Iwasgladwhenteno’clockcame，thebedtimeforyoungfolks，andoldfolkstoo，attheNutterHouse。AloneinthehallchamberIhadmycryout，onceforall，moisteningthepillowtosuchanextentthatIwasobligedtoturnitovertofindadryspottogotosleepon。
　　Mygrandfatherwiselyconcludedtoputmetoschoolatonce。IfIhadbeenpermittedtogomooningaboutthehouseandstables，Ishouldhavekeptmydiscontentaliveformonths。Thenextmorning，accordingly，hetookmebythehand，andwesetforthfortheacademy，whichwaslocatedatthefartherendofthetown。
　　TheTempleSchoolwasatwo—storybrickbuilding，standinginthecentreofagreatsquarepieceofland，surroundedbyahighpicketfence。Therewerethreeorfoursicklytrees，butnograss，inthisenclosure，whichhadbeenwornsmoothandhardbythetreadofmultitudinousfeet。Inoticedhereandtheresmallholesscoopedintheground，indicatingthatitwastheseasonformarbles。Abetterplaygroundforbaseballcouldn’thavebeendevised。
　　Onreachingtheschoolhousedoor，theCaptaininquiredforMr。Grimshaw。Theboywhoansweredourknockusheredusintoaside—room，andinafewminutes—duringwhichmyeyetookinforty—twocapshungonforty—twowoodenpegs—Mr。Grimshawmadehisappearance。Hewasaslenderman，withwhite，fragilehands，andeyesthatglancedhalfadozendifferentwaysatonce—ahabitprobablyacquiredfromwatchingtheboys。
　　Afterabriefconsultation，mygrandfatherpattedmeontheheadandleftmeinchargeofthisgentleman，whoseatedhimselfinfrontofmeandproceededtosoundthedepth，or，moreproperlyspeaking，theshallowness，ofmyattainments。Isuspectmyhistoricalinformationratherstartledhim。
　　IrecollectIgavehimtounderstandthatRichardIIIwasthelastkingofEngland。
　　Thisordealover，Mr。Grimshawroseandbademefollowhim。Adooropened，andIstoodintheblazeofforty—twopairsofupturnedeyes。Iwasacoolhandformyage，butIlackedtheboldnesstofacethisbatterywithoutwincing。InasortofdazedwayIstumbledafterMr。Grimshawdownanarrowaislebetweentworowsofdesks，andshylytooktheseatpointedouttome。
　　Thefaintbuzzthathadfloatedovertheschool—roomatourentrancediedaway，andtheinterruptedlessonswereresumed。BydegreesIrecoveredmycoolness，andventuredtolookaroundme。
　　Theownersoftheforty—twocapswereseatedatsmallgreendesksliketheoneassignedtome。Thedeskswerearrangedinsixrows，withspacesbetweenjustwideenoughtopreventtheboys’whispering。Ablackboardsetintothewallextendedclearacrosstheendoftheroom;onaraisedplatformnearthedoorstoodthemaster’stable;anddirectlyinfrontofthiswasarecitation—benchcapableofseatingfifteenortwentypupils。A
　　pairofglobes，tattooedwithdragonsandwingedhorses，occupiedashelfbetweentwowindows，whichweresohighfromthefloorthatnothingbutagiraffecouldhavelookedoutofthem。
　　Havingpossessedmyselfofthesedetails，Iscrutinizedmynewacquaintanceswithunconcealedcuriosity，instinctivelyselectingmyfriendsandpickingoutmyenemies—andinonlytwocasesdidImistakemyman。
　　Asallowboywithbrightredhair，sittinginthefourthrow，shookhisfistatmefurtivelyseveraltimesduringthemorning。IhadapresentimentI
　　shouldhavetroublewiththatboysomeday—apresentimentsubsequentlyrealized。
　　Onmyleftwasachubbylittlefellowwithagreatmanyfreckles（thiswasPepperWhitcomb），whomadesomemysteriousmotionstome。Ididn’tunderstandthem，but，astheywereclearlyofapacificnature，Iwinkedmyeyeathim。Thisappearedtobesatisfactory，forhethenwentonwithhisstudies。Atrecesshegavemethecoreofhisapple，thoughtherewereseveralapplicantsforit。
　　Presentlyaboyinalooseolive—greenjacketwithtworowsofbrassbuttonsheldupafoldedpaperbehindhisslate，intimatingthatitwasintendedforme。Thepaperwaspassedskillfullyfromdesktodeskuntilitreachedmyhands。Onopeningthescrap，Ifoundthatitcontainedasmallpieceofmolassescandyinanextremelyhumidstate。Thiswascertainlykind。I
　　noddedmyacknowledgmentsandhastilyslippedthedelicacyintomymouth。
　　InasecondIfeltmytonguegrowred—hotwithcayennepepper。
　　Myfacemusthaveassumedacomicalexpression，fortheboyintheolive—greenjacketgaveanhystericallaugh，forwhichhewasinstantlypunishedbyMr。Grimshaw。Iswallowedthefierycandy，thoughitbroughtthewatertomyeyes，andmanagedtolooksounconcernedthatIwastheonlypupilintheformwhoescapedquestioningastothecauseofMarden’smisdemeanor。C。Mardenwashisname。
　　Nothingelseoccurredthatmorningtointerrupttheexercises，exceptingthataboyinthereadingclassthrewusallintoconvulsionsbycallingAbsalomA—bol’—som"Abolsom，OmysonAbolsom！"Ilaughedasloudasanyone，butIamnotsosurethatIshouldn’thavepronounceditAbolsommyself。
　　Atrecessseveralofthescholarscametomydeskandshookhandswithme，Mr。GrimshawhavingpreviouslyintroducedmetoPhilAdams，charginghimtoseethatIgotintonotrouble。Mynewacquaintancessuggestedthatweshouldgototheplayground。Wewerenosoonerout—of—doorsthantheboywiththeredhairthrusthiswaythroughthecrowdandplacedhimselfatmyside。
　　’Isay，youngster，ifyou’recomin’tothisschoolyou’vegottotoethemark。"
　　Ididn’tseeanymarktotoe，anddidn’tunderstandwhatbemeant;butI
　　repliedpolitely，that，ifitwasthecustomoftheschool，Ishouldbehappytotoethemark，ifhewouldpointitouttome。
　　"Idon’twantanyofyoursarse，"saidtheboy，scowling。
　　"Lookhere，Conwayl"criedaclearvoicefromtheothersideoftheplayground。"YouletyoungBaileyalone。He’sastrangerhere，andmightbeafraidofyou，andthrashyou。Whydoyoualwaysthrowyourselfinthewayofgettingthrashed？"
　　Iturnedtothespeaker，whobythistimehadreachedthespotwherewestood。Conwayslunkoff，favoringmewithapartingscowlofdefiance。I
　　gavemyhandtotheboywhohadbefriendedme—hisnamewasJackHarris—andthankedhimforhisgood—will。
　　"Itellyouwhatitis，Bailey，"hesaid，returningmypressuregood—naturedly，"you’llhavetofightConwaybeforethequarterends，oryou’llhavenorest。Thatfellowisalwayshankeringafteralicking，andofcourseyou’llgivehimonebyandby;butwhat’stheuseofhurryingupanunpleasantjob？Let’shavesomebaseball。Bytheway，Bailey，youwereagoodkidnottoletontoGrimshawaboutthecandy。CharleyMardenwouldhavecaughtittwiceasheavy。He’ssorryheplayedthejokeonyou，andtoldmetotellyouso。Hallo，Blake！Wherearethebats？"
　　Thiswasaddressedtoahandsome，frank—lookingladofaboutmyownage，whowasengagedjustthenincuttinghisinitialsonthebarkofatreeneartheschoolhouse。Blakeshutuphispenknifeandwentofftogetthebats。
　　DuringthegamewhichensuedImadetheacquaintanceofCharleyMarden，BinnyWallace，PepperWhitcomb，HarryBlake，andFredLangdon。Theseboys，noneofthemmorethanayearortwoolderthanI（BinnyWallacewasyounger），wereeveraftermychosencomrades。PhilAdamsandJackHarriswereconsiderablyourseniors，and，thoughtheyalwaystreatedus"kids"
　　verykindly，theygenerallywentwithanotherset。Ofcourse，beforelongI
　　knewalltheTempleboysmoreorlessintimately，butthefiveIhavenamedweremyconstantcompanions。
　　MyfirstdayattheTempleGrammarSchoolwasonthewholesatisfactory。I
　　hadmadeseveralwarmfriendsandonlytwopermanentenemies—Conwayandhisecho，SethRodgers;forthesetwoalwayswenttogetherlikeaderangedstomachandaheadache。
　　BeforetheendoftheweekIhadmystudieswellinhand。Iwasalittleashamedatfindingmyselfatthefootofthevariousclasses，andsecretlydeterminedtodeservepromotion。Theschoolwasanadmirableone。ImightmakethispartofmystorymoreentertainingbypicturingMr。Grimshawasatyrantwitharednoseandalargestick;butunfortunatelyforthepurposesofsensationalnarrative，Mr。Grimshawwasaquiet，kindheartedgentleman。Thougharigiddisciplinarian，hehadakeensenseofjustice，wasagoodreaderofcharacter，andtheboysrespectedhim。Thereweretwootherteachers—aFrenchtutorandawriting—master，whovisitedtheschooltwiceaweek。OnWednesdaysandSaturdaysweweredismissedatnoon，andthesehalf—holidayswerethebrightestepochsofmyexistence。
　　DailycontactwithboyswhohadnotbeenbroughtupasgentlyasIworkedanimmediate，and，insomerespects，abeneficialchangeinmycharacter。I
　　hadthenonsensetakenoutofme，asthesayingis—someofthenonsense，atleast。Ibecamemoremanlyandself—reliant。Idiscoveredthattheworldwasnotcreatedexclusivelyonmyaccount。InNewOrleansIlaboredunderthedelusionthatitwas。Havingneitherbrothernorsistertogiveuptoathome，andbeing，moreover，thelargestpupilatschoolthere，mywillhadseldombeenopposed。AtRivermouthmattersweredifferent，andIwasnotlonginadaptingmyselftothealteredcircumstances。OfcourseIgotmanysevererubs，oftenunconsciouslygiven;butIbadthesensetoseethatIwasallthebetterforthem。
　　Mysocialrelationswithmynewschoolfellowswerethepleasantestpossible。
　　Therewasalwayssomeexcitingexcursiononfoot—aramblethroughthepinewoods，avisittotheDevil’sPulpit，ahighcliffintheneighborhood—orasurreptitiouslowontheriver，involvinganexplorationofagroupofdiminutiveislands，upononeofwhichwepitchedatentandplayedweweretheSpanishsailorswhogotwreckedthereyearsago。Buttheendlesspineforestthatskirtedthetownwasourfavoritehaunt。Therewasagreatgreenpondhiddensomewhereinitsdepths，inhabitedbyamonstrouscolonyofturtles。HarryBlake，whohadaneccentricpassionforcarvinghisnameoneverything，neverletacapturedturtleslipthroughhisfingerswithoutleavinghismarkengravedonitsshell。Hemusthaveletteredabouttwothousandfromfirsttolast。WeusedtocallthemHarryBlake’ssheep。
　　Theseturtleswereofadiscontentedandmigratoryturnofmind，andwefrequentlyencounteredtwoorthreeofthemonthecross—roadsseveralmilesfromtheirancestralmud。UnspeakablewasourdelightwheneverwediscoveredonesoberlywalkingoffwithHarryBlake’sinitials！I’venodoubtthereare，atthismoment，fatancientturtleswanderingaboutthatgummywoodlandwithH。B。neatlycutontheirvenerablebacks。
　　Itsoonbecameacustomamongmyplaymatestomakeourbarntheirrendezvous。Gypsyprovedastrongattraction。CaptainNutterboughtmealittletwo—wheeledcart，whichshedrewquitenicely，afterkickingoutthedasherandbreakingtheshaftsonceortwice。Withourlunch—basketsandfishing—tacklestowedawayundertheseat，weusedtostartoffearlyintheafternoonforthesea—shore，wheretherewerecountlessmarvelsintheshapeofshells，mosses，andkelp。Gypsyenjoyedthesportaskeenlyasanyofus，evengoingsofar，oneday，astotrotdownthebeachintotheseawherewewerebathing。Asshetookthecartwithher，ourprovisionswerenotmuchimproved。Ishallneverforgethowsquash—pietastesafterbeingsousedintheAtlanticOcean。Soda—crackersdippedinsaltwaterarepalatable，butnotsquash—pie。
　　TherewasagooddealofwetweatherduringthosefirstsixweeksatRivermouth，andwesetourselvesatworktofindsomeindooramusementforourhalf—holidays。ItwasallverywellforAmadisdeGaulandDonQuixotenottomindtherain;theyhadironovercoats，andwerenot，fromallwecanlearn，subjecttocroupandtheguidanceoftheirgrandfathers。Ourcasewasdifferent。
　　"Now，boys，whatshallwedo？"Iasked，addressingathoughtfulconclaveofseven，assembledinourbarnonedismalrainyafternoon。
　　"Let’shaveatheatre，"suggestedBinnyWallace。
　　Theverything！Butwhere？TheloftofthestablewasreadytoburstwithhayprovidedforGypsy，butthelongroomoverthecarriage—housewasunoccupied。Theplaceofallplaces！Mymanagerialeyesawataglanceitscapabilitiesforatheatre。IhadbeentotheplayagreatmanytimesinNewOrleans，andwaswiseinmatterspertainingtothedrama。Sohere，induetime，wassetupsomeextraordinarysceneryofmyownpainting。Thecurtain，Irecollect，thoughitworkedsmoothlyenoughonotheroccasions，invariablyhitchedduringtheperformances;anditoftenrequiredtheunitedenergiesofthePrinceofDenmark，theKing，andtheGrave—digger，withanoccasionalbandfrom"thefairOphelia"（PepperWhitcombinalow—neckeddress），tohoistthatbitofgreencambric。
　　Thetheatre，however，wasasuccess，asfarasitwent。Iretiredfromthebusinesswithnofewerthanfifteenhundredpins，afterdeductingtheheadless，thepointless，andthecrookedpinswithwhichourdoorkeeperfrequentlygot"stuck。"Fromfirsttolastwetookinagreatdealofthiscounterfeitmoney。Thepriceofadmissiontothe"RivermouthTheatre"wastwentypins。Iplayedalltheprincipalpartsmyself—notthatIwasafineractorthantheotherboys，butbecauseIownedtheestablishment。
　　Atthetenthrepresentation，mydramaticcareerwasbroughttoaclosebyanunfortunatecircumstance。Wewereplayingthedramaof"WilliamTell，theHeroofSwitzerland。"OfcourseIwasWilliamTell，inspiteofFredLangdon，whowantedtoactthatcharacterhimself。Iwouldn’tlethim，sohewithdrewfromthecompany，takingtheonlybowandarrowwehad。Imadeacross—bowoutofapieceofwhalebone，anddidverywellwithouthim。WehadreachedthatexcitingscenewhereGessler，theAustriantyrant，commandsTelltoshoottheapplefromhisson’shead。PepperWhitcomb，whoplayedallthejuvenileandwomenparts，wasmyson。Toguardagainstmischance，apieceofpasteboardwasfastenedbyahandkerchiefovertheupperportionofWhitcomb’sface，while。thearrowtobeusedwassewedupinastripofflannel。Iwasacapitalmarksman，andthebigapple，onlytwoyardsdistant，turneditsrussetcheekfairlytowardsme。
　　IcanseepoorlittlePeppernow，ashestoodwithoutflinching，waitingformetoperformmygreatfeat。Iraisedthecrossbowamidthebreathlesssilenceofthecrowdedaudienceconsistingofsevenboysandthreegirls，exclusiveofKittyCollins，whoinsistedonpayingherwayinwithaclothes—pin。Iraisedthecross—bow，Irepeat。Twang！wentthewhipcord;
　　but，alas！insteadofhittingtheapple，thearrowflewrightintoPepperWhitcomb’smouth，whichhappenedtobeopenatthetime，anddestroyedmyaim。
　　Ishallneverbeabletobanishthatawfulmomentfrommymemory。Pepper’sroar，expressiveofastonishment，indignation，andpain，isstillringinginmycars。Ilookeduponhimasacorpse，and，glancingnotfarintothedrearyfuture，picturedmyselfledforthtoexecutioninthepresenceoftheverysamespectatorsthenassembled。
　　LuckilypoorPepperwasnotseriouslyhurt;butGrandfatherNutter，appearinginthemidstoftheconfusion（attractedbythehowlsofyoungTell），issuedaninjunctionagainstalltheatricalsthereafter，andtheplacewasclosed;not，however，withoutafarewellspeechfromme，inwhichIsaidthatthiswouldhavebeentheproudestmomentofmylifeifIhadn’thitPepperWhitcombinthemouth。Whereupontheaudience（assisted，Iamgladtostate，byPepper）cried"Hear！Hear！"IthenattributedtheaccidenttoPepperhimself，whosemouth，beingopenattheinstantIfired，acteduponthearrowmuchafterthefashionofawhirlpool，anddrewinthefatalshaft。Iwasabouttoexplainbowacomparativelysmallmaelstromcouldsuckinthelargestship，whenthecurtainfellofitsownaccord，amidtheshoutsoftheaudience。
　　Thiswasmylastappearanceonanystage。Itwassometime，though，beforeI
　　heardtheendoftheWilliamTellbusiness。Maliciouslittleboyswhohadnotbeenallowedtobuyticketstomytheatreusedtocryoutaftermeinthestreet，"’WhokilledCockRobin？’
　　’I，’saidthesparrer，’Withmybowandarrer，IkilledCockRobini"’
　　ThesarcasmofthisversewasmorethanIcouldstand。AnditmadePepperWhitcombprettymadtobecalledCockRobin，Icantellyou！
　　Sothedaysglidedon，withfewercloudsandmoresunshinethanfalltothelotofmostboys。Conwaywascertainlyacloud。Withinschool—boundsheseldomventuredtobeaggressive;butwheneverwemetabouttownheneverfailedtobrushagainstme，orpullmycapovermyeyes，ordrivemedistractedbyinquiringaftermyfamilyinNewOrleans，alwaysalludingtothemashighlyrespectablecoloredpeople。
　　JackHarriswasrightwhenhesaidConwaywouldgivemenorestuntilI
　　foughthim。Ifeltitwasordainedagesbeforeourbirththatweshouldmeetonthisplanetandfight。Withtheviewofnotrunningcountertodestiny，Iquietlypreparedmyselffortheimpendingconflict。Thesceneofmydramatictriumphswasturnedintoagymnasiumforthispurpose，thoughI
　　didnotopenlyavowthefacttotheboys。Bypersistentlystandingonmyhead，raisingheavyweights，andgoinghandoverhandupaladder，I
　　developedmymuscleuntilmylittlebodywasastoughasahickoryknotandassuppleastripe。Ialsotookoccasionallessonsinthenobleartofself—defence，underthetuitionofPhilAdams。
　　IbroodedoverthematteruntiltheideaoffightingConwaybecameapartofme。Ifoughthiminimaginationduringschool—hours;Idreamedoffightingwithhimatnight，whenhewouldsuddenlyexpandintoagianttwelvefeethigh，andthenassuddenlyshrinkintoapygmysosmallthatIcouldn’thithim。Inthislattershapehewouldgetintomyhair，orpopintomywaistcoat—pocket，treatingmewithaslittleceremonyastheLiliputiansshowedCaptainLemuelGulliver—allofwhichwasnotpleasant，tobesure。
　　Onthewhole，Conwaywasacloud。
　　AndthenIhadacloudathome。ItwasnotGrandfatherNutter，norMissAbigail，norKittyCollins，thoughtheyallhelpedtocomposeit。Itwasavague，funereal，impalpablesomethingwhichnoamountofgymnastictrainingwouldenablemetoknockover。ItwasSunday。IfeverIhaveaboytobringupinthewayheshouldgo，IintendtomakeSundayacheerfuldaytohim。
　　SundaywasnotacheerfuldayattheNutterHouse。Youshalljudgeforyourself。
　　ItisSundaymorning。IshouldpremisebysayingthatthedeepgloomwhichhassettledovereverythingsetinlikeaheavyfogearlyonSaturdayevening。
　　Atseveno’clockmygrandfathercomessmilelesslydownstairs。Heisdressedinblack，andlooksasifbehadlostallhisfriendsduringthenight。
　　MissAbigail，alsoinblack，looksasifshewerepreparedtoburythem，andnotindisposedtoenjoytheceremony。EvenKittyCollinshascaughtthecontagiousgloom，asIperceivewhenshebringsinthecoffee—um—asolemnandsculpturesqueurnatanytime，butmonumentalnow—andsetsitdowninfrontofMissAbigail。MissAbigailgazesattheurnasifitheldtheashesofherancestors，insteadofagenerousquantityoffineoldJavacoffee。Themealprogressesinsilence。
　　Ourparlorisbynomeansthrownopeneveryday。ItisopenthisJunemorning，andispervadedbyastrongsmellofcentretable。Thefurnitureoftheroom，andthelittleChinaornamentsonthemantel—piece，haveaconstrained，unfamiliarlook。Mygrandfathersitsinamahoganychair，readingalargeBiblecoveredwithgreenbaize。MissAbigailoccupiesoneendofthesofa，andhasherhandscrossedstifflyinherlap。Isitinthecomer，crushed。RobinsonCrusoeandGilBlasareincloseconfinement。
　　BaronTrenck，whomanagedtoescapefromthefortressofClatz，can’tforthelifeofhimgetoutofoursittingroomcloset。EventheRivermouthBarnacleissuppresseduntilMonday。Genialconverse，harmlessbooks，smiles，lightsomehearts，allarebanished。IfIwanttoreadanything，I
　　canreadBaxter’sSaints’Rest。Iwoulddiefirst。SoIsittherekickingmyheels，thinkingaboutNewOrleans，andwatchingamorbidblue—bottleflythatattemptstocommitsuicidebybuttinghisheadagainstthewindow—pane。Listen！—no，yes—itis—itistherobinssinginginthegarden—thegrateful，joyousrobinssingingawaylikemad，justasifitwasn’tSunday。Theiraudacityticklesme。
　　Mygrandfatherlooksup，andinquiresinasepulchralvoiceifIamreadyforSabbathschool。Itistimetogo。IliketheSabbathschool;therearebrightyoungfacesthere，atallevents。WhenIgetoutintothesunshinealone，Idrawalongbreath;IwouldturnasomersaultupagainstNeighborPenhallow’snewlypaintedfenceifIhadn’tmybesttrouserson，sogladamItoescapefromtheoppressiveatmosphereoftheNutterHouse。
　　Sabbathschoolover，Igotomeeting，joiningmygrandfather，whodoesn’tappeartobeanyrelationtomethisday，andMissAbigail，intheporch。
　　Ourministerholdsoutverylittlehopetoanyofusofbeingsaved。
　　ConvincedthatIamalostcreature，incommonwiththehumanfamily，I
　　returnhomebehindmyguardiansatasnail’space。Wehaveadeadcolddinner。Isawitlaidoutyesterday。
　　Thereisalongintervalbetweenthisrepastandthesecondservice，andastilllongerintervalbetweenthebeginningandtheendofthatservice;
　　fortheRev。WibirdHawkins’ssermonsarenoneoftheshortest，whateverelsetheymaybe。
　　Aftermeeting，mygrandfatherandItakeawalk。Wevisitappropriatelyenough—aneighboringgraveyard。Iambythistimeinaconditionofmindtobecomeawillinginmateoftheplace。Theusualeveningprayer—meetingispostponedforsomereason。AthalfpasteightIgotobed。
　　ThisisthewaySundaywasobservedintheNutterHouse，andprettygenerallythroughoutthetown，twentyyearsago。1PeoplewhowereprosperousandnaturalandhappyonSaturdaybecamethemostruefulofhumanbeingsinthebriefspaceoftwelvehours。Idon’tthinktherewasanyhypocrisyinthis。ItwasmerelytheoldPuritanausteritycroppingoutonceaweek。ManyofthesepeoplewerepureChristianseverydayintheseven—exceptingtheseventh。Thentheyweredecorousandsolemntothevergeofmoroseness。Ishouldnotliketobemisunderstoodonthispoint。
　　Sundayisablessedday，andthereforeitshouldnotbemadeagloomyone。
　　ItistheLord’sday，andIdobelievethatcheerfulheartsandfacesarenotunpleasantinHissight。
　　"Odayofrest！Howbeautiful，howfair，Howwelcometothewearyandtheold！
　　DayoftheLord！andtrucetoearthlycares！
　　DayoftheLord，asallourdaysshouldbe！
　　Ah，whywillmanbyhisausteritiesShutouttheblessedsunshineandthelight，Andmakeoftheeadungeonofdespair！"
　　1About1850。
　　ChapterSevenOneMemorableNightTwomonthshadelapsedsincemyarrivalatRivermouth，whentheapproachofanimportantcelebrationproducedthegreatestexcitementamongthejuvenilepopulationofthetown。
　　TherewasverylittlehardstudydoneintheTempleGrammarSchooltheweekprecedingtheFourthofJuly。Formypart，myheartandbrainweresofulloffire—crackers，Romancandles，rockets，pin—wheels，squibs，andgunpowderinvariousseductiveforms，thatIwonderIdidn’texplodeunderMr。
　　Grimshaw’sverynose。Icouldn’tdoasumtosaveme;Icouldn’ttell，forloveormoney，whetherTallahasseewasthecapitalofTennesseeorofFlorida;thepresentandthepluperfecttenseswereinextricablymixedinmymemory，andIdidn’tknowaverbfromanadjectivewhenImetone。Thiswasnotalonemycondition，butthatofeveryboyintheschool。
　　Mr。Grimshawconsideratelymadeallowancesforourtemporarydistraction，andsoughttofixourinterestonthelessonsbyconnectingthemdirectlyorindirectlywiththecomingEvent。Theclassinarithmetic，forinstance，wasrequestedtostatehowmanyboxesoffire—crackers，eachboxmeasuringsixteeninchessquare，couldbestoredinaroomofsuchandsuchdimensions。HegaveustheDeclarationofIndependenceforaparsingexercise，andingeographyconfinedhisquestionsalmostexclusivelytolocalitiesrenderedfamousintheRevolutionaryWar。
　　"WhatdidthepeopleofBostondowiththeteaonboardtheEnglishvessels？"askedourwilyinstructor。
　　"Threwitintotheriver！"shriekedthesmallerboys，withanimpetuositythatmadeMr。Grimshawsmileinspiteofhimself。Onelucklessurchinsaid，"Chuckedit，"forwhichhappyexpressionhewaskeptinatrecess。
　　Notwithstandingthesecleverstratagems，therewasnotmuchsolidworkdonebyanybody。Thetrailoftheserpent（aninexpensivebutdangerousfire—toy）wasoverusall。WewentrounddeformedbyquantitiesofChinesecrackersartlesslyconcealedinourtrousers—pockets;andifaboywhippedouthishandkerchiefwithoutproperprecaution，hewassuretoletofftwoorthreetorpedoes。
　　EvenMr。Grimshawwasmadeasortofaccessorytotheuniversaldemoralization。Incallingtheschooltoorder，healwaysrappedonthetablewithaheavyruler。Underthegreenbaizetable—cloth，ontheexactspotwhereheusuallystruck，certainboy，whosenameIwithhold，placedafattorpedo。Theresultwasaloudexplosion，whichcausedMr。Grimshawtolookqueer。CharleyMardenwasatthewater—pail，atthetime，anddirectedgeneralattentiontohimselfbystranglingforseveralsecondsandthensquirtingaslenderthreadofwaterovertheblackboard。
　　Mr。GrimshawfixedhiseyesreproachfullyonCharley，butsaidnothing。Therealculprit（itwasn’tCharleyMarden，buttheboywhosenameIwithhold）
　　instantlyregrettedhisbadness，andafterschoolconfessedthewholethingtoMr。Grimshaw，whoheapedcoalsoffireuponthenamelessboy’sheadgivinghimfivecentsfortheFourthofJuly。IfMr。Grimshawhadcanedthisunknownyouth，thepunishmentwouldnothavebeenhalfsosevere。
　　OnthelastdayofJunetheCaptainreceivedaletterfrommyfather，enclosingfivedollars"formysonTom，"whichenabledthatyounggentlemantomakeregalpreparationsforthecelebrationofournationalindependence。Aportionofthismoney，twodollars，Ihastenedtoinvestinfireworks;thebalanceIputbyforcontingencies。Inplacingthefundinmypossession，theCaptainimposedoneconditionthatdampenedmyardorconsiderably—Iwastobuynogunpowder。Imighthaveallthesnapping—crackersandtorpedoesIwanted;butgunpowderwasoutofthequestion。
　　Ithoughtthisratherhard，forallmyyoungfriendswereprovidedwithpistolsofvarioussizes。PepperWhitcombhadahorse—pistolnearlyaslargeashimself，andJackHarris，thoughhe，tobesure，wasabigboy，wasgoingtohavearealoldfashionedflintlockmusket。However，Ididn’tmeantoletthisdrawbackdestroymyhappiness。IhadonechargeofpowderstowedawayinthelittlebrasspistolwhichIbroughtfromNewOrleans，andwasboundtomakeanoiseintheworldonce，ifIneverdidagain。
　　Itwasacustomobservedfromtimeimmemorialforthetowns—boystohaveabonfireontheSquareonthemidnightbeforetheFourth。Ididn’tasktheCaptain’sleavetoattendthisceremony，forIhadageneralideathathewouldn’tgiveit。IftheCaptain，Ireasoned，doesn’tforbidme，Ibreaknoordersbygoing。Nowthiswasaspeciouslineofargument，andthemishapsthatbefellmeinconsequenceofadoptingitwererichlydeserved。
　　Ontheeveningofthe3dIretiredtobedveryearly，inordertodisarmsuspicion。Ididn’tsleepawink，waitingforeleveno’clocktocomeround;
　　andIthoughtitneverwouldcomeround，asIlaycountingfromtimetotimetheslowstrokesoftheponderousbellinthesteepleoftheOldNorthChurch。Atlengththelaggardhourarrived。WhiletheclockwasstrikingI
　　jumpedoutofbedandbegandressing。
　　MygrandfatherandMissAbigailwereheavysleepers，andImighthavestolendownstairsandoutatthefrontdoorundetected;butsuchacommonplaceproceedingdidnotsuitmyadventurousdisposition。Ifastenedoneendofarope（itwasafewyardscutfromKittyCollins’sclothes—line）tothebedpostnearestthewindow，andcautiouslyclimbedoutonthewidepedimentoverthehalldoor。Ihadneglectedtoknottherope;theresultwas，that，themomentIswungclearofthepediment，Idescendedlikeaflashoflightning，andwarmedbothmyhandssmartly。Therope，moreover，wasfourorfivefeettooshort;soIgotafallthatwouldhaveprovedserioushadInottumbledintothemiddleofoneofthebigrose—bushesgrowingoneithersideofthesteps。
　　Iscrambledoutofthatwithoutdelay，andwascongratulatingmyselfonmygoodluck，whenIsawbythelightofthesettingmoontheformofamanleaningoverthegardengate。Itwasoneofthetownwatch，whohadprobablybeenobservingmyoperationswithcuriosity。Seeingnochanceofescape，Iputaboldfaceonthematterandwalkeddirectlyuptohim。
　　’Whatonairthairyouadoin’？"askedtheman，graspingthecollarofmyjacket。
　　"Ilivehere，sir，ifyouplease，"Ireplied，"andamgoingtothebonfire。
　　Ididn’twanttowakeuptheoldfolks，that’sall。"
　　Themancockedhiseyeatmeinthemostamiablemanner，andreleasedhishold。
　　"Boysisboys，"hemuttered。Hedidn’tattempttostopmeasIslippedthroughthegate。
　　Oncebeyondhisclutches，ItooktomyheelsandsoonreachedtheSquare，whereIfoundfortyorfiftyfellowsassembled，engagedinbuildingapyramidoftar—barrels。ThepalmsofmyhandsstilltingledsothatI
　　couldn’tjoininthesport。IstoodinthedoorwayoftheNautilusBank，watchingtheworkers，amongwhomIrecognizedlotsofmyschoolmates。Theylookedlikealegionofimps，comingandgoinginthetwilight，busyinraisingsomeinfernaledifice。WhataBabelofvoicesitwas，everybodydirectingeverybodyelse，andeverybodydoingeverythingwrong！
　　Whenallwasprepared，someoneappliedamatchtothesombrepile。Afierytonguethrustitselfouthereandthere，thensuddenlythewholefabricburstintoflames，blazingandcracklingbeautifully。Thiswasasignalfortheboystojoinhandsanddancearoundtheburningbarrels，whichtheydidshoutinglikemadcreatures。Whenthefirehadburntdownalittle，freshstaveswerebroughtandheapedonthepyre。IntheexcitementofthemomentIforgotmytinglingpalms，andfoundmyselfinthethickofthecarousal。
　　Beforewewerehalfready，ourcombustiblematerialwasexpended，andadishearteningkindofdarknesssettleddownuponus。Theboyscollectedtogetherhereandthereinknots，consultingastowhatshouldbedone。Ityetlackedfourorfivehoursofdaybreak，andnoneofuswereinthehumortoreturntobed。Iapproachedoneofthegroupsstandingnearthetownpump，anddiscoveredintheuncertainlightofthedyingbrandsthefiguresofJackHarris，PhilAdams，HarryBlake，andPepperWhitcomb，theirfacesstreakedwithperspirationandtar，and，theirwholeappearancesuggestiveofNewZealandchiefs。
　　"Hullo！Here’sTomBailey！"shoutedPepperWhitcomb。"He’lljoinin！"
　　Ofcoursehewould。Thestinghadgoneoutofmyhands，andIwasripeforanything—nonethelessripefornotknowingwhatwasonthetapis。Afterwhisperingtogetherforamomenttheboysmotionedmetofollowthem。
　　Weglidedoutfromthecrowdandsilentlywendedourwaythroughaneighboringalley，attheheadofwhichstoodatumble—downoldbarn，ownedbyoneEzraWingate。Informerdaysthiswasthestableofthemail—coachthatranbetweenRivermouthandBoston。Whentherailroadsupersededthatprimitivemodeoftravel，thelumberingvehiclewasrolledinthebarn，andthereitstayed。Thestage—driver，afterprophesyingtheimmediatedownfallofthenation，diedofgriefandapoplexy，andtheoldcoachfollowedinhiswakeasfastascouldbyquietlydroppingtopieces。Thebarnhadthereputationofbeinghaunted，andIthinkweallkeptveryclosetogetherwhenwefoundourselvesstandingintheblackshadowcastbythetallgable。Here，inalowvoice，JackHarrislaidbarehisplan，whichwastoburntheancientstage—coach。
　　"Theoldtrundle—cartisn’tworthtwenty—fivecents，"saidJackHarris，"andEzraWingateoughttothankusforgettingtherubbishoutoftheway。Butifanyfellowheredoesn’twanttohaveahandinit，lethimcutandrun，andkeepaquiettongueinhisheadeverafter。"
　　Withthishepulledoutthestaplesthatheldthelock，andthebigbarndoorswungslowlyopen。Theinteriorofthestablewaspitch—dark，ofcourse。Aswemadeamovementtoenter，asuddenscrambling，andthesoundofheavybodiesleapinginalldirections，causedustostartbackinterror。
　　"Rats！"criedPhilAdams。
　　"Bats！"exclaimedHarryBlake。
　　’Cats！"suggestedJackHarris。"Who’safraid？"
　　Well，thetruthis，wewereallafraid;andifthepoleofthestagehadnotbeenlyingclosetothethreshold，Idon’tbelieveanythingonearthwouldhaveinducedustocrossit。Weseizedholdofthepole—strapsandsucceededwithgreattroubleindraggingthecoachout。Thetwoforewheelshadrustedtotheaxle—tree，andrefusedtorevolve。Itwasthemerestskeletonofacoach。Thecushionshadlongsincebeenremoved，andtheleatherhangings，wheretheyhadnotcrumbledaway，dangledinshredsfromtheworm—eatenframe。Aloadofghostsandaspanofphantomhorsestodragthemwouldhavemadetheghastlythingcomplete。
　　Luckilyforourundertaking，thestablestoodatthetopofaverysteephill。Withthreeboystopushbehind，andtwoinfronttosteer，westartedtheoldcoachonitslasttripwith。littleornodifficulty。Ourspeedincreasedeverymoment，and，theforewheelsbecomingunlockedaswearrivedatthefootofthedeclivity，wechargeduponthecrowdlikearegimentofcavalry，scatteringthepeoplerightandleft。Beforereachingthebonfire，towhichsomeonehadaddedseveralbushelsofshavings，JackHarrisandPhilAdams，whoweresteering，droppedontheground，andallowedthevehicletopassoverthem，whichitdidwithoutinjuringthem;
　　buttheboyswhowereclingingfordearlifetothetrunk—rackbehindfellovertheprostratesteersman，andtherewealllayinaheap，twoorthreeofusquitepicturesquewiththenose—bleed。
　　Thecoach，withanintuitiveperceptionofwhatwasexpectedofit，plungedintothecentreofthekindlingshavings，andstopped。Theflamessprungupandclungtotherottenwoodwork，whichburnedliketinder。Atthismomentafigurewasseenleapingwildlyfromtheinsideoftheblazingcoach。Thefiguremadethreeboundstowardsus，andtrippedoverHarryBlake。ItwasPepperWhitcomb，withhishairsomewhatsinged，andhiseyebrowscompletelyscorchedoff！
　　Pepperhadslylyensconcedhimselfonthebackseatbeforewestarted，intendingtohaveaneatlittleridedownhill，andalaughatusafterwards。Butthelaugh，asithappened，wasonourside，orwouldhavebeen，ifhalfadozenwatchmenhadnotsuddenlypounceddownuponus，aswelayscramblingontheground，weakwithmirthoverPepper’smisfortune。Wewerecollaredandmarchedoffbeforewewellknewwhathadhappened。
　　TheabrupttransitionfromthenoiseandlightoftheSquaretothesilent，gloomybrickroomintherearoftheMeatMarketseemedliketheworkofenchantment。Westaredateachother，aghast。
　　"Well，"remarkedJackHarris，withasicklysmile，"thisisago！"
　　"Nogo，Ishouldsay，"whimperedHarryBlake，glancingatthebarebrickwallsandtheheavyironplateddoor。
　　"Neversaydie，"mutteredPhilAdams，dolefully。
　　Thebridewellwasasmalllow—studdedchamberbuiltupagainsttherearendoftheMeatMarket，andapproachedfromtheSquarebyanarrowpassage—way。
　　Aportionoftheroomspartitionedoffintoeightcells，numbered，eachcapableofholdingtwopersons。Thecellswerefullatthetime，aswepresentlydiscoveredbyseeingseveralhideousfacesleeringoutatusthroughthegratingsofthedoors。
　　Asmokyoil—lampinalanternsuspendedfromtheceilingthrewaflickeringlightovertheapartment，whichcontainednofurnitureexceptingacoupleofstoutwoodenbenches。Itwasadismalplacebynight，andonlylittlelessdismalbyday，tallhousessurrounding"thelock—up"preventedthefaintestrayofsunshinefrompenetratingtheventilatoroverthedoor—longnarrowwindowopeninginwardandproppedupbyapieceoflath。
　　Asweseatedourselvesinarowononeofthebenches，Iimaginethatouraspectwasanythingbutcheerful。AdamsandHarrislookedveryanxious，andHarryBlake，whosenosehadjuststoppedbleeding，wasmournfullycarvinghisname，bysheerforceofhabit，ontheprisonbench。Idon’tthinkI
　　eversawamore"wrecked"expressiononanyhumancountenancethanPepperWhitcomb’spresented。Hislookofnaturalastonishmentatfindinghimselfincarceratedinajailwasconsiderablyheightenedbyhislackofeyebrows。
　　Asforme，itwasonlybythinkinghowthelateBaronTrenckwouldhaveconductedhimselfundersimilarcircumstancesthatIwasabletorestrainmytears。
　　Noneofuswereinclinedtoconversation。Adeepsilence，brokennowandthenbyastartlingsnorefromthecells，reignedthroughoutthechamber。
　　ByandbyPepperWhitcombglancednervouslytowardsPhilAdamsandsaid，"Phil，doyouthinktheywill—hangus？"
　　"Hangyourgrandmother！"returnedAdams，impatiently。"WhatI’mafraidofisthatthey’llkeepuslockedupuntiltheFourthisover。"
　　"Youain’tsmarteftheydo！"criedavoicefromoneofthecells。Itwasadeepbassvoicethatsentachillthroughme。
　　"Whoareyou？"saidJackHarris，addressingthecellsingeneral;fortheechoingqualitiesoftheroommadeitdifficulttolocatethevoice。
　　"Thatdon’tmatter，"repliedthespeaker，puttinghisfacecloseuptothegratingsofNo。3，"butefIwasayoungsterlikeyou，freean’easyoutsidethere，thisspotwouldn’tholdmelong。"
　　"That’ssoI"chimedseveraloftheprison—birds，waggingtheirheadsbehindtheironlattices。
　　"Hush！"whisperedJackHarris，risingfromhisseatandwalkingontip—toetothedoorofcellNo。3。"Whatwouldyoudo？"
　　"Do？Why，I’dpilethem’erebenchesupaginthat’eredoor，an’crawloutofthat’ercwinderinnotime。That’smyadwice。"
　　"Andwerrygoodadwiceitis，Jim，"saidtheoccupantofNo。5，approvingly。
　　JackHarrisseemedtobeofthesameopinion，forhehastilyplacedthebenchesoneonthetopofanotherundertheventilator，and，climbinguponthehighestbench，peepedoutintothepassage—way。
　　"Ifanygenthappenstohaveaninepenceabouthim，"saidthemanincellNo。3，"there’sasufferin’familyhereascouldmakeuseofit。Smallestfavorsgratefullyreceived，an’noquestionsaxed。"
　　Thisappealtouchedanewsilverquarterofadollarinmytrousers—pocket;
　　Ifishedoutthecoinfromamassoffireworks，andgaveittotheprisoner。Heappearedtobesogood—naturedafellowthatIventuredtoaskwhathehaddonetogetintojail。
　　"Intirelyinnocent。IwasclappedinherebyarascallynevewaswishestoenjoymywealthaforeI’mdead。’
　　"Yourname，Sir？’Iinquired，withaviewofreportingtheoutragetomygrandfatherandhavingtheinjuredpersonreinstatedinsociety。
　　"Gitout，youinsolentyoungreptyle！"shoutedtheman，inapassion。
　　Iretreatedprecipitately，amidaroaroflaughterfromtheothercells。
　　’Can’tyoukeepstill？"exclaimedHarris，withdrawinghisheadfromthewindow。
　　Aportlywatchmanusuallysatonastooloutsidethedoordayandnight;butonthisparticularoccasion，hisservicesbeingrequiredelsewhere，thebridewellhadbeenlefttoguarditself。
　　"Allclear，"whisperedJackHarris，ashevanishedthroughtheapertureanddroppedsoftlyonthegroundoutside。Weallfollowedhimexpeditiously—PepperWhitcombandmyselfgettingstuckinthewindowforamomentinourfranticeffortsnottobelast。
　　"Now，boys，everybodyforhimself！"
　　ChapterEightTheAdventuresofaFourthThesuncastabroadcolumnofquiveringgoldacrosstheriveratthefootofourstreet，justasIreachedthedoorstepoftheNutterHouse。KittyCollins，withherdresstuckedabouthersothatshelookedasifshehadonapairofcalicotrousers，waswashingoffthesidewalk。
　　"Arrahyoubadboy！"criedKitty，leaningonthemop。handle。"TheCapenhasjistbeenaskin’foryou。He’sgoneuptown，now。It’sanatethingyoudonewithmyclothes—line，and，it’smeyoumaythankforgettin’itoutofthewaybeforetheCapencomedown。"
　　Thekindcreaturehadhauledintherope，andmyescapadehadnotbeendiscoveredbythefamily;butIknewverywellthattheburningofthestage—coach，andthearrestoftheboysconcernedinthemischief，weresuretoreachmygrandfathersearssoonerorlater。
　　"Well，Thomas，"saidtheoldgentleman，anhourorsoafterwards，beaminguponmebenevolentlyacrossthebreakfasttable，"youdidn’twaittobecalledthismorning。"
　　’No，sir，"Ireplied，growingverywarm，"Itookalittlerunuptowntoseewhatwasgoingon。"
　　Ididn’tsayanythingaboutthelittlerunItookhomeagain！"TheyhadquiteatimeontheSquarelastnight，"remarkedCaptainNutter，lookingupfromtheRivermouthBamacle，whichwasalwaysplacedbesidehiscoffee—cupatbreakfast。
　　Ifeltthatmyhairwaspreparingtostandonend。
　　"Quiteatime，"continuedmygrandfather。"SomeboysbrokeintoEzraWingate’sbarnandcarriedofftheoldstagecoach。Theyoungrascals！Idobelievethey’dburnupthewholetowniftheyhadtheirway。"
　　Withthisheresumedthepaper。Afteralongsilenceheexclaimed，"Hullo！"
　　uponwhichInearlyfelloffthechair。
　　"’Miscreantsunknown，"’readmygrandfather，followingtheparagraphwithhisforefinger;"’escapedfromthebridewell，leavingnoclewtotheiridentity，excepttheletterH，cutononeofthebenches。’’Fivedollarsrewardofferedfortheapprehensionoftheperpetrators。’Sho！IhopeWingatewillcatchthem。"
　　Idon’tseehowIcontinuedtolive，foronhearingthisthebreathwententirelyoutofmybody。IbeataretreatfromtheroomassoonasIcould，andflewtothestablewithamistyintentionofmountingGypsyandescapingfromtheplace。Iwasponderingwhatstepstotake，whenJackHarrisandCharleyMardenenteredtheyard。
　　"Isay，"saidHarris，asblitheasalark，"hasoldWingatebeenhere？"
　　"Beenhere？"Icried，"Ishouldhopenot！"
　　"Thewholething’sout，youknow，"saidHarris，pullingGypsy’sforelockoverhereyesandblowingplayfullyintohernostrils。
　　"Youdon’tmeanit！"Igasped。
　　"Yes，Ido，andwearetopayWingatethreedollarsapiece。He’llmakeratheragoodspecoutofit。"
　　"Buthowdidhediscoverthatwewerethe—themiscreants？"Iasked，quotingmechanicallyfromtheRivermouthBamacle。
　　"Why，hesawustaketheoldark，confoundhim！He’sbeentryingtosellitanytimethesetenyears。Nowhehassoldittous。WhenhefoundthatwehadslippedoutoftheMeatMarket，hewentrightoffandwrotetheadvertisementofferingfivedollarsreward;thoughheknewwellenoughwhohadtakenthecoach，forhecameroundtomyfather’shousebeforethepaperwasprintedtotalkthematterover。Wasn’tthegovernormad，though！
　　Butit’sallsettled，Itellyou。We’retopayWingatefifteendollarsfortheoldgo—cart，whichhewantedtoselltheotherdayforseventy—fivecents，andcouldn’t。It’sadownrightswindle。Butthefunnypartofitistocome。"
　　O，there’safunnyparttoit，isthere？"Iremarkedbitterly。
　　"Yes。ThemomentBillConwaysawtheadvertisement，heknewitwasHarryBlakewhocutthatletterHonthebench;sooffherushesuptoWingate—kindofhim，wasn’tit？—andclaimsthereward。’Toolate，youngman，’saysoldWingate，’theculpritshasbeendiscovered。’YouseeSly—bootshadn’tanyintentionofpayingthatfivedollars。"
　　JackHarris’sstatementliftedaweightfrommybosom。ThearticleintheRivermouthBarnaclebadplacedtheaffairbeforemeinanewlight。Ihadthoughtlesslycommittedagraveoffence。Thoughthepropertyinquestionwasvalueless，wewereclearlywrongindestroyingit。AtthesametimeMr。
　　Wingatehadtacitlysanctionedtheactbynotpreventingitwhenhemighteasilyhavedoneso。Hehadallowedhispropertytobedestroyedinorderthatbemightrealizealargeprofit。
　　Withoutwaitingtohearmore，IwentstraighttoCaptainNutter，and，layingmyremainingthreedollarsonhisknee，confessedmyshareinthepreviousnight’stransaction。
　　TheCaptainheardmethroughinprofoundsilence，pocketedthebank—notes，andwalkedoffwithoutspeakingaword。Hehadpunishedmeinhisownwhimsicalfashionatthebreakfasttable，for，attheverymomentbewasharrowingupmysoulbyreadingtheextractsfromtheRivermouthBarnacle，henotonlyknewallaboutthebonfire，buthadpaidEzraWingatehisthreedollars。SuchwastheduplicityofthatagedimpostorIthinkCaptainNutterwasjustifiedinretainingmypocketmoney，asadditionalpunishment，thoughthepossessionofitlaterinthedaywouldhavegotmeoutofadifficultposition，asthereaderwillseefurtheron。
　　Ireturnedwithalightheartandalargepieceofpunktomyfriendsinthestable—yard，wherewecelebratedtheterminationofourtroublebysettingofftwopacksoffire—crackersinanemptywine—cask。Theymadeaprodigiousracket，butfailedsomehowtofullyexpressmyfeelings。Thelittlebrasspistolinmybedroomsuddenlyoccurredtome。IthadbeenloadedIdon’tknowhowmanymonths，longbeforeIleftNewOrleans，andnowwasthetime，ifever，tofireitoff。Muskets，blunderbusses，andpistolswerebangingawaylivelyallovertown，andthesmellofgunpowder，floatingontheair，setmewildtoaddsomethingrespectabletotheuniversaldin。
　　Whenthepistolwasproduced，JackHarrisexaminedtherustycapandprophesiedthatitwouldnotexplode。
　　"Nevermind，"saidI，"let’stryit。"
　　Ihadfiredthepistolonce，secretly，inNewOrleans，and，rememberingthenoiseitgavebirthtoonthatoccasion，IshutbotheyestightasIpulledthetrigger。Thehammerclickedonthecapwithadull，deadsound。ThenHarristriedit;thenCharleyMarden;thenItookitagain，andafterthreeorfourtrialswasonthepointofgivingitupasabadjob，whentheobstinatethingwentoffwithatremendousexplosion，nearlyjerkingmyarmfromthesocket。Thesmokeclearedaway，andthereIstoodwiththestockofthepistolclutchedconvulsivelyinmyhand—thebarrel，lock，trigger，andramrodhavingvanishedintothinair。
　　"Areyouhurt？"criedtheboys，inonebreath。
　　"N—no，"Ireplied，dubiously，fortheconcussionhadbewilderedmealittle。
　　WhenIrealizedthenatureofthecalamity，mygriefwasexcessive。Ican’timaginewhatledmetodosoridiculousathing，butIgravelyburiedtheremainsofmybelovedpistolinourbackgarden，anderectedoverthemoundaslatetablettotheeffectthat"Mr。BarkerformerlyofnewOrleans，waskilledaccidentallyontheFourthofJuly，18——inthe2ndyearofhisAge。"1BinnyWallace，arrivingonthespotjustafterthedisaster，andCharleyMarden（whoenjoyedtheobsequiesimmensely），actedwithmeaschiefmourners。I，formypart，wasaverysincereone。
　　AsIturnedawayinadisconsolatemoodfromthegarden，CharleyMardenremarkedthatheshouldn’tbesurprisedifthepistol—butttookrootandgrewintoamahogany—treeorsomething。Hesaidheonceplantedanoldmusket—stock，andshortlyafterwardsalotofshootssprungup！JackHarrislaughed;butneitherInorBinnyWallacesawCharley’swickedjoke。
　　WewerenowjoinedbyPepperWhitcomb，FredLangdon，andseveralotherdesperatecharacters，ontheirwaytotheSquare，whichwasalwaysabusyplacewhenpublicfestivitiesweregoingon。FeelingthatIwasstillindisgracewiththeCaptain，Ithoughtitpolitictoaskhisconsentbeforeaccompanyingtheboys。
　　Hegaveitwithsomehesitation，advisingmetobecarefulnottogetinfrontofthefirearms。Onceheputhisfingersmechanicallyintohisvest—pocketandhalfdrewforthsomedollarbills，thenslowlythrustthembackagainashissenseofjusticeovercamehisgenialdisposition。Iguessitcuttheoldgentlemantothehearttobeobligedtokeepmeoutofmypocket—money。Iknowitdidme。However，asIwaspassingthroughthehall，MissAbigail，withaveryseverecastofcountenance，slippedabrand—newquarterintomyhand。Wehadsilvercurrencyinthosedays，thankHeaven！
　　GreatwerethebustleandconfusionontheSquare。Bytheway，Idon’tknowwhytheycalledthislargeopenspaceasquare，unlessbecauseitwasanoval—anovalformedbytheconfluenceofhalfadozenstreets，nowthrongedbycrowdsofsmartlydressedtowns—peopleandcountryfolks;forRivermouthontheFourthwasthecentreofattractiontotheinhabitantsoftheneighboringvillages。
　　OnonesideoftheSquareweretwentyorthirtyboothsarrangedinasemi—circle，gaywithlittleflagsandseductivewithlemonade，ginger—beer，andseedcakes。Hereandthereweretablesatwhichcouldbepurchasedthesmallersortoffireworks，suchaspin—wheels，serpents，double—headers，andpunkwarrantednottogoout。Manyoftheadjacenthousesmadeaprettydisplayofbunting，andacrosseachofthestreetsopeningontheSquarewasanarchofspruceandevergreen，blossomingalloverwithpatrioticmottoesandpaperroses。
　　Itwasanoisy，merry，bewilderingsceneaswecameupontheground。Theincessantrattleofsmallarms，theboomingofthetwelve—pounderfiringontheMillDam，andthesilveryclangorofthechurch—bellsringingsimultaneously—nottomentionanambitiousbrass—bandthatwasblowingitselftopiecesonabalcony—wereenoughtodriveonedistracted。Weamusedourselvesforanhourortwo，dartinginandoutamongthecrowdandsettingoffourcrackers。Atoneo’clocktheHon。HezekiahElkinsmountedaplatforminthemiddleoftheSquareanddeliveredanoration，towhichhis"feller—citizens"didn’tpaymuchattention，havingalltheycoulddotododgethesquibsthatweresetlooseuponthembymischievousboysstationedonthesurroundinghousetops。
　　Ourlittlepartywhichhadpickeduprecruitshereandthere，notbeingswayedbyeloquence，withdrewtoaboothontheoutskirtsofthecrowd，whereweregaledourselveswithrootbeerattwocentsaglass。Irecollectbeingmuchstruckbytheplacardsurmountingthistent：
　　ROOTBEER
　　SOLDHERE
　　Itseemedtometheperfectionofpithandpoetry。Whatcouldbemoreterse？
　　Notawordtospare，andyeteverythingfullyexpressed。Rhymeandrhythmfaultless。Itwasadelightfulpoetwhomadethoseverses。Asforthebeeritself—that，Ithink，musthavebeenmadefromtherootofallevil！A
　　singleglassofitinsuredanuninterruptedpainfortwenty—fourhours。
　　TheinfluenceofmyliberalityworkingonCharleyMarden—foritwasIwhopaidforthebeer—hepresentlyinvitedusalltotakeanice—creamwithhimatPettingil’ssaloon。PettingilwastheDelmonicoofRivermouth。Hefurnishedicesandconfectioneryforaristocraticballsandparties，anddidn’tdisdaintoofficiateasleaderoftheorchestraatthesame;forPettingilplayedontheviolin，asPepperWhitcombdescribedit，"likeOldScratch。"
　　Pettingil’sconfectionerystorewasonthecornerofWillowandHighStreets。Thesaloon，separatedfromtheshopbyaflightofthreestepsleadingtoadoorhungwithfadedreddrapery，hadaboutitanairofmysteryandseclusionquitedelightful。Fourwindows，alsodraped，facedtheside—street，affordinganunobstructedviewofMarmHatch’sbackyard，whereanumberofinexplicablegarmentsonaclothes—linewerealwaystobeseencareeringinthewind。