"Oh，no，youhaven't，"saidTommy，wrappinghisarmsaroundhisknees。"Becauseifyoudidnoeditorwouldbuythestory。Youknowyou'vegottopreservetheunities。"
　　"So'veyou，"saidtheburglar，ratherglumly。
　　"Insteadofsittingheretalkingimpudenceandtakingthebreadoutofapoorman'smouth，whatyou'dliketobedoingishidingunderthebedandscreechingatthetopofyourvoice。"
　　"You'reright，oldman，"saidTommy，heartily。"I
　　wonderwhattheymakeusdoitfor？IthinktheS。P。C。C。oughttointerfere。I'msureit'sneitheragreeablenorusualforakidofmyagetobuttinwhenafull-grownburglarisatworkandofferhimaredsledandapairofskatesnottoawakenhissickmother。Andlookhowtheymaketheburglarsact!You'dthinkeditorswouldknow——butwhat'stheuse？"
　　Theburglarwipedhishandsonthetableclothandarosewithayawn。
　　"Well，let'sgetthroughwithit，"hesaid。"Godblessyou，mylittleboy!youhavesavedamanfromcommittingacrimethisnight。BessieshallprayforyouassoonasIgethomeandgiveherherorders。Ishallneverburglarizeanotherhouse——atleastnotuntiltheJunemagazinesareout。It'llbeyourlittlesister'sturnthentoruninonmewhileIamabstractingtheU。S。4
　　percent。fromtheteaurnandbuymeoffwithhercoralnecklaceandafalsettokiss。"
　　"Youhaven'tgotallthekickscomingtoyou，"sighedTommy，crawlingoutofhischair。"ThinkofthesleepI'mlosing。Butit'stoughonbothofus，oldman。Iwishyoucouldgetoutofthestoryandreallyrobsomebody。
　　Maybeyou'llhavethechanceiftheydramatizeus。"
　　"Never!"saidtheburglar，gloomily。"Betweentheboxofficeandmybetterimpulsesthatyourleadingjuven-
　　ilesaresupposedtoawakenandthemagazinesthatpayonpublication，IguessI'llalwaysbebroke。"
　　"I'msorry，"saidTommy，sympathetically。"ButI
　　can'thelpmyselfanymorethanyoucan。It'soneofthecanonsofhouseholdfictionthatnoburglarshallbesuc-
　　cessful。Theburglarmustbefoiledbyakidlikeme，or-
　　byayoungladyheroine，oratthelastmomentbyhisoldpal，RedMike，whorecognizesthehouseasoneinwhichheusedtobethecoachman。Youhavegottheworstendofitinanykindofastory。"
　　"Well，IsupposeImustbeclearingoutnow，"saidtheburglar，takinguphislanternandbracebit。
　　"YouhavetotaketherestofthischickenandthebottleofwinewithyouforBessieandhermother，"saidTommy，calmly。
　　"Butconfoundit，"exclaimedtheburglar，inanannoyedtone，"theydon'twantit。I'vegotfivecasesofChateaudeBeychsvelleathomethatwasbottledin1853。Thatclaretofyoursiscorked。Andyoucouldn'tgeteitherofthemtolookatachickenunlessitwasstewedinchampagne。Youknow，afterIgetoutofthestoryI
　　don'thavesomanylimitations。Imakeaturnnowandthen。"
　　"Yes，butyoumusttakethem，"saidTommy，loadinghisarmswiththebundles。
　　"Blessyou，youngmaster!"recitedtheburglar，obedient。"Second-StorySaulwillneverforgetyou。
　　Andnowhurryandletmeout，kid。Our2，000wordsmustbenearlyup。"
　　Tommyledthewaythroughthehalltowardthefrontdoor。Suddenlytheburglarstoppedandcalledtohimsoftly:"Ain'tthereacopoutthereinfrontsomewheresparkingthegirl？"
　　"Yes，"saidTommy，"butwhat——"
　　"I'mafraidhe'llcatchme，"saidtheburglar。"Youmustn'tforgetthatthisisfiction。"
　　"Greathead!"saidTommy，turning。"Comeoutbythebackdoor。"
　　ACHAPARRALCHRISTMASGIFT
　　Theoriginalcauseofthetroublewasabouttwentyyearsingrowing。
　　Attheendofthattimeitwasworthit。
　　HadyoulivedanywherewithinfiftymilesofSun-
　　downRanchyouwouldhaveheardofit。Itpossessedaquantityofjet-blackhair，apairofextremelyfrank，deep-browneyesandalaughthatrippledacrosstheprairielikethesoundofahiddenbrook。ThenameofitwasRositaMcMullen；andshewasthedaughterofoldmanMcMullenoftheSundownSheepRanch。
　　Therecameridingonredroansteeds——or，tobemoreexplicit，onapaintandaflea-bittensorrel——twowooers。
　　OnewasMadisonLane，andtheotherwastheFrioKid，ButatthattimetheydidnotcallhimtheFrioKid，forhehadnotearnedthehonoursofspecialnomenclature-
　　HisnamewassimplyJohnnyMcRoy。
　　ItmustnotbesupposedthatthesetwowerethesumoftheagreeableRosita'sadmirers。ThebronchosofadozenotherschampedtheirbitsatthelonghitchingrackoftheSundownRanch。Manywerethesheeps'-
　　evesthatwerecastinthosesavannasthatdidnotbelong。
　　totheflocksofDanMcMullen。Butofallthecavaliers，MadisonLaneandJohnnyMeRoygallopedfarahead，whereforetheyaretobechronicled。
　　MadisonLane，ayoungcattlemanfromtheNuecescountry，wontherace。HeandRositaweremarriedoneChristmasday。Armed，hilarious，vociferous，mag-
　　nanimous，thecowmenandthesheepmen，layingasidetheirhereditaryhatred，joinedforcestocelebratetheoccasion。
　　SundownRanchwassonorouswiththecrackingofjokesandsixshooters，theshineofbucklesandbrighteyes，theoutspokencongratulationsoftheherdersofkine。
　　ButwhiletheweddingfeastwasatitsliveliesttheredescendeduponitJohnnyMeRoy，bittenbyjealousy，likeonepossessed。
　　"I'llgiveyouaChristmaspresent，"heyelled，shrilly，atthedoor，withhis。45inhishand。Eventhenhehadsomereputationasanoffhandshot。
　　HisfirstbulletcutaneatunderbitinMadisonLane'srightear。Thebarrelofhisgunmovedaninch。Thenextshotwouldhavebeenthebride'shadnotCarson，asheepman，possessedamindwithtriggerssomewhatwelloiledandinrepair。Thegunsoftheweddingpartyhadbeenhung，intheirbelts，uponnailsinthewallwhentheysatattable，asaconcessiontogoodtaste。ButCarson，withgreatpromptness，hurledhisplateofroastvenisonandfrijolesatMcRoy，spoilinghisaim。Thesecondbullet，then，onlyshatteredthewhitepetalsofaSpanishdaggerflowersuspendedtwofeetaboveRosita'shead。
　　Theguestsspurnedtheirchairsandjumpedfortheirweapons。Itwasconsideredanimproperacttoshootthebrideandgroomatawedding。InaboutsixsecondsthereweretwentyorsobulletsduetobewhizzinginthedirectionofMr。McRoy。
　　"I'llshootbetternexttime，"yelledJohnny；"andthere'llbeanexttime。"Hebackedrapidlyoutthedoor。
　　Carson，thesheepman，spurredontoattemptfurtherexploitsbythesuccessofhisplate-throwing，wasfirsttoreachthedoor。McRoy'sbulletfromthedarknesslaidhimlow。
　　Thecattlementhensweptoutuponhim，callingforvengeance，for，whiletheslaughterofasheepmanhasnotalwayslackedcondonement，itwasadecidedmis-
　　demeanourinthisinstance。Carsonwasinnocent；hewasnoaccompliceatthematrimonialproceedings；norhadanyoneheardhimquotetheline"Christmascomesbutonceayear"totheguests。
　　Butthesortiefailedinitsvengeance。McRoywasonhishorseandaway，shoutingbackcursesandthreatsashegallopedintotheconcealingchaparral。
　　ThatnightwasthebirthnightoftheFrioKid。Hebecamethe"badman"ofthatportionoftheState。
　　TherejectionofhissuitbyMissMcMullenturnedhimtoadangerousman。WhenofficerswentafterhimfortheshootingofCarson，hekilledtwoofthem，andentereduponthelifeofanoutlaw。Hebecameamarvellousshotwitheitherhand。Hewouldturnupintownsandsettlements，raiseaquarrelattheslightestopportunity，pickoffhismanandlaughattheofficersofthelaw。Hewassocool，sodeadly，sorapid，soinhumanlyblood-
　　thirstythatnonebutfaintattemptswereevermadetocapturehim。Whenhewasatlastshotandkilledbyalittleone-armedMexicanwhowasnearlydeadhimselffromfright，theFrioKidhadthedeathsofeighteenmenonhishead。Abouthalfofthesewerekilledinfairduelsdependinguponthequicknessofthedraw。Theotherhalfweremenwhombeassassinatedfromabsolutewantonnessandcruelty。
　　Manytalesaretoldalongtheborderofhisimpudentcourageanddaring。Buthewasnotoneofthebreedofdesperadoeswhohaveseasonsofgenerosityandevenofsoftness。Theysayheneverhadmercyontheobjectofhisanger。YetatthisandeveryChristmastideitiswelltogiveeachonecredit，ifitcanbedone，forwhat-
　　everspeckofgoodhemayhavepossessed。IftheFrioKideverdidakindlyactorfeltathrobofgenerosityinhisheartitwasonceatsuchatimeandseason，andthisisthewayithappened。
　　Onewhohasbeencrossedinloveshouldneverbreathetheodourfromtheblossomsoftheratamatree。Itstirsthememorytoadangerousdegree。
　　OneDecemberintheFriocountrytherewasaratamatreeinfullbloom，forthewinterhadbeenaswarmasspringtime。ThatwayrodetheFrioKidandhissatelliteaWco-murderer，MexicanFrank。Thekidreinedinhismustang，andsatinhissaddle，thoughtfulandgrim，withdangerouslynarrowingeyes。Therich，sweetscenttouchedhimsomewherebeneathhisiceandiron。
　　"Idon'tknowwhatI'vebeenthinkingabout，Mex，"
　　heremarkedinhisusualmilddrawl，"tohaveforgotallaboutaChristmaspresentIgottogive。I'mgoingtorideoverto-morrownightandshootMadisonLaneinhisownhouse。Hegotmygirl——Rositawouldhavehadmeifhehadn'tcutintothegame。IwonderwhyI
　　happenedtooverlookituptonow？"
　　"Ah，shucks，Kid，"saidMexican，"don'ttalkfoolish-
　　ness。Youknowyoucan'tgetwithinamileofMadLane'shouseto-morrownight。IseeoldmanAllendaybeforeyesterday，andhesaysMadisgoingtohaveChristmasdoingsathishouse。YourememberhowyoushotupthefestivitieswhenMadwasmarried，andaboutthethreatsyoumade？Don'tyousupposeMadLane'llkindofkeephiseyeopenforacertainMr。Kid？Youplumbmakemetired，Kid，withsuchremarks。"
　　"I'mgoing，"repeatedtheFrioKid，withoutheat，"togotoMadisonLane'sChristmasdoings，andkillhim。Ioughttohavedoneitalongtimeago。Why，Mex，justtwoweeksagoIdreamedmeandRositawasmarriedinsteadofherandhim；andwewaslivinginahouse，andIcouldseehersmilingatme，and——oh!h——l，Mex，hegother；andI'llgethim——yes，sir，onChristmasEvehegother，andthen'swhenI'llgethim。"
　　"There'sotherwaysofcommittingsuicide，"advisedMexican。"Whydon'tyougoandsurrendertothesheriff？"
　　"I'llgethim，"saidtheKid。
　　ChristmasEvefellasbalmyasApril。Perhapstherewasahintoffar-awayfrostinessintheair，butittingleslikeseltzer，perfumedfaintlywithlateprairieblossomsandthemesquitegrass。
　　Whennightcamethefiveorsixroomsoftheranch-
　　housewerebrightlylit。InoneroomwasaChristmastree，fortheLaneshadaboyofthree，andadozenormoreguestswereexpectedfromthenearerranches。
　　AtnightfallMadisonLanecalledasideJimBelcherandthreeothercowboysemployedonhisranch。
　　"Now，boys，"saidLane，"keepyoureyesopen。Walkaroundthehouseandwatchtheroadwell。Allofyouknowthe'FrioKid，'astheycallhimnow，andifyouseehim，openfireonhimwithoutaskinganyquestions。
　　I'mnotafraidofhiscomingaround，butRositais。She'sbeenafraidhe'dcomeinonuseveryChristmassinceweweremarried。"
　　Theguestshadarrivedinbuckboardsandonhorseback，andweremakingthemselvescomfortableinside。
　　Theeveningwentalongpleasantly。TheguestsenjoyedandpraisedRosita'sexcellentsupper，andafter-
　　wardthemenscatteredingroupsabouttheroomsoronthebroad"gallery，"smokingandchatting。
　　TheChristmastree，ofcourse，delightedtheyoungsters，andaboveallweretheypleasedwhenSantaClaushimselfinmagnificentwhitebeardandfursappearedandbegantodistributethetoys。
　　"It'smypapa，"announcedBillySampson，agedsix。
　　"I'veseenhimwear'embefore。"
　　Berkly，asheepman，anoldfriendofLane，stoppedRositaasshewaspassingbyhimonthegallery，wherehewassittingsmoking。
　　"Well，Mrs。Lane，"saidhe，"IsupposebythisChrist-
　　masyou'vegottenoverbeingafraidofthatfellowMcRoy，haven'tyou？MadisonandIhavetalkedaboutit，youknow。"
　　"Verynearly，"saidRosita，smiling，"butIamstillnervoussometimes。Ishallneverforgetthatawfultimewhenhecamesoneartokillingus。"
　　"He'sthemostcold-heartedvillainintheworld，"saidBerkly。"Thecitizensallalongtheborderoughttoturnoutandhunthimdownlikeawolf。"
　　"Hehascommittedawfulcrimes，"saidRosita，but——I——don't——know。Ithinkthereisaspotofgoodsomewhereineverybody。Hewasnotalwaysbad——
　　thatIknow。"
　　Rositaturnedintothehallwaybetweentherooms。
　　SantaClaus，inmufflingwhiskersandfurs，wasjustcomingthrough。
　　"Iheardwhatyousaidthroughthewindow，Mrs。
　　Lane，"hesaid。"IwasjustgoingdowninmypocketforaChristmaspresentforyourhusband。ButI'veleftoneforyou，instead。It'sintheroomtoyourright。"
　　"Oh，thankyou，kindSantaClaus，"saidRosita，brightly。
　　Rositawentintotheroom，whileSantaClaussteppedintothecoolerairoftheyard。
　　ShefoundnooneintheroombutMadison。
　　"WhereismypresentthatSantasaidheleftformeinhere？"sheasked。
　　"Haven'tseenanythinginthewayofapresent，"saidherhusband，laughing，"unlesshecouldhavemeantme。"
　　ThenextdayGabrielRadd，theforemanoftheX0
　　Ranch，droppedintothepost-officeatLomaAlta。
　　"Well，theFrioKid'sgothisdoseofleadatlast，"heremarkedtothepostmaster。
　　"Thatso？How'dithappen？"
　　"OneofoldSanchez'sMexicansheepherdersdidit!——
　　thinkofit!theFrioKidkilledbvasheepherder!
　　TheGreasersawhimridingalongpasthiscampabouttwelveo'clocklastnight，andwassoskeeredthatheupwithaWinchesterandlethimhaveit。FunniestpartofitwasthattheKidwasdressedallupwithwhiteAngora-
　　skinwhiskersandaregularSantyClausrig-outfromheadtofoot。ThinkoftheFrioKidplayingSanty!"
　　ALITTLELOCALCOLOUR
　　ImentionedtoRivingtonthatIwasinsearchofcharacteristicNewYorkscenesandincidents——some-
　　thingtypical，Itoldhim，withoutnecessarilyhavingtospellthefirstsyllablewithan"i。"
　　"Oh，foryourwritingbusiness，"saidRivington；"youcouldn'thaveappliedtoabettershop。WhatIdon'tknowaboutlittleoldNewYorkwouldn'tmakeasonnettoasunbonnet。I'llputyourightinthemiddleofsomuchlocalcolourthatyouwon'tknowwhetheryouareamagazinecoverorintheerysipelasward。Whendoyouwanttobegin？"
　　Rivingtonisayoung-man-about-townandaNewYorkerbybirth，preferenceandincommutability。
　　ItoldhimthatIwouldbegladtoaccepthisescortandguardianshipsothatImighttakenotesofManhattan'sgrand，gloomyandpeculiaridiosyncrasies，andthatthetimeofsodoingwouldbeathisownconvenience。
　　"We'llbeginthisveryevening，"saidRivington，him-
　　selfinterested，likeagoodfellow。"Dinewithmeatseven，andthenI'llsteer'youupagainstmetropolitanphasessothickyou'llhavetohaveakinetoscopetorecord'em。"
　　SoIdinedwithRivingtonpleasantlyathisclub，inForty-eleventhstreet，andthenwesetforthinpursuitoftheelusivetinctureofaffairs。
　　Aswecameoutoftheclubtherestoodtwomenonthesidewalknearthestepsinearnestconversation。
　　"Andbywhatprocessofratiocination，"saidoneofthem，"doyouarriveattheconclusionthatthedivisionofsocietyintoproducingandnon-possessingclassespredicatesfailurewhencomparedwithcompetitivesystemsthataremonopolizingintendencyandresultinimicallytoindustrialevolution？"
　　"Oh，comeoffyourperch!"saidtheotherman，whoworeglasses。"Yourpremiseswon'tcomeoutinthewash。Youwind-jammerswhoapplybandy-leggedtheoriestoconcretecategoricalsyllogismssendlogicalconclusionsskallybootin'intotheinfinitesimalragbag。
　　Youcan'tpullmylegwithanoldsophismwithwhiskersonit。YouquoteMarxandHyndmanandKautsky-
　　whatarethey？——shines!Tolstoi？——hisgarretisfullofrats。Iputittoyouoverthehome-platethattheideaofacooperativecommonwealthandanabolishmentofcompetitivesystemssimplytakestheragoffthebushandgivesmehyperesthesiaoftheroopteetoop!Theskoo-
　　kumhouseforyours!
　　Istoppedafewyardsawayandtookoutmylittlenotebook。
　　"Oh，comeahead，"saidRivington，somewhatner-
　　vously；"youdon'twanttolistentothat。"
　　"Whyman，"Iwhispered，"thisisjustwhatIdowanttohear。Theseslangtypesareamongyourcity'smostdistinguishingfeatures。IsthistheBoweryvariety？
　　Ireallymusthearmoreofit。"
　　"IfIfollowyou，"saidthemanwhohadspokenflrst，"youdonotbelieveitpossibletoreorganizesocietyonthebasisofcommoninterest？"
　　"Shinnyonyourownside!"saidthemanwithglasses。
　　"Youneverheardanysuchmusicfrommyfoghorn。
　　WhatIsaidwasthatIdidnotbelieveitpracticablejustnow。Theguyswithwadsarenotintheframeofmindtoslackuponthemazuma，andthemanwiththeportabletinbanquetingcanisterisn'texactlyreadytojointheBibleclass。YoucanbetyourvariegatedsocksthatthesituationisallspifflicatedupfromtheBatterytobreakfast!WhatthecountryneedsisforsomebullyoldblokelikeCobdenorsomewiseguylikeoldBenFrank-
　　lintosashayuptothefrontandbiffthenigger'sheadwiththebaseball。Doyoucatchmysmoke？What？"
　　Rivingtonpulledmebythearmimpatiently。
　　"Pleasecomeon，"hesaid。"Let'sgoseesomething。
　　Thisisn'twhatyouwant。"
　　"Indeed，itis，"Isaidresisting。"Thistoughtalkistheverystuffthatcounts。Thereisapicturesquenessaboutthespeechofthelowerorderofpeoplethatisquiteunique。DidyousaythatthisistheBoweryvarietyofslang？"
　　"Oh，well，"saidRivington，givingitup，"I'lltellyoustraight。That'soneofourcollegeprofessorstalking。
　　Herandownforadayortwoattheclub。It'sasortoffadwithhimlatelytouseslanginhisconversation。
　　Hethinksitimproveslanguage。ThemanheistalkingtoisoneofNewYork'sfamoussocialeconomists。Nowwillyoucomeon。Youcan'tusethat，youknow。"
　　"No，"Iagreed；"Ican'tusethat。WouldyoucallthattypicalofNewYork？"
　　"Ofcoursenot，"saidRivington，withasighofrelief。
　　"I'mgladyouseethedifference。ButifyouwanttoheartherealoldtoughBoweryslangI'lltakeyoudownwhereyou'llgetyourfillofit。"
　　"Iwouldlikeit，"Isaid；"thatis，ifit'stherealthing。
　　I'veoftenreaditinbooks，butIneverheardit。Doyouthinkitwillbedangeroustogounprotectedamongthosecharacters？
　　"Oh，no，"saidRivington；"notatthistimeofnight。
　　Totellthetruth，Ihaven'tbeenalongtheBoweryinalongtime，butIknowitaswellasIdoBroadway。We'lllookupsomeofthetypicalBoweryboysandgetthemtotalk。It'llbeworthyourwhile。Theytalkapeculiardialectthatyouwon'thearany-whereelseonearth。"
　　RivingtonandIwenteastinaForty-secondstreetcarandthensouthontheThirdavenueline。
　　AtHoustonstreetwegotoffandwalked。
　　"WearenowonthefamousBowery，"saidRivington；
　　"theBowerycelebratedinsongandstory。"
　　Wepassedblockafterblockof"gents'"furnishingstores——thewindowsfullofshirtswithpricesattachedandcuffsinside。Inotherwindowswerenecktiesandnoshirts。Peoplewalkedupanddownthesidewalks。
　　"Insomeways，"saidI，"thisremindsmeofKoko-
　　mono，Ind。，duringthepeach-cratingseason。"
　　Rivingtonwasnettled。
　　"Stepintooneofthesesaloonsorvaudevilleshows，"
　　saidhe，"withalargerollofmoney，andseehowquicklytheBowerywillsustainitsreputation。"
　　"Youmakeimpossibleconditions，"saidI，coldly。
　　ByandbyRivingtonstoppedandsaidwewereintheheartoftheBowery。TherewasapolicemanonthecornerwhomRivingtonknew。
　　"Hallo，Donahue!"saidmyguide。"Howgoesit？
　　MyfriendandIaredownthiswaylookingupabitoflocalcolour。He'sanxioustomeetoneoftheBowerytypes。Can'tyouputusontosomethinggenuineinthatline——somethingthat'sgotthecolour，youknow？"
　　PolicemanDonahueturnedhimselfaboutponder-
　　ously，hisfloridfacefullofgood-nature。Hepointedwithhisclubdownthestreet。
　　"Sure!"hesaidhuskily。"HerecomesaladnowthatwasbornontheBoweryandknowseveryinchofit。Ifhe'severbeenaboveBleeckerstreethe'skeptittohimself。"
　　Amanabouttwenty-eightortwenty-nine，withasmoothface，wassaunteringtowarduswithhishandsinhiscoatpockets。PolicemanDonahuestoppedhimwithacourteouswaveofhisclub。
　　"Evening，Kerry，"hesaid。"Here'sacoupleofgents，friendsofmine，thatwanttohearyouspielsomethingabouttheBowery。Canyoureel'emoffafewyards？"
　　"Certainly，Donahue，"saidtheyoungman，pleas-
　　antly。"Goodevening，gentlemen，"hesaidtous，withapleasantsmile。Donahuewalkedoffonhisbeat。
　　"Thisisthegoods，"whisperedRivington，nudgingmewithhiselbow。"Lookathisjaw!"
　　"Say，cull，"saidRivington，pushingbackhishat，wot'sdoin'？Meandmyfriend'stakingalookdowndeoldline——see？Decoppertippedusoffdatyouwaswisetodebowery。Isdatright？"
　　IcouldnothelpadmiringRivington'spowerofadapt-
　　inghimselftohissurroundings。
　　"Donahuewasright，"saidtheyoungman，frankly；
　　"IwasbroughtupontheBowery。Ihavebeennews-
　　boy，teamster，pugilist，memberofanorganizedbandof'toughs，'bartender，anda'sport'invariousmean-
　　ingsoftheword。TheexperiencecertainlywarrantsthesuppositionthatIhaveatleastapassingacquaintancewithafewphasesofBowerylife。IwillbepleasedtoplacewhateverknowledgeandexperienceIhaveattheserviceofmyfriendDonahue'sfriends。"
　　Rivingtonseemedillatease。
　　"Isay，"hesaid——somewhatentreatingly，"Ithought——
　　you'renotstringingus，areyou？Itisn'tjustthekindoftalkweexpected。Youhaven'tevensaid'Hullygee!'
　　once。DoyoureallybelongontheBowery？"
　　"Iamafraid，"saidtheBoweryboy，smilingly，"thatatsometimeyouhavebeenenticedintooneofthedivesofliteratureandhadthecounterfeitcoinoftheBowerypasseduponyou。The'argot'towhichyoudoubtlessreferwastheinventionofcertainofyourliterary'dis-
　　coverers'whoinvadedtheunknownwildsbelowThirdavenueandputstrangesoundsintothemouthsoftheinhabitants。Safeintheirhomesfartothenorthandwest，thecredulousreaderswhowerebeguiledbythisnew'dialect'perusedandbelieved。LikeMarcoPoloandMungoPark——pioneersindeed，butambitioussoulswhocouldnotdrawthelineofdemarcationbetweendis-
　　coveryandinvention——theliterarybonesoftheseexplorersaredottingthetracklesswastesofthesub-
　　way。WhileitistruethatafterthepublicationofthemythicallanguageattributedtothedwellersalongtheBowerycertainofitspatphrasesandaptmetaphorswereadoptedand，toalimitedextent，usedinthislocality，itwasbecauseourpeoplearepromptinassimilatingwhateveristotheircommercialadvantage。Tothetouristswhovisitedournewlydiscoveredclime，andwhoexpectedarealizationoftheirliteraryguidebooks，theysuppliedthedemandsofthemarket。
　　"ButperhapsIamwanderingfromthequestion。InwhatwaycanIassistyou，gentlemen？Ibegyouwillbelievethatthehospitalityofthestreetisextendedtoall。Thereare，Iregrettosay，manycatchpennyplacesofentertainment，butIcannotconceivethattheywouldenticeyou。"
　　IfeltRivingtonleansomewhatheavilyagainstme。
　　"Say!"heremarked，withuncertainutterance；"comeandhaveadrinkwithus。"
　　"Thankyou，butIneverdrink。Ifindthatalcohol，eveninthesmallestquantities，alterstheperspective。
　　AndImustpreservemyperspective，forIamstudyinc，theBowery。Ihavelivedinitnearlythirtyyears，andIamjustbeginningtounderstanditsheartbeats。Itislikeagreatriverfedbyahundredalienstreams。Eachinfluxbringsstrangeseedsonitsflood，strangesiltandweeds，andnowandthenaflowerofrarepromise。Toconstruethisriverrequiresamanwhocanbuilddykesagainsttheoverflow，whoisanaturalist，ageologist，ahumanitarian，adiverandastrongswimmer。IlovemyBowery。Itwasmycradleandismyinspiration。
　　Ihavepublishedonebook。Thecriticshavebeenkind。
　　Iputmyheartinit。Iamwritinganother，intowhichIhopetoputbothheartandbrain。Considermeyourguide，gentlemen。IstherearythingIcantakeyoutosee，anyplacetowhichIcanconductyou？"
　　IwasafraidtolookatRivingtonexceptwithoneeye。
　　"Thanks，"saidRivington。"Wewerelookingup……thatis……myfriend……confoundit；it'sagainstallprecedent，youknow……awfullyobliged……justthesame。"
　　"Incase，"saidourfriend，"youwouldliketomeetsomeofourBoweryyoungmenIwouldbepleasedtohaveyouvisitthequartersofourEastSideKappaDeltaPhiSociety，onlytwoblockseastofhere。"
　　"Awfullysorry，"saidRivington，"butmyfriend'sgotmeonthejumpto-nioht。He'saterrorwhenhe'soutafterlocalcolour。Now，there'snothingIwouldlikebetterthantodropinattheKappaDeltaPhi，but——
　　someothertime!"
　　Wesaidourfarewellsandboardedahome-boundcar。
　　WehadarabbitonupperBroadway，andthenIpartedwithRivingtononastreetcorner。
　　"Well，anyhow，"saidhe，bracedandrecovered，"itcouldn'thavehappenedanywherebutinlittleoldNewYork。"
　　Whichtosaytheleast，wastypicalofRivington。
　　GEORGIA'SRULING
　　IfyoushouldchancetovisittheGeneralLandOffice，stepintothedraughtsmen'sroomandasktobeshownthemapofSaladoCounty。AleisurelyGerman——pos-
　　siblyoldKampferhimself——willbringittoyou。Itwillbefourfeetsquare，onheavydrawing-cloth。Theletteringandthefigureswillbebeautifullyclearanddistinct。
　　Thetitlewillbeinsplendid，undecipherableGermantext，ornamentedwithclassicTeutonicdesigns——verylikelyCeresorPomonaleaningagainsttheinitialletterswithcornucopiasventinggrapesandwieners。Youmusttellhimthatthisisnotthemapyouwishtosee；
　　thathewillkindlybringyouitsofficialpredecessor。
　　Hewillthensay，"Ach，so!"andbringoutamaphalfthesizeofthefirst，dim，old，tattered，andfaded。
　　BylookingcarefullynearitsnorthwestcorneryouwillpresentlycomeupontheworncontoursofChiquitoRiver，and，maybe，ifyoureyesaregood，discernthesilentwitnesstothisstory。
　　TheCommissioneroftheLandOfficewasoftheoldstyle；hisantiquecourtesywastooformalforhisday。
　　Hedressedinfineblack，andtherewasasuggestionofRomandraperyinhislongcoat-skirts。Hiscollarswere"undetached"blamehaberdasheryfortheword；histiewasanarrow，funerealstrip，tiedinthesameknotaswerehisshoe-strings。Hisgrayhairwasatrifletoolongbehind，buthekeptitsmoothandorderly。Hisfacewasclean-shaven，liketheoldstatesmen's。Mostpeoplethoughtitasternface，butwhenitsofficialexpressionwasoff，afewhadseenaltogetheradifferentcountenance。
　　Especiallytenderandgentleithadappearedtothosewhowereabouthimduringthelastillnessofhisonlychild。
　　TheCommissionerhadbeenawidowerforyears，andhislife，outsidehisofficialduties，hadbeensodevotedtolittleGeorgiathatpeoplespokeofitasatouchingandadmirablething。Hewasareservedman，anddignifiedalmosttoausterity，butthechildhadcomebelowitallandresteduponhisveryheart，sothatshescarcelymissedthemother'slovethathadbeentakenaway。Therewasawonderfulcompanionshipbetweenthem，forshehadmanyofhisownways，beingthoughtfulandseriousbeyondheryears。
　　Oneday，whileshewaslyingwiththefeverburningbrightlyinherchecks，shesaidsuddenly:
　　"Papa，IwishIcoulddosomethinggoodforawholelotofchildren!"
　　"Whatwouldyouliketodo，dear？"askedtheCom-
　　Missioner。"Givethemaparty？"
　　"Oh，Idon'tmeanthosekind。Imeanpoorchildrenwhohaven'thomes，andaren'tlovedandcaredforasIam。Itellyouwhat，papa!"
　　"What，myownchild？"
　　"IfIshouldn'tgetwell，I'llleavethemyou——notgiveyou，butjustlendyou，foryoumustcometomammaandmewhenyoudietoo。Ifyoucanfindtime，wouldn'tyoudosomethingtohelpthem，ifIaskyou，papa？"
　　"Hush，hushdear，dearchild，"saidtheCommissioner，holdingherhotlittlehandagainsthischeek；"you'llgetwellrealsoon，andyouandIwillseewhatwecandoforthemtogether。"
　　Butinwhatsoeverpathsofbenevolence，thusvaguelypremeditated，theCommissionermighttread，hewasnottohavethecompanyofhisbeloved。Thatnightthelittlefrailbodygrewsuddenlytootiredtostrugglefurther，andGeorgia'sexitwasmadefromthegreatstagewhenshehadscarcelybeguntospeakherlittlepiecebeforethefootlights。Buttheremustbeastagemanagerwhounderstands。Shehadgiventhecuetotheonewhowastospeakafterher。
　　Aweekaftershewaslaidaway，theCommissionerreappearedattheoffice，alittlemorecourteous，alittlepalerandsterner，withtheblackfrock-coathangingalittlemorelooselyfromhistallfigure。
　　Hisdeskwaspiledwithworkthathadaccumulatedduringthefourheartbreakingweeksofhisabsence。Hischiefclerkhaddonewhathecould，buttherewereques-
　　tionsoflaw，offinejudicialdecisionstobemadeconcern-
　　ingtheissueofpatents，themarketingandleasingofschoollands，theclassificationintograzing，agricultural，watered，andtimbered，ofnewtractstobeopenedtosettlers。
　　TheCommissionerwenttoworksilentlyandob-
　　stinately，puttingbackhisgriefasfaraspossible，forcinghismindtoattackthecomplicatedandimportantbusi-
　　nessofhisoffice。Ontheseconddayafterhisreturnhecalledtheporter，pointedtoaleather-coveredchairthatstoodnearhisown，andordereditremovedtoalumber-
　　roomatthetopofthebuilding。InthatchairGeorgiawouldalwayssitwhenshecametotheofficeforhimofafternoons。
　　Astimepassed，theCommissionerseemedtogrowmoresilent，solitary，andreserved。Anewphaseofminddevelopedinhim。Hecouldnotendurethepresenceofachild。Oftenwhenaclatteringyoungsterbelongingtooneoftheclerkswouldcomechatteringintothebigbusiness-roomadjoininghislittleapartment，theCom-
　　missionerwouldstealsoftlyandclosethedoor。Hewouldalwayscrossthestreettoavoidmeetingtheschool-
　　childrenwhentheycamedancingalonginhappygroupsuponthesidewalk，andhisfirmmouthwouldcloseintoamereline。
　　Itwasnearlythreemonthsaftertherainshadwashedthelastdeadflower-petalsfromthemoundabovelittleGeorgiawhenthe"land-shark"firmofHamlinandAveryfiledpapersuponwhattheyconsideredthe"fattest"
　　vacancyoftheyear。
　　Itshouldnotbesupposedthatallwhoweretermed"land-sharks"deservedthename。Manyofthemwerereputablemenofgoodbusinesscharacter。SomeofthemcouldwalkintothemostaugustcouncilsoftheStateandsay:"Gentlemen，wewouldliketohavethis，andthat，andmattersgothus。"But，nexttoathreeyears'droughtandtheboll-worm，theActualSettlerhatedtheLand-shark。Theland-sharkhauntedtheLandOffice，whereallthelandrecordswerekept，andhunted"vacancies"——thatis，tractsofunappro-
　　priatedpublicdomain，generallyinvisibleupontheofficialmaps，butactuallyexisting"upontheground。"
　　ThelawentitledanyonepossessingcertainStatescriptofilebyvirtueofsameuponanylandnotpreviouslylegallyappropriated。Mostofthescripwasnowinthehandsoftheland-sharks。Thus，atthecostofafewhundreddollars，theyoftensecuredlandsworthasmanythousands。Naturally，thesearchfor"vacancies"waslively。
　　Butoften——veryoften——thelandtheythussecured，thoughlegally"unappropriated，"wouldbeoccupiedbyhappyandcontentedsettlers，whohadlabouredforyearstobuilduptheirhomes，onlytodiscoverthattheirtitleswereworthless，andtoreceiveperemptorynoticetoquit。Thuscameaboutthebitterandnotunjustifiablehatredfeltbythetoilingsettlerstowardtheshrewdandseldommercifulspeculatorswhosooftenturnedthemforthdestituteandhomelessfromtheirfruitlesslabours。
　　Thehistoryofthestateteemswiththeirantagonism。
　　Mr。Land-sharkseldomshowedhisfaceon"locations"
　　fromwhichheshouldhavetoejecttheunfortunatevictimsofamonstrouslytangledlandsystem，butlethisemis-
　　saxiesdothework。Therewasleadineverycabin，mouldedintoballsforhim；manyofhisbrothershadenrichedthegrasswiththeirblood。Thefaultofitalllayfarback。
　　Whenthestatewasyoung，shefelttheneedofattract-
　　ingnewcomers，andofrewardingthosepioneersalreadywithinherborders。Yearafteryearsheissuedlandscrip——Headrights，Bounties，VeteranDonations，Confeder-
　　ates；andtorailroads，irrigationcompanies，colonies，andtillersofthesoilgalore。Allrequiredofthegranteewasthatheoritshouldhavethescripproperlysurveyeduponthepublicdomainbythecountyordistrictsurveyor，andthelandthusappropriatedbecamethepropertyofhimorit，orhisoritsheirsandassigns，forever。
　　Inthosedays——andhereiswherethetroublebegan-thestate'sdomainwaspracticallyinexhaustible，andtheoldsurveyors，withprincely——yea，evenWesternAmerican——liberality，gavegoodmeasureandover-
　　flowing。Oftenthejovialmanofmetesandboundswoulddispensealtogetherwiththetripodandchain。
　　Mountedonaponythatcouldcoversomethingneara"vara"atastep，withapocketcompasstodirecthiscourse，hewouldtrotoutasurveybycountingthebeatofhispony'shoofs，markhiscorners，andwriteouthisfieldnoteswiththecomplacencyproducedbyanactofdutywellperformed。Sometimes——andwhocouldblamethesurveyor？——whentheponywas"feelinghisoats，"hemightstepalittlehigherandfarther，andinthatcasethebeneficiaryofthescripmightgetathousandortwomoreacresinhissurveythanthescripcalledfor。
　　Butlookattheboundlessleaguesthestatehadtospare!
　　However，nooneeverhadtocomplainoftheponyunder-
　　stepping。Nearlyeveryoldsurveyinthestatecon-
　　tainedanexcessofland。
　　Inlateryears，whenthestatebecamemorepopulous，andlandvaluesincreased，thiscarelessworkentailedincalculabletrouble，endlesslitigation，aperiodofriotousland-grabbing，andnolittlebloodshed。Theland-
　　sharksvoraciouslyattackedtheseexcessesintheoldsurveys，andfileduponsuchportionswithnewscripasunappropriatedpublicdomain。Wherevertheidenti-
　　ficationsoftheoldtractswerevague，andthecornerswerenottobeclearlyestablished，theLandOfficewouldrecognizethenewerlocationsasvalid，andissuetitletothelocators。Herewasthegreatesthardshiptobefound。
　　Theseoldsurveys，takenfromthepickoftheland，werealreadynearlyalloccupiedbyunsuspectingandpeacefulsettlers，andthustheirtitlesweredemolished，andthechoicewasplacedbeforethemeithertobuytheirlandoveratadoublepriceortovacateit，withtheirfamiliesandpersonalbelongings，immediately。Landlocatorssprangupbyhundreds。Thecountrywasheldupandsearchedfor"vacancies"atthepointofacompass。
　　Hundredsofthousandsofdollars'worthofsplendidacreswerewrestedfromtheirinnocentpurchasersandholders。Therebeganavasthegiraofevictedsettlersintatteredwagons；goingnowhere，cursinginjustice，stunned，purposeless，homeless，hopeless。Theirchildrenbegantolookuptothemforbread，andcry。
　　ItwasinconsequenceoftheseconditionsthatHamil-
　　tonandAveryhadfileduponastripoflandaboutamilewideandthreemileslong，comprisingabouttwothou-
　　sandacres，itbeingtheexcessovercomplementoftheEliasDennythree-leaguesurveyonChiquitoRiver，inoneofthemiddle-westerncounties。Thistwo-thousand-
　　acrebodyoflandwasassertedbythemtobevacantland，andimproperlyconsideredapartoftheDennysurvey。
　　TheybasedthisassertionandtheirclaimuponthelanduponthedemonstratedfactsthatthebeginningcorneroftheDennysurveywasplainlyidentified；thatitsfieldnotescalledtorunwest5，760varas，andthencalledforChiquitoRiver；thenceitransouth，withthemeanders——andsoon——andthattheChiquitoRiverwas，ontheground，fullyamilefartherwestfromthepointreachedbycourseanddistance。Tosumup:thereweretwothousandacresofvacantlandbetweentheDennysurveyproperandChiquitoRiver。
　　OneswelteringdayinJulytheCommissionercalledforthepapersinconnectionwiththisnewlocation。
　　Theywerebrought，andheaped，afootdeep，uponhisdesk——fieldnotes，statements，sketches，affidavits，connectinglines-documentsofeverydescriptionthatshrewdnessandmoneycouldcalltotheaidofHamlinandAvery。
　　ThefirmwaspressingtheCommissionertoissueapatentupontheirlocation。Theypossesedinsideinfor-
　　mationconcerninganewrailroadthatwouldprobablypasssomewherenearthisland。
　　TheGeneralLandOfficewasverystillwhiletheCom-
　　missionerwasdelvingintotheheartofthemassofevi-
　　dence。Thepigeonscouldbeheardontheroofoftheold，castle-likebuilding，cooingandfretting。Theclerksweredroningeverywhere，scarcelypretendingtoearntheirsalaries。Eachlittlesoundechoedhollowandloudfromthebare，stone-flaggedfloors，theplasteredwalls，andtheiron-joistedceiling。Theimpalpable，perpetuallime-
　　stonedustthatneversettled，whitenedalongstreamerofsunlightthatpiercedthetatteredwindow-awning。
　　ItseemedthatHamlinandAveryhadbuildedwell。
　　TheDennysurveywascarelesslymade，evenforacare-
　　lessperiod。Itsbeginningcornerwasidenticalwiththatofawell-definedoldSpanishgrant，butitsothercallsweresinfullyvague。Thefieldnotescontainednootherobjectthatsurvived——notree，nonaturalobjectsaveChiquitoRiver，anditwasamilewrongthere。
　　Accordingtoprecedent，theOfficewouldbejustifiedingivingititscomplementbycourseanddistance，andconsideringtheremaindervacantinsteadofamereexcess。
　　TheActualSettlerwasbesiegingtheofficewithwildprotestsinre。Havingthenoseofapointerandtheeyeofahawkfortheland-shark，hehadobservedhismyrmi-
　　donsrunningthelinesuponhisground。Makinginquiries，helearnedthatthespoilerhadattackedhishome，andhelefttheploughinthefurrowandtookhispeninhand。
　　OneoftheproteststheCommissionerreadtwice。Itwasfromawoman，awidow，thegranddaughterofEliasDennyhimself。Shetoldhowhergrandfatherhadsoldmostofthesurveyyearsbeforeatatrivialprice——landthatwasnowaprincipalityinextentandvalue。Hermotherhadalsosoldapart，andsheherselfhadsuc-
　　ceededtothiswesternportion，alongChiquitoRiver。
　　Muchofitshehadbeenforcedtopartwithinordertolive，andnowsheownedonlyaboutthreehundredacres，onwhichshehadherhome。Herletterwoundupratherpathetically:
　　"I'vegoteightchildren，theoldestfifteenyears。I
　　workalldayandhalfthenighttotillwhatlittlelandIcanandkeepusinclothesandbooks。Iteachmychildrentoo。Myneighboursisallpoorandhasbigfamilies。
　　Thedroughtkillsthecropseverytwoorthreeyearsandthenwehashardtimestogetenoughtoeat。Thereistenfamiliesonthislandwhattheland-sharksistryingtorobusof，andallofthemgottitlesfromme。Isoldtothemcheap，andtheyaintpaidoutyet，butpartofthemis，andiftheirlandshouldbetookfromthemIwoulddie。Mygrandfatherwasanhonestman，andhehelpedtobuildupthisstate，andhetaughthischildrentobehonest，andhowcouldImakeituptothemwhoboughtme？Mr。Commissioner，ifyouletthemland-sharkstaketherooffromovermychildrenandthelittlefromthemastheyhastoliveon，whoeveragaincallsthisstategreatoritsgovernmentjustwillhavealieintheirmouths"
　　TheCommissionerlaidthisletterasidewithasigh。
　　Many，manysuchlettershehadreceived。Hehadneverbeenhurtbythem，norhadheeverfeltthattheyappealedtohimpersonally。Hewasbutthestate'sservant，andmustfollowitslaws。Andyet，somehow，thisreflectiondidnotalwayseliminateacertainresponsiblefeelingthathunguponhim。Ofallthestate'sofficershewassupremestinhisdepartment，notevenexceptingtheGovernor。Broad，generallandlawshefollowed，itwastrue，buthehadawidelatitudeinparticularramifica-
　　tions。Ratherthanlaw，whathefollowedwasRulings:
　　OfficeRulingsandprecedents。Inthecomplicatedandnewquestionsthatwerebeingengenderedbythestate'sdevelopmenttheCommissioner'srulingwasrarelyappealedfrom。Eventhecourtssustaineditwhenitsequitywasapparent。
　　TheCommissionersteppedtothedoorandspoketoaclerkintheotherroom——spokeashealwaysdid，asifhewereaddressingaprinceoftheblood:
　　"Mr。Weldon，willyoubekindenoughtoaskMr。
　　Ashe，thestateschool-landappraiser，topleasecometomyofficeassoonasconvenient？"
　　Ashecamequicklyfromthebigtablewherehewasarranginghisreports。
　　"Mr。Ashe，"saidtheCommissioner，"youworkedalongtheChiquitoRiver，inSaladoColinty，duringyourlasttrip，Ibelieve。DoyourememberanythingoftheEliasDennythree-leaguesurvey？"
　　"Yes，sir，Ido，"theblunt，breezy，surveyoranswered。
　　"IcrosseditonmywaytoBlockH，onthenorthsideofit。TheroadrunswiththeChiquitoRiver，alongthevalley。TheDennysurveyfrontsthreemilesontheChiquito。"
　　"Itisclaimed，"continuedthecommissioner，"thatitfailstoreachtheriverbyasmuchasamile。"
　　Theappraisershruggedhisshoulder。HewasbybirthandinstinctanActualSettler，andthenaturalfoeoftheland-shark。
　　"Ithasalwaysbeenconsideredtoextendtotheriver，"
　　hesaid，dryly。
　　"ButthatisnotthepointIdesiredtodiscuss，"saidtheCommissioner。"Whatkindofcountryisthisvalleyportionofletussay，thentheDennytract？"
　　ThespiritoftheActualSettlerbeamedinAshe'sface。
　　"Beautiful，"hesaid，withenthusiasm。"Valleyaslevelasthisfloor，withjustalittleswellon，likethesea，andrichascream。Justenoughbrakestoshelterthecattleinwinter。Blackloamysoilforsixfeet，andthenclay。Holdswater。Adozennicelittlehousesonit，withwindmillsandgardens。Peopleprettypoor，I
　　guess——toofarfrommarket——butcomfortable。Neversawsomanykidsinmylife。"
　　"Theyraiseflocks？"inquiredtheCommissioner。
　　"Ho，ho!Imeantwo-leggedkids，"lauchedthesurveyor；"two-legged，andbare-legged，andtow-headed。"
　　"Children!oh，children!"musedtheCommissioner，asthoughanewviewhadopenedtohim；"theyraisechildren!
　　"It'salonesomecountry，Commissioner，"saidthesurveyor。"Canyoublame'em？"
　　"Isuppose，"continuedtheCommissioner，slowly，asonecarefullypursuesdeductionsfromanew，stupendoustheory，"notallofthemaretow-headed。Itwouldnotbeunreasonable，Mr。Ashe，Iconjecture，tobelievethataportionofthemhavebrown，orevenblack，hair。"
　　"Brownandblack，sure，"saidAshe；"alsored。"
　　"Nodoubt，"saidtheCommissioner。"Well，Ithankyouforyourcourtesyininformingme，Mr。Ashe。Iwillnotdetainyouanylongerfromyourduties。"
　　Later，intheafternoon，cameHamlinandAvery，big，handsome，genial，saunteringmen，clothedinwhiteduckandlow-cutshoes。Theypermeatedthewholeofficewithanauraofdebonairprosperity。Theypassedamongtheclerksandleftawakeofabbreviatedgivennamesandfatbrowncigars。
　　Thesewerethearistocracyoftheland-sharks，whowentinforbigthings。Fullofsereneconfidenceinthem-
　　selves，therewasnocorporation，nosyndicate，norail-
　　roadcompanyorattorneygeneraltoobigforthemtotackle。Thepeculiarsmokeoftheirrare，fatbrowncigarswastobeperceivedinthesanctumofeverydepartmentofstate，ineverycommittee-roomoftheLegislature，ineverybankparlourandeveryprivatecaucus-roominthestateCapital。Alwayspleasant，neverinahurry，inseemingtopossessunlimitedleisure，peoplewonderedwhentheygavetheirattentiontothemanyaudaciousenterprisesinwhichtheywereknnowntobeengaged。
　　ByandbythetwodroppedcarelesslyintotheCom-
　　missioner'sroomandreclinedlazilyinthebig，leather-
　　upholsteredarm-chairs。Theydrawledagood-naturedcomplaintoftheweather，andHamlintoldtheCom-
　　missioneranexcellentstoryhehadamassedthatmorn-
　　ingfromtheSecretaryofState。
　　ButtheCommissionerknewwhytheywerethere。Hehadhalfpromisedtorenderadecisionthatdayupontheirlocation。
　　ThechiefclerknowbroughtinabatchofduplicatecertificatesfortheCommissionertosign。Ashetracedhissprawlingsignature，"HollisSummerfield，Comr。
　　Genl。LandOffice，"oneachone，thechiefclerkstood，deftlyremovingthemandapplyingtheblotter。
　　"Inotice，"saidthechiefclerk，"you'vebeengoingthroughthatSaladoCountylocation。Kampferismak-
　　inganewmapofSalado，andIbelieveisplattinginthatsectionofthecountynow。"
　　"Iwillseeit，"saidtheComissioner。Afewmomentslaterhewenttothedraughtsmen'sroom。
　　AsheenteredhesawfiveorsixofthedraughtsmengroupedaboutKampfer'sdesk，garglingawayateachotherinpectoralGerman，andgazingatsomethingthere-
　　upon。AttheCommissioner'sapproachtheyscatteredtotheirseveralplaces。Kampfer，awizenedlittleGer-
　　man，withlong，frizzledringletsandawateryeye，begantostammerforthsomesortofanapology，theCommis-
　　sionerthought，forthecongregationofhisfellowsabouthisdesk。
　　"Nevermind，'saidtheCommissioner，"Iwishtoseethemapyouaremaking"；and，passingaroundtheoldGerman，seatedhimselfuponthehighdraughtsman'sstool。KampfercontinuedtobreakEnglishintrvingtoexplain。
　　"HerrGommissioner，IassureyoublentysatIhafnotitbremeditated——satitwass——satititselfmake。
　　Lookyou!fromsefieldnoteswassitblatted——bleasetoobservesecalls:South，10degreeswest050varas；
　　south，10degreeseast300varas；south，100；south，9
　　west，200；south，40degreeswest400——andsoon。