TheprettylittletheatreattachedtothebuildingoftheUnicornClubhadbeenhiredforacertainJanuaryafternoonbyMr。HerbertLoring，whowishedtogivethereinasomewhatnovelperformance，towhichhehadinvitedasmallaudienceconsistingentirelyoffriendsandacquaintances。
Loringwasahandsomefellowaboutthirtyyearsold，whohadtravelledfarandstudiedmuch。HehadrecentlymadealongsojourninthefarEast，andhisfriendshadbeeninvitedtothetheatretoseesomeofthewonderfulthingshehadbroughtfromthatcountryofwonders。AsLoringwasaclub-man，andbelongedtoafamilyofgoodsocialstanding，hiscircleofacquaintanceswaslarge，andinthiscircleagoodmanyunpleasantremarkshadbeenmaderegardingtheproposedentertainment——made，ofcourse，bythepeoplewhohadnotbeeninvitedtobepresent。SomeofthegossiponthesubjecthadreachedLoring，whodidnothesitatetosaythathecouldnottalktoacrowd，andthathedidnotcaretoshowthecuriousthingshehadcollectedtopeoplewhowouldnotthoroughlyappreciatethem。Hehadbeenveryparticularinregardtohisinvitations。
Atthreeo\'clockontheappointedafternoonnearlyallthepeoplewhohadbeeninvitedtotheUnicornTheatrewereintheirseats。Noonehadstayedawayexceptforsomeverygoodreason，foritwaswellknownthatifHerbertLoringofferedtoshowanythingitwasworthseeing。
Aboutfortypeoplewerepresent，whosattalkingtooneanother，oradmiringthedecorationofthetheatre。AsLoringstooduponthestage——wherehewasentirelyalone，hisexhibitionrequiringnoassistants——hegazedthroughaloopholeinthecurtainuponaveryinterestingarrayoffaces。Therewerethefacesofmanymenandwomenofsociety，ofstudents，ofworkersinvariousfieldsofthought，andevenofidlersinallfieldsofthought；buttherewasnotonewhichindicatedafrivolousorlistlessdisposition。Theownersofthosefaceshadcometoseesomething，andtheywishedtoseeit。
ForaquarterofanhourafterthetimeannouncedfortheopeningoftheexhibitionLoringpeeredthroughtheholeinthecurtain，andthen，althoughallthepeoplehehadexpectedhadnotarrived，hefeltitwouldnotdoforhimtowaitanylonger。
Theaudiencewascomposedofwell-bredandcourteousmenandwomen，butdespitetheirpoliteself-restraintLoringcouldseethatsomeofthemweregettingtiredofwaiting。So，veryreluctantly，andfeelingthatfurtherdelaywasimpossible，heraisedthecurtainandcameforwardonthestage。
BrieflyheannouncedthattheexhibitionwouldopenwithsomefireworkshehadbroughtfromCorea。Itwasplaintoseethatthestatementthatfireworkswereabouttobesetoffonatheatrestage，byanamateur，hadratherstartledsomeoftheaudience，andLoringhastenedtoexplainthatthesewerenotrealfireworks，butthattheywerecontrivancesmadeofcoloredglass，whichwereilluminatedbythepowerfullensofalanternwhichwasplacedoutofsight，andwhiletheapparentpyrotechnicdisplaywouldresemblefireworksofstrangeandgrotesquedesigns，itwouldbeabsolutelywithoutdanger。Hebroughtoutsomelittlebunchesofbitsofcoloredglass，hungthematsomedistanceapartonawirewhichwasstretchedacrossthestagejusthighenoughforhimtoreachit，andthenlightedhislantern，whichheplacedinoneofthewings，loweredallthelightsinthetheatre，andbeganhisexhibition。
AsLoringturnedhislanternononeoftheclustersofglasslenses，strips，andpoints，and，unseenhimself，causedthemtomovebymeansoflongcordsattached，theeffectswerebeautifulandmarvellous。Littlewheelsofcoloredfirerapidlyrevolved，miniaturerocketsappearedtoriseafewfeetandtoexplodeintheair，andwhilealltheordinaryformsoffireworkswereproducedonadiminutivescale，thereweresomeeffectsthatwereentirelynoveltotheaudience。Asthelightwasturnedsuccessivelyupononeandanotheroftheclustersofglass，sometimesitwouldflashalongthewholelinesorapidlythatallthevariouscombinationsofcolorandmotionseemedtobecombinedinone，andthenforatimeeachparticularsetoffireworkswouldblaze，sparkle，andcoruscatebyitself，scatteringparticlesofcoloredlightasiftheyhadbeenrealsparksoffire。
Thiscuriousandbeautifulexhibitionofminiaturepyrotechnicswasextremelyinterestingtotheaudience，whogazedupwardwithraptandeagerattentionatthelineofwheels，stars，andrevolvingspheres。Sofarasinterestgaveevidenceofsatisfaction，therewasneverabettersatisfiedaudience。Atfirsttherehadbeensomehushedmurmursofpleasure，butverysoontheattentionofeveryoneseemedsocompletelyengrossedbythedazzlingdisplaythattheysimplygazedinsilence。
Fortwentyminutesorlongertheglitteringshowwenton，andnotasignofwearinessorinattentionwasmadebyanyoneoftheassembledcompany。Thengraduallythecolorsofthelittlefireworksfaded，thestarsandwheelsrevolvedmoreslowly，thelightsinthebodyofthetheatreweregraduallyraised，andthestagecurtainwentsoftlydown。
Anxiously，andalittlepale，HerbertLoringpeeredthroughtheloopholeinthecurtain。Itwasnoteasytojudgeoftheeffectsofhisexhibition，andhedidnotknowwhetherornotithadbeenasuccess。Therewasnoapplause，but，ontheotherhand，therewasnosignsthatanyoneresentedtheexhibitionasachildishdisplayofcoloredlights。Itwasimpossibletolookuponthataudiencewithoutbelievingthattheyhadbeenthoroughlyinterestedinwhattheyhadseen，andthattheyexpectedtoseemore。
FortwoorthreeminutesLoringgazedthroughhisloophole，andthen，stillwithsomedoubtinhisheart，butwithalittlemorecolorinhischecks，hepreparedforthesecondpartofhisperformance。
Atthismomentthereenteredthetheatre，attheverybackofthehouse，ayounglady。Shewashandsomeandwelldressed，andassheopenedthedoor——Loringhademployednoushersorotherassistantsinthislittlesocialperformance——shepausedforamomentandlookedintothetheatre，andthennoiselesslysteppedtoachairinthebackrowandsatdown。
ThiswasEdithStarr，who，amonthbefore，hadbeenbetrothedtoHerbertLoring。Edithandhermotherhadbeeninvitedtothisperformance，andfrontseatshadbeenreservedforthem，foreachguesthadreceivedanumberedcard。ButMrs。Starrhadaheadache，andcouldnotgooutthatafternoon，andforatimeherdaughterhadthoughtthatshe，too，mustgiveupthepleasureLoringhadpromisedher，andstaywithhermother。Butwhentheelderladydroppedintoaquietsleep，Ediththoughtthat，lateasitwas，shewouldgobyherself，andseewhatshecouldoftheperformance。
ShewasquitecertainthatifherpresencewereknowntoLoringhewouldstopwhateverhewasdoinguntilshehadbeenprovidedwithaseatwhichhethoughtsuitableforher，forhehadmadeapointofherbeingproperlyseatedwhenhegavetheinvitations。Therefore，beingequallydesirousofnotdisturbingtheperformanceandofnotbeingherselfconspicuous，shesatbehindtworatherlargemen，whereshecouldseethestageperfectlywell，butwheresheherselfwouldnotbelikelytobeseen。
Inafewmomentsthecurtainrose，andLoringcameforward，carryingasmall，lighttable，whichheplacednearthefrontofthestage，andforamomentstoodquietlybyit。Edithnoticeduponhisfacetheexpressionofuncertaintyandanxietywhichhadnotyetleftit。Standingbythesideofthetable，andspeakingveryslowly，butsoclearlythathiswordscouldbehearddistinctlyinallpartsoftheroom，hebegansomeintroductoryremarksregardingthesecondpartofhisperformance。
\"Theextraordinary，andImaysaymarvellous，thingwhichI
amabouttoshowyou，\"hesaid，\"isknownamongEastIndianmagiciansasthemagicegg。Theexhibitionisaveryuncommonone，andhasseldombeenseenbyAmericansorEuropeans，anditwasbyapieceofraregoodfortunethatIbecamepossessedoftheappliancesnecessaryforthisexhibition。Theyareindeedveryfewandsimple，butneverbefore，tothebestofmyknowledgeandbelief，havetheybeenseenoutsideofIndia。
\"Iwillnowgetthelittleboxwhichcontainsthearticlesnecessaryforthismagicalperformance，andIwillsaythatifI
hadtimetotellyouofthestrangeandamazingadventurewhichresultedinmypossessionofthisbox，IamsureyouwouldbeasmuchinterestedinthatasIexpectyoutobeinthecontentsofthebox。Butinorderthatnoneofyoumaythinkthisisanordinarytrick，executedbymeansofconcealedtrapsordoors，I
wishyoutotakeparticularnoticeofthistable，whichis，asyousee，aplain，unpaintedpinetable，withnothingbutaflattop，andfourstraightlegsatthecorners。Youcanseeunderandaroundit，anditgivesnoopportunitytoconcealanything。\"
Then，standingforafewmomentsasifhehadsomethingelsetosay，heturnedandsteppedtowardoneofthewings。
Edithwastroubledasshelookedatherloverduringtheseremarks。Herinterestwasgreat，greater，indeed，thanthatofthepeopleabouther，butitwasnotapleasantinterest。AsLoringstoppedspeaking，andlookedabouthim，therewasamomentaryflushonhisface。Sheknewthiswascausedbyexcitement，andshewaspalefromthesamecause。
VerysoonLoringcameforward，andstoodbythetable。
\"Hereisthebox，\"hesaid，\"ofwhichIspoke，andasIholditupIthinkyouallcanseeit。Itisnotlarge，beingcertainlynotmorethantwelveinchesinlengthandtwodeep，butitcontainssomeverywonderfulthings。Theoutsideofthisboxiscoveredwithdelicateengravingandcarvingwhichyoucannotsee，andthesemarksandlineshave，Ithink，somemagicalmeaning，butIdonotknowwhatitis。Iwillnowopentheboxandshowyouwhatisinside。ThefirstthingItakeoutisthislittlestick，notthickerthanalead-pencil，butsomewhatlonger，asyousee。Thisisamagicalwand，andiscoveredwithinscriptionsofthesamecharacterasthoseontheoutsideofthebox。Thenextthingisthislittleredbag，wellfilled，asyousee，whichIshallputonthetable，forIshallnotyetneedit。
\"NowItakeoutapieceofclothwhichisfoldedintoaverysmallcompass，butasIunfoldityouwillperceivethatitismorethanafootsquare，andiscoveredwithembroidery。Allthosestrangelinesandfiguresingoldandred，whichyoucanplainlyseeontheclothasIholditup，arealsocharactersinthesamemagiclanguageasthoseontheboxandwand。Iwillnowspreadtheclothonthetable，andthentakeouttheonlyremainingthinginthebox，andthisisnothingintheworldbutanegg——asimple，ordinaryhen\'segg，asyouallseeasIholditup。Itmaybeatriflelargerthananordinaryegg，butthen，afterall，itisnothingbutacommonegg——thatis，inappearance。Inrealityitisagooddealmore。
\"NowIwillbegintheperformance。\"Andashestoodbythebackofthetable，overwhichhehadbeenslightlybending，andthrewhiseyesovertheaudience，hisvoicewasstronger，andhisfacehadlostallitspallor。Hewasevidentlywarmingupwithhissubject。
\"Inowtakeupthiswand，\"hesaid，\"which，whileIholdit，givesmepowertoproducethephenomenawhichyouareabouttobehold。Youmaynotallbelievethatthereisanymagicwhateveraboutthislittleperformance，andthatitisallabitofmachinery；butwhateveryoumaythinkaboutit，youshallseewhatyoushallsee。
\"NowwiththiswandIgentlytouchthiseggwhichislyingonthesquareofcloth。Idonotbelieveyoucanseewhathashappenedtothisegg，butIwilltellyou。Thereisalittleline，likeahair，entirelyaroundit。Nowthatlinehasbecomeacrack。Nowyoucanseeit，Iknow。Itgrowswiderandwider！
Look！Theshelloftheeggisseparatinginthemiddle。Thewholeeggslightlymoves。Doyounoticethat？Nowyoucanseesomethingyellowshowingitselfbetweenthetwopartsoftheshell。See！Itismovingagooddeal，andthetwohalvesoftheshellareseparatingmoreandmore。Andnowouttumblesthisqueerlittleobject。Doyouseewhatitis？Itisapoor，weak，littlechick，notabletostand，butalive——alive！Youcanallperceivethatitisalive。Nowyoucanseethatitisstandingonitsfeet，feeblyenough，butstillstanding。
\"Behold，ittakesafewsteps！Youcannotdoubtthatitisalive，andcameoutofthategg。Itisbeginningtowalkaboutoverthecloth。Doyounoticethatitispickingtheembroidery？
Now，littlechick，Iwillgiveyousomethingtoeat。Thislittleredbagcontainsgrain，amagicalgrain，withwhichIshallfeedthechicken。Youmustexcusemyawkwardnessinopeningthebag，asIstillholdthewand；butthislittlestickImustnotdrop。
See，littlechick，therearesomegrains！Theylooklikerice，but，infact，Ihavenoideawhattheyare。Butheknows，heknows！Lookathim！Seehowhepicksitup！There！Hehasswallowedone，two，three。Thatwilldo，littlechick，forafirstmeal。
\"Thegrainseemstohavestrengthenedhimalready，forseehowlivelyheis，andhowhisyellowdownstandsoutonhim，sopuffyandwarm！Youarelookingforsomemoregrain，areyou？
Well，youcannothaveitjustyet，andkeepawayfromthosepiecesofeggshell，which，bytheway，Iwillputbackintothebox。Now，sir，trytoavoidtheedgeofthetable，and，toquietyou，Iwillgiveyoualittletaponthebackwithmywand。Now，then，pleaseobserveclosely。Thedownwhichjustnowcoveredhimhasalmostgone。Heisreallyagooddealbigger，andeversomuchuglier。Seethelittlepin-feathersstickingoutoverhim！Somespotshereandtherearealmostbare，butheiseversomuchmoreactive。Ha！Listentothat！Heissostrongthatyoucanhearhisbeakashepecksatthetable。Heisactuallygrowingbiggerandbiggerbeforeourveryeyes！Seethatfunnylittletail，howitbeginstostickup，andquillsareshowingattheendofhiswings。
\"Anothertap，andafewmoregrains。Careful，sir！Don\'ttearthecloth！Seehowrapidlyhegrows！Heisfairlycoveredwithfeathers，redandblack，withatipofyellowinfront。Youcouldhardlygetthatfellowintoanostrichegg！Now，then，whatdoyouthinkofhim？Heisbigenoughforabroiler，thoughIdon\'tthinkanyonewouldwanttotakehimforthatpurpose。
Somemoregrain，andanothertapfrommywand。See！Hedoesnotmindthelittlestick，forhehasbeenusedtoitfromhisverybirth。Now，then，heiswhatyouwouldcallagoodhalf-grownchick。Rathermorethanhalfgrown，Ishouldsay。Doyounoticehistail？Thereisnomistakinghimforapullet。Thelongfeathersarebeginningtocurloveralready。Hemusthavealittlemoregrain。Lookout，sir，oryouwillbeoffthetable！
Comebackhere！Thistableistoosmallforhim，butifhewereontheflooryoucouldnotseehimsowell。
\"Anothertap。Nowseethatcombonthetopofhishead；youscarcelynoticeditbefore，andnowitisbrightred。Andseehisspursbeginningtoshow——ongoodthicklegs，too。Thereisafineyoungfellowforyou！Lookhowhejerkshisheadfromsidetoside，liketheyoungprinceofapoultry-yard，ashewelldeservestobe！\"
Theattentiveinterestwhichhadatfirstcharacterizedtheaudiencenowchangedtoexcitedadmirationandamazement。Someleanedforwardwithmouthswideopen。Othersstoodupsothattheycouldseebetter。Ejaculationsofastonishmentandwonderwereheardoneveryside，andamorethoroughlyfascinatedandabsorbedaudiencewasneverseen。
\"Now，myfriends，\"Loringcontinued，\"Iwillgivethishandsomefowlanothertap。Beholdtheresult——anoble，full-
growncock！Beholdhisspurs！Theyarenearlyaninchlong！
See，thereisacombforyou！Andwhatamagnificenttailofgreenandblack，contrastingsofinelywiththedeepredoftherestofhisbody！Well，sir，youaretrulytoobigforthistable。AsIcannotgiveyoumoreroom，Iwillsetyouuphigher。
Moveoveralittle，andIwillsetthischaironthetable。
There！Upontheseat！That\'sright，butdon\'tstop。Thereistheback，whichishigheryet！Upwithyou！Ha！There，henearlyupsetthechair，butIwillholdit。See！Hehasturnedaround。Now，then，lookathim。Seehiswingsasheflapsthem！
Hecouldflywithsuchwings。Lookathim！Seethatswellingbreast！Ha，ha！Listen！Didyoueverhearacrowlikethat？
Itfairlyringsthroughthehouse。Yes，Iknewit！Thereisanother！\"
Atthispointthepeopleinthehousewereinastateofwildexcitement。Nearlyallofthemwereontheirfeet，andtheywereinsuchaconditionoffranticenthusiasmthatLoringwasafraidsomeofthemmightmakearunforthestage。
\"Come，sir，\"criedLoring，nowalmostshouting，\"thatwilldo。Youhaveshownusthestrengthofyourlungs。Jumpdownontheseatofthechair；nowonthetable。There，Iwilltakeawaythechair，andyoucanstandforamomentonthetableandletourfriendslookatyou；butonlyforamoment。Takethattaponyourback。Nowdoyouseeanydifference？Perhapsyoumaynot，butIdo。Yes，Ibelieveyoualldo。Heisnotthebigfellowhewasaminuteago。Heisreallysmaller——onlyafinecockerel。Anicetailthat，butwithnoneofthenoblesweepthatithadaminuteago。No，don\'ttrytogetoffthetable。
Youcan\'tescapemywand。Anothertap。Beholdahalf-grownchicken，goodtoeat，butwithnotacrowinhim。Hungry，areyou？Butyouneednotpickatthetablethatway。Yougetnomoregrain，butonlythislittletap。Ha，ha！Whatareyoucomingto？Thereisachickenbarelyfeatheredenoughforustotellwhatcolorheisgoingtobe。
\"Anothertapwilltakestillmoreoftheconceitoutofhim。
Lookathim！Therearehispin-feathers，andhisbarespots。
Don\'ttrytogetaway；Icaneasilytapyouagain。Nowthen。
Hereisalovelylittlechick，fluffywithyellowdown。Heisactiveenough，butIshallquiethim。Onetap，andnowwhatdoyousee？Apoor，feeblechicken，scarcelyabletostand，withhisdownallpackedclosetohimasifhehadbeenoutintherain。Ah，littlechick，Iwilltakethetwohalvesoftheegg-
shellfromwhichyoucame，andputthemoneachsideofyou。
Come，nowgetin！Iclosethemup。Youarelosttoview。Thereisnothingtobeseenbutacrackaroundtheshell！Nowithasgone！There，myfriends；asIholditonhigh，beholdthemagicegg，exactlyasitwaswhenIfirsttookitoutofthebox，intowhichIwillplaceitagain，withtheclothandthewandandthelittleredbag，andshutitupwithasnap。IwillletyoutakeonemorelookatthisboxbeforeIputitawaybehindthescenes。
AreyousatisfiedwithwhatIhaveshownyou？Doyouthinkitisreallyaswonderfulasyousupposeditwouldbe？\"
Atthesewordsthewholeaudienceburstintoriotousapplause，duringwhichLoringdisappeared，buthewasbackinamoment。
\"Thankyou！\"hecried，bowinglow，andwavinghisarmsbeforehiminthemannerofanEasternmagicianmakingasalaam。Fromsidetosideheturned，bowingandthanking，andthen，withahearty\"Good-bytoyou；good-bytoyouall！\"hesteppedbackandletdownthecurtain。
Forsomemomentstheaudienceremainedintheirseatsasiftheywereexpectingsomethingmore，andthentheyrosequietlyandbegantodisperse。Mostofthemwereacquaintedwithoneanother，andtherewasagooddealofgreetingandtalkingastheywentoutofthetheatre。
WhenLoringwassurethelastpersonhaddeparted，heturneddownthelights，lockedthedoor，andgavethekeytothestewardoftheclub。
Hewalkedtohishomeahappyman。Hisexhibitionhadbeenaperfectsuccess，withnotabreakoraflawinitfrombeginningtoend。
\"Ifeel，\"thoughttheyoungman，ashestrodealong，\"asifI
couldflytothetopofthatsteeple，andflapandcrowuntilalltheworldheardme。\"
Thatevening，aswashisdailycustom，HerbertLoringcalleduponMissStarr。Hefoundtheyoungladyinthelibrary。
\"Icameinhere，\"shesaid，\"becauseIhaveagooddealtotalktoyouabout，andIdonotwantinterruptions。\"
Withthisarrangementtheyoungmanexpressedhisentiresatisfaction，andimmediatelybegantoinquirethecauseofherabsencefromhisexhibitionintheafternoon。
\"ButIwasthere，\"saidEdith。\"Youdidnotseeme，butI
wasthere。Motherhadaheadache，andIwentbymyself。\"
\"Youwerethere！\"exclaimedLoring，almoststartingfromhischair。\"Idon\'tunderstand。Youwerenotinyourseat。\"
\"No，\"answeredEdith。\"Iwasontheverybackrowofseats。
Youcouldnotseeme，andIdidnotwishyoutoseeme。\"
\"Edith！\"exclaimedLoring，risingtohisfeetandleaningoverthelibrarytable，whichwasbetweenthem。\"Whendidyoucome？Howmuchoftheperformancedidyousee？\"
\"Iwaslate，\"shesaid。\"Ididnotarriveuntilafterthefireworks，orwhatevertheywere。\"
ForamomentLoringwassilent，asifhedidnotunderstandthesituation。
\"Fireworks！\"hesaid。\"Howdidyouknowtherehadbeenfireworks？\"
\"Iheardthepeopletalkingofthemastheyleftthetheatre，\"sheanswered。
\"Andwhatdidtheysay？\"heinquiredquickly。
\"Theyseemedtolikethemverywell，\"shereplied，\"butIdonotthinktheywerequitesatisfied。FromwhatIheardsomepersonssay，Iinferredthattheythoughtitwasnotverymuchofashowtowhichyouhadinvitedthem。\"
AgainLoringstoodinthought，lookingdownatthetable。
Butbeforehecouldspeakagain，Edithsprangtoherfeet。
\"HerbertLoring，\"shecried，\"whatdoesallthismean？Iwasthereduringthewholeoftheexhibitionofwhatyoucalledthemagicegg。Isawallthosepeoplewildwithexcitementatthewonderfulsightofthechickenthatcameoutoftheegg，andgrewtofullsize，andthendwindleddownagain，andwentbackintotheegg，and，Herbert，therewasnoegg，andtherewasnolittlebox，andtherewasnowand，andnoembroideredcloth，andtherewasnoredbag，noranylittlechick，andtherewasnofull-grownfowl，andtherewasnochairthatyouputonthetable！Therewasnothing，absolutelynothing，butyouandthattable！Eventhetablewasnotwhatyousaiditwas。Itwasnotanunpaintedpinetablewithfourstraightlegs。Itwasatableofdarkpolishedwood，anditstoodonasinglepostwithfeet。
Therewasnothingtherethatyousaidwasthere。Everythingwasashamandadelusion；everywordyouspokewasuntrue。Andyeteverybodyinthattheatre，exceptingyouandme，sawallthethingsthatyousaidwereonthestage。Iknowtheysawthemall，forIwaswiththepeople，andheardthem，andsawthem，andattimesIfairlyfeltthethrillofenthusiasmwhichpossessedthemastheyglaredatthemiraclesandwondersyousaidwerehappening。\"
Loringsmiled。\"Sitdown，mydearEdith，\"hesaid。\"Youareexcited，andthereisnottheslightestcauseforit。Iwillexplainthewholeaffairtoyou。Itissimpleenough。Youknowthatstudyisthegreatobjectofmylife。Istudyallsortsofthings；andjustnowIamgreatlyinterestedinhypnotism。Thesubjecthasbecomefascinatingtome。Ihavemadeagreatmanysuccessfultrialsofmypower，andtheaffairofthisafternoonwasnothingbutatrialofmypowersonamoreextensivescalethananythingIhaveyetattempted。IwantedtoseeifitwerepossibleformetohypnotizeaconsiderablenumberofpeoplewithoutanyonesuspectingwhatIintendedtodo。Theresultwasasuccess。Ihypnotizedallthosepeoplebymeansofthefirstpartofmyperformance，whichconsistedofsomecombinationsofcoloredglasswithlightsthrownuponthem。Theyrevolved，andlookedlikefireworks，andwerestrungonawirehighuponthestage。
\"Ikeptuptheglitteringanddazzlingshow——whichwaswellworthseeing，Icanassureyou——untilthepeoplehadbeenstrainingtheireyesupwardforalmosthalfanhour。Andthissortofthing——Iwilltellyouifyoudonotknowit——isoneofthemethodsofproducinghypnoticsleep。
\"Therewasnoonepresentwhowasnotanimpressionablesubject，forIwasverycarefulinsendingoutmyinvitations，andwhenIbecamealmostcertainthatmyaudiencewasthoroughlyhypnotized，Istoppedtheshowandbegantherealexhibition，whichwasnotreallyfortheirbenefit，butformine。
\"Ofcourse，IwasdreadfullyanxiousforfearIhadnotsucceededentirely，andthattheremightbeatleastsomeonepersonwhohadnotsuccumbedtothehypnoticinfluences，andsoI
testedthematterbybringingoutthattableandtellingthemitwassomethingitwasnot。IfIhadhadanyreasonforsupposingthatsomeoftheaudiencesawthetableasitreallywas，Ihadanexplanationready，andIcouldhaveretiredfrommypositionwithoutanyonesupposingthatIhadintendedmakinghypnoticexperiments。Therestoftheexhibitionwouldhavebeensomethingsthatanyonecouldsee，andassoonaspossibleIwouldhavereleasedfromtheirspellthosewhowerehypnotized。ButwhenIbecamepositivelyassuredthateveryonesawalightpinetablewithfourstraightlegs，Iconfidentlywentonwiththeperformancesofthemagicegg。\"
EdithStarrwasstillstandingbythelibrarytable。ShehadnotheededLoring\'sadvicetositdown，andshewastremblingwithemotion。
\"HerbertLoring，\"shesaid，\"youinvitedmymotherandmetothatexhibition。Yougaveusticketsforfrontseats，wherewewouldbecertaintobehypnotizedifyourexperimentsucceeded，andyouwouldhavemadeusseethatfalseshow，whichfadedfromthosepeople\'smindsassoonastheyrecoveredfromthespell，forastheywentawaytheyweretalkingonlyofthefireworks，andnotoneofthemmentionedamagicegg，orachicken，oranythingofthekind。Answermethis：didyounotintendthatI
shouldcomeandbeputunderthatspell？\"
Loringsmiled。\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"ofcourseIdid。Butthenyourcasewouldhavebeendifferentfromthatoftheotherspectators：Ishouldhaveexplainedthewholethingtoyou，andI
amsurewewouldhavehadagreatdealofpleasure，andprofittoo，indiscussingyourexperiences。Thesubjectisextremely——\"
\"Explaintome！\"shecried。\"Youwouldnothavedaredtodoit！Idonotknowhowbraveyoumaybe，butIknowyouwouldnothavehadthecouragetocomehereandtellmethatyouhadtakenawaymyreasonandmyjudgment，asyoutookthemawayfromallthosepeople，andthatyouhadmademeameretoolofyourwill——
glaringandpantingwithexcitementatthewonderfulthingsyoutoldmetoseewherenothingexisted。Ihavenothingtosayabouttheothers。Theycanspeakforthemselvesiftheyevercometoknowwhatyoudidtothem。Ispeakformyself。Istoodupwiththerestofthepeople。Igazedwithallmypower，andoverandoveragainIaskedmyselfifitcouldbepossiblethatanythingwasthematterwithmyeyesormybrain，andifIcouldbetheonlypersontherewhocouldnotseethemarvellousspectaclethatyouweredescribing。ButnowIknowthatnothingwasreal，noteventhelittlepinetable——noteventheman！\"
\"Notevenme！\"exclaimedLoring。\"SurelyIwasrealenough！\"
\"Onthatstage，yes，\"shesaid。\"ButyouthereprovedyouwerenottheHerbertLoringtowhomIpromisedmyself。Hewasanunrealbeing。Ifhehadexistedhewouldnothavebeenamanwhowouldhavebroughtmetothatpublicplace，allignorantofhisintentions，tocloudmyperceptions，tosubjectmyintellecttohisown，andmakemebelievealie。Ifamanshouldtreatmeinthatwayoncehewouldtreatmesoatothertimes，andinotherways，ifhehadthechance。Youhavetreatedmeinthepastasto-dayyoutreatedthosepeoplewhoglaredatthemagicegg。Inthedaysgonebyyoumademeseeanunrealman，butyouwillneverdoitagain！Good-by。\"
\"Edith，\"criedLoring，\"youdon\'t——\"
Butshehaddisappearedthroughasidedoor，andheneverspoketoheragain。
Walkinghomethroughthedimlylightedstreets，Loringinvoluntarilyspokealoud。
\"Andthis，\"hesaid，\"iswhatcameoutofthemagicegg！\"
\"HISWIFE\'SDECEASEDSISTER\"
Itisnowfiveyearssinceaneventoccurredwhichsocoloredmylife，orrathersochangedsomeofitsoriginalcolors，thatI
havethoughtitwelltowriteanaccountofit，deemingthatitslessonsmaybeofadvantagetopersonswhosesituationsinlifearesimilartomyown。
WhenIwasquiteayoungmanIadoptedliteratureasaprofession，andhavingpassedthroughthenecessarypreparatorygrades，Ifoundmyself，afteragoodmanyyearsofhardandoftenunremunerativework，inpossessionofwhatmightbecalledafairliterarypractice。Myarticles，grave，gay，practical，orfanciful，hadcometobeconsideredwithafavorbytheeditorsofthevariousperiodicalsforwhichIwrote，onwhichIfoundintimeIcouldrelywithaverycomfortablecertainty。Myproductionscreatednoenthusiasminthereadingpublic；theygavemenogreatreputationorveryvaluablepecuniaryreturn；
buttheywerealwaysaccepted，andmyreceiptsfromthem，atthetimetowhichIhavereferred，wereasregularandreliableasasalary，andquitesufficienttogivememorethanacomfortablesupport。
ItwasatthistimeImarried。Ihadbeenengagedformorethanayear，buthadnotbeenwillingtoassumethesupportofawifeuntilIfeltthatmypecuniarypositionwassoassuredthatIcoulddosowithfullsatisfactiontomyownconscience。
Therewasnownodoubtinregardtothisposition，eitherinmymindorinthatofmywife。Iworkedwithgreatsteadinessandregularity，Iknewexactlywheretoplacetheproductionsofmypen，andcouldcalculate，withafairdegreeofaccuracy，thesumsIshouldreceiveforthem。Wewerebynomeansrich，butwehadenough，andwerethoroughlysatisfiedandcontent。
Thoseofmyreaderswhoaremarriedwillhavenodifficultyinrememberingthepeculiarecstasyofthefirstweeksoftheirweddedlife。Itisthenthattheflowersofthisworldbloombrightest；thatitssunisthemostgenial；thatitscloudsarethescarcest；thatitsfruitisthemostdelicious；thattheairisthemostbalmy；thatitscigarsareofthehighestflavor；
thatthewarmthandradianceofearlymatrimonialfelicitysorarefytheintellectualatmospherethatthesoulmountshigher，andenjoysawiderprospect，thaneverbefore。
Theseexperiencesweremine。Theplainclaretofmymindwaschangedtosparklingchampagne，andattheveryheightofitseffervescenceIwroteastory。Thehappythoughtthatthenstruckmeforatalewasofaverypeculiarcharacter，anditinterestedmesomuchthatIwenttoworkatitwithgreatdelightandenthusiasm，andfinisheditinacomparativelyshorttime。Thetitleofthestorywas\"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister，\"
andwhenIreadittoHypatiashewasdelightedwithit，andattimeswassoaffectedbyitspathosthatheruncontrollableemotioncausedasympatheticdimnessinmyeyeswhichpreventedmyseeingthewordsIhadwritten。Whenthereadingwasendedandmywifehaddriedhereyes，sheturnedtomeandsaid，\"Thisstorywillmakeyourfortune。TherehasbeennothingsopatheticsinceLamartine\'s`HistoryofaServantGirl。\'\"
AssoonaspossiblethenextdayIsentmystorytotheeditoroftheperiodicalforwhichIwrotemostfrequently，andinwhichmybestproductionsgenerallyappeared。InafewdaysI
hadaletterfromtheeditor，inwhichhepraisedmystoryashehadneverbeforepraisedanythingfrommypen。Ithadinterestedandcharmed，hesaid，notonlyhimself，butallhisassociatesintheoffice。EvenoldGibson，whonevercaredtoreadanythinguntilitwasinproof，andwhoneverpraisedanythingwhichhadnotajokeinit，wasinducedbytheexampleoftheotherstoreadthismanuscript，andshed，asheasserted，thefirsttearsthathadcomefromhiseyessincehisfinalpaternalcastigationsomefortyyearsbefore。Thestorywouldappear，theeditorassuredme，assoonashecouldpossiblyfindroomforit。
Ifanythingcouldmakeourskiesmoregenial，ourflowersbrighter，andtheflavorofourfruitandcigarsmoredelicious，itwasaletterlikethis。Andwhen，inaveryshorttime，thestorywaspublished，wefoundthatthereadingpublicwasinclinedtoreceiveitwithasmuchsympatheticinterestandfavorashadbeenshowntoitbytheeditors。Mypersonalfriendssoonbegantoexpressenthusiasticopinionsuponit。Itwashighlypraisedinmanyoftheleadingnewspapers，and，altogether，itwasagreatliterarysuccess。Iamnotinclinedtobevainofmywritings，and，ingeneral，mywifetellsme，Ithinktoolittleofthem。ButIdidfeelagooddealofprideandsatisfactioninthesuccessof\"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。\"
Ifitdidnotmakemyfortune，asmywifeasserteditwould，itcertainlywouldhelpmeverymuchinmyliterarycareer。
Inlessthanamonthfromthewritingofthisstory，somethingveryunusualandunexpectedhappenedtome。A
manuscriptwasreturnedbytheeditoroftheperiodicalinwhich\"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister\"hadappeared。
\"Itisagoodstory，\"hewrote，\"butnotequaltowhatyouhavejustdone。Youhavemadeagreathit，anditwouldnotdotointerferewiththereputationyouhavegainedbypublishinganythinginferiorto`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister，\'whichhashadsuchadeservedsuccess。\"
IwassounaccustomedtohavingmyworkthrownbackonmyhandsthatIthinkImusthaveturnedalittlepalewhenIreadtheletter。Isaidnothingofthemattertomywife，foritwouldbefoolishtodropsuchgrainsofsandasthisintothesmoothlyoiledmachineryofourdomesticfelicity，butI
immediatelysentthestorytoanothereditor。IamnotabletoexpresstheastonishmentIfeltwhen，inthecourseofaweek，itwassentbacktome。Thetoneofthenoteaccompanyingitindicatedasomewhatinjuredfeelingonthepartoftheeditor。
\"Iamreluctant，\"hesaid，\"todeclineamanuscriptfromyou；
butyouknowverywellthatifyousentmeanythinglike`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister\'itwouldbemostpromptlyaccepted。\"
Inowfeltobligedtospeakoftheaffairtomywife，whowasquiteasmuchsurprised，though，perhaps，notquiteasmuchshocked，asIhadbeen。
\"Letusreadthestoryagain，\"shesaid，\"andseewhatisthematterwithit。\"Whenwehadfinisheditsperusal，Hypatiaremarked：\"Itisquiteasgoodasmanyofthestoriesyouhavehadprinted，andIthinkitveryinteresting，although，ofcourse，itisnotequalto`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。\'\"
\"Ofcoursenot，\"saidI；\"thatwasaninspirationthatI
cannotexpecteveryday。Buttheremustbesomethingwrongaboutthislaststorywhichwedonotperceive。Perhapsmyrecentsuccessmayhavemademealittlecarelessinwritingit。\"
\"Idon\'tbelievethat，\"saidHypatia。
\"Atanyrate，\"Icontinued，\"Iwilllayitaside，andwillgotoworkonanewone。\"
InduecourseoftimeIhadanothermanuscriptfinished，andIsentittomyfavoriteperiodical。Itwasretainedsomeweeks，andthencamebacktome。
\"Itwillneverdo，\"theeditorwrote，quitewarmly，\"foryoutogobackward。Thedemandforthenumbercontaining`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister\'stillcontinues，andwedonotintendtoletyoudisappointthatgreatbodyofreaderswhowouldbesoeagertoseeanothernumbercontainingoneofyourstories。\"
Isentthismanuscripttofourotherperiodicals，andfromeachofthemitwasreturnedwithremarkstotheeffectthat，althoughitwasnotabadstoryinitself，itwasnotwhattheywouldexpectfromtheauthorof\"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。\"
TheeditorofaWesternmagazinewrotetomeforastorytobepublishedinaspecialnumberwhichhewouldissuefortheholidays。Iwrotehimoneofthecharacterandlengthhedesired，andsentittohim。Byreturnmailitcamebacktome。
\"Ihadhoped，\"theeditorwrote，\"whenIaskedforastoryfromyourpen，toreceivesomethinglike`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister，\'andImustownthatIamverymuchdisappointed。\"
IwassofilledwithangerwhenIreadthisnotethatI
openlyobjurgated\"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。\"\"Youmustexcuseme，\"Isaidtomyastonishedwife，\"forexpressingmyselfthusinyourpresence，butthatconfoundedstorywillbetheruinofmeyet。UntilitisforgottennobodywillevertakeanythingI
write。\"
\"Andyoucannotexpectitevertobeforgotten，\"saidHypatia，withtearsinhereyes。
Itisneedlessformetodetailmyliteraryeffortsinthecourseofthenextfewmonths。Theideasoftheeditorswithwhommyprincipalbusinesshadbeendone，inregardtomyliteraryability，hadbeensoraisedbymyunfortunatestoryof\"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister\"thatIfounditwasofnousetosendthemanythingoflessermerit。AndastotheotherjournalswhichItried，theyevidentlyconsidereditaninsultformetosendthemmatterinferiortothatbywhichmyreputationhadlatelyrisen。Thefactwasthatmysuccessfulstoryhadruinedme。Myincomewasatanend，andwantactuallystaredmeintheface；andImustadmitthatIdidnotliketheexpressionofitscountenance。Itwasofnouseformetotrytowriteanotherstorylike\"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。\"IcouldnotgetmarriedeverytimeIbegananewmanuscript，anditwastheexaltationofmindcausedbymyweddedfelicitywhichproducedthatstory。
\"It\'sperfectlydreadful！\"saidmywife。\"IfIhadhadasister，andshehaddied，Iwouldhavethoughtitwasmyfault。\"
\"Itcouldnotbeyourfault，\"Ianswered，\"andIdonotthinkitwasmine。IhadnointentionofdeceivinganybodyintothebeliefthatIcoulddothatsortofthingeverytime，anditoughtnottobeexpectedofme。SupposeRaphael\'spatronshadtriedtokeephimscreweduptothepitchoftheSistineMadonna，andhadrefusedtobuyanythingwhichwasnotasgoodasthat。
InthatcaseIthinkhewouldhaveoccupiedamuchearlierandnarrowergravethantheoneonwhichMr。MorrisMoorehangshisfuneraldecorations。\"
\"But，mydear，\"saidHypatia，whowaspostedonsuchsubjects，\"theSistineMadonnawasoneofhislatestpaintings。\"
\"Verytrue，\"saidI。\"ButifhehadmarriedasIdid，hewouldhavepainteditearlier。\"
Iwaswalkinghomewardoneafternoonaboutthistime，whenI
metBarbel，amanIhadknownwellinmyearlyliterarycareer。
Hewasnowaboutfiftyyearsofage，butlookedolder。Hishairandbeardwerequitegray，andhisclothes，whichwereofthesamegeneralhue，gavemetheideathatthey，likehishair，hadoriginallybeenblack。Ageisveryhardonaman\'sexternalappointments。Barbelhadanairofhavingbeentoletforalongtime，andquiteoutofrepair。Buttherewasakindlygleaminhiseye，andhewelcomedmecordially。
\"Why，whatisthematter，oldfellow？\"saidhe。\"Ineversawyoulooksowoe-begone。\"
IhadnoreasontoconcealanythingfromBarbel。Inmyyoungerdayshehadbeenofgreatusetome，andhehadarighttoknowthestateofmyaffairs。Ilaidthewholecaseplainlybeforehim。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaid，whenIhadfinished；\"comewithmetomyroom；IhavesomethingIwouldliketosaytoyouthere。\"
IfollowedBarbeltohisroom。Itwasatthetopofaverydirtyandwell-wornhouse，whichstoodinanarrowandlumpystreet，intowhichfewvehicleseverpenetrated，excepttheashandgarbage-carts，andthericketywagonsofthevendersofstalevegetables。
\"Thisisnotexactlyafashionablepromenade，\"saidBarbel，asweapproachedthehouse，\"butinsomerespectsitremindsmeofthestreetsinItaliantowns，wherethepalacesleanovertowardeachotherinsuchafriendlyway。\"
Barbel\'sroomwas，tomymind，rathermoredolefulthanthestreet。Itwasdark，itwasdusty，andcobwebshungfromeverycorner。Thefewchairsuponthefloorandthebooksuponagreasytableseemedtobeafflictedwithsomedorsalepidemic，fortheirbackswereeithergoneorbroken。AlittlebedsteadinthecornerwascoveredwithaspreadmadeofNewYork\"Heralds\"
withtheiredgespastedtogether。
\"Thereisnothingbetter，\"saidBarbel，noticingmyglancetowardthisnovelcounterpane，\"forabed-coveringthannewspapers；theykeepyouaswarmasablanket，andaremuchlighter。Iusedtouse`Tribunes，\'buttheyrattledtoomuch。\"
Theonlypartoftheroomwhichwaswelllightedwasoneendnearthesolitarywindow。Here，uponatablewithasplicedleg，stoodalittlegrindstone。
\"Attheotherendoftheroom，\"saidBarbel，\"ismycook-
stove，whichyoucan\'tseeunlessIlightthecandleinthebottlewhichstandsbyit。Butifyoudon\'tcareparticularlytoexamineit，Iwon\'tgototheexpenseoflightingup。Youmightpickupagoodmanyoddpiecesofbric-a-brac，aroundhere，ifyouchosetostrikeamatchandinvestigate。ButIwouldnotadviseyoutodoso。Itwouldpaybettertothrowthethingsoutofthewindowthantocarrythemdown-stairs。TheparticularpieceofindoordecorationtowhichIwishtocallyourattentionisthis。\"Andheledmetoalittlewoodenframewhichhungagainstthewallnearthewindow。Behindadustypieceofglassitheldwhatappearedtobealeaffromasmallmagazineorjournal。\"There，\"saidhe，\"youseeapagefromthe`Grasshopper，\'ahumorouspaperwhichflourishedinthiscitysomehalf-dozenyearsago。Iusedtowriteregularlyforthatpaper，asyoumayremember。\"
\"Oh，yes，indeed！\"Iexclaimed。\"AndIshallneverforgetyour`ConundrumoftheAnvil\'whichappearedinit。HowoftenhaveIlaughedatthatmostwonderfulconceit，andhowoftenhaveIputittomyfriends！\"
Barbelgazedatmesilentlyforamoment，andthenhepointedtotheframe。\"Thatprintedpage，\"hesaidsolemnly，\"containsthe`ConundrumoftheAnvil。\'IhangittheresothatIcanseeitwhileIwork。Thatconundrumruinedme。ItwasthelastthingIwroteforthe`Grasshopper。\'HowIevercametoimagineit，Icannottell。Itisoneofthosethingswhichoccurtoamanbutonceinalifetime。Afterthewildshoutofdelightwithwhichthepublicgreetedthatconundrum，mysubsequenteffortsmetwithhootsofderision。The`Grasshopper\'turneditshindlegsuponme。Isankfrombadtoworse，——muchworse，——untilatlastIfoundmyselfreducedtomypresentoccupation，whichisthatofgrindingpointsonpins。BythisIprocuremybread，coffee，andtobacco，andsometimespotatoesandmeat。OnedaywhileIwashardatwork，anorgan-grindercameintothestreetbelow。Heplayedtheserenadefrom`Trovatore\'andthefamiliarnotesbroughtbackvisionsofolddaysandolddelights，whenthesuccessfulwriterworegoodclothesandsatatoperas，whenhelookedintosweeteyesandtalkedofItalianairs，whenhisfutureappearedallasuccessionofbrightsceneryandjoyousacts，withoutanyprovisionforadrop-curtain。Andasmyearlistened，andmymindwanderedinthishappyretrospect，myeveryfacultyseemedexalted，and，withoutanythoughtuponthematter，Igroundpointsuponmypinssofine，soregular，andsosmooththattheywouldhavepiercedwitheasetheleatherofaboot，orslipped，withoutabrasion，amongthefinestthreadsofrareoldlace。Whentheorganstopped，andIfellbackintomyrealworldofcobwebsandmustiness，IgazeduponthepinsIhadjustground，and，withoutamoment\'shesitation，Ithrewthemintothestreet，andreportedthelotasspoiled。Thiscostmealittlemoney，butitsavedmemylivelihood。\"
Afterafewmomentsofsilence，Barbelresumed：
\"Ihavenomoretosaytoyou，myyoungfriend。AllIwantyoutodoistolookuponthatframedconundrum，thenuponthisgrindstone，andthentogohomeandreflect。Asforme，I
haveagrossofpinstogrindbeforethesungoesdown。\"
IcannotsaythatmydepressionofmindwasatallrelievedbywhatIhadseenandheard。IhadlostsightofBarbelforsomeyears，andIhadsupposedhimstillfloatingonthesun-
sparklingstreamofprosperitywhereIhadlastseenhim。Itwasagreatshocktometofindhiminsuchaconditionofpovertyandsqualor，andtoseeamanwhohadoriginatedthe\"ConundrumoftheAnvil\"reducedtothesoul-depressingoccupationofgrindingpin-points。AsIwalkedandthought，thedreadfulpictureofatotallyeclipsedfuturearosebeforemymind。ThemoralofBarbelsankdeepintomyheart。
WhenIreachedhomeItoldmywifethestoryofmyfriendBarbel。Shelistenedwithasadandeagerinterest。
\"Iamafraid，\"shesaid，\"ifourfortunesdonotquicklymend，thatweshallhavetobuytwolittlegrindstones。YouknowIcouldhelpyouatthatsortofthing。\"
Foralongtimewesattogetherandtalked，anddevisedmanyplansforthefuture。Ididnotthinkitnecessaryyetformetolookoutforapincontract；butImustfindsomewayofmakingmoney，orweshouldstarvetodeath。Ofcourse，thefirstthingthatsuggesteditselfwasthepossibilityoffindingsomeotherbusiness。But，apartfromthedifficultyofimmediatelyobtainingremunerativeworkinoccupationstowhichIhadnotbeentrained，IfeltagreatandnaturalreluctancetogiveupaprofessionforwhichIhadcarefullypreparedmyself，andwhichIhadadoptedasmylife-work。Itwouldbeveryhardformetolaydownmypenforever，andtoclosethetopofmyinkstanduponallthebrightandhappyfancieswhichIhadseenmirroredinitstranquilpool。Wetalkedandponderedtherestofthatdayandagooddealofthenight，butwecametonoconclusionastowhatitwouldbebestforustodo。
ThenextdayIdeterminedtogoandcallupontheeditorofthejournalforwhich，inhappierdays，beforetheblightof\"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister\"resteduponme，Iusedmostfrequentlytowrite，and，havingfranklyexplainedmyconditiontohim，toaskhisadvice。Theeditorwasagoodman，andhadalwaysbeenmyfriend。HelistenedwithgreatattentiontowhatItoldhim，andevidentlysympathizedwithmeinmytrouble。
\"Aswehavewrittentoyou，\"hesaid，\"theonlyreasonwhywedidnotacceptthemanuscriptsyousentuswasthattheywouldhavedisappointedthehighhopesthatthepublichadformedinregardtoyou。Wehavehadletterafterletteraskingwhenweweregoingtopublishanotherstorylike`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。\'Wefelt，andwestillfeel，thatitwouldbewrongtoallowyoutodestroythefairfabricwhichyouyourselfhaveraised。But，\"headded，withakindsmile，\"Iseeveryplainlythatyourwell-deservedreputationwillbeoflittleadvantagetoyouifyoushouldstarveatthemomentthatitsgenialbeamsare，sotospeak，lightingyouup。\"
\"Itsbeamsarenotgenial，\"Ianswered。\"Theyhavescorchedandwitheredme。\"
\"Howwouldyoulike，\"saidtheeditor，afterashortreflection，\"toallowustopublishthestoriesyouhaverecentlywrittenundersomeothernamethanyourown？Thatwouldsatisfyusandthepublic，wouldputmoneyinyourpocket，andwouldnotinterferewithyourreputation。\"
JoyfullyIseizedthenoblefellowbythehand，andinstantlyacceptedhisproposition。\"Ofcourse，\"saidI，\"areputationisaverygoodthing；butnoreputationcantaketheplaceoffood，clothes，andahousetolivein，andIgladlyagreetosinkmyover-illuminednameintooblivion，andtoappearbeforethepublicasanewandunknownwriter。\"
\"Ihopethatneednotbeforlong，\"hesaid，\"forIfeelsurethatyouwillyetwritestoriesasgoodas`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。\'\"
AllthemanuscriptsIhadonhandInowsenttomygoodfriendtheeditor，andindueandproperordertheyappearedinhisjournalunderthenameofJohnDarmstadt，whichIhadselectedasasubstituteformyown，permanentlydisabled。I
madeasimilararrangementwithothereditors，andJohnDarmstadtreceivedthecreditofeverythingthatproceededfrommypen。
Ourcircumstancesnowbecameverycomfortable，andoccasionallyweevenallowedourselvestoindulgeinlittledreamsofprosperity。
Timepassedonverypleasantly。Oneyear，another，andthenalittlesonwasborntous。Itisoftendifficult，Ibelieve，forthoughtfulpersonstodecidewhetherthebeginningoftheirconjugalcareer，ortheearliestweeksinthelifeoftheirfirst-born，bethehappiestandproudestperiodoftheirexistence。FormyselfIcanonlysaythatthesameexaltationofmind，thesamerareficationofideaandinvention，whichsucceededuponmyweddingdaycameuponmenow。Asthen，myecstaticemotionscrystallizedthemselvesintoamotiveforastory，andwithoutdelayIsetmyselftoworkuponit。Myboywasaboutsixweeksoldwhenthemanuscriptwasfinished，andoneevening，aswesatbeforeacomfortablefireinoursitting-room，withthecurtainsdrawn，andthesoftlamplighted，andthebabysleepingsoundlyintheadjoiningchamber，Ireadthestorytomywife。
WhenIhadfinished，mywifearoseandthrewherselfintomyarms。\"Iwasneversoproudofyou，\"shesaid，hergladeyessparkling，\"asIamatthismoment。Thatisawonderfulstory！
Itis，indeedIamsureitis，justasgoodas`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。\'\"
Asshespokethesewords，asuddenandchillingsensationcreptoverusboth。Allherwarmthandfervor，andtheproudandhappyglowengenderedwithinmebythispraiseandappreciationfromoneIloved，vanishedinaninstant。Westeppedapart，andgazeduponeachotherwithpallidfaces。Inthesamemomenttheterribletruthhadflasheduponusboth。ThisstoryWASasgoodas\"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister\"！
Westoodsilent。TheexceptionallotofBarbel\'ssuper-
pointedpinsseemedtopierceourverysouls。Adreadfulvisionrosebeforemeofanimpendingfallandcrash，inwhichourdomestichappinessshouldvanish，andourprospectsforourboybewrecked，justaswehadbegantobuildthemup。
Mywifeapproachedme，andtookmyhandinhers，whichwasascoldasice。\"Bestrongandfirm，\"shesaid。\"Agreatdangerthreatensus，butyoumustbraceyourselfagainstit。Bestrongandfirm。\"
Ipressedherhand，andwesaidnomorethatnight。
ThenextdayItookthemanuscriptIhadjustwritten，andcarefullyinfoldeditinstoutwrapping-paper。ThenIwenttoaneighboringgrocerystoreandboughtasmall，strong，tinbox，originallyintendedforbiscuit，withacoverthatfittedtightly。InthisIplacedmymanuscript，andthenItooktheboxtoatinsmithandhadthetopfastenedonwithhardsolder。WhenIwenthomeIascendedintothegarretandbroughtdowntomystudyaship\'scash-box，whichhadoncebelongedtooneofmyfamilywhowasasea-captain。Thisboxwasveryheavy，andfirmlyboundwithiron，andwassecuredbytwomassivelocks。
Callingmywife，Itoldherofthecontentsofthetincase，whichIthenplacedinthebox，andhavingshutdowntheheavylid，Idoublylockedit。
\"Thiskey，\"saidI，puttingitinmypocket，\"IshallthrowintotheriverwhenIgooutthisafternoon。\"
Mywifewatchedmeeagerly，withapallidandfirm-setcountenance，butuponwhichIcouldseethefaintglimmerofreturninghappiness。
\"Wouldn\'titbewell，\"shesaid，\"tosecureitstillfurtherbysealing-waxandpiecesoftape？\"
\"No，\"saidI。\"Idonotbelievethatanyonewillattempttotamperwithourprosperity。Andnow，mydear，\"Icontinuedinanimpressivevoice，\"noonebutyou，and，inthecourseoftime，ourson，shallknowthatthismanuscriptexists。WhenIamdead，thosewhosurvivememay，iftheyseefit，causethisboxtobesplitopenandthestorypublished。Thereputationitmaygivemynamecannotharmmethen。\"
THEWIDOW\'SCRUISE
TheWidowDucketlivedinasmallvillageabouttenmilesfromtheNewJerseysea-coast。Inthisvillageshewasborn，hereshehadmarriedandburiedherhusband，andheresheexpectedsomebodytoburyher；butshewasinnohurryforthis，forshehadscarcelyreachedmiddleage。Shewasatallwomanwithnoapparentfatinhercomposition，andfullofactivity，bothmuscularandmental。
Sheroseatsixo\'clockinthemorning，cookedbreakfast，setthetable，washedthedisheswhenthemealwasover，milked，churned，swept，washed，ironed，workedinherlittlegarden，attendedtotheflowersinthefrontyard，andintheafternoonknittedandquiltedandsewed，andafterteasheeitherwenttoseeherneighborsorhadthemcometoseeher。Whenitwasreallydarkshelightedthelampinherparlorandreadforanhour，andifithappenedtobeoneofMissMaryWilkins\'sbooksthatshereadsheexpresseddoubtsastotherealismofthecharactersthereindescribed。
ThesedoubtssheexpressedtoDorcasNetworthy，whowasasmall，plumpwoman，withasolemnface，whohadlivedwiththewidowformanyyearsandwhohadbecomeherdevoteddisciple。
Whateverthewidowdid，thatalsodidDorcas——notsowell，forherhearttoldhershecouldneverexpecttodothat，butwithayearninganxietytodoeverythingaswellasshecould。
Sheroseatfiveminutespastsix，andinasubsidiarywayshehelpedtogetthebreakfast，toeatit，towashupthedishes，toworkinthegarden，toquilt，tosew，tovisitandreceive，andnoonecouldhavetriedharderthanshedidtokeepawakewhenthewidowreadaloudintheevening。
Allthesethingshappenedeverydayinthesummertime，butinthewinterthewidowandDorcasclearedthesnowfromtheirlittlefrontpathinsteadofattendingtotheflowers，andintheeveningtheylightedafireaswellasalampintheparlor。
Sometimes，however，somethingdifferenthappened，butthiswasnotoften，onlyafewtimesintheyear。OneofthedifferentthingsoccurredwhenMrs。DucketandDorcasweresittingontheirlittlefrontporchonesummerafternoon，oneonthelittlebenchononesideofthedoor，andtheotheronthelittlebenchontheothersideofthedoor，eachwaitinguntilsheshouldheartheclockstrikefive，topreparetea。Butitwasnotyetaquartertofivewhenaone-horsewagoncontainingfourmencameslowlydownthestreet。Dorcasfirstsawthewagon，andsheinstantlystoppedknitting。
\"Mercyonme！\"sheexclaimed。\"Whoeverthosepeopleare，theyarestrangershere，andtheydon\'tknowwheretostop，fortheyfirstgotoonesideofthestreetandthentotheother。\"
Thewidowlookedaroundsharply。\"Humph！\"saidshe。\"Thosemenaresailormen。Youmightseethatinatwinklin\'ofaneye。
Sailormenalwaysdrivethatway，becausethatisthewaytheysailships。Theyfirsttackinonedirectionandtheninanother。\"
\"Mr。Ducketdidn\'tlikethesea？\"remarkedDorcas，foraboutthethreehundredthtime。
\"No，hedidn\'t，\"answeredthewidow，foraboutthetwohundredandfiftiethtime，fortherehadbeenoccasionswhenshethoughtDorcasputthisquestioninopportunely。\"Hehatedit，andhewasdrownedinitthroughtrustin\'asailorman，whichI
neverdidnorshall。Doyoureallybelievethosemenarecomin\'
here？\"
\"UponmywordIdo！\"saidDorcas，andheropinionwascorrect。
ThewagondrewupinfrontofMrs。Ducket\'slittlewhitehouse，andthetwowomensatrigidly，theirhandsintheirlaps，staringatthemanwhodrove。
Thiswasanelderlypersonagewithwhitishhair，andunderhischinathinwhitishbeard，whichwavedinthegentlebreezeandgaveDorcastheideathathisheadwasfilledwithhairwhichwasleakingoutfrombelow。
\"IsthistheWidowDucket\'s？\"inquiredthiselderlyman，inastrong，penetratingvoice。
\"That\'smyname，\"saidthewidow，andlayingherknittingonthebenchbesideher，shewenttothegate。Dorcasalsolaidherknittingonthebenchbesideherandwenttothegate。
\"Iwastold，\"saidtheelderlyman，\"atahousewetouchedataboutaquarterofamileback，thattheWidowDucket\'swastheonlyhouseinthisvillagewheretherewasanychanceofmeandmymatesgettingameal。Wearefoursailors，andwearemakingfromthebayovertoCuppertown，andthat\'seightmilesaheadyet，andweareallprettysharpsetforsomethingtoeat。\"
\"Thisistheplace，\"saidthewidow，\"andIdogivemealsifthereisenoughinthehouseandeverythingcomeshandy。\"
\"Doeseverythingcomehandyto-day？\"saidhe。
\"Itdoes，\"saidshe，\"andyoucanhitchyourhorseandcomein；butIhaven\'tgotanythingforhim。\"
\"Oh，that\'sallright，\"saidtheman，\"webroughtalongstoresforhim，sowe\'lljustmakefastandthencomein。\"
Thetwowomenhurriedintothehouseinastateofbustlingpreparation，forthefurnishingofthismealmeantonedollarincash。
Thefourmariners，allelderlymen，descendedfromthewagon，eachonescramblingwithalacrityoveradifferentwheel。
Aboxofbrokenship-biscuitwasbroughtoutandputonthegroundinfrontofthehorse，whoimmediatelysethimselftoeatingwithgreatsatisfaction。
Teawasalittlelatethatday，becausethereweresixpersonstoprovideforinsteadoftwo，butitwasagoodmeal，andafterthefourseamenhadwashedtheirhandsandfacesatthepumpinthebackyardandhadwipedthemontwotowelsfurnishedbyDorcas，theyallcameinandsatdown。Mrs。Ducketseatedherselfattheheadofthetablewiththedignitypropertothemistressofthehouse，andDorcasseatedherselfattheotherendwiththedignitypropertothediscipleofthemistress。Noservicewasnecessary，foreverythingthatwastobeeatenordrunkwasonthetable。
Wheneachoftheelderlymarinershadhadasmuchbreadandbutter，quicklybakedsoda-biscuit，driedbeef，coldham，coldtongue，andpreservedfruitofeveryvarietyknown，ashisstoragecapacitywouldpermit，themarinerincommand，CaptainBird，pushedbackhischair，whereupontheothermarinerspushedbacktheirchairs。
\"Madam，\"saidCaptainBird，\"wehaveallmadeagoodmeal，whichdidn\'tneedtobenobetternormoreofit，andwe\'resatisfied；butthathorseouttherehasnothadtimetoresthimselfenoughtogotheeightmilesthatliesaheadofus，so，ifit\'sallthesametoyouandthisgoodlady，we\'dliketositonthatfrontporchawhileandsmokeourpipes。Iwasa-lookingatthatporchwhenIcamein，andIbethoughttomyselfwhatararegoodplaceitwastosmokeapipein。\"
\"There\'spipesbeensmokedthere，\"saidthewidow，rising，\"anditcanbedoneagain。InsidethehouseIdon\'tallowtobacco，butontheporchneitherofusminds。\"
Sothefourcaptainsbetookthemselvestotheporch，twoofthemseatingthemselvesonthelittlebenchononesideofthedoor，andtwoofthemonthelittlebenchontheothersideofthedoor，andlightedtheirpipes。
\"Shallweclearoffthetableandwashupthedishes，\"saidDorcas，\"orwaituntiltheyaregone？\"
\"Wewillwaituntiltheyaregone，\"saidthewidow，\"fornowthattheyareherewemightaswellhaveabitofachatwiththem。Whenasailormanlightshispipeheisgenerallywillin\'
totalk，butwhenheiseatin\'youcan\'tgetawordoutofhim。\"
Withoutthinkingitnecessarytoaskpermission，forthehousebelongedtoher，theWidowDucketbroughtachairandputitinthehallclosetotheopenfrontdoor，andDorcasbroughtanotherchairandseatedherselfbythesideofthewidow。
\"Doallyousailormenbelongdownthereatthebay？\"askedMrs。Ducket；thustheconversationbegan，andinafewminutesithadreachedapointatwhichCaptainBirdthoughtitpropertosaythatagreatmanystrangethingshappentoseamensailingontheseawhichlands-peopleneverdreamof。
\"Suchasanythinginparticular？\"askedthewidow，atwhichremarkDorcasclaspedherhandsinexpectancy。
Atthisquestioneachofthemarinerstookhispipefromhismouthandgazeduponthefloorinthought。
\"There\'sagoodmanystrangethingshappenedtomeandmymatesatsea。Wouldyouandthatotherladyliketohearanyofthem？\"askedCaptainBird。
\"Wewouldliketohearthemiftheyaretrue，\"saidthewidow。
\"There\'snothinghappenedtomeandmymatesthatisn\'ttrue，\"saidCaptainBird，\"andhereissomethingthatoncehappenedtome：Iwasonawhalingv\'yagewhenabigsperm-
whale，justasmadasafierybull，cameatus，headon，andstrucktheshipatthesternwithsuchtremendousforcethathisheadcrashedrightthroughhertimbersandhewentnearlyhalfhislengthintoherhull。Theholdwasmostlyfilledwithemptybarrels，forwewasjustbeginningourv\'yage，andwhenhehadmadekindling-woodofthesetherewasroomenoughforhim。Weallexpectedthatitwouldn\'ttakefiveminutesforthevesseltofillandgotothebottom，andwemadereadytotaketotheboats；butitturnedoutwedidn\'tneedtotaketonoboats，forasfastasthewaterrushedintotheholdoftheship，thatwhaledrankitandsquirteditupthroughthetwoblow-holesinthetopofhishead，andastherewasanopenhatchwayjustoverhishead，thewaterallwentintotheseaagain，andthatwhalekeptworkingdayandnightpumpingthewateroutuntilwebeachedthevesselontheislandofTrinidad——thewhalehelpinguswonderfulonourwayoverbythepowerfulworkingofhistail，which，beingoutsideinthewater，actedlikeapropeller。I
don\'tbelieveanythingstrangerthanthateverhappenedtoawhalingship。\"
\"No，\"saidthewidow，\"Idon\'tbelieveanythingeverdid。\"
CaptainBirdnowlookedatCaptainSanderson，andthelattertookhispipeoutofhismouthandsaidthatinallhissailingaroundtheworldhehadneverknownanythingqueererthanwhathappenedtoabigsteamshiphechancedtobeon，whichranintoanislandinafog。Everybodyonboardthoughttheshipwaswrecked，butithadtwinscrews，andwasgoingatsuchatremendousspeedthatitturnedtheislandentirelyupsidedownandsailedoverit，andhehadheardtellthatevennowpeoplesailingoverthespotcouldlookdownintothewaterandseetherootsofthetreesandthecellarsofthehouses。