Dearme，howinterestingarencontre！Livedallalonehereforseven——wasitsevenyears？——yes，Iremembernow。Existedquiteaunaturel，onemightsay。Howodd！NotthatIknowanythingaboutthatsortofthing，youknow。I’velivedalwaysamongpeople，andamreallyquiteastranger，Iassureyou。Buthonestly，Mr。——Ibegyourpardon——Mr。Grey，howdoyoulikeit？"
Shehadquietlytakenhischairandthrownhercloakandhoodoveritsback，andwasnowthoughtfullyremovinghergloves。Whateverwerethearguments，——andtheyweredoubtlessmanyandprofound，——
whatevertheexperience，——anditwasdoubtlesshardandsatisfyingenough，——bywhichthisunfortunatemanhadjustifiedhislifeforthelastsevenyears，somehowtheysuddenlybecametrivialandterriblyridiculousbeforethissimplebutpracticalquestion。
"Well，youshalltellmeallaboutitafteryouhavegivenmesomethingtoeat。Wewillhavetimeenough;Barkercannotfindhiswaybackinthisfogto-night。Nowdon’tputyourselvestoanytroubleonmyaccount。Barkerwillassist？"
Barkercameforward。Gladtoescapethescrutinyofhisguest，thehermitgaveafewrapiddirectionstothePrincessinhernativetongue，anddisappearedintheshed。Leftamomentalone，MissPortfiretookaquick，half-audible，feminineinventoryofthecabin。"Books，guns，skins，ONEchair，ONEbed，nopictures，andnolooking-glass！"ShetookabookfromtheswingingshelfandresumedherseatbythefireasthePrincessre-enteredwithfreshfuel。ButwhilekneelingonthehearththePrincesschancedtolookupandmetMissPortfire’sdarkeyesovertheedgeofherbook。
"Bob！"
ThePrincessshowedherteeth。
"Listen。Wouldyouliketohavefineclothes，rings，andbeadslikethese，tohaveyourhairnicelycombedandputupso？Wouldyou？"
ThePrincessnoddedviolently。
"Wouldyouliketolivewithmeandhavethem？Answerquickly。
Don’tlookroundforHIM。Speakforyourself。Wouldyou？Hush;
nevermindnow。"
Thehermitre-entered，andthePrincess，blinking，retreatedintotheshadowofthewhale-boatshed，fromwhichshedidnotemergeevenwhenthehomelyrepastofcoldvenison，shipbiscuit，andteawasserved。MissPortfirenoticedherabsence："Youreallymustnotletmeinterferewithyourusualsimpleways。Doyouknowthisisexceedinglyinterestingtome，sopastoralandpatriarchalandallthatsortofthing。ImustinsistuponthePrincesscomingback;really，Imust。"
ButthePrincesswasnottobefoundintheshed，andMissPortfire，whothenextminuteseemedtohaveforgottenallabouther，tookherplaceinthesinglechairbeforeanextemporizedtable。Barkerstoodbehindher，andthehermitleanedagainstthefireplace。MissPortfire’sappetitedidnotcomeuptoherprotestations。Forthefirsttimeinsevenyearsitoccurredtothehermitthathisordinaryvictualmightbeimproved。Hestammeredoutsomethingtothateffect。
"Ihaveeatenbetter，andworse，"saidMissPortfire，quietly。
"ButIthoughtyou——thatis，yousaid——"
"Ispentayearinthehospitals，whenfatherwasonthePotomac，"
returnedMissPortfire，composedly。Afterapauseshecontinued：
"YourememberafterthesecondBullRun——But，dearme！Ibegyourpardon;ofcourse，youknownothingaboutthewarandallthatsortofthing，anddon’tcare。"（Sheputuphereye-glassandquietlysurveyedhisbroadmuscularfigureagainstthechimney。）
"Or，perhaps，yourprejudices——Butthen，asahermityouknowyouhavenopolitics，ofcourse。Pleasedon’tletmeboreyou。"
Tohavebeenstrictlyconsistent，thehermitshouldhaveexhibitednointerestinthistopic。Perhapsitwasowingtosomequalityinthenarrator，buthewasconstrainedtobeghertocontinueinsuchphrasesashisunfamiliarlipscouldcommand。Sothat，littlebylittle，MissPortfireyieldedupincidentandpersonalobservationofthecontestthenraging;withthesamehalf-abstracted，half-
unconcernedairthatseemedhabitualtoher，shetoldthestoriesofprivation，ofsuffering，ofendurance，andofsacrifice。Withthesameassumptionoftimiddeferencethatconcealedhergreatself-control，shetalkedofprinciplesandrights。Apparentlywithoutenthusiasmandwithouteffort，ofwhichhismorbidnaturewouldhavebeensuspicious，shesangthegreatAmericanIliadinawaythatstirredthedepthsofhersolitaryauditortoitsmassivefoundations。Thenshestoppedandaskedquietly，"WhereisBob？"
Thehermitstarted。Hewouldlookforher。ButBob，forsomereason，wasnotforthcoming。Searchwasmadewithinandwithoutthehut，butinvain。ForthefirsttimethateveningMissPortfireshowedsomeanxiety。"Go，"shesaidtoBarker，"andfindher。SheMUSTbefound;stay，givemeyourovercoat，I’llgomyself。"Shethrewtheovercoatoverhershouldersandsteppedoutintothenight。Inthethickveiloffogthatseemedsuddenlytoinwrapher，shestoodforamomentirresolute，andthenwalkedtowardthebeach，guidedbythelowwashofwatersonthesand。
Shehadnottakenmanystepsbeforeshestumbledoversomedarkcrouchingobject。ReachingdownherhandshefeltthecoarsewirymaneofthePrincess。
"Bob！"
Therewasnoreply。
"Bob。I’vebeenlookingforyou，come。"
"Go’way。"
"Nonsense，Bob。Iwantyoutostaywithmeto-night，come。"
"Injinsquawnogoodforwaugeewoman。Go’way。"
"Listen，Bob。Youaredaughterofachief：soamI。Yourfatherhadmanywarriors：sohasmine。Itisgoodthatyoustaywithme。
Come。"
ThePrincesschuckledandsufferedherselftobeliftedup。Afewmomentslaterandtheyre-enteredthehut，handinhand。
WiththefirstredstreaksofdawnthenextdaytheerectBarkertouchedhiscapatthedoorofthehut。Besidehimstoodthehermit，alsojustrisenfromhisblanketednestinthesand。Forthfromthehut，freshasthemorningair，steppedMissPortfire，leadingthePrincessbythehand。Handinhandalsotheywalkedtotheshore，andwhenthePrincesshadbeensafelybestowedinthesternsheets，MissPortfireturnedandheldoutherowntoherlatehost。
"Ishalltakethebestofcareofher，ofcourse。Youwillcomeandseeheroften。Ishouldaskyoutocomeandseeme，butyouareahermit，youknow，andallthatsortofthing。Butifit’sthecorrectanchoritething，andcanbedone，myfatherwillbegladtorequiteyouforthisnight’shospitality。Butdon’tdoanythingonmyaccountthatinterfereswithyoursimplehabits。
Goodby。"
Shehandedhimacard，whichhetookmechanically。
"Goodby。"
Thesailwashoisted，andtheboatshovedoff。Asthefreshmorningbreezecaughtthewhitecanvasitseemedtobowapartingsalutation。Therewasarosyflashofpromiseonthewater，andasthelightcraftdartedforwardtowardtheascendingsun，itseemedforamomentupliftedinitsglory。
MissPortfirekeptherword。IfthoughtfulcareandintelligentkindnesscouldregeneratethePrincess，herfuturewassecure。Anditreallyseemedasifshewereforthefirsttimeinclinedtoheedthelessonsofcivilizationandprofitbyhernewcondition。Anagreeablechangewasfirstnoticedinherappearance。Herlawlesshairwascaughtinanet，andnolongerstrayedoverherlowforehead。HerunstablebustwasstayedandupheldbyFrenchcorsets;herplantigradeshufflewaslimitedbyheeledboots。Herdresseswereneatandclean，andsheworeadoublenecklaceofglassbeads。Withthisphysicalimprovementtherealsoseemedsomemoralawakening。Shenolongerstolenorlied。Withthepossessionofpersonalpropertycamearespectforthatofothers。
Withincreaseddependenceonthewordofthoseabouthercameathoughtfulconsiderationofherown。Intellectuallyshewasstillfeeble，althoughshegrappledsturdilywiththesimplelessonswhichMissPortfiresetbeforeher。Butherzealandsimplevanityoutranherdiscretion，andshewouldoftensitforhourswithanopenbookbeforeher，whichshecouldnotread。Shewasafavoritewiththeofficersatthefort，fromtheMajor，whosharedhisdaughter’sprejudicesandoftenyieldedtoherpowerfulself-will，tothesubalterns，wholikedhernonethelessthattheirnaturalenemies，thefrontiervolunteers，haddeclaredwaragainstherhelplesssisterhood。Theonlyrestraintputuponherwasthelimitationofherlibertytotheenclosureofthefortandparade;
andonlyoncedidshebreakthisparole，andwasstoppedbythesentryasshesteppedintoaboatatthelanding。
ThereclusedidnotavailhimselfofMissPortfire’sinvitation。
ButafterthedepartureofthePrincesshespentlessofhistimeinthehut，andwasmorefrequentlyseeninthedistantmarshesofEelRiverandontheuplandhills。Afeverishrestlessness，quiteopposedtohisusualphlegm，ledhimintosingularfreaksstrangelyinconsistentwithhisusualhabitsandreputation。ThepurseroftheoccasionalsteamerwhichstoppedatLogportwiththemailsreportedtohavebeenboarded，justinsidethebar，byastrangebeardedman，whoaskedforanewspapercontainingthelastwartelegrams。Hetorehisredshirtintonarrowstrips，andspenttwodayswithhisneedleoverthepiecesandthetatteredremnantofhisonlywhitegarment;andafewdaysafterwardthefishermenonthebayweresurprisedtoseewhat，onnearerapproach，provedtobearudeimitationofthenationalflagfloatingfromasparabovethehut。
Oneevening，asthefogbegantodriftoverthesand-hills，thereclusesataloneinhishut。Thefirewasdyingunheededonthehearth，forhehadbeensittingthereforalongtime，completelyabsorbedintheblurredpagesofanoldnewspaper。Presentlyhearose，and，refoldingit，——anoperationofgreatcareanddelicacyinitstatteredcondition，——placeditundertheblanketsofhisbed。Heresumedhisseatbythefire，butsoonbegandrummingwithhisfingersonthearmofhischair。Eventuallythisassumedthetimeandaccentofsomeair。Thenhebegantowhistlesoftlyandhesitatingly，asiftryingtorecallaforgottentune。Finallythistookshapeinaruderesemblance，notunlikethatwhichhisflagboretothenationalstandard，toYankeeDoodle。Suddenlyhestopped。
Therewasanunmistakablerappingatthedoor。Thebloodwhichhadatfirstrushedtohisfacenowforsookitandsettledslowlyaroundhisheart。Hetriedtorise，butcouldnot。Thenthedoorwasflungopen，andafigurewithascarlet-linedhoodandfurmantlestoodonthethreshold。Withamightyefforthetookonestridetothedoor。ThenextmomenthesawthewidemouthandwhiteteethofthePrincess，andwasgreetedbyakissthatfeltlikeabaptism。
Totearthehoodandmantlefromherfigureinthesuddenfurythatseizedhim，andtofiercelydemandthereasonofthismasquerade，washisonlyreturntohergreeting。"Whyareyouhere？didyoustealthesegarments？"heagaindemandedinhergutturallanguage，asheshookherroughlybythearm。ThePrincesshungherhead。
"Didyou？"hescreamed，ashereachedwildlyforhisrifle。
"Idid？"
Hisholdrelaxed，andhestaggeredbackagainstthewall。ThePrincessbegantowhimper。Betweenhersobs，shewastryingtoexplainthattheMajorandhisdaughterweregoingaway，andthattheywantedtosendhertotheReservation;buthecuthershort。
"Takeoffthosethings！"ThePrincesstremblinglyobeyed。Herolledthemup，placedtheminthecanoeshehadjustleft，andthenleapedintothefrailcraft。Shewouldhavefollowed，butwithagreatoathhethrewherfromhim，andwithonestrokeofhispaddlesweptoutintothefog，andwasgone。
"Jessamy，"saidtheMajor，afewdaysafter，ashesatatdinnerwithhisdaughter，"IthinkIcantellyousomethingtomatchthemysteriousdisappearanceandreturnofyourwardrobe。Yourcrazyfriend，therecluse，hasenlistedthismorningintheFourthArtillery。He’sasplendid-lookinganimal，andthere’stherightstuffforasoldierinhim，ifI’mnotmistaken。He’sinearnesttoo，forheenlistsintheregimentorderedbacktoWashington。
Blessme，child，anothergobletbroken;you’llruinthemessinglassware，atthisrate！"
"HaveyouheardanythingmoreofthePrincess，papa？"
"Nothing，butperhapsit’saswellthatshehasgone。Thesecursedsettlersareattheiroldcomplaintsagainaboutwhattheycall’Indiandepredations，’andIhavejustreceivedordersfromhead-
quarterstokeepthesettlementclearofallvagabondaborigines。
Iamafraid，mydear，thatastrictconstructionofthetermwouldincludeyourprotegee。"
ThetimeforthedepartureoftheFourthArtilleryhadcome。Thenightbeforewasthickandfoggy。Atoneo’clock，ashotontherampartscalledouttheguardandrousedthesleepinggarrison。
Thenewsentry，PrivateGrey，hadchallengedaduskyfigurecreepingontheglacis，and，receivingnoanswer，hadfired。Theguardsentoutpresentlyreturned，bearingalifelessfigureintheirarms。Thenewsentry’szeal，joinedwithanex-frontiersman’saim，wasfatal。
Theylaidthehelpless，raggedformbeforetheguard-housedoor，andthensawforthefirsttimethatitwasthePrincess。
Presentlysheopenedhereyes。Theyfellupontheagonizedfaceofherinnocentslayer，buthaplywithoutintelligenceorreproach。
"Georgy！"shewhispered。
"Bob！"
"All’ssamenow。Megetplentywellsoon。Memakenomorefuss。
MegotoReservation。"
Thenshestopped，atremorranthroughherlimbs，andshelaystill。ShehadgonetotheReservation。Notthatdevisedbythewisdomofman，butthatonesetapartfromthefoundationoftheworldforthewisestaswellasthemeanestofHiscreatures。
THEILIADOFSANDYBAR。
Beforenineo’clockitwasprettywellknownallalongtheriverthatthetwopartnersofthe"AmityClaim"hadquarrelledandseparatedatdaybreak。Atthattimetheattentionoftheirnearestneighborhadbeenattractedbythesoundsofaltercationsandtwoconsecutivepistol-shots。Runningout，hehadseen，dimly，inthegraymistthatrosefromtheriver，thetallformofScott，oneofthepartners，descendingthehilltowardthecanyon;amomentlater，York，theotherpartner，hadappearedfromthecabin，andwalkedinanoppositedirectiontowardtheriver，passingwithinafewfeetofthecuriouswatcher。LateritwasdiscoveredthataseriousChinaman，cuttingwoodbeforethecabin，hadwitnessedpartofthequarrel。ButJohnwasstolid，indifferent，andreticent。
"Mechoppeewood，menofightee，"washissereneresponsetoallanxiousqueries。"ButwhatdidtheySAY，John？"Johndidnotsabe。ColonelStarbottledeftlyranoverthevariouspopularepithetswhichagenerouspublicsentimentmightacceptasreasonableprovocationforanassault。ButJohndidnotrecognizethem。"Andthisyer’sthecattle，"saidtheColonel，withsomeseverity，"thatsomethinksoughterbeallowedtotestifyag’in’aWhiteMan！Git——youheathen！"
Stillthequarrelremainedinexplicable。Thattwomen，whoseamiabilityandgravetacthadearnedforthemthetitleof"ThePeacemakers，"inacommunitynotgreatlygiventothepassivevirtues，——thatthesemen，singularlydevotedtoeachother，shouldsuddenlyandviolentlyquarrel，mightwellexcitethecuriosityofthecamp。Afewofthemoreinquisitivevisitedthelatesceneofconflict，nowdesertedbyitsformeroccupants。Therewasnotraceofdisorderorconfusionintheneatcabin。Therudetablewasarrangedasifforbreakfast;thepanofyellowbiscuitstillsatuponthathearthwhosedeadembersmighthavetypifiedtheevilpassionsthathadragedtherebutanhourbefore。ButColonelStarbottle’seye——albeitsomewhatbloodshotandrheumy——wasmoreintentonpracticaldetails。Onexamination，abullet-holewasfoundinthedoorpost，andanother，nearlyopposite，inthecasingofthewindow。TheColonelcalledattentiontothefactthattheone"agreedwith"theboreofScott’srevolver，andtheotherwiththatofYork’sderringer。"Theymusthevstoodaboutyer，"saidtheColonel，takingposition;"notmor’nthreefeetapart，and——
missed！"TherewasafinetouchofpathosinthefallinginflectionoftheColonel’svoice，whichwasnotwithouteffect。Adelicateperceptionofwastedopportunitythrilledhisauditors。
ButtheBarwasdestinedtoexperienceagreaterdisappointment。
Thetwoantagonistshadnotmetsincethequarrel，anditwasvaguelyrumoredthat，ontheoccasionofasecondmeeting，eachhaddeterminedtokilltheother"onsight。"Therewas，consequently，someexcitement——and，itistobefeared，nolittlegratification——
when，atteno’clock，YorksteppedfromtheMagnoliaSaloonintotheonelongstragglingstreetofthecamp，atthesamemomentthatScottlefttheblacksmith’sshopattheforksoftheroad。Itwasevident，ataglance，thatameetingcouldonlybeavoidedbytheactualretreatofoneortheother。
Inaninstantthedoorsandwindowsoftheadjacentsaloonswerefilledwithfaces。Headsunaccountablyappearedabovetheriver-
banksandfrombehindbowlders。Anemptywagonatthecross-roadwassuddenlycrowdedwithpeople，whoseemedtohavesprungfromtheearth。Therewasmuchrunningandconfusiononthehillside。
Onthemountain-road，Mr。JackHamlinhadreineduphishorse，andwasstandinguprightontheseatofhisbuggy。Andthetwoobjectsofthisabsorbingattentionapproachedeachother。
"York’sgotthesun，""Scott’lllinehimonthattree，""He’swaitin’todrawhisfire，"camefromthecart;andthenitwassilent。Butabovethishumanbreathlessnesstheriverrushedandsang，andthewindrustledthetree-topswithanindifferencethatseemedobtrusive。ColonelStarbottlefeltit，andinamomentofsublimepreoccupation，withoutlookingaround，wavedhiscanebehindhim，warninglytoallnature，andsaid，"Shu！"
Themenwerenowwithinafewfeetofeachother。Ahenranacrosstheroadbeforeoneofthem。Afeatheryseed-vessel，waftedfromawaysidetree，fellatthefeetoftheother。And，unheedingthisironyofnature，thetwoopponentscamenearer，erectandrigid，lookedineachother’seyes，and——passed！
ColonelStarbottlehadtobeliftedfromthecart。"Thisyercampisplayedout，"hesaid，gloomily，asheaffectedtobesupportedintotheMagnolia。Withwhatfurtherexpressionhemighthaveindicatedhisfeelingsitwasimpossibletosay，foratthatmomentScottjoinedthegroup。"Didyouspeaktome？"heaskedoftheColonel，droppinghishand，asifwithaccidentalfamiliarity，onthatgentleman’sshoulder。TheColonel，recognizingsomeoccultqualityinthetouch，andsomeunknownquantityintheglanceofhisquestioner，contentedhimselfbyreplying，"No，sir，"withdignity。Afewrodsaway，York’sconductwasascharacteristicandpeculiar。"Youhadamightyfinechance;whydidn’tyouplumphim？"saidJackHamlin，asYorkdrewnearthebuggy。"BecauseI
hatehim，"wasthereply，heardonlybyJack。Contrarytopopularbelief，thisreplywasnothissedbetweenthelipsofthespeaker，butwassaidinanordinarytone。ButJackHamlin，whowasanobserverofmankind，noticedthatthespeaker’shandswerecold，andhislipsdry，ashehelpedhimintothebuggy，andacceptedtheseemingparadoxwithasmile。
WhenSandyBarbecameconvincedthatthequarrelbetweenYorkandScottcouldnotbesettledaftertheusuallocalmethods，itgavenofurtherconcernthereto。Butpresentlyitwasrumoredthatthe"AmityClaim"wasinlitigation，andthatitspossessionwouldbeexpensivelydisputedbyeachofthepartners。Asitwaswellknownthattheclaiminquestionwas"workedout"andworthless，andthatthepartners，whomithadalreadyenriched，hadtalkedofabandoningitbutadayortwobeforethequarrel，thisproceedingcouldonlybeaccountedforasgratuitousspite。Later，twoSanFranciscolawyersmadetheirappearanceinthisguilelessArcadia，andwereeventuallytakenintothesaloons，and——whatwasprettymuchthesamething——theconfidencesoftheinhabitants。Theresultsofthisunhallowedintimacyweremanysubpoenas;and，indeed，whenthe"AmityClaim"cametotrial，allofSandyBarthatwasnotincompulsoryattendanceatthecountyseatcametherefromcuriosity。
Thegulchesandditchesformilesaroundweredeserted。Idonotproposetodescribethatalreadyfamoustrial。Enoughthat，inthelanguageoftheplaintiff’scounsel，"itwasoneofnoordinarysignificance，involvingtheinherentrightsofthatuntiringindustrywhichhaddevelopedthePactolianresourcesofthisgoldenland";and，inthehomelierphraseofColonelStarbottle，"Afussthatgentlemenmighthevsettledintenminutesoverasocialglass，eftheymeantbusiness;orintensecondswitharevolver，eftheymeantfun。"Scottgotaverdict，fromwhichYorkinstantlyappealed。Itwassaidthathehadsworntospendhislastdollarinthestruggle。
InthiswaySandyBarbegantoaccepttheenmityoftheformerpartnersasalifelongfeud，andthefactthattheyhadeverbeenfriendswasforgotten。Thefewwhoexpectedtolearnfromthetrialtheoriginofthequarrelweredisappointed。Amongthevariousconjectures，thatwhichascribedsomeoccultfeminineinfluenceasthecausewasnaturallypopular，inacampgiventodubiouscomplimentofthesex。"Mywordforit，gentlemen，"saidColonelStarbottle，whohadbeenknowninSacramentoasaGentlemanoftheOldSchool，"there’ssomelovelycreatureatthebottomofthis。"ThegallantColonelthenproceededtoillustratehistheory，bydiverssprightlystories，suchasGentlemenoftheOldSchoolareinthehabitofrepeating，butwhich，fromdeferencetotheprejudicesofgentlemenofamorerecentschool，Irefrainfromtranscribinghere。ButitwouldappearthateventheColonel’stheorywasfallacious。Theonlywomanwhopersonallymighthaveexercisedanyinfluenceoverthepartnerswastheprettydaughterof"oldmanFolinsbee，"ofPovertyFlat，atwhosehospitablehouse——
whichexhibitedsomecomfortsandrefinementsrareinthatcrudecivilization——bothYorkandScottwerefrequentvisitors。YetintothischarmingretreatYorkstrodeoneevening，amonthafterthequarrel，and，beholdingScottsittingthere，turnedtothefairhostesswiththeabruptquery，"Doyoulovethisman？"Theyoungwomanthusaddressedreturnedthatanswer——atoncespiritedandevasive——whichwouldoccurtomostofmyfairreadersinsuchanexigency。Withoutanotherword，Yorkleftthehouse。"MissJo"
heavedtheleastpossiblesighasthedoorclosedonYork’scurlsandsquareshoulders，andthen，likeagoodgirl，turnedtoherinsultedguest"Butwouldyoubelieveit，dear？"sheafterwardrelatedtoanintimatefriend，"theothercreature，aftergloweringatmeforamoment，gotuponitshindlegs，tookitshat，andleft，too;andthat’sthelastI’veseenofeither。"
Thesameharddisregardofallotherinterestsorfeelingsinthegratificationoftheirblindrancorcharacterizedalltheiractions。WhenYorkpurchasedthelandbelowScott’snewclaim，andobligedthelatter，atagreatexpense，tomakealongdetourtocarrya"tail-race"aroundit，ScottretaliatedbybuildingadamthatoverflowedYork’sclaimontheriver。ItwasScott，who，inconjunctionwithColonelStarbottle，firstorganizedthatactiveoppositiontotheChinamen，whichresultedinthedrivingoffofYork’sMongolianlaborers;itwasYorkwhobuiltthewagon-roadandestablishedtheexpresswhichrenderedScott’smulesandpack-
trainsobsolete;itwasScottwhocalledintolifetheVigilanceCommitteewhichexpatriatedYork’sfriend，JackHamlin;itwasYorkwhocreatedthe"SandyBarHerald，"whichcharacterizedtheactas"alawlessoutrage，"andScottasa"BorderRuffian";itwasScott，attheheadoftwentymaskedmen，who，onemoonlightnight，threwtheoffending"forms"intotheyellowriver，andscatteredthetypesinthedustyroad。Theseproceedingswerereceivedinthedistantandmorecivilizedoutlyingtownsasvagueindicationsofprogressandvitality。Ihavebeforemeacopyofthe"PovertyFlatPioneer，"fortheweekendingAugust12，1856，inwhichtheeditor，undertheheadof"CountyImprovements，"says："ThenewPresbyterianChurchonCStreet，atSandyBar，iscompleted。ItstandsuponthelotformerlyoccupiedbytheMagnoliaSaloon，whichwassomysteriouslyburntlastmonth。Thetemple，whichnowriseslikeaPhoenixfromtheashesoftheMagnolia，isvirtuallythefreegiftofH。J。York，Esq。，ofSandyBar，whopurchasedthelotanddonatedthelumber。Otherbuildingsaregoingupinthevicinity，butthemostnoticeableisthe’SunnySouthSaloon，’
erectedbyCaptainMat。Scott，nearlyoppositethechurch。CaptainScotthassparednoexpenseinthefurnishingofthissaloon，whichpromisestobeoneofthemostagreeableplacesofresortinoldTuolumne。Hehasrecentlyimportedtwonew，first-classbilliard-
tables，withcorkcushions。Ouroldfriend，’MountainJimmy，’willdispenseliquorsatthebar。Wereferourreaderstotheadvertisementinanothercolumn。VisitorstoSandyBarcannotdobetterthangive’Jimmy’acall。"Amongthelocalitemsoccurredthefollowing："H。J。York，Esq。，ofSandyBar，hasofferedarewardof$100forthedetectionofthepartieswhohauledawaythestepsofthenewPresbyterianChurch，CStreet，SandyBar，duringdivineserviceonSabbatheveninglast。CaptainScottaddsanotherhundredforthecaptureofthemiscreantswhobrokethemagnificentplate-glasswindowsofthenewsaloononthefollowingevening。
ThereissometalkofreorganizingtheoldVigilanceCommitteeatSandyBar。"
When，formanymonthsofcloudlessweather，thehard，unwinkingsunofSandyBarhadregularlygonedownontheunpacifiedwrathofthesemen，therewassometalkofmediation。Inparticular，thepastorofthechurchtowhichIhavejustreferred——asincere，fearless，butperhapsnotfullyenlightenedman——seizedgladlyupontheoccasionofYork’sliberalitytoattempttoreunitetheformerpartners。Hepreachedanearnestsermonontheabstractsinfulnessofdiscordandrancor。ButtheexcellentsermonsoftheRev。Mr。
DawsweredirectedtoanidealcongregationthatdidnotexistatSandyBar，——acongregationofbeingsofunmixedvicesandvirtues，ofsingleimpulses，andperfectlylogicalmotives，ofpreternaturalsimplicity，ofchildlikefaith，andgrown-upresponsibilities。As，unfortunately，thepeoplewhoactuallyattendedMr。Daws’schurchweremainlyveryhuman，somewhatartful，moreself-excusingthanself-accusing，rathergood-natured，anddecidedlyweak，theyquietlyshedthatportionofthesermonwhichreferredtothemselves，and，acceptingYorkandScott——whowerebothindefiantattendance——ascuriousexamplesofthoseidealbeingsabovereferredto，feltacertainsatisfaction——which，Ifear，wasnotaltogetherChristian-like——intheir"raking-down。"IfMr。DawsexpectedYorkandScotttoshakehandsafterthesermon，hewasdisappointed。Buthedidnotrelaxhispurpose。Withthatquietfearlessnessanddeterminationwhichhadwonforhimtherespectofmenwhoweretooapttoregardpietyassynonymouswitheffeminacy，heattackedScottinhisownhouse。Whathesaidhasnotbeenrecorded，butitistobefearedthatitwaspartofhissermon。
Whenhehadconcluded，Scottlookedathim，notunkindly，overtheglassesofhisbar，andsaid，lessirreverentlythanthewordsmightconvey，"Youngman，Iratherlikeyourstyle;butwhenyouknowYorkandmeaswellasyoudoGodAlmighty，it’llbetimetotalk。"
Andsothefeudprogressed;andso，asinmoreillustriousexamples，theprivateandpersonalenmityoftworepresentativemenledgraduallytotheevolutionofsomecrude，half-expressedprincipleorbelief。ItwasnotlongbeforeitwasmadeevidentthatthosebeliefswereidenticalwithcertainbroadprincipleslaiddownbythefoundersoftheAmericanConstitution，asexpoundedbythestatesmanlikeA;orwerethefatalquicksands，onwhichtheshipofstatemightbewrecked，warninglypointedoutbytheeloquentB。ThepracticalresultofallwhichwasthenominationofYorkandScotttorepresenttheoppositefactionsofSandyBarinlegislativecouncils。
Forsomeweekspast，thevotersofSandyBarandtheadjacentcampshadbeencalledupon，inlargetype，to"RALLY！"Invainthegreatpinesatthecross-roads——whosetrunkswerecompelledtobearthisandotherlegends——moanedandprotestedfromtheirwindywatch-
towers。Butoneday，withfifeanddrum，andflamingtransparency，aprocessionfiledintothetriangulargroveattheheadofthegulch。ThemeetingwascalledtoorderbyColonelStarbottle，who，havingonceenjoyedlegislativefunctions，andbeingvaguelyknownasa"war-horse，"wasconsideredtobeavaluablepartisanofYork。
Heconcludedanappealforhisfriend，withanenunciationofprinciples，interspersedwithoneortwoanecdotessogratuitouslycoarsethattheverypinesmighthavebeenmovedtopelthimwiththeircast-offcones，ashestoodthere。Buthecreatedalaugh，onwhichhiscandidaterodeintopopularnotice;andwhenYorkrosetospeak，hewasgreetedwithcheers。But，tothegeneralastonishment，thenewspeakeratoncelaunchedintobitterdenunciationofhisrival。HenotonlydweltuponScott’sdeedsandexample，asknowntoSandyBar，butspokeoffactsconnectedwithhispreviouscareer，hithertounknowntohisauditors。Togreatprecisionofepithetanddirectnessofstatement，thespeakeraddedthefascinationofrevelationandexposure。Thecrowdcheered，yelled，andweredelighted，butwhenthisastoundingphilippicwasconcluded，therewasaunanimouscallfor"Scott！"
ColonelStarbottlewouldhaveresistedthismanifestimpropriety，butinvain。Partlyfromacrudesenseofjustice，partlyfromameanercravingforexcitement，theassemblagewasinflexible;andScottwasdragged，pushed，andpulledupontheplatform。
Ashisfrowsyheadandunkemptbeardappearedabovetherailing，itwasevidentthathewasdrunk。Butitwasalsoevident，beforeheopenedhislips，thattheoratorofSandyBar——theonemanwhocouldtouchtheirvagabondsympathies（perhapsbecausehewasnotaboveappealingtothem）——stoodbeforethem。Aconsciousnessofthispowerlentacertaindignitytohisfigure，andIamnotsurebutthathisveryphysicalconditionimpressedthemasakindofregalunbendingandlargecondescension。Howbeit，whenthisunexpectedHectorarosefromtheditch，York’smyrmidonstrembled。
"There’snaught，gentlemen，"saidScott，leaningforwardontherailing，——"there’snaughtasthatmanhezsaidasisn’ttrue。I
wasrunouterCairo;IdidbelongtotheRegulators;Ididdesertfromthearmy;IdidleaveawifeinKansas。Butthar’sonethinghedidn’tchargemewith，and，maybe，he’sforgotten。Forthreeyears，gentlemen，Iwasthatman’spardner！——"Whetherheintendedtosaymore，Icannottell;aburstofapplauseartisticallyroundedandenforcedtheclimax，andvirtuallyelectedthespeaker。
ThatfallhewenttoSacramento，Yorkwentabroad;andforthefirsttimeinmanyyears，distanceandanewatmosphereisolatedtheoldantagonists。
Withlittleofchangeinthegreenwood，grayrock，andyellowriver，butwithmuchshiftingofhumanlandmarks，andnewfacesinitshabitations，threeyearspassedoverSandyBar。Thetwomen，oncesoidentifiedwithitscharacter，seemedtohavebeenquiteforgotten。"YouwillneverreturntoSandyBar，"saidMissFolinsbee，the"LilyofPovertyFlat，"onmeetingYorkinParis，"forSandyBarisnomore。TheycallitRiversidenow;andthenewtownisbuilthigherupontheriver-bank。Bytheby，’Jo’saysthatScotthaswonhissuitaboutthe’AmityClaim，’andthathelivesintheoldcabin，andisdrunkhalfhistime。O，Ibegyourpardon，"addedthelivelylady，asaflushcrossedYork’ssallowcheek;"but，blessme，Ireallythoughtthatoldgrudgewasmadeup。I’msureitoughttobe。"
Itwasthreemonthsafterthisconversation，andapleasantsummerevening，thatthePovertyFlatcoachdrewupbeforetheverandaoftheUnionHotelatSandyBar。Amongitspassengerswasone，apparentlyastranger，inthelocaldistinctionofwell-fittingclothesandcloselyshavenface，whodemandedaprivateroomandretiredearlytorest。Butbeforesunrisenextmorninghearose，and，drawingsomeclothesfromhiscarpet-bag，proceededtoarrayhimselfinapairofwhiteducktrousers，awhiteduckovershirt，andstrawhat。Whenhistoiletwascompleted，hetiedaredbandannahandkerchiefinaloopandthrewitlooselyoverhisshoulders。Thetransformationwascomplete。Ashecreptsoftlydownthestairsandsteppedintotheroad，noonewouldhavedetectedinhimtheelegantstrangerofthepreviousnight，andbutfewhaverecognizedthefaceandfigureofHenryYorkofSandyBar。
Intheuncertainlightofthatearlyhour，andinthechangethathadcomeoverthesettlement，hehadtopauseforamomenttorecallwherehestood。TheSandyBarofhisrecollectionlaybelowhim，nearertheriver;thebuildingsaroundhimwereoflaterdateandnewerfashion。Ashestrodetowardtheriver，henoticedhereaschoolhouseandthereachurch。Alittlefartheron，"TheSunnySouth"cameinview，transformedintoarestaurant，itsgildingfadedanditspaintrubbedoff。Henowknewwherehewas;and，runningbrisklydownadeclivity，crossedaditch，andstooduponthelowerboundaryoftheAmityClaim。
Thegraymistwasrisingslowlyfromtheriver，clingingtothetree-topsanddriftingupthemountain-side，untilitwascaughtamongthoserockyaltars，andheldasacrificetotheascendingsun。Athisfeettheearth，cruellygashedandscarredbyhisforgottenengines，had，sincetheolddays，putonashowofgreennesshereandthere，andnowsmiledforgivinglyupathim，asifthingswerenotsobadafterall。Afewbirdswerebathingintheditchwithapleasantsuggestionofitsbeinganewandspecialprovisionofnature，andahareranintoaninvertedsluice-box，asheapproached，asifitwereputthereforthatpurpose。
Hehadnotyetdaredtolookinacertaindirection。Butthesunwasnowhighenoughtopaintthelittleeminenceonwhichthecabinstood。Inspiteofhisself-control，hisheartbeatfasterasheraisedhiseyestowardit。Itswindowanddoorwereclosed，nosmokecamefromitsadobechimney，butitwaselseunchanged。Whenwithinafewyardsofit，hepickedupabrokenshovel，and，shoulderingitwithasmile，strodetowardthedoorandknocked。
Therewasnosoundfromwithin。Thesmiledieduponhislipsashenervouslypushedthedooropen。
Afigurestartedupangrilyandcametowardhim，——afigurewhosebloodshoteyessuddenlyfixedintoavacantstare，whosearmswereatfirstoutstretchedandthenthrownupinwarninggesticulation，——
afigurethatsuddenlygasped，choked，andthenfellforwardinafit。
Butbeforehetouchedtheground，Yorkhadhimoutintotheopenairandsunshine。Inthestruggle，bothfellandrolledoverontheground。ButthenextmomentYorkwassittingup，holdingtheconvulsedframeofhisformerpartneronhisknee，andwipingthefoamfromhisinarticulatelips。Graduallythetremorbecamelessfrequent，andthenceased;andthestrongmanlayunconsciousinhisarms。
ForsomemomentsYorkheldhimquietlythus，lookinginhisface。
Afar，thestrokeofawood-man’saxe——amerephantomofsound——wasallthatbrokethestillness。Highupthemountain，awheelinghawkhungbreathlesslyabovethem。Andthencamevoices，andtwomenjoinedthem。
"Afight？"No，afit;andwouldtheyhelphimbringthesickmantothehotel？
Andthere，foraweek，thestrickenpartnerlay，unconsciousofaughtbutthevisionswroughtbydiseaseandfear。Ontheeighthday，atsunrise，herallied，and，openinghiseyes，lookeduponYork，andpressedhishand;thenhespoke：——
"Andit’syou。Ithoughtitwasonlywhiskey。"
Yorkrepliedbytakingbothofhishands，boyishlyworkingthembackwardandforward，ashiselbowrestedonthebed，withapleasantsmile。
"Andyou’vebeenabroad。HowdidyoulikeParis？"
"So，so。HowdidYOUlikeSacramento？"
"Bully。"
Andthatwasalltheycouldthinktosay。PresentlyScottopenedhiseyesagain。
"I’mmightyweak。"
"You’llgetbettersoon。"
"Notmuch。"
Alongsilencefollowed，inwhichtheycouldhearthesoundsofwood-chopping，andthatSandyBarwasalreadyastirforthecomingday。ThenScottslowlyandwithdifficultyturnedhisfacetoYork，andsaid，——
"Imighthevkilledyouonce。"
"Iwishyouhad。"
Theypressedeachother’shandsagain，butScott’sgraspwasevidentlyfailing。Heseemedtosummonhisenergiesforaspecialeffort。
"Oldman！"
"Oldchap。"
"Closer！"
Yorkbenthisheadtowardtheslowlyfadingface。
"Doyemindthatmorning？"
"Yes。"
AgleamoffunslidintothecornerofScott’sblueeye，ashewhispered，——
"Oldman，tharWAStoomuchsaleratusinthatbread。"
Itissaidthatthesewerehislastwords。Forwhenthesun，whichhadsooftengonedownupontheidlewrathofthesefoolishmen，lookedagainuponthemreunited，itsawthehandofScottfallcoldandirresponsivefromtheyearningclaspofhisformerpartner，anditknewthatthefeudofSandyBarwasatanend。
MRTHOMPSON’SPRODIGAL
WeallknewthatMr。Thompsonwaslookingforhisson，andaprettybadoneatthat。ThathewascomingtoCaliforniaforthissoleobjectwasnosecrettohisfellow-passengers;andthephysicalpeculiarities，aswellasthemoralweaknesses，ofthemissingprodigalweremadeequallyplaintousthroughthefrankvolubilityoftheparent。"YouwasspeakingofayoungmanwhichwashungatRedDogforsluice-robbing，"saidMr。Thompsontoasteeragepassenger，oneday;"beyouawareofthecolorofhiseyes？"
"Black，"respondedthepassenger。"Ah，"saidMr。Thompson，referringtosomementalmemoranda，"Char-les’seyeswasblue。"Hethenwalkedaway。Perhapsitwasfromthisunsympatheticmodeofinquiry，perhapsitwasfromthatWesternpredilectiontotakeahumorousviewofanyprincipleorsentimentpersistentlybroughtbeforethem，thatMr。Thompson’squestwasthesubjectofsomesatireamongthepassengers。AgratuitousadvertisementofthemissingCharles，addressedto"JailersandGuardians，"circulatedprivatelyamongthem;everybodyrememberedtohavemetCharlesunderdistressingcircumstances。YetitisbutduetomycountrymentostatethatwhenitwasknownthatThompsonhadembarkedsomewealthinthisvisionaryproject，butlittleofthissatirefounditswaytohisears，andnothingwasutteredinhishearingthatmightbringapangtoafather’sheart，orimperilapossiblepecuniaryadvantageofthesatirist。Indeed，Mr。BracyTibbets’sjocularpropositiontoformajoint-stockcompanyto"prospect"forthemissingyouthreceivedatonetimequiteseriousentertainment。
PerhapstosuperficialcriticismMr。Thompson’snaturewasnotpicturesquenorlovable。Hishistory，asimpartedatdinner，oneday，byhimself，waspracticaleveninitssingularity。Afterahardandwilfulyouthandmaturity，——inwhichhehadburiedabroken-spiritedwife，anddrivenhissontosea，——hesuddenlyexperiencedreligion。"IgotitinNewOrleansin’59，"saidMr。
Thompson，withthegeneralsuggestionofreferringtoanepidemic。
"Enteryethenarrergate。Parsemethebeans。"Perhapsthispracticalqualityupheldhiminhisapparentlyhopelesssearch。Hehadnoclewtothewhereaboutsofhisrunawayson;indeed，scarcelyaproofofhispresentexistence。Fromhisindifferentrecollectionoftheboyoftwelve，henowexpectedtoidentifythemanoftwenty-five。
Itwouldseemthathewassuccessful。Howhesucceededwasoneofthefewthingshedidnottell。Thereare，Ibelieve，twoversionsofthestory。One，thatMr。Thompson，visitingahospital，discoveredhissonbyreasonofapeculiarhymn，chantedbythesufferer，inadeliriousdreamofhisboyhood。Thisversion，givingasitdidwiderangetothefinerfeelingsoftheheart，wasquitepopular;andastoldbytheRev。Mr。Gushington，onhisreturnfromhisCaliforniatour，neverfailedtosatisfyanaudience。Theotherwaslesssimple，and，asIshalladoptithere，deservesmoreelaboration。
ItwasafterMr。Thompsonhadgivenupsearchingforhissonamongtheliving，andhadtakentotheexaminationofcemeteries，andacarefulinspectionofthe"coldhicjacetsofthedead。"Atthistimehewasafrequentvisitorof"LoneMountain，"——adrearyhill-
top，bleakenoughinitsoriginalisolation，andbleakerforthewhite-facedmarblesbywhichSanFranciscoanchoredherdepartedcitizens，andkeptthemdowninashiftingsandthatrefusedtocoverthem，andagainstafierceandpersistentwindthatstrovetoblowthemutterlyaway。Againstthiswindtheoldmanopposedawillquiteaspersistent，——agrizzled，hardface，andatall，crape-boundhatdrawntightlyoverhiseyes，——andsospentdaysinreadingthemortuaryinscriptionsaudiblytohimself。ThefrequencyofScripturalquotationpleasedhim，andhewasfondofcorroboratingthembyapocketBible。"That’sfromPsalms，"hesaid，oneday，toanadjacentgrave-digger。Themanmadenoreply。
Notatallrebuffed，Mr。Thompsonatoncesliddownintotheopengrave，withamorepracticalinquiry，"Didyouever，inyourprofession，comeacrossChar-lesThompson？""Thompsonbed————d！"
saidthegrave-digger，withgreatdirectness。"Which，ifhehadn’treligion，Ithinkheis，"respondedtheoldman，asheclamberedoutofthegrave。
Itwas，perhaps，onthisoccasionthatMr。Thompsonstayedlaterthanusual。Asheturnedhisfacetowardthecity，lightswerebeginningtotwinkleahead，andafiercewind，madevisiblebyfog，drovehimforward，or，lyinginwait，chargedhimangrilyfromthecornersofdesertedsuburbanstreets。Itwasononeofthesecornersthatsomethingelse，quiteasindistinctandmalevolent，leapeduponhimwithanoath，apresentedpistol，andademandformoney。Butitwasmetbyawillofironandagripofsteel。Theassailantandassailedrolledtogetherontheground。Butthenextmomenttheoldmanwaserect;onehandgraspingthecapturedpistol，theotherclutchingatarm’slengththethroatofafigure，surly，youthful，andsavage。
"Youngman，"saidMr。Thompson，settinghisthinlipstogether，"whatmightbeyourname？"
"Thompson！"
Theoldman’shandslidfromthethroattothearmofhisprisoner，withoutrelaxingitsfirmness。
"Char-lesThompson，comewithme，"hesaid，presently，andmarchedhiscaptivetothehotel。Whattookplacetherehasnottranspired，butitwasknownthenextmorningthatMr。Thompsonhadfoundhisson。
Itispropertoaddtotheaboveimprobablestory，thattherewasnothingintheyoungman’sappearanceormannerstojustifyit。
Grave，reticent，andhandsome，devotedtohisnewlyfoundparent，heassumedtheemolumentsandresponsibilitiesofhisnewconditionwithacertainseriouseasethatmorenearlyapproachedthatwhichSanFranciscosocietylacked，and——rejected。Somechosetodespisethisqualityasatendencyto"psalm-singing";otherssawinittheinheritedqualitiesoftheparent，andwerereadytoprophesyforthesonthesamehardoldage。Butallagreedthatitwasnotinconsistentwiththehabitsofmoney-getting，forwhichfatherandsonwererespected。
Andyet，theoldmandidnotseemtobehappy。Perhapsitwasthattheconsummationofhiswisheslefthimwithoutapracticalmission;perhaps——anditisthemoreprobable——hehadlittleloveforthesonhehadregained。Theobedienceheexactedwasfreelygiven，thereformhehadsethisheartuponwascomplete;andyet，somehow，itdidnotseemtopleasehim。Inreclaiminghisson，hehadfulfilledalltherequirementsthathisreligiousdutyrequiredofhim，andyettheactseemedtolacksanctification。Inthisperplexity，hereadagaintheparableoftheProdigalSon，——whichhehadlongagoadoptedforhisguidance，——andfoundthathehadomittedthefinalfeastofreconciliation。Thisseemedtooffertheproperqualityofceremoniousnessinthesacramentbetweenhimselfandhisson;andso，ayearaftertheappearanceofCharles，hesetaboutgivinghimaparty。"Inviteeverybody，Char-les，"hesaid，dryly;"everybodywhoknowsthatIbroughtyououtofthewine-husksofiniquity，andthecompanyofharlots;
andbidthemeat，drink，andbemerry。"
Perhapstheoldmanhadanotherreason，notyetclearlyanalyzed。
Thefinehousehehadbuiltonthesand-hillssometimesseemedlonelyandbare。Heoftenfoundhimselftryingtoreconstruct，fromthegravefeaturesofCharles，thelittleboywhomhebutdimlyrememberedinthepast，andofwhomlatelyhehadbeenthinkingagreatdeal。Hebelievedthistobeasignofimpendingoldageandchildishness;butcoming，oneday，inhisformaldrawing-room，uponachildofoneoftheservants，whohadstrayedtherein，hewouldhavetakenhiminhisarms，butthechildfledfrombeforehisgrizzledface。Sothatitseemedeminentlypropertoinviteanumberofpeopletohishouse，and，fromthearrayofSanFranciscomaidenhood，toselectadaughter-in-law。Andthentherewouldbeachild——aboy，whomhecould"rareup"fromthebeginning，and——love——ashedidnotloveCharles。
Wewereallattheparty。TheSmiths，Joneses，Browns，andRobinsonsalsocame，inthatfineflowofanimalspirits，uncheckedbyanyrespectfortheentertainer，whichmostofusareapttofindsofascinating。Theproceedingswouldhavebeensomewhatriotous，butforthesocialpositionoftheactors。Infact，Mr。
BracyTibbets，havingnaturallyafineappreciationofahumoroussituation，butfurtherimpelledbythebrighteyesoftheJonesgirls，conductedhimselfsoremarkablyastoattracttheseriousregardofMr。CharlesThompson，whoapproachedhim，sayingquietly：
"Youlookill，Mr。Tibbets;letmeconductyoutoyourcarriage。
Resist，youhound，andI’llthrowyouthroughthatwindow。Thisway，please;theroomiscloseanddistressing。"Itishardlynecessarytosaythatbutapartofthisspeechwasaudibletothecompany，andthattherestwasnotdivulgedbyMr。Tibbets，whoafterwardregrettedthesuddenillnesswhichkepthimfromwitnessingacertainamusingincident，whichthefastestMissJonescharacterizedasthe"richestpartoftheblow-out，"andwhichI
hastentorecord。
Itwasatsupper。ItwasevidentthatMr。Thompsonhadoverlookedmuchlawlessnessintheconductoftheyoungerpeople，inhisabstractcontemplationofsomeimpendingevent。Whentheclothwasremoved，herosetohisfeet，andgrimlytappeduponthetable。A
titter，thatbrokeoutamongtheJonesgirls，becameepidemicononesideoftheboard。CharlesThompson，fromthefootofthetable，lookedupintenderperplexity。"He’sgoingtosingaDoxology，""He’sgoingtopray，""Silenceforaspeech，"ranroundtheroom。
"It’soneyearto-day，Christianbrothersandsisters，"saidMr。
Thompson，withgrimdeliberation，——"oneyearto-daysincemysoncamehomefromeatingofwine-husksandspendingofhissubstanceonharlots。"（Thetitteringsuddenlyceased。）"Lookathimnow。
Char-lesThompson，standup。"（CharlesThompsonstoodup。）"Oneyearagoto-day，——andlookathimnow。"
Hewascertainlyahandsomeprodigal，standingthereinhischeerfulevening-dress，——arepentantprodigal，withsad，obedienteyesturnedupontheharshandunsympatheticglanceofhisfather。
TheyoungestMissSmith，fromthepuredepthsofherfoolishlittleheart，movedunconsciouslytowardhim。
"It’sfifteenyearsagosinceheleftmyhouse，"saidMr。Thompson，"arovierandaprodigal。Iwasmyselfamanofsin，OChristianfriends，——amanofwrathandbitterness"（"Amen，"fromtheeldestMissSmith），——"butpraisebeGod，I’vefledthewrathtocome。
It’sfiveyearsagosinceIgotthepeacethatpassethunderstanding。Haveyougotit，friends？"（Ageneralsub-chorusof"No，no，"fromthegirls，and，"Passthewordforit，"fromMidshipmanCoxe，oftheU。S。sloopWethersfield。）"Knock，anditshallbeopenedtoyou。
"AndwhenIfoundtheerrorofmyways，andthepreciousnessofgrace，"continuedMr。Thompson，"Icametogiveittomyson。ByseaandlandIsoughthimfar，andfaintednot。Ididnotwaitforhimtocometome，whichthesameImighthavedone，andjustifiedmyselfbytheBookofbooks，butIsoughthimoutamonghishusks，and——"（therestofthesentencewaslostintherustlingwithdrawaloftheladies）。"Works，Christianfriends，ismymotto。
Bytheirworksshallyeknowthem，andthereismine。"
TheparticularandacceptedworktowhichMr。Thompsonwasalludinghadturnedquitepale，andwaslookingfixedlytowardanopendoorleadingtotheveranda，latelyfilledbygapingservants，andnowthesceneofsomevaguetumult。Asthenoisecontinued，aman，shabbilydressed，andevidentlyinliquor，brokethroughtheopposingguardians，andstaggeredintotheroom。Thetransitionfromthefoganddarknesswithouttotheglareandheatwithinevidentlydazzledandstupefiedhim。Heremovedhisbatteredhat，andpasseditonceortwicebeforehiseyes，ashesteadiedhimself，butunsuccessfully，bythebackofachair。Suddenly，hiswanderingglancefelluponthepalefaceofCharlesThompson;andwithagleamofchildlikerecognition，andaweak，falsettolaugh，hedartedforward，caughtatthetable，upsettheglasses，andliterallyfellupontheprodigal’sbreast。
"Sha’ly！yo’d————dol’scoun’rel，hoorarye！"
"Hush——sitdown！——hush！"saidCharlesThompson，hurriedlyendeavoringtoextricatehimselffromtheembraceofhisunexpectedguest。
"Lookat’m！"continuedthestranger，unheedingtheadmonition，butsuddenlyholdingtheunfortunateCharlesatarm’slength，inlovingandundisguisedadmirationofhisfestiveappearance。"Lookat’m！
Ain’thenasty？Sha’ls，I’mprowofyer！"
"Leavethehouse！"saidMr。Thompson，rising，withadangerouslookinhiscold，grayeye。"Char-les，howdareyou？"
"Simmerdown，oleman！Sha’ls，who’sth’ol’bloat？Eh？"
"Hush，man;here，takethis！"Withnervoushands，CharlesThompsonfilledaglasswithliquor。"Drinkitandgo——untilto-morrow——anytime，but——leaveus！——gonow！"Buteventhen，erethemiserablewretchcoulddrink，theoldman，palewithpassion，wasuponhim。
Halfcarryinghiminhispowerfularms，halfdragginghimthroughthecirclingcrowdoffrightenedguests，hehadreachedthedoor，swungopenbythewaitingservants，whenCharlesThompsonstartedfromaseemingstupor，crying，——
"Stop！"
Theoldmanstopped。Throughtheopendoorthefogandwinddrovechilly。"Whatdoesthismean？"heasked，turningabalefulfaceonCharles。
"Nothing——butstop——forGod’ssake。Waittillto-morrow，butnotto-night。Donot——Iimploreyou——dothisthing。"
Therewassomethinginthetoneoftheyoungman’svoice，something，perhaps，inthecontactofthestrugglingwretchheheldinhispowerfularms;butadim，indefinitefeartookpossessionoftheoldman’sheart。"Who，"hewhispered，hoarsely，"isthisman？"
Charlesdidnotanswer。
"Standback，there，allofyou，"thunderedMr。Thompson，tothecrowdingguestsaroundhim。"Char-les——comehere！Icommandyou——
I——I——I——begyou——tellmeWHOisthisman？"
OnlytwopersonsheardtheanswerthatcamefaintlyfromthelipsofCharlesThompson，——
"YOURSON。"
Whendaybrokeoverthebleaksand-hills，theguestshaddepartedfromMr。Thompson’sbanquet-halls。Thelightsstillburneddimlyandcoldlyinthedesertedrooms，——desertedbyallbutthreefigures，thathuddledtogetherinthechilldrawing-room，asifforwarmth。Onelayindrunkenslumberonacouch;athisfeetsathewhohadbeenknownasCharlesThompson;andbesidethem，haggardandshrunkentohalfhissize，bowedthefigureofMr。Thompson，hisgrayeyefixed，hiselbowsuponhisknees，andhishandsclaspedoverhisears，asiftoshutoutthesad，entreatingvoicethatseemedtofilltheroom。
"GodknowsIdidnotsetabouttowilfullydeceive。ThenameI
gavethatnightwasthefirstthatcameintomythought，——thenameofonewhomIthoughtdead，——thedissolutecompanionofmyshame。
Andwhenyouquestionedfurther，IusedtheknowledgethatIgainedfromhimtotouchyourhearttosetmefree;only，Iswear，forthat！Butwhenyoutoldmewhoyouwere，andIfirstsawtheopeningofanotherlifebeforeme——then——then——O，sir，ifIwashungry，homeless，andreckless，whenIwouldhaverobbedyouofyourgold，Iwasheart-sick，helpless，anddesperate，whenIwouldhaverobbedyouofyourlove！"
Theoldmanstirrednot。Fromhisluxuriouscouchthenewlyfoundprodigalsnoredpeacefully。
"IhadnofatherIcouldclaim。Ineverknewahomebutthis。I
wastempted。Ihavebeenhappy，——veryhappy。"
Heroseandstoodbeforetheoldman。"DonotfearthatIshallcomebetweenyoursonandhisinheritance。To-dayIleavethisplace，nevertoreturn。Theworldislarge，sir，and，thankstoyourkindness，Inowseethewaybywhichanhonestlivelihoodisgained。Goodby。Youwillnottakemyhand？Well，well。Goodby。"
Heturnedtogo。Butwhenhehadreachedthedoorhesuddenlycameback，and，raisingwithbothhandsthegrizzledhead，hekisseditonceandtwice。
"Char-les。"
Therewasnoreply。
"Char-les！"
Theoldmanrosewithafrightenedair，andtotteredfeeblytothedoor。Itwasopen。Therecametohimtheawakenedtumultofagreatcity，inwhichtheprodigal’sfootstepswerelostforever。
THEROMANCEOFMADRONOHOLLOW。
ThelatchonthegardengateoftheFolinsbeeRanchclickedtwice。
Thegateitselfwassomuchinshadowthatlovelynight，that"oldmanFolinsbee，"sittingonhisporch，coulddistinguishnothingbutatallwhitehatandbesideitafewflutteringribbons，underthepinesthatmarkedtheentrance。Whetherbecauseofthisfact，orthatheconsideredasufficienttimehadelapsedsincetheclickingofthelatchformorepositivedisclosure，Idonotknow;butafterafewmoments’hesitationhequietlylaidasidehispipeandwalkedslowlydownthewindingpathtowardthegate。AttheCeanothushedgehestoppedandlistened。
Therewasnotmuchtohear。Thehatwassayingtotheribbonsthatitwasafinenight，andremarkinggenerallyupontheclearoutlineoftheSierrasagainsttheblue-blacksky。Theribbons，itsoappeared，hadadmiredthisallthewayhome，andaskedthehatifithadeverseenanythinghalfsolovelyasthemoonlightonthesummit。Thehatneverhad;itrecalledsomelovelynightsintheSouthinAlabama（"intheSouthinAhlabahm"wasthewaytheoldmanheardit），butthentherewereotherthingsthatmadethisnightseemsopleasant。Theribbonscouldnotpossiblyconceivewhatthehatcouldbethinkingabout。Atthispointtherewasapause，ofwhichMr。Folinsbeeavailedhimselftowalkverygrimlyandcraunchinglydownthegravel-walktowardthegate。Thenthehatwaslifted，anddisappearedintheshadow，andMr。Folinsbeeconfrontedonlythehalf-foolish，half-mischievous，butwhollyprettyfaceofhisdaughter。
ItwasafterwardknowntoMadronoHollowthatsharpwordspassedbetween"MissJo"andtheoldman，andthatthelattercoupledthenamesofoneCulpepperStarbottleandhisuncle，ColonelStarbottle，withcertainuncomplimentaryepithets，andthatMissJoretaliatedsharply。"Herfather’sbloodbeforeherfather’sfaceboiledupandprovedhertrulyofhisrace，"quotedtheblacksmith，wholeanedtowardthenobleverseofByron。"Shesawtheoldman’sbluffandraisedhim，"wasthedirectercommentofthecollege-bredMasters。
MeanwhilethesubjectoftheseanimadversionsproceededslowlyalongtheroadtoapointwheretheFolinsbeemansioncameinview，——along，narrow，whitebuilding，unpretentious，yetsuperiortoitsneighbors，andbearingsomeevidencesoftasteandrefinementinthevinesthatclamberedoveritsporch，initsFrenchwindows，andthewhitemuslincurtainsthatkeptoutthefierceCaliforniasunbyday，andwerenowtouchedwithsilverinthegraciousmoonlight。Culpepperleanedagainstthelowfence，andgazedlongandearnestlyatthebuilding。Thenthemoonlightvanishedghostlikefromoneofthewindows，amaterialglowtookitsplace，andagirlishfigure，holdingacandle，drewthewhitecurtainstogether。ToCulpepperitwasavestalvirginstandingbeforeahallowedshrine;totheprosaicobserverIfearitwasonlyafair-hairedyoungwoman，whosewickedblackeyesstillshonewithunfilialwarmth。Howbeit，whenthefigurehaddisappearedhesteppedoutbrisklyintothemoonlightofthehigh-road。Herehetookoffhisdistinguishinghattowipehisforehead，andthemoonshonefulluponhisface。
Itwasnotanunprepossessingone，albeitatrifletoothinandlankandbilioustobealtogetherpleasant。Thecheek-boneswereprominent，andtheblackeyessunkenintheirorbits。Straightblackhairfellslantwiseoffahighbutnarrowforehead，andsweptpartofahollowcheek。Alongblackmustachefollowedtheperpendicularcurvesofhismouth。Itwasonthewholeaserious，evenQuixoticface，butattimesitwasrelievedbyararesmileofsuchtenderandevenpatheticsweetness，thatMissJoisreportedtohavesaidthat，ifitwouldonlylastthroughtheceremony，shewouldhavemarrieditspossessoronthespot。"Ioncetoldhimso，"addedthatshamelessyoungwoman;"butthemaninstantlyfellintoasettledmelancholy，andhasn’tsmiledsince。"
Ahalf-milebelowtheFolinsbeeRanchthewhiteroaddippedandwascrossedbyatrailthatranthroughMadronohollow。Perhapsbecauseitwasanearcut-offtothesettlement，perhapsfromsomelesspracticalreason，Culpeppertookthistrail，andinafewmomentsstoodamongtherarelybeautifultreesthatgavetheirnametothevalley。Eveninthatuncertainlighttheweirdbeautyoftheseharlequinmasqueraderswasapparent;theirredtrunks——ablushinthemoonlight，adeepblood-stainintheshadow——stoodoutagainstthesilverygreenfoliage。ItwasasifNatureinsomegraciousmomenthadherecaughtandcrystallizedthegypsymemoriesofthetransplantedSpaniard，tocheerhiminhislonelyexile。
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