Itwasmanyyearsago。Hadleyburgwasthemosthonestanduprighttowninalltheregionroundabout。Ithadkeptthatreputationunsmirchedduringthreegenerations，andwasprouderofitthanofanyotherofitspossessions。Itwassoproudofit，andsoanxioustoinsureitsperpetuation，thatitbegantoteachtheprinciplesofhonestdealingtoitsbabiesinthecradle，andmadetheliketeachingsthestapleoftheirculturethenceforwardthroughalltheyearsdevotedtotheireducation。Also，throughouttheformativeyearstemptationswerekeptoutofthewayoftheyoungpeople，sothattheirhonestycouldhaveeverychancetohardenandsolidify，andbecomeapartoftheirverybone。Theneighbouringtownswerejealousofthishonourablesupremacy，andaffectedtosneeratHadleyburg\'sprideinitandcallitvanity；butallthesametheywereobligedtoacknowledgethatHadleyburgwasinrealityanincorruptibletown；andifpressedtheywouldalsoacknowledgethatthemerefactthatayoungmanhailedfromHadleyburgwasalltherecommendationheneededwhenhewentforthfromhisnataltowntoseekforresponsibleemployment。
Butatlast，inthedriftoftime，Hadleyburghadtheilllucktooffendapassingstranger——possiblywithoutknowingit，certainlywithoutcaring，forHadleyburgwassufficientuntoitself，andcarednotarapforstrangersortheiropinions。Still，itwouldhavebeenwelltomakeanexceptioninthisone\'scase，forhewasabitterman，andrevengeful。Allthroughhiswanderingsduringawholeyearhekepthisinjuryinmind，andgaveallhisleisuremomentstotryingtoinventacompensatingsatisfactionforit。Hecontrivedmanyplans，andallofthemweregood，butnoneofthemwasquitesweepingenough：thepoorestofthemwouldhurtagreatmanyindividuals，butwhathewantedwasaplanwhichwouldcomprehendtheentiretown，andnotletsomuchasonepersonescapeunhurt。Atlasthehadafortunateidea，andwhenitfellintohisbrainitlituphiswholeheadwithaneviljoy。Hebegantoformaplanatonce，sayingtohimself\"Thatisthethingtodo——Iwillcorruptthetown。\"
SixmonthslaterhewenttoHadleyburg，andarrivedinabuggyatthehouseoftheoldcashierofthebankabouttenatnight。Hegotasackoutofthebuggy，shoulderedit，andstaggeredwithitthroughthecottageyard，andknockedatthedoor。Awoman\'svoicesaid\"Comein，\"andheentered，andsethissackbehindthestoveintheparlour，sayingpolitelytotheoldladywhosatreadingthe\"MissionaryHerald\"bythelamp：
\"Praykeepyourseat，madam，Iwillnotdisturbyou。There——nowitisprettywellconcealed；onewouldhardlyknowitwasthere。CanI
seeyourhusbandamoment，madam？\"
No，hewasgonetoBrixton，andmightnotreturnbeforemorning。
\"Verywell，madam，itisnomatter。Imerelywantedtoleavethatsackinhiscare，tobedeliveredtotherightfulownerwhenheshallbefound。Iamastranger；hedoesnotknowme；Iammerelypassingthroughthetownto-nighttodischargeamatterwhichhasbeenlonginmymind。Myerrandisnowcompleted，andIgopleasedandalittleproud，andyouwillneverseemeagain。Thereisapaperattachedtothesackwhichwillexplaineverything。Good-
night，madam。\"
Theoldladywasafraidofthemysteriousbigstranger，andwasgladtoseehimgo。Buthercuriositywasroused，andshewentstraighttothesackandbroughtawaythepaper。Itbeganasfollows：
\"TOBEPUBLISHED，or，therightmansoughtoutbyprivateinquiry——
eitherwillanswer。Thissackcontainsgoldcoinweighingahundredandsixtypoundsfourounces——\"
\"Mercyonus，andthedoornotlocked！\"
Mrs。Richardsflewtoitallinatrembleandlockedit，thenpulleddownthewindow-shadesandstoodfrightened，worried，andwonderingiftherewasanythingelseshecoulddotowardmakingherselfandthemoneymoresafe。Shelistenedawhileforburglars，thensurrenderedtocuriosity，andwentbacktothelampandfinishedreadingthepaper：
\"Iamaforeigner，andampresentlygoingbacktomyowncountry，toremaintherepermanently。IamgratefultoAmericaforwhatIhavereceivedatherhandsduringmylongstayunderherflag；andtooneofhercitizens——acitizenofHadleyburg——Iamespeciallygratefulforagreatkindnessdonemeayearortwoago。Twogreatkindnessesinfact。Iwillexplain。Iwasagambler。IsayIWAS。
Iwasaruinedgambler。Iarrivedinthisvillageatnight，hungryandwithoutapenny。Iaskedforhelp——inthedark；Iwasashamedtobeginthelight。Ibeggedoftherightman。Hegavemetwentydollars——thatistosay，hegavemelife，asIconsideredit。Healsogavemefortune；foroutofthatmoneyIhavemademyselfrichatthegaming-table。Andfinally，aremarkwhichhemadetomehasremainedwithmetothisday，andhasatlastconqueredme；andinconqueringhassavedtheremnantofmymorals：Ishallgamblenomore。NowIhavenoideawhothatmanwas，butIwanthimfound，andIwanthimtohavethismoney，togiveaway，throwaway，orkeep，ashepleases。Itismerelymywayoftestifyingmygratitudetohim。IfIcouldstay，Iwouldfindhimmyself；butnomatter，hewillbefound。Thisisanhonesttown，anincorruptibletown，andI
knowIcantrustitwithoutfear。Thismancanbeidentifiedbytheremarkwhichhemadetome；Ifeelpersuadedthathewillrememberit。
\"Andnowmyplanisthis：Ifyouprefertoconducttheinquiryprivately，doso。Tellthecontentsofthispresentwritingtoanyonewhoislikelytobetherightman。Ifheshallanswer，\'Iamtheman；theremarkImadewasso-and-so，\'applythetest——towit：
openthesack，andinityouwillfindasealedenvelopecontainingthatremark。Iftheremarkmentionedbythecandidatetallieswithit，givehimthemoney，andasknofurtherquestions，forheiscertainlytherightman。
\"Butifyoushallpreferapublicinquiry，thenpublishthispresentwritinginthelocalpaper——withtheseinstructionsadded，towit：
Thirtydaysfromnow，letthecandidateappearatthetown-hallateightintheeveningFriday，andhandhisremark，inasealedenvelope，totheRev。Mr。Burgessifhewillbekindenoughtoact；andletMr。Burgessthereandthendestroythesealsofthesack，openit，andseeiftheremarkiscorrect：ifcorrect，letthemoneybedelivered，withmysinceregratitude，tomybenefactorthusidentified。\"
Mrs。Richardssatdown，gentlyquiveringwithexcitement，andwassoonlostinthinkings——afterthispattern：\"Whatastrangethingitis！……Andwhatafortuneforthatkindmanwhosethisbreadafloatuponthewaters！……Ifithadonlybeenmyhusbandthatdidit！——forwearesopoor，sooldandpoor！……\"Then，withasigh——\"ButitwasnotmyEdward；no，itwasnothethatgaveastrangertwentydollars。Itisapitytoo；Iseeitnow……\"
Then，withashudder——\"ButitisGAMBLERS\'money！thewagesofsin；
wecouldn\'ttakeit；wecouldn\'ttouchit。Idon\'tliketobenearit；itseemsadefilement。\"Shemovedtoafartherchair……\"I
wishEdwardwouldcome，andtakeittothebank；aburglarmightcomeatanymoment；itisdreadfultobehereallalonewithit。\"
AtelevenMr。Richardsarrived，andwhilehiswifewassaying\"IamSOgladyou\'vecome！\"hewassaying，\"Iamsotired——tiredclearout；itisdreadfultobepoor，andhavetomakethesedismaljourneysatmytimeoflife。Alwaysatthegrind，grind，grind，onasalary——anotherman\'sslave，andhesittingathomeinhisslippers，richandcomfortable。\"
\"Iamsosorryforyou，Edward，youknowthat；butbecomforted；wehaveourlivelihood；wehaveourgoodname——\"
\"Yes，Mary，andthatiseverything。Don\'tmindmytalk——it\'sjustamoment\'sirritationanddoesn\'tmeananything。Kissme——there，it\'sallgonenow，andIamnotcomplaininganymore。Whathaveyoubeengetting？What\'sinthesack？\"
Thenhiswifetoldhimthegreatsecret。Itdazedhimforamoment；
thenhesaid：
\"Itweighsahundredandsixtypounds？Why，Mary，it\'sfor-tythou-
sanddollars——thinkofit——awholefortune！Nottenmeninthisvillageareworththatmuch。Givemethepaper。\"
Heskimmedthroughitandsaid：
\"Isn\'titanadventure！Why，it\'saromance；it\'sliketheimpossiblethingsonereadsaboutinbooks，andneverseesinlife。\"
Hewaswellstirredupnow；cheerful，evengleeful。Hetappedhisoldwifeonthecheek，andsaidhumorously，\"Why，we\'rerich，Mary，rich；allwe\'vegottodoistoburythemoneyandburnthepapers。
Ifthegamblerevercomestoinquire，we\'llmerelylookcoldlyuponhimandsay：\'Whatisthisnonsenseyouaretalking？Wehaveneverheardofyouandyoursackofgoldbefore；\'andthenhewouldlookfoolish，and——\"
\"Andinthemeantime，whileyouarerunningonwithyourjokes，themoneyisstillhere，anditisfastgettingalongtowardburglar-
time。\"
\"True。Verywell，whatshallwedo——maketheinquiryprivate？No，notthat；itwouldspoiltheromance。Thepublicmethodisbetter。
Thinkwhatanoiseitwillmake！Anditwillmakealltheothertownsjealous；fornostrangerwouldtrustsuchathingtoanytownbutHadleyburg，andtheyknowit。It\'sagreatcardforus。Imustgettotheprinting-officenow，orIshallbetoolate。\"
\"Butstop——stop——don\'tleavemeherealonewithit，Edward！\"
Buthewasgone。Foronlyalittlewhile，however。Notfarfromhisownhousehemettheeditor——proprietorofthepaper，andgavehimthedocument，andsaid\"Hereisagoodthingforyou，Cox——putitin。\"
\"Itmaybetoolate，Mr。Richards，butI\'llsee。\"
Athomeagain，heandhiswifesatdowntotalkthecharmingmysteryover；theywereinnoconditionforsleep。Thefirstquestionwas，Whocouldthecitizenhavebeenwhogavethestrangerthetwentydollars？Itseemedasimpleone；bothanswereditinthesamebreath——
\"BarclayGoodson。\"
\"Yes，\"saidRichards，\"hecouldhavedoneit，anditwouldhavebeenlikehim，butthere\'snotanotherinthetown。\"
\"Everybodywillgrantthat，Edward——grantitprivately，anyway。Forsixmonths，now，thevillagehasbeenitsownproperselfoncemore——
honest，narrow，self-righteous，andstingy。\"
\"Itiswhathealwayscalledit，tothedayofhisdeath——saiditrightoutpublicly，too。\"
\"Yes，andhewashatedforit。\"
\"Oh，ofcourse；buthedidn\'tcare。Ireckonhewasthebest-hatedmanamongus，excepttheReverendBurgess。\"
\"Well，Burgessdeservesit——hewillnevergetanothercongregationhere。Meanasthetownis，itknowshowtoestimateHIM。Edward，doesn\'titseemoddthatthestrangershouldappointBurgesstodeliverthemoney？\"
\"Well，yes——itdoes。Thatis——thatis——\"
\"Whysomuchthat-IS-ing？WouldYOUselecthim？\"
\"Mary，maybethestrangerknowshimbetterthanthisvillagedoes。\"
\"MuchTHATwouldhelpBurgess！\"
Thehusbandseemedperplexedforananswer；thewifekeptasteadyeyeuponhim，andwaited。FinallyRichardssaid，withthehesitancyofonewhoismakingastatementwhichislikelytoencounterdoubt，\"Mary，Burgessisnotabadman。\"
Hiswifewascertainlysurprised。
\"Nonsense！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Heisnotabadman。Iknow。Thewholeofhisunpopularityhaditsfoundationinthatonething——thethingthatmadesomuchnoise。\"
\"That\'onething，\'indeed！Asifthat\'onething\'wasn\'tenough，allbyitself。\"
\"Plenty。Plenty。Onlyhewasn\'tguiltyofit。\"
\"Howyoutalk！Notguiltyofit！EverybodyknowsheWASguilty。\"
\"Mary，Igiveyoumyword——hewasinnocent。\"
\"Ican\'tbelieveitandIdon\'t。Howdoyouknow？\"
\"Itisaconfession。Iamashamed，butIwillmakeit。Iwastheonlymanwhoknewhewasinnocent。Icouldhavesavedhim，and——
and——well，youknowhowthetownwaswroughtup——Ihadn\'ttheplucktodoit。Itwouldhaveturnedeverybodyagainstme。Ifeltmean，eversomean；utIdidn\'tdare；Ihadn\'tthemanlinesstofacethat。\"
Marylookedtroubled，andforawhilewassilent。Thenshesaidstammeringly：
\"I——Idon\'tthinkitwouldhavedoneforyouto——to——Onemustn\'t——
er——publicopinion——onehastobesocareful——so——\"Itwasadifficultroad，andshegotmired；butafteralittleshegotstartedagain。\"Itwasagreatpity，but——Why，wecouldn\'taffordit，Edward——wecouldn\'tindeed。Oh，Iwouldn\'thavehadyoudoitforanything！\"
\"Itwouldhavelostusthegood-willofsomanypeople，Mary；andthen——andthen——\"
\"Whattroublesmenowis，whatHEthinksofus，Edward。\"
\"He？HEdoesn\'tsuspectthatIcouldhavesavedhim。\"
\"Oh，\"exclaimedthewife，inatoneofrelief，\"Iamgladofthat。
Aslongashedoesn\'tknowthatyoucouldhavesavedhim，he——he——
wellthatmakesitagreatdealbetter。Why，Imighthaveknownhedidn\'tknow，becauseheisalwaystryingtobefriendlywithus，aslittleencouragementaswegivehim。Morethanoncepeoplehavetwittedmewithit。There\'stheWilsons，andtheWilcoxes，andtheHarknesses，theytakeameanpleasureinsaying\'YOURFRIEND
Burgess，\'becausetheyknowitpestersme。Iwishhewouldn\'tpersistinlikingusso；Ican\'tthinkwhyhekeepsitup。\"
\"Icanexplainit。It\'sanotherconfession。Whenthethingwasnewandhot，andthetownmadeaplantoridehimonarail，myconsciencehurtmesothatIcouldn\'tstandit，andIwentprivatelyandgavehimnotice，andhegotoutofthetownandstayedouttillitwassafetocomeback。\"
\"Edward！Ifthetownhadfounditout——\"
\"DON\'T！Itscaresmeyet，tothinkofit。Irepentedofittheminuteitwasdone；andIwasevenafraidtotellyoulestyourfacemightbetrayittosomebody。Ididn\'tsleepanythatnight，forworrying。ButafterafewdaysIsawthatnoonewasgoingtosuspectme，andafterthatIgottofeelinggladIdidit。AndI
feelgladyet，Mary——gladthroughandthrough。\"
\"SodoI，now，foritwouldhavebeenadreadfulwaytotreathim。
Yes，I\'mglad；forreallyyoudidowehimthat，youknow。But，Edward，supposeitshouldcomeoutyet，someday！\"
\"Itwon\'t。\"
\"Why？\"
\"BecauseeverybodythinksitwasGoodson。\"
\"Ofcoursetheywould！\"
\"Certainly。AndofcourseHEdidn\'tcare。TheypersuadedpooroldSawlsberrytogoandchargeitonhim，andhewentblusteringoverthereanddidit。Goodsonlookedhimover，likeasifhewashuntingforaplaceonhimthathecoulddespisethemost；thenhesays，\'SoyouaretheCommitteeofInquiry，areyou？\'Sawlsberrysaidthatwasaboutwhathewas。\'H\'m。Dotheyrequireparticulars，ordoyoureckonakindofaGENERALanswerwilldo？\'
\'Iftheyrequireparticulars，Iwillcomeback，Mr。Goodson；Iwilltakethegeneralanswerfirst。\'\'Verywell，then，tellthemtogotohell——Ireckonthat\'sgeneralenough。AndI\'llgiveyousomeadvice，Sawlsberry；whenyoucomebackfortheparticulars，fetchabaskettocarrywhatisleftofyourselfhomein。\'\"
\"JustlikeGoodson；it\'sgotallthemarks。Hehadonlyonevanity；
hethoughthecouldgiveadvicebetterthananyotherperson。\"
\"Itsettledthebusiness，andsavedus，Mary。Thesubjectwasdropped。\"
\"Blessyou，I\'mnotdoubtingTHAT。\"
Thentheytookupthegold-sackmysteryagain，withstronginterest。
Soontheconversationbegantosufferbreaks——interruptionscausedbyabsorbedthinkings。Thebreaksgrewmoreandmorefrequent。AtlastRichardslosthimselfwhollyinthought。Hesatlong，gazingvacantlyatthefloor，andby-and-byhebegantopunctuatehisthoughtswithlittlenervousmovementsofhishandsthatseemedtoindicatevexation。Meantimehiswifetoohadrelapsedintoathoughtfulsilence，andhermovementswerebeginningtoshowatroubleddiscomfort。FinallyRichardsgotupandstrodeaimlesslyabouttheroom，ploughinghishandsthroughhishair，muchasasomnambulistmightdowhowashavingabaddream。Thenheseemedtoarriveatadefinitepurpose；andwithoutawordheputonhishatandpassedquicklyoutofthehouse。Hiswifesatbrooding，withadrawnface，anddidnotseemtobeawarethatshewasalone。Nowandthenshemurmured，\"Leadusnotintot……but——but——wearesopoor，sopoor！……Leadusnotinto……Ah，whowouldbehurtbyit？——andnoonewouldeverknow……Leadus……\"Thevoicediedoutinmumblings。Afteralittlesheglancedupandmutteredinahalf-frightened，half-gladway——
\"Heisgone！But，ohdear，hemaybetoolate——toolate……Maybenot——maybethereisstilltime。\"Sheroseandstoodthinking，nervouslyclaspingandunclaspingherhands。Aslightshuddershookherframe，andshesaid，outofadrythroat，\"Godforgiveme——it\'sawfultothinksuchthings——but……Lord，howwearemade——howstrangelywearemade！\"
Sheturnedthelightlow，andslippedstealthilyoverandkneltdownbythesackandfeltofitsridgysideswithherhands，andfondledthemlovingly；andtherewasagloatinglightinherpooroldeyes。
Shefellintofitsofabsence；andcamehalfoutofthemattimestomutter\"Ifwehadonlywaited！——oh，ifwehadonlywaitedalittle，andnotbeeninsuchahurry！\"
MeantimeCoxhadgonehomefromhisofficeandtoldhiswifeallaboutthestrangethingthathadhappened，andtheyhadtalkeditovereagerly，andguessedthatthelateGoodsonwastheonlymaninthetownwhocouldhavehelpedasufferingstrangerwithsonobleasumastwentydollars。Thentherewasapause，andthetwobecamethoughtfulandsilent。Andby-and-bynervousandfidgety。Atlastthewifesaid，asiftoherself，\"NobodyknowsthissecretbuttheRichardses……andus……
nobody。\"
Thehusbandcameoutofhisthinkingswithaslightstart，andgazedwistfullyathiswife，whosefacewasbecomeverypale；thenhehesitatinglyrose，andglancedfurtivelyathishat，thenathiswife——asortofmuteinquiry。Mrs。Coxswallowedonceortwice，withherhandatherthroat，theninplaceofspeechshenoddedherhead。Inamomentshewasalone，andmumblingtoherself。
AndnowRichardsandCoxwerehurryingthroughthedesertedstreets，fromoppositedirections。Theymet，panting，atthefootoftheprinting-officestairs；bythenight-lighttheretheyreadeachother\'sface。Coxwhispered：
\"Nobodyknowsaboutthisbutus？\"
Thewhisperedanswerwas：
\"Notasoul——onhonour，notasoul！\"
\"Ifitisn\'ttoolateto——\"
Themenwerestartingup-stairs；atthismomenttheywereovertakenbyaboy，andCoxasked，\"Isthatyou，Johnny？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Youneedn\'tshiptheearlymail——norANYmail；waittillItellyou。\"
\"It\'salreadygone，sir。\"
\"GONE？\"Ithadthesoundofanunspeakabledisappointmentinit。
\"Yes，sir。Time-tableforBrixtonandallthetownsbeyondchangedto-day，sir——hadtogetthepapersintwentyminutesearlierthancommon。Ihadtorush；ifIhadbeentwominuteslater——\"
Thementurnedandwalkedslowlyaway，notwaitingtoheartherest。
Neitherofthemspokeduringtenminutes；thenCoxsaid，inavexedtone，\"Whatpossessedyoutobeinsuchahurry，Ican\'tmakeout。\"
Theanswerwashumbleenough：
\"Iseeitnow，butsomehowIneverthought，youknow，untilitwastoolate。Butthenexttime——\"
\"Nexttimebehanged！Itwon\'tcomeinathousandyears。\"
Thenthefriendsseparatedwithoutagood-night，anddraggedthemselveshomewiththegaitofmortallystrickenmen。Attheirhomestheirwivessprangupwithaneager\"Well？\"——thensawtheanswerwiththeireyesandsankdownsorrowing，withoutwaitingforittocomeinwords。Inbothhousesadiscussionfollowedofaheatedsort——anewthing；therehadbeendiscussionsbefore，butnotheatedones，notungentleones。Thediscussionsto-nightwereasortofseemingplagiarismsofeachother。Mrs。Richardssaid：
\"Ifyouhadonlywaited，Edward——ifyouhadonlystoppedtothink；
butno，youmustrunstraighttotheprinting-officeandspreaditallovertheworld。\"
\"ItSAIDpublishit。\"
\"Thatisnothing；italsosaiddoitprivately，ifyouliked。
There，now——isthattrue，ornot？\"
\"Why，yes——yes，itistrue；butwhenIthoughtwhatastiritwouldmake，andwhatacomplimentitwastoHadleyburgthatastrangershouldtrustitso——\"
\"Oh，certainly，Iknowallthat；butifyouhadonlystoppedtothink，youwouldhaveseenthatyouCOULDN\'Tfindtherightman，becauseheisinhisgrave，andhasn\'tleftchicknorchildnorrelationbehindhim；andaslongasthemoneywenttosomebodythatawfullyneededit，andnobodywouldbehurtbyit，and——and——\"
Shebrokedown，crying。Herhusbandtriedtothinkofsomecomfortingthingtosay，andpresentlycameoutwiththis：
\"Butafterall，Mary，itmustbeforthebest——itmustbe；weknowthat。Andwemustrememberthatitwassoordered——\"
\"Ordered！Oh，everything\'sORDERED，whenapersonhastofindsomewayoutwhenhehasbeenstupid。Justthesame，itwasORDEREDthatthemoneyshouldcometousinthisspecialway，anditwasyouthatmusttakeitonyourselftogomeddlingwiththedesignsofProvidence——andwhogaveyoutheright？Itwaswicked，thatiswhatitwas——justblasphemouspresumption，andnomorebecomingtoameekandhumbleprofessorof——\"
\"But，Mary，youknowhowwehavebeentrainedallourliveslong，likethewholevillage，tillitisabsolutelysecondnaturetoustostopnotasinglemomenttothinkwhenthere\'sanhonestthingtobedone——\"
\"Oh，Iknowit，Iknowit——it\'sbeenoneeverlastingtrainingandtrainingandtraininginhonesty——honestyshielded，fromtheverycradle，againsteverypossibletemptation，andsoit\'sARTIFICIAL
honesty，andweakaswaterwhentemptationcomes，aswehaveseenthisnight。GodknowsIneverhadshadenorshadowofadoubtofmypetrifiedandindestructiblehonestyuntilnow——andnow，undertheveryfirstbigandrealtemptation，I——Edward，itismybeliefthatthistown\'shonestyisasrottenasmineis；asrottenasyours。Itisameantown，ahard，stingytown，andhasn\'tavirtueintheworldbutthishonestyitissocelebratedforandsoconceitedabout；andsohelpme，Idobelievethatifeverthedaycomesthatitshonestyfallsundergreattemptation，itsgrandreputationwillgotoruinlikeahouseofcards。There，now，I\'vemadeconfession，andIfeelbetter；Iamahumbug，andI\'vebeenoneallmylife，withoutknowingit。Letnomancallmehonestagain——Iwillnothaveit。\"
\"I——Well，Mary，Ifeelagooddealasyoudo：Icertainlydo。Itseemsstrange，too，sostrange。Inevercouldhavebelievedit——
never。\"
Alongsilencefollowed；bothweresunkinthought。Atlastthewifelookedupandsaid：
\"Iknowwhatyouarethinking，Edward。\"
Richardshadtheembarrassedlookofapersonwhoiscaught。
\"Iamashamedtoconfessit，Mary，but——\"
\"It\'snomatter，Edward，Iwasthinkingthesamequestionmyself。\"
\"Ihopeso。Stateit。\"
\"Youwerethinking，ifabodycouldonlyguessoutWHATTHEREMARK
WASthatGoodsonmadetothestranger。\"
\"It\'sperfectlytrue。Ifeelguiltyandashamed。Andyou？\"
\"I\'mpastit。Letusmakeapallethere；we\'vegottostandwatchtillthebankvaultopensinthemorningandadmitsthesack……Ohdear，ohdear——ifwehadn\'tmadethemistake！\"
Thepalletwasmade，andMarysaid：
\"Theopensesame——whatcouldithavebeen？Idowonderwhatthatremarkcouldhavebeen。Butcome；wewillgettobednow。\"
\"Andsleep？\"
\"No；think。\"
\"Yes；think。\"
BythistimetheCoxestoohadcompletedtheirspatandtheirreconciliation，andwereturningin——tothink，tothink，andtoss，andfret，andworryoverwhattheremarkcouldpossiblyhavebeenwhichGoodsonmadetothestrandedderelict；thatgoldenremark；
thatremarkworthfortythousanddollars，cash。
Thereasonthatthevillagetelegraph-officewasopenlaterthanusualthatnightwasthis：TheforemanofCox\'spaperwasthelocalrepresentativeoftheAssociatedPress。Onemightsayitshonoraryrepresentative，foritwasn\'tfourtimesayearthathecouldfurnishthirtywordsthatwouldbeaccepted。Butthistimeitwasdifferent。Hisdespatchstatingwhathehadcaughtgotaninstantanswer：
\"Sendthewholething——allthedetails——twelvehundredwords。\"
Acolossalorder！Theforemanfilledthebill；andhewastheproudestmanintheState。Bybreakfast-timethenextmorningthenameofHadleyburgtheIncorruptiblewasoneverylipinAmerica，fromMontrealtotheGulf，fromtheglaciersofAlaskatotheorange-grovesofFlorida；andmillionsandmillionsofpeoplewerediscussingthestrangerandhismoney-sack，andwonderingiftherightmanwouldbefound，andhopingsomemorenewsaboutthematterwouldcomesoon——rightaway。
II
Hadleyburgvillagewokeupworld-celebrated——astonished——happy——
vain。Vainbeyondimagination。Itsnineteenprincipalcitizensandtheirwiveswentaboutshakinghandswitheachother，andbeaming，andsmiling，andcongratulating，andsayingTHISthingaddsanewwordtothedictionary——HADLEYBURG，synonymforINCORRUPTIBLE——
destinedtoliveindictionariesforever！Andtheminorandunimportantcitizensandtheirwiveswentaroundactinginmuchthesameway。Everybodyrantothebanktoseethegold-sack；andbeforenoongrievedandenviouscrowdsbegantoflockinfromBrixtonandallneighbouringtowns；andthatafternoonandnextdayreportersbegantoarrivefromeverywheretoverifythesackanditshistoryandwritethewholethingupanew，andmakedashingfree-
handpicturesofthesack，andofRichards\'shouse，andthebank，andthePresbyterianchurch，andtheBaptistchurch，andthepublicsquare，andthetown-hallwherethetestwouldbeappliedandthemoneydelivered；anddamnableportraitsoftheRichardses，andPinkertonthebanker，andCox，andtheforeman，andReverendBurgess，andthepostmaster——andevenofJackHalliday，whowastheloafing，good-natured，no-account，irreverentfisherman，hunter，boys\'friend，stray-dogs\'friend，typical\"SamLawson\"ofthetown。
Thelittlemean，smirking，oilyPinkertonshowedthesacktoallcomers，andrubbedhissleekpalmstogetherpleasantly，andenlargeduponthetown\'sfineoldreputationforhonestyanduponthiswonderfulendorsementofit，andhopedandbelievedthattheexamplewouldnowspreadfarandwideovertheAmericanworld，andbeepoch-
makinginthematterofmoralregeneration。Andsoon，andsoon。
Bytheendofaweekthingshadquieteddownagain；thewildintoxicationofprideandjoyhadsoberedtoasoft，sweet，silentdelight——asortofdeep，nameless，unutterablecontent。Allfacesborealookofpeaceful，holyhappiness。
Thenachangecame。Itwasagradualchange；sogradualthatitsbeginningswerehardlynoticed；maybewerenotnoticedatall，exceptbyJackHalliday，whoalwaysnoticedeverything；andalwaysmadefunofit，too，nomatterwhatitwas。Hebegantothrowoutchaffingremarksaboutpeoplenotlookingquitesohappyastheydidadayortwoago；andnextheclaimedthatthenewaspectwasdeepeningtopositivesadness；next，thatitwastakingonasicklook；andfinallyhesaidthateverybodywasbecomesomoody，thoughtful，andabsent-mindedthathecouldrobthemeanestmanintownofacentoutofthebottomofhisbreechespocketandnotdisturbhisreverie。
Atthisstage——orataboutthisstage——asayinglikethiswasdroppedatbedtime——withasigh，usually——bytheheadofeachofthenineteenprincipalhouseholds：
\"Ah，whatCOULDhavebeentheremarkthatGoodsonmade？\"
Andstraightway——withashudder——camethis，fromtheman\'swife：
\"Oh，DON\'T！Whathorriblethingareyoumullinginyourmind？Putitawayfromyou，forGod\'ssake！\"
Butthatquestionwaswrungfromthosemenagainthenextnight——andgotthesameretort。Butweaker。
Andthethirdnightthemenutteredthequestionyetagain——withanguish，andabsently。Thistime——andthefollowingnight——thewivesfidgetedfeebly，andtriedtosaysomething。Butdidn\'t。
Andthenightafterthattheyfoundtheirtonguesandresponded——
longingly：
\"Oh，ifweCOULDonlyguess！\"
Halliday\'scommentsgrewdailymoreandmoresparklinglydisagreeableanddisparaging。Hewentdiligentlyabout，laughingatthetown，individuallyandinmass。Buthislaughwastheonlyoneleftinthevillage：itfelluponahollowandmournfulvacancyandemptiness。Notevenasmilewasfindableanywhere。Hallidaycarriedacigar-boxaroundonatripod，playingthatitwasacamera，andhaltedallpassersandaimedthethingandsaid\"Ready！——
nowlookpleasant，please，\"butnoteventhiscapitaljokecouldsurprisethedrearyfacesintoanysoftening。
Sothreeweekspassed——oneweekwasleft。ItwasSaturdayeveningaftersupper。InsteadoftheaforetimeSaturday-eveningflutterandbustleandshoppingandlarking，thestreetswereemptyanddesolate。Richardsandhisoldwifesatapartintheirlittleparlour——miserableandthinking。Thiswasbecometheireveninghabitnow：thelife-longhabitwhichhadprecededit，ofreading，knitting，andcontentedchat，orreceivingorpayingneighbourlycalls，wasdeadandgoneandforgotten，agesago——twoorthreeweeksago；nobodytalkednow，nobodyread，nobodyvisited——thewholevillagesatathome，sighing，worrying，silent。Tryingtoguessoutthatremark。
Thepostmanleftaletter。Richardsglancedlistlesslyatthesuperscriptionandthepost-mark——unfamiliar，both——andtossedtheletteronthetableandresumedhismight-have-beensandhishopelessdullmiserieswherehehadleftthemoff。Twoorthreehourslaterhiswifegotwearilyupandwasgoingawaytobedwithoutagood-night——customnow——butshestoppedneartheletterandeyeditawhilewithadeadinterest，thenbrokeitopen，andbegantoskimitover。Richards，sittingtherewithhischairtiltedbackagainstthewallandhischinbetweenhisknees，heardsomethingfall。Itwashiswife。Hesprangtoherside，butshecriedout：
\"Leavemealone，Iamtoohappy。Readtheletter——readit！\"
Hedid。Hedevouredit，hisbrainreeling。TheletterwasfromadistantState，anditsaid：
\"Iamastrangertoyou，butnomatter：Ihavesomethingtotell。
IhavejustarrivedhomefromMexico，andlearnedaboutthatepisode。Ofcourseyoudonotknowwhomadethatremark，butI
know，andIamtheonlypersonlivingwhodoesknow。ItwasGOODSON。Iknewhimwell，manyyearsago。Ipassedthroughyourvillagethatverynight，andwashisguesttillthemidnighttraincamealong。Ioverheardhimmakethatremarktothestrangerinthedark——itwasinHaleAlley。HeandItalkedofittherestofthewayhome，andwhilesmokinginhishouse。Hementionedmanyofyourvillagersinthecourseofhistalk——mostoftheminaveryuncomplimentaryway，buttwoorthreefavourably：amongtheselatteryourself。Isay\'favourably\'——nothingstronger。IrememberhissayinghedidnotactuallyLIKEanypersoninthetown——notone；
butthatyou——ITHINKhesaidyou——amalmostsure——haddonehimaverygreatserviceonce，possiblywithoutknowingthefullvalueofit，andhewishedhehadafortune，hewouldleaveittoyouwhenhedied，andacurseapiecefortherestofthecitizens。Now，then，ifitwasyouthatdidhimthatservice，youarehislegitimateheir，andentitledtothesackofgold。IknowthatIcantrusttoyourhonourandhonesty，forinacitizenofHadleyburgthesevirtuesareanunfailinginheritance，andsoIamgoingtorevealtoyoutheremark，wellsatisfiedthatifyouarenottherightmanyouwillseekandfindtherightoneandseethatpoorGoodson\'sdebtofgratitudefortheservicereferredtoispaid。Thisistheremark\'YOUAREFARFROMBEINGABADMAN：GO，ANDREFORM。\'
\"HOWARDL。STEPHENSON。\"
\"Oh，Edward，themoneyisours，andIamsograteful，OH，sograteful，——kissme，dear，it\'sforeversincewekissed——andweneededitso——themoney——andnowyouarefreeofPinkertonandhisbank，andnobody\'sslaveanymore；itseemstomeIcouldflyforjoy。\"
Itwasahappyhalf-hourthatthecouplespentthereonthesetteecaressingeachother；itwastheolddayscomeagain——daysthathadbegunwiththeircourtshipandlastedwithoutabreaktillthestrangerbroughtthedeadlymoney。By-and-bythewifesaid：
\"Oh，Edward，howluckyitwasyoudidhimthatgrandservice，poorGoodson！Ineverlikedhim，butIlovehimnow。Anditwasfineandbeautifulofyounevertomentionitorbragaboutit。\"Then，withatouchofreproach，\"ButyououghttohavetoldME，Edward，yououghttohavetoldyourwife，youknow。\"
\"Well，I——er——well，Mary，yousee——\"
\"Nowstophemmingandhawing，andtellmeaboutit，Edward。I
alwayslovedyou，andnowI\'mproudofyou。Everybodybelievestherewasonlyonegoodgeneroussoulinthisvillage，andnowitturnsoutthatyou——Edward，whydon\'tyoutellme？\"
\"Well——er——er——Why，Mary，Ican\'t！\"
\"YouCAN\'T？WHYcan\'tyou？\"
\"Yousee，he——well，he——hemademepromiseIwouldn\'t。\"
Thewifelookedhimover，andsaid，veryslowly：
\"Made——you——promise？Edward，whatdoyoutellmethatfor？\"
\"Mary，doyouthinkIwouldlie？\"
Shewastroubledandsilentforamoment，thenshelaidherhandwithinhisandsaid：
\"No……no。Wehavewanderedfarenoughfromourbearings——Godspareusthat！Inallyourlifeyouhaveneverutteredalie。Butnow——nowthatthefoundationsofthingsseemtobecrumblingfromunderus，we——we——\"Shelosthervoiceforamoment，thensaid，brokenly，\"Leadusnotintotemptation……Ithinkyoumadethepromise，Edward。Letitrestso。Letuskeepawayfromthatground。Now——thatisallgoneby；letushehappyagain；itisnotimeforclouds。\"
Edwardfounditsomethingofanefforttocomply，forhismindkeptwandering——tryingtorememberwhattheservicewasthathehaddoneGoodson。
Thecouplelayawakethemostofthenight，Maryhappyandbusy，Edwardbusy，butnotsohappy。Marywasplanningwhatshewoulddowiththemoney。Edwardwastryingtorecallthatservice。AtfirsthisconsciencewassoreonaccountoftheliehehadtoldMary——ifitwasalie。Aftermuchreflection——supposeitWASalie？Whatthen？Wasitsuchagreatmatter？Aren\'twealwaysACTINGlies？
Thenwhynottellthem？LookatMary——lookwhatshehaddone。
Whilehewashurryingoffonhishonesterrand，whatwasshedoing？
Lamentingbecausethepapershadn\'tbeendestroyedandthemoneykept。Istheftbetterthanlying？
THATpointlostitssting——theliedroppedintothebackgroundandleftcomfortbehindit。Thenextpointcametothefront：HADherenderedthatservice？Well，herewasGoodson\'sownevidenceasreportedinStephenson\'sletter；therecouldbenobetterevidencethanthat——itwasevenPROOFthathehadrenderedit。Ofcourse。
Sothatpointwassettled……No，notquite。HerecalledwithawincethatthisunknownMr。StephensonwasjustatrifleunsureastowhethertheperformerofitwasRichardsorsomeother——and，ohdear，hehadputRichardsonhishonour！Hemusthimselfdecidewhitherthatmoneymustgo——andMr。Stephensonwasnotdoubtingthatifhewasthewrongmanhewouldgohonourablyandfindtherightone。Oh，itwasodioustoputamaninsuchasituation——ah，whycouldn\'tStephensonhaveleftoutthatdoubt？Whatdidhewanttointrudethatfor？
Furtherreflection。HowdidithappenthatRICHARDS\'SnameremainedinStephenson\'smindasindicatingtherightman，andnotsomeotherman\'sname？Thatlookedgood。Yes，thatlookedverygood。Infactitwentonlookingbetterandbetter，straightalong——untilby-and-
byitgrewintopositivePROOF。AndthenRichardsputthematteratonceoutofhismind，forhehadaprivateinstinctthataproofonceestablishedisbetterleftso。
Hewasfeelingreasonablycomfortablenow，buttherewasstilloneotherdetailthatkeptpushingitselfonhisnotice：ofcoursehehaddonethatservice——thatwassettled；butwhatWASthatservice？
Hemustrecallit——hewouldnotgotosleeptillhehadrecalledit；
itwouldmakehispeaceofmindperfect。Andsohethoughtandthought。Hethoughtofadozenthings——possibleservices，evenprobableservices——butnoneofthemseemedadequate，noneofthemseemedlargeenough，noneofthemseemedworththemoney——worththefortuneGoodsonhadwishedhecouldleaveinhiswill。Andbesides，hecouldn\'trememberhavingdonethem，anyway。Now，then——now，then——whatKINDofaservicewoulditbethatwouldmakeamansoinordinatelygrateful？Ah——thesavingofhissoul！Thatmustbeit。Yes，hecouldremember，now，howheoncesethimselfthetaskofconvertingGoodson，andlabouredatitasmuchas——hewasgoingtosaythreemonths；butuponcloserexaminationitshrunktoamonth，thentoaweek，thentoaday，thentonothing。Yes，herememberednow，andwithunwelcomevividness，thatGoodsonhadtoldhimtogotothunderandmindhisownbusiness——HEwasn\'thankeringtofollowHadleyburgtoheaven！
Sothatsolutionwasafailure——hehadn\'tsavedGoodson\'ssoul。
Richardswasdiscouraged。Thenafteralittlecameanotheridea：
hadhesavedGoodson\'sproperty？No，thatwouldn\'tdo——hehadn\'tany。Hislife？Thatisit！Ofcourse。Why，hemighthavethoughtofitbefore。Thistimehewasontherighttrack，sure。Hisimagination-millwashardatworkinaminute，now。
Thereafter，duringastretchoftwoexhaustinghours，hewasbusysavingGoodson\'slife。Hesaveditinallkindsofdifficultandperilousways。Ineverycasehegotitsavedsatisfactorilyuptoacertainpoint；then，justashewasbeginningtogetwellpersuadedthatithadreallyhappened，atroublesomedetailwouldturnupwhichmadethewholethingimpossible。Asinthematterofdrowning，forinstance。InthatcasehehadswumoutandtuggedGoodsonashoreinanunconsciousstatewithagreatcrowdlookingonandapplauding，butwhenhehadgotitallthoughtoutandwasjustbeginningtorememberallaboutit，awholeswarmofdisqualifyingdetailsarrivedontheground：thetownwouldhaveknownofthecircumstance，Marywouldhaveknownofit，itwouldglarelikealimelightinhisownmemoryinsteadofbeinganinconspicuousservicewhichhehadpossiblyrendered\"withoutknowingitsfullvalue。\"Andatthispointherememberedthathecouldn\'tswimanyway。
Ah——THEREwasapointwhichhehadbeenoverlookingfromthestart：
ithadtobeaservicewhichhehadrendered\"possiblywithoutknowingthefullvalueofit。\"Why，really，thatoughttobeaneasyhunt——mucheasierthanthoseothers。Andsureenough，by-and-
byhefoundit。Goodson，yearsandyearsago，camenearmarryingaverysweetandprettygirl，namedNancyHewitt，butinsomewayorotherthematchhadbeenbrokenoff；thegirldied，Goodsonremainedabachelor，andby-and-bybecameasouredoneandafrankdespiserofthehumanspecies。Soonafterthegirl\'sdeaththevillagefoundout，orthoughtithadfoundout，thatshecarriedaspoonfulofnegrobloodinherveins。Richardsworkedatthesedetailsagoodwhile，andintheendhethoughtherememberedthingsconcerningthemwhichmusthavegottenmislaidinhismemorythroughlongneglect。HeseemedtodimlyrememberthatitwasHEthatfoundoutaboutthenegroblood；thatitwashethattoldthevillage；thatthevillagetoldGoodsonwheretheygotit；thathethussavedGoodsonfrommarryingthetaintedgirl；thathehaddonehimthisgreatservice\"withoutknowingthefullvalueofit，\"infactwithoutknowingthatheWASdoingit；butthatGoodsonknewthevalueofit，andwhatanarrowescapehehadhad，andsowenttohisgravegratefultohisbenefactorandwishinghehadafortunetoleavehim。Itwasallclearandsimple，now，andthemorehewentoveritthemoreluminousandcertainitgrew；andatlast，whenhenestledtosleep，satisfiedandhappy，herememberedthewholethingjustasifithadbeenyesterday。Infact，hedimlyrememberedGoodson\'sTELLINGhimhisgratitudeonce。MeantimeMaryhadspentsixthousanddollarsonanewhouseforherselfandapairofslippersforherpastor，andthenhadfallenpeacefullytorest。
ThatsameSaturdayeveningthepostmanhaddeliveredalettertoeachoftheotherprincipalcitizens——nineteenlettersinall。Notwooftheenvelopeswerealike，andnotwoofthesuperscriptionswereinthesamehand，butthelettersinsidewerejustlikeeachotherineverydetailbutone。TheywereexactcopiesoftheletterreceivedbyRichards——handwritingandall——andwereallsignedbyStephenson，butinplaceofRichards\'snameeachreceiver\'sownnameappeared。
Allnightlongeighteenprincipalcitizensdidwhattheircaste-
brotherRichardswasdoingatthesametime——theyputintheirenergiestryingtorememberwhatnotableserviceitwasthattheyhadunconsciouslydoneBarclayGoodson。Innocasewasitaholidayjob；stilltheysucceeded。
Andwhiletheywereatthiswork，whichwasdifficult，theirwivesputinthenightspendingthemoney，whichwaseasy。Duringthatonenightthenineteenwivesspentanaverageofseventhousanddollarseachoutofthefortythousandinthesack——ahundredandthirty-threethousandaltogether。
NextdaytherewasasurpriseforJackHalliday。Henoticedthatthefacesofthenineteenchiefcitizensandtheirwivesborethatexpressionofpeacefulandholyhappinessagain。Hecouldnotunderstandit，neitherwasheabletoinventanyremarksaboutitthatcoulddamageitordisturbit。Andsoitwashisturntobedissatisfiedwithlife。Hisprivateguessesatthereasonsforthehappinessfailedinallinstances，uponexamination。WhenhemetMrs。Wilcoxandnoticedtheplacidecstasyinherface，hesaidtohimself，\"Hercathashadkittens\"——andwentandaskedthecook；itwasnotso，thecookhaddetectedthehappiness，butdidnotknowthecause。WhenHallidayfoundtheduplicateecstasyinthefaceof\"Shadbelly\"Billsonvillagenickname，hewassuresomeneighbourofBillson\'shadbrokenhisleg，butinquiryshowedthatthishadnothappened。ThesubduedecstasyinGregoryYates\'sfacecouldmeanbutonething——hewasamother-in-lawshort；itwasanothermistake。\"AndPinkerton——Pinkerton——hehascollectedtencentsthathethoughthewasgoingtolose。\"Andsoon，andsoon。Insomecasestheguesseshadtoremainindoubt，intheotherstheyproveddistincterrors。IntheendHallidaysaidtohimself，\"Anywayitrootsupthatthere\'snineteenHadleyburgfamiliestemporarilyinheaven：Idon\'tknowhowithappened；IonlyknowProvidenceisoffdutyto-day。\"
AnarchitectandbuilderfromthenextStatehadlatelyventuredtosetupasmallbusinessinthisunpromisingvillage，andhissignhadnowbeenhangingoutaweek。Notacustomeryet；hewasadiscouragedman，andsorryhehadcome。Buthisweatherchangedsuddenlynow。Firstoneandthenanotherchiefcitizen\'swifesaidtohimprivately：
\"CometomyhouseMondayweek——butsaynothingaboutitforthepresent。Wethinkofbuilding。\"
Hegoteleveninvitationsthatday。Thatnighthewrotehisdaughterandbrokeoffhermatchwithherstudent。Hesaidshecouldmarryamilehigherthanthat。
Pinkertonthebankerandtwoorthreeotherwell-to-domenplannedcountry-seats——butwaited。Thatkinddon\'tcounttheirchickensuntiltheyarehatched。
TheWilsonsdevisedagrandnewthing——afancy-dressball。Theymadenoactualpromises，buttoldalltheiracquaintanceshipinconfidencethattheywerethinkingthematteroverandthoughttheyshouldgiveit——\"andifwedo，youwillbeinvited，ofcourse。\"
Peopleweresurprised，andsaid，onetoanother，\"Why，theyarecrazy，thosepoorWilsons，theycan\'taffordit。\"Severalamongthenineteensaidprivatelytotheirhusbands，\"Itisagoodidea，wewillkeepstilltilltheircheapthingisover，thenWEwillgiveonethatwillmakeitsick。\"
Thedaysdriftedalong，andthebilloffuturesquanderingsrosehigherandhigher，wilderandwilder，moreandmorefoolishandreckless。Itbegantolookasifeverymemberofthenineteenwouldnotonlyspendhiswholefortythousanddollarsbeforereceiving-
day，butbeactuallyindebtbythetimehegotthemoney。Insomecaseslight-headedpeopledidnotstopwithplanningtospend，theyreallyspent——oncredit。Theyboughtland，mortgages，farms，speculativestocks，fineclothes，horses，andvariousotherthings，paiddownthebonus，andmadethemselvesliablefortherest——attendays。Presentlythesobersecondthoughtcame，andHallidaynoticedthataghastlyanxietywasbeginningtoshowupinagoodmanyfaces。Againhewaspuzzled，anddidn\'tknowwhattomakeofit。
\"TheWilcoxkittensaren\'tdead，fortheyweren\'tborn；nobody\'sbrokenaleg；there\'snoshrinkageinmother-in-laws；NOTHINGhashappened——itisaninsolvablemystery。\"
Therewasanotherpuzzledman，too——theRev。Mr。Burgess。Fordays，whereverhewent，peopleseemedtofollowhimortobewatchingoutforhim；andifheeverfoundhimselfinaretiredspot，amemberofthenineteenwouldbesuretoappear，thrustanenvelopeprivatelyintohishand，whisper\"Tobeopenedatthetown-hallFridayevening，\"thenvanishawaylikeaguiltything。Hewasexpectingthattheremightbeoneclaimantforthesack——doubtful，however，Goodsonbeingdead——butitneveroccurredtohimthatallthiscrowdmightbeclaimants。WhenthegreatFridaycameatlast，hefoundthathehadnineteenenvelopes。
III
Thetown-hallhadneverlookedfiner。Theplatformattheendofitwasbackedbyashowydrapingofflags；atintervalsalongthewallswerefestoonsofflags；thegalleryfrontswereclothedinflags；
thesupportingcolumnswereswathedinflags；allthiswastoimpressthestranger，forhewouldbethereinconsiderableforce，andinalargedegreehewouldbeconnectedwiththepress。Thehousewasfull。The412fixedseatswereoccupied；alsothe68
extrachairswhichhadbeenpackedintotheaisles；thestepsoftheplatformwereoccupied；somedistinguishedstrangersweregivenseatsontheplatform；atthehorseshoeoftableswhichfencedthefrontandsidesoftheplatformsatastrongforceofspecialcorrespondentswhohadcomefromeverywhere。Itwasthebest-
dressedhousethetownhadeverproduced。Thereweresometolerablyexpensivetoiletsthere，andinseveralcasestheladieswhoworethemhadthelookofbeingunfamiliarwiththatkindofclothes。Atleastthetownthoughttheyhadthatlook，butthenotioncouldhavearisenfromthetown\'sknowledgeofthefactthattheseladieshadneverinhabitedsuchclothesbefore。
Thegold-sackstoodonalittletableatthefrontoftheplatformwhereallthehousecouldseeit。Thebulkofthehousegazedatitwithaburninginterest，amouth-wateringinterest，awistfulandpatheticinterest；aminorityofnineteencouplesgazedatittenderly，lovingly，proprietarily，andthemalehalfofthisminoritykeptsayingovertothemselvesthemovinglittleimpromptuspeechesofthankfulnessfortheaudience\'sapplauseandcongratulationswhichtheywerepresentlygoingtogetupanddeliver。Everynowandthenoneofthesegotapieceofpaperoutofhisvestpocketandprivatelyglancedatittorefreshhismemory。
Ofcoursetherewasabuzzofconversationgoingon——therealwaysis；butatlast，whentheRev。Mr。Burgessroseandlaidhishandonthesack，hecouldhearhismicrobesgnaw，theplacewassostill。
Herelatedthecurioushistoryofthesack，thenwentontospeakinwarmtermsofHadleyburg\'soldandwell-earnedreputationforspotlesshonesty，andofthetown\'sjustprideinthisreputation。
Hesaidthatthisreputationwasatreasureofpricelessvalue；thatunderProvidenceitsvaluehadnowbecomeinestimablyenhanced，fortherecentepisodehadspreadthisfamefarandwide，andthushadfocussedtheeyesoftheAmericanworlduponthisvillage，andmadeitsnameforalltime，ashehopedandbelieved，asynonymforcommercialincorruptibility。[Applause。]\"Andwhoistobetheguardianofthisnoblefame——thecommunityasawhole？No！Theresponsibilityisindividual，notcommunal。Fromthisdayfortheachandeveryoneofyouisinhisownpersonitsspecialguardian，andindividuallyresponsiblethatnoharmshallcometoit。Doyou——doeseachofyou——acceptthisgreattrust？[Tumultuousassent。]
Thenalliswell。Transmitittoyourchildrenandtoyourchildren\'schildren。To-dayyourpurityisbeyondreproach——seetoitthatitshallremainso。To-daythereisnotapersoninyourcommunitywhocouldbebeguiledtotouchapennynothisown——seetoitthatyouabideinthisgrace。[\"Wewill！wewill！\"]Thisisnottheplacetomakecomparisonsbetweenourselvesandothercommunities——someofthemungracioustowardsus；theyhavetheirways，wehaveours；letusbecontent。[Applause。]Iamdone。
Undermyhand，myfriends，restsastranger\'seloquentrecognitionofwhatweare；throughhimtheworldwillalwayshenceforthknowwhatweare。Wedonotknowwhoheis，butinyournameIutteryourgratitude，andaskyoutoraiseyourvoicesinindorsement。\"
Thehouseroseinabodyandmadethewallsquakewiththethundersofitsthankfulnessforthespaceofalongminute。Thenitsatdown，andMr。Burgesstookanenvelopeoutofhispocket。Thehousehelditsbreathwhileheslittheenvelopeopenandtookfromitaslipofpaper。Hereaditscontents——slowlyandimpressively——theaudiencelisteningwithtrancedattentiontothismagicdocument，eachofwhosewordsstoodforaningotofgold：
\"\'TheremarkwhichImadetothedistressedstrangerwasthis：\"Youareveryfarfrombeingabadman；go，andreform。\"\'\"Thenhecontinued：-\"Weshallknowinamomentnowwhethertheremarkherequotedcorrespondswiththeoneconcealedinthesack；andifthatshallprovetobeso——anditundoubtedlywill——thissackofgoldbelongstoafellow-citizenwhowillhenceforthstandbeforethenationasthesymbolofthespecialvirtuewhichhasmadeourtownfamousthroughouttheland——Mr。Billson！\"
Thehousehadgottenitselfallreadytoburstintothepropertornadoofapplause；butinsteadofdoingit，itseemedstrickenwithaparalysis；therewasadeephushforamomentortwo，thenawaveofwhisperedmurmursswepttheplace——ofaboutthistenor：
\"BILLSON！oh，come，thisisTOOthin！Twentydollarstoastranger——orANYBODY——BILLSON！Tellittothemarines！\"Andnowatthispointthehousecaughtitsbreathallofasuddeninanewaccessofastonishment，foritdiscoveredthatwhereasinonepartofthehallDeaconBillsonwasstandingupwithhisheadweeklybowed，inanotherpartofitLawyerWilsonwasdoingthesame。Therewasawonderingsilencenowforawhile。Everybodywaspuzzled，andnineteencouplesweresurprisedandindignant。
BillsonandWilsonturnedandstaredateachother。Billsonasked，bitingly：
\"WhydoYOUrise，Mr。Wilson？\"
\"BecauseIhavearightto。PerhapsyouwillbegoodenoughtoexplaintothehousewhyYOUrise。\"
\"Withgreatpleasure。BecauseIwrotethatpaper。\"
\"Itisanimpudentfalsity！Iwroteitmyself。\"
ItwasBurgess\'sturntobeparalysed。Hestoodlookingvacantlyatfirstoneofthemenandthentheother，anddidnotseemtoknowwhattodo。Thehousewasstupefied。LawyerWilsonspokeupnow，andsaid：
\"IasktheChairtoreadthenamesignedtothatpaper。\"
ThatbroughttheChairtoitself，anditreadoutthename：
\"JohnWhartonBILLSON。\"
\"There！\"shoutedBillson，\"whathaveyougottosayforyourselfnow？Andwhatkindofapologyareyougoingtomaketomeandtothisinsultedhousefortheimposturewhichyouhaveattemptedtoplayhere？\"
\"Noapologiesaredue，sir；andasfortherestofit，IpubliclychargeyouwithpilferingmynotefromMr。Burgessandsubstitutingacopyofitsignedwithyourownname。Thereisnootherwaybywhichyoucouldhavegottenholdofthetest-remark；Ialone，oflivingmen，possessedthesecretofitswording。\"
Therewaslikelytobeascandalousstateofthingsifthiswenton；
everybodynoticedwithdistressthattheshorthandscribeswerescribblinglikemad；manypeoplewerecrying\"Chair，chair！Order！
order！\"Burgessrappedwithhisgavel，andsaid：
\"Letusnotforgettheproprietiesdue。Therehasevidentlybeenamistakesomewhere，butsurelythatisall。IfMr。Wilsongavemeanenvelope——andIremembernowthathedid——Istillhaveit。\"
Hetookoneoutofhispocket，openedit，glancedatit，lookedsurprisedandworried，andstoodsilentafewmoments。Thenhewavedhishandinawanderingandmechanicalway，andmadeaneffortortwotosaysomething，thengaveitup，despondently。Severalvoicescriedout：
\"Readit！readit！Whatisit？\"
Sohebegan，inadazedandsleep-walkerfashion：
\"\'TheremarkwhichImadetotheunhappystrangerwasthis：\"Youarefarfrombeingabadman。[Thehousegazedathimmarvelling。]
Go，andreform。\"\'[Murmurs：\"Amazing！whatcanthismean？\"]Thisone，\"saidtheChair，\"issignedThurlowG。Wilson。\"
\"There！\"criedWilson，\"Ireckonthatsettlesit！Iknewperfectlywellmynotewaspurloined。\"
\"Purloined！\"retortedBillson。\"I\'llletyouknowthatneitheryounoranymanofyourkidneymustventureto——\"
TheChair：\"Order，gentlemen，order！Takeyourseats，bothofyou，please。\"
Theyobeyed，shakingtheirheadsandgrumblingangrily。Thehousewasprofoundlypuzzled；itdidnotknowwhattodowiththiscuriousemergency。PresentlyThompsongotup。Thompsonwasthehatter。HewouldhavelikedtobeaNineteener；butsuchwasnotforhim；hisstockofhatswasnotconsiderableenoughfortheposition。Hesaid：
\"Mr。Chairman，ifImaybepermittedtomakeasuggestion，canbothofthesegentlemenberight？Iputittoyou，sir，canbothhavehappenedtosaytheverysamewordstothestranger？Itseemstome——\"
Thetannergotupandinterruptedhim。Thetannerwasadisgruntledman；hebelievedhimselfentitledtobeaNineteener，buthecouldn\'tgetrecognition。Itmadehimalittleunpleasantinhiswaysandspeech。Saidhe：
\"Sho，THAT\'Snotthepoint！THATcouldhappen——twiceinahundredyears——butnottheotherthing。NEITHERofthemgavethetwentydollars！\"[Arippleofapplause。]
Billson。\"Idid！\"
Wilson。\"Idid！\"
Theneachaccusedtheotherofpilfering。
TheChair。\"Order！Sitdown，ifyouplease——bothofyou。Neitherofthenoteshasbeenoutofmypossessionatanymoment。\"
AVoice。\"Good——thatsettlesTHAT！\"
TheTanner。\"Mr。Chairman，onethingisnowplain：oneofthesemenhasbeeneavesdroppingundertheotherone\'sbed，andfilchingfamilysecrets。Ifitisnotunparliamentarytosuggestit，Iwillremarkthatbothareequaltoit。[TheChair。\"Order！order！\"]I
withdrawtheremark，sir，andwillconfinemyselftosuggestingthatIFoneofthemhasoverheardtheotherrevealthetest-remarktohiswife，weshallcatchhimnow。\"
AVoice。\"How？\"