diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-0.txt | 1790 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-0.zip | bin | 30607 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h.zip | bin | 638224 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/66961-h.htm | 1968 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 364719 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc007.png | bin | 2449 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc011.png | bin | 2525 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc015.png | bin | 379 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc021.png | bin | 355 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc027.png | bin | 2471 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc034.png | bin | 361 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc037.png | bin | 393 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc041.png | bin | 495 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc047.png | bin | 2595 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc050.png | bin | 435 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc055.png | bin | 385 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc061.png | bin | 429 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc065.png | bin | 432 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc068.png | bin | 351 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/dc075.png | bin | 6392 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/frontis.jpg | bin | 111436 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/image023.jpg | bin | 20753 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/image027.jpg | bin | 22513 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/image037.jpg | bin | 19182 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/image047.jpg | bin | 25739 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/image061.jpg | bin | 14945 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/image068.jpg | bin | 13542 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66961-h/images/image080.jpg | bin | 20894 -> 0 bytes |
31 files changed, 17 insertions, 3758 deletions
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..9152129 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #66961 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66961) diff --git a/old/66961-0.txt b/old/66961-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 61da858..0000000 --- a/old/66961-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1790 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Plet: A Christmas Tale of the Wasatch, -by Alfred Lambourne - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Plet: A Christmas Tale of the Wasatch - -Author: Alfred Lambourne - -Release Date: December 17, 2021 [eBook #66961] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Charlene Taylor, Guus Snijders and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLET: A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE -WASATCH *** - - - Transcriber's note: - -A few errors in punctuation have been silently restored, otherwise the -original spelling was retained. - - - - - PLET: A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE WASATCH - - - [Illustration: Plet] - - - - - PLET: - - A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE WASATCH - - - BY - ALFRED LAMBOURNE - - - - - The Deseret News - 1909 - - - Copyright, 1891, 1894, 1906, by - Alfred Lambourne - - - TO - HOLD FROM OBLIVION AWHILE, AND TO PRESENT - TO MY CHILDREN, - THE MEMORIES OF HOURS - PASSED AT THE PLACE DESCRIBED HEREIN AS - OUR HOME. - - - - - PLET: A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE WASATCH. - - - A tale from out my western life you say? - Something to while the Christmas Eve away; - And something, too, to suit this festal time, - With two old bachelors, long past their prime, - Who as they sip in solitude their wine, - Are filled with memories of Auld Lang Syne? - Well,—I grant it. Yet why did you add, - Something to suit the time? I shall be glad— - But was the last a tongue slip? Let it go. - Still, why I asked, the tale will clearly show. - As I proceed and still you care to hear, - You'll find it suits this night of all the year. - Oh, yes! to fill your wish I'm full inclined, - I need but voice the thoughts within my mind, - And then the task's completed. All comes back - On every Christmas Eve, I never lack - Of food for thought. That time I'll ne'er forget - In future years, though distant may be set - My time for going. When my younger mate— - But why as writers say—anticipate? - You'll find the tale, perhaps, a trifle sad, - When every dictum says it should be glad. - And—hope the last will not astonish you— - Once in a while a little preachy, too. - And mixed with love, a subject—well, heigh, ho! - Something that we are not supposed to know. - - - - - PART FIRST. - - - - - I. - - - Crash! crash!! crash!!! A heavy, thunderous sound, - Re-echoed from the snow-clad mountains round. - Then shrieks and voices hoarse came through the night - And far below we saw the lantern's light,— - It was the slides again! Through misty damp, - We hastened downward to the stricken camp. - - The Christmas Eve! Ill time had chosen Fate - To work her will and joy annihilate! - Women and children lay beneath that snow, - And many a bronzed cheek was touched with woe. - Think not those men who toil amid the hills - Lack generous fire that noble bosom fills. - - Their hearts are tender and their hearts are true, - Their sympathies come quick as mountain dew. - I've been at many rescues; seen the tears - Fill manly eyes, when hope came after fears. - Seen cheeks turn pale, as from their prisons deep, - Crushed, lifeless forms were lifted in last sleep: - As some dear comrade, thought past hope, beneath - The hard-pack'd snow, was found to live—to breathe. - Oh, true those brawny delvers of the mines, - Though in their fashion they are rough at times! - - Have you ever seen a snow-slide?—No? - Ah! oft I've wished their pictures to outgrow! - I've drunk a drop or two the thoughts to drown, - 'Tis hard, sometimes, to keep emotion down. - Soon we had rescued four; and found three—dead; - A father, mother, child. The cradle-head - Stood by the shattered wall, and close there hung— - Not one but felt his heart with pity wrung— - The child's blue, tiny stocking. On the man - Lay the roof-tree; we hardly dared to scan - With sidelong glance the sight. But wife nor child - The snow had marr'd, for still the mother smiled; - The little hands were clasped as if in prayer— - As lisped words but echoed mother's there, - Or as the thoughts were filled with visions bright, - Of what the eyes should see at dawn of light. - Alas! those eyes would open never more; - How quick their time for smiles and tears was o'er! - The clasped hands that toy should never lift - Saint Nicholas had brought for Christmas gift. - - And so we worked, and ere the darkness fled - Six others we had placed among the dead, - But none we found were living. Nine there lay - All stark upon the snow, that black night's prey. - Where it would end, there was no time to ask, - As steadily we held the grewsome task. - We did our best—I'm over sixty now, - And strife with Fortune early lined my brow— - So I, when overcome with labor sheer, - A lantern held or uttered words of cheer. - - At last we reached them—all too late it seemed, - So pale their faces as the cold morn gleamed. - Around the father's neck her arms were flung, - As if in terror from her couch she sprung, - When first upon her ears came, faint and low, - The distant rumble of the loosened snow. - Lovely she lay in her long, broidered robe, - Her brown hair rippling o'er each argent globe - Of her ripe bosom's wealth. A long lash press'd - Silken on either cheek. Even when oppressed - By death's close presence—she was lovely then, - But still more lovely as those days came when - Her cheeks with health were red, and in her eye - The light of friendship shone, and, by and by, - The tender look of love. No wonder Jo - Lost then and there his heart. The girl to know - Was prelude sure to loving. Wonderful - Indeed, had he not loved her. And a full - And generous destiny appeared to say, - You'll stand together on your Wedding Day. - Whene'er I saw them happy side by side, - My foolish heart said, "Jo has found his bride." - Perhaps when heart's for heart, there is a link - We do not understand. I sometimes think - Love called to love from Death's dark portico— - Or else what urged the lad to labor so? - 'Twas he who, reverent, raised her in his arms, - All mute at her sweet face and maiden charms. - My full belief it was that from the grave - The girl had come to wed my boy so brave. - But not so fast, old Time has chastened me, - For who can tell what Fate will say, shall be! - - Yes, once again the story all revives— - Strange part the Christmas Eve played in their lives! - - - - - II. - - - Our Home—that is our cabin, Jo's and mine, - A single room to dwell in, sleep or dine, - Stood in a hollow near the mountain top, - Where massive walls the blue sky seemed to prop. - A stern, bleak, strange, a lonely rugged place - From whence down-looking one could distant trace - The far-sunk canon and the ledges damp - That sloped toward the little mining camp. - A Babylonish pile at one end rose - On which lay through the year the spiral snows; - And at the other, lichened, richly mossed, - Inlaid by nature's hand, all wild up-tossed, - A mass of terraces did steeply lean, - While tumbled debris lay these heights between. - And higher still the hoary mountain passed - Into a peak, all naked, pale, and vast; - Bleached into gray, but marked with mineral stain— - The source of which it was our hope to gain. - So thus we tunneled and did slow proceed, - Striving from day to day to reach "the lead." - Across the debris lay a zig-zag track - Our feet had made in climbing up and back. - And 'tween our claim and cabin, lost in sleep, - A mountain lake lay cold, and dark, and deep. - - Three years we lived there—in that hollow stern, - The mountain's sights and voices well did learn. - Peered down the ledges sunk in watery gloom, - Beheld the flowers that exhaled rich perfume. - By the lake margin they in myriads grew— - Unfolded there the starry asters blue; - Around each boulder, ere the snow was old, - Came gleaming buttercups in rings of gold; - Where swift the gathered waters fell away, - Forget-me-nots were drenched in crystal spray. - The mimulus, the brush, geraniums bright, - Lit up the shadows with a sunny light. - These sounds we heard—the new-born torrent's plaint, - The bird-like chirp of hidden squirrel faint; - And others, too, uncanny, savage, wild— - The wind that fiend-like shrieked 'mong rocks all aisled, - Anon, oh, dreadful sound! the thunder-peal, - When e'en the giant mountain seemed to reel. - Sometimes the echo of a distant blast— - Which sound of promise made our hearts beat fast— - Full many a sound that made our bosoms swell; - Oh, yes, we learned to know the mountains well! - - But who was Jo? We met upon the slope - When I, at least, was well-nigh without hope. - I'd struggled long—it was my fate, you see— - Had been held down by dark adversity. - But from the moment I met Jo—'twas change, - Then for my life began an upward range. - Upon the cliffs of purple, iron-gray, - Heavy and wan, the clouds held fast that day. - The Tower of Babel, in the thick murk gloom'd, - Like to a mighty, spectral shadow loom'd - Dim, black, gigantic, save for lines of snow - Reflected vaguely in the lake below. - And clouds as heavy on the peak did rest, - While vapors white lay wild along each crest. - 'Twas ominous truly, but sudden—lo, behold! - The sunbeams darted through the thick enfold. - And then was transformation! 'Twas a sign— - An omen surely good, I did divine. - We stood and gazed in silence. All the moss - Seemed turned to emerald fire by the cross - Of slanting sunbeams. Silver flash they gave - To edge of every shoreward lapping wave. - And then the flowers! As by magic turned, - Each rain-wet leaf as topaz, ruby, burned! - Oh, 'twas inspiring! But why more recite? - Our friendship dated from that glorious sight. - I thought that Fortune dealt anew the cards, - When Jo consented to try luck as "pards." - - Nor did I rue it. 'Twas a well-fought game. - Ere that day ended we had staked a claim. - Led by a hope not easy to dispel, - We built our hut by that deep mountain well. - And there we lived. All gloomy thoughts we quelled, - Believed success was in the future held. - Oft we would sit beside our cabin door, - Each chance of winning look at o'er and o'er; - And as we lit and smoked a friendly pipe, - We'd boast how Fortune's hair we'd tightly gripe. - We saw the yellow twilight in the west - Grow dim and fade upon the mountain's breast. - Oft when the lake and crags had turned to jet, - The moon came up and found us watchers yet. - Dear lad, I loved him truly as my life,— - In those three years we passed no word of strife; - I played the father, he was like a son. - Alas! the end to that so well begun! - - A curious fact—and why not tell it here? - Though you may think it just a little queer— - I wished when my time came, and I lay dead, - Within that hollow, Jo should make my bed. - In some strange way—I scarce can make it clear, - Nor in my hopefulness should it appear— - That one of us would live to see his mate, - The labors of his life there terminate. - And so, in shelter that a dwarfed pine gave - With mental sight I saw my cone-strewn grave. - Yet nothing said to give to Jo distress, - And—let an ending come to this digress— - I wish to make this truth appear quite plain, - 'Twas Jo I thought of more than hope of gain. - Brave lad! There shone within his honest eye - A daring will to conquer or to die. - Perhaps 'twas that endeared him to me so, - His fiery youth—and I so tame and slow. - Besides my past had all been a mistake, - While golden promise said to him, Awake! - We started different, I had lost my chance, - The future bade him boldly to advance. - It seemed to me to take but little guess - To know that Jo would make of life success. - - - - - III. - - - And Plet—for later so we found her name— - The very idol of the camp became; - A roguish, wilful, tomboy, sparkling girl, - As ever set a lover's brain awhirl. - Full of all tricks, yet gold without alloy, - The pride of all, and all her father's joy. - And modest, too. Her cheek with blushes burned, - That day we heard how she her pet name earned. - "You see," her father said, in merry mood, - While Plet sought quick our glances to elude, - "'Twas this way," here her face he downward drew, - "We found it well to cut your name in two. - Yes, darling, in those days that now are fled - We Pretty called you, 'Pletty' your lips said. - As Pretty were you, 'Pletty' you became, - And soon would answer to no other name. - But in good time the 'Pletty' came to 'Plet,' - The name we christened you I half forget. - This hair of brown was then all golden curls, - Ere you had grown most naughty of all girls. - Before this time, when you all care repay, - With wicked guiles that turn my old head gray." - - Then Plet indulged in charming smile and pout— - That she was "papa's darling" none could doubt. - She was his all upon life's pilgrimage, - A golden letter saved from vanished page, - The promised solace of his closing years, - A hope that came from out a time of tears: - Of children born to him the first and last, - The image of her well-loved mother passed. - - Such Plet—whose noble, sympathetic heart - Had others caused to live a better part; - A petticoated, pranksome, daring scamp, - The dainty hoyden of a mining camp. - - - [Illustration] - - - - - PART SECOND. - - - - - [Illustration] - - IV. - - - Jo was pure-minded. He possessed a force - That kept him always from the low and coarse; - If ugly vice and sin upon him frowned, - With head erect he firmly held his ground. - When siren Pleasure spread her silken net - He was not caught, nor made a conscience debt. - They found he was not of their kind—those men, - Who sought the brothel, drink-shop, gambling-den. - No goody-goody—it was known at length - His action came from courage and from strength, - And those who make a test were sure to find - His virtues were not of the meaner kind, - They came from purity and clean desires. - Not lack of passions strong, nor manly fires. - - 'Twas on a bright and noble summer day, - When fast the winter snow-drifts ebbed away; - The cloudless sky was like a crystal dome, - When Plet and father stood within "Our Home." - All nature blended in one vast, grand hymn - What time their nags came o'er the hollow's rim. - We saw them coming from our perch on high— - How quick the love-light sprang in poor Jo's eye!— - We hastened downward, Jo well on before, - And met them ere they reached the cabin door. - Their nags were hitched beneath a mighty spruce— - One grizzled, storm-worn arm stretched out for use— - And then—Oh! great, indeed, was Plet's delight, - When first she gazed upon the Babel height! - No less the gloom, the aged savageness, - Impressed her fancy than the gorgeous dress, - Brief summer lends to that high altitude - Between the fierce assaults of winter rude. - The solitude upon her senses wrought, - Each novel sight some exclamation brought! - We showed her "Dead Man's Corner," where was found - A hapless miner dead and wrapped around - With the same chilly shroud as on the day, - The ridge he tried—by snow was swept away. - Yet this—although it brought a pretty sigh— - But for a moment put her gay mood by. - The wonders of "Our Home" the girl beguiled - And made her buoyant as a happy child. - - Then came a banquet. After that steep ride— - Plet's skill equestrienne none in camp denied— - What better than a tempting dish of fruit,— - So true the wild our mood did try and suit. - The visit to "Our Home" was timely sure, - Those strawberries were fit for epicure. - Among the creviced rocks the plants were spread, - The just ripe berries hanging rich and red; - And these were gathered. At their friendly board, - In every cheer and rich abundance stored, - We often sat. So now we gave our mite, - Their many pleasant favors to requite. - And yet to our desires how poor and mean, - How all inadequate the gift did seem. - And then came out—they seemed to think it sport— - Our two tin plates, it was our only sort. - But Plet's deft fingers quick transition made, - With fresh green leaves in starry pattern laid— - And while she praised the wild fruit's luscious taste - We thought how she our rustic dwelling graced. - - The life of the prospector—lonely 'tis! - No venture free from daily hazard his, - But one of steady, hard, and daring toil - He must meet danger, nor from care recoil; - To unforeseen and sudden risks exposed, - No cease from vigil keen his labors knows. - And sudden wealth of all his thoughts the theme, - He works, too, in a sort of waking dream. - Thus the impressions he from nature drew - Results in good and manly impulse true. - Ah! one thing seemed to me exceeding plain— - The sequel showed my fear was not in vain— - That Fate had set for this young pair a trap! - Why, any townish, high-bred, polished chap - Had thought himself in fortune all the while - Could he have shared that day and Plet's sweet smile; - And weighing this—depend upon't 'twas so,— - Think what it was for lonely, honest Jo! - His blue eyes sparkled, one could easy trace - The happy thoughts upon his sunburnt face. - Did it mean joy, or would it bring regret— - Might Jo rue sometimes that he e'er saw Plet? - That he had nobly served them, that is true, - They kept the thought nor gratitude outgrew; - He'd striven hard their lives to save, and still— - No matter how full strong his hope or will, - How rich his manly love might prove or pure— - This fact remained, my Jo was very poor. - What right had he to think of such a mate, - One far above him in this world's estate? - But he was worthy of her, free from blame, - Though Fortune played the lad a niggard game! - In spite of every drawback, this I knew, - And hoped the jade would sometime play him true; - For poor or no poor, I could only feel - The chance was good if she but turned her wheel. - - Now there's a picture I can ne'er forget; - After these years I seem to see it yet: - The figures you can guess were Plet and Jo, - With background made of rocks, and lake, and snow; - The girl half leaned upon a granite block, - Her roguish smile my poor Jo seemed to mock, - Part pity, part enjoyment, I believe— - What silly stuff I did in my head weave— - And Jo, in timid and in bashful way— - 'Twas like a scene I once saw in a play, - Offered a bunch of flowers. And his face, - As he bent forward, not without grace, - Glowed with confusion and with passion new - As his strong heart and his strong brain were true. - I'd better stop; I grow nonsensical.— - A monster ledge served both for pedestal, - Jo in his earth-stained garments, heavy boot, - Plet in her jaunty hat and riding suit. - Did I admire them so? Why so it seems, - And even an old man has his need of dreams. - A charming picture—so I think, at least, - That couple standing where the wave released - Fell down the mossy rocks in sparkling foam, - The wild flowers growing from the moist, rich loam, - And from the sun and pines mosaic shed - O'er Plet's fair form and Jo's uncovered head. - A landscape setting, beautiful and grand! - The purple epilobiums in Jo's hand— - Frail, tender blossoms, delicate and sweet, - How strange to see them in that wild retreat!— - Were fitting emblems, in their sudden birth, - To soft enwrap and gladden the cold earth, - Of that sweet office a true love fulfils, - Whose wondrous budding all the being thrills— - Of that enchantment grown between those two, - The fond desire their hearts together drew! - - - - - V. - - - After that day to Jo there came a change,— - Not that I thought the fact so very strange— - For love had come, oh! that was plain to see, - And from the first I felt 'twas a decree. - I knew Jo found a heart that Plet had lost, - And only feared their love might be ill-crossed. - Perhaps the boy was not without his hopes - The eve that Plet returned adown the slopes. - Now he abstracted grew and walked alone, - To fits of silent reverie was prone. - That he had been a talker don't constrain, - Jo never was a glib-tongued rattle-brain. - For hours in silence to his work he'd stick, - Wielding the heavy hammer or the pick; - And I'll confess that I myself kept still. - No time to talk much, holding to the drill. - But at those times that we'd a moment quit, - And pass a word to cheer us up a bit, - I noticed that his speech was but to ask - Concerning work—some detail of our task. - And evenings, too, as moody as a churl - He'd sit and watch his pipe-smoke upward curl. - Sometimes his gaze on vacancy he'd fix,— - And well I knew the young god played his tricks,— - And if I spoke, some thought wished to impart, - 'Twas all unheard, or answered with a start. - What all this meant—who could mistake the sign? - 'Twas plain to see as three times three are nine. - - So at our claim we kept; he worked as though - A wealth must come, whether it would or no. - A new life dwelt within my partner's breast— - If my prayers answered, then 'twas surely blessed— - But in that present 'twas a torture, too. - His question was—what course can I pursue? - Were not his hopes but built upon the sand— - Could one so poor expect to gain Plet's hand? - And constantly this thought his brain did seize— - Had not sweet Plet been used to every ease? - This truth stared out—a common miner he,— - Alas! for him, a rich man's daughter she! - So his dark moods I clearly understood, - Persistent thought that all would end in good. - Pretending not to see, I smoked my pipe, - And thought, I'll live to see the time grow ripe. - In proper time I knew that Jo would speak, - As in the twilight I would watch him seek— - To him I guess 'twas fairest of all bowers— - The spot where he had offered Plet the flowers. - Oft when eve's shadows deepened into nights, - He'll look adown the slopes and watch the lights - That we could see within the distant camp, - Hoping, I knew, to see one special lamp— - Which hope was more than frequent not in vain— - The one that burned behind Plet's window pane. - Yes, he had grown as fond as any dove; - Beyond a doubt, poor Jo was deep in love! - - - - - [Illustration] - - VI. - - - Hurrah! hurrah! And true beyond a doubt! - Hurrah! hurrah! Had we not cause to shout? - She turned her wheel, the changeful, fickle witch; - Yes, beyond doubt, we too had "struck it rich!" - The blind lead we had followed many a day, - Suddenly widened to the best of "pay." - 'Twas purest carbonates. We had enough, - Thousands were ours in the black, gritty "stuff!" - - How did it serve us? You are bound to ask, - How did we take that climax to our task? - 'Twas hard to answer. As I said before, - Jo looked at wealth as though he'd force the door. - But when he saw the end so near him lie, - He dazed appeared and heaved a heavy sigh. - Jo seemed as one just woke from sleep, and—well - As though a burden from his shoulders fell. - And unto me it came as a surprise; - We stood and stared with dry and eager eyes. - A pan of dirt we picked and carried where - Our brows could feel a touch of cool, fresh air. - I felt my temples throb, my eyeballs burn, - My blood alternate ice or fire turn; - I well remember how we held our breath, - Talked hushed and low as in a house of death. - And then we shouted—shouted long and loud, - Shouted as though with brazen lungs endowed; - Shouted until each voice was weak and hoarse, - Until the wild bird fluttered in his course; - Shouted until our friends in gray and tan— - Across the rocks the fat ground squirrels ran; - Until, as though he'd like to join the game, - An answering echo from "Old Babel" came. - - Nor was that all, I'm half ashamed to tell - The things we did beneath that sudden spell— - For then we danced; yes, danced and danced again, - 'Till I from weariness to rest was fain! - Had any seen us they had thought us mad, - And frenzy sure possessed myself and lad, - For I worn out, then Joe he danced alone, - His yellow ringlets to the free winds thrown. - With eyes aglow, all filled with sparkling fire, - He danced as though his limbs would never tire; - In weird fantastic measure and wild tread - He waved the precious dirt around my head; - It seemed one could in his wild antics trace - A likeness to some genie of the place. - A wild delirium o'er our senses came - In which the sunshine looked like silver flame; - The rocks, the flashing wavelets, silver seemed; - Each far-off cloud a silver palace gleamed. - Transmuted all to our excited ken— - Yes, silver, silver; all things silver then! - - How suddenly for us the world was changed; - For us who every field of want had ranged, - Who through long months had fought the stubborn rock, - Met summer tempests, borne the winter's shock. - Now the long struggle, the grim fight was o'er, - Privations hard would be our lot no more. - No weary toiling up or down the slope, - Or weary hours in cold and damp to grope. - What figures that strike meant, we hardly knew, - We were among the very lucky few! - - Then came reaction—to myself I mean— - For more or less my life had failure been. - What truly, after all, the strike to me! - Such as it was you can at once foresee— - A life of toil replaced by one of ease, - Such things of life as can an old man please. - You see I'd grown to be a sort of sage, - Had weighed full carefully the wants of age. - And can a sudden flood of wealth atone - For years of crabbed single life alone? - - With Jo 'twas different. My plans were few, - With him life lay before—so much to do. - 'Twere hard to tell what busy thoughts he kept, - What dreams that night came to him as he slept, - What schemes and plans he up-built prodigal— - Of course providing that he slept at all, - And that was doubtful. Perhaps I knew, - Or thought they were the same as those that drew - His feet toward the mossy torrent head, - The same as made him watch for pale light shed, - Toward the ridge from out the mining camp, - And see a message in a far-off lamp: - The same for many a day his brain beset, - For Jo's unuttered thoughts were all of Plet! - - - - - VII. - - - But on the course of love I will not dwell, - Or many an episode I'd have to tell. - 'Tis hope and courage to the lover bring - A boldness strong as is the eagle's wing. - And Jo waxed bold, you know the reason why, - He had a cause his hope to justify; - Love progressed fast as ship with wind and tide, - Ere the snow flew Plet was a promised bride. - - "Marry in haste and slow repent you say— - Courtships too quick are somewhat the same way?" - I thought not so, 'twas no ill-mated pair, - The father of Jo's worth was well aware: - Before the day on which our good luck came, - I knew his thoughts of Jo were just the same - As when the fickle maid began to smile— - In mining parlance, when we'd made our "pile." - A pair of good discerning eyes he had, - That looked quite through the soul of my poor lad; - He'd seen the worth behind rough garb and lot, - And what he'd seen a friendship true begot, - A generous heart within his bosom burned, - And friendship soon to admiration turned. - While Plet—I'll try my words not to repeat— - Had danced along love's path with willing feet, - The flamed barb was not a whit more slow - To reach her heart than it had been with Jo; - And thus before a year had slipped away, - The smitten pair had named a wedding day. - But ten months more was added to his life, - And Jo saw coming—Fortune and a wife. - What comfort 'twas to be no longer poor— - To know a wife of his need not endure - Such trial as oft he saw some miner's mate - In patient silence bear from morn 'til late. - Oh! Jo, I thought, was sure of happiness, - And haven fair and safe from storm and stress; - For thought of other ending I was loth, - My prayers for them were—May God bless you both! - - A few short weeks our lives might be the same, - Of course we'd not deserted yet our claim, - 'Twas necessary we remain until - Such time as would our obligations fill, - And while the drill was sent or the pick drove, - Like lusty weeds our expectations throve. - - Then still and tranquil grew the autumn days; - Through hazy veils the trees began to blaze; - The mountain summits seemed to sleep and dream; - Of tawny richness was each lessened stream; - Transparent amber on the birches crept; - Orange and madder o'er the dwarf oaks swept: - Upon the maples, in ravine or dell, - A myriad shades of rose-carnation fell; - The aspen groves, a wonder to behold, - Strewed the dark rocks with leaves of paly gold; - Wherever bunch of height—fond foliage grew, - Each frosty night had set some splendid hue, - And far above, beyond the somber pines, - The wasted snow yet gleamed in argent lines; - On every slope and steep, afar and near, - A seal was set that marked a dying year; - The mountains glowed in endless, gorgeous dyes, - With pomp of woods and glory of the skies. - - - - - PART THIRD. - - - - - [Illustration] - - VIII. - - - The hollow huge, where lay the dark lake cold, - Had once been, so my observations told, - The head of a great glacier thick and vast, - Whose icy masses, in the years long past, - Had with its motion, ponderous and slow, - Ploughed out the narrow canon far below, - And as it downward moved with growl upon, - Smoothed the long granite ledges 'till they shone. - No doubt the causeway, half the canon's length, - Was by the monster piled up in his strength; - His bristling front and ice-caves rested there, - Ere he retreated to that upper lair. - - Now the wild hollow sees tremendous slides, - That often fall concurrent from its sides. - With force resistless and with thunders loud - They beat the lake into a misty cloud, - Or out of their deep bed the waters sweep, - To pass in hissing floods adown the steep. - Thus once had Jo and I beheld them fall, - A sight and sound the stoutest to appal. - - 'Twas more than once there came to me a thought, - Why tempt adversity more than one ought? - Our cabin—did it stand in place quite safe, - Would Providence our welfare still vouchsafe? - The cabin stood on a low ridge or mound - That heretofore the slides had passed around. - So I believed that they would do once more— - I did not see the shadow at our door— - And then—the time was brief we had to stay, - We thought that quick—and it would pass away. - - Procrastination—'tis the miner's bane! - To wait, put off, to loiter, he is fain; - He stubborn is and, whether right or wrong, - Keeps to his moods and faces odds too long; - Oh! only beck and voice of Chance he heeds, - And follows blind and deaf where'er she leads. - - The golden autumn days had sudden end, - And darkly wild we saw the storms extend; - With chilly notes November's wind piped loud, - Along the mountain side the tall pines bowed; - From out ravine and glen and bushy aisles, - The crisped leaves were heaped in russet piles; - Or without moment's pause or respite given - Were in the pale, swol'n torrents fiercely driven. - Then came the masses of dull, leaden cloud, - That like gray specters did each other crowd; - Cold drenching rains fell in the vales below, - But on the mountains changed to heavy snow. - With winding sheet it did all things efface; - The heights above "Our Home" grew white apace: - On earth was whiteness, on the sky was frown; - By day and night the flakes were wafted down; - Swirled round and round and wildly drifted o'er - Until it seemed the steeps could bear no more, - And in vast combs, along the winding wall, - The avalanche hung poised for instant fall! - - - - - IX. - - - 'Twas night, and seated by our cabin board - We listened to the wind that shrieked and roared, - If we had erred 'twas now beyond reform— - We were held fast by reason of the storm. - For one whole week it raged without allay, - Nor sign had come that it would yield its sway. - Yes, fairly through our rashness we were caught, - And I to blame, for I was better taught: - The blasts still came, the snow unceasing fell, - Our log-built hut became a citadel. - Across the hollow, we could hear them rave, - And more and more my judgment I misgave; - Hurled wild against the walls each wintry corps, - We hardly dared to open once the door. - - And that night too! That night of all the year— - How very strange sometimes decrees appear! - A twelvemonth since we'd saved his future mate, - And now poor Jo touched by the hand of fate! - Strange, strange indeed, that it should happen then— - You see it was the Christmas Eve again! - - With feet upon the stove my poor boy sat, - I'd tried to help his mood with this and that; - Our miner's lamp down from a huge beam hung, - And o'er our cheerless room its rays it flung. - Within his hand Jo, listless, held a book, - But half the time his eye the page forsook; - He could not read and yet a silence kept— - What meant that change that o'er his features crept? - There was in his pale face too strange a blend, - I did not like whate'er it might portend; - So by the red and dim uncertain light - I watched his face and heard how wild the night; - My head was leaned in thought against my bunk, - I own I was in dark forebodings sunk— - For once since I had met him I was blue, - That we were there appeared great cause to rue. - To keep this fact from Jo's quick sense I tried, - With cheery words my inmost thought belied; - But now by dull, cold fear I felt assailed, - Before some power invisible I quailed. - - A strange world this! How full of woe and weal, - What play of fate and chance our lives reveal! - Our lightest word may prove a dread command, - The balance turns with a mere grain of sand; - We do that trifle; and go here or there, - Speak or keep silent,—joy bring or despair! - One moment's action may prove as a knife, - The thread to cut and make or mar a life! - - As thus I mused—what had I done for Jo? - Sudden he spoke—"'Twas right that we should go," - It startled me,—his words were but a chime; - 'Twas clear our thoughts unspoken had kept time: - Who should he think of now if not of Plet? - Oh! how she would at his forced absence fret! - The yester-morn 'twas his desire to start, - But I, the elder, played the cautious part; - To try the slopes too dangerous did appear,— - To me the thought itself was madness sheer. - Why, could we in such storm have kept our breath? - It would have been a challenge sent to death. - Yet now, so strong my mood within me wrought. - I would have ventured without moment's thought. - Would I had done so! Then I'd blameless been; - Another end—but that was all unseen! - - Ere I made answer, Jo had spoke again— - I was surprised and troubled at his vein— - His spoken musings saddest tenor bore, - There was a break, too, from his words before:— - - Strange question surely with so sad a brow— - "What should prevent my being happy now? - Oh! Yes, I know what power the rich command; - I've seen the true and brave hard want withstand; - My sister, dead—Ah! even as I speak, - I see again her flushed and wasted cheek. - Yes, she was working for the sweaters then— - Most brutal, mean, and sordid of all men— - It killed her! Yes, she slowly drooped and pined, - Sunk 'neath her load and mother's loss combined; - Her task was all too great, nor bold nor strong, - An orphan left amid the heedless throng. - Oh! I was nothing but an urchin small, - My help was little, if 'twas help at all; - 'Twas cruel, cruel that she suffered so; - On my account I know she feared to go. - She shared her little when she ill could spare; - Would that with her my hope I now might share. - What happiness it would to me impart, - Could she but live and heal again her heart. - My mother, too,—to me her face is dim— - It fills my mem'ry like some vague, sweet hymn— - Yet though I cannot see her face aright, - I feel her dark eyes look in mine tonight." - - My Jo was sad indeed and sore oppressed, - His happy prospects did not bring him rest; - And I, too—I was filled with cold alarm, - Some premonition of impending harm! - I felt a warning through my being creep, - And he sat brooding as I fell asleep. - - - - - X. - - - Crash! crash!! crash!!!—O God, what awful roar! - It bursts upon my hearing ever more! - A rush, a fury; sudden, bitter cold; - Confusion utter on my senses rolled; - A rending, grinding; hiss of sliding snow; - Enormous mixing of dread sounds below; - A noise terrific, wonderful and vast, - As though of earthly things it told the last; - Like trump of doom it seemed to rend the sky, - And turn the brain to numbness——Where was I? - Half stunned I sat bolt upright in my bunk; - My head swam round as if I had been drunk. - The sudden noise had ended, all was still, - And yet a tremor did the darkness fill; - Our lamp still burned, a red spot in the gloom, - But all was chill and silent as a tomb. - I was too dazed, too lost to understand, - Yet felt the snow drift on my face and hand. - - I called aloud to Jo. No answer came. - I called, again, again, and 'twas the same! - - What was it? Where was Jo? What did it mean? - What meant that vacancy where Jo had been! - His bunk was empty, and the stove was—where? - Was that Jo's hat upon the table there? - In sort of dreamy spell I stared and asked, - But to the answering felt myself o'ertasked. - Why did our cabin wall so whitish grow— - Why did it look so very much like snow? - In distance, too, I saw it slow expand, - And still I felt the snow on face and hand. - - Then I was wide awake! My mind was cleared— - Oh, all too plain the dreadful truth appeared! - The slides! the slides! "Our Home" was wrecked by slides! - And there was terror in this thought besides— - My Jo? Ah! God of Mercy! where was Jo? - Did he lie bleeding on the rocks below? - "Our Home" was struck, there but remained the half— - Oh, then I seemed to hear the dark fates laugh! - Not one thing touched or moved where I had lain, - And Jo, perhaps, hurled down to ghastly pain. - Down, down the slopes he had been whirled away, - Ere this it might be—was but lifeless clay: - Was that a voice that called on me to come, - While I stood there in anguish, terror-dumb? - - Outside the wreck—when I stood there at last, - The storm rolled back—as if in mockery passed; - A scene of desolation, weird and white, - Beneath the parting clouds fell on my sight; - Like to a lamp the moon hung wan and pale, - As though it lit the path through death's own vale. - My pair of snow-shoes from the wall I took— - Jo's hung there with them on the self-same hook— - Then to my belt a miner's lamp I tied, - Seized the long pole that would my steep course guide; - Though frantic in my fear, all desperate, - I must my acts in order regulate. - Well that some little skill I could command, - Well that I know each foot of mountain land; - Or never could I, had it not been so, - Have reached the spot where I, at last, found Jo. - - The snow was wildly drifted; rocks were bare, - The white blown from them to make mounds in air; - The surface here all soft and loose did feel, - Here 'twas hard-packed and smooth as polished steel. - The slides had met above—there had been two— - Their mighty tracks stretched upward full in view; - Where they had joined in fierce and deadly shock - Was piled on high the tons of shattered rock. - One had possessed a greater power and force - And drove the other from its downward course— - You see how all conspired to change our luck— - That swerve was why the cabin had been struck; - And far below, in a small valley penned, - The rushing snow was forced to make an end, - A level space with rocks all jagged and sharp, - The first uplifting of the counterscarp. - If Jo against those cruel rocks was borne, - Oh, then, I knew, was come my time to mourn! - - And hidden dangers it was mine to face, - A moment, I believe, I asked for grace; - Then without pause I glided down the slope, - In that hot fire that burns 'tween fear and hope. - I knew not where to pause or where to look; - The awful wreckage all my courage shook; - He might be crushed by boulder or tree-trunk, - Or out of reach in some ravine be sunk. - Each object dark that on the surface lay - Plucked at my heart and filled me with dismay. - What likely seemed within the shadows dim, - I hoped, yet dreaded, that it might be him! - - What were those timbers sticking through the snow? - I hardly dared another glance bestow. - Ah! what were they it needed little proof, - 'Twas splintered fragments of our cabin roof: - And what was that black something lying there? - 'Twas Jo's great coat that hung upon his chair. - Was he, then, somewhere near? Oh! could I save? - One choking thump I felt that my heart gave, - Then in my bosom it was turned to lead. - Where was he? Was he yet alive—or dead? - - - - - [Illustration] - - XI. - - - Quite dead! All hopeless, my poor Jo was dead! - Yes, all too soon I knew that life had fled! - Oh! not the slightest flutter at his heart; - No warmth to his cold lips could I impart; - I could not bring the breath to my poor mate, - I'd found him; but, ah, God! I'd found too late! - - Oh! what I suffered I can never tell, - It seemed to me I tasted then of hell! - Despair came o'er me, I was dazed with grief, - As palsy struck I trembled like a leaf. - Would I go mad? Yes, without thought or aim, - I smoothed Jo's brow and called upon his name; - Strange and unnatural my voice with woe, - And lost at once amid the wreaths of snow! - Should I feel shame that grief did me unman— - That down my furrowed cheeks the hot tears ran? - That night I learned what friendship true can be; - How near a son the lad had been to me. - Before that hour no gray my locks o'er cast, - And after that the white came thick and fast. - - 'Twas by the wreckage, some ten yards away, - And near the surface that my poor boy lay, - One hand thrust upward, as in mute appeal. - Alas! my frenzied clasp he could not feel! - Upon his other hand each fingernail - Furrowed the flesh, did deep the palm impale. - Oh, it was gruesome! Oft I've seen it so, - Upon the hands of those killed by the snow. - - What could I do—when bitter tears and grief - Passed to a dull despair beyond relief? - When I was sure that I all power did lack; - That tears and labor could not bring him back? - Must I make ready for a solemn task— - The end of which I dared not see nor ask? - Dimly, through all the rack of ache and pain, - I knew the truth—Jo could not there remain; - And then the thought upon my brain dawned slow, - That I must take him to the camp below. - - Oh! friend, who listens calmly to this tale, - Did it show weakness that my heart should fail? - That I before the coming task did shrink— - Held back as one upon a chasm's brink? - "Not so," you say? I hope in all the sum - Of your life's days such task may never come! - - Close by our cabin we had kept a sled, - Thereon awhile poor Jo must find a bed. - Oft he had pulled beside me on the slope— - Brave, honest Jo, when he was filled with hope; - Now he would be the burden it must bear. - Hard pang it gave to go and leave him there; - Lying so rigid, lonely and so still, - He did with fearfulness the wild scene fill! - I seemed to see all nature through a pall, - A sign of death was written over all,— - Life, hope, fate, death; the helplessness of men— - The mystery of all weighed on me then! - - Across the sled I laid pine-branches deep, - Placed Jo upon them in his endless sleep; - With his own blankets wrapped the body o'er— - Under their folds he'd dream of love no more— - And when I'd fitting made his bed at last, - With long, stout cords I tightly bound all fast; - Felt one deep surge of pain my breast within, - And, then—my course was ready to begin. - - Then downward; downward, in pale light of dawn, - Down the steep slopes and ledges long outdrawn. - Over the snowy hillocks, mighty drifts, - Across ice-bridges o'er the deep-made rifts, - Down, down the hidden trail we knew so well— - Within my ears a sound like passing bell; - My heart like fire, my throbbing brow cold-damp, - As, in the wintry noon, I reached the camp. - Oh, awful hour! My task of tasks came yet, - Ah, God! how could I bear the news to Plet? - - - - - XII. - - - Fear not,—I shall not tell of all the woe, - The misery Jo's death did clear foreshow. - Why should I try those dark hours to recall, - Dwell on the blank that fell upon us all? - O regal Death, you wear a changeful crown, - You come with gentle smile or tyrant frown! - We know sometimes with terror you assail, - Or to sweet rest you touch the eyelids pale: - That to the living, from your unseen train, - Too oft remorse doth bring its aching pain, - And to the sorrows that bereavement brings, - The earthly needings like a horror clings. - - Too dreadful was the time between the day - I reached the camp and he was laid away. - Yes, I have lived through saddened hours and dark, - Known trials that on life have left their mark; - I've my own share of keenest anguish seen, - For all too soon my life had failure been; - I knew what 'twas to miss the hoped-for goal, - And feel the iron enter in my soul; - Yet only then I saw all hope depart, - To come no more when Jo received death's dart; - And still more black became the gloom profound, - Between that hour and the burial ground. - - Her father told her—how I do not know. - When I told him, he reeled as from a blow; - I did not dare to go and look on her, - Of tidings evil I the messenger. - Yet later in her sorrow I could share - When in the dusk we took Jo's body there. - - A dreary, dreary winter day was that, - Deep lay the snow upon the lonesome flat; - Slowly the big white flakes were falling round, - And in a deeper shroud the hills enwound. - You should not think the hands of friends forgot - To dig a pathway to the chosen spot. - Slowly through white the black procession passed, - And stood beside the open grave at last. - Plet, speechless, tearless, to her father clung, - A sight so pitiful each heart was wrung. - By one most worthy a few lines were read, - In simple service for untimely dead. - The end was reached when, like a sudden knell, - The clods all frozen on the coffin fell. - - Nor was there lack of kindly effort made - To ease the grief on her so heavy laid. - All in the camp had hunger in their heart - To her some grain of comfort to impart; - But such her feeling that they must forego, - And leave her silent in her utter woe. - - - - - [Illustration] - - XIII. - - - And after that all is to me quite vague, - My memory seemed smitten by a plague; - A strange uncertainty did all confuse, - Things and events I saw through changing hues. - My merry Plet, sweet as the sun shone on, - I saw like a cut flower all droop and wan, - Or one that's stricken by a cruel frost, - Or like a weary bird, that's tempest-tossed. - She who had been so lively and so gay - Changed to a spirit that might pass away. - How soon the dawn of love so rosy bright - Had given place to dark and solemn night! - Her only wish now seemed to be alone, - To listen for a word in that loved tone— - Yes, she who longed to meet the future years, - Now backward looked and through a mist of tears. - - And doubt and fear obscure oppressed my brain, - My mind was clouded by a nameless pain, - And o'er and o'er again came this dark thought, - She too must go—she but a long rest sought; - On other paths than ours she soon must wend, - Her broken heart foreshadowed but this end. - - Her father wished to take her from the place, - But Plet begged hard for little time of grace. - He to remove her from those scenes was fain, - She to look on them still would there remain. - How could she go and leave that new-made grave, - When, to be near, her only comfort gave? - Ah, all unlike is woman to the man! - And yet we know 'tis to some noble plan— - Man in his strength, the past lets go its way, - Though thus forever some great hope decay! - But woman, loving, tender, still clings fast, - And hopeless yearns until the very last; - Keeps sacred in her heart and holds supreme - Whate'er remains of her sweet broken dream. - - And so that grave held Plet with unseen power. - Was there some influence at their natal hour? - Oh, yes, to me the sequel seemed to show - That they were linked indeed for weal or woe! - - And so there came again a summer day, - With Plet and father climbing up the way. - What madness filled his brain to let her come? - The very sight with anguish struck me dumb. - I knew she struggled with her love in vain, - 'Twas hopelessness that brought her once again. - The same wild flowers were growing by the lake, - As when she first came for my poor Jo's sake. - Can the eyes speak farewell? Oh! if they can, - How simple was the key to her sad plan. - She only came with her dead hope to part, - To be where love had entered in her heart! - - And now there came that looked-for scene and last, - To which that other seemed but a forecast; - Once more the great white flakes were falling slow, - To wrap in fleecy folds the earth below. - A year with all its changes had gone round - Since Jo was buried in that mountain ground, - The third of that glad season since they met, - And now I saw the grave close over Plet. - - For he had promised—kept the promise true, - Nor death nor circumstance should part those two. - And now that vow the stricken father made, - We with bowed heads in silence saw obeyed. - Her happiness had been his own, and why - Should he her last and fondest wish deny? - And that last wish had almost been a prayer, - That she might lie beside her lover there. - - The Christmas Eve—it weighed upon my heart, - It seemed the hot tears from my eyes must start; - In anguish o'er my brow I passed my hand, - Life seemed no surer than a rope of sand: - The Christmas Eve with dire importance fraught, - Plet and her father 'neath the wild snows caught; - The Christmas Eve and Jo swept to his death, - Upon the jagged rocks to yield his breath, - And Christmas Eve again, and Plet asleep, - Where on the flat the snow lay cold and deep. - The Christmas Eve, I whispered o'er and o'er, - While echoes seemed to come from a far shore. - Oh, why so fateful to them was that night— - Why did it always bring so sad a plight? - I tried an answer to my words to frame— - But no solution to the question came; - I choking struggled with the hopeless task, - And life for death did only seem a mask; - I felt all hope was but sad pretence when - Their voices I should never hear again! - - - - - FINALE. - - - - - XIV. - - - All stuff and nonsense! Never hear them? What! - Their voices hear no more? Believe it not! - How! Voice of Jo or Plet not hear again? - Indeed! Pray whose voice was I hearing then? - Whose voice was that—bright, joyous, full and clear— - A voice that rang with every note of cheer! - Whose voice, indeed, if not the voice of Jo?— - And you'll concede I was the one to know. - My dear boy's voice as lusty as of old,— - Oh, no, he was not 'neath the graveyard mold! - His voice I heard proclaim it was the morn, - The sun was shining and the storm outworn— - And then, ere I could drink my happy cup, - Cut my thoughts short with orders to "get up!" - - So all those things so dreadful were not true— - 'Twas but a nightmare I had just passed through: - It was not fact our cabin had been struck, - No end so sad had come to mar our luck! - All false those hours upon the mountain side; - Jo's body down the slopes I did not guide; - He was not dead, nor Plet! It did but seem; - All a mistake, then, nothing but a dream! - - Thank God it was so! That the heaped-up snow - Ourselves and cabin had not hurled below, - That there was One of Mercy that did spare, - Although ourselves had entered in the snare! - Thank Heaven, again, 'twas but Jo's mournful word, - To tragedy in my weak head transferred! - - You know what governs in a Christmas Tale— - That joyfully to end it must not fail,— - So as this life page I was telling you, - Such end of course I always kept in view. - To take the actual from the false apart, - You see it really needs but little art— - Such rights as others take, I did but claim, - If I have pleased you, then I've gained my aim. - - Oh, all unlike our trip upon the slope, - To that one of my dream bereft of hope! - The wintry sun had driven back the night, - All glistening lay the snow beneath his light. - As we sped downwards in unbounded zeal - Our snow-shoes sent the spray from off our heel, - The mountain hare, behind some bank cowered low, - We sent in scurry wild across the snow. - You never then had truly guessed my years, - That I was mad with gladness plain appears! - Jo's hot young blood in me seemed to have place, - And merrily with him I kept the race. - To see them stand together, O, what joy— - Plet all in smiles beside my darling boy; - To hear the music of her gentle voice - Made every fiber in my heart rejoice. - They looked like pair upon some antique vase, - My Jo all strength, and she all sweetest grace. - And when I thought, instead of grave and shroud, - It was the bridal feast, I laughed aloud! - - And what a feast it was, too, when it came; - In that high camp you'll find it still has fame! - From lonely spots the guests came far and wide, - And Plet, indeed, was lovely as a bride. - You'll guess, of course, as best man I stood there, - And heard "Good Wishes" heaped upon the pair. - For that flushed look of pride who could blame Jo— - As on Plet's lips he did the kiss bestow? - I think we might as well own up as not— - That single life is but a dreary lot! - I'll bother you no more about our claim, - Or what the mine itself in time became— - The miner often will too much expect, - Yet our first guess was far below correct. - 'Tis business here has caused me to sojourn - Until the pair from wedding trip return. - Of course they make their home in that same west - That gave Jo wealth and brought a love the best; - And I?—Yes, I am for the mountains, too; - Strange how their magic will a man pursue! - Yes, they will follow whereso'er you go, - As they who love them once will always know. - Another word,—to tell you all complete— - I feel again an itching in my feet; - "The Miner's Fever!" Give it once a hold, - It comes to stay, and burns in young and old: - - Shall I go to the Wasatch?—Why, of course! - To keep away requires the greater force. - And yet "Our Home" I almost dread to see— - Where metal's found there comes a stern decree— - The varied beauties of the mountain wild - To serve our greed are for the time defiled; - Each sturdy worker smites and cannot spare, - He follows law and makes deep havoc there. - - And in the mining camp each blast I hear, - But echoes of those others will appear— - Those that above the snowy heights were borne, - To celebrate the happy Christmas Morn, - Those blasts by which his joy the miner tells, - And which we used in lieu of Wedding Bells! - - - - - [Illustration] - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLET: A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE -WASATCH *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/66961-0.zip b/old/66961-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d9863f8..0000000 --- a/old/66961-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h.zip b/old/66961-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index eacf5f0..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/66961-h.htm b/old/66961-h/66961-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index ac7145c..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/66961-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1968 +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" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> - <title>PLET: A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE WASATCH by Alfred Lambourne--A Project Gutenberg eBook</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; } - h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em; } - h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em; } - h3 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em; } - .pageno { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver; - text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; - border: thin solid silver; padding: .1em .2em; font-style: normal; - font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; } - p { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: justify; } - .xxlarge { font-size: xx-large; } - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .figcenter { clear: both; max-width: 100%; margin: 2em auto; text-align: center; } - .figleft { clear: left; float: left; max-width: 100%; margin: 0.5em 1em 1em 0; - text-align: left; } - @media handheld { .figleft { float: left; } } - .figcenter img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } - .figleft img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } - .id001 { width:500px; } - .id002 { width:400px; } - .id003 { width:400px; } - @media handheld { .id001 { margin-left:19%; width:62%; } } - @media handheld { .id002 { width:50%; } } - @media handheld { .id003 { width:60%; } } - .ig001 { width:100%; } - .nf-center { text-align: center; } - .nf-center-c1 { text-align: left; margin: 1em 0; } - img.drop-capi { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; position: relative; z-index: 1; } - p.drop-capi0_8 { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - p.drop-capi1_0 { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - p.drop-capi1_1 { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - p.drop-capi0_8:first-letter { color: transparent; visibility: hidden; - margin-left: -0.8em; } - p.drop-capi1_0:first-letter { color: transparent; visibility: hidden; - margin-left: -1.0em; } - p.drop-capi1_1:first-letter { color: transparent; visibility: hidden; - margin-left: -1.1em; } - @media handheld { - img.drop-capi { display: none; visibility: hidden; } - p.drop-capi0_8:first-letter { color: inherit; visibility: visible; - margin-left: 0em; } - p.drop-capi1_0:first-letter { color: inherit; visibility: visible; - margin-left: 0em; } - p.drop-capi1_1:first-letter { color: inherit; visibility: visible; - margin-left: 0em; } - } - .c000 { margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c001 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em; } - .c002 { margin-top: 4em; } - .c003 { margin-top: 1em; } - .c004 { margin-top: 2em; } - .c005 { margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c006 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 4em; } - h2 {padding-left: 4.0em; text-align: left; } - h3 {padding-left: 6.0em; text-align: left; clear: both; } - div.pbb { page-break-before: always; } - div.banner { page-break-before: always; } - .banner h3.banner { padding-left: 6em; text-align:left; clear:both; } - .banner img.banner{ float:left; margin-top:0.5em; margin-bottom:1em; width:400px; } - div.tnotes { padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;background-color:#E3E4FA; - border:1px solid silver; margin:1em 5% 0 5%; text-align: justify; } - </style> - </head> - <body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Plet: A Christmas Tale of the Wasatch, by Alfred Lambourne</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Plet: A Christmas Tale of the Wasatch</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Alfred Lambourne</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: December 17, 2021 [eBook #66961]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Charlene Taylor, Guus Snijders and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLET: A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE WASATCH ***</div> - -<div class='tnotes'> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>Transcriber's note:</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c000'>A few errors in punctuation have been silently restored, -otherwise the original spelling was retained.</p> - -</div> - -<div> - <h1 class='c001'>PLET: A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE WASATCH</h1> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/frontis.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'><b>PLET:</b></span></div> - <div class='c003'>A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE WASATCH</div> - <div class='c004'>BY</div> - <div>ALFRED LAMBOURNE</div> - <div class='c002'>The Deseret News</div> - <div>1909</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div>Copyright, 1891, 1894, 1906, by</div> - <div>Alfred Lambourne</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div>TO</div> - <div>HOLD FROM OBLIVION AWHILE, AND TO PRESENT</div> - <div>TO MY CHILDREN,</div> - <div>THE MEMORIES OF HOURS</div> - <div>PASSED AT THE PLACE DESCRIBED HEREIN AS</div> - <div>OUR HOME.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span> - <h3 class='c001'>PLET: A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE WASATCH.</h3> -</div> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc007.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_0'> -A tale from out my western life you say?<br /> -Something to while the Christmas Eve away;<br /> -And something, too, to suit this festal time,<br /> -With two old bachelors, long past their prime,<br /> -Who as they sip in solitude their wine,<br /> -Are filled with memories of Auld Lang Syne?<br /> -Well,—I grant it. Yet why did you add,<br /> -Something to suit the time? I shall be glad—<br /> -But was the last a tongue slip? Let it go.<br /> -Still, why I asked, the tale will clearly show.<br /> -As I proceed and still you care to hear,<br /> -You'll find it suits this night of all the year.<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>Oh, yes! to fill your wish I'm full inclined,<br /> -I need but voice the thoughts within my mind,<br /> -And then the task's completed. All comes back<br /> -On every Christmas Eve, I never lack<br /> -Of food for thought. That time I'll ne'er forget<br /> -In future years, though distant may be set<br /> -My time for going. When my younger mate—<br /> -But why as writers say—anticipate?<br /> -You'll find the tale, perhaps, a trifle sad,<br /> -When every dictum says it should be glad.<br /> -And—hope the last will not astonish you—<br /> -Once in a while a little preachy, too.<br /> -And mixed with love, a subject—well, heigh, ho!<br /> -Something that we are not supposed to know.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span> - <h2 class='c006'>PART FIRST.</h2> -</div> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span> - <h3 class='c001'>I.</h3> -</div> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc011.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -Crash! crash!! crash!!! A heavy, thunderous sound,<br /> -Re-echoed from the snow-clad mountains round.<br /> -Then shrieks and voices hoarse came through the night<br /> -And far below we saw the lantern's light,—<br /> -It was the slides again! Through misty damp,<br /> -We hastened downward to the stricken camp.<br /> -<br /> -The Christmas Eve! Ill time had chosen Fate<br /> -To work her will and joy annihilate!<br /> -Women and children lay beneath that snow,<br /> -And many a bronzed cheek was touched with woe.<br /> -Think not those men who toil amid the hills<br /> -Lack generous fire that noble bosom fills.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>Their hearts are tender and their hearts are true,<br /> -Their sympathies come quick as mountain dew.<br /> -I've been at many rescues; seen the tears<br /> -Fill manly eyes, when hope came after fears.<br /> -Seen cheeks turn pale, as from their prisons deep,<br /> -Crushed, lifeless forms were lifted in last sleep:<br /> -As some dear comrade, thought past hope, beneath<br /> -The hard-pack'd snow, was found to live—to breathe.<br /> -Oh, true those brawny delvers of the mines,<br /> -Though in their fashion they are rough at times!</p> - -<p class='c000'>Have you ever seen a snow-slide?—No?<br /> -Ah! oft I've wished their pictures to outgrow!<br /> -I've drunk a drop or two the thoughts to drown,<br /> -'Tis hard, sometimes, to keep emotion down.<br /> -Soon we had rescued four; and found three—dead;<br /> -A father, mother, child. The cradle-head<br /> -Stood by the shattered wall, and close there hung—<br /> -Not one but felt his heart with pity wrung—<br /> -The child's blue, tiny stocking. On the man<br /> -Lay the roof-tree; we hardly dared to scan<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>With sidelong glance the sight. But wife nor child<br /> -The snow had marr'd, for still the mother smiled;<br /> -The little hands were clasped as if in prayer—<br /> -As lisped words but echoed mother's there,<br /> -Or as the thoughts were filled with visions bright,<br /> -Of what the eyes should see at dawn of light.<br /> -Alas! those eyes would open never more;<br /> -How quick their time for smiles and tears was o'er!<br /> -The clasped hands that toy should never lift<br /> -Saint Nicholas had brought for Christmas gift.<br /></p> - -<p class='c000'>And so we worked, and ere the darkness fled<br /> -Six others we had placed among the dead,<br /> -But none we found were living. Nine there lay<br /> -All stark upon the snow, that black night's prey.<br /> -Where it would end, there was no time to ask,<br /> -As steadily we held the grewsome task.<br /> -We did our best—I'm over sixty now,<br /> -And strife with Fortune early lined my brow—<br /> -So I, when overcome with labor sheer,<br /> -A lantern held or uttered words of cheer.<br /></p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>At last we reached them—all too late it seemed,<br /> -So pale their faces as the cold morn gleamed.<br /> -Around the father's neck her arms were flung,<br /> -As if in terror from her couch she sprung,<br /> -When first upon her ears came, faint and low,<br /> -The distant rumble of the loosened snow.<br /> -Lovely she lay in her long, broidered robe,<br /> -Her brown hair rippling o'er each argent globe<br /> -Of her ripe bosom's wealth. A long lash press'd<br /> -Silken on either cheek. Even when oppressed<br /> -By death's close presence—she was lovely then,<br /> -But still more lovely as those days came when<br /> -Her cheeks with health were red, and in her eye<br /> -The light of friendship shone, and, by and by,<br /> -The tender look of love. No wonder Jo<br /> -Lost then and there his heart. The girl to know<br /> -Was prelude sure to loving. Wonderful<br /> -Indeed, had he not loved her. And a full<br /> -And generous destiny appeared to say,<br /> -You'll stand together on your Wedding Day.<br /> -Whene'er I saw them happy side by side,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>My foolish heart said, "Jo has found his bride."<br /> -Perhaps when heart's for heart, there is a link<br /> -We do not understand. I sometimes think<br /> -Love called to love from Death's dark portico—<br /> -Or else what urged the lad to labor so?<br /> -'Twas he who, reverent, raised her in his arms,<br /> -All mute at her sweet face and maiden charms.<br /> -My full belief it was that from the grave<br /> -The girl had come to wed my boy so brave.<br /> -But not so fast, old Time has chastened me,<br /> -For who can tell what Fate will say, shall be!</p> - -<p class='c000'>Yes, once again the story all revives—<br /> -Strange part the Christmas Eve played in their lives!<br /></p> - -<h3 class='c001'>II.</h3> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc015.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -Our Home—that is our cabin, Jo's and mine,<br /> -A single room to dwell in, sleep or dine,<br /> -Stood in a hollow near the mountain top,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>Where massive walls the blue sky seemed to prop.<br /> -A stern, bleak, strange, a lonely rugged place<br /> -From whence down-looking one could distant trace<br /> -The far-sunk canon and the ledges damp<br /> -That sloped toward the little mining camp.<br /> -A Babylonish pile at one end rose<br /> -On which lay through the year the spiral snows;<br /> -And at the other, lichened, richly mossed,<br /> -Inlaid by nature's hand, all wild up-tossed,<br /> -A mass of terraces did steeply lean,<br /> -While tumbled debris lay these heights between.<br /> -And higher still the hoary mountain passed<br /> -Into a peak, all naked, pale, and vast;<br /> -Bleached into gray, but marked with mineral stain—<br /> -The source of which it was our hope to gain.<br /> -So thus we tunneled and did slow proceed,<br /> -Striving from day to day to reach "the lead."<br /> -Across the debris lay a zig-zag track<br /> -Our feet had made in climbing up and back.<br /> -And 'tween our claim and cabin, lost in sleep,<br /> -A mountain lake lay cold, and dark, and deep.<br /></p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>Three years we lived there—in that hollow stern,<br /> -The mountain's sights and voices well did learn.<br /> -Peered down the ledges sunk in watery gloom,<br /> -Beheld the flowers that exhaled rich perfume.<br /> -By the lake margin they in myriads grew—<br /> -Unfolded there the starry asters blue;<br /> -Around each boulder, ere the snow was old,<br /> -Came gleaming buttercups in rings of gold;<br /> -Where swift the gathered waters fell away,<br /> -Forget-me-nots were drenched in crystal spray.<br /> -The mimulus, the brush, geraniums bright,<br /> -Lit up the shadows with a sunny light.<br /> -These sounds we heard—the new-born torrent's plaint,<br /> -The bird-like chirp of hidden squirrel faint;<br /> -And others, too, uncanny, savage, wild—<br /> -The wind that fiend-like shrieked 'mong rocks all aisled,<br /> -Anon, oh, dreadful sound! the thunder-peal,<br /> -When e'en the giant mountain seemed to reel.<br /> -Sometimes the echo of a distant blast—<br /> -Which sound of promise made our hearts beat fast—<br /> -Full many a sound that made our bosoms swell;<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>Oh, yes, we learned to know the mountains well!</p> - -<p class='c000'>But who was Jo? We met upon the slope<br /> -When I, at least, was well-nigh without hope.<br /> -I'd struggled long—it was my fate, you see—<br /> -Had been held down by dark adversity.<br /> -But from the moment I met Jo—'twas change,<br /> -Then for my life began an upward range.<br /> -Upon the cliffs of purple, iron-gray,<br /> -Heavy and wan, the clouds held fast that day.<br /> -The Tower of Babel, in the thick murk gloom'd,<br /> -Like to a mighty, spectral shadow loom'd<br /> -Dim, black, gigantic, save for lines of snow<br /> -Reflected vaguely in the lake below.<br /> -And clouds as heavy on the peak did rest,<br /> -While vapors white lay wild along each crest.<br /> -'Twas ominous truly, but sudden—lo, behold!<br /> -The sunbeams darted through the thick enfold.<br /> -And then was transformation! 'Twas a sign—<br /> -An omen surely good, I did divine.<br /> -We stood and gazed in silence. All the moss<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>Seemed turned to emerald fire by the cross<br /> -Of slanting sunbeams. Silver flash they gave<br /> -To edge of every shoreward lapping wave.<br /> -And then the flowers! As by magic turned,<br /> -Each rain-wet leaf as topaz, ruby, burned!<br /> -Oh, 'twas inspiring! But why more recite?<br /> -Our friendship dated from that glorious sight.<br /> -I thought that Fortune dealt anew the cards,<br /> -When Jo consented to try luck as "pards."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Nor did I rue it. 'Twas a well-fought game.<br /> -Ere that day ended we had staked a claim.<br /> -Led by a hope not easy to dispel,<br /> -We built our hut by that deep mountain well.<br /> -And there we lived. All gloomy thoughts we quelled,<br /> -Believed success was in the future held.<br /> -Oft we would sit beside our cabin door,<br /> -Each chance of winning look at o'er and o'er;<br /> -And as we lit and smoked a friendly pipe,<br /> -We'd boast how Fortune's hair we'd tightly gripe.<br /> -We saw the yellow twilight in the west<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>Grow dim and fade upon the mountain's breast.<br /> -Oft when the lake and crags had turned to jet,<br /> -The moon came up and found us watchers yet.<br /> -Dear lad, I loved him truly as my life,—<br /> -In those three years we passed no word of strife;<br /> -I played the father, he was like a son.<br /> -Alas! the end to that so well begun!</p> - -<p class='c000'>A curious fact—and why not tell it here?<br /> -Though you may think it just a little queer—<br /> -I wished when my time came, and I lay dead,<br /> -Within that hollow, Jo should make my bed.<br /> -In some strange way—I scarce can make it clear,<br /> -Nor in my hopefulness should it appear—<br /> -That one of us would live to see his mate,<br /> -The labors of his life there terminate.<br /> -And so, in shelter that a dwarfed pine gave<br /> -With mental sight I saw my cone-strewn grave.<br /> -Yet nothing said to give to Jo distress,<br /> -And—let an ending come to this digress—<br /> -I wish to make this truth appear quite plain,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>'Twas Jo I thought of more than hope of gain.<br /> -Brave lad! There shone within his honest eye<br /> -A daring will to conquer or to die.<br /> -Perhaps 'twas that endeared him to me so,<br /> -His fiery youth—and I so tame and slow.<br /> -Besides my past had all been a mistake,<br /> -While golden promise said to him, Awake!<br /> -We started different, I had lost my chance,<br /> -The future bade him boldly to advance.<br /> -It seemed to me to take but little guess<br /> -To know that Jo would make of life success.<br /></p> - -<h3 class='c001'>III.</h3> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc021.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -And Plet—for later so we found her name—<br /> -The very idol of the camp became;<br /> -A roguish, wilful, tomboy, sparkling girl,<br /> -As ever set a lover's brain awhirl.<br /> -Full of all tricks, yet gold without alloy,<br /> -The pride of all, and all her father's joy.<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>And modest, too. Her cheek with blushes burned,<br /> -That day we heard how she her pet name earned.<br /> -"You see," her father said, in merry mood,<br /> -While Plet sought quick our glances to elude,<br /> -"'Twas this way," here her face he downward drew,<br /> -"We found it well to cut your name in two.<br /> -Yes, darling, in those days that now are fled<br /> -We Pretty called you, 'Pletty' your lips said.<br /> -As Pretty were you, 'Pletty' you became,<br /> -And soon would answer to no other name.<br /> -But in good time the 'Pletty' came to 'Plet,'<br /> -The name we christened you I half forget.<br /> -This hair of brown was then all golden curls,<br /> -Ere you had grown most naughty of all girls.<br /> -Before this time, when you all care repay,<br /> -With wicked guiles that turn my old head gray."</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then Plet indulged in charming smile and pout—<br /> -That she was "papa's darling" none could doubt.<br /> -She was his all upon life's pilgrimage,<br /> -A golden letter saved from vanished page,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>The promised solace of his closing years,<br /> -A hope that came from out a time of tears:<br /> -Of children born to him the first and last,<br /> -The image of her well-loved mother passed.<br /></p> - -<p class='c000'>Such Plet—whose noble, sympathetic heart<br /> -Had others caused to live a better part;<br /> -A petticoated, pranksome, daring scamp,<br /> -The dainty hoyden of a mining camp.</p> - -<div class='figleft id002'> -<img src='images/image023.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span> - <h2 class='c006'>PART SECOND.</h2> -</div> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span></div> -<div class='c004'></div> -<div class='banner'> -<img src='images/image027.jpg' alt='' class='banner' /> -<h3 class='banner'>IV.</h3> -</div> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc027.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi0_8'> -Jo was pure-minded. He possessed a force<br /> -That kept him always from the low and coarse;<br /> -If ugly vice and sin upon him frowned,<br /> -With head erect he firmly held his ground.<br /> -When siren Pleasure spread her silken net<br /> -He was not caught, nor made a conscience debt.<br /> -They found he was not of their kind—those men,<br /> -Who sought the brothel, drink-shop, gambling-den.<br /> -No goody-goody—it was known at length<br /> -His action came from courage and from strength,<br /> -And those who make a test were sure to find<br /> -His virtues were not of the meaner kind,<br /> -They came from purity and clean desires.<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>Not lack of passions strong, nor manly fires.<br /></p> - -<p class='c000'>'Twas on a bright and noble summer day,<br /> -When fast the winter snow-drifts ebbed away;<br /> -The cloudless sky was like a crystal dome,<br /> -When Plet and father stood within "Our Home."<br /> -All nature blended in one vast, grand hymn<br /> -What time their nags came o'er the hollow's rim.<br /> -We saw them coming from our perch on high—<br /> -How quick the love-light sprang in poor Jo's eye!—<br /> -We hastened downward, Jo well on before,<br /> -And met them ere they reached the cabin door.<br /> -Their nags were hitched beneath a mighty spruce—<br /> -One grizzled, storm-worn arm stretched out for use—<br /> -And then—Oh! great, indeed, was Plet's delight,<br /> -When first she gazed upon the Babel height!<br /> -No less the gloom, the aged savageness,<br /> -Impressed her fancy than the gorgeous dress,<br /> -Brief summer lends to that high altitude<br /> -Between the fierce assaults of winter rude.<br /> -The solitude upon her senses wrought,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>Each novel sight some exclamation brought!<br /> -We showed her "Dead Man's Corner," where was found<br /> -A hapless miner dead and wrapped around<br /> -With the same chilly shroud as on the day,<br /> -The ridge he tried—by snow was swept away.<br /> -Yet this—although it brought a pretty sigh—<br /> -But for a moment put her gay mood by.<br /> -The wonders of "Our Home" the girl beguiled<br /> -And made her buoyant as a happy child.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then came a banquet. After that steep ride—<br /> -Plet's skill equestrienne none in camp denied—<br /> -What better than a tempting dish of fruit,—<br /> -So true the wild our mood did try and suit.<br /> -The visit to "Our Home" was timely sure,<br /> -Those strawberries were fit for epicure.<br /> -Among the creviced rocks the plants were spread,<br /> -The just ripe berries hanging rich and red;<br /> -And these were gathered. At their friendly board,<br /> -In every cheer and rich abundance stored,<br /> -We often sat. So now we gave our mite,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>Their many pleasant favors to requite.<br /> -And yet to our desires how poor and mean,<br /> -How all inadequate the gift did seem.<br /> -And then came out—they seemed to think it sport—<br /> -Our two tin plates, it was our only sort.<br /> -But Plet's deft fingers quick transition made,<br /> -With fresh green leaves in starry pattern laid—<br /> -And while she praised the wild fruit's luscious taste<br /> -We thought how she our rustic dwelling graced.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The life of the prospector—lonely 'tis!<br /> -No venture free from daily hazard his,<br /> -But one of steady, hard, and daring toil<br /> -He must meet danger, nor from care recoil;<br /> -To unforeseen and sudden risks exposed,<br /> -No cease from vigil keen his labors knows.<br /> -And sudden wealth of all his thoughts the theme,<br /> -He works, too, in a sort of waking dream.<br /> -Thus the impressions he from nature drew<br /> -Results in good and manly impulse true.<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>Ah! one thing seemed to me exceeding plain—<br /> -The sequel showed my fear was not in vain—<br /> -That Fate had set for this young pair a trap!<br /> -Why, any townish, high-bred, polished chap<br /> -Had thought himself in fortune all the while<br /> -Could he have shared that day and Plet's sweet smile;<br /> -And weighing this—depend upon't 'twas so,—<br /> -Think what it was for lonely, honest Jo!<br /> -His blue eyes sparkled, one could easy trace<br /> -The happy thoughts upon his sunburnt face.<br /> -Did it mean joy, or would it bring regret—<br /> -Might Jo rue sometimes that he e'er saw Plet?<br /> -That he had nobly served them, that is true,<br /> -They kept the thought nor gratitude outgrew;<br /> -He'd striven hard their lives to save, and still—<br /> -No matter how full strong his hope or will,<br /> -How rich his manly love might prove or pure—<br /> -This fact remained, my Jo was very poor.<br /> -What right had he to think of such a mate,<br /> -One far above him in this world's estate?<br /> -But he was worthy of her, free from blame,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>Though Fortune played the lad a niggard game!<br /> -In spite of every drawback, this I knew,<br /> -And hoped the jade would sometime play him true;<br /> -For poor or no poor, I could only feel<br /> -The chance was good if she but turned her wheel.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Now there's a picture I can ne'er forget;<br /> -After these years I seem to see it yet:<br /> -The figures you can guess were Plet and Jo,<br /> -With background made of rocks, and lake, and snow;<br /> -The girl half leaned upon a granite block,<br /> -Her roguish smile my poor Jo seemed to mock,<br /> -Part pity, part enjoyment, I believe—<br /> -What silly stuff I did in my head weave—<br /> -And Jo, in timid and in bashful way—<br /> -'Twas like a scene I once saw in a play,<br /> -Offered a bunch of flowers. And his face,<br /> -As he bent forward, not without grace,<br /> -Glowed with confusion and with passion new<br /> -As his strong heart and his strong brain were true.<br /> -I'd better stop; I grow nonsensical.—<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>A monster ledge served both for pedestal,<br /> -Jo in his earth-stained garments, heavy boot,<br /> -Plet in her jaunty hat and riding suit.<br /> -Did I admire them so? Why so it seems,<br /> -And even an old man has his need of dreams.<br /> -A charming picture—so I think, at least,<br /> -That couple standing where the wave released<br /> -Fell down the mossy rocks in sparkling foam,<br /> -The wild flowers growing from the moist, rich loam,<br /> -And from the sun and pines mosaic shed<br /> -O'er Plet's fair form and Jo's uncovered head.<br /> -A landscape setting, beautiful and grand!<br /> -The purple epilobiums in Jo's hand—<br /> -Frail, tender blossoms, delicate and sweet,<br /> -How strange to see them in that wild retreat!—<br /> -Were fitting emblems, in their sudden birth,<br /> -To soft enwrap and gladden the cold earth,<br /> -Of that sweet office a true love fulfils,<br /> -Whose wondrous budding all the being thrills—<br /> -Of that enchantment grown between those two,<br /> -The fond desire their hearts together drew!</p> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span> - <h3 class='c001'>V.</h3> -</div> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc034.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -After that day to Jo there came a change,—<br /> -Not that I thought the fact so very strange—<br /> -For love had come, oh! that was plain to see,<br /> -And from the first I felt 'twas a decree.<br /> -I knew Jo found a heart that Plet had lost,<br /> -And only feared their love might be ill-crossed.<br /> -Perhaps the boy was not without his hopes<br /> -The eve that Plet returned adown the slopes.<br /> -Now he abstracted grew and walked alone,<br /> -To fits of silent reverie was prone.<br /> -That he had been a talker don't constrain,<br /> -Jo never was a glib-tongued rattle-brain.<br /> -For hours in silence to his work he'd stick,<br /> -Wielding the heavy hammer or the pick;<br /> -And I'll confess that I myself kept still.<br /> -No time to talk much, holding to the drill.<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>But at those times that we'd a moment quit,<br /> -And pass a word to cheer us up a bit,<br /> -I noticed that his speech was but to ask<br /> -Concerning work—some detail of our task.<br /> -And evenings, too, as moody as a churl<br /> -He'd sit and watch his pipe-smoke upward curl.<br /> -Sometimes his gaze on vacancy he'd fix,—<br /> -And well I knew the young god played his tricks,—<br /> -And if I spoke, some thought wished to impart,<br /> -'Twas all unheard, or answered with a start.<br /> -What all this meant—who could mistake the sign?<br /> -'Twas plain to see as three times three are nine.</p> - -<p class='c000'>So at our claim we kept; he worked as though<br /> -A wealth must come, whether it would or no.<br /> -A new life dwelt within my partner's breast—<br /> -If my prayers answered, then 'twas surely blessed—<br /> -But in that present 'twas a torture, too.<br /> -His question was—what course can I pursue?<br /> -Were not his hopes but built upon the sand—<br /> -Could one so poor expect to gain Plet's hand?<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>And constantly this thought his brain did seize—<br /> -Had not sweet Plet been used to every ease?<br /> -This truth stared out—a common miner he,—<br /> -Alas! for him, a rich man's daughter she!<br /> -So his dark moods I clearly understood,<br /> -Persistent thought that all would end in good.<br /> -Pretending not to see, I smoked my pipe,<br /> -And thought, I'll live to see the time grow ripe.<br /> -In proper time I knew that Jo would speak,<br /> -As in the twilight I would watch him seek—<br /> -To him I guess 'twas fairest of all bowers—<br /> -The spot where he had offered Plet the flowers.<br /> -Oft when eve's shadows deepened into nights,<br /> -He'll look adown the slopes and watch the lights<br /> -That we could see within the distant camp,<br /> -Hoping, I knew, to see one special lamp—<br /> -Which hope was more than frequent not in vain—<br /> -The one that burned behind Plet's window pane.<br /> -Yes, he had grown as fond as any dove;<br /> -Beyond a doubt, poor Jo was deep in love!</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span></div> -<div class='c002'></div> -<div class='banner'> -<img src='images/image037.jpg' alt='' class='banner' /> -<h3 class='banner'>VI.</h3> -</div> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc037.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -Hurrah! hurrah! And true beyond a doubt!<br /> -Hurrah! hurrah! Had we not cause to shout?<br /> -She turned her wheel, the changeful, fickle witch;<br /> -Yes, beyond doubt, we too had "struck it rich!"<br /> -The blind lead we had followed many a day,<br /> -Suddenly widened to the best of "pay."<br /> -'Twas purest carbonates. We had enough,<br /> -Thousands were ours in the black, gritty "stuff!"</p> - -<p class='c000'>How did it serve us? You are bound to ask,<br /> -How did we take that climax to our task?<br /> -'Twas hard to answer. As I said before,<br /> -Jo looked at wealth as though he'd force the door.<br /> -But when he saw the end so near him lie,<br /> -He dazed appeared and heaved a heavy sigh.<br /> -Jo seemed as one just woke from sleep, and—well<br /> -As though a burden from his shoulders fell.<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>And unto me it came as a surprise;<br /> -We stood and stared with dry and eager eyes.<br /> -A pan of dirt we picked and carried where<br /> -Our brows could feel a touch of cool, fresh air.<br /> -I felt my temples throb, my eyeballs burn,<br /> -My blood alternate ice or fire turn;<br /> -I well remember how we held our breath,<br /> -Talked hushed and low as in a house of death.<br /> -And then we shouted—shouted long and loud,<br /> -Shouted as though with brazen lungs endowed;<br /> -Shouted until each voice was weak and hoarse,<br /> -Until the wild bird fluttered in his course;<br /> -Shouted until our friends in gray and tan—<br /> -Across the rocks the fat ground squirrels ran;<br /> -Until, as though he'd like to join the game,<br /> -An answering echo from "Old Babel" came.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Nor was that all, I'm half ashamed to tell<br /> -The things we did beneath that sudden spell—<br /> -For then we danced; yes, danced and danced again,<br /> -'Till I from weariness to rest was fain!<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>Had any seen us they had thought us mad,<br /> -And frenzy sure possessed myself and lad,<br /> -For I worn out, then Joe he danced alone,<br /> -His yellow ringlets to the free winds thrown.<br /> -With eyes aglow, all filled with sparkling fire,<br /> -He danced as though his limbs would never tire;<br /> -In weird fantastic measure and wild tread<br /> -He waved the precious dirt around my head;<br /> -It seemed one could in his wild antics trace<br /> -A likeness to some genie of the place.<br /> -A wild delirium o'er our senses came<br /> -In which the sunshine looked like silver flame;<br /> -The rocks, the flashing wavelets, silver seemed;<br /> -Each far-off cloud a silver palace gleamed.<br /> -Transmuted all to our excited ken—<br /> -Yes, silver, silver; all things silver then!</p> - -<p class='c000'>How suddenly for us the world was changed;<br /> -For us who every field of want had ranged,<br /> -Who through long months had fought the stubborn rock,<br /> -Met summer tempests, borne the winter's shock.<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>Now the long struggle, the grim fight was o'er,<br /> -Privations hard would be our lot no more.<br /> -No weary toiling up or down the slope,<br /> -Or weary hours in cold and damp to grope.<br /> -What figures that strike meant, we hardly knew,<br /> -We were among the very lucky few!</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then came reaction—to myself I mean—<br /> -For more or less my life had failure been.<br /> -What truly, after all, the strike to me!<br /> -Such as it was you can at once foresee—<br /> -A life of toil replaced by one of ease,<br /> -Such things of life as can an old man please.<br /> -You see I'd grown to be a sort of sage,<br /> -Had weighed full carefully the wants of age.<br /> -And can a sudden flood of wealth atone<br /> -For years of crabbed single life alone?</p> - -<p class='c000'>With Jo 'twas different. My plans were few,<br /> -With him life lay before—so much to do.<br /> -'Twere hard to tell what busy thoughts he kept,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>What dreams that night came to him as he slept,<br /> -What schemes and plans he up-built prodigal—<br /> -Of course providing that he slept at all,<br /> -And that was doubtful. Perhaps I knew,<br /> -Or thought they were the same as those that drew<br /> -His feet toward the mossy torrent head,<br /> -The same as made him watch for pale light shed,<br /> -Toward the ridge from out the mining camp,<br /> -And see a message in a far-off lamp:<br /> -The same for many a day his brain beset,<br /> -For Jo's unuttered thoughts were all of Plet!</p> - -<h3 class='c001'>VII.</h3> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc041.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -But on the course of love I will not dwell,<br /> -Or many an episode I'd have to tell.<br /> -'Tis hope and courage to the lover bring<br /> -A boldness strong as is the eagle's wing.<br /> -And Jo waxed bold, you know the reason why,<br /> -He had a cause his hope to justify;<br /> -Love progressed fast as ship with wind and tide,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>Ere the snow flew Plet was a promised bride.</p> - -<p class='c000'>"Marry in haste and slow repent you say—<br /> -Courtships too quick are somewhat the same way?"<br /> -I thought not so, 'twas no ill-mated pair,<br /> -The father of Jo's worth was well aware:<br /> -Before the day on which our good luck came,<br /> -I knew his thoughts of Jo were just the same<br /> -As when the fickle maid began to smile—<br /> -In mining parlance, when we'd made our "pile."<br /> -A pair of good discerning eyes he had,<br /> -That looked quite through the soul of my poor lad;<br /> -He'd seen the worth behind rough garb and lot,<br /> -And what he'd seen a friendship true begot,<br /> -A generous heart within his bosom burned,<br /> -And friendship soon to admiration turned.<br /> -While Plet—I'll try my words not to repeat—<br /> -Had danced along love's path with willing feet,<br /> -The flamed barb was not a whit more slow<br /> -To reach her heart than it had been with Jo;<br /> -And thus before a year had slipped away,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>The smitten pair had named a wedding day.<br /> -But ten months more was added to his life,<br /> -And Jo saw coming—Fortune and a wife.<br /> -What comfort 'twas to be no longer poor—<br /> -To know a wife of his need not endure<br /> -Such trial as oft he saw some miner's mate<br /> -In patient silence bear from morn 'til late.<br /> -Oh! Jo, I thought, was sure of happiness,<br /> -And haven fair and safe from storm and stress;<br /> -For thought of other ending I was loth,<br /> -My prayers for them were—May God bless you both!</p> - -<p class='c000'>A few short weeks our lives might be the same,<br /> -Of course we'd not deserted yet our claim,<br /> -'Twas necessary we remain until<br /> -Such time as would our obligations fill,<br /> -And while the drill was sent or the pick drove,<br /> -Like lusty weeds our expectations throve.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then still and tranquil grew the autumn days;<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>Through hazy veils the trees began to blaze;<br /> -The mountain summits seemed to sleep and dream;<br /> -Of tawny richness was each lessened stream;<br /> -Transparent amber on the birches crept;<br /> -Orange and madder o'er the dwarf oaks swept:<br /> -Upon the maples, in ravine or dell,<br /> -A myriad shades of rose-carnation fell;<br /> -The aspen groves, a wonder to behold,<br /> -Strewed the dark rocks with leaves of paly gold;<br /> -Wherever bunch of height—fond foliage grew,<br /> -Each frosty night had set some splendid hue,<br /> -And far above, beyond the somber pines,<br /> -The wasted snow yet gleamed in argent lines;<br /> -On every slope and steep, afar and near,<br /> -A seal was set that marked a dying year;<br /> -The mountains glowed in endless, gorgeous dyes,<br /> -With pomp of woods and glory of the skies.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span> - <h2 class='c006'>PART THIRD.</h2> -</div> -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span></div> -<div class='c002'></div> -<div class='banner'> -<img src='images/image047.jpg' alt='' class='banner' /> -<h3 class='banner'>VIII.</h3> -</div> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc047.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -The hollow huge, where lay the dark lake cold,<br /> -Had once been, so my observations told,<br /> -The head of a great glacier thick and vast,<br /> -Whose icy masses, in the years long past,<br /> -Had with its motion, ponderous and slow,<br /> -Ploughed out the narrow canon far below,<br /> -And as it downward moved with growl upon,<br /> -Smoothed the long granite ledges 'till they shone.<br /> -No doubt the causeway, half the canon's length,<br /> -Was by the monster piled up in his strength;<br /> -His bristling front and ice-caves rested there,<br /> -Ere he retreated to that upper lair.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>Now the wild hollow sees tremendous slides,<br /> -That often fall concurrent from its sides.<br /> -With force resistless and with thunders loud<br /> -They beat the lake into a misty cloud,<br /> -Or out of their deep bed the waters sweep,<br /> -To pass in hissing floods adown the steep.<br /> -Thus once had Jo and I beheld them fall,<br /> -A sight and sound the stoutest to appal.</p> - -<p class='c000'>'Twas more than once there came to me a thought,<br /> -Why tempt adversity more than one ought?<br /> -Our cabin—did it stand in place quite safe,<br /> -Would Providence our welfare still vouchsafe?<br /> -The cabin stood on a low ridge or mound<br /> -That heretofore the slides had passed around.<br /> -So I believed that they would do once more—<br /> -I did not see the shadow at our door—<br /> -And then—the time was brief we had to stay,<br /> -We thought that quick—and it would pass away.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Procrastination—'tis the miner's bane!<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>To wait, put off, to loiter, he is fain;<br /> -He stubborn is and, whether right or wrong,<br /> -Keeps to his moods and faces odds too long;<br /> -Oh! only beck and voice of Chance he heeds,<br /> -And follows blind and deaf where'er she leads.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The golden autumn days had sudden end,<br /> -And darkly wild we saw the storms extend;<br /> -With chilly notes November's wind piped loud,<br /> -Along the mountain side the tall pines bowed;<br /> -From out ravine and glen and bushy aisles,<br /> -The crisped leaves were heaped in russet piles;<br /> -Or without moment's pause or respite given<br /> -Were in the pale, swol'n torrents fiercely driven.<br /> -Then came the masses of dull, leaden cloud,<br /> -That like gray specters did each other crowd;<br /> -Cold drenching rains fell in the vales below,<br /> -But on the mountains changed to heavy snow.<br /> -With winding sheet it did all things efface;<br /> -The heights above "Our Home" grew white apace:<br /> -On earth was whiteness, on the sky was frown;<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>By day and night the flakes were wafted down;<br /> -Swirled round and round and wildly drifted o'er<br /> -Until it seemed the steeps could bear no more,<br /> -And in vast combs, along the winding wall,<br /> -The avalanche hung poised for instant fall!</p> - -<h3 class='c001'>IX.</h3> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc050.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -'Twas night, and seated by our cabin board<br /> -We listened to the wind that shrieked and roared,<br /> -If we had erred 'twas now beyond reform—<br /> -We were held fast by reason of the storm.<br /> -For one whole week it raged without allay,<br /> -Nor sign had come that it would yield its sway.<br /> -Yes, fairly through our rashness we were caught,<br /> -And I to blame, for I was better taught:<br /> -The blasts still came, the snow unceasing fell,<br /> -Our log-built hut became a citadel.<br /> -Across the hollow, we could hear them rave,<br /> -And more and more my judgment I misgave;<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>Hurled wild against the walls each wintry corps,<br /> -We hardly dared to open once the door.</p> - -<p class='c000'>And that night too! That night of all the year—<br /> -How very strange sometimes decrees appear!<br /> -A twelvemonth since we'd saved his future mate,<br /> -And now poor Jo touched by the hand of fate!<br /> -Strange, strange indeed, that it should happen then—<br /> -You see it was the Christmas Eve again!</p> - -<p class='c000'>With feet upon the stove my poor boy sat,<br /> -I'd tried to help his mood with this and that;<br /> -Our miner's lamp down from a huge beam hung,<br /> -And o'er our cheerless room its rays it flung.<br /> -Within his hand Jo, listless, held a book,<br /> -But half the time his eye the page forsook;<br /> -He could not read and yet a silence kept—<br /> -What meant that change that o'er his features crept?<br /> -There was in his pale face too strange a blend,<br /> -I did not like whate'er it might portend;<br /> -So by the red and dim uncertain light<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>I watched his face and heard how wild the night;<br /> -My head was leaned in thought against my bunk,<br /> -I own I was in dark forebodings sunk—<br /> -For once since I had met him I was blue,<br /> -That we were there appeared great cause to rue.<br /> -To keep this fact from Jo's quick sense I tried,<br /> -With cheery words my inmost thought belied;<br /> -But now by dull, cold fear I felt assailed,<br /> -Before some power invisible I quailed.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A strange world this! How full of woe and weal,<br /> -What play of fate and chance our lives reveal!<br /> -Our lightest word may prove a dread command,<br /> -The balance turns with a mere grain of sand;<br /> -We do that trifle; and go here or there,<br /> -Speak or keep silent,—joy bring or despair!<br /> -One moment's action may prove as a knife,<br /> -The thread to cut and make or mar a life!</p> - -<p class='c000'>As thus I mused—what had I done for Jo?<br /> -Sudden he spoke—"'Twas right that we should go,"<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>It startled me,—his words were but a chime;<br /> -'Twas clear our thoughts unspoken had kept time:<br /> -Who should he think of now if not of Plet?<br /> -Oh! how she would at his forced absence fret!<br /> -The yester-morn 'twas his desire to start,<br /> -But I, the elder, played the cautious part;<br /> -To try the slopes too dangerous did appear,—<br /> -To me the thought itself was madness sheer.<br /> -Why, could we in such storm have kept our breath?<br /> -It would have been a challenge sent to death.<br /> -Yet now, so strong my mood within me wrought.<br /> -I would have ventured without moment's thought.<br /> -Would I had done so! Then I'd blameless been;<br /> -Another end—but that was all unseen!</p> - -<p class='c000'>Ere I made answer, Jo had spoke again—<br /> -I was surprised and troubled at his vein—<br /> -His spoken musings saddest tenor bore,<br /> -There was a break, too, from his words before:—</p> - -<p class='c000'>Strange question surely with so sad a brow—<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>"What should prevent my being happy now?<br /> -Oh! Yes, I know what power the rich command;<br /> -I've seen the true and brave hard want withstand;<br /> -My sister, dead—Ah! even as I speak,<br /> -I see again her flushed and wasted cheek.<br /> -Yes, she was working for the sweaters then—<br /> -Most brutal, mean, and sordid of all men—<br /> -It killed her! Yes, she slowly drooped and pined,<br /> -Sunk 'neath her load and mother's loss combined;<br /> -Her task was all too great, nor bold nor strong,<br /> -An orphan left amid the heedless throng.<br /> -Oh! I was nothing but an urchin small,<br /> -My help was little, if 'twas help at all;<br /> -'Twas cruel, cruel that she suffered so;<br /> -On my account I know she feared to go.<br /> -She shared her little when she ill could spare;<br /> -Would that with her my hope I now might share.<br /> -What happiness it would to me impart,<br /> -Could she but live and heal again her heart.<br /> -My mother, too,—to me her face is dim—<br /> -It fills my mem'ry like some vague, sweet hymn—<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>Yet though I cannot see her face aright,<br /> -I feel her dark eyes look in mine tonight."<br /></p> - -<p class='c000'>My Jo was sad indeed and sore oppressed,<br /> -His happy prospects did not bring him rest;<br /> -And I, too—I was filled with cold alarm,<br /> -Some premonition of impending harm!<br /> -I felt a warning through my being creep,<br /> -And he sat brooding as I fell asleep.</p> - -<h3 class='c001'>X.</h3> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc055.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -Crash! crash!! crash!!!—O God, what awful roar!<br /> -It bursts upon my hearing ever more!<br /> -A rush, a fury; sudden, bitter cold;<br /> -Confusion utter on my senses rolled;<br /> -A rending, grinding; hiss of sliding snow;<br /> -Enormous mixing of dread sounds below;<br /> -A noise terrific, wonderful and vast,<br /> -As though of earthly things it told the last;<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>Like trump of doom it seemed to rend the sky,<br /> -And turn the brain to numbness——Where was I?<br /> -Half stunned I sat bolt upright in my bunk;<br /> -My head swam round as if I had been drunk.<br /> -The sudden noise had ended, all was still,<br /> -And yet a tremor did the darkness fill;<br /> -Our lamp still burned, a red spot in the gloom,<br /> -But all was chill and silent as a tomb.<br /> -I was too dazed, too lost to understand,<br /> -Yet felt the snow drift on my face and hand.</p> - -<p class='c000'>I called aloud to Jo. No answer came.<br /> -I called, again, again, and 'twas the same!<br /></p> - -<p class='c000'>What was it? Where was Jo? What did it mean?<br /> -What meant that vacancy where Jo had been!<br /> -His bunk was empty, and the stove was—where?<br /> -Was that Jo's hat upon the table there?<br /> -In sort of dreamy spell I stared and asked,<br /> -But to the answering felt myself o'ertasked.<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>Why did our cabin wall so whitish grow—<br /> -Why did it look so very much like snow?<br /> -In distance, too, I saw it slow expand,<br /> -And still I felt the snow on face and hand.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then I was wide awake! My mind was cleared—<br /> -Oh, all too plain the dreadful truth appeared!<br /> -The slides! the slides! "Our Home" was wrecked by slides!<br /> -And there was terror in this thought besides—<br /> -My Jo? Ah! God of Mercy! where was Jo?<br /> -Did he lie bleeding on the rocks below?<br /> -"Our Home" was struck, there but remained the half—<br /> -Oh, then I seemed to hear the dark fates laugh!<br /> -Not one thing touched or moved where I had lain,<br /> -And Jo, perhaps, hurled down to ghastly pain.<br /> -Down, down the slopes he had been whirled away,<br /> -Ere this it might be—was but lifeless clay:<br /> -Was that a voice that called on me to come,<br /> -While I stood there in anguish, terror-dumb?</p> - -<p class='c000'>Outside the wreck—when I stood there at last,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>The storm rolled back—as if in mockery passed;<br /> -A scene of desolation, weird and white,<br /> -Beneath the parting clouds fell on my sight;<br /> -Like to a lamp the moon hung wan and pale,<br /> -As though it lit the path through death's own vale.<br /> -My pair of snow-shoes from the wall I took—<br /> -Jo's hung there with them on the self-same hook—<br /> -Then to my belt a miner's lamp I tied,<br /> -Seized the long pole that would my steep course guide;<br /> -Though frantic in my fear, all desperate,<br /> -I must my acts in order regulate.<br /> -Well that some little skill I could command,<br /> -Well that I know each foot of mountain land;<br /> -Or never could I, had it not been so,<br /> -Have reached the spot where I, at last, found Jo.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The snow was wildly drifted; rocks were bare,<br /> -The white blown from them to make mounds in air;<br /> -The surface here all soft and loose did feel,<br /> -Here 'twas hard-packed and smooth as polished steel.<br /> -The slides had met above—there had been two—<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>Their mighty tracks stretched upward full in view;<br /> -Where they had joined in fierce and deadly shock<br /> -Was piled on high the tons of shattered rock.<br /> -One had possessed a greater power and force<br /> -And drove the other from its downward course—<br /> -You see how all conspired to change our luck—<br /> -That swerve was why the cabin had been struck;<br /> -And far below, in a small valley penned,<br /> -The rushing snow was forced to make an end,<br /> -A level space with rocks all jagged and sharp,<br /> -The first uplifting of the counterscarp.<br /> -If Jo against those cruel rocks was borne,<br /> -Oh, then, I knew, was come my time to mourn!</p> - -<p class='c000'>And hidden dangers it was mine to face,<br /> -A moment, I believe, I asked for grace;<br /> -Then without pause I glided down the slope,<br /> -In that hot fire that burns 'tween fear and hope.<br /> -I knew not where to pause or where to look;<br /> -The awful wreckage all my courage shook;<br /> -He might be crushed by boulder or tree-trunk,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>Or out of reach in some ravine be sunk.<br /> -Each object dark that on the surface lay<br /> -Plucked at my heart and filled me with dismay.<br /> -What likely seemed within the shadows dim,<br /> -I hoped, yet dreaded, that it might be him!</p> - -<p class='c000'>What were those timbers sticking through the snow?<br /> -I hardly dared another glance bestow.<br /> -Ah! what were they it needed little proof,<br /> -'Twas splintered fragments of our cabin roof:<br /> -And what was that black something lying there?<br /> -'Twas Jo's great coat that hung upon his chair.<br /> -Was he, then, somewhere near? Oh! could I save?<br /> -One choking thump I felt that my heart gave,<br /> -Then in my bosom it was turned to lead.<br /> -Where was he? Was he yet alive—or dead?</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span></div> -<div class='c002'></div> -<div class='banner'> -<img src='images/image061.jpg' alt='' class='banner' /> -<h3 class='banner'>XI.</h3> -</div> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc061.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -Quite dead! All hopeless, my poor Jo was dead!<br /> -Yes, all too soon I knew that life had fled!<br /> -Oh! not the slightest flutter at his heart;<br /> -No warmth to his cold lips could I impart;<br /> -I could not bring the breath to my poor mate,<br /> -I'd found him; but, ah, God! I'd found too late!</p> - -<p class='c000'>Oh! what I suffered I can never tell,<br /> -It seemed to me I tasted then of hell!<br /> -Despair came o'er me, I was dazed with grief,<br /> -As palsy struck I trembled like a leaf.<br /> -Would I go mad? Yes, without thought or aim,<br /> -I smoothed Jo's brow and called upon his name;<br /> -Strange and unnatural my voice with woe,<br /> -And lost at once amid the wreaths of snow!<br /> -Should I feel shame that grief did me unman—<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>That down my furrowed cheeks the hot tears ran?<br /> -That night I learned what friendship true can be;<br /> -How near a son the lad had been to me.<br /> -Before that hour no gray my locks o'er cast,<br /> -And after that the white came thick and fast.</p> - -<p class='c000'>'Twas by the wreckage, some ten yards away,<br /> -And near the surface that my poor boy lay,<br /> -One hand thrust upward, as in mute appeal.<br /> -Alas! my frenzied clasp he could not feel!<br /> -Upon his other hand each fingernail<br /> -Furrowed the flesh, did deep the palm impale.<br /> -Oh, it was gruesome! Oft I've seen it so,<br /> -Upon the hands of those killed by the snow.</p> - -<p class='c000'>What could I do—when bitter tears and grief<br /> -Passed to a dull despair beyond relief?<br /> -When I was sure that I all power did lack;<br /> -That tears and labor could not bring him back?<br /> -Must I make ready for a solemn task—<br /> -The end of which I dared not see nor ask?<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>Dimly, through all the rack of ache and pain,<br /> -I knew the truth—Jo could not there remain;<br /> -And then the thought upon my brain dawned slow,<br /> -That I must take him to the camp below.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Oh! friend, who listens calmly to this tale,<br /> -Did it show weakness that my heart should fail?<br /> -That I before the coming task did shrink—<br /> -Held back as one upon a chasm's brink?<br /> -"Not so," you say? I hope in all the sum<br /> -Of your life's days such task may never come!</p> - -<p class='c000'>Close by our cabin we had kept a sled,<br /> -Thereon awhile poor Jo must find a bed.<br /> -Oft he had pulled beside me on the slope—<br /> -Brave, honest Jo, when he was filled with hope;<br /> -Now he would be the burden it must bear.<br /> -Hard pang it gave to go and leave him there;<br /> -Lying so rigid, lonely and so still,<br /> -He did with fearfulness the wild scene fill!<br /> -I seemed to see all nature through a pall,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>A sign of death was written over all,—<br /> -Life, hope, fate, death; the helplessness of men—<br /> -The mystery of all weighed on me then!</p> - -<p class='c000'>Across the sled I laid pine-branches deep,<br /> -Placed Jo upon them in his endless sleep;<br /> -With his own blankets wrapped the body o'er—<br /> -Under their folds he'd dream of love no more—<br /> -And when I'd fitting made his bed at last,<br /> -With long, stout cords I tightly bound all fast;<br /> -Felt one deep surge of pain my breast within,<br /> -And, then—my course was ready to begin.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Then downward; downward, in pale light of dawn,<br /> -Down the steep slopes and ledges long outdrawn.<br /> -Over the snowy hillocks, mighty drifts,<br /> -Across ice-bridges o'er the deep-made rifts,<br /> -Down, down the hidden trail we knew so well—<br /> -Within my ears a sound like passing bell;<br /> -My heart like fire, my throbbing brow cold-damp,<br /> -As, in the wintry noon, I reached the camp.<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>Oh, awful hour! My task of tasks came yet,<br /> -Ah, God! how could I bear the news to Plet?<br /></p> - -<h3 class='c001'>XII.</h3> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc065.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -Fear not,—I shall not tell of all the woe,<br /> -The misery Jo's death did clear foreshow.<br /> -Why should I try those dark hours to recall,<br /> -Dwell on the blank that fell upon us all?<br /> -O regal Death, you wear a changeful crown,<br /> -You come with gentle smile or tyrant frown!<br /> -We know sometimes with terror you assail,<br /> -Or to sweet rest you touch the eyelids pale:<br /> -That to the living, from your unseen train,<br /> -Too oft remorse doth bring its aching pain,<br /> -And to the sorrows that bereavement brings,<br /> -The earthly needings like a horror clings.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Too dreadful was the time between the day<br /> -I reached the camp and he was laid away.<br /> -Yes, I have lived through saddened hours and dark,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>Known trials that on life have left their mark;<br /> -I've my own share of keenest anguish seen,<br /> -For all too soon my life had failure been;<br /> -I knew what 'twas to miss the hoped-for goal,<br /> -And feel the iron enter in my soul;<br /> -Yet only then I saw all hope depart,<br /> -To come no more when Jo received death's dart;<br /> -And still more black became the gloom profound,<br /> -Between that hour and the burial ground.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Her father told her—how I do not know.<br /> -When I told him, he reeled as from a blow;<br /> -I did not dare to go and look on her,<br /> -Of tidings evil I the messenger.<br /> -Yet later in her sorrow I could share<br /> -When in the dusk we took Jo's body there.</p> - -<p class='c000'>A dreary, dreary winter day was that,<br /> -Deep lay the snow upon the lonesome flat;<br /> -Slowly the big white flakes were falling round,<br /> -And in a deeper shroud the hills enwound.<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>You should not think the hands of friends forgot<br /> -To dig a pathway to the chosen spot.<br /> -Slowly through white the black procession passed,<br /> -And stood beside the open grave at last.<br /> -Plet, speechless, tearless, to her father clung,<br /> -A sight so pitiful each heart was wrung.<br /> -By one most worthy a few lines were read,<br /> -In simple service for untimely dead.<br /> -The end was reached when, like a sudden knell,<br /> -The clods all frozen on the coffin fell.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Nor was there lack of kindly effort made<br /> -To ease the grief on her so heavy laid.<br /> -All in the camp had hunger in their heart<br /> -To her some grain of comfort to impart;<br /> -But such her feeling that they must forego,<br /> -And leave her silent in her utter woe.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span></div> -<div class='c002'></div> -<div class='banner'> -<img src='images/image068.jpg' alt='' class='banner' /> -<h3 class='banner'>XIII.</h3> -</div> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc068.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -And after that all is to me quite vague,<br /> -My memory seemed smitten by a plague;<br /> -A strange uncertainty did all confuse,<br /> -Things and events I saw through changing hues.<br /> -My merry Plet, sweet as the sun shone on,<br /> -I saw like a cut flower all droop and wan,<br /> -Or one that's stricken by a cruel frost,<br /> -Or like a weary bird, that's tempest-tossed.<br /> -She who had been so lively and so gay<br /> -Changed to a spirit that might pass away.<br /> -How soon the dawn of love so rosy bright<br /> -Had given place to dark and solemn night!<br /> -Her only wish now seemed to be alone,<br /> -To listen for a word in that loved tone—<br /> -Yes, she who longed to meet the future years,<br /> -Now backward looked and through a mist of tears.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>And doubt and fear obscure oppressed my brain,<br /> -My mind was clouded by a nameless pain,<br /> -And o'er and o'er again came this dark thought,<br /> -She too must go—she but a long rest sought;<br /> -On other paths than ours she soon must wend,<br /> -Her broken heart foreshadowed but this end.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Her father wished to take her from the place,<br /> -But Plet begged hard for little time of grace.<br /> -He to remove her from those scenes was fain,<br /> -She to look on them still would there remain.<br /> -How could she go and leave that new-made grave,<br /> -When, to be near, her only comfort gave?<br /> -Ah, all unlike is woman to the man!<br /> -And yet we know 'tis to some noble plan—<br /> -Man in his strength, the past lets go its way,<br /> -Though thus forever some great hope decay!<br /> -But woman, loving, tender, still clings fast,<br /> -And hopeless yearns until the very last;<br /> -Keeps sacred in her heart and holds supreme<br /> -Whate'er remains of her sweet broken dream.</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>And so that grave held Plet with unseen power.<br /> -Was there some influence at their natal hour?<br /> -Oh, yes, to me the sequel seemed to show<br /> -That they were linked indeed for weal or woe!</p> - -<p class='c000'>And so there came again a summer day,<br /> -With Plet and father climbing up the way.<br /> -What madness filled his brain to let her come?<br /> -The very sight with anguish struck me dumb.<br /> -I knew she struggled with her love in vain,<br /> -'Twas hopelessness that brought her once again.<br /> -The same wild flowers were growing by the lake,<br /> -As when she first came for my poor Jo's sake.<br /> -Can the eyes speak farewell? Oh! if they can,<br /> -How simple was the key to her sad plan.<br /> -She only came with her dead hope to part,<br /> -To be where love had entered in her heart!</p> - -<p class='c000'>And now there came that looked-for scene and last,<br /> -To which that other seemed but a forecast;<br /> -Once more the great white flakes were falling slow,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>To wrap in fleecy folds the earth below.<br /> -A year with all its changes had gone round<br /> -Since Jo was buried in that mountain ground,<br /> -The third of that glad season since they met,<br /> -And now I saw the grave close over Plet.</p> - -<p class='c000'>For he had promised—kept the promise true,<br /> -Nor death nor circumstance should part those two.<br /> -And now that vow the stricken father made,<br /> -We with bowed heads in silence saw obeyed.<br /> -Her happiness had been his own, and why<br /> -Should he her last and fondest wish deny?<br /> -And that last wish had almost been a prayer,<br /> -That she might lie beside her lover there.</p> - -<p class='c000'>The Christmas Eve—it weighed upon my heart,<br /> -It seemed the hot tears from my eyes must start;<br /> -In anguish o'er my brow I passed my hand,<br /> -Life seemed no surer than a rope of sand:<br /> -The Christmas Eve with dire importance fraught,<br /> -Plet and her father 'neath the wild snows caught;<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>The Christmas Eve and Jo swept to his death,<br /> -Upon the jagged rocks to yield his breath,<br /> -And Christmas Eve again, and Plet asleep,<br /> -Where on the flat the snow lay cold and deep.<br /> -The Christmas Eve, I whispered o'er and o'er,<br /> -While echoes seemed to come from a far shore.<br /> -Oh, why so fateful to them was that night—<br /> -Why did it always bring so sad a plight?<br /> -I tried an answer to my words to frame—<br /> -But no solution to the question came;<br /> -I choking struggled with the hopeless task,<br /> -And life for death did only seem a mask;<br /> -I felt all hope was but sad pretence when<br /> -Their voices I should never hear again!</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span> - <h2 class='c006'>FINALE.</h2> -</div> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span> - <h3 class='c001'>XIV.</h3> -</div> - -<div class='c005'> - <img class='drop-capi' src='images/dc075.png' width='75' height='75' alt='' /> -</div><p class='drop-capi1_1'> -All stuff and nonsense! Never hear them? What!<br /> -Their voices hear no more? Believe it not!<br /> -How! Voice of Jo or Plet not hear again?<br /> -Indeed! Pray whose voice was I hearing then?<br /> -Whose voice was that—bright, joyous, full and clear—<br /> -A voice that rang with every note of cheer!<br /> -Whose voice, indeed, if not the voice of Jo?—<br /> -And you'll concede I was the one to know.<br /> -My dear boy's voice as lusty as of old,—<br /> -Oh, no, he was not 'neath the graveyard mold!<br /> -His voice I heard proclaim it was the morn,<br /> -The sun was shining and the storm outworn—<br /> -And then, ere I could drink my happy cup,<br /> -Cut my thoughts short with orders to "get up!"</p> - -<p class='c000'><span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>So all those things so dreadful were not true—<br /> -'Twas but a nightmare I had just passed through:<br /> -It was not fact our cabin had been struck,<br /> -No end so sad had come to mar our luck!<br /> -All false those hours upon the mountain side;<br /> -Jo's body down the slopes I did not guide;<br /> -He was not dead, nor Plet! It did but seem;<br /> -All a mistake, then, nothing but a dream!</p> - -<p class='c000'>Thank God it was so! That the heaped-up snow<br /> -Ourselves and cabin had not hurled below,<br /> -That there was One of Mercy that did spare,<br /> -Although ourselves had entered in the snare!<br /> -Thank Heaven, again, 'twas but Jo's mournful word,<br /> -To tragedy in my weak head transferred!</p> - -<p class='c000'>You know what governs in a Christmas Tale—<br /> -That joyfully to end it must not fail,—<br /> -So as this life page I was telling you,<br /> -Such end of course I always kept in view.<br /> -To take the actual from the false apart,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>You see it really needs but little art—<br /> -Such rights as others take, I did but claim,<br /> -If I have pleased you, then I've gained my aim.</p> - -<p class='c000'>Oh, all unlike our trip upon the slope,<br /> -To that one of my dream bereft of hope!<br /> -The wintry sun had driven back the night,<br /> -All glistening lay the snow beneath his light.<br /> -As we sped downwards in unbounded zeal<br /> -Our snow-shoes sent the spray from off our heel,<br /> -The mountain hare, behind some bank cowered low,<br /> -We sent in scurry wild across the snow.<br /> -You never then had truly guessed my years,<br /> -That I was mad with gladness plain appears!<br /> -Jo's hot young blood in me seemed to have place,<br /> -And merrily with him I kept the race.<br /> -To see them stand together, O, what joy—<br /> -Plet all in smiles beside my darling boy;<br /> -To hear the music of her gentle voice<br /> -Made every fiber in my heart rejoice.<br /> -They looked like pair upon some antique vase,<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>My Jo all strength, and she all sweetest grace.<br /> -And when I thought, instead of grave and shroud,<br /> -It was the bridal feast, I laughed aloud!</p> - -<p class='c000'>And what a feast it was, too, when it came;<br /> -In that high camp you'll find it still has fame!<br /> -From lonely spots the guests came far and wide,<br /> -And Plet, indeed, was lovely as a bride.<br /> -You'll guess, of course, as best man I stood there,<br /> -And heard "Good Wishes" heaped upon the pair.<br /> -For that flushed look of pride who could blame Jo—<br /> -As on Plet's lips he did the kiss bestow?<br /> -I think we might as well own up as not—<br /> -That single life is but a dreary lot!<br /> -I'll bother you no more about our claim,<br /> -Or what the mine itself in time became—<br /> -The miner often will too much expect,<br /> -Yet our first guess was far below correct.<br /> -'Tis business here has caused me to sojourn<br /> -Until the pair from wedding trip return.<br /> -Of course they make their home in that same west<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>That gave Jo wealth and brought a love the best;<br /> -And I?—Yes, I am for the mountains, too;<br /> -Strange how their magic will a man pursue!<br /> -Yes, they will follow whereso'er you go,<br /> -As they who love them once will always know.<br /> -Another word,—to tell you all complete—<br /> -I feel again an itching in my feet;<br /> -"The Miner's Fever!" Give it once a hold,<br /> -It comes to stay, and burns in young and old:</p> - -<p class='c000'>Shall I go to the Wasatch?—Why, of course!<br /> -To keep away requires the greater force.<br /> -And yet "Our Home" I almost dread to see—<br /> -Where metal's found there comes a stern decree—<br /> -The varied beauties of the mountain wild<br /> -To serve our greed are for the time defiled;<br /> -Each sturdy worker smites and cannot spare,<br /> -He follows law and makes deep havoc there.</p> - -<p class='c000'>And in the mining camp each blast I hear,<br /> -But echoes of those others will appear—<br /> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>Those that above the snowy heights were borne,<br /> -To celebrate the happy Christmas Morn,<br /> -Those blasts by which his joy the miner tells,<br /> -And which we used in lieu of Wedding Bells!</p> - -<div class='figleft id003'> -<img src='images/image080.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLET: A CHRISTMAS TALE OF THE WASATCH ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. -</div> - -<div style='margin:0.83em 0; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE<br /> -<span style='font-size:smaller'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE<br /> -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</span> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when -you share it without charge with others. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: -</div> - -<blockquote> - <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most - other parts of the world 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you - are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws - of the country where you are located before using this eBook. - </div> -</blockquote> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format -other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain -Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -provided that: -</div> - -<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation.” - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ - works. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right -of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. -</div> - -</div> - </body> - <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57c on 2021-12-16 10:07:25 GMT --> -</html> diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/66961-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 31e31ea..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc007.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc007.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3a1b9e9..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc007.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc011.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc011.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ed810c7..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc011.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc015.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc015.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index f0898ff..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc015.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc021.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc021.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e1053c4..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc021.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc027.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc027.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 124923e..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc027.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc034.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc034.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 2f77db3..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc034.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc037.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc037.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7c23e60..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc037.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc041.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc041.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 0d03fbd..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc041.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc047.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc047.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 29ddf09..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc047.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc050.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc050.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 02dd3c4..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc050.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc055.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc055.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 09b12eb..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc055.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc061.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc061.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8738bc6..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc061.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc065.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc065.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 2d817fd..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc065.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc068.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc068.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4d5e354..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc068.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/dc075.png b/old/66961-h/images/dc075.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 9f324f8..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/dc075.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/frontis.jpg b/old/66961-h/images/frontis.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7b03753..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/frontis.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/image023.jpg b/old/66961-h/images/image023.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7247909..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/image023.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/image027.jpg b/old/66961-h/images/image027.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index caf2042..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/image027.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/image037.jpg b/old/66961-h/images/image037.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 661f660..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/image037.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/image047.jpg b/old/66961-h/images/image047.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 160051c..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/image047.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/image061.jpg b/old/66961-h/images/image061.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 974f9b5..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/image061.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/image068.jpg b/old/66961-h/images/image068.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index af360d2..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/image068.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66961-h/images/image080.jpg b/old/66961-h/images/image080.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6b646d4..0000000 --- a/old/66961-h/images/image080.jpg +++ /dev/null |
