第6章

SoeverydaytheolddoctorandIhuntedthecure-allplantamongthemountainsandvalleysoftheBlueRidge。Togetherwetoiledupsteepheightssoslipperywithfallenautumnleavesthatwehadtocatcheverysaplingandbranchwithinourreachtosaveusfromfalling。Wewadedthroughgorgesandchasms，breast-deepwithlaurelandferns；wefollowedthebanksofmountainstreamsformiles；wewoundourwaylikeIndiansthroughbrakesofpine——roadside，hillside，riverside，mountainsideweexploredinoursearchforthemiraculousplant。 Astheolddoctorsaid，itmusthavegrownscarceandhardtofind。Butwefollowedourquest。Daybydayweplumbedthevalleys，scaledtheheights，andtrampedtheplateausinsearchofthemiraculousplant。 Mountain-bred，heneverseemedtotire。Ioftenreachedhometoofatiguedtodoanythingexceptfallintobedandsleepuntilmorning。Thiswekeptupforamonth。 OneeveningafterIhadreturnedfromasix-miletrampwiththeolddoctor，AmaryllisandItookalittlewalkunderthetreesneartheroad。 Welookedatthemountainsdrawingtheirroyal-purplerobesaroundthemfortheirnight’srepose。 \"I’mgladyou’rewellagain，\"shesaid。\"Whenyoufirstcameyoufrightenedme。Ithoughtyouwerereallyill。\" \"Wellagain！\"Ialmostshrieked。\"DoyouknowthatIhaveonlyonechanceinathousandtolive？\" Amaryllislookedatmeinsurprise。\"Why，\"saidshe，\"youareasstrongasoneoftheplough-mules，yousleeptenortwelvehourseverynight，andyouareeatingusoutofhouseandhome。Whatmoredoyouwant？\" \"Itellyou，\"saidI，\"thatunlesswefindthemagic——thatis，theplantwearelookingfor——intime，nothingcansaveme。Thedoctortellsmeso。\" \"Whatdoctor？\" \"DoctorTatum——theolddoctorwholiveshalfwayupBlackOakMountain。 Doyouknowhim？\" \"IhaveknownhimsinceIwasabletotalk。Andisthatwhereyougoeveryday——isithewhotakesyouontheselongwalksandclimbsthathavebroughtbackyourhealthandstrength？Godblesstheolddoctor。\" Justthentheolddoctorhimselfdroveslowlydowntheroadinhisricketyoldbuggy。IwavedmyhandathimandshoutedthatIwouldbeonhandthenextdayattheusualtime。HestoppedhishorseandcalledtoAmaryllistocomeouttohim。TheytalkedforfiveminuteswhileIwaited。Thentheolddoctordroveon。 WhenwegottothehouseAmaryllisluggedoutanencyclopaediaandsoughtawordinit。\"Thedoctorsaid，\"shetoldme，\"thatyouneedn’tcallanymoreasapatient，buthe’dbegladtoseeyouanytimeasafriend。Andthenhetoldmetolookupmynameintheencyclopaediaandtellyouwhatitmeans。Itseemstobethenameofagenusoffloweringplants，andalsothenameofacountrygirlinTheocritusandVirgil。Whatdoyousupposethedoctormeantbythat？\" \"Iknowwhathemeant，\"saidI。\"Iknownow。\" AwordtoabrotherwhomayhavecomeunderthespelloftheunquietLadyNeurasthenia。 Theformulawastrue。Eventhoughgropinglyattimes，thephysiciansofthewalledcitieshadputtheirfingersuponthespecificmedicament。 AndsofortheexerciseoneisreferredtogoodDoctorTatumonBlackOakMountain——taketheroadtoyourrightattheMethodistmeetinghouseinthepine-grove。 Absoluterestandexercise！ WhatrestmoreremedialthantositwithAmaryllisintheshade，and，withasixthsense，readthewordlessTheocritanidylofthegold-banneredbluemountainsmarchingorderlyintothedormitoriesofthenight？ XVOCTOBERANDJUNE TheCaptaingazedgloomilyathisswordthathunguponthewall。Intheclosetnearbywasstoredhisfadeduniform，stainedandwornbyweatherandservice。Whatalong，longtimeitseemedsincethoseolddaysofwar’salarms！ Andnow，veteranthathewasofhiscountry’sstrenuoustimes，hehadbeenreducedtoabjectsurrenderbyawoman’ssofteyesandsmilinglips。Ashesatinhisquietroomheheldinhishandtheletterhehadjustreceivedfromher——theletterthathadcausedhimtowearthatlookofgloom。Here-readthefatalparagraphthathaddestroyedhishope。 Indecliningthehonouryouhavedonemeinaskingmetobeyourwife，I feelthatIoughttospeakfrankly。ThereasonIhaveforsodoingisthegreatdifferencebetweenourages。Ilikeyouvery，verymuch，butIamsurethatourmarriagewouldnotbeahappyone。Iamsorrytohavetorefertothis，butIbelievethatyouwillappreciatemyhonestyingivingyouthetruereason。 TheCaptainsighed，andleanedhisheaduponhishand。Yes，thereweremanyyearsbetweentheirages。Buthewasstrongandrugged，hehadpositionandwealth。Wouldnothislove，histendercare，andtheadvantageshecouldbestowuponhermakeherforgetthequestionofage？ Besides，hewasalmostsurethatshecaredforhim。 TheCaptainwasamanofpromptaction。Inthefieldhehadbeendistinguishedforhisdecisivenessandenergy。Hewouldseeherandpleadhiscauseagaininperson。Age！——whatwasittocomebetweenhimandtheoneheloved？ Intwohourshestoodready，inlightmarchingorder，forhisgreatestbattle。HetookthetrainfortheoldSoutherntowninTennesseewhereshelived。 TheodoraDemingwasonthestepsofthehandsome，porticoedoldmansion，enjoyingthesummertwilight，whentheCaptainenteredthegateandcameupthegravelledwalk。Shemethimwithasmilethatwasfreefromembarrassment。AstheCaptainstoodonthestepbelowher，thedifferenceintheiragesdidnotappearsogreat。Hewastallandstraightandclear-eyedandbrowned。Shewasinthebloomoflovelywomanhood。 \"Iwasn’texpectingyou，\"saidTheodora；\"butnowthatyou’vecomeyoumaysitonthestep。Didn’tyougetmyletter？\" \"Idid，\"saidtheCaptain；\"andthat’swhyIcame。Isay，now，Theo，reconsideryouranswer，won’tyou？\" Theodorasmiledsoftlyuponhim。Hecarriedhisyearswell。Shewasreallyfondofhisstrength，hiswholesomelooks，hismanliness—— perhaps，if—— \"No，no，\"shesaid，shakingherhead，positively；\"it’soutofthequestion。Ilikeyouawholelot，butmarryingwon’tdo。Myageandyoursare——butdon’tmakemesayitagain——Itoldyouinmyletter。\" TheCaptainflushedalittlethroughthebronzeonhisface。Hewassilentforawhile，gazingsadlyintothetwilight。Beyondalineofwoodsthathecouldseewasafieldwheretheboysinbluehadoncebivouackedontheirmarchtowardthesea。Howlongagoitseemednow！ Truly，FateandFatherTimehadtrickedhimsorely。Justafewyearsinterposedbetweenhimselfandhappiness！ Theodora’shandcreptdownandrestedintheclaspofhisfirm，brownone。Shefelt，atleast，thatsentimentthatisakintolove。 \"Don’ttakeitsohard，please，\"shesaid，gently。\"It’sallforthebest。I’vereasoneditoutverywiselyallbymyself。Somedayyou’llbegladIdidn’tmarryyou。Itwouldbeveryniceandlovelyforawhile—— but，justthink！Inonlyafewshortyearswhatdifferenttasteswewouldhave！Oneofuswouldwanttositbythefiresideandread，andmaybenurseneuralgiaorrheumatismofevenings，whiletheotherwouldbecrazyforballsandtheatresandlatesuppers。No，mydearfriend。Whileitisn’texactlyJanuaryandMay，it’saclearcaseofOctoberandprettyearlyinJune。\" \"I’dalwaysdowhatyouwantedmetodo，Theo。Ifyouwantedto——\" \"No，youwouldn’t。Youthinknowthatyouwould，butyouwouldn’t。 Pleasedon’taskmeanymore。\" TheCaptainhadlosthisbattle。Buthewasagallantwarrior，andwhenherosetomakehisfinaladieuhismouthwasgrimlysetandhisshouldersweresquared。 HetookthetrainfortheNorththatnight。Onthenexteveninghewasbackinhisroom，wherehisswordwashangingagainstthewall。Hewasdressingfordinner，tyinghiswhitetieintoaverycarefulbow。Andatthesametimehewasindulginginapensivesoliloquy。 \"’Ponmyhonour，IbelieveTheowasright，afterall。Nobodycandenythatshe’sapeach，butshemustbetwenty-eight，attheverykindestcalculation。\" Foryousee，theCaptainwasonlynineteen，andhisswordhadneverbeendrawnexceptontheparadegroundatChattanooga，whichwasasnearasheevergottotheSpanish-AmericanWar。 XVITHECHURCHWITHANOVERSHOT-WHEEL Lakelandsisnottobefoundinthecataloguesoffashionablesummerresorts。ItliesonalowspuroftheCumberlandrangeofmountainsonalittletributaryoftheClinchRiver。Lakelandsproperisacontentedvillageoftwodozenhousessituatedonaforlorn，narrow-gaugerailroadline。YouwonderwhethertherailroadlostitselfinthepinewoodsandranintoLakelandsfromfrightandloneliness，orwhetherLakelandsgotlostandhuddleditselfalongtherailroadtowaitfortheearstocarryithome。 YouwonderagainwhyitwasnamedLakelands。Therearenolakes，andthelandsaboutaretoopoortobeworthmentioning。 HalfamilefromthevillagestandstheEagleHouse，abig，roomyoldmansionrunbyJosiahRankinfortheaccommodationofvisitorswhodesirethemountainairatinexpensiverates。TheEagleHouseisdelightfullymismanaged。Itisfullofancientinsteadofmodernimprovements，anditisaltogetherascomfortablyneglectedandpleasinglydisarrangedasyourownhome。Butyouarefurnishedwithcleanroomsandgoodandabundantfare：yourselfandthepinywoodsmustdotherest。Naturehasprovidedamineralspring，grape-vineswings，andcroquet——eventhewicketsarewooden。YouhaveArttothankonlyforthefiddle-and-guitarmusictwiceaweekatthehopintherusticpavilion。 ThepatronsoftheEagleHousearethosewhoseekrecreationasanecessity，aswellasapleasure。Theyarebusypeople，whomaybelikenedtoclocksthatneedafortnight’swindingtoinsureayear’srunningoftheirwheels。Youwillfindstudentstherefromthelowertowns，nowandthenanartist，orageologistabsorbedinconstruingtheancientstrataofthehills。Afewquietfamiliesspendthesummersthere；andoftenoneortwotiredmembersofthatpatientsisterhoodknowntoLakelandsas\"schoolmarms。\" AquarterofamilefromtheEagleHousewaswhatwouldhavebeendescribedtoitsguestsas\"anobjectofinterest\"inthecatalogue，hadtheEagleHouseissuedacatalogue。Thiswasanold，oldmillthatwasnolongeramill。InthewordsofJosiahRankin，itwas\"theonlychurchintheUnitedStates，sah，withanovershot-wheel；andtheonlymillintheworld，sah，withpewsandapipeorgan。\"TheguestsoftheEagleHouseattendedtheoldmillchurcheachSabbath，andheardthepreacherlikenthepurifiedChristiantoboltedflourgroundtousefulnessbetweenthemillstonesofexperienceandsuffering。 EveryyearaboutthebeginningofautumntherecametotheEagleHouseoneAbramStrong，whoremainedforatimeanhonouredandbelovedguest。InLakelandshewascalled\"FatherAbram，\"becausehishairwassowhite，hisfacesostrongandkindandflorid，hislaughsomerry，andhisblackclothesandbroadhatsopriestlyinappearance。Evennewguestsafterthreeorfourdays’acquaintancegavehimthisfamiliartitle。 FatherAbramcamealongwaytoLakelands。Helivedinabig，roaringtownintheNorthwestwhereheownedmills，notlittlemillswithpewsandanorganinthem，butgreat，ugly，mountain-likemillsthatthefreighttrainscrawledaroundalldaylikeantsaroundanant-heap。AndnowyoumustbetoldaboutFatherAbramandthemillthatwasachurch，fortheirstoriesruntogether。 Inthedayswhenthechurchwasamill，Mr。Strongwasthemiller。Therewasnojollier，dustier，busier，happiermillerinallthelandthanhe。 Helivedinalittlecottageacrosstheroadfromthemill。Hishandwasheavy，buthistollwaslight，andthemountaineersbroughttheirgraintohimacrossmanywearymilesofrockyroads。 Thedelightofthemiller’slifewashislittledaughter，Aglaia。Thatwasabravename，truly，foraflaxen-hairedtoddler；butthemountaineerslovesonorousandstatelynames。Themotherhadencountereditsomewhereinabook，andthedeedwasdone。InherbabyhoodAglaiaherselfrepudiatedthename，asfarascommonusewent，andpersistedincallingherself\"Dums。\"ThemillerandhiswifeoftentriedtocoaxfromAglaiathesourceofthismysteriousname，butwithoutresults。Atlasttheyarrivedatatheory。Inthelittlegardenbehindthecottagewasabedofrhododendronsinwhichthechildtookapeculiardelightandinterest。Itmayhavebeenthatsheperceivedin\"Dums\"akinshiptotheformidablenameofherfavouriteflowers。 WhenAglaiawasfouryearsoldsheandherfatherusedtogothroughalittleperformanceinthemilleveryafternoon，thatneverfailedtocomeoff，theweatherpermitting。Whensupperwasreadyhermotherwouldbrushherhairandputonacleanapronandsendheracrosstothemilltobringherfatherhome。Whenthemillersawhercominginthemilldoorhewouldcomeforward，allwhitewiththeflourdust，andwavehishandandsinganoldmiller’ssongthatwasfamiliarinthosepartsandransomethinglikethis： \"Thewheelgoesround，Thegristisground，Thedustymiller’smerry。 Hesingsallday，Hisworkisplay，Whilethinkingofhisdearie。\" ThenAglaiawouldruntohimlaughing，andcall： \"Da-da，cometakeDumshome；\"andthemillerwouldswinghertohisshoulderandmarchovertosupper，singingthemiller’ssong。Everyeveningthiswouldtakeplace。 Oneday，onlyaweekafterherfourthbirthday，Aglaiadisappeared。Whenlastseenshewaspluckingwildflowersbythesideoftheroadinfrontofthecottage。Alittlewhilelaterhermotherwentouttoseethatshedidnotstraytoofaraway，andshewasalreadygone。 Ofcourseeveryeffortwasmadetofindher。Theneighboursgatheredandsearchedthewoodsandthemountainsformilesaround。Theydraggedeveryfootofthemillraceandthecreekforalongdistancebelowthedam。 Neveratraceofherdidtheyfind。Anightortwobeforetherehadbeenafamilyofwandererscampedinagrovenearby。Itwasconjecturedthattheymighthavestolenthechild；butwhentheirwagonwasovertakenandsearchedshecouldnotbefound。 Themillerremainedatthemillfornearlytwoyears；andthenhishopeoffindingherdiedout。HeandhiswifemovedtotheNorthwest。Inafewyearshewastheownerofamodernmillinoneoftheimportantmillingcitiesinthatregion。Mrs。StrongneverrecoveredfromtheshockcausedbythelossofAglaia，andtwoyearsaftertheymovedawaythemillerwaslefttobearhissorrowalone。 WhenAbramStrongbecameprosperoushepaidavisittoLakelandsandtheoldmill。Thescenewasasadoneforhim，buthewasastrongman，andalwaysappearedcheeryandkindly。Itwasthenthathewasinspiredtoconverttheoldmillintoachurch。Lakelandswastoopoortobuildone； andthestillpoorermountaineerscouldnotassist。Therewasnoplaceofworshipnearerthantwentymiles。 Themilleralteredtheappearanceofthemillaslittleaspossible。Thebigovershot-wheelwasleftinitsplace。Theyoungpeoplewhocametothechurchusedtocuttheirinitialsinitssoftandslowlydecayingwood。Thedamwaspartlydestroyed，andtheclearmountainstreamrippleduncheckeddownitsrockybed。Insidethemillthechangesweregreater。 Theshaftsandmillstonesandbeltsandpulleyswere，ofcourse，allremoved。Thereweretworowsofbencheswithaislesbetween，andalittleraisedplatformandpulpitatoneend。Onthreesidesoverheadwasagallerycontainingseats，andreachedbyastairwayinside。Therewasalsoanorgan——arealpipeorgan——inthegallery，thatwastheprideofthecongregationoftheOldMillChurch。MissPhoebeSummerswastheorganist。TheLakelandsboysproudlytookturnsatpumpingitforherateachSunday’sservice。TheRev。Mr。Banbridgewasthepreacher，androdedownfromSquirrelGaponhisoldwhitehorsewithoutevermissingaservice。AndAbramStrongpaidforeverything。Hepaidthepreacherfivehundreddollarsayear；andMissPhoebetwohundreddollars。 Thus，inmemoryofAglaia，theoldmillwasconvertedintoablessingforthecommunityinwhichshehadoncelived。Itseemedthatthebrieflifeofthechildhadbroughtaboutmoregoodthanthethreescoreyearsandtenofmany。ButAbramStrongsetupyetanothermonumenttohermemory。 OutfromhismillsintheNorthwestcamethe\"Aglaia\"flour，madefromthehardestandfinestwheatthatcouldberaised。Thecountrysoonfoundoutthatthe\"Aglaia\"flourhadtwoprices。Onewasthehighestmarketprice，andtheotherwas——nothing。 Wherevertherehappenedacalamitythatleftpeopledestitute——afire，aflood，atornado，astrike，orafamine，therewouldgohurryingagenerousconsignmentofthe\"Aglaia\"atits\"nothing\"price。Itwasgivenawaycautiouslyandjudiciously，butitwasfreelygiven，andnotapennycouldthehungryonespayforit。Theregottobeasayingthatwhenevertherewasadisastrousfireinthepoordistrictsofacitythefirechief’sbuggyreachedthescenefirst，nextthe\"Aglaia\"flourwagon，andthenthefireengines。 SothiswasAbramStrong’sothermonumenttoAglaia。Perhapstoapoetthethememayseemtooutilitarianforbeauty；buttosomethefancywillseemsweetandfinethatthepure，white，virginflour，flyingonitsmissionofloveandcharity，mightbelikenedtothespiritofthelostchildwhosememoryitsignalized。 TherecameayearthatbroughthardtimestotheCumberlands。Graincropseverywherewerelight，andtherewerenolocalcropsatall。Mountainfloodshaddonemuchdamagetoproperty。Evengameinthewoodswassoscarcethatthehuntersbroughthardlyenoughhometokeeptheirfolkalive。EspeciallyaboutLakelandswastherigourfelt。 AssoonasAbramStrongheardofthishismessagesflew；andthelittlenarrow-gaugecarsbegantounload\"Aglaia\"flourthere。Themiller’sordersweretostoretheflourinthegalleryoftheOldMillChurch；andthateveryonewhoattendedthechurchwastocarryhomeasackofit。 TwoweeksafterthatAbramStrongcameforhisyearlyvisittotheEagleHouse，andbecame\"FatherAbram\"again。 ThatseasontheEagleHousehadfewergueststhanusual。AmongthemwasRoseChester。MissChestercametoLakelandsfromAtlanta，wheresheworkedinadepartmentstore。Thiswasthefirstvacationoutingofherlife。ThewifeofthestoremanagerhadoncespentasummerattheEagleHouse。ShehadtakenafancytoRose，andhadpersuadedhertogothereforherthreeweeks’holiday。Themanager’swifegaveheralettertoMrs。Rankin，whogladlyreceivedherinherownchargeandcare。 MissChesterwasnotverystrong。Shewasabouttwenty，andpaleanddelicatefromanindoorlife。ButoneweekofLakelandsgaveherabrightnessandspiritthatchangedherwonderfully。ThetimewasearlySeptemberwhentheCumberlandsareattheirgreatestbeauty。Themountainfoliagewasgrowingbrilliantwithautumnalcolours；onebreathedaerialchampagne，thenightsweredeliciouslycool，causingonetosnugglecosilyunderthewarmblanketsoftheEagleHouse。 FatherAbramandMissChesterbecamegreatfriends。TheoldmillerlearnedherstoryfromMrs。Rankin，andhisinterestwentoutquicklytotheslenderlonelygirlwhowasmakingherownwayintheworld。 ThemountaincountrywasnewtoMissChester。Shehadlivedmanyyearsinthewarm，flattownofAtlanta；andthegrandeurandvarietyoftheCumberlandsdelightedher。Shewasdeterminedtoenjoyeverymomentofherstay。Herlittlehoardofsavingshadbeenestimatedsocarefullyinconnectionwithherexpensesthatsheknewalmosttoapennywhatherverysmallsurpluswouldbewhenshereturnedtowork。 MissChesterwasfortunateingainingFatherAbramforafriendandcompanion。HekneweveryroadandpeakandslopeofthemountainsnearLakelands。Throughhimshebecameacquaintedwiththesolemndelightoftheshadowy，tiltedaislesofthepineforests，thedignityofthebarecrags，thecrystal，tonicmornings，thedreamy，goldenafternoonsfullofmysterioussadness。Soherhealthimproved，andherspiritsgrewlight。 ShehadalaughasgenialandheartyinitsfemininewayasthefamouslaughofFatherAbram。Bothofthemwerenaturaloptimists；andbothknewhowtopresentasereneandcheerfulfacetotheworld。 OnedayMissChesterlearnedfromoneofthegueststhehistoryofFatherAbram’slostchild。Quicklyshehurriedawayandfoundthemillerseatedonhisfavouriterusticbenchnearthechalybeatespring。Hewassurprisedwhenhislittlefriendslippedherhandintohis，andlookedathimwithtearsinhereyes。 \"Oh，FatherAbram，\"shesaid，\"I’msosorry！Ididn’tknowuntilto-dayaboutyourlittledaughter。Youwillfindheryetsomeday——Oh，Ihopeyouwill。\" Themillerlookeddownatherwithhisstrong，readysmile。 \"Thankyou，MissRose，\"hesaid，inhisusualcheerytones。\"ButIdonotexpecttofindAglaia。ForafewyearsIhopedthatshehadbeenstolenbyvagrants，andthatshestilllived；butIhavelostthathope。I believethatshewasdrowned。\" \"Icanunderstand，\"saidMissChester，\"howthedoubtmusthavemadeitsohardtobear。Andyetyouaresocheerfulandsoreadytomakeotherpeople’sburdenslight。GoodFatherAbram！\" \"GoodMissRose！\"mimickedthemiller，smiling。\"Whothinksofothersmorethanyoudo？\" AwhimsicalmoodseemedtostrikeMissChester。 \"Oh，FatherAbram，\"shecried，\"wouldn’titbegrandifIshouldprovetobeyourdaughter？Wouldn’titberomantic？Andwouldn’tyouliketohavemeforadaughter？\" \"Indeed，Iwould，\"saidthemiller，heartily。\"IfAglaiahadlivedI couldwishfornothingbetterthanforhertohavegrownuptobejustsuchalittlewomanasyouare。MaybeyouareAglaia，\"hecontinued，fallinginwithherplayfulmood；\"can’tyourememberwhenwelivedatthemill？\" MissChesterfellswiftlyintoseriousmeditation。Herlargeeyeswerefixedvaguelyuponsomethinginthedistance。FatherAbramwasamusedatherquickreturntoseriousness。Shesatthusforalongtimebeforeshespoke。 \"No，\"shesaidatlength，withalongsigh，\"Ican’trememberanythingatallaboutamill。Idon’tthinkthatIeversawaflourmillinmylifeuntilIsawyourfunnylittlechurch。AndifIwereyourlittlegirlI wouldrememberit，wouldn’tI？I’msosorry，FatherAbram。\" \"SoamI，\"saidFatherAbram，humouringher。\"Butifyoucannotrememberthatyouaremylittlegirl，MissRose，surelyyoucanrecollectbeingsomeoneelse’s。Yourememberyourownparents，ofcourse。\" \"Oh，yes；Irememberthemverywell——especiallymyfather。Hewasn’tabitlikeyou，FatherAbram。Oh，Iwasonlymakingbelieve：Come，now，you’verestedlongenough。Youpromisedtoshowmethepoolwhereyoucanseethetroutplaying，thisafternoon。Ineversawatrout。\" LateoneafternoonFatherAbramsetoutfortheoldmillalone。Heoftenwenttositandthinkoftheolddayswhenhelivedinthecottageacrosstheroad。Timehadsmoothedawaythesharpnessofhisgriefuntilhenolongerfoundthememoryofthosetimespainful。ButwheneverAbramStrongsatinthemelancholySeptemberafternoonsonthespotwhere\"Dums\"usedtorunineverydaywithheryellowcurlsflying，thesmilethatLakelandsalwayssawuponhisfacewasnotthere。 Themillermadehiswayslowlyupthewinding，steeproad。Thetreescrowdedsoclosetotheedgeofitthathewalkedintheirshade，withhishatinhishand。Squirrelsranplayfullyupontheoldrailfenceathisright。Quailswerecallingtotheiryoungbroodsinthewheatstubble。 Thelowsunsentatorrentofpalegolduptheravinethatopenedtothewest。EarlySeptember！——itwaswithinafewdaysonlyoftheanniversaryofAglaia’sdisappearance。 Theoldovershot-wheel，halfcoveredwithmountainivy，caughtpatchesofthewarmsunlightfilteringthroughthetrees。Thecottageacrosstheroadwasstillstanding，butitwoulddoubtlessgodownbeforethenextwinter’smountainblasts。Itwasoverrunwithmorninggloryandwildgourdvines，andthedoorhungbyonehinge。 FatherAbrampushedopenthemilldoor，andenteredsoftly。Andthenhestoodstill，wondering。Heheardthesoundofsomeonewithin，weepinginconsolably。Helooked，andsawMissChestersittinginadimpew，withherheadboweduponanopenletterthatherhandsheld。 FatherAbramwenttoher，andlaidoneofhisstronghandsfirmlyuponhers。Shelookedup，breathedhisname，andtriedtospeakfurther。 \"Notyet，MissRose，\"saidthemiller，kindly。\"Don’ttrytotalkyet。 There’snothingasgoodforyouasanice，quietlittlecrywhenyouarefeelingblue。\" Itseemedthattheoldmiller，whohadknownsomuchsorrowhimself，wasamagicianindrivingitawayfromothers。MissChester’ssobsgreweasier。Presentlyshetookherlittleplain-borderedhandkerchiefandwipedawayadroportwothathadfallenfromhereyesuponFatherAbram’sbighand。Thenshelookedupandsmiledthroughhertears。MissChestercouldalwayssmilebeforehertearshaddried，justasFatherAbramcouldsmilethroughhisowngrief。Inthatwaythetwowereverymuchalike。 Themilleraskedhernoquestions；butbyandbyMissChesterbegantotellhim。 Itwastheoldstorythatalwaysseemssobigandimportanttotheyoung，andthatbringsreminiscentsmilestotheirelders。Lovewasthetheme，asmaybesupposed。TherewasayoungmaninAtlanta，fullofallgoodnessandthegraces，whohaddiscoveredthatMissChesteralsopossessedthesequalitiesaboveallotherpeopleinAtlantaoranywhereelsefromGreenlandtoPatagonia。SheshowedFatherAbramtheletteroverwhichshehadbeenweeping。Itwasamanly，tenderletter，alittlesuperlativeandurgent，afterthestyleofloveletterswrittenbyyoungmenfullofgoodnessandthegraces。HeproposedforMissChester’shandinmarriageatonce。Life，hesaid，sinceherdepartureforathree-weeks’visit，wasnottobeendured。Hebeggedforanimmediateanswer；andifitwerefavourablehepromisedtofly，ignoringthenarrow-gaugerailroad，atoncetoLakelands。 \"Andnowwheredoesthetroublecomein？\"askedthemillerwhenhehadreadtheletter。 \"Icannotmarryhim，\"saidMissChester。 \"Doyouwanttomarryhim？\"askedFatherAbram。 \"Oh，Ilovehim，\"sheanswered，\"but——\"Downwentherheadandshesobbedagain。 \"Come，MissRose，\"saidthemiller；\"youcangivemeyourconfidence。I donotquestionyou，butIthinkyoucantrustme。\" \"Idotrustyou，\"saidthegirl。\"IwilltellyouwhyImustrefuseRalph。Iamnobody；Ihaven’tevenaname；thenameIcallmyselfisalie。Ralphisanobleman。Ilovehimwithallmyheart，butIcanneverbehis。\" \"Whattalkisthis？\"saidFatherAbram。\"Yousaidthatyourememberyourparents。Whydoyousayyouhavenoname？Idonotunderstand。\" \"Idorememberthem，\"saidMissChester。\"Irememberthemtoowell。MyfirstrecollectionsareofourlifesomewhereinthefarSouth。Wemovedmanytimestodifferenttownsandstates。Ihavepickedcotton，andworkedinfactories，andhaveoftengonewithoutenoughfoodandclothes。 Mymotherwassometimesgoodtome；myfatherwasalwayscruel，andbeatme。Ithinktheywerebothidleandunsettled。 \"OnenightwhenwewerelivinginalittletownonarivernearAtlantatheyhadagreatquarrel。ItwaswhiletheywereabusingandtauntingeachotherthatIlearned——oh，FatherAbram，IlearnedthatIdidn’tevenhavetherighttobe——don’tyouunderstand？Ihadnorighteventoaname；Iwasnobody。 \"Iranawaythatnight。IwalkedtoAtlantaandfoundwork。IgavemyselfthenameofRoseChester，andhaveearnedmyownlivingeversince。NowyouknowwhyIcannotmarryRalph——and，oh，Icannevertellhimwhy。\" Betterthananysympathy，morehelpfulthanpity，wasFatherAbram’sdepreciationofherwoes。 \"Why，dear，dear！isthatall？\"hesaid。\"Fie，fie！Ithoughtsomethingwasintheway。Ifthisperfectyoungmanisamanatallhewillnotcareapinchofbranforyourfamilytree。DearMissRose，takemywordforit，itisyourselfhecaresfor。Tellhimfrankly，justasyouhavetoldme，andI’llwarrantthathewilllaughatyourstory，andthinkallthemoreofyouforit。\" \"Ishallnevertellhim，\"saidMissChester，sadly。\"AndIshallnevermarryhimnoranyoneelse。Ihavenottheright。\" Buttheysawalongshadowcomebobbingupthesunlitroad。Andthencameashorteronebobbingbyitsside；andpresentlytwostrangefiguresapproachedthechurch。ThelongshadowwasmadebyMissPhoebeSummers，theorganist，cometopractise。TommyTeague，agedtwelve，wasresponsiblefortheshortershadow。ItwasTommy’sdaytopumptheorganforMissPhoebe，andhisbaretoesproudlyspurnedthedustoftheroad。 MissPhoebe，inherlilac-spraychintzdress，withheraccuratelittlecurlshangingovereachear，courtesiedlowtoFatherAbram，andshookhercurlsceremoniouslyatMissChester。Thensheandherassistantclimbedthesteepstairwaytotheorganloft。 Inthegatheringshadowsbelow，FatherAbramandMissChesterlingered。 Theyweresilent；anditislikelythattheywerebusywiththeirmemories。MissChestersat，leaningherheadonherhand，withhereyesfixedfaraway。FatherAbramstoodinthenextpew，lookingthoughtfullyoutofthedoorattheroadandtheruinedcottage。 Suddenlythescenewastransformedforhimbackalmostascoreofyearsintothepast。For，asTommypumpedaway，MissPhoebestruckalowbassnoteontheorganandheldittotestthevolumeofairthatitcontained。Thechurchceasedtoexist，sofarasFatherAbramwasconcerned。Thedeep，boomingvibrationthatshookthelittleframebuildingwasnonotefromanorgan，butthehummingofthemillmachinery。Hefeltsurethattheoldovershotwheelwasturning；thathewasbackagain，adusty，merrymillerintheoldmountainmill。Andnoweveningwascome，andsoonwouldcomeAglaiawithflyingcolours，toddlingacrosstheroadtotakehimhometosupper。FatherAbram’seyeswerefixeduponthebrokendoorofthecottage。 Andthencameanotherwonder。Inthegalleryoverheadthesacksofflourwerestackedinlongrows。Perhapsamousehadbeenatoneofthem； anywaythejarofthedeeporgannoteshookdownbetweenthecracksofthegalleryfloorastreamofflour，coveringFatherAbramfromheadtofootwiththewhitedust。Andthentheoldmillersteppedintotheaisle，andwavedhisarmsandbegantosingthemiller’ssong： \"Thewheelgoesround，Thegristisground，Thedustymiller’smerry。\" ——andthentherestofthemiraclehappened。MissChesterwasleaningforwardfromherpew，aspaleastheflouritself，herwide-openeyesstaringatFatherAbramlikeoneinawakingdream。Whenhebeganthesongshestretchedoutherarmstohim；herlipsmoved；shecalledtohimindreamytones：\"Da-da，cometakeDumshome！\" MissPhoebereleasedthelowkeyoftheorgan。Butherworkhadbeenwelldone。Thenotethatshestruckhadbeatendownthedoorsofaclosedmemory；andFatherAbramheldhislostAglaiacloseinhisarms。 WhenyouvisitLakelandstheywilltellyoumoreofthisstory。Theywilltellyouhowthelinesofitwereafterwardtraced，andthehistoryofthemiller’sdaughterrevealedafterthegipsywanderershadstolenheronthatSeptemberday，attractedbyherchildishbeauty。ButyoushouldwaituntilyousitcomfortablyontheshadedporchoftheEagleHouse，andthenyoucanhavethestoryatyourease。ItseemsbestthatourpartofitshouldclosewhileMissPhoebe’sdeepbassnotewasyetreverberatingsoftly。 Andyet，tomymind，thefinestthingofitallhappenedwhileFatherAbramandhisdaughterwerewalkingbacktotheEagleHouseinthelongtwilight，almosttoogladtospeak。 \"Father，\"shesaid，somewhattimidlyanddoubtfully，\"haveyouagreatdealofmoney？\" \"Agreatdeal？\"saidthemiller。\"Well，thatdepends。Thereisplentyunlessyouwanttobuythemoonorsomethingequallyexpensive。\" \"Woulditcostvery，verymuch，\"askedAglaia，whohadalwayscountedherdimessocarefully，\"tosendatelegramtoAtlanta？\" \"Ah，\"saidFatherAbram，withalittlesigh，\"Isee。YouwanttoaskRalphtocome。\" Aglaialookedupathimwithatendersmile。 \"Iwanttoaskhimtowait，\"shesaid。\"Ihavejustfoundmyfather，andIwantittobejustwetwoforawhile。Iwanttotellhimhewillhavetowait。\" XVIINEWYORKBYCAMPFIRELIGHT AwayoutintheCreekNationwelearnedthingsaboutNewYork。 Wewereonahuntingtrip，andwerecampedonenightonthebankofalittlestream。BudKingsburywasourskilledhunterandguide，anditwasfromhislipsthatwehadexplanationsofManhattanandthequeerfolksthatinhabitit。Budhadoncespentamonthinthemetropolis，andaweekortwoatothertimes，andhewaspleasedtodiscoursetousofwhathehadseen。 FiftyyardsawayfromourcampwaspitchedtheteepeeofawanderingfamilyofIndiansthathadcomeupandsettledthereforthenight。Anold，oldIndianwomanwastryingtobuildafireunderanironpothunguponthreesticks。 Budwentovertoherassistance，andsoonhadherfiregoing。Whenhecamebackwecomplimentedhimplayfullyuponhisgallantry。 \"Oh，\"saidBud，\"don’tmentionit。It’sawayIhave。WheneverIseealadytryingtocookthingsinapotandhavingtroubleIalwaysgototherescue。Idonethesamethingonceinahigh-tonedhousein。NewYorkCity。HeapbigsocietyteepeeonFifthAvenue。ThatInjunladykindofrecalledittomymind。Yes，Iendeavourstobepoliteandhelptheladiesout。\" Thecampdemandedtheparticulars。 \"IwasmanageroftheTriangleBRanchinthePanhandle，\"saidBud。\"ItwasownedatthattimebyoldmanSterling，ofNewYork。Hewantedtosellout，andhewroteformetocomeontoNewYorkandexplaintheranchtothesyndicatethatwantedtobuy。SoIsendstoFortWorthandhasafortydollarsuitofclothesmade，andhitsthetrailforthebigvillage。 \"Well，whenIgotthere，oldmanSterlingandhisoutfitcertainlylaidthemselvesouttobeagreeable。Wehadbusinessandpleasuresomixedupthatyoucouldn’ttellwhetheritwasatreatoratradehalfthetime。 Wehadtrolleyrides，andcigars，andtheatreround-ups，andrubberparties。\" \"Rubberparties？\"saidalistener，inquiringly。 \"Sure，\"saidBud。\"Didn’tyouneverattend’em？Youwalkaroundandtrytolookatthetopsoftheskyscrapers。Well，wesoldtheranch，andoldmanSterlingasksme’roundtohishousetotakegrubonthenightbeforeIstartedback。Itwasn’tanyhigh-collaredaffair——justmeandtheoldmanandhiswifeanddaughter。Buttheywasafine-hairedoutfitallright，andtheliliesofthefieldwasn’tinit。TheymademyFortWorthclothescarpenterlooklikeadealerinhorseblanketsandgeestrings。 Andthenthetablewasallpompouswithflowers，andtherewasawholekitoftoolslaidoutbesideeverybody’splate。You’dhavethoughtyouwasfixedouttoburglarizearestaurantbeforeyoucouldgetyourgrub。ButI’dbeeninNewYorkoveraweekthen，andIwasgettingontostylishways。Ikindoftrailedbehindandwatchedtheothersusethehardwaresupplies，andthenItackledthechuckwiththesameweapons。Itain’tmuchtroubletotravelwiththehigh-flyersafteryoufindouttheirgait。 Igotalongfine。Iwasfeelingcoolandagreeable，andprettysoonI wastalkingawayfluentasyouplease，allabouttheranchandtheWest，andtelling’emhowtheIndianseatgrasshopperstewandsnakes，andyouneversawpeoplesointerested。 \"ButtherealjoyofthatfeastwasthatMissSterling。Justalittletrickshewas，notbiggerthantwobitsworthofchewingplug；butshehadawayaboutherthatseemedtosayshewasthepeople，andyoubelievedit。Andyet，sheneverputonanyairs，andshesmiledatmethesameasifIwasamillionairewhileIwastellingaboutaCreekdogfeastandlistenedlikeitwasnewsfromhome。 \"Byandby，afterwehadeatoystersandsomewaterysoupandtruckthatneverwasinmyrepertory，aMethodistpreacherbringsinakindofcampstovearrangement，allsilver，onlonglegs，withalampunderit。 \"MissSterlinglightsupandbeginstodosomecookingrightonthesuppertable。IwonderedwhyoldmanSterlingdidn’thireacook，withallthemoneyhehad。Prettysoonshedishedoutsomecheesytastingtruckthatshesaidwasrabbit，butIsweartherehadneverbeenaMollycottontailinamileofit。 \"Thelastthingontheprogrammewaslemonade。Itwasbroughtaroundinlittleflatglassbowlsandsetbyyourplate。Iwasprettythirsty，andIpickedupmineandtookabigswigofit。Righttherewaswherethelittleladyhadmadeamistake。Shehadputinthelemonallright，butshe’dforgotthesugar。Thebesthousekeepersslipupsometimes。I thoughtmaybeMissSterlingwasjustlearningtokeephouseandcook—— thatrabbitwouldsurelymakeyouthinkso——andIsaystomyself，’Littlelady，sugarornosugarI’llstandbyyou，’andIraisesupmybowlagainanddrinksthelastdropofthelemonade。Andthenallthebalanceof’empicksuptheirbowlsanddoesthesame。AndthenIgivesMissSterlingthelaughproper，justtocarryitofflikeajoke，soshewouldn’tfeelbadaboutthemistake。 \"Afterweallwentintothesittingroomshesatdownandtalkedtomequiteawhile。 \"’Itwassokindofyou，Mr。Kingsbury，’saysshe，tobringmyblunderoffsonicely。Itwassostupidofmetoforgetthesugar。’ \"’Neveryoumind，’saysI，’someluckymanwillthrowhisropeoveramightyelegantlittlehousekeepersomeday，notfarfromhere。’ \"’Ifyoumeanme，Mr。Kingsbury，’saysshe，laughingoutloud，’Ihopehewillbeaslenientwithmypoorhousekeepingasyouhavebeen。’ \"’Don’tmentionit，’saysI。’Anythingtoobligetheladies。’\" Budceasedhisreminiscences。AndthensomeoneaskedhimwhatheconsideredthemoststrikingandprominenttraitofNewYorkers。 \"ThemostvisibleandpeculiartraitofNewYorkfolks，answeredBud，\"isNewYork。Mostof’emhasNewYorkonthebrain。Theyhaveheardofotherplaces，suchasWaco，andParis，andHotSprings，andLondon；buttheydon’tbelievein’em。TheythinkthattownisallMerino。NowtoshowyouhowmuchtheycarefortheirvillageI’lltellyouaboutoneof’emthatstrayedoutasfarastheTriangleBwhileIwasworkingthere。 \"ThisNewYorkercomeouttherelookingforajobontheranch。Hesaidhewasagoodhorsebackrider，andtherewaspiecesoftanbarkhangingonhisclothesyetfromhisridingschool。 \"Well，forawhiletheyputhimtokeepingbooksintheranchstore，forhewasadevilatfigures。Buthegottiredofthat，andaskedforsomethingmoreinthelineofactivity。Theboysontheranchlikedhimallright，buthemadeustiredshoutingNewYorkallthetime。Everynighthe’dtellusaboutEastRiverandJ。P。MorganandtheEdenMuseeandHettyGreenandCentralParktillweusedtothrowtinplatesandbrandingironsathim。 \"Onedaythischapgetsonapitchingpony，andtheponykindofsidleduphisbackandwenttoeatinggrasswhiletheNewYorkerwascomingdown。 \"Hecomedownonhisheadonachunkofmesquitwood，andhedidn’tshowanydesignstowardgettingupagain。Welaidhimoutinatent，andhebeguntolookprettydead。SoGideonPeasesaddlesupandburnsthewindforoldDocSleeper’sresidenceinDogtown，thirtymilesaway。 \"Thedoctorcomesoverandheinvestigatesthepatient。 \"’Boys，’sayshe，’youmightaswellgotoplayingseven-upforhissaddleandclothes，forhishead’sfracturedandifhelivestenminutesitwillbearemarkablecaseoflongevity。’ \"Ofcoursewedidn’tgambleforthepoorrooster’ssaddle——thatwasoneofDoc’sjokes。Butwestoodaroundfeelingsolemn，andallofusforgivehimforhavingtalkedustodeathaboutNewYork。 \"Ineversawanybodyabouttohandinhischecksactmorepeacefulthanthisfellow。Hiseyeswerefixed’wayupintheair，andhewasusingramblingwordstohimselfallaboutsweetmusicandbeautifulstreetsandwhite-robedforms，andhewassmilinglikedyingwasapleasure。 \"’He’saboutgonenow，’saidDoc。’Whenevertheybegintothinktheyseeheavenit’salloff。’ \"BlamedifthatNewYorkmandidn’tsitrightupwhenheheardtheDocsaythat。 \"’Say，’sayshe，kindofdisappointed，’wasthatheaven？Confounditall，IthoughtitwasBroadway。Someofyoufellowsgetmyclothes。I’mgoingtogetup。’ \"AndI’llbeblamed，\"concludedBud，\"ifhewasn’tonthetrainwithaticketforNewYorkinhispocketfourdaysafterward！\" XVIIITHEADVENTURESOFSHAMROCKJOLNES IamsofortunateastocountShamrockJolnes，thegreatNewYorkdetective，amongmymusteroffriends。Jolnesiswhatiscalledthe\"insideman\"ofthecitydetectiveforce。Heisanexpertintheuseofthetypewriter，anditishisduty，wheneverthereisa\"murdermystery\" tobesolved，tositatadesktelephoneatheadquartersandtakedownthemessagesof\"cranks\"who’phoneintheirconfessionstohavingcommittedthecrime。 Butoncertain\"off\"dayswhenconfessionsarecominginslowlyandthreeorfournewspapershaveruntoearthasmanydifferentguiltypersons，Jolneswillknockaboutthetownwithme，exhibiting，tomygreatdelightandinstruction，hismarvellouspowersofobservationanddeduction。 TheotherdayIdroppedinatHeadquartersandfoundthegreatdetectivegazingthoughtfullyatastringthatwastiedtightlyaroundhislittlefinger。 \"Goodmorning，Whatsup，\"hesaid，withoutturninghishead。\"I’mgladtonoticethatyou’vehadyourhousefittedupwithelectriclightsatlast。\" \"Willyoupleasetellme，\"Isaid，insurprise，\"howyouknewthat？IamsurethatInevermentionedthefacttoanyone，andthewiringwasarushordernotcompleteduntilthismorning。\" \"Nothingeasier，\"saidJolnes，genially。\"AsyoucameinIcaughttheodourofthecigaryouaresmoking。Iknowanexpensivecigar；andIknowthatnotmorethanthreemeninNewYorkcanaffordtosmokecigarsandpaygasbillstooatthepresenttime。Thatwasaneasyone。ButIamworkingjustnowonalittleproblemofmyown。\" \"Whyhaveyouthatstringonyourfinger？\"Iasked。 \"That’stheproblem，\"saidJolnes。\"MywifetiedthatonthismorningtoremindmeofsomethingIwastosenduptothehouse。Sitdown，Whatsup，andexcusemeforafewmoments。\" Thedistinguisheddetectivewenttoawalltelephone，andstoodwiththereceivertohisearforprobablytenminutes。 \"Wereyoulisteningtoaconfession？\"Iasked，whenhehadreturnedtohischair。 \"Perhaps，\"saidJolnes，withasmile，\"itmightbecalledsomethingofthesort。Tobefrankwithyou，Whatsup，I’vecutoutthedope。I’vebeenincreasingthequantityforsolongthatmorphinedoesn’thavemucheffectonmeanymore。I’vegottohavesomethingmorepowerful。ThattelephoneIjustwenttoisconnectedwitharoomintheWaldorfwherethere’sanauthor’sreadinginprogress。Now，togetatthesolutionofthisstring。\" Afterfiveminutesofsilentpondering，Jolneslookedatme，withasmile，andnoddedhishead。 \"Wonderfulman！\"Iexclaimed；\"already？\" \"Itisquitesimple，\"hesaid，holdinguphisfinger。\"Youseethatknot？Thatistopreventmyforgetting。Itis，therefore，aforget-me-knot。Aforget-me-notisaflower。ItwasasackofflourthatIwastosendhome！\" \"Beautiful！\"Icouldnothelpcryingoutinadmiration。 \"Supposewegooutforaramble，\"suggestedJolnes。