第6章
FinallyhelandedGoreebytellinghimhewascountinguponhishelpintheengineeringandtransportationofalargeamountoffelledtimberfromahighmountain-sidetoawaterway。HeknewthatGoreehadonceinventedadeviceforthispurpose——aseriesofslidesandchutes-
uponwhichhehadjustlypridedhimself。Inaninstantthepoorfellow，delightedattheideaofhisbeingofusetoanyone，hadpaperspreaduponthetable，andwasdrawingrapidbutpitifullyshakylinesindemonstrationofwhathecouldandwoulddo。
Themanwassickenedofthehusks；hisprodigalheartwasturningagaintowardthemountains。Hismindwasyetstrangelyclogged，andhisthoughtsandmemorieswerereturningtohisbrainonebyone，likecarrierpigeonsoverastormysea。ButColtranewassatisfiedwiththeprogresshehadmade。
Bethelreceivedthesurpriseofitsexistencethatafter-
noonwhenaColtraneandaGoreerodeamicablytogetherthroughthetown。Sidebysidetheyrode，outfromthedustystreetsandgapingtownspeople，downacrossthecreekbridge，anduptowardthemountain。Theprodigalhadbrushedandwashedandcombedhimselftoamoredecentfigure，buthewasunsteadyinthesaddle，andheseemedtobedeepinthecontemplationofsomevexingproblem。Coltranelefthiminhismood，relyingupontheinfluenceofchangedsurroundingstorestorehisequilibrium。
OnceGoreewasseizedwithashakingfit，andalmostcametoacollapse。Hehadtodismountandrestatthesideoftheroad。Thecolonel，foreseeingsuchacon-
dition，hadprovidedasmallflaskofwhiskyforthejourneybutwhenitwasofferedtohimGoreerefuseditalmostwithviolence，declaringhewouldnevertouchitagain。
Byandbyhewasrecovered，andwentquietlyenoughforamileortwo。Thenhepulleduphishorsesuddenly，andsaid:
"Ilosttwohundreddollarslastnight，playingpoker。
Now，wheredidIgetthatmoney？"
"Takeiteasy，Yancev。Themountainairwillsoonclearitup。We"llgofishing，firstthing，atthePinnacleFalls。Thetroutarejumpingtherelikebullfrogs。We"lltakeStellaandLucyalong，andhaveapicniconEagleRock。Haveyouforgottenhowahickory-cured-hamsandwichtastes，Yancey，toahungryfisherman？"
Evidentlythecoloneldidnotbelievethestoryofhislostwealth；soGoreeretiredagainintobroodingsilence。
BylateAfternoontheyhadtravelledtenofthetwelvemilesbetweenBethelandLaurel。HalfamilethissideofLaurellaytheoldGoreeplace；amileortwobeyondthevillagelivedtheColtranes。Theroadwasnowsteepandlaborious，butthecompensationsweremany。Thetiltedaislesoftheforestwereopulentwithleafandbirdandbloom。Thetonicairputtoshamethepharma-
cop鎖a。Thegladesweredarkwithmossyshade，andbrightwithshyrivuletswinkingfromthefernsandlaurels。Onthelowersidetheyviewed，framedinthenearfoilage，exquisitesketchesofthefarvalleyswooninginitsopalhaze。
Coltranewaspleasedtoseethathiscompanionwasyieldingtothespellofthehillsandwoods。FornowtheyhadbuttoskirtthebaseofPainter"sCliff；tocrossElderBranchandmountthehillbeyond，andGoreewouldhavetofacethesquanderedhomeofhisfathers。
Everyrockhepassed，everytree，everyfootoftherockyway，wasfamiliartohim。Thoughhehidforgottenthewoods，theythrilledhimlikethemusicof"Home，SweetHome。"
Theyroundedthecliff，decendedintoElderBranch，andpausedtheretoletthehorsesdrinkandsplashintheswiftwater。Ontherightwasarailfencethatcorneredthere，andfollowedtheroadandstream。
Inclosedbyitwastheoldappleorchardofthehomeplace；thehousewasyetconcealedbythebrowofthesteephill。Insideandalongthefence，pokeberries，elders，sassafras，andsumacgrewhighanddense。Atarustleoftheirbranches，bothGoreeandColtraneglancedup，andsawalong，yellow，wolfishfaceabovethefence，staringatthemwithpale，unwinkingeyes。Theheadquickydisappeared；therewasaviolentswayingofthebushes，andanungainlyfigureranupthroughtheappleorchardinthedirectionofthehouse，zigzaggingamongthetrees。
"That"sGarvey，"saidColtrane；"themanyousoldoutto。There"snodoubtbuthe"sconsiderablycracked。
Ihadtosendhimupformoonshining，once，severalyearsago，inspiteofthefactthatIbelievedhimirresponsible。
Why，what"sthematter，Yancey？"
Goreewaswipinghisforehead，andhisfacehadlostitscolour。"DoIlookqueer，too？"heasked，tryingtosmile。"I"mjustrememberingafewmorethings。"
Someofthealcoholhadevaporatedfromhisbrain。"I
recollectnowwhereIgotthattwohundreddollars。"
"Don"tthinkofit，"saidColtranecheerfully。"Lateronwe"llfigureitallouttogether。"
Theyrodeoutofthebranch，andwhentheyreachedthefootofthehillGoreestoppedagain。
"DidyoueversuspectIwasaveryvainkindoffellow，Colonel"heasked。"Sortoffoolishproudaboutappearances？"
Thecolonel"seyesrefusedtowandertothesoiled，sag-
gingsuitofflaxandthefadedslouchhat。
"Itseemstome，"hereplied，mystified，buthumouringhim，"Irememberayoungbuckabouttwenty，withthetightestcoat，thesleekesthair，andtheprancingestsaddlehorseintheBlueRidge。"
"Rightyouare，"saidGoreeeagerly。"Andit"sinmeyet，thoughitdon"tshow。Oh，I"masvainasaturkeygobbler，andasproudasLucifer。I"mgoingtoaskyoutoindulgethisweaknessofmineinalittlematter。"
"Speakout，Yancey。We"llcreateyouDukeofLaurelandBaronofBlueRidge，ifyouchoose；andyoushallhaveafeatheroutofStella"speacock"stailtowearinyourhat。"
"I"minearnest。Inafewminuteswe"llpassthehouseupthereonthehillwhereIwasborn，andwheremypeoplehavelivedfornearlyacentury。Strangerslivetherenow——andlookatme!Iamabouttoshowmyselftothemraggedandpoverty-stricken，awastrelandabeggar。ColonelColtrane，I"mashamedtodoit。I
wantyoutoletmewearyourcoatandhatuntilweareoutofsightbeyond。Iknowyouthinkitafoolishpride，butIwanttomakeasgoodashowingasIcanwhenIpasstheoldplace。"
"Now，whatdoesthismean？"saidColtranetohim-
self，ashecomparedhiscompanion"ssanelooksandquietdemeanourwithhisstrangerequest。Buthewasalreadyunbuttoningthecoat，assentingreadily，asifthefancywereinnowisetobeconsideredstrange。
ThecoatandhatfittedGoreewell。Hebuttonedtheformerabouthimwithalookofsatisfactionanddignity。HeandColtranewerenearlythesamesize——
rathertall，portly，anderect。Twenty-fiveyearswerebetweenthem，butinappearancetheymighthavebeenbrothers。Goreelookedolderthanhisage；
hisfacewaspuffyandlined；thecolonelhadthesmooth，freshcomplexionofatemperateliver。HeputonGoree"sdisreputableoldflaxcoatandfadedslouchhat。
"Now，"saidGoree，takingupthereins，"I"mallright。Iwantyoutorideabouttenfeetintherearaswegoby，Colonel，sothattheycangetagoodlookatme。
They"llseeI"mnobacknumberyet，byanymeans。I
guessI"llshowupprettywelltothemoncemore，any-
how。Let"srideon。"
Hesetoutupthehillatasmarttrot，thecolonelfol-
lowing，ashehadbeenrequested。
Goreesatstraightinthesaddle，withheaderect，buthiseyeswereturnedtotheright，sharplyscanningeveryshrubandfenceandhiding-placeintheoldhomesteadyard。Oncehemutteredtohimself，"Willthecrazyfooltryit，ordidIdreamhalfofit？"
Itwaswhenhecameoppositethelittlefamilyburyinggroundthathesawwhathehadbeenlookingfor——apuffofwhitesmoke，comingfromthethickcedarsinonecomer。HetoppledsoslowlytotheleftthatColtranehadtimetourgehishorsetothatside，andcatchhimwithonearm。
Thesquirrelhunterhadnotoverpraisedhisaim。Hehadsentthebulletwhereheintended，andwhereGoreehadexpectedthatitwouldpass-throughthebreastofColonelAbnerColtrane"sblackfrockcoat。
GoreeleanedheavilyagainstColtrane，buthedidnotfall。Thehorseskeptpace，sidebyside，andtheColonel"sarmkepthimsteady。ThelittlewhitehousesofLaurelshonethroughthetrees，halfamileaway。GoreereachedoutonehandandgropeduntilitresteduponColtrane"sfingers，whichheldhisbridle。
"Goodfriend，"hesaid，andthatwasall。
ThusdidYanceyGoree，asberodepasthisoldhome，make，consideringallthings，thebestshowingthatwasinhispower。
THESONGANDTHESERGEANT
Halfadozenpeoplesuppingatatableinoneoftheupper-Broadwayall-nightrestaurantsweremakingtoomuchnoise。Threetimesthemanagerwalkedpastthemwithapolitelywarningglance；buttheirargumenthadwaxedtoowarmtobequelledbyamanager"sgaze。
Itwasmidnight，andtherestaurantwasfilledwithpatronsfromthetheatresofthatdistrict。SomeamongthedispersedaudiencesmusthaverecognizedamongthequarrelsomesextetthefacesoftheplayersbelongingtotheCarrollComedyCompany。
Fourofthesixmadeupthecompany。Anotherwastheauthorofthecomedietta，"AGayCoquette，"
whichthequartetteoflayershadbeenpresentingwithfairsuccessatseveralvaudevillehousesinthecity。Thesixthatthetablewasapersoninconsequentintherealmofart，butoneatwhosebiddingmanylobstershadperished。
Loudlythesixmaintainedtheirclamorousdebate。
NooneofthePartywassilentexceptwhenanswerswerestormedfromhimbytheexcitedones。Thatwasthecomedianof"AGayCoquette。"Hewasayoungmanwithafaceeventoomelancholyforhisprofession。
TheoralwarfareoffourimmoderatetongueswasdirectedatMissClariceCarroll，thetwinklingstarofthesmallaggregation。Exceptingthedowncastcomedian，allmembersofthepartyunitedincastinguponherwithvehemencetheblameofsomemomentousmisfortune。
Fiftytimestheytoldher:"Itisyourfault，Clarice-
itisyoualonewhospoiltthescene。Itisonlyoflatethatyouhaveactedthisway。Atthisratethesketchwillhavetobetakenoff。"
MissCarrollwasamatchforanyfour。Gallicancestrygaveheravivacitythatcouldeasilymounttofury。Herlargeeyesflashedascorchingdenialatheraccusers。Herslender，eloquentarmsconstantlymenacedthetableware。
Herhigh，clearsopranovoicerosetowhatwouldhavebeenascreamhaditnotpossessedsopureamusicalquality。Shehurledbackattheattackingfourtheirdenunciationsintonessweet，butoftoogreatcarryingpowerforaBroadwayrestaurant。
Finallytheyexhaustedherpatiencebothasawomanandanartist。Shespranguplikeapanther，managedtosmashhalfadozenplatesandglasseswithoneroyalsweepofherarm，anddefiedhercritics。Theyroseandwrangledmoreloudly。Thecomediansighedandlookedatriflesadderanddisinterested。Themanagercametrippingandsuggestedpeace。HewastoldtogotothepopularsynonymforwarsopromptlythattheaffairmighthavehappenedatTheHague。
Thuswasthemanagerangered。Hemadeasignwithhishandandawaiterslippedoutofthedoor。Intwentyminutesthepartyofsixwasinapolicestationfacingagrizzledandphilosophicaldesksergeant。
"Disorderlyconductinarestaurant，"saidthepolice-
manwhohadbroughtthepartyin。
Theauthorof"AGayCoquette"steppedtothefront。
Heworenose-glassesandeveningclothes，evenifhisshoeshadbeentansbeforetheymetthepatent-leather-polishbottle。
"Mr。Sergeant，"saidhe，outofhisthroat，likeActorIrving，"Iwouldliketoprotestagainstthisarrest。ThecompanyofactorswhoareperforminginalittleplaythatIhavewritten，incompanywithafriendandmyselfwerehavingalittlesupper。Webecamedeeplyinterestedinthediscussionastowhichoneofthecastisresponsibleforasceneinthesketchthatlatelyhasfallensoflatthatthepieceisabouttobecomeafailure。Wemayhavebeenrathernoisyandintolerantofinterruptionbytherestaurantpeople；butthematterwasofconsiderableimportancetoallofus。Youseethatwearesoberandarenotthekindofpeoplewhodesiretoraisedisturbances。
Ihopethatthecasewillnotbepressedandthatwemaybeallowedtogo。"
"Whomakesthecharge？"askedthesergeant。
"Me，"saidawhite-apronedvoiceintherear。"Derestaurantsentmeto。Degangwasraisin"arough-
houseandbreakin"dishes。"
"Thedisheswerepaidfor，"saidtheplaywright。
"Theywerenotbrokenpurposely。Inheranger，becauseweremonstratedwithherforspoilingthescene，Miss——"
"It"snottrue，sergeant，"criedtheclearvoiceofMiss。
ClariceCarroll。Inalongcoatoftansilkandared-
plumedhat，sheboundedbeforethedesk。
"It"snotmyfault，"shecriedindignantly。"How-
daretheysaysuchathing!I"veplayedthetitler鬺eeversinceitwasstaged，andifyouwanttoknowwhomadeitasuccess，askthepublic——that"sall。"
"WhatMissCarrollsaysistrueinpart，"saidtheauthor。"Forfivemonthsthecomediettawasadrawing-
cardinthebesthouses。Butduringthelasttwoweeksithaslostfavour。ThereisonesceneinitinwhichMissCarrollmadeabighit。Nowshehardlygetsahandoutofit。Shespoilsitbyactingitentirelydifferentfromheroldway。"
"Itisnotmyfault，"reiteratedtheactress。
"Thereareonlytwoofyouoninthescene，"arguedtheplaywrighthotly，"youandDelmars，here——"
"Thenit"shisfault，"declaredMissCarroll，withalightningglanceofscornfromherdarkeyes。Thecomediancaughtit，andgazedwithincreasedmelancholyatthepanelsofthesergeant"sdesk。
Thenightwasadulloneinthatparticularpolicestation。
Thesergeant"slong-bluntedcuriosityawokealittle。
"I"veheardyou，"hesaidtotheauthor。Andthenheaddressedthethin-facedandascetic-lookingladyofthecompanywhoplayed"AuntTurnip-top"inthelittlecomedy。
"Whodoyouthinkspoilsthesceneyouarefussingabout？"heasked。
"I"mnoknocker，"saidthatlady，"andeverybodyknowsit。So，whenIsaythatClaricefallsdowneverytimeinthatsceneI"mjudgingherartandnotherself。
Shewasgreatinitonce。Shedoesitsomethingfiercenow。It"lldopetheshowifshekeepsitup。"
Thesergeantlookedatthecomedian。
"Youandtheladyhavethisscenetogether，Iunder-
stand。Isupposethere"snouseaskingyouwhichoneofyouqueersit？"
ThecomedianavoidedthedirectraysfromthetwofixedstarsofMissCarroll"seyes。
"Idon"tknow，"hesaid，lookingdownathispatent-
leathertoes。
"Areyouoneoftheactors？"askedthesergeantofadwarfishyouthwithamiddle-agedface。
"Why，say!"repliedthelastThespianwitness，"youdon"tnoticeanytinspearinmyhands，doyou？Youhaven"theardmeshout:"See，theEmperorcomes!"sinceI"vebeeninhere，haveyou？IguessI"monthestagelongenoughfor"emnottostartapanicbymistakingmeforathincurlofsmokerisingabovethefootlights。"
"Inyouropinion，ifyou"vegotone，"saidthesergeant，"isthefrostthatgathersonthesceneinquestiontheworkoftheladyorthegentlemanwhotakespartinit？"
Themiddle-agedyouthlookedpained。
"Iregrettosay，"heanswered，"thatMissCarrollseemstohavelosthergriponthatscene。She"sallrightintherestoftheplay，but——butItellyou，sergeant，shecandoit——shehasdoneitequaltoanyof"em——andshecandoitagain。"
MissCarrollranforward，glowingandpalpitating。
"Thankyou，Jimmy，forthefirstgoodwordI"vehadinmanyaday，"shecried。Andthensheturnedhereagerfacetowardthedesk。
"I"llshowyou，sergeant，whetherIamtoblame。I"llshowthemwhetherIcandothatsame。Come，Mr。
Delmars；letusbegin。Youwillletus，won"tyou，sergeant？"
"Howlongwillittake？"askedthesergeant，dubiously。
"Eightminutes，"saidtheplaywright。"Theentireplayconsumesbutthirty。"
"Youmaygoahead，"saidthesergeant。"Mostofyouseemtosideagainstthelittlelady。Maybeshehadarighttocrackupasaucerortwointhatrestaurant。
We"llseehowshedoestheturnbeforewetakethatup。"
Thematronofthepolicestationhadbeenstandingnear，listeningtothesingularargument。Shecamenigherandstoodnearthesergeant"schair。Twoorthreeofthereservesstrolledin，bigandyawning。
"Beforebeginningthescene，"saidtheplaywright，"andassumingthatyouhavenotseenaproductionof"AGayCoquette，"Iwillmakeabriefbutnecessaryexplanation。
Itisamusical-farce-comedy——burlesque-comedietta。
Asthetitleimplies，MissCarroll"sr鬺eisthatofagay，rollicking，mischievous，heartlesscoquette。Shesustainsthatcharacterthroughouttheentirecomedypartoftheproduction。AndIhavedesignedtheextravaganzafeaturessothatshemaypreserveandpresentthesamecoquettishidea。
"Now，thesceneinwhichwetakeexceptiontoMissCarroll"sactingiscalledthe"gorilladance。"Sheiscostumedtorepresentawoodnymph，andthereisagreatsong-and-dancescenewithagorilla——playedbyMr。
Delmars，thecomedian。Atropical-foreststageisset。
"Thatusedtogetfourandfiverecalls。Themainthingwastheactingandthedance——itwasthefunniestthinginNewYorkforfivemonths。Delmars"ssong，"I"llWooTheetoMySylvanHome，"whileheandMissCarrollwerecuttinghide-and-seekcapersamongthetropicalplants，wasawinner。"
"What"sthetroublewiththescenenow？"askedthesergeant。
"MissCarrollspoilsitrightinthemiddleofit，"saidtheplaywrightwrathfully。
Withawidegestureofherever-movingarmstheactresswavedbackthelittlegroupofspectators，leavingaspaceinfrontofthedeskforthesceneofhervindicationorfall。Thenshewhippedoffherlongtancloakandtosseditacrossthearmofthepolicemanwhostillstoodofficiallyamongthem。
MissCarrollhadgonetosupperwellcloaked，butinthecostumeofthetropicwoodnymph。Askirtoffernleavestouchedherknee；shewaslikeahumming-
bird——greenandgoldenandpurple。
Andthenshedancedafluttering，fantasticdance，soagileandlightandmazyinherstepsthattheotherthreemembersoftheCarrollComedyCompanybrokeintoapplauseattheartofit。
AndatthepropertimeDelmarsleapedoutatherside，mimickingtheuncouth，hideousboundsofthegorillasofunnilythatthegrizzledsergeanthimselfgaveashortlaughliketheclosingofapadlock。Theydancedtogetherthegorilladance，andwonahandfromall。
Thenbeganthemostfantasticpartofthescene——
thewooingofthenymphbythegorilla。Itwasakindofdanceitself——eccentricandprankish，withthenymphcoquettishandseductiveretreat，followedbythegorillaashesang"I"llWooTheetoMySylvanHome。"
Thesongwasalyricofmerit。Thewordswerenon-
sense，asbefittedtheplay，butthemusicwasworthyofsomethingbetter。Delmarsstruckintoitinarichtenorthatownedaqualitythatshamedtheflippantwords。
Duringoneverseofthesongthewoodnymphper-
formedthegrotesqueevolutionsdesignedforthescene。
Atthemiddleofthesecondverseshestoodstill，withastrangelookonherface，seemingtogazedreamilyintothedepthsofthescenicforest。Thegorilla"slastleaphadbroughthimtoherfeet，andthereheknelt，holdingherhand，untilhehadfinishedthehaunting-lyricthatwassetintheabsurdcomedylikeadiamondinapieceofputty。
WhenDelmarsceasedMissCarrollstarted，andcoveredasuddenflowoftearswithbothhands。
"There!"criedtheplaywright，gesticulatingwithviolence；"thereyouhaveit，sergeant。Fortwoweeksshehasspoiledthatsceneinjustthatmannerateveryperformance。IhavebeggedhertoconsiderthatitisnotOpheliaorJulietthatsheisplaying。Doyouwondernowatourimpatience？Tearsforthegorillasong!
Theplayislost!"
Outofherbewitchment，whateveritwas，thewoodnymphflaredsuddenly，andpointedadesperatefingeratDelmars。
"Itisyou——youwhohavedonethis，"shecriedwildly。"Youneversangthatsongthatwayuntillately。
Itisyourdoing。"
"Igiveitup，"saidthesergeant。
Andthenthegray-hairedmatronofthepolicestationcameforwardfrombehindthesergeant"schair。
"Mustanoldwomanteachyouall？"shesaid。ShewentuptoMissCarrollandtookherhand。
"Theman"swearinghisheartoutforyou，mydear。
Couldn"tyoutellitthefirstnoteyouheardhimsing？
Allofhismonkeyflip-flopswouldn"thavekeptitfromme。Mustyoubedeafaswellasblind？That"swhyyoucouldn"tactyourpart，child。Doyoulovehimormusthebeagorillafortherestofhisdays？"
MissCarrollwhirledaroundandcaughtDelmarswithalightningglanceofhereye。Hecametowardher，melancholy。
"Didyouhear，Mr。Delmars？"sheasked，withacatchingbreath。
"Idid，"saidthecomedian。"Itistrue。Ididn"tthinktherewasanyuse。Itriedtoletyouknowwiththesong。"
"Silly!"saidthematron；"whydidn"tyouspeak？"
"No，no，"criedthewoodnymph，"hiswaywasthebest。Ididn"tknow，but——itwasjustwhatIwanted，Bobby。"
Shespranglikeagreengrasshopper；andthecomedianopenedhisarms，and——smiled。
"Getoutofthis，"roaredthedesksergeanttothewaitingwaiterfromtherestaurant。"There"snothingdoinghereforyou。"
ONEDOLLAR"SWORTH
ThejudgeoftheUnitedStatescourtofthedistrictlyingalongtheRioGrandeborderfoundthefollowingletteronemorninginhismail:
JUDGE:
Whenyousentmeupforfouryearsyoumadeatalk。
Amongotherhardthings，youcalledmearattlesnake。
MaybeIamone——anyhow，youhearmerattlingnow。
OneyearafterIgottothepen，mydaughterdiedof——
well，theysaiditwaspovertyandthedisgracetogether。
You"vegotadaughter，Judge，andI"mgoingtomakeyouknowhowitfeelstoloseone。AndI"mgoingtobitethatdistrictattorneythatspokeagainstme。I"mfreenow，andIguessI"veturnedtorattlesnakeallright。
Ifeellikeone。Idon"tsaymuch，butthisismyrattle。
LookoutwhenIstrike。
Yoursrespectfully，RATTLESNAKE。
JudgeDerwentthrewthelettercarelesslyaside。Itwasnothingnewtoreceivesuchepistlesfromdesperatemenwhomhehadbeencalledupontojudge。Hefeltnoalarm。LateronheshowedthelettertoLittlefield，theyoungdistrictattorney，forLittlefield"snamewasincludedinthethreat，andthejudgewaspunctiliousinmattersbetweenhimselfandhisfellowmen。
Littlefieldhonouredtherattleofthewriter，asfarasitconcernedhimself，withasmileofcontempt；buthefrownedalittleoverthereferencetotheJudge"sdaughter，forheandNancyDerwentweretobemarriedinthefall。
Littlefieldwenttotheclerkofthecourtandlookedovertherecordswithhim。TheydecidedthatthelettermighthavebeensentbyMexicoSam，ahalf-breedborderdesperadowhohadbeenimprisonedformanslaughterfouryearsbefore。Thenofficialdutiescrowdedthemat-
terfromhismind，andtherattleoftherevengefulserpentwasforgotten。
CourtwasinsessionatBrownsville。Mostofthecasestobetriedwerechargesofsmuggling，counterfeiting，post-officerobberies，andviolationsofFederallawsalongtheborder。OnecasewasthatofayoungMexican，RafaelOrtiz，whohadbeenroundedupbyacleverdeputymarshalintheactofpassingacounterfeitsilverdollar。Hehadbeensuspectedofmanysuchdeviationsfromrectitude，butthiswasthefirsttimethatanythingprovablehadbeenfixeduponhim。Ortizlanguishedcozilyinjail，smokingbrowncigarettesandwaitingfortrial。Kilpatrick，thedeputy，broughtthecounterfeitdollarandhandedittothedistrictattorneyinhisofficeinthecourt-house。ThedeputyandareputabledruggistwerepreparedtoswearthatOrtizpaidforabottleofmedicinewithit。Thecoinwasapoorcounterfeit，soft，dull-looking，andmadeprincipallyoflead。ItwasthedaybeforethemorningonwhichthedocketwouldreachthecaseofOrtiz，andthedistrictattorneywaspreparinghimselffortrial。
"Notmuchneedofhavinginhigh-pricedexpertstoprovethecoin"squeer，isthere，Kil？"smiledLittlefield，ashethumpedthedollardownuponthetable，whereitfellwithnomoreringthanwouldhavecomefromalumpofputty。
"IguesstheGreaser"sasgoodasbehindthebars，"
saidthedeputy，easinguphisholsters。"You"vegothimdead。Ifithadbeenjustonetime，theseMexicanscan"ttellgoodmoneyfrombad；butthislittleyallerrascalbelongstoagangofcounterfeiters，Iknow。ThisisthefirsttimeI"vebeenabletocatchhimdoingthetrick。
He"sgotagirldownthereinthemMexicanjacalsontheriverbank。IseenheronedaywhenIwaswatchinghim。She"sasprettyasaredheiferinaflowerbed。"
Littlefieldshovedthecounterfeitdollarintohispocket，andslippedhismemorandaofthecaseintoanenvelope。
Justthenabright，winsomeface，asfrankandjollyasaboy"s，appearedinthedoorway，andinwalkedNancyDerwent。
"Oh，Bob，didn"tcourtadjournattwelveto-dayuntilto-morrow？"sheaskedofLittlefield。
"Itdid，"saidthedistrictattorney，"andI"mverygladofit。I"vegotalotofrulingstolookup，and——"
"Now，that"sjustlikeyou。Iwonderyouandfatherdon"tturntolawbooksorrulingsorsomething!I
wantyoutotakemeoutplover-shootingthisafternoon。
LongPrairieisjustalivewiththem。Don"tsayno，please!Iwanttotrymynewtwelve-borehammerless。
I"vesenttotheliverystabletoengageFlyandBessforthebuckboard；theystandfiresonicely。Iwassureyouwouldgo。"
Theyweretobemarriedinthefall。Theglamourwasatitsheight。Theploverswontheday——or，rather，theafternoon——overthecalf-boundauthorities。Littlefieldbegantoputhispapersaway。
Therewasaknockatthedoor。Kilpatrickansweredit。Abeautiful，dark-eyedgirlwithaskintingedwiththefaintestlemoncolourwalkedintotheroom。Ablackshawlwasthrownoverherheadandwoundoncearoundherneck。
ShebegantotalkinSpanish，avoluble，mournfulstreamofmelancholymusic。Littlefielddidnotunder-
standSpanish。Thedeputydid，andhetranslatedhertalkbyportions，atintervalsholdinguphishandtochecktheflowofherwords。
"Shecametoseeyou，Mr。Littlefield。Hername"sJoyaTrevi馻s。Shewantstoseeyouabout——well，she"smixedupwiththatRafaelOrtiz。She"shis——she"shisgirl。Shesayshe"sinnocent。Shesaysshemadethemoneyandgothimtopassit。Don"tyoubelieveher，Mr。Little-field。That"sthewaywiththeseMexi-
cangirls；they"lllie，steal，orkillforafellowwhentheygetstuckonhim。Nevertrustawomanthat"sinlove!"
"Mr。Kilpatrick!"
NancyDerwent"sindignantexclamationcausedthedeputytoflounderforamomentinattemptingtoexplainthathehadmisquotedhisownsentiments，andthenheeventonwiththetranslation:
"Shesaysshe"swillingtotakehisplaceinthejailifyou"lllethimout。Shesaysshewasdownsickwiththefever，andthedoctorsaidshe"ddieifshedidn"thavemedicine。That"swhyhepassedtheleaddollaronthedrugstore。Shesaysitsavedherlife。ThisRafal。
seemstobeherhoney，allright；there"salotofstuffinhertalkaboutloveandsuchthingsthatyoudon"twanttohear。"
Itwasanoldstorytothedistrictattorney。
"Tellher，"saidhe，"thatIcandonothing。Thecasecomesupinthemorning，andhewillhavetomakehisfightbeforethecourt。"
NancyDerwentwasnotsohardened。Shewaslook-
ingwithsympatheticinterestatJoyaTrevi馻sandatLittlefieldalternately。Thedeputyrepeatedthedis-
trictattorney"swordstothegirl。Shespokeasentenceortwoinalowvoice，pulledhershawlcloselyaboutherface，andlefttheroom。
"Whatdidshesaythen？"askedthedistrictattorney。
"Nothingspecial，"saidthedeputy。"Shesaid:"Ifthelifeoftheone"——let"sseehowitwent——"Silavidadeellaaquientuamas——ifthelifeofthegirlyouloveiseverindanger，rememberRafaelOrtiz。""
Kilpatrickstrolledoutthroughthecorridorinthedirectionofthemarshal"soffice。
"Can"tyoudoanythingforthem，Bob？"askedNancy。
"It"ssuchalittlething——justonecounterfeitdollar——
toruinthehappinessoftwolives!Shewasindangerofdeath，andhedidittosaveher。Doesn"tthelawknowthefeelingofpity？"
"Ithasn"taplaceinjurisprudence，Nan，"saidLittle-
field，"especiallyinrethedistrictattorney"sduty。I"llpromiseyouthattheprosecutionwillnotbevindictive；
butthemanisasgoodasconvictedwhenthecaseiscalled。
WitnesseswillsweartohispassingthebaddollarwhichIhaveinmypocketatthismomentas"ExhibitA。"TherearenoMexicansonthejury，anditwillvoteMr。Greaserguiltywithoutleavingthebox。"
Theplover-shootingwasfinethatafternoon，andintheexcitementofthesportthecaseofRafaelandthegriefofJoyaTrevi馻swasforgotten。Thedistrictattor-
neyandNancyDerwentdroveoutfromthetownthreemilesalongasmooth，grassyroad，andthenstruckacrossarollingprairietowardaheavylineoftimberonPiedraCreek。BeyondthiscreeklayLongPrairie，thefavouritehauntoftheplover。Astheywerenearingthecreektheyheardthegallopingofahorsetotheirright，andsawamanwithblackhairandaswarthyfaceridingtowardthewoodsatatangent，asifhehadcomeupbehindthem。
"I"veseenthatfellowsomewhere，"saidLittlefield，whohadamemoryforfaces，"butIcan"texactlyplacehim。
Someranchman，Isuppose，takingashortcuthome。"
TheyspentanhouronLongPrairie，shootingfromthebuckboard。NancyDerwent，anactive，outdoorWesterngirl，waspleasedwithhertwelve-bore。Shehadbaggedwithintwobraceofhercompanion"sscore。
Theystartedhomewardatagentletrot。WhenwithinahundredyardsofPiedraCreekamanrodeoutofthetimberdirectlytowardthem。
"Itlookslikethemanwesawcomingover，"remarkedMissDerwent。
Asthedistancebetweenthemlessened，thedistrictattorneysuddenlypulleduphisteamsharply，withhiseyesfixedupontheadvancinghorseman。Thatindivid-
ualhaddrawnaWinchesterfromitsscabbardonhissaddleandthrownitoverhisarm。
"NowIknowyou，MexicoSam!"mutteredLittlefieldtohimself。"Itwasyouwhoshookyourrattlesinthatgentleepistle。"
MexicoSamdidnotleavethingslongindoubt。Hehadaniceeyeinallmattersrelatingtofirearms，sowhenhewaswithingoodriflerange，butoutsideofdangerfromNo。8shot，hethrewuphisWinchesterandopenedfireupontheoccupantsofthebuckboard。
Thefirstshotcrackedthebackoftheseatwithinthetwo-inchspacebetweentheshouldersofLittlefieldandMissDerwent。ThenextwentthroughthedashboardandLittlefield"strouserleg。
ThedistrictattorneyhustledNancyoutofthebuck-
boardtotheground。Shewasalittlepale，butaskednoquestions。Shehadthefrontierinstinctthatacceptsconditionsinanemergencywithoutsuperfluousargument。
Theykepttheirgunsinhand，andLittlefieldhastilygatheredsomehandfulsofcartridgesfromthepasteboardboxontheseatandcrowdedthemintohispockets"Keepbehindthehorses，Nan，"hecommanded。
"ThatfellowisaruffianIsenttoprisononce。He"stryingtogeteven。Heknowsourshotwon"thurthimatthatdistance。"
"Allright，Bob，"saidNancysteadily。"I"mnotafraid。Butyoucomeclose，too。Whoa，Bess；standstill，now!"
ShestrokedBess"smane。Littlefieldstoodwithhisgunready，prayingthatthedesperadowouldcomewithinrange。
ButMexicoSamwasplayinghisvendettaalongsafelines。Hewasabirdofdifferentfeatherfromtheplover。
Hisaccurateeyedrewanimaginarylineofcircumferencearoundtheareaofdangerfrombird-shot，anduponthislinelierode。Hishorsewheeledtotheright，andashisvictimsroundedtothesafesideoftheirequinebreast-
workhesentaballthroughthedistrictattorney"shat。
Oncehemiscalculatedinmakingad閠our，andover-
steppedMsmargin。Littlefield"sgunflashed，andMexicoSamduckedhisheadtotheharmlesspatteroftheshot。Afewofthemstunghishorse，whichprancedpromptlybacktothesafetyline。
Thedesperadofiredagain。AlittlecrycamefromNancyDerwent。Littlefieldwhirled，withblazingeyes，andsawthebloodtricklingdownhercheek。
"I"mnothurt，Bob——onlyasplinterstruckme。I
thinkhehitoneofthewheel-spokes。"
"Lord!"groanedLittlefield。"IfIonlyhadachargeofbuckshot!"
Theruffiangothishorsestill，andtookcarefulaim。
Flygaveasnortandfellintheharness，struckintheneck。Bess，nowdisabusedoftheideathatploverwerebeingfiredat，brokehertracesandgallopedwildlyaway——MexicanSamsentaballneatlythroughthefulnessofNancyDerwent"sshootingjacket。
"Liedown——liedown!"snappedLittlefield。"closetothehorse——flatontheground——so。"Healmostthrewheruponthegrassagainstthebackoftherecum-
bentFly。Oddlyenough，atthatmomentthewordsoftheMexicangirlreturnedtohismind:
"Ifthelifeofthegirlyouloveiseverindanger，remem-
berRafaelOrtiz。"
Littlefieldutteredanexclamation。
"Openfireonhim，Nan，acrossthehorse"sback。
Fireasfastasyoucan!Youcan"thurthim，butkeephimdodgingshotforoneminutewhileItrytoworkalittlescheme。"
NancygaveaquickglanceatLittlefield，andsawhimtakeouthispocket-knifeandopenit。Thensheturnedherfacetoobeyorders，keepinguparapidfireattheenemy。
MexicoSamwaitedpatientlyuntilthisinnocuousfusilladeceased。Hehadplentyoftime，andhedidnotcaretoriskthechanceofabird-shotinhiseyewhencouldbeavoidedbyalittlecaution。HepulledhisheavyStetsonlowdownoverhisfaceuntiltheshotsceased。
Thenhedrewalittlenearer，andfiredwithcarefulaimatwhathecouldseeofhisvictimsabovethefallenhorse。
Neitherofthemmoved。Heurgedhishorseafewstepsnearer。Hesawthedistrictattorneyrisetoonekneeanddeliberatelylevelhisshotgun。Hepulledhishatdownandawaitedtheharmlessrattleofthetinypellets。
Theshotgunblazedwithaheavyreport。MexicoSamsighed，turnedlimpallover，andslowlyfellfromhishorse——adeadrattlesnake。
Atteno"clockthenextmorningcourtopened，andthecaseoftheUnitedStatesversusRafaelOrtizwascalled。
Thedistrictattorney，withhisarminasling，roseandaddressedthecourt。
"Mayitpleaseyourhonour，"hesaid，"Idesiretoenteranollepros。inthiscase。Eventhoughthedefend-
antshouldbeguilty，thereisnotsufficientevidenceinthehandsofthegovernmenttosecureaconviction。Thepieceofcounterfeitcoinupontheidentityofwhichthecasewasbuiltisnotnowavailableasevidence。Iask，therefore，thatthecasebestrickenoff。"
AtthenoonrecessKilpatrickstrolledintothedistrictattorney"soffice。
"I"vejustbeendowntotakeasquintatoldMexicoSam，"saidthedeputy。"They"vegothimlaidout。
OldMexicowasatoughoutfit，Ireckon。Theboyswaswonderin"downtherewhatyoushothimwith。Somesaiditmusthavebeennails。Ineverseeaguncarryanythingtomakeholeslikehehad。"
"Ishothim，"saidthedistrictattorney，"withExhibitAofyourcounterfeitingcase。Luckythingforme——
andsomebodyelse——thatitwasasbadmoneyasitwas!
Itslicedupintoslugsverynicely。Say，Kil，can"tyougodowntothejacalsandfindwherethatMexicangirllives？MissDerwentwantstoknow。"
ANEWSPAPERSTORY
AT8A。M。itlayonGiuseppi"snews-stand，stilldampfromthepresses。Giuseppi，withthecunningofhisilk，philanderedontheoppositecomer，leavinghispatronstohelpthemselves，nodoubtonatheoryrelatedtothehypothesisofthewatchedpot。
Thisparticularnewspaperwas，accordingtoitscustomanddesign，aneducator，aguide，amonitor，achampionandahouseholdcounsellorandvademecum。
Fromitsmanyexcellenciesmightbeselectedthreeeditorials。Onewasinsimpleandchastebutilluminat-
inglanguagedirectedtoparentsandteachers，depreca-
tingcorporalpunishmentforchildren。
Anotherwasanaccusiveandsignificantwarningaddressedtoanotoriouslabourleaderwhowasonthepointofinstigatinghisclientstoatroublesomestrike。
Thethirdwasaneloquentdemandthatthepoliceforcebesustainedandaidedineverythingthattendedtoincreaseitsefficiencyaspublicguardiansandservants。
Besidesthesemoreimportantchidingsandrequisitionsuponthestoreofgoodcitizenshipwasawiseprescriptionorformofprocedurelaidoutbytheeditoroftheheart-
to-heartcolumninthespecificcaseofayoungmanwhohadcomplainedoftheobduracyofhisladylove，teachinghimhowhemightwinher。
Again，therewas，onthebeautypage，acompleteanswertoayoungladyinquirerwhodesiredadmonitiontowardthesecuringofbrighteyes，rosycheeksandabeautifulcountenance。
Oneotheritemrequiringspecialcognizancewasabrief"personal，"runningthus:
DEARJACK:——Forgiveme。Youwereright。MeetmecomerMadisonand-that8。30thismorning。Weleaveatnoon。
PENITENT。
At8o"clockayoungmanwithahaggardlookandthefeverishgleamofunrestinhiseyedroppedapennyandpickedupthetoppaperashepassedGiuseppi"sstand。
Asleeplessnighthadlefthimalateriser。Therewasanofficetobereachedbynine，andashaveandahastycupofcoffeetobecrowdedintotheinterval。
Hevisitedhisbarbershopandthenhurriedonhisway。Hepocketedhispaper，meditatingabelatedperusalofitattheluncheonhour。Atthenextcorneritfellfromhispocket，carryingwithithispairofnewgloves。Threeblockshewalked，missedtheglovesandturnedbackfuming。
Justonthehalf-hourhereachedthecornerwherelaytheglovesandthepaper。Buthestrangelyignoredthatwhichhehadcometoseek。Hewasholdingtwolittlehandsastightlyaseverhecouldandlookingintotwopenitentbrowneyes，whilejoyriotedinhisheart。
"DearJack，"shesaid，"Iknewyouwouldbehereontime。"
"Iwonderwhatshemeansbythat，"hewassayingtohimself；"butit"sallright，it"sallright。"
Abigwindpuffedoutofthewest，pickedupthepaperfromthesidewalk，openeditoutandsentitflyingandwhirlingdownasidestreet。Upthatstreetwasdrivingaskittishbaytoaspider-wheelbuggy，theyoungmanwhohadwrittentotheheart-to-hearteditorforarecipethathemightwinherforwhomhesighed。
Thewind，withaprankishflurry，flappedtheflyingnewspaperagainstthefaceoftheskittishbay。Therewasalengthenedstreakofbaymingledwiththeredofrunninggearthatstretcheditselfoutforfourblocks。
Thenawater-hydrantplayeditspartinthecosmogony，thebuggybecamematchwoodasforeordained，andthedriverrestedveryquietlywherehehadbeenflungontheasphaltinfrontofacertainbrownstonemansion。
Theycameoutandhadhiminsideverypromptly。Andtherewasonewhomadeherselfapillowforhishead，andcaredfornocuriouseyes，bendingoverandsaying，"Oh，itwasyou；itwasyouallthetime，Bobby!Couldn"tyouseeit？Andifyoudie，why，somustI，and——"
Butinallthiswindwemusthurrytokeepintouchwithourpaper。
PolicemanO"Brinearresteditasacharacterdangeroustotraffic。Straighteningitsdishevelledleaveswithhisbig，slowfingers，hestoodafewfeetfromthefamilyentranceoftheShandonBellsCaf？Oneheadlinehespelledoutponderously:"ThePaperstotheFrontinaMovetoHelpthePolice。"
But，whisht!ThevoiceofDanny，theheadbartender，throughthecrackofthedoor:"Here"sanipforye，Mike，ouldman。"
Behindthewidespread，amicablecolumnsofthepressPolicemanO"Brinereceivesswiftlyhisnipoftherealstuff。Hemovesaway，stalwart，refreshed，fortified，tohisduties。Mightnottheeditormanviewwithpridetheearly，thespiritual，theliteralfruitthathadblessedhislabours。
PolicemanO"Brinefoldedthepaperandpokeditplayfullyunderthearmofasmallboythatwaspassing。
ThatboywasnamedJohnny，andhetookthepaperhomewithhim。HissisterwasnamedGladys，andshehadwrittentothebeautyeditorofthepaperaskingforthepracticabletouchstoneofbeauty。Thatwasweeksago，andshehadceasedtolookforananswer。
Gladyswasapalegirl，withdulleyesandadiscontentedexpression。Shewasdressingtogouptotheavenuetogetsomebraid。BeneathherskirtshepinnedtwoleavesofthepaperJohnnyhadbrought。Whenshewalkedtherustlingsoundwasanexactimitationoftherealthing。
OnthestreetshemettheBrowngirlfromtheflatbelowandstoppedtotalk。TheBrowngirlturnedgreen。
Onlysilkat$5ayardcouldmakethesoundthatsheheardwhenGladysmoved。TheBrowngirl，consumedbyjealousy，saidsomethingspitefulandwentherway，withpinchedlips。
Gladysproceededtowardtheavenue。Hereyesnowsparkledlikejagerfonteins。Arosybloomvisitedhercheeks；atriumphant，subtle，vivifying，smiletransfiguredherface。Shewasbeautiful。Couldthebeautyeditorhaveseenherthen!Therewassomethinginheranswerinthepaper，Ibelieve，aboutcultivatingkindfeelingstowardothersinordertomakeplainfeaturesattractive。
Thelabourleaderagainstwhomthepaper"ssolemnandweightyeditorialinjunctionwaslaidwasthefatherofGladysandJohnny。HepickeduptheremainsofthejournalfromwhichGladyshadravishedacosmeticofsilkensounds。Theeditorialdidnotcomeunderhiseye，butinsteaditwasgreetedbyoneofthoseingeniousandspeciouspuzzleproblemsthatenthrallalikethesimpletonandthesage。
Thelabourleadertoreoffhalfofthepage，providedhimselfwithtable，pencilandpaperandgluedhimselftohispuzzle。
Threehourslater，afterwaitingvainlyforhimattheappointedplace，othermoreconservativeleadersdeclaredandruledinfavourofarbitration，andthestrikewithitsattendantdangerswasaverted。Subsequenteditionsofthepaperreferred，incolouredinks，totheclariontoneofitssuccessfuldenunciationofthelabourleader"sintendeddesigns。
Theremainingleavesoftheactivejournalalsowentloyallytotheprovingofitspotency。
WhenJohnnyreturnedfromschoolhesoughtasecludedspotandremovedthemissingcolumnsfromtheinsideofhisclothing，wheretheyhadbeenartfullydistributedsoastosuccessfullydefendsuchareasasaregenerallyattackedduringscholasticcastigations。Johnnyattendedaprivateschoolandhadhadtroublewithhisteacher。Ashasbeensaid，therewasanexcellenteditorialagainstcorporalpunishmentinthatmorning"sissue，andnodoubtithaditseffect。
Afterthiscananyonedoubtthepowerofthepress？
TOMMY"SBURGLAR
ATTENo"clockP。M。Felicia，themaid，leftbythebasementdoorwiththepolicemantogetaraspberryphosphatearoundthecorner。Shedetestedthepolice-
manandobjectedearnestlytothearrangement。Shepointedout，notunreasonably，thatshemighthavebeenallowedtofallasleepoveroneofSt。GeorgeRathbone"snovelsonthethirdfloor，butshewasoverruled。Rasp-
berriesandcopswerenotcreatedfornothing。
Theburglargotintothehousewithoutmuchdifficulty；
becausewemusthaveactionandnottoomuchdescrip-
tionina2，000-wordstory。
Inthediningroomheopenedtheslideofhisdarklantern。Withabraceandcentrebithebegantoboreintothelockofthesilver-closet。
Suddenlyaclickwasheard。Theroomwasfloodedwithelectriclight。Thedarkvelvetporti鑢espartedtoadmitafair-hairedboyofeightinpinkpajamas，bearingabottleofoliveoilinhishand。
"Areyouaburglar？"heasked，inasweet，childishvoice。
"Listentothat，"exclaimedtheman，inahoarsevoice。
"AmIaburglar？WotdoyousupposeIhaveathree-
days"growthofbristlybreadonmyfacefor，andacapwithflaps？Givemetheoil，quick，andletmegreasethebit，soIwon"twakeupyourmamma，whoislyingdownwithaheadache，andleftyouinchargeofFelicia。
whohasbeenfaithlesstohertrust。"
"Oh，dear，"saidTommy，withasigh。"Ithoughtyouwouldbemoreup-to-date。ThisoilisforthesaladwhenIbringlunchfromthepantryforyou。AndmammaandpapahavegonetotheMetropolitantohearDeReszke。Butthatisn"tmyfault。Itonlyshowshowlongthestoryhasbeenknockingaroundamongtheeditors。Iftheauthorhadbeenwisehe"dhavechangedittoCarusointheproofs。"
"Bequiet，"hissedtheburglar，underhisbreath。"IfyouraiseanalarmI"llwringyournecklikearabbit"s。"
"Likeachicken"s，"correctedTommy。"Youhadthatwrong。Youdon"twringrabbits"necks。"
"Aren"tyouafraidofme？"askedtheburglar。
"YouknowI"mnot，"answeredTommy。"Don"tyousupposeIknowfactfromfiction。Ifthiswasn"tastoryI"dyelllikeanIndianwhenIsawyou；andyou"dprobablytumbledownstairsandgetpinchedonthesidewalk。"
"Isee，"saidtheburglar，"thatyou"reontoyourjob。Goonwiththeperformance。"
Tommyseatedhimselfinanarmchairanddrewhistoesupunderhim。
"Whydoyougoaroundrobbingstrangers，Mr。Burg-
lar？Haveyounofriends？"
"Iseewhatyou"redrivingat，"saidtheburglar，withadarkfrown。"It"sthesameoldstory。Yourinnocenceandchildishinsoucianceisgoingtoleadmebackintoanhonestlife。EverytimeIcrackacribwherethere"sakidaround，ithappens。"
"Wouldyoumindgazingwithwolfisheyesattheplateofcoldbeefthatthebutlerhasleftonthediningtable？"
saidTommy。"I"mafraidit"sgrowinglate。"
Theburglaraccommodated。
"Poorman，"saidTommy。"Youmustbehungry。
IfyouwillpleasestandinalistlessattitudeIwillgetyousomethingtoeat。"
Theboybroughtaroastchicken，ajarofmarmaladeandabottleofwinefromthepantry。Theburglarseizedaknifeandforksullenly。
"It"sonlybeenanhour，"hegrumbled，"sinceIhadalobsterandapintofmustyaleuponBroadway。Iwishthesestorywriterswouldletafellowhaveapepsintablet，anyhow，betweenfeeds。"
"Mypapawritesbooks，"remarkedTommy。
Theburglarjumpedtohisfeetquickly。
"Yousaidhehadgonetotheopera，"hehissed，hoarselyandwithimmediatesuspicion。
"Ioughttohaveexplained，"saidTommy。"Hedidn"tbuythetickets。"Theburglarsatagainandtoyedwiththewishbone。
"Whydoyouburglehouses？"askedtheboy，wonderingly。
"Because，"repliedtheburglar，withasuddenflowoftears。"Godblessmylittlebrown-bairedboyBessieathome。"
"Ah，"saidTommy，wrinklinghisnose，"yougotthatanswerinthewrongplace。Youwanttotellyourhard-
luckstorybeforeyoupulloutthechildstop。"
"Oh，yes，"saidtheburglar，"Iforgot。Well，onceIlivedinMilwaukee，and——"
"Takethesilver，"saidTommy，risingfromhischair。
"Holdon，"saidtheburglar。"ButImovedaway。"
Icouldfindnootheremployment。ForawhileIman-
agedtosupportmywifeandchildbypassingconfederatemoney；but，alas!Iwasforcedtogivethatupbecauseitdidnotbelongtotheunion。Ibecamedesperateandaburglar。"
"Haveyoueverfallenintothehandsofthepolice？"
askedTommy。
"Isaid"burglar，"not"beggar，""answeredthecracksman。
"Afteryoufinishyourlunch，"saidTommy，"andexperiencetheusualchangeOfheart，howshallwewindupthestory？"
"Suppose，"saidtheburglar，thoughtfully，"thatTonyPastorturnsoutearlierthanusualto-night，andyourfathergetsinfrom"Parsifal"at10。30。IamthoroughlyrepentantbecauseyouhavemademethinkofmyownlittleboyBessie，and——"
"Say，"saidTommy，"haven"tyougotthatwrong？"
"NotonyourcolouredcrayondrawingsbyB。CoryKilvert，"saidtheburglar。"It"salwaysaBessiethatIhaveathome，artlesslyprattlingtothepale-checkedburglar"sbride。AsIwassaying，yourfatheropensthefrontdoorjustasIamdepartingwithadmonitionsandsandwichesthatyouhavewrappedupforme。UponrecognizingmeasanoldHarvardclassmatehestartsbackin——"
"Notinsurprise？"interruptedTommy，withwide，openeyes。
"Hestartsbackinthedoorway，"continuedtheburglar。
Andthenherosetohisfeetandbegantoshout"Rah，rah，rah!rah，rah，rah!rah，rah，rah!"
"Well，"saidTommy，wonderingly，"that"s，thefirsttimeIeverknewaburglartogiveacollegeyellwhenhewasburglarizingahouse，eveninastory。"
"That"soneonyou，"saidtheburglar，withalaugh。
"Iwaspractisingthedramatization。Ifthisisputonthestagethatcollegetouchisabouttheonlythingthatwillmakeitgo。"
Tommylookedhisadmiration。
"You"reon，allright，"hesaid。
"Andthere"sanothermistalzeyou"vemade，"saidtheburglar。"Youshouldhavegonesometimeagoandbroughtmethe$9goldpieceyourmothergaveyouonyourbirthdaytotaketoBessie。"
"Butshedidn"tgiveittometotaketoBessie，"saidTommy，pouting。
"Come，come!"saidtheburglar，sternly。"It"snotniceofyoutotakeadvantagebecausethestorycontainsanambiguoussentence。YouknowwhatImean。It"smightylittleIgetoutofthesefictionaljobs，anyhow。I
losealltheloot，andIhavetoreformeverytime；andalltheswagI"mallowedistheblamedlittlefol-de-rolsandluck-piecesthatyoukidshandover。Why，inonestory，allIgotwasakissfromalittlegirlwhocameinonmewhenIwasopeningasafe。Andittastedofmolassescandy，too。I"veagoodnotiontotiethistablecoveroveryourheadandkeeponintothesilver-closet。"