\"SYLVESTER。
\"P。S。——Ofcoursehe’sgrownalittle，anddoesn’ttakethingsalwaysasquietlyashedid。HedroppedratherheavilyontwoofWatson’s’purps’lastweek，andsnatchedoldWatsonhimselfbaldheaded，forinterfering。YourememberWatson？Foranintelligentman，heknowsverylittleofCaliforniafauna。HowareyoufixedforbearsonMontgomeryStreet，Imeaninregardtocorralsandthings？S。
\"P。P。S。——He’sgotsomenewtricks。Theboyshavebeenteachinghimtoputuphishandswiththem。Heslingsanuglyleft。S。\"
IamafraidthatmydesiretopossessmyselfofBabyovercameallotherconsiderations；andItelegraphedanaffirmativeatoncetoSylvester。WhenIreachedmylodgingslatethatafternoon，mylandladywasawaitingmewithatelegram。ItwastwolinesfromSylvester，——
\"Allright。Babygoesdownonnight-boat。Beafathertohim。
S。\"
Itwasdue，then，atoneo’clockthatnight。ForamomentIwasstaggeredatmyownprecipitation。Ihadasyetmadenopreparations，hadsaidnothingtomylandladyabouthernewguest。
Iexpectedtoarrangeeverythingintime；andnow，throughSylvester’sindecenthaste，thattimehadbeenshortenedtwelvehours。
Something，however，mustbedoneatonce。IturnedtoMrs。Brown。
Ihadgreatrelianceinhermaternalinstincts：Ihadthatstillgreaterreliancecommontooursexinthegeneraltender-
heartednessofprettywomen。ButIconfessIwasalarmed。Yet，withafeeblesmile，Itriedtointroducethesubjectwithclassicaleaseandlightness。Ievensaid，\"IfShakspeare’sAthenianclown，Mrs。Brown，believedthatalionamongladieswasadreadfulthing，whatmust\"——ButhereIbrokedown；forMrs。
Brown，withtheawfulintuitionofhersex，Isawatoncewasmoreoccupiedwithmymannerthanmyspeech。SoItriedabusinessbrusquerie，and，placingthetelegraminherhand，saidhurriedly，\"Wemustdosomethingaboutthisatonce。It’sperfectlyabsurd；
buthewillbehereatoneto-night。Begthousandpardons；butbusinesspreventedmyspeakingbefore\"——andpausedoutofbreathandcourage。
Mrs。Brownreadthetelegramgravely，liftedherprettyeyebrows，turnedthepaperover，andlookedontheotherside，andthen，inaremoteandchillingvoice，askedmeifsheunderstoodmetosaythatthemotherwascomingalso。
\"Oh，dearno！\"Iexclaimedwithconsiderablerelief。\"Themotherisdead，youknow。Sylvester，thatismyfriendwhosentthis，shotherwhenthebabywasonlythreedaysold。\"ButtheexpressionofMrs。Brown’sfaceatthismomentwassoalarming，thatIsawthatnothingbutthefullestexplanationwouldsaveme。
Hastily，andIfearnotverycoherently，Itoldherall。
Sherelaxedsweetly。ShesaidIhadfrightenedherwithmytalkaboutlions。Indeed，IthinkmypictureofpoorBaby，albeitatriflehighlycolored，touchedhermotherlyheart。ShewasevenalittlevexedatwhatshecalledSylvester’s\"hard-heartedness。\"
StillIwasnotwithoutsomeapprehension。ItwastwomonthssinceIhadseenhim；andSylvester’svagueallusiontohis\"slinginganuglyleft\"painedme。IlookedatsympatheticlittleMrs。Brown；
andthethoughtofWatson’spupscoveredmewithguiltyconfusion。
Mrs。Brownhadagreedtositupwithmeuntilhearrived。Oneo’clockcame，butnoBaby。Twoo’clock，threeo’clock，passed。Itwasalmostfourwhentherewasawildclatterofhorses’hoofsoutside，andwithajerkawagonstoppedatthedoor。InaninstantIhadopenedit，andconfrontedastranger。Almostatthesamemoment，thehorsesattemptedtorunawaywiththewagon。
Thestranger’sappearancewas，tosaytheleast，disconcerting。
Hisclotheswerebadlytornandfrayed；hislinensackhungfromhisshoulderslikeaherald’sapron；oneofhishandswasbandaged；
hisfacescratched；andtherewasnohatonhisdishevelledhead。
Toaddtothegeneraleffect，hehadevidentlysoughtrelieffromhiswoesindrink；andheswayedfromsidetosideasheclungtothedoor-handle，and，inaverythickvoice，statedthathehad\"suthin\"formeoutside。Whenhehadfinished，thehorsesmadeanotherplunge。
Mrs。Brownthoughttheymustbefrightenedatsomething。
\"Frightened！\"laughedthestrangerwithbitterirony。\"Oh，no！
Hossishain’tfrightened！On’yranawayfourtimeshcomin’here。
Oh，no！Nobody’sfrightened。Everythin’sallri’。Ain’tit，Bill？\"hesaid，addressingthedriver。\"On’ybeenoverboardtwish；
knockeddownahatchwayonce。Thashnothin’！On’ytwomenunnerdoctor’shan’satStockton。Thashnothin’！Sixhunnerdollarshcoveralldammish。\"
Iwastoomuchdisheartenedtoreply，butmovedtowardthewagon。
Thestrangereyedmewithanastonishmentthatalmostsoberedhim。
\"Doyoureckontotacklethatanimileyourself？\"heasked，ashesurveyedmefromheadtofoot。
Ididnotspeak，but，withanappearanceofboldnessIwasfarfromfeeling，walkedtothewagon，andcalled\"Baby！\"
\"Allri’。Cashloosethemstraps，Bill，andstan’clear。\"
Thestrapswerecutloose；andBaby，theremorseless，theterrible，quietlytumbledtotheground，and，rollingtomyside，rubbedhisfoolishheadagainstme。
Ithinktheastonishmentofthetwomenwasbeyondanyvocalexpression。Withoutaword，thedrunkenstrangergotintothewagon，anddroveaway。
AndBaby？Hehadgrown，itistrue，atriflelarger；buthewasthin，andborethemarksofevidentillusage。Hisbeautifulcoatwasmattedandunkempt；andhisclaws，thosebrightsteelhooks，hadbeenruthlesslyparedtothequick。Hiseyeswerefurtiveandrestless；andtheoldexpressionofstupidgoodhumorhadchangedtooneofintelligentdistrust。Hisintercoursewithmankindhadevidentlyquickenedhisintellect，withoutbroadeninghismoralnature。
IhadgreatdifficultyinkeepingMrs。Brownfromsmotheringhiminblankets，andruininghisdigestionwiththedelicaciesofherlarder；butIatlastgothimcompletelyrolledupinthecornerofmyroom，andasleep。Ilayawakesometimelaterwithplansforhisfuture。IfinallydeterminedtotakehimtoOakland——whereI
hadbuiltalittlecottage，andalwaysspentmySundays——theverynextday。Andinthemidstofarosypictureofdomesticfelicity，Ifellasleep。
WhenIawoke，itwasbroadday。MyeyesatoncesoughtthecornerwhereBabyhadbeenlying；buthewasgone。Isprangfromthebed，lookedunderit，searchedthecloset，butinvain。Thedoorwasstilllocked；buttherewerethemarksofhisbluntedclawsuponthesillofthewindowthatIhadforgottentoclose。Hehadevidentlyescapedthatway。Butwhere？Thewindowopeneduponabalcony，towhichtheonlyotherentrancewasthroughthehall。Hemustbestillinthehouse。
Myhandwasalreadyuponthebell-rope；butIstayeditintime。
Ifhehadnotmadehimselfknown，whyshouldIdisturbthehouse？
Idressedmyselfhurriedly，andslippedintothehall。Thefirstobjectthatmetmyeyeswasabootlyinguponthestairs。ItborethemarksofBaby’steeth；and，asIlookedalongthehall，Isawtooplainlythattheusualarrayoffreshly-blackenedbootsandshoesbeforethelodgers’doorswasnotthere。AsIascendedthestairs，Ifoundanother，butwiththeblackingcarefullylickedoff。Onthethirdfloorweretwoorthreemoreboots，slightlymouthed；butatthispointBaby’stasteforblackinghadevidentlypalled。Alittlefartheronwasaladder，leadingtoanopenscuttle。Imountedtheladder，andreachedtheflatroof，thatformedacontinuouslevelovertherowofhousestothecornerofthestreet。Behindthechimneyontheverylastroof，somethingwaslurking。ItwasthefugitiveBaby。Hewascoveredwithdustanddirtandfragmentsofglass。Buthewassittingonhishind-
legs，andwaseatinganenormousslabofpeanutcandy，withalookofmingledguiltandinfinitesatisfaction。Heeven，Ifancied，slightlystrokedhisstomachwithhisdisengagedfore-pawasI
approached。HeknewthatIwaslookingforhim；andtheexpressionofhiseyesaidplainly，\"Thepast，atleast，issecure。\"
Ihurriedhim，withtheevidencesofhisguilt，backtothescuttle，anddescendedontiptoetothefloorbeneath。Providencefavoredus：Imetnooneonthestairs；andhisowncushionedtreadwasinaudible。Ithinkhewasconsciousofthedangersofdetection；forheevenforeboretobreathe，ormuchlesschewthelastmouthfulhehadtaken；andheskulkedatmysidewiththesirupdroppingfromhismotionlessjaws。Ithinkhewouldhavesilentlychokedtodeathjustthen，formysake；anditwasnotuntilIhadreachedmyroomagain，andthrewmyselfpantingonthesofa，thatIsawhownearstrangulationhehadbeen。Hegulpedonceortwiceapologetically，andthenwalkedtothecornerofhisownaccord，androlledhimselfuplikeanimmensesugarplum，sweatingremorseandtreacleateverypore。
IlockedhiminwhenIwenttobreakfast，whenIfoundMrs。Brown’slodgersinastateofintenseexcitementovercertainmysteriouseventsofthenightbefore，andthedreadfulrevelationsofthemorning。Itappearedthatburglarshadenteredtheblockfromthescuttles；that，beingsuddenlyalarmed，theyhadquittedourhousewithoutcommittinganydepredation，droppingeventhebootstheyhadcollectedinthehalls；butthatadesperateattempthadbeenmadetoforcethetillintheconfectioner’sshoponthecorner，andthattheglassshow-caseshadbeenruthlesslysmashed。A
courageousservantinNo。4hadseenamaskedburglar，onhishandsandknees，attemptingtoentertheirscuttle；but，onhershouting，\"Awaywidyees！\"heinstantlyfled。
Isatthroughthisrecitalwithcheeksthatburneduncomfortably；
norwasIthelessembarrassed，onraisingmyeyes，tomeetMrs。
Brown’sfixedcuriouslyandmischievouslyonmine。AssoonasI
couldmakemyescapefromthetable，Ididso，and，runningrapidlyupstairs，soughtrefugefromanypossibleinquiryinmyownroom。
Babywasstillasleepinthecorner。Itwouldnotbesafetoremovehimuntilthelodgershadgonedowntown；andIwasrevolvinginmymindtheexpediencyofkeepinghimuntilnightveiledhisobtrusiveeccentricityfromthepubliceye，whentherecameacautioustapatmydoor。Iopenedit。Mrs。Brownslippedinquietly，closedthedoorsoftly，stoodwithherbackagainstit，andherhandontheknob，andbeckonedmemysteriouslytowardsher。
Thensheaskedinalowvoice，——
\"Ishair-dyepoisonous？\"
Iwastooconfoundedtospeak。
\"Oh，do！youknowwhatImean，\"shesaidimpatiently。\"Thisstuff。\"SheproducedsuddenlyfrombehindherabottlewithaGreeklabelsolongastoruntwoorthreetimesspirallyarounditfromtoptobottom。\"Hesaysitisn’tadye：it’savegetablepreparation，forinvigorating\"——
\"Whosays？\"Iaskeddespairingly。
\"Why，Mr。Parker，ofcourse！\"saidMrs。Brownseverely，withtheairofhavingrepeatedthenameagreatmanytimes，——\"theoldgentlemanintheroomabove。ThesimplequestionIwanttoask，\"
shecontinuedwiththecalmmannerofonewhohasjustconvictedanotherofgrossambiguityoflanguage，\"isonlythis：Ifsomeofthisstuffwereputinasaucer，andleftcarelesslyonthetable，andachild，orababy，oracat，oranyyounganimal，shouldcomeinatthewindow，anddrinkitup，——awholesaucerfull，——becauseithadasweettaste，woulditbelikelytohurtthem？\"
IcastananxiousglanceatBaby，sleepingpeacefullyinthecorner，andaverygratefuloneatMrs。Brown，andsaidIdidn’tthinkitwould。
\"Because，\"saidMrs。Brownloftilyassheopenedthedoor，\"I
thought，ifitwaspoisonous，remediesmightbeusedintime。
Because，\"sheaddedsuddenly，abandoningherloftymanner，andwildlyrushingtothecornerwithafranticembraceoftheunconsciousBaby，\"because，ifanynastystuffshouldturnitsboofulhairahorridgreen，oranaughtypink，itwouldbreakitsownmuzzer’sheart，itwould！\"
But，beforeIcouldassureMrs。Brownoftheinefficiencyofhair-
dyeasaninternalapplication，shehaddartedfromtheroom。
Thatnight，withthesecrecyofdefaulters，BabyandIdecampedfromMrs。Brown’s。Distrustingthetooemotionalnatureofthatnobleanimal，thehorse，Ihadrecoursetoahandcart，drawnbyastoutIrishman，toconveymychargetotheferry。Eventhen，Babyrefusedtogo，unlessIwalkedbythecart，andattimesrodeinit。
\"Iwish，\"saidMrs。Brown，asshestoodbythedoor，wrappedinanimmenseshawl，andsawusdepart，\"Iwishitlookedlesssolemn，——
lesslikeapauper’sfuneral。\"
Imustadmit，that，asIwalkedbythecartthatnight，IfeltverymuchasifIwereaccompanyingtheremainsofsomehumblefriendtohislastresting-place；andthat，whenIwasobligedtorideinit，InevercouldentirelyconvincemyselfthatIwasnothelplesslyovercomebyliquor，orthevictimofanaccident，enroutetothehospital。Butatlastwereachedtheferry。Ontheboat，IthinknoonediscoveredBaby，exceptadrunkenman，whoapproachedmetoaskforalightforhiscigar，butwhosuddenlydroppedit，andfledindismaytothegentlemen’scabin，wherehisincoherentravingswereluckilytakenfortheearlierindicationsofdeliriumtremens。
ItwasnearlymidnightwhenIreachedmylittlecottageontheoutskirtsofOakland；anditwaswithafeelingofreliefandsecuritythatIentered，lockedthedoor，andturnedhimlooseinthehall，satisfiedthathenceforwardhisdepredationswouldbelimitedtomyownproperty。Hewasveryquietthatnight；andafterhehadtriedtomountthehatrack，underthemistakenimpressionthatitwasintendedforhisowngymnasticexercise，andknockedallthehatsoff，hewentpeaceablytosleepontherug。
Inaweek，withtheexerciseaffordedhimbytherunofalarge，carefully-boardedenclosure，herecoveredhishealth，strength，spirits，andmuchofhisformerbeauty。Hispresencewasunknowntomyneighbors，althoughitwasnoticeablethathorsesinvariably\"shied\"inpassingtothewindwardofmyhouse，andthatthebakerandmilkmanhadgreatdifficultyinthedeliveryoftheirwaresinthemorning，andindulgedinunseemlyandunnecessaryprofanityinsodoing。
Attheendoftheweek，IdeterminedtoinviteafewfriendstoseetheBaby，andtothatpurposewroteanumberofformalinvitations。
Afterdescanting，atsomelength，onthegreatexpenseanddangerattendinghiscaptureandtraining，Iofferedaprogrammeoftheperformance，ofthe\"InfantPhenomenonofSierranSolitudes，\"drawnupintothehighestprofessionalprofusionofalliterationandcapitalletters。Afewextractswillgivethereadersomeideaofhiseducationalprogress：——
1。Hewill，rolledupinaRoundBall，rolldowntheWood-ShedRapidly，illustratingHismannerofEscapingfromHisEnemyinHisNativeWilds。
2。HewillAscendtheWell-Pole，andremovefromtheVeryTopaHat，andasmuchoftheCrownandBrimthereof，asMaybePermitted。
3。Hewillperforminapantomime，descriptiveoftheConductoftheBigBear，TheMiddle-SizedBear，andTheLittleBearofthePopularNurseryLegend。
4。HewillshakehischainRapidly，showinghisMannerofstrikingDismayandTerrorintheBreastsofWanderersinUrsineWildernesses。
Themorningoftheexhibitioncame；butanhourbeforetheperformancethewretchedBabywasmissing。TheChinesecookcouldnotindicatehiswhereabouts。Isearchedthepremisesthoroughly；
andthen，indespair，tookmyhat，andhurriedoutintothenarrowlanethatledtowardtheopenfieldsandthewoodsbeyond。ButI
foundnotracenortrackofBabySylvester。Ireturned，afteranhour’sfruitlesssearch，tofindmyguestsalreadyassembledontherearveranda。Ibrieflyrecountedmydisappointment，myprobableloss，andbeggedtheirassistance。
\"Why，\"saidaSpanishfriend，whopridedhimselfonhisaccurateknowledgeofEnglish，toBarker，whoseemedtobetryingvainlytorisefromhisrecliningpositionontheveranda，\"whydoyounotdisengageyourselffromtheverandaofourfriend？Andwhy，inthenameofHeaven，doyouattachtoyourselfsomuchofthisthing，andmaketoyourselfsuchunnecessarycontortion？Ah，\"hecontinued，suddenlywithdrawingoneofhisownfeetfromtheverandawithanevidenteffort，\"Iammyselfattached！Surelyitissomethinghere！\"
Itevidentlywas。Myguestswereallrisingwithdifficulty。Theflooroftheverandawascoveredwithsomeglutinoussubstance。Itwas——sirup！
Isawitallinaflash。Irantothebarn。Thekegof\"goldensirup，\"purchasedonlythedaybefore，layemptyuponthefloor。
Therewerestickytracksallovertheenclosure，butstillnoBaby。
\"There’ssomethingmovingthegroundovertherebythatpileofdirt，\"saidBarker。
Hewasright。Theearthwasshakinginonecorneroftheenclosurelikeanearthquake。Iapproachedcautiously。Isaw，whatIhadnotbeforenoticed，thatthegroundwasthrownup；andthere，inthemiddleofanimmensegrave-likecavity，crouchedBabySylvester，stilldigging，andslowlybutsurelysinkingfromsightinamassofdustandclay。
Whatwerehisintentions？Whetherhewasstungbyremorse，andwishedtohidehimselffrommyreproachfuleyes，orwhetherhewassimplytryingtodryhissirup-besmearedcoat，Inevershallknow；
forthatday，alas！washislastwithme。
Hewaspumpeduponfortwohours，attheendofwhichtimehestillyieldedathintreacle。Hewasthentaken，andcarefullyinwrappedinblankets，andlockedupinthestore-room。Thenextmorninghewasgone！Thelowerportionofthewindowsashandpaneweregonetoo。Hissuccessfulexperimentsonthefragiletextureofglassattheconfectioner’s，onthefirstdayofhisentrancetocivilization，hadnotbeenlostuponhim。Hisfirstessayatcombiningcauseandeffectendedinhisescape。
Wherehewent，wherehehid，whocapturedhim，ifhedidnotsucceedinreachingthefoothillsbeyondOakland，eventheofferofalargereward，backedbytheeffortsofanintelligentpolice，couldnotdiscover。Ineversawhimagainfromthatdayuntil——
DidIseehim？Iwasinahorse-caronSixthAvenue，afewdaysago，whenthehorsessuddenlybecameunmanageable，andleftthetrackforthesidewalk，amidtheoathsandexecrationsofthedriver。Immediatelyinfrontofthecaracrowdhadgatheredaroundtwoperformingbearsandashowman。Oneoftheanimals，thin，emaciated，andthemerewreckofhisnativestrength，attractedmyattention。Iendeavoredtoattracthis。Heturnedapairofbleared，sightlesseyesinmydirection；buttherewasnosignofrecognition。Ileanedfromthecar-window，andcalledsoftly，\"Baby！\"Buthedidnotheed。Iclosedthewindow。Thecarwasjustmovingon，whenhesuddenlyturned，and，eitherbyaccidentordesign，thrustacallouspawthroughtheglass。
\"It’sworthadollarandhalftoputinanewpane，\"saidtheconductor，\"iffolkswillplaywithbears！\"
ANEPISODEOFFIDDLETOWN。
In1858Fiddletownconsideredheraveryprettywoman。Shehadaquantityoflightchestnuthair，agoodfigure，adazzlingcomplexion，andacertainlanguidgracewhichpassedeasilyforgentlewomanliness。Shealwaysdressedbecomingly，andinwhatFiddletownacceptedasthelatestfashion。Shehadonlytwoblemishes：oneofhervelvetyeyes，whenexaminedclosely，hadaslightcast；andherleftcheekboreasmallscarleftbyasingledropofvitriol——happilytheonlydropofanentirephial——thrownuponherbyoneofherownjealoussex，thatreachedtheprettyfaceitwasintendedtomar。But，whentheobserverhadstudiedtheeyessufficientlytonoticethisdefect，hewasgenerallyincapacitatedforcriticism；andeventhescaronhercheekwasthoughtbysometoaddpiquancytohersmile。Theyouthfuleditorof\"TheFiddletownAvalanche\"hadsaidprivatelythatitwas\"anexaggerateddimple。\"Col。Starbottlewasinstantly\"remindedofthebeautifyingpatchesofthedaysofQueenAnne，butmoreparticularly，sir，oftheblankestbeautifulwomen，that，blankyou，youeverlaidyourtwoblankeyesupon，——aCreolewoman，sir，inNewOrleans。Andthiswomanhadascar，——alineextending，blankme，fromhereyetoherblankchin。Andthiswoman，sir，thrilledyou，sir；maddenedyou，sir；absolutelysentyourblanksoultoperditionwithherblankfascination！AndonedayIsaidtoher，’Celeste，howinblankdidyoucomebythatbeautifulscar，blankyou？’Andshesaidtome，’Star，thereisn’tanotherwhitemanthatI’dconfideinbutyou；butImadethatscarmyself，purposely，Idid，blankme。’Thesewereherverywords，sir，andperhapsyouthinkitablanklie，sir；butI’llputupanyblanksumyoucannameandproveit，blankme。\"
Indeed，mostofthemalepopulationofFiddletownwereorhadbeeninlovewithher。Ofthisnumber，aboutone-halfbelievedthattheirlovewasreturned，withtheexception，possibly，ofherownhusband。Healonehadbeenknowntoexpressscepticism。
ThenameofthegentlemanwhoenjoyedthisinfelicitousdistinctionwasTretherick。HehadbeendivorcedfromanexcellentwifetomarrythisFiddletownenchantress。She，also，hadbeendivorced；
butitwashintedthatsomepreviousexperiencesofhersinthatlegalformalityhadmadeitperhapslessnovel，andprobablylesssacrificial。Iwouldnothaveitinferredfromthisthatshewasdeficientinsentiment，ordevoidofitshighestmoralexpression。
Herintimatefriendhadwritten（ontheoccasionofherseconddivorce），\"ThecoldworlddoesnotunderstandClarayet；\"andCol。
Starbottlehadremarkedblankly，thatwiththeexceptionofasinglewomaninOpelousasParish，La。，shehadmoresoulthanthewholecaboodleofthemputtogether。Fewindeedcouldreadthoselinesentitled\"Infelissimus，\"commencing，\"Whywavesnocypresso’erthisbrow？\"originallypublishedin\"TheAvalanche，\"overthesignatureof\"TheLadyClare，\"withoutfeelingthetearofsensibilitytrembleonhiseyelids，ortheglowofvirtuousindignationmantlehischeek，atthelowbrutalityandpitiablejocularityof\"TheDutchFlatIntelligencer，\"whichthenextweekhadsuggestedtheexoticcharacterofthecypress，anditsentireabsencefromFiddletown，asareasonableanswertothequery。
Indeed，itwasthistendencytoelaborateherfeelingsinametricalmanner，anddeliverthemtothecoldworldthroughthemediumofthenewspapers，thatfirstattractedtheattentionofTretherick。SeveralpoemsdescriptiveoftheeffectsofCaliforniasceneryuponatoosensitivesoul，andofthevagueyearningsfortheinfinite，whichanenforcedstudyoftheheartlessnessofCaliforniasocietyproducedinthepoeticbreast，impressedMr。
Tretherick，whowasthendrivingasix-mulefreight-wagonbetweenKnight’sFerryandStockton，toseekouttheunknownpoetess。Mr。
Tretherickwashimselfdimlyconsciousofacertainhiddensentimentinhisownnature；anditispossiblethatsomereflectionsonthevanityofhispursuit，——hesuppliedseveralmining-campswithwhiskeyandtobacco，——inconjunctionwiththedrearinessofthedustyplainonwhichhehabituallydrove，mayhavetouchedsomechordinsympathywiththissensitivewoman。
Howbeit，afterabriefcourtship，——asbriefaswasconsistentwithsomepreviouslegalformalities，——theyweremarried；andMr。
TretherickbroughthisblushingbridetoFiddletown，or\"Fideletown，\"asMrs。Tretherickpreferredtocallitinherpoems。
Theunionwasnotafelicitousone。ItwasnotlongbeforeMr。
TretherickdiscoveredthatthesentimenthehadfosteredwhilefreightingbetweenStocktonandKnight’sFerrywasdifferentfromthatwhichhiswifehadevolvedfromthecontemplationofCaliforniasceneryandherownsoul。Beingamanofimperfectlogic，thiscausedhimtobeather；andshe，beingequallyfaultyindeduction，wasimpelledtoacertaindegreeofunfaithfulnessonthesamepremise。ThenMr。Tretherickbegantodrink，andMrs。
Trethericktocontributeregularlytothecolumnsof\"TheAvalanche。\"ItwasatthistimethatCol。StarbottlediscoveredasimilarityinMrs。Tretherick’sversetothegeniusofSappho，andpointeditouttothecitizensofFiddletowninatwo-columnedcriticism，signed\"A。S。，\"alsopublishedin\"TheAvalanche，\"andsupportedbyextensivequotation。As\"TheAvalanche\"didnotpossessafontofGreektype，theeditorwasobligedtoreproducetheLeucadiannumbersintheordinaryRomanletter，totheintensedisgustofCol。Starbottle，andthevastdelightofFiddletown，whosawfittoacceptthetextasanexcellentimitationofChoctaw，——alanguagewithwhichthecolonel，asawhilomresidentoftheIndianTerritories，wassupposedtobefamiliar。Indeed，thenextweek’s\"Intelligencer\"containedsomeviledoggerel，supposedtobeananswertoMrs。Tretherick’spoem，ostensiblywrittenbythewifeofaDiggerIndianchief，accompaniedbyaglowingeulogium，signed\"A。S。S。\"
Theresultofthisjocularitywasbrieflygiveninalatercopyof\"TheAvalanche。\"\"AnunfortunaterencountertookplaceonMondaylast，betweentheHon。JacksonFlashof\"TheDutchFlatIntelligencer\"andthewell-knownCol。Starbottleofthisplace，infrontoftheEurekasaloon。Twoshotswerefiredbythepartieswithoutinjurytoeither，althoughitissaidthatapassingChinamanreceivedfifteenbuckshotinthecalvesofhislegsfromthecolonel’sdouble-barrelledshot-gun，whichwerenotintendedforhim。JohnwilllearntokeepoutofthewayofMelicanman’sfire-armshereafter。Thecauseoftheaffrayisnotknown，althoughitishintedthatthereisaladyinthecase。Therumorthatpointstoawell-knownandbeautifulpoetesswhoselucubrationshaveoftengracedourcolumnsseemstogaincredencefromthosethatareposted。\"
MeanwhilethepassivenessdisplayedbyTretherickunderthesetryingcircumstanceswasfullyappreciatedinthegulches。\"Theoldman’sheadislevel，\"saidonelong-bootedphilosopher。\"EfthecolonelkillsFlash，Mrs。Tretherickisavenged：ifFlashdropsthecolonel，Tretherickisallright。Eitherway，he’sgotasurething。\"Duringthisdelicateconditionofaffairs，Mrs。Tretherickonedayleftherhusband’shome，andtookrefugeattheFiddletownHotel，withonlytheclothesshehadonherback。Hereshestaidforseveralweeks，duringwhichperioditisonlyjusticetosaythatsheboreherselfwiththestrictestpropriety。
ItwasaclearmorninginearlyspringthatMrs。Tretherick，unattended，leftthehotel，andwalkeddownthenarrowstreettowardthefringeofdarkpineswhichindicatedtheextremelimitsofFiddletown。Thefewloungersatthatearlyhourwerepre-
occupiedwiththedepartureoftheWingdowncoachattheotherextremityofthestreet；andMrs。Tretherickreachedthesuburbsofthesettlementwithoutdiscomposingobservation。Hereshetookacrossstreetorroad，runningatrightangleswiththemainthoroughfareofFiddletown，andpassingthroughabeltofwoodland。
Itwasevidentlytheexclusiveandaristocraticavenueofthetown。
Thedwellingswerefew，ambitious，anduninterruptedbyshops。AndhereshewasjoinedbyCol。Starbottle。
Thegallantcolonel，notwithstandingthatheboretheswellingportwhichusuallydistinguishedhim，thathiscoatwastightlybuttoned，andhisbootstightlyfitting，andthathiscane，hookedoverhisarm，swungjauntily，wasnotentirelyathisease。Mrs。
Tretherick，however，vouchsafedhimagracioussmileandaglanceofherdangerouseyes；andthecolonel，withanembarrassedcoughandaslightstrut，tookhisplaceatherside。
\"Thecoastisclear，\"saidthecolonel，\"andTretherickisoveratDutchFlatonaspree。ThereisnooneinthehousebutaChinaman；andyouneedfearnotroublefromhim。I，\"hecontinued，withaslightinflationofthechestthatimperilledthesecurityofhisbutton，\"Iwillseethatyouareprotectedintheremovalofyourproperty。\"
\"I’msureit’sverykindofyou，andsodisinterested！\"simperedtheladyastheywalkedalong。\"It’ssopleasanttomeetsomeonewhohassoul，——someonetosympathizewithinacommunitysohardenedandheartlessasthis。\"AndMrs。Tretherickcastdownhereyes，butnotuntiltheywroughttheirperfectandacceptedworkuponhercompanion。
\"Yes，certainly，ofcourse，\"saidthecolonel，glancingnervouslyupanddownthestreet，——\"yes，certainly。\"Perceiving，however，thattherewasnooneinsightorhearing，heproceededatoncetoinformMrs。Tretherickthatthegreattroubleofhislife，infact，hadbeenthepossessionoftoomuchsoul。Thatmanywomen——asagentlemanshewouldexcusehim，ofcourse，frommentioningnames——
butmanybeautifulwomenhadoftensoughthissociety，butbeingdeficient，madam，absolutelydeficient，inthisquality，hecouldnotreciprocate。Butwhentwonaturesthoroughlyinsympathy，despisingalikethesordidtrammelsofalowandvulgarcommunity，andtheconventionalrestraintsofahypocriticalsociety，——whentwosoulsinperfectaccordmetandmingledinpoeticalunion，then——butherethecolonel’sspeech，whichhadbeenremarkableforacertainwhiskey-and-wateryfluency，grewhusky，almostinaudible，anddecidedlyincoherent。PossiblyMrs。Tretherickmayhaveheardsomethinglikeitbefore，andwasenabledtofillthehiatus。
Nevertheless，thecheekthatwasonthesideofthecolonelwasquitevirginalandbashfullyconsciousuntiltheyreachedtheirdestination。
Itwasaprettylittlecottage，quitefreshandwarmwithpaint，verypleasantlyrelievedagainstaplatoonofpines，someofwhoseforemostfileshadbeendisplacedtogivefreedomtothefencedenclosureinwhichitsat。Inthevividsunlightandperfectsilence，ithadanew，uninhabitedlook，asifthecarpentersandpaintershadjustleftit。Atthefartherendofthelot，aChinamanwasstolidlydigging；buttherewasnoothersignofoccupancy。\"Thecoast，\"asthecolonelhadsaid，wasindeed\"clear。\"Mrs。Tretherickpausedatthegate。Thecolonelwouldhaveenteredwithher，butwasstoppedbyagesture。\"Comeformeinacoupleofhours，andIshallhaveeverythingpacked，\"shesaid，asshesmiled，andextendedherhand。Thecolonelseizedandpresseditwithgreatfervor。Perhapsthepressurewasslightlyreturned；forthegallantcolonelwasimpelledtoinflatehischest，andtripawayassmartlyashisstubby-toed，high-heeledbootswouldpermit。Whenhehadgone，Mrs。Tretherickopenedthedoor，listenedamomentinthedesertedhall，andthenranquicklyupstairstowhathadbeenherbedroom。
Everythingtherewasunchangedasonthenightsheleftit。Onthedressing-tablestoodherbandbox，assherememberedtohaveleftitwhenshetookoutherbonnet。Onthemantlelaytheothergloveshehadforgotteninherflight。Thetwolowerdrawersofthebureauwerehalfopen（shehadforgottentoshutthem）；andonitsmarbletoplayhershawl-pinandasoiledcuff。WhatotherrecollectionscameuponherIknownot；butshesuddenlygrewquitewhite，shivered，andlistenedwithabeatingheart，andherhanduponthedoor。Thenshesteppedtothemirror，andhalffearfully，halfcuriously，partedwithherfingersthebraidsofherblondehairaboveherlittlepinkear，untilshecameuponanugly，half-
healedscar。Shegazedatthis，movingherprettyheadupanddowntogetabetterlightuponit，untiltheslightcastinhervelvetyeyesbecameverystronglymarkedindeed。Thensheturnedawaywithalight，reckless，foolishlaugh，andrantotheclosetwherehungherpreciousdresses。Thesesheinspectednervously，andmissingsuddenlyafavoriteblacksilkfromitsaccustomedpeg，foramoment，thoughtsheshouldhavefainted。Butdiscoveringitthenextinstantlyinguponatrunkwhereshehadthrownit，afeelingofthankfulnesstoasuperiorBeingwhoprotectsthefriendless，forthefirsttimesincerelythrilledher。Then，albeitshewashurriedfortime，shecouldnotresisttryingtheeffectofacertainlavenderneck-ribbonuponthedressshewasthenwearing，beforethemirror。Andthensuddenlyshebecameawareofachild’svoiceclosebesideher，andshestopped。Andthenthechild’svoicerepeated，\"Isitmamma？\"
Mrs。Tretherickfacedquicklyabout。Standinginthedoorwaywasalittlegirlofsixorseven。Herdresshadbeenoriginallyfine，butwastornanddirty；andherhair，whichwasaveryviolentred，wastumbledserio-comicallyaboutherforehead。Forallthis，shewasapicturesquelittlething，eventhroughwhosechildishtimiditytherewasacertainself-sustainedairwhichisapttocomeuponchildrenwhoareleftmuchtothemselves。Shewasholdingunderherarmaragdoll，apparentlyofherownworkmanship，andnearlyaslargeasherself，——adollwithacylindricalhead，andfeaturesroughlyindicatedwithcharcoal。Alongshawl，evidentlybelongingtoagrownperson，droppedfromhershoulders，andsweptthefloor。
ThespectacledidnotexciteMrs。Tretherick’sdelight。Perhapsshehadbutasmallsenseofhumor。Certainly，whenthechild，stillstandinginthedoorway，againasked，\"Isitmamma？\"sheansweredsharply，\"No，itisn’t，\"andturnedaseverelookupontheintruder。
Thechildretreatedastep，andthen，gainingcouragewiththedistance，saidindeliciouslyimperfectspeech，——
\"Dow’waythen！whydon’tyoudowaway？\"
ButMrs。Tretherickwaseyingtheshawl。Suddenlyshewhippeditoffthechild’sshoulders，andsaidangrily，——
\"Howdaredyoutakemythings，youbadchild？\"
\"Isityours？Thenyouaremymamma；ain’tyou？Youaremamma！\"
shecontinuedgleefully；and，beforeMrs。Tretherickcouldavoidher，shehaddroppedherdoll，and，catchingthewoman’sskirtswithbothhands，wasdancingupanddownbeforeher。
\"What’syourname，child？\"saidMrs。Tretherickcoldly，removingthesmallandnotverywhitehandsfromhergarments。
\"Tarry。\"
\"Tarry？\"
\"Yeth。Tarry。Tarowline。\"
\"Caroline？\"
\"Yeth。TarowlineTretherick。\"
\"WhosechildAREyou？\"demandedMrs。Tretherickstillmorecoldly，tokeepdownarisingfear。
\"Why，yours，\"saidthelittlecreaturewithalaugh。\"I’myourlittledurl。You’remymamma，mynewmamma。Don’tyouknowmyolemamma’sdornaway，nevertoturnbackanymore？Idon’tlivewidmyol’mammanow。Ilivewidyouandpapa。\"
\"Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？\"askedMrs。Trethericksnappishly。
\"Ifinkit’sfreedays，\"saidCarryreflectively。
\"Youthink！Don’tyouknow？\"sneeredMrs。Tretherick。\"Then，wheredidyoucomefrom？\"
Carry’slipbegantoworkunderthissharpcross-examination。Withagreateffortandasmallgulp，shegotthebetterofit，andanswered，——
\"Papa，papafetchedme，——fromMissSimmons——fromSacramento，lastweek。\"
\"Lastweek！Yousaidthreedaysjustnow，\"returnedMrs。Tretherickwithseveredeliberation。
\"Imeanamonf，\"saidCarry，nowutterlyadriftinsheerhelplessnessandconfusion。
\"Doyouknowwhatyouaretalkingabout？\"demandedMrs。Tretherickshrilly，restraininganimpulsetoshakethelittlefigurebeforeher，andprecipitatethetruthbyspecificgravity。
ButtheflamingredheadheresuddenlydisappearedinthefoldsofMrs。Tretherick’sdress，asifitweretryingtoextinguishitselfforever。
\"Therenow——stopthatsniffling，\"saidMrs。Tretherick，extricatingherdressfromthemoistembracesofthechild，andfeelingexceedinglyuncomfortable。\"Wipeyourfacenow，andrunaway，anddon’tbother。Stop，\"shecontinued，asCarrymovedaway。\"Where’syourpapa？\"
\"He’sdornawaytoo。He’ssick。He’sbeendorn\"——shehesitated——
\"two，free，days。\"
\"Whotakescareofyou，child？\"saidMrs。Tretherick，eyinghercuriously。
\"John，theChinaman。Itressesmyselth。Johntooksandmakesthebeds。\"
\"Well，now，runawayandbehaveyourself，anddon’tbothermeanymore，\"saidMrs。Tretherick，rememberingtheobjectofhervisit。
\"Stop——whereareyougoing？\"sheadded，asthechildbegantoascendthestairs，draggingthelongdollafterherbyonehelplessleg。
\"Doinupstairstoplayandbedood，andnobothermamma。\"
\"Iain’tyourmamma，\"shoutedMrs。Tretherick，andthensheswiftlyre-enteredherbedroom，andslammedthedoor。
Onceinside，shedrewforthalargetrunkfromthecloset，andsettoworkwithquerulousandfretfulhastetopackherwardrobe。Shetoreherbestdressintakingitfromthehookonwhichithung：
shescratchedhersofthandstwicewithanambushedpin。Allthewhile，shekeptupanindignantcommentaryontheeventsofthepastfewmoments。Shesaidtoherselfshesawitall。Tretherickhadsentforthischildofhisfirstwife——thischildofwhoseexistencehehadneverseemedtocare——justtoinsulther，tofillherplace。Doubtlessthefirstwifeherselfwouldfollowsoon，orperhapstherewouldbeathird。Redhair，notauburn，butRED，——ofcoursethechild，thisCaroline，lookedlikeitsmother，and，ifso，shewasanythingbutpretty。Orthewholethinghadbeenprepared：thisred-hairedchild，theimageofitsmother，hadbeenkeptataconvenientdistanceatSacramento，readytobesentforwhenneeded。Sherememberedhisoccasionalvisitsthereon——
business，ashesaid。Perhapsthemotheralreadywasthere；butno，shehadgoneEast。Nevertheless，Mrs。Tretherick，inherthenstateofmind，preferredtodwelluponthefactthatshemightbethere。Shewasdimlyconscious，also，ofacertainsatisfactioninexaggeratingherfeelings。Surelynowomanhadeverbeensoshamefullyabused。Infancy，shesketchedapictureofherselfsittingaloneanddeserted，atsunset，amongthefallencolumnsofaruinedtemple，inamelancholyyetgracefulattitude，whileherhusbanddroverapidlyawayinaluxuriouscoach-and-four，withared-hairedwomanathisside。Sittinguponthetrunkshehadjustpacked，shepartlycomposedalugubriouspoem，describinghersufferings，as，wanderingalone，andpoorlyclad，shecameuponherhusbandand\"another\"flauntinginsilksanddiamonds。Shepicturedherselfdyingofconsumption，broughtonbysorrow，——abeautifulwreck，yetstillfascinating，gazeduponadoringlybytheeditorof\"TheAvalanche，\"andCol。Starbottle。AndwherewasCol。
Starbottleallthiswhile？Whydidn’thecome？He，atleast，understoodher。He——shelaughedthereckless，lightlaughofafewmomentsbefore；andthenherfacesuddenlygrewgrave，asithadnotafewmomentsbefore。
Whatwasthatlittlered-hairedimpdoingallthistime？Whywasshesoquiet？Sheopenedthedoornoiselessly，andlistened。Shefanciedthatsheheard，abovethemultitudinoussmallnoisesandcreakingsandwarpingsofthevacanthouse，asmallervoicesingingonthefloorabove。This，assheremembered，wasonlyanopenatticthathadbeenusedasastoreroom。Withahalf-guiltyconsciousness，shecreptsoftlyupstairs，and，pushingthedoorpartlyopen，lookedwithin。
Athwartthelong，low-studdedattic，aslantsunbeamfromasinglesmallwindowlay，filledwithdancingmotes，andonlyhalfilluminatingthebarren，drearyapartment。Intherayofthissunbeamshesawthechild’sglowinghair，asifcrownedbyaredaureola，asshesatuponthefloorwithherexaggerateddollbetweenherknees。Sheappearedtobetalkingtoit；anditwasnotlongbeforeMrs。Tretherickobservedthatshewasrehearsingtheinterviewofahalf-hourbefore。Shecatechisedthedollseverely，cross-examiningitinregardtothedurationofitsstaythere，andgenerallyonthemeasureoftime。TheimitationofMrs。
Tretherick’smannerwasexceedinglysuccessful，andtheconversationalmostaliteralreproduction，withasingleexception。Aftershehadinformedthedollthatshewasnothermother，atthecloseoftheinterviewsheaddedpathetically，\"thatifshewasdood，verydood，shemightbehermamma，andloveherverymuch。\"
IhavealreadyhintedthatMrs。Tretherickwasdeficientinasenseofhumor。Perhapsitwasforthisreasonthatthiswholesceneaffectedhermostunpleasantly；andtheconclusionsentthebloodtinglingtohercheek。Therewassomething，too，inconceivablylonelyinthesituation。Theunfurnishedvacantroom，thehalf-
lights，themonstrousdoll，whoseverysizeseemedtogiveapatheticsignificancetoitsspeechlessness，thesmallnessoftheoneanimate，self-centredfigure，——allthesetouchedmoreorlessdeeplythehalf-poeticsensibilitiesofthewoman。Shecouldnothelputilizingtheimpressionasshestoodthere，andthoughtwhatafinepoemmightbeconstructedfromthismaterial，iftheroomwerealittledarker，thechildlonelier，——say，sittingbesideadeadmother’sbier，andthewindwailingintheturrets。Andthenshesuddenlyheardfootstepsatthedoorbelow，andrecognizedthetreadofthecolonel’scane。
Sheflewswiftlydownthestairs，andencounteredthecolonelinthehall。Hereshepouredintohisastonishedearavolubleandexaggeratedstatementofherdiscovery，andindignantrecitalofherwrongs。\"Don’ttellmethewholethingwasn’tarrangedbeforehand；forIknowitwas！\"shealmostscreamed。\"Andthink，\"
sheadded，\"oftheheartlessnessofthewretch，leavinghisownchildalonehereinthatway。\"
\"It’sablankshame！\"stammeredthecolonelwithouttheleastideaofwhathewastalkingabout。Infact，utterlyunableashewastocomprehendareasonforthewoman’sexcitementwithhisestimateofhercharacter，Ifearheshoweditmoreplainlythanheintended。
Hestammered，expandedhischest，lookedstern，gallant，tender，butallunintelligently。Mrs。Tretherick，foraninstant，experiencedasickeningdoubtoftheexistenceofnaturesinperfectaffinity。
\"It’sofnouse，\"saidMrs。Tretherickwithsuddenvehemence，inanswertosomeinaudibleremarkofthecolonel’s，andwithdrawingherhandfromtheferventgraspofthatardentandsympatheticman。