IV。
Thepainterwentroundtothefrontofthehouseandwalkedupanddownbeforeitfordifferentpointsofview。Herandownthelanesomeway，andthencamebackandclimbedtotheslopingfieldbehindthebarn，wherehecouldlookatLion’sHeadovertheroofofthehouse。Hetriedanopenspaceintheorchard，wherehebackedagainstthewallenclosingthelittleburial—ground。Helookedroundatitwithoutseemingtoseeit，andthenwentbacktothelevelwherethehousestood。\"Thisistheplace，\"hesaidtohimself。Buttheboy，whohadbeenlurkingafterhim，withthedoglurkingat，hisownheelsinturn，tookthewordsasaprofferofconversation。
\"Ithoughtyou’dcometoit，\"hesneered。
\"Didyou？\"askedthepainter，withasmilefortheunsatisfiedgrudgeintheboy’stone。\"Whydidn’tyoutellmesooner？\"
Theboylookeddown，andapparentlymadeuphismindtowaituntilsomethingsufficientlysevereshouldcometohimforaretort。\"WantI
shouldhelpyougetyourthings？\"heasked，presently。
\"Why，yes，\"saidthepainter，withaglanceofsurprise。\"Ishallbemuchobligedforalift。\"Hestartedtowardtheporchwherehisburdenlay，andtheboyranbeforehim。Theyjointlyseparatedtheknapsackfromthethingstiedtoit，andthepainterlettheboycarrytheeaselandcampstoolwhichdevelopedthemselvesfromtheirfoldsandhinges，andbroughtthecolorsandcanvashimselftothespothehadchosen。Theboylookedatthetagontheeaselafteritwasplaced，andreadthenameonit——JereWestover。\"That’safunnyname。\"
\"I’mgladitamusesyou，\"saidtheownerofit。
Againtheboycastdownhiseyesdiscomfited，andseemedagainresolvingsilentlytobidehistimeandwatchforanotherchance。
Westoverforgothiminthefidgethefellinto，tryingthisandthateffect，withhisheadslantedonewayandthenslantedtheother，hishandhelduptoshutoutthemountainbelowthegranitemassofLion’sHead，andthenchangedtocutofftheskyabove；andthenbothhandsliftedinparalleltoconfinethepicture。Hemadesometentativescrawlsonhiscanvasincharcoal，andhewastedsomuchtimethatthelightonthemountain—sidebegantotaketherichtoneoftheafternoondeepeningtoevening。Asoftflushstoleintoit；thesundippedbehindthetopsouthofthemountain，andLion’sHeadstoodoutagainsttheintenseclearnessofthewest，whichbegantobeflushedwithexquisitesuggestionsofvioletandcrimson。
\"GoodLord！\"saidWestover；andheflewathiscolorsandbegantopaint。
Hehadgothiscanvasintosuchastatethathealonecouldhavefounditmuchmoreintelligiblethanhispalette，whenheheardtheboysaying，overhisshoulder：\"Idon’tthinkthatlooksverymuchlikeit。\"Hehadlastbeenawareoftheboysittingatthegrassyedgeofthelane，tossingsmallbitsofearthandpebbleacrosstohisdog，whichsatattheotheredgeandsnappedatthem。Thenhelostconsciousnessofhim。
Heanswered，dreamily，whilehefoundatinthewastryingforwithhisbrush：\"Perhapsyoudon’tknow。\"Hewassosureofhiseffectthatthepopularcensurespeakingintheboy’sopiniononlymadehimhappierinit。
\"IknowwhatIsee，\"saidtheboy。
\"Idoubtit，\"saidWestover，andthenhelostconsciousnessofhimagain。
Hewasraptdeepandfarintothejoyofhiswork，andhadnothoughtbutforthat，andforthedimquestionwhetheritwouldbesuchanotherdayto—morrow，withthatlightagainonLion’sHead，whenhewasatlastsensibleofanoisethathefelthemusthavebeenhearingsometimewithoutnotingit。Itwasalamentable，soundofscreaming，asofsomeoneinmortalterror，mixedwithwildentreaties。\"Oh，don’t，Jeff！
Oh，don’t，don’t，don’t！Oh，please！Oh，doletusbe！Oh，Jeff，don’t！\"
Westoverlookedroundbewildered，andnotable，amidtheclamoroftheechoes，tomakeoutwherethecriescamefrom。Then，downatthepointwherethelanejoinedtheroadtothesouthwardandtheroadlostitselfintheshadowofawoodland，hesawtheboyleapingbackandforthacrossthetrack，withhisdogbesidehim；hewasshoutingandhisdogbarkingfuriously；thosescreamsandentreatiescamefromwithintheshadow。
Westoverplungeddownthelaneheadlong，withaspeedthatgatheredateachbound，andthatalmostflunghimonhisfacewhenhereachedthelevelwheretheboyandthedogweredancingbackandforthacrosstheroad。Thenhesaw，crouchingintheedgeofthewood，alittlegirl，whowasutteringtheappealshehadheard，andclingingtoher，withafaceoffranticterror，achildoffiveorsixyears；hercrieshadgrownhoarse，andhadahard，mechanicalactionastheyfollowedoneanother。
Theywerereallyinnodanger，fortheboyheldhisdogtightbyhiscollar，andwasmerelydelightinghimselfwiththeirterror。
Thepainterhurledhimselfuponhim，and，withaquickgripuponhiscollar，gavehimhalfadozenflat—handedblowswhereverhecouldplantthemandthenflunghimreelingaway。
\"Youinfernallittleruffian！\"heroaredathim；andthesoundofhisvoicewasenoughforthedog；hebegantoscalethehill—sidetowardthehousewithoutamoment’sstay。
Thechildrenstillcrouchedtogether，andWestovercouldhardlymakethemunderstandthattheywereinhiskeepingwhenhebentoverthemandbadethemnotbefrightened。Thelittlegirlsetaboutwipingthechild’seyesonheraproninamotherlyfashion；herownweredryenough，andWestoverfanciedtherewasmoreoffurythanoffrightinherface。Sheseemedlosttoanysenseofhispresence，andkeptontalkingfiercelytoherself，whilesheputthelittleboyinorder，likeanindignantwoman。
\"Great，mean，uglything！I’lltelltheteacheronhim，that’swhatI
will，assoonaseverschoolbegins。I’llseeifhecancomeroundwiththatdogofhisscaringfolks！Iwouldn’t’a’beenabitafraidifithadn’t’a’beenforFranky。Don’tcryanymore，Franky。Don’tyouseethey’regone？Ipresumehethinksitsmarttoscarealittleboyandagirl。IfIwasaboyonce，I’dshowhim！\"
ShemadenosignofgratitudetoWestover：asfarasanyrecognitionfromherwasconcerned，hisinterventionwassomethingasimpersonalasifithadbeenathunder—boltfallinguponherenemiesfromthesky。
\"Wheredoyoulive？\"heasked。\"I’llgohomewithyouifyou’lltellmewhereyoulive。\"
Shelookedupathiminadaze，andWestoverheardtheDurginboysaying：
\"Shelivesrightthereinthatlittlewood—coloredhouseattheotherendofthelane。Thereain’tnocalltogohomewithher。\"
Westoverturnedandsawtheboykneelingattheedgeofaclumpofbushes，wherehemusthavestruck；hewasrubbing，withatuftofgrass，atthedirtgroundintothekneesofhistrousers。
Thelittle，girlturnedhawkishlyuponhim。\"Notforanythingyoucando，JeffDurgin！\"
Theboydidnotanswer。
\"There！\"shesaid，givingafinalpullandtwitchtothedressofherbrother，andtakinghimbythehandtenderly。\"Now，comerightalong，Franky。\"
\"Letmehaveyourotherhand，\"saidWestover，and，withthelittleboybetweenthem，theysetofftowardthepointwherethelanejoinedtheroadonthenorthward。TheyhadtopassthebusheswhereJeffDurginwascrouching，andthelittlegirlturnedandmadeafaceathim。\"Oh，oh！
Idon’tthinkIshouldhavedonethat，\"saidWestover。
\"Idon’tcare！\"saidthelittlegirl。Butshesaid，inexplanationandpartialexcuse：\"Hetriestoscareallthegirls。I’lllethimknow’thecan’tscareone！\"
WestoverlookeduptowardtheDurginhousewithareturnofinterestinthecanvashehadleftinthelaneontheeasel。Nothinghadhappenedtoit。Atthedoorofthebarnhesawthefarmerandhiseldestsonslantingforwardandstaringdownthehillatthepointhehadcomefrom。
Mrs。Durginwaslookingoutfromtheshelteroftheporch，andsheturnedandwentinwithJeff’sdogatherskirtswhenWestovercameinsightwiththechildren。
V。
Westoverhadhisteawiththefamily，butnothingwassaidordonetoshowthatanyofthemresentedorevenknewofwhathadhappenedtotheboyfromhim。Jeffhimselfseemedtohavenogrudge。HewentoutwithWestover，whenthemealwasended，andsatonthestepsoftheporchwithhim，watchingthepainterwatchthelightdarkenonthelonelyheightsandinthelonelydepthsaround。Westoversmokedapipe，andthefiregleamedandsmoulderedinitregularlywithhisbreathing；theboy，onalower’step，pulledatthelongearsofhisdogandgazedupathim。
Theywerebothsilenttillthepainterasked：\"Whatdoyoudoherewhenyou’renottryingtoscarelittlechildrentodeath？\"
Theboyhunghisheadandsaid，withtheeffectofexcusingalongarrearsofuselessness：\"I’mgoin’toschoolassoonasitcommences。\"
\"There’sonebranchofyoureducationthatIshouldliketoundertakeifIeversawyouatathinglikethatagain。Don’tyoufeelashamedofyourself？\"
Theboypulledsohardatthedog’searthatthedoggaveafaintyelpofprotest。
\"Theymight’a’seenthatIhadhimbythecollar。Iwa’n’ta—goin’toletgo。\"
\"Well，thenexttimeIhaveyoubythecollarIwon’tletgo，either，\"
saidthepainter；buthefeltaninadequacyinhisthreat，andheimaginedasuperfluity，andhemadesomehastetoask：\"whoarethey？\"
\"Whitwellistheirname。Theyliveinthatlittlehousewhereyoutookthem。Theirfather’sgotapieceoflandonZion’sHeadthathe’sclearin’offforthetimber。Theirmother’sdead，andCynthykeepshouse。She’salwaysmakin’upnamesandfaces，\"addedtheboy。\"Shethinksherselfawfulsmart。ThatFranky’saperfectcry—baby。\"
\"Well，uponmyword！Youarealittleruffian，\"saidWestover，andheknockedtheashesoutofhispipe。\"ThenexttimeyoumeetthatpoorlittlecreatureyoutellherthatIthinkyou’reabouttheshabbiestchapIknow，andthatIhopetheteacherwillbeginwhereIleftoffwithyouandnotleaveblackguardenoughinyouto——\"
Hestoppedforwantofafittingfigure，andtheboysaid：\"Iguesstheteacherwon’ttouchme。\"
Westoverrose，andtheboyflunghisdogawayfromhimwithhisfoot。
\"WantIshouldshowyouwheretosleep？\"
\"Yes，\"saidWestover，andtheboyhulkedinbeforehim，vanishingintothedarkoftheinterior，andpresentlyappearedwithalightedhand—lamp。HeledthewayupstairstoafrontroomlookingdownupontheporchroofandovertowardZion’sHead，whichWestovercouldseedimlyoutlinedagainstthenightsky，whenheliftedtheedgeofthepapershadeandpeeredout。
Theroomwasneat，withgreatercomfortinitsappointmentsthanhehopedfor。Hetriedthebed，andfoundithard，butofstraw，andnotthefeathershehaddreaded；whiletheboylookedintothewater—pitchertoseeifitwasfull；andthenwentoutwithoutanyformofgoodnight。
Westoverwouldhaveexpectedtowashinatinbasinatthebackdoor，andwipeonthefamilytowel，butallthemeansoftoilet，suchastheywere，hefoundathandhere，andasurprisewhichhehadfeltatacertaintouchinthecookingreneweditselfattheintelligentarrangementsforhiscomfort。Asecondaryquiltwaslaidacrossthefootofhisbed；hiswindow—shadewaspulleddown，and，thoughthewindowwasshutandtheairstuffywithin，therewasasenseofcleanlinessineverythingwhichwasnotatvariancewiththecloseness。
Thebedfeltfreshwhenhegotintoit，andthesweetbreathofthemountainscameinsocoldthroughthesashhehadliftedthathewasgladtopullthesecondaryquiltupoverhim。Heheardtheclocktickinsomeroombelow；fromanotherquartercamethemuffledsoundofcoughing；butotherwisetheworldwasintenselystill，andhesleptdeepandlong。
VI。
Themenfolkshadfinishedtheirbreakfastandgonetotheirfarm—workhoursbeforeWestovercamedowntohisbreakfast，buttheboyseemedtobeofasmuchearlyleisureashimself，andwasloungingonthethresholdofthebackdoor，withhisdoginwaitinguponhim。Hegavetheeffectofyesterday’scleanlinessfreshenedupwithmorerecentsoapandwater。
AtthemomentWestovercaughtsightofhim，heheardhismothercallingtohimfromthekitchen，\"Well，now，comeinandgetyourbreakfast，Jeff，\"andtheboycalledtoWestover，inturn，\"I’lltellheryou’rehere，\"asheroseandcamein—doors。\"Iguessshe’sgotyourbreakfastforyou。\"
Mrs。DurginbroughtthebreakfastalmostassoonasWestoverhadfoundhiswaytothetable，andshelingeredasifforsomeexpressionofhisopinionuponit。Thebiscuitandthebutterwereverygood，andhesaidso；theeggswerefresh，andthehashfromyesterday’scorned—beefcouldnothavebeenbetter，andhepraisedthem；buthewassilentaboutthecoffee。
\"Ita’n’tverygood，\"shesuggested。
\"Why，I’musedtomakingmyowncoffee；Ilivedsolonginacountrywhereit’snearlythewholeofbreakfastthatIgotintothehabitofit，andIalwayscarrymylittlemachinewithme；butIdon’tliketobringitout，unless——\"
\"Unlessyoucan’tstandtheotherfolks’s，\"saidthewoman，withahumorousgleam。\"Well，youneedn’tmindme。Iwantyoushouldhavegoodcoffee，andIguessIa’n’ttoooldtolearn，ifyouwanttoshowme。
Ourfolksdon’tcareforitmuch；theyliketea；andIkindofgotoutofthewayofit。Butathomewehadtohaveit。\"Sheexplained，tohisinquiringglance。
\"MyfatherkeptthetavernontheoldroadtoSt。Albans，ontheothersideofLion’sHead。That’swhereIalwayslivedtillImarriedhere。\"
\"Oh，\"saidWestover，andhefeltthatshehadproudlywishedtoaccountforaqualitywhichshehopedhehadnoticedinhercooking。Hethoughtshemightbegoingtotellhimsomethingmoreofherself，butsheonlysaid，\"Well，anytimeyouwanttoshowmeyourwayofmakin’coffee，\"andwentoutoftheroom。
Thatevening，whichwasthecloseofanotherflawlessday，hesatagainwatchingthelightoutside，whenhesawhercomeintothehallwaywithalargeshade—lampinherhand。Shestoppedatthedoorofaroomhehadnotseenyet，andlookedoutathimtoask：
\"Won’tyoucomeinandsetintheparlorifyouwantto？\"
Hefoundhertherewhenhecamein，andhertwosonswithher；theyoungerwassleepilyputtingawaysomeschool—books，andtheelderseemedtohavebeenhelpinghimwithhislessons。
\"He’sgottobeginschoolnextweek，\"shesaidtoWestover；andatthepreparationstheothernowbegantomakewithapieceofpaperandaplanchettewhichhehadonthetablebeforehim，sheasked，inthehalf—
mocking，half—deprecatingwaywhichseemedcharacteristicofher：\"Youbelieveanyinthat？\"
\"Idon’tknowthatI’veeverseenitwork，\"saidthepainter。
\"Well，sometimesitwon’twork，\"shereturned，altogethermockinglynow，andsatholdinghershapelyhands，whichwereneithersolargenorsoroughastheymighthavebeen，acrosshermiddleandwatchinghersonwhilethemachinepushedaboutunderhispalm，andhebenthiswaneyesupononeoftheoval—framedphotographsonthewall，asifraptinasupernalvision。Theboystareddrowsilyattheplanchette，jerkingthiswayandthat，andmakingabruptstartsandstops。Atlasttheyoungmanliftedhispalmfromit，andputitasidetostudythehieroglyphicsithadleftonthepaper。
\"What’sitsay？\"askedhismother。
Theyoungmanwhispered：\"Ican’tseemtomakeoutveryclear。IguessI
gottotakealittletimetoit，\"headded，leaningbackwearilyinhischair。\"Everseenmuchofthemanifestations？\"hegaspedatWestover。
\"Neverany，before，\"saidthepainter，withaleniencyfortheinvalidwhichhedidnotfeelforhisbelief。
Theyoungmantriedforhisvoice，andfoundenoughofittosay：
\"There’satrancemediumoverattheHuddle。Hercontrolsays’tIcandevelopintoawritin’medium。\"HeseemedtoreferthefactasasortofquestiontoWestover，whocouldthinkofnothingtosaybutthatitmustbeveryinterestingtofeelthatonehadsuchapower。
\"Iguesshedon’tknowhe’sgotityet，\"hismotherinterposed。\"Andplanchettedon’tseemtoknow，either。\"
\"Weha’n’tgivenitafairtrialyet，\"saidtheyoungman，impartially，almostimpassively。
\"Wouldn’tyouliketoseeitdosomeofyoursums，Jeff？\"saidthemothertothedrowsyboy，blinkinginacorner。\"Youbettergotobed。\"
Theelderbrotherrose。\"IguessI’llgo，too。\"
Thefatherhadnotjoinedtheircircleintheparlor，nowbreakingupbycommonconsent。
Mrs。Durgintookupherlampagainandlookedroundontheappointmentsoftheroom，asifshewishedWestovertonotethem，too：thedrabwallpaper，thestiffchairs，thelong，hardsofainhaircloth，thehighbureauofmahoganyveneer。
\"Youcancomeinhereandsetorlaydownwheneveryoufeellikeit，\"shesaid。\"Weuseitmorethanfolksgenerally，Ipresume；wegotinthehabit，havin’itopenforfunerals。\"
VII。
Fourorfivedaysofperfectweatherfollowedoneanother，andWestoverworkedhardathispictureinthelateafternoonlighthehadchosenforit。InthemorninghetrampedthroughthewoodsandclimbedthehillswithJeffDurgin，whoseemednevertodoanythingaboutthefarm，andhadaleisureunbrokenbyanythingexceptararecallfromhismothertohelpherinthehouse。Hebuiltthekitchenfire，andgotthewoodforit；
hepickedthebelatedpeaseandtheearlybeansinthegarden，andshelledthem；ontheMondaywhentheschoolopenedhedidashareofthefamilywash，whichseemedtohavebeenbegunbeforedaylight，andWestoversawhimhangingouttheclothesbeforehestartedoffwithhisbooks。Hesufferednoapparentlossofself—respectintheseemployments，and，whilehestillhadhisdaysfree，heputhimselfatWestover’sdisposalwithaneffectofunimpairedequality。Hehadexpected，evidently，thatWestoverwouldwanttofishorshoot，oratleastjoinhiminthehuntforwoodchucks，whichhestillcarriedonwithabatedzealforlackofhiscompanywhenthepaintersatdowntosketchcertainbitsthatstruckhim。WhenhefoundthatWestovercaredfornothinginthewayofsport，aspeoplecommonlyunderstandit，hedidnotopenlycontemnhim。Hehelpedhimgettheflowershestudied，andhelearnedtoknowtruemushroomsfromhim，thoughhedidnotfollowhisteachingineatingthetoadstools，ashismothercalledthem，whentheybroughtthemhometobecooked。
IfitcouldnotbesaidthathesharedtheaffectionwhichbegantogrowupinWestoverfromtheircompanionship，therecouldbenodoubtoftheinteresthetookinhim，thoughitoftenseemedthesamecriticalcuriositywhichappearedintheeyeofhisdogwhenitdweltuponthepainter。FoxhaddivinedinhiswaythatWestoverwasnotonlynottobemolested，butwastoberespectfullytolerated，yetnogleamofkindnesseverlighteduphisfaceatsightofthepainter；heneverwaggedhistailinrecognitionofhim；hesimplyrecognizedhimandnomore，andheremainedpassiveunderWestover’sadvances，whichhehadtheeffectofcovertlyreferringtoJeff，whentheboywasby，forhisapprovalordisapproval；whenhewasnotby，thedog’smannerimpliedareservationofopinionuntilthefactscouldbesubmittedtohismaster。
OntheSaturdaymorningwhichwasthelasttheyweretohavetogether，thethreecomradeshadstrayedfromthevaguewoodroadalongoneoftheunexpectedlevelsonthemountainslopes，andhadcometoastandstillinaplacewhichtheboypretendednottoknowhiswayoutof。Westoverdoubtedhim，forhehadfoundthatJefflikedtogivehimselfcreditforwoodcraftbydiscoveringanescapefromthedepthsoftracklesswildernesses。
\"Iguessyouknowwhereweare，\"hesuggested。
\"No，honestly，\"saidtheboy；buthegrinned，andWestoverstilldoubtedhim。
\"Hark！What’sthat？\"hesaid，hushingfurtherspeechfromhimwithamotionofhishand。Itwasthesoundofanaxe。
\"Oh，Iknowwhereweare，\"saidJeff。\"It’sthatCanuckchoppinginWhitwell’sclearing。Comealong。\"
Heledthewaybrisklydownthemountain—sidenow，stoppingfromtimetotimeandverifyinghiscoursebythesoundoftheaxe。Thiscameandwent，andby—and—byitceasedaltogether，andJeffcreptforwardwitharealorfeigneduncertainty。Suddenlyhestopped。Avoicecalled，\"
Heigh，there！\"andtheboyturnedandfled，crashingthroughtheunderbrushatatangent，withhisdogathisheels。
Westoverlookedafterthem，andthencameforward。Alankfigureofamanatthefootofapoplar，whichhehadbeguntofell，stoodwaitinghim，onehandonhisaxe—helveandtheotheronhiship。Therewasthescentoffreshlysmittenbarkandsap—woodintheair；thegroundwaspavedwithbroad，cleanchips。
\"Good—morning，\"saidWestover。
\"Howareyou？\"returnedtheother，withoutmovingormakinganysignofwelcomeforamoment。Butthenheliftedhisaxeandstruckitintothecarfonthetree，andcametomeetWestover。
Asheadvancedheheldouthis。hand。\"Oh，you’retheonethatstoppedthatfellowthatdaywhenhewastryin’toscaremychildren。Well，I
thoughtIshouldrunacrossyousometime。\"HeshookhandswithWestover，intokenofthegratitudewhichdidnotexpressitselfinwords。\"Howareyou？TreatyouprettywellupattheDurgins’？Iguessso。Theoldwomanknowshowtocook，anyway。Jackson’saboutthebesto’thelotaboveground，thoughIdon’tknowasIknowverymuchagainsttheoldman，either。Butthatboy！IdeclareI’mostfeelliketakin’
thetopofhisheadoffwhenhegetsathistricks。Setdown。\"
Whitwell，asWestoverdivinedthemantobe，tookaseathimselfonahighstump，whichsuitedhislengthofleg，andcourteouslywavedWestovertoaplaceontheloginfrontofhim。Along，raggedbeardofbrown，withlinesofgrayinit，hungfromhischinandmountedwelluponhisthincheekstowardhisfriendlyeyes。Hismustachelaysunkenonhislip，whichhadfalleninwiththelossofhisupperteeth。Fromthelowerjawafewincisorsshowedatthisslantandthatashetalked。
\"Well，well！\"hesaid，withtheairofwishingthetalktogoon，butwithouthavinganythingimmediatelytoofferhimself。
Westoversaid，\"Thankyou，\"ashedroppedonthelog，andWhitwelladded，relentingly：\"Idon’tsupposeafellow’ssomuchtoblame，ifhe’sgotthedevilinhim，aswhatthedevilis。\"
HereferredthepointwithatwinkleofhiseyestoWestover，whosaid：
\"It’salwaysaquestion，ofcourse，whetherit’sthedevil。Itmaybeoriginalsinwiththefellowhimself。\"
\"Well，that’ssomethingso，\"saidWhitwell，withpleasureinthedistinctionratherthanassent。\"ButIguessitain’toriginalsinintheboy。Gotitfromhisgran’fatherpoottystraight，Ishouldsay，andmaybetheoldmanhaditsecondhand。Ha’dtosayjustwheresomuchcussednessgitsstatted。\"
\"Hisfather’sfather？\"askedWestover，willingtohumorWhitwell’sevidentwishtophilosophizetheDurgins’history。
\"Mother’s。HekepttheoldtavernstandonthewestsideofLion’sHead，ontheSt。AlbansRoad，andIguesshekeptapoottygoodhouseintheoldtimeswhenthestagesstoppedwithhim。Evernoticedhowamanonthemeansideinpoliticsalwaysknowshowtokeepahotel？Well，it’ssomethingcurious。Iftherewaseverameansidetoanyquestion，oldMasonwasonit。Myfolksusedtolivearoundthere，andIcanrememberwhenIwasaboyhangin’aroundthebar—roomnightshearin’himarguethatcoloredfolkshadnosouls；andalongaboutthetimethefugitive—
slavelawwaspassedthefolkspoottynearrunhimouto’townforputtin’theUnitedStatesmarshalonthescentofafellowthatwasbreakin’forCanada。Well，itwasjustsowhenthewarcome。ItwasknownforafactthathewasinwiththemSeceshdevilsupoverthelinethatwasplannin’araidintoVermontin’63。He’dgotpoottylowdownbythattime；railroadstookoffallthetravel；tavern’dgottobearegulardoggery；oldmanalwaysdranksome，Iguess。ThatwasagoodwhileafterhisgirlhadmarriedDurgin。Hewasdeadagainstit，anditbrokehimupconsid’ablewhenshewouldhavehim：Well，onenighttheoldstandburntupandhiminit，andneitherof’eminsured。\"
Whitwelllaughedwithapleasureinhissatirewhichgavethemonumentsinhislowerjawarathersinisteraction。But，asifhefeltarebukeinWestover’ssilence，headded：\"Thereain’tanythingagainstMis’