第6章

"SYLVESTER。

"P。S。——Ofcoursehe’sgrownalittle，anddoesn’ttakethingsalwaysasquietlyashedid。HedroppedratherheavilyontwoofWatson’s’purps’lastweek，andsnatchedoldWatsonhimselfbaldheaded，forinterfering。YourememberWatson？Foranintelligentman，heknowsverylittleofCaliforniafauna。HowareyoufixedforbearsonMontgomeryStreet，Imeaninregardtocorralsandthings？S。

"P。P。S。——He’sgotsomenewtricks。Theboyshavebeenteachinghimtoputuphishandswiththem。Heslingsanuglyleft。S。"

IamafraidthatmydesiretopossessmyselfofBabyovercameallotherconsiderations；andItelegraphedanaffirmativeatoncetoSylvester。WhenIreachedmylodgingslatethatafternoon，mylandladywasawaitingmewithatelegram。ItwastwolinesfromSylvester，——

"Allright。Babygoesdownonnight-boat。Beafathertohim。

S。"

Itwasdue，then，atoneo’clockthatnight。ForamomentIwasstaggeredatmyownprecipitation。Ihadasyetmadenopreparations，hadsaidnothingtomylandladyabouthernewguest。

Iexpectedtoarrangeeverythingintime；andnow，throughSylvester’sindecenthaste，thattimehadbeenshortenedtwelvehours。

Something，however，mustbedoneatonce。IturnedtoMrs。Brown。

Ihadgreatrelianceinhermaternalinstincts：Ihadthatstillgreaterreliancecommontooursexinthegeneraltender-

heartednessofprettywomen。ButIconfessIwasalarmed。Yet，withafeeblesmile，Itriedtointroducethesubjectwithclassicaleaseandlightness。Ievensaid，"IfShakspeare’sAthenianclown，Mrs。Brown，believedthatalionamongladieswasadreadfulthing，whatmust"——ButhereIbrokedown；forMrs。

Brown，withtheawfulintuitionofhersex，Isawatoncewasmoreoccupiedwithmymannerthanmyspeech。SoItriedabusinessbrusquerie，and，placingthetelegraminherhand，saidhurriedly，"Wemustdosomethingaboutthisatonce。It’sperfectlyabsurd；

buthewillbehereatoneto-night。Begthousandpardons；butbusinesspreventedmyspeakingbefore"——andpausedoutofbreathandcourage。

Mrs。Brownreadthetelegramgravely，liftedherprettyeyebrows，turnedthepaperover，andlookedontheotherside，andthen，inaremoteandchillingvoice，askedmeifsheunderstoodmetosaythatthemotherwascomingalso。

"Oh，dearno！"Iexclaimedwithconsiderablerelief。"Themotherisdead，youknow。Sylvester，thatismyfriendwhosentthis，shotherwhenthebabywasonlythreedaysold。"ButtheexpressionofMrs。Brown’sfaceatthismomentwassoalarming，thatIsawthatnothingbutthefullestexplanationwouldsaveme。

Hastily，andIfearnotverycoherently，Itoldherall。

Sherelaxedsweetly。ShesaidIhadfrightenedherwithmytalkaboutlions。Indeed，IthinkmypictureofpoorBaby，albeitatriflehighlycolored，touchedhermotherlyheart。ShewasevenalittlevexedatwhatshecalledSylvester’s"hard-heartedness。"

StillIwasnotwithoutsomeapprehension。ItwastwomonthssinceIhadseenhim；andSylvester’svagueallusiontohis"slinginganuglyleft"painedme。IlookedatsympatheticlittleMrs。Brown；

andthethoughtofWatson’spupscoveredmewithguiltyconfusion。

Mrs。Brownhadagreedtositupwithmeuntilhearrived。Oneo’clockcame，butnoBaby。Twoo’clock，threeo’clock，passed。Itwasalmostfourwhentherewasawildclatterofhorses’hoofsoutside，andwithajerkawagonstoppedatthedoor。InaninstantIhadopenedit，andconfrontedastranger。Almostatthesamemoment，thehorsesattemptedtorunawaywiththewagon。

Thestranger’sappearancewas，tosaytheleast，disconcerting。

Hisclotheswerebadlytornandfrayed；hislinensackhungfromhisshoulderslikeaherald’sapron；oneofhishandswasbandaged；

hisfacescratched；andtherewasnohatonhisdishevelledhead。

Toaddtothegeneraleffect，hehadevidentlysoughtrelieffromhiswoesindrink；andheswayedfromsidetosideasheclungtothedoor-handle，and，inaverythickvoice，statedthathehad"suthin"formeoutside。Whenhehadfinished，thehorsesmadeanotherplunge。

Mrs。Brownthoughttheymustbefrightenedatsomething。

"Frightened！"laughedthestrangerwithbitterirony。"Oh，no！

Hossishain’tfrightened！On’yranawayfourtimeshcomin’here。

Oh，no！Nobody’sfrightened。Everythin’sallri’。Ain’tit，Bill？"hesaid，addressingthedriver。"On’ybeenoverboardtwish；

knockeddownahatchwayonce。Thashnothin’！On’ytwomenunnerdoctor’shan’satStockton。Thashnothin’！Sixhunnerdollarshcoveralldammish。"

Iwastoomuchdisheartenedtoreply，butmovedtowardthewagon。

Thestrangereyedmewithanastonishmentthatalmostsoberedhim。

"Doyoureckontotacklethatanimileyourself？"heasked，ashesurveyedmefromheadtofoot。

Ididnotspeak，but，withanappearanceofboldnessIwasfarfromfeeling，walkedtothewagon，andcalled"Baby！"

"Allri’。Cashloosethemstraps，Bill，andstan’clear。"

Thestrapswerecutloose；andBaby，theremorseless，theterrible，quietlytumbledtotheground，and，rollingtomyside，rubbedhisfoolishheadagainstme。

Ithinktheastonishmentofthetwomenwasbeyondanyvocalexpression。Withoutaword，thedrunkenstrangergotintothewagon，anddroveaway。

AndBaby？Hehadgrown，itistrue，atriflelarger；buthewasthin，andborethemarksofevidentillusage。Hisbeautifulcoatwasmattedandunkempt；andhisclaws，thosebrightsteelhooks，hadbeenruthlesslyparedtothequick。Hiseyeswerefurtiveandrestless；andtheoldexpressionofstupidgoodhumorhadchangedtooneofintelligentdistrust。Hisintercoursewithmankindhadevidentlyquickenedhisintellect，withoutbroadeninghismoralnature。

IhadgreatdifficultyinkeepingMrs。Brownfromsmotheringhiminblankets，andruininghisdigestionwiththedelicaciesofherlarder；butIatlastgothimcompletelyrolledupinthecornerofmyroom，andasleep。Ilayawakesometimelaterwithplansforhisfuture。IfinallydeterminedtotakehimtoOakland——whereI

hadbuiltalittlecottage，andalwaysspentmySundays——theverynextday。Andinthemidstofarosypictureofdomesticfelicity，Ifellasleep。

WhenIawoke，itwasbroadday。MyeyesatoncesoughtthecornerwhereBabyhadbeenlying；buthewasgone。Isprangfromthebed，lookedunderit，searchedthecloset，butinvain。Thedoorwasstilllocked；buttherewerethemarksofhisbluntedclawsuponthesillofthewindowthatIhadforgottentoclose。Hehadevidentlyescapedthatway。Butwhere？Thewindowopeneduponabalcony，towhichtheonlyotherentrancewasthroughthehall。Hemustbestillinthehouse。

Myhandwasalreadyuponthebell-rope；butIstayeditintime。

Ifhehadnotmadehimselfknown，whyshouldIdisturbthehouse？

Idressedmyselfhurriedly，andslippedintothehall。Thefirstobjectthatmetmyeyeswasabootlyinguponthestairs。ItborethemarksofBaby’steeth；and，asIlookedalongthehall，Isawtooplainlythattheusualarrayoffreshly-blackenedbootsandshoesbeforethelodgers’doorswasnotthere。AsIascendedthestairs，Ifoundanother，butwiththeblackingcarefullylickedoff。Onthethirdfloorweretwoorthreemoreboots，slightlymouthed；butatthispointBaby’stasteforblackinghadevidentlypalled。Alittlefartheronwasaladder，leadingtoanopenscuttle。Imountedtheladder，andreachedtheflatroof，thatformedacontinuouslevelovertherowofhousestothecornerofthestreet。Behindthechimneyontheverylastroof，somethingwaslurking。ItwasthefugitiveBaby。Hewascoveredwithdustanddirtandfragmentsofglass。Buthewassittingonhishind-

legs，andwaseatinganenormousslabofpeanutcandy，withalookofmingledguiltandinfinitesatisfaction。Heeven，Ifancied，slightlystrokedhisstomachwithhisdisengagedfore-pawasI

approached。HeknewthatIwaslookingforhim；andtheexpressionofhiseyesaidplainly，"Thepast，atleast，issecure。"

Ihurriedhim，withtheevidencesofhisguilt，backtothescuttle，anddescendedontiptoetothefloorbeneath。Providencefavoredus：Imetnooneonthestairs；andhisowncushionedtreadwasinaudible。Ithinkhewasconsciousofthedangersofdetection；forheevenforeboretobreathe，ormuchlesschewthelastmouthfulhehadtaken；andheskulkedatmysidewiththesirupdroppingfromhismotionlessjaws。Ithinkhewouldhavesilentlychokedtodeathjustthen，formysake；anditwasnotuntilIhadreachedmyroomagain，andthrewmyselfpantingonthesofa，thatIsawhownearstrangulationhehadbeen。Hegulpedonceortwiceapologetically，andthenwalkedtothecornerofhisownaccord，androlledhimselfuplikeanimmensesugarplum，sweatingremorseandtreacleateverypore。

IlockedhiminwhenIwenttobreakfast，whenIfoundMrs。Brown’slodgersinastateofintenseexcitementovercertainmysteriouseventsofthenightbefore，andthedreadfulrevelationsofthemorning。Itappearedthatburglarshadenteredtheblockfromthescuttles；that，beingsuddenlyalarmed，theyhadquittedourhousewithoutcommittinganydepredation，droppingeventhebootstheyhadcollectedinthehalls；butthatadesperateattempthadbeenmadetoforcethetillintheconfectioner’sshoponthecorner，andthattheglassshow-caseshadbeenruthlesslysmashed。A

courageousservantinNo。4hadseenamaskedburglar，onhishandsandknees，attemptingtoentertheirscuttle；but，onhershouting，"Awaywidyees！"heinstantlyfled。

Isatthroughthisrecitalwithcheeksthatburneduncomfortably；

norwasIthelessembarrassed，onraisingmyeyes，tomeetMrs。

Brown’sfixedcuriouslyandmischievouslyonmine。AssoonasI

couldmakemyescapefromthetable，Ididso，and，runningrapidlyupstairs，soughtrefugefromanypossibleinquiryinmyownroom。

Babywasstillasleepinthecorner。Itwouldnotbesafetoremovehimuntilthelodgershadgonedowntown；andIwasrevolvinginmymindtheexpediencyofkeepinghimuntilnightveiledhisobtrusiveeccentricityfromthepubliceye，whentherecameacautioustapatmydoor。Iopenedit。Mrs。Brownslippedinquietly，closedthedoorsoftly，stoodwithherbackagainstit，andherhandontheknob，andbeckonedmemysteriouslytowardsher。

Thensheaskedinalowvoice，——

"Ishair-dyepoisonous？"

Iwastooconfoundedtospeak。

"Oh，do！youknowwhatImean，"shesaidimpatiently。"Thisstuff。"SheproducedsuddenlyfrombehindherabottlewithaGreeklabelsolongastoruntwoorthreetimesspirallyarounditfromtoptobottom。"Hesaysitisn’tadye：it’savegetablepreparation，forinvigorating"——

"Whosays？"Iaskeddespairingly。

"Why，Mr。Parker，ofcourse！"saidMrs。Brownseverely，withtheairofhavingrepeatedthenameagreatmanytimes，——"theoldgentlemanintheroomabove。ThesimplequestionIwanttoask，"

shecontinuedwiththecalmmannerofonewhohasjustconvictedanotherofgrossambiguityoflanguage，"isonlythis：Ifsomeofthisstuffwereputinasaucer，andleftcarelesslyonthetable，andachild，orababy，oracat，oranyyounganimal，shouldcomeinatthewindow，anddrinkitup，——awholesaucerfull，——becauseithadasweettaste，woulditbelikelytohurtthem？"

IcastananxiousglanceatBaby，sleepingpeacefullyinthecorner，andaverygratefuloneatMrs。Brown，andsaidIdidn’tthinkitwould。

"Because，"saidMrs。Brownloftilyassheopenedthedoor，"I

thought，ifitwaspoisonous，remediesmightbeusedintime。

Because，"sheaddedsuddenly，abandoningherloftymanner，andwildlyrushingtothecornerwithafranticembraceoftheunconsciousBaby，"because，ifanynastystuffshouldturnitsboofulhairahorridgreen，oranaughtypink，itwouldbreakitsownmuzzer’sheart，itwould！"

But，beforeIcouldassureMrs。Brownoftheinefficiencyofhair-

dyeasaninternalapplication，shehaddartedfromtheroom。

Thatnight，withthesecrecyofdefaulters，BabyandIdecampedfromMrs。Brown’s。Distrustingthetooemotionalnatureofthatnobleanimal，thehorse，Ihadrecoursetoahandcart，drawnbyastoutIrishman，toconveymychargetotheferry。Eventhen，Babyrefusedtogo，unlessIwalkedbythecart，andattimesrodeinit。

"Iwish，"saidMrs。Brown，asshestoodbythedoor，wrappedinanimmenseshawl，andsawusdepart，"Iwishitlookedlesssolemn，——

lesslikeapauper’sfuneral。"

Imustadmit，that，asIwalkedbythecartthatnight，IfeltverymuchasifIwereaccompanyingtheremainsofsomehumblefriendtohislastresting-place；andthat，whenIwasobligedtorideinit，InevercouldentirelyconvincemyselfthatIwasnothelplesslyovercomebyliquor，orthevictimofanaccident，enroutetothehospital。Butatlastwereachedtheferry。Ontheboat，IthinknoonediscoveredBaby，exceptadrunkenman，whoapproachedmetoaskforalightforhiscigar，butwhosuddenlydroppedit，andfledindismaytothegentlemen’scabin，wherehisincoherentravingswereluckilytakenfortheearlierindicationsofdeliriumtremens。

ItwasnearlymidnightwhenIreachedmylittlecottageontheoutskirtsofOakland；anditwaswithafeelingofreliefandsecuritythatIentered，lockedthedoor，andturnedhimlooseinthehall，satisfiedthathenceforwardhisdepredationswouldbelimitedtomyownproperty。Hewasveryquietthatnight；andafterhehadtriedtomountthehatrack，underthemistakenimpressionthatitwasintendedforhisowngymnasticexercise，andknockedallthehatsoff，hewentpeaceablytosleepontherug。

Inaweek，withtheexerciseaffordedhimbytherunofalarge，carefully-boardedenclosure，herecoveredhishealth，strength，spirits，andmuchofhisformerbeauty。Hispresencewasunknowntomyneighbors，althoughitwasnoticeablethathorsesinvariably"shied"inpassingtothewindwardofmyhouse，andthatthebakerandmilkmanhadgreatdifficultyinthedeliveryoftheirwaresinthemorning，andindulgedinunseemlyandunnecessaryprofanityinsodoing。

Attheendoftheweek，IdeterminedtoinviteafewfriendstoseetheBaby，andtothatpurposewroteanumberofformalinvitations。

Afterdescanting，atsomelength，onthegreatexpenseanddangerattendinghiscaptureandtraining，Iofferedaprogrammeoftheperformance，ofthe"InfantPhenomenonofSierranSolitudes，"drawnupintothehighestprofessionalprofusionofalliterationandcapitalletters。Afewextractswillgivethereadersomeideaofhiseducationalprogress：——

1。Hewill，rolledupinaRoundBall，rolldowntheWood-ShedRapidly，illustratingHismannerofEscapingfromHisEnemyinHisNativeWilds。

2。HewillAscendtheWell-Pole，andremovefromtheVeryTopaHat，andasmuchoftheCrownandBrimthereof，asMaybePermitted。

3。Hewillperforminapantomime，descriptiveoftheConductoftheBigBear，TheMiddle-SizedBear，andTheLittleBearofthePopularNurseryLegend。

4。HewillshakehischainRapidly，showinghisMannerofstrikingDismayandTerrorintheBreastsofWanderersinUrsineWildernesses。

Themorningoftheexhibitioncame；butanhourbeforetheperformancethewretchedBabywasmissing。TheChinesecookcouldnotindicatehiswhereabouts。Isearchedthepremisesthoroughly；

andthen，indespair，tookmyhat，andhurriedoutintothenarrowlanethatledtowardtheopenfieldsandthewoodsbeyond。ButI

foundnotracenortrackofBabySylvester。Ireturned，afteranhour’sfruitlesssearch，tofindmyguestsalreadyassembledontherearveranda。Ibrieflyrecountedmydisappointment，myprobableloss，andbeggedtheirassistance。

"Why，"saidaSpanishfriend，whopridedhimselfonhisaccurateknowledgeofEnglish，toBarker，whoseemedtobetryingvainlytorisefromhisrecliningpositionontheveranda，"whydoyounotdisengageyourselffromtheverandaofourfriend？Andwhy，inthenameofHeaven，doyouattachtoyourselfsomuchofthisthing，andmaketoyourselfsuchunnecessarycontortion？Ah，"hecontinued，suddenlywithdrawingoneofhisownfeetfromtheverandawithanevidenteffort，"Iammyselfattached！Surelyitissomethinghere！"

Itevidentlywas。Myguestswereallrisingwithdifficulty。Theflooroftheverandawascoveredwithsomeglutinoussubstance。Itwas——sirup！

Isawitallinaflash。Irantothebarn。Thekegof"goldensirup，"purchasedonlythedaybefore，layemptyuponthefloor。

Therewerestickytracksallovertheenclosure，butstillnoBaby。

"There’ssomethingmovingthegroundovertherebythatpileofdirt，"saidBarker。

Hewasright。Theearthwasshakinginonecorneroftheenclosurelikeanearthquake。Iapproachedcautiously。Isaw，whatIhadnotbeforenoticed，thatthegroundwasthrownup；andthere，inthemiddleofanimmensegrave-likecavity，crouchedBabySylvester，stilldigging，andslowlybutsurelysinkingfromsightinamassofdustandclay。

Whatwerehisintentions？Whetherhewasstungbyremorse，andwishedtohidehimselffrommyreproachfuleyes，orwhetherhewassimplytryingtodryhissirup-besmearedcoat，Inevershallknow；

forthatday，alas！washislastwithme。

Hewaspumpeduponfortwohours，attheendofwhichtimehestillyieldedathintreacle。Hewasthentaken，andcarefullyinwrappedinblankets，andlockedupinthestore-room。Thenextmorninghewasgone！Thelowerportionofthewindowsashandpaneweregonetoo。Hissuccessfulexperimentsonthefragiletextureofglassattheconfectioner’s，onthefirstdayofhisentrancetocivilization，hadnotbeenlostuponhim。Hisfirstessayatcombiningcauseandeffectendedinhisescape。

Wherehewent，wherehehid，whocapturedhim，ifhedidnotsucceedinreachingthefoothillsbeyondOakland，eventheofferofalargereward，backedbytheeffortsofanintelligentpolice，couldnotdiscover。Ineversawhimagainfromthatdayuntil——

DidIseehim？Iwasinahorse-caronSixthAvenue，afewdaysago，whenthehorsessuddenlybecameunmanageable，andleftthetrackforthesidewalk，amidtheoathsandexecrationsofthedriver。Immediatelyinfrontofthecaracrowdhadgatheredaroundtwoperformingbearsandashowman。Oneoftheanimals，thin，emaciated，andthemerewreckofhisnativestrength，attractedmyattention。Iendeavoredtoattracthis。Heturnedapairofbleared，sightlesseyesinmydirection；buttherewasnosignofrecognition。Ileanedfromthecar-window，andcalledsoftly，"Baby！"Buthedidnotheed。Iclosedthewindow。Thecarwasjustmovingon，whenhesuddenlyturned，and，eitherbyaccidentordesign，thrustacallouspawthroughtheglass。

"It’sworthadollarandhalftoputinanewpane，"saidtheconductor，"iffolkswillplaywithbears！"

ANEPISODEOFFIDDLETOWN。

In1858Fiddletownconsideredheraveryprettywoman。Shehadaquantityoflightchestnuthair，agoodfigure，adazzlingcomplexion，andacertainlanguidgracewhichpassedeasilyforgentlewomanliness。Shealwaysdressedbecomingly，andinwhatFiddletownacceptedasthelatestfashion。Shehadonlytwoblemishes：oneofhervelvetyeyes，whenexaminedclosely，hadaslightcast；andherleftcheekboreasmallscarleftbyasingledropofvitriol——happilytheonlydropofanentirephial——thrownuponherbyoneofherownjealoussex，thatreachedtheprettyfaceitwasintendedtomar。But，whentheobserverhadstudiedtheeyessufficientlytonoticethisdefect，hewasgenerallyincapacitatedforcriticism；andeventhescaronhercheekwasthoughtbysometoaddpiquancytohersmile。Theyouthfuleditorof"TheFiddletownAvalanche"hadsaidprivatelythatitwas"anexaggerateddimple。"Col。Starbottlewasinstantly"remindedofthebeautifyingpatchesofthedaysofQueenAnne，butmoreparticularly，sir，oftheblankestbeautifulwomen，that，blankyou，youeverlaidyourtwoblankeyesupon，——aCreolewoman，sir，inNewOrleans。Andthiswomanhadascar，——alineextending，blankme，fromhereyetoherblankchin。Andthiswoman，sir，thrilledyou，sir；maddenedyou，sir；absolutelysentyourblanksoultoperditionwithherblankfascination！AndonedayIsaidtoher，’Celeste，howinblankdidyoucomebythatbeautifulscar，blankyou？’Andshesaidtome，’Star，thereisn’tanotherwhitemanthatI’dconfideinbutyou；butImadethatscarmyself，purposely，Idid，blankme。’Thesewereherverywords，sir，andperhapsyouthinkitablanklie，sir；butI’llputupanyblanksumyoucannameandproveit，blankme。"

Indeed，mostofthemalepopulationofFiddletownwereorhadbeeninlovewithher。Ofthisnumber，aboutone-halfbelievedthattheirlovewasreturned，withtheexception，possibly，ofherownhusband。Healonehadbeenknowntoexpressscepticism。

ThenameofthegentlemanwhoenjoyedthisinfelicitousdistinctionwasTretherick。HehadbeendivorcedfromanexcellentwifetomarrythisFiddletownenchantress。She，also，hadbeendivorced；

butitwashintedthatsomepreviousexperiencesofhersinthatlegalformalityhadmadeitperhapslessnovel，andprobablylesssacrificial。Iwouldnothaveitinferredfromthisthatshewasdeficientinsentiment，ordevoidofitshighestmoralexpression。

Herintimatefriendhadwritten（ontheoccasionofherseconddivorce），"ThecoldworlddoesnotunderstandClarayet；"andCol。

Starbottlehadremarkedblankly，thatwiththeexceptionofasinglewomaninOpelousasParish，La。，shehadmoresoulthanthewholecaboodleofthemputtogether。Fewindeedcouldreadthoselinesentitled"Infelissimus，"commencing，"Whywavesnocypresso’erthisbrow？"originallypublishedin"TheAvalanche，"overthesignatureof"TheLadyClare，"withoutfeelingthetearofsensibilitytrembleonhiseyelids，ortheglowofvirtuousindignationmantlehischeek，atthelowbrutalityandpitiablejocularityof"TheDutchFlatIntelligencer，"whichthenextweekhadsuggestedtheexoticcharacterofthecypress，anditsentireabsencefromFiddletown，asareasonableanswertothequery。

Indeed，itwasthistendencytoelaborateherfeelingsinametricalmanner，anddeliverthemtothecoldworldthroughthemediumofthenewspapers，thatfirstattractedtheattentionofTretherick。SeveralpoemsdescriptiveoftheeffectsofCaliforniasceneryuponatoosensitivesoul，andofthevagueyearningsfortheinfinite，whichanenforcedstudyoftheheartlessnessofCaliforniasocietyproducedinthepoeticbreast，impressedMr。

Tretherick，whowasthendrivingasix-mulefreight-wagonbetweenKnight’sFerryandStockton，toseekouttheunknownpoetess。Mr。

Tretherickwashimselfdimlyconsciousofacertainhiddensentimentinhisownnature；anditispossiblethatsomereflectionsonthevanityofhispursuit，——hesuppliedseveralmining-campswithwhiskeyandtobacco，——inconjunctionwiththedrearinessofthedustyplainonwhichhehabituallydrove，mayhavetouchedsomechordinsympathywiththissensitivewoman。

Howbeit，afterabriefcourtship，——asbriefaswasconsistentwithsomepreviouslegalformalities，——theyweremarried；andMr。

TretherickbroughthisblushingbridetoFiddletown，or"Fideletown，"asMrs。Tretherickpreferredtocallitinherpoems。

Theunionwasnotafelicitousone。ItwasnotlongbeforeMr。

TretherickdiscoveredthatthesentimenthehadfosteredwhilefreightingbetweenStocktonandKnight’sFerrywasdifferentfromthatwhichhiswifehadevolvedfromthecontemplationofCaliforniasceneryandherownsoul。Beingamanofimperfectlogic，thiscausedhimtobeather；andshe，beingequallyfaultyindeduction，wasimpelledtoacertaindegreeofunfaithfulnessonthesamepremise。ThenMr。Tretherickbegantodrink，andMrs。

Trethericktocontributeregularlytothecolumnsof"TheAvalanche。"ItwasatthistimethatCol。StarbottlediscoveredasimilarityinMrs。Tretherick’sversetothegeniusofSappho，andpointeditouttothecitizensofFiddletowninatwo-columnedcriticism，signed"A。S。，"alsopublishedin"TheAvalanche，"andsupportedbyextensivequotation。As"TheAvalanche"didnotpossessafontofGreektype，theeditorwasobligedtoreproducetheLeucadiannumbersintheordinaryRomanletter，totheintensedisgustofCol。Starbottle，andthevastdelightofFiddletown，whosawfittoacceptthetextasanexcellentimitationofChoctaw，——alanguagewithwhichthecolonel，asawhilomresidentoftheIndianTerritories，wassupposedtobefamiliar。Indeed，thenextweek’s"Intelligencer"containedsomeviledoggerel，supposedtobeananswertoMrs。Tretherick’spoem，ostensiblywrittenbythewifeofaDiggerIndianchief，accompaniedbyaglowingeulogium，signed"A。S。S。"

Theresultofthisjocularitywasbrieflygiveninalatercopyof"TheAvalanche。""AnunfortunaterencountertookplaceonMondaylast，betweentheHon。JacksonFlashof"TheDutchFlatIntelligencer"andthewell-knownCol。Starbottleofthisplace，infrontoftheEurekasaloon。Twoshotswerefiredbythepartieswithoutinjurytoeither，althoughitissaidthatapassingChinamanreceivedfifteenbuckshotinthecalvesofhislegsfromthecolonel’sdouble-barrelledshot-gun，whichwerenotintendedforhim。JohnwilllearntokeepoutofthewayofMelicanman’sfire-armshereafter。Thecauseoftheaffrayisnotknown，althoughitishintedthatthereisaladyinthecase。Therumorthatpointstoawell-knownandbeautifulpoetesswhoselucubrationshaveoftengracedourcolumnsseemstogaincredencefromthosethatareposted。"

MeanwhilethepassivenessdisplayedbyTretherickunderthesetryingcircumstanceswasfullyappreciatedinthegulches。"Theoldman’sheadislevel，"saidonelong-bootedphilosopher。"EfthecolonelkillsFlash，Mrs。Tretherickisavenged：ifFlashdropsthecolonel，Tretherickisallright。Eitherway，he’sgotasurething。"Duringthisdelicateconditionofaffairs，Mrs。Tretherickonedayleftherhusband’shome，andtookrefugeattheFiddletownHotel，withonlytheclothesshehadonherback。Hereshestaidforseveralweeks，duringwhichperioditisonlyjusticetosaythatsheboreherselfwiththestrictestpropriety。

ItwasaclearmorninginearlyspringthatMrs。Tretherick，unattended，leftthehotel，andwalkeddownthenarrowstreettowardthefringeofdarkpineswhichindicatedtheextremelimitsofFiddletown。Thefewloungersatthatearlyhourwerepre-

occupiedwiththedepartureoftheWingdowncoachattheotherextremityofthestreet；andMrs。Tretherickreachedthesuburbsofthesettlementwithoutdiscomposingobservation。Hereshetookacrossstreetorroad，runningatrightangleswiththemainthoroughfareofFiddletown，andpassingthroughabeltofwoodland。

Itwasevidentlytheexclusiveandaristocraticavenueofthetown。

Thedwellingswerefew，ambitious，anduninterruptedbyshops。AndhereshewasjoinedbyCol。Starbottle。

Thegallantcolonel，notwithstandingthatheboretheswellingportwhichusuallydistinguishedhim，thathiscoatwastightlybuttoned，andhisbootstightlyfitting，andthathiscane，hookedoverhisarm，swungjauntily，wasnotentirelyathisease。Mrs。

Tretherick，however，vouchsafedhimagracioussmileandaglanceofherdangerouseyes；andthecolonel，withanembarrassedcoughandaslightstrut，tookhisplaceatherside。

"Thecoastisclear，"saidthecolonel，"andTretherickisoveratDutchFlatonaspree。ThereisnooneinthehousebutaChinaman；andyouneedfearnotroublefromhim。I，"hecontinued，withaslightinflationofthechestthatimperilledthesecurityofhisbutton，"Iwillseethatyouareprotectedintheremovalofyourproperty。"

"I’msureit’sverykindofyou，andsodisinterested！"simperedtheladyastheywalkedalong。"It’ssopleasanttomeetsomeonewhohassoul，——someonetosympathizewithinacommunitysohardenedandheartlessasthis。"AndMrs。Tretherickcastdownhereyes，butnotuntiltheywroughttheirperfectandacceptedworkuponhercompanion。

"Yes，certainly，ofcourse，"saidthecolonel，glancingnervouslyupanddownthestreet，——"yes，certainly。"Perceiving，however，thattherewasnooneinsightorhearing，heproceededatoncetoinformMrs。Tretherickthatthegreattroubleofhislife，infact，hadbeenthepossessionoftoomuchsoul。Thatmanywomen——asagentlemanshewouldexcusehim，ofcourse，frommentioningnames——

butmanybeautifulwomenhadoftensoughthissociety，butbeingdeficient，madam，absolutelydeficient，inthisquality，hecouldnotreciprocate。Butwhentwonaturesthoroughlyinsympathy，despisingalikethesordidtrammelsofalowandvulgarcommunity，andtheconventionalrestraintsofahypocriticalsociety，——whentwosoulsinperfectaccordmetandmingledinpoeticalunion，then——butherethecolonel’sspeech，whichhadbeenremarkableforacertainwhiskey-and-wateryfluency，grewhusky，almostinaudible，anddecidedlyincoherent。PossiblyMrs。Tretherickmayhaveheardsomethinglikeitbefore，andwasenabledtofillthehiatus。

Nevertheless，thecheekthatwasonthesideofthecolonelwasquitevirginalandbashfullyconsciousuntiltheyreachedtheirdestination。

Itwasaprettylittlecottage，quitefreshandwarmwithpaint，verypleasantlyrelievedagainstaplatoonofpines，someofwhoseforemostfileshadbeendisplacedtogivefreedomtothefencedenclosureinwhichitsat。Inthevividsunlightandperfectsilence，ithadanew，uninhabitedlook，asifthecarpentersandpaintershadjustleftit。Atthefartherendofthelot，aChinamanwasstolidlydigging；buttherewasnoothersignofoccupancy。"Thecoast，"asthecolonelhadsaid，wasindeed"clear。"Mrs。Tretherickpausedatthegate。Thecolonelwouldhaveenteredwithher，butwasstoppedbyagesture。"Comeformeinacoupleofhours，andIshallhaveeverythingpacked，"shesaid，asshesmiled，andextendedherhand。Thecolonelseizedandpresseditwithgreatfervor。Perhapsthepressurewasslightlyreturned；forthegallantcolonelwasimpelledtoinflatehischest，andtripawayassmartlyashisstubby-toed，high-heeledbootswouldpermit。Whenhehadgone，Mrs。Tretherickopenedthedoor，listenedamomentinthedesertedhall，andthenranquicklyupstairstowhathadbeenherbedroom。

Everythingtherewasunchangedasonthenightsheleftit。Onthedressing-tablestoodherbandbox，assherememberedtohaveleftitwhenshetookoutherbonnet。Onthemantlelaytheothergloveshehadforgotteninherflight。Thetwolowerdrawersofthebureauwerehalfopen（shehadforgottentoshutthem）；andonitsmarbletoplayhershawl-pinandasoiledcuff。WhatotherrecollectionscameuponherIknownot；butshesuddenlygrewquitewhite，shivered，andlistenedwithabeatingheart，andherhanduponthedoor。Thenshesteppedtothemirror，andhalffearfully，halfcuriously，partedwithherfingersthebraidsofherblondehairaboveherlittlepinkear，untilshecameuponanugly，half-

healedscar。Shegazedatthis，movingherprettyheadupanddowntogetabetterlightuponit，untiltheslightcastinhervelvetyeyesbecameverystronglymarkedindeed。Thensheturnedawaywithalight，reckless，foolishlaugh，andrantotheclosetwherehungherpreciousdresses。Thesesheinspectednervously，andmissingsuddenlyafavoriteblacksilkfromitsaccustomedpeg，foramoment，thoughtsheshouldhavefainted。Butdiscoveringitthenextinstantlyinguponatrunkwhereshehadthrownit，afeelingofthankfulnesstoasuperiorBeingwhoprotectsthefriendless，forthefirsttimesincerelythrilledher。Then，albeitshewashurriedfortime，shecouldnotresisttryingtheeffectofacertainlavenderneck-ribbonuponthedressshewasthenwearing，beforethemirror。Andthensuddenlyshebecameawareofachild’svoiceclosebesideher，andshestopped。Andthenthechild’svoicerepeated，"Isitmamma？"

Mrs。Tretherickfacedquicklyabout。Standinginthedoorwaywasalittlegirlofsixorseven。Herdresshadbeenoriginallyfine，butwastornanddirty；andherhair，whichwasaveryviolentred，wastumbledserio-comicallyaboutherforehead。Forallthis，shewasapicturesquelittlething，eventhroughwhosechildishtimiditytherewasacertainself-sustainedairwhichisapttocomeuponchildrenwhoareleftmuchtothemselves。Shewasholdingunderherarmaragdoll，apparentlyofherownworkmanship，andnearlyaslargeasherself，——adollwithacylindricalhead，andfeaturesroughlyindicatedwithcharcoal。Alongshawl，evidentlybelongingtoagrownperson，droppedfromhershoulders，andsweptthefloor。

ThespectacledidnotexciteMrs。Tretherick’sdelight。Perhapsshehadbutasmallsenseofhumor。Certainly，whenthechild，stillstandinginthedoorway，againasked，"Isitmamma？"sheansweredsharply，"No，itisn’t，"andturnedaseverelookupontheintruder。

Thechildretreatedastep，andthen，gainingcouragewiththedistance，saidindeliciouslyimperfectspeech，——

"Dow’waythen！whydon’tyoudowaway？"

ButMrs。Tretherickwaseyingtheshawl。Suddenlyshewhippeditoffthechild’sshoulders，andsaidangrily，——

"Howdaredyoutakemythings，youbadchild？"

"Isityours？Thenyouaremymamma；ain’tyou？Youaremamma！"

shecontinuedgleefully；and，beforeMrs。Tretherickcouldavoidher，shehaddroppedherdoll，and，catchingthewoman’sskirtswithbothhands，wasdancingupanddownbeforeher。

"What’syourname，child？"saidMrs。Tretherickcoldly，removingthesmallandnotverywhitehandsfromhergarments。

"Tarry。"

"Tarry？"

"Yeth。Tarry。Tarowline。"

"Caroline？"

"Yeth。TarowlineTretherick。"

"WhosechildAREyou？"demandedMrs。Tretherickstillmorecoldly，tokeepdownarisingfear。

"Why，yours，"saidthelittlecreaturewithalaugh。"I’myourlittledurl。You’remymamma，mynewmamma。Don’tyouknowmyolemamma’sdornaway，nevertoturnbackanymore？Idon’tlivewidmyol’mammanow。Ilivewidyouandpapa。"

"Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？"askedMrs。Trethericksnappishly。

"Ifinkit’sfreedays，"saidCarryreflectively。

"Youthink！Don’tyouknow？"sneeredMrs。Tretherick。"Then，wheredidyoucomefrom？"

Carry’slipbegantoworkunderthissharpcross-examination。Withagreateffortandasmallgulp，shegotthebetterofit，andanswered，——

"Papa，papafetchedme，——fromMissSimmons——fromSacramento，lastweek。"

"Lastweek！Yousaidthreedaysjustnow，"returnedMrs。Tretherickwithseveredeliberation。

"Imeanamonf，"saidCarry，nowutterlyadriftinsheerhelplessnessandconfusion。

"Doyouknowwhatyouaretalkingabout？"demandedMrs。Tretherickshrilly，restraininganimpulsetoshakethelittlefigurebeforeher，andprecipitatethetruthbyspecificgravity。

ButtheflamingredheadheresuddenlydisappearedinthefoldsofMrs。Tretherick’sdress，asifitweretryingtoextinguishitselfforever。

"Therenow——stopthatsniffling，"saidMrs。Tretherick，extricatingherdressfromthemoistembracesofthechild，andfeelingexceedinglyuncomfortable。"Wipeyourfacenow，andrunaway，anddon’tbother。Stop，"shecontinued，asCarrymovedaway。"Where’syourpapa？"

"He’sdornawaytoo。He’ssick。He’sbeendorn"——shehesitated——

"two，free，days。"

"Whotakescareofyou，child？"saidMrs。Tretherick，eyinghercuriously。

"John，theChinaman。Itressesmyselth。Johntooksandmakesthebeds。"

"Well，now，runawayandbehaveyourself，anddon’tbothermeanymore，"saidMrs。Tretherick，rememberingtheobjectofhervisit。

"Stop——whereareyougoing？"sheadded，asthechildbegantoascendthestairs，draggingthelongdollafterherbyonehelplessleg。

"Doinupstairstoplayandbedood，andnobothermamma。"

"Iain’tyourmamma，"shoutedMrs。Tretherick，andthensheswiftlyre-enteredherbedroom，andslammedthedoor。

Onceinside，shedrewforthalargetrunkfromthecloset，andsettoworkwithquerulousandfretfulhastetopackherwardrobe。Shetoreherbestdressintakingitfromthehookonwhichithung：

shescratchedhersofthandstwicewithanambushedpin。Allthewhile，shekeptupanindignantcommentaryontheeventsofthepastfewmoments。Shesaidtoherselfshesawitall。Tretherickhadsentforthischildofhisfirstwife——thischildofwhoseexistencehehadneverseemedtocare——justtoinsulther，tofillherplace。Doubtlessthefirstwifeherselfwouldfollowsoon，orperhapstherewouldbeathird。Redhair，notauburn，butRED，——ofcoursethechild，thisCaroline，lookedlikeitsmother，and，ifso，shewasanythingbutpretty。Orthewholethinghadbeenprepared：thisred-hairedchild，theimageofitsmother，hadbeenkeptataconvenientdistanceatSacramento，readytobesentforwhenneeded。Sherememberedhisoccasionalvisitsthereon——

business，ashesaid。Perhapsthemotheralreadywasthere；butno，shehadgoneEast。Nevertheless，Mrs。Tretherick，inherthenstateofmind，preferredtodwelluponthefactthatshemightbethere。Shewasdimlyconscious，also，ofacertainsatisfactioninexaggeratingherfeelings。Surelynowomanhadeverbeensoshamefullyabused。Infancy，shesketchedapictureofherselfsittingaloneanddeserted，atsunset，amongthefallencolumnsofaruinedtemple，inamelancholyyetgracefulattitude，whileherhusbanddroverapidlyawayinaluxuriouscoach-and-four，withared-hairedwomanathisside。Sittinguponthetrunkshehadjustpacked，shepartlycomposedalugubriouspoem，describinghersufferings，as，wanderingalone，andpoorlyclad，shecameuponherhusbandand"another"flauntinginsilksanddiamonds。Shepicturedherselfdyingofconsumption，broughtonbysorrow，——abeautifulwreck，yetstillfascinating，gazeduponadoringlybytheeditorof"TheAvalanche，"andCol。Starbottle。AndwherewasCol。

Starbottleallthiswhile？Whydidn’thecome？He，atleast，understoodher。He——shelaughedthereckless，lightlaughofafewmomentsbefore；andthenherfacesuddenlygrewgrave，asithadnotafewmomentsbefore。

Whatwasthatlittlered-hairedimpdoingallthistime？Whywasshesoquiet？Sheopenedthedoornoiselessly，andlistened。Shefanciedthatsheheard，abovethemultitudinoussmallnoisesandcreakingsandwarpingsofthevacanthouse，asmallervoicesingingonthefloorabove。This，assheremembered，wasonlyanopenatticthathadbeenusedasastoreroom。Withahalf-guiltyconsciousness，shecreptsoftlyupstairs，and，pushingthedoorpartlyopen，lookedwithin。

Athwartthelong，low-studdedattic，aslantsunbeamfromasinglesmallwindowlay，filledwithdancingmotes，andonlyhalfilluminatingthebarren，drearyapartment。Intherayofthissunbeamshesawthechild’sglowinghair，asifcrownedbyaredaureola，asshesatuponthefloorwithherexaggerateddollbetweenherknees。Sheappearedtobetalkingtoit；anditwasnotlongbeforeMrs。Tretherickobservedthatshewasrehearsingtheinterviewofahalf-hourbefore。Shecatechisedthedollseverely，cross-examiningitinregardtothedurationofitsstaythere，andgenerallyonthemeasureoftime。TheimitationofMrs。

Tretherick’smannerwasexceedinglysuccessful，andtheconversationalmostaliteralreproduction，withasingleexception。Aftershehadinformedthedollthatshewasnothermother，atthecloseoftheinterviewsheaddedpathetically，"thatifshewasdood，verydood，shemightbehermamma，andloveherverymuch。"

IhavealreadyhintedthatMrs。Tretherickwasdeficientinasenseofhumor。Perhapsitwasforthisreasonthatthiswholesceneaffectedhermostunpleasantly；andtheconclusionsentthebloodtinglingtohercheek。Therewassomething，too，inconceivablylonelyinthesituation。Theunfurnishedvacantroom，thehalf-

lights，themonstrousdoll，whoseverysizeseemedtogiveapatheticsignificancetoitsspeechlessness，thesmallnessoftheoneanimate，self-centredfigure，——allthesetouchedmoreorlessdeeplythehalf-poeticsensibilitiesofthewoman。Shecouldnothelputilizingtheimpressionasshestoodthere，andthoughtwhatafinepoemmightbeconstructedfromthismaterial，iftheroomwerealittledarker，thechildlonelier，——say，sittingbesideadeadmother’sbier，andthewindwailingintheturrets。Andthenshesuddenlyheardfootstepsatthedoorbelow，andrecognizedthetreadofthecolonel’scane。

Sheflewswiftlydownthestairs，andencounteredthecolonelinthehall。Hereshepouredintohisastonishedearavolubleandexaggeratedstatementofherdiscovery，andindignantrecitalofherwrongs。"Don’ttellmethewholethingwasn’tarrangedbeforehand；forIknowitwas！"shealmostscreamed。"Andthink，"

sheadded，"oftheheartlessnessofthewretch，leavinghisownchildalonehereinthatway。"

"It’sablankshame！"stammeredthecolonelwithouttheleastideaofwhathewastalkingabout。Infact，utterlyunableashewastocomprehendareasonforthewoman’sexcitementwithhisestimateofhercharacter，Ifearheshoweditmoreplainlythanheintended。

Hestammered，expandedhischest，lookedstern，gallant，tender，butallunintelligently。Mrs。Tretherick，foraninstant，experiencedasickeningdoubtoftheexistenceofnaturesinperfectaffinity。

"It’sofnouse，"saidMrs。Tretherickwithsuddenvehemence，inanswertosomeinaudibleremarkofthecolonel’s，andwithdrawingherhandfromtheferventgraspofthatardentandsympatheticman。