I
　　SACOWATER
　　FAR，farup，inthebosomofNewHampshire’sgranitehills，theSacohasitsbirth。Asthemountainrillgathersstrengthittakes"ThroughBartlett’svalesitstunefulway，OrhidesinConway’sfragrantbrakes，Retreatingfromtheglareofday。"
　　Nowitleavesthemountainsandflowsthrough"greenFryeburg’swoodsandfarms。"Inthecourseofitsfrequentturnsandtwistsandbends，itmeetswithmanyanotherstream，andsendsit，fullerandstronger，alongitsrejoicingway。Whenithasjourneyedmorethanahundredmilesandisnearingtheocean，itgreetstheGreatOssipeeRiverandacceptsitscrystaltribute。
　　Then，initsturn，theLittleOssipeejoinsforces，andtheriver，nowasplendidstream，flowsonwardtoBonnyEagle，toModerationandtoSalmonFalls，whereitdashesoverthedamlikeayoungNiagaraandhurtles，inafoamytorrent，throughtheraggeddefilecutbetweenloftybanksofsolidrock。
　　Wideningoutplacidlyforamoment’srestinthesunnyreachesnearPleasantPoint，itgathersitselfforanewplungeatUnionFalls，afterwhichitspeedilymergesitselfinthebayandisfreshwaternomore。
　　AtoneofthefallsontheSaco，thetwolittlehamletsofEdgewoodandRiverboronestletogetheratthebridgeandmakeonevillage。Thestreamisawonderofbeautyjusthere；amirrorofplacidlovelinessabovethedam，atawny，roaringwonderatthefall，andamad，white—fleckedtorrentasitdashesonitswaytotheocean。
　　Theriverhasseenstrangesightsinitstime，thoughthehistoryofthesetwotinyvillagesisquiteunknowntothegreatworldoutside。Theyhavebeenborn，waxedstrong，andfallenalmosttodecaywhileSacoWaterhastumbledovertherocksandspentitselfinitsimpetuousjourneytothesea。
　　Itrememberstheyellow—moccasinedSokokisastheyissuedfromtheIndianCellarandcarriedtheirbirchencanoesalongthewoodedshore。Itwasinthoseyearsthatthesilver—skinnedsalmonleapedinitscrystaldepths；theotterandthebeavercreptwithsleekwetskinsuponitsshore；andthebrowndeercamedowntoquenchhisthirstatitsbrinkwhileattwilightthestealthyformsofbearandpantherandwolfweremirroredinitsglassysurface。
　　Timesped；menchainedtheriver’sturbulentforcesandorderedittogrindatthemill。Thenhousesandbarnsappearedalongitsbanks，bridgeswerebuilt，orchardsplanted，forestschangedintofarms，white—paintedmeetinghousesgleamedthroughthetreesanddistantbellsrangfromtheirsteeplesonquietSundaymornings。
　　Allatoncemyriadsofgreathewnlogsvexeditsdownwardcourse，slenderlogslinkedtogetherinlongrafts，andhugelogsdriftingdownsinglyorinpairs。Menappeared，runninghitherandthitherlikeants，andgoingthroughmysteriousoperationsthereasonforwhichtherivercouldneverguess：butthemill—wheelsturned，thegreatsawsbuzzed，thesmokefromtavernchimneysroseintheair，andtherattleandclatterofstage—coachesresoundedalongtheroad。
　　Nowchildrenpaddledwithbarefeetintheriver’ssandycovesandshallows，andloverssatonitsalder—shadedbanksandexchangedtheirvowsjustwheretheshufflingbearwaswonttocomedownanddrink。
　　TheSacocouldrememberthe"coldyear，"whentherewasablackfrosteverymonthofthetwelve，andthoughalmostallthecornalongitsshoresshrivelledonthestalk，thereweretwofarmswherethevaporfromtheriversavedthecrops，andalltheseedforthenextseasoncamefromthefavoredspot，tobeknownas"Egypt"fromthatdayhenceforward。
　　Strange，complexthingsnowbegantohappen，andtheriverplayeditsownpartinsomeofthese，forthereweredisastrousfreshets，thesuddenbreaking—upofgreatjamsoflogs，andthedrowningofmenwhowereengulfedinthedarkwhirlpoolbelowtherapids。
　　Caravans，withmenageriesofwildbeasts，crossedthebridgenoweveryyear。AninfuriatedelephantliftedthesideoftheoldEdgewoodTavernbarn，andthewildlaughteroftheroisteringrum—drinkerswhoweretantalizingtheanimalsfloateddowntotheriver’sedge。Theroarofalion，tearingandchewingthearmofoneofthebystanders，andthecheersofthethrongwhenapluckycaptainofthelocalmilitiathrustastakedownthebeast’sthroat，——thesesoundsdisplacedtheformerwar—whoopoftheIndiansandtheringoftheaxeinthevirginforestsalongtheshores。
　　Thereweredays，andmoonlightnights，too，whenstrangesightsandsoundsofquiteanothernaturecouldhavebeennotedbytheriverasitflowedunderthebridgethatunitedthetwolittlevillages。
　　IssuingfromthedooroftheRiverboroTownHouse，andwindingdownthehill，throughthelongrowofteamsandcarriagesthatlinedtheroadside，cameaprocessionofsingingmenandsingingwomen。Convincedofsin，butentrancedwithpromisedpardon；
　　spirituallyintoxicatedbytheglowingeloquenceofthelatter—dayprophettheywereworshipping，thebandof"Cochranites"marcheddownthedustyroadandacrossthebridge，dancing，swaying，wavinghandkerchiefs，andshoutinghosannas。
　　Godwatched，andlistened，knowingthattherewouldbeotherprophets，trueandfalse，inthedaystocome，andotherprocessionsfollowingthem；andtheriverwatchedandlistenedtoo，asithurriedontowardstheseawithitsstoryofthepresentthatwassometimetobethehistoryofthepast。
　　WhenJacobCochranewasleadinghisoverwrought，ecstaticbandacrosstheriver，WaitstillBaxter，thenachild，waswatchingthestrange，noisycompanyfromthewindowofalittlebrickdwellingonthetopoftheTown—HouseHill。
　　Herstepmotherstoodbesideherwithayoungbabyinherarms，butwhenshesawwhatheldthegazeofthechildshedrewheraway，saying："Wemustn’tlook，Waitstill；yourfatherdon’tlikeit！"
　　"Whowasthebigmanatthehead，mother？"
　　"HisnameisJacobCochrane，butyoumustn’tthinkortalkabouthim；heisverywicked。"
　　"Hedoesn’tlookanywickederthantheothers，"saidthechild。
　　"Whowasthemanthatfelldownintheroad，mother，andthewomanthatkneltandprayedoverhim？Whydidhefall，andwhydidshepray，mother？"
　　"ThatwasMasterAaronBoynton，theschoolmaster，andhiswife。
　　Heonlymadebelievetofalldown，astheCochranitesdo；thewaytheycarryonisadisgracetothevillage，andthat’sthereasonyourfatherwon’tletuslookatthem。"
　　"IplayedwithaniceboyovertoBoynton’s，"musedthechild。
　　"ThatwasIvory，theironlychild。Heisagoodlittlefellow，buthismotherandfatherwillspoilhimwiththeircrazyways。"
　　"Ihopenothingwillhappentohim，forIlovehim，"saidthechildgravely。"Heshowedmeahumming—bird’snest，thefirsteverIsaw，andthelittlest！"
　　"Don’ttalkaboutlovinghim，"chidedthewoman。"Ifyourfathershouldhearyou，he’dsendyoutobedwithoutyourporridge。"
　　"Fathercouldn’thearme，forIneverspeakwhenhe’sathome，"
　　saidgravelittleWaitstill。"AndI’musedtogoingtobedwithoutmyporridge。"
　　II
　　THESISTERS
　　THEriverwasstillrunningunderthebridge，butthecurrentoftimehadsweptJacobCochraneoutofsight，thoughnotoutofmind，forhehadlefthereandthereadiscipletopreachhisstrangeanduncertaindoctrine。Waitstill，thechildwhoneverspokeinherfather’spresence，wasayoungwomannow，themistressofthehouse；thestepmotherwasdead，andthebabyagirlofseventeen。
　　Thebrickcottageonthehilltophadgrownonlyalittleshabbier。DeaconFoxwellBaxterstillslammeditsdoorbehindhimeverymorningatseveno’clockand，withoutanysuchcheerfulconventionsasgood—byestohisgirls，walkeddowntothebridgetoopenhisstore。
　　Theday，properlyspeaking，hadopenedwhenWaitstillandPatiencehadlefttheirbedsatdawn，builtthefire，fedthehensandturkeys，andpreparedthebreakfast，whiletheDeaconwasgrainingthehorseandmilkingthecows。Suchminor"chores"
　　ascarryingwaterfromthewell，splittingkindling，choppingpine，orbringingwoodintothekitchen，werelefttoWaitstill，whohadastrongback，or，ifshehadnot，hadneverbeenunwiseenoughtomentionthefactinherfather’spresence。Thealmanacday，however，whichopenedwithsunrise，hadnothingtodowiththerealhumanday，whichalwaysbeganwhenMr。Baxterslammedthedoorbehindhim，andreacheditshighnoonofdelightwhenhedisappearedfromview。
　　"He’sopeningthestoreshutters！"chantedPatiencefromtheheightsofakitchenchairbythewindow。"Nowhe’stakenhiscaneandbeatenofftheBoyntonpuppythatwassittingonthestepsasusual，——Idon’tmeanIvory’sdog"（herethegirlgaveaquickglanceathersister），"butRodman’slittleyellowcur。
　　RodmanmusthavecomedowntothebridgeonsomeerrandforIvory。Isn’titodd，whenthatdoghasalltheotherstorestepstositupon，heshouldchoosefather’s，wheneveryboneinhisbodymusttellhimhowfatherhateshimandthewholeBoyntonfamily。"
　　"FatherhasnorealcausethatIeverheardof；butsomedogsneverknowwhenthey’vehadenoughbeating，norsomepeopleeither。"saidWaitstill，speakingfromthepantry。
　　"Don’tbegloomywhenit’smybirthday，Sis！——Nowhe’sopenedthedoorandkickedthecat！AllisreadyforbusinessattheBaxterstore。"
　　"Iwishyouweren’tquitesofreewithyourtongue，Patty。"
　　"Somebodymusttalk，"retortedthegirl，jumpingdownfromthechairandshakingbackhermopofred—goldcurls。"I’llputthishateful，childish，roundcombinandoutjustoncemore，thenitwilldisappearforever。Thisveryafter—noonupgoesmyhair！"
　　"Youknowitwillbeofnouseunlessyoubraiditveryplainlyandneatly。Fatherwilltakenoticeandmakeyousmoothitdown。"
　　"Fatherhasn’tlookedmesquareinthefaceforyears；besides，myhairwon’tbraid，andnothingcanmakeitquiteplainandneat，thankgoodness！Letusbethankfulforsmallmercies，asJedMorrillsaidwhenthelightningstruckhismother—in—lawandskippedhiswife。"
　　"Patty，Iwillnotpermityoutorepeatthosetavernstories；
　　theyarenotseemlyonthelipsofagirl！"AndWaitstillcameoutofthepantrywithashadowofdisapprovalinhereyesandinhervoice。
　　Pattyflungherarmsroundhersistertempestuously，andpulledoutthewavesofherhairsothatitsoftenedherface。——"I’llbegood，"shesaid，"andoh，Waity！let’sinventsomesortofcheaphappinessforto—day！Ishallneverbeseventeenagainandwehavesomanytroubles！
　　Let’sputoneofthecowsinthehorse’sstallandseewhatwillhappen！Orlet’sspreadupourbedswiththeheadatthefootandputthechestofdrawersontheothersideoftheroom，orlet’smakecandy！Doyouthinkfatherwouldmissthemolassesifweonlyuseacupful？Couldn’twestrainthemilk，butleavethechurningandthedishesforanhourortwo，justonce？Ifyousay’yes’Icanthinkofsomethingwonderfultodo！"
　　"Whatisit？"askedWaitstill，relentingatthesightofthegirl’seager，roguishface。
　　"PIERCEMYEARS！"criedPatty。"Sayyouwill！"
　　"Oh！Patty，Patty，Iamafraidyouaregivenovertovanity！I
　　daren’tletyouweareardropswithoutfather’spermission。"
　　"Whynot？Lotsofchurchmemberswearthem，soitcan’tbeamortalsin。Fatherisagainstalladornments，butthat’sbecausehedoesn’twanttobuythem。You’vealwayssaidIshouldhaveyourmother’scoralpendantswhenIwasoldenough。HereIam，seventeentoday，andDr。PerrysaysIamalreadyawell—favoredyoungwoman。Icanpullmyhairovermyearsforafewdaysandwhentheholesareallmadeandhealed，evenfathercannotmakemefillthemupagain。Besides，I’llneverweartheearringsathome！"
　　"Oh！mydear，mydear！"sighedWaitstill，withahalf—sobinhervoice。"IfonlyIwaswiseenoughtoknowhowwecouldkeepfromtheselittledeceits，yethaveanylibertyorcomfortinlife！"
　　"Wecan’t！TheLordcouldn’texpectustobearallthatwebear，"
　　exclaimedPatty，"withoutourtryingonceinawhiletohaveagoodtimeinourownway。Weneverdoathingthatweareashamedof，orthatothergirlsdon’tdoeverydayintheweek；onlyourpleasuresalwayshavetobetakenbehindfather’sback。It’sonlymethat’severwrong，anyway，foryouarealwaysanangel。It’saburningshameandyouonlytwenty—oneyourself。I’llpierceyourearsifyousayso，andletyouwearyourowncoraldrops！"
　　"No，Patty；I’veoutgrownthoselongingsyearsago。Whenyourmotherdiedandleftfatherandyouandthehousetome，mygirlhooddied，too，thoughIwasonlythirteen。"
　　"Itwasonlyyourinsidegirlhoodthatdied，"insistedPattystoutly，"TheoutsideisasfreshasthepaintonUncleBarty’snewell。You’vegottheloveliesteyesandhairinRiverboro，andyouknowit；besides，IvoryBoyntonwouldtellyousoifyoudidn’t。Comeandboremyears，there’sadarling！"
　　"IvoryBoyntonneverspeaksawordofmylooks，norawordthatfatherandalltheworldmightn’thear。"AndWaitstillflushed。
　　"Thenit’sbecausehe’sshyandsilentandhassomanytroublesofhisownthathedoesn’tdaresayanything。Whenmyhairisonceupandthecoralpendantsareswinginginmyears，IshallexpecttohearsomethingaboutMYlooks，Icantellyou。Waity，afterall，thoughweneverhavewhatwewanttoeat，andneveradecentdresstoourbacks，norayoungmantocrossthethreshold，Iwouldn’tchangeplaceswithIvoryBoynton，wouldyou？"HerePattysweptthehearthvigorouslywithaturkeywingandaddedafewcorncobstothefire。
　　Waitstillpausedamomentinhertaskofbread—kneading。"Well，"
　　sheansweredcritically，"atleastweknowwhereourfatheris。"
　　"Wedo，indeed！Wealsoknowthatheisthoroughlyalive！"
　　"Andthoughpeopledotalkabouthim，theycan’tsaythethingstheysayofMasterAaronBoynton。Idon’tbelievefatherwouldeverrunawayanddesertus。"
　　"Ifearnot，"saidPatty。"Iwishtheangelswouldputtheideaintohishead，though，ofcourse，itwouldn’tbetheangels；
　　they’dbeaboveit。Itwouldhavetobethe’OldDriver，’asJedMorrillcallstheEvilOne；butwhoeverdidit，theresultwouldbethesame：weshouldbedeserted，andlivehappilyeverafter。
　　Oh！tobedeserted，andleftwithyoualoneonthishilltop，whatjoyitwouldbe！"
　　Waitstillfrowned，butdidnotinterferefurtherwithPatty’sintemperatespeech。Sheknewthatshewassimplyservingasanescape—valve，andthatafterthesteamwas"letoff"shewouldbemorerational。
　　"Ofcourse，wearemotherless，"continuedPattywistfully，"butpoorIvoryisworsethanmotherless。"
　　"No，notworse，Patty，"saidWaitstill，takingthebread—boardandmovingtowardsthecloset。"Ivoryloveshismotherandsheloveshim，withallthemindshehasleft！ShehasthebestbloodofNewEnglandflowinginherveins，andIsupposeitwasagreatcomedownforhertomarryAaronBoynton，cleverandgiftedthoughhewas。NowIvoryhastoprotecther，poor，daft，innocentcreature，andhideherawayfromthegossipofthevillage。Heissurelythebestofsons，IvoryBoynton！"
　　"Sheisaterriblecareforhim，andliketospoilhislife，"
　　saidPatty。
　　"Therearecaresthatswelltheheartandmakeitbiggerandwarmer，Patty，justastherearecaresthatshrivelitandleaveittiredandcold。
　　LovelightensIvory’safflictionsbutthatissomethingyouandI
　　havetodowithout，soitseems。"
　　"IsupposelittleRodmanissomecomforttotheBoyntons，evenifheisonlyten。"Pattysuggested。
　　"Nodoubt。He’sagoodlittlefellow，andthoughit’sratherhardforIvorytobeburdenedfortheselastfiveyearswiththesupportofachildwho’snonearerkinthanacousin，stillhe’sofuse，mindingMrs。BoyntonandthehousewhenIvory’saway。
　　Theschool—teachersaysheiswonderfulathisbooksandlikelytobeagreatcredittotheBoyntonssomedayorother。"
　　"You’veforgottonameouronegreatblessing，Waity，andI
　　believe，anyway，you’retalkingtokeepmymindofftheearrings！"
　　"Youmeanwe’veeachother？No，Patty，Ineverforgetthat，dayornight。’Tisthatmakesmewillingtobearanyburdenfatherchoosestoputuponus。——Nowthebreadisset，butIdon’tbelieveIhavethecouragetoputaneedleintoyourtenderflesh，Patty；Ireallydon’t。"
　　"Nonsense！I’vegotthewaxedsilkallreadyandchosentheright—sizedneedleandI’llpromisenottojumporscreechmorethanIcanhelp。We’llmakeatinylead—pencildotrightinthemiddleofthelobe，thenyouplacetheneedleonit，shutyoureyes，andJABHARD！Iexpecttofaint，butwhenI’cometo，’wecandecidewhichofuswillpulltheneedlethroughtotheotherside。Probablyitwillbeyou，I’msuchacoward。Ifithurtsdreadfully，I’llhaveonlyonepiercedto—dayandtaketheotherto—morrow；andifithurtsverydreadfully，perhapsI’llgothroughlifewithoneear—ring。AuntAbbyColewillsayit’sjustoddenoughtosuitme！"
　　"You’llnevergothroughlifewithonetongueattherateyouuseitnow，"chidedWaitstill，"foritwillneverlastyou。Come，we’lltakethework—basketandgooutinthebarnwherenoonewillseeorhearus。"
　　"Goody，goody！Comealong！"andPattyclappedherhandsintriumph。"Haveyougotthepencilandtheneedleandthewaxedsilk？Thenbringthecamphorbottletoreviveme，andthecoralpendants，too，justtogivemecourage。Hurryup！It’steno’clock。Iwasbornatsun—rise，soI’m’goingon’eighteenandcan’twasteanytime！"
　　III
　　DEACONBAXTER’SWIVES
　　FOXWELLBAXTERwasordinarilycalled"OldFoxy"bytheboysofthedistrict，andalso，itistobefeared，bythemengatheredforeveningconferenceatthevarioustaverns，oratoneoftherivalvillagestores。
　　Hehadasmallfarmoffifteenortwentyacres，withapasture，awoodlot，andahay—field，buttheprincipalsourceofhisincomecamefromtrading。Hissignboretheusuallegend："WESTINDIA
　　GOODSANDGROCERIES，"andprobablythemostprofitablearticlesinhisstockwererum，molasses，sugar，andtobacco；buttherewerechestsofrice，tea，coffee，andspices，barrelsofporkinbrine，aswellaspilesofcottonandwoolenclothontheshelvesabovethecounters。Hisshopwindow，seldomdustedorsetinorder，heldafewclaypipes，someglassjarsofpeppermintorsassafraslozenges，blacklicorice，stick—candy，andsugargooseberries。Thesedaintieswereseldomrenewed，foritwasonlyaveryboldchild，oronewithanungovernableappetiteforsweets，whowouldhavespenthispennyatFoxyBaxter’sstore。
　　Hewasthoughtasharpandshrewdtrader，buthishonestywasneverquestioned；indeed，theonlytraitinhischaracterthatevercameupforgeneraldiscussionwashisextraordinary，unbelievable，colossalmeanness。Thissoeclipsedeveryotherpassionintheman，andloomedsobulkilyandinsistentlyintheforeground，thathadhecherishedasecondvicenoonewouldhaveobservedit，andifhereallydidpossessacasualvirtue，itcouldscarcelyhavereareditsheadinsuchuglycompany。
　　Itmightbesaid，todefendthefairnameoftheChurch，thatMr。
　　Baxter’sdeaconhooddidnotincludeveryactiveserviceinthecourtsoftheLord。Hehad"experiencedreligion"atfifteenandmadeprofessionofhisfaith，butallwell—brought—upboysandgirlsdidthesameinthosedays；theirparentssawtothat！Ifchangeofconvictionorbackslidingoccurredlateron，thatwasnottheirbusiness！Attheripeageoftwenty—fivehewasselectedtofillavacancyandbecameadeacon，thinkingitmightbegoodfortrade，asitwas，forsomeyears。Hewasveryactiveatthetimeofthe"Cochranecraze，"sinceanydefenceofthecreedthatincludedlivelydetectiveworkandincessantspyingonhisneighborswasparticularlyinhisline；butformanyyearsnow，thoughhehadbeenregularinattendanceatchurch，hehadneverofficiatedatcommunion，andhisdiaconalserviceshadgraduallylapsedintothepassingofthecontribution—box，ataskofwhichheneverwearied；itwassuchakeenpleasuretomakeotherpeopleyieldtheirpenniesforagoodcause，withoutaddinganyofhisown！
　　DeaconBaxterhadnowbeenawidowerforsomeyearsandthecommunityhadalmostrelinquishedtheideaofhisseekingafourthwife。Thiswasamatterofsomeregret，fortherewasageneralfeelingthatitwouldbeagoodthingfortheBaxtergirlstohavesomeonetohelpwiththehouseworkandactasabufferbetweenthemandtheirgrimandirascibleparent。Asforthewomenofthevillage，theyweremortifiedthattheDeaconhadbeenabletosecurethreewives，andrefusedtobelievethattheuniverseheldanywhereacreaturebenightedenoughtobecomehisfourth。
　　Thefirst，beitsaid，wasamereignorantgirl，andheabeardlessyouthoftwenty，whomaynothaveshownhistruequalitiessoearlyinlife。Sheborehimtwosons，anditwasamatterofcommentatthetimethatshecalledthem，respectively，JobandMoses，hopingthattheenduranceandmeeknessconnectedwiththesenamesmightsomehowhelpthemintheirfuturerelationswiththeirfather。Pneumonia，coupledwithprofounddiscouragement，carriedheroffinafewyearstomakeroomforthesecondwife，Waitstill’smother，whowasofdifferentfibreandgreatlyhissuperior。Shewasafine，handsomegirl，theorphandaughterofup—countrygentle—folks，whohaddiedwhenshewaseighteen，leavingheraloneintheworldandpenniless。
　　Baxter，afterafewdays’acquaintance，droveintothedooryardofthehousewhereshewasavisitorand，showingherhistwocurly—headedboys，suddenlyaskedhertocomeandbetheirstepmother。Sheassented，partlybecauseshehadnothingelsetodowithherexistence，sofarasshecouldsee，andalsobecauseshefellinlovewiththechildrenatfirstsightandforgot，asgirlswill，thatitwastheirfatherwhomshewasmarrying。
　　Shewasaspluckyandcleverandspiritedasshewashandsome，andshemadeabravefightofitwithFoxy；longenoughtobringadaughterintotheworld，tonameherWaitstill，andstartheralittlewayonherlifejourney，——thenshe，too，gaveupthestruggleanddied。Typhoidfeveritwas，combinedwithcompletelossofillusions，andakindofdespairingrageathavingmadesocompleteafailureofherexistence。
　　Thenextyear，Mr。Baxter，beingunusuallybusy，offeredamanagoodyoungheiferifhewouldjogaboutthecountryalittleandpickhimupahousekeeper；alikelywomanwhowould，ifsheprovedenergetic，economical，andamiable，beeventuallyraisedtotheproudpositionofhiswife。Ifshewasyoung，healthy，smart，tidy，capable，andagoodmanager，abletomilkthecows，harnessthehorse，andmakegoodbutter，hewouldgiveadollarandahalfaweek。Thewomanwasfound，and，incredibleasitmayseem，shesaid"yes"whentheDeacon（whoseardorwaskindledathavingpaidthreemonths’wages）proposedaspeedymarriage。Thetwoboysbythistimehadreachedtheageofdiscretion，andoneofthemevincedthefactbypromptlyrunningawaytopartsunknown，nevertobeheardfromafterwards；whiletheother，arecklessandunhappylad，wasdrownedwhilerunningonthelogsintheriver。OldFoxyshowedlittleoutwardsignofhisloss，thoughhehadbroughttheboysintotheworldsolelywiththeviewofhavingoneofthemworkonthefarmandtheotherinthestore。