PARTI
　　TWELVESTORIES
　　CONTENTS
　　TheRedRosesofToniaRoundTheCircleTheRubberPlant’sStoryOutofNazarethConfessionsofaHumoristTheSparrowsinMadisonSquareHeartsandHandsTheCactusTheDetectiveDetectorTheDogandthePlayletALittleTalkAboutMobsTheSnowManTHEREDROSESOFTONIA
　　AtrestleburneddownontheInternationalRailroad。Thesouth—
　　boundfromSanAntoniowascutoffforthenextforty—eighthours。
　　OnthattrainwasToniaWeaver’sEasterhat。
　　Espirition，theMexican，whohadbeensentfortymilesinabuckboardfromtheEspinosaRanchtofetchit，returnedwithashruggingshoulderandhandsemptyexceptforacigarette。Atthesmallstation，Nopal，hehadlearnedofthedelayedtrainand，havingnocommandstowait，turnedhisponiestowardtheranchagain。
　　Now，ifonesupposesthatEaster，theGoddessofSpring，caresanymorefortheafter—churchparadeonFifthAvenuethanshedoesforherloyaloutfitofsubjectsthatassembleatthemeeting—houseatCactus，Tex。，amistakehasbeenmade。ThewivesanddaughtersoftheranchmenoftheFriocountryputforthEasterblossomsofnewhatsandgownsasfaithfullyasisdoneanywhere，andtheSouthwestis，foroneday，aminglingofpricklypear，Paris，andparadise。
　　AndnowitwasGoodFriday，andToniaWeaver’sEasterhatblushedunseeninthedesertairofanimpotentexpresscar，beyondtheburnedtrestle。OnSaturdaynoontheRogersgirls，fromtheShoestringRanch，andEllaReeves，fromtheAnchor—O，andMrs。
　　BennetandIda，fromGreenValley，wouldconveneattheEspinosaandpickupTonia。WiththeirEasterhatsandfrockscarefullywrappedandbundledagainstthedust，thefairaggregationwouldthenmerrilyjogthetenmilestoCactus，whereonthemorrowtheywouldarraythemselves，subjugateman，dohomagetoEaster，andcausejealousagitationamongtheliliesofthefield。
　　ToniasatonthestepsoftheEspinosaranchhouseflickinggloomilywithaquirtatatuftofcurlymesquite。Shedisplayedafrownandacontumeliouslip，andendeavoredtoradiateanauraofdisagreeablenessandtragedy。
　　"Ihaterailroads，"sheannouncedpositively。"Andmen。Menpretendtorunthem。Canyougiveanyexcusewhyatrestleshouldburn？IdaBennet’shatistobetrimmedwithviolets。IshallnotgoonesteptowardCactuswithoutanewhat。IfIwereamanIwouldgetone。"
　　Twomenlisteneduneasilytothisdisparagementoftheirkind。OnewasWellsPearson，foremanoftheMuchoCalorcattleranch。TheotherwasThompsonBurrows，theprosperoussheepmanfromtheQuintanaValley。BoththoughtToniaWeaveradorable，especiallywhensherailedatrailroadsandmenacedmen。EitherwouldhavegivenuphisepidermistomakeforheranEasterhatmorecheerfullythantheostrichgivesuphistiportheaigrettelaysdownitslife。NeitherpossessedtheingenuitytoconceiveameansofsupplyingthesaddeficiencyagainstthecomingSabbath。Pearson’sdeepbrownfaceandsunburnedlighthairgavehimtheappearanceofaschoolboyseizedbyoneofyouth’sprofoundandinsolvablemelancholies。Tonia’splightgrievedhimthroughandthrough。ThompsonBurrowswasthemoreskilledandpliable。HehailedfromsomewhereintheEastoriginally；
　　andheworenecktiesandshoes，andwasmadedumbbywoman’spresence。
　　"Thebigwater—holeonSandyCreek，"saidPearson，scarcelyhopingtomakeahit，"wasfilledupbythatlastrain。"
　　"Oh!Wasit？"saidToniasharply。"Thankyoufortheinformation。
　　Isupposeanewhatisnothingtoyou，Mr。Pearson。IsupposeyouthinkawomanoughttowearanoldStetsonfiveyearswithoutachange，asyoudo。Ifyouroldwater—holecouldhaveputoutthefireonthattrestleyoumighthavesomereasontotalkaboutit。"
　　"Iamdeeplysorry，"saidBurrows，warnedbyPearson’sfate，"thatyoufailedtoreceiveyourhat，MissWeaver——deeplysorry，indeed。
　　IftherewasanythingIcoulddo——"
　　"Don’tbother，"interruptedTonia，withsweetsarcasm。"Iftherewasanythingyoucoulddo，you’dbedoingit，ofcourse。Thereisn’t。"
　　Toniapaused。Asuddensparkleofhopehadcomeintohereye。Herfrownsmoothedaway。Shehadaninspiration。
　　"There’sastoreoveratLoneElmCrossingontheNueces，"shesaid，"thatkeepshats。EvaRogersgothersthere。Shesaiditwasthelateststyle。Itmighthavesomeleft。Butit’stwenty—eightmilestoLoneElm。"
　　Thespursoftwomenwhohastilyarosejingled；andToniaalmostsmiled。TheKnights，then，werenotallturnedtodust；norweretheirrowelsrust。
　　"Ofcourse，"saidTonia，lookingthoughtfullyatawhitegulfcloudsailingacrosstheceruleandome，"nobodycouldridetoLoneElmandbackbythetimethegirlscallbyformeto—morrow。So，IreckonI’llhavetostayathomethisEasterSunday。"
　　Andthenshesmiled。
　　"Well，MissTonia，"saidPearson，reachingforhishat，asguilefulasasleepingbabe。"IreckonI’llbetrottingalongbacktoMuchoCalor。There’ssomecuttingouttobedoneonDryBranchfirstthinginthemorning；andmeandRoadRunnerhasgottobeonhand。It’stoobadyourhatgotsidetracked。Maybethey’llgetthattrestlemendedyetintimeforEaster。"
　　"Imustberiding，too，MissTonia，"announcedBurrows，lookingathiswatch。"Ideclare，it’snearlyfiveo’clock!Imustbeoutatmylambingcampintimetohelppenthosecrazyewes。"
　　Tonia’ssuitorsseemedtohavebeensmittenwithaneedforhaste。
　　Theybadeheraceremoniousfarewell，andthenshookeachother’shandswiththeelaborateandsolemncourtesyoftheSouthwesterner。
　　"HopeI’llseeyouagainsoon，Mr。Pearson，"saidBurrows。
　　"Samehere，"saidthecowman，withtheseriousfaceofonewhosefriendgoesuponawhalingvoyage。"BegratifiedtoseeyourideovertoMuchoCaloranytimeyoustrikethatsectionoftherange。"
　　PearsonmountedRoadRunner，thesoundestcow—ponyontheFrio，andlethimpitchforaminute，ashealwaysdidonbeingmounted，evenattheendofaday’stravel。
　　"Whatkindofahatwasthat，MissTonia，"hecalled，"thatyouorderedfromSanAntone？Ican’thelpbutbesorryaboutthathat。"
　　"Astraw，"saidTonia；"thelatestshape，ofcourse；trimmedwithredroses。That’swhatIlike——redroses。"
　　"There’snocolormorebecomingtoyourcomplexionandhair，"saidBurrows，admiringly。
　　"It’swhatIlike，"saidTonia。"Andofalltheflowers，givemeredroses。Keepallthepinksandbluesforyourself。Butwhat’stheuse，whentrestlesburnandleaveyouwithoutanything？It’llbeadryoldEasterforme!"
　　PearsontookoffhishatanddroveRoadBunneratagallopintothechaparraleastoftheEspinosaranchhouse。
　　AshisstirrupsrattledagainstthebrushBurrows’slong—leggedsorrelstruckoutdownthenarrowstretchofopenprairietothesouthwest。
　　Toniahungupherquirtandwentintothesitting—room。
　　"I’mmightysorry，daughter，thatyoudidn’tgetyourhat，"saidhermother。
　　"Oh，don’tworry，mother，"saidTonia，coolly。"I’llhaveanewhat，allright，intimeto—morrow。"
　　WhenBurrowsreachedtheendofthestripofprairiehepulledhissorreltotherightandlethimpickhiswaydaintilyacrossasacuistaflatthroughwhichrantheragged，drybedofanarroyo。
　　Thenupagravellyhill，mattedwithbush，thehoarsescrambled，andatlengthemerged，withasnortofsatisfactionintoastretchofhigh，levelprairie，grassyanddottedwiththelightergreenofmesquitesintheirfreshspringfoliage。AlwaystotherightBurrowsbore，untilinalittlewhilehestrucktheoldIndiantrailthatfollowedtheNuecessouthward，andthatpassed，twenty—eightmilestothesoutheast，throughLoneElm。
　　HereBurrowsurgedthesorrelintoasteadylope。Ashesettledhimselfinthesaddleforalongrideheheardthedrummingofhoofs，thehollow"thwack"ofchaparralagainstwoodenstirrups，thewhoopofaComanche；andWellsPearsonburstoutofthebrushattherightofthetraillikeaprecociousyellowchickfromadarkgreenEasteregg。
　　ExceptinthepresenceofawingfemininitymelancholyfoundnoplaceinPearson’sbosom。InTonia’spresencehisvoicewasassoftasasummerbullfrog’sinhisreedynest。Now，athisgleesomeyawp，rabbits，amileaway，duckedtheirears，andsensitiveplantsclosedtheirfearfulfronds。
　　"Movedyourlambingcampprettyfarfromtheranch，haven’tyou，neighbor？"askedPearson，asRoadRunnerfellinatthesorrel’sside。
　　"Twenty—eightmiles，"saidBurrows，lookingalittlegrim。Pearson’slaughwokeanowlonehourtooearlyinhiswater—elmontheriverbank，halfamileaway。
　　"Allrightforyou，sheepman。Ilikeanopengame，myself。We’retwolocoedhe—millinershat—huntinginthewilderness。Inotifyyou。
　　Burr，tomindyourcorrals。We’vegotanevenstart，andtheonethatgetstheheadgearwillstandsomehigherattheEspinosa。"
　　"You’vegotagoodpony，"saidBurrows，eyeingRoadRunner’sbarrel—
　　likebodyandtaperinglegsthatmovedasregularlyasthepistonrodofanengine。"It’sarace，ofcourse；butyou’retoomuchofahorsemantowhoopitupthissoon。Saywetraveltogethertillwegettothehomestretch。"
　　"I’myourcompany，"agreedPearson，"andIadmireyoursense。Ifthere’shatsatLoneElm，oneof’emshallsetonMissTonia’sbrowto—morrow，andyouwon’tbeatthecrowning。Iain’tbragging，Burr，butthatsorrelofyoursisweakinthefore—legs。"
　　"Myhorseagainstyours，"offeredBurrows，"thatMissToniawearsthehatItakehertoCactusto—morrow。"
　　"I’lltakeyouup，"shoutedPearson。"Butoh，it’sjustlikehorse—
　　stealingforme!Icanusethatsorrelforalady’sanimalwhen——
　　whensomebodycomesovertoMuchoCalor，and——"
　　Burrows’darkfacegloweredsosuddenlythatthecowmanbrokeoffhissentence。ButPearsoncouldneverfeelanypressureforlong。
　　"What’sallthisEasterbusinessabout，Burr？"heasked，cheerfully。
　　"Whydothewomenfolkshavetohavenewhatsbythealmanacorbustallcinchestryingtoget’em？"
　　"It’saseasonablestatuteoutofthetestaments，"explainedBurrows。
　　"It’sorderedbythePopeorsomebody。AndithassomethingtodowiththeZodiacIdon’tknowexactly，butIthinkitwasinventedbytheEgyptians。"
　　"It’sanall—rightjubileeiftheheathensdidputtheirbrandonit，"saidPearson；"orelseToniawouldn’thaveanythingtodowithit。Andtheypullitoffatchurch，too。Supposethereain’tbutonehatintheLoneElmstore，Burr!"
　　"Then，"saidBurrows，darkly，"thebestmanofus’lltakeitbacktotheEspinosa。"
　　"Oh，man!"criedPearson，throwinghishathighandcatchingitagain，"there’snothinglikeyoucomeoffthesheeprangesbefore。
　　Youtalkgoodandcollateraltotheoccasion。Andifthere’smorethanone？"
　　"Then，"saidBurrows，"we’llpickourchoiceandoneofus’llgetbackfirstwithhisandtheotherwon’t。"
　　"Thereneverwastwosouls，"proclaimedPearsontothestars，"thatbeatmorelikeoneheartthanyournandmine。Meandyoumightberidingonaunicornandthinkingoutofthesamepieceofmind。"
　　AtalittlepastmidnighttheriderslopedintoLoneElm。Thehalfahundredhousesofthebigvillageweredark。Onitsonlystreetthebigwoodenstorestoodbarredandshuttered。
　　InafewmomentsthehorseswerefastenedandPearsonwaspoundingcheerfullyonthedoorofoldSutton，thestorekeeper。
　　ThebarrelofaWinchestercamethroughacrannyofasolidwindowshutterfollowedbyashortinquiry。
　　"WellsPearson，oftheMuchoCalor，andBurrows，ofGreenValley，"
　　wastheresponse。"Wewanttobuysomegoodsinthestore。Sorrytowakeyouupbutwemusthave’em。Comeonout，VncleTommy，andgetamoveonyou。"
　　UncleTommywasslow，butatlengththeygothimbehindhiscounterwithakerosenelamplit，andtoldhimoftheirdireneed。
　　"Easterhats？"saidUncleTommy，sleepily。"Why，yes，IbelieveI
　　havegotjustacoupleleft。Ionlyorderedadozenthisspring。
　　I’llshow’emtoyou。"
　　Now，UncleTommySuttonwasamerchant，halfasleeporawake。Industypasteboardboxesunderthecounterhehadtwoleft—overspringhats。But，alas!forhiscommercialprobityonthatearlySaturdaymorn——theywerehatsoftwospringsago，andawoman’seyewouldhavedetectedthefraudathalfaglance。ButtotheunintelligentgazeofthecowpuncherandthesheepmantheyseemedfreshfromthemintofcontemporaneousApril。
　　Thehatswereofavarietyonceknownas"cart—wheels。"Theywereofstiffstraw，coloredred，andflatbrimmed。Bothwereexactlyalike，andtrimmedlavishlyaroundtheircrownswithfullblown，immaculate，artificialwhiteroses。
　　"Thatallyougot，UncleTommy？"saidPearson。"Allright。Notmuchchoicehere，Burr。Takeyourpick。"
　　"They’rethelateststyles"liedUncleTommy。"You’dsee’emonFifthAvenue，ifyouwasinNewYork。"
　　UncleTommywrappedandtiedeachhatintwoyardsofdarkcalicoforaprotection。OnePearsontiedcarefullytohiscalfskinsaddle—
　　thongs；andtheotherbecamepartofRoadRunner’sburden。TheyshoutedthanksandfarewellstoUncleTommy，andcanteredbackintothenightonthehomestretch。
　　Thehorsemenjockeyedwithalltheirskill。Theyrodemoreslowlyontheirwayback。Thefewwordstheyspokewerenotunfriendly。
　　BurrowshadaWinchesterunderhisleftlegslungoverhissaddlehorn。Pearsonhadasixshooterbeltedaroundhim。ThusmenrodeintheFriocountry。
　　Athalf—pastseveninthemorningtheyrodetothetopofahillandsawtheEspinosaRanch，awhitespotunderadarkpatchoflive—oaks，fivemilesaway。
　　ThesightrousedPearsonfromhisdroopingposeinthesaddle。
　　HeknewwhatRoadRunnercoulddo。Thesorrelwaslathered，andstumblingfrequently；RoadRunnerwaspeggingawaylikeadonkeyengine。
　　Pearsonturnedtowardthesheepmanandlaughed。"Good—bye，Burr，"hecried，withawaveofhishand。"It’saracenow。We’reonthehomestretch。"
　　HepressedRoadRunnerwithhiskneesandleanedtowardtheEspinosa。
　　RoadRunnerstruckintoagallop，withtossingheadandsnortingnostrils，asifhewerefreshfromamonthinpasture。
　　PearsonrodetwentyyardsandheardtheunmistakablesoundofaWinchesterleverthrowingacartridgeintothebarrel。Hedroppedflatalonghishorse’sbackbeforethecrackoftheriflereachedhisears。
　　ItispossiblethatBurrowsintendedonlytodisablethehorse——
　　hewasagoodenoughshottodothatwithoutendangeringhisrider。
　　ButasPearsonstoopedtheballwentthroughhisshoulderandthenthroughRoadRunner’sneck。Thehorsefellandthecowmanpitchedoverhisheadintothehardroad，andneitherofthemtriedtomove。
　　Burrowsrodeonwithoutstopping。
　　IntwohoursPearsonopenedhiseyesandtookinventory。HemanagedtogettohisfeetandstaggeredbacktowhereRoadRunnerwaslying。
　　RoadRunnerwaslyingthere，butheappearedtobecomfortable。
　　Pearsonexaminedhimandfoundthatthebullethad"creased"him。
　　Hehadbeenknockedouttemporarily，butnotseriouslyhurt。Buthewastired，andhelaythereonMissTonia’shatandateleavesfromamesquitebranchthatobliginglyhungovertheroad。
　　Pearsonmadethehorsegetup。TheEasterhat，loosedfromthesaddle—thongs，laythereinitscalicowrappings，ashapelessthingfromitssojournbeneaththesolidcarcassofRoadRunner。ThenPearsonfaintedandfellheadlonguponthepoorhatagain，crumplingitunderhiswoundedshoulders。
　　Itishardtokillacowpuncher。Inhalfanhourherevived——longenoughforawomantohavefaintedtwiceandtriedice—creamforarestorer。HegotupcarefullyandfoundRoadRunnerwhowasbusywiththenear—bygrass。Hetiedtheunfortunatehattothesaddleagain，andmanagedtogethimselfthere，too，aftermanyfailures。
　　AtnoonagayandflutteringcompanywaitedinfrontoftheEspinosaRanch。TheRogersgirlswerethereintheirnewbuckboard，andtheAnchor—OoutfitandtheGreenValleyfolks——mostlywomen。AndeachandeveryoneworehernewEasterhat，evenuponthelonelyprairies，fortheygreatlydesiredtoshineforthanddohonortothecomingfestival。
　　AtthegatestoodTonia。withundisguisedtearsuponhercheeks。
　　InherhandsheheldBurrow’sLoneElmhat，anditwasatitswhiteroses，hatedbyher，thatshewept。Forherfriendsweretellingher，withtheecstaticjoyoftruefriends，thatcart—wheelscouldnotbeworn，beingthreeseasonspassedintooblivion。
　　"Putonyouroldhatandcome，Tonia，"theyurged。
　　"ForEasterSunday？"sheanswered。"I’lldiefirst。"Andweptagain。
　　Thehatsofthefortunateoneswerecurvedandtwistedintothestyleofspring’slatestproclamation。
　　Astrangebeingrodeoutofthebrushamongthem，andtheresathishorselanguidly。Hewasstainedanddisfiguredwiththegreenofthegrassandthelimestoneofrockyroads。
　　"Hallo，Pearson，"saidDaddyWeaver。"Looklikeyou’vebeenbreakingamustang。What’sthatyou’vegottiedtoyoursaddle——apiginapoke？"
　　"Oh，comeon，Tonia，ifyou’regoing，"saidBettyRogers。"Wemustn’twaitanylonger。We’vesavedaseatinthebuckboardforyou。Nevermindthehat。Thatlovelymuslinyou’vegotonlookssweetenoughwithanyoldhat。"
　　Pearsonwasslowlyuntyingthequeerthingonhissaddle。Tonialookedathimwithasuddenhope。Pearsonwasamanwhocreatedhope。Hegotthethinglooseandhandedittoher。Herquickfingerstoreatthestrings。
　　"BestIcoulddo，"saidPearsonslowly。"WhatRoadRunnerandmedonetoitwillbeaboutallitneeds。"
　　"Oh，oh!it’sjusttherightshape，"shriekedTonia。"Andredroses!
　　WaittillItryiton!"
　　Sheflewintotheglass，andoutagain，beaming，radiating，blossomed。
　　"Oh，don’tredbecomeher？"chantedthegirlsinrecitative。"Hurryup，Tonia!"
　　ToniastoppedforamomentbythesideofRoadRunner。
　　"Thankyou，thankyou，Wells，"shesaid，happily。"It’sjustwhatIwanted。Won’tyoucomeovertoCactusto—morrowandgotochurchwithme？"
　　"IfIcan，"saidPearson。Hewaslookingcuriouslyatherhat，andthenhegrinnedweakly。
　　Toniaflewintothebuckboardlikeabird。ThevehiclesspedawayforCactus。
　　"Whathaveyoubeendoing，Pearson？"askedDaddyWeaver。"Youain’tlookingsowellascommon。"
　　"Me？"saidPearson。"I’vebeenpaintingflowers。ThemroseswaswhitewhenIleftLoneElm。Helpmedown，DaddyWeaver，forI
　　haven’tgotanymorepainttospare。"
　　ROUNDTHECIRCLE
　　[Thisstoryisespeciallyinterestingasanearlytreatment（1902）
　　ofthethemeafterwarddevelopedwithasurerhandinThePendulum。]
　　"Findyo’shirtallright，Sam？"askedMrs。Webber，fromherchairunderthelive—oak，whereshewascomfortablyseatedwithapaper—
　　backvolumeforcompany。
　　"Itbalancesperfeckly，Marthy，"answeredSam，withasuspiciouspleasantnessinhistone。"AtfirstIwasaboutterbealittlerecklessandkick’causetherbuttonswasalloff，butsinceI
　　diskiverthatthebuttonholesisallbustedout，why，Iwouldn’tgosofurastosaythebuttonsisanylosstospeakof。"
　　"Oh，well，"saidhiswife，carelessly，"putonyournecktie——that’llkeepittogether。"
　　SamWebber’ssheepranchwassituatedintheloneliestpartofthecountrybetweentheNuecesandtheFrio。Theranchhouse——atwo—roomboxstructure——wasontheriseofagentlyswellinghillinthemidstofawildernessofhighchaparral。Infrontofitwasasmallclearingwherestoodthesheeppens，shearingshed，andwoolhouse。
　　Onlyafewfeetbackofitbeganthethornyjungle。
　　SamwasgoingtorideovertotheChapmanranchtoseeaboutbuyingsomemoreimprovedmerinorams。Atlengthhecameout，readyforhisride。Thisbeingabusinesstripofsomeimportance，andtheChapmanranchbeingalmostasmalltowninpopulationandsize，Samhaddecidedto"dressup"accordingly。Theresultwasthathehadtransformedhimselffromagraceful，picturesquefrontiersmanintosomethingmuchlesspleasingtothesight。Thetightwhitecollarawkwardlyconstrictedhismuscular，mahogany—coloredneck。Thebuttonlessshirtbulgedinstiffwavesbeneathhisunbuttonedvest。
　　Thesuitof"ready—made"effectuallyconcealedthefinelinesofhisstraight，athleticfigure。Hisberry—brownfacewassettothemelancholydignitybefittingaprisonerofstate。HegaveRandy，histhree—year—oldson，apatonthehead，andhurriedouttowhereMexico，hisfavoritesaddlehorse，wasstanding。
　　Marthy，leisurelyrockinginherchair，fixedherplaceinthebookwithherfinger，andturnedherhead，smilingmischievouslyasshenotedthehavocSamhadwroughtwithhisappearanceintryingto"fixup。"
　　~Well，efImustsayit，Sam，"shedrawled，"youlookjestlikeoneofthemhayseedsinthepicturepapers，’steadofafreeandindependentsheepmanoftheStateo’Texas。"
　　Samclimbedawkwardlyintothesaddle。
　　"You’retheoneoughttobe’shamedtosayso，"herepliedhotly。
　　"’Steadof’tendin’toaman’sclothesyou’real’ayssettingarounda—readin’thembilly—by—damyaller—backnovils。"
　　"Oh，shetupandridealong，"saidMrs。Webber，withalittlejerkatthehandlesofherchair；"youalwaysfussin’’boutmyreadin’。Idoa—plenty；andI’llreadwhenIwanter。Iliveinthebreshherelikeavarmint，neverseein’norhearin’nothin’，andwhatother’musementkinIhave？Notinlistenin’toyoutalk，forit’scomplain，complain，onedayafteranother。Oh，goon，Sam，andleavemeinpeace。"
　　Samgavehisponyasqueezewithhiskneesand"shoved"downthewagontrailthatconnectedhisranchwiththeold，openGovernmentroad。Itwaseighto’clock，andalreadybeginningtobeverywarm。
　　Heshouldhavestartedthreehoursearlier。Chapmanranchwasonlyeighteenmilesaway，buttherewasaroadforonlythreemilesofthedistance。HehadriddenoverthereoncewithoneoftheHalf—Mooncowpunchers，andhehadthedirectionwell—definedinhismind。
　　SamturnedofftheoldGovernmentroadatthesplitmesquite，andstruckdownthearroyooftheQuintanilla。Herewasanarrowstretchofsmilingvalley，upholsteredwitharichmatofgreen，curlymesquitegrass；andMexicoconsumedthosefewmilesquicklywithhislong，easylope。Again，uponreachingWildDuckWaterhole，mustheabandonwell—definedways。Heturnednowtohisrightupalittlehill，pebble—covered，uponwhichgrewonlythetenaciousandthornypricklypearandchaparral。Atthesummitofthishepausedtotakehislastgeneralviewofthelandscapefor，fromnowon，hemustwindthroughbrakesandthicketsofchaparral，pear，andmesquite，forthemostpartseeingscarcelyfartherthantwentyyardsinanydirection，choosinghiswaybytheprairie—dweller’sinstinct，guidedonlybyanoccasionalglimpseofafardistanthilltop，apeculiarlyshapedknotoftrees，orthepositionofthesun。
　　SamrodedowntheslopinghillandplungedintothegreatpearflatthatliesbetweentheQuintanillaandthePiedra。
　　Inabouttwohourshediscoveredthathewaslost。Thencametheusualconfusionofmindandthehurrytogetsomewhere。Mexicowasanxioustoredeemthesituation，twistingwithalacrityalongthetortuouslabyrinthsofthejungle。Atthemomenthismaster’ssurenessoftheroutehadfailedhishorsehaddivinedthefact。
　　Therewerenohillsnowthattheycouldclimbtoobtainaviewofthecountry。Theycameuponafew，butsodenseandinterlacedwasthebrushthatscarcelycouldarabbitpenetratethemass。Theywereinthegreat，lonelythicketoftheFriobottoms。
　　Itwasamerenothingforacattlemanorasheepmantobelostforadayoranight。Thethingoftenhappened。Itwasmerelyamatterofmissingamealortwoandsleepingcomfortablyonyoursaddleblanketsonasoftmattressofmesquitegrass。ButinSam’scaseitwasdifferent。Hehadneverbeenawayfromhisranchatnight。
　　Marthywasafraidofthecountry——afraidofMexicans，ofsnakes，ofpanthers，evenofsheep。Sohehadneverleftheralone。
　　ItmusthavebeenaboutfourintheafternoonwhenSam’sconscienceawoke。Hewaslimpanddrenched，ratherfromanxietythantheheatorfatigue。UntilnowhehadbeenhopingtostrikethetrailthatledtotheFriocrossingandtheChapmanranch。Hemusthavecrosseditatsomedimpartofitandriddenbeyond。Ifsohewasnowsomethinglikefiftymilesfromhome。Ifhecouldstrikearanch——acamp——anyplacewherehecouldgetafreshhorseandinquiretheroad，hewouldrideallnighttogetbacktoMarthyandthekid。
　　So，Ihavehinted，Samwasseizedbvremorse。Therewasabiglumpinhisthroatashethoughtofthecrosswordshehadspokentohiswife。Surelyitwashardenoughforhertoliveinthathorriblecountrywitnouthavingtobeartheburdenofhisabuse。Hecursedhimselfgrimly，andfeltasuddenflushofshamethatover—glowedthesummerheatasherememberedthemanytimeshehadfloutedandrailedatherbecauseshehadalikingforreadingfiction。
　　"Theronlyso’ceovamusementtherpo’gal’sgot，"saidSamaloud，withasob，whichunaccustomedsoundcausedMexicotoshyabit。
　　A—livinwithasore—headedkiotelikeme——alow—downskunkthatoughttobelickedtodeathwithasaddlecinch——a—cookin’anda—washin’
　　anda—livin’onmuttonandbeansandmeabusin’herfurtakin’asquintortwoinalittlebook!"
　　HethoughtofMarthyasshehadbeenwhenhefirstmetherinDogtown——smart，pretty，andsaucy——beforethesunhadturnedtherosesinhercheeksbrownandthesilenceofthechaparralhadtamedherambitions。
　　"EfIeverspeaksanotherhardwordtotherlittlegal，"mutteredSam，"orfailsintheloveandaffectionthat’scomingtoherinthedeal，Ihopesawildcat’llt’armetopieces。"
　　Heknewwhathewoulddo。HewouldwritetoGarcia&Jones，hisSanAntoniomerchantswhereheboughthissuppliesandsoldhiswool，andhavethemsenddownabigboxofnovelsandreadingmatterforMarthy。
　　Thingsweregoingtobedifferent。Hewonderedwhetheralittlepianocouldbeplacedinoneoftheroomsoftheranchhousewithoutthefamilyhavingtomoveoutofdoors。
　　Innowisecalculatedtoallayhisself—reproachwasthethoughtthatMarthyandRandywouldhavetopassthenightalone。Inspiteoftheirbickerings，whennightcameMarthywaswonttodismissherfearsofthecountry，andrestherheaduponSam’sstrongarmwithasighofpeacefulcontentanddependence。Andwereherfearssogroundless？
　　Samthoughtofroving，maraudingMexicans，ofstealthycougarsthatsometimesinvadedtheranches，ofrattlesnakes，centipedes，andadozenpossibledangers。Marthywouldbefranticwithfear。Randywouldcry，andcallfordadatocome。
　　Stilltheinterminablesuccessionofstretchesofbrush，cactus，andmesquite。Hollowafterhollow，slopeafterslope——allexactlyalike——allfamiliarbyconstantrepetition，andyetallstrangeandnew。
　　Ifhecouldonlyarrive~somewhere。~
　　ThestraightlineisArt。Naturemovesincircles。A
　　straightforwardmanismoreanartificialproductthanadiplomatistis。Menlostinthesnowtravelinexactcirclesuntiltheysink，exhausted，astheirfootprintshaveattested。Also，travellersinphilosophyandothermentalprocessesfrequentlywindupattheirstarting—point。
　　ItwaswhenSamWebberwasfullestofcontritionandgoodresolvesthatMexico，withaheavysigh，subsidedfromhisregular，brisktrotintoaslowcomplacentwalk。Theywerewindingupaneasyslopecoveredwithbrushtenortwelvefeethigh。
　　"Isaynow，Mex，"demurredSam，"thisherewon’tdo。Iknowyou’replumbtiredout，butwegottergitalong。Oh，Lordy，ain’ttherenomo’housesintheworld!"HegaveMexicoasmartkickwithhisheels。
　　Mexicogaveaprotestinggruntasiftosay："What’stheuseofthat，nowwe’resonear？"Hequickenedhisgaitintoalanguidtrot。
　　Roundingagreatclumpofblackchaparralhestoppedshort。Samdroppedthebridlereinsandsat，lookingintothebackdoorofhisownhouse，nottenyardsaway。
　　Marthy，sereneandcomfortable，satinherrocking—chairbeforethedoorintheshadeofthehouse，withherfeetrestingluxuriouslyuponthesteps。Randy，whowasplayingwithapairofspursontheground，lookedupforamomentathisfatherandwentonspinningtherowelsandsingingalittlesong。Marthyturnedherheadlazilyagainstthebackofthechairandconsideredthearrivalswithemotionlesseyes。Sheheldabookinherlapwithherfingerholdingtheplace。
　　Samshookhimselfqueerly，likeamancomingoutofadream，andslowlydismounted。Hemoistenedhisdrylips。
　　"Iseeyouarestilla—settin’，"hesaid，"a—readin’ofthembilly—
　　by—damyaller—backnovils。"
　　Samhadtraveledroundthecircleandwashimselfagain。
　　THERUBBERPLANT’SSTORY
　　WerubberplantsformtheconnectinglinkbetweenthevegetablekingdomandthedecorationsofaWaldorf—AstoriasceneinaThirdAvenuetheatre。Ihaven’tlookedupourfamilytree，butIbelievewewereraisedbygraftingagumovershoeontoa30—centtabled’hotestalkofasparagus。YoutakeawhitebulldogwithaBourkeCockranairofindependenceabouthimandarubberplantandthereyouhavethefaunaandfloraofaflat。WhattheshamrockistoIrelandtherubberplantistothedwellerinflatsandfurnishedrooms。Wegetmovedfromoneplacetoanothersoquicklythattheonlywaywecangetourpicturetakeniswithakinetoscope。Wearethevagrantvineandtheflittingfigtree。Youknowtheproverb：
　　"Wheretherubberplantsitsinthewindowthemovingvandrawsuptothedoor。"
　　Wearethecityequivalenttothewoodbineandthehoneysuckle。NoothervegetableexceptthePittsburgstogiecanwithstandasmuchhandlingaswecan。Whenthefamilytowhichwebelongmovesintoaflattheysetusinthefrontwindowandwebecomelaresandpenates，fly—paperandtheperipateticemblemof"HomeSweetHome。"
　　Wearen’tasgreenaswelook。Iguessweareaboutwhatyouwouldcallthesoubrettesoftheconservatory。Youtrysittinginthefrontwindowofa$40flatinManhattanandlookingoutintothestreetallday，andbackintotheflatatnight，andseewhetheryougetwiseornot——hey？TalkaboutthetreeofknowledgeofgoodandevilinthegardenofEden——say!supposetherehadbeenarubberplanttherewhenEve——butIwasgoingtotellyouastory。
　　ThefirstthingIcanrememberIhadonlythreeleavesandbelongedtoamemberoftheponyballet。Iwaskeptinasunnywindow，andwasgenerallywateredwithseltzerandlemon。Ihadplentyoffuninthosedays。Igotcross—eyedtryingtowatchthenumbersoftheautomobilesinthestreetandthedatesonthelabelsinsideatthesametime。
　　Well，thentheangelthatwasmoltingforthemusicalcomedylosthislastfeatherandthecompanybrokeup。TheponiestrottedawayandI
　　wasleftinthewindowownerless。Thejanitorgavemetoarefinedcomedyteamontheeighthfloor，andinsixweeksIhadbeensetinthewindowoffivedifferentflatsItookonexperienceandputouttwomoreleaves。
　　MissCarruthers，oftherefinedcomedyteam——didyoueverseehercrossbothfeetbackofherneck？——gavemetoafriendofherswhohadmadeanunfortunatemarriagewithamaninastore。ConsequentlyIwasplacedinthewindowofafurnishedroom，rentinadvance，watertwoflightsup，gasextraafterteno’clockatnight。Twoofmyleaveswitheredoffhere。Also，IwasmovedfromoneroomtoanothersomanytimesthatIgottolikingtheodorofthepipestheexpressmensmoked。
　　Idon’tthinkIeverhadsodullatimeasIdidwiththislady。
　　Therewasneveranythingamusinggoingoninside——shewasdevotedtoherhusband，and，besidesleaningoutthewindowandflirtingwiththeiceman，sheneverdidathingtowardbreakingthemonotony。
　　Whenthecouplebrokeuptheyleftmewiththerestoftheirgoodsatasecond—handstore。Iwasputoutinfrontforsalealongwiththejobbiestlotyoueverheardofbeinglumpedintoonebargain。Thinkofthislittlecornucopiaofwonders，allfor$1。89：HenryJames’sworks，sixtalkingmachinerecords，onepairoftennisshoes，twobottlesofhorseradish，andarubberplant——thatwasme!
　　Oneafternoonagirlcamealongandstoppedtolookatme。Shehaddarkhairandeyes，andshelookedslim，andsadaroundthemouth。
　　"Oh，oh!"shesaystoherself。"Ineverthoughttoseeoneuphere。"
　　Shepullsoutalittlepurseaboutasthickasoneofmyleavesandfingersoversomesmallsilverinit。OldKoen，alwaysonthelockout，isready，rubbinghishands。ThisgirlproceedstoturndownMr。Jamesandtheothercommodities。Rubberplantsornothingistheburdenofhersong。AndatlastKoenandshecometogetherat39cents，andawayshegoeswithmeinherarms。
　　Shewasanicegirl，butnotmystyle。Tooquietandsoberlooking。
　　ThinksItomyself："I’lljustaboutlandonthefire—escapeofatenement，sixstoriesup。AndI’llspendthenextsixmonthslookingatclothesontheline。"
　　Butshecarriedmetoanicelittleroomonlythreeflightsupinquiteadecentstreet。Andsheputmeinthewindow，ofcourse。Andthenshewenttoworkandcookeddinnerforherself。Andwhatdoyousupposeshehad？Breadandteaandalittledabofjam!Nothingelse。Notasinglelobster，norsomuchasonebottleofchampagne。
　　TheCarrutherscomedyteamhadbotheveryevening，exceptnowandthenwhentheytookanotionforpig’sknuckleandkraut。
　　Aftershehadfinishedherdinnermynewownercametothewindowandleaneddownclosetomyleavesandcriedsoftlytoherselfforawhile。Itmademefeelfunny。Ineverknewanybodytocrythatwayoverarubberplantbefore。Ofcourse，I’veseenafewof’emturnonthetearsforwhattheycouldgetoutofit，butsheseemedtobecryingjustforthepureenjoymentofit。Shetouchedmyleaveslikesheloved’em，andshebentdownherheadandkissedeachoneof’em。
　　IguessI’maboutthetoughestspecimenofaperipateticorchidonearth，butItellyouitmademefeelsortofqueer。Homeneverwaslikethattomebefore。GenerallyIusedtogetchewedbypoodlesandhaveshirt—waistshungonmetodry，andgetwateredwithcoffeegroundsandperoxideofhydrogen。
　　Thisgirlhadapianointheroom，andsheusedtodisturbitwithbothhandswhileshemadenoiseswithhermouthforhoursatatime。
　　Isupposeshewaspractisingvocalmusic。
　　Onedaysheseemedverymuchexcitedandkeptlookingattheclock。
　　Atelevensomebodyknockedandsheletinastout，darkmanwithtowsledblackhair。Hesatdownatonceatthepianoandplayedwhileshesangforhim。Whenshefinishedshelaidonehandonherbosomandlookedathim。Heshookhishead，andsheleanedagainstthepiano。"Twoyearsalready，"shesaid，speakingslowly——"doyouthinkintwomore——orevenlonger？"
　　Themanshookhisheadagain。"Youwasteyourtime，"hesaid，roughlyIthought。"Thevoiceisnotthere。"Andthenhelookedatherinapeculiarway。"Butthevoiceisnoteverything，"hewenton。"Youhavelooks。Icanplaceyou，asItoldyouif——"
　　Thegirlpointedtothedoorwithoutsayinganything，andthedarkmanlefttheroom。Andthenshecameoverandcriedaroundmeagain。
　　It’sagoodthingIhadenoughrubberinmetobewater—proof。
　　Aboutthattimesomebodyelseknockedatthedoor。"Thankgoodness，"
　　Isaidtomyself。"Here’sachancetogetthewater—worksturnedoff。Ihopeit’ssomebodythat’sgameenoughtostandabirdandabottletoliventhingsupalittle。"Tellyouthetruth，thislittlegirlmademetired。Arubberplantlikestoseealittlesportnowandthen。Idon’tsupposethere’sanothergreenthinginNewYorkthatseesasmuchofgaylifeunlessit’sthechartreuseorthesprigsofparsleyaroundthedish。
　　Whenthegirlopensthedoorinstepsayoungchapinatravelingcapandpicksherupinhisarms，andshesingsout"Oh，Dick!"andstaystherelongenoughto——well，you’vebeenarubberplanttoo，sometimes，Isuppose。
　　"Goodthing!"saysItomyself。"Thisislivelierthanscalesandweeping。Nowthere’llbesomethingdoing。"
　　"You’vegottogobackwithme，"saystheyoungman。"I’vecometwothousandmilesforyou。Aren’tyoutiredofityet。Bess？You’vekeptallofuswaitingsolong。Haven’tyoufoundoutyetwhatisbest？"
　　"Thebubbleburstonlyto—day，"saysthegirl。"Comehere，Dick，andseewhatIfoundtheotherdayonthesidewalkforsale。"Shebringshimbythehandandexhibitsyourstruly。"Howoneevergotawayupherewhocantell？IboughtitwithalmostthelastmoneyIhad。"
　　Helookedatme，buthecouldn’tkeephiseyesoffherformorethanasecond。"Doyourememberthenight，Bess，"hesaid，"whenwestoodunderoneofthoseonthebankofthebayouandwhatyoutoldmethen？"
　　"Geewillikins!"Isaidtomyself。"Bothofthemstandunderarubberplant!Seemstometheyarestretchingmatterssomewhat!"
　　"DoInot，"saysshe，lookingupathimandsneakingclosetohisvest，"andnowIsayitagain，anditistolastforever。Look，Dick，atitsleaves，howwettheyare。Thosearemytears，anditwasthinkingofyouthatmadethemfall。"
　　"Thedearoldmagnolias!"saystheyoungman，pinchingoneofmyleaves。"Ilovethemall。"
　　Magnolia!Well，wouldn’tthat——say!thoseinnocentsthoughtIwasamagnolia!Whatthe——well，wasn’tthattoughonagenuinelittleoldNewYorkrubberplant？
　　OUTOFNAZARETH
　　Okochee，inGeorgia，hadaboom，andJ。PinkneyBloomcameoutofitwitha"wad。"Okocheecameoutofitwithahalf—million—dollardebt，atwoandahalfpercent。citypropertytax，andacitycouncilthatshowedapropensityfortravelingthebackstreetsofthetown。ThesethingscameaboutthroughafatalresemblanceoftheriverCooloosatotheHudson，assetforthandexpoundedbyaNortherntourist。OkocheefeltthatNewYorkshouldnotbeallowedtoconsideritselftheonlyalligatorintheswamp，sotospeak。Andthenthatharmless，butpersistent，individualsonumerousintheSouth——themanwhoisalwaysclamoringformorecottonmills，andisreadytotakeadollar’sworthofstock，providedhecanborrowthedollar——thatmanaddedhisdeadlyworktothetourist’sinnocentpraise，andOkocheefell。
　　TheCooloosaRiverwindsthrougharangeofsmallmountains，passesOkocheeandthenblendsitswaterstrippingly，asfallthemellifluousIndiansyllables，withtheChattahoochee。
　　Okocheerose，asitwere，fromitssunnyseatonthepost—officestoop，hitchedupitssuspender，andthrewagranitedamtwohundredandfortyfeetlongandsixtyfeethighacrosstheCooloosaonemileabovethetown。Thereupon，adimpling，sparklinglakebackeduptwentymilesamongthelittlemountains。ThusinthegreatgameofmunicipalrivalrydidOkocheematchthatfamousdrawingcard，theHudson。ItwasconcededthatnowherecouldthePalisadesbejudgedsuperiorinthewayofsceneryandgrandeur。Followingthepicturecardwasplayedtheaceofcommercialimportance。Fourteenthousandhorsepowerwouldthisdamfurnish。Cottonmills，factories，andmanufacturingplantswouldriseupasthegreencornafterashower。
　　ThespindleandtheflywheelandturbinewouldsingtheshrewdgloryofOkochee。Alongthepicturesqueheightsabovethelakewouldriseinbeautythecostlyvillasandthesplendidsummerresidencesofcapital。Thenaphthalaunchofthemillionairewouldspitamongtheromanticcoves；theverduredhillswouldtakeformalshapesofterrace，lawn，andpark。MoneywouldbespentlikewaterinOkochee，andwaterwouldbeturnedintomoney。
　　Thefateofthegoodtownisquicklytold。Capitaldecidednottoinvest。Ofallthegreatthingspromised，thesceneryalonecametofulfilment。Thewoodedpeaks，theimpressivepromontoriesofsolemngranite，thebeautifulgreenslantsofbankandravinedidalltheycouldtoreconcileOkocheetothedelinquencyofmiserlygold。Thesunsetsgildedthedreamydrawsandcoveswithamintingthatshouldcharmawayheart—burning。Okochee，truetotheinstinctofitsbloodandclime，waslulledbythespell。Itclimbedoutofthearena，looseditssuspender，satdownagainonthepost—officestoop，andtookachew。Itconsoleditselfbydrawlingsarcasmsatthecitycouncilwhichwasnottoblame，causingthefathers，ashasbeensaid，toseekbackstreetsandfigureperspiringlyonthesinkingfundandtheappropriationforinterestdue。
　　TheyouthofOkochee——theywhoweretocarryintotherosyfuturetheburdenofthedebt——acceptedfailurewithyouth’suncalculatingjoy。
　　For，herewassport，aquaticandnautical，addedtothemeagreroundoflife’spleasures。Inyachtingcapsandflowingnecktiestheypervadedthelaketoitslimits。Girlsworesilkwaistsembroideredwithanchorsinblueandpink。Thetrousersoftheyoungmenwidenedatthebottom，andtheirhandswereproudlycallousedbytheoft—
　　pliedoar。FishermenwereunderthespellofadeepandtolerantJjoy。
　　Sailboatsandrowboatsfurrowedthelenientwaves，popcornandice—
　　creamboothssprangupaboutthelittlewoodenpier。Twosmallexcursionsteamboatswerebuilt，andpliedthedelectablewaters。
　　Okocheephilosophicallygaveupthehopeofeatingturtlesoupwithagoldspoon，andsettledback，notillcontent，toitsregulardietoflotusandfriedhominy。AndoutofthisslowwreckofgreatexpectationsroseupJ。PinkneyBloomwithhis"wad"andhisprosperous，cheerysmile。
　　NeedlesstosayJ。PinkneywasnoproductofGeorgiasoil。Hecameoutofthatflushedandcapableregionknownasthe"North。"Hecalledhimselfa"promoter"；hisenemieshadspokenofhimasa"grafter"；Okocheetookamiddlecourse，andheldhimtobenobetternornoworsethana"Yank。"
　　Farupthelake——eighteenmilesabovethetown——theeyeofthischeerfulcamp—followerofboomshadspiedoutagraft。Hepurchasedthereaprecipitoustractoffivehundredacresatforty—fivecentsperacre；andthishelaidoutandsubdividedasthecityofSkyland——theQueenCityoftheSwitzerlandoftheSouth。Streetsandavenuesweresurveyed；parksdesigned；cornersofcentralsquaresreservedforthe"proposed"operahouse，boardoftrade，lyceum，market，publicschools，and"ExpositionHall。"Thepriceoflotsrangedfromfivetofivehundreddollars。Positively，nolotwouldbepricedhigherthanfivehundreddollars。
　　WhiletheboomwasgrowinginOkochee，J。Pinkney’scirculars，maps，andprospectuseswereflyingthroughthemailstoeverypartofthecountry。Investorssentintheirmoneybypost，andtheSkylandRealEstateCompany（J。PinkneyBloom）returnedtoeachadeed，dulyplacedonrecord，tothebestlot，attheprice，onhandthatday。
　　AllthistimethecatamountscreecheduponthereservedlotoftheSkylandBoardofTrade，theopossumswungbyhistailoverthesiteoftheexpositionhall，andtheowlhootedamelancholyrecitativetohisaudienceofyoungsquirrelsinoperahousesquare。Later，whenthemoneywascominginfast，J。Pinkneycausedtobeerectedinthecomingcityhalfadozencheapboxhouses，andpersuadedacontingentofindigentnativestooccupythem，therebyassumingtheroleof"poulation"insubsequentprospectuses，whichbecame，accordingly，moreseductiveandremunerative。
　　So，whenthedreamfadedandOkocheedroppedbacktodiggingbaitandnursingitstwoandahalfpercent。tax，J。PinkneyBloom（unlovingofchecksanddraftsandthecoldinterrogatoriesofbankers）strappedabouthisfifty—two—inchwaistasoftleatherbeltcontainingeightthousanddollarsinbigbills，andsaidthatallwasverygood。
　　OnelasttriphewasmakingtoSkylandbeforedepartingtoothersaladfields。Skylandwasaregularpost—office，andthesteamboat，~DixieBelle~，undercontract，deliveredthemailbag（generallyempty）twiceaweek。Therewasalittlebusinesstheretobesettled——thepostmasterwastobepaidoffforhislightbutlonelyservices，andthe"inhabitants"hadtobefurnishedwithanothermonth’shomelyrations，asperagreement。AndthenSkylandwouldknowJ。PinkneyBloomnomore。Theownersoftheseprecipitous，barren，uselesslotsmightcomeandviewthesceneoftheirinvestedcredulity，ortheymightleavethemtotheirfittenants，thewildhogandthebrowsingdeer。TheworkoftheSkylandRealEstateCompanywasfinished。
　　Thelittlesteamboat~DixieBelle~wasabouttoshoveoffonherregularup—the—laketrip，whenaricketyhiredcarriagerattleduptothepier，andatall，elderlygentleman，inblack，steppedout，signalingcourteouslybutvivaciouslyfortheboattowait。Timewasoftheleastimportanceinthescheduleofthe~DixieBelle~；CaptainMacFarlandgavetheorder，andtheboatreceiveditsultimatetwopassengers。For，uponthearmofthetall，elderlygentleman，ashecrossedthegangway，wasalittleelderlylady，withagraycurldependingquaintlyforwardofherleftear。
　　CaptainMacFarlandwasatthewheel；thereforeitseemedtoJ。PinkneyBloom，whowastheonlyotherpassenger，thatitshouldbehistoplaythepartofhosttotheboat’snewguests，whowere，doubtless，onascenery—viewingexpedition。Hesteppedforward，withthattranslucent，child—candidsmileuponhisfresh，pinkcountenance，withthatairofunaffectedsinceritythatwasredeemedfrombluffnessonlybyitsexquisitecalculation，withthatpromptitudeandmasterlydecisionofmannerthatsowellsuitedhiscalling——withallhisstockintradewelltothefront；hesteppedforwardtoreceiveColonelandMrs。PeytonBlaylock。Withthegraceofagrandmarshaloraweddingusher，heescortedthetwopassengerstoasideoftheupperdeck，fromwhichthescenerywassupposedtopresentitselftotheobserverinincreasedquantityandquality。There，incomfortablesteamerchairs，theysatandbegantopiecetogethertherandomlinesthatweretoformanintelligentparagraphinthebighistoryoflittleevents。
　　"Ourhome，sir，"saidColonelBlaylock，removinghiswide—brimmed，rathershapelessblackfelthat，"isinHollySprings——HollySprings，Georgia。Iamveryproudtomakeyouracquaintance，Mr。Bloom。
　　Mrs。BlaylockandmyselfhavejustarrivedinOkocheethismorning，sir，onbusiness——businessofimportanceinconnectionwiththerecentrapidmarchofprogressinthissectionofourstate。"
　　TheColonelsmoothedback，withasweepinggesture，hislong，smooth，locks。Hisdarkeyes，stillfieryundertheheavyblackbrows，seemedinappropriatetothefaceofabusinessman。HelookedrathertobeanoldcourtierhandeddownfromthereignofCharles，andre—attiredinamodernsuitoffine，butravelingandseam—worn，broadcloth。
　　"Yes，sir，"saidMr。Bloom，inhisheartiestprospectusvoice，"thingshavebeenwhizzingaroundOkochee。BiggestindustrialrevivalandwakinguptonaturalresourcesGeorgiaeverhad。Didyouhappentosqueezeinonthegroundfloorinanyofthegilt—
　　edgedgrafts，Colonel？"
　　"Well，sir，"saidtheColonel，hesitatingincourteousdoubt，"ifI
　　understandyourquestion，ImaysaythatItooktheopportunitytomakeaninvestmentthatIbelievewillprovequiteadvantageous——yes，sir，Ibelieveitwillresultinbothpecuniaryprofitandagreeableoccupation。"
　　"ColonelBlaylock，"saidthelittleedlerlylady，shakinghergraycurlandsmilingindulgentexplanationatJ。PinkneyBloom，"issodevotedtobusinesss。Hehassuchatalentforfinancieringandmarketsandinvestmentsandthosekindofthings。Ithinkmyselfextremelyfortunateinhavingsecuredhimforapartneronlife’sjourney——Iamsounversedinthoseformidablebutveryusefulbranchesoflearning。"
　　ColonelBlaylockroseandmadeabow——abowthatbelongedwithsilkstockingsandlacerufflesandvelvet。
　　"Practicalaffairs，"hesaid，withawaveofhishandtowardthepromoter，"are，ifImayusethecomparison，thegardenwalksuponwhichwetreadthroughlife，viewinguponeithersideofustheflowerswhichbrightenthatjourney。Itismypleasuretobeabletolayoutawalkortwo。Mrs。Blaylock，sir，isoneofthosefortunatehigherspiritswhosemissionitistomaketheflowersgrow。
　　Perhaps，Mr。Bloom，youhaveperusedthelinesofLorella，theSouthernpoetess。ThatisthenameabovewhichMrs。BlaylockhascontributedtothepressoftheSouthformanyyears。"
　　"Unfortunately，"saidMr。Bloom，withasenseofthelossclearlywrittenuponhisfrankface，"I’mliketheColonel——inthewalk—makingbusinessmyself——andIhaven’thadtimetoeventakeasniffattheflowers。PoetryisalineIneverdealtin。Itmustbenice，though——quitenice。"
　　"Itistheregion，"smiledMrs。Blaylock，"inwhichmysouldwells。
　　Myshawl，Peyton，ifyouplease——thebreezecomesalittlechillyfromyonverduredhills。"
　　TheColoneldrewfromthetailpocketofhiscoatasmallshawlofknittedsilkandlaiditsolicitouslyabouttheshouldersofthelady。
　　Mrs。Blaylocksighedcontentedly，andturnedherexpressiveeyes——
　　stillasclearandunworldlyasachild’s——uponthesteepslopesthatwereslowlyslippingpast。Veryfairandstatelytheylookedintheclearmorningair。TheyseemedtospeakinfamiliartermstotheresponsivespiritofLorella。"Mynativehills!"shemurmured，dreamily。"Seehowthefoliagedrinksthesunlightfromthehollowsanddells。"
　　"Mrs。Blaylock’smaidendays，"saidtheColonel，interpretinghermoodtoJ。PinkneyBloom，"werespentamongthemountainsofnorthernGeorgia。Mountainairandmountainsceneryrecalltoherthosedays。
　　HollySprings，wherewehavelivedfortwentyyears，islowandflat。
　　Ifearthatshemayhavesufferedinhealthandspiritsbysolongaresidencethere。Thatisoneportentreasonforthechangewearemaking。Mydear，canyounotrecallthoselinesyouwrote——entitled，Ithink，’TheGeorgiaHills’——thepoemthatwassoextensivelycopiedbytheSouthernpressandpraisedsohighlybytheAtlantacritics？"
　　Mrs。BlaylockturnedaglanceofspeakingtendernessupontheColonel，fingeredforamomentthesilverycurlthatdroopeduponherbosom，thenlookedagaintowardthemountains。Withoutpreliminaryoraffectationordemurralshebegan，inratherthrillingandmoredeeplypitchedtonestorecitetheselines：
　　"TheGeorgiahills，theGeorgiahills!——
　　Oh，heart，whydostthoupine？
　　ArenottheseshelteredlowlandsfairWithmeadandbloomandvine？
　　Ah!astheslow—pacedriverhereBroodsonitsnatalrillsMyspiritdrifts，inlongingsweet，BacktotheGeorgiahills。
　　"Andthroughtheclose—drawn，curtainednightIstealonsleep’sslowwingsBacktomyheart’sease——slopesofpine——
　　Whereendmywanderings。
　　Oh，heavenseemsnearerfromtheirtops——
　　Andfartherearthlyills——
　　Evenindreams，ifImaybutDreamofmyGeorgiahills。
　　ThegrassupontheirorchardsidesIsafinecouchtome；
　　ThecommonnoteofeachsmallbirdPassesallminstrelsy。
　　ItwouldnotseemsodreadathingIf，whentheReaperwills，HemightcomethereandtakemyhandUpintheGeorgiahills。"
　　Thatsgreatstuff，ma’am，"saidJ。PinkneyBloom，enthusiastically，whenthepoetesshadconcluded。"IwishIhadlookeduppoetrymorethanIhave。Iwasraisedinthepinehillsmyself。"
　　"Themountainsevercalltotheirchildren，"murmuredMrs。Blaylock。
　　"Ifeelthatlifewilltakeontherosyhueofhopeagaininamongthesebeautifulhills。Peyton——alittletasteofthecurrantwine，ifyouwillbesogood。Thejourney，thoughdelightfulintheextreme，slightlyfatiguesme。"ColonelBlaylockagainvisitedthedepthsofhisprolificcoat，andproducedatightlycorked，rough，blackbottle。Mr。Bloomwasonhisfeetinaninstant。
　　"Letmebringaglass，ma’am。Youcomealong，Colonel——there’salittletablewecanbring，too。Maybewecanscareupsomefruitoracupofteaonboard。I’llaskMac。"
　　Mrs。Blaylockreclinedatease。FewroyalladieshaveheldtheirroyalprerogativewiththeserenegraceofthepettedSouthernwoman。
　　TheColonel，withanairasgallantandassiduousasinthedaysofhiscourtship，andJ。PinkneyBloom，withaponderousagilityhalfprofessionalandhalfdirectedbysomeresurrected，unnamed，long—
　　forgottensentiment，formedadiversifiedbutattentivecourt。Thecurrantwine——winehomemadefromtheHollySpringsfruit——wentround，andthenJ。PinkneybegantohearsomethingofHollySpringslife。
　　Itseemed（fromtheconversationoftheBlaylocks）thattheSpringswasdecadent。Athirdofthepopulationhadmovedaway。Business——
　　andtheColonelwasanauthorityonbusiness——haddwindledtonothing。