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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..46aeca5 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #54772 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54772) diff --git a/old/54772-h.zip b/old/54772-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b13f4bf..0000000 --- a/old/54772-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54772-h/54772-h.htm b/old/54772-h/54772-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index d6d2fee..0000000 --- a/old/54772-h/54772-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7839 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Turning of the Tide, by Elijah Kellogg. - </title> - <style type="text/css"> - - p { margin-top: .75em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .75em; - } - - p.bold {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;} - p.bold2 {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;} - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; - } - h1 span, h2 span { display: block; text-align: center; } - #id1 { font-size: smaller } - - - hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; - } - - hr.smler { - width: 15%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 42.5%; - margin-right: 42.5%; - clear: both; - } - - body{margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - } - - table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; text-align: right;} - - .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - text-indent: 0px; - } /* page numbers */ - - .center {text-align: center;} - .smaller {font-size: smaller;} - .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - .box {max-width: 35em; margin: 1.5em auto;} - .space-above {margin-top: 3em;} - .left {text-align: left;} - - .poem {display: inline-block; text-align: left;} - .poem br {display: none;} - .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - .poem div {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - .poem div.i2 {margin-left: 2em;} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Turning of the Tide, by Elijah Kellogg - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Turning of the Tide - Radcliffe Rich and His Patients - -Author: Elijah Kellogg - -Release Date: May 23, 2017 [EBook #54772] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TURNING OF THE TIDE *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="center"><a name="cover.jpg" id="cover.jpg"></a><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="box"> -<p class="center">By GEORGE MAKEPEACE TOWLE.</p> - -<p>Heroes and Martyrs of Invention.<br />Vasco da Gama; His Voyages and Adventures.<br /> -Pizarro; His Adventures and Conquests.<br />Magellan; or, The First Voyage Round the World.<br /> -Marco Polo; His Travels and Adventures.<br />Raleigh; His Voyages and Adventures.<br />Drake; The Sea King of Devon.</p> - -<p class="center">By CAPT. CHARLES W. HALL.</p> - -<p>Adrift in the Ice Fields.</p> - -<p class="center">By DR. ISAAC I. HAYES.</p> - -<p>Cast Away in the Cold; An Old Man's Story of a Young Man's -Adventures.</p> - -<p class="center">By W. H. G. KINGSTON.</p> - -<p>The Adventures of Dick Onslow among the Redskins.<br />Ernest Bracebridge; or, School Boy Days.</p> - -<p class="center">By JAMES D. McCABE JR.</p> - -<p>Planting the Wilderness; or, The Pioneer Boys.</p> - -<p class="center">By DR. C. H. PEARSON.</p> - -<p>The Cabin on the Prairie.<br />The Young Pioneers of the Northwest.</p> - -<p class="center">By JAMES DE MILLE.</p> - -<p>The Lily and the Cross; A Tale of Acadia.</p> - -<p class="center">By F. G. ARMSTRONG.</p> - -<p>The Young Middy: or, The Perilous Adventures of a Boy -Officer.</p> - -<p class="center">By R. M. BALLANTYNE.</p> - -<p>The Life Boat; A Tale of Our Coast Heroes.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center"><i>Sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price.</i></p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Lee and Shepard, Publishers, Boston</span></p></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="The first Money" /></div> - -<p class="bold"><span class="smcap">The first Money.</span> <a href="#Page_29">Page 29</a>.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold"><i>THE WHISPERING PINE SERIES.</i></p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<h1>THE<br /><br />TURNING OF THE TIDE;</h1> - -<p class="bold">OR,</p> - -<p class="bold2">RADCLIFFE RICH AND HIS PATIENTS.</p> - -<p class="bold space-above">BY</p> - -<p class="bold2">ELIJAH KELLOGG,</p> - -<p class="bold">AUTHOR OF "LION BEN," "CHARLIE BELL," "THE ARK OF ELM ISLAND," "THE BOY<br /> -FARMERS," "THE YOUNG SHIP-BUILDERS," "THE HARD-SCRABBLE," "ARTHUR<br /> -BROWN," "THE YOUNG DELIVERERS," "THE CRUISE OF THE CASCO,"<br /> -"THE CHILD OF THE ISLAND GLEN," "JOHN GODSOE'S LEGACY,"<br /> -"THE SPARK OF GENIUS," "THE SOPHOMORES OF<br />RADCLIFFE," "THE WHISPERING PINE,"<br />"WINNING HIS SPURS," ETC.</p> - -<p class="bold space-above"><i>ILLUSTRATED.</i></p> - -<p class="bold space-above">BOSTON 1892<br />LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS<br /> -10 MILK STREET NEXT "THE OLD SOUTH MEETING HOUSE"<br /> -NEW YORK CHAS. T. DILLINGHAM<br />718 AND 720 BROADWAY</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873,<br /> -<span class="smcap">By</span> LEE AND SHEPARD,<br /> -In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> - -<h2>PREFACE.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>A distinguished professor of Mathematics in a New England college was -wont to remark to the Freshman class when meeting them for the first -time at recitation, "that every person is as lazy as he can be." However -we may demur to this sweeping assertion, it is doubtless true that more -persons fail in life through indolence and the absence of appropriate -and wholesome stimulus than from lack of capacity to become useful and -even distinguished.</p> - -<p>Misfortune, undesirable as it may seem, nevertheless furnishes an -effective test of character, for, while the effeminate nature of lax -fibre crumbles and is disintegrated beneath the pressure, the manlier -spirit, like Dannemora iron, defies the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> fury of the furnace, and even -beneath the hammer, gathers both temper and tenacity.</p> - -<p>How great the change produced in a Scotch pebble, taken from the banks -of a Highland lake, when the wheel of the lapidary has brought out the -hues, and it appears what it really is, a gem; thus the thrill of sudden -calamity, the sharp anguish that makes the blood spring from the lip -have often supplied both object and motive to many a spirit that -(capacious of better things) was fast becoming honeycombed by the rust -of luxury and indolence, and has developed gifts of which even the -possessor was unconscious.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Turning of the Tide</span> places before our readers this entire process in -the person of <span class="smcap">Radcliffe Rich</span>, from the rude awakening, the moment when -the half-benumbed faculties rally for the mastery, to the stern conflict -and the hard-won victory.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<table summary="CONTENTS"> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER I.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td><span class="smaller">PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Smith of the Wilderness.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER II.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The First Money.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER III.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Experience the best Teacher.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER IV.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Hammer and Tongs.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER V.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Drew sore and savage.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER VI.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Patient, but determined.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER VII.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">He finds the Clue.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>CHAPTER VIII.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A Trade the best Inheritance.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER IX.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Blood will tell.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER X.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Dead Low Water.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_125">125</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XI.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A striking Contrast.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_134">134</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XII.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Did not come to see the Wreck.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_142">142</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XIII.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Morton's Business.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_150">150</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XIV.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Winning Golden Opinions.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_160">160</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XV.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">How Dan took his Medicine.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_170">170</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XVI.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Peril of being out Evenings.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_180">180</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>CHAPTER XVII.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Young Samaritans.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_192">192</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XVIII.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Dan wants to know Himself.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_205">205</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XIX.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Dan traps large Game.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_214">214</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XX.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Goes for Wool, and gets shorn.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XXI.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Progress and Prejudice.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_231">231</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XXII.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Suiting Means to Ends.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_244">244</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XXIII.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Turn of the Tide.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_260">260</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="center">CHAPTER XXIV.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Young Flood.</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_278">278</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">THE TURNING OF THE TIDE.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER I.</span> <span class="smaller">THE SMITH OF THE WILDERNESS.</span></h2> - -<p>With Rich, the chum and friend of Morton, and who, animated by the -contagion of a noble example, became his rival in rank as a scholar and -in all athletic sports, his companion in labor, and between whom, though -neck and neck in the pursuit of those college honors that each most -highly prized, there was never a shadow of jealousy or distrust, while -their sympathies met and mingled like fibres of a kindred root, drawing -their nutriment from a common soil,—with Rich, refined in all his -tastes, of delicate sensibilities, and a playful humor that never stung, -sunny tempered, generous, companionable, yet firm in principle as a -granite shaft, and whom all Radcliffe idolized, our constant readers are -already well acquainted; but the exigencies of this story, and the -necessity of imparting information both to them and others, render it -imperative that we should speak<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> more definitely respecting his family -and home life, to which we have heretofore barely alluded; indeed, we -are not aware that we have ever distinguished him by any other name than -that of Richardson, and much more frequently made use of the college -term, Rich.</p> - -<p>His grandfather, with ten other young married men, first broke ground in -our hero's native town, then a wilderness, and built their camps on the -borders of a stream heavily timbered, soon after the formation of the -federal government with Washington as president. They were, with a -single exception, poor, having taken up their abode in the wilderness -because they wanted a home, and could buy the wild land for ten cents -per acre. Full of enterprise, and strong in limb, this little community -felt themselves equal to the struggle. They had as yet neither sawmill -nor gristmill, though a noble stream fell over the rocks close to their -doors, but pounded the corn they raised on burns in large mortars, or -went in canoes eleven miles to mill, to a village farther down the -stream, where they likewise procured salt. There were neither roads nor -horses in the clearing, and at first everything was brought through the -woods, in the winter on men's shoulders, walking on snow-shoes, and in -summer in canoes or on rafts up the river.</p> - -<p>They were accustomed to put the grain and corn belonging to several -neighbors into a large canoe,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> and thus take it down the river to the -mill. At length a road was spotted through the woods to the -village—that is, a piece of bark and wood was taken off the side of -trees with an axe, for a guide to the traveler. The path was crooked, -going through those portions of the forest that were thinnest, and -winding around obstacles. Occasionally a tree that stood very much in -the way was cut, and a log flung across some gully, brook, or mire.</p> - -<p>In the early part of winter, when the brooks and swamps were frozen, and -the snow deep enough to cover, in some measure, the windfalls, and fill -the ravines, and at other times in the latter part of it, when the crust -would bear light cattle, they went through the woods with oxen to mill, -improved the occasion to obtain articles of absolute necessity, and -whenever their stock of bread-stuff fell short, had recourse to the -mortar.</p> - -<p>At first it was a bitter struggle for existence; the land was covered -with a dense forest, and there was neither pasture for cattle in the -summer, nor hay to keep them through the winter. In this condition of -things, they managed to keep a few cattle by cutting the wild grass that -grew in the swamp and along the banks of the river, and felling yellow -birch and maple trees in summer for browse. By dint of patient labor, -their circumstances improved from year to year; more land was cleared, -their stock of cattle increased with the increase of hay and pasture, -and they began<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> to keep sheep and horses, to make staves and shingles, -cut logs and drive them down the river in spring, and beech withes to -bind loads and rafts were exchanged for chains.</p> - -<p>Cattle and horses were now to be shod, and they began to feel greatly -the need of a blacksmith. If a chain or axe was broken, a horse or yoke -of oxen to be shod, there was no smith nearer than eleven miles, and no -road except a bridle-path through spotted trees. Previous to this, they -had worked their oxen without shoes, and horses were only shod forward. -But now they wanted to haul logs and shingles on the ice of the river, -and they must be shod. They were in great need of a smith, and yet there -was not work sufficient to afford a blacksmith constant employment, and -consequently, a living. But there was money in the logs and shingles, -and necessity sharpens invention. They hired John Drew, the smith at the -village, to come in the fall, just before the river shut up, bringing -horse-shoes, ox-shoes, nails, and his tools. He went round from house to -house, the oxen were cast on the barn floors, and the shoes put on. Thus -they managed, feeling more and more the want of a smith. Richardson was -possessed of remarkable mechanical ability, and was what is termed a -handy man—a great thing in the woods. He had a few carpenters' tools, -made ox-yokes, and sleds for himself and neighbors. At length a cart -road was made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> through the woods, and Richardson built the first, and -for some time the only, pair of wheels in the clearing. Surrounded by a -young and rapidly increasing family, necessity led him to improve to the -utmost every talent he was conscious of possessing.</p> - -<p>On the 10th of January, some two years before the road was made, he -went, in behalf of himself and the little community, to the village, -through the woods, with an ox-team, carrying corn and grain to be -ground. He also carried plough-irons to be new laid, chains to be -mended, axes to be new "laid" or "upset," and orders for some to be -manufactured. In order to get the large grist ground, and the iron work -done, he was obliged to remain three days. While watching the smith at -his work, the idea occurred to him that he could work with iron as well -as wood. All the way home he brooded over it, till the idea took entire -possession of him, and that long wilderness road never seemed so short -before. After a while he opened his mind to his wife, who encouraged him -to make the attempt. But he had no money to buy either iron or tools, -and iron in those days was difficult to obtain, and high in price, being -nearly all imported. It seemed a hopeless undertaking; still he could -not banish the thought from his mind. It haunted him; lay down with him -at night, and rose up with him in the morning. One day he broke a chain -in the woods; he had but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> two. The next day came a snow storm, affording -leisure. The smith was eleven miles off. He could not do his work -without the chain, and resolved to try to mend it by welding again the -broken link he had saved. He made a great fire in the kitchen, and put -in the iron. The kitchen tongs served to hold, a nail hammer to work it, -and a flat stone for an anvil. To his great mortification, he found that -although he could heat it to redness, he could not make it hot enough, -with a wood fire, to weld. He put wood in the oven, stopped the draft, -and burnt it to coal; but even with charcoal he did not succeed at first -in obtaining a welding heat. His wife, who was looking on with the -greatest interest, suggested the use of the kitchen bellows, and by -their aid he partially succeeded.</p> - -<p>His next attempt was to mend the staple of an ox-yoke. This was much -more difficult, as the iron was larger, and he had nothing to bend it -over. But after several trials, he at length accomplished his purpose. -It was supper time when William Richardson struck the last blow upon the -staple, and put it into the yoke. When the meal was finished, and Mrs. -Richardson had washed the dishes, and put the children to bed, she sat -down to her cards, with a basket of wool beside her, while the father of -the family, having taken off his shoes, and hung his buskins in the -corner to dry, sat with folded arms, looking intently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> upon the glowing -coals. No sound was heard save the crackling of the fire, the rasping of -a solitary wood-worm that was boring into a log of the walls, and the -sound of the cards as the good wife plied her labor.</p> - -<p>"Well, wife," said Richardson, at length, starting from his reverie, and -flinging fresh fuel on the fire, "what do you think of it?"</p> - -<p>"Think of what, William?"</p> - -<p>"Why, of my day's work, and this blacksmithing. Don't you think I'd -better fling the stone into the river and give it up? All I have done -this blessed day, besides taking care of the cattle, is to mend that -staple—a thing John Drew would have done in fifteen minutes."</p> - -<p>"No, he wouldn't, for if he had no better tools than you, he wouldn't -have thought he could do it at all. I think it is the best day's work -you ever did in your life."</p> - -<p>"O, Susan, how do you make that out? You just say that because you know -I feel a little down in the mouth; not because you really think so."</p> - -<p>"Yes, husband, I really think so; and you will, if you look at it right. -You must expect to creep before you can walk. You couldn't have got -along without that chain, and would have been obliged to travel -twenty-two miles through the woods on snow-shoes, with that chain on -your back, in order to get it mended, and a half bushel of corn besides -on your shoulder to pay John<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> Drew for doing it; for we've got no money. -It would have been the same with the staple. You couldn't have worked -your oxen without it, and would have been forced to leave your work in -fair weather, for you could not have gone in a storm. Now, you have done -it yourself, in stormy days, when you couldn't have done much else, -saved your corn, yourself all that travel, and, more than that, found -out that you can work iron whenever you can get the tools to do it -with."</p> - -<p>"I don't know but you are right, wife; but how am I to get either the -tools or the iron without money? I can't barter corn for iron, and John -Drew has so much produce brought to him now that he is loath to take any -more; says his house is full of corn, grain, meat, potatoes, and cloth, -butter and eggs, and he can't get <i>money</i> enough to pay his taxes."</p> - -<p>"I think there will be some way provided. We had nothing when we came -here but the clothes on our backs and twenty dollars in money; had to -run in debt for our land. Now we've nearly paid for the land, we cut -hay, keep quite a stock of cattle and sheep, have but seldom been put to -it for bread, and have a warm, comfortable house, if it is a log one, -and the children are warm clothed."</p> - -<p>"You always look on the bright side, Sue."</p> - -<p>"I think that's the best side to look on."</p> - -<p>We would inform our readers that the house<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> Sue thought so comfortable -was built of rough logs, the crevices stuffed with moss and clay, had -but two rooms in it, the partition between them being blankets hung up. -The fireplace and oven were built of rough stones, and the chimney of -sticks of wood laid in clay (to prevent their taking fire from sparks), -that, as it fell off, was renewed from time to time.</p> - -<p>"I could buy tools with the money I shall get for logs that I cut this -winter, didn't I want every cent of it to turn in towards paying for the -land. I'm half a mind to take a little. If I only had a hammer, a punch, -something to cut iron with, and a pair of tongs to hold it, I could mend -my own chains and other things, save something, be learning all the -time, and, after we pay for the land, I could get more tools."</p> - -<p>"I never would do that, husband. If we must take that money for -anything, let us take it for the school. They are going to have a school -at Montague's the latter part of the winter."</p> - -<p>This man had three rooms in his house, and it was built of hewn timber, -in one of which the school was to be kept. Richardson and his wife had -received a good common school education, and were anxious that their -children should not grow up in ignorance.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER II.</span> <span class="smaller">THE FIRST MONEY.</span></h2> - -<p>From the preceding chapter our readers will perceive the value of iron, -and also the importance to the community of the mechanic who is able to -work it. We would invite them to reflect upon some facts that may seem -incredible to them at first view. A boy who has no disposition to -reflect is not much of a boy, and when grown, will only be a servant to -those who do.</p> - -<p>Iron is far more valuable than gold, and the blacksmith than the -jeweler, for the same reason that bread is worth more than diamonds, and -water than silver. Gold has a very great representative value in -civilized society, where iron is abundant, and it will buy iron, and is -an equivalent for the work of the smith; but it is only because men have -agreed to make it so. Whereas iron has a value in itself considered. It -fells the forest, tills the soil, annihilates time and distance, and -underlies the whole economy of domestic life; for our readers will bear -in mind that steel is only another form of iron.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p><p>The value iron acquires under the hammer is something wonderful. It is -said that a bar of iron worth $5 is worth $10.50 when made into -horse-shoes, $55 when made into needles, $3,285 made into penknife -blades, $29,480 in shirt buttons, and $250,000, in balance springs of -watches. Boys may, from this, see what labor is worth, and learn to -value and respect it, for it is the labor the mind put into the iron -that so increases its value. Consider what would be the result if there -were no iron.</p> - -<p>A boy might search long to find a better subject for his theme than iron -and its uses, or one the treatment of which would be more instructive to -himself. The showers of sparks you see pouring out of a blacksmith's -chimney, at times, of an evening when he is pressed with work, and -forgets the ten-hour system, have a language to a reflecting mind; they -mean power, progress, the plough, the telegraph, the mariner's compass, -and the sword.</p> - -<p>We have taken advantage of a pause in the conversation, during which -William Richardson resumed his reverie, and his wife plied her cards, to -make this digression. At length the mother laid her cards into the -basket of wool, and folding her hands in her lap, remained a few moments -wrapped in thought. She then said,—</p> - -<p>"Husband, I feel so sure that good will come of this, that it will be, -in the end, the best thing for us all (for I know you can do whatever -you put your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> hand to), that I am willing to undergo almost anything to -bring it about. There are three articles that will always sell at the -store for half cash and half goods—butter, woollen cloth, and linen -yarn. I will sell what we have to get your tools, and, perhaps, a little -iron."</p> - -<p>"Susan, what did you make this cloth for, and what shape is it in?"</p> - -<p>"There's a piece of fulled cloth that I meant to make clothes of for you -and the boys, some that I wove for a gown for myself and the girls, and -some blanket stuff."</p> - -<p>"I won't take it; I won't take the clothes from your back and the -children's if I never have any tools: the butter, I suppose, you have -laid down for winter, and the blankets are needed for the children's -beds."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you must take it; if you can work iron, we shall have the house as -full of butter, meat, and cloth as John Drew's is."</p> - -<p>"But we can't get along without these things."</p> - -<p>"We can if we only <i>think</i> so. We can put some brush on the children's -beds, over the clothes,—hemlock brush over a few clothes is real -warm,—then, when it is very cold, we can leave a large fire when we go -to bed, and you can get up at twelve o'clock and put on wood. The -children can get along with their old clothes, and I with mine; there's -nobody to look at us here. We have pork enough, and can do without -butter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> till we can make some. One of the cows calves in March. I meant -to have made some towels of the linen yarn, but tow will do just as -well."</p> - -<p>"Susan, I think a man must be made of poor material who could be -discouraged with a wife like you."</p> - -<p>"Mother always used to say, 'Think you can do a thing, and it's half -done.'"</p> - -<p>The sledding was now good, and Richardson, engaged in hauling logs to -the river, had no leisure to meddle with iron; he, however, at odd -moments, when the cattle were eating, and on stormy days, made -preparation in anticipation of the future.</p> - -<p>Near to his house stood the stump of a pine tree that had been cut when -the snow was deep, and was higher than usual. Around this he built a log -camp, in such a manner as to bring the stump on one side of the camp. -The water was low in the river, and where it fell over the rocks, and by -shovelling away the snow, he found a stone of sufficient size, hardness, -and the right shape, for an anvil. Levelling the top of the stump, he -made a cavity in it to receive the stone, and secured it firmly in its -bed. This was much superior to a stone on the kitchen hearth, and would -bear any blows that could be given with a hand-hammer. There was not a -board or plank within eleven miles by land, and thirteen by the river. -He flattened some pine saplings, and built up a pen, nearly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> square, for -his forge, found a place in the swamp where the soil was not frozen, and -obtained earth to fill it. By cutting through the frozen ground at the -bank of the river, he obtained clay for mortar, and with stones built up -a little abutment at one end of the forge, to lay his coal and build the -fire against. There was no chimney, a hole being left in the roof for -the escape of the gas and smoke. He then put a trough at the end of the -forge, in which to cool his iron. The floor cost no labor, as it was -supplied by mother earth. There was no window, but light came in at the -smoke-hole in the roof between the logs and through the chinks of the -door, made of joist hewed from small trees, treenailed together and hung -on wooden hinges. All this was done little by little, as opportunity -offered, and his wife and the children made charcoal by charring wood in -the oven, as he could not obtain turf to burn a kiln out of doors in the -winter. In mending his chain and staple, Richardson had felt very much -the need of something to turn his iron around. One end of a smith's -anvil terminates in a point, called the horn, and around which, whenever -he wishes to make a hoop, ring, or link of a chain, he can bend it. -Richardson had brought into the forest with him a large crowbar. At the -expense of much labor with his nail-hammer, he rounded the extremity of -the largest end, leaving the rest square; then boring a hole in the -stump on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> right side, he drove the bar into it. This served as a -very good substitute for a horn to his stone anvil, as he could turn a -chain link on the round part, and bend iron at right angles on the -square edge; and he was not a little proud of it when done.</p> - -<p>Richardson's ability to work in wood was well known to his neighbors, -but he had carefully concealed his attempts in the blacksmith line, as -he did not wish to attract attention till he could obtain tools, and had -made some progress. But a matter of such general interest could not long -be hid. The children told about their father's mending the chain and the -staple, and it was soon known, to the great satisfaction of the -neighbors.</p> - -<p>This little community, secluded from society and embosomed in the -forest, most of them having emigrated from the same neighborhood, and -enduring like hardships, were extremely social in their habits, much -attached to one another, and ready to make sacrifices for the common -good. David Montague was especially beloved by his neighbors, being a -man of good abilities, and most open and affectionate disposition. In -better circumstances than the rest, he was able to hire help to clear -his land, and also kept a horse and a large stock of cattle.</p> - -<p>A few days after Richardson had made his preparations, he came in of an -evening with his wife, and bringing a chain in his hand, that he flung<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> -down at the door. After greetings were exchanged, and they had drawn -together around the fire, Montague observed,—</p> - -<p>"Neighbor, I hear that you have turned blacksmith, and do your own iron -work."</p> - -<p>"I'm sure," said Mrs. Montague, "it is going to be a great thing for the -place if we have got a smith among us."</p> - -<p>"They say," replied Richardson, "that stories never lose anything by -going, and I think this is a pretty good proof of it, for it all grew -out of this: I went to the village, you know, a while since, to mill, -for all hands, and to get some iron work done. While I stood watching -Jack Drew, and blowing the bellows for him, I said to myself, 'I could -do that work, or I could learn to do it, if I only had his tools and -fire, just as well as I can make a pair of wheels, or an axletree, or -frame a building, or make a cider-press.' I used to do that kind of work -sometimes before I came here. I thought it over going home, and the next -time I broke a chain, I set to work with a flat stone before the fire, -and mended it, and then I mended a staple; that's the way it came about. -I made up my mind then I'd mend my own things, if I could, and save the -expense and the long tramp. As we've got only these two rooms, and there -isn't much room round the fire, I built a hovel to work in."</p> - -<p>"I can tell you, Mr. Montague, he made out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> firstrate. Husband, show Mr. -Montague the chain you mended."</p> - -<p>Richardson went to the barn and brought in the chain and the staple.</p> - -<p>"Well," said his visitor, after examining the work with great interest, -"if you can mend my chain as well as that, I'll never carry another one -to Drew, and I'll pay you in cash just what I should have to pay him, -and be greatly obliged, besides."</p> - -<p>"That's just what I've been telling husband," said his wife; "if he -would give his mind to it, get a few tools, and begin in a small way, at -first, it would give him work in stormy weather, and times when he -couldn't do anything else, be a great accommodation to the neighbors, -help the place, and be a good thing all around."</p> - -<p>"That's it, Mr. Richardson. Your wife's got the right of it, neighbor. -The place is settling, people moving in, and taking up land, stumps -rotting, and ground getting fit to plough; and work will grow as fast as -you can grow to be able to do it."</p> - -<p>"I'll mend your chain, neighbor, in the best fashion I can; but I have -to work in such a roundabout way, that I must have my time. Have you got -the broken link?"</p> - -<p>"No; it flew into the snow, and I couldn't find it."</p> - -<p>"Then I shall have to cut one of the links, put the next link in, and -weld it."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p><p>"I hate to have that done, because it will shorten the chain; and it's -barely long enough to bind a load of logs and 'fid' now."</p> - -<p>"Haven't you any links lying round?"</p> - -<p>"Not I, indeed. Iron is as scarce as money with me, as with all the -neighbors. Every link of a chain, piece of a horse or ox shoe, old -spike, and every scrap of iron, is worked up. There is one thing, -though, I remember now, though I don't know as it's of any use to you."</p> - -<p>"What is that?"</p> - -<p>"I got Drew to make me a plough-colter, more than a year ago, and found -the iron. There was a piece left, a bar about a foot long."</p> - -<p>"If I could heat it, and contrive any way to cut it, I could make a link -of it."</p> - -<p>"I will leave the chain, and send Andrew over with the bar, and if you -find that you can't do anything with the bar, why, cut a link and make -the chain shorter, for I am determined you shall mend that chain."</p> - -<p>Mr. Montague and his wife now took their leave, and in the course of an -hour Andrew Montague brought over the bar of iron.</p> - -<p>It was the wife's turn to be discouraged now.</p> - -<p>"William," she said, "you never can cut that great bar of iron. Why, -it's almost as thick as my press-board, and you haven't one single tool -to do it with. I'm sorry, but you will certainly have to shorten the -chain."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p><p>"No, I won't shorten the chain, and I'll find some way to split it and -forge a link out of it, if it takes from now till' next spring: that is, -if you'll help me. Montague hates to have the chain shortened. It's the -first job of work, and I'll do it as he wants it."</p> - -<p>"I'll do anything I can; anything in the world, to get bread for the -children."</p> - -<p>"I'll help you, father; I'm real strong," said Clem, a boy of twelve, -afterwards the father of Radcliffe Rich.</p> - -<p>"And I, too," said Robert, who was eighteen months younger. Two girls, -still younger, would have doubtless volunteered, but they were abed, and -not much could reasonably be expected of the baby in the cradle.</p> - -<p>William Richardson, in addition to his mechanical ability, was a -resolute, powerful man. The encouragement afforded by the visit of -Montague, and the prospect of abundance of work, if he could do it, had -effectually roused all his energies. His wife, by no means ignorant of -her husband's capacities, dismissed her anxieties, for she knew that he -would find some way to accomplish whatever he had determined to do.</p> - -<p>After sitting a few moments buried in thought, he took a brand from the -fire, and his axe, and, followed by Clem, started for the woods, where -he soon found a hornbeam tree, the wood of which is very firm and heavy. -The boy held the brand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> while he cut it down, and took off a cut three -feet in length. With axe, saw, and auger, by the light of the kitchen -fire, he soon made a beetle, that, during the time it lasted,—for he -had no iron to hoop it with,—would enable him to strike a harder blow -than even a blacksmith's sledge, for it was much heavier, indeed, too -heavy for constant use; but a very strong man could swing it for a -while, and upon an emergency. He then went down to a brook about an -eighth of a mile from the house, for an old axe, kept to save a better -one, and to cut ice, in order that the cattle might drink. The axe, by -frequent grinding, had become very thick on the edge, and the bitt was -rounded.</p> - -<p>The next morning Richardson started the fire on his forge with plenty of -coal, and put in the bar, while Clem and Rob plied the kitchen bellows -by turns, the two little girls looking on with the greatest interest.</p> - -<p>To cut iron, less heat is required than to weld it.</p> - -<p>"Clem," said Richardson, "call your mother."</p> - -<p>The boy returning, said,—</p> - -<p>"Mother says one of the girls must come in to watch the cradle."</p> - -<p>It was now, "Nan, you go," and "Sue, you go," when the indulgent father, -who knew just how the children felt, compromised the matter by bringing -the cradle, with the baby sound asleep in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> it, and setting the sleeper -as far as possible from the forge, in order that the noise of the blows -might not awaken him.</p> - -<p>Richardson, now taking the iron from the fire with the kitchen tongs, -placed it on the anvil, and gave it in charge to the boys to hold. He -then put the axe-edge down on the iron where he wished to split it, and -told his wife how to hold it; then with the beetle he struck heavy blows -upon the axe, forcing it into the iron at every stroke, while his wife, -after every blow, drew the axe to a new place. The old axe, of excellent -temper, and thick edge, that would neither turn nor break, being dipped -in water when it became heated, answered the purpose of a chisel -admirably, and the beetle was <i>superb</i>. Indeed, they would have nearly -finished that heat, but the baby waked, screaming, and would not be -pacified without his mother. Richardson clapped the iron in the fire, -one of the children got a chair, and the mother sitting down, nursed the -babe while the iron was heating. After this it became quiet, and the -little girls took care of it, while the others cut the iron so nearly -through that by bending it back and forth a few times, it fell apart.</p> - -<p>He now found that the strip he had cut off was sufficient to make two -links by drawing it some. He therefore made two. But it was a deal of -work to heat the iron hot enough to weld, because the hand-bellows were -single, and only operated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> by short puffs, the iron cooling in the -intervals, whereas a blacksmith's bellows, being double, one part fills -while the other is discharging, thus keeping up a steady current of air.</p> - -<p>Montague was much pleased when he found that his chain, instead of being -made shorter, was lengthened, and now sufficient for all purposes, paid -Richardson liberally, and brought another chain that was too short, and -had the remainder of his iron put into that.</p> - -<p>"There, wife," said Richardson, as he placed the money his neighbor had -paid him on the table, "is the first money earned by the hammer. You -were just right when you said that mending that staple was the best -day's work I ever did, and I'm sure I never earned any money so sweet as this."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER III.</span> <span class="smaller">EXPERIENCE THE BEST TEACHER.</span></h2> - -<p>The morning succeeding the events we have related, David Montague sent -over the chain, into which, he wished the rest of his bar of iron -worked. Richardson kindled his fire, put in the iron, and began to blow -with the hand-bellows; but when he recollected how difficult it was to -make iron hot enough to weld in that way, he flung down the little -affair, and gave up the undertaking. Convinced that he needed a pair of -bellows even more than a hammer or anything else,—for if he could only -get a good heat, he could manage to hold the iron with the kitchen -tongs, and work it with the claw-hammer,—he resolved to have them, -especially as he felt that he could obtain them by his own efforts, -without paying out money.</p> - -<p>He knew that John Bradford, with whom he was on terms of greater -intimacy than any other of his neighbors, had a large lot of logs to -haul, and that he was the owner of a whip-saw. Leaving the shop, he went -over to John's and said to him,—</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p><p>"John, I suppose by this time you've heard all about my blacksmithing."</p> - -<p>"Reckon I have, and everybody else in this place. They say you hammer -the iron on a lapstone, same as a shoemaker his leather."</p> - -<p>"Not quite so bad as that; but I find I must have a pair of bellows, and -I want inch-and-a-half stuff to make the 'woods.' I have got a pine log -at the door, and I can't go eleven miles to a sawmill; indeed, I don't -think I could get there with cattle, the snow is so deep. Will you take -your saw, and help me saw out the stuff? and I'll take my oxen and haul -logs for you."</p> - -<p>"Won't I? I'll be right glad to do it."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll go home, and get my log on the saw-pit and come over in the -morning."</p> - -<p>Two men accustomed to the work will saw out boards and plank with a -whip-saw as well as they can be sawed in a mill, only it takes more -time. Richardson had a place fixed near the bank of the river, where the -ground fell off abruptly. Here stringers were laid on uprights set in -the ground, on which the log to be sawed was rolled, and the descent of -the ground afforded room to work the saw, which is nearly as large as a -mill-saw, one man standing on top of the log, and the other on the -ground below.</p> - -<p>With the aid of his neighbor, Richardson not only sawed out plank enough -for the woodwork of his bellows, but one to make a bench, and boards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> -enough to make a door to replace the rude one of poles, and to close a -window he meant to make over the bench.</p> - -<p>Having procured the material for the woods, the next article needed was -leather to cover the woods. Putting on his snow-shoes, he tracked and -killed a moose, took the hair off with strong lye, then tanned it with -salt and alum, and pounded it upon the anvil with a stick, kneaded it in -his hands, and greased it with the marrow of the moose till it was as -limp as a rag.</p> - -<p>He now made the woods of the bellows, and bows, and as he had neither -nails nor tacks, fastened the skin to the woods with wooden pegs. All -this he accomplished without much difficulty; but without iron how was -he to make the nose, which must enter the fire, or at least must -approach within a few inches of it? The nose of a smith's bellows is of -iron, and enters what is called the tuyere pipe, which is in these days -quite a complicated affair, and communicates with the fire.</p> - -<p>"It's no sort of use, William," said his wife; "it must be iron, and -you'll have to go to John Drew, and get him to make it."</p> - -<p>"I'll sleep a night on it," was the reply, "before I give it up."</p> - -<p>Whether he received any information in dreams, or not, I am unable to -say; but this much is evident—that he rose in a hopeful frame of mind,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> -and, to the great surprise of his wife, whose whole soul was in the -matter, set to work without the least hesitation.</p> - -<p>Our readers will recollect that swamps in the forest do not freeze to a -great depth, and often, when the snow comes before the cold is severe, -not at all. Richardson found clay that he could get at in the swamp, and -by cutting the ice obtained sand from the bottom of the brook. He now, -with a hoe, broke up all the lumps in the clay, put water to it, and -worked it with the hoe till it was fine and tough; then he worked in the -sand, made a box a foot square, without ends (by nailing four pieces of -boards together), and three feet in length. In the middle of this box he -set a pine plug, larger at one end than the other, and tapering to the -size he thought requisite, and filled the space between it and the sides -of the box with the mixture of clay and sand, ramming it hard with his -hammer-handle, in order that there should be no hollow places; put it in -the kitchen, where it might dry gradually without freezing; made the -frame, and hung his bellows on wooden pins, in default of iron; made the -pole to blow with, while a strip of moose-hide served instead of a chain -to lift the "wood" of the lower bellows; and then went into the woods to -haul logs while his clay was drying, which required time, as the box -excluded, in a great measure, the air.</p> - -<p>In the mean while, work accumulated on his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> hands. Reuben Hight brought -a chain to be mended, John Bradford a kitchen shovel, the handle of -which was broken in two. These shovels were very large, the handle as -long as a broom-handle, and the blade nearly as wide as that of a barn -shovel. James Potter brought the bail of a Dutch oven; John Skillings -wanted a hook made to a chain, and brought a harrow tooth to make it of. -Richardson promised to do the whole when he got his bellows done, if he -could, of which he felt by no means assured.</p> - -<p>The clay was now thoroughly dried, being kept near the fire, and -Richardson put the box on the kitchen hearth, and built a very moderate -fire. This he gradually increased, till the box was burnt, the plug of -pine consumed, and the clay brought to the condition of brick. He then -permitted the fire gradually to burn out, and, when the operation was -over, he had, as the result, a complete cone, thoroughly burnt. He made -a square hole in his butment, put the pipe through it, with the smaller -end towards the forge, and bedded it in clay mortar.</p> - -<p>Into the large end of this brick cone he put the wooden nose of his -bellows. It being a great deal smaller than the cone, he filled around -it with clay mortar; his object in giving this shape to the passage -being to admit filling, in order to prevent burning the wooden nose of -the bellows. The length of the cone prevented its heating <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>sufficiently -to burn the bellows-nose by reason of its great distance from the fire, -being out of the stone butment, in the cool air; and the clay mortar -around the nose was, he thought, a poorer conductor of heat than the -brick cone itself.</p> - -<p>Richardson completed his work about noon, and it was a good deal of -self-denial to him to abstain from making a coal fire at once, and going -to work; but he thought it best to let his mortar dry. He, however, -satisfied himself that there would be no difficulty in raising all the -wind he needed, and he made a small wood fire to dry the clay before it -should freeze.</p> - -<p>The next morning the shop presented much the appearance of a jubilee. -The children had obtained a promise from their father that he would not -kindle the fire till they were up. They were out of bed before a ray of -light streaked the sky, and the moment breakfast was despatched, the -whole family, even to the dog and cat, hastened to the shop. It was -Saturday, and Richardson, knowing that Bradford's wife would want to -bake, and need the shovel, began with that, putting the two parts in the -fire, after having made them ready to weld, or, as he termed it, "shut." -He resolved to have a heat this time; put on the coal, and plied the -bellows; but by and by he noticed that the iron began to send off -sparks, and saw little black specks of charcoal sticking to the iron. -Pulling it out of the fire, he found it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> all burnt to a honeycomb: -that the little black specks of charcoal had burnt into the very -substance of the iron, and yet they were black, and the iron came to -pieces the moment he struck it. The anvil was covered with scales, and -he found it would not weld.</p> - -<p>He was sadly puzzled, and most of all, that the charcoal that stuck to -the iron, and burnt into it, did not get red hot itself: and he found -there was such a thing as getting iron <i>too hot</i>. Little Clem had been -to John Drew's with his father in the canoe, and now came to the rescue.</p> - -<p>"Father," he said, "why don't you do like as Mr. Drew did?"</p> - -<p>"How did he do, child?"</p> - -<p>"I seed him stick the iron into sand, and once I seed him poke the coal -away, and fling the sand right into the fire."</p> - -<p>The father now recollected that he had often seen the blacksmith put his -iron into sand, but did not know what he did it for. He got some sand, -and put the iron into it, then put it into the fire, found the iron did -not burn, and he welded it without any more trouble.</p> - -<p>He now got along bravely, being able to heat his iron so that it would -draw easily. Even the harrow-tooth presented no obstacle; for, after -bringing it to a white heat, he got his wife to hold it with the tongs, -and using the old axe as a sledge, soon brought the tooth to a size that -he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> could work with his nail-hammer, and finished his job. As to the -bellows, they were a great success, afforded a strong blast, and he -found the constant current of cold air passing through the cone kept it -from becoming hot enough to burn the nose of the bellows.</p> - -<p>"William," said his wife, "I'll never say you can't do anything again."</p> - -<p>It may seem strange to our readers that Richardson should be able to -heat iron sufficiently to be drawn and cut with an axe, and still should -have so much difficulty in making it hot enough to weld. They may -likewise wish to know what good the sand does.</p> - -<p>Iron can be cut and hammered when red hot; but, in order to weld, it -must be brought to a white heat—almost melted. When in this state, the -two pieces of iron to be united are laid one upon the other, and made to -unite by a few smart blows with a hammer. If the operation is rightly -performed, the two pieces of iron will become perfectly united, and be -as strong at the place where they are welded as elsewhere.</p> - -<p>It is, however, quite a nice operation to weld thoroughly. Iron, when -highly heated, inclines to oxidize rapidly. This forms a scale similar -to that which you perceive on iron when it is rusty. If the two pieces -of iron are put together in this condition, these scales that are loose -on the iron will prevent the union of the parts. That is the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> way iron -burns up. It oxidizes, and the iron flies off in sparks that are scales -red hot. When the smith sees the iron begin to sparkle, he takes it out -of the fire, and rolls it in sand, and then puts it in again, or opens -the fire, and sprinkles sand upon it. The sand melts, combines with the -oxide of iron, and forms silicate of iron, spreads over the surface of -the iron, protects it, prevents the formation of scales, and when it is -struck with the hammer, leaves the surface clean, and the iron unites -perfectly, and forms a solid junction. The smith also leaves the surface -of the two pieces to be welded highest in the middle, in order that they -may touch there first, and then, when struck with the hammer, the melted -sand or oxide will be squeezed out.</p> - -<p>The possession of a pair of bellows, with which he was enabled to heat -his iron thoroughly, and soften it to such a degree that he could work -it with his nail-hammer, proved of the utmost service to our persistent -smith, and he was enabled, by the aid of his wife and the children, to -mend chains, staples of yokes, domestic utensils, and most of the -articles his neighbors brought to him, and, as we have seen in the last -chapter, was gaining knowledge even by his mistakes.</p> - -<p>But there was a good deal of work that would be more profitable than any -he had hitherto done that he was compelled to lose for the want of -tools. There were oxen to be shod. Four of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> neighbors now kept -horses. These they worked before their oxen, and therefore wanted them -shod all round, and were obliged to pay John Drew an exorbitant price to -leave his shop, and come through the woods on snow-shoes to do it. It -was quite as important that he should have iron as tools, in order to -learn by practice, as he could not expect his neighbors to find iron for -him to spoil in learning. To this end he laid by every cent he earned by -his blacksmith work, in order with that, the cloth, butter, and linen -yarn, to obtain both.</p> - -<p>The tools for the lack of which he was the most crippled in his work -were a pair of smiths' tongs, a hammer, and a punch. The kitchen tongs -were wretched things to hold iron with. It required all his strength to -hold a small piece of iron, and the jaws were so short that it was -constantly slipping; whereas, the handles of a smiths' tongs, being -crossed like scissor-blades, act as a lever, and the jaws are long, to -hold the iron; while a smiths' hammer, being much heavier, and with a -larger face, deals a more effective blow, and is, by its form, adapted -to the work. In addition to all this, he had but one pair of kitchen -tongs, and when he had to weld two pieces of iron, he made a pair of -wooden ones, with which his wife took out one of the pieces of iron, and -held it till it was "stuck."</p> - -<p>He longed—O, how he longed!—for a little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> iron that he could call his -own. It consumed him—this desire—even as does the greed of gold a -miser. He reckoned with a piece of charcoal on the top of the bellows -the amount of money he had on hand, the cost of getting Drew to make him -the tools, and the probable proceeds of the articles he had to sell. To -his dismay he found, after purchasing even the few tools he must have, -there would remain but a mere trifle with which to buy iron.</p> - -<p>"I must," he said to himself, "either go without the iron or the tools. -No, I won't; I'll <i>make</i> the tools.—I <i>will</i> do it, and save the money -to buy iron."</p> - -<p>Just then his wife came in to call him to supper, and overheard the -remark, but did not, as before, say, "William, you never can do it."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IV.</span> <span class="smaller">HAMMER AND TONGS.</span></h2> - -<p>Most persons accompany the act of close thought with some physical -effort; some whittle, smoke, or chew tobacco furiously. William -Richardson was not an exception. When he had fed the cattle for night, -brought in the night's wood, a turn of water, and renewed the fire, he -placed the long handle of his wife's frying-pan across a tub, and began -to shell corn.</p> - -<p>His wife, who knew there was corn enough shelled for a long time, made -no remark, but noticed, while she sat spinning at her flax-wheel, that -he dropped a good many ears of corn into the tub half shelled, and some -untouched. He was evidently thinking of anything but shelling corn.</p> - -<p>Thus they sat an hour or more; not a word spoken. On the other hand, it -was whir, whir, whir; scrape, scrape, scrape. At length his wife saw, as -the cobs he had been from time to time flinging into the fire caught and -blazed, the muscles of his face relax, and a smile flit across it.</p> - -<p>"Sue?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p><p>"Well, William."</p> - -<p>"Do you think you could get along without the tongs?"</p> - -<p>"I do get along without them; they are out to the shop the greater part -of the time; I haven't had 'em in my hands, except out there, this three -weeks."</p> - -<p>"But could you do without 'em altogether?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Why?"</p> - -<p>"Because I can make a pair of blacksmith's tongs of 'em."</p> - -<p>"Take 'em, husband."</p> - -<p>"Could you get along without the fire-shovel?"</p> - -<p>"No; because I couldn't clear out the oven."</p> - -<p>Whir, whir, whir; scrape, scrape, scrape, for half an hour more.</p> - -<p>"Sue!"</p> - -<p>"Well."</p> - -<p>"Could we get along without one of the andirons?"</p> - -<p>"I don't kno-o-w. What in the world can you want of that?"</p> - -<p>"To make a hammer."</p> - -<p>"We could get along as well without both as without one."</p> - -<p>"I don't want the whole of it, only part of the end that's in the fire; -we could put a rock under that, and the rest of it would keep the wood -from the hearth, and from rolling out."</p> - -<p>"Then I would take it, William. We can get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> along very well, I dare say. -Haven't you got corn enough shelled?"</p> - -<p>"Haven't you spun long enough?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Then we will go to bed."</p> - -<p>The sledding was good, and it was sometime before Richardson put his -designs into execution. But the sledding broke up, work came in, and he -felt the need of the tongs more than ever, as the children were at -school, and it was oftentimes impossible for his wife to leave the baby, -that was cutting its teeth, and began to be fretful.</p> - -<p>He placed a block beside his anvil, knocked the handle out of the old -axe, and mortised it into the block, edge up: upon this he could lay hot -iron and cut it without calling his wife to assist him.</p> - -<p>It was with great reluctance that our smith proceeded to take the tongs -and the andiron, when the time came for doing it. "I feel," said he to -his wife, "as though I was sheep-stealing: it seems real mean to strip -the fireplace, and take your tongs and andirons, especially as we are so -miserably off for household stuff."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't feel so, William. The first two years we got along without -them; then we thought we needed the tongs, and got John Drew to make -them; and now, if you need the hammer more than the tongs, I don't see -why you shouldn't take them."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p><p>The kitchen tongs were huge affairs; there was more iron in them than -in three pairs of light smith's tongs, such as Richardson needed at -present, only it was not in the right place, but just the reverse, as -the legs of the house tongs were shaped like the human leg and thigh, -largest at the fork, and tapering towards the feet, where they -terminated in a large, oval lip, very thick and broad, adapted to seize -and hold the great brands in the old-fashioned fireplaces; whereas -forge-tongs have the most iron in the jaws, and at the cross, and taper -from thence to a small size.</p> - -<p>To his great delight, Richardson found that he did not need more than -half of the legs of the tongs.</p> - -<p>"I'll save the body of them," he said, "and when I get some new iron, -put on new legs, and Susan can have her tongs again."</p> - -<p>He put them into the fire, and cut off the lips, drew down the small end -to half its size, in order to save iron, and that the handles might -occupy less room in his hand. A new difficulty now presented itself. -Indeed, our smith, who was in want of everything but brains and -perseverance, trod a brier-planted path. He had no punch to make a hole -for the rivet, and without it all his previous work was useless. Punches -are made of steel, or, at least, pointed with it; but he had no steel, -except his tools and a file, that he needed to sharpen his saws and -augers, and could not do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> without. He knew that an iron punch would -answer the purpose; but where should he get the iron to make it of, for -he had now discovered that he needed two pairs of tongs, in order to -take two pieces of iron from the fire at the same time, to weld, and -could spare none from the legs of the fire-tongs for a punch. He took -the two oval buttons that had formed the lips of the house-tongs, welded -them together, and made his punch. To be sure, at every three or four -blows it bent; but he straightened it again, and, by heating the iron as -hot as it would bear, succeeded in punching the holes in both pairs of -tongs, and then took part of the punch to make the rivets.</p> - -<p>So delighted was he when the whole matter was accomplished, that the big -man capered around the shop for joy, and ran in to tell the good news to -his wife.</p> - -<p>"Now, Sue," he said, "let us have a thanksgiving to-day, for I have two -pairs of tongs; let us have pea-soup."</p> - -<p>There was not much left of the house-tongs, only the head, and about two -inches of each leg, below the fork, just enough to weld to. The great -benefit of the tongs was instantly apparent. Returning to the shop, -William took up what remained of the punch, and exclaiming, "A -blacksmith has the advantage of a carpenter, for he can work up his -chips," made a hook. This he fastened to a belt around his waist. Of the -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>remainder he made a clasp that he could slip over the handles of the -tongs, thus holding the iron and liberating his hand.</p> - -<p>Now, if he wanted to use his left hand to hold a punch or cutter, he -could put a clasp over the handles of the tongs, and drop them into the -hook at his waist; the iron, also, was not slipping out of the tongs and -dropping on the ground, every three or four blows. He could now work -alone to very good advantage, as he had no large iron to draw, and his -wife was not compelled to take her hands out of the dough to help him.</p> - -<p>"Wife," said William, when he came in from his work that night, "I am as -tired as a dog. It's hard work trying to make something out of nothing." -After resting his brain a while, and doing the new work his neighbors -had brought, he began to think about making a hammer; so he cut off -sufficient iron from one of the andirons, lapped it over, welded it, and -formed the body of the tool. But in this a large hole was to be punched -to receive a handle. It was necessary that he should have more than one -punch, a small one to make the hole, and another to enlarge it, as he -could not, with his nail-hammer, strike with sufficient force to drive a -large punch through so thick a piece of iron.</p> - -<p>"I am sure, wife," he said, "I don't know what I shall get to make -punches of. I have a good mind to take one of the teeth out of your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> -flax-comb—they are <i>steel</i>—to make the small punch, and cut a piece -off the crowbar to make the big one."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't cut the crowbar, William. Take part of the other andiron; we -might as well have a stone under the ends of both as under one. There's -an old wheel spindle will make the small one."</p> - -<p>He acted upon his wife's advice, and made the hammer. Hammers are faced -with steel, whereas this was all iron; but Richardson knew that, like -his iron punches, it would answer a temporary purpose, and that when it -was battered up, he could hammer it back again. He now was able to do -all the work his neighbors brought, and in half the time required -before. While he was congratulating himself upon his success, David -Montague came to the shop, bringing the chain he had mended first; the -link had straightened when put to a severe test.</p> - -<p>"I know the reason," said Richardson. "I couldn't get a proper heat with -the house-bellows." He mended it, and this time there was no failure.</p> - -<p>William Richardson, during all these struggles and make-shifts, had -learned much, and, in a way that insured its being remembered; had -learned the value and use of sand, found that it protected the iron, -kept the outside from burning, while the inside was heating; that, if he -put two pieces<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> of iron in the fire, and one of them became hot before -the other, he could take it out, roll it in sand, and put it back, and -the sand would keep it from burning up, while the other was getting -ready. He likewise perceived that there was a great difference in the -effect of heat upon the different kinds of iron brought to him by his -neighbors: some was fine-grained, tough, and would bear a great heat; -another kind was coarse, brittle, and, if made too hot, would fly under -the hammer, and fall to pieces. Every mistake added to his experience, -and he was every day acquiring dexterity in the use of the hammer.</p> - -<p>His neighbors, who watched his progress with the greatest interest, were -as much delighted as himself, since they were no longer obliged to go -through the woods to the village for every little job. They now told him -he must learn to shoe oxen and horses, work steel, make axes and -plough-irons.</p> - -<p>You may well think Richardson was as anxious to be able to do this work -as they were to have it done; and the way for the gradual attainment of -it came about in the natural order of events.</p> - -<p>David Montague had, during the winter, got out the timber for a barn, -and employed Richardson to frame, board, and shingle it. This increased -his stock of money very sensibly, and he felt that he could now, with -the money he had saved by making his tools, the proceeds of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> butter, -and other matters, and that which he had earned by working for Montague, -buy some iron and steel. He had also in the distant future, visions of -an iron anvil, that he foresaw he must one day have.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER V.</span> <span class="smaller">DREW SORE AND SAVAGE.</span></h2> - -<p>It was now past the middle of March. A copious rain was succeeded by a -sharp frost, making excellent going on the river, and Richardson -resolved to improve it; the only drawback being that the river was one -glare of ice, and his oxen had lost many of their shoes. He had saved -part of the shoes, borrowed some more of John Bradford, and could have -put them on himself, as Moody Matthews had a shoeing-hammer, but there -were no nails in the neighborhood.</p> - -<p>Richardson, however, knew that by taking time and by careful driving, he -could get the cattle to the village, and determined to carry the shoes -with him, and hire Drew to sharpen and nail them on. He put on the sled -half a cord of hemlock bark, his own grist, the butter, cloth, and yarn, -together with some corn and grain for his neighbors.</p> - -<p>About eight o'clock in the evening his wife went to bed; but William -made up a warm fire in the stone fireplace, fed the cattle, and lay<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> -down before it. At twelve o'clock he went out, fed the cattle again, and -called his wife, who got his breakfast, and he set out. He carried in a -basket doughnuts, baked beans, cold boiled pork, Indian bread, and -butter, and a jug of coffee, also hay for the oxen. His plan was to stop -for the night at Hanson's, who put up teams, paying fifty cents a night -for barn-room for the cattle and a bed for himself, Hanson's wife -warming his beans, and making tea or coffee for him, as the coffee he -carried was to drink on the road. This expense was paid by the neighbors -whose errands he did.</p> - -<p>At his arrival, he found John Drew, who before had always received him -very cordially, in a most surly humor. He was making axes. Tom Breslaw, -an apprentice, nearly out of his time, was striking, and blowing the -bellows. Barely nodding, in response to the greeting of Richardson, he -took an axe, into which he had stuck the steel, from the fire, flung it -savagely on the anvil, crying to Tom, "Strike!" and after the heat put -it in the fire again, taking not the least notice of Richardson, but -giving all his attention to his iron. Finding he was not noticed, and at -a loss to know what this strange conduct of the smith meant, he at -length said, "Mr. Drew, can you put a few shoes on my oxen?"</p> - -<p>"No, I can't. I've got this axe and another one to make for a man that's -waitin' for 'em."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p><p>"Perhaps you could do it in the morning. I shall be obliged to stay all -night to get my grist ground. It would be a great accommodation to me if -you could. I had hard work to get the cattle here, and if I am obliged -to drive them home as they are, I shall lame them."</p> - -<p>"Can't do it, I tell you, and that's the long and short of it."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you could make some nails, lend me a shoeing-hammer, and I -would try and nail them on myself. If you don't, I am sure I don't know -what I shall do. I had hard work to get the cattle here with no load of -any amount. I must haul more back, and I don't know how I can get home."</p> - -<p>"And I don't care how you get home, Bill Richardson; nor whether you get -home at all. Here I've slaved myself for years, going up to your place -through the woods on snow-shoes once or twice every winter, and hauling -my tools and shoes on a hand-sled, leaving work here in the shop just to -accommodate you folks up there, and took my pay in white beans and all -sorts of trash, when I left cash jobs at home and lost 'em; and here you -come smelling round, and palavering, as though butter wouldn't melt in -your mouth; watch and sneak round, and steal the trade, and then go -back, cut off my custom, and take the bread right out of my mouth. Now -I've got you where the hair is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> short. You may shoe your own cattle, -you're such a great smith. I won't make you a shoe, nail, lend you a -tool, or obleege you in any way, name, or natur'. Strike, Tom -Breslaw—what are you gaping at?"</p> - -<p>Waiting patiently till the din of blows had subsided, and the iron was -returned to the fire, Richardson replied,—</p> - -<p>"As for stealing your trade, Mr. Drew, and coming here for the purpose, -it is certainly a mistake of yours. I never thought of trying to work a -piece of iron till the last time I was here, when the thought came into -my mind. You surely can't think it strange, when you know what great -labor and expense it is for myself and neighbors to come here, that we -should try to do somewhat for ourselves. You would do the same were you -in our place. If you complain so bitterly of coming to our place twice a -year, what do you think it must be for us to come to you all the time? -You must remember, also, that at those times you charged a corresponding -price, that was cheerfully paid. I can't well see how you could lose any -work by going, as there is no other smith anywhere round, and you must -have found the work waiting when you came back. I have never been -reputed a thief among my neighbors, or made a practice of stealing. I -did wish to obtain some information of you, before I went home, about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> -working and tempering steel, but expected to pay for it. As for taking -bread out of your mouth, you have all the work you can do right here, -without doing a stroke of work for us."</p> - -<p>"Well, all the knowledge you'll worm out of me you may put in your eye, -for you won't get any."</p> - -<p>"I don't expect, or even desire to, after what has passed between us; -but, as I have given you full opportunity to free your mind, and express -your opinion of me, any more talk of that kind before my face or behind -my back will be at your own risk. I suppose you understand me."</p> - -<p>Drew hung his head, and made no reply; for, though a patient and -good-natured man, William Richardson was by no means a safe person to -provoke.</p> - -<p>It was now the dinner hour, and as Richardson left the shop he was -followed by Breslaw, who said,—</p> - -<p>"Mr. Richardson, where are you going?"</p> - -<p>"First, Tom, to your father's, with this bark. He is tanning a couple of -hides for me, and told me he would take part of his pay in bark. I was -going to buy some iron and steel at the store; but I shall have to give -that up; for, as Drew won't shoe my cattle, I shan't be able to haul one -pound more than my grist."</p> - -<p>"He's a mean wretch, and I don't see how you kept your hands off him. -But he's been <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>drinking; that's part of it. Give me your shoes. I'll run -into Aunt Sarah's, and get my dinner; it won't take me so long as to go -home; and before Drew gets back I'll fit the shoes and make the nails, -and this evening we will put them on. Most of the shoes have been on the -cattle before. I'll fit the others by them, and if there's any of them -too far gone to sharpen, I'll make new ones."</p> - -<p>"But where will you get iron? Shan't I run to the store and get some?"</p> - -<p>"I keep a little of my own, and do small jobs out of shop time. Any -little scraps will do for that."</p> - -<p>Richardson hauled his bark to the tan-yard, and Breslaw's father invited -him to stop to dinner. As he was passing Drew's shop on his return, Tom -came out.</p> - -<p>"I've made the shoes and nails, Mr. Richardson; and I'll tell you what -I've been thinking of. I suppose money is none too plenty with you."</p> - -<p>"You may well say that, Tom; for I'm paying for my land, and every cent -counts."</p> - -<p>"Well, now, you can, while you are waiting for your grist, go round the -village, and pick up old iron, and perhaps some steel, that won't cost -you one quarter what it would to buy new at the store, and be just as -good, and better, for your use, as it will be smaller, and save -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>hammering. Only look out that it is not too rusty. Perhaps you remember -Bosworth, the stone-mason."</p> - -<p>"Very well. He made the stones in the grist-mill, and built the piers of -the great bridge."</p> - -<p>"He died this last winter, and his widow has his drills and other tools, -and wants to sell 'em. The drills are all steel, and the best of steel, -too; and I've no doubt you could buy 'em for half what the same amount -of steel would cost you at the store, and perhaps for even less."</p> - -<p>In accordance with this advice, Richardson went to the place, and bought -four hand-drills, a foot or more in length, used for splitting stone, -and two dozen steel wedges. The latter, he thought, would, at some -future time, serve to make toe-calks for horse-shoes. The purchase that -delighted him most of all, however, was a churn-drill. This was four -feet in length; but only four inches of each end was steel, being much -worn, the remainder iron, shaped like the stalk of a seed onion, with a -bulb of iron in the middle, three inches in diameter. He also bought a -light stone-hammer. This was likewise a great acquisition, as it would -serve the purpose of a sledge. Clem could now strike with it for a short -time, and would, in a few months, be able to handle it easily; for he -was large of his age, and muscular. He could likewise get one of his -neighbors to strike, upon an emergency. Pursuing his search, he found -several old axes,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> beetle-rings, three mill-files, the handle of a -kitchen shovel, one leg of a pair of kitchen tongs, and an old crane -(the latter was a large piece of iron), and some old ox-shoes. At the -mill he obtained some of the mill-stone picks that had become too short -for use.</p> - -<p>Just as he had finished his supper that night, Tom made his appearance -at Hanson's with the shoes, nails, and his tools. A rope was procured, -and the oxen were cast on the barn floor. Richardson held a candle, -stuck into a potato, while Hanson assisted Tom. The latter put on the -new shoes, clinched up all the old ones that were loose, and, with a -smith's large file, sharpened the dull calks.</p> - -<p>He not only refused to take any pay for his work, avowing that Jack Drew -was hog enough for one small place, but, sitting down before the fire -with Richardson, gave him a great deal of valuable information -respecting working iron.</p> - -<p>In the morning Richardson rose early, and prepared to start. After -paying his expenses at Hanson's, he was able to buy considerable iron at -the store, and still had a little money left. The wind was north-west, a -bright sun, the ice smooth and hard, and the cattle, sharpshod, were -able to travel. Thoroughly rested, and eager to get home, they seemed to -regard the load no more than though it had been feathers. Snorting with -eagerness, proud of their new shoes,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> and perhaps elated with the idea -of having been to the village, they could at first scarcely be kept from -breaking into a run.</p> - -<p>Was not Will Richardson a happy man that bright, sunny morning! The keen -air braced his limbs, and his heart throbbed with joy. Things had turned -out so much better than he anticipated. He feasted his eyes upon the -iron and steel—the great bar, the nail rods—he had bought at the -store, or rather the thin bar he had purchased to be split into nail -rods; for at that day iron did not come from the forges in shapes to -suit the smiths, but in large bars, and there was a vast deal of work to -be done with the sledge and hammer.</p> - -<p>Never did a boy gloat over a ripe plum as did Will Richardson over the -great bunch of iron in the middle of that churn-drill. He couldn't keep -his eyes off of it, and had already decided in his own mind what use he -would make of it.</p> - -<p>Thanks to the noble spirit of Tom Breslaw, the cattle travelled so fast -that he arrived home long before his wife expected him. The children had -come half starved—as children always do in the country—from school, -and were screaming, "Do, mother, give me something to eat."</p> - -<p>"I'll give you a luncheon, because you'll want to eat with your father -when he comes, and you'll want to tie up the cattle, and get the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> -night's wood in, and a turn of water, so you can have time to see him."</p> - -<p>This being assented to by Young America, the mother, taking half of a -loaf of rye-and-Indian bread, began to spread butter on the loaf, and -then cut off and distribute huge slices to the hungry expectants. She -had cut off the last slice when the sound of Richardson's voice, -shouting to the oxen, came through the half-open door.</p> - -<p>"Father—father's come!" screamed the children; and, followed by their -mother, they ran to the river. Down the slope they rushed, pell-mell, -and, just as the cattle put their fore feet on the edge of the bank, and -taking advantage of a momentary pause occasioned by the steepness of the -grade, piled on to the sled, the two girls holding on to their father's -legs, who, standing on the hinder end of the sled, and holding by one -hand to a stake, with the other waved his hat to his wife, shouting, "O, -Sue, the best of luck! 'Lashings' of iron and steel; and I've brought -back the fulled cloth, and the stuff for your and the children's -clothes, and money—only think of it, wife, brought money home with me! -You can have your tongs, and your andirons, and I can have all the tools -I want? and won't we go ahead?"</p> - -<p>His wife was too full to speak; but happiness beamed from every feature, -as standing half-leg<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> deep in the snow, she drank in the words of her -husband, who, taking her in his arms, seated her upon a bag of meal, -and, while the cattle went on, narrated the incidents of his journey, -the surliness of Drew, and how nobly it was offset by the generous -conduct of Breslaw.</p> - -<p>"Ain't it glorious, wife? I tell you what it is, Sue, it's better to be -born lucky than rich."</p> - -<p>To which we might add, that it is better to be born with brains and -energy than rich; for the riches may be lost; but the former are an -enduring possession, and when under the control of virtuous principles, -a source of unfailing happiness and self-respect.</p> - -<p>William Richardson was by no means a talkative man. On the contrary he -was by nature reserved and thoughtful. But now his tongue ran like a -mill-clapper, and ceased not till the cattle stopped of their own accord -before the door.</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile his wife remained, listening to the excited narration -of her husband, in a sort of silent rapture; but when, after the oxen -stopped, he began to show her the iron, and expatiate, saying, "Only see -this churn-drill, wife; both ends steel; and what a great bunch of iron -in the middle—Swedish iron, too; and three picks, and drills, and -wedges—all steel; and that crane—see what a great junk of iron <i>that</i> -is!—didn't cost me much of anything,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> either; and that big bar, to make -axes; and the thin iron for horse and ox shoes, and nail-rods;"—I say, -as he thus ran on, showing and explaining the value of one piece of iron -after another, tears of joy ran down the cheeks of the faithful wife, -and after that she found her tongue.</p> - -<p>Now you needn't laugh, boys, and say, "What a fuss over a little old -iron!" It was worth a great deal more to that family than though it had -been so much gold; and you needn't say, "O, what a whopper!" Just see if -it don't come out so before we have done with the Richardsons. That -amount of gold might, and probably would, have ruined them; but on every -grain of that rusty metal were written encouragement, inspiration, -opportunity; and God Almighty had given to William Richardson the -ability to read for himself and his neighbors what was written on those -iron leaves.</p> - -<p>"Father," cried Clem, seizing the stone-hammer, "what is this awful -great hammer for?"</p> - -<p>"For you, my son, to help me draw these great bars of iron with—at any -rate, by and by, if you can't handle it now."</p> - -<p>"I can swing it now, father, just like anything. See here"—swinging it -over his head, and bringing it down with considerable force on the iron.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VI.</span> <span class="smaller">PATIENT, BUT DETERMINED.</span></h2> - -<p>Perhaps our readers would like to know what were the first words Susan -Richardson uttered after she found her tongue.</p> - -<p>"The first thing I'll do, when I get up to-morrow morning, shall be to -spin some linen yarn as fine as I can spin it, scour and bleach it the -best I know how, weave it, and if I don't make Tom Breslaw as handsome a -pair of linen shirts as any man in this state ever had to his back, it -will be because I can't."</p> - -<p>The children all had to take a turn at the stone-hammer. Rob could -strike with it, but could not swing it over his head; besides being -younger, he was much less muscular than Clem, who was very large of his -age. Sue could lift it to the height of her shoulders, Sally but a few -inches. They now began to carry the iron to the shop. Clem and Rob took -each an end of the churn-drill, but the girls insisted on taking hold in -the middle, and entirely monopolized the conveyance of the drills, -wedges, and smaller things,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> notwithstanding the boys told them they -should think it would look a great deal better for them to go into the -house and help their mother get supper. All the satisfaction they got -was, "It's nothing to you; mam said we might."</p> - -<p>The first work William Richardson did in the shop was with the remnants -of the kitchen shovel and tongs he had bought to repair his wife's -tongs, and cutting a piece off the old crane, he repaired the andirons.</p> - -<p>Sitting on the anvil, he now looked over the iron and steel spread in -imposing array by the children over the shop, as a militia captain makes -his company take open order on muster-day for the sake of show, -reflecting in what way he should make the most of his treasures, when -Clem, who had been examining the drills with great interest, striking -one upon the other, and listening to the clear, sharp ring thus -produced, so different from the dull sound emitted by the iron, said,—</p> - -<p>"Father, what is steel?"</p> - -<p>The parent, occupied with his reflections, neither heard nor heeded the -question.</p> - -<p>"Who don't know that, Clem?" replied Robert. "It's what makes father's -axe and draw-shave cut: iron won't cut."</p> - -<p>"I guess I know that as well as you do. But what makes steel cut any -more'n iron? It looks just like it."</p> - -<p>"'Cause it's steel."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p><p>"You know a great deal about it—don't you?"</p> - -<p>"What is it, boys?" said the father, rousing up.</p> - -<p>"What is steel, father?"</p> - -<p>"It's made out of iron refined and hardened, so as to give it temper."</p> - -<p>"What do they do to it?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know; it's done in England."</p> - -<p>"Will the temper stay there forever?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; you can draw it most all out if you heat it, but if you put it in -cold water it will come back again."</p> - -<p>"What makes you, when you want to burn the handle out of your axe, put -wet cloths all over the edge of it?"</p> - -<p>"Because I don't want to heat the steel and start the temper."</p> - -<p>"What if you did? couldn't you put it into cold water and make it come -back?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I shouldn't get the same temper: if the axe cuts well, I prefer -to let well enough alone; if I spoiled it, I should have to go clear to -the village to get John Drew to temper it over."</p> - -<p>"But, father, I seed you take and put the new broad axe in the fire with -no cloth on it, nor nothing, and heat it real hot, so when I spit on it -it sissed."</p> - -<p>"Yes, my son; but I didn't do that to take the handle out, but to draw -the temper. It was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> so high tempered it broke, and I couldn't do -anything with it; so I thought, as it was of no use as it was, I might -as well try to draw down the temper, and if I got too much out, it would -only be going to Drew after all. Do you understand now, my son?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, father; but I heard you tell mother you meant to try to temper an -axe."</p> - -<p>"I mean to try, dear. That's what I got the iron and steel for."</p> - -<p>"Won't you spoil it?"</p> - -<p>"I expect I shall, a good many, before I learn."</p> - -<p>"Father, I want to see you learn. Can I see you spoil the axes?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, child, I shall want you to help me."</p> - -<p>"Think you can learn, father?"</p> - -<p>"I guess so."</p> - -<p>"Then I can learn too. Perhaps there's a man in the steel what lives -there and makes it cut."</p> - -<p>"If there is, he must have a pretty warm berth sometimes."</p> - -<p>"Father, when you learn and I learn, can I make me a hatchet?"</p> - -<p>"And me too?" said Robert.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I guess so."</p> - -<p>Now we intend as briefly as possible to answer Clem's first question. It -would be very ridiculous, if a good-looking, nice-feeling boy in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> the -high school, being asked what made his knife cut, should have to stick -his thumb in his mouth, look like a dunce, and say, "I don't know."</p> - -<p>We must begin with and say a few things in relation to iron, from which -steel is made.</p> - -<p>The iron ore is put into the furnace, a layer of iron ore and another of -coal, together with lime, either in the shape of oyster-shells or stone -lime. It is there melted and run into large junks called <i>pigs</i>. The -lime causes all the flint, sand, and earthy matters to melt and separate -from the iron, which, being heaviest, drops to the bottom of the -furnace, while the slag, that is lighter; floats on top, and is taken -off. This is <i>cast</i> iron; you see pigs of it piled up on the wharves in -seaports, the outside incrusted with the sand in which it was run, and -looking as rough, some of it, as the cinders of a smith's forge. It is -highly charged with carbon, coarse, hard, and brittle; can neither be -filed, welded, nor worked, under the hammer; is more or less filled with -slag and other impurities, and fit only, when melted again and purified, -to be cast into pots, pans, stoves, wheels, and various articles. It is -now melted two or three times more, and slightly hammered, to beat off -some of the slag. Then it is made red hot, and put under steam-hammers. -In old times it was hammered by water power, or by men with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> sledges. -This is done in order to take out the carbon, that renders it hard and -brittle.</p> - -<p>Probably by this time you wish to know what carbon is, to extract which -from the iron has cost so much labor. Should I give you the definition -of the books, you would probably want that definition defined.</p> - -<p>Many boys have seen a diamond: that is carbon in a solid form: pit coal -is solid carbon mixed with sulphur, phosphoros, and other elements. -Charcoal is solid carbon in a nearly pure state. Carbon has so strong an -affinity for oxygen, that when any of the substances that contain it are -burned, they give up their carbon, that instantly mingles with the -oxygen of the air.</p> - -<p>Thus, when iron is heated, its pores are opened, the carbon on the -outside is carried away by the air, and more is liberated from within, -to pass off in the same way; the object of the frequent meltings and the -hammering is to expose new surfaces to contact with the oxygen of the -air, and get rid of the carbon, just as the farmer turns his hay, and -brings new surfaces to the sun, to dry off the dew.</p> - -<p>As the result of this we have wrought iron, soft, tough, of close and -fibrous, instead of a crystalline or granular texture, that may be made -red hot and quenched in water without hardening or becoming brittle; may -be welded, split, punched,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> made into wheel-tires, hoes, shovels, axes, -hammers, pitchforks, knives, or razors. But there is one grand defect in -this iron, although it is so tractable that it may be worked under the -hammer into a thousand different shapes at the will of the smith; may be -drawn into wire so fine as to be woven in a loom or made into a watch -spring that weighs only the tenth of a grain, and rolled into leaves as -thin as paper, insomuch that a pound of raw iron costing a cent affords -steel sufficient for seventy thousand watches, worth one hundred and -seventy-five thousand dollars. It is, however, too soft to form a -cutting edge that will stand. Make a pitchfork of it, it is harder work -to stick it into the hay than it is to pitch the hay, as we know from -experience; an axe, it will take all your strength to cut through the -bark, and you must grind it every hour; a razor, you can shave but once, -and then with tears of agony. Make a hammer of it, and it batters up -forthwith; a punch, it bends; a drill, at the first stroke of the sledge -it turns.</p> - -<p>What next?</p> - -<p>Troughs are made of fire-brick, from eight to sixteen feet in length, -and two or three feet in depth. The troughs are placed in a furnace, and -on the bottom of each of them a mixture of powdered charcoal, ashes, and -salt. Bars of wrought iron are laid upon this mixture half an inch -apart, to the amount, perhaps, of twelve<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> tons, and covered with -charcoal; then another layer of iron and more charcoal, till the trough -is full. The top is covered with cement that has been used before, and -damp sand. The fire is then made in such a manner that the heat passes -all around the troughs, and is kept up from six to ten days, according -to the size of the bars and the purposes for which the contents of the -troughs are wanted.</p> - -<p>The heat of the furnace opens the pores of the iron, and sets free the -carbon contained in the charcoal; and as the cement prevents it from -escaping and uniting with the oxygen of the air, it enters the pores of -the iron and impregnates it. The fire is now suffered to die out, and -the metal is taken from the troughs. It is no longer iron, but steel. We -now have that which is the "king of metals," and by the aid of which the -skilful mechanic can do what would once have been thought miraculous.</p> - -<p>The surface of this material is covered with blisters, hence it is -called blistered steel. It resounds when struck. Iron once bent remains -so; but steel is so elastic that it may be bent to an angle of -forty-five degrees, and will spring back to its original position. It is -said that Andrew of Ferrara manufactured swords so elastic, that the -point of the blade would bend to touch the hilt, and spring back again -uninjured. The quality of steel depends upon the quality of the iron -from which it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> is made. The English have carried the art to great -perfection, nevertheless are obliged to import the iron from which their -razor-steel is made from Sweden. This blistered steel is the kind that -lay upon the floor of William Richardson's shop, and in the possession -of which he so exulted.</p> - -<p>Now you have an article that gives to the axe its temper, the fork its -point, the mainspring of the watch its elasticity, and to all tools an -enduring edge that may be so attempered as to pierce the hardest rocks -and crush the hardest stones; that may be welded to iron, and thus -economized. Do you think it strange that Will Richardson rejoiced at the -acquisition in his circumstances, or reflected long and seriously in -respect to the manner in which he should use his treasures to the best -advantage?</p> - -<p>And now, perhaps, some thoughtful boy may say,—</p> - -<p>"Why be at so great expense of labor and material to take carbon from -iron, and then set right at work to put it back again?"</p> - -<p>Because there is too much in the cast iron, and so it is all taken out, -and just the right amount put in.</p> - -<p>"Why not, then, when decarbonizing the cast iron, leave just enough in, -and save the labor of three processes?"</p> - -<p>This has been attempted, but the results have not given satisfaction. It -is not so easy to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> ascertain when the right amount is left in as when it -is put in. The latter can be determined very accurately by means of -try-bars, the ends of which are left protruding from the troughs. When, -upon drawing one of them out, it is found to be blistered, the process -is done. Although blistered steel be so superior to iron, it has -imperfections, that impair the quality of edge tools manufactured from -it—the result of imperfections in the iron of which it is made. At -times there will be differences even in the same bar; one portion will -be softer than another, or there will be flaws and shelly places.</p> - -<p>When the steel made from such iron is wrought into a tool and ground, -the edge is uneven, serrated, softer in one place than another. This -amounts to a fatal defect in those articles where great and uniform -hardness is required, as in screw-taps, wire-drawers, plates, dies, and -stamps for coining and engraving. It is evident, as the carbon is -introduced from the surface, that there will be less in the middle than -at the outside of the bars; thus the steel is not of a uniform -character. In order to obviate this, the bars of steel are made into a -fagot heated in a great forge, welded together with a hammer worked by -machinery, and drawn into bars, which closes up all the fissures and -renders it tough and compact. It is now called shear steel, because -shears for dressing cloth were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> made of it, and it will take a better -polish than blistered steel. But the process is not yet completed. Bars -of blistered steel that have been the most highly charged with carbon, -and are therefore the hardest, are broken into short pieces,—those -being put together that are of a like hardness,—and placed in pots of -fire-clay, about thirty pounds in a pot, with covers fitting perfectly -tight. The pots are placed in a furnace, and the steel in them melted, -when it is poured into cast iron moulds, and made into ingots. These are -under a tilt-hammer drawn into bars of all sizes. This is cast steel, -and it is evident, must be of uniform quality and hardness. This process -was discovered in 1750, by a citizen of Sheffield, and for many years -kept a secret. It is of this steel that the best tools, swords, knives, -and instruments of all kinds are manufactured. But not even shear steel -was within the reach of most of the smiths at the date of our story, -very little being imported, save in the form of tools.</p> - -<p>There is another property pertaining to steel. When heated to a white -heat or cherry red, according to its quality, and quenched in water, it -becomes hard as glass, and very brittle. The higher the temperature, and -the more suddenly it is cooled, the harder and more brittle it becomes. -It is this quality that renders steel the "king of metals," and has -given to the smith<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> power over all material substances. Even the diamond -is forced to yield the palm, for recently steel has been tempered to -take its place in cutting glass.</p> - -<p>The result of William's reflections was, that, in order to draw and work -the large iron now in his possession, he must have better tools and a -heavy sledge, as he could upon occasion get one of his neighbors to -strike for him. John Bradford lived nearest: he knew that John would be -glad to accommodate him, and take his pay in blacksmith work; besides, -by employing the same person all the time, that individual would acquire -facility, and learn to strike fair.</p> - -<p>Commencing with the churn-drill, he cut it off just below the great bulb -in the middle, "upset" the end by striking it endwise upon the anvil, -and by the aid of Clem, with his stone-hammer, formed it into something -like the proper shape for the face end of a sledge. He then partially -formed the "pean," or top portion, that in a smith's sledge is -wedge-shaped. He wished to punch the hole for the handle before cutting -off the rest of the drill, in order to hold it by that part, as he had -no tongs that were large enough. To make this hole in so thick a piece -needed, he thought, a steel punch, or at least a steel-pointed one. The -material was at hand in that part of the drill he had just cut off, only -wanting to be pointed.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p><p>There was more length than was either necessary or convenient; but he -resolved to point first, and shorten it afterwards. Ignorant of the -nature of steel, or the degree of heat it will endure, he supposed, as -it was very hard, it should be made all the hotter, blew up the fire, -and treated it just as he would a piece of wrought iron. The drill had -been imported from England,—as were nearly all the tools in that -day,—was pointed with the best of double shear steel, and hardened all -that it would bear. The result was, that the moment he struck it with -his hammer, it crumbled and fell to pieces, like so much brick, till, as -there was but about four inches of the steel, nothing remained except -the iron to which it had been welded.</p> - -<p>Richardson stood looking at the fragments in utter despair. To lose that -steel was almost like losing a limb; but it was gone past redemption. It -had cost him something to learn that steel will not bear so much heat as -iron. Afraid to meddle with the other end of the drill, he resolved, -since it needed very little alteration, to take off the corners and -square the end on the grindstone; but it proved so hard that he soon -gave up the attempt, and felt that he must run the risk.</p> - -<p>"I'll try it," he said; "no doubt John Drew spoiled plenty of steel when -he was apprentice, and had a master at his back, to boot."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p><p>Well aware that the other steel was burned, he watched it narrowly, put -on plenty of sand, and before it was white hot, worked it without -difficulty.</p> - -<p>All he knew in regard to tempering was, that steel becomes hard by being -quenched in water while red hot, and if plunged in water after that -period, less so; while if suffered to cool of itself, it is not so much -harder than iron. He was ignorant of a fact most important to a smith, -and by the knowledge of which he is enabled to produce any degree of -temper he pleases, after practice and experience of the different -qualities of the various kinds of steel; to wit, that the gradations -from extreme hardness to extreme softness are denoted by the different -colors it assumes while cooling.</p> - -<p>Trying with a file the punch that had now cooled on the forge, he found -that it was quite soft, and supposed it needed hardening. Heating it as -hot as he dared, he plunged it in water, held it there till cold, and -then twisted a withe around it for a handle.</p> - -<p>He now took a welding heat on his iron, that it might punch the more -easily, and set Robert to hold it, while Clem held the punch. So much -time was occupied in placing the iron and punch, and instructing the -boys how to hold both, that it had cooled, and become harder to punch; -nevertheless, he resolved to try it, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> lifting the great beetle, -struck with all his might upon the punch. At the second blow it broke in -two, as short as a pipe-stem.</p> - -<p>Clem, who had followed every motion, seeing the blank look of his -father, began to cry; while Rob ran to tell his mother.</p> - -<p>"Jackass that I was," he said, "to make that punch so hard. Didn't I -know that I could punch hot iron with an iron punch, and have done it?"</p> - -<p>Finding that there was still a little steel left, he put it in the fire -again, let it cool to a black heat before he quenched it, then punched -his hole, and finished the sledge. By patient perseverance, and after -many ineffectual attempts, he succeeded in learning to weld steel to -iron, and made himself several pairs of tongs of different shapes and -sizes, also flat punches of files, but of low temper, also chisels. He -did not dare to make them hard, as he did the punch; so he let them -become almost cold before quenching.</p> - -<p>He shod Montague's horse, making all the nails and two new shoes; but he -was all day about it, and had nothing better to pare the hoof than a -jack-knife. No matter for that—the thing once done, and done right: -facility is the result of practice.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VII.</span> <span class="smaller">HE FINDS THE CLUE.</span></h2> - -<p>Thus far our smith had by no means realized the benefits anticipated -from the possession of steel. He had, indeed, ascertained what degree of -heat it would bear, learned to weld it to iron, made some punches that -were a little better than iron ones, and yet he was as far removed from -a knowledge of tempering that would enable him to forge and finish a -reliable tool of any kind as before; since to heat a piece of steel and -plunge it in water, making it so hard and brittle as to be useless, or -quenching it when nearly cold, thus rendering it about as soft as iron, -did not amount to anything practically.</p> - -<p>And yet this man aspired to make an axe; yes, even had dim visions of -plane-irons, draw-shaves, chisels, and gouges manufactured by William -Richardson, edge tool maker. Aspired, did I say? The expression is too -feeble. The idea absorbed his thoughts, and, ever present to his mind, -assumed the character of a passion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> It was not a mere whim, but based -upon solid grounds.</p> - -<p>There were but few ploughs in the place, and not many horses, and they -were not shod all round except in the winter. But the axe was in -universal use, subject to continual wear, and frequently broken. John -Drew was celebrated for giving to his axes a high temper, that rendered -them liable to break in frosty weather; one cause of which probably was, -that he made up a lot of axes, and then tempered the lot. Upon tempering -days he was always more or less under the influence of liquor. Indeed, -he thought he could not temper an axe properly, unless he was half -drunk; and it must be allowed that many of his neighbors were of the -same opinion, while others said, he wanted them to break, in order that -he might have a job of repairing. It was too early in the season to -plough; the ice had broken up in the river, and having first driven the -logs, cut and hauled in the winter, to the mill, he gave his undivided -attention to the work, and employed John Bradford to help him cut up and -draw the large bar of iron purchased at the store, while Clem and Robert -mounted on a block—not being tall enough to reach the handle -without—and blew the bellows. John had not struck through two heats -with the large sledge when the stone anvil broke in two. This mishap, -however, was soon repaired, as there was no lack of stones.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p><p>While they were placing another stone on the stump, David Montague came -in.</p> - -<p>"Neighbor Richardson," said he, "it is too bad that a man who is -possessed of the industry and ingenuity you are, should be so put to it -for tools, and be obliged to work iron on a stone. Now I tell you what -I'll do with you. I mean to get out timber and boards in the course of -next year to build me a frame house the year after; 'twill take two -years to make the shingles and clapboards, hew the frame, and put the -house up. Now I'll advance you money to buy an anvil beck (beak) horn, -stake, tools to head nails with, and you may pay me in work, shoe my -horse and oxen, and make all the nails for my house. I shan't want a -nail under a year, and not many under fourteen months, so that you can -make them next winter, and at odd jobs."</p> - -<p>Nails were then made by hand, of wrought iron. The stake was a species -of anvil of small size, and used to point horse-nails on. The beak horn -was a very necessary thing at that day, used for welding hollow -articles, and for work upon plough irons.</p> - -<p>"I am sure, neighbor, you couldn't do me a greater favor, for I need an -anvil sadly, though I can get along without the stake and the beck -horn."</p> - -<p>"You can, perhaps, at present, but you will soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> need them both. I -don't think you ought to feel under the least obligation to me, for in -advancing this money, I am benefiting myself and the whole neighborhood -more than you. It will save me and all of us many a hard tramp through -the woods. Besides, I don't like to get down on my knees to John Drew, -beg him to work for me, and then pay him twice as much as it is worth."</p> - -<p>"So I say, neighbor," said Bradford, "though—to give the devil his -due—Drew is as good a blacksmith as ever stood behind an anvil, but -mighty uncomfortable. But where are you going to get the bricks, -neighbor, to build your chimneys?"</p> - -<p>"Make them, John; there's sand and clay both in my pasture. So you see -there's work enough for two years to hew the frame, make the shingles -and clapboards, cut logs for boards, and make and burn the bricks."</p> - -<p>Richardson improved the opportunity, while assisted by Bradford, to -forge the polls or iron portion of two axes, and split up iron for -nail-rods and also for horseshoes. He had never seen any one temper a -tool, but he had often struck for Drew to forge axes; had seen him weld -the steel to the iron, and knew he could do that. Although he had hired -John to help him draw the large iron, because he could not do it, even -with the aid of the boys, without great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> outlay of both time and labor, -he didn't care to expose his awkwardness before him. In short, he -preferred to be alone while adventuring upon this portion of the work, -in order that he might study out the matter as he went along with no -witness to his mistake but the boys, and as for tempering, we have seen -how little he knew in respect to that.</p> - -<p>The next morning he made his steel in the shape of a wedge, and split a -corresponding crevice in the blade of the axe, and not quite so wide as -the steel was thick, in order that it might bind on the sides as it -entered, to hold it while heating, and put the whole in the fire for a -weld. At the first trial the steel fell out on the ground the moment he -struck it, and he lost his heat. He now shut the slit together so that -the steel did not quite reach to the bottom, closed it up on the steel a -little harder, put the axe in the fire, and before striking, struck the -edge of the steel against the side of the anvil, to drive it home to the -bottom of the slit, and thus succeeded in making a perfect weld.</p> - -<p>But now came the crisis—to temper it. All depended upon this. So -important a tool was an axe at that day, men wouldn't hesitate to travel -twenty miles additional to a smith who had the reputation of excelling -in the art, and no excellence of form or finish could compensate an -axe-man for its absence.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p><p>He was well aware the reason the punch broke was on account of its -hardness, and also that if he had, after putting it in water, let it -cool some, it would have been less brittle; but he also knew the harder -a tool is, the keener it cuts, and, forgetful of the fault in Drew's -axes, imagined he could not get it too hard to cut wood. He thought -there must be a vast difference between wood and iron, and that the -harder the better; it would never break in wood.</p> - -<p>Therefore, after finishing as well as he could, he made it as hot as he -could without burning, and quenched it, put in a handle, and set to work -grinding. The axe proved so hard, although he had made the blade very -thin by hammering, that it was almost impossible to grind it, though he -put a liberal allowance of sand on the stone. Susan and the boys took -turns at the stone, the father encouraging them by declaring that it -would cut like a ribbon, for it was harder than Pharaoh's heart.</p> - -<p>The implement was ground at length. Richardson whet the edge and -forthwith proceeded to a large hemlock that grew near, to try it. If -unskilled in making, he was very far from being a novice in the use of -an axe.</p> - -<p>At the first blow he cried to his family, who were all gathered at the -foot of the tree, his wife with the babe in her arms,—</p> - -<p>"It's going to cut; I know it is."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p><p>Leaving the keen instrument buried in the wood, he pulled off his outer -garments. The blows now fell thick and heavy.</p> - -<p>"Cuts like a razor. Throws the chips well. Never saw an axe work easier -in the wood," broke from him at intervals, while the children clapped -their hands and capered around the tree till it came crashing to the -ground.</p> - -<p>The hemlock was scrubby, and one of the lower limbs was dead. Richardson -struck the axe into it with all his might; but when he pulled it out, -there was a piece of steel out of the middle of the bitt as large as a -half-dollar.</p> - -<p>Greatly to the surprise of his wife, he manifested no symptoms of -discouragement at this disappointment in the moment of victory; he -merely said, as with one foot on the butt of the tree, he looked at the -shining and crystalline surface of the fracture,—</p> - -<p>"Well, I've found out the temper that will shave the wood. I must now -find out the highest temper that will stand hemlock knots."</p> - -<p>The next thing Richardson did was to try with a file his saw and a -draw-shave that cut well. He found they bore no comparison in hardness -with the axe he had just broken, yet they were both wood tools, and good -ones. He then tried a chopping axe made by Drew. It was softer still, -but it cut well and stood hemlock, fir, and spruce knots. He now -understood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> that tools for wood, especially where blows were given, did -not admit of a very high temper.</p> - -<p>"I wish," he said, "I did know how it is that blacksmiths tell when -steel cools down to a right temper. How I wish I had asked Tom Breslaw!" -He sat down on the butt of the tree to reflect. Clem seated himself by -his side, while Robert, standing on the tree, wiped the drops of sweat -from his father's brow.</p> - -<p>"Father," said Clem, at length, clambering into his parent's lap, "what -you going to do with the axe now?"</p> - -<p>"I'm going," said he, putting his arm fondly around the little -questioner, "to try and make it just hard enough to cut, and not break -or turn."</p> - -<p>"How will you know, father, when you've got just enough out?"</p> - -<p>"Guess at it. I can't do any better. If I only had a watch or clock, I'd -let it cool two minutes, then four, and see what that would do. Do you -understand, my little man?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know, father; ain't it just like when mother takes a candle, -makes a mark on it with her knitting needle, and says, 'When the candle -burns down to that mark, 'twill be half an hour, and then you'll have to -go to bed, Clem?'"</p> - -<p>"Something like it; but I want something that will tell the minutes."</p> - -<p>"Then it would be two minutes hard, father,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> cried Clem, who, with both -arms around his parent's neck, had almost got into his mouth. "How -funny! Shall I go borrow Mr. Montague's watch?"</p> - -<p>"Not now, dear."</p> - -<p>Taking the boy by the hand, and the axe in the other hand, he walked -thoughtfully towards the shop.</p> - -<p>After heating to a cherry red, he laid it on the forge to cool, began to -count, and continued counting till the axe was cool. He then chalked -down the number on his bellows.</p> - -<p>"Father?"</p> - -<p>"Don't bother me now, dear;" and he began to think aloud.</p> - -<p>"This axe was as hard as glass before I het it; now the temper's all -out. It has taken while I could count sixty-four to come out. Now, if -sixty-four takes out the whole, thirty-two ought to take out half, -sixteen a quarter, eight an eighth. The temper is put into steel when -it's put into water; and the hotter the steel, and the quicker the -chill, the harder it is. What made that axe so hard was, that I het it -so hot, and chilled it quick. If I had made it only half as hot, and -then put it in water, the temper wouldn't have begun but half as soon, -and then it would have been only half as hard. I guess that axe's about -an eighth too hard. I'll heat it just as hot as I did before, and count -eight, then put it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> in water. I wonder if that'll be the same thing as -though I hardened it at full heat, and after that found some rule by -which to reduce the temper. I'm afraid it won't. Let me think of it." He -sat down on the forge, while Clem, not daring to speak, stood with his -great round eyes staring anxiously in his father's face.</p> - -<p>"I had an axe of John Drew once that was too hard—kept breaking; but it -cut like a razor. I was afraid to touch it to draw the temper; but one -day I put the 'poll' of it in the fire to burn the handle out, and the -wet cloths I had on the steel to keep it cool got dry while I was -talking with a neighbor, and the poll got red hot. I thought I'd drawn -all the temper out and spoilt it, but after that it was just hard -enough. Now I'll just do the same thing again."</p> - -<p>He heated the whole axe, steel, and all, then quenched the whole of the -steel in water till it was cold, leaving the rest of the axe red hot.</p> - -<p>"Now I'll let that hot iron draw on the steel while I count eight."</p> - -<p>He did thus, then quenched the whole; tried it in the knot; it broke, -but very little; put it in again, and counted sixteen. It was too soft; -the edge turned.</p> - -<p>"I don't believe but that red-hot iron draws too savage on the steel; -takes the temper out too fast. I'll draw it more gradual and count the -same number of times."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p><p>He now dipped the whole axe in water, edge first, took it out directly, -put the poll only on the outside of the fire to keep up a gradual heat, -counted sixteen and quenched it. The axe cut much better and neither -broke nor turned. He thought he would heat it, count but twelve, and -thus see if it wouldn't bear a little higher temper. Just as he was -about to take it from the fire little Sue came to call him to dinner.</p> - -<p>"Tell your mother I can't come yet; don't know when I can come; to eat -dinner, and not wait for me."</p> - -<p>"Nor me, nuther," said Clem. "I ain't coming till father comes."</p> - -<p>He quenched the axe, put the poll on the fire, and while looking at it -and counting, thought he noticed a flaw in the steel. Rubbing it in the -sand and coal-dust of the forge till it was bright, he found it was only -the edge of a scale raised by the frequent heats. But his attention was -instantly arrested by seeing the bright steel change under his eye to a -pale yellow, commencing at the point where the steel joined the iron, -and gradually extending over it; while he looked, it changed to a darker -shade, became brown, almost purple. He had now counted twelve, and -quenched it. When he took the axe from the water, the same tinge was on -the steel. The axe now cut better and stood well. But he had got hold of -an idea he meant to follow out.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p><p>"I wonder what those colors are," he said. "Who knows but they may be -the temper? Just as fast as the temper was let down they changed—grew -darker. Wonder what they would have come to, if I hadn't quenched the -steel. I'll know." Heating the axe once more, he rubbed it bright, and -looked for the colors. For a little time the steel was white; then the -pale straw color appeared again, growing darker, till it became brown, -with purple spots, then purple, light blue, pigeon blue; then darker, -almost black.</p> - -<p>"O, father, what handsome colors!"</p> - -<p>No reply. Much excited, he quenched the steel, and determined to -ascertain whether the colors represented different degrees of hardness. -When he found, by careful experiment, they did, he caught the wondering -boy in his arms, ran into the house crying,—</p> - -<p>"Now, my boy, we've got something that's a better regulator than David -Montague's watch, your mother's candle, or counting, either."</p> - -<p>Entering the house he shouted,—</p> - -<p>"Sue, I've got it! I've found how the blacksmith's do it, or, if I -haven't, I've found a way just as good."</p> - -<p>His progress was now rapid; he soon ascertained the proper temper for -all kinds of tools. The steel of the axe he had experimented with had -been through the fire so many times that the life of it was all gone. He -therefore put new<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> steel in it, improved the shape somewhat, ground the -whole surface of it before tempering, to take off the hammer marks,—for -he had not learned to hammer smooth,—tempered it carefully, and hid it -away in the shop.</p> - -<p>The next week he procured his anvil, beak-horn, stake, and tools for -nails. They came from Boston to Portsmouth, from thence to -Kennebunkport, by water; on an ox team to the village, and from there up -the river in a canoe.</p> - -<p>His land joined Bradford's, and they had appointed a day to build a -piece of log fence together. Richardson took his new axe with him, -having ground it sharp. Watching his opportunity while Bradford was -putting some top poles on the fence, he took Bradford's axe, putting his -own in the same place. Bradford, without noticing the difference, took -it up and began to chop into the side of a tree.</p> - -<p>"Whew! How this axe cuts! Gnaws right into the wood. It ain't my axe; -it's William's. Will, where'd you get this axe?"</p> - -<p>"Made it."</p> - -<p>"The dogs you did."</p> - -<p>"It is one of those you helped me forge."</p> - -<p>"It's worth two of that axe you are using that John Drew made me. Will -you sell it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; that's what I made it for."</p> - -<p>"May I put it into the knots?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; try it in any fair way, and if it breaks or turns, you needn't -take it."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p><p>Bradford, after making a thorough trial, took it. It was soon noised -round that William Richardson had made an axe for John Bradford that -beat Drew's all hollow. Every body wondered at the ease with which he -took up anything, little knowing the struggle it cost him.</p> - -<p>His farming work now came on; but at intervals he made axes that found a -ready sale. He made a small pair of bellows in the fall, and a little -forge in the chimney corner. The boys learned to make nails, and made -nearly all Montague's nails in the winter evenings. He paid less and -less attention to farming, and more to working in iron, paid for his -land, and built him a frame house. In the autumn of the year that he -made the first axe, he found that he could not well make ox and -horse-shoes without a vice, and resolved to make something that would -answer the purpose.</p> - -<p>He began by taking two wide, flat bars of iron, and turned the edge of -them over the edge of the anvil, like the head of a railroad spike, in -order that, when the flat surfaces came together, these edges might make -a face to the vice. To the other ends of each of the bars he welded -pieces of the old crane, rendering that portion of the vice that was to -fasten to the bench long enough to reach to the ground, and rise eight -inches above the edge of the bench, and welded an old horse-shoe on the -back side to fasten it to the bench.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> The other he made but two-thirds -as long, and by making a slot in one, with a hole for a pin, and -punching an eye in the other, he contrived both to connect them, and -form a hinge joint on which the outer leg of the vice might traverse. -Two holes were now punched to receive a bolt that was designed to answer -the purpose of a screw, one end of which terminated in a head; the -remaining portion was punched at short distances with eyes very long and -wide, to receive broad, thick keys or wedges that would endure hard -driving.</p> - -<p>He now set up the permanent portion of his vice, put the lower end into -a flat rock set in the ground, and fastened the upper part to the bench, -brought up the other side, and put the bolt through both. The hinge at -the bottom permitted the outer jaw of the vice to play back and forth on -the bolt in order to open or close it. By means of tapering wedges -driven into the eyes in the bolt, he could wedge a piece of iron firmly -into his vice to file it, could turn the calks of a horse-shoe or set -them at any angle he wished. Whenever the vice did not come up to the -eye, and the wedge would not draw, he slipped washers—iron rings—over -the bolt to fill the space, and then entering the point of his key, -drove it with great force. It was not very convenient, but it answered -the purpose effectually, for it was substituting the power of the wedge -for that of the screw.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p><p>"Mother," said Clem, one morning, "will you let me have a piece of your -tongs?"</p> - -<p>"My tongs, child? What do you want of my tongs?"</p> - -<p>"To make some bow-pins—iron ones—for my steer's yoke; father's gone, -and said we might play."</p> - -<p>"No, child; you're crazy."</p> - -<p>"You let father have 'em."</p> - -<p>"Well, that was because he wanted a pair of tongs to hold his iron."</p> - -<p>"So I want the bow-pins."</p> - -<p>"Well, I shan't have my tongs spoilt for nonsense."</p> - -<p>"Mother, is that red and white rooster mine?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Mine to do what I'm a mind to with?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>In the course of half an hour, Clem, with his rooster under his arm, -presented himself at David Montague's door.</p> - -<p>"Good morning, Clem. What are you going to do with that rooster?"</p> - -<p>"I want to sell him. Andrew said you wanted one."</p> - -<p>"Yes; mine froze last winter. What do you ask for him?"</p> - -<p>"I'll sell him for that horse-shoe what's hanging on your barn-yard -fence."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p><p>"What on earth do you want of that horse-shoe?"</p> - -<p>"I want to make some bow-pins for my steers."</p> - -<p>"Well, you may have it, and after you have made 'em, I want to see 'em."</p> - -<p>As William Richardson came home, he saw smoke coming out of the chimney -of the shop, and heard the sound of the hammer and sledge. Looking -through a chink, he saw the boys busy enough. Clem was behind the anvil. -They had flattened out the heel calks of the horse-shoe, straightened -it, and lapped one part over the other. Just as he looked in, Clem was -putting sand on it; in a few moments he took it from the fire, welding -hot: Robert struck with the sledge, and they soon drew it out into a -thin, square bar.</p> - -<p>"I hope you ain't wasting my iron, boys."</p> - -<p>"No, father," said Clem, "it's mine. I sold my rooster to Mr. Montague, -and bought it. We are going to make some bow-pins, and we don't want -anybody to help nor show us; we want to do it."</p> - -<p>At this hint Richardson walked into the house. When Clem took the -bow-pins to Mr. Montague, the latter told him to make two pairs, and he -would buy them of him.</p> - -<p>Settlers now began to flock in; a carriage road was made through the -woods; wagons and carts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> came into use. Montague and others built a -sawmill and a grist-mill; the town was incorporated, and Richardson made -the mill-chain. This was a wonderful advance from mending the ox-chain -before the kitchen fire on a flat stone.</p> - -<p>"Neighbor Richardson," said Montague, as he came to get his horse shod, -"I was coming home from the village last Tuesday, and met Sam Parker -going to get screw-bolts made. Now, it always galls me to have work go -out of this place. I think you'd better send to Boston and get tools, so -that you can cut screws whenever they are wanted; there will be more -call for them every day, for the town is growing fast."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, neighbor. I'll think of it."</p> - -<p>He resolved to see if he could not make something that would cut screws, -before sending to Boston.</p> - -<p>It is said that the idea of the principle of gravitation was suggested -to Sir Isaac Newton by seeing an apple fall from a tree. He wondered -what made it drop to the earth, rather than go in the opposite -direction. However that may be, it is certain that a thoughtful man will -receive suggestions from things that make no impress upon the stupid and -careless.</p> - -<p>As William Richardson sat before the fire that night reflecting upon the -conversation with Montague, he noticed Clem putting powder into a horn. -The boy had rolled a leaf of his last year's <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>writing-book into the form -of a tunnel, fastened it with a pin, and was pouring the powder through -it.</p> - -<p>When the boy had finished, he said,—</p> - -<p>"Clem, hand me that paper before you unpin it."</p> - -<p>After looking attentively at it for some time, he said to the boy, who, -interested in whatever attracted his father's attention, was looking -over his shoulder,—</p> - -<p>"Clem, the lines on that paper are a screw."</p> - -<p>"Be they, father?"</p> - -<p>"Unpin the paper."</p> - -<p>Clem did so, and they were all straight again.</p> - -<p>"How funny, father!"</p> - -<p>"Get my square, and you, Robert, go to the wood-pile and get a piece of -birch bark—white birch."</p> - -<p>After stripping the bark to a thin sheet, he cut it square. He then set -off an inch at one corner, and drew a line from that mark to the corner -of the paper on the same side, making an oblique line.</p> - -<p>"You see that is up hill, boys—don't you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, father."</p> - -<p>He then wrapped the bark round the broom-handle.</p> - -<p>"Now it climbs right up the broom-handle; that's the way a screw does; -it's just getting up hill by going round."</p> - -<p>"What's the good of it, father?" said Clem,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> who was altogether of a -practical turn, but had never seen a screw.</p> - -<p>"I'm going to try to make one in the morning; then you'll see."</p> - -<p>The next day he made a steel bolt, or blank, tapering, and of the size -of the screws he thought would be generally needed, leaving the head -square, and sufficient length of steel to hold it by in the vice. The -next thing to determine was, the pitch or inclination of the thread, and -its size. On the edge of a piece of birch bark he set off quarter of an -inch, and drew a line from that mark to the edge of the bark, and cut it -off, giving the rise or pitch. It was the time of year when boys make -whistles. He cut an elder sprout just the size of his bolt, spit on it, -and pounded it on his knee with the handle of his knife till the bark -came off; this bark he slipped over the bolt, pounded up and boiled some -pieces of moose horns, made glue and glued it on solid, put the strip of -birch bark around the lower part of the bolt, its straight edge in line -with the lower edge, and glued it on. There was now a perfectly true -spiral round the bolt, the quarter of an inch offset determining the -inclination, and also the size of the thread. He now filed out a fork -from a thin piece of iron just a quarter of an inch in width, the two -points, chisel-edged, one sixteenth of an inch in width each, leaving a -space of two <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>sixteenths between them. Commencing at the narrow end of -the birch bark, he followed along its edge, cutting the bark sheath as -he went, till he came again to the point from which he started, having -cut two spirals through to the steel, with a ridge of bark between them -two sixteenths of an inch wide. Putting one side of his fork in the -furrow already made, he followed round till he came to the head of the -bolt. Placing it in the vice with a three-cornered file, he cut out his -thread, the ridges of bark on each side forming a guide for a true -thread. With file and cold-chisel he cut out segments in the middle of -his bolt, the whole length, leaving the thread on the corners unbroken, -thus forming a cutting edge at each corner where the thread was broken. -He now hardened and tempered it.</p> - -<p>As the next stage of the process, he forged a steel plate,—the ends -terminating in handles,—in which he made round holes of various sizes, -corresponding to the size of the two ends of his bolt. Into these holes -he put this hardened steel screw-tap with plenty of bear's grease, -turning it forcibly round with a wrench till the sharp edges at the -squares cut a thread on the inside of the hole, and then hardened the -plate. With this plate he could cut a screw on the head of a bolt, and -with the screw could cut a thread on the inside of a nut. Seizing his -broadaxe, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> hewed a great spot on one of the logs of the shop, and -wrote on it with chalk,—</p> - -<p class="center">"SCREW BOLTS CUT HERE."</p> - -<p>Having paid for his land, and being able to buy iron, and in the -possession of suitable tools to work with, he resolved to make a proper -vice with a screw, instead of a bolt. He made the vice-body, taking -pattern from John Drew's, of English make; but the screw of a vice must -be square threaded, not a diamond thread, like those he had hitherto -made; since, being in constant use, the thread would wear off in a short -time. He laid out the screw in the same manner as before, except that -instead of sheathing it in bark, he dipped it in beeswax till it was -coated, and cut the thread with a file and cold-chisel, and instead of -putting the screw through both parts of the vice, made a box for it to -work in. It is evident he could not cut a thread in the box, that must -be square, like that of the screw, with a screw that was -square-threaded; neither could he do it with a chisel or file. He did it -in this way: he hammered out some steel wire large enough to more than -fill the thread of the screw, and wound it around it; then he drove the -screw with the wire on it hard into the box, filling it completely, and -fastened the ends of the wire. He then turned the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> screw carefully back, -and took it out, leaving the hole lined with the wire.</p> - -<p>Richardson had in the house a brass plate that had been on a soldier's -belt, and procured from Montague the brass top of a fire-shovel; these -he cut up and filed up, putting the filings and pieces into the box -between the coils of wire with borax. He wrapped the whole box in clay -mortar, and dried the mass; then put it in the fire till the clay was -red hot, and the brass melted, which soldered the coils of wire fast to -the sides of the box, forming a thread.</p> - -<p>With the two springs of a broken fox-trap welded together, he made a -spring to throw back the jaw of his vice when the screw was turned. -After accomplishing all this, he built a frame shop with a brick -chimney, paying Montague in work for the bricks, laying them himself; -and now he considered himself entitled to wear a leather apron.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VIII.</span> <span class="smaller">A TRADE THE BEST INHERITANCE.</span></h2> - -<p>The boys standing, as it were, upon their father's shoulders, -sympathizing with and aiding him to the utmost of their ability, early -obtained a knowledge of working iron far beyond their years, and -contracted a love for the occupation, especially Clem, who seemed to -inherit all the patience, energy and originality of his father, together -with an amiable disposition and strength of limb. Until Clem was -nineteen they lived at home, doing nearly all the farming work, and at -the same time helping their father in the shop. They were then desirous -of going where a better quality of work was demanded than in their -native place.</p> - -<p>"Well, boys," said Richardson, "I'm entirely willing you should go. I -began too late—had too little to do with, no tools, and poverty to -struggle with—to accomplish much. I've done the best I could; but I -want you to have a better chance. I think you've both got the mechanical -principle in you, and had better go where you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> can work it out, have -tools to work with, and learn all that comes up."</p> - -<p>They went to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where their father had -relatives, and after working a week on trial, were both hired as -journeymen. Clem never wanted to meddle with anything but edge tools, -displaying remarkable ability for that kind of work, while Robert proved -an excellent shoer, and had but few equals in wheel-tiring and all kinds -of carriage work. He could also make a wheel as well as iron it, and -manifested his father's ability for working in wood. Learning the use of -hammer and file when mere children, and growing up to it, their work had -a finish about it that is seldom attained by those who commence work in -manhood, and when their habits are formed.</p> - -<p>After perfecting their trade, they hired a shop and set up business for -themselves, Clem devoting the greater part of his time to making edge -tools, while Robert attended to the other portion of the work. Business -was good, and they accumulated property, and frequently sent money to -their parents, and cherished a strong affection for their native place, -going home every year to Thanksgiving.</p> - -<p>When the boys had been a year from home, their father went to visit -them. At his leaving, the boys would have loaded him with -tools,—"swages," "fullers," "screw-taps," "drills,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> and "shears," to -cut iron,—but he refused to take them.</p> - -<p>"You know, boys," said he, "I like to make things myself, and think as -much again of anything I make myself. I'm just as much obliged to you as -though I took them. I've seen all the tools you have here, and been -round among the shops and seen all the ways they do their work, and I'll -go home and make every one of these tools; and I think I can improve -upon some of them. I've got help now, for Henry Bradford, John's boy, is -coming to work with me, and learn the trade—that is, learn what little -I know."</p> - -<p>Finding he did not incline to take the tools, they put a lot of iron and -steel on board the sloop in which he started to return by the way of -Kennebunk, or, rather, Cape Porpoise, which was the landing-place then.</p> - -<p>There was a little girl, Lucy Armstrong, who went to school with Clem -when it was kept in David Montague's house, and they formed a childhood -liking for each other which continued and strengthened as they grew -older. Lucy was a girl of excellent abilities, the best scholar in the -school, and as she grew up manifested qualities that are not often -united. She possessed great energy of character, a robust constitution, -and most affectionate disposition. Everybody loved and pitied Lucy; for -her girlhood was embittered by many trials and sorrows.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p><p>Her father she never saw to recognize; he was killed by a bear when she -was a babe, and her mother was taken away when she was four years old. -Lucy, after her mother's death, went to live with an uncle—her father's -brother. He was a hard, penurious man, and his wife resembled him, being -a morose, griping woman, with no children of her own to draw out her -affections and sweeten her disposition. She made poor Lucy serve with -rigor. She was poorly clad, poorly fed, went barefoot in the summer and -till late in the fall, was obliged to work both out doors and in. When -dropping corn and potatoes in the spring, her feet were red as a -pigeon's with cold, and in the fall they bled from being pricked with -the stubble. In the cold nights of November she must sit in the barn and -husk corn. The old folks did not intend to be cruel; but they had been -hardly dealt by themselves in childhood and youth, and hard treatment -renders people hard and callous in their treatment of others.</p> - -<p>In one respect they faithfully discharged their duty—in sending her to -school every day so long as it kept, which was at first but six weeks in -the winter, but by the time Lucy was thirteen increased to fourteen -weeks; and after the town was incorporated and the ordinances of the -gospel established, she went to meeting every Sabbath. School days and -Sundays were the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> green spots, and all the green spots, in Lucy's -cheerless life of incessant toil, save the few moments when sent to hunt -eggs; and hidden in the haymow from the eagle eye of her aunt, she read -Clem's letters for the hundredth time. Clem seldom came to the house; a -visit from him put her aunt into a perfect fury, as she was unwilling to -lose so good a drudge.</p> - -<p>"Get married!" she would say, "yes, that's all girls nowadays think of. -Wonder what they expect to live on. Better get something ahead first."</p> - -<p>Although how she was to get anything ahead while spending her youth and -strength in their service did not appear, especially as her uncle had -made his will, and left all his property to a nephew as close-fisted as -himself. He often remarked "that he meant to leave what he had got by -hard knocks to somebody who knew how to take kere of it."</p> - -<p>"Clem," said Robert, when the time during which they had hired as -journeymen had nearly expired, "if ever you mean to marry that girl, why -don't you do it? What do you let her stay there for, suffer everything -but death, slave herself, and dry up, working for that old skinflint and -his woman? They'd move into a mustard seed, and then have rooms to let. -If you don't, I'll go and court her myself."</p> - -<p>"I mean to the moment I feel that I can <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>support her comfortably. You -know I'm like father—one of the kind to cut my garment according to the -cloth. I don't want to make her worse off than she is now."</p> - -<p>"That's impossible. Get along with you; go hire two rooms somewhere, and -then go and get her. I'll board with you. Nothing comes amiss to her; -she's a treasure of a girl, smart as steel, and pleasant as a May -morning. What did father and mother have when they set up, and see where -they are now."</p> - -<p>Clem took his brother's advice. Lucy's aunt raved like a mad woman at -first; but when she found that it was no use, and the neighbors were all -against her, she calmed down, gave Lucy a bed and pillows stuffed with -turkey feathers, and said they would be on the town before two years. -She proved a false prophetess. In two years they were blessed with a -nice baby. Clem and Robert had all the work they could do, the hammer -going every evening till nine o'clock in the winter months, though they -still lived in two rooms, with the privilege of another for occasional -use. They continued to thrive till the war of 1812, when the brothers -took a contract from the government to bore cannon, which, proving a -very profitable job, left them with abundant means. Robert still -continued to board with his brother, and, remaining single, put all his -money into the firm.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p><p>William Richardson, accumulating property by his trade, bought a piece -of timber land every year, and let it lie. In the latter part of his -life the rise in the value of this land made him affluent. At his -decease this portion of his property fell to the sons, his wife having -died some years before him, and the daughters receiving their portion in -money. The shop remained as it was; Clem would have nothing touched. It -was not, to be sure, the original log hovel; but it was the same forge, -and the building stood on the same spot. The old pine stump still formed -the anvil block, and the hammer fashioned from the andirons still lay on -the anvil, just as his father had left it after his last day's work. -There also were the tongs made from the legs of the kitchen tongs, and -the sledge forged from the churn-drill.</p> - -<p>After the war business revived, and there was a great demand for lumber. -The Richardsons sold out at Portsmouth, returned to their native place, -bought the old mill privilege, and went to lumbering. Strange to say, -Clement Richardson and his wife, although retaining their simple and -industrious habits, felt that they did not want their children to work -as hard as they had; and going to the other extreme, while affording -them all the advantages of education and culture their altered -circumstances enabled them to bestow, trained them up in a way<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> that -rendered them in all matters of practical life absolutely helpless.</p> - -<p>This, as our readers know, was the character of Rich when he entered -college; he could scarcely tie his own shoes. The good fortune of -stumbling upon Morton for a while roused the energies that lay buried -beneath this effeminate training; but after separating from his mates, -he relapsed gradually into his former habits.</p> - -<p>Thus passed the first year after leaving college; but with the -succeeding spring came something that, like to the shock of an -earthquake, effectually roused Rich from his poetic reveries and visions -of high art, rent with a rude hand the tissue of the dream-robe fancy -had woven, and set him face to face with the bitter, stern realities of -life.</p> - -<p>Clement Richardson was naturally a prudent man, averse to incurring risk -of any kind; but uninterrupted success in all his plans for thirteen -years had rendered him sanguine. He found, soon after engaging in -lumbering, that very little was to be realized from small operations; -that, to accumulate, a person must either possess the capital and risk -it, or hire money and run the risk of losing that. He and his brother, -stimulated by the high price of lumber at that time, and intoxicated by -good fortune in lesser adventures, hired money largely, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> expended -every dollar of their own in land and logs. They had a good drive, early -in the spring the logs were in the booms, and the mills running night -and day to manufacture them, in order to meet demands that were fast -maturing. The price of lumber was still high, future prospects were most -flattering, and the Richardsons felt that a fortune was within their -grasp, when rain began to fall while the water was still almost at -freshet pitch, and there was much snow in the woods at the head waters -of the river.</p> - -<p>Clement concealed his anxiety from his children, and in some measure -from his wife, who, although she knew that great loss would follow the -breaking of the booms, was utterly ignorant of the extent of her -husband's liabilities and of the crisis at hand.</p> - -<p>Directly after supper the two brothers went out. Rich occupied a good -portion of the evening in reciting to his mother and sisters a poem he -had spent weeks in composing. After the children had retired, Lucy -Richardson sat sewing, wondering at the continued absence of her husband -and his brother, and listening to the roar of water. At length there -came a crash; she with difficulty suppressed a scream. In a few moments -a servant came to tell her one of the mills had gone.</p> - -<p>"Where is my husband, Henry?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p><p>"He and Mr. Robert are watching the boom."</p> - -<p>Another weary hour passed, when Clement Richardson came in; he was pale, -haggard, and dripping with water.</p> - -<p>"Lucy," he said, "I am <i>ruined</i> and <i>Robert</i> with me. All the money we -had outside of our real estate was in those logs, and they have gone -into the Atlantic, the mills with them, and it will take all our real -estate, furniture, and the house over our heads to pay the money we've -borrowed." In those days creditors made a clean sweep, took everything -worth taking, and the wife's property was held for the husband's debts.</p> - -<p>"It's a great misfortune, husband; but it might have been much worse."</p> - -<p>"Worse, Lucy? How can a man lose more than all?"</p> - -<p>"It would have been worse to lose health,—worse to lose our love for -each other, if such a thing could be,—worse to have a wicked, -disobedient, or deformed child; and I am sure it would be worse to lose -character, which you won't if you have property enough left to pay all -you owe. It would certainly have been worse had it come when we were -past labor; and I'm sure we were happier before we moved into this -house, and when you were working at your trade, than we have ever been -since."</p> - -<p>"But the children, Lucy. I see it all now as one sees everything when it -is too late. We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> thought we had enough for them and us, and have taught -them everything except how to take care of themselves."</p> - -<p>"They will learn that. They are not too old to learn."</p> - -<p>The property of the brothers, very valuable, was sold, and the proceeds -divided among the creditors, who all relinquished voluntarily the -interest on their demands. This left the brothers, after paying -everything, one hundred and fifty dollars, as the remnant of a large -property. David Montague was dead; but his son Andrew inherited not only -his father's property, but his principles. One of the creditors, he bid -off the old Richardson homestead, house, shop, and outbuildings. As soon -as the business was settled, he offered Clement Richardson money to go -into business again. The latter thanked him for the offer, but said he -intended, as soon as he could find a place to work, to go back to his -anvil.</p> - -<p>"Clem," said Andrew Montague, "our fathers come here and cut the first -trees together, and lived and died fast friends; you and I have grown up -together, and been just as good friends. I know you are proud-spirited, -and I love you all the better for it; but I beg of you, let me do this -much. There is the old shop; nothing has been disturbed; and there are -the tools your father <i>began</i> with, and those more modern ones he used -in his latter days. Take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> it, rent free, and I'll bring you a -fortnight's work to-morrow morning. I will let you have the house as -soon as Coleman, whose family are sick, leaves it."</p> - -<p>"I'll take it, Andrew, in the spirit in which it is offered, and may God -bless you. There's luck in that old hammer that lies on the anvil where -father left it. The first blow I ever struck on iron I struck with that, -and the first work I ever did was to make a pair of bow-pins for your -father."</p> - -<p>As soon as Morton could leave the scholars he was instructing in -private, he set forward in the stage to see Rich, and well aware, by -letters received, of what had occurred, made inquiries, on arriving, for -the shop. Peering into the door around the corner of another building, -he saw a tall, strong-built man, past middle age, fitting a horse-shoe -at the anvil. Another person, of about the same age, but more slightly -built, was tearing the shoe from a horse's foot. A bar of iron was -heating in the fire, apparently to make a new shoe, and at the bellows -stood Rich, the glory of Radcliffe, class poet, elegant scholar; those -finely-cut and delicate features, that no one could look upon without -interest, begrimed with smut, save where partially streaked with streams -of sweat; for it was a warm afternoon in May. As he turned towards the -fire, to look at the iron, Morton slipped behind him and laid his hand -upon the shoulders of Rich.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i112.jpg" alt="Illustration" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IX.</span> <span class="smaller">BLOOD WILL TELL.</span></h2> - -<p>The mingled expression of heart-felt delight, surprise, and -consternation that pervaded the features of Rich, when, upon turning, he -looked Morton in the face, was quite ludicrous.</p> - -<p>"Mort!" he gasped.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Mort," replied his visitor, grasping fervently the hand that was -timidly extended to meet his own; "ain't you glad to see me?"</p> - -<p>"Glad!" shouted Rich, grasping both the hands of Morton in his own, -while the tears ran down his cheeks; "I hope you don't think I am not; -but—"</p> - -<p>"But you are in a working dress, and not in a state to receive me, who -never cleaned out the president's barn, milked his cow, or dug his -potatoes, and you are smutty."</p> - -<p>Thus saying, Morton rubbed his hand on the top of the bellows, and made -an awful smut spot across the whole side of his face.</p> - -<p>"Will that remove your scruples, old chum? How are you?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p><p>"O, Mort, I'm so glad to see you!"</p> - -<p>"Expected you'd be; that's what I came for; didn't come for anything -else; 'kalkerlated,' as Uncle Tim would say, to make you glad."</p> - -<p>Rich now introduced Morton to his father and uncle, who received him -without any of the embarrassment that had overwhelmed Rich, and in a -most hearty manner.</p> - -<p>"You must excuse, Mr. Morton," said Clement, "my son's constraint upon -first seeing you; it was occasioned by the recollection of the change in -our circumstances, in consequence of which he cannot entertain as he -would wish the friend he loves so dearly, and whom we have all learned -through him to love, even before meeting. If we have been unfortunate, -it is no more than has overtaken more deserving persons than ourselves, -and our losses have neither chilled our hearts nor discouraged us from -effort."</p> - -<p>"We think," said Robert, "that as we earned all we have lost by our own -industry, we can, by the same means, better our condition."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry, Mr. Morton," said Clement, "to be obliged to keep my son -till this horse is shod, as the owner is waiting, and there is a new -shoe to make; but after that he will be at liberty.—Strike, Robert."</p> - -<p>Rich, eager to be released, struck with good will; the sparks flew all -over the shop, and a second heat put the iron in such shape that Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> -Richardson required no further help. Rich flung off his leather apron, -washed himself in a bucket, and wiped the smut from Mort's cheek with a -towel that did not put on much more dirt than it took off, when they -left to cleanse themselves more effectually at the house.</p> - -<p>The dwelling was old, out of repair, and consisted of three rooms on the -ground floor, but two of them plastered, and a low attic. If Morton felt -depressed by finding his friends in such wretched quarters, he could not -but admire and wonder at the energy and cheerfulness with which Rich, -his father, mother, and uncle bore up under their reverses. The girls, -however, appeared chagrined and depressed, and seemed to him completely -heart-broken. They were considerably older than Rich, some children -having died between them. Rich, and Morton, after supper went to walk, -the former observing that by reason of their limited accommodations -there was no opportunity for conversation in the house. Following a -footpath that led along the bank of the river, they entered a noble -orchard, just commencing to blossom. It lay upon a declivity sloping to -the river. Passing through it, they came to a swale sprinkled with elms, -and commanding a fine view of the river, and flung themselves on the -grass side by side.</p> - -<p>"Rich," said Morton, "do you know what has surprised me more than -anything else I have met with here?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p><p>"I should think the pickle you found me in when you came into the -shop."</p> - -<p>"No; it is to find yourself and your parents in such good spirits. Most -men, after having met with so great and sudden a reverse, would have -become entirely disheartened, and I expected to find <i>you</i> completely -prostrated."</p> - -<p>"The cheerfulness is not assumed for the occasion, Mort."</p> - -<p>"I know that, you could not deceive me in such a matter."</p> - -<p>"Believe me, as far as I am concerned, and were it not for my sisters, -and seeing my parents compelled to renew in their old age the hardships -of their youth, I should be happier to-day than for the last year and a -half, for I have now a clear conscience."</p> - -<p>"What have you done? What crime have you committed to set your -conscience in arms?"</p> - -<p>"The crime of doing nothing; of wasting myself. You know what fine -speeches I used to make in college about effort, setting the standard -high, and all that sort of thing, and how pat at my tongue's end I -always had '<i>per angusta ad augusta</i>' (I'm in a way to realize one part -of it now, I think); and as long as I was neck and neck with you and -Hill, I did do somewhat; but after I came home, I just fell right back -into the old ruts; could not make up my mind in regard to a profession; -didn't really want<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> to. I was too comfortable; but I felt mean, felt -guilty. When I went to Portland, and heard you argue that case, and saw -how much labor it had cost you, and how nobly you came out of it, I felt -meaner still, and was half inclined to return without seeing you, and -resolved when I got home I would go to work; but I took it out in -thinking so, till the trouble came like a flash of lightning; since -then, I trust, I've done something, and been of some little use."</p> - -<p>"Was it, then, so sudden? I knew that your father's difficulties came in -consequence of his lumber and mills being carried away; but even a -freshet gives some warning."</p> - -<p>"None of us knew that father had every dollar invested in logs that were -like to go down stream. He and uncle were anxious enough, but kept it to -themselves; and the very night it came, when every man about the mills -was out in the pouring rain watching for trouble, I was -fooling—reciting a poem that I was going to deliver to a company of our -young folks; and I'm ashamed to say, that what I am now going to tell -you I had from Henry Alden, one of the men who was where I ought to have -been, with my father at the time. You see that smooth, perpendicular -ledge that makes out into the river?"</p> - -<p>"Yes,"</p> - -<p>"And that stake driven into a crack in the ledge?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p><p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"When the water is up to that stake it is freshet pitch. All the morning -and afternoon the water had been rising; in the evening, it was the same -till it reached a fearful height, when one of the mills went. My father -and Uncle Robert stood under that ledge with a lantern, watching the -marks they had made on it with chalk. The rain had stopped, and for the -last hour the water had not risen, the clouds had broken away overhead, -and the stars came out. Every one of the men (all old river-drivers) -thought the danger was over. 'Robert,' said my father, 'I think the -booms will hold; the rain is over, and the river will soon fall.' The -words were scarcely out of his mouth before there was a great cry from -the bank above that the logs were coming. Henry said father turned pale, -but never opened his mouth, or turned to look, but went straight home. -When I came to the breakfast table the next morning, father was sitting -there, a little paler than usual, but just as calm as ever, and told us -what had taken place. You see now how sudden it must have been to me, -mother, and the girls, and almost as much so to him, for he thought the -crisis had passed."</p> - -<p>"Why didn't the boom break before? and how came it to break after the -water was done rising?"</p> - -<p>"About two miles above this place is a large<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> intervale, where a great -quantity of hay is cut. Upon this flat stood a large barn, with no -cattle in it, used for storing hay; half a mile below this was a -toll-bridge. The water undermined the barn, and started it from its -foundations, and down it came against the bridge with an awful crash. -The toll-house stood on piles outside of the bridge. It struck the -bridge within ten feet of the house, in which the toll-keeper, his wife, -and three children, one a babe in arms, were sound asleep, they -supposing, as did my father, that the danger was over. Awakened by the -shock, and thinking, in their fright, the house was going, they ran out -on to the bridge, the mother with the babe in her arms, all in their -night clothes, and were swept off, with about twenty-five feet of the -bridge. If they had staid in the house they would have been all right, -for there it remained on its own foundation. The barn, bridge, a parcel -of fences and drift stuff, all came down into our upper boom together, -broke that and then the lower one. One mill had gone before. This vast -mass, borne on the raging torrent, carried away another, half the grist -mill, and a carding mill."</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i120.jpg" alt="The breaking of the Boom" /></div> - -<p class="bold"><span class="smcap">The breaking of the Boom.</span> Page 119.</p> - -<p>"What became of the family on the bridge?"</p> - -<p>"The barn, being so big, and taking so much wind, went ahead of the -bridge, that was low in the water, and when they got down where the -river was narrower, some men went off in a canoe and took them ashore."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p><p>"Rich, I am going to hazard a supposition. Will you tell me if I am -correct in it?"</p> - -<p>"I'll tell you anything I know."</p> - -<p>"You belong to a strong, resolute breed of men. Any person looking at -your father as he stands at the anvil, and your uncle, can see where you -came from. It is not in accordance with the make-up of persons having -such blood in their veins to live without effort or object. It causes -them to despise themselves—the meanest of all feelings, because the -rugged nature craves hardship. When you exerted yourself to the utmost -in college studies, chopped wood and hewed timber, although there was no -necessity for it; when in that tremendous race at Brunswick, through -gullies, thorns, coal kilns, dogs, and mires, you gave me, who had the -advantage of years of training, all I could do, and distanced all the -rest, that was the true nature asserting itself. I can understand why it -was that, after crossing the Alps, settling down in Capua, and becoming -effeminate, you lost your own self-respect, and were unhappy, and also -how these feelings were all intensified when you found that while ruin -was impending, your father's mind racked with agony, you were writing -verses to school girls, wasting time and talents, and throwing away -opportunities that would never come again. I can understand, likewise, -why, when you took your portion of the load and felt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> that your father -was encouraged by your aid and sympathy, you regained self-respect, and -experienced relief and comparative happiness. But there is much more I -cannot fathom."</p> - -<p>"What is that, Mort?"</p> - -<p>"Well, there is a light in your eye, and an expression of quiet, -trustful happiness in your face, that were never there before, and that -are not to be accounted for by anything you have yet told me, or that I -have observed here. It seems to me that while summoning all your own -resources to meet this exigency, you have gone out of yourself for aid; -and that, to my mind, accounts perfectly for all the results, and -renders happiness in untoward circumstances no mystery."</p> - -<p>"Mort, I am going to answer your question, but not directly, because I -don't feel quite sure of myself yet. When we were in college there was -perfect sympathy between us. Perk, Hill, Savage, and the rest, had their -ups and downs, fallings out and makings up; but between you and me there -was never a shadow or a chill. We were as completely one in sentiment -and affection as that mist that's rising over the river; but after you -went to hear Mr. Sewall, and wrote me about it, there seemed to be a -dark shadow between us. I couldn't tell what it was, and I didn't love -you any the less, but somehow there was a difference. Mort, since<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> this -trouble came I've read your letters over, and understand them as I never -did before. That shadow is gone, and the sun shines all over."</p> - -<p>"I know what you mean, Rich; you need say no more."</p> - -<p>"Now, Mort, this orchard, the swale, and all this land to the river, -were part of our place. You have seen where we live now, and I suppose -you would like to see the spot we left; if so, we had better go before -it gets dark."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you don't care to go."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do. I don't dislike to go. Father might have put it into -somebody's hands to cheat his creditors, and still lived there, as many -have done; but he paid his debts with that and other property, and went -behind the anvil; and every time I go there I consider what a temptation -he resisted, and feel proud of him. I don't know how others may feel, -neither do I care; but I had much rather have for my father a poor man -of principle, than a wealthy rascal; blood-blisters on every finger, and -earn my bread by hard blows on hot iron, than to feel the very clothes I -wore, and the luxuries I enjoyed, were swift witnesses against me."</p> - -<p>It was plain enough to Morton that the grindstone grit of poverty was -fast cutting away the iron that overlaid the steel, and bringing out the -true temper. So delighted was he, that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> could not forbear shaking -Rich. A playful scuffle followed, in which Morton by no means attained -the usual advantage.</p> - -<p>"I tell you what it is, Mort," said Rich, "let me work at the anvil and -you study law a while longer, and I'll lay you on your back, and mud -both shoulders."</p> - -<p>"It is always a pleasure to me to see a young man ambitious, for even if -he places his standard beyond the measure of his capacity, he is likely -to make the most of himself. I've got something in view when I go back -that will offset your sledge-hammer. See if I don't make your backbone -crack the next time we take hold, old fellow."</p> - -<p>"I should like to know what kind of exercise it is. I'm sure you can't -hew timber there."</p> - -<p>"A churn-drill, my boy. What do you think of that? Ain't that a good -deal like work? Won't there be some misery to that? There's a man by the -name of Noble, who blows rocks on Oak Street. He has two churn-drills. I -am going to use one of them as soon as he gets it steeled."</p> - -<p>"You please yourself with that idea, young man, will you? You can't -start a hole with a churn-drill as it ought to be. I can tell you, it -takes a workman to do that. Your drill will bind, and you'll get stuck."</p> - -<p>"I know I can't at first, but he'll start the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> holes for me and then I -can churn; and after a while I shall learn to start my own holes, and -strike true."</p> - -<p>"You'll get sick of it. It is the hardest work that is done."</p> - -<p>"Did you ever know me to get sick of, or give up anything, I undertook?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have."</p> - -<p>"Name it, slanderer, name it. Don't think to escape by dealing in -generalities. I demand date and place. When and where did I get sick of -anything, and give it up?"</p> - -<p>"On the twenty-fifth of December, Christmas night, quarter before seven, -you got sick of eating pork pie at Uncle Tim Longley's, and Granny -Longley gave you a dose of thoroughwort tea, and made you <i>give it up</i>."</p> - -<p>"If we are going to see that house, it is time we were about it, for it -is almost sundown, and will soon be dark."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER X.</span> <span class="smaller">DEAD LOW WATER.</span></h2> - -<p>They ascended the rising ground, passing along the edge of the orchard, -till, upon gaining the height of land, they entered upon a broad, level -field of twenty-five acres, smooth as a lawn, green in all the verdure -of spring, and giving promise of an abundant yield of grass. A variety -of forest trees were scattered over it, among which the walnut and white -oak predominated. Here and there a clover head was seen, and bobolinks, -balancing on spears of herd's grass, were exhibiting themselves to the -best advantage, while now and then a forward apple tree on the warmer -ground was covered with white and red blossoms.</p> - -<p>"Your father never planted these trees," said Morton, gazing at the -massive trunks, covered with moss and rough scaly bark; "who did?"</p> - -<p>"I'm sure I don't know whether it was the wind, the crows, bears, or -squirrels, but they were here when the white men came."</p> - -<p>In the centre of the field stood the mansion<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> house. It was painted -white, with green blinds, and, seen through the mass of foliage by which -the house was surrounded, the color produced a very pleasing effect, -being scarcely more prominent than the streak of white peeping through -the green folds of an opening rose-bud.</p> - -<p>Several very large white birches were scattered in front of the -buildings among other trees, that beautiful green peculiar to the leaves -of this tree in the spring contrasting pleasantly with the white bark of -the trunk and branches. The house, fronting the river, stood endwise to -the main road, from which a broad avenue led to it, approaching by a -gradual curve the front, a less spacious one conducting to the back -portion and the out-buildings. Both of these avenues were lined with the -Lombardy poplar, then highly prized throughout New England as an -ornamental tree. They still linger, a few in nearly every town, often -rising with decaying branches over some grass-grown cellar—sole memento -of a departed generation.</p> - -<p>The mansion, standing in the midst of this vast green, large on the -ground, and high studded, without a fence to belittle the effect and -obstruct the view, with abundant out-buildings, well arranged and in -perfect repair, as seen through the mass of foliage, produced an -impression better felt than described.</p> - -<p>Morton, enraptured with the sight, stood long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> before the main entrance -silent, his arm in that of his friend. At length his eyes moistened as -he said,—</p> - -<p>"Rich, I never saw anything like this spot; so grand and beautiful! -Everything is fresh, in perfect repair, and yet these oaks and birches -seem two hundred years old. I never saw such trees, except in the -forest. I shouldn't be in the least surprised to see a black bear -acorning in one of them."</p> - -<p>"I've no doubt they have done it. I've heard my grandfather say that the -whole of this land between us and the river was a heavy growth of such -trees as you see here, except the low ground, where it was yellow birch, -white maple, and elm; that a man by the name of Dingley, who was well -off, came here from Salem, built this house, cleared the land, all but -about two acres in front of the house; but his wife died, and his two -boys didn't want to stay here—wanted to go to sea. He went back to -Salem just before the embargo, and let the place to the halves. Then a -friend of his—another Salem captain, who had made money going to the -coast of Africa, when the embargo put a stop to his business—bought it. -He also spent money at a great rate; made the house almost over, built -stables, took away the fences, and as he was determined to have just -what trees he wanted, and didn't mind expense, selected those he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> wished -to remain, cut down the rest, and all the underbrush, and hauled the -trunks and brush off, because he knew, if he put fire into it, he should -kill the whole. That's the way, grandfather said, these old trees came -to be left here.</p> - -<p>"While Captain Norris was building, planting, clearing, and turning -everything upside down, and making improvements, after some models he -had seen abroad, and while the embargo and the war of 1812 lasted, he -was contented; but when he had made about all the improvements his purse -would allow, and maritime business began to revive after the war, he was -as uneasy as a fish out of water, and sold the place to my father, with -all his improvements, for half what it had cost him, and went back to -Salem, and to sea again."</p> - -<p>"It must have been a sad day to you, when you came to take leave of this -home, and—"</p> - -<p>"And go to the place where you found us, you mean. Well, it was a bitter -day to all of us, but there were some reasons that made it especially so -to me. Father and mother had known sorrow, and so had my sisters. I had -a little brother and sister, neither of whom I ever saw. They died -within a year of each other, and my sisters were old enough to realize -it. But never since I can remember has there been a cloud in our sky -till now. Father was prosperous, I was petted and indulged, had all I -wanted, loved my books and my parents (never knew how much I did love<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> -them till now), and never had a sorrow, except when some pet animal -died; but those tears were soon dried, and when I awoke the next morning -the sorrow was all forgotten in some new pleasure, or some new pet. It -seems to me now that I was just like one of the humming-birds that -always come to the honeysuckle that hangs over that western window.—By -the way, that was my room, Mort."</p> - -<p>"I see it all, Rich; and now, let me tell you, I wasn't in a very -cheerful frame when, on my way to college, I met you at Portland. I had -left home, and was looking forward to a four years' course at college, -with hardly any funds, and the prospect for the future was gloomy -enough, when you came across my path, just like a gleam of sunshine, and -appeared so buoyant, happy, and trustful, that I said to myself, -'There's a boy that's grown up in some happy home, without a care or -sorrow.'"</p> - -<p>"Just so, Mort. But there was another thing which gave to this place a -charm for me that it did not possess for the rest of our family."</p> - -<p>"What was that?"</p> - -<p>"I'll tell you. The girls were born in Portsmouth, and their earliest -associations were there. My father and mother also have had homes at -other spots; but if I was not born here, I grew up among these great -trees, and, I can tell you, the very roots of them were in my heart, and -it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> was hard parting. One of the very first things I can remember is, -crawling out of the front door, when mother's attention was turned, and -making for dear life towards that birch with the hang-bird's nest on it. -Sometimes in my haste, I'd tumble down the steps—roll from the top to -the bottom. If it half killed me, I wouldn't cry, for fear mother would -come and get me before I reached the tree; and when she did, O, didn't I -yell some? Here I made my little gardens, dug wells, and put water in -'em; here I had my pets, hens and ducks, pigeons, and kittens, and -birds; and when any of them died, I buried them under that walnut with -the drooping branches, because I thought it felt sorry for me. I didn't -have many playmates, for I was a shy boy, and so I loved the trees, -birds, and flowers all the more, and played with them, and my sisters, -and Uncle Robert. You see that large maple that stands next to the -hemlock—the biggest tree in the field?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is almost as large as the great pine in the glen at Brunswick."</p> - -<p>"Don't you think, when I was a little thing, wore long clothes, red -stockings, and red morocco shoes, my father tapped that tree, and used -to give us the sap to drink. One washing day, when they were all busy, I -got away, ran for the maple, and got down on my hands and knees to drink -out of the trough. I was having the nicest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> time, putting down the sap, -when a bee came whiz in my face, struck me on my upper lip, and ran his -stinger in the whole length. I suppose he thought I was going to drink -up all the sap, and he shouldn't get any. The girl was hanging out -clothes, heard an outcry, and saw me flat on my back, kicking and -screaming. She ran, and mother ran, and my sisters, and such a time as -there was when mother pulled the stinger out. I tell you, Mort, no other -place ever seems like the one where you played when you were little."</p> - -<p>"That's so, Rich. The corn in the dish on the table don't taste half so -good as that you roast out doors, and down with it, all over smut and -ashes, and half raw; and the apples they carry round in the evening at -home don't begin with the ones you've hid in the haymow, and eat when -they are so full of frost it makes your teeth ache."</p> - -<p>"We might have staid in the house through the summer. It is empty, and -like to be; but father and mother said they had rather go at once than -be dreading it. The neighbors were very kind, and helped us move (what -little we had to move), as everything of any value went to the -creditors, with the exception of my books and stock of tools; that -father didn't give up, because he said they were my tools, with which to -earn my bread. They had been given to me by him when he was solvent, and -the creditors could not touch them.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p><p>"During the labor and excitement of moving, and before the neighbors, -we strove to appear as cheerful as possible; but when all was over, and -we came out on to this platform where we are sitting, each bearing -something that had been forgotten,—I my violin and a pair of andirons, -mother her press-board and a coffee-pot, the girls knives, forks, and -spoons, father shovel and tongs,—I tell you, the sound of the bolt -going into its place when he locked the door gave me a heartache.</p> - -<p>"After we got off the steps, and turned round to take a last look at the -old home, that never seemed half so lovely before, we couldn't any of us -keep the tears back. I don't know but you will think it weak, but it -made me feel real bad to see my dog, Fowler, wagging his tail, and -frisking as though it was a holiday, and I almost wished I was a dog."</p> - -<p>"Weak, Rich? A boy that could leave a home like that, where all his -associations were formed, as he would leave an inn, or get out of a -stage-coach, and never look back, could not be a friend of mine."</p> - -<p>"The old cat would not go. She came and rubbed up against my legs, then -went back, sat on the steps, looked after us, and mewed when we called -her, but would not come.</p> - -<p>"'Give me your things, my son,' said father, 'and go and get her.'</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p><p>"I took her up, and carried her with us, but she went back the next -day."</p> - -<p>"I see a black and white cat now," said Morton, "sitting on the spur -root of yonder big white oak."</p> - -<p>Rich called, "Puss, Puss." The cat came running, jumped into his lap, -and put her fore paws on the collar of his vest, opening and shutting -her claws, lifting her feet up, and putting them down in the same place, -as cats do when they feel happy, rubbing the side of her face against -his chin, and shoving her nose between his vest and shirt bosom, and -purring all the time.</p> - -<p>"She loves me," said Rich, "but she can't bear to leave the old -place.—We must go, Mort. Our folks won't know what has become of us. I -do wish you could have come up here to thanksgiving, as you were going -to do when we were in college, and the place was ours. To see it now is -very much like looking at persons after they are dead—the house all -shut up, and nothing alive but a homesick, heart-broken cat."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XI.</span> <span class="smaller">A STRIKING CONTRAST.</span></h2> - -<p>They walked along some time, each busied with the reflections excited by -the previous conversation.</p> - -<p>"Mort," said Rich at length, "I'm sorry, but you'll have to sleep in a -poor place to-night."</p> - -<p>"We've slept together in David Johnson's barn, in Peleg Curtis's -fish-house, on a pile of wet menhaden nets, and in the woods on Great -French. Didn't we make a fire and warm the ledge on the north-west side -of Hope Island, sweep off the coals, and lie down—in November too?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; but when folks go to visit their friends, they expect a little -better treatment than when camping out. Don't you remember when we used -to walk down to Maquoit of an afternoon in June, just before anything -had faded, and it was high water, how beautiful everything looked? the -sharp line of color, where the points fringed with the bright green of -the thatch parted the blue water, the bolder outlines of the gray<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> -rocks, and the trees reflected in the calm water; and yet go down there -two or three days after, at low tide, and there would be only a hundred -acres of steaming flats, the shores and the grass on their edge strown -with kelp, dead clams, horse-shoe crabs, dead limbs of trees, dead fish, -chips, and rotten eel grass; no water to be seen nearer than a mile and -a half!"</p> - -<p>"Indeed I do; and the contrast was so great that one must be possessed -of a most devout spirit not to arraign the order of nature, and wish it -was high water all the time."</p> - -<p>"I'm sure I can't imagine what should put Maquoit Bay in my head -to-night, unless it was meeting with you, and thinking of old times; but -it seems to set forth my condition exactly. Six weeks ago it was high -water with us, a spring tide, up over everything, clear to the grass -ground, filling every cove and creek, the mouths of the brooks kissing -the birch roots on the edge of the cliffs, and lifting up the strawberry -leaves. Now it is dead low water, bare flats, angry sky, and to me the -voyage of life seems 'bound in shallows and in miseries.'"</p> - -<p>"That's one side, old chum" (putting his arms around Rich's neck), "but -the tide only ebbs to flow again. The farther it runs off, and the more -it drains out at one time, the higher it flows the next."</p> - -<p>It was the first manifestation of anything like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> depression that Morton -had noticed in his friend. Rich, however, shook it off, as the bird -shakes the dew from its plumage, saying, with a smile,—</p> - -<p>"You are right, Mort; and that's the way I look at it generally; but I -can't yet visit the old home, and come away again, without stirring up -something that had better be kept down; especially when the cat puts her -head in my bosom, as she did to-night, and says, 'Do stay here with me, -I am so lonesome.'"</p> - -<p>Morton, as they came in sight of the house now occupied by the -Richardsons, was most forcibly struck with the contrast between this -abode and the one they had just left. Their present habitation stood in -a tan-yard; indeed it had, in the days of his poverty, been the -residence of the owner of the tan-yard, who being pinched for room, had -crowded his house into the smallest possible limits.</p> - -<p>It was placed very near the line of the street, leaving barely space for -a single doorstep, which was a pasture stone. The tan-pits at one side -approached within two feet of the cellar wall. On the other was a -currier's shop, leaving just space enough between the two buildings for -a narrow cart road. Beneath the back windows of this shop were old oil -barrels and heaps of curriers' shavings, stewing and simmering in the -sun.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p><p>Directly behind the house a garden spot twenty-five feet by thirty was -fenced out. It had not been ploughed for some years; the Richardsons did -not care to cultivate it, as their stay was but temporary, and it was -overgrown with weeds, and strewn with old boots and shoes, broken -pottery, pots and pans that had outlived their usefulness, heaps of -ashes, and the bleaching bones of cats that had come to an untimely end.</p> - -<p>Abutting on this lot was a large shed, open on the side facing the -dwelling in which was the "beam" house, where the green and bloody hides -were received and "fleshed." Here were heaps of horns, and the pith or -marrow that comes out of them when they taint. The roof of this shed was -covered with glue skins, that is, the trimmings of the hides saved to -make glue, spread to dry, and which attracted swarms of green flies; add -to this a stagnant mill pond that supplied water for the pits, and to -propel a bark mill, fences, and walls hung with sides of leather spread -out to dry, and smeared, or, in technical language, dubbed, with tallow -and rancid fish oil, and you have a faithful description of the -surroundings of this delightful abode. But aside from actual experience, -imagination cannot conceive or tongue describe the combined odors -furnished by these various substances when operated upon by sun and -wind.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p><p>The house was in perfect keeping with the site upon which it stood. The -walls were covered with shingles, two courses of which had rotted away -near the foundations, in consequence of banking up the walls with earth; -part of the top of the chimney had fallen off, and lay on the roof that -in places was bare of shingles and covered with moss.</p> - -<p>Upon entering the house, a door on the left opened into the kitchen, the -plastering of which was the color of milk and molasses, and appeared to -have been flung on, and then clawed in by cats, affording in the furrows -lodgments for smoke and secure harbors of refuge for flies. At the back -of this room was a small bedroom, finished in the same manner, with the -exception of being sealed to the height of a chair, and the wood work -painted with a color intended, probably, for red; it, however, looked -very much as though a hog had been killed on it. In this apartment the -parents slept. Another door, on the right, admitted to an unfinished -room, with a rough floor. Here were Rich's lathe and tool chest, a pair -of cart wheels finished, except smoothing up, and a wheelbarrow that -only required ironing.</p> - -<p>"This is my workshop," said Rich. "My mechanical genius, that used to -expend itself on flower-pots and vases, in turning canes and cups, tops -and nine-pins, balls and drum-sticks, is now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> directed by stern -necessity, into a more useful channel; and, believe me, when I have made -a pair of wheels, got my money for them, and bought provisions for the -family, I feel a great deal better satisfied with myself than I used to -after spending two or three days making something that was a mere -plaything, or at best only served the purpose of ornament."</p> - -<p>At each end of the garret was a window, and there two bedrooms were -made, with rough board partitions, one of which was occupied by the two -daughters, the other by Rich. Here was his library, that was quite -extensive, his father having indulged his fondness for books, among -which was a German edition of the classics.</p> - -<p>The room was small, and the roof of a low pitch. The book-cases, -writing-desk, bureau, and chairs all occupied so much of the room that -the bedstead was necessarily pushed far under the eaves in order to -afford space enough in the middle to move around and stand upright.</p> - -<p>"It is quite convenient," said Rich, as they entered, "for you can reach -everything without getting out of your chair."</p> - -<p>"And then to consider," replied Morton, in the same vein, "that the most -celebrated philosophers and poets have meditated and sung in garrets."</p> - -<p>"True," said Rich; "but I suspect it would be far more pleasant to -meditate about than it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> will to occupy it come next dog days. Now, Mort, -you must sleep on the front side, for the shingle nails come through the -boards of the roof, and if you should forget, and jump up on end, they'd -stick right into your skull."</p> - -<p>"They are not long enough to go through."</p> - -<p>"Probably not through a skull so thick as yours, but they would draw -blood, and might give you a headache."</p> - -<p>When they awoke in the morning, Rich said, "Mort, I can spend the whole -forenoon with you, but in the afternoon they will need me at the shop. -In the evening we can be together again."</p> - -<p>When breakfast was over, Morton said, "Rich, what are your plans for the -future? Have you decided in respect to a profession? for I don't suppose -you really intend to pass your life at the anvil, after spending so many -years and so much money getting an education."</p> - -<p>"It would not be so much of a sacrifice as you may suppose, and if I had -not been through college, I would do so, for I love to work iron; it -comes as natural as water to a duck. Do you go up and look over my books -while I split up some oven wood, and then I'll tell you."</p> - -<p>"I'll help you split the wood."</p> - -<p>"Come on."</p> - -<p>"Rich, who was that old lady at the breakfast table?"</p> - -<p>"Aunt Blunt, mother's aunt. Didn't they <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>introduce you? She came last -night, before we came home, and went to bed."</p> - -<p>"I thought your mother's name was Lucy; but this morning the old lady -called her Mary."</p> - -<p>"Mother's name is Mary L.; Mary Lucy. The Lucy is for my great aunt, and -she always calls her so, but we call her Lucy. One of my sisters is -named Mary B., after mother and the Blunts."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XII.</span> <span class="smaller">DID NOT COME TO SEE THE WRECK.</span></h2> - -<p>Returning to the garret, Rich said, "About a profession—is it?" -flinging himself on the bed, while Morton, seated in a chair, thrust his -feet out of the window. "Just have the goodness to open that volume on -the table."</p> - -<p>It was Bell's Operative Surgery.</p> - -<p>"Then you are going to study medicine?"</p> - -<p>"It is registered on leaves of brass."</p> - -<p>"When did you decide?"</p> - -<p>"I've been trying to decide ever since I left college; but I did decide -before I left the breakfast table the morning father told me the boom -and mills had gone. I borrowed these books of our doctor, and at night, -when I'm not too tired, I read them once in the while; when work permits -I go with him to visit some patient. I went with him a week ago when he -amputated a man's hand at the wrist. He is very kind, has large -practice, and rides long distances, as he has the practice of this and -the next town."</p> - -<p>"You won't accomplish much in this way."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p><p>"I don't expect to; but I can't leave father now, as I find that my -taking hold has been a great help and comfort to him and my uncle. They -have a good deal of work, and it is increasing every day; and I don't -mean to leave them till I see the family in more comfortable quarters. -The shop and house adjoining was my grandfather's, and when my father -failed, passed into the hands of a Mr. Montague. He gives my father the -use of the shop and tools, and in the fall, when the family now in it -moves out, will let him have the old house, which is an excellent one, -built by my grandfather after he acquired property. My father and uncle -are living in this old shell, working incessantly. When no other work -comes in, my uncle, who can work in wood as well as iron, makes wheels. -My father puts on the tires. They sell them. Mother takes in spinning, -and saves every cent. I do all I can in order to be able, at the end of -the summer, to buy back grandfather's tools, that we may have something -of our own. Besides, they are dear to father. He helped make most of -them when he was a boy, and says there's a history to every one of -them."</p> - -<p>"How long is it going to take to do all that?"</p> - -<p>"Not longer than September or the middle of October, if we are all well. -In the mean time I shall read what medicine I can, go round with Dr. -Jones occasionally, and when I see the family in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> the new house and -comfortable, take an academy somewhere or high school, and teach till I -can earn money enough to go on with my studies."</p> - -<p>"You're a good boy, Rich."</p> - -<p>"Why don't you tell me some news?"</p> - -<p>"I'm going to. That <i>academy</i> is all ready."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p> - -<p>"Did you think I would leave my studies and come way up here just to -look at the wreck? Put my arm round your neck, whimper, and say, What a -pity!"</p> - -<p>"Explain, Mort, please, that's a good fellow."</p> - -<p>"Who said I wasn't a good fellow? Well, Perk's got an academy for you in -the next town to his whenever you're ready to take it, salary two -hundred a year. He fitted for college there, knows all the trustees, and -everybody in town; and he's cracked you up sky high; told all the boys -what a nice fellow you are, the most lovable man ever God made, the -trustees what a splendid classical scholar you are, and all the young -ladies how handsome. So I advise you, as a sincere friend, to take unto -yourself nitre and much soap, and wash off that smut, which seems to me -to be under the skin."</p> - -<p>"O, Mort, this is all <i>your</i> work!"</p> - -<p>"No,'tain't; it's all old Perk's. I only came to tell the news."</p> - -<p>"But you were the <i>means</i> of it."</p> - -<p>"No; it was that good Being whom you, after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> so many years of -prosperity, couldn't afford to think about or thank till he sent the -river to put you in mind of him."</p> - -<p>"How can I ever thank you enough?"</p> - -<p>"Do you think a man ought to be thanked for helping himself?"</p> - -<p>"No, of course not."</p> - -<p>"Are not you and I one? Didn't you say only last night we were one, and -that there never was a shadow between us? What are you talking about?"</p> - -<p>"I can't understand how they can wait my leisure. There must of course -be a definite time when the term begins."</p> - -<p>"Certainly; Perk will send you a catalogue; but he will take the school -till you come. I told him I knew something about your affairs, and -thought it doubtful if you could come at the first part of the term."</p> - -<p>"This is a kind of joyous time, Mort; makes this old attic seem real -pleasant."</p> - -<p>"Yes; the architecture is simple in design; but the atmosphere is most -exhilarating."</p> - -<p>"I suppose I can tell father and mother?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure. A good story is no worse for being twice told."</p> - -<p>"What is Perk doing?"</p> - -<p>"Just what you were doing all last year."</p> - -<p>After dinner Rich went to the shop, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> Morton, first taking a long -walk, called there on his way back, and found Mr. Robert alone.</p> - -<p>"Where is Rich?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Well, a man came here to get a 'clevis' pin made, and let them take his -horse and wagon to haul a load of coal, while I made the pin. You seem -to think a good deal of Rich, as you call him, Mr. Morton."</p> - -<p>"I don't know how I could love him any more than I do."</p> - -<p>"Well, he's a boy that deserves to be thought of. He never was brought -up to do the leastest individual thing, 'cept to study a book and make -some little gimcrank with tools; and yet to see how he took hold the -moment his father's misfortunes came—went right to the anvil, never -murmured or complained; and though he's my nephew, I <i>will</i> say that -he's worth as much to-day in this shop as the general run of apprentices -that have worked two years; and as for working in wood, he always took -to that. 'Twas born in him."</p> - -<p>"Don't you think, Mr. Richardson, that a boy whose grandfather and -father were blacksmiths is more likely to be handy in a shop?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose these things are kind of handed down. I know there's a good -deal in the blood; I know it by our girls. They are all broken down, sit -and sigh, think what they used to have, and let their mother do all the -work."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p><p>"Are they not own sisters to Rich?"</p> - -<p>"The same father and mother; but they take back after the Armstrongs; -they don't take after the Richardsons, who are a resolute, stirring -breed of folks. Their old grandmother Armstrong was a dreadful -slack-twisted, shiftless woman; had to be helped by the town; and when -the selectmen gave her a cord of wood, she'd put about two foot into the -great fireplace, declare she'd have one fire if she died for it, and -then sit, fold her hands in her lap, and enjoy it. Her children took -after her, 'cept my brother's wife, and she's smart as steel; took after -her mother's people, the Blunts. But that old woman that's been dead and -buried this twenty years has come out in the grandchildren. It is not -the way, Mr. Morton, to bring up children. This twenty years past I've -been saying to Clem and Lucy that they were doing wrong by their -children. Says I, 'Bring them up to work as we were. If they don't need -to, it's the easiest thing in the world to leave off; but it's hard to -learn.' Then Lucy would say, 'Uncle, I don't want them to have to work -as hard as I have.' Says I, 'Perhaps they may be obliged to. What then?' -Then Clem would laugh, and say that old maids' and old bachelors' -children were always brought up right."</p> - -<p>"But I'm sure Rich has come out well."</p> - -<p>"Indeed he has; but he is a remarkable boy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> and is no rule to go by. -Besides, we must thank you, and do thank you, for a good part of that: -you did a parent's duty by him. Don't you think he is in better shape to -keep the 'cademy, for teaching school in college, and wasn't he in -better shape, and would he have had the pluck to go so willingly to the -anvil if he hadn't been broke in by you in college?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose you are right, Mr. Richardson; but in respect to the young -ladies."</p> - -<p>"Call 'em girls, Mr. Morton; and they are not very young at that."</p> - -<p>"Well, girls, then. Would any training their parents could have given -taken the thin blood (the <i>Armstrong</i>, as you call it) out of them."</p> - -<p>"I don't suppose it would; but it would have helped it amazingly. You -see if I get a bar of Swedish iron, first rate, stamped 'Hoop L,' I put -it into the fire, and work it without fear; but if I have a bar of -English iron, brash and coarse, can't get any better, and must work it -up, why, by taking great pains, heating it just right, and working it -just right, I can, by coaxing, make it answer—not so good a purpose as -the other iron, but can make it very useful. That's the way with -children; you've got 'em, and got to work 'em up, and must make the best -of 'em, as I do with 'brash' iron. These girls were partly on our side -the house, and if they had been put right to it, it would have helped -the better part, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> kept the other back, just as the saw-makers put -the nature into a saw by hammering when it has been softened in -grinding. Now all they do is to put the dishes on the table, sweep up -the hearth and look In the glass, wring their hands, and tell about what -<i>used</i> to be. They might teach school if they only had 'sprawl' enough."</p> - -<p>Mr. Richardson then told Morton that his brother would take an -apprentice when they moved into the old homestead and had room, after -which Rich would be able to leave home.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIII.</span> <span class="smaller">MORTON'S BUSINESS.</span></h2> - -<p>Morton set out for Portland the next morning, leaving Rich glad and -grateful, and in the best of spirits himself, arising from the -conviction that better days were in store both for Rich and his parents. -He took his seat on the box, and was still more confirmed in this -opinion by the conversation with the driver, of whom he had inquired the -way to Mr. Richardson's shop the afternoon of his arrival.</p> - -<p>"Then you didn't have any trouble finding Richardson's shop t'other day: -git, git, git along there, you white horse."</p> - -<p>"No, I found it without the least difficulty."</p> - -<p>"Thought you would. Belong in these parts? What you 'bout there, old -Dick?" Crack, crack, crack!</p> - -<p>"No, I belong up back of Portland."</p> - -<p>"Buxton, praps."</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Maybe you're from Conway."</p> - -<p>"Thereabouts."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p><p>"Fine men them ere two Richardsons."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but they have met with a great misfortune."</p> - -<p>"That's so; and it's made a great stir and talk, and a great feelin'; -for they was two men that was master sot by in this place, and desarved -to be; folks are both glad and sorry."</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't think people would be glad if they were generally liked."</p> - -<p>"Well, that's what I call a kernondrum. Ha, ha!—Whey there, Tom; what -you foolin' for?—People ain't glad that they lost their property; no, -no; everybody's sorry for that, and they could hire any amount of money, -and go on again, if they would; but you see they're the greatest -blacksmiths; there never was anybody in these parts could temper any -kind of an edge tool like as Clement Richardson, 'cept his old dad afore -him; and he, they said, took it up in his own head. You take notice 'tis -born in 'em, same as a cat carries her navigation in her head. So people -say, 'Now Clem Richardson has gone to work agin, we shall have good -tools;' and so they feel kind of glad about that ere. They'll have a -master sight of work as soon as it's known round, and they'll rise agin. -Squire Walker says 'they're bound to.' I heard him tell Dr. Jones. -'Quainted with Dr. Jones?"</p> - -<p>"I haven't that pleasure."</p> - -<p>"First-rate man. I heard him say with my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> own ears (that is, the -squire), says he, 'Doctor, you can't kill one of them Richardsons, not -if you cut their head off;' and the doctor, he says, 'The young sprig, -that's been thought to be a sort of baby, is jest as good grit as the -old ones, and comes right up to the collar.' Them isn't jestly his -words, but that's the upshot on 'em. Then there's two of 'em, and they -can carry on both parts of the work. There's only one family to support, -'cause Bob's an old bach, and they're not only brothers in name, but in -natur, are well matched, and step alike, jest like them ere leaders of -mine; about as good going horses as a man need wish to drive. Reckon -you're some kin to the Richardsons."</p> - -<p>"No, none at all."</p> - -<p>"Maybe you're sparkin' one of the gals."</p> - -<p>"No, I never had the courage."</p> - -<p>"Reckon you're a college-larnt man, like young Richardson; praps you're -a doctor or lawyer, or some sich."</p> - -<p>"No, I'm in a <i>business</i>."</p> - -<p>"Du tell. What kind of a business?"</p> - -<p>"One that pays the best the closer it's followed."</p> - -<p>"I reckon that's so with most all business."</p> - -<p>"I've invented something—something that will make my fortune."</p> - -<p>"Maybe you'd be willing to tell a feller what it is."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p><p>"It is a hog-sty that will fat hogs without corn."</p> - -<p>"Massy sakes! How does it do it?"</p> - -<p>"That's the secret."</p> - -<p>"On course you'll make a lot; that's the master. How many on 'em you -sold in this town?"</p> - -<p>"I haven't got to work yet."</p> - -<p>The next day the story was all over town that the stranger who was -visiting at Richardson's was worth a mint of money, that he had invented -a hog-sty to fat hogs without corn, and came to offer himself to Mary -Richardson, but his courage failed, and he went off without doing it.</p> - -<p>What a pity! people said: it would have been such a nice thing for the -Richardsons, just as they were situated.</p> - -<p>A good many thought Rich would write to the young man, and invite him to -come again.</p> - -<p>At this period the country around the head waters of the rivers was one -unbroken forest. The lumbering operations, previous to this, had -extended but a short distance from the sea-coast; but now vast numbers -of men and teams were sent into the woods in all directions. The -character of Clement Richardson as a superior axe and edge-tool maker -was well known everywhere, and the news that he had resumed work soon -spread among the lumbermen who were laying their plans and arranging to -put teams into the woods the coming winter.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p><p>As early as the tenth of July orders for axes began to pour in upon the -Richardsons. The mills formerly belonging to them, shattered in the -freshet, were repaired, and new ones built upon the sites of those -entirely destroyed, occasioning a good deal of blacksmith work, as new -mill-chains, dogs, hooks, bands, bolts, and pintles were to be made. -Horse and ox-shoeing, and carriage work, also increased with the -increase of business.</p> - -<p>The result of this was, that Andrew Montague enlarged the shop, built -two new chimneys and forges, and the Richardsons not only bought the old -tools, but also two pairs of bellows, anvils and other tools, for the -new forges. They now moved into their father's old house, vacated by -Coleman, hired journeymen and took two apprentices, Clement giving his -attention entirely to the manufacture of edge tools, and Robert to -horse-shoeing and carriage work, ox-shoeing and tiring of heavy wheels. -The Richardsons now found themselves in comfortable circumstances; they -had a good house rent free, as Montague absolutely refused to receive -any rent, either for the house or shop, until the expiration of a year -from the time of occupancy, saying that they would want one year to get -fairly started, and all their money to buy coal, iron, and tools.</p> - -<p>In consequence of this increase of work, Rich was able to leave home -sooner than he had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>supposed possible at the period of Morton's visit, -and accordingly wrote to Perk that he would be with him in a week after -the commencement of the fall term.</p> - -<p>He found Perk at the public house, waiting to welcome him, as the stage -drove up about sundown. It was the first time they had met since the -morning they left Radcliffe Hall. Our readers, who are apprised of the -relations existing between these two boys in college, and the -temperament of each, can imagine the nature of the greeting. It is -sufficient to say that it was not remarkably formal. This, however, was -not in the least objectionable to a band of academy boys (who, in -expectation of his arrival, had assembled to have a look at their new -teacher, and whom Perk now presented to Rich as a portion of his -scholars), if we may judge from the talk among themselves as they went -away, arm-in-arm, a boy every now and then breaking rank, and walking -backwards, those at the end of the file keeping about two steps in -advance, in order to face the rest, and impress their own sentiments -more forcibly upon their companions of less sanguine temperaments.</p> - -<p>They were scarcely out of ear-shot, when Dan Clemens, breaking with a -jump from the midst, and walking backwards, with one hand on the -shoulder of Ned Baker, and the other on that of Frank Merrill, shouted -as though he was afraid some other would get the start of him,—</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p><p>"Ned, Frank, all of you! I know I shall like that man; can't help -liking him. I'm <i>bound</i> to like him."</p> - -<p>"I'm the same way!" shouted Horace Williams from the extreme right. -"Didn't you see, boys, how he and Mr. Perkins caught hold of each other? -That's what took me down. There's some soul in that man, I tell you."</p> - -<p>"O, he's a bully man!" roared Clinton Blanchard from the extreme left; -"a fellow can tell by the looks of him; he shows it right out in his -face."</p> - -<p>"You might know he's a first-rate man," cried Phil Greely; "else Mr. -Perkins wouldn't love him so. I thought I never should like anybody else -as Master Perkins; but I guess this man is just like him, and I mean to -tell all the fellows I know."</p> - -<p>By this time, as boy after boy kept stepping out, they had got into a -circle, and further progress was necessarily arrested: not so, however, -the expression of opinions.</p> - -<p>"He has not a very scholarly look," said Edward Randolph, who was a very -proper boy; "not at all the air of a close student. His hands are rough -and hard; he hurt me when he shook my hand."</p> - -<p>"You shut up,—will you?" retorted Dan. "You've got the dyspepsy."</p> - -<p>"No, I haven't, neither."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p><p>"Well, you want to have it," said Frank Merrill.</p> - -<p>It was evident that in respect to popularity among these boys, the star -of Rich was in the ascendant, and before nine o'clock the next morning -they had brought the rest of the school to the same opinion.</p> - -<p>First impressions go a great way with all persons, especially with the -young. Had Rich gone deliberately to work to win the hearts of his -future scholars, he could have devised no method so effectual as this -unconscious manifestation of his true nature in their presence.</p> - -<p>"The first thing for me to do, Perk," said Rich, "is to look up a -boarding-place; till that is done I shall stay here."</p> - -<p>"No, you won't stay here; you are not going to stop here; you are going -home with me to stop, to-night, at my boarding-place, and I think you -will conclude to remain there."</p> - -<p>When they reached the house, Perk introduced Rich to the mistress of it, -who he at the same time informed him was his aunt.</p> - -<p>A few minutes after they sat down to supper, her son came, in whom Rich -recognized Dan Clemens, one of the boys Perk had introduced to him at -the <i>tavern</i>. Hotels were not in fashion in that section of Maine.</p> - -<p>After the repast they went to Perk's room. The first thing that -attracted the attention of Rich was a large picture hung over the -mantle-piece.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p><p>"I should like to know, Perk, where you got that."</p> - -<p>"Stole it out of Mort's desk. I was afraid if I didn't he'd give it to -you; but I told him of it, and he gave it to me afterwards. Isn't that -something to call up old friends and old associations?" It was the -original sketch of James Trafton as a negro, drawn at midnight by Morton -in Radcliffe.</p> - -<p>"It is so, Perk. How that brings the whole thing back! It seems to me I -can see you scrubbing his face, that was as white as your own, with soap -and ashes, and hear him say, 'Does it come off, Perk?'"</p> - -<p>"I tell you what tickled me most, Rich—to see Savage spreading ink on -that poultice, and Trafton thinking it came off his own face."</p> - -<p>"Those were pleasant days, Perk; but they can come back only in -recollection; and I feel like applying to that production of Mort's the -language of Burns,—</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>'Thou mind'st me of departed joys,</div> -<div class="i2">Departed never to return.'"</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>"Rich, kick off your boots and put on these slippers." Rich obeyed. "Now -put on this study-gown."</p> - -<p>Perk then pulled a lounge up to the fire, and they sat down to talk.</p> - -<p>After reviewing the past, which old class-mates<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> are as sure to do as is -an old sailor to overhaul his chest, and take everything out of it -(sometimes a very light job), as soon as he gets to sea, Perk said,—</p> - -<p>"I didn't expect you so soon, Rich."</p> - -<p>"I was able to leave sooner than I expected when I wrote you. Might, -indeed, have come before; but it took me a week to clean up. Look at -these." He spread out his hands, that were hard, the palms and the edges -of the forefingers and thumbs a rusty brown, and cracked.</p> - -<p>"It is not dirt, but stains from iron and from coal dust; and that, too, -after using on them a quart of linseed oil, not to mention vinegar, -soap, and rye meal."</p> - -<p>"How are you pleased with my aunt, Rich?"</p> - -<p>"Very much indeed. The boy at table is one of those I met at the stage -tavern. Is he your cousin?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and a downright good boy he is, too, and a real comfort to my -aunt, who is a widow. He is dead in love with you."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he will change his mind; boys are not wont to cherish a very -fervent love for teachers."</p> - -<p>"You'll find yourself mistaken in that respect. Dan, and a crony of his, -Horace Williams, will take to you, and cling to you, just as Ned Austin -and Will Montgomery did to you and Mort. You can stimulate them, and -they will leap under it as a high-spirited horse catches the excitement -of its rider, especially if he loves him."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIV.</span> <span class="smaller">WINNING GOLDEN OPINIONS.</span></h2> - -<p>"In the morning, Perk, I want you to help me about finding a -boarding-place, or some room that I can hire cheap, and board myself. I -should prefer a garret, as that will be the cheapest. There"—laying a -two-dollar bill on the table—"is every cent of money I possess in the -world; and if I study medicine I must have books, that come very high, -instruments by and by, and instruction from an experienced physician. I -am, to be sure, well clothed. I have clothing sufficient, with economy, -to last for years, but money I have none."</p> - -<p>"I know I am not capable of giving you advice, and cannot expect that -you will receive it from me as you would from Mort; but I beg of you, -whatever you do, don't go to starving yourself; it will be a losing game -in the end. If you are going to work hard all day in school, and then -study when out of it, you need, and must have, good, nourishing food, -and plenty of it. There was Eckford, of our class, lived on water<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> gruel -and molasses, and roast potatoes, and made out to graduate. But what did -he ever amount to, more than sweetened water?"</p> - -<p>"He never was more than half alive, to begin with. I am in good case, -and must economize the last cent."</p> - -<p>"Economize, with a vengeance! Saving at the tap, and spilling at the -bung-hole. A precious doctor you'll make. Going to dry up the juices, -both of body and brain, by starvation. Now let me plan. My aunt has -considerable land and other property, and needs some one to aid her in -the care of it. Dan is a mere boy, and it brings a good deal of care -upon her. If you will see to her affairs, cut the wood, take care of the -garden in the summer (Dan milks, and takes care of the cow and horse), -keep her accounts, and just do what pertains to the house (if there is -anything beyond that, she will hire other help), you can stay in this -room, have your board, fuel, and a horse to ride occasionally, you can -borrow medical books of Dr. Ryan, practice on my aunt, who is in -delicate health, dearly loves to take medicine, wears a Burgundy pitch -plaster between her shoulders, reads Buchan's Domestic Medicine, and -Parson Meek will pray for you. I think this will be a great deal better -than your starvation plan, unless you think it would be derogatory to -your character, and injure your <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>influence as principal of the academy, -if it should be known that you cut wood and did chores."</p> - -<p>"Derogatory!" cried Rich, jumping up. "I don't value the opinion of any -who think honest labor derogatory <i>that</i>," snapping his fingers. "If -they don't like it, they may dislike it. I can earn as much at the anvil -as I can here, and all the reason I prefer it is, I can study when I -have done my day's work here; and after I have been at work in the shop -all day I am tired and sleepy. I will most gladly fall in with the offer -of your aunt, and do all or anything she wants done."</p> - -<p>"Rich, you are no more like a fellow we used to call <i>Rich</i> in -Radcliffe, than chalk's like cheese."</p> - -<p>"I've been through a 'discipline,' as President Appleton would say. -Then, I used to dip my fingers in rose water of a morning, and dress my -hair with pomatum. Since that, I've had to wash in an iron-hooped -bucket, and wipe on a tow towel cousin german to a nutmeg grater. Sweat -and coal dust have taken the place of pomatum. It didn't last, however, -longer than the first term of the freshman year. I caught an expression -on Mort's face one day, when I was fixing up before the glass, that made -me, as soon as his back was turned, fling the rose water and pomatum -into the slop pail. I tell you, Perk, there's no tonic equal to iron. I -mean to give lots of it when I am a doctor."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p><p>"So I think; but I like to take it best in the shape of a gun barrel, a -fish-hook, or a pair of skates."</p> - -<p>The number of pupils in the academy was quite large, and, as was -customary in those days, they consisted of both sexes, ranging in age -from ten to nineteen, and even twenty years. There were boys fitting for -college, and others pursuing English studies. Some of the older scholars -studied surveying, book-keeping, and navigation.</p> - -<p>Rich gave himself wholly to his work, and speedily created among his -scholars not merely an attachment to himself, but enthusiasm in study, -and desire to excel. It was soon evident, both to the trustees and more -advanced scholars, that their present teacher was greatly superior in -every department, not only to Perk, but any instructor who had preceded -him.</p> - -<p>The fact that he did chores, and attended to business matters, in order -to defray the expense of his board, so far from proving derogatory, as -Perk had hinted, operated in precisely the opposite manner. Had he -resorted to this method of reducing his expenses from penuriousness, and -an overweening desire to accumulate, such, doubtless, would have been -the result, and the proceeding would have excited both ridicule and -contempt.</p> - -<p>The instincts of the boys, however, divined that this was not his -character. They felt <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>themselves drawn towards him by that magnetic -influence that his college mates confessed, and were proud of his -scholarship and commanding ability, that even those who could not -appreciate felt. In addition to this they were not long in discovering -that, although he did chores, and even cleaned out the pig-sty, he was -the best dressed man in the town on the Sabbath, which was to them a -sore puzzle. But when it leaked out, probably through Perk, that he had -been reared in affluence, was now flung upon his own resources, -struggling to obtain a professional education, and that his style of -dress was merely the remnant of better days, and not occasioned by mere -love of display, the knowledge produced universal sympathy and respect, -the whole community vying with each other in the manifestation of it.</p> - -<p>Although practising the most rigid economy, husbanding every moment of -time, and performing a great deal of labor, the noble nature of Rich -manifested itself in a thousand ways; and strange it is how this -unwritten, unspoken language of the heart is generally felt and -understood. He was patient with the dull, encouraged the industrious, -and stimulated to the utmost those scholars possessed of superior -ability, while the mere desire to merit his esteem and affection roused -indolent and wayward boys to persevering effort, and inspired them with -a love of study and spirit of emulation they had never felt before.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p><p>But when Granny Fluker (after he went into the blacksmith's shop, made -a new crank to her flax wheel, mended the cover of her Dutch oven, that -was broke in two, by drilling holes in it, and putting wrought iron -cleats across, fastened with rivets, and made a new bail to the oven) -exclaimed, "God bless the young gentleman for condescending to sich a -poor old worn-out critter as I am, that have to be helped by the town. -Well, it's allers the way, in this world; them what's got the biggest -hearts to do allers have the least to do <i>with</i>. But if the prayers of a -poor old lone body like me can do him any good, he'll sartain have 'em."</p> - -<p>She expressed the universal sentiment of the whole community.</p> - -<p>To increase still more the estimation in which Rich was held, it was -ascertained that he was an excellent singer. The parish choir was in a -most wretched condition. A maiden lady, who had long been distinguished -as a singer, began to show unmistakable signs of age, and her voice -cracked. She received from the younger members sundry hints to leave. -These she took in high dugeon, and left, together with a brother and two -sisters, who were fine singers, and who espoused her quarrel. Before the -new members who were introduced upon their leaving could be drilled, the -chorister, who had made a great part of the disturbance, left town, -taking his bass-viol with him.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p><p>In this condition of things, Rich was invited to take the lead of the -choir, and accepted, established choir meetings, and soon put matters to -rights; while the refractory brother and his two sisters, finding that -they were not necessary, got over their huff, and came back.</p> - -<p>The younger portion of the choir, ascertaining from Dan Clemens that -Rich played the violin, persuaded him to bring it to church the next -Sunday. The moment Rich drew the bow across the strings, Deacon -Starkweather got up, slamming the pew door after him, left the church, -and going into the pasture, out of sight and sound of the ungodly thing, -sat down on a stump, in a snow-storm, till he judged it was time for the -sermon to begin, when he returned, as he had no quarrel with Parson -Meek, and merely wished to show his displeasure, and enter a protest -against the fiddle. Rich, however, smoothed all asperities, and -reconciled the worthy deacon, by persuading the members of the parish -most interested in music to purchase a bass-viol, upon which he -performed to the satisfaction of all; Deacon Starkweather inviting Rich, -and all the members of the choir, to tea, when he explained to them that -he had never cherished the least hardness against any member of the -choir, but that his action was in reference to the <i>instrument</i>, and the -associations connected with that exponent of folly, and concluded with a -most generous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> contribution toward the purchase of the bass-viol. Thus -was the affair that at one time threatened to break up the parish most -happily settled. Rich earned the reputation of a peacemaker, and young -man of excellent judgment, and the deacon, through his device delivered -from an uncomfortable position (as his conduct by no means met with -general approbation), became the staunch friend of Rich, declaring, upon -every proper occasion, that "he was a young man that had the root of the -matter in him."</p> - -<p>The period at which Rich began the study of medicine was the -commencement of a great revolution in medical theory and practice, both -in relation to the treatment of disease and surgery; young and earnest -men were struggling in every direction for light; new discoveries were -made, reverence for the past was gradually wearing off, and the old -theories of practice were subjected to a most searching and often -irreverent scrutiny.</p> - -<p>Dr. Ryan by no means belonged to that class of mind sometimes designated -by the term, "The sword frets out the scabbard." On the other hand, he -was hale and hearty, possessed of a noble frame, hair slightly tinged -with gray, but ruddy cheeks, a fine set of teeth of pearly whiteness, -and a frank, hearty manner, betokening real goodness of heart.</p> - -<p>Though possessed of very moderate abilities, the doctor was a man of -sterling worth, great integrity, and kind and sympathizing nature. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> -enjoyed a large practice, being the only physician in the place. The -poor loved him, because he was ever as ready to attend to their wants as -to those of his more wealthy patients, often put shoes on the feet of a -barefooted child, and did not hesitate to bestow flannels and fuel, when -he felt that they were more necessary than medicine. The utmost -confidence was reposed in him, as his more intelligent patients, if -disposed to doubt his skill in difficult cases, knew perfectly well that -he would not hesitate a moment in calling in more competent persons, -when he felt their aid was required.</p> - -<p>At this period the spirit of inquiry was abroad. There were rumors in -the air, and forebodings of a radical reform in medical practice. -Practitioners of the doctor's age, who were either too indolent, -prejudiced, or too far advanced in life to receive and act upon new -ideas, were by no means to be envied, being somewhat in the position of -one upon a ledge in the sea, cut off by the tide, that, constantly -rising, rendered his passing into oblivion merely a question of time.</p> - -<p>The old physicians stigmatized these disturbers of the peace of -antiquity and their own as quacks, new lights, upstarts, and utterly -unsafe as experimenters with human life. The advocates of the improved -practice, on the other hand, were by no means backward in denouncing -their seniors as fossils, petrifactions, enemies to all progress,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> and -only desirous of retailing drugs at ninety per cent. profit, and -fattening the graveyards; of promoting gangrene, and needless -amputations, through their ignorance of the first principles of surgery; -multiplying cripples by malpractice and ignorance of anatomy; that they -had one mode of treatment for all disorders; and the time-honored -allusion to "Procrustes' bed" was lavishly applied to their opponents.</p> - -<p>The good doctor, firmly wedded to the ancient practice, felt all the -animosity his genial nature permitted him to indulge in respect to the -new lights; and when he heard that a young man thoroughly impregnated -(as he could not doubt) with radical notions, was about to take the -academy, and had already commenced the study of medicine, he felt very -much as an old crower, who has walked in state, and lorded it over his -dames, might be supposed to feel when he sees a young rooster suddenly -flung down in the barn-yard, and inwardly resolved that the young -upstart should receive neither aid, comfort, nor countenance from him.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XV.</span> <span class="smaller">HOW DAN TOOK HIS MEDICINE.</span></h2> - -<p>While in this irritable and pugnacious temper it chanced most -fortunately that the doctor did not happen to fall in with Rich; and -when he did, being in a different state of mind, matters wore quite -another aspect.</p> - -<p>The doctor was remarkably fond of music, and no mean performer himself -upon the clarionet. Being at meeting for the first time since the -arrival of Rich on the Sabbath when Deacon Starkweather made his exit, -he was mightily tickled with the whole proceedings; said the deacon -ought to have his head shaved, and a blister drawn on it, and was -consequently inclined to feel more kindly disposed towards Rich. While -his prejudices were thus somewhat weakened, he was introduced to the -latter by Perk, and was so much charmed with the modest appearance, -intelligence, and address of Rich, that he received him with all the -cordiality of a parent.</p> - -<p>"This young gentleman, Mr. Perkins," said the doctor to Perk the next -morning, "is a very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> different person from the great majority of those -who profess to study medicine, having some respect for age and -experience, and as amendable to counsel as he is intelligent and refined -in his manners."</p> - -<p>The doctor was not dependent upon his practice for a living, having -inherited an ample property from his grandfather. His library was large, -consisting of all the medical works then esteemed, and a complete set of -the instruments then used in this country. It is safe to say that the -doctor consulted the length of his purse in the choice of books, rather -than his mental needs, as Rich, after looking over, found a great -portion of them with the leaves still uncut, although they had been ten, -and some of them twenty, years in the doctor's possession.</p> - -<p>Most physicians at that period were provided with more or less bones for -the study of anatomy, generally of the limbs, as they were most liable -to be broken or dislocated: very few went beyond this. Dr. Ryan, -however, had not even all these—only the bones of the lower -extremities; but the deficiency was in some manner supplied by plates -contained in the anatomical works in his library; indeed, he felt very -little interest in surgery, dreading nothing so much as being called to -set a bone, amputate a limb, or reduce a dislocation, and frequently -advised his patients to send for Dr. Slaughter, who excelled as a -surgeon.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p><p>In the course of his long practice, he had rendered many cripples for -life by sheer carelessness in bandaging limbs that had been properly -set, and once made a blunder that would have proved fatal to one less -beloved.</p> - -<p>He was called to a man who had recently moved into the place, who was -afflicted with a tumor in his ham; the doctor, after examining, shoved -his lancet into it. To his terror and astonishment, the blood spurted in -his face; he had cut an artery! The new lights represented that he was -so frightened the patient bled to death while he sent for his -instruments. It was not so; yet not much better. The doctor clapped his -thumb on the artery, and instructed the family to arrest the blood, in -the meanwhile sent for his instruments and took up the artery; but the -coats of the artery, where he applied the ligature, being diseased, -sloughed in the night; and in a short time the ligature came away, and -the man bled to death.</p> - -<p>It was an old false aneurism, in which so many concentric layers of -coagulum had accumulated that no pulsation could be perceived. Had the -doctor inquired into the history of it, he would have found that it had -pulsated in the past; but neglecting to do this, and unable to perceive -the throb of the artery, he mistook it for an abscess. Notwithstanding -his lack of surgical skill, he was versed in the properties and -operation of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>medicines, a close observer, could detect the nature of -disease, and had acquired a great amount of experimental knowledge.</p> - -<p>He made an agreement with Rich to superintend his studies, permit him -the use of his library, with opportunities to visit patients, for thirty -dollars a year.</p> - -<p>It was now that Rich began to realize the deep-seated affection -cherished for him by his scholars. There were many young men, the sons -of farmers, from nineteen to twenty-one, who attended the academy in the -winter term; in March they came together, and cut up the whole year's -stock of wood for Mrs. Clemens, and put it under cover, thus relieving -Rich, and affording him time for study. Dan Clemens and his mates also -performed their part in smaller matters, so that Rich had really no more -to do than sufficed for exercise.</p> - -<p>There could not be a greater contrast than existed between Rich, -earnest, ambitious, still farther stimulated by the pressure of poverty, -and the genial old doctor, who loved a good story and a good joke, had -an abundance of this world's goods, and cared very little whether his -practice increased or decreased, so that it was not intruded upon by the -new lights.</p> - -<p>Yet they were great friends. Rich loved the doctor, though soon made -aware of his deficiencies, and treated him with the greatest deference; -while the latter obstinately shut his eyes to the fact,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> often brought -to view by his fellow-physician, Dr. Slaughter, that he was nourishing a -most thorough-going radical and new light in his own bosom, although -never obtruding his heresies; for if ever there was a boy bound to go to -the root of principles, that boy was Rich.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Clemens was a lady after the doctor's own heart. She was -intelligent, refined, benevolent, and universally esteemed. Like most -persons in delicate health, she was fond of having a physician round -her, consulted the doctor in respect to every trifling indisposition, -and was very conservative in her notions. She had one weak point, as who -has not. This was a perfect passion for reading medical works and -practising upon herself and the members of her family—a sentiment -fostered by her delicate state of health.</p> - -<p>This rendered it quite difficult for her to keep a hired girl, for -though they liked her, and received good wages, they were not fond of -the medicines she insisted upon their taking to keep them from being -sick. Next to the Holy Scriptures, she reverenced Buchan's Domestic -Medicine,—a copy of which, elegantly bound, lay on her table beside the -Bible,—abhorred innovations in medical practice, and would much rather -have died under the hands of a regular physician than been cured by a -quack.</p> - -<p>"Doctor," she said, one day, "how mysterious it seems, that my dear -husband, who was a great,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> stout, healthy man, the very picture of -health, and used to take care of me just like a baby, should be in his -grave, and I still spared!"</p> - -<p>"Invalids, ma'am, live the longest of any people in the world."</p> - -<p>"How can that be, doctor?"</p> - -<p>"Because they take care of themselves."</p> - -<p>The good lady, indeed, took excellent care of herself; but she was sadly -tried in regard to taking care of her son Dan.</p> - -<p>Dan was a robust, red-cheeked boy, sound to the core, of fearless, -sanguine temperament, and it was the hardest work in the world for Dan -to sit on a bench and apply himself to study. Nothing but their -attachment to Rich would have induced him and his sworn friends, Ned -Baker and Frank Merrill, to attempt and accomplish it. But much as Dan -loved his mother, he did abhor medicine, and to be coddled up.</p> - -<p>Richardson was often placed between the two horns of a dilemma, as Mrs. -Clemens invariably appealed to him when Dan proved refractory.</p> - -<p>One morning his mother insisted that he had taken cold, and Dan as -stoutly maintained the negative.</p> - -<p>"Daniel, you must wear your great coat to school; your face is flushed, -and I think you are feverish."</p> - -<p>"It's always flushed, mother. I haven't one mite of cold, and I can't -stand it to wear a coat this pleasant morning."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p><p>"Yes, you must, dear; your tongue is coated. I'll ask Mr. Richardson."</p> - -<p>But Rich, who had overheard the conversation, made a bolt for the door, -and escaped that time. In the course of an hour, Betty Gookins, the -help, came in, bringing in her hand a garment.</p> - -<p>"Only look here, ma'am. I went to pump a pail of water, and I couldn't, -cause Dan's coat was in the pump-nose."</p> - -<p>"O, dear, how that boy does try me! Well, I shall soon be in my grave."</p> - -<p>But as the good lady had said the same for the last thirty years, there -was evidently hope in the case. Dan, however, was not to escape so -easily the watchful care of his mother. That night, when he came in to -supper, he was regaled with the odor of salts and senna simmering in the -corner.</p> - -<p>"O, dear!" he said to himself; "have I got to take that awful, sickish, -nasty stuff?"</p> - -<p>The next morning, about half an hour before school-time, Rich wanted -Dan.</p> - -<p>"The poor child is not well, Mr. Richardson, and has gone into the -unfinished room to take some medicine. He says he can take it better if -he is alone, and nobody looking at him. I wish he didn't dislike to take -medicine so much; if it was not such a trial to him, I should give him -'picra.'"</p> - -<p>When Rich entered the room, Dan had got up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> a brick in the hearth, and -was administering the salts and senna to the cross-sill beneath. He -started like a guilty thing when the door opened, but, seeing who it -was, completed his purpose.</p> - -<p>"What are you about, Daniel?"</p> - -<p>"Taking salts and senna, sir."</p> - -<p>"Is that the way you always take them?"</p> - -<p>"I never took any so before; but this is the way I mean to take them for -the future. I expect to pour gallons into this hole."</p> - -<p>"Are you well enough to get me a big log out of the wood-pile?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly, Mr. Richardson. I never was weller in my life."</p> - -<p>"But your mother said yesterday that your tongue was coated."</p> - -<p>"So it was. I had been breaking a pan of cream. Mother don't like to -have her cream disturbed after it is set. I licked the cream off my -lips, but left it on my tongue."</p> - -<p>"I think your mother'll have the best of it if she gives you salts and -senna. She thinks highly of assafœtida, and may give you that."</p> - -<p>"I never will take that; I'll leave home first."</p> - -<p>The next evening, as Rich was passing through the kitchen with an armful -of wood for his evening fire, he noticed Mrs. Clemens seated before the -fire, in her lap a pair of old-fashioned kitchen bellows, on a chair -beside her a skillet full of hot coals, a roll of sheep-skin, a junk of -Burgundy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> pitch, and a knife. After cutting from the skin a piece of the -right size for a plaster, she placed on it a piece of the pitch, put -both on the flat side of the bellows, made the knife hot in the coals, -and spread the plaster; while Dan, with no very joyous expression of -countenance, sat awaiting the result.</p> - -<p>"I am going to put this plaster between Daniel's shoulders, Mr. -Richardson," said she; "it is a sovereign remedy for a cold; doesn't -open the pores like a sweat, and expose one to take more cold."</p> - -<p>The next morning the good lady declared the plaster had worked wonders; -that Daniel's cold was very much better, and would soon be well.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I had better take it off, my son, wipe it, and wipe the -perspiration from your back. The plaster will draw better, and it will -prevent its itching and annoying you in school."</p> - -<p>"O, no, mother; I shall be late. It don't itch one mite."</p> - -<p>And he rushed from the house.</p> - -<p>"It is very singular," replied his mother, looking after him, "<i>my</i> -plasters always itch, and are very troublesome. I think they don't do -much good except they itch."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Clemens would have been less surprised had she known that the -plaster began to itch the moment Dan was warm in bed. After enduring it -awhile, he pulled it off and tucked it up <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>chimney. So he told Frank -Merrill, with whom, on the way to school, he shared some guava jelly -given him by his mother, after taking the salts and senna, to take the -taste out of his mouth.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVI.</span> <span class="smaller">PERIL OF BEING OUT EVENINGS.</span></h2> - -<p>Directly upon commencing the study of anatomy, Rich began to feel the -need of something more than the plates contained in the books.</p> - -<p>It was some distance to go, for the study of bones, to the doctor's -house, and he wanted something that he could keep in his room, and have -at hand to refer to; besides, the doctor had none of the bones of the -trunk—only the skull and part of the limbs. He likewise wished to -dissect and study muscles, tendons, the structure of skin, bone, veins, -arteries, and internal organs, in their natural state, since for him to -procure a human subject was at that time out of the question, as he was -without means to purchase even a skeleton.</p> - -<p>In these circumstances he conceived that much might be learned by a -careful study and dissection of the bodies of animals in connection with -the plates found in the books.</p> - -<p>Mr. Clemens, the husband of Rich's landlady, owned and worked a large -breadth of land, which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> necessitated the keeping of many horses, as he -did all his farm work with horses; but after his decease the greater -part of the land, and all the horses except one, were sold. On the lower -floor of the stable was a small room, once devoted to storing and oiling -harnesses, in which was a fireplace, and at one corner, a large closet -without shelves, and very broad, where the more valuable riding -harnesses, not in constant use, were hung, to defend them from dust. -There were also some harness-maker's tools, old straps, thorough-braces, -and a large leather boot, that had survived the vehicle to which it was -once attached.</p> - -<p>Fire-wood in those days was made but small account of, especially by -Mrs. Clemens, who could not consume half of the decaying and downwood on -her land.</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Clemens," said Rich, "are you willing I should clear out the old -harness-room, and make a fire there occasionally?"</p> - -<p>"What for, Mr. Richardson? If you want more room in the house you can -have it. It will certainly be more comfortable than the barn; besides, I -am afraid you will take cold."</p> - -<p>"Indeed, Mrs. Clemens, I need not hesitate to tell a lady of your -respect for and appreciation of the medical profession, that as I -proceed in my studies, I shall want to dissect and experiment upon the -bodies of animals. You know that, although the courts and the community -are ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> ready to prosecute a physician to the extent of the law for a -mistake in setting a bone, they throw every obstacle in the way of his -obtaining any accurate knowledge of the machine he is expected to -repair." The law in respect to this matter was more stringent then than -at present.</p> - -<p>"But, Mr. Richardson, if you should lose a mother, sister, or dear -friend,—Mr. Perkins, for instance,—and had placed them in the earth, -with all the respect nature dictates, could you bear to feel that they -were taken from the grave, exposed upon a table, and cut to pieces by -students smoking cigars, and laughing, and jesting, as though to fit and -harden them for their profession by driving every spark of feeling and -humanity out of their bosoms?"</p> - -<p>"No, I could not. I don't believe, however, that there is the least -necessity of this hardening process you have referred to; if I believed -that, by devoting myself to the study of medicine, I should lose one -particle of kindly feeling that I now possess, should harden my heart -and curtail my sympathies, or change in any respect, except in obtaining -self-command that I might discharge more efficiently my duty, I would -relinquish study and go back to the anvil to-morrow. If a doctor is -rough and unfeeling, it is to be attributed to his natural temper, and -want of culture, not to his profession."</p> - -<p>"Then I suppose you are just the one who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> ought to be a doctor, though I -think it is strange that you should choose that profession. As I was -telling Mrs. Merrill the other day, I observed you was so sensitive you -never <i>could</i> do some of those dreadful things doctors were obliged to -perform. But as for the harness-room, you may do whatever you like with -it; there's a padlock in the house belongs to the outside door, and a -key to the lock on the closet. If there is anything there worth saving, -put it in the loft, and any old rubbish you can burn up."</p> - -<p>"But the wood, I will pay for that."</p> - -<p>"By no means, there's wood enough."</p> - -<p>After clearing out the place, and cleansing it thoroughly, Rich made a -table, and put iron rings into it, in order that he might fasten any -animal that he wished to operate upon. He then procured buckles and -waxed ends, and from the boot of the old chaise made straps of different -lengths for the same purpose, and put a lock on the door in lieu of the -padlock. As the stern, patient smith of the wilderness, amid the -melancholy moan of pine forests, and the roar of the stream, wrought out -by sheer pluck and perseverance, a mechanical trade, so his earnest -grandson, completely absorbed in his chosen pursuit, strove to verify, -by experiment upon the bodies of such animals as he could procure, the -theories he studied.</p> - -<p>In short, under the intoxication of a dominant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> impulse, he did things -that, had they come to the knowledge of Mrs. Clemens, she would no -longer have doubted of his adaptedness to the medical profession on the -score of sensitiveness; so impervious to emotion in certain directions -will an absorbing idea render a person otherwise most impressible.</p> - -<p>He dissected frogs to observe the muscles of the thigh, and irritated -the muscular tissue of animals, thus creating inflammation, in order to -watch its progress. Though there are striking differences between the -composition of man and the animal, still there is correspondence enough -to admit of much being learned; and in default of a human subject, he -resorted to this method, as his grandfather, unable to procure an anvil, -made a stone answer the purpose. The lungs of a hog are very similar to -those of a man, and he found no difficulty in procuring these. If a -stray dog came along, he was most kindly welcomed by Rich; but it was -observed that no stray dog, having once entered Mrs. Clemens's yard, was -ever seen to come out again.</p> - -<p>Marvelous was the industry of Rich, only equalled by his ingenuity. He -soon had the large closet in the stable filled to overflowing with the -skeletons of various animals he had dissected and wired together with -great skill. He was much attached to Dan, who procured him animals to -operate upon, while he, in turn mounted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> birds and squirrels for Dan—a -matter in which Rich was very skilful.</p> - -<p>He had been for a long time desirous of examining the structure of the -eye, but could not procure a suitable subject. Mrs. Clemens possessed a -cat of beautiful color and proportions, affectionate disposition, -intelligent, and perfectly trained. Between this member of the family -and Dan the affections of the good lady were about equally divided. -When, as occasionally happened, Gertrude was unwell, the good lady was -at her wits' end, as she would have nothing from Buchan, and eschewed -Burgundy pitch plasters, salts, and senna. Indeed, she had much rather -Dan would be sick, than Gertrude, for she knew what to do for Dan, while -Gertrude would have nothing but catnip. At every meal she sat beside -Mrs. Clemens in a high chair, and never offered to take anything from -the table, waiting the leisure of her mistress. Dan also loved Gertrude -dearly, and had taught her a great many tricks. Rich likewise conceived -a fondness for the cat, being naturally fond of pets.</p> - -<p>Gertrude was exceedingly social in her disposition, rejoiced in a -numerous circle of friends, and was not in the least stuck up.</p> - -<p>There was a large Thomas cat—an enormous creature—that often came to -call upon Gertrude, in a friendly way, and spend a sociable evening. -Silver-gray along the back, annular stripes on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> tail, white feet, -snow-white breast, large, lustrous, prominent eyes, and a magnificent -pair of <i>whiskers</i>; in short, this Thomas cat was a splendid creature, -and, as Rich thought, would afford him, if in his possession, an -excellent opportunity to observe the structure of the eye. Dan, Frank -Merrill, and Horace Williams, did their best to take the creature, dead -or alive, but in vain.</p> - -<p>A door opened from the wood-shed into the stable, and a passage was left -to this door in piling the wood that was tiered up on either side to the -height of five, and on one side seven, feet. Several times the boys had -got the Thomas cat in this passage; but the wily creature either went -over the top of the wood, or ran through a small hole beside the door, -that it would seem no cat <i>could</i> get through. Rich nailed the mouth of -a meal-bag to this hole on the stable side, and placed a board on the -other, ready to put up to prevent the cat's return.</p> - -<p>One Wednesday Horace Williams came over to spend the afternoon and take -tea with Dan. Just before the tea hour, Dan, coming in, whispered to -Rich, "The cat's in the passage. I can see his eyes shine just like -balls of fire." Armed with sticks of wood, they approached the end of -the passage, gave a fearful howl and let the wood fly; the globes of -fire vanished, and they knew by the sound the cat had not gone over the -wood-pile.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p><p>"He's in the bag, I know," said Dan. "I heard him squeeze through the -hole. O, crimini!" and he ran to put up the piece of board. Rich and -Horace lost no time in putting a string round the bag in which the cat -was struggling, tearing it from the hole, and immersing it in a tub of -water. Just as the struggling ceased the bell rang for supper, and -flinging the bag and its contents into a horse-stall to drip and dry, -they sat down to eat.</p> - -<p>Dan sat on his mother's right hand, next to him Horace, and on her left -was Gertrude's high chair; but it was empty.</p> - -<p>"Where can Gertrude be?" said Mrs. Clemens, after pouring out the tea; -"for seven years she has never before been absent from my side at meals -unless sick."</p> - -<p>A fearful suspicion crossed the mind of Rich, and catching the eye of -Dan, he saw that he was similarly affected.</p> - -<p>Hastening to the stable when the meal was over, with a light, they -turned out the contents of the bag, and lo! it was poor Gertrude, that -in the dark they had mistaken for the Thomas cat and drowned. Rich was -very much distressed; so was Dan, as, aside from his sorrow for his -mother, the cat was a favorite pet of his, and had grown up with him.</p> - -<p>Placing the dead body of Gertrude upon the dissecting table, they locked -the door for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>consultation. At first they thought of owning up, but -finally concluded to keep the secret, and, as long as she was dead, -thought they might as well make the remains of some advantage to -science. Richardson possessed already one skeleton of a cat, and only -cared for the eyes. Dan therefore persuaded him to mount Gertrude for -him. This Rich did, making a small incision, turning the body through -it, and replacing the skull and leg bones, after removing the brains and -flesh, supplying the rest of the skeleton, so far as was needed, with -wire.</p> - -<p>Having already mounted several birds for Dan, he made a tree, put the -birds in the branches, and having furnished Gertrude with eyes of -colored glass, placed her under the tree in a natural attitude, as -though watching a squirrel, the wire in the limbs enabling him to bend -them in any direction. A red squirrel was also placed half way up the -tree, as though alarmed by the cat. Dan was delighted, and thought he -had much rather have his pet dead than alive.</p> - -<p>All these operations were performed with closed doors, and the birds and -animals placed under lock and key in the closet.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Clemens mourned for her cat, and refused to be comforted. -Gertrude's empty chair was always placed beside her; at table she often -recounted the virtues of the departed, considered and spoke of the event -as one of those mysterious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> dispensations of Providence, to which, -though we cannot fathom, it is our duty to submit.</p> - -<p>"I do wish my mother would bury that cat," said Dan. "I'm sick and tired -of hearing about her—should think she might pick up another kitten."</p> - -<p>Month after month passed, and still Mrs. Clemens mourned the loss of her -pet. At the expiration of this period, Fred Evans, a cousin of Dan, came -to visit him. One afternoon Dan persuaded Rich to put all the things on -the table, make a grand show, and let Fred see them. To this Rich -consented; the door was locked, and Fred sworn to secrecy.</p> - -<p>On the table was placed the tree set in a block, with birds in its -branches; half way up the trunk a red squirrel looking down and -chattering at the cat, crouched at the roots as in act to spring.</p> - -<p>Disposed around the tree that occupied the centre were the skeletons of -various animals, wired together, and in an upright position, fastened to -blocks—rabbits, dogs, a cat, wood-chuck, rooster, and pig. The tree was -formed with great ingenuity, by placing a real branch in a thick block -of pine, carving the spur roots from the substance of the block, and -covering with moss, dried leaves, and twigs, confined with glue, while -Gertrude, seated on the moss, seemed actually alive.</p> - -<p>Horace Williams was invited, being already in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> the secret, to help -entertain Fred, and as an intimate friend of Dan.</p> - -<p>Rich wanted a shingle to put under one leg of the table, the floor being -uneven, and sent Horace after it, who forgot to lock the door at his -return.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Clemens, having occasion for Dan, and not finding him in the house -or yard, sought him in the harness-room, where she knew he spent much of -his leisure time.</p> - -<p>Opening the door upon the startled group, the first object that arrested -her attention was the long lost and bitterly lamented Gertrude, as she -verily thought, alive, and in the act of springing upon a squirrel. -Exclaiming, "Gertrude! <i>my</i> Gertrude! where have you been?" she clasped -the effigy to her breast. Alas! there was no answering caress; there was -no "speculation" in those eyes of stained glass, and the dried skin -rattled in her fond embrace. It was a <i>stuffed</i> cat. "What does this -mean?" she cried, permitting the imposture to drop on the floor, -thoroughly overcome and faint with this sudden blasting of new-born -hopes. She would have fallen to the floor; but Rich and Dan conveyed her -to the house, where, after seeing her safely placed in the easy-chair, -Rich took to flight, feeling that <i>Dan</i> could settle the affair far -better than himself.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i192.jpg" alt="Gertrude My Gertrude" /></div> - -<p class="bold">"<span class="smcap">Gertrude! My Gertrude!</span>" Page 190.</p> - -<p>It required all Dan's eloquence and power of argument to convince his -mother that Gertrude was killed by mistake.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p><p>"But why did you not tell me at once, Daniel, that I might have had her -properly interred, instead of making an exhibition of the remains?"</p> - -<p>Dan at length convinced his mother that it was his affection for -Gertrude that led him to take this method of keeping her in remembrance. -But never after this did Mrs. Clemens deem Rich unfitted for his -profession by over-sensitiveness.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVII.</span> <span class="smaller">THE YOUNG SAMARITANS.</span></h2> - -<p>Richardson, who had thus far performed his operations upon animals with -a common pocket-knife, a carpenter's fine saw, and some instruments he -made in the shop of the village blacksmith,—making sleight of hand and -mechanical skill supply the place of suitable tools,—was now able to -purchase a pocket case of surgical instruments, that economized time, -and greatly facilitated his labors. They were also of a better pattern -than those he at times borrowed of the doctor.</p> - -<p>Instead of going home in the vacations, he devoted the leisure afforded -by the close of the academy to medical studies and experiments.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Richardson," said the doctor, one day, after they had been enjoying -a sing together, "it seems strange to me that you are not more inclined -to go with me to visit patients. It is the very thing you need, -especially when bones are to be set, or dislocations reduced. It is only -occasionally that you go."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p><p>"Indeed, doctor, I hope you will not feel that I do not appreciate your -kindness in so often inviting me, or that I am not sensible of the -benefit to be thus obtained; but I look at it in this light, which -perhaps is not the right one. I am young enough, and do not intend to -commence practice till thoroughly fitted; and it seems to me there can -be no correct practice without a thorough knowledge of first principles, -and that the practice should be based upon, and grow out of, that -knowledge.</p> - -<p>"I have therefore resolved that I would, while here, endeavor to attain -a knowledge of principles; operating, as I go along, on animals; going -with you occasionally; economizing my means; and by and by attend -lectures at Brunswick, or some place where I shall have ample -opportunity for dissection, or go somewhere for hospital practice."</p> - -<p>"I think you are correct there; but still I feel that you might, without -neglecting your studies, obtain a great deal more practical knowledge as -you go along, and that it would be time excellently well spent; for the -human body, and not that of the animal, is the one you will have to deal -with, and all you can learn from the brute will be only an approach, -require to be modified a great deal, and much of it won't apply in -actual practice."</p> - -<p>"I have not the least doubt, doctor, but the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> course you advise is the -best, but in my circumstances I cannot avail myself of it.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it would come with a better grace from some one else, but the -people in this town have expressed great attachment to me, and estimate -me far above my deserts. Now, if I should go much with you to visit -patients, bleed, and pull teeth, and reduce dislocations, as you would -have me, every academy scholar who wanted a tooth pulled, or a gum-boil -lanced, would be running to me, because they would think I should not -hurt them so much as you.</p> - -<p>"People who wanted a sore opened, others, who are personally attached to -me, would come for slight complaints. Many persons who are ashamed to -send for you, because they owe you, would think, 'Perhaps Mr. Richardson -will do just as well; he's been studying a good while with the doctor.' -And thus all my time would be frittered away, and nothing to show for -it."</p> - -<p>The doctor broke into a hearty laugh, and said, "I will yield the point, -Mr. Richardson. I must acknowledge you have made out a strong case."</p> - -<p>"That is the way I look at it. I am wheeling two wheelbarrows -now,—studying medicine, and teaching,—and I don't mean to wheel -three."</p> - -<p>At the close of a long, hot day, the latter part of May, Clement -Richardson and his brother, wearied with toil, were seated, one on the -anvil, the other on the forge.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p><p>Somewhat more than a year had passed since their misfortune. During -that period their condition had very much improved, owing to the -following circumstance. Cast steel had been introduced, but only a few -smiths in the country were able to use it.</p> - -<p>More care and judgment were required in working it than the old -material, and the aid of borax was necessary to weld it with iron. The -old smiths around Richardson would have nothing to do with "the -new-fangled stuff," stuck to blistered steel and a sand weld.</p> - -<p>But Clement Richardson belonged to a race ever open to new ideas, and -perceived at a glance the value of the new metal. He had seen his father -use borax to braze the threads of his vice, as also saw plates, and soon -learned to use the steel, and consequently monopolized all the work in -his vicinity. For there is no comparison between blistered and cast -steel for an edge tool.</p> - -<p>Their business, however, received a still greater impulse about a month -before the period to which we refer. There had been little improvement -in farming tools in that vicinity; the old iron pitch and manure forks -were everywhere used. Clement Richardson went to Massachusetts to buy -steel and iron, and there saw a patent spring steel pitchfork. He came -home, and made forks with an improvement that did not infringe on the -patent, and the operation proved very profitable.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p><p>"Clem," said Robert, "our year during which we were to have this shop -free will soon be out. What say you for buying the old homestead back? -We can pay a few hundred down, give a mortgage back, and what we should -pay for rent will go towards shrinking the debt."</p> - -<p>"The rent of the shop won't be much, Robert, and you know we were to -have the rent of the house free from the time of occupancy. Suppose we -wait till then."</p> - -<p>"What if Montague should sell it over our heads?"</p> - -<p>"I'll speak to him, and get the refusal of it."</p> - -<p>When the brothers got home, they found a letter from Rich, containing a -portion of his hard earnings, that he had sent to aid his parents. His -father, however, sent the money back, informing Rich of the success of -the new forks, and telling him they were getting money much faster than -he was.</p> - -<p>Waiting till his wages for the next term fell due, Rich expended the -whole in the purchase of books more modern than those found in the -collection of his patron, and containing principles the latter would by -no means have approved.</p> - -<p>Rich was seated in his room, earnestly engaged in study, when he was -roused by a great rumpus on the stairs. In a moment the door was flung -violently open, and Dan and Frank Merrill rushed into the room.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p><p>Dan had evidently been crying, for the tears stood in his eyes then, -and Frank was not far from it.</p> - -<p>"Excuse us, Mr. Richardson, for coming in so, but—"</p> - -<p>"But you couldn't help it. What is the matter?"</p> - -<p>"O, Mr. Richardson, don't you think! Frank, and Horace, and me were -going down to the river, to go in swimming, and there was Ned Baker, -Clinton Blanchard, and a whole lot of boys, had got his dog Rover, the -prettiest dog you ever did see, and they'd got a rope round his neck, -and were going to drown him."</p> - -<p>"What were they going to drown him for?"</p> - -<p>"Because they were at play with him, and pushed him under a cart; the -wheel went over his hind leg, and ground it all up."</p> - -<p>"You don't know how pitiful he looked, Mr. Richardson," said Merrill; -"there they were, dragging him along on three legs, his broken leg -hanging down, and he whining enough to break your heart. I never will -like Clin Blanchard after this, to treat his dog so, that he pretended -to love so much! I think it's real mean."</p> - -<p>"So we got 'em to give him to us," said Dan; "and we've brought him to -you, Mr. Richardson, for you to doctor him, and make him well. Will you, -Mr. Richardson? Don't kill him. O, don't, please don't. You won't kill -him; will you?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p><p>And Dan, who was as noble-hearted a boy as the sun ever shone upon, -could hold in no longer, and burst into tears.</p> - -<p>"I am not so bloodthirsty as you may suppose," said Rich, half offended -at the implied distrust.</p> - -<p>"I didn't mean that, Mr. Richardson. We all love you, and know you are -just as kind and good as can be. But—"</p> - -<p>"But you know I like to experiment upon animals. Well, I'll do all I can -for Rover, just as though he was my brother. So don't cry any more. -Where is he?"</p> - -<p>"Horace has got him at the door."</p> - -<p>Rover indeed presented a sorry sight. His tongue was hanging out of his -mouth, the broken leg hung dangling, covered with dust and blood. He -whined piteously when any one even looked at it, appeared frightened, -the water ran from his eyes, and he from time to time looked up -beseechingly in the face of Horace, who held him by the collar.</p> - -<p>"Poor fellow! he's crying," said Frank; and with his handkerchief he -wiped the tears from his eyes. "I suppose his leg hurts him."</p> - -<p>"Give him some water," said Rich.</p> - -<p>The dog drank eagerly, and seemed revived.</p> - -<p>"Now give him something to eat."</p> - -<p>He ate but sparingly, and, evidently feeling assured, wagged his tail in -acknowledgment.</p> - -<p>"See how grateful he is," said Horace.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p><p>"He knows he's among friends," replied Rich.</p> - -<p>"Better kill him at once," said Mrs. Clemens, "and put him out of -misery. He will die."</p> - -<p>"Kill him!" howled Dan; "kill him! O, mother, I shouldn't think you -would talk so. He's worth forty old cats. We're going to make him get -well. What's the use of studying so much to be a doctor, if you can't -help anybody?"</p> - -<p>"Well spoken, Dan," said Rich. "Take him to the barn."</p> - -<p>Rich cut off the leg of one of Dan's old boots, and drew it over Rover's -nose, to prevent him from biting them. They placed him on the table, and -strapped him down.</p> - -<p>"Boys," he said, after examination, "this is a compound fracture. The -bones of the foot are all ground up, the skin broken, and the muscles -bruised, and filled with gravel. The limb can't be set; it will rot off, -this warm weather, before it will heal. The only way to save him is to -amputate below the hock, and save the hock joint. Which would you -prefer, kill him, let him alone to die himself, or amputate, and have a -dog with three legs?"</p> - -<p>The boys were a unit in favor of amputation. He therefore, having -previously instructed his young assistants in what manner to hold the -arteries and the limb, took it off, and tied the blood-vessels, sponged -and bound up the wound.</p> - -<p>Dan made him a bed by putting some straw in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> a corner, and covering it -with a horse blanket, and, cutting some wide leather straps from the old -chaise boot, they fastened him in such a manner that he could not move -to his own injury. Rover whined terribly during the operation, but when -it was finished, and the leg bound up in cold water, he became quiet, -licked Dan's fingers when he took off the muzzle, and wagged his tail, -no doubt sensible that he was handled gently, and that no harm was -intended.</p> - -<p>Dan got his mother to make a pillow-case. He stuffed it with chaff, and -placed the wounded leg on it to keep it up (as it was shorter than the -other), and make Rover as comfortable as possible. They then patted him, -told him to lie still, and leaving the stable, got their lessons -together in Dan's house.</p> - -<p>When Dan got up the next morning, he found, sitting on the door-step, a -little dog. His eyes were so bright they sparkled; and his back was -black, also his ears and head; there was a ring of white around his -neck, and his breast, legs, and feet were white. The black was jet -black, and the white as white as white could be; his tail was black, and -curled up so crisp over his back that it seemed as though it would lift -him up behind; looking, with his erect, sharp-pointed ears, and fine, -glossy coat, as though he came right out of a bandbox.</p> - -<p>Dan recognized him in a moment, and running<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> to Rich, told him "that -Carlo—Ned Baker's dog, who lived in the next house to Clinton -Blanchard, Rover's former master—was sitting on the door-step, and he -didn't believe but he had come to see Rover, for they had been great -friends, always playing together, and there were never two dogs agreed -as well as they."</p> - -<p>When they went to the door, Carlo was scratching and whining at the -stable door, and Rover whining within. They let him into the -harness-room, when Carlo jumped on his friend's bed, licked his face, -licked the stump of his leg, and smelt him all over. Rover licked -Carlo's face in return, wagged his tail, and seemed delighted.</p> - -<p>The new comer then rolled himself into a ball, and lay down at Rover's -nose, shutting first one eye, and then the other, as though he would -say, "I have come to spend the day, and I <i>mean</i> to."</p> - -<p>"That is capital," said Rich. "He has come on a visit of consolation. -The patient will recover a great deal faster for having him here."</p> - -<p>The two dogs took their breakfast together, and great was the surprise -of Horace and Frank when they called, on their way to school, to know -how Rover did, and found Carlo nursing him.</p> - -<p>Another boy afterwards told them, "that when he first got up in the -morning, he saw Carlo running along the road, with his nose to the -ground." It was evident that, missing his companion, he had scented the -track, and followed on till he found him.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p><p>About the middle of the afternoon Carlo went home; but at seven o'clock -the next morning he returned, accompanied by three more dogs; one a -great Newfoundland—Neptune. They all went up and smelt of Rover, sat -round a while, and then disappeared, one after another, Carlo remaining, -as before.</p> - -<p>"I suppose," said Dan, "he went and saw all these dogs, told them what -had happened to Rover, and so they came to see him."</p> - -<p>The patient recovered rapidly; the stump healed, the ligatures came -away, and it was evident the ends of the bones were well covered. Rich -permitted both the dogs to lick it, which hastened the process of -healing very much. Dr. Ryan came to see it, had a hearty laugh, -congratulated Rich upon his success in this maiden effort, the fine -appearance of the stump, and told him "He ought to give his patient a -wooden leg."</p> - -<p>Rover was now permitted to get up. The boys washed him with soap suds, -rubbed him dry, and permitted him to walk out every day, and lie in the -sun, on the grass. He was a beautiful dog—a spaniel, with a fine silky -coat.</p> - -<p>Carlo frisked around, barked, lay on his back, rolled over, and -expressed his joy in every imaginable way.</p> - -<p>Rover soon began to run about the yard, and follow Dan round the -premises, going (till he became tired) as well on three legs as four. -One noon,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> Dan came home from school, and found neither of the dogs at -home. He was greatly disturbed, for Rover had now become very dear to -him.</p> - -<p>"I expect," said Mrs. Clemens, "he has gone back to his old home and -master."</p> - -<p>"Mother, I don't believe Rover is such a fool as that. Go back to the -fellow who was going to murder him! I know he loves me better than -that."</p> - -<p>"I guess," said Rich, "he has gone to return some of the calls that have -been made on him." So it proved. For when Dan came home at night, both -dogs had returned, bringing two more with them.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Clemens gradually became attached to Rover, till at length he -completely won her heart, and filled the void left by the loss of -Gertrude.</p> - -<p>The boys were apprehensive that other dogs would pick upon Rover, now -that he was disabled, and no longer able to defend himself or make his -escape; but it was just the reverse. He found the warmest sympathy -everywhere. When, in company with other dogs, he became tired and fell -behind, they would stop and wait for him to come up; and if any strange -dog had imposed upon Rover, they would have torn him to pieces in a -moment.</p> - -<p>Rich made him a wooden leg, carved to match one of his own. At first he -held it up altogether, but after a while would use it to stand upon, -and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> put it down when he became tired, and walk a little; then hold it -up and run. He soon found that by its aid he could jump up on Dan.</p> - -<p>It improved his looks wonderfully, as it prevented his hip from -dropping, and Dan said "that he always wanted it on when they or he had -company." Rover was a water spaniel, and Dan had to take the leg off -when he went into the water, as it buoyed up his hinder parts, and -interfered with swimming.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVIII.</span> <span class="smaller">DAN WANTS TO KNOW HIMSELF.</span></h2> - -<p>Dan Clemens had taken at the first very little interest in the peculiar -studies and experiments of his teacher; indeed, they were to him, a -kindly-affectionate boy, rather revolting; but after the successful -operation upon Rover, his feelings underwent a complete change; he was -enraptured with the skill, firmness, and tender feeling manifested by -Rich, spent a great deal of time at the dissecting table, and manifested -a strong desire to obtain, at least, some general knowledge in respect -to the mechanism of his own frame.</p> - -<p>One evening he was seated in the harness-room, watching Rich, who was -examining the stump of Rover's leg, that had become sore from the -pressure of the wooden substitute, and devising some way to remedy it, -when he suddenly exclaimed,—</p> - -<p>"Mr. Richardson, how do they cut off a man's leg?"</p> - -<p>"Very much as I did that dog's; only they use a tourniquet to compress -the vessels and stop the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> circulation, then cut through the flesh, saw -off the bones, and put ligatures on the ends of the arteries."</p> - -<p>"What is it makes the great difference between the arteries and the -veins, so that folks say, if you cut an artery, you'll bleed to death in -no time. But they never speak so about veins; it's always arteries."</p> - -<p>"I can't explain it to you, without telling you something about the -heart, to start with."</p> - -<p>"Well, tell me. O, do tell me, please."</p> - -<p>"You saw the hog's heart I had the other day. Do you remember how it -looked?"</p> - -<p>"It looked something like an egg little end up."</p> - -<p>"Well, a hog's heart is very much like a man's, so that one will do to -represent the other. You noticed that it was smooth, and stood out about -its whole bigness clear from everything, except at the base, where it -joined the body?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"On each side of the base are two appendages, wrinkled, and shaped like -an ear, denoting cavities within called from them the auricles, and into -these cavities run several tubes that connect them to the parts -adjacent. They are called auricles because they look so much like an -ear."</p> - -<p>"I know what they are. I saw the butcher cut them off, when he trimmed -our hog's harslet: he called them deaf ears, and said they were poison."</p> - -<p>"The heart is a hollow muscle, that contracts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> and dilates with great -force. It is not dependent upon the will, but operates in virtue of a -natural law. Through the middle of the heart, from the base to the -summit, runs a partition, leaving a chamber on each side, between which -there is no direct communication: they are distinguished by the terms -right and left auricles. In addition to this, there is a cross parting -on each side, thus making four chambers, the two upper retaining the -name of auricles, the two lower denominated ventricles.</p> - -<p>"I will now explain to you the use of all this. The right auricle opens -into the large trunk vein of the body, that, in connection with the -others, brings back the blood from the extremities, after the arteries -have distributed it. It has also another opening into the right -ventricle below it. The auricle on the other side of the partition (the -left) is pierced by four veins that enter the lungs, called pulmonary -veins, and also by another passage communicates with the ventricle -beneath it. Now let us talk about ventricles. The right ventricle is -entered by the great pulmonary artery that carries all the blood in the -body through the lungs. The left ventricle is penetrated by the great -artery, called the great aorta. In each of these cross partitions, there -are valves that will permit blood to pass from the auricles into the -ventricles, but not to return. There are also valves at the roots of the -arteries that permit the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> blood to go from the heart into the arteries, -but not to return. There are no valves at the roots of the veins that -enter the auricles, nothing to obstruct the flowing of the blood from -them into the auricles. Thus the roots of the veins arise from the -auricles, and the roots of the arteries from the ventricles. Do you -understand this description, because it is the foundation of all that -follows—understand what a valve is?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir; the clapper in our pump-box is a valve; it lets the water -come up out of the well into the pump, but it won't let a drop go back."</p> - -<p>"Well said; just so the valves in the partings of the heart permit the -blood to pass from the auricles into the ventricles, but not to go back; -thus, also, the valves placed at the roots of the arteries permit the -passage of the blood from the ventricles into the arteries, but not the -return of it to the heart. Do you understand this?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>To make it more evident, Rich drew the heart, the veins, and the -arteries entering it, with chalk, and the main branches of both.</p> - -<p>"Now let us, for the clearer perception of what you wish to know, -consider the march of the blood: and we might as well begin at the heart -as anywhere."</p> - -<p>"I think I can understand it better to commence there."</p> - -<p>"From the right ventricle of the heart, springs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> the pulmonary artery, -which, separating into several branches, some of them not larger than -hairs, carries the blood into all portions of the lungs, where they -communicate with the terminations of the pulmonary veins, which, -receiving the blood from the arteries, bring it back to the left -auricle, uniting, as they approach the heart, into four large veins, -called the pulmonary veins. From the left ventricle rises the main -artery (or great aorta), which, receiving all the blood of the body -poured into it by the pulmonary veins, distributes it over the trunk and -limbs, branching in every direction, the divisions gradually becoming -smaller and smaller as they approach the extremities: here they -communicate with the extremities of the veins which bring back the blood -to the right auricle. So much for the aqueducts; now we will look at the -action of the force-pump itself. The heart is a hollow muscle. All the -valves and division walls we have been talking about are muscular in -their texture, and moved by a network of muscles and minute tendons, -tough and elastic, like the gizzard of a fowl, and capable of -contraction and expansion. We will suppose the right auricle to be full -of blood that has been brought by the veins from the fingers, toes, the -substance of the heart itself, the lungs, and the liver, and poured into -it. This blood is dark-colored; called black blood. It has washed the -whole body. The instant it enters the auricle, that organ contracts and -forces<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> it into the ventricle below it; the valve holds it there: then -the ventricle contracts and forces it into the pulmonary artery; the -valve of the artery holds it there: the auricle expands, fills, again -contracts, fills the ventricle, that, in its turn, forces the blood into -the artery, and thus, by successive leaps, it passes into and through -the lungs, enters the pulmonary veins, and is by them brought back to -the left auricle. It is now no longer black blood, but bright, red, -arterial blood: before it was venous."</p> - -<p>"What makes it red?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. It is supposed by being brought in contact with the air -in the cells of the lungs. When the auricle receives this red blood, it -contracts, forces it into the left ventricle beneath, then the ventricle -in its turn contracts, forces it into the main artery, and by this and -its branches it is carried to the extremities, to come back in one -continual round, as long as life lasts. It <i>is</i> life; for the moment the -heart ceases to contract and dilate, insensibility takes place, and -death instantly follows."</p> - -<p>"It seems to me that the left side of the heart has a great deal more -work to do than the right, for the left has to force the blood into the -main artery, and all over the body, to the toes, the fingers, the brain: -but the right ventricle only has to force it through the lungs that are -close by, touch the heart, and it is a short route."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p><p>"True, and for this reason, the muscles of the left ventricle, which -force the red blood of the great circulation through the main artery, -are much more numerous and stronger than those of the right, which has -so much less work to perform. It is the powerful contraction of the -muscles of the left ventricle, causing the point of the heart to strike -the fifth or sixth rib, that creates the throb you can feel; they exert -power enough to send all the blood of the body through the heart -twenty-three times in an hour."</p> - -<p>"I had no idea matters were going ahead inside of me at that rate."</p> - -<p>"You must bear in mind that I have described these things separately, -but in the order of nature, it is quite another matter. The red blood -from the lungs arrives at the left, and the black blood from the veins -at the right auricle at the same instant; both auricles contract at -once, and force the blood into their respective ventricles; both -ventricles contract together and force the blood into the arteries; and -thus it goes on in a person of the feeblest pulse; these alternate -motions occupy, when in a state of health, but a second; the pulse at -your wrist is the throb of the artery, the stroke of the heart. What do -you suppose now is the force of that stroke, when the left ventricle -contracts?"</p> - -<p>"I'm sure I don't know."</p> - -<p>"Well, the blood has been known to spurt more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> than five feet from the -artery of the neck (carotid) when first cut. You see, now, why it is so -dangerous to wound a large artery: the blood spurts at every stroke of -the heart, while in the veins there is no such pressure or direct -connection; besides, as the veins are designed not to carry the blood -from the heart, but to bring it back, they are also furnished with -numerous valves that favor the flow of blood towards the heart, but not -from it."</p> - -<p>"There is one thing I can't understand. When a man's leg is cut off, all -the arteries and veins cut, how does the blood get back to the heart -when the ends of the arteries are tied, and there is no communication -between them and the veins?"</p> - -<p>"By a provision of nature, there are many minute twigs and branches -given off by the arteries all along their course, scarcely observable -when the circulation is in its normal state, that are connected with -veins equally small; those become enlarged by pressure, and renew the -connection."</p> - -<p>"It seems to me, Mr. Richardson, that the heart is like two pumps in two -wells, side by side, only one throws a bigger stream than the other, and -with more force."</p> - -<p>"Ay, Daniel; but your mother's pump bears no comparison to the heart. -During the time I have been with her, the spear has worn off, the boxes -have been new leathered, and the cracks in the pump that sucked air have -been covered with putty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> and lead; but <i>this</i> pump runs eighty, and -sometimes a hundred years without the pause of a second."</p> - -<p>"Why don't the muscles of the heart get tired, just as my legs do, and -want to rest?"</p> - -<p>"They do rest, and just as long as they work; rest a second, and work a -second, day and night. The other muscles are in a state of tension all -day, and then rest at night."</p> - -<p>"Well, I mean to know how I am made up, before I am much older."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIX.</span> <span class="smaller">DAN TRAPS LARGE GAME.</span></h2> - -<p>The industry of Rich was something remarkable. He was well fed, his work -for Mrs. Clemens gave him abundant exercise, and kept him in vigorous -health, and the habit of thorough study he had performed in college -enabled him to make rapid progress.</p> - -<p>In connection with the study of text-books he had performed a great -number of operations upon animals, obtained practice in the use of -instruments, and now felt disposed to comply, to a certain extent, with -the doctor's advice in respect to actual practice. It was not long -before an opportunity offered.</p> - -<p>Dan Clemens had the toothache, and in spite of all the remedies his -mother applied,—and they were by no means few in number—laudanum, -gunpowder, pepper, cloves, the stem of a pumpkin smoked in a pipe, hot -salt, camphor, and new rum,—was half crazy with it.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Richardson," said Dan, "will you please pull my tooth? I don't want -to go to Dr. Ryan. I know he'll hurt me awfully."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p><p>"Nobody can pull a tooth, Daniel, without inflicting pain. They are -designed to stay in—the second crop."</p> - -<p>"But you won't hurt me as much as he will. He won't care if he does hurt -me. Besides, you haven't got such an awful-looking thing to pull 'em -with as his is." Rich had purchased, with his other instruments, forceps -of a modern pattern, while the doctor used the huge old corkscrew -instruments. "Do, please, Mr. Richardson. I won't tell anybody; so you -won't have your time taken up by boys running to you."</p> - -<p>Rich put the instrument on the tooth Dan indicated, and took it out in a -moment. Dan gave a fearful yell, and ran to the fire-place.</p> - -<p>"I told you it would hurt you."</p> - -<p>"I don't care. Dr. Ryan would have hurt me more."</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding Dan's promise of secrecy, it got wind somehow, and Rich -soon had considerable practice of that kind. But, as he had now made -good progress in study, and the money was very acceptable, he became -reconciled to it.</p> - -<p>An opportunity was soon after this presented that Rich did not fail to -improve. The people of the neighborhood were engaged in hauling a barn, -and a young man, in attempting to fling a skid under the building while -in motion, received a compound fracture of the thigh. Dr. Ryan was -called. He sent for Dr. Slaughter, and took Rich<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> with him, who required -no solicitation, as it was the first opportunity he had enjoyed of -witnessing an important operation.</p> - -<p>The limb was taken off some distance above the knee, leaving that joint -entire, it having escaped injury by being pressed into the mud. Weary of -dissecting animals, Rich longed to obtain this limb. There it lay, a -well-developed leg and part of the thigh of a young man. He took it in -his hands after the operation was performed, and gloated over it as an -antiquarian over a rare coin. His fingers itched, and he felt an intense -desire to possess it.</p> - -<p>"Dr. Ryan," he whispered, "won't you ask for this leg, and then give it -to me?"</p> - -<p>"It would be of no use, Mr. Richardson; they would think the leg must be -buried, or the man would not do well. It would cost me my practice. They -are that superstitious. But if I were you, I would find out where they -bury it, and dig it up to-night."</p> - -<p>The doctor took up the limb, and carrying it into the kitchen, said, -"This leg must be put in a box and buried."</p> - -<p>"That it must," replied the father of the young man; "for I've heard -say, ever since I can remember, if a dog or any critter got hold of any -part of a person what had been cut off, that person would feel it just -as though the limb was still on."</p> - -<p>"I'll make the box, and help bury it," said Rich.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p><p>"I should be much obliged if you would, Mr. Richardson. Neighbor -Pollard, here, will help you. Where ought it to be buried, doctor?"</p> - -<p>"In the graveyard with his relatives, to be sure. It is part of a -Christian, and the rest of him will go to keep it company some time."</p> - -<p>A daughter of the family had died some years before, and Pollard -proposed that the leg should be buried beside her grave, which was done.</p> - -<p>The doctor had proposed that it should be put in a box, in order to keep -it clean, and in a good state for Rich to dissect, and be placed in the -cemetery, because that lot was in a retired spot.</p> - -<p>That night Rich dug up the limb, and hid it in the haymow, meaning to -dissect it the next night, in order to escape the sharp eyes of Dan -Clemens, and then keep the bones in the doctor's study, where there was -a closet.</p> - -<p>Rich was detained at school that afternoon by a boy who had failed to -get his lesson. When he reached the house he found a man in the barn -floor loading hay on a cart from the very mow in which he had concealed -the leg, while Dan was on the mow pitching down the hay.</p> - -<p>"I am so glad you have come, Mr. Richardson! Mr. Bangs wants a ton of -hay, and I told Daniel he had better be doing what he could till you -came."</p> - -<p>Rich was terribly frightened. His color went and came.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p><p>"Daniel," he cried, flinging off his coat, "run into the house quick, -and get me a drink; I am very thirsty."</p> - -<p>Leaping upon the mow, he beheld one corner of the box already uncovered. -Another fork full would have done the business. Before Dan returned with -his water, he had put it in a safe place. There was but one window in -the harness-room, and while Dan was gone after the cow, Rich nailed the -horse-blanket over it, in order that no one passing might observe a -light, as he intended to dissect after the family—or at least Dan, of -whom he was the most apprehensive—were asleep.</p> - -<p>Having accomplished his purpose, he was passing from the stable to the -house, when Dr. Ryan, who was riding by in his gig, called to him, and -said,—</p> - -<p>"Mr. Richardson, Coolbroth is dead."</p> - -<p>"Dead!"</p> - -<p>"Yes; died about an hour ago. Very strange. Never was more surprised in -my life. Thought he was doing well. Sank all at once. Going to be buried -to-morrow forenoon. Hot weather—they can't keep him. Good night."</p> - -<p>"Good night."</p> - -<p>Rising from supper as soon as possible without attracting attention, -Rich made the best of his way to Coolbroth's. He met Pollard there, and -found the family in great affliction.</p> - -<p>"We don't any of us know what's afore us, Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> Richardson," said -Pollard; "'cause, if we had, we might have saved ourselves the trouble -o' buryin' that leg, for we've got to dig it up ag'in in the mornin'."</p> - -<p>"What are you going to dig it up for?"</p> - -<p>"'Cause they want to lay him in that spot, side o' his sister; and then -they want to put the leg in the coffin with the rest of him, as rights -they should, poor feller."</p> - -<p>"What time to-morrow will the funeral take place?"</p> - -<p>"Ten o'clock. I shall have to be stirring 'arly, and begin by sunrise to -dig the grave, 'cause they've nobody 'cept myself to call on, and I've -got a master sight to see to."</p> - -<p>Rich inquired no further, but went home in no little perturbation. He -sat up in his room till twelve o'clock, then crept down stairs in his -stocking feet, with his shoes in his hand, and without a light. Since -the death of Gertrude, rats had multiplied on the premises. They had a -regular road from the stable, through the porch, which they entered from -beneath, through a hole in the floor. The night previous to the -occurrences now to be narrated, one of these vermin had gnawed his way -into the flour barrel. Dan had set a steel trap at the hole in the shed, -where the rats came up, and quite out of the track of any one going to -the stable. But Rich, fumbling along in the dark, put his foot in it.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p><p>The trap was one of the old-fashioned rat traps, made to <i>kill</i> and -<i>hold</i>, with a smart spring, and the jaws on the inside armed with -teeth, like a saw.</p> - -<p>The pain and surprise combined caused Rich to utter an involuntary -scream, that, breaking on the stillness of midnight, alarmed the -household.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Clemens lay in bed, screaming alternately, "Murder," and "Thieves," -at the top of her voice. Dan rushed down stairs in his night-gown, when -Rich called to him, and explained matters.</p> - -<p>By the time Dan had procured a light, Rich had drawn his foot out of the -trap, and Mrs. Clemens and the hired girl made their appearance.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Richardson," said Mrs. Clemens, "you have hurt your foot terribly. -The blood is oozing through your stocking. Let me make a slippery elm -poultice, and put on it."</p> - -<p>"It is a mere scratch, Mrs. Clemens—only skin deep."</p> - -<p>"There is some water in the tea-kettle that must be blood-warm now. -Betty, bring a small tub, for Mr. Richardson to bathe his foot, and a -sponge."</p> - -<p>"There is no need of it, Mrs. Clemens. Cold water is better. I can wash -it in my chamber."</p> - -<p>The night was fast spending. It would be daylight by the time he reached -the cemetery. Rich had no time to spare, and wished Mrs. Clemens was in -another hemisphere.</p> - -<p>"At least, Mr. Richardson, let me get you some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> bandages, and some new -rum and wormwood, to bathe it in. Daniel will take the things up -stairs."</p> - -<p>"Indeed, Mrs. Clemens, I thank you very much; but I have some -sticking-plaster in my chamber."</p> - -<p>And Rich, hastily bidding them good night, went to his room.</p> - -<p>When there, he found that the jaws of the trap had cut deeper than he -supposed, and the wound began to be stiff and painful. He bound it up, -and taking an old boot, cut out the vamp, and was by this means enabled -to wear it.</p> - -<p>"What shall I do?" said Rich to himself. "I ought to be at the graveyard -<i>now</i>. It will be two hours before that old lady will go to sleep, and I -never can get out of the house without her knowledge."</p> - -<p>Rich's room was in the second story of the L, and the water-spout ran -near the window. After waiting half an hour, and finding all was still, -Rich, raising the sash as gently as possible, descended by the conductor -to the ground, and taking the box from the barn, went limping along in -the bright moonlight, the box under one arm, and a shovel in the other -hand. The jaws of the trap had bruised the numerous tendons that run -along the top of the foot, and every step was a pang.</p> - -<p>"I wish I had never seen this confounded leg," said Rich. "If I can only -get it where it came from, it's the last thing I'll ever dig up."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XX.</span> <span class="smaller">GOES FOR WOOL, AND GETS SHORN.</span></h2> - -<p>The graveyard to which Rich now directed his steps was the original -burying-place of the town; but another having been provided, in a more -central location, it had been little used for years, and was overgrown -with bushes and sweet fern, an occasional spruce or hemlock assuming -almost the dimensions of a tree.</p> - -<p>Narrow, in proportion to its breadth, one end of the lot approached the -main road, the intervening space being level, and clear of obstructions, -except near the gate, where the wall was fringed with spruce, sumach, -and hazel bushes, a very dense clump of spruce and dwarf birch growing -just beside the main entrance.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the lonely situation and neglected aspect of the place, -there were many very handsome monuments scattered over its surface. But -the hands that reared them were mouldering in the dust, and their -descendants, becoming interested in the new cemetery, the ancient -graveyard seemed likely to return to its original state of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>forest, and -that indeed at no distant period, being already enclosed on three sides -by a growth of majestic pines, whose roots, in several places, had flung -down the wall. A few rods beyond the main entrance, the road, making a -sharp turn, led up a hill.</p> - -<p>Far removed from any habitation or sound of busy life, this -resting-place of the departed lay reposing in the clear moonlight that -seemed to embrace it, silvering with its wavy light the rough walls, the -monuments of the dead, and the foliage, bathed in dew. So deep was the -stillness, that the slow and painful tread of Rich on the hard-beaten -road was distinctly audible.</p> - -<p>He was about half way from the road to the gate, when all at once rang -out with startling effect upon the still air,—</p> - -<p>"Come here to me. What are you hangin' off there for, old Bright? Come -here to me, or I'll put the cold iron into your liver."</p> - -<p>The next moment his ears were greeted with that peculiar slat and jingle -that ensues when the tongue cattle on the top of a hill throw up their -heads in order to hold back a heavy load.</p> - -<p>"Good heavens!" thought Rich; "I am beset indeed. It is Sam Waterhouse, -with his four-ox team."</p> - -<p>Regardless of his lame foot, he crept into the bunch of bushes near the -gate, with the box and shovel. In a few moments a large dog came up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> the -hill, followed by Sam, who stopped his cattle opposite the gate, to let -them breathe. The dog, in the mean time running along the road, came -upon Richardson's track, and following it up to the bushes, began to -bark furiously. Fearing discovery, Rich crept along through the -scattering bushes, into the thicker growth, still proceeding in a line -parallel with the main road, and not far from it. The dog, however, -continued to follow, barking so furiously, that Rich, afraid that -Waterhouse would come to see what the dog was barking at, stepped out -into the road without attracting the notice of Sam, till he was within a -few feet of him, who, supposing him to have come by the road from the -village, exclaimed,—</p> - -<p>"Good evenin', Mr. Richardson; or, ruther, mornin'; for I reckon it's -mighty near daybreak. I was jest thinkin' of goin' ter see what the dog -was barkin' at; thought may be 'twas a coon; they're apt to be out these -moonlight nights; but I s'pose 'twas you he hearn. Didn't 'spect ter run -foul o' you, this time in the mornin'. S'pose you had a sudden call. -Doctors and teamsters, they must kalkerlate to be broke o' their rest, -and folks say you're gettin' ter be quite a doctor, and Dr. Ryan speaks -master well o' you."</p> - -<p>"Sick and dying time, Mr. Waterhouse," said Rich, wishing to turn the -conversation from himself, and not heeding the question of the other; "I -wonder you should be going away with a team<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> when young Coolbroth is to -be buried to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"Wouldn't have gone for anything. 'Tain't to save money, nor 'arn money, -but I'd 'greed to deliver these ere shooks, and was 'bleeged ter. Seems -to me you limp. I can't see quite so well as I used ter, 'specially in -the night, but I thought you favored that left foot somewhat."</p> - -<p>"Yes; I have a sore foot."</p> - -<p>"Jammed it? Jammed the nail off? 'Cause, if ye have, there's nothin' so -good to take the soreness out as mullein leaves, steeped in new rum."</p> - -<p>"I stepped into a rat trap in the dark."</p> - -<p>"My songs! that's dreadful bad. Might give you the lockjaw. There's -nothin' 'll take that ere iron rust out o' the flesh like the marrer -(marrow) of a hog's jaw."</p> - -<p>"I don't doubt it," said Rich, to whom this prosing was perfect agony; -"but I must go on."</p> - -<p>"So must I. Back, Bright! Her, Buck, up! Stan' up there, old Star."</p> - -<p>Rich made as though he would have gone on, and soon enjoyed the -satisfaction of hearing the sound of Sam's wheels die away in the -distance; but when he again recovered his box and shovel, the gray light -was streaking the eastern sky.</p> - -<p>Flinging off both coat and vest, he strained every nerve to dig a hole -in which to deposit the box at the same depth, and in the same place as -before. In momentary expectation of seeing Pollard arrive,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> he exerted -himself till the sweat trickled down his cheeks, for, whenever he -stopped to take breath, the early birds were singing in the trees around -him.</p> - -<p>He had scarcely time to deposit the last shovelful, and congratulate -himself upon his success, when the sound of wheels was heard rapidly -approaching, and Pollard, accompanied by another person, drove up to the -graveyard gate.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i232.jpg" alt="In the Graveyard" /></div> - -<p class="bold"><span class="smcap">In the Graveyard.</span> Page 226.</p> - -<p>Crouching behind tombstones and bushes, he crept on his hands and knees -to the back wall, and not daring to clamber over for fear of being seen, -pushed out the stones, and made his way through the gap into the woods, -as Pollard and his assistant reached the spot he had just left.</p> - -<p>Hiding his shovel in the woods, not daring to take it, lest he should -meet some early riser, Rich, in pain and perturbation, limped through -fields and pastures, till he at length, to his great delight and relief, -reached his boarding-place.</p> - -<p>But his troubles were not ended. Every door was fastened. He could not, -with his lame foot, and entirely exhausted, clamber up the spout to his -room, and Rover began to bark in the porch, where he slept, with a -violence that Rich knew would soon awaken the whole family.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Clemens was very particular—extremely so—in respect to fastening -the doors at night, and there was no outbuilding to which Rich could -obtain access except the pig-sty. That was merely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> buttoned on the -outside. But this was too far from the house to suit his purpose, and -moreover, exposed to the observation of Dan, while milking, who was -always the first one up in the house.</p> - -<p>Dan was full of energy. His custom was to wake early, go directly to the -barn-yard, milk, bring the milk in, call the girl to strain it, and then -start off with the cows to pasture, returning by breakfast time. Rich -was familiar with the habits of Dan, and while deliberating with respect -to some place of concealment, was startled by hearing him shove back the -bolt of the end door. Close to the steps grew a large lilac bush, and -near that was a pile of apple-tree brush that had been hauled out of the -orchard. Rich ran behind the pile, and crouched to the ground, watching -Dan as he came out, rubbing his eyes, and the moment he saw him sit down -to a cow, crawled through the lilac bush, and stole quietly to his room. -Pulling off the boot, he washed the gravel and dust from his foot, flung -himself upon the bed, and sank into a slumber so profound that Dan, -unable to arouse his teacher, at breakfast time, by knocking on the -door, was compelled to enter, and shake him.</p> - -<p>It seemed, indeed, as though the complications connected with this -fruitless undertaking were never to have an end. Scarcely were they -seated at the breakfast table, when Mrs. Clemens observed—</p> - -<p>"Mr. Richardson, you look pale and worn out. I fear you passed a -sleepless night. Daniel said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> you were lying on the outside of the bed, -with your clothes on, when he went to call you. Will you not have an -alum curd on your foot this morning? It is so cleansing."</p> - -<p>"I think there is no need, Mrs. Clemens. A bruise in that place must be -more or less painful for a time. I slept very soundly indeed this -morning."</p> - -<p>"Well, I shall insist upon Daniel's taking you to school with the horse. -He is in the barn."</p> - -<p>"You are very kind, and I shall esteem it a great favor; and if you -please I will take a luncheon, and Daniel can bring me back at night; -for I scarcely feel equal to the walk."</p> - -<p>No sooner was this offer disposed of than Dan said,—</p> - -<p>"Mother, did you hear anybody prowling round the house last night?"</p> - -<p>"No, my dear: why do you ask?"</p> - -<p>"Because the shovel is gone; somebody must have stole it."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it is mislaid."</p> - -<p>"No, it ain't; I have looked everywhere. I wanted it to clean the barn."</p> - -<p>"I heard Rover barking dreadfully this morning; it waked me up. Did you -hear anybody round the house, Mr. Richardson? Being kept awake by your -wound, you would be more likely to hear any strange noise."</p> - -<p>"Well, Mrs. Clemens,—ahem!—indeed, I think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> there was some one went -out of the yard last night."</p> - -<p>"That's it, mother; and that's who Rover was barking at."</p> - -<p>"But how could they get into the barn?"</p> - -<p>"They might have a key, and unlock the padlock. Most anything will -unlock a padlock. But you must get another shovel, mother."</p> - -<p>"We will wait awhile. It may come to light,—might get into that load of -hay I sold,—be pitched up out of the floor with the hay. Mr. -Richardson, your face seems flushed; does your foot pain you?"</p> - -<p>"No, ma'am; it is quite easy now."</p> - -<p>The excessive soreness of Richardson's foot was occasioned by his use, -or rather abuse of it. But it recovered rapidly as soon as he began to -afford it rest, and make the proper applications. After enjoying a good -night's sleep, he told Mrs. Clemens he would like the loan of the horse, -to ride over to the next town after school at night, call on Perk, and -return in the evening. The next morning, when Dan went to feed the pigs, -the shovel was lying in the pig's bed, half covered in straw.</p> - -<p>"I told you it would come to light, Daniel. You used it to clean the -pig-pen, and left it there. The pigs threw it down, and rooted the straw -over it."</p> - -<p>"I didn't, mother. Haven't cleaned the pig-pen. Mr. Richardson does -that; I am afraid of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> the pigs. Somebody stole it, and brought it back."</p> - -<p>"Borrowed it, you mean, my dear. You should never make such -accusations."</p> - -<p>Dr. Ryan laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks when, some time -afterwards, Rich told him the result of his efforts to obtain the leg.</p> - -<p>"It is the first time I ever attempted anything of the kind," said Rich; -"it shall be the last. I'll stick to dogs, cats, and rabbits till I have -money to procure what I need."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXI.</span> <span class="smaller">PROGRESS AND PREJUDICE.</span></h2> - -<p>There was a mystery connected with Richardson's lameness that the -village gossips could never fathom. He was too important a personage to -escape comment. It was well known that he was so lame as to be compelled -to ride to school on three consecutive days; and yet Sam Waterhouse -declared he met him and talked with him at the old graveyard at three -o'clock on the morning he put his foot in the trap, and that he did not -appear to be much lame. Sam, however, was in the habit of drinking too -freely of New England rum, and always took a jug with him when on the -road; thus the majority, after a while, concluded Waterhouse had made -too free with the contents of his jug, and imagined it all.</p> - -<p>Rich, after this, assisted in several important operations in which the -two doctors were engaged. He likewise, when he could do it and not -interfere with his school, opened sores, administered medicines, let -blood, and dressed wounds, at the request of Dr. Ryan, who lost no -opportunity of bringing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> him forward, and became more and more attached -to him every day.</p> - -<p>When bones were to be set, Dr. Ryan, if the fracture was in any respect -a bad one, sent for Dr. Slaughter; but, as his own practice was large, -often relinquished the subsequent care of the fracture to Rich, and paid -him for it. In this manner, and by rigid economy, he was enabled to lay -by a considerable sum, besides purchasing some necessary instruments and -books.</p> - -<p>The good doctor was well aware that whenever he left the care of a -patient to Rich, whether it was a case of disease, or a wound, or broken -bone, that he practised a treatment quite different from the established -method; but as the patients generally did well, he made no troublesome -inquiries, and even turned a deaf ear to the hints of Dr. Slaughter in -respect to innovations upon the good old substantial practice.</p> - -<p>It was very hot weather, the middle of August, and a lad of seventeen -received a terrible cut in his thigh, by coming too near his father -while he was mowing oats. Dr. Ryan was away from home, attending the -funeral of a near relative in a distant town; the family instantly sent -for Rich. The wound, fortunately, was worse in appearance than reality, -as no artery was severed, though the gash presented a most formidable -appearance to inexperienced persons, and the parents were very much -alarmed.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p><p>Rich quieted their fears, stopped the bleeding, cleansed, bound up, and -dressed the wound. It was several days before the doctor returned. The -first time he rode out to visit his patients, he encountered on the road -an old acquaintance, but by no means a favorite of his, Miss Nelly -Buckminster. Miss Nelly was a spinster, lived by herself in a small -house left to her by her parents, and gained a livelihood by taking in -spinning, weaving, and plain sewing; occasionally kept house for anybody -who could endure her tongue, for she was an inveterate talker, and held -very decided opinions upon all subjects. In other respects she was an -excellent housekeeper, neat, industrious, economical, and an excellent -cook.</p> - -<p>Miss Nelly was very religious, exceedingly so; but her piety was of the -vociferous, rather than of the introspective cast. She was the recipient -of many presents. Some gave her because they thought her a very good -though rather peculiar woman, some because they were afraid of her -tongue, others because they knew she would tell of it from Dan to -Beersheba. We think it must have been the reasons assigned that -influenced so many persons to make presents to Nelly, because there was -not the least satisfaction to be derived from the act itself, as Nelly, -in expressing her gratitude and sense of obligation—which she never -failed to do—always ignored second causes, and paid her respects to the -Most High.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p><p>This might have been—undoubtedly was—good theology, but it was of the -nutmeg-grater variety, and altogether corrosive in both quality and -operation; for when persons bestow gifts, influenced by the purest -motives, some manifestation of gratitude is pleasant, and generally -expected; but no person ever received any from Nelly; her gratitude was -ever directed over the heads of the <i>instrumentalities</i> to the -<i>efficient</i> cause, which was not merely sound doctrine and -<i>conservative</i>, but did away at once with all troublesome sense of -obligation or return in kind.</p> - -<p>Squire Dresser once sent her by the hand of his son a bushel of Indian -meal. Henry knocked at the door, and gave her the bag of meal, saying,—</p> - -<p>"Miss Buckminster, here is a bushel of flour my father sent you, and -he'll call some time when he's going by to mill, and get the bag."</p> - -<p>"No thanks to Squire Dresser; thanks to the Lord; 'twas the Lord sent -it, and not the squire."</p> - -<p>Henry had made the interview as brief as possible, in order to escape an -exhortation on the subject of personal piety, that Nelly was in the -habit of administering to him whenever he came to her house of an -errand, and which altogether failed of producing any good impression, -because he did not like her, and by reason of the snappish way in which -she flung it at him.</p> - -<p>Finding he had in his haste made a mistake, he went back and said,—</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p><p>"Miss Buckminster, I made a mistake. 'Tis Indian and not wheat meal -that father sent you."</p> - -<p>"<i>Indian!</i> I should like to know what he sent <i>Indian</i> for!"</p> - -<p>This curt reply made a good deal of sport among the neighbors.</p> - -<p>"I don't believe the <i>Lord</i> will send her anything again very soon," -said Squire Dresser.</p> - -<p>"The old proverb is, 'Never look a gift horse in the mouth;' but she -presumes to find fault with the gifts of the Lord, tells what <i>he</i> -should send and what not."</p> - -<p>Dr. Ryan, who dearly loved good living, tempted by her unrivalled skill -as a cook, and confiding in his good temper and the soundness of his -nerves, once employed Nelly to keep house for him. She was possessed of -a very vivid imagination, and in the habit of cautioning people against -doing things they never entertained the thought of doing.</p> - -<p>It was cold, sharp weather, and the doctor had a small dog that was very -fond of stretching out on the hearth before the andirons. One day the -doctor came in, chilled from a long ride and stood warming himself; the -dog lay stretched at full length between him and the fire.</p> - -<p>"There! you'll kick that dog into the fire—I know you will!" screamed -Nelly.</p> - -<p>"So I will, then," said the doctor, and kicked him under the forestick.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p><p>Nelly never cautioned the doctor any more.</p> - -<p>In some respects it was difficult to reconcile her professions with her -practice: for instance, she always said in the prayer-meeting that it -was a great cross for her to rise and speak; whereas it was the settled -opinion of all who knew her that it would be a much greater cross for -her to hold her tongue, and Captain Motley said,—</p> - -<p>"If you nailed her down to the bench with ten-penny nails, she'd rise -and take it up with her."</p> - -<p>She always disliked people whom everybody else loved and respected, -called it <i>man-worship</i>, therefore didn't like Rich, couldn't bear him. -Dr. Ryan said, it was a good thing for Richardson; he ought to have one -ill-wisher, to take the curse off.</p> - -<p>"Doctor, good mornin'."</p> - -<p>"Good morning, Nelly."</p> - -<p>"Doctor, you never should ought to step your two feet out of this -village. Dreadful works, dreadful, since you've been away. Doctor, what -do you think this wicked world is comin' to? Errors in doctrine, new -lights rampaging round, turnin' things upside down; errors in doctorin,' -as though folks couldn't die fast enough themselves. Destruction to soul -and body both."</p> - -<p>"I expect it is coming to an end, Nelly."</p> - -<p>"When, doctor? Any ways soon? 'Cause we ought to be on our watch guards, -a girdin' up our loins and preparin'."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p><p>"O, no; I guess 'twill outlast you and me, and a good many other -people. But what is the trouble now?"</p> - -<p>"Trouble enough. Do you know, David Ryan, what a viper yer a nourishin' -in yer buzom? Do you know it, David Ryan? 'Cause if you don't, it's high -time you did. Do you know what that young snipper-snapper of a -Richardson is, that's allowed for to lead the singin' in the Lord's -house? The gals is all taken with his good looks, and the men with his -'ily tongue. But I tell you he's a—"</p> - -<p>Here Nelly thrust her tongue into her cheek, and looked unutterable -things.</p> - -<p>"I know he's a young man of true piety, most affectionate disposition, -and remarkable ability, and I won't hear a word said against him by you -or anybody else."</p> - -<p>"Jist like Deacon Starkweather; he's deceived yer both, pulled the wool -over both yer eyes. I tell you he's a—"</p> - -<p>"A what? Come, out with it. I don't like this stabbing in the dark. -Speak out."</p> - -<p>"He's a <i>new light</i>, a pestilent, pizen, <i>new light</i>," shouted Nelly, -with an emphasis she expected would throw the doctor from his horse. But -he stood the shock unmoved, and merely laughed.</p> - -<p>"It's no laughin' matter. There's John Tukey's boy cut hisself awful -with a scythe, and that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>snipper-snapper, don't you think, did it up in -<i>cold water</i>, nothin' else, instead of wrappin' it up in new rum, or rum -and wormwood, or salve, as you would have done, and keepin' it warm. -Enough to make him ketch his death a cold!"</p> - -<p>"Is he not doing well enough?"</p> - -<p>"Doin' well enough! The awfullest sight of <i>proud</i> flesh; it was a sight -to behold. I was there when old Granma'am Tyler put on her specs and -looked at it. She exclaimed right out. Says she, 'That wound will never -heal in this varsal world, with all that ere <i>proud</i> flesh in it, -Matilda,' says she (that's the boy's mother). 'Let me put on some burnt -alum, to eat out that proud flesh.' Matilda made answer, 'I should like -to have you, granma'am.' Then the boy up and says, 'No, she shan't.' -'Some red precipitate, then, dear, and hog's lard.' No, he wouldn't have -that. 'Some spruce gum, then.' No, he wouldn't have anything; nobody -should consarn with it or touch it but Mr. Richardson; he knew more than -Granny Tyler and all the old women in town."</p> - -<p>"I rather think the boy was right."</p> - -<p>"Right! That little <i>snipper-snapper</i>, that brought an ungodly <i>fiddle</i> -into the <i>sanctuary</i> on the <i>Lord's</i> day, know more'n <i>Granny Tyler</i>, an -experienced woman in sickness, and that's brought up a large family of -children! What do you s'pose he said when he came the next day, and -Matilda told him what Granny Tyler said? He jist laughed, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> said all -the proud flesh there was wouldn't hinder it from healing. Much he -knows, to say proud flesh wouldn't hinder a cut from healing! Them's the -very identical words he used. I'll stan' to it till my <i>dyin' day</i>."</p> - -<p>"I have not the least doubt he said so."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, doctor, I hope you'll go right in there, and put things to -rights, 'cause the old folks'll hear to you, and the boy'll hear to you; -and if you don't, perhaps the proud flesh'll grow worser and mortify; -'cause granny said a sore never would heal as long's there was one mite -of proud flesh in it; and if the boy should die, you'll be 'countable, -sartainly."</p> - -<p>"I can't go in; I've a long ride to another part of the town before me."</p> - -<p>"Well, you'll see, mark my word for it, there'll be trouble grow out of -this."</p> - -<p>The doctor had lost, in the course of his practice, several patients -from gangrene occasioned by the load of poultices, ointments, and -bandages it was then customary to apply, and he had some suspicions -whether there might not be some mistake in the old practice, and -resolved to permit Rich to manage matters as he thought best, having so -much confidence in his judgment and discretion that he felt sure he -would come to him for advice and consultation if the wound was -manifesting any unfavorable symptoms.</p> - -<p>We have no doubt our young readers share to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> the full the confidence of -the doctor in both the ability and discretion of Rich; still it seems as -though it were well to say a few words in his behalf, and in -explanation.</p> - -<p>Clean cuts, when the two sides of the wound can be brought together -directly, sometimes heal without any inflammation or suppuration; as it -were, stick right together. But when the parts cannot be brought -together at once, and are exposed to the external air, even if bandaged, -there will be inflammation, and then the wound heals by a natural -process, called by physicians "granulation."</p> - -<p>It was thus in the present instance. The boy and his father had taken a -field of oats to mow and harvest, a long distance from home, and the -wound had been some time exposed to the air, and by reason of the part -of the body in which it was situated could not be brought together so -closely as to cause it thus to heal by what surgeons call the "first -intention," and adhesive inflammation occurred, as is always the case -when wounded surfaces are not brought in contact at once.</p> - -<p>The process is this. In consequence of the inflammation which then takes -place, a yellow jelly-like substance is effused, covering the surfaces -of the wound, called fibrin; veins and arteries from the sound flesh -shoot into this, it becomes organized, another layer is thrown out, -which in its turn passes through the same process; but now begins -another step in the progress. From this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> organized fibrin spring -innumerable little pointed cones, similar to the kernels of rice corn, -at first of a pale red, becoming more florid as they increase in age, -into which arteries and veins thrust themselves. These are the -granulations. They have nerves and blood-vessels, are therefore alive, -and when healthy, sensitive; and they likewise possess a disposition to -unite, and when the two surfaces of a wound covered with granulations -come in contact, the blood-vessels of one penetrate the other, they -amalgamate and form flesh.</p> - -<p>As they increase they contract, thus both filling the cavity and drawing -the lips of the wound together, till, when it heals, the scar occupies -much less space than the original cut. This process takes place when the -granulations are healthy, and almost, but not completely, fill the -wound, being a grain lower than the surface of the skin, and manifesting -a disposition to glaze over.</p> - -<p>At other times they are coarse, of large size, the points blunt, are -spongy, pale, or blue, show no tendency to skin over, and puff up above -the surface of the sound flesh, which swells and is inflamed. Physicians -denominate these granulations fungus, it being found from experience -that whenever granulations rise higher than the level of the surrounding -surface they are not likely to form skin. This, among people in general, -from the appearance, probably, goes by the name of <i>proud</i> flesh.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p><p>The old matrons cherished a mortal dread of proud flesh. They would put -on their spectacles, look carefully at the wound, hold up both hands, -and exclaim with alarm, "<i>Proud</i> flesh!" often times when only the -proper amount of granulations was present, and they had numerous -specifics for its removal—spruce gum, burnt alum, the ashes of oak -bark, nutgalls, and red precipitate. But in their zeal to extirpate -proud flesh, and, as they termed it, <i>do</i> something, they sometimes used -little discrimination, and made war upon healthy material.</p> - -<p>The particular thing that seemed to lie with the greatest weight upon -the minds of the ancient dames and Miss Buckminster was, that, according -to them, Rich was <i>doing nothing</i> for the poor lad. He was neither -bleeding him, physicking him, putting on salves and heavy bandages, nor -anything to kill the <i>proud</i> flesh. They made such a fuss that at last -the boy, who had hitherto reposed the greatest confidence in his young -physician, became a little <i>nervous</i>, and told Rich what the matrons -said.</p> - -<p>"My dear boy," said he, "there is very little <i>to</i> be <i>done</i>. What these -good women call <i>proud</i> flesh is a <i>healthy</i> growth, the rudiments of -new flesh, and without it your wound would <i>never</i> heal. It is no more -in my power, or that of any other person, to heal your flesh than to -make one hair white or black. Nature and time will do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> that. The -inflammation has passed off, and the wound is healing. All that can be -done is to keep the parts cool, defend them from the air, sustain your -strength by a proper diet, and keep you quiet. The less you move, the -faster your leg will heal; and as for bleeding, you have lost too much -blood already from the cut."</p> - -<p>The lad, after this, dismissing his anxieties, concerned himself no more -about the proud flesh or the fears and prognostications of the matrons.</p> - -<p>The patient in due time recovered, greatly to the satisfaction of Dr. -Ryan. It also increased the reputation of Rich, though Miss Buckminster -declared that "the boy should ought to have died of mortification or -lockjaw, but the <i>Lord</i> overruled it and spared him for some good end, -spite of the new-fangled doctor."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXII.</span> <span class="smaller">SUITING MEANS TO ENDS.</span></h2> - -<p>The early frosts had now commenced. The glory of summer was succeeded by -the maturity of autumn, and in the valleys here and there the white -maples and ash began to assume their yellow and crimson hues. The -diseases incident to the period of the year were prevalent, and Dr. Ryan -was riding night and day.</p> - -<p>As Richardson was passing the doctor's house on his way from school in -the afternoon, the latter called to him, and said,—</p> - -<p>"Mr. Richardson, I wish you would do me a favor. I am just about to step -into my gig to visit a person taken with the bilious colic, in great -distress, and a man has this moment gone from the door who wants me to -go to see Mr. Jonathan Davis, who has cut off the tendon Achillis -(heel-cord) with an adze; a clean cut. Can't you get on the back of the -other horse, and take care of Mr. Davis?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. I'll leave my books in your office, and be right off."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p><p>"But you'll want some supper."</p> - -<p>"I'll eat there after I get through."</p> - -<p>Davis kept a good stock of tools, made his wheels, harrows, yokes, and -other farming tools, and some for his neighbors. In working with an adze -between his feet, the instrument glanced, and the corner of it severed -the tendon of his left leg.</p> - -<p>The Achillis tendon is large, and connected with a very strong muscle, -as it sustains a great strain when the foot is thrown forward, and the -weight of the body, perhaps with the addition of some burden on the -shoulder, raised by it; and when broken or cut, the strong muscles of -which it is a prolongation, cause it to contract very much.</p> - -<p>Farmer Davis was a member of the choir, much attached to Rich; and, -though he was somewhat disappointed at not seeing Dr. Ryan, his old -physician, yet there was probably not a person in the town to whom Rich -could have been sent upon such an errand where he would have found less -of prejudice to contend with, either in respect to his youth, lack of -experience, or any new-fangled notions he might have the reputation of -entertaining.</p> - -<p>"Good afternoon, Mr. Davis. I am sorry for your injury, and also that -Dr. Ryan could not come. I expect you will hardly care to see so poor a -substitute; but I feared there might be some artery cut, and knew you -needed prompt attention."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p><p>Farmer Davis was quite a different person from Miss Buckminster in many -other respects besides gender, being a most skilful mechanic, and an -intelligent, clear-headed man.</p> - -<p>"Well, Mr. Richardson," he replied, "you know very well you're as -welcome to my house as flowers in May; and as for this business of the -leg, I don't believe that Dr. Ryan, who's doctored my family and my -father's afore me, would have sent you if he hadn't known you was -capable; and if he had, I don't believe, if you hadn't thought you knew -what was to be done and how to do it, you'd have come."</p> - -<p>"I have come to do the best I can, which is very little, as this is a -case where art can do but little to assist nature; but if you feel any -hesitation, say so; the horse is at the door; I'll go get Dr. -Slaughter."</p> - -<p>"Won't have him; he's no better than a <i>butcher</i>. Go ahead, Mr. -Richardson. There must be a first time with every man. I believe the -first pair of wheels I ever made were as good and well finished up as -any I've made since, 'cause I took more pains; and I've heern old -Captain Deering say that 'a green hand that's just learning to steer a -vessel will oftentimes steer better'n an old sailor, 'cause the old -fellow is careless; but t'other's scared to death all the time, and puts -his whole soul into it.'"</p> - -<p>After examining the wound, Rich said,—</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p><p>"There are two methods of treating this injury, the old method and the -new. I will explain both of them; you may then take your choice, and I -will follow your directions."</p> - -<p>"That's fair. Let's hear."</p> - -<p>"You see all the tendons play in a sheath, which is fixed, and the -tendons play back and forth in it."</p> - -<p>"Just like a spyglass, one part shoves into the other."</p> - -<p>"Yes. And they are all on the stretch, like a piece of rubber drawn out, -and when they are cut, the contraction of the muscles draws the two ends -apart. The muscles in the upper part of the leg have drawn one end of -this heel-cord up into its sheath, and the muscles on the forward part -of the leg, by bending the foot back, have drawn the other end down into -its sheath. Now, the old method, that which Dr. Slaughter and Dr. Ryan -both would pursue, is to search in the sheath, get hold of the ends of -the cord, and sew them together, which in your case would involve the -necessity of cutting to accomplish it."</p> - -<p>"I understand that. Now what is the new fashion?"</p> - -<p>"The old physicians thought a tendon could not unite unless the ends -touched, and so used to sew them together. But it has been since proved -by experiment that although it is well to bring the ends of the tendon -as near to each other as can well<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> be done, they will unite even if they -are half an inch or an inch apart."</p> - -<p>"How can they grow together if they don't touch?"</p> - -<p>"A liquid substance exudes from the surrounding vessels, fills the -sheath, thickens into a jelly, then becomes a callous, grows to the two -ends, forms a bunch, and in time shrinks up and becomes just like the -rest of the tendon."</p> - -<p>"How did they find that out?"</p> - -<p>"Men have broken the tendon and wouldn't have their leg cut open to -stitch the ends together, but kept still, had splints put on, and the -ends brought as near as possible in that way, got well, and recovered -the use of the limb. If there's no need of cutting a hole in a sound leg -to sew a tendon together, there's no need of sewing one when a hole is -already cut, or of cutting it larger to get at it."</p> - -<p>"That stands to reason. So go ahead. I don't see why there shouldn't be -improvements in doctoring as well as in everything else. My father -winnowed his grain in a half a bushel, and had to wait for the wind. I -winnow mine when I get ready, and raise my own wind with the machine."</p> - -<p>Rich bent the leg on the thigh, so as to relax the muscles in the calf -of the leg as much as possible, then with his hands worked down the -calf, bringing the upper end of the tendon down, and put a bandage -around to confine the muscles and keep them from retracting; brought the -foot forward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> in order to bring the lower end of the tendon up, and -employed an assistant to keep it so.</p> - -<p>In the mean time he went into Mr. Davis's shop, where he found tools, -selected a sweeping piece of wood, and in a very few moments made a -splint of sufficient length to extend from just below the knee to the -toes, and that by its elliptical form partially filled the angle made by -the foot and leg; he then padded the space between it and the flesh, -fastened it to the leg and toes in such a manner as to keep the foot -extended and prevent the patient from involuntarily moving the muscles. -He now could feel the ends of the tendon, and ascertained, much to his -satisfaction, that they were very nearly in contact. He now said,—</p> - -<p>"Mr. Davis, the space between the extremities of this tendon is very -small, consequently there is so much less new matter to be formed. You -will not suffer much pain, but you will sustain a great trial of your -patience, more than though your leg was broken, for then you would feel -compelled to lie still. The rapidity and thoroughness of your cure will -be in proportion to the patience you exercise, and the degree of care -you take in respect to those motions absolutely necessary. It will be -six weeks or more before this new substance I have been speaking of will -form between the ends, and many months before you can place much strain -upon the tendon."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p><p>"Shall I have to lie in bed long?"</p> - -<p>"No; but you must keep perfectly still for a while. You will not be able -to wear this splint long. It is only extemporized for the occasion. I'll -make something better to-morrow."</p> - -<p>The second day, after school hours, Richardson visited his patient -again, and directed Mrs. Davis to make a shoe of carpeting, -slipper-fashion, leaving the toe a little open, to prevent galling, and -sewing a strap to the heel of it. This he fastened to a bandage around -the leg above the calf, which took the place of the splint, kept the -heel back, the foot forward, and the ends of the tendon in their place, -and was much more comfortable for the patient.</p> - -<p>Farmer Davis in eight weeks was relieved from the slipper, strap, and -bandage during the night, putting them on in the daytime, and began to -walk with a cane. There was a bunch on the tendon the size of a robin's -egg, which gradually disappeared; and in four months the limb was as -serviceable as ever.</p> - -<p>When, a fortnight after the event, Dr. Ryan ascertained that Rich had -merely brought the ends of the tendon within half an inch, and let it go -at that, he shook his head, looked anxious, but said nothing. Dr. -Slaughter was not so reticent, and declared the parts would never unite, -but grow to the sheath, and the man be lame for life.</p> - -<p>Richardson now pursued the even tenor of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> way, without the least -interruption till the middle of the winter, when he was called to old -Mr. Avery, a shingle weaver, who had cut himself with his draw-shave. -The wound bled a great deal before Richardson arrived, and the patient -being an old man, it healed very slowly. Avery became impatient, and -thought his physician was not doing enough. Rich, unable to convince -him, as he was a very ignorant and obstinate man, that the process of -healing must necessarily be slow, on account of his age, and that nature -must do the work, called in Dr. Ryan, who confirmed the judgment of Rich -and approved his method, but the patient not convinced, fussed and -fretted, said Rich "was <i>doing nothing</i>," and talked about "sending for -Dr. Slaughter." Rich, at his wits' end, and not relishing the idea of -having a patient taken out of his hands, cast about for some way of -keeping him quiet.</p> - -<p>At length, in a wakeful hour of the night, he bethought himself of a -means of relief, suggested by something he had read in one of the old -romances while in college, and the next day proceeded to put it in -practice.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Avery," he said, "I think I have discovered something that will be -just the thing you need, and answer the purpose completely."</p> - -<p>"Do let me know it, then, right off. I ought to be at work in the shop -this minute."</p> - -<p>"Do you think the draw-shave that you cut<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> yourself with has been used -since? Because if it has, nothing can be done, and the charm will be -broken."</p> - -<p>"No, I know it 'tain't; 'cause I laid it across the horse, and the -shop's been locked up ever sence. Then you can charm; that's something -like. There was a woman in this town could charm; but she died four year -ago; and she didn't give her power to anybody. They say they kin, if -they like, give it to anybody else, that is, if they're a seventh son or -darter, not without."</p> - -<p>"You don't believe that nonsense, I hope."</p> - -<p>"Sartain sure I do. I <i>know</i> that woman could charm. But you doctors -never believe anything you don't do yourselves, or don't read in a book; -but that's nuther here nor there. What is it you've found out?"</p> - -<p>"Well, Mr. Avery, the ancient wise folks, a great many hundred years -ago, had a custom of applying the rust of the weapon or tool that made -the wound to it; or, if there was no rust, of making the applications to -the instrument; and by some secret, mysterious influence, as they held, -the wound was healed."</p> - -<p>"There, now, that stan's to reason. You've said somethin' to the p'int -now. I believe in them ere things what's handed down from the old -forefathers. I tell you they forgot more'n we ever knew. These things -what's handed down, they're sperience, they ain't guesswork. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> -Indians can cure cancers, but the white doctors can't. Mercy Jane, you -git the key out of my westcoat pocket, and bring in that ere draw-shave; -it's laying across the horse."</p> - -<p>When the draw-shave was brought; to the great satisfaction both of Rich -and his patient, considerable rust was found on the edge. Avery had -ground it the afternoon he cut himself, and only drawn a few strokes -before he inflicted the wound, and the water from the grinding, still on -the edge, caused it, after lying, to rust. Rich, carefully scraping the -rust from the tool (about enough to cover the point of a penknife), -applied it to the wound. He next produced several large plasters of -different colors, red, black, green, blue, and yellow.</p> - -<p>"What are them plasters spread with?" said the patient.</p> - -<p>"Indeed, Mr. Avery, that is an affair of my own."</p> - -<p>"I'll warrant it. That's allers the way with doctors."</p> - -<p>"Neither will I apply it, or go one step farther, unless you will -solemnly promise me that you will observe strictly my directions as to -diet, and stay in your bed or your chair, and keep the limb still."</p> - -<p>"Well, I will, I sartainly will. I'll do jist zactly as you tell me to."</p> - -<p>"See that you don't forget it the moment I am out of the room; if you -do, it will be the worse for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> you, that's all, for those are plasters of -tremendous power, and if you do not, you will have something horribilis, -aspectu horridus, detestabilis, abominandus."</p> - -<p>Rich held up his hands in horror and made an awful face. They were -indeed of tremendous power, and had they been applied to his flesh -instead of to the draw-shave, would soon have put him beyond the cares -and trials of this stormy life. One, the green, was made of hog's lard, -beef tallow, and verdigris; the blue, of beeswax, linseed oil, and -Prussian blue; the black, of the same materials, colored with lampblack; -the red, with vermilion, a mercurial compound, quicksilver, and sulphur; -and the yellow with gamboge. Rich now produced several large rolls of -bandages, and, after strewing the plasters with brick dust, applied them -to the knife, and then enveloped the whole in fold over fold of the -bandage, till the knife was as large as a man's thigh.</p> - -<p>"Now," he said to Mrs. Avery, "this must be put where no rat, mouse, -cat, or any other creature can get at it."</p> - -<p>"I'm sure," said she, "I don't know of any safer place than the oven. -We've got two; and one I don't use often."</p> - -<p>"Well, put it in the oven."</p> - -<p>After Rich left, Avery said,—</p> - -<p>"Wife, Mr. Richardson knows a lot; he'll make a great doctor."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span></p><p>"I expect he will. But, husband, you must keep still, and do jist as he -told you, and mustn't hanker after pork and beans. You know what he -said—'if you didn't, it would be worser for you.' And what them awful -outlandish words meant I don't know; but I expect they meant you'd die -right off if you didn't do everything jist as he said."</p> - -<p>"Well, I mean to keep as still as a mouse. You must tell me when I -don't."</p> - -<p>When Rich again visited his patient, he said,—</p> - -<p>"Mr. Avery, there has been a very marked improvement in your leg, and it -will soon be well, if you continue to follow implicitly my directions."</p> - -<p>"I knew that would do the business. It begun to feel better the minute -you put them ere plasters on to the draw-shave."</p> - -<p>In a short time it was well; and, lest our young readers should -attribute the cure to the wrong means, we would say that, Mr. Avery -being in years, his flesh healed slowly, and, as he was of a nervous -temperament, kept irritating his wound all the time by motion, and -refused to govern his appetite. This conduct aggravated the difficulty. -Whereas his faith in the strange remedy appealing to the superstitious -sentiments of his nature, and fear of the terrible consequences couched -under the Latin of Rich, kept him quiet, and effected the cure by giving -nature time to operate.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p><p>Rich had now accumulated a little money, and resolved to visit his -patients, attend medical lectures at Brunswick, and see Morton on his -way. He accordingly employed Perk to finish out the term, as part of the -period of his absence would be during the vacation. As his funds were by -no means excessive, he made the journey on foot, with the exception of a -few miles of the first part of the way, over which he was carried by Dan -Clemens.</p> - -<p>It was near night on the second day, and Rich, weary, hungry, and -foot-sore, had been for some time expecting to come in sight of a -village where was a tavern; but none appeared. At length his patience -was exhausted, and arriving at a substantial-looking farm-house, he -knocked, and inquired of the farmer, who came at the summons, how far it -was to the next tavern.</p> - -<p>"Well, 'tis good three miles; yes, strong that." But noticing the -disappointed look of Rich, said, "Young man, you look tired. If you'll -stop with me, you shall be welcome to such as we have."</p> - -<p>Rich gladly accepted the invitation, and was ushered into the kitchen, -where he found the farmer's family, consisting of his wife, two sons, -and two daughters. One of the daughters immediately rose, pulled the -table into the floor, put on the tea-kettle, and, as Rich thought (who -was very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> hungry, for he had eaten since morning only a luncheon), -provided a meal about as speedily as he had ever seen it done in his -life.</p> - -<p>"My mother," thought he, "couldn't do better than that."</p> - -<p>Rich was at first surprised that neither the mother nor elder sister -gave any assistance to this young woman in preparing an extra meal, but -continued their sewing. He afterwards, however, ascertained that the -thrifty mother brought up her daughters to take their week around in the -kitchen doing the cooking; and that it was this daughter's week. After -making ready for Rich, she began to iron at a table in the corner of the -room, and when he finished, cleared away the dishes, and resumed her -ironing. He was very much struck with the domestic accomplishments of -the young woman, and thought her extremely good-looking; but this might -be owing to the fact, that, being very hungry, he felt grateful for a -bountiful meal so speedily provided; his habits of thought as a -physician also led him to notice that she was well-formed and in fine -health.</p> - -<p>His boots off, seated before a cheerful fire, and well fed, Rich forgot -his fatigue, and passed a most pleasant evening. He endeavored several -times to draw into conversation Miss Caroline; but she stuck to her -ironing, and merely replied to his questions politely.</p> - -<p>At bed-time he said to the farmer,—</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p><p>"Mr. Conant, I will settle with you before I go to bed, as I mean to -start by sunrise."</p> - -<p>"But you will not start on a day's walk without breakfast."</p> - -<p>"I will get my breakfast at the next village. That will divide the -forenoon about right; and after walking three miles I shall be 'sharp -set' for eating."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Richardson, I can contrive better than that. I shan't take a cent -for your keeping, and William will put the horse in the sleigh and take -you to the village. He was going to start early to carry something to -market there. You will have your breakfast, and be well started on your -journey, and when you come back, make it in your way to call here. We -shall be right pleased to see you. I'll give you a lift on your way."</p> - -<p>The next morning Rich was up by break of day, and found that William had -harnessed the horse, and Caroline had the breakfast ready. He now found -her rather less reserved, and went away with a most favorable impression -of her intelligence.</p> - -<p>After a very delightful visit at home, where he found everything -pleasant and prosperous, his parents on the original homestead, with -every prospect of soon owning it, seeing Morton and enjoying a glorious -time with him, by some singular combination of circumstances he was -again overtaken by night at farmer Conant's door when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> it never looked -more like a storm, which indeed came that night, and Rich was obliged to -stay there two days, which, however, passed very pleasantly.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIII.</span> <span class="smaller">THE TURN OF THE TIDE.</span></h2> - -<p>When Rich returned, shortly after the commencement of the summer term, -he was joyfully welcomed by his pupils. In the course of ten days he -received a box by the stage, of quite modest proportions, that was -instantly transferred to the harness-room, and respecting the reception -of which Rich seemed very much interested, having been several times to -the stage tavern to inquire about it.</p> - -<p>This box contained all the bones of the human frame; and no wonder that -Rich was concerned about their arrival, considering his intense interest -in the study of anatomy, and furthermore, the low state of his funds, -and that they cost him but five dollars.</p> - -<p>It was customary for the lecturer to procure subjects for dissection (in -what way was best known to himself), for any students who wished this -opportunity of private study and dissection, at twenty dollars apiece. -Rich clubbed with three more and bought one. After they had dissected<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> -and made a study of the different parts in which each felt most -specially interested, the bones remained. To secure and put these -together properly, so as to form an entire and perfect skeleton, -repairing the damages made by the dissecting saw on the skull, to get at -the brain, was a great deal of work, and required not only anatomical -knowledge, but great patience and no small degree of mechanical skill; -and the other students, who were able to purchase skeletons already -prepared, and possessed neither the patience nor mechanical ability to -perform the work, and, moreover, liked Rich, gave him their portion of -the bones.</p> - -<p>To prepare, classify, and wire them together was a most congenial as -well as profitable occupation to Rich; it fixed the arrangement, names, -and shape of the bones and articulations in his mind, and also gratified -his mechanical tastes; and he in the course of the summer accomplished -the work, during the performance of which his practice in working iron -stood him in good stead, as he replaced the spinal marrow by an iron -rod, cut a thread on each end, and made thumb-nuts with which to confine -the vertebral column.</p> - -<p>The fact of his having attended medical lectures at Brunswick, coupled -with his previous success in some cases of minor importance, increased -very much the confidence of people in general touching his ability as a -physician, and he had numerous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> calls, to all of which he turned a deaf -ear, devoting himself entirely to his scholars and studies.</p> - -<p>At length circumstances concurred to place him in a position of great -perplexity, and one where he was, as it were, compelled to assume a -responsibility from which he would gladly have been excused. Dan -Clemens, Frank Merrill, and Horace Williams had natural history, in the -form of ornithology, "on the brain." If these youngsters didn't sit on -eggs, they dreamed of them. It would be difficult to mention anything -they would not do for Rich when the remuneration was a <i>rare bird</i>, shot -and stuffed.</p> - -<p>To be soaked to the skin, and so tired they could scarcely put one foot -before the other, were pastimes when birds were ahead; and to obtain -eggs they would venture life and limb. The fatigue of soldiers on a -forced march was trifling in comparison with what they cheerfully -endured; and their mothers, during the spring and summer months, were in -a state of chronic anxiety, expecting nothing less than their being -brought home with broken bones.</p> - -<p>One Saturday afternoon they were all in swimming with a crowd of boys -who took not the least interest in their favorite study; but one of -them, while undressing under a leafy elm, at whose roots the boys were -accustomed to put their clothes, espied the nest of a Baltimore oriole, -and told Dan, who was in the water with Frank and Horace.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> They -instantly dressed, and began to look with longing eyes at the nest that -was pendent from the extremity of a slender branch near the top of the -tree, and on its southern side.</p> - -<p>"We can't get that nest," said Horace, "for we can't climb the tree, -it's so far to a limb. If we could climb it, the limbs won't bear a -fellow to reach the nest."</p> - -<p>"Yes, we can," said Dan; "we must have those eggs. You give me a boost. -I'll bet I can climb it."</p> - -<p>"If you do, you can't reach the nest."</p> - -<p>"I can tell better after I get there."</p> - -<p>Dan did his best, but had to give it up; so did Horace. Frank was the -best climber of the three, though of lighter weight than the others, and -less plump—an exceedingly agile and sinewy boy. He did not, however, -relinquish his efforts and slide reluctantly down the trunk till he was -within three feet of the lowest limb.</p> - -<p>"If you could only boost me up that much I fell short, I could go it," -said Frank, "after I rest and get breath."</p> - -<p>"Let us," said Dan, "pile up a great heap of stones, one of us stand on -that, and the rest put Frank's feet on his shoulders."</p> - -<p>"No; get some nails and a hammer, and nail some pieces of board on the -tree," said Horace.</p> - -<p>"Zuckers! I know how you can git up," said a barefooted, red-headed boy -of twelve, whose <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>hat-rim was nearly torn off thrashing bumblebees on -thistle blossoms, and who didn't go to the academy nor any other school, -save a few weeks in the winter, and who lived on a farm three miles from -the village, but had the presumption to come there and go in swimming -with the academy boys, because it was the best place on the river, and -who could swim like a fish.</p> - -<p>"You shut up," said Frank. "How much do <i>you</i> know about it? And what -business have <i>you</i> there in <i>our</i> swimming-place?"</p> - -<p>"Tain't none of <i>your</i> place, nuther; it's Mr. Seth Hardin's pastur. -I've good right here's you have. If you touch me, I'll heave a stone at -your head, and I'll tell our Sam, and he'll give you a lickin'."</p> - -<p>"What is the way, bub?" said Dan, too anxious to get the eggs to fling -away any chance of success. "What do you know about it?"</p> - -<p>"I know our Sam would git up that tree quick as a cat would lick her -ear, I swanny."</p> - -<p>"How, bub?"</p> - -<p>"Arter plantin', dad allers gives Sam half a day to go troutin' and git -elum rine (elm rind) to string our corn, and me and Abigail allers go -too. Sam takes the axe and starts a strip of bark at the butt of a tree, -till he can git his hands hold; then he gives it a twitch, and rips it -up clear to the limbs; then he starts another one till he gits enough. -Arter that he takes hold of one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> on 'em, and climbs up jist like -nothin', and cuts 'em all off but one rope that he saves to come down -on. They break off sometimes when there's a knot-hole; they won't run -over a knot-hole. Abigail and me has jolly times swingin' on the ropes -afore he cuts 'em off, and strippin' 'em into twine arter he takes the -outside bark off, and windin' 'em into big balls."</p> - -<p>The inner bark of the elm, cedar, bass, and willow is very strong and -tough; when peeled from the outside layer and soaked in water it makes a -very good substitute for twine. Our ancestors were taught the value of -it by the Indians, and used it to string their corn and bind sheaves, -and some old-fashioned people have not yet abandoned the practice. -Getting elm rind and cutting withe rods were always popular with the -boys, as it gave them part of a holiday.</p> - -<p>"That's it," said Dan; "I see it all now. Here, bub."</p> - -<p>He gave him three cents, upon which little Red-head put his bare feet to -the ground and went off at a killing pace.</p> - -<p>An axe was procured at Seth Harding's, and a strip of bark peeled from -the butt of the tree to one of the lower limbs.</p> - -<p>"Let us all go up," said Horace. "We will stay in the tree and take the -nest from Frank. He's the lightest to go out on the limb."</p> - -<p>Frank, taking hold of the piece of bark, put his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> legs around the tree, -and pulled himself up, ascending in this way quite easily. Too impatient -to wait, Dan and Horace followed suit, all three ascending at the same -time.</p> - -<p>In their haste and anxiety to run the bark as far up as possible, in -order to reach one of the lower limbs easily, they ran it too far, -within a few inches of the place where the branch joined the tree. The -result of this was, that when they were pretty well up the trunk, Frank -incautiously pressing the bark from the tree with his knees, it started -the second time and ran out on the limb. Away swung the boys, far off -from the trunk, in mid-air. The bark kept running narrower and narrower, -as the limb grew smaller, till, its farther progress being suddenly -arrested by a number of small limbs, it divided up and broke, while the -boys came down into the water, amid the shouts and laughter of the rest, -who were either swimming or putting on their clothes.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i264.jpg" alt="A Slippery Elm" /></div> - -<p class="bold"><span class="smcap">A Slippery Elm.</span> Page 266.</p> - -<p>Frank escaped without hurt, but he gave Dan a bloody nose with the heels -of his shoes, while Horace, who was undermost, barked both shins on a -rock that just broke the surface of the water.</p> - -<p>Learning wisdom from experience, they stripped the bark at the next -trial farther from the limb, ascending one at a time, and met with no -difficulty. The branch on which the nest hung bent over the river. -Frank, grasping the branch, put his feet on the one directly beneath it, -and thus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> gradually worked his way till he came very near the nest, and -the parent birds began to fly around his head.</p> - -<p>But the branch now bent so much that Dan, who had been the most anxious -to obtain the nest and its contents, begged him to desist and give it -up; so did Horace; but Frank's blood was up and his pride roused, for -there was a crowd of boys looking at him.</p> - -<p>"If I fall," he said, "I shall fall into the water, and I can swim -ashore."</p> - -<p>At length he could touch the outside of the nest with the tips of his -fingers.</p> - -<p>"O, if my arm was only two inches longer!"</p> - -<p>"Don't, Frank," said Dan, "go any farther. It frightens me to see the -limb bend so."</p> - -<p>Scarcely were the words uttered, when the limb upon which he stood broke -as he was holding to the branch above by only one hand. Reaching after -the nest with the other, he fell feet foremost into the river, catching -by the limbs as he went. There were boys still in the water, who, -instantly swam to him, while Dan and Horace, hurrying down the tree, -plunged in. Frank kept himself on top of the water, after rising, but -when the boys reached him, said,—</p> - -<p>"I can't swim; I believe my leg is broke. I struck something under -water, and heard it snap."</p> - -<p>It was on a Saturday afternoon that this accident occurred, and Rich had -embraced the opportunity<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> to work upon his bones. He was busily engaged -in the harness-room, with the door fastened, when he was startled by a -rousing rap, and the voice of Dan clamoring for admittance. Opening the -door, he beheld Dan pale and excited, and the face of Mrs. Clemens over -his shoulder, who manifested no less alarm.</p> - -<p>"O, Mr. Richardson!" cried Dan, "Frank's fell off a tree and broke his -leg. Horace and Mr. Harding have carried him home, and Dr. Ryan has gone -down there, and wants you to come right down. Mr. Harding said be -expected they'd cut his leg off. Mr. Richardson, don't let 'em cut poor -Frank's leg off—will you?"</p> - -<p>"I hope it won't be necessary," said Rich, as he locked the door; "but -the doctors will do what they think is for the best."</p> - -<p>"Just what I have been expecting all the spring, ever since this -egg-hunting began. I hope it will be a solemn warning to you, Daniel," -said his mother.</p> - -<p>It happened very opportunely that this was a day fixed upon by Dr. Ryan -and his friend, Dr. Slaughter, to remove a tumor, the person being one -of Dr. Ryan's patients. They had returned, having performed the -operation, and were at the house in a few moments after the boy was -brought home, and Richardson was not far behind them.</p> - -<p>"You had better strip the limb, Mr. Richardson," said Dr. Ryan; "he is -more familiar with you."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p><p>Rich bared the leg by ripping the clothes at the seam, and the two -physicians commenced their examination. In his fall the boy had struck -on the end of a sunken log, the remaining portion being imbedded in the -bank, and both bones were broken. The tibia (or larger bone) was -fractured obliquely, the sharp point of the upper end protruding through -the skin; and the fibula (or smaller bone) probably with a pipe-stem -fracture (square across.)</p> - -<p>The physicians now went into a room apart for consultation, and Rich, -whom they did not invite to accompany them, employed himself in -examining the leg, and endeavoring to soothe and encourage the boy.</p> - -<p>Dr. Slaughter gave it as his opinion, that the limb must be amputated at -once.</p> - -<p>Dr. Ryan shrank from this, referred to the age and firm constitution of -the patient, thought "it was a pity that the boy should be made a -cripple at his time of life; that, though one of the fractures was -oblique, the bone was not comminuted, and hoped it might be set, and the -patient do well."</p> - -<p>His brother physician, on the other hand, was positive.</p> - -<p>"It was a compound fracture, and it was a settled principle in anatomy -always to amputate in a compound fracture. Air had been admitted, the -muscles and integuments lacerated and bruised;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> mortification would take -place, the leg would have to be amputated higher up after all, with -scarcely a chance for life."</p> - -<p>Dr. Ryan, accustomed for years to look to his companion for direction in -all surgical operations, was obliged to yield the point; and the parents -were informed it was the opinion of the physicians that amputation was -necessary. Mr. Merrill, who reposed the greatest confidence in Dr. Ryan, -and was not aware that he had hesitated in the matter, acquiesced at -once, though with tears, for Frank was their only child.</p> - -<p>But it was very different with the mother, who was a woman of excellent -judgment, great penetration, and decision of character. She utterly -refused, divined that Dr. Ryan secretly cherished a different opinion -and did not act freely, and entreated the physicians to set the bones, -and bind up the wound. But this Dr. Slaughter refused to do. They then -informed their son of the doctors' decision.</p> - -<p>"Mother," said Frank, "I had rather die than have my leg cut off, and be -a cripple for life."</p> - -<p>They then asked the opinion of Rich, but he declined to advance any.</p> - -<p>"Well, wife," said the husband, "we must say something; the doctors are -waiting. I'll do as you think best."</p> - -<p>"I," replied she, firmly, "will not give my consent to amputation."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p><p>"Well, abide the consequences, then," said Dr. Slaughter; and he left -the house in a huff, followed reluctantly by his companion and -Richardson.</p> - -<p>The parents looked at each other, after they had gone, in doubt and -dread. There lay the boy, nothing done as yet, and every moment of -delay, increasing the difficulty of cure and augmenting the danger.</p> - -<p>"Shall I harness up, wife, and go to B. after Dr. Loring, or to M. after -Dr. Blake?"</p> - -<p>"They will probably refuse to do anything but amputate. No, husband. Let -us send for Mr. Richardson."</p> - -<p>"O, do, mother," said Frank; "he's better than all the other doctors in -this world, and he loves me."</p> - -<p>"It is not likely he would do anything," replied the father. "We asked -his opinion, and he wouldn't give any."</p> - -<p>"To be sure he wouldn't before them. I know that he didn't think the -limb ought to be taken off—saw it in his looks. I don't believe Dr. -Ryan did, either, only Dr. Slaughter has got him under his thumb."</p> - -<p>Rich was eating his supper when Mr. Merrill came for him, and shoving -back his plate, went with him directly.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Richardson," said the mother, "there is no one here but ourselves. -Please to speak freely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> Do you think it is necessary or best to cut off -Frank's leg?"</p> - -<p>"I do not. I think there is as great a chance for the boy to live with -the limb on as off—that the bones may be set, and the limb saved as -good as ever."</p> - -<p>"Will you give me your reasons, and tell me what Dr. Slaughter meant by -a compound fracture, and why doctors always amputate in that case; and -do it in language that his father and I can understand?"</p> - -<p>"A simple fracture is where the bones are broken, but there is no -external wound, and when the bones are set they heal for the most part -readily. But a compound fracture is one in which the bone pushes through -the skin, the muscles are lacerated, or, by the agent that breaks the -bone, an external wound made, and air admitted. The laceration of the -muscles and the admission of air, especially the presence of air, causes -inflammation, the wound suppurates, sloughs, instead of healing, and -ulceration is produced; it then becomes necessary to amputate, and the -patient, being reduced, often dies. The old physicians thought less of -saving the limb than the modern ones, and in case of compound fracture -always amputated."</p> - -<p>"Is not this a compound fracture?"</p> - -<p>"It must be defined as such technically. But the muscles are not -lacerated; and though the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> bone protrudes, I have not the least doubt -that it was done by the sharp point of the bone pricking through in -consequence of the foot's falling back when they took him up, and that -it was not forced through by the violence of the blow. It is therefore -so near to a simple fracture that it may be considered and treated as -one, with a fair chance of success, especially considering the patient's -age, health, and the time of year (for the weather is not hot as yet), -and that he is at home, where he will have the best of nursing."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Richardson," said the father, "I know in these matters the state of -a patient's mind has much to do with the final results. The boy will not -submit to amputation except by compulsion. That we cannot think of. But -he loves you, and has the most perfect confidence in your ability. Will -you set the bones, and do as you think best?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Merrill, I am a young man, without experience to guide me. I have -no guide other than what I have gathered from books, a few weeks' -instruction, and practice of dissection at Brunswick, and my own -unmatured judgment; but I also know that before you can get a physician -here from another town, swelling will take place, and the chance of -recovery be greatly diminished. I will do it on condition that you take -upon yourselves all the responsibility. If a regular physician should -amputate the limb, and the result be unfavorable, it would be said he -took the regular<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> steps; he would have the authority of precedent, and -the approval of other physicians; and the ill success would be -attributed to the providence of God; whereas in my case it would be -said, 'He is a rash, ignorant upstart and pretender, puffed up with -conceit to trifle with human life.' It would destroy confidence in me -for the future, and prove a poor introduction to practice."</p> - -<p>"We will do that, and, moreover, make it public, let the event be what -it may."</p> - -<p>Rich now manifested as much despatch as he had previously displayed -reluctance.</p> - -<p>"Frank," he said, "I shall be obliged to give you some pain, but I will -not do it unnecessarily, nor to any great extent."</p> - -<p>The bone completely filled the wound it had made, the point protruding -slightly, and a little blood trickled down the leg from a slight flesh -wound in the upper part of the thigh. Rich in the first place removed -the protruding point of ragged bone with the saw, and then, dipping a -bunch of lint in the blood that issued from the flesh wound, gave it to -Dan to hold. He then gently returned the bone, Dan applying the lint, -and lightly pressing it to the wound as the bone receded. Rich then -applied a sticking plaster, spread only at the edges, over the whole, -sponged, and bound up the flesh wound. Thus, no air having been admitted -to the wound, the fracture, in that respect, and on account of the -absence of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span>laceration, might be considered as virtually a simple one. -Then, with the aid of assistants, he flexed the thigh on the abdomen and -the leg on the thigh, thus relaxing the muscles, by which he was enabled -to put the bones in place, and, retaining them with his hands, brought -the leg gently down and straightened it.</p> - -<p>One assistant, now taking hold of the heel, extended the leg, while -another held the thigh, and Rich manipulated the ends of the bones. By -bringing the heels and toes of both feet in line, and sighting across, -they assured themselves that the legs were of equal length, and the foot -in the right position; that there was no twist, no turning of the foot -out or in. He then applied the splints, and, in order to preserve -extension, by reason of the contraction of the muscles, put a shoe on -the foot and attached half of a brick to it with a string. It requires a -good deal of force to counteract the contraction of a muscle, if exerted -at once, but much less when applied gradually and constantly.</p> - -<p>Although progress was now the watchword among the younger portion of the -medical fraternity, and a decided improvement had been made in surgical -instruments, still very few of the appliances now in common use were -then known in this country (starch and plaster of Paris, and dextrine -bandages for broken bones, fracture-beds and boxes, cutting-forceps to -remove bone, &c.,) and Richardson could not have obtained them if they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> -had been, and, like his grandfather, under the stimulus of a determined -purpose, invented the appliances he felt to be needful.</p> - -<p>"It's all over now, Frank," said Rich, sitting down by him and patting -his cheek; "the leg is set, and you have borne it like a hero. Remember -you are <i>my</i> boy after this, and when your leg gets well I shall expect -you to run all my errands. This dressing is only temporary, because the -limb will swell, and the bandages perhaps, require to be loosened. It -will be five or six days before the bones will begin to knit, and then I -shall put on a permanent fixture. I am going to take care of you myself -to-night, as to-morrow is Sunday, no school, and I can sleep. After that -I must be in school."</p> - -<p>Having requested the family to retire, he placed the light in the next -room, administered a sedative to the patient, and resumed his seat -beside him. Never had Rich such cause for anxiety before. In addition to -his affection for the lad, who was in truth a noble-minded, lovable boy, -he felt that he had ventured upon an innovation in surgical practice, -and taken a bold step, which success alone could justify. The confidence -reposed in him by the parents in thus placing their only child in his -hands touched him to the quick, and he felt that it was with him the -turning-point, the decisive step in professional life.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p><p>Kneeling down by the bedside, he offered a heartfelt petition to God -for direction and support.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Richardson," said Frank.</p> - -<p>"What is it, my boy?"</p> - -<p>"I begin to feel drowsy, and my leg don't pain me much. I want to kiss -you before I go to sleep."</p> - -<p>Rich bent over him, and the grateful boy, putting his arms around his -teacher's neck, kissed him, and dropped asleep.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIV.</span> <span class="smaller">THE YOUNG FLOOD.</span></h2> - -<p>Two or three times before midnight Frank started spasmodically, and once -would have risen up in bed if Rich had not held him down; as it was, he -clasped his physician convulsively around the neck with great force.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter, Frank?"</p> - -<p>"I thought I was falling out of the tree. I suppose I was dreaming."</p> - -<p>In one respect Rich was favorably situated. He had but one patient, and -every moment he could spare from his school he either spent at the -bedside of the boy, or in studying his case by the aid of books; he -availed himself of the experience of Dr. Ryan, who knew the constitution -of the lad, sympathized with Rich, and, in the exercise of a noble -generosity, told him he was glad he had taken charge of the case, and -believed he would succeed.</p> - -<p>The means resorted to by Rich to prevent inflammation were crowned with -success; the swelling of the muscles, never excessive, soon subsided,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> -and he found the wound was healing by the first intention, which far -exceeded his most sanguine hopes, as he feared some air might have -entered, or some splinter of bone be lying loose in the wound that would -cause suppuration.</p> - -<p>It was time for new bone to begin to form, and consequently the shape -the limb now assumed it would retain through life. Rich knew several -persons in town whose limbs had been broken and set by Dr. Ryan, and he -could hardly recall a single instance in which the operation had been -entirely successful; nearly all walked with a hitch in their gait, many -used a staff, or wore a peculiarly-shaped shoe. He also noticed that -most of the persons thus partially crippled lived at a long distance -from Dr. Ryan, and concluded that it arose in a good degree either from -a mistaken economy on the part of the patient, anxious to save the cost -of a visit, or from careless bandaging on the part of the doctor.</p> - -<p>Excited to the highest degree by the brilliant success thus far -attained, and knowledge that the boy's life was safe, he longed, O, how -ardently! to make a <i>perfect</i> cure, and restore the leg to its original -form and efficiency.</p> - -<p>He reflected that less discretion and regard to future consequences were -to be expected from a lad like Frank than from a grown person; didn't -feel satisfied with the old splints, was afraid that, unless he bandaged -the leg so tight as to impede<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> the circulation, the restless boy would, -just at the critical period when the bone was forming, get the parts out -of place.</p> - -<p>"I know," said Rich to himself, "that I am mechanic enough to <i>place</i> -those bones as they should be, and I'll see if I cannot contrive some -way to <i>keep</i> them there in spite of this wide-awake youngster."</p> - -<p>He went to bed in order to think about it, and in the morning at the -breakfast table said to Mrs. Clemens,—</p> - -<p>"Where did you get that blue clay the girl was putting on the floor -yesterday to take out a grease-spot? It had no more grit than -tailors'-chalk."</p> - -<p>"Daniel got it somewhere."</p> - -<p>"I got it down in Milliken's Gully, Mr. Richardson. You might cut it -with a razor, and not dull the razor; there's not a stone or one mite of -grit in it. I got it to make marbles."</p> - -<p>Richardson procured a quantity of the clay, dried, pounded, sifted, and -made it into a very thin mortar. He then took the splints from Frank's -leg, placed the bones precisely as he wanted them, put the leg in a box, -fastened the upper portion of his body to the bed that he could not -move, and poured the clay mortar into the box till it completely -enveloped the leg and foot. He then pulled the bed under the window, -where the sun shone full on the clay, took hold of Frank's foot, and sat -down.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p><p>"How long are you going to keep me lashed down so, Mr. Richardson?"</p> - -<p>"Till this clay dries. And I shall hold your foot just where it is till -then."</p> - -<p>"Why, Mr. Richardson," said Mrs. Merrill, "it will take all day for that -clay to dry."</p> - -<p>"No, it won't, with the warmth of the leg on one side, and that of the -sun on the other, it won't take <i>half</i> a day."</p> - -<p>"But the academy bell will ring in about fifteen minutes."</p> - -<p>"Parson Meek is going to take my place this forenoon; so you may prepare -to give me some dinner, for I shall sit here till the clay hardens, if -it is till to-morrow evening."</p> - -<p>The clay was stiff, though not dry, before noon, and Frank's leg -immovably fixed in the position Rich had placed it.</p> - -<p>"Now, Frank, you have behaved so well, I am going to put you in a -chair."</p> - -<p>Rich and Mr. Merrill took Frank up, placed him in a chair, and put the -leg, box and all, on two others.</p> - -<p>"Now, my boy, you may sit at the table and eat dinner with us, if you -will eat only what I prescribe; and you may thank the blue clay in -Milliken's Gully for that. Blue clay, forever, Frank. Were it not for -that you would have had to lie on your back twenty days or more."</p> - -<p>After the meal was ended, Rich, with a saw,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> cut out a portion of the -clay, in order to be able to get at that part of the leg the bone had -penetrated. The box was also lined with paper, that the clay might not -stick to it, and put together with screws, in order that it might be -taken to pieces. This was Rich's fracture box, not very elegant, and for -which he never took out any patent; being made, the sides, of the cover -of an old herring box; but it answered the purpose completely, fastening -the limb as firmly in the box as though it grew there, and as -effectually preventing any motion of the ankle or toes, by which the -bones might be displaced.</p> - -<p>When Rich went to the academy in the afternoon, he returned Frank to his -bed; and the next morning he was taken up again, and, as the cure -progressed, sat up more and more. He could now read, play checkers with -Dan and Horace, and the time passed less tediously. He now importuned -his physician to take his leg out of the box; but Rich peremptorily -refused, though he allowed him a more generous diet.</p> - -<p>When a full month had elapsed, Rich took the box apart, sawed through -the coating of clay the whole length, and peeled it off, removed the -bandage, washed the leg, gave it a smart rubbing, and compared it with -the other. After examining the limb a long time very carefully, he -said,—</p> - -<p>"If those two legs are not as well matched as they were before, I am -very much mistaken."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p><p>"Shall I be lame any, Mr. Richardson?" said Frank.</p> - -<p>"If you are, it will be your own fault. If you are careless now, you -will rue it as long as you live, for the parts are not consolidated yet, -and the oblique fracture in the large bone requires a longer time to -heal than the square break in the other."</p> - -<p>Rich put on the clay again, but without the box, and in less quantity, -confining it by a bandage, slung the patient's leg to his neck, and -permitted him to take exercise by walking about the house on crutches, -some one accompanying him; and when he permitted him to put his injured -leg to the floor, it was found to be of the same length as the other.</p> - -<p>Mr. Merrill rewarded Rich most liberally, being abundantly able, and -with expressions of grateful feeling that were more gratifying to the -recipient than even the money. It was a proud and glad morning to him -when Frank Merrill came to school with his books under his arm, escorted -by Dan and Horace Williams, and with as firm a tread as his companions.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had Frank's case been disposed of, when a younger sister of -Mrs. Merrill, a member of the choir, and a most lovely girl as far as -personal attractions, correct principles, and amiability of disposition -went, was taken down with a lung fever; and the patient, with her -parents and Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> Merrill, insisted that Rich should manage the case. -This was more practice than Rich either desired or felt himself -qualified to assume, and he told them so, and that he should pursue -quite a different method from the ordinary practice, which was, in that -disease, to bleed patients till they fainted, give them antimony to -reduce the action of the heart, till, in reducing the inflammation, they -often made an end of the patient. The young lady's relatives informed -him they were not at all concerned about that, and to adopt the course -his judgment dictated. In so doing, Rich drew no blood, and pursued a -course calculated to support the strength of the patient as much as -possible, and was successful in this case also.</p> - -<p>At the conclusion of the summer term Rich resolved to make another visit -to his parents, but felt that in his present circumstances he could -afford to ride; and, what was very singular, he spent a night at farmer -Conant's, taking the stage from his door the next afternoon. It -certainly could not have been from fatigue, as on the former occasion. -It was probably to thank the hospitable farmer for his kindness then, -and it was a noble thing in Rich not to forget, in the moment of -success, those who had been his friends in adversity.</p> - -<p>With the fall term commenced another year of the academical course, when -it was necessary for Rich to make a new arrangement with the trustees, -who were very anxious to retain him, and offered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> to increase his -salary. On the other hand, Dr. Ryan wanted him to give up the academy, -devote himself entirely to the study of medicine, obtain a medical -diploma, go into practice with him and finally take his place, as he did -not care to practise any more.</p> - -<p>The doctor said he loved him as a son, and that if he did not improve -the opening, some other young man would certainly come who might be very -objectionable.</p> - -<p>Rich replied that he would at the expiration of two years, and then -agreed to keep the academy one year longer; thus affording himself a -year of uninterrupted study, in addition to what he could accomplish -while teaching, and resolutely refused all invitations to take charge of -patients.</p> - -<p>The fall term had been going on but a week when he received a visit from -Morton. The inhabitants of the village showed great attention to Morton, -as a compliment to Rich, and especially Mr. Merrill's family, and that -of Mr. George Litchfield, the father of the young lady Rich had attended -during a course of lung fever.</p> - -<p>As the two friends were walking one evening, Morton said,—</p> - -<p>"Rich, why don't you make up to that Miss Litchfield? She's a beautiful -girl, intelligent, accomplished, and of most amiable disposition, I -know, for she shows it in her very looks. You are about to jump into a -fat practice, that will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> give you a handsome living at once, and it is -time you were thinking of such matters. I know she likes you, and her -father is wealthy, which, though I know it would weigh little with you, -is not to be despised."</p> - -<p>"Mort, why did not you take Miss T., whom you used to like to escort to -exhibitions and commencements, and walk with, and who was more beautiful -than Harriet Litchfield, and in preference engaged yourself to Eliza -Longley?"</p> - -<p>"Because I wanted a wife, not a doll, a woman who would make for me a -happy home."</p> - -<p>"Now you have answered your own question. Miss Litchfield is beautiful -and of a sweet temper, for I have seen her when sick, and sickness -developes character. She is well educated, sings finely, plays well, is -not vain, and is sincerely pious, but has neither industry, energy, nor -a single domestic trait. She cannot make or mend, get a meal's victuals, -or tell anybody else how to do it. Her counsel in the emergencies of -life, which you and I have known something about even at our age, would -not be worth the asking. Why, Mort, she is as hollow as the stalk of a -seed onion; no resources in herself, and for all the practical duties of -life utterly useless. How could I respect a woman who, if she has not a -piano to amuse, or some gossip to engage her attention, sits and folds -her hands, and resembles a wooden clock, the face the best part of it? -You saw how my mother stood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> up under the load, and took her share of -it, when father's property was swept into the Atlantic; and it will be a -long day before a boy who has such a mother marries a doll."</p> - -<p>"I rather think, Rich, such a woman as you want is not easily found."</p> - -<p>"Neither are diamonds. But you found such a one, and so have I."</p> - -<p>"Indeed! I congratulate you. But who and where is she? Is she handsome?"</p> - -<p>"She is not beautiful, but as handsome as good health, regular features, -and a perfect form can render a woman."</p> - -<p>"Is she accomplished?"</p> - -<p>"To the highest degree. She can spin and weave, wash and mend, make -butter, and make clothes; and when she's tired, or has a leisure hour, -can sit down and obtain both profit and pleasure from a thoughtful -book."</p> - -<p>"It is little you would have thought of falling in love with such a -woman when we first knew each other. What has become of all the poetry -that was in you then, and, I had almost said, the froth on the top of -the liquor?"</p> - -<p>"It went to sea when the boom broke."</p> - -<p>"I long to see her."</p> - -<p>"You shall Sunday, and eat a dinner of her cooking. We will ride over -there Saturday. She is a farmer's daughter. There is no <i>property</i> in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> -the matter, of the kind you referred to just now. It is all in <i>her</i>."</p> - -<p>"You know what I told you, Rich, so long ago, when we were sitting on -the steps of your old house, and the cat shoved her nose into your -bosom. It was dead <i>low water</i> then; but now the tide has not only -turned, but it is young flood, and the tide will continue to flow till, -at high water it will lift the strawberry leaves on the edge of the -bank."</p> - -<p>"True, Mort; but I do not regret the trial. I have gained more than I -lost by it. Have you heard anything from college lately, or from our old -class?"</p> - -<p>"No. All our acquaintances are gone, and there is a new set in -Radcliffe. But they are only going to keep it during the fall term; -after that it is to be made into a dwelling-house. Charlie Longley wrote -me that the dam at the Glen had washed away in the fall rains, and the -pond had run out."</p> - -<p>Their conversation was interrupted by meeting Dr. Ryan, who invited them -to go home with him, enjoy a sing, and take tea.</p> - -<p>The next volume of the series is entitled, <span class="smcap">A Stout Heart, or, the -Student from over the Sea</span>.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Turning of the Tide, by Elijah Kellogg - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TURNING OF THE TIDE *** - -***** This file should be named 54772-h.htm or 54772-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/7/7/54772/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Turning of the Tide - Radcliffe Rich and His Patients - -Author: Elijah Kellogg - -Release Date: May 23, 2017 [EBook #54772] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TURNING OF THE TIDE *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - - - - - - -THE Whispering Pine SERIES - -Elijah Kellogg. - -THE TURNING OF THE TIDE. - -Illustrated. - -LEE & SHEPARD: BOSTON. - - - - -By GEORGE MAKEPEACE TOWLE. - -Heroes and Martyrs of Invention. -Vasco da Gama; His Voyages and Adventures. -Pizarro; His Adventures and Conquests. -Magellan; or, The First Voyage Round the World. -Marco Polo; His Travels and Adventures. -Raleigh; His Voyages and Adventures. -Drake; The Sea King of Devon. - - -By CAPT. CHARLES W. HALL. - -Adrift in the Ice Fields. - - -By DR. ISAAC I. HAYES. - -Cast Away in the Cold; An Old Man's Story of a Young Man's -Adventures. - - -By W. H. G. KINGSTON. - -The Adventures of Dick Onslow among the Redskins. -Ernest Bracebridge; or, School Boy Days. - - -By JAMES D. McCABE JR. - -Planting the Wilderness; or, The Pioneer Boys. - - -By DR. C. H. PEARSON. - -The Cabin on the Prairie. -The Young Pioneers of the Northwest. - - -By JAMES DE MILLE. - -The Lily and the Cross; A Tale of Acadia. - - -By F. G. ARMSTRONG. - -The Young Middy: or, The Perilous Adventures of a Boy -Officer. - - -By R. M. BALLANTYNE. - -The Life Boat; A Tale of Our Coast Heroes. - - -_Sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price._ - - -LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS, BOSTON - - -[Illustration: THE FIRST MONEY. Page 29.] - - - - -_THE WHISPERING PINE SERIES._ - -THE TURNING OF THE TIDE; - -OR, - -RADCLIFFE RICH AND HIS PATIENTS. - -BY - -ELIJAH KELLOGG, - -AUTHOR OF "LION BEN," "CHARLIE BELL," "THE ARK OF ELM ISLAND," "THE BOY - FARMERS," "THE YOUNG SHIP-BUILDERS," "THE HARD-SCRABBLE," "ARTHUR - BROWN," "THE YOUNG DELIVERERS," "THE CRUISE OF THE CASCO," - "THE CHILD OF THE ISLAND GLEN," "JOHN GODSOE'S LEGACY," - "THE SPARK OF GENIUS," "THE SOPHOMORES OF - RADCLIFFE," "THE WHISPERING PINE," - "WINNING HIS SPURS," ETC. - - -_ILLUSTRATED._ - - -BOSTON 1892 -LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS - -10 MILK STREET NEXT "THE OLD SOUTH MEETING HOUSE" - -NEW YORK CHAS. T. DILLINGHAM - -718 AND 720 BROADWAY - - -Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, - -BY LEE AND SHEPARD, - -In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -A distinguished professor of Mathematics in a New England college was -wont to remark to the Freshman class when meeting them for the first -time at recitation, "that every person is as lazy as he can be." However -we may demur to this sweeping assertion, it is doubtless true that more -persons fail in life through indolence and the absence of appropriate -and wholesome stimulus than from lack of capacity to become useful and -even distinguished. - -Misfortune, undesirable as it may seem, nevertheless furnishes an -effective test of character, for, while the effeminate nature of lax -fibre crumbles and is disintegrated beneath the pressure, the manlier -spirit, like Dannemora iron, defies the fury of the furnace, and even -beneath the hammer, gathers both temper and tenacity. - -How great the change produced in a Scotch pebble, taken from the banks -of a Highland lake, when the wheel of the lapidary has brought out the -hues, and it appears what it really is, a gem; thus the thrill of sudden -calamity, the sharp anguish that makes the blood spring from the lip -have often supplied both object and motive to many a spirit that -(capacious of better things) was fast becoming honeycombed by the rust -of luxury and indolence, and has developed gifts of which even the -possessor was unconscious. - -The TURNING OF THE TIDE places before our readers this entire process in -the person of RADCLIFFE RICH, from the rude awakening, the moment when -the half-benumbed faculties rally for the mastery, to the stern conflict -and the hard-won victory. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - -CHAPTER I. - - PAGE -THE SMITH OF THE WILDERNESS. 9 - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE FIRST MONEY. 18 - - -CHAPTER III. - -EXPERIENCE THE BEST TEACHER. 31 - - -CHAPTER IV. - -HAMMER AND TONGS. 42 - - -CHAPTER V. - -DREW SORE AND SAVAGE. 51 - - -CHAPTER VI. - -PATIENT, BUT DETERMINED. 63 - - -CHAPTER VII. - -HE FINDS THE CLUE. 78 - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -A TRADE THE BEST INHERITANCE. 101 - - -CHAPTER IX. - -BLOOD WILL TELL. 113 - - -CHAPTER X. - -DEAD LOW WATER. 125 - - -CHAPTER XI. - -A STRIKING CONTRAST. 134 - - -CHAPTER XII. - -DID NOT COME TO SEE THE WRECK. 142 - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -MORTON'S BUSINESS. 150 - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -WINNING GOLDEN OPINIONS. 160 - - -CHAPTER XV. - -HOW DAN TOOK HIS MEDICINE. 170 - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -PERIL OF BEING OUT EVENINGS. 180 - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -THE YOUNG SAMARITANS. 192 - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -DAN WANTS TO KNOW HIMSELF. 205 - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -DAN TRAPS LARGE GAME. 214 - - -CHAPTER XX. - -GOES FOR WOOL, AND GETS SHORN. 222 - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -PROGRESS AND PREJUDICE. 231 - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -SUITING MEANS TO ENDS. 244 - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE TURN OF THE TIDE. 260 - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -THE YOUNG FLOOD. 278 - - - - -THE TURNING OF THE TIDE. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE SMITH OF THE WILDERNESS. - - -With Rich, the chum and friend of Morton, and who, animated by the -contagion of a noble example, became his rival in rank as a scholar and -in all athletic sports, his companion in labor, and between whom, though -neck and neck in the pursuit of those college honors that each most -highly prized, there was never a shadow of jealousy or distrust, while -their sympathies met and mingled like fibres of a kindred root, drawing -their nutriment from a common soil,--with Rich, refined in all his -tastes, of delicate sensibilities, and a playful humor that never stung, -sunny tempered, generous, companionable, yet firm in principle as a -granite shaft, and whom all Radcliffe idolized, our constant readers are -already well acquainted; but the exigencies of this story, and the -necessity of imparting information both to them and others, render it -imperative that we should speak more definitely respecting his family -and home life, to which we have heretofore barely alluded; indeed, we -are not aware that we have ever distinguished him by any other name than -that of Richardson, and much more frequently made use of the college -term, Rich. - -His grandfather, with ten other young married men, first broke ground in -our hero's native town, then a wilderness, and built their camps on the -borders of a stream heavily timbered, soon after the formation of the -federal government with Washington as president. They were, with a -single exception, poor, having taken up their abode in the wilderness -because they wanted a home, and could buy the wild land for ten cents -per acre. Full of enterprise, and strong in limb, this little community -felt themselves equal to the struggle. They had as yet neither sawmill -nor gristmill, though a noble stream fell over the rocks close to their -doors, but pounded the corn they raised on burns in large mortars, or -went in canoes eleven miles to mill, to a village farther down the -stream, where they likewise procured salt. There were neither roads nor -horses in the clearing, and at first everything was brought through the -woods, in the winter on men's shoulders, walking on snow-shoes, and in -summer in canoes or on rafts up the river. - -They were accustomed to put the grain and corn belonging to several -neighbors into a large canoe, and thus take it down the river to the -mill. At length a road was spotted through the woods to the -village--that is, a piece of bark and wood was taken off the side of -trees with an axe, for a guide to the traveler. The path was crooked, -going through those portions of the forest that were thinnest, and -winding around obstacles. Occasionally a tree that stood very much in -the way was cut, and a log flung across some gully, brook, or mire. - -In the early part of winter, when the brooks and swamps were frozen, and -the snow deep enough to cover, in some measure, the windfalls, and fill -the ravines, and at other times in the latter part of it, when the crust -would bear light cattle, they went through the woods with oxen to mill, -improved the occasion to obtain articles of absolute necessity, and -whenever their stock of bread-stuff fell short, had recourse to the -mortar. - -At first it was a bitter struggle for existence; the land was covered -with a dense forest, and there was neither pasture for cattle in the -summer, nor hay to keep them through the winter. In this condition of -things, they managed to keep a few cattle by cutting the wild grass that -grew in the swamp and along the banks of the river, and felling yellow -birch and maple trees in summer for browse. By dint of patient labor, -their circumstances improved from year to year; more land was cleared, -their stock of cattle increased with the increase of hay and pasture, -and they began to keep sheep and horses, to make staves and shingles, -cut logs and drive them down the river in spring, and beech withes to -bind loads and rafts were exchanged for chains. - -Cattle and horses were now to be shod, and they began to feel greatly -the need of a blacksmith. If a chain or axe was broken, a horse or yoke -of oxen to be shod, there was no smith nearer than eleven miles, and no -road except a bridle-path through spotted trees. Previous to this, they -had worked their oxen without shoes, and horses were only shod forward. -But now they wanted to haul logs and shingles on the ice of the river, -and they must be shod. They were in great need of a smith, and yet there -was not work sufficient to afford a blacksmith constant employment, and -consequently, a living. But there was money in the logs and shingles, -and necessity sharpens invention. They hired John Drew, the smith at the -village, to come in the fall, just before the river shut up, bringing -horse-shoes, ox-shoes, nails, and his tools. He went round from house to -house, the oxen were cast on the barn floors, and the shoes put on. Thus -they managed, feeling more and more the want of a smith. Richardson was -possessed of remarkable mechanical ability, and was what is termed a -handy man--a great thing in the woods. He had a few carpenters' tools, -made ox-yokes, and sleds for himself and neighbors. At length a cart -road was made through the woods, and Richardson built the first, and -for some time the only, pair of wheels in the clearing. Surrounded by a -young and rapidly increasing family, necessity led him to improve to the -utmost every talent he was conscious of possessing. - -On the 10th of January, some two years before the road was made, he -went, in behalf of himself and the little community, to the village, -through the woods, with an ox-team, carrying corn and grain to be -ground. He also carried plough-irons to be new laid, chains to be -mended, axes to be new "laid" or "upset," and orders for some to be -manufactured. In order to get the large grist ground, and the iron work -done, he was obliged to remain three days. While watching the smith at -his work, the idea occurred to him that he could work with iron as well -as wood. All the way home he brooded over it, till the idea took entire -possession of him, and that long wilderness road never seemed so short -before. After a while he opened his mind to his wife, who encouraged him -to make the attempt. But he had no money to buy either iron or tools, -and iron in those days was difficult to obtain, and high in price, being -nearly all imported. It seemed a hopeless undertaking; still he could -not banish the thought from his mind. It haunted him; lay down with him -at night, and rose up with him in the morning. One day he broke a chain -in the woods; he had but two. The next day came a snow storm, affording -leisure. The smith was eleven miles off. He could not do his work -without the chain, and resolved to try to mend it by welding again the -broken link he had saved. He made a great fire in the kitchen, and put -in the iron. The kitchen tongs served to hold, a nail hammer to work it, -and a flat stone for an anvil. To his great mortification, he found that -although he could heat it to redness, he could not make it hot enough, -with a wood fire, to weld. He put wood in the oven, stopped the draft, -and burnt it to coal; but even with charcoal he did not succeed at first -in obtaining a welding heat. His wife, who was looking on with the -greatest interest, suggested the use of the kitchen bellows, and by -their aid he partially succeeded. - -His next attempt was to mend the staple of an ox-yoke. This was much -more difficult, as the iron was larger, and he had nothing to bend it -over. But after several trials, he at length accomplished his purpose. -It was supper time when William Richardson struck the last blow upon the -staple, and put it into the yoke. When the meal was finished, and Mrs. -Richardson had washed the dishes, and put the children to bed, she sat -down to her cards, with a basket of wool beside her, while the father of -the family, having taken off his shoes, and hung his buskins in the -corner to dry, sat with folded arms, looking intently upon the glowing -coals. No sound was heard save the crackling of the fire, the rasping of -a solitary wood-worm that was boring into a log of the walls, and the -sound of the cards as the good wife plied her labor. - -"Well, wife," said Richardson, at length, starting from his reverie, and -flinging fresh fuel on the fire, "what do you think of it?" - -"Think of what, William?" - -"Why, of my day's work, and this blacksmithing. Don't you think I'd -better fling the stone into the river and give it up? All I have done -this blessed day, besides taking care of the cattle, is to mend that -staple--a thing John Drew would have done in fifteen minutes." - -"No, he wouldn't, for if he had no better tools than you, he wouldn't -have thought he could do it at all. I think it is the best day's work -you ever did in your life." - -"O, Susan, how do you make that out? You just say that because you know -I feel a little down in the mouth; not because you really think so." - -"Yes, husband, I really think so; and you will, if you look at it right. -You must expect to creep before you can walk. You couldn't have got -along without that chain, and would have been obliged to travel -twenty-two miles through the woods on snow-shoes, with that chain on -your back, in order to get it mended, and a half bushel of corn besides -on your shoulder to pay John Drew for doing it; for we've got no money. -It would have been the same with the staple. You couldn't have worked -your oxen without it, and would have been forced to leave your work in -fair weather, for you could not have gone in a storm. Now, you have done -it yourself, in stormy days, when you couldn't have done much else, -saved your corn, yourself all that travel, and, more than that, found -out that you can work iron whenever you can get the tools to do it -with." - -"I don't know but you are right, wife; but how am I to get either the -tools or the iron without money? I can't barter corn for iron, and John -Drew has so much produce brought to him now that he is loath to take any -more; says his house is full of corn, grain, meat, potatoes, and cloth, -butter and eggs, and he can't get _money_ enough to pay his taxes." - -"I think there will be some way provided. We had nothing when we came -here but the clothes on our backs and twenty dollars in money; had to -run in debt for our land. Now we've nearly paid for the land, we cut -hay, keep quite a stock of cattle and sheep, have but seldom been put to -it for bread, and have a warm, comfortable house, if it is a log one, -and the children are warm clothed." - -"You always look on the bright side, Sue." - -"I think that's the best side to look on." - -We would inform our readers that the house Sue thought so comfortable -was built of rough logs, the crevices stuffed with moss and clay, had -but two rooms in it, the partition between them being blankets hung up. -The fireplace and oven were built of rough stones, and the chimney of -sticks of wood laid in clay (to prevent their taking fire from sparks), -that, as it fell off, was renewed from time to time. - -"I could buy tools with the money I shall get for logs that I cut this -winter, didn't I want every cent of it to turn in towards paying for the -land. I'm half a mind to take a little. If I only had a hammer, a punch, -something to cut iron with, and a pair of tongs to hold it, I could mend -my own chains and other things, save something, be learning all the -time, and, after we pay for the land, I could get more tools." - -"I never would do that, husband. If we must take that money for -anything, let us take it for the school. They are going to have a school -at Montague's the latter part of the winter." - -This man had three rooms in his house, and it was built of hewn timber, -in one of which the school was to be kept. Richardson and his wife had -received a good common school education, and were anxious that their -children should not grow up in ignorance. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE FIRST MONEY. - - -From the preceding chapter our readers will perceive the value of iron, -and also the importance to the community of the mechanic who is able to -work it. We would invite them to reflect upon some facts that may seem -incredible to them at first view. A boy who has no disposition to -reflect is not much of a boy, and when grown, will only be a servant to -those who do. - -Iron is far more valuable than gold, and the blacksmith than the -jeweler, for the same reason that bread is worth more than diamonds, and -water than silver. Gold has a very great representative value in -civilized society, where iron is abundant, and it will buy iron, and is -an equivalent for the work of the smith; but it is only because men have -agreed to make it so. Whereas iron has a value in itself considered. It -fells the forest, tills the soil, annihilates time and distance, and -underlies the whole economy of domestic life; for our readers will bear -in mind that steel is only another form of iron. - -The value iron acquires under the hammer is something wonderful. It is -said that a bar of iron worth $5 is worth $10.50 when made into -horse-shoes, $55 when made into needles, $3,285 made into penknife -blades, $29,480 in shirt buttons, and $250,000, in balance springs of -watches. Boys may, from this, see what labor is worth, and learn to -value and respect it, for it is the labor the mind put into the iron -that so increases its value. Consider what would be the result if there -were no iron. - -A boy might search long to find a better subject for his theme than iron -and its uses, or one the treatment of which would be more instructive to -himself. The showers of sparks you see pouring out of a blacksmith's -chimney, at times, of an evening when he is pressed with work, and -forgets the ten-hour system, have a language to a reflecting mind; they -mean power, progress, the plough, the telegraph, the mariner's compass, -and the sword. - -We have taken advantage of a pause in the conversation, during which -William Richardson resumed his reverie, and his wife plied her cards, to -make this digression. At length the mother laid her cards into the -basket of wool, and folding her hands in her lap, remained a few moments -wrapped in thought. She then said,-- - -"Husband, I feel so sure that good will come of this, that it will be, -in the end, the best thing for us all (for I know you can do whatever -you put your hand to), that I am willing to undergo almost anything to -bring it about. There are three articles that will always sell at the -store for half cash and half goods--butter, woollen cloth, and linen -yarn. I will sell what we have to get your tools, and, perhaps, a little -iron." - -"Susan, what did you make this cloth for, and what shape is it in?" - -"There's a piece of fulled cloth that I meant to make clothes of for you -and the boys, some that I wove for a gown for myself and the girls, and -some blanket stuff." - -"I won't take it; I won't take the clothes from your back and the -children's if I never have any tools: the butter, I suppose, you have -laid down for winter, and the blankets are needed for the children's -beds." - -"Yes, you must take it; if you can work iron, we shall have the house as -full of butter, meat, and cloth as John Drew's is." - -"But we can't get along without these things." - -"We can if we only _think_ so. We can put some brush on the children's -beds, over the clothes,--hemlock brush over a few clothes is real -warm,--then, when it is very cold, we can leave a large fire when we go -to bed, and you can get up at twelve o'clock and put on wood. The -children can get along with their old clothes, and I with mine; there's -nobody to look at us here. We have pork enough, and can do without -butter till we can make some. One of the cows calves in March. I meant -to have made some towels of the linen yarn, but tow will do just as -well." - -"Susan, I think a man must be made of poor material who could be -discouraged with a wife like you." - -"Mother always used to say, 'Think you can do a thing, and it's half -done.'" - -The sledding was now good, and Richardson, engaged in hauling logs to -the river, had no leisure to meddle with iron; he, however, at odd -moments, when the cattle were eating, and on stormy days, made -preparation in anticipation of the future. - -Near to his house stood the stump of a pine tree that had been cut when -the snow was deep, and was higher than usual. Around this he built a log -camp, in such a manner as to bring the stump on one side of the camp. -The water was low in the river, and where it fell over the rocks, and by -shovelling away the snow, he found a stone of sufficient size, hardness, -and the right shape, for an anvil. Levelling the top of the stump, he -made a cavity in it to receive the stone, and secured it firmly in its -bed. This was much superior to a stone on the kitchen hearth, and would -bear any blows that could be given with a hand-hammer. There was not a -board or plank within eleven miles by land, and thirteen by the river. -He flattened some pine saplings, and built up a pen, nearly square, for -his forge, found a place in the swamp where the soil was not frozen, and -obtained earth to fill it. By cutting through the frozen ground at the -bank of the river, he obtained clay for mortar, and with stones built up -a little abutment at one end of the forge, to lay his coal and build the -fire against. There was no chimney, a hole being left in the roof for -the escape of the gas and smoke. He then put a trough at the end of the -forge, in which to cool his iron. The floor cost no labor, as it was -supplied by mother earth. There was no window, but light came in at the -smoke-hole in the roof between the logs and through the chinks of the -door, made of joist hewed from small trees, treenailed together and hung -on wooden hinges. All this was done little by little, as opportunity -offered, and his wife and the children made charcoal by charring wood in -the oven, as he could not obtain turf to burn a kiln out of doors in the -winter. In mending his chain and staple, Richardson had felt very much -the need of something to turn his iron around. One end of a smith's -anvil terminates in a point, called the horn, and around which, whenever -he wishes to make a hoop, ring, or link of a chain, he can bend it. -Richardson had brought into the forest with him a large crowbar. At the -expense of much labor with his nail-hammer, he rounded the extremity of -the largest end, leaving the rest square; then boring a hole in the -stump on the right side, he drove the bar into it. This served as a -very good substitute for a horn to his stone anvil, as he could turn a -chain link on the round part, and bend iron at right angles on the -square edge; and he was not a little proud of it when done. - -Richardson's ability to work in wood was well known to his neighbors, -but he had carefully concealed his attempts in the blacksmith line, as -he did not wish to attract attention till he could obtain tools, and had -made some progress. But a matter of such general interest could not long -be hid. The children told about their father's mending the chain and the -staple, and it was soon known, to the great satisfaction of the -neighbors. - -This little community, secluded from society and embosomed in the -forest, most of them having emigrated from the same neighborhood, and -enduring like hardships, were extremely social in their habits, much -attached to one another, and ready to make sacrifices for the common -good. David Montague was especially beloved by his neighbors, being a -man of good abilities, and most open and affectionate disposition. In -better circumstances than the rest, he was able to hire help to clear -his land, and also kept a horse and a large stock of cattle. - -A few days after Richardson had made his preparations, he came in of an -evening with his wife, and bringing a chain in his hand, that he flung -down at the door. After greetings were exchanged, and they had drawn -together around the fire, Montague observed,-- - -"Neighbor, I hear that you have turned blacksmith, and do your own iron -work." - -"I'm sure," said Mrs. Montague, "it is going to be a great thing for the -place if we have got a smith among us." - -"They say," replied Richardson, "that stories never lose anything by -going, and I think this is a pretty good proof of it, for it all grew -out of this: I went to the village, you know, a while since, to mill, -for all hands, and to get some iron work done. While I stood watching -Jack Drew, and blowing the bellows for him, I said to myself, 'I could -do that work, or I could learn to do it, if I only had his tools and -fire, just as well as I can make a pair of wheels, or an axletree, or -frame a building, or make a cider-press.' I used to do that kind of work -sometimes before I came here. I thought it over going home, and the next -time I broke a chain, I set to work with a flat stone before the fire, -and mended it, and then I mended a staple; that's the way it came about. -I made up my mind then I'd mend my own things, if I could, and save the -expense and the long tramp. As we've got only these two rooms, and there -isn't much room round the fire, I built a hovel to work in." - -"I can tell you, Mr. Montague, he made out firstrate. Husband, show Mr. -Montague the chain you mended." - -Richardson went to the barn and brought in the chain and the staple. - -"Well," said his visitor, after examining the work with great interest, -"if you can mend my chain as well as that, I'll never carry another one -to Drew, and I'll pay you in cash just what I should have to pay him, -and be greatly obliged, besides." - -"That's just what I've been telling husband," said his wife; "if he -would give his mind to it, get a few tools, and begin in a small way, at -first, it would give him work in stormy weather, and times when he -couldn't do anything else, be a great accommodation to the neighbors, -help the place, and be a good thing all around." - -"That's it, Mr. Richardson. Your wife's got the right of it, neighbor. -The place is settling, people moving in, and taking up land, stumps -rotting, and ground getting fit to plough; and work will grow as fast as -you can grow to be able to do it." - -"I'll mend your chain, neighbor, in the best fashion I can; but I have -to work in such a roundabout way, that I must have my time. Have you got -the broken link?" - -"No; it flew into the snow, and I couldn't find it." - -"Then I shall have to cut one of the links, put the next link in, and -weld it." - -"I hate to have that done, because it will shorten the chain; and it's -barely long enough to bind a load of logs and 'fid' now." - -"Haven't you any links lying round?" - -"Not I, indeed. Iron is as scarce as money with me, as with all the -neighbors. Every link of a chain, piece of a horse or ox shoe, old -spike, and every scrap of iron, is worked up. There is one thing, -though, I remember now, though I don't know as it's of any use to you." - -"What is that?" - -"I got Drew to make me a plough-colter, more than a year ago, and found -the iron. There was a piece left, a bar about a foot long." - -"If I could heat it, and contrive any way to cut it, I could make a link -of it." - -"I will leave the chain, and send Andrew over with the bar, and if you -find that you can't do anything with the bar, why, cut a link and make -the chain shorter, for I am determined you shall mend that chain." - -Mr. Montague and his wife now took their leave, and in the course of an -hour Andrew Montague brought over the bar of iron. - -It was the wife's turn to be discouraged now. - -"William," she said, "you never can cut that great bar of iron. Why, -it's almost as thick as my press-board, and you haven't one single tool -to do it with. I'm sorry, but you will certainly have to shorten the -chain." - -"No, I won't shorten the chain, and I'll find some way to split it and -forge a link out of it, if it takes from now till' next spring: that is, -if you'll help me. Montague hates to have the chain shortened. It's the -first job of work, and I'll do it as he wants it." - -"I'll do anything I can; anything in the world, to get bread for the -children." - -"I'll help you, father; I'm real strong," said Clem, a boy of twelve, -afterwards the father of Radcliffe Rich. - -"And I, too," said Robert, who was eighteen months younger. Two girls, -still younger, would have doubtless volunteered, but they were abed, and -not much could reasonably be expected of the baby in the cradle. - -William Richardson, in addition to his mechanical ability, was a -resolute, powerful man. The encouragement afforded by the visit of -Montague, and the prospect of abundance of work, if he could do it, had -effectually roused all his energies. His wife, by no means ignorant of -her husband's capacities, dismissed her anxieties, for she knew that he -would find some way to accomplish whatever he had determined to do. - -After sitting a few moments buried in thought, he took a brand from the -fire, and his axe, and, followed by Clem, started for the woods, where -he soon found a hornbeam tree, the wood of which is very firm and heavy. -The boy held the brand while he cut it down, and took off a cut three -feet in length. With axe, saw, and auger, by the light of the kitchen -fire, he soon made a beetle, that, during the time it lasted,--for he -had no iron to hoop it with,--would enable him to strike a harder blow -than even a blacksmith's sledge, for it was much heavier, indeed, too -heavy for constant use; but a very strong man could swing it for a -while, and upon an emergency. He then went down to a brook about an -eighth of a mile from the house, for an old axe, kept to save a better -one, and to cut ice, in order that the cattle might drink. The axe, by -frequent grinding, had become very thick on the edge, and the bitt was -rounded. - -The next morning Richardson started the fire on his forge with plenty of -coal, and put in the bar, while Clem and Rob plied the kitchen bellows -by turns, the two little girls looking on with the greatest interest. - -To cut iron, less heat is required than to weld it. - -"Clem," said Richardson, "call your mother." - -The boy returning, said,-- - -"Mother says one of the girls must come in to watch the cradle." - -It was now, "Nan, you go," and "Sue, you go," when the indulgent father, -who knew just how the children felt, compromised the matter by bringing -the cradle, with the baby sound asleep in it, and setting the sleeper -as far as possible from the forge, in order that the noise of the blows -might not awaken him. - -Richardson, now taking the iron from the fire with the kitchen tongs, -placed it on the anvil, and gave it in charge to the boys to hold. He -then put the axe-edge down on the iron where he wished to split it, and -told his wife how to hold it; then with the beetle he struck heavy blows -upon the axe, forcing it into the iron at every stroke, while his wife, -after every blow, drew the axe to a new place. The old axe, of excellent -temper, and thick edge, that would neither turn nor break, being dipped -in water when it became heated, answered the purpose of a chisel -admirably, and the beetle was _superb_. Indeed, they would have nearly -finished that heat, but the baby waked, screaming, and would not be -pacified without his mother. Richardson clapped the iron in the fire, -one of the children got a chair, and the mother sitting down, nursed the -babe while the iron was heating. After this it became quiet, and the -little girls took care of it, while the others cut the iron so nearly -through that by bending it back and forth a few times, it fell apart. - -He now found that the strip he had cut off was sufficient to make two -links by drawing it some. He therefore made two. But it was a deal of -work to heat the iron hot enough to weld, because the hand-bellows were -single, and only operated by short puffs, the iron cooling in the -intervals, whereas a blacksmith's bellows, being double, one part fills -while the other is discharging, thus keeping up a steady current of air. - -Montague was much pleased when he found that his chain, instead of being -made shorter, was lengthened, and now sufficient for all purposes, paid -Richardson liberally, and brought another chain that was too short, and -had the remainder of his iron put into that. - -"There, wife," said Richardson, as he placed the money his neighbor had -paid him on the table, "is the first money earned by the hammer. You -were just right when you said that mending that staple was the best -day's work I ever did, and I'm sure I never earned any money so sweet as -this." - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -EXPERIENCE THE BEST TEACHER. - - -The morning succeeding the events we have related, David Montague sent -over the chain, into which, he wished the rest of his bar of iron -worked. Richardson kindled his fire, put in the iron, and began to blow -with the hand-bellows; but when he recollected how difficult it was to -make iron hot enough to weld in that way, he flung down the little -affair, and gave up the undertaking. Convinced that he needed a pair of -bellows even more than a hammer or anything else,--for if he could only -get a good heat, he could manage to hold the iron with the kitchen -tongs, and work it with the claw-hammer,--he resolved to have them, -especially as he felt that he could obtain them by his own efforts, -without paying out money. - -He knew that John Bradford, with whom he was on terms of greater -intimacy than any other of his neighbors, had a large lot of logs to -haul, and that he was the owner of a whip-saw. Leaving the shop, he went -over to John's and said to him,-- - -"John, I suppose by this time you've heard all about my blacksmithing." - -"Reckon I have, and everybody else in this place. They say you hammer -the iron on a lapstone, same as a shoemaker his leather." - -"Not quite so bad as that; but I find I must have a pair of bellows, and -I want inch-and-a-half stuff to make the 'woods.' I have got a pine log -at the door, and I can't go eleven miles to a sawmill; indeed, I don't -think I could get there with cattle, the snow is so deep. Will you take -your saw, and help me saw out the stuff? and I'll take my oxen and haul -logs for you." - -"Won't I? I'll be right glad to do it." - -"Then I'll go home, and get my log on the saw-pit and come over in the -morning." - -Two men accustomed to the work will saw out boards and plank with a -whip-saw as well as they can be sawed in a mill, only it takes more -time. Richardson had a place fixed near the bank of the river, where the -ground fell off abruptly. Here stringers were laid on uprights set in -the ground, on which the log to be sawed was rolled, and the descent of -the ground afforded room to work the saw, which is nearly as large as a -mill-saw, one man standing on top of the log, and the other on the -ground below. - -With the aid of his neighbor, Richardson not only sawed out plank enough -for the woodwork of his bellows, but one to make a bench, and boards -enough to make a door to replace the rude one of poles, and to close a -window he meant to make over the bench. - -Having procured the material for the woods, the next article needed was -leather to cover the woods. Putting on his snow-shoes, he tracked and -killed a moose, took the hair off with strong lye, then tanned it with -salt and alum, and pounded it upon the anvil with a stick, kneaded it in -his hands, and greased it with the marrow of the moose till it was as -limp as a rag. - -He now made the woods of the bellows, and bows, and as he had neither -nails nor tacks, fastened the skin to the woods with wooden pegs. All -this he accomplished without much difficulty; but without iron how was -he to make the nose, which must enter the fire, or at least must -approach within a few inches of it? The nose of a smith's bellows is of -iron, and enters what is called the tuyere pipe, which is in these days -quite a complicated affair, and communicates with the fire. - -"It's no sort of use, William," said his wife; "it must be iron, and -you'll have to go to John Drew, and get him to make it." - -"I'll sleep a night on it," was the reply, "before I give it up." - -Whether he received any information in dreams, or not, I am unable to -say; but this much is evident--that he rose in a hopeful frame of mind, -and, to the great surprise of his wife, whose whole soul was in the -matter, set to work without the least hesitation. - -Our readers will recollect that swamps in the forest do not freeze to a -great depth, and often, when the snow comes before the cold is severe, -not at all. Richardson found clay that he could get at in the swamp, and -by cutting the ice obtained sand from the bottom of the brook. He now, -with a hoe, broke up all the lumps in the clay, put water to it, and -worked it with the hoe till it was fine and tough; then he worked in the -sand, made a box a foot square, without ends (by nailing four pieces of -boards together), and three feet in length. In the middle of this box he -set a pine plug, larger at one end than the other, and tapering to the -size he thought requisite, and filled the space between it and the sides -of the box with the mixture of clay and sand, ramming it hard with his -hammer-handle, in order that there should be no hollow places; put it in -the kitchen, where it might dry gradually without freezing; made the -frame, and hung his bellows on wooden pins, in default of iron; made the -pole to blow with, while a strip of moose-hide served instead of a chain -to lift the "wood" of the lower bellows; and then went into the woods to -haul logs while his clay was drying, which required time, as the box -excluded, in a great measure, the air. - -In the mean while, work accumulated on his hands. Reuben Hight brought -a chain to be mended, John Bradford a kitchen shovel, the handle of -which was broken in two. These shovels were very large, the handle as -long as a broom-handle, and the blade nearly as wide as that of a barn -shovel. James Potter brought the bail of a Dutch oven; John Skillings -wanted a hook made to a chain, and brought a harrow tooth to make it of. -Richardson promised to do the whole when he got his bellows done, if he -could, of which he felt by no means assured. - -The clay was now thoroughly dried, being kept near the fire, and -Richardson put the box on the kitchen hearth, and built a very moderate -fire. This he gradually increased, till the box was burnt, the plug of -pine consumed, and the clay brought to the condition of brick. He then -permitted the fire gradually to burn out, and, when the operation was -over, he had, as the result, a complete cone, thoroughly burnt. He made -a square hole in his butment, put the pipe through it, with the smaller -end towards the forge, and bedded it in clay mortar. - -Into the large end of this brick cone he put the wooden nose of his -bellows. It being a great deal smaller than the cone, he filled around -it with clay mortar; his object in giving this shape to the passage -being to admit filling, in order to prevent burning the wooden nose of -the bellows. The length of the cone prevented its heating sufficiently -to burn the bellows-nose by reason of its great distance from the fire, -being out of the stone butment, in the cool air; and the clay mortar -around the nose was, he thought, a poorer conductor of heat than the -brick cone itself. - -Richardson completed his work about noon, and it was a good deal of -self-denial to him to abstain from making a coal fire at once, and going -to work; but he thought it best to let his mortar dry. He, however, -satisfied himself that there would be no difficulty in raising all the -wind he needed, and he made a small wood fire to dry the clay before it -should freeze. - -The next morning the shop presented much the appearance of a jubilee. -The children had obtained a promise from their father that he would not -kindle the fire till they were up. They were out of bed before a ray of -light streaked the sky, and the moment breakfast was despatched, the -whole family, even to the dog and cat, hastened to the shop. It was -Saturday, and Richardson, knowing that Bradford's wife would want to -bake, and need the shovel, began with that, putting the two parts in the -fire, after having made them ready to weld, or, as he termed it, "shut." -He resolved to have a heat this time; put on the coal, and plied the -bellows; but by and by he noticed that the iron began to send off -sparks, and saw little black specks of charcoal sticking to the iron. -Pulling it out of the fire, he found it was all burnt to a honeycomb: -that the little black specks of charcoal had burnt into the very -substance of the iron, and yet they were black, and the iron came to -pieces the moment he struck it. The anvil was covered with scales, and -he found it would not weld. - -He was sadly puzzled, and most of all, that the charcoal that stuck to -the iron, and burnt into it, did not get red hot itself: and he found -there was such a thing as getting iron _too hot_. Little Clem had been -to John Drew's with his father in the canoe, and now came to the rescue. - -"Father," he said, "why don't you do like as Mr. Drew did?" - -"How did he do, child?" - -"I seed him stick the iron into sand, and once I seed him poke the coal -away, and fling the sand right into the fire." - -The father now recollected that he had often seen the blacksmith put his -iron into sand, but did not know what he did it for. He got some sand, -and put the iron into it, then put it into the fire, found the iron did -not burn, and he welded it without any more trouble. - -He now got along bravely, being able to heat his iron so that it would -draw easily. Even the harrow-tooth presented no obstacle; for, after -bringing it to a white heat, he got his wife to hold it with the tongs, -and using the old axe as a sledge, soon brought the tooth to a size that -he could work with his nail-hammer, and finished his job. As to the -bellows, they were a great success, afforded a strong blast, and he -found the constant current of cold air passing through the cone kept it -from becoming hot enough to burn the nose of the bellows. - -"William," said his wife, "I'll never say you can't do anything again." - -It may seem strange to our readers that Richardson should be able to -heat iron sufficiently to be drawn and cut with an axe, and still should -have so much difficulty in making it hot enough to weld. They may -likewise wish to know what good the sand does. - -Iron can be cut and hammered when red hot; but, in order to weld, it -must be brought to a white heat--almost melted. When in this state, the -two pieces of iron to be united are laid one upon the other, and made to -unite by a few smart blows with a hammer. If the operation is rightly -performed, the two pieces of iron will become perfectly united, and be -as strong at the place where they are welded as elsewhere. - -It is, however, quite a nice operation to weld thoroughly. Iron, when -highly heated, inclines to oxidize rapidly. This forms a scale similar -to that which you perceive on iron when it is rusty. If the two pieces -of iron are put together in this condition, these scales that are loose -on the iron will prevent the union of the parts. That is the way iron -burns up. It oxidizes, and the iron flies off in sparks that are scales -red hot. When the smith sees the iron begin to sparkle, he takes it out -of the fire, and rolls it in sand, and then puts it in again, or opens -the fire, and sprinkles sand upon it. The sand melts, combines with the -oxide of iron, and forms silicate of iron, spreads over the surface of -the iron, protects it, prevents the formation of scales, and when it is -struck with the hammer, leaves the surface clean, and the iron unites -perfectly, and forms a solid junction. The smith also leaves the surface -of the two pieces to be welded highest in the middle, in order that they -may touch there first, and then, when struck with the hammer, the melted -sand or oxide will be squeezed out. - -The possession of a pair of bellows, with which he was enabled to heat -his iron thoroughly, and soften it to such a degree that he could work -it with his nail-hammer, proved of the utmost service to our persistent -smith, and he was enabled, by the aid of his wife and the children, to -mend chains, staples of yokes, domestic utensils, and most of the -articles his neighbors brought to him, and, as we have seen in the last -chapter, was gaining knowledge even by his mistakes. - -But there was a good deal of work that would be more profitable than any -he had hitherto done that he was compelled to lose for the want of -tools. There were oxen to be shod. Four of the neighbors now kept -horses. These they worked before their oxen, and therefore wanted them -shod all round, and were obliged to pay John Drew an exorbitant price to -leave his shop, and come through the woods on snow-shoes to do it. It -was quite as important that he should have iron as tools, in order to -learn by practice, as he could not expect his neighbors to find iron for -him to spoil in learning. To this end he laid by every cent he earned by -his blacksmith work, in order with that, the cloth, butter, and linen -yarn, to obtain both. - -The tools for the lack of which he was the most crippled in his work -were a pair of smiths' tongs, a hammer, and a punch. The kitchen tongs -were wretched things to hold iron with. It required all his strength to -hold a small piece of iron, and the jaws were so short that it was -constantly slipping; whereas, the handles of a smiths' tongs, being -crossed like scissor-blades, act as a lever, and the jaws are long, to -hold the iron; while a smiths' hammer, being much heavier, and with a -larger face, deals a more effective blow, and is, by its form, adapted -to the work. In addition to all this, he had but one pair of kitchen -tongs, and when he had to weld two pieces of iron, he made a pair of -wooden ones, with which his wife took out one of the pieces of iron, and -held it till it was "stuck." - -He longed--O, how he longed!--for a little iron that he could call his -own. It consumed him--this desire--even as does the greed of gold a -miser. He reckoned with a piece of charcoal on the top of the bellows -the amount of money he had on hand, the cost of getting Drew to make him -the tools, and the probable proceeds of the articles he had to sell. To -his dismay he found, after purchasing even the few tools he must have, -there would remain but a mere trifle with which to buy iron. - -"I must," he said to himself, "either go without the iron or the tools. -No, I won't; I'll _make_ the tools.--I _will_ do it, and save the money -to buy iron." - -Just then his wife came in to call him to supper, and overheard the -remark, but did not, as before, say, "William, you never can do it." - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -HAMMER AND TONGS. - - -Most persons accompany the act of close thought with some physical -effort; some whittle, smoke, or chew tobacco furiously. William -Richardson was not an exception. When he had fed the cattle for night, -brought in the night's wood, a turn of water, and renewed the fire, he -placed the long handle of his wife's frying-pan across a tub, and began -to shell corn. - -His wife, who knew there was corn enough shelled for a long time, made -no remark, but noticed, while she sat spinning at her flax-wheel, that -he dropped a good many ears of corn into the tub half shelled, and some -untouched. He was evidently thinking of anything but shelling corn. - -Thus they sat an hour or more; not a word spoken. On the other hand, it -was whir, whir, whir; scrape, scrape, scrape. At length his wife saw, as -the cobs he had been from time to time flinging into the fire caught and -blazed, the muscles of his face relax, and a smile flit across it. - -"Sue?" - -"Well, William." - -"Do you think you could get along without the tongs?" - -"I do get along without them; they are out to the shop the greater part -of the time; I haven't had 'em in my hands, except out there, this three -weeks." - -"But could you do without 'em altogether?" - -"Yes. Why?" - -"Because I can make a pair of blacksmith's tongs of 'em." - -"Take 'em, husband." - -"Could you get along without the fire-shovel?" - -"No; because I couldn't clear out the oven." - -Whir, whir, whir; scrape, scrape, scrape, for half an hour more. - -"Sue!" - -"Well." - -"Could we get along without one of the andirons?" - -"I don't kno-o-w. What in the world can you want of that?" - -"To make a hammer." - -"We could get along as well without both as without one." - -"I don't want the whole of it, only part of the end that's in the fire; -we could put a rock under that, and the rest of it would keep the wood -from the hearth, and from rolling out." - -"Then I would take it, William. We can get along very well, I dare say. -Haven't you got corn enough shelled?" - -"Haven't you spun long enough?" - -"Yes." - -"Then we will go to bed." - -The sledding was good, and it was sometime before Richardson put his -designs into execution. But the sledding broke up, work came in, and he -felt the need of the tongs more than ever, as the children were at -school, and it was oftentimes impossible for his wife to leave the baby, -that was cutting its teeth, and began to be fretful. - -He placed a block beside his anvil, knocked the handle out of the old -axe, and mortised it into the block, edge up: upon this he could lay hot -iron and cut it without calling his wife to assist him. - -It was with great reluctance that our smith proceeded to take the tongs -and the andiron, when the time came for doing it. "I feel," said he to -his wife, "as though I was sheep-stealing: it seems real mean to strip -the fireplace, and take your tongs and andirons, especially as we are so -miserably off for household stuff." - -"I wouldn't feel so, William. The first two years we got along without -them; then we thought we needed the tongs, and got John Drew to make -them; and now, if you need the hammer more than the tongs, I don't see -why you shouldn't take them." - -The kitchen tongs were huge affairs; there was more iron in them than -in three pairs of light smith's tongs, such as Richardson needed at -present, only it was not in the right place, but just the reverse, as -the legs of the house tongs were shaped like the human leg and thigh, -largest at the fork, and tapering towards the feet, where they -terminated in a large, oval lip, very thick and broad, adapted to seize -and hold the great brands in the old-fashioned fireplaces; whereas -forge-tongs have the most iron in the jaws, and at the cross, and taper -from thence to a small size. - -To his great delight, Richardson found that he did not need more than -half of the legs of the tongs. - -"I'll save the body of them," he said, "and when I get some new iron, -put on new legs, and Susan can have her tongs again." - -He put them into the fire, and cut off the lips, drew down the small end -to half its size, in order to save iron, and that the handles might -occupy less room in his hand. A new difficulty now presented itself. -Indeed, our smith, who was in want of everything but brains and -perseverance, trod a brier-planted path. He had no punch to make a hole -for the rivet, and without it all his previous work was useless. Punches -are made of steel, or, at least, pointed with it; but he had no steel, -except his tools and a file, that he needed to sharpen his saws and -augers, and could not do without. He knew that an iron punch would -answer the purpose; but where should he get the iron to make it of, for -he had now discovered that he needed two pairs of tongs, in order to -take two pieces of iron from the fire at the same time, to weld, and -could spare none from the legs of the fire-tongs for a punch. He took -the two oval buttons that had formed the lips of the house-tongs, welded -them together, and made his punch. To be sure, at every three or four -blows it bent; but he straightened it again, and, by heating the iron as -hot as it would bear, succeeded in punching the holes in both pairs of -tongs, and then took part of the punch to make the rivets. - -So delighted was he when the whole matter was accomplished, that the big -man capered around the shop for joy, and ran in to tell the good news to -his wife. - -"Now, Sue," he said, "let us have a thanksgiving to-day, for I have two -pairs of tongs; let us have pea-soup." - -There was not much left of the house-tongs, only the head, and about two -inches of each leg, below the fork, just enough to weld to. The great -benefit of the tongs was instantly apparent. Returning to the shop, -William took up what remained of the punch, and exclaiming, "A -blacksmith has the advantage of a carpenter, for he can work up his -chips," made a hook. This he fastened to a belt around his waist. Of the -remainder he made a clasp that he could slip over the handles of the -tongs, thus holding the iron and liberating his hand. - -Now, if he wanted to use his left hand to hold a punch or cutter, he -could put a clasp over the handles of the tongs, and drop them into the -hook at his waist; the iron, also, was not slipping out of the tongs and -dropping on the ground, every three or four blows. He could now work -alone to very good advantage, as he had no large iron to draw, and his -wife was not compelled to take her hands out of the dough to help him. - -"Wife," said William, when he came in from his work that night, "I am as -tired as a dog. It's hard work trying to make something out of nothing." -After resting his brain a while, and doing the new work his neighbors -had brought, he began to think about making a hammer; so he cut off -sufficient iron from one of the andirons, lapped it over, welded it, and -formed the body of the tool. But in this a large hole was to be punched -to receive a handle. It was necessary that he should have more than one -punch, a small one to make the hole, and another to enlarge it, as he -could not, with his nail-hammer, strike with sufficient force to drive a -large punch through so thick a piece of iron. - -"I am sure, wife," he said, "I don't know what I shall get to make -punches of. I have a good mind to take one of the teeth out of your -flax-comb--they are _steel_--to make the small punch, and cut a piece -off the crowbar to make the big one." - -"I wouldn't cut the crowbar, William. Take part of the other andiron; we -might as well have a stone under the ends of both as under one. There's -an old wheel spindle will make the small one." - -He acted upon his wife's advice, and made the hammer. Hammers are faced -with steel, whereas this was all iron; but Richardson knew that, like -his iron punches, it would answer a temporary purpose, and that when it -was battered up, he could hammer it back again. He now was able to do -all the work his neighbors brought, and in half the time required -before. While he was congratulating himself upon his success, David -Montague came to the shop, bringing the chain he had mended first; the -link had straightened when put to a severe test. - -"I know the reason," said Richardson. "I couldn't get a proper heat with -the house-bellows." He mended it, and this time there was no failure. - -William Richardson, during all these struggles and make-shifts, had -learned much, and, in a way that insured its being remembered; had -learned the value and use of sand, found that it protected the iron, -kept the outside from burning, while the inside was heating; that, if he -put two pieces of iron in the fire, and one of them became hot before -the other, he could take it out, roll it in sand, and put it back, and -the sand would keep it from burning up, while the other was getting -ready. He likewise perceived that there was a great difference in the -effect of heat upon the different kinds of iron brought to him by his -neighbors: some was fine-grained, tough, and would bear a great heat; -another kind was coarse, brittle, and, if made too hot, would fly under -the hammer, and fall to pieces. Every mistake added to his experience, -and he was every day acquiring dexterity in the use of the hammer. - -His neighbors, who watched his progress with the greatest interest, were -as much delighted as himself, since they were no longer obliged to go -through the woods to the village for every little job. They now told him -he must learn to shoe oxen and horses, work steel, make axes and -plough-irons. - -You may well think Richardson was as anxious to be able to do this work -as they were to have it done; and the way for the gradual attainment of -it came about in the natural order of events. - -David Montague had, during the winter, got out the timber for a barn, -and employed Richardson to frame, board, and shingle it. This increased -his stock of money very sensibly, and he felt that he could now, with -the money he had saved by making his tools, the proceeds of his butter, -and other matters, and that which he had earned by working for Montague, -buy some iron and steel. He had also in the distant future, visions of -an iron anvil, that he foresaw he must one day have. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -DREW SORE AND SAVAGE. - - -It was now past the middle of March. A copious rain was succeeded by a -sharp frost, making excellent going on the river, and Richardson -resolved to improve it; the only drawback being that the river was one -glare of ice, and his oxen had lost many of their shoes. He had saved -part of the shoes, borrowed some more of John Bradford, and could have -put them on himself, as Moody Matthews had a shoeing-hammer, but there -were no nails in the neighborhood. - -Richardson, however, knew that by taking time and by careful driving, he -could get the cattle to the village, and determined to carry the shoes -with him, and hire Drew to sharpen and nail them on. He put on the sled -half a cord of hemlock bark, his own grist, the butter, cloth, and yarn, -together with some corn and grain for his neighbors. - -About eight o'clock in the evening his wife went to bed; but William -made up a warm fire in the stone fireplace, fed the cattle, and lay -down before it. At twelve o'clock he went out, fed the cattle again, and -called his wife, who got his breakfast, and he set out. He carried in a -basket doughnuts, baked beans, cold boiled pork, Indian bread, and -butter, and a jug of coffee, also hay for the oxen. His plan was to stop -for the night at Hanson's, who put up teams, paying fifty cents a night -for barn-room for the cattle and a bed for himself, Hanson's wife -warming his beans, and making tea or coffee for him, as the coffee he -carried was to drink on the road. This expense was paid by the neighbors -whose errands he did. - -At his arrival, he found John Drew, who before had always received him -very cordially, in a most surly humor. He was making axes. Tom Breslaw, -an apprentice, nearly out of his time, was striking, and blowing the -bellows. Barely nodding, in response to the greeting of Richardson, he -took an axe, into which he had stuck the steel, from the fire, flung it -savagely on the anvil, crying to Tom, "Strike!" and after the heat put -it in the fire again, taking not the least notice of Richardson, but -giving all his attention to his iron. Finding he was not noticed, and at -a loss to know what this strange conduct of the smith meant, he at -length said, "Mr. Drew, can you put a few shoes on my oxen?" - -"No, I can't. I've got this axe and another one to make for a man that's -waitin' for 'em." - -"Perhaps you could do it in the morning. I shall be obliged to stay all -night to get my grist ground. It would be a great accommodation to me if -you could. I had hard work to get the cattle here, and if I am obliged -to drive them home as they are, I shall lame them." - -"Can't do it, I tell you, and that's the long and short of it." - -"Perhaps you could make some nails, lend me a shoeing-hammer, and I -would try and nail them on myself. If you don't, I am sure I don't know -what I shall do. I had hard work to get the cattle here with no load of -any amount. I must haul more back, and I don't know how I can get home." - -"And I don't care how you get home, Bill Richardson; nor whether you get -home at all. Here I've slaved myself for years, going up to your place -through the woods on snow-shoes once or twice every winter, and hauling -my tools and shoes on a hand-sled, leaving work here in the shop just to -accommodate you folks up there, and took my pay in white beans and all -sorts of trash, when I left cash jobs at home and lost 'em; and here you -come smelling round, and palavering, as though butter wouldn't melt in -your mouth; watch and sneak round, and steal the trade, and then go -back, cut off my custom, and take the bread right out of my mouth. Now -I've got you where the hair is short. You may shoe your own cattle, -you're such a great smith. I won't make you a shoe, nail, lend you a -tool, or obleege you in any way, name, or natur'. Strike, Tom -Breslaw--what are you gaping at?" - -Waiting patiently till the din of blows had subsided, and the iron was -returned to the fire, Richardson replied,-- - -"As for stealing your trade, Mr. Drew, and coming here for the purpose, -it is certainly a mistake of yours. I never thought of trying to work a -piece of iron till the last time I was here, when the thought came into -my mind. You surely can't think it strange, when you know what great -labor and expense it is for myself and neighbors to come here, that we -should try to do somewhat for ourselves. You would do the same were you -in our place. If you complain so bitterly of coming to our place twice a -year, what do you think it must be for us to come to you all the time? -You must remember, also, that at those times you charged a corresponding -price, that was cheerfully paid. I can't well see how you could lose any -work by going, as there is no other smith anywhere round, and you must -have found the work waiting when you came back. I have never been -reputed a thief among my neighbors, or made a practice of stealing. I -did wish to obtain some information of you, before I went home, about -working and tempering steel, but expected to pay for it. As for taking -bread out of your mouth, you have all the work you can do right here, -without doing a stroke of work for us." - -"Well, all the knowledge you'll worm out of me you may put in your eye, -for you won't get any." - -"I don't expect, or even desire to, after what has passed between us; -but, as I have given you full opportunity to free your mind, and express -your opinion of me, any more talk of that kind before my face or behind -my back will be at your own risk. I suppose you understand me." - -Drew hung his head, and made no reply; for, though a patient and -good-natured man, William Richardson was by no means a safe person to -provoke. - -It was now the dinner hour, and as Richardson left the shop he was -followed by Breslaw, who said,-- - -"Mr. Richardson, where are you going?" - -"First, Tom, to your father's, with this bark. He is tanning a couple of -hides for me, and told me he would take part of his pay in bark. I was -going to buy some iron and steel at the store; but I shall have to give -that up; for, as Drew won't shoe my cattle, I shan't be able to haul one -pound more than my grist." - -"He's a mean wretch, and I don't see how you kept your hands off him. -But he's been drinking; that's part of it. Give me your shoes. I'll run -into Aunt Sarah's, and get my dinner; it won't take me so long as to go -home; and before Drew gets back I'll fit the shoes and make the nails, -and this evening we will put them on. Most of the shoes have been on the -cattle before. I'll fit the others by them, and if there's any of them -too far gone to sharpen, I'll make new ones." - -"But where will you get iron? Shan't I run to the store and get some?" - -"I keep a little of my own, and do small jobs out of shop time. Any -little scraps will do for that." - -Richardson hauled his bark to the tan-yard, and Breslaw's father invited -him to stop to dinner. As he was passing Drew's shop on his return, Tom -came out. - -"I've made the shoes and nails, Mr. Richardson; and I'll tell you what -I've been thinking of. I suppose money is none too plenty with you." - -"You may well say that, Tom; for I'm paying for my land, and every cent -counts." - -"Well, now, you can, while you are waiting for your grist, go round the -village, and pick up old iron, and perhaps some steel, that won't cost -you one quarter what it would to buy new at the store, and be just as -good, and better, for your use, as it will be smaller, and save -hammering. Only look out that it is not too rusty. Perhaps you remember -Bosworth, the stone-mason." - -"Very well. He made the stones in the grist-mill, and built the piers of -the great bridge." - -"He died this last winter, and his widow has his drills and other tools, -and wants to sell 'em. The drills are all steel, and the best of steel, -too; and I've no doubt you could buy 'em for half what the same amount -of steel would cost you at the store, and perhaps for even less." - -In accordance with this advice, Richardson went to the place, and bought -four hand-drills, a foot or more in length, used for splitting stone, -and two dozen steel wedges. The latter, he thought, would, at some -future time, serve to make toe-calks for horse-shoes. The purchase that -delighted him most of all, however, was a churn-drill. This was four -feet in length; but only four inches of each end was steel, being much -worn, the remainder iron, shaped like the stalk of a seed onion, with a -bulb of iron in the middle, three inches in diameter. He also bought a -light stone-hammer. This was likewise a great acquisition, as it would -serve the purpose of a sledge. Clem could now strike with it for a short -time, and would, in a few months, be able to handle it easily; for he -was large of his age, and muscular. He could likewise get one of his -neighbors to strike, upon an emergency. Pursuing his search, he found -several old axes, beetle-rings, three mill-files, the handle of a -kitchen shovel, one leg of a pair of kitchen tongs, and an old crane -(the latter was a large piece of iron), and some old ox-shoes. At the -mill he obtained some of the mill-stone picks that had become too short -for use. - -Just as he had finished his supper that night, Tom made his appearance -at Hanson's with the shoes, nails, and his tools. A rope was procured, -and the oxen were cast on the barn floor. Richardson held a candle, -stuck into a potato, while Hanson assisted Tom. The latter put on the -new shoes, clinched up all the old ones that were loose, and, with a -smith's large file, sharpened the dull calks. - -He not only refused to take any pay for his work, avowing that Jack Drew -was hog enough for one small place, but, sitting down before the fire -with Richardson, gave him a great deal of valuable information -respecting working iron. - -In the morning Richardson rose early, and prepared to start. After -paying his expenses at Hanson's, he was able to buy considerable iron at -the store, and still had a little money left. The wind was north-west, a -bright sun, the ice smooth and hard, and the cattle, sharpshod, were -able to travel. Thoroughly rested, and eager to get home, they seemed to -regard the load no more than though it had been feathers. Snorting with -eagerness, proud of their new shoes, and perhaps elated with the idea -of having been to the village, they could at first scarcely be kept from -breaking into a run. - -Was not Will Richardson a happy man that bright, sunny morning! The keen -air braced his limbs, and his heart throbbed with joy. Things had turned -out so much better than he anticipated. He feasted his eyes upon the -iron and steel--the great bar, the nail rods--he had bought at the -store, or rather the thin bar he had purchased to be split into nail -rods; for at that day iron did not come from the forges in shapes to -suit the smiths, but in large bars, and there was a vast deal of work to -be done with the sledge and hammer. - -Never did a boy gloat over a ripe plum as did Will Richardson over the -great bunch of iron in the middle of that churn-drill. He couldn't keep -his eyes off of it, and had already decided in his own mind what use he -would make of it. - -Thanks to the noble spirit of Tom Breslaw, the cattle travelled so fast -that he arrived home long before his wife expected him. The children had -come half starved--as children always do in the country--from school, -and were screaming, "Do, mother, give me something to eat." - -"I'll give you a luncheon, because you'll want to eat with your father -when he comes, and you'll want to tie up the cattle, and get the -night's wood in, and a turn of water, so you can have time to see him." - -This being assented to by Young America, the mother, taking half of a -loaf of rye-and-Indian bread, began to spread butter on the loaf, and -then cut off and distribute huge slices to the hungry expectants. She -had cut off the last slice when the sound of Richardson's voice, -shouting to the oxen, came through the half-open door. - -"Father--father's come!" screamed the children; and, followed by their -mother, they ran to the river. Down the slope they rushed, pell-mell, -and, just as the cattle put their fore feet on the edge of the bank, and -taking advantage of a momentary pause occasioned by the steepness of the -grade, piled on to the sled, the two girls holding on to their father's -legs, who, standing on the hinder end of the sled, and holding by one -hand to a stake, with the other waved his hat to his wife, shouting, "O, -Sue, the best of luck! 'Lashings' of iron and steel; and I've brought -back the fulled cloth, and the stuff for your and the children's -clothes, and money--only think of it, wife, brought money home with me! -You can have your tongs, and your andirons, and I can have all the tools -I want? and won't we go ahead?" - -His wife was too full to speak; but happiness beamed from every feature, -as standing half-leg deep in the snow, she drank in the words of her -husband, who, taking her in his arms, seated her upon a bag of meal, -and, while the cattle went on, narrated the incidents of his journey, -the surliness of Drew, and how nobly it was offset by the generous -conduct of Breslaw. - -"Ain't it glorious, wife? I tell you what it is, Sue, it's better to be -born lucky than rich." - -To which we might add, that it is better to be born with brains and -energy than rich; for the riches may be lost; but the former are an -enduring possession, and when under the control of virtuous principles, -a source of unfailing happiness and self-respect. - -William Richardson was by no means a talkative man. On the contrary he -was by nature reserved and thoughtful. But now his tongue ran like a -mill-clapper, and ceased not till the cattle stopped of their own accord -before the door. - -In the meanwhile his wife remained, listening to the excited narration -of her husband, in a sort of silent rapture; but when, after the oxen -stopped, he began to show her the iron, and expatiate, saying, "Only see -this churn-drill, wife; both ends steel; and what a great bunch of iron -in the middle--Swedish iron, too; and three picks, and drills, and -wedges--all steel; and that crane--see what a great junk of iron _that_ -is!--didn't cost me much of anything, either; and that big bar, to make -axes; and the thin iron for horse and ox shoes, and nail-rods;"--I say, -as he thus ran on, showing and explaining the value of one piece of iron -after another, tears of joy ran down the cheeks of the faithful wife, -and after that she found her tongue. - -Now you needn't laugh, boys, and say, "What a fuss over a little old -iron!" It was worth a great deal more to that family than though it had -been so much gold; and you needn't say, "O, what a whopper!" Just see if -it don't come out so before we have done with the Richardsons. That -amount of gold might, and probably would, have ruined them; but on every -grain of that rusty metal were written encouragement, inspiration, -opportunity; and God Almighty had given to William Richardson the -ability to read for himself and his neighbors what was written on those -iron leaves. - -"Father," cried Clem, seizing the stone-hammer, "what is this awful -great hammer for?" - -"For you, my son, to help me draw these great bars of iron with--at any -rate, by and by, if you can't handle it now." - -"I can swing it now, father, just like anything. See here"--swinging it -over his head, and bringing it down with considerable force on the iron. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -PATIENT, BUT DETERMINED. - - -Perhaps our readers would like to know what were the first words Susan -Richardson uttered after she found her tongue. - -"The first thing I'll do, when I get up to-morrow morning, shall be to -spin some linen yarn as fine as I can spin it, scour and bleach it the -best I know how, weave it, and if I don't make Tom Breslaw as handsome a -pair of linen shirts as any man in this state ever had to his back, it -will be because I can't." - -The children all had to take a turn at the stone-hammer. Rob could -strike with it, but could not swing it over his head; besides being -younger, he was much less muscular than Clem, who was very large of his -age. Sue could lift it to the height of her shoulders, Sally but a few -inches. They now began to carry the iron to the shop. Clem and Rob took -each an end of the churn-drill, but the girls insisted on taking hold in -the middle, and entirely monopolized the conveyance of the drills, -wedges, and smaller things, notwithstanding the boys told them they -should think it would look a great deal better for them to go into the -house and help their mother get supper. All the satisfaction they got -was, "It's nothing to you; mam said we might." - -The first work William Richardson did in the shop was with the remnants -of the kitchen shovel and tongs he had bought to repair his wife's -tongs, and cutting a piece off the old crane, he repaired the andirons. - -Sitting on the anvil, he now looked over the iron and steel spread in -imposing array by the children over the shop, as a militia captain makes -his company take open order on muster-day for the sake of show, -reflecting in what way he should make the most of his treasures, when -Clem, who had been examining the drills with great interest, striking -one upon the other, and listening to the clear, sharp ring thus -produced, so different from the dull sound emitted by the iron, said,-- - -"Father, what is steel?" - -The parent, occupied with his reflections, neither heard nor heeded the -question. - -"Who don't know that, Clem?" replied Robert. "It's what makes father's -axe and draw-shave cut: iron won't cut." - -"I guess I know that as well as you do. But what makes steel cut any -more'n iron? It looks just like it." - -"'Cause it's steel." - -"You know a great deal about it--don't you?" - -"What is it, boys?" said the father, rousing up. - -"What is steel, father?" - -"It's made out of iron refined and hardened, so as to give it temper." - -"What do they do to it?" - -"I don't know; it's done in England." - -"Will the temper stay there forever?" - -"Yes; you can draw it most all out if you heat it, but if you put it in -cold water it will come back again." - -"What makes you, when you want to burn the handle out of your axe, put -wet cloths all over the edge of it?" - -"Because I don't want to heat the steel and start the temper." - -"What if you did? couldn't you put it into cold water and make it come -back?" - -"Perhaps I shouldn't get the same temper: if the axe cuts well, I prefer -to let well enough alone; if I spoiled it, I should have to go clear to -the village to get John Drew to temper it over." - -"But, father, I seed you take and put the new broad axe in the fire with -no cloth on it, nor nothing, and heat it real hot, so when I spit on it -it sissed." - -"Yes, my son; but I didn't do that to take the handle out, but to draw -the temper. It was so high tempered it broke, and I couldn't do -anything with it; so I thought, as it was of no use as it was, I might -as well try to draw down the temper, and if I got too much out, it would -only be going to Drew after all. Do you understand now, my son?" - -"Yes, father; but I heard you tell mother you meant to try to temper an -axe." - -"I mean to try, dear. That's what I got the iron and steel for." - -"Won't you spoil it?" - -"I expect I shall, a good many, before I learn." - -"Father, I want to see you learn. Can I see you spoil the axes?" - -"Yes, child, I shall want you to help me." - -"Think you can learn, father?" - -"I guess so." - -"Then I can learn too. Perhaps there's a man in the steel what lives -there and makes it cut." - -"If there is, he must have a pretty warm berth sometimes." - -"Father, when you learn and I learn, can I make me a hatchet?" - -"And me too?" said Robert. - -"Yes, I guess so." - -Now we intend as briefly as possible to answer Clem's first question. It -would be very ridiculous, if a good-looking, nice-feeling boy in the -high school, being asked what made his knife cut, should have to stick -his thumb in his mouth, look like a dunce, and say, "I don't know." - -We must begin with and say a few things in relation to iron, from which -steel is made. - -The iron ore is put into the furnace, a layer of iron ore and another of -coal, together with lime, either in the shape of oyster-shells or stone -lime. It is there melted and run into large junks called _pigs_. The -lime causes all the flint, sand, and earthy matters to melt and separate -from the iron, which, being heaviest, drops to the bottom of the -furnace, while the slag, that is lighter; floats on top, and is taken -off. This is _cast_ iron; you see pigs of it piled up on the wharves in -seaports, the outside incrusted with the sand in which it was run, and -looking as rough, some of it, as the cinders of a smith's forge. It is -highly charged with carbon, coarse, hard, and brittle; can neither be -filed, welded, nor worked, under the hammer; is more or less filled with -slag and other impurities, and fit only, when melted again and purified, -to be cast into pots, pans, stoves, wheels, and various articles. It is -now melted two or three times more, and slightly hammered, to beat off -some of the slag. Then it is made red hot, and put under steam-hammers. -In old times it was hammered by water power, or by men with sledges. -This is done in order to take out the carbon, that renders it hard and -brittle. - -Probably by this time you wish to know what carbon is, to extract which -from the iron has cost so much labor. Should I give you the definition -of the books, you would probably want that definition defined. - -Many boys have seen a diamond: that is carbon in a solid form: pit coal -is solid carbon mixed with sulphur, phosphoros, and other elements. -Charcoal is solid carbon in a nearly pure state. Carbon has so strong an -affinity for oxygen, that when any of the substances that contain it are -burned, they give up their carbon, that instantly mingles with the -oxygen of the air. - -Thus, when iron is heated, its pores are opened, the carbon on the -outside is carried away by the air, and more is liberated from within, -to pass off in the same way; the object of the frequent meltings and the -hammering is to expose new surfaces to contact with the oxygen of the -air, and get rid of the carbon, just as the farmer turns his hay, and -brings new surfaces to the sun, to dry off the dew. - -As the result of this we have wrought iron, soft, tough, of close and -fibrous, instead of a crystalline or granular texture, that may be made -red hot and quenched in water without hardening or becoming brittle; may -be welded, split, punched, made into wheel-tires, hoes, shovels, axes, -hammers, pitchforks, knives, or razors. But there is one grand defect in -this iron, although it is so tractable that it may be worked under the -hammer into a thousand different shapes at the will of the smith; may be -drawn into wire so fine as to be woven in a loom or made into a watch -spring that weighs only the tenth of a grain, and rolled into leaves as -thin as paper, insomuch that a pound of raw iron costing a cent affords -steel sufficient for seventy thousand watches, worth one hundred and -seventy-five thousand dollars. It is, however, too soft to form a -cutting edge that will stand. Make a pitchfork of it, it is harder work -to stick it into the hay than it is to pitch the hay, as we know from -experience; an axe, it will take all your strength to cut through the -bark, and you must grind it every hour; a razor, you can shave but once, -and then with tears of agony. Make a hammer of it, and it batters up -forthwith; a punch, it bends; a drill, at the first stroke of the sledge -it turns. - -What next? - -Troughs are made of fire-brick, from eight to sixteen feet in length, -and two or three feet in depth. The troughs are placed in a furnace, and -on the bottom of each of them a mixture of powdered charcoal, ashes, and -salt. Bars of wrought iron are laid upon this mixture half an inch -apart, to the amount, perhaps, of twelve tons, and covered with -charcoal; then another layer of iron and more charcoal, till the trough -is full. The top is covered with cement that has been used before, and -damp sand. The fire is then made in such a manner that the heat passes -all around the troughs, and is kept up from six to ten days, according -to the size of the bars and the purposes for which the contents of the -troughs are wanted. - -The heat of the furnace opens the pores of the iron, and sets free the -carbon contained in the charcoal; and as the cement prevents it from -escaping and uniting with the oxygen of the air, it enters the pores of -the iron and impregnates it. The fire is now suffered to die out, and -the metal is taken from the troughs. It is no longer iron, but steel. We -now have that which is the "king of metals," and by the aid of which the -skilful mechanic can do what would once have been thought miraculous. - -The surface of this material is covered with blisters, hence it is -called blistered steel. It resounds when struck. Iron once bent remains -so; but steel is so elastic that it may be bent to an angle of -forty-five degrees, and will spring back to its original position. It is -said that Andrew of Ferrara manufactured swords so elastic, that the -point of the blade would bend to touch the hilt, and spring back again -uninjured. The quality of steel depends upon the quality of the iron -from which it is made. The English have carried the art to great -perfection, nevertheless are obliged to import the iron from which their -razor-steel is made from Sweden. This blistered steel is the kind that -lay upon the floor of William Richardson's shop, and in the possession -of which he so exulted. - -Now you have an article that gives to the axe its temper, the fork its -point, the mainspring of the watch its elasticity, and to all tools an -enduring edge that may be so attempered as to pierce the hardest rocks -and crush the hardest stones; that may be welded to iron, and thus -economized. Do you think it strange that Will Richardson rejoiced at the -acquisition in his circumstances, or reflected long and seriously in -respect to the manner in which he should use his treasures to the best -advantage? - -And now, perhaps, some thoughtful boy may say,-- - -"Why be at so great expense of labor and material to take carbon from -iron, and then set right at work to put it back again?" - -Because there is too much in the cast iron, and so it is all taken out, -and just the right amount put in. - -"Why not, then, when decarbonizing the cast iron, leave just enough in, -and save the labor of three processes?" - -This has been attempted, but the results have not given satisfaction. It -is not so easy to ascertain when the right amount is left in as when it -is put in. The latter can be determined very accurately by means of -try-bars, the ends of which are left protruding from the troughs. When, -upon drawing one of them out, it is found to be blistered, the process -is done. Although blistered steel be so superior to iron, it has -imperfections, that impair the quality of edge tools manufactured from -it--the result of imperfections in the iron of which it is made. At -times there will be differences even in the same bar; one portion will -be softer than another, or there will be flaws and shelly places. - -When the steel made from such iron is wrought into a tool and ground, -the edge is uneven, serrated, softer in one place than another. This -amounts to a fatal defect in those articles where great and uniform -hardness is required, as in screw-taps, wire-drawers, plates, dies, and -stamps for coining and engraving. It is evident, as the carbon is -introduced from the surface, that there will be less in the middle than -at the outside of the bars; thus the steel is not of a uniform -character. In order to obviate this, the bars of steel are made into a -fagot heated in a great forge, welded together with a hammer worked by -machinery, and drawn into bars, which closes up all the fissures and -renders it tough and compact. It is now called shear steel, because -shears for dressing cloth were made of it, and it will take a better -polish than blistered steel. But the process is not yet completed. Bars -of blistered steel that have been the most highly charged with carbon, -and are therefore the hardest, are broken into short pieces,--those -being put together that are of a like hardness,--and placed in pots of -fire-clay, about thirty pounds in a pot, with covers fitting perfectly -tight. The pots are placed in a furnace, and the steel in them melted, -when it is poured into cast iron moulds, and made into ingots. These are -under a tilt-hammer drawn into bars of all sizes. This is cast steel, -and it is evident, must be of uniform quality and hardness. This process -was discovered in 1750, by a citizen of Sheffield, and for many years -kept a secret. It is of this steel that the best tools, swords, knives, -and instruments of all kinds are manufactured. But not even shear steel -was within the reach of most of the smiths at the date of our story, -very little being imported, save in the form of tools. - -There is another property pertaining to steel. When heated to a white -heat or cherry red, according to its quality, and quenched in water, it -becomes hard as glass, and very brittle. The higher the temperature, and -the more suddenly it is cooled, the harder and more brittle it becomes. -It is this quality that renders steel the "king of metals," and has -given to the smith power over all material substances. Even the diamond -is forced to yield the palm, for recently steel has been tempered to -take its place in cutting glass. - -The result of William's reflections was, that, in order to draw and work -the large iron now in his possession, he must have better tools and a -heavy sledge, as he could upon occasion get one of his neighbors to -strike for him. John Bradford lived nearest: he knew that John would be -glad to accommodate him, and take his pay in blacksmith work; besides, -by employing the same person all the time, that individual would acquire -facility, and learn to strike fair. - -Commencing with the churn-drill, he cut it off just below the great bulb -in the middle, "upset" the end by striking it endwise upon the anvil, -and by the aid of Clem, with his stone-hammer, formed it into something -like the proper shape for the face end of a sledge. He then partially -formed the "pean," or top portion, that in a smith's sledge is -wedge-shaped. He wished to punch the hole for the handle before cutting -off the rest of the drill, in order to hold it by that part, as he had -no tongs that were large enough. To make this hole in so thick a piece -needed, he thought, a steel punch, or at least a steel-pointed one. The -material was at hand in that part of the drill he had just cut off, only -wanting to be pointed. - -There was more length than was either necessary or convenient; but he -resolved to point first, and shorten it afterwards. Ignorant of the -nature of steel, or the degree of heat it will endure, he supposed, as -it was very hard, it should be made all the hotter, blew up the fire, -and treated it just as he would a piece of wrought iron. The drill had -been imported from England,--as were nearly all the tools in that -day,--was pointed with the best of double shear steel, and hardened all -that it would bear. The result was, that the moment he struck it with -his hammer, it crumbled and fell to pieces, like so much brick, till, as -there was but about four inches of the steel, nothing remained except -the iron to which it had been welded. - -Richardson stood looking at the fragments in utter despair. To lose that -steel was almost like losing a limb; but it was gone past redemption. It -had cost him something to learn that steel will not bear so much heat as -iron. Afraid to meddle with the other end of the drill, he resolved, -since it needed very little alteration, to take off the corners and -square the end on the grindstone; but it proved so hard that he soon -gave up the attempt, and felt that he must run the risk. - -"I'll try it," he said; "no doubt John Drew spoiled plenty of steel when -he was apprentice, and had a master at his back, to boot." - -Well aware that the other steel was burned, he watched it narrowly, put -on plenty of sand, and before it was white hot, worked it without -difficulty. - -All he knew in regard to tempering was, that steel becomes hard by being -quenched in water while red hot, and if plunged in water after that -period, less so; while if suffered to cool of itself, it is not so much -harder than iron. He was ignorant of a fact most important to a smith, -and by the knowledge of which he is enabled to produce any degree of -temper he pleases, after practice and experience of the different -qualities of the various kinds of steel; to wit, that the gradations -from extreme hardness to extreme softness are denoted by the different -colors it assumes while cooling. - -Trying with a file the punch that had now cooled on the forge, he found -that it was quite soft, and supposed it needed hardening. Heating it as -hot as he dared, he plunged it in water, held it there till cold, and -then twisted a withe around it for a handle. - -He now took a welding heat on his iron, that it might punch the more -easily, and set Robert to hold it, while Clem held the punch. So much -time was occupied in placing the iron and punch, and instructing the -boys how to hold both, that it had cooled, and become harder to punch; -nevertheless, he resolved to try it, and lifting the great beetle, -struck with all his might upon the punch. At the second blow it broke in -two, as short as a pipe-stem. - -Clem, who had followed every motion, seeing the blank look of his -father, began to cry; while Rob ran to tell his mother. - -"Jackass that I was," he said, "to make that punch so hard. Didn't I -know that I could punch hot iron with an iron punch, and have done it?" - -Finding that there was still a little steel left, he put it in the fire -again, let it cool to a black heat before he quenched it, then punched -his hole, and finished the sledge. By patient perseverance, and after -many ineffectual attempts, he succeeded in learning to weld steel to -iron, and made himself several pairs of tongs of different shapes and -sizes, also flat punches of files, but of low temper, also chisels. He -did not dare to make them hard, as he did the punch; so he let them -become almost cold before quenching. - -He shod Montague's horse, making all the nails and two new shoes; but he -was all day about it, and had nothing better to pare the hoof than a -jack-knife. No matter for that--the thing once done, and done right: -facility is the result of practice. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -HE FINDS THE CLUE. - - -Thus far our smith had by no means realized the benefits anticipated -from the possession of steel. He had, indeed, ascertained what degree of -heat it would bear, learned to weld it to iron, made some punches that -were a little better than iron ones, and yet he was as far removed from -a knowledge of tempering that would enable him to forge and finish a -reliable tool of any kind as before; since to heat a piece of steel and -plunge it in water, making it so hard and brittle as to be useless, or -quenching it when nearly cold, thus rendering it about as soft as iron, -did not amount to anything practically. - -And yet this man aspired to make an axe; yes, even had dim visions of -plane-irons, draw-shaves, chisels, and gouges manufactured by William -Richardson, edge tool maker. Aspired, did I say? The expression is too -feeble. The idea absorbed his thoughts, and, ever present to his mind, -assumed the character of a passion. It was not a mere whim, but based -upon solid grounds. - -There were but few ploughs in the place, and not many horses, and they -were not shod all round except in the winter. But the axe was in -universal use, subject to continual wear, and frequently broken. John -Drew was celebrated for giving to his axes a high temper, that rendered -them liable to break in frosty weather; one cause of which probably was, -that he made up a lot of axes, and then tempered the lot. Upon tempering -days he was always more or less under the influence of liquor. Indeed, -he thought he could not temper an axe properly, unless he was half -drunk; and it must be allowed that many of his neighbors were of the -same opinion, while others said, he wanted them to break, in order that -he might have a job of repairing. It was too early in the season to -plough; the ice had broken up in the river, and having first driven the -logs, cut and hauled in the winter, to the mill, he gave his undivided -attention to the work, and employed John Bradford to help him cut up and -draw the large bar of iron purchased at the store, while Clem and Robert -mounted on a block--not being tall enough to reach the handle -without--and blew the bellows. John had not struck through two heats -with the large sledge when the stone anvil broke in two. This mishap, -however, was soon repaired, as there was no lack of stones. - -While they were placing another stone on the stump, David Montague came -in. - -"Neighbor Richardson," said he, "it is too bad that a man who is -possessed of the industry and ingenuity you are, should be so put to it -for tools, and be obliged to work iron on a stone. Now I tell you what -I'll do with you. I mean to get out timber and boards in the course of -next year to build me a frame house the year after; 'twill take two -years to make the shingles and clapboards, hew the frame, and put the -house up. Now I'll advance you money to buy an anvil beck (beak) horn, -stake, tools to head nails with, and you may pay me in work, shoe my -horse and oxen, and make all the nails for my house. I shan't want a -nail under a year, and not many under fourteen months, so that you can -make them next winter, and at odd jobs." - -Nails were then made by hand, of wrought iron. The stake was a species -of anvil of small size, and used to point horse-nails on. The beak horn -was a very necessary thing at that day, used for welding hollow -articles, and for work upon plough irons. - -"I am sure, neighbor, you couldn't do me a greater favor, for I need an -anvil sadly, though I can get along without the stake and the beck -horn." - -"You can, perhaps, at present, but you will soon need them both. I -don't think you ought to feel under the least obligation to me, for in -advancing this money, I am benefiting myself and the whole neighborhood -more than you. It will save me and all of us many a hard tramp through -the woods. Besides, I don't like to get down on my knees to John Drew, -beg him to work for me, and then pay him twice as much as it is worth." - -"So I say, neighbor," said Bradford, "though--to give the devil his -due--Drew is as good a blacksmith as ever stood behind an anvil, but -mighty uncomfortable. But where are you going to get the bricks, -neighbor, to build your chimneys?" - -"Make them, John; there's sand and clay both in my pasture. So you see -there's work enough for two years to hew the frame, make the shingles -and clapboards, cut logs for boards, and make and burn the bricks." - -Richardson improved the opportunity, while assisted by Bradford, to -forge the polls or iron portion of two axes, and split up iron for -nail-rods and also for horseshoes. He had never seen any one temper a -tool, but he had often struck for Drew to forge axes; had seen him weld -the steel to the iron, and knew he could do that. Although he had hired -John to help him draw the large iron, because he could not do it, even -with the aid of the boys, without great outlay of both time and labor, -he didn't care to expose his awkwardness before him. In short, he -preferred to be alone while adventuring upon this portion of the work, -in order that he might study out the matter as he went along with no -witness to his mistake but the boys, and as for tempering, we have seen -how little he knew in respect to that. - -The next morning he made his steel in the shape of a wedge, and split a -corresponding crevice in the blade of the axe, and not quite so wide as -the steel was thick, in order that it might bind on the sides as it -entered, to hold it while heating, and put the whole in the fire for a -weld. At the first trial the steel fell out on the ground the moment he -struck it, and he lost his heat. He now shut the slit together so that -the steel did not quite reach to the bottom, closed it up on the steel a -little harder, put the axe in the fire, and before striking, struck the -edge of the steel against the side of the anvil, to drive it home to the -bottom of the slit, and thus succeeded in making a perfect weld. - -But now came the crisis--to temper it. All depended upon this. So -important a tool was an axe at that day, men wouldn't hesitate to travel -twenty miles additional to a smith who had the reputation of excelling -in the art, and no excellence of form or finish could compensate an -axe-man for its absence. - -He was well aware the reason the punch broke was on account of its -hardness, and also that if he had, after putting it in water, let it -cool some, it would have been less brittle; but he also knew the harder -a tool is, the keener it cuts, and, forgetful of the fault in Drew's -axes, imagined he could not get it too hard to cut wood. He thought -there must be a vast difference between wood and iron, and that the -harder the better; it would never break in wood. - -Therefore, after finishing as well as he could, he made it as hot as he -could without burning, and quenched it, put in a handle, and set to work -grinding. The axe proved so hard, although he had made the blade very -thin by hammering, that it was almost impossible to grind it, though he -put a liberal allowance of sand on the stone. Susan and the boys took -turns at the stone, the father encouraging them by declaring that it -would cut like a ribbon, for it was harder than Pharaoh's heart. - -The implement was ground at length. Richardson whet the edge and -forthwith proceeded to a large hemlock that grew near, to try it. If -unskilled in making, he was very far from being a novice in the use of -an axe. - -At the first blow he cried to his family, who were all gathered at the -foot of the tree, his wife with the babe in her arms,-- - -"It's going to cut; I know it is." - -Leaving the keen instrument buried in the wood, he pulled off his outer -garments. The blows now fell thick and heavy. - -"Cuts like a razor. Throws the chips well. Never saw an axe work easier -in the wood," broke from him at intervals, while the children clapped -their hands and capered around the tree till it came crashing to the -ground. - -The hemlock was scrubby, and one of the lower limbs was dead. Richardson -struck the axe into it with all his might; but when he pulled it out, -there was a piece of steel out of the middle of the bitt as large as a -half-dollar. - -Greatly to the surprise of his wife, he manifested no symptoms of -discouragement at this disappointment in the moment of victory; he -merely said, as with one foot on the butt of the tree, he looked at the -shining and crystalline surface of the fracture,-- - -"Well, I've found out the temper that will shave the wood. I must now -find out the highest temper that will stand hemlock knots." - -The next thing Richardson did was to try with a file his saw and a -draw-shave that cut well. He found they bore no comparison in hardness -with the axe he had just broken, yet they were both wood tools, and good -ones. He then tried a chopping axe made by Drew. It was softer still, -but it cut well and stood hemlock, fir, and spruce knots. He now -understood that tools for wood, especially where blows were given, did -not admit of a very high temper. - -"I wish," he said, "I did know how it is that blacksmiths tell when -steel cools down to a right temper. How I wish I had asked Tom Breslaw!" -He sat down on the butt of the tree to reflect. Clem seated himself by -his side, while Robert, standing on the tree, wiped the drops of sweat -from his father's brow. - -"Father," said Clem, at length, clambering into his parent's lap, "what -you going to do with the axe now?" - -"I'm going," said he, putting his arm fondly around the little -questioner, "to try and make it just hard enough to cut, and not break -or turn." - -"How will you know, father, when you've got just enough out?" - -"Guess at it. I can't do any better. If I only had a watch or clock, I'd -let it cool two minutes, then four, and see what that would do. Do you -understand, my little man?" - -"I don't know, father; ain't it just like when mother takes a candle, -makes a mark on it with her knitting needle, and says, 'When the candle -burns down to that mark, 'twill be half an hour, and then you'll have to -go to bed, Clem?'" - -"Something like it; but I want something that will tell the minutes." - -"Then it would be two minutes hard, father," cried Clem, who, with both -arms around his parent's neck, had almost got into his mouth. "How -funny! Shall I go borrow Mr. Montague's watch?" - -"Not now, dear." - -Taking the boy by the hand, and the axe in the other hand, he walked -thoughtfully towards the shop. - -After heating to a cherry red, he laid it on the forge to cool, began to -count, and continued counting till the axe was cool. He then chalked -down the number on his bellows. - -"Father?" - -"Don't bother me now, dear;" and he began to think aloud. - -"This axe was as hard as glass before I het it; now the temper's all -out. It has taken while I could count sixty-four to come out. Now, if -sixty-four takes out the whole, thirty-two ought to take out half, -sixteen a quarter, eight an eighth. The temper is put into steel when -it's put into water; and the hotter the steel, and the quicker the -chill, the harder it is. What made that axe so hard was, that I het it -so hot, and chilled it quick. If I had made it only half as hot, and -then put it in water, the temper wouldn't have begun but half as soon, -and then it would have been only half as hard. I guess that axe's about -an eighth too hard. I'll heat it just as hot as I did before, and count -eight, then put it in water. I wonder if that'll be the same thing as -though I hardened it at full heat, and after that found some rule by -which to reduce the temper. I'm afraid it won't. Let me think of it." He -sat down on the forge, while Clem, not daring to speak, stood with his -great round eyes staring anxiously in his father's face. - -"I had an axe of John Drew once that was too hard--kept breaking; but it -cut like a razor. I was afraid to touch it to draw the temper; but one -day I put the 'poll' of it in the fire to burn the handle out, and the -wet cloths I had on the steel to keep it cool got dry while I was -talking with a neighbor, and the poll got red hot. I thought I'd drawn -all the temper out and spoilt it, but after that it was just hard -enough. Now I'll just do the same thing again." - -He heated the whole axe, steel, and all, then quenched the whole of the -steel in water till it was cold, leaving the rest of the axe red hot. - -"Now I'll let that hot iron draw on the steel while I count eight." - -He did thus, then quenched the whole; tried it in the knot; it broke, -but very little; put it in again, and counted sixteen. It was too soft; -the edge turned. - -"I don't believe but that red-hot iron draws too savage on the steel; -takes the temper out too fast. I'll draw it more gradual and count the -same number of times." - -He now dipped the whole axe in water, edge first, took it out directly, -put the poll only on the outside of the fire to keep up a gradual heat, -counted sixteen and quenched it. The axe cut much better and neither -broke nor turned. He thought he would heat it, count but twelve, and -thus see if it wouldn't bear a little higher temper. Just as he was -about to take it from the fire little Sue came to call him to dinner. - -"Tell your mother I can't come yet; don't know when I can come; to eat -dinner, and not wait for me." - -"Nor me, nuther," said Clem. "I ain't coming till father comes." - -He quenched the axe, put the poll on the fire, and while looking at it -and counting, thought he noticed a flaw in the steel. Rubbing it in the -sand and coal-dust of the forge till it was bright, he found it was only -the edge of a scale raised by the frequent heats. But his attention was -instantly arrested by seeing the bright steel change under his eye to a -pale yellow, commencing at the point where the steel joined the iron, -and gradually extending over it; while he looked, it changed to a darker -shade, became brown, almost purple. He had now counted twelve, and -quenched it. When he took the axe from the water, the same tinge was on -the steel. The axe now cut better and stood well. But he had got hold of -an idea he meant to follow out. - -"I wonder what those colors are," he said. "Who knows but they may be -the temper? Just as fast as the temper was let down they changed--grew -darker. Wonder what they would have come to, if I hadn't quenched the -steel. I'll know." Heating the axe once more, he rubbed it bright, and -looked for the colors. For a little time the steel was white; then the -pale straw color appeared again, growing darker, till it became brown, -with purple spots, then purple, light blue, pigeon blue; then darker, -almost black. - -"O, father, what handsome colors!" - -No reply. Much excited, he quenched the steel, and determined to -ascertain whether the colors represented different degrees of hardness. -When he found, by careful experiment, they did, he caught the wondering -boy in his arms, ran into the house crying,-- - -"Now, my boy, we've got something that's a better regulator than David -Montague's watch, your mother's candle, or counting, either." - -Entering the house he shouted,-- - -"Sue, I've got it! I've found how the blacksmith's do it, or, if I -haven't, I've found a way just as good." - -His progress was now rapid; he soon ascertained the proper temper for -all kinds of tools. The steel of the axe he had experimented with had -been through the fire so many times that the life of it was all gone. He -therefore put new steel in it, improved the shape somewhat, ground the -whole surface of it before tempering, to take off the hammer marks,--for -he had not learned to hammer smooth,--tempered it carefully, and hid it -away in the shop. - -The next week he procured his anvil, beak-horn, stake, and tools for -nails. They came from Boston to Portsmouth, from thence to -Kennebunkport, by water; on an ox team to the village, and from there up -the river in a canoe. - -His land joined Bradford's, and they had appointed a day to build a -piece of log fence together. Richardson took his new axe with him, -having ground it sharp. Watching his opportunity while Bradford was -putting some top poles on the fence, he took Bradford's axe, putting his -own in the same place. Bradford, without noticing the difference, took -it up and began to chop into the side of a tree. - -"Whew! How this axe cuts! Gnaws right into the wood. It ain't my axe; -it's William's. Will, where'd you get this axe?" - -"Made it." - -"The dogs you did." - -"It is one of those you helped me forge." - -"It's worth two of that axe you are using that John Drew made me. Will -you sell it?" - -"Yes; that's what I made it for." - -"May I put it into the knots?" - -"Yes; try it in any fair way, and if it breaks or turns, you needn't -take it." - -Bradford, after making a thorough trial, took it. It was soon noised -round that William Richardson had made an axe for John Bradford that -beat Drew's all hollow. Every body wondered at the ease with which he -took up anything, little knowing the struggle it cost him. - -His farming work now came on; but at intervals he made axes that found a -ready sale. He made a small pair of bellows in the fall, and a little -forge in the chimney corner. The boys learned to make nails, and made -nearly all Montague's nails in the winter evenings. He paid less and -less attention to farming, and more to working in iron, paid for his -land, and built him a frame house. In the autumn of the year that he -made the first axe, he found that he could not well make ox and -horse-shoes without a vice, and resolved to make something that would -answer the purpose. - -He began by taking two wide, flat bars of iron, and turned the edge of -them over the edge of the anvil, like the head of a railroad spike, in -order that, when the flat surfaces came together, these edges might make -a face to the vice. To the other ends of each of the bars he welded -pieces of the old crane, rendering that portion of the vice that was to -fasten to the bench long enough to reach to the ground, and rise eight -inches above the edge of the bench, and welded an old horse-shoe on the -back side to fasten it to the bench. The other he made but two-thirds -as long, and by making a slot in one, with a hole for a pin, and -punching an eye in the other, he contrived both to connect them, and -form a hinge joint on which the outer leg of the vice might traverse. -Two holes were now punched to receive a bolt that was designed to answer -the purpose of a screw, one end of which terminated in a head; the -remaining portion was punched at short distances with eyes very long and -wide, to receive broad, thick keys or wedges that would endure hard -driving. - -He now set up the permanent portion of his vice, put the lower end into -a flat rock set in the ground, and fastened the upper part to the bench, -brought up the other side, and put the bolt through both. The hinge at -the bottom permitted the outer jaw of the vice to play back and forth on -the bolt in order to open or close it. By means of tapering wedges -driven into the eyes in the bolt, he could wedge a piece of iron firmly -into his vice to file it, could turn the calks of a horse-shoe or set -them at any angle he wished. Whenever the vice did not come up to the -eye, and the wedge would not draw, he slipped washers--iron rings--over -the bolt to fill the space, and then entering the point of his key, -drove it with great force. It was not very convenient, but it answered -the purpose effectually, for it was substituting the power of the wedge -for that of the screw. - -"Mother," said Clem, one morning, "will you let me have a piece of your -tongs?" - -"My tongs, child? What do you want of my tongs?" - -"To make some bow-pins--iron ones--for my steer's yoke; father's gone, -and said we might play." - -"No, child; you're crazy." - -"You let father have 'em." - -"Well, that was because he wanted a pair of tongs to hold his iron." - -"So I want the bow-pins." - -"Well, I shan't have my tongs spoilt for nonsense." - -"Mother, is that red and white rooster mine?" - -"Yes." - -"Mine to do what I'm a mind to with?" - -"Yes." - -In the course of half an hour, Clem, with his rooster under his arm, -presented himself at David Montague's door. - -"Good morning, Clem. What are you going to do with that rooster?" - -"I want to sell him. Andrew said you wanted one." - -"Yes; mine froze last winter. What do you ask for him?" - -"I'll sell him for that horse-shoe what's hanging on your barn-yard -fence." - -"What on earth do you want of that horse-shoe?" - -"I want to make some bow-pins for my steers." - -"Well, you may have it, and after you have made 'em, I want to see 'em." - -As William Richardson came home, he saw smoke coming out of the chimney -of the shop, and heard the sound of the hammer and sledge. Looking -through a chink, he saw the boys busy enough. Clem was behind the anvil. -They had flattened out the heel calks of the horse-shoe, straightened -it, and lapped one part over the other. Just as he looked in, Clem was -putting sand on it; in a few moments he took it from the fire, welding -hot: Robert struck with the sledge, and they soon drew it out into a -thin, square bar. - -"I hope you ain't wasting my iron, boys." - -"No, father," said Clem, "it's mine. I sold my rooster to Mr. Montague, -and bought it. We are going to make some bow-pins, and we don't want -anybody to help nor show us; we want to do it." - -At this hint Richardson walked into the house. When Clem took the -bow-pins to Mr. Montague, the latter told him to make two pairs, and he -would buy them of him. - -Settlers now began to flock in; a carriage road was made through the -woods; wagons and carts came into use. Montague and others built a -sawmill and a grist-mill; the town was incorporated, and Richardson made -the mill-chain. This was a wonderful advance from mending the ox-chain -before the kitchen fire on a flat stone. - -"Neighbor Richardson," said Montague, as he came to get his horse shod, -"I was coming home from the village last Tuesday, and met Sam Parker -going to get screw-bolts made. Now, it always galls me to have work go -out of this place. I think you'd better send to Boston and get tools, so -that you can cut screws whenever they are wanted; there will be more -call for them every day, for the town is growing fast." - -"Thank you, neighbor. I'll think of it." - -He resolved to see if he could not make something that would cut screws, -before sending to Boston. - -It is said that the idea of the principle of gravitation was suggested -to Sir Isaac Newton by seeing an apple fall from a tree. He wondered -what made it drop to the earth, rather than go in the opposite -direction. However that may be, it is certain that a thoughtful man will -receive suggestions from things that make no impress upon the stupid and -careless. - -As William Richardson sat before the fire that night reflecting upon the -conversation with Montague, he noticed Clem putting powder into a horn. -The boy had rolled a leaf of his last year's writing-book into the form -of a tunnel, fastened it with a pin, and was pouring the powder through -it. - -When the boy had finished, he said,-- - -"Clem, hand me that paper before you unpin it." - -After looking attentively at it for some time, he said to the boy, who, -interested in whatever attracted his father's attention, was looking -over his shoulder,-- - -"Clem, the lines on that paper are a screw." - -"Be they, father?" - -"Unpin the paper." - -Clem did so, and they were all straight again. - -"How funny, father!" - -"Get my square, and you, Robert, go to the wood-pile and get a piece of -birch bark--white birch." - -After stripping the bark to a thin sheet, he cut it square. He then set -off an inch at one corner, and drew a line from that mark to the corner -of the paper on the same side, making an oblique line. - -"You see that is up hill, boys--don't you?" - -"Yes, father." - -He then wrapped the bark round the broom-handle. - -"Now it climbs right up the broom-handle; that's the way a screw does; -it's just getting up hill by going round." - -"What's the good of it, father?" said Clem, who was altogether of a -practical turn, but had never seen a screw. - -"I'm going to try to make one in the morning; then you'll see." - -The next day he made a steel bolt, or blank, tapering, and of the size -of the screws he thought would be generally needed, leaving the head -square, and sufficient length of steel to hold it by in the vice. The -next thing to determine was, the pitch or inclination of the thread, and -its size. On the edge of a piece of birch bark he set off quarter of an -inch, and drew a line from that mark to the edge of the bark, and cut it -off, giving the rise or pitch. It was the time of year when boys make -whistles. He cut an elder sprout just the size of his bolt, spit on it, -and pounded it on his knee with the handle of his knife till the bark -came off; this bark he slipped over the bolt, pounded up and boiled some -pieces of moose horns, made glue and glued it on solid, put the strip of -birch bark around the lower part of the bolt, its straight edge in line -with the lower edge, and glued it on. There was now a perfectly true -spiral round the bolt, the quarter of an inch offset determining the -inclination, and also the size of the thread. He now filed out a fork -from a thin piece of iron just a quarter of an inch in width, the two -points, chisel-edged, one sixteenth of an inch in width each, leaving a -space of two sixteenths between them. Commencing at the narrow end of -the birch bark, he followed along its edge, cutting the bark sheath as -he went, till he came again to the point from which he started, having -cut two spirals through to the steel, with a ridge of bark between them -two sixteenths of an inch wide. Putting one side of his fork in the -furrow already made, he followed round till he came to the head of the -bolt. Placing it in the vice with a three-cornered file, he cut out his -thread, the ridges of bark on each side forming a guide for a true -thread. With file and cold-chisel he cut out segments in the middle of -his bolt, the whole length, leaving the thread on the corners unbroken, -thus forming a cutting edge at each corner where the thread was broken. -He now hardened and tempered it. - -As the next stage of the process, he forged a steel plate,--the ends -terminating in handles,--in which he made round holes of various sizes, -corresponding to the size of the two ends of his bolt. Into these holes -he put this hardened steel screw-tap with plenty of bear's grease, -turning it forcibly round with a wrench till the sharp edges at the -squares cut a thread on the inside of the hole, and then hardened the -plate. With this plate he could cut a screw on the head of a bolt, and -with the screw could cut a thread on the inside of a nut. Seizing his -broadaxe, he hewed a great spot on one of the logs of the shop, and -wrote on it with chalk,-- - - - "SCREW BOLTS CUT HERE." - - -Having paid for his land, and being able to buy iron, and in the -possession of suitable tools to work with, he resolved to make a proper -vice with a screw, instead of a bolt. He made the vice-body, taking -pattern from John Drew's, of English make; but the screw of a vice must -be square threaded, not a diamond thread, like those he had hitherto -made; since, being in constant use, the thread would wear off in a short -time. He laid out the screw in the same manner as before, except that -instead of sheathing it in bark, he dipped it in beeswax till it was -coated, and cut the thread with a file and cold-chisel, and instead of -putting the screw through both parts of the vice, made a box for it to -work in. It is evident he could not cut a thread in the box, that must -be square, like that of the screw, with a screw that was -square-threaded; neither could he do it with a chisel or file. He did it -in this way: he hammered out some steel wire large enough to more than -fill the thread of the screw, and wound it around it; then he drove the -screw with the wire on it hard into the box, filling it completely, and -fastened the ends of the wire. He then turned the screw carefully back, -and took it out, leaving the hole lined with the wire. - -Richardson had in the house a brass plate that had been on a soldier's -belt, and procured from Montague the brass top of a fire-shovel; these -he cut up and filed up, putting the filings and pieces into the box -between the coils of wire with borax. He wrapped the whole box in clay -mortar, and dried the mass; then put it in the fire till the clay was -red hot, and the brass melted, which soldered the coils of wire fast to -the sides of the box, forming a thread. - -With the two springs of a broken fox-trap welded together, he made a -spring to throw back the jaw of his vice when the screw was turned. -After accomplishing all this, he built a frame shop with a brick -chimney, paying Montague in work for the bricks, laying them himself; -and now he considered himself entitled to wear a leather apron. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -A TRADE THE BEST INHERITANCE. - - -The boys standing, as it were, upon their father's shoulders, -sympathizing with and aiding him to the utmost of their ability, early -obtained a knowledge of working iron far beyond their years, and -contracted a love for the occupation, especially Clem, who seemed to -inherit all the patience, energy and originality of his father, together -with an amiable disposition and strength of limb. Until Clem was -nineteen they lived at home, doing nearly all the farming work, and at -the same time helping their father in the shop. They were then desirous -of going where a better quality of work was demanded than in their -native place. - -"Well, boys," said Richardson, "I'm entirely willing you should go. I -began too late--had too little to do with, no tools, and poverty to -struggle with--to accomplish much. I've done the best I could; but I -want you to have a better chance. I think you've both got the mechanical -principle in you, and had better go where you can work it out, have -tools to work with, and learn all that comes up." - -They went to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where their father had -relatives, and after working a week on trial, were both hired as -journeymen. Clem never wanted to meddle with anything but edge tools, -displaying remarkable ability for that kind of work, while Robert proved -an excellent shoer, and had but few equals in wheel-tiring and all kinds -of carriage work. He could also make a wheel as well as iron it, and -manifested his father's ability for working in wood. Learning the use of -hammer and file when mere children, and growing up to it, their work had -a finish about it that is seldom attained by those who commence work in -manhood, and when their habits are formed. - -After perfecting their trade, they hired a shop and set up business for -themselves, Clem devoting the greater part of his time to making edge -tools, while Robert attended to the other portion of the work. Business -was good, and they accumulated property, and frequently sent money to -their parents, and cherished a strong affection for their native place, -going home every year to Thanksgiving. - -When the boys had been a year from home, their father went to visit -them. At his leaving, the boys would have loaded him with -tools,--"swages," "fullers," "screw-taps," "drills," and "shears," to -cut iron,--but he refused to take them. - -"You know, boys," said he, "I like to make things myself, and think as -much again of anything I make myself. I'm just as much obliged to you as -though I took them. I've seen all the tools you have here, and been -round among the shops and seen all the ways they do their work, and I'll -go home and make every one of these tools; and I think I can improve -upon some of them. I've got help now, for Henry Bradford, John's boy, is -coming to work with me, and learn the trade--that is, learn what little -I know." - -Finding he did not incline to take the tools, they put a lot of iron and -steel on board the sloop in which he started to return by the way of -Kennebunk, or, rather, Cape Porpoise, which was the landing-place then. - -There was a little girl, Lucy Armstrong, who went to school with Clem -when it was kept in David Montague's house, and they formed a childhood -liking for each other which continued and strengthened as they grew -older. Lucy was a girl of excellent abilities, the best scholar in the -school, and as she grew up manifested qualities that are not often -united. She possessed great energy of character, a robust constitution, -and most affectionate disposition. Everybody loved and pitied Lucy; for -her girlhood was embittered by many trials and sorrows. - -Her father she never saw to recognize; he was killed by a bear when she -was a babe, and her mother was taken away when she was four years old. -Lucy, after her mother's death, went to live with an uncle--her father's -brother. He was a hard, penurious man, and his wife resembled him, being -a morose, griping woman, with no children of her own to draw out her -affections and sweeten her disposition. She made poor Lucy serve with -rigor. She was poorly clad, poorly fed, went barefoot in the summer and -till late in the fall, was obliged to work both out doors and in. When -dropping corn and potatoes in the spring, her feet were red as a -pigeon's with cold, and in the fall they bled from being pricked with -the stubble. In the cold nights of November she must sit in the barn and -husk corn. The old folks did not intend to be cruel; but they had been -hardly dealt by themselves in childhood and youth, and hard treatment -renders people hard and callous in their treatment of others. - -In one respect they faithfully discharged their duty--in sending her to -school every day so long as it kept, which was at first but six weeks in -the winter, but by the time Lucy was thirteen increased to fourteen -weeks; and after the town was incorporated and the ordinances of the -gospel established, she went to meeting every Sabbath. School days and -Sundays were the green spots, and all the green spots, in Lucy's -cheerless life of incessant toil, save the few moments when sent to hunt -eggs; and hidden in the haymow from the eagle eye of her aunt, she read -Clem's letters for the hundredth time. Clem seldom came to the house; a -visit from him put her aunt into a perfect fury, as she was unwilling to -lose so good a drudge. - -"Get married!" she would say, "yes, that's all girls nowadays think of. -Wonder what they expect to live on. Better get something ahead first." - -Although how she was to get anything ahead while spending her youth and -strength in their service did not appear, especially as her uncle had -made his will, and left all his property to a nephew as close-fisted as -himself. He often remarked "that he meant to leave what he had got by -hard knocks to somebody who knew how to take kere of it." - -"Clem," said Robert, when the time during which they had hired as -journeymen had nearly expired, "if ever you mean to marry that girl, why -don't you do it? What do you let her stay there for, suffer everything -but death, slave herself, and dry up, working for that old skinflint and -his woman? They'd move into a mustard seed, and then have rooms to let. -If you don't, I'll go and court her myself." - -"I mean to the moment I feel that I can support her comfortably. You -know I'm like father--one of the kind to cut my garment according to the -cloth. I don't want to make her worse off than she is now." - -"That's impossible. Get along with you; go hire two rooms somewhere, and -then go and get her. I'll board with you. Nothing comes amiss to her; -she's a treasure of a girl, smart as steel, and pleasant as a May -morning. What did father and mother have when they set up, and see where -they are now." - -Clem took his brother's advice. Lucy's aunt raved like a mad woman at -first; but when she found that it was no use, and the neighbors were all -against her, she calmed down, gave Lucy a bed and pillows stuffed with -turkey feathers, and said they would be on the town before two years. -She proved a false prophetess. In two years they were blessed with a -nice baby. Clem and Robert had all the work they could do, the hammer -going every evening till nine o'clock in the winter months, though they -still lived in two rooms, with the privilege of another for occasional -use. They continued to thrive till the war of 1812, when the brothers -took a contract from the government to bore cannon, which, proving a -very profitable job, left them with abundant means. Robert still -continued to board with his brother, and, remaining single, put all his -money into the firm. - -William Richardson, accumulating property by his trade, bought a piece -of timber land every year, and let it lie. In the latter part of his -life the rise in the value of this land made him affluent. At his -decease this portion of his property fell to the sons, his wife having -died some years before him, and the daughters receiving their portion in -money. The shop remained as it was; Clem would have nothing touched. It -was not, to be sure, the original log hovel; but it was the same forge, -and the building stood on the same spot. The old pine stump still formed -the anvil block, and the hammer fashioned from the andirons still lay on -the anvil, just as his father had left it after his last day's work. -There also were the tongs made from the legs of the kitchen tongs, and -the sledge forged from the churn-drill. - -After the war business revived, and there was a great demand for lumber. -The Richardsons sold out at Portsmouth, returned to their native place, -bought the old mill privilege, and went to lumbering. Strange to say, -Clement Richardson and his wife, although retaining their simple and -industrious habits, felt that they did not want their children to work -as hard as they had; and going to the other extreme, while affording -them all the advantages of education and culture their altered -circumstances enabled them to bestow, trained them up in a way that -rendered them in all matters of practical life absolutely helpless. - -This, as our readers know, was the character of Rich when he entered -college; he could scarcely tie his own shoes. The good fortune of -stumbling upon Morton for a while roused the energies that lay buried -beneath this effeminate training; but after separating from his mates, -he relapsed gradually into his former habits. - -Thus passed the first year after leaving college; but with the -succeeding spring came something that, like to the shock of an -earthquake, effectually roused Rich from his poetic reveries and visions -of high art, rent with a rude hand the tissue of the dream-robe fancy -had woven, and set him face to face with the bitter, stern realities of -life. - -Clement Richardson was naturally a prudent man, averse to incurring risk -of any kind; but uninterrupted success in all his plans for thirteen -years had rendered him sanguine. He found, soon after engaging in -lumbering, that very little was to be realized from small operations; -that, to accumulate, a person must either possess the capital and risk -it, or hire money and run the risk of losing that. He and his brother, -stimulated by the high price of lumber at that time, and intoxicated by -good fortune in lesser adventures, hired money largely, and expended -every dollar of their own in land and logs. They had a good drive, early -in the spring the logs were in the booms, and the mills running night -and day to manufacture them, in order to meet demands that were fast -maturing. The price of lumber was still high, future prospects were most -flattering, and the Richardsons felt that a fortune was within their -grasp, when rain began to fall while the water was still almost at -freshet pitch, and there was much snow in the woods at the head waters -of the river. - -Clement concealed his anxiety from his children, and in some measure -from his wife, who, although she knew that great loss would follow the -breaking of the booms, was utterly ignorant of the extent of her -husband's liabilities and of the crisis at hand. - -Directly after supper the two brothers went out. Rich occupied a good -portion of the evening in reciting to his mother and sisters a poem he -had spent weeks in composing. After the children had retired, Lucy -Richardson sat sewing, wondering at the continued absence of her husband -and his brother, and listening to the roar of water. At length there -came a crash; she with difficulty suppressed a scream. In a few moments -a servant came to tell her one of the mills had gone. - -"Where is my husband, Henry?" - -"He and Mr. Robert are watching the boom." - -Another weary hour passed, when Clement Richardson came in; he was pale, -haggard, and dripping with water. - -"Lucy," he said, "I am _ruined_ and _Robert_ with me. All the money we -had outside of our real estate was in those logs, and they have gone -into the Atlantic, the mills with them, and it will take all our real -estate, furniture, and the house over our heads to pay the money we've -borrowed." In those days creditors made a clean sweep, took everything -worth taking, and the wife's property was held for the husband's debts. - -"It's a great misfortune, husband; but it might have been much worse." - -"Worse, Lucy? How can a man lose more than all?" - -"It would have been worse to lose health,--worse to lose our love for -each other, if such a thing could be,--worse to have a wicked, -disobedient, or deformed child; and I am sure it would be worse to lose -character, which you won't if you have property enough left to pay all -you owe. It would certainly have been worse had it come when we were -past labor; and I'm sure we were happier before we moved into this -house, and when you were working at your trade, than we have ever been -since." - -"But the children, Lucy. I see it all now as one sees everything when it -is too late. We thought we had enough for them and us, and have taught -them everything except how to take care of themselves." - -"They will learn that. They are not too old to learn." - -The property of the brothers, very valuable, was sold, and the proceeds -divided among the creditors, who all relinquished voluntarily the -interest on their demands. This left the brothers, after paying -everything, one hundred and fifty dollars, as the remnant of a large -property. David Montague was dead; but his son Andrew inherited not only -his father's property, but his principles. One of the creditors, he bid -off the old Richardson homestead, house, shop, and outbuildings. As soon -as the business was settled, he offered Clement Richardson money to go -into business again. The latter thanked him for the offer, but said he -intended, as soon as he could find a place to work, to go back to his -anvil. - -"Clem," said Andrew Montague, "our fathers come here and cut the first -trees together, and lived and died fast friends; you and I have grown up -together, and been just as good friends. I know you are proud-spirited, -and I love you all the better for it; but I beg of you, let me do this -much. There is the old shop; nothing has been disturbed; and there are -the tools your father _began_ with, and those more modern ones he used -in his latter days. Take it, rent free, and I'll bring you a -fortnight's work to-morrow morning. I will let you have the house as -soon as Coleman, whose family are sick, leaves it." - -"I'll take it, Andrew, in the spirit in which it is offered, and may God -bless you. There's luck in that old hammer that lies on the anvil where -father left it. The first blow I ever struck on iron I struck with that, -and the first work I ever did was to make a pair of bow-pins for your -father." - -As soon as Morton could leave the scholars he was instructing in -private, he set forward in the stage to see Rich, and well aware, by -letters received, of what had occurred, made inquiries, on arriving, for -the shop. Peering into the door around the corner of another building, -he saw a tall, strong-built man, past middle age, fitting a horse-shoe -at the anvil. Another person, of about the same age, but more slightly -built, was tearing the shoe from a horse's foot. A bar of iron was -heating in the fire, apparently to make a new shoe, and at the bellows -stood Rich, the glory of Radcliffe, class poet, elegant scholar; those -finely-cut and delicate features, that no one could look upon without -interest, begrimed with smut, save where partially streaked with streams -of sweat; for it was a warm afternoon in May. As he turned towards the -fire, to look at the iron, Morton slipped behind him and laid his hand -upon the shoulders of Rich. - -[Illustration] - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -BLOOD WILL TELL. - - -The mingled expression of heart-felt delight, surprise, and -consternation that pervaded the features of Rich, when, upon turning, he -looked Morton in the face, was quite ludicrous. - -"Mort!" he gasped. - -"Yes, Mort," replied his visitor, grasping fervently the hand that was -timidly extended to meet his own; "ain't you glad to see me?" - -"Glad!" shouted Rich, grasping both the hands of Morton in his own, -while the tears ran down his cheeks; "I hope you don't think I am not; -but--" - -"But you are in a working dress, and not in a state to receive me, who -never cleaned out the president's barn, milked his cow, or dug his -potatoes, and you are smutty." - -Thus saying, Morton rubbed his hand on the top of the bellows, and made -an awful smut spot across the whole side of his face. - -"Will that remove your scruples, old chum? How are you?" - -"O, Mort, I'm so glad to see you!" - -"Expected you'd be; that's what I came for; didn't come for anything -else; 'kalkerlated,' as Uncle Tim would say, to make you glad." - -Rich now introduced Morton to his father and uncle, who received him -without any of the embarrassment that had overwhelmed Rich, and in a -most hearty manner. - -"You must excuse, Mr. Morton," said Clement, "my son's constraint upon -first seeing you; it was occasioned by the recollection of the change in -our circumstances, in consequence of which he cannot entertain as he -would wish the friend he loves so dearly, and whom we have all learned -through him to love, even before meeting. If we have been unfortunate, -it is no more than has overtaken more deserving persons than ourselves, -and our losses have neither chilled our hearts nor discouraged us from -effort." - -"We think," said Robert, "that as we earned all we have lost by our own -industry, we can, by the same means, better our condition." - -"I am sorry, Mr. Morton," said Clement, "to be obliged to keep my son -till this horse is shod, as the owner is waiting, and there is a new -shoe to make; but after that he will be at liberty.--Strike, Robert." - -Rich, eager to be released, struck with good will; the sparks flew all -over the shop, and a second heat put the iron in such shape that Mr. -Richardson required no further help. Rich flung off his leather apron, -washed himself in a bucket, and wiped the smut from Mort's cheek with a -towel that did not put on much more dirt than it took off, when they -left to cleanse themselves more effectually at the house. - -The dwelling was old, out of repair, and consisted of three rooms on the -ground floor, but two of them plastered, and a low attic. If Morton felt -depressed by finding his friends in such wretched quarters, he could not -but admire and wonder at the energy and cheerfulness with which Rich, -his father, mother, and uncle bore up under their reverses. The girls, -however, appeared chagrined and depressed, and seemed to him completely -heart-broken. They were considerably older than Rich, some children -having died between them. Rich, and Morton, after supper went to walk, -the former observing that by reason of their limited accommodations -there was no opportunity for conversation in the house. Following a -footpath that led along the bank of the river, they entered a noble -orchard, just commencing to blossom. It lay upon a declivity sloping to -the river. Passing through it, they came to a swale sprinkled with elms, -and commanding a fine view of the river, and flung themselves on the -grass side by side. - -"Rich," said Morton, "do you know what has surprised me more than -anything else I have met with here?" - -"I should think the pickle you found me in when you came into the -shop." - -"No; it is to find yourself and your parents in such good spirits. Most -men, after having met with so great and sudden a reverse, would have -become entirely disheartened, and I expected to find _you_ completely -prostrated." - -"The cheerfulness is not assumed for the occasion, Mort." - -"I know that, you could not deceive me in such a matter." - -"Believe me, as far as I am concerned, and were it not for my sisters, -and seeing my parents compelled to renew in their old age the hardships -of their youth, I should be happier to-day than for the last year and a -half, for I have now a clear conscience." - -"What have you done? What crime have you committed to set your -conscience in arms?" - -"The crime of doing nothing; of wasting myself. You know what fine -speeches I used to make in college about effort, setting the standard -high, and all that sort of thing, and how pat at my tongue's end I -always had '_per angusta ad augusta_' (I'm in a way to realize one part -of it now, I think); and as long as I was neck and neck with you and -Hill, I did do somewhat; but after I came home, I just fell right back -into the old ruts; could not make up my mind in regard to a profession; -didn't really want to. I was too comfortable; but I felt mean, felt -guilty. When I went to Portland, and heard you argue that case, and saw -how much labor it had cost you, and how nobly you came out of it, I felt -meaner still, and was half inclined to return without seeing you, and -resolved when I got home I would go to work; but I took it out in -thinking so, till the trouble came like a flash of lightning; since -then, I trust, I've done something, and been of some little use." - -"Was it, then, so sudden? I knew that your father's difficulties came in -consequence of his lumber and mills being carried away; but even a -freshet gives some warning." - -"None of us knew that father had every dollar invested in logs that were -like to go down stream. He and uncle were anxious enough, but kept it to -themselves; and the very night it came, when every man about the mills -was out in the pouring rain watching for trouble, I was -fooling--reciting a poem that I was going to deliver to a company of our -young folks; and I'm ashamed to say, that what I am now going to tell -you I had from Henry Alden, one of the men who was where I ought to have -been, with my father at the time. You see that smooth, perpendicular -ledge that makes out into the river?" - -"Yes," - -"And that stake driven into a crack in the ledge?" - -"Yes." - -"When the water is up to that stake it is freshet pitch. All the morning -and afternoon the water had been rising; in the evening, it was the same -till it reached a fearful height, when one of the mills went. My father -and Uncle Robert stood under that ledge with a lantern, watching the -marks they had made on it with chalk. The rain had stopped, and for the -last hour the water had not risen, the clouds had broken away overhead, -and the stars came out. Every one of the men (all old river-drivers) -thought the danger was over. 'Robert,' said my father, 'I think the -booms will hold; the rain is over, and the river will soon fall.' The -words were scarcely out of his mouth before there was a great cry from -the bank above that the logs were coming. Henry said father turned pale, -but never opened his mouth, or turned to look, but went straight home. -When I came to the breakfast table the next morning, father was sitting -there, a little paler than usual, but just as calm as ever, and told us -what had taken place. You see now how sudden it must have been to me, -mother, and the girls, and almost as much so to him, for he thought the -crisis had passed." - -"Why didn't the boom break before? and how came it to break after the -water was done rising?" - -"About two miles above this place is a large intervale, where a great -quantity of hay is cut. Upon this flat stood a large barn, with no -cattle in it, used for storing hay; half a mile below this was a -toll-bridge. The water undermined the barn, and started it from its -foundations, and down it came against the bridge with an awful crash. -The toll-house stood on piles outside of the bridge. It struck the -bridge within ten feet of the house, in which the toll-keeper, his wife, -and three children, one a babe in arms, were sound asleep, they -supposing, as did my father, that the danger was over. Awakened by the -shock, and thinking, in their fright, the house was going, they ran out -on to the bridge, the mother with the babe in her arms, all in their -night clothes, and were swept off, with about twenty-five feet of the -bridge. If they had staid in the house they would have been all right, -for there it remained on its own foundation. The barn, bridge, a parcel -of fences and drift stuff, all came down into our upper boom together, -broke that and then the lower one. One mill had gone before. This vast -mass, borne on the raging torrent, carried away another, half the grist -mill, and a carding mill." - -[Illustration: THE BREAKING OF THE BOOM. Page 119.] - -"What became of the family on the bridge?" - -"The barn, being so big, and taking so much wind, went ahead of the -bridge, that was low in the water, and when they got down where the -river was narrower, some men went off in a canoe and took them ashore." - -"Rich, I am going to hazard a supposition. Will you tell me if I am -correct in it?" - -"I'll tell you anything I know." - -"You belong to a strong, resolute breed of men. Any person looking at -your father as he stands at the anvil, and your uncle, can see where you -came from. It is not in accordance with the make-up of persons having -such blood in their veins to live without effort or object. It causes -them to despise themselves--the meanest of all feelings, because the -rugged nature craves hardship. When you exerted yourself to the utmost -in college studies, chopped wood and hewed timber, although there was no -necessity for it; when in that tremendous race at Brunswick, through -gullies, thorns, coal kilns, dogs, and mires, you gave me, who had the -advantage of years of training, all I could do, and distanced all the -rest, that was the true nature asserting itself. I can understand why it -was that, after crossing the Alps, settling down in Capua, and becoming -effeminate, you lost your own self-respect, and were unhappy, and also -how these feelings were all intensified when you found that while ruin -was impending, your father's mind racked with agony, you were writing -verses to school girls, wasting time and talents, and throwing away -opportunities that would never come again. I can understand, likewise, -why, when you took your portion of the load and felt that your father -was encouraged by your aid and sympathy, you regained self-respect, and -experienced relief and comparative happiness. But there is much more I -cannot fathom." - -"What is that, Mort?" - -"Well, there is a light in your eye, and an expression of quiet, -trustful happiness in your face, that were never there before, and that -are not to be accounted for by anything you have yet told me, or that I -have observed here. It seems to me that while summoning all your own -resources to meet this exigency, you have gone out of yourself for aid; -and that, to my mind, accounts perfectly for all the results, and -renders happiness in untoward circumstances no mystery." - -"Mort, I am going to answer your question, but not directly, because I -don't feel quite sure of myself yet. When we were in college there was -perfect sympathy between us. Perk, Hill, Savage, and the rest, had their -ups and downs, fallings out and makings up; but between you and me there -was never a shadow or a chill. We were as completely one in sentiment -and affection as that mist that's rising over the river; but after you -went to hear Mr. Sewall, and wrote me about it, there seemed to be a -dark shadow between us. I couldn't tell what it was, and I didn't love -you any the less, but somehow there was a difference. Mort, since this -trouble came I've read your letters over, and understand them as I never -did before. That shadow is gone, and the sun shines all over." - -"I know what you mean, Rich; you need say no more." - -"Now, Mort, this orchard, the swale, and all this land to the river, -were part of our place. You have seen where we live now, and I suppose -you would like to see the spot we left; if so, we had better go before -it gets dark." - -"Perhaps you don't care to go." - -"Yes, I do. I don't dislike to go. Father might have put it into -somebody's hands to cheat his creditors, and still lived there, as many -have done; but he paid his debts with that and other property, and went -behind the anvil; and every time I go there I consider what a temptation -he resisted, and feel proud of him. I don't know how others may feel, -neither do I care; but I had much rather have for my father a poor man -of principle, than a wealthy rascal; blood-blisters on every finger, and -earn my bread by hard blows on hot iron, than to feel the very clothes I -wore, and the luxuries I enjoyed, were swift witnesses against me." - -It was plain enough to Morton that the grindstone grit of poverty was -fast cutting away the iron that overlaid the steel, and bringing out the -true temper. So delighted was he, that he could not forbear shaking -Rich. A playful scuffle followed, in which Morton by no means attained -the usual advantage. - -"I tell you what it is, Mort," said Rich, "let me work at the anvil and -you study law a while longer, and I'll lay you on your back, and mud -both shoulders." - -"It is always a pleasure to me to see a young man ambitious, for even if -he places his standard beyond the measure of his capacity, he is likely -to make the most of himself. I've got something in view when I go back -that will offset your sledge-hammer. See if I don't make your backbone -crack the next time we take hold, old fellow." - -"I should like to know what kind of exercise it is. I'm sure you can't -hew timber there." - -"A churn-drill, my boy. What do you think of that? Ain't that a good -deal like work? Won't there be some misery to that? There's a man by the -name of Noble, who blows rocks on Oak Street. He has two churn-drills. I -am going to use one of them as soon as he gets it steeled." - -"You please yourself with that idea, young man, will you? You can't -start a hole with a churn-drill as it ought to be. I can tell you, it -takes a workman to do that. Your drill will bind, and you'll get stuck." - -"I know I can't at first, but he'll start the holes for me and then I -can churn; and after a while I shall learn to start my own holes, and -strike true." - -"You'll get sick of it. It is the hardest work that is done." - -"Did you ever know me to get sick of, or give up anything, I undertook?" - -"Yes, I have." - -"Name it, slanderer, name it. Don't think to escape by dealing in -generalities. I demand date and place. When and where did I get sick of -anything, and give it up?" - -"On the twenty-fifth of December, Christmas night, quarter before seven, -you got sick of eating pork pie at Uncle Tim Longley's, and Granny -Longley gave you a dose of thoroughwort tea, and made you _give it up_." - -"If we are going to see that house, it is time we were about it, for it -is almost sundown, and will soon be dark." - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -DEAD LOW WATER. - - -They ascended the rising ground, passing along the edge of the orchard, -till, upon gaining the height of land, they entered upon a broad, level -field of twenty-five acres, smooth as a lawn, green in all the verdure -of spring, and giving promise of an abundant yield of grass. A variety -of forest trees were scattered over it, among which the walnut and white -oak predominated. Here and there a clover head was seen, and bobolinks, -balancing on spears of herd's grass, were exhibiting themselves to the -best advantage, while now and then a forward apple tree on the warmer -ground was covered with white and red blossoms. - -"Your father never planted these trees," said Morton, gazing at the -massive trunks, covered with moss and rough scaly bark; "who did?" - -"I'm sure I don't know whether it was the wind, the crows, bears, or -squirrels, but they were here when the white men came." - -In the centre of the field stood the mansion house. It was painted -white, with green blinds, and, seen through the mass of foliage by which -the house was surrounded, the color produced a very pleasing effect, -being scarcely more prominent than the streak of white peeping through -the green folds of an opening rose-bud. - -Several very large white birches were scattered in front of the -buildings among other trees, that beautiful green peculiar to the leaves -of this tree in the spring contrasting pleasantly with the white bark of -the trunk and branches. The house, fronting the river, stood endwise to -the main road, from which a broad avenue led to it, approaching by a -gradual curve the front, a less spacious one conducting to the back -portion and the out-buildings. Both of these avenues were lined with the -Lombardy poplar, then highly prized throughout New England as an -ornamental tree. They still linger, a few in nearly every town, often -rising with decaying branches over some grass-grown cellar--sole memento -of a departed generation. - -The mansion, standing in the midst of this vast green, large on the -ground, and high studded, without a fence to belittle the effect and -obstruct the view, with abundant out-buildings, well arranged and in -perfect repair, as seen through the mass of foliage, produced an -impression better felt than described. - -Morton, enraptured with the sight, stood long before the main entrance -silent, his arm in that of his friend. At length his eyes moistened as -he said,-- - -"Rich, I never saw anything like this spot; so grand and beautiful! -Everything is fresh, in perfect repair, and yet these oaks and birches -seem two hundred years old. I never saw such trees, except in the -forest. I shouldn't be in the least surprised to see a black bear -acorning in one of them." - -"I've no doubt they have done it. I've heard my grandfather say that the -whole of this land between us and the river was a heavy growth of such -trees as you see here, except the low ground, where it was yellow birch, -white maple, and elm; that a man by the name of Dingley, who was well -off, came here from Salem, built this house, cleared the land, all but -about two acres in front of the house; but his wife died, and his two -boys didn't want to stay here--wanted to go to sea. He went back to -Salem just before the embargo, and let the place to the halves. Then a -friend of his--another Salem captain, who had made money going to the -coast of Africa, when the embargo put a stop to his business--bought it. -He also spent money at a great rate; made the house almost over, built -stables, took away the fences, and as he was determined to have just -what trees he wanted, and didn't mind expense, selected those he wished -to remain, cut down the rest, and all the underbrush, and hauled the -trunks and brush off, because he knew, if he put fire into it, he should -kill the whole. That's the way, grandfather said, these old trees came -to be left here. - -"While Captain Norris was building, planting, clearing, and turning -everything upside down, and making improvements, after some models he -had seen abroad, and while the embargo and the war of 1812 lasted, he -was contented; but when he had made about all the improvements his purse -would allow, and maritime business began to revive after the war, he was -as uneasy as a fish out of water, and sold the place to my father, with -all his improvements, for half what it had cost him, and went back to -Salem, and to sea again." - -"It must have been a sad day to you, when you came to take leave of this -home, and--" - -"And go to the place where you found us, you mean. Well, it was a bitter -day to all of us, but there were some reasons that made it especially so -to me. Father and mother had known sorrow, and so had my sisters. I had -a little brother and sister, neither of whom I ever saw. They died -within a year of each other, and my sisters were old enough to realize -it. But never since I can remember has there been a cloud in our sky -till now. Father was prosperous, I was petted and indulged, had all I -wanted, loved my books and my parents (never knew how much I did love -them till now), and never had a sorrow, except when some pet animal -died; but those tears were soon dried, and when I awoke the next morning -the sorrow was all forgotten in some new pleasure, or some new pet. It -seems to me now that I was just like one of the humming-birds that -always come to the honeysuckle that hangs over that western window.--By -the way, that was my room, Mort." - -"I see it all, Rich; and now, let me tell you, I wasn't in a very -cheerful frame when, on my way to college, I met you at Portland. I had -left home, and was looking forward to a four years' course at college, -with hardly any funds, and the prospect for the future was gloomy -enough, when you came across my path, just like a gleam of sunshine, and -appeared so buoyant, happy, and trustful, that I said to myself, -'There's a boy that's grown up in some happy home, without a care or -sorrow.'" - -"Just so, Mort. But there was another thing which gave to this place a -charm for me that it did not possess for the rest of our family." - -"What was that?" - -"I'll tell you. The girls were born in Portsmouth, and their earliest -associations were there. My father and mother also have had homes at -other spots; but if I was not born here, I grew up among these great -trees, and, I can tell you, the very roots of them were in my heart, and -it was hard parting. One of the very first things I can remember is, -crawling out of the front door, when mother's attention was turned, and -making for dear life towards that birch with the hang-bird's nest on it. -Sometimes in my haste, I'd tumble down the steps--roll from the top to -the bottom. If it half killed me, I wouldn't cry, for fear mother would -come and get me before I reached the tree; and when she did, O, didn't I -yell some? Here I made my little gardens, dug wells, and put water in -'em; here I had my pets, hens and ducks, pigeons, and kittens, and -birds; and when any of them died, I buried them under that walnut with -the drooping branches, because I thought it felt sorry for me. I didn't -have many playmates, for I was a shy boy, and so I loved the trees, -birds, and flowers all the more, and played with them, and my sisters, -and Uncle Robert. You see that large maple that stands next to the -hemlock--the biggest tree in the field?" - -"Yes, it is almost as large as the great pine in the glen at Brunswick." - -"Don't you think, when I was a little thing, wore long clothes, red -stockings, and red morocco shoes, my father tapped that tree, and used -to give us the sap to drink. One washing day, when they were all busy, I -got away, ran for the maple, and got down on my hands and knees to drink -out of the trough. I was having the nicest time, putting down the sap, -when a bee came whiz in my face, struck me on my upper lip, and ran his -stinger in the whole length. I suppose he thought I was going to drink -up all the sap, and he shouldn't get any. The girl was hanging out -clothes, heard an outcry, and saw me flat on my back, kicking and -screaming. She ran, and mother ran, and my sisters, and such a time as -there was when mother pulled the stinger out. I tell you, Mort, no other -place ever seems like the one where you played when you were little." - -"That's so, Rich. The corn in the dish on the table don't taste half so -good as that you roast out doors, and down with it, all over smut and -ashes, and half raw; and the apples they carry round in the evening at -home don't begin with the ones you've hid in the haymow, and eat when -they are so full of frost it makes your teeth ache." - -"We might have staid in the house through the summer. It is empty, and -like to be; but father and mother said they had rather go at once than -be dreading it. The neighbors were very kind, and helped us move (what -little we had to move), as everything of any value went to the -creditors, with the exception of my books and stock of tools; that -father didn't give up, because he said they were my tools, with which to -earn my bread. They had been given to me by him when he was solvent, and -the creditors could not touch them. - -"During the labor and excitement of moving, and before the neighbors, -we strove to appear as cheerful as possible; but when all was over, and -we came out on to this platform where we are sitting, each bearing -something that had been forgotten,--I my violin and a pair of andirons, -mother her press-board and a coffee-pot, the girls knives, forks, and -spoons, father shovel and tongs,--I tell you, the sound of the bolt -going into its place when he locked the door gave me a heartache. - -"After we got off the steps, and turned round to take a last look at the -old home, that never seemed half so lovely before, we couldn't any of us -keep the tears back. I don't know but you will think it weak, but it -made me feel real bad to see my dog, Fowler, wagging his tail, and -frisking as though it was a holiday, and I almost wished I was a dog." - -"Weak, Rich? A boy that could leave a home like that, where all his -associations were formed, as he would leave an inn, or get out of a -stage-coach, and never look back, could not be a friend of mine." - -"The old cat would not go. She came and rubbed up against my legs, then -went back, sat on the steps, looked after us, and mewed when we called -her, but would not come. - -"'Give me your things, my son,' said father, 'and go and get her.' - -"I took her up, and carried her with us, but she went back the next -day." - -"I see a black and white cat now," said Morton, "sitting on the spur -root of yonder big white oak." - -Rich called, "Puss, Puss." The cat came running, jumped into his lap, -and put her fore paws on the collar of his vest, opening and shutting -her claws, lifting her feet up, and putting them down in the same place, -as cats do when they feel happy, rubbing the side of her face against -his chin, and shoving her nose between his vest and shirt bosom, and -purring all the time. - -"She loves me," said Rich, "but she can't bear to leave the old -place.--We must go, Mort. Our folks won't know what has become of us. I -do wish you could have come up here to thanksgiving, as you were going -to do when we were in college, and the place was ours. To see it now is -very much like looking at persons after they are dead--the house all -shut up, and nothing alive but a homesick, heart-broken cat." - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -A STRIKING CONTRAST. - - -They walked along some time, each busied with the reflections excited by -the previous conversation. - -"Mort," said Rich at length, "I'm sorry, but you'll have to sleep in a -poor place to-night." - -"We've slept together in David Johnson's barn, in Peleg Curtis's -fish-house, on a pile of wet menhaden nets, and in the woods on Great -French. Didn't we make a fire and warm the ledge on the north-west side -of Hope Island, sweep off the coals, and lie down--in November too?" - -"Yes; but when folks go to visit their friends, they expect a little -better treatment than when camping out. Don't you remember when we used -to walk down to Maquoit of an afternoon in June, just before anything -had faded, and it was high water, how beautiful everything looked? the -sharp line of color, where the points fringed with the bright green of -the thatch parted the blue water, the bolder outlines of the gray -rocks, and the trees reflected in the calm water; and yet go down there -two or three days after, at low tide, and there would be only a hundred -acres of steaming flats, the shores and the grass on their edge strown -with kelp, dead clams, horse-shoe crabs, dead limbs of trees, dead fish, -chips, and rotten eel grass; no water to be seen nearer than a mile and -a half!" - -"Indeed I do; and the contrast was so great that one must be possessed -of a most devout spirit not to arraign the order of nature, and wish it -was high water all the time." - -"I'm sure I can't imagine what should put Maquoit Bay in my head -to-night, unless it was meeting with you, and thinking of old times; but -it seems to set forth my condition exactly. Six weeks ago it was high -water with us, a spring tide, up over everything, clear to the grass -ground, filling every cove and creek, the mouths of the brooks kissing -the birch roots on the edge of the cliffs, and lifting up the strawberry -leaves. Now it is dead low water, bare flats, angry sky, and to me the -voyage of life seems 'bound in shallows and in miseries.'" - -"That's one side, old chum" (putting his arms around Rich's neck), "but -the tide only ebbs to flow again. The farther it runs off, and the more -it drains out at one time, the higher it flows the next." - -It was the first manifestation of anything like depression that Morton -had noticed in his friend. Rich, however, shook it off, as the bird -shakes the dew from its plumage, saying, with a smile,-- - -"You are right, Mort; and that's the way I look at it generally; but I -can't yet visit the old home, and come away again, without stirring up -something that had better be kept down; especially when the cat puts her -head in my bosom, as she did to-night, and says, 'Do stay here with me, -I am so lonesome.'" - -Morton, as they came in sight of the house now occupied by the -Richardsons, was most forcibly struck with the contrast between this -abode and the one they had just left. Their present habitation stood in -a tan-yard; indeed it had, in the days of his poverty, been the -residence of the owner of the tan-yard, who being pinched for room, had -crowded his house into the smallest possible limits. - -It was placed very near the line of the street, leaving barely space for -a single doorstep, which was a pasture stone. The tan-pits at one side -approached within two feet of the cellar wall. On the other was a -currier's shop, leaving just space enough between the two buildings for -a narrow cart road. Beneath the back windows of this shop were old oil -barrels and heaps of curriers' shavings, stewing and simmering in the -sun. - -Directly behind the house a garden spot twenty-five feet by thirty was -fenced out. It had not been ploughed for some years; the Richardsons did -not care to cultivate it, as their stay was but temporary, and it was -overgrown with weeds, and strewn with old boots and shoes, broken -pottery, pots and pans that had outlived their usefulness, heaps of -ashes, and the bleaching bones of cats that had come to an untimely end. - -Abutting on this lot was a large shed, open on the side facing the -dwelling in which was the "beam" house, where the green and bloody hides -were received and "fleshed." Here were heaps of horns, and the pith or -marrow that comes out of them when they taint. The roof of this shed was -covered with glue skins, that is, the trimmings of the hides saved to -make glue, spread to dry, and which attracted swarms of green flies; add -to this a stagnant mill pond that supplied water for the pits, and to -propel a bark mill, fences, and walls hung with sides of leather spread -out to dry, and smeared, or, in technical language, dubbed, with tallow -and rancid fish oil, and you have a faithful description of the -surroundings of this delightful abode. But aside from actual experience, -imagination cannot conceive or tongue describe the combined odors -furnished by these various substances when operated upon by sun and -wind. - -The house was in perfect keeping with the site upon which it stood. The -walls were covered with shingles, two courses of which had rotted away -near the foundations, in consequence of banking up the walls with earth; -part of the top of the chimney had fallen off, and lay on the roof that -in places was bare of shingles and covered with moss. - -Upon entering the house, a door on the left opened into the kitchen, the -plastering of which was the color of milk and molasses, and appeared to -have been flung on, and then clawed in by cats, affording in the furrows -lodgments for smoke and secure harbors of refuge for flies. At the back -of this room was a small bedroom, finished in the same manner, with the -exception of being sealed to the height of a chair, and the wood work -painted with a color intended, probably, for red; it, however, looked -very much as though a hog had been killed on it. In this apartment the -parents slept. Another door, on the right, admitted to an unfinished -room, with a rough floor. Here were Rich's lathe and tool chest, a pair -of cart wheels finished, except smoothing up, and a wheelbarrow that -only required ironing. - -"This is my workshop," said Rich. "My mechanical genius, that used to -expend itself on flower-pots and vases, in turning canes and cups, tops -and nine-pins, balls and drum-sticks, is now directed by stern -necessity, into a more useful channel; and, believe me, when I have made -a pair of wheels, got my money for them, and bought provisions for the -family, I feel a great deal better satisfied with myself than I used to -after spending two or three days making something that was a mere -plaything, or at best only served the purpose of ornament." - -At each end of the garret was a window, and there two bedrooms were -made, with rough board partitions, one of which was occupied by the two -daughters, the other by Rich. Here was his library, that was quite -extensive, his father having indulged his fondness for books, among -which was a German edition of the classics. - -The room was small, and the roof of a low pitch. The book-cases, -writing-desk, bureau, and chairs all occupied so much of the room that -the bedstead was necessarily pushed far under the eaves in order to -afford space enough in the middle to move around and stand upright. - -"It is quite convenient," said Rich, as they entered, "for you can reach -everything without getting out of your chair." - -"And then to consider," replied Morton, in the same vein, "that the most -celebrated philosophers and poets have meditated and sung in garrets." - -"True," said Rich; "but I suspect it would be far more pleasant to -meditate about than it will to occupy it come next dog days. Now, Mort, -you must sleep on the front side, for the shingle nails come through the -boards of the roof, and if you should forget, and jump up on end, they'd -stick right into your skull." - -"They are not long enough to go through." - -"Probably not through a skull so thick as yours, but they would draw -blood, and might give you a headache." - -When they awoke in the morning, Rich said, "Mort, I can spend the whole -forenoon with you, but in the afternoon they will need me at the shop. -In the evening we can be together again." - -When breakfast was over, Morton said, "Rich, what are your plans for the -future? Have you decided in respect to a profession? for I don't suppose -you really intend to pass your life at the anvil, after spending so many -years and so much money getting an education." - -"It would not be so much of a sacrifice as you may suppose, and if I had -not been through college, I would do so, for I love to work iron; it -comes as natural as water to a duck. Do you go up and look over my books -while I split up some oven wood, and then I'll tell you." - -"I'll help you split the wood." - -"Come on." - -"Rich, who was that old lady at the breakfast table?" - -"Aunt Blunt, mother's aunt. Didn't they introduce you? She came last -night, before we came home, and went to bed." - -"I thought your mother's name was Lucy; but this morning the old lady -called her Mary." - -"Mother's name is Mary L.; Mary Lucy. The Lucy is for my great aunt, and -she always calls her so, but we call her Lucy. One of my sisters is -named Mary B., after mother and the Blunts." - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -DID NOT COME TO SEE THE WRECK. - - -Returning to the garret, Rich said, "About a profession--is it?" -flinging himself on the bed, while Morton, seated in a chair, thrust his -feet out of the window. "Just have the goodness to open that volume on -the table." - -It was Bell's Operative Surgery. - -"Then you are going to study medicine?" - -"It is registered on leaves of brass." - -"When did you decide?" - -"I've been trying to decide ever since I left college; but I did decide -before I left the breakfast table the morning father told me the boom -and mills had gone. I borrowed these books of our doctor, and at night, -when I'm not too tired, I read them once in the while; when work permits -I go with him to visit some patient. I went with him a week ago when he -amputated a man's hand at the wrist. He is very kind, has large -practice, and rides long distances, as he has the practice of this and -the next town." - -"You won't accomplish much in this way." - -"I don't expect to; but I can't leave father now, as I find that my -taking hold has been a great help and comfort to him and my uncle. They -have a good deal of work, and it is increasing every day; and I don't -mean to leave them till I see the family in more comfortable quarters. -The shop and house adjoining was my grandfather's, and when my father -failed, passed into the hands of a Mr. Montague. He gives my father the -use of the shop and tools, and in the fall, when the family now in it -moves out, will let him have the old house, which is an excellent one, -built by my grandfather after he acquired property. My father and uncle -are living in this old shell, working incessantly. When no other work -comes in, my uncle, who can work in wood as well as iron, makes wheels. -My father puts on the tires. They sell them. Mother takes in spinning, -and saves every cent. I do all I can in order to be able, at the end of -the summer, to buy back grandfather's tools, that we may have something -of our own. Besides, they are dear to father. He helped make most of -them when he was a boy, and says there's a history to every one of -them." - -"How long is it going to take to do all that?" - -"Not longer than September or the middle of October, if we are all well. -In the mean time I shall read what medicine I can, go round with Dr. -Jones occasionally, and when I see the family in the new house and -comfortable, take an academy somewhere or high school, and teach till I -can earn money enough to go on with my studies." - -"You're a good boy, Rich." - -"Why don't you tell me some news?" - -"I'm going to. That _academy_ is all ready." - -"What do you mean by that?" - -"Did you think I would leave my studies and come way up here just to -look at the wreck? Put my arm round your neck, whimper, and say, What a -pity!" - -"Explain, Mort, please, that's a good fellow." - -"Who said I wasn't a good fellow? Well, Perk's got an academy for you in -the next town to his whenever you're ready to take it, salary two -hundred a year. He fitted for college there, knows all the trustees, and -everybody in town; and he's cracked you up sky high; told all the boys -what a nice fellow you are, the most lovable man ever God made, the -trustees what a splendid classical scholar you are, and all the young -ladies how handsome. So I advise you, as a sincere friend, to take unto -yourself nitre and much soap, and wash off that smut, which seems to me -to be under the skin." - -"O, Mort, this is all _your_ work!" - -"No,'tain't; it's all old Perk's. I only came to tell the news." - -"But you were the _means_ of it." - -"No; it was that good Being whom you, after so many years of -prosperity, couldn't afford to think about or thank till he sent the -river to put you in mind of him." - -"How can I ever thank you enough?" - -"Do you think a man ought to be thanked for helping himself?" - -"No, of course not." - -"Are not you and I one? Didn't you say only last night we were one, and -that there never was a shadow between us? What are you talking about?" - -"I can't understand how they can wait my leisure. There must of course -be a definite time when the term begins." - -"Certainly; Perk will send you a catalogue; but he will take the school -till you come. I told him I knew something about your affairs, and -thought it doubtful if you could come at the first part of the term." - -"This is a kind of joyous time, Mort; makes this old attic seem real -pleasant." - -"Yes; the architecture is simple in design; but the atmosphere is most -exhilarating." - -"I suppose I can tell father and mother?" - -"To be sure. A good story is no worse for being twice told." - -"What is Perk doing?" - -"Just what you were doing all last year." - -After dinner Rich went to the shop, and Morton, first taking a long -walk, called there on his way back, and found Mr. Robert alone. - -"Where is Rich?" he asked. - -"Well, a man came here to get a 'clevis' pin made, and let them take his -horse and wagon to haul a load of coal, while I made the pin. You seem -to think a good deal of Rich, as you call him, Mr. Morton." - -"I don't know how I could love him any more than I do." - -"Well, he's a boy that deserves to be thought of. He never was brought -up to do the leastest individual thing, 'cept to study a book and make -some little gimcrank with tools; and yet to see how he took hold the -moment his father's misfortunes came--went right to the anvil, never -murmured or complained; and though he's my nephew, I _will_ say that -he's worth as much to-day in this shop as the general run of apprentices -that have worked two years; and as for working in wood, he always took -to that. 'Twas born in him." - -"Don't you think, Mr. Richardson, that a boy whose grandfather and -father were blacksmiths is more likely to be handy in a shop?" - -"I suppose these things are kind of handed down. I know there's a good -deal in the blood; I know it by our girls. They are all broken down, sit -and sigh, think what they used to have, and let their mother do all the -work." - -"Are they not own sisters to Rich?" - -"The same father and mother; but they take back after the Armstrongs; -they don't take after the Richardsons, who are a resolute, stirring -breed of folks. Their old grandmother Armstrong was a dreadful -slack-twisted, shiftless woman; had to be helped by the town; and when -the selectmen gave her a cord of wood, she'd put about two foot into the -great fireplace, declare she'd have one fire if she died for it, and -then sit, fold her hands in her lap, and enjoy it. Her children took -after her, 'cept my brother's wife, and she's smart as steel; took after -her mother's people, the Blunts. But that old woman that's been dead and -buried this twenty years has come out in the grandchildren. It is not -the way, Mr. Morton, to bring up children. This twenty years past I've -been saying to Clem and Lucy that they were doing wrong by their -children. Says I, 'Bring them up to work as we were. If they don't need -to, it's the easiest thing in the world to leave off; but it's hard to -learn.' Then Lucy would say, 'Uncle, I don't want them to have to work -as hard as I have.' Says I, 'Perhaps they may be obliged to. What then?' -Then Clem would laugh, and say that old maids' and old bachelors' -children were always brought up right." - -"But I'm sure Rich has come out well." - -"Indeed he has; but he is a remarkable boy, and is no rule to go by. -Besides, we must thank you, and do thank you, for a good part of that: -you did a parent's duty by him. Don't you think he is in better shape to -keep the 'cademy, for teaching school in college, and wasn't he in -better shape, and would he have had the pluck to go so willingly to the -anvil if he hadn't been broke in by you in college?" - -"I suppose you are right, Mr. Richardson; but in respect to the young -ladies." - -"Call 'em girls, Mr. Morton; and they are not very young at that." - -"Well, girls, then. Would any training their parents could have given -taken the thin blood (the _Armstrong_, as you call it) out of them." - -"I don't suppose it would; but it would have helped it amazingly. You -see if I get a bar of Swedish iron, first rate, stamped 'Hoop L,' I put -it into the fire, and work it without fear; but if I have a bar of -English iron, brash and coarse, can't get any better, and must work it -up, why, by taking great pains, heating it just right, and working it -just right, I can, by coaxing, make it answer--not so good a purpose as -the other iron, but can make it very useful. That's the way with -children; you've got 'em, and got to work 'em up, and must make the best -of 'em, as I do with 'brash' iron. These girls were partly on our side -the house, and if they had been put right to it, it would have helped -the better part, and kept the other back, just as the saw-makers put -the nature into a saw by hammering when it has been softened in -grinding. Now all they do is to put the dishes on the table, sweep up -the hearth and look In the glass, wring their hands, and tell about what -_used_ to be. They might teach school if they only had 'sprawl' enough." - -Mr. Richardson then told Morton that his brother would take an -apprentice when they moved into the old homestead and had room, after -which Rich would be able to leave home. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -MORTON'S BUSINESS. - - -Morton set out for Portland the next morning, leaving Rich glad and -grateful, and in the best of spirits himself, arising from the -conviction that better days were in store both for Rich and his parents. -He took his seat on the box, and was still more confirmed in this -opinion by the conversation with the driver, of whom he had inquired the -way to Mr. Richardson's shop the afternoon of his arrival. - -"Then you didn't have any trouble finding Richardson's shop t'other day: -git, git, git along there, you white horse." - -"No, I found it without the least difficulty." - -"Thought you would. Belong in these parts? What you 'bout there, old -Dick?" Crack, crack, crack! - -"No, I belong up back of Portland." - -"Buxton, praps." - -"No." - -"Maybe you're from Conway." - -"Thereabouts." - -"Fine men them ere two Richardsons." - -"Yes, but they have met with a great misfortune." - -"That's so; and it's made a great stir and talk, and a great feelin'; -for they was two men that was master sot by in this place, and desarved -to be; folks are both glad and sorry." - -"I shouldn't think people would be glad if they were generally liked." - -"Well, that's what I call a kernondrum. Ha, ha!--Whey there, Tom; what -you foolin' for?--People ain't glad that they lost their property; no, -no; everybody's sorry for that, and they could hire any amount of money, -and go on again, if they would; but you see they're the greatest -blacksmiths; there never was anybody in these parts could temper any -kind of an edge tool like as Clement Richardson, 'cept his old dad afore -him; and he, they said, took it up in his own head. You take notice 'tis -born in 'em, same as a cat carries her navigation in her head. So people -say, 'Now Clem Richardson has gone to work agin, we shall have good -tools;' and so they feel kind of glad about that ere. They'll have a -master sight of work as soon as it's known round, and they'll rise agin. -Squire Walker says 'they're bound to.' I heard him tell Dr. Jones. -'Quainted with Dr. Jones?" - -"I haven't that pleasure." - -"First-rate man. I heard him say with my own ears (that is, the -squire), says he, 'Doctor, you can't kill one of them Richardsons, not -if you cut their head off;' and the doctor, he says, 'The young sprig, -that's been thought to be a sort of baby, is jest as good grit as the -old ones, and comes right up to the collar.' Them isn't jestly his -words, but that's the upshot on 'em. Then there's two of 'em, and they -can carry on both parts of the work. There's only one family to support, -'cause Bob's an old bach, and they're not only brothers in name, but in -natur, are well matched, and step alike, jest like them ere leaders of -mine; about as good going horses as a man need wish to drive. Reckon -you're some kin to the Richardsons." - -"No, none at all." - -"Maybe you're sparkin' one of the gals." - -"No, I never had the courage." - -"Reckon you're a college-larnt man, like young Richardson; praps you're -a doctor or lawyer, or some sich." - -"No, I'm in a _business_." - -"Du tell. What kind of a business?" - -"One that pays the best the closer it's followed." - -"I reckon that's so with most all business." - -"I've invented something--something that will make my fortune." - -"Maybe you'd be willing to tell a feller what it is." - -"It is a hog-sty that will fat hogs without corn." - -"Massy sakes! How does it do it?" - -"That's the secret." - -"On course you'll make a lot; that's the master. How many on 'em you -sold in this town?" - -"I haven't got to work yet." - -The next day the story was all over town that the stranger who was -visiting at Richardson's was worth a mint of money, that he had invented -a hog-sty to fat hogs without corn, and came to offer himself to Mary -Richardson, but his courage failed, and he went off without doing it. - -What a pity! people said: it would have been such a nice thing for the -Richardsons, just as they were situated. - -A good many thought Rich would write to the young man, and invite him to -come again. - -At this period the country around the head waters of the rivers was one -unbroken forest. The lumbering operations, previous to this, had -extended but a short distance from the sea-coast; but now vast numbers -of men and teams were sent into the woods in all directions. The -character of Clement Richardson as a superior axe and edge-tool maker -was well known everywhere, and the news that he had resumed work soon -spread among the lumbermen who were laying their plans and arranging to -put teams into the woods the coming winter. - -As early as the tenth of July orders for axes began to pour in upon the -Richardsons. The mills formerly belonging to them, shattered in the -freshet, were repaired, and new ones built upon the sites of those -entirely destroyed, occasioning a good deal of blacksmith work, as new -mill-chains, dogs, hooks, bands, bolts, and pintles were to be made. -Horse and ox-shoeing, and carriage work, also increased with the -increase of business. - -The result of this was, that Andrew Montague enlarged the shop, built -two new chimneys and forges, and the Richardsons not only bought the old -tools, but also two pairs of bellows, anvils and other tools, for the -new forges. They now moved into their father's old house, vacated by -Coleman, hired journeymen and took two apprentices, Clement giving his -attention entirely to the manufacture of edge tools, and Robert to -horse-shoeing and carriage work, ox-shoeing and tiring of heavy wheels. -The Richardsons now found themselves in comfortable circumstances; they -had a good house rent free, as Montague absolutely refused to receive -any rent, either for the house or shop, until the expiration of a year -from the time of occupancy, saying that they would want one year to get -fairly started, and all their money to buy coal, iron, and tools. - -In consequence of this increase of work, Rich was able to leave home -sooner than he had supposed possible at the period of Morton's visit, -and accordingly wrote to Perk that he would be with him in a week after -the commencement of the fall term. - -He found Perk at the public house, waiting to welcome him, as the stage -drove up about sundown. It was the first time they had met since the -morning they left Radcliffe Hall. Our readers, who are apprised of the -relations existing between these two boys in college, and the -temperament of each, can imagine the nature of the greeting. It is -sufficient to say that it was not remarkably formal. This, however, was -not in the least objectionable to a band of academy boys (who, in -expectation of his arrival, had assembled to have a look at their new -teacher, and whom Perk now presented to Rich as a portion of his -scholars), if we may judge from the talk among themselves as they went -away, arm-in-arm, a boy every now and then breaking rank, and walking -backwards, those at the end of the file keeping about two steps in -advance, in order to face the rest, and impress their own sentiments -more forcibly upon their companions of less sanguine temperaments. - -They were scarcely out of ear-shot, when Dan Clemens, breaking with a -jump from the midst, and walking backwards, with one hand on the -shoulder of Ned Baker, and the other on that of Frank Merrill, shouted -as though he was afraid some other would get the start of him,-- - -"Ned, Frank, all of you! I know I shall like that man; can't help -liking him. I'm _bound_ to like him." - -"I'm the same way!" shouted Horace Williams from the extreme right. -"Didn't you see, boys, how he and Mr. Perkins caught hold of each other? -That's what took me down. There's some soul in that man, I tell you." - -"O, he's a bully man!" roared Clinton Blanchard from the extreme left; -"a fellow can tell by the looks of him; he shows it right out in his -face." - -"You might know he's a first-rate man," cried Phil Greely; "else Mr. -Perkins wouldn't love him so. I thought I never should like anybody else -as Master Perkins; but I guess this man is just like him, and I mean to -tell all the fellows I know." - -By this time, as boy after boy kept stepping out, they had got into a -circle, and further progress was necessarily arrested: not so, however, -the expression of opinions. - -"He has not a very scholarly look," said Edward Randolph, who was a very -proper boy; "not at all the air of a close student. His hands are rough -and hard; he hurt me when he shook my hand." - -"You shut up,--will you?" retorted Dan. "You've got the dyspepsy." - -"No, I haven't, neither." - -"Well, you want to have it," said Frank Merrill. - -It was evident that in respect to popularity among these boys, the star -of Rich was in the ascendant, and before nine o'clock the next morning -they had brought the rest of the school to the same opinion. - -First impressions go a great way with all persons, especially with the -young. Had Rich gone deliberately to work to win the hearts of his -future scholars, he could have devised no method so effectual as this -unconscious manifestation of his true nature in their presence. - -"The first thing for me to do, Perk," said Rich, "is to look up a -boarding-place; till that is done I shall stay here." - -"No, you won't stay here; you are not going to stop here; you are going -home with me to stop, to-night, at my boarding-place, and I think you -will conclude to remain there." - -When they reached the house, Perk introduced Rich to the mistress of it, -who he at the same time informed him was his aunt. - -A few minutes after they sat down to supper, her son came, in whom Rich -recognized Dan Clemens, one of the boys Perk had introduced to him at -the _tavern_. Hotels were not in fashion in that section of Maine. - -After the repast they went to Perk's room. The first thing that -attracted the attention of Rich was a large picture hung over the -mantle-piece. - -"I should like to know, Perk, where you got that." - -"Stole it out of Mort's desk. I was afraid if I didn't he'd give it to -you; but I told him of it, and he gave it to me afterwards. Isn't that -something to call up old friends and old associations?" It was the -original sketch of James Trafton as a negro, drawn at midnight by Morton -in Radcliffe. - -"It is so, Perk. How that brings the whole thing back! It seems to me I -can see you scrubbing his face, that was as white as your own, with soap -and ashes, and hear him say, 'Does it come off, Perk?'" - -"I tell you what tickled me most, Rich--to see Savage spreading ink on -that poultice, and Trafton thinking it came off his own face." - -"Those were pleasant days, Perk; but they can come back only in -recollection; and I feel like applying to that production of Mort's the -language of Burns,-- - - - 'Thou mind'st me of departed joys, - Departed never to return.'" - - -"Rich, kick off your boots and put on these slippers." Rich obeyed. "Now -put on this study-gown." - -Perk then pulled a lounge up to the fire, and they sat down to talk. - -After reviewing the past, which old class-mates are as sure to do as is -an old sailor to overhaul his chest, and take everything out of it -(sometimes a very light job), as soon as he gets to sea, Perk said,-- - -"I didn't expect you so soon, Rich." - -"I was able to leave sooner than I expected when I wrote you. Might, -indeed, have come before; but it took me a week to clean up. Look at -these." He spread out his hands, that were hard, the palms and the edges -of the forefingers and thumbs a rusty brown, and cracked. - -"It is not dirt, but stains from iron and from coal dust; and that, too, -after using on them a quart of linseed oil, not to mention vinegar, -soap, and rye meal." - -"How are you pleased with my aunt, Rich?" - -"Very much indeed. The boy at table is one of those I met at the stage -tavern. Is he your cousin?" - -"Yes, and a downright good boy he is, too, and a real comfort to my -aunt, who is a widow. He is dead in love with you." - -"Perhaps he will change his mind; boys are not wont to cherish a very -fervent love for teachers." - -"You'll find yourself mistaken in that respect. Dan, and a crony of his, -Horace Williams, will take to you, and cling to you, just as Ned Austin -and Will Montgomery did to you and Mort. You can stimulate them, and -they will leap under it as a high-spirited horse catches the excitement -of its rider, especially if he loves him." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -WINNING GOLDEN OPINIONS. - - -"In the morning, Perk, I want you to help me about finding a -boarding-place, or some room that I can hire cheap, and board myself. I -should prefer a garret, as that will be the cheapest. There"--laying a -two-dollar bill on the table--"is every cent of money I possess in the -world; and if I study medicine I must have books, that come very high, -instruments by and by, and instruction from an experienced physician. I -am, to be sure, well clothed. I have clothing sufficient, with economy, -to last for years, but money I have none." - -"I know I am not capable of giving you advice, and cannot expect that -you will receive it from me as you would from Mort; but I beg of you, -whatever you do, don't go to starving yourself; it will be a losing game -in the end. If you are going to work hard all day in school, and then -study when out of it, you need, and must have, good, nourishing food, -and plenty of it. There was Eckford, of our class, lived on water gruel -and molasses, and roast potatoes, and made out to graduate. But what did -he ever amount to, more than sweetened water?" - -"He never was more than half alive, to begin with. I am in good case, -and must economize the last cent." - -"Economize, with a vengeance! Saving at the tap, and spilling at the -bung-hole. A precious doctor you'll make. Going to dry up the juices, -both of body and brain, by starvation. Now let me plan. My aunt has -considerable land and other property, and needs some one to aid her in -the care of it. Dan is a mere boy, and it brings a good deal of care -upon her. If you will see to her affairs, cut the wood, take care of the -garden in the summer (Dan milks, and takes care of the cow and horse), -keep her accounts, and just do what pertains to the house (if there is -anything beyond that, she will hire other help), you can stay in this -room, have your board, fuel, and a horse to ride occasionally, you can -borrow medical books of Dr. Ryan, practice on my aunt, who is in -delicate health, dearly loves to take medicine, wears a Burgundy pitch -plaster between her shoulders, reads Buchan's Domestic Medicine, and -Parson Meek will pray for you. I think this will be a great deal better -than your starvation plan, unless you think it would be derogatory to -your character, and injure your influence as principal of the academy, -if it should be known that you cut wood and did chores." - -"Derogatory!" cried Rich, jumping up. "I don't value the opinion of any -who think honest labor derogatory _that_," snapping his fingers. "If -they don't like it, they may dislike it. I can earn as much at the anvil -as I can here, and all the reason I prefer it is, I can study when I -have done my day's work here; and after I have been at work in the shop -all day I am tired and sleepy. I will most gladly fall in with the offer -of your aunt, and do all or anything she wants done." - -"Rich, you are no more like a fellow we used to call _Rich_ in -Radcliffe, than chalk's like cheese." - -"I've been through a 'discipline,' as President Appleton would say. -Then, I used to dip my fingers in rose water of a morning, and dress my -hair with pomatum. Since that, I've had to wash in an iron-hooped -bucket, and wipe on a tow towel cousin german to a nutmeg grater. Sweat -and coal dust have taken the place of pomatum. It didn't last, however, -longer than the first term of the freshman year. I caught an expression -on Mort's face one day, when I was fixing up before the glass, that made -me, as soon as his back was turned, fling the rose water and pomatum -into the slop pail. I tell you, Perk, there's no tonic equal to iron. I -mean to give lots of it when I am a doctor." - -"So I think; but I like to take it best in the shape of a gun barrel, a -fish-hook, or a pair of skates." - -The number of pupils in the academy was quite large, and, as was -customary in those days, they consisted of both sexes, ranging in age -from ten to nineteen, and even twenty years. There were boys fitting for -college, and others pursuing English studies. Some of the older scholars -studied surveying, book-keeping, and navigation. - -Rich gave himself wholly to his work, and speedily created among his -scholars not merely an attachment to himself, but enthusiasm in study, -and desire to excel. It was soon evident, both to the trustees and more -advanced scholars, that their present teacher was greatly superior in -every department, not only to Perk, but any instructor who had preceded -him. - -The fact that he did chores, and attended to business matters, in order -to defray the expense of his board, so far from proving derogatory, as -Perk had hinted, operated in precisely the opposite manner. Had he -resorted to this method of reducing his expenses from penuriousness, and -an overweening desire to accumulate, such, doubtless, would have been -the result, and the proceeding would have excited both ridicule and -contempt. - -The instincts of the boys, however, divined that this was not his -character. They felt themselves drawn towards him by that magnetic -influence that his college mates confessed, and were proud of his -scholarship and commanding ability, that even those who could not -appreciate felt. In addition to this they were not long in discovering -that, although he did chores, and even cleaned out the pig-sty, he was -the best dressed man in the town on the Sabbath, which was to them a -sore puzzle. But when it leaked out, probably through Perk, that he had -been reared in affluence, was now flung upon his own resources, -struggling to obtain a professional education, and that his style of -dress was merely the remnant of better days, and not occasioned by mere -love of display, the knowledge produced universal sympathy and respect, -the whole community vying with each other in the manifestation of it. - -Although practising the most rigid economy, husbanding every moment of -time, and performing a great deal of labor, the noble nature of Rich -manifested itself in a thousand ways; and strange it is how this -unwritten, unspoken language of the heart is generally felt and -understood. He was patient with the dull, encouraged the industrious, -and stimulated to the utmost those scholars possessed of superior -ability, while the mere desire to merit his esteem and affection roused -indolent and wayward boys to persevering effort, and inspired them with -a love of study and spirit of emulation they had never felt before. - -But when Granny Fluker (after he went into the blacksmith's shop, made -a new crank to her flax wheel, mended the cover of her Dutch oven, that -was broke in two, by drilling holes in it, and putting wrought iron -cleats across, fastened with rivets, and made a new bail to the oven) -exclaimed, "God bless the young gentleman for condescending to sich a -poor old worn-out critter as I am, that have to be helped by the town. -Well, it's allers the way, in this world; them what's got the biggest -hearts to do allers have the least to do _with_. But if the prayers of a -poor old lone body like me can do him any good, he'll sartain have 'em." - -She expressed the universal sentiment of the whole community. - -To increase still more the estimation in which Rich was held, it was -ascertained that he was an excellent singer. The parish choir was in a -most wretched condition. A maiden lady, who had long been distinguished -as a singer, began to show unmistakable signs of age, and her voice -cracked. She received from the younger members sundry hints to leave. -These she took in high dugeon, and left, together with a brother and two -sisters, who were fine singers, and who espoused her quarrel. Before the -new members who were introduced upon their leaving could be drilled, the -chorister, who had made a great part of the disturbance, left town, -taking his bass-viol with him. - -In this condition of things, Rich was invited to take the lead of the -choir, and accepted, established choir meetings, and soon put matters to -rights; while the refractory brother and his two sisters, finding that -they were not necessary, got over their huff, and came back. - -The younger portion of the choir, ascertaining from Dan Clemens that -Rich played the violin, persuaded him to bring it to church the next -Sunday. The moment Rich drew the bow across the strings, Deacon -Starkweather got up, slamming the pew door after him, left the church, -and going into the pasture, out of sight and sound of the ungodly thing, -sat down on a stump, in a snow-storm, till he judged it was time for the -sermon to begin, when he returned, as he had no quarrel with Parson -Meek, and merely wished to show his displeasure, and enter a protest -against the fiddle. Rich, however, smoothed all asperities, and -reconciled the worthy deacon, by persuading the members of the parish -most interested in music to purchase a bass-viol, upon which he -performed to the satisfaction of all; Deacon Starkweather inviting Rich, -and all the members of the choir, to tea, when he explained to them that -he had never cherished the least hardness against any member of the -choir, but that his action was in reference to the _instrument_, and the -associations connected with that exponent of folly, and concluded with a -most generous contribution toward the purchase of the bass-viol. Thus -was the affair that at one time threatened to break up the parish most -happily settled. Rich earned the reputation of a peacemaker, and young -man of excellent judgment, and the deacon, through his device delivered -from an uncomfortable position (as his conduct by no means met with -general approbation), became the staunch friend of Rich, declaring, upon -every proper occasion, that "he was a young man that had the root of the -matter in him." - -The period at which Rich began the study of medicine was the -commencement of a great revolution in medical theory and practice, both -in relation to the treatment of disease and surgery; young and earnest -men were struggling in every direction for light; new discoveries were -made, reverence for the past was gradually wearing off, and the old -theories of practice were subjected to a most searching and often -irreverent scrutiny. - -Dr. Ryan by no means belonged to that class of mind sometimes designated -by the term, "The sword frets out the scabbard." On the other hand, he -was hale and hearty, possessed of a noble frame, hair slightly tinged -with gray, but ruddy cheeks, a fine set of teeth of pearly whiteness, -and a frank, hearty manner, betokening real goodness of heart. - -Though possessed of very moderate abilities, the doctor was a man of -sterling worth, great integrity, and kind and sympathizing nature. He -enjoyed a large practice, being the only physician in the place. The -poor loved him, because he was ever as ready to attend to their wants as -to those of his more wealthy patients, often put shoes on the feet of a -barefooted child, and did not hesitate to bestow flannels and fuel, when -he felt that they were more necessary than medicine. The utmost -confidence was reposed in him, as his more intelligent patients, if -disposed to doubt his skill in difficult cases, knew perfectly well that -he would not hesitate a moment in calling in more competent persons, -when he felt their aid was required. - -At this period the spirit of inquiry was abroad. There were rumors in -the air, and forebodings of a radical reform in medical practice. -Practitioners of the doctor's age, who were either too indolent, -prejudiced, or too far advanced in life to receive and act upon new -ideas, were by no means to be envied, being somewhat in the position of -one upon a ledge in the sea, cut off by the tide, that, constantly -rising, rendered his passing into oblivion merely a question of time. - -The old physicians stigmatized these disturbers of the peace of -antiquity and their own as quacks, new lights, upstarts, and utterly -unsafe as experimenters with human life. The advocates of the improved -practice, on the other hand, were by no means backward in denouncing -their seniors as fossils, petrifactions, enemies to all progress, and -only desirous of retailing drugs at ninety per cent. profit, and -fattening the graveyards; of promoting gangrene, and needless -amputations, through their ignorance of the first principles of surgery; -multiplying cripples by malpractice and ignorance of anatomy; that they -had one mode of treatment for all disorders; and the time-honored -allusion to "Procrustes' bed" was lavishly applied to their opponents. - -The good doctor, firmly wedded to the ancient practice, felt all the -animosity his genial nature permitted him to indulge in respect to the -new lights; and when he heard that a young man thoroughly impregnated -(as he could not doubt) with radical notions, was about to take the -academy, and had already commenced the study of medicine, he felt very -much as an old crower, who has walked in state, and lorded it over his -dames, might be supposed to feel when he sees a young rooster suddenly -flung down in the barn-yard, and inwardly resolved that the young -upstart should receive neither aid, comfort, nor countenance from him. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -HOW DAN TOOK HIS MEDICINE. - - -While in this irritable and pugnacious temper it chanced most -fortunately that the doctor did not happen to fall in with Rich; and -when he did, being in a different state of mind, matters wore quite -another aspect. - -The doctor was remarkably fond of music, and no mean performer himself -upon the clarionet. Being at meeting for the first time since the -arrival of Rich on the Sabbath when Deacon Starkweather made his exit, -he was mightily tickled with the whole proceedings; said the deacon -ought to have his head shaved, and a blister drawn on it, and was -consequently inclined to feel more kindly disposed towards Rich. While -his prejudices were thus somewhat weakened, he was introduced to the -latter by Perk, and was so much charmed with the modest appearance, -intelligence, and address of Rich, that he received him with all the -cordiality of a parent. - -"This young gentleman, Mr. Perkins," said the doctor to Perk the next -morning, "is a very different person from the great majority of those -who profess to study medicine, having some respect for age and -experience, and as amendable to counsel as he is intelligent and refined -in his manners." - -The doctor was not dependent upon his practice for a living, having -inherited an ample property from his grandfather. His library was large, -consisting of all the medical works then esteemed, and a complete set of -the instruments then used in this country. It is safe to say that the -doctor consulted the length of his purse in the choice of books, rather -than his mental needs, as Rich, after looking over, found a great -portion of them with the leaves still uncut, although they had been ten, -and some of them twenty, years in the doctor's possession. - -Most physicians at that period were provided with more or less bones for -the study of anatomy, generally of the limbs, as they were most liable -to be broken or dislocated: very few went beyond this. Dr. Ryan, -however, had not even all these--only the bones of the lower -extremities; but the deficiency was in some manner supplied by plates -contained in the anatomical works in his library; indeed, he felt very -little interest in surgery, dreading nothing so much as being called to -set a bone, amputate a limb, or reduce a dislocation, and frequently -advised his patients to send for Dr. Slaughter, who excelled as a -surgeon. - -In the course of his long practice, he had rendered many cripples for -life by sheer carelessness in bandaging limbs that had been properly -set, and once made a blunder that would have proved fatal to one less -beloved. - -He was called to a man who had recently moved into the place, who was -afflicted with a tumor in his ham; the doctor, after examining, shoved -his lancet into it. To his terror and astonishment, the blood spurted in -his face; he had cut an artery! The new lights represented that he was -so frightened the patient bled to death while he sent for his -instruments. It was not so; yet not much better. The doctor clapped his -thumb on the artery, and instructed the family to arrest the blood, in -the meanwhile sent for his instruments and took up the artery; but the -coats of the artery, where he applied the ligature, being diseased, -sloughed in the night; and in a short time the ligature came away, and -the man bled to death. - -It was an old false aneurism, in which so many concentric layers of -coagulum had accumulated that no pulsation could be perceived. Had the -doctor inquired into the history of it, he would have found that it had -pulsated in the past; but neglecting to do this, and unable to perceive -the throb of the artery, he mistook it for an abscess. Notwithstanding -his lack of surgical skill, he was versed in the properties and -operation of medicines, a close observer, could detect the nature of -disease, and had acquired a great amount of experimental knowledge. - -He made an agreement with Rich to superintend his studies, permit him -the use of his library, with opportunities to visit patients, for thirty -dollars a year. - -It was now that Rich began to realize the deep-seated affection -cherished for him by his scholars. There were many young men, the sons -of farmers, from nineteen to twenty-one, who attended the academy in the -winter term; in March they came together, and cut up the whole year's -stock of wood for Mrs. Clemens, and put it under cover, thus relieving -Rich, and affording him time for study. Dan Clemens and his mates also -performed their part in smaller matters, so that Rich had really no more -to do than sufficed for exercise. - -There could not be a greater contrast than existed between Rich, -earnest, ambitious, still farther stimulated by the pressure of poverty, -and the genial old doctor, who loved a good story and a good joke, had -an abundance of this world's goods, and cared very little whether his -practice increased or decreased, so that it was not intruded upon by the -new lights. - -Yet they were great friends. Rich loved the doctor, though soon made -aware of his deficiencies, and treated him with the greatest deference; -while the latter obstinately shut his eyes to the fact, often brought -to view by his fellow-physician, Dr. Slaughter, that he was nourishing a -most thorough-going radical and new light in his own bosom, although -never obtruding his heresies; for if ever there was a boy bound to go to -the root of principles, that boy was Rich. - -Mrs. Clemens was a lady after the doctor's own heart. She was -intelligent, refined, benevolent, and universally esteemed. Like most -persons in delicate health, she was fond of having a physician round -her, consulted the doctor in respect to every trifling indisposition, -and was very conservative in her notions. She had one weak point, as who -has not. This was a perfect passion for reading medical works and -practising upon herself and the members of her family--a sentiment -fostered by her delicate state of health. - -This rendered it quite difficult for her to keep a hired girl, for -though they liked her, and received good wages, they were not fond of -the medicines she insisted upon their taking to keep them from being -sick. Next to the Holy Scriptures, she reverenced Buchan's Domestic -Medicine,--a copy of which, elegantly bound, lay on her table beside the -Bible,--abhorred innovations in medical practice, and would much rather -have died under the hands of a regular physician than been cured by a -quack. - -"Doctor," she said, one day, "how mysterious it seems, that my dear -husband, who was a great, stout, healthy man, the very picture of -health, and used to take care of me just like a baby, should be in his -grave, and I still spared!" - -"Invalids, ma'am, live the longest of any people in the world." - -"How can that be, doctor?" - -"Because they take care of themselves." - -The good lady, indeed, took excellent care of herself; but she was sadly -tried in regard to taking care of her son Dan. - -Dan was a robust, red-cheeked boy, sound to the core, of fearless, -sanguine temperament, and it was the hardest work in the world for Dan -to sit on a bench and apply himself to study. Nothing but their -attachment to Rich would have induced him and his sworn friends, Ned -Baker and Frank Merrill, to attempt and accomplish it. But much as Dan -loved his mother, he did abhor medicine, and to be coddled up. - -Richardson was often placed between the two horns of a dilemma, as Mrs. -Clemens invariably appealed to him when Dan proved refractory. - -One morning his mother insisted that he had taken cold, and Dan as -stoutly maintained the negative. - -"Daniel, you must wear your great coat to school; your face is flushed, -and I think you are feverish." - -"It's always flushed, mother. I haven't one mite of cold, and I can't -stand it to wear a coat this pleasant morning." - -"Yes, you must, dear; your tongue is coated. I'll ask Mr. Richardson." - -But Rich, who had overheard the conversation, made a bolt for the door, -and escaped that time. In the course of an hour, Betty Gookins, the -help, came in, bringing in her hand a garment. - -"Only look here, ma'am. I went to pump a pail of water, and I couldn't, -cause Dan's coat was in the pump-nose." - -"O, dear, how that boy does try me! Well, I shall soon be in my grave." - -But as the good lady had said the same for the last thirty years, there -was evidently hope in the case. Dan, however, was not to escape so -easily the watchful care of his mother. That night, when he came in to -supper, he was regaled with the odor of salts and senna simmering in the -corner. - -"O, dear!" he said to himself; "have I got to take that awful, sickish, -nasty stuff?" - -The next morning, about half an hour before school-time, Rich wanted -Dan. - -"The poor child is not well, Mr. Richardson, and has gone into the -unfinished room to take some medicine. He says he can take it better if -he is alone, and nobody looking at him. I wish he didn't dislike to take -medicine so much; if it was not such a trial to him, I should give him -'picra.'" - -When Rich entered the room, Dan had got up a brick in the hearth, and -was administering the salts and senna to the cross-sill beneath. He -started like a guilty thing when the door opened, but, seeing who it -was, completed his purpose. - -"What are you about, Daniel?" - -"Taking salts and senna, sir." - -"Is that the way you always take them?" - -"I never took any so before; but this is the way I mean to take them for -the future. I expect to pour gallons into this hole." - -"Are you well enough to get me a big log out of the wood-pile?" - -"Certainly, Mr. Richardson. I never was weller in my life." - -"But your mother said yesterday that your tongue was coated." - -"So it was. I had been breaking a pan of cream. Mother don't like to -have her cream disturbed after it is set. I licked the cream off my -lips, but left it on my tongue." - -"I think your mother'll have the best of it if she gives you salts and -senna. She thinks highly of assafoetida, and may give you that." - -"I never will take that; I'll leave home first." - -The next evening, as Rich was passing through the kitchen with an armful -of wood for his evening fire, he noticed Mrs. Clemens seated before the -fire, in her lap a pair of old-fashioned kitchen bellows, on a chair -beside her a skillet full of hot coals, a roll of sheep-skin, a junk of -Burgundy pitch, and a knife. After cutting from the skin a piece of the -right size for a plaster, she placed on it a piece of the pitch, put -both on the flat side of the bellows, made the knife hot in the coals, -and spread the plaster; while Dan, with no very joyous expression of -countenance, sat awaiting the result. - -"I am going to put this plaster between Daniel's shoulders, Mr. -Richardson," said she; "it is a sovereign remedy for a cold; doesn't -open the pores like a sweat, and expose one to take more cold." - -The next morning the good lady declared the plaster had worked wonders; -that Daniel's cold was very much better, and would soon be well. - -"Perhaps I had better take it off, my son, wipe it, and wipe the -perspiration from your back. The plaster will draw better, and it will -prevent its itching and annoying you in school." - -"O, no, mother; I shall be late. It don't itch one mite." - -And he rushed from the house. - -"It is very singular," replied his mother, looking after him, "_my_ -plasters always itch, and are very troublesome. I think they don't do -much good except they itch." - -Mrs. Clemens would have been less surprised had she known that the -plaster began to itch the moment Dan was warm in bed. After enduring it -awhile, he pulled it off and tucked it up chimney. So he told Frank -Merrill, with whom, on the way to school, he shared some guava jelly -given him by his mother, after taking the salts and senna, to take the -taste out of his mouth. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -PERIL OF BEING OUT EVENINGS. - - -Directly upon commencing the study of anatomy, Rich began to feel the -need of something more than the plates contained in the books. - -It was some distance to go, for the study of bones, to the doctor's -house, and he wanted something that he could keep in his room, and have -at hand to refer to; besides, the doctor had none of the bones of the -trunk--only the skull and part of the limbs. He likewise wished to -dissect and study muscles, tendons, the structure of skin, bone, veins, -arteries, and internal organs, in their natural state, since for him to -procure a human subject was at that time out of the question, as he was -without means to purchase even a skeleton. - -In these circumstances he conceived that much might be learned by a -careful study and dissection of the bodies of animals in connection with -the plates found in the books. - -Mr. Clemens, the husband of Rich's landlady, owned and worked a large -breadth of land, which necessitated the keeping of many horses, as he -did all his farm work with horses; but after his decease the greater -part of the land, and all the horses except one, were sold. On the lower -floor of the stable was a small room, once devoted to storing and oiling -harnesses, in which was a fireplace, and at one corner, a large closet -without shelves, and very broad, where the more valuable riding -harnesses, not in constant use, were hung, to defend them from dust. -There were also some harness-maker's tools, old straps, thorough-braces, -and a large leather boot, that had survived the vehicle to which it was -once attached. - -Fire-wood in those days was made but small account of, especially by -Mrs. Clemens, who could not consume half of the decaying and downwood on -her land. - -"Mrs. Clemens," said Rich, "are you willing I should clear out the old -harness-room, and make a fire there occasionally?" - -"What for, Mr. Richardson? If you want more room in the house you can -have it. It will certainly be more comfortable than the barn; besides, I -am afraid you will take cold." - -"Indeed, Mrs. Clemens, I need not hesitate to tell a lady of your -respect for and appreciation of the medical profession, that as I -proceed in my studies, I shall want to dissect and experiment upon the -bodies of animals. You know that, although the courts and the community -are ever ready to prosecute a physician to the extent of the law for a -mistake in setting a bone, they throw every obstacle in the way of his -obtaining any accurate knowledge of the machine he is expected to -repair." The law in respect to this matter was more stringent then than -at present. - -"But, Mr. Richardson, if you should lose a mother, sister, or dear -friend,--Mr. Perkins, for instance,--and had placed them in the earth, -with all the respect nature dictates, could you bear to feel that they -were taken from the grave, exposed upon a table, and cut to pieces by -students smoking cigars, and laughing, and jesting, as though to fit and -harden them for their profession by driving every spark of feeling and -humanity out of their bosoms?" - -"No, I could not. I don't believe, however, that there is the least -necessity of this hardening process you have referred to; if I believed -that, by devoting myself to the study of medicine, I should lose one -particle of kindly feeling that I now possess, should harden my heart -and curtail my sympathies, or change in any respect, except in obtaining -self-command that I might discharge more efficiently my duty, I would -relinquish study and go back to the anvil to-morrow. If a doctor is -rough and unfeeling, it is to be attributed to his natural temper, and -want of culture, not to his profession." - -"Then I suppose you are just the one who ought to be a doctor, though I -think it is strange that you should choose that profession. As I was -telling Mrs. Merrill the other day, I observed you was so sensitive you -never _could_ do some of those dreadful things doctors were obliged to -perform. But as for the harness-room, you may do whatever you like with -it; there's a padlock in the house belongs to the outside door, and a -key to the lock on the closet. If there is anything there worth saving, -put it in the loft, and any old rubbish you can burn up." - -"But the wood, I will pay for that." - -"By no means, there's wood enough." - -After clearing out the place, and cleansing it thoroughly, Rich made a -table, and put iron rings into it, in order that he might fasten any -animal that he wished to operate upon. He then procured buckles and -waxed ends, and from the boot of the old chaise made straps of different -lengths for the same purpose, and put a lock on the door in lieu of the -padlock. As the stern, patient smith of the wilderness, amid the -melancholy moan of pine forests, and the roar of the stream, wrought out -by sheer pluck and perseverance, a mechanical trade, so his earnest -grandson, completely absorbed in his chosen pursuit, strove to verify, -by experiment upon the bodies of such animals as he could procure, the -theories he studied. - -In short, under the intoxication of a dominant impulse, he did things -that, had they come to the knowledge of Mrs. Clemens, she would no -longer have doubted of his adaptedness to the medical profession on the -score of sensitiveness; so impervious to emotion in certain directions -will an absorbing idea render a person otherwise most impressible. - -He dissected frogs to observe the muscles of the thigh, and irritated -the muscular tissue of animals, thus creating inflammation, in order to -watch its progress. Though there are striking differences between the -composition of man and the animal, still there is correspondence enough -to admit of much being learned; and in default of a human subject, he -resorted to this method, as his grandfather, unable to procure an anvil, -made a stone answer the purpose. The lungs of a hog are very similar to -those of a man, and he found no difficulty in procuring these. If a -stray dog came along, he was most kindly welcomed by Rich; but it was -observed that no stray dog, having once entered Mrs. Clemens's yard, was -ever seen to come out again. - -Marvelous was the industry of Rich, only equalled by his ingenuity. He -soon had the large closet in the stable filled to overflowing with the -skeletons of various animals he had dissected and wired together with -great skill. He was much attached to Dan, who procured him animals to -operate upon, while he, in turn mounted birds and squirrels for Dan--a -matter in which Rich was very skilful. - -He had been for a long time desirous of examining the structure of the -eye, but could not procure a suitable subject. Mrs. Clemens possessed a -cat of beautiful color and proportions, affectionate disposition, -intelligent, and perfectly trained. Between this member of the family -and Dan the affections of the good lady were about equally divided. -When, as occasionally happened, Gertrude was unwell, the good lady was -at her wits' end, as she would have nothing from Buchan, and eschewed -Burgundy pitch plasters, salts, and senna. Indeed, she had much rather -Dan would be sick, than Gertrude, for she knew what to do for Dan, while -Gertrude would have nothing but catnip. At every meal she sat beside -Mrs. Clemens in a high chair, and never offered to take anything from -the table, waiting the leisure of her mistress. Dan also loved Gertrude -dearly, and had taught her a great many tricks. Rich likewise conceived -a fondness for the cat, being naturally fond of pets. - -Gertrude was exceedingly social in her disposition, rejoiced in a -numerous circle of friends, and was not in the least stuck up. - -There was a large Thomas cat--an enormous creature--that often came to -call upon Gertrude, in a friendly way, and spend a sociable evening. -Silver-gray along the back, annular stripes on the tail, white feet, -snow-white breast, large, lustrous, prominent eyes, and a magnificent -pair of _whiskers_; in short, this Thomas cat was a splendid creature, -and, as Rich thought, would afford him, if in his possession, an -excellent opportunity to observe the structure of the eye. Dan, Frank -Merrill, and Horace Williams, did their best to take the creature, dead -or alive, but in vain. - -A door opened from the wood-shed into the stable, and a passage was left -to this door in piling the wood that was tiered up on either side to the -height of five, and on one side seven, feet. Several times the boys had -got the Thomas cat in this passage; but the wily creature either went -over the top of the wood, or ran through a small hole beside the door, -that it would seem no cat _could_ get through. Rich nailed the mouth of -a meal-bag to this hole on the stable side, and placed a board on the -other, ready to put up to prevent the cat's return. - -One Wednesday Horace Williams came over to spend the afternoon and take -tea with Dan. Just before the tea hour, Dan, coming in, whispered to -Rich, "The cat's in the passage. I can see his eyes shine just like -balls of fire." Armed with sticks of wood, they approached the end of -the passage, gave a fearful howl and let the wood fly; the globes of -fire vanished, and they knew by the sound the cat had not gone over the -wood-pile. - -"He's in the bag, I know," said Dan. "I heard him squeeze through the -hole. O, crimini!" and he ran to put up the piece of board. Rich and -Horace lost no time in putting a string round the bag in which the cat -was struggling, tearing it from the hole, and immersing it in a tub of -water. Just as the struggling ceased the bell rang for supper, and -flinging the bag and its contents into a horse-stall to drip and dry, -they sat down to eat. - -Dan sat on his mother's right hand, next to him Horace, and on her left -was Gertrude's high chair; but it was empty. - -"Where can Gertrude be?" said Mrs. Clemens, after pouring out the tea; -"for seven years she has never before been absent from my side at meals -unless sick." - -A fearful suspicion crossed the mind of Rich, and catching the eye of -Dan, he saw that he was similarly affected. - -Hastening to the stable when the meal was over, with a light, they -turned out the contents of the bag, and lo! it was poor Gertrude, that -in the dark they had mistaken for the Thomas cat and drowned. Rich was -very much distressed; so was Dan, as, aside from his sorrow for his -mother, the cat was a favorite pet of his, and had grown up with him. - -Placing the dead body of Gertrude upon the dissecting table, they locked -the door for consultation. At first they thought of owning up, but -finally concluded to keep the secret, and, as long as she was dead, -thought they might as well make the remains of some advantage to -science. Richardson possessed already one skeleton of a cat, and only -cared for the eyes. Dan therefore persuaded him to mount Gertrude for -him. This Rich did, making a small incision, turning the body through -it, and replacing the skull and leg bones, after removing the brains and -flesh, supplying the rest of the skeleton, so far as was needed, with -wire. - -Having already mounted several birds for Dan, he made a tree, put the -birds in the branches, and having furnished Gertrude with eyes of -colored glass, placed her under the tree in a natural attitude, as -though watching a squirrel, the wire in the limbs enabling him to bend -them in any direction. A red squirrel was also placed half way up the -tree, as though alarmed by the cat. Dan was delighted, and thought he -had much rather have his pet dead than alive. - -All these operations were performed with closed doors, and the birds and -animals placed under lock and key in the closet. - -Mrs. Clemens mourned for her cat, and refused to be comforted. -Gertrude's empty chair was always placed beside her; at table she often -recounted the virtues of the departed, considered and spoke of the event -as one of those mysterious dispensations of Providence, to which, -though we cannot fathom, it is our duty to submit. - -"I do wish my mother would bury that cat," said Dan. "I'm sick and tired -of hearing about her--should think she might pick up another kitten." - -Month after month passed, and still Mrs. Clemens mourned the loss of her -pet. At the expiration of this period, Fred Evans, a cousin of Dan, came -to visit him. One afternoon Dan persuaded Rich to put all the things on -the table, make a grand show, and let Fred see them. To this Rich -consented; the door was locked, and Fred sworn to secrecy. - -On the table was placed the tree set in a block, with birds in its -branches; half way up the trunk a red squirrel looking down and -chattering at the cat, crouched at the roots as in act to spring. - -Disposed around the tree that occupied the centre were the skeletons of -various animals, wired together, and in an upright position, fastened to -blocks--rabbits, dogs, a cat, wood-chuck, rooster, and pig. The tree was -formed with great ingenuity, by placing a real branch in a thick block -of pine, carving the spur roots from the substance of the block, and -covering with moss, dried leaves, and twigs, confined with glue, while -Gertrude, seated on the moss, seemed actually alive. - -Horace Williams was invited, being already in the secret, to help -entertain Fred, and as an intimate friend of Dan. - -Rich wanted a shingle to put under one leg of the table, the floor being -uneven, and sent Horace after it, who forgot to lock the door at his -return. - -Mrs. Clemens, having occasion for Dan, and not finding him in the house -or yard, sought him in the harness-room, where she knew he spent much of -his leisure time. - -Opening the door upon the startled group, the first object that arrested -her attention was the long lost and bitterly lamented Gertrude, as she -verily thought, alive, and in the act of springing upon a squirrel. -Exclaiming, "Gertrude! _my_ Gertrude! where have you been?" she clasped -the effigy to her breast. Alas! there was no answering caress; there was -no "speculation" in those eyes of stained glass, and the dried skin -rattled in her fond embrace. It was a _stuffed_ cat. "What does this -mean?" she cried, permitting the imposture to drop on the floor, -thoroughly overcome and faint with this sudden blasting of new-born -hopes. She would have fallen to the floor; but Rich and Dan conveyed her -to the house, where, after seeing her safely placed in the easy-chair, -Rich took to flight, feeling that _Dan_ could settle the affair far -better than himself. - -[Illustration: "GERTRUDE! MY GERTRUDE!" Page 190.] - -It required all Dan's eloquence and power of argument to convince his -mother that Gertrude was killed by mistake. - -"But why did you not tell me at once, Daniel, that I might have had her -properly interred, instead of making an exhibition of the remains?" - -Dan at length convinced his mother that it was his affection for -Gertrude that led him to take this method of keeping her in remembrance. -But never after this did Mrs. Clemens deem Rich unfitted for his -profession by over-sensitiveness. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -THE YOUNG SAMARITANS. - - -Richardson, who had thus far performed his operations upon animals with -a common pocket-knife, a carpenter's fine saw, and some instruments he -made in the shop of the village blacksmith,--making sleight of hand and -mechanical skill supply the place of suitable tools,--was now able to -purchase a pocket case of surgical instruments, that economized time, -and greatly facilitated his labors. They were also of a better pattern -than those he at times borrowed of the doctor. - -Instead of going home in the vacations, he devoted the leisure afforded -by the close of the academy to medical studies and experiments. - -"Mr. Richardson," said the doctor, one day, after they had been enjoying -a sing together, "it seems strange to me that you are not more inclined -to go with me to visit patients. It is the very thing you need, -especially when bones are to be set, or dislocations reduced. It is only -occasionally that you go." - -"Indeed, doctor, I hope you will not feel that I do not appreciate your -kindness in so often inviting me, or that I am not sensible of the -benefit to be thus obtained; but I look at it in this light, which -perhaps is not the right one. I am young enough, and do not intend to -commence practice till thoroughly fitted; and it seems to me there can -be no correct practice without a thorough knowledge of first principles, -and that the practice should be based upon, and grow out of, that -knowledge. - -"I have therefore resolved that I would, while here, endeavor to attain -a knowledge of principles; operating, as I go along, on animals; going -with you occasionally; economizing my means; and by and by attend -lectures at Brunswick, or some place where I shall have ample -opportunity for dissection, or go somewhere for hospital practice." - -"I think you are correct there; but still I feel that you might, without -neglecting your studies, obtain a great deal more practical knowledge as -you go along, and that it would be time excellently well spent; for the -human body, and not that of the animal, is the one you will have to deal -with, and all you can learn from the brute will be only an approach, -require to be modified a great deal, and much of it won't apply in -actual practice." - -"I have not the least doubt, doctor, but the course you advise is the -best, but in my circumstances I cannot avail myself of it. - -"Perhaps it would come with a better grace from some one else, but the -people in this town have expressed great attachment to me, and estimate -me far above my deserts. Now, if I should go much with you to visit -patients, bleed, and pull teeth, and reduce dislocations, as you would -have me, every academy scholar who wanted a tooth pulled, or a gum-boil -lanced, would be running to me, because they would think I should not -hurt them so much as you. - -"People who wanted a sore opened, others, who are personally attached to -me, would come for slight complaints. Many persons who are ashamed to -send for you, because they owe you, would think, 'Perhaps Mr. Richardson -will do just as well; he's been studying a good while with the doctor.' -And thus all my time would be frittered away, and nothing to show for -it." - -The doctor broke into a hearty laugh, and said, "I will yield the point, -Mr. Richardson. I must acknowledge you have made out a strong case." - -"That is the way I look at it. I am wheeling two wheelbarrows -now,--studying medicine, and teaching,--and I don't mean to wheel -three." - -At the close of a long, hot day, the latter part of May, Clement -Richardson and his brother, wearied with toil, were seated, one on the -anvil, the other on the forge. - -Somewhat more than a year had passed since their misfortune. During -that period their condition had very much improved, owing to the -following circumstance. Cast steel had been introduced, but only a few -smiths in the country were able to use it. - -More care and judgment were required in working it than the old -material, and the aid of borax was necessary to weld it with iron. The -old smiths around Richardson would have nothing to do with "the -new-fangled stuff," stuck to blistered steel and a sand weld. - -But Clement Richardson belonged to a race ever open to new ideas, and -perceived at a glance the value of the new metal. He had seen his father -use borax to braze the threads of his vice, as also saw plates, and soon -learned to use the steel, and consequently monopolized all the work in -his vicinity. For there is no comparison between blistered and cast -steel for an edge tool. - -Their business, however, received a still greater impulse about a month -before the period to which we refer. There had been little improvement -in farming tools in that vicinity; the old iron pitch and manure forks -were everywhere used. Clement Richardson went to Massachusetts to buy -steel and iron, and there saw a patent spring steel pitchfork. He came -home, and made forks with an improvement that did not infringe on the -patent, and the operation proved very profitable. - -"Clem," said Robert, "our year during which we were to have this shop -free will soon be out. What say you for buying the old homestead back? -We can pay a few hundred down, give a mortgage back, and what we should -pay for rent will go towards shrinking the debt." - -"The rent of the shop won't be much, Robert, and you know we were to -have the rent of the house free from the time of occupancy. Suppose we -wait till then." - -"What if Montague should sell it over our heads?" - -"I'll speak to him, and get the refusal of it." - -When the brothers got home, they found a letter from Rich, containing a -portion of his hard earnings, that he had sent to aid his parents. His -father, however, sent the money back, informing Rich of the success of -the new forks, and telling him they were getting money much faster than -he was. - -Waiting till his wages for the next term fell due, Rich expended the -whole in the purchase of books more modern than those found in the -collection of his patron, and containing principles the latter would by -no means have approved. - -Rich was seated in his room, earnestly engaged in study, when he was -roused by a great rumpus on the stairs. In a moment the door was flung -violently open, and Dan and Frank Merrill rushed into the room. - -Dan had evidently been crying, for the tears stood in his eyes then, -and Frank was not far from it. - -"Excuse us, Mr. Richardson, for coming in so, but--" - -"But you couldn't help it. What is the matter?" - -"O, Mr. Richardson, don't you think! Frank, and Horace, and me were -going down to the river, to go in swimming, and there was Ned Baker, -Clinton Blanchard, and a whole lot of boys, had got his dog Rover, the -prettiest dog you ever did see, and they'd got a rope round his neck, -and were going to drown him." - -"What were they going to drown him for?" - -"Because they were at play with him, and pushed him under a cart; the -wheel went over his hind leg, and ground it all up." - -"You don't know how pitiful he looked, Mr. Richardson," said Merrill; -"there they were, dragging him along on three legs, his broken leg -hanging down, and he whining enough to break your heart. I never will -like Clin Blanchard after this, to treat his dog so, that he pretended -to love so much! I think it's real mean." - -"So we got 'em to give him to us," said Dan; "and we've brought him to -you, Mr. Richardson, for you to doctor him, and make him well. Will you, -Mr. Richardson? Don't kill him. O, don't, please don't. You won't kill -him; will you?" - -And Dan, who was as noble-hearted a boy as the sun ever shone upon, -could hold in no longer, and burst into tears. - -"I am not so bloodthirsty as you may suppose," said Rich, half offended -at the implied distrust. - -"I didn't mean that, Mr. Richardson. We all love you, and know you are -just as kind and good as can be. But--" - -"But you know I like to experiment upon animals. Well, I'll do all I can -for Rover, just as though he was my brother. So don't cry any more. -Where is he?" - -"Horace has got him at the door." - -Rover indeed presented a sorry sight. His tongue was hanging out of his -mouth, the broken leg hung dangling, covered with dust and blood. He -whined piteously when any one even looked at it, appeared frightened, -the water ran from his eyes, and he from time to time looked up -beseechingly in the face of Horace, who held him by the collar. - -"Poor fellow! he's crying," said Frank; and with his handkerchief he -wiped the tears from his eyes. "I suppose his leg hurts him." - -"Give him some water," said Rich. - -The dog drank eagerly, and seemed revived. - -"Now give him something to eat." - -He ate but sparingly, and, evidently feeling assured, wagged his tail in -acknowledgment. - -"See how grateful he is," said Horace. - -"He knows he's among friends," replied Rich. - -"Better kill him at once," said Mrs. Clemens, "and put him out of -misery. He will die." - -"Kill him!" howled Dan; "kill him! O, mother, I shouldn't think you -would talk so. He's worth forty old cats. We're going to make him get -well. What's the use of studying so much to be a doctor, if you can't -help anybody?" - -"Well spoken, Dan," said Rich. "Take him to the barn." - -Rich cut off the leg of one of Dan's old boots, and drew it over Rover's -nose, to prevent him from biting them. They placed him on the table, and -strapped him down. - -"Boys," he said, after examination, "this is a compound fracture. The -bones of the foot are all ground up, the skin broken, and the muscles -bruised, and filled with gravel. The limb can't be set; it will rot off, -this warm weather, before it will heal. The only way to save him is to -amputate below the hock, and save the hock joint. Which would you -prefer, kill him, let him alone to die himself, or amputate, and have a -dog with three legs?" - -The boys were a unit in favor of amputation. He therefore, having -previously instructed his young assistants in what manner to hold the -arteries and the limb, took it off, and tied the blood-vessels, sponged -and bound up the wound. - -Dan made him a bed by putting some straw in a corner, and covering it -with a horse blanket, and, cutting some wide leather straps from the old -chaise boot, they fastened him in such a manner that he could not move -to his own injury. Rover whined terribly during the operation, but when -it was finished, and the leg bound up in cold water, he became quiet, -licked Dan's fingers when he took off the muzzle, and wagged his tail, -no doubt sensible that he was handled gently, and that no harm was -intended. - -Dan got his mother to make a pillow-case. He stuffed it with chaff, and -placed the wounded leg on it to keep it up (as it was shorter than the -other), and make Rover as comfortable as possible. They then patted him, -told him to lie still, and leaving the stable, got their lessons -together in Dan's house. - -When Dan got up the next morning, he found, sitting on the door-step, a -little dog. His eyes were so bright they sparkled; and his back was -black, also his ears and head; there was a ring of white around his -neck, and his breast, legs, and feet were white. The black was jet -black, and the white as white as white could be; his tail was black, and -curled up so crisp over his back that it seemed as though it would lift -him up behind; looking, with his erect, sharp-pointed ears, and fine, -glossy coat, as though he came right out of a bandbox. - -Dan recognized him in a moment, and running to Rich, told him "that -Carlo--Ned Baker's dog, who lived in the next house to Clinton -Blanchard, Rover's former master--was sitting on the door-step, and he -didn't believe but he had come to see Rover, for they had been great -friends, always playing together, and there were never two dogs agreed -as well as they." - -When they went to the door, Carlo was scratching and whining at the -stable door, and Rover whining within. They let him into the -harness-room, when Carlo jumped on his friend's bed, licked his face, -licked the stump of his leg, and smelt him all over. Rover licked -Carlo's face in return, wagged his tail, and seemed delighted. - -The new comer then rolled himself into a ball, and lay down at Rover's -nose, shutting first one eye, and then the other, as though he would -say, "I have come to spend the day, and I _mean_ to." - -"That is capital," said Rich. "He has come on a visit of consolation. -The patient will recover a great deal faster for having him here." - -The two dogs took their breakfast together, and great was the surprise -of Horace and Frank when they called, on their way to school, to know -how Rover did, and found Carlo nursing him. - -Another boy afterwards told them, "that when he first got up in the -morning, he saw Carlo running along the road, with his nose to the -ground." It was evident that, missing his companion, he had scented the -track, and followed on till he found him. - -About the middle of the afternoon Carlo went home; but at seven o'clock -the next morning he returned, accompanied by three more dogs; one a -great Newfoundland--Neptune. They all went up and smelt of Rover, sat -round a while, and then disappeared, one after another, Carlo remaining, -as before. - -"I suppose," said Dan, "he went and saw all these dogs, told them what -had happened to Rover, and so they came to see him." - -The patient recovered rapidly; the stump healed, the ligatures came -away, and it was evident the ends of the bones were well covered. Rich -permitted both the dogs to lick it, which hastened the process of -healing very much. Dr. Ryan came to see it, had a hearty laugh, -congratulated Rich upon his success in this maiden effort, the fine -appearance of the stump, and told him "He ought to give his patient a -wooden leg." - -Rover was now permitted to get up. The boys washed him with soap suds, -rubbed him dry, and permitted him to walk out every day, and lie in the -sun, on the grass. He was a beautiful dog--a spaniel, with a fine silky -coat. - -Carlo frisked around, barked, lay on his back, rolled over, and -expressed his joy in every imaginable way. - -Rover soon began to run about the yard, and follow Dan round the -premises, going (till he became tired) as well on three legs as four. -One noon, Dan came home from school, and found neither of the dogs at -home. He was greatly disturbed, for Rover had now become very dear to -him. - -"I expect," said Mrs. Clemens, "he has gone back to his old home and -master." - -"Mother, I don't believe Rover is such a fool as that. Go back to the -fellow who was going to murder him! I know he loves me better than -that." - -"I guess," said Rich, "he has gone to return some of the calls that have -been made on him." So it proved. For when Dan came home at night, both -dogs had returned, bringing two more with them. - -Mrs. Clemens gradually became attached to Rover, till at length he -completely won her heart, and filled the void left by the loss of -Gertrude. - -The boys were apprehensive that other dogs would pick upon Rover, now -that he was disabled, and no longer able to defend himself or make his -escape; but it was just the reverse. He found the warmest sympathy -everywhere. When, in company with other dogs, he became tired and fell -behind, they would stop and wait for him to come up; and if any strange -dog had imposed upon Rover, they would have torn him to pieces in a -moment. - -Rich made him a wooden leg, carved to match one of his own. At first he -held it up altogether, but after a while would use it to stand upon, -and put it down when he became tired, and walk a little; then hold it -up and run. He soon found that by its aid he could jump up on Dan. - -It improved his looks wonderfully, as it prevented his hip from -dropping, and Dan said "that he always wanted it on when they or he had -company." Rover was a water spaniel, and Dan had to take the leg off -when he went into the water, as it buoyed up his hinder parts, and -interfered with swimming. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -DAN WANTS TO KNOW HIMSELF. - - -Dan Clemens had taken at the first very little interest in the peculiar -studies and experiments of his teacher; indeed, they were to him, a -kindly-affectionate boy, rather revolting; but after the successful -operation upon Rover, his feelings underwent a complete change; he was -enraptured with the skill, firmness, and tender feeling manifested by -Rich, spent a great deal of time at the dissecting table, and manifested -a strong desire to obtain, at least, some general knowledge in respect -to the mechanism of his own frame. - -One evening he was seated in the harness-room, watching Rich, who was -examining the stump of Rover's leg, that had become sore from the -pressure of the wooden substitute, and devising some way to remedy it, -when he suddenly exclaimed,-- - -"Mr. Richardson, how do they cut off a man's leg?" - -"Very much as I did that dog's; only they use a tourniquet to compress -the vessels and stop the circulation, then cut through the flesh, saw -off the bones, and put ligatures on the ends of the arteries." - -"What is it makes the great difference between the arteries and the -veins, so that folks say, if you cut an artery, you'll bleed to death in -no time. But they never speak so about veins; it's always arteries." - -"I can't explain it to you, without telling you something about the -heart, to start with." - -"Well, tell me. O, do tell me, please." - -"You saw the hog's heart I had the other day. Do you remember how it -looked?" - -"It looked something like an egg little end up." - -"Well, a hog's heart is very much like a man's, so that one will do to -represent the other. You noticed that it was smooth, and stood out about -its whole bigness clear from everything, except at the base, where it -joined the body?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"On each side of the base are two appendages, wrinkled, and shaped like -an ear, denoting cavities within called from them the auricles, and into -these cavities run several tubes that connect them to the parts -adjacent. They are called auricles because they look so much like an -ear." - -"I know what they are. I saw the butcher cut them off, when he trimmed -our hog's harslet: he called them deaf ears, and said they were poison." - -"The heart is a hollow muscle, that contracts and dilates with great -force. It is not dependent upon the will, but operates in virtue of a -natural law. Through the middle of the heart, from the base to the -summit, runs a partition, leaving a chamber on each side, between which -there is no direct communication: they are distinguished by the terms -right and left auricles. In addition to this, there is a cross parting -on each side, thus making four chambers, the two upper retaining the -name of auricles, the two lower denominated ventricles. - -"I will now explain to you the use of all this. The right auricle opens -into the large trunk vein of the body, that, in connection with the -others, brings back the blood from the extremities, after the arteries -have distributed it. It has also another opening into the right -ventricle below it. The auricle on the other side of the partition (the -left) is pierced by four veins that enter the lungs, called pulmonary -veins, and also by another passage communicates with the ventricle -beneath it. Now let us talk about ventricles. The right ventricle is -entered by the great pulmonary artery that carries all the blood in the -body through the lungs. The left ventricle is penetrated by the great -artery, called the great aorta. In each of these cross partitions, there -are valves that will permit blood to pass from the auricles into the -ventricles, but not to return. There are also valves at the roots of the -arteries that permit the blood to go from the heart into the arteries, -but not to return. There are no valves at the roots of the veins that -enter the auricles, nothing to obstruct the flowing of the blood from -them into the auricles. Thus the roots of the veins arise from the -auricles, and the roots of the arteries from the ventricles. Do you -understand this description, because it is the foundation of all that -follows--understand what a valve is?" - -"Yes, sir; the clapper in our pump-box is a valve; it lets the water -come up out of the well into the pump, but it won't let a drop go back." - -"Well said; just so the valves in the partings of the heart permit the -blood to pass from the auricles into the ventricles, but not to go back; -thus, also, the valves placed at the roots of the arteries permit the -passage of the blood from the ventricles into the arteries, but not the -return of it to the heart. Do you understand this?" - -"Yes, sir." - -To make it more evident, Rich drew the heart, the veins, and the -arteries entering it, with chalk, and the main branches of both. - -"Now let us, for the clearer perception of what you wish to know, -consider the march of the blood: and we might as well begin at the heart -as anywhere." - -"I think I can understand it better to commence there." - -"From the right ventricle of the heart, springs the pulmonary artery, -which, separating into several branches, some of them not larger than -hairs, carries the blood into all portions of the lungs, where they -communicate with the terminations of the pulmonary veins, which, -receiving the blood from the arteries, bring it back to the left -auricle, uniting, as they approach the heart, into four large veins, -called the pulmonary veins. From the left ventricle rises the main -artery (or great aorta), which, receiving all the blood of the body -poured into it by the pulmonary veins, distributes it over the trunk and -limbs, branching in every direction, the divisions gradually becoming -smaller and smaller as they approach the extremities: here they -communicate with the extremities of the veins which bring back the blood -to the right auricle. So much for the aqueducts; now we will look at the -action of the force-pump itself. The heart is a hollow muscle. All the -valves and division walls we have been talking about are muscular in -their texture, and moved by a network of muscles and minute tendons, -tough and elastic, like the gizzard of a fowl, and capable of -contraction and expansion. We will suppose the right auricle to be full -of blood that has been brought by the veins from the fingers, toes, the -substance of the heart itself, the lungs, and the liver, and poured into -it. This blood is dark-colored; called black blood. It has washed the -whole body. The instant it enters the auricle, that organ contracts and -forces it into the ventricle below it; the valve holds it there: then -the ventricle contracts and forces it into the pulmonary artery; the -valve of the artery holds it there: the auricle expands, fills, again -contracts, fills the ventricle, that, in its turn, forces the blood into -the artery, and thus, by successive leaps, it passes into and through -the lungs, enters the pulmonary veins, and is by them brought back to -the left auricle. It is now no longer black blood, but bright, red, -arterial blood: before it was venous." - -"What makes it red?" - -"I don't know. It is supposed by being brought in contact with the air -in the cells of the lungs. When the auricle receives this red blood, it -contracts, forces it into the left ventricle beneath, then the ventricle -in its turn contracts, forces it into the main artery, and by this and -its branches it is carried to the extremities, to come back in one -continual round, as long as life lasts. It _is_ life; for the moment the -heart ceases to contract and dilate, insensibility takes place, and -death instantly follows." - -"It seems to me that the left side of the heart has a great deal more -work to do than the right, for the left has to force the blood into the -main artery, and all over the body, to the toes, the fingers, the brain: -but the right ventricle only has to force it through the lungs that are -close by, touch the heart, and it is a short route." - -"True, and for this reason, the muscles of the left ventricle, which -force the red blood of the great circulation through the main artery, -are much more numerous and stronger than those of the right, which has -so much less work to perform. It is the powerful contraction of the -muscles of the left ventricle, causing the point of the heart to strike -the fifth or sixth rib, that creates the throb you can feel; they exert -power enough to send all the blood of the body through the heart -twenty-three times in an hour." - -"I had no idea matters were going ahead inside of me at that rate." - -"You must bear in mind that I have described these things separately, -but in the order of nature, it is quite another matter. The red blood -from the lungs arrives at the left, and the black blood from the veins -at the right auricle at the same instant; both auricles contract at -once, and force the blood into their respective ventricles; both -ventricles contract together and force the blood into the arteries; and -thus it goes on in a person of the feeblest pulse; these alternate -motions occupy, when in a state of health, but a second; the pulse at -your wrist is the throb of the artery, the stroke of the heart. What do -you suppose now is the force of that stroke, when the left ventricle -contracts?" - -"I'm sure I don't know." - -"Well, the blood has been known to spurt more than five feet from the -artery of the neck (carotid) when first cut. You see, now, why it is so -dangerous to wound a large artery: the blood spurts at every stroke of -the heart, while in the veins there is no such pressure or direct -connection; besides, as the veins are designed not to carry the blood -from the heart, but to bring it back, they are also furnished with -numerous valves that favor the flow of blood towards the heart, but not -from it." - -"There is one thing I can't understand. When a man's leg is cut off, all -the arteries and veins cut, how does the blood get back to the heart -when the ends of the arteries are tied, and there is no communication -between them and the veins?" - -"By a provision of nature, there are many minute twigs and branches -given off by the arteries all along their course, scarcely observable -when the circulation is in its normal state, that are connected with -veins equally small; those become enlarged by pressure, and renew the -connection." - -"It seems to me, Mr. Richardson, that the heart is like two pumps in two -wells, side by side, only one throws a bigger stream than the other, and -with more force." - -"Ay, Daniel; but your mother's pump bears no comparison to the heart. -During the time I have been with her, the spear has worn off, the boxes -have been new leathered, and the cracks in the pump that sucked air have -been covered with putty and lead; but _this_ pump runs eighty, and -sometimes a hundred years without the pause of a second." - -"Why don't the muscles of the heart get tired, just as my legs do, and -want to rest?" - -"They do rest, and just as long as they work; rest a second, and work a -second, day and night. The other muscles are in a state of tension all -day, and then rest at night." - -"Well, I mean to know how I am made up, before I am much older." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -DAN TRAPS LARGE GAME. - - -The industry of Rich was something remarkable. He was well fed, his work -for Mrs. Clemens gave him abundant exercise, and kept him in vigorous -health, and the habit of thorough study he had performed in college -enabled him to make rapid progress. - -In connection with the study of text-books he had performed a great -number of operations upon animals, obtained practice in the use of -instruments, and now felt disposed to comply, to a certain extent, with -the doctor's advice in respect to actual practice. It was not long -before an opportunity offered. - -Dan Clemens had the toothache, and in spite of all the remedies his -mother applied,--and they were by no means few in number--laudanum, -gunpowder, pepper, cloves, the stem of a pumpkin smoked in a pipe, hot -salt, camphor, and new rum,--was half crazy with it. - -"Mr. Richardson," said Dan, "will you please pull my tooth? I don't want -to go to Dr. Ryan. I know he'll hurt me awfully." - -"Nobody can pull a tooth, Daniel, without inflicting pain. They are -designed to stay in--the second crop." - -"But you won't hurt me as much as he will. He won't care if he does hurt -me. Besides, you haven't got such an awful-looking thing to pull 'em -with as his is." Rich had purchased, with his other instruments, forceps -of a modern pattern, while the doctor used the huge old corkscrew -instruments. "Do, please, Mr. Richardson. I won't tell anybody; so you -won't have your time taken up by boys running to you." - -Rich put the instrument on the tooth Dan indicated, and took it out in a -moment. Dan gave a fearful yell, and ran to the fire-place. - -"I told you it would hurt you." - -"I don't care. Dr. Ryan would have hurt me more." - -Notwithstanding Dan's promise of secrecy, it got wind somehow, and Rich -soon had considerable practice of that kind. But, as he had now made -good progress in study, and the money was very acceptable, he became -reconciled to it. - -An opportunity was soon after this presented that Rich did not fail to -improve. The people of the neighborhood were engaged in hauling a barn, -and a young man, in attempting to fling a skid under the building while -in motion, received a compound fracture of the thigh. Dr. Ryan was -called. He sent for Dr. Slaughter, and took Rich with him, who required -no solicitation, as it was the first opportunity he had enjoyed of -witnessing an important operation. - -The limb was taken off some distance above the knee, leaving that joint -entire, it having escaped injury by being pressed into the mud. Weary of -dissecting animals, Rich longed to obtain this limb. There it lay, a -well-developed leg and part of the thigh of a young man. He took it in -his hands after the operation was performed, and gloated over it as an -antiquarian over a rare coin. His fingers itched, and he felt an intense -desire to possess it. - -"Dr. Ryan," he whispered, "won't you ask for this leg, and then give it -to me?" - -"It would be of no use, Mr. Richardson; they would think the leg must be -buried, or the man would not do well. It would cost me my practice. They -are that superstitious. But if I were you, I would find out where they -bury it, and dig it up to-night." - -The doctor took up the limb, and carrying it into the kitchen, said, -"This leg must be put in a box and buried." - -"That it must," replied the father of the young man; "for I've heard -say, ever since I can remember, if a dog or any critter got hold of any -part of a person what had been cut off, that person would feel it just -as though the limb was still on." - -"I'll make the box, and help bury it," said Rich. - -"I should be much obliged if you would, Mr. Richardson. Neighbor -Pollard, here, will help you. Where ought it to be buried, doctor?" - -"In the graveyard with his relatives, to be sure. It is part of a -Christian, and the rest of him will go to keep it company some time." - -A daughter of the family had died some years before, and Pollard -proposed that the leg should be buried beside her grave, which was done. - -The doctor had proposed that it should be put in a box, in order to keep -it clean, and in a good state for Rich to dissect, and be placed in the -cemetery, because that lot was in a retired spot. - -That night Rich dug up the limb, and hid it in the haymow, meaning to -dissect it the next night, in order to escape the sharp eyes of Dan -Clemens, and then keep the bones in the doctor's study, where there was -a closet. - -Rich was detained at school that afternoon by a boy who had failed to -get his lesson. When he reached the house he found a man in the barn -floor loading hay on a cart from the very mow in which he had concealed -the leg, while Dan was on the mow pitching down the hay. - -"I am so glad you have come, Mr. Richardson! Mr. Bangs wants a ton of -hay, and I told Daniel he had better be doing what he could till you -came." - -Rich was terribly frightened. His color went and came. - -"Daniel," he cried, flinging off his coat, "run into the house quick, -and get me a drink; I am very thirsty." - -Leaping upon the mow, he beheld one corner of the box already uncovered. -Another fork full would have done the business. Before Dan returned with -his water, he had put it in a safe place. There was but one window in -the harness-room, and while Dan was gone after the cow, Rich nailed the -horse-blanket over it, in order that no one passing might observe a -light, as he intended to dissect after the family--or at least Dan, of -whom he was the most apprehensive--were asleep. - -Having accomplished his purpose, he was passing from the stable to the -house, when Dr. Ryan, who was riding by in his gig, called to him, and -said,-- - -"Mr. Richardson, Coolbroth is dead." - -"Dead!" - -"Yes; died about an hour ago. Very strange. Never was more surprised in -my life. Thought he was doing well. Sank all at once. Going to be buried -to-morrow forenoon. Hot weather--they can't keep him. Good night." - -"Good night." - -Rising from supper as soon as possible without attracting attention, -Rich made the best of his way to Coolbroth's. He met Pollard there, and -found the family in great affliction. - -"We don't any of us know what's afore us, Mr. Richardson," said -Pollard; "'cause, if we had, we might have saved ourselves the trouble -o' buryin' that leg, for we've got to dig it up ag'in in the mornin'." - -"What are you going to dig it up for?" - -"'Cause they want to lay him in that spot, side o' his sister; and then -they want to put the leg in the coffin with the rest of him, as rights -they should, poor feller." - -"What time to-morrow will the funeral take place?" - -"Ten o'clock. I shall have to be stirring 'arly, and begin by sunrise to -dig the grave, 'cause they've nobody 'cept myself to call on, and I've -got a master sight to see to." - -Rich inquired no further, but went home in no little perturbation. He -sat up in his room till twelve o'clock, then crept down stairs in his -stocking feet, with his shoes in his hand, and without a light. Since -the death of Gertrude, rats had multiplied on the premises. They had a -regular road from the stable, through the porch, which they entered from -beneath, through a hole in the floor. The night previous to the -occurrences now to be narrated, one of these vermin had gnawed his way -into the flour barrel. Dan had set a steel trap at the hole in the shed, -where the rats came up, and quite out of the track of any one going to -the stable. But Rich, fumbling along in the dark, put his foot in it. - -The trap was one of the old-fashioned rat traps, made to _kill_ and -_hold_, with a smart spring, and the jaws on the inside armed with -teeth, like a saw. - -The pain and surprise combined caused Rich to utter an involuntary -scream, that, breaking on the stillness of midnight, alarmed the -household. - -Mrs. Clemens lay in bed, screaming alternately, "Murder," and "Thieves," -at the top of her voice. Dan rushed down stairs in his night-gown, when -Rich called to him, and explained matters. - -By the time Dan had procured a light, Rich had drawn his foot out of the -trap, and Mrs. Clemens and the hired girl made their appearance. - -"Mr. Richardson," said Mrs. Clemens, "you have hurt your foot terribly. -The blood is oozing through your stocking. Let me make a slippery elm -poultice, and put on it." - -"It is a mere scratch, Mrs. Clemens--only skin deep." - -"There is some water in the tea-kettle that must be blood-warm now. -Betty, bring a small tub, for Mr. Richardson to bathe his foot, and a -sponge." - -"There is no need of it, Mrs. Clemens. Cold water is better. I can wash -it in my chamber." - -The night was fast spending. It would be daylight by the time he reached -the cemetery. Rich had no time to spare, and wished Mrs. Clemens was in -another hemisphere. - -"At least, Mr. Richardson, let me get you some bandages, and some new -rum and wormwood, to bathe it in. Daniel will take the things up -stairs." - -"Indeed, Mrs. Clemens, I thank you very much; but I have some -sticking-plaster in my chamber." - -And Rich, hastily bidding them good night, went to his room. - -When there, he found that the jaws of the trap had cut deeper than he -supposed, and the wound began to be stiff and painful. He bound it up, -and taking an old boot, cut out the vamp, and was by this means enabled -to wear it. - -"What shall I do?" said Rich to himself. "I ought to be at the graveyard -_now_. It will be two hours before that old lady will go to sleep, and I -never can get out of the house without her knowledge." - -Rich's room was in the second story of the L, and the water-spout ran -near the window. After waiting half an hour, and finding all was still, -Rich, raising the sash as gently as possible, descended by the conductor -to the ground, and taking the box from the barn, went limping along in -the bright moonlight, the box under one arm, and a shovel in the other -hand. The jaws of the trap had bruised the numerous tendons that run -along the top of the foot, and every step was a pang. - -"I wish I had never seen this confounded leg," said Rich. "If I can only -get it where it came from, it's the last thing I'll ever dig up." - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -GOES FOR WOOL, AND GETS SHORN. - - -The graveyard to which Rich now directed his steps was the original -burying-place of the town; but another having been provided, in a more -central location, it had been little used for years, and was overgrown -with bushes and sweet fern, an occasional spruce or hemlock assuming -almost the dimensions of a tree. - -Narrow, in proportion to its breadth, one end of the lot approached the -main road, the intervening space being level, and clear of obstructions, -except near the gate, where the wall was fringed with spruce, sumach, -and hazel bushes, a very dense clump of spruce and dwarf birch growing -just beside the main entrance. - -Notwithstanding the lonely situation and neglected aspect of the place, -there were many very handsome monuments scattered over its surface. But -the hands that reared them were mouldering in the dust, and their -descendants, becoming interested in the new cemetery, the ancient -graveyard seemed likely to return to its original state of forest, and -that indeed at no distant period, being already enclosed on three sides -by a growth of majestic pines, whose roots, in several places, had flung -down the wall. A few rods beyond the main entrance, the road, making a -sharp turn, led up a hill. - -Far removed from any habitation or sound of busy life, this -resting-place of the departed lay reposing in the clear moonlight that -seemed to embrace it, silvering with its wavy light the rough walls, the -monuments of the dead, and the foliage, bathed in dew. So deep was the -stillness, that the slow and painful tread of Rich on the hard-beaten -road was distinctly audible. - -He was about half way from the road to the gate, when all at once rang -out with startling effect upon the still air,-- - -"Come here to me. What are you hangin' off there for, old Bright? Come -here to me, or I'll put the cold iron into your liver." - -The next moment his ears were greeted with that peculiar slat and jingle -that ensues when the tongue cattle on the top of a hill throw up their -heads in order to hold back a heavy load. - -"Good heavens!" thought Rich; "I am beset indeed. It is Sam Waterhouse, -with his four-ox team." - -Regardless of his lame foot, he crept into the bunch of bushes near the -gate, with the box and shovel. In a few moments a large dog came up the -hill, followed by Sam, who stopped his cattle opposite the gate, to let -them breathe. The dog, in the mean time running along the road, came -upon Richardson's track, and following it up to the bushes, began to -bark furiously. Fearing discovery, Rich crept along through the -scattering bushes, into the thicker growth, still proceeding in a line -parallel with the main road, and not far from it. The dog, however, -continued to follow, barking so furiously, that Rich, afraid that -Waterhouse would come to see what the dog was barking at, stepped out -into the road without attracting the notice of Sam, till he was within a -few feet of him, who, supposing him to have come by the road from the -village, exclaimed,-- - -"Good evenin', Mr. Richardson; or, ruther, mornin'; for I reckon it's -mighty near daybreak. I was jest thinkin' of goin' ter see what the dog -was barkin' at; thought may be 'twas a coon; they're apt to be out these -moonlight nights; but I s'pose 'twas you he hearn. Didn't 'spect ter run -foul o' you, this time in the mornin'. S'pose you had a sudden call. -Doctors and teamsters, they must kalkerlate to be broke o' their rest, -and folks say you're gettin' ter be quite a doctor, and Dr. Ryan speaks -master well o' you." - -"Sick and dying time, Mr. Waterhouse," said Rich, wishing to turn the -conversation from himself, and not heeding the question of the other; "I -wonder you should be going away with a team when young Coolbroth is to -be buried to-morrow." - -"Wouldn't have gone for anything. 'Tain't to save money, nor 'arn money, -but I'd 'greed to deliver these ere shooks, and was 'bleeged ter. Seems -to me you limp. I can't see quite so well as I used ter, 'specially in -the night, but I thought you favored that left foot somewhat." - -"Yes; I have a sore foot." - -"Jammed it? Jammed the nail off? 'Cause, if ye have, there's nothin' so -good to take the soreness out as mullein leaves, steeped in new rum." - -"I stepped into a rat trap in the dark." - -"My songs! that's dreadful bad. Might give you the lockjaw. There's -nothin' 'll take that ere iron rust out o' the flesh like the marrer -(marrow) of a hog's jaw." - -"I don't doubt it," said Rich, to whom this prosing was perfect agony; -"but I must go on." - -"So must I. Back, Bright! Her, Buck, up! Stan' up there, old Star." - -Rich made as though he would have gone on, and soon enjoyed the -satisfaction of hearing the sound of Sam's wheels die away in the -distance; but when he again recovered his box and shovel, the gray light -was streaking the eastern sky. - -Flinging off both coat and vest, he strained every nerve to dig a hole -in which to deposit the box at the same depth, and in the same place as -before. In momentary expectation of seeing Pollard arrive, he exerted -himself till the sweat trickled down his cheeks, for, whenever he -stopped to take breath, the early birds were singing in the trees around -him. - -He had scarcely time to deposit the last shovelful, and congratulate -himself upon his success, when the sound of wheels was heard rapidly -approaching, and Pollard, accompanied by another person, drove up to the -graveyard gate. - -[Illustration: IN THE GRAVEYARD. Page 226.] - -Crouching behind tombstones and bushes, he crept on his hands and knees -to the back wall, and not daring to clamber over for fear of being seen, -pushed out the stones, and made his way through the gap into the woods, -as Pollard and his assistant reached the spot he had just left. - -Hiding his shovel in the woods, not daring to take it, lest he should -meet some early riser, Rich, in pain and perturbation, limped through -fields and pastures, till he at length, to his great delight and relief, -reached his boarding-place. - -But his troubles were not ended. Every door was fastened. He could not, -with his lame foot, and entirely exhausted, clamber up the spout to his -room, and Rover began to bark in the porch, where he slept, with a -violence that Rich knew would soon awaken the whole family. - -Mrs. Clemens was very particular--extremely so--in respect to fastening -the doors at night, and there was no outbuilding to which Rich could -obtain access except the pig-sty. That was merely buttoned on the -outside. But this was too far from the house to suit his purpose, and -moreover, exposed to the observation of Dan, while milking, who was -always the first one up in the house. - -Dan was full of energy. His custom was to wake early, go directly to the -barn-yard, milk, bring the milk in, call the girl to strain it, and then -start off with the cows to pasture, returning by breakfast time. Rich -was familiar with the habits of Dan, and while deliberating with respect -to some place of concealment, was startled by hearing him shove back the -bolt of the end door. Close to the steps grew a large lilac bush, and -near that was a pile of apple-tree brush that had been hauled out of the -orchard. Rich ran behind the pile, and crouched to the ground, watching -Dan as he came out, rubbing his eyes, and the moment he saw him sit down -to a cow, crawled through the lilac bush, and stole quietly to his room. -Pulling off the boot, he washed the gravel and dust from his foot, flung -himself upon the bed, and sank into a slumber so profound that Dan, -unable to arouse his teacher, at breakfast time, by knocking on the -door, was compelled to enter, and shake him. - -It seemed, indeed, as though the complications connected with this -fruitless undertaking were never to have an end. Scarcely were they -seated at the breakfast table, when Mrs. Clemens observed-- - -"Mr. Richardson, you look pale and worn out. I fear you passed a -sleepless night. Daniel said you were lying on the outside of the bed, -with your clothes on, when he went to call you. Will you not have an -alum curd on your foot this morning? It is so cleansing." - -"I think there is no need, Mrs. Clemens. A bruise in that place must be -more or less painful for a time. I slept very soundly indeed this -morning." - -"Well, I shall insist upon Daniel's taking you to school with the horse. -He is in the barn." - -"You are very kind, and I shall esteem it a great favor; and if you -please I will take a luncheon, and Daniel can bring me back at night; -for I scarcely feel equal to the walk." - -No sooner was this offer disposed of than Dan said,-- - -"Mother, did you hear anybody prowling round the house last night?" - -"No, my dear: why do you ask?" - -"Because the shovel is gone; somebody must have stole it." - -"Perhaps it is mislaid." - -"No, it ain't; I have looked everywhere. I wanted it to clean the barn." - -"I heard Rover barking dreadfully this morning; it waked me up. Did you -hear anybody round the house, Mr. Richardson? Being kept awake by your -wound, you would be more likely to hear any strange noise." - -"Well, Mrs. Clemens,--ahem!--indeed, I think there was some one went -out of the yard last night." - -"That's it, mother; and that's who Rover was barking at." - -"But how could they get into the barn?" - -"They might have a key, and unlock the padlock. Most anything will -unlock a padlock. But you must get another shovel, mother." - -"We will wait awhile. It may come to light,--might get into that load of -hay I sold,--be pitched up out of the floor with the hay. Mr. -Richardson, your face seems flushed; does your foot pain you?" - -"No, ma'am; it is quite easy now." - -The excessive soreness of Richardson's foot was occasioned by his use, -or rather abuse of it. But it recovered rapidly as soon as he began to -afford it rest, and make the proper applications. After enjoying a good -night's sleep, he told Mrs. Clemens he would like the loan of the horse, -to ride over to the next town after school at night, call on Perk, and -return in the evening. The next morning, when Dan went to feed the pigs, -the shovel was lying in the pig's bed, half covered in straw. - -"I told you it would come to light, Daniel. You used it to clean the -pig-pen, and left it there. The pigs threw it down, and rooted the straw -over it." - -"I didn't, mother. Haven't cleaned the pig-pen. Mr. Richardson does -that; I am afraid of the pigs. Somebody stole it, and brought it back." - -"Borrowed it, you mean, my dear. You should never make such -accusations." - -Dr. Ryan laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks when, some time -afterwards, Rich told him the result of his efforts to obtain the leg. - -"It is the first time I ever attempted anything of the kind," said Rich; -"it shall be the last. I'll stick to dogs, cats, and rabbits till I have -money to procure what I need." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -PROGRESS AND PREJUDICE. - - -There was a mystery connected with Richardson's lameness that the -village gossips could never fathom. He was too important a personage to -escape comment. It was well known that he was so lame as to be compelled -to ride to school on three consecutive days; and yet Sam Waterhouse -declared he met him and talked with him at the old graveyard at three -o'clock on the morning he put his foot in the trap, and that he did not -appear to be much lame. Sam, however, was in the habit of drinking too -freely of New England rum, and always took a jug with him when on the -road; thus the majority, after a while, concluded Waterhouse had made -too free with the contents of his jug, and imagined it all. - -Rich, after this, assisted in several important operations in which the -two doctors were engaged. He likewise, when he could do it and not -interfere with his school, opened sores, administered medicines, let -blood, and dressed wounds, at the request of Dr. Ryan, who lost no -opportunity of bringing him forward, and became more and more attached -to him every day. - -When bones were to be set, Dr. Ryan, if the fracture was in any respect -a bad one, sent for Dr. Slaughter; but, as his own practice was large, -often relinquished the subsequent care of the fracture to Rich, and paid -him for it. In this manner, and by rigid economy, he was enabled to lay -by a considerable sum, besides purchasing some necessary instruments and -books. - -The good doctor was well aware that whenever he left the care of a -patient to Rich, whether it was a case of disease, or a wound, or broken -bone, that he practised a treatment quite different from the established -method; but as the patients generally did well, he made no troublesome -inquiries, and even turned a deaf ear to the hints of Dr. Slaughter in -respect to innovations upon the good old substantial practice. - -It was very hot weather, the middle of August, and a lad of seventeen -received a terrible cut in his thigh, by coming too near his father -while he was mowing oats. Dr. Ryan was away from home, attending the -funeral of a near relative in a distant town; the family instantly sent -for Rich. The wound, fortunately, was worse in appearance than reality, -as no artery was severed, though the gash presented a most formidable -appearance to inexperienced persons, and the parents were very much -alarmed. - -Rich quieted their fears, stopped the bleeding, cleansed, bound up, and -dressed the wound. It was several days before the doctor returned. The -first time he rode out to visit his patients, he encountered on the road -an old acquaintance, but by no means a favorite of his, Miss Nelly -Buckminster. Miss Nelly was a spinster, lived by herself in a small -house left to her by her parents, and gained a livelihood by taking in -spinning, weaving, and plain sewing; occasionally kept house for anybody -who could endure her tongue, for she was an inveterate talker, and held -very decided opinions upon all subjects. In other respects she was an -excellent housekeeper, neat, industrious, economical, and an excellent -cook. - -Miss Nelly was very religious, exceedingly so; but her piety was of the -vociferous, rather than of the introspective cast. She was the recipient -of many presents. Some gave her because they thought her a very good -though rather peculiar woman, some because they were afraid of her -tongue, others because they knew she would tell of it from Dan to -Beersheba. We think it must have been the reasons assigned that -influenced so many persons to make presents to Nelly, because there was -not the least satisfaction to be derived from the act itself, as Nelly, -in expressing her gratitude and sense of obligation--which she never -failed to do--always ignored second causes, and paid her respects to the -Most High. - -This might have been--undoubtedly was--good theology, but it was of the -nutmeg-grater variety, and altogether corrosive in both quality and -operation; for when persons bestow gifts, influenced by the purest -motives, some manifestation of gratitude is pleasant, and generally -expected; but no person ever received any from Nelly; her gratitude was -ever directed over the heads of the _instrumentalities_ to the -_efficient_ cause, which was not merely sound doctrine and -_conservative_, but did away at once with all troublesome sense of -obligation or return in kind. - -Squire Dresser once sent her by the hand of his son a bushel of Indian -meal. Henry knocked at the door, and gave her the bag of meal, saying,-- - -"Miss Buckminster, here is a bushel of flour my father sent you, and -he'll call some time when he's going by to mill, and get the bag." - -"No thanks to Squire Dresser; thanks to the Lord; 'twas the Lord sent -it, and not the squire." - -Henry had made the interview as brief as possible, in order to escape an -exhortation on the subject of personal piety, that Nelly was in the -habit of administering to him whenever he came to her house of an -errand, and which altogether failed of producing any good impression, -because he did not like her, and by reason of the snappish way in which -she flung it at him. - -Finding he had in his haste made a mistake, he went back and said,-- - -"Miss Buckminster, I made a mistake. 'Tis Indian and not wheat meal -that father sent you." - -"_Indian!_ I should like to know what he sent _Indian_ for!" - -This curt reply made a good deal of sport among the neighbors. - -"I don't believe the _Lord_ will send her anything again very soon," -said Squire Dresser. - -"The old proverb is, 'Never look a gift horse in the mouth;' but she -presumes to find fault with the gifts of the Lord, tells what _he_ -should send and what not." - -Dr. Ryan, who dearly loved good living, tempted by her unrivalled skill -as a cook, and confiding in his good temper and the soundness of his -nerves, once employed Nelly to keep house for him. She was possessed of -a very vivid imagination, and in the habit of cautioning people against -doing things they never entertained the thought of doing. - -It was cold, sharp weather, and the doctor had a small dog that was very -fond of stretching out on the hearth before the andirons. One day the -doctor came in, chilled from a long ride and stood warming himself; the -dog lay stretched at full length between him and the fire. - -"There! you'll kick that dog into the fire--I know you will!" screamed -Nelly. - -"So I will, then," said the doctor, and kicked him under the forestick. - -Nelly never cautioned the doctor any more. - -In some respects it was difficult to reconcile her professions with her -practice: for instance, she always said in the prayer-meeting that it -was a great cross for her to rise and speak; whereas it was the settled -opinion of all who knew her that it would be a much greater cross for -her to hold her tongue, and Captain Motley said,-- - -"If you nailed her down to the bench with ten-penny nails, she'd rise -and take it up with her." - -She always disliked people whom everybody else loved and respected, -called it _man-worship_, therefore didn't like Rich, couldn't bear him. -Dr. Ryan said, it was a good thing for Richardson; he ought to have one -ill-wisher, to take the curse off. - -"Doctor, good mornin'." - -"Good morning, Nelly." - -"Doctor, you never should ought to step your two feet out of this -village. Dreadful works, dreadful, since you've been away. Doctor, what -do you think this wicked world is comin' to? Errors in doctrine, new -lights rampaging round, turnin' things upside down; errors in doctorin,' -as though folks couldn't die fast enough themselves. Destruction to soul -and body both." - -"I expect it is coming to an end, Nelly." - -"When, doctor? Any ways soon? 'Cause we ought to be on our watch guards, -a girdin' up our loins and preparin'." - -"O, no; I guess 'twill outlast you and me, and a good many other -people. But what is the trouble now?" - -"Trouble enough. Do you know, David Ryan, what a viper yer a nourishin' -in yer buzom? Do you know it, David Ryan? 'Cause if you don't, it's high -time you did. Do you know what that young snipper-snapper of a -Richardson is, that's allowed for to lead the singin' in the Lord's -house? The gals is all taken with his good looks, and the men with his -'ily tongue. But I tell you he's a--" - -Here Nelly thrust her tongue into her cheek, and looked unutterable -things. - -"I know he's a young man of true piety, most affectionate disposition, -and remarkable ability, and I won't hear a word said against him by you -or anybody else." - -"Jist like Deacon Starkweather; he's deceived yer both, pulled the wool -over both yer eyes. I tell you he's a--" - -"A what? Come, out with it. I don't like this stabbing in the dark. -Speak out." - -"He's a _new light_, a pestilent, pizen, _new light_," shouted Nelly, -with an emphasis she expected would throw the doctor from his horse. But -he stood the shock unmoved, and merely laughed. - -"It's no laughin' matter. There's John Tukey's boy cut hisself awful -with a scythe, and that snipper-snapper, don't you think, did it up in -_cold water_, nothin' else, instead of wrappin' it up in new rum, or rum -and wormwood, or salve, as you would have done, and keepin' it warm. -Enough to make him ketch his death a cold!" - -"Is he not doing well enough?" - -"Doin' well enough! The awfullest sight of _proud_ flesh; it was a sight -to behold. I was there when old Granma'am Tyler put on her specs and -looked at it. She exclaimed right out. Says she, 'That wound will never -heal in this varsal world, with all that ere _proud_ flesh in it, -Matilda,' says she (that's the boy's mother). 'Let me put on some burnt -alum, to eat out that proud flesh.' Matilda made answer, 'I should like -to have you, granma'am.' Then the boy up and says, 'No, she shan't.' -'Some red precipitate, then, dear, and hog's lard.' No, he wouldn't have -that. 'Some spruce gum, then.' No, he wouldn't have anything; nobody -should consarn with it or touch it but Mr. Richardson; he knew more than -Granny Tyler and all the old women in town." - -"I rather think the boy was right." - -"Right! That little _snipper-snapper_, that brought an ungodly _fiddle_ -into the _sanctuary_ on the _Lord's_ day, know more'n _Granny Tyler_, an -experienced woman in sickness, and that's brought up a large family of -children! What do you s'pose he said when he came the next day, and -Matilda told him what Granny Tyler said? He jist laughed, and said all -the proud flesh there was wouldn't hinder it from healing. Much he -knows, to say proud flesh wouldn't hinder a cut from healing! Them's the -very identical words he used. I'll stan' to it till my _dyin' day_." - -"I have not the least doubt he said so." - -"Well, then, doctor, I hope you'll go right in there, and put things to -rights, 'cause the old folks'll hear to you, and the boy'll hear to you; -and if you don't, perhaps the proud flesh'll grow worser and mortify; -'cause granny said a sore never would heal as long's there was one mite -of proud flesh in it; and if the boy should die, you'll be 'countable, -sartainly." - -"I can't go in; I've a long ride to another part of the town before me." - -"Well, you'll see, mark my word for it, there'll be trouble grow out of -this." - -The doctor had lost, in the course of his practice, several patients -from gangrene occasioned by the load of poultices, ointments, and -bandages it was then customary to apply, and he had some suspicions -whether there might not be some mistake in the old practice, and -resolved to permit Rich to manage matters as he thought best, having so -much confidence in his judgment and discretion that he felt sure he -would come to him for advice and consultation if the wound was -manifesting any unfavorable symptoms. - -We have no doubt our young readers share to the full the confidence of -the doctor in both the ability and discretion of Rich; still it seems as -though it were well to say a few words in his behalf, and in -explanation. - -Clean cuts, when the two sides of the wound can be brought together -directly, sometimes heal without any inflammation or suppuration; as it -were, stick right together. But when the parts cannot be brought -together at once, and are exposed to the external air, even if bandaged, -there will be inflammation, and then the wound heals by a natural -process, called by physicians "granulation." - -It was thus in the present instance. The boy and his father had taken a -field of oats to mow and harvest, a long distance from home, and the -wound had been some time exposed to the air, and by reason of the part -of the body in which it was situated could not be brought together so -closely as to cause it thus to heal by what surgeons call the "first -intention," and adhesive inflammation occurred, as is always the case -when wounded surfaces are not brought in contact at once. - -The process is this. In consequence of the inflammation which then takes -place, a yellow jelly-like substance is effused, covering the surfaces -of the wound, called fibrin; veins and arteries from the sound flesh -shoot into this, it becomes organized, another layer is thrown out, -which in its turn passes through the same process; but now begins -another step in the progress. From this organized fibrin spring -innumerable little pointed cones, similar to the kernels of rice corn, -at first of a pale red, becoming more florid as they increase in age, -into which arteries and veins thrust themselves. These are the -granulations. They have nerves and blood-vessels, are therefore alive, -and when healthy, sensitive; and they likewise possess a disposition to -unite, and when the two surfaces of a wound covered with granulations -come in contact, the blood-vessels of one penetrate the other, they -amalgamate and form flesh. - -As they increase they contract, thus both filling the cavity and drawing -the lips of the wound together, till, when it heals, the scar occupies -much less space than the original cut. This process takes place when the -granulations are healthy, and almost, but not completely, fill the -wound, being a grain lower than the surface of the skin, and manifesting -a disposition to glaze over. - -At other times they are coarse, of large size, the points blunt, are -spongy, pale, or blue, show no tendency to skin over, and puff up above -the surface of the sound flesh, which swells and is inflamed. Physicians -denominate these granulations fungus, it being found from experience -that whenever granulations rise higher than the level of the surrounding -surface they are not likely to form skin. This, among people in general, -from the appearance, probably, goes by the name of _proud_ flesh. - -The old matrons cherished a mortal dread of proud flesh. They would put -on their spectacles, look carefully at the wound, hold up both hands, -and exclaim with alarm, "_Proud_ flesh!" often times when only the -proper amount of granulations was present, and they had numerous -specifics for its removal--spruce gum, burnt alum, the ashes of oak -bark, nutgalls, and red precipitate. But in their zeal to extirpate -proud flesh, and, as they termed it, _do_ something, they sometimes used -little discrimination, and made war upon healthy material. - -The particular thing that seemed to lie with the greatest weight upon -the minds of the ancient dames and Miss Buckminster was, that, according -to them, Rich was _doing nothing_ for the poor lad. He was neither -bleeding him, physicking him, putting on salves and heavy bandages, nor -anything to kill the _proud_ flesh. They made such a fuss that at last -the boy, who had hitherto reposed the greatest confidence in his young -physician, became a little _nervous_, and told Rich what the matrons -said. - -"My dear boy," said he, "there is very little _to_ be _done_. What these -good women call _proud_ flesh is a _healthy_ growth, the rudiments of -new flesh, and without it your wound would _never_ heal. It is no more -in my power, or that of any other person, to heal your flesh than to -make one hair white or black. Nature and time will do that. The -inflammation has passed off, and the wound is healing. All that can be -done is to keep the parts cool, defend them from the air, sustain your -strength by a proper diet, and keep you quiet. The less you move, the -faster your leg will heal; and as for bleeding, you have lost too much -blood already from the cut." - -The lad, after this, dismissing his anxieties, concerned himself no more -about the proud flesh or the fears and prognostications of the matrons. - -The patient in due time recovered, greatly to the satisfaction of Dr. -Ryan. It also increased the reputation of Rich, though Miss Buckminster -declared that "the boy should ought to have died of mortification or -lockjaw, but the _Lord_ overruled it and spared him for some good end, -spite of the new-fangled doctor." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -SUITING MEANS TO ENDS. - - -The early frosts had now commenced. The glory of summer was succeeded by -the maturity of autumn, and in the valleys here and there the white -maples and ash began to assume their yellow and crimson hues. The -diseases incident to the period of the year were prevalent, and Dr. Ryan -was riding night and day. - -As Richardson was passing the doctor's house on his way from school in -the afternoon, the latter called to him, and said,-- - -"Mr. Richardson, I wish you would do me a favor. I am just about to step -into my gig to visit a person taken with the bilious colic, in great -distress, and a man has this moment gone from the door who wants me to -go to see Mr. Jonathan Davis, who has cut off the tendon Achillis -(heel-cord) with an adze; a clean cut. Can't you get on the back of the -other horse, and take care of Mr. Davis?" - -"Yes, sir. I'll leave my books in your office, and be right off." - -"But you'll want some supper." - -"I'll eat there after I get through." - -Davis kept a good stock of tools, made his wheels, harrows, yokes, and -other farming tools, and some for his neighbors. In working with an adze -between his feet, the instrument glanced, and the corner of it severed -the tendon of his left leg. - -The Achillis tendon is large, and connected with a very strong muscle, -as it sustains a great strain when the foot is thrown forward, and the -weight of the body, perhaps with the addition of some burden on the -shoulder, raised by it; and when broken or cut, the strong muscles of -which it is a prolongation, cause it to contract very much. - -Farmer Davis was a member of the choir, much attached to Rich; and, -though he was somewhat disappointed at not seeing Dr. Ryan, his old -physician, yet there was probably not a person in the town to whom Rich -could have been sent upon such an errand where he would have found less -of prejudice to contend with, either in respect to his youth, lack of -experience, or any new-fangled notions he might have the reputation of -entertaining. - -"Good afternoon, Mr. Davis. I am sorry for your injury, and also that -Dr. Ryan could not come. I expect you will hardly care to see so poor a -substitute; but I feared there might be some artery cut, and knew you -needed prompt attention." - -Farmer Davis was quite a different person from Miss Buckminster in many -other respects besides gender, being a most skilful mechanic, and an -intelligent, clear-headed man. - -"Well, Mr. Richardson," he replied, "you know very well you're as -welcome to my house as flowers in May; and as for this business of the -leg, I don't believe that Dr. Ryan, who's doctored my family and my -father's afore me, would have sent you if he hadn't known you was -capable; and if he had, I don't believe, if you hadn't thought you knew -what was to be done and how to do it, you'd have come." - -"I have come to do the best I can, which is very little, as this is a -case where art can do but little to assist nature; but if you feel any -hesitation, say so; the horse is at the door; I'll go get Dr. -Slaughter." - -"Won't have him; he's no better than a _butcher_. Go ahead, Mr. -Richardson. There must be a first time with every man. I believe the -first pair of wheels I ever made were as good and well finished up as -any I've made since, 'cause I took more pains; and I've heern old -Captain Deering say that 'a green hand that's just learning to steer a -vessel will oftentimes steer better'n an old sailor, 'cause the old -fellow is careless; but t'other's scared to death all the time, and puts -his whole soul into it.'" - -After examining the wound, Rich said,-- - -"There are two methods of treating this injury, the old method and the -new. I will explain both of them; you may then take your choice, and I -will follow your directions." - -"That's fair. Let's hear." - -"You see all the tendons play in a sheath, which is fixed, and the -tendons play back and forth in it." - -"Just like a spyglass, one part shoves into the other." - -"Yes. And they are all on the stretch, like a piece of rubber drawn out, -and when they are cut, the contraction of the muscles draws the two ends -apart. The muscles in the upper part of the leg have drawn one end of -this heel-cord up into its sheath, and the muscles on the forward part -of the leg, by bending the foot back, have drawn the other end down into -its sheath. Now, the old method, that which Dr. Slaughter and Dr. Ryan -both would pursue, is to search in the sheath, get hold of the ends of -the cord, and sew them together, which in your case would involve the -necessity of cutting to accomplish it." - -"I understand that. Now what is the new fashion?" - -"The old physicians thought a tendon could not unite unless the ends -touched, and so used to sew them together. But it has been since proved -by experiment that although it is well to bring the ends of the tendon -as near to each other as can well be done, they will unite even if they -are half an inch or an inch apart." - -"How can they grow together if they don't touch?" - -"A liquid substance exudes from the surrounding vessels, fills the -sheath, thickens into a jelly, then becomes a callous, grows to the two -ends, forms a bunch, and in time shrinks up and becomes just like the -rest of the tendon." - -"How did they find that out?" - -"Men have broken the tendon and wouldn't have their leg cut open to -stitch the ends together, but kept still, had splints put on, and the -ends brought as near as possible in that way, got well, and recovered -the use of the limb. If there's no need of cutting a hole in a sound leg -to sew a tendon together, there's no need of sewing one when a hole is -already cut, or of cutting it larger to get at it." - -"That stands to reason. So go ahead. I don't see why there shouldn't be -improvements in doctoring as well as in everything else. My father -winnowed his grain in a half a bushel, and had to wait for the wind. I -winnow mine when I get ready, and raise my own wind with the machine." - -Rich bent the leg on the thigh, so as to relax the muscles in the calf -of the leg as much as possible, then with his hands worked down the -calf, bringing the upper end of the tendon down, and put a bandage -around to confine the muscles and keep them from retracting; brought the -foot forward in order to bring the lower end of the tendon up, and -employed an assistant to keep it so. - -In the mean time he went into Mr. Davis's shop, where he found tools, -selected a sweeping piece of wood, and in a very few moments made a -splint of sufficient length to extend from just below the knee to the -toes, and that by its elliptical form partially filled the angle made by -the foot and leg; he then padded the space between it and the flesh, -fastened it to the leg and toes in such a manner as to keep the foot -extended and prevent the patient from involuntarily moving the muscles. -He now could feel the ends of the tendon, and ascertained, much to his -satisfaction, that they were very nearly in contact. He now said,-- - -"Mr. Davis, the space between the extremities of this tendon is very -small, consequently there is so much less new matter to be formed. You -will not suffer much pain, but you will sustain a great trial of your -patience, more than though your leg was broken, for then you would feel -compelled to lie still. The rapidity and thoroughness of your cure will -be in proportion to the patience you exercise, and the degree of care -you take in respect to those motions absolutely necessary. It will be -six weeks or more before this new substance I have been speaking of will -form between the ends, and many months before you can place much strain -upon the tendon." - -"Shall I have to lie in bed long?" - -"No; but you must keep perfectly still for a while. You will not be able -to wear this splint long. It is only extemporized for the occasion. I'll -make something better to-morrow." - -The second day, after school hours, Richardson visited his patient -again, and directed Mrs. Davis to make a shoe of carpeting, -slipper-fashion, leaving the toe a little open, to prevent galling, and -sewing a strap to the heel of it. This he fastened to a bandage around -the leg above the calf, which took the place of the splint, kept the -heel back, the foot forward, and the ends of the tendon in their place, -and was much more comfortable for the patient. - -Farmer Davis in eight weeks was relieved from the slipper, strap, and -bandage during the night, putting them on in the daytime, and began to -walk with a cane. There was a bunch on the tendon the size of a robin's -egg, which gradually disappeared; and in four months the limb was as -serviceable as ever. - -When, a fortnight after the event, Dr. Ryan ascertained that Rich had -merely brought the ends of the tendon within half an inch, and let it go -at that, he shook his head, looked anxious, but said nothing. Dr. -Slaughter was not so reticent, and declared the parts would never unite, -but grow to the sheath, and the man be lame for life. - -Richardson now pursued the even tenor of his way, without the least -interruption till the middle of the winter, when he was called to old -Mr. Avery, a shingle weaver, who had cut himself with his draw-shave. -The wound bled a great deal before Richardson arrived, and the patient -being an old man, it healed very slowly. Avery became impatient, and -thought his physician was not doing enough. Rich, unable to convince -him, as he was a very ignorant and obstinate man, that the process of -healing must necessarily be slow, on account of his age, and that nature -must do the work, called in Dr. Ryan, who confirmed the judgment of Rich -and approved his method, but the patient not convinced, fussed and -fretted, said Rich "was _doing nothing_," and talked about "sending for -Dr. Slaughter." Rich, at his wits' end, and not relishing the idea of -having a patient taken out of his hands, cast about for some way of -keeping him quiet. - -At length, in a wakeful hour of the night, he bethought himself of a -means of relief, suggested by something he had read in one of the old -romances while in college, and the next day proceeded to put it in -practice. - -"Mr. Avery," he said, "I think I have discovered something that will be -just the thing you need, and answer the purpose completely." - -"Do let me know it, then, right off. I ought to be at work in the shop -this minute." - -"Do you think the draw-shave that you cut yourself with has been used -since? Because if it has, nothing can be done, and the charm will be -broken." - -"No, I know it 'tain't; 'cause I laid it across the horse, and the -shop's been locked up ever sence. Then you can charm; that's something -like. There was a woman in this town could charm; but she died four year -ago; and she didn't give her power to anybody. They say they kin, if -they like, give it to anybody else, that is, if they're a seventh son or -darter, not without." - -"You don't believe that nonsense, I hope." - -"Sartain sure I do. I _know_ that woman could charm. But you doctors -never believe anything you don't do yourselves, or don't read in a book; -but that's nuther here nor there. What is it you've found out?" - -"Well, Mr. Avery, the ancient wise folks, a great many hundred years -ago, had a custom of applying the rust of the weapon or tool that made -the wound to it; or, if there was no rust, of making the applications to -the instrument; and by some secret, mysterious influence, as they held, -the wound was healed." - -"There, now, that stan's to reason. You've said somethin' to the p'int -now. I believe in them ere things what's handed down from the old -forefathers. I tell you they forgot more'n we ever knew. These things -what's handed down, they're sperience, they ain't guesswork. The -Indians can cure cancers, but the white doctors can't. Mercy Jane, you -git the key out of my westcoat pocket, and bring in that ere draw-shave; -it's laying across the horse." - -When the draw-shave was brought; to the great satisfaction both of Rich -and his patient, considerable rust was found on the edge. Avery had -ground it the afternoon he cut himself, and only drawn a few strokes -before he inflicted the wound, and the water from the grinding, still on -the edge, caused it, after lying, to rust. Rich, carefully scraping the -rust from the tool (about enough to cover the point of a penknife), -applied it to the wound. He next produced several large plasters of -different colors, red, black, green, blue, and yellow. - -"What are them plasters spread with?" said the patient. - -"Indeed, Mr. Avery, that is an affair of my own." - -"I'll warrant it. That's allers the way with doctors." - -"Neither will I apply it, or go one step farther, unless you will -solemnly promise me that you will observe strictly my directions as to -diet, and stay in your bed or your chair, and keep the limb still." - -"Well, I will, I sartainly will. I'll do jist zactly as you tell me to." - -"See that you don't forget it the moment I am out of the room; if you -do, it will be the worse for you, that's all, for those are plasters of -tremendous power, and if you do not, you will have something horribilis, -aspectu horridus, detestabilis, abominandus." - -Rich held up his hands in horror and made an awful face. They were -indeed of tremendous power, and had they been applied to his flesh -instead of to the draw-shave, would soon have put him beyond the cares -and trials of this stormy life. One, the green, was made of hog's lard, -beef tallow, and verdigris; the blue, of beeswax, linseed oil, and -Prussian blue; the black, of the same materials, colored with lampblack; -the red, with vermilion, a mercurial compound, quicksilver, and sulphur; -and the yellow with gamboge. Rich now produced several large rolls of -bandages, and, after strewing the plasters with brick dust, applied them -to the knife, and then enveloped the whole in fold over fold of the -bandage, till the knife was as large as a man's thigh. - -"Now," he said to Mrs. Avery, "this must be put where no rat, mouse, -cat, or any other creature can get at it." - -"I'm sure," said she, "I don't know of any safer place than the oven. -We've got two; and one I don't use often." - -"Well, put it in the oven." - -After Rich left, Avery said,-- - -"Wife, Mr. Richardson knows a lot; he'll make a great doctor." - -"I expect he will. But, husband, you must keep still, and do jist as he -told you, and mustn't hanker after pork and beans. You know what he -said--'if you didn't, it would be worser for you.' And what them awful -outlandish words meant I don't know; but I expect they meant you'd die -right off if you didn't do everything jist as he said." - -"Well, I mean to keep as still as a mouse. You must tell me when I -don't." - -When Rich again visited his patient, he said,-- - -"Mr. Avery, there has been a very marked improvement in your leg, and it -will soon be well, if you continue to follow implicitly my directions." - -"I knew that would do the business. It begun to feel better the minute -you put them ere plasters on to the draw-shave." - -In a short time it was well; and, lest our young readers should -attribute the cure to the wrong means, we would say that, Mr. Avery -being in years, his flesh healed slowly, and, as he was of a nervous -temperament, kept irritating his wound all the time by motion, and -refused to govern his appetite. This conduct aggravated the difficulty. -Whereas his faith in the strange remedy appealing to the superstitious -sentiments of his nature, and fear of the terrible consequences couched -under the Latin of Rich, kept him quiet, and effected the cure by giving -nature time to operate. - -Rich had now accumulated a little money, and resolved to visit his -patients, attend medical lectures at Brunswick, and see Morton on his -way. He accordingly employed Perk to finish out the term, as part of the -period of his absence would be during the vacation. As his funds were by -no means excessive, he made the journey on foot, with the exception of a -few miles of the first part of the way, over which he was carried by Dan -Clemens. - -It was near night on the second day, and Rich, weary, hungry, and -foot-sore, had been for some time expecting to come in sight of a -village where was a tavern; but none appeared. At length his patience -was exhausted, and arriving at a substantial-looking farm-house, he -knocked, and inquired of the farmer, who came at the summons, how far it -was to the next tavern. - -"Well, 'tis good three miles; yes, strong that." But noticing the -disappointed look of Rich, said, "Young man, you look tired. If you'll -stop with me, you shall be welcome to such as we have." - -Rich gladly accepted the invitation, and was ushered into the kitchen, -where he found the farmer's family, consisting of his wife, two sons, -and two daughters. One of the daughters immediately rose, pulled the -table into the floor, put on the tea-kettle, and, as Rich thought (who -was very hungry, for he had eaten since morning only a luncheon), -provided a meal about as speedily as he had ever seen it done in his -life. - -"My mother," thought he, "couldn't do better than that." - -Rich was at first surprised that neither the mother nor elder sister -gave any assistance to this young woman in preparing an extra meal, but -continued their sewing. He afterwards, however, ascertained that the -thrifty mother brought up her daughters to take their week around in the -kitchen doing the cooking; and that it was this daughter's week. After -making ready for Rich, she began to iron at a table in the corner of the -room, and when he finished, cleared away the dishes, and resumed her -ironing. He was very much struck with the domestic accomplishments of -the young woman, and thought her extremely good-looking; but this might -be owing to the fact, that, being very hungry, he felt grateful for a -bountiful meal so speedily provided; his habits of thought as a -physician also led him to notice that she was well-formed and in fine -health. - -His boots off, seated before a cheerful fire, and well fed, Rich forgot -his fatigue, and passed a most pleasant evening. He endeavored several -times to draw into conversation Miss Caroline; but she stuck to her -ironing, and merely replied to his questions politely. - -At bed-time he said to the farmer,-- - -"Mr. Conant, I will settle with you before I go to bed, as I mean to -start by sunrise." - -"But you will not start on a day's walk without breakfast." - -"I will get my breakfast at the next village. That will divide the -forenoon about right; and after walking three miles I shall be 'sharp -set' for eating." - -"Mr. Richardson, I can contrive better than that. I shan't take a cent -for your keeping, and William will put the horse in the sleigh and take -you to the village. He was going to start early to carry something to -market there. You will have your breakfast, and be well started on your -journey, and when you come back, make it in your way to call here. We -shall be right pleased to see you. I'll give you a lift on your way." - -The next morning Rich was up by break of day, and found that William had -harnessed the horse, and Caroline had the breakfast ready. He now found -her rather less reserved, and went away with a most favorable impression -of her intelligence. - -After a very delightful visit at home, where he found everything -pleasant and prosperous, his parents on the original homestead, with -every prospect of soon owning it, seeing Morton and enjoying a glorious -time with him, by some singular combination of circumstances he was -again overtaken by night at farmer Conant's door when it never looked -more like a storm, which indeed came that night, and Rich was obliged to -stay there two days, which, however, passed very pleasantly. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE TURN OF THE TIDE. - - -When Rich returned, shortly after the commencement of the summer term, -he was joyfully welcomed by his pupils. In the course of ten days he -received a box by the stage, of quite modest proportions, that was -instantly transferred to the harness-room, and respecting the reception -of which Rich seemed very much interested, having been several times to -the stage tavern to inquire about it. - -This box contained all the bones of the human frame; and no wonder that -Rich was concerned about their arrival, considering his intense interest -in the study of anatomy, and furthermore, the low state of his funds, -and that they cost him but five dollars. - -It was customary for the lecturer to procure subjects for dissection (in -what way was best known to himself), for any students who wished this -opportunity of private study and dissection, at twenty dollars apiece. -Rich clubbed with three more and bought one. After they had dissected -and made a study of the different parts in which each felt most -specially interested, the bones remained. To secure and put these -together properly, so as to form an entire and perfect skeleton, -repairing the damages made by the dissecting saw on the skull, to get at -the brain, was a great deal of work, and required not only anatomical -knowledge, but great patience and no small degree of mechanical skill; -and the other students, who were able to purchase skeletons already -prepared, and possessed neither the patience nor mechanical ability to -perform the work, and, moreover, liked Rich, gave him their portion of -the bones. - -To prepare, classify, and wire them together was a most congenial as -well as profitable occupation to Rich; it fixed the arrangement, names, -and shape of the bones and articulations in his mind, and also gratified -his mechanical tastes; and he in the course of the summer accomplished -the work, during the performance of which his practice in working iron -stood him in good stead, as he replaced the spinal marrow by an iron -rod, cut a thread on each end, and made thumb-nuts with which to confine -the vertebral column. - -The fact of his having attended medical lectures at Brunswick, coupled -with his previous success in some cases of minor importance, increased -very much the confidence of people in general touching his ability as a -physician, and he had numerous calls, to all of which he turned a deaf -ear, devoting himself entirely to his scholars and studies. - -At length circumstances concurred to place him in a position of great -perplexity, and one where he was, as it were, compelled to assume a -responsibility from which he would gladly have been excused. Dan -Clemens, Frank Merrill, and Horace Williams had natural history, in the -form of ornithology, "on the brain." If these youngsters didn't sit on -eggs, they dreamed of them. It would be difficult to mention anything -they would not do for Rich when the remuneration was a _rare bird_, shot -and stuffed. - -To be soaked to the skin, and so tired they could scarcely put one foot -before the other, were pastimes when birds were ahead; and to obtain -eggs they would venture life and limb. The fatigue of soldiers on a -forced march was trifling in comparison with what they cheerfully -endured; and their mothers, during the spring and summer months, were in -a state of chronic anxiety, expecting nothing less than their being -brought home with broken bones. - -One Saturday afternoon they were all in swimming with a crowd of boys -who took not the least interest in their favorite study; but one of -them, while undressing under a leafy elm, at whose roots the boys were -accustomed to put their clothes, espied the nest of a Baltimore oriole, -and told Dan, who was in the water with Frank and Horace. They -instantly dressed, and began to look with longing eyes at the nest that -was pendent from the extremity of a slender branch near the top of the -tree, and on its southern side. - -"We can't get that nest," said Horace, "for we can't climb the tree, -it's so far to a limb. If we could climb it, the limbs won't bear a -fellow to reach the nest." - -"Yes, we can," said Dan; "we must have those eggs. You give me a boost. -I'll bet I can climb it." - -"If you do, you can't reach the nest." - -"I can tell better after I get there." - -Dan did his best, but had to give it up; so did Horace. Frank was the -best climber of the three, though of lighter weight than the others, and -less plump--an exceedingly agile and sinewy boy. He did not, however, -relinquish his efforts and slide reluctantly down the trunk till he was -within three feet of the lowest limb. - -"If you could only boost me up that much I fell short, I could go it," -said Frank, "after I rest and get breath." - -"Let us," said Dan, "pile up a great heap of stones, one of us stand on -that, and the rest put Frank's feet on his shoulders." - -"No; get some nails and a hammer, and nail some pieces of board on the -tree," said Horace. - -"Zuckers! I know how you can git up," said a barefooted, red-headed boy -of twelve, whose hat-rim was nearly torn off thrashing bumblebees on -thistle blossoms, and who didn't go to the academy nor any other school, -save a few weeks in the winter, and who lived on a farm three miles from -the village, but had the presumption to come there and go in swimming -with the academy boys, because it was the best place on the river, and -who could swim like a fish. - -"You shut up," said Frank. "How much do _you_ know about it? And what -business have _you_ there in _our_ swimming-place?" - -"Tain't none of _your_ place, nuther; it's Mr. Seth Hardin's pastur. -I've good right here's you have. If you touch me, I'll heave a stone at -your head, and I'll tell our Sam, and he'll give you a lickin'." - -"What is the way, bub?" said Dan, too anxious to get the eggs to fling -away any chance of success. "What do you know about it?" - -"I know our Sam would git up that tree quick as a cat would lick her -ear, I swanny." - -"How, bub?" - -"Arter plantin', dad allers gives Sam half a day to go troutin' and git -elum rine (elm rind) to string our corn, and me and Abigail allers go -too. Sam takes the axe and starts a strip of bark at the butt of a tree, -till he can git his hands hold; then he gives it a twitch, and rips it -up clear to the limbs; then he starts another one till he gits enough. -Arter that he takes hold of one on 'em, and climbs up jist like -nothin', and cuts 'em all off but one rope that he saves to come down -on. They break off sometimes when there's a knot-hole; they won't run -over a knot-hole. Abigail and me has jolly times swingin' on the ropes -afore he cuts 'em off, and strippin' 'em into twine arter he takes the -outside bark off, and windin' 'em into big balls." - -The inner bark of the elm, cedar, bass, and willow is very strong and -tough; when peeled from the outside layer and soaked in water it makes a -very good substitute for twine. Our ancestors were taught the value of -it by the Indians, and used it to string their corn and bind sheaves, -and some old-fashioned people have not yet abandoned the practice. -Getting elm rind and cutting withe rods were always popular with the -boys, as it gave them part of a holiday. - -"That's it," said Dan; "I see it all now. Here, bub." - -He gave him three cents, upon which little Red-head put his bare feet to -the ground and went off at a killing pace. - -An axe was procured at Seth Harding's, and a strip of bark peeled from -the butt of the tree to one of the lower limbs. - -"Let us all go up," said Horace. "We will stay in the tree and take the -nest from Frank. He's the lightest to go out on the limb." - -Frank, taking hold of the piece of bark, put his legs around the tree, -and pulled himself up, ascending in this way quite easily. Too impatient -to wait, Dan and Horace followed suit, all three ascending at the same -time. - -In their haste and anxiety to run the bark as far up as possible, in -order to reach one of the lower limbs easily, they ran it too far, -within a few inches of the place where the branch joined the tree. The -result of this was, that when they were pretty well up the trunk, Frank -incautiously pressing the bark from the tree with his knees, it started -the second time and ran out on the limb. Away swung the boys, far off -from the trunk, in mid-air. The bark kept running narrower and narrower, -as the limb grew smaller, till, its farther progress being suddenly -arrested by a number of small limbs, it divided up and broke, while the -boys came down into the water, amid the shouts and laughter of the rest, -who were either swimming or putting on their clothes. - -[Illustration: A SLIPPERY ELM. Page 266.] - -Frank escaped without hurt, but he gave Dan a bloody nose with the heels -of his shoes, while Horace, who was undermost, barked both shins on a -rock that just broke the surface of the water. - -Learning wisdom from experience, they stripped the bark at the next -trial farther from the limb, ascending one at a time, and met with no -difficulty. The branch on which the nest hung bent over the river. -Frank, grasping the branch, put his feet on the one directly beneath it, -and thus gradually worked his way till he came very near the nest, and -the parent birds began to fly around his head. - -But the branch now bent so much that Dan, who had been the most anxious -to obtain the nest and its contents, begged him to desist and give it -up; so did Horace; but Frank's blood was up and his pride roused, for -there was a crowd of boys looking at him. - -"If I fall," he said, "I shall fall into the water, and I can swim -ashore." - -At length he could touch the outside of the nest with the tips of his -fingers. - -"O, if my arm was only two inches longer!" - -"Don't, Frank," said Dan, "go any farther. It frightens me to see the -limb bend so." - -Scarcely were the words uttered, when the limb upon which he stood broke -as he was holding to the branch above by only one hand. Reaching after -the nest with the other, he fell feet foremost into the river, catching -by the limbs as he went. There were boys still in the water, who, -instantly swam to him, while Dan and Horace, hurrying down the tree, -plunged in. Frank kept himself on top of the water, after rising, but -when the boys reached him, said,-- - -"I can't swim; I believe my leg is broke. I struck something under -water, and heard it snap." - -It was on a Saturday afternoon that this accident occurred, and Rich had -embraced the opportunity to work upon his bones. He was busily engaged -in the harness-room, with the door fastened, when he was startled by a -rousing rap, and the voice of Dan clamoring for admittance. Opening the -door, he beheld Dan pale and excited, and the face of Mrs. Clemens over -his shoulder, who manifested no less alarm. - -"O, Mr. Richardson!" cried Dan, "Frank's fell off a tree and broke his -leg. Horace and Mr. Harding have carried him home, and Dr. Ryan has gone -down there, and wants you to come right down. Mr. Harding said be -expected they'd cut his leg off. Mr. Richardson, don't let 'em cut poor -Frank's leg off--will you?" - -"I hope it won't be necessary," said Rich, as he locked the door; "but -the doctors will do what they think is for the best." - -"Just what I have been expecting all the spring, ever since this -egg-hunting began. I hope it will be a solemn warning to you, Daniel," -said his mother. - -It happened very opportunely that this was a day fixed upon by Dr. Ryan -and his friend, Dr. Slaughter, to remove a tumor, the person being one -of Dr. Ryan's patients. They had returned, having performed the -operation, and were at the house in a few moments after the boy was -brought home, and Richardson was not far behind them. - -"You had better strip the limb, Mr. Richardson," said Dr. Ryan; "he is -more familiar with you." - -Rich bared the leg by ripping the clothes at the seam, and the two -physicians commenced their examination. In his fall the boy had struck -on the end of a sunken log, the remaining portion being imbedded in the -bank, and both bones were broken. The tibia (or larger bone) was -fractured obliquely, the sharp point of the upper end protruding through -the skin; and the fibula (or smaller bone) probably with a pipe-stem -fracture (square across.) - -The physicians now went into a room apart for consultation, and Rich, -whom they did not invite to accompany them, employed himself in -examining the leg, and endeavoring to soothe and encourage the boy. - -Dr. Slaughter gave it as his opinion, that the limb must be amputated at -once. - -Dr. Ryan shrank from this, referred to the age and firm constitution of -the patient, thought "it was a pity that the boy should be made a -cripple at his time of life; that, though one of the fractures was -oblique, the bone was not comminuted, and hoped it might be set, and the -patient do well." - -His brother physician, on the other hand, was positive. - -"It was a compound fracture, and it was a settled principle in anatomy -always to amputate in a compound fracture. Air had been admitted, the -muscles and integuments lacerated and bruised; mortification would take -place, the leg would have to be amputated higher up after all, with -scarcely a chance for life." - -Dr. Ryan, accustomed for years to look to his companion for direction in -all surgical operations, was obliged to yield the point; and the parents -were informed it was the opinion of the physicians that amputation was -necessary. Mr. Merrill, who reposed the greatest confidence in Dr. Ryan, -and was not aware that he had hesitated in the matter, acquiesced at -once, though with tears, for Frank was their only child. - -But it was very different with the mother, who was a woman of excellent -judgment, great penetration, and decision of character. She utterly -refused, divined that Dr. Ryan secretly cherished a different opinion -and did not act freely, and entreated the physicians to set the bones, -and bind up the wound. But this Dr. Slaughter refused to do. They then -informed their son of the doctors' decision. - -"Mother," said Frank, "I had rather die than have my leg cut off, and be -a cripple for life." - -They then asked the opinion of Rich, but he declined to advance any. - -"Well, wife," said the husband, "we must say something; the doctors are -waiting. I'll do as you think best." - -"I," replied she, firmly, "will not give my consent to amputation." - -"Well, abide the consequences, then," said Dr. Slaughter; and he left -the house in a huff, followed reluctantly by his companion and -Richardson. - -The parents looked at each other, after they had gone, in doubt and -dread. There lay the boy, nothing done as yet, and every moment of -delay, increasing the difficulty of cure and augmenting the danger. - -"Shall I harness up, wife, and go to B. after Dr. Loring, or to M. after -Dr. Blake?" - -"They will probably refuse to do anything but amputate. No, husband. Let -us send for Mr. Richardson." - -"O, do, mother," said Frank; "he's better than all the other doctors in -this world, and he loves me." - -"It is not likely he would do anything," replied the father. "We asked -his opinion, and he wouldn't give any." - -"To be sure he wouldn't before them. I know that he didn't think the -limb ought to be taken off--saw it in his looks. I don't believe Dr. -Ryan did, either, only Dr. Slaughter has got him under his thumb." - -Rich was eating his supper when Mr. Merrill came for him, and shoving -back his plate, went with him directly. - -"Mr. Richardson," said the mother, "there is no one here but ourselves. -Please to speak freely. Do you think it is necessary or best to cut off -Frank's leg?" - -"I do not. I think there is as great a chance for the boy to live with -the limb on as off--that the bones may be set, and the limb saved as -good as ever." - -"Will you give me your reasons, and tell me what Dr. Slaughter meant by -a compound fracture, and why doctors always amputate in that case; and -do it in language that his father and I can understand?" - -"A simple fracture is where the bones are broken, but there is no -external wound, and when the bones are set they heal for the most part -readily. But a compound fracture is one in which the bone pushes through -the skin, the muscles are lacerated, or, by the agent that breaks the -bone, an external wound made, and air admitted. The laceration of the -muscles and the admission of air, especially the presence of air, causes -inflammation, the wound suppurates, sloughs, instead of healing, and -ulceration is produced; it then becomes necessary to amputate, and the -patient, being reduced, often dies. The old physicians thought less of -saving the limb than the modern ones, and in case of compound fracture -always amputated." - -"Is not this a compound fracture?" - -"It must be defined as such technically. But the muscles are not -lacerated; and though the bone protrudes, I have not the least doubt -that it was done by the sharp point of the bone pricking through in -consequence of the foot's falling back when they took him up, and that -it was not forced through by the violence of the blow. It is therefore -so near to a simple fracture that it may be considered and treated as -one, with a fair chance of success, especially considering the patient's -age, health, and the time of year (for the weather is not hot as yet), -and that he is at home, where he will have the best of nursing." - -"Mr. Richardson," said the father, "I know in these matters the state of -a patient's mind has much to do with the final results. The boy will not -submit to amputation except by compulsion. That we cannot think of. But -he loves you, and has the most perfect confidence in your ability. Will -you set the bones, and do as you think best?" - -"Mr. Merrill, I am a young man, without experience to guide me. I have -no guide other than what I have gathered from books, a few weeks' -instruction, and practice of dissection at Brunswick, and my own -unmatured judgment; but I also know that before you can get a physician -here from another town, swelling will take place, and the chance of -recovery be greatly diminished. I will do it on condition that you take -upon yourselves all the responsibility. If a regular physician should -amputate the limb, and the result be unfavorable, it would be said he -took the regular steps; he would have the authority of precedent, and -the approval of other physicians; and the ill success would be -attributed to the providence of God; whereas in my case it would be -said, 'He is a rash, ignorant upstart and pretender, puffed up with -conceit to trifle with human life.' It would destroy confidence in me -for the future, and prove a poor introduction to practice." - -"We will do that, and, moreover, make it public, let the event be what -it may." - -Rich now manifested as much despatch as he had previously displayed -reluctance. - -"Frank," he said, "I shall be obliged to give you some pain, but I will -not do it unnecessarily, nor to any great extent." - -The bone completely filled the wound it had made, the point protruding -slightly, and a little blood trickled down the leg from a slight flesh -wound in the upper part of the thigh. Rich in the first place removed -the protruding point of ragged bone with the saw, and then, dipping a -bunch of lint in the blood that issued from the flesh wound, gave it to -Dan to hold. He then gently returned the bone, Dan applying the lint, -and lightly pressing it to the wound as the bone receded. Rich then -applied a sticking plaster, spread only at the edges, over the whole, -sponged, and bound up the flesh wound. Thus, no air having been admitted -to the wound, the fracture, in that respect, and on account of the -absence of laceration, might be considered as virtually a simple one. -Then, with the aid of assistants, he flexed the thigh on the abdomen and -the leg on the thigh, thus relaxing the muscles, by which he was enabled -to put the bones in place, and, retaining them with his hands, brought -the leg gently down and straightened it. - -One assistant, now taking hold of the heel, extended the leg, while -another held the thigh, and Rich manipulated the ends of the bones. By -bringing the heels and toes of both feet in line, and sighting across, -they assured themselves that the legs were of equal length, and the foot -in the right position; that there was no twist, no turning of the foot -out or in. He then applied the splints, and, in order to preserve -extension, by reason of the contraction of the muscles, put a shoe on -the foot and attached half of a brick to it with a string. It requires a -good deal of force to counteract the contraction of a muscle, if exerted -at once, but much less when applied gradually and constantly. - -Although progress was now the watchword among the younger portion of the -medical fraternity, and a decided improvement had been made in surgical -instruments, still very few of the appliances now in common use were -then known in this country (starch and plaster of Paris, and dextrine -bandages for broken bones, fracture-beds and boxes, cutting-forceps to -remove bone, &c.,) and Richardson could not have obtained them if they -had been, and, like his grandfather, under the stimulus of a determined -purpose, invented the appliances he felt to be needful. - -"It's all over now, Frank," said Rich, sitting down by him and patting -his cheek; "the leg is set, and you have borne it like a hero. Remember -you are _my_ boy after this, and when your leg gets well I shall expect -you to run all my errands. This dressing is only temporary, because the -limb will swell, and the bandages perhaps, require to be loosened. It -will be five or six days before the bones will begin to knit, and then I -shall put on a permanent fixture. I am going to take care of you myself -to-night, as to-morrow is Sunday, no school, and I can sleep. After that -I must be in school." - -Having requested the family to retire, he placed the light in the next -room, administered a sedative to the patient, and resumed his seat -beside him. Never had Rich such cause for anxiety before. In addition to -his affection for the lad, who was in truth a noble-minded, lovable boy, -he felt that he had ventured upon an innovation in surgical practice, -and taken a bold step, which success alone could justify. The confidence -reposed in him by the parents in thus placing their only child in his -hands touched him to the quick, and he felt that it was with him the -turning-point, the decisive step in professional life. - -Kneeling down by the bedside, he offered a heartfelt petition to God -for direction and support. - -"Mr. Richardson," said Frank. - -"What is it, my boy?" - -"I begin to feel drowsy, and my leg don't pain me much. I want to kiss -you before I go to sleep." - -Rich bent over him, and the grateful boy, putting his arms around his -teacher's neck, kissed him, and dropped asleep. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -THE YOUNG FLOOD. - - -Two or three times before midnight Frank started spasmodically, and once -would have risen up in bed if Rich had not held him down; as it was, he -clasped his physician convulsively around the neck with great force. - -"What is the matter, Frank?" - -"I thought I was falling out of the tree. I suppose I was dreaming." - -In one respect Rich was favorably situated. He had but one patient, and -every moment he could spare from his school he either spent at the -bedside of the boy, or in studying his case by the aid of books; he -availed himself of the experience of Dr. Ryan, who knew the constitution -of the lad, sympathized with Rich, and, in the exercise of a noble -generosity, told him he was glad he had taken charge of the case, and -believed he would succeed. - -The means resorted to by Rich to prevent inflammation were crowned with -success; the swelling of the muscles, never excessive, soon subsided, -and he found the wound was healing by the first intention, which far -exceeded his most sanguine hopes, as he feared some air might have -entered, or some splinter of bone be lying loose in the wound that would -cause suppuration. - -It was time for new bone to begin to form, and consequently the shape -the limb now assumed it would retain through life. Rich knew several -persons in town whose limbs had been broken and set by Dr. Ryan, and he -could hardly recall a single instance in which the operation had been -entirely successful; nearly all walked with a hitch in their gait, many -used a staff, or wore a peculiarly-shaped shoe. He also noticed that -most of the persons thus partially crippled lived at a long distance -from Dr. Ryan, and concluded that it arose in a good degree either from -a mistaken economy on the part of the patient, anxious to save the cost -of a visit, or from careless bandaging on the part of the doctor. - -Excited to the highest degree by the brilliant success thus far -attained, and knowledge that the boy's life was safe, he longed, O, how -ardently! to make a _perfect_ cure, and restore the leg to its original -form and efficiency. - -He reflected that less discretion and regard to future consequences were -to be expected from a lad like Frank than from a grown person; didn't -feel satisfied with the old splints, was afraid that, unless he bandaged -the leg so tight as to impede the circulation, the restless boy would, -just at the critical period when the bone was forming, get the parts out -of place. - -"I know," said Rich to himself, "that I am mechanic enough to _place_ -those bones as they should be, and I'll see if I cannot contrive some -way to _keep_ them there in spite of this wide-awake youngster." - -He went to bed in order to think about it, and in the morning at the -breakfast table said to Mrs. Clemens,-- - -"Where did you get that blue clay the girl was putting on the floor -yesterday to take out a grease-spot? It had no more grit than -tailors'-chalk." - -"Daniel got it somewhere." - -"I got it down in Milliken's Gully, Mr. Richardson. You might cut it -with a razor, and not dull the razor; there's not a stone or one mite of -grit in it. I got it to make marbles." - -Richardson procured a quantity of the clay, dried, pounded, sifted, and -made it into a very thin mortar. He then took the splints from Frank's -leg, placed the bones precisely as he wanted them, put the leg in a box, -fastened the upper portion of his body to the bed that he could not -move, and poured the clay mortar into the box till it completely -enveloped the leg and foot. He then pulled the bed under the window, -where the sun shone full on the clay, took hold of Frank's foot, and sat -down. - -"How long are you going to keep me lashed down so, Mr. Richardson?" - -"Till this clay dries. And I shall hold your foot just where it is till -then." - -"Why, Mr. Richardson," said Mrs. Merrill, "it will take all day for that -clay to dry." - -"No, it won't, with the warmth of the leg on one side, and that of the -sun on the other, it won't take _half_ a day." - -"But the academy bell will ring in about fifteen minutes." - -"Parson Meek is going to take my place this forenoon; so you may prepare -to give me some dinner, for I shall sit here till the clay hardens, if -it is till to-morrow evening." - -The clay was stiff, though not dry, before noon, and Frank's leg -immovably fixed in the position Rich had placed it. - -"Now, Frank, you have behaved so well, I am going to put you in a -chair." - -Rich and Mr. Merrill took Frank up, placed him in a chair, and put the -leg, box and all, on two others. - -"Now, my boy, you may sit at the table and eat dinner with us, if you -will eat only what I prescribe; and you may thank the blue clay in -Milliken's Gully for that. Blue clay, forever, Frank. Were it not for -that you would have had to lie on your back twenty days or more." - -After the meal was ended, Rich, with a saw, cut out a portion of the -clay, in order to be able to get at that part of the leg the bone had -penetrated. The box was also lined with paper, that the clay might not -stick to it, and put together with screws, in order that it might be -taken to pieces. This was Rich's fracture box, not very elegant, and for -which he never took out any patent; being made, the sides, of the cover -of an old herring box; but it answered the purpose completely, fastening -the limb as firmly in the box as though it grew there, and as -effectually preventing any motion of the ankle or toes, by which the -bones might be displaced. - -When Rich went to the academy in the afternoon, he returned Frank to his -bed; and the next morning he was taken up again, and, as the cure -progressed, sat up more and more. He could now read, play checkers with -Dan and Horace, and the time passed less tediously. He now importuned -his physician to take his leg out of the box; but Rich peremptorily -refused, though he allowed him a more generous diet. - -When a full month had elapsed, Rich took the box apart, sawed through -the coating of clay the whole length, and peeled it off, removed the -bandage, washed the leg, gave it a smart rubbing, and compared it with -the other. After examining the limb a long time very carefully, he -said,-- - -"If those two legs are not as well matched as they were before, I am -very much mistaken." - -"Shall I be lame any, Mr. Richardson?" said Frank. - -"If you are, it will be your own fault. If you are careless now, you -will rue it as long as you live, for the parts are not consolidated yet, -and the oblique fracture in the large bone requires a longer time to -heal than the square break in the other." - -Rich put on the clay again, but without the box, and in less quantity, -confining it by a bandage, slung the patient's leg to his neck, and -permitted him to take exercise by walking about the house on crutches, -some one accompanying him; and when he permitted him to put his injured -leg to the floor, it was found to be of the same length as the other. - -Mr. Merrill rewarded Rich most liberally, being abundantly able, and -with expressions of grateful feeling that were more gratifying to the -recipient than even the money. It was a proud and glad morning to him -when Frank Merrill came to school with his books under his arm, escorted -by Dan and Horace Williams, and with as firm a tread as his companions. - -Scarcely had Frank's case been disposed of, when a younger sister of -Mrs. Merrill, a member of the choir, and a most lovely girl as far as -personal attractions, correct principles, and amiability of disposition -went, was taken down with a lung fever; and the patient, with her -parents and Mrs. Merrill, insisted that Rich should manage the case. -This was more practice than Rich either desired or felt himself -qualified to assume, and he told them so, and that he should pursue -quite a different method from the ordinary practice, which was, in that -disease, to bleed patients till they fainted, give them antimony to -reduce the action of the heart, till, in reducing the inflammation, they -often made an end of the patient. The young lady's relatives informed -him they were not at all concerned about that, and to adopt the course -his judgment dictated. In so doing, Rich drew no blood, and pursued a -course calculated to support the strength of the patient as much as -possible, and was successful in this case also. - -At the conclusion of the summer term Rich resolved to make another visit -to his parents, but felt that in his present circumstances he could -afford to ride; and, what was very singular, he spent a night at farmer -Conant's, taking the stage from his door the next afternoon. It -certainly could not have been from fatigue, as on the former occasion. -It was probably to thank the hospitable farmer for his kindness then, -and it was a noble thing in Rich not to forget, in the moment of -success, those who had been his friends in adversity. - -With the fall term commenced another year of the academical course, when -it was necessary for Rich to make a new arrangement with the trustees, -who were very anxious to retain him, and offered to increase his -salary. On the other hand, Dr. Ryan wanted him to give up the academy, -devote himself entirely to the study of medicine, obtain a medical -diploma, go into practice with him and finally take his place, as he did -not care to practise any more. - -The doctor said he loved him as a son, and that if he did not improve -the opening, some other young man would certainly come who might be very -objectionable. - -Rich replied that he would at the expiration of two years, and then -agreed to keep the academy one year longer; thus affording himself a -year of uninterrupted study, in addition to what he could accomplish -while teaching, and resolutely refused all invitations to take charge of -patients. - -The fall term had been going on but a week when he received a visit from -Morton. The inhabitants of the village showed great attention to Morton, -as a compliment to Rich, and especially Mr. Merrill's family, and that -of Mr. George Litchfield, the father of the young lady Rich had attended -during a course of lung fever. - -As the two friends were walking one evening, Morton said,-- - -"Rich, why don't you make up to that Miss Litchfield? She's a beautiful -girl, intelligent, accomplished, and of most amiable disposition, I -know, for she shows it in her very looks. You are about to jump into a -fat practice, that will give you a handsome living at once, and it is -time you were thinking of such matters. I know she likes you, and her -father is wealthy, which, though I know it would weigh little with you, -is not to be despised." - -"Mort, why did not you take Miss T., whom you used to like to escort to -exhibitions and commencements, and walk with, and who was more beautiful -than Harriet Litchfield, and in preference engaged yourself to Eliza -Longley?" - -"Because I wanted a wife, not a doll, a woman who would make for me a -happy home." - -"Now you have answered your own question. Miss Litchfield is beautiful -and of a sweet temper, for I have seen her when sick, and sickness -developes character. She is well educated, sings finely, plays well, is -not vain, and is sincerely pious, but has neither industry, energy, nor -a single domestic trait. She cannot make or mend, get a meal's victuals, -or tell anybody else how to do it. Her counsel in the emergencies of -life, which you and I have known something about even at our age, would -not be worth the asking. Why, Mort, she is as hollow as the stalk of a -seed onion; no resources in herself, and for all the practical duties of -life utterly useless. How could I respect a woman who, if she has not a -piano to amuse, or some gossip to engage her attention, sits and folds -her hands, and resembles a wooden clock, the face the best part of it? -You saw how my mother stood up under the load, and took her share of -it, when father's property was swept into the Atlantic; and it will be a -long day before a boy who has such a mother marries a doll." - -"I rather think, Rich, such a woman as you want is not easily found." - -"Neither are diamonds. But you found such a one, and so have I." - -"Indeed! I congratulate you. But who and where is she? Is she handsome?" - -"She is not beautiful, but as handsome as good health, regular features, -and a perfect form can render a woman." - -"Is she accomplished?" - -"To the highest degree. She can spin and weave, wash and mend, make -butter, and make clothes; and when she's tired, or has a leisure hour, -can sit down and obtain both profit and pleasure from a thoughtful -book." - -"It is little you would have thought of falling in love with such a -woman when we first knew each other. What has become of all the poetry -that was in you then, and, I had almost said, the froth on the top of -the liquor?" - -"It went to sea when the boom broke." - -"I long to see her." - -"You shall Sunday, and eat a dinner of her cooking. We will ride over -there Saturday. She is a farmer's daughter. There is no _property_ in -the matter, of the kind you referred to just now. It is all in _her_." - -"You know what I told you, Rich, so long ago, when we were sitting on -the steps of your old house, and the cat shoved her nose into your -bosom. It was dead _low water_ then; but now the tide has not only -turned, but it is young flood, and the tide will continue to flow till, -at high water it will lift the strawberry leaves on the edge of the -bank." - -"True, Mort; but I do not regret the trial. I have gained more than I -lost by it. Have you heard anything from college lately, or from our old -class?" - -"No. All our acquaintances are gone, and there is a new set in -Radcliffe. But they are only going to keep it during the fall term; -after that it is to be made into a dwelling-house. Charlie Longley wrote -me that the dam at the Glen had washed away in the fall rains, and the -pond had run out." - -Their conversation was interrupted by meeting Dr. Ryan, who invited them -to go home with him, enjoy a sing, and take tea. - -The next volume of the series is entitled, A STOUT HEART, OR, THE -STUDENT FROM OVER THE SEA. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Turning of the Tide, by Elijah Kellogg - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TURNING OF THE TIDE *** - -***** This file should be named 54772.txt or 54772.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/7/7/54772/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Books project.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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