Thesymptomsweresuchasamedicalmanwouldpronounce’choleraic。’
IsayWOULDhavepronounced；for，onexamination，thesurgeonwasalsofoundtobe——er——inpain，and，Iregrettosay，expressinghimselfinlanguageunbecomingtheoccasion。Hisimpressionwas，thatsomepowerfuldrughadbeenadministered。OnreferringthequestiontoMr。Hawkins，herememberedthatthebottleofwhiskeypartakenbythemcontainedamedicinewhichhehadbeeninthehabitoftaking，butwhich，havingfailedtoactuponhim，hehadconcludedtobegenerallyineffective，andhadforgotten。Hisperfectwillingnesstoholdhimselfpersonallyresponsibletoeachoftheparties，hisgenuineconcernatthedisastrouseffectofthemistake，mingledwithhisownalarmatthestateofhissystem，which——er——failedto——er——respondtothepeculiarqualitiesofthemedicine，wasmostbecomingtohimasamanofhonorandagentleman。Afteranhour’sdelay，bothprincipalsbeingcompletelyexhausted，andabandonedbythesurgeon，whowasunreasonablyalarmedathisowncondition，Mr。HawkinsandIagreedtoremoveourmentoMarkleville。There，afterafurtherconsultationwithMr。
Hawkins，anamicableadjustmentofalldifficulties，honorabletobothparties，andgovernedbyprofoundsecrecy，wasarranged。I
believe，\"addedthecolonel，lookingaround，andsettingdownhisglass，\"nogentlemanhasyetexpressedhimselfotherthansatisfiedwiththeresult。\"
Perhapsitwasthecolonel’smanner；but，whateverwastheopinionofFiveForksregardingtheintellectualdisplayofMr。Hawkinsinthisaffair，therewasverylittleoutspokencriticismatthemoment。Inafewweeksthewholethingwasforgotten，exceptaspartofthenecessaryrecordofHawkins’sblunders，whichwasalreadyaprettyfullone。Again，somelaterfolliesconspiredtoobliteratethepast，until，ayearlater，avaluableleadwasdiscoveredinthe\"BlazingStar\"tunnel，inthehillwherehelived；andalargesumwasofferedhimforaportionofhislandonthehilltop。AccustomedasFiveForkshadbecometotheexhibitionofhisfolly，itwaswithastonishmentthattheylearnedthatheresolutelyanddecidedlyrefusedtheoffer。Thereasonthathegavewasstillmoreastounding，——hewasabouttobuild。
Tobuildahouseuponpropertyavailableformining-purposeswaspreposterous；tobuildatall，witharoofalreadycoveringhim，wasanactofextravagance；tobuildahouseofthestyleheproposedwassimplymadness。
Yetherewerefacts。Theplansweremade，andthelumberforthenewbuildingwasalreadyontheground，whiletheshaftofthe\"BlazingStar\"wasbeingsunkbelow。Thesitewas，inreality，averypicturesqueone，thebuildingitselfofastyleandqualityhithertounknowninFiveForks。Thecitizens，atfirstsceptical，duringtheirmomentsofrecreationandidlenessgathereddoubtinglyaboutthelocality。Daybyday，inthatclimateofrapidgrowths，thebuilding，pleasantlyknownintheslangofFiveForksasthe\"IdiotAsylum，\"rosebesidethegreenoaksandclusteringfirsofHawkinsHill，asifitwerepartofthenaturalphenomena。Atlastitwascompleted。ThenMr。Hawkinsproceededtofurnishitwithanexpensivenessandextravaganceofoutlayquiteinkeepingwithhisformeridiocy。Carpets，sofas，mirrors，andfinallyapiano，——theonlyoneknowninthecounty，andbroughtatgreatexpensefromSacramento，——keptcuriosityatafever-heat。Morethanthat，therewerearticlesandornamentswhichafewmarriedexpertsdeclaredonlyfitforwomen。Whenthefurnishingofthehousewascomplete，——ithadoccupiedtwomonthsofthespeculativeandcuriousattentionofthecamp，——Mr。Hawkinslockedthefront-door，putthekeyinhispocket，andquietlyretiredtohismorehumbleroof，loweronthehillside。
IhavenotdeemeditnecessarytoindicatetotheintelligentreaderallofthetheorieswhichobtainedinFiveForksduringtheerectionofthebuilding。Someofthemmaybereadilyimagined。
Thatthe\"Hag\"had，byartfulcoynessandsystematicreticence，atlastcompletelysubjugatedthe\"Fool，\"andthatthenewhousewasintendedforthenuptialbowerofthe（predestined）unhappypair，was，ofcourse，theprevailingopinion。Butwhen，afterareasonabletimehadelapsed，andthehousestillremaineduntenanted，themoreexasperatingconvictionforceditselfuponthegeneralmind，thatthe\"Fool\"hadbeenforthethirdtimeimposedupon；whentwomonthshadelapsed，andthereseemednoprospectofamistressforthenewhouse，——Ithinkpublicindignationbecamesostrong，that，hadthe\"Hag\"arrived，themarriagewouldhavebeenpubliclyprevented。Butnooneappearedthatseemedtoanswertothisideaofanavailabletenant；andallinquiryofMr。Hawkinsastohisintentioninbuildingahouse，andnotrentingit，oroccupyingit，failedtoelicitanyfurtherinformation。Thereasonsthathegavewerefelttobevague，evasive，andunsatisfactory。Hewasinnohurrytomove，hesaid。WhenheWAS
ready，itsurelywasnotstrangethatheshouldliketohavehishouseallreadytoreceivehim。Hewasoftenseenupontheveranda，ofasummerevening，smokingacigar。Itisreportedthatonenightthehousewasobservedtobebrilliantlylightedfromgarrettobasement；thataneighbor，observingthis，crepttowardtheopenparlor-window，and，lookingin，espiedthe\"Fool\"
accuratelydressedineveningcostume，lounginguponasofainthedrawing-room，withtheeasyairofsociallyentertainingalargeparty。Notwithstandingthis，thehousewasunmistakablyvacantthatevening，saveforthepresenceoftheowner，asthewitnessafterwardtestified。Whenthisstorywasfirstrelated，afewpracticalmensuggestedthetheorythatMr。Hawkinswassimplydrillinghimselfintheelaboratedutiesofhospitalityagainstaprobableeventinhishistory。Afewventuredthebeliefthatthehousewashaunted。TheimaginativeeditoroftheFiveForks\"Record\"evolvedfromthedepthsofhisprofessionalconsciousnessastorythatHawkins’ssweethearthaddied，andthatheregularlyentertainedherspiritinthisbeautifullyfurnishedmausoleum。
TheoccasionalspectacleofHawkins’stallfigurepacingtheverandaonmoonlightnightslentsomecredencetothistheory，untilanunlooked-forincidentdivertedallspeculationintoanotherchannel。
Itwasaboutthistimethatacertainwild，rudevalley，intheneighborhoodofFiveForks，hadbecomefamousasapicturesqueresort。Travellershadvisitedit，anddeclaredthatthereweremorecubicyardsofroughstonecliff，andawaterfallofgreaterheight，thananytheyhadvisited。Correspondentshadwrittenitupwithextravagantrhetoricandinordinatepoeticalquotation。
Menandwomenwhohadneverenjoyedasunset，atree，oraflower，whohadneverappreciatedthegraciousnessormeaningoftheyellowsunlightthatfleckedtheirhomelydoorways，orthetendernessofamidsummer’snight，towhosemoonlighttheybaredtheirshirt-
sleevesortheirtulledresses，camefromthousandsofmilesawaytocalculatetheheightofthisrock，toobservethedepthofthischasm，toremarkupontheenormoussizeofthisunsightlytree，andtobelievewithineffableself-complacencythattheyreallyadmiredNature。Andsoitcametopass，that，inaccordancewiththetastesorweaknessesoftheindividual，themoreprominentandsalientpointsofthevalleywerechristened；andtherewasa\"LaceHandkerchiefFall，\"andthe\"TearsofSympathyCataract，\"andonedistinguishedorator’s\"Peak，\"andseveral\"Mounts\"ofvariousnotedpeople，livingordead，andan\"Exclamation-Point，\"anda\"ValleyofSilentAdoration。\"And，incourseoftime，emptysoda-
waterbottleswerefoundatthebaseofthecataract，andgreasynewspapers，andfragmentsofham-sandwiches，layatthedustyrootsofgianttrees。Withthis，therewerefrequentirruptionsofclosely-shavenandtightly-cravatedmen，anddelicate，flower-facedwomen，intheonelongstreetofFiveForks，andascamperingofmules，andanoccasionalprocessionofdustybrown-linencavalry。
Ayearafter\"Hawkins’sIdiotAsylum\"wascompleted，onedaytheredriftedintothevalleyariotouscavalcadeof\"school-marms，\"
teachersoftheSanFranciscopublicschools，outforaholiday。
Notseverely-spectacledMinervas，andchastelyarmedandmailedPallases，but，Ifear，forthesecurityofFiveForks，veryhuman，charming，andmischievousyoungwomen。Atleast，sothementhought，workingintheditches，andtunnellingonthehillside；
andwhen，intheinterestsofscience，andthementaladvancementofjuvenileposterity，itwasfinallysettledthattheyshouldstayinFiveForkstwoorthreedaysforthesakeofvisitingthevariousmines，andparticularlythe\"BlazingStar\"tunnel，therewassomeflutterofmasculineanxiety。Therewasaconsiderableinquiryfor\"store-clothes，\"ahopelessoverhaulingofoldanddisusedraiment，andageneraldemandfox\"boiledshirts\"andthebarber。
Meanwhile，withthatsupremeaudacityandimpudenthardihoodofthesexwhengregarious，theschool-marmsrodethroughthetown，admiringopenlythehandsomefacesandmanlyfiguresthatlookedupfromtheditches，orrosebehindthecarsoforeatthemouthsoftunnels。Indeed，itisallegedthatJennyForester，backedandsupportedbysevenotherequallyshamelessyoungwomen，hadopenlyandpubliclywavedherhandkerchieftothefloridHerculesofFiveForks，oneTomFlynn，formerlyofVirginia，leavingthatgood-
naturedbutnotover-brightgiantpullinghisblondemustachesinbashfulamazement。
ItwasapleasantJuneafternoonthatMissMillyArnot，principaloftheprimarydepartmentofoneofthepublicschoolsofSanFrancisco，havingevadedhercompanions，resolvedtoputintooperationaplanwhichhadlatelysprungupinhercourageousandmischief-lovingfancy。Withthatwonderfulandmysteriousinstinctofhersex，fromwhomnosecretsoftheaffectionsarehid，andtowhomallheartsarelaidopen，shehadheardthestoryofHawkins’sfolly，andtheexistenceofthe\"IdiotAsylum。\"Alone，onHawkinsHill，shehaddeterminedtopenetrateitsseclusion。Skirtingtheunderbrushatthefootofthehill，shemanagedtokeeptheheaviesttimberbetweenherselfandthe\"BlazingStar\"tunnelatitsbase，aswellasthecabinofHawkins，half-wayuptheascent，until，byacircuitousroute，atlastshereached，unobserved，thesummit。Beforeherrose，silent，darkened，andmotionless，theobjectofhersearch。Herehercouragefailedher，withallthecharacteristicinconsequenceofhersex。Asuddenfearofallthedangersshehadsafelypassed——bears，tarantulas，drunkenmen，andlizards——cameuponher。Foramoment，assheafterwardexpressedit，\"shethoughtsheshoulddie。\"Withthisbelief，probably，shegatheredthreelargestones，whichshecouldhardlylift，forthepurposeofthrowingagreatdistance；puttwohair-pinsinhermouth；andcarefullyre-adjustedwithbothhandstwostraybraidsofherlovelyblue-blackmane，whichhadfalleningatheringthestones。Thenshefeltinthepocketsofherlinendusterforhercard-case，handkerchief，pocketbook，andsmelling-bottle，and，findingthemintact，suddenlyassumedanairofeasy，ladylikeunconcern，wentupthestepsoftheveranda，anddemurelypulledthefrontdoorbell，whichsheknewwouldnotbeanswered。Afteradecentpause，shewalkedaroundtheencompassingveranda，examiningtheclosedshuttersoftheFrenchwindowsuntilshefoundonethatyieldedtohertouch。Hereshepausedagaintoadjusthercoquettishhatbythemirror-likesurfaceofthelongsash-window，thatreflectedthefulllengthofherprettyfigure。Andthensheopenedthewindow，andenteredtheroom。
Althoughlongclosed，thehousehadasmellofnewnessandoffreshpaint，thatwasquiteunlikethemouldinessoftheconventionalhauntedhouse。Thebrightcarpets，thecheerfulwalls，theglisteningoil-cloths，werequiteinconsistentwiththeideaofaghost。Withchildishcuriosity，shebegantoexplorethesilenthouse，atfirsttimidly，——openingthedoorswithaviolentpush，andthensteppingbackfromthethresholdtomakegoodapossibleretreat，——andthenmoreboldly，asshebecameconvincedofhersecurityandabsoluteloneliness。Inoneofthechambers——thelargest——therewerefreshflowersinavase，evidentlygatheredthatmorning；and，whatseemedstillmoreremarkable，thepitchersandewerswerefreshlyfilledwithwater。ThisobligedMissMillytonoticeanothersingularfact，namely，thatthehousewasfreefromdust，theonemostobtrusiveandpenetratingvisitorofFiveForks。Thefloorsandcarpetshadbeenrecentlyswept，thechairsandfurniturecarefullywipedanddusted。IfthehouseWAS
haunted，itwaspossessedbyaspiritwhohadnoneoftheusualindifferencetodecayandmould。Andyetthebedshadevidentlyneverbeensleptin，theveryspringsofthechairinwhichshesatcreakedstifflyatthenovelty；thecloset-doorsopenedwiththereluctanceoffreshpaintandvarnish；andinspiteofthewarmth，cleanliness，andcheerfulnessoffurnitureanddecoration，therewasnoneoftheeaseoftenancyandoccupation。AsMissMillyafterwardconfessed，shelongedto\"tumblethingsaround；\"and，whenshereachedtheparlorordrawing-roomagain，shecouldhardlyresistthedesire。Particularlywasshetemptedbyaclosedpiano，thatstoodmutelyagainstthewall。Shethoughtshewouldopenitjusttoseewhowasthemaker。Thatdone，itwouldbenoharmtotryitstone。Shedidso，withonelittlefootonthesoftpedal。
ButMissMillywastoogoodaplayer，andtooenthusiasticamusician，tostopathalf-measures。Shetrieditagain，thistimesosincerely，thatthewholehouseseemedtospringintovoice。
Thenshestoppedandlistened。Therewasnoresponse：theemptyroomsseemedtohaverelapsedintotheiroldstillness。Shesteppedoutontheveranda。Awoodpeckerrecommencedhistappingonanadjacenttree：therattleofacartintherockygulchbelowthehillcamefaintlyup。Noonewastobeseenfarornear。MissMilly，re-assured，returned。Sheagainranherfingersoverthekeys，stopped，caughtatamelodyrunninginhermind，halfplayedit，andthenthrewawayallcaution。Beforefiveminuteshadelapsed，shehadentirelyforgottenherself，andwithherlinendusterthrownaside，herstrawhatflungonthepiano，herwhitehandsbared，andablackloopofherbraidedhairhanginguponhershoulder，wasfairlyembarkeduponaflowingseaofmusicalrecollection。
Shehadplayed，perhaps，halfanhour，whenhavingjustfinishedanelaboratesymphony，andrestingherhandsonthekeys，sheheardverydistinctlyandunmistakablythesoundofapplausefromwithout。Inaninstantthefiresofshameandindignationleapedintohercheeks；andsherosefromtheinstrument，andrantothewindow，onlyintimetocatchsightofadozenfiguresinblueandredflannelshirtsvanishinghurriedlythroughthetreesbelow。
MissMilly’smindwasinstantlymadeup。IthinkIhavealreadyintimated，that，underthestimulusofexcitement，shewasnotwantingincourage；andasshequietlyresumedhergloves，hat，andduster，shewasnot，perhaps，exactlytheyoungpersonthatitwouldbeentirelysafeforthetimid，embarrassed，orinexperiencedofmysextomeetalone。Sheshutdownthepiano；andhavingcarefullyreclosedallthewindowsanddoors，andrestoredthehousetoitsformerdesolatecondition，shesteppedfromtheveranda，andproceededdirectlytothecabinoftheunintellectualHawkins，thatreareditsadobechimneyabovetheumbrageaquarterofamilebelow。
Thedooropenedinstantlytoherimpulsiveknock，andthe\"FoolofFiveForks\"stoodbeforeher。MissMillyhadneverbeforeseenthemandesignatedbythisinfelicitoustitle；andashesteppedbackward，inhalfcourtesyandhalfastonishment，shewas，forthemoment，disconcerted。Hewastall，finelyformed，anddark-
bearded。Abovecheeksalittlehollowedbycareandill-healthshoneapairofhazeleyes，verylarge，verygentle，butinexpressiblysadandmournful。ThiswascertainlynotthekindofmanMissMillyhadexpectedtosee；yet，afterherfirstembarrassmenthadpassed，theverycircumstance，oddlyenough，addedtoherindignation，andstungherwoundedpridestillmoredeeply。Nevertheless，thearchhypocriteinstantlychangedhertacticswiththeswiftintuitionofhersex。
\"Ihavecome，\"shesaidwithadazzlingsmile，infinitelymoredangerousthanherformerdignifiedseverity，——\"IhavecometoaskyourpardonforagreatlibertyIhavejusttaken。Ibelievethenewhouseaboveusonthehillisyours。Iwassomuchpleasedwithitsexterior，thatIleftmyfriendsforamomentbelowhere，\"
shecontinuedartfully，withaslightwaveofthehand，asifindicatingabandoffearlessAmazonswithout，andwaitingtoavengeanypossibleinsultofferedtooneoftheirnumber，\"andventuredtoenterit。Findingitunoccupied，asIhadbeentold，I
amafraidIhadtheaudacitytositdownandamusemyselfforafewmomentsatthepiano，whilewaitingformyfriends。\"
Hawkinsraisedhisbeautifuleyestohers。Hesawaveryprettygirl，withfrankgrayeyesglisteningwithexcitement，withtwored，slightlyfreckledcheeksglowingalittleunderhiseyes，withashortscarletupper-lipturnedback，likearose-leaf，overalittlelineofwhiteteeth，asshebreathedsomewhathurriedlyinhernervousexcitement。Hesawallthiscalmly，quietly，and，saveforthenaturaluneasinessofashy，reticentman，Ifearwithoutaquickeningofhispulse。
\"Iknowedit，\"hesaidsimply。\"IheerdyeasIkemup。\"
MissMillywasfuriousathisgrammar，hisdialect，hiscoolness，and，stillmore，atthesuspicionthathewasanactivememberofherinvisibleelaque。
\"Ah！\"shesaid，stillsmiling。\"ThenIthinkIheardYOU\"——
\"Ireckonnot，\"heinterruptedgravely。\"Ididn’tstaylong。I
foundtheboyshangingroundthehouse，andIallowedatfirstI’dgoinandkinderwarnyou；buttheypromisedtokeepstill：andyoulookedsocomfortable，andwrappedupinyourmusic，thatIhadn’tthehearttodisturbyou，andkemaway。Ihope，\"headdedearnestly，\"theydidn’tletoneztheyheerdyou。Theyain’tabadlot，——themBlazin’Starboys——thoughthey’realittlehardattimes。Butthey’dnomorehurtyethentheywoulda——a——acat！\"
continuedMr。Hawkins，blushingwithafaintapprehensionoftheineleganceofhissimile。
\"No，no！\"saidMissMilly，feelingsuddenlyveryangrywithherself，the\"Fool，\"andtheentiremalepopulationofFiveForks。
\"No！Ihavebehavedfoolishly，Isuppose——and，iftheyHAD，itwouldhaveservedmeright。ButIonlywantedtoapologizetoyou。
You’llfindeverythingasyouleftit。Good-day！\"
Sheturnedtogo。Mr。Hawkinsbegantofeelembarrassed。\"I’dhaveaskedyetositdown，\"hesaidfinally，\"ifithedbeenaplacefitforalady。Ioughterdoneso，ennyway。Idon’tknowwhatkeptmefromit。ButIain’twell，miss。TimesIgetasorto’dumbager，——it’stheditches，Ithink，miss，——andIdon’tseemtohevmywitsaboutme。\"
InstantlyMissArnotwasallsympathy：herquickwoman’sheartwastouched。
\"CanI——cananythingbedone？\"sheaskedmoretimidlythanshehadbeforespoken。
\"No——notonlessyeremembersuthin’aboutthesepills。\"Heexhibitedaboxcontainingabouthalfadozen。\"Iforgetthedirection——Idon’tseemtoremembermuch，anyway，thesetimes。
They’re’Jones’sVegetableCompound。’Ifye’veevertook’em，ye’llrememberwhetherthereg’lardoseiseight。Theyain’tbutsixhere。Butperhapsyenevertukany，\"headdeddeprecatingly。
\"No，\"saidMissMillycurtly。Shehadusuallyakeensenseoftheludicrous；butsomehowMr。Hawkins’seccentricityonlypainedher。
\"Willyouletmeseeyoutothefootofthehill？\"hesaidagain，afteranotherembarrassingpause。
MissArnotfeltinstantlythatsuchanactwouldcondonehertrespassintheeyesoftheworld。Shemightmeetsomeofherinvisibleadmirers，orevenhercompanions；and，withallhererraticimpulses，shewas，nevertheless，awoman，anddidnotentirelydespisetheverdictofconventionality。Shesmiledsweetly，andassented；andinanothermomentthetwowerelostintheshadowsofthewood。
Likemanyotherapparentlytrivialactsinanuneventfullife，itwasdecisive。Assheexpected，shemettwoorthreeofherlateapplauders，whom，shefancied，lookedsheepishandembarrassed；shemet，also，hercompanionslookingforherinsomealarm，whoreallyappearedastonishedatherescort，and，shefancied，atrifleenviousofherevidentsuccess。IfearthatMissArnot，inresponsetotheiranxiousinquiries，didnotstateentirelythetruth，but，withoutactualassertion，ledthemtobelievethatshehad，ataveryearlystageoftheproceeding，completelysubjugatedthisweak-mindedgiant，andhadbroughthimtriumphantlytoherfeet。Fromtellingthisstorytwoorthreetimes，shegotfinallytobelievingthatshehadsomefoundationforit，thentoavaguesortofdesirethatitwouldeventuallyprovetobetrue，andthentoanequallyvagueyearningtohastenthatconsummation。Thatitwouldredoundtoanysatisfactionofthe\"Fool\"shedidnotstoptodoubt。Thatitwouldcurehimofhisfollyshewasquiteconfident。
Indeed，thereareveryfewofus，menorwomen，whodonotbelievethatevenahopelessloveforourselvesismoreconducivetothesalvationoftheloverthanarequitedaffectionforanother。
ThecriticismofFiveForkswas，asthereadermayimagine，swiftandconclusive。WhenitwasfoundoutthatMissArnotwasnotthe\"Hag\"masqueradingasayoungandprettygirl，totheultimatedeceptionofFiveForksingeneral，andthe\"Fool\"inparticular，itwasatoncedecidedthatnothingbutthespeedyunionofthe\"Fool\"andthe\"prettyschool-marm\"wasconsistentwithordinarycommonsense。Thesingulargood-fortuneofHawkinswasquiteinaccordancewiththetheoryofhisluckaspropoundedbythecamp。
That，afterthe\"Hag\"failedtomakeherappearance，heshould\"strikealead\"inhisownhouse，withoutthetroubleof\"prospectin’，\"seemedtothesecasuistsasawonderfulbutinevitablelaw。Toaddtothesefatefulprobabilities，MissArnotfell，andsprainedherankle，intheascentofMountLincoln，andwasconfinedforsomeweekstothehotelafterhercompanionshaddeparted。Duringthisperiod，Hawkinswascivillybutgrotesquelyattentive。When，afterareasonabletimehadelapsed，therestillappearedtobenoimmediateprospectoftheoccupancyofthenewhouse，publicopinionexperiencedasingularchangeinregardtoitstheoriesofMr。Hawkins’sconduct。The\"Hag\"waslookeduponasasaint-likeandlong-sufferingmartyrtotheweaknessesandinconsistencyofthe\"Fool。\"That，aftererectingthisnewhouseatherrequest，hehadsuddenly\"goneback\"onher；thathiscelibacywastheresultofalonghabitofweakproposalandsubsequentshamelessrejection；andthathewasnowtryinghishandonthehelplessschoolmarm，wasperfectlyplaintoFiveForks。
Thatheshouldbefrustratedinhisattemptsatanycostwasequallyplain。MissMillysuddenlyfoundherselfinvestedwitharudechivalrythatwouldhavebeenamusing，haditnotbeenattimesembarrassing；thatwouldhavebeenimpertinent，butforthealmostsuperstitiousrespectwithwhichitwasproffered。EverydaysomebodyfromFiveForksrodeouttoinquirethehealthofthefairpatient。\"HezHawkinsbinoveryerto-day？\"queriedTomFlynn，withartfuleaseandindifference，asheleanedoverMissMilly’seasy-chairontheveranda。MissMilly，withafaintpinkflushonhercheek，wasconstrainedtoanswer，\"No。\"\"Well，hesortersprainedhisfootaginarockyesterday，\"continuedFlynnwithshamelessuntruthfulness。\"Youmus’n’tthinkanythingo’
that，MissArnot。He’llbeoveryerto-morrer；andmeantimehetoldmetohandthisyerbookaywithhisre-gards，andthisyerspecimen。\"AndMr。Flynnlaiddowntheflowershehadpickedenrouteagainstsuchanemergency，andpresentedrespectfullyapieceofquartzandgold，whichhehadtakenthatmorningfromhisownsluice-box。\"Youmus’n’tmindHawkins’sways，MissMilly，\"saidanothersympathizingminer。\"Thereain’tabettermanincampthanthattheerCyHawkins——buthedon’tunderstandthewayso’theworldwithwimen。Hehasn’tmixedasmuchwithsocietyastherestofus，\"headded，withanelaborateChesterfieldianeaseofmanner；
\"buthemeanswell。\"MeanwhileafewothersympathetictunnelmenwereimpressinguponMr。Hawkinsthenecessityofthegreatestattentiontotheinvalid。\"Itwon’tdo，Hawkins，\"theyexplained，\"toletthattheregalgobacktoSanFranciscoandsay，that，whenshewassickandalone，theonlymaninFiveForksunderwhoseroofshehadrested，andatwhosetableshehadsat\"（thiswasconsideredanaturalbutpardonableexaggerationofrhetoric）\"everthrewoffonher；anditsha’n’tbedone。Itain’tthesquarethingtoFiveForks。\"Andthenthe\"Fool\"wouldrushawaytothevalley，andbereceivedbyMissMillywithacertainreserveofmannerthatfinallydisappearedinaflushofcolor，someincreasedvivacity，andapardonablecoquetry。Andsothedayspassed。MissMillygrewbetterinhealth，andmoretroubledinmind；andMr。
Hawkinsbecamemoreandmoreembarrassed；andFiveForkssmiled，andrubbeditshands，andwaitedfortheapproachingdenoument。
Andthenitcame——butnot，perhaps，inthemannerthatFiveForkshadimagined。
ItwasalovelyafternooninJulythatapartyofEasterntouristsrodeintoFiveForks。Theyhadjust\"done\"theValleyofBigThings；and，therebeingoneortwoEasterncapitalistsamongtheparty，itwasdeemedadvisablethataproperknowledgeofthepracticalmining-resourcesofCaliforniashouldbeaddedtotheirexperienceofthemerelypicturesqueinNature。Thusfareverythinghadbeensatisfactory；theamountofwaterwhichpassedovertheFallwaslarge，owingtoabackwardseason；somesnowstillremainedinthecanyonsnearthehighestpeaks；theyhadriddenroundoneofthebiggesttrees，andthroughtheprostratetrunkofanother。Tosaythattheyweredelightedistoexpressfeeblytheenthusiasmoftheseladiesandgentlemen，drunkwiththechampagnyhospitalityoftheirentertainers，theutternoveltyofscene，andthedry，exhilaratingairofthevalley。Oneortwohadalreadyexpressedthemselvesreadytoliveanddiethere；anotherhadwrittenaglowingaccounttotheEasternpress，depreciatingallothersceneryinEuropeandAmerica；and，underthesecircumstances，itwasreasonablyexpectedthatFiveForkswoulddoitsduty，andequallyimpressthestrangerafteritsownfashion。
LetterstothiseffectweresentfromSanFranciscobyprominentcapitaliststhere；and，undertheablesuperintendenceofoneoftheiragents，thevisitorsweretakeninhand，shown\"whatwastobeseen，\"carefullyrestrainedfromobservingwhatoughtnottobevisible，andsokeptinablissfulandenthusiasticcondition。AndsothegraveyardofFiveForks，inwhichbuttwooftheoccupantshaddiednaturaldeaths；thedreary，raggedcabinsonthehillsides，withtheirsad-eyed，cynical，broken-spiritedoccupants，toilingondaybydayforamiserablepittance，andafarethataself-respectingEasternmechanicwouldhavescornfullyrejected，——
werenotapartoftheEasternvisitors’recollection。Butthehoistingworksandmachineryofthe\"BlazingStarTunnelCompany\"
was，——theBlazingStarTunnelCompany，whose\"gentlemanlysuperintendent\"hadreceivedprivateinformationfromSanFranciscotodothe\"properthing\"fortheparty。Whereforethevaluableheapsoforeinthecompany’sworkswereshown；theoblongbarsofgold，readyforshipment，wereplayfullyofferedtotheladieswhocouldliftandcarrythemawayunaided；andeventhetunnelitself，gloomy，fateful，andpeculiar，wasshownaspartoftheexperience；
and，inthenoblelanguageofonecorrespondent，\"ThewealthofFiveForks，andthepeculiarinducementsthatitofferedtoEasterncapitalists，\"wereestablishedbeyondadoubt。Andthenoccurredalittleincident，which，asanunbiassedspectator，Iamfreetosayofferednoinducementstoanybodywhatever，butwhich，foritsbearinguponthecentralfigureofthisveraciouschronicle，I
cannotpassover。
Ithadbecomeapparenttooneortwomorepracticalandsober-
mindedintheparty，thatcertainportionsofthe\"BlazingStar\"
tunnel（owing，perhaps，totheexigenciesofaflatteringannualdividend）wereeconomicallyandimperfectly\"shored\"andsupported，andwere，consequently，unsafe，insecure，andtobeavoided。
Nevertheless，atatimewhenchampagnecorkswerepoppingindarkcorners，andenthusiasticvoicesandhappylaughterrangthroughthehalf-lightedlevelsandgalleries，therecameasuddenandmysterioussilence。Afewlightsdashedswiftlybyinthedirectionofadistantpartofthegallery，andthentherewasasuddensharpissuingoforders，andadull，ominousrumble。Someofthevisitorsturnedpale：onewomanfainted。
Somethinghadhappened。What？\"Nothing\"（thespeakerisfluent，butuneasy）——\"oneofthegentlemen，intryingtodislodgea’specimen’fromthewall，hadknockedawayasupport。Therehadbeena’cave’——thegentlemanwascaught，andburiedbelowhisshoulders。Itwasallright，they’dgethimoutinamoment——onlyitrequiredgreatcaretokeepfromextendingthe’cave。’Didn’tknowhisname。Itwasthatlittleman，thehusbandofthatlivelyladywiththeblackeyes。Eh！Hullo，there！Stopher！ForGod’ssake！Notthatway！She’llfallfromthatshaft。She’llbekilled！\"
Butthelivelyladywasalreadygone。Withstaringblackeyes，imploringlytryingtopiercethegloom，withhandsandfeetthatsoughttobatterandbreakdownthethickdarkness，withincoherentcriesandsupplicationsfollowingthemovingofignisfatuuslightsahead，sheran，andranswiftly！——ranovertreacherousfoundations，ranbyyawninggulfs，ranpastbranchinggalleriesandarches，ranwildly，randespairingly，ranblindly，andatlastranintothearmsofthe\"FoolofFiveForks。\"
Inaninstantshecaughtathishand。\"Oh，savehim！\"shecried。
\"Youbelonghere；youknowthisdreadfulplace：bringmetohim。
Tellmewheretogo，andwhattodo，Iimploreyou！Quick，heisdying！Come！\"
Heraisedhiseyestohers，andthen，withasuddencry，droppedtheropeandcrowbarhewascarrying，andreeledagainstthewall。
\"Annie！\"hegaspedslowly。\"Isityou？\"
Shecaughtatbothhishands，broughtherfacetohiswithstaringeyes，murmured，\"GoodGod，Cyrus！\"andsankuponherkneesbeforehim。
Hetriedtodisengagethehandthatshewrungwithpassionateentreaty。
\"No，no！Cyrus，youwillforgiveme——youwillforgetthepast！
Godhassentyouhereto-day。Youwillcomewithme。Youwill——
youmust——savehim！\"
\"Savewho？\"criedCyrushoarsely。
\"Myhusband！\"
Theblowwassodirect，sostrongandoverwhelming，that，eventhroughherownstrongerandmoreselfishabsorption，shesawitinthefaceoftheman，andpitiedhim。
\"Ithought——you——knew——it，\"shefaltered。
Hedidnotspeak，butlookedatherwithfixed，dumbeyes。Andthenthesoundofdistantvoicesandhurryingfeetstartedheragainintopassionatelife。Sheoncemorecaughthishand。
\"OCyrus，hearme！Ifyouhavelovedmethroughalltheseyears，youwillnotfailmenow。Youmustsavehim！Youcan！Youarebraveandstrong——youalwayswere，Cyrus。Youwillsavehim，Cyrus，formysake，forthesakeofyourloveforme！Youwill——
Iknowit。Godblessyou！\"
Sheroseasiftofollowhim，but，atagestureofcommand，shestoodstill。Hepickeduptheropeandcrowbarslowly，andinadazed，blindedway，that，inheragonyofimpatienceandalarm，seemedprotractedtocruelinfinity。Thenheturned，and，raisingherhandtohislips，kisseditslowly，lookedatheragain，andthenextmomentwasgone。
Hedidnotreturn；forattheendofthenexthalf-hour，whentheylaidbeforeherthehalf-conscious，breathingbodyofherhusband，safeandunharmed，butforexhaustionandsomeslightbruises，shelearnedthattheworstfearsoftheworkmenhadbeenrealized。Inreleasinghim，asecondcavehadtakenplace。Theyhadbarelytimetosnatchawaythehelplessbodyofherhusband，beforethestrongframeofhisrescuer，CyrusHawkins，wasstruckandsmittendowninhisplace。
Fortwohourshelaythere，crushedandbroken-limbed，withaheavybeamlyingacrosshisbreast，insightofall，consciousandpatient。Fortwohourstheyhadlaboredaroundhim，wildly，despairingly，hopefully，withthewillsofgodsandthestrengthofgiants；andattheendofthattimetheycametoanuprighttimber，whichresteditsbaseuponthebeam。Therewasacryforaxes，andonewasalreadyswingingintheair，whenthedyingmancalledtothemfeebly，——
\"Don’tcutthatupright！\"
\"Why？\"
\"Itwillbringdownthewholegallerywithit。\"
\"How？\"
\"It’soneofthefoundationsofmyhouse。\"
Theaxefellfromtheworkman’shand，andwithablanchedfaceheturnedtohisfellows。Itwastootrue。Theywereintheuppermostgallery；andthe\"cave\"hadtakenplacedirectlybelowthenewhouse。Afterapause，the\"Fool\"spokeagainmorefeebly。
\"Thelady——quick！\"
Theybroughther，——awretched，faintingcreature，withpallidfaceandstreamingeyes，——andfellbackasshebentherfaceabovehim。
\"Itwasbuiltforyou，Anniedarling，\"hesaidinahurriedwhisper，\"andhasbeenwaitingupthereforyouandmealltheselongdays。it’sdeededtoyou，Annie；andyoumust——livethere——
withHIM！HewillnotmindthatIshallbealwaysnearyou；foritstandsabove——mygrave。\"
Andhewasright。Inafewminuteslater，whenhehadpassedaway，theydidnotmovehim，butsatbyhisbodyallnightwithatorchathisfeetandhead。Andthenextdaytheywalledupthegalleryasavault；buttheyputnomarkoranysignthereon，trusting，rather，tothemonument，that，brightandcheerful，roseabovehiminthesunlightofthehill。Andthosewhoheardthestorysaid，\"Thisisnotanevidenceofdeathandgloomandsorrow，asareothermonuments，butisasignoflifeandlightandhope，whereforeshallallknowthathewholiesunderitiswhatmencall——\"afool。\"
BABYSYLVESTER。
Itwasatalittlemining-campintheCaliforniaSierrasthathefirstdawneduponmeinallhisgrotesquesweetness。
Ihadarrivedearlyinthemorning，butnotintimetointerceptthefriendwhowastheobjectofmyvisit。Hehadgone\"prospecting，\"——sotheytoldmeontheriver，——andwouldnotprobablyreturnuntillateintheafternoon。Theycouldnotsaywhatdirectionhehadtaken；theycouldnotsuggestthatIwouldbelikelytofindhimifIfollowed。ButitwasthegeneralopinionthatIhadbetterwait。
Ilookedaroundme。Iwasstandinguponthebankoftheriver；
andapparentlytheonlyotherhumanbeingsintheworldweremyinterlocutors，whowereeventhenjustdisappearingfrommyhorizon，downthesteepbank，towardtheriver’sdrybed。I
approachedtheedgeofthebank。
WherecouldIwait？
Oh！anywhere，——downwiththemontheriver-bar，wheretheywereworking，ifIliked。OrIcouldmakemyselfathomeinanyofthosecabinsthatIfoundlyingroundloose。Orperhapsitwouldbecoolerandpleasanterformeinmyfriend’scabinonthehill。
DidIseethosethreelargesugar-pines，and，alittletotheright，acanvasroofandchimney，overthebushes？Well，thatwasmyfriend’s，——thatwasDickSylvester’scabin。Icouldstakemyhorseinthatlittlehollow，andjusthangroundtheretillhecame。Iwouldfindsomebooksintheshanty。IcouldamusemyselfwiththemorIcouldplaywiththebaby。
Dowhat？
Buttheyhadalreadygone。Ileanedoverthebank，andcalledaftertheirvanishingfigures，——\"WhatdidyousayIcoulddo？\"Theanswerfloatedslowlyuponthehot，sluggishair，——
\"Pla-a-ywiththeba-by。\"
Thelazyechoestookitup，andtosseditlanguidlyfromhilltohill，untilBaldMountainoppositemadesomeincoherentremarkaboutthebaby；andthenallwasstill。
Imusthavebeenmistaken。Myfriendwasnotamanoffamily；
therewasnotawomanwithinfortymilesoftherivercamp；heneverwassopassionatelydevotedtochildrenastoimportaluxurysoexpensive。Imusthavebeenmistaken。
Iturnedmyhorse’sheadtowardthehill。Asweslowlyclimbedthenarrowtrail，thelittlesettlementmighthavebeensomeexhumedPompeiiansuburb，sodesertedandsilentwereitshabitations。Theopendoorsplainlydisclosedeachrudely-furnishedinterior，——theroughpinetable，withthescantequipageofthemorningmealstillstanding；thewoodenbunk，withitstumbledanddishevelledblankets。Agoldenlizard，theverygeniusofdesolatestillness，hadstoppedbreathlessuponthethresholdofonecabin；asquirrelpeepedimpudentlyintothewindowofanother；awoodpecker，withthegeneralflavorofundertakingwhichdistinguishesthatbird，withheldhissepulchralhammerfromthecoffin-lidoftheroofonwhichhewasprofessionallyengaged，aswepassed。ForamomentI
halfregrettedthatIhadnotacceptedtheinvitationtotheriver-
bed；but，thenextmoment，abreezesweptupthelong，darkcanyon，andthewaitingfilesofthepinesbeyondbenttowardmeinsalutation。Ithinkmyhorseunderstood，aswellasmyself，thatitwasthecabinsthatmadethesolitudehuman，andthereforeunbearable；forhequickenedhispace，andwithagentletrotbroughtmetotheedgeofthewood，andthethreepinesthatstoodlikevedettesbeforetheSylvesteroutpost。
Unsaddlingmyhorseinthelittlehollow，Iunslungthelongriatafromthesaddle-bow，and，tetheringhimtoayoungsapling，turnedtowardthecabin。ButIhadgoneonlyafewsteps，whenIheardaquicktrotbehindme；andpoorPomposo，witheveryfibretinglingwithfear，wasatmyheels。Ilookedhurriedlyaround。Thebreezehaddiedaway；andonlyanoccasionalbreathfromthedeep-chestedwoods，morelikealongsighthananyarticulatesound，orthedrysingingofacicalaintheheatedcanyon，weretobeheard。I
examinedthegroundcarefullyforrattlesnakes，butinvain。YetherewasPompososhiveringfromhisarchednecktohissensitivehaunches，hisveryflankspulsatingwithterror。IsoothedhimaswellasIcould，andthenwalkedtotheedgeofthewood，andpeeredintoitsdarkrecesses。Thebrightflashofabird’swing，orthequickdartofasquirrel，wasallIsaw。IconfessitwaswithsomethingofsuperstitiousexpectationthatIagainturnedtowardsthecabin。Afairy-child，attendedbyTitaniaandhertrain，lyinginanexpensivecradle，wouldnothavesurprisedme：aSleepingBeauty，whoseawakeningwouldhaverepeopledthesesolitudeswithlifeandenergy，IamafraidIbegantoconfidentlylookfor，andwouldhavekissedwithouthesitation。
ButIfoundnoneofthese。Herewastheevidenceofmyfriend’stasteandrefinement，inthehearthsweptscrupulouslyclean，inthepicturesquearrangementofthefur-skinsthatcoveredthefloorandfurniture，andthestripedserapelyingonthewoodencouch。
Herewerethewallsfancifullypaperedwithillustrationsfrom\"TheLondonNews；\"herewasthewoodcutportraitofMr。Emersonoverthechimney，quaintlyframedwithblue-jays’wings；herewerehisfewfavoritebooksontheswinging-shelf；andhere，lyinguponthecouch，thelatestcopyof\"Punch。\"DearDick！Theflour-sackwassometimesempty；butthegentlesatiristseldommissedhisweeklyvisit。
Ithrewmyselfonthecouch，andtriedtoread。ButIsoonexhaustedmyinterestinmyfriend’slibrary，andlaytherestaringthroughtheopendooronthegreenhillsidebeyond。Thebreezeagainsprangup；andadeliciouscoolness，mixedwiththerareincenseofthewoods，stolethroughthecabin。Theslumbrousdroningofbumblebeesoutsidethecanvasroof，thefaintcawingofrooksontheoppositemountain，andthefatigueofmymorningride，begantodroopmyeyelids。Ipulledtheserapeoverme，asaprecautionagainstthefresheningmountainbreeze，andinafewmomentswasasleep。
IdonotrememberhowlongIslept。Imusthavebeenconscious，however，duringmyslumber，ofmyinabilitytokeepmyselfcoveredbytheserape；forIawokeonceortwice，clutchingitwithadespairinghandasitwasdisappearingoverthefootofthecouch。
ThenIbecamesuddenlyarousedtothefactthatmyeffortstoretainitwereresistedbysomeequallypersistentforce；and，lettingitgo，Iwashorrifiedatseeingitswiftlydrawnunderthecouch。AtthispointIsatup，completelyawake；forimmediatelyafter，whatseemedtobeanexaggeratedmuffbegantoemergefromunderthecouch。Presentlyitappearedfully，draggingtheserapeafterit。Therewasnomistakingitnow：itwasababy-bear，——ameresuckling，itwastrue，ahelplessrolloffatandfur，butunmistakablyagrizzlycub！
Icannotrecallanythingmoreirresistiblyludicrousthanitsaspectasitslowlyraiseditssmall，wonderingeyestomine。Itwassomuchtalleronitshaunchesthanitsshoulders，itsforelegsweresodisproportionatelysmall，that，inwalking，itshind-feetinvariablytookprecedence。Itwasperpetuallypitchingforwardoveritspointed，inoffensivenose，andrecoveringitselfalways，aftertheseinvoluntarysomersaultswiththegravestastonishment。
Toaddtoitspreposterousappearance，oneofitshind-feetwasadornedbyashoeofSylvester’s，intowhichithadaccidentallyandinextricablystepped。Asthissomewhatimpededitsfirstimpulsetofly，itturnedtome；andthen，possiblyrecognizinginthestrangerthesamespeciesasitsmaster，itpaused。Presentlyitslowlyraiseditselfonitshind-legs，andvaguelyanddeprecatinglywavedababy-paw，fringedwithlittlehooksofsteel。
Itookthepaw，andshookitgravely。Fromthatmomentwewerefriends。Thelittleaffairoftheserapewasforgotten。
Nevertheless，Iwaswiseenoughtocementourfriendshipbyanactofdelicatecourtesy。Followingthedirectionofhiseyes，Ihadnodifficultyinfindingonashelfneartheridge-polethesugar-
boxandthesquarelumpsofwhitesugarthateventhepoorestminerisneverwithout。Whilehewaseatingthem，Ihadtimetoexaminehimmoreclosely。Hisbodywasasilky，dark，butexquisitely-
modulatedgray，deepeningtoblackinhispawsandmuzzle。Hisfurwasexcessivelylong，thick，andsoftaseider-down；thecushionsoffleshbeneathperfectlyinfantineintheirtextureandcontour。
Hewassoveryyoung，thatthepalmsofhishalf-humanfeetwerestilltenderasababy’s。Exceptforthebrightblue，steelyhooks，halfsheathedinhislittletoes，therewasnotasingleharshoutlineordetailinhisplumpfigure。HewasasfreefromanglesasoneofLeda’soffspring。Yourcaressinghandsankawayinhisfurwithdreamylanguor。Tolookathimlongwasanintoxicationofthesenses；topathimwasawilddelirium；toembracehim，anutterdemoralizationoftheintellectualfaculties。
Whenhehadfinishedthesugar，herolledoutofthedoorwithahalf-diffident，half-invitinglookinhiseyesasifheexpectedmetofollow。Ididso；butthesniffingandsnortingofthekeen-
scentedPomposointhehollownotonlyrevealedthecauseofhisformerterror，butdecidedmetotakeanotherdirection。Afteramoment’shesitation，heconcludedtogowithme，althoughIamsatisfied，fromacertainimpishlookinhiseye，thathefullyunderstoodandratherenjoyedthefrightofPomposo。Asherolledalongatmyside，withagaitnotunlikeadrunkensailor，I
discoveredthathislonghairconcealedaleathercollararoundhisneck，whichboreforitslegendthesingleword\"Baby！\"Irecalledthemysterioussuggestionofthetwominers。This，then，wasthe\"baby\"withwhomIwasto\"play。\"
Howwe\"played；\"howBabyallowedmetorollhimdownhill，crawlingandpuffingupagaineachtimewithperfectgood-humor；
howheclimbedayoungsaplingaftermyPanamahat，whichIhad\"shied\"intooneofthetopmostbranches；how，aftergettingit，herefusedtodescenduntilitsuitedhispleasure；how，whenhedidcomedown，hepersistedinwalkingaboutonthreelegs，carryingmyhat，acrushedandshapelessmass，claspedtohisbreastwiththeremainingone；howImissedhimatlast，andfinallydiscoveredhimseatedonatableinoneofthetenantlesscabins，withabottleofsirupbetweenhispaws，vainlyendeavoringtoextractitscontents，——theseandotherdetailsofthateventfuldayIshallnotwearythereaderwithnow。Enoughthat，whenDickSylvesterreturned，Iwasprettywellfaggedout，andthebabywasrolledup，animmensebolster，atthefootofthecouch，asleep。Sylvester’sfirstwordsafterourgreetingwere，——
\"Isn’thedelicious？\"
\"Perfectly。Wheredidyougethim？\"
\"Lyingunderhisdeadmother，fivemilesfromhere，\"saidDick，lightinghispipe。\"Knockedheroveratfiftyyards：perfectlycleanshot；nevermovedafterwards。Babycrawledout，scared，butunhurt。Shemusthavebeencarryinghiminhermouth，anddroppedhimwhenshefacedme；forhewasn’tmorethanthreedaysold，andnotsteadyonhispins。Hetakestheonlymilkthatcomestothesettlement，broughtupbyAdamsExpressatseveno’clockeverymorning。Theysayhelookslikeme。Doyouthinkso？\"askedDickwithperfectgravity，strokinghishay-coloredmustachios，andevidentlyassuminghisbestexpression。
ItookleaveofthebabyearlythenextmorninginSylvester’scabin，and，outofrespecttoPomposo’sfeelings，rodebywithoutanypostscriptofexpression。ButthenightbeforeIhadmadeSylvestersolemnlyswear，that，intheeventofanyseparationbetweenhimselfandBaby，itshouldreverttome。\"Atthesametime，\"hehadadded，\"it’sonlyfairtosaythatIdon’tthinkofdyingjustyet，oldfellow；andIdon’tknowofanythingelsethatwouldpartthecubandme。\"
Twomonthsafterthisconversation，asIwasturningoverthemorning’smailatmyofficeinSanFrancisco，InoticedaletterbearingSylvester’sfamiliarhand。Butitwaspost-marked\"Stockton，\"andIopeneditwithsomeanxietyatonce。Itscontentswereasfollows：——
\"OFRANK！——Don’tyourememberwhatweagreeduponanentthebaby？
Well，considermeasdeadforthenextsixmonths，orgonewherecubscan’tfollowme，——East。Iknowyoulovethebaby；butdoyouthink，dearboy，——now，really，doyouthinkyouCOULDbeafathertoit？Considerthiswell。Youareyoung，thoughtless，well-
meaningenough；butdareyoutakeuponyourselfthefunctionsofguide，genius，orguardiantoonesoyoungandguileless？CouldyoubetheMentortothisTelemachus？Thinkofthetemptationsofametropolis。Lookatthequestionwell，andletmeknowspeedily；
forI’vegothimasfarasthisplace，andhe’skickingupanawfulrowinthehotel-yard，andrattlinghischainlikeamaniac。Letmeknowbytelegraphatonce。
