IEN,

GHOSTS,

AID

WOIEN,

BY

AUTHOR

PHELPS,

STUART

ELIZABETH
OK

"THE

GATES

AJAR,"

ETC

BOSTON:

FIELDS,
SUCCESSORS

"

OSGOOD,
TO

TICKNOR

1869.

AND

FIELDS.

CO.,

A/
/.J

Entered

according

to

Act

of

FIELDS,
in

the

Clerk's

Office

UNIVERSITY

of

the

in

Congress,

"

OSGOOD,
District

PRESS

Court

WELCH,

CAMBRIDGE.

of

the

the

1869, by

year

CO.,
District

BIGELOW,

of

".,

Massachusetts.

NOTE.

"

"

at

and

"

and

Death,"

of

Voices

of

One

Home;

of

collection

this

OF

the

")

Night

and

have

(under

Little

"

"

"

Night-Watches

Elect,"

the

stories,

"

title

in

Tucker,"

of

Day

"

Monthly

Harper's

in

Magdalene,")

in

of

title

the

under

last

(the

of

The

my

appeared

the

Tommy

Calico,"

the

Hours

Watchman

Reflector.

E.

ANDOVER,

April,

1869.

S.

P.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

NEWS

No

THE

TENTH

JANUARY

OF

43
.......

.90

NIGHT-WATCHES
.

THE

DAY

OP

MY

DEATH

113

"LITTLE

TUCKER"

TOMMY

.161
.

ONE

OF

WAS

173

ELECT

THE

WHAT

MATTER?

THE

,201
.....

IN

THE

GRAY

GOTH

233

CALICO
265

KENTUCKY'S

GHOST

309

NO

NONE

That

with.
Dr.

and
because

is

into
let

in

of

would

peculiarly

delicate

simple
and

old

you

friend,

entering
make,

to

which

story

fell

they

not

or

accurately,

the

at

such

and

to

If

remember

is

you

It

was

there,

were

sunrise,

rare

or

tell.

to

that

orioles

like

dreamed

wedding,

story

May-flower,

which

song

their

of

are

their

and

whether

was

be

as

my

impartially, related.

who

it

into

come

liberty

at

portions

peaceful wedding

pretty,

some

one,

Without

not

am

purpose,

ever

wife,

his

peculiar.
I

those

remember

you
a

there

have

deed,
In-

tell it.

to

Doctor,

which

I think,

familiar

recall

doubt.

no

of which

judgment

my

Nobody,

such

the

is

personal observation,

my
best

history

present

our

under

that

that

say,

concern

the

begin

to

distinctly,

make

wife,

respects

many

explanations
me

the

to

and

his

I undertake

relation

been

has

that, please,
once,

incidents

that

possession,
My

at

"

unfamiliar

the

of

will

you

Sharpe
it

Understand

all.

at

NEWS.

and

strain

or

in

butterflies

dew-drops.
There

with

one

were

not

another

many
;

the

of

day

us

was

we

were

bright,

all
and

acquainted
Harrie
A

did

MEN,

faint

not

nor

There

cry.

Pauline

"

dressed

well

and

GHOSTS.

were

Dallas,and

besides Harrie's

"

AND

WOMEN,

Miss

sisters; and
little,
well

bridescouple of maids,
Jones, I think,
the peoplewere
"

looking,but

everybody was

thoroughlyat home, comfortable, and on a level.

of little country friends in
There was
no
annihilating
no
gray alpacasby city cousins in point and pearls,
crowding and no crush, and, I believe,not a single
front breadth
spoiledby the ices.
Harrie is not called exactly
be
pretty,but she must
is not pleasantto see upon
who
a very
plainwoman
I never
her wedding day. Harrie's eyes shone,
"

"

"

eyes ! and

such

saw

queen

whom

with

odd man,

marriagewas

married

odd

asked

for

The. Covenant
"

Appealingto
your

woman

from
wife.

all the
You

hand
world
trust

thus

ran

sincerity,
you

whose

back

like

you
"

her

to
as

was

who

hold

...

was

his

an

which

I afterward

own.

I have

served.
pre-

"

is in heaven

do
.

Bird

of
things,

of it,which

copy

Father

your

Mr.

of many

service

The

him

Old

them.

notions

one.

head

her

crowning.

they were

father

Her

threw

she

now

ness
to wit-

take

this

choosingher alone
be your
lawfullywedded
best earthlyfriend.
your
"

promise to love,to cherish,and to protect her ;

'to be considerate of her happinessin your plansof
and
life ; to cultivate for her sake all manly virty"g
in all thingsto seek her welfare as you seek your own.
thus honorablyto her, to be* her
You pledgeyourself
You

husband
God

shall spare

like manner,

In

"

for his

hand

chosen

You

choose

you.

You

and

his wife

be

to

of God
When
"

silent

like

room

in your

to

you

your

all womanly

assist him

words

in his

other."
to

come

say,

through

ran

they would

silver bell ;
to

each

shining eyes

happy

for weeks

ears

as

has

promise to love, to comfort,

lifted her
little

two

he

as

his happiness
thingsto esteem
to
give yourselfthus trustfully
in good faith,so long as the providence

shall spare

Harrie
the

band.
hus-

in all

You

own.

this man,

him

to

cultivate for his sake

; to

; and

life's work
your

trust

your

Father

lawfullywedded

guard his reputation,and

; to

graces

him,

him

honor

to

You

receive

now

all the world

from

pledge

earthlyfriend.

best

do !

do
....

him

Heavenly

your

hold, to be your

you

providence of

other.

each

lookingto

blessing,
you

whose

as

to

you

the

long as

good faith,so

in

NEWS.

NO

have

the

tinkled

had

if you

"

heard

them.
of
in noting the words
'particular
they pleased me, partly
service,partly because

I have
the

because
and
the

and
to

thus

been

since had

I have

I remember

partlybecause
time, how
my
the

God

wife.

married

many

men

recall them,

to

having wondered,
and

and

such

and

man

full

vows

these, could

as
as

and
interpretation

"

live

lawfullywedded

"

the

union

ing
bear-

remotest

in

at

of your

women

their
if honestlysubjecting
acquaintance,
test

of

occasion

some

sightof

husband

and

always

"Weddings are
should

which

with

home

whom

they have

do not

professto

wonderful
But
and

for

reads

serious
I

was

the

to

matter

graces

thinkingof

I had

steppedin

about

the

this the
the

from

salad,when

the

sitting-room,
upon
likelyto see.
The
wind

doors

swept

were

came

as

open

in and

hers

her than

out.

day

to

is too

it.

attain unto

till she 'has

so

are

to

much

the

the

more

ask

wedding.
Bird

Mrs.

at the
abruptly,
choice a picture as

through

been

him

before

kitchen

man

old maid,
an
fifty-five,
in boarding-houses.
of a man
at sight.'His

his faults

And

his wife.

years

of

knowledge

cannot

thoroughlydetect

faults she cannot

for years

am

tried,proved,

keeping

Such

be because

life

readiness

The
a

; as

months, six,twelve, I

high,I

it is

spent twenty

woman

and

care

understand.
;

of

flit out

three

known

me

that may
have

the sole

into

happy

of it.

end

girlswill

young

things to me
beginning of

the

as

the

than

sadder

be

sad

very

burials

than

sadder

much

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

door

is

one

house, and

scarlet woodbine

of

the

swung

lazilyback and forth beyond the window.

Dimples
of lightburned
through it,dottingthe carpet and the
black-and-white marbled
oilcloth of the hall.
Beyond,
framed
in the little front parlor,
in by the series of
It
Harrie, all in a cloud of white.
doorways, was
floated about
had
arm

her

with

veil like fretted

shone

an

idle,wavelike

motion.

pearlsthrough which

and
faintly,

the

shadow

of

her

She
tinted

singlescar-

let leaf

trembled

before

touch
'"two

the

wedding,

tiny crease

curtain

about
and
before

and

I called

readingStuart
If you

spend

form

will cry the

whole

tender

bridesmaid

gloves,and

like hoar

or

favors,

tered
frost,lay scat-

repicturedand

was

turned

herself

flected
re-

in from

him

Mill

on

your

own

about.

Sharpe should

pity that Myron

head.
fore-

in the great old-fashioned mirrors

Harrie

It seemed

that,so

the

reshaded

which

floor ;

bits of lace

flowers, and

cloud

the
the

her

upon

smoothing with

was

upon

chatteringon

sat

and

through

mothers
as
mother, crying a little,

Her

day

NEWS.

NO

the

porch where

miss

he

sat

Liberty.
opinion of

who

man

might

livelongmorning, an October
morning,
with the
sweet
quiveringwith color,alive with light,
breath
of dropping pines,soft with
of a
the caress
wind

"

that

and
"

had

that the

filtered

morning

reading Stuart

Mill

through

of the

miles

day

before

Liberty,
Harrie, turningsuddenly,saw
us,

eyes,

stood

cheeks,

with

mother's

arms,

his

I cannot

"

with

moment

crept

"

into her

on

of sunshine,

"

"

wedding,
help it.

her lover's

met

lifted lashes

and

bright

quick, impulsive movement

kissed

her, and

floated away

the stairs.

up
"

with

It 's
one

had

her eyes.

perfectfit,"said

corner

of

justused

very
it to

Mrs.

Bird, coming

dingy handkerchief
dust

the

Parian

"

vases

out

body
some-

"

at

MEN,

AND

WOMEN,

GHOSTS.

And

though,to be sure, it was

caughtmyself saying,under my
It 's

"

fit for life; for

of my

none

breath,

Sharpe smiled serenely. He was

with the little pink-and-whitecloud

fluttered up
for the

of the
I

Nor,

am

that

and

knelt

her

hair all out

of

her flushed and

Put

the bridal

ears
a

the

Dr.

un

had

felt

stole out

finerywas

put away,

dress,
behind

her net

small, and

very

to

shaded

"

face.

book
for

grave

upon

him

of

spasms

perhaps most

(somebody

Bilious

on

without

moment

ing
speak-

like the
soul

off his feet.

and

"

would

ground

ought

ingly
amaz-

His

to.

clear eyes
littlegirl's

That

lights
upon

he

The

himself
distrusting

have,

men

justthen.

of

worthiness

from

have

up-turned face.

face grew
shone

would

him

book, please,
Myron."

the

Sharpe
;

to
drifting

plain little muslin

were

Myron put away the

and looked
Affections),
at

just

paleapple-blossom, up-turning

weary

away

that had

She

crimp,slippingfrom

off in the colors of

"

Harrie.

his feet in her

Harrie's

"

he
lifetimes,

would

evening after
at

been

in

much

very

fit."

"

sure,

him

her ears,

If it had

of twenty

venture

doubt

no

the stairs.

"

Dr. Sharpe."
life,

Dr.
love

business,

put the

have

he

which

on

In very

altar.

an

shoes

trod

was

holy.
When
u

very

he

spoke to

Harrie, are

good."

you

the child,it
afraid of

me

was

in

whisper:

I know

"

am

not

NO

And

Dr.

fading,we

the

among

and

gone,

and

Miss

and

that her

threw

eyes

were

hand

away,

Bird's

Grandmother
last

we

little

of her

saw

her

that

tillthe

observation

goes,

far

as

my

people usuallyget along

These

comes.

fair health,

particularyoung
as

people

had

people'sconsciences

young

comfortable

well tillthe first

very

income

for two,

go,

and

pleasanthome.

very

home

This
made

was

on

shoes, and

believed

who

mended

the

minded

the

Sharpe bought

in

their

and

camomile

townspeople

business.

own

dying practiceof

made
stockings,

few

The

coast.

an

antediluvian

castor-oil.
few

Dr.

pies,and

Harrie
watched

sea.

It
"

come

they got along very well

As

"

the

had

clasped in his,and

was

came.

clear conscience,
"

old

out

shiningeyes,

to-morrow

carriage,the

believe that

baby

baby

in and

wandering
those

that the

shining.

"Well,I

young

All the time

when

progress, in

dying lightthey drove

the

after the

was

first

in

Dallas

boot

And

in his.

much

she with

"

her hand

made

them

saw

could

"

evening.

apple-trees,

and

satin

that

Affections

were

have

not

the

of

softly, How
not
am
good."

It is ./who

could

Sharpe

Bilious

her hair, said

upon

be afraid of you

shadows

the

Harrie, kneeling with

scarlet leaves

skies

NEWS.

almost

was

the

sea

"

as

enough
it tumbled

of itself to
about

the

make

one

shores

happy
of Lime.

had

Harrie
a

becoming, and
made
on

calm

those

she
He

water.

might

was

very

and
cliffs,

surprisingly

was

of her

pretty shell which

order,that

to

little boat

"

in the

out

which
bathing-dress,

little scarlet

littlebay,

GHOSTS.

hollowed

littleseat

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

moored

own,

her husband
able to

be

in

had had
herself

row

for
thoughtful

her

in

days.
used

She
would

take her

to

demure

be

selvageseam

and

but

sewingout upon the cliff;she

busy ; she would finish the

the

blazed,the

sun

birds sang, all the world

was

at

shone, the

sea

what

play,
"

could

it

So the littlegold thim?

ble
selvageseams
would
drop off,the spooltrundle down the cliff,
Harrie, sinkingback into a cushion of green and
about

matter

and

sea-weed, would

crimson

her

open

wide

eyes

and

and broke
purpledand silvered,
into a mist like powdered amber, the blue distances
the gulls
the white sand glittered,
melted softly,
were
chattering
shrilly.What a world it was !
she
Then
And
he is in it !
thought Harrie.
dream.

The

waves

"

"

smile and

would
of

Israel

shone,

way,
with
with
came

they

wondered

face

of

Moses,

afraid

were

"

eyes.

to

And
that
come

the

children

Moses'

nigh

face
him."

if

too great to
joy were
everybody's
and wondered, in a childish,
frightened
upon,
how
it might be with sorrow
; if people stood
with pain as she
veiled faces before it,dumb
and then it was
dinner-time,and Myron
peace,

Harrie
look

the

saw

and

shut her

"

down

to

forgotall about

walk
it.

up

the

beach

with

her, and

she

NO

She

forgotall about everythingbut

life and

the

when

sea,

scarlet suit, and

with
broke

was

had

donned

into

the

the

face, the

fingers,the
the

swift

when

she

sat

flashed

in shallow

was

as

through
floated

the

foam

the

dark

was

the

at

"

very

brown

strong wind

through

pretty

ticular
par-

waves

slipped

sprinkled her

swimmer, and

trail of fire

the

sea-weeds

long
foam

joy of

surf,

warm

watched
seemed

sunshine

from

glide

to

lighted water

with

hair

up.

one

shore,her lithe scarlet shoulders

like

or

when

"

and
crystals,

She
the

her

her

through

out

the bare

hour, for the Doctor

her,

over

she

crept

medicinal

proper

with

NEWS.

and

her,

on

the

pools among

green

incoming tide, her great

bathing-hat
dropping shadows on her wet littlehappy
face,and her -laughringing out, it was a pretty sight.
rocks,

But

to

was

sky

or

her

see

the wind
she
as

Dr.

; when

sunset

flake

every

thought,

of

and

sea

foam

was

blood-red ;
great chalk-cliffs were
blew her net off,and in pretty petulance
hair down,

dipped into

Sharpe

at

husband

the

pulledher

she

that,her

boat

her

in

aflame, when

rainbow, and

her

the

than

one
prettier

were

when

with

used

to

and

all about
it rippled

blazingWest.
drive home
by the beach, on

the

night,always,that he might see it. Then Harrie

would
row
swiftlyin, and spring into the low, broad
buggy beside him, and they rode home togetherin the

fair

these

she

Sometimes

fragrant dusk.

drives
twilight
1*

but

more

used
often

to

chatter

on

she crept up to

10

and

him
bird.

shut

It

her

he

as
unselfishly

that he

me

was

littletroubled

that he

than

had

she, and

should

pains,but

other
Her

his whiskers
All

wrote

sometimes

"

much

so

more

and

newspapers

he found

she

her

so

drove

much

the

about

with

more

him

in
by making jellies
for his poor, or sat in his lap and discoursed
of croup
and measles,pulling
a bobolink
the while with her pink fingers.

his calls,or

like

his wife

often

was

know

happy !

of hydro^
studyingcases
pleasantsubjectwhich had a
husband
laughed at her for her

nevertheless

fancy moulds

be

and

entertaining. Sometimes
on

She

reading the

fits of

reviewing her French,

phobia,or some
air.
professional

Harrie

sleepy

Sharpe loved

Dr.

good."

very

but

nothing

how.

knew

still as

as

was

do

that at this time

I believe
as

and

eyes,

pleasantto

so

was

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

amused

I have

this,as

herself

said,was

before

the

first

baby

came.

It is

what
surprising
men
general, and young
rubs
on

and

an

domestic

jarsof

income
and

of

Sharpe

him

in

ideas

life ;

people in
of the

domestic
especially

thrown

servants

young

have
particular,

eighteen hundred,

country

Dr.

vague

American

life

tutions
consti-

in.

knew

something of illness and babies

and worry
and watching; but that his own
individual
lie and scream
tilltwo
o'clock
baby should deliberately
in the morning, was
of perpetualastonishment
a
source
to

and

that it,

first quarrelover

"

his

he

and

Mrs.

Sharpe

the
in calling
persistence

had

their

child

an

12

MEN,

The

their

and

Racine

shelves

and
jellies,

AND

of newspaper

spasms

Corinne

WOMEN,

GHOSTS.

reading subsided
the dust

gathered

Mrs.

Sharpe

found

time

no

made

rapidly
;

in peace

no

fancy

more

inquire after

to

upon

other

people'sbabies.
One

becomes
if one

happens

Dr.

window
she sang

to

little tired
room

to

Harrie,

up

from

taken

the

did,

never

have

pains to notice,
how

"

solitarydrives

prised
sur-

easilyhe

and

disturbed

watching face at door or

sittingwhole evenings by himself while
the fretful baby overhead
with
her sweet

; to

"

he

It would

man.

he had

his

to

while,especially

missing Harrie's

to

teas;

be

to

believe

used

became

anythingafter

to

Sharpe,if

which

"

used

voice ;

slippingoff

to

sleep when
and

down

to

bed,

cradle

the

child

with

him

paced

or

into

cried

by
the

the

room,

spare

night,and

at

the

"

hour, flitted
or

sat

and

lay and cried herself,in sheer despairof rest ;

to wandering away
on
lonelywalks ; to steppingoften
the typhoid
into a neighbor'sto discuss the election
or
his wife's conversain the village
tional
; to forgettingthat
beyond Biddy and
capacitiescould extend
or

sang,

teething;
for

to

forgettingthat

twilightdrive, a

sunny

freshness, the dreaming,

the

days

sillylittle lovers'
; to

Yet

well.

he

going his own

loved her, and

That

he

never

the

sail,for the

hunger
sparkleand

petting,the

caresses,

she

might

ever

all

early married
and letting
her go hers.
ways,
loved her only,and loved her
doubted, nor, to my surprise,

habits

of

their

NO

did she.

remember

call him

from

children

the

tray beside

trunk

and

studied

of the

the

little face, less pretty than

knew

that

child ; and

so,

and

her, and

for I could

in the

was

eyes

She

looked

The

"

at

heart

my

always be

me,

you

side to side

just the
heard

we

know,

in

mine,
thin

very

of the
She

mouth.

full for the

was

"

you

Is he

quitethe

same.

drew

"

herself

she

"

the

Ms
up

He

turned

her

he

why,

"

from

head

puzzledexpressiongrowing

he loves

"
"

am

busy.

so

are

wearily,with

her forehead,

on

She

upon

perplexedand musing air.

the same
to me.
yes, he is quite
the same
to me.
Only there are

children, and

loves

down

help it,I said,

not

with

me

same

would

the

helping

shadow

sad

away

"

same

be

to

ing
hear-

of

her hands

grown

it

there,

her

pretence

both

Harrie, is all well between

"

He

absent

I loved

I called

door, pulled her

folded

me,

visit

proprietiesby

after,on

her face.; it had

woodbine, with

on

Sharpe."

soon

I locked

unpack.

me

Dr.

"

when

once,

being fairlyfrightenedout
her

13

NEWS.

wife ;

me

justthe

don't you

see

same,
?

"

"

little haughtily,said that she

the

baby crying,and slippedaway.

But
her forehead
the perplexed knot upon
I was
rather glad that it did not.
slipaway.

it better

than

the

left her

baby

with

away

by

stone

and

herself

absent

Biddy
into

thought.

the

eyes.
for

That

did not
I liked

couple of hours,

garden, sat

she

afternoon

down

went

upon

14

MEN,

took

Harrie

I wished

as

dream

whose

great deal of comfort

much

quite as

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

of

marriage

in her

have

to

her.

faded

has

babies,
Women

little have

their passionate
devotion and content
transferring
from husband
It is like anchoring in a
to child.
it is
in which
harbor,
a
pleasantharbor, and one
of

way

"

good

be,

to

Whatever

should
forever

;
a

on

never

throne

vacant

crowned

and

voiceless

King?
So, when

be

may

home.

at

never

her,

to

for her

son

daughtercan

misery the
but

what

first,
dearest,best,

as

nor

her

and

always something beyond

that neither

or

and

children

be

mistake

Through

shore

on

woman's

husband
more

but

"

throne

be

may

cometh

man

usurp.

left

after the

Harrie

and

sat

took

Sharpe

that Mrs.

She

whether

settees, and

as

she

as

was

glad than

sorry.

in

the

garden

baby, I believe,
about
pany.
having com-

was

that notion

afraid

the

at

seats

of

Music

Hall

well-dressed

pews

woman

of the croup.

was

the Doctor's

months

there

called your

you

or

So

stone

noon,
after-

whole

growing out of the world, she said ;

forgotten
; had
fungus; petrifying

was

into

turning

her

little Harrie

when

was

on

felt rather

I
thinking,
It

out

forgotthe baby for

overrun

house
with

at

Lime

visitors

and

was

for two

or

three

vivacity. Fathers

the hottest of

and
motherly stays,with
fatherly
air-tights
put up for their benefit in the

front

sisters

and

made

mothers

room

and

sisters-in-law

brought

the

NO

and

fashions

jump

got

and

in turn,

tableaux

up

Jones, Pauline

Miss

the

15

NEWS.

cousins

came

Dallas,and I

children

had

the

the

on

invited

were

cheerful

at

mumps

intervals between.
The

Doctor

Dallas

Miss
had

had

and

"

down

day, and

had

work

not

Pauline

had

mood

for entertaining

little tired of
company,
with
her

seen

pleasedand

was

visit.

was

in the

week's

Harrie

town.

of the

he

hard

much

not

was

since her wedding

excited

been

epidemic

an

the

at

of

one

prospect

her

eternal

at school.
friendships

Dallas

Miss

and,

devoting

chance

as

has

sat

from

two

till six at

stung, and

her

voices

children's
an

her

and

had

Dr.

that

and
her

was

was

Any

engaging
"her

back

her

fingers

eyes

swam,

deadened,

insufferable,the slamming
past

the

of

able,
unendur-

blot,the future

hair

a myth, her
burden, friendship

down,

unpinned.

collar

had

Dallas

Miss

the

brain

her

were

agony,

life

stiffened; why

burned,

cheeks

door

temples throbbed,

pected,
ex-

was

shirts.

how
precisely

understand

neck

she

it, Harrie

cutting out

her

have

to

and

her

would

than

afternoon

occupation,will
ached

.dayearlier

the

who

one

came

never

cut

shirt, nor,

I believe,

Sharpe.

Harrie
when

groaningover

heard

her

the last wristband

husband's

charming accident,at

the

but one,

voice in the hall.

Harrie, Harrie, your friend

"

by

she

was

is here.

I found

station,and drove

her,
her

16

in

latest

she

apology,so

on

held

and

arms,

waste

the

little

words

any

in her calico

she was,

hanging, into

her

up

lady to

just as

ran

collar

the

dress, with

of

much

too

was

of
travelling-suit

her.

in upon

mode, swept

Harrie

and

veil

becoming

very

Dallas,gloved,perfumed,rustling,

Miss

And

home."

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

Pauline's

stately

burning cheeks

be

to

kissed.
looked

her husband

But
He

before

down

came

that

day, and

back

to

time

to

spend

ribbon

upon

traveller

hungry

at the

and

tea

wash

"

her

aching

the children.

She

had

rather

than

down
it in

no

keep

her hair, knotted

waiting,smoothed
came

tain
enter-

to

afternoon

with

about

herself,and,

collar,and

coat

taking an

"

was

Sharpe glanced at

Dr.

in his best

bustled

Harrie

make

tea

Biddy

their guest.

annoyed.

in her calico dress.

surprise.

some

He

of the
repeatedthe glancesseveral times in the course
evening, as he sat chatting with his wife's friend.
Dallas was
in conversation
Miss
sprightly
; had
very
had thought some
had
the appearread some,
; and
ance
of having read and thoughtabout twice as much
she

as

had.

Myron

Sharpe

handsome

woman.

had

no

made

into the
saucy

that she

was

supposedher

his wife
always considered
That
nobody else thought her

had

difference
eyes
very
to

to

He

him.

of littleHarrie

pretty.

be very

As

had

Bird, and

matter

pretty, now

often

that

of

so

looked
told her

theory,he

she

was

the

NO

of his three

mother
to

Miss

children,and

breakingher

back

his shirts.

out

cut

17

NEWS.

Dallas

generouslyframed, well-proportioned
who
carried long trains,and tied her
woman,
She had large,
hair with crimson velvet.
serene
eyes,
white
A delicate
hands, and a very pleasantsmile.
a creamy
perfume stirred as she stirred,and she wore
was

her throat and

lace about
Calicoes

wrists.

becoming to Harrie, and that

with the palm-leafdid not fit her well,
she cut
one
it herself,to save
As the evening passed,
expense.
the weariness
in reaction from
of shirt-cutting
she
pale,and the sallow tints upon her face came
grew
were

never

"

out;

her

features

sharpened,as they

had

way

of

tired ; and she had little else to

doing when she was
do that evening than think how
tired she was, for her
husband
afterwards,that
observing,as he remarked
she did not
feel like talking,
kindlyentertained her
friend himself.
As

they went

for the first time

It

nose.

he

loved

Your

"

than

sat

in his

her, and
other

women.

friend

is

when
and

stairs for the

annoyed him,

lookingas
"

up

Harrie

wearilydown

I think

Cousin

you

had

life,that Harrie
because

liked

night,it struck him,

to

she

was

feel that she

snubbed

his

wife, and

was

as

well

he said, encouragbrightgirl,"
ingly,
had 'hushed
to

unbutton

will find her

more

couple of children,
her

boots.

easy

to

entertain

Mehitabel."
B

18

MEN,

Then,

seeing that

how

exhausted

she

that

she should

have

and

kissed

as

her

AND

WOMEN,

Harrie

GHOSTS.

answered

absently,and
expressed his sorrow
the shirts,
long over

looked, he
worked

he

so

while

spoke ;

and felt as if she would

little,

Harrie

them

cut

all

cried

again

over

for that.
The

day Miss Dallas and

together; Harrie cramping her
her

hands

trousers

her

"

glancingin
Your

"

observed
lemons

"

the

he

hall,and

is

she

Dr.

orange

sank
;

little

with

the door

Sharpe passed by,

very

Harrie,

said

"

and

fingersby

did not

know

afternoon

the
"

the

accompanied by
admit

of.

was

one

knows

slippedfrom

little trousers

by, and

her

great deal.

eyes

wandered

anything about pre-Adamic man.

the beach
down
they walked

Doctor, his wife, and

as

few

Pauline

bright browns,
it

he

absently.

window

of the

together,

of

rough

Harrie,"
intelligent
man,
Miss
and
Dallas, studying her lavenders
much
interested
in
thoughtfully. I was
last evening."
said about pre-Adamic man,
a

her black

would

ing
blacken-

passed.

The

In

Rocko's

on

colors of the arm-chair

warm

husband

Yes,"

She

and

white, and

always thought so."

out

shoulders

playingidlywith purple and

into
as

Sharpe sat sewing

"

he

what

patch

fingerswere

into the

opened

was

over

Pauline

wools,
grace

Mrs.

next

which
of Miss

children
was

as

statelyin

shaded

their guest,
"

circumstances
a

beach-dress

softlyinto

Dallas's

one

other;
an-

that
peculiarities,

20

MEN,

seek

did not
down
a

Rocko

with

the

Harrie, like
see

the

upon

seemed
that

her

to

the

At

tea-table the
Miss

Doctor

madam,

was

have

ciated
appre-

yourself.

fell to

Dallas,who

Dallas's way,

in Miss

whom

woman

would

for

"

It

very

wear

the country, and

"

less than

no

all the

sting of poverty, just then,

nets.
purple dresses and blue bon-

the

must

one

sat

over

her,

to

dear

tastes, and

soft browns

the

Pauline

them

street, my

of fine, keen

woman

send

dowdy

"

wonder

can

deny

another

many

women

should
and

beach-dresses

pretty

you

only

God

trifles,why

such

She

wrapped herself with

with a
ugly shawl, and wondered

which

with

bitterness

back.

call them

to

or

the beach,

on

in

hug

savage

follow

to

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

reconstructing
quitea politician

was

observed

that

horizon

the

looked

brightersince Tennessee's admittance,and that

hoped that the clouds, "c., and what did he

she

"

think
"

of Brownlow
!"

Tennessee

has

"

Dallas smiled

Harrie,

don't know

all

in ?

Harrie

did n't

why, how

"

know

long

anything

kindly.

Dr.

Sharpe

bit his

lip,

his face flushed.

said, with

"

exclaimed

"c.

it."

Miss
and

"c.,

been

Tennessee

about

How

day

you
some

to

read

impatience; "it's

the
no

papers,"he

wonder

you

anything."
should

?"

reallyought

anything,tied to the children

spoke quickly,for the hot tears

I know

Harrie

NO

You

Tennessee

began

This

interfered

did

Why

"

sprang.

n't you

somethingabout
with we."
politics

talk

never

21

tell me

be awkward

to

Miss

Dallas,who

principle between

on

"

NEWS.

husband

"

never

and

wife,

took up the baby, and gracefully

gracefully
swung
Geneva
watch
the
for
child's
dainty
amusement,
brilliantly.She could not endure babies,but
would

have

never

fact,when

In

Pauline

herself,became
that
did

which

been

in the house

thought very

never

alive
painfully

fell into
add

not

had

who

so

she

ing
smilyou

suspectedit.

days,Harrie,

five

her

her

to

either

her

to

or

much

of

cies,
deficien-

own

fit of low

permanent

four

spirits,
her

or

appearance

vivacity.
"

"

Pauline

is

always knew

fool before
you
when

the

at

low

married, justas well

babies

three

look

to

Then,

not.

as

me.

be

can

after,it is

too

hard

to

I try very

yourselfover.

home
the

for

thought

She

week.

now

struck

Pauline
not

darn
was

late
read

that her

she
voice

nursery

her, rocking slowly in her

stockingswith
"

the

in

was

sewing-chair,holding the baby

frying to
Was

You

to

only Myron does not know it."

morning something occurred to Mrs. Sharpe.
ing
simplythat her husband had spent every even-

was

when

little fool.

was

wrote

newspapers,

One
It

I
're

have

you

make

to

"
pretty and bright! she

so

did
upon

the
not

the

stopped sharply,and

on

one

arm

and

other.
where.

really know

porch ?
Harrie

The

looked

ing-chair
rockdown

22

through the
the

blinds.

The

GHOSTS.

of the

one

Miss

been

Dallas

the effect of

was

have

not

good.
I

"I

not

she

that

way,

the

almost

could

first bit of
"

knew

she

baby

"

It

baby.

the child

had

was

ever

just going to sleep,

was

it.

turned

She

the

leave

pleasantnonchalant

acting that

for the

guiltyof,

been

not

down

come

you

him, saying,in

thanked

Harrie

Won't

to.

seem

tilldinner,

"but
Myron, placidly,

too," said

thought so

they do

and

that she
dress

morning ; her
the purpleswould

going to take
thought your calls were
Myron," called Harrie, through the blinds.
"

his

occupied

noticeable

that

only golden wools

pale blue, and

with

twistingher golden

"

used

tied at

was

fanning himself

sat

garden chairs ;
and
the other ; she was
chatting,
wools about her fingers, it was

hat in

horse

Doctor's

Doctor

The

gate.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

from

away

the

quietly. She

window

'

could

and
upon

been

angry,

and

put littleHarrie

the bed, and

scolded ;
into her

stillfor
lay perfectly

the dinner-bell rang,

and

went

observed

left her

noisy,

or

cradle,crept

long time.

she got up

hair, that absent, apatheticlook of which

spoken had
and

She

cried.

When
her

have

not

to

brush

I have

came
brightness
stealthy
in them, which
her husband
might have
if he and Miss Dallas had not been
deep in

the Woman

eyes.

question.

everything.
Why did

Pauline

saw

it ; Pauline

saw

"

"

you

not

come

down

and

sit with

us

this

NO

Harrie

after dinner.

feel that

husband's

Mrs.
to

she

'

he

must

"

I don't

run

want

your

from

away

and

you

to

me."

My

ready

23

asked, reproachfully,
when

alone

to

entertain

said

she

were

husband

"

"

morning

NEWS.

ideas

Sharpe.
make

it

"

of
I

are
hospitality
generous,"
have
always found him as

pleasanthere

for my

company

for

as

his own."
made

She

this little speech.

with
it for the

know

women

Dallas

justice,
"

hearted
had

days

and

to

Lime

to

nightswere

the whole

On

am

She

woman.

come

farce

not

it was?
She

sure.

was

To

handsome

fair there

the

to

think

Miss
a

badShe

woman.

Those

by

both

do
not

was

enjoy herself.

inclined

am

dignity. Did

September

dreamy

that she did

sea.

not

know

exactlywhat she was about.

lasts," said Harrie, once,
My perfumery never
stooping to pick up Pauline's fine handkerchief, to
which
faint scent
like unseen
a
heliotropeclung ; it
see
clung to everythingof Pauline's ; you would never
without thinkingof her, as Dr. Sharpe had
a heliotrope
often said.
Myron used to like good cologne,but I
it
and use
it myself,
can't afford to buy it,so I make
Sundays, and it 's all blown away by the time I get to
church.
Myron says he is glad of it,for it is more
like Mrs.
than anything else.
Allen's
Hair
Restorer
"

"

What
"

do you
Sachet

smiling.

use,

Pauline

powder

"of

"

course,"

said

Miss

Dallas,

24

MEN,

AND

WOMEN,

GHOSTS.

evening Harrie stole* away by herself to the

for
village apothecary's.Myron should not know
If it were
the breath of a heliotrope,
what
she went.
thought foolish Harrie, which made it so pleasantfor
matter
Pauline, that was
a
easily
people to be near
should know, is a
remedied.
But sachet powder, you
That

dollar

an

with

"

cents
fifty

and

so, of course,

made

for all her

bureau

pains,that

with

the dew

from

under

in

her

little silk

she reminded
One

day

silk

Harrie

"

her,

heliotrope

bag

tucked

she had

spent her
told

of

for

put them

never

pink

had

him

had

be

bags,and

drawers, Myron

dress,where

fell out

it.

said her husband,

sharp tone.

another

driving upon
sudden

it.

on

after she

self
her-

content

could

which

's all this nonsense,

What

At

her

needs

must

American,"

into her

away

Harrie

the

and

money,

"

and

ounce,

time,
the

beach

Miss

corner,

Doctor

the

at

and

when,

sunset,
cried

Dallas

Pauline

out,

were

turninga

in

real

light,
de-

"

"

See

That

beautiful

creature

Who

can

it

be?"

And

surf,
"

there
a

was

Harrie,

little scarlet

out

on

mermaid,

rock

in the

combing

her

opal
hair

almost
the water
from which
fingers,
knew
how
who
washed
the wedding ring. It was
taken
had
been
long, since the pretty bathing-suit
sudden
What
down
from the garret nails ?
yearning
and
and the springof girlhood,
of waves,
for the wash

with

her

thin

"

NO

that

consciousness

the

She

her ?

is fair to

one

watched

he waded

out

what

could have

Myron

Sharpe

He

times

several
him

to

bit of

loved

his wife.

Had

day.

he wooed

when

days ?
a

possessedyou !

and

she not

Was

had

searness

she

she had

grown

of late.

She

That

keenly

had

breakfast,after the children

like

were

and

coolness

with

sick

Harrie
meet

him

she

came,

it

curtain

he
i

of

had

She

to

when

Miss

'he

married

life

?
he felt somewhat

dreary,draggled look
cried at

had

night,
"

at

and

peculiarcolor
morning, like that of
had

the

been

not

the

Rocko,

or

busy

up

her

her

sat
;

path.
the

in the

home

came

Dallas

about
up

be too

with

was

waved

walked

talked

sparkle in

apt

was

on.

that

now

till midnight

baby.

and

apron

her, in

Dallas

Miss

flowers.

opening

him

to

ing
ripen-

Mrs.

noticeable, because
and

all the world

her in her rosy,

upon

did.

Sharpe's children did not cry

perhaps the more
angels'visits. It was

nights when

the

he

course

been

little sear,

I don't

"

all the world

eighthard-working years

of

her

the fact to himself

not

won

crept

very

Of

this time, to state

began, about

hair and

her, ill-pleased.

to

"

see

taken
over-

eyes.

Harrie, this is very imprudent,

"

had

see,

through her

the love in her husband's

fingersfor
But

25

NEWS.

sleeves
at

she

the

at

priceof

the

dusk.

rolled up

and

to

run

Or, if
and

an

the lace

window-;

nodded

In

kitchen

smiled

evening

butter ; she

as

Harrie

did not

26

GHOSTS,

thing!

beyond, poor

venture

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

her

since

experience

Tennessee.

with

talked

and

quoted Browning,and discussed Goethe,

Dallas

Miss

and

Parepa ;

they had

and the
lights,
Mrs.
Sharpe

no

shone in.
Sometimes
September moon
had mending to do, and, as she could not sew
her
on
husband's
buttons
satisfactorily
by moonlight,would
quitoes
slip into the dining-roomwith kerosene and mosThe

for company.
he

or

not, how

may

have

comfortablyhe could, if
loved

Myron Sharpe
If his wife

did.

may

effort,pass the evening without

the proper
But

Doctor

doubted

his wife.

it,
"

but

noticed,
he made

her.

To

be

he

sure

should

why

she

thought she doubted it ? If she

did, she gave no sign. Her eyes, he observed, had
of late ; and when
they went to her from
brightened
such a pretty color upon
there was
the moonlit parlor,
Who

it ?

doubt

her cheeks, that he used

Miss

Dallas

occupiedherself
discreetly

Of
It

he loved

course

with
fondness

which

his wife !

found

he

it natural

for Harrie, his attentions

to

He

inquiredtenderlyafter

her headaches

her

flowers,when

Miss

woods

autumn

and
them

the

wraps
;

he

he took

porch ;

soft hair.

he

he
he

quitoes.
moskilling

in

quency
that, in proportionto the fre-

observable

was

stoop and kiss them, while

to

and
was

Dallas

to

her
;

to

sail and

his

increased.
he

brought

walked

about
particular

begged her
painsto draw

remark

in the

her

shawls

drive

his chair beside

with

hers

on

pattedher hands, and playedwith he/

28

MEN,

AND

WOMEN,

GHOSTS.

Yet

Myron Sharpe loved his wife,you

there over
elective affinitiesdown
Discussing
with
;

It

had

had

been

and

she

the next
One

"

she not

was

fallen into

for Harrie.

they came
up
sleep or faint,and

Her

all the time.

complainedof
day nor the
morning, at

chill,which

the window

burned

eyes

tainly
cer-

content

when

quite late

open

the chessboard

he loved his wife, most

Dallas,

and, pray, why

was

She

Miss

understand.

sharply,
leave

did not

her

next.

breakfast-table,Miss

the

go home

calmly observed that she should

Dr. Sharpe dropped his cup

Friday.
wiped up the
on

Harrie

Dallas

tea.

dear

"My

Miss

go yet ! Harrie

you

Harrie

! Can't

said the proper

repeatedher
afraid

was

Dallas

determination

that her

Sharpe pushed

his

much

been

care,

friend?"

low tone.

with

visit had

back

keep your

you

Pauline

decision,and
of

more

able

was

let

cannot

we

"

thingin

Harrie, with all her

than

surely

"

to

burden

bear.

chair

and
noisily,

the

parlor window.

Dr.

left the

room.

He
man's

face

of them

out

the open
"

wait

before

with

woman

long

door

by

What
him

minute.*'

business

like

trains and

Harriets

Yes, yes,
a

stood
white.

was

close down

to
a

and

went

had

The
the

days

granitewall, because

white

patientvoice

hands
came

was

in

going
through

"

yes,

Rocko

mother

is tired

to-day;

NO

29

NEWS.

Pauline, sweepingby the piano,brushed

and sang
little,

"

"

Drifting,driftingon
Mast

and

Fatal

danger

We

had

The

and
I may

"

It

gone,

one,

?
the sudden

pushed
sail

of heliotrope,

scent

aside the curtain

the

across

bay

gently.

before I go ?

hesitated.

He

it will be

I suppose

She

the sound
But

not

of her

sharpnessin
sound

Biddy

so

at

that

"

She

her

been

and

drunk, she

and
ironing-table,
who

and

in

room

nightby

the

weariness

with

cold

could

day.

all

The

ears.

distant.

She

dered
won-

to

dance

seemed

wondered

if she

supply her place.

order, for she

last train,but
and

head
fore-

and

hands

not

stealthy

that

bell beat in her

choked

were

her,

undertakingin

had

did

husband

lipsand

Her

were

tried to put my
me

surprisedat

was

her

"

occasion

tollingof

if

dismiss

must

that

on

children's voices

about

off

them

her eyes.

like the

she

the sail.

burning.

were

spoken,for

voice.

own

watched

invite her to
go

she had

anything,and

mean

they took

Harrie

last,"said the lady,softly.

our

sorry when

rather

was

reallydid

She

rudder

be fair to-morrow."

promisesto
"

that

on,

in dreams."

with

Miss Dallas

and

for each

about

sweet

have

and

oar

helplessas

he been

air grew

keys a

"

What

the

confusion.

was

gave

ing
expectup

the

30

MEN,

In

would

he
patients,

have

for brain-fever.

found

not

bed

to

not

was

and

Doctor's

prescribed

patient,but only

that

out

of the

one

her

sent

she

As

his wife, he had

been

had

Harrie

fact, if

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

anythingailed

her.

Nothing happened while he was gone, except that a

friend of Biddy's
dropped in," and Mrs. Sharpe,
"

her

shiveringin

dreamily
sewing-chair,
caught through the open door, and dreamily repeated
words
of compassionate Irish
to
herself,a dozen
and

burning

brogue :
"

"

Folks

sailin' round

floated

There

all the

warm

water.

bay.

women

goes

"

the door.

in

drew

Dallas

Miss

their oars,

the

it struck
the mood
side

One

They

the west, and

of

other

watched
sunk

hands,

sail

boat,

only was

it for
from

looking down

to

while.

be
It

seen

in

bay

the

grew
she

which

the waves,

took her, into

the

the

which

Pauline's

across

low

from

slanted

sea

light,in

red

overhead, and

silver clouds

and

gray

was

the

and

home

to
"

latched

lightupon

as
clipped,

upon

other

cry in'

softly.

were

it

folks

and

Doctor

The

west:

with

the wind

Then

and

laves

as

leaning
into

upon

the
the

dropped into

sight.

silent for a time, and then they

They were
and then
and nature, and eternity,
of friendship,
in a
silent for a time again, and then spoke
of separationand
general and proper way
"

"

talked
were

very
com-

NO

in

munion

fell upon

and

rose

and
spirit,

"

hummed

An

Drifting,
driftingon

cannot

find

who

loves
her

in

nature

requires,that

needs,

that

boat

on/'

Such

need

"

haggard look

upon

Doctor

saying,

was

"an

"

his wife

devotedly,but who
that sympathy which
his higher
comprehension of his intellectual

soul ?

debarred, by

Doctor
the

man,"

from

strengthen,and

rest,

in

pensive

shallow

unappreciativeworld,

an

will

which

questioned the
be

not

of

for such

Dallas,gently.

man,"

deep compassion

interruptedMiss

weary

and

the

".

"

always feel

the

man,"

honest
man,

tone,

and
softly,
strong outgoing tide.

face.

honest

"

off

left
paling a little,

west,

the Doctor's

"

broke

Pauline.

The

"

the

31

NEWS.

tionalities
conven-

ship
friend-

ennoble

his

"

Certainlynot," said Pauline, with her eyes

the water
; dull yellow,green, and indigoshades
its ruddiness.
creeping now
upon
Pauline," Dr. Sharpe's voice was low,
"

"

"

"

-r-

upon
were

line
Pau-

!"
Pauline
"

There

honorable
a

turned
are

her

beautiful head.

marriages

marriages,but

marriage for eternity,

"

Now

Myron Sharpe

this world

for

for this world.

a

marriage

is not

true

But

and

there

is

of souls."

fool,but

that

is pre-

32

boat

Sharpe

Myron

uttered

never

similar

under

in the

Dallas,out
If wiser

September night.

that

on

Pauline

said to Miss

he

ciselywhat

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

than

men

sense
unpardonable non-

more

circumstances,

cast

stones

your

at

him.

Perhaps so," said

"

shall be

We

be at all afraid

They

it has

dark

! How

see

were

nevertheless

and

as

What
1 heard

"

cry,

for

she

him,

that ?

was

the

The

Sky
ghost

them

rain beat upon

the beach.

up

suddenly.

"

nothing."
I fancied

"

cry down

back, and

went
a

tide.

like

fog crawled

The

cliffand field.

was

44

shore

with

pullin againstthe

hard

black.

were

They

"

they gratedsafelyon

when

sorry

they turned to walk

Pauline
stopped once
"

but I shall not

but
only in a squall,
storm
driving northeasterly
a
ugly fog. If Miss
very

all afraid

at

had

flat and

over

ing.
talk-

been

you."
caught indeed, not

not

had

sea

but

"

beach.

dull white

They

have

we

squall;

sigh;

with

"

not

was

in

caught

steady force of a
settingin doggedly with

Dallas

while

grown

the

in

Dallas,with

Miss

Miss

space.

walked
Dallas

there
down
took

in the

fog."
slippery

the

off her

hat

to

listen.
"

She
and

You

will take

put it

on

cold," said
she

excited,he said.

heard

Dr.

Sharpe, anxiously.

nothing,
"

she

was

tired

NO

walked

iey

sprained her
drew

he

It

it

No

white

dark

He

and

voice

he

in

!"

hall

pushed

the

open

house

"

me

her
inquirin',
with

door

"

Sharpe

door.

me

bathe

like

table

strode

the
in

come

rainy

it manes,

the
a

temperature

ashkin'
floor

noise,and

upstairs,
the

cryin'on

me,

"
"

to

the

did

first

thing he

and

look at it.

Gone

His

mind

he hune1

the

front
till it

.way

like that !

and

it out

of

children

is

high time,

nails,and

the

bewildered

the

It 's

the

on

Where

where

or

ceme

findin'

all the

in

to

Sharpe

mean

"

set for

was

face.

stern

all this

from

thermometer

while
lightning,

How

"

Dr.

crying.

with

hape

never

Oddly enough,
down

gone

shplitwith

head

me

Dr.

to

all in

tay-time,with

take

door

what

swingin',

cooms

and

all

were

only knows

bath-dress

her

had

long time to
indeed, I fancy,on

does

close

house.

belafe,for her husband

own

the

beatingin.

was

Sharpe," said Biddy, sullenly.

Mrs.
in

Lord

The

parlor window

! what

"

is

The

dreary. No

kitchen

Biddy ! Biddy
Mrs. Sharpe?"

reached

is dark.

children

The

supper.

arm.

for

now,

cold and

was

oars

husband, impatiently.
words, and the sound of his

those

the

the

had

said her

them

nightswhen

Dallas

they

rain

saying them,

remembers

The

when

the

remembered

own

his

lighted.

careless in Harrie

Miss

wrist, trying to help at

were

left open,

33

together.

gently through

lamps

been

home

quite

was

NEWS.

thing back

was

upon

front
to
out
ran

its

34

MEN,

ancestry. Was

Harrie's

nail,over

died

great-unclewho
spread

him

before

itself out

there

in

of three children

future

whole

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

insane

an

while

tionary
tradi-

asylum ?

an

with

not

he

The

mother

buttoning

was

his overcoat.
"

asked
help you find her ?
shall I stay and look
or
Dallas, tremulously
;
hot flannels and
things? What shall I do ?
I go and

Shall

Miss
after

"

"

"

"

I don't

with the
sunset-sailing
cold loathingof

garments,

she

as

handkerchief

at

thus,

Did

spoken on

trusted

friend
As

'

Did

door

remember

an

old

"

that

at

day,

October

himself

comfort

steppedout into the storm,

her,' Myron Sharpe, as
your
'

her

with

he

he

hated

he

den
sud-

the rustle of her

againstthe

her eyes.

did

glimpseof
eternityof

an

he

as

Doctor,

that he

possessedhim

her

leaned

old vow,

an

the

friend of his soul."

that little missing face ?

to

"

for

of her soft voice ; he hated

the sound

moment

said

justthen

littlehomely face

Harrie's

do ! "

justicebe it recorded
have exchanged one
not

would

He

you

his

savagely. To
not.

what

care

have

You

"

best

earthly

luck, or

you

prefer

the

door

providence,or God
decreed

"

when

he

"

it,the Doctor
saw

me

whichever
had

drivingfrom

but

word

justshut

the

station

throughthe rain. I heard enough of the story while

he was
down
the carriagesteps. I left
helpingme
proof
my bonnet and bag with Miss Dallas,pulledmy waterover
sea

without

my
a

head, and
word.

we

turned

our

faces to

the

36

MEN,

bing

of

the

low

gaping, green
like nests
the
what

when

moment

little empty

with

saw

in

word

never

its stern

down

mile
world

the

It

there

that

"

It 's shoreward

"

It is seaward

"

It is behind

Where
mist

us

it ?

was

three

!"
!"

four

or

suddenly,

but

it

see

"

the

red scarf that

lay
speaking

that

for

nothingin the
of seeingthe

was

dread

turn.

the first cry.

said Hansom.
cried the Doctor.

"

said I.

the
sharp,sobbingcry, striking
times in rapid succession,
ing
hush"

breaking

"

the

heard

we

there

should

we

the first to

was

by, and
drifting
coastingalong after

there

us

when

eyes

was

our

writhed

our

bay, because

take

to

Doctor's

of

on

wondering confusedly
at the
travelling-dress,

bit of

that

hauling alongsideof

our

of

of

my
I

lanterns

noticingthe puddles in

of

"

boat ; of

tossing,silent thing;
coiled

of

boat, and
do

flare of

spots of foam

snakes

of the

GHOSTS.

of the

; of

waves

they would

very
a

wind

of white

bottom

AND

WOMEN,

into

shrieks

like

ened
fright-

down.
child's, dying plaintively
after it,through the fog.
struggleddesperately
"

We
Wind

and

Confused
it ; it

took the sound

water

and

bewildered,we

behind

up

beat

and

tossed it about.

about

it and

about

right,at our
left, crying on in a blind, aimless way, making us
no
replies, beckoningus, slippingfrom us, mocking
was

us,

before

us,

at

our

"

"

us

utterly.
The

Doctor

stretched

his hands

out

upon

the solid

NO

wall

of mist ; he

37

NEWS.

with

groped

them

like

struck

man

blind.
die there,

To

in my

"

hearing,

very

without

"

"

chance

"

And

the

while

words

were

his

upon

lipsthe

cries

ceased.
turned

He

smiled

then
little,

face

gray

slowly around,

then
little,

ghastlycheerfulness :
It must
be only for

began

to

shivered

with

argue

"

"

shall hear

it

"

again,Hansom

!"

Hansom,

making

first time

in his

lantern.

We

drew

moment

teeth to

with

was

slimy

held

and

it up

George spoke between

his

"

be

It may

job on 't,nndin'
night's

of the

body."

WHAT?"

The

little sparrow

poor

hand.

He

is

took

man

of

dropped from

step backward,

and
dizzily,

down
He

wind

The

his cheek.
the ropes,

over

me

"The

sat

for the

overturned

covered

of the water,

it out

to

Bending
u

and

repairs.

drift-wood,

Some

Myron
a

for

oar

an

believe

it

heavily up at our feet. I remember

little disabled ground-sparrow,chased
by the
flutteringand drowning just in sight,and

tide,was

for

life,snapped

shall hear

we

false stroke, I

We

washed

weeds,

that

know.

you

quitesure

am

put ashore

rising fast.
that

again,

moment,

fell over

good

nerves

upon

and

Sharpe's

Dr.

scanned

our

faces,

the sand.

great self-posses-

38

fell like

he

sion, but

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

GHOSTS.

and

woman,

lay

like the

dead.

placefor him,"

It 's no

and

Miss

Dallas

each

other..
fire

the fire

Shut

"

the

baby

on

the office floor at last.

parlorand
dull.

looked

The
I

windows.

at

rain beat
like

never

I liked it less
.

night,and

just tryingto brighten

was

the front door

when
little,

and

business."

lamp

the

upon

into his arms,

the windows.

upon

rain

usual that

than

"

in the cold

and

way

the

hear

to

I sat

low

was

uncanny

an

put his

in the dark

left him

I had

in

said,softly. Get
do the rest.
neighbors can

door, and go about your

shet the

The

the

home, and

him

Get

and

Me

"him home.

Hansom

blew

open.

the

said I, between
it,please,"

jerksof

my

poker.
Miss

But

her shoulder

over

Just look at that latch ! "

"

It

and

rose

stillfor

When
of her
in

looked

Dallas

minute,
the door

"

heap

the wall with

where

It

was

rose

"

swung

staggeredinto

scarlet

fell in

at

Harrie

chillyroom

which

scream

long before

in and

feet,Pauline

my

the Doctor

fluttering
way,
fell again.

and

lay with
we

knew

or

"

and
bounded

piercedinto

was

"

the

ghost

fell down

against

the dark

his face upon

how

ered.
shiv-

at that latch.

I looked

feeble

the

and

fice
of-

the floor.

it happened. In-

39

NEWS.

NO

have
known
it all. How
deed, I suppose we
never
she glideddown, a littlered wraith, throughthe dusk
and

damp
dim,

some

her

to

boat ; how

delirious

idea

she

of

tossed

findingMyron

herself
ebbing waves
; that she found
tangledat last in the long,matted grass
started to wade

cove,

about,with

home, and sunk

the

on

and

stranded
of that

in the

muddy
ugly ooze,

and scratched
held, chilled,

by the sharpgrass, blinded

she thought
as
fog,and calling,

by the
frightened
of it,for help ; that in the first shallow wash
have
struggledfree,and
flowingtide she must

and

home

her way
she

tell no

can

This

the

across

imprisonedin
found
was
overnight,

man,

from

exposure

It

saved

have

hand

to

hand

out

of her, and

she

might

spot

same

by George

the

in

Hansom

unknown
same

way

dead

there

home, and

could

onlythat,which

weeks
with

we

and

fought,her husband

death,seeming

to

see

the

life

watching for wandering minutes

look upon

us

with

I,

slip

when

eyes.

sane

with

"

drawn

one

firsthealthful nap,
few

kept her.

we

I remember

the

write,an

little wreck,
just. A mere
kept her
lips,and great eyes, and shattered nerves,

We

but

which

on

her.

for many

Yet

tell us, but

can

in the salt grass.

the walk

was

"

found

more.

morning

very

she

fields,

of the

minutes

was

night,when

she had

that the Doctor

in the

washing the

came

parlorwhere I
tea-things.

sat

fallen into her

down

alone.

to

rest

line
Pau-

40

began

He
"

he

which

much
in

was

struck

been
is

wife of

and

It chanced

had

somebody
was

lent

marked

with

this

and

book,

fore
beI

man's

ran

ing
hav-

I recollect

of

one

Doctor

friend

best

good heart, whom

and

good sense

"

one

be

to

the

to

pencilledpassages.

the

over

eye

abstracted

weary
"

table.

illness ; it

Harrie's

by watching, and, seeing

for. words, I took up a book

mood

the

lay upon

with

room

worn

no

Alger's,which
my

the

pace

lie was

look,
that

to

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

he loves

loves him."

who

"

that ?

believe

"You

Myron, suddenly,behind

said

shoulder.

my

"

she

or

And

"

and

be

ought to
word,

his best

his best

friend,

be his wife."

to

there will be differences of temperament,

if

"

If

things.

instance,Miss
.

of the

sense

ought never

other

"

wife

man's

in every

friend,
""

that

1 believe

"

were

you

man

now,

for

"

Hannah

"

interruptedhim

with

hot

cheeks

sudden

and

courage.
"

If

were

best friend I had

should

could

or

know

ever

and

man,

it,
"

Sharpe!"
Young people\vill bear
from an old lady,but we
meant

we

went

The

up

to.
to

day

closed

she,

least

of all,
"

the

nobody
Myron

great deal of impertinence

had
Mr.

not

were

in the world,

have

wife

my

both

Alger

gone

with

further
a

snap,

than
and

Harrie.
that Mrs.

Sharpe sat

up

in the

easy-chair

NO

hours, Miss

for two

stay and

to

look

to
a

her

in

weakly

the

I accompanied

Miss Dallas intended, I

her lunch

to

think,
into

cram

The

Doctor,

hands, and

wished

dared

them
not

crossed

with

old-

pretty

her

face

fuss

stood

it,after all.

about

her;

beside

had

tiny barrier.

the

lightsupon

cricket

moment,

as

Something
the

on

thrown, lay

been

for the

the

Her

altar may

if he

of that
have

thought.

Miss

Dallas

after
pleasantly,
"Yes.

no

it seemed,

about

his

So

cross

fancy

the

on

walls bowed

the

baby's dresses

of the

between

flickered

Harrie, all alone, turned

and

came
one

directlyto

went

smiled.

and

husband
which

silence, and

and
fireplace,

Well, they made

She

I have

"

Very."

"

You
was

duty among

station.

brightblaze

dancing shadows.

she

the

eyes, shook

home

room.

fashioned

while

to

request.

courteous

drove

his wife's

"

on

and

recovery,

pleasantjourney.

He

old

to

and forgotit.
travelling-bag,

clear,
a

her

little pensive,but had

full

very

with

drove

at his

felt called
upon

Harrie

of service,detailed

Sharpe

them

dear

her

had

home.

babies, went
Dr.

Dallas, who

nurse

reallybeen

had

41

NEWS.

must

very

miss
weak

fairlygone, Harrie," said he,

pause.

has

been

has

been

very

kind

to

the

children

sick."

;
her," said poor Harrie, trembling

yet.

42

wife's

"Harrie
scene

had

almost
had

babies

look

dead

long,

so

"Harrie
will

Miss

and

Hannah

in

And

then

Harrie,

way,

royally,

Sharpe

Dr.

heap

in

his

but

knowledge
she

I 'm

did.

that
and

Doctor,

n't

belief

"

of

they

For

O,
was

some
hand-

how

n't

us,

she

and
did

me

goose

three

have

either, and

nose

and

the

very

wanted

had

his

wit's

be

to

little

to

you
!

skeleton

funny

very

matter,

this
!

bed."

"

finished

gulp.

the
was

"

"

skeleton

little

end,

I declare

"

send

I must

great

he

at

I believe

it

does

she

his

"

SUCH

"

little

! she

Myron

gathered

arms,

dear

snubbed

world.

with

you."

harm,

only

I believe

!
"

"

the

the

I love

only American,

then

said

do

never

nor

was

and,

"

either

themselves.

any

know

after,

knew,

servants

meant

powder

sachet

the

what

said

waste,

and,

of

spite

known

you

was,

to

in

never

and

folded

and

own,

to

that,

at

cricket,

his

sorry,

down

always

she

into

am

scene

Pauline

and

all

the

strength

no

but

broke

She

she

have

we

GHOSTS.

away

hands

shadowy

two

upon

knocked

Doctor

The

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

and
"

cried

just

to

all

into

heap, by
the

about

best
as

of
hard

the
my
as

44

MEN,

Of

the

these

pages

mark

the

beside
half

time

Lawrence

see

their

and
dinginess,

common

find

hurry to

widow

means,

come

That
"

thing

humane

"

keep

girl

she

she

the

half

sadly,

but

hushed.

mills open

no

is to

more

five

to

she

know

beyond

is that

be married

venture.

can

ly
scarce-

home.

at

what

before
stairs
or
"

green.

it will be

Somebody

muses

this winter.

baby
that

its besotted
have

who

flightsof

are

Watch

feed

stairs for herself

say.

ual
habit-

she has put her

group

of

appearance

to

people

clover-leaves
grave

of

healthylabor."

one

is

only
being in

not

"

not
restlessness,

little thing

climbs

one's
once

"

an

child's face here, old

will climb

about

the

There
A

time

but

mouths

and

"

over."

heard

here,

their histories at

many
that

reach.

"

day
by the
was

to

"

father's

linger

own,

dusty black,with

widowed

board,

to

the

how

than

read

can

this,in

remember

out

we

generalair

wash-bowl,

departments of

: you
closely

Worse

as

the

their

of

often of envious

"

in most

look

the

restlessness,

bit of marble

is when

have

them

sets

one

"

Factory faces
a

girls.

are

languidlythe dull-colored,inexpectant
in ! So briskly
they come
bounding out !

wind

crowd

of

Of

So

close.

or

to

as

that

factories.

them
lingerover
who
one
sleepswell
gladlythan sadly,

more

"

inhabit

grave

gladly,

The

written

mound.

thirds

two

are

souls who

operativesin .the

are

thousand

ten

These
to

twenty-five thousand
thousand

city,ten

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

"just

its time.
twice

another
The

best

level,"she
a

There

little
is

THE

face

TENTH

just behind
;

you

her

there

Had

be

for

would

one

She

observed

was

mild

was

she

pallidface.

its few

wore

It

faded

was

what

have

been

crossed

not

been

of

one's

by

attention

would

have

scarlet

must

hood

best

at

certain

of the

white

scar, which

than

either

eyes

had

the

you

day

which

have

been

off with

wiry

mouth

neck

the

and

nervous

chin

womanly, pleasantmouth,

pleasantness.Her
shone through them
You

with

holidayhours,

sicklyface, shaded

purple shadows, but with

strengthabout the muscles
would

Mill,eager

closelymuffled, though

were

heightenedthe pallorof
a

towards

girlwho did not bound.

slightlybuilt,and undersized; her

shoulders

and

of Essex

corner

1859, watching the impatient

saddening eagerness
have

tract
at-

guiltin them,

Saturday afternoon

one

of the Pemberton

out

pour

repel and

love than

unobserved

last of November,

stream

fixed eyes

more

some

Street,at four o'clock

the

45

either.

stood in

you

JANUARY.

whose

may

despairthan

more

OF

attracted
womanliness

had

it
it

more
or

lightlong lashes,and

steadily.
been

well, had you

the
another
face,

noticed

as

used

two
were
analyzingcrowds,
side by side,
dimpled with pink and white flushes,
would
One
and framed
laugh
with brightblack hair.
at this girland love her, scold her and pityher, caress
her and pray for her,
then forgether perhaps.

to

"

"

"

The

Ivory I

girlsfrom
look

over

behind

called

there I "

after her

"

Del

I Del

46

turned

Pretty Del
smile

at

who

had

She

head.

her

clerk

young

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

justflunga

petting his

was

mustache

shop-window,and the smile lingered.

One
of the factoryboys was
walking alone
in his factoryclothes.
the Common

in

there 's Dick

Why,

"

Sene's

One

had

She

exactlywhether

knows

never

five minutes

him

seen

them, catchingtheir chatter

over

show-windows
Look

"

a' that

've

"I
ould

three.

That

with

's

the

brown

dresses

her

at

That

"

's

Moll

you,

You

"

went

to

?
'd

so.

cry
the

figureson
that

nor

it ! "
in

the

let alon'

hangin'

of that

carriage

gettingout

lives in

the

cupilo."

the

dress

that

she

"

I 'd like my

trailin' after her.

these

they be good,
"

I 'd be

good

if I

was

rich folks ! "

rich ; would

keep growing
Match

wilder
:

yea

than
you

ever,

would,

if you
because

said so."
he would

n't marry

her,

after all ; and

"
"

Going

n't

"

So, then,

"

the

horses,

hell, Meg

teacher

my

laugh or

trailin' after me."

Well, may

"

"

with

house
Look

"

white

two

ago.

!"

me

Foster

Mary

she made

street.

is betther

as

"

they file past

Patsy Malorrn,

"

of

the shawl

silk with

pink

to

as

long,showy

them

seen

coun

onto

she

of the

see

but
slightly,

moved

scarred mouth

reply.

no

Sene, do you

across

to

the circus

Bess
to-night,

"

THE

I can't

"

head

my

aches

You

don't know

it aches, and

aching.

stop

never

47

JANUARY.

It aches, and

dead, Jenny !

was

OF

help crying,Jenny.

if it would

as

TENTH

I wish

it

how
seems

I wish

"

"

They separatedat last,going each

her

own

way,

"

pretty Del

Ivory to her boarding-placeby the canal,

alone.
her companion walking home
Asenath
This girl,
fell
Martyn, when left to herself,
into

contented

her

reached

age,

in

the

streets

She

the second.

at

one
canal-bridge

It

the

led

; it

break

Yet

seen.

at

the

seen

few

home

her

of the

were

the

and

home

day,went

short
;

have

have

more

first

glance,

artist,
meeting her musing

by

broken

tipped now
spilledout

fence, a sudden

they ran

"

and

passed,
"

and

then, like

two

or

"

in

street

children,

she

as

on

flower
painteda May-

place,the

filled with

gutters after her,

and
soup-plate,

three

filled

over-full

an

through

the

in the fence.

Down
winds

sharp upon

in the corner,

broke

children

about

played ;

window, and
The

that

An

the water

the brim

to

had

puzzled one

she lived,cut

steep, and
from

she

budding in February.
a
was
damp, unwholesome

which

girlswho

to

common

especially
girlswho

"

gravely lined.
and

not

of life which

phases
faces

dream

broken

mended, and

an

little
old

of

clever

yellow house,
face

man's

nasturtium-vine

panes
a

the water, the east-

crawled

where

watched
in the

no

at

garden.

well
place were
from a
little gate, extemporized

glass about

the

48

wild

grape-vine,swung

Asenath
the
"

Dick

"

Come

he

and

Yes.

Did

why

not."

No

"

on

not

was

child ; did n't want

're

hour

an

very
had

before

any

do I, but

they took

in

any

supper,

time, Senath."

supper,

it 's

like the

"

gone

n't want

more

knows

It

entrance.

felh

father ?

has n't come,

Your

see

the

expectant eyes

glance,and

said.
u

in with

went
at

room

at

GHOSTS.

work.

old man's

an

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

of

none

our

pickleshurt

I don't

say ?

you

as

for dinner

concern

him

stomach, as you might

o'er-strong
how
But you don't tell me
it m' happen you 're
say.
let out at four o'clock,Senath," half complaining.
in the machinery, father ;
0, something broke
Dick

never

an

"

know

you

would

you

n't understand

if I told

you

what."
He

looked

there

in the

her
her

from

dress.
;

on

corner

she turned

as

father

up

She

his bench,

his strongest

quicklyaway
was

but her words

he

"

never

rang

and

days,
"

up

shoes

cobbled
and

stairs to

after

change

with
exactlycross
sometimes.
impatiently

her

presently,transformed, as only
transformed, by the simplelittletoilet
are
factory-girls
she had been
making ; her thin, soft hair knotted
smoothly,the tipsof her fingersrosy from the water,
well toned by her gray stuff dress and
her pale neck
was
one
Asenath
a cape : there
always wore
cape ;
She

came

down

"

of crimson

flannel,with

hood,

that

she

had

meant

THE

to

up

shut

drawer, and

opened
As

coming

on

days
Satur-

at

home.

it

wear

time

more

thrown

it

with

into

away
;

then

had

not

snap

little;but

read

she

hand

which

bent

them,

always

and

snow-drifts

silence of the grave,

cracked
up

thing

that
she
sweet

many

streets

she
home

at

her.

-the children

She

days, to

ing
through loath-

air.

She

remembered
the

grocery

in the

out

sat

of

broken
the

and

distant memories

her

oppositewall

back,

wandered

she

numbness,

; of

with

little

creepingout

ghastlytwisted
Through the open
laughing and leaping

night-dress
; of

summer

eyes.

the

when

afternoon,in bed,

the

looked
heard

days

she had

sunny

it in her

to

shut her
after

and

rounded

shelf; of brutal scowls

fall,then

The

hand.

of her

terror

"

glassupon

window
in the

on

had

face

nightswhen

; of

through

waking

the

be ; of

day, a blow,

one

on

supperlessin

home

of her

her

mother's

own

should

smiles

dinnerless

jug

her

"

capes.

gracefulshoulders.

been

scarred

had

bottle

where

crossingand recrossingthe broad

it was
fell upon
the floor,
easy to

have

might

They

settingthe

room,

sad story of the little hooded

the

Of

two,

sunlightthat

belt of

the

about
silently

moved

she

for
supper-table

and

it

it out.

taken

of

to

apt

drawer

cried

and
softly,

it

about

thought

was

the

49

JANUARY.

Sundays ; Dick had

stairs to-night,
she had

and

Going

had

mill ; she

the

from

OF

she

to-night;

wear

home

TENTH

the

crawled

into

stealingout
round

the

bed
at

corner

and

last,
for

50

of coffee.

pound

"

Humpback

"

the

children,

the

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

children

very

! ".cried

humpback
could

who

leap and

laugh.
One

she and

day

Ivory made

littleDel

mud-houses

after school.
I 'm

"

carpet and

house

curtains

some

of my

husband

my

when

own,

I 'm

shall have

"I

pretty Del;

said

up,"

grown

have

going to

will

red

buy

me

piano."
will mine, I

"

So

"

Yours

"

Del

ever

her

back

shook

suppose- would

you

guess,"said Sene, simply.

?

you

marry

curls ;

the

nightthere was a knocking at

hideous, sodden
thing borne in upon
street, tired of
mother

tipped her
fence.

glad Sene

You

stay

to

're

layingdown
Put

"

own.

such

"

How

father,
did n't

fellow

that the young

eh, Senath?"

"

her

"

old

the

should

Why

I be ?

His

said,

man

that

for the

Union

! I 'm

fine
him

day
to

I 'm

go
not

to
a

walk

with

me

fool to tie him

him
I

sure

every
up

is his

time

took

Union

"

say,

things,

It 's likely
to be the

afternoon.
a

one

his boot.

out

expected
of

some

Cross.

bit put out

supper,

three

meant

Richard
a

The

broken

the

staggeringthrough

Since that,life had

"

plank.

be ! "

must

the mills,and

door, and

little children,had

tippingout

the funeral she heard

At

do

"

One

crowded

who

never

Saturday

to the

crippled
girl. Supper is ready,father."

out,

notions

52

him.

Usually

understood

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

GHOSTS.

forgotthis.

he

he

Sometimes

quite

it,as to-night.
with

only of avoidingDick,
and of findinga stillspot where
she might think her
the eastern
over
thoughtsundisturbed, wandered
away
It was
a moody
bridge,and down to the river's brink.
place; such a one as only apatheticor healthy natures
if that is tautology!) can
healthfully
yield
(I wonder
bank
The
to.
sloped steeply; a fringe of stunted
Asenath,

and

aspens
was

willows

under

of water

Belated

the

and

roar

to

silent mills
a

burned

foot,and

brown

and

down

and

againstthe

other

ning
begin-

were

The

bridge.
over

the

oriflamme

dullyin
windows

was

the current

the

streams

of scarlet
ling
dirty,curd-

of the Pember-

quivered and dripped,Asenath

thought,as

blood.
sat

down

shawl, curtained
passers

huge
An

each

to

down

the

in the west, flickered

ton, which

She

up

it

"

it

Shadows

blank,unvaryingstare.

water, flared

if with

bore

sand:

sluggishwash
hind.
dreary flats be-

was

of the dam.

stared

summer,

shrieked

the wind

under

frozen

stretch of

locomotives

rage

skulk

There

now.

river,and

the

with

the

from

sprang

desolate

and

across

purpose

sickening,airless place in

damp

the

on

the

on

gray

about

by

bridge.

when

things went

borne

her

bear

them.

troubles

stone,

wrapped

the aspens

She

had

ill with

alone, but

her.
she

from

in her
the

fancy for
She
must

be

eye

this

had

gray
of

place

always
alone

to

THE

knew

She

this little

about

done

he not

Had

her, for
with

two

53

JANUARY.

she

that, if

tired and

was

she

could

neglect of Dick's,
should

Indeed, why

her.

annoy

to

well that

very

afternoon, and

that

OF

TENTH

nervous

quietly

reason

it would
she

be

to

cease

annoyed

everything for her, been everything

long,sweet years ? She dropped her
She

smile.

shy

tired of

living
She
took positivepleasurein
these two
over
years.
in which
they found her,
recallingthe wretchedness
for the sake of their dear relief. Many a time, sitting
she had
her
with
happy face hidden in his arms,
the day on which
he came
to remember
laughedsoftly,
head

It

her.

to

cross

the

was

and

had

long ;

; the

the

been

hands.
that

sittingon
Dick

he

was

when

he

could

never

saw

would

stood
to

to

there

bear
n't

to

see

"
"

with

inquire the

the tears

at

way

cry," he

woman

said

it

der
or-

temples
ple
Peo-

ache.

looked

She

his cap

her shrunken

on

girl!

that

to

at

"

of

out

Her

would

door-stepwith

the

be

be kind.

Look

me

on

life looked

All

it.

her back

"

had

overseer

like that

looked

always

never

always throb, and

would
always say,
direct

the

"

reels would

would

you

Her

long. Somebody
Look
passing her :

said in

would

overseer

Can

tired.

was

hot and

was

girl! I 'd kill myself if I

in a whisper,but she heard

that

"

she

her all the afternoon

day

home

way

hot

the

never

was

and
twilight,

at

was

troubled

reels had
was

her

off.

up

she

face in her
He

Newbury
cheeks.

forgot
Street,
Dick

suffer.

simply,sittingdown

54

her.

beside

recipe for
do, but

the whole
It

and

work

hunting for

the strange, unhomelike

to

one

some

What

short

than

the

should

become

his home

be

no

little yellow

nasturtiums

hers and

be

swing
that his

the old

man's,

?
unconsciously
it was
not
exactly pleasant,
it to-night justthe look of

"

remember

to

with

one

the

came

theirs unite

and

remembered

somehow,

in

gladof

that he should

plant the

the fantastic gate, and

She

"

here

should

lad,there

house

his future

other
an-

farm,

her father

that,when

Newbury Street; that

to

in

father's

bit homesick

"

talk of

grow

course

enough

his

more

life should

Of

to.

pleasedwith

was

the child

city,it might be, and

natural

more

and

out

so

say

break

from

board,

infallible

an

could

What

and

fresh

boy,

is

cry

minutes, she his

ten

common

was

"

Down-East

story in

to

would

if her heart

as

ten.
"

GHOSTS.

Tellinga girlnot
keeping her at it.

sob

he had

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

into the house

they came

his face when

evening,and

"

for

he

the first time

that
what

saw

summer

she was,

fallen off,in the full

lamplight. His
kindlyblue eyes widened with shocked surprise,and
had
he raised them, a pitylike a mother's
fell ; when
time
and brightened
as
crept into them ; it broadened

her

cape

slid

by, but

So

you

having

it
see,

never

left them.

after that, life unfolded

surprisesfor Asenath.
one
said, I
tired,some

If she

little

"

pink ribbon, she

heard

am

"

burst of

home

came

sorry."

whisper,

in

If she

It suits

very
wore

you."

If

THE

she sang

the

OF

little song, she

I did

"

TENTH

know

not

55

JANUARY.

knew

the world

that

somebody

like this ! "

was

tened.
lis-

cried

girl.

After
be out

there

time

they

late,
"

missed

You

nightthat he chanced to
planned an arithmetic lesson
a

"

then

much

so

me

standingwith his hand

corn
trying to shell some
the yellowkernels rolled

was

and

should

What

"

and

forgotten,

she sat

ing
griev-

fire.

kitchen

the

by

had

had

he

which
together,

came

I have

?"

her

upon

on

away

chair.

She

dropped the

she

he said regretfully,

pan,

floor.

the

if I did n't have

you

"

she

said,and caught her breath.

The

The

again.

sad, white

He

they

so

had

but

the

not

urged

girl,like

the

the

his hands

he
and

made

kissed

and nothing
together,

corn

it.
this last

all

was
girls,

springof

their

marriage;

shylysilent,and

he had

it.

that

pleasantdreaming justas
scious
furling into gray, suddenly con-

started from

oriflamme
she

was

was

not

her

alone.

Below

her, quiteon

sitting,"a girl
girlwas
feather in
brightplaidshawl, and a nodding red

brink
a

her face within

shelled

spoken

Asenath

with

shoulders,and

always, Asenath,"

me

said about

was

the

her

took

He

it ; and

the

touched
firelight

back

and

window

scar.

answer.

more

the

shall have

You

"

to

paced

man

young

of the

water,

56

her hat.
a

Del

to

her in

quiteable

speak

to

rose

take

to

and

certain way,

late,"thought
Del

she rather

her, but

to

was

loved

the

concluded, on

aspens, that Miss

glancethrough the

second

so

smiling tenderly. Good-natured

She

girl.

bent, and her hair fell against

was

pretty to be here alone

is too

Asenath,
kind

GHOSTS.

pink-and-white.

in

cut
profile
"

head

Her

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

Ivory was

of herself.

care

old log that juttedinto the

on
an
sitting
with the tipsof her
stream, dabbling in the water
she could not
feet.
(Had she lived on The Avenue
been
have
more
particularabout her shoemaker.)
Some
it was
to see
too dark
one
distinctly stood
Del

was

"

"

her, his eyes

beside
hear

she

nothing, but
how

know

the

her

upon

needed

"

her

It 's no

she

wonder,"

love her if I

was

man

just good for nothing,Del

fire go

out, ajid would

but I 'd love

and

be sorry

is ;

! Poor

that she

same

honest

sense

of

they love
so

the
marry

way,

puzzled

she watched

would

"

quettish
co-

story. Del

her

which

n't mend

all the

all my

PrettyDel
she wished

her

pretty !

so

in the

to

score.

with

wonder

it 's no

"

"

the

thought in

standing still to watch them

like that with
pleasure much
print-windows,

old

an

could

nothing

drank

eyes
was

rejectedlovers by

Asenath
hear

to

fellow's

young

picture. Besides,it
counted

face.

her.

the
I 'd

pretty ! She 's

let the kitchen

baby's aprons ;
her, probably,

life."
Del
were

! Asenath

wondered

whether

like her ; she could not

quite

TENTH

THE

make

out

It would

be

like that ; it would

was

that

Dick

had

hum

The

with

away

left her,

just now
never

looked

like

of their

voices

ceased

sudden

at

into the

back

some

to

him

from

course

her

into

girldid

had

the

undergrowth

that

it would
!

fellow

not

shrank

"

he

passed her,

"

the

haggard struggling

the
She

beginning,but

shadow,

not.

sat

again.

down

somewhere

graveyard,and

too,
Distinctly,

seen
was

of

of

the aspens

creature, with

remembered

She

eyes.

she heard
3*

there under

down

humpbacked white

wide

member
re-

known

might have

distinct consciousness, for the moment,

face and

man

young

farewell,sprang

or

sight,

not.

seeing herself crouched

in

her head

last of the sunset, struck

it from

knew

you

stood up,

Asenath

had

the

stood

Cross's face.

it,perhaps,but she had

she

and

twilightas

gleam,the

that the

the

she

shadow.

the

and

Richard

"

and

suddenly

her.

turned

poor

"

tall in the

it out

face,

She

as

the west.

Struck

Of

her

Del

idea

vague

aspens

dull,umber

and

watched

while

crushed

his face,

see

towered

He

look

strides.

Asenath, with
be honorable

be

this at

bow

and

bound,

movement,

quick,uneasy

with

them

logand

it struck

apparentlywithout

the bank

up

sit on

pleasantto

more

her eyes upon

with

there

JANUARY.

pleasantto

be

watched

Del

OF

torted
dis-

picture

little chatteringgoblin

struck with the resemblance.

herself

saying,with

laugh,

58

thought,""

she

it ; I

known

have

might

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

might have

known."
the blood

Then

she

rush, and

She

face ! Richard's

Richard's
T

jt had

as

"

pityhim

God

She

step, too, that

hands,
faint

after

all; her

face

down

the bank

to

I won't

I '11make

From

I swam,

over

"

came

never

each

into

hope

"

other, and
her

to

came

then

fool,"she said,

"

stilla

perhaps,
she

I '11 make

crept

sure,

"

death."

did you

drop

guiltystart.
the bridge,
to
blew
me

be

from, Sene
Did

sure.

you

"

think

"

sudden

so

down

!"

said Del,

the wits out

nearlyfrightened
meet
anybody on the bridge?

you

"

did n't

sat

Del.

as

on

help
at her ; struggling
struggledfor her.
"

lightenedgrayly,and

flew, or

or

You

"

sure

with

Del,

where

Well,

said

be

as

it had

as

God

face, looking

looked

never

"

her

shut

littlewhile.

man's

red

bridge,passed the toll-house,grew faint,

fainter,died in the sand by the Everett Mill.

grew

"

heard

hot

the

over

rang

]ier

Del

saw

of her hat.

feather

through her heart with a

the log,smoothing the
on

came

of

ly
petulantYou

me.

with

quick

look.
Let

"

"

There
no,

"

"

"

Oh

Del

was

three

Asenath

see."

me

one

"

small

dogs, I

considered

boy making faces, and

believe ; that

was

!"

looked

gravely.

but fell silent.

relieved,

all."

two

60

MEN,

need

look

not

WOMEN,

AND

and
still,

so

GHOSTS.

of

sure

herself,

"

mere

humpbacked frightI
He

me

'11 never

he

bad.

He

's handsome.

tears

rolled

hate

saying

work.

to

sightrather.

be

to

want

I 'd

I feel bad

cheeks, and
them

wiped

fell

on

the

carefully

away

fingers.

turned

Asenath

Besides,I

her

over

Del

rounded

her

it 's too

cry."

plaid shawl.

with

feel like

"

it to

makes

me

for

even

I think

mill.

of,

care

not

all that.

good

so

the

about

Two
soft

hate

be taken

enough

He

too, he 's
I

married.
rather

his engagement,

's sorry for her, and

prayers,

my

break

and

looked

at

this Del

Ivory long

The
through the dusk.
steadily
pretty, shallow
thing! The worthless, bewilderingthing!
and tears
A fierce contempt for her pink-and-white,

and

eyelashesand attitudes,came
upon
her
sudden sickeningjealousythat turned

and

she

did

having so

wealth

with

this

and
Not

she had
"

So

mean,

Asenath

"

faint where

one

such

by.
that

believed
what

"

such

hold

God

littleelse to believe in,

had

he

when

by

sat.

What

not

her ; then

in

God,

did he mean,

girlall her happy life with

her careless hands
of beauty, by filling
best, last gift?
Why, the child could
blessed

the

goldenlove
What
she

had

waste

these

She
it

was

words

would

throw

it away

!
for her

thought,but

through her dizzypain.

thought distinctly
there 's nothing to do about it,"said Del, pinthe

TENTH

ning her

shawl.

other,

each

OF

"We

"

61

JANUARY.

can't

have

anythingto

say to

unless

anybody should die,or anything;

I 'm not wicked
and of course
enough to think of that.
Sene ! Sene ! what are you doing?
had risen slowly,stood upon
Sene
the log,caught
"

"

"

at

aspen-top, and

an

The

the water.

above

the

about

Sene

roots.

it its whole
writhed

looked

down

length
ered
quiv-

and
and

moved

sound.

and

screamed

Del

slighttree

lipswithout

her marred

with

out

swung

her

wrung

hands.

It

was

an

ugly sight!
'

don't, Sene, don't !

"O
you

will

be

you

gave

start

Martyn ?
Sene

drowned

me

swung

slowlyback, and
little;

what

O,

"

doing, Senath

you

muttered

weak

talk any

I won't

more

home, Del."

Go

aches.

head

down.

sat

well, unless somebody

"

I believe

But

said ?

to-night. My
alone ;

were

be

yourself!

"

died, you
Del

will

you

What

Amusing myself a

"

'11 drown

You

protest

there

leaving her

at

but, with her brightface clouded

and

fortable,
uncom-

went.

turned

Asenath
of her

dress, then
the

upon

An

edge
of

and

folded

shadow

woman's

listen for the last rustle

to

her

arms,

sat

cut

and, with

eyes

ing
farmer, driv-

Andover

bridge, observed
within

her

still.

half later,an
the

across

head

sluggishcurrent,

hour
home

her

shadow

on

"

the
the

river's
outline

stillwith folded
figure,sittingperfectly

62

He

arms.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

GHOSTS.

down

looked

reined

up

and

!"

he

called

but

it sat

quite still.
Hallo

"

there
!"

don't look out

was

but it did

not

Andover

The
with

strong, and

of

it blew

make

nor

move

looked

farmer

recollection

the sudden

you

for the wind

againstthe figure;

'11fall in if you

"

ply.
re-

his shoulder

over

which
ghost-story

he

not
to believe last week,
chargedhis grandchildren
cracked
his whip, and rumbled
on.
Asenath
began to understand by and by that she

had

the bank, made

climbed

cold,so

was

and
the railroad,
windy flats,
with

by

the

she

was

dam

willow

with

the green

thundered

being high.

blinds

that

She

night,the

made

her

looked

in.

She

had

there.

As

she

listened

something that
the Ledger?
"

she

never

of his

had

about

to

red

the

read

"

the blue

"

black
she

roar,

The

water

it, and

above

up
so

the

and

and

smooth

remembered

it in the Bible

was

thunders

seven

what

see

moulding.

wind

it

aside

sightbehind

house,

way

seen

to

out

out

and

fusedly
bridge con-

She turned

going home.
keeper came

his little blue

and

the

over

way

the western

toll-gate.The
doing,but she kept

tjiegreat
house

idea of

an

her

or

utteringtheir

voices.
"

He

A
stood

's sorry for

dead

there,

throwingup
.

bough
went

her, and
shot
over

all that,"

down

the

current

and

down,

and

its littlebranches

It fell in with

they said.

thought of

out

while

she

of

sight,

helplesshands.
Asenath's, perhaps; at

like

THE

she^did

rate

any

OF

TENTH

like the

not

63

JANUARY.

looks

of

it,and

went

home.
the

Over

bridge,and

streets, the

she

when

falls called

all that."

her, and

The

curtain

it

in these

forgottenhim

her father

for

aside

through

head

bent.

often left him

to

alone,

her, also,that she

be

to

lighted

drawn

his gray

was

the

's sorry

was

saw

It occurred

what

now

He

"

her that she had

to

old father !

understood

after her:

alone,with
sitting

It occurred
poor

canal, and

home, and she

came

the window,

."

the

alone.

Had

she

comforted, companioned

two

years ?

She
"

in

came

Dick

's

in,and

"

sunk
her

made

the

upon

floor,
"

and

little faint,

're

You

"

about.

bed," said the old

to

gone

answering her look.

" I
tired,father."
am
She

looked

weakly,and

man,

tired,Senath."
heat

the

of the

laid her head

room

upon

his

oddly enough,she noticed that the patch on it

how
wondered
days it had
many
given way,
he had felt raggedand neglected
whether
so,

knee

had

"

been

"

while

she

busy

was

put her hand

She

up

that

about
and

blue neck-tie for Dick.

the

smoothed

of the

corners

rent.
"

You

He

She

shall be mended

up to-morrow,

smiled, pleasedlike
looked

up

face,at

at

him,

"

his blackened

child to be remembered.

his gray

at

hands

What
coat.
dusty,ill-kept
days brought her nothingbut

and

!'
poor father

and

would
him

hair and
bent

elled
shriv-

shoulders,

it be like,if the

64

Something 's the

"

his

face flushed

Would

I 'm
She

hard

for many

When

had

she
door

was

behind

"

you

She

had

"

think

not

to

gone

it had

seemed

the

on

room

the littlekerosene
and

came

first floor,
and

lamp

called

his head ;

over

pale.

good night,Sene."

n't said

made

Dick
half-way up stairs,

gone

grave

I have

She

wrong.

don't

You

night unkissed

of his

held

He

his face
"

him

first.

at

her.

father ?

after that.

felt better

the

done

put her hands

and

arms,

kiss me,

you

sleep now

to

hot, as if she had

ugly to kiss,maybe,

too

Tell

old neck.

rough

"

littlegal?

with my

matter

crept up into his

She

GHOSTS.

"
ye ?

father,can't
Her

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

reply.
Asenath, good night."
She stayed her steps upon
no

"

head.

her
Was
"

not

Her

that

forehead
She

what

mounted
with

had

kissed her

ing
turn-

to-night.

enough?

Why, Sene,

Dick

father

the stairs without

the
a

's the matter

with

and touched
stairs,

you
his

"

lipsto

her

gentlycompassionatesmile.

fled from

him

creature, shut

with
her

cry like the cry

door, and

locked

of

focated
suf-

it with

ringing clang.
"

said

She

's walked

too

far,and

Dick, screwing up his lamp

Then

he went

into

his

room

got
;
to

"

little

poor

nervous,"

thing!

look at Del's

"

photo-

THE

graph awhile

OF

TENTH

before

65

JANUARY.

he burned

it up ; for he meant

to

it up.

burn

the

lamp before
; tore

and

rolled

had

locked

her

and
looking-glass

it off

cape

tears

she

when

Asenath,

savagelythat

so

away,

off her

tore

the

button

gray

snapped

little crystal
semicircles

two

"

door, put her

like

the floor.

upon

There

collar about

no

was

the

neck

of her

dress,

heightenedthe plainnessand the pallorof her

shrank
the first sightof
She
at
instinctively

and this
face.

opened

herself,and

'11

herself

turned

She

lips.

it

where

the

crimson

resolutely.

it," she

of

the worst

see

drawer

shut

folded, but

/:ape was"
"I

the

about

said with

and

about

pinched

before

the

her shoulders,
lettingthe cruel lightgloatover
glass,
purple on her face.
lettingthe sicklyshadows
grow
Then
into

her

studied

hands, and
the

The

poor,

blot out
so

She

by

she

motionless

chin

half-hour,

uncolored, unlightenedface

her ; her eyes

the

good

dropped

darkeningat

its eyes,

dimming

the outline

breath

wrong

But

he

God

make

slippedupon

was

She

upon

her

into

felt

world, as

of the
sums

head

her

face !

mistaken

blot it out

happy !

did

her

repulsivemouth.

and

like to

for

so,

touchingits hair,her

of its

By

at

the table and

on

unrounded,

that stared back

her hair

elbows

put her

she

such

would

if she

as

her

tears

slate.

sorry for it,and

hands.

her

used

It had

all that.

faces ?

her knees, bewildered.

to

been

Why

GG

MEN,

"

can't

He

fast,and

AND

WOMEN,

nohow," she said,speaking

harm

mean

any

knelt

there

GHOSTS.

and

said it

till she felt

over

of it.

sure

and

sinuous

After
and

thoughtof Del once more,

and littlecries and
springs,

she

Then

time

She

stayeda

minute

to

red

and

the

clock

was

and

home-like

and

floor,with

her

she

to

ought

decided, in

when

But

in

into

whistled

sat

he

to

the

little about

was

her

herself

to

down

cried

the

on

hard

as

as

ago.

o'clock,having

one

to-morrow.

up

was

fire for

fire

seemed

she

give Dick

came

The

seemed

hours

food.

some

with

up

her, and

bright
brought in
a

helped her fry the potatoes,

and

house, and worried

at

and
her

nothing about it.

till night,"she planned, making ready

paleness,and
"

feet.

she

about

to

to-morrow

so

four

bed

dull way,

water,

for

chair,and

face,and built the kitchen

all the

growing faint,

was

ticking. It

done

have

climbed

She

her

warm

lonely;

head

chatter.

kitchen

comfortable,and

homeless

very

the

into

stole down

so

that she

found

she

of her colors

"

she

so

I '11 wait

said

for the mill.

"

O, I can't !
came,

and

"

she cried at

other

quite aware

am

It is

of

heroine

proud

and

as

So

nights.
that, accordingto

precedents,this conduct
Floracita,in the novel,
duty

night.

to

proper

was
never

ings
morn-

all romantic

preposterous in Asenath.
so

far

the
forgets

struggle,
waver,
to

other

free

the

whole

doubt, delay.
young

fellow;

68

she
Practically,

fires,and

kiss

never

nobody
de

fathers do
Sene
Del

That
to

not

fact that

fallen.

Ivy

was

unhappinessas
the

for much

had

to

very
in

no

slow

pretty Del
young
Dick

good

Dick

in the

herself

girltold

for the

conviction

who

should

his sake

might

Del

that, no

married
other

her,

people.

her

bear
blot

matter

he

all

would

marriagewith

the

be

few

and

of his

crown

misery.
wealth

more

"

thingsand hope
the

what

Dick's

Poor
of

thinkingthis, crimsoned
streak of good common
though she half scorned
that even
man
a
crippledwo-

"

out

undoubted

disappointment;

deserved

Who

wifelysacrifice ? Asenath,
with
A
pain and shame.
sense

as

on

intricacies

would

and

acceptedat last,not
but as its silent burden
life,

dear,

like this

insure

his

There

worry

make

make

time

so

to

to

be

her father ; but

way

the way

would

the Bonnes

save

was
a

she

would

Ivory, added
unpoeticbut

loved.

he

then

months,

merry

was

pave

whom

woman

to

in

Del

"

could

Asenath

sweet, tired steps,or

count

question. It

the

"

nobody

cape,

there

the

windows

There

tear.

be sure,

To

the

tired,Sene

for whom

none

build

to

listen when

not

are

crimson

take

to

dreamy plans.
which

the

for;

Jersey,or

You

mind

mend

would

undried

an

notice

to

neck-ties

blue

say,

away

and

water,

"

not

her

up

drearyfact,he

would

sung

the

pump

In

alone.

make

must

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

memory

the

end

motive

all

thingsfor

of this rounded
with

by loving his

which

he

wife

like

THE

watched

She

he

which

could !

after her

could

evenings,as
the

over

he

book
library

make

him

happy

I knoiv

she muttered

"

to herself.
fiercely
into
December
December,

blew

November

January, while

into

honorable

in his

in the

sometimes

eyes

69

JANUARY.

OF

reading.

was

know

"

him

his kind

turned

TENTH

kept her

Dick,

silence.

heart, seeing that she suffered,wearied

with

himself

she

gealed
con-

plans

to

make

her

eyes

shine ;

instead of one, never

brought her two pailsof water
She
from the mill.
forgot the fire,helped her home
Del Ivory once
him meet
Essex Street with
saw
upon
a

silent bow

and

grave

He

meant

the

uttermost

to

never

debt

the

pay

secret, he

wretched

with

kindness, struck her dumb

used

She

to

analyzeher

it would

what

he

spoke with

her

owed

down

her

plain.

that grew

farthing;

speak her

to

he

suffocated

To

him.

build the fire and

floor,to hurry

cook

faint and

away,

streets, to climb
and

stand

wheels
and

go

deafen

at

the

the

at

endless

cold

eat

her

the

stairs in

dinner
the

at

sweep

the raw,

over

to

the

from

hear

loom, and

the remorseless

rough girlswearing

by half
mornings,
the

pery
slip-

half past six the endless stairs

buzzing round,
at

with

her

be up

breakfast and

weak,

she try-

ing
days, consider-

winter
past five o'clock in the chill of all the
to

to

words.

tender

life in those

be without

Did

now.

sicken

in the

the endless

oilysmells,

noise, and weary

other

end

little cold

of the

of the pass ; to
tin

pailout

recess
three-quarters-of-an-hour

on

; to

70

MEN,

exhausted

come

home

at

up

the

supper,

and

brush

and

be too

weak

to

and

make

the

her

father's

wishing that
for

not

should

like

runs

The

her

wearing toil ;

she

and

sat

hid

have

thought her

came

when

"

where

her

found

day

bear.

So, passingher

her need

her

seemed
hands

!"

in her eyes.

and

went

relief

wherein

she

went

Merrimack

sung

to

away

was

be the
alone

his songs to

knees, and listened

the slow

greater than she could

head,
her fore-

over
confusedly

she said at last aloud, " That

purpose

sulted
con-

it rather

till they and

thoughts,

own

of the winter

Martyn

and

it chanced

"

Asenath

face upon

torment

Asenath

was

"

would

January

She

time

holiday, perhaps,after all,

this factorylife
in, did not make

was

last there

and

at noon,

her.

room,

"

of

whom

that the limit of endurance

somebody to complainof,
rest of us, I fancy.

at

"

employersdealt honorably
fairlypaid,and promptly,for

was

She

easy.

But

no

how

winters,

with
girls,

young

occasional

an

in the mood

ninth

for all the

temperature of the

in the

like the

hear

fact that her

her ; that she

have

o'clock ; to

"

by

to

of her

story ?

very

more

aching shoulders
best dress,or darn

cheerywhistle about the house ; to

and lie there tryingnot to think, and
this
she might creep into her grave,

like it,you
a

of rest in

sit with

eat ; to

winter, but

you

bench,

or

so

one

night,and get

about the shoemaker's

till nine
stockings,

bed

into

GHOSTS.

half past six -at

button-holes

bounding step
creep

AND

WOMEN,

's what

back

to

God
work

means,

with

TENTH

THE

She

asked

"

been

and

toasted

up

and

and

warmed

bread

Sene,

asked

she

Sleighs,with

laughing in
glareof

was

lookinghard

from

chose

by

the

over

the

moon

their

the

feet.

dows.
shop-win-

somebody

girlwith

Asenath,

red cheeks

"

get away

"

thin

ice

and

black

and

What
she

laughed

on

frosted

wood

of the
back

the

edge

you

she
road

the water,

at

once

doing ?

wondering

was

in the

snow

for

steps had

foot

or

two,

was

of
low,
hol-

glad

received
wrinkled
then

open

still.

are

at

Their

road

favorite

that

bridge.
the

on

looked

She

into

that

before

tacit consent

eastern

softness

the

them.

"

went.

way.

get away," said

lonely ring
when

with

out

here ! "

They
hers

he walk

counter
jeweller's

buying a wedding-ring,and
's

cold ! "

each, shot merrily by.

was

Let

came

own.

groups

the other

the tea

are

in wonder

in

her; he

made

crisp under

riders

two

In the

had

brightlylighted,and

ice- cracked

The

before

hands

him, would
he

usual, and

surprise. He

your

in his

? and

were

were

little

for her

little while

up.

"

than

there

was

for

Why,

"

streets

People

littleearlier

Dick

them

tea

The
was

the

said,

After
for

71

JANUAKY.

taking a half-holiday.He

had

her

"

-out

slowly home.

went

OF

"

how

asked
cold

Dick.
it was,

She
and

said
Dick

her.

They strolled
desolate road.

on

in silence for

perhapsa

mile

of the

72

is social ! "

Well, this

"

do

farther

much
walk

Reading

to

She

was

and

much

looked

the

roads

wound

dead

leaves

east

Dick,"

Take

with

when

"

He
"

lightedmills,a
skies

the

little pilesof

broad

and

dodged
the

snow

of fire,blazed

from

the wind

chanted

this is

along the

ran

spaces

bare, and

Asenath,

tiny

blue ; cold

lurked

zone

were

the

on

was

spray

in the distance

said

would

he

was

solemnly.
place!

dreadful

Sene

I meant

"

to

say

"

Dick

! I

"

say

"

say

it.

again,but no
! why, Sene,

turned, and
Poor

back

stood still.

tell you

to

turned, she held him

have

cry, and

she did not

and

"

fine keen

feet,to

sharplyunder
glittered

drifts ;

I meant

But
once

shivered

sudden

going to

was

and

home."

me

But

it

pines;

their

ice

was

lightupon the snow

through it,deserted
away

Merrimack

up, and
"

the

west

to

ton,
automa-

an

stopped

at

away

There

inky shadows
undergrowth ; in the

the

'd

you

!"

She

the

tops of the

glared;

spread

the left.

to

miniature

moon

about

forest

young

and

oaks

!"

Oh

how

"

I believe

nobody stopped you

farther ?

right and

the

go ?

to

length;

at

her.

about
wide

if

said Dick

want

you

GHOSTS.

taking slow, regularsteps like

lookingstraightbefore her.

How

"

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

Sene

!"

took

She

sound
what
her

opened her lipsto speak

came

ails
in his

from

you?
arms.

"

them.

THE

[e kissed
He

wondered

She

broke

upon

the

("
t

so

why she
from
him,

sobbed.
and

He

kissed her

with

away

trouble.

again.

great bound

snow.

it

I 'm

hard !

so

It ain't

hard !

know

73

JANUARY.

her,feeling
sorry for her unknown

make

You

OF

TENTH

if you

as

other

like

not

You

Ve

rightto

no

loved

!
girls

Dick !

me,

Go

make

home

and

I
let

be ! "

me

her

drew

Dick

But

gravelyaway.
he said,with

always liked

"

through his,and

arm

well

I like you

that

enough,Asenath/'

motherly pity in
don't

So

you.

let

led her

his eyes ;
have

us

I Ve

"

any

more

of this."

So Asenath
sleek

The

said

black

nothingmore.
river beckoned

to

ner

the

across

home.
A thought came
to her as
they went
she passed the bridge, it is a curious study what
wicked
to
she
thoughts will come
good people!
herself considering
the advisability
found
of leaping
snow

as

"

"

the

low

Dick
for

to go

them,
the

soon

it would
all this

the
"

parapet ; and

after her ; if there

over

even

if it would

should

icy current

he swim
would

be to chill to

wavering and

death

would

from

pain would

in his
be

be

over

how

look when

"

warmly wrapped in
4

how

sweet
; how

arms

like

chance

the banks

paralyzehim
there

be

not

how

they dragged them out down

machine-shop!
asked puzzledDick.
Sene, are you cold ?

would

was

brown

Del
below

She

furs ; but he
her littlesquirrel

74

felt her

GHOSTS.

his arm,

quivering upon

all the

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

like

in

one

an

ague,

home.

way

o'clock that

night her father waked

dream
from an exciting
concerningthe best method of
Sene
stood
beside
his bed
blacking patent-leather;
eleven

About

shawl

her gray

with

thrown

Father, suppose

"

time

some

me

I 'd try to

enough

be

make

to

told her

He

girl;

she

mother
cried

got

out

"

She

and

fell upon

O,

turned

any

God

good

from

the

day

her

I have

n't

've

things

up

"

myself.

You

God

bless you,

thinking

been

're

in

on

my

her

upon

You

love

head

and

how.'

you

room

my

good.

such

'

unbound

child,and

show

you

"

Asenath

away.

"

me

alwayswas

great trouble.

put his hand

he

love

impatiently;then

put your hand

bless you, child,and show

hair,and said :

it

she

to

you

you

friend,anybody. Nobody helps

wicked

such

Bewildered,

as

"

her knees.

knows.

I want

only

sleepily,

man

Could

away

! I 'm in

me.

how

old

whipping

died.

I got afraid of

be

"

had

never

Then

say,

the

that
indistinctly

Nobody

things

up

mother,

any
!

me

said

good girl!

Father, father

"

should

well."

very
"

there

"

"Well, well, Sene,"

"

night-dress.

"

and

you

her

over

looked

lay beside

at

her

the old withered

on

the

bed,

hand

kissed

moment,

it,and

went

76

MEN,

AND

WOMEN,

GHOSTS.

those list
night,and surpriseher father by finishing
slippers.She kissed him when she had tied on the red
hood, and said good-by to Dick, and told them just
where
for dinner.
to find the squash-pie
at

When

step

two

or

Her

Meg

Match's

father

down

hair

from

Father

!"

"

Well,

what

now,

Sometimes

That

She
his

gate, and

Sene

I believe

I think

thoughtfully
bench, mending one of
came

pushed it gentlyout of his

lap,and stroked the shaggy

we

're

what

"

now

"

I Ve

forgotten
you a bit,you
going to be happierafter this.

's all."

She

went

againwith
Sene

was

singing,and

out

he

heard

the

little dizzythat

morning, the constant

always made her dizzyafter
"

"

"

gate shut

click.

of the floors
palpitation
wakeful
night, and so her colored cotton
danced
of place,and
out
troubled
her.
Del Ivory,working beside her,said, How
shakes

taken

his forehead.

"

know.

she

his

on

was

upon

twisted

snow,

shoes.

hands, sat
away

the

upon

back.

closed the

she had

What

's

"

threads

the mill

going on ?
"It
Js the new
in,"
machinery they 're h'isting
the overseer,
observed
carelessly. Great improvement,
but heavy,very
heavy ; they calc'late on getting
it all into place to-day; you 'd better be tending
to
your frame, Miss Ivory."
As the day wore
morning
on, the quietof Asenath's
"

THE

Round

eepened.
head

wound

she
her

with

her
and

black

pattern like

Was

dun-colored

She

mind!"

ready

He

wondered.

the

help her
her blood

she

"

and

out

threads

she

spun

her

She

leapedin

Did

she loved

Dick,

had

been

her veins

with

and

that

God

guess

show

"

her how

her that He

shame

not

know

how

lose him

to

was

night;

the memory

at

He

would

last

coward

Did

hard it

how

"I

smiled.

best that she should

to

twistinga

was

this,and

thought,

understand

He

However

her,

noticed

wife, it seemed

it.

about

her

In

bless her, and

to

pulleysover

Dick.

If,indeed, it were

Dick's

be

of it.

with

thoughts of

rainbow.

"Never

never

round

Pretty Del, just behind

future.

She

and

77

JANUARY.

OF

TENTH

began to feel at rest

about
and
herself.
A
curious
apathy about means
ing
and decisions took possession
of her.
A boundways
that a way
of escape was
sense
provided from all
her

troubles,such

came

before,an

That

pillar
upon

little,
a very

side cooled
inch.

her

when

mother

died,

to

the

had

man

in South

workman

unknown

iron

castingan
"float"

had

she

as

she

her.

upon
Years

to

might be,

had

its core,

of

provided

suffered it

tillthe thin, unequal

little more,
measure

ton,
Bos-

an

eighth of

Asenath's

way

an

of

escape.
She
a

went

place upon

there

out

at

the

awhile, with

noon

with

stairs,
away
her

eyes

her

luncheon, and

from
upon

the
the

found

rest, and

sat

river,thinking.

78

She

could

God

need

Del

the beauties

they tied

than

any

words

comeliness.

His

after the

were
girls
gone?
fell suddenly, He hath no
marred
so
more
visagewas
u

man."

liked the sound

and

The

her

these

They clung
black

!"

world

the

pretty things in

Sene.

her heart
nor

"

little love-song
while
together,

anybody speak to

form

nodded

sisters,
girls,
colored creatures,
magnificently

"

such

are

thought poor
Into

of his

their hats to go home.

on

There

Did

rest

Irish

young

singinga

were

"

the

bounding by, and

mill,

of the

after all,whylittle,

unlike

so

came

carelessly.Two

her

her

made

have

fair handiwork.
at

GHOSTS.

help wondering

not
to

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

and

She

of them.

began

the

fancy all

her

them

wove

blow

last to

at

the mill dimmed

She

in with

her

the

slowly;

drifts out

dipped above

sun

shadows

the staircases,

chilly
up

in at the cracks ; the melted

the walls to harden

afternoon.

threads.

colored

dun

wind

to

under

the dam

crept down

between

the frames.

said Meg Match, and swore

lights,"
little at her spools.
heard
snatches
Sene, in the pauses of her thinking,
"

It Js time

of the

we

talk.
girls'

"

Going

"

Guess
'd go

train."

for

to

ask out

so, yes ;
to

to-morrow,
me

and

Boston, and

Bob
come

Meg

"

Smith
up

in

we

the

thought
theatre

THE

Del

Ivory, I

Did

I go

"

"

TENTH

the

want

church

to

79

JANUARY.

OF

pattern of your

don't

No, you

If I slave all the week, I '11do what

There

"

Hush-sh

"

Kathleen

's

Del," said Sene,

catch

day."
Sun-

here ! "

lookingover
your

the world

me

pleaseon

still with

thing in

one

about, and that 's dead

hear
"

be

Donnavon,

There

stories.

's the boss

zouave."

ghostwill

never

people."

I think

"

to-morrow

"

stopped. Something strange had happened to

frame ; it jarred, buzzed, snapped; the threads

She
her

untwisted

and

Curious

"

Looked
hands

her ; to

iron

She
gave

fall ; to hear

writhe

and

as

sprang
way,

and

claphis
wildly,
shriek from

solid

windows

stagger

tangle of

Del

ceilinggape

machinery throw

vast

and

arms,

the

see

the walls

see

up.

turn

overseer

pillarsreel, and

human

up

; to

its

faces

the

floor sunk.

she bounded

gulf yawning
at

her

see

blood ; to

helpless,giant
blanch

place.

said,and looked

she

her

of

out

his head, and

to

above

"

to

up

froze

that

see

flew

up

after her.

an

It

her, caught her; beyond

As

pillarafter pillar

inclined

plane,with

gained upon
were

the

the

her, leaped
stairs and

an

on
struggled
with hands and knees, trippedin the gearing,and saw,
her yieldand
above
oaken
she fell,a square,
beam
as
dered
crash ; it was
of a fresh red color ; she dimly wonshe felt her hands
slip,her knees
as
why,

open

door

she threw

"

out

her

arms,

and

80

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

GHOSTS.

slide, support, time, place, and

reason,

utterly

go

out.

At

"

ten minutes

Tuesday,the tenth of
Mill, all hands being at the
ground"

on
beforefive,

January, the Pemberton

time on
duty,fell to the
flashed

record

the

telegraphwires,
into largetype in the newspapers,
passed from
cessful
lip,a nine days'wonder, gave place to the succandidate,and the muttering South, and was

So

the

sprang

lipto

over

forgotten.
souls
fifty

and

What

agony
endure

to

this

unto

What

that

to

fatal

who

found

the

contract, and

walls and
over

One

to

under

columns

love

we

ready for
our

and

men

to

when

hearts

and

may

wait

upon

go

the worst
and

on

we

pray

the

inspection,
yet accepted

mill whose

flawless

ore

thin
tered
tot-

and
battle-ground,
said our
have
goodit is his

not
life,

his

surprise.But that he should go

his safe,daily,commonplace occupations,
noticed
unscolded
and uncaressed,
little,perhaps,
a
is the

"

because

for

their eyes,
them

who

than death

worse

them

exquisite

women

engineer who,

built with

massive

that

are

and

of

What

wide, unsupported stretches might have

death, which
out

broken

one

of

death

life that is

hundred

seven

in the ruins ?

that

first delivered

were
pillars

bys ;

died

the wrecks

day

the

to

was

buried

were

architect

had

we

it

who
eighty-eight

the

to

what

shall say

Who

he leaves the door open,

and tells us

how

cross

THE

TENTH

OF

81

JANUARY.

this

are

by

and

morning ; and they bringhim up the steps

of death and horror,
by, a mangled mass

we

"

that is hard.

Martyn, working at Meg Match's shoes, she

those shoes,poor Meg I
to wear
never
heard, at

Old
was

"

"

before

minutes

ten

rumble

of

earthquake

an

bated

with

stood

five, what

he

under

thought to
his very

breath, waitingfor the

nothing further appeared to happen,he

and limped c*it into the street.
A

crowd

vast

with

Women

surged through it

the

feet, and
crash.

took

from

bo

As

his stick

end

to

end.

white

lipswere
counting the mills,
Pacific,Atlantic,
Washington, Pemberton ? Where
"

"

Pemberton?

was

Where

of

the

Asenath
and

had

were

gone

eyes

built at

at

her

it

was

been

of rescue,

across

noon,

hundred

her

ring.
4*

been

dancing about her,

time.

It occurred

struck

upon

her

to

the head.

now

The

strikingeight. A bonfire which

distance,to lightthe citizens in
cast a little gleam in through the
hands, which

two

side.
the

Beautiful

after

thoughts.

church-clocks

the work

her

no

have

debris

its iron

purple lightshad

that she must

been

last

eyes

air.

opened

but she had

had

its many

lipsthis
dust, black,silent,
horrible,puffeda

feet into

green

winked

with

hummed

night, and
cloud

had

Pemberton

One

of her

fingerwhich
The

red

beam

gether
lay claspedto-

she
fingers,

held

lay

Dick's
across

saw,

was

little engagement

her
F

fore-

82

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

GHOSTS.

drops dripped from

head, and

it upon

her ejes.

feet,still tangledin the gearingwhich

beneath

buried

were

roofed

saved

in, and

her

of Titans.
in

were
see

heaps about.

worked

in her

room

she

had

shallow

her

of ironwork
the breath

upon

she could

was

"

Del

girlwho
tween
crying,be-

Ivory sat

reels of

with
her

not

little

child

about

gash

slantwise,

mass

whom

for her mother.

space, cushioned

the

crushed

her.

mere

fallen

looms, shafts,and pillars

one

behind

"

her groans,
littleopen

have

Some

dying just

was

had

from

of

Fragments

trippedher,

bricks.

her

would

overhead, which
out

pileof

that
pieceof flooring,

broad

had

Her

cheek;

in

cotton

she

was

hands.

from the
at work
They were
outside, sawing entrances
through the labyrinthof
planks. A dead woman
lay close by, and Sene saw

wringing

them

draw

her

It

One
of the
Meg Match.
crushed quiteout of sight; only
was
pretty Irish girls
hand was
free ; she moved
it feebly. They could
one
hear her calling
for Jimmy Mahoney, Jimmy Mahothey be sure and give him back the
ney ! and would
handkerchief?
Poor
Jimmy Mahoney ! By and by
she called
still. On
one

no

out.

more

the

asking God

She
to

Christ's sake," she

Amen,
a

man

but
out

it

and

in

littlewhile

other side of the slanted

prayed aloud.

was

was

was

from

had

take

under

was

flooringsome

little baby at home.

care

said.
never

the hand

Sene

of it for her.
listened

long

She
u

For

for the

spoken. Beyond, tlreydug

a

dead

body,

unhurt.

He

84

sing a

worked

She

herself

Fire !

"

had

taken

the notion

carry

For

God's

the

before

But

the
it

"

with

and

"

That

words

from

it broke

then

till

HELP

THEM,

cried

light!

had

the

THE

"

outside

just there

dark

air,it was

the

the lantern

the ruined

let it

to

mass.

there

What

could

crowd,

"

with

man

the

from

died upon

o'clock.

morning

from

debris

voice

upon

nine

at

was

raised

him.

that

the dreadful fate of the

fall,

and

cry

beingrather

with

sake," a

don't stay there

ALMIGHTY

over

lantern

beam,

her.

!"

FIRE

working

to
u

GOD

man

"

she heard

fire!
ON

ARE

RUINS

the

placefor

elbow.

her

upon

yet be

under

from

head

that moment

At

"

her

and

again,after all ! Back

the sun
shone, and she

would

there

song,

in the wind

stand

little kitchen, where

in the

could

should

sky she

the

under

Out

her.

leaped within

heart

Sene's

night-skyshone through.

in ; the safe

blew
night-wind

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

told

be

never

to

was

see

gotten.
for-

or

girders,
of beams, pillars,
stairways,gearing,roofing,ceiling,
walling; wrecks of looms, shafts, twisters, pulleys,
A

network

twenty feet high, of rods and

bobbins, mules, locked

human

creatures

turned

up

hours'

at

hewing

and

wedged
you

could

from
not

interwoven

in ;

face

pit

some

open

that

which

wrecks
you

of

know

twenty-four

voice that you

know

THE

TENTH

85

JANUARY.

OF

of
cryingafter you from God knows where ; a mass
long,fair hair visible here, a foot there,three fingers
there ; the snow
of a hand
over
bright-redunder
limbs and

foot ; charred

strong

headless

carryingcovered

men

of which

other

strong

trunks

tossed about ;

things*
by

you, at sight
fainted ; the little

have

men

yellow jet that flared up, and died in smoke, and

flared again,leapedout, licked the cotton-bales,
tasted
the

on

heaped-up stone,
night,roared

the

sight, the
tragedy.
"

Del,"

And

in

for

its cruel

threw

joy

to
high in-

arms

helplessfiremen, and

at

out
wreck, death, and life together

swallowed

"

the netted wood, danced

machinery,crunched

the oiled

lurid

said

thingstands

alone

red

of
gallery

smell the smoke.*'

"I
Sene, presently,

littlewhile," How

in the

of your

it is

growing

'

away

there at the left ! "

over

lie here

To

and

the hideous

watch

after her, springingat

her !

"

redness

it had

crawling

seemed

greater

tlmrveason could bear, at first.

it did not

Now
and

her

her arm,

them

sayinga

and

her.

thoughtswandered.

upon

overseers

trouble

; at

before the

She
She

grew

littlefaint,

put her head

down

and shut her

Dreamily she heard
eyes.
of the
dreadful thing outside,about one
the

alarm

flames

of fire he had

touched

him

he

cut
was

his

throat,

taken

out.

Dreamily she heard Del cry that the shaft behind the
heap of reels was
growing hot. Dreamily she saw a
tiny puff of smoke strugglethrough the cracks of a
broken fly-frame.

86

They

Scotch

the

blood

with

to

girl;

her, with
rod

her hair

his face

upon

GHOSTS.

save

plank snapped, a

faces.
out

working

were

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

yielded; they
singed; then a

was

and

rigid,stern

wrists

held

drew
man

down

his

arms.
"

for

's time

There

more

God

the rest

save

I can't!"

of ye,"

sprang

; then

-ashamed, and

looked

Del

one

Asenath

stopped,
back

this sat

at

even

"

at

the

stopped

"

cripple.
The

erect.

up

Del,

latent heroism

All her

in her awoke.

thoughtsgrew clear and bright.

The
ter
tangledskein of her perplexedand troubled winthe
unwound
suddenly. This, then, was
way.
had provided himself a lamb
God
better so.
It was

for the

burnt-offering.

So she
dear

my

said, Go, Del, and

love, and that

And

Del

at

Sene

sat

and

slow

was

tell him

first word

the

process;

it 's all

watched
the

you with

right."
went.

draw

them

loose

I sent

sleeve

her

of her

it

out;

was

^ack
factory

scorched.

outside turned
Somebody at work
suddenly and
Dick.
The
love which
he had
caught her. It was
He
fought so long broke free of barrier in that hour.
kissed her pink arm
where
the burnt
sleeve fell off.
He

uttered

turned
as

the

white

cry

at

the

blood

faint with

the

sense

of

as

her own,

over
hospital,

he

bore

the crimson

upon

her

safety; and,
her
snow.

away

face.
with

in his

She
a

face

arms

to

THE

TENTH

looked

Asenath

the

through

out

87

JANUARY.

OF

glare and

smoke

smooth
parchedlips. For a scratch upon the girl's
cheek, he had quiteforgottenher.
They had left her,
with

If this

triumph.

thing which

God

must

her

eyes

her

it gave

Yet

way.

the

in this furnace, and

alive here

tombed

had

done

She

known.

have

curious

all that

were

she

their

gone

of relief and

sense

she

py
hap-

could

be

him,

to

right,quite right.

was

turned

away,

and

shut

again.

opened them, neither Dick, nor Del, nor

there ; only the smoke
crimsoned
nor
sky,were
snow,
of blood-red flame.
writhing up a pillar
called for her mother
child who
had
The
began to
she

When

"ob

that she

out

around

Molly
Put

But

head

your

the

had

not
at

within

Give

it up

be

done!

can't

An

old

man

about

arms

your

hands

given them
the right,
some

in yours,

"

so.

"

yet. In the still

had

one

savage

wrenched

They clawed

things.

man
fire-

glow.
cried the crowd
Fall

was

up

foot of Sene's face.

pintleslike

solid iron

fainted in the
"

lap,and

that 's better."

rubbish

opening

an

in my

will put my

I guess

they

unburnt

crawl

you

around.

crawled

There

Can

"

waist, and

my

at

here, Molly," said Sene.

Come

"

afraid to die alone.

was

back!"

"

from
then

crawling along upon

behind.

hushed,

his hands

"

It

struck.
awe-

and

88

MEN,

knees

His

man.

tell

find my

to

She

help.

can

that there

her

fellow

dipperof
Now

be.

may

father '11 get ye

It 's

no

use,

don't mind
He

it

No

water,
But

father.

me

from
!

ing,
chok-

Your

old

good heart, child

up

the

with

We

're

child's notes
unseen

downcast
know

to

laugh;

yet !

the

he

words.

it.

and

We'll

Drink

roar

in

over

have

ye

little

more

sure

!"

woman's

voice

"

going home,

quavered

graves,

tried

'11get at
ye now,

They

bell

he

cheerful

the crackle

like

feel bad, father.

n't, Senath, for it '11be

ye

now

above

"

be

before

do

"

timber

ye need

home

Don't

much."

Don't

out

rang

at

more

safe at

and

but I

Hand

see.

it '11keep her

Keep

out.

himself

minute.

old man,

an

Keep cheery, Sene

very

hacked

bewildered
"

anybody

"

's it ! "

That
"

water

Can't

"

little gal, ye

's my

old

very

pointed in perfect

I 'm

yet.

out

in the wind.

little gal ?

rough-lookingyoung
silence through the smoke.
I '11 have

was

he said.

"

He

about

little gal ! "

my

where

me

brinks.

hair blew

gray

I want

"

heated

the

over

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

white

to

die

no

more."

in the chorus.
young

From

lipsswelled

sealed
the

glad

refrain,
"

"

The

We

're

going,going

crawling smoke

turned

home."

yellow, turned

red.

THE

voice

after

Voice

beside

stood

and
It

her

hushed

the

should

bricks

he

The

But

and

of

his

God.

For
form

was

Their

some

out

man

from

now,

triumphantly,

came

answer

Sene

old

sing

the

upon

his

gray

boots.

"

"

the

scorched

was

patched

his

Son

Asenath

not

cried

"

Senath

"

the

death.

at

tremor.

furnace,

only

eyes

Why

met.

of

form

the

unto

One

down

without

one

like

utterly.

defiance

sky

in

89

JANUARY.

flung

lurid

the

into

chimed*

It

OF

broke

silver.

like

on

sang

TENTH

To

die

little

one

no

no

more,

Sene

pulled

more,

"

him

back.

"

no

more

"

burning
hair

to

NIGHT-WATCHES.

KETURAH

wishes

natured.

She

polite

hearts

suspect

angry

passions
in

"

over

If

it

nights,

On

the

of

hope

taught,

drooping

O,

heart

hundred.

You

be

and

that

she

boil

to

add,

also

the

in

is not

sure

scold

you
you,

your

are

depends

her

does

not

and

with

soiree,

girl's

wide

pretty

for

very

pretty
you

she

and

be-spangled

and

though

or

open

eyes

that

flushing color,

very

to

sympathy.

or

are

reader,

question

and

ball

lashes,
your

to

would

understand

of

wondering,

to

this

to

be-ribboned

frequenter

'a

she

with

habit,

as

will

you

rouged

to

them

tender-hearted

answer

the

you,

and

self-defence,

her

unrestrained."

and

remark,

appreciation

begs

mean

wild

of

heart

allowing

permitting

fury

of

of

ment,
state-

should,

you

it, in your

only

not

good-

this

story,

about

of

accustomed,

your

She

her

is

swearing.

shut?

sole

make

capable

orthodox

you

spend

to

be

rise, but

to

motives

of

Are

her

that

heard

might

she

primarily

necessary

having
you

an

like

habit

it

tempestuous

were

from

state

thinks

lest, after
however

to

are

untamed

pulse

your

pains,

your

dancing

well-

your

eyes

She

be-

has
and

not

up
"

the

sing-

92

will inclines her.

sweet

own

lover's

when

pouts and

Restorer

announced

"

be

to

"

o'clock,A.

hour

on
prayer-meeting,

have

heard

the

face ; and

doctrinal

sightshe
betakes
penitently

her in those

ingeniousways

attends
the

twenty-four

o'clock

seven

cert,
con-

Quintette,proving

nothinghears she of
Keturah
spends an
pine bench that may

has never
seen
certainly
home
at eighto'clock to

the

fair enslaver has taken

's stillto memory

herself
which

to

she

the
has

dear, and

seekingof
learned

melancholyexperience. A table and

lamp are
; also
brought into requisition

the school of

kerosene
book.

ceedingly
ex-

offence,and vanished utterly.

lost to

Though
Keturah

comes

that
pleasingdiscovery

some

M.

of cushions, but

face to

one

huff for

Mendelssohn

till two

at

My Lady
at

'it rages,

Keturah

up.

off in

Brassiest, and

Gilmore's

continuous

"

goes

as

while

unimpeachable lecture,

undertakes

Keturah

hours.

it is made

and

perfectlygrave

have

They

quarrel,exceedinglybitter
sweet

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

If it is n't the
If these

on

the Will.

as

Martin

Dictionary,it

prove

too

is Cruden's

it
exciting,

at
a

cordance.
Con-

is Edwards

forbidden.
gressiona
ConLight readingis strictly
well
efficacious,
as
Reports are sometimes
F. Tupper, and" somebody's
Sphere of
"

Woman."
of ten that this
out
singlepossibility
There
nine
will produce drowsiness.
treatment
are
The possibility
is worth
to the contrary.
probabilities
tryingfor,and tryinghard for ; but if it results in the
There

is

one

NIGHT-WATCHES.

sudden

of
flight
banging

severe

the

wall,and

President
of the

the total

beneath
It is

elicit remark.

It

horrible

Edwards

Sphere

"

of Woman"

bed, Keturah

altogethertoo

familiar
fresh

that she has been

against

is not

simply occasions

resolution

the room,

across

disappearanceof Cruden's

the

surprised.

93

cordance
Con-

in the least
result

growth

to

to

slowlyformingfor

years.
Some

day

shall nap

she

will write

it,and

over

it in their
shall nod

shall dose
and

at
at

unrelieved

shall seek

The

dreams.
the

sight of

its Preface.

pain,youth

in

Boston,

Philadelphia
; but

one

who

in the

stores
book-

ers
binding. Its readold age, sharp
Sleepless

sorrowful

before

the

three

the

time,
of its

counters

firms in her mind's

and

York,

happy

men

shall

decided),who
yet definitely

not

their

its

in New
the

with

proof-readersshall

Customers

publishers(she has

one

publishers
pleasure. The

its type

up

it out, shall flock unto

fortunate
eye;

set

unerring exactness.

correct

The

accept it with

drowsy printers shall

usual

book.

one

to

are

be

in
is

their inheritan

waste

it throughoutthe length and

distributing
breadth
of a grateful continent.
Physiciansfrom
the sun,
who
have
proved the
everywhere under
fickleness of hyoscyamus, of hops, of Dover's
powders,
in

of

opium,

of herbs
gases

of

morphine, of laudanum,

of the

from

the

field,and

minerals

air ; who

know

the

of hidden

from

virtues

the rock, and

secrets

of all the

shall
earth,and, behold, it is vanityof vanities,
pitying

94

line their

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

their

cram
hospitals,

with

the

universal

new

GHOSTS.

stuff their bottles,

offices,
and

panacea

blessingto

sufferinghumanity.
keep

resolution.

And

Keturah

Her

occupationdisposedof,in
literary

can

to, she

manner

referred

reserve

force, and
herself,in
tied

lamp

name

of rest, with

attitude

an

instead

out

their

of

them

keep

to

screwing

it out,

like

to

forgotten.She
she begins at
the

middle

says it forward
middle

the

and

through in

flock of
There
one

somewhere

she left off.

always seem

chief
handkerher

awhile
strangles
alphabet,which,

title and

the

alphabetfor

so

the first line

by

way

she falters

to

and

the last
beats,
drum-

improvisessonatas

none

gets
for-

spins.

oar-beats,and

She

epic poem,

an

head

where

more

mazourkas.

rhyme,

through in

interminable

an

till her

many

She

and

beginsat

and
quadrillions,

wall

listens

first line of
a

up ; she

watches

heart-beats.

the

goes

attempts the numeration-

She

be

She

oratorios
gallopades,

she says it backward

in the

over

to

from.
and

poses
com-

shut, blows

she rattles it

She

sheep jump

came

She
a

through in German,

Greek.

table,flounders
where

it

and

down

goes

French, she groans

it

roll of her

begins to repeat her

she has fortunately
stern
never
necessity,

in the gas, and

owing

the summary

through the
is Legion.

runs

her eyes

over

and

perpetrates

goes

through

appearing,she

of encouragement.

But

peats
re-

all

in vain.

With

silence that

she
speaks unspeakablethings,

95

NIGHT-WATCHES.

rises

solemnly,and

may

be

felt.

her

with

At

cry

is all !

with

bread, but
is

dry

weight

The

into the

She

embraces

After

fatuus
fancies
she

the

of her

her

has

her
cross

the

stocked

which
her

gropes

ground

if
is

is intended
to

way

the

and

about

of half the

with
chiefly
after

her

interval,

an

water, knocks

over

mop,

gropingarms.
and

ash-bins

among

coal-heapsand cobwebs,

rat.

feet at
Keturah

in all the
eyes

an

this crisis

she

upon

days of
rat.

to

the years

confess that
of her

grimag
pil-

Depending solelyupon

conception of

and
alligator

that

she

did not

suggests pleasant

is ashamed

ground manfully,however,
the

cat,

thing. Now,

the descent

her

In

well

remark

makes

pool of

imagination,her
between

the

which
has been the ignis
hanging-shelf
search.
ing
Something extremelycold cross-

never

set

utters

particularlydislikes,it

wandering

shoeless
of

mortal

gracefulmanner,

reservoirs
apple-bins,

discovers

be

to

tall cider barrel with her

little

and

that

first
unexpectedly open, pitcheshead-

reaches
a

steps

something

0, nothing but

alone,she

cavity,and

steps splash into

and

is

that

stairs she

over,

proves

Keturah

easy and

an

elbows.

turns

another

ear

the

upon

Accordingly,with

door, which

stairs in

and

not

for Love's
cellar

of

flat

pantry

anything

bread.

pantry in darkness

night hideous.

that

there

the

bottom

is warm,

makes

that

the

whole

squirms, and

seeks

that

jaguar.
and

is

animal
She

happy

is

stands
to

state

faint.

agitationconsequent

upon

this incident

she

96

MEN,

butters

her

bite

the way

on

that
One

bread

lard,and

stairs.

alone

turns

the

her

head

under

She

is left.

great faucet

takes

seeks

With

no

an

enormous

ment
refresh-

more

This

about

is

or

jerky naps,

and

bath-tub and
the

upon

experiment

three

despairing
sigh

of the

it till she

grave.

series of

GHOSTS.

night.

she

Perhaps

AND

with the
up

resort

watery

WOMEN,

is her

holds
of

verge
forlorn

hope.

four o'clock she

falls into

dreams

is editor of

that she

popular Hebrew
magazine, wandering frantically
full of aspirantMSS.
through a warehouse
(chiefly
the junior classes of theological
from
seminaries)of

she

which

the tenth

Of
of the

number

and

translate

cannot

of Keturah's

unearthlyexperiences,

of times

has been

chased

upset, the

by

loaded

family,with

the

"

she

entire

guns

crockery

she

has

she has

with

meek

own

out
frightened

of the alarms

the

her

of town

of fire she
lantern

and

has

she

ber,
rob-

she has

has

untimely
against open

stumbled

way

bewildered

of milk

cracked
has

she
doors, the rocking-chairs
in
apostrophized

roused

hopes

for

taken

of the pans

whose

skulls

shattered,the

letter.

over

of the

and

neighbors

by her perambulations
;
shed
raised,pacing the wood-

for exercise

stormy

nights;

of all

crevices in
and
impossiblecorners
sought repose, (she has slepton every

possibleand

which
sofa in

whole
of her

she has
every

nighton

room
a

in the house, and

closet

mornings, and

shelf);
the

once

she spout

of the amiable

terror

she

is fast

condition

becoming

NIGHT-WATCHES.

to

Church,
family,

to

tell.

relate
how

State,the time would

of

slipthe dogs of war," and

agonies she undergoes,

the

"

stamping of

neighbor'shorse on a
wink
of sleep from
solitary

every

the

eyelids;

place in
un-get-at-able

some

rattlingof

the

barn

her

from

slumber

fail her

let

"

to

modicum

will drive

in

she

"Were

the

and

and

97

of

pane

her

of
nibbling

the

wall

"

love of

drawn
!

"Forbear
to

"

out,

of the

this article not

be left to the

wonder

It

is

feels

be
was

Keturah

musical

ing,
bless-

lengthened

publicwould

cry,

fortunate
un-

great necessityof life ; but

scientific treatise,that must

compelled, however,

she

incident

seat

non
can-

science
interesting

reallyan

memorable

in

has

is

in

wrought

cannot

It

being

is that

holds

imagination.
sympathizing

two

Every

ture
tor-

deprivean
slighta thing will utterly

creature

Keturah

as

different from

the liberal

"

It becomes

learn how

story of

with

room

tolerablywindy night, one

vigillong

spare

mouse

glass,tickingof
"

"

baby," something far

and

the

in

guest

eyes

prove

effective
as
clock, or patteringof rain-drops,
;

floor

nights,of
lived

letters of

her

hour

own

"

the

the

only

her

While

globe,"it

brain.

memory

shall not,

sultry,gasping,fearful.

room,

of nine.

"

relate

tale.

tell the

fire.

this distracted

to

which

stamped indelibly
upon

forgotten.
night in June,

went

to

to

as

is her

Sleep, for

custom,

couple of

furitanic
being out
5

of the

she
question,

threw

at

wide
G

her

MEN,

WOMEN,

doors

and

windows,

desk.

story for

should

be

and

AND

GHOSTS.

betook

herself to her

magazine, which

finished

to-morrow,

stupefiedbrain.
alreadypartially
into the

pen

writingit was
tive
imperaappealed to her

She

service,whisked

forced

her

the table

willing
un-

round

draught,and began. In about five minutes

the sibylcaught the inspiration
of her god, and
heat
and
alike forgotten. This
sounds
were
sleeplessness
n't at all. Keturah
regrets to
very poetic,but it was
a very
unbecoming green wrapsay that she had on
per,
and several ink-spotson
her fingers.
the

into

It

was

to

of Celeste

hand

the

moaning

!'

'

trees.

into

ink-bottle.

the

will know

how

down

she

became

jumped.

ink-bottle

'

my

cited.
ex-

maiden

have

If you

She

out

of

to

'

"

squirming into

beetles

June

it

come,

something through

came

jumped.

great

of the

contents

Keturah

Theodore,

lamp, and

Keturah

of those

and

kissingthe

whisperedthe unhappy

! buzz ! swosh

window

horror

in the woods.

Theodore

Whir

Theodore

Seraphina found

crisis.

"

all

as

"came,

and original
thrilling
story,
and originalstories must
thrilling

very

that

she

the
the

half the

has, you

emptied the
the window,

entire
closed

blinds,and

her
"

'

"

There

began again.
Theodore,' said Seraphina.

said
Seraphina,'
he

was,

whirring round

"

not

the

Theodore."

Theodore,

Jump
but

the second

the

lamp, and buzzing down

beetle,
into hei

100

whirlingback througha crack

No mortal beetle
a knitting-needle.
turned
through it. Keturah
pale

and three of them

as

could

have

and

come

alone.

let them
clock

The

came

largeas

about

strikingeleven

was

the

last restored, and

think

of

before

sleep.

At

her

which

when

exhausted

has

like lead.

near

very

Miss Humdrum
byname.
excellent and pious old lady,who

Humdrum

very

eyed

Keturah

heard

Keturah
with
with

and

servant

a
a

with

three

cats

descended

to

and

the

to

sound

You

must

neighbor,Miss
is a
well,a
"

keeps

the

Humdrum's

Miss

was

at

began

heard

she

sank

heart

quiet was

sufferer

this moment

Keturah

that

know

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

one-

which

sound

cats.

wood-shed, armed

herself

huge oaken log,and sallied out into the garden,

horrible sang-froid
that only long familiarity

her

errand

could

have

engendered.

It

was

o
.

Egyptian darkness ; but her practisedeye discerned,

or
thought it discerned,a white cat upon the top of
the high wooden
smiled
fence.
Keturah
a
ghastly
smile, and

fired.

Now

she

never

yet in

her

life

threw

anythinganywhere, under any circumstances,

that did not go exactlyin the opposite
direction from
what she wanted
it. This occasion proved no
to have
exception. The cat jumped, and sprang over, and
disappeared. The stick went exactlyinto the middle
of the

fence.

trump

will be

stood

Keturah

capableof making

transfixed.

silence.

cannot

One

suppose
a

louder

cry alone broke

that the
noise.
the

last
She

hideous

101

NIGHT-WATCHES.

"

!"

0 Lord

wiser

returned

at

thinks

forever
it

one-eyedservant's

whispered

M'Clellan

faint

her

sadder

the ruins

among

in

if not

of

Carthage,
Europe, have

sympathy.

and

without

nature

upon

apartment,

preciselyfive minutes after her

the happy stillness that seemed

was

during which

rest

to

of the

her

St. Helena,

and

henceforth

return,

to

Marius

woman.

Napoleon
She

window

Only that, and nothing more."

"

Keturah
a

unmistakablyIrish,half- wakened

an

the open

howl, from
room.

in

promises

of

within

nature

had

that there

coming rest,

suddenly broke upon it a hoarse, deep, unearthly

and so
breathing. So hoarse, so deep, so unearthly,
her window, that for about
ten
directlyunderneath
but one
seconds Keturah
sat paralyzed. There
was
thing it
had

The

be.

lost its Polish

Polish

wolf

travelling
menagerie in
that very day. This was

horrible
came

panting,like
nearer,

had

animal

found

Amram's

bone

climbed

wolves
The

of her terror.
fearful

any

risk.

on

the

She

sight.
She

was

She

faltered

no

out

was

could

story !

the lower

haps
Per-

call and
the

the stupor

from
She

coward.

upon

hoarser.

she

Then

Keturah

would

famished

grass, and

in the

in at windows

thoughtroused

awful

the

was

room

louder, grew

grew
a

pantingof

the

crunching it in his ghastlyway.

hear him
sniffingat the door.
And

town

wolf.

creature,
The

could

would
warn

him

balcony.

face
at

She

102

MEN,

leaned

GHOSTS.

down
railing.She gazedbreathlessly

the

over

AND

WOMEN,

into the darkness.

A

cow.

Another

cow.

Three

cows.

Keturah

down

sat

the window-sill

on

in the calm

of

despair.
It
she

succeeded

was

about

was

the

to

room

by

five seconds

garden.

She

storm.

the passage

on

With

concludes

hair

"

flotant,and

disclosed,"like the harpiesof heraldic

rushed
what

contented

to

say

"

Go

caused

away
a

to
to

result

for which

could

teach

have

have

wagered

her custom

it is not

cows

How

?
even

The

she ventured

her.

to
our

to

come

to

say

coollyturned
To

be

you

when

the

least,

about

and

Why

sure.

outrageous Yankee
to

remark

stentorian

she was,

creatures

part of

go away

not

For

woman.

reflection

some

! go ! "

Go

unprepared. The
walked
directly
up
Is it not

device, she

command.

manful

But

after

arms*

browsing,
great stupid,
would

woman.

die," and

on

the

on

her

stopped. Exactly

lone, lorn

one

Keturah

minute

one

and

"

Three

versus

cows

fortune

her

invaders

be done

to

wa"

about

the

to

up

from

that

you

Keturah, country born

momentarily forgottenso

not

ture
nomenclatell them
and
clear

bred,
and

of philology,
remains
a
mystery to
simple a principle
her of the only
this day. A littlereflection convinced
logical
way of riddingherself of her guests. Accord-

103

NIGHT-WATCHES.

ingly,she walked

little

behind

way

them

and

tried

again.
here, sir !

Come

and

the beasts returned

What

by

lifted themselves
looked

pairsof soft,sleepyeyes

three

push

heads

great wooden

Three

Wh-e-e

!"

here

come

Come, good fellow !

Or

them.

their clover and

?

done

be

to

was

to

go behind

in front and

could go

you

her, and

at

stood stock-still.

could

You

slowly,

and

pull them

the horns.
Keturah's
exactlystriking

methods

of these

Neither

fancy,she took up a little chip and threw at them

of pebbles. These
also a piece of coal and a handful
she sat down
efforts proving to be fruitless,
on
gigantic
the grass and

looked

resisted

that

At

even

the

thoughts came
wings of the

wood-shed, and

pine knots.
conflict.

hit.

It

the

mile

down

turah

her

wind

to

relief.

arms

that

savage

is, however,

and

recorded

one

started afresh
of twenty

out

trippedon

street.

her

In the
dress

with

chin

the

to

up

to

the

of those

direful intent,only one

that

the

persed,
dis-

enemy
the

house,

stuck, and got through

and
greatest difficulty),
the

hastened

She

pursued around
beingvaliantly
gate (where

many

her infallible resort, the

equipped,she

with

of the front

with

of Keturah's

one

to

It is recorded

after
out

woes

filled her

Thus

sticks,thrown

heartless creatures

The

appeal.

this crisis of her

brilliant
upon

them.

at

course

for

quarter

of the rout

only six times, and

of

Ke-

fell flat

104

but four.

pleasinglittle incident

One
the

varietyto

loving white

turned
and

whatever

in the road

about
showed

sudden

resolution

climbed

the nearest

and

whose

cow,

home

return

to

stone-wall

and

heaven

old, between

of

"

vanity to

the

she

paced

might

inclined
had

for two

have

so

roused

exhaustion
At

that

on

her

been

about

half

an

hour

the
a

Keturah

and

back

still retains

the

silent

forth among
lilies.

great yellow June

Keturah
The

not

was

of

events

she

and

poetically
the night

her, that exercise

remaining hope

the window,

made

too

bit of poetry in it under

soul within

o'clock

two

at

would

garden paths,

the

into

crawled

of

unto

sleep.

faintlyupstairs

again,and had just fallen asleepwith

window-sill,when
a wandering dog
under

prised
sur-

alwayshad

over

occasion.

her sole

was

She

victorious

hours

circumstances, but

other

was

like Absalom

hung

she

down

perfumes of

the aromatic
There

returned

she

fields and

dew-laden

adopted
lots,"

low-hanging

earth.

any

considerable

so

waterfall

ples
ap-

hair.
original

her

portionof
However,

where

wear

across

she

like to state, in this connection, that she

much

the

without

with

she

butter nut- tree, where

clover-

Keturah

fight.

empressement. Exactly half-way over

to find herself gasping among

boughs of

delightful

gave

and
particularly
frisky
heart yearned after

scene.

of Sodom,

warning

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

her head
had

sit there

to

and

on

come

bark

the
rectly
difor

rake-handle.
no

other

effort to

fighther destiny.

105

NIGHT-WATCHES.

Determined

it heroically,
she put

meet

to

into the middle

it,tillshe heard

in

when
It

the

story

sing.
doze

ghastlycondition

that the

up

straight

Somewhere
one

about
eye

open,

started her to her feet.

to

that

announce

cold.

was

finished and

was

sat

with

the door

Patsy knocking at

breakfast

In

the birds

fell into

and

room,

terrific peal of thunder

was

her

she

epoch

that

of the

chair precisely

sent

of the
off.

It

followingday the
was

on

this

sion
occa-

patientand

editor venlong-enduring
tured
and
mildlyto suggest, that when, by a thrilling
horrible mischance, Seraphina's
tween
belovelyhand came
a
log of wood and the full force of Theodore's
hatchet, the result might have been more
disastrous
than the loss of a finger-nail.Alas ! even
his editorial

omniscience

did not

know

story of that night. Keturah

how

"

could

it ?

"

the

forgavehim.

drum
perhaps worthy of mention that Miss Humappeared promptly at eight o'clock the next

It is

morning, with

her

handkerchief

"

Banner
My Star-spangled
Ketury."

"

Indeed

"

Yes.

How

She

very

has met

at

has

her
met

eyes.

with

her

cease,
de-

sad ! "

with her decease.

Under

very

peculiarcircumstances, Ketury."
"

into
"
.

Oh

chief;
handkerKetury, hunting for her own
findingthree in her pocket,she broughtthem all
!"

said

requisition.
And

I feel it my
5*

said
duty to inquire,"

Miss Hum-

106

drum,

whether

"

about
I ?

"

"

happen that you know

event, Ketury."
it may

the

thing
any-

Keturah, weeping, " I did n't know

said

dead

was

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

even

Miss

Dear

Humdrum,

she
deed
in-

are

you

afflicted."
But

"

I feel

compelled to say,"pursued

eying this wretched

my
cannon

she

scar't

cold under
"

the

Miss

somebody fire a gun or a

in your
garden last night,

said

Humdrum,"

of his

out

The

I cannot,

"

in

insinuations, further
allows

never

room.

own

found

cat

poor

Keturah,

such

Amram

say that

to

my

hogshead this morning, Ketury."

justiceto myself,answer
than

that

"

of her wits, and

out

drum,
Hum-

hypocrite severely,

girlJemimy did hear

or
something out

and

Miss

the

keep

we

cannon

to

gun

go

in .the

cellar."
"

!"

Oh
in

your

said

her

It^had
burglar.
to

the ambition

The

second

but two.
who

It

it

She

She

pride in
was

one

of

the

them.

It

had

be*en

the

garden,where

wandering
it

to

safe and

on

on

see

ferred
nights reglar,
only one bur-

nobody

natural

the

n't it

life to

discovered

wide-awake

off into
was

not

about

came

of Keturah's

by

and

away,

cion
suspi-

morning."

memorable

who

was

confesses

have

of Keturah's

this ambition

frightenedthem
them.

saw

Crood

sure.

been

crowned

horrible

Well, I hope you

"

eyes.

conscience,I 'm

with

Humdrum,

Miss

them, she

but

and

she

ever

able
unconquer-

this wise

nights,and

fields at

"

she

the foot of

still. There

is,by

108

that

an

of

ounce

She

cure.

has

that

stroke

policy,and

would

She

capable.

not

where

been

have

asked

sees

gone

and

would

have

been

the

the fun

of her

the very

is within

to

Words
when

much

too

was

describe

cannot

that half-hour

ask

very

rewarded

as

delicate

play of

the

by

tracks

to

public,beyond

And

window

and

not

and

it is

world,

known

did she sit

Amram

the

Paterfamilias

they also,by

all the laws of nature,

were

actual
hats and

on

an

to

not

of

unheard-of

some

very

that
suspicion,

or

out

her

incredulous

an

tried

She

pumps.

but

with

ought

coats

and

knew

both

and

dreams

clothes-lines
and

and

under

of doubt

all shadow

hats

the

therefore

nightmares; unmistakable

place where

among

commonly

herself

to

prove

robbers

from

in this

emotions

kitchen

for the

two

ing
minutes, with her burglarsmak-

mortal

eyes, in order

blood, not

the

sightof

on.

horror

nonsense."

woman's

they were

has

that it

of the moment,

little man,

straw-hats

if Keturah

still for three

and

man

To

of Keturah.

even

the sensations

was

unbanditti-like

Now,
that

tall

?
burglars
moment

cat-like figures,
stealthy,
creepingout
trees.

She

spot.

an

aspirationat
yielda life-long
grasp,

of

she did not

why

upon

been

pound

exceedinglypoor
an
impoliticthing Keturali is
far and plans deep. Supposing
shot through the head,
been

of

had

she

worth

rustlingtrees

considers
of

GHOSTS.

prevention was

indeed

the

reconnoitre

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

hard
them.

flesh and
coats

be,
to

in
not

make
AVho

revolution in

expedition
exploring

NIGHT-

sleep?

after truant

that

conviction

109

WATCHES.

She

struggledmanfully after
and

innocent

they were

the

unimpeachable

the fields
neighbors,cuttingthe short way home across
from
some
remarkably late prayer-meeting. She agonized

belief that

after the

of

two

the

commendable

almost

in the

for

sweethearts, come

they were

-Patsy's
of

purpose

serenadingher.
fact

In

they were

remarkable

female

of her

senses.

own

when

But

before

this

the evidence

trust

Keturah
gloomed into certainty,
she was
sion.
grandlyequal to the occa-

suspense

is happy to say that

slammed

She

preparedto

was

house

blinds with

her

open

emphasis,

an

lightedher lamp with a burnt match.

The
men
jumped, and dodged, and

and

behind

the

trees, in

being

of far

enjoy the pleasureof

in

time

No
"

hammering

Amram

"

most

flee when

burglars,who
Keturah,

the

at

too

approved

and

generous

hid
of

manner

pursue th ;

woman

no

ran,

and

to
disposition

capture unshared, lost

their
Amram's

no

door.

!"

answer.

Amram

!"

Silence.
"

A.m-ram

"Oh!

"

Ugh!

"

Who

"

Silence
"

"

again.
Amram, wake

up

O-o-oh, yes.

Who

Come

out

's there ?

"

here

"

quick!

"

110

MEN,

"

"

"

I ?

"

Keturah."

"

Keturah

"

Amram,
!

cut

"

"

be

There

some

Men

in the

"

Men

"

In the

"

Garden

garden !

him

"

"

bear

can

her

to

without

youth

great deal,but there

proverbialpatience.
and

ceremony,
received

was

stranger

is under

to.

It
to

as

senseless remark, "'What

particularly
As
if he
wringinghis neck for ?
"

known

he

asked

was

She

has the satisfaction

in return,

female

him,

as

well

night?"
However,
words, and
made

as

Did

those wolves

there
before

he

keep all his

to

was

no

she

time

to

could

his appearance

dressed

followed

him

at

Keturah
a

comes

burst open
the

sion
impres-

as

his

even

woke
effectually
the
on

gasping and
earth

she

was

might n't have

of remembering that
protected
unexpect a solitary

murderers

woman

incredulous.
and

"

She

shaking such

well
as
consciousness,

to

garden.''

garden!"

that Amram
tender

in the

men

throats

our

"

Keturah
even

shall all have

we

"

Hey

the door

quick,or

are

"

Jimit

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

drove

away

from

off the

other

be wasted
have
and

in tender

ram
winked, Amarmed

grasped

respectfuldistance.

and
the

castically
sar-

pistol,
Stay

in

Ill

NIGHT-WATCHES.

the

house

would

and

take

wishes
the

in the

Mr.

the

house

She

too, if

be in at the death.

Darley were

with

wrapper,

green

and

lightwith her, and

her !

hand,

on

talize
immor-

to

"

knob

huge

Catch

?
light

picturethey made, scouringthe premises

disobliging
burglars, especially
Keturah,

after those

way,

the

the

but she would

necessary,
She

hold

top of her head, to keep it out of the

on

her

her hair rolled all

up in

pistolheld

out

arm's-length,
pointed

at

at the stars.
She will inform the
directly
falteringly,
reader confidentiallytell it not in Gath
of a humiliatin
she made exactly
four weeks
ward,
afterdiscovery
and which
she has never
before imparted to a
"

human

creature,

"

it was

"

n't loaded.

Well, they peered behind

into every

they dashed
cranny
Of

and

while

into every

But

close.

was

thinks

hopeful person
that it was
she
And

corner,

crevice,step and

Amram

Keturah

door, theyglared

shadow, they squeezedinto

not.

course

every

they listened

turn.

But

regiment might

waking up.
it will hardlybe

dared

to

crack,

every

not

have

to

every

burglar!

run

credited

suggest and dares

at

away

that this
maintain

Cats !
must

the story of her

draw

lest her

afflictionsto

solid" reader's eyes

rejectthe

ramblingrecital as utterly
unworthy the honor of their
to a moral
notice,she is tempted to whittle it down
turah
that Kebefore saying farewell.
know
For you must
her mournful
has learned several thingsfrom
experience.

112

That

1.

every

four, has his

her

or

heretical,

hours

of the

twenty-

2. That
merciful

anodyne

nothing

That

the

by

advice

offer,with

to

yet put her

ever

very

be

it.

Hours

of

exhaustion, when
bare, and

the

with

agony,

the times

with
Him

the

and

God.
upon

night-watches."

contradict
that

over

5. That

be sure,

bed, and

David

and

was

very
above

people who

either

if laicl

loose

"

munion
com-

bered
remem-

undertake
to

the

good

man,

on

not

Him

upon

not

come

very

ing
whirl-

purest

David

King

has

let

for the

does

she

mental

thought,are

meditated

Keturah

Scripture,but

did n't lie awake

But,

be chosen

To
his

senseless

know

they

burning and

of control

reins

every

is all

quiveringas

of the brain

likelyto

most

is

nerve

nights

bodilyand

extremest

every

surface

rebellious

every

the

wakeful

tion,
religiousmedita-

spent in prayer,

growth,
general spiritual

to

conscientiously

people,that

excellent

and
about

sleep but

to

and

commonly

notion

should

and

should

"

great respect for Job.

received
can

especialspecimen recipeof

Providence.

3. A
4.

out

in.

thrown

the

and

own

perfectlyharmless

acquaintance,male

youthful,orthodox

sleeps regularlynine

who

"

individual of her

female, aged and

and

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

in
to-

sion
concluor

he

often.

all,haec fabula docet

can

sleep when

keep Thanksgiving every day

they

want

in the year.

to

DAY

THE

ALISON
been

old

sitting

on

the

was

the

or

newspapers,
it

or

shelf,

or

or

"

of

pile

On

one

mistook

She

ally
gener-

weeks,

bath-tub.

baby's

himself.

baby

three

for

cupboard

had

She

bandbox.

bandbox

bushel-basket,

on

sitting on

was

DEATH.*

MY

OF

sion
occa-

him

for

the

all

the

rag-bag.
If

into

it is

this

at

I have

and

The

have

in

this

by eye-witnesses

not

honest

suggests

profess

jury.

whose
The

do

and

tears

suggest

author,

would

however3

and

tear,

and

aches.
head-

obtrude

and

The

incidents

they

verdict

conclusions

no

none.

the

given

are

command
draws

may

solution

only

nerves

But

are

that

wear

Jane,

witnessed.

testimony

They

the

fictitious.

are

in

themselves

with

as

things."

to

Whatever
it

should

Irishwomen

attend

superfluous

and

have

of

discovered.

received

narrative
to

"

wife

my

cargo

things."

may

related

and

which
"

to

to

yet

their

flurry,

does

any

ago
of

author

from

to

premises

never

fellow

characters

and

find

women

long

and

worry
A

the

command

my

forbid

parlor,

attending

"

mean,

the

that

world

always

Penates

about

loose

What

again,

move

"

locked

turned

to

the

of

beneficence
be

had

we

ever

as

114

MEN,

WOMEN,

Bridget,and

hire

Peggy,

hetable,and
but has

offer to take the

he

by

mysterious burden
expect it.

She

had.

In

don't

appreciateit !

for

see

"

coming

"

moving

were

on
sitting

she

chair, and

her

to

presume

she

as

ever

Strange,you
one
day, and

"

about

find

circumstances.

than

the bandbox.

I have

I found

in

the

all in

other ;

knotted

over

in

one

shriekingat
justnot

"

end

the

reach

the

to

and

disliked

so
"

under
worse

was

tired

even

in the corner,

to
two

hand, and

her

hair

is

her littlebrown
the

of his tether

kitten

by

kerchief
corn-colored silk hand"

and

too

her

if she

as

she

that

to

on

look

blue-veined

hair,

her

was

heap

old

an

was

always

crawl
hold

to

believe

good,
tied
aprong-stringliterally
the effect

night,while
into Nemo's

her

longer;

But

wash-cloth

women,
of Irish-

used-up lookinghouse

"

thought

one's wife

little'best

poor

her

find

coining,and

me

Street

seen

night she
particular

dusters and
broom

the office at

pleasantto

heard

that I

was

that invoice

of Artichoke

out

any

crawl.

from

twenty-fourhours

stand

this

however,
about

home

try her

that I should

and

Follow

bandbox.

feet when

do

to

little more.

mean

It is not

Avenue.

On

sir,don't

much

as

I started to say,

often,

could

on

"

over

we

has

for Me-

yourself!

What
it

fact, she

debt

in

run

'Change with him,

weight lightenedMadam's
dear

My
just

has

and

baby

feather's

GHOSTS.

AND

throw

baby,
because

black,
calico

who

was

he

could

her into the fire.

116

MEN,

"

No

shown

it to

noticed
With

DEAR

laid it upon

I read

"

of the

the

"

n't

I had
knee.

my

room

too

was

"

"

lonelysince

so

letter which

pockets

ALISON

been

health,never

pocket the

out

COUSIN

I have

"

"

in my

cold to take them

"

O, I forgot, I have

afternoon, and

hands

my

her

from
the

in

GHOSTS.

you."

drew

She

fire.

the

not

AND

WOMEN,

mother

strongest,as

died,that my
fered
know, has suf-

you

seriously.My physiciantells me that something

is wrong
with
the periphrastic
action, if you know
what
that is," [I suppose
Miss
Fellows
the
meant
ful,
peristaltic
action,] and prophesiessomething dread"

(I
or

the

've

whether
it was
forgotten
heart, or the stomach,) if I

of air and

spend some
it will be
If

you.

with

drier

than

in your

you

old

the

hope
"

to

hear

from

boarder

S.

"

if I

shall

of

if convenient
to

GERTRUDE

course

FELLOWS.

insist upon

being

come.

"

Hum-m.

Insipidsort

"

Exactly.

That

frozen pear.

of

soon.

"

so,

say

to

aff. cousin,

In haste, your
"

"P.

change
dearlylove to

hesitate
you

head,

home, (I fancy

new

one,)

inconvenient, don't
I

course.

time

in the
have

cannot

I should

this winter.

scene

be

to

F."

of letter."

's Gertrude.

If she had

G.

one

No

more

flavor than

distinguishing
peculiar-

DAY

THE

ity,good

117

DEATH.

MY

bad, I believe I should

or

like her

better.

I 'm sorry for the woman."

But
"

Sorry enough

"

If

had

we

new

house

yet,

or

But
"

and

was

all,

depths

gave
"

nor

She

me.

small

are

room.

spare

won't

the

want

library,
bootjack.

small

the

dismissed

justbegun
in and
a

relief out

that

of

shape

sat

the great

dream

to

down

woke

has

the

from

little matter
most

are

little

ones.

night that

Gertrude

large wilted pear,

dessert plate,
when

on

little pinch and

the

lightlyas

as

grow

dear, Gertrude

Why,

sigh of

hospitableheart, and

of which

had
Allis

me.

peculiarity.I

one

never

it tillthis minute."

Confound

notions

and
slippers,

my

Gertrude's

sleep. Well,
"

heat

can

sigheda

of her

thoughtof
"

the flues

come."

me

My

how

died.

Fellows, in the
walked

knows

though, since Cousin Dorothy

thinkingabout you, you see."

out

I had

has

we

settled and

matters

She

wife

My

"

through this moving

nobody

"

of her ?

winter

just been

O, she can't hurt

her

was

stand

to

home,

I suppose
Let

n't

whether

n't had

to

OF

you

see, she

after her

communications

let 's have

want

to

go

it."

took up with

mother's

with

! I
peculiarities

death;

her, and

some

Spiritualistic

thought

all that, Aunt

she

held

Solomon

says."
"

Stuff

"

Of

and

course.

nonsense

!"

But, Fred, dear, I 'm

inclined

to

118

MEN,

she must

think
the

front

and

whole

the

rapped out
the

mantel-piece,behind

you

must

hand

human
"

!"

on

walk

front

about

O, I know

nothing would

sort

of

and

funeral,
"

"

not

and
said,waking thoroughly,
"

it !

and

The

the

vases,

entry, I '11 believe

that,

not

"

!"

before
"

the

at

china

emphasize the opinion, wjien I

and see
my tables
my mantel-piece,

sitting
up in bed
hear a spirit
rap

to

blue

those

six feet."

within

Hotchkiss

Alison

her

noticed them

have

GHOSTS.

walk into
sewing-table
Solomon
Aunt
says the spirits
of Cousin
Dorothy'shistoryon

made

have

entry;

AND

WOMEN,

I 'm

not

tempt

know

had

King

heard

informed
politely

of the

flaw

wife that

my

to

me

reasoninghas a
King of Siam, you

I 'm
Spiritualist,

But

be.

sure,

still that

it,has n't it,dear ?

in
"
"

of

Siam

I did

before, and
not

care

to

hear

of him

was
again. Spiritualism
a
system of refined
jugglery. Just another phase of the same
thing
which
brings the doves out of Mr. Hermann's
empty
It might be entertaining
hat.
if it had not become
such an abominable
imposition.There would always
be nervous
and hypochondriacmen
women
enough for
its dupes. I thanked
Heaven
that I was
neither,and

went

Our

to

sleep.
new

house

was

lightand dry ;

the flues worked

heated
well,and the spare chamber
admirably. The
baby exchanged the champagne -basket for his dainty

pink-curtainedcrib

Tip began

to

recover

from

the

119

DEATH.

MY

OF

DAY

THE

in
perpetualcold with which three weeks' sitting
and playingin
draughts,and tumblinginto water-pails,
his temper ; Allis forsook her

sink,had sweetened

the

for the crimson

bandboxes
that
we

easy-chair
(very becoming,

rested feet;
chair),or trippedabout on her own
civilized life,
and a fork
returned to table-cloths,

apiece.
In short,nothingat all worth
tillthat

"

Allis waked

when

"

I think

night,

one

be

to

o'clock

with

the

knocking at the
Bridgetwith the baby,
one

some

Supposing it

door.

twelve

at

me

that

announcement

mentioninghappened,
it was
first Sunday,
our
was

"

or
a
fit, I unlocked and unlatched
probably,
it promptly. No one
was
there, however ; and telling

croup,

"

wife, in

my

no

if I remember

gentletone,

very

cor-

be a convenience,on
such cold
that it would
.rectly,
I shut
nights,if she could keep her dreams to herself,
the door distinctly
and returned to my own.
In the
each

at

observed

of Allis's blue

confessed

by

morning I
to

me

eyes,

that her

and

littlewhite
after

sleephad

somebody had rappedin

"

"

bed,

On

the door ?

On

the

on

I
meant

room

might laugh
to

tell me,

all nightlong.

"

door, on

the mantel,

the head-board,

that

broken

much

but

urging she

some

been

disturbance in the room.

singular
her if I chose,and she had not

circle about

"

on

the foot of the

Fred, righton

the

board
head-

I listened till I
but it
cold listening,
grew
rapped and it rapped,and by and by it was morning,

and it stopped."

120

MEN,

"

Rats

"

Then

"

Mice

!"

have

"

said

Next

me

till I 'm

and

I,

wind

"

which

about, and

Gertrude

Fellows

was

been

on

in
she

had

no

mouth,

shrank

when

herself

to

be

kickingabout
prove

spoken
on

by

to, and

the window

in

shrouded

in

till after

us

was

pleasure,
"

She

seldom

fell into

did
were

your

off,and

Her

mouth

"

an

"

quivered
the

and

if she felt
world

was

gentlestsmile might

spoke
She

prove
im-

not

largegreen

unless

long reveries,with

the coals.

women

Her

of foot-ball that

at

thin, cold,

homely

suddenly,as

addressed

that I

water-proofsand

wraps

mercy

one

She

my

was

was

is it that

her

sort

or

think

forgotten.

was

storm
drizzly

She

blow.

the

sewed

else to

either of

station.

when

that

she

have

to

of the raps

parlorgrate.
speculationin them.

honest

day, and

enough

barege veils?

appearance

seated

was

eyes

green

and

Why

barege veils.

always wear

"

week

by

kiss

tons,
gutta-perchabut-

two

had

sense
non-

pillowsat

I '11 have

in it ?

waitinga

Monday

fire

came.

brought her from the

phantom-like woman,
green

and

recalled

not

was

and

cellar stairs that

the littleincident
it

headache

Now

sugar

that Alison

so

! crickets !
plaster

up,

you.

needle

I believe

It

me

Any

the

I had

vest,

my

wake

pleasantto

swallowed

baby
on

time

fell down

Tip

! broken

! fancies ! blind

of coffee.

cup

GHOSTS.

knuckles," said she.

! dreams
imagination
!

AND

said I.

rats

WOMEN,

wore

she
her

were

eyes

horrible sort

DAY

THE

of ruff,

her

was

chosen

to

was

for what
the

and

whom;

or

shape of

she

small toy cartwheel,

of her head.

the back

on

have

becoming.
unexactlythe most
always knittingblue stockings,

lifelesshair in

her

could

she

neck,

discovered

never

wore

that

sallow
She

"

which,

"

all contrivances

encircle

121

DEATH.

MY

I think Allis called it,

illusion,"

"

"

of

OF

of the
brighteneda littlein the course
first week, helped Alison about the baby, kept herself
she

However,

of my

out

Light

"

read

way,

had

She
when

"

the

on

whole,

in the house

been

Alison, with
had

she

rats

the

Banner

became

of

mild,

unpleasantaddition

not

family.

the

that

and

and
equal proportion,

in about

inoffensive,and,
to

Bible

her

"

sick-headache

wakened

wakeful

head-board

the

I had

the
I

me.

ten

days,I think,

face, confided

disturbed

spent another

behind

about

to

nightwith
been

day before, and

promised to set a trap

me

those

down

with

had

she
and

not

buy

cat

evening, and was

closingthe door upon the
subject,being alreadyrather late at the office,when
the expressionof Gertrude
Fellows's
face detained

before

me.
"

If I

were

you,

expensive trap, Mr.

money,

Cousin

Alison

so

I shut

the

good

to

as

"

door

n't

and

I heard
she

with

reallybuy

"

It will be

Hotchkiss.

afraid.

am

would

"

the

very

waste

of

noise that disturbed

sighed.
snap,

explainherself.

and

begged her

to

be

122

"

MEN,

It 's of
won't

you

But

me.

"

asked

no

You

know

difference.

Allis,smiling.

Do

you

mean

"

of your

?
spirits

cold littlewoman

I
spirits.

that makes

c"

all the same."

"

The

GHOSTS.

use," she said,doggedly.

no

believe

They come
They?
some

AND

WOMEN,

flushed.

"

These

not

are

my

know

I did not mean

nothingabout them.
obtrude a subjectso disagreeable
to you while I was
your family; but I have seldom been in a house in

to

in

the Influences

which

were

strong. I don't know

so

they mean, nor anythingabout them, but just

that they 're here.
They wake me up, twitching
my
elbows, nearlyevery night."

what

"

"

Wake

"

Twitchingmy elbows," she repeated,gravely.

broke into a laugh,from which
neither my politeness
the woman's
nor
heightenedcolor could save

you

up how ?

bought the cat

delay.
That
night,when

me,

she

"

never

people,
"

went

I stole

to

ordered

and

Fellows

Miss
bed

"

out
softly

in

littlebrass button

outside

gimlet-holefor

it in the

out

"Without

shopping;it
noise I turned

had

"

retired,"
"

simpleEnglishlike

in my

was

the rat-trapwithout

and
stockings

of her

door.

morning

fitted "into

it,and

screwed

I had

when

other

made

our

guest

placewithout

noise.

went

back

to

my

own

room.
"

You

suspect her, then ?

"

One

is

medium."

"

said Alison.

in suspecting
a Spiritualisti
alwaysjustified

124

MEN,

there

when
agination,
of my

bed

AND

WOMEN,

suddenlyfell

blow

so

the

at

sprang

GHOSTS.

distinct and
sound

board
head-

the

upon

loud that I involunta

It wakened

of it.

Alison, and I had the satisfaction of hearingher sleepily

inquireif

caught that rat yet ? By way of

the candle,and gave the bed a shove
replyI relighted
I examined
half across
the room.
which sent it rolling
the wall
;

I had

I examined

I made

fist.

The

"

my

room

It is

on

the mantel

the

the

shake
menced,
recom-

blows

of

the nursery.

was

my

mantel

now,"

you

then

she

said.

left ; then

the mantel

the

"

It struck

three
ceiling,

again,
"

don't you

"

I heard
littlewith
and

I could

pounding had

adjoiningours

room

just after

times, very loud

hear ?

the

that

so

the headboard

light. It was
empty and silent.
Tip and the baby, sleptsoundlyin the
the hall. While
I was
across
searching
wife called loudlyto me, and I ran
back.

in with

Bridget,with
largechamber
the

get up,

blows, like
rapid,irregular

in

I went

Alison

Meantime

the mattresses.

man's

the floor ; I examined

looked

distinctly;
moreover,
the concussion.

the

I took

out

mantel
the

shook

fire-board

the

chimney ; I took out the register

the furnace-pipe
the
and looked down
; I ransacked
I examined
Miss Felgarret and the halls ; finally,
locked as I had left it,upon the
lows's door,
it was
outside ; and that locked door was
of
the only means
up

"

egress from
of

the room,

unless the occupant fancied that

jumping from a two-story window

of stone steps.
flight

upon

broad

step

every

into my

suggested Allis.

like to know

Quiet fell
I

have

upon

the

house

lighttap

into

it,

pounding

latch

It

it

noise, and

carpet, outlined in

hammer,

Determined

thoroughly,I
of the
We

doorway

us.

the door

our

or

stick of oaken

wood.

when

there

I could

reach

and

whispered,

wife

while

was

kept watch

and
position,

such
The

as

No

there.

little

would

more

the

upon

side
in-

the outside.

upon

closed

solid door

the

me

the

series of furious blows

was

frostybar.

stand

to

door

cold.

showed

superhuman,

my

a
Instantly

the sound

hour,

an

flungthe

investigatematters

asked

took

between

human

to

"

dark, and
silent,

was

figuresupon
or

!"

now

moonlightfell in

the

should

thundering blow.

without

into the hall.

"

for

Before

littleglimmer of

hand

from

cracking?

upon

first nap,

my

it is I '11 have

the

after that

door.

the

upon

into

Whatever

turned
wide

aside

"Plaster

decided

you

it,it had grown

"

floor beside

me,

headaches

which

dropping

was

Blind

Dreams

Fancies

came

visible
in-

an

room.

"Wind?"

and

hit the

it followed

it ; but

from

it, away

over

hall ;

the

attemptedto step

125

DEATH.

MY

back
across
thoughtfully
trip-hammer appeared to

came

at

me

OF

DAY

THE

be made

door

struck

by

quiveredunder

it.
"

It 's

"

No, it 's on

"

You

on

're

your

side ! "
yours

!"

said I.
said she.

pounding yourselfto

fool

me," cried I.

126

You

"

're

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

to frighten
me,"
poundingyourself

sobbed

she.
And

nearly had

we

with
All is fell

more

The

quarrel.

sound

less intermission

or

but
asleep,

I spent the

tinued
con-

till daybreak.

time

in

appropriate

reflections.

Early in

the

Fellows's

Miss

morning
door.

She

I removed

the

knew

never

button

from

anythingabout

it.
I

believe,however, that I had the fairness

her

in my
with

Just

"

"

The
from
in the

Fellows

trickish

any

of that

pate
exculnection
con-

night.

this little affair,"

I said to

come

have

never

kept quiet,and

Miss

as

shall

we

time, and may

We

from

the disturbances

keep quiet about

wife ;

my

heart

secret

to

across

any

more

an

explanationin
of it."

days so did the spirits,"

the triphammer
pleasedto pronounce

for five

was

"

early,as it chanced,
Fellows
was
the office. Miss
writing letters
was
sortingand putting
parlor. Allis,upstairs,
fifth

day

came

home

and sat
into the room
I came
weekly wash.
I always liked to
her.
down
to watch
by the register
the floor with the little
watch
her sittingthere on
stuff piledlike blocks of
heaps of linen and cotton
about her, and her pink hands dartingin and out
snow
sleeves that were
of the uncertain
just ready to give
heels briskly,
in the gathers,tryingthe stockings'
way

away

and

the

testingthe

buttons

with

littlejerk.

DAY

THE

laid aside

She

the rest.

and

"

be needed

had

numbered

figuresin

into the cedar

et."
clos-

marked

were

way,
I heard

indelible ink.

in

again this winter,"

better go

garments, by the

The

127

DEATH.

MY

from
under-clothingpresently

some

It will not

"

observed,

she

OF

her

run

and
the

over

busy, housekeeper'sundertone, before

into

them

door, I think, for

She

closet.

the

locked

the

the click of the

I remember

rying
car-

closet

key.

If

I stepped into the hall after

accurately,
to
lighta cigar,and Alison flitted to and fro
ings
her clothes,
droppingthe baby'slittlewhite stockand anathematizingthem daintily
every step or two,

I remember
that
with

bounds,

orthodox

within

"

called

she

five minutes

me

of

In

course.

her voice

about

sharp and

was

alarmed.

quick !

Come

"

clothes that I locked

Fred,

into the

look

here !

cedar closet

All

those
here

out

are

the bed ! "

on
u

into the
made

upon

with
"

"

room,

thee

She

wife," I blandlyobserved,as I sauntered

dear

My

mad.

crossed

in

Is it meant

Fred

me

the

see

bed.

ugly

an

for

! I

Fellows

hath

the clothes ! "

white

Some
way,

to

joke, Alison

clothing
lay

represent

corpse,

You

did it yourself,

!"
have

not

littlefinger
!"
"

of Gertrude

hands.

I suppose
"

Let

pointed to
it,folded

much

too

Gertrude,

then

"

touched

it with

the

tipof

my

128

Gertrude

"

So

she

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

is in the

parlorwriting."

I called her

was.

GHOSTS.

She

up.

looked

surprised

troubled.

and

have

It must

"

"

is in the

Jane

At

"

locked

Give

"

She

gave

tried

and

opened

the

door.

the

linen

It

drawer

She

placed the

them

; locked
was,

We

and
sat

Gertrude

to

the

could

the

bers
num-

the
of

to

my

I unlocked
wife assured

drawer

be

me

in
tom.
bot-

empty.

was

please."
made

naming
the

it,

in my
and

numbering ;

drawer,

an

"

mistake

diarya

upper

in

identifying
drawer, put the key in my pocket ;
the closet,put the key in
et
my pock-

door

of the

put that key

down

me.

myself in

that there

the door

The

it.

of their

articles

it ; locked

in which

clothes,if you

careful memorandum

locked

I noticed

locked.

was

shook

those

me

so

here."

to be seen
Nothing was
which
neatly covered the

towel

brought

drawer,

you

lain.

I lifted it and
Give

clothes which

they came
See,

baby.

"

that the clothes had

"

the

2 on the night-caps,
and
stockings,
the key," I interrupted.
the key. I went
to the cedar closet
me

me

the

and

the

and

it but

the

not

are

Fred.

same,

very

6 upon

these

into the closet,however

The

"

walking with Tip

kitchen making pies."
out

rate

any

itatively,
Bridget,"I proceeded,author-

Tip."

or

Bridget is

"

been

tnen

fill the

no

room

in which

in my

pocket.

in the

hall,all of

I
mending-basket,

us

to

the closet

Allis

smoke

and
and

DAY

THE

consider.

faint

Miss

from

scream

had

rude, hideous
I took

"

three

the

"

cedar-room

the

threshold.

and

compared
numbers

from

door,

unlocked

the

diary.
clothes,

pocket, unlocked

my

the

drawer, and

name

in my

I took

throughout.

the

closet

looked

door,

The

in.

the
locked
un-

drawer

empty.

was

To

that

say

myself,if

not

from

to

at

was

of

work

in

other

my

failed to

that

people
"

common

house, would

at

conclusion

aside.

Finally,I held
rats," kept my mind
narrowly

and

scientific causes,

be

to

in

myself

accuse

capableof.
gave

it up.

threw

ceased

peace,

my

to

"

mysterious

conclusion, and

upon

own

some

or

I am
obstinacythan even
theory after theory,and

more

and

this time

influence, inexplicable
by

"

into

of the dead.

keys

the upper

past

ran

Tip'slittleplaid

pale,upon

names

identical

and
stairs,

put away

article in turn, and

the

in,when

me.

the

nurse

folded,as before,in
clothing,

imitation

with

were

took

to

his

let him

and

sittingon

was

lay some

each

number

They

down

stopped,rather
bed

the

Upon

with

home

wife arrested

my

Allis,going in

aprons,

and

who

Fellows,
room.

my

started to go

129

DEATH.

MY

Tip coming

saw

and
presently,

OF

to

I propounded
I

rived
ar-

them
talk of

sjtateof passive vacancy,

quietlywatched

the

progress

of

affairs.
From

the

date

confusion
Avenue.

Tha"

of

that

reigned

escapade
in

nightneither

our.

my

with

corner

wife

nor

the
of

clothes
underNemo's

myself closed

130

an

the house

eye,

of

the blows

resounded

so

and

pale'with
proposedgoing home.

troubled,and

her

was

vetoed, determined
honest

re-echoed

with

hammers, fists,
logs,and knuckles.

unseen

Fellows, too,

Miss

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

if the

This

I peremptorily

had

wToman

otherwise, with

or

looked
vigils,

the

nection,
con-

any

mystery,

to

ferret it out.

day, just after dinner, I was writing

following
child's cry of frightand pain
in the library,
when
a
from
the littleyard
startled me.
It seemed
to come
The

behind

I hurried

house, and

the

"

stout

and

son

my

"

rope.

behold

in the yard,
apple-tree
thing; and in that tree I
heir,Tip, tied fast with a small

singularsight. There was

old, stunted,crooked
an

found

thither to

"

Tied

one

does

not

it ;

express

he

was

gagged, manacled, twisted,contorted, wound

about,

crossed and

of

recrossed,held

of
scarcely
"

as

You

I cut
The

chance

tion,
mo-

breath.
tied

never

without

"

yourselfup here, child?

asked,

the knots.

questioncertainlywas
could

have

bound

No

unnecessary.

himself

in

such

gler
jug-

fashion ;

child.
To my continued,
then, a four-years'
scarcely,
the boy replied,
clear,and gentleinquiries,
persistently
and consistently,
that nobody tied him there,
not
Cousin
the baby, nor
Gertrude, nor
Bridget,nor
Jane, nor papa, nor the black kitty ; he
nor
mamma,
"

"

"

was
was

have

"just tooken
all there
been

up

about

was

God,

all at

or

once

it."

into the tree, and

He

something like

"'posedit
that,did it."
"

that
must

132

MEN,

after

by

day

uncomfortable

GHOSTS.

tricks

were

sprung

upon

us

invisible
that

so

AND

WOMEN,

used to the noises,

agencies. We became
sleptthrough them easily
of the
; but many

we

phenomena

gularly
strikingly
unpleasant,and so sinunsuited
to the ordinaryconditions of human
happinessand housekeeping,that we scarcelybecame
as

"

of

were

of

one

so

excellent

our

deacons

exhortingus to become
occasion we
Upon one
number

recherche

spared
We

before,so

was

observed
her

eyes
who

better

cook, who

our

The

to

not

justas

sat

at

with

been

and

for the

in the direction

righthand.

wife had
her table.
the

"Really

"

aw

"

very

night
three

us

vided
pro-

and
hopeful,
sert.
graviesand des-

the beef

My

that I

telegramfrom

of General
sensations

imagined than described" when I saw

Popgun's fork, untouched
by any human
dancing a jig on his plate. He grasped it and
firally down.
he released
As
his
soon
as
leaped from the table.
be

Allis looked

begun to carve
suddenly pale,and

her

rather

guests had been

I had

mine

with

lect
se-

good, the pigeons better,

Providence

wife

turned

sour,

had

tillour

was

soup

trust

my

remain

to

was

my

comparativelyquiet house

that

and

and

be

to

suit herself

had

small

was

to
painstaking

bread

It

It

Avenue,

for.

inclined

invited

affair for Nemo's

days,consented
the

had

cheerful habit

resigned."

"

of friends to dine.

no

had

"

had

gun,
Pop"

can

eral
Gen-

hand,
laid it
hold

it

singularphenomena," began

the General
credit the

OF

DAY

THE

!
singular
extraordinaryaccounts
;

"

very

this

in

house, but

133

DEATH.

MY

of
aw

"

"

preparedto

not

was

tations
manifesspiritual
Well, I must

say""
Pandemonium
it was
at that dinner-table.
Instantly
Dr. Jump's knife,Mrs. M'Ready's plate,and Colonel
Hope's tumbler sprang from their places. The pigeons
the caster rattled and rolled,
the
flew from the platter,
and the gravies,
moved
salt-cellars bounded
to and -fro,

by

invisible disturber, spatteredall

some

Mrs.

over

Elias P.

moire antique.
Critique's
and angered beyond endurance,
Mortified
addressed

first time

into

moment

the

spirits, wrenched

for

"

profound

belief

that

I for the

they

the
be

must

indeed.
spirits
"

Whatever

hand

shouted, bringingmy
"

go

of this

out

The
dishes
as

and

room

onty replywas
on

the

table.

he afterward

and

are,

you

told us,

wherever

down
let

hard

that
Whatever

the

I should
the

agent

not

yet discovered,

the

quietmodes

"

of

upon

are," I
the

table,

alone ! "

us

furious

mazourka

of all the

gentleman present, who had,

studied the subjectof spiritualism

and
somewhat, very sceptically

results,observed

you

with

unsatisfactpry

performance keenly,and suggested

of appeal.
try a gentlermethod
was,

he

and

"

had

meeting

Rather

amused, I spoke

caster, and

intimatingin

it
more

my

what

noticed
were

most

it

was

he

had

that
repeatedly
effective.

softly,
addressingthe
blandest

manner

that

134

guestswould

and my
have

the

The

disturbance

morning

half

She

and

for

room,

the

left vacant,

it,and

she

and

it

with
insists,

could

have

When

she

of those spoons

one

them
been

to

when

me

without

mystery

shape

assuming
just as

away,

door

fitted it,put the

ate
meditatively

About
in to

half

groan

Allis chanced

an

over

to

the

my

edge.
knowlevery
showed

Had

been

more

pletely
com-

I took

they were.
to

they

feel

if this

as

proportions),

them, into

small

onlykey

in the

inner

vest

house

the

which

pocket,and

dinner.
afterward

hour
the

than

it is

breakfast-room,locked

in my

key

have

I found

cupboard

She

noon.

uncomfortable

in the wall of the

with

at

to

beingdid

sideboard

(I began

cupboard

the
was

which

her

bent double.

not

remarks

any

were

put them

of

out

the

to

home

came

from

she returned

without

back

lay there
I

the

breakfast-room

room

pewter toys they could

twisted

them

the

came

in

opens

entered

leave

to

quiet conviction
doubt, that no human

to

no

quite
herself,I believe,

when

vacant

was

had

we

of solid silver,and

were

silver-soap.The

hardlyreasonable
or

and

dined.

sideboard

going to rub them

the china-closet,
which

was

into

went

they

could

had

we

chanced

the

teaspoons upon

breakfast-room
thick.

till after

after Alison

two

or

dozen

ourselves

if we
obligations

graduallyceased,
day.

of it that

more

GHOSTS.

feel under

to

room

AND

V/OMEN,

MEN,

weather

mention

and

neighbordropped
the baby, and
see

the incident of the spoons.

THE

DAY

OF

MY

185

DEATH.

Really,Mrs. Hotchkiss ! said the lady, with a

slightsmile, and that indefinite,quickly smothered
change of eye which signifies,I don't believe a word
"

"

of it !

"

Are

somewhere,
is very

littlemental

entertaining,but

should
"

or

that

sure

you

be

interested

Your

to

"

be

is not

beg

those

found

those

ever

had

spoons

not

bend

madam,
gratified,

Oh!"

been

not

"

the

line

could

said,

door.

and

dent, not

"I

pocket,I

my

straight,
smooth,

as

untrue

nor

fair

as

wrinkle,

discover

we

where
any-

them.

upon
"

spoons

"

spoons."

taking the key from

cupboard and unlocked

the

to

story

pardon

your

little testily
; and

led her

mistake

hallucination ? The

see

shall
curiosity

there

said

visitor,
significantly.

our

That

lady,be it recorded, then and thenceforward

spared no pains to found and strengthen throughout
Avenue

the

getting up

all

Nemo's
were

the
theory that
that spiritual
nonsense
"

into lower

their landlord

And

rents.

such

Hotchkisses
force

to

respectable
"

a pity,did n't it ?
peopletoo ! It did seem
One
nightI was alone in the library. It was late ;
The
about
brightestgas
half-pasteleven, I think.
jet was
lighted,so that I could see to every portion

of the
no

no

small

furniture

but

slidingdoors
in which

cranny

by

me

and

door

The

room.

the

was

book-cases, my
concealed

or

any

human

I say

that

corners

creature

was

shut.

There

table,and
;

no

could
alone.

was

chair ;
nook

lurk

or
seen
un-

136

MEN,

I had

been

writingto

minute
which

him

begged
and

to

help me

loss for

six weeks'

and

come

with

out

confidential

of about

now

GHOSTS.

friend

of the disturbances

account

were

AND

WOMEN,

reasonable

in my

what
some-

house,

duration.

observe

them
I

solution,

"

I had

for

himself,

myself

at

was

There

seemed
to
certainly
be evidence
of superhuman agency
; but I was
hardly
myself thoroughlyto that view
ready yet to commit
of the

and

matter,

In the middle
A
I
to

one.

"

consciousness,sudden
alone

not

was

mortal

looked

and

examined
that

sound

the
was

I had

my

her,
benefit.

undisturbed
held

but

the

nor

that very

had
I had

Yet
ing
writ-

the little recess

nothing but my own

ordinaryrap-rapping

only visible occupant

rappingshad meantime

communicating with

asked

that

me

become
I

so

and

rose

thoroughly,until quite satisfied

room

learned

pen.

empty of

was

by th'istime
it passed unnoticed.

alphabetwith
spiritual
"

air

warm

its

again. The
impatient.

to

I had

that often

accustomed

The
were

floor,to which

the

on

my

brightlittle silent room.

I pushed away
was.
my

about.

no

was

came
distinct,

and

librarytable

the

feet ; there

curtains

outline ; the
under

in that
alone

eyes

I laid down

of that sentence

week

which

she

meant

to

Miss

mother.
use

and

Fellows

the

it.

habit of

I had

never

it herself

try all other

before resortingto
investigation

down

sat

loud

in the

was

proposed,to

then

become

from
she

her dead

Now,

means

for
of

however,

THE

OF

DAY

MY

137

DEATH.

being alone,and being perplexedand annoyed by

having invisible

of

sense

out

the

upon

What

do you

Instantlythe
I put

I added
friend

the

to

entreaties

my

the way,

uphold

honest

broken

paragraph in

of the

house.

He

intentions

to

this time

as
felt,

the
life,

dubitab
in-

grasp

at

come

was

began

an

to

"

of

and

reiterated

his earliest

venience
con-

Episcopalclergyman,

that his
for

have

I found

man

the letter to
my

occurrence,

I considered

in which
for

one

About

in my

character
fast-sinking

my

this dilemma
serious

table,and

touch

would

and

"

'

hand.

townspeople.

my

the

that he

to my

by

felt

brief account

hand.""

your

human

warm,

letter till the

rapping back

came

ever

spelled

me?"

fingersunder

my
as

of

answer

to

raps

and

"

of

want

Stretch down

"

many

complete:

questionwas
"

table,so

I turned

company,

my

an

testimonywould
veracityamong
impressionthat

myself was

pretty

and
peaceabledisposition
-

be in.
I undertook

to

come

to

little

I took her
understandingwith Miss Fellows.
alone, and having tried my best not to frighten
away
the life out of her by my grave face,asked her seriously
and
she supposedherself to
kindly to tell me whether

better

have
To

any
my

surprise

thought she

had.

for information."

phenomena in my house.
answered
promptly that she

with

connection

she
I

the

represseda whistle,and

"

asked

138

MEN,

The

"

otherwise

offered to go

at

away

said

her

that

They

feel them.

stairs with

desire to have

no

begged her

her go

proceed.

to

house

in the

are

strong, as I have

are

confess

backbone
head

But

before

kind

of

"

this

winter,

the

system

do

of

doubt

are,

not

not

see,

bad.

as

There

are

as

Sometimes

The
there

extreme

witnessed

would

the

and

do.

We

bad

when

write

ridicule

You

and
lyingspirits

my

night

practicable
only
accessible.
They

repeat them.
hear, feel

The

You

my

me.

gone.

have

the

their

placeswhere

you

for you.

messages

do

not,
is

medium

made.

spiritsand

in

was

of communication.

means

of
I

after I

uncommon

with

behind

them

see

rapped one

"

not

are

having turned

to

something
suggested.

such
expression,

of

all sorts

mean

down

crept down

the book-cases

at

they might rap

better

methods

Alison

words, and

came," I

simplenoises

them.

they

chill that

is

them.

and

standingnow,

to

hear

up

and

me

Something

room.

shoulders."

Yes, and

no

in my

your

stared hard

you

go

upon

these

at

and

They

them

see

rest.

I find them
I

"

eyes.

at

them.

me.

almost

hands

vacant

never

see

glidingabout.

are

I had

her

with

me

what

easy

before," she continued, lookingthrough

wrong.

"

renders

"

Influences

beyond

"

medium

I
impossible,"she replied.
Mr. Hotchkiss,in the beginning.''

present, and

The

GHOSTS.

be

away,

I assured

"

of

presence

would

AND

WOMEN,

Cousin
are

true,

deceive

ferentl
dif-

good
and

140

MEN,

of his last

AND

WOMEN,

days,

GHOSTS.

of

which, by the way, I am

that Miss Fellows knew
nothing. At one

received

"

discourse

long

of the
of existence.

"

At

another, Alison's

hooked
and

his

pieceof

than

the

on

rangement
ar-

state

grandfather

Sunday
the

noon
after-

child

with

Allis

bent

pin

fish-line.

One
of

certain

long ago, when

in the long prayer

off

wig

of

"

meetin'

her

dead

time

in the disembodied

spheres

reminded
pathetically
at

me
enlightening

dent
confi-

saddened

day we were
lost spirit,
who
soul could

by the confused wail

representedhis agoniesas greater
for relief.

bear, and clamored

Moved

:
pity,I inquired

to

"

"

What

can.

me

modern

of water

which

had

swer
touchingan-

it

another.

was

was

to

cool the tongue

O

the work

in
am

that
not

do ;

to

the

way
sure

all the

daily messages,
;

and
one

spirit

we

that

lipsof

the
to

are

quently
infre-

not

replyfrom

I think

She

of Dives.

they would

was

confusion

have

we

lips

her

of

restless,indefinite

strugglefor expressionthat

to

drop

mischievous

whether

nonsense

however,

of

supposed this

of the ancient

version

world, but
spiritual

Through

ran

improved

"

that I

Fellows

nothing better
take

in the

Miss

to

and

repliedthat
who

the

pieceof squashpie!

I remarked
be

"

"

Give

"

rapped back

knuckles

Unseen
:

do for you

we

could

pression.
ex-

these
pose
purnot

THE

OF

DAY

DEATH.

MY

of

something unperformed which

tormenting somebody.
sense

grasp ;

One

week

had

we

the

annoyed by

been

so

dancing

of

much

tables,shaking

breaking of crockery,that

and

length vehemently dared

at

Who

"

and

see

me

"

our

of

doors,

patience,and

tormentors

unseen

are,

"

to

cried, destroying
"

this unendurable

man,

you

will meet
in the

fashion.
as

you

mortal

of all fairness,

name

!"

you

If you

you

family in

Whatever

man.

are

mortal

are

you

what

of my

the peace

let

I lost all

usually

themselves.

show

If

than

more

was

it will be death

me

see

to

you," tapped

the Invisible.
"

let it be death to

Then

pleasureof

the

shall I have
"

To-morrow

nightat

"

To-morrow

at

And

interview

an

on

When

"

six o'clock."

six,then,
at

to-morrow

Come

me

be it."
Allis had

six it was.

headache,

lying down upstairs. Miss .Fellows and I

with her, busy with
cologne and tea, and one
were
I had, in fact,forgottenall about
thingand another.
clock
superhuman appointment,when, just as the
my

and

was

Fellows

Miss

cry from

six,a low

struck

arrested

my

attention.
"

"

See

"

"

Your

see

it ! "
what

tall

man

eyes

she said.
?

"

wrapped
are

the

in

only ones

sheet."
so

favored,it happens,"

142

MEN,

said, with

"

Women's

!"

for

nothing

saw

foot with

that

states

dropped.
sheet.

tall

within

was

foot

dropped at
pickedit up and

raised

the

taken

shook

I took

the

before

about
as

there
turned
I had
Miss

at

to

wife

the

sheet
a

grandmother's,"

only six, marked

are

in the

It

corner.

They

number,
and

room

my

the

the

underclothes

minutes

we

as

the numbered

have

before

was

chest

came

been

not

myself,
"

I had

as

and

the

of the

locked

be-

done

it in.

down

by Allis. In
figurestandingstill
As

room.

before,I

the
I

draperydropped,and
pickedup the sheet and
It

corner.

into the blue

Fellows

;
sat

saw

middle

it,and

locked

my

only a sheet.

of

ones

of the

nothing but

the blue

to

nothing there.

was

it ;

garret.

sheet back

to

three

head

years."

the

with

before,in

sprang

up

first observed

back

came

chest

blue
for

having

boar's-head

the

out

from

of it when
"

of those old linen

pink with

from

nothing.
I must
depose

arm

feet,

my

said Allis,examining it ; there

in

then

her breath.

figure,covered

it with

upon

It

It is one

"

saw

moment*;

see

for I

spoke

look of fear.

exclaimed, under
"

sheet, standingstillin the middle

I sprang

room.

she

while

But

pillowswith

imagination!

did
say that I

and
to

the

it,Fred

Zsee

GHOSTS.

superior smile.

Allis started from

"

AND

WOMEN,

was

the

that

same

chest.

inclined

to

fear that I had

really

I
endangered my life by this ghostlyrendezvous.
death
testify,
however, that it was
by no means
"

can

to

DAY

THE

me,"

did

nor

OF

MY

143

DEATH.

ill effects from

experienceany

the

event.

friend,the clergyman,made

My
in

For

January.

tormentors

bent

were

friend that I
all

at

week

was

fool

beyond

after his

or

but

amazement

chair of

hopped

had

of
to

of which

risen

with

after him

Not

only

"

the

across

"

manifested

did

chairs,and

ture,
singularna-

see

tete-a-tete

I had written

him.

some

this

From

room.

the

cane-seat

chairs, arid Tip's little

round-backed

in the

corner

approach,

but

him

the

at

the

him

over
spilled

elbow
and

which
foot from

his
hid

in his closets and

he

the

to

solemn

centre-table

keep

ground ;

lifted
it still,
his

coffee-cup

by

an

disappearedfrom
dressing-cases

themselves,
under

knew

none

his bed

rose

marlle-

the

his eyes;

sat

heavy

agitation

he tried to drink, shaken

when
;

walnut

heavy

the

of

symptoms

piano trundled

ceilingunder

topped stand, on
itself and

evince
the

period

itselfto his heart's content.

and
rocking-chairs,

the

the

half-wayto

bureau

of the

some

chairs,and the affghanschase him about, and

minuet

the

"

mystery

his

ance
disturb-

no

"

the

at

only

to
formality
caller to the door, when, to his slight
formal
and my secret delight,
his chair
an
easygood proportions deliberately
jumped up and

one

usher

he

day

my

ordinaryrappings. These,

manifestations
extraordinary
But

if

almost

had

juggler,we

gentleman gonfessed were

expresseda politedesire

reverend

arrival,as

convincing my

on

the

desired visit

the

me

how

or

seen
un-

his

when,

mysteriousuncanny

144

MEN,

dressed
figures,
stood

straw,

mantel

into

his feet

at

ceilinginto
"

"

his

in

in his

his candlesticks

are

best

GHOSTS.

clothes

when

room

he

and

stuffed
it at

to

came

walked, untouched

with

night;

by hands, from

the

keys and chains fell from the air

raw
turnips dropped from the solid
; and
his soup-plate.
space

said

Well, Garth,"

how

AND

WOMEN,

day, confidentially,

one

things?

Begin

think

awhile,"he

have

to

'

sense
realizing

'

of it,eh?"
"

Let

me

I left him

to

for

day

seemed

his

have

to

answered.

and
reflections,
two

or.

been

less indefinite,and

Gertrude

to

of late

and
contradictory,
this

was

up,

burden

Jabbers, had

hundred

in

been

any

considerable

with

though

wife's

my

could

to

"

them,

as

Mr.

I cast

it

God

never

sphere
that

father, and

"

This

and

had,

known
un-

partner of

his
"

think.

Timothy
the dry-

in

swindler,

young

since his death.

higher

was

confused, but

connected

earlylife

for

sum

knowledge only of
he

of

sum

himself,defrauded

but

dollars, I

his agony

the

sometimes

them

her

"

business
to

She

from

of

occupant of the house, one

former

goods

Fellows.

important messages

more

tion
atten-

my

receivingless ridiculous,

acquaintances. The
spiritual
directed at me.
They were
never

devoted

five

some

fact, kept in

the

guiltyman, had been

the parlance of Spiritualism,

the
In

"purify" his
till he

part of the

had

made

soul

and

rise to

restitution,

communications

"

paid

DAY

THE

littleattention.
sole

hands

in the

I made

of

been

had

occupant of

We

them,

for three

knew

we

such
"

object
that

house

confidence

of the entire

in
testify

discovery

Jabbers
at

the

once

periodbeen

one

was

now

York

many

claim

bring any

his

were

upon

money

give

we

in

the

so

palpablean

second,

for the disturbances

at

the

lose the entire

should, in all probability,

we

who

was

estate,

in the first place,because

people'seyes

non-spiritualistic
community

thought

undertake

would

the county court

the

problematicalwhether

it

ordinary size

of

constable

found

the

to

in New

procedurewould

in

to

n't get the

thirdly,because

to

led

Timothy

attempted

should

because

any

Mr.

reasons

Jabbers's

wife's father,that he

never

father's

wealthy nephews.

some

her

this money

Mr.

dead, and that his nephews

heirs.

"

from

house, that he had

our

in business with my
years

wife, as

my

inquirieswhich

some

that there

her

for

claim

to

money

entitled to, and

livingheir,was

desired
then

This

145

DEATH.

MY

OF

to
at

and

courage

could

witness

the

summon

be

Atkinsville.

only because,on the theories

it appeared to give some
of Spiritualism,
point and
the phenomena, and. their infesting
occasion
that
to
I mention

matter

house.
particular
Whether

Mr.

poor

Timothy

having unburdened

himself

but

found

state
to

after he

his messages,

he

throughturnipsand

Jabbers

of his
that

confession,I

graduallyceased
cold

keys ;

felt relieved

the

paid some
to

express

by

cannot

attention
himself

rappingsgrew

less

146

MEN,

frequent,and

violent and

that Miss

Shortlyafter
and

Garth

GHOSTS.

finallyceased

Fellows

I talked

altogether.

home.

went

matters

had

He

AND

WOMEN,

the

over

day

after she

tled
broughthis thinking"to a close,whithis opinions
to a point,and was
quiteready to stick
into their places for my
them
benefit,and leave them
there, as George Garth left all his opinions,
immovable
the everlasting
hills.
as
left.

much

"How

"

No

"

No

is

that

The

regularcheat

find it out.

you

"

you

and

the

have

next

had, no

more.

She

that

sent

turnip into

my

"

walking into the

trickery-mixed with

case

come

you

across

you

will find it out,

Ve

had

three

months

Whatever

mystery, the

may

who

man

witnessed, and

washed-out
incapable,

such
be
'11

you

"

find this

to

be

the

planation
ex-

witness

can

pronounce

woman,

air.

may

but

I have

tested

your

narrowed

Well, then,

I was,

the

"

candlestick

understand

somewhat
"

it now,

it the

is either

fool.

You
've

with

juggler."
the affair,
then

could n't.

you

trick of that
or

You

of
what

do

said she

great deal of

phenomena.

out, and

to

about
trickery
trickerycould

There

liar

she

but not

medium,

or
soup-plate,

she

Preciselywhat
a

was

had

"

Fellows
u

"

what

a
confess,

yourselfand your wife,

servants
we
faithfully
; so
in

our

and
're

conclusions."

's the matter

little startled

"

by

the

vehemence

148

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

and
except by physicians

scientific

be let alone.

yet throw

and

They

may

I propose

I cannot.

for

In fact,it looks too

self

on

Powers
"

terms

of

of the

Air

're rather

You

of the

subject,"I

toward

with

the

puttingone's
of

Prince

the

please me."

to

positive,
consideringthe difficulty
said.

truth is,and

The

better

lighton it ; you
forth.
myself to drop it hence-

much

intimacy

it had

men

be about

it may

time

to

it,

to

own

that the three months'

I had

held

so

broad

to

me

of

terms

assented

capitulation.I

friend's conclusions,but

of my

most

siegeagainstthe mystery, which

that winter, had driven
pertinaciously
where

he

to

stopped

then,
light. I understood
which
for the first time, the peculiar charm
I had
in Spiritualoften seen
work
with dabblers
so
ism.
fatally
I

began

fascination

The
ransacked
I went

for further

race

of the

thing was

of mediums.

for advertisements

the papers

me.

upon

from

with

cityto cityat their mysteriouscalls. I

in my
stances
parlor,and frightenedmy wife
of them
some
ghastlyenough
messages

from

her dead

held

"

strange
the

relatives.
in

seers

and
aspirations
and
a

my

future

the usual

friends,dead

told

gauntletof

me

my

alive,my

or

name,
secret

tory
past his-

prospects.

long time they never

own

ran

peculiarcharacteristics,
my

strangers told
even

who
strange places,

of all my

names

For

"

me

wife knew

made

facts about
:

whether

failure.

lute
Abso-

myself which not

they spoke with

DAY

THE

the

of devils,or

tongues
of

not

even

made

had

whether, by

prepared to

now

should

miss

ridiculous aimlessness, and

but

often

Once,

and
significant

remember,

be

to

lost

time

another

eyes
warned

was

before

me

sunset

in

attack of
to

iltry
dev-

sugar,

as

sunset

SaturdayI

stock

as

by

medium

its

took the

lamity
ca-

the following

on

that

solid
a

indefinite

an

which

had

gold.

own

At

in Philadelphia

in Boston, was
visiting
left her in perfecthealth

I had

ill.

some

subtle

pillwith

on

mining

nevertheless uneasy, I
feeling
I found
went
to her.
directly
severe

sometimes

wife, then

that my

suddenly

had

a
occasionally

Before

stood in all Eastern

they

spared

they foretold

dollars

thousand

if

fearful accuracy.

brought upon

Saturday.

I think

been

like
religion,

with

coated about

thoughts,

my

say.

have

unknown

some

read

communications

suffering. Their

149

DEATH.

MY

magnetism, they simply

laws
am

OF

taken
;

but

nighttrain

and

her in the

agoniesof

justpreparingto
pleurisy,

send

gram
tele-

me.

propheciesare unreliable, notwithstanding

them
Let
coincidences," wrote
George Garth.
will regret it if
You
alone, Fred, I beg of you.
"

Their

"

you

don't."

taken
fairly
face,"I made reply, and I may
your platform. Until then I must
"

Once

"

let

me

be

"

now

come

to the

remarkable

in and

cheated

compress
gang

views

my

my

portionof

to

own

my

my
to

gait."
story,

150

least

at

"

under

visit,and

the

office of

Boston, by
The

with

of the

palm

followingMiss
in

the

other,

medium

as

to

the

"

second

She

it with
?

I
sat

it

it.

tells you

"

Who

"

Jerusha

Jerusha

I 'm
be

Babcock
Babcock

believe,to wonder
find

to

of

it ?
I

for further

paper

so

going
good
be

may

May,

at

am

concern

and

use,

"

told."

"

and
was

George Washington."
the

what

occasion

himself

of

name

could the
grandmother. What
maternal
grandmother? It did

could

one

afternoon."

know

don't

into

there

second

"

know

ink, that

distinctly: The

do you

"

at

will be summoned

and

pen

pocketed the slipof

reflecting.
How

the

"

wrote

"

ting
sit-

upon

May,

in

o'clock in the

one

of

"

mistake

no

hand

one

good English,that means

replied,
carelessly. Would you

write

while

of existence."

I suppose,

die," I

Atkins-

at

in

of
forefinger

"

state
spiritual

to

house

my

Fellows's

pleasant morning,

o'clock in the afternoon,you

"

portion

Washington Street
unpleasant communication.
singularly
day of next May," wrote the medium,

second

she wrote

"

remarkable

of vision.

manifestations
one

GHOSTS.

the

me

summer

startled

was

in the
in

of the

August

ville,I

to

seems

present conditions

my

In

it

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

my

of my

know

woman

not

maternal

occur

to

me,

George Washington

about

my

dyingor

my

THE

There

living.

DAY

stood

OF

the

MY

151

DEATH.

Jerusha

pledge
that my
informant
knew
what
she was
talkingabout.
I left the office with an
sinking at the heart.
uneasy
There
the
was
a coffin-store near
by, and I remember
of
peculiarinterest with which I studied the quilting
the satin lining,and the peculiarcrawling sensation
ends.
which
crept to my fingers'
Determined
the

I visited

where

medium

New

Haven,

spent

of these
face

It

was

people,I

others,and

without

ugly message
through the happy summer
There

was

them

of

out

the fiat went

u

On

it.

I would

forth

not

of

laughed at

have
I

village,

know

not

a
ever

soul.
seen

calculated

least to arrest

at

people,each
with

concert

which

unknown

the

had

to

others,

sought

peated
re-

out

me

morning in Washington
hesitation,no doubt, no contradiction.
tripthem

or

cross-question
consistent,

"

will pass out

helped myself.
had

not

did

Unerring,assured, and

the second

you

no

could

and
Philadelphia,

before.

seven

the

Street.

in

in New

two

confident,had

am

name

my

attention, that these

the

Boston,

one

night, and

circumstance

in

out-of-the-way Connecticut

heard

or

as

alarmed, I spent
unnecessarily
in testingthe communication.

more

little

None
my

in

one

in

one

one

be

to

weeks

three

next

York,

not

uncanny

May,

at

of the
believed

sighed for

medium

and

one

o'clock in the afternoon,

body."
them
the

if I could

calm

when

sneered

at

days

prophet,and

have

152

MEN,

ghost and
locked
half the

lodgingsin Philadelphia,
all day and
paced my rooms
ing
by my thoughts,and consult-

doors, and

night,tortured
of medicine

books
could

by

at

was

I took

rapping.

my

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

discover

to

what

evidence

give of unsuspected disease.

possibility
time absolutely
well and strong ; absolutely

any
that

well and

strong I

after

having waded

aunt

who

forced

was

confess

to

myself,

tomical
through Latin adjectivesand anaillustrations enough to make
cules.
a
ghost of HerI devoted
two
days to researches in genealogical
rewarded
for my
pathology,and was
pains by
discoveringmyself to be the possessor of one great-

age

had

of two

Heart

Upon

delicate

"

this

Which

"

The

reserve.

when

I asked

Influences

confusing,

were

with

exactness."
wife wrote

my

you

clingingneeds
of

want

coming

was

not

she

came

than

more

of

anybody !

three

weeks

lifetime, O, how
"

in

held

"

I need

I did

tive
alterna-

perplexity. You promised to come

and they need you
and I
at the office,
than anybody."

more

great
what

The

"

little

advanced

friends the mediums

not
they were
prepared to state
home ?
Why don't you come

days ago,
"

the

at

will it be ?"

point my

distress and

you

disease

months.

accident.

vain.

and

of heart

disease,then, I settled upon.

was

died

"

ten

need

When

could

the

into

grew

in

the

I tell her

tell her.

When

had

hurried

bounding through the

hall to

home,
meet

THE

when

me,

she

crying,and

DAY

held

and

by
"

the

When

her
"

you

hands

're

You

my

Whether

laugh at
or

set

in

face

of which

we

it may

have

don't
asked

opening

page

it till I could
ran:

as

I would

had

have

average

of

the storm

in

an

been

myself.

weatheringalone.

was

received

it."

those

to

silent,
"

tell my

these

wakeful
in nowise

day

one

whether

people, or

'in

to

wife,

questions
nights and

allayedby a
January from

Fellows.

news?"

letter

the

suddenlybefore

swam

me-

all about

It may

continue

to

letter which

tell me

gloomilyenough.

through many
drearydays. My fears were

"Why

lap from

and put
sitting,

; -whether
predictions

their

whether

Gertrude

into my
been

alone

were

like

believe

to

tormented

we

alone tillI felt more

day, or

which

heart

own

and

it,put her gentlydown

away

other

every

had

going to

are

the snow-storms,

been
one

went

winter

The

glow

sober,Fred, and pale. Something ails you,

I kissed

child,and

and

shoulders.

pretty,mischievous

eyes.

my

in bed

she

my

know, and you

Her

upon

watch

never

gravelyup

which

on

the poor

"

tell her.

not

were

after tea, she climbed

little cricket

face, half laughing,half

would

by

children

153

DEATH.

paling,to mine,

I could

coining,

MY

her

up

flushingand

littleface that
at my

OF

you

read

Alison.
I folded

lock

"

7*

But
the

What

it aloud?
at

one

'glanceover

the

did not

read

sheet, and

myself into

the

's the

libraryalone.

The

154

have

"I

to

been

message

disturbed

much

calamityis
should

clear,however,

be

to

seems

It

to

seems

the

of the

be

avoid

preparedfor it."
receiving this last warning,

desire you

After

to

words
:

in

"

can

you

this: that

as

spring,

to

me

learn that

I do not

far

as

in

befall you

to

say.

death.

"

GHOSTS.

half.
latelyon your beand
brother
Joseph appear
My mother
your
with
some
nearly every day, and charge me
which
I cannot
It
to you
distinctly
grasp.

me

they

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

some

May,

I
of

nature

it,but that

be

filed

through

certain

brain

my

fortable
uncom-

for

days

gether
to-

"

Set

house

thine

order, for

in

thou

shalt

surely

die."
"

knew

Never

read

you

life,"said Alison, with

your

When

you.

and

comes

and

away

the

As

that

good

so

grow

I can't
to

try

bites the
take

him

winter
If I

have

had

either

case

away

months

any

rate

;.

and

You

'11

keep up with
polyglot,the baby
squealstillI put it
to

I arrived

in fact destined

I had

anxietyto

insure

they might

be

happinesswas

it with

her

no

this

at

death

to

help herself
proved that

shared

pain and

I would

my

"

in all

up."

were

all her

much

so

pretty pout.

begin

corners,

wore

dread, and

read

spring,my wife could not

knowledge of it. If events
in the

Bible

your

or

me
was

clusion
con-

in the

by

the

deluded

her, she would

purpose.

In

happinessfor these few

her last happy months.
At
a
good thing,and she could

156

MEN,

can

don't

leave

to

mean

he

believe

All

can

her

sing to

me,

the

sit

me,

soft hand.

the

to

by

I watched

gone;

!"

office.

beautiful

the

are

spring days we

sweet

about

after you
to

mean

late

together. I went
early. I spent
followed

here

me

through the

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

were

much

came

home

twilightsat

house.

I made

me,

touch

her

face

home.

her

with

me

till the

read

her

to

little,

sight choked
o

How

me.

before

soon

she

would

know?

How

soon?
I feel

"

she said
are

about

me.

fit and

so

Ve

widow's

do

look

out

you

and

and

Fine

down

!"

the

day

on

mode
cheerful,

morning

with

be

order

to

effected.
of

existence

little

now,

"

off
stalking
.

It is not
to

assured
coil.

the dead

in which

your

in all respects

dress

the reflection that you

of
night
fort-

shuffle off this mortal

idea than

to

must

state

yourselfdrawing within
which
seven
people have

going

are

lazy

deserted,

find

you

agreeableto have no more

(probablynot as much) of the manner
is to

so

prospect you

It is not

demise

much

this

over

uncomfortable

least,an

laugh.

so

it about,

wear

window

say

you

I will

believe

it on,

curtain

of the
that

low

cared

get

you

by gettingup

mean

with

idea you

again,"

over

used to, I shall feel

you

the

affairs when

married

cheek

by, when

put

the

of

is,to

just been

idea I

no

have, with

you

as

cap, and

what

It

and

By

go about

you

"

'd

we

day,pinchingmy
good ! I 'd no

one

You

if

as

yourselfin
are

never

to

the
half

out

wear

your

DAY

new

mottled

will be

neck-tie

cried

and

THE

by

and

by

heard

been

boots ; to

new

wonder

and

eyes

forgetyou

to

how
to

the beach

at

yet

rooms

no

; to

times
in the

home

come

about

arms

warm

partner has
dull at trade ;
have

engaged

look into their

upturned

you

take for them

to

and

wonder

front door ;
see

for you,

watch

neck, and

your

and

that

perfumeddusk

window

pressedagainstthe

don't get yourself

growing

will shut

you

box,

immediate

your

after breakfast

out

go

striped

little

that your

are

; to

in

long it is going to

how

more

many

you

complainingthat

find the children

to

know

say that you

to

by

wife ; to hear

your

acquaintancesall wondering why

some

that this

coat, and

laid away

over

157

DEATH.

MY

OF

wonder

the faces
and
how

feel
soon

they will shrink from the chill of you ; to feel the glow
and fruit
of the budding world, and think how blossom
wonder
how
and drop without
will crimson
you, and
and fruit of life can
the blossom
slipfrom you in the
of violet

time

and

smells

with
April,spattered

ineffectual

little with

I locked

and

me,

that it

the

was
was

my

showers

suns,

office

night of

the

orioles.

the

and

drippedupon a
slid restlessly
from
away
door one
night,reflecting
first of May, and that tomorrow

second.

evening alone with my wife. I have

and nestled
agreeableevenings. She came
feet,and the fire-light
paintedher cheeks

I spent the

spent

more

at

and

my

hair,and her eyes followed

in mine

but I have

spent

more

me,

and

her

hand

was

agreeableevenings.

158

The
Blue

of the

morning

flashed

jays

pansiesopened
earth

moist

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

to

GHOSTS.

second

broke

without

past my

window;

the

sun,

and

up

where

came

the smell

Tip

garden.
"Not
feelingexactlylike

bed

cloud.

of

royal

of the

fresh,

diggingin

was

his

little

wife, I did

my

that she had

then

go without

I remember

She
white

apron
nails
and

wore

I asked

twinkled
she

his

"

to

at

her

Tip

she

came

tiny hoe

open,

littlebrown

and

to

she

"

had

flour.

with

over

daintywhite

Her

and

her

eyes

pink

laughed

remember

how

thinking how
unready for suffering.I

muddy
the

that,while

ing.
morn-

blue, I think,

brought the baby

all

that

was

in," she said,and

me.

looked, and
that

hair

cook

powdered

were

that

"

pretty she

brightdress,

in her

tied on,

remember

was

office.

dessert.

my

how
precisely

crocus

young

and

the

to

I told

out
laughing,and said that I must go withyielded,
I thought it highlyprobable that I
my dessert.

should

go

to-day,"as

I remember
libraryand sit with me.
pudding to bake, and refused at first;

into the

come

not

work

we

from

in after

the
.

while,

garden,dragging

carpet ; that the window

all sat there

together,a

twine and built a nest

brought some
on
an
apple-boughjustin sight.
I find it difficult to explain the anxiety which
I
should
be
felt,as the morning wore
on, that dinner
But I
punctuallyupon the table at half past twelve.
I did not oncef the old
understand
as
now
perfectly,
bird

THE

DAY

philosophy: "Let

OF

MY

and

eat

us

159

DEATH.

drink, for

to-morrow

die."

we

It

and our
dinners were
ironing-day,
apt to be
late upon
ironing-days. I concluded that,if the soup
were
punctual,and not too hot, I could leave myself
ten
or
perhaps fifteen unoccupied minutes before one
was

o'clock.-

strikes

It

with

which

this

and

dread

of the

The

better

make

confident

am

with

Tip

I recall

I had

had

passed

just raised

mantel

I sat

and

me,

;
one.

with

drawn

to

it. A

man

mock-

at

die in.

fact that I had

to

for the

livingface of
his

before

rapidlythan
elegance. I remember
that Allis opened her

the spoon

struck

swung

grim Epicurean

more

second

platea

my

relentless silver hands

to

is

sistent
con-

that
eyes

at

passedmy

time.

palsiedhand

my

enough

were

the
distinctly

second

plate a

and

me,

dinner

to

of his last chance

that I ate

consummate

imitated

me.

minutes

twelve

watch.

my

I sat down

as

the most

Fifteen

turtle.

me

gravity
and pain

about

me

good, though hot.

over

the

now,

the fever

called

consult

to

was

soup

stolidity
crept

Alison

remember

not

had

thought underran

when

o'clock, and
did

curious

as

morning.
reading my
hymn-book

fell to

me

the

scytheat

and

the

Time
me.

lips,when

my

little bronze

breath
; at

time, I

say,

it fell from

clock upon

glaredat

and

it ; at

the

the

fierce,and, as it seemed
on

its top, who

stooped

160

"

would

You
that

"

I
It

date

have

which

finished

may

of

my

this

but

me,

head.

resumed

clock

fixed

in

the

"I

half

nearly

is

told

"

this

soup

article

it

my

my

interest

Tip,

is

fact

happened.

Alison.
it

said

potato,"

believe

not

may

observed

would

biff white

very

kitchen

The

GHOSTS.

silence.

turned

slowly

slow,"

all

is

solemn

or

may

that

like
the

breaking

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

an

Jane

spoon.

hour

too

that

you

week."
silence.

reader

still

to

live."

learn

that

up

to

the

"LITTLE

THERE

but

were

deep
old

lady

with

his

with
hat

the

! Little

in

tan-colored

and

coat

Kids,

play

for

"

're

you

the

an

corner

his

little

fiddle

in.

Tucker

lavender

loaf

chant,
mer-

supper,"

there,

than

it

in

exquisite lounging

young

in, hesitated, looked

walked

his

Traveller,"

"

man

gave

Tommy

for

Plays
the

and

car

eyes.

back,

came

Hi

door, peeped

shoulder,
"

shouted

his

the

the

list of

over

car,

his

in

persons

bandboxes,

pulled
opened

on

TUCKER."

income

two

another

shove

three

the

in

Tommy
into

TOMMY

kid

are

for

it, /

platform

gloves.
I 'd rather

.Well,

you

the

on

had,"

said

glance

over

Tommy,

stoutly.
The

of

his

the

shot

merchant

old

looked

Nobody

of

benignly

this
;

the

the

petit dialogue,
in

man

the

top
and

corner

smiled.

nor

would

careless

sound

smiled

lady

neither

the

at

paper,

have

thought,

to

look

at

that

man

in

0.

the

what

that

corner,

wife

he

and
was

he

five

doing.

was

at

children.

that

very

Yet

ing
desert-

moment

that

is

precisely

162

MEN,

villain ?

Not

by

and

His

the word.

weak, unfortunate,discouraged

man,

be ; that

to

apt

are

paid

never

him

crashed

like

bubble.

"

had

He

did

not

the

have

perhaps

on

reason."

at

that

man

it !

stillwomen

that

his wife's

up.

always
mouth
it

aggravateda

well,

"

been

would
ingly
exceed-

was

mouth

should

could n't she scold

children

the

had

fellow

know

what

There

not

or

beyond

one

was

sitting
up

measles,

was

sure

ho

of them

from

the

he

medicine, and

was

and there
bills,

; every

sick ;

been

whooping-cough,scarlatina,mumps,
baby

would

'

Well, then
did not

forgethis
quiver.

not

Annie's

once

Why

times,

Sundays,and
had

it ; and

seen

Confound

"

These

cry ?

on

evenings,

purse

would

had
three

many

his empty

He

er.

after

It will be

hard

quiver.

glasstoo,

for

and

him

gold

now

he had

how

mouth

Annie's

little often

and

it made

morning

his

fit to
go to work

quiver.

him, and

next

him, and

must

man

of

use

and

swung

women

remember

to

now

fellows asked

at

black

drifted to the theatre in the

care

troubles ; the
gape

for the

His

patronage of preciselysix old

he

couraged
dis-

the amount

was

had
sign,J. Harmon, Photographer,
nearlya year over the dentist's rooms,

babies.

brute ?

saloon had trundled

travelling
tin-type
sheriff's hands.
His petroleum speculations

had

the

His

into

him

is not

panoramas

his halls.

GHOSTS.

as
weak, unfortunate,and
selfish,

people
of it.

that

no,

means.

any

AND

WOMEN,

there

with

them

were

at

tor's
doc-

night,

164

down.

back

about

what

westward

some

So

make

with

him, and

do.

he was,

the

Hm-m.

44

keen

if his illluck went

silk dress
and

turned

never

be better

off,and

of it.

ticketed

and

bound
started,fairly

his hat

with
Colorado, sitting

thinkingabout

goldenfortune and
day with a silk dress
; in theory this was

But

forgethim,

be the end

here

make

it all up

expectedto

she would

why,

GHOSTS.

summer

he

that would

for

her

to

servants, and

and

up,

he should

Perhaps

come

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

his eyes, and

over

it.

Asleep," pronounced Tommy,

glanceinto

the

"

corner.

Guess

with

his

I '11 wake

him

his little fiddle,

you

up."
laid his cheek

He

don't know

struck up
"

The
was

and

for

nobody

and

nobody
sat

corner

for me."

cares

quite still. When

it

'11 try another."

tried

the

another.

"

We

Ve

new

lived and

Through
a

Nobody

little fellow,the

of all ; but he tried this

was

"

shrugged his shoulders.

folks are asleepthey don't hist their shoulders,
as
a
general thing," observed
Tommy.

Tommy

It

littlefiddle,

he

When

We

"

"

in the

not
"

care

man

over
"

gay,

on

Tommy loved that

tune,
rollicking

how
a

down

many

knows

little fellow

what

himself

sessed
posleast

"

loved

together,

changing years."

tune, and he wanted

perhaps.
practice,

"LITTLE

The

train

TOMMY

jarred and

started

slowly; the gloved

baggage-masters,coffee-

exquisite,waiting hackmen,
and

counter,

165

TUCKER."

station-walls

slid back

engine-houseand

prison towrers, and labyrinthsof tracks slippedby ;

lumber
and shippingtook their place,with clear spaces
and
between, where
sea
sky shone through. The
speed of the train increased with a sickeningsway ;
shot

old wharves
at

their

the

piers;

We

"

"

with

We

Ve

that

!"

pushed

bases
"

Tommy's

Through
Many

It

was

wondered

how

wail

windows.

car

littledeserted

the

es
beach-

notonous
playing mo-

"

changing years,

many

changing years."

nuisance,this music

somebody stop it ?
that ?
They
He

the

on

snaky trail

the

and
plashingdrearily,
to

The

lay low

through

writhing past

his hat

up

window.

the

dull sunset

bale-fire

"

of

out

on.

went

was

sight.

"

loved

and
Against lonelysignal-houses
the water

of

out

together/'

Harmon

looked

burning like

of smoke

lived and

boy

coming

night was

loved

and

sucking

water

littleplaintive
wail,

in

jerk, and

water,

cityshifted by

the

Confound

the green

've lived and

playedTommy

"

past, with

What
had
far.

in the

did the child

left the
He

by playing

mean

cityfar behind

pushed

fiercely,
ventingthe passionof

did n't

Why

cars.

up

the music

the
on

now.

window
the

first

166

thingthat

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

and

in his way,

came

GHOSTS.

his head

thrust

to

out

undulatingsmoke, out in
the paleglimmer from the sky,he could see a low, red
of lighted
with the twinkle
tongue of land, covered

look

homes.

'

warmth,

Somewhere

about

boy

"

the

among

quivering

"

that

was

Home

sweet

there, in

one

was

What

the

Through

back.

that

But

now

Not

what

was

Home,

Tommy

was

about.

They

the lamps
lighting

were

looked

flare struck
wondered

had

if he

would

think

would

think ; what

had

of

it all to find out

"

said

struck
not

's

O,

no

this fiddle of
in
a

it, and
false

fastidious

what

"

he

people

most

She

think.

if he

ah, she

yet.

There

"

so

He

no

placelike home,"

littlefiddle,

Tommy's

Now

them

did; what

she would

sicklyyellow

five children

from

away

who

man

and

mon
Har-

car.

sensation.

curious

wife

thought of running

ever

or

it,with

on

the

face,as

conductor's

the

at

in the

now

Tommy's

I cannot

note
as

place like home."

but

musical

may

assert

the

man

have
that

had

Tommy

in the

critic ; the

corner

crack
never

was

sicklv lightwas

flickering
through the car, the quiver on the red flats
was
shriekingaway
quite out of sight,the train was
which
into the west,
the baleful,
was
lonelywest,
the sea, and it is a fact
there upon
out
dyingfast now
"

"

"LITTLE

down
slowlyslowly down

that liishat went

that his face went

for him

time

about

wonder

to

their father's

white,

to

wait

Her

dark

the

the

hush

surelybe

the

out

stand

hands

would

the shelf
and

worn

trying to

was

begging them

put the baby down

her hands

with
thin

raised

"

to

"

shut

"

would

O,

watching, and

to

go

about

his arms?"

the window,

and

long night that

days,and the years

the

Sweet,

playedTommy.
By and by there

air.

his chair

that

was
cove

sweet

no

the

supper

the

"

How

their

eat

untouched, with

stand

watching.

on

so

drawn

light, watching,watching.

stillshe would

"

not

touch

to

minutes, he would

few

the window

were

once

children

The

at

she

would

She

then.

here

not

upon

their supper
a

ing
keep-

was

lightwas

dark

ringsvery

minutes, only

few

for him
the

in

face

boys,teasingfor

and
presently,
Annie's

she

was

ning
begin-

was

the table and

set

pipe lay filled

stove.

"

she

he was;

she had

It

waiting now.

sat

littlewhere

pickles;

the chairs ; his

the

that
the flats,

the children
hot, and telling

the coffee

over

arm.

upon

be in to supper

to

his

upon
out

by forever, she

drifted

had

again,and

his face

over

lightedhome

in the

There,

167

TUCKER."

TOMMY

its

in

stand
she

table

place;

watching,

must

stand

home,"

more

with

of

his head

speculatedTommy,

Home."

Sweet

with

lopped down
a

like
business-

168

had

He

he

GHOSTS.

then

once,

put his face down

awake, awake

was

to the very curve

listening,
knew
that ; it beingpart

and

to

only stirred

But

again.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

of his

The

my
fingers. Tom-

of his trade

loyalpassionof the
take worse
playingthan Tommy's
Laurie
loyalpassion out of Annie

to

music

sweet,

din of the train

"

learn how

'T

She

used

to

Annie

other

there that Annie

was

had

his

promise

drive the sweet,

grew

"

it would

the

above

and

her!

Yes, she used

her

true."

this

thinking,

was

"

had

Why,

she

once.

How

sing that

to

Laurie

man

own.

loved

own,

he

her

me

singthat,the
of

to

"

"

Gave

he went

when

before they were

Sunday nights,
pink,plump, pretty days. Annie

been

he had

his
loved

to

married,

on

her

nerve

his eyes.

use

her

in every

used

to

"

see

in

be very

pretty.
"

hummed
"

Gave

me

her

promise true,"

the littlefiddle.

ing
fact," said poor Annie's husband, jerkand kept it too,
his hat,
under
out
the words
's

That

"

she

did.".

Ah, how

Annie

had

kept it !

The

whole

dark

ture
pic-

days of work and

pain, the nights of watching, the patient voice, the
quivering mouth, the tact and the planningand the
that had borne all things,
for to-morrow,
trust
the^love
of

her

married

years,

"

the

"LITTLE

believed

Her

face is

That

ticket

"

his

forgetwill I,"

ne'er

the

who

should

ever

with
to-night,

be here

down

man

his ticket

had

forget;
bought,

for Colorado.

But

better for her to be free from

it was

his cursed

ill-luck

children, and

"

face !

sweet

he, sitting
here, with

it,

knocked

have

that he should

had

on,"

forever,the

twenty years ago that he

told him

and

shone

sun

the littlefiddle.

would

bound

kept it.

for Colorado.

And

"

He

do

bought,bound

murmured

she had

the fairest

as

e'er the

should

that he

how

be darkened

it should

That

things,uncomplaining,

littlefiddle.

suggestedthe
and

all

things,hoped

"

169

TUCKER."

into outline to tell him

rose

"

all

TOMMY

said

drag

always be.

on

What

her
was

and

He
the

that she

once

Never

I have

would

were

him.

mind, Jack, I

bear

can

anythingas long as

you."

And

here

he was,

with

his ticket

bought,bound

for

late in the

for

Colorado.
He
a

wondered

fellow

to

if it

make
"

And

And

were

man

too

ever

of himself.

she 's a' the world

for bonnie

I 'd

lay me

Annie
down

to me,

Laurie
and

dee,"

triumphantly.
sang the littlefiddle,
8

He

day

wondered

"

170

shook

Harmon

It

ahead.

stood

lightsof

The

up.

train

way-stationbright
and his mother,
supper

for

time

put down

Tommy

so

the

about

was

GHOSTS.

himself,and

slackening
;

was

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

his fiddle and

handed

around

his

faded cap.
merchant

The

list.

his tax
mouth
"

old

The

Come

returned

asleepwith

to

her

"

he

heart, as

you

don't

know

won't

hurt

what

you

you.

've done

sir ? "

Done,

"

with his eyes

very
back, almost afraid of him.

here," softening,

though there

could n't help laughing,

Tommy
a
was
twinge of pain at his stout little
in the faded
fingeredthe solitary
penny

Done

sir,which
"

fast

lady was

shrank

boy,
to-night."

cap.

and

penny,

here," growled Harmon,

Come

tell you,-

"

open.

bright. Tommy
u

him

threw

was

that

Yes,

pushingup

his

about what
is

I 've waked

I guess

Well,

I meant

hat, "

've waked

you

up,

do."

to

it," said Harmon,

you

distinctly,

very
me

Here,

up.

hold your

He

cap."
They had puffedinto
emptied his purse

clean
and

of paper

and

the
into

copper

off the train before

the

shook

little cap,

alike,was
could

Tommy

stopped.

and

station now,

of the

out

it
car

said Jack

have

Robinson.

"My

eyes!" gasped Tommy,

ticket for New

here !
that 's

York,

sure

One, two, three,

"

it,crazy."

"that

Methuselah

must

have

chap
!

been

had

Look

a
a

crazy ;

172

are

and

I will

let it boil away,

afraid

it,eh ?

knew

But

"

so

than

gulped

the

words.

rascal,and

trying
Suppose a
nobody ever
"

"

it,if I

know

not

were

his

wife,"

simply.

you

could n't
?

know,

Annie

I don't

know,"

you

be

to

rather

I should

said Annie,
"

to

his cup,

put down

He

jest of

it in him

fellow had

"

was

more

minute, perhaps. He

Annie, look here."

smile and make

to

not

his coffee,choking.

down

for

bear

touch, seemed

voice, her

face, her

could

"

hard

know, Jack, and I

don't

you

so

the fire,

by

something had happened to you."

Her
he

I 've tried

coffee.

bring the

here

rightup

Sit

all tired out.

you

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

for

anything more

care

him,

"

shakingher head with

would be justJack, any

said Annie,

littleperplexed
smile," you

how."
Jack

coughed,took

hard, strode

once

or

up

twice

baby in the crib,kissed

winking at the fire.
I wonder

if He

had

his
across

his

set
coffee-cup,

the

wife,and

room,
sat

it down

kissed the
down

again,

anythingto do with sending

under his breath.
him," he said,presently,
Sending whom ? asked puzzledAnnie.
I was
Business, dear,justbusiness.
thinkingof a
that 's all."
boy who did a littlejob for me to-night,
And
that is all that she knows
to this day about the
in the corner,
his eyes,
with his hat over
man
sitting
"

"

"

"

bound

for Colorado.

ONE

Muff!

"DowN,
Muff

obeyed

shoulders
and

eyes,

he

the

closed

doors

that he

Pretty

"

with

to

her

horns

sheep, took

tightly
;

he

silence.

But

the cold, made

perhaps

the

the

cow.

gymnastic
he

the

hens, and
cold,

that great bottleman.

Muff

blest

not

was

maintained

him

watered

night was

feel the

did not

his master

at

young

"

forgivingdisposition
; he

look

for

night, Muff!

cold

of

then

under

not

was

in his great mute

series

ter's
mas-

them, by throwing the

shivered,even

of his

coat

green

his

by growling at

stop

upon

his horse, fed

off from

paws

between

down

all the

his

himself

sudden

hay

ELECT.

injured look

an

consoled

creature's

cold

took

commenced

exercises

so

THE

down!"

with

Ryck put

Mr.

OF

dignified

thing,
Some-

slight.

careless

of the

dog

to-night.
The
far

house
of

out

orchard.

was

the
He

passed

his hat ; then

the

room,

across

the

almost

down

to

the

it, showing his figurea

hair

flutter of gray

into the house.

a

lightstreamed

least ; the

window,

kitchen

little stooping,and

about

at

warm,

pleasant room

His wife
for

from
was

der
un-

busied

kitchen, with

174

MEN,

the cleanest of

polishedfloors

of

cheeriest
"white

china

books

upon

them

fires,the

little

shelf,with

stove, and

Cold, Amos?"

"

Of

made

only saddened
dumb

her

it

and
a

few

among

finished
the

down

hind
be-

fit of metaphysics.

be, woman?"

She

was

impatience
of those

one

life-long
oppression
not

be

an

tender

had

him

unusual

to

crawled

unkind
the

years

brought him
battle,his

he loved

combatant.

But

sit down,

Martha?"

he

band,
hus-

stern

horizon
her.
said at

minute, Amos."
some

its

by

bit of

covering of

her

did this without

him

bustle

over

faded

her step soft

the low

up

crimson

rocking-

chintz,and

husband.

She

she took

evening work,

she drew

Then

room.

chair with
sat

to

was

his hair
was

always that about a

"Most
ready to
last,more
gently.
In

his way

whitened

had

Ryck

to

up

His

borne

Amos

experiences: life

about

Bible

Muff

little.

have

not

was

snow

reply.

eyes

lips.

but

She

old

an

else should

no

would

who

women

"

blue

closet door

himself

gave

What

course.

wife

which

of

that alwaysstood by the

rocking-chair
He
plant or two in the south window.

"

with

tables ; the

faces

the

peeping through

the

His

and whitened

home-like

in, stamping off the

came

GHOSTS.

the cosey

fire,and

to

AND

WOMEN,

noise ; she did not

painsnot
her work

to
;

annoy

near

inine
by any femher knitting,
as

him

she chose

sit too

ONE

being always most

be

Some

speak.
the

held

The

her

frown, slight

might

mouth

her

husband

deeper

were

her

hair

than

as

it

gray

had

time

any

with

was

little

the

to

came

him.
silent

it is these

Perhaps

for

his, though he

as

on

worn

"

souls,like this

one,

who

"

women

if you

had

looked

out

foldingof

her

of her mute
hands

whose

after

have,

her.

watched

Some

was

abiding place

all,the greatest

might

brown

there

timid
spiritless,

"

capacityfor suffering.You

one

eyes

the lines

pale;

"

as

struck

have

of grave, middle
already a man
age, when
wife
hardlypast her sixteenth birthday
the farm

he

thought

head, fixingher

her face showed

lighton

her

so,

did

bitter

some

up

coals.

the

upon

turned

she

looked

it,neither

reflection of it

A
as

was

upon

gloomy, perhaps

man.

her,

across

there

frown,

she

then

fancy;

But

stilla

but

sure,

175

ELECT.

THE

his

to

his face.

timidlyinto
to

OF

have

infinite

sort

is in the

ing
mourn-

In the

eyes.
a

thought

veiy

of stifled cry,

Valley

of the

Shadow.
A

sob of the

monotonous

of the

house

in the

heard.
distinctly
"

justlike
u

window.

Ryck's

tried to

the

the

"

corners

two,

paleda

face

laugh.

at

Amos,

it

was

little.
it cries

baby."

Nonsense

Her

She

"

broke

silence between

Martha

"

wish

wind

!"

husband
He

rose
was

and walked
impatiently,
not
given to fancies ; all

to

the

his life

176

ruled and

was

squaredup

the sound

he liked

He

woman.

turned

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

to

of that wind

thrummed

upon

GHOSTS.

creed.

Yet

much
the

I doubt if

better than

the

window-sill,then

sharplyaway.

"

There

's a storm

"

It stormed

up,

cold

too."

one

"

when

"

Mrs.

Her
Ryck did not finish her sentence.
husband, coming back to his seat, trippedover a stool,
little thing it was, fit only for a child ; a bit of
a
dingy carpet covered it : once it had been bright.
Martha, what do you keep this about for ? It 's
it up angrily
the
always in the way ! setting
against
But

"

"

"

wall.
"

The

won't, if you 'd rather not, Amos."

farmer took up an
almanac, and

the time
bill were

when
due
!"

"

Amos

"

Amos,

"

I 'm not

"

counted

the minister's
;

it gave

salaryand the butcher's

occasion for making no reply.

she said at last.

do you

remember

put down

He

what

day it is ?

his book.
"

to forget." His face darkened.

likely
Amos," again,more
timidly, do you suppose
"

shall

ever

find out ?

"

How

can

"

Ever

know

out

we

"

I tell?

"

"

anything, justa little?

We
know
enough, Martha."
! Amos
Amos
her voice rising
!
to a bitter cry,
u
don't know
we
enough ! God 's the only one that
knows enough. He
knows
whether
she 's alive,and
"

"

"

"

if she 's dead

was

ever

any

he

knows,

hope, and

and

where

if her mother

she is ; if there
"
"

ONE

OF

Hope, Martha,

"

had

She

been

her

THE

lookinginto
wrung

ails you,

loved her when

she

long

and

sat

had

nothing

to

're her

flared

one

father*;you

innocent,
walk

That

yes.

"

stopped his

say,

not

"

the room,

across

upon

that

about

the mother's
he

him

that

little faded

had
He

in

not

to
fathership

the

Moreover, he
life,stern in
toward

was

offenders.

was

smitten

had

was

her

wound

in

arms

she sat

as

That

he

now.

stung

might

own

His

brook
child

own

he

that

you

birthday,
"

His

own

tenderness
as

shut

have

would

this blow

cleft his heart

maintain.

to

no

was

the

her to be from

deemed

Yet

had

he

church.

the

purity,could

man,

8*

played

her

man;
respectable

deacon

as
forgiveness
of his God.
forgiveness

the

had

baby.

pure

his knee

upon

who

room,

very

cricket, and

his

at

climbed

wanderer.

its

look

the

honest, pious farmer

an

one

patient
not
one
firelight,

forgetit,though

was

reputation of

had

her, the

loved

Ryck

in

he

the

to

neck, sitting
justso,

could

Amos

word

one

there

child who

kissed

This

if

as

She

down, his face twitching

nervously. But

and

from

other.

innocent child."
little,

watchinghim

him.

You

child,and

He

ago.

was

for love of the

no

Amos

she

was

was

Yet

the

into

changed,
un-

the dead.

lightupon

What

woman

fire,her attitude

one

rused
sudden

When

the

that,something in her face

at

"

"

for her!

hands

17 T

ELECT.

to

with

its

hers whose

seen,

which

out

the
in

he

core.

had

name
L

not

178

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

Do you think he had once

passed his lipsfor years.
forgottenit since its morning ? Did not the memories
into every
?
Did
it brought crowd
moment
they not
in which
he besoughta sin-hating
fill the very prayers
God

to

So

of all his enSmies

him

avenge

child

the

times

many

had

?
there

sat

his feet

at

he
birthdaytoy,
day, playing with some
always managed to find her something, a doll or a
him, pushing
picture-book
; she used to come
up to thank
back her curls,her little red lipsput up for a kiss.
this

on

"

He

was

very

She

was

all

call her

her,

he

"

and

the

mother.

He
the only one.
they had,
while
dear blessing,"
God's
softly,

"

used

"

him

hardly heard

she

dim;

grew

of

proud

his

for

to

his eyes

breaking

voice.
She

stood there and

might have

dead

birthdaynights,so

none

could

know

frown

knotted

looked

up

"

at

live them

did

not

husband's

should

ever

all those
But

over.

speak,and

his forehead.

last into her

she

he

for he

it ;

darklyon

if

Amos,

did

broughtback

Martha

the

Ryck

face.

back

come

!"

He

started,his eyes freezing.

"

She

won't!

Would

She

have

he

"
"

said "she

shall

not?"

God

only

knew.
"

Martha,
We

who
must

us

it,and

nonsense

enough

about

talk

said

Ve

's cursed
bear

you

has
so

got his
must

own

she."

It 's
this.
reasons

just like
I

man.
wo-

suppose

He

for it.

We

180

both

have

not
"

Yes."

"

Don't

not

enough

think

it 's not

"

bear

to

anything

reallygood

GHOSTS.

without

can't be

talk of what

to

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

that,but

helped,
about

more

for you

see."

you

"

the

day

it Js

cheer

must

you

it 's best

up,

little woman."
"

Yes, Amos."

Perhaps
she stood
"

his unusual

'd

only try

! He

husband

my

puttingboth

up,

If you

tenderness

around

arms

to

would

love

know

her

gave

her

courage

his neck.
after all,
little,

it ; He

might

her

save

for it."

Ryck choked, coughed,and

Amos

He

for prayers.

down

took

used
baby-fingers
and
read, not
own,

the old Bible

child's

to trace

his

of her who

forgiven,but

was

When

of the

one

Ryck

Mrs.

was

asleep that night,she

with
took

noiseless

something

the dark
She

drew

knots

treasures

Some

his

loved

and

much

that her husband

softlyfrom

her

bed,

of her bureau

key, one

locked,
un-

drawers,

felt her way

then

was

down

stairs into the kitchen.

of

chair up

her, and

about
closely
the

in which

their firstlessons after

sure

rose

time

was

imprecatoryPsalms.

it,and

from

said it

fire,wrapped

her shawl

tremblingfingers,

handkerchief

in

which

her

folded.

were

pink apron ;
patteringfeet

the

untied, with

soft silken

baby

to

dresses
a

of purest white

pair of tiny shoes,

and

toy

or

two

worn

child's little

through by

all broken,

as

some

ONE

OF

THE

impatient little fingershad

careless

she

baby

Yet

affected

always

blue-eyedpenitence:

left them

they

such

she

could

never

such

was

scold

her,

and
pretty surprises,

bit of

181

ELECT.

she

queen

wide
at

was

the

farm.
it not

Was

which

Tenderness

stillhours

her

most

kindly ordered by the

pitiethits sorrowingones,

her child should

come

so

often

Infinite
that into

only as

thingsonly,touchingher mother
into a prayer ?
like a restful hand, and stealing
so
For
where
ever
was
grieflike this one ? Beside
death was
but a joy. If she might have
this sorrow,
the lipswhich
closed her child's baby-eyes,and seen
!
and laid
had not uttered their first Mother
stilled,
child,speakingpure

"

"

her

away

under

night,and

alone

that

taken

away.

But
a

"

this,
"

she had

of God

stove, and

man,

and

rose

made

she

fresh

the

and

of

to

push

given and

lookingout

kissed within

door, unlocked

it,then

blaze which

went

her

given life,accursed

last,took off the

into the

earth,

Cain, upon

this,there is

the curtain

there

sat

face of the

the mark

had

measure

at

had

no

covers

speech
of the

brightenedall the

shot its glow far into the street.

the window
moment

to

"

language.
Martha
Ryck

room,

fondled

the soul to which

and

than

have

who

Him

upon

mark, deeper seared

arms

to

thanked

wanderer

the face which

nor

daisies,she would

the

She

went

aside, stood
carefully

to
night,stole softly

upstairsto

bed.

the

182

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

wind, risingsuddenlythat night,struck sharply

The

It had

through the city.

threatened

but the

foreboded

storm

church

enough before,

that

it would

be

people crowded

The

yet before morning.

worse

cold

been

in

wandering glances
the preacher to the paintedwindows, beyond
from
the night lay darkly,thoughtof the ride home
which
and shivered.
in close,cushioned
carriages,
So did a woman
outside, stoppingjustby the door,
brilliant

warm

and

and

lookingin

temperature

the hushed

had

she had

lain

the

door

Passing

sacred

of the

muffled

just

crawled

of

sound

drew

into

the shadow

of the

cough
garret,

reared

its

she

one

her face, turned

over

it ;

or

perhaps

who

had

church
words
was

at

dulled

other
not

above

it.

never

as
flitting

times, in which
been

strange

to

last,brokenly. They

wounded.

the rest ;

had

ear

memory,

Wounded

breath, listening
curiously.The

past drowned

singing.

standingso, listened.
the mere
Perhaps it was

hardly knew.
to

were

of the steps,and,

hymns of God's
She caught the

murmured

the

which

the choir

of her cloak

shadow, of other places and

her

of

out

Temple

anthem

some

the hood

deaf

some

for that

sick,very sick,for weeks.

entreaty of the music, for- her

of

Such

windows
of the darkness
out
glittering
was
caught by the faint,
street, her ear

She

grown

shelter.

front and

massive

Why,

and

the best medicine

not

was

She

of hers.
where

at

cast

wind

the
her.
were

! she held

shrieking

only the swellingof the organ

stole up the granitesteps
She

ONE

the

just within
her, and

she

her

sad

as

"

it,her

dying wail, and

He

But

was

in it
"

the

up
as

if

Yet

it were,

hid, as

for

our

face.

who

listened with

how

it drew

hymning,

as

mother's

lullaby.

wounded

for

our

iniquities."
hush

faces from

our

him

what

it

Him.

He

not."
the woman,

spoke to

guiltyface hidden in her hair ;

call to join the throng that
a

her

her

It

faint,a singlevoice

more

esteemed

we

only knows

He

Well;

and

was

door, putting

her

were

see

Calvary.

on

sang

despised,and

Was

He

slower

as

to

with
strain,mournfully but clearly,

one

we

they

bruised

was

muffled

over
falling

sweet

as

there

was

one

the

air

wounded

transgression
; He
Then, growing
took

hair

plaintiveminor

some

was

to

No

tiptoeto

on

183

ELECT.

THE

entrance.

went

ear

OF

like

worshippedhim.
u

"

the rest," she muttered

I 'd like to hear

I wonder
child

what

herself.

it is about."

from

down

came

to

wandered

herself,had

like

ragged boy, who,

galleryjust then,

the

from

in

the street.

meeting ?
she

him,
was

on

That
would

's

good joke !
turned

have

pealing

less

hinges ;

She

went

the

door* looking about

in and

of childish wonder.

sat

in

The

her

If she
But

drowned
an

for

church

was

heard

her

hand

its noise-

his voice.

slipclose by

empty
the

had

upon

swung

organ

down

"

away.

had

the latch ; the door

the

going to

said, laughing,"you

he

"Hilloa, Meg!"

moment
a

blaze

in

of

sort

light

184

MEN,

One

color.

and

AND

WOMEN,

GHOSTS.

perceived a

mist

of

gayly dressed
people,a soft flutter of fans,and faint,sweet perfumes
below ; the velvet-cushioned
ly
pulpit,and pale,scholaroutlines of the preacher'sface above ; the warmth
of rainbow-tinted
and
massive
glass; the wreathed
oaken

carving of
a

thousand
The

the

alone.

harder

in

face

Her

it.

The

her eyes

broken

chanted

her

by

did

to

of

not

called
and

her

there,she

listened to the

forgettingto

then, Christ

which

they

beside
The

began
she

could

the

corner

the

know

not

if there

his

If He

it.

would

be

were

died

She

had

only sat
she

of

one

willingto

for

brought
praise,was

it,nevertheless.

did

was

all that

sit and

ship
wor-

her.

singing ended
his

lift

as

had

what
chanting,forgetting

throng who

reverent

much

for the acceptance and

but

way;

wonder

princely

"

into

come

grayer

brightworshippers, sinners,

tabernacle,to

she had

that

so

purple and gold and scarlet,for

for such as Meg, you know.
meant

But

grow

pollutedpresence.

their
not

woman

but stolen in to hear

meant

were

in their

sure,

hush

she had

of the pure,

This

them.

that

words

the comfort
be

heaven

to

seemed

very

True, she kept afar off; she

to

beyond.

brightnessstruck sharplyagainst the

sanctuary seemed

up

of gas-light
from
glitter

the silence of the dome

prisms,and

there
sitting
and

cornice

But

sermon.

not

at

understand

of the

pew,

last,and

Meg

did

it.

She

her

hood

the
not

pale preacher
care

crouched
drawn

far

for that ;
down
over

in
her

ONE

seemed, the words

it

Wounded

"

for

"

after
^-?hiuttering,

knew

He

who
it

almost

forgottenit.
for

bruised

was

there

her,

The

Tier ?

dimly, still muttering the

her

corner,

wonder

I
did ?
choir

the

For
sang

where

no

when

the
"

heavy-laden,and

them,

she

for

said,
"

heavy-ladenwith
her

corner,

her

"That

sins?

's

me.

she

had

he

haps,
per-

wonder

to

words

was

down

in

her.
you

think

he

ended,

and

the

and

not

heard

was

Do

still

"

had

began

kept

she

was

She

he

was

he

words

over.

she

hear

him,

faces."

it meant,

She

sermon

how

the

And

them.

still of

again,

could

heard

if He

of

then

sorrowful

one

our

ago

since

it true

for

"

years

little chance

hid

and

over

while

Was

we

sound

them

great

Yet

"

Many

was

said

of him

"

transgressions
; and bruised,"
"

was.

then, mechanically

chant.

while,

her ; she

attracted

of the

wounded

and

Bruised

and

now

our

185

ELECT.

THE

herself

face,repeatingto
as

OF

how

his

he

rest

own

very

called
for
and

weary

crouching down
it is.

guess

in

'11 find

out."
She
her

fixed

her

eyes

stunted,childish

the

upon

that

way,

things she

did

not

could

tell her,

she

should

about

she would

the audience
hooded

to

cloak, like

the brilliant crowd.

his

some

The

knew

like to
She

ask him.
receive

he

so

understand, that

many

"

preacher,thinking,in

rose

have

much,

so

surely he
it to

think

with
instinctively

then
blessing,

evil

waited

in her

dark

and

door

opening,as they began

thing,among

186

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

GHOSTS.

brought back

by her, swept in such

of coughing.
a spasm

under

face livid with

to

out

pass

began

to

look

her

at

The

stood

pain.
nod

to
curiously,

and

as

ing
quivercrowd

The

stepped up nervously; he

sexton

"Meg,

was.

'd better

you

standinghere for?"
She flung him a look
she made

no

whisper

great wondering
woman

she

's

cloak.

Meg's
don't

her

are

you

her mother's
fear in her
that

see

poor

"

the

over

slip,
pullingat

with

's the matter

What

"

Bertha, child,

caught

cold !

or

put her hand

go home

you

Mother,

who

defiant eyes ;

by, pityand

"

eyes.

hungry

little one

The

hard,

to
child,clinging

she went

as

up

knew

What

go.

of her

out

answer.

looked

hand,

"

the

She

air

themselves.

among

she

it,her

chill of

you

Why

"

are

crazy ?

you

"

touch

"Don't

quickly away.

mother

Her

that

man
wo-

!"
heard

Meg

it.

after,just at the edge of the

Standing,a moment
aisle,a lady,clad in velvet, brushed againsther, then
gathered her costlygarments with a hand ringedand
if she had

dazzlingwith diamonds, shrinkingas

accursed

some

Meg's
these
message
to

eyes

thing,and sweeping by.

could

find out

This

froze at that.

worshippersof

the

touched

not

about

Him

be for her.
him

of

no

who

the sanctuary,

was
was

It would
use

to

His

bruised.
be of

tell him

no

how

use

she

188

be

going to
?

suppose

Would

different?

the
He

"he woman's

fixed black eyes

"Why,

he

yes;

musingly.

you

"

him.

upon

She

repeated

understand

don't

all

the

ner."
sin-

words

these

things.

all about

forgottenmost
n't I

in

come

be learnt 'em ?
There
voice

do

me,

always forgivesa repentant

sinner."

Repentant

Could

hear

preacher'sscholarlyself-possession
felt ill at ease,
standingthere with

failed him.

I 've

he

"

Somehow

"

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

some

n't make

I would

just then, almost

preacher

took

face ; then

he

like

earnest

and

his hat

know.

trouble."

any

child

a
as

handkerchief

changed

to

the children and

almost

as

his

out

I want

with

way

something

was

it.

in her
The

pure.

and

his

wiped

awkwardly from

hand

hand.

to
u

we
Why, why, really,

Sabbath
to

but

school for
establish

the funds

It 's

no

she
now

The

matter

turned

Meg
alone

know

institution of
be
but

moved

minister's

Young

woman

we

have

been

our

ing
mean-

just yet.

am

ry;
sor-

"
"

sharplyaway,

in the

provisionin

missionarycharacter,

raised

no

!"

toward

her
the

church, they

pale cheek

her.
"

like this :

cases

cannot

I don't
"

an

have

!"

hands
door.

lessly;
droppinglifeThey were

two.

flushed

he

steppedafter

ONE

I will send

I will go with

would

He

so

"

exhorted

just then

he remembered

turned

She

from

ain't

There

"

him, and
it

"

who

the

into the

have

been
I

nobody to help me.

kindly as

lettingher

at

she would

out

might

as

washed

But

tears.

lips,

her

on

cry

her

with

his Master

her to reform

felt uncomfortable

; he

how

he knew

I should

Retreat.

"

have

or
citymissionaries,

of the

some

him.

from

the Penitents'

to

you

help you.

like to

to

you

189

ELECT.

THE

face turned

stopped,her

She
"

OF

feet of
listen.

not

storm,

go

some

"

going to

was

be

better!"
She

sank

down

outside,exhausted

snow

by
again brought

air had

the

which

racking cough

the

the

on

on.

The
locked

Dying,

The
alone
his

own

hand

I suppose

warm

should

Could

he

"Meg!"

"

the creature,

the

bring
he

snow

them

upon

take

he

had

the
the

her

people say

would
He

heard

he had

"

could

under

she

the man,

touched

her

save

as

he

!"

things. Well ? But how

respectablehome ? What
of the Temple!
sexton
too, pure

shadow, when

lyingthere
hesitated,thought of
snow
; he lingered,
home, looked at her again. If a friendly

sight of
in the

ails you

What

here?

! you

Meg

in the

doors.

the church

"

her there

found

sexton

of such
into his
?

little wife

"

the
there

ground to-night.

same

said, speaking in his

roof?
nervous

way,

190

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

though kindly, "you will die here.

policeand let them take you where
But she crawled
to her feet again.
No

"

walked

She

could

see

looked

her.

sky, then

sank

of

to

she

"

to

folded

Lord

be

drive

won't
I should

her

as

hands,

She

she

then

crossed

againsther

just like

She

the words
brain

stealinginto
Meg
that.

!
It

to

tell

had

she

folded

I should

being Meg.

like

the

bridge,and

past the

on

that

snow

why

she

there, or where

was

herself

repeated softlyto

uttered
dulled

by

down
the

in the shade

now

she
and

ber,
of the tim-

dreams
cold,faint,floating

them.

tired
was

them

feet.

know

did not

her

gan
be-

else ! "

rose,

going.

was

she

off; if

me

thinninghouses, walkingfeeblythrough the

drifted

silent

knee.

tired of

I 'm

something

Then

He

he won't.

mother's

her

at

once

in the

the

!"

anyway
she

searchingfor

down

knees

"Maybe

mutter:

So

if

as

at the act, for

half-frightened
without
speaking. There she

was

they did, maybe

him,

storm

one

irresolute,

moment

no

timber.

moment

so

able,till she

was

the water, where

stood

her

upon

some

Perhaps
knelt

the

she

as

by
she

There

through

up

shade

fast

as

away

still place down

found

it 's warmer."

!"

won't

you

I '11 call the

of

being Meg

another

name,

She
a

was

pretty

n't
name

always
she

ONE

thought, with

that.

and

used

little children
her

in the

her

all alone

street,

her

some

sacred

of the

water

pure

hooted

after
or

left

her

of

!
to

came

of the

her

upon

the

church,

Maggie

prophecy

among

as

name,

baby-brow

had

Magdalene.

sealed it,
"

stopped a

She

of

thought

vague

mournful, unconscious

the touch

nobody

out

"

They

play about

to

buttercups then

in the snow,

out

Perhaps, too,
the

used

drove

or

Maggie.

"

kiss her ;

to

191

ELECT.

smile,

She

clover-blossoms

the

THE

childish

call her

always

OF

weakened

moment,

her

by

toiling

againstthe wind, threw off her hood, the better to

her
catch
laboring breath, and standing so, looked
back at the city,its lightsglimmering white and pale,
through
Her
think

the

face
the

snow.
falling
was

piteous sightjust then.

the pure, fair

haughtiestof

herself
Yet

at

it

have

theirs ; kisses

of

warmed

drawn

have

those

prayed

morning,
almost
you
when

to

she

looked
was

It

she

listened

the

church.

to

her
the

as

hueless
prayers,

might
had

her

into
on

her

yonder

she loathed

as

have

eyes

by

as

have

lips; they might

night and
every
been.

sometimes,
the

pure

might

timber

chant, crouching

out

would

You

be so, if

it should

meant

knees

fair and

husband

and

happy

God.

face

and

thought he

have

had

been

mother

their

in

women

you

that moment

might

loathed

have

treasuredjiomes could

Do

perhaps

"

of

or

when

sightin

192

MEN,

it

Well,

AND

only that

was

hold

could

WOMEN,

it

GHOSTS.

possibleblessed

no

have

might

Societyhad no place for

Who
it carefullywith
tears.
of
children that he had kept from sin
and

her

"

and

you

me

hand, held
Do

out

her

with

her

learned

not

the

happy

world

She

stood

the

nobody

"

the

The
from

find

to

come

and

blessed

Had
?

she
Had

night,out
all
helper,when

the other

the

side ?

She

little, it would
"

don't

her.

path,and

drifted

want

me,

see

it,just to

n't

hurt

But, looking
back

did not

city,she
lighted

like to

face.

I 'd better go back."

the

the

path lay through

in her

beating upon

cityto

I should

where

mother

me.

was

lonelypath to
"

answer

wandering years

strugglewas

wants

storm

the

woman's

blast of this bitter

gloom

! home

Home

"

her

tears

passed by her, on

Some

snow.

for

room

help,and

the

gone

of the city,
there, lookingat the glittering

off into

then

had

happy

have

holds

with

and

seven

it in every
she

would

woman's

knew

Meg

well,in

it

her

prayers

think

which

into

her

woman's

read

she not

touched

her

to

not

you

have

all God's

sister,his love

said, u My

Life

change for her, you

it,though she sought

know.

to

been.

from

the

stir.

look in the window,

'em

Nobody

any.

'd

know."
She
pure
where
that

turned, walking slowly where

and

untrodden.

the fields

nobody

were

would

know,

snow

lay

of
sig.it

the town,

thinkingonly as

she went,

On,
still;

the

out

"

of

nobody

would

know.

She

would

could

even

then

And

see

the

old

say

good-by to
her,

or

193

ELECT.

THE

home

in

out

dark; she

quite aloud, and

it

and

come

drive

around

where

the

they

her

away.

great shadows

felt the weakening

fields,

the

the

"

looked

She
upon

OF

hear

n't

would

ONE

of her

lay

limbs,her

Not Meg's smile ; a very

breath,and smiled.
failing
quiet smile, with a littlequiverin it. She would find
the trees
somewhere
stillplace under
a
; the snow
of sightbefore morning,
her quite out
would
cover
She would be onlyMaggie
the pure, white snow.
"

then.

road, like

The

some

into the

village. Down

feet had

patteredin

familiar
the
their

pump,

where, coming home

drink

the

cool, clear

water

dream, wound

street

where

playing,by
from
on

at

her childish
the

old town

school, she used

summer

last

noons,

to

she

She might have been the

passed, a silent shadow.
her face.
dead
was
life,so moveless
ghost of some
She stoppedat last,lookingabout her.
? I most
Where
forget."
Turning out from the road, she found a brook half
frozen
hidden tinder the branches of a drippingtree,
she pushed
black glare of ice, where
now
; only a
the snow
It might have been a
with her foot.
away
and
with banks of moss,
still,
green placein summer,
flushed
faint color
birds singingoverhead.
Some
all her face ; she did not
hear the icicles dropping
"

"

from

the

lonelytree.
9

194

MEN,

"Yes,"
"

she

"

this is it.

the

brook

I went

of her eyes.

for the
her

back

came

than

more

her

she

She

looked

Numb

it.
"

It
stood

the

used

her

followed

then.

brought them
so

since.

what

had

kiss her?

in.

Her

become

Did

she

mother

to

it ?

her,

ever

hold

"

The

house

the
used

orchard,
to

be

so

forgottenthem.

"

want

and

She

used

know

of

not

morning

them.

mother

she

to

pick them for

apronful,purple,and pink,and

Her

Did

cloak

mered
singlelightglimHer
eye caught it
across

had

She

it.

flowers

the

the

whole

refused

to

it down,

long.
in

her

farther,I wonder

much

go out
"

draw

to

chilled

curiously.

them

How

had

frozen upon

was

her, but her hands

white, with dewdrops on

them

tried

She

little platswhere

mother,

in the

that,languidly,

sleet

not

to

soft hair out

wind, too,

The

face.

brightall summer
She

brook

I can't remember.

after

The

knew.

at

She

n't I

was

I looked

brushingher

long before she came

in the night. A
up silently
the garden.
far out upon

was

eagerly.
and

dress.

stood

ago."

closelyabout

more

see

he

crossingthe

into the street

white

mute,

me

was

pink

laydeeper.

snow

him,

saw

I look pretty ?

It 's a great while

She

ever

Yes, I
a

softlyto herself,"

Let

home,"

Did

"

tree.

I had

stones.

glasswhen

the

GHOSTS.

talk

to

first time

under

crossingthe
on

began

The

there

over

AND

WOMEN,

fit to touch

was

Nobody

Did

she

ever

ever

the little girlwho

to

see

her ?

she

when

smile

smiled
wonder
used

to

Sometimes,

196

it for that

if he had

man

vile than

more

Yet

it

the

with

one

kiss,or

gentletouch, or

and
That

hold

to

one

her

hear

face

Of

dalene,
Mag-

be said ?
the very

upon

with

stay all

night in
dead, pitiless
sky,

that

mother's

face, without

was

sorry,

not

looking

for it all !

morning, when

if she

see

one

into her eyes,

sorry

"

in the

there

could

die so,

look

and

hand

find her

dead

poor,

so

and
blessing,

her

she

say

they should

her

should

; to

to

into her

look

without

No

rest

turned

eyes

born

quiet,peaceful room,

and
light,

warmth, and

up !

been

never

Judas, what

near

so

"

the storm,

GHOSTS.

hard, I think, to fall

was

threshold,
the

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

given
for-

were

!
should

"I

like to

go

years

upon

of many

tears

tears, like

reached

her

cheek,

child's, "just in

strengthfell

fumblingfor

up,

first touch ;

the

door

the

her

on

latch.

weak, pitiful

"

"

after that.
It

wide

swung

first

the

of the cold !

out

"

sudden

Some

in," sobbing,with

opened

She
at

silent

the

into

her

house.
She

crawled
and

was,

the

roused

from

cricket

his

nap

growl at her, his

"Muff!"

hand.

He

strangers.
;

she
did
"

then, into

the kitchen

where

in
rocking-chair
; the plants

the faded

and

in

eyes

behind
on

smiled
not

Muff!

know

hearth

the

upon

the

stove.

the

the fire

window,

the

dog, too,

He

began

to

fire.

weakly, stretchingout
her,

don't you

"

he

know

there,there, Muff, good fellow

was
me

"

her

fierce

with

I 'm

gie
Mag-

ONE

She

crept

growl

low

fearlessly,
putting both

neck, in

she

when

him

died

his

was

had

of

He

away.

submitted

to

crouched

on

he

her

soothing

creature's
her

touch,

the

her, wagging his tail,wetting her

beside

floor

face

with

huge tongue.

his

know

Muff, you
Muff, I am,
"

again.

all

ago,

I 'm

He

nobody

How
have

turn

but

me

the

had

crawled

off; he don't know

she used
smile

to

broke

he thinks

Maggie."
she did not

minutes, it might have

gether
play to-

short,happy bark.

wandering all about the

too, and clearer.
They would
back

and

dog,justas

the fire.

near

eyes

come

out

go

sorry,

tired,Muff."

upon

long she lay so,

been

could

we

face,at Muff's

don't

old fellow ! I 'm

you

very

creepingup

her

over

"

I 'm

laid her head

She

long

me,

wish

"

not

she

way

playfellow.The

first,then

doubtfullyat

197

ELECT.

THE

him

to

up

his

about

arms

OF

that she wanted

into the

forgottenher.

old

know.
been

It

might

hours

her

room,

growing brighter

know

now

to

room

them

see

to

that she had

; that

die ; that Muff

Perhaps,perhaps they would

she
had

look

her not

for
her justa little,
unkindly,and cry over
the sake of the child they used to love.
Martha
Ryck, coming in at last,found her with her
still about the
her face,her arms
over
long hair falling
door,lyingthere in the firelight.
at

The

woman's

eyelids fluttered for

lipsmoving dryly;

but she made

no

an

sound.

instant,her
She

came

198

MEN,

up,

knelt

and

took

"

the

upon

GHOSTS.

floor,pushed

her child's head

Maggie !

AND

WOMEN,

Muff

her

upon

gently away,

lap.

"

She

opened her eyes and looked up.

Mother
's glad to see you, Maggie."
The girltried to smile,her face all quivering.
I wanted
I thought I was
Mother, I
you.

"

"

n't

"

fit."
Her

mother

stoopedand kissed her lips, the polluted,

that trembled
purplelips,
so.
back to me, my ter.
thoughtyou would come
daugh"

"

I 've watched

She

smiled

for you

I 'm

"

Mother,

"

Yes, Maggie."

"

And

tired,I

so

Her

'm

so

threw

hair.
falling

out

her

arms

"

O,

I 'm

upon

her

tired ! "

raised

mother

her

sorry."

she

so

great while."

that, pushingaway

at

oh ! "

her, layingher

head

shoulder.
"

she
the

my

Maggie," soothingher, as if
when
she came
to her,
sang again her first lullaby,
her only one.
littlepure baby,
Mother

you,

"

"

Mother,"

It has

once

been

"

more,

unlocked

the door

unlocked."

was

night for

every

seven

years,

child."
She

over

'11 rest

closed her eyes

her, her

features
old

melting,with

the

Looking up

she
last,

at

after that, some

in

the

firelight
softeningand

child-look
saw

stupor creeping

another

coming
face

into

them.

bending over

ONE

her,

face In which

Father, I did n't

really;

but I

I could

n't walk

send

"

done

it

once

darkness

"Mother,"
back,
guess
"

what

soul

make
locks

and

so

wet

are

dared

and

in

way

Will

look

not

sent

back,

you

Does

the dews

of

he

coming

room

wounded.

forgetit all ?
who

woman

he

not

lingertillhis

night,to

wanderer

Was

that he could
not

"

came

into his face ?

crimson-stained

faint call of any

first,

have

might

both faces then ; she did not

white ?

with

him."

over

foul and

it pure

"

He

tell the sin-laden

did He

once,

find him.

going to
All, Maggie."

him

ever

's

I 'm

For
to

there

"

of your

whining cry at her ear.

last,the lightof the
was
Somebody who

at

off,father

"

I thank

Muff's

hear

n't

"

forgive me

swept

I did

"

me

I shall be out

"

God

send

cough
Maggie?
away,

you

in,

come

Don't

the

"

"

even

strugglequivering

recent

to

mean

far,

so

daughter,
A

lines ; there

stern

worn

some

cold.

so

was

little while,

my

and

199

ELECT.

of it.

out
"

THE

griefhad

in the eyes,

tears

were

OF

listen for the

crying to

him

in the

dark?
So

He

came

to

Maggie.

So

he called her

by

her

he
Magdalene, most preciousto him ; whom
had bought with a great price; for whom, with groanbe uttered,he had pleaded with his
ings that cannot
all eternity,
to be
from
Father : Magdalene, chosen
name,

graven

"

in the hollow

of his

hand,

to

stand

near

to

him

200

MF.N,

before

the

face,

think

love

the

elect

little

his

among

less
sin-

with

her

all

all

One,

beholding,

anything

this,

the

to

did

charge

of

the

shall

be

pauses

transfigured

now.

over

the

in

face

her

and

bowed

brute

she

smile,

face

man,

his

the

scorn

it.

think

girl again."

dead

strong

should

any

lofty

lay

in

's

broader

the

out

told

it

so,

flashed

and

could

something

Mother,

And

on

tears

liis

into

eyes

?
he

for

storm,

your

happy

then,

high

Who

Perhaps

"

her

that

you.

whom

woman

his

with

fearless

foreyer.

And

thus

with

look

to

him

touch

to

ones

of

throne,

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

over

it,

"

was"

where

Him.

about

brighter
there,

sorrow

to

went

The

the

weeping.
the

still

and

room,

Meg's

never

light

again.
Muff

hand

moaned
touched

him.
But

child,

Martha

gave

Ryck,
thanks

to

kneeling
God.

down

beside

her

only

WAS

WHAT

have

not

COULD

it

old,when

years

THE

been

all

alone.

stands

To

but

other

this very

sinkingof

old, utter

than

more

happened

yesterday. Among

MATTER?

it

seven

it

day

have

might

childish

eight

or

been

memories, it
it the

bringswith

heart, and the old, dull

the

sense

of mystery.
read

To

mother.

my

her.

that

the little brook

thick and

of her
is

that

simply

though

to

memorial,

"

my

of it

own

but, you

entirelydazzled

the

see,

I cannot

glamour
me,

of

"

not

of mistakes, of sins,I knew

not

My object
her

life,are

these

It

is,I

pages

help it.

of any
even

grow

interest.

makes

that

side
be-

facts,which,

few

call her.

hear.

to

events

heart

is

after all,it is

objectsof

as

mosses

I cannot

But

now.

with

Yet, I confess, no
ever

which

will

interwoven

only

known

understand

crimsoned

chieflycare
acquaint you with

you

quite independent
know,

cool, from

left of her

It is all I have

have

should

it,you

the

where

and

wet

should

say, you

quite impossiblenow, for there

hill,and past the church, and

is

the

over

to

understand

To

But

quietspot

I have

what

earthlylove
hers.

she

was

Of

has

fections,
imper-

guilty. I

202

it

know

now

and

mosses,

close

to

do

"

heart, I

my

mother

My

make

and

the

as

royal-looking
woman,

and

her

in

used

to

now

reckon

the

throne.

Stuarts

the
deem

the

tell us,

innumerable
and

over

how

be

most

devout

I do
she

sure

am

of

she

"

the blood
"

to

to

the

as

She

back,

race,

honor

it dubious

by
to

and

me

word.

other

thing over

miserable

to

aristocrat.

an

she had

Generations

how
some-

the
imperfections.,

is used.

no

veins.

so

dearer.

term

I have

not

Yet

nearer

call

we

; but

does

the

"

her

what

was

like the term,

not

how

soned
crim-

beneath,

rest

forgetthem.

sins,bring her

very

slipby,

years

the

of

cannot

know

not

mistakes,the

hush

the

those

sanctityof

the

with

even

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

was

princes

children

we

cradled in

was

they were,"

sure,

might
genealogist
them
for great-grandfathers

own

degreesremoved.
as
a
damper
over,

on

So

she used

our

childish

she spoke, in
as
vanity, looking such a very queen
her hand,
every play of feature,and every motion, of
that

it

practise. The
beauty

of

than

face, and

means

no

thirty
insanitywill

die out,

fathers

"

hide

while

and
scathless,

safe and
own

by

proud
baby was
the elegantrepose
more

of
of

did

not

her.
a

The

manner,

unfelt at three

years

at

As
and

story of preachers who

very

influences

are

old

the

was

when

free,
"

children's

itselt away,

old

men

and

start

children

lie

sleeping,

gathered to

are
men

young

and

follow
into

have

their

in their footsteps

life,and

claim

it \
forgotten

its
as

204

MEN,

and

WOMEN,

AND

GHOSTS.

daughtercan be, but yet as different. Since I

been talkingin such lordlystyleof those miserable

have

and

Jameses

confess

to

will

Charleses, I
that

have

take

the

inherited

tunity
oppor-

father's

my

democracy, double measure,

thorough-going
pressed
arid running over.
She
down
not
only pardoned it,
"

but

I think

It

about

was

died, that
"

Your

her

she loved
a

"and

They had
each other,

been

am

the

how

"

liov^much

so

to

said,when

she told

other

they
knew.

and without shadow

quitefreelyand fully,
between
them, I dare to hope.
A
pictureof Aunt Alice always hung in
It

her

where

put it.

she

sake

well ; for mother's

pleasantface

down

taken

was

to

look

face,

beautiful

too,

beauty

crowned

by

"

reverent

eyes, and

and

though

with

mother's
a

was

doubt

mother's
asked

never

do.

For

young,

it

pure,
of the

none

massive

was

happy
regal

hair, and

timid, girlishface, with

ripe,tremulous

lips,
"

weak

lips,

babyhood,I felt a want

I had, of course,
in the face.
no
capacityto define
it ; it was
only by the fact that it
representedto me
as

them.

I remember

differed from

my

From

or

think,

it,though,quite

glad I

am

ago.

I remember

upon,

my

It

pencilledbrows.

years

loved
And

I like to

now,

"

room.

in

us

lonelynow."

I afterwards

each

he

Creston.

to

come

only children,and

much,

they love

half,I think, after

Alice

she

me,"

for his sake.

a

for Aunt

loves

quietway,

and

year

she sent

aunt

it in me,

mother's.

WHAT

She

mother

"have

but

I saw,

one

home

too,

fit that you

not

how

And
When

She

letter.

so

jokes!

such

the window
how

love

me

you

so,

laughedat

just like

was

and

I
?

come

the

mother

answer

my

ought

to

"

I 'm

"

Marie."

it !

and
settled,

the

came
waitingweeks besingleday,I hardlyknew my mother.

full of
a

Will

when

You

to
postscript

should

all

last

was

bit of

It

you.

now.

mother

it was

at

the

saw

Alice, I need

"

West

out

205

MATTER

THE

teachingschool

was

for her.

Bent

WAS

fitful moods,

flush

every

cheeks

all

over

little fantastic

too,

five minutes, like

went

we

her

on

and

as

she

child !

the house

ran-

to

member
re-

she
together,

everythinglooked neat, and bright,

And
how
and welcome.
we
lingeredin the guestroom,
touches to its stillness,
to put the littlefinishing
The best spreadwas
and coolness,and coseyness.
on
the bed, and the white folds smoothed
as
only mother's
fingerscould smooth them ; the curtain freshlywashed,
and loopedwith its crimson
cord ; the blinds drawn,
cool and green ; the late afternoon
sunlightslanting
flowers,
through,in flecks upon the floor. There were
all white,
they were
too, upon the table. I remember
and

I, to

see

that

of Parian
I think ; and the vase
valley,
marble, itself a solitary
unfoldingstainless leaves.
lily,
in the
Over the mantle she had hung the finest picture
and an exquisite
Ecce Homo,"
house,
an
ing.
engrav"

liliesof the

"

"

It used
house.

We

upstairs.

to

hang

children

in

room
grandmother's

wondered

in the old

littlethat she took it

206

I want

"

said.

make

to

more

Just
it.

it

she turned

is n't it?

dimming

little.

eyes

think

am

of

something

's

and

looked

into4

glad,Sarah,"

so

She

"

home

see

here."

room

"Pleasant,

and

home,

I could

pleasantin

left the

we

as

wish

"I

GHOSTS.

feel at

to

aunt

your

things,"she

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

her

dear sister

very

to

me."

steppedin again to

She

fallen from

had

the

raise
and

vase

lay like

table,then she shut the door and

door

That
of

sunlightflecked

liliesfaded
hushed
a

shut

was

the

on

solitude

We

table.

-and shrank
footfall,
that held

room

from

dead.

the

came

wax

the

upon

away.

for years ; the

just so

the

of the liliesthat

stem

of the

lonelybars
and

room,

the

passedit with
from
as
twilight,

children
it at

But

into

it

we

never

went.

Mother
been

tired

was

her

out

home

feet all

Sunday clothes, and

undressable
persistently

it was

"

himself.

she

sightfor

was-a

had

taken

heavy

hair

like

queen

know

children

Auntie

"

no

must

see

sinecure
;

to

look

as
our

dress three

Winthrop

us

to

was

host

prettiest,"

our

said.

She

She

had

for she

day, busied in her lovingcares

our
simplehome as pleasantand as welcome
could be. But yet she stoppedto- dress us in

on

make

in

that afternoon

why

low
in

these

an

off her
in her
that

artist when
widow's

she
and

cap

neck, and

she

lustreless black

little things should

clown.

came

coiled

her

always looked
silk.

have

I
made

do

not

such

WHAT

impressionon

an

the

"

at

while

doorway,

the

late

she

framed

face

shading her

the

color
girlish

coach.
she

when

they

as

eyes

bent

must

was

young,

have

been

it said,to that far-off ancestress

heard

bore, and

sorrowful

whose

of

recliningstatue

by-standersclustered
Dieu !
curiously. Ah, mon
"

aloud, "c'est

Winthrop

and

had

us

made

"

her

ful
sorrow-

there

which,

said

she

name

when

was

is

a,

my

strong

so

her, whispering
little Frenchman

resurrection."

une

tried her

have

must

to

about

the

We

whose

abroad

Mary,

the

magnificent
unlike, I have

beside it,her resemblance

stood

mother

Queen

hand

story has made

Somewhere

beauty immortal.

through

sight of

not

"

then

cheeks,her

strained for

She

coach,

with eager,
little,

her

on

in

the grass

over

and

now

me

there

for the

watching

were

touchingher

and
partedlips,

that

to
priceless

are

looked,

of trees, her head

the branches

lumbering

we

They

lightebbing in golden tides

her feet,and

woman

how

207

MATTER?

THE

then.

me

remember

now.

WAS

that

afternoon, Clara

and

excitement
of her own
spirit
of
completelywild. Winthrop's scream

I ; for the

when, stationed on the gate-post, he caught

delight,
the first sight of the old yellow coach, might have
heard

been

quarter of

said

"Coming?"
to

out

like

mile.

mother, nervously,and

the gate, full in the

sunlightthat

stepped

crowned

her

royal gold.

The
"

coach

Why,

lumbered

she

has

n't

on,
come

and
!"

rattled up,
All

the

and
eager

passed.
color

208

MEN,

died

out

speaking

of her

face.

like

troubled

while,

into the

house.

Then,

after
I

others,
"

and

seemed,
she

"

might

Alice
would

drew

she

she

lost

never

aside

And

then,

the

make

to

it
as
instinctively,

Alice

But

few

very

And

think

is

tual.
punc-

so

said

she

after, "I

while

my

You

understand.

from

used

was

us,

train.

"

turning slowly

me

train ?

lost the

come."

child,and

don't

Sarah, I

have

!
disappointed

so

how
quite forgetting

often

were.

years

am

between

of confidence

sort

"

"

GHOSTS.

oldest,and

the

was

AND

WOMEN,

she

don't

understand."
It
the

like my

not

was

lumbered

coach
and

stop,
"

the

next, and

"

and

She

day

sick,"we

watched

for the

Ten

the

to

"

this

no

eyes
letter.

another.
mother

wrote

came

I had

there

to

silent

grew
was

me

her,

to

no

one

borrowed.

swer.
an-

noon
afterthing
Some-

vaguely.

going to do, mother?

aunt's boarding-place.I can't
to your
spoke sharply. She
longer." She
are

Write

alreadv

me

not

"

What

any

had

we

letter

ask for her

pen, which

in her face troubled

"

and

Mother

did

said, her

lumbering coach, and

But

day

next

next.

But

said ; and

days passed.
to

by,

went

is

day by day.

the

letter,"mother

The

worry.

rattled past, and

afternoon.

saddening every
another

to

and

up

shall have

"We

And

mother

grown

you

unlike

herself.

bear
had

WHAT

wrote, and

She

WAS

THE

asked

for

MATTER

an

209

by

answer

of

return

mail.
It

was

on

for it.

sewing

Wednesday, I remember, that we looked

home
Mother
earlyfrom school.
was
parlorwindow, her eyes wandering from

came

at

the

the road.

her work, up

It

was

ugly day.

an

from
drearily
eight o'clock
suffocatingmist, creeping and

rained

till two, and

in

dense

me

gave

childish

in, mother

walked

dull

A
and
to

of

sense

her

clung to
that

closed

grouped
and

awe

the

around

we

early,uncanny

her

timidly.

mystery clung to the night,

watching face,and

clung

upstairswhere

room

land
low-

quietwhen

As

nervous.

fell,we
twilight

and

It

in it.

children

younger
so

was

home

closed

chill.

tombs
fancy of long-closed

graveyards,as I
tried to keep the

went

and

It had

then

even

lilies

the

were

fading.
Mother

leaning her

sat

outline of her face dim

curtain.
rumble

She

distant

she folded her hands

slowlyfrom

her

upon

in the dusk

heard

we

coach-wheels.

in her

chair,and

At
stirred

lap and
sat

hand, the

her

againstthe falling

when

so
sitting

was

of the

head

down

the first

the
a

sound,

rose
little,

again.

"Sarah."
I crept up
was

to

her.

frightenedI
Sarah, you may
so

*'

At

the

could

have

go

out

near

and

sightof

her

face, I

cried.

get the letter.

"

can't."
I went

slowlyout

at

the

door

and

down

the walk.

210

back.

the gate I looked

At

against the

there

was

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

of her

outline

The

white

window-pane,

face

in

the

gatheringgloom.
It

to

seems

have

in
stifling

delugeof

of air.

breath

hidden, sat

head

such

known

never

chirp,like

The

daisythat

at

feet

my

cold

with

the

on

"was

mists,unstirred

by

nodded

and

be

to

I remember

in

vacuum

in the grass

drooped

breath.

The

the street, wa

across

sensation

littl"

chirpeda

gasping for

the

anc
ruffled,

all

dying

creature

house, not fortypaces

neighbor's
invisible.

world

feathers

The

gate-post,and

seemed

less sensitive years

night.

gray,

robin

mournful
very

older and

that my

me

it gave

as

me,

of a world washed
out
to find its outlines,
struggled
slate. As
out
like the figuresI washed
on
my
into the road, and the fog
trudged,half frightened,
closed

about

me,

like

horde

of

not

added

see,

The

day I

to

see

whole

dark
of

the eyes
with
unseen,

swift
"

the

childish

superstition

of the coach, which

the

There

presently. On

corner

on

the

two

clea

the driver's coat

nothing visible

was

but

structure

I coul(

fancy.

brass buttons

the

that distance.

my

ghostslet loose,an(
long-imprisoned

turned

coach
could

to

distant sound

The

angry.

it seemed

lamps

now

in

at

of the

front,like

thing,glaringand defiant,borne
motion down
me
by a power utterly
upon
some

it had

I confess I do not

through a fog.

evil

curious

like to

see

effect.
a

Even

at

this time,

lightedcarriagedriven

212

Weeks

into

wore

inquiryrevealed
accident had
train which

missed

have

been

were

all drawn

the

drawer,

and

children

my

her

all

skeleton

joy. Of
their dark

the

on

had

thought

Sabbath,

with

tender
with

us

she had

in

She

some

might

not

passengers

us

in

household

months

was

and

years

she

in

in
no

paler,perhaps.

We

room.

As

not

gave

"

Sometimes,

and

knew

But

she

littlefaults and

alwaysbeen.

was

ing
uncomprehend-

love

her,

eager

her

affliction

her littleBible.

closed

To

quite uncomforted

shade

missed

our

and

her

in

it

"

human
a

weeds,

before.

as

gloomy,

weeks

any

plays,as

our

henceforth

our
confronting

her

we

into that

gone

the

supposed.

lay
on

of

her often alone with

found

had

her widow's

widow, and

"

places by

We

sign.

was

to

never

those

what

her

to

were

was

shadow

No

placedlike

room

thingswent

mother

way.

There

half-drowned

littlecrape

closed

of the

key

Railroad,to

water.

the

slight

out.

added

mother

So

when

Erie

conductor

the

into

Some

while, that

taken.

have

became

knew.

never

the

deaths,the

fallen

months

the

we

fact,after

should

no

had

car

that

occurred,upon

but
disabling,
The

than

the

she

and

months,

More

years.

many

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

-our

she had

that

justas

was
as

sorrows,

she

merry

gayest plans,as

alwaysbeen,

our

"

mother.
so

the

years

Winthrop

went

into

And

took

to

his

slippedfrom
business

books, and

mother

in
was

her
Boston
too

from

and
;

he

wise

us.

never

to

push

WHAT

him

He

WAS

throughcollege;
her

was

him

the

only boy, and

and
girls,

have
and

that about

mean

Bathsheba, who

here

came

home

to

about

here

had

old and

our

been

blue

mother,
is the

long-tried
cook,

heirloom

an

for

grandfather.

dresses and

Tennyson. Just
begin my story.

placeto

chosen

white

crochet-work,and
proper

disappointed.

was

father

our

213

she would

his

graduatedin

ribbons, like other

MATTER

but I think she

professionof

and

Clara

THE

in the

family,

suddenlyfell in love with the older sexton, who had

the passing-bell
for every soul who
died in the
rung
for fortyyears, and
took it into her head
village
to
him, and

marry

under

house

So it

kitchen

our

about

handmaiden

and

that

it also
the

to

us

hunted

we

as
"

for her

poor-house.
twelve

could

we

bound

out

of the

spiteof
were

our

poor

of three

"

I used

that

not

stout,

over-

of age,

years

be

decided

eighteen.

The

in her favor

was

ing
school-

such

in country fashion

"

inquiring

our

clothes,and

tillshe should

savored

made

had

children

to

township for

to

be

omy
econ-

for,in

grand descent and grander notions, we

enough, after father died, and the education

name

always

give her,

arrangement

and
principal,
Her

and

board

the

about

came

brilliant-looking
girl,about
to be had

for his littlebrown

the hill.

came

steps led

desert

she

no

small

in

gap

our

littlo

came.

was

too

singular one,

nearly of

call her Sel,

Selphar.

"

brimstone

for short.'*

She

to

It

pleaseme.
was

good,

214

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

broad

sensible,uninteresting-looking
girl,with

large features,

and

limp,

tow-colored

face,

curls.

They

down
about
her eyes, and were
hang straight
She
smooth.
otherwise
than perfectly
proved
never
is worth
to be of good temper, which
quiteas much as
dull
the daylight,
honest
brains in a servant, as
as
enough at her books, but a good,ploddingworker, if
used

to

marked

you

out

every

I do not

think

for her

step of the way

she would

discovered

have

ever

hand.
before-

she might have jumped

gravitation
; but
off a precipice
to prove
them, if she had been bidden.
like any
Until she was
precisely
seventeen, she was
other rather stupidgirl; never
given to novel-reading
or
fancies; never
frightenedby the dark or ghost-

the laws

of

proving herself warmly attached to us, after

terest
a
while, and rousing in us, in return, the kindlyinfelt for a faithful servant
naturally
; but she was
in any respect imcommon,
not
quite far from it,
stories ;

"

"

except in the circumstance

At

she had

seventeen

and her life hung

and

unwearying

mother
From

might
that

faith in her
as

she

had,

strengthnever
became

of

by

Mother
of her

care

as

was

mistress's

was

the

hood.
false-

diphtheria,
as

tender

own
girl's

immovable

divinity.Under
slowlyrecovered, but

came

of

been.

time,I believe,Sel
she

told

never

violent attack

thread.

in her

have

that she

back

frequentoccurrence.

to

her.
Her

such
her

Severe

in her

nursing

old, stolid
headaches

stout, muscular

WAS

WHAT

arms

weak.

grew
in

had
volubility

been

her hitherto.

Her

morning

One

chamber, and

face

breakfast for

the

had
"

While

off

she

over

her

to

look.

had

stolen

at

kitten

of her apron.

Why

!"

said mother,

own

our

work

as

together

mewing

in

out

The

darted away
frolic,

always a bit of a
pered
thought of her daintilyslipwas

came

tail justvisible above

dropped the

her, and,

The

snow.

in flushed

"

you

kitten with

arm

one

over

cat

and

little feet drenched, and

made

gone

let her in.

to

sudden

three-inch
she

girlhad

wake

flung her trailingdress

the

little garret-

might get

door

Clara
a

The

were

her

some

never

pretty, her

Maltese

Clara

had

troubled

in

we

we

the

to

brisk chase, and

and

wear

pity to

well-curb.

and, with

was

her

her ; her

cryingwith the pain in her

was
always thoughtfulof

of us,

three

went

feet,she
and

was

possessedby

creature,

of

before

once.

and

snow,

romp,

to

call her.

kitchen, Clara heard

behind

dent
evi-

thoroughly

over

places where

mother, who

only

were

in the

came

sleptlate

servants, said it

the

began

did not

we

temples,and
there

silence

left her

greatest objectionwe

in

she

upstairsthe night
her

ft became

on,

be alone.

to

away

the

found

often

was

went

of her system, it had

Strange fits of

diseased.

She

weeks

215

itself
that, though the diphtheria

ways

many

quiteout

was

As

MATTER

THE

ing,
pantthe

great bundle

have

lost your

unceremonious

led

tip
she

ring."
ear-

haste

216

the

on

and

felt of
floor,

the

dimpled chin.
They 're the
"

You

hunt

'd better

hunted

boards,in
down

put

on

into

sent, of all

her

thingsin

rubbers, and

your

out-doors,

wood-shed, in

the well tillher

ear-ringwas
every

the

and

possibleand

crevice,but

be

to

stove

the

and

nose

not

the steps,on

on

"

the

under
in

Winthrop

ones

down

went

have

out-doors,"said mother.

We

the

mouth

her apron,

!"

the world
"

GHOSTS.

her littlepink ear, shook

of her

corners

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

snow

Clara

were
fingers

found.
the

chairs

search

looked

blue,but

We

hunted

and

impossiblenook,

the

the well-

doors,
in-

the table,
and

cranny,

despair.It was a
wrought gold,
pretty trinket, a leaf of delicately
with a pearl dew-drop on
it, very becoming to
Clara, and the first present Winthrop had sent her
gave

up

in

"

"

from

his

she

would

was,

earnings. If
have

She

cried.

I suspect, for when

stayedin

the

When

we

had

she

came

she went

been

little younger

very

it

near

after the

it

as

platesshe

cupboard long enough to set two tables.

half through breakfast, Selphar
were

half out of her

frightened
each other with
wits, her apologiestumbling over
and
such skill as
each one
to render
unintelligible,
she
whether
mind
in her own
evidentlyundecided
and
down, blushing,

came

to

was

be huncr

or

burnt

at

the stake.

*""?

"

knew
you

It 's no
you

matter

at

all," said mother, kindly;

felt sick last

if I had

needed

night.
you."

I should

have

"

called

WHAT

Having
do, she

on

She
It

been

out

of

not

the

Also,
garret-stairs.
the oppositeside
the well-curb

"

has her
The
her.

to

don't you

took

said

down

came

looked

room

house

from

out

that

Clara, suddenly,"

eyes ?

your

open

on

she

Mother
?

spoke

"

"

Sarah."

brought

act!

you

"

said

table

Clara,petulantly."

to

Of

saw."

'm, I saw," said the girlin

but my

"

Tight."
this freak

notice

puzzledway,

Clara."

meant,

it.

My

gravely,that

she

might

returned

we

ear-ring.
10

we

mother

of

wanted, and

"

Tight ?

Whatever

shut, Miss

are

eyes

"

no

the

it round

perfectprecision.

you
Yes

and

it up

Sel, how

course

the

that she

stood.

the salt to Miss

Hand

with

take

the

to wait

can't."

She

"

her

"

Why

"

she

girlwas justpassingthe toast.

Selphar,what is the matter

"

me,

remembered

that
of

room

shut."

eyes

I don't know."

"

in the

sightsince

our

Sel ! "

at

"

"I

"

look

Why,

as

ease,

afterwards

was

217

only she could

breakfast,and we forgotall

her

had

which

her

stayed,however,

the table.

upon

MATTER

THE

girlat

with

on

her.

about

the

set

went

WAS

to

thought best
told

sit down
our

her,

what
some-

until she

conversation

to

was

about

218

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

GHOSTS.

"

Why ! said Sel, with a little jump, I see your

ear-ring,Miss Clara, the one with a white drop on
the leaf. It 's out by the well."
The
sittingwith her back to the window,
girlwas
closed.
her eyes, to all appearance,
tightly
"c It 's
the snow,
the right-handside, under
tween
beon
u

"

"

the

well and

the

don't you

wood-pile. Why,

see?"

mother
began to look frightened,
displeased.
It is impossible
Selphar,"she said, this is nonsense.
for you to see through the walls of two
rooms

Clara

"

"

wood-shed."

and^a

May I go and get

Sel," said Clara,

"

eyes

your
"

on

said the

girl,
quietly.
word
and honor, are

your
"

perfectly
tight?

they ain't,Miss Clara, then they never

If

Sel

shut

it ?"

told

never

let her go.

lie.

I followed

her closed lids.

they tremble,

She

looked

We
her

did not

kept

my

raise them

once

lids will tremble, if

as

other, and

each

at

and

out

was."

eyes

on

nor

did

;.

only partially

closed.

to

She

walked

the

well-curb,to

without

stoopeddown,
of

The

snow.

in

falling.She

to

Clara.
That

her

and

hesitation directly
slightest

the spot which

brushed

she had

away

the

mentioned,

three-inch

fall

ear-ringlay there, where it had sunk

pickedit up, carried it in, and gave it

Clara had

kitten,there

the

the
could

thingon
be

no

when
doubt.

she started after

She

and

I both

220

MEN,

and

brought them

them

from

hand

them

with

the

my

mother.

Mother

changed

hand

several

times, and

turned

to
to

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

giltletteringdownwards

upon

her

lap.
Selphar,which

Now,

"

was

girlquietlytook
repeatedand varied

case

the

The

result

the

was

mine

again
same.

That

eveningwe
Selphar sat

room.

still closed.

eyes

sight. The

in

between
was

to

would

be

kept her

had

we

at

them.

"

with

was

her

She

did

the
not

the

long

room,

The

was

distance

often

thought,if prowlers
night,how impossibleit

The

Sel

closelydrawn.
Suddenly she turned
from

with

diningher sewing,her
us, and kept her

the front of the house.

were

sprang

eyes.

mistake.

no

done

was

her

parlor,which

hear

to

made

little apart with

around

come

She

sitting
quietlyin

were

We

great that

so

were

and

us

and

them.

those letters with

see

"

experiment
again. In every

this

no

was

The

up.

guess-work. All
about
drawn
bandage tightly
It

Sarah's

is Miss

was

curtains

and

sittingby
her

pale, dropped

shutters
the

fire.

sewing,and

chair.

Robbers, robbers

!"

she cried.

"

Don't

you

see

! There
's
parlorwindow
three of 'em, and
lantern.
a
They 've just opened
the window,
hurry,hurry !
I believe the girlis insane," said mother, decidopened the
edly. Nevertheless, she put out the light,

they 're gettingin

the

east

"

"

"

ai.d
parlordoor noiselessly,

went

in.

WAS

WHAT

The

window

east

vision of three

men

screamed, and

it

and

the next

snow

the

window,

the

road.

When

look
"

and

lantern.

disappeared.

We

found

was

their

trodden

the

to

the middle

of

to

Clara

the window,

the street.

footprints
were

back

quick

Then

went

running down

men

was

down

under

traced

other

The

out

to

Selphar

room,

it,a puzzled,frightened

face,her eyes wide open.

Selphar," said my mother, a little suspiciously,
her

did

had

"

the

said the

since

the

said,the girlwas

as

had

told her what

we

after this there

time

some

When

ing
noth-

burst into terrified tears.

happened, she
For

as

knew

nothing that
to
garret-stairs

the

up

And,

sunlight.

She

remembered

she went

bed, the night before.

as

there ? "

were

the robbers.

ear-ring. She

happened

honest

robbers

girl,aghast.

nothing of

knew

of the

know

you

Robbers

She

"

There

dark

221

MATTER

open.

and

went

we

on

how
"

was

morning

standingin

was

"

the

saw

THE

was

of the

return

no

ever
tantrums," as Selpharhad called the condition,whatit

trance

state.

Clara
the

was.

too

was

But

get

to

up

said,

mother

frightenedto

much

"

of

theories

vague

Nonsense!"
reason

at

and

all about

matter.

One

Sunday morning
There

went

began

to

in the

church.

was

service
Mother

carryallbeside

complained of
that evening, and

Sel

let Sel take

her.

the

ache.
head-

we

empty

all
seat

222

MEN,

It

was

But

dark

very

Creston

was

AND

WOMEN,

when

GHOSTS.

started

we

to

safe old Orthodox

home.

come

the roads

town,

filled with

were

and

returningchurch-goerslike ourselves,
drove like a man.
A darker nightI think
could not see a hand
seen.
we
Literally,

mother

I have

never

before

our

We

eyes.

road,
carriageon a narrow
touched, before either driver had
met

the horses'* heads

and

the other.

seen

Selpharhad

been

quite silent during the drive. I

into her face,and could
forward, looked closely

leaned

dimly see

the

through

darkness

that

her

were

eyes

closed.
!"

she said at

"

Why

"

Where

"

Down

in

spoke.
got

"

those

see

gloves!

"

"

see

the

ditch

them

on

buttons

on

little brass
rods

Three

last,

past

passed them before I

blackberry-bush;they 've

we

the

and

now,

wrist."

could

we

not

our

see

horse's head.
"

Selphar,"said
with

matter
"

If you

you

to

you

Prince
so
we

up,
were

was

her

I don't

head.

not

"

May

know," repliedthe

I get out

reined

up,

see

her.

and
we

strained

In about

were
together,

She

Sel got out.

two

pairof gentleman'sgloves in
rolled

and

bring

"

far back, that, though

could

is the

"

please,ma'am,

girl,hanging
'em

mother, quickly," what

my

of cloth

our

eyes to do

minutes

her
so

went

she

hand.
black

that

it,

came

They
on

WHAT

brightnight it
small

brass

Mother

WAS

would

buttons
took

antediluvian

the

at

ladies

been

and had

seen,

wrist.
word.

great hue

223

somehow, and spread all over

out

and

declared
less

nor
nothing more
spirituousmediums,"

have

them- without

It raised

town.

MATTER

never

story leaked

The

THE

at

that

once

than

Four

cry.

five

or

we

were

them
family of
and
proposed to expel
seriously
mother
from the prayer-meeting. Masculine
Creston
did worse.
It smiled a pityingsmile, and pronounced
the whole
scared women-folks.'*
thing the fancy of
"

"

endure

I could

but that.'
driven

with

I bore

it

I
by despair,
him

in

case

to

very

bit
politely
should

he

calmness

answer

be

He

back

very

for

happy

to

stated the

suppressed fury. He

see

smile, and

said

her

perform.

The

accepted

it in

dubious.

suspicion.
came

on

attended

known

of

one

we

to

of

it.

About

was

washing

she

The

condition
she

kept

his loss in her

had

half

not

dropped the

presence,

an

the

hour

dishes

been
spoon

upon

house

lost his

after, we
with

at

her

home.

careless

some

and

thought

no

observed
shut.

eyes

her five minutes

suddenly into

we

inquisitions

Winthrop

returned, Winthrop made

reference

that

course,

afternoon

refined

those

picnics,and

as

pocket-knife. Selphar,of
When

That

Saturday noon.

masse

en

commonly

more

Winthrop, and
of

earth

upon

weeks, till at last,

incredulous

an

somewhat

was

silent

sent

condition

of

number

slander

any

the

fore
be-

water,

224

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

permissionto

and

asked

Mr.

Winthrop's

GHOSTS.

out

go

somewhere

knife

to

walk.

She

under

"saw

stone, and

fullytwo miles to the picnic

grounds,and nearlydark* Winthrop followed the
to
her, and kept her in sight. She
girl,unknown
wanted

get it."

to

It

was

hesitation or
rapidly,and without the slightest
search, to an out-of-the-way
gullydown by the pond,
where
having gone
Winthrop afterwards remembered
to cut
some
parted a thick
willow-twigsfor the girls,

went

cluster

bushes, lifted

of
the

which

work

her

about

ton

became

made

girlI

1. She
these

at

the

the

of

presence
2.

memoranda,
upon.

and

the
the

"

attempting to bring on

taking any pride therein,was

would
mortified by them,
run
she felt them
coming on in the

or

if

"

of visitors.

They
but

relied

far from

and

room,

careful
be

can

states,

troubled
intensely
out

time

herself,so

trance

Ores-

in this development of
peculiarities

of "these

exactness

away

respectful.

more

several

Of

hurried

that,after this incident,masculine

I observed

She

up.

being thanked.

avoid

to

under

stone

picked it

and
Winthrop, quietly,

it to

returned

rolled,and

had

knife

large, loose

apt

were
came

often

preceded by severe
without any warning.

to

be

aches,
head-

instance, recalled

anything
that happened during the trance, after it was
passed.
affected by
4. She was
powerfullyand unpleasantly
3.

She

in

never,

from
electricity

any

or
battery,

acting in milder

forms.

WHAT

She

WAS

also unable

was

at

into hot water

arms

at

THE

MATTER

time to put her hands

any

the effect was

and

paralyzethem

to

once.

5.

Space proved
has

She

been

known

expressionsof
hundreds

be

to

impediment

no

follow

to

acts, words, and

of members

countenance

of miles

the

with

away,

proved by comparing

of the

accuracy

notes

her vision.

to

as

to

as

family
wards
after-

was

time.

6. The

girl's
habitual,
eyes, after her trances became
assumed, and always retained,the most
pression
singularexI

and
a

ever

and

narrow,

snake.

back

think

can

horrible

They

in her head

like the eyes

"

eyes of Elsie Venner

of

oblong

were

smile if you will,

O
reader ! but they were

not

were

The

face.

any

incredulous
eyes.

eyes I

on

set

They

and
human

saw

as

at

all like them.

about

circumstance

them

"

cal
practinot

the

are

The

of

"

only
most

circumstance

always made me shudder, familiar as I was with

it
that,though turned fullyon you, theynever
was,
looked at you.
Somethingbehind them or out of them
did the seeing,
not they.
7. She not
only saw substance, but soul. She has
told me
they were
repeatedly
upon
my thoughtswhen
have
subjectsto which she could not by any possibility
that
"

had

the

clew.
slightest

8. We
about
9.

were

able to detect

never

of deceit

shadow

her.
The

never
clairvoyance

be correct,

so

far

as

10*

we

were

failed in any
able to trace

instance
it.
o

to

226

WOMEN.

MEN,

As

will be

ful
readilyimagined,the girlbecame a useof the family. The lost valuables restored
given by her
warnings against mischances

member
the

and

incapacityfor peculiarkinds of
This
incapacity,however, rather increased
diminished,and, togetherwith her fickle health,

quite balanced
work.
than
which

also

deal

of

keen

his

in

the medical
a

while

there

I suppose

golden

continuance.

kitchen

to

in this world.

Mother

down

hour

an

mother

Selpharhad

seen

to

came

cheek,
to

before

and

"Yes."

me

drew

without
me

of

trance

away

Aunt

few

shut

opened.
a

of
particle

alone,and

and

Alice.

looked

at

one

about my

the

into

the door

was

on

I heard

then
it

scious,
uncon-

came

out

gone

night,

me.

singular,
pinchedlook

Sarah."

had

was

lipsor

It

long

it

my

sat

ended

voice, and
Selphar's

told the secret

"

into

way

Selphar'sone

poor

in

and
quickly,

in

of it.

notes

thief in the

order for breakfast.

give an

words

We

was

mission

week's

color in

like

came,

night,that

quiet summer

Then

nounced
pro-

"

before

their

have, I believe,found

journals.

that which

eager

of

case

of these

was

doctor

country

great

who

"

for

way,

us

physician

Creston

altogetherundreamt
philosophy,and kept constant

Horatio's

After

unsettled, caused

more

The

care.

man

Some

her

grew

the

was

GHOSTS.

AND

another.

There

mother's

mouth.

228

WOMEN,

MEN,

that she would

perhapsnot
throp and I
when

for any

GHOSTS.

sleptalone

immortal

for any mortal

considerations.
Win-

"

talked the matter

alone

were

we

have

not

AND

and

sealed.
From
lipswere
first disclosure,
she was
the matter.

often and

over

in

gravely

quietplaces.

the

when

day

Mother's
made

Sel

heard

never

"

"

to

once

the

refer to

perceptible
haughtinesscrept into her
towards the girl. She even
talked of dismissing
manner
her, but repentedit,and melted into momentary

gentleness.I could have cried

was
beginningto understand
her life had

become,

She

not

would

could

the

could

her children

the reader

ceased

to

of course,

and
shallow
sunset

year

to

what.

not

She

the conflict

even

she

was

brought,

our

worried

and

and hardness

had

taken

as

it had

iarity.
dailyfamil-

from

ceased, in

doubt

on.

Indeed,

regardit

she chose

the

curious

its results
common

as

with

capacityfor
girl's
to, at any place.
less
My mother grew sleepthe

laughed often, in a nervous,

is unlike a
unlike her as a butterfly
as
her face settled into an habitual sharpness
to me.
painful
unutterably

pallid.She
way,

to

and

Creston,

in mind

come

seeinganythingthat
Thus

be in it.

intermeddle.

not

disease,had
physical

of

converted

with

mysteriouspower.
be mysterious
to us,

had

We

matter

long habit of belief,

fallibi
honesty,but in the inpersonal
Selphar's

of her

working

night. I
struggle
pitiful

knew

she

"

her that

alone she must

girl. And

bear

must

onlyin

almost

how

what

the crisis into which

understand

To

not

believe

doubt

not

and

over

WAS

WHAT

ventured

only I

Once

break

to

for

harm

no

either.

escaped by

never

was

Winthrop

to

out

go

into the
knew

haunting thought that, she

the

229

MATTER

THE

silence

and

knew,

we

Mother, it would

"

West, and

of

do

"
"

:
Sarah, I had not
interruptedme
sternly
thought you capableof such childish superstition.I
"

She

that

wish

this house

had
girland her nonsense
!
turning sharplyaway,

never

and

"

"

into

come

of the

out

room.

But

They ended
struggleended.
prayed every night and morning of

I had

as

and

year

they should

end.

night,locked

the

with

softlyspoke my name.
But that was
all,for a

into

came

my

her, and

behind

door

stood

window,

the

to

Mother

her

last,

it that

room

one

walking over

turned

face

at

from

me,

and

and in
God
see

Sarah
suffering,

Almighty knows
I
I am
going
"

Creston

put

on

The

she may

girl,

Sick

think."

its

Then,

littlewhile.
"

and

in

Then

spectaclesand

"
"

be

Sick

right;

suffering,
you

her voice broke.

looked

wise

on

day, that Mrs. Dugald had taken

den
sudthe earliest morning train for the West, on
what
and
It was
precisely
important business.
Creston
expected,'andjustlike the Dngalds for all the
to hunt up material for that genealogical
world,
gone
book, or map, or tree, or something,that they thought
the
learning,

next

"

nobody

knew

Creston

understood

they

Space forbids

me

were

going

to

publish. O

it

perfectly.

to

relate in detail the clews

yes,

which

230

MEN,

had given as
Selpliar
Her

AND

WOMEN,

the whereabouts

to

this time,

justat

trances,

and

and
fragmentary,
to give had
come
professed

scarce

the

"

the moment
and

then, of

said,or

some

to

had, however,

search

information

she

and

had

very

The

gone.

and
been

of what

memory

was

say,

of persons

appearance

derer.
wan-

somewhat

were

in snatches

all

course,

about

was

the

of the

perfect
im-

being apt to end suddenly at

important questionwas pending,

trance

when

GHOSTS.

she had

places necessary
given with

and

names

to

the

sufficient distinctnes

guide in my mother's rather

chimerical
undertaking. I suppose ninety-ninepersons
of a hundred
would
have
out
didate
thoughther a canfor the State Lunatic
Asylum. Exactly what
she herself expected,
ful
hoped,or feared,I think it doubtto

serve

as

I confess to

if she knew.

she

bewilderment,when

condition

of

simple

fairly
gone, and Clara and
I were
left alone with Selpjiar's
ghostlyeyes forever
One
on
us.
night I had to lock the poor thing into
her garret-room before I could sleep.
Just three weeks
the day on
from
which
mother
was

started for the West, the

and

two

Avalk.
eyes
and

The

one,

alight
;
shallow

golden
life

women,

the
and

afternoon

might

Mother

crawl
threw

arm

coach
in

arm,

rattled up
came

erect, royal,with

other, bent

and

her

to

the

slowly up

door,
the

great steadfast

gray-haired
dumb, crawlingfeeblythrough the
sunshine, as the ghostof a glorious
back
open

to

the

worn,

its grave.

door, and stood there like

WHAT

tired to talk

is too

glad to

the lilies were

face

her

What

and I

door, the

as

by

She

she will be

wearily,turned
word.

no

asked

never

I saw,

room,

I saw,

through

"

lying with their

they used to -do

as

together,and

above

arms

when

them, still
waited

had

that

Face

wounded

the

passed the

glad that

women

for this.

years

many

so

said

neck,

children

were

there

wall, and

two

other's

watchful,

and

eyes

been

always

each

they

her

Once,

knew.

have

about

and

the story of those tired

eyes

never

the open

home.

come

By

closed

the

to

over

was

and

just now.

.She

bed.

the

upon

has

aunt

231

MATTER

you."
into the room
her gentlyupstairs,
where
mouldering to dust,and laid her down

see

took

We

THE

Children,your

"

queen.

"

WAS

lingeredweakly there, within the restful room,

her
seven
days,and then one morning we found

She
'

for

her

with

upon

eyes

the

thorn-crowned

Face,

her

own

quitestilland smiling.
little funeral train wound

church, and

the

that

mosses

sister who

the

mother's

I have
I

do

not

down

left her

opened
had

in

you

months

her.

loved

the

nightbehind
those red-cup

one

among

few

so

orders, marked

given

away

Her

only,by

name

headstone.

Explain them as
the simple reason

facts.

attempt it, for

cradle

again to

you

will.

that

"

cannot.

word

must

be

said

as

to

the

fate

of poor

Sel,

232

MEN,

which

WOMEN,

mournful

was

GHOSTS.

AND

Her

enough.

trances

grew

gradually

unfitted

entirely

but

nothing
for

of

advent

conceived
few

the

weeks,

disappeared.
years,

hope,
to

well.

her,

life

but
who

and

We

nothing

at

did

cared

last,

give

her

to

up
heard

ever

life

bitter

one

not

was

for

was

be

such

somehow,

in

the

death,

she

for

over

she

her

her.

terrible

and

after

night,

search

from

till

so

cried

winter's

however,

but

burden,

all

short,

done

mother's

my

she

that

idea

permitted
has

and

out

be

to

as

her,

have

itself

became

and,

kept

should

wore

servant,

new

and

she

body

work,
We

charity,

tormented

poor,

and

household

encumbrance.

of

till

erratic,
mind

in

for

an

sake

the

her

it

diseased

thoroughly

so

and

frequent

more

for
I

He,
mystery

kindly

and

THE

IN

of the

IF the wick

is the

Where

much

seems

to

poker,Johnny

and

your

out

oak

like

your

I call

like what
and

I should

fire,

Can't

it ?

to

always

since

in

have

an

back

it does n't

Well,

the

n't

seen

Mary

Ann

As

"

that

push

Something always
fires ; your
hickory

I have

stay.

and

you

gnarly,and

not

"

said ;

is

sponge.

here

came

father," she
me

maple

straight,

cut

happened.

Massachusetts

ail your

been

Dear, dear !

difference, does

is green,

had

have

ever

that for'ard,log a little?

make

GOTH.

big oil lamp

it would

believe

I don't

GEAY

anything
was

long as

ried,
mar-

live,

you

letter

she

told

fire,and

how

she

very

open

eat

worms

would

n't let Jacob

in the sittingput in the air-tight

room,

but

fireplacekept

Ann

was

and

I 'm

knot

at

had

the

good girlalways, if

I don't

sure

the

bottom

of

Mary

purpose.

I remember

complain.
the

on

basket

straight,

Is n't that
?

There

pine-

! that 's

better.
Let
I?

me

see

yes;

began

about

that

now.

I declare, I can't

heard

about

it,and

you

to

tell you

winter

get

over

of

something,did
'41.

it,to

I remember

think

twenty-fouryear

you
old

never
come

n't

234

You

Christmas.
folks

Maine

China,

took

the

twins

coffee

dearer

was

time, and

that

threw

and

I 'd

and

school

it seemed

so

took

mother

diah has been

up

to

good

be the best

religious, though you 've cost

dollars
and fifty
three hundred
"

we

"

then

"

and

well,

"

just

we

n't any

market

Isaac to be

to

sent

thing,though your
it at
and

you, I 'm sure,

to

we?

seems

it,I know, about

pretty badly about

on

many

was

for eggs ; besides doctor's billsand

Jed

of us, it

Nancy,

seen

there

of

matter

sellingfor nothing;

away,

about

Uncle

didn't

little

ever

butter

milk

our

than

when

forget how

summer,

Mary Ann,

was

wonder, for the

'most

next

do

you

great many

than

little shaver

either,about

more,

fashions

were

year,

GHOSTS.

much

small

such

that

me,

buried

Maine

There

you.

there

and

were

AND

don't know

though it 's

"

that,you
to

WOMEN,

MEN,

him
a

first.

Jede-

broughtyou
spending
sight,
at

year

Amherst

College.
But,
about

as

going to

was

'41,

long while coming

an

old man,

"

to

I started

to

talk

truth, Johnny, I 'm

tell the

to

"

say, when

it,I believe.

little of

I 'm

always a
gettingto be

coward, maybe, and

times,
some-

nights,and think it over,

As I was
it 's just like the toothache, Johnny.
ing,
sayI do believe it
that wick
if she had cut
straight,
would n't have
happened, though it is n't that I
I sit alone

when

here

"

to

mean

I'd

lay the

been

out

thingsup

at

blame

on

work

all

for to-morrow

her

day
;

now.

about

there

ing
place,slick-

the
was

gap

in the

236

WOMEN,

MEN,

in,just as well

as

locked

fence, and
I gave

"

the

GHOSTS.

I tinkered

did,

doors,and
knock

fingera

my

AND

barn-yard

in to supper.

went

with

the

up

the

hammer, which

had

something to do with it,for a man

he 's been green
does n't feel very good-naturedwhen
enough to do a thinglike that,and he does n't like to
if there is anything I can't
But
say it aches either.
bear it is lamp-smoke ; it always did put me
out, and
I expect it always will.
Nancy knew what a fuss I
have

may

made

it,and she

about

hector

it.

with

me

She

but I did n't.

the tallow

better than
I

and

was

my

last

the

about
the

walking back
pullingat her

rest

night.

I liked

it

candle.

in, stampingoff the

came

all in there

Ann,

it

too, because

purpose,

So

always very careful not to

I ought to have remembered
that,
had lightedthe
lamp on
company
was

fire,
"

baby

forth with

gown.

You

the

him, with

Mary

Nancy

was

little Nancy

baby then, I

the

were

they were

twins, and

sick,and

was

and

and

snow,

lieve,
be-

a
baby, and I
Johnny ; but there always was
black with
don't rightly
The
remember.
so
was
room
swimming
smoke, that they all looked as if they were
round
and round
in it. I guess
coming in from the
a
me
cold, and the pain in my fingerand all,it made

bit sick.
blew
"

and
to

out

At
the

any

rate, I threw

as
light,

mad

Nancy," said I, "- this

you might have known

see

what

you

were

about.

as

room

the window

open

and

hornet.

stranglea dog,

would

it,if

you

There,

'd had
now

two

! I 've

eyes

tipped

THE

IN

lamp

the

and

over,

GKAY

just get

you

237

GOTH.

cloth and

wipe

up

the oil."
Dear

"

spoke

in

taking on

stuff,and
than

the

Nancy
used

bear

deal

good

don't

You

speakinglike

that!

the top of
knew

we

ending;
We
there
your
and

it was

and

sat

how

I hate
about

more

the

last

the
me

night

of woman,

that

fellow ; but

she

than

she

more

was

deserve

to

she, with

says

cared

be

about,

cheeks

her

as

mother
some

last

to

can

at

supper

maple

fritters

well

night,but

never

knew

never

smoking

"

in

enough
I

thingsthat they don't say.

as
glum as pump-handles
,

"

molasses

children.

the

look

fritters

some

were

Mary Ann's
and littleNancy was
ing
cryher lungs,with the baby tuning in,
n't
time to stop. But stoppingwas

folks

down

; I knew

my

done," says

.as

at
so

have

to

from

"

peat-coals.
That
was
rightbefore
as
big as saucers,
eyes were

red

anyway."

cared

sometimes, and

could stand.
for

n't notice

sort
gentle-spoken
patient,

fire up

to

and
fretting

it this way

with

up

let

smoking, but

was

know

have

to

don't

in."

was

would

You

she

he 's been

ought

"

ever.

me

going

before

sorry it

you

ought

you
choke

to

and

justwhat

than

I, madder

Please, Aaron,

thing about it ;
last hour, I did

's

That

"

I 'm

baby.

on

so

she, lightinga candle, and

soft,too.

knew

never

said

very

up

the cold
I

!"

me

one

it

was

had

hot

anybody beat
off the

of the best

just on
a

word

stove,

cups
chiny tea-

purpose
to

say,

for
and

238

MEN,

crumbed

Nancy

cheeks

Her

blaze

they

put out,

are

to

appears

Deborah,

aunt

she used

up

to

did n't

which
That

to

as

go

seem
was

supper

mouthfuls
a

was

walk

to

she

very

up

justthe

and

down

she

have

been

day.

I did n't think

about

such

him.

I can't

place.

thingswhen

just eat

the best
I took

her

her

sat

them

between

the

with

him

with

man

him

all

does

n't

it is n't in

"

in her

the

maple
ought not to

justsure,

and

"

lasses,
mo-

use

then

corner.

children

bed

to

they

great deal of bother, squirming off of her

lap and running round

hold

she

in the

puttingthe

with

if I 'd been

fritters and

down

supper,

out

's angry,

but I 'm not

piny,

effect.

room

it then ;

she would
the

ten-month-old,and

I told her

me

chiny cup,
my pipe,and

I watched
made

up

to

seems

"

but

say

the

your

flustered

was

same

tuckered

he

was

that track

on

drearysort of
Nancy getting up

think

notice

just

in women,

something like

all over,
have

looked

there

; now,

say that when

to

if

as

help looking

to, for she

get

heavy little chap for

must

could n't

there, I won't

red

baby crying,and

the

he

far

only so

now,

but

"

jerk.

it seemed

great difference

is in hens

there

as

with

always are pretty when

then
ain't ; it
again, some

and

"

bread

whiter

any

women

there 's

me

much

very

children's

"

pictur. Some

GHOSTS.

I
rightup,
pretended not

them, for all I

like

the

up

did n't grow

they would
at

AND

WOMEN,

and

barefoot.

talk to them

I felt good-natured,
but I

and

justsat

Sometimes

help her
and

I used
a

to

bit,when

smoked, and

let

IN

them

alone.

wick,

and

"

all worked

was

thought,you

there

was

if she had

cut

for
feelings
for her,

me

se.e,

about

up

if she
need

no

had

that

lamp-

n't had

any

of my

having

the wick, I 'd have

the

n't cut

babies ; she had

239

GOTH.

GRAY

THE

wick, and

any

taken

I would

the

n't take

might see it if she wanted to, and think

pleased. I had been badly treated,and I

the babies ; she

what

she

meant

to

it.

show

It is strange,

strange, how

very

of

taking care
about
to

Johnny,

me

it since
a

rights.

I Ve

been

good

many

see

I had

I Ve

to

be

me

always
deal

thoughta great

growing old, and

things we

to

seem

it is in this world

easy

our

reallydoes

it

'd better

there

seems

look

after

fust.
But

you

I sat

in the

can't

say but what

idea ; for when

up

and

Nancy

the young

that out

felt very
had
ones

in

much

pretty much
were

'41,and
abused.
the

all in bed

at

so

same

last,

knittingand sat down the other side of

fire,sort of turning her head round and looking
if she were
at the ceiling,
as
trying her best to

she took
the

corner,

n't found

her

I
she had when
That
was
a way
forgetI was there.
and we
went
was
alongto huskingstogether,
courting,
with the moon
shininground.
Well, I kept on smoking, and she kept on looking
and nobody said a word for a while, till
at the ceiling,
by and by the fire burnt down, and she got up and
put on a fresh log.
You
're dreadful wasteful with the wood, Nancy,"
"

240

MEN,

I, bound

says

say

GHOSTS.

and that

something cross,

all

was

think of.

I could

Take

"

to

AND

WOMEN,

of your

care

fire,then," says

own

she,

and

throwing the log down

standingup as straight
as
I think it 's a pity if you have n't
she could stand.
anything better to do, the last night before going in,
than to pick everythingI do to piecesthis
way, and I
tired enough to drop,carryingthat great cryingchild
all day. You
in my
of
arms
ought to be ashamed
u

Hollis ! "

Aaron
yourself,

given up,
I

cried

if she had

Now

bear

againstthe grain.
the cryingsort, and
She just stood up
as

Queen Victory,

no,

little,
very

that would

and

could

never

"

see

did n't feel like it that

there

like ice,and

matter

what

the

had

rightof

up

said,I guess.

hard

too, and
A

there,I
a

man

folks,and I put my

chimney-shelfso
I stood

it

myself; but

other

of

one

"

the
of

n't

was

night.
as
fireplace,
proud
O
her, Johnny,

I don't blame

likes to hear that from

snap

mother

by

never

the

cry ; it goes

woman

she

to

on

of it,for

your

ashamed

been

the end

But

ought

pipe down

been
a

her ; she

I don't blame
have

to

have

like I should have

man's

said

I heard
"

but

it
no

quarrelswith
the

Scripture
other folks not. intermeddling. They 'ro
says about
anybody else
things,in my opinion,that don't concern
as
a
general thing,and I could n't tell what I said
do
what
she said,and I 'd rather not
without
telling
mother
Your
that.
as
was
good and patient-tempered
his wife

always make

me

think

of what

IN

woman

as

it

it,and

I that

was

mean

words

I would

had

we

hour, tillwe

an

n't stand

have

had

it, and

struck

it back

and

angered each

I lifted up

her if she had

my

n't been

woman.

Well,"

"

I,

says

day I married you,

spoke a true word in
the

understand

Johnny,

I 'd

"

forgetit ;

in the

and

and

that

that

invested

for

and

if I

me

look

mother

had

stock

there

cold

thrown
so
still,

world,
coupon

could

anyway

never

out

on

looked

she

as

of

her before,

saw

in her

water

white

all sorts

'most

since,look

All the blaze went

somebody

could

I can't.

her

saw

the

give

all those

but I
of her life,

never

ever

if you

now

I 'd

without.
world

course

truth,if

life! "

my

your

'm sorry for the

's the

give the

seen

that minute.

stood

Nancy Hollis,I

but I said it,and

Well, I 've
ways

rest

Jedediah

bonds

"

told you

n't have

I would

if

Besides,my

on.

about ; but

I could

so

up
"

she did n't

'11hurry alongjusthere, for it 's not

forth there for half

hand,

her

set

think

I like to

other

241

GOTH.

of the two.

Well, well, I
time

GRAY

lived,Johnny, and

ever

worst

were

THE

cheeks, as

it,and

she

would

thought she

drop.
"Aaron

breath,
"

"
"

"Aaron

further ; she
on

with

hold

both

herself

"
"

but

justcaught hold
her
up
ll

stoppedto

began, and

she

hands,

as

by it,and

catch

she

could

of

littleshawl

if she

walked

n't

her

get any
she had

thought she

could

rightout

of the

242

I knew

room.

had

she

and

shut the door.

with

my

hands

Doodle.

Your

folks, Johnny
and

got another

was

smoked
When

used

to

was

man,

young

like

So

queer

the

up

I went

gayest

the closet

to

upstairstill it

first,I won't, and

up

so.

Very likelyshe said

sort
a
was
spirited
there

other

the
of

"

when

and

man

danger,and

death

temper

was

sworn

had

whole

loved

winter,

between

perhaps,coming

't."

mother

enemies

"

too

on

your

wife who

for fifteen years,

true

beat.

was

end

her

like

more

be

to

If she won't

myself,

thing,for

same

were,

we

it,but I

that 's the

woman

other than

againsteach

Johnny, I used
n't bear to give up

I says to

make

and

whistled

brute, and I knew

say

each

minutes

were

I did n't go

pipe,and

spunky to

so

men

say

Then

the wust.

pf fellow that could

I 'd acted

up ;

few

out.

that sort

there

her

pockets, whistling Yankee

they always

they felt

when

I stood

my

mother

bed, for I heard

to

gone

go up

in

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

us,

too.

It may
to

me

more

up

seem

when
than

into

my

way,

your

do,

how

"

and

into worse,
a

Johnny,

you,

folks

out

of

any

little things; but

man

how

thirds of all the divorce

up

it did

themselves

work

can

of such

if it 's

"

did n't know

and

that knows

woman

justgrow

lamp-wick.

to

age,

great quarrelsout

opinion,two

law-books
that

was

you

they do, and

own

queer

very

thingsno

likes his

who
to

talk.
cases

It 's
in th(

biggerthai

244

with

pretty ideas,

very

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

GHOSTS.

But

pretty.

very

"

take it as

what
more
general thing, they don't know
any
they 're talkingabout than they do about each other,
about each other than
and they don't know
any more
in the moon.
They begin
they do about the man
a

very nice,with
a

their

do, and

little*
mending to
talk ; but

to

About
and

that

find

to

of habits

down

by

and

babies, and

the

come

that

be

to

by

the shine

worry

and

there

one

year

off.

wears

and

wills and
It takes

three

to

Then

temper.

little acquainted,

two

fitted somehow.

along from
together. As

ings
earlyeven-

wear

be

are

teaspoons, and

home

coming

they begin to

time
out

carpets and

new

to

two

them

sets

where
any-

get jostled

for

smoothing off,there 's more

less of that to be done always.
or
Well, I did n't sleepvery well that night,dropping
The
into naps and waking up.
baby was
worrying
his teeth every half-hour, and Nancy gettingup
over
him off to sleepin her arms,
it was
the only
to walk
"

way

you

be hushed

would

till somebody did

Now,

it

that I had
used

to

have

sendingher
some

times

let her do that

way

off to

folks say.

you

'd lie and

yell

it.

n't many

was

up, and

since

gettingup
sleep. It is
know

'd been

ried
mar-

thingall nightlong.

of

I don't

we

take my

to

n't

turn, and

man's

business,

anything about that;

brain in book learning

maybe, if I 'd been broiling

my
all day tillcome
night,and I was
sleepanyhow, like the parson
my

hard

put

to

it to get

there,it would

n't ;

IN

all I know

but

in the

next
to

GRAY

is,what

245

GOTH.

if I had been

breakingmy

potato-patchsince morning

her's

the

over

hours'

THE

oven

and

sound

sleep? I
day, just as well

there

of my

nothing

say

n't

was

muscle,

and

"

Howsomever
her
letting

that

anything
see

her

do

so

nine

without

it

the

ironing,
fellow,

stout

"

round

be, I

may

need

saw

blue veins

by herself,and
pretended that I was

giving in,and

I could

could

miles

those

that

feel like
nor

she

do it

shut, and

if I did

chop and

for ten

she with

she 'd broken

so

being a great

chap

what

could
as

back

with

her forehead.

on

n't

was

my

lay with

used

to

eyes

my

for I did n't

asleep;

speakingup gentle,not

about

else.

though, between

and
eyelashes,

my

her
lay there, every time I woke up, and watched
walking back and forth,back and forth,up and down,
with

the

heavy

little fellow

in her

arms,

I 'm gone

to

all

night

long.
Sometimes, Johnny, when
a

of

now

gown
night,I think I see her in her white nightshawl pinned over
her shoulders
with her red-plaid
the baby, walking up and down, and up
and over

winter

and

I shut

down.
them

open

woke

have

earlyin

been

Nancy

up.

eyes, but

my

again, but

off very

was

it could

the

make

up

the

we

she

all the

morning ;

breakfast

my

fire,and

there

after three

much
had

her

see

except the coffee,and

to

bed

is, and

same.

I don't think

o'clock when

all laid out

night,
over-

ha"d fixed it that I

get off without

was

waking her,

246

MEN,

if the baby
I wanted
that

was

before

was

The

room

just how

least,that

gray

be up,

"

any

words

and

still, I remember

between

us.

"

looked, with

Nancy's
lyinground.

the

the way

was

it she should

to

there 'd been

very

GHOSTS.

At

stuck

she

was

it

bad.

very

it ; but

AND

WOMEN,

clothes

on

chair,

She had got hirri

baby's shoes
off to sleepin his cradle,and had dropped into a nap,
poor thing! with her face as white as the sheet, from
and

watching.
I

stopped when

the

and

room,

Johnny !
it again,
the

words

round

be

five months

kiss it once,

"

was

in

freshets,and

the

thought, you

need

n't

wish

I had

done

I 'd done
turned
We
whole
was

But

it,yet.

round

and

going in

on

fast I walked

the stars,

at

pretty fast,
"

I did n't think

and
of

down

"

tryingnot

I stood there

get

n't

any

see

held in.
over

at

the

in my
sun

to

anythingelse.

ing
wishI

shut the door.

team.

hands
the

"

the
post-office,

quitea spellto walk.

I had

my

up,

just too proud,and

was

Stokes's

Bob
with

meet

of us, and

gang

I can't

"

out, and

went

going to

were

alongup

it,Johnny,

the

see, if I

her

wake

her breath

if she had

stir to her than

white,

so

long time before I should see

there
were
a long time ; then

So
better.
maybe I should go off feeling
I could
looking: she was
lying so still,
more

of

night.
"

it

it,

at

risk,coming down

I 'd said last

should

dressed, half-way out

was

looked

It would

"

was

was

think

I remember

how

pockets,looking
puttingthem out
But
of Nancy.

IN

It
to

was

GRAY

early,that

so

along,and
There

said

difference that

that time.

us,

none

their

but

"

and

their

of

Beadle

anybody,

their

n't

would

n't

gin-bottles
Yankee

along the river,with

they

catch

any

he had

when

of

most

were,

what

know

to

for want

about

were

of

meant

voting

us

to

go up

of

"

off that

looking gang
morning

sightof pains with

it should

bother

stitch for

me

me

in

every

it that should

Yes, though I say

all

farms

five dollars to the parson

fine

and

in

"

members

as

came

knowing the difference,nor visa

To say nothing of Bob
Stokes, and Holt, and
another
being
fellow, I forgethis name,
in good and
reg'larstanding,and paying in

vussy.

our

with

he

solid,Down-East

our

did
day. You
new-fangledtickets

Whig,

me,

Dove

hickory,with

'lection

on

say

that gang,

just,on

blundering Irish, that

from

schooling enough

your

us

thing on woodland
we
Good, steady men

pockets,

heads, owning

to

make

well,when

up

nigh

his shoulder.

should

Beadle.

and

of your

maple

there

was

the heaviest

about

know

lived

good morning.

for Dove

did about

"

she

crying on

twenty-one of

were

contract

in

and

Stokes, but I snapped him

Bob

on

what

know

don't

"

"

folks about

she

wife,

the road,

good-by, kissingof him,

n't many

was'

Stokes's

the office,justacross

247

GOTH.

there

off; but Bob

us

see

THE

as

red

our

my

any

quarter, charitable.
n't say

shirt,sewing it

ripping,and

all winter.

The

Nancy

"

took

stout, for fear

up

I with

boys

were

county, starting

in the

uniform,

it,we

nobody

went

to

off in

take

good

248

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

GHOSTS.

out of sightof town, and

spirits,
singingtillthey were
waving their caps at their wives and babies standing
in the window
I did n't sing. I
along on the way.
that
to me
seems
thought the wind blew too hard,
"

the reason,

was

for I had

reason,

had

I 'm

"

there

sure

voice of my

have

must

in those

own

been

days,and

led the choir

perpetualfor five years.

n't goingin
We
and Beadle's
were
very deep ; Dove
lots layabout thirty
miles from the nearest
house ; and
a
lonelysort of placethat was too, five miles
straggling,
with nobody but a dog and a deaf
of the village,
out
old

in it.

woman

had

been

in

Sometimes,

hundred

as

miles from

telling
you,

was

human

any

we

creature

but ourselves.
It took
oxen

so

and

many

days

two

us

the

teams

and

loaded

were

the

It

expect it to, reasonable.

days,growing

the air,when
trees

the

blazed

were

pines;

prompt

Dove

the

bonfire

with

mother

would

kept

It 's queer,

the

Beadle

in

snow

The

lonelyplace.

and

is warm,

the woods

I used

maples.

away

always had

It 's pretty work

of it when

n't hear
me

ugly

pretty thick,I remember, especially

and

sun

you

of your

one

in the

up

than

more

with
o'clock,

four

at

hauled

in October.

while

it

we

dark

was

know

I don't

"

the

well, with

down

pork-barrels
;
pork for heftingdown

axes

anything like
gray

though,with

get there

to

so

Johnny,

to

that done

up

going in

ing
blaz-

like

great

like it,but your

she could

self,
help her-

long.

how

we

do

remember

things

IN

that

ain't of

if it

as

looked
one,

the

that

more

oxen

three

thari two

or

and

the

the horses

and
had

remember,

spry to

get

by

one

rightsbefore

to

"

three

in

had

snow

place,

one

drifted in;

with

their heads

whinnyingfor

were

Bob

Stokes's

hangingdown,

their

Holt

supper.

going,
making fires, and

nobody like Holt for

were
hurrying round

often have

they were

"

of his great brush-fires

one

plainly
everything
as

up,

shanties, they don't

faggedout

were

but I

work

to

were

empty,

GOTH.

down.

went

There

account

no

went

we

sun

GRAY

yesterdaymorning, just how

night,when the teams came

were

and

THE

"

there

was

the

boys
in their red shirts,
shoutingat
the oxen, and singinga little,
of them low,under
some
their breath,to keep their spirits
There was
snow
up.
far

as

as

could

you

The

sky

Five

"

says
"

in

Bob
're

you

Sure

givingthat

creatur, and
told Bob

very

the

just drawing
with

likelyI

up

her

the red cushion

11*

"

around

was

as

little
close

see,

But

anv

pitch.

as

five months

you,

on

on

I could

I knew

"

arm

my

his

!"

Hollis ?

hay

he said I acted like

did.

snow

without

black

with

molasses

You

reason.

was

regularnor'easter.

great slap

ox

and

I was,

there

"

'ere

and

matter

Stokes, with

enough

it

and all
cart-path,

myself,

I to

's the

time

for

the bushes

months," said

What

the

straightall

up

leaves,and under
"

down

"

settingin

now,

stood

trees

see,

into the woods

around, and away

in the

"

"

dazed

n't have

Nancy

was

rocking-chair the one

by the fire,sittingthere
"

250

the children

with
knew

for it

that

so

words

up.

for the

tea

I gone

ever

then.

thirtymiles away.
months, thirtymiles away,
she

sorry, and

he sorry five

And

if I 'd tried hard

in without

sorry for them

was

boil.

to

crying away softlyin the dark,

could see
her, to think of the

was

'd said,and

we

GHOSTS.

help knowing,

of them

none

of them
was

n't

she

how

"

wait

to

I could

"

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

making
Johnny, I

I 'd got to

was

and

could

n't

let her know.

The
and
to

boys

was

it any

over

if I

I could

was.

think I could

to

way,

that first week,

company

poor

n't wonder

I should

get

said I

n't

seem

n't let her

know.
If I could
message,
there

"

n't any

was

we

should

did

But

long time, unless

had

n't expect to, for

letter,or

felt better.

have

of that this

chance

of

scrap

pork or fodder,and

of

out

which

her

sent

something,I

or

got

we

have

to

send

down,

'd laid in

we

more

than usual.
had

We

with,for

the worst
I

It seemed

if there

Storm
half

of the

storms

kept in, and

as

work

pretty rough weeks'

two

never

their

saw

'd

after storm, blow

after

day'ssunshine, and

well tired of it before

like,before
an

end

blow, freeze

then

or

since.

to

them.

after freeze ;

it

again!

they stopped;

it made

at

begin

in, and

set

season

be

never

to

We
the

were

boys

homesick.

However,
are

we

kept

at

work

pretty brisk,

n't the fellows to be put out

"

for

men
lumber-

snow-storm,

252

fire

in

was

eaten,

their

along

under

ten

They
the

to

deal about

I 'm
could

huts

like

mother,
when

or

as

heads

our

round

fire,
"

in

row.

baby's cob-house,with
I used

think

to

saying;

was

the rest

off

were

as

great

sometimes
sound

I
as

and
Maybe it was foolish,
told anybody of it ; but I
n't have
that something might
of the notion
to

her.

before

me

those words

five months

out,

were

unforgiven.
I

sleep,I

to

went

her, walking back

about

sloped down,

feet to the

our

together.

perhaps, when

Then,
dream

up

about

her

I with

and

in

n't get rid

to

to

in under

lay with

shanty,all

I would

happen

roof

we

told

then

turned

of

us

it, and

they
got sleepyearly,

we

The

supper

jokes;

and

lie awake

sure

their

little eaves,

your

think

When

around

up

so

know, with

out.

o'clock,and

ten

or

ground ;

the

hut, you

cards ;

the

built the

top, and

and

blankets.

logs fitted

would

cracked

our

twelve

or

and

nine

with

know,

you

all sat

backgammon

about

the roof

of the

boys

sang,

GHOSTS.

let the smoke

to

the

and

stones,
had

roof

the

hole

in

the middle

rightin

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

and

would
and

forth, up

down, in her nightgown and littlered shawl, with the

great heavy baby in her
So it went
I

the

day

and

talking.

saw

boys

"

What

's the matter

"

Pork

's

Beadle

the last of

along tillcome

one

"

arms.

all

"

given out,"

January, when
in

standinground

heap,

says I.
says

got that last lot from

Bob,
Jenkins

with

whistle.

there,his

son-

IN

GKAY

THE

253

GOTH.

.in-law,and it 's sp'ilt.I could have

Never

knew

Jenkins

by anybody yet."
's going down
Who
u

felt the blood

"

Cullen

all

run

over

"

do

to

said

thing
I

I, stopping short.

his mind

up

that beforehan

the fair

face,like

my

has n't made

told him

woman's.

yet," says Bob,

walking off.
Now

would

who

there

see

you

n't

jump

n't

was

home

for half

much

of

man

the chance

at

for them, and

the winter

to

for

hope

could

there

so

up
in

run

n't

was

to
straight

I went

But

me.

ground

go ; it broke

they

sometimes

hour, drivingby

an

the

on

Mr.

Cullen.
late !

Too

"

Just

it

speaking up quick ;

business

just

was

Jacobs," said he,

Jim

promised

to

him,

you

know.
\

I turned

off,and

believed

have

I could

have

Cullen

looked

"

I did n't say

it,I
felt

cut

so

round

Hilloa, Hollis !

at
"

had

would
carry

take
it

I went

littlething.

"

What

's to pay

sir," says I, and

walked

off,

said he

good

anythingI 'd give him, and

and
I went
when
night came
off a
pencil,and Holt tore me

care

Mr.

Cullen's

off among

alone.

Jim

He

*'

with

bit of clean brown

and

it,that

little talk

straight. So

borrowed

such

n't

sharp.

me

you,

believed

have

about

up

said he.

".Nothing,thank
whistling.
I

would

never

I would

word.

of

paper
the

he found
trees

in the

with

flour-barrel,

it alone.

I built

254

littlefire for

little brown

I wrote,

it is curious

"

twenty years ago

Dear

"

the

"

that

"

paper

up.

than

it did
a

see

but

these
of

one

every

than

more

Dear

"

"

down

and

folded the brown

like

Abimelech," though ;

to

if

"

like

went

And

logs
anyhow, so I just wrote

look

that I

"

the

on

n't

wrote,

Nancy,

all back.

It did
"

n't do

singing. The

much

it,

corner,

singleletter I

After

and

should,and that

was

that

in the

down

I could

I remember

now

finish

n't

"

Aaron

write.

it,and I take them

over

could

to

noise

"

anythinghappens coming
I

and
huckleberry-bush,

"

Nancy,"

can't get

n't hold

would

paper

the words

them,

snow

shanty,with

it in the

were

the

on

GHOSTS.

of

myself out

there

down

sat

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

more

any

not

"

"

Aaron

"

for I did n't

one.

bed, and

wished

Jim

was

Jacobs.

Next
and
"

"

"

morning somebody

there

"

You

and

was

be

think

and

says
eat

sick with

pork

must

with

push,

I, with

jump,

breakfast,"said he

your

his cold."

to

be back

when

get breakfast,and

stood

here

morrow,
day after to-

spry," said he.

I was,
Johnny.

just eight o'clock

time

orders.

the

so

I rather

some

up

said I.

"

It

man,

is down

Oh!"

!"

Cullen

Why, Mr.
Hurry up,

"

me

the boss.

was

Jacobs

woke

I started ; it took

feed the nags,

there, slappingthe

snow

and
with

get
my

IN

THE

whip, crazy

to

be

Cullen

to

say.

had

They
two,

gave

and

thing,

the

for

been

going in, as

the

for the snow,

in two

days,but

knees

in the

in among

"I

"

snow

was

gullies,
you

anywhere.

could

So

have

must

that

general

; it

the

creatures'
the road,

four-foot

was

If it had n't

off from

stick

but

thingthrough

to

up

they did
Wednesday night.

before

says

the

put the

.Mr.

n't

ground

Stokes's.

have

might

the

on

shady placesall along;

the

down

had

we

"

team
lightest
than Bob
considerably
lighter1
"

last of what

horses,

two

tougher

are

255

GOTH.

off,hearing the

me

oxen

"

GRAY

n't look for

ure
meas-

back

me

pork Wednesday night sure,"

Cullen.

Well, sir,"says I,
Providence

noon,

"

shall have

you

permitting; and

it

Wednesday

shall have

you

it

Wednesday night anyway."

"

will have

You

said he,

Bess

all the

the times

nags

"

started

the hill ;

well
to

as
see

with the

the
snow

off

ever

on

knew

I looked

afraid,"

whipping

was

the

were

saw

round

they

ought

"

have

to

as

horses, and

of

the
Beauty was
trot, slewing along

going

were

back,

them, and

it.

boys standinground
behind

in, I 'm

sure

over

they

"

that

they

I did.

I 'm

I 'd been

ugly

ugliest
down

I ; and

Beauty

it

the road, I suppose

righton

and

do

to

clouds, just as

the

right,"said

All

been, for

as

're all

You

up.
"

lookingat

storm

we

turned

the

in their red

the fire and

just

home

ner,
cor-

shirts,

the shan-

256

MEN,

I felt a mite

ties.

more

any

the

face

snow

was

had

clouds

fallen

already,

far

you

as

could

before

I could

them

see

there

were

human

see

the road

about

it ?

that

was

snow

the trees.

it

keep

to

he had

been

they said,and .wandered

Goth, and

they did
heap

went

over,

n't find

of bones

buried,and

him

she
is

There

place like

no

storm

down

on

don't

mind

the

there 's
was

whirl

first few
of

minding

Johnny,
ago, that

be, and

when

she

does.

pleased.

did n't think

just as sorry

so
now

are

it than

knew

was

bringinga
thick

so

she
her

as

is up.

I used
it

to

for what

to

call

was

her,

long time
surprisedshe 'd
be pleased. I

seems

would

you

know,

usual,for I

thinkinghow

poorlyof
as

for

the wind

girl,but

was

woods

that 's what

was

to

away

flakes,till,first you

less about
"

her

and

so

the trees

'em, and

thinkingof Nannie,

take

little

and
horribly,
everywhere.

the

quick ;

you

feet;

home

taken

talked

round

bones

saw

Gray

hundred

them

she

"

into the

"

to

'37,

trees,

spring, just

by they had

hospitalin Portland,

thought

had

in

was

blazed

up

two

was

till

not

his wife

and

by

it

as

heard

never

It

somehow

away
"

Ben

hunting

out

had

Something made
on, lookingalong

straight.You
Poor

Ben

flakes

purple,deep in

was

Gurnell, as I drove

Poor

the

few

"

under

see-

of Ben

think

and
still,

ugly look,

an

and

"

down

dead

so

cross

I could n't

again.

The

me

GHOSTS.

lonelywhen

of it to

thirtymiles

AND

WOMEN,

suppose

had

she

was

n't

happened.

IN

knew

well

down

her

put her

THE

GRAY

enough how
sewing with

she

about

arms

would

neck

.and throw

jump

little scream,

my

257

GOTH.

and

cry,

the snow,

for

and

run

and

couldn't

and

help herself.
So I did n't mind

out, tillall at

once

into my

and

eyes
"

about
I looked

stung

me,

it

"

something slashed

and

up,

planningit all

sleet.

was

myself,with a whistle, it was

well enough
a
very long whistle, Johnny ; I knew
then it was
no
piay- work I had before me till the sun
"Oho!

down,

went

That
an

said I to

tillmorning either.

nor

about

was

"

noon,

it could n't have

"

since I 'd eaten

hour

dinner

my

for I could n't bear to waste

road

The
trees

ago,
trees

looked

one

see,

clearingthere

years

off among
as

the

another, for
over

my

they 're stung too

see
with,and I must

don't

You

be cold.

to

road

the

after

"

they 're good for nothing to

if I meant
to keep that road.

It began

driving,

inch, and

visor down

pulledmy

sleet out,

the

keep

eyes to

like

much

as

of that.

the matter

much

an

wide, white, level placeswound

and
;

there

thin ; there 'd been

were

it

time.

n't broken

was

I eat

half

been

know

what

warm

gentleman's

it is to

be cold,you
Ve

life you
used

was

The

to

wind

don't, Johnny,
I

lived.

used

was

January, but
blew

The

sleet blew

your

neck, in

from

every

like

in the

that

to
was

the ocean,
way,

"

Maine
what

forests,and I
I call cold.

as
straight

into

knife into your

your

arrow.

an

eyes,

down

I could

cheeks.
Q

258

MEN,

feel the

cut

stiff

was

ice in

to

Bess

crunching in

snow

turned

AND

WOMEN,

the

on

GHOSTS.

under

neck, and

the

pasteboardbefore

as

crisp,
give

runners,

reached

minute.

the

out

sleeve
bent

to

of

coat

my
elbow

my

up

again.
looked

If you
with

in under

looked
a

if

as

snap

sky, your
'd

somebody

the

minute, and

the

at

up

shot

the

them.

could

trees, you

shut

were

eyes

the

see

purple shadows.

If you
icicles

looked

If you

straightahead, you could n't see a thing.

By and by I thought I had dropped the _reins I
looked at my
hands, and there I was
holdingthem
,

tight. I

knew

then

that

it

time

was

to

and

out

get

walk.
after

did n't try much

of

was

no

for

use,

in your

of 'em

twenty

the

dark.

Bess

well

did, so

I had

as

sleet

to

to

wink

Beauty
trust

knew

deaf

it

the

road

was
as

thought

I 'd counted
n't reach

the

old woman's.

There

was

justout

man

of

walking just so beside his

folks said, after
walking,some
and

it

then

them.

to

coming near the clearingwhere

I could
in case
puttingup overnight,

on

be

I must

ahead

look

fine, like needles,

was

at

eye

and

growing

that

they

found

him

I would

have

thought

of that

walking on.

frozen up

given

good

just then.

Bangor
team,

and

he

breath

the

fore,
be-

the winter

kept

on

gone,

was

against the sleigh-poles

deal

if I

But

need

did, and

n't have
I

kept

260

MEN,

that

did

night it

natural

I woke

tongue

was

breakfast.

slammed

far

as

of the

head.

Just

back

without

whinnying
slow, we

bone

for her

"

must

night;

in the
little,

up

down

There

go.

into

out

squeezed through

I went

it

little, I

was

it into the snow,

arms,

"

pole lying

about

came

drew

and

I waited
snowed

and

"

n't shovel

wait

up

to

it up.

It snowed

night. It was
again into the

I did n't
third

about

Nannie.

would

jump

I
up

the

drift.

sun

run

the

something
out
to-day.

when

I went

all

day, and it
I pushed the
back and lay

care.

out, and

came

going

was

and

snowing

to

seem

day

them

I shut

till to-morrow.

till to-morrow.

all
out

Beauty, and
n't help it,

I could
I could

"

lie down

I must

and

Bess

to

I told them

ailed my

The

My

six feet.

door.

down.

ice.

was

creaked

It

back.

in the

I sunk

I went

door

on

how."

"

Goth.

down

me,

shanty stood

I could

as

there,blown
*ny

The

out.

highestpart

was

feet,and every

my

door.

the

open

great drift,and

\rent

any

"

limped

n't swallow

I, very

says

to-night

"

pushed

and

as

Bess,"

"

get home

to

up

shingle.
looking hard at

was

Bess

door

thoughtI

and

over,

I could

so

up

crawled

stiffas

morning

turned

swollen

was

strangling.I
me

through the

in

stare

in the

up

I stirred and

fire.

of

life.

as

When

in

kind

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

and

to

thought

surpriseher.

put her

arms

about

She
my

IN

took

neck.

hands

and

like

dug

261

GOTH.

shovel, and

knees.

it

crawled

out

down, and

that, I understood.

life,and

fell

over

it 's not

I 'd

never

had

strange that I should

all

came

over

in

me

out.

through. Nobody could hear.

I might shout.
By and by the
Nancy would not come.
Nancy

Nancy

I should

and

I struck
her

more

and

yelled it

into

the

known

never

into the

out

was

very

day

true,

out, and
her

I think
the

fever

!"
was

year

I must
the

over

and

go

know.

now.

shouted

out

crawled

out

my

year,

upon

long as

as

have

over,

"

God

not

words

burn

up

I could starve.

fever.

not

"

true, I say,
last words

long
she

I loved

"

her, my

to

as

day
she

in and

bered
remem-

remembered

pretty nearlymad

gone

thinking.

saying,tillthe

I could

I could n't face,

as

there

I fell down

Almighty

knowing

'd

who

man,

those to remember,

lay groaning.

log, and
I

spoken

husband,

and

placewith

left her

last ; I had

might call,

up

freeze.

I loved her

I 'd

and

I could

did not

stout-hearted

awfulness

nor

that ; but

that, not
her

n't have

fire would

make

Then

I could

fear.

n't death

air,and

out.

was

there alone in the horrid

It

it

on

drift.

Johnny,

I tell you,

kiss and

never

arm

my

name,

once

my

fever in

minute, I think.

n't shovel
and

on

before.

known
It

the

GRAY

baby.

After
my

THE

what

in
strangled

my

thing.
any-

with
like

mighty
Al-

God
it was

that

throat.

262

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

"

"

day, I

Next

with

was

hands

my

so

the

as

hut

on

a helpless
heap, into the
before,and fell,

that I

had

and

than

when

I knew

how

and

I used
from
the

to

the

I clawed

scoop

blew

at

n't reach
her.

saw

only some
that spark

breath.

One

One

day

of the

door

Sometimes

Then

home

matter,

no

dead

to
no

was

nails from

the

of, and
n't

then

and

stiff.
and

about

little
Then

more.

had

had

Beauty

rotten
a

up

n't much

the wind

Bess

seeingBess,

blew

in.

fallen down

had

I shut

gone.

old

up.

little spark. I

out, and

it up

eat

used

kept

pull any

up

side of

other

wood

"

and

I woke

Beauty

long while,

somehow

the

the

"

pushed out
up

"

my

eyes.

I can't

member
re-

well.
I

thought Nancy

shawl, walking round

out.

wards
after-

expected

down

when

snow

was

coals,

I don't think I cared

very

and

But

"

nights,I

I knew

sent

round.

Then

nightit went
opened my eyes,

in the corner,

she

bread

chipswith my
made
logs the shanty was
blaze.
By and by I could
were

after

many

dead.

little

up

out

there

I did

as

that.

stupors. The

day;

the

anxious, and

grew

fire ; I could

one

knees,

my

corner

they waited

there,and how

was

how

or

gone,

notion

about

matter

had

more

talked
if I

see

days

many

no

open

stirred.

never

How

push

to

head, shoutingout

my

over

up

much

around

I crawled

door.

the

weak

too

the ashes

was

where

again I thought Mary

there
the
Ann

in the

plaid

spark went
was

there,

IN

Isaac, and

and
used

the

wonder

to

if I
the

mistake about

day there

One

Gabriel

was

likelyit

thoughtmore
Pretty soon

had

and
great spring,
her

holding me

arm

head

and

that

about

by

but

all in, about

and

by

don't!"

"O

door

was

it

she

open

She

woman.

was

in with

came

cheek

her

down

breath all over

warm

there

there

to
me

hot

was

than

warmer

my

water,

and

all the

rest

her

said

arms

she

had

hands.

my

voice

fire,and

was

againstmy cheek, and

neck, and her long hair, which

my

but

Then

breath

wrapped
So

what

know

felt her

came

againsther neck, and

brandy,and

was

blankets,and

were

don't

It

all I knew.

was

Well, there
there

great

notice.

the

and

mine, with her dear, sweet,

wolf.

up,

heard

his chariot.

up, and

my

n't made

I did n't know

coming in, and

all, she was ;

them

of

ahead

I looked

were

men

some

much

with

was

had

I had

and

snow,

were.

going to.

was

n't take

somebody

or

noise.

the

crunching on

up

placethat

noises,so I did

many

n't dead, and

was

was

they never

But

baby.

263

GOTH.

GRAY

THE

came.

she, and

!"

Nannie

first I

knew

said I.
she

was

crying.
"But
"

Well,

Said

I,

will,"says I, "for
so
"

am

I," says

thoughtI

I 'm

sorry."

she.
was

dead,and

had

n't made

up, Nannie."

"O

dear!"

splashright on

said she;
my

face.

and

down

fell

great hot

264

I,

Says
back

and

not

it

meant

think

all

I,

says

want

"

she

to

well,

no

while

to

I
if

go,
for

"

ever

the

it,

think,
it

looking

the

"

to

"

smoke

lamp

had
did

she

tha

begun
n't

as

first
it

guess

finish

looked

don'

you

you?
when

Johnny,
I

does,

've

it

comes

waited

"

"

face,

now

she

as

matter;
do

more,

any

sometimes

But
time

hear

she,

"

"

want

just
"but

"

Well,

and

back,

says

let

can

you

through

"

asleep

way,
come

were,

"

n't

this

me

we

"Aaron

night,

gone

was

n't

Dear
fools

out,

would

began,

"

other

have

to

"

to

"Aaron

ought

for

"

peeked

you

of

couple

she,

then.

up

Nannie,"

you

if

see

wake

what

"

thing.
to

to

said

we,"

was

lashes,

for

me,

you."

such

any

my

all

was

kissed

No,

4"

It

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

thing
at

me

shall

just

see

then.

will

my
a

be

gooc

he

CALICO.

IT

about

was

for the four-o'clock train.

time

all,I wonder

After

if it is worth
of

record
simple,plotless
of

can

to

It

was

her ?

But

about

time

Sharley, at
mind

syntax

sightand

out

Moppet

of mind

the

mean

betake

to

see

had

rolled into it

morning"

the

sun

wagon)

stole in' warm

throughthe hay

;
12

; the
at

the well-curb

of

out

signifya
clear of

steered

alone

on

One

chaise-house.

varietyof things from

of that old

himself

standingnow

was

the

not

sugar,

till somebody should

those

chaise-house,for instance,with

cushions

train,then.

sugar-bowl (never

engaging presence

long "mending

where

half

of

doorsteps opposite the

back

the

up

like the story ?

for the four-o'clock

know

square-built
wagon
a

girl'slife,made

young

would

Methuselah, and

and

could

you

cost

; you

desire for his

the

the

enticed

glass),had

Nate

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, like yours

so
Sharley was
exactlylike other people!
it be helped that nothing remarkable
pened
hap-

mine.

How

"

and

Mondays

or

such

telling,

doorsteps,
'the old, solid,

(Sharley passedmany
stowed

in

among

the

great sweet-keptbarn,
the

chinks

folded in

and

by

filtered
shadow

266

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

GHOSTS.

wood-pile,and the chickens, and the kitchengarden ; a little slope,too, with a maple on it and
the grass ; brown
and gold upon
and
shades of brown
the hills,and a sky of blue and
golden tints across
the

Then

gold to dazzle one.

dipping southward.
Sharley may have

she had

what

march

upon

skies

neither

also the railroad.

was

consciousness

chirp,of

; but
j^lory

need
dazzle

nor

she

of

been

She

said

for

being

be

good

and

the words

there to watch

to

than

more

he had

not

be

Mrs.
"

half tired

not

here.

been

here

to

To-night

"

say.

For

say it.

Dike.

herself
used

Hal

the

And

to

the children

Keep

"

very

coming

bit to

with

of life.

would

not

was

railroad.

bothered

was

For

Halcombe

friend

apologizinga
that

the universe

up

good

mer
long sum-

to-nighthe

! Why
to-night

should

back ?
glad w^hen one's old friends come
served
Guest, peeringthrough the pantry window, oband
observed
with some
motherlydispleasbe

one

she

Sharley,"he

courage,

would

her when

old

over,

tumn
golden au-

content.

Dike

is,
"

young,

"

her

truth

railroad bounded
have

that

things

that

"

"

"

The

of these

Sharleywas
only a girl, a very
happy,little girl, and Halcombe
home
to spend the Sunday.
Dike,

goldand

and stolen the

for.

glory

would

of the

don't suppose

you

none

nor

the

Had

afternoon.

Halcombe

and

brown

Methuselah

and

had

just then,

flock of robins

Moppet
outgeneralled

Nate

child

the

that

was

her dim

had

dazzle and

blue and
was

There

chicken's

and

barn

cosey

there

268

the

lace upon

and

I could

ask me,

lace ; yet if you

if she is pretty at all. I have

brown, I think
saw

her

pur

as

desire

Sharleydrew

four-o'clock whistle

mother,

"

never

make

railroad

the
her

her

lay on

when

breath

the air,and

smote

her

seeing

down

and
kitchen-garden,
her

"

the

faint,

wound

outline.

the barren
Her

puffedthrough the woods, and

far trail of smoke

over

that

her, and

black

and

stark

yellowridge!

sudden

and

eyes;

stroke

to

of soft hair

memory

kitten.

stiff and

How
its

without

I would

wistful

and

"

to

were

pretty Sharleyis,or

how

tell you

not

everybodywho

It is not

doorstep.

in calico and

well

look

would

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

through the

steal away

slope, called

the

after

"

Charlotte !

baby

Well,

go too.

I will not

frank, she

going to

rather

was

I wish

'd let the

you

she does n't hear ! ''

that

assert

walk

Sharleydid

tired of that

hear.

not

To

be

baby.

foot-path
throughthe brown and golden
and Sharleyran
it,under the maple, which
over
grass,
was
dropping yellow leaves,and down to the knot of
There

which

trees

here,

"

creep,
and

was

she knew

and

spruce,

with

wound

careful

brambles, and
of the

just where,

tangledin

down,

There

lined the farther walls.

clean

into which

"

was

nook

might
apple

one

low-hanginggreen of
about with grape-vines.Stooping

the

not

to

careful

not

catch
to

that

soil

so

barbe
much

lightcalico,Sharley hid

upon
as

herself

the

sprig
in the

209

CALICO.

could

She

shadow.

see

unseen

the

now

great puffs

purplesmoke, the burning line of sandy bank, the

station,and the uphillroad to the village. Oddly
old Scripturewords
not
Sharleywas
enough, some
in the habit of quotingScripture came
much
into her
of

"

"

beside

up

leaves
went

"

ye

out

than

had

what

went

for to

see

But

curled

herself

comfortably

watching face againstthe

the wall, her

for to

out

ye
"

She

see

went

"

grape"

What

dreamily

on,

prophet? Yea, I say unto

you, and
prophet,"and stopped,scarlet. What

"A
finishing,
more

had

she

thoughts just as

with

do

prophets to

friend

old

her

Halcombe

Dike?

Ah,

but

he

coming !

was

he

'coming!

was

To

which
Sharley'seyes the laboring,
crazy locomotive
puffed him asthmatically
up to the little depot was
such things as
benevolent
a
dragon, if there were
"

benevolent
much

very
should

dragons,
afraid

like to

go

horrible, and

very

"

of it ; but
out

and

was

and
gracious,

very

pat it

she

on

she

shoulder.

the

old
and stopped. An
jarred,
climbed out laboriously.
bundles
with thirteen
woman
small boys turned somersaults from the platform.
Two
Sharley strained her wistful eyes till they ached.
The

There
and

train slackened,

was

nobody

very

much

gloryhad

died

else.

Sharley

and
disappointed,
from

the

The

skies.

was

very

she

young,

cried.

The

had

gone

world

out.

She

was

sittingthere all

in

heap, her

face in her

270

MEN,

hands, and
sounded
She

knew

knew

and

had

step

for

feet
slippered

to

from

the wrong

eyes

had

;
not

was

and

she

had

side of the
him

with

; at

honest

He

had

here
and

eyes,

as

She

trained

her

stepped
her eager

perhaps,or

rate

song.

himself.

ago

it.

car,

any

her

long

with

pace

step

old army

an

he

was,

mouth

"

little

his coat
plainlydressed young man,
new
as
Sharley'scalico, but a young
good step of his own,
strong, elastic,

very

with

man

foolish eyes, when

humming
taught it to

keep

missed

man,

grave

GHOSTS.

voice

it ; he

the

young

in her

her heart

near,

AND

WOMEN,

"

"

"

"

hand.

nervous

knew
passed,humming his army song, and never
the world lightedup again within a foot of him.
that Sharleyby stretching
out her
passed so near

He
how
He
hand

could

touched

have

could

the

hear

he

breath

himself,perhaps,that

to
to

him, and he had

meet
not

was

tangleof

at

pace

one

been

the

He

had

from

come

long away

; but

of welcome,

she

thinking

was

thought of her,

behind, and

green

breathless up

no

that

near

so

"

drew.

fashion

his mother's

his

him,

home

then, it

and
he

ening
quickleft the

face crushed

the littlewet

and
againstthe grape-leaves,

sightand knew nothing.

Sharley sprang up and bounded home.
opened her languideyes wide when the

Her

of

out

was

mother

child

came

in.
"

Dear

me,

Charlotte,how

hopping round,

and

me

with

you

do

go

this great

chirpingand
baby and

my

271

CALICO.

sick-headache
if

What
of

spasm

when

the

was

chirp and hop.

fire !

on

you

You

What

look

as

's the matter

"

child ?

you,

can't

'd set

somebody

with

matter, indeed

penitence,

one

"

is

Sharley,in

afford

can

be

to

little

penitent

took the baby and went

happy,
away
it.
to think about
her
to see
Surely he would come
home
without
to-night; he did not often come
seeing
At any rate
Sharley ; and he had been long away.
he

one

here ;

was

had

days

the

saw

in this very

that

threw
to

for the

they

said.

from
time
"

gave

!"

head

her

and

now,

"

fro

sun

tread

any

see

More
the

morrow.
again to-

of

more

Whether

robin

is here !

yard
The

took

up

this,

with

skies
"

"

butter

The

supper,

calico !
a

came

"

said

she

as

up,
the

heavy
aflame

were

is here ! "

He

the word

over

"

He
with

"

is here," called her

about

he

the

looked

all
yellow maple glittered

house.

baby

and

droppingslowly.

belated

The

the

through

was

butter

The

back

her shoulder.

Sharley,he

to

tell them

I will not

on
baby fretting

"

would

the

I, Sharley?

walked

it :

yesterday,and

trodden

shall

is here

the

his feet trod the roads

wind

evening
But

She

Valley where

eyes

she had

"

Green

dragged so drearilywithout him; his

same
sky that hers saw ; his breath drank

sweet

same

"

mother

is here

relevantly

now,

and

it 's

Charlotte."

impatient Sharley,and

she

jerk.
or

whether

he did not

come,

there

272

MEN,

was

for

time

more

no

AND

WOMEN,

was

Guest's

Mrs.

She

peoplebusy.
head

did

could

So

ache.

not

do to

was

Sharleyhad

bake, and the

she must

he

people were

table

to

for her

in tired,and

came

might be, from

night.

in Mrs.

in

keeping

his store

not

her
she

busy.

set, and

make, and the

hurry

must

dream

believed

upstairsto bring her

run

she

when

to

Guest

to

that

busy enough herself when

When
it did,it was
the least

the

tea

time

any

that other

see

dream

Sharley to

In fact,there seldom
household.

GHOSTS.

the biscuit to

pick over

to

pears

mother

chief;
handker-

father's clothes-brush
so

good-humored as

she must

stop

to

he

rebuild the

baby'sblock-house,that Moppet had kicked over, and

Moppet's dirty,dimpled fingersfor kicking it
snap
for.
over, and endure the shriek that Moppet set up thereShe

must

suggest

findjperhaps,a
Crusoe

than

doubts

pieceof bread
the

to

as

Methuselah

that he

suitable book-mark

more

his

to

and

proprietyof

could

for Robinson

mate
molasses,and intiNate's

standing on

the table-cloth and

Moppet

the toast-rack.
And
on
sitting
that baby again, dropping
very

at

was

pennies down

his neck.

for supper,
"

washed

and

dusted

There

be

end

weary

girlsat

must

and

be made
and

Nate

was

and

coaxed
end

no

it ?

to

and
it.

scolded
Would

Sharley sometimes
like the
life,
thoughts. Sharley's
her

to

age,

was

one

cold

able
presentselah,
Methu-

Methuselah, Nate, and Moppet; brushed

with.
any

too,

They
Moppet

then

and

and

borne

there

ever

asked

of her

lives of most

great unanswered

question.

273

CALICO.

It grew

tiresome

as
occasionally,
monologues are

apt

do.

to

I 'm

announced
going to holler to-night,"
Moppet
at supper,
l"v
pausing in the midst of his berry-cake-,
I 'm
way of diversion,to liftthe cat up by her tail.
"

"

holler awful, and

going to

that little

about

how

"

his house

well,there

just now,
"O
u

's

some

the

ate

straws

man

and
'em

know."

you

am," glaredMoppet
on

clean

heart
Sharley's

his mug.

over

collar.

You

keep

his

upstairswith

went

with

Moppet

respect

mother's

debts
Namen

"

The

"

away

her father

children, treated
and

boot-lacing,

fore
gentleman, be-

"Ib'lieve
"

night.

And

"

the

hollerin'

till to-morrow

"

ipecac,read

that young

over,

I '11 keep that

"

sleepy,but
from

were

holler

time.

tremblinglybided her
Well," condescended
his prayers

made

cleared
patiently

to his buttons

as

You

if I don't

see

sank ; but she

her

paper,

**

a-hollerin' !

her dishes,mixed

"

bungleof

me

ella,
Cinder-

but I don't remember

more,

an' holler an' holler an'

and

tell

and that

"

and

giant,and

stove-pipe,
of

out

sit up

you

Moppet!"

put

me

that

boy

she lived in the

that builded
"

make

nobody

"

give

forever
I

ain't

heard

'n
a

us

our

ever

"

bit

"

"

anything more

Moppet.
coast

was

clear

bright cheeks,

took

trimming, and

sat
12*

now,

her

down

and

happy Sharley,with

little fall hat

on

the

front

she

that

was

doorsteps
; sat
R

274

there

flutter,and
to

up

her

sat

GH0STS.

watch, and

and

wait

to

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

Twilight crept

in vain.

feet,folded

and

hope

in ; the

her

dream
the

up

color

warm

and

path,
of her

under
her
plaided ribbons faded
eyes, and
away
dropped from her listless fingers; with them had faded
her bit of a hope for that night; Hal
always came
dark.

before

cares?

Who

"

brown

head.

"

said

Sharley,with

Somebody

winked

hard

as

did

of her

toss

nevertheless.

care

soft,

body
Some-

upstairs.

she went

However, she could lighta lamp and finish her hat.

always is a comfort to
Girls have forgottengraver troubles
finish one's hat.
-of hurried Saturdaythan Sharley's
in the excitement
night millinery.
A
bonnet
is a picture in its way,
and grows
up
one's
under
of artistic
fingerswith a pretty sense
That

wras

It

comfort.

one

triumph. Besides, there is always the question:

So Sharley put her lamp on
"Will it be becoming ?
and herself on
the floor,
and began to sing
a cricket,
over

her

dark

room

the

work.

with

the

lightand

color

it; Sharley,with
broken

rainbows

pretty sight it

heavy

shadows

drawn

to

her
tossed

head

of the

she
all ?

plaidturn

put the coral

A

and

outward
would

and
sight,
pretty,girlish

low,

in its corners

bits of

"

her

and

"

musing smile, consideringgravely, Should

squares

the

"

focus in the middle

bent

about

was,

? and
it be

you

of

silk like

that

little

the white

where

should

becoming
may

all

after

laugh at

it

276

MEN,

sleep.

into

plan
be

out

will

Hal

the

help

in

shake

nor

prayer-time.
Methuselah.

be

to

me

can

go

minister, and I won't

good. I
in the morning."
the morning,
like the rest
Sharley'sself-knowledge,

good.
in

Moppet,

to

GHOSTS.

will ache, and

dresses

winter

my

cross

head

I will listen to

church.

to

Mother's

"

AND

WOMEN,

I won't

I will be
shall

him

see

"

in the bud
Her
all in

in the

Sun-day, her one warm,

shiningday, opened
glow. She danced down stairs at ten o'clock
hat, in

new

haze

and

milked

morning, and

that

dance

in

of merry

colors.

one

and

cow

she felt

right to

the

quiveredin through the

yellow maple drifted by on

church-bells rang

She

had

four

earned

The

anything.

the

had

dressed

if she

blinds.

like

out

as

of

haze

the

The

her, was

yet.

got breakfast

boys

of

The

light
sun-

leaves

of

fresh,strong wind.
the world

All

gold.

happy.

was

!"

Charlotte

"

hat

keeping-room with her

and feel
my mind, Sharley,
"

"

will go
and

Moppet

had

bocks

at

I took

bonnet, and

will be the death

along with him,

lie

was

better

old Mrs.

so

stay

Moppet

Perkins,
in the
of

and

the

yesterday.You

changed

Methuselah, but
at

he

the

better I believe I

much

home

rightinto
too.

Nate

the

with

fired three

long prayer,

the

baby.
hymn-

crown

That

of

child

day. I guess you '11get

as
baby is n't quite as cross
'd justas lief go in the after-

some

me

"

of

out

I 've

"

on.

I'll take

church.

last time

The

her

to

bustled

mother

Her

277

CALICO.

noon,

suppose

Pin

shawl

my

the

on

shoulder,

please."
But
the stairs,
stood
Sharley, half-waydown
She was
saint, this disappointedlittle girl.
no
face,in

the

fall hat, flushed

new

angrilyand

still.
Her

her hands

dropped.
keeping
"
go !

"

slammed

and

rushed

her

door.

to

I 'm

look

half

must

"
"

're

her

would

afternoon, and
there

's

Last

goes.

to

her

Sunday

she

hear

n't

tacles
spec-

temper !

it makes

difference

to

child,and

! what

me

always

I did want

like
noisily,

dear

she

day

Well,

else.

You

mother, puttingon

what

see

of the

in the

go

her,

go

something.

stairs

up

after

to

for

said her

I don't

sure

which

!"

me

did want

home

at

me

Dear

"

! I

mother

"

of anything

!
accountingfor girls

no

Come, Methuselah."
Is there

they

cannot

can,

for

graves
them

up

of

watching

our

days ;

dreams
we

are

of us,

and

we

have

by

church

fast

as

as

we

the

one,

ness
conscious-

sweet
us

learned
into

covering

ings
golden morn-

since

life for

stepping on

to

differ^

earth, digging little

long

so

bounded

eyes

any

day they went

all the

bonnets

new

made

never

sympathies,one

It grows

pretty

our

of

young

close.

if it

dear

mothers, that

those

with

doing it,all

the way

our

as

half of the
are

and

dreamed
of

we

going

"

Just

which

Well, well !

accounting for girls,"my

is the matter

see

to them

ence

any

What

madam

not

the

We

have

long lesson

the

shadows.

278

MEN,

Our
which

that

see

eyes

have

ye

You

considered.

not

things!

It is not

Lord

"

the

"

from

Watts
than

"

Select

and

she

ever

and

you

tell your

mother,

She

the

off the

clouds

with

day, young
disapproval, we
some

"

and

one

made

for Mrs.

Guest

pew

Methuselah
have

made

for herself.
need

it is better than

her
and

returned

not

she deserves.

door and locked

forth

moon

better

"

"

hat

the

all !

girls, though you

had

fresh.

very

forgetfulness
may

had slammed
Sharley,upstairs,
it,and was
pacing hotly back
Poor Sharley! Sun and
room.
;

stories

(directly
comfortably
lookingover

I think

"

dious
melo-

other

cushioned

could

me,

that

your

remains

are

such

Dike), and

Between

darkened

read

it is not

her

in

Halcombe

defence

we

deliver us,
graciously
I fancy that I have

sittingmeantime

behind

as

neglect;

But

read

have

hear

ears

We

we

obtuse

as

simply forget.
There

our

onlyits hcecfabula docet

will be

good

GHOSTS.

not

see

ye

story through,but
since,and

AND

WOMEN,

across

and

stars

after

the

her
were

rain.

and

Sunday thingssavagely;
her old chocolate-colored morning-dress,
with
put on
a
grim satisfaction in making herself as ugly as possible
the ribboned chignon which
she had
; pulleddown
hour
braided, singing,half an
that
(her own,
ago
chignon); screwed her hair under a net into the most
unbecoming little pug of which it was
capable,and
down
went
stairs. Nate, enactingthe cheerful
drearily
tore

drama

of

"

new

Jeff Davis

on

sour

apple-tree,"
hung

279

CALICO.

from
of

the

balusters,purple,gasping,tied

strangulation
by

the

in
calmly sitting

was

Halcombe

morning

energeticMoppet.

the

little in advance
"

raphaelite

in the

home

It

worth

was

doorway

apples

struck

children

and

in

by

kitten

"

church

that

saw

There
;

dress with

pile of

yellow

shoulders,and

her

of

ground

crimson

crack

; two

sunbeam
her

baby crawling over

examine

to

was

Pre-

"

barn, and

nearer

lightthrough a
asleeptogetherin a

her hair upon

hair,

baby

Guest's

the

chocolate-colored

came

billowy hay

floor with

the

girlon

out
a

of Mr.

examining.
and

great shadows

from

of the crowd,

quietlyunlatchingthe gate
it.

The

squash-pies.

Dike, coming

the verge

to

her

girl

leaves

in her

eyelashes

wet.
"

Well, Sharley! "

looked

She

"

Mr.

Well,

leaves

all

horrid old
don't

I ?

over

Her
to

stand

fire.

Moppet

Halcombe
me

my

with

standingthere
first thought was

him

see

second,

; her

run

to

smile.

amused

grave,
and

up

hair 's down

morning-dress;

I 've

look pretty to

see

jump

to

's stuck

his

yellow
got

on

company,

"

Very, Sharley."
"Besides," said Sharley,"I've
"

my

eyes

been

crying,and

red."

are

I see."

"

So

"

No, you

"

But

am

don't, for I 'm

not

lookingat you."

lookingat you."

280

"

What

"

were

Because

"

after

reflection.
I

yes,

tombstone

'36, I think, her

! about

remember
the date

givesas

I think

"

cryingabout, Sharley!
grandmother 's dead," said Sharley,

you
my

some

Ah,

"

GHOSTS.

!"

Oh

"

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

it 's wicked

of that sad event

in

"

people to laugh at people's

dead

grandmothers,"said Sharley,severely.
ought to be at church."
"

So

hush

of

That

he

should

Would

n't

again.

what

you

long summer.
that

I hate

her

But

of the

memory

in this

lip
new

her

her

heart full of

"

pleaded,with

Besides, I
You

may
don't

have

with
plight,

what, Sharley?

If you

away.

"
"

and
pouting lips,

she

talk.

her now,

see

discontent

I can't

The

stopped.

and

eyes

"Don't!"

but

she

n't

Sunday dress, of the golden church-bells,and

happy Sabbath-morning thoughts came
up.

swollen
wicked

would

n't ; mother

was

hat and

cry

You

I was."

quivered,and

"

"

sob; "I'm

shall cry

let
go

again,and
or
altfhe,
you

me

away

you

may

cross;

I won't
may

just tell

go
me

been

doing with yourselfthis whole

I don't see
Working hard, of course.
everybody has to work hard in this world

this world

I suppose

you

looked

the chocolate

're

rich

man

by

"

this time

The

young

man

at

hair,and
yellowleaves,the falling

answered

dress,the

gravely,

281

CALICO.

little coldly,
Sharleythought,

"

were

not

had

been

encouraging just now.

He

thought so.

understood

He

what

in

of young

architects,

America,

and

remained

to

whether

and

tired of it sometimes,

so

young

and

wiser.

before

there
He

was

place

willingto

was

but

he grew

He

checked

"

young

architect,the best

young

proved.

be

never

his

in

older now,

hope long ;

to

he

pull was

any

"

"

hard, and

work

that

was

hard

architects

him

Perhaps they

encouraging; only

had

ardor

for

that his prospects

"

little

himself

tired
suddenly. As if,"thought Sharley, he were
! He
of talkingso long to me
thought my question
impertinent." She hid her face in her droopinghair,
"

"

wished

and

There

"

of

sort

know

but

have

that I

ever

shall.

It would

Ough

!"

exclaimed

feet,with her

when, splash!
into her

eyes,

O,
on

it 's
the

stood

scene

sleeping.

is

sent

them
a

I dreamed

pause.
posals,
pro-

my

yet

She

good

I don't

deal to

start, and

had

been

"
"

sitting

raised,and red eyes forgotten,

of

down

her

water

into

came

neck,

up

her

her sleeves.

drenched.

rain-storm," said Moppet,

with

some

largeaffair,rather.

give me

Sharley.

face

mouth,

only

be worth

icy stream

an

gasped,and

from

That

if I succeeded.

at his

of

heard

not

about

me

ventured, timidly,in

thing would

"

"

she

told

once

Buildings. Yes,

Crumpet

name

She

"

of the

The
me

mile away.

something you

was

?
buildings

The

"

herself

his empty

about

dipper.
three

"

ing
appear-

I got tired

giants.

I did n't

282

like it.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

I wanted

rain-storm,and you

GHOSTS.

something to

do.

need

it,you

n't mind

It 's

only

my

know."

of the
Dripping Sharley'spoor little temper, never
She took hold
strongest,quivered to its foundations.
of Moppet without
shook
him
any observation,and

just about
her

to

came

gate, and

"

This

've

Moppet,
at

was

thrown

and

run

had

She

that

tonight,"
hollering

Nate

seven.

and

thuselah
Me-

baby was asleep. Moppet

the water-pitcher
but twice,

nightgown only four times

Sharleyfelt encouraged. Perhaps,
be still by half past seven
; and by

and

seven

to

The

If Halcombe

"

did

Dike

the matter.

to-night,something was
this with

in at the

gentlesigh.

quarter past

all,he would

half past

coming

she

stairs in his

evening;

after

When

gone.

'tend

to

his shoes into

down

shake.

was

was

with

in bed.

were

had

got

could

mother

Dike

Halcombe

s'pose I

she

as

her

senses

said

that

hard

as

not

come

Sharleydecided

sharp little nod.

devoted

herself

punctiliousness.Would
with

his feet

and

puzzled over

on

her

he

clean

his knotted

to

Moppet

lie at

his

with

politic
lazy length,

while
petticoat,

she

? Very
shoestrings

bent
well.

and tickle
hair down
a desire to pullher
signify
Should
She was
at his service.
her tillshe gasped?
he insist upon being lulled to slumber
by the recounted
Red
Mother
of Old
Hubbard,
adventures
Ridingit
those exactly,
Not
?
Tucker
Hood, and Tommy
Did

he

284

him

need

No, you

GHOSTS.

Would

off,'cause

n't go

like

n't you

to

I ain't

seen

begun

asleep yet."

be

to

into him

thingsstickin'

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

and

Time

Sharley was
and that

twilightwere
that

sure

she

had

heard

talkingwith

sat

one

some

creeping on

doorsteps.
Could
"O
Moppet!
this one
night, not

together.

the

her

shut,

gate

mother

upon

the front

me

n\
this

"

impatienttears
"

can't; and

You

too.

'spectI'm

the visitor's ; it

to

come

go

see

up
to

Had

take

course

all

night

he

eyes.

And

wiry

tones

call her ?

he

Would

peering at

was

on

and

less frequent.
Had

not

nobody
Moppet
her

over

great, mischievous,

two

time

Would

not

place?

sheet, with

the voices

voice, low and

her

There

hear

mother's

her mother

her ?
to

her

could

man's

sleep?

top of the

wide-awake

was

did not

Why

never

of

and
rocking-chair

in the

She

over.

doorstepsplainly
;

ever

"

going to lie awake

glad to stay with

herself back

let her eyes brim

he asked

Moppet,

ought to be
your little
The girlin my library-book,
she was
glad,

anyhow."
Sharleythrew

the

in the dark.

came

'd

brothers.

the

to

go

one

no," said immovable

sleepwithout
night?" and the hot,

you

and

were
twilight

ing
wear-

on.

Let

us

talk about

"

affliction

reproving smile ! Graves

break, fortunes,hopes,and

may

"

with

close and

souls be

our

superior,
hearts

may

ruined, but Mop-

285

CALICO.

n't go to

pet would

her

doubted

chair

mother's

awake

lying

I 'm

"

and

Sharleyin

love,the
think

to

"

She

wife.

was

Silence followed this

Sharley ?

"

wanted

to

served
ob-

marry

n't

think

you

See

go

here

I 'm

asleep,

down

'd better

you

s'poseI

'd

slung my

slung the

David

any

"

at

stone

"

Go-li"

Encouraged, Sharley

silence.

Another
and

tears

Buriah,"

nice woman."

very

Dike, jest as

Hal

dipper at

crept half-way

the

across

dried

her

Then

floor.

creaked.

board
"

need

you

I '11 holler !

believe

and
life,

announcement.

thing. Besides,if

such

rocking-

of

use

about

David

Moppet, pleasantly.
Buriah's

her

of God.

benevolence

the

sleep;

Sharley !

when

die ?

they

Why

don't

Why,

Jim

people shut their eyes

Snow's
dorg,he did n't.

drink of water."
I want
a
punched a frogyesterday.
fate.
her
Sharley resigned herself in despair to
till half past
Moppet lay broad and bright awake
silent. Steps
eight. The voices by the door grew

sounded

walk.

the

on

gate shut.

The

whole

the
with him
kept me
up
down.
evening long," said Sharley, coming sullenly
and speak to him, mother.
come
did n't even
You
"

child

That

has

"

I suppose
"

Halcombe

Dike.
come

It
in

Dike

Halcombe

was

to

Dike
Deacon

talk

over

Law

! that

Snow,
the

for

asked

never

"

was

the

revival.

me?"

n't Halcombe
old

Deacon,

Halcombe

"

Dike

286

convictions

had

ten

his way,

interest up

Great

's

There

says.

Conference

I wish

night.

interested,Sharley."

fled.

Sharley had

But

Sue.

his cousin

the Deacon

since

of the

one

were

you

father says, with

meeting, your

at

was

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

night, down

Fled

into the

away

windy,

garden,out into
back and forth through the
field. She ran
the sloping
like a wounded
thing. All her
grass with great leaps,
and he had not
and waitingand disappointment,
worry
!
All the thrill and hope of her happy Sunday
come
moonless

and

over

live without

to

would

he
"

but
It
"

and

cold,dark

heard
she
"

her
stood

the

You

know

how

too, and

it,and

he knew

She

father

sound

be

down

sat

it

came

death

round

bareheaded

much

trouble

I think you

lonelyplace.

from

you

ought to

"

her

have

more

It
was

in the

that

the

it

yard.

was

she
So

back.

fretted

when

up

face.

just then

in all this
are

ran

stone

walked
!

so

while ; it

in alone ^ and

slowly and
your

on

voice

own

in her

over

callingher

very

the

her after

wailed.

and

of her

in

"

defiant child,

words

felt the wind

field,and

'11 catch

running

and

"

the

voice

from

away

place to

up

All the winter

great leaps again,and

'keen, chillywind.
of the

him,

with

slope,and

her breath

middle

"

the

down

come

Sharley,like

hands

her

into her

broke

drank

sobbed

her to hear
frightened
shrill
such a pitiful,

She

!"

up

not

the

come

care

threw

look at

one

not

I don't

he had

and

gone,

through

her

mother,

damp.
you

are

You

sick,

consideration

287

CALICO.

for me,

with

and

forgetto put

not

all my

Be
sure
Going to bed?
baby'sgingham apron in the

care.

the

wash.''

Sharley lightedher
It

the littlekerosene

was

Some
cracked
her

came

lamp

locked

her

as

soon

out

bed

and

and

through
house

and

by

sat

the

down

sobbing or wailing.

the

sob

now

wail

nor

She

had

neglectof

Halcombe

Dike's

not

try

conceal

not

neglectedher

habit,either,of
do

not

or

put silence and

what

he meant.

dark

with

beyond
life.

her

the

on

went

put

side of
for

waited

door

had

and

room,

came

lightthat

window

think, she

to

The

her
up

shone

in
The

out.

from

to

the winter

man

young
a

of the

between

knew

winter

with

meaning.
them.

Sharley,lookingout

silence

It

upon

this

That

thoughts.

she
He
not

was

did
had
the

the earnest
would

He

That
the

was

windy

that beneath

lay the

feel

think ;

something

bitter

do without

not

to

think.

to

meant

straight-lidded
eyes,

the

only wanted

in all his life before.

this grave

did

She

out.

sill.

broad

the

upon

need

her

it wide

then, threw

crouched

like

eyes

in the handle.

upstairs. They

bed.

did not

to

down

hands, and

under

to

over

and

must

in

was

sat

come

She

she

reply.

still.

went

open,

her

to

chink

the

was

She

She

to

went

the crack

she

as

hard.

mother

without

lamp

everythingin the world

she crept upstairs. She

as

crossed

and

with

that

to

her door

father

by

notion

vague

the

kerosene

and

silence of

288

of

silence

The

heart.

The

life!

while

the

branches

of

calm

moment's

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

GHOSTS.

The

hushed

wind

words

turned

into

in her

over

close under
cherry-tree,
her sight,dropped lifelessly
homesick
bird gave
; a
mournful
a
still,
little,
chirp in the dark.
Sharley
gasped.

all because

"It's

I shook

Because
like me,
and
and

broke

shook

Moppet
he

did.

No
ugly I am.
ugly thingcould

She
have

yes,

"

this

Moppet!
morning.

He

did n't know

wonder

he
be

never

off,crimson.

said the words

ago.

Halcombe

her.

But

she

Dike
had

could

blush

had

used
how

or

spoken

"

She

believed,purely and

would
a

week

gravely,in

deeps of her maiden thought,that she

him.
to
Gravely and purely too she had
that this October
Sunday would bring some
He

"
"

of love to

word

the

her

cross

be

hesitation

no

to

cross

never

wife ?

"His

without

He

thought such

"

it.

That's

dear

was

dreamed

sign to

of their future.
had

been

at
toiling

in the

that business

citynow

nothing about business,

but she had fancied that,even
though his "prospects"
of a
to think
be ready now
not
were
good, he must
of his own,
at least that he would
give her
home
some
hope of it to keep through the dreary,white
But he had given her nothing to keep through
winter.
a

long while.

Sharleyknew

"

the

nothing.
come,

or

through

The

beautiful

winter,

and

he

had

gone.

any

winter

Sunday
She

was

must

of

wintry

over.

brush

He

away

life ;
had
the

289

CALICO.

pretty fancy. She

that grave,

sweet

lips. She

should

break

must

word

died

had

timid

the

So

upon

her

shame

in

She

be his wife.

not

dream.

anybody'swife.
The Sunday Night Express shrieked
thundered
and
by and away in the

should

never

be

leaned

into

far out

wondered

sound, and

of those

one

the wind.

The

huntingfor

its nest.

"

Never

him

again upon

bird fluttered about

his wife ! "

morrow
to-

With

away.

fell

hushes

sudden

like

seem

little,

Sharley. What
She pressed
Never
to be his wife ?
hard againsther two
sidered
temples,and con-

her hands

it would

it carried

homesick

be

to

did it mean

valley,
dark.
Sharley
listen to the dying

to

what

when

morning
its pause

wind

the

the

up

moaned

"

"

up

"

and

baby, and her mother's headaches ;

milkingthe cow, and kneadingthe bread, and darning
the stockings
for what
in old hats,
; going to church
it going to make
difference was
to
anybody now,
she trimmed
whether
them with Scotch plaidor sarcenet
Moppet

the

"

cambric

with

Deacon

other old

coming

"

Snow,

people,in

home

or, sit

the

down

house

to

talk

in

with

proper
a

revivals

over

way,

lamp, and

like

read

light,
moonSomebody'sLife and Letters. Never any more
! Never
and watching,and strolling
any more
hoping,or wishing,or expecting,for Sharley.
She jumped a little off her window-sill ; then sat
the baby,
it. Moppet, and
down
again. That was

13

290

and

mother, and

her

Sharley did

But

the Lord
much

and

unhelped, that

rightthere

mind

her

He

till it

her

her

well be ; and

eyes,

until the stars

be
to

to

have

that

done

she

before

half

that

sunrise

"

kept

morning

looked

her

some

very

have

done

to

bed

and

if there

to

had

been

that would

compels

no

me

unhappy people

the window-sill

sleep,very

upon

bitter watch

truth

"

went

smiled

fine chance
but

little girl

sound

that Aurora

she

found

as

it would

and cold,
cramped, neuralgic,
and

she

tainly
Sharley cer-

unhappy

too) ;

did what

her,

the

past five,and

say that the cold

or

Then

sleep.

I suppose

pale(and

grew

describe

state

to

did

"

to

as

"

sleepless
pain,or

unrested

Sharley!

good reasoning,and

great deal better

the window-sill

on

came.

unhappy,

very

and

down

drop

to

it.

wretched

early,at

very

eighteencan

in upon

to

too

stay here

her

to

very

decidedlymade up
sleep that night. The unhappy
always sit up, you know.

novels

train went

was

mind

about

alone

miserable,so

understand

her

go

the

was

was

So

much

miserable,and

very

all about

would

to

think

despairinglittle face

up

not

Besides, she

This

was

years.
to

occurred

her

girlsin

should

She

never

made

"

morning

incline

tell Him

had

She

it

think

not

you

many

unhelped.

with

and

how

not

just then.

alone

GHOSTS.

"

knew

pitiedher, only

AND

ing,
kneading,and milking,and darnthe
dear Lord, who
forty,for

thirty,for

for

of

WOMEN,

MEN,

much

fortable,
uncom-

so

undressed

as

she would

Halcombe

Dike

in

292

train

The
in

died from

dim,

grew
stood

like

mute,

shrieked

away,

smoke.
sightin pallid
of

less,

The

track

bank, blank

frozen

which

from

corpse

little

small,grew

fashion,grew

its mound

on

up

raced

panted and

doleful,breathless

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

soul had

the

and
fled.

The
into the kitchen at six o'clock.
Sharleycame
fire was
burning hotlyunder the boiler. The soiled
stood over
mother
Her
clothes lay scattered about.
and
the tubs, red-faced
worried, complaining that
She turned, when
to help her.
Sharley had not come
the

girlopened

best of mothers

Sharley stood still a

She must
beginit with
life that had
but

the

baby'saprons

years ! She
on

heap

of

"Mother,
O

don't!

don't

the

along on
turn

years

be

stretched

washing-day. O,
littleblind and

to

cross

help me

dizzy,sat

held up
me

her

our

smilingway

sharp corners

drum-beat

sounds

where
alarum.

down

morning,"
I wish

there

!"

We

trip

and

they give no sign.

they hide in shadow.
It is the

music

the groaning and

dress-paradeto-night,
to-morrow.

ful
dread-

arms.

this

mother!

into

out

the

battle-fields of life lie in ambush.

The

around.

washing-daythen, this other

her.
Her
heart might break,
be boiled
must
to-day,next

mother, mother,
to

looked

and

and
table-cloths,

anybody

were

grew

little. The

Monday morning.

on

moment

wearisome, endless

one

her

"

week

another

week,

to

come

scold

to

apt

are

scold

door, to

the

and
the

We
No
the

blood

293

CALICO.

than a child,in her

Sharley had been little more
unreasoning young joy,when she knotted the barbe at
old woman
I am
her throat
an
on
Saturday night.
now," she said to herself on Monday morning. Not
that her saying so proved anything,
except, indeed,
"

"

it

that

her

was

have

to

young

notion, she might

well, to all

as

grim

of

sort

fled away,

youth had

less

strugglethe
unused
I have

She

narian.
cente-

deed,
took, inher

October

that

morning

battle-ground;nor
that

severe

she

was

so

the

was

and

young

struggling.

.to
to

hours.
forever, in thirty-six

and

Sharley upon

ushered

the

purposes,

pleasure in thinking that

might be,

that

However

very

had

of
spectacles
real."

Imaginary griefsare

"

and

intents

and

was

she

since

Yet,

shrivelled into the caps

have

so

trouble.

she

that

trouble, and

first

tell of

nothingnew

tragicin

or

the child's

days ; only of the old,slow, foolish pain that gnaws at

with
the matter
the roots
of things. Something was
and

the sunsets
brown

The

She

dead.
her

the dawns.

and

golden

would
her

fingersin

frogs chanting in
One

nightshe

It chanced

they
times

and

had

to

be

kissed

and
content

go

blushed
with

ran

that

away

from

garret and

she

might

each
a

one

other

their
and

their married
little,
;

dull

not

and

sit with

hear

father and

her

after tea

another

agony.

the

twilight.

anniversaryof

an

an

up

at

swamp

was

turned

had

grass

away

ears,

the

Moonrise

she

mother.

wedding-day;
talked
eyes

felt with

of old

occupied
a

sud-

294

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

GHOSTS.

den, dreary bitterness that she should

and

so

into the field and

out

ran

She

in the dark.

stone

wonder

where

she

bit of comfort.

before

was

She

was

down

sat

rather

bedtime.

week

she

future

Her

would
to

ado ?

make

Why

and

set

and

let

rise:

them;
to

moons

get and

the world

the

was

locked.

was

calico

would

her

on

She
and

put away

locked

her

ribbon-box

soft hair

face, to

see

down
if it

disappointedto
But

about

Sharley was

as

very

hopes of youth were

up

presentlywith

her

the

to

get
ners
din-

it ;

barbe

one

and

into the lower

and

wore

the

the

Thursday-

with

Deacon

night to

one

the

glassand shake
colorless,inexpectant

turning gray.
brown
and brightas
young,

suns

put into

to

not

were

find it

before

be

was

used

crimping her hair,

all day. She went
to

bureau

moons

stockings,
ently.
appar-

growing

She

the

the

always be

evening conference,discussed the revival

Snow, and locked herself into her room
put the lamp

over.

dinners

up

gave

walker.
sleep-

always

were

But

was

and

set

mend.

of dinners

be

weakly

like

Life

it.

to

pink muslin,

chocolate

there

well ; she

came

would

Tliere

to
stockings

used

grow

drawer,

rise.

for the sake

Very
could

there

mend

she

her work

would

suns

they would

It would

settled.

was

The

stockingsto
to

about

went

her

on

comfortless.

nobody thought of her; and when

up the yard at ten o'clock,the door
For

missed,

there

that

hoped

cold and

so

be

not

and

the

They
a

was

ever.

sweet,

strong in her.

stinglike the stingof

She

sistent
per-

woke

frost-bite.

295

CALICO.

O,

"

think of

to

laid upon
She

shelf!

to

tried
a

that

be

to

herself

the

and

At

alone

terror.

I can't
of

all

came

over

coal-hod,and

sat

Happiness

ever

make

it.

everything!

Somebody

began

of that
on

her
won't

And

fighta

to

mood

it

time

plaids again,

This

end

fore
be-

young,

savage

Scotch

Snow.

"

down

she not

in

Jim

thought

shut

well

as
sewing-circle,

noon

can't !

Why,

one

and

wood-house,

the

She

and

hair

and
nutting-party

down

"

"

Was

Providence

crimped

week.

unhappy

little flirtation with

sat

littleblack

wedding-cards

life should

cruel bareness

in such

little with
favored

this

into the

drop

she done

young

very

Dike's

cry.

had

her

in

"

let him

she

her," and

What

maid,

holding the baby when

was

down

old

an

having Halcombe

and

silk apron,

being

lasted for

as
other
an-

and

she went

pileof kindlingsin

the

over.

come.

O,

slow

widening with

eyes

I 'm

make

can't

justat

the

it.

ning
begin-

"

called 'her

just then

peelthe potatoes
She thought
she thoughtoften in those
for dinner.
of that fancy of hers
about
days
calico-living.
that all that was
Was
not
left for her ?
Little dreary,
figures,all just alike, like the chocolate morningdress ?
that might have
O, the rose-bud and shimmer
! And
been waitingsomewhere
O, the rose-bud and
to

"

"

shimmer
The

that

were

frosted

forever

golds of

gone

autumn

!
melted

into

clear,

296

MEN,

on

easier

or

old

her

routine.
The

softer.

It

never

grew

bitterly.She hated
and the baking and the
of the baby's worried

from

She

cry.

tired

was

solemnity. She
her

walk

used

the

to

to

of

her

come

in

cold, moonlight

office,on

evening, and stand looking in

through the
keeping-room window,

"

her

prosingover the state of the flour-market,her

the lounge,the children
on
waiting for her
bed

Methuselah

all

father
mother
to

put

his arithmetic

poring over

in his little-old-mannish way

times
some-

them

at

"

tc

to

the

any

tired of Moppet's mischief,tired of

illnesses,

Methuselah's

them

them,

little rebellious feet trod

girl's
the darning and the sweeping
dusting. She hated the sound

it

mother's

GHOSTS.

winter, carryingSharley with

sharp, silvered
round

AND

WOMEN,

shamed

Moppet tying the baby

kitten together, stand lookingtill the hot,
blood shot to her forehead,for thoughtof how

she

wearied

and

the

was

her

mother

while.
I

"

of the

I can't think

"

"

If she

should

what

sight.

she has been

were

her

give

Sharley,"complained
this good
cross
as
a bear

's got into

as

eightyea*rs old,instead
a

good whipping

of

eighteen,

send

and

her

to

bed!"
Poor

Sharleynursed her trouble and her crossness

till the light
together,in her aggrieved,girlish
way,
of her wistful eyes, and little sharp bones began
went
out
to

and

show

at

pitythem.

Now

it

was

her wrists.
,

They

were

probablya

She
once

fact

used
so

to turn

round

that,as

them

about

and winsome
for the

matter

297

CALICO.

life was
work, S barley's

of liard

it would

what

to

Double

be

the wife

as

toil into itself,

and

your

sinecure

of Halcombe

tripleit by

and there you

responsibility,
life,young
girls, beautiful,dim
of

"

of it !

made

serpent, I

could

be

bear

it

mothers

and

gropes

! do
"

might help

Her

positionin

of

There

and

your
woman,

She

must

there

for that.

The

much.

asking.
debt

in time

But

what

with
have

the

much

of

play-day
and

keen, if they

she

life

13*

No

be

baby :
best

patient,

anomalous

an

of the

if

matter

dependence

jarsand tasks and

relief of housewifely

owes

to

long with her.

give her did
you
this well;

its due.

this makes

that

all the

bear

Consider

beyond

its

strengththat your
hands to help you
are
ought to be). She
Be very patientwith

family life,without the

and
invention and authority. God
her

rest

weariness

too

see

is at

home

frets of

teach

the

be

selfishnesses.
about

more

you

grown

child.

have

have

alone.

her way

cuts

she

"

You

(if not,

her in her little moods

one,

? what

not

you

of.

not

thorns

the

married

without

not

pain

ure
meas-

together?

daughterknows
over

Dike

the

that you

Eden

an

Dike.

your

Eden

toil would

great, what

too

difference

a' the

never

of Halcombe

could

O, you
u

was

then, what

ah

"

for the sake

wear

there

have

fancy. Besides, Sharley,like

not thought as far as that.

them, had
Then

But

compared

and

her

heart

own

Do
not

do

fear

Never

you.

not
come

not

will

exact
at

press

too

her
the

298

MEN,

I don't

"

see

anything!

to

"

AND

WOMEN,

that there

is

GHOSTS.

be

going to

ever

end

any

gasped Sharleyat night between

pet's
Mop-

buttons.
This

her

set

to

thinking.

What

if

made

one

an

end?
She
of

went

out

snow-storm

It

place was

was

and
easy

lonely,and

cold, gray

afternoon

wandered

up

walking
she

the

sharp turns
that

snow

Then

was

of the

had

anythingin

the world

as

down

the
out

the railroad.

sleepers,the
be

to

in her face for

little

now,

heaps

small

of how

alone.

while,

and

about

use

it

of the

her feet.
to

was

her face grew

as

like
wild

the storm.

Fancy yourselfhemmed

by

come

in the thick

wind, and the soft touch

in
drifting

she remembered

and

upon

liked the beat of the storm

She

as

one

in with

sleet in such
drifting
that corpse-like
track,
a

"

your

direst

grief

voiceless,viewless

the

place
endless,painlesstrack,

stretchingaway in the white mystery, at peace, like

all dead things.
"What
Sharleyshould have done was to go home as
she could
as
straight
and get
go, put on dry stockings,
her supper.
What
she did was
all people
to linger,
as
linger,in the luxury of their first wretchedness,
lingertill the uncanny
twilightfell and shrouded her
in.
Then
her.
a thought struck
A
freight-train
was
just coming in, slowly but
heavily. Sharley,as she stepped aside to let it pass,
"

fixed

her

eyes

upon

it for

moment,

then,

with

300

MEN,

"I

she decided,
the

But

GHOSTS.

con-sumption would

guess

!"

AND

WOMEN,

be

struggledto the street, caught

while, then dropped.

Deary

"

them, and carried her

in

been

It

Cousin

was

beingfive

of her own,

arms

the fences for

at

Sue

Sue.

she said ; and

strong Yankee

with
up

!"

me

her.

over

Cousin

Dike's

Halcombe

"

stumbled

her.

scarcelycarry

She

Somebody

little better

"

her feet.

crawlingto

little feet could

poor

"

she took

the house

to

feet seven,

Sharley

if she had

as

baby.

Sharleydid
found

herself

cards

laid up

apron

at

the

commit

not

but
atrocityof fainting,

Cousin
thoroughlychilled and weak.
about
bustled
with
Sue
brandy and blankets, and
Sharley,watching her through her half-closed eyes,
she anybody's weddingspeculated a little. Had

be

like

would

any

that ?

Sue

had

Sharleyopened
chair

Halcombe

her

one

and

sorry for her since the sudden

her
now

good righthand

but she

was

not

one

her

"

people

supper

when

A
stronglyup.
in
and the light,

for

side

that chair.

busy,cheery woman,

sat

between

upon

made

about

see

and

eyes
sat

cushioned

had

to

gone

woman
gentle-faced

she

Should

say.

Cousin

littleblack

Charlotte

Cousin

Poor

"

the

Sue

Cousin

Poor

rate.

had

She

shelf?

on

Mrs.

useless

Dike

had

arm.

been

Sharley had always felt

pled
cripday when paralysis
three

of those

years

ago

peopleto

that
whom

was

it

301

CALICO.

natural

comes

she

say that

to

mother, and

Halcombe's

was

struck

said it.

It

had

much

seen

her

had

her eyes

through it
her

have

never

chair

It

not

again.
had

had

each
"

44

1 have

our

the

storm, my

wish
me

nobody
!

The

found

had

"

oh

But

now.

I think
not

I wish

me,

have

the

"

her

"

would

snow

up

flushinghot

and

go

voice
body
no-

covered

frightened.What

saying to Halcombe's
mother

mother

put her

healthysoft hand

girl'sshut fingers. Women

dear," she said,without

years
our

in

out

understand

in flashes.

thingto

troubles

more
us

the

other

My

long,quietlook

Halcombe's
on

her

see."

she been

down

be

to

go home

started

But

given her

might

pushed

"

found

you

She

Dike

Mrs.

not

I had been on
good while.
Sharley,with a slightshiver.
been
have
exactlywell. I would
out

"I

="

up,

had

her, and

must

sinking
me

look in

alone."

track," said
I could

years, and

passingthought,which

late for you

I 'd been

"

woman

the eyes.

was

dear, and

this

all.

back

beside

up

and

never

brave, contented

certain

only as

come

straightin
"

kept

that
widowed

her

them,

Sharleyhad

so

freshlynow

ill-fortune in

that she

It struck

is sorry for

one

to

say to you.

think

than

about

you.

prelude or
God

; that

I know

troubles to think about,"

does

's all.
tha't He

not

apology,
give us

I have
never

lived

gives

302

I don't know

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

going to think about

said Sharley,half aggrieved.
don't !
Supposing nobody thinks of them, where

who

GHOSTS.

's

them

if

"

we
"

done

harm

drive

to

had
if

Mark

rather

much
won't

we

and

go of
be

must

we

go

what

fit to

're not

we

would

our

sends

He

out.

us

accord, but

own

sent, for

them

must.

we

go

're put into this world

we

of it tillwe

out

go

He

drive

to

"

we

's justabout

That

ourselves,

of

out

us

words, child

my

's the

have

for,

found

this out."
the moralities

Now
off from

of conversation

Sharley like rain-dropsfrom

I cannot

that

assert

with

that

it may,

as

her, and

and

wet,

she

jumped

face hidden
u

she

would
not

to

have

Halcombe

made
Dike's

them.

she

took
certainly
in her

them

heart ;

home

pondered

feverish,sleepless
night,tillher pillow
her

out

heart
the

into

grew

still. About

midnight

kneeled, with

cold,and

her

in the bed.

0, I 've been

might

her had

pondered them

tilllate in her
grew

words

these

profoundimpressionupon
mother happened to say
Be

glide
and
gutta-percha,
apt

were

have

said

naughty girl!
it ten

small,and ignorant,and weak

years
that

"

she
ago.

said,just as
She

felt

so

night.
Out of such smallness,and ignorance,and weakness
have
beautiful
strength may
great knowledge and
in time to Sharley,but it was
a
growth. They came
long, slow time.
Moppet was
just as unendurable,
the baby just as fretful,
if she had
lifejustas joyless,
as

303

CALICO.

taken

no

plansabout
day ;
But
was

God

like

that

loyallyand

rose-tint.
did

after

"

she could
No

be

what

take

in

the

stockingswith

and

hear

run

away

since

nobody

be

idea in mind
was

think
she

sure,
as

gave

as

"

of

treasures

use

he

doing.

was

unkind.

quietway

understood

He

smile

as

and

She
that

"

what

was

and

aprons,

all about

that.

use

to

thinkingabout

one

frown
as

but

? darn
? stay
well

as

piness
give hap-

not

Easier

her ?

it

as

one

it ? be of

have

wore

cross

Why

Sharley found

the winter

Moppet's

headaches

of herself ?
not

well wash

well

discuss her

could

of much

was

doing, to
She

mother

and

the

use

of it.

care

the

her

to

gifthe

if

hers should

little black

why could she not as

with
as
pleasantword

What

was

Dike,

Meantime,
face with

that

forgetfulor
and

this

all just alike,"

"

what

Halcombe

coming.

would

He

be

Hers

knew

about

matter

was

of that.

sure

about

No

about.

out

cry

she would

He

times

thoughtsthat

whatever

"

long time,

in her

never

was

matter

gone.

gave

dozen

bonnie, and

or

cheerilyas

as

he

What

tearful

new,

"

his affair.

was

gifthe

and

no

out

lives should

some

That

dull gray

felt

cried

to

nothingfresh

one

gold

she

little matter

very
meant

and
be

! calico ! "

nothingbut calico !
by and by it dawned

"

it,made

upon

it.

Calico

"

outlook

new

use

since

saying than
she

kept

the

away

Aprilafternoon, when

304

she had

stolen out

woods.

GHOSTS.

of the house
had

She

four weeks

was

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

need

walk

in the budding

of

enough

she had

since

now

for

walk.

felt the wide

It
wind

her face ; four weeks

gineering
pleasantly
occupiedin enfour boys through the measles ; and if ever
had the capacityfor making of himself a
a sick child
seraph upon earth it was Moppet. It was a thin little
stood out againstthe
of the
face which
green mist
in and out with
unfurlingleaves as Sharleywandered

upon

"

"

aimlessness

sweet

its wistful eyes

thin,with

and

the elms

among

hickories ; very

hollow

grown

shadow

of

Sharleywho flattered among the plaidribbons

saddened
October
face
it
one
a
morning. It was
face
but
certain
a
might always be a saddened
rested look had
worked
its way
about her
pleasant,
the old

"

"

"

mouth,

Not
but

Sharleyknew much
thought she did, which,

amounts

the
and

the rich mellowness

that

she

She

unlike

not

to

about

the

same

about

sunsets

as

set.
rainysun-

yet

thinkingwith a wee
baby'sarms
clung around
how
surprisedher mother

said before,

of

glow
her

neck

looked

pleasurehow
that morning,

when

lah
Methuse-

her

As
taking this walk.
you
warned
in the beginning,nothing remarkable
happened to Sharley. Since she had begun in
to

is done

neither

at

approve
if

we

become

degree her

Mrs.
never

the

Dike's
think

thing.

was

cried

of

theory,that
of

our

in

any

she had

ever

tice
prac-

harm

no

troubles,she

villageidol,nor
mother's pride. But

were

had

able
remarknever-

305

CALICO.

theless cut

for herself

home,

much

"

I don't

"

Jong

well

was

to

room

of her
the

cellent
ex-

of.

aware

small

how

care

I have

as

in the heart

niche

larger niche, perhaps,than

Guest

Mrs.

small

it is," cried

feet

two

put my

Sharley,

as

look

and

on

"

up."
for that old

And

pain ?

that, and Sharley,

nobody

"

and

"

else.

Whatever

bound

for future

preciselittle way
learned

had

she

taughther

had

and

about

the winter

labelled in her
least

At

use.

everybody

it is not

knew

Ah, well, God

had

she

learns

who

it at

with a
her life bravely
a rose
eighteen, to wear
golden thorn."
think that this is the place to end my story,
I really
SharSo many
so
properlypolishedoff with a moral.
read beyond. But
being bound
leys,too, will never
"

"

"

in honor

add,
her

while

that

her without

out

of the

crashed

and

saw,

and

about

break
or

overhead

her

downward,

enough

through

felt that she saw,

;

threw
at

All

her.

out

among

her

now

Thunders

girlsto

started with

glare of

been

forest darkened

cry

undergrowth

matted

scorched

had

like other

hands, and

her

the foot of

the

the

must

It fell

gaped at

the

She

thunder-storm.
way

sky

The
It

it last.

Sharley was
a

thought

clouds.
purple-black

of

reeled.

and

warning.
at

moral, I

no

thunder-storm.

up

any

throats

over

be afraid of
to

came

she looked

clear when

or

Sharley walked

there

hickories

upon

moral

tell the whole

to

golden

arrow

fell crushed, face

tree.

306

she

When

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

her

GHOSTS.

she

under a
sitting
wood-pile. Or, to speak more
accurately,she was
in Mr. Halcombe
Dike's lap,and Mr. Halcombe
sitting
under the wood-pile.
Dike
was
It was
roofed with pine
a low, triangular
wood-pile,

opened

the

boards, through which

rain,but

I 've been
better

of that
u

"

to

patch of

I 'm

that

her

head

upon
44

his

here

woods

I knew

"

to

than

to

"

back
falling

blockade

try to talk."

faint little

ended

where

feet.

and

the

Don't

house.

Sharley,with
talking ; and

are

hands
run

only

were

you

with
had

she

laugh,
weak

found

it,

arm.

n't

1 would
after

was

was

rubbing your

come

said

not,"

it 's you

pause,

right,"said he,

's

stunned.
was

dripping.It
largeclearing,
exposed to the
water

saidSharley.

That

"

was

safe.

"Oh!"

It

of

in the centre

stood

eyes

talk," repeatedthe

profound silence

young

vantly,
rele-

man,

of five minutes.

*'

'

the station.
You
from
lots
coming across
Sharley,you fell rightat my feet !
but Sharley,lookingup,
He
spoke carelessly,
'

fell

"

"

that his face

"

was

I believe

white.
will get

down,"

observed,

she

after

her head.
consideration,lifting

some
"

I don't

see

how

helplessly
;
out

saw

there.

people

to

There
sit."

"

you

can,

it pours

is n't

room

as

you

he

know,"

straightas
in this

gested,
sug-

deluge

place for

two

308

that

All
will

understand.

never

GHOSTS.

upturned

face

hid

in

She
hand

her

hair ; put

brown

the

by

meant

was

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

it

her

bright,
cheek

his

softlyupon

up

he

perhaps

cried.

and

If

"

would

you

would
Not

across

home

"

happy,

"

catch
u

sir ! "

No,

burning

her

been

the

wide

All

business."

of

Well, I

and

sky,

world

the

shadow

ried
car-

walked

hung

was

rainbow

Sharley
and

can't

we

said

did

with

quivered

when

she

came

him.

squeeze

good girlsall

be

can

on

Moppet,
the

of her

beautiful

if such

's all."

Moppet

we

the

if

same

"

injured Moppet.

answer

well.

see

blinds

shine, Moppet
Out

man,

"

You

don't

!"

me

But

"hated

that

"

that

find

Moppet,

are

we

young

the

cloud.

thing

to

was

the

Buildings ?

under

faint

The

first

The

Sharley

Crumpet

hand.

silver

But

out

in

crystals.

.suggested

through,

came

hand

home

the

affair

They

"

about

anything

hear.

not

about

that

hear

to

"

throat.

clearing his

44

it

part of

business

She

like

pain

round

And

how

drops hanging
the

little

and

dles
mud-pud-

!"
and

her
It

answer.

had

the

not

come

patience
well

was

God

for

That

had

brought

Sharley.
also would

But

have

'

KENTUCKY'S

TRUE?

Every syllable.

That

was

fair for

very

which

landsman,

little

of 'em

past, and

time, and

and

no

in
with

somewhere

was

if I recollect

to

little,

from

you

up-

it is with

as

know

don't

about

ing
hear-

mizzen-mast

twenty years

fair,that

to

Madagascar

burning oil,and
the fo'castle

the
as

when

I 've

sky
nigh

the

like
a

so

hell

as

last October,

ago

for that

laying in

were

we

particulartrip to Madagascar.

and

much

the

on

growing

his words

It 's very

who

the

the

so

floggingconsequent
trim

yarn

long
strawberry

regular in

to

take

my

roofs

"

church-steeple.

voyage

could

days, like

younger

growing strange

lubbers

I say,

as

you

livingunder

learns

sea

doughnut

too,

on
follering

mistake.

Brown,

stretched

never

my

do the

man

nothing but
It

square,

of statement

the talk of the

from

the

the parson

having to

boys, a

Tom,

what

call from

inakkeracies
of six

I '11bet you

on

fo'castle
but

Tom

but

say that

to

the

on

all

of yours,

if I don't mistake, than

Not

to.

rest

very

is more,

oath

fair yarn

it ; and

beat

can

GHOST.

sea

much
ever

was

done
like

little

that
so

much

burning brass,
fo'castle

was

in

310

calm

I Ve

MEN,

WOMEN,

done

it when

AND

we

nigh about every spar

nightand day ; and I 've done

the

to

"

"

it with

or

distinct

as

drunken

dog on
of
teaspoonfuls

two

Shore

for the East

quiteas

any

and

but someways

day,

headed

we

touched

gone

duff that

starvation rations,
n't have

would

sneakinginto port
and pumps
going

came

with

on

GHOSTS.

other,of
I don't

tain
cap-

land
water

all the times

to

seem

ber
remem-

this.

Wharf

in the

shipMadonna,
which they tell me
My Lady, and a pretty
means,
that gentle kind
it was
name
; it was
apt to give me
is surprising
when
of feeling
I spoke it,which
when
ging
logyou consider what a dull old hull she was, never
We

cleared from

Long

"

have
while

knots, and

over

ten

been

because

oncertain

of Moll's

coming

that.

at

down

once

It may
in

days that we lay at dock, bringingthe

deck in a little white
boy with her, and sitting
up on
a very
good-looking
apron, knitting.She was
woman,
was
wife, in those days,and I felt proud of her,
my
natural,with the lads lookingon.
donna
Molly,"I used to say, sometimes,
Molly Main the

"

"

"

"

!"
"

"

! " says

Nonsense

she,givinga

clack to her needles,

pleasedenough though,I warrant

very pretty pink about the cheeks

wife.
and

Seeingas
true

at manners

her

one,
or

silk gown

see, and

so

was

how

and

she

was

and

you,
for

always

turning

four-years'
lady to me,

gentle,though she was n't much

and though I never
book-learning,
gave
in her life,
she was
quite content, you
I.

KENTUCKY'S

311

GHOST.

times,
somethought about the name
the lads were
n't particularly
when
noisy, but
they laughed at me mostly. I was rough enough and
bad enough in those days ; as rough as the rest, and
as

I used

to

bad

the rest, I suppose,

as

notions

my

speak my

littledifferent from

poetry,"they called 'em.

We
were
loading for
said, did n't

trade

whiskey branch,
Malagasy

the

We

cook,

that

in

to

mean

about

the

that I

brutal

least,that 's my

it

men

free
"

to

say) ;

say
's my

That
"

trader.

to

be

they

quite as

often

have

and

as

when

case

with

done

about

before

as

the

was

as

you

As

for

're
our

better,

the

merchant

the

the African

and

experience,sir,"which

brutal men,

in

be

to

the

year.

that
as
disrespectful

happens

experience;

of
We

the
he

"

in

stock

cotton.

less said of them

mean

great ship-ownersargue

whiskey

within

put it tenderly. Officers

if
service,especially
are

jority
largema-

fair coffee

as

the

it, till

good

Dodd,

galleyof
the

I say

much

so

again

and
provisioned,

when
officers,
it ain't

little

trip,with

home

at

made

find

likelyto

had

genuine,

days, except

law by
tJieprohibitory

be

to

Dodd

"

of the

brisk, I take

be

We

Jake's

"

trade, as

and
flannel,handsaws, nails,

well

were

much

these

will

houses.

hoping

were

left in

hold, I remember,

knives, red

Shore

have

to

the others.

East

is n't

which

carry

both

in

the

There

I ?

old-fashioned

the

but yet I seemed

they

now,

ain't

(at

of your

some

me,

vice,
ser-

I 'm

as

"

"

is all I 've

fit for their

say,

got

to

positions

312

if

as

been

from

Davy

importedfor
Jones's

GHOSTS.

the purpose

Locker.

Though they

done
floggingis pretty much
these days, which
makes
difference.
a
Sometimes
when
on
a sunshiny
afternoon,
showed

water

of the clouds

being the

and
fish-houses,

the

and

swore,

(he
and

baby

our
was

"

him

oilybarrels
the smells

about

account

all the

strong from
and

the

mates

deck

his

gone

the lads took

mother

would

for

away

body
everyings
stock-

shine to

quitea
with

say,

little

heard,

captainnever

"think

"

in company

year

air

knocking

were

were

shouted

men

ran

that the

sigh, low, so
was

the

knees, and

bare

usual,on

muddy

a-playwith
cunning little chap with red

him), "Jake,"
if it

the

the wharves, and

on

than

the

do

with

away

color of silver,and

gold,when

the color of
about

little muddier

little indirect

the

that

say
in

they 'd

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

the

like of that!"

drop her shiningneedles,and

back sharp,and catch him up into

she would

Then

the littlefellow
arms.

into the

all about
dock

hour
and

her

Go

at

call

it.

Bless

better than

you

I ate, and

I did n't
Well

we

how
so

any

could
how

tell you

what

she

the last of the

was

as

her

days

to

this

hair was,,

long my

looked, and

Madonna

ask

those

remembers

thick when

weighed, along

pretty good spirits.The

seaworthy as

She

shirt,and

generallyswear
;

! she

I do.

the color of my
what

and

keeping-room there,Tom,

was

I said.
about.

month, in
stanch

and

in the harbor,
eight-hundred-tonner

if she

clumsy;

was

turned

we

313

GHOST.

KENTUCKY'S

thereabouts,into the fo'castle,

or

messmates,

and

the breeze

by,

tell him

if I would

fair

me,

the

of the

the

I carried

pointingto

name

sky.

I took

sleeve

boxes,pulledmy

some

asked

and

off,Molly and

after supper.

on
boy,sitting

went

we

wharves

another;

one

the west, with

were

we

with

content

stifffrom

was

the

upon

baby.
as

well

night before

The
walk

and

us

jollyset,mostly

"

old

sixteen of

in,some

the

donna,
Ma-

ship.

said I, not over-pleased

to
yourself,"
be interrupted.
Don't
be cross
to him," says Molly. The
baby
kiss at the boy, and
threw
Molly smiled at him
a
"

Find

for

out

"

through

dark.

the

I
the

remembered

have

don't
lubber

suppose

that

throughthe dark.
My wife and I said good-bythe next
the lumber
littlesheltered placeamong
she

was

one

of your

cryingbefore

women

who

ever

day to this,
Molly smilingat him

from

except that I liked the looks of

should

never

morning
on

the

in

wharf;

like to do their

folks.

pileof lumber and sat down, a

ber
littleflushed and quivery,to watch us off. I rememwell
seeing her there with the baby tillwe were
I remember
the channel.
down
noticingthe bay as
break off
it grew cleaner,and thinking that I would
cursing Bob Smart like
swearing; and I remember
She

climbed

piratewithin
The

breeze

the

on

an

hour.

held steadier than

14

we

'd looked

for,and

314

'd made

we

and discharged
the pilotby
good offing

Mr. Whitmarsh
nightfall.
aft with the captain. The
the smell of the coffee

the

from

shout ;

the

around

coming
"

was

if you 'd
I 'd

came

deck, I

seen

to

"

Mr.

says

stowed

boy

fellow,"and
as

lief

see

much
a

as

with

the officers from

the men,

and
proper

cry and

crowd

the

way,

Whitmarsh,

who

spiteof

!"

away

said

Bob

quick enough.

'd

you

storm

of mine

hold,and

wonder

never

in

ing.
brew-

was

of the

stowingaway

lead the lifeof

him

see

of

son

gang

in,and

saw

get
for-

scowling.

poor

as

like,
home-

there

once

alwaystested the wind well, when a

He jerkedthe poor fellow out
pushed him alongto the mate's feet.
"

hot and

maintop,I

Bob, catchingthe officer's tone

I say

little;

singinga

fore-hatch.

and

up

was

"

up in the

1 touched

stow-away, sir !

boys were

's all this noise for ?

What

"

the mate

was

coming up,

all at

when

and,

he

"

was

galley. I

for,when

what

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

as

why

I have.

Carolina

slaveWhat

stow-away.

that they 've

feeling

been

catch their

their superiors,

the lawful

he don't have

what

cue

boy
you

from
who
may

taken

hired in the
call

tender

time.
for his years,
little fellow,slight
a
chap was
I take it. He
which
was
might have been fifteen,
He
his forehead.
with a jerk of thin hair on
palish,
He looked
was
hungry,and homesick, and frightened.
This

about
and

on

all

our

faces,and

laystilljustas

Bob

had

then

he

thrown

cowered

him.

little,

316

he choked

and

winked

the

the

water

on

sun

of

with

his eyes

hung

without
One

about
in

the

of
alongside
pipe (and a

Watch

had,

the

and

did

good one,

very
a

odd

Upon

and

up

too),so

in ?

first

The

what

more
on

The

to

boil.
lads

give him

said

I,by and

"

for it did

"

Sunday
washed

and

few

"

often

not

of port with

hold.
crawled

down

ahind
I

says I.

out

's

up,

that

himself

cleaningday
and

sat

took

did n't know

chap
than

their trousers.
mates

the

lay and

nod, very short,and

whistling.

do with

them, mending
Me

Sunday

to

new

I did n't

out
got fairly

gives me

off

walks

for

hauled

tryinga

was

job up shrewd, Kent,"

home

that he

jobs

out, he

was

hot, you bet, and dark.

whiskey. It was
thought how hungry I was," says he.
at

round

me

while.

drunk

was

Friends

heing
always

lad

chased

the windlass.

"

"

as

of

account

on

the first week

on

did this

You

was

night,but

he

way

by ; how did you steer

happen that the Madonna
in her
a
boy unbeknown
u

well

as

asking.

me

notice for

it

afterwards

me

night before

much

did it all up, about

cold in the head,

of that

littlenotice

kind

and

and

me,

whether

know

I don't

me

at

GHOSTS.

myself justabout.

I could

taken

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

lobster

at

sea,

got

ont

it comfortable

fo'castle (I being on
to'gallant

any

just put

you

know.

round, little knots

Bob

watch

gets

of

his cards.
under

the

below),reeling

KENTUCKY'S

off the stiffestyarns

euchre

at

walked

and

By
and

Bob

was

of

the
"

The

boy

reckoning

from

he

For

prays,

turned

if he

the book

Sunday

They

old.
:

way

if he
It

me.

There

was

"

to

him

other
about
more

don't

you

evry

mother

day, Amen."

said

let

us

never

laugh it out.

heard

about

in

old

to

the
a

or

unkindness, took
I

noticed

after that.

He

was

that

fell into

forget

uncle, I
name

cut

it

to

it

told

"

seem

two,

He

but

the

took

lads

week

I 've lost my

fellow

used

He

word, only

name,

and

it in

thing

the

an

ened
straight-

last of it.

Kentucky,

see.

no

the

by

came

for
first,

but he got used

One

and

to

but he

he

died

it at

they meant

toss

white, and

rnoniment-like,you
bit about

book.

unbeknown,

fust red, then

ever

how

as

"

had

"

heap

laughing as

book

black

in

away

falls to

his Affecshunate

exactly. Something
believe

then

Kentucky Hodge.

who

day

one

on

spry!

"

it up,

yellow leaf, this

again and

down

there,

snatches

then

quitesudden,

up

me

and

"

"

looked

awhile,

us

long-boat. He

bit of Testament,

to

over

and givesthe
strangle,

writingon

sat

the

behind

of his hands

would

Kent

Kent, sittingcurled

stern

crawls

listened

Bob, "Look

says

was

the

then

in tow.

oneasy.

by

there

under

out

awhile,

about

had

we

317

GHOST.

was

up

famously ;

and, seeing as

quitecheery.
he
our

never

ways

had
next

easy.
take

the Bible

just the

way

you

would,

318

Tom,

say that I

never

at

man

being an

I tell you,

Tom

like him

leavingthe

bit tender

thoughI

will

did n't

give

good yarn.
I felt sorry

Brown,

for

enough

honest

who

sea

uncommon

It 's punishment bad

boy.
that

the

saw

it'the credit of
But

GHOSTS.

generalthing,sailors don't

as

"

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

shore, and

of him

maybe,

for that

little scamp

folks to

home

rough it on
how
to slush
down
a trader,learning
a
or
back-stay,
tie reef-points
with frozen fingers
in a snow-squall.
But
that 's not
the worst
of it,by no
If
means.
were

there

ever

was

wicked

eye

marsh,

taken

cold-blooded, cruel

and

fist like

his best.

at

And

second

you

may

be

Whitmarsh.
and

mate
sure

took

He

he

kept it on
along,just about
I 've

seen

him

in little poolson

red, to
the
the

he

but

believe,of

to

candle

the

Mr.

to

the

first,

last,right

so.

beat
deck

that
;

boy

then

tillthe blood
him

send

clear the to'sail halliards ; and

he
pain and faintness,
half blind, he
ratlines,

floghim

all the

Madonna,

boy from

steady strain

Whit-

"

the

spiteto

Bradley that 's

gentlein his ways,

held

never

Job

of the

too

none

was

"

with

.man,

mallet, it was

tripsI 've taken, him being mate

Kentucky found him at his worst.
the

to

dizzied

would

tillthe

ran

down

all wet

and

when, what

with

up,

and clung to
little,

have

down

him

would

and

pen
hap-

cap'n interfered,
on
a fair day when
occasionally
enough to be good-natured. He

which

brains for the words

boy working quiet

"

he

slungat

the

taken

he had
used

to

rack

just
his

beside

enough

him.

It

Bob

Smart

get off.

would

I could

it than

up

to

we

had

used
If

Whitmarsh
article,

patent and
and

new

down

made

the fo'castle ladder

well, as he would

or

used

chase

to

he used

to

used

starve

to

him

Tom,
me

I remember

than

now

for twenty

years

McCallum

was

Mark

my

Whitmarsh's

worked

deck

"

"

an

marsh
was

was

mate

fever

drove

rope's end

comes

to

It did n't

in

come

sick at

heart,

and
helpless,

I 've

thoughtof it
said one
night;

as

old fellow with

as

go

on

gray hair ;

his

to

deck, and

"

when

to
straight

Job

hell

Dead

summons.

as
or

summons."

especialthat

him, and took

him

the stretch ; he

on

words, shipmates,"
says he,

I recollect

on

him, sick

the fo'castle always.

on

alive, that boy will bring

with

.at the

thingMcCallum

Scotch,

time

day

lad

the

dray-horse
; he

looking on

Judas, that boy will bring his

One

his

out

kick

work

I turned

don't know

"

told the best yarns

"

one,

ketable
mar-

fellow.

stout

great

to

in the.hold.

out

taken

to

used

over-tender,but

times

more

used

for hours

him

by inventingof them,

he

all about

mast-head

line to be

my

come

been

have

he

n't have

him

had

curses

would

Then

ingenious.

more

he

try sometimes, but

to

his fortune

talk

the

now,

could n't any

givein always.

to

odd,

was

we

319

GHOST.

KENTUCKY'S

the

lad

his hammock.
ordered

him

was

sick
Whit-

aloft.

tucky
by, trimming the spanker. Kenstandingnear
There
staggeredfor'ard a little and sat down.
a
rope's-endthere, knotted three times. The

struck him.

320

weak, sir,"says he.

I 'm very

The

him

struck

He

seemed

be

to

'

ML
the
"

say,

playin

Think

if it

"think

And

the

but

the air the

!"

him

if it

the

on

all of
with

the

slipmy

after that

clouds

to

seems

tongue in

furious

and

onre-

got before.

never

they had

the irons

me.

Sorry about that,eh

they took 'em off.
"

sir,"says I.

"No,
never

the

And

"

said

lie,the day before

never

forgotthat. I had helped

beginning, learned him how
"

brace, let go

Kentucky

was.

him
to

occasional

let him

but

That

the lad

week

One
mate

"

in irons I

time

had

or

it

"

been

turned

was

reallybelieve
on

in

haul
alone

business.

own

never

Saturday night, and

furious

oncommon

my

and

veer

belaya sheet,
generallyspeaking,and went about
a

gold,and

she

she, or

says

I 'd let

I knew

next

sudden

color of

that
and given it to the mate
jiffy,
spectfulas I '11 wager Whitmarsh

And

he fell.

him!"

was

I knew

next

more.

shiningneedles,and
about the deck.
stockings

his red

was

twice

her

with

apron

ba^

"

him

lying off Long Wharf,

white

"

ailed me,

what

silver,and

the color of

struck

and lay where

little,

I don't know

He

again.

fell over

boy

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

that week

"

got.
for-

the
tucky
Ken-

him, very pale and slow (I was

up
in the mizzen-top,
and heard
him
quite distinct).
"Mr.

on

Whitmarsh,"

says

he,

"

"Mr.

Whitinarsh,"

KENTUCKY'S

he

"

draws

his breath

three times,

321

GHOST.

in,

"Mr.

"

Whitmarsh,"

've got the power

and you know
it,and so do the gentlemen who put you here ; and
I'm
only a stow-away boy,and thingsare all'in a
"

"

you

tangle,but

you 'II be sorry yet for every time you 've

hands on me ! "

laid your

had n't

He

Fact

that first month

was,

done

the lad

with

him, some'at

chained
as

my

good.

no

dog. At
baby's,and

Smart's

Bob

about the

ey"

said it.

he

when

look
pleasant

He

had

like what
the

the

on

've

way
about a

seen

his talk had been

first,

he

would

stories; but

he

had

sullen
surly,

Madonna

clean

blush

like any girlat

got used to Bob, and

pretty good,in,/time,at small swearing.

I don't think I should have
had

been

not

and

the

deck, and
Sometimes

pity.
so

far

that I

was

any

the married

throughany
have

seeming

Molly,and

see

homes

the

crew

of their

sea
own

listened to

and
psalm-tune,
a
long pullfor

if it

the sun,

the
child upon
if it was
him!"
to

think it was

better than the rest,except

are

men

keep the straightest.

Sometimes, too, I used
have

to

and
the
knitting-needles,
hearingof it over, "Think
on
a Sunday nightI used

Not
as

for

noticed it so much

over,

and

always steadier.

Go

and it is the lads who

littlechildren in 'em

as

fancythat I could
from a parson, or a good brisk
a word
taken it in very good part. A year is
with
to be becalmed
men
twenty-five

14*

to

take

322

MEN,

other and

each

much

his

AND

devil.

I don't

the

I 'm not

myself,but
so

WOMEN,

officer aboard

one

as

commandments,

cayenne

pepper,

If

had

you

in

you

were

You

'd

your

churches

Rome

have

whether
world

had

too.

That

Tom,

lads

that

souls,or not,

take

"

not, and

what

's the

do

it is with

the

dozen,

Tom

you,
the

as

better

Romans

if
do.

ledgers,and your children, and

Sunday schools,and freed niggers,

and

the

Bless

kept

it.

by

sea

'd had

the

know

pious

and

as
religion

the

'd

God

been

there,you

you

your

and
'lections,

and

that if we

have

that ?

of

you

be

to

up

feared

with

ships on

your

'd bethink

you

who

much

if it 's

"

set

I know

should

we

It 's very

for it.

men

fool,and

GHOSTS.

sailed your
and

"

be

of the

way

stop

never

think

to

ships across
good sort of

world.

Take

the
man

it easy,

it easy.

alongjust about so with us till

Cape. It 's not a pretty place,the

Well, things went

neared

we

Cape,

the

on

what

was

winter's
you

I don't

it 's not

there

till there
It

sand
lad

to

seem

was

sifted
was

call

may

rounding it, but

I can't

voyage.

scar't
a

after

across

"

No,"

"

first time

remember

much

about

Kent

along

ber.
Friday at the first of Decemstill day, with a little haze, like white

come

eyes.

Sick ?

the

ever

pretty place.

sunbeam

on

kitchen

quiet-likeall day,chasingme

"

as

say

says I.

says he.

table.

about

with

The
his

324

This, mind
She

"

WOMEN,

you,

is the first time

his folks since he

about

he.

shirt she 'd made

and

of

making

day, a sewing
would

look up

There

ain't

down.

We

faces,and

damning

but

could

the bo'sen

aboard

to

said

in

come

she

tries to

still and

very

sits

littleaft.

reckon

you
who

look

"

there 's

here.
a

I 've

chap

's said his prayers

here

"

since he

I, quite short: for I 'd have

as

put it into words

soaked

all

"

remember,

can

few

round

bet

my

it.

on

wind

back

comes

if it

questionsounded, and

the

headache

joins the lads,and

he, quite low,

"

head

When

collar

flickery
lightupon the boys'
and on the cap'n,who was
rigging,

the

on

NoJ"

had

never

the

see

thinking. Do
just one, perhaps
"

It has

me
follering

shirt.

and

he

been

came

I 've

round."

Jake," says

"

that

on

me

little;

sing a

's been

he gets up,

then

such.

She

white

one

and smiling.Father 's dead.

bright-like
All day long she 's been
anybody but me.

of
follering
So

know.

She

it.

and

was

I had n't the heart.

cuffs,you

some

spoke

ever

chamber," says

There

for meetin'

here.

it out

worn

has

he

in the south

the window.

out

got

GHOSTS.

aboard.

came

asleepdown

was

"I

AND

MEN,

the

it

turningbrisk, and

was

reefs ; Bob
;

how

me

and

Smart,
the

out

morning,justhow

this

was

all

came
we

I can't

answer.

'd

over

justeased

me.

seem

The

her with

furlingthe flyingjib,got

were
silent,
boy sitting

spattered.

KENTUCKY'S

I remember

watching the
color, with

mahogany
how

like it

to

was

the mouth, and

at

Him

holdingof
bespoke to beg

of the

curve

the

big

his favor

and

thinking
hissingand foaming
once
something about

creature

in

sea

great swells,

tip of white,

thinkingall at

the

325

GHOST.

balance, and

since
respectful

not

weighed

we

anchor, and the cap'n yonder callingon

our

that minute
bo'sen

had

of the

you

The

"

said he

's

There

wood

's drawed

But

she thinks

Just

ahoy !
the

sure

the

there

Tumble
lad

it blows

's

up
turns

bedtime

my

"

She

to

she

I '11be

there

in, and
hands

ribbon

home

sorry
home

order,

the

one.

all

self."
her-

by

her

"

her
cap.

bunnet.

gray

door

coming

green

on

the

She

home.

bring in

to

wears

and

coming

comes

has

gray

curtains

she thinks

then

I remember."

But

"

meetin'

I '11be

little black, and

day

to

For

Whitmarsh

rocking-chair,a
the dog. She
sets

There

She

and

squaring

prays,

Mr.

up.

it.

It 's 'most

begins again:

goes

who

little

now.

she

I 'm

"

's tore

with

fire,and

he

Then

When

book

his old gun

settingin

"

the

whispers Kentucky, presently,

day, Amen,"

soft.

Then

own

about

mother

his Affecshunate

wadded

's

just

the bottom, if the

to

orders

Him

after-yards.

evry

very

disobeyedhis

n't

From

"

the Madonna

send

to

word

is locked.

day,
sorry."

some

Port

watch

"

!
I turns
so
out,
lively
the night settles down
a
and

clean, all but

head
a

bank

are

full.

of gray,

Next

very

326

and

thin

"

abeam

of

The

side

the

through

pins.

like

mast

wall.

kept
a

heavily,
"

small

"steer

's that

lubber

thick,

let his

liquor
in

were

the

crooked
terribly
old

tell you

with

your

the

royals!

Kent?

hull strained
!

Mind

foresail!

Up

your

Furl

the

Cheerily,men
with

lively

you,

"

Kentucky sprang
short.
Anybody as
play

no

for'ard
knows

blamed

n't have

would
it 's

up

night we

made

there,I

down

Send

was.

Whitmarsh, growing

cries
we

that

for

wind.

sheer, and

McCallum,

now,

now

"

broad

"

for

face,

the horizon

on

cap'n

By

ugly

very

the

Where

lay just

had grown

the

deck.

the

about

wake, with

in

bank

sundown

small, there !

royals!

see

cushio
great purplepin-

poetry,"the boys said

Steer

eye

which

"

like

stuck

two

or

By

chop-seas,with
hot

Tom,

little gray

that

alone, and

"

window,

Jake's

"

noon
a

size of that cloud you

thought,looked

sea,

By

GHOSTS.

us.

with
the

the

about

still,

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

for

an

the
old

at

the

order,then

royal from

lad.

an

stopped
anchor

I '11 take oath

tar, stout

and

to

't

full in size,

sendingdown the royalsin a galelike that ; let alone

a
boy of fifteen year on his first voyage.
takes to swearing (it would
have
But
the mate
turned
shoots
a
parson faint to hear him), and Kent
away
to

and

up,

"

the

fro,and

and
creaking,

great
the

the

mast

swinging like

reef-points
snapping,and
sails

flappingto

that

pendulum
the blocks

extent

as

you

KENTUCKY'S

would

n't consider

the mast
read

of, that

the

to

possibleunless

yourself.
stun

It reminded

bottom, Tom,

Kent

with

man

327

GHOST.

of

me

their

before

'd been

you

evil birds I 've

wings ;

could

you

before

strike you

say Jack

inson.
Rob-

stuck

bravelyas far as the cross-trees.

There
he slippedand struggled and
clung in the dark and
noise awhile, then comes
down
the back-stay.
sliding
I 'm not afraid,
sir," says he ; "but I cannot
do
"

it."
For

Whitmarsh

answer

Kentucky

is up

takes

again, and

this the

Will you

"

kill the lad ?

pains,that

my
and

I rub

when

lad

stopped

climbed

opened
him

once

times,

"

his

lips;

just looked

he

for

easy

boy

is up

WhitThe

enough.

back.

Ve

of the

in the shadow

up

the

back.

thinking,I

since,in my

too

the rope.
far

looked

he

Once

on.

with

blow

none

eyes

'd gone

he

when

him

I get

feet

of my

out

behind

littlelow.

said I.

off my

me

the stars

the mate

again,and
marsh

sends

"

strugglesand

again.

begin to grumble

men

rope's-end. So

slipsand

clingsagain,and then laysdown

At

the

to

He

never

If I 've
him

seen

great gray

seen

twenty

wings, a

lookingback.
After
the

that there

never
"

been

have

Well,"

cry, and

racingalong with

Madonna

If it had

only a

was

the

whole

stoppedfor
said the

them

that

cap'n,

"

you

splash,and

gale twelve
overboard, she

the

crew

knots.
could

night.
've done

it now."

828

MEN,

Whitmarsh

By
over,

his back.

turns

and

by,

and

I had

GHOSTS.

AND

WOMEN,

when
the

the wind

fell,and

time

think

to

the

hurry was
steadythought,

being in the morning watch, I seemed to see the old

lady in the gray bunnet settingby the fire. And the
the green
rocking-chair.And the front
dog. And
door, with the boy walking in on a sunny afternoon to
take

her

by surprise.
to
Then
I remember
leaningover
thinkingof
wondering if the lad were

look

had

hours

happened to

just about

where

quarters, and
And

him

while

these

now,

and

he was,

two

how

down, and

it too, and

back, and

liked his

he

what

new

many

other

strange and curious things.

I sat

there

ing
thinking,the Sunday-morn-

through the clouds, and the solemn

Sunday-morning lightbegan to break upon the sea.
had a quiet run
We
of it, after that, into port,
where
we
lay about a coupleof months or so, trading
off for a fair stock of palm-oil,
ivory,and hides. The
hot and purpleand still. We
had n't what
days were
might call a blow, if I recollect accurate, tillwe
you
rounded
the Cape again,heading for home.
We
were
rounding that Cape again,heading for
that happened which
home, when
you
may believe me
stars

or

not,

man

as

who

take down
into

what

cut

you
can

take

swallow

t' other
the

I 've got

the

chap

inside of
to

notion, Tom
Daniel
who

and

though why

the

lion's den,

lived three

whale, should

tell I can't

see,

a
or

able
days comfort-

make

faces at

KENTUCKY'S

It

just about

was

the spot that

the worst

fell upon

we

quitesudden.
n't apt to

drunk

in

lost the

we

the

galeof

Whitmarsh

be

329

GHOST.

It struck

trip.

gale,if it gave

that

littlehigh. He

was

boy

him

us

was

warning

sufficient.

Well, you

there

see,

main-royal again, and

McCallum
in

be

somebody to furl the

McCallum.
pitched onto

must

he

n't his beat for

had

out
fighting

the

royal

blow.

he

So

the to'-sail yard.

to
lively,
up
knew
sudden, he stopped. Next we
a
like heat-lightning.

piled away

There, all of
he

down

was

face had

His
"

with you

McCallum,

Said McCallum,

somebody
*

Dorit

for you
I

or

never

knocking
to

so

the old

'd the

he

orders

out

goes

up

sense

Can't

There

's

Says he,

if I '11stir a step

me

alive go the turn

If he would
dead

Smart

steady,with

any
was

relished

his eyes,

would

he

there

see

n't have

before

say what

left to
Bob

down.

man

fellow,if there 'd been

He

Bob

of any

Scotchman

guess.

"

quite plain. He

called

hang

idiot ! "

"

face went.
the

an

!
to-night

man

the face

saw

that mate's

lost my

other

any

and

there,sir."

up

distinct

him

saw

He

up.

'
up !

come

you

Whitmarsh.

're gone

quietand

very

I called

me.

saw

roared

somebody

You

"

there, sir.

up

"

There 'a

"

Whitmarsh,

Screamed

white.

very

's to pay

What

Said

gone

time

n't

have
to

I 've
done

lose.

overmuch,

direct.
a

quid in

his cheek

and

330

Half-way

cool eye.

stops,and down

sittingsquare

"

up !

come

you

the

upon

back-stays,by the
hollered

not

to

of

come

us

nor

like
man,
"

lookinginto

the drink
in

you

see,

got

up!'"

come
"

said Jim
and

up,

couple

Jaloffe.

of the

So

up

rest, by the

to

come

of

"

He

!"

up

man

would

us

he swore,
sat

we

stirred.

never

to

crawl

all,then, for

as

says Welch.

stamped,and

mate

was

Dorii

stir

and

and

he

looked

at

Something cold,

along from

man

to

and

good as

set

what

of

with

bers
cowardlylubthe anger

word, and

his

up

and

the ratlines

twinkle.

flash

the lads
.

he

boy

another's eyes.

one

ye

cries the

'

and

furious ; but

eyes, and

I '11shame

yard.

's

money.

seemed
frost-bite,

!"

In

n't

he

about

another's

one

that

were

!"

! not

was

Well, Whitmarsh
knocked

the

like the

back

me

up

for love

aloft,not

see

wolunteers

they comes

there

that

After

never

So

Welch

He

"

run.

beckoned

He

"

he.

's a fool !

"

down

said

McCallum

Ijim. They
Welch
aboard,

and

goes,

"

don't you

'
"

JalofFe with

coolest hands

they

ain't !

he cries out,

Welch, standingby.
takes

he
to'-gallant

spinning.

yard. I
sittingon

is n't

's drunk, and

Bob

GHOSTS.

to'-sail and

if there

if he

Kentucky,

amid

he comes,

drowned

Be

"

AND

WOMEN,

MEN,

and

we

we

were

felt

after him,

ashamed,-

"

he

"

me

was

at

our

the

officer,

head, and

after.
following
to

the

futtock

shrouds,and there I stopped,

332

If it

"

as

see

been,

WOMEN,

the

boy,"

was

I 've been

"

hell,I take
has

that

you

feel he would
if he

parson

(I

"

soul

n't

could

don't

that

haul

another

hell for him

good place,and

good

God

hisn ; and

on

any

poor

Which
very

and

fellow

can't

Lord,
he

all the
"

not

as

again,
and

it 's

is, and
be

body's
no-

in the
That

same.

to

his chances

boy might

help

man

it.

He

he

never

wide, and
would

as

"

Then

and

see,

he.

the

's
his

goes

go to heaven, he won't, and

if he won't

all open

get

shut them

in, and

entered

have

the

throws

he

thought was

sensible of the

parson,

and

prettilyput.

There
won't

says

makes

will."

never

never,

he could.

the

he

exact),

like

as

of death

errand

do the

himself

shining gates

be

you

side

it,Brown,"

gait,and,

the

come,

whichever

fault but

just about

had

but

got there of its

that 's the will of the

why,

over,

choosing would

time

as

in

chicken

words

and

been

if
alongside

believes

lost soul," says

"a

and

gone

as

I get the

as

dition
conspiritooal

preaching it
much

so

"

soul

if the mate's

have

his

n't have

help himself;

of

way

help it,

has

free will and

own

he can't

know

own

were

"

solemn, tender

there

it should

the parson

hell,"

it,because

I can't say

and

"
"

wondering what

soul in

was.

he,

says

especialwhy

reason

any

GHOSTS.

AND

MEN,

's

wait

Molly fryingflapjacksnow,
for

no

man,

tide,else I should

like,to

tell the time

we

you

have

made

know,
talked
on

no

and
more

flapjacks
than

time

till midnight,very
that

trip home, and

KENTUCKY'S

how

the

green

and

Molly

harbor

the

looked

that

down

channel),

the

laughing

and

and

the

how

boots

on

other

time, and

that very

left behind
Just
*'

as

ivith

I grew

"

she sits and

So

then

And

the

baby

we

and

yellow

She

it

his first pair of

of the

of the lad

'd

we

I says

to

the

lumber,

her

cap

upon

ribbon

on

wife;

my

"

dazzled.

Molly, catchingonto
lad

know,

to

as

as

And

was.

day.

every

me

They

say

away."

ran

well

I knew

ever

as

thought

of the

dog.
that

book

with.

And

the frontdoor,

his old gun

a

walking
up

and

remember

till I had

ran

the

went

he

rocking-chair. And

three
"

and

for her

boy

boards.

said, but

gray

there

comes

the

me,

had

neck,

my

when

up

lady there, and I saw the sun

the blazing yellow boards,
on

said

wadded

with

So

all

I seemed

Whitmarsh

little dazed

green

how

little shaver

old

and

who

and

grown,

and

an

watches

afterwards,

about

little

climbed

once,

lady settingthere

know,"

littleclose.

all to

she

hauling up,

was

I don't

how

in

me

cast

we

of

purple days.

were

her,

(for

meet

Molly's words, and

bunnet,

there

all about

"

we

gray

For

and

of

's that old

Who

and

to

and

afternoon) I bethought me

in the

us

about

crying

boy had
deck
(the

the

about

danced

sailingup,

down

baby coming

little boat

333

GHOST.

the

wharf,

down

sat

her

Molly

"

her

beside

remember

can't

told her

in.
the

on

the

rightly what

sittingsilent

all there

and

was

in

to

the

tell.

shine
sun-

334

MEN,

which
as

"
cry !

Don't

"

she

lady
wide

never

After

moving.
said

she

more

under

"

Molly,when I got through,

of Molly, considering
surprising
crying all to herself. The old

The

She

see.

her
a

GHOSTS.

"

doing the
cried,you

was

open

she

says

the

it was

AND

WOMEN,

while

only

bunnet, and

gray

I made
son

with

sat

"

it out
of

his

her
her

lipsa

what
mother

eyes

it
"

was

and

"
"

By and
Molly and
between

by

she

I walk

gets up,
home

and

her

goes

with
together,

ways,

our

us.

THE

Cambridge

Printed

END.

by Welch, Bigelow,

and

Company.

and

littleboy