下载辰思小说免费APP
TheprettylittletheatreattachedtothebuildingoftheUnicornClubhadbeenhiredforacertainJanuaryafternoonbyMr。HerbertLoring，whowishedtogivethereinasomewhatnovelperformance，towhichhehadinvitedasmallaudienceconsistingentirelyoffriendsandacquaintances。
Loringwasahandsomefellowaboutthirtyyearsold，whohadtravelledfarandstudiedmuch。HehadrecentlymadealongsojourninthefarEast，andhisfriendshadbeeninvitedtothetheatretoseesomeofthewonderfulthingshehadbroughtfromthatcountryofwonders。AsLoringwasaclub-man，andbelongedtoafamilyofgoodsocialstanding，hiscircleofacquaintanceswaslarge，andinthiscircleagoodmanyunpleasantremarkshadbeenmaderegardingtheproposedentertainment——made，ofcourse，bythepeoplewhohadnotbeeninvitedtobepresent。SomeofthegossiponthesubjecthadreachedLoring，whodidnothesitatetosaythathecouldnottalktoacrowd，andthathedidnotcaretoshowthecuriousthingshehadcollectedtopeoplewhowouldnotthoroughlyappreciatethem。Hehadbeenveryparticularinregardtohisinvitations。
Atthreeo\'clockontheappointedafternoonnearlyallthepeoplewhohadbeeninvitedtotheUnicornTheatrewereintheirseats。Noonehadstayedawayexceptforsomeverygoodreason，foritwaswellknownthatifHerbertLoringofferedtoshowanythingitwasworthseeing。
Aboutfortypeoplewerepresent，whosattalkingtooneanother，oradmiringthedecorationofthetheatre。AsLoringstooduponthestage——wherehewasentirelyalone，hisexhibitionrequiringnoassistants——hegazedthroughaloopholeinthecurtainuponaveryinterestingarrayoffaces。Therewerethefacesofmanymenandwomenofsociety，ofstudents，ofworkersinvariousfieldsofthought，andevenofidlersinallfieldsofthought；buttherewasnotonewhichindicatedafrivolousorlistlessdisposition。Theownersofthosefaceshadcometoseesomething，andtheywishedtoseeit。
ForaquarterofanhourafterthetimeannouncedfortheopeningoftheexhibitionLoringpeeredthroughtheholeinthecurtain，andthen，althoughallthepeoplehehadexpectedhadnotarrived，hefeltitwouldnotdoforhimtowaitanylonger。
Theaudiencewascomposedofwell-bredandcourteousmenandwomen，butdespitetheirpoliteself-restraintLoringcouldseethatsomeofthemweregettingtiredofwaiting。So，veryreluctantly，andfeelingthatfurtherdelaywasimpossible，heraisedthecurtainandcameforwardonthestage。
BrieflyheannouncedthattheexhibitionwouldopenwithsomefireworkshehadbroughtfromCorea。Itwasplaintoseethatthestatementthatfireworkswereabouttobesetoffonatheatrestage，byanamateur，hadratherstartledsomeoftheaudience，andLoringhastenedtoexplainthatthesewerenotrealfireworks，butthattheywerecontrivancesmadeofcoloredglass，whichwereilluminatedbythepowerfullensofalanternwhichwasplacedoutofsight，andwhiletheapparentpyrotechnicdisplaywouldresemblefireworksofstrangeandgrotesquedesigns，itwouldbeabsolutelywithoutdanger。Hebroughtoutsomelittlebunchesofbitsofcoloredglass，hungthematsomedistanceapartonawirewhichwasstretchedacrossthestagejusthighenoughforhimtoreachit，andthenlightedhislantern，whichheplacedinoneofthewings，loweredallthelightsinthetheatre，andbeganhisexhibition。
AsLoringturnedhislanternononeoftheclustersofglasslenses，strips，andpoints，and，unseenhimself，causedthemtomovebymeansoflongcordsattached，theeffectswerebeautifulandmarvellous。Littlewheelsofcoloredfirerapidlyrevolved，miniaturerocketsappearedtoriseafewfeetandtoexplodeintheair，andwhilealltheordinaryformsoffireworkswereproducedonadiminutivescale，thereweresomeeffectsthatwereentirelynoveltotheaudience。Asthelightwasturnedsuccessivelyupononeandanotheroftheclustersofglass，sometimesitwouldflashalongthewholelinesorapidlythatallthevariouscombinationsofcolorandmotionseemedtobecombinedinone，andthenforatimeeachparticularsetoffireworkswouldblaze，sparkle，andcoruscatebyitself，scatteringparticlesofcoloredlightasiftheyhadbeenrealsparksoffire。
Thiscuriousandbeautifulexhibitionofminiaturepyrotechnicswasextremelyinterestingtotheaudience，whogazedupwardwithraptandeagerattentionatthelineofwheels，stars，andrevolvingspheres。Sofarasinterestgaveevidenceofsatisfaction，therewasneverabettersatisfiedaudience。Atfirsttherehadbeensomehushedmurmursofpleasure，butverysoontheattentionofeveryoneseemedsocompletelyengrossedbythedazzlingdisplaythattheysimplygazedinsilence。
Fortwentyminutesorlongertheglitteringshowwenton，andnotasignofwearinessorinattentionwasmadebyanyoneoftheassembledcompany。Thengraduallythecolorsofthelittlefireworksfaded，thestarsandwheelsrevolvedmoreslowly，thelightsinthebodyofthetheatreweregraduallyraised，andthestagecurtainwentsoftlydown。
Anxiously，andalittlepale，HerbertLoringpeeredthroughtheloopholeinthecurtain。Itwasnoteasytojudgeoftheeffectsofhisexhibition，andhedidnotknowwhetherornotithadbeenasuccess。Therewasnoapplause，but，ontheotherhand，therewasnosignsthatanyoneresentedtheexhibitionasachildishdisplayofcoloredlights。Itwasimpossibletolookuponthataudiencewithoutbelievingthattheyhadbeenthoroughlyinterestedinwhattheyhadseen，andthattheyexpectedtoseemore。
FortwoorthreeminutesLoringgazedthroughhisloophole，andthen，stillwithsomedoubtinhisheart，butwithalittlemorecolorinhischecks，hepreparedforthesecondpartofhisperformance。
Atthismomentthereenteredthetheatre，attheverybackofthehouse，ayounglady。Shewashandsomeandwelldressed，andassheopenedthedoor——Loringhademployednoushersorotherassistantsinthislittlesocialperformance——shepausedforamomentandlookedintothetheatre，andthennoiselesslysteppedtoachairinthebackrowandsatdown。
ThiswasEdithStarr，who，amonthbefore，hadbeenbetrothedtoHerbertLoring。Edithandhermotherhadbeeninvitedtothisperformance，andfrontseatshadbeenreservedforthem，foreachguesthadreceivedanumberedcard。ButMrs。Starrhadaheadache，andcouldnotgooutthatafternoon，andforatimeherdaughterhadthoughtthatshe，too，mustgiveupthepleasureLoringhadpromisedher，andstaywithhermother。Butwhentheelderladydroppedintoaquietsleep，Ediththoughtthat，lateasitwas，shewouldgobyherself，andseewhatshecouldoftheperformance。
ShewasquitecertainthatifherpresencewereknowntoLoringhewouldstopwhateverhewasdoinguntilshehadbeenprovidedwithaseatwhichhethoughtsuitableforher，forhehadmadeapointofherbeingproperlyseatedwhenhegavetheinvitations。Therefore，beingequallydesirousofnotdisturbingtheperformanceandofnotbeingherselfconspicuous，shesatbehindtworatherlargemen，whereshecouldseethestageperfectlywell，butwheresheherselfwouldnotbelikelytobeseen。
Inafewmomentsthecurtainrose，andLoringcameforward，carryingasmall，lighttable，whichheplacednearthefrontofthestage，andforamomentstoodquietlybyit。Edithnoticeduponhisfacetheexpressionofuncertaintyandanxietywhichhadnotyetleftit。Standingbythesideofthetable，andspeakingveryslowly，butsoclearlythathiswordscouldbehearddistinctlyinallpartsoftheroom，hebegansomeintroductoryremarksregardingthesecondpartofhisperformance。
"Theextraordinary，andImaysaymarvellous，thingwhichI
amabouttoshowyou，"hesaid，"isknownamongEastIndianmagiciansasthemagicegg。Theexhibitionisaveryuncommonone，andhasseldombeenseenbyAmericansorEuropeans，anditwasbyapieceofraregoodfortunethatIbecamepossessedoftheappliancesnecessaryforthisexhibition。Theyareindeedveryfewandsimple，butneverbefore，tothebestofmyknowledgeandbelief，havetheybeenseenoutsideofIndia。
"Iwillnowgetthelittleboxwhichcontainsthearticlesnecessaryforthismagicalperformance，andIwillsaythatifI
hadtimetotellyouofthestrangeandamazingadventurewhichresultedinmypossessionofthisbox，IamsureyouwouldbeasmuchinterestedinthatasIexpectyoutobeinthecontentsofthebox。Butinorderthatnoneofyoumaythinkthisisanordinarytrick，executedbymeansofconcealedtrapsordoors，I
wishyoutotakeparticularnoticeofthistable，whichis，asyousee，aplain，unpaintedpinetable，withnothingbutaflattop，andfourstraightlegsatthecorners。Youcanseeunderandaroundit，anditgivesnoopportunitytoconcealanything。"
Then，standingforafewmomentsasifhehadsomethingelsetosay，heturnedandsteppedtowardoneofthewings。
Edithwastroubledasshelookedatherloverduringtheseremarks。Herinterestwasgreat，greater，indeed，thanthatofthepeopleabouther，butitwasnotapleasantinterest。AsLoringstoppedspeaking，andlookedabouthim，therewasamomentaryflushonhisface。Sheknewthiswascausedbyexcitement，andshewaspalefromthesamecause。
VerysoonLoringcameforward，andstoodbythetable。
"Hereisthebox，"hesaid，"ofwhichIspoke，andasIholditupIthinkyouallcanseeit。Itisnotlarge，beingcertainlynotmorethantwelveinchesinlengthandtwodeep，butitcontainssomeverywonderfulthings。Theoutsideofthisboxiscoveredwithdelicateengravingandcarvingwhichyoucannotsee，andthesemarksandlineshave，Ithink，somemagicalmeaning，butIdonotknowwhatitis。Iwillnowopentheboxandshowyouwhatisinside。ThefirstthingItakeoutisthislittlestick，notthickerthanalead-pencil，butsomewhatlonger，asyousee。Thisisamagicalwand，andiscoveredwithinscriptionsofthesamecharacterasthoseontheoutsideofthebox。Thenextthingisthislittleredbag，wellfilled，asyousee，whichIshallputonthetable，forIshallnotyetneedit。
"NowItakeoutapieceofclothwhichisfoldedintoaverysmallcompass，butasIunfoldityouwillperceivethatitismorethanafootsquare，andiscoveredwithembroidery。Allthosestrangelinesandfiguresingoldandred，whichyoucanplainlyseeontheclothasIholditup，arealsocharactersinthesamemagiclanguageasthoseontheboxandwand。Iwillnowspreadtheclothonthetable，andthentakeouttheonlyremainingthinginthebox，andthisisnothingintheworldbutanegg——asimple，ordinaryhen\'segg，asyouallseeasIholditup。Itmaybeatriflelargerthananordinaryegg，butthen，afterall，itisnothingbutacommonegg——thatis，inappearance。Inrealityitisagooddealmore。
"NowIwillbegintheperformance。"Andashestoodbythebackofthetable，overwhichhehadbeenslightlybending，andthrewhiseyesovertheaudience，hisvoicewasstronger，andhisfacehadlostallitspallor。Hewasevidentlywarmingupwithhissubject。
"Inowtakeupthiswand，"hesaid，"which，whileIholdit，givesmepowertoproducethephenomenawhichyouareabouttobehold。Youmaynotallbelievethatthereisanymagicwhateveraboutthislittleperformance，andthatitisallabitofmachinery；butwhateveryoumaythinkaboutit，youshallseewhatyoushallsee。
"NowwiththiswandIgentlytouchthiseggwhichislyingonthesquareofcloth。Idonotbelieveyoucanseewhathashappenedtothisegg，butIwilltellyou。Thereisalittleline，likeahair，entirelyaroundit。Nowthatlinehasbecomeacrack。Nowyoucanseeit，Iknow。Itgrowswiderandwider！
Look！Theshelloftheeggisseparatinginthemiddle。Thewholeeggslightlymoves。Doyounoticethat？Nowyoucanseesomethingyellowshowingitselfbetweenthetwopartsoftheshell。See！Itismovingagooddeal，andthetwohalvesoftheshellareseparatingmoreandmore。Andnowouttumblesthisqueerlittleobject。Doyouseewhatitis？Itisapoor，weak，littlechick，notabletostand，butalive——alive！Youcanallperceivethatitisalive。Nowyoucanseethatitisstandingonitsfeet，feeblyenough，butstillstanding。
"Behold，ittakesafewsteps！Youcannotdoubtthatitisalive，andcameoutofthategg。Itisbeginningtowalkaboutoverthecloth。Doyounoticethatitispickingtheembroidery？
Now，littlechick，Iwillgiveyousomethingtoeat。Thislittleredbagcontainsgrain，amagicalgrain，withwhichIshallfeedthechicken。Youmustexcusemyawkwardnessinopeningthebag，asIstillholdthewand；butthislittlestickImustnotdrop。
See，littlechick，therearesomegrains！Theylooklikerice，but，infact，Ihavenoideawhattheyare。Butheknows，heknows！Lookathim！Seehowhepicksitup！There！Hehasswallowedone，two，three。Thatwilldo，littlechick，forafirstmeal。
"Thegrainseemstohavestrengthenedhimalready，forseehowlivelyheis，andhowhisyellowdownstandsoutonhim，sopuffyandwarm！Youarelookingforsomemoregrain，areyou？
Well，youcannothaveitjustyet，andkeepawayfromthosepiecesofeggshell，which，bytheway，Iwillputbackintothebox。Now，sir，trytoavoidtheedgeofthetable，and，toquietyou，Iwillgiveyoualittletaponthebackwithmywand。Now，then，pleaseobserveclosely。Thedownwhichjustnowcoveredhimhasalmostgone。Heisreallyagooddealbigger，andeversomuchuglier。Seethelittlepin-feathersstickingoutoverhim！Somespotshereandtherearealmostbare，butheiseversomuchmoreactive。Ha！Listentothat！Heissostrongthatyoucanhearhisbeakashepecksatthetable。Heisactuallygrowingbiggerandbiggerbeforeourveryeyes！Seethatfunnylittletail，howitbeginstostickup，andquillsareshowingattheendofhiswings。
"Anothertap，andafewmoregrains。Careful，sir！Don\'ttearthecloth！Seehowrapidlyhegrows！Heisfairlycoveredwithfeathers，redandblack，withatipofyellowinfront。Youcouldhardlygetthatfellowintoanostrichegg！Now，then，whatdoyouthinkofhim？Heisbigenoughforabroiler，thoughIdon\'tthinkanyonewouldwanttotakehimforthatpurpose。
Somemoregrain，andanothertapfrommywand。See！Hedoesnotmindthelittlestick，forhehasbeenusedtoitfromhisverybirth。Now，then，heiswhatyouwouldcallagoodhalf-grownchick。Rathermorethanhalfgrown，Ishouldsay。Doyounoticehistail？Thereisnomistakinghimforapullet。Thelongfeathersarebeginningtocurloveralready。Hemusthavealittlemoregrain。Lookout，sir，oryouwillbeoffthetable！
Comebackhere！Thistableistoosmallforhim，butifhewereontheflooryoucouldnotseehimsowell。
"Anothertap。Nowseethatcombonthetopofhishead；youscarcelynoticeditbefore，andnowitisbrightred。Andseehisspursbeginningtoshow——ongoodthicklegs，too。Thereisafineyoungfellowforyou！Lookhowhejerkshisheadfromsidetoside，liketheyoungprinceofapoultry-yard，ashewelldeservestobe！"
Theattentiveinterestwhichhadatfirstcharacterizedtheaudiencenowchangedtoexcitedadmirationandamazement。Someleanedforwardwithmouthswideopen。Othersstoodupsothattheycouldseebetter。Ejaculationsofastonishmentandwonderwereheardoneveryside，andamorethoroughlyfascinatedandabsorbedaudiencewasneverseen。
"Now，myfriends，"Loringcontinued，"Iwillgivethishandsomefowlanothertap。Beholdtheresult——anoble，full-
growncock！Beholdhisspurs！Theyarenearlyaninchlong！
See，thereisacombforyou！Andwhatamagnificenttailofgreenandblack，contrastingsofinelywiththedeepredoftherestofhisbody！Well，sir，youaretrulytoobigforthistable。AsIcannotgiveyoumoreroom，Iwillsetyouuphigher。
Moveoveralittle，andIwillsetthischaironthetable。
There！Upontheseat！That\'sright，butdon\'tstop。Thereistheback，whichishigheryet！Upwithyou！Ha！There，henearlyupsetthechair，butIwillholdit。See！Hehasturnedaround。Now，then，lookathim。Seehiswingsasheflapsthem！
Hecouldflywithsuchwings。Lookathim！Seethatswellingbreast！Ha，ha！Listen！Didyoueverhearacrowlikethat？
Itfairlyringsthroughthehouse。Yes，Iknewit！Thereisanother！"
Atthispointthepeopleinthehousewereinastateofwildexcitement。Nearlyallofthemwereontheirfeet，andtheywereinsuchaconditionoffranticenthusiasmthatLoringwasafraidsomeofthemmightmakearunforthestage。
"Come，sir，"criedLoring，nowalmostshouting，"thatwilldo。Youhaveshownusthestrengthofyourlungs。Jumpdownontheseatofthechair；nowonthetable。There，Iwilltakeawaythechair，andyoucanstandforamomentonthetableandletourfriendslookatyou；butonlyforamoment。Takethattaponyourback。Nowdoyouseeanydifference？Perhapsyoumaynot，butIdo。Yes，Ibelieveyoualldo。Heisnotthebigfellowhewasaminuteago。Heisreallysmaller——onlyafinecockerel。Anicetailthat，butwithnoneofthenoblesweepthatithadaminuteago。No，don\'ttrytogetoffthetable。
Youcan\'tescapemywand。Anothertap。Beholdahalf-grownchicken，goodtoeat，butwithnotacrowinhim。Hungry，areyou？Butyouneednotpickatthetablethatway。Yougetnomoregrain，butonlythislittletap。Ha，ha！Whatareyoucomingto？Thereisachickenbarelyfeatheredenoughforustotellwhatcolorheisgoingtobe。
"Anothertapwilltakestillmoreoftheconceitoutofhim。
Lookathim！Therearehispin-feathers，andhisbarespots。
Don\'ttrytogetaway；Icaneasilytapyouagain。Nowthen。
Hereisalovelylittlechick，fluffywithyellowdown。Heisactiveenough，butIshallquiethim。Onetap，andnowwhatdoyousee？Apoor，feeblechicken，scarcelyabletostand，withhisdownallpackedclosetohimasifhehadbeenoutintherain。Ah，littlechick，Iwilltakethetwohalvesoftheegg-
shellfromwhichyoucame，andputthemoneachsideofyou。
Come，nowgetin！Iclosethemup。Youarelosttoview。Thereisnothingtobeseenbutacrackaroundtheshell！Nowithasgone！There，myfriends；asIholditonhigh，beholdthemagicegg，exactlyasitwaswhenIfirsttookitoutofthebox，intowhichIwillplaceitagain，withtheclothandthewandandthelittleredbag，andshutitupwithasnap。IwillletyoutakeonemorelookatthisboxbeforeIputitawaybehindthescenes。
AreyousatisfiedwithwhatIhaveshownyou？Doyouthinkitisreallyaswonderfulasyousupposeditwouldbe？"
Atthesewordsthewholeaudienceburstintoriotousapplause，duringwhichLoringdisappeared，buthewasbackinamoment。
"Thankyou！"hecried，bowinglow，andwavinghisarmsbeforehiminthemannerofanEasternmagicianmakingasalaam。Fromsidetosideheturned，bowingandthanking，andthen，withahearty"Good-bytoyou；good-bytoyouall！"hesteppedbackandletdownthecurtain。
Forsomemomentstheaudienceremainedintheirseatsasiftheywereexpectingsomethingmore，andthentheyrosequietlyandbegantodisperse。Mostofthemwereacquaintedwithoneanother，andtherewasagooddealofgreetingandtalkingastheywentoutofthetheatre。
WhenLoringwassurethelastpersonhaddeparted，heturneddownthelights，lockedthedoor，andgavethekeytothestewardoftheclub。
Hewalkedtohishomeahappyman。Hisexhibitionhadbeenaperfectsuccess，withnotabreakoraflawinitfrombeginningtoend。
"Ifeel，"thoughttheyoungman，ashestrodealong，"asifI
couldflytothetopofthatsteeple，andflapandcrowuntilalltheworldheardme。"
Thatevening，aswashisdailycustom，HerbertLoringcalleduponMissStarr。Hefoundtheyoungladyinthelibrary。
"Icameinhere，"shesaid，"becauseIhaveagooddealtotalktoyouabout，andIdonotwantinterruptions。"
Withthisarrangementtheyoungmanexpressedhisentiresatisfaction，andimmediatelybegantoinquirethecauseofherabsencefromhisexhibitionintheafternoon。
"ButIwasthere，"saidEdith。"Youdidnotseeme，butI
wasthere。Motherhadaheadache，andIwentbymyself。"
"Youwerethere！"exclaimedLoring，almoststartingfromhischair。"Idon\'tunderstand。Youwerenotinyourseat。"
"No，"answeredEdith。"Iwasontheverybackrowofseats。
Youcouldnotseeme，andIdidnotwishyoutoseeme。"
"Edith！"exclaimedLoring，risingtohisfeetandleaningoverthelibrarytable，whichwasbetweenthem。"Whendidyoucome？Howmuchoftheperformancedidyousee？"
"Iwaslate，"shesaid。"Ididnotarriveuntilafterthefireworks，orwhatevertheywere。"
ForamomentLoringwassilent，asifhedidnotunderstandthesituation。
"Fireworks！"hesaid。"Howdidyouknowtherehadbeenfireworks？"
"Iheardthepeopletalkingofthemastheyleftthetheatre，"sheanswered。
"Andwhatdidtheysay？"heinquiredquickly。
"Theyseemedtolikethemverywell，"shereplied，"butIdonotthinktheywerequitesatisfied。FromwhatIheardsomepersonssay，Iinferredthattheythoughtitwasnotverymuchofashowtowhichyouhadinvitedthem。"
AgainLoringstoodinthought，lookingdownatthetable。
Butbeforehecouldspeakagain，Edithsprangtoherfeet。
"HerbertLoring，"shecried，"whatdoesallthismean？Iwasthereduringthewholeoftheexhibitionofwhatyoucalledthemagicegg。Isawallthosepeoplewildwithexcitementatthewonderfulsightofthechickenthatcameoutoftheegg，andgrewtofullsize，andthendwindleddownagain，andwentbackintotheegg，and，Herbert，therewasnoegg，andtherewasnolittlebox，andtherewasnowand，andnoembroideredcloth，andtherewasnoredbag，noranylittlechick，andtherewasnofull-grownfowl，andtherewasnochairthatyouputonthetable！Therewasnothing，absolutelynothing，butyouandthattable！Eventhetablewasnotwhatyousaiditwas。Itwasnotanunpaintedpinetablewithfourstraightlegs。Itwasatableofdarkpolishedwood，anditstoodonasinglepostwithfeet。
Therewasnothingtherethatyousaidwasthere。Everythingwasashamandadelusion；everywordyouspokewasuntrue。Andyeteverybodyinthattheatre，exceptingyouandme，sawallthethingsthatyousaidwereonthestage。Iknowtheysawthemall，forIwaswiththepeople，andheardthem，andsawthem，andattimesIfairlyfeltthethrillofenthusiasmwhichpossessedthemastheyglaredatthemiraclesandwondersyousaidwerehappening。"
Loringsmiled。"Sitdown，mydearEdith，"hesaid。"Youareexcited，andthereisnottheslightestcauseforit。Iwillexplainthewholeaffairtoyou。Itissimpleenough。Youknowthatstudyisthegreatobjectofmylife。Istudyallsortsofthings；andjustnowIamgreatlyinterestedinhypnotism。Thesubjecthasbecomefascinatingtome。Ihavemadeagreatmanysuccessfultrialsofmypower，andtheaffairofthisafternoonwasnothingbutatrialofmypowersonamoreextensivescalethananythingIhaveyetattempted。IwantedtoseeifitwerepossibleformetohypnotizeaconsiderablenumberofpeoplewithoutanyonesuspectingwhatIintendedtodo。Theresultwasasuccess。Ihypnotizedallthosepeoplebymeansofthefirstpartofmyperformance，whichconsistedofsomecombinationsofcoloredglasswithlightsthrownuponthem。Theyrevolved，andlookedlikefireworks，andwerestrungonawirehighuponthestage。
"Ikeptuptheglitteringanddazzlingshow——whichwaswellworthseeing，Icanassureyou——untilthepeoplehadbeenstrainingtheireyesupwardforalmosthalfanhour。Andthissortofthing——Iwilltellyouifyoudonotknowit——isoneofthemethodsofproducinghypnoticsleep。
"Therewasnoonepresentwhowasnotanimpressionablesubject，forIwasverycarefulinsendingoutmyinvitations，andwhenIbecamealmostcertainthatmyaudiencewasthoroughlyhypnotized，Istoppedtheshowandbegantherealexhibition，whichwasnotreallyfortheirbenefit，butformine。
"Ofcourse，IwasdreadfullyanxiousforfearIhadnotsucceededentirely，andthattheremightbeatleastsomeonepersonwhohadnotsuccumbedtothehypnoticinfluences，andsoI
testedthematterbybringingoutthattableandtellingthemitwassomethingitwasnot。IfIhadhadanyreasonforsupposingthatsomeoftheaudiencesawthetableasitreallywas，Ihadanexplanationready，andIcouldhaveretiredfrommypositionwithoutanyonesupposingthatIhadintendedmakinghypnoticexperiments。Therestoftheexhibitionwouldhavebeensomethingsthatanyonecouldsee，andassoonaspossibleIwouldhavereleasedfromtheirspellthosewhowerehypnotized。ButwhenIbecamepositivelyassuredthateveryonesawalightpinetablewithfourstraightlegs，Iconfidentlywentonwiththeperformancesofthemagicegg。"
EdithStarrwasstillstandingbythelibrarytable。ShehadnotheededLoring\'sadvicetositdown，andshewastremblingwithemotion。
"HerbertLoring，"shesaid，"youinvitedmymotherandmetothatexhibition。Yougaveusticketsforfrontseats，wherewewouldbecertaintobehypnotizedifyourexperimentsucceeded，andyouwouldhavemadeusseethatfalseshow，whichfadedfromthosepeople\'smindsassoonastheyrecoveredfromthespell，forastheywentawaytheyweretalkingonlyofthefireworks，andnotoneofthemmentionedamagicegg，orachicken，oranythingofthekind。Answermethis：didyounotintendthatI
shouldcomeandbeputunderthatspell？"
Loringsmiled。"Yes，"hesaid，"ofcourseIdid。Butthenyourcasewouldhavebeendifferentfromthatoftheotherspectators：Ishouldhaveexplainedthewholethingtoyou，andI
amsurewewouldhavehadagreatdealofpleasure，andprofittoo，indiscussingyourexperiences。Thesubjectisextremely——"
"Explaintome！"shecried。"Youwouldnothavedaredtodoit！Idonotknowhowbraveyoumaybe，butIknowyouwouldnothavehadthecouragetocomehereandtellmethatyouhadtakenawaymyreasonandmyjudgment，asyoutookthemawayfromallthosepeople，andthatyouhadmademeameretoolofyourwill——
glaringandpantingwithexcitementatthewonderfulthingsyoutoldmetoseewherenothingexisted。Ihavenothingtosayabouttheothers。Theycanspeakforthemselvesiftheyevercometoknowwhatyoudidtothem。Ispeakformyself。Istoodupwiththerestofthepeople。Igazedwithallmypower，andoverandoveragainIaskedmyselfifitcouldbepossiblethatanythingwasthematterwithmyeyesormybrain，andifIcouldbetheonlypersontherewhocouldnotseethemarvellousspectaclethatyouweredescribing。ButnowIknowthatnothingwasreal，noteventhelittlepinetable——noteventheman！"
"Notevenme！"exclaimedLoring。"SurelyIwasrealenough！"
"Onthatstage，yes，"shesaid。"ButyouthereprovedyouwerenottheHerbertLoringtowhomIpromisedmyself。Hewasanunrealbeing。Ifhehadexistedhewouldnothavebeenamanwhowouldhavebroughtmetothatpublicplace，allignorantofhisintentions，tocloudmyperceptions，tosubjectmyintellecttohisown，andmakemebelievealie。Ifamanshouldtreatmeinthatwayoncehewouldtreatmesoatothertimes，andinotherways，ifhehadthechance。Youhavetreatedmeinthepastasto-dayyoutreatedthosepeoplewhoglaredatthemagicegg。Inthedaysgonebyyoumademeseeanunrealman，butyouwillneverdoitagain！Good-by。"
"Edith，"criedLoring，"youdon\'t——"
Butshehaddisappearedthroughasidedoor，andheneverspoketoheragain。
Walkinghomethroughthedimlylightedstreets，Loringinvoluntarilyspokealoud。
"Andthis，"hesaid，"iswhatcameoutofthemagicegg！"
"HISWIFE\'SDECEASEDSISTER"
Itisnowfiveyearssinceaneventoccurredwhichsocoloredmylife，orrathersochangedsomeofitsoriginalcolors，thatI
havethoughtitwelltowriteanaccountofit，deemingthatitslessonsmaybeofadvantagetopersonswhosesituationsinlifearesimilartomyown。
WhenIwasquiteayoungmanIadoptedliteratureasaprofession，andhavingpassedthroughthenecessarypreparatorygrades，Ifoundmyself，afteragoodmanyyearsofhardandoftenunremunerativework，inpossessionofwhatmightbecalledafairliterarypractice。Myarticles，grave，gay，practical，orfanciful，hadcometobeconsideredwithafavorbytheeditorsofthevariousperiodicalsforwhichIwrote，onwhichIfoundintimeIcouldrelywithaverycomfortablecertainty。Myproductionscreatednoenthusiasminthereadingpublic；theygavemenogreatreputationorveryvaluablepecuniaryreturn；
buttheywerealwaysaccepted，andmyreceiptsfromthem，atthetimetowhichIhavereferred，wereasregularandreliableasasalary，andquitesufficienttogivememorethanacomfortablesupport。
ItwasatthistimeImarried。Ihadbeenengagedformorethanayear，buthadnotbeenwillingtoassumethesupportofawifeuntilIfeltthatmypecuniarypositionwassoassuredthatIcoulddosowithfullsatisfactiontomyownconscience。
Therewasnownodoubtinregardtothisposition，eitherinmymindorinthatofmywife。Iworkedwithgreatsteadinessandregularity，Iknewexactlywheretoplacetheproductionsofmypen，andcouldcalculate，withafairdegreeofaccuracy，thesumsIshouldreceiveforthem。Wewerebynomeansrich，butwehadenough，andwerethoroughlysatisfiedandcontent。
Thoseofmyreaderswhoaremarriedwillhavenodifficultyinrememberingthepeculiarecstasyofthefirstweeksoftheirweddedlife。Itisthenthattheflowersofthisworldbloombrightest；thatitssunisthemostgenial；thatitscloudsarethescarcest；thatitsfruitisthemostdelicious；thattheairisthemostbalmy；thatitscigarsareofthehighestflavor；
thatthewarmthandradianceofearlymatrimonialfelicitysorarefytheintellectualatmospherethatthesoulmountshigher，andenjoysawiderprospect，thaneverbefore。
Theseexperiencesweremine。Theplainclaretofmymindwaschangedtosparklingchampagne，andattheveryheightofitseffervescenceIwroteastory。Thehappythoughtthatthenstruckmeforatalewasofaverypeculiarcharacter，anditinterestedmesomuchthatIwenttoworkatitwithgreatdelightandenthusiasm，andfinisheditinacomparativelyshorttime。Thetitleofthestorywas"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister，"
andwhenIreadittoHypatiashewasdelightedwithit，andattimeswassoaffectedbyitspathosthatheruncontrollableemotioncausedasympatheticdimnessinmyeyeswhichpreventedmyseeingthewordsIhadwritten。Whenthereadingwasendedandmywifehaddriedhereyes，sheturnedtomeandsaid，"Thisstorywillmakeyourfortune。TherehasbeennothingsopatheticsinceLamartine\'s`HistoryofaServantGirl。\'"
AssoonaspossiblethenextdayIsentmystorytotheeditoroftheperiodicalforwhichIwrotemostfrequently，andinwhichmybestproductionsgenerallyappeared。InafewdaysI
hadaletterfromtheeditor，inwhichhepraisedmystoryashehadneverbeforepraisedanythingfrommypen。Ithadinterestedandcharmed，hesaid，notonlyhimself，butallhisassociatesintheoffice。EvenoldGibson，whonevercaredtoreadanythinguntilitwasinproof，andwhoneverpraisedanythingwhichhadnotajokeinit，wasinducedbytheexampleoftheotherstoreadthismanuscript，andshed，asheasserted，thefirsttearsthathadcomefromhiseyessincehisfinalpaternalcastigationsomefortyyearsbefore。Thestorywouldappear，theeditorassuredme，assoonashecouldpossiblyfindroomforit。
Ifanythingcouldmakeourskiesmoregenial，ourflowersbrighter，andtheflavorofourfruitandcigarsmoredelicious，itwasaletterlikethis。Andwhen，inaveryshorttime，thestorywaspublished，wefoundthatthereadingpublicwasinclinedtoreceiveitwithasmuchsympatheticinterestandfavorashadbeenshowntoitbytheeditors。Mypersonalfriendssoonbegantoexpressenthusiasticopinionsuponit。Itwashighlypraisedinmanyoftheleadingnewspapers，and，altogether，itwasagreatliterarysuccess。Iamnotinclinedtobevainofmywritings，and，ingeneral，mywifetellsme，Ithinktoolittleofthem。ButIdidfeelagooddealofprideandsatisfactioninthesuccessof"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。"
Ifitdidnotmakemyfortune，asmywifeasserteditwould，itcertainlywouldhelpmeverymuchinmyliterarycareer。
Inlessthanamonthfromthewritingofthisstory，somethingveryunusualandunexpectedhappenedtome。A
manuscriptwasreturnedbytheeditoroftheperiodicalinwhich"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister"hadappeared。
"Itisagoodstory，"hewrote，"butnotequaltowhatyouhavejustdone。Youhavemadeagreathit，anditwouldnotdotointerferewiththereputationyouhavegainedbypublishinganythinginferiorto`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister，\'whichhashadsuchadeservedsuccess。"
IwassounaccustomedtohavingmyworkthrownbackonmyhandsthatIthinkImusthaveturnedalittlepalewhenIreadtheletter。Isaidnothingofthemattertomywife，foritwouldbefoolishtodropsuchgrainsofsandasthisintothesmoothlyoiledmachineryofourdomesticfelicity，butI
immediatelysentthestorytoanothereditor。IamnotabletoexpresstheastonishmentIfeltwhen，inthecourseofaweek，itwassentbacktome。Thetoneofthenoteaccompanyingitindicatedasomewhatinjuredfeelingonthepartoftheeditor。
"Iamreluctant，"hesaid，"todeclineamanuscriptfromyou；
butyouknowverywellthatifyousentmeanythinglike`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister\'itwouldbemostpromptlyaccepted。"
Inowfeltobligedtospeakoftheaffairtomywife，whowasquiteasmuchsurprised，though，perhaps，notquiteasmuchshocked，asIhadbeen。
"Letusreadthestoryagain，"shesaid，"andseewhatisthematterwithit。"Whenwehadfinisheditsperusal，Hypatiaremarked："Itisquiteasgoodasmanyofthestoriesyouhavehadprinted，andIthinkitveryinteresting，although，ofcourse，itisnotequalto`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。\'"
"Ofcoursenot，"saidI；"thatwasaninspirationthatI
cannotexpecteveryday。Buttheremustbesomethingwrongaboutthislaststorywhichwedonotperceive。Perhapsmyrecentsuccessmayhavemademealittlecarelessinwritingit。"
"Idon\'tbelievethat，"saidHypatia。
"Atanyrate，"Icontinued，"Iwilllayitaside，andwillgotoworkonanewone。"
InduecourseoftimeIhadanothermanuscriptfinished，andIsentittomyfavoriteperiodical。Itwasretainedsomeweeks，andthencamebacktome。
"Itwillneverdo，"theeditorwrote，quitewarmly，"foryoutogobackward。Thedemandforthenumbercontaining`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister\'stillcontinues，andwedonotintendtoletyoudisappointthatgreatbodyofreaderswhowouldbesoeagertoseeanothernumbercontainingoneofyourstories。"
Isentthismanuscripttofourotherperiodicals，andfromeachofthemitwasreturnedwithremarkstotheeffectthat，althoughitwasnotabadstoryinitself，itwasnotwhattheywouldexpectfromtheauthorof"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。"
TheeditorofaWesternmagazinewrotetomeforastorytobepublishedinaspecialnumberwhichhewouldissuefortheholidays。Iwrotehimoneofthecharacterandlengthhedesired，andsentittohim。Byreturnmailitcamebacktome。
"Ihadhoped，"theeditorwrote，"whenIaskedforastoryfromyourpen，toreceivesomethinglike`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister，\'andImustownthatIamverymuchdisappointed。"
IwassofilledwithangerwhenIreadthisnotethatI
openlyobjurgated"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。""Youmustexcuseme，"Isaidtomyastonishedwife，"forexpressingmyselfthusinyourpresence，butthatconfoundedstorywillbetheruinofmeyet。UntilitisforgottennobodywillevertakeanythingI
write。"
"Andyoucannotexpectitevertobeforgotten，"saidHypatia，withtearsinhereyes。
Itisneedlessformetodetailmyliteraryeffortsinthecourseofthenextfewmonths。Theideasoftheeditorswithwhommyprincipalbusinesshadbeendone，inregardtomyliteraryability，hadbeensoraisedbymyunfortunatestoryof"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister"thatIfounditwasofnousetosendthemanythingoflessermerit。AndastotheotherjournalswhichItried，theyevidentlyconsidereditaninsultformetosendthemmatterinferiortothatbywhichmyreputationhadlatelyrisen。Thefactwasthatmysuccessfulstoryhadruinedme。Myincomewasatanend，andwantactuallystaredmeintheface；andImustadmitthatIdidnotliketheexpressionofitscountenance。Itwasofnouseformetotrytowriteanotherstorylike"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。"IcouldnotgetmarriedeverytimeIbegananewmanuscript，anditwastheexaltationofmindcausedbymyweddedfelicitywhichproducedthatstory。
"It\'sperfectlydreadful！"saidmywife。"IfIhadhadasister，andshehaddied，Iwouldhavethoughtitwasmyfault。"
"Itcouldnotbeyourfault，"Ianswered，"andIdonotthinkitwasmine。IhadnointentionofdeceivinganybodyintothebeliefthatIcoulddothatsortofthingeverytime，anditoughtnottobeexpectedofme。SupposeRaphael\'spatronshadtriedtokeephimscreweduptothepitchoftheSistineMadonna，andhadrefusedtobuyanythingwhichwasnotasgoodasthat。
InthatcaseIthinkhewouldhaveoccupiedamuchearlierandnarrowergravethantheoneonwhichMr。MorrisMoorehangshisfuneraldecorations。"
"But，mydear，"saidHypatia，whowaspostedonsuchsubjects，"theSistineMadonnawasoneofhislatestpaintings。"
"Verytrue，"saidI。"ButifhehadmarriedasIdid，hewouldhavepainteditearlier。"
Iwaswalkinghomewardoneafternoonaboutthistime，whenI
metBarbel，amanIhadknownwellinmyearlyliterarycareer。
Hewasnowaboutfiftyyearsofage，butlookedolder。Hishairandbeardwerequitegray，andhisclothes，whichwereofthesamegeneralhue，gavemetheideathatthey，likehishair，hadoriginallybeenblack。Ageisveryhardonaman\'sexternalappointments。Barbelhadanairofhavingbeentoletforalongtime，andquiteoutofrepair。Buttherewasakindlygleaminhiseye，andhewelcomedmecordially。
"Why，whatisthematter，oldfellow？"saidhe。"Ineversawyoulooksowoe-begone。"
IhadnoreasontoconcealanythingfromBarbel。Inmyyoungerdayshehadbeenofgreatusetome，andhehadarighttoknowthestateofmyaffairs。Ilaidthewholecaseplainlybeforehim。
"Lookhere，"hesaid，whenIhadfinished；"comewithmetomyroom；IhavesomethingIwouldliketosaytoyouthere。"
IfollowedBarbeltohisroom。Itwasatthetopofaverydirtyandwell-wornhouse，whichstoodinanarrowandlumpystreet，intowhichfewvehicleseverpenetrated，excepttheashandgarbage-carts，andthericketywagonsofthevendersofstalevegetables。
"Thisisnotexactlyafashionablepromenade，"saidBarbel，asweapproachedthehouse，"butinsomerespectsitremindsmeofthestreetsinItaliantowns，wherethepalacesleanovertowardeachotherinsuchafriendlyway。"
Barbel\'sroomwas，tomymind，rathermoredolefulthanthestreet。Itwasdark，itwasdusty，andcobwebshungfromeverycorner。Thefewchairsuponthefloorandthebooksuponagreasytableseemedtobeafflictedwithsomedorsalepidemic，fortheirbackswereeithergoneorbroken。AlittlebedsteadinthecornerwascoveredwithaspreadmadeofNewYork"Heralds"
withtheiredgespastedtogether。
"Thereisnothingbetter，"saidBarbel，noticingmyglancetowardthisnovelcounterpane，"forabed-coveringthannewspapers；theykeepyouaswarmasablanket，andaremuchlighter。Iusedtouse`Tribunes，\'buttheyrattledtoomuch。"
Theonlypartoftheroomwhichwaswelllightedwasoneendnearthesolitarywindow。Here，uponatablewithasplicedleg，stoodalittlegrindstone。
"Attheotherendoftheroom，"saidBarbel，"ismycook-
stove，whichyoucan\'tseeunlessIlightthecandleinthebottlewhichstandsbyit。Butifyoudon\'tcareparticularlytoexamineit，Iwon\'tgototheexpenseoflightingup。Youmightpickupagoodmanyoddpiecesofbric-a-brac，aroundhere，ifyouchosetostrikeamatchandinvestigate。ButIwouldnotadviseyoutodoso。Itwouldpaybettertothrowthethingsoutofthewindowthantocarrythemdown-stairs。TheparticularpieceofindoordecorationtowhichIwishtocallyourattentionisthis。"Andheledmetoalittlewoodenframewhichhungagainstthewallnearthewindow。Behindadustypieceofglassitheldwhatappearedtobealeaffromasmallmagazineorjournal。"There，"saidhe，"youseeapagefromthe`Grasshopper，\'ahumorouspaperwhichflourishedinthiscitysomehalf-dozenyearsago。Iusedtowriteregularlyforthatpaper，asyoumayremember。"
"Oh，yes，indeed！"Iexclaimed。"AndIshallneverforgetyour`ConundrumoftheAnvil\'whichappearedinit。HowoftenhaveIlaughedatthatmostwonderfulconceit，andhowoftenhaveIputittomyfriends！"
Barbelgazedatmesilentlyforamoment，andthenhepointedtotheframe。"Thatprintedpage，"hesaidsolemnly，"containsthe`ConundrumoftheAnvil。\'IhangittheresothatIcanseeitwhileIwork。Thatconundrumruinedme。ItwasthelastthingIwroteforthe`Grasshopper。\'HowIevercametoimagineit，Icannottell。Itisoneofthosethingswhichoccurtoamanbutonceinalifetime。Afterthewildshoutofdelightwithwhichthepublicgreetedthatconundrum，mysubsequenteffortsmetwithhootsofderision。The`Grasshopper\'turneditshindlegsuponme。Isankfrombadtoworse，——muchworse，——untilatlastIfoundmyselfreducedtomypresentoccupation，whichisthatofgrindingpointsonpins。BythisIprocuremybread，coffee，andtobacco，andsometimespotatoesandmeat。OnedaywhileIwashardatwork，anorgan-grindercameintothestreetbelow。Heplayedtheserenadefrom`Trovatore\'andthefamiliarnotesbroughtbackvisionsofolddaysandolddelights，whenthesuccessfulwriterworegoodclothesandsatatoperas，whenhelookedintosweeteyesandtalkedofItalianairs，whenhisfutureappearedallasuccessionofbrightsceneryandjoyousacts，withoutanyprovisionforadrop-curtain。Andasmyearlistened，andmymindwanderedinthishappyretrospect，myeveryfacultyseemedexalted，and，withoutanythoughtuponthematter，Igroundpointsuponmypinssofine，soregular，andsosmooththattheywouldhavepiercedwitheasetheleatherofaboot，orslipped，withoutabrasion，amongthefinestthreadsofrareoldlace。Whentheorganstopped，andIfellbackintomyrealworldofcobwebsandmustiness，IgazeduponthepinsIhadjustground，and，withoutamoment\'shesitation，Ithrewthemintothestreet，andreportedthelotasspoiled。Thiscostmealittlemoney，butitsavedmemylivelihood。"
Afterafewmomentsofsilence，Barbelresumed：
"Ihavenomoretosaytoyou，myyoungfriend。AllIwantyoutodoistolookuponthatframedconundrum，thenuponthisgrindstone，andthentogohomeandreflect。Asforme，I
haveagrossofpinstogrindbeforethesungoesdown。"
IcannotsaythatmydepressionofmindwasatallrelievedbywhatIhadseenandheard。IhadlostsightofBarbelforsomeyears，andIhadsupposedhimstillfloatingonthesun-
sparklingstreamofprosperitywhereIhadlastseenhim。Itwasagreatshocktometofindhiminsuchaconditionofpovertyandsqualor，andtoseeamanwhohadoriginatedthe"ConundrumoftheAnvil"reducedtothesoul-depressingoccupationofgrindingpin-points。AsIwalkedandthought，thedreadfulpictureofatotallyeclipsedfuturearosebeforemymind。ThemoralofBarbelsankdeepintomyheart。
WhenIreachedhomeItoldmywifethestoryofmyfriendBarbel。Shelistenedwithasadandeagerinterest。
"Iamafraid，"shesaid，"ifourfortunesdonotquicklymend，thatweshallhavetobuytwolittlegrindstones。YouknowIcouldhelpyouatthatsortofthing。"
Foralongtimewesattogetherandtalked，anddevisedmanyplansforthefuture。Ididnotthinkitnecessaryyetformetolookoutforapincontract；butImustfindsomewayofmakingmoney，orweshouldstarvetodeath。Ofcourse，thefirstthingthatsuggesteditselfwasthepossibilityoffindingsomeotherbusiness。But，apartfromthedifficultyofimmediatelyobtainingremunerativeworkinoccupationstowhichIhadnotbeentrained，IfeltagreatandnaturalreluctancetogiveupaprofessionforwhichIhadcarefullypreparedmyself，andwhichIhadadoptedasmylife-work。Itwouldbeveryhardformetolaydownmypenforever，andtoclosethetopofmyinkstanduponallthebrightandhappyfancieswhichIhadseenmirroredinitstranquilpool。Wetalkedandponderedtherestofthatdayandagooddealofthenight，butwecametonoconclusionastowhatitwouldbebestforustodo。
ThenextdayIdeterminedtogoandcallupontheeditorofthejournalforwhich，inhappierdays，beforetheblightof"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister"resteduponme，Iusedmostfrequentlytowrite，and，havingfranklyexplainedmyconditiontohim，toaskhisadvice。Theeditorwasagoodman，andhadalwaysbeenmyfriend。HelistenedwithgreatattentiontowhatItoldhim，andevidentlysympathizedwithmeinmytrouble。
"Aswehavewrittentoyou，"hesaid，"theonlyreasonwhywedidnotacceptthemanuscriptsyousentuswasthattheywouldhavedisappointedthehighhopesthatthepublichadformedinregardtoyou。Wehavehadletterafterletteraskingwhenweweregoingtopublishanotherstorylike`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。\'Wefelt，andwestillfeel，thatitwouldbewrongtoallowyoutodestroythefairfabricwhichyouyourselfhaveraised。But，"headded，withakindsmile，"Iseeveryplainlythatyourwell-deservedreputationwillbeoflittleadvantagetoyouifyoushouldstarveatthemomentthatitsgenialbeamsare，sotospeak，lightingyouup。"
"Itsbeamsarenotgenial，"Ianswered。"Theyhavescorchedandwitheredme。"
"Howwouldyoulike，"saidtheeditor，afterashortreflection，"toallowustopublishthestoriesyouhaverecentlywrittenundersomeothernamethanyourown？Thatwouldsatisfyusandthepublic，wouldputmoneyinyourpocket，andwouldnotinterferewithyourreputation。"
JoyfullyIseizedthenoblefellowbythehand，andinstantlyacceptedhisproposition。"Ofcourse，"saidI，"areputationisaverygoodthing；butnoreputationcantaketheplaceoffood，clothes，andahousetolivein，andIgladlyagreetosinkmyover-illuminednameintooblivion，andtoappearbeforethepublicasanewandunknownwriter。"
"Ihopethatneednotbeforlong，"hesaid，"forIfeelsurethatyouwillyetwritestoriesasgoodas`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。\'"
AllthemanuscriptsIhadonhandInowsenttomygoodfriendtheeditor，andindueandproperordertheyappearedinhisjournalunderthenameofJohnDarmstadt，whichIhadselectedasasubstituteformyown，permanentlydisabled。I
madeasimilararrangementwithothereditors，andJohnDarmstadtreceivedthecreditofeverythingthatproceededfrommypen。
Ourcircumstancesnowbecameverycomfortable，andoccasionallyweevenallowedourselvestoindulgeinlittledreamsofprosperity。
Timepassedonverypleasantly。Oneyear，another，andthenalittlesonwasborntous。Itisoftendifficult，Ibelieve，forthoughtfulpersonstodecidewhetherthebeginningoftheirconjugalcareer，ortheearliestweeksinthelifeoftheirfirst-born，bethehappiestandproudestperiodoftheirexistence。FormyselfIcanonlysaythatthesameexaltationofmind，thesamerareficationofideaandinvention，whichsucceededuponmyweddingdaycameuponmenow。Asthen，myecstaticemotionscrystallizedthemselvesintoamotiveforastory，andwithoutdelayIsetmyselftoworkuponit。Myboywasaboutsixweeksoldwhenthemanuscriptwasfinished，andoneevening，aswesatbeforeacomfortablefireinoursitting-room，withthecurtainsdrawn，andthesoftlamplighted，andthebabysleepingsoundlyintheadjoiningchamber，Ireadthestorytomywife。
WhenIhadfinished，mywifearoseandthrewherselfintomyarms。"Iwasneversoproudofyou，"shesaid，hergladeyessparkling，"asIamatthismoment。Thatisawonderfulstory！
Itis，indeedIamsureitis，justasgoodas`HisWife\'sDeceasedSister。\'"
Asshespokethesewords，asuddenandchillingsensationcreptoverusboth。Allherwarmthandfervor，andtheproudandhappyglowengenderedwithinmebythispraiseandappreciationfromoneIloved，vanishedinaninstant。Westeppedapart，andgazeduponeachotherwithpallidfaces。Inthesamemomenttheterribletruthhadflasheduponusboth。ThisstoryWASasgoodas"HisWife\'sDeceasedSister"！
Westoodsilent。TheexceptionallotofBarbel\'ssuper-
pointedpinsseemedtopierceourverysouls。Adreadfulvisionrosebeforemeofanimpendingfallandcrash，inwhichourdomestichappinessshouldvanish，andourprospectsforourboybewrecked，justaswehadbegantobuildthemup。
Mywifeapproachedme，andtookmyhandinhers，whichwasascoldasice。"Bestrongandfirm，"shesaid。"Agreatdangerthreatensus，butyoumustbraceyourselfagainstit。Bestrongandfirm。"
Ipressedherhand，andwesaidnomorethatnight。
ThenextdayItookthemanuscriptIhadjustwritten，andcarefullyinfoldeditinstoutwrapping-paper。ThenIwenttoaneighboringgrocerystoreandboughtasmall，strong，tinbox，originallyintendedforbiscuit，withacoverthatfittedtightly。InthisIplacedmymanuscript，andthenItooktheboxtoatinsmithandhadthetopfastenedonwithhardsolder。WhenIwenthomeIascendedintothegarretandbroughtdowntomystudyaship\'scash-box，whichhadoncebelongedtooneofmyfamilywhowasasea-captain。Thisboxwasveryheavy，andfirmlyboundwithiron，andwassecuredbytwomassivelocks。
Callingmywife，Itoldherofthecontentsofthetincase，whichIthenplacedinthebox，andhavingshutdowntheheavylid，Idoublylockedit。
"Thiskey，"saidI，puttingitinmypocket，"IshallthrowintotheriverwhenIgooutthisafternoon。"
Mywifewatchedmeeagerly，withapallidandfirm-setcountenance，butuponwhichIcouldseethefaintglimmerofreturninghappiness。
"Wouldn\'titbewell，"shesaid，"tosecureitstillfurtherbysealing-waxandpiecesoftape？"
"No，"saidI。"Idonotbelievethatanyonewillattempttotamperwithourprosperity。Andnow，mydear，"Icontinuedinanimpressivevoice，"noonebutyou，and，inthecourseoftime，ourson，shallknowthatthismanuscriptexists。WhenIamdead，thosewhosurvivememay，iftheyseefit，causethisboxtobesplitopenandthestorypublished。Thereputationitmaygivemynamecannotharmmethen。"
THEWIDOW\'SCRUISE
TheWidowDucketlivedinasmallvillageabouttenmilesfromtheNewJerseysea-coast。Inthisvillageshewasborn，hereshehadmarriedandburiedherhusband，andheresheexpectedsomebodytoburyher；butshewasinnohurryforthis，forshehadscarcelyreachedmiddleage。Shewasatallwomanwithnoapparentfatinhercomposition，andfullofactivity，bothmuscularandmental。
Sheroseatsixo\'clockinthemorning，cookedbreakfast，setthetable，washedthedisheswhenthemealwasover，milked，churned，swept，washed，ironed，workedinherlittlegarden，attendedtotheflowersinthefrontyard，andintheafternoonknittedandquiltedandsewed，andafterteasheeitherwenttoseeherneighborsorhadthemcometoseeher。Whenitwasreallydarkshelightedthelampinherparlorandreadforanhour，andifithappenedtobeoneofMissMaryWilkins\'sbooksthatshereadsheexpresseddoubtsastotherealismofthecharactersthereindescribed。
ThesedoubtssheexpressedtoDorcasNetworthy，whowasasmall，plumpwoman，withasolemnface，whohadlivedwiththewidowformanyyearsandwhohadbecomeherdevoteddisciple。
Whateverthewidowdid，thatalsodidDorcas——notsowell，forherhearttoldhershecouldneverexpecttodothat，butwithayearninganxietytodoeverythingaswellasshecould。
Sheroseatfiveminutespastsix，andinasubsidiarywayshehelpedtogetthebreakfast，toeatit，towashupthedishes，toworkinthegarden，toquilt，tosew，tovisitandreceive，andnoonecouldhavetriedharderthanshedidtokeepawakewhenthewidowreadaloudintheevening。
Allthesethingshappenedeverydayinthesummertime，butinthewinterthewidowandDorcasclearedthesnowfromtheirlittlefrontpathinsteadofattendingtotheflowers，andintheeveningtheylightedafireaswellasalampintheparlor。
Sometimes，however，somethingdifferenthappened，butthiswasnotoften，onlyafewtimesintheyear。OneofthedifferentthingsoccurredwhenMrs。DucketandDorcasweresittingontheirlittlefrontporchonesummerafternoon，oneonthelittlebenchononesideofthedoor，andtheotheronthelittlebenchontheothersideofthedoor，eachwaitinguntilsheshouldheartheclockstrikefive，topreparetea。Butitwasnotyetaquartertofivewhenaone-horsewagoncontainingfourmencameslowlydownthestreet。Dorcasfirstsawthewagon，andsheinstantlystoppedknitting。
"Mercyonme！"sheexclaimed。"Whoeverthosepeopleare，theyarestrangershere，andtheydon\'tknowwheretostop，fortheyfirstgotoonesideofthestreetandthentotheother。"
Thewidowlookedaroundsharply。"Humph！"saidshe。"Thosemenaresailormen。Youmightseethatinatwinklin\'ofaneye。
Sailormenalwaysdrivethatway，becausethatisthewaytheysailships。Theyfirsttackinonedirectionandtheninanother。"
"Mr。Ducketdidn\'tlikethesea？"remarkedDorcas，foraboutthethreehundredthtime。
"No，hedidn\'t，"answeredthewidow，foraboutthetwohundredandfiftiethtime，fortherehadbeenoccasionswhenshethoughtDorcasputthisquestioninopportunely。"Hehatedit，andhewasdrownedinitthroughtrustin\'asailorman，whichI
neverdidnorshall。Doyoureallybelievethosemenarecomin\'
here？"
"UponmywordIdo！"saidDorcas，andheropinionwascorrect。
ThewagondrewupinfrontofMrs。Ducket\'slittlewhitehouse，andthetwowomensatrigidly，theirhandsintheirlaps，staringatthemanwhodrove。
Thiswasanelderlypersonagewithwhitishhair，andunderhischinathinwhitishbeard，whichwavedinthegentlebreezeandgaveDorcastheideathathisheadwasfilledwithhairwhichwasleakingoutfrombelow。
"IsthistheWidowDucket\'s？"inquiredthiselderlyman，inastrong，penetratingvoice。
"That\'smyname，"saidthewidow，andlayingherknittingonthebenchbesideher，shewenttothegate。Dorcasalsolaidherknittingonthebenchbesideherandwenttothegate。
"Iwastold，"saidtheelderlyman，"atahousewetouchedataboutaquarterofamileback，thattheWidowDucket\'swastheonlyhouseinthisvillagewheretherewasanychanceofmeandmymatesgettingameal。Wearefoursailors，andwearemakingfromthebayovertoCuppertown，andthat\'seightmilesaheadyet，andweareallprettysharpsetforsomethingtoeat。"
"Thisistheplace，"saidthewidow，"andIdogivemealsifthereisenoughinthehouseandeverythingcomeshandy。"
"Doeseverythingcomehandyto-day？"saidhe。
"Itdoes，"saidshe，"andyoucanhitchyourhorseandcomein；butIhaven\'tgotanythingforhim。"
"Oh，that\'sallright，"saidtheman，"webroughtalongstoresforhim，sowe\'lljustmakefastandthencomein。"
Thetwowomenhurriedintothehouseinastateofbustlingpreparation，forthefurnishingofthismealmeantonedollarincash。
Thefourmariners，allelderlymen，descendedfromthewagon，eachonescramblingwithalacrityoveradifferentwheel。
Aboxofbrokenship-biscuitwasbroughtoutandputonthegroundinfrontofthehorse，whoimmediatelysethimselftoeatingwithgreatsatisfaction。
Teawasalittlelatethatday，becausethereweresixpersonstoprovideforinsteadoftwo，butitwasagoodmeal，andafterthefourseamenhadwashedtheirhandsandfacesatthepumpinthebackyardandhadwipedthemontwotowelsfurnishedbyDorcas，theyallcameinandsatdown。Mrs。Ducketseatedherselfattheheadofthetablewiththedignitypropertothemistressofthehouse，andDorcasseatedherselfattheotherendwiththedignitypropertothediscipleofthemistress。Noservicewasnecessary，foreverythingthatwastobeeatenordrunkwasonthetable。
Wheneachoftheelderlymarinershadhadasmuchbreadandbutter，quicklybakedsoda-biscuit，driedbeef，coldham，coldtongue，andpreservedfruitofeveryvarietyknown，ashisstoragecapacitywouldpermit，themarinerincommand，CaptainBird，pushedbackhischair，whereupontheothermarinerspushedbacktheirchairs。
"Madam，"saidCaptainBird，"wehaveallmadeagoodmeal，whichdidn\'tneedtobenobetternormoreofit，andwe\'resatisfied；butthathorseouttherehasnothadtimetoresthimselfenoughtogotheeightmilesthatliesaheadofus，so，ifit\'sallthesametoyouandthisgoodlady，we\'dliketositonthatfrontporchawhileandsmokeourpipes。Iwasa-lookingatthatporchwhenIcamein，andIbethoughttomyselfwhatararegoodplaceitwastosmokeapipein。"
"There\'spipesbeensmokedthere，"saidthewidow，rising，"anditcanbedoneagain。InsidethehouseIdon\'tallowtobacco，butontheporchneitherofusminds。"
Sothefourcaptainsbetookthemselvestotheporch，twoofthemseatingthemselvesonthelittlebenchononesideofthedoor，andtwoofthemonthelittlebenchontheothersideofthedoor，andlightedtheirpipes。
"Shallweclearoffthetableandwashupthedishes，"saidDorcas，"orwaituntiltheyaregone？"
"Wewillwaituntiltheyaregone，"saidthewidow，"fornowthattheyareherewemightaswellhaveabitofachatwiththem。Whenasailormanlightshispipeheisgenerallywillin\'
totalk，butwhenheiseatin\'youcan\'tgetawordoutofhim。"
Withoutthinkingitnecessarytoaskpermission，forthehousebelongedtoher，theWidowDucketbroughtachairandputitinthehallclosetotheopenfrontdoor，andDorcasbroughtanotherchairandseatedherselfbythesideofthewidow。
"Doallyousailormenbelongdownthereatthebay？"askedMrs。Ducket；thustheconversationbegan，andinafewminutesithadreachedapointatwhichCaptainBirdthoughtitpropertosaythatagreatmanystrangethingshappentoseamensailingontheseawhichlands-peopleneverdreamof。
"Suchasanythinginparticular？"askedthewidow，atwhichremarkDorcasclaspedherhandsinexpectancy。
Atthisquestioneachofthemarinerstookhispipefromhismouthandgazeduponthefloorinthought。
"There\'sagoodmanystrangethingshappenedtomeandmymatesatsea。Wouldyouandthatotherladyliketohearanyofthem？"askedCaptainBird。
"Wewouldliketohearthemiftheyaretrue，"saidthewidow。
"There\'snothinghappenedtomeandmymatesthatisn\'ttrue，"saidCaptainBird，"andhereissomethingthatoncehappenedtome：Iwasonawhalingv\'yagewhenabigsperm-
whale，justasmadasafierybull，cameatus，headon，andstrucktheshipatthesternwithsuchtremendousforcethathisheadcrashedrightthroughhertimbersandhewentnearlyhalfhislengthintoherhull。Theholdwasmostlyfilledwithemptybarrels，forwewasjustbeginningourv\'yage，andwhenhehadmadekindling-woodofthesetherewasroomenoughforhim。Weallexpectedthatitwouldn\'ttakefiveminutesforthevesseltofillandgotothebottom，andwemadereadytotaketotheboats；butitturnedoutwedidn\'tneedtotaketonoboats，forasfastasthewaterrushedintotheholdoftheship，thatwhaledrankitandsquirteditupthroughthetwoblow-holesinthetopofhishead，andastherewasanopenhatchwayjustoverhishead，thewaterallwentintotheseaagain，andthatwhalekeptworkingdayandnightpumpingthewateroutuntilwebeachedthevesselontheislandofTrinidad——thewhalehelpinguswonderfulonourwayoverbythepowerfulworkingofhistail，which，beingoutsideinthewater，actedlikeapropeller。I
don\'tbelieveanythingstrangerthanthateverhappenedtoawhalingship。"
"No，"saidthewidow，"Idon\'tbelieveanythingeverdid。"
CaptainBirdnowlookedatCaptainSanderson，andthelattertookhispipeoutofhismouthandsaidthatinallhissailingaroundtheworldhehadneverknownanythingqueererthanwhathappenedtoabigsteamshiphechancedtobeon，whichranintoanislandinafog。Everybodyonboardthoughttheshipwaswrecked，butithadtwinscrews，andwasgoingatsuchatremendousspeedthatitturnedtheislandentirelyupsidedownandsailedoverit，andhehadheardtellthatevennowpeoplesailingoverthespotcouldlookdownintothewaterandseetherootsofthetreesandthecellarsofthehouses。
