PARTI
TWELVESTORIES
CONTENTS
TheRedRosesofToniaRoundTheCircleTheRubberPlant’sStoryOutofNazarethConfessionsofaHumoristTheSparrowsinMadisonSquareHeartsandHandsTheCactusTheDetectiveDetectorTheDogandthePlayletALittleTalkAboutMobsTheSnowManTHEREDROSESOFTONIA
AtrestleburneddownontheInternationalRailroad。Thesouth—
boundfromSanAntoniowascutoffforthenextforty—eighthours。
OnthattrainwasToniaWeaver’sEasterhat。
Espirition，theMexican，whohadbeensentfortymilesinabuckboardfromtheEspinosaRanchtofetchit，returnedwithashruggingshoulderandhandsemptyexceptforacigarette。Atthesmallstation，Nopal，hehadlearnedofthedelayedtrainand，havingnocommandstowait，turnedhisponiestowardtheranchagain。
Now，ifonesupposesthatEaster，theGoddessofSpring，caresanymorefortheafter—churchparadeonFifthAvenuethanshedoesforherloyaloutfitofsubjectsthatassembleatthemeeting—houseatCactus，Tex。，amistakehasbeenmade。ThewivesanddaughtersoftheranchmenoftheFriocountryputforthEasterblossomsofnewhatsandgownsasfaithfullyasisdoneanywhere，andtheSouthwestis，foroneday，aminglingofpricklypear，Paris，andparadise。
AndnowitwasGoodFriday，andToniaWeaver’sEasterhatblushedunseeninthedesertairofanimpotentexpresscar，beyondtheburnedtrestle。OnSaturdaynoontheRogersgirls，fromtheShoestringRanch，andEllaReeves，fromtheAnchor—O，andMrs。
BennetandIda，fromGreenValley，wouldconveneattheEspinosaandpickupTonia。WiththeirEasterhatsandfrockscarefullywrappedandbundledagainstthedust，thefairaggregationwouldthenmerrilyjogthetenmilestoCactus，whereonthemorrowtheywouldarraythemselves，subjugateman，dohomagetoEaster，andcausejealousagitationamongtheliliesofthefield。
ToniasatonthestepsoftheEspinosaranchhouseflickinggloomilywithaquirtatatuftofcurlymesquite。Shedisplayedafrownandacontumeliouslip，andendeavoredtoradiateanauraofdisagreeablenessandtragedy。
"Ihaterailroads，"sheannouncedpositively。"Andmen。Menpretendtorunthem。Canyougiveanyexcusewhyatrestleshouldburn？IdaBennet’shatistobetrimmedwithviolets。IshallnotgoonesteptowardCactuswithoutanewhat。IfIwereamanIwouldgetone。"
Twomenlisteneduneasilytothisdisparagementoftheirkind。OnewasWellsPearson，foremanoftheMuchoCalorcattleranch。TheotherwasThompsonBurrows，theprosperoussheepmanfromtheQuintanaValley。BoththoughtToniaWeaveradorable，especiallywhensherailedatrailroadsandmenacedmen。EitherwouldhavegivenuphisepidermistomakeforheranEasterhatmorecheerfullythantheostrichgivesuphistiportheaigrettelaysdownitslife。NeitherpossessedtheingenuitytoconceiveameansofsupplyingthesaddeficiencyagainstthecomingSabbath。Pearson’sdeepbrownfaceandsunburnedlighthairgavehimtheappearanceofaschoolboyseizedbyoneofyouth’sprofoundandinsolvablemelancholies。Tonia’splightgrievedhimthroughandthrough。ThompsonBurrowswasthemoreskilledandpliable。HehailedfromsomewhereintheEastoriginally；
andheworenecktiesandshoes，andwasmadedumbbywoman’spresence。
"Thebigwater—holeonSandyCreek，"saidPearson，scarcelyhopingtomakeahit，"wasfilledupbythatlastrain。"
"Oh!Wasit？"saidToniasharply。"Thankyoufortheinformation。
Isupposeanewhatisnothingtoyou，Mr。Pearson。IsupposeyouthinkawomanoughttowearanoldStetsonfiveyearswithoutachange，asyoudo。Ifyouroldwater—holecouldhaveputoutthefireonthattrestleyoumighthavesomereasontotalkaboutit。"
"Iamdeeplysorry，"saidBurrows，warnedbyPearson’sfate，"thatyoufailedtoreceiveyourhat，MissWeaver——deeplysorry，indeed。
IftherewasanythingIcoulddo——"
"Don’tbother，"interruptedTonia，withsweetsarcasm。"Iftherewasanythingyoucoulddo，you’dbedoingit，ofcourse。Thereisn’t。"
Toniapaused。Asuddensparkleofhopehadcomeintohereye。Herfrownsmoothedaway。Shehadaninspiration。
"There’sastoreoveratLoneElmCrossingontheNueces，"shesaid，"thatkeepshats。EvaRogersgothersthere。Shesaiditwasthelateststyle。Itmighthavesomeleft。Butit’stwenty—eightmilestoLoneElm。"
Thespursoftwomenwhohastilyarosejingled；andToniaalmostsmiled。TheKnights，then，werenotallturnedtodust；norweretheirrowelsrust。
"Ofcourse，"saidTonia，lookingthoughtfullyatawhitegulfcloudsailingacrosstheceruleandome，"nobodycouldridetoLoneElmandbackbythetimethegirlscallbyformeto—morrow。So，IreckonI’llhavetostayathomethisEasterSunday。"
Andthenshesmiled。
"Well，MissTonia，"saidPearson，reachingforhishat，asguilefulasasleepingbabe。"IreckonI’llbetrottingalongbacktoMuchoCalor。There’ssomecuttingouttobedoneonDryBranchfirstthinginthemorning；andmeandRoadRunnerhasgottobeonhand。It’stoobadyourhatgotsidetracked。Maybethey’llgetthattrestlemendedyetintimeforEaster。"
"Imustberiding，too，MissTonia，"announcedBurrows，lookingathiswatch。"Ideclare，it’snearlyfiveo’clock!Imustbeoutatmylambingcampintimetohelppenthosecrazyewes。"
Tonia’ssuitorsseemedtohavebeensmittenwithaneedforhaste。
Theybadeheraceremoniousfarewell，andthenshookeachother’shandswiththeelaborateandsolemncourtesyoftheSouthwesterner。
"HopeI’llseeyouagainsoon，Mr。Pearson，"saidBurrows。
"Samehere，"saidthecowman，withtheseriousfaceofonewhosefriendgoesuponawhalingvoyage。"BegratifiedtoseeyourideovertoMuchoCaloranytimeyoustrikethatsectionoftherange。"
PearsonmountedRoadRunner，thesoundestcow—ponyontheFrio，andlethimpitchforaminute，ashealwaysdidonbeingmounted，evenattheendofaday’stravel。
"Whatkindofahatwasthat，MissTonia，"hecalled，"thatyouorderedfromSanAntone？Ican’thelpbutbesorryaboutthathat。"
"Astraw，"saidTonia；"thelatestshape，ofcourse；trimmedwithredroses。That’swhatIlike——redroses。"
"There’snocolormorebecomingtoyourcomplexionandhair，"saidBurrows，admiringly。
"It’swhatIlike，"saidTonia。"Andofalltheflowers，givemeredroses。Keepallthepinksandbluesforyourself。Butwhat’stheuse，whentrestlesburnandleaveyouwithoutanything？It’llbeadryoldEasterforme!"
PearsontookoffhishatanddroveRoadBunneratagallopintothechaparraleastoftheEspinosaranchhouse。
AshisstirrupsrattledagainstthebrushBurrows’slong—leggedsorrelstruckoutdownthenarrowstretchofopenprairietothesouthwest。
Toniahungupherquirtandwentintothesitting—room。
"I’mmightysorry，daughter，thatyoudidn’tgetyourhat，"saidhermother。
"Oh，don’tworry，mother，"saidTonia，coolly。"I’llhaveanewhat，allright，intimeto—morrow。"
WhenBurrowsreachedtheendofthestripofprairiehepulledhissorreltotherightandlethimpickhiswaydaintilyacrossasacuistaflatthroughwhichrantheragged，drybedofanarroyo。
Thenupagravellyhill，mattedwithbush，thehoarsescrambled，andatlengthemerged，withasnortofsatisfactionintoastretchofhigh，levelprairie，grassyanddottedwiththelightergreenofmesquitesintheirfreshspringfoliage。AlwaystotherightBurrowsbore，untilinalittlewhilehestrucktheoldIndiantrailthatfollowedtheNuecessouthward，andthatpassed，twenty—eightmilestothesoutheast，throughLoneElm。
HereBurrowsurgedthesorrelintoasteadylope。Ashesettledhimselfinthesaddleforalongrideheheardthedrummingofhoofs，thehollow"thwack"ofchaparralagainstwoodenstirrups，thewhoopofaComanche；andWellsPearsonburstoutofthebrushattherightofthetraillikeaprecociousyellowchickfromadarkgreenEasteregg。
ExceptinthepresenceofawingfemininitymelancholyfoundnoplaceinPearson’sbosom。InTonia’spresencehisvoicewasassoftasasummerbullfrog’sinhisreedynest。Now，athisgleesomeyawp，rabbits，amileaway，duckedtheirears，andsensitiveplantsclosedtheirfearfulfronds。
"Movedyourlambingcampprettyfarfromtheranch，haven’tyou，neighbor？"askedPearson，asRoadRunnerfellinatthesorrel’sside。
"Twenty—eightmiles，"saidBurrows，lookingalittlegrim。Pearson’slaughwokeanowlonehourtooearlyinhiswater—elmontheriverbank，halfamileaway。
"Allrightforyou，sheepman。Ilikeanopengame，myself。We’retwolocoedhe—millinershat—huntinginthewilderness。Inotifyyou。
Burr，tomindyourcorrals。We’vegotanevenstart，andtheonethatgetstheheadgearwillstandsomehigherattheEspinosa。"
"You’vegotagoodpony，"saidBurrows，eyeingRoadRunner’sbarrel—
likebodyandtaperinglegsthatmovedasregularlyasthepistonrodofanengine。"It’sarace，ofcourse；butyou’retoomuchofahorsemantowhoopitupthissoon。Saywetraveltogethertillwegettothehomestretch。"
"I’myourcompany，"agreedPearson，"andIadmireyoursense。Ifthere’shatsatLoneElm，oneof’emshallsetonMissTonia’sbrowto—morrow，andyouwon’tbeatthecrowning。Iain’tbragging，Burr，butthatsorrelofyoursisweakinthefore—legs。"
"Myhorseagainstyours，"offeredBurrows，"thatMissToniawearsthehatItakehertoCactusto—morrow。"
"I’lltakeyouup，"shoutedPearson。"Butoh，it’sjustlikehorse—
stealingforme!Icanusethatsorrelforalady’sanimalwhen——
whensomebodycomesovertoMuchoCalor，and——"
Burrows’darkfacegloweredsosuddenlythatthecowmanbrokeoffhissentence。ButPearsoncouldneverfeelanypressureforlong。
"What’sallthisEasterbusinessabout，Burr？"heasked，cheerfully。
"Whydothewomenfolkshavetohavenewhatsbythealmanacorbustallcinchestryingtoget’em？"
"It’saseasonablestatuteoutofthetestaments，"explainedBurrows。
"It’sorderedbythePopeorsomebody。AndithassomethingtodowiththeZodiacIdon’tknowexactly，butIthinkitwasinventedbytheEgyptians。"
"It’sanall—rightjubileeiftheheathensdidputtheirbrandonit，"saidPearson；"orelseToniawouldn’thaveanythingtodowithit。Andtheypullitoffatchurch，too。Supposethereain’tbutonehatintheLoneElmstore，Burr!"
"Then，"saidBurrows，darkly，"thebestmanofus’lltakeitbacktotheEspinosa。"
"Oh，man!"criedPearson，throwinghishathighandcatchingitagain，"there’snothinglikeyoucomeoffthesheeprangesbefore。
Youtalkgoodandcollateraltotheoccasion。Andifthere’smorethanone？"
"Then，"saidBurrows，"we’llpickourchoiceandoneofus’llgetbackfirstwithhisandtheotherwon’t。"
"Thereneverwastwosouls，"proclaimedPearsontothestars，"thatbeatmorelikeoneheartthanyournandmine。Meandyoumightberidingonaunicornandthinkingoutofthesamepieceofmind。"
AtalittlepastmidnighttheriderslopedintoLoneElm。Thehalfahundredhousesofthebigvillageweredark。Onitsonlystreetthebigwoodenstorestoodbarredandshuttered。
InafewmomentsthehorseswerefastenedandPearsonwaspoundingcheerfullyonthedoorofoldSutton，thestorekeeper。
ThebarrelofaWinchestercamethroughacrannyofasolidwindowshutterfollowedbyashortinquiry。
"WellsPearson，oftheMuchoCalor，andBurrows，ofGreenValley，"
wastheresponse。"Wewanttobuysomegoodsinthestore。Sorrytowakeyouupbutwemusthave’em。Comeonout，VncleTommy，andgetamoveonyou。"
UncleTommywasslow，butatlengththeygothimbehindhiscounterwithakerosenelamplit，andtoldhimoftheirdireneed。
"Easterhats？"saidUncleTommy，sleepily。"Why，yes，IbelieveI
havegotjustacoupleleft。Ionlyorderedadozenthisspring。
I’llshow’emtoyou。"
Now，UncleTommySuttonwasamerchant，halfasleeporawake。Industypasteboardboxesunderthecounterhehadtwoleft—overspringhats。But，alas!forhiscommercialprobityonthatearlySaturdaymorn——theywerehatsoftwospringsago，andawoman’seyewouldhavedetectedthefraudathalfaglance。ButtotheunintelligentgazeofthecowpuncherandthesheepmantheyseemedfreshfromthemintofcontemporaneousApril。
Thehatswereofavarietyonceknownas"cart—wheels。"Theywereofstiffstraw，coloredred，andflatbrimmed。Bothwereexactlyalike，andtrimmedlavishlyaroundtheircrownswithfullblown，immaculate，artificialwhiteroses。
"Thatallyougot，UncleTommy？"saidPearson。"Allright。Notmuchchoicehere，Burr。Takeyourpick。"
"They’rethelateststyles"liedUncleTommy。"You’dsee’emonFifthAvenue，ifyouwasinNewYork。"
UncleTommywrappedandtiedeachhatintwoyardsofdarkcalicoforaprotection。OnePearsontiedcarefullytohiscalfskinsaddle—
thongs；andtheotherbecamepartofRoadRunner’sburden。TheyshoutedthanksandfarewellstoUncleTommy，andcanteredbackintothenightonthehomestretch。
Thehorsemenjockeyedwithalltheirskill。Theyrodemoreslowlyontheirwayback。Thefewwordstheyspokewerenotunfriendly。
BurrowshadaWinchesterunderhisleftlegslungoverhissaddlehorn。Pearsonhadasixshooterbeltedaroundhim。ThusmenrodeintheFriocountry。
Athalf—pastseveninthemorningtheyrodetothetopofahillandsawtheEspinosaRanch，awhitespotunderadarkpatchoflive—oaks，fivemilesaway。
ThesightrousedPearsonfromhisdroopingposeinthesaddle。
HeknewwhatRoadRunnercoulddo。Thesorrelwaslathered，andstumblingfrequently；RoadRunnerwaspeggingawaylikeadonkeyengine。
Pearsonturnedtowardthesheepmanandlaughed。"Good—bye，Burr，"hecried，withawaveofhishand。"It’saracenow。We’reonthehomestretch。"
HepressedRoadRunnerwithhiskneesandleanedtowardtheEspinosa。
RoadRunnerstruckintoagallop，withtossingheadandsnortingnostrils，asifhewerefreshfromamonthinpasture。
PearsonrodetwentyyardsandheardtheunmistakablesoundofaWinchesterleverthrowingacartridgeintothebarrel。Hedroppedflatalonghishorse’sbackbeforethecrackoftheriflereachedhisears。
ItispossiblethatBurrowsintendedonlytodisablethehorse——
hewasagoodenoughshottodothatwithoutendangeringhisrider。
ButasPearsonstoopedtheballwentthroughhisshoulderandthenthroughRoadRunner’sneck。Thehorsefellandthecowmanpitchedoverhisheadintothehardroad，andneitherofthemtriedtomove。
Burrowsrodeonwithoutstopping。
IntwohoursPearsonopenedhiseyesandtookinventory。HemanagedtogettohisfeetandstaggeredbacktowhereRoadRunnerwaslying。
RoadRunnerwaslyingthere，butheappearedtobecomfortable。
Pearsonexaminedhimandfoundthatthebullethad"creased"him。
Hehadbeenknockedouttemporarily，butnotseriouslyhurt。Buthewastired，andhelaythereonMissTonia’shatandateleavesfromamesquitebranchthatobliginglyhungovertheroad。
Pearsonmadethehorsegetup。TheEasterhat，loosedfromthesaddle—thongs，laythereinitscalicowrappings，ashapelessthingfromitssojournbeneaththesolidcarcassofRoadRunner。ThenPearsonfaintedandfellheadlonguponthepoorhatagain，crumplingitunderhiswoundedshoulders。
Itishardtokillacowpuncher。Inhalfanhourherevived——longenoughforawomantohavefaintedtwiceandtriedice—creamforarestorer。HegotupcarefullyandfoundRoadRunnerwhowasbusywiththenear—bygrass。Hetiedtheunfortunatehattothesaddleagain，andmanagedtogethimselfthere，too，aftermanyfailures。
AtnoonagayandflutteringcompanywaitedinfrontoftheEspinosaRanch。TheRogersgirlswerethereintheirnewbuckboard，andtheAnchor—OoutfitandtheGreenValleyfolks——mostlywomen。AndeachandeveryoneworehernewEasterhat，evenuponthelonelyprairies，fortheygreatlydesiredtoshineforthanddohonortothecomingfestival。
AtthegatestoodTonia。withundisguisedtearsuponhercheeks。
InherhandsheheldBurrow’sLoneElmhat，anditwasatitswhiteroses，hatedbyher，thatshewept。Forherfriendsweretellingher，withtheecstaticjoyoftruefriends，thatcart—wheelscouldnotbeworn，beingthreeseasonspassedintooblivion。
"Putonyouroldhatandcome，Tonia，"theyurged。
"ForEasterSunday？"sheanswered。"I’lldiefirst。"Andweptagain。
Thehatsofthefortunateoneswerecurvedandtwistedintothestyleofspring’slatestproclamation。
Astrangebeingrodeoutofthebrushamongthem，andtheresathishorselanguidly。Hewasstainedanddisfiguredwiththegreenofthegrassandthelimestoneofrockyroads。
"Hallo，Pearson，"saidDaddyWeaver。"Looklikeyou’vebeenbreakingamustang。What’sthatyou’vegottiedtoyoursaddle——apiginapoke？"
"Oh，comeon，Tonia，ifyou’regoing，"saidBettyRogers。"Wemustn’twaitanylonger。We’vesavedaseatinthebuckboardforyou。Nevermindthehat。Thatlovelymuslinyou’vegotonlookssweetenoughwithanyoldhat。"
Pearsonwasslowlyuntyingthequeerthingonhissaddle。Tonialookedathimwithasuddenhope。Pearsonwasamanwhocreatedhope。Hegotthethinglooseandhandedittoher。Herquickfingerstoreatthestrings。
"BestIcoulddo，"saidPearsonslowly。"WhatRoadRunnerandmedonetoitwillbeaboutallitneeds。"
"Oh，oh!it’sjusttherightshape，"shriekedTonia。"Andredroses!
WaittillItryiton!"
Sheflewintotheglass，andoutagain，beaming，radiating，blossomed。
"Oh，don’tredbecomeher？"chantedthegirlsinrecitative。"Hurryup，Tonia!"
ToniastoppedforamomentbythesideofRoadRunner。
"Thankyou，thankyou，Wells，"shesaid，happily。"It’sjustwhatIwanted。Won’tyoucomeovertoCactusto—morrowandgotochurchwithme？"
"IfIcan，"saidPearson。Hewaslookingcuriouslyatherhat，andthenhegrinnedweakly。
Toniaflewintothebuckboardlikeabird。ThevehiclesspedawayforCactus。
"Whathaveyoubeendoing，Pearson？"askedDaddyWeaver。"Youain’tlookingsowellascommon。"
"Me？"saidPearson。"I’vebeenpaintingflowers。ThemroseswaswhitewhenIleftLoneElm。Helpmedown，DaddyWeaver，forI
haven’tgotanymorepainttospare。"
ROUNDTHECIRCLE
[Thisstoryisespeciallyinterestingasanearlytreatment（1902）
ofthethemeafterwarddevelopedwithasurerhandinThePendulum。]
"Findyo’shirtallright，Sam？"askedMrs。Webber，fromherchairunderthelive—oak，whereshewascomfortablyseatedwithapaper—
backvolumeforcompany。
"Itbalancesperfeckly，Marthy，"answeredSam，withasuspiciouspleasantnessinhistone。"AtfirstIwasaboutterbealittlerecklessandkick’causetherbuttonswasalloff，butsinceI
diskiverthatthebuttonholesisallbustedout，why，Iwouldn’tgosofurastosaythebuttonsisanylosstospeakof。"
"Oh，well，"saidhiswife，carelessly，"putonyournecktie——that’llkeepittogether。"
SamWebber’ssheepranchwassituatedintheloneliestpartofthecountrybetweentheNuecesandtheFrio。Theranchhouse——atwo—roomboxstructure——wasontheriseofagentlyswellinghillinthemidstofawildernessofhighchaparral。Infrontofitwasasmallclearingwherestoodthesheeppens，shearingshed，andwoolhouse。
Onlyafewfeetbackofitbeganthethornyjungle。
SamwasgoingtorideovertotheChapmanranchtoseeaboutbuyingsomemoreimprovedmerinorams。Atlengthhecameout，readyforhisride。Thisbeingabusinesstripofsomeimportance，andtheChapmanranchbeingalmostasmalltowninpopulationandsize，Samhaddecidedto"dressup"accordingly。Theresultwasthathehadtransformedhimselffromagraceful，picturesquefrontiersmanintosomethingmuchlesspleasingtothesight。Thetightwhitecollarawkwardlyconstrictedhismuscular，mahogany—coloredneck。Thebuttonlessshirtbulgedinstiffwavesbeneathhisunbuttonedvest。
Thesuitof"ready—made"effectuallyconcealedthefinelinesofhisstraight，athleticfigure。Hisberry—brownfacewassettothemelancholydignitybefittingaprisonerofstate。HegaveRandy，histhree—year—oldson，apatonthehead，andhurriedouttowhereMexico，hisfavoritesaddlehorse，wasstanding。
Marthy，leisurelyrockinginherchair，fixedherplaceinthebookwithherfinger，andturnedherhead，smilingmischievouslyasshenotedthehavocSamhadwroughtwithhisappearanceintryingto"fixup。"
~Well，efImustsayit，Sam，"shedrawled，"youlookjestlikeoneofthemhayseedsinthepicturepapers，’steadofafreeandindependentsheepmanoftheStateo’Texas。"
Samclimbedawkwardlyintothesaddle。
"You’retheoneoughttobe’shamedtosayso，"herepliedhotly。
"’Steadof’tendin’toaman’sclothesyou’real’ayssettingarounda—readin’thembilly—by—damyaller—backnovils。"
"Oh，shetupandridealong，"saidMrs。Webber，withalittlejerkatthehandlesofherchair；"youalwaysfussin’’boutmyreadin’。Idoa—plenty；andI’llreadwhenIwanter。Iliveinthebreshherelikeavarmint，neverseein’norhearin’nothin’，andwhatother’musementkinIhave？Notinlistenin’toyoutalk，forit’scomplain，complain，onedayafteranother。Oh，goon，Sam，andleavemeinpeace。"
Samgavehisponyasqueezewithhiskneesand"shoved"downthewagontrailthatconnectedhisranchwiththeold，openGovernmentroad。Itwaseighto’clock，andalreadybeginningtobeverywarm。
Heshouldhavestartedthreehoursearlier。Chapmanranchwasonlyeighteenmilesaway，buttherewasaroadforonlythreemilesofthedistance。HehadriddenoverthereoncewithoneoftheHalf—Mooncowpunchers，andhehadthedirectionwell—definedinhismind。
SamturnedofftheoldGovernmentroadatthesplitmesquite，andstruckdownthearroyooftheQuintanilla。Herewasanarrowstretchofsmilingvalley，upholsteredwitharichmatofgreen，curlymesquitegrass；andMexicoconsumedthosefewmilesquicklywithhislong，easylope。Again，uponreachingWildDuckWaterhole，mustheabandonwell—definedways。Heturnednowtohisrightupalittlehill，pebble—covered，uponwhichgrewonlythetenaciousandthornypricklypearandchaparral。Atthesummitofthishepausedtotakehislastgeneralviewofthelandscapefor，fromnowon，hemustwindthroughbrakesandthicketsofchaparral，pear，andmesquite，forthemostpartseeingscarcelyfartherthantwentyyardsinanydirection，choosinghiswaybytheprairie—dweller’sinstinct，guidedonlybyanoccasionalglimpseofafardistanthilltop，apeculiarlyshapedknotoftrees，orthepositionofthesun。
SamrodedowntheslopinghillandplungedintothegreatpearflatthatliesbetweentheQuintanillaandthePiedra。
Inabouttwohourshediscoveredthathewaslost。Thencametheusualconfusionofmindandthehurrytogetsomewhere。Mexicowasanxioustoredeemthesituation，twistingwithalacrityalongthetortuouslabyrinthsofthejungle。Atthemomenthismaster’ssurenessoftheroutehadfailedhishorsehaddivinedthefact。
Therewerenohillsnowthattheycouldclimbtoobtainaviewofthecountry。Theycameuponafew，butsodenseandinterlacedwasthebrushthatscarcelycouldarabbitpenetratethemass。Theywereinthegreat，lonelythicketoftheFriobottoms。
Itwasamerenothingforacattlemanorasheepmantobelostforadayoranight。Thethingoftenhappened。Itwasmerelyamatterofmissingamealortwoandsleepingcomfortablyonyoursaddleblanketsonasoftmattressofmesquitegrass。ButinSam’scaseitwasdifferent。Hehadneverbeenawayfromhisranchatnight。
Marthywasafraidofthecountry——afraidofMexicans，ofsnakes，ofpanthers，evenofsheep。Sohehadneverleftheralone。
ItmusthavebeenaboutfourintheafternoonwhenSam’sconscienceawoke。Hewaslimpanddrenched，ratherfromanxietythantheheatorfatigue。UntilnowhehadbeenhopingtostrikethetrailthatledtotheFriocrossingandtheChapmanranch。Hemusthavecrosseditatsomedimpartofitandriddenbeyond。Ifsohewasnowsomethinglikefiftymilesfromhome。Ifhecouldstrikearanch——acamp——anyplacewherehecouldgetafreshhorseandinquiretheroad，hewouldrideallnighttogetbacktoMarthyandthekid。
So，Ihavehinted，Samwasseizedbvremorse。Therewasabiglumpinhisthroatashethoughtofthecrosswordshehadspokentohiswife。Surelyitwashardenoughforhertoliveinthathorriblecountrywitnouthavingtobeartheburdenofhisabuse。Hecursedhimselfgrimly，andfeltasuddenflushofshamethatover—glowedthesummerheatasherememberedthemanytimeshehadfloutedandrailedatherbecauseshehadalikingforreadingfiction。
"Theronlyso’ceovamusementtherpo’gal’sgot，"saidSamaloud，withasob，whichunaccustomedsoundcausedMexicotoshyabit。
A—livinwithasore—headedkiotelikeme——alow—downskunkthatoughttobelickedtodeathwithasaddlecinch——a—cookin’anda—washin’
anda—livin’onmuttonandbeansandmeabusin’herfurtakin’asquintortwoinalittlebook!"
HethoughtofMarthyasshehadbeenwhenhefirstmetherinDogtown——smart，pretty，andsaucy——beforethesunhadturnedtherosesinhercheeksbrownandthesilenceofthechaparralhadtamedherambitions。
"EfIeverspeaksanotherhardwordtotherlittlegal，"mutteredSam，"orfailsintheloveandaffectionthat’scomingtoherinthedeal，Ihopesawildcat’llt’armetopieces。"
Heknewwhathewoulddo。HewouldwritetoGarcia&Jones，hisSanAntoniomerchantswhereheboughthissuppliesandsoldhiswool，andhavethemsenddownabigboxofnovelsandreadingmatterforMarthy。
Thingsweregoingtobedifferent。Hewonderedwhetheralittlepianocouldbeplacedinoneoftheroomsoftheranchhousewithoutthefamilyhavingtomoveoutofdoors。
Innowisecalculatedtoallayhisself—reproachwasthethoughtthatMarthyandRandywouldhavetopassthenightalone。Inspiteoftheirbickerings，whennightcameMarthywaswonttodismissherfearsofthecountry，andrestherheaduponSam’sstrongarmwithasighofpeacefulcontentanddependence。Andwereherfearssogroundless？
Samthoughtofroving，maraudingMexicans，ofstealthycougarsthatsometimesinvadedtheranches，ofrattlesnakes，centipedes，andadozenpossibledangers。Marthywouldbefranticwithfear。Randywouldcry，andcallfordadatocome。
Stilltheinterminablesuccessionofstretchesofbrush，cactus，andmesquite。Hollowafterhollow，slopeafterslope——allexactlyalike——allfamiliarbyconstantrepetition，andyetallstrangeandnew。
Ifhecouldonlyarrive~somewhere。~
ThestraightlineisArt。Naturemovesincircles。A
straightforwardmanismoreanartificialproductthanadiplomatistis。Menlostinthesnowtravelinexactcirclesuntiltheysink，exhausted，astheirfootprintshaveattested。Also，travellersinphilosophyandothermentalprocessesfrequentlywindupattheirstarting—point。
ItwaswhenSamWebberwasfullestofcontritionandgoodresolvesthatMexico，withaheavysigh，subsidedfromhisregular，brisktrotintoaslowcomplacentwalk。Theywerewindingupaneasyslopecoveredwithbrushtenortwelvefeethigh。
"Isaynow，Mex，"demurredSam，"thisherewon’tdo。Iknowyou’replumbtiredout，butwegottergitalong。Oh，Lordy，ain’ttherenomo’housesintheworld!"HegaveMexicoasmartkickwithhisheels。
Mexicogaveaprotestinggruntasiftosay："What’stheuseofthat，nowwe’resonear？"Hequickenedhisgaitintoalanguidtrot。
Roundingagreatclumpofblackchaparralhestoppedshort。Samdroppedthebridlereinsandsat，lookingintothebackdoorofhisownhouse，nottenyardsaway。
Marthy，sereneandcomfortable，satinherrocking—chairbeforethedoorintheshadeofthehouse，withherfeetrestingluxuriouslyuponthesteps。Randy，whowasplayingwithapairofspursontheground，lookedupforamomentathisfatherandwentonspinningtherowelsandsingingalittlesong。Marthyturnedherheadlazilyagainstthebackofthechairandconsideredthearrivalswithemotionlesseyes。Sheheldabookinherlapwithherfingerholdingtheplace。
Samshookhimselfqueerly，likeamancomingoutofadream，andslowlydismounted。Hemoistenedhisdrylips。
"Iseeyouarestilla—settin’，"hesaid，"a—readin’ofthembilly—
by—damyaller—backnovils。"
Samhadtraveledroundthecircleandwashimselfagain。
THERUBBERPLANT’SSTORY
WerubberplantsformtheconnectinglinkbetweenthevegetablekingdomandthedecorationsofaWaldorf—AstoriasceneinaThirdAvenuetheatre。Ihaven’tlookedupourfamilytree，butIbelievewewereraisedbygraftingagumovershoeontoa30—centtabled’hotestalkofasparagus。YoutakeawhitebulldogwithaBourkeCockranairofindependenceabouthimandarubberplantandthereyouhavethefaunaandfloraofaflat。WhattheshamrockistoIrelandtherubberplantistothedwellerinflatsandfurnishedrooms。Wegetmovedfromoneplacetoanothersoquicklythattheonlywaywecangetourpicturetakeniswithakinetoscope。Wearethevagrantvineandtheflittingfigtree。Youknowtheproverb：
"Wheretherubberplantsitsinthewindowthemovingvandrawsuptothedoor。"
Wearethecityequivalenttothewoodbineandthehoneysuckle。NoothervegetableexceptthePittsburgstogiecanwithstandasmuchhandlingaswecan。Whenthefamilytowhichwebelongmovesintoaflattheysetusinthefrontwindowandwebecomelaresandpenates，fly—paperandtheperipateticemblemof"HomeSweetHome。"
Wearen’tasgreenaswelook。Iguessweareaboutwhatyouwouldcallthesoubrettesoftheconservatory。Youtrysittinginthefrontwindowofa$40flatinManhattanandlookingoutintothestreetallday，andbackintotheflatatnight，andseewhetheryougetwiseornot——hey？TalkaboutthetreeofknowledgeofgoodandevilinthegardenofEden——say!supposetherehadbeenarubberplanttherewhenEve——butIwasgoingtotellyouastory。
ThefirstthingIcanrememberIhadonlythreeleavesandbelongedtoamemberoftheponyballet。Iwaskeptinasunnywindow，andwasgenerallywateredwithseltzerandlemon。Ihadplentyoffuninthosedays。Igotcross—eyedtryingtowatchthenumbersoftheautomobilesinthestreetandthedatesonthelabelsinsideatthesametime。
Well，thentheangelthatwasmoltingforthemusicalcomedylosthislastfeatherandthecompanybrokeup。TheponiestrottedawayandI
wasleftinthewindowownerless。Thejanitorgavemetoarefinedcomedyteamontheeighthfloor，andinsixweeksIhadbeensetinthewindowoffivedifferentflatsItookonexperienceandputouttwomoreleaves。
MissCarruthers，oftherefinedcomedyteam——didyoueverseehercrossbothfeetbackofherneck？——gavemetoafriendofherswhohadmadeanunfortunatemarriagewithamaninastore。ConsequentlyIwasplacedinthewindowofafurnishedroom，rentinadvance，watertwoflightsup，gasextraafterteno’clockatnight。Twoofmyleaveswitheredoffhere。Also，IwasmovedfromoneroomtoanothersomanytimesthatIgottolikingtheodorofthepipestheexpressmensmoked。
Idon’tthinkIeverhadsodullatimeasIdidwiththislady。
Therewasneveranythingamusinggoingoninside——shewasdevotedtoherhusband，and，besidesleaningoutthewindowandflirtingwiththeiceman，sheneverdidathingtowardbreakingthemonotony。
Whenthecouplebrokeuptheyleftmewiththerestoftheirgoodsatasecond—handstore。Iwasputoutinfrontforsalealongwiththejobbiestlotyoueverheardofbeinglumpedintoonebargain。Thinkofthislittlecornucopiaofwonders，allfor$1。89：HenryJames’sworks，sixtalkingmachinerecords，onepairoftennisshoes，twobottlesofhorseradish，andarubberplant——thatwasme!
Oneafternoonagirlcamealongandstoppedtolookatme。Shehaddarkhairandeyes，andshelookedslim，andsadaroundthemouth。
"Oh，oh!"shesaystoherself。"Ineverthoughttoseeoneuphere。"
Shepullsoutalittlepurseaboutasthickasoneofmyleavesandfingersoversomesmallsilverinit。OldKoen，alwaysonthelockout，isready，rubbinghishands。ThisgirlproceedstoturndownMr。Jamesandtheothercommodities。Rubberplantsornothingistheburdenofhersong。AndatlastKoenandshecometogetherat39cents，andawayshegoeswithmeinherarms。
Shewasanicegirl，butnotmystyle。Tooquietandsoberlooking。
ThinksItomyself："I’lljustaboutlandonthefire—escapeofatenement，sixstoriesup。AndI’llspendthenextsixmonthslookingatclothesontheline。"
Butshecarriedmetoanicelittleroomonlythreeflightsupinquiteadecentstreet。Andsheputmeinthewindow，ofcourse。Andthenshewenttoworkandcookeddinnerforherself。Andwhatdoyousupposeshehad？Breadandteaandalittledabofjam!Nothingelse。Notasinglelobster，norsomuchasonebottleofchampagne。
TheCarrutherscomedyteamhadbotheveryevening，exceptnowandthenwhentheytookanotionforpig’sknuckleandkraut。
Aftershehadfinishedherdinnermynewownercametothewindowandleaneddownclosetomyleavesandcriedsoftlytoherselfforawhile。Itmademefeelfunny。Ineverknewanybodytocrythatwayoverarubberplantbefore。Ofcourse，I’veseenafewof’emturnonthetearsforwhattheycouldgetoutofit，butsheseemedtobecryingjustforthepureenjoymentofit。Shetouchedmyleaveslikesheloved’em，andshebentdownherheadandkissedeachoneof’em。
IguessI’maboutthetoughestspecimenofaperipateticorchidonearth，butItellyouitmademefeelsortofqueer。Homeneverwaslikethattomebefore。GenerallyIusedtogetchewedbypoodlesandhaveshirt—waistshungonmetodry，andgetwateredwithcoffeegroundsandperoxideofhydrogen。
Thisgirlhadapianointheroom，andsheusedtodisturbitwithbothhandswhileshemadenoiseswithhermouthforhoursatatime。
Isupposeshewaspractisingvocalmusic。
Onedaysheseemedverymuchexcitedandkeptlookingattheclock。
Atelevensomebodyknockedandsheletinastout，darkmanwithtowsledblackhair。Hesatdownatonceatthepianoandplayedwhileshesangforhim。Whenshefinishedshelaidonehandonherbosomandlookedathim。Heshookhishead，andsheleanedagainstthepiano。"Twoyearsalready，"shesaid，speakingslowly——"doyouthinkintwomore——orevenlonger？"
Themanshookhisheadagain。"Youwasteyourtime，"hesaid，roughlyIthought。"Thevoiceisnotthere。"Andthenhelookedatherinapeculiarway。"Butthevoiceisnoteverything，"hewenton。"Youhavelooks。Icanplaceyou，asItoldyouif——"
Thegirlpointedtothedoorwithoutsayinganything，andthedarkmanlefttheroom。Andthenshecameoverandcriedaroundmeagain。
It’sagoodthingIhadenoughrubberinmetobewater—proof。
Aboutthattimesomebodyelseknockedatthedoor。"Thankgoodness，"
Isaidtomyself。"Here’sachancetogetthewater—worksturnedoff。Ihopeit’ssomebodythat’sgameenoughtostandabirdandabottletoliventhingsupalittle。"Tellyouthetruth，thislittlegirlmademetired。Arubberplantlikestoseealittlesportnowandthen。Idon’tsupposethere’sanothergreenthinginNewYorkthatseesasmuchofgaylifeunlessit’sthechartreuseorthesprigsofparsleyaroundthedish。
Whenthegirlopensthedoorinstepsayoungchapinatravelingcapandpicksherupinhisarms，andshesingsout"Oh，Dick!"andstaystherelongenoughto——well，you’vebeenarubberplanttoo，sometimes，Isuppose。
"Goodthing!"saysItomyself。"Thisislivelierthanscalesandweeping。Nowthere’llbesomethingdoing。"
"You’vegottogobackwithme，"saystheyoungman。"I’vecometwothousandmilesforyou。Aren’tyoutiredofityet。Bess？You’vekeptallofuswaitingsolong。Haven’tyoufoundoutyetwhatisbest？"
"Thebubbleburstonlyto—day，"saysthegirl。"Comehere，Dick，andseewhatIfoundtheotherdayonthesidewalkforsale。"Shebringshimbythehandandexhibitsyourstruly。"Howoneevergotawayupherewhocantell？IboughtitwithalmostthelastmoneyIhad。"
Helookedatme，buthecouldn’tkeephiseyesoffherformorethanasecond。"Doyourememberthenight，Bess，"hesaid，"whenwestoodunderoneofthoseonthebankofthebayouandwhatyoutoldmethen？"
"Geewillikins!"Isaidtomyself。"Bothofthemstandunderarubberplant!Seemstometheyarestretchingmatterssomewhat!"
"DoInot，"saysshe，lookingupathimandsneakingclosetohisvest，"andnowIsayitagain，anditistolastforever。Look，Dick，atitsleaves，howwettheyare。Thosearemytears，anditwasthinkingofyouthatmadethemfall。"
"Thedearoldmagnolias!"saystheyoungman，pinchingoneofmyleaves。"Ilovethemall。"
Magnolia!Well，wouldn’tthat——say!thoseinnocentsthoughtIwasamagnolia!Whatthe——well，wasn’tthattoughonagenuinelittleoldNewYorkrubberplant？
OUTOFNAZARETH
Okochee，inGeorgia，hadaboom，andJ。PinkneyBloomcameoutofitwitha"wad。"Okocheecameoutofitwithahalf—million—dollardebt，atwoandahalfpercent。citypropertytax，andacitycouncilthatshowedapropensityfortravelingthebackstreetsofthetown。ThesethingscameaboutthroughafatalresemblanceoftheriverCooloosatotheHudson，assetforthandexpoundedbyaNortherntourist。OkocheefeltthatNewYorkshouldnotbeallowedtoconsideritselftheonlyalligatorintheswamp，sotospeak。Andthenthatharmless，butpersistent，individualsonumerousintheSouth——themanwhoisalwaysclamoringformorecottonmills，andisreadytotakeadollar’sworthofstock，providedhecanborrowthedollar——thatmanaddedhisdeadlyworktothetourist’sinnocentpraise，andOkocheefell。
TheCooloosaRiverwindsthrougharangeofsmallmountains，passesOkocheeandthenblendsitswaterstrippingly，asfallthemellifluousIndiansyllables，withtheChattahoochee。
Okocheerose，asitwere，fromitssunnyseatonthepost—officestoop，hitchedupitssuspender，andthrewagranitedamtwohundredandfortyfeetlongandsixtyfeethighacrosstheCooloosaonemileabovethetown。Thereupon，adimpling，sparklinglakebackeduptwentymilesamongthelittlemountains。ThusinthegreatgameofmunicipalrivalrydidOkocheematchthatfamousdrawingcard，theHudson。ItwasconcededthatnowherecouldthePalisadesbejudgedsuperiorinthewayofsceneryandgrandeur。Followingthepicturecardwasplayedtheaceofcommercialimportance。Fourteenthousandhorsepowerwouldthisdamfurnish。Cottonmills，factories，andmanufacturingplantswouldriseupasthegreencornafterashower。
ThespindleandtheflywheelandturbinewouldsingtheshrewdgloryofOkochee。Alongthepicturesqueheightsabovethelakewouldriseinbeautythecostlyvillasandthesplendidsummerresidencesofcapital。Thenaphthalaunchofthemillionairewouldspitamongtheromanticcoves；theverduredhillswouldtakeformalshapesofterrace，lawn，andpark。MoneywouldbespentlikewaterinOkochee，andwaterwouldbeturnedintomoney。
Thefateofthegoodtownisquicklytold。Capitaldecidednottoinvest。Ofallthegreatthingspromised，thesceneryalonecametofulfilment。Thewoodedpeaks，theimpressivepromontoriesofsolemngranite，thebeautifulgreenslantsofbankandravinedidalltheycouldtoreconcileOkocheetothedelinquencyofmiserlygold。Thesunsetsgildedthedreamydrawsandcoveswithamintingthatshouldcharmawayheart—burning。Okochee，truetotheinstinctofitsbloodandclime，waslulledbythespell。Itclimbedoutofthearena，looseditssuspender，satdownagainonthepost—officestoop，andtookachew。Itconsoleditselfbydrawlingsarcasmsatthecitycouncilwhichwasnottoblame，causingthefathers，ashasbeensaid，toseekbackstreetsandfigureperspiringlyonthesinkingfundandtheappropriationforinterestdue。
TheyouthofOkochee——theywhoweretocarryintotherosyfuturetheburdenofthedebt——acceptedfailurewithyouth’suncalculatingjoy。
For，herewassport，aquaticandnautical，addedtothemeagreroundoflife’spleasures。Inyachtingcapsandflowingnecktiestheypervadedthelaketoitslimits。Girlsworesilkwaistsembroideredwithanchorsinblueandpink。Thetrousersoftheyoungmenwidenedatthebottom，andtheirhandswereproudlycallousedbytheoft—
pliedoar。FishermenwereunderthespellofadeepandtolerantJjoy。
Sailboatsandrowboatsfurrowedthelenientwaves，popcornandice—
creamboothssprangupaboutthelittlewoodenpier。Twosmallexcursionsteamboatswerebuilt，andpliedthedelectablewaters。
Okocheephilosophicallygaveupthehopeofeatingturtlesoupwithagoldspoon，andsettledback，notillcontent，toitsregulardietoflotusandfriedhominy。AndoutofthisslowwreckofgreatexpectationsroseupJ。PinkneyBloomwithhis"wad"andhisprosperous，cheerysmile。
NeedlesstosayJ。PinkneywasnoproductofGeorgiasoil。Hecameoutofthatflushedandcapableregionknownasthe"North。"Hecalledhimselfa"promoter"；hisenemieshadspokenofhimasa"grafter"；Okocheetookamiddlecourse，andheldhimtobenobetternornoworsethana"Yank。"
Farupthelake——eighteenmilesabovethetown——theeyeofthischeerfulcamp—followerofboomshadspiedoutagraft。Hepurchasedthereaprecipitoustractoffivehundredacresatforty—fivecentsperacre；andthishelaidoutandsubdividedasthecityofSkyland——theQueenCityoftheSwitzerlandoftheSouth。Streetsandavenuesweresurveyed；parksdesigned；cornersofcentralsquaresreservedforthe"proposed"operahouse，boardoftrade，lyceum，market，publicschools，and"ExpositionHall。"Thepriceoflotsrangedfromfivetofivehundreddollars。Positively，nolotwouldbepricedhigherthanfivehundreddollars。
WhiletheboomwasgrowinginOkochee，J。Pinkney’scirculars，maps，andprospectuseswereflyingthroughthemailstoeverypartofthecountry。Investorssentintheirmoneybypost，andtheSkylandRealEstateCompany（J。PinkneyBloom）returnedtoeachadeed，dulyplacedonrecord，tothebestlot，attheprice，onhandthatday。
AllthistimethecatamountscreecheduponthereservedlotoftheSkylandBoardofTrade，theopossumswungbyhistailoverthesiteoftheexpositionhall，andtheowlhootedamelancholyrecitativetohisaudienceofyoungsquirrelsinoperahousesquare。Later，whenthemoneywascominginfast，J。Pinkneycausedtobeerectedinthecomingcityhalfadozencheapboxhouses，andpersuadedacontingentofindigentnativestooccupythem，therebyassumingtheroleof"poulation"insubsequentprospectuses，whichbecame，accordingly，moreseductiveandremunerative。
So，whenthedreamfadedandOkocheedroppedbacktodiggingbaitandnursingitstwoandahalfpercent。tax，J。PinkneyBloom（unlovingofchecksanddraftsandthecoldinterrogatoriesofbankers）strappedabouthisfifty—two—inchwaistasoftleatherbeltcontainingeightthousanddollarsinbigbills，andsaidthatallwasverygood。
OnelasttriphewasmakingtoSkylandbeforedepartingtoothersaladfields。Skylandwasaregularpost—office，andthesteamboat，~DixieBelle~，undercontract，deliveredthemailbag（generallyempty）twiceaweek。Therewasalittlebusinesstheretobesettled——thepostmasterwastobepaidoffforhislightbutlonelyservices，andthe"inhabitants"hadtobefurnishedwithanothermonth’shomelyrations，asperagreement。AndthenSkylandwouldknowJ。PinkneyBloomnomore。Theownersoftheseprecipitous，barren，uselesslotsmightcomeandviewthesceneoftheirinvestedcredulity，ortheymightleavethemtotheirfittenants，thewildhogandthebrowsingdeer。TheworkoftheSkylandRealEstateCompanywasfinished。
Thelittlesteamboat~DixieBelle~wasabouttoshoveoffonherregularup—the—laketrip，whenaricketyhiredcarriagerattleduptothepier，andatall，elderlygentleman，inblack，steppedout，signalingcourteouslybutvivaciouslyfortheboattowait。Timewasoftheleastimportanceinthescheduleofthe~DixieBelle~；CaptainMacFarlandgavetheorder，andtheboatreceiveditsultimatetwopassengers。For，uponthearmofthetall，elderlygentleman，ashecrossedthegangway，wasalittleelderlylady，withagraycurldependingquaintlyforwardofherleftear。
CaptainMacFarlandwasatthewheel；thereforeitseemedtoJ。PinkneyBloom，whowastheonlyotherpassenger，thatitshouldbehistoplaythepartofhosttotheboat’snewguests，whowere，doubtless，onascenery—viewingexpedition。Hesteppedforward，withthattranslucent，child—candidsmileuponhisfresh，pinkcountenance，withthatairofunaffectedsinceritythatwasredeemedfrombluffnessonlybyitsexquisitecalculation，withthatpromptitudeandmasterlydecisionofmannerthatsowellsuitedhiscalling——withallhisstockintradewelltothefront；hesteppedforwardtoreceiveColonelandMrs。PeytonBlaylock。Withthegraceofagrandmarshaloraweddingusher，heescortedthetwopassengerstoasideoftheupperdeck，fromwhichthescenerywassupposedtopresentitselftotheobserverinincreasedquantityandquality。There，incomfortablesteamerchairs，theysatandbegantopiecetogethertherandomlinesthatweretoformanintelligentparagraphinthebighistoryoflittleevents。
"Ourhome，sir，"saidColonelBlaylock，removinghiswide—brimmed，rathershapelessblackfelthat，"isinHollySprings——HollySprings，Georgia。Iamveryproudtomakeyouracquaintance，Mr。Bloom。
Mrs。BlaylockandmyselfhavejustarrivedinOkocheethismorning，sir，onbusiness——businessofimportanceinconnectionwiththerecentrapidmarchofprogressinthissectionofourstate。"
TheColonelsmoothedback，withasweepinggesture，hislong，smooth，locks。Hisdarkeyes，stillfieryundertheheavyblackbrows，seemedinappropriatetothefaceofabusinessman。HelookedrathertobeanoldcourtierhandeddownfromthereignofCharles，andre—attiredinamodernsuitoffine，butravelingandseam—worn，broadcloth。
"Yes，sir，"saidMr。Bloom，inhisheartiestprospectusvoice，"thingshavebeenwhizzingaroundOkochee。BiggestindustrialrevivalandwakinguptonaturalresourcesGeorgiaeverhad。Didyouhappentosqueezeinonthegroundfloorinanyofthegilt—
edgedgrafts，Colonel？"
"Well，sir，"saidtheColonel，hesitatingincourteousdoubt，"ifI
understandyourquestion，ImaysaythatItooktheopportunitytomakeaninvestmentthatIbelievewillprovequiteadvantageous——yes，sir，Ibelieveitwillresultinbothpecuniaryprofitandagreeableoccupation。"
"ColonelBlaylock，"saidthelittleedlerlylady，shakinghergraycurlandsmilingindulgentexplanationatJ。PinkneyBloom，"issodevotedtobusinesss。Hehassuchatalentforfinancieringandmarketsandinvestmentsandthosekindofthings。Ithinkmyselfextremelyfortunateinhavingsecuredhimforapartneronlife’sjourney——Iamsounversedinthoseformidablebutveryusefulbranchesoflearning。"
ColonelBlaylockroseandmadeabow——abowthatbelongedwithsilkstockingsandlacerufflesandvelvet。
"Practicalaffairs，"hesaid，withawaveofhishandtowardthepromoter，"are，ifImayusethecomparison，thegardenwalksuponwhichwetreadthroughlife，viewinguponeithersideofustheflowerswhichbrightenthatjourney。Itismypleasuretobeabletolayoutawalkortwo。Mrs。Blaylock，sir，isoneofthosefortunatehigherspiritswhosemissionitistomaketheflowersgrow。
Perhaps，Mr。Bloom，youhaveperusedthelinesofLorella，theSouthernpoetess。ThatisthenameabovewhichMrs。BlaylockhascontributedtothepressoftheSouthformanyyears。"
"Unfortunately，"saidMr。Bloom，withasenseofthelossclearlywrittenuponhisfrankface，"I’mliketheColonel——inthewalk—makingbusinessmyself——andIhaven’thadtimetoeventakeasniffattheflowers。PoetryisalineIneverdealtin。Itmustbenice，though——quitenice。"
"Itistheregion，"smiledMrs。Blaylock，"inwhichmysouldwells。
Myshawl，Peyton，ifyouplease——thebreezecomesalittlechillyfromyonverduredhills。"
TheColoneldrewfromthetailpocketofhiscoatasmallshawlofknittedsilkandlaiditsolicitouslyabouttheshouldersofthelady。
Mrs。Blaylocksighedcontentedly，andturnedherexpressiveeyes——
stillasclearandunworldlyasachild’s——uponthesteepslopesthatwereslowlyslippingpast。Veryfairandstatelytheylookedintheclearmorningair。TheyseemedtospeakinfamiliartermstotheresponsivespiritofLorella。"Mynativehills!"shemurmured，dreamily。"Seehowthefoliagedrinksthesunlightfromthehollowsanddells。"
"Mrs。Blaylock’smaidendays，"saidtheColonel，interpretinghermoodtoJ。PinkneyBloom，"werespentamongthemountainsofnorthernGeorgia。Mountainairandmountainsceneryrecalltoherthosedays。
HollySprings，wherewehavelivedfortwentyyears，islowandflat。
Ifearthatshemayhavesufferedinhealthandspiritsbysolongaresidencethere。Thatisoneportentreasonforthechangewearemaking。Mydear，canyounotrecallthoselinesyouwrote——entitled，Ithink，’TheGeorgiaHills’——thepoemthatwassoextensivelycopiedbytheSouthernpressandpraisedsohighlybytheAtlantacritics？"
Mrs。BlaylockturnedaglanceofspeakingtendernessupontheColonel，fingeredforamomentthesilverycurlthatdroopeduponherbosom，thenlookedagaintowardthemountains。Withoutpreliminaryoraffectationordemurralshebegan，inratherthrillingandmoredeeplypitchedtonestorecitetheselines：
"TheGeorgiahills，theGeorgiahills!——
Oh，heart，whydostthoupine？
ArenottheseshelteredlowlandsfairWithmeadandbloomandvine？
Ah!astheslow—pacedriverhereBroodsonitsnatalrillsMyspiritdrifts，inlongingsweet，BacktotheGeorgiahills。
"Andthroughtheclose—drawn，curtainednightIstealonsleep’sslowwingsBacktomyheart’sease——slopesofpine——
Whereendmywanderings。
Oh，heavenseemsnearerfromtheirtops——
Andfartherearthlyills——
Evenindreams，ifImaybutDreamofmyGeorgiahills。
ThegrassupontheirorchardsidesIsafinecouchtome；
ThecommonnoteofeachsmallbirdPassesallminstrelsy。
ItwouldnotseemsodreadathingIf，whentheReaperwills，HemightcomethereandtakemyhandUpintheGeorgiahills。"
Thatsgreatstuff，ma’am，"saidJ。PinkneyBloom，enthusiastically，whenthepoetesshadconcluded。"IwishIhadlookeduppoetrymorethanIhave。Iwasraisedinthepinehillsmyself。"
"Themountainsevercalltotheirchildren，"murmuredMrs。Blaylock。
"Ifeelthatlifewilltakeontherosyhueofhopeagaininamongthesebeautifulhills。Peyton——alittletasteofthecurrantwine，ifyouwillbesogood。Thejourney，thoughdelightfulintheextreme，slightlyfatiguesme。"ColonelBlaylockagainvisitedthedepthsofhisprolificcoat，andproducedatightlycorked，rough，blackbottle。Mr。Bloomwasonhisfeetinaninstant。
"Letmebringaglass，ma’am。Youcomealong，Colonel——there’salittletablewecanbring，too。Maybewecanscareupsomefruitoracupofteaonboard。I’llaskMac。"
Mrs。Blaylockreclinedatease。FewroyalladieshaveheldtheirroyalprerogativewiththeserenegraceofthepettedSouthernwoman。
TheColonel，withanairasgallantandassiduousasinthedaysofhiscourtship，andJ。PinkneyBloom，withaponderousagilityhalfprofessionalandhalfdirectedbysomeresurrected，unnamed，long—
forgottensentiment，formedadiversifiedbutattentivecourt。Thecurrantwine——winehomemadefromtheHollySpringsfruit——wentround，andthenJ。PinkneybegantohearsomethingofHollySpringslife。
Itseemed（fromtheconversationoftheBlaylocks）thattheSpringswasdecadent。Athirdofthepopulationhadmovedaway。Business——
andtheColonelwasanauthorityonbusiness——haddwindledtonothing。
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