eben holden-第27章

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ty。'

He　put　down　the　window　as　he　spoke。

'A　leetle　tobaccer'll　improve　it　some；'　he　added；　as　his　hand　went　down　for　the　old　silver　box。　'The　way　these　cars　dew　rip　along！　Consamed　if　it　ain't　like　flyin'！　Kind　o'　makes　me　feel　like　a　bird。'

The　railroad　was　then　not　the　familiar　thing　it　is　now　in　the　north　country。　The　bull　in　the　fields　had　not　yet　come　to　an　understanding　of　its　rights；　and　was　frequently　tempted　into　argument　with　a　locomotive。　Bill　Fountain；　who　came　out　of　a　back　township；　one　day　had　even　tied　his　faithful　hound　to　the　rear　platform。

Our　train　came　to　a　long　stop　for　wood　and　water　near　midday；　and　then　we　opened　the　lunch　basket　that　mother　had　given　us。

'Neighbour；'　said　a　solemn…faced　man；　who　sat　in　front　of　us；　'do　you　think　the　cars　are　ag'in　the　Bible？　D'you　think　a　Christian　orter　ride　on　'em？'

'Sartin；'　said　Uncle　Eb。　'Less　the　constable's　after　him　…　then　I　think　he　orter　be　on　a　balky　hoss。'

'Wife'n　I　hes　talked　it　over　a　good　deal；'　said　the　man。　'Some　says　it's　ag'in　the　Bible。　The　minister　'at　preaches　over　'n　our　neighbourhood　says　if　God　hed　wanted　men　t'　fly　he'd　g'in　'em　wings。'

'S'pose　if　he'd　ever　wanted　'm　t'　skate　he'd　hed　'em　born　with　skates　on？'　said　Uncle　Eb。

'Danno；'　said　the　man。　'It　behooves　us　all　to　be　careful。　The　Bible　says　〃Go　not　after　new　things。〃'

'My　friend；'　said　Uncle　Eb；　between　bites　of　a　doughnut；　'I　don'　care　what　I　ride　in　so　long　as　'tain't　a　hearse。　I　want　sumthin'　at's　comfortable　an'　purty　middlin'　spry。　It'll　do　us　good　up　here　t'　git　jerked　a　few　hunderd　miles　an'　back　ev'ry　leetle　while。　Keep　our　j'ints　limber。　We'll　live　longer　fer　it；　an'　thet'll　please　God　sure　…　cuz　I　don't　think　he's　hankerin'　fer　our　society　…　not　a　bit。　Don'　make　no　difference　t'　hirn　whuther　we　ride　'n　a　spring　wagon　er　on　the　cars　so　long's　we're　right　side　up　'n　movin'。　We　need　more　steam；　we're　too　dum　slow。　Kind　o'　think　a　leetle　more　steam　in　our　religion　wouldn't　hurt　us　a　bit。　It's　purty　fur　behind。'

We　got　to　Albany　in　the　evening；　just　in　time　for　the　night　boat。　Uncle　Eb　was　a　sight　in　his　dusty　broadcloth；　when　we　got　off　the　cars；　and　I　know　my　appearance　could　not　have　been　prepossessing。　Once　we　were　aboard　the　boat　and　had　dusted　our　clothes　and　bathed　our　hands　and　faces　we　were　in　better　spirits。

'Consarn　it！'　said　Uncle　Eb；　as　we　left　the　washroom；　'le's　have　a　dum　good　supper。　I'll　stan'　treat'

'Comes　a　leetle　bit　high；'　he　said；　as　he　paid　the　bill；　'but　I　don'　care　if　it　does。　'Fore　we　left　I　says　t'　myself；　〃Uncle　Eb；〃　says　I；　〃you　go　right　in　fer　a　good　time　an'　don'　ye　count　the　pennies。　Everybody's　a　right　t'　be　reckless　once　in　seventy…five　year。〃'

We　went　to　our　stateroom　a　little　after　nine。　I　remember　the　berths　had　not　been　made　up；　and　removing　our　boots　and　coats　we　lay　down　upon　the　bare　mattresses。　Even　then　I　had　a　lurking　fear　that　we　might　be　violating　some　rule　of　steamboat　etiquette。　when　I　went　to　New　York　before　I　had　dozed　all　night　in　the　big　cabin。

A　dim　light　came　through　the　shuttered　door　that　opened　upon　the　dinning…saloon　where　the　rattle　of　dishes　for　a　time　put　away　the　possibility　of　sleep。

'I'll　be　awful　glad　t'　see　Hope；'　said　Uncle　Eb；　as　he　lay　gaping。

'Guess　I'll　be　happier　to　see　her　than　she　will　to　see　me；'　I　said。

'What　put　that　in　yer　head？'　Unde　Eb　enquired。

''Fraid　we've　got　pretty　far　apart；'　said　I。

'Shame　on　ye；　Bill；'　said　the　old　gentleman。　'If　thet's　so　ye　ain't　done　right　Hedn't　orter　let　a　girl　like　thet　git　away　from　ye　…　th'　ain't　another　like　her　in　this　world。'

'I　know　it'　I　said'　'but　I　can't　help　it　Somebody's　cut　me　out　Uncle　Eb。'

''Tain't　so；'　said　he　emphatically。　'Ye　want　t'　prance　right　up　t'　her。'

'I'm　not　afraid　of　any　woman；'　I　said；　with　a　great　air　of　bravery；　'but　if　she　don't　care　for　me　I　ought　not　to　throw　myself　at　her。'

'Jerusalem！'　said　Uncle　Eb；　rising　up　suddenly；　'what　hev　I　gone　an'　done？'

He　jumped　out　of　his　berth　quickly　and　in　the　dim　light　I　could　see　him　reaching　for　several　big　sheets　of　paper　adhering　to　the　back　of　his　shirt　and　trousers。　I　went　quickly　to　his　assistance　and　began　stripping　off　the　broadsheets　which；　covered　with　some　strongly　adhesive　substance；　had　laid　a　firm　hold　upon　him。　I　rang　the　bell　and　ordered　a　light。

'Consam　it　all！　what　be　they　…　plasters？'　said　Uncle　Eb；　quite　out　of　patience。

'Pieces　of　brown　paper；　covered　with　…　West　India　molasses；　I　should　think；'　said　I。

'West　Injy　molasses！'　he　exclaimed。　'By　mighty！　That　makes　me　hotter'n　a　pancake。　what's　it　on　the　bed　fer？'

'To　catch　flies；'　I　answered。

'An'　ketched　me；'　said　Uncle　Eb；　as　he　flung　the　sheet　he　was　examimng　into　a　corner。　'My　extry　good　suit'　too！'

He　took　off　his　trousers；　then；　holding　them　up　to　the　light。

'They're　sp'ilt；'　said　he　mournfully。　'Hed　'em　fer　more'n　ten　year；　too。'

'That's　long　enough；'　I　suggested。

'Got　kind　o'　'tached　to　'em；'　he　said；　looking　down　at　them　and　rubbing　his　chin　thoughtfully。　Then　we　had　a　good　laugh。

'You　can　put　on　the　other　suit；'　I　suggested；　'and　when　we　get　to　the　city　we'll　have　these　fixed。'

'Leetle　sorry；　though；'　said　he；　'cuz　that　other　suit　don'　look　reel　grand。　This　here　one　has　been　purty　…　purty　scrumptious　in　its　day　…　if　I　do　say　it。'

'You　look　good　enough　in　anything　that's　respectable；'　I　said。

'Kind　o'　wanted　to　look　a　leetle　extry　good；　as　ye　might　say；'　said　Uncle　Eb；　groping　in　his　big　carpet…bag。　'Hope；　she's　terrible　proud；　an'　if　they　should　hev　a　leetle　fiddlin'　an'　dancin'　some　night　we'd　want　t'　be　as　stylish　as　any　on　em。　B'lieve　I'll　go'n　git　me　a　spang；　bran'　new　suit；　anyway；　'fore　we　go　up　t'　Fuller's。'

As　we　neared　the　city　we　both　began　feeling　a　bit　doubtful　as　to　whether　we　were　quite　ready　for　the　ordeal。

'I　ought　to；'　I　said。　'Those　I'm　wearing　aren't　quite　stylish　enough；　I'm　afraid。'

'They're　han'some；'　said　Uncle　Eb；　looking　up　over　his　spectacles；　'but　mebbe　they　ain't　just　as　splendid　as　they'd　orter　be。　How　much　money　did　David　give　ye？'

'One　hundred　and　fifty　dollars；'　I　said；　thinking　it　a　very　grand　sum　indeed。

''Tain't　enough；'　said　Uncle　Eb；　bolting　up　at　me　again。　'Leastways　not　if　ye're　goin'　t'　hev　a　new　suit。　I　want　ye　t'　be　spick　an'　span。'

He　picked　up　his　trousers　then；　and　took　out　his　fat　leather　wallet。

'Lock　the　door；'　he　whispered。

'Pop　goes　the　weasel！'　he　exclaimed；　good…naturedly；　and　then　he　began　counting　the　bills。

'I'm　not　going　to　take　any　more　of　your　money；　Uncle　Eb；'　I　said。

'Tut；　tut！'　said　he；　'don't　ye　try　t'　interfere。　what　d'　ye　think　they'll　charge　in　the　city　fer　a　reel；　splendid　suit？'

He　stopped　and　looked　up　at　me。

'Probably　as　much　as　fifty　dollars；'　I　answered。

'Whew…w…w！'　he　whistled。　'Patty　steep！　It　is　sartin。'

'Let　me　go　as　I　am〃　said　I。　'Time　enough　to　have　a　new　suit　when　I've　earned　it。'

'Wall；'　he　said；　as　he　continued　counting；　'I　guess　you've　earnt　it　already。　Ye've　studied　hard　an'　tuk　first　honours　an'　yer　goin'　where　folks　are　purty　middlin'　proud'n　haughty。　I　want　ye　t'　be　a　reg'lar　high　stepper；　with　a　nice；　slick　coat。　There；'　he　whispered；　as　he　handed　me　the　money；　'take　thet！　An'　don't　ye　never　tell　'at　I　g'in　it　t'　ye。'

I　could　not　speak　for　a　little　while；　as　I　took　the　money；　for　thinking　of　the　many；　many　things　this　grand　old　man　had　done　for　me。

'Do　ye　think　these　boots'll　do？'　he　asked；　as　he　held　up　to　the　light　the　pair　he　had　taken　off　in　the　evening。

'They　look　all　right；'　I　said。

'Ain't　got　no　decent　squeak　to　'em　now；　an'　they　seem　t'　look　kind　o'　clumsy。　How're　your'n？'　he　asked。

I　got　them　out　from　under　the　berth　and　we　inspected　them　carefully　deciding　in　the　end　they　would　pass　muster。

The　steward　had　made　up　our　berths；　when　he　came；　and　lit　our　room　for　us。　Our　feverish　discussion　of　attire　had　carried　us　far　past　midnight；　when　we　decided　to　go　to　bed。

'S'pose　we　musm't　talk　t'　no　strangers　there　'n　New　York；'　said　Uncle　Eb；　as　he　lay　down。　'I've　read　'n　the　Triburne　how　they'll　purtend　t'　be　friends　an'　then　grab　yer　money　an'　run　like　Sam　Hill。　If　I　meet　any　o'　them　fellers　they're　goin'　t'　find　me　purty　middlin'　poor　comp'ny。'

We　were　up　and　on　deck　at　daylight；　viewing　the　Palisades。　The　lonely　feeling　of　an　alien　hushed　us　into　silence　as　we　came　to　the　noisy　and　thickening　river　craft　at　the　upper　end　of　the　city。　Countless　window　panes　were　shining　in　the　morning　sunlight。　This　thought　was　in　my　mind　that　somewhere　in　the　innumerable　host　on　either　side　was　the　one　dearer　to　me　than　any　other。　We　enquired　our　way　at　the　dock　and　walked　to　French's　Hotel；　on　Printing　House　Square。　After　breakfast　we　went　and　ordered　all　the　grand　new　things　we　had　planned　to　get。　They　would　not　be　ready　for　two　days；　and　after　talking　it　over　we　decided　to　go　and　make　a　short　call。　Hope；　who　had　been　up　and　looking　for　us　a　long　time；　gave　us　a　greeting　so　hearty　we　began　to　get　the　first　feeling　of　comfort　since　landing。　She　was　put　out　about　our　having　had　breakfast；　I　remember；　and　said　we　must　have　our　things　brought　there　at　once。

'I　shall　have　to　stay　at　the　hotel　awhile；'　I　said；　thinking　of　the　new　clothes。

'Why；'　said　Mrs　Fuller；　'this　girl　has　been　busy　a　week　fixing　your　rooms　and　planning　for　you。　We　could　not　hear　of　your　going　elsewhere。　It　would　be　downright　ingratitude　to　her。'

A　glow　of　red　came　into　the　cheeks　of　Hope　that　made　me　ashamed　of　my　remark。　I　thought　she　looked　lovelier　in　her　pretty　blue　morning　gown；　covering　a　broad　expanse　of　crinoline；　than　ever　before。

'And　you've　both　got　to　come　and　hear　me　sing　tonight　at　the　church；'　said　she。　'I　wouldn't　have　agreed　to　sing　if　I　had　not　thought　you　were　to　be　here。'

We　made　ourselves　at　home；　as　we　were　most　happy　to　do；　and　that　afternoon　I　went　down　town　to　present　to　Mr　Greeley　the　letter　that　David　Brower　had　given　me。

Chapter　29

I　came　down　Broadway　that　afternoon　aboard　a　big　white　omnibus；　that　drifted　slowly　in　a　tide　of　many　vehicles。　Those　days　there　were　a　goodly　show　of　trees　on　either　side　of　that　thoroughfare　…　elms；　with　here　and　there　a　willow；　a　sumach　or　a　mountain　ash。　The　walks　were　thronged　with　handsome　people　…　dandies　with　high　hats　and　flaunting　necknes　and　swinging　canes　…　beautiful　women；　each　covering　a　broad　circumference　of　the　pavement；　with　a　cone　of　crinoline　that　swayed　over　dainty　feet。　　From　Grace　Church　down　it　was　much　of　the　same　thing　we　see　now；　with　a　more　ragged　sky　line。　Many　of　the　great　buildings；　of　white　and　red　sandstone；　had　then　appeared；　but　the　street　was　largely　in　the　possession　of　small　shops　…　oyster　houses；　bookstores　and　the　like。　Not　until　I　neared　the　sacred　temple　of　the　Tribune　did　I　feel　a　proper　sense　of　my　own　littleness。　There　was　the　fountain　of　all　that　wisdom　which　had　been　read　aloud　and　heard　with　reverence　in　our　household　since　a　time　I　could　but　dimly　remember。　There　sat　the　prophet　who　had　given　us　so　much　…　his　genial　views　of　life　and　government；　his　hopes；　his　fears；　his　mighty　wrath　at　the　prospering　of　cruelty　and　injustice。

'I　would　like　to　see　Mr　Horace　Greeley；'　I　said；　rather　timidly；　at　the　counter。

'Walk　right　up　those　stairs　and　turn　to　the　left；'　said　a　clerk；　as　he　opened　a　gate　for　me。