Dearme，howinterestingarencontre！Livedallalonehereforseven——wasitsevenyears？——yes，Iremembernow。Existedquiteaunaturel，onemightsay。Howodd！NotthatIknowanythingaboutthatsortofthing，youknow。I’velivedalwaysamongpeople，andamreallyquiteastranger，Iassureyou。Buthonestly，Mr。——Ibegyourpardon——Mr。Grey，howdoyoulikeit？\"
Shehadquietlytakenhischairandthrownhercloakandhoodoveritsback，andwasnowthoughtfullyremovinghergloves。Whateverwerethearguments，——andtheyweredoubtlessmanyandprofound，——
whatevertheexperience，——anditwasdoubtlesshardandsatisfyingenough，——bywhichthisunfortunatemanhadjustifiedhislifeforthelastsevenyears，somehowtheysuddenlybecametrivialandterriblyridiculousbeforethissimplebutpracticalquestion。
\"Well，youshalltellmeallaboutitafteryouhavegivenmesomethingtoeat。Wewillhavetimeenough;Barkercannotfindhiswaybackinthisfogto-night。Nowdon’tputyourselvestoanytroubleonmyaccount。Barkerwillassist？\"
Barkercameforward。Gladtoescapethescrutinyofhisguest，thehermitgaveafewrapiddirectionstothePrincessinhernativetongue，anddisappearedintheshed。Leftamomentalone，MissPortfiretookaquick，half-audible，feminineinventoryofthecabin。\"Books，guns，skins，ONEchair，ONEbed，nopictures，andnolooking-glass！\"ShetookabookfromtheswingingshelfandresumedherseatbythefireasthePrincessre-enteredwithfreshfuel。ButwhilekneelingonthehearththePrincesschancedtolookupandmetMissPortfire’sdarkeyesovertheedgeofherbook。
\"Bob！\"
ThePrincessshowedherteeth。
\"Listen。Wouldyouliketohavefineclothes，rings，andbeadslikethese，tohaveyourhairnicelycombedandputupso？Wouldyou？\"
ThePrincessnoddedviolently。
\"Wouldyouliketolivewithmeandhavethem？Answerquickly。
Don’tlookroundforHIM。Speakforyourself。Wouldyou？Hush;
nevermindnow。\"
Thehermitre-entered，andthePrincess，blinking，retreatedintotheshadowofthewhale-boatshed，fromwhichshedidnotemergeevenwhenthehomelyrepastofcoldvenison，shipbiscuit，andteawasserved。MissPortfirenoticedherabsence：\"Youreallymustnotletmeinterferewithyourusualsimpleways。Doyouknowthisisexceedinglyinterestingtome，sopastoralandpatriarchalandallthatsortofthing。ImustinsistuponthePrincesscomingback;really，Imust。\"
ButthePrincesswasnottobefoundintheshed，andMissPortfire，whothenextminuteseemedtohaveforgottenallabouther，tookherplaceinthesinglechairbeforeanextemporizedtable。Barkerstoodbehindher，andthehermitleanedagainstthefireplace。MissPortfire’sappetitedidnotcomeuptoherprotestations。Forthefirsttimeinsevenyearsitoccurredtothehermitthathisordinaryvictualmightbeimproved。Hestammeredoutsomethingtothateffect。
\"Ihaveeatenbetter，andworse，\"saidMissPortfire，quietly。
\"ButIthoughtyou——thatis，yousaid——\"
\"Ispentayearinthehospitals，whenfatherwasonthePotomac，\"
returnedMissPortfire，composedly。Afterapauseshecontinued：
\"YourememberafterthesecondBullRun——But，dearme！Ibegyourpardon;ofcourse，youknownothingaboutthewarandallthatsortofthing，anddon’tcare。\"（Sheputuphereye-glassandquietlysurveyedhisbroadmuscularfigureagainstthechimney。）
\"Or，perhaps，yourprejudices——Butthen，asahermityouknowyouhavenopolitics，ofcourse。Pleasedon’tletmeboreyou。\"
Tohavebeenstrictlyconsistent，thehermitshouldhaveexhibitednointerestinthistopic。Perhapsitwasowingtosomequalityinthenarrator，buthewasconstrainedtobeghertocontinueinsuchphrasesashisunfamiliarlipscouldcommand。Sothat，littlebylittle，MissPortfireyieldedupincidentandpersonalobservationofthecontestthenraging;withthesamehalf-abstracted，half-
unconcernedairthatseemedhabitualtoher，shetoldthestoriesofprivation，ofsuffering，ofendurance，andofsacrifice。Withthesameassumptionoftimiddeferencethatconcealedhergreatself-control，shetalkedofprinciplesandrights。Apparentlywithoutenthusiasmandwithouteffort，ofwhichhismorbidnaturewouldhavebeensuspicious，shesangthegreatAmericanIliadinawaythatstirredthedepthsofhersolitaryauditortoitsmassivefoundations。Thenshestoppedandaskedquietly，\"WhereisBob？\"
Thehermitstarted。Hewouldlookforher。ButBob，forsomereason，wasnotforthcoming。Searchwasmadewithinandwithoutthehut，butinvain。ForthefirsttimethateveningMissPortfireshowedsomeanxiety。\"Go，\"shesaidtoBarker，\"andfindher。SheMUSTbefound;stay，givemeyourovercoat，I’llgomyself。\"Shethrewtheovercoatoverhershouldersandsteppedoutintothenight。Inthethickveiloffogthatseemedsuddenlytoinwrapher，shestoodforamomentirresolute，andthenwalkedtowardthebeach，guidedbythelowwashofwatersonthesand。
Shehadnottakenmanystepsbeforeshestumbledoversomedarkcrouchingobject。ReachingdownherhandshefeltthecoarsewirymaneofthePrincess。
\"Bob！\"
Therewasnoreply。
\"Bob。I’vebeenlookingforyou，come。\"
\"Go’way。\"
\"Nonsense，Bob。Iwantyoutostaywithmeto-night，come。\"
\"Injinsquawnogoodforwaugeewoman。Go’way。\"
\"Listen，Bob。Youaredaughterofachief：soamI。Yourfatherhadmanywarriors：sohasmine。Itisgoodthatyoustaywithme。
Come。\"
ThePrincesschuckledandsufferedherselftobeliftedup。Afewmomentslaterandtheyre-enteredthehut，handinhand。
WiththefirstredstreaksofdawnthenextdaytheerectBarkertouchedhiscapatthedoorofthehut。Besidehimstoodthehermit，alsojustrisenfromhisblanketednestinthesand。Forthfromthehut，freshasthemorningair，steppedMissPortfire，leadingthePrincessbythehand。Handinhandalsotheywalkedtotheshore，andwhenthePrincesshadbeensafelybestowedinthesternsheets，MissPortfireturnedandheldoutherowntoherlatehost。
\"Ishalltakethebestofcareofher，ofcourse。Youwillcomeandseeheroften。Ishouldaskyoutocomeandseeme，butyouareahermit，youknow，andallthatsortofthing。Butifit’sthecorrectanchoritething，andcanbedone，myfatherwillbegladtorequiteyouforthisnight’shospitality。Butdon’tdoanythingonmyaccountthatinterfereswithyoursimplehabits。
Goodby。\"
Shehandedhimacard，whichhetookmechanically。
\"Goodby。\"
Thesailwashoisted，andtheboatshovedoff。Asthefreshmorningbreezecaughtthewhitecanvasitseemedtobowapartingsalutation。Therewasarosyflashofpromiseonthewater，andasthelightcraftdartedforwardtowardtheascendingsun，itseemedforamomentupliftedinitsglory。
MissPortfirekeptherword。IfthoughtfulcareandintelligentkindnesscouldregeneratethePrincess，herfuturewassecure。Anditreallyseemedasifshewereforthefirsttimeinclinedtoheedthelessonsofcivilizationandprofitbyhernewcondition。Anagreeablechangewasfirstnoticedinherappearance。Herlawlesshairwascaughtinanet，andnolongerstrayedoverherlowforehead。HerunstablebustwasstayedandupheldbyFrenchcorsets;herplantigradeshufflewaslimitedbyheeledboots。Herdresseswereneatandclean，andsheworeadoublenecklaceofglassbeads。Withthisphysicalimprovementtherealsoseemedsomemoralawakening。Shenolongerstolenorlied。Withthepossessionofpersonalpropertycamearespectforthatofothers。
Withincreaseddependenceonthewordofthoseabouthercameathoughtfulconsiderationofherown。Intellectuallyshewasstillfeeble，althoughshegrappledsturdilywiththesimplelessonswhichMissPortfiresetbeforeher。Butherzealandsimplevanityoutranherdiscretion，andshewouldoftensitforhourswithanopenbookbeforeher，whichshecouldnotread。Shewasafavoritewiththeofficersatthefort，fromtheMajor，whosharedhisdaughter’sprejudicesandoftenyieldedtoherpowerfulself-will，tothesubalterns，wholikedhernonethelessthattheirnaturalenemies，thefrontiervolunteers，haddeclaredwaragainstherhelplesssisterhood。Theonlyrestraintputuponherwasthelimitationofherlibertytotheenclosureofthefortandparade;
andonlyoncedidshebreakthisparole，andwasstoppedbythesentryasshesteppedintoaboatatthelanding。
ThereclusedidnotavailhimselfofMissPortfire’sinvitation。
ButafterthedepartureofthePrincesshespentlessofhistimeinthehut，andwasmorefrequentlyseeninthedistantmarshesofEelRiverandontheuplandhills。Afeverishrestlessness，quiteopposedtohisusualphlegm，ledhimintosingularfreaksstrangelyinconsistentwithhisusualhabitsandreputation。ThepurseroftheoccasionalsteamerwhichstoppedatLogportwiththemailsreportedtohavebeenboarded，justinsidethebar，byastrangebeardedman，whoaskedforanewspapercontainingthelastwartelegrams。Hetorehisredshirtintonarrowstrips，andspenttwodayswithhisneedleoverthepiecesandthetatteredremnantofhisonlywhitegarment;andafewdaysafterwardthefishermenonthebayweresurprisedtoseewhat，onnearerapproach，provedtobearudeimitationofthenationalflagfloatingfromasparabovethehut。
Oneevening，asthefogbegantodriftoverthesand-hills，thereclusesataloneinhishut。Thefirewasdyingunheededonthehearth，forhehadbeensittingthereforalongtime，completelyabsorbedintheblurredpagesofanoldnewspaper。Presentlyhearose，and，refoldingit，——anoperationofgreatcareanddelicacyinitstatteredcondition，——placeditundertheblanketsofhisbed。Heresumedhisseatbythefire，butsoonbegandrummingwithhisfingersonthearmofhischair。Eventuallythisassumedthetimeandaccentofsomeair。Thenhebegantowhistlesoftlyandhesitatingly，asiftryingtorecallaforgottentune。Finallythistookshapeinaruderesemblance，notunlikethatwhichhisflagboretothenationalstandard，toYankeeDoodle。Suddenlyhestopped。
Therewasanunmistakablerappingatthedoor。Thebloodwhichhadatfirstrushedtohisfacenowforsookitandsettledslowlyaroundhisheart。Hetriedtorise，butcouldnot。Thenthedoorwasflungopen，andafigurewithascarlet-linedhoodandfurmantlestoodonthethreshold。Withamightyefforthetookonestridetothedoor。ThenextmomenthesawthewidemouthandwhiteteethofthePrincess，andwasgreetedbyakissthatfeltlikeabaptism。
Totearthehoodandmantlefromherfigureinthesuddenfurythatseizedhim，andtofiercelydemandthereasonofthismasquerade，washisonlyreturntohergreeting。\"Whyareyouhere？didyoustealthesegarments？\"heagaindemandedinhergutturallanguage，asheshookherroughlybythearm。ThePrincesshungherhead。
\"Didyou？\"hescreamed，ashereachedwildlyforhisrifle。
\"Idid？\"
Hisholdrelaxed，andhestaggeredbackagainstthewall。ThePrincessbegantowhimper。Betweenhersobs，shewastryingtoexplainthattheMajorandhisdaughterweregoingaway，andthattheywantedtosendhertotheReservation;buthecuthershort。
\"Takeoffthosethings！\"ThePrincesstremblinglyobeyed。Herolledthemup，placedtheminthecanoeshehadjustleft，andthenleapedintothefrailcraft。Shewouldhavefollowed，butwithagreatoathhethrewherfromhim，andwithonestrokeofhispaddlesweptoutintothefog，andwasgone。
\"Jessamy，\"saidtheMajor，afewdaysafter，ashesatatdinnerwithhisdaughter，\"IthinkIcantellyousomethingtomatchthemysteriousdisappearanceandreturnofyourwardrobe。Yourcrazyfriend，therecluse，hasenlistedthismorningintheFourthArtillery。He’sasplendid-lookinganimal，andthere’stherightstuffforasoldierinhim，ifI’mnotmistaken。He’sinearnesttoo，forheenlistsintheregimentorderedbacktoWashington。
Blessme，child，anothergobletbroken;you’llruinthemessinglassware，atthisrate！\"
\"HaveyouheardanythingmoreofthePrincess，papa？\"
\"Nothing，butperhapsit’saswellthatshehasgone。Thesecursedsettlersareattheiroldcomplaintsagainaboutwhattheycall’Indiandepredations，’andIhavejustreceivedordersfromhead-
quarterstokeepthesettlementclearofallvagabondaborigines。
Iamafraid，mydear，thatastrictconstructionofthetermwouldincludeyourprotegee。\"
ThetimeforthedepartureoftheFourthArtilleryhadcome。Thenightbeforewasthickandfoggy。Atoneo’clock，ashotontherampartscalledouttheguardandrousedthesleepinggarrison。
Thenewsentry，PrivateGrey，hadchallengedaduskyfigurecreepingontheglacis，and，receivingnoanswer，hadfired。Theguardsentoutpresentlyreturned，bearingalifelessfigureintheirarms。Thenewsentry’szeal，joinedwithanex-frontiersman’saim，wasfatal。
Theylaidthehelpless，raggedformbeforetheguard-housedoor，andthensawforthefirsttimethatitwasthePrincess。
Presentlysheopenedhereyes。Theyfellupontheagonizedfaceofherinnocentslayer，buthaplywithoutintelligenceorreproach。
\"Georgy！\"shewhispered。
\"Bob！\"
\"All’ssamenow。Megetplentywellsoon。Memakenomorefuss。
MegotoReservation。\"
Thenshestopped，atremorranthroughherlimbs，andshelaystill。ShehadgonetotheReservation。Notthatdevisedbythewisdomofman，butthatonesetapartfromthefoundationoftheworldforthewisestaswellasthemeanestofHiscreatures。
THEILIADOFSANDYBAR。
Beforenineo’clockitwasprettywellknownallalongtheriverthatthetwopartnersofthe\"AmityClaim\"hadquarrelledandseparatedatdaybreak。Atthattimetheattentionoftheirnearestneighborhadbeenattractedbythesoundsofaltercationsandtwoconsecutivepistol-shots。Runningout，hehadseen，dimly，inthegraymistthatrosefromtheriver，thetallformofScott，oneofthepartners，descendingthehilltowardthecanyon;amomentlater，York，theotherpartner，hadappearedfromthecabin，andwalkedinanoppositedirectiontowardtheriver，passingwithinafewfeetofthecuriouswatcher。LateritwasdiscoveredthataseriousChinaman，cuttingwoodbeforethecabin，hadwitnessedpartofthequarrel。ButJohnwasstolid，indifferent，andreticent。
\"Mechoppeewood，menofightee，\"washissereneresponsetoallanxiousqueries。\"ButwhatdidtheySAY，John？\"Johndidnotsabe。ColonelStarbottledeftlyranoverthevariouspopularepithetswhichagenerouspublicsentimentmightacceptasreasonableprovocationforanassault。ButJohndidnotrecognizethem。\"Andthisyer’sthecattle，\"saidtheColonel，withsomeseverity，\"thatsomethinksoughterbeallowedtotestifyag’in’aWhiteMan！Git——youheathen！\"
Stillthequarrelremainedinexplicable。Thattwomen，whoseamiabilityandgravetacthadearnedforthemthetitleof\"ThePeacemakers，\"inacommunitynotgreatlygiventothepassivevirtues，——thatthesemen，singularlydevotedtoeachother，shouldsuddenlyandviolentlyquarrel，mightwellexcitethecuriosityofthecamp。Afewofthemoreinquisitivevisitedthelatesceneofconflict，nowdesertedbyitsformeroccupants。Therewasnotraceofdisorderorconfusionintheneatcabin。Therudetablewasarrangedasifforbreakfast;thepanofyellowbiscuitstillsatuponthathearthwhosedeadembersmighthavetypifiedtheevilpassionsthathadragedtherebutanhourbefore。ButColonelStarbottle’seye——albeitsomewhatbloodshotandrheumy——wasmoreintentonpracticaldetails。Onexamination，abullet-holewasfoundinthedoorpost，andanother，nearlyopposite，inthecasingofthewindow。TheColonelcalledattentiontothefactthattheone\"agreedwith\"theboreofScott’srevolver，andtheotherwiththatofYork’sderringer。\"Theymusthevstoodaboutyer，\"saidtheColonel，takingposition;\"notmor’nthreefeetapart，and——
missed！\"TherewasafinetouchofpathosinthefallinginflectionoftheColonel’svoice，whichwasnotwithouteffect。Adelicateperceptionofwastedopportunitythrilledhisauditors。
ButtheBarwasdestinedtoexperienceagreaterdisappointment。
Thetwoantagonistshadnotmetsincethequarrel，anditwasvaguelyrumoredthat，ontheoccasionofasecondmeeting，eachhaddeterminedtokilltheother\"onsight。\"Therewas，consequently，someexcitement——and，itistobefeared，nolittlegratification——
when，atteno’clock，YorksteppedfromtheMagnoliaSaloonintotheonelongstragglingstreetofthecamp，atthesamemomentthatScottlefttheblacksmith’sshopattheforksoftheroad。Itwasevident，ataglance，thatameetingcouldonlybeavoidedbytheactualretreatofoneortheother。
Inaninstantthedoorsandwindowsoftheadjacentsaloonswerefilledwithfaces。Headsunaccountablyappearedabovetheriver-
banksandfrombehindbowlders。Anemptywagonatthecross-roadwassuddenlycrowdedwithpeople，whoseemedtohavesprungfromtheearth。Therewasmuchrunningandconfusiononthehillside。
Onthemountain-road，Mr。JackHamlinhadreineduphishorse，andwasstandinguprightontheseatofhisbuggy。Andthetwoobjectsofthisabsorbingattentionapproachedeachother。
\"York’sgotthesun，\"\"Scott’lllinehimonthattree，\"\"He’swaitin’todrawhisfire，\"camefromthecart;andthenitwassilent。Butabovethishumanbreathlessnesstheriverrushedandsang，andthewindrustledthetree-topswithanindifferencethatseemedobtrusive。ColonelStarbottlefeltit，andinamomentofsublimepreoccupation，withoutlookingaround，wavedhiscanebehindhim，warninglytoallnature，andsaid，\"Shu！\"
Themenwerenowwithinafewfeetofeachother。Ahenranacrosstheroadbeforeoneofthem。Afeatheryseed-vessel，waftedfromawaysidetree，fellatthefeetoftheother。And，unheedingthisironyofnature，thetwoopponentscamenearer，erectandrigid，lookedineachother’seyes，and——passed！
ColonelStarbottlehadtobeliftedfromthecart。\"Thisyercampisplayedout，\"hesaid，gloomily，asheaffectedtobesupportedintotheMagnolia。Withwhatfurtherexpressionhemighthaveindicatedhisfeelingsitwasimpossibletosay，foratthatmomentScottjoinedthegroup。\"Didyouspeaktome？\"heaskedoftheColonel，droppinghishand，asifwithaccidentalfamiliarity，onthatgentleman’sshoulder。TheColonel，recognizingsomeoccultqualityinthetouch，andsomeunknownquantityintheglanceofhisquestioner，contentedhimselfbyreplying，\"No，sir，\"withdignity。Afewrodsaway，York’sconductwasascharacteristicandpeculiar。\"Youhadamightyfinechance;whydidn’tyouplumphim？\"saidJackHamlin，asYorkdrewnearthebuggy。\"BecauseI
hatehim，\"wasthereply，heardonlybyJack。Contrarytopopularbelief，thisreplywasnothissedbetweenthelipsofthespeaker，butwassaidinanordinarytone。ButJackHamlin，whowasanobserverofmankind，noticedthatthespeaker’shandswerecold，andhislipsdry，ashehelpedhimintothebuggy，andacceptedtheseemingparadoxwithasmile。
WhenSandyBarbecameconvincedthatthequarrelbetweenYorkandScottcouldnotbesettledaftertheusuallocalmethods，itgavenofurtherconcernthereto。Butpresentlyitwasrumoredthatthe\"AmityClaim\"wasinlitigation，andthatitspossessionwouldbeexpensivelydisputedbyeachofthepartners。Asitwaswellknownthattheclaiminquestionwas\"workedout\"andworthless，andthatthepartners，whomithadalreadyenriched，hadtalkedofabandoningitbutadayortwobeforethequarrel，thisproceedingcouldonlybeaccountedforasgratuitousspite。Later，twoSanFranciscolawyersmadetheirappearanceinthisguilelessArcadia，andwereeventuallytakenintothesaloons，and——whatwasprettymuchthesamething——theconfidencesoftheinhabitants。Theresultsofthisunhallowedintimacyweremanysubpoenas;and，indeed，whenthe\"AmityClaim\"cametotrial，allofSandyBarthatwasnotincompulsoryattendanceatthecountyseatcametherefromcuriosity。
Thegulchesandditchesformilesaroundweredeserted。Idonotproposetodescribethatalreadyfamoustrial。Enoughthat，inthelanguageoftheplaintiff’scounsel，\"itwasoneofnoordinarysignificance，involvingtheinherentrightsofthatuntiringindustrywhichhaddevelopedthePactolianresourcesofthisgoldenland\";and，inthehomelierphraseofColonelStarbottle，\"Afussthatgentlemenmighthevsettledintenminutesoverasocialglass，eftheymeantbusiness;orintensecondswitharevolver，eftheymeantfun。\"Scottgotaverdict，fromwhichYorkinstantlyappealed。Itwassaidthathehadsworntospendhislastdollarinthestruggle。
InthiswaySandyBarbegantoaccepttheenmityoftheformerpartnersasalifelongfeud，andthefactthattheyhadeverbeenfriendswasforgotten。Thefewwhoexpectedtolearnfromthetrialtheoriginofthequarrelweredisappointed。Amongthevariousconjectures，thatwhichascribedsomeoccultfeminineinfluenceasthecausewasnaturallypopular，inacampgiventodubiouscomplimentofthesex。\"Mywordforit，gentlemen，\"saidColonelStarbottle，whohadbeenknowninSacramentoasaGentlemanoftheOldSchool，\"there’ssomelovelycreatureatthebottomofthis。\"ThegallantColonelthenproceededtoillustratehistheory，bydiverssprightlystories，suchasGentlemenoftheOldSchoolareinthehabitofrepeating，butwhich，fromdeferencetotheprejudicesofgentlemenofamorerecentschool，Irefrainfromtranscribinghere。ButitwouldappearthateventheColonel’stheorywasfallacious。Theonlywomanwhopersonallymighthaveexercisedanyinfluenceoverthepartnerswastheprettydaughterof\"oldmanFolinsbee，\"ofPovertyFlat，atwhosehospitablehouse——
whichexhibitedsomecomfortsandrefinementsrareinthatcrudecivilization——bothYorkandScottwerefrequentvisitors。YetintothischarmingretreatYorkstrodeoneevening，amonthafterthequarrel，and，beholdingScottsittingthere，turnedtothefairhostesswiththeabruptquery，\"Doyoulovethisman？\"Theyoungwomanthusaddressedreturnedthatanswer——atoncespiritedandevasive——whichwouldoccurtomostofmyfairreadersinsuchanexigency。Withoutanotherword，Yorkleftthehouse。\"MissJo\"
heavedtheleastpossiblesighasthedoorclosedonYork’scurlsandsquareshoulders，andthen，likeagoodgirl，turnedtoherinsultedguest\"Butwouldyoubelieveit，dear？\"sheafterwardrelatedtoanintimatefriend，\"theothercreature，aftergloweringatmeforamoment，gotuponitshindlegs，tookitshat，andleft，too;andthat’sthelastI’veseenofeither。\"
Thesameharddisregardofallotherinterestsorfeelingsinthegratificationoftheirblindrancorcharacterizedalltheiractions。WhenYorkpurchasedthelandbelowScott’snewclaim，andobligedthelatter，atagreatexpense，tomakealongdetourtocarrya\"tail-race\"aroundit，ScottretaliatedbybuildingadamthatoverflowedYork’sclaimontheriver。ItwasScott，who，inconjunctionwithColonelStarbottle，firstorganizedthatactiveoppositiontotheChinamen，whichresultedinthedrivingoffofYork’sMongolianlaborers;itwasYorkwhobuiltthewagon-roadandestablishedtheexpresswhichrenderedScott’smulesandpack-
trainsobsolete;itwasScottwhocalledintolifetheVigilanceCommitteewhichexpatriatedYork’sfriend，JackHamlin;itwasYorkwhocreatedthe\"SandyBarHerald，\"whichcharacterizedtheactas\"alawlessoutrage，\"andScottasa\"BorderRuffian\";itwasScott，attheheadoftwentymaskedmen，who，onemoonlightnight，threwtheoffending\"forms\"intotheyellowriver，andscatteredthetypesinthedustyroad。Theseproceedingswerereceivedinthedistantandmorecivilizedoutlyingtownsasvagueindicationsofprogressandvitality。Ihavebeforemeacopyofthe\"PovertyFlatPioneer，\"fortheweekendingAugust12，1856，inwhichtheeditor，undertheheadof\"CountyImprovements，\"says：\"ThenewPresbyterianChurchonCStreet，atSandyBar，iscompleted。ItstandsuponthelotformerlyoccupiedbytheMagnoliaSaloon，whichwassomysteriouslyburntlastmonth。Thetemple，whichnowriseslikeaPhoenixfromtheashesoftheMagnolia，isvirtuallythefreegiftofH。J。York，Esq。，ofSandyBar，whopurchasedthelotanddonatedthelumber。Otherbuildingsaregoingupinthevicinity，butthemostnoticeableisthe’SunnySouthSaloon，’
erectedbyCaptainMat。Scott，nearlyoppositethechurch。CaptainScotthassparednoexpenseinthefurnishingofthissaloon，whichpromisestobeoneofthemostagreeableplacesofresortinoldTuolumne。Hehasrecentlyimportedtwonew，first-classbilliard-
tables，withcorkcushions。Ouroldfriend，’MountainJimmy，’willdispenseliquorsatthebar。Wereferourreaderstotheadvertisementinanothercolumn。VisitorstoSandyBarcannotdobetterthangive’Jimmy’acall。\"Amongthelocalitemsoccurredthefollowing：\"H。J。York，Esq。，ofSandyBar，hasofferedarewardof$100forthedetectionofthepartieswhohauledawaythestepsofthenewPresbyterianChurch，CStreet，SandyBar，duringdivineserviceonSabbatheveninglast。CaptainScottaddsanotherhundredforthecaptureofthemiscreantswhobrokethemagnificentplate-glasswindowsofthenewsaloononthefollowingevening。
ThereissometalkofreorganizingtheoldVigilanceCommitteeatSandyBar。\"
When，formanymonthsofcloudlessweather，thehard，unwinkingsunofSandyBarhadregularlygonedownontheunpacifiedwrathofthesemen，therewassometalkofmediation。Inparticular，thepastorofthechurchtowhichIhavejustreferred——asincere，fearless，butperhapsnotfullyenlightenedman——seizedgladlyupontheoccasionofYork’sliberalitytoattempttoreunitetheformerpartners。Hepreachedanearnestsermonontheabstractsinfulnessofdiscordandrancor。ButtheexcellentsermonsoftheRev。Mr。
DawsweredirectedtoanidealcongregationthatdidnotexistatSandyBar，——acongregationofbeingsofunmixedvicesandvirtues，ofsingleimpulses，andperfectlylogicalmotives，ofpreternaturalsimplicity，ofchildlikefaith，andgrown-upresponsibilities。As，unfortunately，thepeoplewhoactuallyattendedMr。Daws’schurchweremainlyveryhuman，somewhatartful，moreself-excusingthanself-accusing，rathergood-natured，anddecidedlyweak，theyquietlyshedthatportionofthesermonwhichreferredtothemselves，and，acceptingYorkandScott——whowerebothindefiantattendance——ascuriousexamplesofthoseidealbeingsabovereferredto，feltacertainsatisfaction——which，Ifear，wasnotaltogetherChristian-like——intheir\"raking-down。\"IfMr。DawsexpectedYorkandScotttoshakehandsafterthesermon，hewasdisappointed。Buthedidnotrelaxhispurpose。Withthatquietfearlessnessanddeterminationwhichhadwonforhimtherespectofmenwhoweretooapttoregardpietyassynonymouswitheffeminacy，heattackedScottinhisownhouse。Whathesaidhasnotbeenrecorded，butitistobefearedthatitwaspartofhissermon。
Whenhehadconcluded，Scottlookedathim，notunkindly，overtheglassesofhisbar，andsaid，lessirreverentlythanthewordsmightconvey，\"Youngman，Iratherlikeyourstyle;butwhenyouknowYorkandmeaswellasyoudoGodAlmighty，it’llbetimetotalk。\"
Andsothefeudprogressed;andso，asinmoreillustriousexamples，theprivateandpersonalenmityoftworepresentativemenledgraduallytotheevolutionofsomecrude，half-expressedprincipleorbelief。ItwasnotlongbeforeitwasmadeevidentthatthosebeliefswereidenticalwithcertainbroadprincipleslaiddownbythefoundersoftheAmericanConstitution，asexpoundedbythestatesmanlikeA;orwerethefatalquicksands，onwhichtheshipofstatemightbewrecked，warninglypointedoutbytheeloquentB。ThepracticalresultofallwhichwasthenominationofYorkandScotttorepresenttheoppositefactionsofSandyBarinlegislativecouncils。
Forsomeweekspast，thevotersofSandyBarandtheadjacentcampshadbeencalledupon，inlargetype，to\"RALLY！\"Invainthegreatpinesatthecross-roads——whosetrunkswerecompelledtobearthisandotherlegends——moanedandprotestedfromtheirwindywatch-
towers。Butoneday，withfifeanddrum，andflamingtransparency，aprocessionfiledintothetriangulargroveattheheadofthegulch。ThemeetingwascalledtoorderbyColonelStarbottle，who，havingonceenjoyedlegislativefunctions，andbeingvaguelyknownasa\"war-horse，\"wasconsideredtobeavaluablepartisanofYork。
Heconcludedanappealforhisfriend，withanenunciationofprinciples，interspersedwithoneortwoanecdotessogratuitouslycoarsethattheverypinesmighthavebeenmovedtopelthimwiththeircast-offcones，ashestoodthere。Buthecreatedalaugh，onwhichhiscandidaterodeintopopularnotice;andwhenYorkrosetospeak，hewasgreetedwithcheers。But，tothegeneralastonishment，thenewspeakeratoncelaunchedintobitterdenunciationofhisrival。HenotonlydweltuponScott’sdeedsandexample，asknowntoSandyBar，butspokeoffactsconnectedwithhispreviouscareer，hithertounknowntohisauditors。Togreatprecisionofepithetanddirectnessofstatement，thespeakeraddedthefascinationofrevelationandexposure。Thecrowdcheered，yelled，andweredelighted，butwhenthisastoundingphilippicwasconcluded，therewasaunanimouscallfor\"Scott！\"
ColonelStarbottlewouldhaveresistedthismanifestimpropriety，butinvain。Partlyfromacrudesenseofjustice，partlyfromameanercravingforexcitement，theassemblagewasinflexible;andScottwasdragged，pushed，andpulledupontheplatform。
Ashisfrowsyheadandunkemptbeardappearedabovetherailing，itwasevidentthathewasdrunk。Butitwasalsoevident，beforeheopenedhislips，thattheoratorofSandyBar——theonemanwhocouldtouchtheirvagabondsympathies（perhapsbecausehewasnotaboveappealingtothem）——stoodbeforethem。Aconsciousnessofthispowerlentacertaindignitytohisfigure，andIamnotsurebutthathisveryphysicalconditionimpressedthemasakindofregalunbendingandlargecondescension。Howbeit，whenthisunexpectedHectorarosefromtheditch，York’smyrmidonstrembled。
\"There’snaught，gentlemen，\"saidScott，leaningforwardontherailing，——\"there’snaughtasthatmanhezsaidasisn’ttrue。I
wasrunouterCairo;IdidbelongtotheRegulators;Ididdesertfromthearmy;IdidleaveawifeinKansas。Butthar’sonethinghedidn’tchargemewith，and，maybe，he’sforgotten。Forthreeyears，gentlemen，Iwasthatman’spardner！——\"Whetherheintendedtosaymore，Icannottell;aburstofapplauseartisticallyroundedandenforcedtheclimax，andvirtuallyelectedthespeaker。
ThatfallhewenttoSacramento，Yorkwentabroad;andforthefirsttimeinmanyyears，distanceandanewatmosphereisolatedtheoldantagonists。
Withlittleofchangeinthegreenwood，grayrock，andyellowriver，butwithmuchshiftingofhumanlandmarks，andnewfacesinitshabitations，threeyearspassedoverSandyBar。Thetwomen，oncesoidentifiedwithitscharacter，seemedtohavebeenquiteforgotten。\"YouwillneverreturntoSandyBar，\"saidMissFolinsbee，the\"LilyofPovertyFlat，\"onmeetingYorkinParis，\"forSandyBarisnomore。TheycallitRiversidenow;andthenewtownisbuilthigherupontheriver-bank。Bytheby，’Jo’saysthatScotthaswonhissuitaboutthe’AmityClaim，’andthathelivesintheoldcabin，andisdrunkhalfhistime。O，Ibegyourpardon，\"addedthelivelylady，asaflushcrossedYork’ssallowcheek;\"but，blessme，Ireallythoughtthatoldgrudgewasmadeup。I’msureitoughttobe。\"
Itwasthreemonthsafterthisconversation，andapleasantsummerevening，thatthePovertyFlatcoachdrewupbeforetheverandaoftheUnionHotelatSandyBar。Amongitspassengerswasone，apparentlyastranger，inthelocaldistinctionofwell-fittingclothesandcloselyshavenface，whodemandedaprivateroomandretiredearlytorest。Butbeforesunrisenextmorninghearose，and，drawingsomeclothesfromhiscarpet-bag，proceededtoarrayhimselfinapairofwhiteducktrousers，awhiteduckovershirt，andstrawhat。Whenhistoiletwascompleted，hetiedaredbandannahandkerchiefinaloopandthrewitlooselyoverhisshoulders。Thetransformationwascomplete。Ashecreptsoftlydownthestairsandsteppedintotheroad，noonewouldhavedetectedinhimtheelegantstrangerofthepreviousnight，andbutfewhaverecognizedthefaceandfigureofHenryYorkofSandyBar。
Intheuncertainlightofthatearlyhour，andinthechangethathadcomeoverthesettlement，hehadtopauseforamomenttorecallwherehestood。TheSandyBarofhisrecollectionlaybelowhim，nearertheriver;thebuildingsaroundhimwereoflaterdateandnewerfashion。Ashestrodetowardtheriver，henoticedhereaschoolhouseandthereachurch。Alittlefartheron，\"TheSunnySouth\"cameinview，transformedintoarestaurant，itsgildingfadedanditspaintrubbedoff。Henowknewwherehewas;and，runningbrisklydownadeclivity，crossedaditch，andstooduponthelowerboundaryoftheAmityClaim。
Thegraymistwasrisingslowlyfromtheriver，clingingtothetree-topsanddriftingupthemountain-side，untilitwascaughtamongthoserockyaltars，andheldasacrificetotheascendingsun。Athisfeettheearth，cruellygashedandscarredbyhisforgottenengines，had，sincetheolddays，putonashowofgreennesshereandthere，andnowsmiledforgivinglyupathim，asifthingswerenotsobadafterall。Afewbirdswerebathingintheditchwithapleasantsuggestionofitsbeinganewandspecialprovisionofnature，andahareranintoaninvertedsluice-box，asheapproached，asifitwereputthereforthatpurpose。
Hehadnotyetdaredtolookinacertaindirection。Butthesunwasnowhighenoughtopaintthelittleeminenceonwhichthecabinstood。Inspiteofhisself-control，hisheartbeatfasterasheraisedhiseyestowardit。Itswindowanddoorwereclosed，nosmokecamefromitsadobechimney，butitwaselseunchanged。Whenwithinafewyardsofit，hepickedupabrokenshovel，and，shoulderingitwithasmile，strodetowardthedoorandknocked。
Therewasnosoundfromwithin。Thesmiledieduponhislipsashenervouslypushedthedooropen。
Afigurestartedupangrilyandcametowardhim，——afigurewhosebloodshoteyessuddenlyfixedintoavacantstare，whosearmswereatfirstoutstretchedandthenthrownupinwarninggesticulation，——
afigurethatsuddenlygasped，choked，andthenfellforwardinafit。
Butbeforehetouchedtheground，Yorkhadhimoutintotheopenairandsunshine。Inthestruggle，bothfellandrolledoverontheground。ButthenextmomentYorkwassittingup，holdingtheconvulsedframeofhisformerpartneronhisknee，andwipingthefoamfromhisinarticulatelips。Graduallythetremorbecamelessfrequent，andthenceased;andthestrongmanlayunconsciousinhisarms。
ForsomemomentsYorkheldhimquietlythus，lookinginhisface。
Afar，thestrokeofawood-man’saxe——amerephantomofsound——wasallthatbrokethestillness。Highupthemountain，awheelinghawkhungbreathlesslyabovethem。Andthencamevoices，andtwomenjoinedthem。
\"Afight？\"No，afit;andwouldtheyhelphimbringthesickmantothehotel？
Andthere，foraweek，thestrickenpartnerlay，unconsciousofaughtbutthevisionswroughtbydiseaseandfear。Ontheeighthday，atsunrise，herallied，and，openinghiseyes，lookeduponYork，andpressedhishand;thenhespoke：——
\"Andit’syou。Ithoughtitwasonlywhiskey。\"
Yorkrepliedbytakingbothofhishands，boyishlyworkingthembackwardandforward，ashiselbowrestedonthebed，withapleasantsmile。
\"Andyou’vebeenabroad。HowdidyoulikeParis？\"
\"So，so。HowdidYOUlikeSacramento？\"
\"Bully。\"
Andthatwasalltheycouldthinktosay。PresentlyScottopenedhiseyesagain。
\"I’mmightyweak。\"
\"You’llgetbettersoon。\"
\"Notmuch。\"
Alongsilencefollowed，inwhichtheycouldhearthesoundsofwood-chopping，andthatSandyBarwasalreadyastirforthecomingday。ThenScottslowlyandwithdifficultyturnedhisfacetoYork，andsaid，——
\"Imighthevkilledyouonce。\"
\"Iwishyouhad。\"
Theypressedeachother’shandsagain，butScott’sgraspwasevidentlyfailing。Heseemedtosummonhisenergiesforaspecialeffort。
\"Oldman！\"
\"Oldchap。\"
\"Closer！\"
Yorkbenthisheadtowardtheslowlyfadingface。
\"Doyemindthatmorning？\"
\"Yes。\"
AgleamoffunslidintothecornerofScott’sblueeye，ashewhispered，——
\"Oldman，tharWAStoomuchsaleratusinthatbread。\"
Itissaidthatthesewerehislastwords。Forwhenthesun，whichhadsooftengonedownupontheidlewrathofthesefoolishmen，lookedagainuponthemreunited，itsawthehandofScottfallcoldandirresponsivefromtheyearningclaspofhisformerpartner，anditknewthatthefeudofSandyBarwasatanend。
MRTHOMPSON’SPRODIGAL
WeallknewthatMr。Thompsonwaslookingforhisson，andaprettybadoneatthat。ThathewascomingtoCaliforniaforthissoleobjectwasnosecrettohisfellow-passengers;andthephysicalpeculiarities，aswellasthemoralweaknesses，ofthemissingprodigalweremadeequallyplaintousthroughthefrankvolubilityoftheparent。\"YouwasspeakingofayoungmanwhichwashungatRedDogforsluice-robbing，\"saidMr。Thompsontoasteeragepassenger，oneday;\"beyouawareofthecolorofhiseyes？\"
\"Black，\"respondedthepassenger。\"Ah，\"saidMr。Thompson，referringtosomementalmemoranda，\"Char-les’seyeswasblue。\"Hethenwalkedaway。Perhapsitwasfromthisunsympatheticmodeofinquiry，perhapsitwasfromthatWesternpredilectiontotakeahumorousviewofanyprincipleorsentimentpersistentlybroughtbeforethem，thatMr。Thompson’squestwasthesubjectofsomesatireamongthepassengers。AgratuitousadvertisementofthemissingCharles，addressedto\"JailersandGuardians，\"circulatedprivatelyamongthem;everybodyrememberedtohavemetCharlesunderdistressingcircumstances。YetitisbutduetomycountrymentostatethatwhenitwasknownthatThompsonhadembarkedsomewealthinthisvisionaryproject，butlittleofthissatirefounditswaytohisears，andnothingwasutteredinhishearingthatmightbringapangtoafather’sheart，orimperilapossiblepecuniaryadvantageofthesatirist。Indeed，Mr。BracyTibbets’sjocularpropositiontoformajoint-stockcompanyto\"prospect\"forthemissingyouthreceivedatonetimequiteseriousentertainment。
PerhapstosuperficialcriticismMr。Thompson’snaturewasnotpicturesquenorlovable。Hishistory，asimpartedatdinner，oneday，byhimself，waspracticaleveninitssingularity。Afterahardandwilfulyouthandmaturity，——inwhichhehadburiedabroken-spiritedwife，anddrivenhissontosea，——hesuddenlyexperiencedreligion。\"IgotitinNewOrleansin’59，\"saidMr。
Thompson，withthegeneralsuggestionofreferringtoanepidemic。
\"Enteryethenarrergate。Parsemethebeans。\"Perhapsthispracticalqualityupheldhiminhisapparentlyhopelesssearch。Hehadnoclewtothewhereaboutsofhisrunawayson;indeed，scarcelyaproofofhispresentexistence。Fromhisindifferentrecollectionoftheboyoftwelve，henowexpectedtoidentifythemanoftwenty-five。
Itwouldseemthathewassuccessful。Howhesucceededwasoneofthefewthingshedidnottell。Thereare，Ibelieve，twoversionsofthestory。One，thatMr。Thompson，visitingahospital，discoveredhissonbyreasonofapeculiarhymn，chantedbythesufferer，inadeliriousdreamofhisboyhood。Thisversion，givingasitdidwiderangetothefinerfeelingsoftheheart，wasquitepopular;andastoldbytheRev。Mr。Gushington，onhisreturnfromhisCaliforniatour，neverfailedtosatisfyanaudience。Theotherwaslesssimple，and，asIshalladoptithere，deservesmoreelaboration。
ItwasafterMr。Thompsonhadgivenupsearchingforhissonamongtheliving，andhadtakentotheexaminationofcemeteries，andacarefulinspectionofthe\"coldhicjacetsofthedead。\"Atthistimehewasafrequentvisitorof\"LoneMountain，\"——adrearyhill-
top，bleakenoughinitsoriginalisolation，andbleakerforthewhite-facedmarblesbywhichSanFranciscoanchoredherdepartedcitizens，andkeptthemdowninashiftingsandthatrefusedtocoverthem，andagainstafierceandpersistentwindthatstrovetoblowthemutterlyaway。Againstthiswindtheoldmanopposedawillquiteaspersistent，——agrizzled，hardface，andatall，crape-boundhatdrawntightlyoverhiseyes，——andsospentdaysinreadingthemortuaryinscriptionsaudiblytohimself。ThefrequencyofScripturalquotationpleasedhim，andhewasfondofcorroboratingthembyapocketBible。\"That’sfromPsalms，\"hesaid，oneday，toanadjacentgrave-digger。Themanmadenoreply。
Notatallrebuffed，Mr。Thompsonatoncesliddownintotheopengrave，withamorepracticalinquiry，\"Didyouever，inyourprofession，comeacrossChar-lesThompson？\"\"Thompsonbed————d！\"
saidthegrave-digger，withgreatdirectness。\"Which，ifhehadn’treligion，Ithinkheis，\"respondedtheoldman，asheclamberedoutofthegrave。
Itwas，perhaps，onthisoccasionthatMr。Thompsonstayedlaterthanusual。Asheturnedhisfacetowardthecity，lightswerebeginningtotwinkleahead，andafiercewind，madevisiblebyfog，drovehimforward，or，lyinginwait，chargedhimangrilyfromthecornersofdesertedsuburbanstreets。Itwasononeofthesecornersthatsomethingelse，quiteasindistinctandmalevolent，leapeduponhimwithanoath，apresentedpistol，andademandformoney。Butitwasmetbyawillofironandagripofsteel。Theassailantandassailedrolledtogetherontheground。Butthenextmomenttheoldmanwaserect;onehandgraspingthecapturedpistol，theotherclutchingatarm’slengththethroatofafigure，surly，youthful，andsavage。
\"Youngman，\"saidMr。Thompson，settinghisthinlipstogether，\"whatmightbeyourname？\"
\"Thompson！\"
Theoldman’shandslidfromthethroattothearmofhisprisoner，withoutrelaxingitsfirmness。
\"Char-lesThompson，comewithme，\"hesaid，presently，andmarchedhiscaptivetothehotel。Whattookplacetherehasnottranspired，butitwasknownthenextmorningthatMr。Thompsonhadfoundhisson。
Itispropertoaddtotheaboveimprobablestory，thattherewasnothingintheyoungman’sappearanceormannerstojustifyit。
Grave，reticent，andhandsome，devotedtohisnewlyfoundparent，heassumedtheemolumentsandresponsibilitiesofhisnewconditionwithacertainseriouseasethatmorenearlyapproachedthatwhichSanFranciscosocietylacked，and——rejected。Somechosetodespisethisqualityasatendencyto\"psalm-singing\";otherssawinittheinheritedqualitiesoftheparent，andwerereadytoprophesyforthesonthesamehardoldage。Butallagreedthatitwasnotinconsistentwiththehabitsofmoney-getting，forwhichfatherandsonwererespected。
Andyet，theoldmandidnotseemtobehappy。Perhapsitwasthattheconsummationofhiswisheslefthimwithoutapracticalmission;perhaps——anditisthemoreprobable——hehadlittleloveforthesonhehadregained。Theobedienceheexactedwasfreelygiven，thereformhehadsethisheartuponwascomplete;andyet，somehow，itdidnotseemtopleasehim。Inreclaiminghisson，hehadfulfilledalltherequirementsthathisreligiousdutyrequiredofhim，andyettheactseemedtolacksanctification。Inthisperplexity，hereadagaintheparableoftheProdigalSon，——whichhehadlongagoadoptedforhisguidance，——andfoundthathehadomittedthefinalfeastofreconciliation。Thisseemedtooffertheproperqualityofceremoniousnessinthesacramentbetweenhimselfandhisson;andso，ayearaftertheappearanceofCharles，hesetaboutgivinghimaparty。\"Inviteeverybody，Char-les，\"hesaid，dryly;\"everybodywhoknowsthatIbroughtyououtofthewine-husksofiniquity，andthecompanyofharlots;
andbidthemeat，drink，andbemerry。\"
Perhapstheoldmanhadanotherreason，notyetclearlyanalyzed。
Thefinehousehehadbuiltonthesand-hillssometimesseemedlonelyandbare。Heoftenfoundhimselftryingtoreconstruct，fromthegravefeaturesofCharles，thelittleboywhomhebutdimlyrememberedinthepast，andofwhomlatelyhehadbeenthinkingagreatdeal。Hebelievedthistobeasignofimpendingoldageandchildishness;butcoming，oneday，inhisformaldrawing-room，uponachildofoneoftheservants，whohadstrayedtherein，hewouldhavetakenhiminhisarms，butthechildfledfrombeforehisgrizzledface。Sothatitseemedeminentlypropertoinviteanumberofpeopletohishouse，and，fromthearrayofSanFranciscomaidenhood，toselectadaughter-in-law。Andthentherewouldbeachild——aboy，whomhecould\"rareup\"fromthebeginning，and——love——ashedidnotloveCharles。
Wewereallattheparty。TheSmiths，Joneses，Browns，andRobinsonsalsocame，inthatfineflowofanimalspirits，uncheckedbyanyrespectfortheentertainer，whichmostofusareapttofindsofascinating。Theproceedingswouldhavebeensomewhatriotous，butforthesocialpositionoftheactors。Infact，Mr。
BracyTibbets，havingnaturallyafineappreciationofahumoroussituation，butfurtherimpelledbythebrighteyesoftheJonesgirls，conductedhimselfsoremarkablyastoattracttheseriousregardofMr。CharlesThompson，whoapproachedhim，sayingquietly：
\"Youlookill，Mr。Tibbets;letmeconductyoutoyourcarriage。
Resist，youhound，andI’llthrowyouthroughthatwindow。Thisway，please;theroomiscloseanddistressing。\"Itishardlynecessarytosaythatbutapartofthisspeechwasaudibletothecompany，andthattherestwasnotdivulgedbyMr。Tibbets，whoafterwardregrettedthesuddenillnesswhichkepthimfromwitnessingacertainamusingincident，whichthefastestMissJonescharacterizedasthe\"richestpartoftheblow-out，\"andwhichI
hastentorecord。
Itwasatsupper。ItwasevidentthatMr。Thompsonhadoverlookedmuchlawlessnessintheconductoftheyoungerpeople，inhisabstractcontemplationofsomeimpendingevent。Whentheclothwasremoved，herosetohisfeet，andgrimlytappeduponthetable。A
titter，thatbrokeoutamongtheJonesgirls，becameepidemicononesideoftheboard。CharlesThompson，fromthefootofthetable，lookedupintenderperplexity。\"He’sgoingtosingaDoxology，\"\"He’sgoingtopray，\"\"Silenceforaspeech，\"ranroundtheroom。
\"It’soneyearto-day，Christianbrothersandsisters，\"saidMr。
Thompson，withgrimdeliberation，——\"oneyearto-daysincemysoncamehomefromeatingofwine-husksandspendingofhissubstanceonharlots。\"（Thetitteringsuddenlyceased。）\"Lookathimnow。
Char-lesThompson，standup。\"（CharlesThompsonstoodup。）\"Oneyearagoto-day，——andlookathimnow。\"
Hewascertainlyahandsomeprodigal，standingthereinhischeerfulevening-dress，——arepentantprodigal，withsad，obedienteyesturnedupontheharshandunsympatheticglanceofhisfather。
TheyoungestMissSmith，fromthepuredepthsofherfoolishlittleheart，movedunconsciouslytowardhim。
\"It’sfifteenyearsagosinceheleftmyhouse，\"saidMr。Thompson，\"arovierandaprodigal。Iwasmyselfamanofsin，OChristianfriends，——amanofwrathandbitterness\"（\"Amen，\"fromtheeldestMissSmith），——\"butpraisebeGod，I’vefledthewrathtocome。
It’sfiveyearsagosinceIgotthepeacethatpassethunderstanding。Haveyougotit，friends？\"（Ageneralsub-chorusof\"No，no，\"fromthegirls，and，\"Passthewordforit，\"fromMidshipmanCoxe，oftheU。S。sloopWethersfield。）\"Knock，anditshallbeopenedtoyou。
\"AndwhenIfoundtheerrorofmyways，andthepreciousnessofgrace，\"continuedMr。Thompson，\"Icametogiveittomyson。ByseaandlandIsoughthimfar，andfaintednot。Ididnotwaitforhimtocometome，whichthesameImighthavedone，andjustifiedmyselfbytheBookofbooks，butIsoughthimoutamonghishusks，and——\"（therestofthesentencewaslostintherustlingwithdrawaloftheladies）。\"Works，Christianfriends，ismymotto。
Bytheirworksshallyeknowthem，andthereismine。\"
TheparticularandacceptedworktowhichMr。Thompsonwasalludinghadturnedquitepale，andwaslookingfixedlytowardanopendoorleadingtotheveranda，latelyfilledbygapingservants，andnowthesceneofsomevaguetumult。Asthenoisecontinued，aman，shabbilydressed，andevidentlyinliquor，brokethroughtheopposingguardians，andstaggeredintotheroom。Thetransitionfromthefoganddarknesswithouttotheglareandheatwithinevidentlydazzledandstupefiedhim。Heremovedhisbatteredhat，andpasseditonceortwicebeforehiseyes，ashesteadiedhimself，butunsuccessfully，bythebackofachair。Suddenly，hiswanderingglancefelluponthepalefaceofCharlesThompson;andwithagleamofchildlikerecognition，andaweak，falsettolaugh，hedartedforward，caughtatthetable，upsettheglasses，andliterallyfellupontheprodigal’sbreast。
\"Sha’ly！yo’d————dol’scoun’rel，hoorarye！\"
\"Hush——sitdown！——hush！\"saidCharlesThompson，hurriedlyendeavoringtoextricatehimselffromtheembraceofhisunexpectedguest。
\"Lookat’m！\"continuedthestranger，unheedingtheadmonition，butsuddenlyholdingtheunfortunateCharlesatarm’slength，inlovingandundisguisedadmirationofhisfestiveappearance。\"Lookat’m！
Ain’thenasty？Sha’ls，I’mprowofyer！\"
\"Leavethehouse！\"saidMr。Thompson，rising，withadangerouslookinhiscold，grayeye。\"Char-les，howdareyou？\"
\"Simmerdown，oleman！Sha’ls，who’sth’ol’bloat？Eh？\"
\"Hush，man;here，takethis！\"Withnervoushands，CharlesThompsonfilledaglasswithliquor。\"Drinkitandgo——untilto-morrow——anytime，but——leaveus！——gonow！\"Buteventhen，erethemiserablewretchcoulddrink，theoldman，palewithpassion，wasuponhim。
Halfcarryinghiminhispowerfularms，halfdragginghimthroughthecirclingcrowdoffrightenedguests，hehadreachedthedoor，swungopenbythewaitingservants，whenCharlesThompsonstartedfromaseemingstupor，crying，——
\"Stop！\"
Theoldmanstopped。Throughtheopendoorthefogandwinddrovechilly。\"Whatdoesthismean？\"heasked，turningabalefulfaceonCharles。
\"Nothing——butstop——forGod’ssake。Waittillto-morrow，butnotto-night。Donot——Iimploreyou——dothisthing。\"
Therewassomethinginthetoneoftheyoungman’svoice，something，perhaps，inthecontactofthestrugglingwretchheheldinhispowerfularms;butadim，indefinitefeartookpossessionoftheoldman’sheart。\"Who，\"hewhispered，hoarsely，\"isthisman？\"
Charlesdidnotanswer。
\"Standback，there，allofyou，\"thunderedMr。Thompson，tothecrowdingguestsaroundhim。\"Char-les——comehere！Icommandyou——
I——I——I——begyou——tellmeWHOisthisman？\"
OnlytwopersonsheardtheanswerthatcamefaintlyfromthelipsofCharlesThompson，——
\"YOURSON。\"
Whendaybrokeoverthebleaksand-hills，theguestshaddepartedfromMr。Thompson’sbanquet-halls。Thelightsstillburneddimlyandcoldlyinthedesertedrooms，——desertedbyallbutthreefigures，thathuddledtogetherinthechilldrawing-room，asifforwarmth。Onelayindrunkenslumberonacouch;athisfeetsathewhohadbeenknownasCharlesThompson;andbesidethem，haggardandshrunkentohalfhissize，bowedthefigureofMr。Thompson，hisgrayeyefixed，hiselbowsuponhisknees，andhishandsclaspedoverhisears，asiftoshutoutthesad，entreatingvoicethatseemedtofilltheroom。
\"GodknowsIdidnotsetabouttowilfullydeceive。ThenameI
gavethatnightwasthefirstthatcameintomythought，——thenameofonewhomIthoughtdead，——thedissolutecompanionofmyshame。
Andwhenyouquestionedfurther，IusedtheknowledgethatIgainedfromhimtotouchyourhearttosetmefree;only，Iswear，forthat！Butwhenyoutoldmewhoyouwere，andIfirstsawtheopeningofanotherlifebeforeme——then——then——O，sir，ifIwashungry，homeless，andreckless，whenIwouldhaverobbedyouofyourgold，Iwasheart-sick，helpless，anddesperate，whenIwouldhaverobbedyouofyourlove！\"
Theoldmanstirrednot。Fromhisluxuriouscouchthenewlyfoundprodigalsnoredpeacefully。
\"IhadnofatherIcouldclaim。Ineverknewahomebutthis。I
wastempted。Ihavebeenhappy，——veryhappy。\"
Heroseandstoodbeforetheoldman。\"DonotfearthatIshallcomebetweenyoursonandhisinheritance。To-dayIleavethisplace，nevertoreturn。Theworldislarge，sir，and，thankstoyourkindness，Inowseethewaybywhichanhonestlivelihoodisgained。Goodby。Youwillnottakemyhand？Well，well。Goodby。\"
Heturnedtogo。Butwhenhehadreachedthedoorhesuddenlycameback，and，raisingwithbothhandsthegrizzledhead，hekisseditonceandtwice。
\"Char-les。\"
Therewasnoreply。
\"Char-les！\"
Theoldmanrosewithafrightenedair，andtotteredfeeblytothedoor。Itwasopen。Therecametohimtheawakenedtumultofagreatcity，inwhichtheprodigal’sfootstepswerelostforever。
THEROMANCEOFMADRONOHOLLOW。
ThelatchonthegardengateoftheFolinsbeeRanchclickedtwice。
Thegateitselfwassomuchinshadowthatlovelynight，that\"oldmanFolinsbee，\"sittingonhisporch，coulddistinguishnothingbutatallwhitehatandbesideitafewflutteringribbons，underthepinesthatmarkedtheentrance。Whetherbecauseofthisfact，orthatheconsideredasufficienttimehadelapsedsincetheclickingofthelatchformorepositivedisclosure，Idonotknow;butafterafewmoments’hesitationhequietlylaidasidehispipeandwalkedslowlydownthewindingpathtowardthegate。AttheCeanothushedgehestoppedandlistened。
Therewasnotmuchtohear。Thehatwassayingtotheribbonsthatitwasafinenight，andremarkinggenerallyupontheclearoutlineoftheSierrasagainsttheblue-blacksky。Theribbons，itsoappeared，hadadmiredthisallthewayhome，andaskedthehatifithadeverseenanythinghalfsolovelyasthemoonlightonthesummit。Thehatneverhad;itrecalledsomelovelynightsintheSouthinAlabama（\"intheSouthinAhlabahm\"wasthewaytheoldmanheardit），butthentherewereotherthingsthatmadethisnightseemsopleasant。Theribbonscouldnotpossiblyconceivewhatthehatcouldbethinkingabout。Atthispointtherewasapause，ofwhichMr。Folinsbeeavailedhimselftowalkverygrimlyandcraunchinglydownthegravel-walktowardthegate。Thenthehatwaslifted，anddisappearedintheshadow，andMr。Folinsbeeconfrontedonlythehalf-foolish，half-mischievous，butwhollyprettyfaceofhisdaughter。
ItwasafterwardknowntoMadronoHollowthatsharpwordspassedbetween\"MissJo\"andtheoldman，andthatthelattercoupledthenamesofoneCulpepperStarbottleandhisuncle，ColonelStarbottle，withcertainuncomplimentaryepithets，andthatMissJoretaliatedsharply。\"Herfather’sbloodbeforeherfather’sfaceboiledupandprovedhertrulyofhisrace，\"quotedtheblacksmith，wholeanedtowardthenobleverseofByron。\"Shesawtheoldman’sbluffandraisedhim，\"wasthedirectercommentofthecollege-bredMasters。
MeanwhilethesubjectoftheseanimadversionsproceededslowlyalongtheroadtoapointwheretheFolinsbeemansioncameinview，——along，narrow，whitebuilding，unpretentious，yetsuperiortoitsneighbors，andbearingsomeevidencesoftasteandrefinementinthevinesthatclamberedoveritsporch，initsFrenchwindows，andthewhitemuslincurtainsthatkeptoutthefierceCaliforniasunbyday，andwerenowtouchedwithsilverinthegraciousmoonlight。Culpepperleanedagainstthelowfence，andgazedlongandearnestlyatthebuilding。Thenthemoonlightvanishedghostlikefromoneofthewindows，amaterialglowtookitsplace，andagirlishfigure，holdingacandle，drewthewhitecurtainstogether。ToCulpepperitwasavestalvirginstandingbeforeahallowedshrine;totheprosaicobserverIfearitwasonlyafair-hairedyoungwoman，whosewickedblackeyesstillshonewithunfilialwarmth。Howbeit，whenthefigurehaddisappearedhesteppedoutbrisklyintothemoonlightofthehigh-road。Herehetookoffhisdistinguishinghattowipehisforehead，andthemoonshonefulluponhisface。
Itwasnotanunprepossessingone，albeitatrifletoothinandlankandbilioustobealtogetherpleasant。Thecheek-boneswereprominent，andtheblackeyessunkenintheirorbits。Straightblackhairfellslantwiseoffahighbutnarrowforehead，andsweptpartofahollowcheek。Alongblackmustachefollowedtheperpendicularcurvesofhismouth。Itwasonthewholeaserious，evenQuixoticface，butattimesitwasrelievedbyararesmileofsuchtenderandevenpatheticsweetness，thatMissJoisreportedtohavesaidthat，ifitwouldonlylastthroughtheceremony，shewouldhavemarrieditspossessoronthespot。\"Ioncetoldhimso，\"addedthatshamelessyoungwoman;\"butthemaninstantlyfellintoasettledmelancholy，andhasn’tsmiledsince。\"
Ahalf-milebelowtheFolinsbeeRanchthewhiteroaddippedandwascrossedbyatrailthatranthroughMadronohollow。Perhapsbecauseitwasanearcut-offtothesettlement，perhapsfromsomelesspracticalreason，Culpeppertookthistrail，andinafewmomentsstoodamongtherarelybeautifultreesthatgavetheirnametothevalley。Eveninthatuncertainlighttheweirdbeautyoftheseharlequinmasqueraderswasapparent;theirredtrunks——ablushinthemoonlight，adeepblood-stainintheshadow——stoodoutagainstthesilverygreenfoliage。ItwasasifNatureinsomegraciousmomenthadherecaughtandcrystallizedthegypsymemoriesofthetransplantedSpaniard，tocheerhiminhislonelyexile。