Dearoldapple-tree，underwhosegnarledbranchesthesestorieswerewritten，toyouIdedicatethebook。Myheadwassoclosetoyou，whocantellfromwhencethethoughtscame？
Ionlyknowthatwhenalltheothertreesintheorchardwerebarren，therewerealwaysstoriestobefoundunderyourbranches，andsoitisourjointbook，dearapple-tree。YourpinkblossomshavefallenonthepageasIwrote;yourruddyfruithasdroppedintomylap;
thesunshinestreamedthroughyourleavesandtippedmypencilwithgold。
Thebirdssinginginyourboughsmayhavelentasweetnotehereandthere;anddoyourememberthedaywhenthegentleshowercame？
Wejustcurledthecloser，andyouandIandtheskyallcriedtogetherwhilewewrote\"TheFore-RoomRug。\"
Itshouldbealovelybook，dearapple-tree，butalas！
itisnotaltogetherthat，becauseIamnotsosimpleasyou，andbecauseIhavestrayedfartherawayfromtheheartofMotherNature。
KATEDOUGLASWIGGIN
\"Quillcote，\"Hollis，Maine，August12，1895。
CONTENTS。
TheVillageWatch-Tower1
Tomo’theBlueb’ryPlains31
TheNooningTree55
TheFore-RoomRug95
AVillageStradivarius123
TheEventfulTripoftheMidnightCry195
THEVILLAGEWATCH-TOWER。
Itstoodonthegentleslopeofahill，theoldgrayhouse，withitsweather-beatenclapboardsanditsroofofraggedshingles。
Itwasintheverylapoftheroad，sothatthestage-drivercouldalmostknockonthewindowpanewithoutgettingdownfromhisseat，onthoserareoccasionswhenhebrought\"oldMis’Bascom\"aparcelfromSaco。
Humbleanddilapidatedasitwas，itwasalmostbeautifulinthespringtime，whenthedandelion-dottedturfgrewclosetothegreatstonesteps;orinthesummer，whenthefamousBascomelmcastitsgracefulshadowoverthefrontdoor。
Theelm，indeed，wastheonlyobjectthateverdidcastitsshadowthere。LucindaBascomsaidher\"frontdoor’n’entryneverhedbenusedexceptforfun’rals，’n’shewasgoin’
tokeepitniceforthatpurpose，’n’notgetitalltrackedup。\"
Shewassittingnowwhereshehadsatforthirtyyears。
Herhigh-backedrocker，withitscushionofcopperplatepatchanditscrochetedtidy，stoodalwaysbyasouthernwindowthatlookedoutontheriver。Theriverwasasheetofcrystal，asitpouredoverthedam;arushing，roaringtorrentoffoamingwhite，asitsweptunderthebridgeandfoughtitswaybetweentherockycliffsbeyond，sweepingswirling，eddying，initsnarrowchannel，pulsingrestlesslyintotheraggedfissuresofitsshores，andleapingwithatempestuousroarintotheWitches’Eel-pot，adeepwoodedgorgecleftintheveryheartofthegranitebank。
ButLucindaBascomcouldseemorethantheriverfromherfavoritewindow。Itwasamuch-traveledroad，theroadthatranpastthehouseonitswayfromLibertyVillagetoMilliken’sMills。
Atotteringoldsign-board，onaverdanttriangleofturf，directedyouoverDeaconChute’shilltothe\"FlagMedderRoad，\"andfromthencetoLibertyCentre;thelittlepost-officeandstore，wherethestagestoppedtwiceaday，wasquitewithineyeshot;sowerethepublicwatering-trough，BrigadierHill，and，behindtheruinsofanoldmill，thewoodedpaththatledtotheWitches’Eel-pot，afavoritewalkforvillagelovers。Thiswasallonhersideoftheriver。
Asforthebridgewhichknittogetherthetwotinyvillages，nobodycouldpassoverthatwithoutbeingseenfromtheBascoms’。Therumbleofwheelsgenerallybroughtafamilypartytothewindow，——
JotBascom’swife（shethatwasDiademaDennett），Jothimself，ifhewereinthehouse，littleJot，andgrandpaBascom，wholookedatthepassers-bywithavacantsmilepartinghisthinlips。
OldMrs。Bascomherselfdidnotneedtherumbleofwheelstotellherthatavehiclewascoming，forshecouldseeitfullytenminutesbeforeitreachedthebridge，——attheverymomentitappearedatthecrestofSacoHill，wherestrangerspulleduptheirhorses，onaclearday，andpausedtolookatMountWashington，milesawayinthedistance。
ToryHillandSacoHillmetatthebridge，andjustthere，too，theriverroadbeganitsshadycoursealongtheeastsideofthestream：
inviewofallwhich\"oldMis’Bascom’ssettin’-roomwinder\"
mightwellbecalledthe\"VillageWatch-Tower，\"whenyouconsiderfurtherthatshehadmovedonlyfromherhigh-backedrockertoherbed，andfromherbedtoherrocker，formorethanthirtyyears，——
eversincethatjulydaywhenherhusbandhadhadasun-strokewhilepaintingthemeeting-housesteeple，andherbabyJonathanhadbeentherebyhastenedintoaworldnotintheleastreadytoreceivehim。
Shecouldnothavelivedwithoutthatwindow，shewouldhavetoldyou，norwithouttheriver，whichhadlulledhertosleepeversinceshecouldremember。Itwasinthesouthchamberupstairsthatshehadbeenborn。
Hermotherhadlainthereandlistenedtotheswirlofthewater，inthatyearwhentheriverwashigherthantheoldestinhabitanthadeverseenit，——
theyearwhenthecoveredbridgeattheMillshadbeencarriedaway，andwhentheoneattheFallswasinhourlydangerofsuccumbingtotheforceofthefreshet。
Allthemeninbothvillageswereworkingontheriver，strengtheningthedam，bracingthebridge，andbreakingthejamsoflogs;
andwiththepartingoftheboom，thesnappingofthebridgetimbers，thecrashingofthelogsagainsttherocks，andtheshoutsoftheriver-drivers，thelittleLucindahadcomeintotheworld。
Someonehadgoneforthefather，andhadfoundhimontheriver，wherehehadbeensinceday-break，drenchedwiththestorm，blownfrohisdangerousfootingtimeaftertime，butstillbattlingwiththegreatheaped-upmassesoflogs，wrenchingthemfromoneanother’sgrasp，andsendingthemdowntheswollenstream。
Finallythejambroke;andacheeroftriumphburstfromtheexcitedmen，asthelogs，freedfromtheirbondage，sweptdowntheragingflood，onandeveroninjoyousliberty，fasterandfaster，tilltheyencounteredsomenewobstacle，whentheyheapedthemselvestogetheragain，likepuppetsofFate，andwerebeatenbythewavesintoanotherhelplesssurrender。
Withthebreakingofthejam，onedeadmonarchoftheforestleapedintotheairasifithadbeenshotfromacannon’smouth，andlodgedbetweentwojuttingpeaksofrockhighontheriverbank。
Presentlyanotherlogwasdashedagainstit，butrolledoffandhurrieddownthestream;thenanother，andstillanother;butnoforceseemedenoughtodrivethegiantfromitsintrenchedposition。
\"Hurryondowntothenextjam，Raish，andletitalone，\"
criedthemen。\"Mebbeit’llgitwashedoffinthenight，andanyhowyoucan’tbudgeitwithnokindofatoolwe’vegothere。\"
Thenfromtheshorecameaboy’svoicecalling，\"There’sababyuptoyourhouse！\"Andthemenrepeatedinstentoriantones，\"Babyuptoyourhouse，Raish！Leggothelog;you’rewanted！\"
\"Boyorgirl？\"shoutedtheyoungfather。
\"Girl！\"camebacktheanswerabovetheroaroftheriver。
WhereuponRaishDunnellsteadiedhimselfwithhispickandtakingahatchetfromhisbelt，cutarudeletter\"L\"
onthesideofthestrandedlog。
\"L’sforLucindy，\"helaughed。\"Nowyoulogifyougit’sfurasSaco，dropintomywife’sfolksandtell’emthebaby’sname。\"
Therehadnotbeensuchafreshetforyearsbefore，andtherehadneverbeenonesince;so，asthequietseasonswentby，\"Lucindy’slog\"
wasleftinpeace，thecolumbinesbloomingallaboutit，theharebellshangingtheirheadsofdelicateblueamongtherocksthathelditinplace，thebirdsbuildingtheirnestsintheknot-holesofitswitheredside。
Seventyyearshadpassed，andoneachbirthday，fromthetimewhenshewasonly\"RaishDunnell’slittleLou，\"
totheyearswhenshewasLucindaBascom，wifeandmother，shehadwandereddownbytheriverside，andgazed，alittlesuperstitiouslyperhaps，onthelogthathadbeenmarkedwithan\"L\"onthemorningshewasborn。
Ithadstoodthewearandtearoftheelementsbravely，butnowitwasbeginning，likeLucinda，toshowitsage。
Itsbackwasbent，likehers;itsfacewasseamedandwrinkled，likeherown;andthevillageloverswholookedatitfromtheoppositebankwonderedif，afterall，itwouldholdoutaslongas\"oldMis’Bascom。\"
Sheheldoutbravely，oldMrs。Bascom，thoughshewas\"allskin，bones，andtongue，\"astheneighborssaid;fornobodyneededtogointotheBascoms’tobrightenupauntLucindaabit，ortakeherthenews;onewentintogetabitofbrightness，andtohearthenews。
\"Ishouldgetlonesome，Is’pose，\"shewaswonttosay，\"ifitwa’n’tforthewaythishouseisset，andthischair，andthiswinder，’n’all。
Menfolksusedtobuildsomeo’thehousesupinalane，orturn’embackorsidetotheroad，sothewomenfolkscouldn’tseeanythin’tokeeptheirmindsofftheirchurnin’ordish-washin’;butAaronDunnellhedsomethin’
elsetothinkabout，’n’thatwashimself，first，last，andallthetime。
Hisstorewasdowntobottomofthehill，’n’whenhecomeuptohismeals，heusedtosetwherehecouldseethedoor;’n’ifanycust’mercome，hecouldcallto’emtowaitaspelltillhegotthrougheatin’。Land！
Icanhearhimnow，yellin’to’em，withhismouthfullofvictuals！
Theyhedtowaittillhegotgood’n’ready，too。Therewa’n’tsomuchcomp’titioninbusinessthenasthereisnow，orhe’d’a’hedtogiveupeatin’orhireaclerk……I’vealwaysfelttobethankfulthatthehousewasonthisriseo’ground。Theteamshevtoslowupon’counto’
thehill，’n’itgivesmeconsid’blechancetoseefolks’n’whatthey’vegotinthebackofthewagon，’n’onething’n’other……Theneighborsiscontinuallycomin’inheretotalkaboutthingsthat’sgoin’
oninthevillage。Iliketohear’em，butland！theycan’ttellmenothing’！Theyoftensay，`Formassysakes，LucindyBascom，howd’
youknowthat？’`Why，’saysItothem，`Idon’tasknoquestions，’n’folksdon’ttellmenolies;Ijustsetinmywinder，’n’puttwo’n’twotogether，——that’sallIdo。’Iain’tneverbeninaplayhouse，butIdon’tsupposetheplay-actorsgitdownofftheplatformont’
themainfloortoexplaintothefolkswhatthey’vebendoin’，dothey？
Iexpect，iffolkscan’tunderstandtheirdraymaswhenthe’reactin’
of’emout，theyhavetogoignorant，don’tthey？Well，whatdoIwantwithexplainin’，wheneverythin’isactedoutrightintheroad？\"
TherewasquiteagatheringofneighborsattheBascoms’
onthisparticularJulyafternoon。Noinvitationshadbeensentout，andnonewereneeded。Acommonexcitementhadmadeitvitalthatpeopleshoulddropinsomewhere，andspeculateaboutcertaininterestingmatterswellknowntobegoingoninthecommunity，butgoingoninsuchanunderhandandsecretivefashionthatitwell-nighdestroyedone’sfaithinhumannature。
Thesitting-roomdoorwasopenintotheentry，sothatwhateverbreezetherewasmightcomein，andanunusualglimpseofthenewforeroomrugwasaffordedthespectators。
Everythingwasasneataswax，forDiademawasahousekeeperofthetypefastpassingaway。Thegreatcoalstovewasenvelopedinitsusualsummerwrapperofpurplecalico，which，tiedneatlyaboutitsebonyneckandportlywaist，gaveittheappearanceofabuxomcoloredladypresidingovertheassembly。
Thekerosenelampsstoodinarowonthehigh，narrowmantelpiece，eachchimneyprotectedfromthefliesbyabrownpaperbaginvertedoveritshead。TwoplasterSamuelsprayingunderthepinkmosquitonettingadornedtheendsoftheshelf。
Therewerescreensatallthewindows，andDiademafidgetednervouslywhenavisitorcameinthemosquitonettingdoor，forfearaflyshouldsneakinwithher。
OnthewallwerecertificatesofmembershipintheMissionarySociety;
apictureofMaidenswelcomingWashingtonintheStreetsofAlexandria，inaframeofcucumberseeds;andaninterestingdocumentsettingforththeclaimsoftheDunnellfamilyasoldsettlerslongbeforetheseparationofMainefromMassachusetts，——thefactbein’establishedbyanobituarynoticereading，\"InSaco，December1791，Dorcas，daughterofAbiatharDunnell，twomonthsoldofFitsunbaptized。\"
\"Hemaybegoin’tomarryEunice，andhemaynot，\"observedAlmiraBerry;
\"thoughwhatshewantsofReubenHobsonismore’nIcanmakeout。
Ineverseeawidowerstraightenupashehasthislastyear。
Iguesshe’sbeenlookin’roundprettylively，butcouldn’tfindanybodythatwasfoolenoughtogivehimanyencouragement。\"
\"Mebbeshewantstogetmarried，\"saidHannahSophia，inatonethatspokevolumes。\"WhenParsonPerkinscometothisparish，oneofhisfirstcallswasonEuniceEmery。
Healwaystalkedlikethebooko’Revelation;sosayshe，`haveyougotyourweddin’garmenton，MissEmery？’sayshe。
`No，’saysshe，`butIbentryin’tothesetwentyyears。’
Shewasalwaysfullofherjokes，Eunicewas！\"
\"TheEmeryswasalwaysahumorousfamily，\"
remarkedDiadema，assheannihilatedaflywithanewspaper。
\"OldSilasEmerywasanawfulhumorousman。Heusedtoliveupontheisland;andtherecomeafreshetoneyear，andhesaidhegothissofy’n’chairsoff，anyhow！\"Thatwasjusthisjokin’。Hehadn’tasignofasofyinthehouse;
’twashiswifeSophyhemeant，shethatwasSophySwett。
Thenanothertime，whenIwasalittlemiteofathinrunnin’
in’n’outo’hisyard，hecaughtholto’me，andsayshe，`You’dbettertakecare，sissy;whenIkillyouandtwomore，thet’llbethreechildrenI’vekilled！’Land！youcouldn’tdragmeinsidethatyardforyearsafterwards……There！she’sgotafireinthecook-stove;there’sastreamo’
smokecomin’outo’thekitchenchimbley。I’mwillin’
tobetmynewrugshe’sgoin’tobemarriedtonight！\"
\"Mebbeshe’smakin’jell’，\"suggestedHannahSophia。
\"Jell’！\"ejaculatedMrs。Jotscornfully。\"Doyous’poseEuniceEmerywouldbuildupafireinthemiddleo’
theafternoon’n’gotomakin’ajell’，thishotday？
Besides，thereain’tacurrantgoneintoherhousethisweek，asIhappentoknow。\"
\"It’sadretfulthickyearforfol’age，\"mumbledgrandpaBascom，appearinginthedoorwithhisvacantsmile。\"Ideclaresomeo’
themapleslookslikeballsintheair。\"
\"That’sthetwentiethtimehe’shedthatoversincemornin’，\"
saidDiadema。\"Here，father，takeyourhatoff’n’setinthekitchendoor’n’shellmethismesso’peas。Nowthinksmart，’n’putthepodsinthebasket’n’thepeasinthepan;
don’tyoumix’em。\"
Theoldmanhunghishatonthebackofthechair，tookthepaninhistremblinghands，andbeganaimlesslytoopenthepods，whilehechuckledatthehensthatgatheredroundthedoorstepwhentheyheardthepeasrattlinginthepan。
\"Reubenneedsawifebadenough，ifthat’sall，\"remarkedtheWidowBuzzell，asonewhohadgiventhemattersomeconsideration。
\"Ishouldthinkhedid，\"rejoinedoldMrs。Bascom。
\"Thosechildren’boutgittheirlivin’offtheroadinsummer，fromthetimethedand’liongreensisreadyfordiggin’
tilltheblackb’ries’n’choke-cherriesisgone。
Diademycalls’emin’n’gives’emacookyeverytimetheygopast，’n’theyeatasiftheywasfamished。
RubeHobsonneverwasanykindofapervider，’n’he’sconsid’ablesnugbesides。\"
\"Heain’tgoin’tobetterhimselfmuch，\"saidAlmira。
\"EuniceEmeryain’tfittohousekeepforacat。
ThepieshetooktothepiesupperatthechurchwassotoughthatevenDeaconDyercouldn’teatit;andtheboysgotholtofherdoughnuts，anddeclaredtheywasgoin’fishin’nextday’n’use’emforsinkers。ShelivesfromhandtomouthEuniceEmerydoes。She’saboutasmuchofadoshyasRubeis。
She’llmaketeathat’sstrongenoughtobearupanegg，most，andeatherdoughnutswithitthreetimesadayratherthantakethetroubletowalkouttothemeatorthefishcart。
Iknowforafactshedon’tmakerizbreadonceayear。\"
\"Mebbeherfolkslikesbuttermilkbreadbest;somedo，\"
saidtheWidowBuzzell。\"Myhusbandalwayssaid，givehimbuttermilkbreadtoworkon。Heusedtosaymyrizbreadwassolighthe’dhevtotreadonittokeepitanywheres;
butwhenyou’deatbuttermilkbreadhesaidyou’dgotsomethin’
thatstayedbyyou;youknewwhereitwaseverytime……Formassysake！there’sthestagestoppin’attheHobson’sdoor。
IwonderifRube’sfirstwife’smotherhascomefromModeration？
If’tis，theymust’a’madeuptheirquarrel，fortherewasatimeshewouldn’tstepfootoverthatdoorsill。Shemustbegoin’
tostaysometime，forthere’satrunkonthebacko’thestage……No，thereain’tnobodygettin’out。Land，HannahSophia，don’tpushmecleanthroughtheglass！Itbeatsmewhytheymakewinderssosmallthatthreepeoplecan’tlookoutof’emwithoutcrowdin’。
Ain’tthatawash-boilerhe’shandin’down？Well，it’samercy;
he’sbenborrowin’longenough！\"
\"WhatgoesonafterdarkIain’tresponsiblefor，\"
commentedoldMrs。Bascom，\"butnonewwash-boilerhasgoneintoRubeHobson’sdoorinthedaytimeformanyayear，andI’llbebounditmeanssomethin’。Theregoesabroom，too。
Muchsweepin’he’llgetouto’Eunice;it’saslick’n’
apromisewithher！\"
\"Whendidyoubegintosuspicionthis，Diademy？\"askedAlmiraBerry。
\"I’vegotasmuchfacultyasthenextone，butanybodythatlivesontheriverroadhasjustgottogiveupknowin’anything。Youcan’tkeeprunnin’
tothestoreeveryday，andifyoucouldyoudon’tfindoutmuchnowadays。
BillPetersdon’ttakenomoreinterestinhisneighborsthanacowdoesinelection。\"
\"Ican’tgetmotherBascomtoseeitasIdo，\"saidDiadema，\"butforonethingshe’sbencarryin’homebundles’bouteveryothernightforamonth，thoughshe’sbentoosmarttobuyanythin’
hereatthisstore。ShehadPackard’shorsetogotoSacolastweek。
Whenshegothome，jestatdusk，shedroveint’thebarn，’n’bimebyPittPackardcometogithishorse，——’twasherownbuggyshewentwith。Shelookedoverherewhenshewentint’
thehouse，’n’sheketchedmyeye，though’twashalfamileaway，soshenevertookathinginwithher，butsoonas’twasdarkshemadethreetripsouttothebarnwithalantern，’n’anyfoolcouldtell’therarmswasfullo’pa’celsbythewayshecarriedthelantern。
TheHobsonsandtheEmeryshavemarriedoneanothermore’nonce，asfurasthatgoes。IdeclareifIwasgoin’togetmarriedI
shouldwanttoberelationtosomebodybesidesmyownfolks。\"
\"ThereasonIcanhardlycreditit，\"saidHannahSophia，\"isbecauseEuniceneverhadabeauinherlife，thatIcanrememberof。CyseHigginssetupwithherforaspell，butitneveramountedtonothin’。Itseemsqueer，too，forshewasalwayssofondo’seein’menfolksroundthatwhenPittPackardwasshinglin’herbarnsheusedtogooutnights’n’ripsomeo’theshinglesoff，so’the’dhevmoredays’
workonit。\"
\"Ialwayssaid’twasshethatbegunonRubeHobson，nothimonher，\"remarkedtheWidowBuzzell。
\"Theirlandjoinin’madecourtin’comedretfulhandy。
Hiscrittersusedtogitinherfield’bouteveryotherday（Ialwayssuspicionedshebrokethefencedownherself），andthenshe’dhevtogooverandgithimtodrive’emout。
She’swedhisonionbedforhimtwosummers，asIhappentoknow，forI’vebeenou’doorsmore’ncommonthissummer，tryin’
tofetchmyconstitutionup。Diademy，don’tyouwanttolookoutthebackway’n’seeifRube’scomehomeyet？\"
\"Heain’t，\"saidoldMrs。Bascom，\"soyouneedn’tlook;
can’tyouseethecurtainsisalldown？He’sgoneuptotheMills，’n’it’smyopinionhe’sgonetospeaktotheminister。\"
\"Hehedsomethin’inthebacko’thewagoncoveredupwithanoldlinenlaprobe;’tain’tatalllikelyhe’d’a’hedthatifhe’dbengoin’
totheminister’s，\"objectedMrs。Jot。
\"Anybody’dthinkyouwasbornyesterday，tohearyoutalk，Diademy，\"
retortedhermother-in-law。\"Whenyou’vesetinonespot’slong’sIhev，p’rapsyou’llhevtheuseo’yourfaculties！Menfolkshasmore’nonewayo’gettin’married，’speciallywhenthey’reashamedofit……Well，Ivow，there’sthelittleHobsongirlscomin’outo’
thedoorthisminute，’n’they’realldressedup，andMotedon’tseemtobewith’em。\"
Everywomanintheroomrosetoherfeet，andDiademaremovedhermurderouseyefromaflywhichshehadbeenendeavoringtolocateforsomemoments。
\"Iguessthey’regoin’uptothechurchtomeettheirfather’n’Eunice，poorlittlethings，\"venturedtheWidowBuzzell。
\"P’rapstheybe，\"saidoldMrs。Bascomsarcastically;
\"p’rapstheybegoin’tochurch，takin’athree-quarttinpail’n’abrownpaperbundlealongwith’em……They’recomin’overthebridge，justasIs’posed……Now，iftheycomepastthishouse，youhead’emoff，Almiry，’n’seeifyoucangitsomesatisfactionoutof’em……Theyain’thardlyoldenoughtoholdtheirtongues。\"
Anexcitinginterviewsoontookplaceinthemiddleoftheroad，andAlmirareenteredtheroomwiththeexpressionofonewhohadpenetratedtheinscrutableandsolvedtheriddleoftheSphinx。
Shehadbeenvouch-safedoneofthosegleamsoflightindarknesswhichalmostdazzlethebeholder。
\"That’sabouttheconfirmingestthingI’veheernyet！\"
sheejaculated，asshetookoffhershakerbonnet。
\"Theysaythey’regoin’uptotheirauntHitty’stostaytwodays。
They’redressedintheirbest，cleantotheskin，forIlooked;
’n’it’stheirnightgowndsthey’vegotinthebundle。
TheysaylittleMotehasgonetoUniontostopallnightwithhisuncleAbijah，’n’thatleavesRubeallalone，forthesmithgirlthatdoeshischoresishomesickwiththehives。Andwhatdoyous’poseisinthepail？
_Fruit__cake_，——that’swhat’tis，nomore’n’noless！
IknowedthatSmithgirldidn’tbakeit，’n’soIasked’em，’n’theysaidMissEmerygiveitto’em。Therewastwolittleroundtry-cakes，bakedinmuffin-rings。Eunicehedtooksomeo’
thebatteroutofabigloaf’n’bakedittosehowitwasgoin’
toturnout。Thatmeanswedding-cake，orI’mmistaken！\"
\"Thereain’tnogittin’roundthat，\"agreedtheassembledcompany，\"nowisthere，Mis’Bascom？\"
OldMrs。Bascomwetherfinger，smoothedthepartingofherfalsefront，andlookedinscrutable。
\"Idon’tseewhyyou’resosecret，\"objectedDiadema。
\"I’vegotmyopinions，andI’vehad’emsometime，\"
observedthegoodlady。\"Idon’tknow’sI’mboundtotell’emandhave’emhelduptoridicule。Letthevealhang，Isay。
Ifanyoneofusisright，we’llallknowto-morrow。\"
\"Well，allanyofushasgottojudgefromisappearances，\"saidDiadema，\"andhowyoucantwist’emoneway，andusanother，stumpsme！\"
\"PerhapsIseemoreappearancesthanyoudo，\"
retortedhermother-in-law。\"Somefolksmistakesalltheyseeforallthereis。Iwasreadingadetectivestorylastweek。
ItseemstherewasanawfulmurderinSchenectady，andamotherandhertwochildrenwasfounddeadinonebed，withbulletholesintheirheads。Thehusbandwasawayonbusiness，andtherewasn’tanynearneighborstohearherscreech。
Well，thedetectivescomefromfarandfromnear，andbeguntoworkupthecase。Oneof’emthought’twasthehusband，——
thoughhesetsuchstorebyhiswifehewentravin’
crazywhenheheardshewasdead，——oneof’emlaiditonthechildren，——thoughtheywasbothundersixyearsold;
andonedecideditwassuicide，——thoughthewomanwasachurchmemberanddidn’tknowhowtofireagunoff，besides。
Andthentherecomealongadetectiveyoungerandsmarterthanalltherest，andsayshe，`Ifallyoubatshaveseeneverythingyoucansee，IguessI’lltakealookaround，’sayshe。
Sureenough，therewasarugwith`Welcome’onitlayin’infrontofthewashstand，andwhenheturnedituphefoundanelegantdiamondstudwithaman’sfullnameandaddressonthegoldpart。
Hetookatrainandwentrighttotheman’shouse。
Hewassotakenbysurprise（hehadn’tmissedthestud，forhehadafullsetof’em）thatheownedrightupandconfessedthemurder。\"
\"Idon’tseeasthat’sgotanythingtodowiththiscase，\"saidDiadema。
\"It’sgotthismuchtodowithit，\"repliedoldMrs。Bascom，\"thatperhapsyou’velookedallroundtheroomandseeneverythingyouhadeyestosee，andperhapsI’vehadwitenoughtoturnuptheruginfronto’thewashstand。\"
\"Whoeverhemarriesnow，Mis’Bascom’llhavetosay’twastheoneshemeant，\"laughedtheWidowBuzzell。
\"Ineverwascaughtcheatin’yet，andifIlivetillSaturdayIshallbeseventy-oneyearsold，\"saidtheoldladywithsomeheat。\"HandmeJot’sleadpencil，Diademy，andthatoldenvelopeonthewindersill。
I’llwritethenameIthinkof，andshutitupintheoldBible。
Myhand’ssostiffto-dayIcan’thardlymoveit，butIguessIcanmakeitplainenoughtosatisfyyou。\"
\"That’sfair’n’square，\"saidHannahSophia，\"andformypatIhopeitain’tEunice，forIlikehertoowell。
Whatthey’regoin’toliveonismore’nIcansee。Addnothin’
tonothin’’n’yougitnothin’，——that’sarethmetic！Heain’thedacento’readymoneysencehefailedupfouryearsago，’thoutitwasthathundreddollarsthatfelltohimfromhiswife’saunt。
Eunice’llhevherhandsfullthiswinter，Iguess，withthemthreeheartychildren’n’himallwheezedupwithphthisicfromOctobertoApril！……Who’sthatcoming’downToryHill？
It’sRube’shorse’n’Rube’swagon，butitdon’tlooklikeRube。\"
\"Yes，it’sRube;buthe’sgotanewPanamahat，’n’he’shedhislinendusterwashed，\"saidoldMrs。Bascom……\"Now，doyoumeantotellmethatthatwomanwithastuck-uphatonisEuniceEmery？
Itain’t，’n’thatgreenparasoldon’tbelongtothisvillage。He’sdrivin’
herintohisyard！……JustasIs’posed，it’sthatlittle，smirkin’
worthlessschool-teacheruptotheMills。——Don’tbreakmyneck，Diademy;
can’tyouseeouttheotherwinder？——Yes，he’shelpin’herout，’n’showin’
herin。Hecan’t’a’benmarriedmore’ntenminutes，forhe’sgoin’
clearupthestepstoopenthedoorforher！\"
\"Wait’n’seeifhetakeshishorseout，\"saidHannahSophia。
\"Mebbehe’lldriveherbackinafewminutes……No，he’sonhitched！……There，he’shangin’upthehead-stall！\"
\"I’vebenupintheatticchamber，\"calledtheWidowBuzzell，asshedescendedthestairs;\"she’spulledupthecurtains，andtookoffherhatrightinfronto’thewinder，’sboldasabrasskettle！
She’scometostay！Ain’tthatRubeHobsonallover，——tobringanotherwomanint’thisvillage’stido’weedin’oneof’emoutashe’doughter。
Heain’tgotanymorepublicsperitthana——hedgehog，’n’neverhad！\"
Almiradrewonhermittsexcitedly，tiedonhershaker，andstartedforthedoor。
\"I’mgoin’overtoEunice’s，\"shesaid，\"andI’mgoin’
totakemybottleofcamphire。Ishouldn’twonderamiteifIfoundherinadeadfaintonthekitchenfloor。
Nobodyneedtellmeshewa’n’tbuildin’hopes。\"
\"I’llgowithyou，\"saidtheWidowBuzzell。
\"I’dliketoseewithmyowneyeshowshetakesit，’n’it’llbetoolatetotellifIwaittillaftersupper。
Ifshe’dbenmoreopenwithme’n’everaskedformyadvice，Icould’a’toldheritwa’n’tthefirsttimeRubeHobsonhasplayedthattrick。\"
\"I’dcometooif’twa’n’tmilkin’butJotain’thomefromtheCentre，andI’vegottodohischores;comeinasyougoalongback，willyou？\"askedDiadema。
HannahSophiaremainedbehind，promisingtomeetthematthepost-officeandhearthenews。AsthetwowomenwalkeddownthehillshedrewtheoldenvelopefromtheBibleandreadthewaveringwordsscrawleduponitinoldMrs。Bascom’srheumaticanduncertainhand，——
_the__milikins__Mills__Teecher。_
\"WellLucindy，youdomakegooduseo’yourwinder，\"
sheexclaimed，\"buthowyoupitchedonanythingsoonlikelyasherismore’nIcansee。\"
\"Justbecause’twasonlikely。Aman’sagreatsightlikeliertodoanonlikelythingthanheisalikelyone，whenitcomestomarryin’。Inthefirstplace，RubesenthischildrentoschooluptotheMills’stidoftothebrickschoolhouse，thoughhehadtopayalittlesomethingtoget’emtakenintoanotherdeestrick。
Theyusedtocomedownatnightwiththeirhandsfullo’
’wardo’meritcards。Doyous’poseIthoughttheygot’emforgoodbehavior，orforknowin’theirlessons？ThenauntHittytoldmesomequestionorotherRubehadaskedexaminationday。
SincewhenhasRubeHobson’tendedexaminations，thinksI。AndwhenIseethegirl，ared-and-whitepaperdollthatwouldn’tknowwhethertomovethechurn-dasherup’n’downorround’n’round，Imadeupmymindthatbein’amanhe’dtakeherforcertain，andnothisnext-doorneighborofasensibleageandahouse’n’
farm’n’cow’n’buggy！\"
\"Sureenough，\"agreedHannahSophia，\"thoughthatdon’taccountforEunice’squeeractions，’n’thepa’cels’n’
thefruitcake。\"
\"WhenImakeoutacase，\"observedMrs。Bascommodestly，\"Iain’tonetoleaveweakspotsinit。IfIguessatall，Igoallovertheground’n’stopwhenIgitthrough。
Now，sistersornosisters，MaryabbyEmeryain’tspoketoEunicesenceshemovedtoSalem。ButifEunicehasbenbringin’pa’celshome，Maryabbymust’a’paidforwhatwasin’em;andifshe’sbenbakin’
fruitcakethishotday，whyMaryabbyusedtobesofonto’
fruitcakeherfolkswereafraidshe’dhavefits’n’die。
Ishallbewatchin’hereasusualto-morrowmorning’，’n’
ifMaryabbydon’tdriveint’Eunice’syardbeforenoonIwon’tbraganymoreforayeartocome。\"
HannahSophiagazedatoldMrs。Bascomwithunstintedadmiration。
\"Youdobeatall，\"shesaid;\"andIwishIcouldstayallnight’n’seehowitturnsout，butAlmiryisjustcomin’overthebridge，’n’Imuststart’n’meether。Good-by。I’mgladtoseeyousosmart;youalwayslookslim，butIguessyou’lltoughitout’slong’stherestofus。
Iseeyourlogwasallright，lasttimeIwasdownsideo’theriver。\"
\"Theysayit’sjestgoin’tobreakintwointhemiddle，andfallintotheriver，\"cheerfullyrespondedLucinda。
\"Theysayit’sjusthanging’onbyathread。Well，that’swhatthey’vebensayin’aboutmethesetenyears，’n’hereIbestillhanging！Itdon’tmakenoodds，Iguess，whetherit’sathreadoraropeyou’rehangin’by，solongasyouhang。\"
***
Thenextmorning，littleMoteHobson，whohadstayedallnightwithhisuncleinUnion，waswalkinghomebythesideoftheriver。
Hestrolledalong，thehappy，tousle-headed，barefootedyoungster，eyesonemomentonthetreesinthehopeofsquirrelsandbirds’-nests，thenextonthegroundinsearchofthefirstblueberries。
Ashestoopedtopickupabitofshiningquartztoaddtothecollectioninhisraggedtrousers’pocketsheglancedacrosstheriver，andatthatveryinstantLucinda’slogbrokegentlyintwain，rolleddownthebank，crumblingasitwent，and，droppinginlikeatiredchild，wascarriedpeacefullyalongontheriver’sbreast。
Motewalkedmorequicklyafterthat。Itwasquiteafeatherinhiscaptosee，withhisowneyes，theoldlandmarkslipfromitsaccustomedplaceandfloatdownthestream。
Theotherboyswouldmissitandsay，\"It’sgone！\"
Hewouldsay，\"Isawitgo！\"
GrandpaBascomwasstandingatthetopofthehill。Hiswhitelockswereuncovered，andhewasinhisshirt-sleeves。BabyJot，asusual，heldfastbyhisshakinghand，fortheylovedeachother，thesetwo。
Thecruelstrokeofthesunthathadblurredtheoldman’sbrainhadsparedablessedsomethinginhimthatwonthehealingloveofchildren。
\"Howd’ye，Mote？\"hepipedinhisfeeblevoice。\"TheysayLucindy’sdead……Jotsayssheis，’n’Diademysayssheis，’n’Iguesssheis……It’sadretfulthickyearforfol’age;……someo’themapleslookslikeballsintheair。\"
Motelookedinatthewindow。Theneighborswerehurryingtoandfro。
Diademasatwithhercalicoapronuptoherface，sobbing;andforthefirstmorninginthirtyyears，oldMrs。Bascom’shigh-backedrockerwasempty，andtherewasnoonesittinginthevillagewatch-tower。
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
TOMO’THEBLUEB’RYPLAINS。
Theskyisashadowlessblue;thenoon-daysunglowsfiercely;
acloudofdustrisesfromtheburningroadwheneverthehotbreezestirstheair，orwheneverafarmwagoncreaksalong，itswheelssinkingintothedeepsand。
Inthedistance，wherethegreenoftheearthjoinstheblueofthesky，gleamsthesilverlineofariver。
Asfarastheeyeanreach，thegroundiscoveredwithblueberrybushes;redleavespeepingamonggreenones;
bloomofbluefruithanginginfullwarmclusters，——spheresofvelvetmellowedbysummersun，moistenedwithcrystaldew，spicedwithfragranceofwoods。
Inamongtheblueberrybushesgrowhuckleberries，\"chokypears，\"andblack-snaps。
Gnarledoaksandstuntedpinesliftthemselvesoutofthewildernessofshrubs。Theylookdwarfedandgloomy，asifNaturehadbeenanuntendermother，anddeniedthempropernourishment。
Theroadisalittle-traveledone，andfurrowsoffeatherygrassesgrowbetweenthelong，hot，sandystretchesofthewheel-ruts。
Thefirstgoldenrodgleamsamongtheloosestonesatthefootofthealderbushes。Wholefamiliesofpalebutterflies，justoutoftheirlongsleep，perchonthebrilliantstalksandtilterupanddowninthesunshine。
Stragglingprocessionsofwoolybrowncaterpillarswendtheirwayintheshortgrassbythewayside，wherethewildcarrotandthepurplebull-thistlearecomingintobloom。
Thesongofbirdsisseldomheard，andtheblueberryplainsaregivenovertosilencesaveforthebuzzingofgorgedflies，thehummingofbees，andthechirpingofcricketsthatstirthedrowsyairwhenthesummerbeginstowane。
Itissostillthattheshuffle-shuffleofafootstepcanbeheardinthedistance，thetinkleofatinpailswingingmusicallytoandfro，theswishofanalderswitchcroppingtheheadsoftheroadsideweeds。
Allatonceavoicebreaksthestillness。Isitachild’s，awoman’s，oraman’s？Neitheryetallthree。
\"I’dmuchd’ruth-erwalkinthebloom-in’gy-ar-ding，An’hearthewhis-sleofthejol-ly——swain。\"
Everybodyknowsthesong，andeverybodyknowsthecrackedvoice。
Themasterofthisbitofsilentwildernessiscominghome：
itisTomo’theblueb’ryplains。
Heismorethancommontall，withasandybeard，andamopoftangledhairstragglingbeneathhistornstrawhat。
Asquareofwetcalicodripsfromunderthebackofthehat。
Hisginghamshirtisopenatthethroat，showinghistannedneckandchest。Warmasitis，hewearsportionsofatleastthreecoatsonhisback。Hishighboots，splitinfootandleg，aremendedandsplicedandlacedandtiedonwithbitsofshinglerope。
Hecarriesasmalltinpailofmolasses。Ithasabailofrope，andabatteredcoverwithaknobofstickynewspaper。
Overoneshoulder，suspendedonacrookedbranch，hangsabundleofbasketstuff，——splitwillowwithesandthelike;
overtheotherswingsadecrepit，bottomless，three-leggedchair。
Icallhimthemasteroftheplains，butinfaithhehadnolegalclaimtothetitle。Ifheownedahabitationorhadestablishedahomeonanyspotintheuniverse，itwasbecausenomanenviedhimwhathetook;
forTomwasoneofGod’sfools，afoot-loosepilgriminthisworldofours，apooraddle-pated，simple-minded，harmlesscreature，——
invillageparlance，a\"softy。\"
Motherorfather，sisterorbrother，hehadnone，noreverhad，sofarasanyoneknew;buthowshouldpeoplewhohadtoworkfromsun-uptocandlelighttogetthebetteroftheclimatehaveleisuretodiscoverwhetherornoBlueb’ryTomhadanykin？
AtsomeperiodinanalmostforgottenpasttherehadbeenahouseonTom’sparticularpatchoftheplains。
Ithadlongsincetumbledintoruinsandservedforfire-woodandeventhechimneybrickshaddisappearedonebyone，asthemonotonousseasonscameandwent。
Tomhadsettledhimselfinanoldtool-shop，corn-house，orrudeout-buildingofsomesortthathadbelongedtotheruinedcottage。
Herehehadsetuphishouse-holdgods;andsincenooneelsehadeverwantedahomeinthisdrearytangleofberrybushes，wheretheonlyshadecamefromstuntedpinesthatflungshriveledarmstotheskyanddroppeddeadconestothesterileearth，hereheremainedunmolested。
Inthelowerpartofthehuthekepthisbasketstuffandhiscollectionoftwo-leggedandthree-leggedchairs。
Inthecourseofevolutiontheyneversproutedanotherleg，thosechairs;astheyweregiventohim，sotheyremained。
Theupperfloorservedforhisliving-room，andwasreachedbyaladderfromtheground，fortherewasnostairwayinside。
Noonehadeverbeeninthelittleupperchamber。
Whenapasser-bychancedtobe-thinkhimthatTom’shermitagewascloseathand，hesometimesturnedinhisteambyacertainclumpofwhitebirchesanddrovenearertothehouse，intendingtoremindTomthattherewasachairtowillow-bottomthenexttimehecametothevillage。
ButatthenoiseofthewheelsTomdrewinhisladder;
andwhenthevisitoralightedandcamewithinsight，itwastofindtheinhospitablehoststandingintheopeningofthesecond-storywindow，aquaintfigureframedingreenbranches，theladderbehindhim，andonhisfaceakindofimpenetrabledignity，asheshookhisheadandsaid，\"Tomain’tterhum;Tom’sgonetoBonnyEagle。\"
Therewassomethingimpressiveabouthiswayofrepellingcallers;
itwasaseffectualasadoorslammedintheface，andyettherewasasortofmendaciouscourtesyaboutit。Nooneevercaredtogofurther;andindeedtherewasnomysterytotemptthecurious，andnospoiltoattractthemischievousorthemalicious。
Anyonecouldsee，withoutentering，thestrawbedinthefarcorner，thebeamspileddeepwithredandwhiteoakacorns，thestringsofdriedapplesandbunchesofeverlastingshangingfromtherafters，andthehalf-finishedbasketsfilledwithblownbird’s-eggs，pinecones，andpebbles。
NohomeinthevillagewasbetterlovedthanTom’sretreatintheblueberryplains。Wheneverheapproachedit，afteralongday’stramp，whenhecaughtthefirstsightofthewhitebirchesthatmarkedthegatewaytohisestateandshowedhimwheretoturnoffthepublicroadintohisownprivategrounds，hesmiledabroadersmilethanusual，andbrokeintohiswell-knownsong：
\"I’dmuchd’ruth-erwalkinthebloom-in’gy-ar-ding，An’hearthewhis-sleofthejol-ly——swain。\"
PoorTomcouldnevercatchthelastnote。Hehadsungthesongformorethanfortyyears，butthememoryofthistonewassoblurred，andhischerishedidealofitsohigh（orsolow，rather），thathenevermanagedtoreachit。
Oh，ifonlysummerwereeternal！Whocouldwishabettersupperthanripeberriesandmolasses？Norwasthereneedofsleepingunderroofnoroflightingcandlestogropehiswaytopalletofstraw，whenhemighthavethebluevaultofheavenarchingoverhim，andallGod’sstarsforlamps，andforabedahorseblanketstretchedoveranelasticcouchofpineneedles。
Thereweretwogauntpinesthathadbeendroppingtheirpolishedspillsforcenturies，perhapssilentlyadding，yearbyyear，anotherlayerofaromaticspringinesstopoorTom’sbed。
Flinginghistiredbodyonthisgratefulcouch，buryinghisheadinthecrushedsweetfernofhispillowwithonedeep-drawnsighofpleasure，——there，hauntedbynopastandharassedbynofuture，sleptGod’sfoolassweetlyasachild。
Yes，ifonlysummerwereeternal，andyouthaswell！
Butwhentheblueberrieshadripenedsummeraftersummer，andthegauntpine-treeshadgoneonformanyyearsweavingpoorTom’smattress，therecameachangeintheaspectofthings。
Hestillmadehiswaytothevillage，seekingchairstomend;
buthewasevenmoreunkemptthanofold，histallfigurewasbent，andhisfingerstrembledashewovethewillowstrandsinandout，andoverandunder。
Therewaslittleworktodo，moreover，forthevillagehadaltogetherretiredfrombusiness，andwasnolongerincompetitionwithitsneighbors：
thedamwastornaway，thesawmillswerepulleddown;husbandsandfatherswerelaidinthechurchyard，sonsandbrothersandlovershadgoneWest，andmothersandwidowsandspinstersstayedon，eachinherquiethousealone。
\"’Tain’tnohardshipwhenyougetusedtoit，\"saidtheWidowBuzzell。
\"Landsakes！alantern’s’sgood’samananytime，ifyouonlythinkso，’n’’tain’thalfsomuchtroubletokeepitfilledup！\"
ButTomstillsoldabasketoccasionally，andthechildrenalwaysgatheredabouthimforthesakeofhearinghimrepeathiswell-wornformula，——Tomallersputstwohandlesonbaskets：
onetotake’emupby，onetoset’emdownby。\"
Thiswassaidwithabeamingsmileandawiseshakeofthehead，asifhewereannouncingagreatdiscoverytoanexpectantworld。
Andthenhewouldlaydownhisburdenofbasketstuff，and，sittingunderanapple-treeinsomebody’ssideyard，beginhistaskofwillow-bottominganoldchair。Itwasaprettysightenough，ifonecouldkeepbackthetears，——thekindly，simplefellowwiththecircleofchildrenabouthisknees。
Neveravillagefoolwithoutatroopofbabiesathisheels。
Theylovehim，too，tillweteachthemtomock。
Whenhewasyounger，hewouldsing，\"Rock-a-by，baby，onthetreetop，\"
anddancethewhile，swinginghisunfinishedbaskettoandfroforacradle。
Hewastoostiffinthejointsfordancingnowadays，buthestillsangthe\"bloomin’gy-ar-ding\"whenevertheyaskedhim，particularlyifsomeapple-cheekedlittlemaidwouldsay，\"Please，Tom！\"
Healwayslaughedthen，and，pattingthechild’shand，said，\"Pootygal，——
goteyes！\"Theyoungstersdancewithgleeatthismeaninglessphrase，justastheirmothershaddancedyearsbeforewhenitwassaidtothem。
Summerwaned。Inthemoistplacesthegentianuncurleditsbluefringes;purpleastersandgayJoePyewavedtheircolorsbytheroadside;tallprimrosesputtheiryellowbonnetson，andpeepedoverthebrookstoseethemselves;
andthedustypodsofthemilkweedwereburstingwiththeirsilkyfluffs，thespinningofthelongsummer。
Autumnbegantopaintthemaplesredandtheelmsyellow，fortheearlydaysofSeptemberbroughtafrost。
SomeoneremarkedatthevillagestorethatoldBlueb’ryTommustnotbesufferedtostayontheplainsanotherwinter，nowthathewasgettingsofeeble，——notifthe\"_se_leckmen\"hadtoroothimoutandtakehimtothepoor-farm。Hewouldsurelystarveorfreeze，andhisdeathwouldbelaidattheirdoor。
Tomwasinterviewed。Persuasion，logic，sharpwords，allfailedtomovehimonejotortittle。Hestoodinhiscastledoor，withtheladderbehindhim，smiling，alwayssmiling（nonebutthefoolsmilesalways，noralwaysweeps），andsayingtoallvisitors，\"Tomain’tterhum;Tom’sgonetoBonnyEagle;
Tomdon’wanttogotothepoor-farm。\"
Novembercameinsurly。
Thecheerfulstirandbustleoftheharvestwereover，thecornwasshocked，theapplesandpumpkinsweregatheredintobarns。
TheproblemofTom’sfuturewasfinallylaidbeforetheselectmen;
andsincethepoorfellow’smildobstinancyhaddefeatedallattemptstoconquerit，thesherifftookthematterinhand。
Theblueberryplainslookedbleakandbareenoughnow。Ithadrainedincessantlyfordays，growingevercolderandcolderasitrained。
Thesuncameoutatlast，butitshoneinawintrysortofway，——
likeadutysmile，——asiflight，notheat，wereitsobject。
Akeenwindblewthedeadleaveshitherandthitherinawilddancethathadnomerrimentinit。Ablackbirdflewunderanoldbarrelbythewayside，and，rufflinghimselfintoaball，remarkeddespondentlythatfeatherswerenosortofprotectioninthiskindofclimate。
Asnowbird，flyingby，glancedinatthebarrel，andobservedthatanybodywhomindedalittlebreezelikethathadbetterjointhewoodcocks，whowereleavingfortheSouthbythenightexpress。
Theblueberrybusheswerestrippedbareofgreen。Thestuntedpinesandsombrehemlockslookedintonewiththelandscapenow;
whereallwasdrearytheydidnotseemamiss。
\"Je-whilikins！\"exclaimedthesheriffashedrewuphiscoatcollar。
\"Amadhouseistheplaceforthemanwhowantstoliveou’doorsinthewintertime;thepoor-farmistoogoodforhim。\"
ButTomwasusedtoprivation，andeventosuffering。
\"Ou’doors\"wastheonlyhomeheknew，andwithallitsrigorshelovedit。
Helookedoverthebarrenplains，knowing，inadullsortofway，thattheywouldshortlybecoveredwithsnow;buthehadthreecoats，twoofthemwithsleeves，andthecrunch-crunchofthesnowunderhistreadwasmusictohisears。Then，too，therewereafewhospitablefiresideswherehecouldalwayswarmhimself;
andthewinterwouldsoonbeover，thebirdswouldcomeagain，——
newbirds，singingtheoldsongs，——thesapwouldmountinthetrees，thebudsswellontheblueberrybushes，andtheyoungivoryleavespushtheirruddytipsthroughthesofteningground。
Theplainswerefatherlandandmother-country，homeandkindred，toTom。
Helovedtheearththatnourishedhim，andhesawthroughalltheseemingdeathinnaturetheeternalmiracleoftheresurrection。
Tohimwinterwasnevercruel。Helookedunderneathherwhitemantle，sawtheinfantspringhiddeninherwarmbosom，andwascontenttowait。
Contenttowait？Contenttostarve，contenttofreeze，ifonlyheneednotbecarriedintocaptivity。
Thepoor-farmwasnotabadplace，either，ifonlyTomhadbeenareasonablebeing。Tobesure，whenHannahSophiaPalmeraskedoldMrs。Pinkhamhowshelikedit，sheanswered，withapatientsigh，that\"her’n’Mr。Pinkhamhedlivedtheregoin’onnineyear，workin’theirfingerstothebone’most，’n’yettheyhadn’tbeenabletolayupacent！\"
Ifthispeculiarityofadministrationwasitsworstfeature，itwascertainlyonethatwouldhavehadnoterrorsforTomo’
theblueb’ryplains。Terrorsofsomesort，nevertheless，thepoor-farmhadforhim;andwhenthesheriff’spartyturnedinbytheclumpofwhitebirchesandapproachedthecabin，theyfoundthatfearhadmadethesimplewise。
Tomhadprovishedthelittleupperchamber，and，inplaceofthepieceofsackingthatusuallyservedhimforadoorinwinter，hehadwovenadefenseofwillow。Infine，hehadtakenallhisbasketstuff，and，treatingtheopeningthroughwhichheenteredandlefthishomepreciselyasifitwereabottomlesschair，hehadfilleditinsolidly，weavingtoandfro，bynightaswellasbyday，tillhefelt，poorfool，assafelyintrenchedasifhewereintheheartofafortress。
Thesherifftiedhishorsetoatree，andRubeHobsonandPittPackardgotoutofthedoublewagon。Twomenlaughedwhentheysawthepatheticdefense，buttheothershuthislipstogetherandcaughthisbreath。
（Hehadbeenbornonapoor-farm，butnooneknewitatPleasantRiver。）
TheycalledTom’snamerepeatedly，butnoothersoundbrokethesilenceoftheplainssavetherustlingofthewindamongthedeadleaves。
\"Numb-head！\"mutteredthesheriff，poundingonthesideofthecabinwithhiswhip-stock。\"Comeoutandshowyourself！
Weknowyou’reinthere，andit’snousehiding！\"
AtlastinresponsetoadeafeningblowfromRubeHobson’shardfist，therecametheansweringnoteofaweakdespairingvoice。
\"Tomain’tterhum，\"itsaid;\"Tom’sgonetoBonnyEagle。\"
\"That’sallright！\"guffawedthemen;\"butyou’vegottogosomemore，andgoadiff’rentway。Itain’tnouseferyoutoholdback;we’vegotaladder，andbyJiminy！yougowithusthistime！\"
Theladderwasputagainstthesideofthehut，andPittPackardclimbedup，tookhisjack-knife，slitthewovendoorfromtoptobottom，andturnedbacktheflap。
Themencouldseetheinsideofthechambernow。Theywerehumorouspersonswhocouldstrainajoketothesnappingpoint，buttheyfelt，atlast，thattherewasnothingespeciallyamusinginthesituation。
Tomwashuddledinaheaponthestrawbedinthefarcorner。
Thevacantsmilehadfledfromhisface，andhelooked，forthefirsttimeinhislife，quitedistraught。
\"Comealong，Tom，\"saidthesheriffkindly;
\"we’regoingtotakeyouwhereyoucansleepinabed，andhavethreemealsaday。\"
\"I’dmuchd’ruth-erwalkinthebloom-in’gy-ar-ding，\"
sangTomquaveringly，ashehidhisheadinaparoxysmoffear。
\"Well，thereain’tnobloomin’gardingstowalkinjestnow，socomealongandbepeaceable。\"
\"Tomdon’wanttogotothepoor-farm，\"hewailedpiteously。
Buttherewasnoalternative。Theydraggedhimoffthebedanddowntheladderasgentlyaspossible;thenRubeHobsonheldhimonthebackseatofthewagon，whilethesheriffunhitchedthehorse。
Astheywereonthepointofstarting，thecaptivebegantowailandstrugglemorethanever，theburdenofhisplaintbeingawildandtremulouspleaforhispailofmolasses。
\"Dryup，oldsofty，orI’llputthebuggyrobeoveryourhead！\"
mutteredRubeHobson，whohadnothadmuchpatiencewhenhestartedonthetrip，andhadlostitallbythistime。
\"Bythunder！heshallhevhismolasses，ifhethinkshewantsit！\"
saidPittPackard，andheranuptheladderandbroughtitdown，comfortingtheshiveringcreaturethus，forhelapsedintoasubmissivesilencethatlasteduntiltheunwelcomejourneywasover。
Tomremainedatthepoorhousepreciselytwelvehours。
