entitled"TheEffeteEast，"inwhichthefataldecadenceofNewYorkandNewEnglandwaselaboratelystated，andCaliforniaofferedasameansofnaturalsalvation。"Perhaps，"said"TheMonitor，"
"wemightaddthatCalaverasCountyofferssuperiorinducementstotheEasternvisitorwithcapital。"
Laterhespokeofhisfamily。Thedaughterhehadleftachildhadgrownintobeautifulwomanhood。Thesonwasalreadytallerandlargerthanhisfather；and，inaplayfultrialofstrength，"theyoungrascal，"addedPlunkett，withavoicebrokenwithpaternalprideandhumorousobjurgation，hadtwicethrownhisdotingparenttotheground。Butitwasofhisdaughterhechieflyspoke。
PerhapsemboldenedbytheevidentinterestwhichmasculineMonteFlatheldinfemininebeauty，heexpatiatedatsomelengthonhervariouscharmsandaccomplishments，andfinallyproducedherphotograph，——thatofaveryprettygirl，——totheirinfiniteperil。
Buthisaccountofhisfirstmeetingwithherwassopeculiar，thatImustfaingiveitafterhisownmethods，whichwere，perhaps，someshadeslesspreciseandelegantthanhiswrittenstyle。
"Yousee，boys，it’salwaysbeenmyopinionthatamanoughterbeabletotellhisownfleshandbloodbyinstinct。It’stenyearssinceI’dseenmyMelindy；andshewasthenonlyseven，andaboutsohigh。So，whenIwenttoNewYork，whatdidIdo？DidIgostraighttomyhouse，andaskformywifeanddaughter，likeotherfolks？No，sir！Iriggedmyselfupasapeddler，asapeddler，sir；andIrungthebell。Whentheservantcametothedoor，I
wanted——don’tyousee？——toshowtheladiessometrinkets。Thentherewasavoiceoverthebanistersays，’Don’twantanything：
sendhimaway。’——’Somenicelaces，ma’am，smuggled，’Isays，lookingup。’Getout，youwretch！’saysshe。Iknewthevoice，boys：itwasmywife，sureasagun。Tharwasn’tanyinstinctthar。’Maybetheyoungladieswantsomethin’，’Isaid。’Didyouhearme？’saysshe；andwiththatshejumpsforward，andIleft。
It’stenyears，boys，sinceI’veseentheoldwoman；butsomehow，whenshefetchedthatleap，Inaterallyleft。"
Hehadbeenstandingbesidethebar——hisusualattitude——whenhemadethisspeech；butatthispointhehalffacedhisauditorswithalookthatwasveryeffective。Indeed，afewwhohadexhibitedsomesignsofscepticismandlackofinterest，atonceassumedanappearanceofintensegratificationandcuriosityashewenton，——
"Well，byhanginroundthereforadayortwo，IfoundoutatlastitwastobeMelindy’sbirthdaynextweek，andthatshewasgoin’
tohaveabigparty。Itellyewhat，boys，itweren’tnoslouchofareception。Thewholehousewasbloomin’withflowers，andblazin’withlights；andtherewasnoendofservantsandplateandrefreshmentsandfixin’s"——
"UncleJoe。"
"Well？"
"Wheredidtheygetthemoney？"
Plunkettfacedhisinterlocutorwithasevereglance。"Ialwayssaid，"herepliedslowly，"that，whenIwenthome，I’dsendonaheadofmeadraftfortenthousanddollars。Ialwayssaidthat，didn’tI？Eh？AndIsaidIwasgoin’home——andI’vebeenhome，haven’tI？Well？"
Eithertherewassomethingirresistiblyconclusiveinthislogic，orelsethedesiretoheartheremainderofPlunkett’sstorywasstronger；buttherewasnomoreinterruption。Hisreadygood-humorquicklyreturned，and，withaslightchuckle，hewenton，——
"Iwenttothebiggestjewelryshopintown，andIboughtapairofdiamondear-rings，andputtheminmypocket，andwenttothehouse。’Whatname？’saysthechapwhoopenedthedoor；andhelookedlikeacross’twixtarestaurantwaiterandaparson。
’Skeesicks，’saidI。Hetakesmein；andprettysoonmywifecomessailin’intotheparlor，andsays，’Excuseme；butIdon’tthinkI
recognizethename。’Shewasmightypolite；forIhadonaredwigandside-whiskers。’Afriendofyourhusband’sfromCalifornia，ma’am，withapresentforyourdaughter，Miss——，’andImadeasI
hadforgotthename。Butallofasuddenavoicesaid，’That’stoothin；’andinwalkedMelindy。’It’splayin’itratherlowdown，father，topretendyoudon’tknowyourdaughter’sname；ain’tit，now？Howareyou，oldman？’Andwiththatshetearsoffmywigandwhiskers，andthrowsherarmsaroundmyneck——instinct，sir，pureinstinct！"
EmboldenedbythelaughterwhichfollowedhisdescriptionofthefilialutterancesofMelinda，heagainrepeatedherspeech，withmoreorlesselaboration，joininginwith，andindeedoftenleading，thehilaritythataccompaniedit，andreturningtoit，withmoreorlessincoherency，severaltimesduringtheevening。
Andso，atvarioustimesandatvariousplaces，butchieflyinbar-
rooms，didthisUlyssesofMonteFlatrecountthestoryofhiswanderings。Therewereseveraldiscrepanciesinhisstatement；
therewassometimesconsiderableprolixityofdetail；therewasoccasionalchangeofcharacterandscenery；therewasonceortwiceanabsolutechangeinthedenoument：butalwaysthefactofhishavingvisitedhiswifeandchildrenremained。Ofcourse，inascepticalcommunitylikethatofMonteFlat，——acommunityaccustomedtogreatexpectationandsmallrealization，——acommunitywherein，tousethelocaldialect，"theygotthecolor，andstruckhardpan，"morefrequentlythananyothermining-camp，——insuchacommunity，thefullestcredencewasnotgiventooldmanPlunkett’sfacts。Therewasonlyoneexceptiontothegeneralunbelief，——
HenryYorkofSandyBar。Itwashewhowasalwaysanattentivelistener；itwashisscantpursethathadoftenfurnishedPlunkettwithmeanstopursuehisunprofitablespeculations；itwastohimthatthecharmsofMelindaweremorefrequentlyrehearsed；itwashethathadborrowedherphotograph；anditwashethat，sittingaloneinhislittlecabinonenight，kissedthatphotograph，untilhishonest，handsomefaceglowedagaininthefirelight。
ItwasdustyinMonteFlat。Theruinsofthelongdryseasonwerecrumblingeverywhere：everywherethedyingsummerhadstrewnitsredashesafootdeep，orexhaleditslastbreathinaredcloudabovethetroubledhighways。Thealdersandcottonwoods，thatmarkedthelineofthewater-courses，weregrimywithdust，andlookedasiftheymighthavetakenrootintheopenair。Thegleamingstonesoftheparchedwater-coursesthemselveswereasdrybonesinthevalleyofdeath。Thedustysunsetattimespaintedtheflanksofthedistanthillsadull，copperyhue：onotherdays，therewasanodd，indefinableearthquakehaloonthevolcanicconesofthefarthercoast-spurs。Againanacrid，resinoussmokefromtheburningwoodonHeavytreeHillsmartedtheeyes，andchokedthefreebreathofMonteFlat；orafiercewind，drivingeverything，includingtheshrivelledsummer，likeacurledleafbeforeit，sweptdowntheflanksoftheSierras，andchasedtheinhabitantstothedoorsoftheircabins，andshookitsredfistinattheirwindows。Andonsuchanightasthis，thedusthavinginsomewaychokedthewheelsofmaterialprogressinMonteFlat，mostoftheinhabitantsweregatheredlistlesslyinthegildedbar-roomoftheMoquelumneHotel，spittingsilentlyatthered-hotstovethattemperedthemountainwindstotheshornlambsofMonteFlat，andwaitingfortherain。
EverymethodknowntotheFlatofbeguilingthetimeuntiltheadventofthislong-looked-forphenomenonhadbeentried。Itistrue，themethodswerenotmany，beinglimitedchieflytothatformofpopularfacetiaeknownaspracticaljoking；andeventhishadassumedtheseriousnessofabusiness-pursuit。TommyRoy，whohadspenttwohoursindiggingaditchinfrontofhisowndoor，intowhichafewfriendscasuallydroppedduringtheevening，lookedennuyeanddissatisfied。Thefourprominentcitizens，who，disguisedasfoot-pads，hadstoppedthecountytreasurerontheWingdamroad，werejadedfromtheirplayfuleffortsnextmorning。
TheprincipalphysicianandlawyerofMonteFlat，whohadenteredintoanunhallowedconspiracytocompelthesheriffofCalaverasandhispossetoserveawritofejectmentonagrizzlybear，feeblydisguisedunderthenameofone"MajorUrsus，"whohauntedthegrovesofHeavytreeHill，woreanexpressionofresignedweariness。Eventheeditorof"TheMonteFlatMonitor，"whohadthatmorningwrittenaglowingaccountofabattlewiththeWipneckIndians，forthebenefitofEasternreaders，——evenHElookedgraveandworn。When，atlast，AbnerDeanofAngel’s，whohadbeenonavisittoSanFrancisco，walkedintotheroom，hewas，ofcourse，victimizedintheusualwaybyoneortwoapparentlyhonestquestions，whichendedinhisansweringthem，andthenfallingintothetrapofaskinganother，tohisutterandcompleteshameandmortification；butthatwasall。Nobodylaughed；andAbner，althoughavictim，didnotlosehisgood-humor。Heturnedquietlyonhistormentors，andsaid，——
"I’vegotsomethingbetterthanthat——youknowoldmanPlunkett？"
Everybodysimultaneouslyspatatthestove，andnoddedhishead。
"Youknowhewenthomethreeyearsago？"Twoorthreechangedthepositionoftheirlegsfromthebacksofdifferentchairs；andonemansaid，"Yes。"
"Hadagoodtime，home？"
Everybodylookedcautiouslyatthemanwhohadsaid，"Yes；"andhe，acceptingtheresponsibilitywithafaint-heartedsmile，said，"Yes，"again，andbreathedhard。"Sawhiswifeandchild——purtygal？"saidAbnercautiously。"Yes，"answeredthemandoggedly。
"Sawherphotograph，perhaps？"continuedAbnerDeanquietly。
Themanlookedhopelesslyaroundforsupport。Twoorthree，whohadbeensittingnearhim，andevidentlyencouraginghimwithalookofinterest，nowshamelesslyabandonedhimandlookedanotherway。HenryYorkflushedalittle，andveiledhisgrayeyes。Themanhesitated，andthenwithasicklysmile，thatwasintendedtoconveythefactthathewasperfectlyawareoftheobjectofthisquestioning，andwasonlyhumoringitfromabstractgoodfeeling，returned，"Yes，"again。
"Senthome——let’ssee——tenthousanddollars，wasn’tit？"AbnerDeanwenton。"Yes，"reiteratedthemanwiththesamesmile。
"Well，Ithoughtso，"saidAbnerquietly。"Butthefactis，yousee，thatheneverwenthomeatall——narytime。"
EverybodystaredatAbneringenuinesurpriseandinterest，as，withprovokingcalmnessandahalf-lazymanner，hewenton，——
"Yousee，tharwasamandownin’Friscoasknowedhim，andsawhiminSonoraduringthewholeofthatthreeyears。Hewasherdingsheep，ortendingcattle，orspekilatingallthattime，andhadn’taredcent。Wellit’mountstothis，——that’arPlunkettain’tbeeneastoftheRockyMountainssince’49。"
ThelaughwhichAbnerDeanhadtherighttoconfidentlyexpectcame；butitwasbitterandsardonic。Ithinkindignationwasapparentinthemindsofhishearers。Itwasfelt，forthefirsttime，thattherewasalimittopracticaljoking。Adeceptioncarriedonforayear，compromisingthesagacityofMonteFlat，wasdeservingtheseverestreprobation。Ofcourse，nobodyhadbelievedPlunkett；butthenthesuppositionthatitmightbebelievedinadjacentcampsthattheyHADbelievedhimwasgallandbitterness。
Thelawyerthoughtthatanindictmentforobtainingmoneyunderfalsepretencesmightbefound。Thephysicianhadlongsuspectedhimofinsanity，andwasnotcertainbutthatheoughttobeconfined。Thefourprominentmerchantsthoughtthatthebusiness-
interestsofMonteFlatdemandedthatsomethingshouldbedone。Inthemidstofanexcitedandangrydiscussion，thedoorslowlyopened，andoldmanPlunkettstaggeredintotheroom。
Hehadchangedpitifullyinthelastsixmonths。Hishairwasadusty，yellowishgray，likethechemisalontheflanksofHeavytreeHill；hisfacewaswaxenwhite，andblueandpuffyundertheeyes；
hisclothesweresoiledandshabby，streakedinfrontwiththestainsofhurriedlyeatenluncheons，andfluffybehindwiththewoolandhairofhurriedly-extemporizedcouches。Inobediencetothatoddlaw，that，themoreseedyandsoiledaman’sgarmentsbecome，thelessdoesheseeminclinedtopartwiththem，evenduringthatportionofthetwenty-fourhourswhentheyaredeemedlessessential，Plunkett’sclotheshadgraduallytakenontheappearanceofakindofabark，oranoutgrowthfromwithin，forwhichtheirpossessorwasnotentirelyresponsible。Howbeit，asheenteredtheroom，heattemptedtobuttonhiscoatoveradirtyshirt，andpassedhisfingers，afterthemannerofsomeanimal，overhiscracker-strewnbeard，inrecognitionofacleanlypublicsentiment。But，evenashedidso，theweaksmilefadedfromhislips；andhishand，afterfumblingaimlesslyaroundabutton，droppedhelplesslyathisside。Forasheleanedhisbackagainstthebar，andfacedthegroup，he，forthefirsttime，becameawarethateveryeyebutonewasfixeduponhim。Hisquick，nervousapprehensionatonceleapedtothetruth。Hismiserablesecretwasout，andabroadintheveryairabouthim。Asalastresort，heglanceddespairinglyatHenryYork；buthisflushedfacewasturnedtowardthewindows。
Nowordwasspoken。Asthebar-keepersilentlyswungadecanterandglassbeforehim，hetookacrackerfromadish，andmumbleditwithaffectedunconcern。Helingeredoverhisliquoruntilitspotencystiffenedhisrelaxedsinews，anddulledthenervousedgeofhisapprehension，andthenhesuddenlyfacedaround。"Itdon’tlookasifweweregoin’tohevanyrainmuchaforeChristmas，"hesaidwithdefiantease。
Noonemadeanyreply。
"Justlikethisin’52，andagainin’60。It’salwaysbeenmyopinionthatthesedryseasonscomereg’lar。I’vesaiditafore。
Isayitagain。It’sjistasIsaidaboutgoinghome，youknow，"
headdedwithdesperaterecklessness。
"Thar’saman，"saidAbnerDeanlazily，ezsezyouneverwenthome。
Thar’samanezsezyou’vebeenthreeyearsinSonora。Thar’samanezsezyouhain’tseenyourwifeanddaughtersince’49。
Thar’samanezsezyou’vebeenplayin’thiscampforsixmonths。"
Therewasadeadsilence。Thenavoicesaidquiteasquietly，——
"Thatmanlies。"
Itwasnottheoldman’svoice。EverybodyturnedasHenryYorkslowlyrose，stretchingouthissixfeetoflength，and，brushingawaytheashesthathadfallenfromhispipeuponhisbreast，deliberatelyplacedhimselfbesidePlunkett，andfacedtheothers。
"Thatmanain’there，"continuedAbnerDean，withlistlessindifferenceofvoice，andagentlepre-occupationofmanner，ashecarelesslyallowedhisrighthandtorestonhishipnearhisrevolver。"Thatmanain’there；but，ifI’mcalledupontomakegoodwhathesays，why，I’monhand。"
Allroseasthetwomen——perhapstheleastexternallyagitatedofthemall——approachedeachother。Thelawyersteppedinbetweenthem。
"Perhapsthere’ssomemistakehere。York，doyouKNOWthattheoldmanhasbeenhome？"
"Yes。"
"Howdoyouknowit？"
Yorkturnedhisclear，honest，frankeyesonhisquestioner，andwithoutatremortoldtheonlydirectandunmitigatedlieofhislife。"BecauseI’veseenhimthere。"
Theanswerwasconclusive。ItwasknownthatYorkhadbeenvisitingtheEastduringtheoldman’sabsence。ThecolloquyhaddivertedattentionfromPlunkett，who，paleandbreathless，wasstaringathisunexpecteddeliverer。Asheturnedagaintowardhistormentors，therewassomethingintheexpressionofhiseyethatcausedthosethatwerenearesttohimtofallback，andsentastrange，indefinablethrillthroughtheboldestandmostreckless。Ashemadeastepforward，thephysician，almostunconsciously，raisedhishandwithawarninggesture；andoldmanPlunkett，withhiseyesfixeduponthered-hotstove，andanoddsmileplayingabouthismouth，began，——
"Yes——ofcourseyoudid。Whosaysyoudidn’t？Itain’tnolie。I
saidIwasgoin’home——andI’vebeenhome。Haven’tI？MyGod！I
have。WhosaysI’vebeenlyin’？WhosaysI’mdreamin’？Isittrue——whydon’tyouspeak？Itistrue，afterall。Yousayyousawmethere：whydon’tyouspeakagain？Say，say！——isittrue？It’sgoingnow。OmyGod！it’sgoingagain。It’sgoingnow。Saveme！"
Andwithafiercecryhefellforwardinafituponthefloor。
Whentheoldmanregainedhissenses，hefoundhimselfinYork’scabin。Aflickeringfireofpine-boughslituptheruderafters，andfelluponaphotographtastefullyframedwithfir-cones，andhungabovethebrushwhereonhelay。Itwastheportraitofayounggirl。Itwasthefirstobjecttomeettheoldman’sgaze；
anditbroughtwithitaflushofsuchpainfulconsciousness，thathestarted，andglancedquicklyaround。ButhiseyesonlyencounteredthoseofYork，——clear，gray，critical，andpatient，——
andtheyfellagain。
"Tellme，oldman，"saidYorknotunkindly，butwiththesamecold，cleartoneinhisvoicethathiseyebetrayedamomentago，——"tellme，isTHATalietoo？"andhepointedtothepicture。
Theoldmanclosedhiseyes，anddidnotreply。Twohoursbefore，thequestionwouldhavestunghimintosomeevasionorbravado。
Buttherevelationcontainedinthequestion，aswellasthetoneofYork’svoice，wastohimnow，inhispitiablecondition，arelief。Itwasplain，eventohisconfusedbrain，thatYorkhadliedwhenhehadindorsedhisstoryinthebar-room；itwascleartohimnowthathehadnotbeenhome，thathewasnot，ashehadbeguntofear，goingmad。Itwassucharelief，that，withcharacteristicweakness，hisformerrecklessnessandextravagancereturned。Hebegantochuckle，finallytolaughuproariously。
York，withhiseyesstillfixedontheoldman，withdrewthehandwithwhichhehadtakenhis。
"Didn’twefool’emnicely；eh，Yorky！He，he！Thebiggestthingyeteverplayedinthiscamp！IalwayssaidI’dplay’emallsomeday，andIhave——played’emforsixmonths。Ain’titrich？——ain’tittherichestthingyoueverseed？DidyouseeAbner’sfacewhenhespoke’boutthatmanasseedmeinSonora？Warn’titgoodastheminstrels？Oh，it’stoomuch！"and，strikinghislegwiththepalmofhishand，healmostthrewhimselffromthebedinaparoxysmoflaughter，——aparoxysmthat，nevertheless，appearedtobehalfrealandhalfaffected。
"Isthatphotographhers？"saidYorkinalowvoice，afteraslightpause。
"Hers？No！It’soneoftheSanFranciscoactresses。He，he！
Don’tyousee？Iboughtitfortwobitsinoneofthebookstores。
Ineverthoughtthey’dswallerTHATtoo；buttheydid！Oh，buttheoldmanplayed’emthistimedidn’the——eh？"andhepeeredcuriouslyinYork’sface。
"Yes，andheplayedMEtoo，"saidYork，lookingsteadilyintheoldman’seye。
"Yes，ofcourse，"interposedPlunketthastily；"butyouknow，Yorky，yougotoutofitwell！You’vesold’emtoo。We’vebothgotemonastringnow——youandme——gottosticktogethernow。Youdiditwell，Yorky：youdiditwell。Why，whenyousaidyou’dseenmeinYorkCity，I’md————difIdidn’t"——
"Didn’twhat？"saidYorkgently；fortheoldmanhadstoppedwithapalefaceandwanderingeye。
"Eh？"
"YousaywhenIsaidIhadseenyouinNewYorkyouthought"——
"Youlie！"saidtheoldmanfiercely。"Ididn’tsayIthoughtanything。Whatareyoutryingtogobackonmefor，eh？"Hishandsweretremblingasherosemutteringfromthebed，andmadehiswaytowardthehearth。
"Gimmesomewhiskey，"hesaidpresently"anddryup。Yououghtertreatanyway。Themfellowsoughtertreatedlastnight。Byhookey，I’dmade’em——onlyIfellsick。"
Yorkplacedtheliquorandatincuponthetablebesidehim，and，goingtothedoor，turnedhisbackuponhisguest，andlookedoutonthenight。Althoughitwasclearmoonlight，thefamiliarprospectnevertohimseemedsodreary。ThedeadwasteofthebroadWingdamhighwayneverseemedsomonotonous，solikethedaysthathehadpassed，andweretocometohim，soliketheoldmaninitssuggestionofgoingsometime，andnevergettingthere。Heturned，andgoinguptoPlunkettputhishanduponhisshoulder，andsaid，——
"Iwantyoutoansweronequestionfairlyandsquarely。"
Theliquorseemedtohavewarmedthetorpidbloodintheoldman’sveins，andsoftenedhisacerbity；forthefaceheturneduptoYorkwasmellowedinitsruggedoutline，andmorethoughtfulinexpression，ashesaid，——
"Goon，myboy。"
"Haveyouawifeand——daughter？"
"BeforeGodIhave！"
Thetwomenweresilentforamoment，bothgazingatthefire。
ThenPlunkettbeganrubbinghiskneesslowly。
"Thewife，ifitcomestothat，ain’tmuch，"hebegancautiously，"beingalittleontheshoulder，youknow，andwantin’，sotospeakaliberalCaliforniaeducation，whichmakes，youknow，abadcombination。It’salwaysbeenmyopinion，thatthereain’tanyworse。Why，she’sasreadywithhertongueasAbnerDeaniswithhisrevolver，onlywiththedifferencethatsheshootsfromprinciple，asshecallsit；andtheconsequenceis，she’salwayslayin’foryou。It’stheeffeteEast，myboy，that’sruinin’her。
It’sthemideasshegetsinNewYorkandBostonthat’smadeherandmewhatweare。Idon’tmindherhavin’’em，ifshedidn’tshoot。
But，havin’thatpropensity，themprinciplesoughtn’ttobelyingroundloosenomore’nfirearms。"
"Butyourdaughter？"saidYork。
Theoldman’shandswentuptohiseyeshere，andthenbothhandsandheaddroppedforwardonthetable。"Don’tsayanything’bouther，myboy，don’taskmenow。"Withonehandconcealinghiseyes，hefumbledaboutwiththeotherinhispocketsforhishandkerchief——
butvainly。Perhapsitwasowingtothisfact，thatherepressedhistears；for，whenheremovedhishandfromhiseyes，theywerequitedry。Thenhefoundhisvoice。
"She’sabeautifulgirl，beautiful，thoughIsayit；andyoushallseeher，myboy，——youshallseehersure。I’vegotthingsaboutfixednow。Ishallhavemyplanforreducin’oresperfectedadayortwo；andI’vegotproposalsfromallthesmeltin’workshere"
（herehehastilyproducedabundleofpapersthatfelluponthefloor），"andI’mgoin’tosendfor’em。I’vegotthepapershereaswillgivemetenthousanddollarsclearinthenextmonth，"headded，ashestrovetocollectthevaluabledocumentsagain。"I’llhave’emherebyChristmas，ifIlive；andyoushalleatyourChristmasdinnerwithme，York，myboy，——youshallsure。"
Withhistonguenowfairlyloosenedbyliquorandthesuggestivevastnessofhisprospects，herambledonmoreorlessincoherently，elaboratingandamplifyinghisplans，occasionallyevenspeakingofthemasalreadyaccomplished，untilthemoonrodehighintheheavens，andYorkledhimagaintohiscouch。Herehelayforsometimemutteringtohimself，untilatlasthesankintoaheavysleep。WhenYorkhadsatisfiedhimselfofthefact，hegentlytookdownthepictureandframe，and，goingtothehearth，tossedthemonthedyingembers，andsatdowntoseethemburn。
Thefir-conesleapedinstantlyintoflame；thenthefeaturesthathadentrancedSanFranciscoaudiencesnightly，flashedupandpassedaway（assuchthingsareapttopass）；andeventhecynicalsmileonYork’slipsfadedtoo。Andthentherecameasupplementalandunexpectedflashastheembersfelltogether，andbyitslightYorksawapaperuponthefloor。Itwasonethathadfallenfromtheoldman’spocket。Ashepickedituplistlessly，aphotographslippedfromitsfolds。Itwastheportraitofayounggirl；andonitsreversewaswritteninascrawlinghand，"Melindatofather。"
Itwasatbestacheappicture，but，ahme！Ifeareventhedeftgraciousnessofthehighestartcouldnothavesoftenedtherigidangularitiesofthatyouthfulfigure，itsself-complacentvulgarity，itscheapfinery，itsexpressionlessill-favor。Yorkdidnotlookatitasecondtime。Heturnedtotheletterforrelief。
Itwasmisspelled；itwasunpunctuated；itwasalmostillegible；itwasfretfulintone，andselfishinsentiment。Itwasnot，Ifear，evenoriginalinthestoryofitswoes。Itwastheharshrecitalofpoverty，ofsuspicion，ofmeanmakeshiftsandcompromises，oflowpainsandlowerlongings，ofsorrowsthatweredegrading，ofagriefthatwaspitiable。Yetitwassincereinacertainkindofvagueyearningforthepresenceofthedegradedmantowhomitwaswritten，——anaffectionthatwasmorelikeaconfusedinstinctthanasentiment。
Yorkfoldeditagaincarefully，andplaceditbeneaththeoldman’spillow。Thenhereturnedtohisseatbythefire。Asmilethathadbeenplayinguponhisface，deepeningthecurvesbehindhismustache，andgraduallyoverrunninghiscleargrayeyes，presentlyfadedaway。Itwaslasttogofromhiseyes；anditleftthere，oddlyenoughtothosewhodidnotknowhim，atear。
Hesatthereforalongtime，leaningforward，hisheaduponhishands。Thewindthathadbeenstrivingwiththecanvasroofallatoncelifteditsedges，andamoonbeamslippedsuddenlyin，andlayforamomentlikeashiningbladeuponhisshoulder；and，knightedbyitstouch，straightwayplainHenryYorkarose，sustained，high-
purposedandself-reliant。
Therainshadcomeatlast。TherewasalreadyavisiblegreennessontheslopesofHeavytreeHill；andthelong，whitetrackoftheWingdamroadwaslostinoutlyingpoolsandpondsahundredrodsfromMonteFlat。Thespentwater-courses，whosewhiteboneshadbeensinuouslytrailedovertheflat，likethevertebraeofsomeforgottensaurian，werefullagain；thedrybonesmovedoncemoreinthevalley；andtherewasjoyintheditches，andapardonableextravaganceinthecolumnsof"TheMonteFlatMonitor。""Neverbeforeinthehistoryofthecountyhastheyieldbeensosatisfactory。Ourcontemporaryof’TheHillsideBeacon，’whoyesterdayfacetiouslyalludedtothefact（？）thatourbestcitizenswereleavingtownin’dugouts，’onaccountoftheflood，willbegladtohearthatourdistinguishedfellow-townsman，Mr。
HenryYork，nowonavisittohisrelativesintheEast，latelytookwithhiminhis’dugout’themodestsumoffiftythousanddollars，theresultofoneweek’sclean-up。Wecanimagine，"
continuedthatsprightlyjournal，"thatnosuchmisfortuneislikelytoovertakeHillsidethisseason。Andyetwebelieve’TheBeacon’manwantsarailroad。"Afewjournalsbrokeoutintopoetry。TheoperatoratSimpson’sCrossingtelegraphedto"TheSacramentoUniverse""Alldaythelowcloudshaveshooktheirgarneredfulnessdown。"ASanFranciscojournallapsedintonobleverse，thinlydisguisedaseditorialprose："Rejoice：thegentlerainhascome，thebrightandpearlyrain，whichscattersblessingsonthehills，andsiftsthemo’ertheplain。Rejoice，"&c。
Indeed，therewasonlyonetowhomtherainhadnotbroughtblessing，andthatwasPlunkett。Insomemysteriousanddarksomeway，ithadinterferedwiththeperfectionofhisnewmethodofreducingores，andthrowntheadventofthatinventionbackanotherseason。Ithadbroughthimdowntoanhabitualseatinthebar-
room，where，toheedlessandinattentiveears，hesatanddiscoursedoftheEastandhisfamily。
Noonedisturbedhim。Indeed，itwasrumoredthatsomefundshadbeenlodgedwiththelandlord，byapersonorpersonsunknown，wherebyhisfewwantswereprovidedfor。Hismania——forthatwasthecharitableconstructionwhichMonteFlatputuponhisconduct——
wasindulged，eventotheextentofMonteFlat’sacceptinghisinvitationtodinewithhisfamilyonChristmasDay，——aninvitationextendedfranklytoeveryonewithwhomtheoldmandrankortalked。Butoneday，toeverybody’sastonishment，heburstintothebar-room，holdinganopenletterinhishand。Itreadasfollows：——
"BereadytomeetyourfamilyatthenewcottageonHeavytreeHillonChristmasDay。Invitewhatfriendsyouchoose。
"HENRYYORK。"
Theletterwashandedroundinsilence。Theoldman，withalookalternatingbetweenhopeandfear，gazedinthefacesofthegroup。
Thedoctorlookedupsignificantly，afterapause。"It’saforgeryevidently，"hesaidinalowvoice。"He’scunningenoughtoconceiveit（theyalwaysare）；butyou’llfindhe’llfailinexecutingit。Watchhisface！——Oldman，"hesaidsuddenly，inaloudperemptorytone，"thisisatrick，aforgery，andyouknowit。
Answermesquarely，andlookmeintheeye。Isn’titso？"
TheeyesofPlunkettstaredamoment，andthendroppedweakly。
Then，withafeeblersmile，hesaid，"You’retoomanyforme，boys。
TheDoc’sright。Thelittlegame’sup。Youcantaketheoldman’shat；"andso，tottering，trembling，andchuckling，hedroppedintosilenceandhisaccustomedseat。Butthenextdayheseemedtohaveforgottenthisepisode，andtalkedasgliblyaseveroftheapproachingfestivity。
AndsothedaysandweekspasseduntilChristmas——abright，clearday，warmedwithsouthwinds，andjoyouswiththeresurrectionofspringinggrasses——brokeuponMonteFlat。Andthentherewasasuddencommotioninthehotelbar-room；andAbnerDeanstoodbesidetheoldman’schair，andshookhimoutofaslumbertohisfeet。
"Rouseup，oldman。Yorkishere，withyourwifeanddaughter，atthecottageonHeavytree。Come，oldman。Here，boys，givehimalift；"andinanothermomentadozenstrongandwillinghandshadraisedtheoldman，andborehimintriumphtothestreetupthesteepgradeofHeavytreeHill，anddepositedhim，strugglingandconfused，intheporchofalittlecottage。Atthesameinstanttwowomenrushedforward，butwererestrainedbyagesturefromHenryYork。Theoldmanwasstrugglingtohisfeet。Withaneffortatlast，hestooderect，trembling，hiseyefixed，agraypalloronhischeek，andadeepresonanceinhisvoice。
"It’sallatrick，andalie！Theyain’tnofleshandbloodorkino’mine。Itain’tmywife，norchild。Mydaughter’sabeautifulgirl——abeautifulgirl，d’yehear？She’sinNewYorkwithhermother，andI’mgoingtofetchherhere。IsaidI’dgohome，andI’vebeenhome：d’yehearme？I’vebeenhome！It’sameantrickyou’replayin’ontheoldman。Letmego：d’yehear？Keepthemwomenoffme！Letmego！I’mgoing——I’mgoing——home！"
Hishandswerethrownupconvulsivelyintheair，and，halfturninground，hefellsidewaysontheporch，andsototheground。Theypickedhimuphurriedly，buttoolate。Hehadgonehome。
THEFOOLOFFIVEFORKS
Helivedalone。Idonotthinkthispeculiarityarosefromanywishtowithdrawhisfoolishnessfromtherestofthecamp，norwasitprobablethatthecombinedwisdomofFiveForkseverdrovehimintoexile。Myimpressionis，thathelivedalonefromchoice，——achoicehemadelongbeforethecampindulgedinanycriticismofhismentalcapacity。Hewasmuchgiventomoodyreticence，and，althoughtooutwardappearancesastrongman，wasalwayscomplainingofill-health。Indeed，onetheoryofhisisolationwas，thatitaffordedhimbetteropportunitiesfortakingmedicine，ofwhichhehabituallyconsumedlargequantities。
HisfollyfirstdawneduponFiveForksthroughthepost-officewindows。Hewas，foralongtime，theonlymanwhowrotehomebyeverymail；hislettersbeingalwaysdirectedtothesameperson，——
awoman。Now，itsohappenedthatthebulkoftheFiveForkscorrespondencewasusuallytheotherway。Thereweremanylettersreceived（themajoritybeinginthefemalehand），butveryfewanswered。Themenreceivedthemindifferently，orasamatterofcourse。Afewopenedandreadthemonthespot，withabarelyrepressedsmileofself-conceit，orquiteasfrequentlyglancedoverthemwithundisguisedimpatience。Someofthelettersbeganwith"Mydearhusband；"andsomewerenevercalledfor。ButthefactthattheonlyregularcorrespondentofFiveForksneverreceivedanyreplybecameatlastquitenotorious。Consequently，whenanenvelopewasreceived，bearingthestampofthe"deadletteroffice，"addressedto"TheFool，"underthemoreconventionaltitleof"CyrusHawkins，"therewasquiteafeverofexcitement。Idonotknowhowthesecretleakedout；butitwaseventuallyknowntothecamp，thattheenvelopecontainedHawkins’sownlettersreturned。Thiswasthefirstevidenceofhisweakness。
Anymanwhorepeatedlywrotetoawomanwhodidnotreplymustbeafool。IthinkHawkinssuspectedthathisfollywasknowntothecamp；buthetookrefugeinsymptomsofchillsandfever，whichheatoncedeveloped，andeffectedadiversionwiththreebottlesofIndiancholagogueandtwoboxesofpills。Atallevents，attheendofaweek，heresumedapenstiffenedbytonics，withallhisoldepistolatorypertinacity。Thistimethelettershadanewaddress。
Inthosedaysapopularbeliefobtainedinthemines，thatluckparticularlyfavoredthefoolishandunscientific。Consequently，whenHawkinsstrucka"pocket"inthehillsidenearhissolitarycabin，therewasbutlittlesurprise。"Hewillsinkitallinthenexthole"wastheprevailingbelief，predicatedupontheusualmannerinwhichthepossessorof"niggerluck"disposedofhisfortune。Toeverybody’sastonishment，Hawkins，aftertakingoutabouteightthousanddollars，andexhaustingthepocket，didnotprospectforanother。Thecampthenwaitedpatientlytoseewhathewoulddowithhismoney。Ithink，however，thatitwaswiththegreatestdifficultytheirindignationwaskeptfromtakingtheformofapersonalassaultwhenitbecameknownthathehadpurchasedadraftforeightthousanddollars，infavorof"thatwoman。"Morethanthis，itwasfinallywhisperedthatthedraftwasreturnedtohimashislettershadbeen，andthathewasashamedtoreclaimthemoneyattheexpress-office。"Itwouldn’tbeabadspecilationtogoEast，getsomesmartgal，forahundreddollars，todressherselfupandrepresentthat’Hag，’andjestfreezeontothateightthousand，"suggestedafar-seeingfinancier。Imaystatehere，thatwealwaysalludedtoHawkins’sfairunknownasthe"Hag"
withouthaving，Iamconfident，theleastjustificationforthatepithet。
Thatthe"Fool"shouldgambleseemedeminentlyfitandproper。
Thatheshouldoccasionallywinalargestake，accordingtothatpopulartheorywhichIhaverecordedintheprecedingparagraph，appeared，also，anotimprobableorinconsistentfact。Thatheshould，however，breakthefarobankwhichMr。JohnHamlinhadsetupinFiveForks，andcarryoffasumvariouslyestimatedatfromtentotwentythousanddollars，andnotreturnthenextday，andlosethemoneyatthesametable，reallyappearedincredible。Yetsuchwasthefact。AdayortwopassedwithoutanyknowninvestmentofMr。Hawkins’srecently-acquiredcapital。"Efheallowstosendittothat’Hag，’"saidoneprominentcitizen，"suthin’oughttobedone。It’sjestruinin’thereputationofthisyercamp，——thissloshin’aroundo’capitalonnon-residentsezdon’tclaimit！""It’ssettin’anexampleo’extravagance，"saidanother，"ezislittlebetternoraswindle。Thaismor’nfivemeninthiscamp，thet，hearin’thetHawkinshedsenthomeeightthousanddollars，mustjestriseupandsendhometheirhardearningstoo！Andthentothinkthettheteightthousandwasonlyabluff，afterall，andthetit’slyin’thereoncallinAdams&
Co。’sbank！Well，Isayit’soneo’themthingsavigilancecommitteeoughterlookinto。"
WhenthereseemednopossibilityofthisrepetitionofHawkins’sfolly，theanxietytoknowwhathehadreallydonewithhismoneybecameintense。Atlastaself-appointedcommitteeoffourcitizensdroppedartfully，buttooutwardappearancescarelessly，uponhiminhisseclusion。Whensomepoliteformalitieshadbeenexchanged，andsomeeasyvituperationofabackwardseasonofferedbyeachoftheparties，TomWingateapproachedthesubject。
"SorterdroppedheavyonJackHamlintheothernight，didn’tye？
Heallowsyoudidn’tgivehimnoshowforrevenge。Isaidyouwasn’tnosuchd————dfool；didn’tI，Dick？"continuedtheartfulWingate，appealingtoaconfederate。
"Yes，"saidDickpromptly。"Yousaidtwentythousanddollarswasn’tgoin’tobethrownaroundrecklessly。YousaidCyrushadsuthin’bettertodowithhiscapital，"super-addedDickwithgratuitousmendacity。"Idisremembernowwhatparticklerinvestmentyousaidhewasgoin’tomakewithit，"hecontinued，appealingwitheasyindifferencetohisfriend。
OfcourseWingatedidnotreply，butlookedatthe"Fool，"who，withatroubledface，wasrubbinghislegssoftly。Afterapause，heturneddeprecatinglytowardhisvisitors。
"Yedidn’tennyofyeeverhevasortoftremblin’inyourlegs，akindo’shakinessfromthekneedown？Suthin’，"hecontinued，slightlybrighteningwithhistopic，——"suthin’thatbeginslikechills，andyetain’tchills？Akindo’sensationofgonenesshere，andakindo’feelin’asityoumightdiesuddint？——whenWright’sPillsdon’tsomehowreachthespot，andquininedon’tfetchyou？"
"No！"saidWingatewithacurtdirectness，andtheairofauthoritativelyrespondingforhisfriends，——"no，neverhad。Youwasspeakin’ofthisyerinvestment。"
"Andyourbowelsallthetimeirregular？"continuedHawkins，blushingunderWingate’seye，andyetclingingdespairinglytohistheme，likeashipwreckedmarinertohisplank。
Wingatedidnotreply，butglancedsignificantlyattherest。
Hawkinsevidentlysawthisrecognitionofhismentaldeficiency，andsaidapologetically，"Youwassayingsuthin’aboutmyinvestment？"
"Yes，"saidWingate，sorapidlyastoalmosttakeHawkins’sbreathaway，——"theinvestmentyoumadein"——
"Rafferty’sDitch，"saidthe"Fool"timidly。
Foramoment，thevisitorscouldonlystareblanklyateachother。
"Rafferty’sDitch，"theonenotoriousfailureofFiveForks！——
Rafferty’sDitch，theimpracticableschemeofanutterlyunpracticalman！——Rafferty’sDitch，aridiculousplanfortakingwaterthatcouldnotbegottoaplacewhereitwasn’twanted！——
Rafferty’sDitch，thathadburiedthefortunesofRaffertyandtwentywretchedstockholdersinitsmuddydepths！
"Andthet’sit，isit？"saidWingate，afteragloomypause。
"Thet’sit！Iseeitallnow，boys。That’showraggedPatRaffertywentdowntoSanFranciscoyesterdayinstore-clothes，andhiswifeandfourchildrenwentoffinakerridgetoSacramento。
Thet’swhythemtenworkmenofhis，ezhadn’tacenttoblessthemselveswith，wasplayin’billiardslastnight，andeatin’
isters。Thet’swharthatmoneykumfrum，——onehundreddollarstopayforthelongadvertisementofthenewissueofditchstockinthe"Times"yesterday。Thet’swhythemsixstrangerswerebookedattheMagnoliahotelyesterday。Don’tyousee？It’sthetmoney——
andthat’Fool’！"
The"Fool"satsilent。Thevisitorsrosewithoutaword。
"YounevertookanyofthemIndianVegetablePills？"askedHawkinstimidlyofWingate。
"No！"roaredWingateasheopenedthedoor。
"Theytellme，that，tookwiththePanacea，——theywasouto’thePanaceawhenIwenttothedrug-storelastweek，——theysay，that，tookwiththePanacea，theyalwayseffectacertincure。"Butbythistime，Wingateandhisdisgustedfriendshadretreated，slammingthedooronthe"Fool"andhisailments。
Nevertheless，insixmonthsthewholeaffairwasforgotten：themoneyhadbeenspent；the"Ditch"hadbeenpurchasedbyacompanyofBostoncapitalists，firedbytheglowingdescriptionofanEasterntourist，whohadspentonedrunkennightatFiveForks；andIthinkeventhementalconditionofHawkinsmighthaveremainedundisturbedbycriticism，butforasingularincident。
Itwasduringanexcitingpoliticalcampaign，whenparty-feelingranhigh，thattheirascibleCapt。McFaddenofSacramentovisitedFiveForks。DuringaheateddiscussioninthePrairieRoseSaloon，wordspassedbetweenthecaptainandtheHon。CalhounBungstarter，endinginachallenge。Thecaptainboretheinfelicitousreputationofbeinganotoriousduellistandadead-shot。Thecaptainwasunpopular。Thecaptainwasbelievedtohavebeensentbytheoppositionforadeadlypurpose；andthecaptainwas，moreover，astranger。IamsorrytosaythatwithFiveForksthislatterconditiondidnotcarrythequalityofsanctityorreverencethatusuallyobtainsamongothernomads。Therewas，consequently，somelittlehesitationwhenthecaptainturneduponthecrowd，andaskedforsomeonetoactashisfriend。Toeverybody’sastonishment，andtotheindignationofmany，the"Fool"steppedforward，andofferedhimselfinthatcapacity。IdonotknowwhetherCapt。McFaddenwouldhavechosenhimvoluntarily；buthewasconstrained，intheabsenceofabetterman，toaccepthisservices。
Theduelnevertookplace。Thepreliminarieswereallarranged，thespotindicated；themenwerepresentwiththeirseconds；therewasnointerruptionfromwithout；therewasnoexplanationorapologypassed——butthedueldidnottakeplace。Itmaybereadilyimaginedthatthesefacts，whichwereallknowntoFiveForks，threwthewholecommunityintoafeverofcuriosity。Theprincipals，thesurgeon，andonesecondlefttownthenextday。
Onlythe"Fool"remained。HEresistedallquestioning，declaringhimselfheldinhonornottodivulge：inshort，conductedhimselfwithconsistentbutexasperatingfolly。Itwasnotuntilsixmonthshadpassed，thatCol。Starbottle，thesecondofCalhounBungstarter，inamomentofweakness，superinducedbythesocialglass，condescendedtoexplain。Ishouldnotdojusticetotheparties，ifIdidnotgivethatexplanationinthecolonel’sownwords。Imayremark，inpassing，thatthecharacteristicdignityofCol。Starbottlealwaysbecameintensifiedbystimulants，andthat，bythesameprocess，allsenseofhumorwasutterlyeliminated。
"WiththeunderstandingthatIamaddressingmyselfconfidentiallytomenofhonor，"saidthecolonel，elevatinghischestabovethebar-roomcounterofthePrairieRoseSaloon，"Itrustthatitwillnotbenecessaryformetoprotectmyselffromlevity，asIwasforcedtodoinSacramentoontheonlyotheroccasionwhenI
enteredintoanexplanationofthisdelicateaffairby——er——er——
callingtheindividualtoapersonalaccount——er。Idonotbelieve，"addedthecolonel，slightlywavinghisglassofliquorintheairwithagracefulgestureofcourteousdeprecation，"knowingwhatIdoofthepresentcompany，thatsuchacourseofactionisrequiredhere。Certainlynot，sir，inthehomeofMr。Hawkins——er——
thegentlemanwhorepresentedMr。Bungstarter，whoseconduct，ged，sir，isworthyofpraise，blankme！"
Apparentlysatisfiedwiththegravityandrespectfulattentionofhislisteners，Col。Starbottlesmiledrelentinglyandsweetly，closedhiseyeshalf-dreamily，asiftorecallhiswanderingthoughts，andbegan，——
"AsthespotselectedwasnearestthetenementofMr。Hawkins，itwasagreedthatthepartiesshouldmeetthere。Theydidsopromptlyathalf-pastsix。Themorningbeingchilly，Mr。HawkinsextendedthehospitalitiesofhishousewithabottleofBourbonwhiskey，ofwhichallpartookbutmyself。Thereasonforthatexceptionis，Ibelieve，wellknown。Itismyinvariablecustomtotakebrandy——awineglassfulinacupofstrongcoffee——immediatelyonrising。Itstimulatesthefunctions，sir，withoutproducinganyblankderangementofthenerves。"
Thebarkeeper，towhom，asanexpert，thecolonelhadgraciouslyimpartedthisinformation，noddedapprovingly；andthecolonel，amidabreathlesssilence，wenton。
"Wewereabouttwentyminutesinreachingthespot。Thegroundwasmeasured，theweaponswereloaded，whenMr。Bungstarterconfidedtometheinformationthathewasunwell，andingreatpain。OnconsultationwithMr。Hawkins，itappearedthathisprincipal，inadistantpartofthefield，wasalsosuffering，andingreatpain。