Twilight Stories

第2章

Morgan，Morganiswaitingforme!O，whatwillMorgansay？"

ButIheardthesoundoftramping，andkepthimbackfromthedoor——

Theringingsoundofhorses\'hoofsthatIhadheardbefore。

Andon，oncamethesoldiers——theMichigancavalry——

Andfasttheyrode，andbacktheylooked，gallopingrapidly；

TheyhadfollowedhardonMorgan\'strack；theyhadfolloweddayandnight；

ButofMorganandMorgan\'sraiderstheyhadnevercaughtasight。

AndrichOhiosatstartledthroughallthesesummerdays；

Forstrange，wildmenweregallopingoverherbroadhighways；

Nowhere，nowthere，nowseen，nowgone，nownorth，noweast，nowwest，Throughriver-valleysandcorn-landfarms，sweepingawayherbest。

Aboldrideandalongride!Buttheyweretakenatlast；

Theyhadalmostreachedtheriverbygallopinghardandfast；

Buttheboysinbluewereuponthemereevertheygainedtheford，AndMorgan，Morgantheraider，laiddownhisterriblesword。

Well，Ikepttheboytillevening——kepthimagainsthiswill——

Buthewastooweaktofollow，andsattherepaleandstill；

Whenitwascoolanddusky——you\'llwondertohearmetell——

ButIstoledowntothegully，andbroughtupKentuckyBelle。

Ikissedthestaronherforehead——mypretty，gentlelass——

ButIknewthatshe\'dbehappy，backintheoldBlue-Grass:

AsuitofclothesofConrad\'s，withallthemoneyIhad，AndKentucky，prettyKentucky，Igavetotheworn-outlad。

Iguidedhimtothesouthward，aswellasIknewhow:

Theboyrodeoffwithmanythanks，andmanyabackwardbow；

Andthentheglowitfaded，andmyheartbegantoswell；

Anddowntheglenawayshewent，mylostKentuckyBelle!

WhenConradcameintheevening，themoonwasshininghigh，BabyandIwerebothcrying——Icouldn\'ttellhimwhy——

Butabatteredsuitofrebelgraywashangingonthewall，AndathinoldhorsewithdroopingheadstoodinKentucky\'sstall。

Well，hewaskind，andneveroncesaidahardwordtome，HeknewIcouldn\'thelpit——\'twasallfortheTennessee；

But，afterthewarwasover，justthinkwhatcametopass——

Aletter，sir，andthetwoweresafebackintheoldBlue-Grass。

Theladgotacrosstheborder，ridingKentuckyBelle；

AndKentuckshewasthriving，andfat，andhearty，andwell；

Hecaredforher，andkepther，nortouchedherwithwhiporspur；

Ah!we\'vehadmanyhorses，butneverahorselikeher!

CONSTANCEFENIMOREWOOLSON。

Moseswasacamelthattraveledo\'erthesand。

Ofthedesert，fiercelyhot，waydowninEgypt-land；

ButtheybroughthimtotheFair，Nowuponhishump，Everychildcantakearide，Whocanstandthebumpity-bump。

PROPHECIES。

Littleblueegg，inthenestsnugandwarm，Coveredsoclosefromthewindandthestorm，Guardedsocarefullydayafterday，Whatisyouruseinthisworldnow，pray？

"Bendyourheadcloser；mysecretI\'lltell:

There\'sababy-birdhidinmytinyblueshell。"

Littlegreenbud，allcoveredwithdew，Answermyquestionandanswerittrue；

Whatwereyoumadefor，andwhydoyoustayClingingsoclosetothetwigalltheday？

"Hidinmygreensheath，somedaytounclose，Nestlesthewarm，glowingheartofarose。"

Dear，littlebaby-girl，daintyandfair，Sweetestofflowers，ofjewelsmostrare，Surelythere\'snootheruseforyouhereThanjusttobepettedandplayedwith，youdear!

"Oh，awonderfulsecretI\'mcomingtoknow，Justababylikeme，toawomanshallgrow。"

Ah，swiftlythebirdfromthenestfliesaway，Andthebudtoablossomunfoldsdaybyday，Whilethewomanlooksforthinmybaby-girl\'seyes，Throughherjoysandhersorrows，hertearsandsurprise——

Toosoonshalltheyearsbringthisgifttohercup，Godkeepher，mywomanwho\'snowgrowingup!

BYKATHRINELENTESTEVENSON。

WhosaidthatIwasanaughtydog，AndcouldnotbehaveifItried？

IonlychewedupKatrina\'sFrenchdoll，Andshookherragoneuntilitcried。

WHYHEWASWHIPPED。

Hewassevenyearsold，livedinCheyenne，andhisnamewasTommy。Moreoverhewasgoingtoschoolforthefirsttimeinhislife。Outherelittlepeoplearenotallowedtoattendschoolwhentheyarefiveorsix，fortheLawsays:"Childrenundersevenmustnotgotoschool。"

ButnowTommywassevenandhadbeentoschooltwoweeks，andsuchdelightfulweeks!Everydaymammalistenedtolongaccountsofhow"meandDickRayplayedmarbles，"and"usfellerscrackedthewhip。"Therewasanotherthingthatheusedtotellmammaabout，somethingthatinthosefirstdayshealwaysspokeofinthemostsubduedtones，andthat——Iamsorrytorecorditofanyschool，muchmoreaCheyenneschool——wasthenumerouswhippingsthatwereadministeredtovariouslittleboysandgirls。Therewassomethingpainfullyfascinatingaboutthosewhippingstorestless，mischievouslittleTommywhohadneverlearnedtheartofsittingstill。Heknewhisturnmightcomeatanymomentandonenighthecriedoutinhissleep:"Oh，dear，whatwillbecomeofmeifIgetwhipped!"Butasthedayspassedonandthispossibleretributionovertookhimnot，hisfearsgraduallyforsookhim，andinsteadofspeakingpitifullyof"thosepoorlittlechildrenwhowerewhipped，"hementionedtheminacausaloff-handmanneras，"thosecry-babies，youknow？"Oneafternoonmammasawhimsittingontheporch，slappinghislittlefathandwithastrap。"Tommy，child，whatintheworldareyoudoing？"

sheasked。

Intohispockethethrustthestrap，andthepinkcheeksgrewpinkerstillastheirowneranswered:

"I——I——wasjustseeing——howhardIcouldhitmyhand——withoutcrying；"andhedisappearedaroundthesideofthehousebeforemammacouldaskanymorequestions。

ThenextdayTommy\'sseatmate，DickyRay，wasnaughtyinschool，andMissLinnetcalledhimup，openedherdesk，tookoutalittleridingwhip——itwasabrightblueone——andthenandthereadministeredpunishment。Andbecausehecried，whenrecesscame，Tommysaid:"Isn\'tDickRayjustareg\'largirlcry-baby？"(Hehadlearnedthatwordfromsomeofthebigboys，but，mindyou!

heneverdaredtosayitbeforehismother。)

Dick\'sfaceflushedwithanger。"Neveryoumind，TommyBrown，"

saidhe，"Justwaittillyougetwhippedandwe\'llseeatrulygirl-cry-babythen，won\'twe，Daisy？"

Andblue-eyedDaisy，whowastheidoloftheirhearts，noddedhercurlylittleheadinthemostemphaticmanner，andsaidshe"wouldn\'tbeonebits\'prisedifhe\'dhollersoloudthatheywouldhearhimwaydowninColorado。"

Tommystoodaghast!for，reallyandtruly，hewasn\'tquitesostony-heartedalittlemortalasheappearedtobe；hehadbeensecretlyrathersorryforDick，but——hewantedDaisytothinkthathehimselfwasbigandmanly，andhehadtheopinionthatthiswasjustthewaytowinheradmiration。ButallthistimeHEDIDN\'TKNOWWHATDAISYDID——thatDick\'spocketswerefullofsugar-plums；tiptoponestoo，forDaisyhadtastedthem，andknewthatlittlepacketsofthemwouldfromtimetotimefindtheirwayintoherchubbyhand。

AlltherestofthemorningTommykeptthinking，thinking，thinking。Onethingwascertain:thepresentsituationwasnottobeenduredonemomentlongerthanwasabsolutelynecessary。

Butwhatcouldhedo？ShouldhefightDicky？Thisplanwasrejectedatonce，onhigh，moralgrounds。Well，then，supposingsomedarknightheshouldseeDaisyonthestreet，justgrabher，holdontightandsay:"Now，DaisyRivers，Iwon\'tletyougotillyoupromiseyou\'lllikemeagreatdealbettererthanyoudoDickRay。"Thereseemedsomethingniceaboutthisplan，verynice；themoreTommythoughtofit，thebetterhelikedit；onlythereweretwoobjectionstoit。Firstly:Daisyneverbyanychanceventuredoutdoorsafterdark。Secondly:NeitherdidTom。

Bothobjectionsbeinginsurmountable，thisdelightfulschemewasreluctantlyabandoned，andthethinkingprocesswentonharderthanever，tillatlast——oh，oh!ifheonlydared!Whatatriumphitwouldbe!Butthenhecouldn\'t——yes，hecouldtoo。

Didn\'tshesaythatshe"wouldn\'tbeonebits\'prisedifheholleredsoloudthattheywouldhearhimwaydowninColorado？"

Colorado，indeed!He\'dshowhertherewasoneboyintheschoolwhowasn\'tagirl-cry-baby!

Yes，actually，foolishTommyhaddecidedtoprovehismanhoodbybeingwhipped，andthatthatinterestinglittleeventshouldtakeplacethatveryafternoon!

Whatdidhedo？Hewhisperedsixtimes!

Haditbeenanyotherchild，hewouldsurelyhavebeenpunished；

butMissLinnetknewbothTommyandhismammaquitewell，andthereforesheknewalso，quitewell，thatonlyafewdaysagotheonehorrorofTommy\'slifehadbeenthethoughtthathemightpossiblybewhipped。Thentoo，itwashisfirsttermatschool，andhithertohehadbeenverygood。Soshedecidedtokeephimafterschoolandtalktohimofthesinfulnessofbadconductingeneral，andofwhisperinginparticular。Thisplanshefaithfullycarriedout，andthelittleculprit\'sheartsomeltedwithinhimthatheclimbeduponhisteacher\'slap，puthisarmsaroundherneckandkissedher，cryinghewouldneverbesonaughtyagain。HewasjustgoingtotellherallaboutDaisy，wheninwalkedafriendofMissLinnet\'s，sohewenthomeinstead。Thenextmorninghestartedforschoolwiththefirmdeterminationtobeagoodchild，andIreallybelievehewouldhavebeenhadnotthatprovokinglittlewitchofaDaisymarchedpasthiminaveryindependentmanner，hersaucynoseawayupintheair，andascornfullookintheprettyblueeyes。Itwasmorethanfleshandbloodcouldstand。AllTom\'sgoodresolutionsflewsky-high。

Whentwelveo\'clockcameMissLinnet\'slistofdelinquentsbeguninthiswise:

WHISPERMARKS。ThomasBrown……15

MelindaJones……11

Therewasgreatexcitementamongthelittlepeople。Howdaredanyonebesodreadfullybad!Tommy\'sheartsank，sank，sank，whenMissLinnetsaid:"WhenschoolbeginsthisafternoonIshallpunishTommyandMelinda。"

Andshedid!Shecalledthembothupontheplatform，madethemclasphandsandstandwiththeirbacksagainsttheblackboard，thenwrotejustabovetheirheads:

ThomasBrownandPartnersindisgrace。

MelindaJones15plus11=26。

Oh，howmortifiedandashamedTommywas!Ifonlyshehadwhippedhim，orifithadbeensomeothergirl。ButMELINDAJONES!!!

AttheendoftenminutesMissLinnetletthemtaketheirseats；

butTommy\'sheartburnedwithinhim。DAISYHADLAUGHEDWHENHE

STOODTHEREHOLDINGMELINDA\'SHAND!ThereweredeepcrimsonspotsonTommy\'scheeksallthatafternoonandaresolute，determinedlookinhisbrightbrowneyes，buthewasverystillandquiet。

Laterinthedaythechildrenwerestartledbyasuddencommotionontheothersideoftheroom。DaisywaswritingonherslateandMelindaJones，inpassingtoherseat，accidentallyknockeditoutofherhands；withoutamoment\'shesitation，Daisy，bywayofexpressingherfeelings，snatchedherslateandpromptlyadministeredsuchasounding"whack!"onMelinda\'sbackandshouldersasbroughtashriekofanguishfromthatpoor，littleunfortunatewhobegantothinkthatifallthedaysofherlifeweretobelikeuntothisday，existencewouldcertainlyproveaburden。

JustabouttwominuteslaterMissLinnetwasstandingbyherdesk，arulerinonehandandDaisy\'sopenpalmintheother，whileDaisyherself，miserablelittleculprit，stoodwhiteandtremblingbeforeher。Assheraisedtherulertogivethefirstblow，Tommysprangforward，placinghimselfatDaisy\'sside，puthisopenpalmoverhers，andwithtearsinhiseyes，pleadedinthiswise:

"Please，MissLinnet，whipmeinstead!SheisonlyjustalittlegirlandIKNOWshe\'llcry，itwillhurtherso!I\'dratheritwouldbemeeverytimethanDaisy——trulyIwon\'tcry。Oh，pleasewhipme!"

AndMissLinnetdidwhiphim，whileDaisy，filledwithremorse，clungtohimsobbingasifherheartwouldbreak。Tobesure，somebodywhooughttoknow，toldmeitwasthelightest"feruling"everchildreceived；butDaisyandTommybothassuredtheirmothersthatitwasthe"dreadfulest，cruelest，hardestwhippingeverwas。"

"Anddidmylittlemancry？"askedmamma。

"No，indeed!IstoodupbigasIcould，lookedatDaisyandsmiled，\'causeIwassogladitwasn\'ther。"

Thenthatproudandhappymammatookhiminherarmsandkissedhim；andrightinthemidstofthekissinginwalkedDaisy。

"WouldTommypleasecomeandtakesupperwithher？"

Ofcoursehewould，andtheywalkedoffhandinhand。WhentheypassedDicky\'shouseTommysuggested。"S\'posingtheyforgiveDickandlethimgo\'longtoo。"AndDaisyagreeing，theycalledthatyounggentlemanoutandmagnanimouslyinformedhimthathewasforgivenandmightcomeandhavesupperwiththem。

Whatintheworldtheyhadtoforgive，nobodyknows；butthen，solongasforgivenessprovedsuchaneminentlysatisfactoryarrangement，allround——why，nobodyneedcare。

ThechildrenwaitedoutsidethegatewhileDickcoaxedhismothertolethimgo，andstandingthere，handinhand，Daisypluckedupheartofgraceandwithveryrosycheeksandanairaboutherofgeneralpenitence，saidsomethingverysweetinaverysmallvoice:

"I\'msorryyouwerewhipped，andoh，Tommy，IwishIhadn\'tsaidyou\'dholler!"

Mrs。AMYTERESEPOWELSON。

Babythinksitfine，Inthesummer-time，Towadeinthebrookclearandbright。

ButabiggreenfrogJumpedoffofalog，AndgaveBabyCharlottequiteafright。

THETHREEFISHERS。

ThreefisherswentsailingawaytotheWest——

AwaytotheWestasthesunwentdown；

Eachthoughtonthewomanwholovedhimbest，Andthechildrenstoodwatchingthemoutofthetown；

Formenmustwork，andwomenmustweep，Andthere\'slittletoearnandmanytokeep，Thoughtheharbor-barbemoaning。

Threewivessatupinthelight-housetowerAndtrimmedthelampsasthesunwentdown；

Theylookedatthesquall，andtheylookedattheshower，Andthenight-wrackcamerollingup，raggedandbrown。

Butmenmustworkandwomenmustweep，Thoughstormsbesuddenandwatersdeep，Andtheharbor-barbemoaning。

ThreecorpseslayoutontheshiningsandsInthemorninggleamasthetidewentdown，Andthewomenareweepingandwringingtheirhands，Forthosewhowillnevercomebacktothetown；

Formenmustwork，andwomenmustweep——

Andthesoonerit\'sover，thesoonertosleep——

Andgood-bytothebaranditsmoaning。

CHARLESKINGSLEY。

Lionwithyourshaggymane，Tellme，areyouwildortame？

Onlittleboysdoyouliketosup，IfIcomenear，willyoueatmeup？

"APPLESFINKEY"——THEWATER-BOY。

"ApplesFinkey!"ManyanameHasagrandersoundintherolloffame；

ManyamoreresplendentdeedHasbursttolightinthehourofneed；

Butneveraonefromatruerheart，Strivingtoknowandtodoitspart。

Striving，underhisskinoftan，Withtheyearsofaladtoactlikeaman。

Andwhowas"Apples？"Ihearyouask。

Totracehisdescentwereindeedatask。

Windingandvaguewasthefamilyroad——

And，perhaps，likeTopsy，"heonlygrowed。"

Butintothecamphelolledonenoon，Barefoot，andwhistlingadarkytune，Intothecampofhisduskypeers——

Thegallantnegrocavaliers——

TheTenth，preparing，atbreako\'day，Tomovetothetransportdowninthebay。

Boom!roaredthegun——theshipswungfree，WithhergoodprowturnedtotheCaribSea。

"Pityitwas，forthelittlecuss，Wecouldn\'ttake\'Apples\'alongwithus，"

Thetroopersaid，ashewalkedthedeck，AndTampabecameavanishingspeck。

What\'sthat？AstirandacreakdownthereInthepiled-upfreight——thenatuftofhair，Crinkledandwoollyandunshorn——

Andoutpopped"Apples""ezshore\'syerborn!"

Ofcoursehewasn\'tprovidedforInthecolonel\'srollortherulesofwar；

ButsomehoworotherthetroopwasgladTowelcomethelittledarkylad。

Youknowhowourbravemen，whiteandblack，LandedandfollowedtheSpaniard\'strack；

AndtheTenthwasthereintheveryfront，Seekingandfindingthebattle\'sbrunt。

OnwardtheymovedthroughthelivinghellWheretheenemy\'sbulletslikeraindropsfell，Downthroughthebrush，andonwardstillTilltheycametothefootofSanJuanhill——

Thenuptheywent，withneverafear，Andtheheightswerewonwithamad，wildcheer!

Andwherewas"themascotFinkey"then？

Inthesurgingranksofthefightingmen!

Whereveratrooperwasseentofall，Intheopenfieldorthechaparral；

Whereverwasfoundawoundedman；

"Apples"wastherewithhiswaterandcan。

Abouthimtheshrapnelburstinvain——

Hewasupandonwithhisworkagain。

Thesharpshootersrattledasharptattoo，Thesingingmausersaroundhimflew。

But"Apples"wasbusy——toobusytocareFortheinstantdeathandthedangerthere。

Manyaparchedthroatburninghot，ManyavictimofSpanishshot，Wasblessedthatday；erethefightwaswonUnderthetropical，deadlysun，Bythecooldropspouredfromthewater-canOftheduskyladwhowasallaman。

Intheforwardtrenches，atcloseofday，Burningwithfever，"Finkey"lay。

Heseemedtothinkthroughthelong，wetnight，Hestillwasoutintheragingfight，Foroncehespokeinhistroubledsleep；

"I\'secomin\'，Cap。，efmylegs\'llkeep!"

Nextday——andthenext——andthenext——hestayedInthetrenchesdugbytheSpaniard\'sspade，ForthesickandwoundedcouldnotgetbackOverthemountainous，muddytrack。

ButthetroopersgavewhattheyhadtogiveThatthelittlemascotmightstickandlive。

Overhimmanyadarkfacebent，Andthroughitallhewaswellcontent——

WellcontentasasoldiershouldWhohadfoughthisfightandthefoewithstood。

SlowlythesesternbeleagueredmenNursedhimbacktohisstrengthagain，TillonefairdayhisgladeyessawAsightthatfilledhimwithprideandawe，Forthere，ashelookedonthestrongholddown，Theflagwashoistedoverthetown，AndnoneinthathostfeltasweeterjoyThan"ApplesFinkey，"thewater-boy——

JOHNJEROMEROONEY，inNewYorkSun。

Downatthepondinzeroweather，Tohaveafineskatethegirlsandboysgather。

EventheBabythinksitatreat，Butsomehowcannotstayuponhisfeet。

Tom，Tom，thepiper\'sson，Stoleapigandawayherun!

Thepigwaseat，AndTomwasbeat，AndTomwentroaringdownthestreet。

THESOLDIER\'SREPRIEVE。

"Ithought，Mr。Allen，whenIgavemyBennietohiscountry，thatnotafatherinallthisbroadlandmadesopreciousagift——no，notone。Thedearboyonlysleptaminute，justonelittleminuteathispost；Iknowthatwasall，forBennieneverdozedoveraduty。Howpromptandreliablehewas!Iknowheonlyfellasleeponelittlesecond——hewassoyoungandnotstrong，thatboyofmine。Why，hewasastallasI，andonlyeighteen!

Andnowtheyshoothimbecausehewasfoundasleepwhendoingsentinelduty。"Twenty-fourhours，\'thetelegramsaid，onlytwenty-fourshours。WhereisBennienow？"

"WewillhopewithhisheavenlyFather，"saidMr。Allensoothingly。

"Yes，yes；letushope；Godisverymerciful!\'Ishouldbeashamed，father，\'Benniesaid，\'whenIamamantothinkIneverusedthisgreatrightarm\'——andhehelditoutproudlybeforeme——\'formycountrywhenitneededit。Palsyit，ratherthankeepitattheplow。\'\'Go，then，myboy，andGodkeepyou!\'I

said。Godhaskepthim，Ithink，Mr。Allen!"Andthefarmerrepeatedtheselastwordsslowly，asifinspiteofhisreasonhisheartdoubtedthem。

"Liketheappleoftheeye，Mr。Owen；doubtitnot。"

Blossomsatnearthemlisteningwithblanchedcheek。Shehadnotshedatear。Heranxietyhadbeensoconcealedthatnoonehadnoticedit。Shehadoccupiedherselfmechanicallyinthehouseholdcares。Now，sheansweredagentletapatthedoor，openingittoreceivefromaneighbor\'shandaletter。"Itisfromhim，"wasallshesaid。

Itwaslikeamessagefromthedead!Mr。Owentooktheletter，butcouldnotbreaktheenvelopeonaccountofhistremblingfingers，andheldittowardMr。Allen，withthehelplessnessofachild。Theministeropeneditandreadasfollows:

"DearFather:——WhenthisreachesyouIshallbeineternity。Atfirstitseemedawfultome，butIhavethoughtsomuchaboutitthatnowithasnoterror。Theysaytheywillnotbindme，norblindme，butthatImaymeetdeathlikeaman。Ithought，father，thatitmighthavebeenonthebattlefield，formycountry，andthatwhenIfell，itwouldbefightinggloriously；

buttobeshotdownlikeadogfornearlybetrayingit——todieforneglectofduty!O，father!Iwondertheverythoughtdoesnotkillme!ButIshallnotdisgraceyou；Iamgoingtowriteyouallaboutit，andwhenIamgoneyoumaytellmycomrades。I

cannot，now。

"YouknowIpromisedJemmieCarr\'smotherIwouldlookafterherboy；andwhenhefellsickIdidallIcouldforhim。Hewasnotstrongwhenhewasorderedbackintotheranks，andthedaybeforethatnight，Icarriedallhisluggagebesidesmyownonourmarch。Towardsnightwewentinondoublequick，andthoughtheluggagebegantofeelveryheavy，everybodyelsewastired，too；andasforJemmie，ifIhadnotlenthimanarmnowandthenhewouldhavedroppedbytheway。Iwasalltiredoutwhenwecameintocamp，andthenitwasJemmie\'sturntobesentry。I

wouldtakehisplace；butIwastootired，father。Icouldnothavekeptawakeifagunhadbeenpointedatmyhead；butIdidnotknowituntil——well，untilitwastoolate。"

"Godbethanked"interruptedMr。Owen，reverently，"IknewBenniewasnottheboytosleepcarelesslyathispost。"

"Theytellmeto-daythatIhaveashortreprieve，\'timetowritetoyou，\'thegoodColonelsays。Forgivehim，Father，heonlydoeshisduty；hewouldgladlysavemeifhecould；anddonotlaymydeathagainstJemmie。Thepoorboyisheart-broken，anddoesnothingbutbegandentreatthemtolethimdieinmyplace。

"Ican\'tbeartothinkofmotherandBlossom。Comfortthem，Father!TellthemIdieasabraveboyshould，andthat，whenthewarisover，theywillnotbeashamedofme，astheymustbenow。Godhelpme!Itisveryhardtobear!Good-bye，father，Godseemsnearanddeartome；notatallasifhewishedmetoperishforever，butasifhefeltsorryforhispoorsinful，broken-heartedchild，andwouldtakemetobewithhimandmySaviorinabetterlife。"

AdeepsighburstfromMr。Owen\'sheart。"Amen，"hesaid，solemnly，"amen。"

"To-night，intheearlytwilight，Ishallseethecowsallcominghomefromthepasture，andpreciouslittleBlossomstandingonthebackstoop，waitingforme!ButIshallnever，nevercome!

Godblessyouall!ForgiveyourpoorBennie!"

Latethatnightthedoorofthe"backstoop"openedsoftlyandalittlefigureglidedoutanddownthefootpaththatledtotheroadbythemill。Sheseemedratherflyingthanwalking，turningherheadneithertotherightnorleft，lookingonlynowandthentoheaven，andfoldingherhandsisifinprayer。Twohourslaterthesameyounggirlstoodatthemilldepot，watchingthecomingofthenighttrain；andtheconductor，ashereacheddowntoliftherintothecar，wonderedatthetear-stainedfacethatwasupturnedtowardthedimlanternheheldinhishand。Afewquestionsandreadyanswerstoldhimall；andnofathercouldhavecaredmoretenderlyforhisonlychildthanheforourlittleBlossom。ShewasonherwaytoWashingtontoaskPresidentLincolnforherbrother\'slife。Shehadstolenaway，leavingonlyanotetotellthemwhereandwhyshehadgone。

ShehadbroughtBennie\'sletterwithher；nogood，kindheartlikethePresident\'scouldrefusetobemeltedbyit。ThenextmorningtheyreachedNewYork，andtheconductorhurriedherontoWashington。Everyminute，now，mightbethemeansofsavingherbrother\'slife。Andso，inanincrediblyshorttime，BlossomreachedtheCapitolandhastenedtotheWhiteHouse。

Thepresidenthadjustseatedhimselftohismorningtaskofoverlookingandsigningimportantpapers，whenwithoutonewordofannouncementthedoorsoftlyopened，andBlossom，withdown-casteyesandfoldedhands，stoodbeforehim。

"Well，mychild，"hesaidinhispleasant，cheerfultones，"whatdoyouwantsobrightandearlythismorning？"

"Bennie\'slife，sir，"falteredBlossom。

"WhoisBennie？"

"Mybrother，sir。Theyaregoingtoshoothimforsleepingathispost。"

"O，yes，"andMr。Lincolnranhiseyeoverthepapersbeforehim。

"Iremember。Itwasafatalsleep。Yousee，mychild，itwasatimeofspecialdanger。Thousandsoflivesmighthavebeenlostbyhisculpablenegligence。"

"Somyfathersaid，"repliedBlossom，gravely。"ButpoorBenniewassotired，sir，andJemmiesoweak。Hedidtheworkoftwo，sir，anditwasJemmie\'snight，nothis；butJemmiewastootired，andBennieneverthoughtabouthimselfthathewastiredtoo。"

"Whatisthisyousay，child？Comehere，Idonotunderstand，"

andthekindmancaughteagerlyaseveratwhatseemedtobeajustificationoftheoffense。

Blossomwenttohim；heputhishandtenderlyonhershoulderandturnedupthepalefacetowardhis。Howtallheseemed!AndhewasthePresidentoftheUnitedStates，too!AdimthoughtofthiskindpassedforaminutethroughBlossom\'smind，butshetoldhersimple，straightforwardstoryandhandedMr。LincolnBennie\'slettertoread。

Hereaditcarefully；thentakinguphispen，wroteafewhastylines，andranghisbell。

Blossomheardthisorder:"Sendthisdispatchatonce!"

ThePresidentthenturnedtothegirlandsaid:"Gohome，mychild，andtellthatfatherofyours，whocouldapprovehiscountry\'ssentenceevenwhenittookthelifeofachildlikethat，thatAbrahamLincolnthinksthelifefartooprecioustobelost。Goback，or——waituntiltomorrow。Benniewillneedachangeafterhehassobravelyfaceddeath；heshallgowithyou。"

"Godblessyou，sir!"saidBlossom；andwhoshalldoubtthatGodheardandregisteredtherequest？

Twodaysafterthisinterview，theyoungsoldiercametotheWhiteHousewithhislittlesister。HewascalledintothePresident\'sprivateroomandastrapfasteneduponhisshoulder。

Mr。Lincolnthensaid:"Thesoldierthatcouldcarryasickcomrade\'sbaggageanddiefortheactsouncomplaininglydeserveswellofhiscountry。"ThenBennieandBlossomtooktheirwaytotheirGreenMountainhome。Acrowdgatheredatthemilldepottowelcomethemback；andasFarmerOwen\'shandgraspedthatoftheboy，tearsfloweddownhischeeks，andhewasheardtosayfervently:

"TheLordbepraised!"——

FromtheNewYorkObserverIfIhadahorseIwouldcallhim"Gay，"

Feedandcurryhimwelleveryday，Hitchhimupinmycartandtakearide，WithBabyBrothertuckedinatmyside。

LITTLEBROWNTHRUSHES。

LittlebrownthrushesatsunriseinsummerAftertheMay-flowershavefadedaway，Warbletoshowuntoeverynew-comerHowtohushstars，yettowakentheDay:

Singingfirst，lullabies，then，jubilates，Watchingtheblueskywhereeverybird\'sheartis；

Then，aslamentingtheday\'sfadinglight，Downthroughthetwilight，whenweariedwithflight，Singingdivinely，theybreatheout，"good-night!"

Littlebrownthrusheswithbirdsyellow-breastedBrightasthesunshinethatJunerosesbring，Climbupandcarolo\'erhillssilver-crestedJustasthebluebirdsdointhespring，Seeingthebeesandthebutterfliesranging，Pointed-wingedswallowstheirsharpshadowschanging；

Butwhilesomesunsetisfloodingthesky，Upthroughtheglorythebrownthrushesfly，Singingdivinely，"good-nightandgood-by!"

BYMrs。WHITON-STONE。

ThistallGiraffe，Measurestenfeetandahalf，AndIwonderifhisneckOfrubberismade。

OutofthesunHethinkshehasrunButonlyhisfeetAreintheshade。

THESTORYOFTHEEMPTYSLEEVE。

Here，sityedownalongsideofme；I\'mgettingoldandgray；

Butsomethinginthepaper，boy，hasriledmybloodtoday。

Tostealapurseismeanenough，themostofmenagree；

Butstealingreputationseemsameanerthingtome。

AletterintheHeraldsayssomegeneralsallowThattherewa\'n\'tnofightwhereLookoutrearsaloftitsshaggybrow；

Butthiscoatsleeveswingingemptyherebesideme，boy，to-day，Tellsamightydifferentstoryinamightydifferentway。

Whensunbeamsflashedo\'erMissionRidgethatbrightNovembermorn，ThemistycaponLookout\'screstgavetokenofastorm；

ForgrimKingDeathhaddrapedthemountingrayish，smokyshrouds——

Itscraggypeakswerelosttosightabovethefleecyclouds。

Justatthemountain\'srockybaseweformedinserriedlines，Whilelightningwithitsjaggededgeplayedonusfromthepines；

Themissionourstostormthepits\'neathLookout\'screstthatlay；

Westormedthevery"gatesofhell"with"FightingJoe"thatday。

Themountainseemedtovomitflames；theboomofheavygunsPlayedtoDixie\'smusic，whileatrebleplayedthedrums:

Theeagleswakingfromtheirsleep，lookeddownuponthestarsSlowclimbingupthemountainside，withmorning\'sbrokenbars。

WekeptoureyesupontheflagthatupwardledthewayUntilwelostitinthesmokeonLookoutsidethatday；

Andthenlikedemonsloosedfromhellweclamberedupthecrag，"Excelsior，"ourmotto，andourmission，"Savetheflag。"

Inanswertotherebelyellwegavearingingcheer；

Welefttherifle-pitsbehind，thecrestloomedupwardnear；

Alightwindplaying\'longthepeaksjustlifteddeath\'sgrayshroud；

Wecaughtthegleamofsilverstarsjustbreakingthroughthecloud。

AshatteredarmhungatmysidethatdayonLookout\'scrag，AndyetI\'dgivetheothernowtosavethedearoldflag。

TheregimentalrollwhencalledonLookout\'screstthatnightWasmorethandoubledbytherollDeathcalledinrealmsoflight。

Justasthesunsankslowlydownbehindthemountain\'screst，Whenmountainpeaksgavebackthefirethatflamedalongthewest，Swiftridingdownalongtheridgeuponachargerwhite，Came"FightingJoe，"theheronowofLookout\'sfamousfight。

Heswunghiscapastearsofjoyslowtrickleddownhischeek，Andasourcheeringdiedaway，thegeneraltriedtospeak。

Hesaid，"Boys，I\'llcourt-martialyou，yes，everymanthat\'shere；

Isaidtotaketheriflepits，"westoppedhimwithacheer，"Isaidtotaketheriflepitsuponthemountain\'sedge，AndI\'llcourt-martialyoubecause——becauseyoutooktheridge"

ThensuchalaughasswepttheridgewherelateKingDeathhadstrode!

Andsuchacheerasrenttheskies，asdownourlinesherode!

I\'mgettingoldandfeeble，I\'venotlongtolive，Iknow，ButthereWASAFIGHTATLOOKOUT。Iwastherewith"FightingJoe。"

SothesegeneralsintheHerald，theymayreckonandallowThattherewarn\'tnofightatLookoutonthemountain\'sshaggybrow，Butthisemptycoat-sleeveswingingherebesideme，boy，to-dayTellsamightydifferenttaleinamightydifferentway。

R。L。CARY，JR。

Arace!Arace!Whichwillwin，ThinlittleHaroldorchubbyJim？

SurelynotHaroldfortherehegoesDownsoflathebumpshisnose，WhileJimmystopsshort。

Thefatlittleelf，Sayshecan\'trunaraceallbyhimself。

FACINGTHEWORLD。

"GladIam，mother，theholidaysareover。It\'squitedifferentgoingbacktoschoolagainwhenonegoestobecaptain——asI\'msuretobe。Isn\'titjolly？"

Mrs。Boyd\'sfaceasshesmiledbackatDonaldwasnotexactly"jolly。"Still，shedidsmile；andthentherecameoutthestronglikenessoftenseenbetweenmotherandson，evenwhen，asinthiscase，thefeatureswereverydissimilar。Mrs。Boydwasapretty，delicatelittleEnglishwoman:andDonaldtookafterhisfather，abig，brawnyScotsman，certainlynotpretty，andnotalwayssweet。Poorman!hehadoflateyearshadonlytoomuchtomakehimsour。

Thoughshetriedtosmileandsucceeded，thetearswereinMrs。

Boyd\'seyes，andhermouthwasquivering。Butshesetittightlytogether，andthenshelookedmorethaneverlikeherson，orrather，hersonlookedlikeher。

Hewastooeagerinhisdelighttonoticehermuch。"Itisjolly，isn\'tit，mother？IneverthoughtI\'dgettothetopoftheschoolatall，forI\'mnotnearsocleverassomeofthefellows。ButnowI\'vegotmyplace；andIlikeit，andImeantokeepit；you\'llbepleasedatthat，mother？"

"Ishouldhavebeenif——if——"Mrs。Boydtriedtogetthewordsoutandfailed，closedhereyesastightashermouthforaminute，thenopenedthemandlookedherboyinthefacegravelyandsadly。

"Itgoestomyhearttotellyou——Ihavebeenwaitingtosayitallmorning，but，Donald，mydear，youwillnevergobacktoschoolatall。"

"Notgoback；whenI\'mcaptain!why，youandfatherbothsaidthatifIgottobethat，IshouldnotstoptillIwasseventeen——andnowI\'monlyfifteenandahalf。O，mother，youdon\'tmeanit!Fathercouldn\'tbreakhisword!Imaygoback!"

Mrs。Boydshookherheadsadly，andthenexplainedasbrieflyandcalmlyasshecouldtheheavyblowwhichhadfallenuponthefather，and，indeed，uponthewholefamily。Mr。Boydhadlongbeentroubledwithhiseyes，aboutasseriousatroubleascouldhavebefallenamaninhisprofession——anaccountant——astheycallitinScotland。Latelyhehadmadesomeseriousblundersinhisarithmetic，andhiseyesightwassoweakthathiswifepersuadedhimtoconsultafirst-rateEdinburghoculist，whoseopinion，givenonlyyesterday，aftermanydaysofanxioussuspense，wasthatinafewmonthshewouldbecomeincurablyblind。

"Blind，poorfatherblind!"Donaldputhishandbeforehisowneyes。Hewastoobigaboytocry，oratanyrate，tobeseencrying，butitwaswithachokingvoicethathespokenext:"I\'llbehiseyes；I\'moldenough。"

"Yes；inmanywaysyouare，myson，"saidMrs。Boyd，whohadhadadayandanighttofacehersorrow，andknewshemustdosocalmly。"Butyouarenotoldenoughtomanagethebusiness；yourfatherwillrequiretotakeapartnerimmediately，whichwillreduceourincomeone-half。Thereforewecannotpossiblyaffordtosendyoutoschoolagain。Thelittleonesmustgo，theyarenotnearlyeducatedyet，butyouare。Youwillhavetofacetheworldandearnyourownliving，assoonaseveryoucan。Mypoorboy!"

"Don\'tcallmepoor，mother。I\'vegotyouandfatherandtherest。And，asyousay，I\'vehadagoodeducationsofar。AndI\'mfifteenandahalf，no，fifteenandthree-quarters——almostaman。I\'mnotafraid。"

"NorI，"saidhismother，whohadwaitedafullminutebeforeDonaldcouldfindvoicetosayallthis，anditwasatlaststammeredoutawkwardlyandatrandom。"No；Iamnotafraidbecausemyboyhastoearnhisbread；Ihadearnedmineforyearsasagovernesswhenfathermarriedme。IbeganworkbeforeIwassixteen。Mysonwillhavetodothesame，thatisall。"

Thatdaythemotherandsonspokenomoretogether。Itwasasmuchastheycoulddotobeartheirtrouble，withouttalkingaboutit，andbesides，Donaldwasnotaboyto"makeafuss"overthings。Hecouldmeetsorrowwhenitcame，thatis，thelittleofithehadeverknown，buthedislikedspeakingofit，andperhapshewasright。

Sohejust"madehimselfscarce"tillbedtime，andneversaidawordtoanybodyuntilhismothercameintotheboys\'roomtobidthemgood-night。Therewerethreeofthem，butallwereasleepexceptDonald。Ashismotherbentdowntokisshim，heputbotharmsroundherneck。

"Mother，I\'mgoingtobeginto-morrow。"

"Beginwhat，myson？"

"Facingtheworld，asyousaidImust。Ican\'tgotoschoolagain，soImeantotryandearnmyownliving。"

"How？"

"Idon\'tquiteknow，butI\'lltry。ThereareseveralthingsI

couldbe，aclerk——orevenamessage-boy。Ishouldn\'tlikeit，butI\'ddoanythingratherthandonothing。"

Mrs。Boydsatdownonthesideofthebed。Ifshefeltinclinedtocryshehadtoomuchsensetoshowit。Sheonlytookfirmholdofherboy\'shand，andwaitedforhimtospeakon。

"I\'vebeenthinking，mother，IwastohaveanewsuitatChristmas；willyougiveitnow？Andletitbeacoat，notajacket。I\'mtallenough——fivefeetsevenlastmonth，andgrowingstill；Ishouldlookalmostaman。ThenIwouldgoroundtoeveryofficeinEdinburghandaskiftheywantedaclerk。I

wouldn\'tmindtakinganythingtobeginwith。AndIcanwriteadecenthand，andI\'mnotbadatfigures；asformyLatinandGreek——"

HereDonaldgulpeddownasigh，forhewasacapitalclassic，andithadbeensuggestedthatheshouldgotoGlasgowUniversityandtryfor"theSnell"whichhassentsomanycleveryoungScotsmentoBalliolCollege，Oxford，andthenceontofameandprosperity。

Butalas!nocollegecareerwasnowpossibletoDonaldBoyd。

Thebesthecouldhopeforwastoearnafewshillingsaweekasacommonclerk。Heknewthis，andsodidhismother。Buttheynevercomplained。Itwasnofaultoftheirs，norofanybody\'s。

Itwasjustastheydevoutlycalledit，"ThewillofGod。"

"YourLatinandGreekmaycomeinsomeday，myboy，"saidMrs。

Boydcheerfully。"Goodworkisneverlost。Inthemeantime，yourplanisagoodone，andyoushallhaveyournewclothesatonce。Then，doasyouthinkbest。"

"Allright；good-night，mother，"saidDonald，andinfiveminutesmorewasfastasleep。

But，thoughhewasmuchgiventosleepingofnights——indeed，heneverrememberedlyingawakeforasinglehourinhislife——duringdaytimethereneverwasamore"wideawake"boythanDonaldBoyd。Hekepthiseyesopentoeverything，andneverletthe"goldenminute"slipbyhim。Heneveridledabout——playhedidn\'tconsideridling(nordoI)。AndIamboundtoconfessthateverydayuntilthenewclothescamehomewasscrupulouslyspentincricket，football，andalltheotheramusementswhichhewasasgoodatashewasathislessons。Hewanted"tomakethebestofhisholidays，"hesaid，knowingwellthatforhimholidaytimeaswellasschooltimewasnowdone，andtheworkoftheworldhadbeguninearnest。

TheclothescamehomeonSaturdaynight，andhewenttochurchinthemonSunday，tohislittlesister\'sgreatadmiration。Stillgreaterwastheirwonderwhen，onMondaymorning，heappearedinthesamesuit，lookingquiteaman，astheyunanimouslyagreed，andalmostbeforebreakfastwasdone，startedoff，notsayingawordofwherehewasgoing。

Hedidnotcomebacktilltheyoungeroneswereallawaytobed，sotherewasnoonetoquestionhim，whichwasfortunate，fortheymightnothavegotverysmoothanswers。Hismothersawthis，andshealsoforbore。Shewasnotsurprisedthatthebright，bravefaceofthemorninglookeddullandtired，andthatevidentlyDonaldhadnogoodnewsofthedaytotellher。

"IthinkI\'llgotobed，"wasallhesaid。"Mother，willyougivemea\'piece\'inmypocketto-morrow？Onecanwalkbetterwhenoneisn\'tsodesperatelyhungry。"

"Yes，myboy。"Shekissedhim，sawthathewaswarmedandfed——hehadevidentlybeenonhislegsthewholeday——thensenthimofftohisbed，whereshesoonheardhimdelightfullysnoring，obliviousofallhiscares。

Thesamethingwentondayafterday，forsevendays。Sometimeshetoldhismotherwhathadhappenedtohimandwherehehadbeen，sometimesnot；whatwasthegoodoftelling？Itwasalwaysthesamestory。Nobodywantedaboyoraman，forDonald，trustingtohisinchesandhiscoat，hadappliedforman\'sworkalso，butinvain。Mrs。Boydwasnotastonished。Sheknewhowharditistogetone\'sfootintoeversosmallacornerinthisbusyworld，wheretenarealwaysstrugglingfortheplaceofone。

Still，shealsoknewthatitneverdoestogivein；thatonemustleavenostoneunturnedifonewishestogetworkatall。Alsoshebelievedfirmlyinanaxiomofheryouth——"Nothingisdeniedtowell-directedlabor。"Butitmustberealhard"labor，"anditmustalsobe"welldirected。"So，thoughherheartachedsorely，asonlyamother\'scan，sheneverbetrayedit，buteachmorningsentherboyawaywithacheerfulface，andeacheveningreceivedhimwithone，which，iflesscheerful，wasnotlesssympathetic，butsheneversaidaword。

Attheweek\'send，infact，onSundaymorning，astheywerewalkingtochurch，Donaldsaidtoher:"Mother，mynewclotheshaven\'tbeenoftheslightestgood。I\'vebeenalloverEdinburgh，toeveryplaceIcouldthinkof——writers\'offices，merchants\'offices，wharves，railway-stations——butit\'snouse。

EverybodywantstoknowwhereI\'vebeenbefore，andI\'vebeennowhereexcepttoschool。IsaidIwaswillingtolearn，butnobodywillteachme；theysaytheycan\'taffordit。Itislikekeepingadog，andbarkingyourself。Whichisonlytootrue，"

addedDonald，withaheavysigh。

"Maybe，"saidMrs。Boyd。Yetasshelookedupatherson——shereallydidlookupathim，hewassotall——shefeltthatifhishonest，intelligentfaceandmanlybearingdidnotwinsomethingatlast，whatwastheworldcomingto？"Myboy，"shesaid，"thingsareveryhardforyou，butnotharderthanforothers。I

rememberonce，whenIwasonlyafewyearsolderthanyou，findingmyselfwithonlyhalfacrowninmypocket。Tobesureitwasawholehalf-crown，forIhadpaideveryhalf-pennyIowedthatmorning，butIhadnoideawherethenexthalf-crownwouldcomefrom。However，itdidcome。Iearnedtwopoundsten，theverydayafterthatday。"

"Didyoureally，mother？"saidDonald，hiseyesbrightening。

"ThenI\'llgoon。I\'llnot\'gangawabacktomymither，\'asthatoldgentlemanadvisedme，whoobjectedtobarkhimself；aqueer，crabbedoldfellowhewastoo，buthewastheonlyonewhoaskedmynameandaddress。Therestofthem——well，mother，I\'vestoodagooddealthesesevendays，"Donaldadded，gulpingdownsomethingbetweena"fuff"ofwrathandasob。

"Iamsureyouhave，myboy。"

"ButI\'llholdon；onlyyou\'llhavetogetmybootsmended，andmeantime，Ishouldliketotryanewdodge。Mybicycle，itliesinthewashing-house；yourememberIbrokeitandyoudidn\'twishitmended，lestIshouldbreaksomethingworsethanawheel，perhaps。Itwasn\'tworthwhileriskingmylifeformerepleasure，butIwantmybicyclenowforuse。Ifyouletmehaveitmended，Icangoupanddownthecountryforfiftymilesinsearchofwork——toFalkirk，Linlithgow，orevenGlasgow，andI\'llcostyounothingfortravelingexpenses。Isn\'tthatabrightidea，mother？"

Shehadnotthehearttosayno，ortosuggestthataboyonabicycleapplyingforworkwasathingtoonoveltobeeminentlysuccessful。Buttogetworkwasatoncesoessentialandsohopeless，thatshewouldnotthrowanycoldwateronDonald\'seagernessandpluck。Shehopedtoo，that，spiteoftheeccentricityofthenotion，someshrewd，kind-heartedgentlemanmighthavesenseenoughtoseethehonestpurposeofthepoorladwhohadonlyhimselftodependupon。Forhisfatherhadnowfallenintoastateofdepressionwhichmadeallapplicationtohimforeitheradviceorhelpworsethanuseless。AndasbothheandMrs。Boydhadbeensolitaryorphanswhentheyweremarried，therewerenonearrelativesofanykindtocometotherescue。

Donaldknew，andhismotherknewtoo，thathemustshiftforhimself，tosinkorswim。

So，aftertwodays\'rest，whichhemuchneeded，theboywentoffagain"onhisownhook，"andhisbicycle，whichwasadegreebetterthanhislegs，hesaid，asitsavesshoe-leather。Also，hewasabletocomehomeprettyregularlyatthesamehour，whichwasagreatrelieftohismother。Buthecamehomenearlyastiredasever，andwithadespondentlookwhichdeepenedeveryday。Evidentlyitwasjustthesamestory；noworktobehad；oriftherewaswork，itwasstruggledforbyascoreoffellows，withage，character，andexperiencetobackthem，andDonaldhadnoneofthethree。Buthehadonequality，therootofallsuccessintheend，doggedperseverance。

Thereisasaying，thatweBritishgainourvictories，notbecauseweareneverbeaten，butbecauseweneverwillseethatwearebeaten，andsogoonfightingtillwewin。"Neversaydie，"wasDonald\'swordtohismothernightafternight。ButsheknewthatthosewhoneverSAYdie，sometimesDOdie，quitequietly，andshewatchedwithasoreheartherboygrowingthinnerandmoreworn，eventhoughbrownasaberrywithconstantexposurealldaylongtowindandweather，foritwasnowlessautumnthanwinter。

Afterafortnight，Mrs。Boydmadeuphermindthatthiscouldnotgoonanylonger，andsaidso。"Verywell，"Donaldanswered，acceptingherdecisionashehadbeeninthehabitofdoingallhislife——Mrs。Boyd\'schildrenknewverywellthatwhateverherwillwas，itwassuretobeajustandwisewill，herselfbeingthelastpersonsheeverthoughtof——"Yes，I\'llgivein，ifyouthinkIought，forit\'sonlywearingoutmyselfandmyclothestonogood。OnlyletmehaveonedaymoreandI\'llgoasfaraseverIcan，perhapstoDunfermline，orevenGlasgow。"

Shewouldnotforbid，andoncemoreshestartedhimoffwithacheerfulfaceinthetwilightofthewetOctobermorning，andsatalldaylongintheemptyhouse——fortheyoungeroneswerenowallgoingtoschoolagain——thinkingsorrowfullyofhereldest，whosemerryschooldaysweredoneforever。

Intheduskoftheafternoonacardwasbroughtuptoher，withthemessagethatanoldgentlemanwaswaitingbelow，wishingtoseeher。

Ashudderranthroughthepoormother，who，likemanyanothermother，hatedbicycles，andneverhadaneasymindwhenDonaldwasawayonhis。Thestranger\'sfirstwordwasanythingbutreassuring。

"Begpardonma\'am，butisyournameBoyd，andhaveyouasoncalledDonald，whowentoutonabicyclethismorning？"

"Yes，yes!Hasanythinghappened？Tellmequick!"

"I\'mnotaware，ma\'am，thatanythinghashappened，"saidtheoldgentleman。"Isawtheladatlightthismorning。Heseemedtobemanaginghismachineuncommonlywell。ImethimatthefootofahillnearEdinburghCastle。Hehadgotoffandwaswalking；

sohesawme，andtookoffhiscap。Ilikerespect，especiallyinayoungfellowtowardsanoldone。"

"Didheknowyou，forIhavenotthatpleasure？"saidMrs。Boyd，polite，thoughpuzzled。Fortheoldmandidnotlookquitelikeagentleman，andspokewiththestrongaccentofanuneducatedperson，yethehadakindlyexpression，andseemedhonestandwell-meaning，thoughdecidedly"canny。"

"Icannotsayheknewme，butherememberedme，whichwascivilofhim。AndthenImindedtheladastheonethathadcometomeforworkaweekortwoago，andItookhisnameandaddress。

That\'syourson\'swriting？"hejumbledoutandshowedascrapofpaper。"It\'sbonafide，isn\'tit？

"Andhereallyisinsearchofwork？Hehasn\'trunawayfromhome，orbeenturnedoutbyhisfatherformisconduct，oranythingofthatsort？Heisn\'tascamp，orane\'er-do-weel？"

"Ihopehedoesn\'tlooklikeit，"saidMrs。Boyd，proudly。

"No，ma\'am；you\'reright，hedoesn\'t。Hecarrieshischaracterinhisfacewhich，maybe，isbetterthaninhispocket。Itwasthatwhichmademeaskhisnameandaddress，thoughIcoulddonothingforhim。"

"Thenyouwerethegentlemanwhotoldhimyoucouldn\'tkeepadogandbarkyourself？"saidMrs。Boyd，amused，andjustashadehopeful。

"Precisely。NorcanI。Itwouldhavebeencoolimpudenceinaladtocomeandasktobetaughthisworkfirstandthenpaidforit，ifhehadn\'tbeensoverymuchinearnestthatIwasrathersorryforhim。I\'minclinedtobelieve，fromthetalkIhadwithhimatthefootofthebraeto-day，thatheisayoungdogthatwouldbarkwithuncommonlittleteaching。Material，ma\'am，iswhatwewant。Idon\'tcareforitsbeingrawmaterial，ifit\'sonlyoftherightsort。I\'vemadeupmymindtotryyourboy。"

"ThankGod!"

"Whatdidyousay，ma\'am？But——Ibegyourpardon。"

ForhesawthatMrs。Boydhadquitebrokendown。Intruth，thestrainhadbeensolongandsogreatthatthissuddenreliefwasquitetoomuchforher。Shesobbedheartily。

"Ioughttobegyourpardon，"shesaidatlast，"forbeingsofoolish，butwehavehadhardtimesoflate。"

Andthen，inafewsimplewords，shetoldDonald\'swholestory。

Theoldmanlistenedtoitinsilence。Sometimeshenoddedhishead，orbeathischinonhisstoutstickashesat；buthemadenocommentwhatever，exceptabrief"Thankyou，ma\'am。"

"Nowtobusiness，"continuedhe，takingouthiswatch；"forI\'mdueatdinner:andIalwayskeepmyappointments，evenwithmyself。IhopeyourDonaldisapunctuallad？"

"Yes。Hepromisedtobebackbydark，andIamsurehewillbe。

Couldyounotwait？"

"No。Ineverwaitforanybody；butkeepnobodywaitingforme。

I\'mBethune&Co。，LeithMerchants——practically，oldJohnBethune，whobeganlifeasamessage-boy，andhasdoneprettywell，considering。"

Hehad，asMrs。Boydwaswellaware。Bethune&Co。wasanamesowellknownthatshecouldhardlybelieveinherboy\'sgoodluckingettingintothathouseinanycapacitywhatever。

"Soallissettled，"saidMr。Bethune，rising。"LethimcometomeonMondaymorning，andI\'llseewhatheisfitfor。He\'llhavetostartattheverybottom——sweeptheoffice，perhaps——I

diditmyselfonce——andI\'llgivehim——letmesee——tenshillingsaweektobeginwith。"

"\'Tobeginwith，\'"repeatedMrs。Boyd，gentlybutfirmly；"buthewillsoonbeworthmore。Iamsureofthat。"

"Verywell。WhenIseewhatstuffheismadeof，heshallhavearise。ButIneverdothingsathaphazard；andit\'seasiergoingupthancomingdown。I\'mnotabenevolentman，Mrs。Boyd，andyouneednotthinkit。ButI\'vefoughttheworldprettyhardmyself，andIliketohelpthosethatarefightingit。Goodevening。Isn\'tthatyoursoncomingroundthecorner？Well，he\'sbackexacttohistime，atanyrate。TellhimIhopehewillbeaspunctualonMondaymorning。Goodevening，ma\'am。"

Now，ifthiswereanimaginarystory，ImightwinditupbyadelightfuldenoumentofMr。Bethune\'sturningoutanoldfriendofthefamily，ordevelopingintoanewone，andtakingsuchafancytoDonaldthatheimmediatelygavehimaclerkshipwithalargesalary，andthepromiseofapartnershiponcomingofage，orthisworthygentlemanshouldbeaneccentricoldbachelorwhoimmediatelyadoptedthatwonderfulboyandbefriendedthewholeBoydfamily。

Butneitherofthesethings，noranythingelseremarkable，happenedintherealstory，which，asitisliterallytrue，thoughtoldwithcertainnecessarydisguises，IprefertokeeptoascloselyasIcan。Suchastonishingbitsof"luck"donothappeninreallife，orhappensorarelythatoneinclines，atleast，tobelieveverylittleineithergoodorillfortune，asamatterofchance。Thereisalwayssomethingatthebackofitwhichfurnishesakeytothewhole。Practically，aman\'slotisofhisownmaking。Hemayfail，forawhileundeservedly，orhemaysucceedundeservedly，but，inthelongrun，timebringsitsrevengesanditsrewards。

AsitdidtoDonaldBoyd。HehasnotbeentakenintothehouseofBethune&Co。，asapartner；anditwaslongbeforehebecameevenaclerk——atleastwithanythinglikeahighsalary。ForMr。

Bethune，sofarfrombeinganoldbachelor，hadalargefamilytoprovidefor，andwasbringingupseveralofhissonstohisownbusiness，sotherewaslittleroomforastranger。Butayoungmanwhodeservestofindroomgenerallydoesfindit，ormakeit。

AndthoughDonaldstartedatthelowestrungoftheladder，hemayclimbtothetopyet。

Hehad"afairfield，andnofavor。"Indeed，heneitherwishednoraskedfavor。Hedeterminedtostandonhisownfeetfromthefirst。Hehadhardworkandfewholidays，mademistakes，foundthemoutandcorrectedthem，gotsharpwordsandborethem，learnthisownweakpointsand——notsoeasily——hisstrongones。

Stillhedidlearnthem；for，unlessyoucantrustyourself，besurenobodyelsewilltrustyou。

ThiswasDonald\'sgreatpoint。HEWASTRUSTED。Peoplesoonfoundoutthattheymighttrusthim；thathealwaystoldthetruth，andneverpretendedtodomorethanhecoulddo；butthatwhichhecoulddo，theymightdependuponhisdoing，punctually，accurately，carefully，andneverleavingofftillitwasdone。

Therefore，thoughothersmightbequicker，sharper，more"uptothings"thanhe，therewasnoonesoreliable，anditsoongottobeaproverbintheofficeofBethune&Co——andotheroffices，too——"Ifyouwishathingdone，gotoBoyd。"

Iamboundtosaythis，forIampaintingnoimaginaryportrait，butdescribinganindividualwhoreallyexists，andwhomaybemetanydaywalkingaboutEdinburgh，thoughhisnameisnotDonaldBoyd，andthereisnosuchfirmasBethune&Co。Butthehousehedoesbelongtovaluestheyoungfellowsohighlythatthereislittledoubthewillriseinit，andriseineveryway，probablytotheverytopofthetree，andtellhischildrenandgrandchildrenthestorywhich，initsmainfeatures，Ihaverecordedhere，ofhowhefirstbeganfacingtheworld。

BYTHEAUTHOROF"JOHNHALIFAX，GENTLEMAN。"

WewenttotheZootheLeopardtosee，Butfoundhimanunsociablefellow。

HewouldnotlookatusorsaywhereheboughtHispolka-dotsuitofyellow。

ROBERTOFLINCOLN。

Merrilyswingingonbriarandweed，Neartothenestofhislittledame，Overthemountain-sideormead，RobertofLincolnistellinghisname；