第1章

Wewenttotheshowonenight，Anditcertainlywasagreatsight，Thistigertosee，Fierceashecouldbe，Androaringwithallhismight。

CHRISTMASDAY。

TheChristmaschimesarepealinghighBeneaththesolemnChristmassky，AndblowingwindstheirnotesprolongLikeechoesfromanangel\'ssong；

Goodwillandpeace，peaceandgoodwillRingoutthecarolsgladandgay，TellingtheheavenlymessagestillThatChristtheChildwasbornto-day。

InlowlyhutandpalacehallPeasantandkingkeepfestival，Andchildhoodwearsafairerguise，Andtenderershineallmother-eyes；

Theagedmanforgetshisyears，Themirthfulheartisdoublygay，Thesadarecheatedoftheirtears，ForChristtheLordwasbornto-day。

SUSANCOOLIDGE。

TheysatonthecurbingInacrowdedrow——

TwolittlemaidsAndonelittlebeau，——

WatchingtoseeThebigElephantgoByinthestreetparade；

Butwhenitcamepast，Ofmaidstherewerenone，Fordownaby-streetTheycowardlyrun，WhileonelittlebeauMadeallmanneroffun——

OftheElephanthewasn\'tafraid。

THEONLYWOMANINTHETOWN。

Onehundredyears\'andoneago，inBoston，attenoftheclockoneAprilnight，achurchsteeplehadbeenclimbedandalanternhungout。

Atten，thesamenight，inmid-riveroftheCharles，oarsmentwo，withpassengersilentandgrim，hadseenthesignallightout-swung，androwedwithspeedfortheCharlestownshore。

Ateleven，themoonwasrisen，andthegrimpassenger，PaulRevere，hadriddenuptheNeck，encounteredafoe，whoopposedhisrideintothecountry，and，afterabriefdelay，rodeon，leavingaBritishofficerlyinginaclaypit。

Atmid-night，ahundredearshadheardtheflyinghorsemancry，"Upandarm。TheRegularsarecomingout!"

Youknowthestorywell。Youhaveheardhowthewildalarmranfromvoicetovoiceandechoedbeneatheveryroof，untilthemenofLexingtonandConcordwerestirredandarousedwithpatrioticfearforthesafetyofthepublicstoresthathadbeencommittedtotheirkeeping。

Youknowhow，longerethechillAprildaybegantodawn，theyhaddrawn，byhorsepowerandbyhandpower，thecherishedstoresintosafehiding-placesinthedepthoffriendlyforest-coverts。

ThereisonethingaboutthatdaythatyouhaveNOTheardandI

willtellyounow。Itis，howonelittlewomanstaidinthetownofConcord，whenceallthewomensaveherhadfled。

Allthehousesthatwerestandingthen，areveryold-fashionednow，buttherewasonedwelling-placeonConcordCommonthatwasold-fashionedeventhen!ItwastheabodeofMarthaMoultonand"UncleJohn。"Justwho"UncleJohn"was，isnotnowknown，buthewasprobablyMarthaMoulton\'suncle。Theuncle，itappearsbyrecord，waseighty-fiveyearsold；whiletheniecewasONLY

three-scoreandeleven。

Onceandagainthatmorning，afriendlyhandhadpulledthelatch-stringatMarthaMoulton\'skitchenentranceandofferedtoconveyherselfandtreasuresaway，but，toeitherproffer，shehadsaid:"No，ImuststayuntilUncleJohngetsthecricksoutofhisback，ifalltheBritishsoldiersinthelandmarchintotown。"

Atlast，cameJoeDevins，aladoffifteenyears——Joe\'stwoastonishedeyespeeredforamomentintoMarthaMoulton\'skitchen，andtheneyesandownerdashedintotheroom，tolearn，whatthesighthetheresaw，couldmean。

"Whew!MotherMoulton，whatareyoudoing？"

"I\'mgettingUncleJohnhisbreakfasttobesure，Joe，"sheanswered。"Haveyouseensomanysightsthismorningthatyoudon\'tknowbreakfast，whenyouseeit？Haveacarethere，forhotfatWILLburn，"asshedeftlypouredthecontentsofapan，freshfromthefire，intoadish。

HungryJoehadbeenastirsincethefirstdrumhadbeattoarmsattwooftheclock。Hegaveoneglanceattheboilingcreamandtheslicesofcrispporkswimminginit，ashegaspedforththewords，"GettingbreakfastinConcordTHISmorning!MOTHER

MOULTON，youMUSTbecrazy。"

"Sotheytellme，"shesaid，serenely。"TherecomesUncleJohn!"

sheadded，astheclatterofastaffonthestonestepsofthestairwayoutrang，foraninstant，thecriesofhurryingandconfusionthatfilledtheairofthestreet。

"Don\'tyouknow，MotherMoulton，"Joewentontosay，"thateverysinglewomanandchildhavebeencarriedoff，wheretheBritisherswon\'tfind\'em？"

"Idon\'tbelievetheking\'stroopshavestirredoutofBoston，"

shereplied，goingtothedoorleadingtothestonestaircase，toopenitforUncleJohn。

"Don\'tbelieveit？"andJoelooked，asheechoedthewords，asthoughonlyaboycouldfeelsufficientdisgustatsuchwantofcommonsense，infullviewofthefact，thatReubenBrownhadjustbroughtthenewsthateightmenhadbeenkilledbytheking\'sRed-coats，inLexington，whichfacthemadehastetoimpart。

"Iwon\'tbelieveawordofit，"shesaid，stoutly，"untilIseethesoldierscoming。"

"Ah!Hearthat!"criedJoe，tossingbackhishairandswinginghisarmstriumphantlyatanairyfoe。"Youwon\'thavetowaitlong。THATSIGNALisfortheminutemen。TheyaregoingtomarchouttomeettheRed-coats。WishIwasaminuteman，thisminute。"

Meanwhile，poorUncleJohnwasgettingdownthestepsofthestairway，withmanyagrimaceandgroan。Ashetouchedthefloor，Joe，hisfacebeamingwithexcitementandenthusiasm，sprangtoplaceachairforhimatthetable，saying，"Goodmorning!"atthesamemoment。

"Maybe，"groanedUncleJohn，"youngstersLIKEYOUmaythinkitisagoodmorning，butIDON\'T，suchadinandclatterasthefoolshavekeptupallnightlong。IfIhadthepower"(andnowthepooroldmanfairlygroanedwithrage)，"I\'dmake\'emquietlongenoughtoletanoldmangetawinkofsleep，whentherheumatismletsgo。"

"I\'mrealsorryforyou，"saidJoe，"butyoudon\'tknowthenews。

Theking\'stroops，fromcamp，inBoston，aremarchingrightdownhere，tocarryoffallourarmsthattheycanfind。"

"Arethey？"wasthesarcasticrejoined。"It\'sthebestnewsI\'veheardinalongwhile。Wishtheyhadmyarms，thisminute。Theywouldn\'tcarrythemastepfartherthantheycouldhelp，Iknow。

Runandtellthemmineareready，Joe。"

"But，UncleJohn，waittillafterbreakfast，you\'llwanttousethemoncemore，"saidMarthaMoulton，tryingtohelphimintothechairthatJoehadplacedonthewhitesandedfloor。

Meanwhile，JoeDevinshadearsforallthesoundsthatpenetratedthekitchenfromoutofdoors，andhehadeyesfortheslicesofwell-brownedporkandthegoldenhuedJohnny-cakelyingbeforetheglowingcoalsonthebroadhearth。

Asthelittlewomanbenttotakeupthebreakfast，Joe，intentondoingsomekindnessforherinthewayofsavingtreasures，asked，"Shan\'tIhelpyou，MotherMoulton？"

"IreckonIamnotsooldthatIcan\'tliftamiteofcornbread，"

sherepliedwithchillingseverity。

"Oh，Ididn\'tmeantoliftTHATTHING，"hemadehastetoexplain，"buttocarryoffthingsandhide\'emaway，aseverybodyelsehasbeendoinghalfthenight。Iknowafirst-rateplaceupinthewoods。Usedtobeahoneytree，youknow，andit\'sjustashollowasanything。Silverspoonsandthingswouldbejustassafeinit——"butJoe\'swordswereinterruptedbyunusualtumultonthestreetandheranofftolearnthenews，intendingtoreturnandgetthebreakfastthathadbeenofferedtohim。

Presentlyherushedbacktothehousewithcheeksaflameandeyesablazewithexcitement。"They\'reacoming!"hecried。"They\'reinsightdownbytherocks。Theysee\'emmarching，themenonthehill，do!"

"Youdon\'tmeanthatitsreallytruethatthesoldiersarecominghere，RIGHTINTOOURTOWN，"criedMarthaMoulton，risinginhasteandbringingtogetherwithrapidflourishestorightandtoleft，everyfragmentofsilveronthetable。UncleJohnstrovetoholdfasthisindividualspoon，butshetwitcheditwithoutceremonyoutfromhisrheumaticoldfingers，andrannexttotheparlorcupboard，whereinlayhermovablevaluables。

"WhatintheworldshallIdowiththem，"shecried，returningwithherapronwellfilledwithtreasures，andbornedownbytheweightthereof。

"Give\'emtome，"criedJoe。"Here\'sabasket，drop\'emin，andI\'llrunlikeabrush-firethroughthetownandacrosstheoldbridge，andhide\'emassafeasaweasel\'snap。"

Joe\'sfingerswerecreamy；hismouthwashalffilledwithJohnny-cake，andhispocketontherightbulgedtoitsutmostcapacitywiththesame，asheheldforththebasket；butthelittlewomanwasafraidtotrusthim，asshehadbeenafraidtotrustherneighbors。

"No!No!"shereplied，tohisrepeatedoffers。"IknowwhatI\'lldo。You，JoeDevins，stayrightwhereyouaretillIcomeback，and，don\'tyoueverLOOKoutofthewindow。"

"Dear，dearme!"shecried，flushedandanxiouswhenshewasoutofsightofUncleJohnandJoe。"IWISHI\'dgiven\'emtoCol。

Barrettwhenhewasherebeforedaylight，only，IWASafraidI

shouldnevergetsightofthemagain。"

Shedrewoffoneofherstockings，filledit，tiedtheopeningatthetopwithastring-plungedstockingandallintoapailfullofwaterandproceededtopourthecontentsintothewell。

Justasthedarkcirclehadclosedoverthebluestockings，JoeDevin\'sfacepeereddownthedepthsbyherside，andhisvoicesoundedoutthewords:"OMotherMoulton，theBritishwillsearchthewellstheVERYfirstthing。Ofcourse，theyEXPECTtofindthingsinwells!"

"Whydidn\'tyoutellmebefore，Joe？butnowitistoolate。"

"Iwould，ifI\'dknownwhatyouwasgoingtodo；they\'dbeenasightsafer，inthehoneytree。"

"Yes，andwhatafoolI\'vebeen——flungMYWATCHintothewellwiththespoons!"

"Well，well!Don\'tstandthere，looking，"asshehoveredoverthehighcurb，withherhandonthebucket。"Everybodywillknow，ifyoudo，there。"

"Martha!Martha？"shriekedUncleJohn\'squaveringvoicefromthehousedoor。

"Blessmyheart!"sheexclaimed，hurryingbackoverthestones。

"What\'sthematterwithyourheart？"questionedJoe。

"Nothing。IwasthinkingofUncleJohn\'smoney，"sheanswered。

"Hashegotmoney？"criedJoe。"Ithoughthewaspoor，andyoutookcareofhimbecauseyouweresogood"

NotonewordthatJoeuttereddidthelittlewomanhear。ShewasalreadybyUncleJohn\'ssideandaskinghimforthekeytohisstrongbox。

UncleJohn\'srheumatismwasterriblyexasperating。"No，Iwon\'tgiveittoyou!"hecried，"andnobodyshallhaveitaslongasI\'maboveground。"

"Thenthesoldierswillcarryitoff，"shesaid。

"Let\'em!"washisreply，graspinghisstafffirmlywithbothhandsandgleamingdefianceoutofhiswide，paleeyes。"YOU

won\'tgetthekey，eveniftheydo。"

Atthisinstant，avoiceatthedoorwayshoutedthewords，"Hide，hideawaysomewhere，MotherMoulton，fortheRed-coatsareinsightthisminute!"

Sheheardthewarning，andgivingoneglanceatUncleJohn，whichlookwasansweredbyanother，"no，youwon\'thaveit，"shegraspedJoeDevinsbythecollarofhisjacketandthrusthimbeforeherupthestaircase，soquicklythattheboyhadnochancetospeak，untilshereleasedherholdattheentrancetoUncleJohn\'sroom。

Theideaofbeingtakenprisonerinsuchamanner，andbyawoman，too，wastoomuchforthelad\'sendurance。"Letmego!"

hecried，theinstanthecouldrecoverhisbreath。"Iwon\'thideawayinyourgarret，likeawoman，Iwon\'t。Iwanttoseethemilitiaandtheminutemenfightthetroops，Ido。"

"Helpmefirst，Joe。Here，quicknow；let\'sgetthisboxoutandupgarret。We\'llhideitunderthecornandit\'llbesafe，"shecoaxed。

TheboxwasunderUncleJohn\'sbed。

"What\'sintheoldthinganyhow？"questionedJoe，pullingwithallhisstrengthatit。

Thebox，orchest，waspaintedred，andwasboundaboutbymassiveironbands。

"I\'veneverseentheinsideofit，"saidMotherMoulton。"Itholdsthepooroldsoul\'ssoletreasure，andIDOwanttosaveitforhimifIcan。"

Theyhaddrawnitwithmuchhardendeavor，asfarasthegarretstairs，buttheirunitedstrengthfailedtoliftit。"Heaveit，now!"criedJoe，andlo!itwasuptwosteps。Sotheyturneditoverandoverwithmanyathuddingthump；everyoneofwhichthumpsUncleJohnheard，andbelievedtobestrokesupontheboxitselftoburstitasunder，untilitwasfairlyshelvedonthegarretfloor。

Intheverymidstoftheoverturnings，avoicefrombelowhadbeenheardcryingout，"Letmyboxalone!Don\'tbreakitopen。

Ifyoudo，I\'ll——I\'ll——"but，whateverthepoormanMEANTtothreatenasapenalty，hecouldnotthinkofanythinghalfsevereenoughtosayandsoleftituncertainastothepunishmentthatmightbelookedfor。

"Pooroldsoul!"ejaculatedthelittlewoman，hersoftwhitecurlsindisorderandthepinkcolorrisingfromhercheekstoherfairforehead，asshebenttohelpJoedragtheboxbeneaththerafter\'sedge。

"Now，Joe，"shesaid。"we\'llheapnubbinsoverit，andifthesoldierswantcornthey\'lltakegoodearsandneverthinkoftouchingpoornubbins"；sotheyfelltoworkthrowingcornovertheredchest，untilitwascompletelyconcealedfromview。

Thenhesprangtothehigh-up-windowledgeinthepointoftheroofandtookoneglanceout。"Oh，Iseethem，theRed-coats。

True\'sIlive，theregothemilitiaUPTHEHILL。Ithoughttheywasgoingtostandanddefend。Shameon\'em，Isay。"JumpingdownandcryingbacktoMotherMoulton，"I\'mgoingtostandbytheminutemen，"hewentdown，threestepsataleap，andnearlyoverturnedUncleJohnonthestairs，who，withmanygroanswastryingtogettothedefenseofhisstrongbox。

"Whatdidyouhelpherfor，youscamp，"hedemandedofJoe，flourishinghisstaffunpleasantlynearthelad\'shead。

"\'Causesheaskedmeto，andcouldn\'tdoitalone，"returnedJoe，dodgingthestickanddisappearingfromthescene，attheverymomentMarthaMoultonencounteredUncleJohn。

"Yourstrongboxissafeundernubbinsinthegarret，unlessthehouseburnsdown，andnowthatyouareuphere，youhadbetterstay，"sheaddedsoothingly，asshehastenedbyhimtoreachthekitchenbelow。

Oncethere，shepausedasecondortwototakeresolutionregardinghernextact。Sheknewfullwellthattherewasnotonesecondtospare，andyetshestoodlooking，apparently，intotheglowingembersonthehearth。Shewasflushedandexcited，bothbytheunwontedtoil，andthecomingevents。Cobwebsfromtheraftershadfallenonherhairandhome-spundress，andwouldreadilyhavebetrayedherlateoccupation，toanydiscerningsoldieroftheking。

Asmilebrokesuddenlyoverherface，displacingforabriefsecondeverytraceofcare。"It\'smyonlyweapon，andImustuseit，"shesaid，makingastatelycourtesytoanimaginaryguestandstraightwaydisappearedwithinanadjoiningroom。Withbuttoneddooranddroppedcurtainsthelittlewomanmadehastetoarrayherselfinherfinestraiment。Infiveminutesshereappearedinthekitchen，apicturepleasanttolookat。InallNewEngland，therecouldnotbeamorebeautifullittleoldladythanMarthaMoultonwasthatday。Herhairwasguiltlessnowofcobwebs，buthaloedherfacewithfluffylittlecurlsofsilverywhiteness，abovewhich，likeacrown，wasalittlecapofdottedmuslin，pureassnow。Hererectfigure，notaparticleofthehard-working-dayinitnow，carriedwellthefoldsofasheeny，blacksilkgown，overwhichshehadtiedanapronasspotlessasthecap。

Asshefastenedbackhergownandhurriedawaythesignsofthebreakfastshehadnoteaten，theclearpinktintsseemedtocomeoutwithaddedbeautyofcoloringinhercheeks；whileherhairseemedfairerandwhiterthanatanymomentinherthree-scoreandelevenyears。

OncemoreJoeDevinslookedin。Ashecaughtaglimpseofthepictureshemade，hepausedtocryout:"Alldresseduptomeettherobbers!My，howfineyoudolook!Iwouldn\'t。I\'dgoandhidebehindthenubbins。They\'llbehereinlessthanfiveminutesnow，"hecried，"andI\'mgoingovertheNorthBridgetoseewhat\'sgoingonthere。"

"OJoe，stay，won\'tyou？"sheurged，buttheladwasgone，andshewasleftalonetomeetthefoe，comfortingherselfwiththethought，"They\'lltreatmewithmorerespectifILOOK

respectable，andifImustdie，I\'lldiegood-lookinginmybestclothes，anyhow。"

Shethrewafewsticksofhickory-woodontheembers，andthendrewoutthelittleroundstand，onwhichthefamilyBiblewasalwayslying。RecollectingthattheBritishsoldiersprobablybelongedtotheChurchofEngland，shehurriedawaytofetchUncleJohn\'s"prayer-book。"

"They\'llhaverespecttome，iftheyfindmereadingthat，I

know，"shethought。Havingdrawntheroundstandwithinsightofthewell，andwhereshecouldalsocommandaviewofthestaircase，shesatandwaitedforcomingevents。

UncleJohnwaskeepingwatchoftheadvancingtroopsfromanupperwindow。"Martha，"hecalled，"you\'dbettercomeup。

They\'recloseby，now。"Totellthetruth，UncleJohnhimselfwasalittleafraid；thatistosayhehadn\'tquitecourageenoughtogodown，and，perhaps，encounterhisownrheumatismandtheking\'ssoldiersonthesamestairway，andyet，hefeltthathemustdefendMarthaaswellashecould。

Therapofamusket，quickandringingonthefrontdoor，startledthelittlewomanfromherapparentdevotions。Shedidnotmoveatthecallofanythingsoprofane。Itwasthecustomofthetimetohavethefrontdoordividedintotwoparts，thelowerhalfandtheupperhalf。Theformerwasclosedandmadefast，theuppercouldbeswungopenatwill。

Thesoldiergettingnoreply，anddoubtlessthinkingthatthehousewasdeserted，leapedoverthechainedlowerhalfofthedoor。

Attheclangofhisbayonetagainstthebrasstrimmings，MarthaMoultongroanedinspirit，for，iftherewasanyonethingthatshedeemedessentialtohercomfortinthislife，itwastokeepspotless，specklessandineverywayunharmed，thegreatknockeronherfrontdoor。

"Good，soundEnglishmetal，too，"shethought，"thatanEnglishsoldieroughttoknowhowtorespect。"

AssheheardthetrampofcomingfeetsheonlybentthecloserovertheBookofPrayerthatlayopenonherknee。Notoneworddidshereadorsee；shewasinwardlytremblingandoutwardlywatchingthewellandthestaircase。Butnow，aboveallothersounds，brokethenoiseofUncleJohn\'sstaffthrashingtheupperstepofthestaircase，andtheshrilltremulouscryoftheoldmandefiant，doinghisutmostforthedefenseofhiscastle。

Thefingersthatlaybeneaththebooktingledwithdesiretoboxtheoldman\'sears，forthepolicyhewaspursuingwouldbefataltothetreasureingarretandinwell；butshewasforcedtosilenceandinactivity。

AstheKing\'stroops，MajorPitcairnattheirhead，reachedtheopendoorandsawtheoldlady，theypaused。Whatcouldtheydobutlook，foramoment，attheunexpectedsightthatmettheirview；aplacidoldladyinblacksilkanddottedmuslin，withallthesweetsolemnityofmorningdevotionhoveringaboutthetidyapartmentandseemingtocentreattheroundstandbywhichshesat，thisprettywoman，withpinkandwhitefacesurmountedwithfleecylittlecurlsandcrinklesandwispsoffloatingwhiteness，wholookeduptomeettheirgazewithsuchinnocentprayer-suffusedeyes。

"Goodmorning，Mother，"saidMajorPitcairn，raisinghishat。

"Goodmorning，gentlemenandsoldiers，"returnedMarthaMoulton。

"Youwillpardonmynotmeetingyouatthedoor，whenyouseethatIwasoccupiedinrenderingservicetotheLordofall。"Shereverentlyclosedthebook，laiditonthetable，andarose，withastatelybearing，todemandtheirwishes。

"We\'rehungry，goodwoman，"spokethecommander，"andyourhearthistheonlyhospitableonewe\'veseensinceweleftBoston。WithyourgoodleaveI\'lltakeabitofthis，andhestoopedtoliftuptheJohnny-cakethathadbeenallthiswhileonthehearth。

"IwishIhadsomethingbettertoofferyou，"shesaid，makinghastetofetchplatesandknivesfromthecorner-cupboard，andallthewhileshewaskeepingeye-guardoverthewell。"I\'mafraidtheConcordershaven\'tleftmuchforyouto-day，"sheadded，withasoftsighofregret，asthoughshereallyfeltsorrythatsuchbravemenandgoodsoldiershadfallenonhardtimesintheancienttown。Atthemomentshehadbroughtforthbreadandbakedbeans，andwasputtingthemonthetable，avoicerangintotheroom，causingeveryeyetoturntowardUncleJohn。

Hehadgottendownthestairswithoututteringoneaudiblegroan，andwasstanding，onestepabovetheflooroftheroom，brandishingandwhirlinghisstaffaboutinamannertocauseevenrheumatismtofleetheplace，while，atthetopofhisvoicehecriedout:

"MarthaMoulton，howDAREyouFEEDthese——these——monsters——inhumanform!"

"Don\'tmindhim，gentlemen，pleasedon\'t，"shemadehastetosay，"he\'sold，VERYold；eighty-five，hislastbirthday，and——alittlehoity-toityattimes，"pointingdeftlywithherfingerintheregionofthereasoningpowersinherownshapelyhead。

SummoningMajorPitcairnbyanofferofadishofbeans，shecontrivedtosay，undercovertofit:

"Yousee，sir，Icouldn\'tgoawayandleavehim；heisalmostdistractedwithrheumatism，andthisexcitementto-daywillkillhim，I\'mafraid。"

Advancingtowardthestaircasewithboldandsoldierlyfront，MajorPitcairnsaidtoUncleJohn:

"Standaside，oldman，andwe\'llholdyouharmless。"

"Idon\'tbelieveyouwill，youred-trimmedtrooper，you，"wasthereply；and，withadexterousswingofthewoodenstaff，hemowedoffanddownthreemilitaryhats。

Beforeanyonehadtimetospeak，MarthaMoultonadroitlystooping，asthoughtorecoverMajorPitcairn\'shat，whichhadrolledtoherfeet，swungthestairway-doorintoitsplacewitharesoundingbang，andfollowedupthatachievementwithaswiftturnoftwolargewoodenbuttons，onehighup，andtheotherlowdown，nearthefloor。

"There!"shesaid，"heissafeoutofmischiefforawhile，andyourheadsaresafeaswell。Pardonapooroldman，whodoesnotknowwhatheisabout。"

"Heseemstoknowremarkablywell，"exclaimedanofficer。

Meanwhile，behindthestrongdoor，UncleJohn\'swrathknewnobounds。Inhisfranticendeavorstoburstthefasteningsofthewoodenbuttons，rheumaticcrampsseizedhimandcarriedtheday，leavinghimoutofthebattle。

Meanwhile，aportionofthesoldieryclusteredaboutthedoor。

Theking\'shorseswerefedwithinfivefeetofthegreatbrassknocker，while，withinthehouse，thebeautifullittleoldwoman，inherSunday-best-raiment，triedtodothedismalhonorsofthedaytothefoesofhercountry。Watchingher，onewouldhavethoughtshewasentertainingheroesreturnedfromtheachievementofvaliantdeeds，whereas，inherownheart，sheknewfullwellthatshewasgivingalittletosavemuch。

Nothingcouldexceedtheseemingalacritywithwhichshefetchedwaterfromthewellfortheofficers:and，whenMajorPitcairngallantlyorderedhismentodotheservice，thelittlesoulwasinalarm；shewassoafraidthat"somehow，insomewayoranother，thebluestockingwouldgethitchedontothebucket。"

Sheknewthatshemusttoitsrescue，andsoshebravelyacknowledgedherselftohavetakenavow(when，shedidnotsay)，todrawallthewaterthatwastakenfromthatwell。

"Aremnantofwitchcraft!"remarkedasoldierwithinhearing。

"DoIlooklikeawitch？"shedemanded。

"Ifyoudo，"repliedMajorPitcairn，"IadmireNewEnglandwitches，andneverwouldcondemnonetobehung，orburned，or——smothered。"

MarthaMoultonneverworesobrilliantacoloronheragedcheeksasatthatmoment。Shefeltbittershameattheruseshehadattempted，butsilverspoonswereprecious，and，toescapethesmilethatwentaroundatMajorPitcairn\'swords，shewasonlytoogladtogoagaintothewellanddipslowlythehigh，over-hangingsweepintothecool，clear，darkdepthbelow。

Duringthistimethecold，frostymorningspentitselfintothebrilliant，shiningnoon。

YouknowwhathappenedatConcordonthat19thofAprilintheyear1775。Youhavebeentoldthestory，howthemenofActonmetandresistedtheking\'stroopsattheoldNorthBridge，howbraveCaptainDavisandminute-manHosmerfell，howthesoundoftheirfallingstruckdowntotheveryheartofmotherearth，andcausedhertosendforthherbravesonstocry"Liberty，orDeath!"

Andtherestofthestory；thesixtyormorebarrelsofflourthattheking\'stroopsfoundandstrucktheheadsfrom，leavingtheflourinconditiontobegatheredagainatnightfall，thearmsandpowderthattheydestroyed，thehousestheyburned；allthese，aretheynotrecordedineverychild\'shistoryintheland？

Whilethesethingsweregoingon，forabriefwhile，atmid-day，MarthaMoultonfoundherhomedeserted。Shehadnotforgottenpoor，suffering，irateUncleJohnintheregionsabove，and，so，theveryminuteshehadthechance，shemadeastrongcupofcatniptea(therealtea，youknow，wasbrewinginBostonharbor)。

Sheturnedthebuttons，and，withabitoftremblingatherheart，suchasshehadnotfeltallday，sheventuredupthestairs，bearingthesteamingpeace-offeringbeforeher。

UncleJohnwaswrithingunderthesharpthornsandtwingesofhisoldenemy，andinnoframeofmindtoreceiveanyoverturesintheshapeofcatniptea；nevertheless，hewaswatching，aswellashewasable，themotionsoftheenemy。Asshedrewnearhecriedout:

"Lookoutthiswindow，andsee!MuchGOODallyourschemingwilldoYOU!"

Sheobeyedhiscommandtolook，andthesightshethensawcausedhertoletfallthecupofcatnipteaandrushdownthestairs，wringingherhandsasshewentandcryingout:

"Oh，dear!whatshallIdo？Thehousewillburnandtheboxupgarret。Everything\'slost!"

MajorPitcairn，atthatmoment，wasonthegreeninfrontofherdoor，givingorders。

Forgettingthedignifiedpartsheintendedtoplay，forgettingeverythingbutthesupremedangerthatwashoveringinmid-airoverherhome——theoldhousewhereinshehadbeenborn，andtheonlyhomeshehadeverknown——sherushedoutuponthegreen，amidthetroops，andsurroundedbycavalry，andmadeherwaytoMajorPitcairn。

"Thetown-houseisonfire!"shecried，layingherhanduponthecommander\'sarm。

Heturnedandlookedather。MajorPitcairnhadrecentlylearnedthatthetaskhehadbeensettodointheprovincialtownsthatdaywasnotaneasyone；that，whenhardpressedandtroddendown，thedespisedrustics，inhome-spundress，couldstingevenEnglishsoldiers；andthusithappenedthat，whenhefeltthetouchofMotherMoulton\'splumplittleoldfingersonhismilitarysleeve，hewasnotinthepleasanthumorthathehadbeen，whenthesamehandhadministeredtohishungerintheearlymorning。

"Well，whatofit？LETITBURN!Wewon\'thurtyou，ifyougointhehouseandstaythere!"

Sheturnedandglancedupatthecourt-house。Alreadyflameswereissuingfromit。"Gointhehouseandletitburn，INDEED!"

thoughtshe。"Heknowsme，don\'the？Oh，sir!fortheloveofHeavenwon\'tyoustopit？"shesaid，entreatingly。

"Runinthehouse，goodmother。Thatisawisewoman，"headvised。

Downinherheart，andastheveryoutcomeoflipandbrainshewantedtosay，"Youneedn\'t\'mother\'me，youmurderousrascal!"

but，rememberingeverythingthatwasatstake，shecrushedherwrathandbuttoneditinascloselyasshehadUncleJohnbehindthedoorinthemorning，andagain，withswiftgentleness，laidherhandonhisarm。

Heturnedandlookedather。Vexedatherpersistence，andextremelyannoyedatintelligencethathadjustreachedhimfromtheNorthBridge，hesaid，imperiously，"Getaway!oryou\'llbetroddendownbythehorses!"

"ICAN\'Tgo!"shecried，claspinghisarm，andfairlyclingingtoitinherfrenzyofexcitement。"Ohstopthefire，quick，quick!

ormyhousewillburn!"

"Ihavenotimetoputoutyourfires，"hesaid，carelessly，shakingloosefromherholdandturningtomeetamessengerwithnews。

Poorlittlewoman!Whatcouldshedo？Thewindwasrising，andthefiregrew。Flamewascreepingoutinalittlebluecurlinanewplace，undertherafter\'sedge，ANDNOBODYCARED。Thatwaswhatincreasedthepressingmiseryofitall。Itwassounlikeacommoncountryalarm，whereeverybodyrushedupanddownthestreets，crying"Fire!fire!f-i-r-e!"andwenthurryingtoandfroforpailsofwatertohelpputitout。Untilthatmomentthelittlewomandidnotknowhowutterlydesertedshewas。

Inverydespair，sherantoherhouse，seizedtwopails，filledthemwithgreaterhastethanshehadeverdrawnwaterbefore，and，regardlessofUncleJohn\'simprecations，carriedthemforth，oneineitherhand，thewaterdrippingcarelesslydownthesidebreadthsofherfairsilkgown，hersilverycurlstossedandtumbledinwhiteconfusion，herpleasantfaceaflamewitheagerness，andhercleareyessuffusedwithtears。

Thusequippedwithfactsandfeeling，sheoncemoreappearedtoMajorPitcairn。

"HaveyouamotherinoldEngland？"shecried。"Ifso，forhersake，stopthisfire。"

Herwordstouchedhisheart。

"AndifIdo——？"heanswered。

"THENYOURJOHNNY-CAKEONMYHEARTHWON\'TBURNUP，"shesaid，withaquicklittlesmile，adjustinghercap。

MajorPitcairnlaughed，andtwosoldiers，athiscommand，seizedthepailsandmadehastetothecourt-house，followedbymanymore。

Forawhilethefireseemedvictorious，but，bybraveeffort，itwasfinallyovercome，andthecourt-housesaved。

AtadistanceJoeDevinshadnoticedthesmokehoveringlikealittlecloud，thensailingawaystillmorelikeacloudoverthetown；andhehadmadehastetothescene，arrivingintimetoventureontheroof，anddogoodservicethere。

Afterthefirewasextinguished，hethoughtofMarthaMoulton，andhecouldnothelpfeelingabitguiltyattheconsciousnessthathehadgoneoffandleftheralone。

Goingtothehousehefoundherentertainingtheking\'strooperswiththebestfoodherhumblestoreafforded。

Shewassocharmedwithherself，andsoutterlywellpleasedwiththesuccessofherpleading，thatthelittlewoman\'snervesfairlyquiveredwithjubilation；andbestofall，thebluestockingwasstillsafeinthewell，forhadshenotwatchedwithherowneyeseverytimethebucketwasdippedtofetchupwaterforthefire，having，somehow，gotridofthevowshehadtakenregardingthedrawingofthewater。

Asshesawtheladlooking，withsurprisedcountenance，intotheroomwherethefeastwasgoingon，afearcreptupherownfaceanddartedoutfromhereyes。Itwas，lestJoeDevinsshouldspoilitallbyill-timedwords。

Shemadehastetomeethim，basketinhand。

"Here，Joe，"shesaid，"fetchmesomesmallwood，there\'sagoodboy。"

Asshegavehimthebasketshewasjustintimetostoptherejoinderthatwasissuingfromhislips。

Intimetointercepthisreturnshewasatthewood-pile。

"Joe，"shesaid，half-abashedbeforethetruththatshoneintheboy\'seyes，"Joe，"sherepeated，"youknowMajorPitcairnorderedthefireputout，TOPLEASEME，becauseIbeggedhimso，and，inreturn，whatCANIdobutgivethemsomethingtoeat。Comeandhelpme。"

"Iwon\'t，"respondedJoe。"Theirhandsareredwithblood。

They\'vekilledtwomenatthebridge。"

"Who\'skilled？"sheasked，trembling，butJoewouldnottellher。

HedemandedtoknowwhathadbeendonewithUncleJohn。

"He\'squietenough，up-stairs，"shereplied，withasuddenspasmoffeelingthatsheHADneglectedUncleJohnshamefully；still，withtheday，andthefireandeverything，howcouldshehelpit？

but，really，itdidseemstrangethathemadenonoise，withahundredarmedmencomingandgoingthroughthehouse。

Atleast，thatwaswhatJoethought，and，havingdepositedthebasketofwoodonthethresholdofthekitchendoor，hedepartedaroundthecornerofthehouse。Presentlyhehadclimbedapear-tree，droppedfromoneofitsoverhangingbranchesonthelean-to，raisedasashandcreptintothewindow。

Slippingoffhisshoes，heavywithspring-mud，heproceededtosearchforUncleJohn。Hewasnotinhisownroom；hewasnotintheguest-chamber；hewasnotinanyoneoftherooms。

Onthefloor，bythewindowinthehall，lookingoutuponthegreen，hefoundthebrokencupandsaucerthatMarthaMoultonhadletfall。Havingmadeasecondround，inwhichheinvestigatedeveryclosetandpenetratedintothespacesunderbeds，Joethoughtofthegarret。

Tramp，trampwenttheheavyfeetonthesandedfloorsbelow，drowningeverypossiblesoundfromabove；nevertheless，astheladopenedthedoorleadingintothegarret，hewhisperedcautiously:"UncleJohn!UncleJohn!"

Allwassilentabove。Joewentup，andwasstartledbyagroan。

Hehadtostandafewseconds，toletthedarknessgrowintolight，erehecouldsee；and，whenhecoulddiscernoutlinesinthedimness，therewasgiventohimthepictureofUncleJohn，lyinghelplessamidanduponthenubbinsthathadbeenpiledoverhisstrongbox。

"Why，UncleJohn，areyoudead？"askedJoe，climbingovertohisside。

"Isthehouseafire？"wastheresponse。

"Houseafire？No!Theconfoundedred-coatsupandputitout。"

"Ithoughttheywasgoingtoletmeburntodeathuphere!"

groanedUncleJohn。

"CanIhelpyouup？"andJoeprofferedtwostronghands，ratherblackwithtoilandsmoke。

"No，no!Youcan\'thelpme。Ifthehouseisn\'tafire，I\'llstandittillthefellowsaregone，andthen，Joeyoufetchthedoctorasquickasyoucan。"

"YOUcan\'tgetadoctorforlovenormoneythisnight，UncleJohn。There\'stoomuchworktobedoneinLexingtonandConcordto-nightforwoundedanddyingmen；andthere\'llbemoreof\'emtooaforeasinglered-coatseesBostonagain。They\'llbehunteddowneverystepoftheway。They\'vekilledCaptainDavis，fromActon。"

"Youdon\'tsayso!"

"Yes，theyhave，and——"

"Isay，JoeDevins，godownanddo-dosomething。There\'smyniece，a-feedingthemurderers!I\'lldisownher。Sheshan\'thaveapennyofmypounds，sheshan\'t!"

BothJoeandUncleJohnwerecompelledtoremainininaction，whilebelow，thewearylittlewomanactedthekindhostesstoHisMajesty\'stroops。

Butnowthefeastwasspent，andthesoldiersweresummonedtobegintheirpainfulmarch。Assembledonthegreen，allwasready，whenMajorPitcairn，rememberingthelittlewomanwhohadministeredtohiswants，returnedtothehousetosayfarewell。

\'Twasbutasteptoherdoor，andbutamomentsincehehadleftit，buthefoundhercrying；cryingwithjoy，intheverychairwherehehadfoundheratprayersinthemorning。

"Iwouldliketosaygood-by，"hesaid；"you\'vebeenverykindtometo-day。"

Withaquickdashortwoofthedottedwhiteapron(spotlessnolonger)tohereye，shearose。MajorPitcairnextendedhishand，butshefoldedherowncloselytogether，andsaid:

"IwishyouapleasantjourneybacktoBoston，sir。"

"WillyounotshakehandswithmebeforeIgo？"

"Icanfeedtheenemyofmycountry，butshakehandswithhim，NEVER!"

Forthefirsttimethatday，thelittlewoman\'sloveofcountryseemedtorisetriumphantwithinher，anddrowneveryimpulsetoselfishness；orwasitthenearnesstosafetythatshefelt？

Humanconductistheresultofsomanymotivesthatitissometimesimpossibletonamethecompound，althoughonthatoccasionMarthaMoultonlabelledit"Patriotism。"

"AndyetIputoutthefireforyou，"hesaid。

"Foryourmother\'ssake，inoldEngland，itwas，youremember，sir。"

"Iremember，"saidMajorPitcairn，withasigh，asheturnedaway。

"AndforHERsakeIwillshakehandswithyou，"saidMarthaMoulton。

Soheturnedback，andacrossthethreshold，inpresenceofthewaitingtroops，thecommanderoftheexpeditiontoConcord，andtheonlywomaninthetown，shookhandsatparting。

MarthaMoultonsawMajorPitcairnmounthishorse；heardtheordergivenforthemarchtobegin，——themarchofwhichyouallhaveheard。YouknowwhatasorrytimetheRed-coatshadofitingettingbacktoBoston；howtheywerefoughtateveryinchoftheway，andwaylaidfrombehindeveryconvenienttree-trunk，andshotatfromtree-tops，andaimedatfromupperwindows，andbeseigedfrombehindstonewalls，and，inshort，madesomiserableandharassedandoverworn，thatatlasttheirdepletedranks，withthetonguesofthemenparchedandhanging，werefaintoliedownbytheroad-sideandtakewhatcamenext，eventhoughitmightbedeath。AndthenTHEDEADtheyleftbehindthem!

Ah!there\'snothingwholesometomindorbodyaboutwar，untillong，longafteritisover，andtheearthhashadtimetohidetheblood，andsenditforthinsweetbloomsofliberty，withforget-me-notsspringingthickbetween。

Themenofthatdayarelongdead。Thesamesoilholdsregularsandminute-men。England，whoover-ruled，andtheprovinces，thatputoutbravehandstoseizetheirrights，aregoodfriendsto-day，andhaveshakenhandsovermanyathresholdofheartythoughtandkinddeedssincethattime。

ThetreeofLibertygrowsyet，statelyandfair，forthemenoftheRevolutionplanteditwellandsurely。GodhimselfHATH

givenitincrease。Sowegatherto-day，inthisourstory，aforget-me-notmore，fromtheoldtownofConcord。

Whenthetroopshadmarchedaway，thewearylittlewomanlaidasidehersilkengown，resumedherhomespundress，andimmediatelybegantothinkofgettingUncleJohndown-stairsagainintohiseasychair；butitrequiredmoreaidthanshecouldgivetoliftthefallenman。AtlastJoeDevinssummonedreturningneighbors，whocametotherescue，andthepoornubbinswerelefttotheratsoncemore。

Joeclimbeddownthewellandrescuedthebluestocking，withitstreasuresunharmed，eventothepreciouswatch，whichwatchwasMarthaMoulton\'schieftreasure，andoneofveryfewinthetown。

MarthaMoultonwastheheroineoftheday。Thehousewasbeseigedbyadmiringmenandwomenthatnightandfortwoorthreedaysthereafter；butwhen，yearslater，shebeingolder，andpoorer，eventowant，petitionedtheGeneralCourtforarewardfortheservicesherenderedinpersuadingMajorPitcairntosavethecourt-housefromburning，therewasgrantedtoheronlyfifteendollars，apoorlittleforget-me-not，itistrue，butJUSTENOUGHtocarryherstorydowntheyears，whereas，butforthat，itmightneverhavebeenwaftedupanddowntheland。

Sweep，sweep，sweep!Upallthisdirtanddust，ForMammaisbusytodayandhelpherIsurelymust。

Everythingnowisspickandspan；awaytomyplayIwillrun。

Itwillbesucha\'sprisetoMammatofindallthisworkisdone。

THECONQUESTOFFAIRYLAND。

TherereignedakinginthelandofPersia，mightyandgreatwashegrown，Onthenecksofthekingsoftheconqueredearthhebuildeduphisthrone。

TheresateakingonthethroneofPersia；andhewasgrownsoproudThatallthelifeoftheworldwaslesstohimthanapassingcloud。

Hereignedinglory:joyandsorrowlyingbetweenhishands。

Ifhesighedanationshook，hissmileripenedtheharvestoflands。

Hewasthesaddestmanbeneaththeeverlastingsky，Forallhisglorieshadlefthimold，andtheproudestkingmustdie。

HewhowasevenasGodtoallthenationsofmen，Mustdieasthemerestpeasantdies，andturnintoearthagain。

Andhislifewiththefearofdeathwasbitterandsickandaccursed，Asbrackishwatertodrinkofwhichistobeforeverathirst。

Thehatefulyearsrolledonandon，butonceitchancedatnoonThedrowsycourtwasthrilledtogladness，itechoedsosweetatune。

Lowasthelappingoftilesea，asthesongofthelarkisclear，Wildasthemoaningofpinebranches；thekingwasfaintohear。

"Whatisthesong，andwhoisthesinger？"hesaid；"beforethethroneLethimcome，forthesongsoftheworldaremine，andallbutthisareknown。"

Sevenmightykingswentouttheminstrelmantofind:

Andalltheyfoundwasadeadcyprussoughinginthewind。

Andslowerstill，andsadderstilltheheavywintersrolled，Andtheburningsummerswanedaway，andthekinggrewveryold；

Dull，worn，feeble，bent；andoncehethought，"todieWererest，atleast。"Andashethoughtthemusicwanderedby。

Intothepresenceoftheking，singing，thesingercame，Andhisfacewaslikethespringinflower，hiseyeswereclearasflame。

"Whatisthesongyouplay，andwhatthethemeyourpraisessing？

Itissweet；IknewnotIownedathingsosweet，"saidthewearyking。

"Isingmycountry，"saidthesinger，"alandthatissweeterthansong。"

"Whichofmykingdomsisyourcountry？ThitherwouldIalong。"

"Great，Oking，isthypower，andtheearthafootstoolforthyfeet；

Butmycountryisfree，andmyowncountry，andoh，mycountryissweet!"

Asheheardtheeyesofthekinggrewyoungandalivewithfire"Lo，isthereleftontheearthathingtostrivefor，athingtodesire？

"Whereisthycountry？tellme，Osinger，speakthineinnermostheart!

Leavethymusic!speakplainly!Speak-forgetthineart!"

Theeyesofthesingershoneashesang，andhisvoicerangwildandfreeAstheelementalwindortheuncontrollablesobsofthesea。

"Omydistanthome!"hesighed；"Oh，alas!awayandafarIwatchtheenowasalostsailorwatchesashiningstar。

"Oh，thatawindwouldtakemethere!thatabirdwouldsetmedownWherethegoldenstreetsshineredatsunsetinmyfather\'stown!

"ForonlyindreamsIseethefacesofthewomenthere，AndfainwouldIhearthemsingingonce，braidingtheirropesofhair。

"Oh，Iamthirsty，andlongtodrinkoftheriverofLife，andI

Amfaintofindmyowncountry，wherenomanshalldie。"

Outofthelightofthethronethekinglookeddown:asinthespringThegreenleavesburstfromtheirduskybuds，sowashopeintheeyesoftheking。

"Lo，"hesaid，"Iwillmaketheegreat；IwillmaketheemightyinswayEvenasI；butthenameofthycountryspeak，andtheplaceandtheway。"

"Oh，thewaytomycountryisevernorthtillyoupassthemouthofhell，Pastthelimboofdreamsandthedesolatelandwhereshadowsdwell。

"Andwhenyouhavereachedthefountofwonder，youfordthewaterswanTothelandofelvesandthelandoffairies，enchantedMasinderan。"

Thesingerceased；andthelyreinhishandsnapped，asacord，intwain；

AndneitherlyrenorsingerwasseeninthekingdomofPersiaagain。

Andallthenoblesgazedastounded；nomanspokeawordTilltheoldkingsaid:"Calloutmyarmies；bringmehitherasword!"

Asalittletorrentswollenbysnowsisturnedtoaterriblestream，Sothegatheringvoicesofallhiscountriescriedtothekinginhisdream。

Crying，"Forthee，Oourking，fortheewehadfreelyandwillinglydied，Warriors，martyrs，whatthouwilt；notthatourlivesbetide"Theworthofathoughttotheking，butratherbecausethyrodIsoverourheadsasoverthineIsthechangelesswillofGod。

"Ratherforthiswebeseechthee，Omaster，forthineownsakerefrainFromtheblasphemousmadnessofpride，fromthefeverofimpiousgain。"

"Youseekmydeath，"thekingthundered；"youcry，forbeartosaveThelifeofakingtoooldtofrolic；lethimsleepinthegrave。

"ButIwillliveforallyourtreason；and，bymyownrighthand!

IwillsetoutthisdaywithyoutoconquerFairyland。"

Thenallthenationspaledaghast，forthebattletobeginWasawarwithGod，andawarwithdeath，andtheyknewthethingwassin。

Sickathearttheygatheredtogether，butnonedenouncedthewrong，ForthewillofGodwasunseen，unsaid，andthewillofthekingwasstrong。

Sotheairgrewbrightwithspears，andtheearthshookunderthetreadOfthemightyhorsesharnessedforbattle；thestandardsflauntedred。

Andthewindwasloudwiththeblareoftrumpets，andeveryhousewasvoidOfthestrengthandstayofthehouse，andthepeaceofthelanddestroyed。

Andthegrowingcornwastroddenundertheweightofarmedfeet，AndeverywomaninPersiacursedthesoundofasongtoosweet，Cursedtheinsensatelongingforlifeintheheartofasickoldman；

ButthekingofPersiawithallhisarmiesmarchedonMasinderan。

ManyadaytheymarchedinthesuntilltheirsilverarmourwasleadTosinktheirbodiesintothegrave，andmanyamanfelldead。

Andtheypassedthemouthofhell，andtheshadowycountrygray，Wheretheairismistandthepeoplemistandtherainmorerealthanthey。

Andtheycametothefountofwonder，andfordedthewaterswan，AndthekingofPersiaandallhisarmiesmarchedonMasinderan。

Andtheyturnedtheriverstoblood，andthefieldstoaravagedcamp，Andtheynearedthegoldenfaerytown，thatburnedintheduskasalamp。

Andtheystoodandshoutedforjoytoseeitstandsonigh，Givenintotheirhandsforspoil；andtheirheartsbeatproudandhigh。

Andthearmieslongedforthemorrow，toconquertheshiningtown，Fortherewasnodeathintheland，neitheranytostrikethemdown。

Thehostsweremanyinnumbers，mighty，andskilledinthestrife，Andtheylustedforgoldandconquestastheoldkinglustedforlife。

And，gazingonthegoldenplace，nighttookthemunaware，Andblackandwindygrewtheskies，andblacktheeddyingairSolongthenightandblackthenightthatfellupontheireyes，Theyquakedwithfear，thosemightyhosts；thesunwouldneverrise。

Darknessanddeafeningsoundsconfusedtheblack，tempestuousair，Andnomansawhisneighbor\'sface，norheardhisneighbor\'sprayer。

Andwildwithterrortheragingarmiesfelloneachotherinfight，Thegroundwasstrewnwithwoundedmen，madinthehorriblenightMadwitheternalpain，withdarknessandstabbingblowsRainedonallsidesfrominvisiblehandstillthegroundwasredasarose。

And，thoughhewaslongingforrest，noneventuredtopausefromthestrife，LesthaplyanotherwoundbehistopoisonhishatefullifeAndthekingentreateddeath；andforpeacethearmiesprayed；

ButthegiftsofGodareeverlasting，hiswordisnotgainsaid；

Goldandbattlearegiventhehosts，theirboonisturnedtoaban，AndthecurseofthekingistoreignforeverinconqueredMasinderan。

A。MARYF。ROBINSON。

HandySpandy，Jack-a-Dandy，Lovedplumcakeandsugarcandy；

Heboughtsomeatagrocer\'sshopAndouthecomewithahop。

hop，hop。

Jockoisamonkey，Dressedjustlikeaclown；

Withthegrinding-organmanHetravelsroundthetown。

Jocko，Jocko，climbapole，Jockoclimbatree，Jocko，Jocko，tipyourcap，Andmakeabowtome。

KENTUCKYBELLE。

Summerof\'sixty-three，sir，andConradwasgoneaway——

Gonetothecounty-town，sir，tosellourfirstloadofhay——

Welivedinthelog-houseyonder，pooraseveryou\'veseen；

Roschentherewasababy，andIwasonlynineteen。

Conrad，hetooktheoxen，butheleftKentuckyBelle；

HowmuchwethoughtofKentucky，Icouldn\'tbegintotell——

CamefromtheBlue-Grasscountry；myfathergavehertomeWhenIrodenorthwithConrad，awayfromTennessee。

ConradlivedinOhio——aGermanheis，youknow——

Thehousestoodinbroadcorn-fields，stretchingon，rowafterrow；

Theoldfolksmademewelcome；theywerekindaskindcouldbeButIkeptlonging，longing，forthehillsofTennessee。

O，forasightofwater，theshadowedslopeofahill!

Cloudsthathangonthesummit，awindthatisneverstillButthelevellandwentstretchingawaytomeetthesky——

Neverarise，fromnorthtosouth，torestthewearyeye!

Fromeasttowest，norivertoshineoutunderthemoon，Nothingtomakeashadowintheyellowafternoon；

Onlythebreathlesssunshine，asIlookedout，allforlorn；

Onlythe"rustle，rustle，"asIwalkedamongthecorn。

WhenIfellsickwithpining，wedidn\'twaitanymore，Butmovedawayfromthecorn-landsouttothisrivershore——

TheTuscarawasit\'scalled，sir——offthere\'sahill，yousee——

AndnowI\'vegrowntolikeitnextbesttotheTennessee。

Iwasatworkthatmorning。SomeonecameridinglikemadOverthebridgeanduptheroad——FarmerRouf\'slittlelad；

Barebackherode；hehadnohat；hehardlystoppedtosay；

"Morgan\'smenarecoming，Frau；they\'regallopingonthisway；

"I\'msenttowarntheneighbors。Heisn\'tamilebehind；

Hesweepsupallthehorses——everyhorsethathecanfind；

Morgan，Morgan，theraider，andMorgan\'sterriblemen，Withbowie-knivesandpistols，aregallopinguptheglen。"

Theladrodedownthevalley，andIstoodstillatthedoor；

Thebabylaughedandprattled，playingwithspoolsonthefloor；

Kentuckwasoutinthepasture；Conrad，myman，wasgone；

Nearer，nearer，Morgan\'smenweregalloping，gallopingon!

SuddenIpickedupthebaby，andrantothepasture-bar；

"Kentuck!"Icalled；"Kentucky!"Sheknewmeeversofar!

Iledherdownthegullythatturnsofftheretotheright，Andtiedhertothebushes；herheadwasjustoutofsight。

AsIranbacktothelog-house，atoncetherecameasound——

Theringofhoofs，gallopinghoofs，tremblingovertheground——

ComingintotheturnpikeoutfromtheWhiteWomanGlen——

Morgan，Morgantheraider，andMorgan\'sterriblemen。

Asneartheydrewandnearer，myheartbeatfastinalarm!

ButstillIstoodinthedoorway，withbabyonmyarm。

Theycame；theypassed；withspurandwhipinhastetheyspedalong——

Morgan，Morgantheraider，andhisbandsixhundredstrong。

Wearytheylookedandjaded，ridingthroughnightandthroughday；

Pushingoneasttotheriver，manylongmilesaway，Totheborder-stripwhereVirginiarunsupintotheWest，TofordtheUpperOhiobeforetheycouldstoptorest。

Onlikethewindtheyhurried，andMorganrodeinadvance；

Brightwerehiseyeslikelivecoals，ashegavemeasidewaysglance；

AndIwasjustbreathingfreely，aftermychokingpain，Whenthelastoneofthetrooperssuddenlydrewhisrein。

FrightenedIwastodeath，sir；Iscarcedaredlookinhisface，Asheaskedforadrinkofwater，andglancedaroundtheplace:

Igavehimacup，andhesmiled——\'twasonlyaboy，yousee；

Faintandworn；withdimblueeyes，andhe\'dsailedontheTennessee。

Onlysixteenhewas，sir——afondmother\'sonlyson——

OffandawaywithMorganbeforehislifehadbegun!

Thedampdropsstoodonhistemples；drawnwastheboyishmouth；

AndIthoughtmeofthemotherwaitingdownintheSouth!

O，pluckwashetothebackbone；andcleargritthroughandthrough；

Boastedandbraggedlikeatrooper；butthebigwordswouldn\'tdo；

Theboywasdyingsir，dying，asplainasplaincouldbe，WornoutbyhisridewithMorganupfromtheTennessee。

But，whenItoldtheladdiethatItoowasfromtheSouth，Watercameintohisdimeyes，andquiversaroundhismouth；

"DoyouknowtheBlue-Grasscountry？"hewistfullybegantosay；

Thenswayedlikeawillowsapling，andfainteddeadaway。

Ihadhimintothelog-house，andworkedandbroughthimto；

Ifedhim，andIcoaxedhim，asIthoughthismother\'ddo；

And，whentheladgotbetter，andthenoiseinhisheadwasgone，Morgan\'smenweremilesaway，galloping，gallopingon。

"O，Imustgo，"hemuttered；"Imustbeupandaway!