\"It’sofnouse：mymindismadeup。Youcansendformytrunkassoonasyoulike；butIshallstayhere，andconfrontthatmanwiththeproofofhisvileness。Iwillputhimfacetofacewithhisinfamy。\"
IdonotknowwhetherCol。StarbottlethoroughlyappreciatedtheconvincingproofofTretherick’sunfaithfulnessandmalignityaffordedbythedamningevidenceoftheexistenceofTretherick’sownchildinhisownhouse。Hewasdimlyaware，however，ofsomeunforeseenobstacletotheperfectexpressionoftheinfinitelongingofhisownsentimentalnature。But，beforehecouldsayanything，Carryappearedonthelandingabovethem，lookingtimidly，andyethalf-criticallyatthepair。
\"That’sher，\"saidMrs。Tretherickexcitedly。Inherdeepestemotions，eitherinverseorprose，sheroseaboveaconsiderationofgrammaticalconstruction。
\"Ah！\"saidthecolonel，withasuddenassumptionofparentalaffectionandjocularitythatwasglaringlyunrealandaffected。
\"Ah！prettylittlegirl，prettylittlegirl！Howdoyoudo？Howareyou？Youfindyourselfprettywell，doyou，prettylittlegirl？\"Thecolonel’simpulsealsowastoexpandhischest，andswinghiscane，untilitoccurredtohimthatthisactionmightbeineffectivewithachildofsixorseven。Carry，however，tooknoimmediatenoticeofthisadvance，butfurtherdiscomposedthechivalrouscolonelbyrunningquicklytoMrs。Tretherick，andhidingherself，asifforprotection，inthefoldsofhergown。
Nevertheless，thecolonelwasnotvanquished。Fallingbackintoanattitudeofrespectfuladmiration，hepointedoutamarvellousresemblancetothe\"MadonnaandChild。\"Mrs。Trethericksimpered，butdidnotdislodgeCarryasbefore。Therewasanawkwardpauseforamoment；andthenMrs。Tretherick，motioningsignificantlytothechild，saidinawhisper，\"Gonow。Don’tcomehereagain，butmeetmeto-nightatthehotel。\"Sheextendedherhand：thecolonelbentoveritgallantly，and，raisinghishat，thenextmomentwasgone。
\"Doyouthink，\"saidMrs。Tretherickwithanembarrassedvoiceandaprodigiousblush，lookingdown，andaddressingthefierycurlsjustvisibleinthefoldsofherdress，——\"doyouthinkyouwillbe’dood，’ifIletyoustayinhereandsitwithme？\"
\"Andletmetallyoumamma？\"queriedCarry，lookingup。
\"Andletyoucallmemamma！\"assentedMrs。Tretherickwithanembarrassedlaugh。
\"Yeth，\"saidCarrypromptly。
Theyenteredthebedroomtogether。Carry’seyeinstantlycaughtsightofthetrunk。
\"Areyoudowinawayadain，mamma？\"shesaidwithaquicknervouslook，andaclutchatthewoman’sdress。
\"No-o，\"saidMrs。Tretherick，lookingoutofthewindow。
\"Onlyplayingyourdowinaway，\"suggestedCarrywithalaugh。\"Letmeplaytoo。\"
Mrs。Tretherickassented。Carryflewintothenextroom，andpresentlyre-appeared，draggingasmalltrunk，intowhichshegravelyproceededtopackherclothes。Mrs。Trethericknoticedthattheywerenotmany。Aquestionortworegardingthembroughtoutsomefurtherrepliesfromthechild；and，beforemanyminuteshadelapsed，Mrs。Tretherickwasinpossessionofallherearlierhistory。But，todothis，Mrs。TretherickhadbeenobligedtotakeCarryuponherlap，pendingthemostconfidentialdisclosures。
TheysatthusalongtimeafterMrs。TretherickhadapparentlyceasedtobeinterestedinCarry’sdisclosures；and，whenlostinthought，sheallowedthechildtorattleonunheeded，andranherfingersthroughthescarletcurls。
\"Youdon’tholdmeright，mamma，\"saidCarryatlast，afteroneortwouneasyshiftingsofposition。
\"HowshouldIholdyou？\"askedMrs。Tretherickwithahalf-amused，half-embarrassedlaugh。
\"Disway，\"saidCarry，curlingupintoposition，withonearmaroundMrs。Tretherick’sneck，andhercheekrestingonherbosom，——
\"disway，——dere。\"Afteralittlepreparatorynestling，notunlikesomesmallanimal，sheclosedhereyes，andwenttosleep。
Forafewmomentsthewomansatsilent，scarcelydaringtobreatheinthatartificialattitude。Andthen，whetherfromsomeoccultsympathyinthetouch，orGodbestknowswhat，asuddenfancybegantothrillher。Shebeganbyrememberinganoldpainthatshehadforgotten，anoldhorrorthatshehadresolutelyputawayalltheseyears。Sherecalleddaysofsicknessanddistrust，——daysofanovershadowingfear，——daysofpreparationforsomethingthatwastobeprevented，thatWASprevented，withmortalagonyandfear。Shethoughtofalifethatmighthavebeen，——shedarednotsayHAD
been，——andwondered。Itwassixyearsago：ifithadlived，itwouldhavebeenasoldasCarry。Thearmswhichwerefoldedlooselyaroundthesleepingchildbegantotremble，andtightentheirclasp。Andthenthedeeppotentialimpulsecame，andwithahalf-sob，half-sigh，shethrewherarmsout，anddrewthebodyofthesleepingchilddown，down，intoherbreast，downagainandagainasifshewouldhideitinthegravedugthereyearsbefore。
Andthegustthatshookherpassed，andthen，ahme！therain。
AdroportwofelluponthecurlsofCarry，andshemoveduneasilyinhersleep。Butthewomansoothedheragain，——itwassoeasytodoitnow，——andtheysattherequietandundisturbed，soquietthattheymighthaveseemedincorporateofthelonelysilenthouse，theslowly-decliningsunbeams，andthegeneralairofdesertionandabandonment，yetadesertionthathadinitnothingofage，decay，ordespair。
Col。StarbottlewaitedattheFiddletownhotelallthatnightinvain。Andthenextmorning，whenMr。Tretherickreturnedtohishusks，hefoundthehousevacantanduntenanted，exceptbymotesandsunbeams。
WhenitwasfairlyknownthatMrs。Tretherickhadrunaway，takingMr。Tretherick’sownchildwithher，therewassomeexcitement，andmuchdiversityofopinion，inFiddletown。\"TheDutchFlatIntelligencer\"openlyalludedtothe\"forcibleabduction\"ofthechildwiththesamefreedom，anditistobefearedthesameprejudice，withwhichithadcriticisedtheabductor’spoetry。AllofMrs。Tretherick’sownsex，andperhapsafewoftheoppositesex，whosedistinctivequalitywasnot，however，verystronglyindicated，fullycoincidedintheviewsof\"TheIntelligencer。\"
Themajority，however，evadedthemoralissue：thatMrs。TretherickhadshakenthereddustofFiddletownfromherdaintyslipperswasenoughforthemtoknow。Theymournedthelossofthefairabductormorethanheroffence。TheypromptlyrejectedTretherickasaninjuredhusbandanddisconsolatefather，andevenwentsofarastoopenlycastdiscreditonthesincerityofhisgrief。TheyreservedanironicalcondolenceforCol。Starbottle，overbearingthatexcellentmanwithuntimelyanddemonstrativesympathyinbar-
rooms，saloons，andotherlocalitiesnotgenerallydeemedfavorabletothedisplayofsentiment。\"Shewasallizaskittishthing，kernel，\"saidonesympathizer，withafineaffectationofgloomyconcern，andgreatreadinessofillustration；\"andit’skindernat’rilthetshe’dgetawaysomeday，andstampedethattheercolt：
butthetsheshouldshakeYOU，kernel，thetsheshouldjustshakeyou——iswhatgitsme。Andtheydosaythetyoujisthungaroundthethotelallnight，andpayrolledthemcorriders，andhistedyourselfupanddownthemstairs，andmeanderedinandouto’thetpiazzy，andallfornothing？\"Itwasanothergenerousandtenderlycommiseratingspiritthatpouredadditionaloilandwineonthecolonel’swounds。\"TheboysyerletonthetMrs。Tretherickprevailedonyetopackhertrunkandababyoverfromthehousetothestage-offis，andthatthechapezdidgooffwithherthankedyou，andofferedyoutwoshortbits，andsedezhowhelikedyourlooks，andudemployyouagin——andnowyousayitain’tso？Well，I’lltelltheboysitaintso，andI’mgladImetyou，forstoriesDOgetround。\"
HappilyforMrs。Tretherick’sreputation，however，theChinamaninTretherick’semployment，whowastheonlyeye-witnessofherflight，statedthatshewasunaccompanied，exceptbythechild。Hefurtherdeposed，that，obeyingherorders，hehadstoppedtheSacramentocoach，andsecuredapassageforherselfandchildtoSanFrancisco。ItwastruethatAhFe’stestimonywasofnolegalvalue。Butnobodydoubtedit。EventhosewhowerescepticalofthePagan’sabilitytorecognizethesacrednessofthetruthadmittedhispassionless，unprejudicedunconcern。Butitwouldappear，fromahithertounrecordedpassageofthisveraciouschronicle，thathereintheyweremistaken。
ItwasaboutsixmonthsafterthedisappearanceofMrs。Tretherick，thatAhFe，whileworkinginTretherick’slot，washailedbytwopassingChinamen。Theyweretheordinaryminingcoolies，equippedwithlongpolesandbasketsfortheirusualpilgrimages。AnanimatedconversationatonceensuedbetweenAhFeandhisbrotherMongolians，——aconversationcharacterizedbythatusualshrillvolubilityandapparentanimositywhichwasatoncethedelightandscornoftheintelligentCaucasianwhodidnotunderstandawordofit。Such，atleast，wasthefeelingwithwhichMr。Tretherickonhisveranda，andCol。Starbottlewhowaspassing，regardedtheirheathenishjargon。Thegallantcolonelsimplykickedthemoutofhisway：theirateTretherick，withanoath，threwastoneatthegroup，anddispersedthem。butnotbeforeoneortwoslipsofyellowrice-paper，markedwithhieroglyphics，wereexchanged，andasmallparcelputintoAhFe’shands。WhenAhFeopenedthisinthedimsolitudeofhiskitchen，hefoundalittlegirl’sapron，freshlywashed，ironed，andfolded。Onthecornerofthehemweretheinitials\"C。T。\"AhFetuckeditawayinacornerofhisblouse，andproceededtowashhisdishesinthesinkwithasmileofguilelesssatisfaction。
Twodaysafterthis，AhFeconfrontedhismaster。\"MenolikeeFiddletown。Mebellysick。Megonow。\"Mr。Tretherickviolentlysuggestedaprofanelocality。AhFegazedathimplacidly，andwithdrew。
BeforeleavingFiddletown，however，heaccidentallymetCol。
Starbottle，anddroppedafewincoherentphraseswhichapparentlyinterestedthatgentleman。Whenheconcluded，thecolonelhandedhimaletterandatwenty-dollargold-piece。\"Ifyoubringmeananswer，I’lldoublethat——Sabe，John？\"AhFenodded。Aninterviewequallyaccidental，withpreciselythesameresult，tookplacebetweenAhFeandanothergentleman，whomIsuspecttohavebeentheyouthfuleditorof\"TheAvalanche。\"YetIregrettostate，that，afterproceedingsomedistanceonhisjourney，AhFecalmlybrokethesealsofbothletters，and，aftertryingtoreadthemupsidedownandsideways，finallydividedthemintoaccuratesquares，andinthisconditiondisposedofthemtoabrotherCelestialwhomhemetontheroad，foratriflinggratuity。TheagonyofCol。Starbottleonfindinghiswash-billmadeoutontheunwrittensideofoneofthesesquares，anddeliveredtohimwithhisweeklycleanclothes，andthesubsequentdiscoverythattheremainingportionsofhisletterwerecirculatedbythesamemethodfromtheChineselaundryofoneFungTiofFiddletown，hasbeendescribedtomeaspeculiarlyaffecting。YetIamsatisfiedthatahighernature，risingabovethelevityinducedbythemerecontemplationoftheinsignificantdetailsofthisbreachoftrust，wouldfindampleretributivejusticeinthedifficultiesthatsubsequentlyattendedAhFe’spilgrimage。
OntheroadtoSacramentohewastwiceplayfullythrownfromthetopofthestage-coachbyanintelligentbutdeeply-intoxicatedCaucasian，whosemoralnaturewasshockedatridingwithoneaddictedtoopium-smoking。AtHangtownhewasbeatenbyapassingstranger，——purelyanactofChristiansupererogation。AtDutchFlathewasrobbedbywell-knownhandsfromunknownmotives。AtSacramentohewasarrestedonsuspicionofbeingsomethingorother，anddischargedwithaseverereprimand——possiblyfornotbeingit，andsodelayingthecourseofjustice。AtSanFranciscohewasfreelystonedbychildrenofthepublicschools；but，bycarefullyavoidingthesemonumentsofenlightenedprogress，heatlastreached，incomparativesafety，theChinesequarters，wherehisabusewasconfinedtothepolice，andlimitedbythestrongarmofthelaw。
Thenextdayheenteredthewash-houseofChyFookasanassistant，andonthefollowingFridaywassentwithabasketofcleanclothestoChyFook’sseveralclients。
Itwastheusualfoggyafternoonasheclimbedthelongwind-swepthillofCaliforniaStreet，——oneofthosebleak，grayintervalsthatmadethesummeramisnomertoanybuttheliveliestSanFranciscanfancy。Therewasnowarmthorcolorinearthorsky，nolightnorshadewithinorwithout，onlyonemonotonous，universalneutraltintovereverything。Therewasafierceunrestinthewind-
whippedstreets：therewasadrearyvacantquietinthegrayhouses。WhenAhFereachedthetopofthehill，theMissionRidgewasalreadyhidden；andthechillsea-breezemadehimshiver。Asheputdownhisbaskettoresthimself，itispossible，that，tohisdefectiveintelligenceandheathenexperience，this\"God’sownclimate，\"asitwascalled，seemedtopossessbutscanttenderness，softness，ormercy。ButitispossiblethatAhFeillogicallyconfoundedthisseasonwithhisoldpersecutors，theschool-
children，who，beingreleasedfromstudiousconfinement，atthishourweregenerallymostaggressive。Sohehastenedon，and，turningacorner，atlaststoppedbeforeasmallhouse。
ItwastheusualSanFranciscanurbancottage。Therewasthelittlestripofcoldgreenshrubberybeforeit；thechilly，bareveranda，andabovethis，again，thegrimbalcony，onwhichnoonesat。AhFerangthebell。Aservantappeared，glancedathisbasket，andreluctantlyadmittedhim，asifheweresomenecessarydomesticanimal。AhFesilentlymountedthestairs，and，enteringtheopendoorofthefront-chamber，putdownthebasket，andstoodpassivelyonthethreshold。
Awoman，whowassittinginthecoldgraylightofthewindow，withachildinherlap，roselistlessly，andcametowardhim。AhFeinstantlyrecognizedMrs。Tretherick；butnotamuscleofhisimmobilefacechanged，nordidhisslanteyeslightenashemetherownplacidly。Sheevidentlydidnotrecognizehimasshebegantocounttheclothes。Butthechild，curiouslyexamininghim，suddenlyutteredashort，gladcry。
\"Why，it’sJohn，mamma！It’souroldJohnwhatwehadinFiddletown。\"
ForaninstantAhFe’seyesandteethelectricallylightened。Thechildclappedherhands，andcaughtathisblouse。Thenhesaidshortly，\"MeJohn——AhFe——alleesame。Meknowyou。Howdo？\"
Mrs。Tretherickdroppedtheclothesnervously，andlookedhardatAhFe。Wantingthequick-wittedinstinctofaffectionthatsharpenedCarry’sperception，sheeventhencouldnotdistinguishhimabovehisfellows。Witharecollectionofpastpain，andanobscuresuspicionofimpendingdanger，sheaskedhimwhenhehadleftFiddletown。
\"Longeetime。NolikeeFiddletown，nolikeeTlevelick。LikeeSanFlisco。Likeewashee。LikeeTally。\"
AhFe’slaconicspleasedMrs。Tretherick。ShedidnotstoptoconsiderhowmuchanimperfectknowledgeofEnglishaddedtohiscurtdirectnessandsincerity。Butshesaid，\"Don’ttellanybodyyouhaveseenme，\"andtookoutherpocket-book。
AhFe，withoutlookingatit，sawthatitwasnearlyempty。AhFe，withoutexaminingtheapartment，sawthatitwasscantilyfurnished。AhFe，withoutremovinghiseyesfromblankvacancy，sawthatbothMrs。TretherickandCarrywerepoorlydressed。YetitismydutytostatethatAhFe’slongfingersclosedpromptlyandfirmlyoverthehalf-dollarwhichMrs。Tretherickextendedtohim。
Thenhebegantofumbleinhisblousewithaseriesofextraordinarycontortions。Afterafewmoments，heextractedfromapparentlynoparticularplaceachild’sapron，whichhelaiduponthebasketwiththeremark，——
\"Onepieceewashmanflagittee。\"
Thenhebegananewhisfumblingsandcontortions。Atlasthiseffortswererewardedbyhisproducing，apparentlyfromhisrightear，amany-foldedpieceoftissue-paper。Unwrappingthiscarefully，heatlastdisclosedtwotwenty-dollargold-pieces，whichhehandedtoMrs。Tretherick。
\"Youleaveemoneytopsideofblulow，Fiddletown。Mefindeemoney。
Mefetcheemoneytoyou。Alllightee。\"
\"ButIleftnomoneyonthetopofthebureau，John，\"saidMrs。
Tretherickearnestly。\"Theremustbesomemistake。Itbelongstosomeotherperson。Takeitback，John。\"
AhFe’sbrowdarkened。HedrewawayfromMrs。Tretherick’sextendedhand，andbeganhastilytogatheruphisbasket。
\"Menotakeeitback。No，no！Bimebypleesmanhecatcheeme。Hesay，’Goddamnthief！——catcheeflowtydollar：cometojailee。’Menotakeeback。Youleaveemoneytop-sideblulow，Fiddletown。Mefetcheemoneyyou。Menotakeeback。\"
Mrs。Tretherickhesitated。Intheconfusionofherflight，sheMIGHThaveleftthemoneyinthemannerhehadsaid。Inanyevent，shehadnorighttojeopardizethishonestChinaman’ssafetybyrefusingit。Soshesaid，\"Verywell。John，Iwillkeepit。Butyoumustcomeagainandseeme\"——hereMrs。Tretherickhesitatedwithanewandsuddenrevelationofthefactthatanymancouldwishtoseeanyotherthanherself——\"and，and——Carry。\"
AhFe’sfacelightened。Heevenutteredashortventriloquisticlaughwithoutmovinghismouth。Thenshoulderinghisbasket，heshutthedoorcarefully，andslidquietlydownstairs。Inthelowerhallhe，however，foundanunexpecteddifficultyinopeningthefront-door，and，afterfumblingvainlyatthelockforamoment，lookedaroundforsomehelporinstruction。ButtheIrishhandmaidwhohadlethiminwascontemptuouslyobliviousofhisneeds，anddidnotappear。
Thereoccurredamysteriousandpainfulincident，whichIshallsimplyrecordwithoutattemptingtoexplain。Onthehall-tableascarf，evidentlythepropertyoftheservantbeforealludedto，waslying。AsAhFetriedthelockwithonehand，theotherrestedlightlyonthetable。Suddenly，andapparentlyofitsownvolition，thescarfbegantocreepslowlytowardsAhFe’shand；
fromAhFe’shanditbegantocreepuphissleeveslowly，andwithaninsinuating，snake-likemotion；andthendisappearedsomewhereintherecessesofhisblouse。Withoutbetrayingtheleastinterestorconcerninthisphenomenon，AhFestillrepeatedhisexperimentsuponthelock。Amomentlaterthetableclothofreddamask，movedbyapparentlythesamemysteriousimpulse，slowlygathereditselfunderAhFe’sfingers，andsinuouslydisappearedbythesamehiddenchannel。Whatfurthermysterymighthavefollowed，Icannotsay；foratthismomentAhFediscoveredthesecretofthelock，andwasenabledtoopenthedoorcoincidentwiththesoundoffootstepsuponthekitchen-stairs。AhFedidnothastenhismovements，but，patientlyshoulderinghisbasket，closedthedoorcarefullybehindhimagain，andsteppedforthintothethickencompassingfogthatnowshroudedearthandsky。
Fromherhighcasement-window，Mrs。TretherickwatchedAhFe’sfigureuntilitdisappearedinthegraycloud。Inherpresentloneliness，shefeltakeensenseofgratitudetowardhim，andmayhaveascribedtothehigheremotionsandtheconsciousnessofagooddeed，thatcertainexpansivenessofthechest，andswellingofthebosom，thatwasreallyduetothehiddenpresenceofthescarfandtableclothunderhisblouse。ForMrs。Tretherickwasstillpoeticallysensitive。Asthegrayfogdeepenedintonight，shedrewCarryclosertowardsher，and，abovetheprattleofthechild，pursuedaveinofsentimentalandegotisticrecollectionatoncebitteranddangerous。ThesuddenapparitionofAhFelinkedheragainwithherpastlifeatFiddletown。Overthedrearyintervalbetween，shewasnowwandering，——ajourneysopiteous，wilful，thorny，anduseless，thatitwasnowonderthatatlastCarrystoppedsuddenlyinthemidstofhervolubleconfidencestothrowhersmallarmsaroundthewoman’sneck，andbidhernottocry。
HeavenforefendthatIshoulduseapenthatshouldbeeverdedicatedtoanexpositionofunalterablemoralprincipletotranscribeMrs。Tretherick’sowntheoryofthisintervalandepisode，withitsfeeblepalliations，itsillogicaldeductions，itsfondexcuses，andweakapologies。Itwouldseem，however，thatherexperiencehadbeenhard。Herslenderstockofmoneywassoonexhausted。AtSacramentoshefoundthatthecompositionofverse，althoughappealingtothehighestemotionsofthehumanheart，andcompellingtheeditorialbreasttothenoblestcommendationintheeditorialpages，wassingularlyinadequatetodefraytheexpensesofherselfandCarry。Thenshetriedthestage，butfailedsignally。PossiblyherconceptionofthepassionswasdifferentfromthatwhichobtainedwithaSacramentoaudience；butitwascertainthathercharmingpresence，soeffectiveatshortrange，wasnotsufficientlypronouncedforthefootlights。Shehadadmirersenoughinthegreen-room，butawakenednoabidingaffectionamongtheaudience。Inthisstrait，itoccurredtoherthatshehadavoice，——acontraltoofnoverygreatcompassorcultivation，butsingularlysweetandtouching；andshefinallyobtainedpositioninachurch-choir。Shehelditforthreemonths，greatlytoherpecuniaryadvantage，and，itissaid，muchtothesatisfactionofthegentlemenintheback-pews，whofacedtowardherduringthesingingofthelasthymn。
Irememberherquitedistinctlyatthistime。ThelightthatslantedthroughtheorielofSt。Diveschoirwaswonttofallverytenderlyonherbeautifulheadwithitsstackedmassesofdeerskin-
coloredhair，onthelowblackarchesofherbrows，andtodeepentheprettyfringesthatshadedhereyesofGenoavelvet。Verypleasantitwastowatchtheopeningandshuttingofthatsmallstraightmouth，withitsquickrevelationoflittlewhiteteeth，andtoseethefoolishbloodfaintlydeepenhersatincheekasyouwatched。ForMrs。Tretherickwasverysweetlyconsciousofadmiration，and，likemostprettywomen，gatheredherselfunderyoureyelikearacerunderthespur。
Andthen，ofcourse，therecametrouble。Ihaveitfromthesoprano，——alittleladywhopossessedevenmorethantheusualunprejudicedjudgmentofhersex，——thatMrs。Tretherick’sconductwassimplyshameful；thatherconceitwasunbearable；that，ifsheconsideredtherestofthechoirasslaves，she（thesoprano）wouldliketoknowit；thatherconductonEasterSundaywiththebassohadattractedtheattentionofthewholecongregation；andthatsheherselfhadnoticedDr。Copetwicelookupduringtheservice；thather（thesoprano’s）friendshadobjectedtohersinginginthechoirwithapersonwhohadbeenonthestage，butshehadwaivedthis。YetshehaditfromthebestauthoritythatMrs。Tretherickhadrunawayfromherhusband，andthatthisred-hairedchildwhosometimescameinthechoirwasnotherown。Thetenorconfidedtomebehindtheorgan，thatMrs。Tretherickhadawayofsustaininganoteattheendofalineinorderthathervoicemightlingerlongerwiththecongregation，——anactthatcouldbeattributedonlytoadefectivemoralnature；thatasaman（hewasaverypopulardry-goodsclerkonweek-days，andsangagooddealfromapparentlybehindhiseyebrowsonthesabbath）——thatasaman，sir，hewouldputupwithitnolonger。Thebassoalone——ashortGermanwithaheavyvoice，forwhichheseemedreluctantlyresponsible，andrathergrievedatitspossession——stoodupforMrs。Tretherick，andaverredthattheywerejealousofherbecauseshewas\"bretty。\"
Theclimaxwasatlastreachedinanopenquarrel，whereinMrs。
Tretherickusedhertonguewithsuchprecisionofstatementandepithet，thatthesopranoburstintohystericaltears，andhadtobesupportedfromthechoirbyherhusbandandthetenor。Thisactwasmarkedintentionallytothecongregationbytheomissionoftheusualsopranosolo。Mrs。Tretherickwenthomeflushedwithtriumph，butonreachingherroomfranticallytoldCarrythattheywerebeggarshenceforward；thatshe——hermother——hadjusttakentheverybreadoutofherdarling’smouth，andendedbyburstingintoafloodofpenitenttears。Theydidnotcomesoquicklyasinheroldpoeticaldays；butwhentheycametheystungdeeply。Shewasrousedbyaformalvisitfromavestryman，——oneofthemusiccommittee。Mrs。Tretherickdriedherlonglashes，putonanewneck-ribbon，andwentdowntotheparlor。Shestaidtheretwohours，——afactthatmighthaveoccasionedsomeremark，butthatthevestrymanwasmarried，andhadafamilyofgrown-updaughters。
WhenMrs。Tretherickreturnedtoherroom，shesangtoherselfintheglassandscoldedCarry——butsheretainedherplaceinthechoir。
Itwasnotlong，however。Induecourseoftime，herenemiesreceivedapowerfuladditiontotheirforcesinthecommittee-man’swife。Thatladycalleduponseveralofthechurch-membersandonDr。Cope’sfamily。Theresultwas，that，atalatermeetingofthemusiccommittee，Mrs。Tretherick’svoicewasdeclaredinadequatetothesizeofthebuildingandshewasinvitedtoresign。Shedidso。Shehadbeenoutofasituationfortwomonths，andherscantmeanswerealmostexhausted，whenAhFe’sunexpectedtreasurewastossedintoherlap。
Thegrayfogdeepenedintonight，andthestreet-lampsstartedintoshiveringlife，as，absorbedintheseunprofitablememories，Mrs。
Tretherickstillsatdrearilyatherwindow。EvenCarryhadslippedawayunnoticed；andherabruptentrancewiththedampeveningpaperinherhandrousedMrs。Tretherick，andbroughtherbacktoanactiverealizationofthepresent。ForMrs。Tretherickwaswonttoscantheadvertisementsinthefainthopeoffindingsomeavenueofemployment——sheknewnotwhat——opentoherneeds；
andCarryhadnotedthishabit。
Mrs。Tretherickmechanicallyclosedtheshutters，litthelights，andopenedthepaper。Hereyefellinstinctivelyonthefollowingparagraphinthetelegraphiccolumn：——
\"FIDDLETOWN，7th。——Mr。JamesTretherick，anoldresidentofthisplace，diedlastnightofdeliriumtremens。Mr。Tretherickwasaddictedtointemperatehabits，saidtohavebeeninducedbydomestictrouble。\"
Mrs。Tretherickdidnotstart。Shequietlyturnedoveranotherpageofthepaper，andglancedatCarry。Thechildwasabsorbedinabook。Mrs。Tretherickutterednoword，but，duringtheremainderoftheevening，wasunusuallysilentandcold。WhenCarrywasundressedandinbed，Mrs。Trethericksuddenlydroppedonherkneesbesidethebed，and，takingCarry’sflamingheadbetweenherhands，said，——
\"Shouldyouliketohaveanotherpapa，Carrydarling？\"
\"No，\"saidCarry，afteramoment’sthought。
\"Butapapatohelpmammatakecareofyou，toloveyou，togiveyouniceclothes，tomakealadyofyouwhenyougrowup？\"
Carryturnedhersleepyeyestowardthequestioner。\"ShouldYOU，mamma？\"
Mrs。Trethericksuddenlyflushedtotherootsofherhair。\"Gotosleep，\"shesaidsharply，andturnedaway。
Butatmidnightthechildfelttwowhitearmsclosetightlyaroundher，andwasdrawndownintoabosomthatheaved，fluttered，andatlastwasbrokenupbysobs。
\"Don’tky，mamma，\"whisperedCarry，withavagueretrospectoftheirrecentconversation。\"Don’tky。IfinkISHOULDlikeanewpapa，ifhelovedyouverymuch——very，verymuch！\"
Amonthafterward，toeverybody’sastonishment，Mrs。Tretherickwasmarried。ThehappybridegroomwasoneCol。Starbottle，recentlyelectedtorepresentCalaverasCountyinthelegislativecouncilsoftheState。AsIcannotrecordtheeventinfinerlanguagethanthatusedbythecorrespondentof\"TheSacramentoGlobe，\"Iventuretoquotesomeofhisgracefulperiods。\"TherelentlessshaftsoftheslygodhavebeenlatelybusyamongourgallantSolons。Wequote’onemoreunfortunate。’ThelatestvictimistheHon。C。
StarbottleofCalaveras。Thefairenchantressinthecaseisabeautifulwidow，aformervotaryofThespis，andlatelyafascinatingSt。CeciliaofoneofthemostfashionablechurchesofSanFrancisco，whereshecommandedahighsalary。\"
\"TheDutchFlatIntelligencer\"sawfit，however，tocommentuponthefactwiththathumorousfreedomcharacteristicofanunfetteredpress。\"ThenewDemocraticwar-horsefromCalaverashaslatelyadventedinthelegislaturewithalittlebilltochangethenameofTrethericktoStarbottle。Theycallitamarriage-certificatedownthere。Mr。Tretherickhasbeendeadjustonemonth；butwepresumethegallantcolonelisnotafraidofghosts。\"ItisbutjusttoMrs。Trethericktostatethatthecolonel’svictorywasbynomeansaneasyone。Toanaturaldegreeofcoynessonthepartoftheladywasaddedtheimpedimentofarival，——aprosperousundertakerfromSacramento，whohadfirstseenandlovedMrs。
Tretherickatthetheatreandchurch；hisprofessionalhabitsdebarringhimfromordinarysocialintercourse，andindeedanyotherthanthemostformalpubliccontactwiththesex。Asthisgentlemanhadmadeasnugfortuneduringthefelicitousprevalenceofasevereepidemic，thecolonelregardedhimasadangerousrival。Fortunately，however，theundertakerwascalledinprofessionallytolayoutabrother-senator，whohadunhappilyfallenbythecolonel’spistolinanaffairofhonor；andeitherdeterredbyphysicalconsiderationfromrivalry，orwiselyconcludingthatthecolonelwasprofessionallyvaluable，hewithdrewfromthefield。
Thehoneymoonwasbrief，andbroughttoaclosebyanuntowardincident。Duringtheirbridal-trip，CarryhadbeenplacedinthechargeofCol。Starbottle’ssister。Ontheirreturntothecity，immediatelyonreachingtheirlodgings，Mrs。StarbottleannouncedherintentionofatonceproceedingtoMrs。Culpepper’stobringthechildhome。Col。Starbottle，whohadbeenexhibitingforsometimeacertainuneasinesswhichhehadendeavoredtoovercomebyrepeatedstimulation，finallybuttonedhiscoattightlyacrosshisbreast，and，afterwalkingunsteadilyonceortwiceupanddowntheroom，suddenlyfacedhiswifewithhismostimposingmanner。
\"Ihavedeferred，\"saidthecolonelwithanexaggerationofportthatincreasedwithhisinwardfear，andagrowingthicknessofspeech，——\"Ihavedeferr——Imaysayposhponedstatemento’fackthashmydutyterdishcloseterye。Ididnowishtomarsushinemushalhapp’ness，toblighbudo’promise，todarkenconjuglarskybyunpleashtrevelashun。Mushtbedone——byG-d，m’m，mushtdoitnow。Thechileisgone！\"
\"Gone！\"echoedMrs。Starbottle。
Therewassomethinginthetoneofhervoice，inthesuddendrawing-togetherofthepupilsofhereyes，thatforamomentnearlysoberedthecolonel，andpartlycollapsedhischest。
\"I’llsplainallinaminit，\"hesaidwithadeprecatingwaveofthehand。\"Everythingshallbesplained。The-the-the-melenchollyeventwishpreshipitateourhapp’ness——themyster’usprov’nicewishreleashyou——releashchile！hunerstan？——releashchile。Themom’tTretherickdie——allclaimyouhaveinchilethroughhim——dietoo。
Thashlaw。Whosechileb’longto？Tretherick？Tretherickdead。
Chilecan’tb’longdeadman。Damnnonshenseb’longdeadman。I’shyourchile？no！who’schilethen？Chileb’longto’tsmother。
Unnerstan？\"
\"Whereisshe？\"saidMrs。Starbottlewithaverywhitefaceandaverylowvoice。
\"I’llsplainall。Chileb’longto’tsmother。Thashlaw。I’mlawyer，leshlator，andAmericansis’n。Ishmydutyaslawyer，asleshlator，and’merikansis’ntoreshtorechiletosuff’rinmotheratanycoss——anycoss。\"
\"Whereisshe？\"repeatedMrs。Starbottlewithhereyesstillfixedonthecolonel’sface。
\"Goneto’tsm’o’r。GoneEastonshteamer，yesserday。Waffedbyfav’ringalestosuff’rinp’rent。Thashso！\"
Mrs。Starbottledidnotmove。Thecolonelfelthischestslowlycollapsing，butsteadiedhimselfagainstachair，andendeavoredtobeamwithchivalrousgallantrynotunmixedwithmagisterialfirmnessuponherasshesat。
\"Yourfeelin’s，m’m，dohonortoyersex，butconshidersituashun。
Conshiderm’or’sfeelings——conshiderMYfeelin’s。\"Thecolonelpaused，and，flourishingawhitehandkerchief，placeditnegligentlyinhisbreast，andthensmiledtenderlyaboveit，asoverlacesandruffles，onthewomanbeforehim。\"Whyshoulddarksheddercassblighontwosholeswithsinglebeat？Chile’sfinechile，goodchile，butsummonelsechile！Chile’sgone，Clar’；butallish’n’tgone，Clar’。Conshiderdearesht，youall’shaveme！\"
Mrs。Starbottlestartedtoherfeet。\"YOU！\"shecried，bringingoutachestnotethatmadethechandeliersring，——\"youthatI
marriedtogivemydarlingfoodandclothes，——YOU！adogthatI
whistledtomysidetokeepthemenoffme，——YOU！\"
Shechokedup，andthendashedpasthimintotheinnerroom，whichhadbeenCarry’s；thenshesweptbyhimagainintoherownbedroom，andthensuddenlyre-appearedbeforehim，erect，menacing，withaburningfireoverhercheek-bones，aquickstraighteningofherarchedbrowsandmouth，asquaringofjaw，andophidianflatteningofthehead。
\"Listen！\"shesaidinahoarse，half-grownboy’svoice。\"Hearme！
Ifyoueverexpecttoseteyesonmeagain，youmustfindthechild。Ifyoueverexpecttospeaktomeagain，totouchme，youmustbringherback。Forwhereshegoes，Igo：youhearme！Whereshehasgone，lookforme。\"
Shestruckoutpasthimagainwithaquickfemininethrowing-outofherarmsfromtheelbowsdown，asiffreeingherselffromsomeimaginarybonds，and，dashingintoherchamber，slammedandlockedthedoor。Col。Starbottle，althoughnocoward，stoodinsuperstitiousfearofanangrywoman，and，recoilingasshesweptby，losthisunsteadyfoothold，androlledhelplesslyonthesofa。
Here，afteroneortwounsuccessfulattemptstoregainhisfoothold，heremained，utteringfromtimetotimeprofanebutnotentirelycoherentorintelligibleprotests，untilatlasthesuccumbedtotheexhaustingqualityofhisemotions，andthenarcoticquantityofhispotations。
Meantime，within，Mrs。Starbottlewasexcitedlygatheringhervaluables，andpackinghertrunk，evenasshehaddoneoncebeforeinthecourseofthisremarkablehistory。Perhapssomerecollectionofthiswasinhermind；forshestoppedtoleanherburningcheeksuponherhand，asifshesawagainthefigureofthechildstandinginthedoorway，andheardoncemoreachildishvoiceasking，\"Isitmamma？\"Buttheepithetnowstunghertothequickandwithaquick，passionategestureshedasheditawaywithatearthathadgatheredinhereye。Andthenitchanced，that，inturningoversomeclothes，shecameuponthechild’sslipperwithabrokensandal-string。Sheutteredagreatcryhere，——thefirstshehaduttered，——andcaughtittoherbreast，kissingitpassionatelyagainandagain，androckingfromsidetosidewithamotionpeculiartohersex。Andthenshetookittothewindow，thebettertoseeitthroughhernowstreamingeyes。Hereshewastakenwithasuddenfitofcoughingthatshecouldnotstiflewiththehandkerchiefsheputtoherfeverishlips。Andthenshesuddenlygrewveryfaint。Thewindowseemedtorecedebeforeher，thefloortosinkbeneathherfeet；and，staggeringtothebed，shefellproneuponitwiththesandalandhandkerchiefpressedtoherbreast。Herfacewasquitepale，theorbitofhereyesdark；andtherewasaspotuponherlip，anotheronherhandkerchief，andstillanotheronthewhitecounterpaneofthebed。
Thewindhadrisen，rattlingthewindow-sashes，andswayingthewhitecurtainsinaghostlyway。Later，agrayfogstolesoftlyovertheroofs，soothingthewind-roughenedsurfaces，andinwrappingallthingsinanuncertainlightandameasurelesspeace。Shelaythereveryquiet——forallhertroubles，stillaveryprettybride。Andontheothersideofthebolteddoorthegallantbridegroom，fromhistemporarycouch，snoredpeacefully。
AweekbeforeChristmasDay，1870，thelittletownofGenoa，intheStateofNewYork，exhibited，perhapsmorestronglythanatanyothertime，thebitterironyofitsfoundersandsponsors。A
drivingsnow-storm，thathadwhitenedeverywindwardhedge，bush，wall，andtelegraph-pole，playedaroundthissoftItalianCapitol，whirledinandoutofthegreatstaringwoodenDoriccolumnsofitspost-officeandhotel，beatuponthecoldgreenshuttersofitsbesthouses，andpowderedtheangular，stiff，darkfiguresinitsstreets。Fromthelevelofthestreet，thefourprincipalchurchesofthetownstoodoutstarkly，evenwhiletheirmisshapenspireswerekindlyhiddeninthelow，drivingstorm。Neartherailroad-
station，thenewMethodistchapel，whoseresemblancetoanenormouslocomotivewasfurtherheightenedbytheadditionofapyramidalrowoffront-steps，likeacowcatcher，stoodasifwaitingforafewmorehousestobehitchedontoproceedtoapleasanterlocation。ButtheprideofGenoa——thegreatCrammerInstituteforYoungLadies——stretcheditsbarebricklength，andreareditscupolaplainlyfromthebleakParnassianhillabovetheprincipalavenue。TherewasnoevasionintheCrammerInstituteofthefactthatitwasapublicinstitution。Avisitoruponitsdoorsteps，aprettyfaceatitswindow，wereclearlyvisiblealloverthetownship。
Theshriekoftheengineofthefour-o’clockNorthernexpressbroughtbutfewoftheusualloungerstothedepot。Onlyasinglepassengeralighted，andwasdrivenawayinthesolitarywaitingsleightowardtheGenoaHotel。Andthenthetrainspedawayagain，withthatpassionlessindifferencetohumansympathiesorcuriositypeculiartoexpress-trains；theonebaggage-truckwaswheeledintothestationagain；thestation-doorwaslocked；andthestation-
masterwenthome。
Thelocomotive-whistle，however，awakenedtheguiltyconsciousnessofthreeyoungladiesoftheCrammerInstitute，whowereeventhensurreptitiouslyregalingthemselvesinthebake-shopandconfectionery-saloonofMistressPhillipsinaby-lane。ForeventheadmirableregulationsoftheInstitutefailedtoentirelydevelopthephysicalandmoralnaturesofitspupils。Theyconformedtotheexcellentdietaryrulesinpublic，andinprivatedrewupontheluxuriousrationsoftheirvillagecaterer。Theyattendedchurchwithexemplaryformality，andflirtedinformallyduringservicewiththevillagebeaux。Theyreceivedthebestandmostjudiciousinstructionduringschool-hours，anddevouredthetrashiestnovelsduringrecess。Theresultofwhichwasanaggregationofquitehealthy，quitehuman，andverycharmingyoungcreatures，thatreflectedinfinitecreditontheInstitute。EvenMistressPhillips，towhomtheyowedvastsums，exhilaratedbytheexuberantspiritsandyouthfulfreshnessofherguests，declaredthatthesightof\"themyoungthings\"didhergood；andhadevenbeenknowntoshieldthembyshamelessequivocation。
\"Fouro’clock，girls！and，ifwe’renotbacktoprayersbyfive，we’llbemissed，\"saidthetallestofthesefoolishvirgins，withanaquilinenose，andcertainquietelanthatbespoketheleader，assherosefromherseat。\"Haveyougotthebooks，Addy？\"Addydisplayedthreedissipated-lookingnovelsunderherwaterproof。
\"Andtheprovisions，Carry？\"Carryshowedasuspiciousparcelfillingthepocketofhersack。\"Allright，then。Comegirls，trudge。——Chargeit，\"sheadded，noddingtoherhostastheypassedtowardthedoor。\"I’llpayyouwhenmyquarter’sallowancecomes。\"
\"No，Kate，\"interposedCarry，producingherpurse，\"letmepay：
it’smyturn。\"
\"Never！\"saidKate，archingherblackbrowsloftily，\"evenifyoudohaverichrelatives，andregularremittancesfromCalifornia。
Never！——Come，girls，forward，march！\"
Astheyopenedthedoor，agustofwindnearlytookthemofftheirfeet。Kind-heartedMrs。Phillipswasalarmed。\"Sakesalive，galls！yemussn’tgooutinsichweather。BetterletmesendwordtotheInstitoot，andmakeyeupanicebedto-nightinmyparlor。\"
Butthelastsentencewaslostinachorusofhalf-suppressedshrieks，asthegirls，handinhand，randownthestepsintothestorm，andwereatoncewhirledaway。
TheshortDecemberday，unlitbyanysunsetglow，wasfailingfast。
Itwasquitedarkalready；andtheairwasthickwithdrivingsnow。
Forsomedistancetheirhighspirits，youth，andeveninexperience，keptthembravelyup；but，inambitiouslyattemptingashort-cutfromthehigh-roadacrossanopenfield，theirstrengthgaveout，thelaughgrewlessfrequent，andtearsbegantostandinCarry’sbrowneyes。Whentheyreachedtheroadagain，theywereutterlyexhausted。\"Letusgoback，\"saidCarry。
\"We’dnevergetacrossthatfieldagain，\"saidAddy。