Wewenttotheshowonenight,Anditcertainlywasagreatsight,Thistigertosee,Fierceashecouldbe,Androaringwithallhismight。
  CHRISTMASDAY。
  TheChristmaschimesarepealinghighBeneaththesolemnChristmassky,AndblowingwindstheirnotesprolongLikeechoesfromanangel'ssong;
  Goodwillandpeace,peaceandgoodwillRingoutthecarolsgladandgay,TellingtheheavenlymessagestillThatChristtheChildwasbornto-day。
  InlowlyhutandpalacehallPeasantandkingkeepfestival,Andchildhoodwearsafairerguise,Andtenderershineallmother-eyes;
  Theagedmanforgetshisyears,Themirthfulheartisdoublygay,Thesadarecheatedoftheirtears,ForChristtheLordwasbornto-day。
  SUSANCOOLIDGE。
  TheysatonthecurbingInacrowdedrow——
  TwolittlemaidsAndonelittlebeau,——
  WatchingtoseeThebigElephantgoByinthestreetparade;
  Butwhenitcamepast,Ofmaidstherewerenone,Fordownaby-streetTheycowardlyrun,WhileonelittlebeauMadeallmanneroffun——
  OftheElephanthewasn'tafraid。
  THEONLYWOMANINTHETOWN。
  Onehundredyears'andoneago,inBoston,attenoftheclockoneAprilnight,achurchsteeplehadbeenclimbedandalanternhungout。
  Atten,thesamenight,inmid-riveroftheCharles,oarsmentwo,withpassengersilentandgrim,hadseenthesignallightout-swung,androwedwithspeedfortheCharlestownshore。
  Ateleven,themoonwasrisen,andthegrimpassenger,PaulRevere,hadriddenuptheNeck,encounteredafoe,whoopposedhisrideintothecountry,and,afterabriefdelay,rodeon,leavingaBritishofficerlyinginaclaypit。
  Atmid-night,ahundredearshadheardtheflyinghorsemancry,"Upandarm。TheRegularsarecomingout!"
  Youknowthestorywell。Youhaveheardhowthewildalarmranfromvoicetovoiceandechoedbeneatheveryroof,untilthemenofLexingtonandConcordwerestirredandarousedwithpatrioticfearforthesafetyofthepublicstoresthathadbeencommittedtotheirkeeping。
  Youknowhow,longerethechillAprildaybegantodawn,theyhaddrawn,byhorsepowerandbyhandpower,thecherishedstoresintosafehiding-placesinthedepthoffriendlyforest-coverts。
  ThereisonethingaboutthatdaythatyouhaveNOTheardandI
  willtellyounow。Itis,howonelittlewomanstaidinthetownofConcord,whenceallthewomensaveherhadfled。
  Allthehousesthatwerestandingthen,areveryold-fashionednow,buttherewasonedwelling-placeonConcordCommonthatwasold-fashionedeventhen!ItwastheabodeofMarthaMoultonand"UncleJohn。"Justwho"UncleJohn"was,isnotnowknown,buthewasprobablyMarthaMoulton'suncle。Theuncle,itappearsbyrecord,waseighty-fiveyearsold;whiletheniecewasONLY
  three-scoreandeleven。
  Onceandagainthatmorning,afriendlyhandhadpulledthelatch-stringatMarthaMoulton'skitchenentranceandofferedtoconveyherselfandtreasuresaway,but,toeitherproffer,shehadsaid:"No,ImuststayuntilUncleJohngetsthecricksoutofhisback,ifalltheBritishsoldiersinthelandmarchintotown。"
  Atlast,cameJoeDevins,aladoffifteenyears——Joe'stwoastonishedeyespeeredforamomentintoMarthaMoulton'skitchen,andtheneyesandownerdashedintotheroom,tolearn,whatthesighthetheresaw,couldmean。
  "Whew!MotherMoulton,whatareyoudoing?"
  "I'mgettingUncleJohnhisbreakfasttobesure,Joe,"sheanswered。"Haveyouseensomanysightsthismorningthatyoudon'tknowbreakfast,whenyouseeit?Haveacarethere,forhotfatWILLburn,"asshedeftlypouredthecontentsofapan,freshfromthefire,intoadish。
  HungryJoehadbeenastirsincethefirstdrumhadbeattoarmsattwooftheclock。Hegaveoneglanceattheboilingcreamandtheslicesofcrispporkswimminginit,ashegaspedforththewords,"GettingbreakfastinConcordTHISmorning!MOTHER
  MOULTON,youMUSTbecrazy。"
  "Sotheytellme,"shesaid,serenely。"TherecomesUncleJohn!"
  sheadded,astheclatterofastaffonthestonestepsofthestairwayoutrang,foraninstant,thecriesofhurryingandconfusionthatfilledtheairofthestreet。
  "Don'tyouknow,MotherMoulton,"Joewentontosay,"thateverysinglewomanandchildhavebeencarriedoff,wheretheBritisherswon'tfind'em?"
  "Idon'tbelievetheking'stroopshavestirredoutofBoston,"
  shereplied,goingtothedoorleadingtothestonestaircase,toopenitforUncleJohn。
  "Don'tbelieveit?"andJoelooked,asheechoedthewords,asthoughonlyaboycouldfeelsufficientdisgustatsuchwantofcommonsense,infullviewofthefact,thatReubenBrownhadjustbroughtthenewsthateightmenhadbeenkilledbytheking'sRed-coats,inLexington,whichfacthemadehastetoimpart。
  "Iwon'tbelieveawordofit,"shesaid,stoutly,"untilIseethesoldierscoming。"
  "Ah!Hearthat!"criedJoe,tossingbackhishairandswinginghisarmstriumphantlyatanairyfoe。"Youwon'thavetowaitlong。THATSIGNALisfortheminutemen。TheyaregoingtomarchouttomeettheRed-coats。WishIwasaminuteman,thisminute。"
  Meanwhile,poorUncleJohnwasgettingdownthestepsofthestairway,withmanyagrimaceandgroan。Ashetouchedthefloor,Joe,hisfacebeamingwithexcitementandenthusiasm,sprangtoplaceachairforhimatthetable,saying,"Goodmorning!"atthesamemoment。
  "Maybe,"groanedUncleJohn,"youngstersLIKEYOUmaythinkitisagoodmorning,butIDON'T,suchadinandclatterasthefoolshavekeptupallnightlong。IfIhadthepower"andnowthepooroldmanfairlygroanedwithrage,"I'dmake'emquietlongenoughtoletanoldmangetawinkofsleep,whentherheumatismletsgo。"
  "I'mrealsorryforyou,"saidJoe,"butyoudon'tknowthenews。
  Theking'stroops,fromcamp,inBoston,aremarchingrightdownhere,tocarryoffallourarmsthattheycanfind。"
  "Arethey?"wasthesarcasticrejoined。"It'sthebestnewsI'veheardinalongwhile。Wishtheyhadmyarms,thisminute。Theywouldn'tcarrythemastepfartherthantheycouldhelp,Iknow。
  Runandtellthemmineareready,Joe。"
  "But,UncleJohn,waittillafterbreakfast,you'llwanttousethemoncemore,"saidMarthaMoulton,tryingtohelphimintothechairthatJoehadplacedonthewhitesandedfloor。
  Meanwhile,JoeDevinshadearsforallthesoundsthatpenetratedthekitchenfromoutofdoors,andhehadeyesfortheslicesofwell-brownedporkandthegoldenhuedJohnny-cakelyingbeforetheglowingcoalsonthebroadhearth。
  Asthelittlewomanbenttotakeupthebreakfast,Joe,intentondoingsomekindnessforherinthewayofsavingtreasures,asked,"Shan'tIhelpyou,MotherMoulton?"
  "IreckonIamnotsooldthatIcan'tliftamiteofcornbread,"
  sherepliedwithchillingseverity。
  "Oh,Ididn'tmeantoliftTHATTHING,"hemadehastetoexplain,"buttocarryoffthingsandhide'emaway,aseverybodyelsehasbeendoinghalfthenight。Iknowafirst-rateplaceupinthewoods。Usedtobeahoneytree,youknow,andit'sjustashollowasanything。Silverspoonsandthingswouldbejustassafeinit——"butJoe'swordswereinterruptedbyunusualtumultonthestreetandheranofftolearnthenews,intendingtoreturnandgetthebreakfastthathadbeenofferedtohim。
  Presentlyherushedbacktothehousewithcheeksaflameandeyesablazewithexcitement。"They'reacoming!"hecried。"They'reinsightdownbytherocks。Theysee'emmarching,themenonthehill,do!"
  "Youdon'tmeanthatitsreallytruethatthesoldiersarecominghere,RIGHTINTOOURTOWN,"criedMarthaMoulton,risinginhasteandbringingtogetherwithrapidflourishestorightandtoleft,everyfragmentofsilveronthetable。UncleJohnstrovetoholdfasthisindividualspoon,butshetwitcheditwithoutceremonyoutfromhisrheumaticoldfingers,andrannexttotheparlorcupboard,whereinlayhermovablevaluables。
  "WhatintheworldshallIdowiththem,"shecried,returningwithherapronwellfilledwithtreasures,andbornedownbytheweightthereof。
  "Give'emtome,"criedJoe。"Here'sabasket,drop'emin,andI'llrunlikeabrush-firethroughthetownandacrosstheoldbridge,andhide'emassafeasaweasel'snap。"
  Joe'sfingerswerecreamy;hismouthwashalffilledwithJohnny-cake,andhispocketontherightbulgedtoitsutmostcapacitywiththesame,asheheldforththebasket;butthelittlewomanwasafraidtotrusthim,asshehadbeenafraidtotrustherneighbors。
  "No!No!"shereplied,tohisrepeatedoffers。"IknowwhatI'lldo。You,JoeDevins,stayrightwhereyouaretillIcomeback,and,don'tyoueverLOOKoutofthewindow。"
  "Dear,dearme!"shecried,flushedandanxiouswhenshewasoutofsightofUncleJohnandJoe。"IWISHI'dgiven'emtoCol。
  Barrettwhenhewasherebeforedaylight,only,IWASafraidI
  shouldnevergetsightofthemagain。"
  Shedrewoffoneofherstockings,filledit,tiedtheopeningatthetopwithastring-plungedstockingandallintoapailfullofwaterandproceededtopourthecontentsintothewell。
  Justasthedarkcirclehadclosedoverthebluestockings,JoeDevin'sfacepeereddownthedepthsbyherside,andhisvoicesoundedoutthewords:"OMotherMoulton,theBritishwillsearchthewellstheVERYfirstthing。Ofcourse,theyEXPECTtofindthingsinwells!"
  "Whydidn'tyoutellmebefore,Joe?butnowitistoolate。"
  "Iwould,ifI'dknownwhatyouwasgoingtodo;they'dbeenasightsafer,inthehoneytree。"
  "Yes,andwhatafoolI'vebeen——flungMYWATCHintothewellwiththespoons!"
  "Well,well!Don'tstandthere,looking,"asshehoveredoverthehighcurb,withherhandonthebucket。"Everybodywillknow,ifyoudo,there。"
  "Martha!Martha?"shriekedUncleJohn'squaveringvoicefromthehousedoor。
  "Blessmyheart!"sheexclaimed,hurryingbackoverthestones。
  "What'sthematterwithyourheart?"questionedJoe。
  "Nothing。IwasthinkingofUncleJohn'smoney,"sheanswered。
  "Hashegotmoney?"criedJoe。"Ithoughthewaspoor,andyoutookcareofhimbecauseyouweresogood"
  NotonewordthatJoeuttereddidthelittlewomanhear。ShewasalreadybyUncleJohn'ssideandaskinghimforthekeytohisstrongbox。
  UncleJohn'srheumatismwasterriblyexasperating。"No,Iwon'tgiveittoyou!"hecried,"andnobodyshallhaveitaslongasI'maboveground。"
  "Thenthesoldierswillcarryitoff,"shesaid。
  "Let'em!"washisreply,graspinghisstafffirmlywithbothhandsandgleamingdefianceoutofhiswide,paleeyes。"YOU
  won'tgetthekey,eveniftheydo。"
  Atthisinstant,avoiceatthedoorwayshoutedthewords,"Hide,hideawaysomewhere,MotherMoulton,fortheRed-coatsareinsightthisminute!"
  Sheheardthewarning,andgivingoneglanceatUncleJohn,whichlookwasansweredbyanother,"no,youwon'thaveit,"shegraspedJoeDevinsbythecollarofhisjacketandthrusthimbeforeherupthestaircase,soquicklythattheboyhadnochancetospeak,untilshereleasedherholdattheentrancetoUncleJohn'sroom。
  Theideaofbeingtakenprisonerinsuchamanner,andbyawoman,too,wastoomuchforthelad'sendurance。"Letmego!"
  hecried,theinstanthecouldrecoverhisbreath。"Iwon'thideawayinyourgarret,likeawoman,Iwon't。Iwanttoseethemilitiaandtheminutemenfightthetroops,Ido。"
  "Helpmefirst,Joe。Here,quicknow;let'sgetthisboxoutandupgarret。We'llhideitunderthecornandit'llbesafe,"shecoaxed。
  TheboxwasunderUncleJohn'sbed。
  "What'sintheoldthinganyhow?"questionedJoe,pullingwithallhisstrengthatit。
  Thebox,orchest,waspaintedred,andwasboundaboutbymassiveironbands。
  "I'veneverseentheinsideofit,"saidMotherMoulton。"Itholdsthepooroldsoul'ssoletreasure,andIDOwanttosaveitforhimifIcan。"
  Theyhaddrawnitwithmuchhardendeavor,asfarasthegarretstairs,buttheirunitedstrengthfailedtoliftit。"Heaveit,now!"criedJoe,andlo!itwasuptwosteps。Sotheyturneditoverandoverwithmanyathuddingthump;everyoneofwhichthumpsUncleJohnheard,andbelievedtobestrokesupontheboxitselftoburstitasunder,untilitwasfairlyshelvedonthegarretfloor。
  Intheverymidstoftheoverturnings,avoicefrombelowhadbeenheardcryingout,"Letmyboxalone!Don'tbreakitopen。
  Ifyoudo,I'll——I'll——"but,whateverthepoormanMEANTtothreatenasapenalty,hecouldnotthinkofanythinghalfsevereenoughtosayandsoleftituncertainastothepunishmentthatmightbelookedfor。
  "Pooroldsoul!"ejaculatedthelittlewoman,hersoftwhitecurlsindisorderandthepinkcolorrisingfromhercheekstoherfairforehead,asshebenttohelpJoedragtheboxbeneaththerafter'sedge。
  "Now,Joe,"shesaid。"we'llheapnubbinsoverit,andifthesoldierswantcornthey'lltakegoodearsandneverthinkoftouchingpoornubbins";sotheyfelltoworkthrowingcornovertheredchest,untilitwascompletelyconcealedfromview。
  Thenhesprangtothehigh-up-windowledgeinthepointoftheroofandtookoneglanceout。"Oh,Iseethem,theRed-coats。
  True'sIlive,theregothemilitiaUPTHEHILL。Ithoughttheywasgoingtostandanddefend。Shameon'em,Isay。"JumpingdownandcryingbacktoMotherMoulton,"I'mgoingtostandbytheminutemen,"hewentdown,threestepsataleap,andnearlyoverturnedUncleJohnonthestairs,who,withmanygroanswastryingtogettothedefenseofhisstrongbox。
  "Whatdidyouhelpherfor,youscamp,"hedemandedofJoe,flourishinghisstaffunpleasantlynearthelad'shead。
  "'Causesheaskedmeto,andcouldn'tdoitalone,"returnedJoe,dodgingthestickanddisappearingfromthescene,attheverymomentMarthaMoultonencounteredUncleJohn。
  "Yourstrongboxissafeundernubbinsinthegarret,unlessthehouseburnsdown,andnowthatyouareuphere,youhadbetterstay,"sheaddedsoothingly,asshehastenedbyhimtoreachthekitchenbelow。
  Oncethere,shepausedasecondortwototakeresolutionregardinghernextact。Sheknewfullwellthattherewasnotonesecondtospare,andyetshestoodlooking,apparently,intotheglowingembersonthehearth。Shewasflushedandexcited,bothbytheunwontedtoil,andthecomingevents。Cobwebsfromtheraftershadfallenonherhairandhome-spundress,andwouldreadilyhavebetrayedherlateoccupation,toanydiscerningsoldieroftheking。
  Asmilebrokesuddenlyoverherface,displacingforabriefsecondeverytraceofcare。"It'smyonlyweapon,andImustuseit,"shesaid,makingastatelycourtesytoanimaginaryguestandstraightwaydisappearedwithinanadjoiningroom。Withbuttoneddooranddroppedcurtainsthelittlewomanmadehastetoarrayherselfinherfinestraiment。Infiveminutesshereappearedinthekitchen,apicturepleasanttolookat。InallNewEngland,therecouldnotbeamorebeautifullittleoldladythanMarthaMoultonwasthatday。Herhairwasguiltlessnowofcobwebs,buthaloedherfacewithfluffylittlecurlsofsilverywhiteness,abovewhich,likeacrown,wasalittlecapofdottedmuslin,pureassnow。Hererectfigure,notaparticleofthehard-working-dayinitnow,carriedwellthefoldsofasheeny,blacksilkgown,overwhichshehadtiedanapronasspotlessasthecap。
  Asshefastenedbackhergownandhurriedawaythesignsofthebreakfastshehadnoteaten,theclearpinktintsseemedtocomeoutwithaddedbeautyofcoloringinhercheeks;whileherhairseemedfairerandwhiterthanatanymomentinherthree-scoreandelevenyears。
  OncemoreJoeDevinslookedin。Ashecaughtaglimpseofthepictureshemade,hepausedtocryout:"Alldresseduptomeettherobbers!My,howfineyoudolook!Iwouldn't。I'dgoandhidebehindthenubbins。They'llbehereinlessthanfiveminutesnow,"hecried,"andI'mgoingovertheNorthBridgetoseewhat'sgoingonthere。"
  "OJoe,stay,won'tyou?"sheurged,buttheladwasgone,andshewasleftalonetomeetthefoe,comfortingherselfwiththethought,"They'lltreatmewithmorerespectifILOOK
  respectable,andifImustdie,I'lldiegood-lookinginmybestclothes,anyhow。"
  Shethrewafewsticksofhickory-woodontheembers,andthendrewoutthelittleroundstand,onwhichthefamilyBiblewasalwayslying。RecollectingthattheBritishsoldiersprobablybelongedtotheChurchofEngland,shehurriedawaytofetchUncleJohn's"prayer-book。"
  "They'llhaverespecttome,iftheyfindmereadingthat,I
  know,"shethought。Havingdrawntheroundstandwithinsightofthewell,andwhereshecouldalsocommandaviewofthestaircase,shesatandwaitedforcomingevents。
  UncleJohnwaskeepingwatchoftheadvancingtroopsfromanupperwindow。"Martha,"hecalled,"you'dbettercomeup。
  They'recloseby,now。"Totellthetruth,UncleJohnhimselfwasalittleafraid;thatistosayhehadn'tquitecourageenoughtogodown,and,perhaps,encounterhisownrheumatismandtheking'ssoldiersonthesamestairway,andyet,hefeltthathemustdefendMarthaaswellashecould。
  Therapofamusket,quickandringingonthefrontdoor,startledthelittlewomanfromherapparentdevotions。Shedidnotmoveatthecallofanythingsoprofane。Itwasthecustomofthetimetohavethefrontdoordividedintotwoparts,thelowerhalfandtheupperhalf。Theformerwasclosedandmadefast,theuppercouldbeswungopenatwill。
  Thesoldiergettingnoreply,anddoubtlessthinkingthatthehousewasdeserted,leapedoverthechainedlowerhalfofthedoor。
  Attheclangofhisbayonetagainstthebrasstrimmings,MarthaMoultongroanedinspirit,for,iftherewasanyonethingthatshedeemedessentialtohercomfortinthislife,itwastokeepspotless,specklessandineverywayunharmed,thegreatknockeronherfrontdoor。
  "Good,soundEnglishmetal,too,"shethought,"thatanEnglishsoldieroughttoknowhowtorespect。"
  AssheheardthetrampofcomingfeetsheonlybentthecloserovertheBookofPrayerthatlayopenonherknee。Notoneworddidshereadorsee;shewasinwardlytremblingandoutwardlywatchingthewellandthestaircase。Butnow,aboveallothersounds,brokethenoiseofUncleJohn'sstaffthrashingtheupperstepofthestaircase,andtheshrilltremulouscryoftheoldmandefiant,doinghisutmostforthedefenseofhiscastle。
  Thefingersthatlaybeneaththebooktingledwithdesiretoboxtheoldman'sears,forthepolicyhewaspursuingwouldbefataltothetreasureingarretandinwell;butshewasforcedtosilenceandinactivity。
  AstheKing'stroops,MajorPitcairnattheirhead,reachedtheopendoorandsawtheoldlady,theypaused。Whatcouldtheydobutlook,foramoment,attheunexpectedsightthatmettheirview;aplacidoldladyinblacksilkanddottedmuslin,withallthesweetsolemnityofmorningdevotionhoveringaboutthetidyapartmentandseemingtocentreattheroundstandbywhichshesat,thisprettywoman,withpinkandwhitefacesurmountedwithfleecylittlecurlsandcrinklesandwispsoffloatingwhiteness,wholookeduptomeettheirgazewithsuchinnocentprayer-suffusedeyes。
  "Goodmorning,Mother,"saidMajorPitcairn,raisinghishat。
  "Goodmorning,gentlemenandsoldiers,"returnedMarthaMoulton。
  "Youwillpardonmynotmeetingyouatthedoor,whenyouseethatIwasoccupiedinrenderingservicetotheLordofall。"Shereverentlyclosedthebook,laiditonthetable,andarose,withastatelybearing,todemandtheirwishes。
  "We'rehungry,goodwoman,"spokethecommander,"andyourhearthistheonlyhospitableonewe'veseensinceweleftBoston。WithyourgoodleaveI'lltakeabitofthis,andhestoopedtoliftuptheJohnny-cakethathadbeenallthiswhileonthehearth。
  "IwishIhadsomethingbettertoofferyou,"shesaid,makinghastetofetchplatesandknivesfromthecorner-cupboard,andallthewhileshewaskeepingeye-guardoverthewell。"I'mafraidtheConcordershaven'tleftmuchforyouto-day,"sheadded,withasoftsighofregret,asthoughshereallyfeltsorrythatsuchbravemenandgoodsoldiershadfallenonhardtimesintheancienttown。Atthemomentshehadbroughtforthbreadandbakedbeans,andwasputtingthemonthetable,avoicerangintotheroom,causingeveryeyetoturntowardUncleJohn。
  Hehadgottendownthestairswithoututteringoneaudiblegroan,andwasstanding,onestepabovetheflooroftheroom,brandishingandwhirlinghisstaffaboutinamannertocauseevenrheumatismtofleetheplace,while,atthetopofhisvoicehecriedout:
  "MarthaMoulton,howDAREyouFEEDthese——these——monsters——inhumanform!"
  "Don'tmindhim,gentlemen,pleasedon't,"shemadehastetosay,"he'sold,VERYold;eighty-five,hislastbirthday,and——alittlehoity-toityattimes,"pointingdeftlywithherfingerintheregionofthereasoningpowersinherownshapelyhead。
  SummoningMajorPitcairnbyanofferofadishofbeans,shecontrivedtosay,undercovertofit:
  "Yousee,sir,Icouldn'tgoawayandleavehim;heisalmostdistractedwithrheumatism,andthisexcitementto-daywillkillhim,I'mafraid。"
  Advancingtowardthestaircasewithboldandsoldierlyfront,MajorPitcairnsaidtoUncleJohn:
  "Standaside,oldman,andwe'llholdyouharmless。"
  "Idon'tbelieveyouwill,youred-trimmedtrooper,you,"wasthereply;and,withadexterousswingofthewoodenstaff,hemowedoffanddownthreemilitaryhats。
  Beforeanyonehadtimetospeak,MarthaMoultonadroitlystooping,asthoughtorecoverMajorPitcairn'shat,whichhadrolledtoherfeet,swungthestairway-doorintoitsplacewitharesoundingbang,andfollowedupthatachievementwithaswiftturnoftwolargewoodenbuttons,onehighup,andtheotherlowdown,nearthefloor。
  "There!"shesaid,"heissafeoutofmischiefforawhile,andyourheadsaresafeaswell。Pardonapooroldman,whodoesnotknowwhatheisabout。"
  "Heseemstoknowremarkablywell,"exclaimedanofficer。
  Meanwhile,behindthestrongdoor,UncleJohn'swrathknewnobounds。Inhisfranticendeavorstoburstthefasteningsofthewoodenbuttons,rheumaticcrampsseizedhimandcarriedtheday,leavinghimoutofthebattle。
  Meanwhile,aportionofthesoldieryclusteredaboutthedoor。
  Theking'shorseswerefedwithinfivefeetofthegreatbrassknocker,while,withinthehouse,thebeautifullittleoldwoman,inherSunday-best-raiment,triedtodothedismalhonorsofthedaytothefoesofhercountry。Watchingher,onewouldhavethoughtshewasentertainingheroesreturnedfromtheachievementofvaliantdeeds,whereas,inherownheart,sheknewfullwellthatshewasgivingalittletosavemuch。
  Nothingcouldexceedtheseemingalacritywithwhichshefetchedwaterfromthewellfortheofficers:and,whenMajorPitcairngallantlyorderedhismentodotheservice,thelittlesoulwasinalarm;shewassoafraidthat"somehow,insomewayoranother,thebluestockingwouldgethitchedontothebucket。"
  Sheknewthatshemusttoitsrescue,andsoshebravelyacknowledgedherselftohavetakenavowwhen,shedidnotsay,todrawallthewaterthatwastakenfromthatwell。
  "Aremnantofwitchcraft!"remarkedasoldierwithinhearing。
  "DoIlooklikeawitch?"shedemanded。
  "Ifyoudo,"repliedMajorPitcairn,"IadmireNewEnglandwitches,andneverwouldcondemnonetobehung,orburned,or——smothered。"
  MarthaMoultonneverworesobrilliantacoloronheragedcheeksasatthatmoment。Shefeltbittershameattheruseshehadattempted,butsilverspoonswereprecious,and,toescapethesmilethatwentaroundatMajorPitcairn'swords,shewasonlytoogladtogoagaintothewellanddipslowlythehigh,over-hangingsweepintothecool,clear,darkdepthbelow。
  Duringthistimethecold,frostymorningspentitselfintothebrilliant,shiningnoon。
  YouknowwhathappenedatConcordonthat19thofAprilintheyear1775。Youhavebeentoldthestory,howthemenofActonmetandresistedtheking'stroopsattheoldNorthBridge,howbraveCaptainDavisandminute-manHosmerfell,howthesoundoftheirfallingstruckdowntotheveryheartofmotherearth,andcausedhertosendforthherbravesonstocry"Liberty,orDeath!"
  Andtherestofthestory;thesixtyormorebarrelsofflourthattheking'stroopsfoundandstrucktheheadsfrom,leavingtheflourinconditiontobegatheredagainatnightfall,thearmsandpowderthattheydestroyed,thehousestheyburned;allthese,aretheynotrecordedineverychild'shistoryintheland?
  Whilethesethingsweregoingon,forabriefwhile,atmid-day,MarthaMoultonfoundherhomedeserted。Shehadnotforgottenpoor,suffering,irateUncleJohnintheregionsabove,and,so,theveryminuteshehadthechance,shemadeastrongcupofcatnipteatherealtea,youknow,wasbrewinginBostonharbor。
  Sheturnedthebuttons,and,withabitoftremblingatherheart,suchasshehadnotfeltallday,sheventuredupthestairs,bearingthesteamingpeace-offeringbeforeher。
  UncleJohnwaswrithingunderthesharpthornsandtwingesofhisoldenemy,andinnoframeofmindtoreceiveanyoverturesintheshapeofcatniptea;nevertheless,hewaswatching,aswellashewasable,themotionsoftheenemy。Asshedrewnearhecriedout:
  "Lookoutthiswindow,andsee!MuchGOODallyourschemingwilldoYOU!"
  Sheobeyedhiscommandtolook,andthesightshethensawcausedhertoletfallthecupofcatnipteaandrushdownthestairs,wringingherhandsasshewentandcryingout:
  "Oh,dear!whatshallIdo?Thehousewillburnandtheboxupgarret。Everything'slost!"
  MajorPitcairn,atthatmoment,wasonthegreeninfrontofherdoor,givingorders。
  Forgettingthedignifiedpartsheintendedtoplay,forgettingeverythingbutthesupremedangerthatwashoveringinmid-airoverherhome——theoldhousewhereinshehadbeenborn,andtheonlyhomeshehadeverknown——sherushedoutuponthegreen,amidthetroops,andsurroundedbycavalry,andmadeherwaytoMajorPitcairn。
  "Thetown-houseisonfire!"shecried,layingherhanduponthecommander'sarm。
  Heturnedandlookedather。MajorPitcairnhadrecentlylearnedthatthetaskhehadbeensettodointheprovincialtownsthatdaywasnotaneasyone;that,whenhardpressedandtroddendown,thedespisedrustics,inhome-spundress,couldstingevenEnglishsoldiers;andthusithappenedthat,whenhefeltthetouchofMotherMoulton'splumplittleoldfingersonhismilitarysleeve,hewasnotinthepleasanthumorthathehadbeen,whenthesamehandhadministeredtohishungerintheearlymorning。
  "Well,whatofit?LETITBURN!Wewon'thurtyou,ifyougointhehouseandstaythere!"
  Sheturnedandglancedupatthecourt-house。Alreadyflameswereissuingfromit。"Gointhehouseandletitburn,INDEED!"
  thoughtshe。"Heknowsme,don'the?Oh,sir!fortheloveofHeavenwon'tyoustopit?"shesaid,entreatingly。
  "Runinthehouse,goodmother。Thatisawisewoman,"headvised。
  Downinherheart,andastheveryoutcomeoflipandbrainshewantedtosay,"Youneedn't'mother'me,youmurderousrascal!"
  but,rememberingeverythingthatwasatstake,shecrushedherwrathandbuttoneditinascloselyasshehadUncleJohnbehindthedoorinthemorning,andagain,withswiftgentleness,laidherhandonhisarm。
  Heturnedandlookedather。Vexedatherpersistence,andextremelyannoyedatintelligencethathadjustreachedhimfromtheNorthBridge,hesaid,imperiously,"Getaway!oryou'llbetroddendownbythehorses!"
  "ICAN'Tgo!"shecried,claspinghisarm,andfairlyclingingtoitinherfrenzyofexcitement。"Ohstopthefire,quick,quick!
  ormyhousewillburn!"
  "Ihavenotimetoputoutyourfires,"hesaid,carelessly,shakingloosefromherholdandturningtomeetamessengerwithnews。
  Poorlittlewoman!Whatcouldshedo?Thewindwasrising,andthefiregrew。Flamewascreepingoutinalittlebluecurlinanewplace,undertherafter'sedge,ANDNOBODYCARED。Thatwaswhatincreasedthepressingmiseryofitall。Itwassounlikeacommoncountryalarm,whereeverybodyrushedupanddownthestreets,crying"Fire!fire!f-i-r-e!"andwenthurryingtoandfroforpailsofwatertohelpputitout。Untilthatmomentthelittlewomandidnotknowhowutterlydesertedshewas。
  Inverydespair,sherantoherhouse,seizedtwopails,filledthemwithgreaterhastethanshehadeverdrawnwaterbefore,and,regardlessofUncleJohn'simprecations,carriedthemforth,oneineitherhand,thewaterdrippingcarelesslydownthesidebreadthsofherfairsilkgown,hersilverycurlstossedandtumbledinwhiteconfusion,herpleasantfaceaflamewitheagerness,andhercleareyessuffusedwithtears。
  Thusequippedwithfactsandfeeling,sheoncemoreappearedtoMajorPitcairn。
  "HaveyouamotherinoldEngland?"shecried。"Ifso,forhersake,stopthisfire。"
  Herwordstouchedhisheart。
  "AndifIdo——?"heanswered。
  "THENYOURJOHNNY-CAKEONMYHEARTHWON'TBURNUP,"shesaid,withaquicklittlesmile,adjustinghercap。
  MajorPitcairnlaughed,andtwosoldiers,athiscommand,seizedthepailsandmadehastetothecourt-house,followedbymanymore。
  Forawhilethefireseemedvictorious,but,bybraveeffort,itwasfinallyovercome,andthecourt-housesaved。
  AtadistanceJoeDevinshadnoticedthesmokehoveringlikealittlecloud,thensailingawaystillmorelikeacloudoverthetown;andhehadmadehastetothescene,arrivingintimetoventureontheroof,anddogoodservicethere。
  Afterthefirewasextinguished,hethoughtofMarthaMoulton,andhecouldnothelpfeelingabitguiltyattheconsciousnessthathehadgoneoffandleftheralone。
  Goingtothehousehefoundherentertainingtheking'strooperswiththebestfoodherhumblestoreafforded。
  Shewassocharmedwithherself,andsoutterlywellpleasedwiththesuccessofherpleading,thatthelittlewoman'snervesfairlyquiveredwithjubilation;andbestofall,thebluestockingwasstillsafeinthewell,forhadshenotwatchedwithherowneyeseverytimethebucketwasdippedtofetchupwaterforthefire,having,somehow,gotridofthevowshehadtakenregardingthedrawingofthewater。
  Asshesawtheladlooking,withsurprisedcountenance,intotheroomwherethefeastwasgoingon,afearcreptupherownfaceanddartedoutfromhereyes。Itwas,lestJoeDevinsshouldspoilitallbyill-timedwords。
  Shemadehastetomeethim,basketinhand。
  "Here,Joe,"shesaid,"fetchmesomesmallwood,there'sagoodboy。"
  Asshegavehimthebasketshewasjustintimetostoptherejoinderthatwasissuingfromhislips。
  Intimetointercepthisreturnshewasatthewood-pile。
  "Joe,"shesaid,half-abashedbeforethetruththatshoneintheboy'seyes,"Joe,"sherepeated,"youknowMajorPitcairnorderedthefireputout,TOPLEASEME,becauseIbeggedhimso,and,inreturn,whatCANIdobutgivethemsomethingtoeat。Comeandhelpme。"
  "Iwon't,"respondedJoe。"Theirhandsareredwithblood。
  They'vekilledtwomenatthebridge。"
  "Who'skilled?"sheasked,trembling,butJoewouldnottellher。
  HedemandedtoknowwhathadbeendonewithUncleJohn。
  "He'squietenough,up-stairs,"shereplied,withasuddenspasmoffeelingthatsheHADneglectedUncleJohnshamefully;still,withtheday,andthefireandeverything,howcouldshehelpit?
  but,really,itdidseemstrangethathemadenonoise,withahundredarmedmencomingandgoingthroughthehouse。
  Atleast,thatwaswhatJoethought,and,havingdepositedthebasketofwoodonthethresholdofthekitchendoor,hedepartedaroundthecornerofthehouse。Presentlyhehadclimbedapear-tree,droppedfromoneofitsoverhangingbranchesonthelean-to,raisedasashandcreptintothewindow。
  Slippingoffhisshoes,heavywithspring-mud,heproceededtosearchforUncleJohn。Hewasnotinhisownroom;hewasnotintheguest-chamber;hewasnotinanyoneoftherooms。
  Onthefloor,bythewindowinthehall,lookingoutuponthegreen,hefoundthebrokencupandsaucerthatMarthaMoultonhadletfall。Havingmadeasecondround,inwhichheinvestigatedeveryclosetandpenetratedintothespacesunderbeds,Joethoughtofthegarret。
  Tramp,trampwenttheheavyfeetonthesandedfloorsbelow,drowningeverypossiblesoundfromabove;nevertheless,astheladopenedthedoorleadingintothegarret,hewhisperedcautiously:"UncleJohn!UncleJohn!"
  Allwassilentabove。Joewentup,andwasstartledbyagroan。
  Hehadtostandafewseconds,toletthedarknessgrowintolight,erehecouldsee;and,whenhecoulddiscernoutlinesinthedimness,therewasgiventohimthepictureofUncleJohn,lyinghelplessamidanduponthenubbinsthathadbeenpiledoverhisstrongbox。
  "Why,UncleJohn,areyoudead?"askedJoe,climbingovertohisside。
  "Isthehouseafire?"wastheresponse。
  "Houseafire?No!Theconfoundedred-coatsupandputitout。"
  "Ithoughttheywasgoingtoletmeburntodeathuphere!"
  groanedUncleJohn。
  "CanIhelpyouup?"andJoeprofferedtwostronghands,ratherblackwithtoilandsmoke。
  "No,no!Youcan'thelpme。Ifthehouseisn'tafire,I'llstandittillthefellowsaregone,andthen,Joeyoufetchthedoctorasquickasyoucan。"
  "YOUcan'tgetadoctorforlovenormoneythisnight,UncleJohn。There'stoomuchworktobedoneinLexingtonandConcordto-nightforwoundedanddyingmen;andthere'llbemoreof'emtooaforeasinglered-coatseesBostonagain。They'llbehunteddowneverystepoftheway。They'vekilledCaptainDavis,fromActon。"
  "Youdon'tsayso!"
  "Yes,theyhave,and——"
  "Isay,JoeDevins,godownanddo-dosomething。There'smyniece,a-feedingthemurderers!I'lldisownher。Sheshan'thaveapennyofmypounds,sheshan't!"
  BothJoeandUncleJohnwerecompelledtoremainininaction,whilebelow,thewearylittlewomanactedthekindhostesstoHisMajesty'stroops。
  Butnowthefeastwasspent,andthesoldiersweresummonedtobegintheirpainfulmarch。Assembledonthegreen,allwasready,whenMajorPitcairn,rememberingthelittlewomanwhohadministeredtohiswants,returnedtothehousetosayfarewell。
  'Twasbutasteptoherdoor,andbutamomentsincehehadleftit,buthefoundhercrying;cryingwithjoy,intheverychairwherehehadfoundheratprayersinthemorning。
  "Iwouldliketosaygood-by,"hesaid;"you'vebeenverykindtometo-day。"
  Withaquickdashortwoofthedottedwhiteapronspotlessnolongertohereye,shearose。MajorPitcairnextendedhishand,butshefoldedherowncloselytogether,andsaid:
  "IwishyouapleasantjourneybacktoBoston,sir。"
  "WillyounotshakehandswithmebeforeIgo?"
  "Icanfeedtheenemyofmycountry,butshakehandswithhim,NEVER!"
  Forthefirsttimethatday,thelittlewoman'sloveofcountryseemedtorisetriumphantwithinher,anddrowneveryimpulsetoselfishness;orwasitthenearnesstosafetythatshefelt?
  Humanconductistheresultofsomanymotivesthatitissometimesimpossibletonamethecompound,althoughonthatoccasionMarthaMoultonlabelledit"Patriotism。"
  "AndyetIputoutthefireforyou,"hesaid。
  "Foryourmother'ssake,inoldEngland,itwas,youremember,sir。"
  "Iremember,"saidMajorPitcairn,withasigh,asheturnedaway。
  "AndforHERsakeIwillshakehandswithyou,"saidMarthaMoulton。
  Soheturnedback,andacrossthethreshold,inpresenceofthewaitingtroops,thecommanderoftheexpeditiontoConcord,andtheonlywomaninthetown,shookhandsatparting。
  MarthaMoultonsawMajorPitcairnmounthishorse;heardtheordergivenforthemarchtobegin,——themarchofwhichyouallhaveheard。YouknowwhatasorrytimetheRed-coatshadofitingettingbacktoBoston;howtheywerefoughtateveryinchoftheway,andwaylaidfrombehindeveryconvenienttree-trunk,andshotatfromtree-tops,andaimedatfromupperwindows,andbeseigedfrombehindstonewalls,and,inshort,madesomiserableandharassedandoverworn,thatatlasttheirdepletedranks,withthetonguesofthemenparchedandhanging,werefaintoliedownbytheroad-sideandtakewhatcamenext,eventhoughitmightbedeath。AndthenTHEDEADtheyleftbehindthem!
  Ah!there'snothingwholesometomindorbodyaboutwar,untillong,longafteritisover,andtheearthhashadtimetohidetheblood,andsenditforthinsweetbloomsofliberty,withforget-me-notsspringingthickbetween。
  Themenofthatdayarelongdead。Thesamesoilholdsregularsandminute-men。England,whoover-ruled,andtheprovinces,thatputoutbravehandstoseizetheirrights,aregoodfriendsto-day,andhaveshakenhandsovermanyathresholdofheartythoughtandkinddeedssincethattime。
  ThetreeofLibertygrowsyet,statelyandfair,forthemenoftheRevolutionplanteditwellandsurely。GodhimselfHATH
  givenitincrease。Sowegatherto-day,inthisourstory,aforget-me-notmore,fromtheoldtownofConcord。
  Whenthetroopshadmarchedaway,thewearylittlewomanlaidasidehersilkengown,resumedherhomespundress,andimmediatelybegantothinkofgettingUncleJohndown-stairsagainintohiseasychair;butitrequiredmoreaidthanshecouldgivetoliftthefallenman。AtlastJoeDevinssummonedreturningneighbors,whocametotherescue,andthepoornubbinswerelefttotheratsoncemore。
  Joeclimbeddownthewellandrescuedthebluestocking,withitstreasuresunharmed,eventothepreciouswatch,whichwatchwasMarthaMoulton'schieftreasure,andoneofveryfewinthetown。
  MarthaMoultonwastheheroineoftheday。Thehousewasbeseigedbyadmiringmenandwomenthatnightandfortwoorthreedaysthereafter;butwhen,yearslater,shebeingolder,andpoorer,eventowant,petitionedtheGeneralCourtforarewardfortheservicesherenderedinpersuadingMajorPitcairntosavethecourt-housefromburning,therewasgrantedtoheronlyfifteendollars,apoorlittleforget-me-not,itistrue,butJUSTENOUGHtocarryherstorydowntheyears,whereas,butforthat,itmightneverhavebeenwaftedupanddowntheland。
  Sweep,sweep,sweep!Upallthisdirtanddust,ForMammaisbusytodayandhelpherIsurelymust。
  Everythingnowisspickandspan;awaytomyplayIwillrun。
  Itwillbesucha'sprisetoMammatofindallthisworkisdone。
  THECONQUESTOFFAIRYLAND。
  TherereignedakinginthelandofPersia,mightyandgreatwashegrown,Onthenecksofthekingsoftheconqueredearthhebuildeduphisthrone。
  TheresateakingonthethroneofPersia;andhewasgrownsoproudThatallthelifeoftheworldwaslesstohimthanapassingcloud。
  Hereignedinglory:joyandsorrowlyingbetweenhishands。
  Ifhesighedanationshook,hissmileripenedtheharvestoflands。
  Hewasthesaddestmanbeneaththeeverlastingsky,Forallhisglorieshadlefthimold,andtheproudestkingmustdie。
  HewhowasevenasGodtoallthenationsofmen,Mustdieasthemerestpeasantdies,andturnintoearthagain。
  Andhislifewiththefearofdeathwasbitterandsickandaccursed,Asbrackishwatertodrinkofwhichistobeforeverathirst。
  Thehatefulyearsrolledonandon,butonceitchancedatnoonThedrowsycourtwasthrilledtogladness,itechoedsosweetatune。
  Lowasthelappingoftilesea,asthesongofthelarkisclear,Wildasthemoaningofpinebranches;thekingwasfaintohear。
  "Whatisthesong,andwhoisthesinger?"hesaid;"beforethethroneLethimcome,forthesongsoftheworldaremine,andallbutthisareknown。"
  Sevenmightykingswentouttheminstrelmantofind:
  Andalltheyfoundwasadeadcyprussoughinginthewind。
  Andslowerstill,andsadderstilltheheavywintersrolled,Andtheburningsummerswanedaway,andthekinggrewveryold;
  Dull,worn,feeble,bent;andoncehethought,"todieWererest,atleast。"Andashethoughtthemusicwanderedby。
  Intothepresenceoftheking,singing,thesingercame,Andhisfacewaslikethespringinflower,hiseyeswereclearasflame。
  "Whatisthesongyouplay,andwhatthethemeyourpraisessing?
  Itissweet;IknewnotIownedathingsosweet,"saidthewearyking。
  "Isingmycountry,"saidthesinger,"alandthatissweeterthansong。"
  "Whichofmykingdomsisyourcountry?ThitherwouldIalong。"
  "Great,Oking,isthypower,andtheearthafootstoolforthyfeet;
  Butmycountryisfree,andmyowncountry,andoh,mycountryissweet!"
  Asheheardtheeyesofthekinggrewyoungandalivewithfire"Lo,isthereleftontheearthathingtostrivefor,athingtodesire?
  "Whereisthycountry?tellme,Osinger,speakthineinnermostheart!
  Leavethymusic!speakplainly!Speak-forgetthineart!"
  Theeyesofthesingershoneashesang,andhisvoicerangwildandfreeAstheelementalwindortheuncontrollablesobsofthesea。
  "Omydistanthome!"hesighed;"Oh,alas!awayandafarIwatchtheenowasalostsailorwatchesashiningstar。
  "Oh,thatawindwouldtakemethere!thatabirdwouldsetmedownWherethegoldenstreetsshineredatsunsetinmyfather'stown!
  "ForonlyindreamsIseethefacesofthewomenthere,AndfainwouldIhearthemsingingonce,braidingtheirropesofhair。
  "Oh,Iamthirsty,andlongtodrinkoftheriverofLife,andI
  Amfaintofindmyowncountry,wherenomanshalldie。"
  Outofthelightofthethronethekinglookeddown:asinthespringThegreenleavesburstfromtheirduskybuds,sowashopeintheeyesoftheking。
  "Lo,"hesaid,"Iwillmaketheegreat;IwillmaketheemightyinswayEvenasI;butthenameofthycountryspeak,andtheplaceandtheway。"
  "Oh,thewaytomycountryisevernorthtillyoupassthemouthofhell,Pastthelimboofdreamsandthedesolatelandwhereshadowsdwell。
  "Andwhenyouhavereachedthefountofwonder,youfordthewaterswanTothelandofelvesandthelandoffairies,enchantedMasinderan。"
  Thesingerceased;andthelyreinhishandsnapped,asacord,intwain;
  AndneitherlyrenorsingerwasseeninthekingdomofPersiaagain。
  Andallthenoblesgazedastounded;nomanspokeawordTilltheoldkingsaid:"Calloutmyarmies;bringmehitherasword!"
  Asalittletorrentswollenbysnowsisturnedtoaterriblestream,Sothegatheringvoicesofallhiscountriescriedtothekinginhisdream。
  Crying,"Forthee,Oourking,fortheewehadfreelyandwillinglydied,Warriors,martyrs,whatthouwilt;notthatourlivesbetide"Theworthofathoughttotheking,butratherbecausethyrodIsoverourheadsasoverthineIsthechangelesswillofGod。
  "Ratherforthiswebeseechthee,Omaster,forthineownsakerefrainFromtheblasphemousmadnessofpride,fromthefeverofimpiousgain。"
  "Youseekmydeath,"thekingthundered;"youcry,forbeartosaveThelifeofakingtoooldtofrolic;lethimsleepinthegrave。
  "ButIwillliveforallyourtreason;and,bymyownrighthand!
  IwillsetoutthisdaywithyoutoconquerFairyland。"
  Thenallthenationspaledaghast,forthebattletobeginWasawarwithGod,andawarwithdeath,andtheyknewthethingwassin。
  Sickathearttheygatheredtogether,butnonedenouncedthewrong,ForthewillofGodwasunseen,unsaid,andthewillofthekingwasstrong。
  Sotheairgrewbrightwithspears,andtheearthshookunderthetreadOfthemightyhorsesharnessedforbattle;thestandardsflauntedred。
  Andthewindwasloudwiththeblareoftrumpets,andeveryhousewasvoidOfthestrengthandstayofthehouse,andthepeaceofthelanddestroyed。
  Andthegrowingcornwastroddenundertheweightofarmedfeet,AndeverywomaninPersiacursedthesoundofasongtoosweet,Cursedtheinsensatelongingforlifeintheheartofasickoldman;
  ButthekingofPersiawithallhisarmiesmarchedonMasinderan。
  ManyadaytheymarchedinthesuntilltheirsilverarmourwasleadTosinktheirbodiesintothegrave,andmanyamanfelldead。
  Andtheypassedthemouthofhell,andtheshadowycountrygray,Wheretheairismistandthepeoplemistandtherainmorerealthanthey。
  Andtheycametothefountofwonder,andfordedthewaterswan,AndthekingofPersiaandallhisarmiesmarchedonMasinderan。
  Andtheyturnedtheriverstoblood,andthefieldstoaravagedcamp,Andtheynearedthegoldenfaerytown,thatburnedintheduskasalamp。
  Andtheystoodandshoutedforjoytoseeitstandsonigh,Givenintotheirhandsforspoil;andtheirheartsbeatproudandhigh。
  Andthearmieslongedforthemorrow,toconquertheshiningtown,Fortherewasnodeathintheland,neitheranytostrikethemdown。
  Thehostsweremanyinnumbers,mighty,andskilledinthestrife,Andtheylustedforgoldandconquestastheoldkinglustedforlife。
  And,gazingonthegoldenplace,nighttookthemunaware,Andblackandwindygrewtheskies,andblacktheeddyingairSolongthenightandblackthenightthatfellupontheireyes,Theyquakedwithfear,thosemightyhosts;thesunwouldneverrise。
  Darknessanddeafeningsoundsconfusedtheblack,tempestuousair,Andnomansawhisneighbor'sface,norheardhisneighbor'sprayer。
  Andwildwithterrortheragingarmiesfelloneachotherinfight,Thegroundwasstrewnwithwoundedmen,madinthehorriblenightMadwitheternalpain,withdarknessandstabbingblowsRainedonallsidesfrominvisiblehandstillthegroundwasredasarose。
  And,thoughhewaslongingforrest,noneventuredtopausefromthestrife,LesthaplyanotherwoundbehistopoisonhishatefullifeAndthekingentreateddeath;andforpeacethearmiesprayed;
  ButthegiftsofGodareeverlasting,hiswordisnotgainsaid;
  Goldandbattlearegiventhehosts,theirboonisturnedtoaban,AndthecurseofthekingistoreignforeverinconqueredMasinderan。
  A。MARYF。ROBINSON。
  HandySpandy,Jack-a-Dandy,Lovedplumcakeandsugarcandy;
  Heboughtsomeatagrocer'sshopAndouthecomewithahop。
  hop,hop。
  Jockoisamonkey,Dressedjustlikeaclown;
  Withthegrinding-organmanHetravelsroundthetown。
  Jocko,Jocko,climbapole,Jockoclimbatree,Jocko,Jocko,tipyourcap,Andmakeabowtome。
  KENTUCKYBELLE。
  Summerof'sixty-three,sir,andConradwasgoneaway——
  Gonetothecounty-town,sir,tosellourfirstloadofhay——
  Welivedinthelog-houseyonder,pooraseveryou'veseen;
  Roschentherewasababy,andIwasonlynineteen。
  Conrad,hetooktheoxen,butheleftKentuckyBelle;
  HowmuchwethoughtofKentucky,Icouldn'tbegintotell——
  CamefromtheBlue-Grasscountry;myfathergavehertomeWhenIrodenorthwithConrad,awayfromTennessee。
  ConradlivedinOhio——aGermanheis,youknow——
  Thehousestoodinbroadcorn-fields,stretchingon,rowafterrow;
  Theoldfolksmademewelcome;theywerekindaskindcouldbeButIkeptlonging,longing,forthehillsofTennessee。
  O,forasightofwater,theshadowedslopeofahill!
  Cloudsthathangonthesummit,awindthatisneverstillButthelevellandwentstretchingawaytomeetthesky——
  Neverarise,fromnorthtosouth,torestthewearyeye!
  Fromeasttowest,norivertoshineoutunderthemoon,Nothingtomakeashadowintheyellowafternoon;
  Onlythebreathlesssunshine,asIlookedout,allforlorn;
  Onlythe"rustle,rustle,"asIwalkedamongthecorn。
  WhenIfellsickwithpining,wedidn'twaitanymore,Butmovedawayfromthecorn-landsouttothisrivershore——
  TheTuscarawasit'scalled,sir——offthere'sahill,yousee——
  AndnowI'vegrowntolikeitnextbesttotheTennessee。
  Iwasatworkthatmorning。SomeonecameridinglikemadOverthebridgeanduptheroad——FarmerRouf'slittlelad;
  Barebackherode;hehadnohat;hehardlystoppedtosay;
  "Morgan'smenarecoming,Frau;they'regallopingonthisway;
  "I'msenttowarntheneighbors。Heisn'tamilebehind;
  Hesweepsupallthehorses——everyhorsethathecanfind;
  Morgan,Morgan,theraider,andMorgan'sterriblemen,Withbowie-knivesandpistols,aregallopinguptheglen。"
  Theladrodedownthevalley,andIstoodstillatthedoor;
  Thebabylaughedandprattled,playingwithspoolsonthefloor;
  Kentuckwasoutinthepasture;Conrad,myman,wasgone;
  Nearer,nearer,Morgan'smenweregalloping,gallopingon!
  SuddenIpickedupthebaby,andrantothepasture-bar;
  "Kentuck!"Icalled;"Kentucky!"Sheknewmeeversofar!
  Iledherdownthegullythatturnsofftheretotheright,Andtiedhertothebushes;herheadwasjustoutofsight。
  AsIranbacktothelog-house,atoncetherecameasound——
  Theringofhoofs,gallopinghoofs,tremblingovertheground——
  ComingintotheturnpikeoutfromtheWhiteWomanGlen——
  Morgan,Morgantheraider,andMorgan'sterriblemen。
  Asneartheydrewandnearer,myheartbeatfastinalarm!
  ButstillIstoodinthedoorway,withbabyonmyarm。
  Theycame;theypassed;withspurandwhipinhastetheyspedalong——
  Morgan,Morgantheraider,andhisbandsixhundredstrong。
  Wearytheylookedandjaded,ridingthroughnightandthroughday;
  Pushingoneasttotheriver,manylongmilesaway,Totheborder-stripwhereVirginiarunsupintotheWest,TofordtheUpperOhiobeforetheycouldstoptorest。
  Onlikethewindtheyhurried,andMorganrodeinadvance;
  Brightwerehiseyeslikelivecoals,ashegavemeasidewaysglance;
  AndIwasjustbreathingfreely,aftermychokingpain,Whenthelastoneofthetrooperssuddenlydrewhisrein。
  FrightenedIwastodeath,sir;Iscarcedaredlookinhisface,Asheaskedforadrinkofwater,andglancedaroundtheplace:
  Igavehimacup,andhesmiled——'twasonlyaboy,yousee;
  Faintandworn;withdimblueeyes,andhe'dsailedontheTennessee。
  Onlysixteenhewas,sir——afondmother'sonlyson——
  OffandawaywithMorganbeforehislifehadbegun!
  Thedampdropsstoodonhistemples;drawnwastheboyishmouth;
  AndIthoughtmeofthemotherwaitingdownintheSouth!
  O,pluckwashetothebackbone;andcleargritthroughandthrough;
  Boastedandbraggedlikeatrooper;butthebigwordswouldn'tdo;
  Theboywasdyingsir,dying,asplainasplaincouldbe,WornoutbyhisridewithMorganupfromtheTennessee。
  But,whenItoldtheladdiethatItoowasfromtheSouth,Watercameintohisdimeyes,andquiversaroundhismouth;
  "DoyouknowtheBlue-Grasscountry?"hewistfullybegantosay;
  Thenswayedlikeawillowsapling,andfainteddeadaway。
  Ihadhimintothelog-house,andworkedandbroughthimto;
  Ifedhim,andIcoaxedhim,asIthoughthismother'ddo;
  And,whentheladgotbetter,andthenoiseinhisheadwasgone,Morgan'smenweremilesaway,galloping,gallopingon。
  "O,Imustgo,"hemuttered;"Imustbeupandaway!