FinallyhelandedGoreebytellinghimhewascountinguponhishelpintheengineeringandtransportationofalargeamountoffelledtimberfromahighmountain-sidetoawaterway。HeknewthatGoreehadonceinventedadeviceforthispurpose——aseriesofslidesandchutes-
uponwhichhehadjustlypridedhimself。Inaninstantthepoorfellow，delightedattheideaofhisbeingofusetoanyone，hadpaperspreaduponthetable，andwasdrawingrapidbutpitifullyshakylinesindemonstrationofwhathecouldandwoulddo。
Themanwassickenedofthehusks；hisprodigalheartwasturningagaintowardthemountains。Hismindwasyetstrangelyclogged，andhisthoughtsandmemorieswerereturningtohisbrainonebyone，likecarrierpigeonsoverastormysea。ButColtranewassatisfiedwiththeprogresshehadmade。
Bethelreceivedthesurpriseofitsexistencethatafter-
noonwhenaColtraneandaGoreerodeamicablytogetherthroughthetown。Sidebysidetheyrode，outfromthedustystreetsandgapingtownspeople，downacrossthecreekbridge，anduptowardthemountain。Theprodigalhadbrushedandwashedandcombedhimselftoamoredecentfigure，buthewasunsteadyinthesaddle，andheseemedtobedeepinthecontemplationofsomevexingproblem。Coltranelefthiminhismood，relyingupontheinfluenceofchangedsurroundingstorestorehisequilibrium。
OnceGoreewasseizedwithashakingfit，andalmostcametoacollapse。Hehadtodismountandrestatthesideoftheroad。Thecolonel，foreseeingsuchacon-
dition，hadprovidedasmallflaskofwhiskyforthejourneybutwhenitwasofferedtohimGoreerefuseditalmostwithviolence，declaringhewouldnevertouchitagain。
Byandbyhewasrecovered，andwentquietlyenoughforamileortwo。Thenhepulleduphishorsesuddenly，andsaid:
\"Ilosttwohundreddollarslastnight，playingpoker。
Now，wheredidIgetthatmoney？\"
\"Takeiteasy，Yancev。Themountainairwillsoonclearitup。We\'llgofishing，firstthing，atthePinnacleFalls。Thetroutarejumpingtherelikebullfrogs。We\'lltakeStellaandLucyalong，andhaveapicniconEagleRock。Haveyouforgottenhowahickory-cured-hamsandwichtastes，Yancey，toahungryfisherman？\"
Evidentlythecoloneldidnotbelievethestoryofhislostwealth；soGoreeretiredagainintobroodingsilence。
BylateAfternoontheyhadtravelledtenofthetwelvemilesbetweenBethelandLaurel。HalfamilethissideofLaurellaytheoldGoreeplace；amileortwobeyondthevillagelivedtheColtranes。Theroadwasnowsteepandlaborious，butthecompensationsweremany。Thetiltedaislesoftheforestwereopulentwithleafandbirdandbloom。Thetonicairputtoshamethepharma-
cop鎖a。Thegladesweredarkwithmossyshade，andbrightwithshyrivuletswinkingfromthefernsandlaurels。Onthelowersidetheyviewed，framedinthenearfoilage，exquisitesketchesofthefarvalleyswooninginitsopalhaze。
Coltranewaspleasedtoseethathiscompanionwasyieldingtothespellofthehillsandwoods。FornowtheyhadbuttoskirtthebaseofPainter\'sCliff；tocrossElderBranchandmountthehillbeyond，andGoreewouldhavetofacethesquanderedhomeofhisfathers。
Everyrockhepassed，everytree，everyfootoftherockyway，wasfamiliartohim。Thoughhehidforgottenthewoods，theythrilledhimlikethemusicof\"Home，SweetHome。\"
Theyroundedthecliff，decendedintoElderBranch，andpausedtheretoletthehorsesdrinkandsplashintheswiftwater。Ontherightwasarailfencethatcorneredthere，andfollowedtheroadandstream。
Inclosedbyitwastheoldappleorchardofthehomeplace；thehousewasyetconcealedbythebrowofthesteephill。Insideandalongthefence，pokeberries，elders，sassafras，andsumacgrewhighanddense。Atarustleoftheirbranches，bothGoreeandColtraneglancedup，andsawalong，yellow，wolfishfaceabovethefence，staringatthemwithpale，unwinkingeyes。Theheadquickydisappeared；therewasaviolentswayingofthebushes，andanungainlyfigureranupthroughtheappleorchardinthedirectionofthehouse，zigzaggingamongthetrees。
\"That\'sGarvey，\"saidColtrane；\"themanyousoldoutto。There\'snodoubtbuthe\'sconsiderablycracked。
Ihadtosendhimupformoonshining，once，severalyearsago，inspiteofthefactthatIbelievedhimirresponsible。
Why，what\'sthematter，Yancey？\"
Goreewaswipinghisforehead，andhisfacehadlostitscolour。\"DoIlookqueer，too？\"heasked，tryingtosmile。\"I\'mjustrememberingafewmorethings。\"
Someofthealcoholhadevaporatedfromhisbrain。\"I
recollectnowwhereIgotthattwohundreddollars。\"
\"Don\'tthinkofit，\"saidColtranecheerfully。\"Lateronwe\'llfigureitallouttogether。\"
Theyrodeoutofthebranch，andwhentheyreachedthefootofthehillGoreestoppedagain。
\"DidyoueversuspectIwasaveryvainkindoffellow，Colonel\"heasked。\"Sortoffoolishproudaboutappearances？\"
Thecolonel\'seyesrefusedtowandertothesoiled，sag-
gingsuitofflaxandthefadedslouchhat。
\"Itseemstome，\"hereplied，mystified，buthumouringhim，\"Irememberayoungbuckabouttwenty，withthetightestcoat，thesleekesthair，andtheprancingestsaddlehorseintheBlueRidge。\"
\"Rightyouare，\"saidGoreeeagerly。\"Andit\'sinmeyet，thoughitdon\'tshow。Oh，I\'masvainasaturkeygobbler，andasproudasLucifer。I\'mgoingtoaskyoutoindulgethisweaknessofmineinalittlematter。\"
\"Speakout，Yancey。We\'llcreateyouDukeofLaurelandBaronofBlueRidge，ifyouchoose；andyoushallhaveafeatheroutofStella\'speacock\'stailtowearinyourhat。\"
\"I\'minearnest。Inafewminuteswe\'llpassthehouseupthereonthehillwhereIwasborn，andwheremypeoplehavelivedfornearlyacentury。Strangerslivetherenow——andlookatme!Iamabouttoshowmyselftothemraggedandpoverty-stricken，awastrelandabeggar。ColonelColtrane，I\'mashamedtodoit。I
wantyoutoletmewearyourcoatandhatuntilweareoutofsightbeyond。Iknowyouthinkitafoolishpride，butIwanttomakeasgoodashowingasIcanwhenIpasstheoldplace。\"
\"Now，whatdoesthismean？\"saidColtranetohim-
self，ashecomparedhiscompanion\'ssanelooksandquietdemeanourwithhisstrangerequest。Buthewasalreadyunbuttoningthecoat，assentingreadily，asifthefancywereinnowisetobeconsideredstrange。
ThecoatandhatfittedGoreewell。Hebuttonedtheformerabouthimwithalookofsatisfactionanddignity。HeandColtranewerenearlythesamesize——
rathertall，portly，anderect。Twenty-fiveyearswerebetweenthem，butinappearancetheymighthavebeenbrothers。Goreelookedolderthanhisage；
hisfacewaspuffyandlined；thecolonelhadthesmooth，freshcomplexionofatemperateliver。HeputonGoree\'sdisreputableoldflaxcoatandfadedslouchhat。
\"Now，\"saidGoree，takingupthereins，\"I\'mallright。Iwantyoutorideabouttenfeetintherearaswegoby，Colonel，sothattheycangetagoodlookatme。
They\'llseeI\'mnobacknumberyet，byanymeans。I
guessI\'llshowupprettywelltothemoncemore，any-
how。Let\'srideon。\"
Hesetoutupthehillatasmarttrot，thecolonelfol-
lowing，ashehadbeenrequested。
Goreesatstraightinthesaddle，withheaderect，buthiseyeswereturnedtotheright，sharplyscanningeveryshrubandfenceandhiding-placeintheoldhomesteadyard。Oncehemutteredtohimself，\"Willthecrazyfooltryit，ordidIdreamhalfofit？\"
Itwaswhenhecameoppositethelittlefamilyburyinggroundthathesawwhathehadbeenlookingfor——apuffofwhitesmoke，comingfromthethickcedarsinonecomer。HetoppledsoslowlytotheleftthatColtranehadtimetourgehishorsetothatside，andcatchhimwithonearm。
Thesquirrelhunterhadnotoverpraisedhisaim。Hehadsentthebulletwhereheintended，andwhereGoreehadexpectedthatitwouldpass-throughthebreastofColonelAbnerColtrane\'sblackfrockcoat。
GoreeleanedheavilyagainstColtrane，buthedidnotfall。Thehorseskeptpace，sidebyside，andtheColonel\'sarmkepthimsteady。ThelittlewhitehousesofLaurelshonethroughthetrees，halfamileaway。GoreereachedoutonehandandgropeduntilitresteduponColtrane\'sfingers，whichheldhisbridle。
\"Goodfriend，\"hesaid，andthatwasall。
ThusdidYanceyGoree，asberodepasthisoldhome，make，consideringallthings，thebestshowingthatwasinhispower。
THESONGANDTHESERGEANT
Halfadozenpeoplesuppingatatableinoneoftheupper-Broadwayall-nightrestaurantsweremakingtoomuchnoise。Threetimesthemanagerwalkedpastthemwithapolitelywarningglance；buttheirargumenthadwaxedtoowarmtobequelledbyamanager\'sgaze。
Itwasmidnight，andtherestaurantwasfilledwithpatronsfromthetheatresofthatdistrict。SomeamongthedispersedaudiencesmusthaverecognizedamongthequarrelsomesextetthefacesoftheplayersbelongingtotheCarrollComedyCompany。
Fourofthesixmadeupthecompany。Anotherwastheauthorofthecomedietta，\"AGayCoquette，\"
whichthequartetteoflayershadbeenpresentingwithfairsuccessatseveralvaudevillehousesinthecity。Thesixthatthetablewasapersoninconsequentintherealmofart，butoneatwhosebiddingmanylobstershadperished。
Loudlythesixmaintainedtheirclamorousdebate。
NooneofthePartywassilentexceptwhenanswerswerestormedfromhimbytheexcitedones。Thatwasthecomedianof\"AGayCoquette。\"Hewasayoungmanwithafaceeventoomelancholyforhisprofession。
TheoralwarfareoffourimmoderatetongueswasdirectedatMissClariceCarroll，thetwinklingstarofthesmallaggregation。Exceptingthedowncastcomedian，allmembersofthepartyunitedincastinguponherwithvehemencetheblameofsomemomentousmisfortune。
Fiftytimestheytoldher:\"Itisyourfault，Clarice-
itisyoualonewhospoiltthescene。Itisonlyoflatethatyouhaveactedthisway。Atthisratethesketchwillhavetobetakenoff。\"
MissCarrollwasamatchforanyfour。Gallicancestrygaveheravivacitythatcouldeasilymounttofury。Herlargeeyesflashedascorchingdenialatheraccusers。Herslender，eloquentarmsconstantlymenacedthetableware。
Herhigh，clearsopranovoicerosetowhatwouldhavebeenascreamhaditnotpossessedsopureamusicalquality。Shehurledbackattheattackingfourtheirdenunciationsintonessweet，butoftoogreatcarryingpowerforaBroadwayrestaurant。
Finallytheyexhaustedherpatiencebothasawomanandanartist。Shespranguplikeapanther，managedtosmashhalfadozenplatesandglasseswithoneroyalsweepofherarm，anddefiedhercritics。Theyroseandwrangledmoreloudly。Thecomediansighedandlookedatriflesadderanddisinterested。Themanagercametrippingandsuggestedpeace。HewastoldtogotothepopularsynonymforwarsopromptlythattheaffairmighthavehappenedatTheHague。
Thuswasthemanagerangered。Hemadeasignwithhishandandawaiterslippedoutofthedoor。Intwentyminutesthepartyofsixwasinapolicestationfacingagrizzledandphilosophicaldesksergeant。
\"Disorderlyconductinarestaurant，\"saidthepolice-
manwhohadbroughtthepartyin。
Theauthorof\"AGayCoquette\"steppedtothefront。
Heworenose-glassesandeveningclothes，evenifhisshoeshadbeentansbeforetheymetthepatent-leather-polishbottle。
\"Mr。Sergeant，\"saidhe，outofhisthroat，likeActorIrving，\"Iwouldliketoprotestagainstthisarrest。ThecompanyofactorswhoareperforminginalittleplaythatIhavewritten，incompanywithafriendandmyselfwerehavingalittlesupper。Webecamedeeplyinterestedinthediscussionastowhichoneofthecastisresponsibleforasceneinthesketchthatlatelyhasfallensoflatthatthepieceisabouttobecomeafailure。Wemayhavebeenrathernoisyandintolerantofinterruptionbytherestaurantpeople；butthematterwasofconsiderableimportancetoallofus。Youseethatwearesoberandarenotthekindofpeoplewhodesiretoraisedisturbances。
Ihopethatthecasewillnotbepressedandthatwemaybeallowedtogo。\"
\"Whomakesthecharge？\"askedthesergeant。
\"Me，\"saidawhite-apronedvoiceintherear。\"Derestaurantsentmeto。Degangwasraisin\'arough-
houseandbreakin\'dishes。\"
\"Thedisheswerepaidfor，\"saidtheplaywright。
\"Theywerenotbrokenpurposely。Inheranger，becauseweremonstratedwithherforspoilingthescene，Miss——\"
\"It\'snottrue，sergeant，\"criedtheclearvoiceofMiss。
ClariceCarroll。Inalongcoatoftansilkandared-
plumedhat，sheboundedbeforethedesk。
\"It\'snotmyfault，\"shecriedindignantly。\"How-
daretheysaysuchathing!I\'veplayedthetitler鬺eeversinceitwasstaged，andifyouwanttoknowwhomadeitasuccess，askthepublic——that\'sall。\"
\"WhatMissCarrollsaysistrueinpart，\"saidtheauthor。\"Forfivemonthsthecomediettawasadrawing-
cardinthebesthouses。Butduringthelasttwoweeksithaslostfavour。ThereisonesceneinitinwhichMissCarrollmadeabighit。Nowshehardlygetsahandoutofit。Shespoilsitbyactingitentirelydifferentfromheroldway。\"
\"Itisnotmyfault，\"reiteratedtheactress。
\"Thereareonlytwoofyouoninthescene，\"arguedtheplaywrighthotly，\"youandDelmars，here——\"
\"Thenit\'shisfault，\"declaredMissCarroll，withalightningglanceofscornfromherdarkeyes。Thecomediancaughtit，andgazedwithincreasedmelancholyatthepanelsofthesergeant\'sdesk。
Thenightwasadulloneinthatparticularpolicestation。
Thesergeant\'slong-bluntedcuriosityawokealittle。
\"I\'veheardyou，\"hesaidtotheauthor。Andthenheaddressedthethin-facedandascetic-lookingladyofthecompanywhoplayed\"AuntTurnip-top\"inthelittlecomedy。
\"Whodoyouthinkspoilsthesceneyouarefussingabout？\"heasked。
\"I\'mnoknocker，\"saidthatlady，\"andeverybodyknowsit。So，whenIsaythatClaricefallsdowneverytimeinthatsceneI\'mjudgingherartandnotherself。
Shewasgreatinitonce。Shedoesitsomethingfiercenow。It\'lldopetheshowifshekeepsitup。\"
Thesergeantlookedatthecomedian。
\"Youandtheladyhavethisscenetogether，Iunder-
stand。Isupposethere\'snouseaskingyouwhichoneofyouqueersit？\"
ThecomedianavoidedthedirectraysfromthetwofixedstarsofMissCarroll\'seyes。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"hesaid，lookingdownathispatent-
leathertoes。
\"Areyouoneoftheactors？\"askedthesergeantofadwarfishyouthwithamiddle-agedface。
\"Why，say!\"repliedthelastThespianwitness，\"youdon\'tnoticeanytinspearinmyhands，doyou？Youhaven\'theardmeshout:\'See，theEmperorcomes!\'sinceI\'vebeeninhere，haveyou？IguessI\'monthestagelongenoughfor\'emnottostartapanicbymistakingmeforathincurlofsmokerisingabovethefootlights。\"
\"Inyouropinion，ifyou\'vegotone，\"saidthesergeant，\"isthefrostthatgathersonthesceneinquestiontheworkoftheladyorthegentlemanwhotakespartinit？\"
Themiddle-agedyouthlookedpained。
\"Iregrettosay，\"heanswered，\"thatMissCarrollseemstohavelosthergriponthatscene。She\'sallrightintherestoftheplay，but——butItellyou，sergeant，shecandoit——shehasdoneitequaltoanyof\'em——andshecandoitagain。\"
MissCarrollranforward，glowingandpalpitating。
\"Thankyou，Jimmy，forthefirstgoodwordI\'vehadinmanyaday，\"shecried。Andthensheturnedhereagerfacetowardthedesk。
\"I\'llshowyou，sergeant，whetherIamtoblame。I\'llshowthemwhetherIcandothatsame。Come，Mr。
Delmars；letusbegin。Youwillletus，won\'tyou，sergeant？\"
\"Howlongwillittake？\"askedthesergeant，dubiously。
\"Eightminutes，\"saidtheplaywright。\"Theentireplayconsumesbutthirty。\"
\"Youmaygoahead，\"saidthesergeant。\"Mostofyouseemtosideagainstthelittlelady。Maybeshehadarighttocrackupasaucerortwointhatrestaurant。
We\'llseehowshedoestheturnbeforewetakethatup。\"
Thematronofthepolicestationhadbeenstandingnear，listeningtothesingularargument。Shecamenigherandstoodnearthesergeant\'schair。Twoorthreeofthereservesstrolledin，bigandyawning。
\"Beforebeginningthescene，\"saidtheplaywright，\"andassumingthatyouhavenotseenaproductionof\'AGayCoquette，\'Iwillmakeabriefbutnecessaryexplanation。
Itisamusical-farce-comedy——burlesque-comedietta。
Asthetitleimplies，MissCarroll\'sr鬺eisthatofagay，rollicking，mischievous，heartlesscoquette。Shesustainsthatcharacterthroughouttheentirecomedypartoftheproduction。AndIhavedesignedtheextravaganzafeaturessothatshemaypreserveandpresentthesamecoquettishidea。
\"Now，thesceneinwhichwetakeexceptiontoMissCarroll\'sactingiscalledthe\'gorilladance。\'Sheiscostumedtorepresentawoodnymph，andthereisagreatsong-and-dancescenewithagorilla——playedbyMr。
Delmars，thecomedian。Atropical-foreststageisset。
\"Thatusedtogetfourandfiverecalls。Themainthingwastheactingandthedance——itwasthefunniestthinginNewYorkforfivemonths。Delmars\'ssong，\'I\'llWooTheetoMySylvanHome，\'whileheandMissCarrollwerecuttinghide-and-seekcapersamongthetropicalplants，wasawinner。\"
\"What\'sthetroublewiththescenenow？\"askedthesergeant。
\"MissCarrollspoilsitrightinthemiddleofit，\"saidtheplaywrightwrathfully。
Withawidegestureofherever-movingarmstheactresswavedbackthelittlegroupofspectators，leavingaspaceinfrontofthedeskforthesceneofhervindicationorfall。Thenshewhippedoffherlongtancloakandtosseditacrossthearmofthepolicemanwhostillstoodofficiallyamongthem。
MissCarrollhadgonetosupperwellcloaked，butinthecostumeofthetropicwoodnymph。Askirtoffernleavestouchedherknee；shewaslikeahumming-
bird——greenandgoldenandpurple。
Andthenshedancedafluttering，fantasticdance，soagileandlightandmazyinherstepsthattheotherthreemembersoftheCarrollComedyCompanybrokeintoapplauseattheartofit。
AndatthepropertimeDelmarsleapedoutatherside，mimickingtheuncouth，hideousboundsofthegorillasofunnilythatthegrizzledsergeanthimselfgaveashortlaughliketheclosingofapadlock。Theydancedtogetherthegorilladance，andwonahandfromall。
Thenbeganthemostfantasticpartofthescene——
thewooingofthenymphbythegorilla。Itwasakindofdanceitself——eccentricandprankish，withthenymphcoquettishandseductiveretreat，followedbythegorillaashesang\"I\'llWooTheetoMySylvanHome。\"
Thesongwasalyricofmerit。Thewordswerenon-
sense，asbefittedtheplay，butthemusicwasworthyofsomethingbetter。Delmarsstruckintoitinarichtenorthatownedaqualitythatshamedtheflippantwords。
Duringoneverseofthesongthewoodnymphper-
formedthegrotesqueevolutionsdesignedforthescene。
Atthemiddleofthesecondverseshestoodstill，withastrangelookonherface，seemingtogazedreamilyintothedepthsofthescenicforest。Thegorilla\'slastleaphadbroughthimtoherfeet，andthereheknelt，holdingherhand，untilhehadfinishedthehaunting-lyricthatwassetintheabsurdcomedylikeadiamondinapieceofputty。
WhenDelmarsceasedMissCarrollstarted，andcoveredasuddenflowoftearswithbothhands。
\"There!\"criedtheplaywright，gesticulatingwithviolence；\"thereyouhaveit，sergeant。Fortwoweeksshehasspoiledthatsceneinjustthatmannerateveryperformance。IhavebeggedhertoconsiderthatitisnotOpheliaorJulietthatsheisplaying。Doyouwondernowatourimpatience？Tearsforthegorillasong!
Theplayislost!\"
Outofherbewitchment，whateveritwas，thewoodnymphflaredsuddenly，andpointedadesperatefingeratDelmars。
\"Itisyou——youwhohavedonethis，\"shecriedwildly。\"Youneversangthatsongthatwayuntillately。
Itisyourdoing。\"
\"Igiveitup，\"saidthesergeant。
Andthenthegray-hairedmatronofthepolicestationcameforwardfrombehindthesergeant\'schair。
\"Mustanoldwomanteachyouall？\"shesaid。ShewentuptoMissCarrollandtookherhand。
\"Theman\'swearinghisheartoutforyou，mydear。
Couldn\'tyoutellitthefirstnoteyouheardhimsing？
Allofhismonkeyflip-flopswouldn\'thavekeptitfromme。Mustyoubedeafaswellasblind？That\'swhyyoucouldn\'tactyourpart，child。Doyoulovehimormusthebeagorillafortherestofhisdays？\"
MissCarrollwhirledaroundandcaughtDelmarswithalightningglanceofhereye。Hecametowardher，melancholy。
\"Didyouhear，Mr。Delmars？\"sheasked，withacatchingbreath。
\"Idid，\"saidthecomedian。\"Itistrue。Ididn\'tthinktherewasanyuse。Itriedtoletyouknowwiththesong。\"
\"Silly!\"saidthematron；\"whydidn\'tyouspeak？\"
\"No，no，\"criedthewoodnymph，\"hiswaywasthebest。Ididn\'tknow，but——itwasjustwhatIwanted，Bobby。\"
Shespranglikeagreengrasshopper；andthecomedianopenedhisarms，and——smiled。
\"Getoutofthis，\"roaredthedesksergeanttothewaitingwaiterfromtherestaurant。\"There\'snothingdoinghereforyou。\"
ONEDOLLAR\'SWORTH
ThejudgeoftheUnitedStatescourtofthedistrictlyingalongtheRioGrandeborderfoundthefollowingletteronemorninginhismail:
JUDGE:
Whenyousentmeupforfouryearsyoumadeatalk。
Amongotherhardthings，youcalledmearattlesnake。
MaybeIamone——anyhow，youhearmerattlingnow。
OneyearafterIgottothepen，mydaughterdiedof——
well，theysaiditwaspovertyandthedisgracetogether。
You\'vegotadaughter，Judge，andI\'mgoingtomakeyouknowhowitfeelstoloseone。AndI\'mgoingtobitethatdistrictattorneythatspokeagainstme。I\'mfreenow，andIguessI\'veturnedtorattlesnakeallright。
Ifeellikeone。Idon\'tsaymuch，butthisismyrattle。
LookoutwhenIstrike。
Yoursrespectfully，RATTLESNAKE。
JudgeDerwentthrewthelettercarelesslyaside。Itwasnothingnewtoreceivesuchepistlesfromdesperatemenwhomhehadbeencalledupontojudge。Hefeltnoalarm。LateronheshowedthelettertoLittlefield，theyoungdistrictattorney，forLittlefield\'snamewasincludedinthethreat，andthejudgewaspunctiliousinmattersbetweenhimselfandhisfellowmen。
Littlefieldhonouredtherattleofthewriter，asfarasitconcernedhimself，withasmileofcontempt；buthefrownedalittleoverthereferencetotheJudge\'sdaughter，forheandNancyDerwentweretobemarriedinthefall。
Littlefieldwenttotheclerkofthecourtandlookedovertherecordswithhim。TheydecidedthatthelettermighthavebeensentbyMexicoSam，ahalf-breedborderdesperadowhohadbeenimprisonedformanslaughterfouryearsbefore。Thenofficialdutiescrowdedthemat-
terfromhismind，andtherattleoftherevengefulserpentwasforgotten。
CourtwasinsessionatBrownsville。Mostofthecasestobetriedwerechargesofsmuggling，counterfeiting，post-officerobberies，andviolationsofFederallawsalongtheborder。OnecasewasthatofayoungMexican，RafaelOrtiz，whohadbeenroundedupbyacleverdeputymarshalintheactofpassingacounterfeitsilverdollar。Hehadbeensuspectedofmanysuchdeviationsfromrectitude，butthiswasthefirsttimethatanythingprovablehadbeenfixeduponhim。Ortizlanguishedcozilyinjail，smokingbrowncigarettesandwaitingfortrial。Kilpatrick，thedeputy，broughtthecounterfeitdollarandhandedittothedistrictattorneyinhisofficeinthecourt-house。ThedeputyandareputabledruggistwerepreparedtoswearthatOrtizpaidforabottleofmedicinewithit。Thecoinwasapoorcounterfeit，soft，dull-looking，andmadeprincipallyoflead。ItwasthedaybeforethemorningonwhichthedocketwouldreachthecaseofOrtiz，andthedistrictattorneywaspreparinghimselffortrial。
\"Notmuchneedofhavinginhigh-pricedexpertstoprovethecoin\'squeer，isthere，Kil？\"smiledLittlefield，ashethumpedthedollardownuponthetable，whereitfellwithnomoreringthanwouldhavecomefromalumpofputty。
\"IguesstheGreaser\'sasgoodasbehindthebars，\"
saidthedeputy，easinguphisholsters。\"You\'vegothimdead。Ifithadbeenjustonetime，theseMexicanscan\'ttellgoodmoneyfrombad；butthislittleyallerrascalbelongstoagangofcounterfeiters，Iknow。ThisisthefirsttimeI\'vebeenabletocatchhimdoingthetrick。
He\'sgotagirldownthereinthemMexicanjacalsontheriverbank。IseenheronedaywhenIwaswatchinghim。She\'sasprettyasaredheiferinaflowerbed。\"
Littlefieldshovedthecounterfeitdollarintohispocket，andslippedhismemorandaofthecaseintoanenvelope。
Justthenabright，winsomeface，asfrankandjollyasaboy\'s，appearedinthedoorway，andinwalkedNancyDerwent。
\"Oh，Bob，didn\'tcourtadjournattwelveto-dayuntilto-morrow？\"sheaskedofLittlefield。
\"Itdid，\"saidthedistrictattorney，\"andI\'mverygladofit。I\'vegotalotofrulingstolookup，and——\"
\"Now，that\'sjustlikeyou。Iwonderyouandfatherdon\'tturntolawbooksorrulingsorsomething!I
wantyoutotakemeoutplover-shootingthisafternoon。
LongPrairieisjustalivewiththem。Don\'tsayno，please!Iwanttotrymynewtwelve-borehammerless。
I\'vesenttotheliverystabletoengageFlyandBessforthebuckboard；theystandfiresonicely。Iwassureyouwouldgo。\"
Theyweretobemarriedinthefall。Theglamourwasatitsheight。Theploverswontheday——or，rather，theafternoon——overthecalf-boundauthorities。Littlefieldbegantoputhispapersaway。
Therewasaknockatthedoor。Kilpatrickansweredit。Abeautiful，dark-eyedgirlwithaskintingedwiththefaintestlemoncolourwalkedintotheroom。Ablackshawlwasthrownoverherheadandwoundoncearoundherneck。
ShebegantotalkinSpanish，avoluble，mournfulstreamofmelancholymusic。Littlefielddidnotunder-
standSpanish。Thedeputydid，andhetranslatedhertalkbyportions，atintervalsholdinguphishandtochecktheflowofherwords。
\"Shecametoseeyou，Mr。Littlefield。Hername\'sJoyaTrevi馻s。Shewantstoseeyouabout——well，she\'smixedupwiththatRafaelOrtiz。She\'shis——she\'shisgirl。Shesayshe\'sinnocent。Shesaysshemadethemoneyandgothimtopassit。Don\'tyoubelieveher，Mr。Little-field。That\'sthewaywiththeseMexi-
cangirls；they\'lllie，steal，orkillforafellowwhentheygetstuckonhim。Nevertrustawomanthat\'sinlove!\"
\"Mr。Kilpatrick!\"
NancyDerwent\'sindignantexclamationcausedthedeputytoflounderforamomentinattemptingtoexplainthathehadmisquotedhisownsentiments，andthenheeventonwiththetranslation:
\"Shesaysshe\'swillingtotakehisplaceinthejailifyou\'lllethimout。Shesaysshewasdownsickwiththefever，andthedoctorsaidshe\'ddieifshedidn\'thavemedicine。That\'swhyhepassedtheleaddollaronthedrugstore。Shesaysitsavedherlife。ThisRafal。
seemstobeherhoney，allright；there\'salotofstuffinhertalkaboutloveandsuchthingsthatyoudon\'twanttohear。\"
Itwasanoldstorytothedistrictattorney。
\"Tellher，\"saidhe，\"thatIcandonothing。Thecasecomesupinthemorning，andhewillhavetomakehisfightbeforethecourt。\"
NancyDerwentwasnotsohardened。Shewaslook-
ingwithsympatheticinterestatJoyaTrevi馻sandatLittlefieldalternately。Thedeputyrepeatedthedis-
trictattorney\'swordstothegirl。Shespokeasentenceortwoinalowvoice，pulledhershawlcloselyaboutherface，andlefttheroom。
\"Whatdidshesaythen？\"askedthedistrictattorney。
\"Nothingspecial，\"saidthedeputy。\"Shesaid:\'Ifthelifeoftheone\'——let\'sseehowitwent——\'Silavidadeellaaquientuamas——ifthelifeofthegirlyouloveiseverindanger，rememberRafaelOrtiz。\'\"
Kilpatrickstrolledoutthroughthecorridorinthedirectionofthemarshal\'soffice。
\"Can\'tyoudoanythingforthem，Bob？\"askedNancy。
\"It\'ssuchalittlething——justonecounterfeitdollar——
toruinthehappinessoftwolives!Shewasindangerofdeath，andhedidittosaveher。Doesn\'tthelawknowthefeelingofpity？\"
\"Ithasn\'taplaceinjurisprudence，Nan，\"saidLittle-
field，\"especiallyinrethedistrictattorney\'sduty。I\'llpromiseyouthattheprosecutionwillnotbevindictive；
butthemanisasgoodasconvictedwhenthecaseiscalled。
WitnesseswillsweartohispassingthebaddollarwhichIhaveinmypocketatthismomentas\'ExhibitA。\'TherearenoMexicansonthejury，anditwillvoteMr。Greaserguiltywithoutleavingthebox。\"
Theplover-shootingwasfinethatafternoon，andintheexcitementofthesportthecaseofRafaelandthegriefofJoyaTrevi馻swasforgotten。Thedistrictattor-
neyandNancyDerwentdroveoutfromthetownthreemilesalongasmooth，grassyroad，andthenstruckacrossarollingprairietowardaheavylineoftimberonPiedraCreek。BeyondthiscreeklayLongPrairie，thefavouritehauntoftheplover。Astheywerenearingthecreektheyheardthegallopingofahorsetotheirright，andsawamanwithblackhairandaswarthyfaceridingtowardthewoodsatatangent，asifhehadcomeupbehindthem。
\"I\'veseenthatfellowsomewhere，\"saidLittlefield，whohadamemoryforfaces，\"butIcan\'texactlyplacehim。
Someranchman，Isuppose，takingashortcuthome。\"
TheyspentanhouronLongPrairie，shootingfromthebuckboard。NancyDerwent，anactive，outdoorWesterngirl，waspleasedwithhertwelve-bore。Shehadbaggedwithintwobraceofhercompanion\'sscore。
Theystartedhomewardatagentletrot。WhenwithinahundredyardsofPiedraCreekamanrodeoutofthetimberdirectlytowardthem。
\"Itlookslikethemanwesawcomingover，\"remarkedMissDerwent。
Asthedistancebetweenthemlessened，thedistrictattorneysuddenlypulleduphisteamsharply，withhiseyesfixedupontheadvancinghorseman。Thatindivid-
ualhaddrawnaWinchesterfromitsscabbardonhissaddleandthrownitoverhisarm。
\"NowIknowyou，MexicoSam!\"mutteredLittlefieldtohimself。\"Itwasyouwhoshookyourrattlesinthatgentleepistle。\"
MexicoSamdidnotleavethingslongindoubt。Hehadaniceeyeinallmattersrelatingtofirearms，sowhenhewaswithingoodriflerange，butoutsideofdangerfromNo。8shot，hethrewuphisWinchesterandopenedfireupontheoccupantsofthebuckboard。
Thefirstshotcrackedthebackoftheseatwithinthetwo-inchspacebetweentheshouldersofLittlefieldandMissDerwent。ThenextwentthroughthedashboardandLittlefield\'strouserleg。
ThedistrictattorneyhustledNancyoutofthebuck-
boardtotheground。Shewasalittlepale，butaskednoquestions。Shehadthefrontierinstinctthatacceptsconditionsinanemergencywithoutsuperfluousargument。
Theykepttheirgunsinhand，andLittlefieldhastilygatheredsomehandfulsofcartridgesfromthepasteboardboxontheseatandcrowdedthemintohispockets\"Keepbehindthehorses，Nan，\"hecommanded。
\"ThatfellowisaruffianIsenttoprisononce。He\'stryingtogeteven。Heknowsourshotwon\'thurthimatthatdistance。\"
\"Allright，Bob，\"saidNancysteadily。\"I\'mnotafraid。Butyoucomeclose，too。Whoa，Bess；standstill，now!\"
ShestrokedBess\'smane。Littlefieldstoodwithhisgunready，prayingthatthedesperadowouldcomewithinrange。
ButMexicoSamwasplayinghisvendettaalongsafelines。Hewasabirdofdifferentfeatherfromtheplover。
Hisaccurateeyedrewanimaginarylineofcircumferencearoundtheareaofdangerfrombird-shot，anduponthislinelierode。Hishorsewheeledtotheright，andashisvictimsroundedtothesafesideoftheirequinebreast-
workhesentaballthroughthedistrictattorney\'shat。
Oncehemiscalculatedinmakingad閠our，andover-
steppedMsmargin。Littlefield\'sgunflashed，andMexicoSamduckedhisheadtotheharmlesspatteroftheshot。Afewofthemstunghishorse，whichprancedpromptlybacktothesafetyline。
Thedesperadofiredagain。AlittlecrycamefromNancyDerwent。Littlefieldwhirled，withblazingeyes，andsawthebloodtricklingdownhercheek。
\"I\'mnothurt，Bob——onlyasplinterstruckme。I
thinkhehitoneofthewheel-spokes。\"
\"Lord!\"groanedLittlefield。\"IfIonlyhadachargeofbuckshot!\"
Theruffiangothishorsestill，andtookcarefulaim。
Flygaveasnortandfellintheharness，struckintheneck。Bess，nowdisabusedoftheideathatploverwerebeingfiredat，brokehertracesandgallopedwildlyaway——MexicanSamsentaballneatlythroughthefulnessofNancyDerwent\'sshootingjacket。
\"Liedown——liedown!\"snappedLittlefield。\"closetothehorse——flatontheground——so。\"Healmostthrewheruponthegrassagainstthebackoftherecum-
bentFly。Oddlyenough，atthatmomentthewordsoftheMexicangirlreturnedtohismind:
\"Ifthelifeofthegirlyouloveiseverindanger，remem-
berRafaelOrtiz。\"
Littlefieldutteredanexclamation。
\"Openfireonhim，Nan，acrossthehorse\'sback。
Fireasfastasyoucan!Youcan\'thurthim，butkeephimdodgingshotforoneminutewhileItrytoworkalittlescheme。\"
NancygaveaquickglanceatLittlefield，andsawhimtakeouthispocket-knifeandopenit。Thensheturnedherfacetoobeyorders，keepinguparapidfireattheenemy。
MexicoSamwaitedpatientlyuntilthisinnocuousfusilladeceased。Hehadplentyoftime，andhedidnotcaretoriskthechanceofabird-shotinhiseyewhencouldbeavoidedbyalittlecaution。HepulledhisheavyStetsonlowdownoverhisfaceuntiltheshotsceased。
Thenhedrewalittlenearer，andfiredwithcarefulaimatwhathecouldseeofhisvictimsabovethefallenhorse。
Neitherofthemmoved。Heurgedhishorseafewstepsnearer。Hesawthedistrictattorneyrisetoonekneeanddeliberatelylevelhisshotgun。Hepulledhishatdownandawaitedtheharmlessrattleofthetinypellets。
Theshotgunblazedwithaheavyreport。MexicoSamsighed，turnedlimpallover，andslowlyfellfromhishorse——adeadrattlesnake。
Atteno\'clockthenextmorningcourtopened，andthecaseoftheUnitedStatesversusRafaelOrtizwascalled。
Thedistrictattorney，withhisarminasling，roseandaddressedthecourt。
\"Mayitpleaseyourhonour，\"hesaid，\"Idesiretoenteranollepros。inthiscase。Eventhoughthedefend-
antshouldbeguilty，thereisnotsufficientevidenceinthehandsofthegovernmenttosecureaconviction。Thepieceofcounterfeitcoinupontheidentityofwhichthecasewasbuiltisnotnowavailableasevidence。Iask，therefore，thatthecasebestrickenoff。\"
AtthenoonrecessKilpatrickstrolledintothedistrictattorney\'soffice。
\"I\'vejustbeendowntotakeasquintatoldMexicoSam，\"saidthedeputy。\"They\'vegothimlaidout。
OldMexicowasatoughoutfit，Ireckon。Theboyswaswonderin\'downtherewhatyoushothimwith。Somesaiditmusthavebeennails。Ineverseeaguncarryanythingtomakeholeslikehehad。\"
\"Ishothim，\"saidthedistrictattorney，\"withExhibitAofyourcounterfeitingcase。Luckythingforme——
andsomebodyelse——thatitwasasbadmoneyasitwas!
Itslicedupintoslugsverynicely。Say，Kil，can\'tyougodowntothejacalsandfindwherethatMexicangirllives？MissDerwentwantstoknow。\"
ANEWSPAPERSTORY
AT8A。M。itlayonGiuseppi\'snews-stand，stilldampfromthepresses。Giuseppi，withthecunningofhisilk，philanderedontheoppositecomer，leavinghispatronstohelpthemselves，nodoubtonatheoryrelatedtothehypothesisofthewatchedpot。
Thisparticularnewspaperwas，accordingtoitscustomanddesign，aneducator，aguide，amonitor，achampionandahouseholdcounsellorandvademecum。
Fromitsmanyexcellenciesmightbeselectedthreeeditorials。Onewasinsimpleandchastebutilluminat-
inglanguagedirectedtoparentsandteachers，depreca-
tingcorporalpunishmentforchildren。
Anotherwasanaccusiveandsignificantwarningaddressedtoanotoriouslabourleaderwhowasonthepointofinstigatinghisclientstoatroublesomestrike。
Thethirdwasaneloquentdemandthatthepoliceforcebesustainedandaidedineverythingthattendedtoincreaseitsefficiencyaspublicguardiansandservants。
Besidesthesemoreimportantchidingsandrequisitionsuponthestoreofgoodcitizenshipwasawiseprescriptionorformofprocedurelaidoutbytheeditoroftheheart-
to-heartcolumninthespecificcaseofayoungmanwhohadcomplainedoftheobduracyofhisladylove，teachinghimhowhemightwinher。
Again，therewas，onthebeautypage，acompleteanswertoayoungladyinquirerwhodesiredadmonitiontowardthesecuringofbrighteyes，rosycheeksandabeautifulcountenance。
Oneotheritemrequiringspecialcognizancewasabrief\"personal，\"runningthus:
DEARJACK:——Forgiveme。Youwereright。MeetmecomerMadisonand-that8。30thismorning。Weleaveatnoon。
PENITENT。
At8o\'clockayoungmanwithahaggardlookandthefeverishgleamofunrestinhiseyedroppedapennyandpickedupthetoppaperashepassedGiuseppi\'sstand。
Asleeplessnighthadlefthimalateriser。Therewasanofficetobereachedbynine，andashaveandahastycupofcoffeetobecrowdedintotheinterval。
Hevisitedhisbarbershopandthenhurriedonhisway。Hepocketedhispaper，meditatingabelatedperusalofitattheluncheonhour。Atthenextcorneritfellfromhispocket，carryingwithithispairofnewgloves。Threeblockshewalked，missedtheglovesandturnedbackfuming。
Justonthehalf-hourhereachedthecornerwherelaytheglovesandthepaper。Buthestrangelyignoredthatwhichhehadcometoseek。Hewasholdingtwolittlehandsastightlyaseverhecouldandlookingintotwopenitentbrowneyes，whilejoyriotedinhisheart。
\"DearJack，\"shesaid，\"Iknewyouwouldbehereontime。\"
\"Iwonderwhatshemeansbythat，\"hewassayingtohimself；\"butit\'sallright，it\'sallright。\"
Abigwindpuffedoutofthewest，pickedupthepaperfromthesidewalk，openeditoutandsentitflyingandwhirlingdownasidestreet。Upthatstreetwasdrivingaskittishbaytoaspider-wheelbuggy，theyoungmanwhohadwrittentotheheart-to-hearteditorforarecipethathemightwinherforwhomhesighed。
Thewind，withaprankishflurry，flappedtheflyingnewspaperagainstthefaceoftheskittishbay。Therewasalengthenedstreakofbaymingledwiththeredofrunninggearthatstretcheditselfoutforfourblocks。
Thenawater-hydrantplayeditspartinthecosmogony，thebuggybecamematchwoodasforeordained，andthedriverrestedveryquietlywherehehadbeenflungontheasphaltinfrontofacertainbrownstonemansion。
Theycameoutandhadhiminsideverypromptly。Andtherewasonewhomadeherselfapillowforhishead，andcaredfornocuriouseyes，bendingoverandsaying，\"Oh，itwasyou；itwasyouallthetime，Bobby!Couldn\'tyouseeit？Andifyoudie，why，somustI，and——\"
Butinallthiswindwemusthurrytokeepintouchwithourpaper。
PolicemanO\'Brinearresteditasacharacterdangeroustotraffic。Straighteningitsdishevelledleaveswithhisbig，slowfingers，hestoodafewfeetfromthefamilyentranceoftheShandonBellsCaf？Oneheadlinehespelledoutponderously:\"ThePaperstotheFrontinaMovetoHelpthePolice。\"
But，whisht!ThevoiceofDanny，theheadbartender，throughthecrackofthedoor:\"Here\'sanipforye，Mike，ouldman。\"
Behindthewidespread，amicablecolumnsofthepressPolicemanO\'Brinereceivesswiftlyhisnipoftherealstuff。Hemovesaway，stalwart，refreshed，fortified，tohisduties。Mightnottheeditormanviewwithpridetheearly，thespiritual，theliteralfruitthathadblessedhislabours。
PolicemanO\'Brinefoldedthepaperandpokeditplayfullyunderthearmofasmallboythatwaspassing。
ThatboywasnamedJohnny，andhetookthepaperhomewithhim。HissisterwasnamedGladys，andshehadwrittentothebeautyeditorofthepaperaskingforthepracticabletouchstoneofbeauty。Thatwasweeksago，andshehadceasedtolookforananswer。
Gladyswasapalegirl，withdulleyesandadiscontentedexpression。Shewasdressingtogouptotheavenuetogetsomebraid。BeneathherskirtshepinnedtwoleavesofthepaperJohnnyhadbrought。Whenshewalkedtherustlingsoundwasanexactimitationoftherealthing。
OnthestreetshemettheBrowngirlfromtheflatbelowandstoppedtotalk。TheBrowngirlturnedgreen。
Onlysilkat$5ayardcouldmakethesoundthatsheheardwhenGladysmoved。TheBrowngirl，consumedbyjealousy，saidsomethingspitefulandwentherway，withpinchedlips。
Gladysproceededtowardtheavenue。Hereyesnowsparkledlikejagerfonteins。Arosybloomvisitedhercheeks；atriumphant，subtle，vivifying，smiletransfiguredherface。Shewasbeautiful。Couldthebeautyeditorhaveseenherthen!Therewassomethinginheranswerinthepaper，Ibelieve，aboutcultivatingkindfeelingstowardothersinordertomakeplainfeaturesattractive。
Thelabourleaderagainstwhomthepaper\'ssolemnandweightyeditorialinjunctionwaslaidwasthefatherofGladysandJohnny。HepickeduptheremainsofthejournalfromwhichGladyshadravishedacosmeticofsilkensounds。Theeditorialdidnotcomeunderhiseye，butinsteaditwasgreetedbyoneofthoseingeniousandspeciouspuzzleproblemsthatenthrallalikethesimpletonandthesage。
Thelabourleadertoreoffhalfofthepage，providedhimselfwithtable，pencilandpaperandgluedhimselftohispuzzle。
Threehourslater，afterwaitingvainlyforhimattheappointedplace，othermoreconservativeleadersdeclaredandruledinfavourofarbitration，andthestrikewithitsattendantdangerswasaverted。Subsequenteditionsofthepaperreferred，incolouredinks，totheclariontoneofitssuccessfuldenunciationofthelabourleader\'sintendeddesigns。
Theremainingleavesoftheactivejournalalsowentloyallytotheprovingofitspotency。
WhenJohnnyreturnedfromschoolhesoughtasecludedspotandremovedthemissingcolumnsfromtheinsideofhisclothing，wheretheyhadbeenartfullydistributedsoastosuccessfullydefendsuchareasasaregenerallyattackedduringscholasticcastigations。Johnnyattendedaprivateschoolandhadhadtroublewithhisteacher。Ashasbeensaid，therewasanexcellenteditorialagainstcorporalpunishmentinthatmorning\'sissue，andnodoubtithaditseffect。
Afterthiscananyonedoubtthepowerofthepress？
TOMMY\'SBURGLAR
ATTENo\'clockP。M。Felicia，themaid，leftbythebasementdoorwiththepolicemantogetaraspberryphosphatearoundthecorner。Shedetestedthepolice-
manandobjectedearnestlytothearrangement。Shepointedout，notunreasonably，thatshemighthavebeenallowedtofallasleepoveroneofSt。GeorgeRathbone\'snovelsonthethirdfloor，butshewasoverruled。Rasp-
berriesandcopswerenotcreatedfornothing。
Theburglargotintothehousewithoutmuchdifficulty；
becausewemusthaveactionandnottoomuchdescrip-
tionina2，000-wordstory。
Inthediningroomheopenedtheslideofhisdarklantern。Withabraceandcentrebithebegantoboreintothelockofthesilver-closet。
Suddenlyaclickwasheard。Theroomwasfloodedwithelectriclight。Thedarkvelvetporti鑢espartedtoadmitafair-hairedboyofeightinpinkpajamas，bearingabottleofoliveoilinhishand。
\"Areyouaburglar？\"heasked，inasweet，childishvoice。
\"Listentothat，\"exclaimedtheman，inahoarsevoice。
\"AmIaburglar？WotdoyousupposeIhaveathree-
days\'growthofbristlybreadonmyfacefor，andacapwithflaps？Givemetheoil，quick，andletmegreasethebit，soIwon\'twakeupyourmamma，whoislyingdownwithaheadache，andleftyouinchargeofFelicia。
whohasbeenfaithlesstohertrust。\"
\"Oh，dear，\"saidTommy，withasigh。\"Ithoughtyouwouldbemoreup-to-date。ThisoilisforthesaladwhenIbringlunchfromthepantryforyou。AndmammaandpapahavegonetotheMetropolitantohearDeReszke。Butthatisn\'tmyfault。Itonlyshowshowlongthestoryhasbeenknockingaroundamongtheeditors。Iftheauthorhadbeenwisehe\'dhavechangedittoCarusointheproofs。\"
\"Bequiet，\"hissedtheburglar，underhisbreath。\"IfyouraiseanalarmI\'llwringyournecklikearabbit\'s。\"
\"Likeachicken\'s，\"correctedTommy。\"Youhadthatwrong。Youdon\'twringrabbits\'necks。\"
\"Aren\'tyouafraidofme？\"askedtheburglar。
\"YouknowI\'mnot，\"answeredTommy。\"Don\'tyousupposeIknowfactfromfiction。Ifthiswasn\'tastoryI\'dyelllikeanIndianwhenIsawyou；andyou\'dprobablytumbledownstairsandgetpinchedonthesidewalk。\"
\"Isee，\"saidtheburglar，\"thatyou\'reontoyourjob。Goonwiththeperformance。\"
Tommyseatedhimselfinanarmchairanddrewhistoesupunderhim。
\"Whydoyougoaroundrobbingstrangers，Mr。Burg-
lar？Haveyounofriends？\"
\"Iseewhatyou\'redrivingat，\"saidtheburglar，withadarkfrown。\"It\'sthesameoldstory。Yourinnocenceandchildishinsoucianceisgoingtoleadmebackintoanhonestlife。EverytimeIcrackacribwherethere\'sakidaround，ithappens。\"
\"Wouldyoumindgazingwithwolfisheyesattheplateofcoldbeefthatthebutlerhasleftonthediningtable？\"
saidTommy。\"I\'mafraidit\'sgrowinglate。\"
Theburglaraccommodated。
\"Poorman，\"saidTommy。\"Youmustbehungry。
IfyouwillpleasestandinalistlessattitudeIwillgetyousomethingtoeat。\"
Theboybroughtaroastchicken，ajarofmarmaladeandabottleofwinefromthepantry。Theburglarseizedaknifeandforksullenly。
\"It\'sonlybeenanhour，\"hegrumbled，\"sinceIhadalobsterandapintofmustyaleuponBroadway。Iwishthesestorywriterswouldletafellowhaveapepsintablet，anyhow，betweenfeeds。\"
\"Mypapawritesbooks，\"remarkedTommy。
Theburglarjumpedtohisfeetquickly。
\"Yousaidhehadgonetotheopera，\"hehissed，hoarselyandwithimmediatesuspicion。
\"Ioughttohaveexplained，\"saidTommy。\"Hedidn\'tbuythetickets。\"Theburglarsatagainandtoyedwiththewishbone。
\"Whydoyouburglehouses？\"askedtheboy，wonderingly。
\"Because，\"repliedtheburglar，withasuddenflowoftears。\"Godblessmylittlebrown-bairedboyBessieathome。\"
\"Ah，\"saidTommy，wrinklinghisnose，\"yougotthatanswerinthewrongplace。Youwanttotellyourhard-
luckstorybeforeyoupulloutthechildstop。\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidtheburglar，\"Iforgot。Well，onceIlivedinMilwaukee，and——\"
\"Takethesilver，\"saidTommy，risingfromhischair。
\"Holdon，\"saidtheburglar。\"ButImovedaway。\"
Icouldfindnootheremployment。ForawhileIman-
agedtosupportmywifeandchildbypassingconfederatemoney；but，alas!Iwasforcedtogivethatupbecauseitdidnotbelongtotheunion。Ibecamedesperateandaburglar。\"
\"Haveyoueverfallenintothehandsofthepolice？\"
askedTommy。
\"Isaid\'burglar，\'not\'beggar，\'\"answeredthecracksman。
\"Afteryoufinishyourlunch，\"saidTommy，\"andexperiencetheusualchangeOfheart，howshallwewindupthestory？\"
\"Suppose，\"saidtheburglar，thoughtfully，\"thatTonyPastorturnsoutearlierthanusualto-night，andyourfathergetsinfrom\'Parsifal\'at10。30。IamthoroughlyrepentantbecauseyouhavemademethinkofmyownlittleboyBessie，and——\"
\"Say，\"saidTommy，\"haven\'tyougotthatwrong？\"
\"NotonyourcolouredcrayondrawingsbyB。CoryKilvert，\"saidtheburglar。\"It\'salwaysaBessiethatIhaveathome，artlesslyprattlingtothepale-checkedburglar\'sbride。AsIwassaying，yourfatheropensthefrontdoorjustasIamdepartingwithadmonitionsandsandwichesthatyouhavewrappedupforme。UponrecognizingmeasanoldHarvardclassmatehestartsbackin——\"
\"Notinsurprise？\"interruptedTommy，withwide，openeyes。
\"Hestartsbackinthedoorway，\"continuedtheburglar。
Andthenherosetohisfeetandbegantoshout\"Rah，rah，rah!rah，rah，rah!rah，rah，rah!\"
\"Well，\"saidTommy，wonderingly，\"that\'s，thefirsttimeIeverknewaburglartogiveacollegeyellwhenhewasburglarizingahouse，eveninastory。\"
\"That\'soneonyou，\"saidtheburglar，withalaugh。
\"Iwaspractisingthedramatization。Ifthisisputonthestagethatcollegetouchisabouttheonlythingthatwillmakeitgo。\"
Tommylookedhisadmiration。
\"You\'reon，allright，\"hesaid。
\"Andthere\'sanothermistalzeyou\'vemade，\"saidtheburglar。\"Youshouldhavegonesometimeagoandbroughtmethe$9goldpieceyourmothergaveyouonyourbirthdaytotaketoBessie。\"
\"Butshedidn\'tgiveittometotaketoBessie，\"saidTommy，pouting。
\"Come，come!\"saidtheburglar，sternly。\"It\'snotniceofyoutotakeadvantagebecausethestorycontainsanambiguoussentence。YouknowwhatImean。It\'smightylittleIgetoutofthesefictionaljobs，anyhow。I
losealltheloot，andIhavetoreformeverytime；andalltheswagI\'mallowedistheblamedlittlefol-de-rolsandluck-piecesthatyoukidshandover。Why，inonestory，allIgotwasakissfromalittlegirlwhocameinonmewhenIwasopeningasafe。Andittastedofmolassescandy，too。I\'veagoodnotiontotiethistablecoveroveryourheadandkeeponintothesilver-closet。\"
