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Openings in the Old Trail
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第3章
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AdayortwolateritwasknownthroughoutthetownthatZaideeHookerhadsuedAdoniramHotchkissforbreachofpromise,andthatthedamageswerelaidatfivethousanddollars。AsinthosebucolicdaystheWesternpresswasunderthesecurecensorshipofarevolver,acautioustoneofcriticismprevailed,andanygossipwasconfinedtopersonalexpression,andeventhenattheriskofthegossiper。Nevertheless,thesituationprovokedtheintensestcuriosity。TheColonelwasapproached——untilhisstatementthatheshouldconsideranyattempttoovercomehisprofessionalsecrecyapersonalreflectionwithheldfurtheradvances。Thecommunitywerelefttothemoreostentatiousinformationofthedefendant’scounsel,Messrs。KitchamandBilser,thatthecasewas"ridiculous"

and"rotten,"thattheplaintiffwouldbenonsuited,andthefire-

eatingStarbottlewouldbetaughtalessonthathecouldnot"bully"thelaw,andthereweresomedarkhintsofaconspiracy。

Itwasevenhintedthatthe"case"wastherevengefulandpreposterousoutcomeoftherefusalofHotchkisstopayStarbottleanextravagantfeeforhislateservicestotheDitchCompany。ItisunnecessarytosaythatthesewordswerenotreportedtotheColonel。Itwas,however,anunfortunatecircumstanceforthecalmer,ethicalconsiderationofthesubjectthattheChurchsidedwithHotchkiss,asthisprovokedanequaladherencetotheplaintiffandStarbottleonthepartofthelargerbodyofnon-

churchgoers,whoweredelightedatapossibleexposureoftheweaknessofreligiousrectitude。"I’veallushadmysuspicionso’

themearlycandle-lightmeetingsdownatthatgospelshop,"saidonecritic,"andIreckonDeaconHotchkissdidn’tropeinthegalstoattendjestforpsalm-singing。""Thenforhimtogetupandleavetheboardaforethegame’sfinishedandtrytosneakoutofit,"saidanother,——"Isupposethat’swhattheycallRELIGIOUS。"

Itwasthereforenotremarkablethatthecourt-housethreeweekslaterwascrowdedwithanexcitedmultitudeofthecuriousandsympathizing。Thefairplaintiff,withhermother,wasearlyinattendance,andundertheColonel’sadviceappearedinthesamemodestgarbinwhichshehadfirstvisitedhisoffice。Thisandherdowncast,modestdemeanorwereperhapsatfirstdisappointingtothecrowd,whohadevidentlyexpectedaparagonoflovelinessinthisCirceofthatgrim,asceticdefendant,whosatbesidehiscounsel。ButpresentlyalleyeswerefixedontheColonel,whocertainlymadeupinhisappearanceanydeficiencyofhisfairclient。Hisportlyfigurewasclothedinabluedresscoatwithbrassbuttons,abuffwaistcoatwhichpermittedhisfrilledshirt-

fronttobecomeerectileaboveit,ablacksatinstockwhichconfinedaboyishturned-downcollararoundhisfullneck,andimmaculatedrilltrousers,strappedovervarnishedboots。Amurmurranroundthecourt。"Old’PersonallyResponsible’hasgothiswar-painton;""TheOldWar-Horseissmellingpowder,"werewhisperedcomments。Yetforallthat,themostirreverentamongthemrecognizedvaguely,inthisbizarrefigure,somethingofanhonoredpastintheircountry’shistory,andpossiblyfeltthespellofolddeedsandoldnamesthathadoncethrilledtheirboyishpulses。ThenewDistrictJudgereturnedColonelStarbottle’sprofoundlypunctiliousbow。TheColonelwasfollowedbyhisnegroservant,carryingaparcelofhymn-booksandBibles,who,withacourtesyevidentlyimitatedfromhismaster,placedonebeforetheoppositecounsel。This,afterafirstcuriousglance,thelawyersomewhatsuperciliouslytossedaside。ButwhenJim,proceedingtothejury-box,placedwithequalpolitenesstheremainingcopiesbeforethejury,theoppositecounselsprangtohisfeet。

"IwanttodirecttheattentionoftheCourttothisunprecedentedtamperingwiththejury,bythisgratuitousexhibitionofmatterimpertinentandirrelevanttotheissue。"

TheJudgecastaninquiringlookatColonelStarbottle。

"MayitpleasetheCourt,"returnedColonelStarbottlewithdignity,ignoringthecounsel,"thedefendant’scounselwillobservethatheisalreadyfurnishedwiththematter——whichIregrettosayhehastreated——inthepresenceoftheCourt——andofhisclient,adeaconofthechurch——with——er——greatsuperciliousness。WhenIstatetoyourHonorthatthebooksinquestionarehymn-booksandcopiesoftheHolyScriptures,andthattheyarefortheinstructionofthejury,towhomIshallhavetorefertheminthecourseofmyopening,IbelieveIamwithinmyrights。"

"Theactiscertainlyunprecedented,"saidtheJudgedryly,"butunlessthecounselfortheplaintiffexpectsthejurytoSINGfromthesehymn-books,theirintroductionisnotimproper,andIcannotadmittheobjection。Asdefendant’scounselarefurnishedwithcopiesalso,theycannotplead’surprise,’asintheintroductionofnewmatter,andasplaintiff’scounselreliesevidentlyuponthejury’sattentiontohisopening,hewouldnotbethefirstpersontodistractit。"Afterapauseheadded,addressingtheColonel,whoremainedstanding,"TheCourtiswithyou,sir;proceed。"

ButtheColonelremainedmotionlessandstatuesque,withfoldedarms。

"Ihaveoverruledtheobjection,"repeatedtheJudge;"youmaygoon。"

"Iamwaiting,yourHonor,forthe——er——withdrawalbythedefendant’scounseloftheword’tampering,’asreferstomyself,andof’impertinent,’asreferstothesacredvolumes。"

"Therequestisaproperone,andIhavenodoubtwillbeaccededto,"returnedtheJudgequietly。Thedefendant’scounselroseandmumbledafewwordsofapology,andtheincidentclosed。Therewas,however,ageneralfeelingthattheColonelhadinsomeway"scored,"andifhisobjecthadbeentoexcitethegreatestcuriosityaboutthebooks,hehadmadehispoint。

Butimpassiveofhisvictory,heinflatedhischest,withhisrighthandinthebreastofhisbuttonedcoat,andbegan。Hisusualhighcolorhadpaledslightly,butthesmallpupilsofhisprominenteyesglitteredlikesteel。Theyounggirlleanedforwardinherchairwithanattentionsobreathless,asympathysoquick,andanadmirationsoartlessandunconsciousthatinaninstantshedividedwiththespeakertheattentionofthewholeassemblage。Itwasveryhot;thecourtwascrowdedtosuffocation;eventheopenwindowsrevealedacrowdoffacesoutsidethebuilding,eagerlyfollowingtheColonel’swords。

HewouldremindthejurythatonlyafewweeksagohestoodthereastheadvocateofapowerfulCompany,thenrepresentedbythepresentdefendant。Hespokethenasthechampionofstrictjusticeagainstlegaloppression;nolessshouldheto-daychampionthecauseoftheunprotectedandthecomparativelydefenseless——saveforthatparamountpowerwhichsurroundsbeautyandinnocence——eventhoughtheplaintiffofyesterdaywasthedefendantofto-day。Asheapproachedthecourtamomentagohehadraisedhiseyesandbeheldthestarryflagflyingfromitsdome,andheknewthatgloriousbannerwasasymboloftheperfectequality,undertheConstitution,oftherichandthepoor,thestrongandtheweak——anequalitywhichmadethesimplecitizentakenfromtheploughinthefield,thepickinthegulch,orfrombehindthecounterintheminingtown,whoservedonthatjury,theequalarbitersofjusticewiththathighestlegalluminarywhomtheywereproudtowelcomeonthebenchto-day。TheColonelpaused,withastatelybowtotheimpassiveJudge。Itwasthis,hecontinued,whichliftedhisheartasheapproachedthebuilding。Andyet——hehadentereditwithanuncertain——hemightalmostsay——atimidstep。Andwhy?Heknew,gentlemen,hewasabouttoconfrontaprofound——aye!asacredresponsibility!Thosehymn-booksandholywritingshandedtothejurywereNOT,ashisHonorhadsurmised,forthepurposeofenablingthejurytoindulgein——er——preliminarychoralexercise!

Hemight,indeed,say,"Alas,not!"Theywerethedamning,incontrovertibleproofsoftheperfidyofthedefendant。AndtheywouldproveasterribleawarningtohimasthefatalcharactersuponBelshazzar’swall。Therewasastrongsensation。Hotchkissturnedasallowgreen。Hislawyersassumedacarelesssmile。

Itwashisdutytotellthemthatthiswasnotoneofthoseordinary"breach-of-promise"caseswhichweretoooftentheoccasionofruthlessmirthandindecentlevityinthecourt-room。

Thejurywouldfindnothingofthathere。Therewerenolove-

letterswiththeepithetsofendearment,northosemysticcrossesandcipherswhich,hehadbeencrediblyinformed,chastelyhidtheexchangeofthosemutualcaressesknownas"kisses。"Therewasnocrueltearingoftheveilfromthosesacredprivaciesofthehumanaffection;therewasnoforensicshoutingoutofthosefondconfidencesmeantonlyforONE。Buttherewas,hewasshockedtosay,anewsacrilegiousintrusion。TheweakpipingsofCupidweremingledwiththechorusofthesaints,——thesanctityofthetempleknownasthe"meeting——house"wasdesecratedbyproceedingsmoreinkeepingwiththeshrineofVenus;andtheinspiredwritingsthemselveswereusedasthemediumofamatoryandwantonflirtationbythedefendantinhissacredcapacityasdeacon。

TheColonelartisticallypausedafterthisthunderousdenunciation。

Thejuryturnedeagerlytotheleavesofthehymn-books,butthelargergazeoftheaudienceremainedfixeduponthespeakerandthegirl,whosatinraptadmirationofhisperiods。Afterthehush,theColonelcontinuedinalowerandsaddervoice:"Thereare,perhaps,fewofushere,gentlemen,——withtheexceptionofthedefendant,——whocanarrogatetothemselvesthetitleofregularchurch-goers,ortowhomthesehumblerfunctionsoftheprayer-

meeting,theSunday-school,andtheBible-classarehabituallyfamiliar。Yet"——moresolemnly——"downinourheartsisthedeepconvictionofourshortcomingsandfailings,andalaudabledesirethatothers,atleast,shouldprofitbytheteachingsweneglect。

Perhaps,"hecontinued,closinghiseyesdreamily,"thereisnotamanherewhodoesnotrecallthehappydaysofhisboyhood,therusticvillagespire,thelessonssharedwithsomeartlessvillagemaiden,withwhomhelatersauntered,handinhand,throughthewoods,asthesimplerhymeroseupontheirlips,——

’Alwaysmakeitapointtohaveitarule,NevertobelateattheSabbath-school。’

Hewouldrecallthestrawberryfeasts,thewelcomeannualpicnic,redolentwithhunksofgingerbreadandsarsaparilla。Howwouldtheyfeeltoknowthatthesesacredrecollectionswerenowforeverprofanedintheirmemorybytheknowledgethatthedefendantwascapableofusingsuchoccasionstomakelovetothelargergirlsandteachers,whilsthisartlesscompanionswereinnocently——theCourtwillpardonmeforintroducingwhatIamcrediblyinformedisthelocalexpression——’doinggooseberry’?"Thetremulousflickerofasmilepassedoverthefacesofthelisteningcrowd,andtheColonelslightlywinced。Butherecoveredhimselfinstantly,andcontinued,——

"Myclient,theonlydaughterofawidowedmother——whohasforyearsstemmedthevaryingtidesofadversity,inthewesternprecinctsofthistown——standsbeforeyouto-dayinvestedonlyinherowninnocence。Shewearsno——er——richgiftsofherfaithlessadmirer——ispanopliedinnojewels,rings,normementosofaffectionsuchasloversdelighttohangupontheshrineoftheiraffections;hersisnottheglorywithwhichSolomondecoratedtheQueenofSheba,thoughthedefendant,asIshallshowlater,clothedherinthelessexpensiveflowersoftheking’spoetry。

No,gentlemen!Thedefendantexhibitedinthisaffairacertainfrugalityof——er——pecuniaryinvestment,whichIamwillingtoadmitmaybecommendableinhisclass。Hisonlygiftwascharacteristicalikeofhismethodsandhiseconomy。Thereis,Iunderstand,acertainnotunimportantfeatureofreligiousexerciseknownas’takingacollection。’Thedefendant,onthisoccasion,bythemutepresentationofatinplatecoveredwithbaize,solicitedthepecuniarycontributionsofthefaithful。Onapproachingtheplaintiff,however,hehimselfslippedalove-tokenupontheplateandpushedittowardsher。Thatlove-tokenwasalozenge——asmalldisk,Ihavereasontobelieve,concoctedofpeppermintandsugar,bearinguponitsreversesurfacethesimplewords,’Iloveyou!’I

havesinceascertainedthatthesedisksmaybeboughtforfivecentsadozen——oratconsiderablylessthanonehalfcentforthesinglelozenge。Yes,gentlemen,thewords’Iloveyou!’——theoldestlegendofall;therefrain’whenthemorningstarssangtogether’——werepresentedtotheplaintiffbyamediumsoinsignificantthatthereis,happily,nocoinintherepubliclowenoughtorepresentitsvalue。

"Ishallprovetoyou,gentlemenofthejury,"saidtheColonelsolemnly,drawingaBiblefromhiscoat-tailpocket,"thatthedefendantforthelasttwelvemonthsconductedanamatorycorrespondencewiththeplaintiffbymeansofunderlinedwordsofSacredWritandchurchpsalmody,suchas’beloved,’’precious,’and’dearest,’occasionallyappropriatingwholepassageswhichseemedappositetohistenderpassion。Ishallcallyourattentiontooneofthem。Thedefendant,whileprofessingtobeatotalabstainer,——

amanwho,inmyownknowledge,hasrefusedspirituousrefreshmentasaninordinateweaknessoftheflesh,——withshamelesshypocrisyunderscoreswithhispencilthefollowingpassage,andpresentsittotheplaintiff。ThegentlemenofthejurywillfinditintheSongofSolomon,page548,chapterii。verse5。"Afterapause,inwhichtherapidrustlingofleaveswasheardinthejury-box,ColonelStarbottledeclaimedinapleading,stentorianvoice,"’Staymewith——er——FLAGONS,comfortmewith——er——apples——forIam——

er——sickoflove。’Yes,gentlemen!——yes,youmaywellturnfromthoseaccusingpagesandlookatthedouble-faceddefendant。Hedesires——to——er——be——’stayedwithflagons’!Iamnotawareatpresentwhatkindofliquorishabituallydispensedatthesemeetings,andforwhichthedefendantsourgentlyclamored;butitwillbemyduty,beforethistrialisover,todiscoverit,ifI

havetosummoneverybarkeeperinthisdistrict。ForthemomentI

willsimplycallyourattentiontotheQUANTITY。Itisnotasingledrinkthatthedefendantasksfor——notaglassoflightandgenerouswine,tobesharedwithhisinamorata,butanumberofflagonsorvessels,eachpossiblyholdingapintmeasure——FOR

HIMSELF!"

Thesmileoftheaudiencehadbecomealaugh。TheJudgelookedupwarningly,whenhiseyecaughtthefactthattheColonelhadagainwincedatthismirth。Heregardedhimseriously。Mr。Hotchkiss’scounselhadjoinedinthelaughaffectedly,butHotchkisshimselfsatashypale。Therewasalsoacommotioninthejury-box,ahurriedturningoverofleaves,andanexciteddiscussion。

"Thegentlemenofthejury,"saidtheJudge,withofficialgravity,"willpleasekeeporderandattendonlytothespeechesofcounsel。

AnydiscussionHEREisirregularandpremature,andmustbereservedforthejury-roomaftertheyhaveretired。"

Theforemanofthejurystruggledtohisfeet。Hewasapowerfulman,withagood-humoredface,and,inspiteofhisunfelicitousnicknameof"TheBone-Breaker,"hadakindly,simple,butsomewhatemotionalnature。Nevertheless,itappearedasifhewerelaboringundersomepowerfulindignation。

"Canweaskaquestion,Judge?"hesaidrespectfully,althoughhisvoicehadtheunmistakableWesternAmericanringinit,asofonewhowasunconsciousthathecouldbeaddressinganybuthispeers。

"Yes,"saidtheJudgegood-humoredly。

"We’refindinginthisyerepiece,outo’whichtheKernelhesjustbina-quotin’,somelanguagethatmeandmypardnersallowhadn’torterbereadoutaforeayoungladyincourt,andwewanttoknowofyou——ezafa’r-mindedandimpartialman——efthisisthereg’larkindo’bookgiventogalsandbabiesdownatthemeetin’-house。"

"Thejurywillpleasefollowthecounsel’sspeechwithoutcomment,"

saidtheJudgebriefly,fullyawarethatthedefendant’scounselwouldspringtohisfeet,ashedidpromptly。

"TheCourtwillallowustoexplaintothegentlementhatthelanguagetheyseemtoobjecttohasbeenacceptedbythebesttheologiansforthelastthousandyearsasbeingpurelymystic。AsIwillexplainlater,thosearemerelysymbolsoftheChurch"——

"Ofwot?"interruptedtheforeman,indeepscorn。

"OftheChurch!"

"Weain’taskin’anyquestionso’YOU,andweain’ttakin’anyanswers,"saidtheforeman,sittingdownabruptly。

"Imustinsist,"saidtheJudgesternly,"thattheplaintiff’scounselbeallowedtocontinuehisopeningwithoutinterruption。

You"(todefendant’scounsel)"willhaveyouropportunitytoreplylater。"

Thecounselsankdowninhisseatwiththebitterconvictionthatthejurywasmanifestlyagainsthim,andthecaseasgoodaslost。

Buthisfacewasscarcelyasdisturbedashisclient’s,who,ingreatagitation,hadbeguntoarguewithhimwildly,andwasapparentlypressingsomepointagainstthelawyer’svehementopposal。TheColonel’smurkyeyesbrightenedashestillstooderect,withhishandthrustinhisbreast。

"Itwillbeputtoyou,gentlemen,whenthecounselontheothersiderefrainsfrommereinterruptionandconfineshimselftoreply,thatmyunfortunateclienthasnoaction——noremedyatlaw——becausetherewerenospokenwordsofendearment。But,gentlemen,itwilldependuponYOUtosaywhatareandwhatarenotarticulateexpressionsoflove。Weallknowthatamongtheloweranimals,withwhomyoumaypossiblybecalledupontoclassifythedefendant,therearecertainsignalsmoreorlessharmonious,asthecasemaybe。Theassbrays,thehorseneighs,thesheepbleats——thefeathereddenizensofthegrovecalltotheirmatesinmoremusicalroundelays。Thesearerecognizedfacts,gentlemen,whichyouyourselves,asdwellersamongnatureinthisbeautifulland,areallcognizantof。Theyarefactsthatnoonewoulddeny——

andweshouldhaveapooropinionoftheasswho,at——er——suchasuprememoment,wouldattempttosuggestthathiscallwasunthinkingandwithoutsignificance。But,gentlemen,Ishallprovetoyouthatsuchwasthefoolish,self-convictingcustomofthedefendant。Withthegreatestreluctance,andthe——er——greatestpain,Isucceededinwrestingfromthemaidenlymodestyofmyfairclienttheinnocentconfessionthatthedefendanthadinducedhertocorrespondwithhiminthesemethods。Picturetoyourself,gentlemen,thelonelymoonlightroadbesidethewidow’shumblecottage。Itisabeautifulnight,sanctifiedtotheaffections,andtheinnocentgirlisleaningfromhercasement。Presentlythereappearsupontheroadaslinking,stealthyfigure,thedefendantonhiswaytochurch。Truetotheinstructionshehasreceivedfromhim,herlipspartinthemusicalutterance"(theColonelloweredhisvoiceinafaintfalsetto,presumablyinfondimitationofhisfairclient),"’Keeree!’Instantlythenightbecomesresonantwiththeimpassionedreply"(theColonelhereliftedhisvoiceinstentoriantones),"’Kee-row。’Again,ashepasses,risesthesoft’Keeree;’again,ashisformislostinthedistance,comesbackthedeep’Keerow。’"

Aburstoflaughter,long,loud,andirrepressible,struckthewholecourt-room,andbeforetheJudgecouldlifthishalf-composedfaceandtakehishandkerchieffromhismouth,afaint"Keeree"

fromsomeunrecognizedobscurityofthecourt-roomwasfollowedbyaloud"Keerow"fromsomeoppositelocality。"TheSheriffwillclearthecourt,"saidtheJudgesternly;but,alas!astheembarrassedandchokingofficialsrushedhitherandthither,asoft"Keeree"fromthespectatorsatthewindow,OUTSIDEthecourt-

house,wasansweredbyaloudchorusof"Keerows"fromtheoppositewindows,filledwithonlookers。Againthelaughteraroseeverywhere,——eventhefairplaintiffherselfsatconvulsedbehindherhandkerchief。

ThefigureofColonelStarbottlealoneremainederect——whiteandrigid。AndthentheJudge,lookingup,saw——whatnooneelseinthecourthadseen——thattheColonelwassincereandinearnest;

thatwhathehadconceivedtobethepleader’smostperfectactingandmostelaborateironywerethedeep,serious,mirthlessCONVICTIONSofamanwithouttheleastsenseofhumor。TherewastherespectofthisconvictionintheJudge’svoiceashesaidtohimgently,"Youmayproceed,ColonelStarbottle。"

"IthankyourHonor,"saidtheColonelslowly,"forrecognizinganddoingallinyourpowertopreventaninterruptionthat,duringmythirtyyears’experienceatthebar,Ihaveneverbeensubjectedtowithouttheprivilegeofholdingtheinstigatorsthereofresponsible——PERSONALLYresponsible。ItispossiblymyfaultthatIhavefailed,oratorically,toconveytothegentlemenofthejurythefullforceandsignificanceofthedefendant’ssignals。Iamawarethatmyvoiceissingularlydeficientinproducingeitherthedulcettonesofmyfairclientortheimpassionedvehemenceofthedefendant’sresponse。Iwill,"continuedtheColonel,withafatiguedbutblindfatuitythatignoredthehurriedlyknitbrowsandwarningeyesoftheJudge,"tryagain。Thenoteutteredbymyclient"(loweringhisvoicetothefaintestoffalsettos)"was’Keeree;’theresponsewas’Keerow-ow。’"AndtheColonel’svoicefairlyshookthedomeabovehim。

Anotheruproaroflaughterfollowedthisapparentlyaudaciousrepetition,butwasinterruptedbyanunlooked-forincident。Thedefendantroseabruptly,andtearinghimselfawayfromthewithholdinghandandpleadingprotestationsofhiscounsel,absolutelyfledfromthecourt-room,hisappearanceoutsidebeingrecognizedbyaprolonged"Keerow"fromthebystanders,whichagainandagainfollowedhiminthedistance。

Inthemomentarysilencewhichfollowed,theColonel’svoicewasheardsaying,"Weresthere,yourHonor,"andhesatdown。Nolesswhite,butmoreagitated,wasthefaceofthedefendant’scounsel,whoinstantlyrose。

"Forsomeunexplainedreason,yourHonor,myclientdesirestosuspendfurtherproceedings,withaviewtoeffectapeaceablecompromisewiththeplaintiff。Asheisamanofwealthandposition,heisableandwillingtopayliberallyforthatprivilege。WhileI,ashiscounsel,amstillconvincedofhislegalirresponsibility,ashehaschosenpubliclytoabandonhisrightshere,IcanonlyaskyourHonor’spermissiontosuspendfurtherproceedingsuntilIcanconferwithColonelStarbottle。"

"AsfarasIcanfollowthepleadings,"saidtheJudgegravely,"thecaseseemstobehardlyoneforlitigation,andIapproveofthedefendant’scourse,whileIstronglyurgetheplaintifftoacceptit。"

ColonelStarbottlebentoverhisfairclient。Presentlyherose,unchangedinlookordemeanor。"Iyield,yourHonor,tothewishesofmyclient,and——er——lady。Weaccept。"

BeforethecourtadjournedthatdayitwasknownthroughoutthetownthatAdoniramK。Hotchkisshadcompromisedthesuitforfourthousanddollarsandcosts。

ColonelStarbottlehadsofarrecoveredhisequanimityastostrutjauntilytowardshisoffice,wherehewastomeethisfairclient。

Hewassurprised,however,tofindheralreadythere,andincompanywithasomewhatsheepish-lookingyoungman——astranger。IftheColonelhadanydisappointmentinmeetingathirdpartytotheinterview,hisold-fashionedcourtesydidnotpermithimtoshowit。Hebowedgraciously,andpolitelymotionedthemeachtoaseat。

"IreckonedI’dbringHiramroundwithme,"saidtheyounglady,liftinghersearchingeyes,afterapause,totheColonel’s,"thoughheWASawfulshy,andallowedthatyoudidn’tknowhimfromAdam,orevensuspecthisexistence。ButIsaid,’That’sjustwhereyouslipup,Hiram;apow’fulmanliketheColonelknowseverything——andI’veseenitinhiseye。’Lordy!"shecontinued,withalaugh,leaningforwardoverherparasol,ashereyesagainsoughttheColonel’s,"don’tyourememberwhenyouaskedmeifI

lovedthatoldHotchkiss,andItoldyou,’That’stellin’,’andyoulookedatme——Lordy!IknewTHENyoususpectedtherewasaHiramSOMEWHERE,asgoodasifI’dtoldyou。Nowyoujestgetup,Hiram,andgivetheColonelagoodhand-shake。Forifitwasn’tforHIM

andHISsearchin’ways,andHISawfulpoweroflanguage,Iwouldn’thevgotthatfourthousanddollarsouto’thatflirtyfoolHotchkiss——enoughtobuyafarm,soasyouandmecouldgetmarried!That’swhatyouowetoHIM。Don’tstandtherelikeastuckfoolstarin’athim。Hewon’teatyou——thoughhe’skilledmanyabetterman。Come,haveIgottodoALLthekissin’?"

ItisofrecordthattheColonelbowedsocourteouslyandsoprofoundlythathemanagednotmerelytoevadetheprofferedhandoftheshyHiram,buttoonlylightlytouchthefrankerandmoreimpulsivefinger-tipsofthegentleZaidee。"I——er——offermysincerestcongratulations——thoughIthinkyou——er——overestimate——

my——er——powersofpenetration。Unfortunately,apressingengagement,whichmayobligemealsotoleavetowntonight,forbidsmysayingmore。Ihave——er——leftthe——er——businesssettlementofthis——er——caseinthehandsofthelawyerswhodomyofficework,andwhowillshowyoueveryattention。Andnowletmewishyouaverygoodafternoon。"

Nevertheless,theColonelreturnedtohisprivateroom,anditwasnearlytwilightwhenthefaithfulJimentered,tofindhimsittingmeditativelybeforehisdesk。"’Fo’God!Kernel,Ihopedeyain’tnuffindematter,butyou’slookin’mightysolemn!Iain’tseenyoulookdatway,Kernel,sincededaypoohMassaStrykerwasfetchedhomeshotfroodehead。"

"Handmedownthewhiskey,Jim,"saidtheColonel,risingslowly。

Thenegroflewtotheclosetjoyfully,andbroughtoutthebottle。

TheColonelpouredoutaglassofthespiritanddrankitwithhisolddeliberation。

"You’requiteright,Jim,"hesaid,puttingdownhisglass,"butI’m——er——gettingold——and——somehowIammissingpoorStrykerdamnably!"

THELANDLORDOFTHEBIGFLUMEHOTEL

TheBigFlumestage-coachhadjustdrawnupattheBigFlumeHotelsimultaneouslywiththeringingofalargedinnerbellinthetwohandsofanegrowaiter,who,bycertaingyrationsofthebellwastryingtoimparttohisperformancethatpicturesqueeleganceandharmonywhichtheinstrumentanditspurposelacked。Fortherefreshmentthusproclaimedwasonlytheordinarystationdinner,protractedatBigFlumeforthreequartersofanhour,toallowforthearrivaloftheconnectingmailfromSacramento,althoughtherepastwasofanaturethatseldomprevaileduponthetravelertolingerthefullperiodoveritsdetails。Theordinarycravingsofhungerweregenerallysatisfiedinhalfanhour,andtheremainingminuteswereemployedbythepassengersindrowningthememoryoftheirmealin"drinksatthebar,"insmoking,andeveninahurriedgameof"oldsledge,"ordominoes。Yetto-daythedesertedtablewasstilloccupiedbyabelatedtraveler,andalady——

separatedbyawildernessofemptydishes——whohadarrivedafterthestage-coach。Observingwhich,thelandlord,perhapstouchedbythisunwontedappreciationofhisfare,movedforwardtogivethemhispersonalattention。

Hewasaman,however,whoseemedtobesingularlydeficientinthosesupremequalitieswhichintheWesthaveexaltedtheabilityto"keepahotel"intoaproverbialsynonymforsuperexcellence。

Hehadlittleornoinnovatinggenius,notradedevices,noassumption,nofacultyforadvertisement,noprogressiveness,andno"racket。"Hehadthetolerantgood-humoroftheSouthwesternpioneer,towhomcyclones,famine,drought,floods,pestilence,andsavageswerethingstobeaccepted,andwhomdisaster,ifitdidnotstimulate,certainlydidnotappall。Hereceivedtheinsults,complaints,andcriticismsofhurriedandhungrypassengers,thecommentsandthreatsoftheStageCompanyashehadsubmittedtotheaggressionsofastupid,unjust,butoverrulingNature——withunshakencalm。Perhapshereinlayhisstrength。Peoplewereobligedtosubmittohimandhishotelaspartoftheunfinishedcivilization,andtheyevensawsomethinghumorousinhisimpassiveness。Thosewhopreferredtoremonstratewithhimemergedfromthediscussionwiththegeneralfeelingofhavingbeenplayedwithbyalarge-heartedandpaternallydisposedbear。Tallandlong-limbed,withmuchstrengthinhislazymuscles,therewasalsoaprevailingimpressionthatthisfeelingmightbeintensifiedifthediscussionwereevercarriedtophysicalcontention。OfhispersonalhistoryitwasknownonlythathehademigratedfromWisconsinin1852,thathehadcalmlyunyokedhisoxteamsatBigFlume,thenatracklesswilderness,andontheopeningofawagonroadtothenewmineshadbuiltawaysidestationwhicheventuallydevelopedintothepresenthotel。HehadbeendivorcedinaWesternStatebyhiswife"Rosalie,"locallyknownas"ThePrairieFlowerofElkhamCreek,"forincompatibilityoftemper!Hertemperwasnotstated。

SuchwasAbnerLangworthy,theproprietor,ashemovedleisurelydowntowardstheladyguest,whowasnearest,andwhowassittingwithherbacktothepassagebetweenthetables。Stopping,occasionally,toprofessionallyadjustthetableclothsandglasses,heatlastreachedherside。

"Efthere’sanythin’moreyewantthatyeain’tseein’,ma’am,"hebegan——andstoppedsuddenly。Fortheladyhadlookedupatthesoundofhisvoice。Itwashisdivorcedwife,whomhehadnotseensincetheirseparation。Therecognitionwasinstantaneous,mutual,andcharacterizedbyperfectequanimityonbothsides。

"Well!Iwanterknow!"saidthelady,althoughtheexclamationpointwaspurelyconventional。"AbnerLangworthy!thoughperhapsI’venocalltosay’Abner。’"

"Sametoyou,Rosalie——thoughIsayittoo,"returnedthelandlord。

"Buthol’onjustaminit。"Hemovedforwardtotheotherguest,putthesameperfunctoryquestionregardinghisneeds,receivedanegativeanswer,andthenreturnedtotheladyanddroppedintoachairoppositetoher。

"You’relookingpeartand——fleshy,"hesaidresignedly,asifheweretoleratinghisownconventionalpolitenesswithhisotherdifficulties;"unless,"headdedcautiously,"you’retakin’onsomenewdisease。"

"No!I’mfairlycomf’ble,"respondedtheladycalmly,"andyou’regettin’oninthevale,ezisnatural——thoughyoustillkindo’runtobone,asyouused。"

Therewasnotatraceofmalevolenceineitheroftheircomments,onlyaresignedrecognitionofcertainunpleasanttruthswhichseemedtohavebeenhabitualtobothofthem。Mr。Langworthypausedtoflickawaysomefliesfromthebutterwithhisprofessionalnapkin,andresumed,——

"Itmustbeamattero’fiveyearssensIlastsawye,isn’tit?——

incourtarteryougotthedecree——youremember?"

"Yes——the28tho’July,’51。IpaidLawyerHoskins’sbillthatveryday——that’showIremember,"returnedthelady。"You’vegotabigbusinesshere,"shecontinued,glancingroundtheroom;"I

reckonyou’remakin’itpay。Don’tseemtobeinyourline,though;butthen,tharwasn’tmanythingsthatwas。"

"No——that’sso,"respondedMr。Langworthy,noddinghishead,asassentingtoanundeniableproposition,"andyou——Isupposeyou’regettin’ontoo。Ireckonyou’re——er——married——eh?"——withaslightsuggestionofputtingthequestiondelicately。

Theladynodded,ignoringthehesitation。"Yes,letmesee,it’sjustthreeyearsandthreedays。ConstantineByers——Idon’treckonyouknowhim——fromMilwaukee。Timbermerchant。Standin’timber’shisspecialty。"

"AndIreckonhe’s——satisfactory?"

"Yes!Mr。Byersisagoodprovider——andhandy。Andyou?Ishouldsayyou’dwantawifeinthisbusiness?"

Mr。Langworthy’sserioushalf-perfunctorymannerheretookonanappearanceofinterest。"Yes——I’vebinthinkin’thatway。Thar’sayoungwomanhelpin’inthekitchenezmightdo,thoughI’mnotcertain,andIain’tlettin’onanythingasyet。Youmighttakealookather,Rosalie,——IortersayMrs。Byersezis,——andkindersizeherup,andgimmetheresult。It’sstillwantin’sevenminuteso’scheduletimeaforethestagegoes,and——ifyouain’twantin’morefood"——delicately,asbecamealandord——"andain’tgotanythin’elsetodo,itmightpassthetime。"

Strangeasitmayseem,Mrs。Byersheredisplayedanequalanimationinherfreshfaceassherosepromptlytoherfeetandbegantorearrangeherdustcloakaroundherbuxomfigure。"Idon’tmind,Abner,"shesaid,"andIdon’tthinkthatMr。Byerswouldmindeither;"thenseeingLangworthyhesitatingatthelatterunexpectedsuggestion,sheaddedconfidently,"andIwouldn’tmindevenifhedid,forI’msureifIdon’tknowthekindo’womanyou’dbelikelytoneed,Idon’tknowwhowould。OnlylastweekIwassayin’likethattoMr。Byers"——

"ToMr。Byers?"saidAbner,withsomesurprise。

"Yes——tohim。Isaid,’We’vebeenmarriedthreeyears,Constantine,andefIdon’tknowbythistimewhatkindo’womanyouneednow——andmightneedinfuture——why,tharain’tmuchuseinmatrimony。’"

"Youwasalwayswise,Rosalie,"saidAbner,withreminiscentappreciation。

"Iwasalwaysthere,Abner,"returnedMrs。Byers,withacomplacentshowofdimples,whichshe,however,chastenedintothatresignationwhichseemedcharacteristicofthepair。"Let’sseeyour’intended’——asmightbe。"

Thussupported,Mr。LangworthyledMrs。Byersintothehallthroughacrowdofloungers,intoasmallerhall,andthereopenedthedoorofthekitchen。Itwasalargeroom,whosewindowswerehalfdarkenedbytheencompassingpineswhichstillpressedaroundthehouseonthescantilyclearedsite。Anumberofmenandwomen,amongthemaChinamanandanegro,wereengagedinwashingdishesandotherculinaryduties;andbesidethewindowstoodayoungblondegirl,whowaswipingatinpanwhichshewasalsousingtohideaburstoflaughterevidentlycausedbytheabruptentranceofheremployer。Aquantityoffluffyhairandpartofawhite,baredarmwereneverthelessvisibleoutsidethedisk,andMrs。ByersgatheredfromthedirectionofMr。Langworthy’seyes,assistedbyaslightnudgefromhiselbow,thatthiswastheselectedfairone。

Hisfeebleexplanatoryintroduction,addressedtotheoccupantsgenerally,"JustshowingthehousetoMrs。——er——Dusenberry,"

convincedherthatthecircumstancesofhishavingbeendivorcedhehadnotyetconfidedtotheyoungwoman。Asheturnedalmostimmediatelyaway,Mrs。Byersinfollowinghimmanagedtogetabetterlookatthegirl,asshewasexchangingsomefacetiousremarktoaneighbor。Mr。Langworthydidnotspeakuntiltheyhadreachedthedeserteddining-roomagain。

"Well?"hesaidbriefly,glancingattheclock,"whatdidyethinko’MaryEllen?"

Toanyordinaryobserverthegirlinquestionwouldhaveseemedtheleastfittedinage,sobrietyofdeportment,andadministrativecapacitytofillthesituationthusproposedforher,butMrs。

Byerswasnotanordinaryobserver,andherauditorwasnotanordinarylistener。

"She’solderthanshegivesherselfouttobe,"saidMrs。Byerstentatively,"andthemkittenwaysdon’tamounttomuch。"

Mr。Langworthynodded。HadMrs。ByersdiscoveredahomicidaltendencyinMaryEllenhewouldhavebeenequallyunmoved。

"Shedon’thandsomemuch,"continuedMrs。Byersmusingly,"but"——

"Ineverwaskeenongoodlooksinawoman,Rosalie。Youknowthat!"Mrs。Byersreceivedtheequivocalremarkunemotionally,andreturnedtothesubject。

"Well!"shesaidcontemplatively,"Ishouldthinkyoucouldmakehersuit。"

Mr。Langworthynoddedwithresignedtolerationofallthatmighthaveinfluencedherjudgmentandhisown。"Iwaswantin’afa’r-

mindedopinion,Rosalie,andyouhappenedalongjestintime。KinIputupanythin’inthewayoffoodforye?"headded,asastiroutsideandthewords"Allaboard!"proclaimedthedepartingofthestage-coach,——"anorangeorahunko’gingerbread,freshlybaked?"

"Thankyekindly,Abner,butIsha’n’tbeusin’anythin’aforesupper,"respondedMrs。Byers,astheypassedoutintotheverandabesidethewaitingcoach。

Mr。Langworthyhelpedhertoherseat。"Efyou’repassin’thiswayag’in"——hehesitateddelicately。

"I’lldropin,orIreckonMr。Byersmight,hehavin’businessalongtheroad,"returnedMrs。Byerswithacheerfulnod,asthecoachrolledawayandthelandlordoftheBigFlumeHotelreenteredhishouse。

Forthenextthreeweeks,however,itdidnotappearthatMr。

Langworthywasinanyhurrytoactupontheadviceofhisformerwife。HisrelationstoMaryEllenBuddwerecharacterizedbyhisusualtolerancetohisemployees’failings,——whichinMaryEllen’scaseincludedmany"breakages,"——butwerenotmarkedbytheinvasionofanywarmerfeeling,oradesireforconfidences。Theonlyperceptibledivergencefromhisregularhabitswasadispositiontobeontheverandaatthearrivalofthestage-coach,andwhenhisdutiespermittedthis,acautioussurveyofhisfemaleguestsatthebeginningofdinner。Thisprobablyledtohismoreorlessignoringanypeculiaritiesinhismasculinepatronsortheirclaimstohispersonalattention。Particularlyso,inthecaseofared-beardedman,inalonglinenduster,bothheavilyfreightedwiththereddustofthestageroad,whichseemedtohaveinvadedhisveryeyesashewatchedthelandlordclosely。Towardsthecloseofthedinner,whenAbner,accompaniedbyanegrowaiterafterhisusualcustom,passeddowneachsideofthelongtable,collectingpaymentforthemeal,thestrangerlookedup。"Youairthelandlordofthishotel,Ireckon?"

"Iam,"saidAbnertolerantly。

"I’dlikeawordortwowithye。"

ButAbnerhadbeenobligedtohaveaformulaforsuchoccasions。

"Ye’llpayforyerdinnerfirst,"hesaidsubmissively,butfirmly,"andmakeyerremarksaginthefoodarter。"

Thestrangerflushedquickly,andhiseyetookanadditionalshadeofred,butmeetingAbner’sseriousgrayones,hecontentedhimselfwithostentatiouslytakingoutahandfulofgoldandsilverandpayinghisbill。Abnerpassedon,butafterdinnerwasoverhefoundthestrangerinthehall。

"Yepulledmeuprathershortinthar,"saidthemangloomily,"butit’sjustaswell,asthetalkIwaswantin’withyewaskinderbetwixtandbetweenourselves,andnothotelbusiness。Myname’sByers,andmywifeletonshemetyedownhere。"

ForthefirsttimeitstruckAbnerasincongruousthatanothermanshouldcallRosalie"hiswife,"althoughthefactofherremarriagehadbeenmadesufficientlyplaintohim。Heaccepteditashewouldanearthquake,oranyotherdislocation,withhisusualtolerantsmile,andheldouthishand。

Mr。Byerstookit,seeminglymollified,andyetinwardlydisturbed,——

moreeventhanwascustomaryinAbner’sguestsafterdinner。

"Haveadrinkwithme,"hesuggested,althoughithadstruckhimthatMr。Byershadbeendrinkingbeforedinner。

"I’magreeable,"respondedByerspromptly;"but,"withaglanceatthecrowdedbar-room,"couldn’twegosomewhere,jestyouandme,andhaveaquietconfab?"

"Ireckon。Butyemustwaittillwegetheroff。"

Mr。Byersstartedslightly,butitappearedthattheimpedimentalsexinthiscasewasthecoach,which,afteraslightfemininehesitation,wasatlaststarted。WhereuponMr。Langworthy,followedbyanegrowithatraybearingadecanterandglasses,graspedMr。Byers’sarm,andwalkedalongasmallsideverandathedepthofthehouse,steppedoff,andapparentlyplungedwithhisguestintotheprimevalwilderness。

IthasalreadybeenindicatedthatthesiteoftheBigFlumeHotelhadbeenscantilycleared;butMr。Byers,backwoodsmanthoughhewas,wasquiteunpreparedforsoabruptachange。Thehotel,withitsnoisycrowdandgarishnewness,althoughscarcelyadozenyardsaway,seemedlostcompletelytosightandsound。Aslightfringeofoldtincans,brokenchina,shavings,andevenofthelong-driedchipsofthefelledtrees,oncecrossed,thetwomenwerealone!

Fromthetray,depositedatthefootofanenormouspine,theytookthedecanter,filledtheirglasses,andthendisposedofthemselvescomfortablyagainstaspreadingroot。Thecurlingtailofasquirreldisappearedbehindthem;thefar-offtapofawoodpeckeraccentedtheloneliness。Andthen,almostmagicallyasitseemed,thethinveneeringofcivilizationonthetwomenseemedtobecastofflikethebarkofthetreesaroundthem,andtheyloungedbeforeeachotherinaboriginalfreedom。Mr。Byersremovedhisrestrainingdusterandundercoat。Mr。Langworthyresignedhisdirtywhitejacket,hiscollar,andunloosedasuspender,withwhichheplayed。

"Woulditbeafairquestionbetweentwofa’r-mindedmen,ezhezlivedalone,"saidMr。Byers,withagravitysosupernaturalthatitcouldbereferredonlytoliquor,"toaskyeinwhatsorto’waydidMrs。Byersshowhertemper?"

"Showhertemper?"echoedAbnervacantly。

"Yes——incourse,ImeanwhenyouandMrs。Byerswas——was——one?Youknowthedi-vorcewasforin-com-pat-ibilityoftemper。"

"Butshegotthedivorcefromme,soIreckonIhadthetemper,"

saidLangworthy,withgreatsimplicity。

"Wha-at?"saidMr。Byers,puttingdownhisglassandgazingwithdrunkengravityatthesad-eyedyetgood-humoredlytolerantmanbeforehim。"You?——youhadthetemper?"

"Ireckonthat’swhatthecourtallowed,"saidAbnersimply。

Mr。Byersstared。Thenafteramoment’spausehenoddedwithasignificantyetrelievedface。"Yes,Isee,incourse。Timeswhenyou’dh’istedtoomucho’thiscornjuice,"liftinguphisglass,"insideye——yesorterbu’stoutravin’?"

ButAbnershookhishead。"Iwuzatotalabstainerinthemdays,"

hesaidquietly。

Mr。Byersgotunsteadilyonhislegsandlookedaroundhim。"Wotmighthevbinthegeneralgaito’yourtemper,pardner?"hesaidinahoarsewhisper。

"Don’tknow。Ireckonthat’sjestwhartheincompatibilitykemin。"

"Andwhenshehoveplatesatyourhead,wotdidyoudo?"

"Shedidn’thovenoplates,"saidAbnergravely;"didshesayshedid?"

"No,no!"returnedByershastily,incrimsonconfusion。"Ikindergotitmixedwithsuthin’else。"Hewavedhishandinalordlyway,asifdismissingthesubject。"Howsumever,youandheris’off’anyway,"headdedwithbadlyconcealedanxiety。

"Ireckon:there’sthedecree,"returnedAbner,withhisusualresignedacceptanceofthefact。

"Mrs。Byerswuzallowin’yewuzthinkin’ofasecond。How’sthatcomin’on?"

"Jestwharitwas,"returnedAbner。"Iain’tdoin’anythingyet。

YeseeI’vegottotellthegal,naterally,thatI’mdi-vorced。

Andasthatisn’tknownhereabouts,Idon’tkeertodosotillI’mprettycertain。Andthen,incourse,I’vegotto。"

"Whyhevye’gotto’?"askedByersabruptly。

"Becauseitwouldn’tbeonthesquarewiththegirl,"saidAbner。

"HowwouldyoulikeitifMrs。Byershadnevertoldyoushe’dbeenmarriedtome?Ands’poseyou’dhappentohevbinadi-vorcedmanandhadn’ttoldher,eh?Well,"hecontinued,sinkingbackresignedlyagainstthetree,"Iain’tsayin’anythin’butshe’dhevgotanotherdi-vorce,andFROMyouonthespot——youbet!"

"Well!allIkinsayis,"saidMr。Byers,liftinghisvoiceexcitedly,"that"——buthestoppedshort,andwasabouttofillhisglassagainfromthedecanterwhenthehandofAbnerstoppedhim。

"Ye’vegotezmuchezyekincarrynow,Byers,"hesaidslowly,"andthat’saboutezmuchezIallowamantotakeinattheBigFlumeHotel。Treatin’istreatin’,hospitalityishospitality;efyouandmewassquattin’outontheprairieI’dletyoufillyourskinwiththatpizenandwrapyeupinyerblanketsafterwards。

ButhereatBigFlume,theStageKempennyandthewimenandchildrenpassengersheztheirrights。"Hepausedamoment,andadded,"AndsoIreckonhezMrs。Byers,andIain’tgoin’tosendyouhometoheroutermyhouseblinddrunk。It’smightyroughonyouandme,Iknow,butthere’saloto’roughnessinthisworldezheztobegotover,andlife,ezfarezIkinsee,ain’tallaclearin’。"

Perhapsitwashisgood-humoredyetfirmdetermination,perhapsitwashisresignedphilosophy,butsomethinginthespeaker’smanneraffectedMr。Byers’salcoholicsusceptibility,andhastenedhisdescentfromthepassionateheightsofintoxicationtothemaudlinstagewhitherhewasdrifting。Thefireofhisredeyesbecamefilmedanddim,anequalmoisturegatheredinhisthroatashepressedAbner’shandwithdrunkenfervor。"Thashso!yourthinkingo’mean’MishByershisliketroofr’en’,"hesaidthickly。"I

woshonlygoin’toshaythatwoteverMishByershwosh——evenifshewoshwifeo’yours——shewosh——noblewoman!Suchawoman,"continuedMr。Byers,dreamilyregardingspace,"can’thavetoomanyhusbands。"

"Youjestsitbackhereaminit,andhaveaquietsmoketillIcomeback,"saidAbner,handinghimhistobaccoplug。"I’vegottogivethebutcherhisorder——butIwon’tbeaminit。"Hesecuredthedecanterashespoke,andevadinganapparentdispositionofhiscompaniontofalluponhisneck,madehiswaywithlongstridestothehotel,asMr。Byers,sinkingbackagainstthetrees,begancertainfutileeffortstolighthisunfilledpipe。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫,醒来一梦似千年,重生于下堂妃身躯中的她,将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读

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