首页 >出版文学> Stories in Light and Shadow>第3章
  "Isay——itain’taHER,isit?"saidUncleJim。
  UncleBillyachievedadiabolicalwinkandacreditableblushathislie。
  "Billy?"
  "Jim!"
  AndundercoverofthisfestivegallantryUncleBillyescaped。Heranthroughthegatheringdarkness,andtoileduptheshiftingsandstothetopofthehill,wherehefoundthecarriagewaiting。
  "Wot,"saidUncleBillyinalowconfidentialtonetothecoachman,"wotdoyou’Friscofellersallowtobethebest,biggest,andriskiestgamblin’-saloonhere?Suthin’high-toned,youknow?"
  Thenegrogrinned。Itwastheusualcaseoftheextravagantspendthriftminer,thoughperhapshehadexpectedadifferentquestionandorder。
  "Deyisde’Polka,’de’ElDorado,’andde’Arcade’saloon,boss,"
  hesaid,flickinghiswhipmeditatively。"Mostgentsfromdeminespreferde’Polka,’fordeyisdancingwiddegalsfrownin。Butderealprimafacieplaceforgentswhogoforbuckin’agindetigerandstraight-outgamblin’isde’Arcade。’"
  "Drivetherelikethunder!"saidUncleBilly,leapingintothecarriage……
  Truetohisword,UncleBillywasathispartner’sshantyearlythenextmorning。Helookedalittletired,buthappy,andhadbroughtadraftwithhimforfivehundredandseventy-fivedollars,whichheexplainedwasthetotalofhiscapital。UncleJimwasoverjoyed。TheywouldstartforNapathatveryday,andconcludethepurchaseoftheranch;UncleJim’ssprainedfootwasasufficientreasonforhisgivinguphispresentvocation,whichhecouldalsosellatasmallprofit。Hisdomesticarrangementswereverysimple;therewasnothingtotakewithhim——therewaseverythingtoleavebehind。Andthatafternoon,atsunset,thetworeunitedpartnerswereseatedonthedeckoftheNapaboatassheswungintothestream。
  UncleBillywasgazingovertherailingwithalookofabstractedrelieftowardstheGoldenGate,wherethesinkingsunseemedtobedrawingtowardshimintheoceanagoldenstreamthatwasforeverpouringfromtheBayandthethree-hilledcitybesideit。WhatUncleBillywasthinkingof,orwhatthepicturesuggestedtohim,didnottranspire;forUncleJim,who,emboldenedbyhisholiday,wasluxuriatinginaneveningpaper,suddenlyutteredalong-drawnwhistle,andmovedclosertohisabstractedpartner。"Lookyer,"
  hesaid,pointingtoaparagraphhehadevidentlyjustread,"justyoulistentothis,andseeifweain’tlucky,youandme,tobejestwotweair——trustin’toourownhardwork——andnotthinkin’o’
  ’strikes’and’fortins。’Jestunbuttonyerears,Billy,whileI
  reeloffthisyerthingI’vejeststruckinthepaper,andseewhatd——dfoolssomemenkinmakeo’themselves。Andthattheerreporterwotwroteit——musthevseeditreely!"
  UncleJimclearedhisthroat,andholdingthepaperclosetohiseyesreadaloudslowly:——
  "’Asceneofexcitementthatrecalledthepalmydaysof’49waswitnessedlastnightattheArcadeSaloon。Astranger,whomighthavebelongedtothatrecklessepoch,andwhoboreeveryevidenceofbeingasuccessfulPikeCountymineroutona"spree,"appearedatoneofthetableswithanegrocoachmanbearingtwoheavybagsofgold。Selectingafaro-bankashisbaseofoperations,hebegantobetheavilyandwithapparentrecklessness,untilhisplayexcitedthebreathlessattentionofeveryone。Inafewmomentshehadwonasumvariouslyestimatedatfromeightytoahundredthousanddollars。Arumorwentroundtheroomthatitwasaconcertedattemptto"breakthebank"ratherthanthedrunkenfreakofaWesternminer,dazzledbysomesuccessfulstrike。Tothistheorytheman’scarelessandindifferentbearingtowardshisextraordinarygainslentgreatcredence。Theattempt,ifsuchitwas,however,wasunsuccessful。Afterwinningtentimesinsuccessiontheluckturned,andtheunfortunate"bucker"wasclearedoutnotonlyofhisgains,butofhisoriginalinvestment,whichmaybeplacedroughlyattwentythousanddollars。Thisextraordinaryplaywaswitnessedbyacrowdofexcitedplayers,whowerelessimpressedbyeventhemagnitudeofthestakesthantheperfectsang-froidandrecklessnessoftheplayer,who,itissaid,atthecloseofthegametossedatwenty-dollargold-piecetothebankerandsmilinglywithdrew。Themanwasnotrecognizedbyanyofthehabituesoftheplace。’
  "There!"saidUncleJim,ashehurriedlyslurredovertheFrenchsubstantiveattheclose,"didyeeverseesuchGod-forsakenfoolishness?"
  UncleBillyliftedhisabstractedeyesfromthecurrent,stillpouringitsunreturninggoldintothesinkingsun,andsaid,withadeprecatorysmile,"Never!"
  NoreveninthedaysofprosperitythatvisitedtheGreatWheatRanchof"FallandFoster"didheevertellhissecrettohispartner。
  SEEYUP
  Idon’tsupposethathisprogenitorsevergavehimthatname,or,indeed,thatitwasaNAMEatall;butitwascurrentlybelievedthat——aspronounced"SeeUP"——itmeantthatliftingoftheouterangleoftheeyecommontotheMongolian。Ontheotherhand,IhadbeentoldthattherewasanoldChinesecustomofaffixingsomemottoorlegend,orevenasentencefromConfucius,asasignabovetheirshops,andthattwoormorewords,whichmightbemerelyequivalentto"Virtueisitsownreward,"or"Richesaredeceitful,"werebelievedbythesimpleCalifornianminertobethenameoftheoccupanthimself。Howbeit,"SeeYup"accepteditwiththesmilingpatienceofhisrace,andneverwentbyanyother。Ifoneofthetunnelmenalwaysaddressedhimas"Brigadier-General,"
  "Judge,"or"Commodore,"itwasunderstoodtobeonlytheAmericanfondnessforironictitle,andwasneverusedexceptinpersonalconversation。InappearancehelookedlikeanyotherChinaman,woretheordinarybluecottonblouseandwhitedrawersoftheSampancoolie,and,inspiteoftheapparentcleanlinessandfreshnessofthesegarments,alwaysexhaledthatsingularmedicatedodor——halfopium,halfginger——whichwerecognizedasthecommon"Chinesesmell。"
  Ourfirstinterviewwascharacteristicofhispatientquality。Hehaddonemywashingforseveralmonths,butIhadneveryetseenhim。Ameetingatlasthadbecomenecessarytocorrecthisimpressionsregarding"buttons"——whichhehadseemedtoconsiderasmereexcrescences,toberemovedlikesuperfluousdirtfromsoiledlinen。Ihadexpectedhimtocallatmylodgings,buthehadnotyetmadehisappearance。Oneday,duringthenoontiderecessofthelittlefrontierschooloverwhichIpresided,Ireturnedratherearly。Twoorthreeofthesmallerboys,whowereloiteringabouttheschool-yard,disappearedwithacertainguiltyprecipitationthatIsuspectedforthemoment,butwhichIpresentlydismissedfrommymind。Ipassedthroughtheemptyschool-roomtomydesk,satdown,andbegantopreparethecominglessons。PresentlyI
  heardafaintsigh。Lookingup,tomyintenseconcern,I
  discoveredasolitaryChinamanwhomIhadoverlooked,sittinginarigidattitudeonabenchwithhisbacktothewindow。Hecaughtmyeyeandsmiledsadly,butwithoutmoving。
  "Whatareyoudoinghere?"Iaskedsternly。
  "Mewasheeshilts;metalkee’buttons。’"
  "Oh!you’reSeeYup,areyou?"
  "Alleesame,John。"
  "Well,comehere。"
  Icontinuedmywork,buthedidnotmove。
  "Comehere,hangit!Don’tyouunderstand?"
  "Meshabbee,’commeyea。’ButmenoshabbeeMellicanboy,whocatcheeme,alleesame。YOU’commeyea’——YOUshabbee?"
  Indignant,butbelievingthattheunfortunatemanwasstillinfearofpersecutionfromthemischievousurchinswhomIhadevidentlyjustinterrupted,Iputdownmypenandwentovertohim。HereI
  discovered,tomysurpriseandmortification,thathislongpigtailwasheldhardandfastbytheclosedwindowbehindhimwhichtheyoungrascalshadshutdownuponit,afterhavingfirstnoiselesslyfisheditoutsidewithahookandline。Iapologized,openedthewindow,andreleasedhim。Hedidnotcomplain,althoughhemusthavebeenfixedinthatuncomfortablepositionforsomeminutes,butplungedatonceintothebusinessthatbroughthimthere。
  "ButWHYdidn’tyoucometomylodgings?"Iasked。
  Hesmiledsadlybutintelligently。
  "MishtelBally[Mr。Barry,mylandlord]heowcemefivedolleefowashee,washee。Henopayeeme。HesayheknockhelleeouteemealleetimeIcomeforpayee。SomenocomeHOUSEE,mecomeSCHOOLEE,Shabbee?Mellicanboynogood,butnotsobigasMellicanman。NocanhurteeChinamansomuch。Shabbee?"
  Alas!Iknewthatthiswasmainlytrue。Mr。JamesBarrywasanIrishman,whosefinerreligiousfeelingsrevoltedagainstpayingmoneytoaheathen。IcouldnotfinditinmyhearttosayanythingtoSeeYupaboutthebuttons;indeed,Ispokeincomplimentarytermsabouttheglossofmyshirts,andIthinkI
  meeklybeggedhimtocomeagainformywashing。WhenIwenthomeI
  expostulatedwithMr。Barry,butsucceededonlyinextractingfromhimtheconvictionthatIwasoneof"thimblackRepublicanfellysthatworshipednaygurs。"Ihadsimplymadeanenemyofhim。ButI
  didnotknowthat,atthesametime,IhadmadeafriendofSeeYup!
  Ibecameawareofthisafewdayslater,bytheappearanceonmydeskofasmallpotcontainingaspecimenofcamelliajaponicainflower。Iknewtheschool-childrenwereinthehabitofmakingpresentstomeinthisfurtivefashion,——leavingtheirownnosegaysofwildflowers,orperhapsaclusterofrosesfromtheirparents’
  gardens,——butIalsoknewthatthisexoticwastooraretocomefromthem。IrememberedthatSeeYuphadaChinesetasteforgardening,andafriend,anotherChinaman,whokeptalargenurseryintheadjoiningtown。Butmydoubtsweresetatrestbythediscoveryofasmallrollofredrice-papercontainingmywashing-
  bill,fastenedtothecamelliastalk。ItwasplainthatthisminglingofbusinessanddelicategratitudewasclearlySeeYup’sownidea。Asthefinestflowerwasthetopmostone,Ipluckeditforwearing,whenIfound,tomyastonishment,thatitwassimplywiredtothestalk。Thisledmetolookattheothers,whichI
  foundalsowired!Morethanthat,theyseemedtobeaninferiorflower,andexhaledthatcold,earthyodorpeculiartothecamellia,even,asIthought,toanexcess。Acloserexaminationresultedinthediscoverythat,withtheexceptionofthefirstflowerIhadplucked,theywereoneandallingeniouslyconstructedofthinslicesofpotato,marvelouslycuttoimitatethevegetablewaxinessandformalityoftherealflower。Theworkshowedaninfiniteandalmostpatheticpatienceindetail,yetstrangelyincommensuratewiththeresult,admirableasitwas。Nevertheless,thiswasalsolikeSeeYup。Butwhetherhehadtriedtodeceiveme,orwhetherheonlywishedmetoadmirehisskill,Icouldnotsay。Andashispersecutionbymyscholarshadleftabalanceofconsiderationinhisfavor,Isenthimawarmnoteofthanks,andsaidnothingofmydiscovery。
  Asouracquaintanceprogressed,Ibecamefrequentlytherecipientofothersmallpresentsfromhim:apotofpreservesofaqualityI
  couldnotpurchaseinshops,andwhosecontentsintheircrafty,gingerydissimulationsodefieddefinitionthatIneverknewwhethertheywereanimal,vegetable,ormineral;twoorthreehideousChineseidols,"forluckee,"andadiabolicalfire-workwithanirregularspasmodicactivitythatwouldsometimesbeprolongeduntilthenextmorning。Inreturn,IgavehimsomeapparentlyhopelessorallessonsinEnglish,andcertainsentencestobecopied,whichhedidwithmarvelousprecision。Irememberoneinstancewhenthispeculiarfacultyofimitationwasdisastrousinresult。Insettinghimacopy,IhadblurredawordwhichI
  promptlyerased,andthentracedthelettersmoredistinctlyoverthescratchedsurface。Tomysurprise,SeeYuptriumphantlyproducedHIScopywiththeerasionitselfcarefullyimitated,and,infact,muchmoreneatlydonethanmine。
  Inourconfidentialintercourse,Ineverseemedtoreallygetnearertohim。Hissympathyandsimplicityappearedlikehisflowers——tobeagood-humoredimitationofmyown。Iamsatisfiedthathisparticularlysoullesslaughwasnotderivedfromanyamusementheactuallyfelt,yetIcouldnotsayitwasforced。Inhisaccurateimitations,Ifanciedhewasonlytryingtoevadeanyresponsibilityofhisown。THATdevolveduponhistaskmaster!Intheattentionhedisplayedwhennewideaswerepresentedtohim,therewasaslightcondescension,asifhewerelookingdownuponthemfromhisthreethousandyearsofhistory。
  "Don’tyouthinktheelectrictelegraphwonderful?"Iaskedoneday。
  "VerygoodforMellicanman,"hesaid,withhisaimlesslaugh;
  "plentymakeehimjump!"
  Inevercouldtellwhetherhehadconfoundeditwithelectro-
  galvanism,orwasonlysatirizingourAmericanhasteandfeverishness。Hewascapableofeither。Forthatmatter,weknewthattheChinesethemselvespossessedsomemeansofsecretlyandquicklycommunicatingwithoneanother。AnynewsofgoodorillimporttotheirracewasquicklydisseminatedthroughthesettlementbeforeWEknewanythingaboutit。Aninnocentbasketofclothesfromthewash,sentupfromtheriver-bank,becameinsomewayalibraryofinformation;asingleslipofrice-paper,aimlesslyflutteringinthedustoftheroad,hadthemysteriouseffectofdivergingawholegangofcoolietrampsawayfromoursettlement。
  WhenSeeYupwasnotsubjecttothepersecutionsofthemoreignorantandbrutalhewasalwaysasourceofamusementtoall,andIcannotrecallaninstancewhenhewasevertakenseriously。Theminersfounddiversionseveninhisallegedfraudsandtrickeries,whetherinnocentorretaliatory,andwerefondofrelatingwithgreatgustohisevasionoftheForeignMiners’Tax。ThiswasanoppressivemeasureaimedprincipallyattheChinese,whohumblyworkedtheworn-out"tailings"oftheirChristianfellowminers。
  ItwasstatedthatSeeYup,knowingthedifficulty——alreadyalludedto——ofidentifyinganyparticularChinamanbyNAME,conceivedtheadditionalideaofconfusingrecognitionbyintensifyingthemonotonousfacialexpression。Havingpaidhistaxhimselftothecollector,heatoncepassedthereceipttohisfellows,sothatthecollectorfoundhimselfconfrontedindifferentpartsofthesettlementwiththereceiptandtheaimlesslaughof,apparently,SeeYuphimself。AlthoughweallknewthattherewereadozenChinamenormoreatworkatthemines,thecollectorneverwasabletocollectthetaxfrommorethanTWO,——SeeYupandoneSeeYin,——
  andsogreatwasTHEIRfacialresemblancethattheunfortunateofficialforalongtimehuggedhimselfwiththeconvictionthathehadmadeSeeYupPAYTWICE,andwithheldthemoneyfromthegovernment!ItisveryprobablethattheCalifornian’srecognitionofthesanctityofajoke,andhisbeliefthat"cheatingthegovernmentwasonlycheatinghimself,"largelyaccountedforthesympathiesoftherestoftheminers。
  Butthesesympathieswerenotalwaysunanimous。
  OneeveningIstrolledintothebar-roomoftheprincipalsaloon,which,sofarasmereupholsteryandcomfortwent,wasalsotheprincipalhouseinthesettlement。Thefirstrainshadcommenced;
  thewindowswereopen,fortheinfluenceofthesouthwesttradespenetratedeventhisfar-offmountainminingsettlement,but,oddlyenough,therewasafireinthelargecentralstove,aroundwhichtheminershadcollected,withtheirsteamingbootselevatedonaprojectingironrailingthatencircledit。Theywerenotattractedbythewarmth,butthestoveformedasocialpivotforgossip,andsuggestedthatmysticcircledeartothegregariousinstinct。Yettheyweredecidedlyadespondentgroup。Forsomemomentsthesilencewasonlybrokenbyagasp,asigh,amutteredoath,oranimpatientchangeofposition。Therewasnothinginthefortunesofthesettlement,norintheirownindividualaffairstosuggestthisgloom。Thesingulartruthwasthattheywere,oneandall,sufferingfromthepangsofdyspepsia。
  Incongruousassuchacomplaintmightseemtotheirhealthyenvironment,——theiroutdoorlife,theirdailyexercise,thehealingbalsamofthemountainair,theirenforcedtemperanceindiet,andtheabsenceofallenervatingpleasures,——itwasneverthelesstheincontestablefact。Whetheritwastheresultofthenervous,excitabletemperamentwhichhadbroughtthemtogetherinthisfeverishhuntforgold;whetheritwasthequalityofthetinnedmeatsorhalf-cookedprovisionstheyhastilybolted,begrudgingthetimeittooktoprepareandtoconsumethem;whethertheytoooftensupplantedtheirmealsbytobaccoorwhiskey,thesingularphysiologicaltruthremainedthattheseyoung,finelyselectedadventurers,livingthelivesofthenatural,aboriginalman,andlookingthepictureofhealthandstrength,actuallysufferedmorefromindigestionthanthepampereddwellersofthecities。Thequantityof"patentmedicines,""bitters,""pills,""panaceas,"and"lozenges"soldinthesettlementalmostexceededtheamountoftheregularprovisionswhoseeffectstheyweresupposedtocorrect。
  Thesuffererseagerlyscannedadvertisementsandplacards。Therewereoccasional"runs"onnew"specifics,"andgeneralconversationeventuallyturnedintoadiscussionoftheirrespectivemerits。A
  certainchildlikefaithandtrustineachnewremedywasnottheleastdistressingandpatheticofthesymptomsofthesegrown-up,beardedmen。
  "Well,gentlemen,"saidCyrusParker,glancingaroundathisfellowsufferers,"yekintalkofyourpatentmedicines,andI’vetackled’emall,butonlytheotherdayIstrucksuthin’thatI’mgoin’tohangonto,youbet。"
  Everyeyewasturnedmoodilytothespeaker,butnoonesaidanything。
  "AndIdidn’tgetitouteradvertisements,noroffofcirculars。I
  gotitoutermyhead,justbysolidthinking,"continuedParker。
  "Whatwasit,Cy?"saidoneunsophisticatedandinexperiencedsufferer。
  Insteadofreplying,Parker,likeatrueartist,knowinghehadtheearofhisaudience,dramaticallyflashedaquestionuponthem。
  "DidyoueverhearofaChinamanhavingdyspepsy?"
  "NeverheardhehadsabeenoughtohevANYTHING,"saidascorner。
  "No,butDIDye?"insistedParker。
  "Well,no!"chorusedthegroup。Theywereevidentlystruckwiththefact。
  "Ofcourseyoudidn’t,"saidParkertriumphantly。"’CostheyAIN’T。Well,gentlemen,itdidn’tseemtomethesquarethingthatapeskyloto’yellow-skinnedheathensshouldbebuiltdifferenttoawhiteman,andneverknowthetortur’thataChristianfeels;andoneday,arterdinner,whenIwasjusta-lyin’flatdownonthebank,squirmin’,andclutchingtheshortgrasstokeepfromyellin’,whoshouldgobybutthatpizenedSeeYup,withagrinonhisface。
  "’MellicanmanplentyplayeetohimJossaftereatin’,’sezhe;’butChinamansmelleepunk,alleesame,andnohabgot。’
  "Iknewtheslimycusswasjustpurtendin’hethoughtIwasprayin’
  tomyJoss,butIwasthatweakIhadn’tstren’th,boys,toheavearockathim。Yetitgavemeanidea。"
  "Whatwasit?"theyaskedeagerly。
  "Iwentdowntohisshopthenextday,whenhewasalone,andIwasfeelingmightybad,andIgotholdofhispigtailandIallowedI’dstuffitdownhisthroatifhedidn’ttellmewhathemeant。Thenhetookapieceofpunkandlitit,andputitundermynose,and,darnmyskin,gentlemen,youmigh’n’tbelieveme,butinaminuteI
  feltbetter,andafterawhiffortwoIwasallright。"
  "Wasitpow’fulstrong,Cy?"askedtheinexperiencedone。
  "No,"saidParker,"andthat’sjustwhat’sgotme。Itwasasorto’dreamy,spicysmell,likeahotnight。ButasIcouldn’tgo’round’mongyouboyswithalightedpieceo’punkinmyhand,ezifIwassettin’offFourthofJulyfirecrackers,Iaskedhimifhecouldn’tfixmeupsuthin’inanothershapethatwouldbehandiertousewhenIwastookbad,andI’dreckontopayhimforitlikeezI’dpayforanyotherpatentmedicine。Sohefixedmeupthis。"
  Heputhishandinhispocket,anddrewoutasmallredpaperwhich,whenopened,disclosedapinkpowder。Itwasgravelypassedaroundthegroup。
  "Why,itsmellsandtasteslikeginger,"saidone。
  "Itisonlyginger!"saidanotherscornfully。
  "Mebbeitis,andmebbeitisn’t,"returnedCyParkerstoutly。
  "Mebbeut’sonlymyfancy。Butifit’sthesorto’stufftobringonthatfancy,andthatfancyCURESme,it’sallthesame。I’vegotabouttwodollars’wortho’thatfancyorthatginger,andI’mgoingtosticktoit。Youhearme!"Andhecarefullyputitbackinhispocket。
  Atwhichcriticismsandgibesbrokeforth。Ifhe(CyParker),awhiteman,wasgoingto"demeanhimself"byconsultingaChinesequack,he’dbetterbuyupaloto’idolsandstand’emuparoundhiscabin。Ifhehadthatsorto’confidenceswithSeeYup,heoughttogotoworkwithhimonhischeaptailings,andbefumigatedallatthesametime。Ifhe’dbeensmokinganopiumpipe,insteadofsmellingpunk,heoughttobemanenoughtoconfessit。Yetitwasnoticeablethattheywereallveryanxioustoexaminethepacketagain,butCyParkerwasalikeindifferenttodemandorentreaty。
  AfewdayslaterIsawAbeWynford,oneoftheparty,comingoutofSeeYup’swash-house。Hemutteredsomethinginpassingabouttheinfamousdelayinsendinghomehiswashing,butdidnotlingerlonginconversation。ThenextdayImetanotherminerATthewash-
  house,butHElingeredsolongonsometriflingdetailsthatI
  finallylefthimtherealonewithSeeYup。WhenIcalleduponPokerJackofShasta,therewasasingularsmellofincenseinHIS
  cabin,whichheattributedtotheveryresinousqualityofthefirlogshewasburning。IdidnotattempttoprobethesemysteriesbyanydirectappealtoSeeYuphimself:Irespectedhisreticence;
  indeed,ifIhadnot,Iwasquitesatisfiedthathewouldhaveliedtome。Enoughthathiswash-housewaswellpatronized,andhewasdecidedly"gettingon。"
  ItmighthavebeenamonthafterwardsthatDr。Duchesnewassettingabrokenboneinthesettlement,andaftertheoperationwasover,hadstrolledintothePalmettoSaloon。Hewasanoldarmysurgeon,muchrespectedandlovedinthedistrict,althoughperhapsalittlefearedforthehonestroughnessandmilitaryprecisionofhisspeech。Afterhehadexchangedsalutationswiththeminersinhisusualheartyfashion,andacceptedtheirinvitationtodrink,CyParker,withacertainaffectedcarelessnesswhichdidnot,however,concealasingularhesitationinhisspeech,began:——
  "I’vebeenwantin’toaskyeaquestion,Doc,——asorto’darnedfoolquestion,yeknow,——nothinginthewayofconsultation,don’tyousee,thoughit’skinerinthewayo’yourpurfeshun。Sabe?"
  "Goon,Cy,"saidthedoctorgood-humoredly,"thisismydispensaryhour。"
  "Oh!itain’tanythingaboutsymptoms,Doc,andthereain’tanythingthematterwithme。It’sonlyjusttoaskyeifyehappenedtoknowanythingaboutthemedicalpracticeoftheseyerChinamen?"
  "Idon’tknow,"saidthedoctorbluntly,"andIdon’tknowANYBODY
  whodoes。"
  Therewasasuddensilenceinthebar,andthedoctor,puttingdownhisglass,continuedwithslightprofessionalprecision:——
  "Yousee,theChineseknownothingofanatomyfrompersonalobservation。Autopsiesanddissectionareagainsttheirsuperstitions,whichdeclarethehumanbodysacred,andareconsequentlyneverpracticed。"
  Therewasaslightmovementofinquiringinterestamongtheparty,andCyParker,afterameaningglanceattheothers,wentonhalfaggressively,halfapologetically:——
  "Incourse,theyain’tsurgeonslikeyou,Doc,butthatdon’tkeepthemfromhavingtheirownlittlemedicines,justasdogseatgrass,youknow。NowIwanttoputittoyou,asafa’r-mindedman,ifyoumeantersaythat,jestbecausethoseoldwomenwhosarveoutyarbsandspringmedicinesinfamiliesdon’tknowanythingofanatomy,theyain’tfittogiveustheirsimpleandnat’ralmedicines?"
  "ButtheChinesemedicinesarenotsimpleornatural,"saidthedoctorcoolly。
  "Notsimple?"echoedtheparty,closingroundhim。
  "Idon’tmeantosay,"continuedthedoctor,glancingaroundattheireager,excitedfaceswithanappearanceofwonder,"thattheyarepositivelynoxious,unlesstakeninlargequantities,fortheyarenotdrugsatall,butIcertainlyshouldnotcallthem’simple。’DoYOUknowwhattheyprincipallyare?"
  "Well,no,"saidParkercautiously,"perhapsnotEXACTLY。"
  "Comealittlecloser,andI’lltellyou。"
  NotonlyParker’sheadbuttheotherswerebentoverthecounter。
  Dr。Duchesneutteredafewwordsinatoneinaudibletotherestofthecompany。Therewasaprofoundsilence,brokenatlastbyAbeWynford’svoice:——
  "Yekinpourmeoutaboutthreefingerso’whiskey,Barkeep。I’lltakeitstraight。"
  "Sametome,"saidtheothers。
  Themengulpeddowntheirliquor;twoofthemquietlypassedout。
  Thedoctorwipedhislips,buttonedhiscoat,andbegantodrawonhisriding-gloves。
  "I’veheerd,"saidPokerJackofShasta,withafaintsmileonhiswhiteface,ashetoyedwiththelastdropsofliquorinhisglass,"thatthedarnedfoolssometimessmellpunkasamedicine,eh?"
  "Yes,THAT’Scomparativelydecent,"saidthedoctorreflectively。
  "It’sonlysawdustmixedwithalittlegumandformicacid。"
  "Formicacid?Wot’sthat?"
  "Averypeculiaracidsecretedbyants。Itissupposedtobeusedbythemoffensivelyinwarfare——justastheskunk,eh?"
  ButPokerJackofShastahadhurriedlydeclaredthathewantedtospeaktoamanwhowaspassing,andhaddisappeared。Thedoctorwalkedtothedoor,mountedhishorse,androdeaway。Inoticed,however,thattherewasaslightsmileonhisbronzed,impassiveface。Thisledmetowonderifhewasentirelyignorantofthepurposeforwhichhehadbeenquestioned,andtheeffectofhisinformation。Iwasconfirmedinthebeliefbytheremarkablecircumstancesthatnothingmorewassaidofit;theincidentseemedtohaveterminatedthere,andthevictimsmadenoattempttorevengethemselvesonSeeYup。Thattheyhadoneandall,secretlyandunknowntooneanother,patronizedhim,therewasnodoubt;
  but,atthesametime,astheyevidentlywerenotsurethatDr。
  DuchesnehadnothoaxedtheminregardtothequalityofSeeYup’smedicines,theyknewthatanattackontheunfortunateChinamanwouldineithercaserevealtheirsecretandexposethemtotheridiculeoftheirbrotherminers。Sothematterdropped,andSeeYupremainedmasterofthesituation。
  Meantimehewasprospering。Thecooliegangheworkedontheriver,whennotengagedinwashingclothes,were"pickingover"the"tailings,"orrefuseofgravel,leftonabandonedclaimsbysuccessfulminers。Astherewasnomoreexpenseattendingthisthaninstone-breakingorrag-picking,andthefeedingofthecoolies,whichwasridiculouslycheap,therewasnodoubtthatSeeYupwasreapingafairweeklyreturnfromit;but,ashesenthisreceiptstoSanFranciscothroughcooliemanagers,aftertheChinesecustom,anddidnotusetheregularExpressCompany,therewasnowayofascertainingtheamount。Again,neitherSeeYupnorhisfellowcountrymeneverappearedtohaveanymoneyaboutthem。
  Inrudertimesandmorerecklesscamps,raidswereoftenmadebyruffiansontheircabinsortheirtravelinggangs,butneverwithanypecuniaryresult。Thiscondition,however,itseemedwasdestinedtochange。
  OneSaturdaySeeYupwalkedintoWells,Fargo&Co。’sExpressofficewithapackageofgold-dust,which,whendulyweighed,wasvaluedatfivehundreddollars。ItwasconsignedtoaChinesecompanyinSanFrancisco。WhentheclerkhandedSeeYupareceipt,heremarkedcasually:——
  "Washingseemstopay,SeeYup。"
  "Washeevellygoodpay。Youwanteewashee,John?"saidSeeYupeagerly。
  "No,no,"saidtheclerk,withalaugh。"Iwasonlythinkingfivehundreddollarswouldrepresentthewashingofagoodmanyshirts。"
  "Noleplesentwasheeshirtsatall!Catcheegold-dustwhenwasheetailings。Shabbee?"
  TheclerkDID"shabbee,"andliftedhiseyebrows。ThenextSaturdaySeeYupappearedwithanotherpackage,worthaboutfourhundreddollars,directedtothesameconsignee。
  "Didn’tpanoutquitesorichthisweek,eh?"saidtheclerkengagingly。
  "No,"returnedSeeYupimpassively;"nexttimehepayeemore。"
  WhenthethirdSaturdaycame,withtheappearanceofSeeYupandfourhundredandfiftydollars’worthofgold-dust,theclerkfelthewasnolongerboundtokeepthesecret。Hecommunicatedittoothers,andintwenty-fourhoursthewholesettlementknewthatSeeYup’scooliecompanyweretakingoutanaverageoffourhundreddollarsperweekfromtherefuseandtailingsoftheoldabandonedPalmettoclaim!
  Theastonishmentofthesettlementwasprofound。Inearlierdaysjealousyandindignationatthesuccessofthesedegradedheathensmighthavetakenamoreactiveandaggressiveshape,anditwouldhavefaredillwithSeeYupandhiscompanions。Butthesettlementhadbecomemoreprosperousandlaw-abiding;therewereoneortwoEasternfamiliesandsomeforeigncapitalalreadythere,anditsjealousyandindignationwererestrictedtosevereinvestigationandlegalcriticism。FortunatelyforSeeYup,itwasanold-
  establishedmininglawthatanabandonedclaimanditstailingsbecamethepropertyofwhoeverchosetoworkit。ButitwasallegedthatSeeYup’scompanyhadinreality"struckalead,"——
  discoveredahithertounknownveinororiginaldepositofgold,notworkedbythepreviouscompany,andhavingfailedlegallytodeclareitbypreemptionandpublicregistry,intheirfoolishdesireforsecrecy,hadthusforfeitedtheirrighttotheproperty。
  Asurveillanceoftheirworking,however,didnotestablishthistheory;thegoldthatSeeYuphadsentawaywasofthekindthatmighthavebeenfoundinthetailingsoverlookedbythelatePalmettoowners。Yetitwasaverylargeyieldformererefuse。
  "ThemPalmettoboysweremightykeerlessafterthey’dmadetheirbig’strike’andgottoworkonthevein,andIreckontheythrewalotofgoldaway,"saidCyParker,whorememberedtheirlarge-
  handedrecklessnessinthe"flushdays。""On’ythatWEdidn’tthinkitwaswhiteman’sworktorakeoveranotherman’sleavin’s,wemighthevhadwhatthemdernedChinamenhevdroppedinto。Tellyewhat,boys,we’vebeenalittletoo’highandmighty,’andwe’llhevtoclimbdown。"
  Atlasttheexcitementreacheditsclimax,anddiplomacywasemployedtoeffectwhatneitherintimidationnorespionagecouldsecure。UnderthepretenseofdesiringtobuyoutSeeYup’scompany,aselectcommitteeoftheminerswaspermittedtoexaminethepropertyanditsworkings。Theyfoundthegreatbankofstonesandgravel,representingthecast-outdebrisoftheoldclaim,occupiedbySeeYupandfourorfiveploddingautomaticcoolies。
  Attheendoftwohoursthecommitteereturnedtothesaloonburstingwithexcitement。Theyspokeundertheirbreath,butenoughwasgatheredtosatisfythecuriouscrowdthatSeeYup’spileoftailingswasrichbeyondtheirexpectations。Thecommitteehadseenwiththeirowneyesgoldtakenoutofthesandandgraveltotheamountoftwentydollarsinthetwoshorthoursoftheirexamination。Andtheworkhadbeenperformedinthestupidest,clumsiest,yetPATIENTChineseway。Whatmightnotwhitemendowithbetterappointedmachinery!Asyndicatewasatonceformed。
  SeeYupwasofferedtwentythousanddollarsifhewouldselloutandputthesyndicateinpossessionoftheclaimintwenty-fourhours。TheChinamanreceivedtheofferstolidly。Asheseemedinclinedtohesitate,Iamgrievedtosaythatitwasintimatedtohimthatifhedeclinedhemightbesubjecttoembarrassingandexpensivelegalproceedingstoprovehisproperty,andthatcompanieswouldbeformedto"prospect"thegroundoneithersideofhisheapoftailings。SeeYupatlastconsented,withtheprovisothatthemoneyshouldbepaidingoldintothehandsofaChineseagentinSanFranciscoonthedayofthedeliveryoftheclaim。ThesyndicatemadenooppositiontothischaracteristicprecautionoftheChinaman。Itwaslikethemnottotravelwithmoney,andtheimplieduncomplimentarysuspicionofdangerfromthecommunitywasoverlooked。SeeYupdepartedthedaythatthesyndicatetookpossession。Hecametoseemebeforehewent。I
  congratulatedhimuponhisgoodfortune;atthesametime,Iwasembarrassedbytheconvictionthathewasunfairlyforcedintoasaleofhispropertyatafigurefarbelowitsrealvalue。
  Ithinkdifferentlynow。
  Attheendoftheweekitwassaidthatthenewcompanyclearedupaboutthreehundreddollars。Thiswasnotsomuchasthecommunityhadexpected,butthesyndicatewasapparentlysatisfied,andthenewmachinerywasputup。Attheendofthenextweekthesyndicateweresilentastotheirreturns。OneofthemmadeahurriedvisittoSanFrancisco。ItwassaidthathewasunabletoseeeitherSeeYuportheagenttowhomthemoneywaspaid。ItwasalsonoticedthattherewasnoChinamanremaininginthesettlement。
  Thenthefatalsecretwasout。
  TheheapoftailingshadprobablyneveryieldedtheSeeYupcompanymorethantwentydollarsaweek,theordinarywageofsuchacompany。SeeYuphadconceivedthebrilliantideaof"booming"itonaborrowedcapitaloffivehundreddollarsingold-dust,whichheOPENLYtransmittedbyexpresstohisconfederateandcreditorinSanFrancisco,whointurnSECRETLYsentitbacktoSeeYupbycooliemessengers,tobeagainopenlytransmittedtoSanFrancisco。
  Thepackageofgold-dustwasthuspassedbackwardsandforwardsbetweendebtorandcreditor,tothegraveedificationoftheExpressCompanyandthefatalcuriosityofthesettlement。Whenthesyndicatehadgorgedthebaitthusthrownout,SeeYup,onthedaytheself-invitedcommitteeinspectedtheclaim,promptly"salted"thetailingsbyCONSCIENTIOUSLYDISTRIBUTINGTHEGOLD-DUST
  OVERITsodeftlythatitappearedtobeitsnaturalcompositionandyield。
  IhaveonlytobidfarewelltoSeeYup,andclosethisreminiscenceofamisunderstoodman,byaddingtheopinionofaneminentjuristinSanFrancisco,towhomthefactsweresubmitted:"Socleverwasthisallegedfraud,thatitisextremelydoubtfulifanactionwouldlieagainstSeeYupinthepremises,therebeingnolegalevidenceofthe’salting,’andnonewhateverofhisactualallegationthatthegold-dustwastheORDINARYyieldofthetailings,thatimplicationrestingentirelywiththecommitteewhoexamineditunderfalsepretense,andwhosubsequentlyforcedthesalebyintimidation。"
  THEDESBOROUGHCONNECTIONS
  "Thenitisn’taquestionofpropertyornextofkin?"saidtheconsul。
  "Lord!no,"saidtheladyvivaciously。"Why,goodnessme!I
  reckonoldDesboroughcould,atanytimebeforehedied,have’boughtup’or’boughtout’thewholelotofhisrelativesonthissideofthebigpond,nomatterwhattheywereworth。No,it’sonlyamatterofcuriosityandjustsociableness。"
  TheAmericanconsulatSt。Kentigornfeltmuchrelieved。Hehadfeareditwasonlytheoldstoryofdelusivequestsforimaginaryestatesandimpossibleinheritanceswhichhehadconfrontedsoofteninnervouswan-eyedenthusiastsandobstreperousclaimantsfromhisownland。Certainlytherewasnosuggestionofthisintherichlydressedandbe-diamondedmatronbeforehim,norinherprettydaughter,charminginaParisfrock,alivewiththeconsciousnessofbeautyandadmiration,andyetalittleennuyefromgratifiedindulgence。HeknewthemothertobethewealthywidowofaNewYorkmillionaire,thatshewastravelingforpleasureinEurope,andachancemeetingwithheratdinnerafewnightsbeforehadledtothishalf-capricious,half-confidentialappointmentattheconsulate。
  "No,"continuedMrs。Desborough;"Mr。DesboroughcametoAmerica,whenasmallboy,withanunclewhodiedsomeyearsago。Mr。
  DesboroughneverseemedtohankermuchafterhisEnglishrelativesaslongasIknewhim,butnowthatIandSadieareoverhere,whyweguessedwemightlook’emupandsortofsample’em!’Desborough’
  ’sratheragoodname,"addedthelady,withacomplacencythat,however,hadasuggestionofqueryinit。
  "Yes,"saidtheconsul;"fromtheFrench,Ifancy。"
  "Mr。DesboroughwasEnglish——veryEnglish,"correctedthelady。
  "ImeanitmaybeanoldNormanname,"saidtheconsul。
  ’Norman’sgoodenoughforME,"saidthedaughter,reflecting。
  "We’lljustsettleitasNorman。IneverthoughtaboutthatDES。"
  "Onlyyoumayfinditcalled’Debborough’here,andspeltso,"saidtheconsul,smiling。
  MissDesboroughliftedherprettyshouldersandmadeacharminggrimace。"Thenwewon’tacknowledge’em。NoDebboroughforme!"
  "Youmightputanadvertisementinthepapers,likethe’nextofkin’notice,intimating,intheregularway,thattheywould’hearofsomethingtotheiradvantage’——astheycertainlywould,"
  continuedtheconsul,withabow。"ItwouldbesucharefreshingchangetothekindofthingI’maccustomedto,don’tyouknow——thisideaofoneofmycountrywomencomingoverjusttobenefitEnglishrelatives!ByJove!Iwouldn’tmindundertakingthewholethingforyou——it’ssuchanovelty。"Hewasquitecarriedawaywiththeidea。
  Butthetwoladieswerefarfromparticipatinginthisjoyousoutlook。"No,"saidMrs。Desboroughpromptly,"thatwouldn’tdo。
  Yousee,"shewentonwithsuperbfrankness,"thatwouldbejustgivingourselvesaway,andsayingwhoWEwerebeforewefoundoutwhatTHEYwerelike。Mr。DesboroughwasallrightinHISway,butwedon’tknowanythingabouthisFOLKS!Weain’thereonamissiontoimprovetheDesboroughs,nortogatherinany’losttribes。’"
  Itwasevidentthat,inspiteofthehumorofthesituationandthelevityoftheladies,therewasacharacteristicnationalpracticalnessaboutthem,andtheconsul,withasigh,atlastgavetheaddressofoneortworesponsibleexpertsingenealogicalinquiry,ashehadoftendonebefore。Hefeltitwasimpossibletoofferanyadvicetoladiesasthoroughlycapableofmanagingtheirownaffairsashisfaircountrywomen,yethewasnotwithoutsomecuriositytoknowtheresultoftheirpracticalsentimentalquest。
  Thatheshouldeverhearofthemagainhedoubted。HeknewthataftertheirfirstlonelinesshadwornoffintheirgregariousgatheringataLondonhoteltheywerenotlikelytoconsortwiththeirowncountrypeople,whoindeedwereapttofightshyofoneanother,andeventoindulgeininvidiouscriticismofoneanotherwhenadmittedinthatsocietytowhichtheywereallequallystrangers。SohetookleaveofthemontheirwaybacktoLondonwiththebeliefthattheiracquaintanceterminatedwiththatbriefincident。Buthewasmistaken。
  Intheyearfollowinghewasspendinghisautumnvacationatacountryhouse。Itwasanhistorichouse,andhadalwaysstruckhimasbeing——eveninthatcountryofhistoricseats——asingularexampleofthevicissitudesofEnglishmanorialestatesandthemutationsofitslords。Hishostinhisprimehadbeenrecalledfromforeignservicetounexpectedlysucceedtoanuncle’stitleandestate。Thatestate,however,hadcomeintothepossessionoftheuncleonlythroughhismarriagewiththedaughterofanoldfamilywhoseportraitsstilllookeddownfromthewallsupontheyoungestandalienbranch。Therewerelikenesses,effigies,memorials,andreminiscencesofstillolderfamilieswhohadoccupieditthroughforfeiturebywarorthefavoritismofkings,andinitsstatelycloistersandruinedchapelwasstillfeltthedeadhandofitsevictedreligiousfounders,whichcouldnotbeshakenoff。
  Itwasthisstrangeindividualitythataffectedallwhosawit。
  For,howeverchangedwerethosewithinitswalls,whoeverwereitsinheritorsorinhabiters,ScroobyPrioryneverchangednoraltereditsowncharacter。Howeverincongruousorill-assortedtheportraitsthatlookedfromitswalls,——soillmetthattheymighthaveflownatoneanother’sthroatsinthelongnightswhenthefamilywereaway,——thegreathouseitselfwasindependentofthemall。Thebe-wigged,be-laced,andbe-furbelowedofoneday’sgathering,theround-headed,steel-fronted,andprim-kerchiefedcongregationofanotherday,andeventheblack-coated,bare-armed,andbare-shoulderedassemblageofto-dayhadnoeffectontheausteritiesofthePriory。Modernhousesmightshowthetastesandprepossessionsoftheirdwellers,mighthavecaughtsomepassingtrickofthehour,orhaverecordedtheaugmentedfortunesorluxuriousnessoftheowner,butScroobyPriorynever!Noonehaddaredeventodisturbitsouterrigidintegrity;thebreachesoftimeandsiegewereleftuntouched。Ithelditscalmindifferentswayoverallwhopasseditslow-archedportals,andtheconsulwasfaintobelievethathe——aforeignvisitor——wasnomorealientothehousethanitspresentowner。
  "I’mexpectingaverycharmingcompatriotofyoursto-morrow,"saidLordBeverdaleastheydrovefromthestationtogether。"Youmusttellmewhattoshowher。"
  "IshouldthinkanycountrywomanofminewouldbequitesatisfiedwiththePriory,"saidtheconsul,glancingthoughtfullytowardsthepiledimlyseenthroughthepark。
  "Ishouldn’tlikehertobeboredhere,"continuedBeverdale。
  "AlgymetheratRome,whereshewasoccupyingapalacewithhermother——they’reveryrich,youknow。HefoundshewasstayingwithLadyMineveratHedhamTowers,andIwentoverandinvitedherwithalittleparty。She’saMissDesborough。"
  Theconsulgaveaslightstart,andwasawarethatBeverdalewaslookingathim。
  "Perhapsyouknowher?"saidBeverdale。
  "Justenoughtoagreewithyouthatsheischarming,"saidtheconsul。"Idinedwiththem,andsawthemattheconsulate。"
  "Ohyes;Ialwaysforgetyouareaconsul。Then,ofcourse,youknowallaboutthem。Isupposethey’reveryrich,andinsocietyoverthere?"saidBeverdaleinavoicethatwasquiteanimated。
  Itwasontheconsul’slipstosaythatthelateMr。DesboroughwasanEnglishman,andeventospeakplayfullyoftheirproposedquest,butasuddeninstinctwithheldhim。Afterall,perhapsitwasonlyacaprice,oridea,theyhadforgotten,——perhaps,whoknows?——thattheywerealreadyashamedof。Theyhadevidently"goton"inEnglishsociety,ifthatwastheirrealintent,anddoubtlessMissDesborough,bythistime,wasquiteascontentwiththechanceofbecomingrelatedtotheEarlofBeverdale,throughhissonandheir,Algernon,asiftheyhadfoundarealLordDesboroughamongtheirownrelatives。TheconsulknewthatLordBeverdalewasnotarichman,thatlikemostmenofoldfamilyhewasnotaslavetoclassprejudice;indeed,theconsulhadseenveryfewnoblemenoffthestageoroutofthepagesofanovelwhowere。Sohesaid,withaslightaffectationofauthority,thattherewasaslittledoubtoftheyounglady’swealthastherewasofherpersonalattractions。
  Theywerenearingthehousethroughalongavenueofchestnutswhosevariegatedleaveswerealreadybeginningtostrewthegroundbeneath,andtheycouldseethevistaopenuponthemullionedwindowsofthePriory,lightedupbytheyellowOctobersunshine。
  Inthatsunshinestoodatall,clean-limbedyoungfellow,dressedinashooting-suit,whomtheconsulrecognizedatonceasLordAlgernon,thesonofhiscompanion。Asiftoaccentthegracesofthisvisionofyouthandvigor,nearhim,intheshadow,anoldmanhadhalted,hatinhand,stillholdingtherakewithwhichhehadbeengatheringthedeadleavesintheavenue;hisbackbent,partlywithyears,partlywiththeobeisanceofaservitor。Therewassomethingsomarkedinthiscontrast,inthisoldmanstandingintheshadowofthefadingyear,himselfasdriedandwitheredastheleaveshewasraking,yetpausingtomakehisreverencetothispassingsunshineofyouthandprosperityinthepresenceofhiscomingmaster,thattheconsul,astheysweptby,lookedafterhimwithastirringofpain。
  "Ratheranoldmantobestillatwork,"saidtheconsul。
  Beverdalelaughed。"Youmustnotlethimhearyousayso;heconsidershimselfquiteasfitasanyyoungermanintheplace,and,byJove!thoughhe’snearlyeighty,I’minclinedtobelieveit。He’snotoneofourpeople,however;hecomesfromthevillage,andistakenonatoddtimes,partlytopleasehimself。
  Hisgreataimistobeindependentofhischildren,——hehasagranddaughterwhoisoneofthemaidsatthePriory,——andtokeephimselfoutoftheworkhouse。Hedoesnotcomefromtheseparts——
  somewherefarthernorth,Ifancy。Buthe’satoughlot,andhasadealofworkinhimyet。"
  "Seemstobegoingabitstalelately,"saidLordAlgernon,"andI
  thinkisgettingalittlequeerinhishead。Hehasatrickofstoppingandstaringstraightahead,attimes,whenheseemstogooffforaminuteortwo。There!"continuedtheyoungman,withalightlaugh。"Isay!he’sdoingitnow!"Theybothturnedquicklyandgazedatthebentfigure——notfiftyyardsaway——standinginexactlythesameattitudeasbefore。But,evenastheygazed,heslowlyliftedhisrakeandbeganhismonotonousworkagain。
  AtScroobyPriory,theconsulfoundthatthefameofhisfaircountrywomanhadindeedprecededher,andthattheotherguestswerequiteasanxioustoseeMissDesboroughashewas。OneofthemhadalreadymetherinLondon;anotherknewherasoneofthehousepartyattheDukeofNorthforeland’s,whereshehadbeenacentralfigure。Someofhernaivesalliesandfrankcriticismswererepeatedwithgreatunctionbythegentlemen,andwithsomeslighttrepidationanda"fearfuljoy"bytheladies。HewasmorethaneverconvincedthatmotheranddaughterhadforgottentheirlinealDesboroughs,andheresolvedtoleaveanyallusiontoittotheyoungladyherself。