippingstorestless，mischievouslittleTommywhohadneverlearnedtheartofsittingstill。Heknewhisturnmightcomeatanymomentandonenighthecriedoutinhissleep:"Oh，dear，whatwillbecomeofmeifIgetwhipped!"Butasthedayspassedonandthispossibleretributionovertookhimnot，hisfearsgraduallyforsookhim，andinsteadofspeakingpitifullyof"thosepoorlittlechildrenwhowerewhipped，"hementionedtheminacausaloff-handmanneras，"thosecry-babies，youknow？"Oneafternoonmammasawhimsittingontheporch，slappinghislittlefathandwithastrap。"Tommy，child，whatintheworldareyoudoing？"

sheasked。

Intohispockethethrustthestrap，andthepinkcheeksgrewpinkerstillastheirowneranswered:

"I——I——wasjustseeing——howhardIcouldhitmyhand——withoutcrying；"andhedisappearedaroundthesideofthehousebeforemammacouldaskanymorequestions。

ThenextdayTommy"sseatmate，DickyRay，wasnaughtyinschool，andMissLinnetcalledhimup，openedherdesk，tookoutalittleridingwhip——itwasabrightblueone——andthenandthereadministeredpunishment。Andbecausehecried，whenrecesscame，Tommysaid:"Isn"tDickRayjustareg"largirlcry-baby？"(Hehadlearnedthatwordfromsomeofthebigboys，but，mindyou!

heneverdaredtosayitbeforehismother。)

Dick"sfaceflushedwithanger。"Neveryoumind，TommyBrown，"

saidhe，"Justwaittillyougetwhippedandwe"llseeatrulygirl-cry-babythen，won"twe，Daisy？"

Andblue-eyedDaisy，whowastheidoloftheirhearts，noddedhercurlylittleheadinthemostemphaticmanner，andsaidshe"wouldn"tbeonebits"prisedifhe"dhollersoloudthatheywouldhearhimwaydowninColorado。"

Tommystoodaghast!for，reallyandtruly，hewasn"tquitesostony-heartedalittlemortalasheappearedtobe；hehadbeensecretlyrathersorryforDick，but——hewantedDaisytothinkthathehimselfwasbigandmanly，andhehadtheopinionthatthiswasjustthewaytowinheradmiration。ButallthistimeHEDIDN"TKNOWWHATDAISYDID——thatDick"spocketswerefullofsugar-plums；tiptoponestoo，forDaisyhadtastedthem，andknewthatlittlepacketsofthemwouldfromtimetotimefindtheirwayintoherchubbyhand。

AlltherestofthemorningTommykeptthinking，thinking，thinking。Onethingwascertain:thepresentsituationwasnottobeenduredonemomentlongerthanwasabsolutelynecessary。

Butwhatcouldhedo？ShouldhefightDicky？Thisplanwasrejectedatonce，onhigh，moralgrounds。Well，then，supposingsomedarknightheshouldseeDaisyonthestreet，justgrabher，holdontightandsay:"Now，DaisyRivers，Iwon"tletyougotillyoupromiseyou"lllikemeagreatdealbettererthanyoudoDickRay。"Thereseemedsomethingniceaboutthisplan，verynice；themoreTommythoughtofit，thebetterhelikedit；onlythereweretwoobjectionstoit。Firstly:Daisyneverbyanychanceventuredoutdoorsafterdark。Secondly:NeitherdidTom。

Bothobjectionsbeinginsurmountable，thisdelightfulschemewasreluctantlyabandoned，andthethinkingprocesswentonharderthanever，tillatlast——oh，oh!ifheonlydared!Whatatriumphitwouldbe!Butthenhecouldn"t——yes，hecouldtoo。

Didn"tshesaythatshe"wouldn"tbeonebits"prisedifheholleredsoloudthattheywouldhearhimwaydowninColorado？"

Colorado，indeed!He"dshowhertherewasoneboyintheschoolwhowasn"tagirl-cry-baby!

Yes，actually，foolishTommyhaddecidedtoprovehismanhoodbybeingwhipped，andthatthatinterestinglittleeventshouldtakeplacethatveryafternoon!

Whatdidhedo？Hewhisperedsixtimes!

Haditbeenanyotherchild，hewouldsurelyhavebeenpunished；

butMissLinnetknewbothTommyandhismammaquitewell，andthereforesheknewalso，quitewell，thatonlyafewdaysagotheonehorrorofTommy"slifehadbeenthethoughtthathemightpossiblybewhipped。Thentoo，itwashisfirsttermatschool，andhithertohehadbeenverygood。Soshedecidedtokeephimafterschoolandtalktohimofthesinfulnessofbadconductingeneral，andofwhisperinginparticular。Thisplanshefaithfullycarriedout，andthelittleculprit"sheartsomeltedwithinhimthatheclimbeduponhisteacher"slap，puthisarmsaroundherneckandkissedher，cryinghewouldneverbesonaughtyagain。HewasjustgoingtotellherallaboutDaisy，wheninwalkedafriendofMissLinnet"s，sohewenthomeinstead。Thenextmorninghestartedforschoolwiththefirmdeterminationtobeagoodchild，andIreallybelievehewouldhavebeenhadnotthatprovokinglittlewitchofaDaisymarchedpasthiminaveryindependentmanner，hersaucynoseawayupintheair，andascornfullookintheprettyblueeyes。Itwasmorethanfleshandbloodcouldstand。AllTom"sgoodresolutionsflewsky-high。

Whentwelveo"clockcameMissLinnet"slistofdelinquentsbeguninthiswise:

WHISPERMARKS。ThomasBrown……15

MelindaJones……11

Therewasgreatexcitementamongthelittlepeople。Howdaredanyonebesodreadfullybad!Tommy"sheartsank，sank，sank，whenMissLinnetsaid:"WhenschoolbeginsthisafternoonIshallpunishTommyandMelinda。"

Andshedid!Shecalledthembothupontheplatform，madethemclasphandsandstandwiththeirbacksagainsttheblackboard，thenwrotejustabovetheirheads:

ThomasBrownandPartnersindisgrace。

MelindaJones15plus11=26。

Oh，howmortifiedandashamedTommywas!Ifonlyshehadwhippedhim，orifithadbeensomeothergirl。ButMELINDAJONES!!!

AttheendoftenminutesMissLinnetletthemtaketheirseats；

butTommy"sheartburnedwithinhim。DAISYHADLAUGHEDWHENHE

STOODTHEREHOLDINGMELINDA"SHAND!ThereweredeepcrimsonspotsonTommy"scheeksallthatafternoonandaresolute，determinedlookinhisbrightbrowneyes，buthewasverystillandquiet。

Laterinthedaythechildrenwerestartledbyasuddencommotionontheothersideoftheroom。DaisywaswritingonherslateandMelindaJones，inpassingtoherseat，accidentallyknockeditoutofherhands；withoutamoment"shesitation，Daisy，bywayofexpressingherfeelings，snatchedherslateandpromptlyadministeredsuchasounding"whack!"onMelinda"sbackandshouldersasbroughtashriekofanguishfromthatpoor，littleunfortunatewhobegantothinkthatifallthedaysofherlifeweretobelikeuntothisday，existencewouldcertainlyproveaburden。

JustabouttwominuteslaterMissLinnetwasstandingbyherdesk，arulerinonehandandDaisy"sopenpalmintheother，whileDaisyherself，miserablelittleculprit，stoodwhiteandtremblingbeforeher。Assheraisedtherulertogivethefirstblow，Tommysprangforward，placinghimselfatDaisy"sside，puthisopenpalmoverhers，andwithtearsinhiseyes，pleadedinthiswise:

"Please，MissLinnet，whipmeinstead!SheisonlyjustalittlegirlandIKNOWshe"llcry，itwillhurtherso!I"dratheritwouldbemeeverytimethanDaisy——trulyIwon"tcry。Oh，pleasewhipme!"

AndMissLinnetdidwhiphim，whileDaisy，filledwithremorse，clungtohimsobbingasifherheartwouldbreak。Tobesure，somebodywhooughttoknow，toldmeitwasthelightest"feruling"everchildreceived；butDaisyandTommybothassuredtheirmothersthatitwasthe"dreadfulest，cruelest，hardestwhippingeverwas。"

"Anddidmylittlemancry？"askedmamma。

"No，indeed!IstoodupbigasIcould，lookedatDaisyandsmiled，"causeIwassogladitwasn"ther。"

Thenthatproudandhappymammatookhiminherarmsandkissedhim；andrightinthemidstofthekissinginwalkedDaisy。

"WouldTommypleasecomeandtakesupperwithher？"

Ofcoursehewould，andtheywalkedoffhandinhand。WhentheypassedDicky"shouseTommysuggested。"S"posingtheyforgiveDickandlethimgo"longtoo。"AndDaisyagreeing，theycalledthatyounggentlemanoutandmagnanimouslyinformedhimthathewasforgivenandmightcomeandhavesupperwiththem。

Whatintheworldtheyhadtoforgive，nobodyknows；butthen，solongasforgivenessprovedsuchaneminentlysatisfactoryarrangement，allround——why，nobodyneedcare。

ThechildrenwaitedoutsidethegatewhileDickcoaxedhismothertolethimgo，andstandingthere，handinhand，Daisypluckedupheartofgraceandwithveryrosycheeksandanairaboutherofgeneralpenitence，saidsomethingverysweetinaverysmallvoice:

"I"msorryyouwerewhipped，andoh，Tommy，IwishIhadn"tsaidyou"dholler!"

Mrs。AMYTERESEPOWELSON。

Babythinksitfine，Inthesummer-time，Towadeinthebrookclearandbright。

ButabiggreenfrogJumpedoffofalog，AndgaveBabyCharlottequiteafright。

THETHREEFISHERS。

ThreefisherswentsailingawaytotheWest——

AwaytotheWestasthesunwentdown；

Eachthoughtonthewomanwholovedhimbest，Andthechildrenstoodwatchingthemoutofthetown；

Formenmustwork，andwomenmustweep，Andthere"slittletoearnandmanytokeep，Thoughtheharbor-barbemoaning。

Threewivessatupinthelight-housetowerAndtrimmedthelampsasthesunwentdown；

Theylookedatthesquall，andtheylookedattheshower，Andthenight-wrackcamerollingup，raggedandbrown。

Butmenmustworkandwomenmustweep，Thoughstormsbesuddenandwatersdeep，Andtheharbor-barbemoaning。

ThreecorpseslayoutontheshiningsandsInthemorninggleamasthetidewentdown，Andthewomenareweepingandwringingtheirhands，Forthosewhowillnevercomebacktothetown；

Formenmustwork，andwomenmustweep——

Andthesoonerit"sover，thesoonertosleep——

Andgood-bytothebaranditsmoaning。

CHARLESKINGSLEY。

Lionwithyourshaggymane，Tellme，areyouwildortame？

Onlittleboysdoyouliketosup，IfIcomenear，willyoueatmeup？

"APPLESFINKEY"——THEWATER-BOY。

"ApplesFinkey!"ManyanameHasagrandersoundintherolloffame；

ManyamoreresplendentdeedHasbursttolightinthehourofneed；

Butneveraonefromatruerheart，Strivingtoknowandtodoitspart。

Striving，underhisskinoftan，Withtheyearsofaladtoactlikeaman。

Andwhowas"Apples？"Ihearyouask。

Totracehisdescentwereindeedatask。

Windingandvaguewasthefamilyroad——

And，perhaps，likeTopsy，"heonlygrowed。"

Butintothecamphelolledonenoon，Barefoot，andwhistlingadarkytune，Intothecampofhisduskypeers——

Thegallantnegrocavaliers——

TheTenth，preparing，atbreako"day，Tomovetothetransportdowninthebay。

Boom!roaredthegun——theshipswungfree，WithhergoodprowturnedtotheCaribSea。

"Pityitwas，forthelittlecuss，Wecouldn"ttake"Apples"alongwithus，"

Thetroopersaid，ashewalkedthedeck，AndTampabecameavanishingspeck。

What"sthat？AstirandacreakdownthereInthepiled-upfreight——thenatuftofhair，Crinkledandwoollyandunshorn——

Andoutpopped"Apples""ezshore"syerborn!"

Ofcoursehewasn"tprovidedforInthecolonel"srollortherulesofwar；

ButsomehoworotherthetroopwasgladTowelcomethelittledarkylad。

Youknowhowourbravemen，whiteandblack，LandedandfollowedtheSpaniard"strack；

AndtheTenthwasthereintheveryfront，Seekingandfindingthebattle"sbrunt。

OnwardtheymovedthroughthelivinghellWheretheenemy"sbulletslikeraindropsfell，Downthroughthebrush，andonwardstillTilltheycametothefootofSanJuanhill——

Thenuptheywent，withneverafear，Andtheheightswerewonwithamad，wildcheer!

Andwherewas"themascotFinkey"then？

Inthesurgingranksofthefightingmen!

Whereveratrooperwasseentofall，Intheopenfieldorthechaparral；

Whereverwasfoundawoundedman；

"Apples"wastherewithhiswaterandcan。

Abouthimtheshrapnelburstinvain——

Hewasupandonwithhisworkagain。

Thesharpshootersrattledasharptattoo，Thesingingmausersaroundhimflew。

But"Apples"wasbusy——toobusytocareFortheinstantdeathandthedangerthere。

Manyaparchedthroatburninghot，ManyavictimofSpanishshot，Wasblessedthatday；erethefightwaswonUnderthetropical，deadlysun，Bythecooldropspouredfromthewater-canOftheduskyladwhowasallaman。

Intheforwardtrenches，atcloseofday，Burningwithfever，"Finkey"lay。

Heseemedtothinkthroughthelong，wetnight，Hestillwasoutintheragingfight，Foroncehespokeinhistroubledsleep；

"I"secomin"，Cap。，efmylegs"llkeep!"

Nextday——andthenext——andthenext——hestayedInthetrenchesdugbytheSpaniard"sspade，ForthesickandwoundedcouldnotgetbackOverthemountainous，muddytrack。

ButthetroopersgavewhattheyhadtogiveThatthelittlemascotmightstickandlive。

Overhimmanyadarkfacebent，Andthroughitallhewaswellcontent——

WellcontentasasoldiershouldWhohadfoughthisfightandthefoewithstood。

SlowlythesesternbeleagueredmenNursedhimbacktohisstrengthagain，TillonefairdayhisgladeyessawAsightthatfilledhimwithprideandawe，Forthere，ashelookedonthestrongholddown，Theflagwashoistedoverthetown，AndnoneinthathostfeltasweeterjoyThan"ApplesFinkey，"thewater-boy——

JOHNJEROMEROONEY，inNewYorkSun。

Downatthepondinzeroweather，Tohaveafineskatethegirlsandboysgather。

EventheBabythinksitatreat，Butsomehowcannotstayuponhisfeet。

Tom，Tom，thepiper"sson，Stoleapigandawayherun!

Thepigwaseat，AndTomwasbeat，AndTomwentroaringdownthestreet。

THESOLDIER"SREPRIEVE。

"Ithought，Mr。Allen，whenIgavemyBennietohiscountry，thatnotafatherinallthisbroadlandmadesopreciousagift——no，notone。Thedearboyonlysleptaminute，justonelittleminuteathispost；Iknowthatwasall，forBennieneverdozedoveraduty。Howpromptandreliablehewas!Iknowheonlyfellasleeponelittlesecond——hewassoyoungandnotstrong，thatboyofmine。Why，hewasastallasI，andonlyeighteen!

Andnowtheyshoothimbecausehewasfoundasleepwhendoingsentinelduty。"Twenty-fourhours，"thetelegramsaid，onlytwenty-fourshours。WhereisBennienow？"

"WewillhopewithhisheavenlyFather，"saidMr。Allensoothingly。

"Yes，yes；letushope；Godisverymerciful!"Ishouldbeashamed，father，"Benniesaid，"whenIamamantothinkIneverusedthisgreatrightarm"——andhehelditoutproudlybeforeme——"formycountrywhenitneededit。Palsyit，ratherthankeepitattheplow。""Go，then，myboy，andGodkeepyou!"I

said。Godhaskepthim，Ithink，Mr。Allen!"Andthefarmerrepeatedtheselastwordsslowly，asifinspiteofhisreasonhisheartdoubtedthem。

"Liketheappleoftheeye，Mr。Owen；doubtitnot。"

Blossomsatnearthemlisteningwithblanchedcheek。Shehadnotshedatear。Heranxietyhadbeensoconcealedthatnoonehadnoticedit。Shehadoccupiedherselfmechanicallyinthehouseholdcares。Now，sheansweredagentletapatthedoor，openingittoreceivefromaneighbor"shandaletter。"Itisfromhim，"wasallshesaid。

Itwaslikeamessagefromthedead!Mr。Owentooktheletter，butcouldnotbreaktheenvelopeonaccountofhistremblingfingers，andheldittowardMr。Allen，withthehelplessnessofachild。Theministeropeneditandreadasfollows:

"DearFather:——WhenthisreachesyouIshallbeineternity。Atfirstitseemedawfultome，butIhavethoughtsomuchaboutitthatnowithasnoterror。Theysaytheywillnotbindme，norblindme，butthatImaymeetdeathlikeaman。Ithought，father，thatitmighthavebeenonthebattlefield，formycountry，andthatwhenIfell，itwouldbefightinggloriously；

buttobeshotdownlikeadogfornearlybetrayingit——todieforneglectofduty!O，father!Iwondertheverythoughtdoesnotkillme!ButIshallnotdisgraceyou；Iamgoingtowriteyouallaboutit，andwhenIamgoneyoumaytellmycomrades。I

cannot，now。

"YouknowIpromisedJemmieCarr"smotherIwouldlookafterherboy；andwhenhefellsickIdidallIcouldforhim。Hewasnotstrongwhenhewasorderedbackintotheranks，andthedaybeforethatnight，Icarriedallhisluggagebesidesmyownonourmarch。Towardsnightwewentinondoublequick，andthoughtheluggagebegantofeelveryheavy，everybodyelsewastired，too；andasforJemmie，ifIhadnotlenthimanarmnowandthenhewouldhavedroppedbytheway。Iwasalltiredoutwhenwecameintocamp，andthenitwasJemmie"sturntobesentry。I

wouldtakehisplace；butIwastootired，father。Icouldnothavekeptawakeifagunhadbeenpointedatmyhead；butIdidnotknowituntil——well，untilitwastoolate。"

"Godbethanked"interruptedMr。Owen，reverently，"IknewBenniewasnottheboytosleepcarelesslyathispost。"

"Theytellmeto-daythatIhaveashortreprieve，"timetowritetoyou，"thegoodColonelsays。Forgivehim，Father，heonlydoeshisduty；hewouldgladlysavemeifhecould；anddonotlaymydeathagainstJemmie。Thepoorboyisheart-broken，anddoesnothingbutbegandentreatthemtolethimdieinmyplace。

"Ican"tbeartothinkofmotherandBlossom。Comfortthem，Father!TellthemIdieasabraveboyshould，andthat，whenthewarisover，theywillnotbeashamedofme，astheymustbenow。Godhelpme!Itisveryhardtobear!Good-bye，father，Godseemsnearanddeartome；notatallasifhewishedmetoperishforever，butasifhefeltsorryforhispoorsinful，broken-heartedchild，andwouldtakemetobewithhimandmySaviorinabetterlife。"

AdeepsighburstfromMr。Owen"sheart。"Amen，"hesaid，solemnly，"amen。"

"To-night，intheearlytwilight，Ishallseethecowsallcominghomefromthepasture，andpreciouslittleBlossomstandingonthebackstoop，waitingforme!ButIshallnever，nevercome!

Godblessyouall!ForgiveyourpoorBennie!"

Latethatnightthedoorofthe"backstoop"openedsoftlyandalittlefigureglidedoutanddownthefootpaththatledtotheroadbythemill。Sheseemedratherflyingthanwalking，turningherheadneithertotherightnorleft，lookingonlynowandthentoheaven，andfoldingherhandsisifinprayer。Twohourslaterthesameyounggirlstoodatthemilldepot，watchingthecomingofthenighttrain；andtheconductor，ashereacheddowntoliftherintothecar，wonderedatthetear-stainedfacethatwasupturnedtowardthedimlanternheheldinhishand。Afewquestionsandreadyanswerstoldhimall；andnofathercouldhavecaredmoretenderlyforhisonlychildthanheforourlittleBlossom。ShewasonherwaytoWashingtontoaskPresidentLincolnforherbrother"slife。Shehadstolenaway，leavingonlyanotetotellthemwhereandwhyshehadgone。

ShehadbroughtBennie"sletterwithher；nogood，kindheartlikethePresident"scouldrefusetobemeltedbyit。ThenextmorningtheyreachedNewYork，andtheconductorhurriedherontoWashington。Everyminute，now，mightbethemeansofsavingherbrother"slife。Andso，inanincrediblyshorttime，BlossomreachedtheCapitolandhastenedtotheWhiteHouse。

Thepresidenthadjustseatedhimselftohismorningtaskofoverlookingandsigningimportantpapers，whenwithoutonewordofannouncementthedoorsoftlyopened，andBlossom，withdown-casteyesandfoldedhands，stoodbeforehim。

"Well，mychild，"hesaidinhispleasant，cheerfultones，"whatdoyouwantsobrightandearlythismorning？"

"Bennie"slife，sir，"falteredBlossom。

"WhoisBennie？"

"Mybrother，sir。Theyaregoingtoshoothimforsleepingathispost。"

"O，yes，"andMr。Lincolnranhiseyeoverthepapersbeforehim。

"Iremember。Itwasafatalsleep。Yousee，mychild，itwasatimeofspecialdanger。Thousandsoflivesmighthavebeenlostbyhisculpablenegligence。"

"Somyfathersaid，"repliedBlossom，gravely。"ButpoorBenniewassotired，sir，andJemmiesoweak。Hedidtheworkoftwo，sir，anditwasJemmie"snight，nothis；butJemmiewastootired，andBennieneverthoughtabouthimselfthathewastiredtoo。"

"Whatisthisyousay，child？Comehere，Idonotunderstand，"

andthekindmancaughteagerlyaseveratwhatseemedtobeajustificationoftheoffense。

Blossomwenttohim；heputhishandtenderlyonhershoulderandturnedupthepalefacetowardhis。Howtallheseemed!AndhewasthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，too!AdimthoughtofthiskindpassedforaminutethroughBlossom"smind，butshetoldhersimple，straightforwardstoryandhandedMr。LincolnBennie"slettertoread。

Hereaditcarefully；thentakinguphispen，wroteafewhastylines，andranghisbell。

Blossomheardthisorder:"Sendthisdispatchatonce!"

ThePresidentthenturnedtothegirlandsaid:"Gohome，mychild，andtellthatfatherofyours，whocouldapprovehiscountry"ssentenceevenwhenittookthelifeofachildlikethat，thatAbrahamLincolnthinksthelifefartooprecioustobelost。Goback，or——waituntiltomorrow。Benniewillneedachangeafterhehassobravelyfaceddeath；heshallgowithyou。"

"Godblessyou，sir!"saidBlossom；andwhoshalldoubtthatGodheardandregisteredtherequest？

Twodaysafterthisinterview，theyoungsoldiercametotheWhiteHousewithhislittlesister。HewascalledintothePresident"sprivateroomandastrapfasteneduponhisshoulder。

Mr。Lincolnthensaid:"Thesoldierthatcouldcarryasickcomrade"sbaggageanddiefortheactsouncomplaininglydeserveswellofhiscountry。"ThenBennieandBlossomtooktheirwaytotheirGreenMountainhome。Acrowdgatheredatthemilldepottowelcomethemback；andasFarmerOwen"shandgraspedthatoftheboy，tearsfloweddownhischeeks，andhewasheardtosayfervently:

"TheLordbepraised!"——

FromtheNewYorkObserverIfIhadahorseIwouldcallhim"Gay，"

Feedandcurryhimwelleveryday，Hitchhimupinmycartandtakearide，WithBabyBrothertuckedinatmyside。

LITTLEBROWNTHRUSHES。

LittlebrownthrushesatsunriseinsummerAftertheMay-flowershavefadedaway，Warbletoshowuntoeverynew-comerHowtohushstars，yettowakentheDay:

Singingfirst，lullabies，then，jubilates，Watchingtheblueskywhereeverybird"sheartis；

Then，aslamentingtheday"sfadinglight，Downthroughthetwilight，whenweariedwithflight，Singingdivinely，theybreatheout，"good-night!"

Littlebrownthrusheswithbirdsyellow-breastedBrightasthesunshinethatJunerosesbring，Climbupandcarolo"erhillssilver-crestedJustasthebluebirdsdointhespring，Seeingthebeesandthebutterfliesranging，Pointed-wingedswallowstheirsharpshadowschanging；

Butwhilesomesunsetisfloodingthesky，Upthroughtheglorythebrownthrushesfly，Singingdivinely，"good-nightandgood-by!"

BYMrs。WHITON-STONE。

ThistallGiraffe，Measurestenfeetandahalf，AndIwonderifhisneckOfrubberismade。

OutofthesunHethinkshehasrunButonlyhisfeetAreintheshade。

THESTORYOFTHEEMPTYSLEEVE。

Here，sityedownalongsideofme；I"mgettingoldandgray；

Butsomethinginthepaper，boy，hasriledmybloodtoday。

Tostealapurseismeanenough，themostofmenagree；

Butstealingreputationseemsameanerthingtome。

AletterintheHeraldsayssomegeneralsallowThattherewa"n"tnofightwhereLookoutrearsaloftitsshaggybrow；

Butthiscoatsleeveswingingemptyherebesideme，boy，to-day，Tellsamightydifferentstoryinamightydifferentway。

Whensunbeamsflashedo"erMissionRidgethatbrightNovembermorn，ThemistycaponLookout"screstgavetokenofastorm；

ForgrimKingDeathhaddrapedthemountingrayish，smokyshrouds——

Itscraggypeakswerelosttosightabovethefleecyclouds。

Justatthemountain"srockybaseweformedinserriedlines，Whilelightningwithitsjaggededgeplayedonusfromthepines；

Themissionourstostormthepits"neathLookout"screstthatlay；

Westormedthevery"gatesofhell"with"FightingJoe"thatday。

Themountainseemedtovomitflames；theboomofheavygunsPlayedtoDixie"smusic，whileatrebleplayedthedrums:

Theeagleswakingfromtheirsleep，lookeddownuponthestarsSlowclimbingupthemountainside，withmorning"sbrokenbars。

WekeptoureyesupontheflagthatupwardledthewayUntilwelostitinthesmokeonLookoutsidethatday；

Andthenlikedemonsloosedfromhellweclamberedupthecrag，"Excelsior，"ourmotto，andourmission，"Savetheflag。"

Inanswertotherebelyellwegavearingingcheer；

Welefttherifle-pitsbehind，thecrestloomedupwardnear；

Alightwindplaying"longthepeaksjustlifteddeath"sgrayshroud；

Wecaughtthegleamofsilverstarsjustbreakingthroughthecloud。

AshatteredarmhungatmysidethatdayonLookout"scrag，AndyetI"dgivetheothernowtosavethedearoldflag。

TheregimentalrollwhencalledonLookout"screstthatnightWasmorethandoubledbytherollDeathcalledinrealmsoflight。

Justasthesunsankslowlydownbehindthemountain"screst，Whenmountainpeaksgavebackthefirethatflamedalongthewest，Swiftridingdownalongtheridgeuponachargerwhite，Came"FightingJoe，"theheronowofLookout"sfamousfight。

Heswunghiscapastearsofjoyslowtrickleddownhischeek，Andasourcheeringdiedaway，thegeneraltriedtospeak。

Hesaid，"Boys，I"llcourt-martialyou，yes，everymanthat"shere；

Isaidtotaketheriflepits，"westoppedhimwithacheer，"Isaidtotaketheriflepitsuponthemountain"sedge，AndI"llcourt-martialyoubecause——becauseyoutooktheridge"

ThensuchalaughasswepttheridgewherelateKingDeathhadstrode!

Andsuchacheerasrenttheskies，asdownourlinesherode!

I"mgettingoldandfeeble，I"venotlongtolive，Iknow，ButthereWASAFIGHTATLOOKOUT。Iwastherewith"FightingJoe。"

SothesegeneralsintheHerald，theymayreckonandallowThattherewarn"tnofightatLookoutonthemountain"sshaggybrow，Butthisemptycoat-sleeveswingingherebesideme，boy，to-dayTellsamightydifferenttaleinamightydifferentway。

R。L。CARY，JR。

Arace!Arace!Whichwillwin，ThinlittleHaroldorchubbyJim？

SurelynotHaroldfortherehegoesDownsoflathebumpshisnose，WhileJimmystopsshort。

Thefatlittleelf，Sayshecan"trunaraceallbyhimself。

FACINGTHEWORLD。

"GladIam，mother，theholidaysareover。It"squitedifferentgoingbacktoschoolagainwhenonegoestobecaptain——asI"msuretobe。Isn"titjolly？"

Mrs。Boyd"sfaceasshesmiledbackatDonaldwasnotexactly"jolly。"Still，shedidsmile；andthentherecameoutthestronglikenessoftenseenbetweenmotherandson，evenwhen，asinthiscase，thefeatureswereverydissimilar。Mrs。Boydwasapretty，delicatelittleEnglishwoman:andDonaldtookafterhisfather，abig，brawnyScotsman，certainlynotpretty，andnotalwayssweet。Poorman!hehadoflateyearshadonlytoomuchtomakehimsour。

Thoughshetriedtosmileandsucceeded，thetearswereinMrs。

Boyd"seyes，andhermouthwasquivering。Butshesetittightlytogether，andthenshelookedmorethaneverlikeherson，orrather，hersonlookedlikeher。

Hewastooeagerinhisdelighttonoticehermuch。"Itisjolly，isn"tit，mother？IneverthoughtI"dgettothetopoftheschoolatall，forI"mnotnearsocleverassomeofthefellows。ButnowI"vegotmyplace；andIlikeit，andImeantokeepit；you"llbepleasedatthat，mother？"

"Ishouldhavebeenif——if——"Mrs。Boydtriedtogetthewordsoutandfailed，closedhereyesastightashermouthforaminute，thenopenedthemandlookedherboyinthefacegravelyandsadly。

"Itgoestomyhearttotellyou——Ihavebeenwaitingtosayitallmorning，but，Donald，mydear，youwillnevergobacktoschoolatall。"

"Notgoback；whenI"mcaptain!why，youandfatherbothsaidthatifIgottobethat，IshouldnotstoptillIwasseventeen——andnowI"monlyfifteenandahalf。O，mother，youdon"tmeanit!Fathercouldn"tbreakhisword!Imaygoback!"

Mrs。Boydshookherheadsadly，andthenexplainedasbrieflyandcalmlyasshecouldtheheavyblowwhichhadfallenuponthefather，and，indeed，uponthewholefamily。Mr。Boydhadlongbeentroubledwithhiseyes，aboutasseriousatroubleascouldhavebefallenamaninhisprofession——anaccountant——astheycallitinScotland。Latelyhehadmadesomeseriousblundersinhisarithmetic，andhiseyesightwassoweakthathiswifepersuadedhimtoconsultafirst-rateEdinburghoculist，whoseopinion，givenonlyyesterday，aftermanydaysofanxioussuspense，wasthatinafewmonthshewouldbecomeincurablyblind。

"Blind，poorfatherblind!"Donaldputhishandbeforehisowneyes。Hewastoobigaboytocry，oratanyrate，tobeseencrying，butitwaswithachokingvoicethathespokenext:"I"llbehiseyes；I"moldenough。"

"Yes；inmanywaysyouare，myson，"saidMrs。Boyd，whohadhadadayandanighttofacehersorrow，andknewshemustdosocalmly。"Butyouarenotoldenoughtomanagethebusiness；yourfatherwillrequiretotakeapartnerimmediately，whichwillreduceourincomeone-half。Thereforewecannotpossiblyaffordtosendyoutoschoolagain。Thelittleonesmustgo，theyarenotnearlyeducatedyet，butyouare。Youwillhavetofacetheworldandearnyourownliving，assoonaseveryoucan。Mypoorboy!"

"Don"tcallmepoor，mother。I"vegotyouandfatherandtherest。And，asyousay，I"vehadagoodeducationsofar。AndI"mfifteenandahalf，no，fifteenandthree-quarters——almostaman。I"mnotafraid。"

"NorI，"saidhismother，whohadwaitedafullminutebeforeDonaldcouldfindvoicetosayallthis，anditwasatlaststammeredoutawkwardlyandatrandom。"No；Iamnotafraidbecausemyboyhastoearnhisbread；Ihadearnedmineforyearsasagovernesswhenfathermarriedme。IbeganworkbeforeIwassixteen。Mysonwillhavetodothesame，thatisall。"

Thatdaythemotherandsonspokenomoretogether。Itwasasmuchastheycoulddotobeartheirtrouble，withouttalkingaboutit，andbesides，Donaldwasnotaboyto"makeafuss"overthings。Hecouldmeetsorrowwhenitcame，thatis，thelittleofithehadeverknown，buthedislikedspeakingofit，andperhapshewasright。

Sohejust"madehimselfscarce"tillbedtime，andneversaidawordtoanybodyuntilhismothercameintotheboys"roomtobidthemgood-night。Therewerethreeofthem，butallwereasleepexceptDonald。Ashismotherbentdowntokisshim，heputbotharmsroundherneck。

"Mother，I"mgoingtobeginto-morrow。"

"Beginwhat，myson？"

"Facingtheworld，asyousaidImust。Ican"tgotoschoolagain，soImeantotryandearnmyownliving。"

"How？"

"Idon"tquiteknow，butI"lltry。ThereareseveralthingsI

couldbe，aclerk——orevenamessage-boy。Ishouldn"tlikeit，butI"ddoanythingratherthandonothing。"

Mrs。Boydsatdownonthesideofthebed。Ifshefeltinclinedtocryshehadtoomuchsensetoshowit。Sheonlytookfirmholdofherboy"shand，andwaitedforhimtospeakon。

"I"vebeenthinking，mother，IwastohaveanewsuitatChristmas；willyougiveitnow？Andletitbeacoat，notajacket。I"mtallenough——fivefeetsevenlastmonth，andgrowingstill；Ishouldlookalmostaman。ThenIwouldgoroundtoeveryofficeinEdinburghandaskiftheywantedaclerk。I

wouldn"tmindtakinganythingtobeginwith。AndIcanwriteadecenthand，andI"mnotbadatfigures；asformyLatinandGreek——"

HereDonaldgulpeddownasigh，forhewasacapitalclassic，andithadbeensuggestedthatheshouldgotoGlasgowUniversityandtryfor"theSnell"whichhassentsomanycleveryoungScotsmentoBalliolCollege，Oxford，andthenceontofameandprosperity。

Butalas!nocollegecareerwasnowpossibletoDonaldBoyd。

Thebesthecouldhopeforwastoearnafewshillingsaweekasacommonclerk。Heknewthis，andsodidhismother。Buttheynevercomplained。Itwasnofaultoftheirs，norofanybody"s。

Itwasjustastheydevoutlycalledit，"ThewillofGod。"

"YourLatinandGreekmaycomeinsomeday，myboy，"saidMrs。

Boydcheerfully。"Goodworkisneverlost。Inthemeantime，yourplanisagoodone，andyoushallhaveyournewclothesatonce。Then，doasyouthinkbest。"

"Allright；good-night，mother，"saidDonald，andinfiveminutesmorewasfastasleep。

But，thoughhewasmuchgiventosleepingofnights——indeed，heneverrememberedlyingawakeforasinglehourinhislife——duringdaytimethereneverwasamore"wideawake"boythanDonaldBoyd。Hekepthiseyesopentoeverything，andneverletthe"goldenminute"slipbyhim。Heneveridledabout——playhedidn"tconsideridling(nordoI)。AndIamboundtoconfessthateverydayuntilthenewclothescamehomewasscrupulouslyspentincricket，football，andalltheotheramusementswhichhewasasgoodatashewasathislessons。Hewanted"tomakethebestofhisholidays，"hesaid，knowingwellthatforhimholidaytimeaswellasschooltimewasnowdone，andtheworkoftheworldhadbeguninearnest。

TheclothescamehomeonSaturdaynight，andhewenttochurchinthemonSunday，tohislittlesister"sgreatadmiration。Stillgreaterwastheirwonderwhen，onMondaymorning，heappearedinthesamesuit，lookingquiteaman，astheyunanimouslyagreed，andalmostbeforebreakfastwasdone，startedoff，notsayingawordofwherehewasgoing。

Hedidnotcomebacktilltheyoungeroneswereallawaytobed，sotherewasnoonetoquestionhim，whichwasfortunate，fortheymightnothavegotverysmoothanswers。Hismothersawthis，andshealsoforbore。Shewasnotsurprisedthatthebright，bravefaceofthemorninglookeddullandtired，andthatevidentlyDonaldhadnogoodnewsofthedaytotellher。

"IthinkI"llgotobed，"wasallhesaid。"Mother，willyougivemea"piece"inmypocketto-morrow？Onecanwalkbetterwhenoneisn"tsodesperatelyhungry。"

"Yes，myboy。"Shekissedhim，sawthathewaswarmedandfed——hehadevidentlybeenonhislegsthewholeday——thensenthimofftohisbed，whereshesoonheardhimdelightfullysnoring，obliviousofallhiscares。

Thesamethingwentondayafterday，forsevendays。Sometimeshetoldhismotherwhathadhappenedtohimandwherehehadbeen，sometimesnot；whatwasthegoodoftelling？Itwasalwaysthesamestory。Nobodywantedaboyoraman，forDonald，trustingtohisinchesandhiscoat，hadappliedforman"sworkalso，butinvain。Mrs。Boydwasnotastonished。Sheknewhowharditistogetone"sfootintoeversosmallacornerinthisbusyworld，wheretenarealwaysstrugglingfortheplaceofone。

Still，shealsoknewthatitneverdoestogivein；thatonemustleavenostoneunturnedifonewishestogetworkatall。Alsoshebelievedfirmlyinanaxiomofheryouth——"Nothingisdeniedtowell-directedlabor。"Butitmustberealhard"labor，"anditmustalsobe"welldirected。"So，thoughherheartachedsorely，asonlyamother"scan，sheneverbetrayedit，buteachmorningsentherboyawaywithacheerfulface，andeacheveningreceivedhimwithone，which，iflesscheerful，wasnotlesssympathetic，butsheneversaidaword。

Attheweek"send，infact，onSundaymorning，astheywerewalkingtochurch，Donaldsaidtoher:"Mother，mynewclotheshaven"tbeenoftheslightestgood。I"vebeenalloverEdinburgh，toeveryplaceIcouldthinkof——writers"offices，merchants"offices，wharves，railway-stations——butit"snouse。

EverybodywantstoknowwhereI"vebeenbefore，andI"vebeennowhereexcepttoschool。IsaidIwaswillingtolearn，butnobodywillteachme；theysaytheycan"taffordit。Itislikekeepingadog，andbarkingyourself。Whichisonlytootrue，"

addedDonald，withaheavysigh。

"Maybe，"saidMrs。Boyd。Yetasshelookedupatherson——shereallydidlookupathim，hewassotall——shefeltthatifhishonest，intelligentfaceandmanlybearingdidnotwinsomethingatlast，whatwastheworldcomingto？"Myboy，"shesaid，"thingsareveryhardforyou，butnotharderthanforothers。I

rememberonce，whenIwasonlyafewyearsolderthanyou，findingmyselfwithonlyhalfacrowninmypocket。Tobesureitwasawholehalf-crown，forIhadpaideveryhalf-pennyIowedthatmorning，butIhadnoideawherethenexthalf-crownwouldcomefrom。However，itdidcome。Iearnedtwopoundsten，theverydayafterthatday。"

"Didyoureally，mother？"saidDonald，hiseyesbrightening。

"ThenI"llgoon。I"llnot"gangawabacktomymither，"asthatoldgentlemanadvisedme，whoobjectedtobarkhimself；aqueer，crabbedoldfellowhewastoo，buthewastheonlyonewhoaskedmynameandaddress。Therestofthem——well，mother，I"vestoodagooddealthesesevendays，"Donaldadded，gulpingdownsomethingbetweena"fuff"ofwrathandasob。

"Iamsureyouhave，myboy。"

"ButI"llholdon；onlyyou"llhavetogetmybootsmended，andmeantime，Ishouldliketotryanewdodge。Mybicycle，itliesinthewashing-house；yourememberIbrokeitandyoudidn"twishitmended，lestIshouldbreaksomethingworsethanawheel，perhaps。Itwasn"tworthwhileriskingmylifeformerepleasure，butIwantmybicyclenowforuse。Ifyouletmehaveitmended，Icangoupanddownthecountryforfiftymilesinsearchofwork——toFalkirk，Linlithgow，orevenGlasgow，andI"llcostyounothingfortravelingexpenses。Isn"tthatabrightidea，mother？"

Shehadnotthehearttosayno，ortosuggestthataboyonabicycleapplyingforworkwasathingtoonoveltobeeminentlysuccessful。Buttogetworkwasatoncesoessentialandsohopeless，thatshewouldnotthrowanycoldwateronDonald"seagernessandpluck。Shehopedtoo，that，spiteoftheeccentricityofthenotion，someshrewd，kind-heartedgentlemanmighthavesenseenoughtoseethehonestpurposeofthepoorladwhohadonlyhimselftodependupon。Forhisfatherhadnowfallenintoastateofdepressionwhichmadeallapplicationtohimforeitheradviceorhelpworsethanuseless。AndasbothheandMrs。Boydhadbeensolitaryorphanswhentheyweremarried，therewerenonearrelativesofanykindtocometotherescue。

Donaldknew，andhismotherknewtoo，thathemustshiftforhimself，tosinkorswim。

So，aftertwodays"rest，whichhemuchneeded，theboywentoffagain"onhisownhook，"andhisbicycle，whichwasadegreebetterthanhislegs，hesaid，asitsavesshoe-leather。Also，hewasabletocomehomeprettyregularlyatthesamehour，whichwasagreatrelieftohismother。Buthecamehomenearlyastiredasever，andwithadespondentlookwhichdeepenedeveryday。Evidentlyitwasjustthesamestory；noworktobehad；oriftherewaswork，itwasstruggledforbyascoreoffellows，withage，character，andexperiencetobackthem，andDonaldhadnoneofthethree。Buthehadonequality，therootofallsuccessintheend，doggedperseverance。

Thereisasaying，thatweBritishgainourvictories，notbecauseweareneverbeaten，butbecauseweneverwillseethatwearebeaten，andsogoonfightingtillwewin。"Neversaydie，"wasDonald"swordtohismothernightafternight。ButsheknewthatthosewhoneverSAYdie，sometimesDOdie，quitequietly，andshewatchedwithasoreheartherboygrowingthinnerandmoreworn，eventhoughbrownasaberrywithconstantexposurealldaylongtowindandweather，foritwasnowlessautumnthanwinter。

Afterafortnight，Mrs。Boydmadeuphermindthatthiscouldnotgoonanylonger，andsaidso。"Verywell，"Donaldanswered，acceptingherdecisionashehadbeeninthehabitofdoingallhislife——Mrs。Boyd"schildrenknewverywellthatwhateverherwillwas，itwassuretobeajustandwisewill，herselfbeingthelastpersonsheeverthoughtof——"Yes，I"llgivein，ifyouthinkIought，forit"sonlywearingoutmyselfandmyclothestonogood。OnlyletmehaveonedaymoreandI"llgoasfaraseverIcan，perhapstoDunfermline，orevenGlasgow。"

Shewouldnotforbid，andoncemoreshestartedhimoffwithacheerfulfaceinthetwilightofthewetOctobermorning，andsatalldaylongintheemptyhouse——fortheyoungeroneswerenowallgoingtoschoolagain——thinkingsorrowfullyofhereldest，whosemerryschooldaysweredoneforever。

Intheduskoftheafternoonacardwasbroughtuptoher，withthemessagethatanoldgentlemanwaswaitingbelow，wishingtoseeher。

Ashudderranthroughthepoormother，who，likemanyanothermother，hatedbicycles，andneverhadaneasymindwhenDonaldwasawayonhis。Thestranger"sfirstwordwasanythingbutreassuring。

"Begpardonma"am，butisyournameBoyd，andhaveyouasoncalledDonald，whowentoutonabicyclethismorning？"

"Yes，yes!Hasanythinghappened？Tellmequick!"

"I"mnotaware，ma"am，thatanythinghashappened，"saidtheoldgentleman。"Isawtheladatlightthismorning。Heseemedtobemanaginghismachineuncommonlywell。ImethimatthefootofahillnearEdinburghCastle。Hehadgotoffandwaswalking；

sohesawme，andtookoffhiscap。Ilikerespect，especiallyinayoungfellowtowardsanoldone。"

"Didheknowyou，forIhavenotthatpleasure？"saidMrs。Boyd，polite，thoughpuzzled。Fortheoldmandidnotlookquitelikeagentleman，andspokewiththestrongaccentofanuneducatedperson，yethehadakindlyexpression，andseemedhonestandwell-meaning，thoughdecidedly"canny。"

"Icannotsayheknewme，butherememberedme，whichwascivilofhim。AndthenImindedtheladastheonethathadcometomeforworkaweekortwoago，andItookhisnameandaddress。

That"syourson"swriting？"hejumbledoutandshowedascrapofpaper。"It"sbonafide，isn"tit？

"Andhereallyisinsearchofwork？Hehasn"trunawayfromhome，orbeenturnedoutbyhisfatherformisconduct，oranythingofthatsort？Heisn"tascamp，orane"er-do-weel？"

"Ihopehedoesn"tlooklikeit，"saidMrs。Boyd，proudly。

"No，ma"am；you"reright，hedoesn"t。Hecarrieshischaracterinhisfacewhich，maybe，isbetterthaninhispocket。Itwasthatwhichmademeaskhisnameandaddress，thoughIcoulddonothingforhim。"

"Thenyouwerethegentlemanwhotoldhimyoucouldn"tkeepadogandbarkyourself？"saidMrs。Boyd，amused，andjustashadehopeful。

"Precisely。NorcanI。Itwouldhavebeencoolimpudenceinaladtocomeandasktobetaughthisworkfirstandthenpaidforit，ifhehadn"tbeensoverymuchinearnestthatIwasrathersorryforhim。I"minclinedtobelieve，fromthetalkIhadwithhimatthefootofthebraeto-day，thatheisayoungdogthatwouldbarkwithuncommonlittleteaching。Material，ma"am，iswhatwewant。Idon"tcareforitsbeingrawmaterial，ifit"sonlyoftherightsort。I"vemadeupmymindtotryyourboy。"

"ThankGod!"

"Whatdidyousay，ma"am？But——Ibegyourpardon。"

ForhesawthatMrs。Boydhadquitebrokendown。Intruth，thestrainhadbeensolongandsogreatthatthissuddenreliefwasquitetoomuchforher。Shesobbedheartily。

"Ioughttobegyourpardon，"shesaidatlast，"forbeingsofoolish，butwehavehadhardtimesoflate。"

Andthen，inafewsimplewords，shetoldDonald"swholestory。

Theoldmanlistenedtoitinsilence。Sometimeshenoddedhishead，orbeathischinonhisstoutstickashesat；buthemadenocommentwhatever，exceptabrief"Thankyou，ma"am。"

"Nowtobusiness，"continuedhe，takingouthiswatch；"forI"mdueatdinner:andIalwayskeepmyappointments，evenwithmyself。IhopeyourDonaldisapunctuallad？"

"Yes。Hepromisedtobebackbydark，andIamsurehewillbe。

Couldyounotwait？"

"No。Ineverwaitforanybody；butkeepnobodywaitingforme。

I"mBethune&Co。，LeithMerchants——practically，oldJohnBethune，whobeganlifeasamessage-boy，andhasdoneprettywell，considering。"

Hehad，asMrs。Boydwaswellaware。Bethune&Co。wasanamesowellknownthatshecouldhardlybelieveinherboy"sgoodluckingettingintothathouseinanycapacitywhatever。

"Soallissettled，"saidMr。Bethune，rising。"LethimcometomeonMondaymorning，andI"llseewhatheisfitfor。He"llhavetostartattheverybottom——sweeptheoffice，perhaps——I

diditmyselfonce——andI"llgivehim——letmesee——tenshillingsaweektobeginwith。"

""Tobeginwith，""repeatedMrs。Boyd，gentlybutfirmly；"buthewillsoonbeworthmore。Iamsureofthat。"

"Verywell。WhenIseewhatstuffheismadeof，heshallhavearise。ButIneverdothingsathaphazard；andit"seasiergoingupthancomingdown。I"mnotabenevolentman，Mrs。Boyd，andyouneednotthinkit。ButI"vefoughttheworldprettyhardmyself，andIliketohelpthosethatarefightingit。Goodevening。Isn"tthatyoursoncomingroundthecorner？Well，he"sbackexacttohistime，atanyrate。TellhimIhopehewillbeaspunctualonMondaymorning。Goodevening，ma"am。"

Now，ifthiswereanimaginarystory，ImightwinditupbyadelightfuldenoumentofMr。Bethune"sturningoutanoldfriendofthefamily，ordevelopingintoanewone，andtakingsuchafancytoDonaldthatheimmediatelygavehimaclerkshipwithalargesalary，andthepromiseofapartnershiponcomingofage，orthisworthygentlemanshouldbeaneccentricoldbachelorwhoimmediatelyadoptedthatwonderfulboyandbefriendedthewholeBoydfamily。

Butneitherofthesethings，noranythingelseremarkable，happenedintherealstory，which，asitisliterallytrue，thoughtoldwithcertainnecessarydisguises，IprefertokeeptoascloselyasIcan。Suchastonishingbitsof"luck"donothappeninreallife，orhappensorarelythatoneinclines，atleast，tobelieveverylittleineithergoodorillfortune，asamatterofchance。Thereisalwayssomethingatthebackofitwhichfurnishesakeytothewhole。Practically，aman"slotisofhisownmaking。Hemayfail，forawhileundeservedly，orhemaysucceedundeservedly，but，inthelongrun，timebringsitsrevengesanditsrewards。

AsitdidtoDonaldBoyd。HehasnotbeentakenintothehouseofBethune&Co。，asapartner；anditwaslongbeforehebecameevenaclerk——atleastwithanythinglikeahighsalary。ForMr。

Bethune，sofarfrombeinganoldbachelor，hadalargefamilytoprovidefor，andwasbringingupseveralofhissonstohisownbusiness，sotherewaslittleroomforastranger。Butayoungmanwhodeservestofindroomgenerallydoesfindit，ormakeit。

AndthoughDonaldstartedatthelowestrungoftheladder，hemayclimbtothetopyet。

Hehad"afairfield，andnofavor。"Indeed，heneitherwishednoraskedfavor。Hedeterminedtostandonhisownfeetfromthefirst。Hehadhardworkandfewholidays，mademistakes，foundthemoutandcorrectedthem，gotsharpwordsandborethem，learnthisownweakpointsand——notsoeasily——hisstrongones。

Stillhedidlearnthem；for，unlessyoucantrustyourself，besurenobodyelsewilltrustyou。

ThiswasDonald"sgreatpoint。HEWASTRUSTED。Peoplesoonfoundoutthattheymighttrusthim；thathealwaystoldthetruth，andneverpretendedtodomorethanhecoulddo；butthatwhichhecoulddo，theymightdependuponhisdoing，punctually，accurately，carefully，andneverleavingofftillitwasdone。

Therefore，thoughothersmightbequicker，sharper，more"uptothings"thanhe，therewasnoonesoreliable，anditsoongottobeaproverbintheofficeofBethune&Co——andotheroffices，too——"Ifyouwishathingdone，gotoBoyd。"

Iamboundtosaythis，forIampaintingnoimaginaryportrait，butdescribinganindividualwhoreallyexists，andwhomaybemetanydaywalkingaboutEdinburgh，thoughhisnameisnotDonaldBoyd，andthereisnosuchfirmasBethune&Co。Butthehousehedoesbelongtovaluestheyoungfellowsohighlythatthereislittledoubthewillriseinit，andriseineveryway，probablytotheverytopofthetree，andtellhischildrenandgrandchildrenthestorywhich，initsmainfeatures，Ihaverecordedhere，ofhowhefirstbeganfacingtheworld。

BYTHEAUTHOROF"JOHNHALIFAX，GENTLEMAN。"

WewenttotheZootheLeopardtosee，Butfoundhimanunsociablefellow。

HewouldnotlookatusorsaywhereheboughtHispolka-dotsuitofyellow。

ROBERTOFLINCOLN。

Merrilyswingingonbriarandweed，Neartothenestofhislittledame，Overthemountain-sideormead，RobertofLincolnistellinghisname；