"Isay——itain’taHER，isit？"saidUncleJim。
UncleBillyachievedadiabolicalwinkandacreditableblushathislie。
"Billy？"
"Jim！"
AndundercoverofthisfestivegallantryUncleBillyescaped。Heranthroughthegatheringdarkness，andtoileduptheshiftingsandstothetopofthehill，wherehefoundthecarriagewaiting。
"Wot，"saidUncleBillyinalowconfidentialtonetothecoachman，"wotdoyou’Friscofellersallowtobethebest，biggest，andriskiestgamblin’-saloonhere？Suthin’high-toned，youknow？"
Thenegrogrinned。Itwastheusualcaseoftheextravagantspendthriftminer，thoughperhapshehadexpectedadifferentquestionandorder。
"Deyisde’Polka，’de’ElDorado，’andde’Arcade’saloon，boss，"
hesaid，flickinghiswhipmeditatively。"Mostgentsfromdeminespreferde’Polka，’fordeyisdancingwiddegalsfrownin。Butderealprimafacieplaceforgentswhogoforbuckin’agindetigerandstraight-outgamblin’isde’Arcade。’"
"Drivetherelikethunder！"saidUncleBilly，leapingintothecarriage……
Truetohisword，UncleBillywasathispartner’sshantyearlythenextmorning。Helookedalittletired，buthappy，andhadbroughtadraftwithhimforfivehundredandseventy-fivedollars，whichheexplainedwasthetotalofhiscapital。UncleJimwasoverjoyed。TheywouldstartforNapathatveryday，andconcludethepurchaseoftheranch；UncleJim’ssprainedfootwasasufficientreasonforhisgivinguphispresentvocation，whichhecouldalsosellatasmallprofit。Hisdomesticarrangementswereverysimple；therewasnothingtotakewithhim——therewaseverythingtoleavebehind。Andthatafternoon，atsunset，thetworeunitedpartnerswereseatedonthedeckoftheNapaboatassheswungintothestream。
UncleBillywasgazingovertherailingwithalookofabstractedrelieftowardstheGoldenGate，wherethesinkingsunseemedtobedrawingtowardshimintheoceanagoldenstreamthatwasforeverpouringfromtheBayandthethree-hilledcitybesideit。WhatUncleBillywasthinkingof，orwhatthepicturesuggestedtohim，didnottranspire；forUncleJim，who，emboldenedbyhisholiday，wasluxuriatinginaneveningpaper，suddenlyutteredalong-drawnwhistle，andmovedclosertohisabstractedpartner。"Lookyer，"
hesaid，pointingtoaparagraphhehadevidentlyjustread，"justyoulistentothis，andseeifweain’tlucky，youandme，tobejestwotweair——trustin’toourownhardwork——andnotthinkin’o’
’strikes’and’fortins。’Jestunbuttonyerears，Billy，whileI
reeloffthisyerthingI’vejeststruckinthepaper，andseewhatd——dfoolssomemenkinmakeo’themselves。Andthattheerreporterwotwroteit——musthevseeditreely！"
UncleJimclearedhisthroat，andholdingthepaperclosetohiseyesreadaloudslowly：——
"’Asceneofexcitementthatrecalledthepalmydaysof’49waswitnessedlastnightattheArcadeSaloon。Astranger，whomighthavebelongedtothatrecklessepoch，andwhoboreeveryevidenceofbeingasuccessfulPikeCountymineroutona"spree，"appearedatoneofthetableswithanegrocoachmanbearingtwoheavybagsofgold。Selectingafaro-bankashisbaseofoperations，hebegantobetheavilyandwithapparentrecklessness，untilhisplayexcitedthebreathlessattentionofeveryone。Inafewmomentshehadwonasumvariouslyestimatedatfromeightytoahundredthousanddollars。Arumorwentroundtheroomthatitwasaconcertedattemptto"breakthebank"ratherthanthedrunkenfreakofaWesternminer，dazzledbysomesuccessfulstrike。Tothistheorytheman’scarelessandindifferentbearingtowardshisextraordinarygainslentgreatcredence。Theattempt，ifsuchitwas，however，wasunsuccessful。Afterwinningtentimesinsuccessiontheluckturned，andtheunfortunate"bucker"wasclearedoutnotonlyofhisgains，butofhisoriginalinvestment，whichmaybeplacedroughlyattwentythousanddollars。Thisextraordinaryplaywaswitnessedbyacrowdofexcitedplayers，whowerelessimpressedbyeventhemagnitudeofthestakesthantheperfectsang-froidandrecklessnessoftheplayer，who，itissaid，atthecloseofthegametossedatwenty-dollargold-piecetothebankerandsmilinglywithdrew。Themanwasnotrecognizedbyanyofthehabituesoftheplace。’
"There！"saidUncleJim，ashehurriedlyslurredovertheFrenchsubstantiveattheclose，"didyeeverseesuchGod-forsakenfoolishness？"
UncleBillyliftedhisabstractedeyesfromthecurrent，stillpouringitsunreturninggoldintothesinkingsun，andsaid，withadeprecatorysmile，"Never！"
NoreveninthedaysofprosperitythatvisitedtheGreatWheatRanchof"FallandFoster"didheevertellhissecrettohispartner。
SEEYUP
Idon’tsupposethathisprogenitorsevergavehimthatname，or，indeed，thatitwasaNAMEatall；butitwascurrentlybelievedthat——aspronounced"SeeUP"——itmeantthatliftingoftheouterangleoftheeyecommontotheMongolian。Ontheotherhand，IhadbeentoldthattherewasanoldChinesecustomofaffixingsomemottoorlegend，orevenasentencefromConfucius，asasignabovetheirshops，andthattwoormorewords，whichmightbemerelyequivalentto"Virtueisitsownreward，"or"Richesaredeceitful，"werebelievedbythesimpleCalifornianminertobethenameoftheoccupanthimself。Howbeit，"SeeYup"accepteditwiththesmilingpatienceofhisrace，andneverwentbyanyother。Ifoneofthetunnelmenalwaysaddressedhimas"Brigadier-General，"
"Judge，"or"Commodore，"itwasunderstoodtobeonlytheAmericanfondnessforironictitle，andwasneverusedexceptinpersonalconversation。InappearancehelookedlikeanyotherChinaman，woretheordinarybluecottonblouseandwhitedrawersoftheSampancoolie，and，inspiteoftheapparentcleanlinessandfreshnessofthesegarments，alwaysexhaledthatsingularmedicatedodor——halfopium，halfginger——whichwerecognizedasthecommon"Chinesesmell。"
Ourfirstinterviewwascharacteristicofhispatientquality。Hehaddonemywashingforseveralmonths，butIhadneveryetseenhim。Ameetingatlasthadbecomenecessarytocorrecthisimpressionsregarding"buttons"——whichhehadseemedtoconsiderasmereexcrescences，toberemovedlikesuperfluousdirtfromsoiledlinen。Ihadexpectedhimtocallatmylodgings，buthehadnotyetmadehisappearance。Oneday，duringthenoontiderecessofthelittlefrontierschooloverwhichIpresided，Ireturnedratherearly。Twoorthreeofthesmallerboys，whowereloiteringabouttheschool-yard，disappearedwithacertainguiltyprecipitationthatIsuspectedforthemoment，butwhichIpresentlydismissedfrommymind。Ipassedthroughtheemptyschool-roomtomydesk，satdown，andbegantopreparethecominglessons。PresentlyI
heardafaintsigh。Lookingup，tomyintenseconcern，I
discoveredasolitaryChinamanwhomIhadoverlooked，sittinginarigidattitudeonabenchwithhisbacktothewindow。Hecaughtmyeyeandsmiledsadly，butwithoutmoving。
"Whatareyoudoinghere？"Iaskedsternly。
"Mewasheeshilts；metalkee’buttons。’"
"Oh！you’reSeeYup，areyou？"
"Alleesame，John。"
"Well，comehere。"
Icontinuedmywork，buthedidnotmove。
"Comehere，hangit！Don’tyouunderstand？"
"Meshabbee，’commeyea。’ButmenoshabbeeMellicanboy，whocatcheeme，alleesame。YOU’commeyea’——YOUshabbee？"
Indignant，butbelievingthattheunfortunatemanwasstillinfearofpersecutionfromthemischievousurchinswhomIhadevidentlyjustinterrupted，Iputdownmypenandwentovertohim。HereI
discovered，tomysurpriseandmortification，thathislongpigtailwasheldhardandfastbytheclosedwindowbehindhimwhichtheyoungrascalshadshutdownuponit，afterhavingfirstnoiselesslyfisheditoutsidewithahookandline。Iapologized，openedthewindow，andreleasedhim。Hedidnotcomplain，althoughhemusthavebeenfixedinthatuncomfortablepositionforsomeminutes，butplungedatonceintothebusinessthatbroughthimthere。
"ButWHYdidn’tyoucometomylodgings？"Iasked。
Hesmiledsadlybutintelligently。
"MishtelBally[Mr。Barry，mylandlord]heowcemefivedolleefowashee，washee。Henopayeeme。HesayheknockhelleeouteemealleetimeIcomeforpayee。SomenocomeHOUSEE，mecomeSCHOOLEE，Shabbee？Mellicanboynogood，butnotsobigasMellicanman。NocanhurteeChinamansomuch。Shabbee？"
Alas！Iknewthatthiswasmainlytrue。Mr。JamesBarrywasanIrishman，whosefinerreligiousfeelingsrevoltedagainstpayingmoneytoaheathen。IcouldnotfinditinmyhearttosayanythingtoSeeYupaboutthebuttons；indeed，Ispokeincomplimentarytermsabouttheglossofmyshirts，andIthinkI
meeklybeggedhimtocomeagainformywashing。WhenIwenthomeI
expostulatedwithMr。Barry，butsucceededonlyinextractingfromhimtheconvictionthatIwasoneof"thimblackRepublicanfellysthatworshipednaygurs。"Ihadsimplymadeanenemyofhim。ButI
didnotknowthat，atthesametime，IhadmadeafriendofSeeYup！
Ibecameawareofthisafewdayslater，bytheappearanceonmydeskofasmallpotcontainingaspecimenofcamelliajaponicainflower。Iknewtheschool-childrenwereinthehabitofmakingpresentstomeinthisfurtivefashion，——leavingtheirownnosegaysofwildflowers，orperhapsaclusterofrosesfromtheirparents’
gardens，——butIalsoknewthatthisexoticwastooraretocomefromthem。IrememberedthatSeeYuphadaChinesetasteforgardening，andafriend，anotherChinaman，whokeptalargenurseryintheadjoiningtown。Butmydoubtsweresetatrestbythediscoveryofasmallrollofredrice-papercontainingmywashing-
bill，fastenedtothecamelliastalk。ItwasplainthatthisminglingofbusinessanddelicategratitudewasclearlySeeYup’sownidea。Asthefinestflowerwasthetopmostone，Ipluckeditforwearing，whenIfound，tomyastonishment，thatitwassimplywiredtothestalk。Thisledmetolookattheothers，whichI
foundalsowired！Morethanthat，theyseemedtobeaninferiorflower，andexhaledthatcold，earthyodorpeculiartothecamellia，even，asIthought，toanexcess。Acloserexaminationresultedinthediscoverythat，withtheexceptionofthefirstflowerIhadplucked，theywereoneandallingeniouslyconstructedofthinslicesofpotato，marvelouslycuttoimitatethevegetablewaxinessandformalityoftherealflower。Theworkshowedaninfiniteandalmostpatheticpatienceindetail，yetstrangelyincommensuratewiththeresult，admirableasitwas。Nevertheless，thiswasalsolikeSeeYup。Butwhetherhehadtriedtodeceiveme，orwhetherheonlywishedmetoadmirehisskill，Icouldnotsay。Andashispersecutionbymyscholarshadleftabalanceofconsiderationinhisfavor，Isenthimawarmnoteofthanks，andsaidnothingofmydiscovery。
Asouracquaintanceprogressed，Ibecamefrequentlytherecipientofothersmallpresentsfromhim：apotofpreservesofaqualityI
couldnotpurchaseinshops，andwhosecontentsintheircrafty，gingerydissimulationsodefieddefinitionthatIneverknewwhethertheywereanimal，vegetable，ormineral；twoorthreehideousChineseidols，"forluckee，"andadiabolicalfire-workwithanirregularspasmodicactivitythatwouldsometimesbeprolongeduntilthenextmorning。Inreturn，IgavehimsomeapparentlyhopelessorallessonsinEnglish，andcertainsentencestobecopied，whichhedidwithmarvelousprecision。Irememberoneinstancewhenthispeculiarfacultyofimitationwasdisastrousinresult。Insettinghimacopy，IhadblurredawordwhichI
promptlyerased，andthentracedthelettersmoredistinctlyoverthescratchedsurface。Tomysurprise，SeeYuptriumphantlyproducedHIScopywiththeerasionitselfcarefullyimitated，and，infact，muchmoreneatlydonethanmine。
Inourconfidentialintercourse，Ineverseemedtoreallygetnearertohim。Hissympathyandsimplicityappearedlikehisflowers——tobeagood-humoredimitationofmyown。Iamsatisfiedthathisparticularlysoullesslaughwasnotderivedfromanyamusementheactuallyfelt，yetIcouldnotsayitwasforced。Inhisaccurateimitations，Ifanciedhewasonlytryingtoevadeanyresponsibilityofhisown。THATdevolveduponhistaskmaster！Intheattentionhedisplayedwhennewideaswerepresentedtohim，therewasaslightcondescension，asifhewerelookingdownuponthemfromhisthreethousandyearsofhistory。
"Don’tyouthinktheelectrictelegraphwonderful？"Iaskedoneday。
"VerygoodforMellicanman，"hesaid，withhisaimlesslaugh；
"plentymakeehimjump！"
Inevercouldtellwhetherhehadconfoundeditwithelectro-
galvanism，orwasonlysatirizingourAmericanhasteandfeverishness。Hewascapableofeither。Forthatmatter，weknewthattheChinesethemselvespossessedsomemeansofsecretlyandquicklycommunicatingwithoneanother。AnynewsofgoodorillimporttotheirracewasquicklydisseminatedthroughthesettlementbeforeWEknewanythingaboutit。Aninnocentbasketofclothesfromthewash，sentupfromtheriver-bank，becameinsomewayalibraryofinformation；asingleslipofrice-paper，aimlesslyflutteringinthedustoftheroad，hadthemysteriouseffectofdivergingawholegangofcoolietrampsawayfromoursettlement。
WhenSeeYupwasnotsubjecttothepersecutionsofthemoreignorantandbrutalhewasalwaysasourceofamusementtoall，andIcannotrecallaninstancewhenhewasevertakenseriously。Theminersfounddiversionseveninhisallegedfraudsandtrickeries，whetherinnocentorretaliatory，andwerefondofrelatingwithgreatgustohisevasionoftheForeignMiners’Tax。ThiswasanoppressivemeasureaimedprincipallyattheChinese，whohumblyworkedtheworn-out"tailings"oftheirChristianfellowminers。
ItwasstatedthatSeeYup，knowingthedifficulty——alreadyalludedto——ofidentifyinganyparticularChinamanbyNAME，conceivedtheadditionalideaofconfusingrecognitionbyintensifyingthemonotonousfacialexpression。Havingpaidhistaxhimselftothecollector，heatoncepassedthereceipttohisfellows，sothatthecollectorfoundhimselfconfrontedindifferentpartsofthesettlementwiththereceiptandtheaimlesslaughof，apparently，SeeYuphimself。AlthoughweallknewthattherewereadozenChinamenormoreatworkatthemines，thecollectorneverwasabletocollectthetaxfrommorethanTWO，——SeeYupandoneSeeYin，——
andsogreatwasTHEIRfacialresemblancethattheunfortunateofficialforalongtimehuggedhimselfwiththeconvictionthathehadmadeSeeYupPAYTWICE，andwithheldthemoneyfromthegovernment！ItisveryprobablethattheCalifornian’srecognitionofthesanctityofajoke，andhisbeliefthat"cheatingthegovernmentwasonlycheatinghimself，"largelyaccountedforthesympathiesoftherestoftheminers。
Butthesesympathieswerenotalwaysunanimous。
OneeveningIstrolledintothebar-roomoftheprincipalsaloon，which，sofarasmereupholsteryandcomfortwent，wasalsotheprincipalhouseinthesettlement。Thefirstrainshadcommenced；
thewindowswereopen，fortheinfluenceofthesouthwesttradespenetratedeventhisfar-offmountainminingsettlement，but，oddlyenough，therewasafireinthelargecentralstove，aroundwhichtheminershadcollected，withtheirsteamingbootselevatedonaprojectingironrailingthatencircledit。Theywerenotattractedbythewarmth，butthestoveformedasocialpivotforgossip，andsuggestedthatmysticcircledeartothegregariousinstinct。Yettheyweredecidedlyadespondentgroup。Forsomemomentsthesilencewasonlybrokenbyagasp，asigh，amutteredoath，oranimpatientchangeofposition。Therewasnothinginthefortunesofthesettlement，norintheirownindividualaffairstosuggestthisgloom。Thesingulartruthwasthattheywere，oneandall，sufferingfromthepangsofdyspepsia。
Incongruousassuchacomplaintmightseemtotheirhealthyenvironment，——theiroutdoorlife，theirdailyexercise，thehealingbalsamofthemountainair，theirenforcedtemperanceindiet，andtheabsenceofallenervatingpleasures，——itwasneverthelesstheincontestablefact。Whetheritwastheresultofthenervous，excitabletemperamentwhichhadbroughtthemtogetherinthisfeverishhuntforgold；whetheritwasthequalityofthetinnedmeatsorhalf-cookedprovisionstheyhastilybolted，begrudgingthetimeittooktoprepareandtoconsumethem；whethertheytoooftensupplantedtheirmealsbytobaccoorwhiskey，thesingularphysiologicaltruthremainedthattheseyoung，finelyselectedadventurers，livingthelivesofthenatural，aboriginalman，andlookingthepictureofhealthandstrength，actuallysufferedmorefromindigestionthanthepampereddwellersofthecities。Thequantityof"patentmedicines，""bitters，""pills，""panaceas，"and"lozenges"soldinthesettlementalmostexceededtheamountoftheregularprovisionswhoseeffectstheyweresupposedtocorrect。
Thesuffererseagerlyscannedadvertisementsandplacards。Therewereoccasional"runs"onnew"specifics，"andgeneralconversationeventuallyturnedintoadiscussionoftheirrespectivemerits。A
certainchildlikefaithandtrustineachnewremedywasnottheleastdistressingandpatheticofthesymptomsofthesegrown-up，beardedmen。
"Well，gentlemen，"saidCyrusParker，glancingaroundathisfellowsufferers，"yekintalkofyourpatentmedicines，andI’vetackled’emall，butonlytheotherdayIstrucksuthin’thatI’mgoin’tohangonto，youbet。"
Everyeyewasturnedmoodilytothespeaker，butnoonesaidanything。
"AndIdidn’tgetitouteradvertisements，noroffofcirculars。I
gotitoutermyhead，justbysolidthinking，"continuedParker。
"Whatwasit，Cy？"saidoneunsophisticatedandinexperiencedsufferer。
Insteadofreplying，Parker，likeatrueartist，knowinghehadtheearofhisaudience，dramaticallyflashedaquestionuponthem。
"DidyoueverhearofaChinamanhavingdyspepsy？"
"NeverheardhehadsabeenoughtohevANYTHING，"saidascorner。
"No，butDIDye？"insistedParker。
"Well，no！"chorusedthegroup。Theywereevidentlystruckwiththefact。
"Ofcourseyoudidn’t，"saidParkertriumphantly。"’CostheyAIN’T。Well，gentlemen，itdidn’tseemtomethesquarethingthatapeskyloto’yellow-skinnedheathensshouldbebuiltdifferenttoawhiteman，andneverknowthetortur’thataChristianfeels；andoneday，arterdinner，whenIwasjusta-lyin’flatdownonthebank，squirmin’，andclutchingtheshortgrasstokeepfromyellin’，whoshouldgobybutthatpizenedSeeYup，withagrinonhisface。
"’MellicanmanplentyplayeetohimJossaftereatin’，’sezhe；’butChinamansmelleepunk，alleesame，andnohabgot。’
"Iknewtheslimycusswasjustpurtendin’hethoughtIwasprayin’
tomyJoss，butIwasthatweakIhadn’tstren’th，boys，toheavearockathim。Yetitgavemeanidea。"
"Whatwasit？"theyaskedeagerly。
"Iwentdowntohisshopthenextday，whenhewasalone，andIwasfeelingmightybad，andIgotholdofhispigtailandIallowedI’dstuffitdownhisthroatifhedidn’ttellmewhathemeant。Thenhetookapieceofpunkandlitit，andputitundermynose，and，darnmyskin，gentlemen，youmigh’n’tbelieveme，butinaminuteI
feltbetter，andafterawhiffortwoIwasallright。"
"Wasitpow’fulstrong，Cy？"askedtheinexperiencedone。
"No，"saidParker，"andthat’sjustwhat’sgotme。Itwasasorto’dreamy，spicysmell，likeahotnight。ButasIcouldn’tgo’round’mongyouboyswithalightedpieceo’punkinmyhand，ezifIwassettin’offFourthofJulyfirecrackers，Iaskedhimifhecouldn’tfixmeupsuthin’inanothershapethatwouldbehandiertousewhenIwastookbad，andI’dreckontopayhimforitlikeezI’dpayforanyotherpatentmedicine。Sohefixedmeupthis。"
Heputhishandinhispocket，anddrewoutasmallredpaperwhich，whenopened，disclosedapinkpowder。Itwasgravelypassedaroundthegroup。
"Why，itsmellsandtasteslikeginger，"saidone。
"Itisonlyginger！"saidanotherscornfully。
"Mebbeitis，andmebbeitisn’t，"returnedCyParkerstoutly。
"Mebbeut’sonlymyfancy。Butifit’sthesorto’stufftobringonthatfancy，andthatfancyCURESme，it’sallthesame。I’vegotabouttwodollars’wortho’thatfancyorthatginger，andI’mgoingtosticktoit。Youhearme！"Andhecarefullyputitbackinhispocket。
Atwhichcriticismsandgibesbrokeforth。Ifhe（CyParker），awhiteman，wasgoingto"demeanhimself"byconsultingaChinesequack，he’dbetterbuyupaloto’idolsandstand’emuparoundhiscabin。Ifhehadthatsorto’confidenceswithSeeYup，heoughttogotoworkwithhimonhischeaptailings，andbefumigatedallatthesametime。Ifhe’dbeensmokinganopiumpipe，insteadofsmellingpunk，heoughttobemanenoughtoconfessit。Yetitwasnoticeablethattheywereallveryanxioustoexaminethepacketagain，butCyParkerwasalikeindifferenttodemandorentreaty。
AfewdayslaterIsawAbeWynford，oneoftheparty，comingoutofSeeYup’swash-house。Hemutteredsomethinginpassingabouttheinfamousdelayinsendinghomehiswashing，butdidnotlingerlonginconversation。ThenextdayImetanotherminerATthewash-
house，butHElingeredsolongonsometriflingdetailsthatI
finallylefthimtherealonewithSeeYup。WhenIcalleduponPokerJackofShasta，therewasasingularsmellofincenseinHIS
cabin，whichheattributedtotheveryresinousqualityofthefirlogshewasburning。IdidnotattempttoprobethesemysteriesbyanydirectappealtoSeeYuphimself：Irespectedhisreticence；
indeed，ifIhadnot，Iwasquitesatisfiedthathewouldhaveliedtome。Enoughthathiswash-housewaswellpatronized，andhewasdecidedly"gettingon。"
ItmighthavebeenamonthafterwardsthatDr。Duchesnewassettingabrokenboneinthesettlement，andaftertheoperationwasover，hadstrolledintothePalmettoSaloon。Hewasanoldarmysurgeon，muchrespectedandlovedinthedistrict，althoughperhapsalittlefearedforthehonestroughnessandmilitaryprecisionofhisspeech。Afterhehadexchangedsalutationswiththeminersinhisusualheartyfashion，andacceptedtheirinvitationtodrink，CyParker，withacertainaffectedcarelessnesswhichdidnot，however，concealasingularhesitationinhisspeech，began：——
"I’vebeenwantin’toaskyeaquestion，Doc，——asorto’darnedfoolquestion，yeknow，——nothinginthewayofconsultation，don’tyousee，thoughit’skinerinthewayo’yourpurfeshun。Sabe？"
"Goon，Cy，"saidthedoctorgood-humoredly，"thisismydispensaryhour。"
"Oh！itain’tanythingaboutsymptoms，Doc，andthereain’tanythingthematterwithme。It’sonlyjusttoaskyeifyehappenedtoknowanythingaboutthemedicalpracticeoftheseyerChinamen？"
"Idon’tknow，"saidthedoctorbluntly，"andIdon’tknowANYBODY
whodoes。"
Therewasasuddensilenceinthebar，andthedoctor，puttingdownhisglass，continuedwithslightprofessionalprecision：——
"Yousee，theChineseknownothingofanatomyfrompersonalobservation。Autopsiesanddissectionareagainsttheirsuperstitions，whichdeclarethehumanbodysacred，andareconsequentlyneverpracticed。"
Therewasaslightmovementofinquiringinterestamongtheparty，andCyParker，afterameaningglanceattheothers，wentonhalfaggressively，halfapologetically：——
"Incourse，theyain’tsurgeonslikeyou，Doc，butthatdon’tkeepthemfromhavingtheirownlittlemedicines，justasdogseatgrass，youknow。NowIwanttoputittoyou，asafa’r-mindedman，ifyoumeantersaythat，jestbecausethoseoldwomenwhosarveoutyarbsandspringmedicinesinfamiliesdon’tknowanythingofanatomy，theyain’tfittogiveustheirsimpleandnat’ralmedicines？"
"ButtheChinesemedicinesarenotsimpleornatural，"saidthedoctorcoolly。
"Notsimple？"echoedtheparty，closingroundhim。
"Idon’tmeantosay，"continuedthedoctor，glancingaroundattheireager，excitedfaceswithanappearanceofwonder，"thattheyarepositivelynoxious，unlesstakeninlargequantities，fortheyarenotdrugsatall，butIcertainlyshouldnotcallthem’simple。’DoYOUknowwhattheyprincipallyare？"
"Well，no，"saidParkercautiously，"perhapsnotEXACTLY。"
"Comealittlecloser，andI’lltellyou。"
NotonlyParker’sheadbuttheotherswerebentoverthecounter。
Dr。Duchesneutteredafewwordsinatoneinaudibletotherestofthecompany。Therewasaprofoundsilence，brokenatlastbyAbeWynford’svoice：——
"Yekinpourmeoutaboutthreefingerso’whiskey，Barkeep。I’lltakeitstraight。"
"Sametome，"saidtheothers。
Themengulpeddowntheirliquor；twoofthemquietlypassedout。
Thedoctorwipedhislips，buttonedhiscoat，andbegantodrawonhisriding-gloves。
"I’veheerd，"saidPokerJackofShasta，withafaintsmileonhiswhiteface，ashetoyedwiththelastdropsofliquorinhisglass，"thatthedarnedfoolssometimessmellpunkasamedicine，eh？"
"Yes，THAT’Scomparativelydecent，"saidthedoctorreflectively。
"It’sonlysawdustmixedwithalittlegumandformicacid。"
"Formicacid？Wot’sthat？"
"Averypeculiaracidsecretedbyants。Itissupposedtobeusedbythemoffensivelyinwarfare——justastheskunk，eh？"
ButPokerJackofShastahadhurriedlydeclaredthathewantedtospeaktoamanwhowaspassing，andhaddisappeared。Thedoctorwalkedtothedoor，mountedhishorse，androdeaway。Inoticed，however，thattherewasaslightsmileonhisbronzed，impassiveface。Thisledmetowonderifhewasentirelyignorantofthepurposeforwhichhehadbeenquestioned，andtheeffectofhisinformation。Iwasconfirmedinthebeliefbytheremarkablecircumstancesthatnothingmorewassaidofit；theincidentseemedtohaveterminatedthere，andthevictimsmadenoattempttorevengethemselvesonSeeYup。Thattheyhadoneandall，secretlyandunknowntooneanother，patronizedhim，therewasnodoubt；
but，atthesametime，astheyevidentlywerenotsurethatDr。
DuchesnehadnothoaxedtheminregardtothequalityofSeeYup’smedicines，theyknewthatanattackontheunfortunateChinamanwouldineithercaserevealtheirsecretandexposethemtotheridiculeoftheirbrotherminers。Sothematterdropped，andSeeYupremainedmasterofthesituation。
Meantimehewasprospering。Thecooliegangheworkedontheriver，whennotengagedinwashingclothes，were"pickingover"the"tailings，"orrefuseofgravel，leftonabandonedclaimsbysuccessfulminers。Astherewasnomoreexpenseattendingthisthaninstone-breakingorrag-picking，andthefeedingofthecoolies，whichwasridiculouslycheap，therewasnodoubtthatSeeYupwasreapingafairweeklyreturnfromit；but，ashesenthisreceiptstoSanFranciscothroughcooliemanagers，aftertheChinesecustom，anddidnotusetheregularExpressCompany，therewasnowayofascertainingtheamount。Again，neitherSeeYupnorhisfellowcountrymeneverappearedtohaveanymoneyaboutthem。
Inrudertimesandmorerecklesscamps，raidswereoftenmadebyruffiansontheircabinsortheirtravelinggangs，butneverwithanypecuniaryresult。Thiscondition，however，itseemedwasdestinedtochange。
OneSaturdaySeeYupwalkedintoWells，Fargo&Co。’sExpressofficewithapackageofgold-dust，which，whendulyweighed，wasvaluedatfivehundreddollars。ItwasconsignedtoaChinesecompanyinSanFrancisco。WhentheclerkhandedSeeYupareceipt，heremarkedcasually：——
"Washingseemstopay，SeeYup。"
"Washeevellygoodpay。Youwanteewashee，John？"saidSeeYupeagerly。
"No，no，"saidtheclerk，withalaugh。"Iwasonlythinkingfivehundreddollarswouldrepresentthewashingofagoodmanyshirts。"
"Noleplesentwasheeshirtsatall！Catcheegold-dustwhenwasheetailings。Shabbee？"
TheclerkDID"shabbee，"andliftedhiseyebrows。ThenextSaturdaySeeYupappearedwithanotherpackage，worthaboutfourhundreddollars，directedtothesameconsignee。
"Didn’tpanoutquitesorichthisweek，eh？"saidtheclerkengagingly。
"No，"returnedSeeYupimpassively；"nexttimehepayeemore。"
WhenthethirdSaturdaycame，withtheappearanceofSeeYupandfourhundredandfiftydollars’worthofgold-dust，theclerkfelthewasnolongerboundtokeepthesecret。Hecommunicatedittoothers，andintwenty-fourhoursthewholesettlementknewthatSeeYup’scooliecompanyweretakingoutanaverageoffourhundreddollarsperweekfromtherefuseandtailingsoftheoldabandonedPalmettoclaim！
Theastonishmentofthesettlementwasprofound。Inearlierdaysjealousyandindignationatthesuccessofthesedegradedheathensmighthavetakenamoreactiveandaggressiveshape，anditwouldhavefaredillwithSeeYupandhiscompanions。Butthesettlementhadbecomemoreprosperousandlaw-abiding；therewereoneortwoEasternfamiliesandsomeforeigncapitalalreadythere，anditsjealousyandindignationwererestrictedtosevereinvestigationandlegalcriticism。FortunatelyforSeeYup，itwasanold-
establishedmininglawthatanabandonedclaimanditstailingsbecamethepropertyofwhoeverchosetoworkit。ButitwasallegedthatSeeYup’scompanyhadinreality"struckalead，"——
discoveredahithertounknownveinororiginaldepositofgold，notworkedbythepreviouscompany，andhavingfailedlegallytodeclareitbypreemptionandpublicregistry，intheirfoolishdesireforsecrecy，hadthusforfeitedtheirrighttotheproperty。
Asurveillanceoftheirworking，however，didnotestablishthistheory；thegoldthatSeeYuphadsentawaywasofthekindthatmighthavebeenfoundinthetailingsoverlookedbythelatePalmettoowners。Yetitwasaverylargeyieldformererefuse。
"ThemPalmettoboysweremightykeerlessafterthey’dmadetheirbig’strike’andgottoworkonthevein，andIreckontheythrewalotofgoldaway，"saidCyParker，whorememberedtheirlarge-
handedrecklessnessinthe"flushdays。""On’ythatWEdidn’tthinkitwaswhiteman’sworktorakeoveranotherman’sleavin’s，wemighthevhadwhatthemdernedChinamenhevdroppedinto。Tellyewhat，boys，we’vebeenalittletoo’highandmighty，’andwe’llhevtoclimbdown。"
Atlasttheexcitementreacheditsclimax，anddiplomacywasemployedtoeffectwhatneitherintimidationnorespionagecouldsecure。UnderthepretenseofdesiringtobuyoutSeeYup’scompany，aselectcommitteeoftheminerswaspermittedtoexaminethepropertyanditsworkings。Theyfoundthegreatbankofstonesandgravel，representingthecast-outdebrisoftheoldclaim，occupiedbySeeYupandfourorfiveploddingautomaticcoolies。
Attheendoftwohoursthecommitteereturnedtothesaloonburstingwithexcitement。Theyspokeundertheirbreath，butenoughwasgatheredtosatisfythecuriouscrowdthatSeeYup’spileoftailingswasrichbeyondtheirexpectations。Thecommitteehadseenwiththeirowneyesgoldtakenoutofthesandandgraveltotheamountoftwentydollarsinthetwoshorthoursoftheirexamination。Andtheworkhadbeenperformedinthestupidest，clumsiest，yetPATIENTChineseway。Whatmightnotwhitemendowithbetterappointedmachinery！Asyndicatewasatonceformed。
SeeYupwasofferedtwentythousanddollarsifhewouldselloutandputthesyndicateinpossessionoftheclaimintwenty-fourhours。TheChinamanreceivedtheofferstolidly。Asheseemedinclinedtohesitate，Iamgrievedtosaythatitwasintimatedtohimthatifhedeclinedhemightbesubjecttoembarrassingandexpensivelegalproceedingstoprovehisproperty，andthatcompanieswouldbeformedto"prospect"thegroundoneithersideofhisheapoftailings。SeeYupatlastconsented，withtheprovisothatthemoneyshouldbepaidingoldintothehandsofaChineseagentinSanFranciscoonthedayofthedeliveryoftheclaim。ThesyndicatemadenooppositiontothischaracteristicprecautionoftheChinaman。Itwaslikethemnottotravelwithmoney，andtheimplieduncomplimentarysuspicionofdangerfromthecommunitywasoverlooked。SeeYupdepartedthedaythatthesyndicatetookpossession。Hecametoseemebeforehewent。I
congratulatedhimuponhisgoodfortune；atthesametime，Iwasembarrassedbytheconvictionthathewasunfairlyforcedintoasaleofhispropertyatafigurefarbelowitsrealvalue。
Ithinkdifferentlynow。
Attheendoftheweekitwassaidthatthenewcompanyclearedupaboutthreehundreddollars。Thiswasnotsomuchasthecommunityhadexpected，butthesyndicatewasapparentlysatisfied，andthenewmachinerywasputup。Attheendofthenextweekthesyndicateweresilentastotheirreturns。OneofthemmadeahurriedvisittoSanFrancisco。ItwassaidthathewasunabletoseeeitherSeeYuportheagenttowhomthemoneywaspaid。ItwasalsonoticedthattherewasnoChinamanremaininginthesettlement。
Thenthefatalsecretwasout。
TheheapoftailingshadprobablyneveryieldedtheSeeYupcompanymorethantwentydollarsaweek，theordinarywageofsuchacompany。SeeYuphadconceivedthebrilliantideaof"booming"itonaborrowedcapitaloffivehundreddollarsingold-dust，whichheOPENLYtransmittedbyexpresstohisconfederateandcreditorinSanFrancisco，whointurnSECRETLYsentitbacktoSeeYupbycooliemessengers，tobeagainopenlytransmittedtoSanFrancisco。
Thepackageofgold-dustwasthuspassedbackwardsandforwardsbetweendebtorandcreditor，tothegraveedificationoftheExpressCompanyandthefatalcuriosityofthesettlement。Whenthesyndicatehadgorgedthebaitthusthrownout，SeeYup，onthedaytheself-invitedcommitteeinspectedtheclaim，promptly"salted"thetailingsbyCONSCIENTIOUSLYDISTRIBUTINGTHEGOLD-DUST
OVERITsodeftlythatitappearedtobeitsnaturalcompositionandyield。
IhaveonlytobidfarewelltoSeeYup，andclosethisreminiscenceofamisunderstoodman，byaddingtheopinionofaneminentjuristinSanFrancisco，towhomthefactsweresubmitted："Socleverwasthisallegedfraud，thatitisextremelydoubtfulifanactionwouldlieagainstSeeYupinthepremises，therebeingnolegalevidenceofthe’salting，’andnonewhateverofhisactualallegationthatthegold-dustwastheORDINARYyieldofthetailings，thatimplicationrestingentirelywiththecommitteewhoexamineditunderfalsepretense，andwhosubsequentlyforcedthesalebyintimidation。"
THEDESBOROUGHCONNECTIONS
"Thenitisn’taquestionofpropertyornextofkin？"saidtheconsul。
"Lord！no，"saidtheladyvivaciously。"Why，goodnessme！I
reckonoldDesboroughcould，atanytimebeforehedied，have’boughtup’or’boughtout’thewholelotofhisrelativesonthissideofthebigpond，nomatterwhattheywereworth。No，it’sonlyamatterofcuriosityandjustsociableness。"
TheAmericanconsulatSt。Kentigornfeltmuchrelieved。Hehadfeareditwasonlytheoldstoryofdelusivequestsforimaginaryestatesandimpossibleinheritanceswhichhehadconfrontedsoofteninnervouswan-eyedenthusiastsandobstreperousclaimantsfromhisownland。Certainlytherewasnosuggestionofthisintherichlydressedandbe-diamondedmatronbeforehim，norinherprettydaughter，charminginaParisfrock，alivewiththeconsciousnessofbeautyandadmiration，andyetalittleennuyefromgratifiedindulgence。HeknewthemothertobethewealthywidowofaNewYorkmillionaire，thatshewastravelingforpleasureinEurope，andachancemeetingwithheratdinnerafewnightsbeforehadledtothishalf-capricious，half-confidentialappointmentattheconsulate。
"No，"continuedMrs。Desborough；"Mr。DesboroughcametoAmerica，whenasmallboy，withanunclewhodiedsomeyearsago。Mr。
DesboroughneverseemedtohankermuchafterhisEnglishrelativesaslongasIknewhim，butnowthatIandSadieareoverhere，whyweguessedwemightlook’emupandsortofsample’em！’Desborough’
’sratheragoodname，"addedthelady，withacomplacencythat，however，hadasuggestionofqueryinit。
"Yes，"saidtheconsul；"fromtheFrench，Ifancy。"
"Mr。DesboroughwasEnglish——veryEnglish，"correctedthelady。
"ImeanitmaybeanoldNormanname，"saidtheconsul。
’Norman’sgoodenoughforME，"saidthedaughter，reflecting。
"We’lljustsettleitasNorman。IneverthoughtaboutthatDES。"
"Onlyyoumayfinditcalled’Debborough’here，andspeltso，"saidtheconsul，smiling。
MissDesboroughliftedherprettyshouldersandmadeacharminggrimace。"Thenwewon’tacknowledge’em。NoDebboroughforme！"
"Youmightputanadvertisementinthepapers，likethe’nextofkin’notice，intimating，intheregularway，thattheywould’hearofsomethingtotheiradvantage’——astheycertainlywould，"
continuedtheconsul，withabow。"ItwouldbesucharefreshingchangetothekindofthingI’maccustomedto，don’tyouknow——thisideaofoneofmycountrywomencomingoverjusttobenefitEnglishrelatives！ByJove！Iwouldn’tmindundertakingthewholethingforyou——it’ssuchanovelty。"Hewasquitecarriedawaywiththeidea。
Butthetwoladieswerefarfromparticipatinginthisjoyousoutlook。"No，"saidMrs。Desboroughpromptly，"thatwouldn’tdo。
Yousee，"shewentonwithsuperbfrankness，"thatwouldbejustgivingourselvesaway，andsayingwhoWEwerebeforewefoundoutwhatTHEYwerelike。Mr。DesboroughwasallrightinHISway，butwedon’tknowanythingabouthisFOLKS！Weain’thereonamissiontoimprovetheDesboroughs，nortogatherinany’losttribes。’"
Itwasevidentthat，inspiteofthehumorofthesituationandthelevityoftheladies，therewasacharacteristicnationalpracticalnessaboutthem，andtheconsul，withasigh，atlastgavetheaddressofoneortworesponsibleexpertsingenealogicalinquiry，ashehadoftendonebefore。Hefeltitwasimpossibletoofferanyadvicetoladiesasthoroughlycapableofmanagingtheirownaffairsashisfaircountrywomen，yethewasnotwithoutsomecuriositytoknowtheresultoftheirpracticalsentimentalquest。
Thatheshouldeverhearofthemagainhedoubted。HeknewthataftertheirfirstlonelinesshadwornoffintheirgregariousgatheringataLondonhoteltheywerenotlikelytoconsortwiththeirowncountrypeople，whoindeedwereapttofightshyofoneanother，andeventoindulgeininvidiouscriticismofoneanotherwhenadmittedinthatsocietytowhichtheywereallequallystrangers。SohetookleaveofthemontheirwaybacktoLondonwiththebeliefthattheiracquaintanceterminatedwiththatbriefincident。Buthewasmistaken。
Intheyearfollowinghewasspendinghisautumnvacationatacountryhouse。Itwasanhistorichouse，andhadalwaysstruckhimasbeing——eveninthatcountryofhistoricseats——asingularexampleofthevicissitudesofEnglishmanorialestatesandthemutationsofitslords。Hishostinhisprimehadbeenrecalledfromforeignservicetounexpectedlysucceedtoanuncle’stitleandestate。Thatestate，however，hadcomeintothepossessionoftheuncleonlythroughhismarriagewiththedaughterofanoldfamilywhoseportraitsstilllookeddownfromthewallsupontheyoungestandalienbranch。Therewerelikenesses，effigies，memorials，andreminiscencesofstillolderfamilieswhohadoccupieditthroughforfeiturebywarorthefavoritismofkings，andinitsstatelycloistersandruinedchapelwasstillfeltthedeadhandofitsevictedreligiousfounders，whichcouldnotbeshakenoff。
Itwasthisstrangeindividualitythataffectedallwhosawit。
For，howeverchangedwerethosewithinitswalls，whoeverwereitsinheritorsorinhabiters，ScroobyPrioryneverchangednoraltereditsowncharacter。Howeverincongruousorill-assortedtheportraitsthatlookedfromitswalls，——soillmetthattheymighthaveflownatoneanother’sthroatsinthelongnightswhenthefamilywereaway，——thegreathouseitselfwasindependentofthemall。Thebe-wigged，be-laced，andbe-furbelowedofoneday’sgathering，theround-headed，steel-fronted，andprim-kerchiefedcongregationofanotherday，andeventheblack-coated，bare-armed，andbare-shoulderedassemblageofto-dayhadnoeffectontheausteritiesofthePriory。Modernhousesmightshowthetastesandprepossessionsoftheirdwellers，mighthavecaughtsomepassingtrickofthehour，orhaverecordedtheaugmentedfortunesorluxuriousnessoftheowner，butScroobyPriorynever！Noonehaddaredeventodisturbitsouterrigidintegrity；thebreachesoftimeandsiegewereleftuntouched。Ithelditscalmindifferentswayoverallwhopasseditslow-archedportals，andtheconsulwasfaintobelievethathe——aforeignvisitor——wasnomorealientothehousethanitspresentowner。
"I’mexpectingaverycharmingcompatriotofyoursto-morrow，"saidLordBeverdaleastheydrovefromthestationtogether。"Youmusttellmewhattoshowher。"
"IshouldthinkanycountrywomanofminewouldbequitesatisfiedwiththePriory，"saidtheconsul，glancingthoughtfullytowardsthepiledimlyseenthroughthepark。
"Ishouldn’tlikehertobeboredhere，"continuedBeverdale。
"AlgymetheratRome，whereshewasoccupyingapalacewithhermother——they’reveryrich，youknow。HefoundshewasstayingwithLadyMineveratHedhamTowers，andIwentoverandinvitedherwithalittleparty。She’saMissDesborough。"
Theconsulgaveaslightstart，andwasawarethatBeverdalewaslookingathim。
"Perhapsyouknowher？"saidBeverdale。
"Justenoughtoagreewithyouthatsheischarming，"saidtheconsul。"Idinedwiththem，andsawthemattheconsulate。"
"Ohyes；Ialwaysforgetyouareaconsul。Then，ofcourse，youknowallaboutthem。Isupposethey’reveryrich，andinsocietyoverthere？"saidBeverdaleinavoicethatwasquiteanimated。
Itwasontheconsul’slipstosaythatthelateMr。DesboroughwasanEnglishman，andeventospeakplayfullyoftheirproposedquest，butasuddeninstinctwithheldhim。Afterall，perhapsitwasonlyacaprice，oridea，theyhadforgotten，——perhaps，whoknows？——thattheywerealreadyashamedof。Theyhadevidently"goton"inEnglishsociety，ifthatwastheirrealintent，anddoubtlessMissDesborough，bythistime，wasquiteascontentwiththechanceofbecomingrelatedtotheEarlofBeverdale，throughhissonandheir，Algernon，asiftheyhadfoundarealLordDesboroughamongtheirownrelatives。TheconsulknewthatLordBeverdalewasnotarichman，thatlikemostmenofoldfamilyhewasnotaslavetoclassprejudice；indeed，theconsulhadseenveryfewnoblemenoffthestageoroutofthepagesofanovelwhowere。Sohesaid，withaslightaffectationofauthority，thattherewasaslittledoubtoftheyounglady’swealthastherewasofherpersonalattractions。
Theywerenearingthehousethroughalongavenueofchestnutswhosevariegatedleaveswerealreadybeginningtostrewthegroundbeneath，andtheycouldseethevistaopenuponthemullionedwindowsofthePriory，lightedupbytheyellowOctobersunshine。
Inthatsunshinestoodatall，clean-limbedyoungfellow，dressedinashooting-suit，whomtheconsulrecognizedatonceasLordAlgernon，thesonofhiscompanion。Asiftoaccentthegracesofthisvisionofyouthandvigor，nearhim，intheshadow，anoldmanhadhalted，hatinhand，stillholdingtherakewithwhichhehadbeengatheringthedeadleavesintheavenue；hisbackbent，partlywithyears，partlywiththeobeisanceofaservitor。Therewassomethingsomarkedinthiscontrast，inthisoldmanstandingintheshadowofthefadingyear，himselfasdriedandwitheredastheleaveshewasraking，yetpausingtomakehisreverencetothispassingsunshineofyouthandprosperityinthepresenceofhiscomingmaster，thattheconsul，astheysweptby，lookedafterhimwithastirringofpain。
"Ratheranoldmantobestillatwork，"saidtheconsul。
Beverdalelaughed。"Youmustnotlethimhearyousayso；heconsidershimselfquiteasfitasanyyoungermanintheplace，and，byJove！thoughhe’snearlyeighty，I’minclinedtobelieveit。He’snotoneofourpeople，however；hecomesfromthevillage，andistakenonatoddtimes，partlytopleasehimself。
Hisgreataimistobeindependentofhischildren，——hehasagranddaughterwhoisoneofthemaidsatthePriory，——andtokeephimselfoutoftheworkhouse。Hedoesnotcomefromtheseparts——
somewherefarthernorth，Ifancy。Buthe’satoughlot，andhasadealofworkinhimyet。"
"Seemstobegoingabitstalelately，"saidLordAlgernon，"andI
thinkisgettingalittlequeerinhishead。Hehasatrickofstoppingandstaringstraightahead，attimes，whenheseemstogooffforaminuteortwo。There！"continuedtheyoungman，withalightlaugh。"Isay！he’sdoingitnow！"Theybothturnedquicklyandgazedatthebentfigure——notfiftyyardsaway——standinginexactlythesameattitudeasbefore。But，evenastheygazed，heslowlyliftedhisrakeandbeganhismonotonousworkagain。
AtScroobyPriory，theconsulfoundthatthefameofhisfaircountrywomanhadindeedprecededher，andthattheotherguestswerequiteasanxioustoseeMissDesboroughashewas。OneofthemhadalreadymetherinLondon；anotherknewherasoneofthehousepartyattheDukeofNorthforeland’s，whereshehadbeenacentralfigure。Someofhernaivesalliesandfrankcriticismswererepeatedwithgreatunctionbythegentlemen，andwithsomeslighttrepidationanda"fearfuljoy"bytheladies。HewasmorethaneverconvincedthatmotheranddaughterhadforgottentheirlinealDesboroughs，andheresolvedtoleaveanyallusiontoittotheyoungladyherself。
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