PARTI
TWELVESTORIES
CONTENTS
TheRedRosesofToniaRoundTheCircleTheRubberPlant’sStoryOutofNazarethConfessionsofaHumoristTheSparrowsinMadisonSquareHeartsandHandsTheCactusTheDetectiveDetectorTheDogandthePlayletALittleTalkAboutMobsTheSnowManTHEREDROSESOFTONIA
AtrestleburneddownontheInternationalRailroad。Thesouth—
boundfromSanAntoniowascutoffforthenextforty—eighthours。
OnthattrainwasToniaWeaver’sEasterhat。
Espirition，theMexican，whohadbeensentfortymilesinabuckboardfromtheEspinosaRanchtofetchit，returnedwithashruggingshoulderandhandsemptyexceptforacigarette。Atthesmallstation，Nopal，hehadlearnedofthedelayedtrainand，havingnocommandstowait，turnedhisponiestowardtheranchagain。
Now，ifonesupposesthatEaster，theGoddessofSpring，caresanymorefortheafter—churchparadeonFifthAvenuethanshedoesforherloyaloutfitofsubjectsthatassembleatthemeeting—houseatCactus，Tex。，amistakehasbeenmade。ThewivesanddaughtersoftheranchmenoftheFriocountryputforthEasterblossomsofnewhatsandgownsasfaithfullyasisdoneanywhere，andtheSouthwestis，foroneday，aminglingofpricklypear，Paris，andparadise。
AndnowitwasGoodFriday，andToniaWeaver’sEasterhatblushedunseeninthedesertairofanimpotentexpresscar，beyondtheburnedtrestle。OnSaturdaynoontheRogersgirls，fromtheShoestringRanch，andEllaReeves，fromtheAnchor—O，andMrs。
BennetandIda，fromGreenValley，wouldconveneattheEspinosaandpickupTonia。WiththeirEasterhatsandfrockscarefullywrappedandbundledagainstthedust，thefairaggregationwouldthenmerrilyjogthetenmilestoCactus，whereonthemorrowtheywouldarraythemselves，subjugateman，dohomagetoEaster，andcausejealousagitationamongtheliliesofthefield。
ToniasatonthestepsoftheEspinosaranchhouseflickinggloomilywithaquirtatatuftofcurlymesquite。Shedisplayedafrownandacontumeliouslip，andendeavoredtoradiateanauraofdisagreeablenessandtragedy。
\"Ihaterailroads，\"sheannouncedpositively。\"Andmen。Menpretendtorunthem。Canyougiveanyexcusewhyatrestleshouldburn？IdaBennet’shatistobetrimmedwithviolets。IshallnotgoonesteptowardCactuswithoutanewhat。IfIwereamanIwouldgetone。\"
Twomenlisteneduneasilytothisdisparagementoftheirkind。OnewasWellsPearson，foremanoftheMuchoCalorcattleranch。TheotherwasThompsonBurrows，theprosperoussheepmanfromtheQuintanaValley。BoththoughtToniaWeaveradorable，especiallywhensherailedatrailroadsandmenacedmen。EitherwouldhavegivenuphisepidermistomakeforheranEasterhatmorecheerfullythantheostrichgivesuphistiportheaigrettelaysdownitslife。NeitherpossessedtheingenuitytoconceiveameansofsupplyingthesaddeficiencyagainstthecomingSabbath。Pearson’sdeepbrownfaceandsunburnedlighthairgavehimtheappearanceofaschoolboyseizedbyoneofyouth’sprofoundandinsolvablemelancholies。Tonia’splightgrievedhimthroughandthrough。ThompsonBurrowswasthemoreskilledandpliable。HehailedfromsomewhereintheEastoriginally；
andheworenecktiesandshoes，andwasmadedumbbywoman’spresence。
\"Thebigwater—holeonSandyCreek，\"saidPearson，scarcelyhopingtomakeahit，\"wasfilledupbythatlastrain。\"
\"Oh!Wasit？\"saidToniasharply。\"Thankyoufortheinformation。
Isupposeanewhatisnothingtoyou，Mr。Pearson。IsupposeyouthinkawomanoughttowearanoldStetsonfiveyearswithoutachange，asyoudo。Ifyouroldwater—holecouldhaveputoutthefireonthattrestleyoumighthavesomereasontotalkaboutit。\"
\"Iamdeeplysorry，\"saidBurrows，warnedbyPearson’sfate，\"thatyoufailedtoreceiveyourhat，MissWeaver——deeplysorry，indeed。
IftherewasanythingIcoulddo——\"
\"Don’tbother，\"interruptedTonia，withsweetsarcasm。\"Iftherewasanythingyoucoulddo，you’dbedoingit，ofcourse。Thereisn’t。\"
Toniapaused。Asuddensparkleofhopehadcomeintohereye。Herfrownsmoothedaway。Shehadaninspiration。
\"There’sastoreoveratLoneElmCrossingontheNueces，\"shesaid，\"thatkeepshats。EvaRogersgothersthere。Shesaiditwasthelateststyle。Itmighthavesomeleft。Butit’stwenty—eightmilestoLoneElm。\"
Thespursoftwomenwhohastilyarosejingled；andToniaalmostsmiled。TheKnights，then，werenotallturnedtodust；norweretheirrowelsrust。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidTonia，lookingthoughtfullyatawhitegulfcloudsailingacrosstheceruleandome，\"nobodycouldridetoLoneElmandbackbythetimethegirlscallbyformeto—morrow。So，IreckonI’llhavetostayathomethisEasterSunday。\"
Andthenshesmiled。
\"Well，MissTonia，\"saidPearson，reachingforhishat，asguilefulasasleepingbabe。\"IreckonI’llbetrottingalongbacktoMuchoCalor。There’ssomecuttingouttobedoneonDryBranchfirstthinginthemorning；andmeandRoadRunnerhasgottobeonhand。It’stoobadyourhatgotsidetracked。Maybethey’llgetthattrestlemendedyetintimeforEaster。\"
\"Imustberiding，too，MissTonia，\"announcedBurrows，lookingathiswatch。\"Ideclare，it’snearlyfiveo’clock!Imustbeoutatmylambingcampintimetohelppenthosecrazyewes。\"
Tonia’ssuitorsseemedtohavebeensmittenwithaneedforhaste。
Theybadeheraceremoniousfarewell，andthenshookeachother’shandswiththeelaborateandsolemncourtesyoftheSouthwesterner。
\"HopeI’llseeyouagainsoon，Mr。Pearson，\"saidBurrows。
\"Samehere，\"saidthecowman，withtheseriousfaceofonewhosefriendgoesuponawhalingvoyage。\"BegratifiedtoseeyourideovertoMuchoCaloranytimeyoustrikethatsectionoftherange。\"
PearsonmountedRoadRunner，thesoundestcow—ponyontheFrio，andlethimpitchforaminute，ashealwaysdidonbeingmounted，evenattheendofaday’stravel。
\"Whatkindofahatwasthat，MissTonia，\"hecalled，\"thatyouorderedfromSanAntone？Ican’thelpbutbesorryaboutthathat。\"
\"Astraw，\"saidTonia；\"thelatestshape，ofcourse；trimmedwithredroses。That’swhatIlike——redroses。\"
\"There’snocolormorebecomingtoyourcomplexionandhair，\"saidBurrows，admiringly。
\"It’swhatIlike，\"saidTonia。\"Andofalltheflowers，givemeredroses。Keepallthepinksandbluesforyourself。Butwhat’stheuse，whentrestlesburnandleaveyouwithoutanything？It’llbeadryoldEasterforme!\"
PearsontookoffhishatanddroveRoadBunneratagallopintothechaparraleastoftheEspinosaranchhouse。
AshisstirrupsrattledagainstthebrushBurrows’slong—leggedsorrelstruckoutdownthenarrowstretchofopenprairietothesouthwest。
Toniahungupherquirtandwentintothesitting—room。
\"I’mmightysorry，daughter，thatyoudidn’tgetyourhat，\"saidhermother。
\"Oh，don’tworry，mother，\"saidTonia，coolly。\"I’llhaveanewhat，allright，intimeto—morrow。\"
WhenBurrowsreachedtheendofthestripofprairiehepulledhissorreltotherightandlethimpickhiswaydaintilyacrossasacuistaflatthroughwhichrantheragged，drybedofanarroyo。
Thenupagravellyhill，mattedwithbush，thehoarsescrambled，andatlengthemerged，withasnortofsatisfactionintoastretchofhigh，levelprairie，grassyanddottedwiththelightergreenofmesquitesintheirfreshspringfoliage。AlwaystotherightBurrowsbore，untilinalittlewhilehestrucktheoldIndiantrailthatfollowedtheNuecessouthward，andthatpassed，twenty—eightmilestothesoutheast，throughLoneElm。
HereBurrowsurgedthesorrelintoasteadylope。Ashesettledhimselfinthesaddleforalongrideheheardthedrummingofhoofs，thehollow\"thwack\"ofchaparralagainstwoodenstirrups，thewhoopofaComanche；andWellsPearsonburstoutofthebrushattherightofthetraillikeaprecociousyellowchickfromadarkgreenEasteregg。
ExceptinthepresenceofawingfemininitymelancholyfoundnoplaceinPearson’sbosom。InTonia’spresencehisvoicewasassoftasasummerbullfrog’sinhisreedynest。Now，athisgleesomeyawp，rabbits，amileaway，duckedtheirears，andsensitiveplantsclosedtheirfearfulfronds。
\"Movedyourlambingcampprettyfarfromtheranch，haven’tyou，neighbor？\"askedPearson，asRoadRunnerfellinatthesorrel’sside。
\"Twenty—eightmiles，\"saidBurrows，lookingalittlegrim。Pearson’slaughwokeanowlonehourtooearlyinhiswater—elmontheriverbank，halfamileaway。
\"Allrightforyou，sheepman。Ilikeanopengame，myself。We’retwolocoedhe—millinershat—huntinginthewilderness。Inotifyyou。
Burr，tomindyourcorrals。We’vegotanevenstart，andtheonethatgetstheheadgearwillstandsomehigherattheEspinosa。\"
\"You’vegotagoodpony，\"saidBurrows，eyeingRoadRunner’sbarrel—
likebodyandtaperinglegsthatmovedasregularlyasthepistonrodofanengine。\"It’sarace，ofcourse；butyou’retoomuchofahorsemantowhoopitupthissoon。Saywetraveltogethertillwegettothehomestretch。\"
\"I’myourcompany，\"agreedPearson，\"andIadmireyoursense。Ifthere’shatsatLoneElm，oneof’emshallsetonMissTonia’sbrowto—morrow，andyouwon’tbeatthecrowning。Iain’tbragging，Burr，butthatsorrelofyoursisweakinthefore—legs。\"
\"Myhorseagainstyours，\"offeredBurrows，\"thatMissToniawearsthehatItakehertoCactusto—morrow。\"
\"I’lltakeyouup，\"shoutedPearson。\"Butoh，it’sjustlikehorse—
stealingforme!Icanusethatsorrelforalady’sanimalwhen——
whensomebodycomesovertoMuchoCalor，and——\"
Burrows’darkfacegloweredsosuddenlythatthecowmanbrokeoffhissentence。ButPearsoncouldneverfeelanypressureforlong。
\"What’sallthisEasterbusinessabout，Burr？\"heasked，cheerfully。
\"Whydothewomenfolkshavetohavenewhatsbythealmanacorbustallcinchestryingtoget’em？\"
\"It’saseasonablestatuteoutofthetestaments，\"explainedBurrows。
\"It’sorderedbythePopeorsomebody。AndithassomethingtodowiththeZodiacIdon’tknowexactly，butIthinkitwasinventedbytheEgyptians。\"
\"It’sanall—rightjubileeiftheheathensdidputtheirbrandonit，\"saidPearson；\"orelseToniawouldn’thaveanythingtodowithit。Andtheypullitoffatchurch，too。Supposethereain’tbutonehatintheLoneElmstore，Burr!\"
\"Then，\"saidBurrows，darkly，\"thebestmanofus’lltakeitbacktotheEspinosa。\"
\"Oh，man!\"criedPearson，throwinghishathighandcatchingitagain，\"there’snothinglikeyoucomeoffthesheeprangesbefore。
Youtalkgoodandcollateraltotheoccasion。Andifthere’smorethanone？\"
\"Then，\"saidBurrows，\"we’llpickourchoiceandoneofus’llgetbackfirstwithhisandtheotherwon’t。\"
\"Thereneverwastwosouls，\"proclaimedPearsontothestars，\"thatbeatmorelikeoneheartthanyournandmine。Meandyoumightberidingonaunicornandthinkingoutofthesamepieceofmind。\"
AtalittlepastmidnighttheriderslopedintoLoneElm。Thehalfahundredhousesofthebigvillageweredark。Onitsonlystreetthebigwoodenstorestoodbarredandshuttered。
InafewmomentsthehorseswerefastenedandPearsonwaspoundingcheerfullyonthedoorofoldSutton，thestorekeeper。
ThebarrelofaWinchestercamethroughacrannyofasolidwindowshutterfollowedbyashortinquiry。
\"WellsPearson，oftheMuchoCalor，andBurrows，ofGreenValley，\"
wastheresponse。\"Wewanttobuysomegoodsinthestore。Sorrytowakeyouupbutwemusthave’em。Comeonout，VncleTommy，andgetamoveonyou。\"
UncleTommywasslow，butatlengththeygothimbehindhiscounterwithakerosenelamplit，andtoldhimoftheirdireneed。
\"Easterhats？\"saidUncleTommy，sleepily。\"Why，yes，IbelieveI
havegotjustacoupleleft。Ionlyorderedadozenthisspring。
I’llshow’emtoyou。\"
Now，UncleTommySuttonwasamerchant，halfasleeporawake。Industypasteboardboxesunderthecounterhehadtwoleft—overspringhats。But，alas!forhiscommercialprobityonthatearlySaturdaymorn——theywerehatsoftwospringsago，andawoman’seyewouldhavedetectedthefraudathalfaglance。ButtotheunintelligentgazeofthecowpuncherandthesheepmantheyseemedfreshfromthemintofcontemporaneousApril。
Thehatswereofavarietyonceknownas\"cart—wheels。\"Theywereofstiffstraw，coloredred，andflatbrimmed。Bothwereexactlyalike，andtrimmedlavishlyaroundtheircrownswithfullblown，immaculate，artificialwhiteroses。
\"Thatallyougot，UncleTommy？\"saidPearson。\"Allright。Notmuchchoicehere，Burr。Takeyourpick。\"
\"They’rethelateststyles\"liedUncleTommy。\"You’dsee’emonFifthAvenue，ifyouwasinNewYork。\"
UncleTommywrappedandtiedeachhatintwoyardsofdarkcalicoforaprotection。OnePearsontiedcarefullytohiscalfskinsaddle—
thongs；andtheotherbecamepartofRoadRunner’sburden。TheyshoutedthanksandfarewellstoUncleTommy，andcanteredbackintothenightonthehomestretch。
Thehorsemenjockeyedwithalltheirskill。Theyrodemoreslowlyontheirwayback。Thefewwordstheyspokewerenotunfriendly。
BurrowshadaWinchesterunderhisleftlegslungoverhissaddlehorn。Pearsonhadasixshooterbeltedaroundhim。ThusmenrodeintheFriocountry。
Athalf—pastseveninthemorningtheyrodetothetopofahillandsawtheEspinosaRanch，awhitespotunderadarkpatchoflive—oaks，fivemilesaway。
ThesightrousedPearsonfromhisdroopingposeinthesaddle。
HeknewwhatRoadRunnercoulddo。Thesorrelwaslathered，andstumblingfrequently；RoadRunnerwaspeggingawaylikeadonkeyengine。
Pearsonturnedtowardthesheepmanandlaughed。\"Good—bye，Burr，\"hecried，withawaveofhishand。\"It’saracenow。We’reonthehomestretch。\"
HepressedRoadRunnerwithhiskneesandleanedtowardtheEspinosa。
RoadRunnerstruckintoagallop，withtossingheadandsnortingnostrils，asifhewerefreshfromamonthinpasture。
PearsonrodetwentyyardsandheardtheunmistakablesoundofaWinchesterleverthrowingacartridgeintothebarrel。Hedroppedflatalonghishorse’sbackbeforethecrackoftheriflereachedhisears。
ItispossiblethatBurrowsintendedonlytodisablethehorse——
hewasagoodenoughshottodothatwithoutendangeringhisrider。
ButasPearsonstoopedtheballwentthroughhisshoulderandthenthroughRoadRunner’sneck。Thehorsefellandthecowmanpitchedoverhisheadintothehardroad，andneitherofthemtriedtomove。
Burrowsrodeonwithoutstopping。
IntwohoursPearsonopenedhiseyesandtookinventory。HemanagedtogettohisfeetandstaggeredbacktowhereRoadRunnerwaslying。
RoadRunnerwaslyingthere，butheappearedtobecomfortable。
Pearsonexaminedhimandfoundthatthebullethad\"creased\"him。
Hehadbeenknockedouttemporarily，butnotseriouslyhurt。Buthewastired，andhelaythereonMissTonia’shatandateleavesfromamesquitebranchthatobliginglyhungovertheroad。
Pearsonmadethehorsegetup。TheEasterhat，loosedfromthesaddle—thongs，laythereinitscalicowrappings，ashapelessthingfromitssojournbeneaththesolidcarcassofRoadRunner。ThenPearsonfaintedandfellheadlonguponthepoorhatagain，crumplingitunderhiswoundedshoulders。
Itishardtokillacowpuncher。Inhalfanhourherevived——longenoughforawomantohavefaintedtwiceandtriedice—creamforarestorer。HegotupcarefullyandfoundRoadRunnerwhowasbusywiththenear—bygrass。Hetiedtheunfortunatehattothesaddleagain，andmanagedtogethimselfthere，too，aftermanyfailures。
AtnoonagayandflutteringcompanywaitedinfrontoftheEspinosaRanch。TheRogersgirlswerethereintheirnewbuckboard，andtheAnchor—OoutfitandtheGreenValleyfolks——mostlywomen。AndeachandeveryoneworehernewEasterhat，evenuponthelonelyprairies，fortheygreatlydesiredtoshineforthanddohonortothecomingfestival。
AtthegatestoodTonia。withundisguisedtearsuponhercheeks。
InherhandsheheldBurrow’sLoneElmhat，anditwasatitswhiteroses，hatedbyher，thatshewept。Forherfriendsweretellingher，withtheecstaticjoyoftruefriends，thatcart—wheelscouldnotbeworn，beingthreeseasonspassedintooblivion。
\"Putonyouroldhatandcome，Tonia，\"theyurged。
\"ForEasterSunday？\"sheanswered。\"I’lldiefirst。\"Andweptagain。
Thehatsofthefortunateoneswerecurvedandtwistedintothestyleofspring’slatestproclamation。
Astrangebeingrodeoutofthebrushamongthem，andtheresathishorselanguidly。Hewasstainedanddisfiguredwiththegreenofthegrassandthelimestoneofrockyroads。
\"Hallo，Pearson，\"saidDaddyWeaver。\"Looklikeyou’vebeenbreakingamustang。What’sthatyou’vegottiedtoyoursaddle——apiginapoke？\"
\"Oh，comeon，Tonia，ifyou’regoing，\"saidBettyRogers。\"Wemustn’twaitanylonger。We’vesavedaseatinthebuckboardforyou。Nevermindthehat。Thatlovelymuslinyou’vegotonlookssweetenoughwithanyoldhat。\"
Pearsonwasslowlyuntyingthequeerthingonhissaddle。Tonialookedathimwithasuddenhope。Pearsonwasamanwhocreatedhope。Hegotthethinglooseandhandedittoher。Herquickfingerstoreatthestrings。
\"BestIcoulddo，\"saidPearsonslowly。\"WhatRoadRunnerandmedonetoitwillbeaboutallitneeds。\"
\"Oh，oh!it’sjusttherightshape，\"shriekedTonia。\"Andredroses!
WaittillItryiton!\"
Sheflewintotheglass，andoutagain，beaming，radiating，blossomed。
\"Oh，don’tredbecomeher？\"chantedthegirlsinrecitative。\"Hurryup，Tonia!\"
ToniastoppedforamomentbythesideofRoadRunner。
\"Thankyou，thankyou，Wells，\"shesaid，happily。\"It’sjustwhatIwanted。Won’tyoucomeovertoCactusto—morrowandgotochurchwithme？\"
\"IfIcan，\"saidPearson。Hewaslookingcuriouslyatherhat，andthenhegrinnedweakly。
Toniaflewintothebuckboardlikeabird。ThevehiclesspedawayforCactus。
\"Whathaveyoubeendoing，Pearson？\"askedDaddyWeaver。\"Youain’tlookingsowellascommon。\"
\"Me？\"saidPearson。\"I’vebeenpaintingflowers。ThemroseswaswhitewhenIleftLoneElm。Helpmedown，DaddyWeaver，forI
haven’tgotanymorepainttospare。\"
ROUNDTHECIRCLE
[Thisstoryisespeciallyinterestingasanearlytreatment（1902）
ofthethemeafterwarddevelopedwithasurerhandinThePendulum。]
\"Findyo’shirtallright，Sam？\"askedMrs。Webber，fromherchairunderthelive—oak，whereshewascomfortablyseatedwithapaper—
backvolumeforcompany。
\"Itbalancesperfeckly，Marthy，\"answeredSam，withasuspiciouspleasantnessinhistone。\"AtfirstIwasaboutterbealittlerecklessandkick’causetherbuttonswasalloff，butsinceI
diskiverthatthebuttonholesisallbustedout，why，Iwouldn’tgosofurastosaythebuttonsisanylosstospeakof。\"
\"Oh，well，\"saidhiswife，carelessly，\"putonyournecktie——that’llkeepittogether。\"
SamWebber’ssheepranchwassituatedintheloneliestpartofthecountrybetweentheNuecesandtheFrio。Theranchhouse——atwo—roomboxstructure——wasontheriseofagentlyswellinghillinthemidstofawildernessofhighchaparral。Infrontofitwasasmallclearingwherestoodthesheeppens，shearingshed，andwoolhouse。
Onlyafewfeetbackofitbeganthethornyjungle。
SamwasgoingtorideovertotheChapmanranchtoseeaboutbuyingsomemoreimprovedmerinorams。Atlengthhecameout，readyforhisride。Thisbeingabusinesstripofsomeimportance，andtheChapmanranchbeingalmostasmalltowninpopulationandsize，Samhaddecidedto\"dressup\"accordingly。Theresultwasthathehadtransformedhimselffromagraceful，picturesquefrontiersmanintosomethingmuchlesspleasingtothesight。Thetightwhitecollarawkwardlyconstrictedhismuscular，mahogany—coloredneck。Thebuttonlessshirtbulgedinstiffwavesbeneathhisunbuttonedvest。
Thesuitof\"ready—made\"effectuallyconcealedthefinelinesofhisstraight，athleticfigure。Hisberry—brownfacewassettothemelancholydignitybefittingaprisonerofstate。HegaveRandy，histhree—year—oldson，apatonthehead，andhurriedouttowhereMexico，hisfavoritesaddlehorse，wasstanding。
Marthy，leisurelyrockinginherchair，fixedherplaceinthebookwithherfinger，andturnedherhead，smilingmischievouslyasshenotedthehavocSamhadwroughtwithhisappearanceintryingto\"fixup。\"
~Well，efImustsayit，Sam，\"shedrawled，\"youlookjestlikeoneofthemhayseedsinthepicturepapers，’steadofafreeandindependentsheepmanoftheStateo’Texas。\"
Samclimbedawkwardlyintothesaddle。
\"You’retheoneoughttobe’shamedtosayso，\"herepliedhotly。
\"’Steadof’tendin’toaman’sclothesyou’real’ayssettingarounda—readin’thembilly—by—damyaller—backnovils。\"
\"Oh，shetupandridealong，\"saidMrs。Webber，withalittlejerkatthehandlesofherchair；\"youalwaysfussin’’boutmyreadin’。Idoa—plenty；andI’llreadwhenIwanter。Iliveinthebreshherelikeavarmint，neverseein’norhearin’nothin’，andwhatother’musementkinIhave？Notinlistenin’toyoutalk，forit’scomplain，complain，onedayafteranother。Oh，goon，Sam，andleavemeinpeace。\"
Samgavehisponyasqueezewithhiskneesand\"shoved\"downthewagontrailthatconnectedhisranchwiththeold，openGovernmentroad。Itwaseighto’clock，andalreadybeginningtobeverywarm。
Heshouldhavestartedthreehoursearlier。Chapmanranchwasonlyeighteenmilesaway，buttherewasaroadforonlythreemilesofthedistance。HehadriddenoverthereoncewithoneoftheHalf—Mooncowpunchers，andhehadthedirectionwell—definedinhismind。
SamturnedofftheoldGovernmentroadatthesplitmesquite，andstruckdownthearroyooftheQuintanilla。Herewasanarrowstretchofsmilingvalley，upholsteredwitharichmatofgreen，curlymesquitegrass；andMexicoconsumedthosefewmilesquicklywithhislong，easylope。Again，uponreachingWildDuckWaterhole，mustheabandonwell—definedways。Heturnednowtohisrightupalittlehill，pebble—covered，uponwhichgrewonlythetenaciousandthornypricklypearandchaparral。Atthesummitofthishepausedtotakehislastgeneralviewofthelandscapefor，fromnowon，hemustwindthroughbrakesandthicketsofchaparral，pear，andmesquite，forthemostpartseeingscarcelyfartherthantwentyyardsinanydirection，choosinghiswaybytheprairie—dweller’sinstinct，guidedonlybyanoccasionalglimpseofafardistanthilltop，apeculiarlyshapedknotoftrees，orthepositionofthesun。
SamrodedowntheslopinghillandplungedintothegreatpearflatthatliesbetweentheQuintanillaandthePiedra。
Inabouttwohourshediscoveredthathewaslost。Thencametheusualconfusionofmindandthehurrytogetsomewhere。Mexicowasanxioustoredeemthesituation，twistingwithalacrityalongthetortuouslabyrinthsofthejungle。Atthemomenthismaster’ssurenessoftheroutehadfailedhishorsehaddivinedthefact。
Therewerenohillsnowthattheycouldclimbtoobtainaviewofthecountry。Theycameuponafew，butsodenseandinterlacedwasthebrushthatscarcelycouldarabbitpenetratethemass。Theywereinthegreat，lonelythicketoftheFriobottoms。
Itwasamerenothingforacattlemanorasheepmantobelostforadayoranight。Thethingoftenhappened。Itwasmerelyamatterofmissingamealortwoandsleepingcomfortablyonyoursaddleblanketsonasoftmattressofmesquitegrass。ButinSam’scaseitwasdifferent。Hehadneverbeenawayfromhisranchatnight。
Marthywasafraidofthecountry——afraidofMexicans，ofsnakes，ofpanthers，evenofsheep。Sohehadneverleftheralone。
ItmusthavebeenaboutfourintheafternoonwhenSam’sconscienceawoke。Hewaslimpanddrenched，ratherfromanxietythantheheatorfatigue。UntilnowhehadbeenhopingtostrikethetrailthatledtotheFriocrossingandtheChapmanranch。Hemusthavecrosseditatsomedimpartofitandriddenbeyond。Ifsohewasnowsomethinglikefiftymilesfromhome。Ifhecouldstrikearanch——acamp——anyplacewherehecouldgetafreshhorseandinquiretheroad，hewouldrideallnighttogetbacktoMarthyandthekid。
So，Ihavehinted，Samwasseizedbvremorse。Therewasabiglumpinhisthroatashethoughtofthecrosswordshehadspokentohiswife。Surelyitwashardenoughforhertoliveinthathorriblecountrywitnouthavingtobeartheburdenofhisabuse。Hecursedhimselfgrimly，andfeltasuddenflushofshamethatover—glowedthesummerheatasherememberedthemanytimeshehadfloutedandrailedatherbecauseshehadalikingforreadingfiction。
\"Theronlyso’ceovamusementtherpo’gal’sgot，\"saidSamaloud，withasob，whichunaccustomedsoundcausedMexicotoshyabit。
A—livinwithasore—headedkiotelikeme——alow—downskunkthatoughttobelickedtodeathwithasaddlecinch——a—cookin’anda—washin’
anda—livin’onmuttonandbeansandmeabusin’herfurtakin’asquintortwoinalittlebook!\"
HethoughtofMarthyasshehadbeenwhenhefirstmetherinDogtown——smart，pretty，andsaucy——beforethesunhadturnedtherosesinhercheeksbrownandthesilenceofthechaparralhadtamedherambitions。
\"EfIeverspeaksanotherhardwordtotherlittlegal，\"mutteredSam，\"orfailsintheloveandaffectionthat’scomingtoherinthedeal，Ihopesawildcat’llt’armetopieces。\"
Heknewwhathewoulddo。HewouldwritetoGarcia&Jones，hisSanAntoniomerchantswhereheboughthissuppliesandsoldhiswool，andhavethemsenddownabigboxofnovelsandreadingmatterforMarthy。
Thingsweregoingtobedifferent。Hewonderedwhetheralittlepianocouldbeplacedinoneoftheroomsoftheranchhousewithoutthefamilyhavingtomoveoutofdoors。
Innowisecalculatedtoallayhisself—reproachwasthethoughtthatMarthyandRandywouldhavetopassthenightalone。Inspiteoftheirbickerings，whennightcameMarthywaswonttodismissherfearsofthecountry，andrestherheaduponSam’sstrongarmwithasighofpeacefulcontentanddependence。Andwereherfearssogroundless？
Samthoughtofroving，maraudingMexicans，ofstealthycougarsthatsometimesinvadedtheranches，ofrattlesnakes，centipedes，andadozenpossibledangers。Marthywouldbefranticwithfear。Randywouldcry，andcallfordadatocome。
Stilltheinterminablesuccessionofstretchesofbrush，cactus，andmesquite。Hollowafterhollow，slopeafterslope——allexactlyalike——allfamiliarbyconstantrepetition，andyetallstrangeandnew。
Ifhecouldonlyarrive~somewhere。~
ThestraightlineisArt。Naturemovesincircles。A
straightforwardmanismoreanartificialproductthanadiplomatistis。Menlostinthesnowtravelinexactcirclesuntiltheysink，exhausted，astheirfootprintshaveattested。Also，travellersinphilosophyandothermentalprocessesfrequentlywindupattheirstarting—point。
ItwaswhenSamWebberwasfullestofcontritionandgoodresolvesthatMexico，withaheavysigh，subsidedfromhisregular，brisktrotintoaslowcomplacentwalk。Theywerewindingupaneasyslopecoveredwithbrushtenortwelvefeethigh。
\"Isaynow，Mex，\"demurredSam，\"thisherewon’tdo。Iknowyou’replumbtiredout，butwegottergitalong。Oh，Lordy，ain’ttherenomo’housesintheworld!\"HegaveMexicoasmartkickwithhisheels。
Mexicogaveaprotestinggruntasiftosay：\"What’stheuseofthat，nowwe’resonear？\"Hequickenedhisgaitintoalanguidtrot。
Roundingagreatclumpofblackchaparralhestoppedshort。Samdroppedthebridlereinsandsat，lookingintothebackdoorofhisownhouse，nottenyardsaway。
Marthy，sereneandcomfortable，satinherrocking—chairbeforethedoorintheshadeofthehouse，withherfeetrestingluxuriouslyuponthesteps。Randy，whowasplayingwithapairofspursontheground，lookedupforamomentathisfatherandwentonspinningtherowelsandsingingalittlesong。Marthyturnedherheadlazilyagainstthebackofthechairandconsideredthearrivalswithemotionlesseyes。Sheheldabookinherlapwithherfingerholdingtheplace。
Samshookhimselfqueerly，likeamancomingoutofadream，andslowlydismounted。Hemoistenedhisdrylips。
\"Iseeyouarestilla—settin’，\"hesaid，\"a—readin’ofthembilly—
by—damyaller—backnovils。\"
Samhadtraveledroundthecircleandwashimselfagain。
THERUBBERPLANT’SSTORY
WerubberplantsformtheconnectinglinkbetweenthevegetablekingdomandthedecorationsofaWaldorf—AstoriasceneinaThirdAvenuetheatre。Ihaven’tlookedupourfamilytree，butIbelievewewereraisedbygraftingagumovershoeontoa30—centtabled’hotestalkofasparagus。YoutakeawhitebulldogwithaBourkeCockranairofindependenceabouthimandarubberplantandthereyouhavethefaunaandfloraofaflat。WhattheshamrockistoIrelandtherubberplantistothedwellerinflatsandfurnishedrooms。Wegetmovedfromoneplacetoanothersoquicklythattheonlywaywecangetourpicturetakeniswithakinetoscope。Wearethevagrantvineandtheflittingfigtree。Youknowtheproverb：
\"Wheretherubberplantsitsinthewindowthemovingvandrawsuptothedoor。\"
Wearethecityequivalenttothewoodbineandthehoneysuckle。NoothervegetableexceptthePittsburgstogiecanwithstandasmuchhandlingaswecan。Whenthefamilytowhichwebelongmovesintoaflattheysetusinthefrontwindowandwebecomelaresandpenates，fly—paperandtheperipateticemblemof\"HomeSweetHome。\"
Wearen’tasgreenaswelook。Iguessweareaboutwhatyouwouldcallthesoubrettesoftheconservatory。Youtrysittinginthefrontwindowofa$40flatinManhattanandlookingoutintothestreetallday，andbackintotheflatatnight，andseewhetheryougetwiseornot——hey？TalkaboutthetreeofknowledgeofgoodandevilinthegardenofEden——say!supposetherehadbeenarubberplanttherewhenEve——butIwasgoingtotellyouastory。
ThefirstthingIcanrememberIhadonlythreeleavesandbelongedtoamemberoftheponyballet。Iwaskeptinasunnywindow，andwasgenerallywateredwithseltzerandlemon。Ihadplentyoffuninthosedays。Igotcross—eyedtryingtowatchthenumbersoftheautomobilesinthestreetandthedatesonthelabelsinsideatthesametime。
Well，thentheangelthatwasmoltingforthemusicalcomedylosthislastfeatherandthecompanybrokeup。TheponiestrottedawayandI
wasleftinthewindowownerless。Thejanitorgavemetoarefinedcomedyteamontheeighthfloor，andinsixweeksIhadbeensetinthewindowoffivedifferentflatsItookonexperienceandputouttwomoreleaves。
MissCarruthers，oftherefinedcomedyteam——didyoueverseehercrossbothfeetbackofherneck？——gavemetoafriendofherswhohadmadeanunfortunatemarriagewithamaninastore。ConsequentlyIwasplacedinthewindowofafurnishedroom，rentinadvance，watertwoflightsup，gasextraafterteno’clockatnight。Twoofmyleaveswitheredoffhere。Also，IwasmovedfromoneroomtoanothersomanytimesthatIgottolikingtheodorofthepipestheexpressmensmoked。
Idon’tthinkIeverhadsodullatimeasIdidwiththislady。
Therewasneveranythingamusinggoingoninside——shewasdevotedtoherhusband，and，besidesleaningoutthewindowandflirtingwiththeiceman，sheneverdidathingtowardbreakingthemonotony。
Whenthecouplebrokeuptheyleftmewiththerestoftheirgoodsatasecond—handstore。Iwasputoutinfrontforsalealongwiththejobbiestlotyoueverheardofbeinglumpedintoonebargain。Thinkofthislittlecornucopiaofwonders，allfor$1。89：HenryJames’sworks，sixtalkingmachinerecords，onepairoftennisshoes，twobottlesofhorseradish，andarubberplant——thatwasme!
Oneafternoonagirlcamealongandstoppedtolookatme。Shehaddarkhairandeyes，andshelookedslim，andsadaroundthemouth。
\"Oh，oh!\"shesaystoherself。\"Ineverthoughttoseeoneuphere。\"
Shepullsoutalittlepurseaboutasthickasoneofmyleavesandfingersoversomesmallsilverinit。OldKoen，alwaysonthelockout，isready，rubbinghishands。ThisgirlproceedstoturndownMr。Jamesandtheothercommodities。Rubberplantsornothingistheburdenofhersong。AndatlastKoenandshecometogetherat39cents，andawayshegoeswithmeinherarms。
Shewasanicegirl，butnotmystyle。Tooquietandsoberlooking。
ThinksItomyself：\"I’lljustaboutlandonthefire—escapeofatenement，sixstoriesup。AndI’llspendthenextsixmonthslookingatclothesontheline。\"
Butshecarriedmetoanicelittleroomonlythreeflightsupinquiteadecentstreet。Andsheputmeinthewindow，ofcourse。Andthenshewenttoworkandcookeddinnerforherself。Andwhatdoyousupposeshehad？Breadandteaandalittledabofjam!Nothingelse。Notasinglelobster，norsomuchasonebottleofchampagne。
TheCarrutherscomedyteamhadbotheveryevening，exceptnowandthenwhentheytookanotionforpig’sknuckleandkraut。
Aftershehadfinishedherdinnermynewownercametothewindowandleaneddownclosetomyleavesandcriedsoftlytoherselfforawhile。Itmademefeelfunny。Ineverknewanybodytocrythatwayoverarubberplantbefore。Ofcourse，I’veseenafewof’emturnonthetearsforwhattheycouldgetoutofit，butsheseemedtobecryingjustforthepureenjoymentofit。Shetouchedmyleaveslikesheloved’em，andshebentdownherheadandkissedeachoneof’em。
IguessI’maboutthetoughestspecimenofaperipateticorchidonearth，butItellyouitmademefeelsortofqueer。Homeneverwaslikethattomebefore。GenerallyIusedtogetchewedbypoodlesandhaveshirt—waistshungonmetodry，andgetwateredwithcoffeegroundsandperoxideofhydrogen。
Thisgirlhadapianointheroom，andsheusedtodisturbitwithbothhandswhileshemadenoiseswithhermouthforhoursatatime。
Isupposeshewaspractisingvocalmusic。
Onedaysheseemedverymuchexcitedandkeptlookingattheclock。
Atelevensomebodyknockedandsheletinastout，darkmanwithtowsledblackhair。Hesatdownatonceatthepianoandplayedwhileshesangforhim。Whenshefinishedshelaidonehandonherbosomandlookedathim。Heshookhishead，andsheleanedagainstthepiano。\"Twoyearsalready，\"shesaid，speakingslowly——\"doyouthinkintwomore——orevenlonger？\"
Themanshookhisheadagain。\"Youwasteyourtime，\"hesaid，roughlyIthought。\"Thevoiceisnotthere。\"Andthenhelookedatherinapeculiarway。\"Butthevoiceisnoteverything，\"hewenton。\"Youhavelooks。Icanplaceyou，asItoldyouif——\"
Thegirlpointedtothedoorwithoutsayinganything，andthedarkmanlefttheroom。Andthenshecameoverandcriedaroundmeagain。
It’sagoodthingIhadenoughrubberinmetobewater—proof。
Aboutthattimesomebodyelseknockedatthedoor。\"Thankgoodness，\"
Isaidtomyself。\"Here’sachancetogetthewater—worksturnedoff。Ihopeit’ssomebodythat’sgameenoughtostandabirdandabottletoliventhingsupalittle。\"Tellyouthetruth，thislittlegirlmademetired。Arubberplantlikestoseealittlesportnowandthen。Idon’tsupposethere’sanothergreenthinginNewYorkthatseesasmuchofgaylifeunlessit’sthechartreuseorthesprigsofparsleyaroundthedish。
Whenthegirlopensthedoorinstepsayoungchapinatravelingcapandpicksherupinhisarms，andshesingsout\"Oh，Dick!\"andstaystherelongenoughto——well，you’vebeenarubberplanttoo，sometimes，Isuppose。
\"Goodthing!\"saysItomyself。\"Thisislivelierthanscalesandweeping。Nowthere’llbesomethingdoing。\"
\"You’vegottogobackwithme，\"saystheyoungman。\"I’vecometwothousandmilesforyou。Aren’tyoutiredofityet。Bess？You’vekeptallofuswaitingsolong。Haven’tyoufoundoutyetwhatisbest？\"
\"Thebubbleburstonlyto—day，\"saysthegirl。\"Comehere，Dick，andseewhatIfoundtheotherdayonthesidewalkforsale。\"Shebringshimbythehandandexhibitsyourstruly。\"Howoneevergotawayupherewhocantell？IboughtitwithalmostthelastmoneyIhad。\"
Helookedatme，buthecouldn’tkeephiseyesoffherformorethanasecond。\"Doyourememberthenight，Bess，\"hesaid，\"whenwestoodunderoneofthoseonthebankofthebayouandwhatyoutoldmethen？\"
\"Geewillikins!\"Isaidtomyself。\"Bothofthemstandunderarubberplant!Seemstometheyarestretchingmatterssomewhat!\"
\"DoInot，\"saysshe，lookingupathimandsneakingclosetohisvest，\"andnowIsayitagain，anditistolastforever。Look，Dick，atitsleaves，howwettheyare。Thosearemytears，anditwasthinkingofyouthatmadethemfall。\"
\"Thedearoldmagnolias!\"saystheyoungman，pinchingoneofmyleaves。\"Ilovethemall。\"
Magnolia!Well，wouldn’tthat——say!thoseinnocentsthoughtIwasamagnolia!Whatthe——well，wasn’tthattoughonagenuinelittleoldNewYorkrubberplant？
OUTOFNAZARETH
Okochee，inGeorgia，hadaboom，andJ。PinkneyBloomcameoutofitwitha\"wad。\"Okocheecameoutofitwithahalf—million—dollardebt，atwoandahalfpercent。citypropertytax，andacitycouncilthatshowedapropensityfortravelingthebackstreetsofthetown。ThesethingscameaboutthroughafatalresemblanceoftheriverCooloosatotheHudson，assetforthandexpoundedbyaNortherntourist。OkocheefeltthatNewYorkshouldnotbeallowedtoconsideritselftheonlyalligatorintheswamp，sotospeak。Andthenthatharmless，butpersistent，individualsonumerousintheSouth——themanwhoisalwaysclamoringformorecottonmills，andisreadytotakeadollar’sworthofstock，providedhecanborrowthedollar——thatmanaddedhisdeadlyworktothetourist’sinnocentpraise，andOkocheefell。
TheCooloosaRiverwindsthrougharangeofsmallmountains，passesOkocheeandthenblendsitswaterstrippingly，asfallthemellifluousIndiansyllables，withtheChattahoochee。
Okocheerose，asitwere，fromitssunnyseatonthepost—officestoop，hitchedupitssuspender，andthrewagranitedamtwohundredandfortyfeetlongandsixtyfeethighacrosstheCooloosaonemileabovethetown。Thereupon，adimpling，sparklinglakebackeduptwentymilesamongthelittlemountains。ThusinthegreatgameofmunicipalrivalrydidOkocheematchthatfamousdrawingcard，theHudson。ItwasconcededthatnowherecouldthePalisadesbejudgedsuperiorinthewayofsceneryandgrandeur。Followingthepicturecardwasplayedtheaceofcommercialimportance。Fourteenthousandhorsepowerwouldthisdamfurnish。Cottonmills，factories，andmanufacturingplantswouldriseupasthegreencornafterashower。
ThespindleandtheflywheelandturbinewouldsingtheshrewdgloryofOkochee。Alongthepicturesqueheightsabovethelakewouldriseinbeautythecostlyvillasandthesplendidsummerresidencesofcapital。Thenaphthalaunchofthemillionairewouldspitamongtheromanticcoves；theverduredhillswouldtakeformalshapesofterrace，lawn，andpark。MoneywouldbespentlikewaterinOkochee，andwaterwouldbeturnedintomoney。
Thefateofthegoodtownisquicklytold。Capitaldecidednottoinvest。Ofallthegreatthingspromised，thesceneryalonecametofulfilment。Thewoodedpeaks，theimpressivepromontoriesofsolemngranite，thebeautifulgreenslantsofbankandravinedidalltheycouldtoreconcileOkocheetothedelinquencyofmiserlygold。Thesunsetsgildedthedreamydrawsandcoveswithamintingthatshouldcharmawayheart—burning。Okochee，truetotheinstinctofitsbloodandclime，waslulledbythespell。Itclimbedoutofthearena，looseditssuspender，satdownagainonthepost—officestoop，andtookachew。Itconsoleditselfbydrawlingsarcasmsatthecitycouncilwhichwasnottoblame，causingthefathers，ashasbeensaid，toseekbackstreetsandfigureperspiringlyonthesinkingfundandtheappropriationforinterestdue。
TheyouthofOkochee——theywhoweretocarryintotherosyfuturetheburdenofthedebt——acceptedfailurewithyouth’suncalculatingjoy。
For，herewassport，aquaticandnautical，addedtothemeagreroundoflife’spleasures。Inyachtingcapsandflowingnecktiestheypervadedthelaketoitslimits。Girlsworesilkwaistsembroideredwithanchorsinblueandpink。Thetrousersoftheyoungmenwidenedatthebottom，andtheirhandswereproudlycallousedbytheoft—
pliedoar。FishermenwereunderthespellofadeepandtolerantJjoy。
Sailboatsandrowboatsfurrowedthelenientwaves，popcornandice—
creamboothssprangupaboutthelittlewoodenpier。Twosmallexcursionsteamboatswerebuilt，andpliedthedelectablewaters。
Okocheephilosophicallygaveupthehopeofeatingturtlesoupwithagoldspoon，andsettledback，notillcontent，toitsregulardietoflotusandfriedhominy。AndoutofthisslowwreckofgreatexpectationsroseupJ。PinkneyBloomwithhis\"wad\"andhisprosperous，cheerysmile。
NeedlesstosayJ。PinkneywasnoproductofGeorgiasoil。Hecameoutofthatflushedandcapableregionknownasthe\"North。\"Hecalledhimselfa\"promoter\"；hisenemieshadspokenofhimasa\"grafter\"；Okocheetookamiddlecourse，andheldhimtobenobetternornoworsethana\"Yank。\"
Farupthelake——eighteenmilesabovethetown——theeyeofthischeerfulcamp—followerofboomshadspiedoutagraft。Hepurchasedthereaprecipitoustractoffivehundredacresatforty—fivecentsperacre；andthishelaidoutandsubdividedasthecityofSkyland——theQueenCityoftheSwitzerlandoftheSouth。Streetsandavenuesweresurveyed；parksdesigned；cornersofcentralsquaresreservedforthe\"proposed\"operahouse，boardoftrade，lyceum，market，publicschools，and\"ExpositionHall。\"Thepriceoflotsrangedfromfivetofivehundreddollars。Positively，nolotwouldbepricedhigherthanfivehundreddollars。
WhiletheboomwasgrowinginOkochee，J。Pinkney’scirculars，maps，andprospectuseswereflyingthroughthemailstoeverypartofthecountry。Investorssentintheirmoneybypost，andtheSkylandRealEstateCompany（J。PinkneyBloom）returnedtoeachadeed，dulyplacedonrecord，tothebestlot，attheprice，onhandthatday。
AllthistimethecatamountscreecheduponthereservedlotoftheSkylandBoardofTrade，theopossumswungbyhistailoverthesiteoftheexpositionhall，andtheowlhootedamelancholyrecitativetohisaudienceofyoungsquirrelsinoperahousesquare。Later，whenthemoneywascominginfast，J。Pinkneycausedtobeerectedinthecomingcityhalfadozencheapboxhouses，andpersuadedacontingentofindigentnativestooccupythem，therebyassumingtheroleof\"poulation\"insubsequentprospectuses，whichbecame，accordingly，moreseductiveandremunerative。
So，whenthedreamfadedandOkocheedroppedbacktodiggingbaitandnursingitstwoandahalfpercent。tax，J。PinkneyBloom（unlovingofchecksanddraftsandthecoldinterrogatoriesofbankers）strappedabouthisfifty—two—inchwaistasoftleatherbeltcontainingeightthousanddollarsinbigbills，andsaidthatallwasverygood。
OnelasttriphewasmakingtoSkylandbeforedepartingtoothersaladfields。Skylandwasaregularpost—office，andthesteamboat，~DixieBelle~，undercontract，deliveredthemailbag（generallyempty）twiceaweek。Therewasalittlebusinesstheretobesettled——thepostmasterwastobepaidoffforhislightbutlonelyservices，andthe\"inhabitants\"hadtobefurnishedwithanothermonth’shomelyrations，asperagreement。AndthenSkylandwouldknowJ。PinkneyBloomnomore。Theownersoftheseprecipitous，barren，uselesslotsmightcomeandviewthesceneoftheirinvestedcredulity，ortheymightleavethemtotheirfittenants，thewildhogandthebrowsingdeer。TheworkoftheSkylandRealEstateCompanywasfinished。
Thelittlesteamboat~DixieBelle~wasabouttoshoveoffonherregularup—the—laketrip，whenaricketyhiredcarriagerattleduptothepier，andatall，elderlygentleman，inblack，steppedout，signalingcourteouslybutvivaciouslyfortheboattowait。Timewasoftheleastimportanceinthescheduleofthe~DixieBelle~；CaptainMacFarlandgavetheorder，andtheboatreceiveditsultimatetwopassengers。For，uponthearmofthetall，elderlygentleman，ashecrossedthegangway，wasalittleelderlylady，withagraycurldependingquaintlyforwardofherleftear。
CaptainMacFarlandwasatthewheel；thereforeitseemedtoJ。PinkneyBloom，whowastheonlyotherpassenger，thatitshouldbehistoplaythepartofhosttotheboat’snewguests，whowere，doubtless，onascenery—viewingexpedition。Hesteppedforward，withthattranslucent，child—candidsmileuponhisfresh，pinkcountenance，withthatairofunaffectedsinceritythatwasredeemedfrombluffnessonlybyitsexquisitecalculation，withthatpromptitudeandmasterlydecisionofmannerthatsowellsuitedhiscalling——withallhisstockintradewelltothefront；hesteppedforwardtoreceiveColonelandMrs。PeytonBlaylock。Withthegraceofagrandmarshaloraweddingusher，heescortedthetwopassengerstoasideoftheupperdeck，fromwhichthescenerywassupposedtopresentitselftotheobserverinincreasedquantityandquality。There，incomfortablesteamerchairs，theysatandbegantopiecetogethertherandomlinesthatweretoformanintelligentparagraphinthebighistoryoflittleevents。
\"Ourhome，sir，\"saidColonelBlaylock，removinghiswide—brimmed，rathershapelessblackfelthat，\"isinHollySprings——HollySprings，Georgia。Iamveryproudtomakeyouracquaintance，Mr。Bloom。
Mrs。BlaylockandmyselfhavejustarrivedinOkocheethismorning，sir，onbusiness——businessofimportanceinconnectionwiththerecentrapidmarchofprogressinthissectionofourstate。\"
TheColonelsmoothedback，withasweepinggesture，hislong，smooth，locks。Hisdarkeyes，stillfieryundertheheavyblackbrows，seemedinappropriatetothefaceofabusinessman。HelookedrathertobeanoldcourtierhandeddownfromthereignofCharles，andre—attiredinamodernsuitoffine，butravelingandseam—worn，broadcloth。
\"Yes，sir，\"saidMr。Bloom，inhisheartiestprospectusvoice，\"thingshavebeenwhizzingaroundOkochee。BiggestindustrialrevivalandwakinguptonaturalresourcesGeorgiaeverhad。Didyouhappentosqueezeinonthegroundfloorinanyofthegilt—
edgedgrafts，Colonel？\"
\"Well，sir，\"saidtheColonel，hesitatingincourteousdoubt，\"ifI
understandyourquestion，ImaysaythatItooktheopportunitytomakeaninvestmentthatIbelievewillprovequiteadvantageous——yes，sir，Ibelieveitwillresultinbothpecuniaryprofitandagreeableoccupation。\"
\"ColonelBlaylock，\"saidthelittleedlerlylady，shakinghergraycurlandsmilingindulgentexplanationatJ。PinkneyBloom，\"issodevotedtobusinesss。Hehassuchatalentforfinancieringandmarketsandinvestmentsandthosekindofthings。Ithinkmyselfextremelyfortunateinhavingsecuredhimforapartneronlife’sjourney——Iamsounversedinthoseformidablebutveryusefulbranchesoflearning。\"
ColonelBlaylockroseandmadeabow——abowthatbelongedwithsilkstockingsandlacerufflesandvelvet。
\"Practicalaffairs，\"hesaid，withawaveofhishandtowardthepromoter，\"are，ifImayusethecomparison，thegardenwalksuponwhichwetreadthroughlife，viewinguponeithersideofustheflowerswhichbrightenthatjourney。Itismypleasuretobeabletolayoutawalkortwo。Mrs。Blaylock，sir，isoneofthosefortunatehigherspiritswhosemissionitistomaketheflowersgrow。
Perhaps，Mr。Bloom，youhaveperusedthelinesofLorella，theSouthernpoetess。ThatisthenameabovewhichMrs。BlaylockhascontributedtothepressoftheSouthformanyyears。\"
\"Unfortunately，\"saidMr。Bloom，withasenseofthelossclearlywrittenuponhisfrankface，\"I’mliketheColonel——inthewalk—makingbusinessmyself——andIhaven’thadtimetoeventakeasniffattheflowers。PoetryisalineIneverdealtin。Itmustbenice，though——quitenice。\"
\"Itistheregion，\"smiledMrs。Blaylock，\"inwhichmysouldwells。
Myshawl，Peyton，ifyouplease——thebreezecomesalittlechillyfromyonverduredhills。\"
TheColoneldrewfromthetailpocketofhiscoatasmallshawlofknittedsilkandlaiditsolicitouslyabouttheshouldersofthelady。
Mrs。Blaylocksighedcontentedly，andturnedherexpressiveeyes——
stillasclearandunworldlyasachild’s——uponthesteepslopesthatwereslowlyslippingpast。Veryfairandstatelytheylookedintheclearmorningair。TheyseemedtospeakinfamiliartermstotheresponsivespiritofLorella。\"Mynativehills!\"shemurmured，dreamily。\"Seehowthefoliagedrinksthesunlightfromthehollowsanddells。\"
\"Mrs。Blaylock’smaidendays，\"saidtheColonel，interpretinghermoodtoJ。PinkneyBloom，\"werespentamongthemountainsofnorthernGeorgia。Mountainairandmountainsceneryrecalltoherthosedays。
HollySprings，wherewehavelivedfortwentyyears，islowandflat。
Ifearthatshemayhavesufferedinhealthandspiritsbysolongaresidencethere。Thatisoneportentreasonforthechangewearemaking。Mydear，canyounotrecallthoselinesyouwrote——entitled，Ithink，’TheGeorgiaHills’——thepoemthatwassoextensivelycopiedbytheSouthernpressandpraisedsohighlybytheAtlantacritics？\"
Mrs。BlaylockturnedaglanceofspeakingtendernessupontheColonel，fingeredforamomentthesilverycurlthatdroopeduponherbosom，thenlookedagaintowardthemountains。Withoutpreliminaryoraffectationordemurralshebegan，inratherthrillingandmoredeeplypitchedtonestorecitetheselines：
\"TheGeorgiahills，theGeorgiahills!——
Oh，heart，whydostthoupine？
ArenottheseshelteredlowlandsfairWithmeadandbloomandvine？
Ah!astheslow—pacedriverhereBroodsonitsnatalrillsMyspiritdrifts，inlongingsweet，BacktotheGeorgiahills。
\"Andthroughtheclose—drawn，curtainednightIstealonsleep’sslowwingsBacktomyheart’sease——slopesofpine——
Whereendmywanderings。
Oh，heavenseemsnearerfromtheirtops——
Andfartherearthlyills——
Evenindreams，ifImaybutDreamofmyGeorgiahills。
ThegrassupontheirorchardsidesIsafinecouchtome；
ThecommonnoteofeachsmallbirdPassesallminstrelsy。
ItwouldnotseemsodreadathingIf，whentheReaperwills，HemightcomethereandtakemyhandUpintheGeorgiahills。\"
Thatsgreatstuff，ma’am，\"saidJ。PinkneyBloom，enthusiastically，whenthepoetesshadconcluded。\"IwishIhadlookeduppoetrymorethanIhave。Iwasraisedinthepinehillsmyself。\"
\"Themountainsevercalltotheirchildren，\"murmuredMrs。Blaylock。
\"Ifeelthatlifewilltakeontherosyhueofhopeagaininamongthesebeautifulhills。Peyton——alittletasteofthecurrantwine，ifyouwillbesogood。Thejourney，thoughdelightfulintheextreme，slightlyfatiguesme。\"ColonelBlaylockagainvisitedthedepthsofhisprolificcoat，andproducedatightlycorked，rough，blackbottle。Mr。Bloomwasonhisfeetinaninstant。
\"Letmebringaglass，ma’am。Youcomealong，Colonel——there’salittletablewecanbring，too。Maybewecanscareupsomefruitoracupofteaonboard。I’llaskMac。\"
Mrs。Blaylockreclinedatease。FewroyalladieshaveheldtheirroyalprerogativewiththeserenegraceofthepettedSouthernwoman。
TheColonel，withanairasgallantandassiduousasinthedaysofhiscourtship，andJ。PinkneyBloom，withaponderousagilityhalfprofessionalandhalfdirectedbysomeresurrected，unnamed，long—
forgottensentiment，formedadiversifiedbutattentivecourt。Thecurrantwine——winehomemadefromtheHollySpringsfruit——wentround，andthenJ。PinkneybegantohearsomethingofHollySpringslife。
Itseemed（fromtheconversationoftheBlaylocks）thattheSpringswasdecadent。Athirdofthepopulationhadmovedaway。Business——
andtheColonelwasanauthorityonbusiness——haddwindledtonothing。