IT was quite dark when we entered the town of Barnstable, making as much noise as if the devil had broken loose and come to carry off the inhabitants, who were a timid people, but sharp enough to cut the best side of a trade. The bright blue waters skirting the town seemed reflecting ten thousand curious shadows, while several tall steeples of churches, (showing that the people had theology without stint1, and to their liking,) loomed2 out through a gray mist that tipped the clouds with a pale fringe. And the clean green shutters3 of the bright white houses, and the neatly5 arranged gardens, with their picket6 fences, ranging along both sides of the street, and the flowers that were giving out their perfumes to the night breeze, were all blending in a panorama7 of exquisite8 softness.
The major plumed9 himself not a little on his popularity with the town's people, who made his departures and arrivals no common events. Nor was his admiration10 of himself one whit4 less than that so common with some others I have in view at this moment, and who follow the profession of arms.
And now, news of his approach having got spread abroad, he had scarcely entered the outskirts11 of the town when little Barnstable, hatless and shoeless, came running to meet him, cheering, clambering upon his wagon12, and making such other demonstrations13 of welcome as satisfied the major that the town had waited his return with no little anxiety, though it annoyed old Battle exceedingly, for he had great difficulty in drawing the load over the sand. Seeing the distress14 the animal was in, two mischievous15 urchins16 fell upon him, seized him by the halter, and, after throwing it over their shoulders, were joined by some two dozen more, who ran ahead dragging him by the mouth, while three others plied17 his belly18 with switches. The major, in the meantime, continued to contemplate19 the fortune there was in a pig so learned, and who was now mingling20 his loudest squeals21 with the cheers and bravos of the urchins, until the very welkin rang with their echoes. We proceeded according to old Battle's slow pace to what I shall for convenience sake call the Independent Temperance Hotel, the guests of which were so alarmed at the strange noises in the streets that they came running out to ascertain22 the cause.
"Well, I'm back again, you see! and as for the rest, you may find that out!" exclaimed the major, cracking his whip, and declaring he would give the urchins three stripes apiece unless they ceased teasing old Battle, whom he now reined23 up in front of a large portico24 that opened into a spacious25 hall of the hotel. The bystanders, among whom there was a lawyer or two, as well as another species of hanger-on about a country tavern26, sent up three loud and long cheers, which brought the major's friends in a crowd about the door. The major raised his hat, acknowledged the compliment with his usual grace, and dismounted over the wheel, displaying as he did so, the pins that had served to protect his dignity. But of this he was unconscious, and bidding me follow, he waddled27 into the house, an expression of gladness lighting28 up his broad red face, and saluting29 his friends, not one of whom said a word touching30 the condition of his garments.
"Major! is it you? Well, there ain't nobody more welcome in this hotel!" exclaimed a small, frisky31 figure, rushing through the crowd, and seizing him earnestly by the hand.
"Me?" replied the major, returning his salutation with equal warmth of manner, "Well, I reckon it is! you think of me in my absence, I see, colonel. Well, there is no roof Major Roger Sherman Potter feels so much at ease under as this." Here the landlord, whose name was Zach Aldrich, to which was added the title of Colonel, as a mark of distinction, for having commanded with great gallantry the Barnstable Invincibles. The host was fond of a joke, and after giving his guest a cordial welcome, bid him hasten into the parlor32, where the hostess, who had long held him in great esteem33, was rubbing her palms to see him. Impatient to pay his respects to so good a lady, he trudged34 up the hall, and turning to the right, entered the parlor, in which were seated some seven females, to the great delight of numerous bystanders, whom the major congratulated himself were laughing for joy at his return. He had scarcely disappeared, however, when a loud shriek35 was heard, and one after another the females came scampering36 out of the room, so sorry a figure did he cut. "Zounds, me," exclaimed the major, "what can have come over the witches?" and he followed them into the hall, surprised and astonished, while the compact little figure of mine host was seen almost splitting his sides with laughter. Indeed, I venture to say without fear of contradiction, that never did military hero cut so extravagant37 a figure before females; and as he had that scrupulous39 regard for their good opinion, so common with his brethren in arms, so was he only saved from swooning by the aid of a little whiskey and water. This, however, was not applied40 until the cause of the alarm was discovered. "Upon my life, Colonel," said the major, as the host aided him in securing his garments with a few pins, "I never was known to offer a discourtesy to ladies through the whole course of my eventful life. No, I wouldn't, by my military reputation, I wouldn't have had such a thing occur to me, especially as my friend here is the most distinguished41 politician in this part of the country." I could not restrain a blush at this naive42 remark, and begging that he would reserve his compliments for one more worthy43 of them, he continued by pleading with the host, and enjoining44 him to say to the ladies, that never in his life had he met with so serious an accident, and as it was woman's nature to be gentle and forgiving, he hoped they would forgive him this once, "and I shall not be so rude and ungrateful as to soon forget their generosity," he concluded. Having mended his garments thus summarily, mine host led the way into the bar room, in one corner of which was a square, mahogany counter, upon which stood a tin drain containing a jug45 of water, and several empty tumblers. An open stove stood opposite the counter; and in it were massive dog-irons in brass46, highly polished. A square Connecticut clock ticked on a little shelf between two front windows; and suspended upon the walls were pictures of horses and bulls that had won prizes at the Worcester Cattle Show. Certain parts of the bar room were much distained with tobacco juice; while beneath the stove grate there lay a heap of cigar ends, and other soft projectiles47 common to such taverns48. And these, with a bench and a few reed bottomed chairs, made up the furniture.
In one of these chairs, a lean and somewhat shabbily clad man sat, his feet upon the rounds, his body thrown back against the wall, his face half buried in a slouch hat, and apparently49 dozing50, but really keeping a watchful51 eye upon every movement in the room. The landlord, whose round face was lit up with a mischievous laugh, said he would bet his new frock coat, which had brass buttons and a velvet52 collar, and his white trowsers, and even his ruffle53 shirt, that the major had made a successful trip, and would do the generous without more ado. The bystanders said it would be only right that a person who had witnessed so many proofs of his own popularity as the major had done should pay the forfeit54 he had incurred55 by calling on such good beverages56 as the host was celebrated57 for affording his guests. The major placed the fore38 finger of his right hand to his lip, cast a look of inquiry58 at the bystanders, and then said he knew it would be no easy matter to apologize to ladies for so singular a transgression59, but how his treating could extenuate60 an insult offered to another party, he could not exactly see. "By my word as a man of standing61, I have spent much sweat and labor62 in getting the little Fortune has favored me with, and it seems to me that he who needs it most had better quench63 his thirst with what remains64 in his own pocket!" spoke65 the major, giving his head a toss, and edging aside from his importuners.
The landlord replied, that as the major had brought him a distinguished guest, he should claim the right to do the hospitalities of his own house, and this he held the more incumbent66, as the major was returned from so long an absence. But in obedience67 to the spirit of temperance that ruled in the village, and was so rigid68 in its exactions, that it kept Captain Jack69 Laythe, the man who dozed70 in the chair, a spy over his counter, he could give them nothing but cider and mead71. Indeed the whole town had gone into such exceedingly steady habits, that if an old friend chanced that way, and took it into his head that a drop of heavy would do him no harm, he was forced to wink72 him down into the cellar, and relieve his wants in a little out of the way place, for even the smell of whiskey upon the tumblers was set down as proof of guilt73 sufficient to call a town meeting.
They had scarcely drank the cider set before them by the landlord, when the man in the chair began to exhibit signs of motion. Then getting up from his seat, his sharp sallow visage assumed a look of revenge; and approaching the counter, he began scenting74 the tumblers. "Captain Jack Laythe!" said the major, casting upon the man a look of hate, "you might find a better business than scenting tumblers for temperance folks. You're a pretty Christian75, surrendering yourself to such meanness!" It was evident that the major's choler was raised, and that he rather courted a set-to with the spy, who had no great admiration for heroes of any kind. Indeed, the major declared that if such a thing had happened when he was with his regiment76 in Mexico, his sword had not long remained in its sheath.
"This man," rejoined the spy, with a nasal drawl, "is a burning torch to the town, which he keeps in a perpetual uproar77. The devil never thought of half the evil he has inflicted78 upon certain of the townspeople, for he serves them with his poison, and they go about as if they were dead. Time and again has he been commanded to surrender his traffic of misery79, on penalty of being ridden into the river; but he has neither fear of the devil, nor respect for the laws; and though every pulpit in the land should preach against him, they cannot put him to shame." The host, who was itching80 to have revenge of the spy, hurled81 a lemon squeezer at his head, which took him between the two eyes, and caused him to retreat into the street, amidst the cheering and jeering82 of the bystanders. The major, too, applied his boot in right good earnest to the retreating gentleman's rear, and asserted his courage by making threats in the door, while the other, having regained83 his sight, stood challenging him to come out into the street, and take it like a man. The major called upon the bystanders to bear witness that he had courage enough to tackle a dozen or more of such spies, only he would rather not soil his hands just now. Nor was there any honor in fighting such people, which was a chief point in such game.
The landlord now reminded the major that the town esteemed84 him too highly to have him compromise himself by holding a parley85 with such a fellow, who was no other than an old Pawtucket stage driver, who having tempered his throat with brandy until it had dried up his wits, saw fit to reform, and had become the most implacable enemy of all who enjoyed what he had abused.
The spy seeing the landlord about to set on his big dog, took to his heels, muttering in a low and plaintive86 tone, and threatening to report his grievances87 to Parson Bangshanter, and Squire88 Clapp, two leading members of the temperance league, and who, in respect to good morals, had taken the sale of liquor into their own hands, and were making a good thing of it. The major now remembered that his wife, Polly Potter, would get the news and be impatient to welcome him, and so bidding the host and his company good night, and assuring me that he would ring the town out to pay me proper respect in the morning, he took his way home, meeting with so serious an accident as had well nigh cost him his life, the particulars of which I must reserve for another chapter.
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1
stint
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| v.节省，限制，停止；n.舍不得化，节约，限制；连续不断的一段时间从事某件事 | |
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loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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picket
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| n.纠察队；警戒哨；v.设置纠察线；布置警卫 | |
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panorama
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| n.全景，全景画，全景摄影，全景照片[装置] | |
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8
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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plumed
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| 饰有羽毛的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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11
outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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urchins
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| n.顽童( urchin的名词复数 )；淘气鬼；猬；海胆 | |
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plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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20
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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squeals
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| n.长而尖锐的叫声( squeal的名词复数 )v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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22
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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reined
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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24
portico
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| n.柱廊，门廊 | |
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25
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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waddled
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| v.（像鸭子一样）摇摇摆摆地走( waddle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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29
saluting
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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30
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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31
frisky
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| adj.活泼的，欢闹的；n.活泼，闹着玩；adv.活泼地，闹着玩地 | |
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32
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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trudged
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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35
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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36
scampering
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
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37
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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38
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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39
scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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40
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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41
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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42
naive
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| adj.幼稚的，轻信的；天真的 | |
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43
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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44
enjoining
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| v.命令( enjoin的现在分词 ) | |
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45
jug
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| n.(有柄，小口，可盛水等的)大壶，罐，盂 | |
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46
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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47
projectiles
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| n.抛射体( projectile的名词复数 )；（炮弹、子弹等）射弹，（火箭等）自动推进的武器 | |
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taverns
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| n.小旅馆，客栈，酒馆( tavern的名词复数 ) | |
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49
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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50
dozing
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| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
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51
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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52
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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53
ruffle
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| v.弄皱，弄乱；激怒，扰乱；n.褶裥饰边 | |
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54
forfeit
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| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
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55
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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56
beverages
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| n.饮料( beverage的名词复数 ) | |
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57
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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58
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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59
transgression
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| n.违背；犯规；罪过 | |
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60
extenuate
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| v.减轻，使人原谅 | |
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61
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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63
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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64
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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incumbent
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| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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70
dozed
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| v.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mead
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| n.蜂蜜酒 | |
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72
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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74
scenting
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| vt.闻到（scent的现在分词形式） | |
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75
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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76
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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78
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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80
itching
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| adj.贪得的，痒的，渴望的v.发痒( itch的现在分词 ) | |
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81
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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82
jeering
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| adj.嘲弄的，揶揄的v.嘲笑( jeer的现在分词 ) | |
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83
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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84
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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85
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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86
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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87
grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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88
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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