helen's babies by habberton, john, 1842-1921

8/14/2019 Helen's Babies by Habberton, John, 1842-1921

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HELEN'SBABIES


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Withsomeaccountoftheirways,innocent,crafty,angelic,impish,witchingandimpulsive;alsoapartialrecordoftheiractionsduringtendaysoftheirexistence

ByJOHNHABBERTON

Thefirstcause,sofarasitcanbedetermined,oftheexistenceofthisbookmaybefoundinthefollowingletter,writtenbymyonlymarriedsister,andreceivedbyme,HarryBurton,salesmanofwhitegoods,bachelor,agedtwenty-eight,andreceivedjustasIwastryingtodecidewhereIshouldSpendafortnight'svacation:--

"HILLCREST,June15,1875.

"DEARHARRY:--Rememberingthatyouarealwayscomplainingthatyouneverhaveachancetoread,andknowingthatyouwon'tgetitthissummer,ifyouspendyourvacationamongpeopleofyourownset,Iwritetoaskyoutocomeuphere.IadmitthatIamnotwhollydisinterestedininvitingyou.Thetruthis,TomandIare

invitedtospendafortnightwithmyoldschoolmate,AliceWayne,who,youknow,isthedearestgirlintheworld,thoughyouDIDN'TobeymeandmarryherbeforeFrankWayneappeared.Well,we'redyingtogo,forAliceandFrankliveinsplendidstyle;butastheyhaven'tincludedourchildrenintheirinvitation,andhavenochildrenoftheirown,wemustleaveBudgeandToddieathome.I'venodoubtthey'llbeperfectlysafe,formygirlisajewel,anddevotedtothechildren,butIwouldfeelagreatdealeasieriftherewasamaninthehouse.Besides,there'sthesilver,andburglarsarelesslikelytobreakintoahousewherethere'sasavage-lookingman.(Nevermindaboutthankingmeforthecompliment.)IfYOU'LLonlycomeup,mymindwillbecompletelyatrest.Thechildrenwon'tgiveyoutheslightesttrouble;they're

thebestchildrenintheworld--everybodysaysso.

"Tomhasplentyofcigars,Iknow,forthemoneyIshouldhavehadforanewsuitwenttopayhiscigar-man.Hehassomenewclaret,too,thatHEgoesintoecstasiesover,though_I_can'ttellitfromthevilestblackink,exceptbythecolor.Ourhorsesareinsplendidcondition,andsoisthegarden--youseeIdon'tforgetyouroldpassionforflowers.And,lastandbest,thereneverweresomanyhandsomegirlsatHillcrestasthereareamongthesummerboardersalreadyhere;thegirlsyoualreadyareacquaintedwithherewillseethatyoumeetalltheneweracquisitions.

"Replybytelegraphrightaway."Ofcourseyou'llsay'Yes.'"In

greathaste,yourloving

"SISTERHELEN.

P.S.Youshallhaveourownchamber;itcatcheseverybreeze,andcommandsthefinestviews.Thechildren'sroomcommunicateswithit;so,ifanythingSHOULDhappentothedarlingsatnight,you'dbesuretohearthem."

"Justthething!"Iejaculated.FiveminuteslaterIhad


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telegraphedHelenmyacceptanceofherinvitation,andhadmentallyselectedbooksenoughtobusymeduringadozenvacations.WithoutsharingHelen'sbeliefthatherboyswerethebestonesintheworld,Iknewthemwellenoughtofeelassuredthattheywouldnotgivemeanyannoyance.Thereweretwoofthem,sinceBabyPhildiedlastfall;Budge,theelder,wasfiveyearsofage,andhadgenerally,duringmyflyingvisitstoHelen,wornashy,serious,meditative,nobleface,withgreat,pure,penetratingeyes,thatmademealmostfeartheirstare.Tomdeclaredhewasabornphilanthropistorprophet,andHelenmadesofreewithMissMuloch'slinesastosing:--

"Ah,thedaythatTHOUgoesta-wooing,Budgie,myboy!"

Toddiehadseenbutthreesummers,andwasahappylittleknow-nothing,withaheadfulloftangledyellowhair,andaveryprettyfancyforfindingoutsunbeamsanddancinginthem.IhadlongenviedTomhishorses,hisgarden,hishouseandhislocation,andtheideaofcontrollingthemforafortnightwasparticularlydelightful.Tom'stasteincigarsandclaretIhadalwaysrespected,whiletheladyinhabitantsofHillcrestwere,accordingtomymemory,muchlikethoseofeveryothersuburbanvillage,thefairestoftheirsex.

ThreedayslaterImadethehourandahalftripbetweenNewYorkandHillcrest,andhiredahackmantodrivemeovertoTom's.Halfamilefrommybrother-in-law'sresidence,ourhorsesshiedviolently,andthedriver,aftertalkingfreelytothem,turnedtomeandremarked:--

"Thatwasoneofthe'Imps.'"

"Whatwas?"Iasked.

"Thatlittlecussthatscaredthehosses.Thereheis,now,holdin'upthatpieceofbrushwood.'Twouldbejustlikehis

cheek,now,toaskmetolethimride.Herehecomes,runnin'.Wonderwheret'otheris?--theymostgenerallytraveltogether.Wecall'emtheImps,abouttheseparts,becausethey'resouncommonlikelyatmischief.Alwaysskeerin'hosses,orchasin'cows,orfrightenin'chickens.Niceenoughfatheran'mother,too--queer,howyoungonesdoturnout."

Ashespoke,theoffendingyouthcamepantingbesideourcarriage,andinaverydirtysailor-suit,andunderabroad-brimmedstrawhat,withonestockingabouthisankle,andtwoshoes,averagingabouttwobuttonseach,Irecognizedmynephew,Budge!Aboutthesametimethereemergedfromthebushesbytheroadsideasmallerboyinagreenginghamdress,arufflewhichmightoncehavebeen

white,dirtystockings,blueslipperswornthroughatthetoes,andanold-fashionedstraw-turban.Thrustingintothedustoftheroadabranchfromabush,andshouting,"Here'smygrass-cutter!"herantowardusenvelopedina"pillarofcloud,"whichmighthaveservedthepurposeofIsraelinEgypt.Whenhepausedandthedusthadsomewhatsubsided,IbeheldtheunmistakablelineamentsofthechildToddie!

"They're--mynephews,"Igasped.


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"What!"exclaimedthedriver."Bygracious!IforgotyouweregoingtoColonelLawrence's!Ididn'ttellanythingbutthetruthabout'em,though;they'resmartenough,an'goodenough,asboysgo;butthey'llneverdieofthecomplaintthatchildrenhasinSunday-schoolbooks."

"Budge,"saidI,withallthesternnessIcouldcommand,"doyouknowme?"

Thesearchingeyesoftheembryoprophetandphilanthropistscannedmeforamoment,thentheirownerreplied:--

"Yes;you'reUncleHarry.Didyoubringusanything?"

"Bringusanything?"echoedToddie.

"IwishIcouldhavebroughtyousomebigwhippings,"saidI,withgreatseverityofmanner,"forbehavingsobadly.Getintothiscarriage."

"Comeon,Tod,"shoutedBudge,althoughToddie'sfartherearwasnotayardfromBudge'smouth."UncleHarry'sgoingtotakeusriding!"

"Goingtotakeusriding!"echoedToddie,withtheairofoneinareverie;boththeechoandthereverieIsoonlearnedwerecharacteristicsofToddie.

AstheyclamberedintothecarriageInoticedthateachonecarriedaverydirtytowel,knottedinthecenterintowhatisknownasaslip-nooseknot,drawnverytight.Aftersomemomentsofdisgustedcontemplationoftheserags,withoutbeingintheleastabletocomprehendtheirpurpose,IaskedBudgewhatthosetowelswerefor.

"They'renottowels--they'redollies,"promptlyansweredmynephew.

"Goodness!"Iexclaimed."Ishouldthinkyourmothercouldbuyyourespectabledolls,andnotletyouappearinpublicwiththoseloathsomerags."

"Wedon'tlikebuyeddollies,"explainedBudge."Thesedolliesislovely;mine'snameisMary,an'Toddie'sisMarfa."

"Marfa?"Iqueried.

"Yes;don'tyouknowabout

"MarfaandMary'sjus'gonealong

Toringdemcharmin'bells,

thatthemJubileesingsabout?"

"Oh,Martha,youmean?"

"Yes,Marfa--that'swhatIsay.Toddie'sdolly'sgotbrowneyes,an'mydolly'sgotblueeyes."

"Iwanttosheeyourswatch,"remarkedToddie,snatchingatmy


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chain,androllingintomylap.

"Oh--oo--ee,sodoI,"shoutedBudge,hasteningtooccupyoneknee,andINTRANSITUwipinghisshoesonmytrousersandtheskirtsofmycoat.Eachimpputanarmaboutmetosteadyhimself,asIproducedmythree-hundred-dollartime-keeperandshowedthemthedial.

"Iwanttoseethewheelsgoround,"saidBudge.

"Wanttosheewheelsgowound,"echoedToddie.

"No;Ican'topenmywatchwherethere'ssomuchdust,"Isaid.

"Whatfor?"inquiredBudge.

"Wanttosheethewheelsgowound,"repeatedToddie.

"Thedustgetsinsidethewatchandspoilsit,"Iexplained.

"Wanttosheethewheelsgowound,"saidToddie,oncemore.

"ItellyouIcan't,Toddie,"saidI,withconsiderableasperity."Dustspoilswatches."

Theinnocentgrayeyeslookedupwonderingly,thedirty,butprettylipspartedslightly,andToddiemurmured:--

"Wanttosheethewheelsgowound."

Iabruptlyclosedmywatchandputitintomypocket.InstantlyToddie'slowerlipcommencedtoturnoutward,andcontinuedtodosountilIseriouslyfearedthebonyportionofhischinwouldbeexposedtoview.Thenhislowerjawdropped,andhecried:--

"Ah--h--h--h--h--h--want--to--shee--thewheels--gowou--OUND."

"Charles"(Charlesishisbaptismalname),--"Charles,"Iexclaimedwithsomeanger,"stopthatnoisethisinstant!Doyouhearme?"

"Yes--oo--oo--oo--ahoo--ahoo."

"Thenstopit."

"Wantstoshee--"

"Toddie,I'vegotsomecandyinmytrunk,butIwon'tgiveyouabitifyoudon'tstopthatinfernalnoise."

"Well,Iwantstosheewheelsgowound.Ah--ah--h--h--h--h!"

"Toddie,dear,don'tcryso.Here'ssomeladiescominginacarriage;youwouldn'tletTHEMseeyoucrying,wouldyou?Youshallseethewheelsgoroundassoonaswegethome."

Acarriagecontainingacoupleofladieswasrapidlyapproaching,asToddieagainraisedhisvoice.

"Ah--h--h--wantstosheewheels--"


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MadlyIsnatchedmywatchfrommypocket,openedthecase,andexposedtheworkstoview.Theothercarriagewasmeetingours,andIdroppedmyheadtoavoidmeetingtheglanceoftheunknownoccupants,formyfewmomentsofcontactwithmydreadfulnephewshadmademefeelinexpressiblyunneat.Suddenlythecarriagewiththeladiesstopped.Iheardmyownnamespoken,andraisingmyheadquickly(encounteringBudge'sbulletheadENROUTEtotheseriousdisarrangementofmyhat),Ilookedintotheothercarriage.There,erect,fresh,neat,composed,bright-eyed,fair-faced,smilingandobservant,--shewouldhavebeenallthis,eveniftheangeloftheresurrectionhadjustsoundedhisdreadfultrump,--satMissAliceMayton,aladywho,foraboutayear,Ihadbeenadoringfromafar.

"WhendidYOUarrive,Mr.Burton?"sheasked,"andhowlonghaveyoubeenofficiatingaschild'scompanion?You'recertainlyahappy-lookingtrio--sounconventional.Ihatetoseechildrenalldressedupandstiffaslittlemanikins,whentheygoouttoride.AndyoulookasifyouhadbeenhavingSUCHagoodtimewiththem."

"I--Iassureyou,MissMayton,"saidI,"thatmyexperiencehasbeentheexactreverseofapleasantone.IfKingHerodwereyet

aliveI'dvolunteerasanexecutioner,andengagetodelivertwointerestingcorpsesatamoment'snotice."

"Youdreadfulwretch!"exclaimedthelady."Mother,letmemakeyouacquaintedwithMr.Burton,--HelenLawrence'sbrother.Howisyoursister,Mr.Burton?"

"Idon'tknow,"Ireplied;"shehasgonewithherhusbandonafortnight'svisittoCaptainandMrs.Wayne,andI'vebeensillyenoughtopromisetohaveaneyetotheplacewhilethey'reaway."

"Why,howdelightful!"exclaimedMissMayton."SUCHhorses!SUCHflowers!SUCHacook!"

"Andsuchchildren,"saidI,glaringsuggestivelyattheimps,andrescuingfromToddieahandkerchiefwhichhehadextractedfrommypocket,andwaswavingtothebreeze.

"Why,they'rethebestchildrenintheworld.HelentoldmesothefirsttimeImetherthisseason!Childrenwillbechildren,youknow.Wehadthreelittlecousinswithuslastsummer,andI'msuretheymademelookyearsolderthanIreallyam."

"Howyoungyoumustbe,then,MissMayton!"saidI.IsupposeIlookedatherasifImeantwhatIsaid,for,althoughsheinclinedherheadandsaid,"Oh,thankyou,"shedidn'tseemto

turnmycomplimentoffinherusualinvulnerablestyle.NothinghappeninginthecourseofconversationeverdiscomposedAliceMaytonformorethanahundredseconds,however,soshesoonrecoveredherusualexpressionandself-command,ashernextremarkfullyindicated.

"IbelieveyouarrangedthefloraldecorationsattheSt.Zephaniah'sFair,lastwinter,Mr.Burton?'Twasthemosttastefuldisplayoftheseason.Idon'twishtogiveanyhints,butatMrs.Clarkson's,wherewe'reboarding,there'snotaflowerinthe


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wholegarden.IbreaktheTenthCommandmentdreadfullyeverytimeIpassColonelLawrence'sgarden.Good-by,Mr.Burton."

"Ah,thankyou;Ishallbedelighted.Good-by."

"Ofcourseyou'llcall,"saidMissMayton,ashercarriagestarted,--"it'sdreadfullystupidhere--nomenexceptonSundays."

Ibowedassent.InthecontemplationofalltheshypossibilitieswhichmyshortchatwithMissMaytonhadsuggested,Ihadquiteforgottenmydustyclothingandthetwolivingcausesthereof.WhileinMissMayton'spresencetheimpshadpreservedperfectsilence,butnowtheirtongueswereloosened.

"UncleHarry,"saidBudge,"doyouknowhowtomakewhistles?"

"UckenHawwy,"murmuredToddie,"doesyoulovedatlady?"

"No,Toddie,ofcoursenot."

"Thenyou'sbaddyman,an'deLordwon'tletyougotoheavenifyoudon'tlovepeoples."

"Yes,Budge,"Iansweredhastily,"Idoknowhowtomakewhistles,

andyoushallhaveone."

"Lorddon'tlikemanswhatdon'tlovepeoples,"reiteratedToddie.

"Allright,Toddie,"saidI."I'llseeifIcan'tpleasetheLordsomeway.Driver,whipup,won'tyou?I'minahurrytoturntheseyoungstersovertothegirl,andaskhertodropthemintothebath-tub."

IfoundHelenhadmadeeverypossiblearrangementformycomfort.Herroomcommandedexquisiteviewsofmountain-slopeandvalley,andeventhefactthattheimps'bedroomadjoinedminegavemecomfort,forIthoughtofthepleasureofcontemplatingthemwhile

theywereasleep,andbeyondthepoweroftormentingtheirdeludeduncle.

Atthesupper-tableBudgeandToddieappearedcleanlyclothedintheirrightfulfaces.Budgeseatedhimselfatthetable;Toddiepushedbackhishigh-chair,climbedintoit,andshouted:

"Putmylegsunderzetabo."

Rightfullyconstruingthisremarkasarequesttobemovedtothetable,Ifulfilledhisdesire.Thegirlpouredteaformeandmilkforthechildren,andretired;andthenIremembered,tomydismay,thatHelenneverhadaservantinthedining-roomexcept

upongrandoccasions,herideabeingthatservantsretailtotheirfriendsthecreamoftheprivateconversationofthefamilycircle.InprincipleIagreedwithher,butthepenaltyofthepracticalapplication,withthesetwolittlecormorantsonmyhands,wasgreatersufferingthananyIhadeverbeencalledupontoendureforprinciple'ssake;buttherewasnohelpforit.Iresignedlyrappedonthetable,bowedmyhead,said,"Fromwhatweareabouttoreceive,theLordmakeusthankful,"andaskedBudgewhetherheatebreadorbiscuit.


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"Why,weain'taskednoblessin'yet,"saidhe.

"Yes,Idid,Budge,"saidI."Didn'tyouhearme?"

"Doyoumeanwhatyousaidjustnow?"

"Yes."

"Oh,Idon'tthinkthatwasnoblessin'atall.Papaneversaysthatkindofablessin'."

"Whatdoespapasay,mayIask?"Iinquired,withbecomingmeekness.

"Why,papasays,'OurFather,wethanktheeforthisfood;mercifullyrememberwithusallthehungryandneedyto-day,forChrist'ssake,Amen.'That'swhathesays."

"Itmeansthesamething,Budge."

"_I_don'tthinkitdoes;andToddiedidn'thavenotimetosayHISblessin'.Idon'tthinktheLord'lllikeitifyoudoitthatway."

"Yes,hewill,oldboy;heknowswhatpeoplemean."

"Well,howcanhetellwhatToddiemeansifToddiecan'tsayanything?"

"Wantshtoshaymyblessin',"whinedToddie.

Itwasenough;mysingleencounterwithToddiehadtaughtmetorespecttheyounggentleman'sforceofcharacter.SoagainIbowedmyhead,andrepeatedwhatBudgehadreportedas"papa'sblessin',"Budgekindlypromptingmewheremymemoryfailed.ThemomentIbegan,Toddiecommencedtojabberrapidlyandaloud,andtheinstantthe"Amen"waspronouncedheraisedhisheadand

remarkedwithevidentsatisfaction:--

"Ishedmyblessin'TWOtimesh."

AndBudgesaidgravely:--

"NOWIguessweareallright."

Thesupperwasanexquisiteone,buttheappetitesofthosedreadfulchildreneffectuallypreventedmyenjoyingtherepast.Ihastilyretired,calledthegirl,andinstructed,hertoseethatthechildrenhadenoughtoeat,andwereputtobedimmediatelyafter;thenIlitacigarandstrolledintothegarden.Theroses

werejustinbloom,theairwasfulloftheperfumeofhoneysuckles,therhododendronshadnotdisappeared,whileIsawpromiseoftheearlyunfoldingofmanyotherpetflowersofmine.IconfessthatItookacarefulsurveyofthegardentoseehowfineabouquetImightmakeforMissMayton,andwassoabundantlysatisfiedwiththematerialbeforemethatIlongedtobegintheworkatonce,butthatitwouldseemtoohastyfortruegentility.SoIpacedthepaths,myhandsbehindmyback,andmyfacewellhiddenbyfragrantcloudsofsmoke,andwentintowonderingandreveries.Iwonderediftherewasanysenseinthelanguageof


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flowers,ofwhichIhadoccasionallyseenmentionmadebysillywriters;IwishedIhadlearneditifithadanymeaning;IwonderedifMissMaytonunderstoodit.Atanyrate,IfanciedIcouldarrangeflowerstothetasteofanyladywhosefaceIhadeverseen;andforAliceMaytonIwouldmakesomethingsosuperbthatherfacecouldnothelplightingupwhenshebeheldit.Iimaginedjusthowherbluish-grayeyeswouldbrighten,hercheekswouldredden,--notwithsentiment,notabitofit;butwithgenuinepleasure,--howherstronglipswouldpartslightlyanddisclosesweetlinesnotdisplayedwhensheheldherfeatureswellinhand.I--I,aclear-headed,driving,successfulsalesmanofwhitegoods--actuallywishedImightbedivestedofallnineteenth-centuryabilitiesandcharacteristics,andbeoneofthosefairiesthatonlysillygirlsandcrazypoetsthinkof,andmight,unseen,beholdthemeetingofmyflowerswiththishighlycultivatedspecimenoftheonlysortofflowersourcitiesproduce.Whatflowerdidshemostresemble?Alily?--no;too--notexactlytoobold,buttoo--too,well,Icouldn'tthinkoftheword,butclearlyitwasn'tbold.Arose!Certainly,notlikethosegloriousbutblazingremontants,noryetliketheshy,delicate,etherealtea-roseswiththeirtendersuggestionsofcolor.LikethisperfectGloiredeDijon,perhaps;strong,vigorous,self-asserting,amongitsmoredelicatesisterhood;yetshapely,perfectinoutlineanddevelopment,exquisite,enchanting

initsneverfully-analyzedtints,yetcompellingtheadmirationofeveryone,andrecallingitsadmirersagainandagainbytheunspokenappealofitsownperfection--itsunvaryingradiance.

"Ah--h--h--h--ee--ee--ee--ee--ee--oo--oo--oo--oo"camefromthewindowovermyhead.Thencameashoutof--"UncleHarry!"inavoiceIrecognizedasthatofBudge.Imadenoreply:therearemomentswhenthesoulisfullofutterancesunfittobeheardbychildishears."UncleHar-RAY!"repeatedBudge.ThenIheardawindow-blindopen,andBudgeexclaiming:--

"UncleHarry,wewantyoutocomeandtellusstories."

Iturnedmyeyesupwardquickly,andwasabouttosendasavagenegativeinthesamedirection,whenIsawinthewindowafaceunknownandyetremembered.Couldthosegreat,wistfuleyes,thatangelicmouth,thatspiritualexpression,belongtomynephewBudge?Yes,itmustbe--certainlythatsuper-celestialnoseandthoseenormousearsneverbelongedtoanyoneelse.Iturnedabruptly,andenteredthehouse,andwasreceivedattheheadofthestairwaybytwolittlefiguresinwhite,thelargerofwhichremarked:--

"Wewantyoutellusstories--papaalwaysdoesnights."

"Verywell,jumpintobed--whatkindofstoriesdoyoulike?"

"Oh,'boutJonah,"saidBudge.

"'BoutJonah,"echoedToddie.

"Well,Jonahwasoutinthesunonedayandagourd-vinegrewupallofasudden,andmadeitniceandshadyforhim,andthenitallfadedasquickasitcame."

Adeadsilenceprevailedforamoment,andthenBudgeindignantly


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remarked:--

"Thatain'tJonahabit--_I_know'boutJonah."

"Oh,youdo,doyou?"saidI."Thenmaybeyou'llbesogoodastoenlightenme?"

"Huh?"

"IfyouknowaboutJonah,tellmethestory;I'dreallyenjoylisteningtoit."

"Well,"saidBudge,"onceuponatimetheLordtoldJonahtogotoNinevehandtellthepeopletheywasallbad.ButJonahdidn'twanttogo,sohewentonaboatthatwasgoingtoJoppa.Andthentherewasabigstorm,an'itrainedan'blowedandthebigwaveswentashighasahouse.An'thesailorsthoughttheremustbesomebodyontheboatthattheLorddidn'tlike.An'JonahsaidheguessedHEwastheman.Sotheypickedhimupandfroedhimintheocean,an'Idon'tthinkitwaswellfor'emtodothatafterJonahtoldthetroof.An'abigwhalewascomin'along,andhewasawfulhungry,costhelittlefisheswhathelikestoeatallwentdowntothebottomoftheoceanwhenitbegantostorm,andwhalescan'tgotothebottomoftheocean,costheyhavetocomeupto

breeve,an'littlefishesdon't.An'Jonahfound'twasalldarkinsidethewhale,andtherewasn'tanyfirethere,an'itwasallwet,andhecouldn'ttakeoffhisclothestodry,costherewasn'tnoplacetohang'em,an'therewasn'tnowindowstolookoutof,nornothin'toeat,nornothin'nornothin'nornothin.'SoheaskedtheLordtoletMmout,an'theLordwassorryforhim,an'hemadethewhalegoupclosetotheland,an'Jonahjumpedrightoutofhismouth,an'WASN'Theglad?An'thenhewenttoNineveh,an'donewhattheLordtoldhimto,andheoughttohavedoneitinthefirstplaceifhehadknownwhatwasgoodforhim."

"Donefirstpayshe,knowwhat'sdoodforhim,"assertedToddie,insupportofhisbrother'sassertion."Tellus'nudderstory."

"Oh,no,singusasong,"suggestedBudge.

"Shingusshong,"echoedToddie.

Isearchedmymindforasong,buttheonlyonewhichcamepromptlywas"M'Appari,"severalbarsofwhichIgavemyjuvenileaudience,whenBudgeinterruptedme,saying:--

"Idon'tthinkthat'saverygoodsong."

"Whynot,Budge?"

"CosIdon't.Idon'tknowawordwhatyou'retalking'bout."

"Shing'bout'Glory,glory,hallelulyah,'"suggestedToddie,andImeeklyobeyed.Theoldairhasawonderfulinfluenceoverme.Ihearditinwesterncamp-meetingsandnegro-cabinswhenIwasaboy;Isawthe22dMassachusettsmarchdownBroadway,singingthesameairduringtherushtothefrontduringtheearlydaysofthewar;IhavehearditsungbywarriortonguesinnearlyeverySouthernState;IhearditroaredbythreehundredgoodoldHunkerDemocratsastheyescortedNewYork'sfirstcoloredregimentto


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theirplaceofembarkation;myoldbrigadesangitsoftly,butwithaswingthatwasterribleinitsearnestness,astheylaybehindtheirstacksofarmsjustbeforegoingtoaction;Ihavehearditplayedoverthegraveofmanyadeadcomrade;thesemi-mutinous--thecavalrybecamepeacefulandpatrioticagainastheirband-masterplayedtheoldairafterhavingaskedpermissiontotryHIShandonthem;itisthesamethatburstforthspontaneouslyinourbarracks,onthatgloriousmorningwhenwelearnedthatthewarwasover,anditwassung,withwordsadaptedtotheoccasion,bysomegoodrebelfriendsofmine,onourfirstsocialmeetingafterthewar.AlltheserecollectionscamehurryingintomymindasIsang,andprobablyexcitedmebeyondmyknowledge,forBudgesuddenlyremarked:--

"Don'tsingthatallday,UncleHarry;yousingsoloud,ithurtsmyhead."

"Begyourpardon,Budge,"saidI."Good-night."

"Why,UncleHarry,areyougoing?Youdidn'thearussayourprayers,--papaalwaysdoes."

"Oh!Well,goahead."

"Youmustsayyoursfirst,"saidBudge;"that'sthewaypapadoes."

"Verywell,"saidI,andIrepeatedSt.Chrysostom'sprayer,fromtheEpiscopalservice.Ihadhardlysaid"Amen,"whenBudgeremarked:--

"Mypapadon'tsayanyofthemthingsatall;Idon'tthinkthat'saverygoodprayer,"

"Well,yousayagoodprayer,Budge."

"Allright."Budgeshuthiseyes,droppedhisvoicetothemost

perfecttoneofsupplication,whilehisfaceseemedfitforasleepingangel,thenhesaid:--

"DearLord,wethankyouforlettin'ushaveagoodtimeto-day,an'wehopeallthelittleboyseverywherehavehadgoodtimestoo.Weprayyoutotakecareofusan'everybodyelseto-night,an'don'tlet'emhaveanytrouble.Oh,yes,an'UncleHarry'sgotsomecandyinhistrunk,coshesaidsointhecarriage,--wethankyouforlettin'UncleHarrycometoseeus,an'wehopehe'sgotLOTSofcandy--lotsan'piles.An'weprayyoutotakegoodcareofallthepoorlittleboysandgirlsthathaven'tgotanypapasan'mammasan'UncleHarrysan'candyan'bedstosleepin.An'takeusalltoHeavenwhenwedie,forChrist'ssake.Amen.Now

giveusthecandy,UncleHarry."

"Hush,Budge;don'tToddiesayanyprayers?"

"Ohyes;goon,Tod."

Toddieclosedhiseyes,wriggled,twisted,breathedhardandquick,actinggenerallyasifprayerswereprincipallyamatterofphysicalexertion.Atlasthebegan:--


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"DeeLord,notmakemeshobad,an'beshmamma,an'papa,an'Budgie,anddoppity,[Footnote:Grandmother.]an'bothboggies,[Footnote:Grandfathers.]an'allgoodpeopleindishhouse,andeverybodyelse,an'mydolly.A--a--amen!"

"Nowgiveusthecandy,"saidBudge,withtheusualechofromToddie.

Ihastilyextractedthecandyfrommytrunk,gavesometoeachboy,therecipientsfairlyshriekingwithdelight,andoncemoresaidgood-night.

"Oh,youdidn'tgiveusanypennies,"saidBudge."Papagivesussometoputinourbanks,everynights."

"Well,Ihaven'tgotanynow--waituntilto-morrow."

"Thenwewantdrinks."

"I'llletMaggiebringyoudrink."

"Wantmydolly,"murmuredToddie.

Ifoundtheknottedtowels,tookthedirtythingsupgingerlyand

threwthemuponthebed.

"Nowwanttosheewheelsgowound,"saidToddie.

Ihurriedoutoftheroomandslammedthedoor.Ilookedatmywatch--itwashalf-pasteight;Ihadspentanhourandahalfwiththosedreadfulchildren.TheyWEREfunnytobesure--Ifoundmyselflaughinginspiteofmyindignation.Still,iftheyweretomonopolizemytimeastheyhadalreadydone,whenwasItodomyreading?TakingFiske's"CosmicPhilosophy"frommytrunkIdescendedtothebackparlor,litacigarandastudent-lamp,andbegantoread.IhadnotfairlycommencedwhenIheardapatterofsmallfeet,andsawmyeldernephewbeforeme.Therewassorrowful

protestationineverylineofhiscountenance,asheexclaimed:--

"Youdidn'tsay'Good-by'nor'Godblessyou'noranything."

"Oh--good-by."

"Good-by."

"Godblessyou."

"Godblessyou."

Budgeseemedwaitingforsomethingelse.Atlasthesaid:--

"Papasays,'Godblesseverybody.'"

"Well,Godblesseverybody."

"Godblesseverybody,"respondedBudge,andturnedsilentlyandwentup-stairs.

"Blessyourtormentinghonestlittleheart,"Isaidtomyself;"ifmentrustedGodasyoudoyourpapa,howlittlebusinessthere'd


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beforpreacherstodo."

Thenightwasaperfectone.Thepurefreshair,theperfumeoftheflowers,themusicoftheinsectchoirinthetreesandshrubbery--theveryseasonitselfseemedtoforbidmyreadingphilosophy,soIlaidFiskeaside,delightedmyselfwithafewrarebitsfromPaulHayne'snewvolumeofpoems,readafewchaptersof"OneSummer,"andfinallysaunteredofftobed.Mynephewswereslumberingsweetly;itseemedimpossiblethatthepure,exquisite,angelicfacesbeforemebelongedtomytormentorsofafewhoursbefore.AsIlayonmycouchIcouldseethedarkshadowandruggedcrestofthemountain;aboveit,thesilverstarsagainsttheblue,andbelowittherivallightsofthefirefliesagainstthedarkbackgroundformedbythemountainitself.Norumblingofwheelstormentedme,noranyofthethousandnoisesthatfillcityairwiththespiritofunrest,andIfellintoawonderalmostindignantthatsensible,comfortable,lovingbeingscouldliveinhorribleNewYork,whilesuchdelightfulruralhomesweresonearathand.ThenAliceMaytoncameintomymind,andthenacustomer;later,starsandtrademarks,andbouquets,anddirtynephews,andfirefliesandbadaccounts,andrailwaytickets,andcandyandHerbertSpencer,mixedthemselvesconfusinglyinmymind.Thenavisionofaproudangel,inthemostfashionableattireandamoderncarriage,came

andbanishedthemallbyitsperfectradiance,andIwassinkinginthemostblissfulunconsciousness--

"Ah--h--h--h--h--h--oo--oo--oo--oo--ee--ee--ee--"

"Sh--h--h!"Ihissed.

Thewarningwasheeded,andIsoonrelapsedintooblivion.

"Ah--h--h--h--oo--oo--ee--ee--ee--BE--ee."

"Toddie,doyouwantuncletowhipyou?"

"No."

"Thenliestill."

"Well,Izelostmydolly,an'Itantfindheranywhere."

"Well,I'llfindherforyouinthemorning."

"Oo--oo--ee--Iwantsmydolly."

"Well,ItellyouI'llfindherforyouinthemorning."

"IwantherNOW--oo--oo--"

"Youcan'thavehernow,soyoucangotosleep."

"Oh--oo--oo--oo--ee--"

Springingmadlytomyfeet,Istartedfortheoffender'sroom.Iencounteredadoorajarbytheway,myforeheadbeingfirsttodiscoverit.Igroundmyteeth,litacandle,andsaidsomething--nomatterwhat.


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sweetnessthatofanyoftheangelsIhadeverimagined,--thatchildcouldcoaxamantodomoreself-forgettingdeedsthantheshorteningofhisprecioussleeping-hoursamountedto.Infact,hewasfastdivestingmeofmyrightfulsleepiness,soIkissedhimandsaid:--

"Runtobed,now,dearoldfellow,andletunclegotosleepagain.Afterbreakfast,I'llmakeyouawhistle."

"Oh,willyou?"Theangelturnedintoaboyatonce."Yes;nowrunalong."

"ALOUDwhistle--arealloudone?"

"Yes,butnotifyoudon'tgorightbacktobed."

ThesoundoflittlefootstepsrecededasIturnedoverandclosedmyeyes.Speedilythebird-songseemedtogrowfainter;mythoughtsdroppedtopieces;Iseemedtobefloatingonfleecyclouds,incompanywithhundredsofcherubswithBudge'sfeaturesandnight-drawers--

"UncleHarry!"

MaytheLordforgettheprayerIputupjustthen!

"UncleHarry!"

"I'lldisciplineyou,myfinelittleboy,"thoughtI."Perhaps,ifIletyoushriekyourabominablelittlethroathoarse,you'lllearnbetterthantotormentyouruncle,thatwasjustgettingreadytoloveyoudearly."

"UncleHar-RAY!"

"Howl,away,youlittleimp,"thoughtI."You'vegotmewideawake,andyourlungsmaysufferforit."SuddenlyIheard,

althoughinsleepytones,andwithalazydrawl,somewordswhichappalledme.ThemurmurerwasToddie:--

"Want--she--wheels--go--wound."

"Budge!"Ishouted,inthedesperationofmydreadlestToddie,too,mightwakeup,"whatDOyouwant?"

"UncleHarry!"

"WHAT!"

"UncleHarry,whatkindofwoodareyougoingtomakethewhistle

outof?"

"Iwon'tmakeanyatall--I'llcutabigstickandgiveyouasoundwhippingwithit,fornotkeepingquiet,asItoldyouto."'

"Why,UncleHarry,papadon'twhipuswithsticks--hespanksus."

Heavens!Papa!papa!papa!WasInevertohavedonewiththiseternalquotationof"papa"?Iwashorrifiedtofindmyselfgraduallyconceivingadirehatredofmyexcellentbrother-in-law.


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Onethingwascertain,atanyrate:sleepwasnolongerpossible;soIhastilydressed,andwentintothegarden.Amongthebeautyandthefragranceoftheflowers,andinthedeliciousmorningair,Isucceededinregainingmytemper,andwasdelighted,onansweringthebreakfast-bell,twohourslater,tohaveBudgeaccostmewith:--

"Why,UncleHarry,wherewasyou?Welookedalloverthehouseforyou,andcouldn'tfindaspeckofyou."

Thebreakfastwasanexcellentone.IafterwardlearnedthatHelen,dearoldgirl,hadherselfpreparedabilloffareforeverymealIshouldtakeinthehouse.Asthetabletalkofmyselfandnephewswasnotsuchascoulddoharmbybeingrepeated,IrequestedMaggie,theservant,towaituponthechildren,andIaccompaniedmyrequestwithasmalltreasurynote.Relieved,thus,ofallresponsibilityforthedreadfulappetitesofmynephews,Ididfulljusticetotherepast,andevenregardedwithsomeinterestandamusementtheindustryofBudgeandToddiewiththeirtinyforksandspoons.Theyaterapidlyforawhile,butsoontheirappetitesweakenedandtheirtongueswereunloosed.

"OckenHawwy,"remarkedToddie,"dayshanawfoofunnychuntup'tairs--awfooBIGchunt.Ishowityouafterbrepspup."

"Toddie'sasillylittleboy,"saidBudge;"healwayssaysbrepspupforbrekbux."[Footnote:Breakfast.]

"Oh!Whatdoeshemeanbychunt,Budge?"

"IGUESShemeanstrunk,"repliedmyoldestnephew.

Recollectionsofmychildishdelightinrummaginganoldtrunk--itseemsacenturyagothatIdidit--causedmetosmilesympatheticallyatToddie,tohisapparentgreatdelight.Howdelightfulitistostrikeasympatheticchordinchild-nature,thoughtI;howquicklytheinfanteyecomprehendsthelookwhich

precedestheverbalexpressionofanidea!DearToddie!foryearswemightsitatonetable,carelessofeachother'swords,butthecasualmentionofoneofthydelightshassuddenlybroughtoursoulsintothatsweetestofallhumancommunions--thatonewhichdoubtlessboundtheMasterhimselftothatapostlewhowasotherwiseapparentlytheweakestamongthechosentwelve."Anawfoofunnychunt"seemedtoannihilatesuddenlyalldifferencesofage,conditionandexperiencebetweentheweeboyandmyself,and--

Adirefulthoughtstruckme.Idashedup-stairsandintomyroom.Yes,heDIDmeanmytrunk._I_couldseenothingfunnyaboutit--quitethecontrary.Thebondofsympathybetweenmynephewand

myselfwassuddenlybroken.Lookingatthematterfromthecomparativedistancewhichafewweekshaveplacedbetweenthatdayandthis,IcanseethatIwasunabletoconsiderthescenebeforemewithacalmandunprejudicedmind.IamnowsatisfiedthatthesuddenbirthandhastydeceaseofmysympathywithToddiewerestrikinginstancesofhumaninconsistency.Mysoulhadgoneouttohisbecausehelovedtorummageintrunks,andbecauseIimaginedhelovedtoseethemonumentofincongruousmaterialwhichresultedfromsuchanoperation;thescenebeforemeshowedclearlythatIhadrightlydivinedmynephew'snature.Andyetmy


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selfishinstinctshastenedtoobscuremysoul'svision,andtopreventthatjoywhichshouldensuewhen"Faithislostinfullfruition."

Mytrunkhadcontainednearlyeverything,forwhileacampaignerIhadlearnedtoreducepackingtoanexactscience.Now,hadtherebeenanatomofprideinmycompositionImighthaveglorifiedmyself,foritcertainlyseemedasiftheheapuponthefloorcouldneverhavecomeoutofasingletrunk.Clearly,Toddiewasmoreofageneralconnoisseurthananamateurinpacking.ThemethodofhisworkIquicklydiscerned,andthediscoverythrewsomelightuponthesizeoftheheapinfrontofmytrunk.Adress-hatanditscase,whentheirnaturalrelationshipisdissolved,occupynearlytwiceasmuchspaceasbefore,eveniftheformercontainsablacking-boxnotusuallykeptinit,andthelattercontainsafewcigarssoakinginbayrum.Thesamemightbesaidofaportabledressing-caseanditscontents,boughtformeinViennabyabrotherex-soldier,anddesignedbyanoldcontinentalcampaignertobeperfectionitself.Thestrapswhichpreventedthecoverfromfallingentirelybackhadbeencut,brokenorpartedinsomeway,andinitshollowlaymydresscoat,tightlyrolledup.Snatchingitupwithaviolentexclamation,andunrollingit,theredroppedfromit--oneofthoseinfernaldolls.Atthesametimeahowlwassoundedfromthedoorway.

"Youtooktedmydollyoutofhercradle--Iwanttowockmydolly--oo--oo--oo--ee--ee--ee--"

"Youyoungscoundrel,"Iscreamed--yes,howled,Iwassoenraged--"I'veagreatmindtocutyourthroatthisminute.Whatdoyoumeanbymeddlingwithmytrunk?"

"I--doe--know."OutwardturnedToddie'slowerlip;IbelievethesightofitwouldmoveaBengaltigertopity,butnosuchthoughtoccurredtomejustthen.

"Whatmadeyoudoit?"

"BE--cause."

"Becausewhat?"

"I--doe--know."

Justthenaterrificroararosefromthegarden.Lookingout,IsawBudgewithableedingfingerupononehand,andmyrazorintheother;heafterwardexplainedhehadbeenmakingaboat,andthatknifewasbadtohim.Toapplyadhesiveplastertothecutwastheworkofbutaminute,andIhadbarelycompletedthissurgicaloperationwhenTom'sgardener-coachmanappearedand

handedmealetter.ItwasaddressedinHelen'swell-knownhand,andreadasfollows(thepassagesinbracketsweremyowncomments):--

"BLOOMDALE,June21,1875.

"DEARHARRY:--I'mveryhappyinthethoughtthatyouarewithmydarlingchildren,and,althoughI'mhavingalovelytimehere,IoftenwishIwaswithyou.[Ump--sodoI.]Iwantyoutoknowthelittletreasuresrealwell.[Thankyou,butIdon'tthinkIcare


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toextendtheacquaintanceshipfartherthanisabsolutelynecessary.]Itseemstomesounnaturalthatrelativesknowsolittleofthoseoftheirownblood,andespeciallyoftheinnocentlittlespiritswhoseexistenceisalmostunheeded.[Notwhenthere'sunlockedtrunksstandingabout,sis.]

"NowIwanttoaskafavorofyou.Whenwewereboysandgirlsathome,youusedtotalkperfectoceansaboutphysiognomy,andphrenology,andunerringsignsofcharacter.Ithoughtitwasallnonsensethen,butifyoubelieveanyofitNOW,Iwishyou'dstudythechildren,andgivemeyourwell-consideredopinionofthem.[Perfectdemons,ma'am;imps,rascals,borntobehung--bothofthem.]

"Ican'tgetoverthefeelingthatdearBudgeisbornforsomethinggrand.[Grandnuisance.]Heissometimessothoughtfulandsoabsorbed,thatIalmostfeartheresultofdisturbinghim;then,hehasthatfacultyofperseverancewhichseemstobetheon|ythingsomemenhavelackedtomakethemgreat.[Hecertainlyhasit;heexemplifieditwhileIwastryingtogettosleepthismorning.]

"Toddieisgoingtomakeapoetoramusicianoranartist.[That'sso;allabominablescampstaketosomeartisticpursuitas

anexcuseforloafing.]Hisfanciestakeholdofhimverystrongly.[Theydo--theydo;"sheewheelsgowound,"forinstance.]HehasnotBudgie'ssublimeearnestness,buthedoesn'tneedit;theirresistibleforcewithwhichheisdrawntowardwhateverisbeautifulcompensatesforthelack.[Ah--perhapsthatexplainshisoperationwithmytrunk.]ButIwantyourOWNopinion,forIknowyoumakemorecarefuldistinctionincharacterthanIdo.

"DelightingmyselfwiththeideathatIdeservemostofthecreditforthelotsofreadingyouwillhavedonebythistime,andhopingIshallsoonhavealinetellingmehowmydarlingsare,Iamasever,"Yourlovingsister,"HELEN."

SeldomhaveIbeensorousedbyaletterasIwasbythisone,andneverdidIpromisemyselfmoregenuinepleasureinwritingareply.Ideterminedthatitshouldbeamasterpieceofanalysisandofcalmyetforcibleexpressionofopinion.

Upononestep,atanyrate,Iwaspositivelydetermined.Callingthegirl,Iaskedherwherethekeywasthatlockedthedoorbetweenmyroomandthechildren.

"Please,sir,Toddiethrewitdownthewell."

"Istherealocksmithinthevillage?"

"No,sir;thenearestoneisatPaterson."

"Isthereascrewdriverinthehouse?"

"Yes,sir."

"Bringittome,andtellthecoachmantogetreadyatoncetodrivemetoPaterson."


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Thescrewdriverwasbrought,andwithitIremovedthelock,gotintothecarriage,andtoldthedrivertotakemetoPatersonbythehill-road--oneofthemostbeautifulroadsinAmerica.

"Paterson!"exclaimedBudge."Oh,there'sacandy-storeinthattown,comeon,Toddie."

"Willyou?"thoughtI,snatchingthewhipandgivingthehorsesacut."Notif_I_canhelpit.TheideaofhavingsuchadrivespoiledbytheclatterofSUCHacouple!"

Awaywentthehorses,anduproseapiercingshriekandaterribleroar.Itseemedthatbothchildrenmusthavebeenmortallyhurt,andIlookedouthastily,onlytoseeBudgeandToddierunningafterthecarriage,andcryingpitifully.Itwastoopitiful,--Icouldnothaveproceededwithoutthem,eveniftheyhadbeenafflictedwithsmall-pox.Thedriverstoppedofhisownaccord,--heseemedtoknowthechildren'swaysandtheirresults,--andIhelpedBudgeandToddiein,meeklyhopingthattheeyeofProvidencewasuponme,andthatsoself-sacrificinganactwouldbedulypassedtomycredit.Aswereachedthehill-road,mykindnesstomynephewsseemedtoassume,greaterproportions,fortheviewbeforemewasinexpressiblybeautiful.Theairwasperfectlyclear,andacrosstwoscoretownsIsawthegreat

metropolisitself,thesilentcityofGreenwoodbeyondit,thebay,thenarrows,thesound,thetwosilveryriverslyingbetweenmeandthePalisades,andeven,acrossandtothesouthofBrooklyn,theoceanitself.Wonderfuleffectsoflightandshadow,picturesquemasses,composedofdetachedbuildingssofardistantthattheyseemedhuddledtogether;grimfactoriesturnedtobeautifulpalacesbythedazzlingreflectionofsunlightfromtheirwindow-panes;greatshipsseeminginthedistancetobetoy-boatsfloatingidly;--withnosignoflifeperceptible,thewholescenerecalledthefairystories,readinmyyouthfuldays,ofenchantedcities,andtheillusionwasgreatlystrengthenedbythedragon-likeshapeoftheroofofNewYork'snewpost-office,lyinginthecenterofeverything,andseemingtobroodoverall.

"UncleHarry!"

Ah,thatwaswhatIexpected!

"UncleHarry!"

"Well,Budge?"

"Ialwaysthinkthatlookslikeheaven."

"Whatdoes?"

"Why,allthat,--fromhereovertothatotherskywaybacktherebehindeverything,Imean.AndIthinkTHAT(herehepointedtowardwhatprobablywasaphotographer'sroof-light)--thatplacewhereit'ssoshiny,iswhereGodstays."

Blessthechild!ThescenehadsuggestedonlyelfindomtoME,andyetIpridedmyselfonmyquicksenseofartisticeffects.

"An'overtherewherethatawfulbrightLITTLEspeckis,"continuedBudge,"that'swheredearlittlebrotherPhillieis;


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wheneverIlookoverthere,Iseehimputtinghishandout."

"Dee'ittlePhilliewenttos'eepinaboxandtheLordtookhimtoheaven,"murmuredToddie,puttingtogetherallhehadseenandheardofdeath.Thenheraisedhisvoice,andexclaimed:--

"OckenHawwy,youknowwhatIz'hegoin'dowhenIbe'sbigman?Iz'hegoin'tohavehossesandtarridge,an'Iz'hegoin'towideoverallzecheesan'allzehouses,an'allzeworldan'evvyfing.An'wholelotsoflittlebirdiesiscomin'inmytarridgean'singsongstome,an'youcancometooifyouwantto,an'we'llhaveICE-creaman''trawberries,an'see'ittlefishesswimmin'downinzewater,an'we'llgetag'eatbighousethat'sallp'ittyontheoutshidean'allp'ittyontheinshide,andit'llallbeoursandwe'lldojustevvyfingwewantto."

"Toddy,you'reanidealist."

"AIN'Ta'dealisht."

"Toddy'sagoosey-gander,"remarkedBudge,withgreatgravity."UncleHarry,doyouthinkheaven'sasniceasthatplaceoverthere?"

"Yes,Budge,agreatdealnicer."

"Thenwhydon'twediean'gothere?Idon'twanttogoonlivin'foreveran'ever.Idon'tseewhywedon'tdierightaway;Ithinkwe'velivedenoughofdays."

"TheLordwantsustoliveuntilwegetgoodandstrongandsmart,anddoagreatdealofgoodbeforewedie,oldfellow--that'swhywedon'tdierightaway."

"Well,IwanttoseedearlittlePhillie,an'iftheLordwon'tlethimcomedownhere,Ithinkhemightletmediean'gotoheaven.LittlePhilliealwayslaughedwhenIjumpedforhim.Uncle

Harry,angelshaswings,don'tthey?"

"Somepeoplethinktheyhave,oldboy."

"Well,IknowtheyDON'T,cosifPhilliehadwings,Iknowhe'dflyrightdownherean'seeme.Sotheydon't."

"Butmaybehehastogosomewhereelse,Budge,ormaybehecomesandyoucan'tseehim.Wecan'tseeangelswithOUReyes,youknow."

"ThenwhatmadetheHebrewchildreninthefieryfurnaceseeone?Theireyeswasjustlikeours,wasn'tthey?Idon'tcare;Iwant

toseedearlittlePhillieAWFULmuch.UncleHarry,ifIwenttoheaven,doyouknowwhatI'ddo?"

"WhatWOULDyoudo,Budge?"

"Why,afterIsawlittlePhillie,I'dgorightuptotheLordan'givehimagreatbighug."

"Whatfor,Budge?"


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"Oh,cosheletsushavenicetimes,an'gavememymamaan'papa,an'Phillie--buthetookhimawayagain--an'Toddie,butToddie'sadreadfulbadboysometimes,though."

"Verytrue,Budge,"saidI,rememberingmytrunkandtheobjectofmyride.

"UncleHarry,didyoueverseetheLord?"

"No,Budge;hehasbeenveryclosetomeagoodmanytimes,butIneversawhim."

"Well,_I_have;IseehimeverytimeIlookupinthesky,andthereain'tnobody'withme."

Thedrivercrossedhimselfandwhispered,"He'sforivera-sayin'that,an'bethepowers,Ibelavehim.Sometimesye'dthinkthatthehowlysaintsthimselveswasa-sphak-in'whinthatbyegitstogoin'onthatway."ItWASwonderful.Budge'scountenanceseemedtoopuretobeoftheearthashecontinuedtoexpresshisideasofthebetterlandanditsdenizens.AsforToddie,histonguewasgoingincessantly,althoughinatonescarcelyaudible;butwhenIchancedtocatchhisexpressions,theyweresodrollandfanciful,thatItookhimuponmylapthatImighthearhimmoredistinctly.

IevendetectedmyselfintheactofexaminingthementaldraftofmyproposedlettertoHelen,andofbeingashamedofit.ButneitherToddie'sfancynorBudge'sspiritualitycausedmetoforgettheprincipalobjectofmyride.Ifoundalocksmithandleftthelocktobefittedwithakey;thenwedrovetotheFalls.Bothboysdischargedvolleysofquestionsaswestoodbythegorge,andthefactthattheroarofthefallingwaterpreventedmefromhearingthemdidnotcausethemtorelaxtheireffortsintheleast.Iwalkedtothehotelforacigar,takingthechildrenwithme.Icertainlyspentnomorethanthreeminutesinselectingandlightingacigar,andaskingthebarkeeperafewquestionsabouttheFalls;butwhenIturned,thechildrenweremissing,norcouldIseetheminanydirection.Suddenlybeforemyeyesarose

fromthenearerbrinkofthegorgetwoyellowishdisks,whichIrecognizedasthehatsofmynephews;thenIsawbetweenthedisksandmetwosmallfigureslyingupontheground.Iwasafraidtoshout,forfearofscaringthem,iftheyhappenedtohearme,Iboundedacrossthegrass,industriouslyravingandprayingbyturns.Theywerelyingontheirstomachsandlookingovertheedgeofthecliff.Iapproachedthemontip-toe,threwmyselfupontheground,andgraspedafootofeachchild.

"Oh,UncleHarry!"screamedBudgeinmyear,asIdraggedhimclosetome,kissingandshakinghimalternately,"IhungedovermorethanToddiedid."

"Well,I--I--I--I--I--I--Ihungedoveragooddeal,ANYhow,"saidToddie,inself-defense.

ThatafternoonIdevotedtomakingabouquetforMissMayton,andamostdelightfuloccupationIfoundit.Itwasnoflorist'sbouquet,composedofonlyafewkindsofflowers,wireduponsticks,andarrangedaccordingtogeometricpattern.Iusedmanyarareflower,tooshyofbloomtorecommenditselftoflorists;Icombinedtintsalmostasnumerousastheflowerswere,andperfumestowhichcitybouquetsareutterstrangers.Arranging


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flowersisafavoritepastimeofmine,butuponthisparticularoccasionIenjoyedmyworkmorethanIhadeverdonebefore.NotthatIwasinlovewithMissMayton;amanmayhonestlyandstronglyadmireahandsome,brilliantwomanwithoutbeinginlovewithher;hecandelighthimselfintryingtogiveherpleasure,withoutfeelingitnecessarythatsheshallgivehimherselfinreturn.SinceIarrivedatyearsofdiscretion,Ihavealwayssmiledsarcasticallyatthementionofthegenerosityofmenwhowereinlove;theyhaveseemedtomerathertobeaskinganimmensepriceforwhattheyoffered.IhadnosuchfeelingtowardMissMayton.Therehavebeenheathenswhohaveofferedgiftstogoddessesoutofpureadorationandwithoutanyideaofeverhavingtheexclusivecompanionshipoftheirfavoritedivinities.IneverofferedMissMaytonanyattentionwhichdidnotputmeintoclosersympathywiththesesamegreat-souledoldPagans,andwithsuchChristiansasfollowtheirgoodexample.Witheachnewgracemybouquettookon,mypleasureandsatisfactionincreasedatthethoughtofhowSHEwouldenjoythecompletedevidenceofmytaste.

Atlengthitwasfinished,butmydelightsuddenlybecamecloudedbythedreadfulthought,"Whatwillfolkssay?"HadwebeeninNewYorkinsteadofHillcrest,noonebuttheflorist,hismessenger,theladyandmyselfwouldknowifIsentabouquettoMissMayton;butinHillcrest,withitsseveralhundrednative-borngossipsand

itsacquaintanceofeverybodywitheverybodyelseandtheiraffairs,Ifearedtalk.UponthediscretionofMike,thecoachman,Icouldsafelyrely;Ihadalreadyconfidentiallyconveyedsundrybitsoffractionalcurrencytohim,andinformedhimofoneofthepartiesatourstorewhosefamilyMikehadknowninOldErin;buteveryoneknewwhereMikewasemployed;everyoneknew--mysterious,unseenandswiftarethewaysofcommunicationinthecountry!--thatIwastheonlygentlemanatpresentresidingatColonelLawrence's.Ah!--Ihadit.Ihadseeninoneofthelibrary-drawersasmallpasteboardbox,shapedlikeaband-box--doubtlessTHATwouldholdit.Ifoundthebox--itwasofjustthesizeIneeded.Idroppedmycardintothebottom,--nodangerofaladynotfindingthecardaccompanyingagiftofflowers,--neatly

fittedthebouquetinthecenterofthebox,andwentinsearchofMike.HewinkedcheeringlyasIexplainedthenatureofhiserrand,andhewhispered:--

"I'lldoitasclaneasawhistle,yerhonor.MistressClarkson'scookan'mesilfundersthandeachother,an'I'musedtogoin'upthebackway.Dhivilamancanseebuttheangels,an'theywon'ttell."

"Verywell,Mike;here'sadollarforyou;you'llfindtheboxonthehat-rackinthehall."

Halfanhourlater,whileIsatinmychamberwindow,reading,I

beheldMike,cleanlyshaved,dressedandbrushed,swinginguptheroad,withmyboxbalancedononeofhisenormoushands.Withaheadfullofpleasingfancies,Iwentdowntosupper.Mynewfriendswereunusuallygood.Theirrideseemedtohavetoneddowntheirboisterousnessandelevatedtheirlittlesouls;theirappetitesexhibitednodiminutionofforce,buttheytalkedbutlittle,andallthattheysaidwassmart,funny,orstartling--somuchsothatwhen,aftersupper,theyinvitedmetoputthemtobed,Igladlyacceptedtheinvitation.Toddiedisappearedsomewhere,andcamebackverydisconsolate.


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"Can'tfindmydolly'sk'adle,"hewhined.

"Nevermind,oldpet,"saidI,soothingly."Unclewillrideyouonhisfoot."

"ButIWANTmydolly'sk'adle,"saidhe,piteouslyrollingouthislowerlip.

IrememberedmyexperiencewhenToddiewantedto"sheewheelsgowound,"andItrembled.

"Toddie,"saidI,inatonesopersuasivethatitwouldbeworththousandsayeartome,asasalesman,ifIcouldonlycommanditatwill;"Toddie,don'tyouwanttorideonuncle'sback?"

"No:wantmydolly'sk'adle."

"Don'tyouwantmetotellyouastory?"

ForamomentToddie'sfaceindicatedaterribleinternalconflictbetweenoldAdamandmotherEve,butcuriosityfinallyoverpowerednaturaldepravity,andToddiemurmured:--

"Yesh."

"WhatshallItellyouabout?"

"'BoutNawndeark."

"AboutWHAT?"

"HemeansNoahan'theark,"exclaimedBudge.

"Datshwhat_I_shay--Nawndeark,"declaredToddie.

"Well,"saidI,hastilyrefreshingmymemorybypickingupthe

Bible,--forHelen,likemostpeople,isprettysuretoforgettopackherBiblewhensherunsawayfromhomeforafewdays,--"well,onceitrainedfortydaysandnights,andeverybodywasdrownedfromthefaceoftheearthexceptingNoah,arighteousman,whowassaved,withallhisfamily,inanarkwhichtheLordcommandedhimtobuild."

"UncleHarry,"saidBudge,aftercontemplatingmewithopeneyesandmouthforatleasttwominutesafterIhadfinished,"doyouthinkthat'sNoah?"

"Certainly,Budge;here'sthewholestoryintheBible."

"Well,_I_don'tthinkit'sNoahonesinglebit,"saidhe,withincreasingemphasis.

"I'm.beginningtothinkwereaddifferentBibles,Budge;butlet'shearYOURversion."

"Huh?"

"TellMEaboutNoah,ifyouknowsomuchabouthim."


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"Iwill,ifyouwantmeto.OncetheLordfeltsouncomfortablecosfolkswasbadthathewassorryheevermadeanybody,oranyworldoranything.ButNoahwasn'tbad--theLordlikedhimfirst-rate,sohetoldNoahtobuildabigark,andthentheLordwouldmakeitrainsoeverybodyshouldbedrowndedbutNoahan'hislittleboysan'girls,an'doggiesan'pussiesan'mama-cowsan'little-boy-cowsan'little-girl-cowsan'hossesan'everything--they'dgointhearkan'wouldn'tgetwettedabit,whenitrained.An'Noahtooklotsofthingstoeatintheark--cookies,an'milk,an'oatmeal,an'strawberries,an'porgies,an'--oh,yes;an'plum-puddin'san'pumpkin-pies.ButNoahdidn'twanteverybodytogetdrownded,sohetalkedtofolksan'said,'It'sgoin'torainAWFULprettysoon;you'dbetterbegood,an'thentheLord'llletyoucomeintomyark.'An'theyjus'said,'Oh,ifitrainswe'llgointhehousetillitstops;'an'otherfolkssaid,'WEain'tafraidofrain--we'vegotanumbrella.'An'somemoresaid,theywasn'tgoin'tobeafraidofjustarain.ButitDIDrainthough,an'folkswentintheirhouses,an'thewatercamein,an'theywentup-stairs,an'thewatercameupthere,an'theygotonthetopsofthehouses,an'upinbigtrees,an'upinmountains,an'thewaterwentafter'emeverywherean'drowndedeverybody,onlyjustexceptNoahandthepeopleintheark.An'itrainedfortydaysan'nights,an'thenitstopped,an'Noahgotoutoftheark,an'heandhislittleboysan'girlswentwherever

theywantedto,andeverythingintheworldwasalltheirs;therewasn'tanybodytotell'emtogohome,nornoKindergartenschoolstogoto,nornobadboystofight'em,nornothin'.Nowtellus'notherstory."

IdeterminedthatIwouldnotagainattempttorepeatportionsoftheScripturenarrative--myexperienceinthatdirectionhadnotbeenencouraging.Iventureduponawarstory.

"Doyouknowwhatthewarwas?"Iasked,bywayofreconnoissance.

"Oh,yes,"saidBudge;"papawasthere,an'he'sgotasword;don'tyouseeit,hangin'upthere?"

Yes,Isawit,andthedifferencebetweentheterriblefieldwherelastIsawTom'sswordinaction,andthisquietroomwhereitnowhung,forcedmeintoareveriefromwhichIwasarousedbyBudgeremarking:--

"Ain'tyougoin'totellusone?"

"Oh,yes,Budge.Onedaywhilethewarwasgoingon,therewasawholelotofsoldiersgoingalongaroad,andtheywereashungryastheycouldbe;theyhadn'thadanythingtoeatthatday."

"Whydidn'ttheygointothehouses,andthepeopletheywas

hungry?That'swhat_I_dowhenIgoesalongroads."

"Becausethepeopleinthatcountrydidn'tlikethem;thebrothersandpapasandhusbandsofthosepeopleweresoldiers,too;buttheydidn'tlikethesoldiersItoldyouaboutfirst,andtheywantedtokillthem."

"Idon'tthinktheywereabitnice,"saidBudge,withconsiderabledecision.


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"Well,thefirstsoldierswantedtokillTHEM,Budge."

"ThentheywasALLbad,towanttokilleachother."

"Oh,no,theyweren't;therewereagreatmanyrealgoodmenonbothsides."

PoorBudgelookedsadlypuzzled,ashehadanexcellentrighttodo,sincethewisestandbestmenaresorelyperplexedbythenatureofwarlikefeeling.

"Bothpartiesofsoldierswereonhorseback,"Icontinued,"andtheywereneareachother,andwhentheysaweachothertheymadetheirhorsesrunfast,andthebuglesblew,andthesoldiersalltooktheirswordsouttokilleachotherwith,whenjustthenalittleboy,whohadbeenoutinthewoodstopickberriesforhismama,triedtorunacrosstheroad,andcaughthistoesomeway,andfelldown,andcried.Thensomebodyhallooed'Halt!'veryloud,andallthehorsesononesidestopped,andthensomebodyelsehallooed'Halt!'andalotofbuglesblew,andeveryhorseontheother;sidestopped,andonesoldierjumpedoffhishorse,andpickedupthelittleboy--hewasonlyaboutasbigasyou,Budge--andtriedtocomforthim;andthenasoldierfromtheothersidecameuptolookathim,andthenmoresoldierscamefromboth

sidestolookathim;andwhenhegotbetterandwalkedhome,thesoldiersallrodeaway,becausetheydidn'tfeellikefightingjustthen."

"Oh,UncleHarry!IthinkitwasanAWFULgoodsoldierthatgotoffhishorsetotakecareofthatpoorlittleboy."

"Doyou,Budge?Whodoyouthinkitwas?"

"Idunno."

"Itwasyourpapa."

"Oh--h--h--h--h!"IfTomcouldhavebutseentheexpressionuponhisboy'sfaceasheprolongedthisexclamation,hislossofoneofthegrandestchancesacavalryofficereverhadwouldnothaveseemedsogreattohimasithaddoneforyears.Heseemedtotakeinthestoryinallitsbearings,andhisgreateyesgrewindepthastheytookonthefar-awaylookwhichseemedtooearnestforthestrengthofanearthlybeingtosupport.

ButToddie,--hewhoafondmamathoughtendowedwithartsense,--Toddiehadthroughoutmyrecitaltheairofamanwhowasmusingonsomeaffairofhisown,andBudge'sexclamationhadhardlydiedaway,whenToddiecommencedtowavealoudanextravaganzawhollyhisown.

"When_I_wasasoldier,"heremarked,verygravely,"Ihadacoatan'ahaton,an'amuffan'alittleknake[Footnote:Snake:tippet.]woundmynecktokeepmewarm,an'itwained,an'hailed,an''tormed,an'Ifeltbad,soIwhallowedaswordan'burnedmealldowndead."

"Andhowdidyougethere?"Iasked,withinterestproportionedtotheimportanceofToddie'slastclause.


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"Oh,Igotupfromtheburn-downdead,an'COMEDrighthere.An'Iwantmydolly'sk'adle."

Ohpersistentlittledragon!Ifyouwereofage,whatafortuneyoumightmakeinbusiness!

"UncleHarry,Iwishmypapawouldcomehomerightaway,"saidBudge.

"Why,Budge?"

"Iwanttolovehimforbein'sogoodtothatpoorlittleboyinthewar."

"OckenHawwy,Iwantsmydolly'sk'adle,tausemydolly'sinit,an'Iwanttosheeher;"thusspakeToddie.

"Don'tyouthinktheLordlovedmypapaawfulmuchfordoin'thatsweetthing,UncleHarry?"askedBudge.

"Yes,oldfellow,Ifeelsurethathedid."

"Lordloveshmypapavewymuch,soIlovezeLordvewymuch,"remarkedToddie."An'Iwantsmydolly'sk'adlean'mydolly."

"Toddie,Idon'tknowwhereeitherofthemare--Ican'tfindthemnow--DOwaituntilmorning,thenUncleHarrywilllookforthem."

"Idon'tseehowtheLordcangetalonginheavenwithoutmypapa,UncleHarry,"saidBudge.

"Lordtakeshpapatoheaven,an'Budgiean'me,an'we'llgowalkin'an'seezeLord,an'playwifzeangels'wings,an'hazhgoodtimsh,an'neverhavetogotobedatall,atall."

Pureheartedlittleinnocents!comparedwitholderpeoplewhomweendure,howgreatthyfaithandhowfewthyfaults!Howsuperior

thylove--

Aknockatthedoorinterruptedme."Comein!"Ishouted.

InsteppedMike,withanairofthegreatestsecrecy,handedmealetterandtheidenticalboxinwhichIhadsenttheflowerstoMissMayton.WhatCOULDitmean?Ihastilyopenedtheenvelope,andatthesametimeToddieshrieked:--

"Oh,darshmydolly'sk'adle--dare'tish!"snatchedandopenedthebox,anddisplayed--hisdoll!Myheartsickened,anddidNOTregainitsstrengthduringtheperusalofthefollowingnote:--

"MissMaytonherewithreturnstoMr.Burtonthepackagewhichjustarrived,withhiscard.SherecognizesthecontentsasaportionoftheapparentpropertyofoneofBurton'snephews,butisunabletounderstandwhyitshouldhavebeensenttoher."June20,1875."

"Toddie,"Iroared,asmyyoungernephewcaressedhisloathsomedoll,andmurmuredendearingwordstoit,"wheredidyougetthatbox?"


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"Onthehat-wack,"repliedtheyouth,withperfectfearlessness;"Ikeepsitinzebook-casedjawer,an'somebodytookit'wayan'putnastyoleflowersinit."

"Wherearethoseflowers?"Idemanded.

Toddielookedupwithconsiderablesurprisebutpromptlyreplied:--

"Ifroed'emaway--don'twantnooleflowersinmydolly'sk'adle.That'szewayshewocks--see!"Andthishorriblelittledestroyerofhumanhopesrolledthatboxbackandforthwiththemostutterunconcern,ashespokeendearingwordstothesubstituteformybeautifulbouquet!

TosaythatIlookedatToddiereprovinglyistoexpressmyfeelingsinthemostinadequatelanguage,butoflanguageinwhichtoexpressmyfeelingstoToddie.Icouldfindabsolutelynone.WithintwoorthreeshortmomentsIhaddiscoveredhowveryanxiousIreallywastomeritMissMayton'sregard,andhowverydifferentwastheregardIwantedfromthatwhichIhadpreviouslyhopedmightbeaccordedme.ItseemedtooridiculoustobetruethatI,whohadforyearshaddozensofcharmingladyacquaintances,andyethadalwaysmaintainedmycommonsenseandself-control;I,whohadalwaysconsidereditunmanlyforamanto

speciallyinteresthimselfinANYladyuntilhehadanincomeoffivethousandayear;Iwhohadskilfully,andmanytimes,argued,thatlife-attachments,orattemptsthereat,whichweremadewithoutacarefulpreliminarystudyofthementalcharacteristicsofthepartnerdesired,wasthemostunpardonablefolly,--Ihadtransgressedeveryoneofmyownrules,and,asiftomockmeforanypretendedwisdomandcare,myweaknesswasmadeknowntomebyathree-year-oldmarplotandahideousrag-doll!

ThatmercifulandennoblingdispensationbywhichProvidenceenablesustotempertheseverityofourownsufferingsbyalleviatingthoseofothers,camesoontomyrescue.UndermysternglanceToddiegraduallylostinterestinhisdollandits

cradle,andbegantothrustforthandoutwardhispiteouslowerlipandtoweepcopiously.

"DeeLord,notmakemeshobad,"hecriedthroughhistears.Idoubthishavinghadanyveryclearideaofwhathewassaying,orwhomhewasaddressing;buthadthepublicanofwhoseprayerToddiemadesofairaparaphrasewornsuchafacewhenheofferedhisfamouspetition,itcouldnothavebeendeniedforamoment.Toddieevenretiredtoacornerandhidhisfaceinself-imposedpenance.

"Nevermind,Toddie,"saidI,sadly;"youdidn'tmeantodoit,Iknow."

"Iwantshtoloveyou,"sobbedToddie.

"Well,comehere,youpoorlittlefellow,"saidI,openingmyarms,andwonderingwhether'twasnotaftercontemplationofsomesuchsinnerthatgoodBishopTegnerwrote:--

"Depthsofloveareatonement'sdepths,forloveisatonement"

Toddiecametomyarms,shedtearsfreelyuponmyshirt-front,and


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finally,afterheavingaverylongsigh,remarked:--

"WantshYOUtoloveME"

Icompliedwithhisrequest.Theoretically,IhadlongbelievedthatthehigherwisdomoftheCreatorwasmostfrequentlyexpressedthroughthemediumofhismostinnocentcreations.Surelyherewasaconfirmationofmytheory,forwhoelsehadeverpracticallytaughtmethedutyoftheinjuredonetowardhisoffender?IkissedToddieandpettedhim,andatlengthsucceededinquietinghim;hislittleface,inspiteofmuchdirtandmanytear-stains,wasupturnedwithmoreofbeautyinitthaniteverheldwhenitsownerwasfullofjoy;helookedearnestly,confidingly,intomyeyes,andIcongratulatedmyselfupontheperfectionofmyforgivingspirit,whenToddiesuddenlyre-exhibitedtomemyoldunregeneratenature,andtheincompletenessofmyforgiveness,bysaying:--

"Kishmydolly,too."

Iobeyed.Myforgivenesswasmadecomplete,butsowasmyhumiliation.Iabruptlyclosedourinterview.Weexchanged"Godblessyou's,"accordingtoBudge'sinstructionsofthepreviousnight,andatleastoneoftheparticipantsinthisdevotional

exercisehopedthepetitionsmadebytheotherweredistinctlyheard.ThenIdroppedintoaneasy-chairinthelibrary,andfelltothinking.IfoundmyselfreallyandseriouslytroubledbytheresultsofToddie'soperationwithmybouquet.ImightexplainthemattertoMissMayton--Iundoubtedlycould,forshewastoosensibleawomantobeeasilyoffendedmerelybyaridiculousmistake,causedbyachild.ButshewouldlaughatME--howcouldshehelpit?--andtobelaughedatbyMissMaytonwasasomethingthemerethoughtofwhichtormentedmeinamannerthatmademefairlyashamedofmyself.Likeeveryotheryoungmanamongyoungmen,Ihadbeenthebuttofmanyaroughjoke,andhadbornethemwithoutwincing;itseemedcowardlyandcontemptiblethatIshouldbesosensitiveunderthemerethoughtoflaughterwhichwould

probablybeheardbynoonebutMissMaytonherself.Butthelaughterofamereacquaintanceislikelytolessenrespectforthepersonlaughedat.Heavens!thethoughtwasunendurable!Atanyrate,Imustwriteanearlyapology.WhenIwascorrespondentforthehousewithwhichIamnowsalesmanIreclaimedmanyanoldcustomerwhohadwanderedoff--certainlyImighthopebyawell-writtenlettertoregaininMissMayton'srespectwhateverpositionIhadlost.Ihastilydraftedaletter,correcteditcarefully,copieditindueform,andforwardeditbythefaithfulMichael.ThenItriedtoread,butwithouttheleastsuccess.ForhoursIpacedthepiazzaandconsumedcigars;whenatlastIretireditwaswithmanyideas,hopes,fears,andfancieswhichhadneverbeforebeenmine.Truetomytrust,Ilookedintomy

nephews'room;therelaytheboys,inposturesmoregracefulthananywhichbrushorchiselhaveeverreproduced.Toddie,inparticular,woresolovelyanexpressionthatIcouldnotrefrainfromkissinghim.ButIwasnonethelesscarefultomakeuseofmynewkey,andtolockmyotherdooralso.

ThenextdaywastheSabbath.BelievingfullyinthebindingforceandworldlywisdomoftheFourthCommandment,sofarasitreferstorest,IhaveconscientiouslytrainedmyselftosleeptwohourslateronthemorningoftheholydaythanIeverallowedmyselfto


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doonbusinessdays.Buthavinginherited,besidesaNewEnglandconscience,aNewEnglandabhorrenceofwaste,IregularlysituptwohourslateronSaturdaynightsthanonanyothers;andthenightprecedingthisparticularSabbathwasnoexceptiontotherule,asthereadermayimaginefromtheforegoingrecital.Atabout5.30A.M.,however,Ibecameconsciousthatmynephewswerenotinaccord,withmeontheSinaiticlaw.Theywerenotonlyawake,butweredisputingvigorously,and,seemingly,veryloudly,forIheardtheirwordsverydistinctly.WithsleepycondescensionIendeavoredtoignorethesenoisyirreverents,butIwassuddenlymovedtoabeliefinthedoctrineofvicariousatonement,foraflyingbody,withmoremomentumthanweight,struckmeuponthenotprominentbridgeofmynose,andspeedilyandwithunnecessaryforceaccommodateditselftotheoutlineofmyeyes.Afteramomentspentinanguish,andinwonderinghowthemissivecamethroughcloseddoorsandwindows,Idiscoveredthatmypainhadbeencausedbyoneofthedolls,which,fromitsextremeuncleanness,IsuspectedbelongedtoToddie;Ialsodiscoveredthatthedoorbetweentheroomswasopen.

"Whothrewthatdoll?"Ishouted,sternly.Therecamenoresponse.

"Doyouhear?"Iroared.

"Whatisit,UncleHarry?"askedBudge,withmostexquisitelypoliteinflection.

"Whothrewthatdoll?"

"Huh?"

"Isay,whothrewthatdoll?"

"Why,nobodydidit."

"Toddie,whothrewthatdoll?"

"Budgedid,"repliedToddieinmuffledtones,suggestiveofabrotherlyhandlaidforciblyoverapairofsmalllips.

"Budge,whatdidyoudoitfor?"

"Why--why--I--because--why,yousee--because,why,Toddiefroohisdollyinmymouth;someofherhairwentin,anyhow,an'Ididn'twanthisdollyinmymouth,soIsentitbacktohim,an'thefootofthebeddidn'tstickupenough,soitwentfromthedoortoyourbed--that'swhatfor."

Theexplanationseemedtobearmarksofgenuineness,albietthepainofmyeyewasnotalleviatedthereby,whiletheexertion

expendedinelicitingtheinformationhadsothoroughlyawakenedmethatfurthersleepwasoutofthequestion.Besides,theopendoor,--hadaburglarbeenintheroom?No;mywatchandpocketbookwereundisturbed."Budge,whoopenedthatdoor?"

Aftersomehesitation,asifwonderingwhoreallydidit,Budgereplied:--

"Me."


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"Howdidyoudoit?"

"Why,youseewewantedadrink,an'thedoorwasfast,sowegotoutthewindowontheparazzoroof,an'comedinyourwindow."(Hereaslightpause.)"An''twasfun.An'thenweunlockedthedoor,an'comedback."

ThenIshouldbecompelledtolockmywindow-blinds--ortheirs,andthisinthesummerseason,too!Oh,ifHelencouldhavebutpassedthehouseasthatwhite-robedprocessionhadfiledalongthepiazza-roof!Ilayponderingoverthevastamountofunusedingenuitythatwaslockedupinmillionsofchildren,oremployedonlytoworkmiseryamongunsuspectingadults,whenIheardlightfootfallsatmybedside,andsawasmallshapewithagravefaceapproachandremark:--

"Iwantstocomeinyourbed."

"Whatfor,Toddie?"

"Tofwolic;papaalwaysfwolicsusSundaymornin's.Tum,Budgie,OckenHawwy'sdoin'tofwolicus."

Budgerepliedbyshriekingwithdelight,tumblingoutofbed,and

hurryingtothatsideofmybednotalreadyoccupiedbyToddie.Thenthosetwolittlesavagessoundedtheonslaughtandadvancedprecipitatelyuponme.Sometimes,duringthecourseofmylife,Ihavehadday-dreamswhichIhavetoldtonoone.Amongthesehasbeenone--notnowsodistinctasitwasbeforemyfouryearsofcampaigning--ofonedaymeetingindeadlycombatthepaintedIndianoftheplains;oflisteningundismayedtohisfrightfulwar-whoop,andofexemplifyinginmyownpersontheinevitableresultofthepale-face'ssuperiorintelligence.ButuponthisparticularSundaymorningIrelinquishedthisideainformally,butforever.BeforetheadvanceofthesediminutivewarriorsIquailedcontemptibly,andtheirbattle-crysentmoreterrortomysoulthanthatmembereverexperiencedfromthewell-rememberedrebel

yell.AccordingtoToddie,Iwasgoingto"fwolic"THEM;butfromthefirsttheytookthewholebusinessintotheirownlittlebuteffectivehands.Toddiepronouncedmyknees,collectivelya-horsie"bonnie,"andbestrodethem,laughinggleefullyatmyeffortstounseathim,andholdinghimselfinpositionbydigginghispudgyfingersintowhateverportionsofmyanatomyhecouldmosteasilyseize.Budgeshouted,"Iwantahorsie,too!"andseatedhimselfuponmychest."Thisisthewaythehorsiegoes,"explainedhe,asheslowlyrockedhimselfbackwardandforward.Ibegantorealizehowmybrother-in-law,whohadoncebeenafinegymnast,hadbecomesoflat-chested.JustthenBudge'sfaceassumedamorespiritedexpression,hiseyesopenedwideandlightenedup,and,shouting,"ThisthewaythehorsieTROTS,"hestoodupright,threw

uphisfeet,anddroppedhisforty-threeavoirdupoispoundsforciblyuponmylungs.HerepeatedthisoperationseveraltimesbeforeIfullyrecoveredfromtheshockconveyedbyhiscombinedimpudenceandweight;butpainfinallybroughtmysensesback,andwithawildplungeIunseatedmydemoniacridersandgainedaclearspaceinthemiddleofthefloor.

"Ah--h--h--h--h--h--h,"screamedToddie,"Iwantstowidehorshiebacken."


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"Boo--oo--oo--oo--,"roaredBudge,"Ithinkyou'rerealmean.Idon'tloveyouatall."

RegardlessalikeofToddie'sdesires,ofBudge'sopinion,andthecessationofhisregard,Iperformedahastytoilet.Notnwithstandingmylostrest,savagelythankedtheLordforSunday;atchurch,atleast,Icouldbefreefrommytormentors.Atthebreakfast-tablebothboysinvitedthemselvestoaccompanymetothesanctuary,butIdeclinedwithoutthanks.Totakethemmightbetoassistsomewhatinteachingthemoneofthebestofhabits,butIstronglydoubtedwhethertheseverestProvidencewouldconsideritmydutytoenduretheprobableconsequencesofsuchanattempt.BesidesIMIGHTmeetMissMayton.IbothhopedandfearedImight,andIcouldnot,endurethethoughtofappearingbeforeherwiththecausesofmypleasantREMEMBRANCE.BudgeprotestedandToddiewept,butIremainedfirm,althoughIwassowillingtogratifytheirreasonabledesiresthatItookthemoutforalongante-servicewalk.WhileenjoyingthislittletripIdelightedthechildrenbykillingasnakeandspoilingaslendercaneatthesametime,myownsoleconsolationcomingfromthediscoverythattheremainsofthestaffweresufficienttomakeacaneforBudge.WhilereturningtothehouseandpreparingforchurchIenteredintoasolemnagreementwithBudge,whowasusuallyrecognizedastheheadofthisfraternalpartnership.

Budgecontracted,forhimselfandbrother,tomakenoattemptstoentermyroom;torefrainfromfighting;toraiseloosedirtonlywithashovel,andtoconveyittoitsdestinationbymeansotherthantheirownhatsandaprons;topicknoflowers;toopennowater-faucets;toreferalldisagreementstothecook,asarbitrator,andtobuildnohousesofthenewbookswhichIhadstackeduponthelibrarytable.InconsiderationofthepromisedfaithfulobservanceoftheseconditionsIagreedthatBudgeshouldbeallowedtocomealonetoSabbathschool,whichconveneddirectlyaftermorningservice,hetostartonlyafterMaggiehadpronouncedhimdulycleansedandclothed.AsToddiewasdailykeptinbedfromeleventoone,IfeltthatImightsafelyworshipwithoutdistractingfears,forBudgecouldnotalone,andina

singlehour,becomeguiltyofanyparticularsin.ThechurchatHillcresthadmanymoreseatsthanmembers,andasbutfewsummervisitorshadyetappearedinthetown,Iwasconsciousofbeingindustriouslystaredatbythenativemembersofthecongregation.Thiswasofitselfdiscomfortenough,butnotalltowhichIwasdestined,fortheusherconductedmequiteneartothealtar,andshowedmeintoapewwhoseonlyotheroccupantwasMissMayton!Ofcoursetheladydidnotrecognizeme--shewastoocarefullybredtodoanythingofthesortinchurch,andIspenttenuncomfortableminutesinmentallyabusingthecustomsofgoodsociety.Thebeginningoftheservicepartiallyendedmyuneasiness,forIhadnohymn-book,--thepewcontainednone,--soMissMaytonkindlyofferedmeashareinherown.Andyetso

faultlesslyperfectandstranger-likewashermannerthatIwonderedwhetherheractionmightnothavebeenpromptedmerelybyasenseofChristianduty;hadIbeentheKhanofTartaryshecouldnothavebeenmorepoliteandfrigid.ThemusictothefirsthymnwasanairIhadneverheardbefore,soIstumbledmiserablythroughthetenor,althoughMissMaytonrenderedthesopranowithoutasinglefalsenote.ThesermonwaslongerthanIwasinthehabitoflisteningto,andIwasfrequentlyconsciousofnotlisteningatall.Asformypositionandappearance,neithereverseemedsoinsignificantastheydidthroughouttheentireservice.


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Theministerreached"Andfinally,dearbrethren,"withmyearnestprayersforasuccessfulandspeedyfinale.Itseemedtomethatthecongregationsympathizedwithme,fortherewasageneralrustlebehindmeasthesewordswerespoken.Itsoonbecameevident,however,thatthehearersweremovedbysomeotherfeeling,forIheardaprofoundtitterortwobehindme.EvenMissMaytonturnedherheadwithmorealacritythanwasconsistentwiththatgracewhichusuallycharacterizedhermotions,andtheministerhimselfmadeapauseofunusuallength.Iturnedinmyseat,andsawmynephewBudge,dressedinhisbest,hisheadirreverentlycovered,andhisnewcaneswinginginthemoststylishmanner.Hepausedateachpew,carefullysurveyeditsoccupants,seemedtofailinfindingtheobjectofhissearch,butcontinuedhiseffortsinspiteofmyendeavorstocatchhiseye.Finally,herecognizedafamilyacquaintance,andtohimheunburdenedhisbosombyremarking,intoneseasilyheardthroughoutthechurch:--

"Iwanttofindmyuncle."

Justthenhecaughtmyeye,smiledrapturously,hurriedtomeandlaidhisrascallysoftcheekconfidinglyagainstmine,whileanaudiblesensationpervadedthechurch.WhattodoorsaytohimI

scarcelyknew;butmyquandarywasturnedtowonder,asMissMayton,herfacefullofill-repressedmirth,buthereyesfulloftenderness,drewthelittlescampclosetoher,andMssedhimsoundly.Atthesameinstant,theminister,notwithoutsomelittlehesitation,said,"Letuspray."Ihastilybowedmyhead,gladofachancetohidemyface;butasIstoleaglanceatthecauseofthisirreligiousdisturbance,IcaughtMissMayton'seye.Shewaslaughingsoviolentlythatthecontagionwasunavoidable,andIlaughedalltheharderasIfeltthatonemischievousboyhadundonethemischiefcausedbyanother.

Afterthebenediction,Budgewastherecipientofagreatdealofattention,duringtheconfusionofwhichIembracedthe

opportunitytosaytoMissMayton:--

"Doyoustillsustainmysisterinheropinionofmynephews,MissMayton?"

"Ithinkthey'retoofunnyforanything,"repliedthelady,withgreatenthusiasm."IDOwishyouwouldbringthemtocalluponme.I'mlongingtoseeanORIGINALyounggentleman."

"Thankyou,"saidI."AndI'llhaveToddiebringabouquetbywayofatonement,"

"Do,"shereplied,asIallowedhertopassfromthepew.Theword

wasaninsignificantone,butitmademehappyoncemore.

"Yousee,UncleHarry,"exclaimedBudge,asweleftthechurchtogether,"theSunday-schoolwasn'topenyet,an'Iwantedtohearifthey'dsingagaininchurch;soIcamein,an'youwasn'tinpapa'sseat,an'IknewyouwasSOMEwhere,soILOOKEDforyou."

"Blessyou,"thoughtI,snatchinghimintomyarmsasiftohurryhimintoSabbathschool,butreallytogivehimakissofgratefulaffection,"youdidright--EXACTLYright."


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MySundaydinnerwasunexceptionalinpointofquantityandquality,andabottleofmybrother-in-law'sclaretprovedtobemostexcellent;yetacertainuneasinessofmindpreventedmyenjoyingthemealasthoroughlyasunderothercircumstancesImighthavedone.Myuneasinesscameofamingledsenseofresponsibilityandignorance.IfeltthatitwastheproperthingformetoseethatmynephewsspentthedaywithsomesenseoftherequirementsanddutiesoftheSabbath;buthowIwastobringitabout,Ihardlyknew.Theboys,weretoosmalltohaveBible-lessonsadministeredtothem,andtheyweretoolivelytobekeptquietbyanyordinarymeans.Afteragreatdealofthought,Ideterminedtoconsultthechildrenthemselves,andtrytolearnwhattheirparents'customhadbeen.

"Budge,"saidI,"whatdoyoudoSundayswhenyourpapaandmamaarehome?Whatdotheyreadtoyou,--whatdotheytalkabout?"

"Oh,theyswingus--lots!"saidBudge,withbrighteningeyes.

"An'zeytakesustogetjacks,"observedToddie.

"Oh,yes!"exclaimedBudge;"jacks-in-the-pulpit--don'tyouknow?"

"Hum--ye--es;Idoremembersomesuchthinginmyyouthfuldays.Theygrowwherethere'splentyofmud,don'tthey?"

"Yes,an'there'sabrookthere,an'ferns,an'birch-bark,an'ifyoudon'tlookoutyou'lltumbleintothebrookwhenyougotogetbirch."

"An'wegoestoHawksnestRock,"pipedToddie,"an'papacarriesusuponhisbackwhenwegetstired."

"An'hemakesuswhistles,"saidBudge.

"Budge,"saidI,ratherhastily,"enough.Inthelanguageofthe

poet

"'TheseearthlypleasuresIresign,'

andI'mratherastonishedthatyourpapahasn'ttaughtyoutodolikewise.Don'theeverreadtoyou?"

"Oh,yes,"criedBudge,clappinghishands,asahappythoughtstruckhim."HegetsdowntheBible--thegreatBIGBible,youknow--an'wealllayonthefloor,an'hereadsusstoriesoutofit.There'sDavid,an'Noah,an'whenChristwasalittleboy,an'Joseph,an'turnbackPharo'sannyhallelujah--"

"Andwhat?"

"TurnbackPharo'sarmyhallelujah,"repeatedBudge."Don'tyouknowhowMosesheldouthiscaneovertheRedSea,an'thewaterwentwayuponeside,an'wayuptheotherside,andalltheIsruliteswentacross?It'sjustthesamethingasDROWNoldPharo'sarmyhallelujah--don'tyouknow?"

"Budge,"saidI,"IsuspectyouofhavingheardtheJubileeSingers."


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"Oh,andpapaandmamasingsusallthoseJubileesongs--there's'SwingLow,'an''RollJordan,'an''StealAway,'an''MyWay'sCloudy,'an''GetonBoard,Childuns,'an'lots.An'youcansinguseveryoneof'em."

"An'papatakesusinthewoods,an'makeshuscanes,"saidToddie.

"Yes,"saidBudge,"andwherethere'snewhousesbuildin',hetakesusupladders."

"Hasheanywayofputtinganextensionontheafternoon?"Iasked.

"Idon'tknowwhatthatis,"saidBudge,"butheputsanIndia-rubberblanketonthegrass,andthenweallliedownan'makeb'lievewe'resoldiersasleep.Onlysometimeswhenwewakeuppapastaysasleep,an'mamawon'tletuswakehim.Idon'tthinkthat'saveryniceplay."

"Well,IthinkBiblestoriesarenicerthananythingelse,don'tyou?"

Budgeseemedsomewhatindoubt."Ithinkswingin'isnicer,"saidhe--"oh,no;--let'sgetsomejacks--I'LLtellyouwhat!--makeuswhistlesan'wecanblowon'emwhilewe'regoin'togetthejacks.Toddie,dear,wouldn'tYOUlikejacksandwhistles?"

"Yesh--an'swingin'--an'birch--an'wantshtogotoHawksneshRock,"answeredToddie.

"Let'shaveBiblestoriesfirst,"saidI."TheLordmightn'tlikeitifyoudidn'tlearnanythinggoodto-day."

"Well,"saidBudge,withtheregulationreligious-matter-of-duty-face,"let's.IguessIlike'boutJosephbest."

"Tellus'boutBliaff,"suggestedToddie.

"Oh,no,Tod,"remonstratedBudge;"Joseph'scoatwasjustasbloodyasGoliath'sheadwas."ThenBudgeturnedtomeandexplainedthat"allTodlikesGoliathforis'causewhenhisheadwascutoffitwasallbloody."AndthenToddie--theairyspritewhomhismotherdescribedasbeingirresistiblydrawntowhateverwasbeautiful--Toddieglareduponmeasabutcher'sapprenticemightstareatadoomedlamb,andremarked:--

"Bliaff'sheadwasallbluggy,an'David'sswordwasallbluggy--bluggyaseveryfing."

Ihastilybreathedasmallprayer,openedtheBible,turnedtothestoryofJoseph,andaudiblycondenseditasIread:--

"Josephwasagoodlittleboywhosepapalovedhimverydearly.Buthisbrothersdidn'tlikehim.Andtheysoldhim,togotoEgypt.Andhewasverysmart,andtoldthepeoplewhattheirdreamsmeant,andhegottobeagreatman.AndhisbrotherswenttoEgypttobuycorn,andJosephsoldthemsome,andthenheletthemknowwhohewas.Andhesentthemhometobringtheirpapato


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Egypt,andthentheyalllivedtheretogether."

"Thatain'tit,"remarkedToddie,withtheairofamanwhofelthimselftobeunjustlytreated."Isit,Budge?"

"Oh,no,"saidBudge,"youdidn'treaditgoodabit;I'LLtellyouhowitis.OncetherewasalittleboynamedJoseph,an'hehadelevenbudders--theywasAWFULelevenbudders.An'hispapagavehimanewcoat,an'hisbuddershadn'tnothin'buttheiroldjacketstowear.An'onedayhewascarryin''emtheirdinner,an'theyputhiminadeep,darkhole,buttheydidn'tputhisnicenewcoatin--theykilledakid,an'dippedthecoat--justthinkofdoin'thattoanicenewcoat--theydippeditinthekid'sblood,an'madeitallbloody."

"Allbluggy,"echoedToddie,withferociousemphasis.Budgecontinued:--

"ButthereweresomeIshmalitescomin'alongthatway,andtheawfulelevenbudderstookhimoutofthedeepdarkhole,an'soldhimtotheIshmalites,an'theysoldhimawaydowninEgypt.An'hispooroldpapacried,an'cried,'causehethoughtabiglionateJosephup;buthewasn'tateupabit;buttherewasn'tnopost-officenorchoo-choos,[Footnote:railwaycars]norstagesin

Egypt,an'therewasn'tanytelegraphs,soJosephcouldn'tlethispapaknowwherehewas;an'hegotsosmartan'sogoodthatthekingofEgyptlethimsellallthecornan'takecareofthemoney;an'onedaysomemencametobuysomecorn,an'Josephlookedat'eman'theretheywashisownbudders!An'hescared'emlikeeverything;I'DhaveSLAPPED'emallifI'DbeenJoseph,buthejustscared'em,an'thenhelet'emknowwhohewas,an'hekissed'eman'hedidn'twhip'em,ormake'emgowithouttheirbreakfast,orstandinacorner,nornoneofthemthings;an'thenhesent'embackfortheirpapa,an'whenhesawhis

helen's babies by habberton, john, 1842-1921

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