第1章

PREFACE

MOSToftheadventuresrecordedinthisbookreallyoccurred;oneortwowereexperiencesofmyown,therestthoseofboyswhowereschoolmatesofmine.HuckFinnisdrawnfromlife;TomSawyeralso,butnotfromanindividual——heisacombinationofthecharacteristicsofthreeboyswhomIknew,andthereforebelongstothecompositeorderofarchitecture.

TheoddsuperstitionstoucheduponwereallprevalentamongchildrenandslavesintheWestattheperiodofthisstory——thatistosay,thirtyorfortyyearsago.

Althoughmybookisintendedmainlyfortheentertainmentofboysandgirls,Ihopeitwillnotbeshunnedbymenandwomenonthataccount,forpartofmyplanhasbeentotrytopleasantlyremindadultsofwhattheyoncewerethemselves,andofhowtheyfeltandthoughtandtalked,andwhatqueerenterprisestheysometimesengagedin.

THEAUTHOR.

HARTFORD,1876.

CHAPTERI

\"TOM!\"

Noanswer.

\"TOM!\"

Noanswer.

\"What\'sgonewiththatboy,Iwonder?YouTOM!\"

Noanswer.

Theoldladypulledherspectaclesdownandlookedoverthemabouttheroom;thensheputthemupandlookedoutunderthem.Sheseldomorneverlookedthroughthemforsosmallathingasaboy;theywereherstatepair,theprideofherheart,andwerebuiltfor\"style,\"notservice——shecouldhaveseenthroughapairofstove-lidsjustaswell.Shelookedperplexedforamoment,andthensaid,notfiercely,butstillloudenoughforthefurnituretohear:

\"Well,IlayifIgetholdofyouI\'ll——\"

Shedidnotfinish,forbythistimeshewasbendingdownandpunchingunderthebedwiththebroom,andsosheneededbreathtopunctuatethepuncheswith.Sheresurrectednothingbutthecat.

\"Ineverdidseethebeatofthatboy!\"

Shewenttotheopendoorandstoodinitandlookedoutamongthetomatovinesand\"jimpson\"weedsthatconstitutedthegarden.NoTom.Soshelifteduphervoiceatananglecalculatedfordistanceandshouted:

\"Y-o-u-uTom!\"

Therewasaslightnoisebehindherandsheturnedjustintimetoseizeasmallboybytheslackofhisroundaboutandarresthisflight.

\"There!Imight\'athoughtofthatcloset.Whatyoubeendoinginthere?\"

\"Nothing.\"

\"Nothing!Lookatyourhands.Andlookatyourmouth.Whatisthattruck?\"

\"Idon\'tknow,aunt.\"

\"Well,Iknow.It\'sjam——that\'swhatitis.FortytimesI\'vesaidifyoudidn\'tletthatjamaloneI\'dskinyou.Handmethatswitch.\"

Theswitchhoveredintheair——theperilwasdesperate——

\"My!Lookbehindyou,aunt!\"

Theoldladywhirledround,andsnatchedherskirtsoutofdanger.Theladfledontheinstant,scrambledupthehighboard-fence,anddisappearedoverit.

HisauntPollystoodsurprisedamoment,andthenbrokeintoagentlelaugh.

\"Hangtheboy,can\'tIneverlearnanything?Ain\'theplayedmetricksenoughlikethatformetobelookingoutforhimbythistime?Butoldfoolsisthebiggestfoolsthereis.Can\'tlearnanolddognewtricks,asthesayingis.Butmygoodness,heneverplaysthemalike,twodays,andhowisabodytoknowwhat\'scoming?He\'pearstoknowjusthowlonghecantormentmebeforeIgetmydanderup,andheknowsifhecanmakeouttoputmeoffforaminuteormakemelaugh,it\'salldownagainandIcan\'thithimalick.Iain\'tdoingmydutybythatboy,andthat\'stheLord\'struth,goodnessknows.Sparetherodandspilethechild,astheGoodBooksays.I\'malayingupsinandsufferingforusboth,Iknow.He\'sfulloftheOldScratch,butlaws-a-me!

he\'smyowndeadsister\'sboy,poorthing,andIain\'tgotthehearttolashhim,somehow.EverytimeIlethimoff,myconsciencedoeshurtmeso,andeverytimeIhithimmyoldheartmostbreaks.Well-a-well,manthatisbornofwomanisoffewdaysandfulloftrouble,astheScripturesays,andIreckonit\'sso.He\'llplayhookeythisevening,*and[*Southwesternfor\"afternoon\"]I\'lljustbeobleegedtomakehimwork,to-morrow,topunishhim.It\'smightyhardtomakehimworkSaturdays,whenalltheboysishavingholiday,buthehatesworkmorethanhehatesanythingelse,andI\'vegottodosomeofmydutybyhim,orI\'llbetheruinationofthechild.\"

Tomdidplayhookey,andhehadaverygoodtime.HegotbackhomebarelyinseasontohelpJim,thesmallcoloredboy,sawnext-day\'swoodandsplitthekindlingsbeforesupper——atleasthewasthereintimetotellhisadventurestoJimwhileJimdidthree-fourthsofthework.Tom\'syoungerbrother(orratherhalf-brother)Sidwasalreadythroughwithhispartofthework(pickingupchips),forhewasaquietboy,andhadnoadventurous,troublesomeways.

WhileTomwaseatinghissupper,andstealingsugarasopportunityoffered,AuntPollyaskedhimquestionsthatwerefullofguile,andverydeep——forshewantedtotraphimintodamagingrevealments.Likemanyothersimple-heartedsouls,itwasherpetvanitytobelieveshewasendowedwithatalentfordarkandmysteriousdiplomacy,andshelovedtocontemplatehermosttransparentdevicesasmarvelsoflowcunning.Saidshe:

\"Tom,itwasmiddlingwarminschool,warn\'tit?\"

\"Yes\'m.\"

\"Powerfulwarm,warn\'tit?\"

\"Yes\'m.\"

\"Didn\'tyouwanttogoina-swimming,Tom?\"

AbitofascareshotthroughTom——atouchofuncomfortablesuspicion.HesearchedAuntPolly\'sface,butittoldhimnothing.Sohesaid:

\"No\'m——well,notverymuch.\"

TheoldladyreachedoutherhandandfeltTom\'sshirt,andsaid:

\"Butyouain\'ttoowarmnow,though.\"Anditflatteredhertoreflectthatshehaddiscoveredthattheshirtwasdrywithoutanybodyknowingthatthatwaswhatshehadinhermind.Butinspiteofher,Tomknewwherethewindlay,now.Soheforestalledwhatmightbethenextmove:

\"Someofuspumpedonourheads——mine\'sdampyet.See?\"

AuntPollywasvexedtothinkshehadoverlookedthatbitofcircumstantialevidence,andmissedatrick.Thenshehadanewinspiration:

\"Tom,youdidn\'thavetoundoyourshirtcollarwhereIsewedit,topumponyourhead,didyou?Unbuttonyourjacket!\"

ThetroublevanishedoutofTom\'sface.Heopenedhisjacket.Hisshirtcollarwassecurelysewed.

\"Bother!Well,go\'longwithyou.I\'dmadesureyou\'dplayedhookeyandbeena-swimming.ButIforgiveye,Tom.Ireckonyou\'reakindofasingedcat,asthesayingis——better\'nyoulook.Thistime.\"

Shewashalfsorryhersagacityhadmiscarried,andhalfgladthatTomhadstumbledintoobedientconductforonce.

ButSidneysaid:

\"Well,now,ifIdidn\'tthinkyousewedhiscollarwithwhitethread,butit\'sblack.\"

\"Why,Ididsewitwithwhite!Tom!\"

ButTomdidnotwaitfortherest.Ashewentoutatthedoorhesaid:

\"Siddy,I\'lllickyouforthat.\"

InasafeplaceTomexaminedtwolargeneedleswhichwerethrustintothelapelsofhisjacket,andhadthreadboundaboutthem——oneneedlecarriedwhitethreadandtheotherblack.Hesaid:

\"She\'dnevernoticedifithadn\'tbeenforSid.Confoundit!sometimesshesewsitwithwhite,andsometimesshesewsitwithblack.Iwishtogeeminyshe\'dsticktooneort\'other——Ican\'tkeeptherunof\'em.ButIbetyouI\'lllamSidforthat.I\'lllearnhim!\"

HewasnottheModelBoyofthevillage.Heknewthemodelboyverywellthough——andloathedhim.

Withintwominutes,orevenless,hehadforgottenallhistroubles.Notbecausehistroubleswereonewhitlessheavyandbittertohimthanaman\'saretoaman,butbecauseanewandpowerfulinterestborethemdownanddrovethemoutofhismindforthetime——justasmen\'smisfortunesareforgottenintheexcitementofnewenterprises.Thisnewinterestwasavaluednoveltyinwhistling,whichhehadjustacquiredfromanegro,andhewassufferingtopractiseitundisturbed.Itconsistedinapeculiarbird-liketurn,asortofliquidwarble,producedbytouchingthetonguetotheroofofthemouthatshortintervalsinthemidstofthemusic——thereaderprobablyremembershowtodoit,ifhehaseverbeenaboy.Diligenceandattentionsoongavehimtheknackofit,andhestrodedownthestreetwithhismouthfullofharmonyandhissoulfullofgratitude.Hefeltmuchasanastronomerfeelswhohasdiscoveredanewplanet——nodoubt,asfarasstrong,deep,unalloyedpleasureisconcerned,theadvantagewaswiththeboy,nottheastronomer.

Thesummereveningswerelong.Itwasnotdark,yet.PresentlyTomcheckedhiswhistle.Astrangerwasbeforehim——aboyashadelargerthanhimself.Anew-comerofanyageoreithersexwasanimpressivecuriosityinthepoorlittleshabbyvillageofSt.Petersburg.Thisboywaswelldressed,too——welldressedonaweek-day.Thiswassimplyastounding.Hiscapwasadaintything,hisclosebuttonedblueclothroundaboutwasnewandnatty,andsowerehispantaloons.Hehadshoeson——anditwasonlyFriday.Heevenworeanecktie,abrightbitofribbon.HehadacitifiedairabouthimthatateintoTom\'svitals.ThemoreTomstaredatthesplendidmarvel,thehigherheturneduphisnoseathisfineryandtheshabbierandshabbierhisownoutfitseemedtohimtogrow.Neitherboyspoke.Ifonemoved,theothermoved——butonlysidewise,inacircle;theykeptfacetofaceandeyetoeyeallthetime.FinallyTomsaid:

\"Icanlickyou!\"

\"I\'dliketoseeyoutryit.\"

\"Well,Icandoit.\"

\"Noyoucan\'t,either.\"

\"YesIcan.\"

\"Noyoucan\'t.\"

\"Ican.\"

\"Youcan\'t.\"

\"Can!\"

\"Can\'t!\"

Anuncomfortablepause.ThenTomsaid:

\"What\'syourname?\"

\"\'Tisn\'tanyofyourbusiness,maybe.\"

\"WellI\'lowI\'llmakeitmybusiness.\"

\"Wellwhydon\'tyou?\"

\"Ifyousaymuch,Iwill.\"

\"Much——much——MUCH.Therenow.\"

\"Oh,youthinkyou\'remightysmart,don\'tyou?Icouldlickyouwithonehandtiedbehindme,ifIwantedto.\"

\"Wellwhydon\'tyoudoit?Yousayyoucandoit.\"

\"WellIwill,ifyoufoolwithme.\"

\"Ohyes——I\'veseenwholefamiliesinthesamefix.\"

\"Smarty!Youthinkyou\'resome,now,don\'tyou?Oh,whatahat!\"

\"Youcanlumpthathatifyoudon\'tlikeit.Idareyoutoknockitoff——andanybodythat\'lltakeadarewillsuckeggs.\"

\"You\'realiar!\"

\"You\'reanother.\"

\"You\'reafightingliaranddasn\'ttakeitup.\"

\"Aw——takeawalk!\"

\"Say——ifyougivememuchmoreofyoursassI\'lltakeandbouncearockoff\'nyourhead.\"

\"Oh,ofcourseyouwill.\"

\"WellIwill.\"

\"Wellwhydon\'tyoudoitthen?Whatdoyoukeepsayingyouwillfor?Whydon\'tyoudoit?It\'sbecauseyou\'reafraid.\"

\"Iain\'tafraid.\"

\"Youare.\"

\"Iain\'t.\"

\"Youare.\"

Anotherpause,andmoreeyingandsidlingaroundeachother.Presentlytheywereshouldertoshoulder.Tomsaid:

\"Getawayfromhere!\"

\"Goawayyourself!\"

\"Iwon\'t.\"

\"Iwon\'teither.\"

Sotheystood,eachwithafootplacedatanangleasabrace,andbothshovingwithmightandmain,andgloweringateachotherwithhate.Butneithercouldgetanadvantage.Afterstrugglingtillbothwerehotandflushed,eachrelaxedhisstrainwithwatchfulcaution,andTomsaid:

\"You\'reacowardandapup.I\'lltellmybigbrotheronyou,andhecanthrashyouwithhislittlefinger,andI\'llmakehimdoit,too.\"

\"WhatdoIcareforyourbigbrother?I\'vegotabrotherthat\'sbiggerthanheis——andwhat\'smore,hecanthrowhimoverthatfence,too.\"[Bothbrotherswereimaginary.]

\"That\'salie.\"

\"Yoursayingsodon\'tmakeitso.\"

Tomdrewalineinthedustwithhisbigtoe,andsaid:

\"Idareyoutostepoverthat,andI\'lllickyoutillyoucan\'tstandup.Anybodythat\'lltakeadarewillstealsheep.\"

Thenewboysteppedoverpromptly,andsaid:

\"Nowyousaidyou\'ddoit,nowlet\'sseeyoudoit.\"

\"Don\'tyoucrowdmenow;youbetterlookout.\"

\"Well,yousaidyou\'ddoit——whydon\'tyoudoit?\"

\"Byjingo!fortwocentsIwilldoit.\"

Thenewboytooktwobroadcoppersoutofhispocketandheldthemoutwithderision.Tomstruckthemtotheground.Inaninstantbothboyswererollingandtumblinginthedirt,grippedtogetherlikecats;andforthespaceofaminutetheytuggedandtoreateachother\'shairandclothes,punchedandscratchedeachother\'snose,andcoveredthemselveswithdustandglory.Presentlytheconfusiontookform,andthroughthefogofbattleTomappeared,seatedastridethenewboy,andpoundinghimwithhisfists.\"Holler\'nuff!\"saidhe.

Theboyonlystruggledtofreehimself.Hewascrying——mainlyfromrage.

\"Holler\'nuff!\"——andthepoundingwenton.

Atlastthestrangergotoutasmothered\"\'Nuff!\"andTomlethimupandsaid:

\"Nowthat\'lllearnyou.Betterlookoutwhoyou\'refoolingwithnexttime.\"

Thenewboywentoffbrushingthedustfromhisclothes,sobbing,snuffling,andoccasionallylookingbackandshakinghisheadandthreateningwhathewoulddotoTomthe\"nexttimehecaughthimout.\"TowhichTomrespondedwithjeers,andstartedoffinhighfeather,andassoonashisbackwasturnedthenewboysnatchedupastone,threwitandhithimbetweentheshouldersandthenturnedtailandranlikeanantelope.Tomchasedthetraitorhome,andthusfoundoutwherehelived.Hethenheldapositionatthegateforsometime,daringtheenemytocomeoutside,buttheenemyonlymadefacesathimthroughthewindowanddeclined.Atlasttheenemy\'smotherappeared,andcalledTomabad,vicious,vulgarchild,andorderedhimaway.Sohewentaway;buthesaidhe\"\'lowed\"to\"lay\"forthatboy.

Hegothomeprettylatethatnight,andwhenheclimbedcautiouslyinatthewindow,heuncoveredanambuscade,inthepersonofhisaunt;andwhenshesawthestatehisclotheswereinherresolutiontoturnhisSaturdayholidayintocaptivityathardlaborbecameadamantineinitsfirmness.

CHAPTERII

SATURDAYmorningwascome,andallthesummerworldwasbrightandfresh,andbrimmingwithlife.Therewasasongineveryheart;andiftheheartwasyoungthemusicissuedatthelips.Therewascheerineveryfaceandaspringineverystep.Thelocust-treeswereinbloomandthefragranceoftheblossomsfilledtheair.CardiffHill,beyondthevillageandaboveit,wasgreenwithvegetationanditlayjustfarenoughawaytoseemaDelectableLand,dreamy,reposeful,andinviting.

Tomappearedonthesidewalkwithabucketofwhitewashandalong-handledbrush.Hesurveyedthefence,andallgladnesslefthimandadeepmelancholysettleddownuponhisspirit.Thirtyyardsofboardfenceninefeethigh.Lifetohimseemedhollow,andexistencebutaburden.Sighing,hedippedhisbrushandpasseditalongthetopmostplank;repeatedtheoperation;diditagain;comparedtheinsignificantwhitewashedstreakwiththefar-reachingcontinentofunwhitewashedfence,andsatdownonatree-boxdiscouraged.Jimcameskippingoutatthegatewithatinpail,andsinging~BuffaloGals.BringingwaterfromthetownpumphadalwaysbeenhatefulworkinTom\'seyes,before,butnowitdidnotstrikehimso.Herememberedthattherewascompanyatthepump.White,mulatto,andnegroboysandgirlswerealwaystherewaitingtheirturns,resting,tradingplaythings,quarrelling,fighting,skylarking.Andherememberedthatalthoughthepumpwasonlyahundredandfiftyyardsoff,Jimnevergotbackwithabucketofwaterunderanhour——andeventhensomebodygenerallyhadtogoafterhim.Tomsaid:

\"Say,Jim,I\'llfetchthewaterifyou\'llwhitewashsome.\"

Jimshookhisheadandsaid:

\"Can\'t,MarsTom.Olemissis,shetolemeIgottogoan\'gitdiswateran\'notstopfoolin\'roun\'widanybody.Shesayshespec\'MarsTomgwinetoaxmetowhitewash,an\'soshetolemego\'longan\'\'tendtomyownbusiness——she\'lowedshe\'d\'tendtodewhitewashin\'.\"

\"Oh,neveryoumindwhatshesaid,Jim.That\'sthewayshealwaystalks.Gimmethebucket——Iwon\'tbegoneonlyaaminute.SHEwon\'teverknow.\"

\"Oh,Idasn\'t,MarsTom.Olemississhe\'dtakean\'tardeheadoff\'nme.\'Deedshewould.\"

\"She!Sheneverlicksanybody——whacks\'emovertheheadwithherthimble——andwhocaresforthat,I\'dliketoknow.Shetalksawful,buttalkdon\'thurt——anywaysitdon\'tifshedon\'tcry.Jim,I\'llgiveyouamarvel.I\'llgiveyouawhitealley!\"

Jimbegantowaver.

\"Whitealley,Jim!Andit\'sabullytaw.\"

\"My!Dat\'samightygaymarvel,Itellyou!ButMarsTomI\'spowerful\'fraidolemissis——\"

\"Andbesides,ifyouwillI\'llshowyoumysoretoe.\"

Jimwasonlyhuman——thisattractionwastoomuchforhim.Heputdownhispail,tookthewhitealley,andbentoverthetoewithabsorbinginterestwhilethebandagewasbeingunwound.Inanothermomenthewasflyingdownthestreetwithhispailandatinglingrear,Tomwaswhitewashingwithvigor,andAuntPollywasretiringfromthefieldwithaslipperinherhandandtriumphinhereye.ButTom\'senergydidnotlast.Hebegantothinkofthefunhehadplannedforthisday,andhissorrowsmultiplied.Soonthefreeboyswouldcometrippingalongonallsortsofdeliciousexpeditions,andtheywouldmakeaworldoffunofhimforhavingtowork——theverythoughtofitburnthimlikefire.Hegotouthisworldlywealthandexaminedit——bitsoftoys,marbles,andtrash;enoughtobuyanexchangeofWORK,maybe,butnothalfenoughtobuysomuchashalfanhourofpurefreedom.Sohereturnedhisstraitenedmeanstohispocket,andgaveuptheideaoftryingtobuytheboys.Atthisdarkandhopelessmomentaninspirationburstuponhim!Nothinglessthanagreat,magnificentinspiration.

Hetookuphisbrushandwenttranquillytowork.BenRogershoveinsightpresently——theveryboy,ofallboys,whoseridiculehehadbeendreading.Ben\'sgaitwasthehop-skip-and-jump——proofenoughthathisheartwaslightandhisanticipationshigh.Hewaseatinganapple,andgivingalong,melodiouswhoop,atintervals,followedbyadeep-tonedding-dong-dong,ding-dong-dong,forhewaspersonatingasteamboat.Ashedrewnear,heslackenedspeed,tookthemiddleofthestreet,leanedfarovertostar-boardandroundedtoponderouslyandwithlaboriouspompandcircumstance——forhewaspersonatingtheBigmissouri,andconsideredhimselftobedrawingninefeetofwater.Hewasboatandcaptainandengine-bellscombined,sohehadtoimaginehimselfstandingonhisownhurricane-deckgivingtheordersandexecutingthem:

\"Stopher,sir!Ting-a-ling-ling!\"Theheadwayranalmostout,andhedrewupslowlytowardthesidewalk.

\"Shipuptoback!Ting-a-ling-ling!\"Hisarmsstraightenedandstiffeneddownhissides.

\"Setherbackonthestabboard!Ting-a-ling-ling!Chow!ch-chow-wow!Chow!\"Hisrighthand,meantime,describingstatelycircles——foritwasrepresentingaforty-footwheel.

\"Lethergobackonthelabboard!Ting-a-ling-ling!Chow-ch-chow-chow!\"Thelefthandbegantodescribecircles.

\"Stopthestabboard!Ting-a-ling-ling!Stopthelabboard!Comeaheadonthestabboard!Stopher!Letyouroutsideturnoverslow!Ting-a-ling-ling!Chow-ow-ow!Getoutthathead-line!livelynow!Come——outwithyourspring-line——what\'reyouaboutthere!Takeaturnroundthatstumpwiththebightofit!Standbythatstage,now——lethergo!Donewiththeengines,sir!Ting-a-ling-ling!\"

\"Sh\'t!s\'h\'t!sh\'t!\"(tryingthegauge-cocks).

Tomwentonwhitewashing——paidnoattentiontothesteamboat.Benstaredamomentandthensaid:\"Hi-Yi!you\'reupastump,ain\'tyou!\"

Noanswer.Tomsurveyedhislasttouchwiththeeyeofanartist,thenhegavehisbrushanothergentlesweepandsurveyedtheresult,asbefore.Benrangedupalongsideofhim.Tom\'smouthwateredfortheapple,buthestucktohiswork.Bensaid:

\"Hello,oldchap,yougottowork,hey?\"

Tomwheeledsuddenlyandsaid:

\"Why,it\'syou,Ben!Iwarn\'tnoticing.\"

\"Say——I\'mgoingina-swimming,Iam.Don\'tyouwishyoucould?Butofcourseyou\'ddrutherwork——wouldn\'tyou?Courseyouwould!\"

Tomcontemplatedtheboyabit,andsaid:

\"Whatdoyoucallwork?\"

\"Why,ain\'tthatwork?\"

Tomresumedhiswhitewashing,andansweredcarelessly:

\"Well,maybeitis,andmaybeitain\'t.AllIknow,is,itsuitsTomSawyer.\"

\"Ohcome,now,youdon\'tmeantoletonthatyoulikeit?\"

Thebrushcontinuedtomove.

\"Likeit?Well,Idon\'tseewhyIoughtn\'ttolikeit.Doesaboygetachancetowhitewashafenceeveryday?\"

Thatputthethinginanewlight.Benstoppednibblinghisapple.Tomswepthisbrushdaintilybackandforth——steppedbacktonotetheeffect——addedatouchhereandthere——criticisedtheeffectagain——Benwatchingeverymoveandgettingmoreandmoreinterested,moreandmoreabsorbed.Presentlyhesaid:

\"Say,Tom,letmewhitewashalittle.\"

Tomconsidered,wasabouttoconsent;buthealteredhismind:

\"No——no——Ireckonitwouldn\'thardlydo,Ben.Yousee,AuntPolly\'sawfulparticularaboutthisfence——righthereonthestreet,youknow——butifitwasthebackfenceIwouldn\'tmindandshewouldn\'t.Yes,she\'sawfulparticularaboutthisfence;it\'sgottobedoneverycareful;Ireckonthereain\'toneboyinathousand,maybetwothousand,thatcandoitthewayit\'sgottobedone.\"

\"No——isthatso?Ohcome,now——lemmejusttry.Onlyjustalittle——I\'dletyou,ifyouwasme,Tom.\"

\"Ben,I\'dliketo,honestinjun;butAuntPolly——well,Jimwantedtodoit,butshewouldn\'tlethim;Sidwantedtodoit,andshewouldn\'tletSid.Nowdon\'tyouseehowI\'mfixed?Ifyouwastotacklethisfenceandanythingwastohappentoit——\"

\"Oh,shucks,I\'llbejustascareful.Nowlemmetry.Say——I\'llgiveyouthecoreofmyapple.\"

\"Well,here——No,Ben,nowdon\'t.I\'mafeard——\"

\"I\'llgiveyouallofit!\"

Tomgaveupthebrushwithreluctanceinhisface,butalacrityinhisheart.AndwhilethelatesteamerBigMissouriworkedandsweatedinthesun,theretiredartistsatonabarrelintheshadecloseby,dangledhislegs,munchedhisapple,andplannedtheslaughterofmoreinnocents.Therewasnolackofmaterial;boyshappenedalongeverylittlewhile;theycametojeer,butremainedtowhitewash.BythetimeBenwasfaggedout,TomhadtradedthenextchancetoBillyFisherforakite,ingoodrepair;andwhenheplayedout,JohnnyMillerboughtinforadeadratandastringtoswingitwith——andsoon,andsoon,hourafterhour.Andwhenthemiddleoftheafternooncame,frombeingapoorpoverty-strickenboyinthemorning,Tomwasliterallyrollinginwealth.Hehadbesidesthethingsbeforementioned,twelvemarbles,partofajews-harp,apieceofbluebottle-glasstolookthrough,aspoolcannon,akeythatwouldn\'tunlockanything,afragmentofchalk,aglassstopperofadecanter,atinsoldier,acoupleoftadpoles,sixfire-crackers,akittenwithonlyoneeye,abrassdoorknob,adog-collar——butnodog——thehandleofaknife,fourpiecesoforange-peel,andadilapidatedoldwindowsash.

Hehadhadanice,good,idletimeallthewhile——plentyofcompany——andthefencehadthreecoatsofwhitewashonit!Ifhehadn\'trunoutofwhitewashhewouldhavebankruptedeveryboyinthevillage.

Tomsaidtohimselfthatitwasnotsuchahollowworld,afterall.Hehaddiscoveredagreatlawofhumanaction,withoutknowingit——namely,thatinordertomakeamanoraboycovetathing,itisonlynecessarytomakethethingdifficulttoattain.Ifhehadbeenagreatandwisephilosopher,likethewriterofthisbook,hewouldnowhavecomprehendedthatWorkconsistsofwhateverabodyisobligedtodo,andthatPlayconsistsofwhateverabodyisnotobligedtodo.Andthiswouldhelphimtounderstandwhyconstructingartificialflowersorperformingonatread-milliswork,whilerollingten-pinsorclimbingMontBlancisonlyamusement.TherearewealthygentlemeninEnglandwhodrivefour-horsepassenger-coachestwentyorthirtymilesonadailyline,inthesummer,becausetheprivilegecoststhemconsiderablemoney;butiftheywereofferedwagesfortheservice,thatwouldturnitintoworkandthentheywouldresign.

Theboymusedawhileoverthesubstantialchangewhichhadtakenplaceinhisworldlycircumstances,andthenwendedtowardheadquarterstoreport.

CHAPTERIII

TOMpresentedhimselfbeforeAuntPolly,whowassittingbyanopenwindowinapleasantrearwardapartment,whichwasbedroom,breakfast-room,dining-room,andlibrary,combined.Thebalmysummerair,therestfulquiet,theodoroftheflowers,andthedrowsingmurmurofthebeeshadhadtheireffect,andshewasnoddingoverherknitting——forshehadnocompanybutthecat,anditwasasleepinherlap.Herspectacleswereproppeduponhergrayheadforsafety.ShehadthoughtthatofcourseTomhaddesertedlongago,andshewonderedatseeinghimplacehimselfinherpoweragaininthisintrepidway.Hesaid:\"Mayn\'tIgoandplaynow,aunt?\"

\"What,a\'ready?Howmuchhaveyoudone?\"

\"It\'salldone,aunt.\"

\"Tom,don\'tlietome——Ican\'tbearit.\"

\"Iain\'t,aunt;itisalldone.\"

AuntPollyplacedsmalltrustinsuchevidence.Shewentouttoseeforherself;andshewouldhavebeencontenttofindtwentypercent.ofTom\'sstatementtrue.Whenshefoundtheentirefencewhitewashed,andnotonlywhitewashedbutelaboratelycoatedandrecoated,andevenastreakaddedtotheground,herastonishmentwasalmostunspeakable.Shesaid:

\"Well,Inever!There\'snogettingroundit,youcanworkwhenyou\'reamindto,Tom.\"Andthenshedilutedthecomplimentbyadding,\"Butit\'spowerfulseldomyou\'reamindto,I\'mboundtosay.Well,go\'longandplay;butmindyougetbacksometimeinaweek,orI\'lltanyou.\"

Shewassoovercomebythesplendorofhisachievementthatshetookhimintotheclosetandselectedachoiceappleanddeliveredittohim,alongwithanimprovinglectureupontheaddedvalueandflavoratreattooktoitselfwhenitcamewithoutsinthroughvirtuouseffort.AndwhilesheclosedwithahappyScripturalflourish,he\"hooked\"adoughnut.

Thenheskippedout,andsawSidjuststartinguptheoutsidestairwaythatledtothebackroomsonthesecondfloor.Clodswerehandyandtheairwasfulloftheminatwinkling.TheyragedaroundSidlikeahail-storm;andbeforeAuntPollycouldcollecthersurprisedfacultiesandsallytotherescue,sixorsevenclodshadtakenpersonaleffect,andTomwasoverthefenceandgone.Therewasagate,butasageneralthinghewastoocrowdedfortimetomakeuseofit.Hissoulwasatpeace,nowthathehadsettledwithSidforcallingattentiontohisblackthreadandgettinghimintotrouble.

Tomskirtedtheblock,andcameroundintoamuddyalleythatledbythebackofhisaunt\'scow-stable.Hepresentlygotsafelybeyondthereachofcaptureandpunishment,andhastenedtowardthepublicsquareofthevillage,wheretwo\"military\"companiesofboyshadmetforconflict,accordingtopreviousappointment.TomwasGeneralofoneofthesearmies,JoeHarper(abosomfriend)Generaloftheother.Thesetwogreatcommandersdidnotcondescendtofightinperson——thatbeingbettersuitedtothestillsmallerfry——butsattogetheronaneminenceandconductedthefieldoperationsbyordersdeliveredthroughaides-de-camp.Tom\'sarmywonagreatvictory,afteralongandhard-foughtbattle.Thenthedeadwerecounted,prisonersexchanged,thetermsofthenextdisagreementagreedupon,andthedayforthenecessarybattleappointed;afterwhichthearmiesfellintolineandmarchedaway,andTomturnedhomewardalone.

AshewaspassingbythehousewhereJeffThatcherlived,hesawanewgirlinthegarden——alovelylittleblue-eyedcreaturewithyellowhairplaitedintotwolong-tails,whitesummerfrockandembroideredpantalettes.Thefresh-crownedherofellwithoutfiringashot.AcertainAmyLawrencevanishedoutofhisheartandleftnotevenamemoryofherselfbehind.Hehadthoughthelovedhertodistraction;hehadregardedhispassionasadoration;andbeholditwasonlyapoorlittleevanescentpartiality.Hehadbeenmonthswinningher;shehadconfessedhardlyaweekago;hehadbeenthehappiestandtheproudestboyintheworldonlysevenshortdays,andhereinoneinstantoftimeshehadgoneoutofhisheartlikeacasualstrangerwhosevisitisdone.

Heworshippedthisnewangelwithfurtiveeye,tillhesawthatshehaddiscoveredhim;thenhepretendedhedidnotknowshewaspresent,andbeganto\"showoff\"inallsortsofabsurdboyishways,inordertowinheradmiration.Hekeptupthisgrotesquefoolishnessforsometime;butby-and-by,whilehewasinthemidstofsomedangerousgymnasticperformances,heglancedasideandsawthatthelittlegirlwaswendingherwaytowardthehouse.Tomcameuptothefenceandleanedonit,grieving,andhopingshewouldtarryyetawhilelonger.Shehaltedamomentonthestepsandthenmovedtowardthedoor.Tomheavedagreatsighassheputherfootonthethreshold.Buthisfacelitup,rightaway,forshetossedapansyoverthefenceamomentbeforeshedisappeared.

Theboyranaroundandstoppedwithinafootortwooftheflower,andthenshadedhiseyeswithhishandandbegantolookdownstreetasifhehaddiscoveredsomethingofinterestgoingoninthatdirection.Presentlyhepickedupastrawandbegantryingtobalanceitonhisnose,withhisheadtiltedfarback;andashemovedfromsidetoside,inhisefforts,heedgednearerandnearertowardthepansy;finallyhisbarefootresteduponit,hisplianttoescloseduponit,andhehoppedawaywiththetreasureanddisappearedroundthecorner.Butonlyforaminute——onlywhilehecouldbuttontheflowerinsidehisjacket,nexthisheart——ornexthisstomach,possibly,forhewasnotmuchpostedinanatomy,andnothypercritical,anyway.

Hereturned,now,andhungaboutthefencetillnightfall,\"showingoff,\"asbefore;butthegirlneverexhibitedherselfagain,thoughTomcomfortedhimselfalittlewiththehopethatshehadbeennearsomewindow,meantime,andbeenawareofhisattentions.Finallyhestrodehomereluctantly,withhispoorheadfullofvisions.

Allthroughsupperhisspiritsweresohighthathisauntwondered\"whathadgotintothechild.\"HetookagoodscoldingaboutcloddingSid,anddidnotseemtominditintheleast.Hetriedtostealsugarunderhisaunt\'sverynose,andgothisknucklesrappedforit.Hesaid:

\"Aunt,youdon\'twhackSidwhenhetakesit.\"

\"Well,Siddon\'ttormentabodythewayyoudo.You\'dbealwaysintothatsugarifIwarn\'twatchingyou.\"

Presentlyshesteppedintothekitchen,andSid,happyinhisimmunity,reachedforthesugar-bowl——asortofgloryingoverTomwhichwaswellnighunbearable.ButSid\'sfingersslippedandthebowldroppedandbroke.Tomwasinecstasies.Insuchecstasiesthatheevencontrolledhistongueandwassilent.Hesaidtohimselfthathewouldnotspeakaword,evenwhenhisauntcamein,butwouldsitperfectlystilltillsheaskedwhodidthemischief;andthenhewouldtell,andtherewouldbenothingsogoodintheworldastoseethatpetmodel\"catchit.\"Hewassobrimfulofexultationthathecouldhardlyholdhimselfwhentheoldladycamebackandstoodabovethewreckdischarginglightningsofwrathfromoverherspectacles.Hesaidtohimself,\"Nowit\'scoming!\"Andthenextinstanthewassprawlingonthefloor!ThepotentpalmwasupliftedtostrikeagainwhenTomcriedout:

\"Holdon,now,what\'eryoubeltingmefor?——Sidbrokeit!\"

AuntPollypaused,perplexed,andTomlookedforhealingpity.Butwhenshegothertongueagain,sheonlysaid:

\"Umf!Well,youdidn\'tgetalickamiss,Ireckon.YoubeenintosomeotheraudaciousmischiefwhenIwasn\'taround,likeenough.\"

Thenherconsciencereproachedher,andsheyearnedtosaysomethingkindandloving;butshejudgedthatthiswouldbeconstruedintoaconfessionthatshehadbeeninthewrong,anddisciplineforbadethat.Soshekeptsilence,andwentaboutheraffairswithatroubledheart.Tomsulkedinacornerandexaltedhiswoes.Heknewthatinherhearthisauntwasonherkneestohim,andhewasmoroselygratifiedbytheconsciousnessofit.Hewouldhangoutnosignals,hewouldtakenoticeofnone.Heknewthatayearningglancefelluponhim,nowandthen,throughafilmoftears,butherefusedrecognitionofit.Hepicturedhimselflyingsickuntodeathandhisauntbendingoverhimbeseechingonelittleforgivingword,buthewouldturnhisfacetothewall,anddiewiththatwordunsaid.Ah,howwouldshefeelthen?Andhepicturedhimselfbroughthomefromtheriver,dead,withhiscurlsallwet,andhissoreheartatrest.Howshewouldthrowherselfuponhim,andhowhertearswouldfalllikerain,andherlipsprayGodtogiveherbackherboyandshewouldnever,neverabusehimanymore!Buthewouldlietherecoldandwhiteandmakenosign——apoorlittlesufferer,whosegriefswereatanend.Hesoworkeduponhisfeelingswiththepathosofthesedreams,thathehadtokeepswallowing,hewassoliketochoke;andhiseyesswaminablurofwater,whichoverflowedwhenhewinked,andrandownandtrickledfromtheendofhisnose.Andsuchaluxurytohimwasthispettingofhissorrows,thathecouldnotbeartohaveanyworldlycheerinessoranygratingdelightintrudeuponit;itwastoosacredforsuchcontact;andso,presently,whenhiscousinMarydancedin,allalivewiththejoyofseeinghomeagainafteranage-longvisitofoneweektothecountry,hegotupandmovedincloudsanddarknessoutatonedoorasshebroughtsongandsunshineinattheother.

Hewanderedfarfromtheaccustomedhauntsofboys,andsoughtdesolateplacesthatwereinharmonywithhisspirit.Alograftintheriverinvitedhim,andheseatedhimselfonitsouteredgeandcontemplatedthedrearyvastnessofthestream,wishing,thewhile,thathecouldonlybedrowned,allatonceandunconsciously,withoutundergoingtheuncomfortableroutinedevisedbynature.Thenhethoughtofhisflower.Hegotitout,rumpledandwilted,anditmightilyincreasedhisdismalfelicity.Hewonderedifshewouldpityhimifsheknew?Wouldshecry,andwishthatshehadarighttoputherarmsaroundhisneckandcomforthim?Orwouldsheturncoldlyawaylikeallthehollowworld?Thispicturebroughtsuchanagonyofpleasurablesufferingthatheworkeditoverandoveragaininhismindandsetitupinnewandvariedlights,tillheworeitthreadbare.Atlastheroseupsighinganddepartedinthedarkness.

Abouthalf-pastnineorteno\'clockhecamealongthedesertedstreettowheretheAdoredUnknownlived;hepausedamoment;nosoundfelluponhislisteningear;acandlewascastingadullglowuponthecurtainofasecond-storywindow.Wasthesacredpresencethere?Heclimbedthefence,threadedhisstealthywaythroughtheplants,tillhestoodunderthatwindow;helookedupatitlong,andwithemotion;thenhelaidhimdownonthegroundunderit,disposinghimselfuponhisback,withhishandsclaspeduponhisbreastandholdinghispoorwiltedflower.Andthushewoulddie——outinthecoldworld,withnoshelteroverhishomelesshead,nofriendlyhandtowipethedeath-dampsfromhisbrow,nolovingfacetobendpityinglyoverhimwhenthegreatagonycame.Andthusshewouldseehimwhenshelookedoutuponthegladmorning,andoh!wouldshedroponelittletearuponhispoor,lifelessform,wouldsheheaveonelittlesightoseeabrightyounglifesorudelyblighted,sountimelycutdown?