Noisy，yes;butifyouwanteddeepquietandcool，ifyouwantedtostepfromtheglareofaCanadianAugusttothedeepshadowofanenchantedglade，——walkdownbelowintotheRats’Cooler。Thereyouhadit;darkoldbeams（whocouldbelievetheywereputthereamonthago？），greatcaskssetonendwithlegendssuchasAmontilladoFinodoneingiltonablackground，tallsteinsfilledwithGermanbeersoftasmoss，andaGermanwaiternoiselessasmovingfoam。HewhoenteredtheRats’Cooleratthreeofasummerafternoonwasburiedtherefortheday。Mr。GolgothaGinghamspentanythingfromfourtosevenhoursthereofeveryday。Inhismindtheplacehadallthequietcharmofaninterment，withnoneofitssorrows。
Butatnight，whenMr。SmithandBilly，thedeskclerk，openedupthecashregisterandfiguredoutthecombinedlossesofthecaffandtheRats’Cooler，Mr。Smithwouldsay：
"Billy，justwaittillIgetthelicenserenood，andI’llcloseupthisdamncaffsotightthey’llneverknowwhathither。
Whatdidthatlambcost？Fiftycentsapound，wasit？Ifigureit，Billy，thateveryoneofthemhogseatsaboutadollar’sworthagrubforeverytwenty—fivecentstheypayonit。AsforAlf——bygosh，I’mthroughwithhim。"
Butthat，ofcourse，wasonlyaconfidentialmatterasbetweenMr。
SmithandBilly。
Idon’tknowatwhatpreciseperioditwasthattheideaofapetitiontotheLicenseCommissionersfirstgotaboutthetown。Nooneseemedtoknowjustwhosuggestedit。ButcertainitwasthatpublicopinionbegantoswingstronglytowardsthesupportofMr。
Smith。IthinkitwasperhapsonthedayafterthebigfishdinnerthatAlphonsecookedfortheMariposaCanoeClub（attwentycentsahead）thatthefeelingbegantofindopenexpression。PeoplesaiditwasashamethatamanlikeJoshSmithshouldberunoutofMariposabythreelicensecommissioners。Whowerethelicensecommissioners，anyway？Why，lookatthelicensesystemtheyhadinSweden;yes，andinFinlandandinSouthAmerica。Or，forthematterofthat，lookattheFrenchandItalians，whodrinkalldayandallnight。Aren’ttheyallright？Aren’ttheyamusicalpeople？TakeNapoleon，andVictorHugo;drunkhalfthetime，andyetlookwhattheydid。
Iquotetheseargumentsnotfortheirownsake，butmerelytoindicatethechangingtemperofpublicopinioninMariposa。Menwouldsitinthecaffatlunchperhapsforanhourandahalfandtalkaboutthelicensequestioningeneral，andthengodownintotheRats’Coolerandtalkaboutitfortwohoursmore。
Itwasamazingthewaythelightbrokeininthecaseofparticularindividuals，oftenthemostunlikely，andquelledtheiropposition。
Take，forexample，theeditoroftheNewspacket。Isupposetherewasn’tagreatertemperanceadvocateintown。YetAlphonsequeeredhimwithanOmelettealaLicenseinonemeal。
OrtakePepperleighhimself，thejudgeoftheMariposacourt。Hewasputtothebadwithagamepie，——patenormandauxfinesherbes——therealthing，asgoodasatriptoParisinitself。Aftereatingit，Pepperleighhadthecommonsensetorealizethatitwassheermadnesstodestroyahotelthatcouldcookathinglikethat。
Inthesameway，thesecretaryoftheSchoolBoardwassilencedwithastuffedduckalaOssawippi。
ThreemembersofthetowncouncilwereconvertedwithaDindonfarcialaJoshSmith。
Andthen，finally，Mr。DistonpersuadedDeanDronetocome，andassoonasMr。SmithandAlphonsesawhimtheylandedhimwithafriedflounderthateventheapostleswouldhaveappreciated。
Afterthat，everyoneknewthatthelicensequestionwaspracticallysettled。Thepetitionwasalloverthetown。ItwasprintedinduplicateattheNewspacketandyoucouldseeitlyingonthecounterofeveryshopinMariposa。Someofthepeoplesignedittwentyorthirtytimes。
Itwastherightkindofdocumenttoo。Itbegan——"Whereasinthebountyofprovidencetheearthputtethforthherlusciousfruitsandhervineyardsforthedelightandenjoymentofmankind——"Itmadeyouthirstyjusttoreadit。AnymanwhoreadthatpetitionoverwaswildtogettotheRats’Cooler。
Whenitwasallsigneduptheyhadnearlythreethousandnamesonit。
ThenNivens，thelawyer，andMr。Gingham（asaprovincialofficial）
tookitdowntothecountytown，andbythreeo’clockthatafternoonthenewshadgoneoutfromthelongdistancetelephoneofficethatSmith’slicensewasrenewedforthreeyears。
Rejoicings！Well，Ishouldthinkso！EverybodywasdownwantingtoshakehandswithMr。Smith。TheytoldhimthathehaddonemoretoboomMariposathananytenmenintown。Someofthemsaidheoughttorunforthetowncouncil，andotherswantedtomakehimtheConservativecandidateforthenextDominionelection。Thecaffwasamerebabelofvoices，andeventheRats’Coolerwasalmostfloatedawayfromitsmoorings。
Andinthemiddleofitall，Mr。SmithfoundtimetosaytoBilly，thedeskclerk："TakethecashregistersoutofthecaffandtheRats’Coolerandstartcountingupthebooks。"
AndBillysaid："WillIwritethelettersforthepalmsandthetablesandthestufftogoback？"
AndMr。Smithsaid："Get’emwrittenrightaway。"
Soalleveningthelaughterandthechatterandthecongratulationswenton，anditwasn’ttilllongaftermidnightthatMr。SmithwasabletojoinBillyintheprivateroombehindthe"rotunda。"Evenwhenhedid，therewasaquietandadignityabouthismannerthathadneverbeentherebefore。IthinkitmusthavebeenthenewhalooftheConservativecandidacythatalreadyradiatedfromhisbrow。Itwas，Iimagine，atthisverymomentthatMr。Smithfirstrealisedthatthehotelbusinessformedthenaturalandproperthresholdofthenationallegislature。
"Here’stheaccountofthecashregisters，"saidBilly。
"Letmeseeit，"saidMr。Smith。Andhestudiedthefigureswithoutaword。
"Andhere’sthelettersaboutthepalms，andhere’sAlphonseuptoyesterday——"
Andthenanamazingthinghappened。
"Billy，"saidMr。Smith，"tear’emup。Iain’tgoingtodoit。Itain’trightandIwon’tdoit。TheygotmethelicensefortokeepthecaffandI’mgoingtokeepthecaff。Idon’tneedtocloseher。
Thebar’sgoodforanythingfromfortytoahundredadaynow，withtheRats’Coolergoinggood，andthatcaffwillstayrighthere。"
Andstayitdid。
Thereitstands，mindyou，tothisday。You’veonlytosteproundthecornerofSmith’sHotelonthesidestreetandreadthesign：LADIES’
ANDGENT’SCAFE，justaslargeandasimposingasever。
Mr。Smithsaidthathe’dkeepthecaff，andwhenhesaidathinghemeantit！
Ofcoursetherewerechanges，smallchanges。
Idon’tsay，mindyou，thatthefilletdebeefthatyougettherenowisperhapsquiteuptothelevelofthefiletdeboeufsauxchampignonsofthedaysofglory。
NodoubtthelambchopsinSmith’sCaffareoftenverymuchthesame，nowadays，asthelambchopsoftheMariposaHouseortheContinental。
Ofcourse，thingslikeOmeletteauxTruflespracticallydiedoutwhenAlphonsewent。And，naturally，theleavingofAlphonsewasinevitable。Nooneknewjustwhenhewent，orwhy。Butonemorninghewasgone。Mr。Smithsaidthat"Alfhadtogobacktohisfolksintheoldcountry。"
So，too，whenAlfleft，theuseoftheFrenchlanguage，assuch，fellofftremendouslyinthecaff。Evennowtheyuseittosomeextent。
Youcanstillgetfilletdebeef，andsaucissonaujuice，butBillythedeskclerkhasconsiderabletroublewiththespelling。
TheRats’Cooler，ofcourse，closeddown，orratherMr。Smithcloseditforrepairs，andthereiseverylikelihoodthatitwillhardlyopenforthreeyears。Butthecaffisthere。Theydon’tusethegrills，becausethere’snoneedto，withthehotelkitchensohandy。
The"girlroom，"Imaysay，wasneveropened。Mr。Smithpromisedit，itistrue，forthewinter，andstilltalksofit。Butsomehowthere’sbeenasortoffeelingagainstit。Everyoneintownadmitsthateverybighotelinthecityhasa"girlroom"andthatitmustbeallright。Still，there’sacertain——well，youknowhowsensitiveopinionisinaplacelikeMariposa。
TWO
TheSpeculationsofJeffersonThorpeItwasnotuntiltheminingboom，atthetimewheneverybodywentsimplycrazyovertheCobaltandPorcupineminesofthenewsilvercountryneartheHudsonBay，thatJeffersonThorpereachedwhatyoumightcallpublicimportanceinMariposa。
OfcourseeverybodyknewJeffandhislittlebarbershopthatstoodjustacrossthestreetfromSmith’sHotel。Everybodyknewhimandeverybodygotshavedthere。Fromearlymorning，whenthecommercialtravellersoffthe6。30expressgotshavedintotheresemblanceofhumanbeings，therewerealwayspeoplegoinginandoutofthebarbershop。
Mullins，themanageroftheExchangeBank，tookhismorningshavefromJeffasaformofresuscitation，withenoughwettowelslaidonhisfacetostewhimandwithJeffmovingaboutinthesteam，razorinhand，asgraveasanoperatingsurgeon。
Then，asIthinkIsaid，Mr。SmithcameineverymorningandtherewasatremendousoutpouringofFloridawaterandrums，essencesandreviversandrenovators，regardlessofexpense。WhatwithJeff’swhitecoatandMr。Smith’sfloweredwaistcoatandtheredgeraniuminthewindowandtheFloridawaterandthedoubleextractofhyacinth，thelittleshopseemedmulti—colouredandluxuriousenoughfortheannexofaSultan’sharem。
ButwhatImeanisthat，tilltheminingboom，JeffersonThorpeneveroccupiedapositionofrealprominenceinMariposa。Youcouldn’t，forexample，havecomparedhimwithamanlikeGolgothaGingham，who，asundertaker，stoodinadirectrelationtolifeanddeath，ortoTrelawney，thepostmaster，whodrewmoneyfromtheFederalGovernmentofCanada，andwasregardedasvirtuallyamemberoftheDominionCabinet。
EverybodyknewJeffandlikedhim，buttheoddthingwasthattillhemademoneynobodytookanystockinhisideasatall。Itwasonlyafterhemadethe"cleanup"thattheycametoseewhatasplendidfellowhewas。"Level—headed"Ithinkwastheterm;indeedinthespeechofMariposa，thehighestformofendowmentwastohavetheheadsetonhorizontallyaswithatheodolite。
AsIsay，itwaswhenJeffmademoneythattheysawhowgiftedhewas，andwhenhelostit，——butstill，there’snoneedtogointothat。Ibelieveit’ssomethingthesameinotherplacestoo。
Thebarbershop，youwillremember，standsacrossthestreetfromSmith’sHotel，andstaresatitfacetoface。
Itisoneofthosewoodenstructures——Idon’tknowwhetheryouknowthem——withafalsefrontthatsticksupaboveitsrealheightandgivesitanairatoncerectangularandimposing。ItisaformofarchitecturemuchusedinMariposaandunderstoodtobeinkeepingwiththepretentiousandartificialcharacterofmodernbusiness。
Thereisared，whiteandbluepostinfrontoftheshopandtheshopitselfhasalargesquarewindowoutofproportiontoitslittleflatface。
PaintedonthepanesofthewindowistheremainsofalegendthatoncespeltBARBERSHOP，executedwiththeflourishesthatprevailedinthegoldenageofsignpaintinginMariposa。ThroughthewindowyoucanseethegeraniumsinthewindowshelfandbehindthemJeffThorpewithhislittleblackscullcaponandhisspectaclesdroopeduponhisnoseashebendsforwardintheabsorptionofshaving。
Asyouopenthedoor，itsetsinviolentagitationacoiledspringupaboveandabellthatalmostrings。Inside，therearetwoshavingchairsoftheheavier，orelectrocutionpattern，withmirrorsinfrontofthemandpigeonholeswithindividualshavingmugs。Theremustbeeversomanyofthem，fifteenorsixteen。ItisthecurrentsuppositionofeachofJeff’scustomersthateveryoneelsebuthimselfusesaseparatemug。Onecorneroftheshopispartitionedoffandbearsthesign：HOTANDCOLDBATHS，50CENTS。Therehasbeennobathinsidethepartitionfortwentyyears——onlyoldnewspapersandamop。Still，itlendsdistinctionsomehow，justasdothefadedcardboardsignsthathangagainstthemirrorwiththelegends：
TURKISHSHAMPOO，75CENTS，andROMANMASSAGE，$1。00。
TheysaidcommonlyinMariposathatJeffmademoneyoutofthebarbershop。Hemayhave，anditmayhavebeenthatthatturnedhismindtoinvestment。Butit’shardtoseehowhecould。Ashavecostfivecents，andahair—cutfifteen（orthetwo，ifyouliked，foraquarter），andatthatitishardtoseehowhecouldmakemoney，evenwhenhehadbothchairsgoingandshavedfirstinoneandthenintheother。
Yousee，inMariposa，shavingisn’tthehurried，perfunctorythingthatitisinthecity。Ashaveislookeduponasaformofphysicalpleasureandlastsanywherefromtwentyfiveminutestothree—quartersofanhour。
Inthemorninghours，perhaps，therewasasemblanceofhasteaboutit，butinthelongquietoftheafternoon，asJeffleanedforwardtowardsthecustomerandtalkedtohiminasoftconfidentialmonotone，likeaportraitpainter，therazorwouldgoslowerandslower，andpauseandstop，moveandpauseagain，tilltheshavediedawayintothemeredrowseofconversation。
Atsuchhours，theMariposabarbershopwouldbecomeaveryPalaceofSlumber，andasyouwaitedyourturninoneofthewoodenarm—chairsbesidethewall，whatwiththequietofthehour，andthelowdroneofJeff’sconversation，thebuzzingofthefliesagainstthewindowpaneandthemeasuredtickoftheclockabovethemirror，yourheadsankdreamingonyourbreast，andtheMariposaNewspacketrustledunheededonthefloor。Itmakesonedrowsyjusttothinkofit！
Theconversation，ofcourse，wastherealcharmoftheplace。Yousee，Jefferson’sforte，orspecialty，wasinformation。Hecouldtellyoumorethingswithinthecompassofahalf—hour’sshavethanyougetindaysoflaboriousresearchinanencyclopaedia。Wherehegotitall，Idon’tknow，butIaminclinedtothinkitcamemoreorlessoutofthenewspapers。
Inthecity，peopleneverreadthenewspapers，notreally，onlylittlebitsandscrapsofthem。ButinMariposait’sdifferent。Theretheyreadthewholethingfromcovertocover，andtheybuilduponit，inthecourseofyears，arangeofacquirementthatwouldputacollegepresidenttotheblush。AnybodywhohaseverheardHenryMullinsandPeterGlovertalkaboutthefutureofChinawillknowjustwhatImean。
And，ofcourse，thepeculiarityofJeff’sconversationwasthathecouldsuitittohismaneverytime。Hehadakindofdivinationaboutit。TherewasacertainkindofmanthatJeffwouldsizeupsidewaysashestroppedtherazor，andinwhoseearhewouldwhisper：
"IseewhereSaintLouishastookfourstraightgamesoffChicago，"——andsoholdhimfascinatedtotheend。
InthesamewayhewouldsaytoMr。Smith："Iseewhereitsaysthatthis’FlyingSquirl’runadeadheatfortheKing’sPlate。"
ToahumbleintellectlikeminehewouldexplaininfulltherelationsoftheKeesartotheGermanRichDog。
Butfirstandforemost，Jeff’sspecialtyinthewayofconversationwasfinanceandthemoneymarket，thehugefortunesthatamanwiththerightkindofheadcouldmake。
I’veknownJeffersontopauseinhisshavingwiththerazorsuspendedintheairaslongasfiveminuteswhilehedescribed，withhiseyehalfclosed，exactlythekindofaheadamanneededinordertomakea"haul"ora"cleanup。"Itwasevidentlysimplyamatterofthehead，andasfarasonecouldjudge，Jeff’sownwastheverytyperequired。Idon’tknowjustatwhattimeorhowJeffersonfirstbeganhisspeculativeenterprises。Itwasprobablyinhimfromthestart。ThereisnodoubtthattheveryideaofsuchthingsasTractionStockandAmalgamatedAsbestoswenttohishead：andwheneverhespokeofMr。CarnegieandMr。Rockefeller，theyearningtoneofhisvoicemadeitassoftaslatheredsoap。
Isupposethemostrudimentaryformofhisspeculationwasthehens。
Thatwasyearsago。Hekeptthemoutatthebackofhishouse，——whichitselfstoodupagrassplotbehindandbeyondthebarbershop，——andintheolddaysJeffwouldsay，withacertainnoteofprideinhisvoice，thatTheWomanhadsoldasmanyastwodozeneggsinadaytothesummervisitors。
ButwhatwithreadingaboutAmalgamatedAsbestosandConsolidatedCopperandallthat，thehensbegantoseemprettysmallbusiness，and，inanycase，theideaoftwodozeneggsatacentapiecealmostmakesoneblush。IsupposeagoodmanyofushavefeltjustasJeffdidaboutourpoorlittleearnings。Anyway，IrememberJefftellingmeonedaythathecouldtakethewholelotofthehensandsellthemoffandcrackthemoneyintoChicagowheatonmarginandturnitoverintwenty—fourhours。Hedidittoo。Onlysomehowwhenitwasturnedoveritcameupsidedownontopofthehens。
AfterthatthehenhousestoodemptyandTheWomanhadtothrowawaychickenfeedeveryday，atadeadlossofperhapsashaveandahalf。
ButitmadenodifferencetoJeff，forhismindhadfloatedawayalreadyonthepossibilitiesofwhathecalled"displacement"miningontheYukon。
SoyoucanunderstandthatwhentheminingboomstruckMariposa，JeffersonThorpewasinitrightfromtheverystart。Why，nowonder;
itseemedlikethefingerofProvidence。Herewasthisgreatsilvercountryspreadouttonorthofus，wherepeoplehadthoughttherewasonlyawilderness。Andrightatourverydoors！Youcouldsee，asI
saw，thenightexpressgoingnortheveryevening;foralloneknewRockefellerorCarnegieoranyonemightbeonit！HerewasthewealthofCalcutta，astheMariposaNewspacketputit，pouredoutatourveryfeet。
Sonowonderthetownwentwild！Alldayinthestreetyoucouldhearmentalkingofveins，andsmeltersanddipsanddepositsandfaults，——thetownhummedwithitlikeageologyclassonexaminationday。Andthereweremenaboutthehotelswithminingoutfitsandtheodolitesanddunnagebags，andatSmith’sbartheywouldhandchunksofrockupanddown，someofwhichwouldrunashighastendrinkstothepound。
Thefeverjustcaughtthetownandranthroughit！WithinafortnighttheyputapartitiondownRobertson’sCoalandWoodOfficeandopenedtheMariposaMiningExchange，andjustabouteverymanontheMainStreetstartedbuyingscrip。ThenpresentlyyoungFizzlechip，whohadbeentellerinMullins’sBankandthateverybodyhadthoughtaworthlessjackassbefore，camebackfromtheCobaltcountrywithafortune，andloafedroundintheMariposaHouseinEnglishkhakiandahorizontalhat，drunkallthetime，andeverybodyholdinghimupasanexampleofwhatitwaspossibletodoifyoutried。
Theyallwentin。JimEliotmortgagedtheinsideofthedrugstoreandjammeditintoTwinTamagami。PeteGloveratthehardwarestoreboughtNippewastockatthirteencentsandsoldittohisbrotheratseventeenandboughtitbackinlessthanaweekatnineteen。Theydidn’tcare！Theytookachance。JudgePepperleighputtherestofhiswife’smoneyintoTemiskamingCommon，andLawyerMacartneygotthefever，too，andputeverycentthathissisterpossessedintoTulipPreferred。
AndevenwhenyoungFizzlechipshothimselfinthebackroomoftheMariposaHouse，Mr。GinghamburiedhiminacasketwithsilverhandlesanditwasfeltthattherewasaMonteCarlotouchaboutthewholething。
Theyallwentin——orallexceptMr。Smith。Yousee，Mr。Smithhadcomedownfromthere，andheknewallaboutrocksandminingandcanoesandthenorthcountry。Heknewwhatitwastoeatflour—bakeddampersundertheleesideofacanoeproppedamongtheunderbrush，andtodrinkthelastdropofwhiskeywithinfiftymiles。Mr。Smithhadmightylittleuseforthenorth。Butwhathediddo，wastobuyupenoughearlypotatoestosendfifteencarloadlotsintoCobaltataprofitoffivedollarsabag。
Mr。Smith，Isay，hungback。ButJeffThorpewasintheminingboomrightfromthestart。HeboughtinontheNippewamineevenbeforetheinterimprospectuswasout。Hetooka"block"of100sharesofAbbitibbiDevelopmentatfourteencents，andheandJohnson，theliverystablekeepernextdoor，formedasyndicateandgotathousandsharesofMetagamiLakeat31/4centsandthen"unloaded"themononeofthesausagemenatNetley’sbutchershopataclearcentpercentadvance。
JeffwouldopenthelittledrawerbelowthemirrorinthebarbershopandshowyouallkindsandsortsofCobaltcountryminingcertificates，——blueones，pinkones，greenones，withoutlandishandfascinatingnamesonthemthatranclearfromtheMattawatotheHudsonBay。
Andrightfromthestarthewasconfidentofwinning。"Thereain’tnodifficultytoit，"hesaid，"there’slotsofsilverupthereinthatcountryandifyoubuysomehereandsomethereyoucan’tfailtocomeoutsomewhere。Idon’tsay，"heusedtocontinue，withthescissorsopenandreadytocut，"thatsomeofthegreenhornswon’tgetbit。Butifafellerknowsthecountryandkeepshisheadlevel，hecan’tlose。"
Jeffersonhadlookedatsomanyprospectusesandsomanypicturesofminesandpinetreesandsmelters，thatIthinkhe’dforgottenthathe’dneverbeeninthecountry。Anyway，what’stwohundredmiles！
Toanonlookeritcertainlydidn’tseemsosimple。Ineverknewthemeanness，thetrickery，oftheminingbusiness，thesheerobstinatedeterminationofthebiggercapitalistsnottomakemoneywhentheymight，tillIheardtheaccountsofJeff’sdifferentmines。TakethecaseofCoronaJewel。Therewasagoodmine，simplygoingtoruinforlackofcommonsense。
"Sheain’tbeendeveloped，"Jeffwouldsay。"There’ssilverenoughinhersoyoucoulddigitoutwithashovel。She’sfullofit。Buttheywon’tgetatherandworkher。"
Thenhe’dtakealookatthepinkandbluecertificatesoftheCoronaJewelandslamthedraweronthemindisgust。WorsethanthatwastheSilentPine，——aclearcaseofstupidincompetence！UtterlackofengineeringskillwasallthatwaskeepingtheSilentPinefrommakingafortuneforitsholders。
"Theonlytroublewiththatmine，"saidJeff，"istheywon’tgodeepenough。Theyfollowedtheveindowntowhereitkindo’thinnedoutandthentheyquit。Ifthey’djustgorightintohergood，they’dgetitagain。She’sdownthereallright。"
ButperhapsthemeanestcaseofallwastheNorthernStar。Thatalwaysseemedtome，everytimeIheardofit，astraightcaseforthecriminallaw。Thethingwassoevidentlyaconspiracy。
"Iboughther，"saidJeff，"atthirty—two，andshestayedrighttheretight，likeshewasstuck。Thenabunchofthesefellersinthecitystartedtodriveherdownandtheygotherpusheddowntotwenty—four，andIheldontoherandtheyshovedherdowntotwenty—one。Thismorningthey’vegotherdowntosixteen，butIdon’tmeantoletgo。No，sir。"
Inanotherfortnighttheyshovedher，thesameunscrupulouscrowd，downtoninecents，andJeffersonstillheldon。"They’reworkingherdown，"headmitted，"butI’mholdingher。"
Noconflictbetweenviceandvirtuewasevergrimmer。
"She’satsix，"saidJeff，"butI’vegother。Theycan’tsqueezeme。"
Afewdaysafterthat，thesamecriminalganghadherdownfurtherthanever。
"They’vegotherdowntothreecents，"saidJeff，"butI’mwithher。
Yes，sir，theythinktheycanshovehercleanoffthemarket，buttheycan’tdoit。I’veboughteninJohnson’sshares，andthewholeofNetley’s，andI’llstaywithhertillshebreaks。"
Sotheyshovedandpushedandclawedherdown——thatunseennefariouscrowdinthecity——andJeffheldontoherandtheywrithedandtwistedathisgrip，andthenAndthen——well，that’sjustthequeerthingabouttheminingbusiness。Why，suddenasaflashoflightning，itseemed，thenewscameoverthewiretotheMariposaNewspacket，thattheyhadstruckaveinofsilverintheNorthernStarasthickasasidewalk，andthatthestockhadjumpedtoseventeendollarsashare，andevenatthatyoucouldn’tgetit！AndJeffstoodthereflushedandhalf—staggeredagainstthemirrorofthelittleshop，withabunchofminingscripinhishandthatwasworthfortythousanddollars！
Excitement！Itwasalloverthetowninaminutes。TheyranoffanewsextraattheMariposaNewspacket，andinlessthannotimetherewasn’tstandingroominthebarbershop，andoverinSmith’sHoteltheyhadthreeextrabarkeepersworkingonthelagerbeerpumps。
TheyweresellingminingsharesontheMainStreetinMariposathatafternoonandpeoplewerejustclutchingforthem。ThenatnighttherewasabigoystersupperinSmith’scaff，withspeeches，andtheMariposabandoutside。
AndthequeerthingwasthattheverynextafternoonwasthefuneralofyoungFizzlechip，andDeanDronehadtochangethewholetextofhisSundaysermonattwodays’noticeforfearofoffendingpublicsentiment。
ButIthinkwhatJefflikedbestofitallwasthesortofpublicrecognitionthatitmeant。He’dstandthereintheshop，hardlybotheringtoshave，andexplaintothemeninthearm—chairshowheheldher，andtheyshovedher，andheclungtoher，andwhathe’dsaidtohimself——aperfectIliad——whilehewasclingingtoher。
ThewholethingwasinthecitypapersafewdaysafterwithaphotographofJeff，takenspeciallyatEdMoore’sstudio（upstairsoverNetley’s）。ItshowedJeffsittingamongpalmtrees，asallminingmendo，withonehandonhisknee，andadog，oneofthoseregularminingdogs，athisfeet，andalookofpiercingintelligenceinhisfacethatwouldeasilyaccountforfortythousanddollars。
IsaythattherecognitionmeantalottoJeffforitsownsake。ButnodoubtthefortunemeantquiteabittohimtooonaccountofMyra。
DidImentionMyra，Jeff’sdaughter？Perhapsnot。That’sthetroublewiththepeopleinMariposa;they’reallsoseparateandsodifferent——notabitlikethepeopleinthecities——thatunlessyouhearaboutthemseparatelyandonebyoneyoucan’tforamomentunderstandwhatthey’relike。
MyrahadgoldenhairandaGreekfaceandwouldcomeburstingthroughthebarbershopinahatatleastsixincheswiderthanwhattheywearinParis。AsyousawherswingingupthestreettotheTelephoneExchangeinasuitthatwasstraightoutoftheDelineatorandbrownAmericanboots，therewasstylewrittenalloverher，——thekindofthingthatMariposarecognisedanddidhomageto。AndtoseeherintheExchange，——shewasoneofthefourgirlsthatIspokeof，——onherhighstoolwithasteelcapon，——jabbingtheconnectingplugsinandoutasifelectricitycostnothing——well，allImeanisthatyoucouldunderstandwhyitwasthatthecommercialtravellerswouldstandroundintheExchangecallingupallsortsofimpossiblevillages，andwaitingaboutsopleasantandgenial！——itmadeonerealizehownaturallygood—temperedmenare。AndthenwhenMyrawouldgooffdutyandMissCleghorn，whowassallow，wouldcomeon，thecommercialmenwouldbeoffagainlikeautumnleaves。
Itjustshowsthedifferencebetweenpeople。TherewasMyrawhotreatedloverslikedogsandwouldslapthemacrossthefacewithabananaskintoshowherutterindependence。AndtherewasMissCleghorn，whowassallow，andwhoboughtafortycentAncientHistorytoimproveherself：andyetifshe’dhitanymaninMariposawithabananaskin，he’dhavehadherarrestedforassault。
Mindyou，Idon’tmeanthatMyrawasmerelyflippantandworthless。
Notatall。Shewasagirlwithanyamountoftalent。Youshouldhaveheardherrecite"TheRaven，"attheMethodistSocial！Simplygenius！
AndwhensheactedPortiaintheTrialSceneoftheMerchantofVeniceattheHighSchoolconcert，everybodyinMariposaadmittedthatyoucouldn’thavetolditfromtheoriginal。
So，ofcourse，assoonasJeffmadethefortune，Myrahadherresignationinnextmorningandeverybodyknewthatshewastogotoadramaticschoolforthreemonthsinthefallandbecomealeadingactress。
But，asIsaid，thepublicrecognitioncountedalotforJeff。Themomentyoubegintogetthatsortofthingitcomesinquicklyenough。Brains，youknow，arerecognizedrightaway。Thatwaswhy，ofcourse，withinaweekfromthisJeffreceivedthefirstbigpacketofstufffromtheCubanLandDevelopmentCompany，withcolouredpicturesofCuba，andfieldsofbananas，andhaciendasandinsurrectoswithmachetesandHeavenknowswhat。Theyheardofhim，somehow，——itwasn’tforamodestmanlikeJeffersontosayhow。Afterall，thecapitalistsoftheworldarejustoneandthesamecrowd。Ifyou’reinit，you’reinit，that’sall！JeffrealizedwhyitisthatofcoursemenlikeCarnegieorRockefellerandMorganallknowoneanother。Theyhaveto。
ForallIknow，thisCubanstuffmayhavebeensentfromMorganhimself。SomeofthepeopleinMariposasaidyes，otherssaidno。
Therewasnocertainty。
Anyway，theywerefairandstraight，thisCubancrowdthatwrotetoJeff。Theyofferedhimtocomerightinandbeoneofthemselves。Ifaman’sgotthebrains，youmayaswellrecognizeitstraightaway。
Justaswellwritehimtobeadirectornowaswaitandhesitatetillheforceshiswayintoit。
Anyhow，theydidn’thesitate，theseCubanpeoplethatwrotetoJefffromCuba——orfromapost—officeboxinNewYork——it’sallthesamething，becauseCubabeingsoneartoNewYorkthemailisalldistributedfromthere。Isupposeinsomefinancialcirclestheymighthavebeenslower，wantedguaranteesofsomesort，andsoon，buttheseCubans，youknow，havegotasortofSpanishwarmthofheartthatyoudon’tseeinbusinessmeninAmerica，andthattouchesyou。No，theyaskednoguarantee。Justsendthemoneywhetherbyexpressorderorbybankdraftorcheque，theyleftthatentirelytooneself，asamatterbetweenCubangentlemen。
Andtheywerequitefrankabouttheirenterprise——bananasandtobaccointheplantationdistrictreclaimedfromtheinsurrectos。Youcouldseeitallthereinthepictures——tobaccoplantsandtheinsurrectos——everything。Theymadenorashpromises，justadmittedstraightoutthattheenterprisemightrealise400percent。ormightconceivablymakeless。Therewasnohintofmore。
Sowithinamonth，everybodyinMariposaknewthatJeffThorpewas"inCubanlands"andwouldprobablycleanuphalfamillionbyNewYear’s。Youcouldn’thavefailedtoknowit。AllroundthelittleshoptherewerepicturesofbananagrovesandtheharbourofHabana，andCubansinwhitesuitsandscarletsashes，smokingcigarettesinthesunandtooignoranttoknowthatyoucanmakefourhundredpercent。byplantingabananatree。
IlikeditaboutJeffthathedidn’tstopshaving。Hewentonjustthesame。EvenwhenJohnson，theliverystableman，cameinwithfivehundreddollarsandaskedhimtoseeiftheCubanBoardofDirectorswouldlethimputitin，Jefflaiditinthedrawerandthenshavedhimforfivecents，inthesameoldway。Ofcourse，hemusthavefeltproudwhen，afewdayslater，hegotaletterfromtheCubanpeople，fromNewYork，acceptingthemoneystraightoffwithoutasinglequestion，andwithoutknowinganythingmoreofJohnsonexceptthathewasafriendofJeff’s。Theywrotemosthandsomely。AnyfriendsofJeff’swerefriendsofCuba。AllmoneytheymightsendwouldbetreatedjustasJeff’swouldbetreated。
Onereason，perhaps，whyJeffdidn’tgiveupshavingwasbecauseitallowedhimtotalkaboutCuba。Yousee，everybodyknewinMariposathatJeffThorpehadsoldoutofCobaltsandhadgoneintoCubanRenovatedLands——andthatspreadroundhimakindofhaloofwealthandmysteryandoutlandishness——oh，somethingSpanish。Perhapsyou’vefeltitaboutpeoplethatyouknow。Anyhow，theyaskedhimabouttheclimate，andyellowfeverandwhatthenegroeswerelikeandallthatsortofthing。
"ThisCubey，itappearsisanisland，"Jeffwouldexplain。Ofcourse，everybodyknowshoweasilyislandslendthemselvestomakingmoney，——"andforfruit，theysayitcomesupsofastyoucan’tstopit。"AndthenhewouldpassintodetailsabouttheHash—endersandtheresurrectosandtechnicalthingslikethattillitwasthoughtawonderhowhecouldknowit。Still，itwasrealizedthatamanwithmoneyhasgottoknowthesethings。LookatMorganandRockefellerandallthementhatmakeapile。TheyknowjustasmuchasJeffdidaboutthecountrieswheretheymakeit。Itstandstoreason。
DidIsaythatJeffshavedinthesameoldway？Notquite。Therewassomethingevendreamieraboutitnow，andasortofnewelementinthewayJefffelloutofhismonotoneintolapsesofthoughtthatI，forone，misunderstood。Ithoughtthatperhapsgettingsomuchmoney，——well，youknowthewayitactsonpeopleinthelargercities。Itseemedtospoilone’sideaofJeffthatcopperandasbestosandbananalandsshouldformthegoalofhisthoughtwhen，ifheknewit，thelittleshopandthesunlightofMariposawassomuchbetter。
Infact，Ihadperhapsbornehimagrudgeforwhatseemedtomehisperpetualinterestinthegreatcapitalists。Healwayshadsomeitemoutofthepaperaboutthem。
"IseewherethishereCarnegiehasgivefiftythousanddollarsforoneofthemobservatories，"hewouldsay。
Andanotherdayhewouldpauseinthecourseofshaving，andalmostwhisper："DidyoueverseethisRockefeller？"
ItwasonlybyasortofaccidentthatIcametoknowthattherewasanothersidetoJefferson’sspeculationthatnooneinMariposaeverknew，orwilleverknownow。
IknewitbecauseIwentintoseeJeffinhishouseonenight。Thehouse，——IthinkIsaidit，——stoodoutbehindthebarbershop。Youwentoutofthebackdooroftheshop，andthroughagrassplotwithpetuniasbesideit，andthehousestoodattheend。Youcouldseethelightofthelampbehindtheblind，andthroughthescreendoorasyoucamealong。AnditwasherethatJeffersonusedtositintheeveningswhentheshopgotempty。
TherewasaroundtablethatTheWomanusedtolayforsupper，andaftersupperthereusedtobeachequeredclothonitandalampwithashade。AndbesideitJeffwouldsit，withhisspectaclesonandthepaperspreadout，readingaboutCarnegieandRockefeller。Nearhim，butawayfromthetable，wasTheWomandoingneedlework，andMyra，whenshewasn’tworkingintheTelephoneExchange，wastheretoowithherelbowsonthetablereadingMarieCorelli——onlynow，ofcourse，afterthefortune，shewasreadingtheprospectusesofDramaticSchools。
Sothisnight，——Idon’tknowjustwhatitwasinthepaperthatcausedit，——JefflaiddownwhathewasreadingandstartedtotalkaboutCarnegie。
"ThisCarnegie，Ibetyou，wouldbeworth，"saidJeff，closinguphiseyesincalculation，"asmuchasperhapstwomilliondollars，ifyouwastosellhimup。AndthisRockefellerandthisMorgan，eitherofthem，tosellthemupclean，wouldbeworthanothercoupleofmillion——"
ImaysayinparenthesesthatitwasafavouritemethodinMariposaifyouwantedtogetattherealworthofaman，toimaginehimcleansoldup，putupforauction，asitwere。Itwastheonlywaytotesthim。
"Andnowlookat’em，"Jeffwenton。"Theymaketheirmoneyandwhatdotheydowithit？Theygiveitaway。Andwhodotheygiveitto？
Why，tothoseasdon’twantit，everytime。Theygiveittotheseprofessorsandtothisresearchandthat，anddothepoorgetanyofit？Notacentandneverwill。"
"Itellyou，boys，"continuedJeff（therewerenoboyspresent，butinMariposaallreallyimportantspeechesareaddressedtoanimaginaryaudienceofboys）——"Itellyou，ifIwastomakeamillionoutofthisCubey，I’dgiveitstraighttothepoor，yes，sir——divideitupintoahundredlotsofathousanddollarseachandgiveittothepeoplethathadn’tnothing。"
SoalwaysafterthatIknewjustwhatthosebananaswerebeinggrownfor。
Indeed，afterthat，thoughJeffersonneverspokeofhisintentionsdirectly，hesaidanumberofthingsthatseemedtobearonthem。Heaskedme，forinstance，oneday，howmanyblindpeopleitwouldtaketofilloneoftheseblindhomesandhowafellercouldgetaholdofthem。Andatanothertimeheaskedwhetherifafelleradvertisedforsomeoftheseincurablesafellercouldgetenoughofthemtomakeashowing。IknowforafactthathegotNivens，thelawyer，todrawupadocumentthatwastogiveanacreofbananalandinCubatoeveryidiotinMissinabacounty。
Butstill，——what’stheuseoftalkingofwhatJeffmeanttodo？
Nobodyknowsorcaresaboutitnow。
Theendofitwasboundtocome。EveninMariposasomeofthepeoplemusthavethoughtso。ElsehowwasitthatHenryMullinsmadesuchafussaboutsellingadraftforfortythousandonNewYork？AndwhywasitthatMr。Smithwouldn’tpayBilly，thedeskclerk，hisbackwageswhenhewantedtoputitintoCuba？
Ohyes;someofthemmusthaveseenit。Andyetwhenitcameitseemedsoquiet，——eversoquiet，——notabitliketheNorthernStarmineandtheoystersupperandtheMariposaband。Itisstrangehowquietthesethingslook，theotherwayround。
YouremembertheCubanLandfraudsinNewYorkandPorforioGomezshootingthedetective，andhimandMaximoMorezgettingclearawaywithtwohundredthousand？No，ofcourseyoudon’t;why，eveninthecitypapersitonlyfilledaninchortwooftype，andanywaythenameswerehardtoremember。ThatwasJeff’smoney——partofit。
Mullinsgotthetelegram，fromabrokerorsomeone，andheshowedittoJeffjustashewasgoingupthestreetwithanestateagenttolookatabigemptylotonthehillbehindthetown——theveryplacefortheseincurables。
AndJeffwentbacktotheshopsoquiet——haveyoueverseenananimalthatisstrickenthrough，howquietitseemstomove？
Well，that’showhewalked。
Andsincethat，thoughit’squitealittlewhileago，theshop’sopentilleleveneverynightnow，andJeffisshavingawaytopaybackthatfivehundredthatJohnson，theliveryman，senttotheCubans，and——
Pathetic？tut！tut！Youdon’tknowMariposa。Jeffhastoworkprettylate，butthat’snothing——nothingatall，ifyou’veworkedhardallyourlifetime。AndMyraisbackattheTelephoneExchange——theyweregladenoughtogether，andshesaysnowthatifthere’sonethingshehates，it’sthestage，andshecan’tseehowtheactressesputupwithit。
Anyway，thingsarenotsobad。YouseeitwasjustatthistimethatMr。Smith’scaffopened，andMr。SmithcametoJeff’sWomanandsaidhewantedsevendozeneggsaday，andwantedthemhandy，andsothehensareback，andmoreofthem，andtheyexultsoeverymorningovertheeggstheylaythatifyouwantedtotalkofRockefellerinthebarbershopyoucouldn’thearhisnameforthecackling。
THREE
TheMarineExcursionsoftheKnightsofPythiasHalf—pastsixonaJulymorning！TheMariposaBelleisatthewharf，deckedinflags，withsteamupreadytostart。
Excursionday！
HalfpastsixonaJulymorning，andLakeWissanottilyinginthesunascalmasglass。Theopalcoloursofthemorninglightareshotfromthesurfaceofthewater。
Outonthelakethelastthinthreadsofthemistareclearingawaylikeflecksofcottonwool。
Thelongcalloftheloonechoesoverthelake。Theairiscoolandfresh。Thereisinitallthenewlifeofthelandofthesilentpineandthemovingwaters。LakeWissanottiinthemorningsunlight！Don’ttalktomeoftheItalianlakes，ortheTyrolortheSwissAlps。Takethemaway。Movethemsomewhereelse。Idon’twantthem。
ExcursionDay，athalfpastsixofasummermorning！WiththeboatalldeckedinflagsandallthepeopleinMariposaonthewharf，andthebandinpeakedcapswithbigcornetstiedtotheirbodiesreadytoplayatanyminute！Isay！Don’ttellmeabouttheCarnivalofVeniceandtheDelhiDurbar。Don’t！Iwouldn’tlookatthem。I’dshutmyeyes！ForlightandcolourgivemeeverytimeanexcursionoutofMariposadownthelaketotheIndian’sIslandoutofsightinthemorningmist。TalkofyourPapalZouavesandyourBuckinghamPalaceGuard！IwanttoseetheMariposabandinuniformandtheMariposaKnightsofPythiaswiththeirapronsandtheirinsigniaandtheirpicnicbasketsandtheirfive—centcigars！
Halfpastsixinthemorning，andallthecrowdonthewharfandtheboatduetoleaveinhalfanhour。Noticeit！——inhalfanhour。
Alreadyshe’swhistledtwice（atsix，andatsixfifteen），andatanyminutenow，ChristieJohnsonwillstepintothepilothouseandpullthestringforthewarningwhistlethattheboatwillleaveinhalfanhour。Sokeepready。Don’tthinkofrunningbacktoSmith’sHotelforthesandwiches。Don’tbefoolenoughtotrytogouptotheGreekStore，nexttoNetley’s，andbuyfruit。You’llbeleftbehindforsureifyoudo。Nevermindthesandwichesandthefruit！Anyway，herecomesMr。Smithhimselfwithahugebasketofprovenderthatwouldfeedafactory。Theremustbesandwichesinthat。IthinkIcanhearthemclinking。AndbehindMr。SmithistheGermanwaiterfromthecaffwithanotherbasket——indubitablylagerbeer;andbehindhim，thebar—tenderofthehotel，carryingnothing，asfarasonecansee。
ButofcourseifyouknowMariposayouwillunderstandthatwhyhelookssononchalantandempty—handedisbecausehehastwobottlesofryewhiskeyunderhislinenduster。Youknow，Ithink，thepeculiarwalkofamanwithtwobottlesofwhiskeyintheinsidepocketsofalinencoat。InMariposa，yousee，tobringbeertoanexcursionisquiteinkeepingwithpublicopinion。But，whiskey，——well，onehastobealittlecareful。
DoIsaythatMr。Smithishere？Why，everybody’shere。There’sHusselltheeditoroftheNewspacket，wearingablueribbononhiscoat，fortheMariposaKnightsofPythiasare，bytheirconstitution，dedicatedtotemperance;andthere’sHenryMullins，themanageroftheExchangeBank，alsoaKnightofPythias，withasmallflaskofPogram’sSpecialinhishippocketasasortofamendmenttotheconstitution。Andthere’sDeanDrone，theChaplainoftheOrder，withafishing—rod（youneversawsuchgreenbassaslieamongtherocksatIndian’sIsland），andwithatrollinglineincaseofmaskinonge，andalandingnetincaseofpickerel，andwithhiseldestdaughter，LilianDrone，incaseofyoungmen。ThereneverwassuchafishermanastheRev。RupertDrone。
PerhapsIoughttoexplainthatwhenIspeakoftheexcursionasbeingoftheKnightsofPythias，thethingmustnotbeunderstoodinanynarrowsense。InMariposapracticallyeverybodybelongstotheKnightsofPythiasjustastheydotoeverythingelse。That’sthegreatthingaboutthetownandthat’swhatmakesitsodifferentfromthecity。Everybodyisineverything。
YoushouldseethemontheseventeenthofMarch，forexample，wheneverybodywearsagreenribbonandthey’realllaughingandglad，——youknowwhattheCelticnatureis，——andtalkingaboutHomeRule。
OnSt。Andrew’sDayeverymanintownwearsathistleandshakeshandswitheverybodyelse，andyouseethefineoldScotchhonestybeamingoutoftheireyes。
AndonSt。George’sDay！——well，there’snoheartinesslikethegoodoldEnglishspirit，afterall;whyshouldn’tamanfeelgladthathe’sanEnglishman？
ThenontheFourthofJulytherearestarsandstripesflyingoverhalfthestoresintown，andsuddenlyallthemenareseentosmokecigars，andtoknowallaboutRooseveltandBryanandthePhilippineIslands。ThenyoulearnforthefirsttimethatJeffThorpe’speoplecamefromMassachusettsandthathisunclefoughtatBunkerHill（itmusthavebeenBunkerHill，——anywayJeffersonwillswearitwasinDakotaallrightenough）;andyoufindthatGeorgeDuffhasamarriedsisterinRochesterandthatherhusbandisallright;infact，Georgewasdownthereasrecentlyaseightyearsago。Oh，it’sthemostAmericantownimaginableisMariposa，——onthefourthofJuly。
Butwait，justwait，ifyoufeelanxiousaboutthesolidityoftheBritishconnection，tillthetwelfthofthemonth，wheneverybodyiswearinganorangestreamerinhiscoatandtheOrangemen（everymanintown）walkinthebigprocession。Allegiance！Well，perhapsyouremembertheaddresstheygavetothePrinceofWalesontheplatformoftheMariposastationashewentthroughonhistourtothewest。I
thinkthatprettywellsettledthatquestion。SoyouwilleasilyunderstandthatofcourseeverybodybelongstotheKnightsofPythiasandtheMasonsandOddfellows，justastheyallbelongtotheSnowShoeClubandtheGirls’FriendlySociety。
Andmeanwhilethewhistleofthesteamerhasblownagainforaquartertoseven：——loudandlongthistime，foranyonenotherenowislateforcertain;unlessheshouldhappentocomedowninthelastfifteenminutes。
Whatacrowduponthewharfandhowtheypileontothesteamer！It’sawonderthattheboatcanholdthemall。Butthat’sjustthemarvellousthingabouttheMariposaBelle。
Idon’tknow，——Ihaveneverknown，——wherethesteamersliketheMariposaBellecomefrom。WhethertheyarebuiltbyHarlandandWolffofBelfast，orwhether，ontheotherhand，theyarenotbuiltbyHarlandandWolffofBelfast，ismorethanonewouldliketosayoffhand。
TheMariposaBellealwaysseemstometohavesomeofthosestrangepropertiesthatdistinguishMariposaitself。Imean，hersizeseemstovaryso。Ifyouseeherthereinthewinter，frozenintheicebesidethewharfwithasnowdriftagainstthewindowsofthepilothouse，shelooksapatheticlittlethingthesizeofabutternut。