Having quaffed5 his customary draught6 of delight from the picture before him Caleb resumed his walk to the store, pausing at its door to straighten into place the long bench kept there for the accommodation of visiting customers. As he swung the bench against the wall he bent7 and peered closely at two sets of newly-carved initials on its smooth surface.
"W.W." he read, and frowned. "By ding! That's that Billy Wilson. Now let's see, 'A.S.' I wonder who them initials stand fer?" With a shake of his grizzled mop he entered the store.
A slim girl in a gingham dress stood in front of the counter placing parcels in a basket. She turned a flushed face, lit with brown roguish eyes, on Caleb, as he came in.
"Had your supper, Pa?" she asked.
"Yep." Caleb bent and scrutinized8 the basket.
"Whose parcels are them, Ann?" he questioned.
"Mrs. Keeler's," his daughter answered. "Billy Wilson left the order."
"Hump, he did, eh? Well, let's see the slip." He took the piece of paper from the counter and read:
One box fruit-crackers.
10 pounds granulated sugar.
Two pounds cheese.
1 pound lemon peel.
50 sticks hoarhound candy.
There were other items but Caleb read no further. He stood back sucking the stem of his pipe thoughtfully. "Whereabouts did that Billy go, Ann?" he asked at length.
"Why, he didn't go. He's in the liquor-shop settin' a trap for that rat, Pa."
"Oh he is, eh? Well, tell him to come out here; I want to see him."
Caleb waited until his daughter turned to execute his order, then the frown melted from his face and a wide grin took its place. "The young reprobate," he muttered. "What'll that boy be up to next, I wonder? I've got t' teach him a lesson, ding me! if I haven't. It's clear enough t' me that him and that young Keeler are shapin' fer a little excursion, up bush, and this is the way they take to get their fodder11."
He turned slowly as his daughter and Billy entered from the rear of the shop and let his eyes rest on the boy's face. "How are you, Billy?" he asked genially12.
"I'm well, thanks," and Billy gazed innocently back into Caleb's eyes. "I hope your rheumatiz is better, Mr. Spencer."
"It is," said Caleb shortly, "and my eyes are gettin' sharper every day, Billy."
"That's good," said Billy and bent to pick up the basket.
"Jest a minute, young man." Caleb's voice was stern. "I see you've cut your own and your best gal13's initials onto my new bench. Did you have much trouble doin' it, might I ask?"
Billy stood up, a grin on his face. "That pine bench looked so invitin' I jest couldn't help tryin' my new knife on it," he explained. "But I didn't s'pose fer a minute that you'd mind."
"Well, by ding! I don't know but what I do mind. What if you should take a notion, some day, to carve up the side of this buildin', hey?"
Billy grew thoughtful. "I hadn't thought o' that," he said slowly. "It's pine, too, ain't it? It 'ud carve fine."
Caleb turned quickly towards a pile of goods, behind which an audible titter had sounded.
"Ann," he commanded, "you run along and get your supper."
He waited until his daughter had closed the door behind her. "Now Billy," he said, sternly, "understan' me when I say that if you ever so much as lay a knife-blade onto the walls of this here store I'll jest naturally pinch the freckles14 off'n your nose, one by one. Hear that?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, heed15 it, and heed it close. I'll overlook the cuttin' of my new bench, but, by ding! I'd ruther you'd carve me than carve this store." He paused abruptly16 and bent on Billy a quizzical look. "Whose 'nitials are them under yourn?" he asked.
Billy started. "Oh gosh! I dunno, Mr. Spencer; I jest cut the first ones come into my head."
"Umph! I'm not so green as I look. I know whose they be. They're Ann's."
Billy was silent. Should he tell the truth and say that he had carved Ann's initials on the bench and those of Walter Watland beneath them at that young lady's pleading request? No!
"Well?" Caleb asked finally. "What about it?"
Billy drew himself up and lied like a gentleman. "I guess that's all there is about it," he said with dignity. "Ann's my girl, an' she said I could cut my 'nitials under hers if I wanted to take the chance."
"Oh, so she's your gal, is she?" Caleb thrust his hands deep into his pockets, striving hard to keep his face stern. "How long you and Ann been sweetheartin'?" he asked.
"Five er six years; maybe longer."
"Loramighty!" Caleb sank weakly on a pile of horse-blankets, and gasped17. "But, Billy, she's only twelve now, and you—you can't be much more'n fourteen at most."
"I'm growin' fifteen," said Billy gravely. "Me an' Ann's been goin' together fer quite a long spell."
Caleb placed his empty pipe in one pocket, fished in another and drew out a plug of Radiant Star chewing tobacco. He took a generous bite from one corner of the plug and champed it meditatively18.
"Well, Billy," he said with a twinkle in his eye, "seein's we're to be right close related, some day, I guess it's up to me to give you your supper. You go right along over to the house and eat with Ann."
"But I'm not hungry, Mr. Spencer," said Billy quickly.
"That don't make no difference; you go along. I see Ann's made a mistake in doin' up Mrs. Keeler's parcels. You can't go back for a bit, anyways, so you might as well have your supper."
Billy went out and Spencer watched him cross the road and enter the cottage. "Well, now," he chuckled19, "ain't that boy a tartar? But," he added, "he's got to be slicker than he is to fool old Caleb. Now, you jest watch me."
He lifted the basket to the counter and, taking the parcels from it, carefully emptied their contents back into the drawers from which they had been filled. Then from beneath the counter he drew out a box and with exquisite20 pains filled each of the empty bags and the cracker-box with sawdust. He tied the bags, packed them in the basket, tucked a roll of tea lead in the bottom, to give the basket weight, and placed it on the counter. Then he went outside to sit on the bench and await Billy's return.
Caleb had come to Scotia Settlement when it was little more than a bald spot on the pate21 of the hardwoods. Gypsy-like he had strayed into the settlement and, to use his own vernacular22, had pitched his wigwam to stay. One month later a snug23 log cabin stood on the wooded hillside overlooking the valley, and the sound of Caleb's axe24 could be heard all day long, as he cleared a garden spot in the forest. That forest ran almost to the white sands of Lake Erie, pausing a quarter of a mile from its shore as though fearing to advance further. On this narrow strip of land the pines and cedars25 had taken their stand, as if in defiance26 of the more rugged27 trees of the upland. They grew close together in thickets28 so dense29 that beneath them, even on the brightest day, blue-white twilight30 rested always. Running westward31, these coniferous trees grew bolder and widened so as to almost cover the broad finger-like point of land which separated Rond Eau Bay from Lake Erie, and thither32 many of the wild things crept, as civilization advanced to claim their old roaming grounds. The point, known as Point Aux Pines, was ten miles long, affording abundance of food and perfect shelter.
But on the uplands the forests grew sparser33 as the axes of rugged homesteaders, who had followed in the footsteps of Caleb Spencer, bit home. Gradually farms were cleared, rough stumpy fields the tilling of which tested the hearts of the strongest, but whose rich soil gladdened even the most weary. A saw mill was erected34 on the banks of a stream known as Levee Creek36. Gradually the rough log cabins of the settlers were torn down to be replaced by more modern houses of lumber37.
And then Caleb Spencer had built his store and with far-seeing judgment38 had stocked it with nearly every variety of goods a growing community needs. Drygoods, Groceries, Hardware & Liquors! These comprehensive words, painted on a huge sign, stared out at all who passed along the road and in still more glaring letters beneath was the announcement, "Caleb Spencer, Proprietor."
Everybody liked Caleb. Even old man Scroggie had been fond of him, which is saying a great deal. It was said the old miser39 even trusted the gaunt storekeeper to a certain degree. At any rate it was commonly known that shortly before he died Scroggie had given into Spencer's keeping, to be locked away in his rusty40 old store safe, a certain legal-looking document. Deacon Ringold and Cobin Keeler had witnessed the transaction. Accordingly, after Scroggie was buried and a search for the will failed to disclose it, it was perhaps natural that a delegation41 of neighbors should wait on Caleb and question him concerning the paper which the deceased man had given him. To everybody's surprise Caleb had flared42 up and told the delegation that the paper in question was the consummation of a private matter between himself and the dead man, and that he didn't have to show it and didn't intend to show it.
Of course that settled it. The delegation apologized, and Caleb tapped a keg of cider and opened a box of choice biscuits just to show that there were no hard feelings. Now this in itself was surely indisputable proof of the confidence his neighbors reposed43 in Caleb's veracity44 and honesty, but considering the fact that Caleb had once quarrelled with the elder Stanhope, later refusing all overtures45 of friendship from the latter, and had even gone so far as to cherish the same feeling of animosity toward the son, Frank, that trust was little short of sublime46. For, providing Caleb disliked Frank Stanhope—and he did and made no attempt to hide it—what would be more natural than that he should keep him from his rightful inheritance if he could?
But nobody mistrusted Caleb, Frank Stanhope least of all; and so, for the time being, the incident of the legal document was forgotten.
Tonight, as Caleb sat outside on the bench waiting for the first evening customers to arrive, he reviewed the pleasant years of his life in this restful spot and was satisfied. Suddenly he sat erect35. From the edge of a walnut47 grove48 on the far side of the road came a low warble, sweet as the song of a wild bird, but with a minor49 note of sadness in its lilting.
"That's old Harry50 and his tin whistle," muttered Caleb, "Glory be! but can't he jest make that thing sing?"
Softly the last note died, and then the player emerged from the grove. He was little and bent. He wore a ragged51 suit of corduroys and a battered52 felt hat with a red feather stuck jauntily53 in its band. His face was small, dark, and unshaven. In one grimy hand he carried a small demijohn. Arriving opposite Caleb, he lifted his battered hat and bowed low as a courtier would do.
"Glory be! It's find ye alone I do," he spoke54 in rich Irish brogue. "It's trill ye a chune I did from the copse, yonder, so's to soften55 the hard heart of ye, Caleb. It's dhry I am as a last-year's chip, an' me little jug56 do be pinin' fer a refillin'."
Caleb's face grew stern. "I told you, Harry O'Dule, that I'd give you no more liquor," he replied.
"Faith, maybe ye did. But last night it's the skies thimselves said 'rain,' an' begorry! there's been not a sign av a shower t'day. What matters ut fer the fallin' av an idle wurrud now and thin? It's meself knows you're too tinder hearted t' refuse a small favor to a body that feels only love an' respect fer yourself an' the swate ones who wait ye in the flower-covered cottage, beyont."
"Stop your blarney, Harry. I tell you I'll give you no more whisky, and by ding! that goes!"
"Thin I'll be trudgin' back along the way," said O'Dule, hopelessly. "But afore I go, I'll be liltin' ye a small chune that'll mebee make ye understand somethin' av a sadness yer generosity57 could lessen58. Listen thin!"
He set the jug down, and from his bosom59 drew forth60 a tin whistle. For a minute or two he played softly, his eyes on Caleb's. Then, gradually, his eyes closed and a rapt expression settled upon his grimy face as he led his listener down strange by-paths of fancy.
Suddenly, Caleb jumped from the bench. "Stop, Harry O'Dule!" he entreated61. "That whistle of yours would soften the heart of old Nick himself. Do you want to set me crazy, man? Come, give me your jug, I'll fill it this time. But remember, never ag'in. I mean that, by ding!"
He snatched up the demijohn and went into the store. Old Harry sat down on the bench and waited until he returned.
"It's a good fri'nd ye've been t' me, Caleb," he said gratefully, as he lifted the jug and held it between his knees. "It's do widout me dhrink I cannot. Ut an' me whistle are me only gleams av sunlight in the gloom. I'll be after takin' a little flash of the light now, if ut's no objection ye have, for ut's long dhry I've been." He lifted the jug and took a long draught of its fiery62 contents.
"I'll be movin' now," he said, as he wiped his mouth on a tattered63 sleeve. "God kape you safe, Caleb Spencer, an' may yer whisky-barrel niver run dhry."
And placing his battered hat jauntily on his scanty64 locks, Harry picked up his jug and was lost amid the shadows.
Presently Billy Wilson emerged from the cottage, received his basket from Caleb, and trotted65 off toward the Keeler place.
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1
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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wares
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| n. 货物, 商品 | |
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rambling
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| adj.[建]凌乱的，杂乱的 | |
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indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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quaffed
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| v.痛饮( quaff的过去式和过去分词 )；畅饮；大口大口将…喝干；一饮而尽 | |
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6
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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raisins
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| n.葡萄干( raisin的名词复数 ) | |
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salmon
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| n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的 | |
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fodder
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| n.草料；炮灰 | |
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genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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freckles
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| n.雀斑，斑点( freckle的名词复数 ) | |
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15
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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meditatively
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| adv.冥想地 | |
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19
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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pate
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| n.头顶；光顶 | |
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vernacular
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| adj.地方的，用地方语写成的；n.白话；行话；本国语；动植物的俗名 | |
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snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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cedars
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| 雪松，西洋杉( cedar的名词复数 ) | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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sparser
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| adj.稀疏的，稀少的( sparse的比较级 ) | |
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34
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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lumber
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| n.木材，木料；v.以破旧东西堆满；伐木；笨重移动 | |
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38
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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miser
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| n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly) | |
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rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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delegation
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| n.代表团；派遣 | |
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42
Flared
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| adj. 端部张开的, 爆发的, 加宽的, 漏斗式的 动词flare的过去式和过去分词 | |
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43
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
veracity
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| n.诚实 | |
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45
overtures
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| n.主动的表示，提议；（向某人做出的）友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 )；（歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的）序曲，前奏曲 | |
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46
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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47
walnut
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| n.胡桃，胡桃木，胡桃色，茶色 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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50
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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51
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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52
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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53
jauntily
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| adv.心满意足地；洋洋得意地；高兴地；活泼地 | |
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54
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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55
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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56
jug
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| n.(有柄，小口，可盛水等的)大壶，罐，盂 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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58
lessen
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| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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64
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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