eben holden-第30章

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y　if　keep　me　'way　from　her。　She's　sot　on　my　knee　too　many　year　fer　that'　altogether　too　many。　

We　arranged　to　meet　there　at　four。　Then　a　servant　brought　us　our　hats。　I　heard　Hope　calling　as　we　passed　the　stairway：

'Won't　you　come　up　a　minute；　Uncle　Eb？　I　want　to　see　you　very　much。　

Then　Uncle　Eb　hurried　upstairs　and　I　came　away。

I　read　the　advertisements　of　board　and　lodging　…　a　perplexing　task　for　one　so　ignorant　of　the　town。　After　many　calls　I　found　a　place　to　my　liking　on　Monkey　Hill；　near　Printing　House　Square。　Monkey　Hill　was　the　east　end　of　William　Street；　and　not　in　the　least　fashionable。　There　were　some　neat　and　cleanly　looking　houses　on　it　of　wood；　and　brick；　and　brown　stone　inhabited　by　small　tradesmen；　a　few　shops；　a　big　stable　and　the　chalet　sitting　on　a　broad；　flat　roof　that　covered　a　portion　of　the　stableyard。　The　yard　itself　was　the　summit　of　Monkey　Hill。　It　lay　between　two　brick　buildings　and　up　the　hill；　from　the　walk；　one　looked　into　the　gloomy　cavern　of　the　stable　and　under　the　low　roof；　on　one　side7　there　were　dump　carts　and　old　coaches　in　varying　stages　of　infirmity。　There　was　an　old　iron　shop；　that　stood　flush　with　the　sidewalk；　flanking　the　stableyard。　A　lantern　and　a　mammoth　key　were　suspended　above　the　door　and　hanging　upon　the　side　of　the　shop　was　a　wooden　stair　ascending　to　the　chalet　The　latter　had　a　sheathing　of　weather…worn　clapboards。　It　stood　on　the　rear　end　of　the　brick　building；　communicating　with　the　front　rooms　above　the　shop。　A　little　stair　of　five　steps　ascended　from　the　landing　to　its　red　door　that　overlooked　an　ample　yard　of　roofing；　adorned　with　potted　plants。　The　main　room　of　the　chalet　where　we　ate　our　meals　and　sat　and　talked；　of　an　evening；　had　the　look　of　a　ship's　cabin。　There　were　stationary　seats　along　the　wall　covered　with　leathern　cushions。　There　were　port　and　starboard　lanterns　and　a　big　one　of　polished　brass　that　overhung　the　table。　A　ship's　clock　that　had　a　noisy　and　cheerful　tick；　was　set　in　the　wall。　A　narrow　passage　led　to　the　room　in　front　and　the　latter　had　slanting　sides。　A　big　window　of　little　panes；　in　its　further　end；　let　in　the　light　of　William　Street　Here　I　found　a　home　for　myself'humble　but　quaint　and　cleanly。　A　thrifty　German　who；　having　long　followed　the　sea；　had　married　and　thrown　out　his　anchor　for　good　and　all；　now　dwelt　in　the　chalet　with　his　wife　and　two　boarders　…　both　newspaper　men。　The　old　shopkeeper　in　front；　once　a　sailor　himself；　had　put　the　place　in　shipshape　and　leased　itto　them。

Mine　host　bore　the　name　of　Opper　and　was　widely　known　as　'All　Right'Opper；　from　his　habit　of　cheery　approval。　Everything　and　everybody　were　'all　right'to　him　so　far　as　I　could　observe。　If　he　were　blessed　or　damned　he　said　'all　right　。　To　be　sure　he　took　exceptions；　on　occasions；　but　even　then　the　affair　ended　with　his　inevitable　verdict　of　'all　right　。　Every　suggestion　I　made　as　to　terms　of　payment　and　arrangement　of　furniture　was　promptly　stamped　with　this　seal　of　approval。

I　was　comfortably　settled　and　hard　at　work　on　my　article　by　noon。　At　four　I　went　to　meet　Uncle　Eb。　Hope　was　still　sick　in　bed　and　we　came　away　in　a　frame　of　mind　that　could　hardly　have　been　more　miserable。　I　tried　to　induce　him　to　stay　a　night　with　me　in　my　new　quarters。

'I　mus　n　t；'he　said　cheerfully。''Fore　long　I　m　comin'down　ag　in　but　I　can't　fool　'round　no　longer　now。　I　ll　jes'go　n　git　my　new　clothes　and　put　fer　the　steamboat。　Want　ye　t'go　n　see　Hope　tomorrow。　She's　comm　up　with　Mis　Fuller　next　week。　I　m　goin't　　find　out　what's　the　matter　uv　her　then。　Somethin's　wrong　somewhere。　Dunno　what　'tis。　She's　all　upsot。　

Poor　girl！　it　had　been　almost　as　heavy　a　trial　to　her　as　to　me'　cutting　me　off　as　she　had　done。　Remembrances　of　my　tender　devotion　to　her；　in　all　the　years　between　then　and　childhood；　must　have　made　her　sore　with　pity。　I　had　already　determined　what　I　should　do；　and　after　Uncle　Eb　had　gone　that　evening　I　wrote　her　a　long　letter　and　asked　her　if　I　might　not　still　have　some　hope　of　her　loving　me。　I　begged　her　to　let　me　know　when　I　might　come　and　talk　with　her　alone。　With　what　eloquence　I　could　bring　to　bear　I　told　her　how　my　love　had　grown　and　laid　hold　of　my　life。

I　finished　my　article　that　night　and；　in　the　morning；　took　it　to　Mr　Greeley。　He　was　at　his　desk　writing　and　at　the　same　time　giving　orders　in　a　querulous　tone　to　some　workman　who　sat　beside　him。　He　did　not　look　up　as　he　spoke。　He　wrote　rapidly；　his　nose　down　so　close　to　the　straggling；　wet　lines　that　I　felt　a　fear　of　its　touching　them。　I　stood　by；　waiting　my　opportunity。　A　full…bearded　man　in　his　shirt…sleeves　came　hurriedly　out　of　another　room。

'Mr　Greeley；'he　said；　halting　at　the　elbow　of　the　great　editor。

'Yes；　what　is　it？'the　editor　demanded　nervously；　his　hand　wobbling　over　the　white　page；　as　rapidly　as　before；　his　eyes　upon　his　work。

'Another　man　garrotted　this　morning　on　South　Street。　

'Better　write　a　paragraph；'he　said；　his　voice　snapping　with　impatience　as　he　brushed　the　full　page　aside　and　began　sowing　his　thoughts　on　another。　'Warn　our　readers。　Tell　'em　to　wear　brass　collars　with　spikes　in　'em　till　we　get　a　new　mayor。　

The　man　went　away　laughing。

Mr　Greeley　threw　down　his　pen；　gathered　his　copy　and　handed　itto　the　workman　who　sat　beside　him。

'Proof　ready　at　five！'he　shouted　as　the　man　was　going　out　of　the　room。

'Hello！　Brower；'he　said　bending　to　his　work　again。　'Thought　you　d　blown　out　the　gas　somewhere。　

'Waiting　until　you　reject　this　article；'I　said。

He　sent　a　boy　for　Mr　Ottarson；　the　city　editor。　Meanwhile　he　had　begun　to　drive　his　pen　across　the　broadsheets　with　tremendous　energy。

Somehow　it　reminded　me　of　a　man　ploughing　black　furrows　behind　a　fast　walking　team　in　a　snow　flurry。　His　mind　was　'straddle　the　furrow'when　Mr　Ottarson　came　in。　There　was　a　moment　of　silence　in　which　the　latter　stood　scanning　a　page　of　the　Herald　he　had　brought　with　him。

'Ottarson！'said　Mr　Greeley；　never　slacking　the　pace　of　his　busy　hand；　as　he　held　my　manuscript　in　the　other；　'read　this。　Tell　me　what　you　think　of　it。　If　good；　give　him　a　show。　

'The　staff　is　full；　Mr　Greeley；'said　the　man　of　the　city　desk。　His　words　cut　me　with　disappointment。

The　editor　of　the　Tribune　halted　his　hand　an　instant；　read　the　last　lines；　scratching　a　word　and　underscoring　another。

'Don't　care！'he　shrilled；　as　he　went　on　writing。　'Used　to　slide　downhill　with　his　father。　If　he's　got　brains　we　ll　pay　him　eight　dollars　a…week。　

The　city　editor　beckoned　to　me　and　I　followed　him　into　another　room。

'If　you　will　leave　your　address；'he　said；　'I　will　let　you　hear　from　me　when　we　have　read　the　article。　

With　the　hasty　confidence　of　youth　I　began　to　discount　my　future　that　very　day'ordering　a　full　dress　suit；　of　the　best　tailor；　hat　and　shoes　to　match　and　a　complement　of　neck　wear　that　would　have　done　credit　to　Beau　Brummel。　It　gave　me　a　start　when　I　saw　the　bill　would　empty　my　pocket　of　more　than　half　its　cash。　But　I　had　a　stiff　pace　to　fullow；　and　every　reason　to　look　my　best。

Chapter　32

I　took　a　walk　in　the　long　twilight　of　that　evening。　As　it　began　to　grow　dark　I　passed　the　Fuller　house　and　looked　up　at　its　windows。　Standing　under　a　tree　on　the　opposite　side　of　the　avenue　I　saw　a　man　come　out　of　the　door　and　walk　away　hurriedly　with　long　strides。　I　met　him　at　the　next　corner。

'Good…evening！'he　said。

I　recognised　then　the　voice　and　figure　ofJohn　Trumbull。　'Been　to　Fuller　s；'said　he。

'How　is　Hope？'I　asked。

'Better；'said　he。　'Walk　with　me？　

'With　pleasure；'said　I；　and　then　he　quickened　his　pace。

We　walked　awhile　in　silence；　going　so　fast！　had　hardly　time　to　speak；　and　the　darkness　deepened　into　night。　We　hurried　along　through　streets　and　alleys　that　were　but　dimly　lighted；　coming　out　at　length　on　a　wide　avenue　passing　through　open　fields　in　the　upper　part　of　the　city。　Lights　in　cabin　windows　glowed　on　the　hills　around　us。　I　made　some　remark　about　them　but　he　did　not　hear　me。　He　slackened　pace　in　a　moment　and　began　whispering　to　himself'　I　could　not　hear　what　he　said。　I　thought　of　bidding　him　good…night　and　returning　but　where　were　we　and　how　could　I　find　my　way？　We　heard　a　horse　coming　presently　at　a　gallop。　At　the　first　loud　whack　of　the　hoofs　he　turned　suddenly　and　laying　hold　of　my　arm　began　to　run。　I　followed　him　into　the　darkness　of　the　open　field。　It　gave　me　a　spell　of　rare　excitement　for　I　thought　at　once　of　highwaymen　…　having　read　so　much　of　them　in　the　Tribune。　He　stopped　suddenly　and　stooped　low　his　hands　touching　the　grass　and　neither　spoke　until　the　horse　had　gone　well　beyond　us。　Then　he　rose；　stealthily；　and　looked　about　him　in　silence；　even　turning　his　face　to　the　dark　sky　where　only　a　few　stars　were　visible。

Well！'said　he　with　a　sort　of　grunt。　'Beats　the　devil！　I　thought　it　was　　　A　wonderful　thing　was　happening　in　the　sky。　A　great　double　moon　seemed　to　be　flying　over　the　city　hooded　in　purple　haze。　A　little　spray　of　silver　light　broke　out　of　it；　as　we　looked；　and　shot　backward　and　then　floated　after　the　two　shining　disks　that　were　falling　eastward　in　a　long　curve。　They　seemed　to　be　so　near　I　thought　they　were　coming　down　upon　the　city。　It　occurred　to　me　they　must　have　some　connection　with　the　odd　experience　I　had　gone　through。　In　a　moment　they　had　passed　out　of　sight。　We　were　not　aware　that　we　had　witnessed　a　spectacle　the　like　of　which　had　not　been　seen　in　centuries；　if　ever；　since　God　made　the　heavens'　the　great　meteor　of　i86o。

'Let's　go　back；'said　Trumbull。　'We　came　too　far。　I　forgot　myself。'

'Dangerous　here？'I　enquired。

'Not　at　all；'said　he；　'but　a　long　way　out　of　town　…　tired？　

'Rather；'I　said；　grateful　for　his　evident　desire　to　quiet　my　alarm。

'Come！'said　he　as　we　came　back　to　the　pavement；　his　hand　upon　my　shoulder。　'Talk　to　me。　Tell　me　…　what　are　you　going　to　do？　

We　walked　slowly　down　the　deserted　avenue；　I；　meanwhile；　talking　of　my　pians。

'You　love。　Hope；'he　said　presently。　'You　will　marry　her？　

'If　she　will　have　me；'said　I。

'You　must　wait；'he　said；　'time　enough！　

He　quickened　his　pace　again　as　we　came　in　sight　of　the　scattering　shops　and　houses　of　the　upper　city　and　no　other　word　was　spoken。　On　the　corners　we　saw　men　looking　into　the　sky　and　talking　of　the　fallen　moon。　It　was　late　bedtime　when　we　turned　into　Gramercy　Park。

'Come　in；'said　he　as　he　opened　an　iron　gate。

I　followed　him　up　a　marble　stairway　and　a　doddering　old　English　butler　opened　the　door　for　us。　We　entered　a　fine　hall；　its　floor　of　beautiful　parquetry　muffled　with　silken　rugs。　High　and　spacious　rooms　were　all　aglow　with　light。

He　conducted　me　to　a　large　smoking…room；　its　floor　and　walls　covered　with　trophies　of　the　hunt　…　antlers　and　the　skins　of　carnivora。　Here　he　threw　off　his　coat　and　bade　me　be　at　home　as　he　lay　down　upon　a　wicker　divan　covered　with　the　tawny　skin　of　some　wild　animal。　He　stroked　the　fur　fondly　with　his　hand。

'Hello　Jock！'he　said；　a　greeting　that　mystified　me。

'Tried　to　eat　me；'he　added；　turning　to　me。

Then　he　bared　his　great　hairy　arm　and　showed　me　a　lot　of　ugly　scars；　I　besought　him　to　tell　the　story。

'Killed　him；'he　answered。　'With　a　gun？　

'No　…　with　my　hands；'and　that　was　all　he　would　say　of　it。

He　lay　facing　a　black　curtain　that　covered　a　corner。　Now　and　then　I　heard　a　singular　sound　in　the　room　…　like　some　faint