I$  L    Q QU QPQQ0QQE ߭QJ QQPP mJ L LnL# Li Q9 Q8 : LW ` K ` 6 L; HJ JhU T T Y ݌Y &݌ & W`Hh݌`PPJ> J> ?9 `P7 XL;P6P:(  ] ( (8P&ݎ݌݈(`&%.0) 87. 7:8897 :_ `I8i8::8) & 9) &  :С;;8`&74>(**5$=&#=*+#=*<<.?<<*/<)'#07#024:):<*/<+ ='#07#0.<24: .=$=204=/#0/#0:'#07#0+ /!+!/!((?",<<&<28*4;(?049+? i#> ? i? ` Y d ` { `> ? `HH hLz hI` I ɠL `8`DOS.SYS Q8`; ; K : : S `; L+ H h`Sm= < `<  7Wｌɪɖ9*8-89M99 꽌ɪ`8`&(Mɪ󠩽IȄY  ȄY  `8`PP ^ *^ *`8&0iHh݌HhHh U ު0($ p,&"  ```PP@@L@P-)%.& fH qh݌`LELEP%'&) && f;؍<P7 X(;<Pf ^6F5 &56K7%(. X  !"#$%&'()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?= = J `Q H h`8` : ; : QȹQQ8`Q< = ; L{ ; i > Qi? 8 9 : HK - hePiPL L PM PL PQP`PSP`PP =P L` ȱL{ I ` DOS.SY}` }` '߮}  [  +`00000 FREE SECTORS yz} zy~鮵` <| 0}zy`H |{ h`ݿ`Oyy0"ݿmM~L}yݿ8`2 y{ 2e~~ |` } ~` 2e~~`9}:~`}~` L íL2y}~y`<` v` }{~| 5}H)* {h!}zȱ}y & +e}{~i| 5}I{{|!﮵`' } }` ` ܬ}}  H ܬ}yȱ}z3 [ yz hL í i ~i~`) @ :0 ` <3 í}Hȱ}H jhh`H jyz3 [ezyi íhLy ey`H ҭh{6|5z4yz3 fz {L)z{3Ͱ  L׫ `` ୽JJJJ7}8~H Bh8`l} í}i ~iHzy3 [ zy íhL) 뭝 ` j``&L۪%L!L#L$L LLJzy2 [ez yi L= z y2 f{)z yL=)yHzH hz8hyyz f{ K|(   L=L8)1` )+ `    `) 8 )) ; H``Ș30! jȹ ɪɿ}ɠ !`8` ̨ۿ ר ⨮ܿ`}~`} ` }  IL`` , ` )LJ) O L=) )L8LJ o}H h`H oh} )` }} i~` ) (` E`yeyy` ǧ` !` LH2Jh2,3 í}}8`}} E`i#i` 5 @` c`}~`}H0h}L]hIHh`ɪ `ɠ8`yyy i ``  LJJ 5}ȱ}!}ȱ} } H3 h)pJJJJ } w0nJJJ !X zy / í }}Ș8 Jezzyiy z8}yi ` ҭ}ȱ}L= _L8ۿ {Ld qLd Ld L_ )L_ )LX .)LZ )LZ 1)LZ  )LZ  LZ`H hH ݯh8` )8` 78` ݯ (L=L8h6ʈ6h6L|{l8|Il6w||||I`3 u莲|̲L| fL| 70 < P{{0 { { ` e )C) % zy2 [z y  ` Yv݇ LZ)` 0`L |#|| ) _|{zz6H 6ȵ6H 6 ]|z{6v`uv` ` v ۹ R Y R } Lb } YL^  YLb ۹ R Y } ۹Lbw}`Lu v}`vu` vwx` ) `LX }0`u vL^xw` !8 ںۺLXHۺH !`w:ȱw:L w)Ȍwه LZyzy{zȱzh L` ɹ v ۹ ¹}  Le }} ¹L^ ¹Lb ɹ  Lb ¹ } ۹LbL}w` )`LX}I}`u DEkPL" LD"a}stsL)LZ0 eHfH`ts8`͸͸͹['''0%yzy{ly} sHh`LyLZ s`  ڸL0LZH                (LT F B(()i))i)8)8"í)9"л8))))(`(L M!)?) M!) i)` M!) ) M!) i)` M!) ) ^!) i)` )) > . ))8` ȩ))L) 0 LN  (() $ $)  $ ' L4&(L]L /$&() ()UQ " # j$))((TQ %  % ' L4&(L] 0`(( (`( Э(L !LX(SD@RLL^ /$ E$) " # j$ $)  $ ' L4&( 'L4& /$()(( - ) " #)I))L) j$ $)  $ ' L4&(L] /$ E$ @! " #( ) _ L L )m(&(! ! %!(0-!!!!(!  !(8(ɐ !L (())˩/ $ (2 ( &(2ͩ"Ω L %!(0i6" A %! W"0W6" / %! Q"0E6"  %! K"036"  %! E"0!6" a"9" 8" S )L3 )  ( ((D' ( * (+ (, (Lq4 ( 5! ((D,(!12(DИ345Ž( &  ( ( &(!!! (LU(LU %!(0Z! < %!(0H!! )i F轊 0 (轊 (( _)(  (L  (L(i˭(i/̩˩ )  ( ( ( $ (% ( 5!SDRC (LC SDR((RI  ( (& ( ( ( 5!FM(((3 ()L)I) !)) ! .S ȭ) ') Ƚ') ȩ )))з )( * )L)8) 5!O) )ݭ) !D : ) ).)   ) G) ! Ld) () )) !)) )G) (((3 () !m)i %!( *Ld!ȹ %!( *Ld!! ! *Ld))m)) *Ld))C) ))8"9" !2"0 ȹ2" ) )L ( ( (  (  ( ( (! (" (# (0 (1 (5 ( )L  (- (. ( 5!YLN L  (1($/ ( 5! ( ())) )(Ld * Ld)ｌɪɖ9*8-89M99 꽌ɪ`8`&(Mɪ󠩽IȄYȄY`8`^*^*`LL( )((RQT   ;ͅ6:(  ] ( (8&ݎ݌݈(`&%.0) 87. 7:8897 :_ `I8i8::8) & ᶭ9) & :С;;8`&77Wp,&"  ```PP@@L@-)%.& fH qh݌`LELE%'&) && f;؍<7 X(;<񬁽f 6F5 &56K7%(. X7 XL  !"#$%&'()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?ު0($ | {`<`<` jȹ`ؿzٿyڿyzNؿٿezzڿeyyٿ.ڿؿ`3 [ )p ˱`JJJ ! `;L˱ )`0 =;z=s` L ݯ )L8L=yHzH;zy [3 fzi|yi{z y {|z8z hzhy`ؿ8ؿz|zy{yze||ye{{zؿy`  `;|{ `Jz&yL[`{HJ Fyfzf{LohF{ `ezzyiy` 8[ } ~ `6z2 [z [ }9~:`~8Mݿ` } ~2 ů`\ ҭy6z2 [zyz8` )p)Jyzyz I`08z{yzy [{  f{0J{ ҭ8ezye~~}{} A*Pv4V*94IYcnx/ SPEEDREAD+ COPYRIGHT (C) 1982 INET CORPORATION AND EAGLE SOFTWARE COMPANY. THIS DISKETTE IS LICENSED FOR USE ON A SINGLE SYSTEM ONLY AND INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY NOT BE COPIED OR COMMUN-i?j@?>>:62N !z!!B"" #n##$%%>&.&^''~())4**Z++,--9../ 1)2H3g45678:;N=>@@BCE2GHJLbOQETV)Y[ ^~`b g&kAo\sxw{ɃȥtX< 0V|P rvz~ĂΆ؊N': PRESS ANY KEY TO LOAD FROM DISKETTE: . . - . #-  2 C U f 5Xz&;Pey0H_v;Xt8TpP0hS HUM MALL FILENAME: READING SPEED (WPM): FL,ASH RATE: CURRENT WORD NUMBER: ONTINUE READING ESTART THE PROGRAM XIT ENTER STARTING WORD NUMBER, THEN PRESS 'RETUR LETTERS 32 LETTERS 38 LETTERS 18 LETTERS SELECT FLASH RA"+TE FROM 1 TO 200, THEN PRESS 'RETURN', 1 = SLOW, 200 = FAST: READ ERROR OPEN ERROR END OF TEXT REPEAT THIS TEXT? ES O ENTER SCREEN SIZE: ULL EDI) (L*0). ( 0`(0  `&*SELECT TEXT: SELECT PHRASE MODE: INGLE OUBLE ANDOM OLUMN SELECTION ERROR SELECT PHRASE WIDTH: 8 LETTERS 16 LETTERS 24PPP(@D:*.F?? 01020304050607080910111213141516PART 1 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP0  (L)/Np 0 Ɉ(( (  `(0((`((`  (`( ((¹M(ùN(ĠIɍ` ((  5!  P `/&*3*w**+_+j+u+++++,>,`,v,,,/ 0G**9++S*<0a00000 1_*k*+*+***++,"1<1, *Z1((((P!2"0(L& 2",(' ( ,)8")9" !(2"0(L/' 2">,(  ( >, ( ( ( 5!RLELCL 0`)F>SFW N#P`(D( (( &`(( &`:/ J% U% ) J%`. J% U&%`&(Dȭ( (&i(` + ( +(C( (L& ( "( "8"9" !(2"0(L& 2"+( ( +9"((8" #-L$#.#. J% m% %g%`ð8龪. J% U%`Ű8ê. J% U% U%`Ū. ) U% )`8` m%``)FSW N P8``8( .轩.L$U 8.L%i 8U/L,%s8i0/ J% U% U% U%`s :/ ) ,$ )½ N (`$.$-$.,$*+$+$.$.,$` ( L7$(`&()(( , `(`(JIim)Ii0  N  (() $`((  (` )L$/`8(ɾ& #-(Lz# ; 95ɀ1 #(8)(n5(g.)̍))((LM#  ((ТL"))̬)(((m)))i)`)( ((La#(LV#-$8( )P8(()D((),$ )+$ $ N ,$ )٩ N )Π07"8"8;"9"<" 9""8"7"7":"`'d 3"2"4"3"5"4"6"5"(`8"9"͍|" }"`8".9"78"9"8".9")8".9"!m8"8"m9"9"8"m|"8"i9"`"" ."" m"""`)((( ) ` `!  (`80 (`)`N))))`)o!<)`)!)`                ! ! m! !m!` !  m!`:"2ͩ" A FEW HYSTERICAL TEARS FROM THE DUCHESS, SOME BAD LANGUAGE FROM MOTHER SHIPTON, AND A PARTHIAN VOLLEY OF EXPLETIVES FROM UNCLE BILLY. THE PHILOSOPHIC OAKHURST ALONE REMAINED SILENT. HE LISTENED CALMLY TO MOTHER SHIPTON'S DESIRE TO CUT SOMEBODY'S HEARTONLY WHEN THE GULCH WHICH MARKED THE UTTERMOST LIMIT OF POKER FLAT WAS REACHED, THE LEADER SPOKE BRIEFLY AND TO THE POINT. THE EXILES WERE FORBIDDEN TO RETURN AT THE PERIL OF THEIR LIVES. AS THE ESCORT DISAPPEARED, THEIR PENT-UP FEELINGS FOUND VENT IN FAMILIARLY KNOWN AS "THE DUCHESS"; ANOTHER WHO HAD WON THE TITLE OF "MOTHER SHIPTON"; AND "UNCLE BILLY," A SUSPECTED SLUICE-ROBBER AND CONFIRMED DRUNKARD. THE CAVALCADE PROVOKED NO COMMENTS FROM THE SPECTATORS, NOR WAS ANY WORD UTTERED BY THE EXCORT. ANIED THE DEPORTED WICKEDNESS OF POKER FLAT TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE SETTLEMENT. BESIDES MR. OAKHURST, WHO WAS KNOWN TO BE A COOLLY DESPERATE MAN, AND FOR WHOSE INTIMIDATION THE ARMED ESCORT WAS INTENDED, THE EXPATRIATED PARTY CONSISTED OF A YOUNG WOMAN THE LESS COOLLY THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THE HESITATION OF HIS JUDGES. HE WAS TOO MUCH OF A GAMBLER NOT TO ACCEPT FATE. WITH HIM LIFE WAS AT BEST AN UNCERTAIN GAME, AND HE RECOGNIZED THE USUAL PERCENTAGE IN FAVOR OF THE DEALER. A BODY OF ARMED MEN ACCOMPCARRY AWAY OUR MONEY." BUT A CRUDE SENTIMENT OF EQUITY RESIDING IN THE BREASTS OF THOSE WHO HAD BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO WIN FROM MR. OAKHURST OVERRULED THIS NARROWER LOCAL PREJUDICE. MR. OAKHURST RECEIVED HIS SENTENCE WITH PHILOSOPHIC CALMNESS, NONEITTEE HAD URGED HANGING HIM AS A POSSIBLE EXAMPLE AND A SURE METHOD OF REIMBURSING THEMSELVES FROM HIS POCKETS OF THE SUMS HE HAD WON FROM THEM. "IT'S AGIN JUSTICE," SAID JIM WHEELER, "TO LET THIS YER YOUNG MAN FROM ROARING CAMP - AN ENTIRE STRANGER - R, TO STATE THAT THEIR IMPROPRIETY WAS PROFESSIONAL, AND IT WAS ONLY IN SUCH EASILY ESTABLISHED STANDARDS OF EVIL THAT POKER FLAT VENTURED TO SIT IN JUDGMENT. MR. OAKHURST WAS RIGHT IN SUPPOSING THAT HE WAS INCLUDED IN THIS CATEGORY. A FEW OF THE COMMANENTLY IN REGARD OF TWO MEN WHO WERE THEN HANGING FROM THE BOUGHS OF A SYCAMORE IN THE GULCH, AND TEMPORARILY IN THE BANISHMENT OF CERTAIN OTHER OBJECTIONABLE CHARACTERS. I REGRET TO SAY THAT SOME OF THESE WERE LADIES. IT IS BUT DUE TO THE SEX, HOWEVE HORSES, AND A PROMINENT CITIZEN. IT WAS EXPERIENCING A SPASM OF VIRTUOUS REACTION, QUITE AS LAWLESS AND UNGOVERNABLE AS ANY OF THE ACTS THAT HAD PROVOKED IT. A SECRET COMMITTEE HAD DETERMINED TO RID THE TOWN OF ALL IMPROPER PERSONS. THIS WAS DONE PERM BEEN WHIPPING AWAY THE RED DUST OF POKER FLAT FROM HIS NEAT BOOTS, AND QUIETLY DISCHARGED HIS MIND OF ANY FURTHER CONJECTURE. IN POINT OF FACT, POKER FLAT WAS "AFTER SOMEBODY." IT HAD LATELY SUFFERED THE LOSS OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS, TWO VALUABLEE FACE BETRAYED SMALL CONCERN IN THESE INDICATIONS. WHETHER HE WAS CONSCIOUS OF ANY PREDISPOSING CAUSE WAS ANOTHER QUESTION. "I RECKON THEY'RE AFTER SOMEBODY," HE REFLECTED; "LIKELY IT'S ME." HE RETURNED TO HIS POCKET THE HANDKERCHIEF WITH WHICH HE HAD NIGHT. TWO OR THREE MEN, CONVERSING EARNESTLY TOGETHER, CEASED AS HE APPROACHED, AND EXCHANGED SIGNIFICANT GLANCES. THERE WAS A SABBATH LULL IN THE AIR, WHICH, IN A SETTLEMENT UNUSED TO SABBATH INFLUENCES, LOOKED OMINOUS. MR. OAKHURST'S CALM, HANDSOM --- THE OUTCASTS OF POKER FLAT --- BY BRET HARTE --- AS MR. JOHN OAKHURST, GAMBLER, STEPPED INTO THE MAIN STREET OF POKER FLAT ON THE MORNING OF THE 23RD OF NOVEMBER, 1850, HE WAS CONSCIOUS OF A CHANGE IN ITS MORAL ATMOSPHERE SINCE THE PRECEDING                                    ICATED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, FOR USE BY OTHERS0 WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF: INET CORPORATION 536 WEDDELL DRIVE SUNNYVALE, CA. 94086 (408) 734-0311 ON. THERE WAS A REMEMBRANCE OF THIS IN HIS BOYISH AND ENTHUSIASTIC GREETING OF MR. OAKHURST. HE HAD STARTED, HE SAID, TO GO TO POKER FLAT TO SEEK HIS FORTUNE. "ALONE?" NO, NOT EXACTLY ALONE; IN FACT (A GIGGLE), HE HAD RUN AWAY WITH PINEY WOODS. DIDN'TPECULATOR BEHIND THE DOOR AND THUS ADDRESSED HIM: "TOMMY, YOU'RE A GOOD LITTLE MAN, BUT YOU CAN'T GAMBLE WORTH A CENT. DON'T TRY IT OVER AGAIN." HE THEN HANDED HIM HIS MONEY BACK, PUSHED HIM GENTLY FROM THE ROOM, AND SO MADE A DEVOTED SLAVE OF TOM SIMS," OF SANDY BAR. HE HAD MET HIM SOME MONTHS BEFORE OVER A "LITTLE GAME," AND HAD, WITH PERFECT EQUANIMITY, WON THE ENTIRE FORTUNE - AMOUNTING TO SOME FORTY DOLLARS - OF THAT GUILELESS YOUTH. AFTER THE GAME WAS FINISHED, MR. OAKHURST DREW THE YOUTHFUL ST THE VALLEY BELOW, ALREADY DEEPENING INTO SHADOW; AND DOING SO, SUDDENLY HE HEARD HIS OWN NAME CALLED. A HORSEMAN SLOWLY ASCENDED THE TRAIL. IN THE FRESH, OPEN FACE OF THE NEWCOMER MR. OAKHURST RECOGNIZED TOM SIMSON, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE INNOCENT WANT OF THAT EXCITEMENT WHICH, SINGULARLY ENOUGH, WAS MOST CONDUCIVE TO THAT CALM EQUANIMITY FOR WHICH HE WAS NOTORIOUS. HE LOOKED AT THE GLOOMY WALLS THAT ROSE A THOUSAND FEET SHEER ABOVE THE CIRCLING PINES AROUND HIM, AT THE SKY OMINOUSLY CLOUDED, AOPPRESSED HIM. HE BESTIRRED HIMSELF IN DUSTING HIS BLACK CLOTHES, WASHING HIS HANDS AND FOR A MOMENT FORGOT HIS ANNOYANCE. THE THOUGHT OF DESERTING HIS WEAKER AND MORE PITIABLE COMPANIONS NEVER PERHAPS OCCURRED TO HIM. YET HE COULD NOT HELP FEELING THEED COOLNESS, IMPASSIVENESS, AND PRESENCE OF MIND, AND IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE, HE "COULDN'T AFFORD IT." AS HE GAZED AT HIS RECUMBENT FELLOW EXILES, THE LONELINESS BEGOTTEN OF HIS PARIAH TRADE, HIS HABITS OF LIFE, HIS VERY VICES FOR THE FIRST TIME SERIOUSLY OM A BELLICOSE STATE INTO ONE OF STUPOR, THE DUCHESS BECAME MAUDLIN, AND MOTHER SHIPTON SNORED. MR. OAKHURST ALONE REMAINED ERECT, LEANING AGAINST A ROCK, CALMLY SURVEYING THEM. MR. OAKHURST DID NOT DRINK. IT INTERFERED WITH A PROFESSION WHICH REQUIRD OUT." BUT THEY WERE FURNISHED WITH LIQUOR, WHICH IN THIS EMERGENCY STOOD THEM IN PLACE OF FOOD, FUEL, REST, AND PRESCIENCE. IN SPITE OF HIS REMONSTRANCES, IT WAS NOT LONG BEFORE THEY WERE MORE OR LESS UNDER ITS INFLUENCE. UNCLE BILLY PASSED RAPIDLY FRHALF THE JOURNEY TO SANDY BAR WAS ACCOMPLISHED, AND THE PARTY WERE NOT EQUIPPED OR PROVISIONED FOR DELAY. THIS FACT HE POINTED OUT TO HIS COMPANIONS CURTLY, WITH A PHILOSOPHIC COMMENTARY ON THE FOLLY OF "THROWING UP THEIR HAND BEFORE THE GAME WAS PLAYETHREE SIDES BY PRECIPITOUS CLIFFS OF NAKED GRANITE, SLOPED GENTLY TOWARD THE CREST OF ANOTHER PRECIPICE THAT OVERLOOKED THE VALLEY. IT WAS, UNDOUBTEDLY, THE MOST SUITABLE SPOT FOR A CAMP, HAD CAMPING BEEN ADVISABLE. BUT MR. OAKHURST KNEW THAT SCARCELY . THE TRAIL WAS NARROW AND DIFFICULT. AT NOON THE DUCHESS, ROLLING OUT OF HER SADDLE UPON THE GROUND, DECLARED HER INTENTION OF GOING NO FARTHER, AND THE PARTY HALTED. THE SPOT WAS SINGULARLY WILD AND IMPRESSIVE. A WOODED AMPHITHEATRE, SURROUNDED ON R SOME INVITATION TO THE EMIGRANTS - LAY OVER A STEEP MOUNTAIN RANGE. IT WAS DISTANT A DAY'S SEVERE TRAVEL. IN THAT ADVANCED SEASON THE PARTY SOON PASSED OUT OF THE MOIST, TEMPERATE REGIONS OF THE FOOTHILLS INTO THE DRY, COLD, BRACING AIR OF THE SIERRASHE POSSESSOR OF "FIVE-SPOT" WITH MALEVOLENCE, AND UNCLE BILLY INCLUDED THE WHOLE PARTY IN ONE SWEEPING ANATHEMA. THE ROAD TO SANDY BAR - A CAMP THAT, NOT HAVING AS YET EXPERIENCED THE REGENERATING INFLUENCES OF POKER FLAT, CONSEQUENTLY SEEMED TO OFFEHIS OWN RIDINGHORSE, "FIVE-SPOT," FOR THE SORRY MULE WHICH THE DUCHESS RODE. BUT EVEN THIS ACT DID NOT DRAW THE PARTY INTO ANY CLOSER SYMPATHY. THE YOUNG WOMAN READJUSTED HER SOMEWHAT DRAGGLED PLUMES WITH A FEEBLE, FADED COQUETRY; MOTHER SHIPTON EYED T OUT, TO THE REPEATED STATEMENTS OF THE DUCHESS THAT SHE WOULD DIE IN THE ROAD, AND TO THE ALARMING OATHS THAT SEEMED TO BE BUMPED OUT OF UNCLE BILLY AS HE RODE FORWARD. WITH THE EASY GOOD HUMOR CHARACTERISTIC OF HIS CLASS, HE INSISTED UPON EXCHANGING AKHURST BACK TO THE FIRE WITH HIS USUAL CALM. HE DID NOT WAKEN THE SLEEPERS. THE INNOCENT SLUMBERED PEACEFULLY, WITH A SMILE ON HIS GOOD-HUMORED, FRECKLED FACE; THE VIRGIN PINEY SLEPT BESIDE HER FRAILER SISTERS AS SWEETLY AS THOUGH ATTENDED BY CELESTIAOUND HIM GONE. A SUSPICION LEAPED TO HIS BRAIN, AND A CURSE TO HIS LIPS. HE RAN TO THE SPOT WHERE THE MULES HAD BEEN TETHERED - THEY WERE NO LONGER THERE. THE TRACKS WERE ALREADY RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING IN THE SNOW. THE MOMENTARY EXCITEMENT BROUGHT MR. OH WAS NOW BLOWING STRONGLY, BROUGHT TO HIS CHEEK THAT WHICH CAUSED THE BLOOD TO LEAVE IT - SNOW! HE STARTED TO HIS FEET WITH THE INTENTION OF AWAKENING THE SLEEPERS, FOR THERE WAS NO TIME TO LOSE. BUT TURNING TO WHERE UNCLE BILLY HAD BEEN LYING, HE FO TURNED WITHOUT A WORD TO THE HUT. THE FIRE WAS REPLENISHED, THE MEN LAY DOWN BEFORE THE DOOR, AND IN A FEW MINUTES WERE ASLEEP. MR. OAKHURST WAS A LIGHT SLEEPER. TOWARD MORNING HE AWOKE BENUMBED AND COLD. AS HE STIRRED THE DYING FIRE, THE WIND, WHICARTED, THEY UNAFFECTEDLY EXCHANGED A KISS, SO HONEST AND SINCERE THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN HEARD ABOVE THE SWAYING PINES. THE FRAIL DUCHESS AND THE MALEVOLENT MOTHER SHIPTON WERE PROBABLY TOO STUNNED TO REMARK UPON THIS LAST EVIDENCE OF SIMPLICITY, AND SOUTH. AS THE SHADOWS CREPT SLOWLY UP THE MOUNTAIN, A SLIGHT BREEZE ROCKED THE TOPS OF THE PINE TREES AND MOANED THROUGH THEIR LONG AND GLOOMY AISLES. THE RUINED CABIN, PATCHED AND COVERED WITH PINE BOUGHS, WAS SET APART FOR THE LADIES. AS THE LOVERS PE GLANCING FIRELIGHT, AND THE TETHERED ANIMALS IN THE FOREGROUND. SUDDENLY AN IDEA MINGLED WITH THE ALCOHOLIC FUMES THAT DISTURBED HIS BRAIN. IT WAS APPARENTLY OF A JOCULAR NATURE, FOR HE FELT IMPELLED TO SLAP HIS LEG AGAIN AND CRAM HIS FIST INTO HIS MANY DAYS. THE INNOCENT WAS HOLDING FORTH, APPARENTLY WITH EQUAL EFFECT, TO MR. OAKHURST AND MOTHER SHIPTON, WHO WAS ACTUALLY RELAXING INTO AMIABILITY. "IS THIS YER A D--D PICNIC?" SAID UNCLE BILLY, WITH INWARD SCORN, AS HE SURVEYED THE SYLVAN GROUP, THFIRE - FOR THE AIR HAD GROWN STRANGELY CHILL AND THE SKY OVERCAST - IN APPARENTLY AMICABLE CONVERSATION. PINEY WAS ACTUALLY TALKING IN AN IMPULSIVE GIRLISH FASHION TO THE DUCHESS, WHO WAS LISTENING WITH AN INTEREST AND ANIMATION SHE HAD NOT SHOWN FOR MD TO RETIRE UP THE CANYON UNTIL HE COULD RECOVER HIS GRAVITY. THERE HE CONFIDED THE JOKE TO THE TALL PINE TREES, WITH MANY SLAPS OF HIS LEG, CONTORTIONS OF HIS FACE, AND THE USUAL PROFANITY. BUT WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE PARTY, HE FOUND THEM SEATED BY A THE TRAIL. "PINEY CAN STAY WITH MRS. OAKHURST," SAID THE INNOCENT, POINTING TO THE DUCHESS, "AND I CAN SHIFT FOR MYSELF." NOTHING BUT MR. OAKHURST'S ADMONISHING FOOT SAVED UNCLE BILLY FROM BURSTING INTO A ROAR OF LAUGHTER. AS IT WAS, HE FELT COMPELLET THAT THERE WAS NO PROVISION, NOR MEANS OF MAKING A CAMP. BUT, UNLUCKILY, THE INNOCENT MET THIS OBJECTION BY ASSURING THE PARTY THAT HE WAS PROVIDED WITH AN EXTRA MULE LOADED WITH PROVISIONS, AND BY THE DISCOVERY OF A RUDE ATTEMPT AT A LOG HOUSE NEAR HO WAS ABOUT TO SAY SOMETHING, AND UNCLE BILLY WAS SOBER ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE IN MR. OAKHURST'S KICK A SUPERIOR POWER THAT WOULD NOT BEAR TRIFLING. HE THEN ENDEAVORED TO DISSUADE TOM SIMSON FROM DELAYING FURTHER, BUT IN VAIN. HE EVEN POINTED OUT THE FACODE TO THE SIDE OF HER LOVER. MR. OAKHURST SELDOM TROUBLED HIMSELF WITH SENTIMENT, STILL LESS WITH PROPRIETY; BUT HE HAD A VAGUE IDEA THAT THE SITUATION WAS NOT FORTUNATE. HE RETAINED, HOWEVER, HIS PRESENCE OF MIND SUFFICIENTLY TO KICK UNCLE BILLY, WTHEY WERE TIRED OUT, AND HOW LUCKY IT WAS THEY HAD FOUND A PLACE TO CAMP, AND COMPANY. ALL THIS THE INNOCENT DELIVERED RAPIDLY, WHILE PINEY, A STOUT, COMELY DAMSEL OF FIFTEEN, EMERGED FROM BEHIND THE PINE TREE, WHERE SHE HAD BEEN BLUSHING UNSEEN, AND R MR. OAKHURST REMEMBER PINEY? SHE THAT USED TO WAIT ON THE TABLE AT THE TEMPERANCE HOUSE? THEY HAD BEEN ENGAGED A LONG TIME, BUT OLD JAKE WOODS HAD OBJECTED, AND SO THEY HAD RUN AWAY, AND WERE GOING TO POKER FLAT TO BE MARRIED, AND HERE THEY WERE. AND NG CAMP. MR. OAKHURST, WHOSE PROFESSIONAL HABITS HAD ENABLED HIM TO LIVE ON THE SMALLEST POSSIBLE AMOUNT OF SLEEP, IN DIVIDING THE WATCH WITH TOM SIMSON SOMEHOW MANAGED TO TAKE UPON HIMSELF THE GREATER PART OF THAT DUTY. HE EXCUSED HIMSELF TO THE INNOC PINES ROCKED, THE STORM EDDIED AND WHIRLED ABOVE THE MISERABLE GROUP, AND THE FLAMES OF THEIR ALTAR LEAPED HEAVENWARD, AS IF IN TOKEN OF THE VOW. AT MIDNIGHT THE STORM ABATED, THE ROLLING CLOUDS PARTED, AND THE STARS GLITTERED KEENLY ABOVE THE SLEEPI DEFIANT TONE AND COVENANTER'S SWING TO ITS CHORUS, RATHER THAN ANY DEVOTIONAL QUALITY, CAUSED IT SPEEDILY TO INFECT THE OTHERS. WHO AT LAST JOINED IN THE REFRAIN: "I'M PROUD TO LIVE IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD, AND I'M BOUND TO DIE IN HIS ARMY." THEEYS TO AN ACCOMPANIMENT BY THE INNOCENT ON A PAIR OF BONE CASTANETS. BUT THE CROWNING FESTIVITY OF THE EVENING WAS REACHED IN A RUDE CAMP-MEETING HYMN, WHICH THE LOVERS, JOINING HANDS, SANG WITH GREAT EARNESTNESS AND VOCIFERATION. I FEAR THAT A CERTAINPLY THE TIME WAS BEGUILED BY AN ACCORDION, PRODUCED SOMEWHAT OSTENTATIOUSLY BY TOM SIMSON FROM HIS PACK. NOTWITHSTANDING SOME DIFFICULTIES ATTENDING THE MANIPULATION OF THIS INSTRUMENT, PINEY WOODS MANAGED TO PLUCK SEVERAL RELUCTANT MELODIES FROM ITS K IT WAS "SQUARE FUN." WHETHER MR. OAKHURST HAD CACHED HIS CARDS WITH THE WHISKEY AS SOMETHING DEBARRED THE FREE ACCESS OF THE COMMUNITY, I CANNOT SAY. IT WAS CERTAIN THAT, IN MOTHER SHIPTON'S WORDS, HE "DIDN'T SAY 'CARDS' ONCE" DURING THAT EVENING. HASKEY, WHICH HE HAD PRUDENTLY CACHED. "AND YET IT DON'T SOMEHOW SOUND LIKE WHISKEY," SAID THE GAMBLER. IT WAS NOT UNTIL HE CAUGHT SIGHT OF THE BLAZING FIRE THROUGH THE STILL BLINDING STORM, AND THE GROUP AROUND IT, THAT HE SETTLED TO THE CONVICTION THATOTHER SHIPTON REQUESTED PINEY NOT TO "CHATTER." BUT WHEN MR. OAKHURST RETURNED FROM A WEARY SEARCH FOR THE TRAIL, HE HEARD THE SOUND OF HAPPY LAUGHTER ECHOED FROM THE ROCKS. HE STOPPED IN SOME ALARM, AND HIS THOUGHTS FIRST NATURALLY REVERTED TO THE WHID THE BLUE EYES OF THAT PROVINCIAL MAIDEN TO THEIR FULLEST EXTENT. "I RECKON NOW YOU'RE USED TO FINE THINGS AT POKER FLAT," SAID PINEY. THE DUCHESS TURNED AWAY SHARPLY TO CONCEAL SOMETHING THAT REDDENED HER CHEEKS THROUGH THEIR PROFESSIONAL TINT, AND MTHE YOUNG MAN AND MR. OAKHURST'S CALM INFECTED THE THE OTHERS. THE INNOCENT, WITH THE AID OF PINE BOUGHS, EXTEMPORIZED A THATCH FOR THE ROOFLESS CABIN, AND THE DUCHESS DIRECTED PINEY IN THE REARRANGEMENT OF THE INTERIOR WITH A TASTE AND TACT THAT OPENESON NOT ONLY PUT ALL HIS WORLDLY STORE AT THE DISPOSAL OF MR. OAKHURST, BUT SEEMED TO ENJOY THE PROSPECT OF THEIR ENFORCED SECLUSION. "WE'LL HAVE A GOOD CAMP FOR A WEEK, AND THEN THE SNOW'LL MELT, AND WE'LL ALL GO BACK TOGETHER." THE CHEERFUL GAYETY OF WARNING TO THE DUCHESS AND MOTHER SHIPTON, WHO OF COURSE KNEW THE FACTS OF THEIR ASSOCIATE'S DEFECTION. "THEY'LL FIND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT US ALL WHEN THEY FIND OUT ANYTHING," HE ADDED SIGNIFICANTLY, "AND THERE'S NO GOOD FRIGHTENING THEM NOW." TOM SIMLLY GETS BACK WITH PROVISIONS." FOR SOME OCCULT REASON, MR. OAKHURST COULD NOT BRING HIMSELF TO DISCLOSE UNCLE BILLY'S RASCALITY, AND SO OFFERED THE HYPOTHESIS THAT HE HAD WANDERED FROM THE CAMP AND HAD ACCIDENTALLY STAMPEDED THE ANIMALS. HE DROPPED A NCLE BILLY, DISCLOSED THE FACT THAT WITH CARE AND PRUDENCE THEY MIGHT LAST TEN DAYS LONGER. "THAT IS," SAID MR. OAKHURST SOTTO VOCE TO THE INNOCENT, "IF YOU'RE WILLING TO BOARD US. IF YOU AIN'T - AND PERHAPS YOU'D BETTER NOT - YOU CAN WAIT TILL UNCLE BILLY CHANGED. HE LOOKED OVER THE VALLEY, AND SUMMED UP THE PRESENT AND FUTURE IN TWO WORDS, "SNOWED IN!" A CAREFUL INVENTORY OF THE PROVISIONS, WHICH, FORTUNATELY FOR THE PARTY, HAD BEEN STORED WITHIN THE HUT, AND SO ESCAPED THE FELONIOUS FINGERS OF UL GUARDIANS; AND MR. OAKHURST, DRAWING HIS BLANKET OVER HIS SHOULDERS, STROKED HIS MUSTACHES AND WAITED FOR THE DAWN. IT CAME SLOWLY IN A WHIRLING MIST OF SNOWFLAKES THAT DAZZLED AND CONFUSED THE EYE. WHAT COULD BE SEEN OF THE LANDSCAPE APPEARED MAGICAE OF PINEY. ONLY MOTHER SHIPTON - ONCE THE STRONGEST OF THE PARTY - SEEMED TO SICKEN AND FADE. AT MIDNIGHT ON THE TENTH DAY SHE CALLED OAKHURST TO HER SIDE. "I'M GOING," SHE SAID, IN A VOICE OF QUERULOUS WEAKNESS, "BUT DON'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT. DON'S. AND YET NO ONE COMPLAINED. THE LOVERS TURNED FROM THE DREARY PROSPECT AND LOOKED INTO EACH OTHER'S EYES, AND WERE HAPPY. MR. OAKHURST SETTLED HIMSELF COOLLY TO THE LOSING GAME BEFORE HIM. THE DUCHESS, MORE CHEERFUL THAN SHE HAD BEEN, ASSUMED THE CARUNTIL AT LAST THEY LOOKED FROM THEIR PRISON OVER DRIFTED WALLS OF DAZZLING WHITE THAT TOWERED TWENTY FEET ABOVE THEIR HEADS. IT BECAME MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO REPLENISH THEIR FIRES, EVEN FROM THE FALLEN TREES BESIDE THEM, NOW HALF HIDDEN IN THE DRIFT, WITH SMALL FOOD AND MUCH OF HOMER AND THE ACCORDION, A WEEK PASSED OVER THE HEADS OF THE OUTCASTS. THE SUN AGAIN FORSOOK THEM, AND AGAIN FROM LEADEN SKIES THE SNOWFLAKES WERE SIFTED OVER THE LAND. DAY BY DAY CLOSER AROUND THEM DREW THE SNOWY CIRCLE, PINES IN THE CANYON SEEMED TO BOW TO THE WRATH OF THE SON OF PELEUS. MR. OAKHURST LISTENED WITH QUIET SATISFACTION. MOST ESPECIALLY WAS HE INTERESTED IN THE FATE OF "ASH-HEELS," AS THE INNOCENT PERSISTED IN DENOMINATING THE "SWIFT-FOOTED ACHILLES." SOG THOROUGHLY MASTERED THE ARGUMENT AND FAIRLY FORGOTTEN THE WORDS - IN THE CURRENT VERNACULAR OF SANDY BAR. AND SO FOR THE REST OF THAT NIGHT THE HOMERIC DEMIGODS AGAIN WALKED THE EARTH. TROJAN BULLY AND WILY GREEK WRESTLED IN THE WINDS, AND THE GREAT R PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, THIS PLAN WOULD HAVE FAILED TOO, BUT FOR THE INNOCENT. SOME MONTHS BEFORE HE HAD CHANCED UPON A STRAY COPY OF MR. POPE'S INGENIOUS TRANSLATION OF THE ILIAD. HE NOW PROPOSED TO NARRATE THE PRINCIPAL INCIDENTS OF THAT POEM - HAVINAND LONG-DRAWN GASPS BY THE FLICKERING CAMPFIRE. BUT MUSIC FAILED TO FILL ENTIRELY THE ACHING VOID LEFT BY INSUFFICIENT FOOD, AND A NEW DIVERSION WAS PROPOSED BY PINEY - STORYTELLING. NEITHER MR. OAKHURST NOR HIS FEMALE COMPANIONS CARING TO RELATE THEIS NO CHICKEN, BUT IT WAS A SOOTHING AND ORIGINAL THEORY OF THE PAIR THUS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE FACT THAT SHE DIDN'T SWEAR AND WASN'T IMPROPER. WHEN NIGHT CREPT UP AGAIN THROUGH THE GORGES, THE REEDY NOTES OF THE ACCORDION ROSE AND FELL IN FITFUL SPASMS STED WITH A CERTAIN DEGREE OF SUBLIMITY. IT DID HER GOOD, SHE PRIVATELY INFORMED THE DUCHESS. "JUST YOU GO OUT THERE AND CUSS, AND SEE." SHE THEN SET HERSELF TO THE TASK OF AMUSING "THE CHILD," AS SHE AND THE DUCHESS WERE PLEASED TO CALL PINEY. PINEY WAMOKE OF THE PASTORAL VILLAGE OF POKER FLAT ROSE MILES AWAY. MOTHER SHIPTON SAW IT, AND FROM A REMOTE PINNACLE OF HER ROCKY FASTNESS HURLED IN THAT DIRECTION A FINAL MALEDICTION. IT WAS HER LAST VITUPERATIVE ATTEMPT, AND PERHAPS FOR THAT REASON WAS INVEGRETFUL COMMISERATION OF THE PAST. BUT IT REVEALED DRIFT ON DRIFT OF SNOW PILED HIGH AROUND THE HUT - A HOPELESS, UNCHARTED, TRACKLESS SEA OF WHITE LYING BELOW THE ROCKY SHORES TO WHICH THE CASTAWAYS STILL CLUNG. THROUGH THE MARVELOUSLY CLEAR AIR THE STHE WHITE-CURTAINED VALLEY. SAW THE OUTCASTS DIVIDE THEIR SLOWLY DECREASING STORE OF PROVISIONS FOR THE MORNING MEAL. IT WAS ONE OF THE PECULIARITIES OF THAT MOUNTAIN CLIMATE THAT ITS RAYS DIFFUSED A KINDLY WARMTH OVER THE WINTRY LANDSCAPE, AS IF IN RETOO. IF YOU CAN HOLD YOUR CARDS RIGHT ALONG YOU'RE ALL RIGHT. FOR," ADDED THE GAMBLER, WITH CHEERFUL IRRELEVANCE - "'I'M PROUD TO LIVE IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD, AND I'M BOUND TO DIE IN HIS ARMY.'" THE THIRD DAY CAME, AND THE SUN, LOOKING THROUGH IS A MIGHTY QUEER THING. ALL YOU KNOW ABOUT IT FOR CERTAIN IS THAT IT'S BOUND TO CHANGE. AND IT'S FINDING OUT WHEN IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THAT MAKES YOU. WE'VE HAD A STREAK OF BAD LUCK SINCE WE LEFT POKER FLAT - YOU COME ALONG, AND SLAP YOU GET INTO IT, ENT BY SAYING THAT HE HAD "OFTEN BEEN A WEEK WITHOUT SLEEP." "DOING WHAT?" ASKED TOM. "POKER!" REPLIED OAKHURST SENTENTIOUSLY. "WHEN A MAN GETS A STREAK OF LUCK - HE DON'T GET TIRED. THE LUCK GIVES IN FIRST. LUCK," CONTINUED THE GAMBLER REFLECTIVELY, "                                                    AND PULSELESS AND COLD, WITH A DERRINGER BY HIS SIDE AND A BULLET IN HIS HEART, THOUGH STILL CALM AS IN LIFE, BENEATH THE SNOW LAY HE WHO WAS AT ONCE THE STRONGEST AND YET THE WEAKEST OF THE OUTCASTS OF POKER FLAT. WRITTEN IN PENCIL IN A FIRM HAND: BENEATH THIS TREE LIES THE BODY OF JOHN OAKHURST, WHO STRUCK A STREAK OF BAD LUCK ON THE 23RD OF NOVEMBER, 1850 AND HANDED IN HIS CHECKS ON THE 7TH OF DECEMBER, 1850 OF POKER FLAT RECOGNIZED THIS, AND TURNED AWAY, LEAVING THEM STILL LOCKED IN EACH OTHER'S ARMS. BUT AT THE HEAD OF THE GULCH, ON ONE OF THE LARGEST PINE TREES, THEY FOUND THE DEUCE OF CLUBS PINNED TO THE BARK WITH A BOWIE KNIFE. IT BORE THE FOLLOWING, DID THEY WAKEN WHEN VOICES AND FOOTSTEPS BROKE THE SILENCE OF THE CAMP. AND WHEN PITYING FINGERS BRUSHED THE SNOW FROM THEIR WAN FACES, YOU COULD SCARCELY HAVE TOLD FROM THE EQUAL PEACE THAT DWELT UPON THEM WHICH WAS SHE THAT HAD SINNED. EVEN THE LAW AS THEY SLEPT. THE MOON THROUGH THE RIFTED CLOUDS LOOKED DOWN UPON WHAT HAD BEEN THE CAMP. BUT ALL HUMAN STAIN, ALL TRACE OF EARTHLY TRAVAIL, WAS HIDDEN BENEATH THE SPOTLESS MANTLE MERCIFULLY FLUNG FROM ABOVE. THEY SLEPT ALL THAT DAY AND THE NEXT, NORAND PURER PILLOWING THE HEAD OF HER SOILED SISTER UPON HER VIRGIN BREAST, THEY FELL ASLEEP. THE WIND LULLED AS IF IT FEARED TO WAKEN THEM. FEATHERY DRIFTS OF SNOW, SHAKEN FROM THE LONG PINE BOUGHS, FLEW LIKE WHITE WINGED BIRDS, AND SETTLED ABOUT THEM OSER TO PINEY, AND BROKE THE SILENCE OF MANY HOURS: "PINEY, CAN YOU PRAY?" "NO, DEAR," SAID PINEY SIMPLY. THE DUCHESS, WITHOUT KNOWING EXACTLY WHY, FELT RELIEVED, AND PUTTING HER HEAD UPON PINEY'S SHOULDER, SPOKE NO MORE. AND SO RECLINING, THE YOUNGER AT NIGHT THE STORM REACHED ITS GREATEST FURY, AND RENDING ASUNDER THE PROTECTING VINES, INVADED THE VERY HUT. TOWARD MORNING THEY FOUND THEMSELVES UNABLE TO FEED THE FIRE, WHICH GRADUALLY DIED AWAY. AS THE EMBERS SLOWLY BLACKENED, THE DUCHESS CREPT CLITTLE. IN THE MORNING, LOOKING INTO EACH OTHER'S FACES, THEY READ THEIR FATE. NEITHER SPOKE, BUT PINEY, ACCEPTING THE POSITION OF THE STRONGER, DREW NEAR AND PLACED HER ARM AROUND THE DUCHESS'S WAIST. THEY KEPT THIS ATTITUDE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. THOUGHT THE STORM AGAIN AND THE WHIRLING SNOW. THEN THE DUCHESS, FEEDING THE FIRE, FOUND THAT SOMEONE HAD QUIETLY PILED BESIDE THE HUT ENOUGH FUEL TO LAST A FEW DAYS LONGER. THE TEARS ROSE TO HER EYES, BUT SHE HID THEM FROM PINEY. THE WOMEN SLEPT BUT LE SAW MR. OAKHURST APPARENTLY WAITING TO ACCOMPANY HIM. "AS FAR AS THE CANYON," HE REPLIED. HE TURNED SUDDENLY AND KISSED THE DUCHESS, LEAVING HER PALLID FACE AFLAME, AND HER TREMBLING LIMBS RIGID WITH AMAZEMENT. NIGHT CAME, BUT NOT MR. OAKHURST. IT BR THERE," HE ADDED, POINTING TOWARD POKER FLAT. "IF YOU CAN REACH THERE IN TWO DAYS SHE'S SAFE." "AND YOU?" ASKED TOM SIMSON. "I'LL STAY HERE," WAS THE CURT REPLY. THE LOVERS PARTED WITH A LONG EMBRACE. "YOU ARE NOT GOING, TOO?" SAID THE DUCHESS, AS SHR SHIPTON HAD BEEN COMMITTED TO THE SNOW, MR. OAKHURST TOOK THE INNOCENT ASIDE, AND SHOWED HIM A PAIR OF SNOWSHOES, WHICH HE HAD FASHIONED FROM THE OLD PACKSADDLE. "THERE'S ONE CHANCE IN A HUNDRED TO SAVE HER YET," HE SAID, POINTING TO PINEY; "BUT IT'SAID THE GAMBLER. "THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL IT," SAID THE WOMAN QUERULOUSLY, AS SHE LAY DOWN AGAIN, AND TURNING HER FACR TO THE WALL, PASSED QUIETLY AWAY. THE ACCORDION AND THE BONES WERE PUT ASIDE THAT DAY, AND HOMER WAS FORGOTTEN. WHEN THE BODY OF MOTHET WAKEN THE KIDS. TAKE THE BUNDLE FROM UNDER MY HEAD, AND OPEN IT." MR. OAKHURST DID SO. IT CONTAINED MOTHER SHIPTON'S RATIONS FOR THE LAST WEEK, UNTOUCHED. "GIVE 'EM TO THE CHILD," SHE SAID, POINTING TO THE SLEEPING PINEY. "YOU'VE STARVED YOURSELF," SWS AND GABLE FRONTS, SURMOUNTED WITH WEATHERCOCKS. IN THE SAME VILLAGE AND IN ONE OF THESE VERY HOUSES (WHICH, TO TELL THE PRECISE TRUTH, WAS SADLY TIME-WORN AND WEATHER-BEATEN), THERE LIVED MANY YEARS SINCE, WHILE THE COUNTRY WAS YET A PROVINCE OF GRABOUT THE BEGINNING OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE GOOD PETER STUYVESANT (MAY HE REST IN PEACE!) AND THERE WERE SOME OF THE HOUSES OF THE ORIGINAL SETTLERS STANDING WITHIN A FEW YEARS, BUILT OF SMALL YELLOW BRICKS BROUGHT FROM HOLLAND, HAVING LATTICED WINDO AMONG THE TREES, JUST WHERE THE BLUE TINTS OF THE UPLAND MELT AWAY INTO THE FRESH GREEN OF THE NEARER LANDSCAPE. IT IS A LITTLE VILLAGE, OF GREAT ANTIQUITY, HAVING BEEN FOUNDED BY SOME OF THE DUTCH COLONISTS, IN THE EARLY TIMES OF THE PROVINCE, JUST RS ABOUT THEIR SUMMITS, WHICH, IN THE LAST RAYS OF THE SETTING SUN, WILL GLOW AND LIGHT UP LIKE A CROWN OF GLORY. AT THE FOOT OF THESE FAIRY MOUNTAINS, THE VOYAGER MAY HAVE DESCRIED THE LIGHT SMOKE CURLING UP FROM A VILLAGE, WHOSE SHINGLE-ROOFS GLEAM, AS PERFECT BAROMETERS. WHEN THE WEATHER IS FAIR AND SETTLED, THEY ARE CLOTHED IN BLUE AND PURPLE, AND PRINT THEIR BOLD OUTLINES ON THE CLEAR EVENING SKY; BUT SOMETIMES, WHEN THE REST OF THE LANDSCAPE IS CLOUDLESS, THEY WILL GATHER A HOOD OF GRAY VAPO LORDING IT OVER THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY. EVERY CHANGE OF SEASON, EVERY CHANGE OF WEATHER, INDEED, EVERY HOUR OF THE DAY, PRODUCES SOME CHANGE IN THE MAGICAL HUES AND SHAPES OF THESE MOUNTAINS, AND THEY ARE REGARDED BY ALL THE GOOD WIVES, FAR AND NEARS FARTHING. --- THE TALE --- WHOEVER HAS MADE A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON MUST REMEMBER THE KAATSKILL MOUNTAINS. THEY ARE A DISMEMBERED BRANCH OF THE GREAT APPALACHIAN FAMILY, AND ARE SEEN AWAY TO THE WEST OF THE RIVER, SWELLING UP TO A NOBLE HEIGHT, AND WELL WORTH HAVING, PARTICULARLY BY CERTAIN BUSCUIT-BAKERS, WHO HAVE GONE SO FAR AS TO IMPRINT HIS LIKENESS ON THEIR NEW-YEAR CAKES, AND HAVE THUS GIVEN HIM A CHANCE FOR IMMORTALITY, ALMOST EQUAL TO THE BEING STAMPED ON A WATERLOO MEDAL OR A QUEEN ANNE'IS ERRORS AND FOLLIES ARE REMEMBERED "MORE IN SORROW THAN IN ANGER," AND IT BEGINS TO BE SUSPECTED THAT HE NEVER INTENDED TO INJURE OR OFFEND. BUT HOWEVER HIS MEMORY MAY BE APPRECIATED BY CRITICS, IT IS STILL HELD DEAR BY MANY FOLK WHOSE GOOD OPINION ISYED IN WEIGHTIER LABOURS. HE, HOWEVER, WAS APT TO RIDE HIS OWN WAY; AND THOUGH IT DID NOW AND THEN KICK UP THE DUST A LITTLE IN THE EYES OF HIS NEIGHBOURS, AND GRIEVE THE SPIRIT OF SOME FRIENDS, FOR WHOM HE FELT THE TRUEST DEFERENCE AND AFFECTION; YET HTORICAL COLLECTIONS AS A BOOK OF UNQUESTIONABLE AUTHORITY. THE OLD GENTLEMAN DIED SHORTLY AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF HIS WORK, AND NOW THAT HE IS DEAD AND GONE, IT CANNOT DO MUCH HARM TO HIS MEMORY TO SAY, THAT HIS TIME MIGHT HAVE BEEN MUCH BETTER EMPLO, AND, TO TELL THE TRUTH, IT IS NOT A WHIT BETTER THAN IT SHOULD BE. ITS CHIEF MERIT IS ITS SCRUPULOUS ACCURACY, WHICH INDEED WAS A LITTLE QUESTIONED ON ITS FIRST APPEARANCE, BUT HAS SINCE BEEN COMPLETELY ESTABLISHED; AND IT IS NOW ADMITTED INTO ALL HISED IT WITH THE ZEAL OF A BOOKWORM. THE RESULT OF ALL THESE RESEARCHES WAS A HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE DURING THE REIGN OF THE DUTCH GOVERNORS, WHICH HE PUBLISHED SOME YEARS SINCE. THERE HAVE BEEN VARIOUS OPINIONS AS TO THE LITERARY CHARACTER OF HIS WORK LEGENDARY LORE SO INVALUABLE TO TRUE HISTORY. WHENEVER, THEREFORE, HE HAPPENED UPON A GENUINE DUTCH FAMILY, SNUGLY SHUT UP IN ITS LOW-ROOFED FARMHOUSE, UNDER A SPREADING SYCAMORE, HE LOOKED UPON IT AS A LITTLE CLASPED VOLUME OF BLACK LETTER, AND STUDITS FROM ITS PRIMITIVE SETTLERS. HIS HISTORICAL RESEARCHES, HOWEVER, DID NOT LIE SO MUCH AMONG BOOKS AS AMONG MEN; FOR THE FORMER ARE LAMENTABLY SCANTY ON HIS FAVOURITE TOPICS, WHEREAS HE FOUND THE OLD BURGHERS, AND STILL MORE THEIR WIVES, RICH IN THAT --- RIP VAN WINKLE --- BY WASHINGTON IRVING --- THE FOLLOWING TALE WAS FOUND AMONG THE PAPERS OF THE LATE DIEDRICH KNICKERBOCKER, AN OLD GENTLEMAN OF NEW YORK, WHO WAS VERY CURIOUS IN THE DUTCH HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE, AND THE MANNERS OF THE DESCENDAN-OFF GALLIGASKINS, WHICH HE HAD MUCH ADO TO HOLD UP WITH ONE HAND, AS A FINE LADY DOES HER TRAIN IN BAD WEATHER. RIP VAN WINKLE, HOWEVER, WAS ONE OF THOSE HAPPY MORTALS, OF FOOLISH, WELL-OILED DISPOSITIONS, WHO TAKE THE WORLD EASY, EAT WHITE BREAD ORTHEY BELONGED TO NOBODY. HIS SON RIP, AN URCHIN BEGOTTEN IN HIS OWN LIKENESS, PROMISED TO INHERIT THE HABITS, WITH THE OLD CLOTHES, OF HIS FATHER. HE WAS GENERALLY SEEN TROOPING LIKE A COLT AT HIS MOTHER'S HEELS, EQUIPPED IN A PAIR OF HIS FATHER'S CAST ESTATE HAD DWINDLED AWAY UNDER HIS MANAGEMENT, ACRE BY ACRE, UNTIL THERE WAS LITTLE MORE LEFT THAN A MERE PATCH OF INDIAN CORN AND POTATOES, YET IT WAS THE WORST CONDITIONED FARM IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. HIS CHILDREN, TOO, WERE AS RAGGED AND WILD AS IF TO PIECES; HIS COW WOULD EITHER GO ASTRAY, OR GET AMONG THE CABBAGES; WEEDS WERE SURE TO GROW QUICKER IN HIS FIELDS THAN ANYWHERE ELSE; THE RAIN ALWAYS MAKE A POINT OF SETTING IN JUST AS HE HAD SOME OUT-DOOR WORK TO DO; SO THAT THOUGH HIS PATRIMONIAL IT IMPOSSIBLE. IN FACT, HE DECLARED IT WAS OF NO USE TO WORK ON HIS FARM; IT WAS THE MOST PESTILENT LITTLE PIECE OF GROUND IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY; EVERYTHING ABOUT IT WENT WRONG, AND WOULD GO WRONG, IN SPITE OF HIM. HIS FENCES WERE CONTINUALLY FALLING HIM TO RUN THEIR ERRANDS, AND TO DO SUCH LITTLE ODD JOBS AS THEIR LESS OBLIGING HUSBANDS WOULD NOT DO FOR THEM. IN A WORD, RIP WAS READY TO ATTEND TO ANYBODY'S BUSINESS BUT HIS OWN; BUT AS TO DOING FAMILY DUTY, AND KEEPING HIS FARM IN ORDER, HE FOUND SHOOT A FEW SQUIRRELS OR WILD PIGEONS. HE WOULD NEVER REFUSE TO ASSIST A NEIGHBOR EVEN IN THE ROUGHEST TOIL, AND WAS A FOREMOST MAN AT ALL COUNTRY FROLICS FOR HUSKING INDIAN CORN, OR BUILDING STONE FENCES; THE WOMEN OF THE VILLAGE, TOO, USED TO EMPLOYAVY AS A TARTAR'S LANCE, AND FISH ALL DAY WITHOUT A MURMUR, EVEN THOUGH HE SHOULD NOT BE ENCOURAGED BY A SINGLE NIBBLE. HE WOULD CARRY A FOWLING-PIECE ON HIS SHOULDER FOR HOURS TOGETHER, TRUDGING THROUGH WOODS AND SWAMPS, AND UP HILL AND DOWN DALE, TOHIM THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE GREAT ERROR IN RIP'S COMPOSITION WAS AN INSUPERABLE AVERSION TO ALL KINDS OF PROFITABLE LABOR. IT COULD NOT BE FROM THE WANT OF ASSIDUITY OR PERSEVERANCE; FOR HE WOULD SIT ON A WET ROCK, WITH A ROD AS LONG AND HEG STORIES OF GHOSTS, WITCHES, AND INDIANS. WHENEVER HE WENT DODGING ABOUT THE VILLAGE, HE WAS SURROUNDED BY A TROOP OF THEM HANGING ON HIS SKIRTS, CLAMBERING ON HIS BACK, AND PLAYING A THOUSAND TRICKS ON HIM WITH IMPUNITY; AND NOT A DOG WOULD BARK AT VENING GOSSIPINGS, TO LAY ALL THE BLAME ON DAME VAN WINKLE. THE CHILDREN OF THE VILLAGE, TOO, WOULD SHOUT WITH JOY WHENEVER HE APPROACHED. HE ASSISTED AT THEIR SPORTS, MADE THEIR PLAYTHINGS, TAUGHT THEM TO FLY KITES AND SHOOT MARBLES, AND TOLD THEM LONLE WAS THRICE BLESSED. CERTAIN IT IS THAT HE WAS A GREAT FAVORITE AMONG ALL THE GOOD WIVES OF THE VILLAGE, WHO, AS USUAL WITH THE AMIABLE SEX, TOOK HIS PART IN ALL FAMILY SQUABBLES; AND NEVER FAILED, WHENEVER THEY TALKED THOSE MATTERS OVER IN THEIR EF DOMESTIC TRIBULATION, AND A CURTAIN LECTURE IS WORTH ALL THE SERMONS IN THE WORLD FOR TEACHING THE VIRTUES OF PATIENCE AND LONG-SUFFERING. A TERMAGANT WIFE MAY, THEREFORE, IN SOME RESPECTS, BE CONSIDERED A TOLERABLE BLESSING; AND IF SO, RIP VAN WINK SPIRIT WHICH GAINED HIM SUCH UNIVERSAL POPULARITY; FOR THOSE MEN ARE MOST APT TO BE OBSEQUIOUS AND CONCILIATING ABROAD, WHO ARE UNDER THE DISCIPLINE OF SHREWS AT HOME. THEIR TEMPERS, DOUBTLESS, ARE RENDERED PLIANT AND MALLEABLE IN THE FIERY FURNACE OEVER, BUT LITTLE OF THE MARTIAL CHARACTER OF HIS ANCESTORS. I HAVE OBSERVED THAT HE WAS A SIMPLE GOOD-NATURED MAN; HE WAS, MOREOVER, A KIND NEIGHBOR, AND AN OBEDIENT HENPECKED HUSBAND. INDEED, TO THE LATTER CIRCUMSTANCE MIGHT BE OWING THAT MEEKNESS OFEAT BRITAIN, A SIMPLE GOOD-NATURED FELLOW, OF THE NAME OF RIP VAN WINKLE. HE WAS A DESCENDANT OF THE VAN WINKLES WHO FIGURED SO GALLANTLY IN THE CHIVALROUS DAYS OF PETER STUYVESANT, AND ACCOMPANIED HIM TO THE SIEGE OF FORT CHRISTINA. HE INHERITED, HOWATION. FROM EVEN THIS STRONGHOLD THE UNLUCKY RIP WAS AT LENGTH ROUTED BY HIS TERMAGANT WIFE, WHO WOULD SUDDENLY BREAK IN UPON THE TRANQUILLITY OF THE ASSEMBLAGE AND CALL THE MEMBERS ALL TO NAUGHT; NOR WAS THAT AUGUST PERSONAGE, NICHOLAS VEDDER HIMSELN PLEASED HE WOULD INHALE THE SMOKE SLOWLY AND TRANQUILLY, AND EMIT IT IN LIGHT AND PLACID CLOUDS; AND SOMETIMES, TAKING THE PIPE FROM HIS MOUTH, AND LETTING THE FRAGRANT VAPOUR CURL ABOUT HIS NOSE, WOULD GRAVELY NOD HIS HEAD IN TOKEN OF PERFECT APPROBAT MAN HAS HIS ADHERENTS), PERFECTLY UNDERSTOOD HIM, AND KNEW HOW TO GATHER HIS OPINIONS. WHEN ANYTHING THAT WAS READ OR RELATED DISPLEASED HIM, HE WAS OBSERVED TO SMOKE HIS PIPE VEHEMENTLY, AND TO SEND FORTH SHORT, FREQUENT, AND ANGRY PUFFS, BUT WHE THE SUN AND KEEP ING THE SHADE OF A LARGE TREE; SO THAT THE NEIGHBOURS COULD TELL THE HOUR BY HIS MOVEMENTS AS ACCURATELY AS BY A SUNDIAL. IT IS TRUE HE WAS RARELY HEARD TO SPEAK, BUT SMOKED HIS PIPE INCESSANTLY. HIS ADHERENTS, HOWEVER (FOR EVERY GREER THEY HAD TAKEN PLACE. THE OPINIONS OF THIS JUNTO WERE COMPLETELY CONTROLLED BY NICHOLAS VEDDER, A PATRIARCH OF THE VILLAGE, AND LANDLORD OF THE INN, AT THE DOOR OF WHICH HE TOOK HIS SEAT FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT, JUST MOVING SUFFICIENTLY TO AVOID LISTEN TO THE CONTENTS, AS DRAWLED OUT BY DERRICK VAN BUMMEL, THE SCHOOLMASTER, A DAPPER LEARNED LITTLE MAN, WHO WAS NOT TO BE DAUNTED BY THE MOST GIGANTIC WORD IN THE DICTIONARY; AND HOW SAGELY THEY WOULD DELIBERATE UPON PUBLIC EVENTS SOME MONTHS AFTPY STORIES ABOUT NOTHING. BUT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WORTH ANY STATESMAN'S MONEY TO HAVE HEARD THE PROFOUND DISCUSSIONS THAT SOMETIMES TOOK PLACE, WHEN BY CHANCE AN OLD NEWSPAPER FELL INTO THEIR HANDS FROM SOME PASSING TRAVELLER. HOW SOLEMNLY THEY WOULD H HELD ITS SESSIONS ON A BENCH BEFORE A SMALL INN, DESIGNATED BY A RUBICUND PORTRAIT OF HIS MAJESTY GEORGE THE THIRD. HERE THEY USED TO SIT IN THE SHADE THROUGH A LONG LAZY SUMMER'S DAY, TALKING LISTLESSLY OVER VILLAGE GOSSIP, OR TELLING ENDLESS SLEEP TONGUE IS THE ONLY EDGED TOOL THAT GROWS KEENER WITH CONSTANT USE. FOR A LONG WHILE HE USED TO CONSOLE HIMSELF, WHEN DRIVEN FROM HOME, BY FREQUENTING A KIND OF PERPETUAL CLUB OF THE SAGES, PHILOSOPHERS, AND OTHER IDLE PERSONAGES OF THE VILLAGE; WHICLANCE AT DAME VAN WINKLE, AND AT THE LEAST FLOURISH OF A BROOMSTICK OR LADLE, HE WOULD FLY TO THE DOOR WITH YELPING PRECIPITATION. TIMES GREW WORSE WITH RIP VAN WINKLE AS YEARS OF MATRIMONY ROLLED ON; A TART TEMPER NEVER MELLOWS WITH AGE, AND A SHAR CAN WITHSTAND THE EVER-DURING AND ALL-BESETTING TERRORS OF A WOMAN'S TONGUE? THE MOMENT WOLF ENTERED THE HOUSE, HIS CREST FELL, HIS TAIL DROOPED TO THE GROUND, OR CURLED BETWEEN HIS LEGS, HE SNEAKED ABOUT WITH A GALLOWS AIR, CASTING MANY A SIDELONG GNS IN IDLENESS, AND EVEN LOOKED UPON WOLF WITH AN EVIL EYE, AS THE CAUSE OF HIS MASTER'S GOING SO OFTEN ASTRAY. TRUE IT IS, IN ALL POINTS OF SPIRIT BEFITTING AN HONORABLE DOG, HE WAS AS COURAGEOUS AN ANIMAL AS EVER SCOURED THE WOODS - BUT WHAT COURAGE HIS FORCES, AND TAKE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE - THE ONLY SIDE WHICH, IN TRUTH, BELONGS TO A HEN-PECKED HUSBAND. RIP'S SOLE DOMESTIC ADHERENT WAS HIS DOG WOLF, WHO WAS AS MUCH HEN-PECKED AS HIS MASTER; FOR DAME VAN WINKLE REGARDED THEM AS COMPANIO TO ALL LECTURES OF THE KIND, AND THAT, BY FREQUENT USE, HAD GROWN INTO A HABIT. HE SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS, SHOOK HIS HEAD, CAST UP HIS EYES, BUT SAID NOTHING. THIS, HOWEVER, ALWAYS PROVOKED A FRESH VOLLEY FROM HIS WIFE; SO THAT HE WAS FAIN TO DRAW OFFHIS IDLENESS, HIS CARELESSNESS, AND THE RUIN HE WAS BRINGING ON HIS FAMILY. MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT, HER TONGUE WAS INCESSANTLY GOING, AND EVERYTHING HE SAID OR DID WAS SURE TO PRODUCE A TORRENT OF HOUSEHOLD ELOQUENCE. RIP HAD BUT ONE WAY OF REPLYING BROWN, WHICHEVER CAN BE GOT WITH LEAST THOUGHT OR TROUBLE, AND WOULD RATHER STARVE ON A PENNY THAN WORK FOR A POUND. IF LEFT TO HIMSELF, HE WOULD HAVE WHISTLED LIFE AWAY IN PERFECT CONTENTMENT; BUT HIS WIFE KEPT CONTINUALLY DINNING IN HIS EARS ABOUT Y THE DRY BED OF A MOUNTAIN TORRENT. AS THEY ASCENDED, RIP EVERY NOW AND THEN HEARD LONG ROLLING PEALS, LIKE DISTANT THUNDER, THAT SEEMED TO ISSUE OUT OF A DEEP RAVINE, OR RATHER CLEFT, BETWEEN THE LOFTY RECKS, TOWARD WHICH THEIR RUGGED PATH CONDUCTEDF LIQUOR, AND MADE SIGNS FOR RIP TO APPROACH AND ASSIST HIM WITH THE LOAD. THOUGH RATHER SHY AND DISTRUSTFUL OF THIS NEW ACQUAINTANCE, RIP COMPLIED WITH HIS USUAL ALACRITY; AND MUTUALLY RELIEVING EACH OTHER, THEY CLAMBERED UP A NARROW GULLY, APPARENTLNTIQUE DUTCH FASHION - A CLOTH JERKIN, STRAPPED ROUND THE WAIST - SEVERAL PAIR OF BREECHES, THE OUTER ONE OF AMPLE VOLUME, DECORATED WITH ROWS OF BUTTONS DOWN THE SIDES, AND BUNCHES AT THE KNEES. HE BORE ON HIS SHOULDER A STOUT KEG, THAT SEEMED FULL O HIS ASSISTANCE, HE HASTENED DOWN TO YIELD IT. ON NEARER APPROACH HE WAS STILL MORE SURPRISED AT THE SINGULARITY OF THE STRANGER'S APPEARANCE. HE WAS A SHORT, SQUARE-BUILT OLD FELLOW, WITH THICK BUSHY HAIR AND A GRIZZLED BEARD. HIS DRESS WAS OF THE A STRANGE FIGURE SLOWLY TOILING UP THE ROCKS, AND BENDING UNDER THE WEIGHT OF SOMETHING HE CARRIED ON HIS BACK. HE WAS SURPRISED TO SEE ANY HUMAN BEING IN THIS LONELY AND UNFREQUENTED PLACE; BUT SUPPOSING IT TO BE SOME ONE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN NEED OF- AT THE SAME TIME WOLF BRISTLED UP HIS BACK, AND, GIVING A LOUD GROWL, SKULKED TO HIS MASTER'S SIDE, LOOKING FEARFULLY DOWN INTO THE GLEN. RIP NOW FELT A VAGUE APPREHENSION STEALING OVER HIM; HE LOOKED ANXIOUSLY IN THE SAME DIRECTION, AND PERCEIVED AT COULD SEE NOTHING BUT A CROW WINGING ITS SOLITARY FLIGHT ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN. HE THOUGHT HIS FANCY MUST HAVE DECEIVED HIM, AND TURNED AGAIN TO DESCEND, WHEN HE HEARD THE SAME CRY RING THROUGH THE STILL EVENING AIR: "RIP VAN WINKLE! RIP VAN WINKLE!" FORE HE COULD REACH THE VILLAGE, AND HE HEAVED A HEAVY SIGH WHEN HE THOUGHT OF ENCOUNTERING THE TERRORS OF DAME VAN WINKLE. AS HE WAS ABOUT TO DESCEND, HE HEARD A VOICE FROM A DISTANCE, HALLOOING, "RIP VAN WINKLE! RIP VAN WINKLE!" HE LOOKED ROUND, BUFS, AND SCARCELY LIGHTED BY THE REFLECTED RAYS OF THE SETTING SUN. FOR SOME TIME RIP LAY MUSING ON THIS SCENE; EVENING WAS GRADUALLY ADVANCING; THE MOUNTAINS BEGAN TO THROW THEIR LONG BLUE SHADOWS OVER THE VALLEYS; HE SAW THAT IT WOULD BE DARK LONG BELAGGING BARK, HERE AND THERE SLEEPING ON ITS GLASSY BOSOM, AND AT LAST LOSING ITSELF IN THE BLUE HIGHLANDS. ON THE OTHER SIDE HE LOOKED DOWN INTO A DEEP MOUNTAIN GLEN, WILD, LONELY, AND SHAGGED, THE BOTTOM FILLED WITH FRAGMENTS FROM THE IMPENDING CLIF BETWEEN THE TREES HE COULD OVERLOOK ALL THE LOWER COUNTRY FOR MANY A MILE OF RICH WOODLAND. HE SAW AT A DISTANCE THE LORDLY HUDSON, FAR, FAR BELOW HIM, MOVING ON ITS SILENT BUT MAJESTIC COURSE, WITH THE REFLECTION OF A PURPLE CLOUD, OR THE SAIL OF A OOTING, AND THE STILL SOLITUDES HAD ECHOED AND RE-ECHOED WITH THE REPORTS OF HIS GUN. PANTING AND FATIGUED, HE THREW HIMSELF, LATE IN THE AFTERNOON, ON A GREEN KNOLL, COVERED WITH MOUNTAIN HERBAGE, THAT CROWNED THE BROW OF A PRECIPICE. FROM AN OPENINGRILY BELIEVE HE RECIPROCATED THE SENTIMENT WITH ALL HIS HEART. IN A LONG RAMBLE OF THE KIND ON A FINE AUTUMNAL DAY, RIP HAD UNCONSCIOUSLY SCRAMBLED TO ONE OF THE HIGHEST PARTS OF THE KAATSKILL MOUNTAINS. HE WAS AFTER HIS FAVORITE SPORT OF SQUIRREL-SHPOOR WOLF," HE WOULD SAY, "THY MISTRESS LEADS THEE A DOG'S LIFE OF IT; BUT NEVER MIND, MY LAD, WHILST I LIVE THOU SHALT NEVER WANT A FRIEND TO STAND BY THEE!" WOLF WOULD WAG HIS TAIL, LOOK WISTFULLY IN HIS MASTER'S FACE, AND IF DOGS CAN FEEL PITY, I VED CLAMOUR OF HIS WIFE, WAS TO TAKE GUN IN HAND AND STROLL AWAY INTO THE WOODS. HERE HE WOULD SOMETIMES SEAT HIMSELF AT THE FOOT OF A TREE, AND SHARE THE CONTENTS OF HIS WALLET WITH WOLF, WITH WHOM HE SYMPATHISED AS A FELLOW-SUFFERER IN PERSECUTION. "F, SACRED FROM THE DARING TONGUE OF THIS TERRIBLE VIRAGO, WHO CHARGED HIM OUTRIGHT WITH ENCOURAGING HER HUSBAND IN HABITS OF IDLENESS. POOR RIP WAS AT LAST REDUCED ALMOST TO DESPAIR; AND HIS ONLY ALTERNATIVE, TO ESCAPE FROM THE LABOUR OF THE FARM ANICKED FLAGON!" THOUGHT RIP; "WHAT EXCUSE SHALL I MAKE TO DAME VAN WINKLE?" HE LOOKED ROUND FOR HIS GUN, BUT IN PLACE OF THE CLEAN WELL-OILED FOWLING-PIECE, HE FOUND AN OLD FIRELOCK LYING BY HIM, THE BARREL INCRUSTED WITH RUST, THE LOCK FALLING OFF, AVE NOT SLEPT HERE ALL NIGHT." HE RECALLED THE OCCURRENCES BEFORE HE FELL ASLEEP. THE STRANGE MAN WITH A KEG OF LIQUOR - THE MOUNTAIN RAVINE - THE WILD RETREAT AMONG THE ROCKS - THE WOE-BEGONE PARTY AT NINE-PINS - THE FLAGON - "OH! THAT FLAGON! THAT WHE HAD FIRST SEEN THE OLD MAN OF THE GLEN. HE RUBBED HIS EYES - IT WAS A BRIGHT SUNNY MORNING. THE BIRDS WERE HOPPING AND TWITTERING AMONG THE BUSHES, AND THE EAGLE WAS WHEELING ALOFT, AND BREASTING THE PURE MOUNTAIN BREEZE. "SURELY," THOUGHT RIP, "I HED ANOTHER; AND HE REITERATED HIS VISITS TO THE FLAGON SO OFTEN, THAT AT LENGTH HIS SENSES WERE OVERPOWERED, HIS EYES SWAM IN HIS HEAD, HIS HEAD GRADUALLY DECLINED, AND HE FELL INTO A DEEP SLEEP. ON WAKING, HE FOUND HIMSELF ON THE GREEN KNOLL WHENCE D APPREHENSION SUBSIDED. HE EVEN VENTURED, WHEN NO EYE WAS FIXED UPON HIM, TO TAST THE BEVERAGE, WHICH HE FOUND HAD MUCH OF THE FLAVOR OF EXCELLENT HOLLANDS. HE WAS NATURALLY A THIRSTY SOUL, AND WAS SOON TEMPTED TO REPEAT THE DRAUGHT. ONE TASTE PROVOKCOMPANION NOW EMPTIED THE CONTENTS OF THE KEG INTO LARGE FLAGONS, AND MADE SIGNS TO HIM TO WAIT UPON THE COMPANY. HE OBEYED WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING; THEY QUAFFED THE LIQUOR IN PROFOUND SILENCE, AND THEN RETURNED TO THEIR GAME. BY DEGREES RIP'S AWE ANP AND HIS COMPANION APPROACHED THEM, THEY SUDDENLY DESISTED FROM THEIR PLAY, AND STARED AT HIM WITH SUCH FIXED, STATUE-LIKE GAZE, AND SUCH STRANGE, UNCOUTH, LACK-LUSTRE COUNTENANCES, THAT HIS HEART TURNED WITHIN HIM, AND HIS KNEES SMOTE TOGETHER. HIS D WERE, WITHAL, THE MOST MELANCHOLY PARTY OF PLEASURE HE HAD EVER WITNESSED. NOTHING INTERRUPTED THE STILLNESS OF THE SCENE BUT THE NOISE OF THE BALLS, WHICH, WHENEVER THEY WERE ROLLED, ECHOED ALONG THE MOUNTAINS LIKE RUMBLING PEALS OF THUNDER. AS RIN, AND WHICH HAD BEEN BROUGHT OVER FROM HOLLAND AT THE TIME OF THE SETTLEMENT. WHAT SEEMED PARTICULARLY ODD TO RIP WAS, THAT THOUGH THESE FOLKS WERE EVIDENTLY AMUSING THEMSELVES, YET THEY MAINTAINED THE GRAVEST FACES, THE MOST MYSTERIOUS SILENCE, ANACED DOUBLET, BROAD BELT AND HANGER, HIGH-CROWNED HAT AND FEATHER, RED STOCKINGS, AND HIGH-HEELED SHOES, WITH ROSES IN THEM. THE WHOLE GROUP REMINDED RIP OF THE FIGURES IN AN OLD FLEMISH PAINTING, IN THE PARLOR OF DOMINIE VAN SHAICK, THE VILLAGE PARSOAS SURMOUNTED BY A WHITE SUGAR-LOAF HAT, SET OF WITH A LITTLE RED COCK'S TAIL. THEY ALL HAD BEARDS, OF VARIOUS SHAPES AND COLORS. THERE WAS ONE WHO SEEMED TO BE THE COMMANDER. HE WAS A STOUT OLD GENTLEMAN, WITH A WEATHER-BEATEN COUNTENANCE; HE WORE A L THEIR BELTS, AND MOST OF THEM HAD ENORMOUS BREECHES, OF SIMILAR STYLE WITH THAT OF THE GUIDE'S. THEIR VISAGES, TOO, WERE PECULIAR; ONE HAD A LARGE HEAD, BROAD FACE, AND SMALL PIGGISH EYES; THE FACE OF ANOTHER SEEMED TO CONSIST ENTIRELY OF NOSE, AND WRE, NEW OBJECTS OF WONDER PRESENTED THEMSELVES. ON A LEVEL SPOT IN THE CENTRE WAS A COMPANY OF ODD-LOOKING PERSONAGES PLAYING AT NINE-PINS. THEY WERE DRESSED IN A QUAINT OUTLANDISH FASHION; SOME WORE SHORT DOUBLETS, OTHERS JERKINS, WITH LONG KNIVES INGH THE FORMER MARVELLED GREATLY WHAT COULD BE THE OBJECT OF CARRYING A KEG OF LIQUOR UP THIS WILD MOUNTAIN; YET THERE WAS SOMETHING STRANGE AND INCOMPREHENSIBLE ABOUT THE UNKNOWN, THAT INSPIRED AWE AND CHECKED FAMILIARITY. ON ENTERING THE AMPHITHEATD BY PERPENDICULAR PRECIPICES, OVER THE BRINKS OF WHICH IMPENDING TREES SHOT THEIR BRANCHES SO THAT YOU ONLY CAUGHT GLIMPSES OF THE AZURE SKY AND THE BRIGHT EVENING CLOUD. DURING THE WHOLE TIME RIP AND HIS COMPANION HAD LABORED ON IN SILENCE, FOR THOU. HE PAUSED FOR AN INSTANT, BUT SUPPOSING IT TO BE THE MUTTERING OF ONE OF THOSE TRANSIENT THUNDER-SHOWERS WHICH OFTEN TAKE PLACE IN MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS, HE PROCEEDED. PASSING THROUGH THE RAVINE, THEY CAME TO A HOLLOW, LIKE A SMALL AMPHITHEATRE, SURROUNDEXED. "THAT FLAGON LAST NIGHT," THOUGHT HE, "HAS ADDLED MY POOR HEAD SADLY!" IT WAS WITH SOME DIFFICULTY THAT HE FOUND THE WAY TO HIS OWN HOUSE, WHICH HE APPROACHED WITH SILENT AWE, EXPECTING EVERY MOMENT TO HEAR THE SHRILL VOICE OF DAME VAN WINKLE. HBEWITCHED. SURELY THIS WAS HIS NATIVE VILLAGE, WHICH HE HAD LEFT BUT THE DAY BEFORE. THERE STOOD THE KAATSKILL MOUNTAINS - THERE RAN THE SILVER HUDSON AT A DISTANCE - THERE WAS EVERY HILL AND DALE PRECISELY AS IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN. RIP WAS SORELY PERPLERE, AND THOSE WHICH HAD BEEN HIS FAMILIAR HAUNTS HAD DISAPPEARED. STRANGE NAMES WERE OVER THE DOORS - STRANGE FACES AT THE WINDOWS - EVERYTHING WAS STRANGE. HIS MIND NOW MISGAVE HIM; HE BEGAN TO DOUBT WHETHER BOTH HE AND THE WORLD AROUND HIM WERE NOT IM, AND POINTING AT HIS GRAY BEARD. THE DOGS, TOO, NOT ONE OF WHICH HE RECOGNIZED FOR AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE, BARKED AT HIM AS HE PASSED. THE VERY VILLAGE WAS ALTERED; IT WAS LARGER AND MORE POPULOUS. THERE WERE ROWS OF HOUSES WHICH HE HAD NEVER SEEN BEFO RECURRENCE OF THIS GESTURE INDUCED RIP, INVOLUNTARILY, TO DO THE SAME - WHEN, TO HIS ASTONISHMENT, HE FOUND HIS BEARD HAD GROWN A FOOT LONG! HE HAD NOW ENTERED THE SKIRTS OF THE VILLAGE. A TROOP OF STRANGE CHILDREN RAN AT HIS HEELS, HOOTING AFTER H ONE IN THE COUNTRY ROUND. THEIR DRESS, TOO, WAS OF A DIFFERENT FASHION FROM THAT TO WHICH HE WAS ACCUSTOMED. THEY ALL STARED AT HIM WITH EQUAL MARKS OF SURPRISE, AND, WHENEVER THEY CAST THEIR EYES UPON HIM, INVARIABLY STROKED THEIR CHINS. THE CONSTANTHE RUSTY FIRELOCK, AND, WITH A HEART FULL OF TROUBLE AND ANXIETY, TURNED HIS STEPS HOMEWARD. AS HE APPROACHED THE VILLAGE HE MET A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, BUT NONE WHOM HE KNEW, WHICH SOMEWHAT SURPRISED HIM, FOR HE HAD THOUGHT HIMSELF ACQUAINTED WITH EVERYWAS TO BE DONE? - THE MORNING WAS PASSING AWAY, AND RIP FELT FAMISHED FOR WANT OF HIS BREAKFAST. HE GRIEVED TO GIVE UP HIS DOG AND HIS GUN; HE DREADED TO MEET HIS WIFE; BUT IT WOULD NOT DO TO STARVE AMONG THE MOUNTAINS. HE SHOOK HIS HEAD, SHOULDERED T AFTER HIS DOG; HE WAS ONLY ANSWERED BY THE CAWING OF A FLOCK OF IDLE CROWS, SPORTING HIGH IN AIR ABOUT A DRY TREE THAT OVERHUNG A SUNNY PRECIPICE; AND WHO, SECURE IN THEIR ELEVATION, SEEMED TO LOOK DOWN AND SCOFF AT THE POOR MAN'S PERPLEXITIES. WHAT A HIGH IMPENETRABLE WALL, OVER WHICH THE TORRENT CAME TUMBLING IN A SHEET OF FEATHERY FOAM, AND FELL INTO A BROAD, DEEP BASIN, BLACK FROM THE SHADOWS OF THE SURROUNDING FOREST. HERE, THEN, POOR RIP WAS BROUGHT TO A STAND. HE AGAIN CALLED AND WHISTLED THAT TWISTED THEIR COILS OR TENDRILS FROM TREE TO TREE, AND SPREAD A KIND OF NETWORK IN HIS PATH. AT LENGTH HE REACHED TO WHERE THE RAVINE HAD OPENED THROUGH THE CLIFFS TO THE AMPHITHEATRE; BUT NO TRACES OF SUCH OPENING REMAINED. THE ROCKS PRESENTEDOM ROCK TO ROCK, AND FILLING THE GLEN WITH BABBLING MURMURS. HE, HOWEVER, MADE SHIFT TO SCRAMBLE UP ITS SIDES, WORKING HIS TOILSOME WAY THROUGH THICKETS OF BIRCH, SASSAFRAS, AND WITCH-HAZEL, AND SOMETIMES TRIPPED UP OR ENTANGLED BY THE WILD GRAPE-VINES BLESSED TIME WITH DAME VAN WINKLE." WITH SOME DIFFICULTY HE GOT DOWN INTO THE GLEN: HE FOUND THE GULLY UP WHICH HE AND HIS COMPANION HAD ASCENDED THE PRECEDING EVENING; BUT, TO HIS ASTONISHMENT, A MOUNTAIN STREAM WAS NOW FOAMING DOWN IT - LEAPING FRMAND HIS DOG AND GUN. AS HE ROSE TO WALK HE FOUND HIMSELF STIFF IN THE JOINTS, AND WANTING IN HIS USUAL ACTIVITY. "THESE MOUNTAIN BEDS DO NOT AGREE WITH ME," THOUGHT RIP; "AND IF THIS FROLIC SHOULD LAY ME UP WITH A FIT OF THE RHEUMATISM, I SHALL HAVE AARTRIDGE. HE WHISTLED AFTER HIM, AND SHOUTED HIS NAME, BUT ALL IN VAIN; THE ECHOES REPEATED HIS WHISTLE AND SHOUT, BUT NO DOG WAS TO BE SEEN. HE DETERMINED TO REVISIT THE SCENE OF THE LAST EVENING'S GAMBOL, AND, IF HE MET WITH ANY OF THE PARTY, TO DEAND THE STOCK WORM-EATEN. HE NOW SUSPECTED THAT THE GRAVE ROYSTERS OF THE MOUNTAIN HAD PUT A TRICK UPON HIM, AND, HAVING DOSED HIM WITH LIQUOR, HAD ROBBED HIM OF HIS GUN. WOLF, TOO, HAD DISAPPEARED, BUT HE MIGHT HAVE STRAYED AWAY AFTER A SQUIRREL OR PHAT BROUGHT HIM TO THE ELECTION WITH A GUN ON HIS SHOULDER, AND A MOB AT HIS HEELS, AND WHETHER HE MEANT TO BREED A RIOT IN THE VILLAGE?" - "ALAS! GENTLEMEN," CRIED UIP, SOMEWHAT DISMAYED, "I AM A POOR QUIET MAN, A NATIVE OF THE PLACE, AND A LOYAL SUBHEM TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT WITH HIS ELBOWS AS HE PASSED, AND PLANTING HIMSELF BEFORE VAN WINKLE, WITH ONE ARM AKIMBO, THE OTHER RESTING ON HIS CANE, HIS KEEN EYES AND SHARP HAT PENETRATING, AS IT WERE, INTO HIS VERY SOUL, DEMANDED IN AN AUSTERE TONE, "W ARM, AND, RISING ON TOPTOE. INQUIRED IN HIS EAR, "WHETHER HE WAS FEDERAL OR DEMOCRAT?" RIP WAS EQUALLY AT A LOSS TO COMPREHEND THE QUESTION; WHEN A KNOWING, SELF-IMPORTANT OLD GENTLEMAN, IN A SHARP COCKED HAT, MADE HIS WAY THROUGH THE CROWD, PUTTING TROWDED ROUND HIM, EYEING HIM FROM HEAD TO FOOT WITH GREAT CURIOSITY. THE ORATOR BUSTLED UP TO HIM, AND, DRAWING HIM PARTLY ASIDE, INQUIRED "ON WHICH SIDE HE VOTED?" RIP STARED IN VACANT STUPIDITY. ANOTHER SHORT BUT BUSY LITTLE FELLOW PULLED HIM BY THE LONISH JARGON TO THE BEWILDERED VAN WINKLE. THE APPEARANCE OF RIP, WITH HIS LONG GRIZZLED BEARD, HIS RUSTY FOWLING-PIECE, HIS UNCOUTH DRESS, AND AN ARMY OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN AT HIS HEELS, SOON ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF THE TAVERN POLITICIANS. THEY CESE, A LEAN, BILIOUS-LOOKING FELLOW, WITH HIS POCKETS FULL OF HANDBILLS, WAS HARANGUING VEHEMENTLY ABOUT RIGHTS OF CITIZENS - ELECTIONS - MEMBERS OF CONGRESS - LIBERTY - BUNKER'S HILL - HEROES OF SEVENTY-SIX - AND OTHER WORDS, WHICH WERE A PERFECT BABYD IN VAIN FOR THE SAGE NICHOLAS VEDDER, WITH HIS BROAD FACE, DOUBLE CHIN, AND FAIR LONG PIPE, UTTERING CLOUDS OF TOBACCO-SMOKE INSTEAD OF IDLE SPEECHES; OR VAN BUMMEL, THE SCHOOLMASTER, DOLING FORTH THE CONTENTS OF AN ANCIENT NEWSPAPER. IN PLACE OF THE WAS, AS USUAL, A CROWD OF FOLKS ABOUT THE DOOR, BUT NONE THAT RIP RECOLLECTED. THE VERY CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE SEEMED CHANGED. THERE WAS A BUSY, BUSTLING, DISPUTATIOUS TONE ABOUT IT, INSTEAD OF THE ACCUSTOMED PHLEGM AND DROWSY TRANQUILLITY. HE LOOKETHIS WAS SINGULARLY METAMORPHOSED. THE RED COAT WAS CHANGED FOR ONE OF BLUE AND BUFF, A SWORD WAS HELD IN THE HAND INSTEAD OF A SCEPTRE, THE HEAD WAS DECORATED WITH A COCKED HAT, AND UNDERNEATH WAS PAINTED IN LARGE CHARACTERS, GENERAL WASHINGTON. THER WAS FLUTTERING A FLAG, ON WHICH WAS A SINGULAR ASSEMBLAGE OF STARS AND STRIPES - ALL THIS WAS STRANGE AND INCOMPREHENSIBLE. HE RECOGNIZED ON THE SIGN, HOWEVER, THE RUBY FACE OF KING GEORGE, UNDER WHICH HE HAD SMOKED SO MANY A PEACEFUL PIPE; BUT EVEN OR WAS PAINTED, "THE UNION HOTEL, BY JONATHAN DOOLITTLE." INSTEAD OF THE GREAT TREE THAT USED TO SHELTER THE QUIET LITTLE DUTCH INN OF YORE, THERE WAS NOW REARED A TALL NAKED POLE, WITH SOMETHING ON THE TOP THAT LOOKED LIKE A RED NIGHTCAP, AND FROM IT HE NOW HURRIED FORTH, AND HASTENED TO HIS OLD RESORT, THE VILLAGE INN - BUT IT TOO WAS GONE. A LARGE, RICKETY, WOODEN BUILDING STOOD IN ITS PLACE, WITH GREAT GAPING WINDOWS, SOME OF THEM BROKEN AND MENDED WITH OLD HATS AND PETTICOATS, AND OVER THE DO                    ME ALL HIS CONNUBIAL FEARS - HE CALLED LOUDLY FOR HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN - THE LONELY CHAMBERS RANG FOR A MOMENT WITH HIS VOICE, AND THEN ALL AGAIN WAS SILENCE. HIS WAS AN UNKIND CUT INDEED - "MY VERY DOG," SIGHED POOR RIP, "HAS FORGOTTEN ME!" HE ENTERED THE HOUSE, WHICH, TO TELL THE TRUTH, DAME VAN WINKLE HAD ALWAYS KEPT IN NEAT ORDER. IT WAS EMPTY, FORLORN, AND APPARENTLY ABANDONED. THE DESOLATENESS OVERCAE FOUND THE HOUSE GONE TO DECAY - THE ROOF FALLEN IN, THE WINDOWS SHATTERED, AND THE DOORS OFF THE HINGES. A HALF-STARVED DOG, THAT LOOKED LIKE WOLF, WAS SKULKING ABOUT IT. RIP CALLED HIM BY NAME, BUT THE CUR SNARLED, SHOWED HIS TEETH, AND PASSED ON. Tz#     ӮӠ1Ӯư^ ήưd ήӰASSION AT A NEW-ENGLAND PEDDLER." THERE WAS A DROP OF COMFORT, AT LEAST, IN THIS INTELLIGENCE. THE HONEST MAN COULD CONTAIN HIMSELF NO LONGER. HE CAUGHT HIS DAUGHTER AND HER CHILD IN HIS ARMS. "I AM YOUR FATHER!" CRIED HE - "YOUNG RIP VAN WINKLE ONCE BY THE INDIANS, NOBODY CAN TELL. I WAS THEN BUT A LITTLE GIRL." RIP HAD BUT ONE QUESTION MORE TO ASK; BUT HE PUT IT WITH A FALTERING VOICE, - "WHERE'S YOUR MOTHER?" "OH, SHE TOO DIED BUT A SHORT TIME SINCE; SHE BROKE A BLOOD-VESSEL IN A FIT OF PA"AND YOUR FATHER'S NAME?" "AH, POOR MAN, RIP VAN WINKLE WAS HIS NAME, BUT IT'S TWENTY YEARS SINCE HE WENT AWAY FROM HOME WITH HIS GUN, AND NEVER HAS BEEN HEARD OF SINCE - HIS DOG CAME HOME WITHOUT HIM; BUT WHETHER HE SHOT HIMSELF, OR WAS CARRIED AWAYED SHE, "HUSH, YOU LITTLE FOOL; THE OLD MAN WON'T HURT YOU." THE NAME OF THE CHILD, THE AIR OF THE MOTHER, THE TONE OF HER VOICE, ALL AWAKENED A TRAIN OF RECOLLECTIONS IN HIS MIND. "WHAT IS YOUR NAME, MY GOOD WOMAN?" ASKED HE. "JUDITH GARDENIER." KED HAT RETIRED WITH SOME PRECIPITATION. AT THIS CRITICAL MOMENT A FRESH, COMELY WOMAN PRESSED THROUGH THE THRONG TO GET A PEEP AT THE GRAY-BEARDED MAN. SHE HAD A CHUBBY CHILD IN HER ARMS, WHICH, FRIGHTENED AT HIS LOOKS, BEGAN TO CRY. "HUSH, RIP," CRI AT EACH OTHER, NOD, WINK SIGNIFICANTLY, AND TAP THEIR FINGERS AGAINST THEIR FOREHEADS. THERE WAS A WHISPER, ALSO, ABOUT SECURING THE GUN, AND KEEPING THE OLD FELLOW FROM DOING MISCHIEF, AT THE VERY SUGGESTION OF WHICH THE SELF-IMPORTANT MAN IN THE COCHAT'S SOMEBODY ELSE GOT INTO MY SHOES - I WAS MYSELF LAST NIGHT, BUT I FELL ASLEEP ON THE MOUNTAIN, AND THEY'VE CHANGED MY GUN, AND EVERYTHING'S CHANGED, AND I'M CHANGED, AND I CAN'T TELL WHAT'S MY NAME, OR WHO I AM!" THE BYSTANDERS BEGAN NOW TO LOOKHETHER HE WAS HIMSELF OR ANOTHER MAN. IN THE MIDST OF HIS BEWILDERMENT, THE MAN IN THE COCKED HAT DEMANDED WHO HE WAS, AND WHAT WAS HIS NAME? "GOD KNOWS," EXCLAIMED HE, AT HIS WITS' END; "I'M NOT MYSELF - I'M SOMEBODY ELSE - THAT'S ME YONDER - NO - TLE YONDER, LEANING AGAINST THE TREE." RIP LOOKED, AND BEHELD A PRECISE COUNTERPART OF HIMSELF, AS HE WENT UP THE MOUNTAIN: APPARENTLY AS LAZY, AND CERTAINLY AS RAGGED. THE POOR FELLOW WAS NOW COMPLETELY CONFOUNDED. HE DOUBTED HIS OWN IDENTITY, AND WULD NOT UNDERSTAND; WAR - CONGRESS - STONY POINT; - HE HAD NO COURAGE TO ASK AFTER ANY MORE FRIENDS, BUT CRIED OUT IN DESPAIR, "DOES ANYBODY HERE KNOW RIP VAN WINKLE?" "OH, RIP VAN WINKLE!" EXCLAIMED TWO OR THREE. "OH, TO BE SURE, THAT'S RIP VAN WINKAND IS NOW IN CONGRESS." RIP'S HEART DIED AWAY AT HEARING OF THESE SAD CHANGES IN HIS HOME AND FRIENDS, AND FINDING HIMSELF THUS ALONE IN THE WORLD. EVERY ANSWER PUZZLED HIM TOO, BY TREATING OF SUCH ENORMOUS LAPSES OF TIME, AND OF MATTERS WHICH HE COILLED AT THE STORMING OF STONY POINT - OTHERS SAY HE WAS DROWNED IN A SQUALL AT THE FOOT OF ANTONY'S NOSE. I DON'T KNOW - HE NEVER CAME BACK AGAIN." "WHERE'S VAN BUMMEL, THE SCHOOLMASTER?" "HE WENT OFF TO THE WARS TOO, WAS A GREAT MILITIA GENERAL, DEAD AND GONE THESE EIGHTEEN YEARS! THERE WAS A WOODEN TOMBSTONE IN THE CHURCHYARD THAT USED TO TELL ALL ABOUT HIM, BUT THAT'S ROTTEN AND GONE, TOO." "WHERE'S BROM DUTCHER?" "OH, HE WENT OFF TO THE ARMY IN THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR; SOME SAY HE WAS KEP ABOUT THE TAVERN. "WELL - WHO ARE THEY? - NAME THEM." RIP BETHOUGHT HIMSELF A MOMENT, AND INQUIRED, "WHERE'S NICHOLAS VEDDER?" THERE WAS A SILENCE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, WHEN AN OLD MAN REPLIED IN A THIN PIPING VOICE, "NICHOLAS VEDDER! WHY, HE IS SSUMED A TENFOLD AUSTERITY OF BROW, DEMANDED AGAIN OF THE UNKNOWN CULPRIT, WHAT HE CAME THERE FOR, AND WHOM HE WAS SEEKING? THE POOR MAN HUMBLY ASSURED HIM THAT HE MEANT NO HARM, BUT MERELY CAME THERE IN SEARCH OF SOME OF HIS NEIGHBORS, WHO USED TO KEJECT OF THE KING, GOD BLESS HIM!" HERE A GENERAL SHOUT BURST FROM THE BYSTANDERS - "A TORY! A TORY! A SPY! A REFUGEE! HUSTLE HIM! AWAY WITH HIM!" IT WAS WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY THAT THE SELFIMPORTANT MAN IN THE COCKED HAT RESTORED ORDER; AND, HAVING AHE SHOOK HIS HEAD, SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS, AND CAST UP HIS EYES; WHICH MIGHT PASS EITHER FOR AN EXPRESSION OF RESIGNATION TO HIS FATE, OR JOY AT HIS DELIVERANCE. HE USED TO TELL HIS STORY TO EVERY STRANGER THAT ARRIVED AT MR. DOOLITTLE'S HOTEL. HE WA AND THAT WAS - PETTICOAT GOVERNMENT. HAPPILY THAT WAS AT AN END; HE HAD GOT HIS NECK OUT OF THE YOKE OF MATRIMONY, AND COULD GO IN AND OUT WHENEVER HE PLEASED WITHOUT DREADING THE TYRANNY OF DAME VAN WINKLE. WHENEVER HER NAME WAS MENTIONED, HOWEVER, HIS MAJESTY GEORGE THE THIRD, HE WAS NOW A FREE CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES. RIP, IN FACT, WAS NO POLITICIAN; THE CHANGES OF STATES AND EMPIRES MADE BUT LITTLE IMPRESSION ON HIM, BUT THERE WAS ONE SPECIES OF DESPOTISM UNDER WHICH HE HAD LONG GROANED,R TRACK OF GOSSIP, OR COULD BE MADE TO COMPREHEND THE STRANGE EVENTS THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE DURING HIS TORPOR. HOW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A REVOLUTIONARY WAR - THAT THE COUNTRY HAD THROWN OFF THE YOKE OF OLD ENGLAND - AND THAT, INSTEAD OF BEING A SUBJECT OF AN CAN BE IDLE WITH IMPUNITY, HE TOOK HIS PLACE ONCE MORE ON THE BENCH AT THE INN DOOR, AND WAS REVERENCED AS ONE OF THE PATRIARCHS OF THE VILLAGE, AND A CHRONICLE OF THE OLD TIMES "BEFORE THE WAR." IT WAS SOME TIME BEFORE HE COULD GET INTO THE REGULAS FORMER CRONIES, THOUGH ALL RATHER THE WORSE FOR THE WEAR AND TEAR OF TIME; AND PREFERRED MAKING FRIENDS AMONG THE RISING GENERATION, WITH WHOM HE SOON GREW INTO GREAT FAVOR. HAVING NOTHING TO DO AT HOME, AND BEING ARRIVED AT THAT HAPPY AGE WHEN A MIR, WHO WAS THE DITTO OF HIMSELF, SEEN LEANING AGAINST THE TREE, HE WAS EMPLOYED TO WORK ON THE FARM; BUT EVINCED AN HERDITARY DISPOSITION TO ATTEND TO ANYTHING ELSE BUT HIS BUSINESS. RIP NOW RESUMED HIS OLD WALKS AND HABITS; HE SOON FOUND MANY OF HICERNS OF THE ELECTION. RIP'S DAUGHTER TOOK HIM HOME TO LIVE WITH HER; SHE HAD A SNUG, WELL-FURNISHED HOUSE, AND A STOUT CHEERY FARMER FOR HER HUSBAND, WHOM RIP RECOLLECTED FOR ONE OF THE URCHINS THAT USED TO CLIMB UPON HIS BACK. AS TO RIP'S SON AND HEES PLAYING AT NINE-PINS IN A HOLLOW OF THE MUNTAIN; AND THAT HE HIMSELF HAD HEARD, ONE SUMMER AFTERNOON, THE SOUND OF THEIR BALLS, LIKE DISTANT PEALS OF THUNDER. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, THE COMPANY BROKE UP, AND RETURNED TO THE MORE IMPORTANT CONWENTY YEARS, WITH HIS CREW OF THE HALF-MOON; BEING PERMITTED IN THIS WAY TO REVISIT THE SCENES OF HIS ENTERPRISE, AND KEEP A GUARDIAN EYE UPON THE RIVER, AND THE GREAT CITY CALLED BY HIS NAME. THAT HIS FATHER HAD ONCE SEEN THEM IN THEIR OLD DUTCH DRESSHANDED DOWN FROM HIS ANCESTOR THE HISTORIAN, THAT THE KAATSKILL MOUNTAINS HAD ALWAYS BEEN HAUNTED BY STRANGE BEINGS. THAT IT WAS AFFIRMED THAT THE GREAT HENDRICK HUDSON, THE FIRST DISCOVERER OF THE RIVER AND COUNTRY, KEPT A KIND OF VIGIL THERE EVERY T MOST ANCIENT INHABITANT OF THE VILLAGE, AND WELL VERSED IN ALL THE WONDERFUL EVENTS AND TRADITIONS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. HE RECOLLECTED RIP AT ONCE, AND CORROBORATED HIS STORY IN THE MOST SATISFACTORY MANNER. HE ASSURED THE COMPANY THAT IT WAS A FACT, ASSEMBLAGE. IT WAS DETERMINED, HOWEVER, TO TAKE THE OPINION OF OLD PETER VANDERDONK, WHO WAS SEEN SLOWLY ADVANCING UP THE ROAD. HE WAS A DESCENDANT OF THE HISTORIAN OF THAT NAME, WHO WROTE ONE OF THE EARLIEST ACCOUNTS OF THE PROVINCE. PETER WAS THENGUES IN THEIR CHEEKS: AND THE SELF-IMPORTANT MAN IN THE COCKED HAT, WHO, WHEN THE ALARM WAS OVER, HAD RETURNED TO THE FIELD, SCREWED DOWN THE CORNERS OF HIS MOUTH, AND SHOOK HIS HEAD - UPON WHICH THERE WAS A GENERAL SHAKING OF THE HEAD THROUGHOUT THEAN WINKLE - IT IS HIMSELF! WELCOME HOME AGAIN, OLD NEIGHBOR - WHY, RIP'S STORY WAS SOON TOLD, FOR THE WHOLE TWENTY YEARS HAD BEEN TO HIM BUT AS ONE NIGHT. THE NEIGHBORS STARED WHEN THEY HEARD IT; SOME WERE SEEN TO WINK AT EACH OTHER, AND PUT THEIR TO- OLD RIP VAN WINKLE NOW! - DOES NOBODY KNOW POOR RIP VAN WINKLE?" ALL STOOD AMAZED, UNTIL AN OLD WOMAN, TOTTERING OUT FROM AMONG THE CROWD, PUT HER HAND TO HER BROW, AND PEERING UNDER IT IN HIS FACE FOR A MOMENT, EXCLAIMED, "SURE ENOUGH! IT IS RIP V GREAT ROCK OR CLIFF ON THE LONELIEST PART OF THE MOUNTAINS, AND, FROM THE FLOWERING VINES WHICH CLAMBER ABOUT IT, AND THE WILD FLOWERS, WHICH ABOUND IN ITS NEIGHBORHOOD, IS KNOWN BY THE NAME OF THE GARDEN ROCK. NEAR THE FOOT OF IT IS A SMALL LAKE, THEWILDERED HUNTER A WEARY CHASE THROUGH TANGLED FORESTS AND AMONG RAGGED ROCKS, AND THEN SPRING OFF WITH A LOUD HO! HO! LEAVING HIM AGHAST ON THE BRINK OF A BEETLING PRECIPICE OR RAGING TORRENT. "THE FAVORITE ABODE OF THIS MANITOU IS STILL SHOWN. IT IS ATOU OR SPIRIT, WHO KEPT ABOUT THE WILDEST RECESSES OF THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS, AND TOOK A MISCHIEVOUS PLEASURE IN WREAKING ALL KINDS OF EVILS AND VEXATIONS UPON THE RED MEN. SOMETIMES HE WOULD ASSUME THE FORM OF A BEAR, A PANTHER, OR A DEER, LEAD THE BE, HOWEVER, SHE WOULD BREW UP CLOUDS BLACK AS INK, SITTING IN THE MIDST OF THEM LIKE A BOTTLE-BELLIED SPIDER IN THE MIDST OF ITS WEB; AND WHEN THESE CLOUDS BROKE, WOE BETIDE THE VALLEYS! "IN OLD TIMES, SAY THE INDIAN TRADITIONS, THERE WAS A KIND OF MANIAIN, FLAKE AFTER FLAKE, LIKE FLAKES OF CARDED COTTON, TO FLOAT IN THE AIR, UNTIL, DISSOLVED BY THE HEAT OF THE SUN, THEY WOULD FALL IN GENTLE SHOWERS, CAUSING THE GRASS TO SPRING, THE FRUITS TO RIPEN, AND THE CORN TO GROW AN INCH AN HOUR. IF DISPLEASEDT THE PROPER HOUR. SHE HUNG UP THE NEW MOONS IN THE SKIES, AND CUT UP THE OLD ONES INTO STARS. IN TIMES OF DROUGHT, IF PROPERLY PROPITIATED, SHE WOULD SPIN LIGHT SUMMER CLOUDS OUT OF COBWEBS AND MORNING DEW, AND SEND THEM OFF FROM THE CREST OF THE MOUNTR CLOUDS OVER THE LANDSCAPE, AND SENDING GOOD OR BAD HUNTING SEASONS. THEY WERE RULED BY AN OLD SQUAW SPIRIT, SAID TO BE THEIR MOTHER. SHE DWELT ON THE HIGHEST PEAK OF THE CATSKILLS, AND HAD CHARGE OF THE DOORS OF DAY AND NIGHT, TO OPEN AND SHUT THEM AWING ARE TRAVELLING NOTES FROM A MEMORANDUM-BOOK OF MR. KNICKERBOCKER: - "THE KAATSBERG, OR CATSKILL MOUNTAINS, HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A REGION FULL OF FABLE. THE INDIANS CONSIDERED THEM THE ABODE OF SPIRITS, WHO INFLUENCED THE WEATHER, SPREADING SUNSHINE O THIS INTO THE BARGAIN; NAY, I HAVE SEEN A CERTIFICATE ON THE SUBJECT, TAKEN BEFORE A COUNTRY JUSTICE, AND SIGNED WITH A CROSS, IN THE JUSTICE'S OWN HANDWRITING. THE STORY, THEREFORE, IS BEYOND THE POSSIBILITY OF DOUBT. - D.K." POSTSCRIPT. - THE FOLLONTICATED TO ADMIT OF A DOUBT. I HAVE EVEN TALKED WITH RIP VAN WINKLE MYSELF, WHO, WHEN I LAST SAW HIM, WAS A VERY VENERABLE OLD MAN AND SO PERFECTLY RATIONAL AND CONSISTENT ON EVERY OTHER POINT, THAT I THINK NO CONSCIENTIOUS PERSON COULD REFUSE TO TAKET MY FULL BELIEF, FOR I KNOW THE VICICITY OF OUR OLD DUTCH SETTLEMENTS TO HAVE BEEN VERY SUBJECT TO MARVELLOUS EVENTS AND APPEARANCE. INDEED, I HAVE HEARD MANY STRANGER STORIES THAN THIS IN THE VILLAGES ALONG THE HUDSON, ALL OF WHICH WERE TOO WELL AUTHERT, AND THE KYPPHAUSER MOUNTAIN; THE SUBJOINED NOTE, HOWEVER, WHICH HE HAD APPENDED TO THE TALE, SHOWS THAT IT IS AN ABLOLUTE FACT, NARRATED WITH HIS USUAL FIDELITY: - "THE STORY OF RIP VAN WINKLE MAY SEEM INCREDIBLE TO MANY, BUT NEVERTHELESS I GIVE I HEAVY ON THEIR HANDS, THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE A QUIETING DRAUGHT OUT OF RIP VAN WINKLE'S FLAGON. NOTE. - THE FOREGOING TALE,ONE WOULD SUSPECT, HAD BEEN SUGGESTED TO MR. KNICKERBOCKER BY A LITTLE GERMAN SUPERSTITION ABOUT THE EMPEROR FREDERICK DER ROTHBAEVEN TO THIS DAY THEY NEVER HEAR A THUNDERSTORM OF A SUMMER AFTERNOON ABOUT THE KAATSKILL, BUT THEY SAY HENDRICK HUDSON AND HIS CREW ARE AT THEIR GAME OF NINE-PINS; AND IT IS A COMMON WISH OF ALL HENPECKED HUSBANDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WHEN LIFE HANGS T BY HEART. SOME ALWAYS PRETENDED TO DOUBT THE REALITY OF IT, AND INSISTED THAT RIP HAD BEEN OUT OF HIS HEAD, AND THAT THIS WAS ONE POINT ON WHICH HE ALWAYS REMAINED FLIGHTY. THE OLD DUTCH INHABITANTS, HOWEVER, ALMOST UNIVERSALLY GAVE IT FULL CREDIT. S OBSERVED AT FIRST TO VARY ON SOME POINTS EVERY TIME HE TOLD IT, WHICH WAS, DOUBTLESS, OWING TO HIS HAVING SO RECENTLY AWAKED. IT AT LAST SETTLED DOWN PRECISELY TO THE TALE I HAVE RELATED, AND NOT A MAN, WOMAN, OR CHILD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT KNEW I THE NAME OF THE KAATERSKILL." NG THE ROCKS, WHEN A GREAT STREAM GUSHED FORTH, WHICH WASHED HIM AWAY AND SWEPT HIM DOWN PRECIPICES, WHERE HE WAS DASHED TO PIECES, AND THE STREAM MADE ITS WAY TO THE HUDSON, AND CONTINUES TO FLOW TO THE PRESENT DAY, BEING THE IDENTICAL STREAM KNOWN BYTS. ONCE UPON A TIME, HOWEVER, A HUNTER WHO HAD LOST HIS WAY PENETRATED TO THE GARDEN ROCK, WHERE HE BEHELD A NUMBER OF GOURDS PLACED IN THE CROTCHES OF TREES. ONE OF THESE HE SEIZED AND MADE OFF WITH, BUT IN THE HURRY OF HIS RETREAT HE LET IT FALL AMO HAUNT OF THE SOLITARY BITTERN, WITH WATERSNAKES BASKING IN THE SUN ON THE LEAVES OF THE POND-LILIES WHICH LIE ON THE SURFACE. THIS PLACE WAS HELD IN GREAT AWE BY THE INDIANS, INSOMUCH THAT THE BOLDEST HUNTER WOULD NOT PURSUE HIS GAME WITHIN ITS PRECINC