Itdidnotenterthemindsoftheauthoritiesthatanyonesofortunateastobeadmittedintothathappyhavenwoulddeclinetostaythere。
Theunwillingguestdisappearedearlyonthemorrowofhisarrival，and，aftersomesearch，theyfollowedhimtotheoldspot。Hehadclimbedintohisbelovedretreat，and，havinglearnednothingfromexperience，hadmendedthewillowdoorasbesthecould，andlaidhimdowninpeace。
Theydraggedhimoutagain，andthistimemoreimpatiently;
foritwasexasperatingtoseeaman（evenifhewereafool）
fightagainstabedandthreemealsaday。
Thesecondattemptwaslittlemoresuccessfulthanthefirst。
Asaplaceofresidence，thepoor-farmdidnotseemanymoredesirableorattractiveonnearacquaintancethanitdidatlongrange。
Tomremainedaweek，becausehewaskeptincloseconfinement;
butwhentheyjudgedthathewasweanedfromhisoldhome，theyloosedhisbonds，and——backtotheplainshesped，likeanarrowshotfromthebow，orlikeabitofironleapingtothemagnet。
Whatshouldbedonewithhim？
Publicopinionwasdivided。Somepeopledeclaredthatthevillagehaddoneitsduty，andifthe\"dog-gonedlunk-head\"
wantedtostarveandfreeze，itwashisfuneral，nottheirs。
Othersthoughtthatthecommunityhadnoresourcebuttobeartheresponsibilityofitsirresponsiblechildren，howevertroublesometheymightbe。Therewasentireunanimityofviewsofarasthemainissueswereconcerned。
Itwasagreedthatnobodyatthepoor-farmhadleisuretostandguardoverTomnightandday，andthatthesheriffcouldnotbeexpectedtospendhistimeforcinghimoutofhishutontheblueberryplains。
Therewasbutonemoreexpedienttobetried，averysimpleandingeniousbutradicalandcomprehensiveone，which，inRubeHobson’sopinion，wouldstrikeattherootofthematter。
Tomhadfledfromcaptivityforthethirdtime。
Hehadstolenoutatdaybreak，and，byanunexpectedstrokeoffortune，themolassespailwashangingonanailbythesheddoor。
Theremainsofabatteredoldbushelbasketlayonthewood-pile：bottomithadnone，norhandles;rotundityofsidehadlongsincedisappeared，andnonebutitsmakerwouldhaveknownitforabasket。Tomcaughtitupinhisflight，and，seizingthefirstcrookedstickthatoffered，heslungthedearfamiliarburdenoverhisshoulderandstartedoffonajog-trot。
Heaven，howhappyhewas！ItwastherosydawnofanIndiansummerday，——
awarmjewelofaday，droppedintothebleakworldofyesterdaywithoutahintofbeneficentintention;oneofthoseenchantingweathersurpriseswithwhichDameNaturereconcilesustohersternNewEnglandrule。
Thejoythatcomesoffreedom，andthefreedomthatcomesofjoy，unbenttheoldman’sstiffenedjoints。
Herenewedhisyouthateverymile。Heranlikealapwing。
Whenhisfeetfirststruckthesandysoiloftheplains，hebrokeintooldsongofthe\"bloom-in’gy-ar-ding\"andthe\"jollyswain，\"
andinthemarvelousmentalandspiritualexhilarationbornofthesuprememomenthealmostgraspedthatimpossiblelastnote。Hisheardcouldhardlyholditsburdenofrapturewhenhecaughtthewell-knowngleamofthewhitebirches。
Heturnedintothefamiliarpath，boy’sbloodthumpinginoldman’sveins。Thepastweekhadbeenadreadfuldream。
Afewstepsmoreandhewouldbewithinsight，withintouchofhome，——homeatlast！No——whatwaswrong？
Hemusthavegonebeyondit，inhisrecklesshaste！
Strangethathecouldhaveforgottenthebelovedspot！
Canlovermistakethewaytosweetheart’swindow？
Canchildlosethepathtomother’sknee？
Heturned，——ranhitherandthither，likeonedistraught。
Anamelessdreadflittedthroughhisdullmind，chillinghiswarmblood，paralyzingtheactivityofthemomentbefore。
Atlast，withasoblikethatofafrightenedchildwhofliesfromsomeimaginedevillurkingindarkness，hedartedbacktothewhitebirchesandstartedanew。
Thistimehetrustedtoblindinstinct;hisfeetknewthepath，and，lefttothemselves，theytookhimthroughthetangleofdrybushesstraighttohis——
Ithadvanished！
Nothingbutashesremainedtomarkthespot，——nothingbutashes！
Andthese，eremanydays，theautumnwindswouldscatter，andtheleaflessbranchesonwhichtheyfellwouldshakethemofflightly，neverdreamingthattheyhidthesoulofahome。
Nothingbutashes！
PoorTomo’theblueb’ryplains！
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
THENOONINGTREE。
Thegiantelmstoodinthecentreofthesquire’sfairgreenmeadows，andwasknowntoallthecountryroundaboutasthe\"Beanellum。\"
Theothertreeshadseeminglyretiredtoarespectfuldistance，asiftheywerenotworthyofcloserintimacy;andsoitstoodalone，kingofthemeadow，monarchofthevillage。
Itshotfromthegroundforaspace，straight，strong，andsuperb，andthenbustintoninesplendidbranches，eachatreeinitself，allgrowingsymmetricallyfromtheparenttrunk，andcastingagratefulshadowunderwhichalltheinhabitantsofthetinyvillagemighthavegathered。
Itwasnotaloneitssize，itsbeauty，itssymmetry，itsdensityoffoliage，thatmadeitthegloryoftheneighborhood，butthelowgrownofitsbranchesandtheextra-ordinarybreadthofitsshade。
Passers-byfromtheadjacenttownswerewonttohitchtheirteamsbythewayside，crawlthroughthestumpfenceandwalkacrossthefields，foranearerviewofitsmagnificence。
Oneman，indeed，wasknowntodrivebythetreeeverydayduringthesummer，andlifthishattoit，respectfully，eachtimehepassed;
buthewasapoetandhisintellectwasnotgreatlyesteemedinthevillage。
Theelmwasalmostasbeautifulinoneseasonasinanother。
Inthespringitrosefrommoistfieldsandmellowploughedground，itstinybrownleafbudsburstingwithprideatthethoughtofthelovelinesscoiledupinside。Insummeritstoodinthemidstofawavinggardenofbuttercupsandwhiteweed，atoweringmassofverdantleafage，ashelterfromthesunandarefugefromthestorm;acool，splendid，hospitabledome，underwhichthewearyfarmermightflinghimself，andgazeupwardasintotheheightsanddepthsofanemeraldheaven。
Asforthebirds，theymadeitafashionablesummerresort，themostcommodiousandattractiveinthewholecountry;withnolimittotheaccommodationsforthoseofagregariousturnofmind，likingtheadvantagesofselectsocietycombinedwithcountryair。
Intheautumnithelditsown;forwhentheotherelmschangedtheirgreentodullertints，thenooningtreeputonagownofyellow，andstoodoutagainstthefarbackgroundofsombrepinewoodsabrilliantmassofgoldandbrown。
Inwinter，whentherewasnolongerdunofupturnedsod，norwavingdaisygardens，norruddyautumngrasses，itroseabovethedazzlingsnowcrust，liftingitsbare，shapelybranchesinsobereleganceanddignity，andseemingtosay，\"Donotpityme;Ihavebeen，and，pleaseGod，Ishallbe！\"
Whenevertheweatherwassufficientlymild，itwasusedasa\"nooning\"
treebyallthemenatworkinthesurroundingfields;butitwasinhayingtimethatitbecamethefavoritelunchingand\"bangeing\"placeforSquireBean’shandsandthoseofMissVildaCummins，whoownedtheadjoiningfarm。
Themencongregatedunderthespreadingbranchesattwelveo’theclock，andspentthenoonhourthere，eatingand\"swapping\"stories，astheyweredoingto-day。
Eachhadatinpail，andeachconsumedaquantityof\"flourfood\"
thatkeptthehousewivesbusyatthecookstovefrommorningtillnight。
AglanceatPittPackard’sluncheon，forinstance，mightsufficeasanillustration，for，asJabeSlocumsaid，\"Pitttookafterbothhisparents;oneetagooddeal，’n’theotheragoodwhile。\"
Hispailcontainedfourdoughnuts，aquartersectionofpie，sixbuttermilkbiscuits，sixgingercookies，abakedcupcustard，andaquartofcoldcoffee。Thisquantitywasatrifleunusual，buteverymaninthegroupwaslinedthroughoutwithpie，cementedwithbuttermilkbread，andrivetedwithdoughnuts。
JabeSlocumandBradGibsonlayextendedslouchingly，theircowhidebootsturneduptothesky;DaveMilliken，SteveWebster，andtheothersleanedbackagainstthetree-trunk，smokingclaypipes，orhuggingtheirkneesandchewingbladesofgrassreflectively。
Onemansatapartfromtherest，gloomilypuffingringsofsmokeintotheair。Afterawhilehelaydowninthegrasswithhisheadburiedinhishat，sleepingtoallappearances，whiletheotherstalkedandlaughed;forhehadnostories，thoughheputinanabsent-mindedwordortwowhenhewasdirectlyaddressed。ThiswasthemanfromTennessee，MattHenderson，dubbed\"Dixie\"forshort。Hewasagiantfellow，——
a\"greatgormin’critter，\"SamanthaAnnMillikencalledhim;
butifhehadhelduphisheadandstraightenedhisbroadshoulders，hewouldhavebeenthoughtamanofsplendidpresence。
Heseemedabeingfromanothersphereinsteadoffromanothersectionofthecountry。Itwasnotalonetheolivetintoftheskin，themassofwavydarkhairtossedbackfromahighforehead，thesombreeyes，andthesadmouth，——amouththathadnevergrownintolaughingcurvesthroughtellingYankeejokes，——itwasnotthesethatgavehimwhattheboyscalleda\"kindofadowncastedlook。\"
ThemanfromTennesseehadsomethingmorethanamelancholytemperament;
hehad，orphysiognomywasalie，asorrowtuggingathisheart。
\"I’mgoin’todozeaspell，\"drawledJabeSlocum，pullinghisstrawhatoverhiseyes。\"I’vegottorenewmystrengthliketheeagle’s，’fI’mgoin’towalktothecircusthisafternoon。
Wakemeup，boys，whenyouthinkI’doughttoslingthatscythesomemore，forifIhevitonmymindIcan’tgitawinko’sleep。\"
Thiswasapparentlyawitticism;atanyrate，itelicitedroarsoflaughter。
\"It’soneofJabe’suselessdays;hetakes’emfromhisgreat-auntLyddy，\"saidDavidMilliken。
\"Youjestdryup，Dave。Efittookmeaslongtogittoworkin’asitdidyoutogitawife，Ibatethishaywouldn’tgitmoweddowntocracko’doom。Gorry！ain’tthisatree！
Itellyou，thesun’n’theairth，thedew’n’theshowers，’n’theLordGodo’creationjesttookholt’n’workedtogetheronthistree，’n’nomistake！\"
\"You’reright，Jabe。\"（ThisfromSteveWebster，whowasabsentlycuttinga_D_inthebark。Hewasalwayscutting_D_’sthesedays。）
\"Thisellumcan’tbebeatintheStateo’Maine，nornootherstate。
MybrotherthatlivesinCaliforniasaysthatthebigredwoods，bigastheyair，don’tthrownosechshade，norain’tsohan’some，’speciallyinthefallo’theyear，asourStateo’Mainetrees;
’assiduoustrees，’hecalled’em。\"
\"_Assidyus_trees？Whydon’tyoutalkUnitedStateswhileyou’reaboutit，’n’notfireyerlong-rangewordsroundhere？
_Assidyus！_Whatdoesitmean，anyhow？\"
\"Can’tproveitbyme。That’swhathecalled’em，’n’
Ineverforgotit。\"
\"Assidyus——assidyus——itdon’tsoundasifitmeantnothing’，tome。\"
\"Assiduousmeans’busy，’\"saidthemanfromTennessee，whohadsuddenlywakedfromabrownstudy，anddroppedoffintoanotherassoonashehadgiventhedefinition。
\"Busy，doesit？Wall，Iguessweain’tnobetteroffnow’nweeverwas。Onetree’s’bout’sbusyasanother，asfur’sIcansee。\"
\"Wall，thereiskindofameanin’inittome，butit’sturriblefarfetched，\"remarkedJabeSlocum，rathersleepily。
\"Yousee，ourellumsandmaples’n’allthemtreesspendsparto’
theyearinbuddin’’n’gittin’outtheirleaves’n’hangin’
emalloverthebranches;’n’then，nosoonerairtheyfullgrownthantheyhevtobegincolorin’of’emredoryellerorbrown，’n’thenshakin’’emoff;’n’thisisallextry，youmightsay，totheirevery-daychoreso’growin’’n’cirkerlatin’sap，’n’spreadin’
’n’thickenin’’n’shovin’outlimbs，’n’onething’n’’nother;
’n’itstan’storeasonthatthefirst’n’hemlocks’n’themCaliforniaredwoods，thatkeepstheirclo’esonrightthroughtheyear，can’tbesobusyasthemthatkeepsa-dressin’’n’ondressin’
allthetime。\"
\"Iguessyou’re’boutright，\"allowedSteve，\"butIshouldn’tnever’a’thoughtofitintheworld。
Whatyertakin’outo’thatbottle，Jabe？Ithoughtyouwasatemperanceman。\"
\"Iguesshe’slikethefellerovertoShandageeschoolhouse，thatsaidhewasinfavoro’thelaw，butaginitsenforcement！\"
laughedPittPackard。
\"Iain’tbreakin’nolaw;thisisyarbbitters，\"Jabeanswered，withapullatthebottle。
\"It’stocirkerlatehisblood，\"saidObTarbox;
\"he’stoodog-gonedlazytocirkerlateithimself。\"
\"I’mtakin’itferwhatailsme，\"saidJabeoracularly;
\"theheartknowethitsownbitterness，’n’it’sawisechildthatknowsitsowncomplaints’thoutgoin’toadoctor。\"
\"Ain’tyerscaredferfearit’llstartyergrowth，Laigs？\"askedlittleBradGibson，lookingatJabe’stremendouslengthoflimbandfoot。
\"Say，howdoyergitthemfeeto’yournuphill？Doyerstartoneahead，’n’side-tracktheother？\"
Thetreerangwiththelaughterevokedbythissally，butthemanfromTennesseeneversmiled。
JabeSlocum’simperturbablegoodhumorwasnotshakenintheveryleastbythesepersonalremarks。\"IfIthought’twasagoodgrowin’
medicine，I’drecommendittoyourfolks，Brad，\"herepliedcheerfully。
\"Yourmothersaysyouboysairallsoshortthatwhenyou’rediggin’
potatoes，yercan’tseehershakethedinnerrag’thoutgittin’
up’n’standingonthepotatohills！IfIwasasinikitinfellerlikeyou，Iwouldn’thectorfolksthathadmadeouttogrowsome。\"
\"Speakin’o’growin’，\"saidSteveWebster，\"whodoyouguessIseeninBoston，whenIwasworkin’there？ThattallSwatkinsgirlfromtheDuckPond，theonethatmarriedDanRobinson。
ItwasoneSunday，intheCatholicmeetin’-house。I’dallerswantedtogotoaCatholicmeetin’，an’Ideclareit’saboutthesolemnestonethereis。ImistrustedIwasgoin’toeverlastin’lygiggle，butItellyerIwastheawedestcutteryereversee。
Butanyway，theSwatkinsgirl——orMis’Robinson，sheisnow——
wasthereaslargeaslifeinthenextpewtome，jabberin’
Latin，pawin’beads，gettin’up’n’kneelin’down，’n’crossin’
herselfnorth，south，east，’n’west，withthebestof’em。PoorDan！
’Grinnin’Dan，’weusedtocallhim。Well，hedon’tgrinnowadays。
Heneverwasgoodformuch，buthe’shedmore’nhiscomeuppance！\"
\"Why，what’sthematterwithhim？Can’thegitworkinBoston？\"
\"Matter？Why，hiswife，thatIseemakin’believebesodreadfulpiousintheCatholicmeetin’，she’scarriedonwuss’ntheOldDriverfortwoyears，’n’nowshe’sup’n’lefthim，——
gonewithahan’somerman。\"
DownonSteveWebster’shandcameJabeSlocum’simmensepawwithagraspthatmadehimcringe。
\"Whatthe\"——beganSteve，whenthemanfromTennesseetookuphisscytheandslouchedawayfromthegroupbythetree。
\"Didn’tyerknownobetter’nthat，yerthunderin’fool？Can’tyerseeaholeinagrindstun’thoutit’shungonyernose？\"
\"WhathevIdone？\"askedSteve，asifdumfounded。
\"Done？Where’veyerben，thatyerdon’tknowDixie’swife’slefthim？\"
\"Where’veIben？Hain’tIbenworkin’inBostonferayear;’n’sinceIcomehomelastweek，hain’tIbentendin’
sickfolks，so’tIcouldn’tgitoutsidethedooryard？
Ineverseenthemaninmylifetillyesterday，inthefield，’n’Ithoughthewasoneo’themdark-skinnedFrenchiesfromGuildfordthathedcomeuphereferhayin’。\"
\"MebbeIspoketoosharp，\"saidJabeapologetically;
\"butwe’vebenscaredtotalkwives，orevenwomenfolks，feramontho’Sundays，ferfearDixie’dup’n’tumbleonhisscythe，ordosomethin’crazy。Youseeit’sthisway（I’druthertalkthanwork;’n’weain’tworkin’bytimeto-day，anyway，onaccountofthecircuscomin’）：’Boutayear’n’ahalfago，thistall，han’somefellerturneduphereinPleasantRiver。
HeinhailedfromdownSouthsomewheres，buthedidn’tlikehisworkthere，’n’driftedtoNewYork，’n’thentoBoston;’n’thenherememberedhismotherwasaStateo’
Mainewoman，’n’hecomeheretoseehowheliked。
Wedidn’ttakenostockinhimatfirst，——weneverhedoneo’
thatnigger-tradin’secedin’lotinamongstus，——buthewaspleasantspoken’n’asquare，all-roundfeller，’n’didn’tgitoffanyseceshnonsense，’n’itendedinourlikin’
himfirst-rate。Wall，hegotworkinthecannin’fact’ryoverontheButterfieldroad，’n’thenhefellinwiththeMaddoxes。
You’vehearntellof’em;they’rerelationtoPitthere。\"
\"Iwouldn’town’emifImet’emonJudgementBench！\"
exclaimedPittPackardhotly。\"Mystepfather’ssecondwifemarriedMis’
Maddox’sfirsthusbandafterhegotdivorcedfromher，’n’that’sallthereistoit;theyain’tnobloody-kino’mine，’n’Idon’tcall’emrelation。\"
\"Wall，Pitt’srelationsornot，they’reallwuss’ntheOldDriver，asyersaid’boutDanRobinson’swife。Dixiewenttoboardthere。
MisMaddoxwasallouto’husbandsjestthen，——she’djestdisposedofherfourth，somehowor’nother;shealwayshedaplenty’n’tospare，thoughthere’slotso’likelywomenfolksroundherethatneverhedonechance，letalonefour。
HerdaughterFidelitywasachipo’theoldblock。HerfatherhednamedherFidelityafterhismother，whenshewa’n’tnothin’
butatwo-days-oldbaby，’n’hedidn’tknowhowshewasgoin’toturnout;
ifhe’d’a’waitedtwomonths，IbelieveIcould’a’toldhim。
_In_fidelitywould’a’benamightysightmore’propriate;buteitherof’emistoolongferaname，sotheygottocallin’herFiddy。
Wall，Fiddydidn’twastenotime;shewasnighontoeighteenyearsoldwhenDixiewenttheretoboard，’n’shebegunhuneyfuglin’
him’ssoonaseversheseteyesonhim。Folkswarnedhim，but’twa’n’tnouse;hewaskindo’bewitchedwithherfromthefirst。
Shewa’n’tsohan’some，neither。Blamed’fIknowhowtheydoit;
let’emalone，’fyerknowwhenyer’rewelloff，’smymotter。
Shewasred-headed，butherhairbecomehersomehowwhenshecurled’n’frizzeditoverakarosenelamp，’n’thenwounditround’n’
roundherheadlikeropeso’carnelian。Shehedn’tanyparticularkindofanosenormouthnoreyes，butgorry！whenshelookedatyer，yerfeltkindasifyerwasturnin’toputtyinside。\"
\"Iknowwhatyermean，\"saidSteveinterestedly。
\"Shehedafiggerjestlikethemfashion-paperpicturesyou’veseen，an’theverydayanynewstylescometoBostonFiddyMaddoxwouldhev’embeforesundown;thebiggestbustles’n’
thehighesthats’n’thetightestskirts’n’thelongesttailsto’em;she’dgit’emsomehow，anyhow！Dixiewa’n’touto’
moneywhenhecomehere，an’aspellafterwardstherewasmore’nathousanddollarsfelltohimfromhisfather’sfolksdownSouth。Well，Fiddymadethatfly，Itellyou！
Dixieboughtatopbuggy’n’asorrelhoss，’n’theywasontheroadmosto’thetimewhenhewa’n’ttowork;’n’whenhewas，she’dgowithLemSimmons，’n’Dixienonethewiser。
MisMaddoxwaslookin’upanewhusbandjestthen，so’tshedidn’tinterfere\"——
\"Shewasthesamekindo’goods，anyhow，\"interpolatedObTarbox。
\"Yes，shewasoneofthemwomenfolksthatairsolight-mindedyoucan’tanchor’emdownwithasewin’-machine，noradishpan，norahusband’n’youngones，nornonamablekindofathing;
theleastwindblows’emhere’n’blows’emthere，likedandelionpuffs。
Astimewenton，thewiddergotherselfabeaunow’n’then;
butasfastasshehooked’em，Fiddyup’n’took’emawayfromher。
Youseeshe’dgetheredinmostofherhusbandsaforeFiddywasoldenoughtohevherfingerinthepie;butshecuthereye-teethearly，Fiddydid，’n’therewa’n’tnokindofafellercometosetupwiththewidderbutshe’deverlastin’lygrabhim，ifshehedanyuseferhim，’n’thenthere’dbeHailColumby，Itellyer。
ButDixie，hewas’sblind’sabat’n’deef’sapost。Hecouldn’tseenothin’butFiddy，’n’hecouldn’tseeherveryplain。\"
\"Hehedwarnin’senough，\"putinPittPackard，thoughJabeSlocumneverneededanyassistanceinspinningayarn。
\"Warnin’s！Ishouldthinkhehed。TheSeventhDayBaptistministerwentsofurastopreachathim。’TheApostlePaulginheed，’
wasthetext。’Whydidheginheed？’sayshe。’Becauseheheerd。
Ifhehadn’t’a’heerd，hecouldn’t’a’ginheed，’n’’twouldn’t’a’donehimnogoodto’a’heerd’thoutheginheed！’Wall，ithelpedconsid’blemanyinthecongregation，’speciallythemthatwasinthehabitofhearin’
’n’heedin’，butitrolledrightoffDixielikewateroffaduck’sback。
He’n’Fiddywasseenovertotheballin’alleytoWarehamnextday，’n’theydidn’tcomebackforaweek。\"
\"’Heginherhishand，Andhemadeherhisown，’\"
sanglittleBradGibson。
\"Hehedginherhishand，butnoministernortrial-jesticenoreighteen-caratringnorstificatecould’a’
madeFiddyMaddoxanybody’sown’ceptin’thedevil’s，an’
hewouldn’t’a’marriedher;she’d’a’bentoonearkin。
We’dnever’spicionedshe’dgit’sfur’smarryin’anybody，’n’sheonlymarriedDixie’causehetoldherhe’dtakehertotheWarehamHousetodinner，’n’totheCountyFairafterwards;
ifanyotherfellerhedofferedtotakehertosupper，’n’thetheatreontopo’that，she’d’a’marriedhiminstid。\"
\"How’dtheoldwomantakeit？\"askedSteve。
\"Shedisownedherdaughter_punctilio：_inthefirstplace，ferrunnin’away’stido’hevin’achurchweddin’;’n’secondplace，fermarryin’apauper（thatwaswhatshecalledhim;’n’itwastrue，forthey’dspenteverycenthehed）;’n’thirdplace，feralienatin’
the’fectionsofatravelin’baker-manshehedhereyeonferherself。
Hewasakindofaflour-foodpeddler，thatusedtodriveacartroundbyHardScrabble，Moderation，’n’ScratchCornerway。Mis’Maddoxusedtobuyallherbakedvictualsofhim，’speciallyaftershefoundouthewasawidowerbeginnin’totakenotice。Hiscartusedtostandatherdoorsolongeverybodyontheroutwouldcomplaino’
stalebread。ButbimebyeFiddybeguntosetatherwinderwhenhedruvup，’n’bimebyeshepinnedablueribboninhercollar。
Whenshedonethat，Mis’Maddoxalleshedtotakeabackseat。
Theboysusedtocallitadangersignal。Itkindo’drawedyer’tentiontop’ints’boutherchin’n’mouth’n’neck，’n’onething’n’’nother，inawaythatwascal’latedtosnarlupthethoughtso’
perfessorso’religion’n’turn’emearthways。TherewasaspellIhedtosay，’_Remember__Rhapseny！__Remember__Rhapseny！_’
overtomyselfwheneverFiddyputonherblueribbons。Wall，asIsay，Fiddysetatthewinder，thebaker-manseentheblueribbons，’n’Mis’Maddox’scakewasdough。Sheputonaredribbon;
butland！hernecklooked’sifsomebody’dgoneoveritwithaharrer！
Thenshestompedround’n’slatthedish-rag，but’twa’n’tnouse。
’Gracious，mother，’saysFiddy，’Idon’tdonothin’butsetatthewinder。Thesunshinesforall。’’You’rerightitdoes，’
saysMis’Maddox，’’n’that’sjestwhatIcomplainof。
I’dliketogetachangetoshineonsomethingmyself。’
\"Butthebaker-mankep’oncomin’，thoughwhenhegottotheMaddoxes’doorstepshecouldn’tmakechangeforaquarternortellpiefrombread;an’sure’syou’reborn，theverydayFiddywentawaytobemarriedtoDixie，thatmornin’
shedrawedthateverlastin’numheadofaflour-foodpeddleroutintotheorchard，’n’cutoffalocko’herhair，’n’tieditupwithapieceo’herblueribbon，’n’giveittohim;an’oldMis’Bascomsays，whenhewentpastherhousehewasgazin’atit’n’kissin’ofit，’n’hishorsemeanderin’
ononesidetheroad’n’theother，’n’thedooro’thecartopen’n’slammin’to’n’fro，’n’gingercookiesspillin’
outalloverthelot。HecomebacktotheMaddoxesnextmorning’
（’twa’n’thisday，buthishosscouldn’tpullonewaywhenFiddy’sribbonwaspullin’t’other）;an’whenhefoundoutshe’dgonewithDixie，hecussed’n’stomped’n’tookonlikealoontic;an’whenMis’MaddoxhintedshewasreadytohealthewowndsFiddy’dinflicted，hestomped’n’cussedwuss’n’ever，’n’theneighborssayhecalledherahomblyoldtrollop，an’firedthebreadloavesalloverthedooryard，hewassocrazyatbein’cheated。
\"Wall，togobacktoDixie——I’llbecomin’rightalong，boys。\"
（ThistoBradGibson，whowastakinghisfarewelldrinkofgingerteapreparatorytobeginningwork。）
\"Ipityyou，Steve！\"exclaimedBrad，betweendeepswallows。
\"Ifyou’dknownwhenyouwaswelloff，you’d’a’stayedinBoston。
IfJabehedastorystarted，he’dtalkthreedaysafterhewasdead。\"
\"Go’long;leavemebe！Wall，asIwassayin’，DixiebroughtFiddyhome（’Dell，’hecalledher），an’they’pearedbride’n’groomatmeetin’
nextSunday。Thelasthundreddollarshehedintheworldhedgoneintotheweddin’tower’n’ontoFiddy’sback。Hehedanewsuit，’n’helookedlikeamajor。Youain’tgotnoideawhathewas，’causehiseyesisdullnow，’n’he’sbowedallover，’n’ain’tshavednorcombed，hardly;buttheywasthehan’somestcouplethateverwalkedupthebroadaisle。Shehedonagreensilkdress，an’alacecapethatwaslikeaskeeternettin’overherneckan’
showedherbareskinthrough，an’ahatlikeanappleorchardinfullbloom，hummin’-birdan’all。DixiekerriedhimselfasproudasLucifer。
Hedidn’tlookattheminister’n’hedidn’tlookatthecongregation;
hisgreateyeswasgluedonFiddy，asifhecouldn’thardlykeepfromeatin’
ofherup。An’shebehavedconsid’ablewellforafewmonths，aslong’sthenoveltylastedan’thesilkdresseswasnew。BeforeChristmas，though，shebegantopeterout’n’gitslack-twisted。Sheallershatedhouseworkasbadasapigwouldapenwiper，an’Dixiehedtogithisownbreakfastaforehewenttowork，orgooffonanemptystomach。
Many’sthetimehe’sgothermealsforher’n’took’emtoheronawaiter。
Themseceshfellers’llwaitonwomenfolkslongastheycanstan’up。
\"Thenbimebyethebabycomealong;butthatmadethingswuss’stido’better。Shedidn’tpaynomore’tentiontoitthanifithedbelongedtothetown。
She’dgoofftodances，an’leaveDixietohometendin’
cradle;butthatwa’n’tnohardshiptohimforhewas’boutasmuchwroppedupinthechildashewasinFiddy。
Wall，sir，’boutamonthagosheup’n’disappearedoffthefaceo’
theairth’thoutsayin’awordorleavin’aletter。
Shetookherclo’es，butsheneverthoughto’takin’thebaby;
onebabymoreorlessdidn’tmakenooddstohers’long’sshehedthatskeeter-nettin’cape。Dixiesarchedferherhighan’
lowferafortnight，butafterthathegiveitupasabadjob。
Hefoundoutenough，Iguess，tokeephimprettybusythinkin’
whathe’ddonext。Butdaybeforeyesterdaythesamecircusthatplaysherethisafternoonwasplayin’toWareham。
Alotofuswentoverontheevenin’train，an’wecoaxedDixieintogoin’，so’stotakehismindoffhistrouble。
Butland！hedidn’tseenothin’。He’dwalkrightupthelions’n’tigersinthemenagerieasiftheywascats’n’chickens，an’allthetimetheclownwassingin’
helookedlikeadumbanimilethat’shedabulletputinhim。
Therewaslotso’sideshows，mermaids’n’six-leggedcalves’n’
spottedgirls，’n’onething’n’’nother，an’therewasoneo’
themwhirligigmachineswithamesso’rocking’-hossesgoin’
round’n’round，’n’anorganinthemiddleplayin’likesixty。
Iwishwe’d’a’keptclearo’thething，butasbadluckwouldhevit，westoppedtolook，an’thereontopo’twohigh-steppin’
whitewoodenhosses，setMis’Fiddyan’thatdod-gastedlight-complectedbaker-man！Ifevershewassuitedtoadot，itwasjestthen’n’there。Shecould’a’goneprancin’
roundthatthereringforever’n’forever，withthewhoopin’
’n’hollerin’’n’whizzin’’n’whirlin’soundin’inherears，’n’themusicplayin’likemad，’n’shewithnothin’
todobutstickon’n’letsomefellerfootthebills。
Somebodymust’a’benthinkin’o’FiddyMaddoxwhentheinventedthemwhirl-a-go-rounds。Shewaslaughin’’n’carryin’
onliketheoldScratch;herapple-blossomhatdomeoff，’n’thebaker-manputiton，’n’tookconsid’abletimeoverit，’n’pulledherear’n’pinchedhercheekwhenhegotthrough;
an’thatwasjesttheblamedminuteweketchedsightof’em。
IpulledDixieoff，butIwastoolate。HegiveagroanIshallremembertomydyin’day，’n’thenheplungedouto’thecrowd’n’throughthegatelikeastreako’lightnin’。Wefollered，butland！wecouldn’tfindhim，an’trueasIsethere，Ineverexpectedtoseehimaliveagin。ButIdid;
Iforgotallaboutonething，yousee，’n’thatwasthebaby。
Ifitwa’n’tnoattractiontoitsmother，Iguesshecal’lateditneededafatherallthemore。Anyhow，heturnedupinthefieldyesterdaymornin’，readyforwork，butlookin’
asifhe’dhedhisheartcutout’n’apieceo’leadputintheplaceofit。\"
\"Idon’tseemasifshe’d’a’benbrazenenoughtocomebacksonearhim，\"saidSteve。
\"Wall，Idon’ts’poseshehedanyideao’Dixie’sbein’
atacircusoverWarehamjestthen;an’tentooneshedidn’tcareifthewholetownseenher。Shewantedtogetridofhim，’n’shedidn’tmindhowshedidit。
Dixieain’toneoftheshootin’kinds，an’anyhow，FiddyMaddoxwa’n’tonetolookahead;whatevershewantedtodo，thatshedone，fromthetimeshewaskneehightoagrasshopper。
I’veseenhersetdownbyapeckbasketofapples，’n’takeacoupleo’bitesouto’one，’n’thenheaveitfur’sshecouldheaveit’n’startinonanother，’n’thenanother;
’n’’twa’n’tagoodappleyear，neither。She’deverlastin’lyspile’boutadozenof’em’n’smaller’bouttwomouthfuls。
DoxyMorton，now，wouldeatanapplecleandowntothecore，’n’thencounttheseeds’n’put’emonthewindow-silltodry，’n’getup’n’putthecoreinthestove，’n’wipeherhandsontherollertowel，’n’takeuphersewin’agin;’n’ifyou’vegottobecuttin’’nitialsintreebarkan’writin’
of’eminthegrasswithasticklikeyou’vebendoin’
forthelasthalf-hour，you’reblamedluckytobedoin’
_D_’snot_F_’s，likeDixiethere！\"
***
Itwasthreeo’clockintheafternoon。Themenhaddroppedworkandgonetothecircus。Thehaywaspronouncedtobeinaconditionwhereitcouldbeleftwithoutmuchdanger;but，forthatmatter，nomanwouldhavestayedinthefieldtoattendtoanotherman’shaywhentherewasacircusintheneighborhood。
Dixiewasmowingonalone，listeningasinadreamtothatsubtlesomethingintheswishofthescythethatmakesoneseektoknowthesongitissingingtothegrasses。
\"Hush，ah，hush，thescythesaresaying，Hush，andheednot，andfallasleep;
Hush，theysaytothegrassesswaying，Hush，theysingtothecloverdeep;
Hush，——’tisthelullabyTimeissinging，——
Hush，andheednot，forallthingspass。
Hush，ah，hush！andthescythesareswingingOvertheclover，overthegrass。\"
Andnow，spentwithfatigueandwatchingandcareandgrief，——
heartsick，mindsick，bodysick，sickwithpastsuspenseandpresentcertaintyandfuturedread，——hesatunderthecoolshadeofthenooningtree，andburiedhisfaceinhishands。
Hewasgladtobeleftalonewithhismiseries，——
gladthattheothermen，friendlyashefeltthemtobe，hadgonetothecircus，wherehewouldnotseeorhearthemforhourstocome。
Howclearlyhecouldconjureupthescenethattheywereenjoyingwithsuchkeenrelish！
Onlytwodaysbefore，hehadwalkedamongthesametents，staringathorsesandgaytrappingsandpaintedAmazonsasonewhonotednothing;yettheagonyofthethinghenowsawatlastlitupalltherestaswithalightningflash，andburnedthesceneforeveronhisbrainandheart。
ItwasatWareham，too，——Wareham，whereshehadpromisedtobehiswife，whereshehadmarriedhimonlyayearbefore。
Howwellherememberedthenight！Theylefttheparsonage;
theyhadtenmilestodriveinthemoonlightbeforereachingtheirstopping-place，——tenmilesofsuchjoyasonlyamancouldknow，hethought，whohadhadthewarmfruitoflifehangingwithinfullvision，butjustoutofreach，——justabovehislonginglips;
andthen，inanunlooked-for，graciousmoment，his！
Hecouldswearshehadlovedhimthatnight，ifneveragain。
Butthispicturepassedaway，andhesawthatmaddeningcirclewiththecaracolingsteeds。Heheadthediscordantmusic，themonotonouscreakofthemachinery，thestridentlaughteroftheexcitedriders。
Asfirstthethingwasablur，akaleidoscopeofwhirlingcolors，intowhichtherepresentlycreptformandorder……Aboywhohadcriedtogeton，andwasnowcryingtogetoff……OldRubeHobsonandhisyoungwife;Rubelookingwhiteandscared，partlybythewhizzingmotion，andpartlybytheprospectofpayingouttencentsforthedoubtfulpleasure……PrettyHettyDunnellwiththatyoungfellowfromPortland;
shetootimidtomountoneofthemettle-somechargers，andsnugglingclosetohiminoneofthecirclingseats。The，goodGot！——
Dell！sittingonaprancingwhitehorse，withthemanheknew，themanhefeared，ridingbesideher;amanwhokeptholdingonherhatwithfingersthattrembled，——theveryhatshe\"’pearedbridein\"
amanwhobrushedagrasshopperfromhershoulderwithanairofownership，and，whensheslappedhishandcoquettishly，evendaredtopinchherpinkcheek，——hiswife’scheek，——
beforethatcrowdofon-lookers！Merry-go-round，indeed！
Thehorriblethingwaswellnamed;andlifewasjustlikeit，——
awhirlofhappinessandmisery，inwhichthemusiccannotplayloudenoughtodrownthecreakofthemachinery，inwhichonesoulcriesoutinpain，anotherinterror，andtherestlaugh;
buttheprancingsteedsgallopon，gallopon，andoncemounted，thereisnogettingoff，unless……
Thereweresomethingsitwasnotpossibleforameantobear！
Theriver！Theriver！Hecouldhearitripplingoverthesunnysands，swirlingamongthelogs，dashingandroaringunderthebridge，rushingtothesea’sembrace。Couldittellwhitheritwashurrying？NO;butitwasescapingfromitspresentbonds;
itwouldneverhavetopassoverthesesamejaggedrocksagain。
\"On，ontotheunknown！\"calledtheriver。\"Icome！Icome！\"
herousedhimselftorespond，whenafaint，faint，helplessvoicebrokeinuponthemadclatterinhisbrain，cleavinghistornheartintwain;
notarealvoice，——thehalf-forgottenmemoryofone;atenderwailthathadaddedfreshmiserytohisnight’svigil，——thebaby！
Butthefeeblepipewasbornedownbytheswirlofthewaterasitdashedbetweentherockybanks，stillcallingtohim。
Ifhecouldonlyclosehisearstoit！Butitstillcalled——
calledstill——theriver！Andstillthechild’svoicepiercedtherushofsoundwithitspitifulflutenote，untilthetworesolvedthemselvesintocontestingstrains，answeringeachotherantiphonally。Theriver——thebaby——
theriver——thebaby;andinandthrough，andbetwixtandbetween，therespunthewhirlingmerry-go-round，withitscurvetingwoodenhorses，itsdiscordantorgan，anditscreakingmachinery。
Butgraduallythechild’svoicegainedinstrength，andashehearditmoreplainlytheothersoundsgrewfainter，tillatlast，thankGod！theywerehushed。Thedin，thewhirlwind，andthetempestinhisbrainwerelulledintosilence，asundera\"Peace，bestill！\"and，wornoutwiththecontest，themanfromTennesseefellasleepunderthegratefulshadeofthenooningtree。Sodeepwastheslumberthatsettledoverexhaustedbodyandtroubledspiritthatthegatheringclouds，thesuddendarkness，thedistantmutteringofthunder，thefrightenedtwitterofthebirds，passedunnoticed。
Aheavydropofrainpiercedthethickfoliageandfellonhisface，butthestormwithinhadbeentoofierceforhimtoheedthestormwithout。Heslepton。
***
Almosteveryman，woman，andchildinthevicinityofPleasantRiverwasonthewaytothecircus，——Boomer’sGrandSix-in-OneUniversalConsolidatedShow;BrilliantConstellationsofFixedStarsshininginthesameVastFirmament;GlitteringGalaxiesofWorld-FamousEquestrianArtists;thebiggestelephants，thefunniestclowns，thepluckiestriders，thestubbornestmules，themostamazingacrobats，thetallestmanandtheshortestman，thethinnestwomanandthethickestwoman，onthehabitableglobe;
andnoconnectionwithanyothershowonearth，especiallySypher’sTwo-in-OneShownowdevastatingthesameState。
Iftheadvertisementssettingforththeseattractionswerecouchedinlanguagesomewhatrosierthanthefactswouldwarrant，therewerefewpersonscalmenoughtoperceiveit，whenoncetheglamourofthevillageparadeandthesmellofthemenageriehadintoxicatedthesenses。
Thecircushadbeenthesoletopicofconversationforafortnight。
JotBascomcouldalwaysbereliedonforthelatestandmostauthenticnewsofitstriumphantprogressfromonetowntoanother。Jotwasasortoftowncrier;andwhenevertheapproachofacaravanwasannounced，hewouldgooverontheLibertyroadtofindoutjustwhereitwasandwhatwereitsimmediateplans，forthethrillingpleasureofcallingateveryoneoftheneighbors’onhiswayhome，anddeliveringhisbudgetofnews。
Hewasanattendantateveryfuneral，andasfaraspossibleateverywedding，inthevillage;ateveryflag-raisingandhusking，andtownandcountyfair。
Whenmorepressingdutiesdidnothinder，heendeavoredtomeetthetwodailytrainsthatpassedthroughMilliken’sMills，amileortwofromPleasantRiver。Heaccompaniedthesheriffonalljourneysentailingservingofpapersandotherembarrassingdutiescommontothelaw。
Ononeoccasion，whenthetwolawyersofthevillageheldaninvestigationbeforeTrialJusticeSimeonPorter，theywaitedanhourbecauseJotBascomdidnotcome。Theyknewthatsomethingwasamiss，butitwasonlyonreflectionthattheyrememberedthatJotwasnotindispensable。
HewentwithallpauperstothePoorFarm，andnevermissedatownmeeting。
Heknewalltheconditionsattendinganyswappingofhorsesthatoccurredwithinaradiusoftwentymiles，——thetermsofthetradeandtheamountpaidtoboot。Heknewwhoowedthefish-manandwhoowedthemeat-man，andwhocouldnotgettrustedbyeitherofthem。
Infact，sofarasthedivineattributesofomniscienceandomnipresencecouldbevestedinafaultyhumancreature，theywerepresentinJotBascom。
Thathewasquiteunabletoattendconscientiouslytohomeduties，whenoverbornebypressofpublicservice，wastrue。WhenDiademaBascomwantedkindlingsplit，woodbroughtin，thecowsmilked，orthepigsfed，shecommonlyfoundherspouseservinghumanityinbulk。
AllthedetailsoftheapproachoftheGrandSix-in-OneShowhad，therefore，beenheraldedtothosework-soddenandunambitiouspersonswhotiedthemselvestotheirownwood-pilesorhaying-fields。
Thesewerethebulletinsissues：——
ThemenweremakingacircleintheWidowBuzzell’sfield，inthesameplacewheretheoldonehadbeen，——theoldone，viewedwithaweforfiveyearsbyallthevillagesmallboys。
Theforerunners，outriders，proprietors，whatevertheymightbe，hadarrivedandgonetothetavern。
Anelephantwasquarteredinthetavernshed！
Theelephanthadsteppedthroughthefloor！！
Theadvanceguardofperformersandpartoftheshowitselfhadcome！
Andthe\"Cheriot\"！！
Thisfar-famedvehiclehadpausedontopofDeaconChute’shill，toprepareforthestreetparade。LittleJimChutehadbeengloatingoverthefactthatitmustpassbyhishouse，andwhenitstoppedshortundertheelmsinthedooryardhisheartalmostbrokeforjoy。
Hepinchedthetwenty-five-centpieceinhispockettoassurehimselfthathewasaliveandinhisrightmind。Thepreciouscoinhadbeentheresultofcarefulsaving，andhishot，excitedhandshadalmostwornitthin。Butalasforthevanityofhumanhopes！
Whenthemagnificentred-and-gold\"Cheriot\"wasuncovered，thatitsgloriesmightshineuponthewaitingworld，thedooropened，andahuddleofpaintedIndianstumbledout，readytoleadtheprocession，or，ifsodisposed，toscalptheneighborhood。
LittleJimgaveonepanic-strickenlookastheyleapedoverthechariotsteps，andthenfledtothebarnchamber，whencehehadtobedraggedbyhismother，andcuffedintowillingnesstoattendthespectaclethathadoncesodazzledhisimagination。
Ontheeventfulafternoonoftheperformancetheroadwasgaywithteams。DavidandSamanthaMillikendrovebyinMissCummin’sneatcarryall，twochildrenonthebackseat，awill-o’-the-wispbabygirlhelddownbyaseriousboy。
SteveWebsterwasdrivingDoxyMortoninhismother’sbuggy。
JabeSlocum，PittPackard，BradGibson，CyseHiggins，andscoresofotherswereriding\"shank’smare，\"astheywouldhavesaid。
Ithadbeenaclose，warmday，andastheafternoonworeawayitgrewhotterandcloser。Therewasadeadcalmintheair，athreateningblacknessinthewestthatmadethefarmersthinkanxiouslyoftheirhay。Presentlythethunderheadsrantogetherintobigblackclouds，whichmeltedinturnintomoltenmassesofsmokyorange，sothattheheavenswerelikeburnishedbrass。
Driverswhippeduptheirhorses，andpedestrianshastenedtheirsteps。
SteveWebsterdecidednottoruneventhesmallestriskofinjuringsopreciousacommodityasDoxyMortonbyashowerofrain，sohedroveintoafriend’syard，putuphishorse，andwaitedtillthestormshouldpassby。
BradGibsonstoopedtodrinkatawaysidebrook，andashebentoverthewaterheheardalow，murmuring，mutteringsoundthatseemedtomaketheearthtremble。
Thenfromhilltohill\"leaptthelivethunder。\"
Eventhedistantmountainsseemedtohave\"foundatongue。\"
Azigzagchainoflightningflashedintheluridsky，andafteranappreciableintervalanotherpeal，louderthanthefirst，andnearer。
Therainbegantofall，theforkedflashesofflamedartedhitherandthitherintheclouds，andtheboomofheaven’sartillerygrewheavierandheavier。Theblindingsheetsoflightandthetumultuousroarofsoundnowfollowedeachothersoquicklythattheyseemedalmostsimultaneous。
Flash——crash——flash——crash——flash——crash;blindinganddeafeningeyeandearatonce。Everybodywhocouldfindashelterofanysorthastenedtoit。
Thewomenathomesettheirchildreninthemidstoffeatherbeds，andsomeofthemevenhuddledtherethemselves，theirbabiesclingingtotheminsympatheticfear，asthelividshaftsoflightilluminatedthedarkroomswithmorethannoondayglare。
Theairwasfullofgloom;anamelessterrorlurkedwithinit;theelementsseemedatwarwitheachother。
Horseswhinniedinthestables，andcoltsdashedaboutthepastures。
Thecattlesoughtshelteredplaces;thecowsamblingclumsilytowardssomerefuge，theirfullbagsdrippingmilkastheyswungheavilytoandfro。Thebirdsflewtowardstheorchardsandthedeepwoods;
theswallowsswoopedrestlesslyroundthebarns，andhidthemselvesundertheeavesorintheshadowofdesertednests。
Therainnowfellinsheets。
\"Hurryup’n’gitundercover，Jabe，\"saidBradGibson;
\"you’rejestthekindofapoletodrawlightnin’！\"
\"Youhain’t，then！\"retortedJabe。\"Thereain’tenougho’
youferlightnin’toketchholtof！\"
Suddenlyaghastlystreakoflightleapedoutofacloud，andthenanother，tilltheskyseemedlitupbycataractsofflame。Abreathofwindsprangintothestillair。
Thenadeafeningcrash，clap，crack，roar，peal！andasJabeSlocumlookedoutofaprotectingsheddoor，hesawafieryballburstfromtheclouds，shootingbrazenarrowsasitfell。
Withintheinstantthemeeting-housesteeplebrokeintoatongueofflame，andthen，lookingtowardshome，hefanciedthatthefireballdroppedtoearthinSquireBean’smeadow。
Thewindblewmorefiercelynow。Therewasasuddencracklingofwood，fallingofoldtimers，andbreakingofglass。
Thedeadlyfluidraninawindingcoursedownagreatmaplebytheshed，leavinganarrowcharredchannelthroughthebarktotellhowitpassedtoearth。Asombrepinestoodup，blackandburned，itsheartgapingthroughaghastlywoundinthesplittrunk。
Therainnowsubsided;therewasonlyanoccasionalfaintrumblingofthunder，asifitweremurmuringoverthedistantsea;
thecloudsbrokeawayinthewest;thesunpeepedout，asiftoseewhathadbeengoingonintheworldsincehehidhimselfanhourbefore。
Adelicaterainbowbridgestretchedfromtheblackenedchurchsteepletotheglitteringweathercockonthesquire’sbarn;
andthere，inthecentreofthefairgreenmeadowsfromwhichithadriseningloriousstrengthandbeautyforacenturyormore，laythenooningtree。
Thefireball，ifballoffireindeedtherewere，hadstruckintheverycentreofitssplendiddome，andplougheditswayfromfeathertiptosturdyroot，rivingthetreeintwain，cleavingitsgreatboughsleftandright，layingonemajestichalflevelwiththeearth，andbendingtheothertilltheproudheadalmosttouchedthegrass。
Therainbowwasreflectedinthemilliondropsglitteringuponthebowedbranches，turningeachintoatearofliquidopal。
Thebirdshoppedonthepronemagnificence，andeyedtimorouslyastrangeobjectunderneath。
Therehadbeenoneswift，pitiless，mercifulstroke！
Themonarchofthemeadowwouldneveragainfeelthemagicthrillofthesapinitsveins，northeburstingofbrownbudintogreenleaf。
Thebirdswouldbuildtheirnestsandsingtheiridylsinotherboughs。
The\"timeofpleasureandlove\"wasoverwiththenooningtree;overtoo，withhimwhosleptbeneath;forunderitsfallenbranches，withthelightofagreatpeaceinhisupturnedface，laythemanfromTennessee。
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
THEFORE-ROOMRUG。
Diadema，wifeofJotBascom，wassittingatthewindowofthevillagewatch-tower，socalledbecauseitcommandedaviewofnearlyeverythingthathappenedinPleasantRiver;
thosedetailsescapingthephysicaleyebeingsuppliedbyfaithandimaginationworkinginthelightofpastexperience。
Shesatinthechairofhonor，thechairofchoice，thehigh-backedrockerbythesouthernwindow，inwhichherhusband’smother，oldMrs。Bascom，hadsatforthirtyyears，applyingastillmorepowerfulintellectualtelescopetothedoingsofherneighbors。
Diadema’sseathadformerlybeenonthelessdesirablesideofthelittlelight-stand，wherePriscillaHolliswasnowinstalled。
Mrs。Bascomwasatworkonanewfore-roomrug，theformeronehavingbeentransferredtoMissHollis’schamber;for，astheteacheratthebrickschoolhouse，agraduateofaMassachusettsnormalschool，andthedaughterofadeceasedjudge，shewasaboarderofconsiderableconsequence。
ItwasarainySaturdayafternoon，andthetwowomenwerealone。
Itwasapleasant，peacefulsitting-room，asneataswaxineverypart。
Thefloorwascoveredbyacheerfulpatrioticragcarpetwovenentirelyofred，white，andbluerags，andprotectedinvariousexposedlocalitiesbybuttonrugs，——red，white，andbluediskssuperimposedoneontheother。
DiademaBascomwasapersonofsomesentiment。Whenheroldfather，CaptainDennett，wasdying，hedrewawalletfromunderhispillow，andhandedheratwenty-dollarbilltogetsomethingtorememberhimby。
Thisunwontedoccurrenceburneditselfintothedaughter’simagination，andwhenshecameasabridetotheBascomhousesherefurnishedthesitting-roomasakindofmonumenttothedepartedsoldier，whoseswordandmusketwerenowtiedtothewallwithneatlyhemmedbowsofbrightredcotton。
Thechaircushionswereofred-and-whiteglazedpatch，theturkeywingsthatservedashearthbrusheswerehungagainstthewhite-paintedchimney-piecewithblueskirtbraid，andthewhiteshadeswerefinishedwithhome-madescarlet\"tossels。\"
Alittlewhatnotinonecornerwasladenwiththetrophiesofbattle。
Thewarrior’sbrassbuttonswerestrungonaredpicturecordandhungoverhisdaguerreotypeontheuppershelf;therewasatarnishedshoulderstrap，andaflattenedbulletthatthecaptain’sjealouscontemporariesswore_he_neverstopped，unlesshegotitintherearwhenhewasflyingfromthefoe。Therewasalsoalittletincanisterinwhichachargeofpowderhadbeensacredlypreserved。
Thescoffers，again，saidthat\"thecap’nputitinhismusketwhenhewentintothewar，andkep’ittheretillhecomeout。\"
Theseobjectsweretastefullydecoratedwiththenationalcolors。
Infact，nomodernaesthetecouldhavearrangedasymbolicsymphonyofgriefandglorywithanymorefidelitytoanidealthanDiademaBascom，inworkingoutherschemeofred，white，andblue。
Rowsofripeningtomatoeslayalongtheledgesofthewindows，andatortoise-shellcatsnoozedononeofthebroadsills。
Thetallclockinthecornertickedpeacefully。PriscillaHollisnevertiredoflookingatthejollyred-cheekedmoon，thegroupofstarsonablueground，thetriglittleship，theoldhouse，andthejollymoonagain，creepingoneafteranotheracrosstheopenspaceatthetop。
JotBascomwasout，asusual，gatheringstatisticsofthelasthorsetrade;littleJotwasbuilding\"stickin’\"housesinthebarn;Priscillawassewinglongstripsforbraiding;
whileDiademasatatthedrawing-inframe，hookinhand，andalargebasketofcutragsbyherside。
Notmanyweeksbeforeshehadpaidoneofherperiodicalvisitstotheattic。NohousekeeperinPleasantRiversaveMrs。JonathanBascomwouldhavethoughtofdustingagarret，washingthewindowandsweepingdownthecobwebsonceamonth，andrenewingthecamphorbagsinthecheststwiceayear;
butnotwithstandingthiszealouscarethemothshadmadetheirwayintooneofhertreasure-houses，themostpreciousofall，——
theoldhairtrunkthathadbelongedtohersisterLovice。
Onceensconcedthere，theyhadeatenthroughitshoardedrelics，andreducedthefadedfinerytoastatebestdescribedbyDiademaas\"reg’larriddlin’sieves。\"Shehadbroughtthetatteredpiledownintothekitchen，andhadspentatearfulafternoonincuttingthegoodpiecesfromtheperforatedgarments。
Threeheaped-upbasketsandafulldish-panweretheresult;
andasshehadsnippedandcutandsorted，oneofhersentimentalprojectshadenteredhermindandtakencompletepossessionthere。
\"Ideclare，\"shesaid，asshedrewherhooking-needleinandout，\"Iwouldn’tsetintheroomwithsomefolksandworkonthesepieces;foreverytimeIdrawinascrapofclothLovicecomesuptomeforalltheworldasifshewassettin’
onthesofythere。Iain’ttoldyoumyplan，MissHollis，andthereain’tmanyIshalltell;butthisrugisgoingtobeakindofahist’ryofmylifeandLovey’swroughtintogether，justaswewasboundupinoneanotherwhenshewasalive。
Herthingsandminewaslaidinonetrunk，andthemothssha’n’tcheatmeoutof’emaltogether。IfIcan’tlookat’emwetSundays，andshake’emout，andhaveagoodcryover’em，I’llmake’emupintoakindofdumbshowthatwillmeansomethingtome，ifitdon’ttoanybodyelse。
\"Wewastheyoungestofthirteen，LoveyandI，andwewastwins。There’sneverbeenmore’nhalfo’
meleftsenceshedied。Wewasborntogether，playedandwenttoschooltogether，gotengagedandmarriedtogether，andweallbutdiedtogether，yetwewa’n’tamitealike。
Therewasanoldladycometoourhouseoncethatusedtosay，’There’ssisterNabby，now：she’n’Iain’tnomorealike’nifwewa’n’ttwo;she’sjestasdiff’rentasIamt’
otherway。’Well，IknowwhatIwanttoputintomyragstory，MissHollis，butIdon’thardlyknowhowtobegin。\"
Priscilladroppedherneedle，andbentovertheframewithinterest。
\"Asprayoftworosesinthecentre，——there’sthebeginning;
why，don’tyousee，dearMrs。Bascom？\"
\"CourseIdo，\"saidDiadema，divingtothebottomofthedish-pan。\"I’vegotmystartnow，anddon’tyousayawordforaminute。Thetworosesgrowoutofonestalk;they’llbeLoveyandme，thoughI’mconsid’ablemorelikeapotatoblossom。
