Thestalk’sgottobegreen，andhereistheverygreensilkmotherwalkedbridein，andLoveyandIhadroundaboutsofitafterwards。
Shehadthechicken-poxwhenwewasaboutfouryearsold，andoneofthefirstthingsIcanrememberisclimbingupandlookingovermother’sfootboardatLovey，allspeckled。
Motherhadlethersliponhernewgreenroundaboutoverhernightgown，justtopacifyher，andthereshesetplayingwiththekittenReubenGrangerhadbroughther。
Hewasonlytenyearsoldthen，buthe’dbeguncourtingLovice。
"TheGrangers’farmjoinedours。Theyhadelevenchildren，andmotherandfatherhadthirteen，andwewasalwaysplayingtogether。
Motherusedtotellafunnystoryaboutthat。Wewerealllittleyoungonesandlookedprettymuchalike，soshedidn’ttakemuchnoticeofusinthedaytimewhenwewasrunningout’n’in;butatnightwhentheturn-upbedsteadinthekitchenwastakendownandthetrundle-bedswerefull，sheusedtocountusover，toseeifwewereallthere。
Onenight，whenshe’dcountedthirteenandsetdowntohersewing，fathercomeinandaskedifMoseswasallright，foroneoftheneighborshadseenhimplayingsideoftheriveraboutsupper-time。Motherknewshe’dcountedusstraight，butshewentroundwithacandletomakesure。
Now，Mr。Grangerhadaheadasredasashumacbush;andwhenshecarriedthecandleclosetothebedstotakeanothertally，therewasthirteenchildren，sureenough，butiftherewa’n’tared-headedGrangerrightinamongstourboysintheturn-upbedstead！
WhilefathersetoutonahuntforourMoses，motheryankedthesleepylittlered-headedGrangerouto’themiddleandtookhimhome，andfatherfoundMosesasleeponapileofshavingsunderthejoiner’sbench。
"Theydon’thavesuchfamiliesnowadays。Onetimewhenmeasleswentalloverthevillage，theynevercametous，andJabeSlocumsaidtherewa’n’tenoughmeaslestogothroughtheDennettfamily，sotheydidn’tstartinon’em。There，Iain’tgoingtofinishthestalk;
I’mgoingtodrawinalittlehereandthereallovertherug，whileI’minthesperitofplannin’it，andthenitwillbeplainworkofmatchingcolorsandfillingout。
"Youseethestalkismother’sdress，andtheoutsidegreenofthemossrosesisthesamegoods，onlyit’sourroundabouts。
Imeanttomake’emred，whenImarkedthepattern，andthenfilloutround’emwithalightcolor;butnowI
ain’tsatisfiedwithanythingbutwhite，fornothingwilldointhemiddleoftherugbutourwhiteweddingdresses。
Ishallhavetofillindark，then，ormixed。Well，thatwon’tbeoutoftheway，ifit’sgoingtobeatrueragstory;
forLovey’slifewentoutaltogether，andminehasn’tbeenanytoogay。
"I’llbeginonLovey’srosefirst。Shewastheprettiestandtheliveliestgirlinthevillage，andshehadmorebeauxthanyoucouldshakeastickat。Igenerallyhadtotakewhatsheleftover。
ReubenGrangerwascrazyaboutherfromthetimeshewasknee-high;
butwhenhewentawaytoBangortostudyfortheministry，theothershaditalltheirownway。Shewasonlyseventeen;
shehadn’teverexperiencedreligion，andshewasmischeevousasakitten。
"Yourememberyoulaughed，thismorning，whenMr。BascomtoldaboutHogsheadJowett？Well，heusedtowanttokeepcompanywithLovey;butshecouldn’tabidehim，andwheneverhecometocourthersheclim’intoahogshead，andhidtillafterhe’dgone。
Theboysfounditout，andusedtocallhim’HogsheadJowett。"
HewasthebiggestfoolinFoxboro’FourCorners;andthat’ssayingconsid’able，forFoxboro’isfamousforitsfools，andalwayshasbeen。Therewasthirteenof’emthereoneyear。
TheysayamancomeoutfromPortland，andwhenhegotasfurasFoxboro’hekep’inquiringthewaytoDunstan;andIdeclareifhedidn’tmeetthemthirteenfools，oneafteranother，standingintheirfrontdooryardsreadytoanswerquestions。
WhenhegottoDunstan，sayshe，’FortheLord’ssake，whatkindofavillageisthatI’vejustwentthrough？
Bethey_all_foolsthere？’
"HogsheadwasscairttodeathwheneverhecometoseeLovice。
Onenight，whenhe’dbeenthereonce，andshe’dhid，asshealwaysdone，hecomebackasecondtime，andshewenttothedoor，notmistrustingitwashim。’Didyouforgetanything？’
saysshe，sparklingoutathimthroughalittlecrack。
Hewasalltakenabackbyseeingher，andhestammeredout，’Yes，Iforgotmyhan’k’chief;butitdon’tmakenoodds，forIdidn’tpayoutbutfifteencentsforittwoyearago，andIdon’tmakenouseofit’ceptinstowipemynoseon。’
Howwedidlaughoverthat！Well，hehadaconvictionofsinprettysoonafterwards，andp’r’apsithelpedhisheadsome;
atanyratehequitfarming，andbecomeaBullockitepreacher。
"Itseemsodd，whenLovicewa’n’taperfessorherself，sheshouldhavedrawedthemostpiousyoungmeninthevillage，butshedid：shehadgoodOrthodoxbeaux，FreeandCloseBaptists，MilleritesandAdventists，allonherstringtogether;
sheevenhadoneCochranite，thoughthesecthadmostlydiedout。
ButwhenReubenGrangercomehome，afull-feathered-outminister，heseemedtostrikeherfancyasheneverhadbefore，thoughtheywerealwaysgoodfriendsfromchildren。Hehadlighthairandblueeyesandfairskin（hisbusinessbeingundercoverkep’
himbleachedout），andheandLoveymadetheprettiestcoupleyoueversee;forshewasdarkcomplected，andhercheeksnootherwaysthanscarlitthewholedurin’time。Shehadachangeofheartthatwinter;infactshehadtwoof’em，forshechangedhersforReuben’s，andfoundahopeatthesametime。
’Twasagoodhonestconversion，too，thoughshedidsaytomeshewasafraidthatifReubenhadn’ttaughtherwhatlovewasormightbe，she’dneverhavefoundoutenoughaboutittoloveGodasshe’doughtto。
"There，I’vebegunbothroses，andhersis’boutfinished。
Isha’n’thavemore’nenoughwhitealapaca。It’sluckythemothssparedonebreadthoftheweddingdresses;
wewasmarriedonthesameday，youknow，anddressedjustalike。
Jotwa’n’tquitereadytobemarried，forhewa’n’tanymoreforehanded’boutthatthanhewas’boutotherthings;
butItoldhimLoveyandIhadkeptupwitheachotherfromthestart，andhe’dgottofallintolineordropouto’
thepercession。——Nowwhatnext？"
"Wasn’tthereanybodyattheweddingbutyouandLovice？"
askedPriscilla，withanamusedsmile。
"Land，yes！Themeeting-housewascramjamfull。Oh，tobesure！
Iknowwhatyou’redrivingat！Well，IhavetolaughtothinkIshouldhaveforgotthehusbands！They’llhavetobeworkedintothestory，certain;butit’llbeconsid’ableofachore，forIcan’tmakeflowersoutofcoatandpantsstuff，andthereain’tanymoreflowersonthisbranchanyway。"
Diademasatforafewminutesinraptthought，andthenmadeasuddeninspireddashupstairs，whereMissHollispresentlyheardherrummaginginanoldchest。
Shesooncamedown，triumphant。
"Wa’n’titaprovidenceIsavedJot’sandReuben’sweddingties！
Andheretheyare，——oneyellowandgreenmixed，andonebrown。
DoyouknowwhatI’mgoingtodo？I’mgoingtodrawinabutterflyhoveringoverthemtworoses，andmakeitoutoftheneckties，——
greenwithbrownspots。That’llbringinthehusbands;andland！
Iwouldn’thaveeitherof’emknowitfortheworld。I’lltakeapatternofthatlunarmothyoupinnedonthecurtainyesterday。"
MissHollissmiledinspiteofherself。"Youhavesomeveryingeniousideasandsomeveryprettythoughts，Mrs。Bascom，doyouknowit？"
"It’sthefirsttimeIeverheardtellofit，"
saidDiademacheerfully。"Loveywasthepretty-spoken，pretty-appearingone;Iwasalwaysplainandpractical。WhileIthinkofit，I’lldrawinalittlemiteofthisredintomycarnationpink。
ItwasaredscarfReubenbroughtLoveyfromPortland。
Itwasthefirstthingheevergiveher，andauntHittysaidifoneoftheAbelGrangersgiveawayanythingthatcostmoney，itmeantbusiness。Thatwasallfol-de-rol，forthereneverwasamoreliberalhusband，thoughhewasapoorminister;
butthentheyalways_are_poor，withoutthey’rerich;
theredon’tseemtobeanyhalfwayinministers。
"Wewasbothluckythatway。Thereain’tastingyboneinJotBascom’sbody。Hedon’tmakemuchmoney，butwhathedoesmakegoesintothebureaudrawer，andtheonethatneedsitmosttakesitout。
HeneverasksmewhatIdonewiththelastfivecentshegiveme。
You’veneverbeenmarriedMissHollis，andyouain’tengaged，soyoudon’tknowmuchaboutit;butItellyouthere’saheapo’
foolishnesstalkedabouthusbands。Ifyougettheoneyoulikeyourself，Idon’tknowasitmattersifalltheotherwomenfolksintowndon’thappentolikehimaswellasyoudo;theyain’tcalledontodothat。
Theyseethefaceheturnstothem，nottheoneheturnstoyou。
Jotain’taverygoodprovider，norheain’tamanthat’smuchuseroundafarm，buthe’ssuchafav’riteIcan’tblamehim。
There’sonething：whenhedoescomehomehe’sgotsomethingtosay，andhe’salwaysaslivelyasacricket，andsmilingasabasketofchips。
Ilikeamanthat’sgoodcomp’ny，evenifheain’tsoforehanded。
Thereain’tanythingspeciallylovableaboutforehandedness，whenyoucometothat。Ishouldn’teverfeeldrawedtoamanbecausehewasontimewithhiswork。He’sgotsuchpleasantways，Jothas！
Theotherafternoonhedidn’tgethomeearlyenoughtomilk;
andafterIdonethetwocows，Isplitthekindlingandbroughtinthewood，forIknewhe’dwanttogotothetavernandtelltheboys’bouttherobberyuptoBoylston。Thereain’tanybodybutJotinthisvillagethathaswitenoughtofindoutwhat’sgoingon，andtellitinanint’restingwayroundthetavernfire。
Andhecandoitwithoutbeingfullofcider，too;hedon’tneedanyapplejuicetolimber_his_tongue！
"Well，whenhecomein，heseethepailsofmilk，andthefullwood-box，andthesupperlaidoutunderthescreenclothonthekitchentable，andhecomeuptomeatthesink，andsayshe，’Diademy，you’rethebestwifeinthiscounty，andthebrightestjewelinmycrown，——that’swhat_you_are！’
（HegotthatideaoutofaduethesingswithAlmiryBerry。）
NowI’dliketoknowwhetherthatain’tpleasanterthan’tistohaveamandoalltheshed’n’barnworkupsmart，andthensetroundthestovelookingasdolefulasalastyear’sbird’snest？Takemyadvice，MissHollis：
getagoodproviderifyoucan，butanyhowtrytofindyouahusbandthat’llkeeponcourtingalittlenowandthen，whenheain’ttoobusy;itsmoothsthingsconsid’ableroundthehouse。
"There，Igotsoint’restedinwhatIwassaying，I’vewentonandfinishedthecarnation，andsomeofthestem，too。
Nowwhatcomesnext？Why，thethingthathappenednext，ofcourse，andthatwaslittleJot。
"I’llworkinabudonmyroseandoneonLovey’s，andmybud’llbemadeofJot’sfirsttrousers。Thegoodsain’tveryappropriateforarosebud，butit’llhavetodo，fortheideeisthemostimportantthinginthisrug。
WhenIputhimintopants，Ihadn’tanyclothinthehouse，anditwassuchbadgoingJotcouldn’tgettoWarehamtobuymeanything;soImade’emoutofanoldgraycashmereskirt，andlined’emwithflannel。"
"Budsaregenerallythesamecolorastheroses，aren’tthey？"venturedPriscilla。
"Idon’tcareiftheybe，"saidDiademaobstinately。
"What’stohenderthisbud’sbein’graftedon？Mrs。GrangerwasasblackasanInjun，butthelittleGrangerchildrenwereallred-headed，fortheytookaftertheirfather。
ButIdon’tknow;you’vekindo’gotmeouto’conceitwithit。
Is’poseIcouldhavetakenapieceofhisbabyblanket;
butthemothsneveretamiteo’that，andit’stoogoodtocutup。
There’sonethingIcando：Icanmakethebudupwithalongstem，andhaveitgrowingrightupalongsideofmine，——wouldyou？"
"No，itmustbestalkofyourstalk，boneofyourbone，fleshofyourflesh，sotospeak。Iagreewithyou，theideaisthefirstthing。Besides，thegrayisaverylightshade，andIdaresayitwilllooklikeabluishwhite。"
"I’lltryitandsee，butIwishtothelandthemoths_had_eatthepinning-blanket，andthenIcouldhaveusedit。
Loveyworkedthescallopsontheaidgeforme。
Mygrief！whatint’restshetookinmybabyclothes！
LittleJotwasbornatThanksgivingtime，andshecomeoverfromSkowhegan，whereReubenwassettledpastorofhisfirstchurch。
Ishallneverforgetthemtwoweekstothelastdayofmylife。
Therewasdeepsnowontheground。Ihadthatchamberthere，withthedooropeningintothesetting-room。MotherandfatherBascomkep’outinthedining-roomandkitchen，wheretheworkwasgoingon，andLoveyandthebabyandmehadthefrontpartofthehousetoourselves，withJotcominginontiptoe，heapingupwoodinthefireplaceso’the’mostroastedusout。
Hedon’tforgethischoresintimeo’sickness。
"Inevertooksomuchcomfortinallmydays。
JotgotoneoftheBillingsgirlstocomeoverandhelpinthehousework，so’tIcouldlayeasy’slongasI
wantedto;andIneverhadsucharestbeforenorsince。
Thereain’tanyheaveninthebooko’Revelationsthat’sanybetterthanthemtwoweekswas。Iusedtolayquietinmygoodfeatherbed，fingeringthepatternofmybestcrochetquilt，andlookingatthefire-lightshiningonLoveyandthebaby。
She’dhardlyleavehiminthecradleaminute。WhenIdidn’twanthiminbedwithme，she’dhavehiminherlap。
Babiesarecommonenoughtomostfolks，butLoveywasdiff’rent。
She’dneverhadanyexperiencewithchildren，either，forwewastheyoungestinourfamily;anditwa’n’tlongbeforewecomenearbeingtheoldest，too，formotherburiedsevenofusbeforeshewentherself。Anyway，Ineversawnobodyelselookasshedonewhensheheldmybaby。
Idon’tmeannothingblasphemiouswhenIsay’twasforalltheworldlikeyourphotographofMary，themotherofJesus。
"Thenightscomeinearly，soitwas’mostdarkatfouro’clock。Thelittlechamberwassopeaceful！
IcouldhearJotrattlingthemilk-pails，butI’ddrawadeepbreatho’comfort，forIknewthemilkwouldbestrainedandsetawaywithoutmysteppingfoottothefloor。
Loveyusedtosetbythefire，withatallcandleonthelight-standbehindher，andalittlewhiteknitcapeoverhershoulders。
Shehadthepinkestcheeks，andthelongesteyelashes，andamouthlikealittleredbuttonhole;andwhenshebentoverthebaby，andsungtohim，——thoughhisearswa’n’topen，Iguessforhiseyeswa’n’t，——thetearso’joyusedtoraindownmycheeks。
Itwaspennyrialhymnssheusedtosingmostly，andtheoneI
rememberbestwas"’Daniel’swisdommayIknow，Stephen’sfaithandspiritshow;
John’sdivinecommunionfeel，Moses’meekness，Joshua’szeal，RunliketheunweariedPaul，Winthedayandconquerall。
"’Mary’slovemayIpossess，Lydia’stender-heartedness，Peter’sferventspiritfeel，James’sfaithbyworksreveal，LikeyoungTimothymayI
Everysinfulpassionfly。’
"’OhDiademy，’she’dsay，’youwasalwaysthebest，andit’snothingmore’nrightthebabyshouldhavecometoyou。
P’r’apsGodwillthinkI’mgoodenoughsometime;andifhedoes，Diademy，I’llofferupasacrificeeverymorningandeveryevening。
ButI’mafraid，’saysshe，’hethinksIcan’tstandanymorehappiness，andbeafaithfulfollowerofthecross。TheBiblesayswe’vegottowadethroughfieryfloodsbeforewecanenterthekingdom。
Idon’thardlyknowhowReubenandIaregoingtofindanywaytowadethrough;we’rebothsohappy，they’dhavetobeconsid’ablehotbeforewetooknotice，’saysshe，withthedimplesallbreakingoutinhercheeks。
"Andthatwastrueasgospel。ShethoughteverythingReubendonewasjustright，andhethoughteverythingshedonewasjustright。
Therewa’n’tnobodyelse;theworldwasallReuben’n’allLoveytothem。
IfyoucouldhaveseenherwhenshewaslookingforhimtocomefromSkowhegan！Sheusedtowatchattheatticwindow;andwhensheseenhimatthefootofthehillshe’duplikeasquirrel，andrundowntheroadwithoutstoppingforanythingbuttothrowashawloverherhead。
AndReubenwouldketchherupasifshewasachild，andscoldherfornotputtingahaton，andtakeherunderhiscoatcomingupthehill。
Theywasasightfortheneighbors，Imustconfess，butitwa’n’toneyoucouldhardlydisapproveof，neither。AuntHittysaiditwastemptingProvidenceandcouldn’tlast，andGodwouldvisithiswrathon’emformakingidolsofsinfulhumanflesh。
"Shewasrightoneway，——itdidn’tlast;butnobodycantellmeGodwaspunishingof’emforbeingtoohappy。
Iguesshe’ain’tgotnoobjectiontofolksbeinghappyherebelow，iftheydon’tforgetitain’tthewholestory。
"Well，ImustmarkinabudonLovey’sstalknow，andI’mgoingtomakeitofherbaby’slongwhitecloak。
Iearnedthemoneyforitmyself，makingcoats，andputfouryardsofthefinestcashmereintoit;forthreeyearsafterlittleJotwasbornIwentovertoSkowhegantohelpLoveythroughhertimeo’trial。Timeo’trial！IthoughtI
washappy，butIdidn’tknowhowtobeashappyasLoveydid;
Iwa’n’tmadeonthatpattern。
"WhenIfirstshowedherthebaby（itwasaboy，sameasmine），hereyesshoneliketwoeveningstars。
Sheheldupherweakarms，andgatheredthelittlebundleo’
warmflanneninto’em;andwhenshegotitclosesheshuthereyesandmovedherlips，andIknewshewastakingherlambtothealtarandofferingitupasasacrifice。
ThenReubencomein。Iseenhimgiveonelookatthetwodarkheadslayingclosetogetheronthewhitepiller，andthengodownonhiskneesbythesideofthebed。
’Twa’n’tnoplaceforme;Iwentoff，andleft’emtogether。
Wedidn’tmistrustitthen，buttheyonlyhadthreedaysmoreofhappiness，andI’mgladIgive’emeveryminute。"
TheroomgrewduskyastwilightstolegentlyoverthehillsofPleasantRiver。Priscilla’sliptrembled;
Diadema’stearsfellthickandfastonthewhiterosebud，andshehadtokeepwipinghereyesasshefollowedthepattern。
"Iain’tsaidasmuchasthisaboutitforfiveyears，"shewenton，withatell-talequiverinhervoice，"butnowI’vegotgoingIcan’tstop。
I’llhavetogettheweightouto’myheartsomehow。
"ThreedaysafterIputLovey’sbabyintoherarmstheLordcalledherhome。’WhenIprayedsohardforthislittlenewlife，Reuben，’sayssheholdingthebabyasifshecouldneverletitgo，’Ididn’tthinkI’dgottogiveupmyowninplaceofit;
butit’sthefirstfieryfloodwe’vehad，dear，andthoughitburnstomyfeetI’lltreaditasbraveasIknowhow。’
"Shedidn’tspeakawordafterthat;shejustfadedawaylikeasnowdrop，hourbyhour。AndReubenandIstaredatoneanotherinthefaceasifwewasdeadinsteadofher，andwewentaboutthathouseo’mourninglikesleep-walkersfordaysandsays，notknowingwhetherweetorslept，orwhatwedone。
"Asforthebaby，thepoorlittlemitedidn’tlivemanyhoursafteritsmother，andweburied’emtogether。
ReubenandIknewwhatLoveywouldhaveliked。Shegaveherlifeforthebaby’s，anditwasauselesssacrifice，afterall。
No，itwa’n’tneither;it_could_n’thavebeen！
Youneedn’ttellmeGod’llletsuchsacrificesasthatcomeoutuseless！Butanyhow，wehadonecoffinfor’emboth，andIopenedLovey’sarmsandlaidthebabyin’em。
WhenReubenandItookourlastlook，wethoughtsheseemedmore’neverlikeMary，themotherofJesus。
Thereneverwasanotherlikeher，andthereneverwillbe。
’Nonesuch，’Reubenusedtocallher。"
Therewassilenceintheroom，brokenonlybythetickingoftheoldclockandthetinkleofadistantcowbell。
Priscillamadeanimpetuousmovement，flungherselfdownbythebasketofrags，andburiedherheadinDiadema’sginghamapron。
"DearMrs。Bascom，don’tcry。I’msorry，asthechildrensay。"
"No，Iwon’tmore’naminute。Jotcan’tstandittoseemegiveway。Yougoandtouchamatchtothekitchenfire，so’tthekettlewillbeboiling，andI’llhaveaminutetomyself。
Idon’tknowwhattheneighborswouldthinktoketchmecryingovermydrawing-inframe;butthespell’sovernow，or’boutover，andwhenI
canmusterupcourageI’lltaketherestofthebaby’scloakandputaborderofwhiteeverlastingsroundtheoutsideoftherug。
I’llalwaysmeanthebaby’sbirthandLovey’sdeathtome;
buttheflowerswillremindmeit’slifeeverlastingforbothof’em，andsoit’sthemostcomfortingendIcanthinkof。"
Itwasindeedabeautifulrugwhenitwasfinishedandlaidinfrontofthesofainthefore-room。Diademawasverychoiceofit。
Whencompanywasexpectedsheremoveditfromitsaccustomedplace，andspreaditinacorneroftheroomwherenoprofanefootcouldpossiblytreadonit。Unexpectedcallersweremanagedbyadifferentmethod。
Iftheyseatedthemselvesonthesofa，shewouldfeartheydidnot"seteasy"
or"restcomfortable"there，andsuggesttheirmovingtothestuffedchairbythewindow。TheneighborsthoughtthissolicitudemerelyanothersignofDiadema’s"p’isonneatness，"excusableinthiscaseastherewassomuchwhiteinthenewrug。
Thefore-roomblindswereordinarilyclosed，andthechillnessofdeathpervadedthesacredapartment;butongreatoccasions，whenthesunwasallowedtopenetratethethirty-twotinypanesofglassineachwindow，andablazewaslightedinthefire-place，MissHolliswouldlookinasshewentupstairs，andmuseamomentoverthepatheticlittleromanceofrags，thestoryoftwolivesworkedintoabouquetofold-fashionedposies，whosegaytintswerebroughtoutbyasettingofsombrethreads。
Existencehadgonesoquietlyinthisremotecorneroftheworldthatallitsimportantevents，babyhood，childhood，betrothal，marriage，motherhood，withalltheirmysteriesofloveandlifeanddeath，werechronicledinthisnarrowspacenottwoyardssquare。
Diademacameinbehindthelittleschool-teacheroneafternoon。
"Ical’late，"shesaid，"thatbeingkep’inadarkroom，andneverbeingtreadon，itwilllastlonger’nIdo。Ifitdoes，Priscilla，youknowthatwhitecrepeshawlofmineIweartomeetinghotSundays：
thatwouldmakeasecondrowofeverlastingsroundtheborder。
Youcouldpieceouttheliningsgoodandsmoothontheunderside，drawinthewhiteflowers，andfill’emroundwithblacktoset’emoff。
Therugwouldbehan’somerthaneverthen，andthestory——
wouldbefinished。"
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
AVILLAGESTRADIVARIUS。
I。
"Goodfellow，Puckandgoblins，Knowmorethananybook。
Downwithyourdolefulproblems，Andcourtthesunnybrook。
Thesouth-windsarequick-witted，Theschoolsaresadandslow，ThemastersquiteomittedThelorewecaretoknow。"
Emerson’s_April。_
"Findthe317thpage，Davy，andbeginatthetopoftheright-handcolumn。"
Theboyturnedtheleavesoftheoldinstructionbookobediently，andthenbegantoreadinasing-song，monotonoustone：——
"’OneofPag-pag’"——
"Pag-a-ni-ni’s。"
"’OneofPaggernyner’s’（Iwishallthefellersinyourstoriesdidn’thavesuchtougholdnames！）’mostdis-as-ter-oustriumphshehadwhenplayingatLordHolland’s。’（WhowasLordHolland，uncleTony？）’Someoneaskedhimtoim-pro-viseontheviolinthestoryofasonwhokillshisfather，runsa-way，becomesahighway-man，fallsinlovewithagirlwhowillnotlistentohim;
soheleadshertoawildcountrysite，suddenlyjumpingwithherfromarockintoana-b-y-double-s’"——
"Abyss。"
"’——a——rock——into——an——abyss，weretheydisappearforever。
Paggernynerlistenedquietly，andwhenthestorywasatanendheaskedthatallthelightsshouldbedistinguished。’"
"Lookcloser，Davy。"
"’Shouldbeextinguished。Hethenbeganplaying，andsoterriblewasthemusicalin-ter-pre-ta-tionoftheideawhichhadbeengivenhimthatseveraloftheladiesfainted，andthesal-salon-s_a_lon，whenrelighted，lookedlikeabattle-field。’Cracky！Wouldn’tyouliketohavebeenthere，uncleTony？
ButIdon’tbelieveanybodyeverplayedthatway，doyou？"
"Yes，"saidthelistener，dreamilyraisinghissightlesseyestotheelm-treethatgrewbythekitchendoor。"Ibelieveit，andIcanhearitmyselfwhenyoureadthestorytome。
Ifeelthatthesecretofeverythingintheworldthatisbeautiful，ortrue，orterrible，ishiddeninthestringsofmyviolin，Davy，butonlyamastercandrawitfromcaptivity。"
"Youmakestoriesonyourviolin，too，uncleTony，eveniftheladiesdon’tfaintawayinheaps，andifthekitchendoesn’tlooklikeabattle-fieldwhenyou’vefinished。
I’mgladitdoesn’t，formypart，forIshouldhavemorehouseworktodothanever。"
"PoorDavy！youcouldn’thatehouseworkanyworseifyouwereawoman;
butitisalldoneforto-day。Nowpaintmeoneofyourpictures，laddie;
makemeseewithyoureyes。"
Theboyputdownthebookandleapedoutoftheopendoor，barelytouchingtheoldmillstonethatservedforastep。
Takingastandinthewell-wornpath，herestedhishandsonhiships，sweptthelandscapewiththeglanceofaneagle，andbeganlikeayoungimprovisator：——
"ThesunisjustdroppingbehindBrigadierHill。"
"Whatcolorisit？"
"Redasfire，andthereisn’tanythingnearit，——it’salmostaloneinthesky;there’sonlyteentylittlewhitefeathercloudshereandthere。
Thebridgelooksasifitwasasilverstringtyingthetwosidesoftherivertogether。Thewaterispinkwherethesunshinesintoit。
Alltheleavesofthetreesarekindofswimmingintheredlight，——
Itellyou，nunky，justasifIwaslookingthroughredglass。
TheweathervaneonSquireBean’sbarndazzlessotheroosterseemstobeshootinggoldarrowsintotheriver。IcanseethetiptopofMountWashingtonwherethepeakofitssnow-captouchesthepinksky。
Thehen-housedoorisopen。Thechickensareallontheirroost，withtheirheadscuddledundertheirwings。"
"Didyoufeedthem？"
Theboyclappedhishandoverhismouthwithacomicalgestureofpenitence，anddashedintotheshedforapanfulofcorn，whichhescatteredovertheground，enticingthesleepyfowlsbyinsinuatingcallsof"Chick，chick，chick，chick！"_Come，_biddy，biddy，biddy，biddy！
_Come，_chick，chick，chick，chick，chick！"
Themaninthedoorwaysmiledasoverthemisdemeanorofsomebodyverydearandlovable，andrisingfromhischairfelthiswaytoacornershelf，tookdownabox，anddrewfromitaviolinswathedinasilkbag。
Heremovedthecoveringwithreverentialhands。Thetendernessofthefacewaslikethatofayoungmotherdressingorundressingherchild。
Ashefingeredtheinstrumenthishandsseemedtohavebecomealleyes。
Theywanderedcaressinglyoverthepolishedsurfaceasifenamoredoftheperfectthingthattheyhadcreated，lingeringhereandtherewithrapturoustendernessonsomespecialbeauty，——thegracefularchoftheneck，themeltingcurvesofthecheeks，thedeliciousswellofthebreasts。
Whenhehadsatisfiedhimselfforthemoment，hetookthebow，andliftingtheviolinunderhischin，inclinedhisheadfondlytowarditandbegantoplay。
Thetuneatfirstseemedmuffled，buthadacuriousbite，thatbeganindistantechoes，butafterafewminutes’theplayinggrewfirmerandclearer，ringingoutatlastwithvelvetyrichnessandstrengthuntiltheatmospherewassatiatedwithharmony。
Nomoreetherealnoteeverflewoutofabird’sthroatthanAnthonyCroftsetfreefromthisviolin，his_liebling_，his"swansong，"
madeintheyearhehadlosthiseyesight。
AnthonyCrofthadbeentheonlysonofhismother，andsheawidow。
HisboyhoodhadbeenexactlylikethatofalltheotherboysinEdgewood，savethathehatedschoolatriflemore，ifpossible，thananyoftheothers;thoughtherewasaunanimityofaversioninthismatterthatsurprisedandwoundedteachersandparents。
Theschoolwastheordinary"deestrick"schoolofthattime;therewerenotenoughscholarsforwhatCyseHigginscalleda"degraded"school。
ThedifferencebetweenAnthonyandtheotherboyslayinthereasonaswellasthedegreeofhisabhorrence。
Hehadcomeintotheworldanaked，starvinghumansoul;helongedtoclothehimself，andhewashungryandeverhungrierforknowledge;
butneverwithinthefourwallsofthevillageschoolhousecouldhegetholdofonefactthatwouldyieldhimitssecretsense，oneglimpseofclearlightthatwouldshineinuponthe"darknesswhichmaybefelt"
inhismind，onethoughtorwordthatwouldfeedhissoul。
Theonlyplacewherehislongingswereeverstilled，whereheseemedatpeacewithhimself，whereheunderstoodwhathewasmadefor，wasoutofdoorsinthewoods。
Whenheshouldhavebeenporingoverthesweet，palpitatingmysteriesofthemultiplicationtable，hisvagrantgazewasalwaysontheopenwindownearwhichhesat。
Hecouldneverstudywhenaflybuzzedonthewindow-pane;
hewasalwaysstandingonthetoesofhisbarefeet，tryingtolocateandunderstandthebuzzthatpuzzledhim。
Thebookwasamute，soullessthingthathadnorelationtohisinnerworldofthoughtandfeeling。Heturnedeverfromthedeadseven-times-sixtothemysteryoflifeabouthim。
Hewasneveraspecialfavoritewithhisteachers;thatwasscarcelytobeexpected。Inhisveryearlyyears，hispocketsweregonethroughwitheverymorningwhenheenteredtheschooldoor，andthecontents，whenconfiscated，wouldcompriseajew’s-harp，abitofcatgut，screwswhittledoutofwood，tacks，spools，pins，andthelike。
Butwhenrobbedofallthesehecouldgenerallysecreteapieceofelastic，which，whenputbetweenhisteethandstretchedtoitsutmostcapacity，wouldyieldadelightfultwangwhenplayeduponwiththeforefinger。
Hecouldalsofashionaninterestingmusicalinstrumentinhisdeskbymeansofspoolsandcatgutandbitsofbrokenglass。Thechiefjoyofhislifewasanoldtuning-forkthattheteacherofthesingingschoolhadgivenhim，but，owingtothedegradingandarbitrarycensorshipofpocketsthatprevailed，heneverdaredbringitintotheschoolroom。Therewereways，however，ofevadinginexorablelawandcircumventingbaseinjustice。
Hehidthepreciousthingunderathistlejustoutsidethewindow。
Theteacherhadsometimesabriefseasonofapathyonhotafternoons，whenshewashearingtheprimerclassread，"_Iseeapig。Thepigisbig。
Thebigpigcandig;_"whichstirringinphraseswerealwayspunctuatedbythesnoresoftheHanksbaby，whokeptsinkingdownonhisfatlittlelegsinthelineandgivingwaytoslumberduringthelesson。
AtsuchamomentAnthonyslippedoutofthewindowandsnappedthetuning-forkseveraltimes，——justenoughtosavehissoulfromdeath，——
andthenslippedinagain。Hewascaughtoccasionally，butnotoften;
andevenwhenhewas，thereweremitigatingcircumstances，forhewasgenerallyputundertheteacher’sdeskforpunishment。
Itwasadark，close，sultryspot，butwhenhewaswellseated，andhadgrowntiedoflookingatthetriangleofelasticintheteacher’scongressboot，andtiredofwishingitwashisinsteadofhers，hewouldtieoneendofabitofthreadtothebuttonofhisginghamshirt，and，carryingitroundhisleftearseveraltimes，makebelievehewasPaganinilanguishinginprisonandplayingonaviolinwithasinglestring。
Ashegrewoldertherewasnomarkedimprovement，andTonyCroftwasbygeneralassentcountedthelaziestboyinthevillage。
Thathewaslazyincertainmattersmerelybecausehewasinafrenzyofindustrytopursuecertainothershadnothingtodowiththecase，ofcourse。
Ifanyonehadevergivenhimataskinwhichhecouldhaveseencauseworkingtoeffect，inwhichhecouldhavefoundbypersonalexperimentasinglefactthatbelongedtohim，hisownbydivinerightofdiscovery，hewouldhavecountedlabororstudyalljoy。
HewasoneincarnateWhyandHow，onebroodingwonderandinterrogationpoint。"Whydoesthesundriveawaythestars？
Whydotheleavesturnredandgold？Whatmakestheseedswellintheearth？
>Fromwhencecomesthelifehiddenintheeggunderthebird’sbreast？
Whatholdsthemooninthesky？Whoregulateshershining？
Whomovesthewind？Whomademe，andwhatamI？Who，why，howwhither？
IfIcamefromGodbutonlylately，teachmehislessonsfirst，putmeintovitalrelationwithlifeandlaw，andthengivemeyourdeadsignsandequivalentsforrealthings，thatImaylearnmoreandmore，andevermoreandevermore。"
TherewasnospiritinEdgewoodboldenoughtoconceivethatTonylearnedanythinginthewoods，butastherewasneversufficientschoolmoneytokeepthevillageseatoflearningopenmorethanhalftheyeartheboyeducatedhimselfatthefountainheadofwisdom，andknowledgeoftheotherhalf。
Hismother，whoownedhimforaducklinghatchedfromahen’segg，andwasneverquitesurehewouldnotturnoutablacksheepandacrookedsticktoboot，wasobligedtoconfessthatTonyhadmoreuselessinformationthananyboyinthevillage。
HeknewjustwheretofindthefirstMayflowers，andwouldbringhomethewaxenbeautieswhenotherpeoplehadscarcelybeguntothinkaboutthespring。Hecouldtellwheretolookfortherarefringedgentian，theyellowviolet，theIndianpipe。
TherewerecleftsintherocksoftheIndianCellarwhere，wheneveryoneelsefailed，hecouldfindharebellsandcolumbines。
Whenhistasksweredone，andtheotherboyswereamusingthemselveseachinhisownway，youwouldfindTonylyingflatonthepineneedlesinthewoods，listeningtothenotesofthewildbirds，andimitatingthempatiently，tilyoucouldscarcelytellwhichwasboyandwhichwasbird;andifyoucould，thebirdscouldn’t，formanyatimehecoaxedthebobolinksandthrushestoperchonthelowboughsabovehisheadandchirptohimasifhewereafeatheredbrother。Therewasnothingaboutthebuildingofnestswithwhichhewasnotfamiliar。
Hecouldhavetakenholdandhelpedifthebirdshadnotbeensoshy，andifhehadhadbeakandclawinsteadofclumsyfingers。
Hewouldsitnearabeehiveforhourswithoutmoving，orlieproneinthesandyroad，underthefullglareofthesun，watchingtheantsactingouttheirhumancomedy;
sometimessurroundingafavoritehillwithstones，thatthecomedymightnotbeturnedintoatragedybyacarelessfootfall。
Thecottageontheriverroadgrewmoreandmoretoresembleamuseumandherbariumastheyearswentby，andtheWidowCroft’sweeklyhouse-cleaningwasamatterthatcalledfortheexerciseofChristiangrace。
Still，Tonywasagoodson，affectionate，considerate，andobedient。
Hismotherhadnoideathathewouldeverbeable，orindeedwilling，tomakealiving;buttherewasaforestofyoungtimbergrowingup，asmallhayfarmtodependupon，andalittlehoardthatwouldkeephimoutofthepoorhousewhenshediedandlefthimtohisowndevices。
Itneveroccurredtoherthathewasinanywayremarkable。
Ifheweredifficulttounderstand，itreflectedmoreuponhiseccentricitythanuponherdensity。Whatwasawomantodowithaboyoftwelvewho，whensheurgedhimtodroptheoldguitarhewastakingapartandhurryofftoschool，cried，"Oh，mother！whenthereissomuchtolearninthisworld，itiswicked，wickedtowastetimeinschool。"
AboutthisperiodTonyspenthoursintheatticarrangingbottlesandtumblersintoamusicalscale。
Healsoinventedaninstrumentmadeofsmallandgreat，longandshortpins，drivenintosoftboardtodifferentdepths，andwhenthewidowpassedhisdooronthewaytobedsheinvariablesawthisbarbaricthinglockeduptotheboy’sbreast，forheoftenplayedhimselftosleepwithit。
Atfifteenhehadtakentopiecesandputtogetheragain，strengthened，soldered，tinkered，mended，andbracedeveryaccordion，guitar，melodeon，dulcimer，andfiddleinEdgewood，PleasantRiver，andtheneighboringvillages。
Therewasalittlemoneytobeearnedinthisway，butverylittle，aspeopleingeneralregardedthis"tinkering"asapleasingdiversioninwhichtheycouldindulgehimwithoutdanger。Asanexampleofthisattitude，Dr。Berry’swife’smelodeonhadlosttwostops，thepedalshadseveredconnectionwiththerestoftheworks，itwheezedlikeanasthmatic，andtwoblackkeysweremissing。
Anthonyworkedmorethanaweekonitsrehabilitation，andreceivedinreturnMrs。Berry’spromisethatthedoctorwouldpullatoothforhimsometime！This，ofcourse，wasaguerdonforthefuture，butitseemedpatheticallydistanttotheladwhohadneverhadatoothacheinhislife。
HehadtopleadwithCyseHigginsforaweekbeforethatprudentyoungfarmerwouldallowhimtotouchhisfive-dollarfiddle。
HeobtainedpermissionatlastonlybecausebyofferingtogiveCysehiscalfincasehespoiledtheviolin。"Thatseemssquare，"
saidCysedoubtfully，"butafterall，youcan’tplayonacalf！"
"Neitherwillyourfiddlegivemilk，ifyoukeepitlongenough，"
retortedTony;andthisargumentwasconvincing。
SogreatwashisconfidenceinTony’sskillthatSquireBeantrustedhisfather’sviolintohim，onethathadbeenboughtinBerlinseventyyearsbefore。
Ithadbeenhangingontheatticwallforahalfcentury，sothatthebackwassplitintwain，thesound-postlost，theneckandthetailpiececracked。Theladtookithome，andstudieditfortwowholeeveningsbeforetheopenfire。
Theproblemofrestoringitwasquitebeyondhisabilities。
Hefinallytookthesavingsoftwosummers’"blueberrymoney"
andwalkedsixteenmilestoPortland，whereheboughtabookcalledThePracticalViolinist。TheSupplementprovedtobeamineofwealth。Eventheheadingsappealedtohisimaginationandintoxicatedhimwiththeirsuggestions，——
OnScraping，Splitting，andRepairingViolins，ViolinPlayers，GreatViolinists，SoloPlaying，etc。;andattheveryendaTreatiseontheConstruction，Preservation，Repair，andImprovementoftheViolin，byJacobAugustusFriedheim，InstrumentMakertotheCourtoftheArchdukeofWeimar。
Therewasagooddealofmoraladviceintheprefacethatsadlypuzzledtheboy，whowasalwaysinaconditionofchronicamazementatthevillagedisapprobationofhisfavoritefiddle。
Thattheviolindidnotinsomewayreceivetheconfidenceenjoyedbyothermusicalinstruments，heperceivedfromvariousparagraphswrittenbytheworthyauthorofThePracticalViolinist，asforexample：——
"SomeveryexcellentChristianpeopleholdastrongprejudiceagainsttheviolinbecausetheyhavealwaysknownitassociatedwithdancinganddissipation。
Letitbeunderstoodthatyourviolinis’converted，’
andsuchanobligationwillnolongerlieagainstit……Manydelightfulhoursmaybeenjoyedbyayoungman，ifhehasobtainedarespectableknowledgeofhisinstrument，whootherwisewouldfindthetimehangheavyonhishands;
or，forwantofsomebetteramusement，wouldfrequentthedangerousanddestructivepathsofviceandberuinedforever……Iaminhopes，therefore，mydearyoungpupil，thatyourviolinwilloccupyyourattentionatjustthoseverytimeswhen，ifyouwereimmoralordissipated，youwouldbeatthegrogshop，gaming-table，oramongviciousfemales。
Suchauseoftheviolin，notwithstandingtheprejudicesmanyholdagainstit，mustcontributetovirtue，andfurnishabundanceofinnocentandentirelyunobjectionableamusement。
ThesearetheviewswithwhichIhopeyouhaveadoptedit，andwillcontinuetocherishandcultivateit。"
II。
"Thereisnobardinallthechoir，……
Notoneofallcanputinverse，OrtothispresencecouldrehearseThesightsandvoicesravishingTheboyknewonthehillsinspring，WhenpacingthroughtheoaksheheardSharpqueriesofthesentry-bird，Theheavygrouse’ssuddenwhir，Therattleofthekingfisher。"
Emerson’s_Harp。_
Nowbegananeraofinfinitehappiness，ofdaysthatwereneverlongenough，ofeveningswhenbedtimecamealltoosoon。
OhthattherehadbeensomegoodangelwhowouldhavetakeninhandAnthonyCrofttheboy，and，trainingthepowersthatpointedsounmistakablyincertaindirections，giventotheworldthegeniusofAnthonyCroft，potentialinstrumentmakertothecourtofSt。Cecilia;
foritwasnotonlythathehadthefingersofawizard;hisearcaughtthefaintestbreathofharmonyorhintofdiscord，as"Fairyfolka-listeningHeartheseedsproutinthespring，AndformusictotheirdanceHearthehedge-rowswakefromtrance;
SapthattremblesintobudsSendinglittlerhythmicfloodsOffairysoundinfairyears。
ThusallbeautythatappearsHasbirthassoundtofinersenseAndlighter-cladintelligence。"
Astheuniverseisallmechanismtooneman，allformandcolortoanother，sotoAnthonyCrofttheworldwasallmelody。
Notwithstandingallthesegiftsandpossibilities，thedoctor’swifeadvisedtheWidowCrofttomakeaplumberofhim，intimatingdelicatelythatthesefreaksofnature，whileplayingnoapparentpartinthedivineeconomy，couldsometimesbemadeself-supporting。
Theseventeenthyearofhislifemarkedadefiniteepochinhisdevelopment。HestudiedJacobFriedheim’streatiseuntilheknewthecharacteristicsofallthegreatviolinmodels，fromtheAmatis，Hieronymus，Antonius，andNicolas，tothoseofStradivarius，Guarnerius，andSteiner。
Itwasinthisyear，also，thathemadeaverypreciousdiscovery。
WhilebrowsingintherubbishinSquireBean’sgarrettoseeifhecouldfindthemissingsound-postoftheoldviolin，hecameuponabilletofwoodwrappedinclothandpaper。
Whenunwrapped，itwasplainlylabeled"WoodfromtheBeanMapleatPleasantPoint;thebiggestmapleinYorkCounty，andbelievedtobeoneofthebiggestintheStateofMaine。"
AnthonyfoundthattheoldestinhabitantofPleasantRiverrememberedthestumpofthetree，andthattheboysusedtojumpoveritandadmireitsproportionswhenevertheywentfishingatthePoint。
Thewood，therefore，wasperhapseightyorninetyyearsold。
Thesquireagreedwillinglythatitshouldbeusedtomendtheoldviolin，andtoldTonyheshouldhavewhatwasleftforhimself。
When，bycarefulcalculation，hefoundthattheremainderwouldmakeawholeviolin，helaiditreverentlyawayforanothertwentyyears，sothatheshouldbesureithadcompleteditscenturyofpatientwaitingforservice，andfallingonhiskneesbyhisbedsidesaid，"IthankThee，HeavenlyFather，forthispreciousgift，andIpromisefromthismomenttogatherthemostbeautifulwoodIcanfind，andlayitbywhereitcanbeusedsometimetomakeperfectviolins，sothatifanycreatureaspoorandhelplessasIamneedsthewherewithaltodogoodwork，IshallhavehelpedhimasThouhasthelpedme。"
Andaccordingtohispromisesohedid，andthepiecesofrichlycurledmaple，ofsycamore，andofsprucebegantoaccumulate。
Theywerecutfromthesunnysideofthetrees，injusttherightseasonoftheyear，splitsoastohaveafullinchthicknesstowardsthebark，andaquarterinchtowardstheheart。
TheywerethenlaidforweeksunderoneofthefallsinWineBrook，wherethemusicaltinkle，tinkleofthestreamfellonthewoodalreadywroughtuponbyyearsofsunshineandchorusesofsingingbirds。
Thisboy，toilingnotaloneforhimself，butwithfullandconsciouspurposeforposterityalso，washenotworthytowearthemantleofAntoniusStradivarius？
"Thatplainwhite-apronedmanwhostoodatworkPatientandaccuratefullfourscoreyears，Cherishedhissightandtouchbytemperance，Andsincekeensenseisloveofperfectness，Madeperfectviolins，theneededpathsForinspirationandhighmastery。"
Andasiftheyearwerenotfullenoughofglory，theschool-teachersenthimabookwithawonderfulpoeminit。
Thatsummer’steachinghadbeenthefreakofacollegestudent，whohadgonebacktohissenioryearstrengthenedbyhisexperienceofvillagelife。
AnthonyCroft，whowasonlythreeorfouryearshisjunior，hadbeenhisfavoritepupilandcompanion。
"HowdoesTonygetalong？"askedtheWidowCroftwhentheteachercametocall。
"Tony？Oh，Ican’tteachhimanything。"
Tearssprangtothemother’seyes。
"Iknowheain’tmuchonbooklearning，"shesaidapologetically，"butI’mboundhedon’tmakeyounotroubleindeportment。"
"Imean，"saidtheschool-teachergravely，"thatIcanshowhimhowtoreadalittleLatinanddoalittlegeometry，butheknowsasmuchinonedayasIshalleverknowinayear。"
Tonycrouchedbytheoldfireplaceinthewinterevenings，droppinghisknifeorhiscompassesamomenttoreadaloudtohismother，whosatintheoppositecornerknitting：——
"OfoldAntonioStradivari，——himWhoagoodquartercenturyandahalfagoPuthistrueworkinthebrowninstrument，AndbytheniceadjustmentofitsframeGaveitresponsivelife，continuousWiththemaster’sfinger-tips，andperfectedLikethembydelicaterectitudeofuse。"
Themotherlistenedwithpainfulintentness。"Ilikethesoundofit，"
shesaid，"butIcan’thardlysayItakeinthefullsense。"
"Whymother，"saidthelad，inararemomentofself-expression，"youknowthepoetrysayshecherishedhissightandtouchbytemperance;
thatanidiotmightseeastragglinglineandbecontent，buthehadaneyethatwincedatfalsework，andlovedthetrue。
Whenitsayshisfinger-tipswereperfectedbydelicaterectitudeofuse，Ithinkitmeansdoingeverythingasitisdoneinheaven，andthatanybodywhowantstomakeaperfectviolinmustkeephiseyeopentoallthebeautifulthingsGodhasmade，andhisearopentoallthemusichehasputintotheworld，andthenneverlethishandstouchapieceofworkthatiscrookedorstragglingorfalse，till，afteryearsandyearsofrightness，theyarefittomakeaviolinlikethesquire’s，aviolinthatcansayeverything，aviolinthatanangelwouldn’tbeashamedtoplayon。"
Dothesewordsseemlikelyonestofallfromthelipsofaladwhohadbeenatthetailofhisclasseversincehisprimerdays？Well，Anthonywasseventeennow，andhewas"educated，"inspiteofsorryrecitations，——educated，theLordknowshow！Yes，inpointoffacttheLorddoesknowhow！
Heknowshowthedrillandpressureofthedailytask，stillmorethepresenceofthehighideal，theinspirationworkingfromwithin，howtheseeducateus。
TheblindAnthonyCroftsittinginthekitchendoorwayhadseeminglymissedtheheightsoflifehemighthavetrod，andhadwalkedhiscloseonfiftyyearsthroughlevelmeadowsofmediocrity，awitchineveryfinger-tipwaitingtobesettowork，headamongtheclouds，feetstumbling，eyesandearsopentohearGod’ssecretthought;
seeingandhearingit，too，butlackingforcetospeakitforthagain;
forwhileimperiousgeniussurmountsallobstacles，brusheslawsandformulasfromitshorizon，andwithitsownfreesoulseesits"pathandtheoutletsofthesky，"potentialgeniusforeverneedsanangelofdeliverancetosetitfree。
PoorAnthonyCroft，orblessedAnthonyCroft，Iknownotwhich，——
Godknows！Poorhecertainlywas，yetblessedafterall。
"OnethingIdo，"saidPaul。"OnethingIdo，"saidAnthony。
Hewasnotabletorealizehisideals，buthehadthe"angelaim"
bywhichheidealizedhisreals。
OwaitingheartofGod！howsoonwouldthykingdomcomeifwealldidourallottedtasks，humbleorsplendid，inthisconsecratedfashion！
III。
"ThereinIheartheParcaereelThethreadsofmanattheirhummingwheel，Thethreadsoflifeandpowerandpain，Sosweetandmournfulfallsthestrain。"
Emerson’s_Harp。_
OldMrs。Butterfieldhadhadherthirdstrokeofparalysis，anddiedofaSundaynight。Shewasallaloneinherlittlecottageontheriverbank，withnoneighbornearerthanCroft’s，andnobodytherebutablindmanandasmallboy。
Everybodyhadtoldheritwasfoolishtolivealoneinahouseontheriverroad，andeverybodywaspleasedinadiscreetandchastenedfashionofcourse，thatithadturnedoutexactlyastheyhadpredicted。
AuntMehitableTarboxwaswalkinguptoMilliken’sMills，withherlittleblackreticulehangingoverherarm，andnoticingthattherewasnosmokecomingoutofthechimney，andthatthehensweregatheredaboutthekitchendoorclamoringfortheirbreakfast，shethoughtitbesttostopandknock。
Noresponsefollowedtherepeatedblowsfromherhardknuckles。
ShethentappedsmartlyonMrs。Butterfield’sbedroomwindowwithherthimblefinger。Thisprovingofnoavail，shewasobligedtopryopenthekitchenshutter，splitopenamosquitonettingwithhershears，andcrawlintothehouseoverthesink。
Thiswasaconsiderablefeatforasomewhatrheumaticelderlylady，butthisonenevergrudgedtroublewhenshewantedtofindoutanything。
Whenshediscoveredthatherpremonitionswerecorrect，andthatoldMrs。Butterfieldwasindeeddead，hergriefatlosingapleasantacquaintancewaslargelymitigatedbyhersenseofimportanceatbeingfirstonthespot，andchosenbyProvidencetotakecommandofthesituation。
Therewerenorelationsinthevillage;therewasnowomanneighborwithinamile：itwasthereforeherobviousChristiandutynotonlytotakechargeoftheremains，buttoconductsuchafuneralastheremainswouldhavewishedforherself。
ThefortunateVice-Presidentsuddenlycalleduponbydestinytoguidetheshipofstate，thegeneralwhoseesapossibleVictoriaCrossinahazardousengagement，canhaveafaintconceptionofauntHitty’sfeelingonthismomentousoccasion。
Funeralsweretheverybreathofherlife。Therewasnoceremony，eitherofpublicorprivateimport，that，tohermind，approachedafuneralinrealsatisfyinginterest。
Yet，withdistincttalentinthisdirection，shehadalwaysbeen"cabined，cribbed，confined"withinhopelesslimitations。
Shehadassistedinasecondarycapacityatfuneralsinthefamiliesofotherpeople，butshewouldhavereveledinpersonallyconductedones。Themembersofherownfamilystubbornlyrefusedtodie，however，eventhedistantconnectionslivingonandontoaridiculousoldage;andiftheyeverdiddie，byreasonofafallingroof，shipwreck，orconflagration，theygenerallydiedinTexasorIowa，orsomeremoteStatewhereauntHittycouldnotfollowthehearseinthefirstcarriage。
Thisblightedambitionwasaheartsorrowofsodeepandsacredacharacterthatshedidnotevenconfessitto"Si，"asherappendageofahusbandwascalled。
Nowatlastherchanceforplanningafuneralhadcome。
Mrs。Butterfieldhadnokithorkinsaveherniece，LyddyAnn，wholivedinAndover，orLawrence，orHaverhillMassachusetts，——
auntHittycouldn’trememberwhich，andhopednobodyelsecould。
Theniecewouldbesentforwhentheyfoundoutwhereshelived;
meanwhilethefuneralcouldnotbeputoff。
SheglancedroundthehousepreparatorytolockingitupandstartingtonotifyAnthonyCroft。Shewouldjustrunoverandtalktohimaboutorderingthecoffin;thenshecouldattendtoallothernecessarypreliminariesherself。
Theremainshadbeenwell-to-do，andtherewasnooccasionforsordideconomy，soauntHittydeterminedinherownmindtohavethelatestfashionineverything，includingasilvercoffinplate。
TheButterfieldcoffinplateswereathingtobeproudof。
Theyhadbeensacredlypreservedforyearsandyears，andtheentirecollection——numberingnineteeninallhadbeenframed，andadornedthewallsofthedeceasedlady’sbestroom。
Theywerenotofsolidsilver，itistrue，butevensoitwasamatterofdistinctiontohavebelongedtoafamilythatcouldaffordtohavenineteencoffinplatesofanysort。
AuntHittyplannedcertaindramaticdetailsasshewalkedtowntheroadtoCroft’s。Itcametoherinaburstofinspirationthatshewouldhavetwoministers：oneforthelongprayer，andonefortheshortprayerandtheremarks。
ShehopedthatElderWeekswouldbeadequateinthelatterdirection。Sheknewshecouldn’tforthelifeofherthinkofanythinginterestingaboutMrs。Butterfield，savethatshepossessednineteencoffinplates，andbroughtherhenstoEdgewoodeverysummerfortheirhealth;butshehadheardElderWeeksmakeamovingdiscourseoutoflessthanthat。
Tobesure，heneededpriming，butshewasequaltothat。
TherewasIvoryBrown’sfuneral：howwouldthathavegoneonifithadn’tbeenforher？Wasn’ttheeldertenminuteslate，andwhatwouldhisremarkshaveamountedtowithouthersuggestions？
Youmightalmostsayshewastheauthorofthediscourse，forshegavehimalltheappropriateideas。Asshehadhelpedhimoutofthewagonshehadsaid："Areyouprepared？Ithoughtnot;
butthere’snotimetolose。Rememberthereareagedparents;
twobrothersliving，onerailroadinginSpokaneFalls，theotherclerkinginWashington，D。C。Don’tmentiontheUniversalists，——there’sbentwointhefam’ly;norinsanity，——
there’sbenoneo’them。Thegirlinthecornerbytheclockistheonethattheremainshasbeenkeepingcomp’nywith。
Ifyoucanmakesomegenteelallusionstoher，it’llbemuchappreciatedbyhisfolks。"
Astothelongprayer，sheknewthattheRev。Mr。FordcouldbereliedontoprayuntilauntBeckyBurnhamshouldtwitchhimbythecoattails。
Shehaddoneitmorethanonce。Shehadalso，ononeoccasion，gotupandstraightenedhisministerialneckerchief，whichhehadgradually"prayed"aroundhissaintlyneckuntilitwasbehindtherightear。
TheseplansprovedsofascinatingtoauntHittythatshewalkedquitehalfamilebeyondCroft’s，andwasobligedtoretracehersteps。
Sheconceivedbandsofblackalpacaforthesleevesandhatsofthepallbearers，andafestoonofthesameoverthefrontgate，ifthereshouldbeanyleftover。Sheplannedthesingingbythechoir。
Therehadbeennorealchoir-singingatanyfuneralinEdgewoodsincetheRev。JoshuaBeckwithhaddied。Shewouldaskthemtoopenwith——
Rebelmourner，ceaseyourweepin’。
Youtoomustdie。
Thiswasafavoritefuneralhymn。TheonlydifficultywouldbeinkeepingauntBeckyBurnhamfrompitchingitinakeywherenobodybutasopranoskylark，accustomedtowarbleatagreatheight，couldpossiblysingit。
Itwasgenerallygivenatthegrave，whenElderWeeksofficiated;
butitneversatisfiedauntHitty，becausethegoodelderalwayslookedsounpicturesquewhenhethrewaredbandannahandkerchiefoverhisheadbeforebeginningthetwenty-sevenverses。
Afterthelongprayer，shewouldhaveAlmiraBerrygiveforasolo——
Thisgro-o-oanin’world’stoodarkanddre-e-arforthesaints’e-ter-nalrest，Thishymn，ifitdidnotwhollyreconcileonetodeath，enabledonetolookuponlifewithsufficientsolemnity。
Itwasathousandpities，shethought，thattheoldhearsewassoshabbyandrickety，andthatGoolyEldridge，whodroveit，wouldinsistonwearingafadedpeach-blowovercoat。
ItwasexasperatingtothinkofthepublicspiritatEgypt，andcontrastitwiththestateofthingsatPleasantRiver。
InEgypttheyhadsoldtheoldhearsehouseforasausageshop，andnowtheywerehavinghearsesociableseverymonthtoraisemoneyforanewone。
AllthesedetailsflewthroughauntHitty’smindinfascinatingprocession。Thereshouldn’tbe"ahitch"anywhere。
Therehadbeenahitchatherlastfuneral，butshehadbeenonlyanassistantthere。MattHendersonhadbeenstruckbylightningatthefootofSquireBean’soldnooningtree，andcertaincircumstancescombinedtomakethefuneraloneofunusualinterest，somuchsothatfatoldMrs。PotterfromDeerwandercreatedasensationatthecemetery。
Shewassoanxioustogetwhereshecouldseeeverythingtothebestadvantagethatshecrowdedtoonearthebier，steppedontheslidingearth，andpitchedintothegrave。
Assheweighedovertwohundredpounds，andwasinapositionofsomedisadvantage，ittookfivementoextricateherfromthedilemma，andtheoperationmadealongandsomewhatawkwardbreakinthereligiousservices。AuntHittyalwayssaidofthiscatastrophe，"IfI’d’a’benMis’Potter，I’d’a’
bensomortifiedIbelieveI’d’a’said，’Iwa’n’tplannin’
tobeburied，butnowI’minhereIdeclareI’llstop！’"
OldMrs。Butterfield’sfuneralwasnotonlyvotedanentiresuccessbythevillagers，butthesealofprofessionalapprovalwassetuponitbyanundertakerfromSaco，whodeclaredthatMrs。Tarboxcouldmakeahandsomelivinginthefunerallineanywhere。Providence，whoalwaysassiststhosewhoassistthemselves，decreedthatthenieceLyddyAnnshouldnotarriveuntiltheauntwassafelyburied;so，therebeingnonetoresistherrightorgrudgehertheprivilegeauntHitty，forthefirsttimeinherlife，rodeinthenextbuggytothehearse。Si，inhisbestsuit，abroadweedandweepers，droveCyseHiggins’sblackcolt，andauntHittywasdressedindeepmourning，withtheWidowBuzzell’scrapeveiloverherface，andinherhandapalmleaffantiedwithablackribbon。
HercommenttoSi，asshewenttohervirtuouscouchthatnight，was：
"Itwasanawfuldryfuneral，butthatwastheonlyflawinit。
Itwould’a’benperfectifthere’benanybodytoshedtears。
Icomeprettynighitmyself，thoughIain’tnorelation，whenElderWeekssaid，’You’llgoroundthehouse，mysisters，andMis’Butterfieldwon’tbethere;you’llgoint’theorchard，andMis’Butterfieldwon’tbethere;you’llgoint’
thebarnandMis’Butterfieldwon’tbethere;you’llgoint’
theshed，andMis’Butterfieldwon’tbethere;you’llgoint’
thehencoop，andMis’Butterfieldwon’tbethere！’
Thatwould’a’drawedtearsfromastonemost，’speciallysenceMis’
Butterfieldsetsuchstorebyherhens。"
AndthisisthewaythatLyddyButterfieldcameintoherkingdom，alittlelonebrownhouseontheriver’sbrim。
ShehadseenitonlyoncebeforewhenshehaddrivenoutfromPortland，yearsago，withheraunt。Mrs。ButterfieldlivedinPortland，butspenthersummersinEdgewoodonaccountofherchickens。
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