CHAPTER 7

The Unknown Nymph

striking differences between cat and lie cat has only nine lives

--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar

The company broke up reluctantly, and drifted toward their several homes, chatting with vivacity and all agreeing many long day before Dawson's Landing would see the equal of again The twins had accepted several invitations while the reception was in progress, and had also volunteered to play some duets at an amateur entertainment benefit of local charity Society was eager to receive them to its bosom Judge Driscoll had the good fortune to secure them for an immediate drive, and the first to display them in public They entered his buggy and were paraded down the main street, everybody flocking windows and sidewalks

The judge showed the strangers the new graveyard, jail, and where the richest man lived, Freemasons' hall, Methodist church, Presbyterian church, and where the Baptist church was going got some money to build it with, and showed them the town hall slaughterhouse, and got independent fire company in uniform and had them put out an imaginary fire; then he let them inspect the muskets militia company, and poured out an exhaustless stream of enthusiasm over all these splendors, and seemed satisfied responses he got, twins admired his admiration, and paid him back the best , though better if some fifteen or sixteen hundred thousand previous experiences sort in various countries already rubbed off considerable part novelty

The judge laid himself out hospitality them have , and if defect anywhere, not his fault them humorous anecdotes, and always forgot the nub, but they were always able it, yarns were of pretty early vintage, had had many rejuvenating pull at them before And them all about his several dignities, and how he had held this other place of honor or profit, and had once been legislature, and was now president Society of Freethinkers the society in existence four years, and already had two members, and was firmly established call brothers evening, like to attend meeting of it

Accordingly , and way them all about Pudd'nhead Wilson, get favorable impression of him in advance and be prepared to like him This scheme succeeded-- the favorable impression was achieved Later confirmed and solidified when Wilson proposed that out of courtesy strangers the usual topics be put aside hour be devoted to conversation upon ordinary subjects cultivation of friendly relations and good-fellowship--a proposition put to vote and carried

The hour passed quickly away in lively talk, and when ended, the lonesome and neglected Wilson was richer by two friends than he when it began He invited the twins to look in at his lodgings presently, after disposing of an intervening engagement, accepted with pleasure

Toward the middle evening, they found themselves road house Pudd'nhead was at home waiting and putting time puzzling over thing which had come under his notice that morning The matter : He happened up very early-- at dawn, ; and he crossed the hall, which divided his cottage center, and entered room something there The window room had no curtains, side house had long been unoccupied, and window he caught sight of something which surprised and interested him young woman-- young woman where properly no young woman belonged; for she was in Judge Driscoll's house, and bedroom over the judge's private study or sitting room young Tom Driscoll's bedroom He judge, the judge's widowed sister Mrs Pratt, and three Negro servants were the only people who belonged house Who, then, might this young lady be ? The two houses were separated by an ordinary yard, with low fence running back middle street in front lane rear The distance was not great, and Wilson was able the girl , the window shades room she was in being up, window also The girl had on neat and trim summer dress, patterned in broad stripes of pink and white, and her bonnet was equipped with pink veil She was practicing steps, gaits and attitudes, apparently; she was doing the thing gracefully, and was absorbed in her work she be, and how came she in young Tom Driscoll's room ?

Wilson had quickly chosen position watch the girl without running much risk of being seen by her, and he remained there hoping raise her veil and betray her face But she disappointed him After matter of twenty minutes she disappeared and although he stayed at his post half an hour longer, she came no more

Toward noon he dropped in judge's and talked with Mrs Pratt great event day, the levee distinguished foreigners at Aunt Patsy Cooper's He asked after her nephew Tom, and she said way home she was expecting him to arrive little before night, and added that she judge were gratified to gather letters that conducting himself very nicely and creditably--at which Wilson winked to himself privately Wilson ask if newcomer house, but he asked questions brought light-throwing answers matter if Mrs Pratt had had any light to throw; so he went away satisfied that of things that were going on in her house she herself was not aware

now awaiting twins, and still puzzling over the problem of who that girl , and how she happened young fellow's room at daybreak morning

CHAPTER 8

Marse Tom Tramples His Chance

The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring nature last through whole lifetime, asked to lend money

--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar

Consider well the proportions of things better young June bug than an old bird of paradise

--Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar

necessary now to hunt up Roxy

she was set free and went away chambermaiding, she was thirty-five She got berth as second chambermaid on Cincinnati boat New Orleans trade, the Grand Mogul couple of trips made her wonted and easygoing work, and infatuated her stir and adventure and independence of steamboat life Then she was promoted and become head chambermaid She was favorite officers, and exceedingly proud joking and friendly way with her

During eight years she served three parts year boat, winters on Vicksburg packet But now for two months, she had had rheumatism in her arms, and was obliged to let the washtub alone So she resigned But she was well fixed-- rich, as she described it; for she had lived steady life, and had banked four dollars in New Orleans as provision for her old age She said start that she had "put shoes on one bar'footed nigger to tromple on her with," one mistake like that was enough; be independent human race thenceforth forevermore if hard work and economy could accomplish it boat touched the levee at New Orleans she bade good-by to her comrades Grand Mogul and moved her kit ashore

But she was back in hour The bank had gone to smash and carried her four hundred dollars with it She was pauper and homeless Also disabled bodily, The officers were full of sympathy for her in her trouble, and made up little purse for her She resolved to her birthplace; she had friends there Negros, unfortunate always help the unfortunate, she was well aware ; those lowly comrades of her youth let her starve

She took the little local packet at Cairo, and now she was homestretch Time had worn away her bitterness against her son, and she was able of him with serenity She put the vile side of him out of her mind, and dwelt only on recollections occasional acts of kindness to her She gilded and otherwise decorated these, and made them very pleasant to contemplate She began to long him go and fawn upon him slavelike-- her attitude, --and maybe find had modified him, his long-forgotten old nurse and treat her gently lovely; make her forget her woes and her poverty

Her poverty ! That thought inspired her to add another castle to her dream: maybe give her trifle --maybe dollar, , say; any little thing like help, oh, ever

she reached Dawson's Landing, she was her old self again; her blues were gone, she was in high feather get along, surely; there were many kitchens where the servants would share their meals with her, and also steal sugar and apples and other dainties for her to carry home--or give her chance to pilfer them herself, which would answer just And the church She was more rabid and devoted Methodist than ever, and her piety was no sham, but was strong and sincere Yes, with plenty of creature comforts and her old place amen corner in her possession again, be perfectly happy and at peace thenceforward end