Wewenttotheshowonenight，Anditcertainlywasagreatsight，Thistigertosee，Fierceashecouldbe，Androaringwithallhismight。
CHRISTMASDAY。
TheChristmaschimesarepealinghighBeneaththesolemnChristmassky，AndblowingwindstheirnotesprolongLikeechoesfromanangel\'ssong；
Goodwillandpeace，peaceandgoodwillRingoutthecarolsgladandgay，TellingtheheavenlymessagestillThatChristtheChildwasbornto-day。
InlowlyhutandpalacehallPeasantandkingkeepfestival，Andchildhoodwearsafairerguise，Andtenderershineallmother-eyes；
Theagedmanforgetshisyears，Themirthfulheartisdoublygay，Thesadarecheatedoftheirtears，ForChristtheLordwasbornto-day。
SUSANCOOLIDGE。
TheysatonthecurbingInacrowdedrow——
TwolittlemaidsAndonelittlebeau，——
WatchingtoseeThebigElephantgoByinthestreetparade；
Butwhenitcamepast，Ofmaidstherewerenone，Fordownaby-streetTheycowardlyrun，WhileonelittlebeauMadeallmanneroffun——
OftheElephanthewasn\'tafraid。
THEONLYWOMANINTHETOWN。
Onehundredyears\'andoneago，inBoston，attenoftheclockoneAprilnight，achurchsteeplehadbeenclimbedandalanternhungout。
Atten，thesamenight，inmid-riveroftheCharles，oarsmentwo，withpassengersilentandgrim，hadseenthesignallightout-swung，androwedwithspeedfortheCharlestownshore。
Ateleven，themoonwasrisen，andthegrimpassenger，PaulRevere，hadriddenuptheNeck，encounteredafoe，whoopposedhisrideintothecountry，and，afterabriefdelay，rodeon，leavingaBritishofficerlyinginaclaypit。
Atmid-night，ahundredearshadheardtheflyinghorsemancry，\"Upandarm。TheRegularsarecomingout!\"
Youknowthestorywell。Youhaveheardhowthewildalarmranfromvoicetovoiceandechoedbeneatheveryroof，untilthemenofLexingtonandConcordwerestirredandarousedwithpatrioticfearforthesafetyofthepublicstoresthathadbeencommittedtotheirkeeping。
Youknowhow，longerethechillAprildaybegantodawn，theyhaddrawn，byhorsepowerandbyhandpower，thecherishedstoresintosafehiding-placesinthedepthoffriendlyforest-coverts。
ThereisonethingaboutthatdaythatyouhaveNOTheardandI
willtellyounow。Itis，howonelittlewomanstaidinthetownofConcord，whenceallthewomensaveherhadfled。
Allthehousesthatwerestandingthen，areveryold-fashionednow，buttherewasonedwelling-placeonConcordCommonthatwasold-fashionedeventhen!ItwastheabodeofMarthaMoultonand\"UncleJohn。\"Justwho\"UncleJohn\"was，isnotnowknown，buthewasprobablyMarthaMoulton\'suncle。Theuncle，itappearsbyrecord，waseighty-fiveyearsold；whiletheniecewasONLY
three-scoreandeleven。
Onceandagainthatmorning，afriendlyhandhadpulledthelatch-stringatMarthaMoulton\'skitchenentranceandofferedtoconveyherselfandtreasuresaway，but，toeitherproffer，shehadsaid:\"No，ImuststayuntilUncleJohngetsthecricksoutofhisback，ifalltheBritishsoldiersinthelandmarchintotown。\"
Atlast，cameJoeDevins，aladoffifteenyears——Joe\'stwoastonishedeyespeeredforamomentintoMarthaMoulton\'skitchen，andtheneyesandownerdashedintotheroom，tolearn，whatthesighthetheresaw，couldmean。
\"Whew!MotherMoulton，whatareyoudoing？\"
\"I\'mgettingUncleJohnhisbreakfasttobesure，Joe，\"sheanswered。\"Haveyouseensomanysightsthismorningthatyoudon\'tknowbreakfast，whenyouseeit？Haveacarethere，forhotfatWILLburn，\"asshedeftlypouredthecontentsofapan，freshfromthefire，intoadish。
HungryJoehadbeenastirsincethefirstdrumhadbeattoarmsattwooftheclock。Hegaveoneglanceattheboilingcreamandtheslicesofcrispporkswimminginit，ashegaspedforththewords，\"GettingbreakfastinConcordTHISmorning!MOTHER
MOULTON，youMUSTbecrazy。\"
\"Sotheytellme，\"shesaid，serenely。\"TherecomesUncleJohn!\"
sheadded，astheclatterofastaffonthestonestepsofthestairwayoutrang，foraninstant，thecriesofhurryingandconfusionthatfilledtheairofthestreet。
\"Don\'tyouknow，MotherMoulton，\"Joewentontosay，\"thateverysinglewomanandchildhavebeencarriedoff，wheretheBritisherswon\'tfind\'em？\"
\"Idon\'tbelievetheking\'stroopshavestirredoutofBoston，\"
shereplied，goingtothedoorleadingtothestonestaircase，toopenitforUncleJohn。
\"Don\'tbelieveit？\"andJoelooked，asheechoedthewords，asthoughonlyaboycouldfeelsufficientdisgustatsuchwantofcommonsense，infullviewofthefact，thatReubenBrownhadjustbroughtthenewsthateightmenhadbeenkilledbytheking\'sRed-coats，inLexington，whichfacthemadehastetoimpart。
\"Iwon\'tbelieveawordofit，\"shesaid，stoutly，\"untilIseethesoldierscoming。\"
\"Ah!Hearthat!\"criedJoe，tossingbackhishairandswinginghisarmstriumphantlyatanairyfoe。\"Youwon\'thavetowaitlong。THATSIGNALisfortheminutemen。TheyaregoingtomarchouttomeettheRed-coats。WishIwasaminuteman，thisminute。\"
Meanwhile，poorUncleJohnwasgettingdownthestepsofthestairway，withmanyagrimaceandgroan。Ashetouchedthefloor，Joe，hisfacebeamingwithexcitementandenthusiasm，sprangtoplaceachairforhimatthetable，saying，\"Goodmorning!\"atthesamemoment。
\"Maybe，\"groanedUncleJohn，\"youngstersLIKEYOUmaythinkitisagoodmorning，butIDON\'T，suchadinandclatterasthefoolshavekeptupallnightlong。IfIhadthepower\"(andnowthepooroldmanfairlygroanedwithrage)，\"I\'dmake\'emquietlongenoughtoletanoldmangetawinkofsleep，whentherheumatismletsgo。\"
\"I\'mrealsorryforyou，\"saidJoe，\"butyoudon\'tknowthenews。
Theking\'stroops，fromcamp，inBoston，aremarchingrightdownhere，tocarryoffallourarmsthattheycanfind。\"
\"Arethey？\"wasthesarcasticrejoined。\"It\'sthebestnewsI\'veheardinalongwhile。Wishtheyhadmyarms，thisminute。Theywouldn\'tcarrythemastepfartherthantheycouldhelp，Iknow。
Runandtellthemmineareready，Joe。\"
\"But，UncleJohn，waittillafterbreakfast，you\'llwanttousethemoncemore，\"saidMarthaMoulton，tryingtohelphimintothechairthatJoehadplacedonthewhitesandedfloor。
Meanwhile，JoeDevinshadearsforallthesoundsthatpenetratedthekitchenfromoutofdoors，andhehadeyesfortheslicesofwell-brownedporkandthegoldenhuedJohnny-cakelyingbeforetheglowingcoalsonthebroadhearth。
Asthelittlewomanbenttotakeupthebreakfast，Joe，intentondoingsomekindnessforherinthewayofsavingtreasures，asked，\"Shan\'tIhelpyou，MotherMoulton？\"
\"IreckonIamnotsooldthatIcan\'tliftamiteofcornbread，\"
sherepliedwithchillingseverity。
\"Oh，Ididn\'tmeantoliftTHATTHING，\"hemadehastetoexplain，\"buttocarryoffthingsandhide\'emaway，aseverybodyelsehasbeendoinghalfthenight。Iknowafirst-rateplaceupinthewoods。Usedtobeahoneytree，youknow，andit\'sjustashollowasanything。Silverspoonsandthingswouldbejustassafeinit——\"butJoe\'swordswereinterruptedbyunusualtumultonthestreetandheranofftolearnthenews，intendingtoreturnandgetthebreakfastthathadbeenofferedtohim。
Presentlyherushedbacktothehousewithcheeksaflameandeyesablazewithexcitement。\"They\'reacoming!\"hecried。\"They\'reinsightdownbytherocks。Theysee\'emmarching，themenonthehill，do!\"
\"Youdon\'tmeanthatitsreallytruethatthesoldiersarecominghere，RIGHTINTOOURTOWN，\"criedMarthaMoulton，risinginhasteandbringingtogetherwithrapidflourishestorightandtoleft，everyfragmentofsilveronthetable。UncleJohnstrovetoholdfasthisindividualspoon，butshetwitcheditwithoutceremonyoutfromhisrheumaticoldfingers，andrannexttotheparlorcupboard，whereinlayhermovablevaluables。
\"WhatintheworldshallIdowiththem，\"shecried，returningwithherapronwellfilledwithtreasures，andbornedownbytheweightthereof。
\"Give\'emtome，\"criedJoe。\"Here\'sabasket，drop\'emin，andI\'llrunlikeabrush-firethroughthetownandacrosstheoldbridge，andhide\'emassafeasaweasel\'snap。\"
Joe\'sfingerswerecreamy；hismouthwashalffilledwithJohnny-cake，andhispocketontherightbulgedtoitsutmostcapacitywiththesame，asheheldforththebasket；butthelittlewomanwasafraidtotrusthim，asshehadbeenafraidtotrustherneighbors。
\"No!No!\"shereplied，tohisrepeatedoffers。\"IknowwhatI\'lldo。You，JoeDevins，stayrightwhereyouaretillIcomeback，and，don\'tyoueverLOOKoutofthewindow。\"
\"Dear，dearme!\"shecried，flushedandanxiouswhenshewasoutofsightofUncleJohnandJoe。\"IWISHI\'dgiven\'emtoCol。
Barrettwhenhewasherebeforedaylight，only，IWASafraidI
shouldnevergetsightofthemagain。\"
Shedrewoffoneofherstockings，filledit，tiedtheopeningatthetopwithastring-plungedstockingandallintoapailfullofwaterandproceededtopourthecontentsintothewell。
Justasthedarkcirclehadclosedoverthebluestockings，JoeDevin\'sfacepeereddownthedepthsbyherside，andhisvoicesoundedoutthewords:\"OMotherMoulton，theBritishwillsearchthewellstheVERYfirstthing。Ofcourse，theyEXPECTtofindthingsinwells!\"
\"Whydidn\'tyoutellmebefore，Joe？butnowitistoolate。\"
\"Iwould，ifI\'dknownwhatyouwasgoingtodo；they\'dbeenasightsafer，inthehoneytree。\"
\"Yes，andwhatafoolI\'vebeen——flungMYWATCHintothewellwiththespoons!\"
\"Well，well!Don\'tstandthere，looking，\"asshehoveredoverthehighcurb，withherhandonthebucket。\"Everybodywillknow，ifyoudo，there。\"
\"Martha!Martha？\"shriekedUncleJohn\'squaveringvoicefromthehousedoor。
\"Blessmyheart!\"sheexclaimed，hurryingbackoverthestones。
\"What\'sthematterwithyourheart？\"questionedJoe。
\"Nothing。IwasthinkingofUncleJohn\'smoney，\"sheanswered。
\"Hashegotmoney？\"criedJoe。\"Ithoughthewaspoor，andyoutookcareofhimbecauseyouweresogood\"
NotonewordthatJoeuttereddidthelittlewomanhear。ShewasalreadybyUncleJohn\'ssideandaskinghimforthekeytohisstrongbox。
UncleJohn\'srheumatismwasterriblyexasperating。\"No，Iwon\'tgiveittoyou!\"hecried，\"andnobodyshallhaveitaslongasI\'maboveground。\"
\"Thenthesoldierswillcarryitoff，\"shesaid。
\"Let\'em!\"washisreply，graspinghisstafffirmlywithbothhandsandgleamingdefianceoutofhiswide，paleeyes。\"YOU
won\'tgetthekey，eveniftheydo。\"
Atthisinstant，avoiceatthedoorwayshoutedthewords，\"Hide，hideawaysomewhere，MotherMoulton，fortheRed-coatsareinsightthisminute!\"
Sheheardthewarning，andgivingoneglanceatUncleJohn，whichlookwasansweredbyanother，\"no，youwon\'thaveit，\"shegraspedJoeDevinsbythecollarofhisjacketandthrusthimbeforeherupthestaircase，soquicklythattheboyhadnochancetospeak，untilshereleasedherholdattheentrancetoUncleJohn\'sroom。
Theideaofbeingtakenprisonerinsuchamanner，andbyawoman，too，wastoomuchforthelad\'sendurance。\"Letmego!\"
hecried，theinstanthecouldrecoverhisbreath。\"Iwon\'thideawayinyourgarret，likeawoman，Iwon\'t。Iwanttoseethemilitiaandtheminutemenfightthetroops，Ido。\"
\"Helpmefirst，Joe。Here，quicknow；let\'sgetthisboxoutandupgarret。We\'llhideitunderthecornandit\'llbesafe，\"shecoaxed。
TheboxwasunderUncleJohn\'sbed。
\"What\'sintheoldthinganyhow？\"questionedJoe，pullingwithallhisstrengthatit。
Thebox，orchest，waspaintedred，andwasboundaboutbymassiveironbands。
\"I\'veneverseentheinsideofit，\"saidMotherMoulton。\"Itholdsthepooroldsoul\'ssoletreasure，andIDOwanttosaveitforhimifIcan。\"
Theyhaddrawnitwithmuchhardendeavor，asfarasthegarretstairs，buttheirunitedstrengthfailedtoliftit。\"Heaveit，now!\"criedJoe，andlo!itwasuptwosteps。Sotheyturneditoverandoverwithmanyathuddingthump；everyoneofwhichthumpsUncleJohnheard，andbelievedtobestrokesupontheboxitselftoburstitasunder，untilitwasfairlyshelvedonthegarretfloor。
Intheverymidstoftheoverturnings，avoicefrombelowhadbeenheardcryingout，\"Letmyboxalone!Don\'tbreakitopen。
Ifyoudo，I\'ll——I\'ll——\"but，whateverthepoormanMEANTtothreatenasapenalty，hecouldnotthinkofanythinghalfsevereenoughtosayandsoleftituncertainastothepunishmentthatmightbelookedfor。
\"Pooroldsoul!\"ejaculatedthelittlewoman，hersoftwhitecurlsindisorderandthepinkcolorrisingfromhercheekstoherfairforehead，asshebenttohelpJoedragtheboxbeneaththerafter\'sedge。
\"Now，Joe，\"shesaid。\"we\'llheapnubbinsoverit，andifthesoldierswantcornthey\'lltakegoodearsandneverthinkoftouchingpoornubbins\"；sotheyfelltoworkthrowingcornovertheredchest，untilitwascompletelyconcealedfromview。
Thenhesprangtothehigh-up-windowledgeinthepointoftheroofandtookoneglanceout。\"Oh，Iseethem，theRed-coats。
True\'sIlive，theregothemilitiaUPTHEHILL。Ithoughttheywasgoingtostandanddefend。Shameon\'em，Isay。\"JumpingdownandcryingbacktoMotherMoulton，\"I\'mgoingtostandbytheminutemen，\"hewentdown，threestepsataleap，andnearlyoverturnedUncleJohnonthestairs，who，withmanygroanswastryingtogettothedefenseofhisstrongbox。
\"Whatdidyouhelpherfor，youscamp，\"hedemandedofJoe，flourishinghisstaffunpleasantlynearthelad\'shead。
\"\'Causesheaskedmeto，andcouldn\'tdoitalone，\"returnedJoe，dodgingthestickanddisappearingfromthescene，attheverymomentMarthaMoultonencounteredUncleJohn。
\"Yourstrongboxissafeundernubbinsinthegarret，unlessthehouseburnsdown，andnowthatyouareuphere，youhadbetterstay，\"sheaddedsoothingly，asshehastenedbyhimtoreachthekitchenbelow。
Oncethere，shepausedasecondortwototakeresolutionregardinghernextact。Sheknewfullwellthattherewasnotonesecondtospare，andyetshestoodlooking，apparently，intotheglowingembersonthehearth。Shewasflushedandexcited，bothbytheunwontedtoil，andthecomingevents。Cobwebsfromtheraftershadfallenonherhairandhome-spundress，andwouldreadilyhavebetrayedherlateoccupation，toanydiscerningsoldieroftheking。
Asmilebrokesuddenlyoverherface，displacingforabriefsecondeverytraceofcare。\"It\'smyonlyweapon，andImustuseit，\"shesaid，makingastatelycourtesytoanimaginaryguestandstraightwaydisappearedwithinanadjoiningroom。Withbuttoneddooranddroppedcurtainsthelittlewomanmadehastetoarrayherselfinherfinestraiment。Infiveminutesshereappearedinthekitchen，apicturepleasanttolookat。InallNewEngland，therecouldnotbeamorebeautifullittleoldladythanMarthaMoultonwasthatday。Herhairwasguiltlessnowofcobwebs，buthaloedherfacewithfluffylittlecurlsofsilverywhiteness，abovewhich，likeacrown，wasalittlecapofdottedmuslin，pureassnow。Hererectfigure，notaparticleofthehard-working-dayinitnow，carriedwellthefoldsofasheeny，blacksilkgown，overwhichshehadtiedanapronasspotlessasthecap。
Asshefastenedbackhergownandhurriedawaythesignsofthebreakfastshehadnoteaten，theclearpinktintsseemedtocomeoutwithaddedbeautyofcoloringinhercheeks；whileherhairseemedfairerandwhiterthanatanymomentinherthree-scoreandelevenyears。
OncemoreJoeDevinslookedin。Ashecaughtaglimpseofthepictureshemade，hepausedtocryout:\"Alldresseduptomeettherobbers!My，howfineyoudolook!Iwouldn\'t。I\'dgoandhidebehindthenubbins。They\'llbehereinlessthanfiveminutesnow，\"hecried，\"andI\'mgoingovertheNorthBridgetoseewhat\'sgoingonthere。\"
\"OJoe，stay，won\'tyou？\"sheurged，buttheladwasgone，andshewasleftalonetomeetthefoe，comfortingherselfwiththethought，\"They\'lltreatmewithmorerespectifILOOK
respectable，andifImustdie，I\'lldiegood-lookinginmybestclothes，anyhow。\"
Shethrewafewsticksofhickory-woodontheembers，andthendrewoutthelittleroundstand，onwhichthefamilyBiblewasalwayslying。RecollectingthattheBritishsoldiersprobablybelongedtotheChurchofEngland，shehurriedawaytofetchUncleJohn\'s\"prayer-book。\"
\"They\'llhaverespecttome，iftheyfindmereadingthat，I
know，\"shethought。Havingdrawntheroundstandwithinsightofthewell，andwhereshecouldalsocommandaviewofthestaircase，shesatandwaitedforcomingevents。
UncleJohnwaskeepingwatchoftheadvancingtroopsfromanupperwindow。\"Martha，\"hecalled，\"you\'dbettercomeup。
They\'recloseby，now。\"Totellthetruth，UncleJohnhimselfwasalittleafraid；thatistosayhehadn\'tquitecourageenoughtogodown，and，perhaps，encounterhisownrheumatismandtheking\'ssoldiersonthesamestairway，andyet，hefeltthathemustdefendMarthaaswellashecould。
Therapofamusket，quickandringingonthefrontdoor，startledthelittlewomanfromherapparentdevotions。Shedidnotmoveatthecallofanythingsoprofane。Itwasthecustomofthetimetohavethefrontdoordividedintotwoparts，thelowerhalfandtheupperhalf。Theformerwasclosedandmadefast，theuppercouldbeswungopenatwill。
Thesoldiergettingnoreply，anddoubtlessthinkingthatthehousewasdeserted，leapedoverthechainedlowerhalfofthedoor。
Attheclangofhisbayonetagainstthebrasstrimmings，MarthaMoultongroanedinspirit，for，iftherewasanyonethingthatshedeemedessentialtohercomfortinthislife，itwastokeepspotless，specklessandineverywayunharmed，thegreatknockeronherfrontdoor。
\"Good，soundEnglishmetal，too，\"shethought，\"thatanEnglishsoldieroughttoknowhowtorespect。\"
AssheheardthetrampofcomingfeetsheonlybentthecloserovertheBookofPrayerthatlayopenonherknee。Notoneworddidshereadorsee；shewasinwardlytremblingandoutwardlywatchingthewellandthestaircase。Butnow，aboveallothersounds，brokethenoiseofUncleJohn\'sstaffthrashingtheupperstepofthestaircase，andtheshrilltremulouscryoftheoldmandefiant，doinghisutmostforthedefenseofhiscastle。
Thefingersthatlaybeneaththebooktingledwithdesiretoboxtheoldman\'sears，forthepolicyhewaspursuingwouldbefataltothetreasureingarretandinwell；butshewasforcedtosilenceandinactivity。
AstheKing\'stroops，MajorPitcairnattheirhead，reachedtheopendoorandsawtheoldlady，theypaused。Whatcouldtheydobutlook，foramoment，attheunexpectedsightthatmettheirview；aplacidoldladyinblacksilkanddottedmuslin，withallthesweetsolemnityofmorningdevotionhoveringaboutthetidyapartmentandseemingtocentreattheroundstandbywhichshesat，thisprettywoman，withpinkandwhitefacesurmountedwithfleecylittlecurlsandcrinklesandwispsoffloatingwhiteness，wholookeduptomeettheirgazewithsuchinnocentprayer-suffusedeyes。
\"Goodmorning，Mother，\"saidMajorPitcairn，raisinghishat。
\"Goodmorning，gentlemenandsoldiers，\"returnedMarthaMoulton。
\"Youwillpardonmynotmeetingyouatthedoor，whenyouseethatIwasoccupiedinrenderingservicetotheLordofall。\"Shereverentlyclosedthebook，laiditonthetable，andarose，withastatelybearing，todemandtheirwishes。
\"We\'rehungry，goodwoman，\"spokethecommander，\"andyourhearthistheonlyhospitableonewe\'veseensinceweleftBoston。WithyourgoodleaveI\'lltakeabitofthis，andhestoopedtoliftuptheJohnny-cakethathadbeenallthiswhileonthehearth。
\"IwishIhadsomethingbettertoofferyou，\"shesaid，makinghastetofetchplatesandknivesfromthecorner-cupboard，andallthewhileshewaskeepingeye-guardoverthewell。\"I\'mafraidtheConcordershaven\'tleftmuchforyouto-day，\"sheadded，withasoftsighofregret，asthoughshereallyfeltsorrythatsuchbravemenandgoodsoldiershadfallenonhardtimesintheancienttown。Atthemomentshehadbroughtforthbreadandbakedbeans，andwasputtingthemonthetable，avoicerangintotheroom，causingeveryeyetoturntowardUncleJohn。
Hehadgottendownthestairswithoututteringoneaudiblegroan，andwasstanding，onestepabovetheflooroftheroom，brandishingandwhirlinghisstaffaboutinamannertocauseevenrheumatismtofleetheplace，while，atthetopofhisvoicehecriedout:
\"MarthaMoulton，howDAREyouFEEDthese——these——monsters——inhumanform!\"
\"Don\'tmindhim，gentlemen，pleasedon\'t，\"shemadehastetosay，\"he\'sold，VERYold；eighty-five，hislastbirthday，and——alittlehoity-toityattimes，\"pointingdeftlywithherfingerintheregionofthereasoningpowersinherownshapelyhead。
SummoningMajorPitcairnbyanofferofadishofbeans，shecontrivedtosay，undercovertofit:
\"Yousee，sir，Icouldn\'tgoawayandleavehim；heisalmostdistractedwithrheumatism，andthisexcitementto-daywillkillhim，I\'mafraid。\"
Advancingtowardthestaircasewithboldandsoldierlyfront，MajorPitcairnsaidtoUncleJohn:
\"Standaside，oldman，andwe\'llholdyouharmless。\"
\"Idon\'tbelieveyouwill，youred-trimmedtrooper，you，\"wasthereply；and，withadexterousswingofthewoodenstaff，hemowedoffanddownthreemilitaryhats。
Beforeanyonehadtimetospeak，MarthaMoultonadroitlystooping，asthoughtorecoverMajorPitcairn\'shat，whichhadrolledtoherfeet，swungthestairway-doorintoitsplacewitharesoundingbang，andfollowedupthatachievementwithaswiftturnoftwolargewoodenbuttons，onehighup，andtheotherlowdown，nearthefloor。
\"There!\"shesaid，\"heissafeoutofmischiefforawhile，andyourheadsaresafeaswell。Pardonapooroldman，whodoesnotknowwhatheisabout。\"
\"Heseemstoknowremarkablywell，\"exclaimedanofficer。
Meanwhile，behindthestrongdoor，UncleJohn\'swrathknewnobounds。Inhisfranticendeavorstoburstthefasteningsofthewoodenbuttons，rheumaticcrampsseizedhimandcarriedtheday，leavinghimoutofthebattle。
Meanwhile，aportionofthesoldieryclusteredaboutthedoor。
Theking\'shorseswerefedwithinfivefeetofthegreatbrassknocker，while，withinthehouse，thebeautifullittleoldwoman，inherSunday-best-raiment，triedtodothedismalhonorsofthedaytothefoesofhercountry。Watchingher，onewouldhavethoughtshewasentertainingheroesreturnedfromtheachievementofvaliantdeeds，whereas，inherownheart，sheknewfullwellthatshewasgivingalittletosavemuch。
Nothingcouldexceedtheseemingalacritywithwhichshefetchedwaterfromthewellfortheofficers:and，whenMajorPitcairngallantlyorderedhismentodotheservice，thelittlesoulwasinalarm；shewassoafraidthat\"somehow，insomewayoranother，thebluestockingwouldgethitchedontothebucket。\"
Sheknewthatshemusttoitsrescue，andsoshebravelyacknowledgedherselftohavetakenavow(when，shedidnotsay)，todrawallthewaterthatwastakenfromthatwell。
\"Aremnantofwitchcraft!\"remarkedasoldierwithinhearing。
\"DoIlooklikeawitch？\"shedemanded。
\"Ifyoudo，\"repliedMajorPitcairn，\"IadmireNewEnglandwitches，andneverwouldcondemnonetobehung，orburned，or——smothered。\"
MarthaMoultonneverworesobrilliantacoloronheragedcheeksasatthatmoment。Shefeltbittershameattheruseshehadattempted，butsilverspoonswereprecious，and，toescapethesmilethatwentaroundatMajorPitcairn\'swords，shewasonlytoogladtogoagaintothewellanddipslowlythehigh，over-hangingsweepintothecool，clear，darkdepthbelow。
Duringthistimethecold，frostymorningspentitselfintothebrilliant，shiningnoon。
YouknowwhathappenedatConcordonthat19thofAprilintheyear1775。Youhavebeentoldthestory，howthemenofActonmetandresistedtheking\'stroopsattheoldNorthBridge，howbraveCaptainDavisandminute-manHosmerfell，howthesoundoftheirfallingstruckdowntotheveryheartofmotherearth，andcausedhertosendforthherbravesonstocry\"Liberty，orDeath!\"
Andtherestofthestory；thesixtyormorebarrelsofflourthattheking\'stroopsfoundandstrucktheheadsfrom，leavingtheflourinconditiontobegatheredagainatnightfall，thearmsandpowderthattheydestroyed，thehousestheyburned；allthese，aretheynotrecordedineverychild\'shistoryintheland？
Whilethesethingsweregoingon，forabriefwhile，atmid-day，MarthaMoultonfoundherhomedeserted。Shehadnotforgottenpoor，suffering，irateUncleJohnintheregionsabove，and，so，theveryminuteshehadthechance，shemadeastrongcupofcatniptea(therealtea，youknow，wasbrewinginBostonharbor)。
Sheturnedthebuttons，and，withabitoftremblingatherheart，suchasshehadnotfeltallday，sheventuredupthestairs，bearingthesteamingpeace-offeringbeforeher。
UncleJohnwaswrithingunderthesharpthornsandtwingesofhisoldenemy，andinnoframeofmindtoreceiveanyoverturesintheshapeofcatniptea；nevertheless，hewaswatching，aswellashewasable，themotionsoftheenemy。Asshedrewnearhecriedout:
\"Lookoutthiswindow，andsee!MuchGOODallyourschemingwilldoYOU!\"
Sheobeyedhiscommandtolook，andthesightshethensawcausedhertoletfallthecupofcatnipteaandrushdownthestairs，wringingherhandsasshewentandcryingout:
\"Oh，dear!whatshallIdo？Thehousewillburnandtheboxupgarret。Everything\'slost!\"
MajorPitcairn，atthatmoment，wasonthegreeninfrontofherdoor，givingorders。
Forgettingthedignifiedpartsheintendedtoplay，forgettingeverythingbutthesupremedangerthatwashoveringinmid-airoverherhome——theoldhousewhereinshehadbeenborn，andtheonlyhomeshehadeverknown——sherushedoutuponthegreen，amidthetroops，andsurroundedbycavalry，andmadeherwaytoMajorPitcairn。
\"Thetown-houseisonfire!\"shecried，layingherhanduponthecommander\'sarm。
Heturnedandlookedather。MajorPitcairnhadrecentlylearnedthatthetaskhehadbeensettodointheprovincialtownsthatdaywasnotaneasyone；that，whenhardpressedandtroddendown，thedespisedrustics，inhome-spundress，couldstingevenEnglishsoldiers；andthusithappenedthat，whenhefeltthetouchofMotherMoulton\'splumplittleoldfingersonhismilitarysleeve，hewasnotinthepleasanthumorthathehadbeen，whenthesamehandhadministeredtohishungerintheearlymorning。
\"Well，whatofit？LETITBURN!Wewon\'thurtyou，ifyougointhehouseandstaythere!\"
Sheturnedandglancedupatthecourt-house。Alreadyflameswereissuingfromit。\"Gointhehouseandletitburn，INDEED!\"
thoughtshe。\"Heknowsme，don\'the？Oh，sir!fortheloveofHeavenwon\'tyoustopit？\"shesaid，entreatingly。
\"Runinthehouse，goodmother。Thatisawisewoman，\"headvised。
Downinherheart，andastheveryoutcomeoflipandbrainshewantedtosay，\"Youneedn\'t\'mother\'me，youmurderousrascal!\"
but，rememberingeverythingthatwasatstake，shecrushedherwrathandbuttoneditinascloselyasshehadUncleJohnbehindthedoorinthemorning，andagain，withswiftgentleness，laidherhandonhisarm。
Heturnedandlookedather。Vexedatherpersistence，andextremelyannoyedatintelligencethathadjustreachedhimfromtheNorthBridge，hesaid，imperiously，\"Getaway!oryou\'llbetroddendownbythehorses!\"
\"ICAN\'Tgo!\"shecried，claspinghisarm，andfairlyclingingtoitinherfrenzyofexcitement。\"Ohstopthefire，quick，quick!
ormyhousewillburn!\"
\"Ihavenotimetoputoutyourfires，\"hesaid，carelessly，shakingloosefromherholdandturningtomeetamessengerwithnews。
Poorlittlewoman!Whatcouldshedo？Thewindwasrising，andthefiregrew。Flamewascreepingoutinalittlebluecurlinanewplace，undertherafter\'sedge，ANDNOBODYCARED。Thatwaswhatincreasedthepressingmiseryofitall。Itwassounlikeacommoncountryalarm，whereeverybodyrushedupanddownthestreets，crying\"Fire!fire!f-i-r-e!\"andwenthurryingtoandfroforpailsofwatertohelpputitout。Untilthatmomentthelittlewomandidnotknowhowutterlydesertedshewas。
Inverydespair，sherantoherhouse，seizedtwopails，filledthemwithgreaterhastethanshehadeverdrawnwaterbefore，and，regardlessofUncleJohn\'simprecations，carriedthemforth，oneineitherhand，thewaterdrippingcarelesslydownthesidebreadthsofherfairsilkgown，hersilverycurlstossedandtumbledinwhiteconfusion，herpleasantfaceaflamewitheagerness，andhercleareyessuffusedwithtears。
Thusequippedwithfactsandfeeling，sheoncemoreappearedtoMajorPitcairn。
\"HaveyouamotherinoldEngland？\"shecried。\"Ifso，forhersake，stopthisfire。\"
Herwordstouchedhisheart。
\"AndifIdo——？\"heanswered。
\"THENYOURJOHNNY-CAKEONMYHEARTHWON\'TBURNUP，\"shesaid，withaquicklittlesmile，adjustinghercap。
MajorPitcairnlaughed，andtwosoldiers，athiscommand，seizedthepailsandmadehastetothecourt-house，followedbymanymore。
Forawhilethefireseemedvictorious，but，bybraveeffort，itwasfinallyovercome，andthecourt-housesaved。
AtadistanceJoeDevinshadnoticedthesmokehoveringlikealittlecloud，thensailingawaystillmorelikeacloudoverthetown；andhehadmadehastetothescene，arrivingintimetoventureontheroof，anddogoodservicethere。
Afterthefirewasextinguished，hethoughtofMarthaMoulton，andhecouldnothelpfeelingabitguiltyattheconsciousnessthathehadgoneoffandleftheralone。
Goingtothehousehefoundherentertainingtheking\'strooperswiththebestfoodherhumblestoreafforded。
Shewassocharmedwithherself，andsoutterlywellpleasedwiththesuccessofherpleading，thatthelittlewoman\'snervesfairlyquiveredwithjubilation；andbestofall，thebluestockingwasstillsafeinthewell，forhadshenotwatchedwithherowneyeseverytimethebucketwasdippedtofetchupwaterforthefire，having，somehow，gotridofthevowshehadtakenregardingthedrawingofthewater。
Asshesawtheladlooking，withsurprisedcountenance，intotheroomwherethefeastwasgoingon，afearcreptupherownfaceanddartedoutfromhereyes。Itwas，lestJoeDevinsshouldspoilitallbyill-timedwords。
Shemadehastetomeethim，basketinhand。
\"Here，Joe，\"shesaid，\"fetchmesomesmallwood，there\'sagoodboy。\"
Asshegavehimthebasketshewasjustintimetostoptherejoinderthatwasissuingfromhislips。
Intimetointercepthisreturnshewasatthewood-pile。
\"Joe，\"shesaid，half-abashedbeforethetruththatshoneintheboy\'seyes，\"Joe，\"sherepeated，\"youknowMajorPitcairnorderedthefireputout，TOPLEASEME，becauseIbeggedhimso，and，inreturn，whatCANIdobutgivethemsomethingtoeat。Comeandhelpme。\"
\"Iwon\'t，\"respondedJoe。\"Theirhandsareredwithblood。
They\'vekilledtwomenatthebridge。\"
\"Who\'skilled？\"sheasked，trembling，butJoewouldnottellher。
HedemandedtoknowwhathadbeendonewithUncleJohn。
\"He\'squietenough，up-stairs，\"shereplied，withasuddenspasmoffeelingthatsheHADneglectedUncleJohnshamefully；still，withtheday，andthefireandeverything，howcouldshehelpit？
but，really，itdidseemstrangethathemadenonoise，withahundredarmedmencomingandgoingthroughthehouse。
Atleast，thatwaswhatJoethought，and，havingdepositedthebasketofwoodonthethresholdofthekitchendoor，hedepartedaroundthecornerofthehouse。Presentlyhehadclimbedapear-tree，droppedfromoneofitsoverhangingbranchesonthelean-to，raisedasashandcreptintothewindow。
Slippingoffhisshoes，heavywithspring-mud，heproceededtosearchforUncleJohn。Hewasnotinhisownroom；hewasnotintheguest-chamber；hewasnotinanyoneoftherooms。
Onthefloor，bythewindowinthehall，lookingoutuponthegreen，hefoundthebrokencupandsaucerthatMarthaMoultonhadletfall。Havingmadeasecondround，inwhichheinvestigatedeveryclosetandpenetratedintothespacesunderbeds，Joethoughtofthegarret。
Tramp，trampwenttheheavyfeetonthesandedfloorsbelow，drowningeverypossiblesoundfromabove；nevertheless，astheladopenedthedoorleadingintothegarret，hewhisperedcautiously:\"UncleJohn!UncleJohn!\"
Allwassilentabove。Joewentup，andwasstartledbyagroan。
Hehadtostandafewseconds，toletthedarknessgrowintolight，erehecouldsee；and，whenhecoulddiscernoutlinesinthedimness，therewasgiventohimthepictureofUncleJohn，lyinghelplessamidanduponthenubbinsthathadbeenpiledoverhisstrongbox。
\"Why，UncleJohn，areyoudead？\"askedJoe，climbingovertohisside。
\"Isthehouseafire？\"wastheresponse。
\"Houseafire？No!Theconfoundedred-coatsupandputitout。\"
\"Ithoughttheywasgoingtoletmeburntodeathuphere!\"
groanedUncleJohn。
\"CanIhelpyouup？\"andJoeprofferedtwostronghands，ratherblackwithtoilandsmoke。
\"No，no!Youcan\'thelpme。Ifthehouseisn\'tafire，I\'llstandittillthefellowsaregone，andthen，Joeyoufetchthedoctorasquickasyoucan。\"
\"YOUcan\'tgetadoctorforlovenormoneythisnight，UncleJohn。There\'stoomuchworktobedoneinLexingtonandConcordto-nightforwoundedanddyingmen；andthere\'llbemoreof\'emtooaforeasinglered-coatseesBostonagain。They\'llbehunteddowneverystepoftheway。They\'vekilledCaptainDavis，fromActon。\"
\"Youdon\'tsayso!\"
\"Yes，theyhave，and——\"
\"Isay，JoeDevins，godownanddo-dosomething。There\'smyniece，a-feedingthemurderers!I\'lldisownher。Sheshan\'thaveapennyofmypounds，sheshan\'t!\"
BothJoeandUncleJohnwerecompelledtoremainininaction，whilebelow，thewearylittlewomanactedthekindhostesstoHisMajesty\'stroops。
Butnowthefeastwasspent，andthesoldiersweresummonedtobegintheirpainfulmarch。Assembledonthegreen，allwasready，whenMajorPitcairn，rememberingthelittlewomanwhohadministeredtohiswants，returnedtothehousetosayfarewell。
\'Twasbutasteptoherdoor，andbutamomentsincehehadleftit，buthefoundhercrying；cryingwithjoy，intheverychairwherehehadfoundheratprayersinthemorning。
\"Iwouldliketosaygood-by，\"hesaid；\"you\'vebeenverykindtometo-day。\"
Withaquickdashortwoofthedottedwhiteapron(spotlessnolonger)tohereye，shearose。MajorPitcairnextendedhishand，butshefoldedherowncloselytogether，andsaid:
\"IwishyouapleasantjourneybacktoBoston，sir。\"
\"WillyounotshakehandswithmebeforeIgo？\"
\"Icanfeedtheenemyofmycountry，butshakehandswithhim，NEVER!\"
Forthefirsttimethatday，thelittlewoman\'sloveofcountryseemedtorisetriumphantwithinher，anddrowneveryimpulsetoselfishness；orwasitthenearnesstosafetythatshefelt？
Humanconductistheresultofsomanymotivesthatitissometimesimpossibletonamethecompound，althoughonthatoccasionMarthaMoultonlabelledit\"Patriotism。\"
\"AndyetIputoutthefireforyou，\"hesaid。
\"Foryourmother\'ssake，inoldEngland，itwas，youremember，sir。\"
\"Iremember，\"saidMajorPitcairn，withasigh，asheturnedaway。
\"AndforHERsakeIwillshakehandswithyou，\"saidMarthaMoulton。
Soheturnedback，andacrossthethreshold，inpresenceofthewaitingtroops，thecommanderoftheexpeditiontoConcord，andtheonlywomaninthetown，shookhandsatparting。
MarthaMoultonsawMajorPitcairnmounthishorse；heardtheordergivenforthemarchtobegin，——themarchofwhichyouallhaveheard。YouknowwhatasorrytimetheRed-coatshadofitingettingbacktoBoston；howtheywerefoughtateveryinchoftheway，andwaylaidfrombehindeveryconvenienttree-trunk，andshotatfromtree-tops，andaimedatfromupperwindows，andbeseigedfrombehindstonewalls，and，inshort，madesomiserableandharassedandoverworn，thatatlasttheirdepletedranks，withthetonguesofthemenparchedandhanging，werefaintoliedownbytheroad-sideandtakewhatcamenext，eventhoughitmightbedeath。AndthenTHEDEADtheyleftbehindthem!
Ah!there\'snothingwholesometomindorbodyaboutwar，untillong，longafteritisover，andtheearthhashadtimetohidetheblood，andsenditforthinsweetbloomsofliberty，withforget-me-notsspringingthickbetween。
Themenofthatdayarelongdead。Thesamesoilholdsregularsandminute-men。England，whoover-ruled，andtheprovinces，thatputoutbravehandstoseizetheirrights，aregoodfriendsto-day，andhaveshakenhandsovermanyathresholdofheartythoughtandkinddeedssincethattime。
ThetreeofLibertygrowsyet，statelyandfair，forthemenoftheRevolutionplanteditwellandsurely。GodhimselfHATH
givenitincrease。Sowegatherto-day，inthisourstory，aforget-me-notmore，fromtheoldtownofConcord。
Whenthetroopshadmarchedaway，thewearylittlewomanlaidasidehersilkengown，resumedherhomespundress，andimmediatelybegantothinkofgettingUncleJohndown-stairsagainintohiseasychair；butitrequiredmoreaidthanshecouldgivetoliftthefallenman。AtlastJoeDevinssummonedreturningneighbors，whocametotherescue，andthepoornubbinswerelefttotheratsoncemore。
Joeclimbeddownthewellandrescuedthebluestocking，withitstreasuresunharmed，eventothepreciouswatch，whichwatchwasMarthaMoulton\'schieftreasure，andoneofveryfewinthetown。
MarthaMoultonwastheheroineoftheday。Thehousewasbeseigedbyadmiringmenandwomenthatnightandfortwoorthreedaysthereafter；butwhen，yearslater，shebeingolder，andpoorer，eventowant，petitionedtheGeneralCourtforarewardfortheservicesherenderedinpersuadingMajorPitcairntosavethecourt-housefromburning，therewasgrantedtoheronlyfifteendollars，apoorlittleforget-me-not，itistrue，butJUSTENOUGHtocarryherstorydowntheyears，whereas，butforthat，itmightneverhavebeenwaftedupanddowntheland。
Sweep，sweep，sweep!Upallthisdirtanddust，ForMammaisbusytodayandhelpherIsurelymust。
Everythingnowisspickandspan；awaytomyplayIwillrun。
Itwillbesucha\'sprisetoMammatofindallthisworkisdone。
THECONQUESTOFFAIRYLAND。
TherereignedakinginthelandofPersia，mightyandgreatwashegrown，Onthenecksofthekingsoftheconqueredearthhebuildeduphisthrone。
TheresateakingonthethroneofPersia；andhewasgrownsoproudThatallthelifeoftheworldwaslesstohimthanapassingcloud。
Hereignedinglory:joyandsorrowlyingbetweenhishands。
Ifhesighedanationshook，hissmileripenedtheharvestoflands。
Hewasthesaddestmanbeneaththeeverlastingsky，Forallhisglorieshadlefthimold，andtheproudestkingmustdie。
HewhowasevenasGodtoallthenationsofmen，Mustdieasthemerestpeasantdies，andturnintoearthagain。
Andhislifewiththefearofdeathwasbitterandsickandaccursed，Asbrackishwatertodrinkofwhichistobeforeverathirst。
Thehatefulyearsrolledonandon，butonceitchancedatnoonThedrowsycourtwasthrilledtogladness，itechoedsosweetatune。
Lowasthelappingoftilesea，asthesongofthelarkisclear，Wildasthemoaningofpinebranches；thekingwasfaintohear。
\"Whatisthesong，andwhoisthesinger？\"hesaid；\"beforethethroneLethimcome，forthesongsoftheworldaremine，andallbutthisareknown。\"
Sevenmightykingswentouttheminstrelmantofind:
Andalltheyfoundwasadeadcyprussoughinginthewind。
Andslowerstill，andsadderstilltheheavywintersrolled，Andtheburningsummerswanedaway，andthekinggrewveryold；
Dull，worn，feeble，bent；andoncehethought，\"todieWererest，atleast。\"Andashethoughtthemusicwanderedby。
Intothepresenceoftheking，singing，thesingercame，Andhisfacewaslikethespringinflower，hiseyeswereclearasflame。
\"Whatisthesongyouplay，andwhatthethemeyourpraisessing？
Itissweet；IknewnotIownedathingsosweet，\"saidthewearyking。
\"Isingmycountry，\"saidthesinger，\"alandthatissweeterthansong。\"
\"Whichofmykingdomsisyourcountry？ThitherwouldIalong。\"
\"Great，Oking，isthypower，andtheearthafootstoolforthyfeet；
Butmycountryisfree，andmyowncountry，andoh，mycountryissweet!\"
Asheheardtheeyesofthekinggrewyoungandalivewithfire\"Lo，isthereleftontheearthathingtostrivefor，athingtodesire？
\"Whereisthycountry？tellme，Osinger，speakthineinnermostheart!
Leavethymusic!speakplainly!Speak-forgetthineart!\"
Theeyesofthesingershoneashesang，andhisvoicerangwildandfreeAstheelementalwindortheuncontrollablesobsofthesea。
\"Omydistanthome!\"hesighed；\"Oh，alas!awayandafarIwatchtheenowasalostsailorwatchesashiningstar。
\"Oh，thatawindwouldtakemethere!thatabirdwouldsetmedownWherethegoldenstreetsshineredatsunsetinmyfather\'stown!
\"ForonlyindreamsIseethefacesofthewomenthere，AndfainwouldIhearthemsingingonce，braidingtheirropesofhair。
\"Oh，Iamthirsty，andlongtodrinkoftheriverofLife，andI
Amfaintofindmyowncountry，wherenomanshalldie。\"
Outofthelightofthethronethekinglookeddown:asinthespringThegreenleavesburstfromtheirduskybuds，sowashopeintheeyesoftheking。
\"Lo，\"hesaid，\"Iwillmaketheegreat；IwillmaketheemightyinswayEvenasI；butthenameofthycountryspeak，andtheplaceandtheway。\"
\"Oh，thewaytomycountryisevernorthtillyoupassthemouthofhell，Pastthelimboofdreamsandthedesolatelandwhereshadowsdwell。
\"Andwhenyouhavereachedthefountofwonder，youfordthewaterswanTothelandofelvesandthelandoffairies，enchantedMasinderan。\"
Thesingerceased；andthelyreinhishandsnapped，asacord，intwain；
AndneitherlyrenorsingerwasseeninthekingdomofPersiaagain。
Andallthenoblesgazedastounded；nomanspokeawordTilltheoldkingsaid:\"Calloutmyarmies；bringmehitherasword!\"
Asalittletorrentswollenbysnowsisturnedtoaterriblestream，Sothegatheringvoicesofallhiscountriescriedtothekinginhisdream。
Crying，\"Forthee，Oourking，fortheewehadfreelyandwillinglydied，Warriors，martyrs，whatthouwilt；notthatourlivesbetide\"Theworthofathoughttotheking，butratherbecausethyrodIsoverourheadsasoverthineIsthechangelesswillofGod。
\"Ratherforthiswebeseechthee，Omaster，forthineownsakerefrainFromtheblasphemousmadnessofpride，fromthefeverofimpiousgain。\"
\"Youseekmydeath，\"thekingthundered；\"youcry，forbeartosaveThelifeofakingtoooldtofrolic；lethimsleepinthegrave。
\"ButIwillliveforallyourtreason；and，bymyownrighthand!
IwillsetoutthisdaywithyoutoconquerFairyland。\"
Thenallthenationspaledaghast，forthebattletobeginWasawarwithGod，andawarwithdeath，andtheyknewthethingwassin。
Sickathearttheygatheredtogether，butnonedenouncedthewrong，ForthewillofGodwasunseen，unsaid，andthewillofthekingwasstrong。
Sotheairgrewbrightwithspears，andtheearthshookunderthetreadOfthemightyhorsesharnessedforbattle；thestandardsflauntedred。
Andthewindwasloudwiththeblareoftrumpets，andeveryhousewasvoidOfthestrengthandstayofthehouse，andthepeaceofthelanddestroyed。
Andthegrowingcornwastroddenundertheweightofarmedfeet，AndeverywomaninPersiacursedthesoundofasongtoosweet，Cursedtheinsensatelongingforlifeintheheartofasickoldman；
ButthekingofPersiawithallhisarmiesmarchedonMasinderan。
ManyadaytheymarchedinthesuntilltheirsilverarmourwasleadTosinktheirbodiesintothegrave，andmanyamanfelldead。
Andtheypassedthemouthofhell，andtheshadowycountrygray，Wheretheairismistandthepeoplemistandtherainmorerealthanthey。
Andtheycametothefountofwonder，andfordedthewaterswan，AndthekingofPersiaandallhisarmiesmarchedonMasinderan。
Andtheyturnedtheriverstoblood，andthefieldstoaravagedcamp，Andtheynearedthegoldenfaerytown，thatburnedintheduskasalamp。
Andtheystoodandshoutedforjoytoseeitstandsonigh，Givenintotheirhandsforspoil；andtheirheartsbeatproudandhigh。
Andthearmieslongedforthemorrow，toconquertheshiningtown，Fortherewasnodeathintheland，neitheranytostrikethemdown。
Thehostsweremanyinnumbers，mighty，andskilledinthestrife，Andtheylustedforgoldandconquestastheoldkinglustedforlife。
And，gazingonthegoldenplace，nighttookthemunaware，Andblackandwindygrewtheskies，andblacktheeddyingairSolongthenightandblackthenightthatfellupontheireyes，Theyquakedwithfear，thosemightyhosts；thesunwouldneverrise。
Darknessanddeafeningsoundsconfusedtheblack，tempestuousair，Andnomansawhisneighbor\'sface，norheardhisneighbor\'sprayer。
Andwildwithterrortheragingarmiesfelloneachotherinfight，Thegroundwasstrewnwithwoundedmen，madinthehorriblenightMadwitheternalpain，withdarknessandstabbingblowsRainedonallsidesfrominvisiblehandstillthegroundwasredasarose。
And，thoughhewaslongingforrest，noneventuredtopausefromthestrife，LesthaplyanotherwoundbehistopoisonhishatefullifeAndthekingentreateddeath；andforpeacethearmiesprayed；
ButthegiftsofGodareeverlasting，hiswordisnotgainsaid；
Goldandbattlearegiventhehosts，theirboonisturnedtoaban，AndthecurseofthekingistoreignforeverinconqueredMasinderan。
A。MARYF。ROBINSON。
HandySpandy，Jack-a-Dandy，Lovedplumcakeandsugarcandy；
Heboughtsomeatagrocer\'sshopAndouthecomewithahop。
hop，hop。
Jockoisamonkey，Dressedjustlikeaclown；
Withthegrinding-organmanHetravelsroundthetown。
Jocko，Jocko，climbapole，Jockoclimbatree，Jocko，Jocko，tipyourcap，Andmakeabowtome。
KENTUCKYBELLE。
Summerof\'sixty-three，sir，andConradwasgoneaway——
Gonetothecounty-town，sir，tosellourfirstloadofhay——
Welivedinthelog-houseyonder，pooraseveryou\'veseen；
Roschentherewasababy，andIwasonlynineteen。
Conrad，hetooktheoxen，butheleftKentuckyBelle；
HowmuchwethoughtofKentucky，Icouldn\'tbegintotell——
CamefromtheBlue-Grasscountry；myfathergavehertomeWhenIrodenorthwithConrad，awayfromTennessee。
ConradlivedinOhio——aGermanheis，youknow——
Thehousestoodinbroadcorn-fields，stretchingon，rowafterrow；
Theoldfolksmademewelcome；theywerekindaskindcouldbeButIkeptlonging，longing，forthehillsofTennessee。
O，forasightofwater，theshadowedslopeofahill!
Cloudsthathangonthesummit，awindthatisneverstillButthelevellandwentstretchingawaytomeetthesky——
Neverarise，fromnorthtosouth，torestthewearyeye!
Fromeasttowest，norivertoshineoutunderthemoon，Nothingtomakeashadowintheyellowafternoon；
Onlythebreathlesssunshine，asIlookedout，allforlorn；
Onlythe\"rustle，rustle，\"asIwalkedamongthecorn。
WhenIfellsickwithpining，wedidn\'twaitanymore，Butmovedawayfromthecorn-landsouttothisrivershore——
TheTuscarawasit\'scalled，sir——offthere\'sahill，yousee——
AndnowI\'vegrowntolikeitnextbesttotheTennessee。
Iwasatworkthatmorning。SomeonecameridinglikemadOverthebridgeanduptheroad——FarmerRouf\'slittlelad；
Barebackherode；hehadnohat；hehardlystoppedtosay；
\"Morgan\'smenarecoming，Frau；they\'regallopingonthisway；
\"I\'msenttowarntheneighbors。Heisn\'tamilebehind；
Hesweepsupallthehorses——everyhorsethathecanfind；
Morgan，Morgan，theraider，andMorgan\'sterriblemen，Withbowie-knivesandpistols，aregallopinguptheglen。\"
Theladrodedownthevalley，andIstoodstillatthedoor；
Thebabylaughedandprattled，playingwithspoolsonthefloor；
Kentuckwasoutinthepasture；Conrad，myman，wasgone；
Nearer，nearer，Morgan\'smenweregalloping，gallopingon!
SuddenIpickedupthebaby，andrantothepasture-bar；
\"Kentuck!\"Icalled；\"Kentucky!\"Sheknewmeeversofar!
Iledherdownthegullythatturnsofftheretotheright，Andtiedhertothebushes；herheadwasjustoutofsight。
AsIranbacktothelog-house，atoncetherecameasound——
Theringofhoofs，gallopinghoofs，tremblingovertheground——
ComingintotheturnpikeoutfromtheWhiteWomanGlen——
Morgan，Morgantheraider，andMorgan\'sterriblemen。
Asneartheydrewandnearer，myheartbeatfastinalarm!
ButstillIstoodinthedoorway，withbabyonmyarm。
Theycame；theypassed；withspurandwhipinhastetheyspedalong——
Morgan，Morgantheraider，andhisbandsixhundredstrong。
Wearytheylookedandjaded，ridingthroughnightandthroughday；
Pushingoneasttotheriver，manylongmilesaway，Totheborder-stripwhereVirginiarunsupintotheWest，TofordtheUpperOhiobeforetheycouldstoptorest。
Onlikethewindtheyhurried，andMorganrodeinadvance；
Brightwerehiseyeslikelivecoals，ashegavemeasidewaysglance；
AndIwasjustbreathingfreely，aftermychokingpain，Whenthelastoneofthetrooperssuddenlydrewhisrein。
FrightenedIwastodeath，sir；Iscarcedaredlookinhisface，Asheaskedforadrinkofwater，andglancedaroundtheplace:
Igavehimacup，andhesmiled——\'twasonlyaboy，yousee；
Faintandworn；withdimblueeyes，andhe\'dsailedontheTennessee。
Onlysixteenhewas，sir——afondmother\'sonlyson——
OffandawaywithMorganbeforehislifehadbegun!
Thedampdropsstoodonhistemples；drawnwastheboyishmouth；
AndIthoughtmeofthemotherwaitingdownintheSouth!
O，pluckwashetothebackbone；andcleargritthroughandthrough；
Boastedandbraggedlikeatrooper；butthebigwordswouldn\'tdo；
Theboywasdyingsir，dying，asplainasplaincouldbe，WornoutbyhisridewithMorganupfromtheTennessee。
But，whenItoldtheladdiethatItoowasfromtheSouth，Watercameintohisdimeyes，andquiversaroundhismouth；
\"DoyouknowtheBlue-Grasscountry？\"hewistfullybegantosay；
Thenswayedlikeawillowsapling，andfainteddeadaway。
Ihadhimintothelog-house，andworkedandbroughthimto；
Ifedhim，andIcoaxedhim，asIthoughthismother\'ddo；
And，whentheladgotbetter，andthenoiseinhisheadwasgone，Morgan\'smenweremilesaway，galloping，gallopingon。
\"O，Imustgo，\"hemuttered；\"Imustbeupandaway!
