第4章

WhetherAbner’sattendanceonthebutcherwasmerelyanexcusetowithdrawwiththedecanter，Icannotsay。He，however，dispatchedhisbusinessquickly，andreturnedtothetree。ButtohissurpriseMr。Byerswasnolongerthere。Heexploredtheadjacentwoodlandwithnon-success，andnoreplytohisshouting。Annoyedbutnotalarmed，asitseemedprobablethatthemissingmanhadfalleninadrunkensleepinsomehiddenshadows，hereturnedtothehouse，whenitoccurredtohimthatByersmighthavesoughtthebar-roomforsomeliquor。ButhewasstillmoresurprisedwhenthebarkeepervolunteeredtheinformationthathehadseenMr。Byershurriedlypassdownthesideverandaintothehighroad。Anhourlaterthiswascorroboratedbyanarrivingteamster，whohadpassedamanansweringtothedescriptionofByers，"mor’’nhalffull，"

staggeringlybuthurriedlywalkingalongtheroad"twomilesback。"

Thereseemedtobenodoubtthatthemissingmanhadtakenhimselfoffinafitofindignationorofextremethirst。EitherhypothesiswasdisagreeabletoAbner，inhisqueersenseofresponsibilitytoMrs。Byers，butheaccepteditwithhisusualgood-humoredresignation。

YetitwasdifficulttoconceivewhatconnectionthisepisodehadinhismindwithhissuspendedattentiontoMaryEllen，orwhyitshoulddeterminehispurpose。Buthehadalogicofhisown，anditseemedtohavedemonstratedtohimthathemustproposetothegirlatonce。Thiswasnoeasymatter，however；hehadnevershownheranypreviousattention，andherparticularfunctionsinthehotel，——thechargeofthefewbedroomsfortransientguests——seldombroughthimincontactwithher。Hisinterviewwouldhavetoappeartobeabusinessone——which，however，hewishedtoavoidfromadelicateconsciousnessofitstruth。Whilemakinguphismind，forafewdayshecontentedhimselfwithgravelyregardingherinhisusualresigned，tolerantway，wheneverhepassedher。

UnfortunatelythefirsteffectofthiswasanaudiblegigglefromMaryEllen，latersomeconfusionandanxietyinhermanner，andfinallyademeanorofresentmentanddefiance。

Thiswassodifferentfromwhathehadexpectedthathewasobligedtoprecipitatematters。ThenextdaywasSunday，——adayonwhichhisemployees，inturns，wereallowedtherecreationofbeingdriventoBigFlumeCity，eightmilesdistant，tochurch，orfortheday’sholiday。InthemorningMaryEllenwasastonishedbyAbnerinformingherthathedesignedgivingheraseparateholidaywithhimself。Itmustbeadmittedthatthegirl，whowasalready"prinkedup"fortheenthrallmentoftheyouthofBigFlumeCity，didnotappearasdelightedwiththechangeofplanasamoreexactingloverwouldhaveliked。Howbeit，assoonasthewagonhadleftwithitsoccupants，Abner，intheunwonteddisguiseofafullsuitofblackclothes，turnedtothegirl，andofferingherhisarm，gravelyproceededalongthesideverandaacrossthemoundofdebrisalreadydescribed，totheadjacentwildernessandtheverytreesunderwhichheandByershadsat。

"It’saboutezgoodaplaceforalittletalk，MissBudd，"hesaid，pointingtoatreeroot，"ezefwewentaspellfurther，andit’shandytothehouse。Andefyou’lljestsaywhatyou’dlikeouterthecupboardorthebar——nomatterwhich——I’llfetchittoyou。"

ButMaryEllenBuddseatedherselfsidewaysontheroot，withherfurledwhiteparasolinherlap，herskirtsfastidiouslytuckedaboutherfeet，andglancingatthefatuousAbnerfromunderherstackoffluffyhairandlighteyelashes，simplyshookherheadandsaidthat"shereckonedshewasn’thankeringmuchforanything"

thatmorning。

I’vebeencalkilatin’tomyself，MissBudd，"saidAbnerresignedly，"thatwhentwofolks——likeezyouandme——meettogethertokinderdiscussthingsthatmightgosofareztokeepthemtogether，iftheyhezhadanythingofthatsortintheirlivesafore，theyoughttospeakofitconfidentiallyliketogether。"

"Efanyoneo’themsneakin’，soullesscrittersinthekitchenhezbinslingin’liestoyeaboutme——orcarryin’tales，"brokeinMaryEllenBudd，settingeveryoneofherthirty-twostrong，whiteteethtogetherwithasnap，"well——yemighthevtoldmesotooncetwithoutspilin’mySunday！Butezferyerkeepin’meaminitlonger，ye’veonlygottopaymemysalaryto-dayand"——buthereshestopped，fortheastonishmentinAbner’sfacewastooplaintobemisunderstood。

"Nobody’sbeenslinginganyliesaboutye，MissBudd，"hesaidslowly，recoveringhimselfresignedlyfromthislastback-handedstrokeoffate；"Iwarn’ttalkin’o’you，butmyself。Iwasonlyallowin’tosaythatIwasadi-vorcedman。"

AsasuddenflushcameoverMaryEllen’sbrownish-whitefacewhileshestaredathim，Abnerhastenedtodelicatelyexplain。"Itwasn’tnoonfaithfulness，MissBudd——nophilanderin’o’mine，butonly’incompatibilityo’temper。’"

"Temper——yourtemper！"gaspedMaryEllen。

"Yes，"saidAbner。

AndhereasuddenchangecameoverMaryEllen’sface，andsheburstintoashriekoflaughter。Shelaughedwithherhandsslappingthesidesofherskirt，shelaughedwithherhandsclaspinghernarrow，hollowwaist，laughedwithherheaddownonherkneesandherfluffyhairtumblingoverit。Abnerwasrelieved，andyetitseemedstrangetohimthatthisrevelationofhistempershouldprovokesuchmanifestincredulityinbothByersandMaryEllen。

Butperhapsthesethingswouldbemadeplaintohimhereafter；atpresenttheymustbeaccepted"intheday’swork"andtolerated。

"Yourtemper，"gurgledMaryEllen。"Saintsalive！Whatkindo’

temper？"

"Well，Ireckon，"returnedAbnersubmissively，andselectingawordtogivehismeaningmorecomprehension，——"Ireckonitwaskinder——

aggeravokin’。"

MaryEllensniffedtheairforamomentinspeechlessincredulity，andthen，lockingherhandsaroundherkneesandbendingforward，said，"Lookhere！Efthatoldwomano’yourseverknewwhattemperwasinaman；efshe’severbintiedtoabrutethattreatedherlikeaniggertillshedaren’tsayhersoulwasherown；whostruckherwithhiseyesandtonguewhenhehadn’tanythin’elsehandy；

whomadeherlifemiserablewhenhewassober，andaterrorwhenhewasdrunk；whoatlastdroveheraway，andthendivorcedherfordesertion——then——thenshemighttalk。But’incompatibilityo’

temper’withyou！Oh，goaway——itmakesmesick！"

HowfarAbnerwasimpressedwiththetruthofthis，howfaritpromptedhisnextquestion，nobodybutAbnerknew。Forhesaiddeliberately，"Iwasonlygoin’toaskye，if，knowin’Iwasadi-vorcedman，yewouldmindmarryin’me！"

MaryEllen’sfacechanged；theevasiveinstinctsofhersexroseup。"Didn’tIhearyesayin’suthin’aboutrefreshments，"shesaidarchly。"Mebbeyouwouldn’tmindgettin’meabottleo’lemmingsodyouterthebar！"

Abnergotupatonce，perhapsnotdismayedbythisdiversion，anddepartedfortherefreshment。AshepassedalongthesideverandatherecollectionofMr。Byersandhismysteriousflightoccurredtohim。Forawildmomenthethoughtofimitatinghim。Butitwastoolatenow——hehadspoken。Besides，hehadnowifetoflyto，andthethirstyorindignantByershad——hiswife！Fatewasindeedhard。Hereturnedwiththebottleoflemonsodaonatrayandaresignedspiritequaltoherdecrees。MaryEllen，remarkingthathehadbroughtnothingforhimself，archlyinsisteduponhissharingwithherthebottleofsoda，andevencoquettishlytouchedhislipswithherglass。Abnersmiledpatiently。

Buthere，asifplayfullyexhilaratedbythenaughtyfoamingsoda，sheregardedhimwithherhead——andagooddealofherblondehair——

verymuchononeside，asshesaid，"Doyouknowthatallalongo’

youbein’sofreewithmeintellin’youraffairsIkinderfeellikejusttellingyoumine？"

"Don’t，"saidAbnerpromptly。

"Don’t？"echoedMissBudd。

"Don’t，"repeatedAbner。"It’snothingtome。WhatIsaidaboutmyselfisdifferent，foritmightmakesomedifferencetoyou。Butnothingyoucouldsayofyourselfwouldmakeanychangeinme。I

sticktowhatIsaidjustnow。"

"But，"saidMissBudd，——inhalfreal，halfsimulatedthreatening，——

"whatifithadsuthin’todowithmyanswertowhatyousaidjustnow？"

"Itcouldn’t。So，ifit’sallthesametoyou，MissBudd，I’dratheryewouldn’t。"

"That，"saidtheladystillmorearchly，liftingaplayfulfinger，"isyourtemper。"

"Mebbeitis，"saidAbnersuddenly，withawonderingsenseofrelief。

Itwas，however，settledthatMissBuddshouldgotoSacramentotovisitherfriends，thatAbnerwouldjoinherlater，whentheirengagementwouldbeannounced，andthatsheshouldnotreturntothehoteluntiltheyweremarried。ThecompactwassealedbytheinterchangeofafriendlykissfromMissBuddwithapatient，toleratingonefromAbner，andthenitsuddenlyoccurredtothemboththattheymightaswellreturntotheirdutiesinthehotel，whichtheydid。MissBudd’sentireoutingthatSundaylastedonlyhalfanhour。

Aweekelapsed。MissBuddwasinSacramento，andthelandlordoftheBigFlumeHotelwasstandingathisusualpostinthedoorwayduringdinner，whenawaiterhandedhimanote。Itcontainedasinglelinescrawledinpencil：——

"Comeoutandseemebehindthehouseasbefore。Idussentcomeinonaccountofher。C。BYERS。"

"Onaccountof’her’！"Abnercastahurriedglancearoundthetables。CertainlyMrs。Byerswasnotthere！Hewalkedinthehallandtheveranda——shewasnotthere。Hehastenedtotherendezvousevidentlymeantbythewriter，thewildernessbehindthehouse。

Sureenough，Byers，drunkandmaudlin，supportinghimselfbythetreeroot，staggeredforward，claspedhiminhisarms，andmurmuredhoarsely，——

"She’sgone！"

"Gone？"echoedAbner，withawhiteningface。"Mrs。Byers？Where？"

"Runaway！Nevercomebacknomore！Gone！"

AvagueideathathadbeeninAbner’smindsinceByers’slastvisitnowtookawfulshape。BeforetheunfortunateByerscouldcollecthissenseshefelthimselfseizedinagiant’sgraspandforcedagainstthetree。

"Youcoward！"saidallthatwasleftofthetolerantAbner——hisevenvoice——"youhound！Didyoudaretoabuseher？tolayyourvilehandsonher——tostrikeher？Answerme。"

Theshock——thegrasp——perhapsAbner’swords，momentarilysilencedByers。"DidIstrikeher？"hesaiddazedly；"didIabuseher？Oh，yes！"withdeepirony。"Certainly！Incourse！Lookyer，pardner！"——hesuddenlydraggeduphissleevefromhisred，hairyarm，exposingabluecicatrixinitscentre——"that’sajabfromherscissorsaboutthreemonthsago；lookyer！"——hebenthisheadandshowedascaralongthescalp——"that’sherplayfulnesswithafireshovel！Lookyer！"——hequicklyopenedhiscollar，wherehisneckandcheekwerestripedandcrossedwithadhesiveplaster——"that’sallthatwaslefto’aglassjaro’preserves——thepreservesgotaway，butsomeoftheglassgotstuck！That’swhensheheardIwasadi-vorcedmanandhadn’ttoldher。"

"Wereyouadi-vorcedman？"gaspedAbner。

"Youknowthat；incourseIwas，"saidByersscornfully；"d’yemeantersayshedidn’ttellye？"

"She？"echoedAbnervaguely。"Yourwife——yousaidjustnowshedidn’tknowitbefore。"

"Mywifeezoncetwas，Imean！MaryEllen——yourwifeezistobe，"

saidByers，withdeepirony。"Oh，comenow。Pretendyedon’tknow！Hithere！Handsoff！Don’tstrikeamanwhenhe’sdown，likeIam。"

ButAbner’sclutchofByers’sshoulderrelaxed，andhesankdowntoasittingpostureontheroot。InthemeantimeByers，overcomebyasenseofthisnewmiseryaddedtohismanifoldgrievances，gavewaytomaudlinsilenttears。

"MaryEllen——yourfirstwife？"repeatedAbnervacantly。

"Yesh！"saidByersthickly，"myfirstwife——shelectedandpickedoutferyourshecondwife——byyourfirst——liked————dconundrum。

HowwashIt’know？"hesaid，withasuddenshriekofpublicexpostulation——"thashwhatIwanterknow。HereIcometotalkwithfr’en’，likemantoman，unshuspecting，innoshentaschile，aboutmyshecondwife！Fr’en’dropsout，carryin’offthewhiskey。ThenIhearallo’suddentvoiceo’MaryEllentalkin’inkitchen；thenIcomeroundsoftlyandseeMaryEllen——mywifeasuseterbe——

standin’atfr’en’skitchenwinder。ThenIlightsoutquicker’nlightnin’andscoots！AndwhenIgetsbackhome，Iupsandtellsmywife。Andwhoshfaultish’t！Whoshaidamanoughtertellhishwife？You！Whokeepshothermensh’firstwiveshatkishenwindertofrighten’emtotell？You！"

ButachangehadalreadycomeoverthefaceofAbnerLangworthy。

Theanger，anxiety，astonishment，andvacuitythatwastherehadvanished，andhelookedupwithhisusualresignedacceptanceoftheinevitableashesaid，"Ireckonthat’sso！Andseein’it’sso，"withgood-naturedtolerance，headded，"IreckonI’llbreakrulesforoncetandstandyeanotherdrink。"

Hestoodanotherdrinkandyetanother，andeventuallyputthedoublywidowedByerstobedinhisownroom。Thesewerebutdetailsofalargertribulation，——andyetheknewinstinctivelythathiscupwasnotyetfull。ThefurtherdropofbitternesscameafewdayslaterinalinefromMaryEllen："Ineedn’ttellyouthatallbetwixtyouandmeisoff，andyoukintellyouroldwomanthatherselectionforasecondwifeforyouwuzaboutasbadasyourownfirstselection。YekintellMr。Byers——yergreatfriendwhomyeneverletonyeknew——thatwhenIwantanotherhusbandI

shan’ttakethetroubletoaskhimtofishoneoutforme。Itwouldbekind——butconfusin’。"

Heneverheardfromheragain。Mr。ByerswasdulynotifiedthatMrs。Byershadcommencedactionfordivorceinanotherstateinwhichconcealmentofapreviousdivorceinvalidatedthemarriage，buthedidnotrespond。Thetwomenbecamegreatfriends——andassuredcelibates。Yettheyalwaysspokereverentlyoftheir"wife，"withthetouchingprefixof"our。"

"Shewasagoodwoman，pardner，"saidByers。

"Andsheunderstoodus，"saidAbnerresignedly。

Perhapsshehad。

ABUCKEYEHOLLOWINHERITANCE

Thefourmenonthe"ZipCoon"Ledgehadnotgotfairlysettledtotheirmorning’swork。Therewastheusuallingeringhesitationwhichisapttoattendthetaking-upofanyregularormonotonousperformance，showninthisinstanceintheprolongedscrutinyofapick’spoint，thesolemnselectionofashovel，orthe"hefting"orweighingofatapping-ironordrill。Onemember，becominginterestedinafunnyparagraphhefoundinthescrapofnewspaperwrappedaroundhisnoondaycheese，shamelesslysatdowntofinishit，regardlessoftheprospectingpanthrownathimbyanother。

Theyhadtakenuptheirdailyroutineofmininglifelikeschoolboysattheirtasks。

"Hello！"saidNedWyngate，joyouslyrecognizingapossiblefurtherinterruption。"BlamediftheExpressriderain’tcomin’here！"

Hewasshadinghiseyeswithhishandashegazedoverthebroadsun-bakedexpanseofbroken"flat"betweenthemandthehighroad。

Theyalllookedup，andsawthefigureofamountedman，withacourier’sbagthrownoverhisshoulder，gallopingtowardsthem。Itwasreallyanevent，astheirletterswereusuallyleftatthegroceryatthecrossroads。

"Iknewsomethingwasgoin’tohappen，"saidWyngate。"Ididn’tfeelabitlikeworkthismorning。"

Hereoneoftheirnumberranofftomeettheadvancinghorseman。

Theywatchedhimuntiltheysawthelatterreinup，andhandabrownenvelopetotheirmessenger，whoranbreathlesslybackwithittotheLedgeasthehorsemangallopedawayagain。

"AtelegraphforJacksonWells，"hesaid，handingittotheyoungmanwhohadbeenreadingthescrapofpaper。

Therewasadeadsilence。Telegramswereexpensiveraritiesinthosedays，especiallywiththeyouthfulBohemianminersoftheZipCoonLedge。Theywereburningwithcuriosity，yetasingularthinghappened。Accustomedastheyhadbeentoalifeofbrotherlyfamiliarityandunceremoniousness，thisportentousmessagefromtheoutsideworldofcivilizationrecalledtheiroldformalpoliteness。

Theylookedsteadilyawayfromthereceiverofthetelegram，andheonhispartstammeredanapologetic"Excuseme，boys，"ashebroketheenvelope。

Therewasanotherpause，whichseemedtobeinterminabletothewaitingpartners。ThenthevoiceofWells，inquitenaturaltones，said，"Bygum！that’sfunny！Readthat，Dexter，——readitoutloud。"

DexterRice，theforeman，tooktheprofferedtelegramfromWells’shand，andreadasfollows：——

Youruncle，QuincyWells，diedyesterday，leavingyousoleheir。

Willattendyouto-morrowforinstructions。

BAKERANDTWIGGS，Attorneys，Sacramento。

Thethreeminers’faceslightenedandturnedjoyouslytoWells；butHISfacelookedpuzzled。

"Maywecongratulateyou，Mr。Wells？"saidWyngate，withaffectedpoliteness；"orpossiblyyourunclemayhavebeenEnglish，andatitlegoeswiththe’prop，’andyoumaybeLordWells，orVeryWells——atleast。"

ButhereJacksonWells’syouthfulfacelostitsperplexity，andhebegantolaughlongandsilentlytohimself。ThiswasprotractedtosuchanextentthatDexterassertedhimself，——asforemanandseniorpartner。

"Lookhere，Jack！don’tsittherecacklinglikeachuckle-headedmagpie，ifyouAREtheheir。"

"I——can’t——helpit，"gaspedJackson。"Iamtheheir——butyousee，boys，thereAIN’TANYPROPERTY。"

"Whatdoyoumean？Isallthatasell？"demandedRice。

"Notmuch！Telegraph’stooexpensiveforthatsorto’feelin’。

Yousee，boys，I’vegotanUncleQuincy，thoughIdon’tknowhimmuch，andheMAYbedead。Buthiswholefixin’sconsistedofaclaimthesizeofours，andplayedoutlongago：aramshackleloto’shedscalledacottage，andakindofmarketgardenofaboutthreeacres，whereherearedandsoldvegetables。Hewasalwayspoor，andasforcallingit’property，’andMEthe’heir’——goodLord！"

"Amiser，assureasyou’reborn！"saidWyngate，withoptimisticdecision。"That’salwaystheway。You’llfindeverycrackofthatblessedoldshedstuckfullofgreenbacksandcertificatesofdeposit，andlotsofgolddustandcoinburiedalloverthatcowpatch！Andofcoursenoonesuspectedit！Andofcoursehelivedalone，andneverletanyonegetintohishouse——andnearlystarvedhimself！Lordloveyou！There’shundredsofsuchcases。Theworldisfullof’em！"

"That’sso，"chimedinPulaskiBriggs，thefourthpartner，"andI

tellyouwhat，Jacksey，we’llcomeoverwithyouthedayyoutakepossession，andjust’prospect’thewholeblamedshanty，pigsties，andpotatopatch，forfun——andwon’tchargeyouanything。"

ForamomentJackson’sfacehadreallybrightenedundertheinfectionofenthusiasm，butitpresentlysettledintoperplexityagain。

"No！YoubettheboysaroundBuckeyeHollowwouldhavespottedanythinglikethatlongago。"

"BuckeyeHollow！"repeatedRiceandhispartners。

"Yes！BuckeyeHollow，that’stheplace；nottwentymilesfromhere，andaGod-forsakenhole，asyouknow。"

AcloudhadsettledonZipCoonLedge。TheyknewofBuckeyeHollow，anditwasevidentthatnogoodhadeveryetcomeoutofthatNazareth。

"There’snouseoftalkingnow，"saidRiceconclusively。"You’lldrawitallfromthatlawyersharkwho’scomingheretomorrow，andyoucanbetyourlifehewouldn’thavetakenthistroubleiftherewasn’tsuthin’init。Anyhow，we’llknockoffworknowandcallithalfaday，inhonorofourdistinguishedyoungfriend’saccessiontohisbaronialestatesofBuckeyeHollow。We’lljusttoddledowntoTomlinson’satthecross-roads，andhaveanipandaquietgameofoldsledgeatJacksey’sexpense。Ireckontheestate’sgoodforTHAT，"headded，withseveregravity。"And，speakingasafa’r-

mindedmanandthepresidentofthisyerCompany，ifJacksonwouldoccasionallytakeoutandairthattelegraphicdispatchofhiswhilewe’reatTomlinson’s，itmightdosomethingforthatCompany’scredit——withTomlinson！We’rewantin’somenewblastin’plantbad！"

Oddlyenoughthetelegram——accidentallyshownatTomlinson’s——

producedagratifyingeffect，andtheZipCoonLedgemateriallyadvancedinpublicestimation。Withthispossibleinfusionofnewcapitalintoitsresources，theCompanywasbesetbyoffersofmachineryandgoods；anditwasdeemedexpedientbythesapientRice，thattopreventthedisseminationofanymoreaccurateinformationregardingJackson’spropertythenextday，thelawyershouldbemetatthestageofficebyoneofthemembers，andconveyedsecretlypastTomlinson’stotheLedge。

"I’dletyougo，"hesaidtoJackson，"onlyitwon’tdoforthatd————dskunkofalawyertothinkyou’retooanxious——sabe？Wewanttorubintohimthatweareinthehabitoutyerofhavin’thingslefttous，andafortin’moreorless，fallingintousnowandthen，ain’tnothin’alongsideoftheZipCoonclaim。Itwon’thurtyetokeepupabigbluffonthathandofyours。Nobodywoulddareto’call’you。"

IndeedthisideawascarriedoutwithsuchelaborationthenextdaythatMr。Twiggs，theattorney，wasconsiderablyimpressedbothbytheconductofhisguide，who（althoughburningwithcuriosity）

expressedabsoluteindifferenceregardingJacksonWells’sinheritance，andthecalmnessofJacksonhimself，whohadtobeostentatiouslycalledfromhisworkontheLedgetomeethim，andwhoevengavehimanaudienceinthehearingofhispartners。

Forcedintoanapologeticattitude，heexpressedhisregretatbeingobligedtobotherMr。Wellswithanaffairofsuchsecondaryimportance，buthewasobligedtocarryouttheformalitiesofthelaw。

"Whatdoyousupposetheestateisworth？"askedWellscarelessly。

"Ishouldnotthinkthatthehouse，theclaim，andthelandwouldbringmorethanfifteenhundreddollars，"repliedTwiggssubmissively。

TotheimpecuniousownersofZipCoonLedgeitseemedalargesum，buttheydidnotshowit。

"Yousee，"continuedMr。Twiggs，"it’sreallyacaseof’willingaway’propertyfromitsobviousordirectinheritors，insteadofabeneficialgrant。Itakeitthatyouandyourunclewerenotparticularlyintimate，——atleast，soIgatheredwhenImadethewill，——andhissimpleobjectwastodisinherithisonlydaughter，withwhomhehadhadsomequarrel，andwhohadlefthimtolivewithhislatewife’sbrother，Mr。MorleyBrown，whoisquitewealthyandresidinginthesametownship。Perhapsyouremembertheyounglady？"

JacksonWellshadadimrecollectionofthiscousin，ahateful，red-hairedschoolgirl，andanequallyunpleasantmemoryofthisotheruncle，whowaspurse-proudandhadnevertakenanynoticeofhim。Heansweredaffirmatively。

"Theremaybesomeattempttocontestthewill，"continuedMr。

Twiggs，"asthedisinheritingofanonlychildandadaughteroffendsthesentimentofthepeopleandofjudgesandjury，andthelawmakessuchawillinvalid，unlessareasonisgiven。

Fortunatelyyourunclehasplacedhisreasonsonrecord。Ihaveacopyofthewillhere，andcanshowyoutheclause。"Hetookitfromhispocket，andreadasfollows："’Iexcludemydaughter，JocelindaWells，fromanybenefitorprovisionofthismywillandtestament，forthereasonthatshehasvoluntarilyabandonedherfather’sroofforthehouseofhermother’sbrother，MorleyBrown；

haspreferredthefleshpotsofEgypttothevirtuousfrugalitiesofherownhome，andhasdiscardedthehumblefriendsofheryouth，andtheassociatesofherfather，forthemeretriciousandslavishsympathyofwealthandposition。Inlieuthereof，andascompensationtherefor，Idoherebygiveandbequeathtohermyfullandfreepermissiontogratifyherfrequentlyexpressedwishforanotherguardianinplaceofmyself，andtobecometheadopteddaughterofthesaidMorleyBrown，withtheprivilegeofassumingthenameofBrownasaforesaid。’Yousee，"hecontinued，"astheyounglady’spresentpositionisabetteronethanitwouldbeifshewereinherfather’shouse，andwasevidentlyacompromise，thesentimentalconsiderationofherbeinglefthomelessandpennilessfallstotheground。However，astheinheritanceissmall，andmightbeoflittleaccounttoyou，ifyouchoosetowaiveit，I

daresaywemaymakesomearrangement。"

ThiswasanutterlyunexpectedideatotheZipCoonCompany，andJacksonWellswasforamomentsilent。ButDexterRicewasequaltotheemergency，andturnedtotheastonishedlawyerwithseveredignity。

"You’llexcusemeforinterferin’，but，astheseniorpartnerofthisyerLedge，andJacksonWellsyerbein’amostimportantmember，whataffectshisusefulnessonthisclaimaffectsus。Andweproposetocarryoutthisyerwill，withallitsdipsandspursandangles！"

AsthesurprisedTwiggsturnedfromonetotheother，Ricecontinued，"Ezfaraswekinunderstandthislittlegame，it’sthejustpunishmentofahigh-flyinggirlasbreaksherporeoldfather’sheart，andthere-wardofayoungfellerezhasbintoourknowledgeezdevotedanephewastheymake’em。Timeandtimeagain，sittin’aroundourcampfireatnight，we’veheardJackseysay，——kindertohimself，andkindertous，’NowIwonderwhat’sgoneo’olduncleQuincy；’andheneversatdowntoasquaremeal，oreverrosefromasquaregame，butwhatheallussaid，’IfolduncleQuincewasonlyherenow，boys，I’ddiehappy。’Ileaveittoyou，gentlemen，ifthatwasn’tJacksonWells’sgaitallthetime？"

Therewasaprolongedmurmurofassent，andanaffectingcorroborationfromNedWyngateof"Thatwashim；thatwasJackseyallthetime！"

"Indeed，indeed，"saidthelawyernervously。"Ihadquitetheideathattherewasverylittlefondness"——

"Notonyourside——notonyourside，"saidRicequickly。"UncleQuincymaynothaveantedupinthismattero’feelin’，norseenhisnephew’srise。Youknowhowitisyourselfinthesethings——

beingalawyerandafa’r-mindedman——it’sallononeside，ginerally！There’salwaysonewholovesandsacrifices，andallthat，andthere’salwaysonewhorakesinthepot！That’sthewayo’theworld；andthat’swhy，"continuedRice，abandoninghisslightlyphilosophicalattitude，andlayinghishandtenderly，andyetwithasingularlysignificantgrip，onWells’sarm，"wesaytohim，’Hangontothatwill，anduncleQuincy’smemory。’Andwehevtosayit。Forhe’sthattender-heartedandkeerlessofmoney——

havinghisownshareinthisLedge——thatefthatgirlcamewhimperin’tohimhe’dlethertakethe’prop’andletthehullthingslide！Andthenhe’drememberthathehadrewardedthatgalthatbroketheoldman’sheart，andthatwouldupsethimagaininhiswork。Andthere，yousee，isjustwhereWEcomein！Andwesay，’Hangontothatwilllikegrimdeath！’"

ThelawyerlookedcuriouslyatRiceandhiscompanions，andthenturnedtoWells："Nevertheless，Imustlooktoyouforinstructions，"

hesaiddryly。

ButbythistimeJacksonWells，althoughreallydubiousaboutsupplantingtheorphan，hadgatheredthesenseofhispartners，andsaidwithafrankshowofdecision，"IthinkImuststandbythewill。"

"ThenI’llhaveitproved，"saidTwiggs，rising。"Inthemeantime，ifthereisanytalkofcontesting"——

"Ifthereis，youmightsay，"suggestedWyngate，whofelthehadnothadafairshowinthelittlecomedy，——"yemightsaytothatoldskeesicksofawife’sbrother，ifhewantstonipplein，thattherearefourmenontheLedge——andfourrevolvers！Wearegin’rallyfa’r-minded，peacefulmen，butwhenanoldman’sheartisbroken，andhisgrayhairsbroughtdowninsorrowtothegrave，sotospeak，we’reboundtoattendthefuneral——sabe？"

WhenMr。Twiggshaddepartedagain，accompaniedbyapartnertoguidehimpastthedangerousshoalsofTomlinson’sgrocery，RiceclappedhishandonWells’sshoulder。"Ifithadn’tbeenforme，sonny，thatsharkwouldhavelandedyouintosomecompromisewiththatred-hairedgal！Isawyouweakenin’，andthenIchippedin。

ImayhavepileduptheagonyalittleonyourloveforoldQuince，butifyouaren’tanungratefulcub，that’showyououghttohevbeenfeein’，anyhow！"

Nevertheless，theyouthfulWells，althoughtouchedbyhiselderpartner’sloyalty，andconvincedofhisowndisinterestedness，feltapainfulsenseoflostchivalrousopportunity……

OnmatureconsiderationitwasfinallysettledthatJacksonWellsshouldmakehispreliminaryexaminationofhisinheritancealone，asitmightseeminconsistentwiththepreviousindifferentattitudeofhispartnersiftheyaccompaniedhim。Buthewasimploredtoyieldtonoblandishmentsoftheenemy，andtoevenmakehisvisitasecret。

Hewent。Thefamiliarflower-spikedtreeswhichhadgiventheirnametoBuckeyeHollowhadneveryieldedentirelytoimprovementsandtheincursionsofminingenterprise，andmanyofthemhadevensurvivedthedisusedditches，thescarredflats，thediscardedlevels，ruinedflumes，androoflesscabinsoftheearlieroccupation，sothatwhenJacksonWellsenteredthewide，stragglingstreetofBuckeye，thatsummermorningwasfilledwiththeradianceofitsblossomsandfragrantwiththeirincense。Hisfirstvisitthere，tenyearsago，hadbeenapurelyperfunctoryandhastyone，yetherememberedtheostentatioushotel，builtinthe"flushtime"

ofitsprosperity，andalreadyinagreenprematuredecay；herecalledtheExpressOfficeandTownHall，alsopassingawayinakindofsimilargreendeliquescence；thelittlezincchurch，nowovergrownwithfernandbrambles，andthetwoorthreefinesubstantialhousesintheoutskirts，whichseemedtohavesuckedthevitalityofthelittlesettlement。Oneofthese——hehadbeentold——wasthepropertyofhisrichandwickedmaternaluncle，thehatedappropriatorofhisred-headedcousin’saffections。Herecalledhisbriefvisittothedepartedtestator’sclaimandmarketgarden，andhisbynomeansfavorableimpressionofthelonely，crabbedoldman，aswellashisreliefthathisobjectionablecousin，whomhehadnotseensincehewasaboy，wasthenabsentattherivaluncle’s。Hemadehiswayacrosstheroadtoasunnyslopewherethemarketgardenofthreeacresseemedtorolllikeariverofgreenrapidstoalittle"run"orbrook，which，eveninthedryseason，showedatricklingrill。Butherehewasstruckbyasingularcircumstance。Thegardenrestedinarich，alluvialsoil，andunderthequickeningCalifornianskyhaddevelopedfarbeyondtheabilityofitslatecultivatortorestrainorkeepitinorder。Everythinghadgrownluxuriantly，andinmonstroussizeandprofusion。Thegardenhadeventrespasseditsbounds，andimpingedupontheopenroad，thedesertedclaims，andtheruinsofthepast。StimulatedbythelittlecultivationQuincyWellshadfoundtimetogiveit，ithadleapeditsthreeacresandriotedthroughtheHollow。Therewerescarletrunnerscrossingtheabandonedsluices，peasclimbingthecourt-housewall，strawberriesmattingthetrail，whiletheseedsandpollenofitsfewhomelyEasternflowershadbeenblownfarandwidethroughthewoods。Byagrimsatire，Natureseemedtohavebeentheonlythingthatstillprosperedinthatsettlementofman。

Thecabinitself，builtofunpaintedboards，consistedofasitting-room，dining-room，kitchen，andtwobedrooms，allplainlyfurnished，althoughoneofthebedroomswasbetterordered，anddisplayedcertainsignsoffemininedecoration，whichmadeJacksonbelieveithadbeenhiscousin’sroom。Luckily，theslight，temporarystructureborenodeeptracesofitspreviousoccupancytodisturbhimwithitsmemories，andforthesamereasonitgainedincleanlinessandfreshness。Thedry，desiccatingsummerwindthatblewthroughithadcarriedawayboththeodorsandthesenseofdomesticity；eventheadobehearthhadnofiresidetalestotell，——itsveryasheshadbeenscatteredbythewinds；andthegravestoneofitsdeadowneronthehillwasnomoreflavorlessofhispersonalitythanwasthisplainhouseinwhichhehadlivedanddied。Theexcessivevegetationproducedbythestirred-upsoilhadcoveredandhiddentheemptytincans，brokenboxes，andfragmentsofclothingwhichusuallyheapedandlitteredthetent-pegsofthepioneer。Nature’sownprofusionhadthrustthemintoobscurity。

JacksonWellssmiledasherecalledhissanguinepartner’sideaofatreasure-troveconcealedandstuffedinthecrevicesofthistenement，alreadysopalpablypickedcleanbythosewholesomescavengersofCalifornia，thedryairandburningsun。Yethewasnotdispleasedatthisobliterationofaprevioustenancy；therewasthebetterchanceforhimtooriginatesomething。Hewhistledhopefullyashelounged，withhishandsinhispockets，towardstheonlyfenceandgatethatgaveupontheroad。Somethingstuckuponthegate-postattractedhisattention。Itwasasheetofpaperbearingtheinscriptioninalargehand："Noticetotrespassers。

LookoutfortheOrphanRobber！"Aplainsignboardinfadedblacklettersonthegate，whichhadbornethelegend："QuincyWells，DealerinFruitandVegetables，"hadbeenrudelyalteredinchalktoread："JacksonWells，DoubleDealerinWillsandCodicils，"andtheintimation"Bouquetssoldhere"hadbeenchangedto"Bequestsstolehere。"Foraninstantthesimple-mindedJacksonfailedtodiscoveranysignificanceofthisoutrage，whichseemedtohimtobemerelythewantonmischiefofaschoolboy。Butasuddenrecollectionofthelawyer’scautionsentthebloodtohischeeksandkindledhisindignation。Hetoredownthepaperandrubbedoutthechalkinterpolation——andthenlaughedathisownanger。

Nevertheless，hewouldnothavelikedhisbelligerentpartnerstoseeit。

Alittlecurioustoknowtheextentofthisfeeling，heenteredoneoftheshops，andbyoneortwoquestionswhichjudiciouslybetrayedhisownershipoftheproperty，heelicitedonlyatradesman’sinterestinapossiblefuturecustomer，andtheordinarycuriosityaboutastranger。Thebarkeeperofthehotelwascivil，butbriefandgloomy。Hehadheardthepropertywas"willedawayonaccountofsomefamilyquarrelwhich"warn’tnoneofhis。"Mr。WellswouldfindBuckeyeHollowamightydullplaceafterthemines。Itwasplayedout，suckeddrybytwoorthreebigmineownerswhoweretryingto"freezeout"theothersettlers，soastheymightgettheplacetothemselvesand"boomit。"Brown，whohadthebighouseoverthehill，wastheheaddevilofthegang！Wellsfelthisindignationkindleanew。AndthisgirlthathehadoustedwasBrown’sfriend。WasitpossiblethatshewasapartytoBrown’sdesignstogetthisthreeacreswiththeotherlands？Ifso，hislong-sufferingunclewasonlyjustinhisrevenge。

Heputallthisdiffidentlybeforehispartnersonhisreturn，andwasalittlestartledattheiradoptingitwithsanguineferocity。

Theyhopedthathewouldputanendtohisthoughtsofbackingoutofit。Suchacoursenowwouldbedishonorabletohisuncle’smemory。Itwasclearlyhisdutytoresisttheseblastedsatrapsofcapitalists；hewasprovidentiallyselectedforthepurpose——avillageHampdentowithstandthetyrant。"AndIreckonthatsharkofalawyerknewallaboutitwhenhewasgettin’offthat’purpstuff’aboutpeople’ssympathieswiththegirl，"saidRicebelligerently。"Contestthewill，wouldhe？Why，ifwecaughtthatBrownwithafingerinthepiewe’djustwhipuptheboysonthisLedgeandlynchhim。Youhangontothatthreeacresandthegardenpatchofyourforefathers，sonny，andwe’llseeyouthrough！"

Nevertheless，itwaswithsomemisgivingsthatWellsconsentedthathisthreepartnersshouldactuallyaccompanyhimandseehimputinpeaceablepossessionofhisinheritance。Hisinstincttoldhimthattherewouldbenocontestofthewill，andstilllessanyoppositiononthepartoftheobjectionablerelative，Brown。Whenthewagonwhichcontainedhispersonaleffectsandthefewarticlesoffurniturenecessaryforhisoccupancyofthecabinarrived，theexaggeratedswaggerwhichhiscompanionshadputonintheirpassagethroughthesettlementgavewaytoapastoralindolence，equallyhalfreal，halfaffected。Lyingontheirbacksunderabuckeye，theypermittedRicetovoicethegeneralsentiment。

"There’sasuthin’soothin’anddreamyinthiskindo’life，Jacksey，andwe’llmakeapointofcomin’hereforacoupleofdayseverytwoweekstolendyouahand；itwillbeamightygoodchangefromourniggerworkontheclaim。"

Inspiteofthisassurance，andthefactthattheyhadvoluntarilycometohelphimputtheplaceinorder，theydidverylittlebeyondlendingacheeringexpressionofunqualifiedpraiseandunstintedadvice。Attheendoffourhours’weedingandtrimmingtheboundariesofthegarden，theyunanimouslygavetheiropinionthatitwouldbemoresystematicforhimtoemployChineselaboratonce。

"Yousee，"saidNedWyngate，"theChinesenaturallytaketothiskindo’business。Why，youcan’ttakeupachinaplateorsaucerbutyousee’empicturedthereworkingatjobslikethis，andtheykinliveongreenthingsandricethatcostnothin’，andchickens。

You’llkeepchickens，ofcourse。"

Jacksonthoughtthathishandswouldbefullenoughwiththegarden，buthemeeklyassented。

"I’llgetapair——youonlywanttwotobeginwith，"continuedWyngatecheerfully，"andinamonthortwoyou’vegotallyouwant，andeggsenoughformarket。Onsecondthoughts，Idon’tknowwhetheryouhadn’tbetterbeginwitheggsfirst。Thatis，youborrysomeeggsfromonemanandahenfromanother。Thenyouset’em，andwhenthechickensarehatchedoutyoujustreturnthehentothesecondman，andtheeggs，whenyourchickensbegintolay，tothefirstman，andyou’vegotyourchickensfornothing——andthereyouare。"

Thisingeniousproposition，whichwasdeliveredonthelastslopeofthedomain，wherethepartnerswerelyingexhaustedfromtheirwork，wasbrokeninuponbytheappearanceofasmallboy，barefooted，sunburnt，andtow-headed，who，afteramoment’shurriedscrutinyofthegroup，threwaletterwithunerringprecisionintothelapofJacksonWells，andthenfledprecipitately。Jacksoninstinctivelysuspectedhewasconnectedwiththeoutrageonhisfenceandgate-post，butashehadavoidedtellinghispartnersoftheincident，fearingtoincreasetheirbelligerentattitude，hefeltnowanawkwardconsciousnessmingledwithhisindignationashebrokethesealandreadasfollows：——

SIR，——Thisistoinformyouthatalthoughyouhavegotholdofthepropertybyunderhandedandsneakingways，youain’tnorighttotouchorlayyourvilehandsontheCherokeeRosealongsidethehouse，norontheGiantofBattles，norontheMaiden’sPridebythegate——thesamebeingthepropertyofMissJocelindaWells，andplantedbyher，underthepenaltyoftheLaw。Andifyou，oranyofyourgangofruffians，touchesitorthem，oranythereof，ordon’tdeliveritupwhencalledforingoodorder，youwillbepersecutedbythem。

AVENGER。

ItistobefearedthatJacksonwouldhavesuppressedthisalso，butthekeeneyesofhispartners，excitedbytheabruptnessofthemessenger，wereuponhim。Hesmiledfeebly，andlaidtheletterbeforethem。Buthewasunpreparedfortheirexaggeratedindignation，andwithdifficultyrestrainedthemfromdashingoffinthedirectionofthevanishedherald。"Andwhatcouldyoudo？"

hesaid。"Theboy’sonlyamessenger。"

"I’llgetatthatd————dskunkBrown，who’sbackofhim，"saidDexterRice。

"Andwhatthen？"persistedJackson，withacertainshowofindependence。"Ifthisstuffbelongstothegirl，I’mnotcertainIshan’tgivethemupwithoutanyfuss。Lord！Iwantnothingbutwhattheoldmanleftme——andcertainlynothingofHERS。"

HereNedWyngatewasheardtomurmurthatJacksonwasoneofthosemenwhowouldliedownandletcoyotescrawloverhimiftheyfirstpresentedagirl’svisitingcard，buthewasstoppedbyRicedemandingpaperandpencil。Theformerbeingtornfromamemorandumbook，andastubofthelatterproducedfromanotherpocket，hewroteasfollows：——

SIR，——Inreplytothehogwashyouhavekindlyexudedinyourletterofto-day，IhavetoinformyouthatyoucanhavewhatyouaskforMissWells，andperhapsatrifleonyourownaccount，bycallingthisafternoonon——Yourstruly——

"Now，signit，"continuedRice，handinghimthepencil。

"Butthiswilllookasifwewereangryandwantedtokeeptheplants，"protestedWells。

"Neveryoumind，sonny，butsign！Leavetheresttoyourpartners，andwhenyoulayyourheadonyourpillowto-nightreturnthankstoanoverrulingProvidenceforprovidingyouwiththerightgangofruffianstolookafteryou！"

Wellssignedreluctantly，andWyngateofferedtofindaChinamaninthegulchwhowouldtakethemissive。"AndbeingaChinaman，Browncandoanycussin’orbucktalkTHROUGHhim！"headded。

Theafternoonworeon；thetallDouglaspinesnearthewaterpoolswheeledtheirlongshadowsroundandhalfwayuptheslope，andthesunbegantopeerintothefacesoftherecliningmen。Subtleodorsofmintandsouthern-wood，stragglersfromthegarden，bruisedbytheirlimbs，replacedthefumesoftheirsmoked-outpipes，andthehammersofthewoodpeckerswerebusyinthegroveastheylaylazilynibblingthefragrantleaveslikepeacefulruminants。Thencamethesoundofapproachingwheelsalongtheinvisiblehighwaybeyondthebuckeyes，andthenahaltandsilence。

Riceroseslowly，brightpinpointsinthepupilsofhisgrayeyes。

"Bringin’awagonwithhimtototethehullshantyaway，"suggestedWyngate。