Dearoldapple-tree，underwhosegnarledbranchesthesestorieswerewritten，toyouIdedicatethebook。Myheadwassoclosetoyou，whocantellfromwhencethethoughtscame？
　　Ionlyknowthatwhenalltheothertreesintheorchardwerebarren，therewerealwaysstoriestobefoundunderyourbranches，andsoitisourjointbook，dearapple-tree。YourpinkblossomshavefallenonthepageasIwrote;yourruddyfruithasdroppedintomylap;
　　thesunshinestreamedthroughyourleavesandtippedmypencilwithgold。
　　Thebirdssinginginyourboughsmayhavelentasweetnotehereandthere;anddoyourememberthedaywhenthegentleshowercame？
　　Wejustcurledthecloser，andyouandIandtheskyallcriedtogetherwhilewewrote"TheFore-RoomRug。"
　　Itshouldbealovelybook，dearapple-tree，butalas！
　　itisnotaltogetherthat，becauseIamnotsosimpleasyou，andbecauseIhavestrayedfartherawayfromtheheartofMotherNature。
　　KATEDOUGLASWIGGIN
　　"Quillcote，"Hollis，Maine，August12，1895。
　　CONTENTS。
　　TheVillageWatch-Tower1
　　Tomo’theBlueb’ryPlains31
　　TheNooningTree55
　　TheFore-RoomRug95
　　AVillageStradivarius123
　　TheEventfulTripoftheMidnightCry195
　　THEVILLAGEWATCH-TOWER。
　　Itstoodonthegentleslopeofahill，theoldgrayhouse，withitsweather-beatenclapboardsanditsroofofraggedshingles。
　　Itwasintheverylapoftheroad，sothatthestage-drivercouldalmostknockonthewindowpanewithoutgettingdownfromhisseat，onthoserareoccasionswhenhebrought"oldMis’Bascom"aparcelfromSaco。
　　Humbleanddilapidatedasitwas，itwasalmostbeautifulinthespringtime，whenthedandelion-dottedturfgrewclosetothegreatstonesteps;orinthesummer，whenthefamousBascomelmcastitsgracefulshadowoverthefrontdoor。
　　Theelm，indeed，wastheonlyobjectthateverdidcastitsshadowthere。LucindaBascomsaidher"frontdoor’n’entryneverhedbenusedexceptforfun’rals，’n’shewasgoin’
　　tokeepitniceforthatpurpose，’n’notgetitalltrackedup。"
　　Shewassittingnowwhereshehadsatforthirtyyears。
　　Herhigh-backedrocker，withitscushionofcopperplatepatchanditscrochetedtidy，stoodalwaysbyasouthernwindowthatlookedoutontheriver。Theriverwasasheetofcrystal，asitpouredoverthedam;arushing，roaringtorrentoffoamingwhite，asitsweptunderthebridgeandfoughtitswaybetweentherockycliffsbeyond，sweepingswirling，eddying，initsnarrowchannel，pulsingrestlesslyintotheraggedfissuresofitsshores，andleapingwithatempestuousroarintotheWitches’Eel-pot，adeepwoodedgorgecleftintheveryheartofthegranitebank。
　　ButLucindaBascomcouldseemorethantheriverfromherfavoritewindow。Itwasamuch-traveledroad，theroadthatranpastthehouseonitswayfromLibertyVillagetoMilliken’sMills。
　　Atotteringoldsign-board，onaverdanttriangleofturf，directedyouoverDeaconChute’shilltothe"FlagMedderRoad，"andfromthencetoLibertyCentre;thelittlepost-officeandstore，wherethestagestoppedtwiceaday，wasquitewithineyeshot;sowerethepublicwatering-trough，BrigadierHill，and，behindtheruinsofanoldmill，thewoodedpaththatledtotheWitches’Eel-pot，afavoritewalkforvillagelovers。Thiswasallonhersideoftheriver。
　　Asforthebridgewhichknittogetherthetwotinyvillages，nobodycouldpassoverthatwithoutbeingseenfromtheBascoms’。Therumbleofwheelsgenerallybroughtafamilypartytothewindow，——
　　JotBascom’swife（shethatwasDiademaDennett），Jothimself，ifhewereinthehouse，littleJot，andgrandpaBascom，wholookedatthepassers-bywithavacantsmilepartinghisthinlips。
　　OldMrs。Bascomherselfdidnotneedtherumbleofwheelstotellherthatavehiclewascoming，forshecouldseeitfullytenminutesbeforeitreachedthebridge，——attheverymomentitappearedatthecrestofSacoHill，wherestrangerspulleduptheirhorses，onaclearday，andpausedtolookatMountWashington，milesawayinthedistance。
　　ToryHillandSacoHillmetatthebridge，andjustthere，too，theriverroadbeganitsshadycoursealongtheeastsideofthestream：
　　inviewofallwhich"oldMis’Bascom’ssettin’-roomwinder"
　　mightwellbecalledthe"VillageWatch-Tower，"whenyouconsiderfurtherthatshehadmovedonlyfromherhigh-backedrockertoherbed，andfromherbedtoherrocker，formorethanthirtyyears，——
　　eversincethatjulydaywhenherhusbandhadhadasun-strokewhilepaintingthemeeting-housesteeple，andherbabyJonathanhadbeentherebyhastenedintoaworldnotintheleastreadytoreceivehim。
　　Shecouldnothavelivedwithoutthatwindow，shewouldhavetoldyou，norwithouttheriver，whichhadlulledhertosleepeversinceshecouldremember。Itwasinthesouthchamberupstairsthatshehadbeenborn。
　　Hermotherhadlainthereandlistenedtotheswirlofthewater，inthatyearwhentheriverwashigherthantheoldestinhabitanthadeverseenit，——
　　theyearwhenthecoveredbridgeattheMillshadbeencarriedaway，andwhentheoneattheFallswasinhourlydangerofsuccumbingtotheforceofthefreshet。
　　Allthemeninbothvillageswereworkingontheriver，strengtheningthedam，bracingthebridge，andbreakingthejamsoflogs;
　　andwiththepartingoftheboom，thesnappingofthebridgetimbers，thecrashingofthelogsagainsttherocks，andtheshoutsoftheriver-drivers，thelittleLucindahadcomeintotheworld。
　　Someonehadgoneforthefather，andhadfoundhimontheriver，wherehehadbeensinceday-break，drenchedwiththestorm，blownfrohisdangerousfootingtimeaftertime，butstillbattlingwiththegreatheaped-upmassesoflogs，wrenchingthemfromoneanother’sgrasp，andsendingthemdowntheswollenstream。
　　Finallythejambroke;andacheeroftriumphburstfromtheexcitedmen，asthelogs，freedfromtheirbondage，sweptdowntheragingflood，onandeveroninjoyousliberty，fasterandfaster，tilltheyencounteredsomenewobstacle，whentheyheapedthemselvestogetheragain，likepuppetsofFate，andwerebeatenbythewavesintoanotherhelplesssurrender。
　　Withthebreakingofthejam，onedeadmonarchoftheforestleapedintotheairasifithadbeenshotfromacannon’smouth，andlodgedbetweentwojuttingpeaksofrockhighontheriverbank。
　　Presentlyanotherlogwasdashedagainstit，butrolledoffandhurrieddownthestream;thenanother，andstillanother;butnoforceseemedenoughtodrivethegiantfromitsintrenchedposition。
　　"Hurryondowntothenextjam，Raish，andletitalone，"
　　criedthemen。"Mebbeit’llgitwashedoffinthenight，andanyhowyoucan’tbudgeitwithnokindofatoolwe’vegothere。"
　　Thenfromtheshorecameaboy’svoicecalling，"There’sababyuptoyourhouse！"Andthemenrepeatedinstentoriantones，"Babyuptoyourhouse，Raish！Leggothelog;you’rewanted！"
　　"Boyorgirl？"shoutedtheyoungfather。
　　"Girl！"camebacktheanswerabovetheroaroftheriver。
　　WhereuponRaishDunnellsteadiedhimselfwithhispickandtakingahatchetfromhisbelt，cutarudeletter"L"
　　onthesideofthestrandedlog。
　　"L’sforLucindy，"helaughed。"Nowyoulogifyougit’sfurasSaco，dropintomywife’sfolksandtell’emthebaby’sname。"
　　Therehadnotbeensuchafreshetforyearsbefore，andtherehadneverbeenonesince;so，asthequietseasonswentby，"Lucindy’slog"
　　wasleftinpeace，thecolumbinesbloomingallaboutit，theharebellshangingtheirheadsofdelicateblueamongtherocksthathelditinplace，thebirdsbuildingtheirnestsintheknot-holesofitswitheredside。
　　Seventyyearshadpassed，andoneachbirthday，fromthetimewhenshewasonly"RaishDunnell’slittleLou，"
　　totheyearswhenshewasLucindaBascom，wifeandmother，shehadwandereddownbytheriverside，andgazed，alittlesuperstitiouslyperhaps，onthelogthathadbeenmarkedwithan"L"onthemorningshewasborn。
　　Ithadstoodthewearandtearoftheelementsbravely，butnowitwasbeginning，likeLucinda，toshowitsage。
　　Itsbackwasbent，likehers;itsfacewasseamedandwrinkled，likeherown;andthevillageloverswholookedatitfromtheoppositebankwonderedif，afterall，itwouldholdoutaslongas"oldMis’Bascom。"
　　Sheheldoutbravely，oldMrs。Bascom，thoughshewas"allskin，bones，andtongue，"astheneighborssaid;fornobodyneededtogointotheBascoms’tobrightenupauntLucindaabit，ortakeherthenews;onewentintogetabitofbrightness，andtohearthenews。
　　"Ishouldgetlonesome，Is’pose，"shewaswonttosay，"ifitwa’n’tforthewaythishouseisset，andthischair，andthiswinder，’n’all。
　　Menfolksusedtobuildsomeo’thehousesupinalane，orturn’embackorsidetotheroad，sothewomenfolkscouldn’tseeanythin’tokeeptheirmindsofftheirchurnin’ordish-washin’;butAaronDunnellhedsomethin’
　　elsetothinkabout，’n’thatwashimself，first，last，andallthetime。
　　Hisstorewasdowntobottomofthehill，’n’whenhecomeuptohismeals，heusedtosetwherehecouldseethedoor;’n’ifanycust’mercome，hecouldcallto’emtowaitaspelltillhegotthrougheatin’。Land！
　　Icanhearhimnow，yellin’to’em，withhismouthfullofvictuals！
　　Theyhedtowaittillhegotgood’n’ready，too。Therewa’n’tsomuchcomp’titioninbusinessthenasthereisnow，orhe’d’a’hedtogiveupeatin’orhireaclerk……I’vealwaysfelttobethankfulthatthehousewasonthisriseo’ground。Theteamshevtoslowupon’counto’
　　thehill，’n’itgivesmeconsid’blechancetoseefolks’n’whatthey’vegotinthebackofthewagon，’n’onething’n’other……Theneighborsiscontinuallycomin’inheretotalkaboutthingsthat’sgoin’
　　oninthevillage。Iliketohear’em，butland！theycan’ttellmenothing’！Theyoftensay，`Formassysakes，LucindyBascom，howd’
　　youknowthat？’`Why，’saysItothem，`Idon’tasknoquestions，’n’folksdon’ttellmenolies;Ijustsetinmywinder，’n’puttwo’n’twotogether，——that’sallIdo。’Iain’tneverbeninaplayhouse，butIdon’tsupposetheplay-actorsgitdownofftheplatformont’
　　themainfloortoexplaintothefolkswhatthey’vebendoin’，dothey？
　　Iexpect，iffolkscan’tunderstandtheirdraymaswhenthe’reactin’
　　of’emout，theyhavetogoignorant，don’tthey？Well，whatdoIwantwithexplainin’，wheneverythin’isactedoutrightintheroad？"
　　TherewasquiteagatheringofneighborsattheBascoms’
　　onthisparticularJulyafternoon。Noinvitationshadbeensentout，andnonewereneeded。Acommonexcitementhadmadeitvitalthatpeopleshoulddropinsomewhere，andspeculateaboutcertaininterestingmatterswellknowntobegoingoninthecommunity，butgoingoninsuchanunderhandandsecretivefashionthatitwell-nighdestroyedone’sfaithinhumannature。
　　Thesitting-roomdoorwasopenintotheentry，sothatwhateverbreezetherewasmightcomein，andanunusualglimpseofthenewforeroomrugwasaffordedthespectators。
　　Everythingwasasneataswax，forDiademawasahousekeeperofthetypefastpassingaway。Thegreatcoalstovewasenvelopedinitsusualsummerwrapperofpurplecalico，which，tiedneatlyaboutitsebonyneckandportlywaist，gaveittheappearanceofabuxomcoloredladypresidingovertheassembly。
　　Thekerosenelampsstoodinarowonthehigh，narrowmantelpiece，eachchimneyprotectedfromthefliesbyabrownpaperbaginvertedoveritshead。TwoplasterSamuelsprayingunderthepinkmosquitonettingadornedtheendsoftheshelf。
　　Therewerescreensatallthewindows，andDiademafidgetednervouslywhenavisitorcameinthemosquitonettingdoor，forfearaflyshouldsneakinwithher。
　　OnthewallwerecertificatesofmembershipintheMissionarySociety;
　　apictureofMaidenswelcomingWashingtonintheStreetsofAlexandria，inaframeofcucumberseeds;andaninterestingdocumentsettingforththeclaimsoftheDunnellfamilyasoldsettlerslongbeforetheseparationofMainefromMassachusetts，——thefactbein’establishedbyanobituarynoticereading，"InSaco，December1791，Dorcas，daughterofAbiatharDunnell，twomonthsoldofFitsunbaptized。"
　　"Hemaybegoin’tomarryEunice，andhemaynot，"observedAlmiraBerry;
　　"thoughwhatshewantsofReubenHobsonismore’nIcanmakeout。
　　Ineverseeawidowerstraightenupashehasthislastyear。
　　Iguesshe’sbeenlookin’roundprettylively，butcouldn’tfindanybodythatwasfoolenoughtogivehimanyencouragement。"
　　"Mebbeshewantstogetmarried，"saidHannahSophia，inatonethatspokevolumes。"WhenParsonPerkinscometothisparish，oneofhisfirstcallswasonEuniceEmery。
　　Healwaystalkedlikethebooko’Revelation;sosayshe，`haveyougotyourweddin’garmenton，MissEmery？’sayshe。
　　`No，’saysshe，`butIbentryin’tothesetwentyyears。’
　　Shewasalwaysfullofherjokes，Eunicewas！"
　　"TheEmeryswasalwaysahumorousfamily，"
　　remarkedDiadema，assheannihilatedaflywithanewspaper。
　　"OldSilasEmerywasanawfulhumorousman。Heusedtoliveupontheisland;andtherecomeafreshetoneyear，andhesaidhegothissofy’n’chairsoff，anyhow！"Thatwasjusthisjokin’。Hehadn’tasignofasofyinthehouse;
　　’twashiswifeSophyhemeant，shethatwasSophySwett。
　　Thenanothertime，whenIwasalittlemiteofathinrunnin’
　　in’n’outo’hisyard，hecaughtholto’me，andsayshe，`You’dbettertakecare，sissy;whenIkillyouandtwomore，thet’llbethreechildrenI’vekilled！’Land！youcouldn’tdragmeinsidethatyardforyearsafterwards……There！she’sgotafireinthecook-stove;there’sastreamo’
　　smokecomin’outo’thekitchenchimbley。I’mwillin’
　　tobetmynewrugshe’sgoin’tobemarriedtonight！"
　　"Mebbeshe’smakin’jell’，"suggestedHannahSophia。
　　"Jell’！"ejaculatedMrs。Jotscornfully。"Doyous’poseEuniceEmerywouldbuildupafireinthemiddleo’
　　theafternoon’n’gotomakin’ajell’，thishotday？
　　Besides，thereain’tacurrantgoneintoherhousethisweek，asIhappentoknow。"
　　"It’sadretfulthickyearforfol’age，"mumbledgrandpaBascom，appearinginthedoorwithhisvacantsmile。"Ideclaresomeo’
　　themapleslookslikeballsintheair。"
　　"That’sthetwentiethtimehe’shedthatoversincemornin’，"
　　saidDiadema。"Here，father，takeyourhatoff’n’setinthekitchendoor’n’shellmethismesso’peas。Nowthinksmart，’n’putthepodsinthebasket’n’thepeasinthepan;
　　don’tyoumix’em。"
　　Theoldmanhunghishatonthebackofthechair，tookthepaninhistremblinghands，andbeganaimlesslytoopenthepods，whilehechuckledatthehensthatgatheredroundthedoorstepwhentheyheardthepeasrattlinginthepan。
　　"Reubenneedsawifebadenough，ifthat’sall，"remarkedtheWidowBuzzell，asonewhohadgiventhemattersomeconsideration。
　　"Ishouldthinkhedid，"rejoinedoldMrs。Bascom。
　　"Thosechildren’boutgittheirlivin’offtheroadinsummer，fromthetimethedand’liongreensisreadyfordiggin’
　　tilltheblackb’ries’n’choke-cherriesisgone。
　　Diademycalls’emin’n’gives’emacookyeverytimetheygopast，’n’theyeatasiftheywasfamished。
　　RubeHobsonneverwasanykindofapervider，’n’he’sconsid’ablesnugbesides。"
　　"Heain’tgoin’tobetterhimselfmuch，"saidAlmira。
　　"EuniceEmeryain’tfittohousekeepforacat。
　　ThepieshetooktothepiesupperatthechurchwassotoughthatevenDeaconDyercouldn’teatit;andtheboysgotholtofherdoughnuts，anddeclaredtheywasgoin’fishin’nextday’n’use’emforsinkers。ShelivesfromhandtomouthEuniceEmerydoes。She’saboutasmuchofadoshyasRubeis。
　　She’llmaketeathat’sstrongenoughtobearupanegg，most，andeatherdoughnutswithitthreetimesadayratherthantakethetroubletowalkouttothemeatorthefishcart。
　　Iknowforafactshedon’tmakerizbreadonceayear。"
　　"Mebbeherfolkslikesbuttermilkbreadbest;somedo，"
　　saidtheWidowBuzzell。"Myhusbandalwayssaid，givehimbuttermilkbreadtoworkon。Heusedtosaymyrizbreadwassolighthe’dhevtotreadonittokeepitanywheres;
　　butwhenyou’deatbuttermilkbreadhesaidyou’dgotsomethin’
　　thatstayedbyyou;youknewwhereitwaseverytime……Formassysake！there’sthestagestoppin’attheHobson’sdoor。
　　IwonderifRube’sfirstwife’smotherhascomefromModeration？
　　If’tis，theymust’a’madeuptheirquarrel，fortherewasatimeshewouldn’tstepfootoverthatdoorsill。Shemustbegoin’
　　tostaysometime，forthere’satrunkonthebacko’thestage……No，thereain’tnobodygettin’out。Land，HannahSophia，don’tpushmecleanthroughtheglass！Itbeatsmewhytheymakewinderssosmallthatthreepeoplecan’tlookoutof’emwithoutcrowdin’。
　　Ain’tthatawash-boilerhe’shandin’down？Well，it’samercy;
　　he’sbenborrowin’longenough！"
　　"WhatgoesonafterdarkIain’tresponsiblefor，"
　　commentedoldMrs。Bascom，"butnonewwash-boilerhasgoneintoRubeHobson’sdoorinthedaytimeformanyayear，andI’llbebounditmeanssomethin’。Theregoesabroom，too。
　　Muchsweepin’he’llgetouto’Eunice;it’saslick’n’
　　apromisewithher！"
　　"Whendidyoubegintosuspicionthis，Diademy？"askedAlmiraBerry。
　　"I’vegotasmuchfacultyasthenextone，butanybodythatlivesontheriverroadhasjustgottogiveupknowin’anything。Youcan’tkeeprunnin’
　　tothestoreeveryday，andifyoucouldyoudon’tfindoutmuchnowadays。
　　BillPetersdon’ttakenomoreinterestinhisneighborsthanacowdoesinelection。"
　　"Ican’tgetmotherBascomtoseeitasIdo，"saidDiadema，"butforonethingshe’sbencarryin’homebundles’bouteveryothernightforamonth，thoughshe’sbentoosmarttobuyanythin’
　　hereatthisstore。ShehadPackard’shorsetogotoSacolastweek。
　　Whenshegothome，jestatdusk，shedroveint’thebarn，’n’bimebyPittPackardcometogithishorse，——’twasherownbuggyshewentwith。Shelookedoverherewhenshewentint’
　　thehouse，’n’sheketchedmyeye，though’twashalfamileaway，soshenevertookathinginwithher，butsoonas’twasdarkshemadethreetripsouttothebarnwithalantern，’n’anyfoolcouldtell’therarmswasfullo’pa’celsbythewayshecarriedthelantern。
　　TheHobsonsandtheEmeryshavemarriedoneanothermore’nonce，asfurasthatgoes。IdeclareifIwasgoin’togetmarriedI
　　shouldwanttoberelationtosomebodybesidesmyownfolks。"
　　"ThereasonIcanhardlycreditit，"saidHannahSophia，"isbecauseEuniceneverhadabeauinherlife，thatIcanrememberof。CyseHigginssetupwithherforaspell，butitneveramountedtonothin’。Itseemsqueer，too，forshewasalwayssofondo’seein’menfolksroundthatwhenPittPackardwasshinglin’herbarnsheusedtogooutnights’n’ripsomeo’theshinglesoff，so’the’dhevmoredays’
　　workonit。"
　　"Ialwayssaid’twasshethatbegunonRubeHobson，nothimonher，"remarkedtheWidowBuzzell。
　　"Theirlandjoinin’madecourtin’comedretfulhandy。
　　Hiscrittersusedtogitinherfield’bouteveryotherday（Ialwayssuspicionedshebrokethefencedownherself），andthenshe’dhevtogooverandgithimtodrive’emout。
　　She’swedhisonionbedforhimtwosummers，asIhappentoknow，forI’vebeenou’doorsmore’ncommonthissummer，tryin’
　　tofetchmyconstitutionup。Diademy，don’tyouwanttolookoutthebackway’n’seeifRube’scomehomeyet？"
　　"Heain’t，"saidoldMrs。Bascom，"soyouneedn’tlook;
　　can’tyouseethecurtainsisalldown？He’sgoneuptotheMills，’n’it’smyopinionhe’sgonetospeaktotheminister。"
　　"Hehedsomethin’inthebacko’thewagoncoveredupwithanoldlinenlaprobe;’tain’tatalllikelyhe’d’a’hedthatifhe’dbengoin’
　　totheminister’s，"objectedMrs。Jot。
　　"Anybody’dthinkyouwasbornyesterday，tohearyoutalk，Diademy，"
　　retortedhermother-in-law。"Whenyou’vesetinonespot’slong’sIhev，p’rapsyou’llhevtheuseo’yourfaculties！Menfolkshasmore’nonewayo’gettin’married，’speciallywhenthey’reashamedofit……Well，Ivow，there’sthelittleHobsongirlscomin’outo’
　　thedoorthisminute，’n’they’realldressedup，andMotedon’tseemtobewith’em。"
　　Everywomanintheroomrosetoherfeet，andDiademaremovedhermurderouseyefromaflywhichshehadbeenendeavoringtolocateforsomemoments。
　　"Iguessthey’regoin’uptothechurchtomeettheirfather’n’Eunice，poorlittlethings，"venturedtheWidowBuzzell。
　　"P’rapstheybe，"saidoldMrs。Bascomsarcastically;
　　"p’rapstheybegoin’tochurch，takin’athree-quarttinpail’n’abrownpaperbundlealongwith’em……They’recomin’overthebridge，justasIs’posed……Now，iftheycomepastthishouse，youhead’emoff，Almiry，’n’seeifyoucangitsomesatisfactionoutof’em……Theyain’thardlyoldenoughtoholdtheirtongues。"
　　Anexcitinginterviewsoontookplaceinthemiddleoftheroad，andAlmirareenteredtheroomwiththeexpressionofonewhohadpenetratedtheinscrutableandsolvedtheriddleoftheSphinx。
　　Shehadbeenvouch-safedoneofthosegleamsoflightindarknesswhichalmostdazzlethebeholder。
　　"That’sabouttheconfirmingestthingI’veheernyet！"
　　sheejaculated，asshetookoffhershakerbonnet。
　　"Theysaythey’regoin’uptotheirauntHitty’stostaytwodays。
　　They’redressedintheirbest，cleantotheskin，forIlooked;
　　’n’it’stheirnightgowndsthey’vegotinthebundle。
　　TheysaylittleMotehasgonetoUniontostopallnightwithhisuncleAbijah，’n’thatleavesRubeallalone，forthesmithgirlthatdoeshischoresishomesickwiththehives。Andwhatdoyous’poseisinthepail？
　　_Fruit__cake_，——that’swhat’tis，nomore’n’noless！
　　IknowedthatSmithgirldidn’tbakeit，’n’soIasked’em，’n’theysaidMissEmerygiveitto’em。Therewastwolittleroundtry-cakes，bakedinmuffin-rings。Eunicehedtooksomeo’
　　thebatteroutofabigloaf’n’bakedittosehowitwasgoin’
　　toturnout。Thatmeanswedding-cake，orI’mmistaken！"
　　"Thereain’tnogittin’roundthat，"agreedtheassembledcompany，"nowisthere，Mis’Bascom？"
　　OldMrs。Bascomwetherfinger，smoothedthepartingofherfalsefront，andlookedinscrutable。
　　"Idon’tseewhyyou’resosecret，"objectedDiadema。
　　"I’vegotmyopinions，andI’vehad’emsometime，"
　　observedthegoodlady。"Idon’tknow’sI’mboundtotell’emandhave’emhelduptoridicule。Letthevealhang，Isay。
　　Ifanyoneofusisright，we’llallknowto-morrow。"
　　"Well，allanyofushasgottojudgefromisappearances，"saidDiadema，"andhowyoucantwist’emoneway，andusanother，stumpsme！"
　　"PerhapsIseemoreappearancesthanyoudo，"
　　retortedhermother-in-law。"Somefolksmistakesalltheyseeforallthereis。Iwasreadingadetectivestorylastweek。
　　ItseemstherewasanawfulmurderinSchenectady，andamotherandhertwochildrenwasfounddeadinonebed，withbulletholesintheirheads。Thehusbandwasawayonbusiness，andtherewasn’tanynearneighborstohearherscreech。
　　Well，thedetectivescomefromfarandfromnear，andbeguntoworkupthecase。Oneof’emthought’twasthehusband，——
　　thoughhesetsuchstorebyhiswifehewentravin’
　　crazywhenheheardshewasdead，——oneof’emlaiditonthechildren，——thoughtheywasbothundersixyearsold;
　　andonedecideditwassuicide，——thoughthewomanwasachurchmemberanddidn’tknowhowtofireagunoff，besides。
　　Andthentherecomealongadetectiveyoungerandsmarterthanalltherest，andsayshe，`Ifallyoubatshaveseeneverythingyoucansee，IguessI’lltakealookaround，’sayshe。
　　Sureenough，therewasarugwith`Welcome’onitlayin’infrontofthewashstand，andwhenheturnedituphefoundanelegantdiamondstudwithaman’sfullnameandaddressonthegoldpart。
　　Hetookatrainandwentrighttotheman’shouse。
　　Hewassotakenbysurprise（hehadn’tmissedthestud，forhehadafullsetof’em）thatheownedrightupandconfessedthemurder。"
　　"Idon’tseeasthat’sgotanythingtodowiththiscase，"saidDiadema。
　　"It’sgotthismuchtodowithit，"repliedoldMrs。Bascom，"thatperhapsyou’velookedallroundtheroomandseeneverythingyouhadeyestosee，andperhapsI’vehadwitenoughtoturnuptheruginfronto’thewashstand。"
　　"Whoeverhemarriesnow，Mis’Bascom’llhavetosay’twastheoneshemeant，"laughedtheWidowBuzzell。
　　"Ineverwascaughtcheatin’yet，andifIlivetillSaturdayIshallbeseventy-oneyearsold，"saidtheoldladywithsomeheat。"HandmeJot’sleadpencil，Diademy，andthatoldenvelopeonthewindersill。
　　I’llwritethenameIthinkof，andshutitupintheoldBible。
　　Myhand’ssostiffto-dayIcan’thardlymoveit，butIguessIcanmakeitplainenoughtosatisfyyou。"
　　"That’sfair’n’square，"saidHannahSophia，"andformypatIhopeitain’tEunice，forIlikehertoowell。
　　Whatthey’regoin’toliveonismore’nIcansee。Addnothin’
　　tonothin’’n’yougitnothin’，——that’sarethmetic！Heain’thedacento’readymoneysencehefailedupfouryearsago，’thoutitwasthathundreddollarsthatfelltohimfromhiswife’saunt。
　　Eunice’llhevherhandsfullthiswinter，Iguess，withthemthreeheartychildren’n’himallwheezedupwithphthisicfromOctobertoApril！……Who’sthatcoming’downToryHill？
　　It’sRube’shorse’n’Rube’swagon，butitdon’tlooklikeRube。"
　　"Yes，it’sRube;buthe’sgotanewPanamahat，’n’he’shedhislinendusterwashed，"saidoldMrs。Bascom……"Now，doyoumeantotellmethatthatwomanwithastuck-uphatonisEuniceEmery？
　　Itain’t，’n’thatgreenparasoldon’tbelongtothisvillage。He’sdrivin’
　　herintohisyard！……JustasIs’posed，it’sthatlittle，smirkin’
　　worthlessschool-teacheruptotheMills。——Don’tbreakmyneck，Diademy;
　　can’tyouseeouttheotherwinder？——Yes，he’shelpin’herout，’n’showin’
　　herin。Hecan’t’a’benmarriedmore’ntenminutes，forhe’sgoin’
　　clearupthestepstoopenthedoorforher！"
　　"Wait’n’seeifhetakeshishorseout，"saidHannahSophia。
　　"Mebbehe’lldriveherbackinafewminutes……No，he’sonhitched！……There，he’shangin’upthehead-stall！"
　　"I’vebenupintheatticchamber，"calledtheWidowBuzzell，asshedescendedthestairs;"she’spulledupthecurtains，andtookoffherhatrightinfronto’thewinder，’sboldasabrasskettle！
　　She’scometostay！Ain’tthatRubeHobsonallover，——tobringanotherwomanint’thisvillage’stido’weedin’oneof’emoutashe’doughter。
　　Heain’tgotanymorepublicsperitthana——hedgehog，’n’neverhad！"
　　Almiradrewonhermittsexcitedly，tiedonhershaker，andstartedforthedoor。
　　"I’mgoin’overtoEunice’s，"shesaid，"andI’mgoin’
　　totakemybottleofcamphire。Ishouldn’twonderamiteifIfoundherinadeadfaintonthekitchenfloor。
　　Nobodyneedtellmeshewa’n’tbuildin’hopes。"
　　"I’llgowithyou，"saidtheWidowBuzzell。
　　"I’dliketoseewithmyowneyeshowshetakesit，’n’it’llbetoolatetotellifIwaittillaftersupper。
　　Ifshe’dbenmoreopenwithme’n’everaskedformyadvice，Icould’a’toldheritwa’n’tthefirsttimeRubeHobsonhasplayedthattrick。"
　　"I’dcometooif’twa’n’tmilkin’butJotain’thomefromtheCentre，andI’vegottodohischores;comeinasyougoalongback，willyou？"askedDiadema。
　　HannahSophiaremainedbehind，promisingtomeetthematthepost-officeandhearthenews。AsthetwowomenwalkeddownthehillshedrewtheoldenvelopefromtheBibleandreadthewaveringwordsscrawleduponitinoldMrs。Bascom’srheumaticanduncertainhand，——
　　_the__milikins__Mills__Teecher。_
　　"WellLucindy，youdomakegooduseo’yourwinder，"
　　sheexclaimed，"buthowyoupitchedonanythingsoonlikelyasherismore’nIcansee。"
　　"Justbecause’twasonlikely。Aman’sagreatsightlikeliertodoanonlikelythingthanheisalikelyone，whenitcomestomarryin’。Inthefirstplace，RubesenthischildrentoschooluptotheMills’stidoftothebrickschoolhouse，thoughhehadtopayalittlesomethingtoget’emtakenintoanotherdeestrick。
　　Theyusedtocomedownatnightwiththeirhandsfullo’
　　’wardo’meritcards。Doyous’poseIthoughttheygot’emforgoodbehavior，orforknowin’theirlessons？ThenauntHittytoldmesomequestionorotherRubehadaskedexaminationday。
　　SincewhenhasRubeHobson’tendedexaminations，thinksI。AndwhenIseethegirl，ared-and-whitepaperdollthatwouldn’tknowwhethertomovethechurn-dasherup’n’downorround’n’round，Imadeupmymindthatbein’amanhe’dtakeherforcertain，andnothisnext-doorneighborofasensibleageandahouse’n’
　　farm’n’cow’n’buggy！"
　　"Sureenough，"agreedHannahSophia，"thoughthatdon’taccountforEunice’squeeractions，’n’thepa’cels’n’
　　thefruitcake。"
　　"WhenImakeoutacase，"observedMrs。Bascommodestly，"Iain’tonetoleaveweakspotsinit。IfIguessatall，Igoallovertheground’n’stopwhenIgitthrough。
　　Now，sistersornosisters，MaryabbyEmeryain’tspoketoEunicesenceshemovedtoSalem。ButifEunicehasbenbringin’pa’celshome，Maryabbymust’a’paidforwhatwasin’em;andifshe’sbenbakin’
　　fruitcakethishotday，whyMaryabbyusedtobesofonto’
　　fruitcakeherfolkswereafraidshe’dhavefits’n’die。
　　Ishallbewatchin’hereasusualto-morrowmorning’，’n’
　　ifMaryabbydon’tdriveint’Eunice’syardbeforenoonIwon’tbraganymoreforayeartocome。"
　　HannahSophiagazedatoldMrs。Bascomwithunstintedadmiration。
　　"Youdobeatall，"shesaid;"andIwishIcouldstayallnight’n’seehowitturnsout，butAlmiryisjustcomin’overthebridge，’n’Imuststart’n’meether。Good-by。I’mgladtoseeyousosmart;youalwayslookslim，butIguessyou’lltoughitout’slong’stherestofus。
　　Iseeyourlogwasallright，lasttimeIwasdownsideo’theriver。"
　　"Theysayit’sjestgoin’tobreakintwointhemiddle，andfallintotheriver，"cheerfullyrespondedLucinda。
　　"Theysayit’sjusthanging’onbyathread。Well，that’swhatthey’vebensayin’aboutmethesetenyears，’n’hereIbestillhanging！Itdon’tmakenoodds，Iguess，whetherit’sathreadoraropeyou’rehangin’by，solongasyouhang。"
　　***
　　Thenextmorning，littleMoteHobson，whohadstayedallnightwithhisuncleinUnion，waswalkinghomebythesideoftheriver。
　　Hestrolledalong，thehappy，tousle-headed，barefootedyoungster，eyesonemomentonthetreesinthehopeofsquirrelsandbirds’-nests，thenextonthegroundinsearchofthefirstblueberries。
　　Ashestoopedtopickupabitofshiningquartztoaddtothecollectioninhisraggedtrousers’pocketsheglancedacrosstheriver，andatthatveryinstantLucinda’slogbrokegentlyintwain，rolleddownthebank，crumblingasitwent，and，droppinginlikeatiredchild，wascarriedpeacefullyalongontheriver’sbreast。
　　Motewalkedmorequicklyafterthat。Itwasquiteafeatherinhiscaptosee，withhisowneyes，theoldlandmarkslipfromitsaccustomedplaceandfloatdownthestream。
　　Theotherboyswouldmissitandsay，"It’sgone！"
　　Hewouldsay，"Isawitgo！"
　　GrandpaBascomwasstandingatthetopofthehill。Hiswhitelockswereuncovered，andhewasinhisshirt-sleeves。BabyJot，asusual，heldfastbyhisshakinghand，fortheylovedeachother，thesetwo。
　　Thecruelstrokeofthesunthathadblurredtheoldman’sbrainhadsparedablessedsomethinginhimthatwonthehealingloveofchildren。
　　"Howd’ye，Mote？"hepipedinhisfeeblevoice。"TheysayLucindy’sdead……Jotsayssheis，’n’Diademysayssheis，’n’Iguesssheis……It’sadretfulthickyearforfol’age;……someo’themapleslookslikeballsintheair。"
　　Motelookedinatthewindow。Theneighborswerehurryingtoandfro。
　　Diademasatwithhercalicoapronuptoherface，sobbing;andforthefirstmorninginthirtyyears，oldMrs。Bascom’shigh-backedrockerwasempty，andtherewasnoonesittinginthevillagewatch-tower。
　　——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
　　TOMO’THEBLUEB’RYPLAINS。
　　Theskyisashadowlessblue;thenoon-daysunglowsfiercely;
　　acloudofdustrisesfromtheburningroadwheneverthehotbreezestirstheair，orwheneverafarmwagoncreaksalong，itswheelssinkingintothedeepsand。
　　Inthedistance，wherethegreenoftheearthjoinstheblueofthesky，gleamsthesilverlineofariver。
　　Asfarastheeyeanreach，thegroundiscoveredwithblueberrybushes;redleavespeepingamonggreenones;
　　bloomofbluefruithanginginfullwarmclusters，——spheresofvelvetmellowedbysummersun，moistenedwithcrystaldew，spicedwithfragranceofwoods。
　　Inamongtheblueberrybushesgrowhuckleberries，"chokypears，"andblack-snaps。
　　Gnarledoaksandstuntedpinesliftthemselvesoutofthewildernessofshrubs。Theylookdwarfedandgloomy，asifNaturehadbeenanuntendermother，anddeniedthempropernourishment。
　　Theroadisalittle-traveledone，andfurrowsoffeatherygrassesgrowbetweenthelong，hot，sandystretchesofthewheel-ruts。
　　Thefirstgoldenrodgleamsamongtheloosestonesatthefootofthealderbushes。Wholefamiliesofpalebutterflies，justoutoftheirlongsleep，perchonthebrilliantstalksandtilterupanddowninthesunshine。
　　Stragglingprocessionsofwoolybrowncaterpillarswendtheirwayintheshortgrassbythewayside，wherethewildcarrotandthepurplebull-thistlearecomingintobloom。
　　Thesongofbirdsisseldomheard，andtheblueberryplainsaregivenovertosilencesaveforthebuzzingofgorgedflies，thehummingofbees，andthechirpingofcricketsthatstirthedrowsyairwhenthesummerbeginstowane。
　　Itissostillthattheshuffle-shuffleofafootstepcanbeheardinthedistance，thetinkleofatinpailswingingmusicallytoandfro，theswishofanalderswitchcroppingtheheadsoftheroadsideweeds。
　　Allatonceavoicebreaksthestillness。Isitachild’s，awoman’s，oraman’s？Neitheryetallthree。
　　"I’dmuchd’ruth-erwalkinthebloom-in’gy-ar-ding，An’hearthewhis-sleofthejol-ly——swain。"
　　Everybodyknowsthesong，andeverybodyknowsthecrackedvoice。
　　Themasterofthisbitofsilentwildernessiscominghome：
　　itisTomo’theblueb’ryplains。
　　Heismorethancommontall，withasandybeard，andamopoftangledhairstragglingbeneathhistornstrawhat。
　　Asquareofwetcalicodripsfromunderthebackofthehat。
　　Hisginghamshirtisopenatthethroat，showinghistannedneckandchest。Warmasitis，hewearsportionsofatleastthreecoatsonhisback。Hishighboots，splitinfootandleg，aremendedandsplicedandlacedandtiedonwithbitsofshinglerope。
　　Hecarriesasmalltinpailofmolasses。Ithasabailofrope，andabatteredcoverwithaknobofstickynewspaper。
　　Overoneshoulder，suspendedonacrookedbranch，hangsabundleofbasketstuff，——splitwillowwithesandthelike;
　　overtheotherswingsadecrepit，bottomless，three-leggedchair。
　　Icallhimthemasteroftheplains，butinfaithhehadnolegalclaimtothetitle。Ifheownedahabitationorhadestablishedahomeonanyspotintheuniverse，itwasbecausenomanenviedhimwhathetook;
　　forTomwasoneofGod’sfools，afoot-loosepilgriminthisworldofours，apooraddle-pated，simple-minded，harmlesscreature，——
　　invillageparlance，a"softy。"
　　Motherorfather，sisterorbrother，hehadnone，noreverhad，sofarasanyoneknew;buthowshouldpeoplewhohadtoworkfromsun-uptocandlelighttogetthebetteroftheclimatehaveleisuretodiscoverwhetherornoBlueb’ryTomhadanykin？
　　AtsomeperiodinanalmostforgottenpasttherehadbeenahouseonTom’sparticularpatchoftheplains。
　　Ithadlongsincetumbledintoruinsandservedforfire-woodandeventhechimneybrickshaddisappearedonebyone，asthemonotonousseasonscameandwent。
　　Tomhadsettledhimselfinanoldtool-shop，corn-house，orrudeout-buildingofsomesortthathadbelongedtotheruinedcottage。
　　Herehehadsetuphishouse-holdgods;andsincenooneelsehadeverwantedahomeinthisdrearytangleofberrybushes，wheretheonlyshadecamefromstuntedpinesthatflungshriveledarmstotheskyanddroppeddeadconestothesterileearth，hereheremainedunmolested。
　　Inthelowerpartofthehuthekepthisbasketstuffandhiscollectionoftwo-leggedandthree-leggedchairs。
　　Inthecourseofevolutiontheyneversproutedanotherleg，thosechairs;astheyweregiventohim，sotheyremained。
　　Theupperfloorservedforhisliving-room，andwasreachedbyaladderfromtheground，fortherewasnostairwayinside。
　　Noonehadeverbeeninthelittleupperchamber。
　　Whenapasser-bychancedtobe-thinkhimthatTom’shermitagewascloseathand，hesometimesturnedinhisteambyacertainclumpofwhitebirchesanddrovenearertothehouse，intendingtoremindTomthattherewasachairtowillow-bottomthenexttimehecametothevillage。
　　ButatthenoiseofthewheelsTomdrewinhisladder;
　　andwhenthevisitoralightedandcamewithinsight，itwastofindtheinhospitablehoststandingintheopeningofthesecond-storywindow，aquaintfigureframedingreenbranches，theladderbehindhim，andonhisfaceakindofimpenetrabledignity，asheshookhisheadandsaid，"Tomain’tterhum;Tom’sgonetoBonnyEagle。"
　　Therewassomethingimpressiveabouthiswayofrepellingcallers;
　　itwasaseffectualasadoorslammedintheface，andyettherewasasortofmendaciouscourtesyaboutit。Nooneevercaredtogofurther;andindeedtherewasnomysterytotemptthecurious，andnospoiltoattractthemischievousorthemalicious。
　　Anyonecouldsee，withoutentering，thestrawbedinthefarcorner，thebeamspileddeepwithredandwhiteoakacorns，thestringsofdriedapplesandbunchesofeverlastingshangingfromtherafters，andthehalf-finishedbasketsfilledwithblownbird’s-eggs，pinecones，andpebbles。
　　NohomeinthevillagewasbetterlovedthanTom’sretreatintheblueberryplains。Wheneverheapproachedit，afteralongday’stramp，whenhecaughtthefirstsightofthewhitebirchesthatmarkedthegatewaytohisestateandshowedhimwheretoturnoffthepublicroadintohisownprivategrounds，hesmiledabroadersmilethanusual，andbrokeintohiswell-knownsong：
　　"I’dmuchd’ruth-erwalkinthebloom-in’gy-ar-ding，An’hearthewhis-sleofthejol-ly——swain。"
　　PoorTomcouldnevercatchthelastnote。Hehadsungthesongformorethanfortyyears，butthememoryofthistonewassoblurred，andhischerishedidealofitsohigh（orsolow，rather），thathenevermanagedtoreachit。
　　Oh，ifonlysummerwereeternal！Whocouldwishabettersupperthanripeberriesandmolasses？Norwasthereneedofsleepingunderroofnoroflightingcandlestogropehiswaytopalletofstraw，whenhemighthavethebluevaultofheavenarchingoverhim，andallGod’sstarsforlamps，andforabedahorseblanketstretchedoveranelasticcouchofpineneedles。
　　Thereweretwogauntpinesthathadbeendroppingtheirpolishedspillsforcenturies，perhapssilentlyadding，yearbyyear，anotherlayerofaromaticspringinesstopoorTom’sbed。
　　Flinginghistiredbodyonthisgratefulcouch，buryinghisheadinthecrushedsweetfernofhispillowwithonedeep-drawnsighofpleasure，——there，hauntedbynopastandharassedbynofuture，sleptGod’sfoolassweetlyasachild。
　　Yes，ifonlysummerwereeternal，andyouthaswell！
　　Butwhentheblueberrieshadripenedsummeraftersummer，andthegauntpine-treeshadgoneonformanyyearsweavingpoorTom’smattress，therecameachangeintheaspectofthings。
　　Hestillmadehiswaytothevillage，seekingchairstomend;
　　buthewasevenmoreunkemptthanofold，histallfigurewasbent，andhisfingerstrembledashewovethewillowstrandsinandout，andoverandunder。
　　Therewaslittleworktodo，moreover，forthevillagehadaltogetherretiredfrombusiness，andwasnolongerincompetitionwithitsneighbors：
　　thedamwastornaway，thesawmillswerepulleddown;husbandsandfatherswerelaidinthechurchyard，sonsandbrothersandlovershadgoneWest，andmothersandwidowsandspinstersstayedon，eachinherquiethousealone。
　　"’Tain’tnohardshipwhenyougetusedtoit，"saidtheWidowBuzzell。
　　"Landsakes！alantern’s’sgood’samananytime，ifyouonlythinkso，’n’’tain’thalfsomuchtroubletokeepitfilledup！"
　　ButTomstillsoldabasketoccasionally，andthechildrenalwaysgatheredabouthimforthesakeofhearinghimrepeathiswell-wornformula，——Tomallersputstwohandlesonbaskets：
　　onetotake’emupby，onetoset’emdownby。"
　　Thiswassaidwithabeamingsmileandawiseshakeofthehead，asifhewereannouncingagreatdiscoverytoanexpectantworld。
　　Andthenhewouldlaydownhisburdenofbasketstuff，and，sittingunderanapple-treeinsomebody’ssideyard，beginhistaskofwillow-bottominganoldchair。Itwasaprettysightenough，ifonecouldkeepbackthetears，——thekindly，simplefellowwiththecircleofchildrenabouthisknees。
　　Neveravillagefoolwithoutatroopofbabiesathisheels。
　　Theylovehim，too，tillweteachthemtomock。
　　Whenhewasyounger，hewouldsing，"Rock-a-by，baby，onthetreetop，"
　　anddancethewhile，swinginghisunfinishedbaskettoandfroforacradle。
　　Hewastoostiffinthejointsfordancingnowadays，buthestillsangthe"bloomin’gy-ar-ding"whenevertheyaskedhim，particularlyifsomeapple-cheekedlittlemaidwouldsay，"Please，Tom！"
　　Healwayslaughedthen，and，pattingthechild’shand，said，"Pootygal，——
　　goteyes！"Theyoungstersdancewithgleeatthismeaninglessphrase，justastheirmothershaddancedyearsbeforewhenitwassaidtothem。
　　Summerwaned。Inthemoistplacesthegentianuncurleditsbluefringes;purpleastersandgayJoePyewavedtheircolorsbytheroadside;tallprimrosesputtheiryellowbonnetson，andpeepedoverthebrookstoseethemselves;
　　andthedustypodsofthemilkweedwereburstingwiththeirsilkyfluffs，thespinningofthelongsummer。
　　Autumnbegantopaintthemaplesredandtheelmsyellow，fortheearlydaysofSeptemberbroughtafrost。
　　SomeoneremarkedatthevillagestorethatoldBlueb’ryTommustnotbesufferedtostayontheplainsanotherwinter，nowthathewasgettingsofeeble，——notifthe"_se_leckmen"hadtoroothimoutandtakehimtothepoor-farm。Hewouldsurelystarveorfreeze，andhisdeathwouldbelaidattheirdoor。
　　Tomwasinterviewed。Persuasion，logic，sharpwords，allfailedtomovehimonejotortittle。Hestoodinhiscastledoor，withtheladderbehindhim，smiling，alwayssmiling（nonebutthefoolsmilesalways，noralwaysweeps），andsayingtoallvisitors，"Tomain’tterhum;Tom’sgonetoBonnyEagle;
　　Tomdon’wanttogotothepoor-farm。"
　　Novembercameinsurly。
　　Thecheerfulstirandbustleoftheharvestwereover，thecornwasshocked，theapplesandpumpkinsweregatheredintobarns。
　　TheproblemofTom’sfuturewasfinallylaidbeforetheselectmen;
　　andsincethepoorfellow’smildobstinancyhaddefeatedallattemptstoconquerit，thesherifftookthematterinhand。
　　Theblueberryplainslookedbleakandbareenoughnow。Ithadrainedincessantlyfordays，growingevercolderandcolderasitrained。
　　Thesuncameoutatlast，butitshoneinawintrysortofway，——
　　likeadutysmile，——asiflight，notheat，wereitsobject。
　　Akeenwindblewthedeadleaveshitherandthitherinawilddancethathadnomerrimentinit。Ablackbirdflewunderanoldbarrelbythewayside，and，rufflinghimselfintoaball，remarkeddespondentlythatfeatherswerenosortofprotectioninthiskindofclimate。
　　Asnowbird，flyingby，glancedinatthebarrel，andobservedthatanybodywhomindedalittlebreezelikethathadbetterjointhewoodcocks，whowereleavingfortheSouthbythenightexpress。
　　Theblueberrybusheswerestrippedbareofgreen。Thestuntedpinesandsombrehemlockslookedintonewiththelandscapenow;
　　whereallwasdrearytheydidnotseemamiss。
　　"Je-whilikins！"exclaimedthesheriffashedrewuphiscoatcollar。
　　"Amadhouseistheplaceforthemanwhowantstoliveou’doorsinthewintertime;thepoor-farmistoogoodforhim。"
　　ButTomwasusedtoprivation，andeventosuffering。
　　"Ou’doors"wastheonlyhomeheknew，andwithallitsrigorshelovedit。
　　Helookedoverthebarrenplains，knowing，inadullsortofway，thattheywouldshortlybecoveredwithsnow;buthehadthreecoats，twoofthemwithsleeves，andthecrunch-crunchofthesnowunderhistreadwasmusictohisears。Then，too，therewereafewhospitablefiresideswherehecouldalwayswarmhimself;
　　andthewinterwouldsoonbeover，thebirdswouldcomeagain，——
　　newbirds，singingtheoldsongs，——thesapwouldmountinthetrees，thebudsswellontheblueberrybushes，andtheyoungivoryleavespushtheirruddytipsthroughthesofteningground。
　　Theplainswerefatherlandandmother-country，homeandkindred，toTom。
　　Helovedtheearththatnourishedhim，andhesawthroughalltheseemingdeathinnaturetheeternalmiracleoftheresurrection。
　　Tohimwinterwasnevercruel。Helookedunderneathherwhitemantle，sawtheinfantspringhiddeninherwarmbosom，andwascontenttowait。
　　Contenttowait？Contenttostarve，contenttofreeze，ifonlyheneednotbecarriedintocaptivity。
　　Thepoor-farmwasnotabadplace，either，ifonlyTomhadbeenareasonablebeing。Tobesure，whenHannahSophiaPalmeraskedoldMrs。Pinkhamhowshelikedit，sheanswered，withapatientsigh，that"her’n’Mr。Pinkhamhedlivedtheregoin’onnineyear，workin’theirfingerstothebone’most，’n’yettheyhadn’tbeenabletolayupacent！"
　　Ifthispeculiarityofadministrationwasitsworstfeature，itwascertainlyonethatwouldhavehadnoterrorsforTomo’
　　theblueb’ryplains。Terrorsofsomesort，nevertheless，thepoor-farmhadforhim;andwhenthesheriff’spartyturnedinbytheclumpofwhitebirchesandapproachedthecabin，theyfoundthatfearhadmadethesimplewise。
　　Tomhadprovishedthelittleupperchamber，and，inplaceofthepieceofsackingthatusuallyservedhimforadoorinwinter，hehadwovenadefenseofwillow。Infine，hehadtakenallhisbasketstuff，and，treatingtheopeningthroughwhichheenteredandlefthishomepreciselyasifitwereabottomlesschair，hehadfilleditinsolidly，weavingtoandfro，bynightaswellasbyday，tillhefelt，poorfool，assafelyintrenchedasifhewereintheheartofafortress。
　　Thesherifftiedhishorsetoatree，andRubeHobsonandPittPackardgotoutofthedoublewagon。Twomenlaughedwhentheysawthepatheticdefense，buttheothershuthislipstogetherandcaughthisbreath。
　　（Hehadbeenbornonapoor-farm，butnooneknewitatPleasantRiver。）
　　TheycalledTom’snamerepeatedly，butnoothersoundbrokethesilenceoftheplainssavetherustlingofthewindamongthedeadleaves。
　　"Numb-head！"mutteredthesheriff，poundingonthesideofthecabinwithhiswhip-stock。"Comeoutandshowyourself！
　　Weknowyou’reinthere，andit’snousehiding！"
　　AtlastinresponsetoadeafeningblowfromRubeHobson’shardfist，therecametheansweringnoteofaweakdespairingvoice。
　　"Tomain’tterhum，"itsaid;"Tom’sgonetoBonnyEagle。"
　　"That’sallright！"guffawedthemen;"butyou’vegottogosomemore，andgoadiff’rentway。Itain’tnouseferyoutoholdback;we’vegotaladder，andbyJiminy！yougowithusthistime！"
　　Theladderwasputagainstthesideofthehut，andPittPackardclimbedup，tookhisjack-knife，slitthewovendoorfromtoptobottom，andturnedbacktheflap。
　　Themencouldseetheinsideofthechambernow。Theywerehumorouspersonswhocouldstrainajoketothesnappingpoint，buttheyfelt，atlast，thattherewasnothingespeciallyamusinginthesituation。
　　Tomwashuddledinaheaponthestrawbedinthefarcorner。
　　Thevacantsmilehadfledfromhisface，andhelooked，forthefirsttimeinhislife，quitedistraught。
　　"Comealong，Tom，"saidthesheriffkindly;
　　"we’regoingtotakeyouwhereyoucansleepinabed，andhavethreemealsaday。"
　　"I’dmuchd’ruth-erwalkinthebloom-in’gy-ar-ding，"
　　sangTomquaveringly，ashehidhisheadinaparoxysmoffear。
　　"Well，thereain’tnobloomin’gardingstowalkinjestnow，socomealongandbepeaceable。"
　　"Tomdon’wanttogotothepoor-farm，"hewailedpiteously。
　　Buttherewasnoalternative。Theydraggedhimoffthebedanddowntheladderasgentlyaspossible;thenRubeHobsonheldhimonthebackseatofthewagon，whilethesheriffunhitchedthehorse。
　　Astheywereonthepointofstarting，thecaptivebegantowailandstrugglemorethanever，theburdenofhisplaintbeingawildandtremulouspleaforhispailofmolasses。
　　"Dryup，oldsofty，orI’llputthebuggyrobeoveryourhead！"
　　mutteredRubeHobson，whohadnothadmuchpatiencewhenhestartedonthetrip，andhadlostitallbythistime。
　　"Bythunder！heshallhevhismolasses，ifhethinkshewantsit！"
　　saidPittPackard，andheranuptheladderandbroughtitdown，comfortingtheshiveringcreaturethus，forhelapsedintoasubmissivesilencethatlasteduntiltheunwelcomejourneywasover。
　　Tomremainedatthepoorhousepreciselytwelvehours。