ACHILDISHMIRACLE
Oneafternoonofacoldwinter’sday，whenthesunshoneforthwithchillybrightness，afteralongstorm，twochildrenaskedleaveoftheirmothertorunoutandplayinthenew-fallensnow。
Theelderchildwasalittlegirl，whom，becauseshewasofatenderandmodestdisposition，andwasthoughttobeverybeautiful，herparents，andotherpeoplewhowerefamiliarwithher，usedtocallViolet。ButherbrotherwasknownbythestyleandtitleofPeony，onaccountoftheruddinessofhisbroadandroundlittlephiz，whichmadeeverybodythinkofsunshineandgreatscarletflowers。Thefatherofthesetwochildren，acertainMr。Lindsey，itisimportanttosay，wasanexcellentbutexceedinglymatter-of-factsortofman，adealerinhardware，andwassturdilyaccustomedtotakewhatiscalledthecommon-senseviewofallmattersthatcameunderhisconsideration。Withaheartaboutastenderasotherpeople’s，hehadaheadashardandimpenetrable，andtherefore，perhaps，asempty，asoneoftheironpotswhichitwasapartofhisbusinesstosell。Themother’scharacter，ontheotherhand，hadastrainofpoetryinit，atraitofunworldlybeauty，——adelicateanddewyflower，asitwere，thathadsurvivedoutofherimaginativeyouth，andstillkeptitselfaliveamidthedustyrealitiesofmatrimonyandmotherhood。
So，VioletandPeony，asIbeganwithsaying，besoughttheirmothertoletthemrunoutandplayinthenewsnow;for，thoughithadlookedsodrearyanddismal，driftingdownwardoutofthegraysky，ithadaverycheerfulaspect，nowthatthesunwasshiningonit。Thechildrendweltinacity，andhadnowiderplay-placethanalittlegardenbeforethehouse，dividedbyawhitefencefromthestreet，andwithapear-treeandtwoorthreeplum-treesovershadowingit，andsomerose-bushesjustinfrontoftheparlor-windows。Thetreesandshrubs，however，werenowleafless，andtheirtwigswereenvelopedinthelightsnow，whichthusmadeakindofwintryfoliage，withhereandthereapendenticicleforthefruit。
\"Yes，Violet，——yes，mylittlePeony，\"saidtheirkindmother，\"youmaygooutandplayinthenewsnow。\"
Accordingly，thegoodladybundledupherdarlingsinwoollenjacketsandwaddedsacks，andputcomfortersroundtheirnecks，andapairofstripedgaitersoneachlittlepairoflegs，andworstedmittensontheirhands，andgavethemakissapiece，bywayofaspelltokeepawayJackFrost。Forthsalliedthetwochildren，withahop-skip-and-jump，thatcarriedthematonceintotheveryheartofahugesnow-drift，whenceVioletemergedlikeasnow-bunting，whilelittlePeonyflounderedoutwithhisroundfaceinfullbloom。Thenwhatamerrytimehadthey！Tolookatthem，frolickinginthewintrygarden，youwouldhavethoughtthatthedarkandpitilessstormhadbeensentfornootherpurposebuttoprovideanewplaythingforVioletandPeony;andthattheythemselveshadbeercreated，asthesnow-birdswere，totakedelightonlyinthetempest，andinthewhitemantlewhichitspreadovertheearth。
Atlast，whentheyhadfrostedoneanotheralloverwithhandfulsofsnow，Violet，afterlaughingheartilyatlittlePeony’sfigure，wasstruckwithanewidea。
\"Youlookexactlylikeasnow-image，Peony，\"saidshe，\"ifyourcheekswerenotsored。Andthatputsmeinmind！Letusmakeanimageoutofsnow，——animageofalittlegirl，——anditshallbeoursister，andshallrunaboutandplaywithusallwinterlong。
Won’titbenice？\"
\"Ohyes！\"criedPeony，asplainlyashecouldspeak，forhewasbutalittleboy。\"Thatwillbenice！Andmammashallseeit！\"
\"Yes，\"answeredViolet;\"mammashallseethenewlittlegirl。Butshemustnotmakehercomeintothewarmparlor;for，youknow，ourlittlesnow-sisterwillnotlovethewarmth。\"
Andforthwiththechildrenbeganthisgreatbusinessofmakingasnow-imagethatshouldrunabout;whiletheirmother，whowassittingatthewindowandoverheardsomeoftheirtalk，couldnothelpsmilingatthegravitywithwhichtheysetaboutit。Theyreallyseemedtoimaginethattherewouldbenodifficultywhateverincreatingalivelittlegirloutofthesnow。And，tosaythetruth，ifmiraclesareevertobewrought，itwillbebyputtingourhandstotheworkinpreciselysuchasimpleandundoubtingframeofmindasthatinwhichVioletandPeonynowundertooktoperformone，withoutsomuchasknowingthatitwasamiracle。Sothoughtthemother;andthought，likewise，thatthenewsnow，justfallenfromheaven，wouldbeexcellentmaterialtomakenewbeingsof，ifitwerenotsoverycold。Shegazedatthechildrenamomentlonger，delightingtowatchtheirlittlefigures，——thegirl，tallforherage，gracefulandagile，andsodelicatelycoloredthatshelookedlikeacheerfulthoughtmorethanaphysicalreality;whilePeonyexpandedinbreadthratherthanheight，androlledalongonhisshortandsturdylegsassubstantialasanelephant，thoughnotquitesobig。Thenthemotherresumedherwork。WhatitwasIforget;butshewaseithertrimmingasilkenbonnetforViolet，ordarningapairofstockingsforlittlePeony’sshortlegs。Again，however，andagain，andyetotheragains，shecouldnothelpturningherheadtothewindowtoseehowthechildrengotonwiththeirsnow-image。
Indeed，itwasanexceedinglypleasantsight，thosebrightlittlesoulsattheirtask！Moreover，itwasreallywonderfultoobservehowknowinglyandskilfullytheymanagedthematter。Violetassumedthechiefdirection，andtoldPeonywhattodo，while，withherowndelicatefingers，sheshapedoutallthenicerpartsofthesnow-figure。Itseemed，infact，notsomuchtobemadebythechildren，astogrowupundertheirhands，whiletheywereplayingandprattlingaboutit。Theirmotherwasquitesurprisedatthis;andthelongershelooked，themoreandmoresurprisedshegrew。
\"Whatremarkablechildrenmineare！\"thoughtshe，smilingwithamother’spride;and，smilingatherself，too，forbeingsoproudofthem。\"Whatotherchildrencouldhavemadeanythingsolikealittlegirl’sfigureoutofsnowatthefirsttrial？Well;butnowImustfinishPeony’snewfrock，forhisgrandfatheriscomingto-morrow，andIwantthelittlefellowtolookhandsome。\"
Soshetookupthefrock，andwassoonasbusilyatworkagainwithherneedleasthetwochildrenwiththeirsnow-image。Butstill，astheneedletravelledhitherandthitherthroughtheseamsofthedress，themothermadehertoillightandhappybylisteningtotheairyvoicesofVioletandPeony。Theykepttalkingtooneanotherallthetime，theirtonguesbeingquiteasactiveastheirfeetandhands。Exceptatintervals，shecouldnotdistinctlyhearwhatwassaid，buthadmerelyasweetimpressionthattheywereinamostlovingmood，andwereenjoyingthemselveshighly，andthatthebusinessofmakingthesnow-imagewentprosperouslyon。Nowandthen，however，whenVioletandPeonyhappenedtoraisetheirvoices，thewordswereasaudibleasiftheyhadbeenspokenintheveryparlorwherethemothersat。Ohhowdelightfullythosewordsechoedinherheart，eventhoughtheymeantnothingsoverywiseorwonderful，afterall！
Butyoumustknowamotherlistenswithherheartmuchmorethanwithherears;andthussheisoftendelightedwiththetrillsofcelestialmusic，whenotherpeoplecanhearnothingofthekind。
\"Peony，Peony！\"criedViolettoherbrother，whohadgonetoanotherpartofthegarden，\"bringmesomeofthatfreshsnow，Peony，fromtheveryfarthestcorner，wherewehavenotbeentrampling。Iwantittoshapeourlittlesnow-sister’sbosomwith。Youknowthatpartmustbequitepure，justasitcameoutofthesky！\"
\"Hereitis，Violet！\"answeredPeony，inhisblufftone，——butaverysweettone，too，——ashecameflounderingthroughthehalf-troddendrifts。\"Hereisthesnowforherlittlebosom。O
Violet，howbeau-ti-fulshebeginstolook！\"
\"Yes，\"saidViolet，thoughtfullyandquietly;\"oursnow-sisterdoeslookverylovely。Ididnotquiteknow，Peony，thatwecouldmakesuchasweetlittlegirlasthis。\"
Themother，asshelistened，thoughthowfitanddelightfulanincidentitwouldbe，iffairies，orstillbetter，ifangel-childrenweretocomefromparadise，andplayinvisiblywithherowndarlings，andhelpthemtomaketheirsnow-image，givingitthefeaturesofcelestialbabyhood！VioletandPeonywouldnotbeawareoftheirimmortalplaymates，——onlytheywouldseethattheimagegrewverybeautifulwhiletheyworkedatit，andwouldthinkthattheythemselveshaddoneitall。
\"Mylittlegirlandboydeservesuchplaymates，ifmortalchildreneverdid！\"saidthemothertoherself;andthenshesmiledagainatherownmotherlypride。
Nevertheless，theideaseizeduponherimagination;and，everandanon，shetookaglimpseoutofthewindow，halfdreamingthatshemightseethegolden-hairedchildrenofparadisesportingwithherowngolden-hairedVioletandbright-cheekedPeony。
Now，forafewmoments，therewasabusyandearnest，butindistincthumofthetwochildren’svoices，asVioletandPeonywroughttogetherwithonehappyconsent。Violetstillseemedtobetheguidingspirit，whilePeonyactedratherasalaborer，andbroughtherthesnowfromfarandnear。Andyetthelittleurchinevidentlyhadaproperunderstandingofthematter，too！
\"Peony，Peony！\"criedViolet;forherbrotherwasagainattheothersideofthegarden。\"Bringmethoselightwreathsofsnowthathaverestedonthelowerbranchesofthepear-tree。Youcanclamberonthesnowdrift，Peony，andreachthemeasily。Imusthavethemtomakesomeringletsforoursnow-sister’shead！\"
\"Heretheyare，Violet！\"answeredthelittleboy。\"Takecareyoudonotbreakthem。Welldone！Welldone！Howpretty！\"
\"Doesshenotlooksweetly？\"saidViolet，withaverysatisfiedtone;\"andnowwemusthavesomelittleshiningbitsofice，tomakethebrightnessofhereyes。Sheisnotfinishedyet。Mammawillseehowverybeautifulsheis;butpapawillsay，’Tush！
nonsense！——comeinoutofthecold！’\"
\"Letuscallmammatolookout，\"saidPeony;andthenheshoutedlustily，\"Mamma！mamma！！mamma！！！Lookout，andseewhatanice’ittlegirlwearemaking！\"
Themotherputdownherworkforaninstant，andlookedoutofthewindow。Butitsohappenedthatthesun——forthiswasoneoftheshortestdaysofthewholeyear——hadsunkensonearlytotheedgeoftheworldthathissettingshinecameobliquelyintothelady’seyes。Soshewasdazzled，youmustunderstand，andcouldnotverydistinctlyobservewhatwasinthegarden。Still，however，throughallthatbright，blindingdazzleofthesunandthenewsnow，shebeheldasmallwhitefigureinthegarden，thatseemedtohaveawonderfuldealofhumanlikenessaboutit。AndshesawVioletandPeony，——indeed，shelookedmoreatthemthanattheimage，——shesawthetwochildrenstillatwork;Peonybringingfreshsnow，andVioletapplyingittothefigureasscientificallyasasculptoraddsclaytohismodel。Indistinctlyasshediscernedthesnow-child，themotherthoughttoherselfthatneverbeforewasthereasnow-figuresocunninglymade，noreversuchadearlittlegirlandboytomakeit。
\"Theydoeverythingbetterthanotherchildren，\"saidshe，verycomplacently。\"Nowondertheymakebettersnow-images！\"
Shesatdownagaintoherwork，andmadeasmuchhastewithitaspossible;becausetwilightwouldsooncome，andPeony’sfrockwasnotyetfinished，andgrandfatherwasexpected，byrailroad，prettyearlyinthemorning。Fasterandfaster，therefore，wentherflyingfingers。Thechildren，likewise，keptbusilyatworkinthegarden，andstillthemotherlistened，whenevershecouldcatchaword。Shewasamusedtoobservehowtheirlittleimaginationshadgotmixedupwithwhattheyweredoing，andcarriedawaybyit。Theyseemedpositivelytothinkthatthesnow-childwouldrunaboutandplaywiththem。
\"Whataniceplaymateshewillbeforus，allwinterlong！\"saidViolet。\"Ihopepapawillnotbeafraidofhergivingusacold！
Sha’n’tyouloveherdearly，Peony？\"
\"Ohyes！\"criedPeony。\"AndIwillhugher，andsheshallsitdownclosebymeanddrinksomeofmywarmmilk！\"
\"Ohno，Peony！\"answeredViolet，withgravewisdom。\"Thatwillnotdoatall。Warmmilkwillnotbewholesomeforourlittlesnow-sister。Littlesnowpeople，likeher，eatnothingbuticicles。No，no，Peony;wemustnotgiveheranythingwarmtodrink！\"
Therewasaminuteortwoofsilence;forPeony，whoseshortlegswereneverweary，hadgoneonapilgrimageagaintotheothersideofthegarden。Allofasudden，Violetcriedout，loudlyandjoyfully，——\"Lookhere，Peony！Comequickly！Alighthasbeenshiningonhercheekoutofthatrose-coloredcloud！andthecolordoesnotgoaway！Isnotthatbeautiful！\"
\"Yes;itisbeau-ti-ful，\"answeredPeony，pronouncingthethreesyllableswithdeliberateaccuracy。\"OViolet，onlylookatherhair！Itisalllikegold！\"
\"Ohcertainly，\"saidViolet，withtranquillity，asifitwereverymuchamatterofcourse。\"Thatcolor，youknow，comesfromthegoldenclouds，thatweseeupthereinthesky。Sheisalmostfinishednow。Butherlipsmustbemadeveryred，——redderthanhercheeks。Perhaps，Peony，itwillmakethemredifwebothkissthem！\"
Accordingly，themotherheardtwosmartlittlesmacks，asifbothherchildrenwerekissingthesnow-imageonitsfrozenmouth。
But，asthisdidnotseemtomakethelipsquiteredenough，Violetnextproposedthatthesnow-childshouldbeinvitedtokissPeony’sscarletcheek。
\"Come，’ittlesnow-sister，kissme！\"criedPeony。
\"There！shehaskissedyou，\"addedViolet，\"andnowherlipsareveryred。Andsheblushedalittle，too！\"
\"Oh，whatacoldkiss！\"criedPeony。
Justthen，therecameabreezeofthepurewest-wind，sweepingthroughthegardenandrattlingtheparlor-windows。Itsoundedsowintrycold，thatthemotherwasabouttotaponthewindow-panewithherthimbledfinger，tosummonthetwochildrenin，whentheybothcriedouttoherwithonevoice。Thetonewasnotatoneofsurprise，althoughtheywereevidentlyagooddealexcited;itappearedratherasiftheywereverymuchrejoicedatsomeeventthathadnowhappened，butwhichtheyhadbeenlookingfor，andhadreckoneduponallalong。
\"Mamma！mamma！Wehavefinishedourlittlesnow-sister，andsheisrunningaboutthegardenwithus！\"
\"Whatimaginativelittlebeingsmychildrenare！\"thoughtthemother，puttingthelastfewstitchesintoPeony’sfrock。\"Anditisstrange，toothattheymakemealmostasmuchachildastheythemselvesare！Icanhardlyhelpbelieving，now，thatthesnow-imagehasreallycometolife！\"
\"Dearmamma！\"criedViolet，\"praylookoutandseewhatasweetplaymatewehave！\"
Themother，beingthusentreated，couldnolongerdelaytolookforthfromthewindow。Thesunwasnowgoneoutofthesky，leaving，however，arichinheritanceofhisbrightnessamongthosepurpleandgoldencloudswhichmakethesunsetsofwintersomagnificent。Buttherewasnottheslightestgleamordazzle，eitheronthewindoworonthesnow;sothatthegoodladycouldlookalloverthegarden，andseeeverythingandeverybodyinit。
Andwhatdoyouthinkshesawthere？VioletandPeony，ofcourse，herowntwodarlingchildren。Ah，butwhomorwhatdidsheseebesides？Why，ifyouwillbelieveme，therewasasmallfigureofagirl，dressedallinwhite，withrose-tingedcheeksandringletsofgoldenhue，playingaboutthegardenwiththetwochildren！Astrangerthoughshewas，thechildseemedtobeonasfamiliartermswithVioletandPeony，andtheywithher，asifallthethreehadbeenplaymatesduringthewholeoftheirlittlelives。Themotherthoughttoherselfthatitmustcertainlybethedaughterofoneoftheneighbors，andthat，seeingVioletandPeonyinthegarden，thechildhadrunacrossthestreettoplaywiththem。Sothiskindladywenttothedoor，intendingtoinvitethelittlerunawayintohercomfortableparlor;for，nowthatthesunshinewaswithdrawn，theatmosphere，outofdoors，wasalreadygrowingverycold。
But，afteropeningthehouse-door，shestoodaninstantonthethreshold，hesitatingwhethersheoughttoaskthechildtocomein，orwhethersheshouldevenspeaktoher。Indeed，shealmostdoubtedwhetheritwerearealchildafterall，oronlyalightwreathofthenew-fallensnow，blownhitherandthitheraboutthegardenbytheintenselycoldwest-wind。Therewascertainlysomethingverysingularintheaspectofthelittlestranger。
Amongallthechildrenoftheneighborhood，theladycouldremembernosuchface，withitspurewhite，anddelicaterose-color，andthegoldenringletstossingabouttheforeheadandcheeks。Andasforherdress，whichwasentirelyofwhite，andflutteringinthebreeze，itwassuchasnoreasonablewomanwouldputuponalittlegirl，whensendingherouttoplay，inthedepthofwinter。Itmadethiskindandcarefulmothershiveronlytolookatthosesmallfeet，withnothingintheworldonthem，exceptaverythinpairofwhiteslippers。Nevertheless，airilyasshewasclad，thechildseemedtofeelnottheslightestinconveniencefromthecold，butdancedsolightlyoverthesnowthatthetipsofhertoeslefthardlyaprintinitssurface;whileVioletcouldbutjustkeeppacewithher，andPeony’sshortlegscompelledhimtolagbehind。
Once，inthecourseoftheirplay，thestrangechildplacedherselfbetweenVioletandPeony，andtakingahandofeach，skippedmerrilyforward，andtheyalongwithher。Almostimmediately，however，Peonypulledawayhislittlefist，andbegantorubitasifthefingersweretinglingwithcold;whileVioletalsoreleasedherself，thoughwithlessabruptness，gravelyremarkingthatitwasbetternottotakeholdofhands。
Thewhite-robeddamselsaidnotaword，butdancedabout，justasmerrilyasbefore。IfVioletandPeonydidnotchoosetoplaywithher，shecouldmakejustasgoodaplaymateofthebriskandcoldwest-wind，whichkeptblowingherallaboutthegarden，andtooksuchlibertieswithher，thattheyseemedtohavebeenfriendsforalongtime。Allthiswhile，themotherstoodonthethreshold，wonderinghowalittlegirlcouldlooksomuchlikeaflyingsnow-drift，orhowasnow-driftcouldlooksoverylikealittlegirl。
ShecalledViolet，andwhisperedtoher。
\"Violetmydarling，whatisthischild’sname？\"askedshe。\"Doesshelivenearus？\"
\"Why，dearestmamma，\"answeredViolet，laughingtothinkthathermotherdidnotcomprehendsoveryplainanaffair，\"thisisourlittlesnow-sisterwhomwehavejustbeenmaking！\"
\"Yes，dearmamma，\"criedPeony，runningtohismother，andlookingupsimplyintoherface。\"Thisisoursnow-image！Isitnotanice’ittlechild？\"
Atthisinstantaflockofsnow-birdscameflittingthroughtheair。Aswasverynatural，theyavoidedVioletandPeony。But——andthislookedstrange——theyflewatoncetothewhite-robedchild，flutteredeagerlyaboutherhead，alightedonhershoulders，andseemedtoclaimherasanoldacquaintance。She，onherpart，wasevidentlyasgladtoseetheselittlebirds，oldWinter’sgrandchildren，astheyweretoseeher，andwelcomedthembyholdingoutbothherhands。Hereupon，theyeachandalltriedtoalightonhertwopalmsandtensmallfingersandthumbs，crowdingoneanotheroff，withanimmenseflutteringoftheirtinywings。Onedearlittlebirdnestledtenderlyinherbosom;
anotherputitsbilltoherlips。Theywereasjoyous，allthewhile，andseemedasmuchintheirelement，asyoumayhaveseenthemwhensportingwithasnow-storm。
VioletandPeonystoodlaughingatthisprettysight;fortheyenjoyedthemerrytimewhichtheirnewplaymatewashavingwiththesesmall-wingedvisitants，almostasmuchasiftheythemselvestookpartinit。
\"Violet，\"saidhermother，greatlyperplexed，\"tellmethetruth，withoutanyjest。Whoisthislittlegirl？\"
\"Mydarlingmamma，\"answeredViolet，lookingseriouslyintohermother’sface，andapparentlysurprisedthatsheshouldneedanyfurtherexplanation，\"Ihavetoldyoutrulywhosheis。Itisourlittlesnow-image，whichPeonyandIhavebeenmaking。Peonywilltellyouso，aswellasI。\"
\"Yes，mamma，\"asseveratedPeony，withmuchgravityinhiscrimsonlittlephiz;\"thisis’ittlesnow-child。Isnotsheaniceone？
But，mamma，herhandis，oh，soverycold！\"
Whilemammastillhesitatedwhattothinkandwhattodo，thestreet-gatewasthrownopen，andthefatherofVioletandPeonyappeared，wrappedinapilot-clothsack，withafurcapdrawndownoverhisears，andthethickestofglovesuponhishands。
Mr。Lindseywasamiddle-agedman，withawearyandyetahappylookinhiswind-flushedandfrost-pinchedface，asifhehadbeenbusyallthedaylong，andwasgladtogetbacktohisquiethome。Hiseyesbrightenedatthesightofhiswifeandchildren，althoughhecouldnothelputteringawordortwoofsurprise，atfindingthewholefamilyintheopenair，onsobleakaday，andaftersunsettoo。Hesoonperceivedthelittlewhitestrangersportingtoandfrointhegarden，likeadancingsnow-wreath，andtheflockofsnow-birdsflutteringaboutherhead。
\"Pray，whatlittlegirlmaythatbe？\"inquiredthisverysensibleman。\"Surelyhermothermustbecrazytolethergooutinsuchbitterweatherasithasbeento-day，withonlythatflimsywhitegownandthosethinslippers！\"
\"Mydearhusband，\"saidhiswife，\"Iknownomoreaboutthelittlethingthanyoudo。Someneighbor’schild，Isuppose。OurVioletandPeony，\"sheadded，laughingatherselfforrepeatingsoabsurdastory，\"insistthatsheisnothingbutasnow-image，whichtheyhavebeenbusyaboutinthegarden，almostalltheafternoon。\"
Asshesaidthis，themotherglancedhereyestowardthespotwherethechildren’ssnow-imagehadbeenmade。Whatwashersurprise，onperceivingthattherewasnottheslightesttraceofsomuchlabor！——noimageatall！——nopiledupheapofsnow！——nothingwhatever，savetheprintsoflittlefootstepsaroundavacantspace！
\"Thisisverystrange！\"saidshe。
\"Whatisstrange，dearmother？\"askedViolet。\"Dearfather，donotyouseehowitis？Thisisoursnow-image，whichPeonyandI
havemade，becausewewantedanotherplaymate。Didnotwe，Peony？\"
\"Yes，papa，\"saidcrimsonPeony。\"Thisbeour’ittlesnow-sister。
Isshenotbeau-ti-ful？Butshegavemesuchacoldkiss！\"
\"Poh，nonsense，children！\"criedtheirgood，honestfather，who，aswehavealreadyintimated，hadanexceedinglycommon-sensiblewayoflookingatmatters。\"Donottellmeofmakinglivefiguresoutofsnow。Come，wife;thislittlestrangermustnotstayoutinthebleakairamomentlonger。Wewillbringherintotheparlor;andyoushallgiveherasupperofwarmbreadandmilk，andmakeherascomfortableasyoucan。Meanwhile，Iwillinquireamongtheneighbors;or，ifnecessary，sendthecity-crieraboutthestreets，togivenoticeofalostchild。\"
Sosaying，thishonestandverykind-heartedmanwasgoingtowardthelittlewhitedamsel，withthebestintentionsintheworld。
ButVioletandPeony，eachseizingtheirfatherbythehand，earnestlybesoughthimnottomakehercomein。
\"Dearfather，\"criedViolet，puttingherselfbeforehim，\"itistruewhatIhavebeentellingyou！Thisisourlittlesnow-girl，andshecannotliveanylongerthanwhileshebreathesthecoldwest-wind。Donotmakehercomeintothehotroom！\"
\"Yes，father，\"shoutedPeony，stampinghislittlefoot，somightilywasheinearnest，\"thisbenothingbutour’ittlesnow-child！Shewillnotlovethehotfire！\"
\"Nonsense，children，nonsense，nonsense！\"criedthefather，halfvexed，halflaughingatwhatheconsideredtheirfoolishobstinacy。\"Runintothehouse，thismoment！Itistoolatetoplayanylonger，now。Imusttakecareofthislittlegirlimmediately，orshewillcatchherdeath-a-cold！\"
\"Husband！dearhusband！\"saidhiswife，inalowvoice，——forshehadbeenlookingnarrowlyatthesnow-child，andwasmoreperplexedthanever，——\"thereissomethingverysingularinallthis。Youwillthinkmefoolish，——but——but——mayitnotbethatsomeinvisibleangelhasbeenattractedbythesimplicityandgoodfaithwithwhichourchildrensetabouttheirundertaking？
Mayhenothavespentanhourofhisimmorttalityinplayingwiththosedearlittlesouls？andsotheresultiswhatwecallamiracle。No，no！Donotlaughatme;Iseewhatafoolishthoughtitis！\"
\"Mydearwife，\"repliedthehusband，laughingheartily，\"youareasmuchachildasVioletandPeony。\"
Andinonesensesoshewas，forallthroughlifeshehadkeptherheartfullofchildlikesimplicityandfaith，whichwasaspureandclearascrystal;and，lookingatallmattersthroughthistransparentmedium，shesometimessawtruthssoprofoundthatotherpeoplelaughedatthemasnonsenseandabsurdity。
ButnowkindMr。Lindseyhadenteredthegarden，breakingawayfromhistwochildren，whostillsenttheirshrillvoicesafterhim，beseechinghimtoletthesnow-childstayandenjoyherselfinthecoldwest-wind。Asheapproached，thesnow-birdstooktoflight。Thelittlewhitedamsel，also，fledbackward，shakingherhead，asiftosay，\"Pray，donottouchme！\"androguishly，asitappeared，leadinghimthroughthedeepestofthesnow。Once，thegoodmanstumbled，andfloundereddownuponhisface，sothat，gatheringhimselfupagain，withthesnowstickingtohisroughpilot-clothsack，helookedaswhiteandwintryasasnow-imageofthelargestsize。Someoftheneighbors，meanwhile，seeinghimfromtheirwindows，wonderedwhatcouldpossesspoorMr。Lindseytoberunningabouthisgardeninpursuitofasnow-drift，whichthewest-windwasdrivinghitherandthither！Atlength，afteravastdealoftrouble，hechasedthelittlestrangerintoacorner，whereshecouldnotpossiblyescapehim。Hiswifehadbeenlookingon，and，itbeingnearlytwilight，waswonder-strucktoobservehowthesnow-childgleamedandsparkled，andhowsheseemedtoshedaglowallroundabouther;andwhendrivenintothecorner，shepositivelyglistenedlikeastar！Itwasafrostykindofbrightness，too，likethatofanicicleinthemoonlight。
ThewifethoughtitstrangethatgoodMr。Lindseyshouldseenothingremarkableinthesnow-child’sappearance。
\"Come，youoddlittlething！\"criedthehonestman，seizingherbythehand，\"Ihavecaughtyouatlast，andwillmakeyoucomfortableinspiteofyourself。Wewillputanicewarmpairofworstedstockingsonyourfrozenlittlefeet，andyoushallhaveagoodthickshawltowrapyourselfin。Yourpoorwhitenose，I
amafraid，isactuallyfrost-bitten。Butwewillmakeitallright。Comealongin。\"
Andso，withamostbenevolentsmileonhissagaciousvisage，allpurpleasitwaswiththecold，thisverywell-meaninggentlemantookthesnow-childbythehandandledhertowardsthehouse。
Shefollowedhim，droopinglyandreluctant;foralltheglowandsparklewasgoneoutofherfigure;andwhereasjustbeforeshehadresembledabright，frosty，star-gemmedevening，withacrimsongleamonthecoldhorizon，shenowlookedasdullandlanguidasathaw。AskindMr。Lindseyledherupthestepsofthedoor，VioletandPeonylookedintohisface，——theireyesfulloftears，whichfrozebeforetheycouldrundowntheircheeks，——andagainentreatedhimnottobringtheirsnow-imageintothehouse。
\"Notbringherin！\"exclaimedthekind-heartedman。\"Why，youarecrazy，mylittleViolet！——quitecrazy，mysmallPeony！Sheissocold，already，thatherhandhasalmostfrozenmine，inspiteofmythickgloves。Wouldyouhaveherfreezetodeath？\"
Hiswife，ashecameupthesteps，hadbeentakinganotherlong，earnest，almostawe-strickengazeatthelittlewhitestranger。
Shehardlyknewwhetheritwasadreamorno;butshecouldnothelpfancyingthatshesawthedelicateprintofViolet’sfingersonthechild’sneck。Itlookedjustasif，whileVioletwasshapingouttheimage，shehadgivenitagentlepatwithherhand，andhadneglectedtosmooththeimpressionquiteaway。
\"Afterall，husband，\"saidthemother，recurringtoherideathattheangelswouldbeasmuchdelightedtoplaywithVioletandPeonyassheherselfwas，——\"afterall，shedoeslookstrangelylikeasnow-image！Idobelievesheismadeofsnow！\"
Apuffofthewest-windblewagainstthesnow-child，andagainshesparkledlikeastar。
\"Snow！\"repeatedgoodMr。Lindsey，drawingthereluctantguestoverhishospitablethreshold。\"Nowondershelookslikesnow。
Sheishalffrozen，poorlittlething！Butagoodfirewillputeverythingtorights！\"
Withoutfurthertalk，andalwayswiththesamebestintentions，thishighlybenevolentandcommon-sensibleindividualledthelittlewhitedamsel——drooping，drooping，drooping，moreandmoreoutofthefrostyair，andintohiscomfortableparlor。A
Heidenbergstove，filledtothebrimwithintenselyburninganthracite，wassendingabrightgleamthroughtheisinglassofitsirondoor，andcausingthevaseofwateronitstoptofumeandbubblewithexcitement。Awarm，sultrysmellwasdiffusedthroughouttheroom。Athermometeronthewallfarthestfromthestovestoodateightydegrees。Theparlorwashungwithredcurtains，andcoveredwitharedcarpet，andlookedjustaswarmasitfelt。Thedifferencebetwixttheatmospherehereandthecold，wintrytwilightoutofdoors，waslikesteppingatoncefromNovaZemblatothehottestpartofIndia，orfromtheNorthPoleintoanoven。Oh，thiswasafineplaceforthelittlewhitestranger！
Thecommon-sensiblemanplacedthesnow-childonthehearth-rug，rightinfrontofthehissingandfumingstove。
\"Nowshewillbecomfortable！\"criedMr。Lindsey，rubbinghishandsandlookingabouthim，withthepleasantestsmileyoueversaw。\"Makeyourselfathome，mychild。\"
Sad，sadanddrooping，lookedthelittlewhitemaiden，asshestoodonthehearth-rug，withthehotblastofthestovestrikingthroughherlikeapestilence。Once，shethrewaglancewistfullytowardthewindows，andcaughtaglimpse，throughitsredcurtains，ofthesnow-coveredroofs，andthestarsglimmeringfrostily，andallthedeliciousintensityofthecoldnight。Thebleakwindrattledthewindow-panes，asifitweresummoninghertocomeforth。Buttherestoodthesnow-child，drooping，beforethehotstove！
Butthecommon-sensiblemansawnothingamiss。
\"Comewife，\"saidhe，\"letherhaveapairofthickstockingsandawoollenshawlorblanketdirectly;andtellDoratogivehersomewarmsupperassoonasthemilkboils。You，VioletandPeony，amuseyourlittlefriend。Sheisoutofspirits，yousee，atfindingherselfinastrangeplace。Formypart，Iwillgoaroundamongtheneighbors，andfindoutwhereshebelongs。\"
Themother，meanwhile，hadgoneinsearchoftheshawlandstockings;forherownviewofthematter，howeversubtleanddelicate，hadgivenway，asitalwaysdid，tothestubbornmaterialismofherhusband。Withoutheedingtheremonstrancesofhistwochildren，whostillkeptmurmuringthattheirlittlesnow-sisterdidnotlovethewarmth，goodMr。Lindseytookhisdeparture，shuttingtheparlor-doorcarefullybehindhim。Turningupthecollarofhissackoverhisears，heemergedfromthehouse，andhadbarelyreachedthestreet-gate，whenhewasrecalledbythescreamsofVioletandPeony，andtherappingofathimbledfingeragainsttheparlorwindow。
\"Husband！husband！\"criedhiswife，showingherhorror-strickenfacethroughthewindow-panes。\"Thereisnoneedofgoingforthechild’sparents！\"
\"Wetoldyouso，father！\"screamedVioletandPeony，ashere-enteredtheparlor。\"Youwouldbringherin;andnowourpoor——dear-beau-ti-fullittlesnow-sisteristhawed！\"
Andtheirownsweetlittlefaceswerealreadydissolvedintears;
sothattheirfather，seeingwhatstrangethingsoccasionallyhappeninthisevery-dayworld，feltnotalittleanxiouslesthischildrenmightbegoingtothawtoo！Intheutmostperplexity，hedemandedanexplanationofhiswife。Shecouldonlyreply，that，beingsummonedtotheparlorbythecriesofVioletandPeony，shefoundnotraceofthelittlewhitemaiden，unlessitweretheremainsofaheapofsnow，which，whileshewasgazingatit，meltedquiteawayuponthehearth-rug。
\"Andthereyouseeallthatisleftofit！\"addedshe，pointingtoapoolofwaterinfrontofthestove。
\"Yes，father，\"saidVioletlookingreproachfullyathim，throughhertears，\"thereisallthatisleftofourdearlittlesnow-sister！\"
\"Naughtyfather！\"criedPeony，stampinghisfoot，and——Ishuddertosay——shakinghislittlefistatthecommon-sensibleman。\"Wetoldyouhowitwouldbe！Whatfordidyoubringherin？\"
AndtheHeidenbergstove，throughtheisinglassofitsdoor，seemedtoglareatgoodMr。Lindsey，likeared-eyeddemon，triumphinginthemischiefwhichithaddone！
This，youwillobserve，wasoneofthoserarecases，whichyetwilloccasionallyhappen，wherecommon-sensefindsitselfatfault。Theremarkablestoryofthesnow-image，thoughtothatsagaciousclassofpeopletowhomgoodMr。Lindseybelongsitmayseembutachildishaffair，is，nevertheless，capableofbeingmoralizedinvariousmethods，greatlyfortheiredification。Oneofitslessons，forinstance，mightbe，thatitbehoovesmen，andespeciallymenofbenevolence，toconsiderwellwhattheyareabout，and，beforeactingontheirphilanthropicpurposes，tobequitesurethattheycomprehendthenatureandalltherelationsofthebusinessinhand。Whathasbeenestablishedasanelementofgoodtoonebeingmayproveabsolutemischieftoanother;evenasthewarmthoftheparlorwasproperenoughforchildrenoffleshandblood，likeVioletandPeony，——thoughbynomeansverywholesome，evenforthem，——butinvolvednothingshortofannihilationtotheunfortunatesnow-image。
But，afterall，thereisnoteachinganythingtowisemenofgoodMr。Lindsey’sstamp。Theyknoweverything，——oh，tobesure！——everythingthathasbeen，andeverythingthatis，andeverythingthat，byanyfuturepossibility，canbe。And，shouldsomephenomenonofnatureorprovidencetranscendtheirsystem，theywillnotrecognizeit，evenifitcometopassundertheirverynoses。
\"Wife，\"saidMr。Lindsey，afterafitofsilence，\"seewhataquantityofsnowthechildrenhavebroughtinontheirfeet！Ithasmadequiteapuddleherebeforethestove。PraytellDoratobringsometowelsandmopitup！\"
THEGREATSTONEFACE
Oneafternoon，whenthesunwasgoingdown，amotherandherlittleboysatatthedooroftheircottage，talkingabouttheGreatStoneFace。Theyhadbuttolifttheireyes，andthereitwasplainlytobeseen，thoughmilesaway，withthesunshinebrighteningallitsfeatures。
AndwhatwastheGreatStoneFace？
Embosomedamongstafamilyofloftymountains，therewasavalleysospaciousthatitcontainedmanythousandinhabitants。Someofthesegoodpeopledweltinlog-huts，withtheblackforestallaroundthem，onthesteepanddifficulthill-sides。Othershadtheirhomesincomfortablefarm-houses，andcultivatedtherichsoilonthegentleslopesorlevelsurfacesofthevalley。
Others，again，werecongregatedintopopulousvillages，wheresomewild，highlandrivulet，tumblingdownfromitsbirthplaceintheuppermountainregion，hadbeencaughtandtamedbyhumancunning，andcompelledtoturnthemachineryofcotton-factories。
Theinhabitantsofthisvalley，inshort，werenumerous，andofmanymodesoflife。Butallofthem，grownpeopleandchildren，hadakindoffamiliaritywiththeGreatStoneFace，althoughsomepossessedthegiftofdistinguishingthisgrandnaturalphenomenonmoreperfectlythanmanyoftheirneighbors。
TheGreatStoneFace，then，wasaworkofNatureinhermoodofmajesticplayfulness，formedontheperpendicularsideofamountainbysomeimmenserocks，whichhadbeenthrowntogetherinsuchapositionas，whenviewedataproperdistance，preciselytoresemblethefeaturesofthehumancountenance。Itseemedasifanenormousgiant，oraTitan，hadsculpturedhisownlikenessontheprecipice。Therewasthebroadarchoftheforehead，ahundredfeetinheight;thenose，withitslongbridge;andthevastlips，which，iftheycouldhavespoken，wouldhaverolledtheirthunderaccentsfromoneendofthevalleytotheother。
Trueitis，thatifthespectatorapproachedtoonear，helosttheoutlineofthegiganticvisage，andcoulddiscernonlyaheapofponderousandgiganticrocks，piledinchaoticruinoneuponanother。Retracinghissteps，however，thewondrousfeatureswouldagainbeseen;andthefartherhewithdrewfromthem，themorelikeahumanface，withallitsoriginaldivinityintact，didtheyappear;until，asitgrewdiminthedistance，withthecloudsandglorifiedvaporofthemountainsclusteringaboutit，theGreatStoneFaceseemedpositivelytobealive。
ItwasahappylotforchildrentogrowuptomanhoodorwomanhoodwiththeGreatStoneFacebeforetheireyes，forallthefeatureswerenoble，andtheexpressionwasatoncegrandandsweet，asifitweretheglowofavast，warmheart，thatembracedallmankindinitsaffections，andhadroomformore。Itwasaneducationonlytolookatit。Accordingtothebeliefofmanypeople，thevalleyowedmuchofitsfertilitytothisbenignaspectthatwascontinuallybeamingoverit，illuminatingtheclouds，andinfusingitstendernessintothesunshine。
Aswebeganwithsaying，amotherandherlittleboysatattheircottage-door，gazingattheGreatStoneFace，andtalkingaboutit。Thechild’snamewasErnest。
\"Mother，\"saidhe，whiletheTitanicvisagesmiledonhim，\"I
wishthatitcouldspeak，foritlookssoverykindlythatitsvoicemustneedsbepleasant。IfIweretoseeamanwithsuchaface，Ishouldlovehimdearly。\"
\"Ifanoldprophecyshouldcometopass，\"answeredhismother，\"wemayseeaman，sometimeorother，withexactlysuchafaceasthat。\"
\"Whatprophecydoyoumean，dearmother？\"eagerlyinquiredErnest。\"Praytellmeaboutit！\"
Sohismothertoldhimastorythatherownmotherhadtoldtoher，whensheherselfwasyoungerthanlittleErnest;astory，notofthingsthatwerepast，butofwhatwasyettocome;astory，nevertheless，soveryold，thateventheIndians，whoformerlyinhabitedthisvalley，hadhearditfromtheirforefathers，towhom，astheyaffirmed，ithadbeenmurmuredbythemountainstreams，andwhisperedbythewindamongthetree-tops。Thepurportwas，that，atsomefutureday，achildshouldbebornhereabouts，whowasdestinedtobecomethegreatestandnoblestpersonageofhistime，andwhosecountenance，inmanhood，shouldbearanexactresemblancetotheGreatStoneFace。Notafewold-fashionedpeople，andyoungoneslikewise，intheardoroftheirhopes，stillcherishedanenduringfaithinthisoldprophecy。Butothers，whohadseenmoreoftheworld，hadwatchedandwaitedtilltheywereweary，andhadbeheldnomanwithsuchaface，noranymanthatprovedtobemuchgreaterornoblerthanhisneighbors，concludedittobenothingbutanidletale。Atallevents，thegreatmanoftheprophecyhadnotyetappeared。
\"Omother，dearmother！\"criedErnest，clappinghishandsabovehishead，\"IdohopethatIshalllivetoseehim！\"
Hismotherwasanaffectionateandthoughtfulwoman，andfeltthatitwaswisestnottodiscouragethegeneroushopesofherlittleboy。Sosheonlysaidtohim，\"Perhapsyoumay。\"
AndErnestneverforgotthestorythathismothertoldhim。Itwasalwaysinhismind，wheneverhelookedupontheGreatStoneFace。Hespenthischildhoodinthelog-cottagewherehewasborn，andwasdutifultohismother，andhelpfultoherinmanythings，assistinghermuchwithhislittlehands，andmorewithhislovingheart。Inthismanner，fromahappyyetoftenpensivechild，hegrewuptobeamild，quiet，unobtrusiveboy，andsun-brownedwithlaborinthefields，butwithmoreintelligencebrighteninghisaspectthanisseeninmanyladswhohavebeentaughtatfamousschools。YetErnesthadhadnoteacher，saveonlythattheGreatStoneFacebecameonetohim。Whenthetoilofthedaywasover，hewouldgazeatitforhours，untilhebegantoimaginethatthosevastfeaturesrecognizedhim，andgavehimasmileofkindnessandencouragement，responsivetohisownlookofveneration。Wemustnottakeuponustoaffirmthatthiswasamistake，althoughtheFacemayhavelookednomorekindlyatErnestthanatalltheworldbesides。Butthesecretwasthattheboy’stenderandconfidingsimplicitydiscernedwhatotherpeoplecouldnotsee;andthusthelove，whichwasmeantforall，becamehispeculiarportion。
Aboutthistimetherewentarumorthroughoutthevalley，thatthegreatman，foretoldfromageslongago，whowastobeararesemblancetotheGreatStoneFace，hadappearedatlast。Itseemsthat，manyyearsbefore，ayoungmanhadmigratedfromthevalleyandsettledatadistantseaport，where，aftergettingtogetheralittlemoney，hehadsetupasashopkeeper。Hisname——butIcouldneverlearnwhetheritwashisrealone，oranicknamethathadgrownoutofhishabitsandsuccessinlife——wasGathergold。Beingshrewdandactive，andendowedbyProvidencewiththatinscrutablefacultywhichdevelopsitselfinwhattheworldcallsluck，hebecameanexceedinglyrichmerchant，andownerofawholefleetofbulky-bottomedships。Allthecountriesoftheglobeappearedtojoinhandsforthemerepurposeofaddingheapafterheaptothemountainousaccumulationofthisoneman’swealth。Thecoldregionsofthenorth，almostwithinthegloomandshadowoftheArcticCircle，senthimtheirtributeintheshapeoffurs;hotAfricasiftedforhimthegoldensandsofherrivers，andgathereduptheivorytusksofhergreatelephantsoutoftheforests;theEastcamebringinghimtherichshawls，andspices，andteas，andtheeffulgenceofdiamonds，andthegleamingpurityoflargepearls。Theocean，nottobebehindhandwiththeearth，yieldeduphermightywhales，thatMr。Gathergoldmightselltheiroil，andmakeaprofitofit。Betheoriginalcommoditywhatitmight，itwasgoldwithinhisgrasp。Itmightbesaidofhim，asofMidasinthefable，thatwhateverhetouchedwithhisfingerimmediatelyglistened，andgrewyellow，andwaschangedatonceintosterlingmetal，or，whichsuitedhimstillbetter，intopilesofcoin。And，whenMr。
Gathergoldhadbecomesoveryrichthatitwouldhavetakenhimahundredyearsonlytocounthiswealth，hebethoughthimselfofhisnativevalley，andresolvedtogobackthither，andendhisdayswherehewasborn。Withthispurposeinview，hesentaskilfularchitecttobuildhimsuchapalaceasshouldbefitforamanofhisvastwealthtolivein。
AsIhavesaidabove，ithadalreadybeenrumoredinthevalleythatMr。Gathergoldhadturnedouttobethepropheticpersonagesolongandvainlylookedfor，andthathisvisagewastheperfectandundeniablesimilitudeoftheGreatStoneFace。Peoplewerethemorereadytobelievethatthismustneedsbethefact，whentheybeheldthesplendidedificethatrose，asifbyenchantment，onthesiteofhisfather’soldweatherbeatenfarm-house。Theexteriorwasofmarble，sodazzlinglywhitethatitseemedasthoughthewholestructuremightmeltawayinthesunshine，likethosehumbleroneswhichMr。Gathergold，inhisyoungplay-days，beforehisfingersweregiftedwiththetouchoftransmutation，hadbeenaccustomedtobuildofsnow。Ithadarichlyornamentedportico，supportedbytallpillars，beneathwhichwasaloftydoor，studdedwithsilverknobs，andmadeofakindofvariegatedwoodthathadbeenbroughtfrombeyondthesea。Thewindows，fromthefloortotheceilingofeachstatelyapartment，werecomposed，respectively，ofbutoneenormouspaneofglass，sotransparentlypurethatitwassaidtobeafinermediumthaneventhevacantatmosphere。Hardlyanybodyhadbeenpermittedtoseetheinteriorofthispalace;butitwasreported，andwithgoodsemblanceoftruth，tobefarmoregorgeousthantheoutside，insomuchthatwhateverwasironorbrassinotherhouseswassilverorgoldinthis;andMr。
Gathergold’sbedchamber，especially，madesuchaglitteringappearancethatnoordinarymanwouldhavebeenabletoclosehiseyesthere。But，ontheotherhand，Mr。Gathergoldwasnowsoinuredtowealth，thatperhapshecouldnothaveclosedhiseyesunlesswherethegleamofitwascertaintofinditswaybeneathhiseyelids。
Induetime，themansionwasfinished;nextcametheupholsterers，withmagnificentfurniture;then，awholetroopofblackandwhiteservants，theharbingersofMr。Gathergold，who，inhisownmajesticperson，wasexpectedtoarriveatsunset。OurfriendErnest，meanwhile，hadbeendeeplystirredbytheideathatthegreatman，thenobleman，themanofprophecy，aftersomanyagesofdelay，wasatlengthtobemademanifesttohisnativevalley。Heknew，boyashewas，thattherewereathousandwaysinwhichMr。Gathergold，withhisvastwealth，mighttransformhimselfintoanangelofbeneficence，andassumeacontroloverhumanaffairsaswideandbenignantasthesmileoftheGreatStoneFace。Fulloffaithandhope，Ernestdoubtednotthatwhatthepeoplesaidwastrue，andthatnowhewastobeholdthelivinglikenessofthosewondrousfeaturesonthemountain-side。Whiletheboywasstillgazingupthevalley，andfancying，ashealwaysdid，thattheGreatStoneFacereturnedhisgazeandlookedkindlyathim，therumblingofwheelswasheard，approachingswiftlyalongthewindingroad。
\"Herehecomes！\"criedagroupofpeoplewhowereassembledtowitnessthearrival。\"HerecomesthegreatMr。Gathergold！\"
Acarriage，drawnbyfourhorses，dashedroundtheturnoftheroad。Withinit，thrustpartlyoutofthewindow，appearedthephysiognomyoftheoldman，withaskinasyellowasifhisownMidas-handhadtransmutedit。Hehadalowforehead，small，sharpeyes，puckeredaboutwithinnumerablewrinkles，andverythinlips，whichhemadestillthinnerbypressingthemforciblytogether。
\"TheveryimageoftheGreatStoneFace！\"shoutedthepeople。
\"Sureenough，theoldprophecyistrue;andherewehavethegreatmancome，atlast！\"
And，whatgreatlyperplexedErnest，theyseemedactuallytobelievethatherewasthelikenesswhichtheyspokeof。Bytheroadsidetherechancedtobeanoldbeggar-womanandtwolittlebeggar-children，stragglersfromsomefar-offregion，who，asthecarriagerolledonward，heldouttheirhandsandlifteduptheirdolefulvoices，mostpiteouslybeseechingcharity。Ayellowclaw——theverysamethathadclawedtogethersomuchwealth——pokeditselfoutofthecoach-window，anddroptsomecoppercoinsupontheground;sothat，thoughthegreatman’snameseemstohavebeenGathergold，hemightjustassuitablyhavebeennicknamedScattercopper。Still，nevertheless，withanearnestshout，andevidentlywithasmuchgoodfaithasever，thepeoplebellowed，\"HeistheveryimageoftheGreatStoneFace！\"
ButErnestturnedsadlyfromthewrinkledshrewdnessofthatsordidvisage，andgazedupthevalley，where，amidagatheringmist，gildedbythelastsunbeams，hecouldstilldistinguishthosegloriousfeatureswhichhadimpressedthemselvesintohissoul。Theiraspectcheeredhim。Whatdidthebenignlipsseemtosay？
\"Hewillcome！Fearnot，Ernest;themanwillcome！\"
Theyearswenton，andErnestceasedtobeaboy。Hehadgrowntobeayoungmannow。Heattractedlittlenoticefromtheotherinhabitantsofthevalley;fortheysawnothingremarkableinhiswayoflifesavethat，whenthelaborofthedaywasover，hestilllovedtogoapartandgazeandmeditateupontheGreatStoneFace。Accordingtotheirideaofthematter，itwasafolly，indeed，butpardonable，inasmuchasErnestwasindustrious，kind，andneighborly，andneglectednodutyforthesakeofindulgingthisidlehabit。TheyknewnotthattheGreatStoneFacehadbecomeateachertohim，andthatthesentimentwhichwasexpressedinitwouldenlargetheyoungman’sheart，andfillitwithwideranddeepersympathiesthanotherhearts。
Theyknewnotthatthencewouldcomeabetterwisdomthancouldbelearnedfrombooks，andabetterlifethancouldbemouldedonthedefacedexampleofotherhumanlives。NeitherdidErnestknowthatthethoughtsandaffectionswhichcametohimsonaturally，inthefieldsandatthefireside，andwhereverhecommunedwithhimself，wereofahighertonethanthosewhichallmensharedwithhim。Asimplesoul，——simpleaswhenhismotherfirsttaughthimtheoldprophecy，——hebeheldthemarvellousfeaturesbeamingadownthevalley，andstillwonderedthattheirhumancounterpartwassolonginmakinghisappearance。
BythistimepoorMr。Gathergoldwasdeadandburied;andtheoddestpartofthematterwas，thathiswealth，whichwasthebodyandspiritofhisexistence，haddisappearedbeforehisdeath，leavingnothingofhimbutalivingskeleton，coveredoverwithawrinkledyellowskin。Sincethemeltingawayofhisgold，ithadbeenverygenerallyconcededthattherewasnosuchstrikingresemblance，afterall，betwixttheignoblefeaturesoftheruinedmerchantandthatmajesticfaceuponthemountain-side。Sothepeopleceasedtohonorhimduringhislifetime，andquietlyconsignedhimtoforgetfulnessafterhisdecease。Onceinawhile，itistrue，hismemorywasbroughtupinconnectionwiththemagnificentpalacewhichhehadbuilt，andwhichhadlongagobeenturnedintoahotelfortheaccommodationofstrangers，multitudesofwhomcame，everysummer，tovisitthatfamousnaturalcuriosity，theGreatStoneFace。Thus，Mr。
Gathergoldbeingdiscreditedandthrownintotheshade，themanofprophecywasyettocome。
Itsohappenedthatanative-bornsonofthevalley，manyyearsbefore，hadenlistedasasoldier，and，afteragreatdealofhardfighting，hadnowbecomeanillustriouscommander。Whateverhemaybecalledinhistory，hewasknownincampsandonthebattle-fieldunderthenicknameofOldBlood-and-Thunder。Thiswar-wornveteranbeingnowinfirmwithageandwounds，andwearyoftheturmoilofamilitarylife，andoftherollofthedrumandtheclangorofthetrumpet，thathadsolongbeenringinginhisears，hadlatelysignifiedapurposeofreturningtohisnativevalley，hopingtofindreposewhereherememberedtohaveleftit。Theinhabitants，hisoldneighborsandtheirgrown-upchildren，wereresolvedtowelcometherenownedwarriorwithasaluteofcannonandapublicdinner;andallthemoreenthusiastically，itbeingaffirmedthatnow，atlast，thelikenessoftheGreatStoneFacehadactuallyappeared。Anaid-de-campofOldBlood-and-Thunder，travellingthroughthevalley，wassaidtohavebeenstruckwiththeresemblance。
