Dearoldapple-tree，underwhosegnarledbranchesthesestorieswerewritten，toyouIdedicatethebook。Myheadwassoclosetoyou，whocantellfromwhencethethoughtscame？
Ionlyknowthatwhenalltheothertreesintheorchardwerebarren，therewerealwaysstoriestobefoundunderyourbranches，andsoitisourjointbook，dearapple-tree。YourpinkblossomshavefallenonthepageasIwrote;yourruddyfruithasdroppedintomylap;
thesunshinestreamedthroughyourleavesandtippedmypencilwithgold。
Thebirdssinginginyourboughsmayhavelentasweetnotehereandthere;anddoyourememberthedaywhenthegentleshowercame？
Wejustcurledthecloser，andyouandIandtheskyallcriedtogetherwhilewewrote"TheFore-RoomRug。"
Itshouldbealovelybook，dearapple-tree，butalas！
itisnotaltogetherthat，becauseIamnotsosimpleasyou，andbecauseIhavestrayedfartherawayfromtheheartofMotherNature。
KATEDOUGLASWIGGIN
"Quillcote，"Hollis，Maine，August12，1895。
CONTENTS。
TheVillageWatch-Tower1
Tomo’theBlueb’ryPlains31
TheNooningTree55
TheFore-RoomRug95
AVillageStradivarius123
TheEventfulTripoftheMidnightCry195
THEVILLAGEWATCH-TOWER。
Itstoodonthegentleslopeofahill，theoldgrayhouse，withitsweather-beatenclapboardsanditsroofofraggedshingles。
Itwasintheverylapoftheroad，sothatthestage-drivercouldalmostknockonthewindowpanewithoutgettingdownfromhisseat，onthoserareoccasionswhenhebrought"oldMis’Bascom"aparcelfromSaco。
Humbleanddilapidatedasitwas，itwasalmostbeautifulinthespringtime，whenthedandelion-dottedturfgrewclosetothegreatstonesteps;orinthesummer，whenthefamousBascomelmcastitsgracefulshadowoverthefrontdoor。
Theelm，indeed，wastheonlyobjectthateverdidcastitsshadowthere。LucindaBascomsaidher"frontdoor’n’entryneverhedbenusedexceptforfun’rals，’n’shewasgoin’
tokeepitniceforthatpurpose，’n’notgetitalltrackedup。"
Shewassittingnowwhereshehadsatforthirtyyears。
Herhigh-backedrocker，withitscushionofcopperplatepatchanditscrochetedtidy，stoodalwaysbyasouthernwindowthatlookedoutontheriver。Theriverwasasheetofcrystal，asitpouredoverthedam;arushing，roaringtorrentoffoamingwhite，asitsweptunderthebridgeandfoughtitswaybetweentherockycliffsbeyond，sweepingswirling，eddying，initsnarrowchannel，pulsingrestlesslyintotheraggedfissuresofitsshores，andleapingwithatempestuousroarintotheWitches’Eel-pot，adeepwoodedgorgecleftintheveryheartofthegranitebank。
ButLucindaBascomcouldseemorethantheriverfromherfavoritewindow。Itwasamuch-traveledroad，theroadthatranpastthehouseonitswayfromLibertyVillagetoMilliken’sMills。
Atotteringoldsign-board，onaverdanttriangleofturf，directedyouoverDeaconChute’shilltothe"FlagMedderRoad，"andfromthencetoLibertyCentre;thelittlepost-officeandstore，wherethestagestoppedtwiceaday，wasquitewithineyeshot;sowerethepublicwatering-trough，BrigadierHill，and，behindtheruinsofanoldmill，thewoodedpaththatledtotheWitches’Eel-pot，afavoritewalkforvillagelovers。Thiswasallonhersideoftheriver。
Asforthebridgewhichknittogetherthetwotinyvillages，nobodycouldpassoverthatwithoutbeingseenfromtheBascoms’。Therumbleofwheelsgenerallybroughtafamilypartytothewindow，——
JotBascom’swife（shethatwasDiademaDennett），Jothimself，ifhewereinthehouse，littleJot，andgrandpaBascom，wholookedatthepassers-bywithavacantsmilepartinghisthinlips。
OldMrs。Bascomherselfdidnotneedtherumbleofwheelstotellherthatavehiclewascoming，forshecouldseeitfullytenminutesbeforeitreachedthebridge，——attheverymomentitappearedatthecrestofSacoHill，wherestrangerspulleduptheirhorses，onaclearday，andpausedtolookatMountWashington，milesawayinthedistance。
ToryHillandSacoHillmetatthebridge，andjustthere，too，theriverroadbeganitsshadycoursealongtheeastsideofthestream：
inviewofallwhich"oldMis’Bascom’ssettin’-roomwinder"
mightwellbecalledthe"VillageWatch-Tower，"whenyouconsiderfurtherthatshehadmovedonlyfromherhigh-backedrockertoherbed，andfromherbedtoherrocker，formorethanthirtyyears，——
eversincethatjulydaywhenherhusbandhadhadasun-strokewhilepaintingthemeeting-housesteeple，andherbabyJonathanhadbeentherebyhastenedintoaworldnotintheleastreadytoreceivehim。
Shecouldnothavelivedwithoutthatwindow，shewouldhavetoldyou，norwithouttheriver，whichhadlulledhertosleepeversinceshecouldremember。Itwasinthesouthchamberupstairsthatshehadbeenborn。
Hermotherhadlainthereandlistenedtotheswirlofthewater，inthatyearwhentheriverwashigherthantheoldestinhabitanthadeverseenit，——
theyearwhenthecoveredbridgeattheMillshadbeencarriedaway，andwhentheoneattheFallswasinhourlydangerofsuccumbingtotheforceofthefreshet。
Allthemeninbothvillageswereworkingontheriver，strengtheningthedam，bracingthebridge，andbreakingthejamsoflogs;
andwiththepartingoftheboom，thesnappingofthebridgetimbers，thecrashingofthelogsagainsttherocks，andtheshoutsoftheriver-drivers，thelittleLucindahadcomeintotheworld。
Someonehadgoneforthefather，andhadfoundhimontheriver，wherehehadbeensinceday-break，drenchedwiththestorm，blownfrohisdangerousfootingtimeaftertime，butstillbattlingwiththegreatheaped-upmassesoflogs，wrenchingthemfromoneanother’sgrasp，andsendingthemdowntheswollenstream。
Finallythejambroke;andacheeroftriumphburstfromtheexcitedmen，asthelogs，freedfromtheirbondage，sweptdowntheragingflood，onandeveroninjoyousliberty，fasterandfaster，tilltheyencounteredsomenewobstacle，whentheyheapedthemselvestogetheragain，likepuppetsofFate，andwerebeatenbythewavesintoanotherhelplesssurrender。
Withthebreakingofthejam，onedeadmonarchoftheforestleapedintotheairasifithadbeenshotfromacannon’smouth，andlodgedbetweentwojuttingpeaksofrockhighontheriverbank。
Presentlyanotherlogwasdashedagainstit，butrolledoffandhurrieddownthestream;thenanother，andstillanother;butnoforceseemedenoughtodrivethegiantfromitsintrenchedposition。
"Hurryondowntothenextjam，Raish，andletitalone，"
criedthemen。"Mebbeit’llgitwashedoffinthenight，andanyhowyoucan’tbudgeitwithnokindofatoolwe’vegothere。"
Thenfromtheshorecameaboy’svoicecalling，"There’sababyuptoyourhouse！"Andthemenrepeatedinstentoriantones，"Babyuptoyourhouse，Raish！Leggothelog;you’rewanted！"
"Boyorgirl？"shoutedtheyoungfather。
"Girl！"camebacktheanswerabovetheroaroftheriver。
WhereuponRaishDunnellsteadiedhimselfwithhispickandtakingahatchetfromhisbelt，cutarudeletter"L"
onthesideofthestrandedlog。
"L’sforLucindy，"helaughed。"Nowyoulogifyougit’sfurasSaco，dropintomywife’sfolksandtell’emthebaby’sname。"
Therehadnotbeensuchafreshetforyearsbefore，andtherehadneverbeenonesince;so，asthequietseasonswentby，"Lucindy’slog"
wasleftinpeace，thecolumbinesbloomingallaboutit，theharebellshangingtheirheadsofdelicateblueamongtherocksthathelditinplace，thebirdsbuildingtheirnestsintheknot-holesofitswitheredside。
Seventyyearshadpassed，andoneachbirthday，fromthetimewhenshewasonly"RaishDunnell’slittleLou，"
totheyearswhenshewasLucindaBascom，wifeandmother，shehadwandereddownbytheriverside，andgazed，alittlesuperstitiouslyperhaps，onthelogthathadbeenmarkedwithan"L"onthemorningshewasborn。
Ithadstoodthewearandtearoftheelementsbravely，butnowitwasbeginning，likeLucinda，toshowitsage。
Itsbackwasbent，likehers;itsfacewasseamedandwrinkled，likeherown;andthevillageloverswholookedatitfromtheoppositebankwonderedif，afterall，itwouldholdoutaslongas"oldMis’Bascom。"
Sheheldoutbravely，oldMrs。Bascom，thoughshewas"allskin，bones，andtongue，"astheneighborssaid;fornobodyneededtogointotheBascoms’tobrightenupauntLucindaabit，ortakeherthenews;onewentintogetabitofbrightness，andtohearthenews。
"Ishouldgetlonesome，Is’pose，"shewaswonttosay，"ifitwa’n’tforthewaythishouseisset，andthischair，andthiswinder，’n’all。
Menfolksusedtobuildsomeo’thehousesupinalane，orturn’embackorsidetotheroad，sothewomenfolkscouldn’tseeanythin’tokeeptheirmindsofftheirchurnin’ordish-washin’;butAaronDunnellhedsomethin’
elsetothinkabout，’n’thatwashimself，first，last，andallthetime。
Hisstorewasdowntobottomofthehill，’n’whenhecomeuptohismeals，heusedtosetwherehecouldseethedoor;’n’ifanycust’mercome，hecouldcallto’emtowaitaspelltillhegotthrougheatin’。Land！
Icanhearhimnow，yellin’to’em，withhismouthfullofvictuals！
Theyhedtowaittillhegotgood’n’ready，too。Therewa’n’tsomuchcomp’titioninbusinessthenasthereisnow，orhe’d’a’hedtogiveupeatin’orhireaclerk……I’vealwaysfelttobethankfulthatthehousewasonthisriseo’ground。Theteamshevtoslowupon’counto’
thehill，’n’itgivesmeconsid’blechancetoseefolks’n’whatthey’vegotinthebackofthewagon，’n’onething’n’other……Theneighborsiscontinuallycomin’inheretotalkaboutthingsthat’sgoin’
oninthevillage。Iliketohear’em，butland！theycan’ttellmenothing’！Theyoftensay，`Formassysakes，LucindyBascom，howd’
youknowthat？’`Why，’saysItothem，`Idon’tasknoquestions，’n’folksdon’ttellmenolies;Ijustsetinmywinder，’n’puttwo’n’twotogether，——that’sallIdo。’Iain’tneverbeninaplayhouse，butIdon’tsupposetheplay-actorsgitdownofftheplatformont’
themainfloortoexplaintothefolkswhatthey’vebendoin’，dothey？
Iexpect，iffolkscan’tunderstandtheirdraymaswhenthe’reactin’
of’emout，theyhavetogoignorant，don’tthey？Well，whatdoIwantwithexplainin’，wheneverythin’isactedoutrightintheroad？"
TherewasquiteagatheringofneighborsattheBascoms’
onthisparticularJulyafternoon。Noinvitationshadbeensentout，andnonewereneeded。Acommonexcitementhadmadeitvitalthatpeopleshoulddropinsomewhere，andspeculateaboutcertaininterestingmatterswellknowntobegoingoninthecommunity，butgoingoninsuchanunderhandandsecretivefashionthatitwell-nighdestroyedone’sfaithinhumannature。
Thesitting-roomdoorwasopenintotheentry，sothatwhateverbreezetherewasmightcomein，andanunusualglimpseofthenewforeroomrugwasaffordedthespectators。
Everythingwasasneataswax，forDiademawasahousekeeperofthetypefastpassingaway。Thegreatcoalstovewasenvelopedinitsusualsummerwrapperofpurplecalico，which，tiedneatlyaboutitsebonyneckandportlywaist，gaveittheappearanceofabuxomcoloredladypresidingovertheassembly。
Thekerosenelampsstoodinarowonthehigh，narrowmantelpiece，eachchimneyprotectedfromthefliesbyabrownpaperbaginvertedoveritshead。TwoplasterSamuelsprayingunderthepinkmosquitonettingadornedtheendsoftheshelf。
Therewerescreensatallthewindows，andDiademafidgetednervouslywhenavisitorcameinthemosquitonettingdoor，forfearaflyshouldsneakinwithher。
OnthewallwerecertificatesofmembershipintheMissionarySociety;
apictureofMaidenswelcomingWashingtonintheStreetsofAlexandria，inaframeofcucumberseeds;andaninterestingdocumentsettingforththeclaimsoftheDunnellfamilyasoldsettlerslongbeforetheseparationofMainefromMassachusetts，——thefactbein’establishedbyanobituarynoticereading，"InSaco，December1791，Dorcas，daughterofAbiatharDunnell，twomonthsoldofFitsunbaptized。"
"Hemaybegoin’tomarryEunice，andhemaynot，"observedAlmiraBerry;
"thoughwhatshewantsofReubenHobsonismore’nIcanmakeout。
Ineverseeawidowerstraightenupashehasthislastyear。
Iguesshe’sbeenlookin’roundprettylively，butcouldn’tfindanybodythatwasfoolenoughtogivehimanyencouragement。"
"Mebbeshewantstogetmarried，"saidHannahSophia，inatonethatspokevolumes。"WhenParsonPerkinscometothisparish，oneofhisfirstcallswasonEuniceEmery。
Healwaystalkedlikethebooko’Revelation;sosayshe，`haveyougotyourweddin’garmenton，MissEmery？’sayshe。
`No，’saysshe，`butIbentryin’tothesetwentyyears。’
Shewasalwaysfullofherjokes，Eunicewas！"
"TheEmeryswasalwaysahumorousfamily，"
remarkedDiadema，assheannihilatedaflywithanewspaper。
"OldSilasEmerywasanawfulhumorousman。Heusedtoliveupontheisland;andtherecomeafreshetoneyear，andhesaidhegothissofy’n’chairsoff，anyhow！"Thatwasjusthisjokin’。Hehadn’tasignofasofyinthehouse;
’twashiswifeSophyhemeant，shethatwasSophySwett。
Thenanothertime，whenIwasalittlemiteofathinrunnin’
in’n’outo’hisyard，hecaughtholto’me，andsayshe，`You’dbettertakecare，sissy;whenIkillyouandtwomore，thet’llbethreechildrenI’vekilled！’Land！youcouldn’tdragmeinsidethatyardforyearsafterwards……There！she’sgotafireinthecook-stove;there’sastreamo’
smokecomin’outo’thekitchenchimbley。I’mwillin’
tobetmynewrugshe’sgoin’tobemarriedtonight！"
"Mebbeshe’smakin’jell’，"suggestedHannahSophia。
"Jell’！"ejaculatedMrs。Jotscornfully。"Doyous’poseEuniceEmerywouldbuildupafireinthemiddleo’
theafternoon’n’gotomakin’ajell’，thishotday？
Besides，thereain’tacurrantgoneintoherhousethisweek，asIhappentoknow。"
"It’sadretfulthickyearforfol’age，"mumbledgrandpaBascom，appearinginthedoorwithhisvacantsmile。"Ideclaresomeo’
themapleslookslikeballsintheair。"
"That’sthetwentiethtimehe’shedthatoversincemornin’，"
saidDiadema。"Here，father，takeyourhatoff’n’setinthekitchendoor’n’shellmethismesso’peas。Nowthinksmart，’n’putthepodsinthebasket’n’thepeasinthepan;
don’tyoumix’em。"
Theoldmanhunghishatonthebackofthechair，tookthepaninhistremblinghands，andbeganaimlesslytoopenthepods，whilehechuckledatthehensthatgatheredroundthedoorstepwhentheyheardthepeasrattlinginthepan。
"Reubenneedsawifebadenough，ifthat’sall，"remarkedtheWidowBuzzell，asonewhohadgiventhemattersomeconsideration。
"Ishouldthinkhedid，"rejoinedoldMrs。Bascom。
"Thosechildren’boutgittheirlivin’offtheroadinsummer，fromthetimethedand’liongreensisreadyfordiggin’
tilltheblackb’ries’n’choke-cherriesisgone。
Diademycalls’emin’n’gives’emacookyeverytimetheygopast，’n’theyeatasiftheywasfamished。
RubeHobsonneverwasanykindofapervider，’n’he’sconsid’ablesnugbesides。"
"Heain’tgoin’tobetterhimselfmuch，"saidAlmira。
"EuniceEmeryain’tfittohousekeepforacat。
ThepieshetooktothepiesupperatthechurchwassotoughthatevenDeaconDyercouldn’teatit;andtheboysgotholtofherdoughnuts，anddeclaredtheywasgoin’fishin’nextday’n’use’emforsinkers。ShelivesfromhandtomouthEuniceEmerydoes。She’saboutasmuchofadoshyasRubeis。
She’llmaketeathat’sstrongenoughtobearupanegg，most，andeatherdoughnutswithitthreetimesadayratherthantakethetroubletowalkouttothemeatorthefishcart。
Iknowforafactshedon’tmakerizbreadonceayear。"
"Mebbeherfolkslikesbuttermilkbreadbest;somedo，"
saidtheWidowBuzzell。"Myhusbandalwayssaid，givehimbuttermilkbreadtoworkon。Heusedtosaymyrizbreadwassolighthe’dhevtotreadonittokeepitanywheres;
butwhenyou’deatbuttermilkbreadhesaidyou’dgotsomethin’
thatstayedbyyou;youknewwhereitwaseverytime……Formassysake！there’sthestagestoppin’attheHobson’sdoor。
IwonderifRube’sfirstwife’smotherhascomefromModeration？
If’tis，theymust’a’madeuptheirquarrel，fortherewasatimeshewouldn’tstepfootoverthatdoorsill。Shemustbegoin’
tostaysometime，forthere’satrunkonthebacko’thestage……No，thereain’tnobodygettin’out。Land，HannahSophia，don’tpushmecleanthroughtheglass！Itbeatsmewhytheymakewinderssosmallthatthreepeoplecan’tlookoutof’emwithoutcrowdin’。
Ain’tthatawash-boilerhe’shandin’down？Well，it’samercy;
he’sbenborrowin’longenough！"
"WhatgoesonafterdarkIain’tresponsiblefor，"
commentedoldMrs。Bascom，"butnonewwash-boilerhasgoneintoRubeHobson’sdoorinthedaytimeformanyayear，andI’llbebounditmeanssomethin’。Theregoesabroom，too。
Muchsweepin’he’llgetouto’Eunice;it’saslick’n’
apromisewithher！"
"Whendidyoubegintosuspicionthis，Diademy？"askedAlmiraBerry。
"I’vegotasmuchfacultyasthenextone，butanybodythatlivesontheriverroadhasjustgottogiveupknowin’anything。Youcan’tkeeprunnin’
tothestoreeveryday，andifyoucouldyoudon’tfindoutmuchnowadays。
BillPetersdon’ttakenomoreinterestinhisneighborsthanacowdoesinelection。"
"Ican’tgetmotherBascomtoseeitasIdo，"saidDiadema，"butforonethingshe’sbencarryin’homebundles’bouteveryothernightforamonth，thoughshe’sbentoosmarttobuyanythin’
hereatthisstore。ShehadPackard’shorsetogotoSacolastweek。
Whenshegothome，jestatdusk，shedroveint’thebarn，’n’bimebyPittPackardcometogithishorse，——’twasherownbuggyshewentwith。Shelookedoverherewhenshewentint’
thehouse，’n’sheketchedmyeye，though’twashalfamileaway，soshenevertookathinginwithher，butsoonas’twasdarkshemadethreetripsouttothebarnwithalantern，’n’anyfoolcouldtell’therarmswasfullo’pa’celsbythewayshecarriedthelantern。
TheHobsonsandtheEmeryshavemarriedoneanothermore’nonce，asfurasthatgoes。IdeclareifIwasgoin’togetmarriedI
shouldwanttoberelationtosomebodybesidesmyownfolks。"
"ThereasonIcanhardlycreditit，"saidHannahSophia，"isbecauseEuniceneverhadabeauinherlife，thatIcanrememberof。CyseHigginssetupwithherforaspell，butitneveramountedtonothin’。Itseemsqueer，too，forshewasalwayssofondo’seein’menfolksroundthatwhenPittPackardwasshinglin’herbarnsheusedtogooutnights’n’ripsomeo’theshinglesoff，so’the’dhevmoredays’
workonit。"
"Ialwayssaid’twasshethatbegunonRubeHobson，nothimonher，"remarkedtheWidowBuzzell。
"Theirlandjoinin’madecourtin’comedretfulhandy。
Hiscrittersusedtogitinherfield’bouteveryotherday（Ialwayssuspicionedshebrokethefencedownherself），andthenshe’dhevtogooverandgithimtodrive’emout。
She’swedhisonionbedforhimtwosummers，asIhappentoknow，forI’vebeenou’doorsmore’ncommonthissummer，tryin’
tofetchmyconstitutionup。Diademy，don’tyouwanttolookoutthebackway’n’seeifRube’scomehomeyet？"
"Heain’t，"saidoldMrs。Bascom，"soyouneedn’tlook;
can’tyouseethecurtainsisalldown？He’sgoneuptotheMills，’n’it’smyopinionhe’sgonetospeaktotheminister。"
"Hehedsomethin’inthebacko’thewagoncoveredupwithanoldlinenlaprobe;’tain’tatalllikelyhe’d’a’hedthatifhe’dbengoin’
totheminister’s，"objectedMrs。Jot。
"Anybody’dthinkyouwasbornyesterday，tohearyoutalk，Diademy，"
retortedhermother-in-law。"Whenyou’vesetinonespot’slong’sIhev，p’rapsyou’llhevtheuseo’yourfaculties！Menfolkshasmore’nonewayo’gettin’married，’speciallywhenthey’reashamedofit……Well，Ivow，there’sthelittleHobsongirlscomin’outo’
thedoorthisminute，’n’they’realldressedup，andMotedon’tseemtobewith’em。"
Everywomanintheroomrosetoherfeet，andDiademaremovedhermurderouseyefromaflywhichshehadbeenendeavoringtolocateforsomemoments。
"Iguessthey’regoin’uptothechurchtomeettheirfather’n’Eunice，poorlittlethings，"venturedtheWidowBuzzell。
"P’rapstheybe，"saidoldMrs。Bascomsarcastically;
"p’rapstheybegoin’tochurch，takin’athree-quarttinpail’n’abrownpaperbundlealongwith’em……They’recomin’overthebridge，justasIs’posed……Now，iftheycomepastthishouse，youhead’emoff，Almiry，’n’seeifyoucangitsomesatisfactionoutof’em……Theyain’thardlyoldenoughtoholdtheirtongues。"
Anexcitinginterviewsoontookplaceinthemiddleoftheroad，andAlmirareenteredtheroomwiththeexpressionofonewhohadpenetratedtheinscrutableandsolvedtheriddleoftheSphinx。
Shehadbeenvouch-safedoneofthosegleamsoflightindarknesswhichalmostdazzlethebeholder。
"That’sabouttheconfirmingestthingI’veheernyet！"
sheejaculated，asshetookoffhershakerbonnet。
"Theysaythey’regoin’uptotheirauntHitty’stostaytwodays。
They’redressedintheirbest，cleantotheskin，forIlooked;
’n’it’stheirnightgowndsthey’vegotinthebundle。
TheysaylittleMotehasgonetoUniontostopallnightwithhisuncleAbijah，’n’thatleavesRubeallalone，forthesmithgirlthatdoeshischoresishomesickwiththehives。Andwhatdoyous’poseisinthepail？
_Fruit__cake_，——that’swhat’tis，nomore’n’noless！
IknowedthatSmithgirldidn’tbakeit，’n’soIasked’em，’n’theysaidMissEmerygiveitto’em。Therewastwolittleroundtry-cakes，bakedinmuffin-rings。Eunicehedtooksomeo’
thebatteroutofabigloaf’n’bakedittosehowitwasgoin’
toturnout。Thatmeanswedding-cake，orI’mmistaken！"
"Thereain’tnogittin’roundthat，"agreedtheassembledcompany，"nowisthere，Mis’Bascom？"
OldMrs。Bascomwetherfinger，smoothedthepartingofherfalsefront，andlookedinscrutable。
"Idon’tseewhyyou’resosecret，"objectedDiadema。
"I’vegotmyopinions，andI’vehad’emsometime，"
observedthegoodlady。"Idon’tknow’sI’mboundtotell’emandhave’emhelduptoridicule。Letthevealhang，Isay。
Ifanyoneofusisright，we’llallknowto-morrow。"
"Well，allanyofushasgottojudgefromisappearances，"saidDiadema，"andhowyoucantwist’emoneway，andusanother，stumpsme！"
"PerhapsIseemoreappearancesthanyoudo，"
retortedhermother-in-law。"Somefolksmistakesalltheyseeforallthereis。Iwasreadingadetectivestorylastweek。
ItseemstherewasanawfulmurderinSchenectady，andamotherandhertwochildrenwasfounddeadinonebed，withbulletholesintheirheads。Thehusbandwasawayonbusiness，andtherewasn’tanynearneighborstohearherscreech。
Well，thedetectivescomefromfarandfromnear，andbeguntoworkupthecase。Oneof’emthought’twasthehusband，——
thoughhesetsuchstorebyhiswifehewentravin’
crazywhenheheardshewasdead，——oneof’emlaiditonthechildren，——thoughtheywasbothundersixyearsold;
andonedecideditwassuicide，——thoughthewomanwasachurchmemberanddidn’tknowhowtofireagunoff，besides。
Andthentherecomealongadetectiveyoungerandsmarterthanalltherest，andsayshe，`Ifallyoubatshaveseeneverythingyoucansee，IguessI’lltakealookaround，’sayshe。
Sureenough，therewasarugwith`Welcome’onitlayin’infrontofthewashstand，andwhenheturnedituphefoundanelegantdiamondstudwithaman’sfullnameandaddressonthegoldpart。
Hetookatrainandwentrighttotheman’shouse。
Hewassotakenbysurprise（hehadn’tmissedthestud，forhehadafullsetof’em）thatheownedrightupandconfessedthemurder。"
"Idon’tseeasthat’sgotanythingtodowiththiscase，"saidDiadema。
"It’sgotthismuchtodowithit，"repliedoldMrs。Bascom，"thatperhapsyou’velookedallroundtheroomandseeneverythingyouhadeyestosee，andperhapsI’vehadwitenoughtoturnuptheruginfronto’thewashstand。"
"Whoeverhemarriesnow，Mis’Bascom’llhavetosay’twastheoneshemeant，"laughedtheWidowBuzzell。
"Ineverwascaughtcheatin’yet，andifIlivetillSaturdayIshallbeseventy-oneyearsold，"saidtheoldladywithsomeheat。"HandmeJot’sleadpencil，Diademy，andthatoldenvelopeonthewindersill。
I’llwritethenameIthinkof，andshutitupintheoldBible。
Myhand’ssostiffto-dayIcan’thardlymoveit，butIguessIcanmakeitplainenoughtosatisfyyou。"
"That’sfair’n’square，"saidHannahSophia，"andformypatIhopeitain’tEunice，forIlikehertoowell。
Whatthey’regoin’toliveonismore’nIcansee。Addnothin’
tonothin’’n’yougitnothin’，——that’sarethmetic！Heain’thedacento’readymoneysencehefailedupfouryearsago，’thoutitwasthathundreddollarsthatfelltohimfromhiswife’saunt。
Eunice’llhevherhandsfullthiswinter，Iguess，withthemthreeheartychildren’n’himallwheezedupwithphthisicfromOctobertoApril！……Who’sthatcoming’downToryHill？
It’sRube’shorse’n’Rube’swagon，butitdon’tlooklikeRube。"
"Yes，it’sRube;buthe’sgotanewPanamahat，’n’he’shedhislinendusterwashed，"saidoldMrs。Bascom……"Now，doyoumeantotellmethatthatwomanwithastuck-uphatonisEuniceEmery？
Itain’t，’n’thatgreenparasoldon’tbelongtothisvillage。He’sdrivin’
herintohisyard！……JustasIs’posed，it’sthatlittle，smirkin’
worthlessschool-teacheruptotheMills。——Don’tbreakmyneck，Diademy;
can’tyouseeouttheotherwinder？——Yes，he’shelpin’herout，’n’showin’
herin。Hecan’t’a’benmarriedmore’ntenminutes，forhe’sgoin’
clearupthestepstoopenthedoorforher！"
"Wait’n’seeifhetakeshishorseout，"saidHannahSophia。
"Mebbehe’lldriveherbackinafewminutes……No，he’sonhitched！……There，he’shangin’upthehead-stall！"
"I’vebenupintheatticchamber，"calledtheWidowBuzzell，asshedescendedthestairs;"she’spulledupthecurtains，andtookoffherhatrightinfronto’thewinder，’sboldasabrasskettle！
She’scometostay！Ain’tthatRubeHobsonallover，——tobringanotherwomanint’thisvillage’stido’weedin’oneof’emoutashe’doughter。
Heain’tgotanymorepublicsperitthana——hedgehog，’n’neverhad！"
Almiradrewonhermittsexcitedly，tiedonhershaker，andstartedforthedoor。
"I’mgoin’overtoEunice’s，"shesaid，"andI’mgoin’
totakemybottleofcamphire。Ishouldn’twonderamiteifIfoundherinadeadfaintonthekitchenfloor。
Nobodyneedtellmeshewa’n’tbuildin’hopes。"
"I’llgowithyou，"saidtheWidowBuzzell。
"I’dliketoseewithmyowneyeshowshetakesit，’n’it’llbetoolatetotellifIwaittillaftersupper。
Ifshe’dbenmoreopenwithme’n’everaskedformyadvice，Icould’a’toldheritwa’n’tthefirsttimeRubeHobsonhasplayedthattrick。"
"I’dcometooif’twa’n’tmilkin’butJotain’thomefromtheCentre，andI’vegottodohischores;comeinasyougoalongback，willyou？"askedDiadema。
HannahSophiaremainedbehind，promisingtomeetthematthepost-officeandhearthenews。AsthetwowomenwalkeddownthehillshedrewtheoldenvelopefromtheBibleandreadthewaveringwordsscrawleduponitinoldMrs。Bascom’srheumaticanduncertainhand，——
_the__milikins__Mills__Teecher。_
"WellLucindy，youdomakegooduseo’yourwinder，"
sheexclaimed，"buthowyoupitchedonanythingsoonlikelyasherismore’nIcansee。"
"Justbecause’twasonlikely。Aman’sagreatsightlikeliertodoanonlikelythingthanheisalikelyone，whenitcomestomarryin’。Inthefirstplace，RubesenthischildrentoschooluptotheMills’stidoftothebrickschoolhouse，thoughhehadtopayalittlesomethingtoget’emtakenintoanotherdeestrick。
Theyusedtocomedownatnightwiththeirhandsfullo’
’wardo’meritcards。Doyous’poseIthoughttheygot’emforgoodbehavior，orforknowin’theirlessons？ThenauntHittytoldmesomequestionorotherRubehadaskedexaminationday。
SincewhenhasRubeHobson’tendedexaminations，thinksI。AndwhenIseethegirl，ared-and-whitepaperdollthatwouldn’tknowwhethertomovethechurn-dasherup’n’downorround’n’round，Imadeupmymindthatbein’amanhe’dtakeherforcertain，andnothisnext-doorneighborofasensibleageandahouse’n’
farm’n’cow’n’buggy！"
"Sureenough，"agreedHannahSophia，"thoughthatdon’taccountforEunice’squeeractions，’n’thepa’cels’n’
thefruitcake。"
"WhenImakeoutacase，"observedMrs。Bascommodestly，"Iain’tonetoleaveweakspotsinit。IfIguessatall，Igoallovertheground’n’stopwhenIgitthrough。
Now，sistersornosisters，MaryabbyEmeryain’tspoketoEunicesenceshemovedtoSalem。ButifEunicehasbenbringin’pa’celshome，Maryabbymust’a’paidforwhatwasin’em;andifshe’sbenbakin’
fruitcakethishotday，whyMaryabbyusedtobesofonto’
fruitcakeherfolkswereafraidshe’dhavefits’n’die。
Ishallbewatchin’hereasusualto-morrowmorning’，’n’
ifMaryabbydon’tdriveint’Eunice’syardbeforenoonIwon’tbraganymoreforayeartocome。"
HannahSophiagazedatoldMrs。Bascomwithunstintedadmiration。
"Youdobeatall，"shesaid;"andIwishIcouldstayallnight’n’seehowitturnsout，butAlmiryisjustcomin’overthebridge，’n’Imuststart’n’meether。Good-by。I’mgladtoseeyousosmart;youalwayslookslim，butIguessyou’lltoughitout’slong’stherestofus。
Iseeyourlogwasallright，lasttimeIwasdownsideo’theriver。"
"Theysayit’sjestgoin’tobreakintwointhemiddle，andfallintotheriver，"cheerfullyrespondedLucinda。
"Theysayit’sjusthanging’onbyathread。Well，that’swhatthey’vebensayin’aboutmethesetenyears，’n’hereIbestillhanging！Itdon’tmakenoodds，Iguess，whetherit’sathreadoraropeyou’rehangin’by，solongasyouhang。"
***
Thenextmorning，littleMoteHobson，whohadstayedallnightwithhisuncleinUnion，waswalkinghomebythesideoftheriver。
Hestrolledalong，thehappy，tousle-headed，barefootedyoungster，eyesonemomentonthetreesinthehopeofsquirrelsandbirds’-nests，thenextonthegroundinsearchofthefirstblueberries。
Ashestoopedtopickupabitofshiningquartztoaddtothecollectioninhisraggedtrousers’pocketsheglancedacrosstheriver，andatthatveryinstantLucinda’slogbrokegentlyintwain，rolleddownthebank，crumblingasitwent，and，droppinginlikeatiredchild，wascarriedpeacefullyalongontheriver’sbreast。
Motewalkedmorequicklyafterthat。Itwasquiteafeatherinhiscaptosee，withhisowneyes，theoldlandmarkslipfromitsaccustomedplaceandfloatdownthestream。
Theotherboyswouldmissitandsay，"It’sgone！"
Hewouldsay，"Isawitgo！"
GrandpaBascomwasstandingatthetopofthehill。Hiswhitelockswereuncovered，andhewasinhisshirt-sleeves。BabyJot，asusual，heldfastbyhisshakinghand，fortheylovedeachother，thesetwo。
Thecruelstrokeofthesunthathadblurredtheoldman’sbrainhadsparedablessedsomethinginhimthatwonthehealingloveofchildren。
"Howd’ye，Mote？"hepipedinhisfeeblevoice。"TheysayLucindy’sdead……Jotsayssheis，’n’Diademysayssheis，’n’Iguesssheis……It’sadretfulthickyearforfol’age;……someo’themapleslookslikeballsintheair。"
Motelookedinatthewindow。Theneighborswerehurryingtoandfro。
Diademasatwithhercalicoapronuptoherface，sobbing;andforthefirstmorninginthirtyyears，oldMrs。Bascom’shigh-backedrockerwasempty，andtherewasnoonesittinginthevillagewatch-tower。
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
TOMO’THEBLUEB’RYPLAINS。
Theskyisashadowlessblue;thenoon-daysunglowsfiercely;
acloudofdustrisesfromtheburningroadwheneverthehotbreezestirstheair，orwheneverafarmwagoncreaksalong，itswheelssinkingintothedeepsand。
Inthedistance，wherethegreenoftheearthjoinstheblueofthesky，gleamsthesilverlineofariver。
Asfarastheeyeanreach，thegroundiscoveredwithblueberrybushes;redleavespeepingamonggreenones;
bloomofbluefruithanginginfullwarmclusters，——spheresofvelvetmellowedbysummersun，moistenedwithcrystaldew，spicedwithfragranceofwoods。
Inamongtheblueberrybushesgrowhuckleberries，"chokypears，"andblack-snaps。
Gnarledoaksandstuntedpinesliftthemselvesoutofthewildernessofshrubs。Theylookdwarfedandgloomy，asifNaturehadbeenanuntendermother，anddeniedthempropernourishment。
Theroadisalittle-traveledone，andfurrowsoffeatherygrassesgrowbetweenthelong，hot，sandystretchesofthewheel-ruts。
Thefirstgoldenrodgleamsamongtheloosestonesatthefootofthealderbushes。Wholefamiliesofpalebutterflies，justoutoftheirlongsleep，perchonthebrilliantstalksandtilterupanddowninthesunshine。
Stragglingprocessionsofwoolybrowncaterpillarswendtheirwayintheshortgrassbythewayside，wherethewildcarrotandthepurplebull-thistlearecomingintobloom。
Thesongofbirdsisseldomheard，andtheblueberryplainsaregivenovertosilencesaveforthebuzzingofgorgedflies，thehummingofbees，andthechirpingofcricketsthatstirthedrowsyairwhenthesummerbeginstowane。
Itissostillthattheshuffle-shuffleofafootstepcanbeheardinthedistance，thetinkleofatinpailswingingmusicallytoandfro，theswishofanalderswitchcroppingtheheadsoftheroadsideweeds。
Allatonceavoicebreaksthestillness。Isitachild’s，awoman’s，oraman’s？Neitheryetallthree。
"I’dmuchd’ruth-erwalkinthebloom-in’gy-ar-ding，An’hearthewhis-sleofthejol-ly——swain。"
Everybodyknowsthesong，andeverybodyknowsthecrackedvoice。
Themasterofthisbitofsilentwildernessiscominghome：
itisTomo’theblueb’ryplains。
Heismorethancommontall，withasandybeard，andamopoftangledhairstragglingbeneathhistornstrawhat。
Asquareofwetcalicodripsfromunderthebackofthehat。
Hisginghamshirtisopenatthethroat，showinghistannedneckandchest。Warmasitis，hewearsportionsofatleastthreecoatsonhisback。Hishighboots，splitinfootandleg，aremendedandsplicedandlacedandtiedonwithbitsofshinglerope。
Hecarriesasmalltinpailofmolasses。Ithasabailofrope，andabatteredcoverwithaknobofstickynewspaper。
Overoneshoulder，suspendedonacrookedbranch，hangsabundleofbasketstuff，——splitwillowwithesandthelike;
overtheotherswingsadecrepit，bottomless，three-leggedchair。
Icallhimthemasteroftheplains，butinfaithhehadnolegalclaimtothetitle。Ifheownedahabitationorhadestablishedahomeonanyspotintheuniverse，itwasbecausenomanenviedhimwhathetook;
forTomwasoneofGod’sfools，afoot-loosepilgriminthisworldofours，apooraddle-pated，simple-minded，harmlesscreature，——
invillageparlance，a"softy。"
Motherorfather，sisterorbrother，hehadnone，noreverhad，sofarasanyoneknew;buthowshouldpeoplewhohadtoworkfromsun-uptocandlelighttogetthebetteroftheclimatehaveleisuretodiscoverwhetherornoBlueb’ryTomhadanykin？
AtsomeperiodinanalmostforgottenpasttherehadbeenahouseonTom’sparticularpatchoftheplains。
Ithadlongsincetumbledintoruinsandservedforfire-woodandeventhechimneybrickshaddisappearedonebyone，asthemonotonousseasonscameandwent。
Tomhadsettledhimselfinanoldtool-shop，corn-house，orrudeout-buildingofsomesortthathadbelongedtotheruinedcottage。
Herehehadsetuphishouse-holdgods;andsincenooneelsehadeverwantedahomeinthisdrearytangleofberrybushes，wheretheonlyshadecamefromstuntedpinesthatflungshriveledarmstotheskyanddroppeddeadconestothesterileearth，hereheremainedunmolested。
Inthelowerpartofthehuthekepthisbasketstuffandhiscollectionoftwo-leggedandthree-leggedchairs。
Inthecourseofevolutiontheyneversproutedanotherleg，thosechairs;astheyweregiventohim，sotheyremained。
Theupperfloorservedforhisliving-room，andwasreachedbyaladderfromtheground，fortherewasnostairwayinside。
Noonehadeverbeeninthelittleupperchamber。
Whenapasser-bychancedtobe-thinkhimthatTom’shermitagewascloseathand，hesometimesturnedinhisteambyacertainclumpofwhitebirchesanddrovenearertothehouse，intendingtoremindTomthattherewasachairtowillow-bottomthenexttimehecametothevillage。
ButatthenoiseofthewheelsTomdrewinhisladder;
andwhenthevisitoralightedandcamewithinsight，itwastofindtheinhospitablehoststandingintheopeningofthesecond-storywindow，aquaintfigureframedingreenbranches，theladderbehindhim，andonhisfaceakindofimpenetrabledignity，asheshookhisheadandsaid，"Tomain’tterhum;Tom’sgonetoBonnyEagle。"
Therewassomethingimpressiveabouthiswayofrepellingcallers;
itwasaseffectualasadoorslammedintheface，andyettherewasasortofmendaciouscourtesyaboutit。Nooneevercaredtogofurther;andindeedtherewasnomysterytotemptthecurious，andnospoiltoattractthemischievousorthemalicious。
Anyonecouldsee，withoutentering，thestrawbedinthefarcorner，thebeamspileddeepwithredandwhiteoakacorns，thestringsofdriedapplesandbunchesofeverlastingshangingfromtherafters，andthehalf-finishedbasketsfilledwithblownbird’s-eggs，pinecones，andpebbles。
NohomeinthevillagewasbetterlovedthanTom’sretreatintheblueberryplains。Wheneverheapproachedit，afteralongday’stramp，whenhecaughtthefirstsightofthewhitebirchesthatmarkedthegatewaytohisestateandshowedhimwheretoturnoffthepublicroadintohisownprivategrounds，hesmiledabroadersmilethanusual，andbrokeintohiswell-knownsong：
"I’dmuchd’ruth-erwalkinthebloom-in’gy-ar-ding，An’hearthewhis-sleofthejol-ly——swain。"
PoorTomcouldnevercatchthelastnote。Hehadsungthesongformorethanfortyyears，butthememoryofthistonewassoblurred，andhischerishedidealofitsohigh（orsolow，rather），thathenevermanagedtoreachit。
Oh，ifonlysummerwereeternal！Whocouldwishabettersupperthanripeberriesandmolasses？Norwasthereneedofsleepingunderroofnoroflightingcandlestogropehiswaytopalletofstraw，whenhemighthavethebluevaultofheavenarchingoverhim，andallGod’sstarsforlamps，andforabedahorseblanketstretchedoveranelasticcouchofpineneedles。
Thereweretwogauntpinesthathadbeendroppingtheirpolishedspillsforcenturies，perhapssilentlyadding，yearbyyear，anotherlayerofaromaticspringinesstopoorTom’sbed。
Flinginghistiredbodyonthisgratefulcouch，buryinghisheadinthecrushedsweetfernofhispillowwithonedeep-drawnsighofpleasure，——there，hauntedbynopastandharassedbynofuture，sleptGod’sfoolassweetlyasachild。
Yes，ifonlysummerwereeternal，andyouthaswell！
Butwhentheblueberrieshadripenedsummeraftersummer，andthegauntpine-treeshadgoneonformanyyearsweavingpoorTom’smattress，therecameachangeintheaspectofthings。
Hestillmadehiswaytothevillage，seekingchairstomend;
buthewasevenmoreunkemptthanofold，histallfigurewasbent，andhisfingerstrembledashewovethewillowstrandsinandout，andoverandunder。
Therewaslittleworktodo，moreover，forthevillagehadaltogetherretiredfrombusiness，andwasnolongerincompetitionwithitsneighbors：
thedamwastornaway，thesawmillswerepulleddown;husbandsandfatherswerelaidinthechurchyard，sonsandbrothersandlovershadgoneWest，andmothersandwidowsandspinstersstayedon，eachinherquiethousealone。
"’Tain’tnohardshipwhenyougetusedtoit，"saidtheWidowBuzzell。
"Landsakes！alantern’s’sgood’samananytime，ifyouonlythinkso，’n’’tain’thalfsomuchtroubletokeepitfilledup！"
ButTomstillsoldabasketoccasionally，andthechildrenalwaysgatheredabouthimforthesakeofhearinghimrepeathiswell-wornformula，——Tomallersputstwohandlesonbaskets：
onetotake’emupby，onetoset’emdownby。"
Thiswassaidwithabeamingsmileandawiseshakeofthehead，asifhewereannouncingagreatdiscoverytoanexpectantworld。
Andthenhewouldlaydownhisburdenofbasketstuff，and，sittingunderanapple-treeinsomebody’ssideyard，beginhistaskofwillow-bottominganoldchair。Itwasaprettysightenough，ifonecouldkeepbackthetears，——thekindly，simplefellowwiththecircleofchildrenabouthisknees。
Neveravillagefoolwithoutatroopofbabiesathisheels。
Theylovehim，too，tillweteachthemtomock。
Whenhewasyounger，hewouldsing，"Rock-a-by，baby，onthetreetop，"
anddancethewhile，swinginghisunfinishedbaskettoandfroforacradle。
Hewastoostiffinthejointsfordancingnowadays，buthestillsangthe"bloomin’gy-ar-ding"whenevertheyaskedhim，particularlyifsomeapple-cheekedlittlemaidwouldsay，"Please，Tom！"
Healwayslaughedthen，and，pattingthechild’shand，said，"Pootygal，——
goteyes！"Theyoungstersdancewithgleeatthismeaninglessphrase，justastheirmothershaddancedyearsbeforewhenitwassaidtothem。
Summerwaned。Inthemoistplacesthegentianuncurleditsbluefringes;purpleastersandgayJoePyewavedtheircolorsbytheroadside;tallprimrosesputtheiryellowbonnetson，andpeepedoverthebrookstoseethemselves;
andthedustypodsofthemilkweedwereburstingwiththeirsilkyfluffs，thespinningofthelongsummer。
Autumnbegantopaintthemaplesredandtheelmsyellow，fortheearlydaysofSeptemberbroughtafrost。
SomeoneremarkedatthevillagestorethatoldBlueb’ryTommustnotbesufferedtostayontheplainsanotherwinter，nowthathewasgettingsofeeble，——notifthe"_se_leckmen"hadtoroothimoutandtakehimtothepoor-farm。Hewouldsurelystarveorfreeze，andhisdeathwouldbelaidattheirdoor。
Tomwasinterviewed。Persuasion，logic，sharpwords，allfailedtomovehimonejotortittle。Hestoodinhiscastledoor，withtheladderbehindhim，smiling，alwayssmiling（nonebutthefoolsmilesalways，noralwaysweeps），andsayingtoallvisitors，"Tomain’tterhum;Tom’sgonetoBonnyEagle;
Tomdon’wanttogotothepoor-farm。"
Novembercameinsurly。
Thecheerfulstirandbustleoftheharvestwereover，thecornwasshocked，theapplesandpumpkinsweregatheredintobarns。
TheproblemofTom’sfuturewasfinallylaidbeforetheselectmen;
andsincethepoorfellow’smildobstinancyhaddefeatedallattemptstoconquerit，thesherifftookthematterinhand。
Theblueberryplainslookedbleakandbareenoughnow。Ithadrainedincessantlyfordays，growingevercolderandcolderasitrained。
Thesuncameoutatlast，butitshoneinawintrysortofway，——
likeadutysmile，——asiflight，notheat，wereitsobject。
Akeenwindblewthedeadleaveshitherandthitherinawilddancethathadnomerrimentinit。Ablackbirdflewunderanoldbarrelbythewayside，and，rufflinghimselfintoaball，remarkeddespondentlythatfeatherswerenosortofprotectioninthiskindofclimate。
Asnowbird，flyingby，glancedinatthebarrel，andobservedthatanybodywhomindedalittlebreezelikethathadbetterjointhewoodcocks，whowereleavingfortheSouthbythenightexpress。
Theblueberrybusheswerestrippedbareofgreen。Thestuntedpinesandsombrehemlockslookedintonewiththelandscapenow;
whereallwasdrearytheydidnotseemamiss。
"Je-whilikins！"exclaimedthesheriffashedrewuphiscoatcollar。
"Amadhouseistheplaceforthemanwhowantstoliveou’doorsinthewintertime;thepoor-farmistoogoodforhim。"
ButTomwasusedtoprivation，andeventosuffering。
"Ou’doors"wastheonlyhomeheknew，andwithallitsrigorshelovedit。
Helookedoverthebarrenplains，knowing，inadullsortofway，thattheywouldshortlybecoveredwithsnow;buthehadthreecoats，twoofthemwithsleeves，andthecrunch-crunchofthesnowunderhistreadwasmusictohisears。Then，too，therewereafewhospitablefiresideswherehecouldalwayswarmhimself;
andthewinterwouldsoonbeover，thebirdswouldcomeagain，——
newbirds，singingtheoldsongs，——thesapwouldmountinthetrees，thebudsswellontheblueberrybushes，andtheyoungivoryleavespushtheirruddytipsthroughthesofteningground。
Theplainswerefatherlandandmother-country，homeandkindred，toTom。
Helovedtheearththatnourishedhim，andhesawthroughalltheseemingdeathinnaturetheeternalmiracleoftheresurrection。
Tohimwinterwasnevercruel。Helookedunderneathherwhitemantle，sawtheinfantspringhiddeninherwarmbosom，andwascontenttowait。
Contenttowait？Contenttostarve，contenttofreeze，ifonlyheneednotbecarriedintocaptivity。
Thepoor-farmwasnotabadplace，either，ifonlyTomhadbeenareasonablebeing。Tobesure，whenHannahSophiaPalmeraskedoldMrs。Pinkhamhowshelikedit，sheanswered，withapatientsigh，that"her’n’Mr。Pinkhamhedlivedtheregoin’onnineyear，workin’theirfingerstothebone’most，’n’yettheyhadn’tbeenabletolayupacent！"
Ifthispeculiarityofadministrationwasitsworstfeature，itwascertainlyonethatwouldhavehadnoterrorsforTomo’
theblueb’ryplains。Terrorsofsomesort，nevertheless，thepoor-farmhadforhim;andwhenthesheriff’spartyturnedinbytheclumpofwhitebirchesandapproachedthecabin，theyfoundthatfearhadmadethesimplewise。
Tomhadprovishedthelittleupperchamber，and，inplaceofthepieceofsackingthatusuallyservedhimforadoorinwinter，hehadwovenadefenseofwillow。Infine，hehadtakenallhisbasketstuff，and，treatingtheopeningthroughwhichheenteredandlefthishomepreciselyasifitwereabottomlesschair，hehadfilleditinsolidly，weavingtoandfro，bynightaswellasbyday，tillhefelt，poorfool，assafelyintrenchedasifhewereintheheartofafortress。
Thesherifftiedhishorsetoatree，andRubeHobsonandPittPackardgotoutofthedoublewagon。Twomenlaughedwhentheysawthepatheticdefense，buttheothershuthislipstogetherandcaughthisbreath。
（Hehadbeenbornonapoor-farm，butnooneknewitatPleasantRiver。）
TheycalledTom’snamerepeatedly，butnoothersoundbrokethesilenceoftheplainssavetherustlingofthewindamongthedeadleaves。
"Numb-head！"mutteredthesheriff，poundingonthesideofthecabinwithhiswhip-stock。"Comeoutandshowyourself！
Weknowyou’reinthere，andit’snousehiding！"
AtlastinresponsetoadeafeningblowfromRubeHobson’shardfist，therecametheansweringnoteofaweakdespairingvoice。
"Tomain’tterhum，"itsaid;"Tom’sgonetoBonnyEagle。"
"That’sallright！"guffawedthemen;"butyou’vegottogosomemore，andgoadiff’rentway。Itain’tnouseferyoutoholdback;we’vegotaladder，andbyJiminy！yougowithusthistime！"
Theladderwasputagainstthesideofthehut，andPittPackardclimbedup，tookhisjack-knife，slitthewovendoorfromtoptobottom，andturnedbacktheflap。
Themencouldseetheinsideofthechambernow。Theywerehumorouspersonswhocouldstrainajoketothesnappingpoint，buttheyfelt，atlast，thattherewasnothingespeciallyamusinginthesituation。
Tomwashuddledinaheaponthestrawbedinthefarcorner。
Thevacantsmilehadfledfromhisface，andhelooked，forthefirsttimeinhislife，quitedistraught。
"Comealong，Tom，"saidthesheriffkindly;
"we’regoingtotakeyouwhereyoucansleepinabed，andhavethreemealsaday。"
"I’dmuchd’ruth-erwalkinthebloom-in’gy-ar-ding，"
sangTomquaveringly，ashehidhisheadinaparoxysmoffear。
"Well，thereain’tnobloomin’gardingstowalkinjestnow，socomealongandbepeaceable。"
"Tomdon’wanttogotothepoor-farm，"hewailedpiteously。
Buttherewasnoalternative。Theydraggedhimoffthebedanddowntheladderasgentlyaspossible;thenRubeHobsonheldhimonthebackseatofthewagon，whilethesheriffunhitchedthehorse。
Astheywereonthepointofstarting，thecaptivebegantowailandstrugglemorethanever，theburdenofhisplaintbeingawildandtremulouspleaforhispailofmolasses。
"Dryup，oldsofty，orI’llputthebuggyrobeoveryourhead！"
mutteredRubeHobson，whohadnothadmuchpatiencewhenhestartedonthetrip，andhadlostitallbythistime。
"Bythunder！heshallhevhismolasses，ifhethinkshewantsit！"
saidPittPackard，andheranuptheladderandbroughtitdown，comfortingtheshiveringcreaturethus，forhelapsedintoasubmissivesilencethatlasteduntiltheunwelcomejourneywasover。
Tomremainedatthepoorhousepreciselytwelvehours。
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