"Olove，love，love！
Loveislikeadizziness，ItwinnaletabodyGangaboothisbusiness。"
Iwaswretchedawayfromher，andonlylesswretchedinherpresence。Thespecialcauseofmywoewasthis：IwassimplyalittleboytoMissGlentworth。Iknewit。Ibewailedit。Igroundmyteethandweptinsecretoverthefact。IfIhadbeenaughtelseinhereyeswouldshehavesmoothedmyhairsocarelessly，sendinganelectricshockthroughmywholesystem？
Wouldshehavewalkedwithme，handinhand，forhoursintheoldgarden，andoncewhenIlayonthesofa，myheadachingwithloveandmortification，wouldshehavestoopeddownandkissedmeifIhadn’tbeenalittleboy？HowIdespisedlittleboys！HowIhatedoneparticularlittleboy—toolittletobeloved！
Ismileoverthisverygrimlyevennow。Mysorrowwasgenuineandbitter。Itisagreatmistakeonthepartofelderlypeople，maleandfemale，totellachildthatheisseeinghishappiestdays。Don’tyoubelieveawordofit，mylittlefriend。Theburdensofchildhoodareashardtobearasthecrossesthatweighusdownlaterinlife，whilethehappinessesofchildhoodaretamecomparedwiththoseofourmatureryears。Andevenifthiswerenotso，itisrankcrueltytothrowshadowsovertheyoungheartbycroaking，"Bemerry，forto—morrowyoudie！"
AsthelastdaysofNelly’svisitdrewnear，Ifellintoaveryunhealthystateofmind。Tohavehersofrankandunconsciouslycoquettishwithmewasadailytorment;tobelookeduponandtreatedasachildwasbitteralmonds;butthethoughtoflosingheraltogetherwasdistraction。
Thesummerwasatanend。Thedayswereperceptiblyshorter，andnowandthencameaneveningwhenitwaschillyenoughtohaveawood—fireinoursitting—room。Theleaveswerebeginningtotakehectictints，andthewindwaspractisingtheminorpatheticnotesofitsautumnaldirge。Natureandmyselfappearedtobeapproachingourdissolutionsimultaneously—
Oneevening，theeveningprevioustothedaysetforNelly’sdeparture—howwellIrememberit—Ifoundhersittingalonebythewidechimney—piecelookingmusinglyatthecracklingbacklog。Therewerenocandlesintheroom。Onherfaceandhands，andonthesmallgoldencrossatherthroat，felltheflickeringfirelight—thatruddy，mellowfirelightinwhichone’sgrandmotherwouldlookpoetical。
Idrewalowstoolfromthecornerandplaceditbythesideofherchair。
Shereachedoutherhandtome，aswasherprettyfashion，andsowesatforseveralmomentssilentlyinthechangingglowoftheburninglogs。AtlengthImovedbackthestoolsothatIcouldseeherfaceinprofilewithoutbeingseenbyher。Ilostherhandbythismovement，butIcouldn’thavespokenwiththelistlesstouchofherfingersonmine。AftertwoorthreeattemptsIsaid"Nelly"agooddeallouderthanIintended。
Perhapstheeffortitcostmewasevidentinmyvoice。Sheraisedherselfquicklyinthechairandhalfturnedtowardsme。
"W’ell，Tom？"
"I—Iamverysorryyouaregoingaway。"
"SoamI。Ihaveenjoyedeveryhourofmyvisit。"
"Doyouthinkyouwillevercomebackhere？"
"Perhaps，"saidNelly，andhereyeswanderedoffintothefitfulfirelight。
"Isupposeyouwillforgetusallveryquickly。"
"IndeedIshallnot。IshallalwayshavethepleasantestmemoriesofRivermouth。"
Heretheconversationdiedanaturaldeath。Nellysankintoasortofdream，andImeditated。Fearingeverymomenttobeinterruptedbysomememberofthefamily，Inervedmyselftomakeabolddash。
"Nelly。"
"Well。"
"Doyou—"Ihesitated。
"DoIwhat？"
"Loveanyoneverymuch？"
"Why，ofcourseIdo，"saidNelly，scatteringherreverywithamerrylaugh。
"IloveUncleNutter，andAuntNutter，andyou—andTowser。"
Towser，ournewdog！Icouldn’tstandthat。Ipushedbackthestoolimpatientlyandstoodinfrontofher。
"That’snotwhatImean，"Isaidangrily。
"Well，whatdoyoumean？"
"Doyouloveanyonetomarryhim？"
"Theideaofit，"criedNelly，laughing。
"Butyoumusttellme。"
"Must，Tom？"
"Indeedyoumust，Nelly。"
Shehadrisenfromthechairwithanamused，perplexedlookinhereyes。I
heldheraninstantbythedress。
"Pleasetellme。"
"Oyousillyboy！"criedNelly。Thensherumpledmyhairallovermyforeheadandranlaughingoutoftheroom。
SupposeCinderellahadrumpledtheprince’shairalloverhisforehead，howwouldhehavelikedit？SupposetheSleepingBeauty，whentheking’ssonwithakisssetherandalltheoldclocksagoinginthespell—boundcastle—supposetheyoungminxhadlookedupandcoollylaughedinhiseye，Iguesstheking’ssonwouldn’thavebeengreatlypleased。
IhesitatedasecondortwoandthenrushedafterNellyjustintimetorunagainstMissAbigail，whoenteredtheroomwithacoupleoflightedcandles。
"Goodnessgracious，Tom！"exclaimedMissAbigail。"Areyoupossessed？"
Ileftherscrapingthewarmspermacetifromoneofherthumbs。
NellywasinthekitchentalkingquiteunconcernedlywithKittyCollins。
Theresheremaineduntilsupper—time。Supperover，wealladjournedtothesitting—room。Iplannedandplotted，butcouldmanageinnowaytogetNellyalone。SheandtheCaptainplayedcribbagealltheevening。
Thenextmorningmyladydidnotmakeherappearanceuntilwewereseatedatthebreakfast—table。Ihadgotupatdaylightmyself。Immediatelyafterbreakfastthecarriagearrivedtotakehertotherailwaystation。A
gentlemansteppedfromthiscarriage，andgreatlytomysurprisewaswarmlywelcomedbytheCaptainandMissAbigail，andbyMissNellyherself，whoseemedunnecessarilygladtoseehim。FromthehastyconversationthatfollowedIlearnedthatthegentlemanhadcomesomewhatunexpectedlytoconductMissNellytoBoston。Buthowdidheknowthatshewastoleavethatmorning？NellybadefarewelltotheCaptainandMissAbigail，madealittlerushandkissedmeonthenose，andwasgone。
Asthewheelsofthehackrolledupthestreetandovermyfinerfeelings，I
turnedtotheCaptain。
"Whowasthatgentleman，sir？"
"ThatwasMr。Waldron。"
"Arelationofyours，sir？"Iaskedcraftily。
"Norelationofmine—arelationofNelly’s，"saidtheCaptain，smiling。
"Acousin，"Isuggested，feelingastrangehatredspringupinmybosomfortheunknown。
"Well，Isupposeyoumightcallhimacousinforthepresent。He’sgoingtomarrylittleNellynextsummer。"
InoneofPeterParley’svaluablehistoricalworksisadescriptionofanearthquakeatLisbon。"Atthefirstshocktheinhabitantsrushedintothestreets;theearthyawnedattheirfeetandthehousestotteredandfelloneveryside。"IstaggeredpasttheCaptainintothestreet;agiddinesscameoverme;theearthyawnedatmyfeet，andthehousesthreatenedtofallinoneverysideofme。HowdistinctlyIrememberthatmomentarysenseofconfusionwheneverythingintheworldseemedtopplingoverintoruins。
AsIhaveremarked，myloveforNellyisathingofthepast。IhadnotthoughtofherforyearsuntilIsatdowntowritethischapter，andyet，nowthatallissaidanddone，Ishouldn’tcareparticularlytocomeacrossMrs。Waldron’seldestboyinmyafternoon’swalk。Hemustbefourteenorfifteenyearsoldbythistime—theyoungvillain！
ChapterNineteenIBecomeABlightedBeingWhenayoungboygetstobeanoldboy，whenthehairisgrowingratherthinonthetopoftheoldboy’shead，andhehasbeentamedsufficientlytotakeasortofchastenedpleasureinallowingthebabytoplaywithhiswatch—seals—when，Isay，anoldboyhasreachedthisstageinthejourneyoflife，heissometimesapttoindulgeinsportiveremarksconcerninghisfirstlove。
Now，thoughIblessmystarsthatitwasn’tinmypowertomarryMissNelly，Iamnotgoingtodenymyboyishregardforhernorlaughatit。Aslongasitlasteditwasaverysincereandunselfishlove，andrenderedmeproportionatelywretched。Isayaslongasitlasted，forone’sfirstlovedoesn’tlastforever。
Iamready，however，tolaughattheamusingfigureIcutafterIhadreallyceasedtohaveanydeepfeelinginthematter。ItwasthenItookitintomyheadtobeaBlightedBeing。ThiswasabouttwoweeksafterthespectralappearanceofMr。Waldron。
Foraboyofanaturallyvivaciousdispositionthepartofablightedbeingpresenteddifficulties。Ihadanexcellentappetite，Ilikedsociety，I
likedout—of—doorsports，Iwasfondofhandsomeclothes。NowallthesethingswereincompatiblewiththedolefulcharacterIwastoassume，andI
proceededtocastthemfromme。Ineglectedmyhair。Iavoidedmyplaymates。Ifrownedabstractedly。Ididn’teatasmuchaswasgoodforme。
Itooklonelywalks。1broodedinsolitude。InotonlycommittedtomemorythemoreturgidpoemsofthelateLordByron—"Faretheewell，andifforever，"&c。—butIbecameadespondentpoetonmyownaccount，andcomposedastringof"StanzastoOnewhowillunderstandthem。"1thinkI
wasatrifletoohopefulonthatpoint;forIcameacrosstheversesseveralyearsafterwards，andwasquiteunabletounderstandthemmyself。
Itwasagreatcomforttobesoperfectlymiserableandyetnotsufferany。
IusedtolookintheglassandgloatovertheamountandvarietyofmournfulexpressionIcouldthrowintomyfeatures。IfIcaughtmyselfsmilingatanything，Icutthesmileshortwithasigh。Theoddestthingaboutallthisis，IneveroncesuspectedthatIwasnotunhappy。Noone，notevenPepperWhitcomb，wasmoredeceivedthanI。
AmongtheminorpleasuresofbeingblightedweretheinterestandperplexityIexcitedinthesimplesoulsthatwerethrownindailycontactwithme。
Pepperespecially。Inearlydrovehimintoacorrespondingstateofmind。
IhadfromtimetotimegivenPepperslightbutimpressivehintsofmyadmirationforSomeOne（thiswasintheearlypartofMissGlentworth’svisit）;Ihadalsoledhimtoinferthatmyadmirationwasnotaltogetherinvain。Hewasthereforeunabletoexplainthecauseofmystrangebehavior，forIhadcarefullyrefrainedfrommentioningtoPepperthefactthatSomeOnehadturnedouttobeAnother’s。
ItreatedPeppershabbily。Icouldn’tresistplayingonhistendererfeelings。Hewasaboybubblingoverwithsympathyforanyoneinanykindoftrouble。OurintimacysinceBinnyWallace’sdeathhadbeenuninterrupted;butnowImovedinasphereapart，nottobeprofanedbythestepofanoutsider。
Inolongerjoinedtheboysontheplaygroundatrecess。Istayedatmydeskreadingsomelugubriousvolume—usuallyTheMysteriesofUdolpho，bytheamiableMrs。Radcliffe。AtranslationofTheSorrowsofWerterfellintomyhandsatthisperiod，andifIcouldhavecommittedsuicidewithoutkillingmyself，Ishouldcertainlyhavedoneso。
Onhalf—holidays，insteadoffraternizingwithPepperandtherestofourclique，IwouldwanderoffalonetoGravePoint。
GravePoint—theplacewhereBinnyWallace’sbodycameashore—wasanarrowstripoflandrunningoutintotheriver。AlineofLombardypoplars，stiffandsevere，likearowofgrenadiers，mountedguardonthewater—side。Ontheextremeendofthepeninsulawasanolddisusedgraveyard，tenantedprincipallybytheearlysettlerswhohadbeenscalpedbytheIndians。Inaremotecornerofthecemetery，setapartfromtheothermounds，wasthegraveofawomanwhohadbeenhangedintheoldcolonialtimesforthemurderofherinfant。GoodwifePollyHaineshaddeniedthecrimetothelast，andafterherdeaththerehadarisenstrongdoubtsastoheractualguilt。Itwasabeliefcurrentamongtheladsofthetown，thatifyouwenttothisgraveatnightfallonthe10thofNovember—theanniversaryofherexecution—andasked，"Forwhatdidthemagistrateshangyou？"avoicewouldreply，"Nothing。"
ManyaRivermouthboyhastremblinglyputthisquestioninthedark，and，sureenough，PollyHainesinvariablyanswerednothing！
Alowred—brickwall，brokendowninmanyplacesandfrostedoverwithsilverymoss，surroundedthisburial—groundofourPilgrimFathersandtheirimmediatedescendants。Thelatestdateonanyoftheheadstoneswas1780。Acropofveryfunnyepitaphssprunguphereandthereamongtheovergrownthistlesandburdocks，andalmosteverytablethadadeath’s—headwithcross—bonesengraveduponit，orelseapuffyroundfacewithapairofwingsstretchingoutfromtheears，likethis：
CherubGraphicThesemortuaryemblemsfurnishedmewithcongenialfoodforreflection。I
usedtolieinthelonggrass，andspeculateontheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofbeingacherub。
IforgetwhatIthoughttheadvantageswere，butIrememberdistinctlyofgettingintoaninextricabletangleontwopoints：Howcouldacherub，beingallheadandwings，managetositdownwhenhewastired？Tohavetositdownonthebackofhisheadstruckmeasanawkwardalternative。
Again：Wheredidacherubcarrythoseindispensablearticles（suchasjack—knives，marbles，andpiecesoftwine）whichboysinanearthlystateofexistenceusuallystowawayintheirtrousers—pockets？
Thesewereknottyquestions，andIwasneverabletodisposeofthemsatisfactorily。
MeanwhilePepperWhitcombwouldscourthewholetowninsearchofme。Hefinallydiscoveredmyretreat，anddroppedinonmeabruptlyoneafternoon，whileIwasdeepinthecherubproblem。
"Lookhere，TomBailey！"saidPepper，shyingapieceofclam—shellindignantlyatthefilejacetonaneighboringgravestone。"Youarejustgoingtothedogs！Can’tyoutellafellowwhatinthunderailsyou，insteadofprowlingroundamongthetombslikeajollyoldvampire？"
"Pepper，"Ireplied，solemnly，"don’taskme。Allisnotwellhere"—touchingmybreastmysteriously。IfIhadtouchedmyheadinstead，Ishouldhavebeennearerthemark。
Pepperstaredatme。
"Earthlyhappiness，"Icontinued，"isadelusionandasnare。Youwillneverbehappy，Pepper，untilyouareacherub。"
Pepper，bytheby，wouldhavemadeanexcellentcherub，hewassochubby。
Havingdeliveredmyselfofthesegloomyremarks，Iaroselanguidlyfromthegrassandmovedaway，leavingPepperstaringaftermeinmuteastonishment。
IwasHamletandWerterandthelateLordByronallinone。
Youwillaskwhatmypurposewasincultivatingthisfactitiousdespondency。
Nonewhatever。Blightedbeingsneverhaveanypurposeinlifeexceptingtobeasblightedaspossible。
OfcoursemypresentlineofbusinesscouldnotlongescapetheeyeofCaptainNutter。Idon’tknowiftheCaptainsuspectedmyattachmentforMissGlentworth。Heneveralludedtoit;buthewatchedme。MissAbigailwatchedme，KittyCollinswatchedme，andSailorBenwatchedme。
"Ican’tmakeouthissignals，"IoverheardtheAdmiralremarktomygrandfatheroneday。"Ihopeheain’tgotnokindofsicknessaboard。"
Therewassomethingsingularlyagreeableinbeinganobjectofsogreatinterest。SometimesIhadallIcoulddotopreservemydejectedaspect，itwassopleasanttobemiserable。Iinclinetotheopinionthatpeoplewhoaremelancholywithoutanyparticularreason，suchaspoets，artists，andyoungmusicianswithlonghair，haveratheranenviabletimeofit。InaquietwayIneverenjoyedmyselfbetterinmylifethanwhenIwasaBlightedBeing。
ChapterTwentyInWhichIProveMyselfToBetheGrandsonofMyGrandfatherItwasnotpossibleforaboyofmytemperamenttobeablightedbeinglongerthanthreeconsecutiveweeks。
Iwasgraduallyemergingfrommyself—imposedcloudwheneventstookplacethatgreatlyassistedinrestoringmetoamorenaturalframeofmind。I
awokefromanimaginarytroubletofacearealone。
Isupposeyoudon’tknowwhatafinancialcrisisis？Iwillgiveyouanillustration。
Youaredeeplyindebt—saytotheamountofaquarterofadollar—tothelittleknicknackshoproundthecorner，wheretheysellpicture—papers，spruce—gum，needles，andMalagaraisins。Aboyowesyouaquarterofadollar，whichhepromisestopayatacertaintime。Youaredependingonthisquartertosettleaccountswiththesmallshop—keeper。Thetimearrives—andthequarterdoesn’t。That’safinancialcrisis，inonesense—twenty—fivesenses，ifImaysayso。
Whenthissamethinghappens，onagranderscale，inthemercantileworld，itproduceswhatiscalledapanic。Oneman’sinabilitytopayhisdebtsruinsanotherman，who，inturn，ruinssomeoneelse，andsoon，untilfailureafterfailuremakeseventherichestcapitaliststremble。Publicconfidenceissuspended，andthesmallerfryofmerchantsareknockedoverliketenpins。
Thesecommercialpanicsoccurperiodically，afterthefashionofcometsandearthquakesandotherdisagreeablethings。
SuchapanictookplaceinNewOrleansintheyear18—，andmyfather’sbanking—housewenttopiecesinthecrash。
Ofacomparativelylargefortunenothingremainedafterpayinghisdebtsexceptingafewthousanddollars，withwhichheproposedtoreturnNorthandembarkinsomelesshazardousenterprise。InthemeantimeitwasnecessaryforhimtostayinNewOrleanstowindupthebusiness。
Mygrandfatherwasinsomewayinvolvedinthisfailure，andlost，Ifancy，aconsiderablesumofmoney;buthenevertalkedmuchonthesubject。Hewasanunflinchingbelieverinthespilt—milkproverb。
"Itcan’tbegatheredup，"hewouldsay，"andit’snousecryingoverit。
Pitchintothecowandgetsomemoremilk，ismymotto。"
Thesuspensionofthebanking—housewasbadenough，buttherewasanattendingcircumstancethatgaveus，atRivermouth，agreatdealmoreanxiety。Thecholera，whichsomeonepredictedwouldvisitthecountrythatyear，andwhich，indeed，hadmadeitsappearanceinamildformatseveralpointsalongtheMississippiRiver，hadbrokenoutwithmuchviolenceatNewOrleans。
Thereportthatfirstreachedusthroughthenewspaperswasmeagreandcontradictory;manypeoplediscreditedit;butaletterfrommymotherleftusnoroomfordoubt。Thesicknesswasinthecity。Thehospitalswerefillingup，andhundredsofthecitizenswereflyingfromthestrickenplacebyeverysteamboat。Theunsettledstateofmyfather’saffairsmadeitimperativeforhimtoremainathispost;hisdesertionatthatmomentwouldhavebeenatthesacrificeofallhehadsavedfromthegeneralwreck。
AshewouldbedetainedinNewOrleansatleastthreemonths，mymotherdeclinedtocomeNorthwithouthim。
AfterthisweawaitedwithfeverishimpatiencetheweeklynewsthatcametousfromtheSouth。Thenextletteradvisedusthatmyparentswerewell，andthatthesickness，sofar，hadnotpenetratedtothefaubourg，ordistrict，wheretheylived。Thefollowingweekbroughtlesscheeringtidings。Myfather’sbusiness，inconsequenceoftheflightoftheotherpartners，wouldkeephiminthecitybeyondtheperiodhehadmentioned。
ThefamilyhadmovedtoPassChristian，afavoritewatering—placeonLakePontchartrain，nearNewOrleans，wherehewasabletospendpartofeachweek。SothereturnNorthwaspostponedindefinitely。
Itwasnowthattheoldlongingtoseemyparentscamebacktomewithirresistibleforce。IknewmygrandfatherwouldnotlistentotheideaofmygoingtoNewOrleansatsuchadangeroustime，sincehehadopposedthejourneysostronglywhenthesameobjectiondidnotexist。ButIdeterminedtogonevertheless。
IthinkIhavementionedthefactthatallthemalemembersofourfamily，onmyfather’sside—asfarbackastheMiddleAges—haveexhibitedinearlyyouthadecidedtalentforrunningaway。Itwasanhereditarytalent。Itraninthebloodtorunaway。Idonotpretendtoexplainthepeculiarity。
Isimplyadmitit。
Itwasnotmyfatetochangetheprescribedorderofthings。I，too，wastorunaway，therebyproving，ifanyproofwereneeded，thatIwasthegrandsonofmygrandfather。IdonotholdmyselfresponsibleforthestepanymorethanIdofortheshapeofmynose，whichissaidtobeafacsimileofCaptainNutter’s。
Ihavefrequentlynoticedhowcircumstancesconspiretohelpaman，oraboy，whenhehasthoroughlyresolvedondoingathing。ThatveryweektheRivermouthBarnacleprintedanadvertisementthatseemedtohavebeenwrittenonpurposeforme。Itreadasfollows：
WANTED。AFewAble—bodiedSeamenandaCabin—Boy，fortheshipRawlings，nowloadingforNewOrleansatJohnson’sWharf，Boston。Applyinperson，withinfourdays，attheofficeofMessrs。—&Co。，oronboardtheShip。
HowIwastogettoNewOrleanswithonly$4。62wasaquestionthathadbeenbotheringme。Thisadvertisementmadeitasclearasday。Iwouldgoascabin—boy。
IhadtakenPepperintomyconfidenceagain;IhadtoldhimthestoryofmyloveforMissGlentworth，withallitsharrowingdetails;andnowconceiveditjudicioustoconfideinhimthechangeabouttotakeplaceinmylife，sothat，iftheRawlingswentdowninagale，myfriendsmighthavethelimitedsatisfactionofknowingwhathadbecomeofme。
Peppershookhisheaddiscouragingly，andsoughtineverywaytodissuademefromthestep。Hedrewadisenchantingpictureoftheexistenceofacabin—boy，whoseconstantduty（accordingtoPepper）wastohavedishesbrokenoverhisheadwheneverthecaptainorthematechancedtobeoutofhumor，whichwasmostlyallthetime。ButnothingPeppersaidcouldturnmeahair’s—breadthfrommypurpose。
Ihadlittletimetospare，fortheadvertisementstatedexplicitlythatapplicationsweretobemadeinpersonwithinfourdays。Itrembledtothinkofthebarepossibilityofsomeotherboysnappingupthatdesirablesituation。
ItwasonMondaythatIstumbledupontheadvertisement。OnTuesdaymypreparationswerecompleted。Mybaggage—consistingoffourshirts，halfadozencollars，apieceofshoemaker’swax，（Heavenknowswhatfor！）andsevenstockings，wrappedinasilkhandkerchief—layhiddenunderalooseplankofthestablefloor。Thiswasmypointofdeparture。
MyplanwastotakethelasttrainforBoston，inordertopreventthepossibilityofimmediatepursuit，ifanyshouldbeattempted。Thetrainleftat4P。M。
Iatenobreakfastandlittledinnerthatday。IavoidedtheCaptain’seye，andwouldn’thavelookedMissAbigailorKittyinthefaceforthewealthoftheIndies。
WhenitwastimetostartforthestationIretiredquietlytothestableanduncoveredmybundle。IlingeredamomenttokissthewhitestaronGypsy’sforehead，andwasnearlyunmannedwhenthelittleanimalreturnedthecaressbylappingmycheek。TwiceIwentbackandpattedher。
OnreachingthestationIpurchasedmyticketwithabravadoairthatoughttohavearousedthesuspicionoftheticket—master，andhurriedtothecar，whereIsatfidgetinguntilthetrainshotoutintothebroaddaylight。
ThenIdrewalongbreathandlookedaboutme。ThefirstobjectthatsalutedmysightwasSailorBen，fourorfiveseatsbehindme，readingtheRivermouthBarnacle！
ReadingwasnotaneasyarttoSailorBen;hegrappledwiththesenseofaparagraphasifitwereapolar—bear，andgenerallygottheworstofit。Onthepresentoccasionhewashavingahardstruggle，judgingbythewayheworkedhismouthandrolledhiseyes。Hehadevidentlynotseenme。ButwhatwashedoingontheBostontrain？
Withoutlingeringtosolvethequestion，Istolegentlyfrommyseatandpassedintotheforwardcar。
Thiswasveryawkward，havingtheAdmiralonboard。Icouldn’tunderstanditatall。Coulditbepossiblethattheoldboyhadgottiredoflandandwasrunningawaytoseahimself？Thatwastooabsurd。Iglancednervouslytowardsthecardoornowandthen，halfexpectingtoseehimcomeafterme。
Wehadpassedoneortwoway—stations，andIhadquieteddownagooddeal，whenIbegantofeelasifsomebodywaslookingsteadilyatthebackofmyhead。Iturnedroundinvoluntarily，andtherewasSailorBenagain，atthefartherendofthecar，wrestlingwiththeRivermouthBarnacleasbefore。
Ibegantogrowveryuncomfortableindeed。Wasitbydesignorchancethathethusdoggedmysteps？Ifhewasawareofmypresence，whydidn’thespeaktomeatonce？’Whydidhestealround，makingnosign，likeaparticularlyunpleasantphantom？Maybeitwasn’tSailorBen。Ipeepedathimslyly。Therewasnomistakingthattanned，genialphizofhis。Veryoddhedidn’tseeme！
Literature，eveninthemildformofacountrynewspaper，alwayshadtheeffectofpoppiesontheAdmiral。’WhenIstoleanotherglanceinhisdirectionhishatwastiltedoverhisrighteyeinthemostdissolutestyle，andtheRivermouthBarnaclelayinaconfusedheapbesidehim。Hehadsuccumbed。Hewasfastasleep。Ifhewouldonlykeepasleepuntilwereachedourdestination！
ByandbyIdiscoveredthattherearcarhadbeendetachedfromthetrainatthelaststopping—place。ThisaccountedsatisfactorilyforSailorBen’ssingularmovements，andconsiderablycalmedmyfears。Nevertheless，Ididnotliketheaspectofthings。
TheAdmiralcontinuedtosnoozelikeagoodfellow，andwassnoringmelodiouslyasweglidedataslackenedpaceoverabridgeandintoBoston。
Igraspedmypilgrim’sbundle，and，hurryingoutofthecar，dashedupthefirststreetthatpresenteditself。
Itwasanarrow，noisy，zigzagstreet，crowdedwithtrucksandobstructedwithbalesandboxesofmerchandise。Ididn’tpausetobreatheuntilIhadplacedarespectabledistancebetweenmeandtherailwaystation。Bythistimeitwasnearlytwilight。
Ihadgotintotheregionofdwelling—houses，andwasabouttoseatmyselfonadoorsteptorest，when，lo！therewastheAdmiraltrundlingalongontheoppositesidewalk，underafullspreadofcanvas，ashewouldhaveexpressedit。
Iwasoffagaininaninstantatarapidpace;butinspiteofallIcoulddoheheldhisownwithoutanyperceptibleexertion。Hehadaveryuglygaittogetawayfrom，theAdmiral。Ididn’tdaretorun，forfearofbeingmistakenforathief，asuspicionwhichmybundlewouldnaturallylendcolorto。
Ipushedahead，however，atabrisktrot，andmusthavegotoveroneortwomiles—mypursuerneithergainingnorlosingground—whenIconcludedtosurrenderatdiscretion。IsawthatSailorBenwasdeterminedtohaveme，and，knowingmyman，Iknewthatescapewashighlyimprobable。
SoIturnedroundandwaitedforhimtocatchupwithme，whichhedidinafewseconds，lookingrathersheepishatfirst。
"SailorBen，"saidI，severely，"doIunderstandthatyouaredoggingmysteps？"
"’Well，littlemess—mate，"repliedtheAdmiral，rubbinghisnose，whichhealwaysdidwhenhewasdisconcerted，"Iamkindo’followin’inyourwake。"
"Underorders？"
"Underorders。"
"UndertheCaptain’sorders？"
"Sure—ly。"
"Inotherwords，mygrandfatherhassentyoutofetchmebacktoRivermouth？"
"That’saboutit，"saidtheAdmiral，withaburstoffrankness。
"AndImustgowithyouwhetherIwanttoornot？"
"TheCapen’sveryidenticalwords！"
Therewasnothingtobedone。Ibitmylipswithsuppressedanger，andsignifiedthatIwasathisdisposal，sinceIcouldn’thelpit。TheimpressionwasverystronginmymindthattheAdmiralwouldn’thesitatetoputmeinironsifIshowedsignsofmutiny。
ItwastoolatetoreturntoRivermouththatnight—afactwhichI
communicatedtotheoldboysullenly，inquiringatthesametimewhatheproposedtodoaboutit。
Hesaidwewouldcruiseaboutforsomerations，andthenmakeanightofit。
Ididn’tcondescendtoreply，thoughIhailedthesuggestionofsomethingtoeatwithinwardenthusiasm，forIhadnottakenenoughfoodthatdaytokeeplifeinacanary。
’Wewanderedbacktotherailwaystation，inthewaitingroomofwhichwasakindofrestaurantpresidedoverbyasevere—lookingyounglady。Herewehadacupofcoffeeapiece，severaltoughdoughnuts，andsomeblocksofvenerablespongecake。Theyoungladywhoattendedonus，whateverheragewasthen，musthavebeenamerechildwhenthatsponge—cakewasmade。
TheAdmiral’sacquaintancewithBostonhotelswasslight;butheknewofaquietlodging—housenearby，muchpatronizedbysea—captains，aridkeptbyaformerfriendofhis。
Inthishouse，whichhadseenitsbestdays，wewereaccommodatedwithamouldychambercontainingtwocot—beds，twochairs，andacrackedpitcheronawashstand。Themantel—shelfwasornamentedwiththreebigpinkconch—shells，resemblingpiecesofpetrifiedliver;andoverthesehungacheapluridprint，inwhichaUnitedStatessloop—of—warwasgivingaBritishfrigateparticularfits。Itisverystrangehowourownshipsneverseemtosufferanyintheseterribleengagements。Itshowswhatanationweare。
Anoil—lamponadeal—tablecastadismalglareovertheapartment，whichwascheerlessintheextreme。Ithoughtofoursitting—roomathome，withitsflowerywall—paperandgaycurtainsandsoftlounges;IsawMajorElkanahNutter（mygrandfather’sfather）inpowderedwigandFederaluniform，lookingdownbenevolentlyfromhisgiltframebetweenthebookcases;IpicturedtheCaptainandMissAbigailsittingatthecoseyroundtableinthemoon—likeglowoftheastrallamp;andthenIfelltowonderinghowtheywouldreceivemewhen1cameback。IwonderediftheProdigalSonhadanyideathathisfatherwasgoingtokillthefattedcalfforhim，andhowhefeltaboutit，onthewhole。
ThoughIwasverylowinspirits，IputonaboldfronttoSailorBen，youwillunderstand。Tobecaughtandcagedinthismannerwasafrightfulshocktomyvanity。Hetriedtodrawmeintoconversation;butIansweredinicymonosyllables。Heagainsuggestedweshouldmakeanightofit，andhintedbroadlythathewasgameforanyamountofriotousdissipation，eventotheextentofgoingtoseeaplayifIwantedto。Ideclinedhaughtily。
Iwasdyingtogo。
Hethenthrewoutafeeleronthesubjectofdominosandcheckers，andobservedinageneralwaythat"sevenup"wasacapitalgame;butI
repulsedhimateverypoint。
IsawthattheAdmiralwasbeginningtofeelhurtbymysystematiccoldness。
’Wehadalwaysbeensuchheartyfriendsuntilnow。Itwastoobadofmetofretthattender，honestoldheartevenforanhour。Ireallydidlovetheancientboy，andwhen，inadisconsolateway，heorderedupapitcherofbeer，Iunbentsofarastopartakeofsomeinateacup。Herecoveredhisspiritsinstantly，andtookouthiscuddyclaypipeforasmoke。
Betweenthebeerandthesoothingfragranceofthenavy—plug，Ifellintoapleasantermoodmyself，and，itbeingtoolatenowtogotothetheatre，I
condescendedtosay—addressingthenorthwestcorneroftheceiling—that"sevenup"wasacapitalgame。UponthishinttheAdmiraldisappeared，andreturnedshortlywithaverydirtypackofcards。
Asweplayed，withvaryingfortunes，bytheflickeringflameofthelamp，hesippedhisbeerandbecamecommunicative。HeseemedimmenselytickledbythefactthatIhadcometoBoston。ItleakedoutpresentlythatheandtheCaptainhadhadawageronthesubject。
ThediscoveryofmyplansandwhohaddiscoveredthemwerepointsonwhichtheAdmiralrefusedtothrowanylight。Theyhadbeendiscovered，however，andtheCaptainhadlaughedattheideaofmyrunningaway。SailorBen，onthecontrary，hadstoutlycontendedthatImeanttoslipcableandbeoff。
WhereupontheCaptainofferedtobethimadollarthatIwouldn’tgo。AnditwaspartlyonaccountofthiswagerthatSailorBenrefrainedfromcapturingmewhenhemighthavedonesoatthestart。
Now，asthefaretoandfromBoston，withthelodgingexpenses，wouldcosthimatleastfivedollars，Ididn’tseewhathegainedbywinningthewager。TheAdmiralrubbedhisnoseviolentlywhenthisviewofthecasepresenteditself。
Iaskedhimwhyhedidn’ttakemefromthetrainatthefirststopping—placeandreturntoRivermouthbythedowntrainat4。30。HeexplainedhavingpurchasedaticketforBoston，heconsideredhimselfboundtotheowners（thestockholdersoftheroad）tofulfilhispartofthecontract！Tousehisownwords，hehad"shippedfortheviage。"
Thisstruckmeasbeingsodeliciouslyfunny，thatafterIwasinbedandthelightwasout，Icouldn’thelplaughingaloudonceortwice。IsupposetheAdmiralmusthavethoughtIwasmeditatinganotherescape，forhemadeperiodicalvisitstomybedthroughoutthenight，satisfyinghimselfbykneadingmealloverthatIhadn’tevaporated。
Iwasalltherethenextmorning，whenSailorBenhalfawakenedmebyshoutingmerrily，"Allhandsondeck！"Thewordsranginmyearslikeapartofmyowndream，forIwasatthatinstantclimbingupthesideoftheRawlingstooffermyselfascabin—boy。
TheAdmiralwasobligedtoshakemeroughlytwoorthreetimesbeforehecoulddetachmefromthedream。Iopenedmyeyeswitheffort，andstaredstupidlyroundtheroom。Bitbybitmyrealsituationdawnedonme。’Whatasickeningsensationthatis，whenoneisintrouble，towakeupfeelingfreeforamoment，andthentofindyesterday’ssorrowallreadytogoonagain！
"’Well，littlemessmate，howfaresit？"
Iwastoomuchdepressedtoreply。ThethoughtofreturningtoRivermouthchilledme。HowcouldIfaceCaptainNutter，tosaynothingofMissAbigailandKitty？HowtheTempleGrammarSchoolboyswouldlookatme！HowConwayandSethRodgerswouldexultovermymortification！AndwhatiftheRev。
’WibirdHawkinsshouldalludetomeinhisnextSunday’ssermon？
SailorBenwaswiseinkeepinganeyeonme，forafterthesethoughtstookpossessionofmymind，Iwantedonlytheopportunitytogivehimtheslip。
Thekeeperofthelodgingsdidnotsupplymealstohisguests;sowebreakfastedatasmallchophouseinacrookedstreetonourwaytothecars。Thecitywasnotastiryet，andlookedglumandcareworninthedampmorningatmosphere。
Hereandthereaswepassedalongwasasharp—facedshop—boytakingdownshutters;andnowandthenwemetaseedymanwhohadevidentlyspentthenightinadoorway。Suchearlybirdsandafewlaborerswiththeirtinkettlesweretheonlysignsoflifetobeseenuntilwecametothestation，whereIinsistedonpayingformyownticket。Ididn’trelishbeingconveyedfromplacetoplace，likeafelonchangingprisons，atsomebodyelse’sexpense。
OnenteringthecarIsunkintoaseatnextthewindow，andSailorBendepositedhimselfbesideme，cuttingoffallchanceofescape。
Thecarfilledupsoonafterthis，andIwonderediftherewasanythinginmymienthatwouldleadtheotherpassengerstosuspectIwasaboywhohadrunawayandwasbeingbroughtback。
Amaninfrontofus—hewasnear—sighted，asIdiscoveredlaterbyhisreadingaguide—bookwithhisnose—broughtthebloodtomycheeksbyturningroundandpeeringatmesteadily。Irubbedaclearspotonthecloudywindow—glassatmyelbow，andlookedouttoavoidhim。
There，inthetravellers’room，wasthesevere—lookingyoungladypilingupherblocksofsponge—cakeinalluringpyramidsandindustriouslyintrenchingherselfbehindabreastworkofsquash—pie。Isawwithcynicalpleasurenumerousvictimswalkuptothecounterandrecklesslysowtheseedsofdeathintheirconstitutionsbyeatingherdoughnuts。Ihadgotquiteinterestedinher，whenthewhistlesoundedandthetrainbegantomove。
TheAdmiralandIdidnottalkmuchonthejourney。Istaredoutofthewindowmostofthetime，speculatingastotheprobablenatureofthereceptioninstoreformeattheterminusoftheroad。
’WhatwouldtheCaptainsay？andMr。Grimshaw，whatwouldhedoaboutit？
ThenIthoughtofPepperWhitcomb。DirewasthevengeanceImeanttowreakonPepper，forwhobuthehadbetrayedme？Pepperalonehadbeentherepositoryofmysecret—perfidiousPepper！
Asweleftstationafterstationbehindus，Ifeltlessandlesslikeencounteringthemembersofourfamily。SailorBenfathomedwhatwaspassinginmymind，forheleanedoverandsaid：
"Idon’tthinkastheCapenwillbeardownveryhardonyou。"
Butitwasn’tthat。Itwasn’tthefearofanyphysicalpunishmentthatmightbeinflicted;itwasasenseofmyownfollythatwascreepingoverme;forduringthelong，silentrideIhadexaminedmyconductfromeverystand—point，andtherewasnoviewIcouldtakeofmyselfinwhichIdidnotlooklikeaveryfoolishpersonindeed。
AswecamewithinsightofthespiresofRivermouth，Iwouldn’thavecarediftheuptrain，whichmetusoutsidethetown，hadrunintousandendedme。
Contrarytomyexpectationanddread，theCaptainwasnotvisiblewhenwesteppedfromthecars。SailorBenglancedamongthecrowdoffaces，apparentlylookingforhimtoo。Conwaywasthere—hewasalwayshangingaboutthestation—andifhehadintimatedinanywaythatheknewofmydisgraceandenjoyedit，Ishouldhavewalkedintohim，Iamcertain。
ButthisdefiantfeelingentirelydesertedmebythetimewereachedtheNutterHouse。TheCaptainhimselfopenedthedoor。
"Comeonboard，sir，"saidSailorBen，scrapinghisleftfootandtouchinghishatsea—fashion。
MygrandfathernoddedtoSailorBen，somewhatcoldlyIthought，andmuchtomyastonishmentkindlytookmebythehand。
Iwasunpreparedforthis，andthetears，whichnoamountofseveritywouldhavewrungfromme，welleduptomyeyes。
Theexpressionofmygrandfather’sface，asIglancedatithastily，wasgraveandgentle;therewasnothinginitofangerorreproof。Ifollowedhimintothesitting—room，and，obeyingamotionofhishand，seatedmyselfonthesofa。Heremainedstandingbytheroundtableforamoment，lostinthought，thenleanedoverandpickedupaletter。
Itwasaletterwithagreatblackseal。
ChapterTwenty—OneInWhichILeaveRivermouthAletterwithagreatblackseal！
IknewthenwhathadhappenedaswellasIknowitnow。Butwhichwasit，fatherormother？Idonotliketolookbacktotheagonyandsuspenseofthatmoment。
MyfatherhaddiedatNewOrleansduringoneofhisweeklyvisitstothecity。TheletterbearingthesetidingshadreachedRivermouththeeveningofmyflight—hadpassedmeontheroadbythedowntrain。
Imustturnbackforamomenttothateventfulevening。WhenIfailedtomakemyappearanceatsupper，theCaptainbegantosuspectthatIhadreallystartedonmywildtoursouthward—aconjecturewhichSailorBen’sabsencehelpedtoconfirm。IhadevidentlygotoffbythetrainandSailorBenhadfollowedme。
TherewasnotelegraphiccommunicationbetweenBostonandRivermouthinthosedays;somygrandfathercoulddonothingbutawaittheresult。EveniftherehadbeenanothermailtoBoston，hecouldnothaveavailedhimselfofit，notknowinghowtoaddressamessagetothefugitives。Thepost—officewasnaturallythelastplaceeitherIortheAdmiralwouldthinkofvisiting。
Mygrandfather，however，wastoofulloftroubletoallowthistoaddtohisdistress。Heknewthatthefaithfuloldsailorwouldnotletmecometoanyharm，andevenifIhadmanagedforthetimebeingtoeludehim，wassuretobringmebacksoonerorlater。
Ourreturn，therefore，bythefirsttrainonthefollowingdaydidnotsurprisehim。
Iwasgreatlypuzzled，asIhavesaid，bythegentlemannerofhisreception;butwhenwewerealonetogetherinthesitting—room，andhebeganslowlytounfoldtheletter，Iunderstooditall。Icaughtasightofmymother’shandwritinginthesuperscription，andtherewasnothinglefttotellme。
Mygrandfatherheldtheletterafewsecondsirresolutely，andthencommencedreadingitaloud;buthecouldgetnofurtherthanthedate。
"Ican’treadit，Tom，"saidtheoldgentleman，breakingdown。"IthoughtI
could。"
Hehandedittome。Itookthelettermechanically，andhurriedawaywithittomylittleroom，whereIhadpassedsomanyhappyhours。
Theweekthatfollowedthereceiptofthisletterisnearlyablankinmymemory。Irememberthatthedaysappearedendless;thatattimesIcouldnotrealizethemisfortunethathadbefallenus，andmyheartupbraidedmefornotfeelingadeepergrief;thatafullsenseofmylosswouldnowandthensweepovermelikeaninspiration，andIwouldstealawaytomychamberorwanderforlornlyaboutthegardens。Irememberthis，butlittlemore。
Asthedayswentbymyfirstgriefsubsided，andinitsplacegrewupawantwhichIhaveexperiencedateverystepinlifefromboyhoodtomanhood。
Often，evennow，afteralltheseyears，whenIseealadoftwelveorfourteenwalkingbyhisfather’sside，andglancingmerrilyupathisface，Iturnandlookafterthem，andamconsciousthatIhavemissedcompanionshipmostsweetandsacred。
Ishallnotdwellonthisportionofmystory。Thereweremanytranquil，pleasanthoursinstoreformeatthatperiod，andIprefertoturntothem。
OneeveningtheCaptaincamesmilingintothesitting—roomwithanopenletterinhishand。MymotherhadarrivedatNewYork，andwouldbewithusthenextday。Forthefirsttimeinweeks—years，itseemedtome—somethingoftheoldcheerfulnessmingledwithourconversationroundtheeveninglamp。IwastogotoBostonwiththeCaptaintomeetherandbringherhome。Ineednotdescribethatmeeting。Withmymother’shandinmineoncemore，allthelongyearswehadbeenpartedappearedlikeadream。Verydeartomewasthesightofthatslender，palewomanpassingfromroomtoroom，andlendingapatientgraceandbeautytothesaddenedlifeoftheoldhouse。
Everythingwaschangedwithusnow。Therewereconsultationswithlawyers，andsigningofpapers，andcorrespondence;formyfather’saffairshadbeenleftingreatconfusion。Andwhentheseweresettled，theeveningswerenotlongenoughforustohearallmymotherhadtotellofthescenesshehadpassedthroughintheill—fatedcity。
Thentherewereoldtimestotalkover，fullofreminiscencesofAuntChloeandlittleBlackSam。LittleBlackSam，bytheby，hadbeentakenbyhismasterfrommyfather’sservicetenmonthspreviously，andputonasugar—plantationnearBatonRouge。Notrelishingthechange，Samhadrunaway，andbysomemysteriousagencygotintoCanada，fromwhichplacehehadsentbackseveralindecorousmessagestohislateowner。AuntChloewasstillinNewOrleans，employedasnurseinoneofthecholerahospitalwards，andtheDesmoulins，nearneighborsofours，hadpurchasedtheprettystonehouseamongtheorange—trees。
Howallthesesimpledetailsinterestedmewillbereadilyunderstoodbyanyboywhohasbeenlongabsentfromhome。
Iwassorrywhenitbecamenecessarytodiscussquestionsmorenearlyaffectingmyself。Ihadbeenremovedfromschooltemporarily，butitwasdecided，aftermuchconsideration，thatIshouldnotreturn，thedecisionbeingleft，inamanner，inmyownhands。
TheCaptainwishedtocarryouthisson’sintentionandsendmetocollege，forwhichIwasnearlyfitted;butourmeansdidnotadmitofthis。TheCaptain，too，couldillaffordtobeartheexpense，forhislossesbythefailureoftheNewOrleansbusinesshadbeenheavy。Yetheinsistedontheplan，notseeingclearlywhatotherdisposaltomakeofme。
InthemidstofourdiscussionsalettercamefrommyUncleSnow，amerchantinNewYork，generouslyofferingmeaplaceinhiscounting—house。Thecaseresolveditselfintothis：IfIwenttocollege，IshouldhavetobedependentonCaptainNutterforseveralyears，andattheendofthecollegiatecoursewouldhavenosettledprofession。IfIacceptedmyuncle’soffer，Imighthopetoworkmywaytoindependencewithoutlossoftime。Itwashardtogiveupthelong—cherisheddreamofbeingaHarvardboy;butIgaveitup。
Thedecisiononcemade，itwasUncleSnow’swishthatIshouldenterhiscounting—houseimmediately。Thecauseofmygooduncle’shastewasthis—hewasafraidthatIwouldturnouttobeapoetbeforehecouldmakeamerchantofme。HisfearswerebaseduponthefactthatIhadpublishedintheRivermouthBarnaclesomeversesaddressedinafamiliarmanner"TotheMoon。"Now，theideaofaboy，withhislivingtoget，placinghimselfincommunicationwiththeMoon，struckthemercantilemindasmonstrous。Itwasnotonlyabadinvestment，itwaslunacy。
’WeadoptedUncleSnow’sviewssofarastoaccedetohispropositionforthwith。Mymother，Ineglectedtosay，wasalsotoresideinNewYork。
IshallnotdrawapictureofPepperWhitcomb’sdisgustwhenthenewswasimpartedtohim，norattempttopaintSailorBen’sdistressattheprospectoflosinghislittlemessmate。
IntheexcitementofpreparingforthejourneyIdidn’tfeelanyverydeepregretmyself。Butwhenthemomentcameforleaving，andIsawmysmalltrunklashedupbehindthecarriage，thenthepleasantnessoftheoldlifeandavaguedreadofthenewcameoverme，andamistfilledmyeyes，shuttingoutthegroupofschoolfellows，includingallthemembersoftheCentipedeClub，whohadcomedowntothehousetoseemeoff。
Asthecarriagesweptroundthecorner，IleanedoutofthewindowtotakealastlookatSailorBen’scottage，andtherewastheAdmiral’sflagflyingathalf—mast。
SoIleftRivermouth，littledreamingthatIwasnottoseetheoldplaceagainformanyandmanyayear。
ChapterTwenty—TwoExeuntOmnesWiththecloseofmyschool—daysatRivermouththismodestchronicleends。
ThenewlifeuponwhichIentered，thenewfriendsandfoesIencounteredontheroad，andwhatIdidandwhatIdidnot，aremattersthatdonotcomewithinthescopeofthesepages。ButbeforeIwriteFinistotherecordasitstands，beforeIleaveit—feelingasifIwereoncemoregoingawayfrommyboyhood—Ihaveawordortwotosayconcerningafewofthepersonageswhohavefiguredinthestory，ifyouwillallowmetocallGypsyapersonage。
Iamsurethatthereaderwhohasfollowedmethusfarwillbewillingtohearwhatbecameofher，andSailorBenandMissAbigailandtheCaptain。
FirstaboutGypsy。AmonthaftermydeparturefromRivemouththeCaptaininformedmebyletterthathehadpartedwiththelittlemare，accordingtoagreement。Shehadbeensoldtothering—masterofatravellingcircus（I
hadstipulatedonthisdisposalofher），andwasabouttosetoutonhertravels。Shedidnotdisappointmyglowinganticipations，butbecamequiteacelebrityinherway—bydancingthepolkatoslowmusiconapine—boardball—roomconstructedforthepurpose。
Ichancedonce，alongwhileafterwards，tobeinacountrytownwherehertroupewasgivingexhibitions;Ievenreadthegaudilyilluminedshow—bill，settingforththeaccomplishmentsofZuleika，thefamedArabianTrickPony—butIfailedtorecognizemydearlittleMustanggirlbehindthosehigh—soundingtitles，andso，alas，didnotattendtheperformance！Ihopeallthepraisesshereceivedandallthespangledtrappingssheworedidnotspoilher;butIamafraidtheydid，forshewasalwaysovermuchgiventothevanitiesofthisworld！
MissAbigailregulatedthedomesticdestiniesofmygrandfather’shouseholduntilthedayofherdeath，whichDr。TheophilusTredicksolemnlyaverredwashastenedbytheinveteratehabitshehadcontractedofswallowingunknownquantitiesofhot—dropswhenevershefanciedherselfoutofsorts。
Eighty—sevenemptyphialswerefoundinabonnet—boxonashelfinherbedroomcloset。
TheoldhousebecameverylonelywhenthefamilygotreducedtoCaptainNutterandKitty;andwhenKittypassedaway，mygrandfatherdividedhistimebetweenRivermouthandNewYork。
SailorBendidnotlongsurvivehislittleIrishlass，ashealwaysfondlycalledher。Athisdemise，whichtookplaceaboutsixyearssince，helefthispropertyintrusttothemanagersofa"HomeforAgedMariners。"Inhiswill，whichwasaverywhimsicaldocument—writtenbyhimself，andwordedwithmuchshrewdness，too—hewarnedtheTrusteesthatwhenhegot"aloft"
heintendedtokeephis"weathereye"onthem，andshouldsend"asperitualshotacrosstheirbows"andbringthemto，iftheydidn’ttreattheAgedMarinershandsomely。
Healsoexpressedawishtohavehisbodystitchedupinashottedhammockanddroppedintotheharbor;butashedidnotstrenuouslyinsistonthis，andasitwasnotinaccordancewithmygrandfather’spreconceivednotionsofChristianburial，theAdmiralwaslaidtorestbesideKitty，intheOldSouthBuryingGround，withananchorthatwouldhavedelightedhimneatlycarvedonhisheadstone。
Iamsorrythefirehasgoneoutintheoldship’sstoveinthatsky—bluecottageattheheadofthewharf;Iamsorrytheyhavetakendowntheflag—staffandpaintedoverthefunnyport—holes;forIlovedtheoldcabinasitwas。Theymighthaveletitalone！
ForseveralmonthsafterleavingRivermouthIcarriedonavoluminouscorrespondencewithPepperWhitcomb;butitgraduallydwindleddowntoasingleletteramonth，andthentononeatall。ButwhileheremainedattheTempleGrammarSchoolhekeptmeadvisedofthecurrentgossipofthetownandthedoingsoftheCentipedes。
Asonebyonetheboyslefttheacademy—Adams，Harris，Marden，Blake，andLangdon—toseektheirfortuneselsewhere，therewaslesstointerestmeintheoldseaport;andwhenPepperhimselfwenttoPhiladelphiatoreadlaw，Ihadnoonetogivemeaninklingofwhatwasgoingon。
Therewasn’tmuchtogoon，tobesure。Greateventsnolongerconsidereditworththeirwhiletohonorsoquietaplace。
OneFourthofJulytheTempleGrammarSchoolburntdown—setonfire，itwassupposed，byaneccentricsquibthatwasseentoboltintoanupperwindow—andMr。Grimshawretiredfrompubliclife，married，"andlivedhappilyeverafter，"asthestory—bookssay。
TheWidowConway，Iamabletostate，didnotsucceedinenslavingMr。
Meeks，theapothecary，whounitedhimselfclandestinelytooneofMissDorothyGibbs’syoungladies，andlostthepatronageofPrimroseHallinconsequence。
YoungConwaywentintothegrocerybusinesswithhisancientchum，Rodgers—RODGERS&CONWAY！IreadthesignonlylastsummerwhenIwasdowninRivermouth，andhadhalfamindtopopintotheshopandshakehandswithhim，andaskhimifhewantedtofight。Icontentedmyself，however，withflatteningmynoseagainsthisdingyshop—window，andbeheldConway，inredwhiskersandblueoveralls，weighingoutsugarforacustomer—givinghimshortweight，I’llbetanything！
Ihavereservedmypleasantestwordforthelast。ItistouchingtheCaptain。TheCaptainisstillhaleandrosy，andifhedoesn’trelatehisexploitintheWarof1812asspiritedlyasheusedto，hemakesupbyrelatingitmorefrequentlyandtellingitdifferentlyeverytime！HepasseshiswintersinNewYorkandhissummersintheNutterHouse，whichthreatenstoproveahardnutforthedestructivegentlemanwiththescytheandthehour—glass，fortheseawardgablehasnotyieldedaclapboardtotheeastwindthesetwentyyears。TheCaptainhasnowbecometheOldestInhabitantinRivermouth，andsoIdon’tlaughattheOldestInhabitantanymore，butprayinmyheartthathemayoccupythepostofhonorforhalfacenturytocome！
SoendstheStoryofaBadBoy—butnotsuchaverybadboy，asItoldyoutobeginwith。