entitled\"TheEffeteEast，\"inwhichthefataldecadenceofNewYorkandNewEnglandwaselaboratelystated，andCaliforniaofferedasameansofnaturalsalvation。\"Perhaps，\"said\"TheMonitor，\"
\"wemightaddthatCalaverasCountyofferssuperiorinducementstotheEasternvisitorwithcapital。\"
Laterhespokeofhisfamily。Thedaughterhehadleftachildhadgrownintobeautifulwomanhood。Thesonwasalreadytallerandlargerthanhisfather；and，inaplayfultrialofstrength，\"theyoungrascal，\"addedPlunkett，withavoicebrokenwithpaternalprideandhumorousobjurgation，hadtwicethrownhisdotingparenttotheground。Butitwasofhisdaughterhechieflyspoke。
PerhapsemboldenedbytheevidentinterestwhichmasculineMonteFlatheldinfemininebeauty，heexpatiatedatsomelengthonhervariouscharmsandaccomplishments，andfinallyproducedherphotograph，——thatofaveryprettygirl，——totheirinfiniteperil。
Buthisaccountofhisfirstmeetingwithherwassopeculiar，thatImustfaingiveitafterhisownmethods，whichwere，perhaps，someshadeslesspreciseandelegantthanhiswrittenstyle。
\"Yousee，boys，it’salwaysbeenmyopinionthatamanoughterbeabletotellhisownfleshandbloodbyinstinct。It’stenyearssinceI’dseenmyMelindy；andshewasthenonlyseven，andaboutsohigh。So，whenIwenttoNewYork，whatdidIdo？DidIgostraighttomyhouse，andaskformywifeanddaughter，likeotherfolks？No，sir！Iriggedmyselfupasapeddler，asapeddler，sir；andIrungthebell。Whentheservantcametothedoor，I
wanted——don’tyousee？——toshowtheladiessometrinkets。Thentherewasavoiceoverthebanistersays，’Don’twantanything：
sendhimaway。’——’Somenicelaces，ma’am，smuggled，’Isays，lookingup。’Getout，youwretch！’saysshe。Iknewthevoice，boys：itwasmywife，sureasagun。Tharwasn’tanyinstinctthar。’Maybetheyoungladieswantsomethin’，’Isaid。’Didyouhearme？’saysshe；andwiththatshejumpsforward，andIleft。
It’stenyears，boys，sinceI’veseentheoldwoman；butsomehow，whenshefetchedthatleap，Inaterallyleft。\"
Hehadbeenstandingbesidethebar——hisusualattitude——whenhemadethisspeech；butatthispointhehalffacedhisauditorswithalookthatwasveryeffective。Indeed，afewwhohadexhibitedsomesignsofscepticismandlackofinterest，atonceassumedanappearanceofintensegratificationandcuriosityashewenton，——
\"Well，byhanginroundthereforadayortwo，IfoundoutatlastitwastobeMelindy’sbirthdaynextweek，andthatshewasgoin’
tohaveabigparty。Itellyewhat，boys，itweren’tnoslouchofareception。Thewholehousewasbloomin’withflowers，andblazin’withlights；andtherewasnoendofservantsandplateandrefreshmentsandfixin’s\"——
\"UncleJoe。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Wheredidtheygetthemoney？\"
Plunkettfacedhisinterlocutorwithasevereglance。\"Ialwayssaid，\"herepliedslowly，\"that，whenIwenthome，I’dsendonaheadofmeadraftfortenthousanddollars。Ialwayssaidthat，didn’tI？Eh？AndIsaidIwasgoin’home——andI’vebeenhome，haven’tI？Well？\"
Eithertherewassomethingirresistiblyconclusiveinthislogic，orelsethedesiretoheartheremainderofPlunkett’sstorywasstronger；buttherewasnomoreinterruption。Hisreadygood-humorquicklyreturned，and，withaslightchuckle，hewenton，——
\"Iwenttothebiggestjewelryshopintown，andIboughtapairofdiamondear-rings，andputtheminmypocket，andwenttothehouse。’Whatname？’saysthechapwhoopenedthedoor；andhelookedlikeacross’twixtarestaurantwaiterandaparson。
’Skeesicks，’saidI。Hetakesmein；andprettysoonmywifecomessailin’intotheparlor，andsays，’Excuseme；butIdon’tthinkI
recognizethename。’Shewasmightypolite；forIhadonaredwigandside-whiskers。’Afriendofyourhusband’sfromCalifornia，ma’am，withapresentforyourdaughter，Miss——，’andImadeasI
hadforgotthename。Butallofasuddenavoicesaid，’That’stoothin；’andinwalkedMelindy。’It’splayin’itratherlowdown，father，topretendyoudon’tknowyourdaughter’sname；ain’tit，now？Howareyou，oldman？’Andwiththatshetearsoffmywigandwhiskers，andthrowsherarmsaroundmyneck——instinct，sir，pureinstinct！\"
EmboldenedbythelaughterwhichfollowedhisdescriptionofthefilialutterancesofMelinda，heagainrepeatedherspeech，withmoreorlesselaboration，joininginwith，andindeedoftenleading，thehilaritythataccompaniedit，andreturningtoit，withmoreorlessincoherency，severaltimesduringtheevening。
Andso，atvarioustimesandatvariousplaces，butchieflyinbar-
rooms，didthisUlyssesofMonteFlatrecountthestoryofhiswanderings。Therewereseveraldiscrepanciesinhisstatement；
therewassometimesconsiderableprolixityofdetail；therewasoccasionalchangeofcharacterandscenery；therewasonceortwiceanabsolutechangeinthedenoument：butalwaysthefactofhishavingvisitedhiswifeandchildrenremained。Ofcourse，inascepticalcommunitylikethatofMonteFlat，——acommunityaccustomedtogreatexpectationandsmallrealization，——acommunitywherein，tousethelocaldialect，\"theygotthecolor，andstruckhardpan，\"morefrequentlythananyothermining-camp，——insuchacommunity，thefullestcredencewasnotgiventooldmanPlunkett’sfacts。Therewasonlyoneexceptiontothegeneralunbelief，——
HenryYorkofSandyBar。Itwashewhowasalwaysanattentivelistener；itwashisscantpursethathadoftenfurnishedPlunkettwithmeanstopursuehisunprofitablespeculations；itwastohimthatthecharmsofMelindaweremorefrequentlyrehearsed；itwashethathadborrowedherphotograph；anditwashethat，sittingaloneinhislittlecabinonenight，kissedthatphotograph，untilhishonest，handsomefaceglowedagaininthefirelight。
ItwasdustyinMonteFlat。Theruinsofthelongdryseasonwerecrumblingeverywhere：everywherethedyingsummerhadstrewnitsredashesafootdeep，orexhaleditslastbreathinaredcloudabovethetroubledhighways。Thealdersandcottonwoods，thatmarkedthelineofthewater-courses，weregrimywithdust，andlookedasiftheymighthavetakenrootintheopenair。Thegleamingstonesoftheparchedwater-coursesthemselveswereasdrybonesinthevalleyofdeath。Thedustysunsetattimespaintedtheflanksofthedistanthillsadull，copperyhue：onotherdays，therewasanodd，indefinableearthquakehaloonthevolcanicconesofthefarthercoast-spurs。Againanacrid，resinoussmokefromtheburningwoodonHeavytreeHillsmartedtheeyes，andchokedthefreebreathofMonteFlat；orafiercewind，drivingeverything，includingtheshrivelledsummer，likeacurledleafbeforeit，sweptdowntheflanksoftheSierras，andchasedtheinhabitantstothedoorsoftheircabins，andshookitsredfistinattheirwindows。Andonsuchanightasthis，thedusthavinginsomewaychokedthewheelsofmaterialprogressinMonteFlat，mostoftheinhabitantsweregatheredlistlesslyinthegildedbar-roomoftheMoquelumneHotel，spittingsilentlyatthered-hotstovethattemperedthemountainwindstotheshornlambsofMonteFlat，andwaitingfortherain。
EverymethodknowntotheFlatofbeguilingthetimeuntiltheadventofthislong-looked-forphenomenonhadbeentried。Itistrue，themethodswerenotmany，beinglimitedchieflytothatformofpopularfacetiaeknownaspracticaljoking；andeventhishadassumedtheseriousnessofabusiness-pursuit。TommyRoy，whohadspenttwohoursindiggingaditchinfrontofhisowndoor，intowhichafewfriendscasuallydroppedduringtheevening，lookedennuyeanddissatisfied。Thefourprominentcitizens，who，disguisedasfoot-pads，hadstoppedthecountytreasurerontheWingdamroad，werejadedfromtheirplayfuleffortsnextmorning。
TheprincipalphysicianandlawyerofMonteFlat，whohadenteredintoanunhallowedconspiracytocompelthesheriffofCalaverasandhispossetoserveawritofejectmentonagrizzlybear，feeblydisguisedunderthenameofone\"MajorUrsus，\"whohauntedthegrovesofHeavytreeHill，woreanexpressionofresignedweariness。Eventheeditorof\"TheMonteFlatMonitor，\"whohadthatmorningwrittenaglowingaccountofabattlewiththeWipneckIndians，forthebenefitofEasternreaders，——evenHElookedgraveandworn。When，atlast，AbnerDeanofAngel’s，whohadbeenonavisittoSanFrancisco，walkedintotheroom，hewas，ofcourse，victimizedintheusualwaybyoneortwoapparentlyhonestquestions，whichendedinhisansweringthem，andthenfallingintothetrapofaskinganother，tohisutterandcompleteshameandmortification；butthatwasall。Nobodylaughed；andAbner，althoughavictim，didnotlosehisgood-humor。Heturnedquietlyonhistormentors，andsaid，——
\"I’vegotsomethingbetterthanthat——youknowoldmanPlunkett？\"
Everybodysimultaneouslyspatatthestove，andnoddedhishead。
\"Youknowhewenthomethreeyearsago？\"Twoorthreechangedthepositionoftheirlegsfromthebacksofdifferentchairs；andonemansaid，\"Yes。\"
\"Hadagoodtime，home？\"
Everybodylookedcautiouslyatthemanwhohadsaid，\"Yes；\"andhe，acceptingtheresponsibilitywithafaint-heartedsmile，said，\"Yes，\"again，andbreathedhard。\"Sawhiswifeandchild——purtygal？\"saidAbnercautiously。\"Yes，\"answeredthemandoggedly。
\"Sawherphotograph，perhaps？\"continuedAbnerDeanquietly。
Themanlookedhopelesslyaroundforsupport。Twoorthree，whohadbeensittingnearhim，andevidentlyencouraginghimwithalookofinterest，nowshamelesslyabandonedhimandlookedanotherway。HenryYorkflushedalittle，andveiledhisgrayeyes。Themanhesitated，andthenwithasicklysmile，thatwasintendedtoconveythefactthathewasperfectlyawareoftheobjectofthisquestioning，andwasonlyhumoringitfromabstractgoodfeeling，returned，\"Yes，\"again。
\"Senthome——let’ssee——tenthousanddollars，wasn’tit？\"AbnerDeanwenton。\"Yes，\"reiteratedthemanwiththesamesmile。
\"Well，Ithoughtso，\"saidAbnerquietly。\"Butthefactis，yousee，thatheneverwenthomeatall——narytime。\"
EverybodystaredatAbneringenuinesurpriseandinterest，as，withprovokingcalmnessandahalf-lazymanner，hewenton，——
\"Yousee，tharwasamandownin’Friscoasknowedhim，andsawhiminSonoraduringthewholeofthatthreeyears。Hewasherdingsheep，ortendingcattle，orspekilatingallthattime，andhadn’taredcent。Wellit’mountstothis，——that’arPlunkettain’tbeeneastoftheRockyMountainssince’49。\"
ThelaughwhichAbnerDeanhadtherighttoconfidentlyexpectcame；butitwasbitterandsardonic。Ithinkindignationwasapparentinthemindsofhishearers。Itwasfelt，forthefirsttime，thattherewasalimittopracticaljoking。Adeceptioncarriedonforayear，compromisingthesagacityofMonteFlat，wasdeservingtheseverestreprobation。Ofcourse，nobodyhadbelievedPlunkett；butthenthesuppositionthatitmightbebelievedinadjacentcampsthattheyHADbelievedhimwasgallandbitterness。
Thelawyerthoughtthatanindictmentforobtainingmoneyunderfalsepretencesmightbefound。Thephysicianhadlongsuspectedhimofinsanity，andwasnotcertainbutthatheoughttobeconfined。Thefourprominentmerchantsthoughtthatthebusiness-
interestsofMonteFlatdemandedthatsomethingshouldbedone。Inthemidstofanexcitedandangrydiscussion，thedoorslowlyopened，andoldmanPlunkettstaggeredintotheroom。
Hehadchangedpitifullyinthelastsixmonths。Hishairwasadusty，yellowishgray，likethechemisalontheflanksofHeavytreeHill；hisfacewaswaxenwhite，andblueandpuffyundertheeyes；
hisclothesweresoiledandshabby，streakedinfrontwiththestainsofhurriedlyeatenluncheons，andfluffybehindwiththewoolandhairofhurriedly-extemporizedcouches。Inobediencetothatoddlaw，that，themoreseedyandsoiledaman’sgarmentsbecome，thelessdoesheseeminclinedtopartwiththem，evenduringthatportionofthetwenty-fourhourswhentheyaredeemedlessessential，Plunkett’sclotheshadgraduallytakenontheappearanceofakindofabark，oranoutgrowthfromwithin，forwhichtheirpossessorwasnotentirelyresponsible。Howbeit，asheenteredtheroom，heattemptedtobuttonhiscoatoveradirtyshirt，andpassedhisfingers，afterthemannerofsomeanimal，overhiscracker-strewnbeard，inrecognitionofacleanlypublicsentiment。But，evenashedidso，theweaksmilefadedfromhislips；andhishand，afterfumblingaimlesslyaroundabutton，droppedhelplesslyathisside。Forasheleanedhisbackagainstthebar，andfacedthegroup，he，forthefirsttime，becameawarethateveryeyebutonewasfixeduponhim。Hisquick，nervousapprehensionatonceleapedtothetruth。Hismiserablesecretwasout，andabroadintheveryairabouthim。Asalastresort，heglanceddespairinglyatHenryYork；buthisflushedfacewasturnedtowardthewindows。
Nowordwasspoken。Asthebar-keepersilentlyswungadecanterandglassbeforehim，hetookacrackerfromadish，andmumbleditwithaffectedunconcern。Helingeredoverhisliquoruntilitspotencystiffenedhisrelaxedsinews，anddulledthenervousedgeofhisapprehension，andthenhesuddenlyfacedaround。\"Itdon’tlookasifweweregoin’tohevanyrainmuchaforeChristmas，\"hesaidwithdefiantease。
Noonemadeanyreply。
\"Justlikethisin’52，andagainin’60。It’salwaysbeenmyopinionthatthesedryseasonscomereg’lar。I’vesaiditafore。
Isayitagain。It’sjistasIsaidaboutgoinghome，youknow，\"
headdedwithdesperaterecklessness。
\"Thar’saman，\"saidAbnerDeanlazily，ezsezyouneverwenthome。
Thar’samanezsezyou’vebeenthreeyearsinSonora。Thar’samanezsezyouhain’tseenyourwifeanddaughtersince’49。
Thar’samanezsezyou’vebeenplayin’thiscampforsixmonths。\"
Therewasadeadsilence。Thenavoicesaidquiteasquietly，——
\"Thatmanlies。\"
Itwasnottheoldman’svoice。EverybodyturnedasHenryYorkslowlyrose，stretchingouthissixfeetoflength，and，brushingawaytheashesthathadfallenfromhispipeuponhisbreast，deliberatelyplacedhimselfbesidePlunkett，andfacedtheothers。
\"Thatmanain’there，\"continuedAbnerDean，withlistlessindifferenceofvoice，andagentlepre-occupationofmanner，ashecarelesslyallowedhisrighthandtorestonhishipnearhisrevolver。\"Thatmanain’there；but，ifI’mcalledupontomakegoodwhathesays，why，I’monhand。\"
Allroseasthetwomen——perhapstheleastexternallyagitatedofthemall——approachedeachother。Thelawyersteppedinbetweenthem。
\"Perhapsthere’ssomemistakehere。York，doyouKNOWthattheoldmanhasbeenhome？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Howdoyouknowit？\"
Yorkturnedhisclear，honest，frankeyesonhisquestioner，andwithoutatremortoldtheonlydirectandunmitigatedlieofhislife。\"BecauseI’veseenhimthere。\"
Theanswerwasconclusive。ItwasknownthatYorkhadbeenvisitingtheEastduringtheoldman’sabsence。ThecolloquyhaddivertedattentionfromPlunkett，who，paleandbreathless，wasstaringathisunexpecteddeliverer。Asheturnedagaintowardhistormentors，therewassomethingintheexpressionofhiseyethatcausedthosethatwerenearesttohimtofallback，andsentastrange，indefinablethrillthroughtheboldestandmostreckless。Ashemadeastepforward，thephysician，almostunconsciously，raisedhishandwithawarninggesture；andoldmanPlunkett，withhiseyesfixeduponthered-hotstove，andanoddsmileplayingabouthismouth，began，——
\"Yes——ofcourseyoudid。Whosaysyoudidn’t？Itain’tnolie。I
saidIwasgoin’home——andI’vebeenhome。Haven’tI？MyGod！I
have。WhosaysI’vebeenlyin’？WhosaysI’mdreamin’？Isittrue——whydon’tyouspeak？Itistrue，afterall。Yousayyousawmethere：whydon’tyouspeakagain？Say，say！——isittrue？It’sgoingnow。OmyGod！it’sgoingagain。It’sgoingnow。Saveme！\"
Andwithafiercecryhefellforwardinafituponthefloor。
Whentheoldmanregainedhissenses，hefoundhimselfinYork’scabin。Aflickeringfireofpine-boughslituptheruderafters，andfelluponaphotographtastefullyframedwithfir-cones，andhungabovethebrushwhereonhelay。Itwastheportraitofayounggirl。Itwasthefirstobjecttomeettheoldman’sgaze；
anditbroughtwithitaflushofsuchpainfulconsciousness，thathestarted，andglancedquicklyaround。ButhiseyesonlyencounteredthoseofYork，——clear，gray，critical，andpatient，——
andtheyfellagain。
\"Tellme，oldman，\"saidYorknotunkindly，butwiththesamecold，cleartoneinhisvoicethathiseyebetrayedamomentago，——\"tellme，isTHATalietoo？\"andhepointedtothepicture。
Theoldmanclosedhiseyes，anddidnotreply。Twohoursbefore，thequestionwouldhavestunghimintosomeevasionorbravado。
Buttherevelationcontainedinthequestion，aswellasthetoneofYork’svoice，wastohimnow，inhispitiablecondition，arelief。Itwasplain，eventohisconfusedbrain，thatYorkhadliedwhenhehadindorsedhisstoryinthebar-room；itwascleartohimnowthathehadnotbeenhome，thathewasnot，ashehadbeguntofear，goingmad。Itwassucharelief，that，withcharacteristicweakness，hisformerrecklessnessandextravagancereturned。Hebegantochuckle，finallytolaughuproariously。
York，withhiseyesstillfixedontheoldman，withdrewthehandwithwhichhehadtakenhis。
\"Didn’twefool’emnicely；eh，Yorky！He，he！Thebiggestthingyeteverplayedinthiscamp！IalwayssaidI’dplay’emallsomeday，andIhave——played’emforsixmonths。Ain’titrich？——ain’tittherichestthingyoueverseed？DidyouseeAbner’sfacewhenhespoke’boutthatmanasseedmeinSonora？Warn’titgoodastheminstrels？Oh，it’stoomuch！\"and，strikinghislegwiththepalmofhishand，healmostthrewhimselffromthebedinaparoxysmoflaughter，——aparoxysmthat，nevertheless，appearedtobehalfrealandhalfaffected。
\"Isthatphotographhers？\"saidYorkinalowvoice，afteraslightpause。
\"Hers？No！It’soneoftheSanFranciscoactresses。He，he！
Don’tyousee？Iboughtitfortwobitsinoneofthebookstores。
Ineverthoughtthey’dswallerTHATtoo；buttheydid！Oh，buttheoldmanplayed’emthistimedidn’the——eh？\"andhepeeredcuriouslyinYork’sface。
\"Yes，andheplayedMEtoo，\"saidYork，lookingsteadilyintheoldman’seye。
\"Yes，ofcourse，\"interposedPlunketthastily；\"butyouknow，Yorky，yougotoutofitwell！You’vesold’emtoo。We’vebothgotemonastringnow——youandme——gottosticktogethernow。Youdiditwell，Yorky：youdiditwell。Why，whenyousaidyou’dseenmeinYorkCity，I’md————difIdidn’t\"——
\"Didn’twhat？\"saidYorkgently；fortheoldmanhadstoppedwithapalefaceandwanderingeye。
\"Eh？\"
\"YousaywhenIsaidIhadseenyouinNewYorkyouthought\"——
\"Youlie！\"saidtheoldmanfiercely。\"Ididn’tsayIthoughtanything。Whatareyoutryingtogobackonmefor，eh？\"Hishandsweretremblingasherosemutteringfromthebed，andmadehiswaytowardthehearth。
\"Gimmesomewhiskey，\"hesaidpresently\"anddryup。Yououghtertreatanyway。Themfellowsoughtertreatedlastnight。Byhookey，I’dmade’em——onlyIfellsick。\"
Yorkplacedtheliquorandatincuponthetablebesidehim，and，goingtothedoor，turnedhisbackuponhisguest，andlookedoutonthenight。Althoughitwasclearmoonlight，thefamiliarprospectnevertohimseemedsodreary。ThedeadwasteofthebroadWingdamhighwayneverseemedsomonotonous，solikethedaysthathehadpassed，andweretocometohim，soliketheoldmaninitssuggestionofgoingsometime，andnevergettingthere。Heturned，andgoinguptoPlunkettputhishanduponhisshoulder，andsaid，——
\"Iwantyoutoansweronequestionfairlyandsquarely。\"
Theliquorseemedtohavewarmedthetorpidbloodintheoldman’sveins，andsoftenedhisacerbity；forthefaceheturneduptoYorkwasmellowedinitsruggedoutline，andmorethoughtfulinexpression，ashesaid，——
\"Goon，myboy。\"
\"Haveyouawifeand——daughter？\"
\"BeforeGodIhave！\"
Thetwomenweresilentforamoment，bothgazingatthefire。
ThenPlunkettbeganrubbinghiskneesslowly。
\"Thewife，ifitcomestothat，ain’tmuch，\"hebegancautiously，\"beingalittleontheshoulder，youknow，andwantin’，sotospeakaliberalCaliforniaeducation，whichmakes，youknow，abadcombination。It’salwaysbeenmyopinion，thatthereain’tanyworse。Why，she’sasreadywithhertongueasAbnerDeaniswithhisrevolver，onlywiththedifferencethatsheshootsfromprinciple，asshecallsit；andtheconsequenceis，she’salwayslayin’foryou。It’stheeffeteEast，myboy，that’sruinin’her。
It’sthemideasshegetsinNewYorkandBostonthat’smadeherandmewhatweare。Idon’tmindherhavin’’em，ifshedidn’tshoot。
But，havin’thatpropensity，themprinciplesoughtn’ttobelyingroundloosenomore’nfirearms。\"
\"Butyourdaughter？\"saidYork。
Theoldman’shandswentuptohiseyeshere，andthenbothhandsandheaddroppedforwardonthetable。\"Don’tsayanything’bouther，myboy，don’taskmenow。\"Withonehandconcealinghiseyes，hefumbledaboutwiththeotherinhispocketsforhishandkerchief——
butvainly。Perhapsitwasowingtothisfact，thatherepressedhistears；for，whenheremovedhishandfromhiseyes，theywerequitedry。Thenhefoundhisvoice。
\"She’sabeautifulgirl，beautiful，thoughIsayit；andyoushallseeher，myboy，——youshallseehersure。I’vegotthingsaboutfixednow。Ishallhavemyplanforreducin’oresperfectedadayortwo；andI’vegotproposalsfromallthesmeltin’workshere\"
（herehehastilyproducedabundleofpapersthatfelluponthefloor），\"andI’mgoin’tosendfor’em。I’vegotthepapershereaswillgivemetenthousanddollarsclearinthenextmonth，\"headded，ashestrovetocollectthevaluabledocumentsagain。\"I’llhave’emherebyChristmas，ifIlive；andyoushalleatyourChristmasdinnerwithme，York，myboy，——youshallsure。\"
Withhistonguenowfairlyloosenedbyliquorandthesuggestivevastnessofhisprospects，herambledonmoreorlessincoherently，elaboratingandamplifyinghisplans，occasionallyevenspeakingofthemasalreadyaccomplished，untilthemoonrodehighintheheavens，andYorkledhimagaintohiscouch。Herehelayforsometimemutteringtohimself，untilatlasthesankintoaheavysleep。WhenYorkhadsatisfiedhimselfofthefact，hegentlytookdownthepictureandframe，and，goingtothehearth，tossedthemonthedyingembers，andsatdowntoseethemburn。
Thefir-conesleapedinstantlyintoflame；thenthefeaturesthathadentrancedSanFranciscoaudiencesnightly，flashedupandpassedaway（assuchthingsareapttopass）；andeventhecynicalsmileonYork’slipsfadedtoo。Andthentherecameasupplementalandunexpectedflashastheembersfelltogether，andbyitslightYorksawapaperuponthefloor。Itwasonethathadfallenfromtheoldman’spocket。Ashepickedituplistlessly，aphotographslippedfromitsfolds。Itwastheportraitofayounggirl；andonitsreversewaswritteninascrawlinghand，\"Melindatofather。\"
Itwasatbestacheappicture，but，ahme！Ifeareventhedeftgraciousnessofthehighestartcouldnothavesoftenedtherigidangularitiesofthatyouthfulfigure，itsself-complacentvulgarity，itscheapfinery，itsexpressionlessill-favor。Yorkdidnotlookatitasecondtime。Heturnedtotheletterforrelief。
Itwasmisspelled；itwasunpunctuated；itwasalmostillegible；itwasfretfulintone，andselfishinsentiment。Itwasnot，Ifear，evenoriginalinthestoryofitswoes。Itwastheharshrecitalofpoverty，ofsuspicion，ofmeanmakeshiftsandcompromises，oflowpainsandlowerlongings，ofsorrowsthatweredegrading，ofagriefthatwaspitiable。Yetitwassincereinacertainkindofvagueyearningforthepresenceofthedegradedmantowhomitwaswritten，——anaffectionthatwasmorelikeaconfusedinstinctthanasentiment。
Yorkfoldeditagaincarefully，andplaceditbeneaththeoldman’spillow。Thenhereturnedtohisseatbythefire。Asmilethathadbeenplayinguponhisface，deepeningthecurvesbehindhismustache，andgraduallyoverrunninghiscleargrayeyes，presentlyfadedaway。Itwaslasttogofromhiseyes；anditleftthere，oddlyenoughtothosewhodidnotknowhim，atear。
Hesatthereforalongtime，leaningforward，hisheaduponhishands。Thewindthathadbeenstrivingwiththecanvasroofallatoncelifteditsedges，andamoonbeamslippedsuddenlyin，andlayforamomentlikeashiningbladeuponhisshoulder；and，knightedbyitstouch，straightwayplainHenryYorkarose，sustained，high-
purposedandself-reliant。
Therainshadcomeatlast。TherewasalreadyavisiblegreennessontheslopesofHeavytreeHill；andthelong，whitetrackoftheWingdamroadwaslostinoutlyingpoolsandpondsahundredrodsfromMonteFlat。Thespentwater-courses，whosewhiteboneshadbeensinuouslytrailedovertheflat，likethevertebraeofsomeforgottensaurian，werefullagain；thedrybonesmovedoncemoreinthevalley；andtherewasjoyintheditches，andapardonableextravaganceinthecolumnsof\"TheMonteFlatMonitor。\"\"Neverbeforeinthehistoryofthecountyhastheyieldbeensosatisfactory。Ourcontemporaryof’TheHillsideBeacon，’whoyesterdayfacetiouslyalludedtothefact（？）thatourbestcitizenswereleavingtownin’dugouts，’onaccountoftheflood，willbegladtohearthatourdistinguishedfellow-townsman，Mr。
HenryYork，nowonavisittohisrelativesintheEast，latelytookwithhiminhis’dugout’themodestsumoffiftythousanddollars，theresultofoneweek’sclean-up。Wecanimagine，\"
continuedthatsprightlyjournal，\"thatnosuchmisfortuneislikelytoovertakeHillsidethisseason。Andyetwebelieve’TheBeacon’manwantsarailroad。\"Afewjournalsbrokeoutintopoetry。TheoperatoratSimpson’sCrossingtelegraphedto\"TheSacramentoUniverse\"\"Alldaythelowcloudshaveshooktheirgarneredfulnessdown。\"ASanFranciscojournallapsedintonobleverse，thinlydisguisedaseditorialprose：\"Rejoice：thegentlerainhascome，thebrightandpearlyrain，whichscattersblessingsonthehills，andsiftsthemo’ertheplain。Rejoice，\"&c。
Indeed，therewasonlyonetowhomtherainhadnotbroughtblessing，andthatwasPlunkett。Insomemysteriousanddarksomeway，ithadinterferedwiththeperfectionofhisnewmethodofreducingores，andthrowntheadventofthatinventionbackanotherseason。Ithadbroughthimdowntoanhabitualseatinthebar-
room，where，toheedlessandinattentiveears，hesatanddiscoursedoftheEastandhisfamily。
Noonedisturbedhim。Indeed，itwasrumoredthatsomefundshadbeenlodgedwiththelandlord，byapersonorpersonsunknown，wherebyhisfewwantswereprovidedfor。Hismania——forthatwasthecharitableconstructionwhichMonteFlatputuponhisconduct——
wasindulged，eventotheextentofMonteFlat’sacceptinghisinvitationtodinewithhisfamilyonChristmasDay，——aninvitationextendedfranklytoeveryonewithwhomtheoldmandrankortalked。Butoneday，toeverybody’sastonishment，heburstintothebar-room，holdinganopenletterinhishand。Itreadasfollows：——
\"BereadytomeetyourfamilyatthenewcottageonHeavytreeHillonChristmasDay。Invitewhatfriendsyouchoose。
\"HENRYYORK。\"
Theletterwashandedroundinsilence。Theoldman，withalookalternatingbetweenhopeandfear，gazedinthefacesofthegroup。
Thedoctorlookedupsignificantly，afterapause。\"It’saforgeryevidently，\"hesaidinalowvoice。\"He’scunningenoughtoconceiveit（theyalwaysare）；butyou’llfindhe’llfailinexecutingit。Watchhisface！——Oldman，\"hesaidsuddenly，inaloudperemptorytone，\"thisisatrick，aforgery，andyouknowit。
Answermesquarely，andlookmeintheeye。Isn’titso？\"
TheeyesofPlunkettstaredamoment，andthendroppedweakly。
Then，withafeeblersmile，hesaid，\"You’retoomanyforme，boys。
TheDoc’sright。Thelittlegame’sup。Youcantaketheoldman’shat；\"andso，tottering，trembling，andchuckling，hedroppedintosilenceandhisaccustomedseat。Butthenextdayheseemedtohaveforgottenthisepisode，andtalkedasgliblyaseveroftheapproachingfestivity。
AndsothedaysandweekspasseduntilChristmas——abright，clearday，warmedwithsouthwinds，andjoyouswiththeresurrectionofspringinggrasses——brokeuponMonteFlat。Andthentherewasasuddencommotioninthehotelbar-room；andAbnerDeanstoodbesidetheoldman’schair，andshookhimoutofaslumbertohisfeet。
\"Rouseup，oldman。Yorkishere，withyourwifeanddaughter，atthecottageonHeavytree。Come，oldman。Here，boys，givehimalift；\"andinanothermomentadozenstrongandwillinghandshadraisedtheoldman，andborehimintriumphtothestreetupthesteepgradeofHeavytreeHill，anddepositedhim，strugglingandconfused，intheporchofalittlecottage。Atthesameinstanttwowomenrushedforward，butwererestrainedbyagesturefromHenryYork。Theoldmanwasstrugglingtohisfeet。Withaneffortatlast，hestooderect，trembling，hiseyefixed，agraypalloronhischeek，andadeepresonanceinhisvoice。
\"It’sallatrick，andalie！Theyain’tnofleshandbloodorkino’mine。Itain’tmywife，norchild。Mydaughter’sabeautifulgirl——abeautifulgirl，d’yehear？She’sinNewYorkwithhermother，andI’mgoingtofetchherhere。IsaidI’dgohome，andI’vebeenhome：d’yehearme？I’vebeenhome！It’sameantrickyou’replayin’ontheoldman。Letmego：d’yehear？Keepthemwomenoffme！Letmego！I’mgoing——I’mgoing——home！\"
Hishandswerethrownupconvulsivelyintheair，and，halfturninground，hefellsidewaysontheporch，andsototheground。Theypickedhimuphurriedly，buttoolate。Hehadgonehome。
THEFOOLOFFIVEFORKS
Helivedalone。Idonotthinkthispeculiarityarosefromanywishtowithdrawhisfoolishnessfromtherestofthecamp，norwasitprobablethatthecombinedwisdomofFiveForkseverdrovehimintoexile。Myimpressionis，thathelivedalonefromchoice，——achoicehemadelongbeforethecampindulgedinanycriticismofhismentalcapacity。Hewasmuchgiventomoodyreticence，and，althoughtooutwardappearancesastrongman，wasalwayscomplainingofill-health。Indeed，onetheoryofhisisolationwas，thatitaffordedhimbetteropportunitiesfortakingmedicine，ofwhichhehabituallyconsumedlargequantities。
HisfollyfirstdawneduponFiveForksthroughthepost-officewindows。Hewas，foralongtime，theonlymanwhowrotehomebyeverymail；hislettersbeingalwaysdirectedtothesameperson，——
awoman。Now，itsohappenedthatthebulkoftheFiveForkscorrespondencewasusuallytheotherway。Thereweremanylettersreceived（themajoritybeinginthefemalehand），butveryfewanswered。Themenreceivedthemindifferently，orasamatterofcourse。Afewopenedandreadthemonthespot，withabarelyrepressedsmileofself-conceit，orquiteasfrequentlyglancedoverthemwithundisguisedimpatience。Someofthelettersbeganwith\"Mydearhusband；\"andsomewerenevercalledfor。ButthefactthattheonlyregularcorrespondentofFiveForksneverreceivedanyreplybecameatlastquitenotorious。Consequently，whenanenvelopewasreceived，bearingthestampofthe\"deadletteroffice，\"addressedto\"TheFool，\"underthemoreconventionaltitleof\"CyrusHawkins，\"therewasquiteafeverofexcitement。Idonotknowhowthesecretleakedout；butitwaseventuallyknowntothecamp，thattheenvelopecontainedHawkins’sownlettersreturned。Thiswasthefirstevidenceofhisweakness。
Anymanwhorepeatedlywrotetoawomanwhodidnotreplymustbeafool。IthinkHawkinssuspectedthathisfollywasknowntothecamp；buthetookrefugeinsymptomsofchillsandfever，whichheatoncedeveloped，andeffectedadiversionwiththreebottlesofIndiancholagogueandtwoboxesofpills。Atallevents，attheendofaweek，heresumedapenstiffenedbytonics，withallhisoldepistolatorypertinacity。Thistimethelettershadanewaddress。
Inthosedaysapopularbeliefobtainedinthemines，thatluckparticularlyfavoredthefoolishandunscientific。Consequently，whenHawkinsstrucka\"pocket\"inthehillsidenearhissolitarycabin，therewasbutlittlesurprise。\"Hewillsinkitallinthenexthole\"wastheprevailingbelief，predicatedupontheusualmannerinwhichthepossessorof\"niggerluck\"disposedofhisfortune。Toeverybody’sastonishment，Hawkins，aftertakingoutabouteightthousanddollars，andexhaustingthepocket，didnotprospectforanother。Thecampthenwaitedpatientlytoseewhathewoulddowithhismoney。Ithink，however，thatitwaswiththegreatestdifficultytheirindignationwaskeptfromtakingtheformofapersonalassaultwhenitbecameknownthathehadpurchasedadraftforeightthousanddollars，infavorof\"thatwoman。\"Morethanthis，itwasfinallywhisperedthatthedraftwasreturnedtohimashislettershadbeen，andthathewasashamedtoreclaimthemoneyattheexpress-office。\"Itwouldn’tbeabadspecilationtogoEast，getsomesmartgal，forahundreddollars，todressherselfupandrepresentthat’Hag，’andjestfreezeontothateightthousand，\"suggestedafar-seeingfinancier。Imaystatehere，thatwealwaysalludedtoHawkins’sfairunknownasthe\"Hag\"
withouthaving，Iamconfident，theleastjustificationforthatepithet。
Thatthe\"Fool\"shouldgambleseemedeminentlyfitandproper。
Thatheshouldoccasionallywinalargestake，accordingtothatpopulartheorywhichIhaverecordedintheprecedingparagraph，appeared，also，anotimprobableorinconsistentfact。Thatheshould，however，breakthefarobankwhichMr。JohnHamlinhadsetupinFiveForks，andcarryoffasumvariouslyestimatedatfromtentotwentythousanddollars，andnotreturnthenextday，andlosethemoneyatthesametable，reallyappearedincredible。Yetsuchwasthefact。AdayortwopassedwithoutanyknowninvestmentofMr。Hawkins’srecently-acquiredcapital。\"Efheallowstosendittothat’Hag，’\"saidoneprominentcitizen，\"suthin’oughttobedone。It’sjestruinin’thereputationofthisyercamp，——thissloshin’aroundo’capitalonnon-residentsezdon’tclaimit！\"\"It’ssettin’anexampleo’extravagance，\"saidanother，\"ezislittlebetternoraswindle。Thaismor’nfivemeninthiscamp，thet，hearin’thetHawkinshedsenthomeeightthousanddollars，mustjestriseupandsendhometheirhardearningstoo！Andthentothinkthettheteightthousandwasonlyabluff，afterall，andthetit’slyin’thereoncallinAdams&
Co。’sbank！Well，Isayit’soneo’themthingsavigilancecommitteeoughterlookinto。\"
WhenthereseemednopossibilityofthisrepetitionofHawkins’sfolly，theanxietytoknowwhathehadreallydonewithhismoneybecameintense。Atlastaself-appointedcommitteeoffourcitizensdroppedartfully，buttooutwardappearancescarelessly，uponhiminhisseclusion。Whensomepoliteformalitieshadbeenexchanged，andsomeeasyvituperationofabackwardseasonofferedbyeachoftheparties，TomWingateapproachedthesubject。
\"SorterdroppedheavyonJackHamlintheothernight，didn’tye？
Heallowsyoudidn’tgivehimnoshowforrevenge。Isaidyouwasn’tnosuchd————dfool；didn’tI，Dick？\"continuedtheartfulWingate，appealingtoaconfederate。
\"Yes，\"saidDickpromptly。\"Yousaidtwentythousanddollarswasn’tgoin’tobethrownaroundrecklessly。YousaidCyrushadsuthin’bettertodowithhiscapital，\"super-addedDickwithgratuitousmendacity。\"Idisremembernowwhatparticklerinvestmentyousaidhewasgoin’tomakewithit，\"hecontinued，appealingwitheasyindifferencetohisfriend。
OfcourseWingatedidnotreply，butlookedatthe\"Fool，\"who，withatroubledface，wasrubbinghislegssoftly。Afterapause，heturneddeprecatinglytowardhisvisitors。
\"Yedidn’tennyofyeeverhevasortoftremblin’inyourlegs，akindo’shakinessfromthekneedown？Suthin’，\"hecontinued，slightlybrighteningwithhistopic，——\"suthin’thatbeginslikechills，andyetain’tchills？Akindo’sensationofgonenesshere，andakindo’feelin’asityoumightdiesuddint？——whenWright’sPillsdon’tsomehowreachthespot，andquininedon’tfetchyou？\"
\"No！\"saidWingatewithacurtdirectness，andtheairofauthoritativelyrespondingforhisfriends，——\"no，neverhad。Youwasspeakin’ofthisyerinvestment。\"
\"Andyourbowelsallthetimeirregular？\"continuedHawkins，blushingunderWingate’seye，andyetclingingdespairinglytohistheme，likeashipwreckedmarinertohisplank。
Wingatedidnotreply，butglancedsignificantlyattherest。
Hawkinsevidentlysawthisrecognitionofhismentaldeficiency，andsaidapologetically，\"Youwassayingsuthin’aboutmyinvestment？\"
\"Yes，\"saidWingate，sorapidlyastoalmosttakeHawkins’sbreathaway，——\"theinvestmentyoumadein\"——
\"Rafferty’sDitch，\"saidthe\"Fool\"timidly。
Foramoment，thevisitorscouldonlystareblanklyateachother。
\"Rafferty’sDitch，\"theonenotoriousfailureofFiveForks！——
Rafferty’sDitch，theimpracticableschemeofanutterlyunpracticalman！——Rafferty’sDitch，aridiculousplanfortakingwaterthatcouldnotbegottoaplacewhereitwasn’twanted！——
Rafferty’sDitch，thathadburiedthefortunesofRaffertyandtwentywretchedstockholdersinitsmuddydepths！
\"Andthet’sit，isit？\"saidWingate，afteragloomypause。
\"Thet’sit！Iseeitallnow，boys。That’showraggedPatRaffertywentdowntoSanFranciscoyesterdayinstore-clothes，andhiswifeandfourchildrenwentoffinakerridgetoSacramento。
Thet’swhythemtenworkmenofhis，ezhadn’tacenttoblessthemselveswith，wasplayin’billiardslastnight，andeatin’
isters。Thet’swharthatmoneykumfrum，——onehundreddollarstopayforthelongadvertisementofthenewissueofditchstockinthe\"Times\"yesterday。Thet’swhythemsixstrangerswerebookedattheMagnoliahotelyesterday。Don’tyousee？It’sthetmoney——
andthat’Fool’！\"
The\"Fool\"satsilent。Thevisitorsrosewithoutaword。
\"YounevertookanyofthemIndianVegetablePills？\"askedHawkinstimidlyofWingate。
\"No！\"roaredWingateasheopenedthedoor。
\"Theytellme，that，tookwiththePanacea，——theywasouto’thePanaceawhenIwenttothedrug-storelastweek，——theysay，that，tookwiththePanacea，theyalwayseffectacertincure。\"Butbythistime，Wingateandhisdisgustedfriendshadretreated，slammingthedooronthe\"Fool\"andhisailments。
Nevertheless，insixmonthsthewholeaffairwasforgotten：themoneyhadbeenspent；the\"Ditch\"hadbeenpurchasedbyacompanyofBostoncapitalists，firedbytheglowingdescriptionofanEasterntourist，whohadspentonedrunkennightatFiveForks；andIthinkeventhementalconditionofHawkinsmighthaveremainedundisturbedbycriticism，butforasingularincident。
Itwasduringanexcitingpoliticalcampaign，whenparty-feelingranhigh，thattheirascibleCapt。McFaddenofSacramentovisitedFiveForks。DuringaheateddiscussioninthePrairieRoseSaloon，wordspassedbetweenthecaptainandtheHon。CalhounBungstarter，endinginachallenge。Thecaptainboretheinfelicitousreputationofbeinganotoriousduellistandadead-shot。Thecaptainwasunpopular。Thecaptainwasbelievedtohavebeensentbytheoppositionforadeadlypurpose；andthecaptainwas，moreover，astranger。IamsorrytosaythatwithFiveForksthislatterconditiondidnotcarrythequalityofsanctityorreverencethatusuallyobtainsamongothernomads。Therewas，consequently，somelittlehesitationwhenthecaptainturneduponthecrowd，andaskedforsomeonetoactashisfriend。Toeverybody’sastonishment，andtotheindignationofmany，the\"Fool\"steppedforward，andofferedhimselfinthatcapacity。IdonotknowwhetherCapt。McFaddenwouldhavechosenhimvoluntarily；buthewasconstrained，intheabsenceofabetterman，toaccepthisservices。
Theduelnevertookplace。Thepreliminarieswereallarranged，thespotindicated；themenwerepresentwiththeirseconds；therewasnointerruptionfromwithout；therewasnoexplanationorapologypassed——butthedueldidnottakeplace。Itmaybereadilyimaginedthatthesefacts，whichwereallknowntoFiveForks，threwthewholecommunityintoafeverofcuriosity。Theprincipals，thesurgeon，andonesecondlefttownthenextday。
Onlythe\"Fool\"remained。HEresistedallquestioning，declaringhimselfheldinhonornottodivulge：inshort，conductedhimselfwithconsistentbutexasperatingfolly。Itwasnotuntilsixmonthshadpassed，thatCol。Starbottle，thesecondofCalhounBungstarter，inamomentofweakness，superinducedbythesocialglass，condescendedtoexplain。Ishouldnotdojusticetotheparties，ifIdidnotgivethatexplanationinthecolonel’sownwords。Imayremark，inpassing，thatthecharacteristicdignityofCol。Starbottlealwaysbecameintensifiedbystimulants，andthat，bythesameprocess，allsenseofhumorwasutterlyeliminated。
\"WiththeunderstandingthatIamaddressingmyselfconfidentiallytomenofhonor，\"saidthecolonel，elevatinghischestabovethebar-roomcounterofthePrairieRoseSaloon，\"Itrustthatitwillnotbenecessaryformetoprotectmyselffromlevity，asIwasforcedtodoinSacramentoontheonlyotheroccasionwhenI
enteredintoanexplanationofthisdelicateaffairby——er——er——
callingtheindividualtoapersonalaccount——er。Idonotbelieve，\"addedthecolonel，slightlywavinghisglassofliquorintheairwithagracefulgestureofcourteousdeprecation，\"knowingwhatIdoofthepresentcompany，thatsuchacourseofactionisrequiredhere。Certainlynot，sir，inthehomeofMr。Hawkins——er——
thegentlemanwhorepresentedMr。Bungstarter，whoseconduct，ged，sir，isworthyofpraise，blankme！\"
Apparentlysatisfiedwiththegravityandrespectfulattentionofhislisteners，Col。Starbottlesmiledrelentinglyandsweetly，closedhiseyeshalf-dreamily，asiftorecallhiswanderingthoughts，andbegan，——
\"AsthespotselectedwasnearestthetenementofMr。Hawkins，itwasagreedthatthepartiesshouldmeetthere。Theydidsopromptlyathalf-pastsix。Themorningbeingchilly，Mr。HawkinsextendedthehospitalitiesofhishousewithabottleofBourbonwhiskey，ofwhichallpartookbutmyself。Thereasonforthatexceptionis，Ibelieve，wellknown。Itismyinvariablecustomtotakebrandy——awineglassfulinacupofstrongcoffee——immediatelyonrising。Itstimulatesthefunctions，sir，withoutproducinganyblankderangementofthenerves。\"
Thebarkeeper，towhom，asanexpert，thecolonelhadgraciouslyimpartedthisinformation，noddedapprovingly；andthecolonel，amidabreathlesssilence，wenton。
\"Wewereabouttwentyminutesinreachingthespot。Thegroundwasmeasured，theweaponswereloaded，whenMr。Bungstarterconfidedtometheinformationthathewasunwell，andingreatpain。OnconsultationwithMr。Hawkins，itappearedthathisprincipal，inadistantpartofthefield，wasalsosuffering，andingreatpain。