TheprettylittletheatreattachedtothebuildingoftheUnicornClubhadbeenhiredforacertainJanuaryafternoonbyMr。HerbertLoring，whowishedtogivethereinasomewhatnovelperformance，towhichhehadinvitedasmallaudienceconsistingentirelyoffriendsandacquaintances。
　　Loringwasahandsomefellowaboutthirtyyearsold，whohadtravelledfarandstudiedmuch。HehadrecentlymadealongsojourninthefarEast，andhisfriendshadbeeninvitedtothetheatretoseesomeofthewonderfulthingshehadbroughtfromthatcountryofwonders。AsLoringwasaclub-man，andbelongedtoafamilyofgoodsocialstanding，hiscircleofacquaintanceswaslarge，andinthiscircleagoodmanyunpleasantremarkshadbeenmaderegardingtheproposedentertainment——made，ofcourse，bythepeoplewhohadnotbeeninvitedtobepresent。SomeofthegossiponthesubjecthadreachedLoring，whodidnothesitatetosaythathecouldnottalktoacrowd，andthathedidnotcaretoshowthecuriousthingshehadcollectedtopeoplewhowouldnotthoroughlyappreciatethem。Hehadbeenveryparticularinregardtohisinvitations。
　　Atthreeo'clockontheappointedafternoonnearlyallthepeoplewhohadbeeninvitedtotheUnicornTheatrewereintheirseats。Noonehadstayedawayexceptforsomeverygoodreason，foritwaswellknownthatifHerbertLoringofferedtoshowanythingitwasworthseeing。
　　Aboutfortypeoplewerepresent，whosattalkingtooneanother，oradmiringthedecorationofthetheatre。AsLoringstooduponthestage——wherehewasentirelyalone，hisexhibitionrequiringnoassistants——hegazedthroughaloopholeinthecurtainuponaveryinterestingarrayoffaces。Therewerethefacesofmanymenandwomenofsociety，ofstudents，ofworkersinvariousfieldsofthought，andevenofidlersinallfieldsofthought；buttherewasnotonewhichindicatedafrivolousorlistlessdisposition。Theownersofthosefaceshadcometoseesomething，andtheywishedtoseeit。
　　ForaquarterofanhourafterthetimeannouncedfortheopeningoftheexhibitionLoringpeeredthroughtheholeinthecurtain，andthen，althoughallthepeoplehehadexpectedhadnotarrived，hefeltitwouldnotdoforhimtowaitanylonger。
　　Theaudiencewascomposedofwell-bredandcourteousmenandwomen，butdespitetheirpoliteself-restraintLoringcouldseethatsomeofthemweregettingtiredofwaiting。So，veryreluctantly，andfeelingthatfurtherdelaywasimpossible，heraisedthecurtainandcameforwardonthestage。
　　BrieflyheannouncedthattheexhibitionwouldopenwithsomefireworkshehadbroughtfromCorea。Itwasplaintoseethatthestatementthatfireworkswereabouttobesetoffonatheatrestage，byanamateur，hadratherstartledsomeoftheaudience，andLoringhastenedtoexplainthatthesewerenotrealfireworks，butthattheywerecontrivancesmadeofcoloredglass，whichwereilluminatedbythepowerfullensofalanternwhichwasplacedoutofsight，andwhiletheapparentpyrotechnicdisplaywouldresemblefireworksofstrangeandgrotesquedesigns，itwouldbeabsolutelywithoutdanger。Hebroughtoutsomelittlebunchesofbitsofcoloredglass，hungthematsomedistanceapartonawirewhichwasstretchedacrossthestagejusthighenoughforhimtoreachit，andthenlightedhislantern，whichheplacedinoneofthewings，loweredallthelightsinthetheatre，andbeganhisexhibition。
　　AsLoringturnedhislanternononeoftheclustersofglasslenses，strips，andpoints，and，unseenhimself，causedthemtomovebymeansoflongcordsattached，theeffectswerebeautifulandmarvellous。Littlewheelsofcoloredfirerapidlyrevolved，miniaturerocketsappearedtoriseafewfeetandtoexplodeintheair，andwhilealltheordinaryformsoffireworkswereproducedonadiminutivescale，thereweresomeeffectsthatwereentirelynoveltotheaudience。Asthelightwasturnedsuccessivelyupononeandanotheroftheclustersofglass，sometimesitwouldflashalongthewholelinesorapidlythatallthevariouscombinationsofcolorandmotionseemedtobecombinedinone，andthenforatimeeachparticularsetoffireworkswouldblaze，sparkle，andcoruscatebyitself，scatteringparticlesofcoloredlightasiftheyhadbeenrealsparksoffire。
　　Thiscuriousandbeautifulexhibitionofminiaturepyrotechnicswasextremelyinterestingtotheaudience，whogazedupwardwithraptandeagerattentionatthelineofwheels，stars，andrevolvingspheres。Sofarasinterestgaveevidenceofsatisfaction，therewasneverabettersatisfiedaudience。Atfirsttherehadbeensomehushedmurmursofpleasure，butverysoontheattentionofeveryoneseemedsocompletelyengrossedbythedazzlingdisplaythattheysimplygazedinsilence。
　　Fortwentyminutesorlongertheglitteringshowwenton，andnotasignofwearinessorinattentionwasmadebyanyoneoftheassembledcompany。Thengraduallythecolorsofthelittlefireworksfaded，thestarsandwheelsrevolvedmoreslowly，thelightsinthebodyofthetheatreweregraduallyraised，andthestagecurtainwentsoftlydown。
　　Anxiously，andalittlepale，HerbertLoringpeeredthroughtheloopholeinthecurtain。Itwasnoteasytojudgeoftheeffectsofhisexhibition，andhedidnotknowwhetherornotithadbeenasuccess。Therewasnoapplause，but，ontheotherhand，therewasnosignsthatanyoneresentedtheexhibitionasachildishdisplayofcoloredlights。Itwasimpossibletolookuponthataudiencewithoutbelievingthattheyhadbeenthoroughlyinterestedinwhattheyhadseen，andthattheyexpectedtoseemore。
　　FortwoorthreeminutesLoringgazedthroughhisloophole，andthen，stillwithsomedoubtinhisheart，butwithalittlemorecolorinhischecks，hepreparedforthesecondpartofhisperformance。
　　Atthismomentthereenteredthetheatre，attheverybackofthehouse，ayounglady。Shewashandsomeandwelldressed，andassheopenedthedoor——Loringhademployednoushersorotherassistantsinthislittlesocialperformance——shepausedforamomentandlookedintothetheatre，andthennoiselesslysteppedtoachairinthebackrowandsatdown。
　　ThiswasEdithStarr，who，amonthbefore，hadbeenbetrothedtoHerbertLoring。Edithandhermotherhadbeeninvitedtothisperformance，andfrontseatshadbeenreservedforthem，foreachguesthadreceivedanumberedcard。ButMrs。Starrhadaheadache，andcouldnotgooutthatafternoon，andforatimeherdaughterhadthoughtthatshe，too，mustgiveupthepleasureLoringhadpromisedher，andstaywithhermother。Butwhentheelderladydroppedintoaquietsleep，Ediththoughtthat，lateasitwas，shewouldgobyherself，andseewhatshecouldoftheperformance。
　　ShewasquitecertainthatifherpresencewereknowntoLoringhewouldstopwhateverhewasdoinguntilshehadbeenprovidedwithaseatwhichhethoughtsuitableforher，forhehadmadeapointofherbeingproperlyseatedwhenhegavetheinvitations。Therefore，beingequallydesirousofnotdisturbingtheperformanceandofnotbeingherselfconspicuous，shesatbehindtworatherlargemen，whereshecouldseethestageperfectlywell，butwheresheherselfwouldnotbelikelytobeseen。
　　Inafewmomentsthecurtainrose，andLoringcameforward，carryingasmall，lighttable，whichheplacednearthefrontofthestage，andforamomentstoodquietlybyit。Edithnoticeduponhisfacetheexpressionofuncertaintyandanxietywhichhadnotyetleftit。Standingbythesideofthetable，andspeakingveryslowly，butsoclearlythathiswordscouldbehearddistinctlyinallpartsoftheroom，hebegansomeintroductoryremarksregardingthesecondpartofhisperformance。
　　"Theextraordinary，andImaysaymarvellous，thingwhichI
　　amabouttoshowyou，"hesaid，"isknownamongEastIndianmagiciansasthemagicegg。Theexhibitionisaveryuncommonone，andhasseldombeenseenbyAmericansorEuropeans，anditwasbyapieceofraregoodfortunethatIbecamepossessedoftheappliancesnecessaryforthisexhibition。Theyareindeedveryfewandsimple，butneverbefore，tothebestofmyknowledgeandbelief，havetheybeenseenoutsideofIndia。
　　"Iwillnowgetthelittleboxwhichcontainsthearticlesnecessaryforthismagicalperformance，andIwillsaythatifI
　　hadtimetotellyouofthestrangeandamazingadventurewhichresultedinmypossessionofthisbox，IamsureyouwouldbeasmuchinterestedinthatasIexpectyoutobeinthecontentsofthebox。Butinorderthatnoneofyoumaythinkthisisanordinarytrick，executedbymeansofconcealedtrapsordoors，I
　　wishyoutotakeparticularnoticeofthistable，whichis，asyousee，aplain，unpaintedpinetable，withnothingbutaflattop，andfourstraightlegsatthecorners。Youcanseeunderandaroundit，anditgivesnoopportunitytoconcealanything。"
　　Then，standingforafewmomentsasifhehadsomethingelsetosay，heturnedandsteppedtowardoneofthewings。
　　Edithwastroubledasshelookedatherloverduringtheseremarks。Herinterestwasgreat，greater，indeed，thanthatofthepeopleabouther，butitwasnotapleasantinterest。AsLoringstoppedspeaking，andlookedabouthim，therewasamomentaryflushonhisface。Sheknewthiswascausedbyexcitement，andshewaspalefromthesamecause。
　　VerysoonLoringcameforward，andstoodbythetable。
　　"Hereisthebox，"hesaid，"ofwhichIspoke，andasIholditupIthinkyouallcanseeit。Itisnotlarge，beingcertainlynotmorethantwelveinchesinlengthandtwodeep，butitcontainssomeverywonderfulthings。Theoutsideofthisboxiscoveredwithdelicateengravingandcarvingwhichyoucannotsee，andthesemarksandlineshave，Ithink，somemagicalmeaning，butIdonotknowwhatitis。Iwillnowopentheboxandshowyouwhatisinside。ThefirstthingItakeoutisthislittlestick，notthickerthanalead-pencil，butsomewhatlonger，asyousee。Thisisamagicalwand，andiscoveredwithinscriptionsofthesamecharacterasthoseontheoutsideofthebox。Thenextthingisthislittleredbag，wellfilled，asyousee，whichIshallputonthetable，forIshallnotyetneedit。
　　"NowItakeoutapieceofclothwhichisfoldedintoaverysmallcompass，butasIunfoldityouwillperceivethatitismorethanafootsquare，andiscoveredwithembroidery。Allthosestrangelinesandfiguresingoldandred，whichyoucanplainlyseeontheclothasIholditup，arealsocharactersinthesamemagiclanguageasthoseontheboxandwand。Iwillnowspreadtheclothonthetable，andthentakeouttheonlyremainingthinginthebox，andthisisnothingintheworldbutanegg——asimple，ordinaryhen'segg，asyouallseeasIholditup。Itmaybeatriflelargerthananordinaryegg，butthen，afterall，itisnothingbutacommonegg——thatis，inappearance。Inrealityitisagooddealmore。
　　"NowIwillbegintheperformance。"Andashestoodbythebackofthetable，overwhichhehadbeenslightlybending，andthrewhiseyesovertheaudience，hisvoicewasstronger，andhisfacehadlostallitspallor。Hewasevidentlywarmingupwithhissubject。
　　"Inowtakeupthiswand，"hesaid，"which，whileIholdit，givesmepowertoproducethephenomenawhichyouareabouttobehold。Youmaynotallbelievethatthereisanymagicwhateveraboutthislittleperformance，andthatitisallabitofmachinery；butwhateveryoumaythinkaboutit，youshallseewhatyoushallsee。
　　"NowwiththiswandIgentlytouchthiseggwhichislyingonthesquareofcloth。Idonotbelieveyoucanseewhathashappenedtothisegg，butIwilltellyou。Thereisalittleline，likeahair，entirelyaroundit。Nowthatlinehasbecomeacrack。Nowyoucanseeit，Iknow。Itgrowswiderandwider！
　　Look！Theshelloftheeggisseparatinginthemiddle。Thewholeeggslightlymoves。Doyounoticethat？Nowyoucanseesomethingyellowshowingitselfbetweenthetwopartsoftheshell。See！Itismovingagooddeal，andthetwohalvesoftheshellareseparatingmoreandmore。Andnowouttumblesthisqueerlittleobject。Doyouseewhatitis？Itisapoor，weak，littlechick，notabletostand，butalive——alive！Youcanallperceivethatitisalive。Nowyoucanseethatitisstandingonitsfeet，feeblyenough，butstillstanding。
　　"Behold，ittakesafewsteps！Youcannotdoubtthatitisalive，andcameoutofthategg。Itisbeginningtowalkaboutoverthecloth。Doyounoticethatitispickingtheembroidery？
　　Now，littlechick，Iwillgiveyousomethingtoeat。Thislittleredbagcontainsgrain，amagicalgrain，withwhichIshallfeedthechicken。Youmustexcusemyawkwardnessinopeningthebag，asIstillholdthewand；butthislittlestickImustnotdrop。
　　See，littlechick，therearesomegrains！Theylooklikerice，but，infact，Ihavenoideawhattheyare。Butheknows，heknows！Lookathim！Seehowhepicksitup！There！Hehasswallowedone，two，three。Thatwilldo，littlechick，forafirstmeal。
　　"Thegrainseemstohavestrengthenedhimalready，forseehowlivelyheis，andhowhisyellowdownstandsoutonhim，sopuffyandwarm！Youarelookingforsomemoregrain，areyou？
　　Well，youcannothaveitjustyet，andkeepawayfromthosepiecesofeggshell，which，bytheway，Iwillputbackintothebox。Now，sir，trytoavoidtheedgeofthetable，and，toquietyou，Iwillgiveyoualittletaponthebackwithmywand。Now，then，pleaseobserveclosely。Thedownwhichjustnowcoveredhimhasalmostgone。Heisreallyagooddealbigger，andeversomuchuglier。Seethelittlepin-feathersstickingoutoverhim！Somespotshereandtherearealmostbare，butheiseversomuchmoreactive。Ha！Listentothat！Heissostrongthatyoucanhearhisbeakashepecksatthetable。Heisactuallygrowingbiggerandbiggerbeforeourveryeyes！Seethatfunnylittletail，howitbeginstostickup，andquillsareshowingattheendofhiswings。
　　"Anothertap，andafewmoregrains。Careful，sir！Don'ttearthecloth！Seehowrapidlyhegrows！Heisfairlycoveredwithfeathers，redandblack，withatipofyellowinfront。Youcouldhardlygetthatfellowintoanostrichegg！Now，then，whatdoyouthinkofhim？Heisbigenoughforabroiler，thoughIdon'tthinkanyonewouldwanttotakehimforthatpurpose。
　　Somemoregrain，andanothertapfrommywand。See！Hedoesnotmindthelittlestick，forhehasbeenusedtoitfromhisverybirth。Now，then，heiswhatyouwouldcallagoodhalf-grownchick。Rathermorethanhalfgrown，Ishouldsay。Doyounoticehistail？Thereisnomistakinghimforapullet。Thelongfeathersarebeginningtocurloveralready。Hemusthavealittlemoregrain。Lookout，sir，oryouwillbeoffthetable！
　　Comebackhere！Thistableistoosmallforhim，butifhewereontheflooryoucouldnotseehimsowell。
　　"Anothertap。Nowseethatcombonthetopofhishead；youscarcelynoticeditbefore，andnowitisbrightred。Andseehisspursbeginningtoshow——ongoodthicklegs，too。Thereisafineyoungfellowforyou！Lookhowhejerkshisheadfromsidetoside，liketheyoungprinceofapoultry-yard，ashewelldeservestobe！"
　　Theattentiveinterestwhichhadatfirstcharacterizedtheaudiencenowchangedtoexcitedadmirationandamazement。Someleanedforwardwithmouthswideopen。Othersstoodupsothattheycouldseebetter。Ejaculationsofastonishmentandwonderwereheardoneveryside，andamorethoroughlyfascinatedandabsorbedaudiencewasneverseen。
　　"Now，myfriends，"Loringcontinued，"Iwillgivethishandsomefowlanothertap。Beholdtheresult——anoble，full-
　　growncock！Beholdhisspurs！Theyarenearlyaninchlong！
　　See，thereisacombforyou！Andwhatamagnificenttailofgreenandblack，contrastingsofinelywiththedeepredoftherestofhisbody！Well，sir，youaretrulytoobigforthistable。AsIcannotgiveyoumoreroom，Iwillsetyouuphigher。
　　Moveoveralittle，andIwillsetthischaironthetable。
　　There！Upontheseat！That'sright，butdon'tstop。Thereistheback，whichishigheryet！Upwithyou！Ha！There，henearlyupsetthechair，butIwillholdit。See！Hehasturnedaround。Now，then，lookathim。Seehiswingsasheflapsthem！
　　Hecouldflywithsuchwings。Lookathim！Seethatswellingbreast！Ha，ha！Listen！Didyoueverhearacrowlikethat？
　　Itfairlyringsthroughthehouse。Yes，Iknewit！Thereisanother！"
　　Atthispointthepeopleinthehousewereinastateofwildexcitement。Nearlyallofthemwereontheirfeet，andtheywereinsuchaconditionoffranticenthusiasmthatLoringwasafraidsomeofthemmightmakearunforthestage。
　　"Come，sir，"criedLoring，nowalmostshouting，"thatwilldo。Youhaveshownusthestrengthofyourlungs。Jumpdownontheseatofthechair；nowonthetable。There，Iwilltakeawaythechair，andyoucanstandforamomentonthetableandletourfriendslookatyou；butonlyforamoment。Takethattaponyourback。Nowdoyouseeanydifference？Perhapsyoumaynot，butIdo。Yes，Ibelieveyoualldo。Heisnotthebigfellowhewasaminuteago。Heisreallysmaller——onlyafinecockerel。Anicetailthat，butwithnoneofthenoblesweepthatithadaminuteago。No，don'ttrytogetoffthetable。
　　Youcan'tescapemywand。Anothertap。Beholdahalf-grownchicken，goodtoeat，butwithnotacrowinhim。Hungry，areyou？Butyouneednotpickatthetablethatway。Yougetnomoregrain，butonlythislittletap。Ha，ha！Whatareyoucomingto？Thereisachickenbarelyfeatheredenoughforustotellwhatcolorheisgoingtobe。
　　"Anothertapwilltakestillmoreoftheconceitoutofhim。
　　Lookathim！Therearehispin-feathers，andhisbarespots。
　　Don'ttrytogetaway；Icaneasilytapyouagain。Nowthen。
　　Hereisalovelylittlechick，fluffywithyellowdown。Heisactiveenough，butIshallquiethim。Onetap，andnowwhatdoyousee？Apoor，feeblechicken，scarcelyabletostand，withhisdownallpackedclosetohimasifhehadbeenoutintherain。Ah，littlechick，Iwilltakethetwohalvesoftheegg-
　　shellfromwhichyoucame，andputthemoneachsideofyou。
　　Come，nowgetin！Iclosethemup。Youarelosttoview。Thereisnothingtobeseenbutacrackaroundtheshell！Nowithasgone！There，myfriends；asIholditonhigh，beholdthemagicegg，exactlyasitwaswhenIfirsttookitoutofthebox，intowhichIwillplaceitagain，withtheclothandthewandandthelittleredbag，andshutitupwithasnap。IwillletyoutakeonemorelookatthisboxbeforeIputitawaybehindthescenes。
　　AreyousatisfiedwithwhatIhaveshownyou？Doyouthinkitisreallyaswonderfulasyousupposeditwouldbe？"
　　Atthesewordsthewholeaudienceburstintoriotousapplause，duringwhichLoringdisappeared，buthewasbackinamoment。
　　"Thankyou！"hecried，bowinglow，andwavinghisarmsbeforehiminthemannerofanEasternmagicianmakingasalaam。Fromsidetosideheturned，bowingandthanking，andthen，withahearty"Good-bytoyou；good-bytoyouall！"hesteppedbackandletdownthecurtain。
　　Forsomemomentstheaudienceremainedintheirseatsasiftheywereexpectingsomethingmore，andthentheyrosequietlyandbegantodisperse。Mostofthemwereacquaintedwithoneanother，andtherewasagooddealofgreetingandtalkingastheywentoutofthetheatre。
　　WhenLoringwassurethelastpersonhaddeparted，heturneddownthelights，lockedthedoor，andgavethekeytothestewardoftheclub。
　　Hewalkedtohishomeahappyman。Hisexhibitionhadbeenaperfectsuccess，withnotabreakoraflawinitfrombeginningtoend。
　　"Ifeel，"thoughttheyoungman，ashestrodealong，"asifI
　　couldflytothetopofthatsteeple，andflapandcrowuntilalltheworldheardme。"
　　Thatevening，aswashisdailycustom，HerbertLoringcalleduponMissStarr。Hefoundtheyoungladyinthelibrary。
　　"Icameinhere，"shesaid，"becauseIhaveagooddealtotalktoyouabout，andIdonotwantinterruptions。"
　　Withthisarrangementtheyoungmanexpressedhisentiresatisfaction，andimmediatelybegantoinquirethecauseofherabsencefromhisexhibitionintheafternoon。
　　"ButIwasthere，"saidEdith。"Youdidnotseeme，butI
　　wasthere。Motherhadaheadache，andIwentbymyself。"
　　"Youwerethere！"exclaimedLoring，almoststartingfromhischair。"Idon'tunderstand。Youwerenotinyourseat。"
　　"No，"answeredEdith。"Iwasontheverybackrowofseats。
　　Youcouldnotseeme，andIdidnotwishyoutoseeme。"
　　"Edith！"exclaimedLoring，risingtohisfeetandleaningoverthelibrarytable，whichwasbetweenthem。"Whendidyoucome？Howmuchoftheperformancedidyousee？"
　　"Iwaslate，"shesaid。"Ididnotarriveuntilafterthefireworks，orwhatevertheywere。"
　　ForamomentLoringwassilent，asifhedidnotunderstandthesituation。
　　"Fireworks！"hesaid。"Howdidyouknowtherehadbeenfireworks？"
　　"Iheardthepeopletalkingofthemastheyleftthetheatre，"sheanswered。
　　"Andwhatdidtheysay？"heinquiredquickly。
　　"Theyseemedtolikethemverywell，"shereplied，"butIdonotthinktheywerequitesatisfied。FromwhatIheardsomepersonssay，Iinferredthattheythoughtitwasnotverymuchofashowtowhichyouhadinvitedthem。"
　　AgainLoringstoodinthought，lookingdownatthetable。
　　Butbeforehecouldspeakagain，Edithsprangtoherfeet。
　　"HerbertLoring，"shecried，"whatdoesallthismean？Iwasthereduringthewholeoftheexhibitionofwhatyoucalledthemagicegg。Isawallthosepeoplewildwithexcitementatthewonderfulsightofthechickenthatcameoutoftheegg，andgrewtofullsize，andthendwindleddownagain，andwentbackintotheegg，and，Herbert，therewasnoegg，andtherewasnolittlebox，andtherewasnowand，andnoembroideredcloth，andtherewasnoredbag，noranylittlechick，andtherewasnofull-grownfowl，andtherewasnochairthatyouputonthetable！Therewasnothing，absolutelynothing，butyouandthattable！Eventhetablewasnotwhatyousaiditwas。Itwasnotanunpaintedpinetablewithfourstraightlegs。Itwasatableofdarkpolishedwood，anditstoodonasinglepostwithfeet。
　　Therewasnothingtherethatyousaidwasthere。Everythingwasashamandadelusion；everywordyouspokewasuntrue。Andyeteverybodyinthattheatre，exceptingyouandme，sawallthethingsthatyousaidwereonthestage。Iknowtheysawthemall，forIwaswiththepeople，andheardthem，andsawthem，andattimesIfairlyfeltthethrillofenthusiasmwhichpossessedthemastheyglaredatthemiraclesandwondersyousaidwerehappening。"
　　Loringsmiled。"Sitdown，mydearEdith，"hesaid。"Youareexcited，andthereisnottheslightestcauseforit。Iwillexplainthewholeaffairtoyou。Itissimpleenough。Youknowthatstudyisthegreatobjectofmylife。Istudyallsortsofthings；andjustnowIamgreatlyinterestedinhypnotism。Thesubjecthasbecomefascinatingtome。Ihavemadeagreatmanysuccessfultrialsofmypower，andtheaffairofthisafternoonwasnothingbutatrialofmypowersonamoreextensivescalethananythingIhaveyetattempted。IwantedtoseeifitwerepossibleformetohypnotizeaconsiderablenumberofpeoplewithoutanyonesuspectingwhatIintendedtodo。Theresultwasasuccess。Ihypnotizedallthosepeoplebymeansofthefirstpartofmyperformance，whichconsistedofsomecombinationsofcoloredglasswithlightsthrownuponthem。Theyrevolved，andlookedlikefireworks，andwerestrungonawirehighuponthestage。
　　"Ikeptuptheglitteringanddazzlingshow——whichwaswellworthseeing，Icanassureyou——untilthepeoplehadbeenstrainingtheireyesupwardforalmosthalfanhour。Andthissortofthing——Iwilltellyouifyoudonotknowit——isoneofthemethodsofproducinghypnoticsleep。
　　"Therewasnoonepresentwhowasnotanimpressionablesubject，forIwasverycarefulinsendingoutmyinvitations，andwhenIbecamealmostcertainthatmyaudiencewasthoroughlyhypnotized，Istoppedtheshowandbegantherealexhibition，whichwasnotreallyfortheirbenefit，butformine。
　　"Ofcourse，IwasdreadfullyanxiousforfearIhadnotsucceededentirely，andthattheremightbeatleastsomeonepersonwhohadnotsuccumbedtothehypnoticinfluences，andsoI
　　testedthematterbybringingoutthattableandtellingthemitwassomethingitwasnot。IfIhadhadanyreasonforsupposingthatsomeoftheaudiencesawthetableasitreallywas，Ihadanexplanationready，andIcouldhaveretiredfrommypositionwithoutanyonesupposingthatIhadintendedmakinghypnoticexperiments。Therestoftheexhibitionwouldhavebeensomethingsthatanyonecouldsee，andassoonaspossibleIwouldhavereleasedfromtheirspellthosewhowerehypnotized。ButwhenIbecamepositivelyassuredthateveryonesawalightpinetablewithfourstraightlegs，Iconfidentlywentonwiththeperformancesofthemagicegg。"
　　EdithStarrwasstillstandingbythelibrarytable。ShehadnotheededLoring'sadvicetositdown，andshewastremblingwithemotion。
　　"HerbertLoring，"shesaid，"youinvitedmymotherandmetothatexhibition。Yougaveusticketsforfrontseats，wherewewouldbecertaintobehypnotizedifyourexperimentsucceeded，andyouwouldhavemadeusseethatfalseshow，whichfadedfromthosepeople'smindsassoonastheyrecoveredfromthespell，forastheywentawaytheyweretalkingonlyofthefireworks，andnotoneofthemmentionedamagicegg，orachicken，oranythingofthekind。Answermethis：didyounotintendthatI
　　shouldcomeandbeputunderthatspell？"
　　Loringsmiled。"Yes，"hesaid，"ofcourseIdid。Butthenyourcasewouldhavebeendifferentfromthatoftheotherspectators：Ishouldhaveexplainedthewholethingtoyou，andI
　　amsurewewouldhavehadagreatdealofpleasure，andprofittoo，indiscussingyourexperiences。Thesubjectisextremely——"
　　"Explaintome！"shecried。"Youwouldnothavedaredtodoit！Idonotknowhowbraveyoumaybe，butIknowyouwouldnothavehadthecouragetocomehereandtellmethatyouhadtakenawaymyreasonandmyjudgment，asyoutookthemawayfromallthosepeople，andthatyouhadmademeameretoolofyourwill——
　　glaringandpantingwithexcitementatthewonderfulthingsyoutoldmetoseewherenothingexisted。Ihavenothingtosayabouttheothers。Theycanspeakforthemselvesiftheyevercometoknowwhatyoudidtothem。Ispeakformyself。Istoodupwiththerestofthepeople。Igazedwithallmypower，andoverandoveragainIaskedmyselfifitcouldbepossiblethatanythingwasthematterwithmyeyesormybrain，andifIcouldbetheonlypersontherewhocouldnotseethemarvellousspectaclethatyouweredescribing。ButnowIknowthatnothingwasreal，noteventhelittlepinetable——noteventheman！"
　　"Notevenme！"exclaimedLoring。"SurelyIwasrealenough！"
　　"Onthatstage，yes，"shesaid。"ButyouthereprovedyouwerenottheHerbertLoringtowhomIpromisedmyself。Hewasanunrealbeing。Ifhehadexistedhewouldnothavebeenamanwhowouldhavebroughtmetothatpublicplace，allignorantofhisintentions，tocloudmyperceptions，tosubjectmyintellecttohisown，andmakemebelievealie。Ifamanshouldtreatmeinthatwayoncehewouldtreatmesoatothertimes，andinotherways，ifhehadthechance。Youhavetreatedmeinthepastasto-dayyoutreatedthosepeoplewhoglaredatthemagicegg。Inthedaysgonebyyoumademeseeanunrealman，butyouwillneverdoitagain！Good-by。"
　　"Edith，"criedLoring，"youdon't——"
　　Butshehaddisappearedthroughasidedoor，andheneverspoketoheragain。
　　Walkinghomethroughthedimlylightedstreets，Loringinvoluntarilyspokealoud。
　　"Andthis，"hesaid，"iswhatcameoutofthemagicegg！"
　　"HISWIFE'SDECEASEDSISTER"
　　Itisnowfiveyearssinceaneventoccurredwhichsocoloredmylife，orrathersochangedsomeofitsoriginalcolors，thatI
　　havethoughtitwelltowriteanaccountofit，deemingthatitslessonsmaybeofadvantagetopersonswhosesituationsinlifearesimilartomyown。
　　WhenIwasquiteayoungmanIadoptedliteratureasaprofession，andhavingpassedthroughthenecessarypreparatorygrades，Ifoundmyself，afteragoodmanyyearsofhardandoftenunremunerativework，inpossessionofwhatmightbecalledafairliterarypractice。Myarticles，grave，gay，practical，orfanciful，hadcometobeconsideredwithafavorbytheeditorsofthevariousperiodicalsforwhichIwrote，onwhichIfoundintimeIcouldrelywithaverycomfortablecertainty。Myproductionscreatednoenthusiasminthereadingpublic；theygavemenogreatreputationorveryvaluablepecuniaryreturn；
　　buttheywerealwaysaccepted，andmyreceiptsfromthem，atthetimetowhichIhavereferred，wereasregularandreliableasasalary，andquitesufficienttogivememorethanacomfortablesupport。
　　ItwasatthistimeImarried。Ihadbeenengagedformorethanayear，buthadnotbeenwillingtoassumethesupportofawifeuntilIfeltthatmypecuniarypositionwassoassuredthatIcoulddosowithfullsatisfactiontomyownconscience。
　　Therewasnownodoubtinregardtothisposition，eitherinmymindorinthatofmywife。Iworkedwithgreatsteadinessandregularity，Iknewexactlywheretoplacetheproductionsofmypen，andcouldcalculate，withafairdegreeofaccuracy，thesumsIshouldreceiveforthem。Wewerebynomeansrich，butwehadenough，andwerethoroughlysatisfiedandcontent。
　　Thoseofmyreaderswhoaremarriedwillhavenodifficultyinrememberingthepeculiarecstasyofthefirstweeksoftheirweddedlife。Itisthenthattheflowersofthisworldbloombrightest；thatitssunisthemostgenial；thatitscloudsarethescarcest；thatitsfruitisthemostdelicious；thattheairisthemostbalmy；thatitscigarsareofthehighestflavor；
　　thatthewarmthandradianceofearlymatrimonialfelicitysorarefytheintellectualatmospherethatthesoulmountshigher，andenjoysawiderprospect，thaneverbefore。
　　Theseexperiencesweremine。Theplainclaretofmymindwaschangedtosparklingchampagne，andattheveryheightofitseffervescenceIwroteastory。Thehappythoughtthatthenstruckmeforatalewasofaverypeculiarcharacter，anditinterestedmesomuchthatIwenttoworkatitwithgreatdelightandenthusiasm，andfinisheditinacomparativelyshorttime。Thetitleofthestorywas"HisWife'sDeceasedSister，"
　　andwhenIreadittoHypatiashewasdelightedwithit，andattimeswassoaffectedbyitspathosthatheruncontrollableemotioncausedasympatheticdimnessinmyeyeswhichpreventedmyseeingthewordsIhadwritten。Whenthereadingwasendedandmywifehaddriedhereyes，sheturnedtomeandsaid，"Thisstorywillmakeyourfortune。TherehasbeennothingsopatheticsinceLamartine's`HistoryofaServantGirl。'"
　　AssoonaspossiblethenextdayIsentmystorytotheeditoroftheperiodicalforwhichIwrotemostfrequently，andinwhichmybestproductionsgenerallyappeared。InafewdaysI
　　hadaletterfromtheeditor，inwhichhepraisedmystoryashehadneverbeforepraisedanythingfrommypen。Ithadinterestedandcharmed，hesaid，notonlyhimself，butallhisassociatesintheoffice。EvenoldGibson，whonevercaredtoreadanythinguntilitwasinproof，andwhoneverpraisedanythingwhichhadnotajokeinit，wasinducedbytheexampleoftheotherstoreadthismanuscript，andshed，asheasserted，thefirsttearsthathadcomefromhiseyessincehisfinalpaternalcastigationsomefortyyearsbefore。Thestorywouldappear，theeditorassuredme，assoonashecouldpossiblyfindroomforit。
　　Ifanythingcouldmakeourskiesmoregenial，ourflowersbrighter，andtheflavorofourfruitandcigarsmoredelicious，itwasaletterlikethis。Andwhen，inaveryshorttime，thestorywaspublished，wefoundthatthereadingpublicwasinclinedtoreceiveitwithasmuchsympatheticinterestandfavorashadbeenshowntoitbytheeditors。Mypersonalfriendssoonbegantoexpressenthusiasticopinionsuponit。Itwashighlypraisedinmanyoftheleadingnewspapers，and，altogether，itwasagreatliterarysuccess。Iamnotinclinedtobevainofmywritings，and，ingeneral，mywifetellsme，Ithinktoolittleofthem。ButIdidfeelagooddealofprideandsatisfactioninthesuccessof"HisWife'sDeceasedSister。"
　　Ifitdidnotmakemyfortune，asmywifeasserteditwould，itcertainlywouldhelpmeverymuchinmyliterarycareer。
　　Inlessthanamonthfromthewritingofthisstory，somethingveryunusualandunexpectedhappenedtome。A
　　manuscriptwasreturnedbytheeditoroftheperiodicalinwhich"HisWife'sDeceasedSister"hadappeared。
　　"Itisagoodstory，"hewrote，"butnotequaltowhatyouhavejustdone。Youhavemadeagreathit，anditwouldnotdotointerferewiththereputationyouhavegainedbypublishinganythinginferiorto`HisWife'sDeceasedSister，'whichhashadsuchadeservedsuccess。"
　　IwassounaccustomedtohavingmyworkthrownbackonmyhandsthatIthinkImusthaveturnedalittlepalewhenIreadtheletter。Isaidnothingofthemattertomywife，foritwouldbefoolishtodropsuchgrainsofsandasthisintothesmoothlyoiledmachineryofourdomesticfelicity，butI
　　immediatelysentthestorytoanothereditor。IamnotabletoexpresstheastonishmentIfeltwhen，inthecourseofaweek，itwassentbacktome。Thetoneofthenoteaccompanyingitindicatedasomewhatinjuredfeelingonthepartoftheeditor。
　　"Iamreluctant，"hesaid，"todeclineamanuscriptfromyou；
　　butyouknowverywellthatifyousentmeanythinglike`HisWife'sDeceasedSister'itwouldbemostpromptlyaccepted。"
　　Inowfeltobligedtospeakoftheaffairtomywife，whowasquiteasmuchsurprised，though，perhaps，notquiteasmuchshocked，asIhadbeen。
　　"Letusreadthestoryagain，"shesaid，"andseewhatisthematterwithit。"Whenwehadfinisheditsperusal，Hypatiaremarked："Itisquiteasgoodasmanyofthestoriesyouhavehadprinted，andIthinkitveryinteresting，although，ofcourse，itisnotequalto`HisWife'sDeceasedSister。'"
　　"Ofcoursenot，"saidI；"thatwasaninspirationthatI
　　cannotexpecteveryday。Buttheremustbesomethingwrongaboutthislaststorywhichwedonotperceive。Perhapsmyrecentsuccessmayhavemademealittlecarelessinwritingit。"
　　"Idon'tbelievethat，"saidHypatia。
　　"Atanyrate，"Icontinued，"Iwilllayitaside，andwillgotoworkonanewone。"
　　InduecourseoftimeIhadanothermanuscriptfinished，andIsentittomyfavoriteperiodical。Itwasretainedsomeweeks，andthencamebacktome。
　　"Itwillneverdo，"theeditorwrote，quitewarmly，"foryoutogobackward。Thedemandforthenumbercontaining`HisWife'sDeceasedSister'stillcontinues，andwedonotintendtoletyoudisappointthatgreatbodyofreaderswhowouldbesoeagertoseeanothernumbercontainingoneofyourstories。"
　　Isentthismanuscripttofourotherperiodicals，andfromeachofthemitwasreturnedwithremarkstotheeffectthat，althoughitwasnotabadstoryinitself，itwasnotwhattheywouldexpectfromtheauthorof"HisWife'sDeceasedSister。"
　　TheeditorofaWesternmagazinewrotetomeforastorytobepublishedinaspecialnumberwhichhewouldissuefortheholidays。Iwrotehimoneofthecharacterandlengthhedesired，andsentittohim。Byreturnmailitcamebacktome。
　　"Ihadhoped，"theeditorwrote，"whenIaskedforastoryfromyourpen，toreceivesomethinglike`HisWife'sDeceasedSister，'andImustownthatIamverymuchdisappointed。"
　　IwassofilledwithangerwhenIreadthisnotethatI
　　openlyobjurgated"HisWife'sDeceasedSister。""Youmustexcuseme，"Isaidtomyastonishedwife，"forexpressingmyselfthusinyourpresence，butthatconfoundedstorywillbetheruinofmeyet。UntilitisforgottennobodywillevertakeanythingI
　　write。"
　　"Andyoucannotexpectitevertobeforgotten，"saidHypatia，withtearsinhereyes。
　　Itisneedlessformetodetailmyliteraryeffortsinthecourseofthenextfewmonths。Theideasoftheeditorswithwhommyprincipalbusinesshadbeendone，inregardtomyliteraryability，hadbeensoraisedbymyunfortunatestoryof"HisWife'sDeceasedSister"thatIfounditwasofnousetosendthemanythingoflessermerit。AndastotheotherjournalswhichItried，theyevidentlyconsidereditaninsultformetosendthemmatterinferiortothatbywhichmyreputationhadlatelyrisen。Thefactwasthatmysuccessfulstoryhadruinedme。Myincomewasatanend，andwantactuallystaredmeintheface；andImustadmitthatIdidnotliketheexpressionofitscountenance。Itwasofnouseformetotrytowriteanotherstorylike"HisWife'sDeceasedSister。"IcouldnotgetmarriedeverytimeIbegananewmanuscript，anditwastheexaltationofmindcausedbymyweddedfelicitywhichproducedthatstory。
　　"It'sperfectlydreadful！"saidmywife。"IfIhadhadasister，andshehaddied，Iwouldhavethoughtitwasmyfault。"
　　"Itcouldnotbeyourfault，"Ianswered，"andIdonotthinkitwasmine。IhadnointentionofdeceivinganybodyintothebeliefthatIcoulddothatsortofthingeverytime，anditoughtnottobeexpectedofme。SupposeRaphael'spatronshadtriedtokeephimscreweduptothepitchoftheSistineMadonna，andhadrefusedtobuyanythingwhichwasnotasgoodasthat。
　　InthatcaseIthinkhewouldhaveoccupiedamuchearlierandnarrowergravethantheoneonwhichMr。MorrisMoorehangshisfuneraldecorations。"
　　"But，mydear，"saidHypatia，whowaspostedonsuchsubjects，"theSistineMadonnawasoneofhislatestpaintings。"
　　"Verytrue，"saidI。"ButifhehadmarriedasIdid，hewouldhavepainteditearlier。"
　　Iwaswalkinghomewardoneafternoonaboutthistime，whenI
　　metBarbel，amanIhadknownwellinmyearlyliterarycareer。
　　Hewasnowaboutfiftyyearsofage，butlookedolder。Hishairandbeardwerequitegray，andhisclothes，whichwereofthesamegeneralhue，gavemetheideathatthey，likehishair，hadoriginallybeenblack。Ageisveryhardonaman'sexternalappointments。Barbelhadanairofhavingbeentoletforalongtime，andquiteoutofrepair。Buttherewasakindlygleaminhiseye，andhewelcomedmecordially。
　　"Why，whatisthematter，oldfellow？"saidhe。"Ineversawyoulooksowoe-begone。"
　　IhadnoreasontoconcealanythingfromBarbel。Inmyyoungerdayshehadbeenofgreatusetome，andhehadarighttoknowthestateofmyaffairs。Ilaidthewholecaseplainlybeforehim。
　　"Lookhere，"hesaid，whenIhadfinished；"comewithmetomyroom；IhavesomethingIwouldliketosaytoyouthere。"
　　IfollowedBarbeltohisroom。Itwasatthetopofaverydirtyandwell-wornhouse，whichstoodinanarrowandlumpystreet，intowhichfewvehicleseverpenetrated，excepttheashandgarbage-carts，andthericketywagonsofthevendersofstalevegetables。
　　"Thisisnotexactlyafashionablepromenade，"saidBarbel，asweapproachedthehouse，"butinsomerespectsitremindsmeofthestreetsinItaliantowns，wherethepalacesleanovertowardeachotherinsuchafriendlyway。"
　　Barbel'sroomwas，tomymind，rathermoredolefulthanthestreet。Itwasdark，itwasdusty，andcobwebshungfromeverycorner。Thefewchairsuponthefloorandthebooksuponagreasytableseemedtobeafflictedwithsomedorsalepidemic，fortheirbackswereeithergoneorbroken。AlittlebedsteadinthecornerwascoveredwithaspreadmadeofNewYork"Heralds"
　　withtheiredgespastedtogether。
　　"Thereisnothingbetter，"saidBarbel，noticingmyglancetowardthisnovelcounterpane，"forabed-coveringthannewspapers；theykeepyouaswarmasablanket，andaremuchlighter。Iusedtouse`Tribunes，'buttheyrattledtoomuch。"
　　Theonlypartoftheroomwhichwaswelllightedwasoneendnearthesolitarywindow。Here，uponatablewithasplicedleg，stoodalittlegrindstone。
　　"Attheotherendoftheroom，"saidBarbel，"ismycook-
　　stove，whichyoucan'tseeunlessIlightthecandleinthebottlewhichstandsbyit。Butifyoudon'tcareparticularlytoexamineit，Iwon'tgototheexpenseoflightingup。Youmightpickupagoodmanyoddpiecesofbric-a-brac，aroundhere，ifyouchosetostrikeamatchandinvestigate。ButIwouldnotadviseyoutodoso。Itwouldpaybettertothrowthethingsoutofthewindowthantocarrythemdown-stairs。TheparticularpieceofindoordecorationtowhichIwishtocallyourattentionisthis。"Andheledmetoalittlewoodenframewhichhungagainstthewallnearthewindow。Behindadustypieceofglassitheldwhatappearedtobealeaffromasmallmagazineorjournal。"There，"saidhe，"youseeapagefromthe`Grasshopper，'ahumorouspaperwhichflourishedinthiscitysomehalf-dozenyearsago。Iusedtowriteregularlyforthatpaper，asyoumayremember。"
　　"Oh，yes，indeed！"Iexclaimed。"AndIshallneverforgetyour`ConundrumoftheAnvil'whichappearedinit。HowoftenhaveIlaughedatthatmostwonderfulconceit，andhowoftenhaveIputittomyfriends！"
　　Barbelgazedatmesilentlyforamoment，andthenhepointedtotheframe。"Thatprintedpage，"hesaidsolemnly，"containsthe`ConundrumoftheAnvil。'IhangittheresothatIcanseeitwhileIwork。Thatconundrumruinedme。ItwasthelastthingIwroteforthe`Grasshopper。'HowIevercametoimagineit，Icannottell。Itisoneofthosethingswhichoccurtoamanbutonceinalifetime。Afterthewildshoutofdelightwithwhichthepublicgreetedthatconundrum，mysubsequenteffortsmetwithhootsofderision。The`Grasshopper'turneditshindlegsuponme。Isankfrombadtoworse，——muchworse，——untilatlastIfoundmyselfreducedtomypresentoccupation，whichisthatofgrindingpointsonpins。BythisIprocuremybread，coffee，andtobacco，andsometimespotatoesandmeat。OnedaywhileIwashardatwork，anorgan-grindercameintothestreetbelow。Heplayedtheserenadefrom`Trovatore'andthefamiliarnotesbroughtbackvisionsofolddaysandolddelights，whenthesuccessfulwriterworegoodclothesandsatatoperas，whenhelookedintosweeteyesandtalkedofItalianairs，whenhisfutureappearedallasuccessionofbrightsceneryandjoyousacts，withoutanyprovisionforadrop-curtain。Andasmyearlistened，andmymindwanderedinthishappyretrospect，myeveryfacultyseemedexalted，and，withoutanythoughtuponthematter，Igroundpointsuponmypinssofine，soregular，andsosmooththattheywouldhavepiercedwitheasetheleatherofaboot，orslipped，withoutabrasion，amongthefinestthreadsofrareoldlace。Whentheorganstopped，andIfellbackintomyrealworldofcobwebsandmustiness，IgazeduponthepinsIhadjustground，and，withoutamoment'shesitation，Ithrewthemintothestreet，andreportedthelotasspoiled。Thiscostmealittlemoney，butitsavedmemylivelihood。"
　　Afterafewmomentsofsilence，Barbelresumed：
　　"Ihavenomoretosaytoyou，myyoungfriend。AllIwantyoutodoistolookuponthatframedconundrum，thenuponthisgrindstone，andthentogohomeandreflect。Asforme，I
　　haveagrossofpinstogrindbeforethesungoesdown。"
　　IcannotsaythatmydepressionofmindwasatallrelievedbywhatIhadseenandheard。IhadlostsightofBarbelforsomeyears，andIhadsupposedhimstillfloatingonthesun-
　　sparklingstreamofprosperitywhereIhadlastseenhim。Itwasagreatshocktometofindhiminsuchaconditionofpovertyandsqualor，andtoseeamanwhohadoriginatedthe"ConundrumoftheAnvil"reducedtothesoul-depressingoccupationofgrindingpin-points。AsIwalkedandthought，thedreadfulpictureofatotallyeclipsedfuturearosebeforemymind。ThemoralofBarbelsankdeepintomyheart。
　　WhenIreachedhomeItoldmywifethestoryofmyfriendBarbel。Shelistenedwithasadandeagerinterest。
　　"Iamafraid，"shesaid，"ifourfortunesdonotquicklymend，thatweshallhavetobuytwolittlegrindstones。YouknowIcouldhelpyouatthatsortofthing。"
　　Foralongtimewesattogetherandtalked，anddevisedmanyplansforthefuture。Ididnotthinkitnecessaryyetformetolookoutforapincontract；butImustfindsomewayofmakingmoney，orweshouldstarvetodeath。Ofcourse，thefirstthingthatsuggesteditselfwasthepossibilityoffindingsomeotherbusiness。But，apartfromthedifficultyofimmediatelyobtainingremunerativeworkinoccupationstowhichIhadnotbeentrained，IfeltagreatandnaturalreluctancetogiveupaprofessionforwhichIhadcarefullypreparedmyself，andwhichIhadadoptedasmylife-work。Itwouldbeveryhardformetolaydownmypenforever，andtoclosethetopofmyinkstanduponallthebrightandhappyfancieswhichIhadseenmirroredinitstranquilpool。Wetalkedandponderedtherestofthatdayandagooddealofthenight，butwecametonoconclusionastowhatitwouldbebestforustodo。
　　ThenextdayIdeterminedtogoandcallupontheeditorofthejournalforwhich，inhappierdays，beforetheblightof"HisWife'sDeceasedSister"resteduponme，Iusedmostfrequentlytowrite，and，havingfranklyexplainedmyconditiontohim，toaskhisadvice。Theeditorwasagoodman，andhadalwaysbeenmyfriend。HelistenedwithgreatattentiontowhatItoldhim，andevidentlysympathizedwithmeinmytrouble。
　　"Aswehavewrittentoyou，"hesaid，"theonlyreasonwhywedidnotacceptthemanuscriptsyousentuswasthattheywouldhavedisappointedthehighhopesthatthepublichadformedinregardtoyou。Wehavehadletterafterletteraskingwhenweweregoingtopublishanotherstorylike`HisWife'sDeceasedSister。'Wefelt，andwestillfeel，thatitwouldbewrongtoallowyoutodestroythefairfabricwhichyouyourselfhaveraised。But，"headded，withakindsmile，"Iseeveryplainlythatyourwell-deservedreputationwillbeoflittleadvantagetoyouifyoushouldstarveatthemomentthatitsgenialbeamsare，sotospeak，lightingyouup。"
　　"Itsbeamsarenotgenial，"Ianswered。"Theyhavescorchedandwitheredme。"
　　"Howwouldyoulike，"saidtheeditor，afterashortreflection，"toallowustopublishthestoriesyouhaverecentlywrittenundersomeothernamethanyourown？Thatwouldsatisfyusandthepublic，wouldputmoneyinyourpocket，andwouldnotinterferewithyourreputation。"
　　JoyfullyIseizedthenoblefellowbythehand，andinstantlyacceptedhisproposition。"Ofcourse，"saidI，"areputationisaverygoodthing；butnoreputationcantaketheplaceoffood，clothes，andahousetolivein，andIgladlyagreetosinkmyover-illuminednameintooblivion，andtoappearbeforethepublicasanewandunknownwriter。"
　　"Ihopethatneednotbeforlong，"hesaid，"forIfeelsurethatyouwillyetwritestoriesasgoodas`HisWife'sDeceasedSister。'"
　　AllthemanuscriptsIhadonhandInowsenttomygoodfriendtheeditor，andindueandproperordertheyappearedinhisjournalunderthenameofJohnDarmstadt，whichIhadselectedasasubstituteformyown，permanentlydisabled。I
　　madeasimilararrangementwithothereditors，andJohnDarmstadtreceivedthecreditofeverythingthatproceededfrommypen。
　　Ourcircumstancesnowbecameverycomfortable，andoccasionallyweevenallowedourselvestoindulgeinlittledreamsofprosperity。
　　Timepassedonverypleasantly。Oneyear，another，andthenalittlesonwasborntous。Itisoftendifficult，Ibelieve，forthoughtfulpersonstodecidewhetherthebeginningoftheirconjugalcareer，ortheearliestweeksinthelifeoftheirfirst-born，bethehappiestandproudestperiodoftheirexistence。FormyselfIcanonlysaythatthesameexaltationofmind，thesamerareficationofideaandinvention，whichsucceededuponmyweddingdaycameuponmenow。Asthen，myecstaticemotionscrystallizedthemselvesintoamotiveforastory，andwithoutdelayIsetmyselftoworkuponit。Myboywasaboutsixweeksoldwhenthemanuscriptwasfinished，andoneevening，aswesatbeforeacomfortablefireinoursitting-room，withthecurtainsdrawn，andthesoftlamplighted，andthebabysleepingsoundlyintheadjoiningchamber，Ireadthestorytomywife。
　　WhenIhadfinished，mywifearoseandthrewherselfintomyarms。"Iwasneversoproudofyou，"shesaid，hergladeyessparkling，"asIamatthismoment。Thatisawonderfulstory！
　　Itis，indeedIamsureitis，justasgoodas`HisWife'sDeceasedSister。'"
　　Asshespokethesewords，asuddenandchillingsensationcreptoverusboth。Allherwarmthandfervor，andtheproudandhappyglowengenderedwithinmebythispraiseandappreciationfromoneIloved，vanishedinaninstant。Westeppedapart，andgazeduponeachotherwithpallidfaces。Inthesamemomenttheterribletruthhadflasheduponusboth。ThisstoryWASasgoodas"HisWife'sDeceasedSister"！
　　Westoodsilent。TheexceptionallotofBarbel'ssuper-
　　pointedpinsseemedtopierceourverysouls。Adreadfulvisionrosebeforemeofanimpendingfallandcrash，inwhichourdomestichappinessshouldvanish，andourprospectsforourboybewrecked，justaswehadbegantobuildthemup。
　　Mywifeapproachedme，andtookmyhandinhers，whichwasascoldasice。"Bestrongandfirm，"shesaid。"Agreatdangerthreatensus，butyoumustbraceyourselfagainstit。Bestrongandfirm。"
　　Ipressedherhand，andwesaidnomorethatnight。
　　ThenextdayItookthemanuscriptIhadjustwritten，andcarefullyinfoldeditinstoutwrapping-paper。ThenIwenttoaneighboringgrocerystoreandboughtasmall，strong，tinbox，originallyintendedforbiscuit，withacoverthatfittedtightly。InthisIplacedmymanuscript，andthenItooktheboxtoatinsmithandhadthetopfastenedonwithhardsolder。WhenIwenthomeIascendedintothegarretandbroughtdowntomystudyaship'scash-box，whichhadoncebelongedtooneofmyfamilywhowasasea-captain。Thisboxwasveryheavy，andfirmlyboundwithiron，andwassecuredbytwomassivelocks。
　　Callingmywife，Itoldherofthecontentsofthetincase，whichIthenplacedinthebox，andhavingshutdowntheheavylid，Idoublylockedit。
　　"Thiskey，"saidI，puttingitinmypocket，"IshallthrowintotheriverwhenIgooutthisafternoon。"
　　Mywifewatchedmeeagerly，withapallidandfirm-setcountenance，butuponwhichIcouldseethefaintglimmerofreturninghappiness。
　　"Wouldn'titbewell，"shesaid，"tosecureitstillfurtherbysealing-waxandpiecesoftape？"
　　"No，"saidI。"Idonotbelievethatanyonewillattempttotamperwithourprosperity。Andnow，mydear，"Icontinuedinanimpressivevoice，"noonebutyou，and，inthecourseoftime，ourson，shallknowthatthismanuscriptexists。WhenIamdead，thosewhosurvivememay，iftheyseefit，causethisboxtobesplitopenandthestorypublished。Thereputationitmaygivemynamecannotharmmethen。"
　　THEWIDOW'SCRUISE
　　TheWidowDucketlivedinasmallvillageabouttenmilesfromtheNewJerseysea-coast。Inthisvillageshewasborn，hereshehadmarriedandburiedherhusband，andheresheexpectedsomebodytoburyher；butshewasinnohurryforthis，forshehadscarcelyreachedmiddleage。Shewasatallwomanwithnoapparentfatinhercomposition，andfullofactivity，bothmuscularandmental。
　　Sheroseatsixo'clockinthemorning，cookedbreakfast，setthetable，washedthedisheswhenthemealwasover，milked，churned，swept，washed，ironed，workedinherlittlegarden，attendedtotheflowersinthefrontyard，andintheafternoonknittedandquiltedandsewed，andafterteasheeitherwenttoseeherneighborsorhadthemcometoseeher。Whenitwasreallydarkshelightedthelampinherparlorandreadforanhour，andifithappenedtobeoneofMissMaryWilkins'sbooksthatshereadsheexpresseddoubtsastotherealismofthecharactersthereindescribed。
　　ThesedoubtssheexpressedtoDorcasNetworthy，whowasasmall，plumpwoman，withasolemnface，whohadlivedwiththewidowformanyyearsandwhohadbecomeherdevoteddisciple。
　　Whateverthewidowdid，thatalsodidDorcas——notsowell，forherhearttoldhershecouldneverexpecttodothat，butwithayearninganxietytodoeverythingaswellasshecould。
　　Sheroseatfiveminutespastsix，andinasubsidiarywayshehelpedtogetthebreakfast，toeatit，towashupthedishes，toworkinthegarden，toquilt，tosew，tovisitandreceive，andnoonecouldhavetriedharderthanshedidtokeepawakewhenthewidowreadaloudintheevening。
　　Allthesethingshappenedeverydayinthesummertime，butinthewinterthewidowandDorcasclearedthesnowfromtheirlittlefrontpathinsteadofattendingtotheflowers，andintheeveningtheylightedafireaswellasalampintheparlor。
　　Sometimes，however，somethingdifferenthappened，butthiswasnotoften，onlyafewtimesintheyear。OneofthedifferentthingsoccurredwhenMrs。DucketandDorcasweresittingontheirlittlefrontporchonesummerafternoon，oneonthelittlebenchononesideofthedoor，andtheotheronthelittlebenchontheothersideofthedoor，eachwaitinguntilsheshouldheartheclockstrikefive，topreparetea。Butitwasnotyetaquartertofivewhenaone-horsewagoncontainingfourmencameslowlydownthestreet。Dorcasfirstsawthewagon，andsheinstantlystoppedknitting。
　　"Mercyonme！"sheexclaimed。"Whoeverthosepeopleare，theyarestrangershere，andtheydon'tknowwheretostop，fortheyfirstgotoonesideofthestreetandthentotheother。"
　　Thewidowlookedaroundsharply。"Humph！"saidshe。"Thosemenaresailormen。Youmightseethatinatwinklin'ofaneye。
　　Sailormenalwaysdrivethatway，becausethatisthewaytheysailships。Theyfirsttackinonedirectionandtheninanother。"
　　"Mr。Ducketdidn'tlikethesea？"remarkedDorcas，foraboutthethreehundredthtime。
　　"No，hedidn't，"answeredthewidow，foraboutthetwohundredandfiftiethtime，fortherehadbeenoccasionswhenshethoughtDorcasputthisquestioninopportunely。"Hehatedit，andhewasdrownedinitthroughtrustin'asailorman，whichI
　　neverdidnorshall。Doyoureallybelievethosemenarecomin'
　　here？"
　　"UponmywordIdo！"saidDorcas，andheropinionwascorrect。
　　ThewagondrewupinfrontofMrs。Ducket'slittlewhitehouse，andthetwowomensatrigidly，theirhandsintheirlaps，staringatthemanwhodrove。
　　Thiswasanelderlypersonagewithwhitishhair，andunderhischinathinwhitishbeard，whichwavedinthegentlebreezeandgaveDorcastheideathathisheadwasfilledwithhairwhichwasleakingoutfrombelow。
　　"IsthistheWidowDucket's？"inquiredthiselderlyman，inastrong，penetratingvoice。
　　"That'smyname，"saidthewidow，andlayingherknittingonthebenchbesideher，shewenttothegate。Dorcasalsolaidherknittingonthebenchbesideherandwenttothegate。
　　"Iwastold，"saidtheelderlyman，"atahousewetouchedataboutaquarterofamileback，thattheWidowDucket'swastheonlyhouseinthisvillagewheretherewasanychanceofmeandmymatesgettingameal。Wearefoursailors，andwearemakingfromthebayovertoCuppertown，andthat'seightmilesaheadyet，andweareallprettysharpsetforsomethingtoeat。"
　　"Thisistheplace，"saidthewidow，"andIdogivemealsifthereisenoughinthehouseandeverythingcomeshandy。"
　　"Doeseverythingcomehandyto-day？"saidhe。
　　"Itdoes，"saidshe，"andyoucanhitchyourhorseandcomein；butIhaven'tgotanythingforhim。"
　　"Oh，that'sallright，"saidtheman，"webroughtalongstoresforhim，sowe'lljustmakefastandthencomein。"
　　Thetwowomenhurriedintothehouseinastateofbustlingpreparation，forthefurnishingofthismealmeantonedollarincash。
　　Thefourmariners，allelderlymen，descendedfromthewagon，eachonescramblingwithalacrityoveradifferentwheel。
　　Aboxofbrokenship-biscuitwasbroughtoutandputonthegroundinfrontofthehorse，whoimmediatelysethimselftoeatingwithgreatsatisfaction。
　　Teawasalittlelatethatday，becausethereweresixpersonstoprovideforinsteadoftwo，butitwasagoodmeal，andafterthefourseamenhadwashedtheirhandsandfacesatthepumpinthebackyardandhadwipedthemontwotowelsfurnishedbyDorcas，theyallcameinandsatdown。Mrs。Ducketseatedherselfattheheadofthetablewiththedignitypropertothemistressofthehouse，andDorcasseatedherselfattheotherendwiththedignitypropertothediscipleofthemistress。Noservicewasnecessary，foreverythingthatwastobeeatenordrunkwasonthetable。
　　Wheneachoftheelderlymarinershadhadasmuchbreadandbutter，quicklybakedsoda-biscuit，driedbeef，coldham，coldtongue，andpreservedfruitofeveryvarietyknown，ashisstoragecapacitywouldpermit，themarinerincommand，CaptainBird，pushedbackhischair，whereupontheothermarinerspushedbacktheirchairs。
　　"Madam，"saidCaptainBird，"wehaveallmadeagoodmeal，whichdidn'tneedtobenobetternormoreofit，andwe'resatisfied；butthathorseouttherehasnothadtimetoresthimselfenoughtogotheeightmilesthatliesaheadofus，so，ifit'sallthesametoyouandthisgoodlady，we'dliketositonthatfrontporchawhileandsmokeourpipes。Iwasa-lookingatthatporchwhenIcamein，andIbethoughttomyselfwhatararegoodplaceitwastosmokeapipein。"
　　"There'spipesbeensmokedthere，"saidthewidow，rising，"anditcanbedoneagain。InsidethehouseIdon'tallowtobacco，butontheporchneitherofusminds。"
　　Sothefourcaptainsbetookthemselvestotheporch，twoofthemseatingthemselvesonthelittlebenchononesideofthedoor，andtwoofthemonthelittlebenchontheothersideofthedoor，andlightedtheirpipes。
　　"Shallweclearoffthetableandwashupthedishes，"saidDorcas，"orwaituntiltheyaregone？"
　　"Wewillwaituntiltheyaregone，"saidthewidow，"fornowthattheyareherewemightaswellhaveabitofachatwiththem。Whenasailormanlightshispipeheisgenerallywillin'
　　totalk，butwhenheiseatin'youcan'tgetawordoutofhim。"
　　Withoutthinkingitnecessarytoaskpermission，forthehousebelongedtoher，theWidowDucketbroughtachairandputitinthehallclosetotheopenfrontdoor，andDorcasbroughtanotherchairandseatedherselfbythesideofthewidow。
　　"Doallyousailormenbelongdownthereatthebay？"askedMrs。Ducket；thustheconversationbegan，andinafewminutesithadreachedapointatwhichCaptainBirdthoughtitpropertosaythatagreatmanystrangethingshappentoseamensailingontheseawhichlands-peopleneverdreamof。
　　"Suchasanythinginparticular？"askedthewidow，atwhichremarkDorcasclaspedherhandsinexpectancy。
　　Atthisquestioneachofthemarinerstookhispipefromhismouthandgazeduponthefloorinthought。
　　"There'sagoodmanystrangethingshappenedtomeandmymatesatsea。Wouldyouandthatotherladyliketohearanyofthem？"askedCaptainBird。
　　"Wewouldliketohearthemiftheyaretrue，"saidthewidow。
　　"There'snothinghappenedtomeandmymatesthatisn'ttrue，"saidCaptainBird，"andhereissomethingthatoncehappenedtome：Iwasonawhalingv'yagewhenabigsperm-
　　whale，justasmadasafierybull，cameatus，headon，andstrucktheshipatthesternwithsuchtremendousforcethathisheadcrashedrightthroughhertimbersandhewentnearlyhalfhislengthintoherhull。Theholdwasmostlyfilledwithemptybarrels，forwewasjustbeginningourv'yage，andwhenhehadmadekindling-woodofthesetherewasroomenoughforhim。Weallexpectedthatitwouldn'ttakefiveminutesforthevesseltofillandgotothebottom，andwemadereadytotaketotheboats；butitturnedoutwedidn'tneedtotaketonoboats，forasfastasthewaterrushedintotheholdoftheship，thatwhaledrankitandsquirteditupthroughthetwoblow-holesinthetopofhishead，andastherewasanopenhatchwayjustoverhishead，thewaterallwentintotheseaagain，andthatwhalekeptworkingdayandnightpumpingthewateroutuntilwebeachedthevesselontheislandofTrinidad——thewhalehelpinguswonderfulonourwayoverbythepowerfulworkingofhistail，which，beingoutsideinthewater，actedlikeapropeller。I
　　don'tbelieveanythingstrangerthanthateverhappenedtoawhalingship。"
　　"No，"saidthewidow，"Idon'tbelieveanythingeverdid。"
　　CaptainBirdnowlookedatCaptainSanderson，andthelattertookhispipeoutofhismouthandsaidthatinallhissailingaroundtheworldhehadneverknownanythingqueererthanwhathappenedtoabigsteamshiphechancedtobeon，whichranintoanislandinafog。Everybodyonboardthoughttheshipwaswrecked，butithadtwinscrews，andwasgoingatsuchatremendousspeedthatitturnedtheislandentirelyupsidedownandsailedoverit，andhehadheardtellthatevennowpeoplesailingoverthespotcouldlookdownintothewaterandseetherootsofthetreesandthecellarsofthehouses。