第7章

"It’sofnouse：mymindismadeup。Youcansendformytrunkassoonasyoulike；butIshallstayhere，andconfrontthatmanwiththeproofofhisvileness。Iwillputhimfacetofacewithhisinfamy。"

IdonotknowwhetherCol。StarbottlethoroughlyappreciatedtheconvincingproofofTretherick’sunfaithfulnessandmalignityaffordedbythedamningevidenceoftheexistenceofTretherick’sownchildinhisownhouse。Hewasdimlyaware，however，ofsomeunforeseenobstacletotheperfectexpressionoftheinfinitelongingofhisownsentimentalnature。But，beforehecouldsayanything，Carryappearedonthelandingabovethem，lookingtimidly，andyethalf-criticallyatthepair。

"That’sher，"saidMrs。Tretherickexcitedly。Inherdeepestemotions，eitherinverseorprose，sheroseaboveaconsiderationofgrammaticalconstruction。

"Ah！"saidthecolonel，withasuddenassumptionofparentalaffectionandjocularitythatwasglaringlyunrealandaffected。

"Ah！prettylittlegirl，prettylittlegirl！Howdoyoudo？Howareyou？Youfindyourselfprettywell，doyou，prettylittlegirl？"Thecolonel’simpulsealsowastoexpandhischest，andswinghiscane，untilitoccurredtohimthatthisactionmightbeineffectivewithachildofsixorseven。Carry，however，tooknoimmediatenoticeofthisadvance，butfurtherdiscomposedthechivalrouscolonelbyrunningquicklytoMrs。Tretherick，andhidingherself，asifforprotection，inthefoldsofhergown。

Nevertheless，thecolonelwasnotvanquished。Fallingbackintoanattitudeofrespectfuladmiration，hepointedoutamarvellousresemblancetothe"MadonnaandChild。"Mrs。Trethericksimpered，butdidnotdislodgeCarryasbefore。Therewasanawkwardpauseforamoment；andthenMrs。Tretherick，motioningsignificantlytothechild，saidinawhisper，"Gonow。Don’tcomehereagain，butmeetmeto-nightatthehotel。"Sheextendedherhand：thecolonelbentoveritgallantly，and，raisinghishat，thenextmomentwasgone。

"Doyouthink，"saidMrs。Tretherickwithanembarrassedvoiceandaprodigiousblush，lookingdown，andaddressingthefierycurlsjustvisibleinthefoldsofherdress，——"doyouthinkyouwillbe’dood，’ifIletyoustayinhereandsitwithme？"

"Andletmetallyoumamma？"queriedCarry，lookingup。

"Andletyoucallmemamma！"assentedMrs。Tretherickwithanembarrassedlaugh。

"Yeth，"saidCarrypromptly。

Theyenteredthebedroomtogether。Carry’seyeinstantlycaughtsightofthetrunk。

"Areyoudowinawayadain，mamma？"shesaidwithaquicknervouslook，andaclutchatthewoman’sdress。

"No-o，"saidMrs。Tretherick，lookingoutofthewindow。

"Onlyplayingyourdowinaway，"suggestedCarrywithalaugh。"Letmeplaytoo。"

Mrs。Tretherickassented。Carryflewintothenextroom，andpresentlyre-appeared，draggingasmalltrunk，intowhichshegravelyproceededtopackherclothes。Mrs。Trethericknoticedthattheywerenotmany。Aquestionortworegardingthembroughtoutsomefurtherrepliesfromthechild；and，beforemanyminuteshadelapsed，Mrs。Tretherickwasinpossessionofallherearlierhistory。But，todothis，Mrs。TretherickhadbeenobligedtotakeCarryuponherlap，pendingthemostconfidentialdisclosures。

TheysatthusalongtimeafterMrs。TretherickhadapparentlyceasedtobeinterestedinCarry’sdisclosures；and，whenlostinthought，sheallowedthechildtorattleonunheeded，andranherfingersthroughthescarletcurls。

"Youdon’tholdmeright，mamma，"saidCarryatlast，afteroneortwouneasyshiftingsofposition。

"HowshouldIholdyou？"askedMrs。Tretherickwithahalf-amused，half-embarrassedlaugh。

"Disway，"saidCarry，curlingupintoposition，withonearmaroundMrs。Tretherick’sneck，andhercheekrestingonherbosom，——

"disway，——dere。"Afteralittlepreparatorynestling，notunlikesomesmallanimal，sheclosedhereyes，andwenttosleep。

Forafewmomentsthewomansatsilent，scarcelydaringtobreatheinthatartificialattitude。Andthen，whetherfromsomeoccultsympathyinthetouch，orGodbestknowswhat，asuddenfancybegantothrillher。Shebeganbyrememberinganoldpainthatshehadforgotten，anoldhorrorthatshehadresolutelyputawayalltheseyears。Sherecalleddaysofsicknessanddistrust，——daysofanovershadowingfear，——daysofpreparationforsomethingthatwastobeprevented，thatWASprevented，withmortalagonyandfear。Shethoughtofalifethatmighthavebeen，——shedarednotsayHAD

been，——andwondered。Itwassixyearsago：ifithadlived，itwouldhavebeenasoldasCarry。Thearmswhichwerefoldedlooselyaroundthesleepingchildbegantotremble，andtightentheirclasp。Andthenthedeeppotentialimpulsecame，andwithahalf-sob，half-sigh，shethrewherarmsout，anddrewthebodyofthesleepingchilddown，down，intoherbreast，downagainandagainasifshewouldhideitinthegravedugthereyearsbefore。

Andthegustthatshookherpassed，andthen，ahme！therain。

AdroportwofelluponthecurlsofCarry，andshemoveduneasilyinhersleep。Butthewomansoothedheragain，——itwassoeasytodoitnow，——andtheysattherequietandundisturbed，soquietthattheymighthaveseemedincorporateofthelonelysilenthouse，theslowly-decliningsunbeams，andthegeneralairofdesertionandabandonment，yetadesertionthathadinitnothingofage，decay，ordespair。

Col。StarbottlewaitedattheFiddletownhotelallthatnightinvain。Andthenextmorning，whenMr。Tretherickreturnedtohishusks，hefoundthehousevacantanduntenanted，exceptbymotesandsunbeams。

WhenitwasfairlyknownthatMrs。Tretherickhadrunaway，takingMr。Tretherick’sownchildwithher，therewassomeexcitement，andmuchdiversityofopinion，inFiddletown。"TheDutchFlatIntelligencer"openlyalludedtothe"forcibleabduction"ofthechildwiththesamefreedom，anditistobefearedthesameprejudice，withwhichithadcriticisedtheabductor’spoetry。AllofMrs。Tretherick’sownsex，andperhapsafewoftheoppositesex，whosedistinctivequalitywasnot，however，verystronglyindicated，fullycoincidedintheviewsof"TheIntelligencer。"

Themajority，however，evadedthemoralissue：thatMrs。TretherickhadshakenthereddustofFiddletownfromherdaintyslipperswasenoughforthemtoknow。Theymournedthelossofthefairabductormorethanheroffence。TheypromptlyrejectedTretherickasaninjuredhusbandanddisconsolatefather，andevenwentsofarastoopenlycastdiscreditonthesincerityofhisgrief。TheyreservedanironicalcondolenceforCol。Starbottle，overbearingthatexcellentmanwithuntimelyanddemonstrativesympathyinbar-

rooms，saloons，andotherlocalitiesnotgenerallydeemedfavorabletothedisplayofsentiment。"Shewasallizaskittishthing，kernel，"saidonesympathizer，withafineaffectationofgloomyconcern，andgreatreadinessofillustration；"andit’skindernat’rilthetshe’dgetawaysomeday，andstampedethattheercolt：

butthetsheshouldshakeYOU，kernel，thetsheshouldjustshakeyou——iswhatgitsme。Andtheydosaythetyoujisthungaroundthethotelallnight，andpayrolledthemcorriders，andhistedyourselfupanddownthemstairs，andmeanderedinandouto’thetpiazzy，andallfornothing？"Itwasanothergenerousandtenderlycommiseratingspiritthatpouredadditionaloilandwineonthecolonel’swounds。"TheboysyerletonthetMrs。Tretherickprevailedonyetopackhertrunkandababyoverfromthehousetothestage-offis，andthatthechapezdidgooffwithherthankedyou，andofferedyoutwoshortbits，andsedezhowhelikedyourlooks，andudemployyouagin——andnowyousayitain’tso？Well，I’lltelltheboysitaintso，andI’mgladImetyou，forstoriesDOgetround。"

HappilyforMrs。Tretherick’sreputation，however，theChinamaninTretherick’semployment，whowastheonlyeye-witnessofherflight，statedthatshewasunaccompanied，exceptbythechild。Hefurtherdeposed，that，obeyingherorders，hehadstoppedtheSacramentocoach，andsecuredapassageforherselfandchildtoSanFrancisco。ItwastruethatAhFe’stestimonywasofnolegalvalue。Butnobodydoubtedit。EventhosewhowerescepticalofthePagan’sabilitytorecognizethesacrednessofthetruthadmittedhispassionless，unprejudicedunconcern。Butitwouldappear，fromahithertounrecordedpassageofthisveraciouschronicle，thathereintheyweremistaken。

ItwasaboutsixmonthsafterthedisappearanceofMrs。Tretherick，thatAhFe，whileworkinginTretherick’slot，washailedbytwopassingChinamen。Theyweretheordinaryminingcoolies，equippedwithlongpolesandbasketsfortheirusualpilgrimages。AnanimatedconversationatonceensuedbetweenAhFeandhisbrotherMongolians，——aconversationcharacterizedbythatusualshrillvolubilityandapparentanimositywhichwasatoncethedelightandscornoftheintelligentCaucasianwhodidnotunderstandawordofit。Such，atleast，wasthefeelingwithwhichMr。Tretherickonhisveranda，andCol。Starbottlewhowaspassing，regardedtheirheathenishjargon。Thegallantcolonelsimplykickedthemoutofhisway：theirateTretherick，withanoath，threwastoneatthegroup，anddispersedthem。butnotbeforeoneortwoslipsofyellowrice-paper，markedwithhieroglyphics，wereexchanged，andasmallparcelputintoAhFe’shands。WhenAhFeopenedthisinthedimsolitudeofhiskitchen，hefoundalittlegirl’sapron，freshlywashed，ironed，andfolded。Onthecornerofthehemweretheinitials"C。T。"AhFetuckeditawayinacornerofhisblouse，andproceededtowashhisdishesinthesinkwithasmileofguilelesssatisfaction。

Twodaysafterthis，AhFeconfrontedhismaster。"MenolikeeFiddletown。Mebellysick。Megonow。"Mr。Tretherickviolentlysuggestedaprofanelocality。AhFegazedathimplacidly，andwithdrew。

BeforeleavingFiddletown，however，heaccidentallymetCol。

Starbottle，anddroppedafewincoherentphraseswhichapparentlyinterestedthatgentleman。Whenheconcluded，thecolonelhandedhimaletterandatwenty-dollargold-piece。"Ifyoubringmeananswer，I’lldoublethat——Sabe，John？"AhFenodded。Aninterviewequallyaccidental，withpreciselythesameresult，tookplacebetweenAhFeandanothergentleman，whomIsuspecttohavebeentheyouthfuleditorof"TheAvalanche。"YetIregrettostate，that，afterproceedingsomedistanceonhisjourney，AhFecalmlybrokethesealsofbothletters，and，aftertryingtoreadthemupsidedownandsideways，finallydividedthemintoaccuratesquares，andinthisconditiondisposedofthemtoabrotherCelestialwhomhemetontheroad，foratriflinggratuity。TheagonyofCol。Starbottleonfindinghiswash-billmadeoutontheunwrittensideofoneofthesesquares，anddeliveredtohimwithhisweeklycleanclothes，andthesubsequentdiscoverythattheremainingportionsofhisletterwerecirculatedbythesamemethodfromtheChineselaundryofoneFungTiofFiddletown，hasbeendescribedtomeaspeculiarlyaffecting。YetIamsatisfiedthatahighernature，risingabovethelevityinducedbythemerecontemplationoftheinsignificantdetailsofthisbreachoftrust，wouldfindampleretributivejusticeinthedifficultiesthatsubsequentlyattendedAhFe’spilgrimage。

OntheroadtoSacramentohewastwiceplayfullythrownfromthetopofthestage-coachbyanintelligentbutdeeply-intoxicatedCaucasian，whosemoralnaturewasshockedatridingwithoneaddictedtoopium-smoking。AtHangtownhewasbeatenbyapassingstranger，——purelyanactofChristiansupererogation。AtDutchFlathewasrobbedbywell-knownhandsfromunknownmotives。AtSacramentohewasarrestedonsuspicionofbeingsomethingorother，anddischargedwithaseverereprimand——possiblyfornotbeingit，andsodelayingthecourseofjustice。AtSanFranciscohewasfreelystonedbychildrenofthepublicschools；but，bycarefullyavoidingthesemonumentsofenlightenedprogress，heatlastreached，incomparativesafety，theChinesequarters，wherehisabusewasconfinedtothepolice，andlimitedbythestrongarmofthelaw。

Thenextdayheenteredthewash-houseofChyFookasanassistant，andonthefollowingFridaywassentwithabasketofcleanclothestoChyFook’sseveralclients。

Itwastheusualfoggyafternoonasheclimbedthelongwind-swepthillofCaliforniaStreet，——oneofthosebleak，grayintervalsthatmadethesummeramisnomertoanybuttheliveliestSanFranciscanfancy。Therewasnowarmthorcolorinearthorsky，nolightnorshadewithinorwithout，onlyonemonotonous，universalneutraltintovereverything。Therewasafierceunrestinthewind-

whippedstreets：therewasadrearyvacantquietinthegrayhouses。WhenAhFereachedthetopofthehill，theMissionRidgewasalreadyhidden；andthechillsea-breezemadehimshiver。Asheputdownhisbaskettoresthimself，itispossible，that，tohisdefectiveintelligenceandheathenexperience，this"God’sownclimate，"asitwascalled，seemedtopossessbutscanttenderness，softness，ormercy。ButitispossiblethatAhFeillogicallyconfoundedthisseasonwithhisoldpersecutors，theschool-

children，who，beingreleasedfromstudiousconfinement，atthishourweregenerallymostaggressive。Sohehastenedon，and，turningacorner，atlaststoppedbeforeasmallhouse。

ItwastheusualSanFranciscanurbancottage。Therewasthelittlestripofcoldgreenshrubberybeforeit；thechilly，bareveranda，andabovethis，again，thegrimbalcony，onwhichnoonesat。AhFerangthebell。Aservantappeared，glancedathisbasket，andreluctantlyadmittedhim，asifheweresomenecessarydomesticanimal。AhFesilentlymountedthestairs，and，enteringtheopendoorofthefront-chamber，putdownthebasket，andstoodpassivelyonthethreshold。

Awoman，whowassittinginthecoldgraylightofthewindow，withachildinherlap，roselistlessly，andcametowardhim。AhFeinstantlyrecognizedMrs。Tretherick；butnotamuscleofhisimmobilefacechanged，nordidhisslanteyeslightenashemetherownplacidly。Sheevidentlydidnotrecognizehimasshebegantocounttheclothes。Butthechild，curiouslyexamininghim，suddenlyutteredashort，gladcry。

"Why，it’sJohn，mamma！It’souroldJohnwhatwehadinFiddletown。"

ForaninstantAhFe’seyesandteethelectricallylightened。Thechildclappedherhands，andcaughtathisblouse。Thenhesaidshortly，"MeJohn——AhFe——alleesame。Meknowyou。Howdo？"

Mrs。Tretherickdroppedtheclothesnervously，andlookedhardatAhFe。Wantingthequick-wittedinstinctofaffectionthatsharpenedCarry’sperception，sheeventhencouldnotdistinguishhimabovehisfellows。Witharecollectionofpastpain，andanobscuresuspicionofimpendingdanger，sheaskedhimwhenhehadleftFiddletown。

"Longeetime。NolikeeFiddletown，nolikeeTlevelick。LikeeSanFlisco。Likeewashee。LikeeTally。"

AhFe’slaconicspleasedMrs。Tretherick。ShedidnotstoptoconsiderhowmuchanimperfectknowledgeofEnglishaddedtohiscurtdirectnessandsincerity。Butshesaid，"Don’ttellanybodyyouhaveseenme，"andtookoutherpocket-book。

AhFe，withoutlookingatit，sawthatitwasnearlyempty。AhFe，withoutexaminingtheapartment，sawthatitwasscantilyfurnished。AhFe，withoutremovinghiseyesfromblankvacancy，sawthatbothMrs。TretherickandCarrywerepoorlydressed。YetitismydutytostatethatAhFe’slongfingersclosedpromptlyandfirmlyoverthehalf-dollarwhichMrs。Tretherickextendedtohim。

Thenhebegantofumbleinhisblousewithaseriesofextraordinarycontortions。Afterafewmoments，heextractedfromapparentlynoparticularplaceachild’sapron，whichhelaiduponthebasketwiththeremark，——

"Onepieceewashmanflagittee。"

Thenhebegananewhisfumblingsandcontortions。Atlasthiseffortswererewardedbyhisproducing，apparentlyfromhisrightear，amany-foldedpieceoftissue-paper。Unwrappingthiscarefully，heatlastdisclosedtwotwenty-dollargold-pieces，whichhehandedtoMrs。Tretherick。

"Youleaveemoneytopsideofblulow，Fiddletown。Mefindeemoney。

Mefetcheemoneytoyou。Alllightee。"

"ButIleftnomoneyonthetopofthebureau，John，"saidMrs。

Tretherickearnestly。"Theremustbesomemistake。Itbelongstosomeotherperson。Takeitback，John。"

AhFe’sbrowdarkened。HedrewawayfromMrs。Tretherick’sextendedhand，andbeganhastilytogatheruphisbasket。

"Menotakeeitback。No，no！Bimebypleesmanhecatcheeme。Hesay，’Goddamnthief！——catcheeflowtydollar：cometojailee。’Menotakeeback。Youleaveemoneytop-sideblulow，Fiddletown。Mefetcheemoneyyou。Menotakeeback。"

Mrs。Tretherickhesitated。Intheconfusionofherflight，sheMIGHThaveleftthemoneyinthemannerhehadsaid。Inanyevent，shehadnorighttojeopardizethishonestChinaman’ssafetybyrefusingit。Soshesaid，"Verywell。John，Iwillkeepit。Butyoumustcomeagainandseeme"——hereMrs。Tretherickhesitatedwithanewandsuddenrevelationofthefactthatanymancouldwishtoseeanyotherthanherself——"and，and——Carry。"

AhFe’sfacelightened。Heevenutteredashortventriloquisticlaughwithoutmovinghismouth。Thenshoulderinghisbasket，heshutthedoorcarefully，andslidquietlydownstairs。Inthelowerhallhe，however，foundanunexpecteddifficultyinopeningthefront-door，and，afterfumblingvainlyatthelockforamoment，lookedaroundforsomehelporinstruction。ButtheIrishhandmaidwhohadlethiminwascontemptuouslyobliviousofhisneeds，anddidnotappear。

Thereoccurredamysteriousandpainfulincident，whichIshallsimplyrecordwithoutattemptingtoexplain。Onthehall-tableascarf，evidentlythepropertyoftheservantbeforealludedto，waslying。AsAhFetriedthelockwithonehand，theotherrestedlightlyonthetable。Suddenly，andapparentlyofitsownvolition，thescarfbegantocreepslowlytowardsAhFe’shand；

fromAhFe’shanditbegantocreepuphissleeveslowly，andwithaninsinuating，snake-likemotion；andthendisappearedsomewhereintherecessesofhisblouse。Withoutbetrayingtheleastinterestorconcerninthisphenomenon，AhFestillrepeatedhisexperimentsuponthelock。Amomentlaterthetableclothofreddamask，movedbyapparentlythesamemysteriousimpulse，slowlygathereditselfunderAhFe’sfingers，andsinuouslydisappearedbythesamehiddenchannel。Whatfurthermysterymighthavefollowed，Icannotsay；foratthismomentAhFediscoveredthesecretofthelock，andwasenabledtoopenthedoorcoincidentwiththesoundoffootstepsuponthekitchen-stairs。AhFedidnothastenhismovements，but，patientlyshoulderinghisbasket，closedthedoorcarefullybehindhimagain，andsteppedforthintothethickencompassingfogthatnowshroudedearthandsky。

Fromherhighcasement-window，Mrs。TretherickwatchedAhFe’sfigureuntilitdisappearedinthegraycloud。Inherpresentloneliness，shefeltakeensenseofgratitudetowardhim，andmayhaveascribedtothehigheremotionsandtheconsciousnessofagooddeed，thatcertainexpansivenessofthechest，andswellingofthebosom，thatwasreallyduetothehiddenpresenceofthescarfandtableclothunderhisblouse。ForMrs。Tretherickwasstillpoeticallysensitive。Asthegrayfogdeepenedintonight，shedrewCarryclosertowardsher，and，abovetheprattleofthechild，pursuedaveinofsentimentalandegotisticrecollectionatoncebitteranddangerous。ThesuddenapparitionofAhFelinkedheragainwithherpastlifeatFiddletown。Overthedrearyintervalbetween，shewasnowwandering，——ajourneysopiteous，wilful，thorny，anduseless，thatitwasnowonderthatatlastCarrystoppedsuddenlyinthemidstofhervolubleconfidencestothrowhersmallarmsaroundthewoman’sneck，andbidhernottocry。

HeavenforefendthatIshoulduseapenthatshouldbeeverdedicatedtoanexpositionofunalterablemoralprincipletotranscribeMrs。Tretherick’sowntheoryofthisintervalandepisode，withitsfeeblepalliations，itsillogicaldeductions，itsfondexcuses，andweakapologies。Itwouldseem，however，thatherexperiencehadbeenhard。Herslenderstockofmoneywassoonexhausted。AtSacramentoshefoundthatthecompositionofverse，althoughappealingtothehighestemotionsofthehumanheart，andcompellingtheeditorialbreasttothenoblestcommendationintheeditorialpages，wassingularlyinadequatetodefraytheexpensesofherselfandCarry。Thenshetriedthestage，butfailedsignally。PossiblyherconceptionofthepassionswasdifferentfromthatwhichobtainedwithaSacramentoaudience；butitwascertainthathercharmingpresence，soeffectiveatshortrange，wasnotsufficientlypronouncedforthefootlights。Shehadadmirersenoughinthegreen-room，butawakenednoabidingaffectionamongtheaudience。Inthisstrait，itoccurredtoherthatshehadavoice，——acontraltoofnoverygreatcompassorcultivation，butsingularlysweetandtouching；andshefinallyobtainedpositioninachurch-choir。Shehelditforthreemonths，greatlytoherpecuniaryadvantage，and，itissaid，muchtothesatisfactionofthegentlemenintheback-pews，whofacedtowardherduringthesingingofthelasthymn。

Irememberherquitedistinctlyatthistime。ThelightthatslantedthroughtheorielofSt。Diveschoirwaswonttofallverytenderlyonherbeautifulheadwithitsstackedmassesofdeerskin-

coloredhair，onthelowblackarchesofherbrows，andtodeepentheprettyfringesthatshadedhereyesofGenoavelvet。Verypleasantitwastowatchtheopeningandshuttingofthatsmallstraightmouth，withitsquickrevelationoflittlewhiteteeth，andtoseethefoolishbloodfaintlydeepenhersatincheekasyouwatched。ForMrs。Tretherickwasverysweetlyconsciousofadmiration，and，likemostprettywomen，gatheredherselfunderyoureyelikearacerunderthespur。

Andthen，ofcourse，therecametrouble。Ihaveitfromthesoprano，——alittleladywhopossessedevenmorethantheusualunprejudicedjudgmentofhersex，——thatMrs。Tretherick’sconductwassimplyshameful；thatherconceitwasunbearable；that，ifsheconsideredtherestofthechoirasslaves，she（thesoprano）wouldliketoknowit；thatherconductonEasterSundaywiththebassohadattractedtheattentionofthewholecongregation；andthatsheherselfhadnoticedDr。Copetwicelookupduringtheservice；thather（thesoprano’s）friendshadobjectedtohersinginginthechoirwithapersonwhohadbeenonthestage，butshehadwaivedthis。YetshehaditfromthebestauthoritythatMrs。Tretherickhadrunawayfromherhusband，andthatthisred-hairedchildwhosometimescameinthechoirwasnotherown。Thetenorconfidedtomebehindtheorgan，thatMrs。Tretherickhadawayofsustaininganoteattheendofalineinorderthathervoicemightlingerlongerwiththecongregation，——anactthatcouldbeattributedonlytoadefectivemoralnature；thatasaman（hewasaverypopulardry-goodsclerkonweek-days，andsangagooddealfromapparentlybehindhiseyebrowsonthesabbath）——thatasaman，sir，hewouldputupwithitnolonger。Thebassoalone——ashortGermanwithaheavyvoice，forwhichheseemedreluctantlyresponsible，andrathergrievedatitspossession——stoodupforMrs。Tretherick，andaverredthattheywerejealousofherbecauseshewas"bretty。"

Theclimaxwasatlastreachedinanopenquarrel，whereinMrs。

Tretherickusedhertonguewithsuchprecisionofstatementandepithet，thatthesopranoburstintohystericaltears，andhadtobesupportedfromthechoirbyherhusbandandthetenor。Thisactwasmarkedintentionallytothecongregationbytheomissionoftheusualsopranosolo。Mrs。Tretherickwenthomeflushedwithtriumph，butonreachingherroomfranticallytoldCarrythattheywerebeggarshenceforward；thatshe——hermother——hadjusttakentheverybreadoutofherdarling’smouth，andendedbyburstingintoafloodofpenitenttears。Theydidnotcomesoquicklyasinheroldpoeticaldays；butwhentheycametheystungdeeply。Shewasrousedbyaformalvisitfromavestryman，——oneofthemusiccommittee。Mrs。Tretherickdriedherlonglashes，putonanewneck-ribbon，andwentdowntotheparlor。Shestaidtheretwohours，——afactthatmighthaveoccasionedsomeremark，butthatthevestrymanwasmarried，andhadafamilyofgrown-updaughters。

WhenMrs。Tretherickreturnedtoherroom，shesangtoherselfintheglassandscoldedCarry——butsheretainedherplaceinthechoir。

Itwasnotlong，however。Induecourseoftime，herenemiesreceivedapowerfuladditiontotheirforcesinthecommittee-man’swife。Thatladycalleduponseveralofthechurch-membersandonDr。Cope’sfamily。Theresultwas，that，atalatermeetingofthemusiccommittee，Mrs。Tretherick’svoicewasdeclaredinadequatetothesizeofthebuildingandshewasinvitedtoresign。Shedidso。Shehadbeenoutofasituationfortwomonths，andherscantmeanswerealmostexhausted，whenAhFe’sunexpectedtreasurewastossedintoherlap。

Thegrayfogdeepenedintonight，andthestreet-lampsstartedintoshiveringlife，as，absorbedintheseunprofitablememories，Mrs。

Tretherickstillsatdrearilyatherwindow。EvenCarryhadslippedawayunnoticed；andherabruptentrancewiththedampeveningpaperinherhandrousedMrs。Tretherick，andbroughtherbacktoanactiverealizationofthepresent。ForMrs。Tretherickwaswonttoscantheadvertisementsinthefainthopeoffindingsomeavenueofemployment——sheknewnotwhat——opentoherneeds；

andCarryhadnotedthishabit。

Mrs。Tretherickmechanicallyclosedtheshutters，litthelights，andopenedthepaper。Hereyefellinstinctivelyonthefollowingparagraphinthetelegraphiccolumn：——

"FIDDLETOWN，7th。——Mr。JamesTretherick，anoldresidentofthisplace，diedlastnightofdeliriumtremens。Mr。Tretherickwasaddictedtointemperatehabits，saidtohavebeeninducedbydomestictrouble。"

Mrs。Tretherickdidnotstart。Shequietlyturnedoveranotherpageofthepaper，andglancedatCarry。Thechildwasabsorbedinabook。Mrs。Tretherickutterednoword，but，duringtheremainderoftheevening，wasunusuallysilentandcold。WhenCarrywasundressedandinbed，Mrs。Trethericksuddenlydroppedonherkneesbesidethebed，and，takingCarry’sflamingheadbetweenherhands，said，——

"Shouldyouliketohaveanotherpapa，Carrydarling？"

"No，"saidCarry，afteramoment’sthought。

"Butapapatohelpmammatakecareofyou，toloveyou，togiveyouniceclothes，tomakealadyofyouwhenyougrowup？"

Carryturnedhersleepyeyestowardthequestioner。"ShouldYOU，mamma？"

Mrs。Trethericksuddenlyflushedtotherootsofherhair。"Gotosleep，"shesaidsharply，andturnedaway。

Butatmidnightthechildfelttwowhitearmsclosetightlyaroundher，andwasdrawndownintoabosomthatheaved，fluttered，andatlastwasbrokenupbysobs。

"Don’tky，mamma，"whisperedCarry，withavagueretrospectoftheirrecentconversation。"Don’tky。IfinkISHOULDlikeanewpapa，ifhelovedyouverymuch——very，verymuch！"

Amonthafterward，toeverybody’sastonishment，Mrs。Tretherickwasmarried。ThehappybridegroomwasoneCol。Starbottle，recentlyelectedtorepresentCalaverasCountyinthelegislativecouncilsoftheState。AsIcannotrecordtheeventinfinerlanguagethanthatusedbythecorrespondentof"TheSacramentoGlobe，"Iventuretoquotesomeofhisgracefulperiods。"TherelentlessshaftsoftheslygodhavebeenlatelybusyamongourgallantSolons。Wequote’onemoreunfortunate。’ThelatestvictimistheHon。C。

StarbottleofCalaveras。Thefairenchantressinthecaseisabeautifulwidow，aformervotaryofThespis，andlatelyafascinatingSt。CeciliaofoneofthemostfashionablechurchesofSanFrancisco，whereshecommandedahighsalary。"

"TheDutchFlatIntelligencer"sawfit，however，tocommentuponthefactwiththathumorousfreedomcharacteristicofanunfetteredpress。"ThenewDemocraticwar-horsefromCalaverashaslatelyadventedinthelegislaturewithalittlebilltochangethenameofTrethericktoStarbottle。Theycallitamarriage-certificatedownthere。Mr。Tretherickhasbeendeadjustonemonth；butwepresumethegallantcolonelisnotafraidofghosts。"ItisbutjusttoMrs。Trethericktostatethatthecolonel’svictorywasbynomeansaneasyone。Toanaturaldegreeofcoynessonthepartoftheladywasaddedtheimpedimentofarival，——aprosperousundertakerfromSacramento，whohadfirstseenandlovedMrs。

Tretherickatthetheatreandchurch；hisprofessionalhabitsdebarringhimfromordinarysocialintercourse，andindeedanyotherthanthemostformalpubliccontactwiththesex。Asthisgentlemanhadmadeasnugfortuneduringthefelicitousprevalenceofasevereepidemic，thecolonelregardedhimasadangerousrival。Fortunately，however，theundertakerwascalledinprofessionallytolayoutabrother-senator，whohadunhappilyfallenbythecolonel’spistolinanaffairofhonor；andeitherdeterredbyphysicalconsiderationfromrivalry，orwiselyconcludingthatthecolonelwasprofessionallyvaluable，hewithdrewfromthefield。

Thehoneymoonwasbrief，andbroughttoaclosebyanuntowardincident。Duringtheirbridal-trip，CarryhadbeenplacedinthechargeofCol。Starbottle’ssister。Ontheirreturntothecity，immediatelyonreachingtheirlodgings，Mrs。StarbottleannouncedherintentionofatonceproceedingtoMrs。Culpepper’stobringthechildhome。Col。Starbottle，whohadbeenexhibitingforsometimeacertainuneasinesswhichhehadendeavoredtoovercomebyrepeatedstimulation，finallybuttonedhiscoattightlyacrosshisbreast，and，afterwalkingunsteadilyonceortwiceupanddowntheroom，suddenlyfacedhiswifewithhismostimposingmanner。

"Ihavedeferred，"saidthecolonelwithanexaggerationofportthatincreasedwithhisinwardfear，andagrowingthicknessofspeech，——"Ihavedeferr——Imaysayposhponedstatemento’fackthashmydutyterdishcloseterye。Ididnowishtomarsushinemushalhapp’ness，toblighbudo’promise，todarkenconjuglarskybyunpleashtrevelashun。Mushtbedone——byG-d，m’m，mushtdoitnow。Thechileisgone！"

"Gone！"echoedMrs。Starbottle。

Therewassomethinginthetoneofhervoice，inthesuddendrawing-togetherofthepupilsofhereyes，thatforamomentnearlysoberedthecolonel，andpartlycollapsedhischest。

"I’llsplainallinaminit，"hesaidwithadeprecatingwaveofthehand。"Everythingshallbesplained。The-the-the-melenchollyeventwishpreshipitateourhapp’ness——themyster’usprov’nicewishreleashyou——releashchile！hunerstan？——releashchile。Themom’tTretherickdie——allclaimyouhaveinchilethroughhim——dietoo。

Thashlaw。Whosechileb’longto？Tretherick？Tretherickdead。

Chilecan’tb’longdeadman。Damnnonshenseb’longdeadman。I’shyourchile？no！who’schilethen？Chileb’longto’tsmother。

Unnerstan？"

"Whereisshe？"saidMrs。Starbottlewithaverywhitefaceandaverylowvoice。

"I’llsplainall。Chileb’longto’tsmother。Thashlaw。I’mlawyer，leshlator，andAmericansis’n。Ishmydutyaslawyer，asleshlator，and’merikansis’ntoreshtorechiletosuff’rinmotheratanycoss——anycoss。"

"Whereisshe？"repeatedMrs。Starbottlewithhereyesstillfixedonthecolonel’sface。

"Goneto’tsm’o’r。GoneEastonshteamer，yesserday。Waffedbyfav’ringalestosuff’rinp’rent。Thashso！"

Mrs。Starbottledidnotmove。Thecolonelfelthischestslowlycollapsing，butsteadiedhimselfagainstachair，andendeavoredtobeamwithchivalrousgallantrynotunmixedwithmagisterialfirmnessuponherasshesat。

"Yourfeelin’s，m’m，dohonortoyersex，butconshidersituashun。

Conshiderm’or’sfeelings——conshiderMYfeelin’s。"Thecolonelpaused，and，flourishingawhitehandkerchief，placeditnegligentlyinhisbreast，andthensmiledtenderlyaboveit，asoverlacesandruffles，onthewomanbeforehim。"Whyshoulddarksheddercassblighontwosholeswithsinglebeat？Chile’sfinechile，goodchile，butsummonelsechile！Chile’sgone，Clar’；butallish’n’tgone，Clar’。Conshiderdearesht，youall’shaveme！"

Mrs。Starbottlestartedtoherfeet。"YOU！"shecried，bringingoutachestnotethatmadethechandeliersring，——"youthatI

marriedtogivemydarlingfoodandclothes，——YOU！adogthatI

whistledtomysidetokeepthemenoffme，——YOU！"

Shechokedup，andthendashedpasthimintotheinnerroom，whichhadbeenCarry’s；thenshesweptbyhimagainintoherownbedroom，andthensuddenlyre-appearedbeforehim，erect，menacing，withaburningfireoverhercheek-bones，aquickstraighteningofherarchedbrowsandmouth，asquaringofjaw，andophidianflatteningofthehead。

"Listen！"shesaidinahoarse，half-grownboy’svoice。"Hearme！

Ifyoueverexpecttoseteyesonmeagain，youmustfindthechild。Ifyoueverexpecttospeaktomeagain，totouchme，youmustbringherback。Forwhereshegoes，Igo：youhearme！Whereshehasgone，lookforme。"

Shestruckoutpasthimagainwithaquickfemininethrowing-outofherarmsfromtheelbowsdown，asiffreeingherselffromsomeimaginarybonds，and，dashingintoherchamber，slammedandlockedthedoor。Col。Starbottle，althoughnocoward，stoodinsuperstitiousfearofanangrywoman，and，recoilingasshesweptby，losthisunsteadyfoothold，androlledhelplesslyonthesofa。

Here，afteroneortwounsuccessfulattemptstoregainhisfoothold，heremained，utteringfromtimetotimeprofanebutnotentirelycoherentorintelligibleprotests，untilatlasthesuccumbedtotheexhaustingqualityofhisemotions，andthenarcoticquantityofhispotations。

Meantime，within，Mrs。Starbottlewasexcitedlygatheringhervaluables，andpackinghertrunk，evenasshehaddoneoncebeforeinthecourseofthisremarkablehistory。Perhapssomerecollectionofthiswasinhermind；forshestoppedtoleanherburningcheeksuponherhand，asifshesawagainthefigureofthechildstandinginthedoorway，andheardoncemoreachildishvoiceasking，"Isitmamma？"Buttheepithetnowstunghertothequickandwithaquick，passionategestureshedasheditawaywithatearthathadgatheredinhereye。Andthenitchanced，that，inturningoversomeclothes，shecameuponthechild’sslipperwithabrokensandal-string。Sheutteredagreatcryhere，——thefirstshehaduttered，——andcaughtittoherbreast，kissingitpassionatelyagainandagain，androckingfromsidetosidewithamotionpeculiartohersex。Andthenshetookittothewindow，thebettertoseeitthroughhernowstreamingeyes。Hereshewastakenwithasuddenfitofcoughingthatshecouldnotstiflewiththehandkerchiefsheputtoherfeverishlips。Andthenshesuddenlygrewveryfaint。Thewindowseemedtorecedebeforeher，thefloortosinkbeneathherfeet；and，staggeringtothebed，shefellproneuponitwiththesandalandhandkerchiefpressedtoherbreast。Herfacewasquitepale，theorbitofhereyesdark；andtherewasaspotuponherlip，anotheronherhandkerchief，andstillanotheronthewhitecounterpaneofthebed。

Thewindhadrisen，rattlingthewindow-sashes，andswayingthewhitecurtainsinaghostlyway。Later，agrayfogstolesoftlyovertheroofs，soothingthewind-roughenedsurfaces，andinwrappingallthingsinanuncertainlightandameasurelesspeace。Shelaythereveryquiet——forallhertroubles，stillaveryprettybride。Andontheothersideofthebolteddoorthegallantbridegroom，fromhistemporarycouch，snoredpeacefully。

AweekbeforeChristmasDay，1870，thelittletownofGenoa，intheStateofNewYork，exhibited，perhapsmorestronglythanatanyothertime，thebitterironyofitsfoundersandsponsors。A

drivingsnow-storm，thathadwhitenedeverywindwardhedge，bush，wall，andtelegraph-pole，playedaroundthissoftItalianCapitol，whirledinandoutofthegreatstaringwoodenDoriccolumnsofitspost-officeandhotel，beatuponthecoldgreenshuttersofitsbesthouses，andpowderedtheangular，stiff，darkfiguresinitsstreets。Fromthelevelofthestreet，thefourprincipalchurchesofthetownstoodoutstarkly，evenwhiletheirmisshapenspireswerekindlyhiddeninthelow，drivingstorm。Neartherailroad-

station，thenewMethodistchapel，whoseresemblancetoanenormouslocomotivewasfurtherheightenedbytheadditionofapyramidalrowoffront-steps，likeacowcatcher，stoodasifwaitingforafewmorehousestobehitchedontoproceedtoapleasanterlocation。ButtheprideofGenoa——thegreatCrammerInstituteforYoungLadies——stretcheditsbarebricklength，andreareditscupolaplainlyfromthebleakParnassianhillabovetheprincipalavenue。TherewasnoevasionintheCrammerInstituteofthefactthatitwasapublicinstitution。Avisitoruponitsdoorsteps，aprettyfaceatitswindow，wereclearlyvisiblealloverthetownship。

Theshriekoftheengineofthefour-o’clockNorthernexpressbroughtbutfewoftheusualloungerstothedepot。Onlyasinglepassengeralighted，andwasdrivenawayinthesolitarywaitingsleightowardtheGenoaHotel。Andthenthetrainspedawayagain，withthatpassionlessindifferencetohumansympathiesorcuriositypeculiartoexpress-trains；theonebaggage-truckwaswheeledintothestationagain；thestation-doorwaslocked；andthestation-

masterwenthome。

Thelocomotive-whistle，however，awakenedtheguiltyconsciousnessofthreeyoungladiesoftheCrammerInstitute，whowereeventhensurreptitiouslyregalingthemselvesinthebake-shopandconfectionery-saloonofMistressPhillipsinaby-lane。ForeventheadmirableregulationsoftheInstitutefailedtoentirelydevelopthephysicalandmoralnaturesofitspupils。Theyconformedtotheexcellentdietaryrulesinpublic，andinprivatedrewupontheluxuriousrationsoftheirvillagecaterer。Theyattendedchurchwithexemplaryformality，andflirtedinformallyduringservicewiththevillagebeaux。Theyreceivedthebestandmostjudiciousinstructionduringschool-hours，anddevouredthetrashiestnovelsduringrecess。Theresultofwhichwasanaggregationofquitehealthy，quitehuman，andverycharmingyoungcreatures，thatreflectedinfinitecreditontheInstitute。EvenMistressPhillips，towhomtheyowedvastsums，exhilaratedbytheexuberantspiritsandyouthfulfreshnessofherguests，declaredthatthesightof"themyoungthings"didhergood；andhadevenbeenknowntoshieldthembyshamelessequivocation。

"Fouro’clock，girls！and，ifwe’renotbacktoprayersbyfive，we’llbemissed，"saidthetallestofthesefoolishvirgins，withanaquilinenose，andcertainquietelanthatbespoketheleader，assherosefromherseat。"Haveyougotthebooks，Addy？"Addydisplayedthreedissipated-lookingnovelsunderherwaterproof。

"Andtheprovisions，Carry？"Carryshowedasuspiciousparcelfillingthepocketofhersack。"Allright，then。Comegirls，trudge。——Chargeit，"sheadded，noddingtoherhostastheypassedtowardthedoor。"I’llpayyouwhenmyquarter’sallowancecomes。"

"No，Kate，"interposedCarry，producingherpurse，"letmepay：

it’smyturn。"

"Never！"saidKate，archingherblackbrowsloftily，"evenifyoudohaverichrelatives，andregularremittancesfromCalifornia。

Never！——Come，girls，forward，march！"

Astheyopenedthedoor，agustofwindnearlytookthemofftheirfeet。Kind-heartedMrs。Phillipswasalarmed。"Sakesalive，galls！yemussn’tgooutinsichweather。BetterletmesendwordtotheInstitoot，andmakeyeupanicebedto-nightinmyparlor。"

Butthelastsentencewaslostinachorusofhalf-suppressedshrieks，asthegirls，handinhand，randownthestepsintothestorm，andwereatoncewhirledaway。

TheshortDecemberday，unlitbyanysunsetglow，wasfailingfast。

Itwasquitedarkalready；andtheairwasthickwithdrivingsnow。

Forsomedistancetheirhighspirits，youth，andeveninexperience，keptthembravelyup；but，inambitiouslyattemptingashort-cutfromthehigh-roadacrossanopenfield，theirstrengthgaveout，thelaughgrewlessfrequent，andtearsbegantostandinCarry’sbrowneyes。Whentheyreachedtheroadagain，theywereutterlyexhausted。"Letusgoback，"saidCarry。

"We’dnevergetacrossthatfieldagain，"saidAddy。